Meet Lynnfield's Three Newest Eagle Scouts

The following was provided by Karen McAlmon:

Lynnfield’s Boy Scout Troop 48, currently led by scoutmaster Gordon Forest, continues its proud tradition of developing Eagle Scouts. 

In 2012, the centennial year of scouting, nine scouts in Troop 48 were awarded the highest honor in Boy Scouting, the rank of Eagle Scout .  The last of them, Kevin Sanford, Edward “Teddy” Sanford and Alexander Ofori celebrated at a Court of Honor last Sunday at Centre Congregational Church. 

They each completed 21 or more merit badges and a service project.  They are now the 105th, 106th and 107th Eagle Scouts in the over 50 year history of Lynnfield Troop 48.  During the celebration, several dignitaries recognized their accomplishments.  Selectman Bob MacKendrick presented letters of congratulations to each of them on behalf of the Lynnfield Town Selectmen.  State Representative Bradley H. Jones, Jr, presented official citations of congratulations from the Massachusetts House of Representatives.  He also presented a letter of congratulations on behalf of Governor Deval Patrick and an official citation of congratulations from the Massachusetts State Senate on behalf of Senator Thomas McGee.  Local clergy—Father Jack Farrell, Reverend Dennis Bailey and Father Nicholas Morris-Kliment—also participated in the service.

Kevin’s Eagle Project took place in May 2012 and benefitted the Lynnfield Historical Society.  Prior to 2009, the Society had no dedicated space in which to house and showcase its artifacts and possessions which were primarily kept in the homes of Historical Society members.  In 2009, the Lynnfield Historical Commission was granted occupancy of 35 Common Street on the Town green, and Society members brought their articles to the property’s house and garage.  The garage quickly filled with items, and over the years became impassable.  Kevin and his volunteers removed items from the garage, cleaned the space and the fixtures, and replaced items back into the garage in an organized manner.  Damaged artifacts and items without historical significance were discarded.  The efforts of Kevin and his volunteers have enabled the Historical Society to more clearly inventory and access their valued possessions.

Teddy’s Eagle Project took place in October 2012 in the northwest corner of the Lynn Woods Reservation.   The Lynn Woods Reservation is the second largest municipal park in the United States and offers over 30 miles and 2,200 acres of scenic trails for hiking, running, horseback riding, mountain biking and cross-country skiing.  The northwest corner is a popular area with mountain bikers.  It contained two trails which were overgrown with branches and loose rocks.  Additionally, one of the trails was unmarked.  Teddy and his volunteers worked to clear the two trails of overgrowth, tripping hazards and debris, and paint-blazed the unmarked trail.  In making these two trails more inviting to park visitors, Teddy’s Eagle Project furthered Lynn Woods Ranger Dan Small’s ultimate wish to enable visitors to safely traverse an 8-mile loop within the Reservation.

Twins Kevin and Teddy, sons of Mr. & Mrs. Kip and Jodene Sanford, are sophomores at St. John's Prep in Danvers.  The Sanfords became the third family in the history of Troop 48 to have 3 brothers who have each obtained the rank of Eagle Scout. They join the Allison Family and the Hall Family, both of Lynnfield.  

Alex’s Eagle Project took place in the spring of 2011at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Lynnfield.   St. Paul’s Church helps to support the soup kitchen and food pantry at San Lucas Episcopal Church in Chelsea which serves over 800 people per month.  St. Paul’s initiated a vegetable garden to help supply fresh produce which was lacking in the food pantry.  Alex designed a protective fence and rain water collection drip irrigation system for the raised vegetable garden.  Under his supervision, volunteers constructed the fence and installed the drip irrigation system.  Children from the St. Paul’s Bethlehem School helped to plant the seedlings; Alex recognized their contribution by having them place their painted handprints on the rain water collection barrels.  Each spring, summer and fall hundreds of pounds of fresh produce are sent to the San Lucas food pantry.  The garden has been maintained by St. Paul’s Church members and, via continued collaboration between St. Paul’s and San Lucas’ church members, has been expanded.

Alex, the son of Dr. Karen McAlmon and Mr. Kwame Ofori-Asante, is currently a senior at The Governor's Academy in Byfield.   His brother, James, an eighth grader at Lynnfield Middle School, is also a member of Troop 48 and working toward the rank of Eagle.