Troop 349 Family,
It is with a heavy heart that I must tell you of the passing of one of our own. Branden Kelledy passed after a long-term illness. Branden joined us as Assistant Scoutmaster at the end of 2021 along with other adults and youth from former Troop 111. Branden, 20 years old, had been Suffolk County Council’s Representative to the National Eagle Scout Association. Remarkably, his passion for eagles did not stop at scouting. He was an accomplished photographer, and was one of the featured artists for the organization, “Bald Eagles of Centerport.“ On several occasions in the past year or more, our boys have sent him well wishes by video and with written cards which he and his family have always appreciated. Several of us have visited him over the past months to lift his spirits and keep him connected with scouting and 349 specifically. He taught our scouts the Bird Study merit badge via zoom this past year. Also, with his good friends Mr Ryder and Mr. Spear, he taught us Photography— in person at his home hospital bed—for scouts from Troops 349 and 205 on a few occasions. Branden was an amazing and strong young man, always eager to find common ground and have a good conversation with anyone he meets.
As a troop, and at his request and that of his family, we will honor him at the visitation at Maloney’s Lake Funeral home, 132 Ronkonkoma Avenue, Lake Ronkonkoma on Saturday, October 28 at 7:00pm. All scouts who wish to be part of this will gather in class A uniforms looking their best. We will be honoring Branden with a short scout themed ceremony. This is, of course, a sad occasion though it marks the end of his suffering and his belief of good things to come. This is not a mandatory event and we respect your decision as a family to choose to participate.
Troop 349 Committee and Leaders

Leadership meeting tonight, 7:30 at Great Hollow

Tonight, we gather in Class A full uniform for our Troop Court Of Honor — Great Hollow Middle School Amphitheater, 7:30-9pm. Come celebrate the advancements and achievements of our scouts. All parents are expected to attend. Please bring a snack or drink to share after our ceremony at a short reception in the cafeteria. Boys and leaders can arrive at 7 to setup.

It’s time again for our annual holiday wreath fundraiser. Once again we are selling decorated wreaths, poinsettias, centerpieces, decorated crosses and decorated grave blankets. This fundraiser benefits the troop and each scout who participates and raises at least $50. For every $50 sold, $5 goes into the scout’s account to use towards future campouts. An extra benefit is awarded to the scout who raises the most.
Please print the attached form to collect orders. Start selling now–there’s only about 3 weeks to turn in the form and collected money. All orders are due at the November 8 meeting, and items will be available for pickup on Friday, December 1. (If needed, an hour will be made available on Saturday, December 2.)
Please help the troop raise funds as we try to keep our annual registration costs the same despite increases from BSA.
Thank you, Mr. Lasher and the Troop Leadership rmd.me/0FnGc1p7lTq

From Brendan Tesone: Thank you very much to everybody who came to my project! We successfully completed the project last evening and constructed 5 handrails leading into the St. James Lutheran Church.

From Brendan Tesone: I will be having my Eagle Project today (Sunday 10/8) from 1PM to 6PM. We will be building handrails at the St. James Lutheran Church. (Dinner will be served at the end of the project)
Please bring: Gloves Post-hole digger Flat shovel Rake and Scout Spirit!
Where: We will meet at 195 Woodlawn Ave, St. James, NY Park in rear parking lot of church We will start off at the garage on the right side of church property

From Brendan Tesone: I will be having my Eagle Project tomorrow on Sunday 10/8 from 1PM to 6PM. We will be building handrails at the St. James Lutheran Church. (The original date was Saturday, we are NOT holding the project on Saturday.)
Please bring: Gloves Post-hole digger Flat shovel Rake and Scout Spirit!
Where: We will meet at 195 Woodlawn Ave, St. James, NY
Park in rear parking lot of church We will start off at the garage on the right side of church property

From Brendan Tesone: I will be having my Eagle Project tomorrow on Sunday 10/8 from 1PM to 6PM. We will be building handrails at the St. James Lutheran Church. (The original date was Saturday, we are NOT holding the project on Saturday.)
Please bring: Gloves Post-hole digger Flat shovel Rake and Scout Spirit!
Where: We will meet at 195 Woodlawn Ave, St. James, NY
Park in rear parking lot of church We will start off at the garage on the right side of church property

Here is some information about upcoming events.
All upcoming meetings in October and November are back to the Great Hollow cafeteria, 7:30-9pm. Visit our web page calendar to stay informed: rmd.me/RF.hI7E2iqq
October Campout — October 14-15, Alpine Scout Camp, Alpine, NJ. $35, rmd.me/MD.cnbW8mja We only have enough adults to transport approximately 12 scouts to this tent campout. We need family assistance transporting additional youth to/from this campout. Only registered leaders may stay overnight. Contact Mr. Lasher for information about becoming a registered leader.
Troop Court Of Honor — October 18, Great Hollow Middle School Amphitheater, 7:30-9pm. Come celebrate the advancements and achievements of our scouts. All parents are expected to attend. All blue cards for completed merit badges are due this Wednesday, October 4. Those who have advanced in rank since the last court of honor in June must inform Mr. Mayer in person, or a designated alternate this Wednesday, October 4 to obtain their recognition at this Court of Honor. Please bring a snack or drink to share after our ceremony at a short reception.
Webelos Woods Campout — November 3-5, Baiting Hollow Scout Camp, Calverton, NY. $35, rmd.me/aB.s2q9mcx4 This is our premiere recruiting event. All scouts are invited to this 2-night tent campout to teach skills and games to Webelos. We will need assistance transporting youth to this campout.
Turkeyfest Dinner and Campout — November 18-19, Schiff Scout Reservation, Wading River, NY $15 per person for dinner, $15 per person for camping. rmd.me/kl.9fVzizUV The entire family is invited to this Thanksgiving feast. Scouts will spend the day cooking and entertaining Webelos with activities.

Meeting tonight 7:30 at Great Hollow middle school, CLASS A