The Mingo Republican

M. A. Gentry Receives High Award At Scouters Banquet; Lawson Reelected President

M. A. Gentry, former scoutmaster of Troop 4, Williamson, received the highest award of the Logan-Boone-Mingo Council of the Boy Scouts of America at the annual meeting Friday night at Logan. The award, the Silver Beaver, is the most coveted one in the area and only twenty-eight have been awarded in the history of the local council.

Over three hundred Scouts and Scouters, sixty from this district, attended Friday night's meeting, with Williamson taking the spotlight in special awards and offices. In addition to the Beaver award to Gentry, J. Brooks Lawson was reelected president of the area council. Randolph Bias, reelected as vice president, and Earl L. Sampson received a 25-year "Silver Anniversary" certificate.

Randolph Bias made the presentation of the Silver Beaver, and George Baker of the veteran certificate, the first 25-year certificate in the council.

Gentry, one of the most respected leaders among Scouters, and the most loved of Scouts, has had a long and profitable service in Scouting. Scoutmaster of Troop 4, sponsored by the First Methodist church for eleven years, he sent many Eagle Scouts to the annual meetings, and many leaders in the district and annual summer camp learned their scouting under him. He is now chairman of the troop committee.

Chelsea H. Kelley, pastor of the First Methodist church acted as master of ceremonies at the dinner meeting, and Eddie Lawson, an Eagle Scout gave a report on the World Jamboree held last year at Paris.

Dr. Frank Shaffer of Charleston, director of the Pension Crusade of the Methodist church for West Virginia was the principal speaker. A delegate to the General Conference and a possible candidate for Bishop, Dr. Shaffer gave a forceful address on 'The Stuff of Life In Human Hands."

Thirty-two Eagle badges were presented at the meeting, with just one from this district, Maurice Varney of Stone Troop 16. Judge C. C. Chambers, of Logan, made the presentation address.

In addition to Lawson and Bias, S. P. Goodman was named as a representative to the National Council, and the following men were elected as council members from Mingo-Pike District: Charles Albert, Frank Allara, Foster L. Apple, George Baker, O. W. Evans, William Haslam, F. B. McChesney, Ross Thompson, T. M.