WATERVILLE — The local Boy Scout District recently presented volunteers Chuck Smith, of Phillips, Pat Couture, of Manchester, and Chuck Mahaleris, of Augusta, with the District Award of Merit. The award is presented to a Scouter who has provided outstanding leadership at the District-level of Scouting, according to a news release from Chuck Mahaleris.

The presentation took place recently during the annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner at the Waterville Lodge of Elks drawing more than 120 Scouting volunteers from Franklin, Kennebec, Somerset, Lincoln and Knox counties.

Smith is an Eagle Scout and served as Scoutmaster for Troop 592 in Phillips. He has been an active volunteer on camporees and summer camp staff at Camp Bomazeen in Belgrade.

Couture is cubmaster for Pack 622 in Manchester, he serves on the district training team, has served on camporee staff, and is the webmaster for the district webpage.

Mahaleris, also an Eagle Scout, has served as cubmaster in Augusta and East Providence, summer camp staff, and currently serves as the advancement chairman for the district.

During the event, George “Chummy” Dawbin was presented with the Lifetime Service Award for his more than 50 years of service to Scouts in West Gardiner. The award was presented by his son, George “Butch” Dawbin, who is serving as the program director at Camp Bomazeen this summer.

The keynote address was given by Maine’s Olympian Julia Clukey. Clukey thanked the leaders for their dedication to the program of Scouting and for working with youth and challenging them to never quit on their dreams despite obstacles and setbacks.

The program was dedicated to the memory of Richard Chamberlain. Seventy years ago, Chamberlain was the Scout from Waterville who won a contest and gave Camp Bomazeen its name. He attended the Camp’s 70th anniversary this past July and shared stories about the early days of the Belgrade camp. Sadly, he passed in August.


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