Date: Fri 30-Aug-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Eagle-Scout-William-Beard-Jr

Full Text:

with photo... Earns Eagle Scout Badge

The 40-seat outdoor chapel built by Newtown's William C. Beard, Jr, at the

Stepney Baptist Church in Monroe was put to use for the first time at this

year's sunrise service on Easter Sunday.

It snowed that April morning but the Eagle Scout project was appreciated just

the same.

William, 18, the son of William and Marianna Beard of 27 Meadowbrook Road, was

honored for his work in Boy Scouts Sunday night with the awarding of his Eagle

Scout badge.

A scout since 1989, William cleared a plot of land filled with brush to the

south of the Route 25 church then constructed the chapel out of donated wood.

In all, the job took 128 hours, most of which was taken up in the planning

stage.

At his ceremony, the new Eagle Scout received citations of commendation from

several officials, including First Selectman Robert Cascella, US Senator

Christopher Dodd and President Bill Clinton.

William, who graduated this spring from Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury,

will attend Sacred Heart University this fall where he'll likely major in

business.