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Eagle Scout project benefits town field
(by Erin Patricia Griffiths - September 02, 2008)
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Photo Courtesy Of Naomi Weinberg
Eric Weinberg was recently recognized at the township council meeting on Monday, Aug. 25 for his service to the community through his Eagle Scout project, which produced four benches for Ranges Memorial Field and improved the state of the brick memorial honoring Robert. H. Ranges, Jr. Pictured from left with one of the benches are Mayor Joseph Blundo, Eric Weinberg, Steven Napolitano, scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 206, and Council President Glen Jasionowski.
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It is estimated that only five percent of all boys who participate in the Boy Scouts will ever achieve the ranking of Eagle Scout. It requires hard work, dedication, and years of service to the community to reach such a distinguished level. But for one modest 17-year-old River Vale resident named Eric Weinberg, it was just what he felt he needed to do.
When many high school students were spending their days beside town pools or hanging out with friends, Weinberg was dedicating hours of service to his Eagle Scout project as member of the River Vale Troop 206. He chose to plan and organize projects that would benefit the township he has grown up in, making benches for soccer players competing at Ranges Field. “I played soccer at Ranges Field a lot, and I wanted to choose something that I knew I was helping out with,” said Weinberg.
In addition to building benches, the project included plans to repair the brick memorial honoring Robert H. Ranges, Jr. for whom the field is named. “I always noticed it there, but it’s kind of facing the wrong way. So if you are walking in, you only really see the back of it,” said Weinberg. “So I thought if I made it more presentable, then people might notice it more.”
Ranges was a 20-year-old resident of the township who was killed in action while serving in the Korean War. To honor him, a memorial was erected at the field. Many residents do not even know the memorial exists. “I was thinking of doing something with one of the fields and I decided on this one because it needed something,” said Weinberg.
Once he had his idea, Weinberg met with Robert Gallione, Jr., township administrator, to discuss the prospect of building benches for the fields in addition to making repairs to the memorial. After receiving a favorable response from Gallione, Weinberg began researching plans for benches, seeking out various lumberyards to see if any would be willing to donate the wood necessary to complete the project. Although no one would donate the lumber, he did receive a discount at one lumberyard because it was for an Eagle Scout project, as well as donated screws from Home Depot and stain donated from Loews.
Originally, the plans included the construction of two benches for players as well as repainting the existing spectator benches. “I called DPW to ask about the bleachers, and they said they would be replacing the benches, so instead I decided to make four benches,” said Weinberg. With plans and lumber ready, Weinberg began the process for completing the benches.
But he did not build the benches alone, relying on the help of township Boy Scouts to help with the project and help in their own advancements and necessary service hours. “I called up the Boy Scouts and decided on dates to work on it,” said Weinberg. “I had about five or six meetings, and each time there were between three and six scouts who came,” he continued.
After constructing the four benches, Weinberg moved onto his work at the memorial. With the assistance of some scouts and family members, he began with trimming the bush at the center of the memorial and cleaning out the dead sections of underbrush. He also regrouted the bricks surrounding the memorial. “Since no one notices it [the memorial], like I said, I was thinking of planting some flowers around it on the outside, but I decided not to do that because one of the times I was working on it, I noticed that the area was completely flooded, so the flowers probably wouldn’t survive there,” said Weinberg.
Weinberg completed his projects within a two-month period, and was recently recognized by the mayor and council at the Monday, Aug. 25 council meeting for his service to the township. He hopes to officially complete his application and be awarded the distinction of Eagle Scout within the first month of school after meeting with an adult troop leader and completing a board of review interview. “I’m excited to get it,” said Weinberg of the Eagle Scout award.
Entering into his senior year of high school, Weinberg has a lot to look forward to. His plate is full with academic challenges including three AP courses and an honors course in addition to other studies, as well as serving in his positions of managing editor of the school newspaper, member of the math league, and his recent promotion to senior patrol leader with the Boy Scouts. He will also be filling his time with college applications, and trying to balance the hobbies he enjoys including reading, tennis, hiking, and photography.
As for what he hopes to study in college, Weinberg is looking to pursue environmental engineering, using what he has learned with the scouts doing what he enjoys most.
Erin Patricia Griffiths' e-mail address is GriffithsE@northjersey.com.
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