Eagle Scout lands state-wide award

By SANDY LONG

GLEN SPEY, NY — Local teen Brian Corcoran has been selected from a statewide pool of eagle scouts in recognition of the special Eagle Scout Project he completed in Glen Spey. Corcoran received the VFW Scout of the Year Award recently for his creation of an outdoor amphitheater in Circle Park next to the Lumberland Town Hall.

“Tragedy had struck our small town when a classmate of mine [Elizabeth “Boo” Bisland] was lost in a swimming pool accident,” said Corcoran. “In celebration of her life, a memorial park was created.”

The amphitheater, comprised of six elevated oak half logs that face a podium next to a stream running in a wooded section of the park, took 17 months to plan and execute. Building it required the help of 30 volunteers working more than 300 hours in support of Corcoran’s project. Eagle Scouts are expected to manage all aspects of such projects in order to earn their Eagle Scout promotion.

“My team of volunteers ranged in age from 7 to 70,” said Corcoran. “Everyone from tiny Cub Scouts to grandmothers helped me. I learned a great deal completing my project and I am extremely proud of it.”

The amphitheater is used by a variety of groups for activities and meetings.