Annual Awards Ceremony, Reception and Dinner
October 29th
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood, N.J.
Garden State Council, Scouting America, Presents...
Cape May County 2024
Honoring
The Fudgy Wudgy Man
MudHen Brewing Company and
Congratulations Distinguished Citizens
Bill Kelly and Brendan Sciarra | Daniel Beyel 2007 & David Beyel 2015
The Good Scout Award statuette is patterned after the statue of a Scout that stands before the Rowan Scout Resource Center, headquarters of Garden State Council. Here is the story behind the sculpture and its significance in Scouting History.
The sculptor was Dr. R. Tait McKenzie. In 1914 at the request of Dr. Charles D. Hart, President of the then Philadelphia Council, Boy Scouts of America, McKenzie created a statuette of the “Ideal Boy Scout.” His model, selected in a competition of Scout parades, was 12 yearold Franklin Williamson Hoover. Ten bronze 18 inch-high statuettes were cast as part of the Boy Scout Friends of Scouting Program. The edition was closed and Dr. McKenzie presented the copyright to the Philadelphia Council.
Plaster, bronze and epoxy reproductions were sold, beginning in 1916. Later, smaller copies, suitable for desk ornaments, were made available and are highly popular. In 1930, when the Philadelphia Council moved from 916 Walnut Street to 22nd and Winter Streets, it was hoped Dr. McKenzie would create a life-size statue to stand before the new building. He obliged, not by reproducing the small figure, but with a restudied statue with many changes, incorporating the new Scouting insignia.
Scout Douglas Shannon was the “Model in Chief” with Scout Joseph Straub in reserve, but several other Scouts also served as models for head, body and various detailed studies. The statue was unveiled June 12, 1937, Dr. McKenzie making the presentation address. Many lifesized copies are exhibited throughout the United States and in other countries around the Scouting world.
Garden State Council presents “The Ideal Boy Scout Statue” to the Distinguished Citizen because it embodies the meaning of Scouting found in the Scout Oath and Law. These same principles are found in this year’s honorees.
The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my Country, and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
Scouting America will prepare every eligible youth to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Law.
2024 Cape May County Committee
Distinguished Citizen Awards Committee
David Beyel, Chair
Maryanne Adams
Joe Cleary
Scott Halliday Jr.
Scott Halliday Sr.
Doug Heun
John Lynch
Patrick McMahon
Jason Miller
Tammy Garrison
Deanna Keough, GSC Development Director
Patrick Linfors, GSC Scout Executive
Bill Oakley
Lynda Pagliughi
Marty Pagliughi
Larry Schmidt
Jackson Sole
John Lynch, Director of Sales & Entertainment, Wildwoods Convention Center
Opening Ceremony: Pledge, Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Invocation
Scouts BSA Troop 1079, chartered by Seaville Fire & Rescue Scout Presentation
Matt Daher, Eagle Scout, Scouts BSA Troop 1079
Campership Appeal
Dave Beyel, Chair
Message from the Council’s Executive Vice President
Jason Miller, JWM Wealth Management
Introduction of Community and Scouting Dignitaries
John Lynch
Presentation of the Distinguished Citizen Award to Cape May County Honorees
Brendan Sciarra, MudHen Brewing Company & Bill Kelly, The Fudgy Wudgy Man
Council Remarks
Patrick Linfors, Garden State Council Scout Executive Closing
John Lynch
The Garden State Council’s Distinguished Citizen Award honors individuals who exemplify the core values of Scouting: leadership, determination, and community service. This prestigious recognition celebrates those who demonstrate exceptional citizenship, moral integrity, and a commitment to serving others, all while embodying the principles of the Scout Oath and Law.
Award recipients are distinguished community leaders who have made significant contributions to both adults and youth in their communities. While they may not be involved in Scouting, they embody its ideals.
The award is presented at the Distinguished Citizen Awards Dinner, serving as a powerful reminder to our youth that character truly matters. These remarkable individuals inspire the next generation to lead with integrity, embrace responsibility, and dedicate themselves to causes greater than personal interests.
Bill Kelly started with nothing but determination and a strong work ethic. Born in 1957 in Philadelphia and the oldest of four children, life took a different direction when his mother unexpectedly passed away when he was seven years old. His Irish grandmother, straight off the boat from County Mayo, had the foresight to purchase a summer boarding house, aptly named “The Mayo Inn.” Located at 224 East Garfield Avenue, being at the shore changed the trajectory of Bill’s young life.
He started selling the Philadelphia Daily News on the beaches of Wildwood that summer and realized two things: he loved the beach, and he loved selling. By the end of the summer, Bill gained a reputation not only for selling all of the newspapers but also for restocking the ice cream coolers for the iconic Fudgy Wudgy Men, one of whom was his uncle, Tom Gallagher.
Life moved quickly from there, as it always does. Bill met his wife, Linda, in 1983. He knew in an instant she was the one, often calling their marriage “the single most important decision of his life.” It certainly was. Together they established Oil Patch Fuel Corporation out of their home, and later, with the manpower and assistance of Linda’s brother, Paul Fred, they grew the business into one of the largest home heating oil providers in the Philadelphia region. They continued to build Oil Patch and expanded further into Fudgy Wudgy and Billy’s Beach Service.
All the while, Linda pursued her education and became a Registered Nurse. She spent her career working in the Neurotrauma Unit at Temple University and later
at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. While building their businesses, Linda and Bill were also building their family. In 1991, Bill purchased one of the worst homes in North Wildwood. They knew they wanted to raise their children at the shore, but this was not the home Linda had in mind! It became a long-running joke that they took one of the biggest eyesores on the island and turned it into the house that won all of the “Best Decorated” awards at Christmas time. But this is who Bill is. Losing his parents at a young age taught him that “life is for living—seize it and run.” His love for life and adventure, and his positivity through the ups and downs, continue to inspire his children and those around him.
More than anything, Bill is most proud of Linda and their family. His dedication to his family and the amazing shore community is at the heart of all he does. Bill’s story is one of quiet strength, hard work, and unwavering commitment to the values of humility, family, and service to others. This is what Scouting means to him and why it was such an honor to see his son accept the rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 73 of West Cape May.
Nowadays, Bill’s main focus is on enjoying time with his five children, their spouses, and most especially their six grandchildren, and spending time with Linda and their special needs daughter, Briana. Bill can often be found riding with Briana on the back of their tandem bike around the neighborhood. He is foreVer grateful to his grandmother, her innate business sense, and for bringing him to the shore.
Brendan Sciarra’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to community service are deeply rooted in his family history. Raised in a tight-knit family, Brendan attended Wildwood Catholic school, which instilled in him a strong sense of discipline and community values. He is married to Robin Sciarra, and together they have three children. Inspired by his father’s ambition and success, Brendan developed a keen interest in business from a young age.
In 1998, Brendan took his first major step in the hospitality industry by transforming Chiarella’s Ristorante and Lounge into Dogtooth Bar & Grill. This establishment quickly became a local favorite, known for its welcoming atmosphere and excellent service. Brendan’s knack for identifying and meeting community needs laid the foundation for his future successes.
Building on the success of Dogtooth, Brendan ventured into the culinary world with the creation of Poppi’s Brick Oven Pizza & Kitchen. He purchased a building across the street from Dogtooth and, after extensive reconstruction and training by renowned Neapolitan Pizza Master Giulio Adriani, Poppi’s was born. The restaurant pays homage to Brendan’s family, especially his grandfather, David “Poppi” Sciarra. Poppi’s has become one of Wildwood’s fastest-growing restaurants, celebrated for its authentic cuisine and family-centric atmosphere.
Brendan’s latest venture, MudHen Brewing Company, fulfilled a long-held dream for the Wildwood community. When a former Harley Davidson dealership on Rio Grande Avenue became available, Brendan seized the opportunity to create the island’s only brewery. MudHen Brewing Company is a fullservice bar, restaurant, and brewing facility. With the help of award-winning brewing consultant Scott Morrison, Brendan ensured that MudHen delivers high-quality craft beer that meets the high standards expected of a Sciarra establishment.
Now in its seventh summer, MudHen Brewing Company has expanded significantly, becoming one of Wildwood’s most sought-after destinations. Brendan, his Brewmaster Tony, and their dedicated team have worked tirelessly to meet the needs of both visitors and locals. The ongoing success of MudHen Brewing Company is a testament to their hard work and vision. The establishment continues to grow in popularity and reputation, and its journey is just beginning. The newest addition to MudHen, the event venue The Station House, is coming soon and will provide a unique space for gatherings and celebrations.
Brendan’s commitment to his community extends beyond his businesses. He is actively involved in various local initiatives and supports numerous charitable causes. His efforts to enhance Wildwood and transform it into a lively, thriving community are reflected in all of his projects.
platinum eagle sponsors
silver star sponsors
bronze first class sponsors
1st Bank Of Sea Isle City
Ford, Scott, & Associates L.L.C.
Halliday & Leonard Custom Building
Kramer Beverage Company
Marsh McLennan Agency LLC
McMahon Insurance Agency
The First National Bank Of Elmer
Key insights from the study include:
n Values and Ethics Education: Scouting alumni report teaching their children about values and ethics at an earlier age. Similarly, Scouts learn these principles from their parents sooner than their non-Scouting counterparts.
n Civic Engagement: Scouts and alumni prioritize civic responsibilities, such as voting, volunteering, and participating in community organizations, more than non-Scouts. They recognize these actions as essential traits of good citizenship.
n Ethical Awareness: Participants affiliated with Scouting are significantly more likely to label behaviors like littering, tax evasion, and dishonesty on resumes as “absolutely” wrong.
n Connection to Religion: The study shows a strong correlation between Scouting and religious involvement, with alumni more likely to identify with a religion and attend services regularly.
The overarching conclusion of The Scouting Edge is that both Scouts and non-Scouts agree on Scouting’s positive influence on leadership skills and the ability to aid others. This reinforces the idea that Scouting contributes significantly to character development and civic responsibility among youth.
For a detailed look at the data, demographics, and methodology, please refer to the complete report. https://www.scouting.org/about/research/the-scouting-edge-study/
When you donate to Scouting, you empower young people to reach their true potential. Your support creates extraordinary opportunities for youth to grow into remarkable individuals who contribute positively to their families and communities. donate today!
The vision of the Garden State Council is to provide exciting, fun, and values-based experiences of the highest quality to as many youth as possible. Our mission is to deliver exceptional youth programs focused on character development and leadership training, empowering young people to make ethical decisions and reach their full potential, so they can better serve their families, communities, and country.
The Scouting Edge, a comprehensive study conducted by The Harris Poll for Scouting America, highlights the significant positive impact of Scouting on ethical behavior and civic engagement. The research reveals that both Scouts and Scouting alumni are more likely to engage in constructive behaviors and hold strong ethical values compared to their peers who have not participated in Scouting.
Alan Gould
Borough of Avalon
Brayces Orthodontics
County of Cape May
Dave and Monica Coskey
Design Land Surveying PA
Icare Charitable Foundation
Jackson Sole
John Perone Electrical
John T. Turner
Linda O. Tozour
Mark D. Haas
Mitchell Welding & Iron Works
Mohawk Industries
Patricia Purdy
Reuter Construction, Inc.
Rick Wright
Seashore Food Distribution
Shaw Industries Group
Tammy Garrison
U.S. LBM
Wenonah Flooring, LLC
William L. Rogers
Many
........ Martin L. Pagliughi
........ Linda Pagliughi
Jay A. Gillian *deceased ~ Whitney M. Young Jr. Award Recipient
........ Eustace Mita
........ The Burke Family
........ Larry C. Schmidt
........ Maryanne Adams
George C. Robinson
Dave & Monica Coskey
The Mullock Family
