Scout Troop Marks 85 Years of Service

Boy Scout Troop #194 Alumni Group from Detroit has logged more than 60 years of service at the Mackinac State Historic Parks Scout Service Camp and visited the Island to celebrated the troop’s 85th anniversary Friday, August 5, through Sunday, August 7.

The troop has several ties to Mackinac, including Mike Higgins, who served as an Island police officer under Chief Jack Welcher. Alan Kilar was employed by Mackinac State Historic Parks as a Scout Camp coordinator for several years and Pat McCourt is the brother of Island resident Mary Dufina. Islander Donald Andress and scout alum Don Juszcyk discovered they served in the same Army unit in Germany.

The weekend events were coordinated by Alumni President John Knorp and began with a traditional campfire on Friday night.

The alumni group had a cookout at Surrey Hills and a bike tour led by Jerry Kilar, troop historian and professor. Bill Byrne was master of ceremonies at a dinner program and Irish song fest held at Stonecliffe.

On Sunday, under the direction of Pat Knorp, members provided music, readings, and an impromptu choir during mass at Ste. Anne’s Church.

The group of 40 former scouts stayed at various Island hotels and plan to return in five years to celebrate their 90th Anniversary.