Irish Theme for 81st Annual Scout Gang Show

DERBY - "When Irish Eyes Are Smilin'" is the theme for the 81st Annual Cub Scout Pack 3, Boy Scout Troop 3 and Venture Crew 33 Scout Gang Show on May 6 & 7, 7:30PM at the Derby Methodist Church, located on the historic Derby Green.

Derby Mayor Marc Garofalo, a Troop 3 Committee member and long time supporter of Scouting, will be a special guest performer. More than 100 scouts and adult leaders will perform in the show, which at 81 years, is the longest running show of its kind. The show has been featured in Scouting, Boy's Life and Yankee Magazine and in 1999 the show was featured on National Public Radio. Movie and TV star Brian Dennehy began his career in 1948 by singing "Be a Good Scout" in the show as a Derby Cub Scout.

Edmund D. Strang served as intelocutor for 70 years and Troop 3 Committee Chairman Randy Ritter has been directing the show since Strang's death in 1995. Providing piano accompaniment is Mr. Ryan Vigil, a music composition Master's Degree candidate at Yale University. The show's longterm success has been due to the continuity of the leaders and performers. The endmen, or fun men who tell jokes for the show include Naugatuck resident Henry "Jay" Decho, who has performed in the show since 1964. Endmen Donald King, Barry Howard and Al Palumbo have all been in the show since 1975. The newest endmen, Matt Decho, Kyle Uhlig, Rob Liddel and Brian Spinetti have several years of experience. Uhlig, Liddel and Spinetti are all 18 year old Seniors at Shelton High School.

Several skits will be performed including "The Unicorn Song" by Beverly Martin's Tiger Cubs and "The Mickey Mouse Club" by Boy Scouts Matt Frovarp, Alex Oppel and the Cubs of Sue Stankey and Samanta Mahan's Cub Scout Den. Other hightlights include "Cockles and Mussels" performed by Cub Scout Michael Shea, "Moon River" by Kyle Uhlig and "Out Behind The Barn" by Jay Decho. Rodman Kneen is leading the stooges, who perform run on gags and skits. Kneen is participating in his 72nd Gang Show and Pack 3 Committee Chairman Anthony Pepe will be handling tickets at the door for his 45th year.

Tickets for the May 6 & 7 show are $7 each and availabe from any Pack 3, Troop 3 or Crew 33 scout or by contacting Mrs. Lori Veillette at 732-2356. A limited number of tickets may be available at the door.