By Jill VanDewoestine, February 2025
Rob Dusher, North Star District Membership Chair and Unit Leader for Cub Scout Pack 816 and Troop 816 (Niagara Falls, NY) was inspired after seeing Niagara Falls illuminated in blue and gold for Cub Scout recruiting last fall. He applied to have the Falls illuminated in red, white, and blue for Scouting America’s birthday on February 8, 2025.
On January 9th, he received word that the request had been granted! He made plans to live-stream the event on the Troop’s Facebook page and have his son, Richard take pictures. He invited other families to join, but the wintery conditions kept them from attending.
Rob Dusher at Niagara Falls on February 8, 2025
White-out conditions at the Falls earlier in the evening
Richard’s pictures found their way to the Boy Scouts of America’s Facebook post, along with other landmarks illuminated for Scouting America’s birthday such as the Nasdaq Marquee and the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
When asked how he felt about the illumination, Rob said, “When I submitted the request, I had no idea that it would be part of a much larger celebration of 115 years of Scouting and our new future as Scouting America. It reminded me that we are part of something so much bigger than ourselves. Our troop has been fortunate to meet scouts from across the country because our online presence references Niagara Falls. Our efforts are local, but we can barely imagine how far the ripple effect can travel from our good turns.”
Red, white, and blue illumination as seen from Prospect Point
Rob and Richard Dusher
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