Keep Clemmons Scouting history alive

I’m looking for historical artifacts that enable me, along with a committee dedicated to preserving Clemmons High School memorabilia, to showcase how our community has changed and grown over the past century. As a former Troop 736 Scout and Clemmons Scoutmaster of 14 years, I am personally interested in how the history of Clemmons intertwines with that of the Boy Scouts of America, which had its first troop here in 1927, Troop 24. (Though believed to be started in 1921, the earliest charter found is for 1927.)

Troop 24, which is now Troop 736, was the first in Clemmons and had just eight or ten boys. Back then, the Clemmons area claimed just 250 residents in what was termed “open country.” The troop met at the old Clemmons Moravian School, then the Methodist Church and after that at the Clemmons Elementary school (Historic Broyhill Office Suites) and finally at the Civic Club where they still are today.

I’m immensely proud of our farming history and our willingness to evolve and welcome new residents and businesses. Clemmons has been where I chose to raise my family and serve on the Village Council. Perhaps I’m so proud because the Canter family (from which I come) were farmers raising tobacco and other crops, have been in the Clemmons /Lewisville area since the 1800s. Both my father and I attended Clemmons School, at different times of course. In fact, I’m embarrassed to admit it, but we were both spanked by the same principal and probably the same paddle in what is now the Historic Broyhill Office Suites.

Help keep our shared history alive. Whether or not you are originally from Clemmons, you chose to make it your home and this is your history, too. Please look in your attics, storage boxes and garages for anything that may help paint the picture of the past. Specific items could include Boy Scout uniforms, patches, books and newspaper articles from any Clemmons-affiliated troops from the 1920s to the present. That said, please send any Clemmons-based memorabilia my way and I will ensure it is well taken care of and shared with the community at the Civic Center, Historic Broyhill Office Suites or another worthy location.

The committee and I are currently raising funds for a custom-built showcase unit and would welcome any additional support. Contact me at bink_352000@yahoo.com.

— Scott Binkley
Councilman and Assistant Scoutmaster

Friend of the Library?

As president of the Friends of the Clemmons Library, I would like to clarify some statements that have been made. Along with an application for appointment to several Village boards, Connor Groce submitted a letter of recommendation stating that “he has been involved in civic organizations including the Friends of the Library.” Recently, a letter to the editor spoke about how “connected he is with his community including the Friends of the Library.”

The fact is, he did pay the $10 dues to become a member of the Friends of the Library about 4 months ago but has never participated in any of the Friends activities and arrived late at the only meeting he did attend. As Connor enters adulthood, he could take more care to ensure that information given out about him or by him is accurate.

— Lee Reynolds
President, Friends of the Clemmons Library

 

In favor of median

I attended the DOT meeting at River Oaks Church on July 10. The DOT representatives that were there listened attentively and answered my questions with professionalism. I also complimented the DOT on the median that runs north from Peace Haven Road to Highway 42 — it is safe and with attractive landscaping. I also thought the proposed median should run the entire length of Lewisville-Clemmons Road with several breaks similar to one that is proposed at the Pizza Hut intersection. That should make it accessible to all businesses. And it should also help with future growth.

I know the people on the Village Council, both present and past are good people but I would be disappointed and upset if the median was rejected. Safety should be a main concern. The current Council was elected because many voters were persuaded by the “Stop the Median” signs which were paid for by some with more dollars than sense. They insisted that it would hurt business but statistics have shown it could help by putting a calming effect on drivers, by encouraging them to stay in lanes and by having a median with turning points that would make it safer when needing to get across the road. The DOT engineers have more knowledge about traffic than the average citizens. So let them do what they have previously studied and trained about traffic.  They are the professionals.

— Art Fraunhofer
Clemmons