The Historic Hanson House is enhanced by Cranford’s newest Eagle Scout John Ross

Cranford’s Hanson Park’s natural and historic charm was given new life with the recent Eagle Scout project by Eagle Scout John Ross of The First Presbyterian Church’s Boy Scout Troop 80.
After achieving the rank of Life Scout and completing 21 merit badges, representing crucial life skills, a young man must prove his ability to plan implement and fund a community service project, of a grand scale, that serves his church or community. The selection of this project is carefully scrutinized by the controlling Patriots Path Council.
With the help of Kathleen Murray, John’s Eagle coach and president of The Hanson Park Conservancy, John selected the renovation of the detached garage at Hanson house on Springfield Avenue which is an historical landmark. The Hanson House had been recently painted and repaired, the garage was not. The project focused on replacing rotten wood and painting the structure to match the grand home. The windows were totally rotten and were replaced creatively by artistic renderings of charming windows hand painted by Cranford High School student Elizabeth Spiegel. This was truly the finishing touch to a wonderful project.
Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout is an enormous feat completed by less than 5 of 100 boys that start the journey as 1^st graders. John enters the fraternity of thousands of fine men that live their lives guided by the Boy Scout Oath, Law, Outdoor Code of Conduct and following the Scout Motto “Be Prepared for Life” . John is the 139^th Eagle Scout from Troop 80 since its inception in 1928.
John was assisted by his fellow scouts from Troop 80. Zach & A.J. Kornberger, Charlie Boan, Anthony Paradiso, Charles Harder,Will Harder, Brendan Aszklar, Roy Walton, Will Sassi, Liam Usinowics, Logan DesRoche, Mark & James Lynch, Sam & Matt Capone, Mike, John & Robert Scheurer as well as scout leaders Kathleen Murray, Jim Parlapiano and Scout Master Roy Walton.
 (above l-r) Standing in front of the Hanson House detached garage in its “before” state, are Eagle Scout John Ross, Charlie Boan, Zach and A.J. Kornberger.