Real People, Real Heroes

Cub Scout Patrick McCarthy

On Friday July 23, 2010 a potential tragedy was averted due to the calm reaction and quick
thinking of eight year old Bear Cub Scout Patrick McCarthy of Bear Delaware. Patrick is a member of Cub Scout Pack 902 that meets at Cornerstone Methodist Church in Glasgow Delaware.

Patrick was visiting with his cousin Jessica and his three month old second cousin Autumn in
Peach Bottom Pennsylvania. On the spur of the moment, Jessica decided to take Patrick and Autumn to a friends home to swim. They were joined by friends Betsy and two year old Trent.

While Jessica and Betsy were occupied taking pictures of Autumn’s first time in a pool, Patrick
noticed that Trent had picked up the floating pool thermometer and attempted to put it in the pool. Trent ended up toppling head first into four feet of water and bumping his head on the side of the pool as he fell in. Patrick calmly started calling for help and began to swim over to assist Trent until the adults could reach him. Due to Patrick’s quick reaction Trent was hastily pulled from the water, coughing up water and terrified, but none the worse.

Patrick told his cousin Jessica that he learned about swimming safety and letting his “Akela” know when help is needed while in Cub Scouts. Earlier in the year Patrick had learned about swimming safety while earning his swimming belt loop.

Patrick started swim lessons with Team Delaware swim team at the age of two and by age six he was certified pool safe. Not being strong swimmers themselves, Dad and Mom were insistent that Patrick learn to swim at an early age thinking it might one day save his life. It never dawned on them that at such an early age Patrick would be able to put his skills to use to help someone else. Money well spent!!

Dad and Mom are so very proud of Patrick! They are thankful for his Cub Scout training and
most importantly, thankful that God put Patrick in the right place at the right time!

And the winners are ...

(Photo by Randy Cloud)

Congratulations to our own big winners at the Delaware State Fair! Florence Moore (above left) took home eight ribbons (two for first place in the ceramic and pillow categories), Joe Krist (center) was awarded a second place ribbon in ceramics, and Matty Cloud took away the blue ribbon in decorative painting. Way to go!