Eagle Scout project benefits community

By Judith Pannebaker BCC Editor

As part of his Eagle Scout rank project, Pipe Creek resident Ben Hedges has ensured that Bandera County will be safer during burn bans.

On Saturday, August 25, Hedges, a member of Troop 2407, Leon Springs Baptist Church, helped install burn ban flagpoles on Privilege Creek Road and Bear Creek Road. During burn bans, distinctive red flags will warn motorists that outdoor burning is prohibited.

The project was completed in conjunction with the Castle Lake Ranch Volunteer Fire Department. According to the 17-year-old Hedges, at present, only a single flag, located at the Castle Lake Ranch Volunteer Fire Department, advises residents about burn bans.

"My project had to be important for the community and I felt this would help a lot of citizens," Hedges said.

A community project was a mandatory requirement in his quest for the rank of Eagle Scout. Not surprisingly, Hedges is active in the Castle Lake Ranch Volunteer Fire Department - and resides in the Castle Lake Ranch subdivision.

"There's only one burn ban notification opportunity for the Castle Lake Ranch VFD response area and that's at the firehouse. I would estimate this is only viewed by half the folks in my neighborhood who drive past it," Hedges wrote in an email. "This sometimes causes people to be uninformed about whether a burn ban is on or off." Hedges feels his project will alleviate some of the confusion.

Ross McGill, Josh McGill, Jeremy Saltzman, Josh Wright, Caleb Wright, Bill Hedges, William Woodlee and Joe Hedges - all associated with Troop 2407 - assisted Hedges with the installations.

Hedges thanked Hevenor's Lumber Company, Bobby Stuart of Rattlesnake Springs Ranch, Dale Benditz of Continental Alloy and Cato Electric Company for supporting his Eagle Scout project - and Pipe Creek residents thank Hedges for his important contributions to their community.



Pictured: Courtesy photo
Ben Hedges, pictured center with flag and other scouts and volunteers recently installed two burn ban flagpoles as part of his Eagle Scout project. Other scouts and volunteers who helped with the installation included Jeremy Saltzman, Josh Wright, Caleb Wright, Bill Hedges, William Woodlee and Joe Hedges.

Courtesy photo
Re-enacting the Iwo Jima tableau, scouts with Troop 2407 of the Leon Springs Baptist Church erected a burn ban flagpole at Privilege Creek Road.