Legacy of puppet theater lives on through an Eagle Scout project
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editora
PUTNAM — Fifteen or 20 years ago his mom, Kim Merchant, created a puppet theater for her church’s Bible School outreach.
And when it came time for Jordan M. Travisano, 16, to create an Eagle Scout project, that came to mind.
Eagle Scout projects require a presentation to a committee, full of details. If approved, the Eagle Scout candidate must come up with plans; gather materials and helpers and much more. Every detail needs to be beautifully covered.
And Travisano unveiled his project, a puppet theater and a puppet show and a follow-up craft project where Boy Scouts and guests created their own puppets from paper lunch bags.
Following in his mom’s footsteps, he said he intends to donate the theater to the Green Valley Crossing Church’s children’s program. The children’s worship leader is Patty Gaffney.
Travisano said it took him about 16 to 18 hours to create the theater. First he gathered materials including fabric, PVC pipe and more. Aubuchon was very helpful, he said.
Helping Travisano was Boy Scout Jace Jodoin.
Jodoin also helped put up the theater before the presentation to scouts and guests in the Albert J. Breault VFW Post 1523 hall.
The show, narrated by Merchant, involved the theft of some funds and the thief turning himself in.
A short discussion on the lesson of the show followed.
The Akela Club Puppet show was presented by Cub Scout Pack 21.
Travisano’s Eagle Scout project coach is John D. Ryan.
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captions:
From left: Jordan Travisano, Jace Jodoin and Kim Merchant.
Travisano and Jodoin working the puppets.
Jayda and James Mentor build puppets. More photos Wed. night on our FB page. Linda Lemmon photos.
Merchant, Jodoin and Travisano putting the puppet theater together.