By JOAN SEARS

For the Daily News

MATTAMUSKEET — Preston Bartelle of Hyde County’s Boy Scout Troop #262 is the recent recipient of the prestigious Eagle Scout award.  Landis Cutrell, scout leader tells of Bartelle’s dedication and commitment with superlative efforts in his work through the scouts. His Eagle Scout project was the much needed ticket booth that he created for the Mattamuskeet Athletic Department. He was motivated to make it completely solar powered in part by the hurricane conditions during the Mattamuskeet Homecoming of 2013.

The ticket booth is solely dependent on its own power with lights, batteries and a solar power panel. It is a portable unit complete with a special fold up window hatch and fold down ticket counter all designed by Bartelle. He has many other awards and merit badges but his work with the Boy Scout #262 troops was topped with this recent project.

It is difficult to imagine the complexities of the ticket booth project. Preston drew up the preliminary design with, at the time, Mattamuskeet woodworking teacher Butch Harris. Then, he conducted a fundraiser to get the project going. Among other contributors, Baker’s Supply of Belhaven went above and beyond with assistance in the form of building materials for the project. Charles Ray, long-time shop teacher and FFA leader, assisted with the trailer frame, which supports the unit and donated trailer axels to make it portable. Landis Cuthrell and scout assistant Matt Halla with the Hyde County troops was assisted by Paul Harris and the Belhaven troops to give a helping hand.

High School Principal M.D. Coleman III was in attendance with parents Michael and Martha Bartelle as the unit was delivered to Mattamuskeet School. Mr. Coleman could not have been more emphatic in relaying the great need and appreciation for the booth. Michael Bartelle said “it’s has been a long journey but well worth the effort, and we are very proud of Preston.”

Master Scout Leader Landis Cutrell is proud to say Engelhard’s Troop #262 was established in 1955 and that he was able to reestablished Troop #262 under the old charter in 1987-88. Preston Bartelle is the first in the reestablishment of Troop #262 to receive the Eagle Scout award, and he is the only Boy Scout to reach Eagle Status in Hyde County since Eddie Cahoon’s Hyde County Troop #107, which existed to around the year 2000. The gold plaque on the ticket booth reads” Preston Bartelle’s Eagle Scout Project,  thanks to contributers. Special thanks to Butch Harris and Charles Spencer.”