Individuals entering the lobby of the main office of the Jim Thorpe National Bank (JTNB) on Broadway in Jim Thorpe will be greeted with a display of memorabilia celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

In addition to the display at the Jim Thorpe bank, there are similar displays at the Susquehanna Bank in Walnutport and the Palmerton National Bank in Gilbert.The displays celebrating this landmark event are the handiwork of H. F. Nick Hawkey from Kunkletown, an assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 98 of Brodheadsville.The display at JTNB consist of a display case containing vintage Scout items such as a first aid kit, manual, membership card, shower kit, flashlight, whistle, harmonica, signal mirror, mess kit, pocket knife, compass, and hatchet.There is also a mannequin adorned with a Boy Scout uniform from the 1950s, a Scout Leader's Campaign hat, an early canteen that is covered in wool, and official Boy Scout binoculars.The Boy Scouts of America were founded on Feb. 8, 1910 and currently have more than four million members in 120,000 units.Since its founding 100 years ago, more than 110 million Americans have been members of the BSA.The goal of the BSA is to train youth in responsible citizenship, character development, and self-reliance through participation in a wide range of outdoor activities, educational programs, and at older age levels, career-oriented programs in partnership with community organizations.The Scout Law states that "a Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent".Locally, on May 14 to 16 the Minsi Trails Council along with Bucks County and Susquehanna Councils of BSA will celebrate Scouting's 100th anniversary at "Jambo100," which will be held at Kutztown University and is expected to have 8,000 Scouts in attendance.The BSA National Jamboree, which has been moved up to 2010 to celebrate 100 years, will be a 10 day event held at Fort A.P. Hill Virginia from July 26 to Aug. 4.For more information on these events and the Boy Scouts, visit

www.scouting.org and

www.minsitrails.com.Also, be sure to visit one or all of the three bank displays set up by Hawkey and check out the vintage Boy Scout memorabilia that he has set up there.