Three Fires Council honors Colonial Cafe family

The Three Fires Council-Boy Scouts of America recognized the tradition of Scouting, the support from Colonial Café’s Anderson family, and honored grandfather and Distinguished Eagle Scout Joe K. Anderson by planting a tree. The restaurant owner and longtime St. Charles resident died in 1998.

Fred Norris, former St. Charles mayor, led the group on Sept. 10 in dedicating the tree in the Centennial Cove, located in the Norris Scout Center, 415 N. Second St. in St. Charles.

The green mountain sugar maple will be a living legacy to acknowledge the Anderson family for its continued support of Scouting’s “deep roots” in strengthening youth and families. After the dedication, attendees received Colonial Café’s ice cream.

As a fourth-generation business that began in 1901 by Simon Anderson, Colonial Café and Ice Cream understands tradition. Scouting has also been a tradition of the Anderson family.

“For generations, the Anderson family and Colonial Café have been supporting the work of Scouting and our communities as a whole,” stated Matt Ackerman, Scout Executive for the Three Fires Council, BSA.

“This is a fitting tribute to recognize the multiple generations and their involvement in Scouting.”

Joe K. Anderson, the current owners’ father and grandfather, became an Eagle Scout in 1932. Joe was an assistant Scoutmaster in 1937, received the Silver Beaver Award in 1987 for his service to youth in the community, and received the National Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 1988. Clinton Anderson, Colonial Café’s president and Joe K.’s grandson, is also an Eagle Scout.

The Three Fires Council serves youth throughout Kane, DuPage, Kendall, DeKalb, and parts of Will and Cook counties. Its mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

For more information, visit www.ThreeFiresCouncil.org. To find a Scout unit close to you, visit www.BeAScout.org.