Robert Baden-Powell's book, Scouting for Boys, was first published in England in 1908. Shortly after, Scouts began forming all over Canada. In 1910, a Dominion Council was established and Governor General Earl Grey accepted the position of Chief Scout for Canada. The Boy Scouts Association was incorporated in the United Kingdom two years later. In June 1914, a Canadian branch of that organization - The Canadian General Council of the Boy Scouts Association - was incorporated. In 1920, the International Conference, to which all recognized Boy Scout associations belonged, was formed.

The first recorded date for the Our Lady of Mercy Boy Scout Association in Coniston, Ontario was 1948. The first entry in their Minute Book begins with the last meeting of the year in 1948 so there most likely was another Minute Book created before this, possibly for years prior to this date, and lost. Prior to their formation, there was already a Coniston Boy Scout Association. The first troop was affiliated with the Anglican Church and this, the second troop, was formed to be affiliated with the Catholic Church (the french speaking boys attended Our Lady of Mercy Church while the english speaking boys attended St. Paul's Church). Both troops existed at the same time in Coniston during the entire life of the Our Lady of Mercy Boy Scout Association and frequently participated in events and fundraising together. The Our Lady of Mercy Boy Scout Association Board held their meetings in the basement of the Separate School in Coniston every month. Troop meetings tended to take place on Tuesday nights at 7pm but they would have events on other days. Activities of the troop included camping, hiking, first aid training, hockey, watching National Film Board movies, and father son banquets. They were funded with Apple Day sales, Christmas Card sales, and various other fundraising activities.

During the summer of 1953, the Our Lady of Mercy Boy Scout Association won the 'All Over' trophy at summer camp, signifying that they were the best cub pack from the Sudbury District attending the camp. In 1955, three Scouters resigned; one to attend school out of town and the other two, who were the Cub Masters Mr. & Mrs. Gobbo [Art Gobbo & Evelyn Gobbo]. In September 1956, the 1st Coniston Troop approached the 2nd Troop with the proposition of forming one group for Coniston. Bishop Dignan gave permission for boys from the 1st Troop to join, provided the 2nd Troop had control of the troop. During 1956 and 1957, the troop had difficulties recruiting Cub Masters who had the time to volunteer and the group folded by 1958 with the remainder of their bank balance being donated to the 1st Coniston Group Committee on November 12, 1962.

Presidents (Chairmen)
Edward J. Orendorff 1948 - 1952, May 1953 -after 1957 (also principal of Coniston Continuation School)
O. Paradis 1952 - 1953
G. Maher January - May 1953

Chaplains for Troop
Father Fortin 1948 - 1951
Father Lafontaine 1953
Father Proulx 1956 - 195?

Jean Narozamski was a horticulturist and a librarian who helped to found the Walden Garden club in 1976.

The Walden Garden Club was first founded by Jean Narozanski in 1976. Narozanski was the municipal horticulturalist in Walden and also worked at the public library. She noticed a desire of residents to learn more about horticulture and founded the club to provide an outlet for various homeowners to discuss gardening. That same year, Narozanski also established Northern Perennials, a local gardening store. By 1980, Narozanski moved to Manitolan Island and the club discontinued around the mid 1980's.

Former Chairmen of the Walden Garden Club include;

Jean Narozanski 1976-1977
Evelyn Nelson 1977-1978
Myra Gauthier 1978-1979

Denis Landry est né à Azilda en Ontario, le 16 mai 1919. Il a commencé l’école à l'âge de sept ans et a gradué de la huitième année de l'École Publique Azilda #2, à l’âge de quatorze ans. Landry n’a pas pu continuer son éducation pour des raisons économiques. Il a commencé à travailler sur la ferme familiale où il s’occupe de la pasteurisation du lait et prend soin des animaux. Landry épouse Thérèse Paquette, le 6 janvier 1945. Sept enfants naissent de ce mariage.

Landry est un catholique dévoué qui aime la musique religieuse. Il est membre de la chorale de la paroisse de Chelmsford et quand la paroisse Sainte-Agnès est formé, il devient le directeur de la chorale pendant vingt ans.

Landry est une figure importante dans le secteur d'éducation dans les régions d'Azilda et de Chelmsford. Il joue un rôle significatif pendant la création de la Commission scolaire séparée du Roman Catholic Separate School Section No.1 [RCS.S No.1] en 1955. Il est nommé commissaire de la Commission scolaire séparée RCS.S No.1 de 1955 à 1956. Grâce aux efforts des commissaires, les écoles catholiques dans le district No.1 et No.2 se fusionné en 1961. Landry est élu président de la Commission scolaire séparée RCS.S No.1 & 2, le 7 janvier 1961. Les assemblés pour la commission sont tenus à l'école Ste-Marie à Azilda. Les commissaires de la Commission scolaire séparée jouent un rôle important dans la création de deux nouvelles écoles séparées; l’école St-Patrick et l’école St-Dominique-Savio. En 1965, Landry est nommé commissaire pour le Chelmsford Valley District High School Board. Il sert six ans comme commissaire pour ce Conseil pour assurer que tous les enfants catholiques de la région puissent poursuivre leurs études au niveau secondaire. En 1968, le Ministère de l'Éducation décide de restructurer l’administration en Ontario. Landry est nommé par le Chelmsford High School Board pour servir sur le comité 'Add-Hoc' pour préparer les documents nécessaires pour la restructuration des conseils scolaires en Ontario. Nommé représentant des écoles séparées de l’Ouest Landry tient ce poste pour douze années. Il dévoue 32 ans de service comme commissaire pour les écoles séparées et donne à une nouvelle génération d'enfants catholique française de la région de Rayside Balfour l’occasion d'apprendre et de grandir dans un système d'éducation convenable.

Lors de sa participation à l'évolution du système d’éducation à Azilda, Landry travaille comme mineur à Inco pour soutenir sa famille. Après 43 ans de service, Landry prend sa retraite et continue à travailler comme un agent d’immobiliers. Il est fier de la culture française. Son enthousiasme pour l'éducation, le village d'Azilda et la culture française l'inspiré à écrire et publier le livre Azilda, comme je l’ai connue.

Landry est aussi membre de la Coopérative funéraire et un membre fondateur du Club d’âge d’or d’Azilda. Denis Landry meurt le 6 mai 2008 à l'âge de 88 ans.

Israel "Irving" Steinberg was born January 16 1919 in Peterborough Ontario. Shortly after his birth he moved with his parents, Joseph and Leah Steinberg and his sister Rose Steinberg, to Sudbury Ontario where his father founded Toronto Bargain Stores. The Steinbergs lived in Sudbury until 1932 when they moved to Toronto. Joseph Steinberg died on July 14 1963, and Irving Steinberg as executor of his estate retained property in Sudbury until 1968 when it was expropriated by the city as part of a downtown urban development project. Irving Steinberg passed away on March 1, 2011.