Young or old, it pays to stay active. Take what enjoyment you can from life and help your fellow travelers. Just ask 8-year-old Liam Green, a Cub Scout with Shelburne Falls Cub Scout Pack 85, and his two buddies, Ray Dyer and Grayson Bishop.

Or if you don’t believe them, because you think they are too young to know about such things, then ask 99-year-old Dorothy Wright of Greenfield. They may not seem to have a lot in common, but they agree about this.

To prepare for the Shelburne Falls Fourth of July parade and picnic, Pack 85’s big fundraiser, the boys planned, scrubbed and prepared for weeks.

Before the event, they cleaned out the coolers and other equipment to be used, soaking each other to the skin in the process, just for fun. On the Fourth, they arrived early to help set up tables and serve food.

“(It) teaches responsibility,” said parade organizer Todd Dubreuil of the boys involvement. “And the sense of community is huge — especially in a small town like this.”

Catherine Fahy Green, Liam’s mother and den leader, notes that events like this are a chance for the youngsters to learn valuable lessons about community — amidst the fun.

“The community service is important,” she said, “because there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes. The reason I love Cub Scouts is because of the community service.”

In the past year, the pack of about 10 Scouts has served community meals at Trinity Church in Shelburne Falls, cleaned up around the Buckland Recreation Area, and collected food for people who are hungry.

Now, Dorothy Wright, who a Recorder reporter described as a woman filled with wit and charm, and still willing to enjoy a bit fun, danced a bit of a jig when she was awarded Greenfield’s Boston Post Cane, recently, her sense of joy intact.

“She’s a character; she’s just as bright and shiny as she could be,” said Lindley Wilson of the Historical Society. “She is in good health and I think it’s because of her outlook on life … You can catch her sense of humor.”

Wright attributes her long life in part to years spent dancing and to having a good upbringing, perhaps not unlike that accorded Liam and his friends.

In her youth, she loved to memorize poetry and enjoyed performing at church suppers and women’s clubs. And after retirement, she enjoyed volunteering as a driver for seniors, helping them get to their appointments.

We hope her example and that of the boys has been noticed and will influence other young people, because apparently good beginnings can bring happy endings.