Do Your Best to Be Prepared as a Leader

Flo Namiotka and Susan Jones lead Leader Training in Pere Marquette District on Saturday. There were 15 participants present, the most in many years for the fall training.

Snowshoe Lodge

I was at Camp for the Commissioner Conference Saturday. Steve Lindahl's craftsmanship is a wonder to behold in the Snowshoe Lodge. Sorry, I don't have a picture, a button on the camera had been pushed over and it took me a long time to figure out that the camera was not broken, just not set right. Be sure to visit the Snowshoe Lodge when you are at Camp Hiawatha.

Bobby LaMarche Homecoming

It was quite a thrill to be present at the Homecoming for Bobby LaMarche, an alumnus of Troop 408, when he walked across the stage at the end of the program. He had been paralyzed after being shot in Iraq. Was proud of the Boy Scouts and Cubs in attendance.

Seney Scout Day

The Seney Scout Day is always a great event. There were over 170 Cubs and Brownies out under sunny skies getting close to nature.

Pictures: The boardwalk on the mile & half Pine Ridge Trail, surveying a pond, looking for animal parts, first aid training.

More Seney Scout Day

Fire building with John Kenn, Knots with Fitz, Netting and Banding birds with the Fish & Wildlife guys.

The 21st International Scout Rally

Scouts from the United States, Mexico, and Canada raised the flags for the 800 participants in the 21st International Scout Rally. They enjoyed a beautiful fall day of Scouting fun and fellowship.

They make it Happen

The commander of the Striker Brigrade: Dale Streichert The master of all the details: John Kenn
The man who maintains staff morale: Herb Melchert with Judy's support.

Fun at the ISR

Troop 346 took Scouts from 1,2 Buckle my Shoe to the Big Fat Hen. A Canadian Little Old Lady who would rather remain nameless.

More Fun at the ISR

More Fun and Games: Jousting under Mark Rice's watch; Pointing the way on a compass course; Don rice supervises a variation of Chicken Fighting: Anders Nyberg sends blind mice after thier tails.

Round 'em up

Have not made many posting lately. Been busy with Round Ups and Boy Talks. Here Sean Nicklas shows the Cub Scout sign to new Cubs in Rudyard.

Congratulations Riley!

Riley Beaudry's Eagle Court of Honor was Tuesday. It was a very nice ceremony and a good turn out with folks from as far away as Iron River. Pictured at the left are Scoutmaster Curtis Jay, Marv Gibson, Riley's grandfather Lou Beaudry, Riley, and his priest, Father James Challanein.

Mackinac Island Scout Service Camp

One of the most pleasant days as Scout Executive is to visit the Scouts on Mackinac Island. There were 60 Scouts this year under the leadership of Craig Woerpel assisted by Gene & Betty Williams, Don & Paddy Fitch, Tom Patmythes, Mark Lies, Dave Mongeau, and Myron from Milwaukee.
The Scouts' discipline is impressive as they march to their stations and do the flag ceremonies as is their rollicking levity during off time activities like the pie eating contest.

OA Weekend

The end of the summer season at Camp Hiawatha comes with the OA weekend. It was a good weekend with clear skies, but cool nights. A lot of work was accomplished with rooting in Site 4, chipping in Site 8, and finishing work in the Dining Hall. The cooks did a great job!. Nine Ordeal members were inducted and 3 advanced to Brotherhood.

The Key 3

New Key 3

Don Autio is again the Council Commissioner. Brad Winnicki had to resign due to personal commitments. The Key 3 is shown at the right: Autio, Council President John Adler, and Scout Executive Dewey Jones while meeting at Camp Hiawatha.

A full Jamboree Troop

Wow! We have a full troop of Scouts signed up for the 2010 National Jamboreee. That is really being prepared. In 1997, we did not fill the troop, in 2001, it was March of the Jamboree year when it filled, and in 2005, it filled in the early fall the year before the Jamboree. We're making progress in one area at least.

The good ole days

Bill Gerber and Tony Edlebeck look over a photo display put together by Gary Olson for the Memominee Iron Range Program Kick Off. One thought- Be sure to label your pictures for the benefit of future generations.

Fun Mail

Last week we sent a mailing to Pere Marquette Scouting families about the 80% decrease in the allocation from the United Way of Marquette. In the mail Monday was a check for $2,000 from a family who had not previously given to Friends of Scouting. Like the unknown Scout who helped William Boyce in the fog in London, the donor wishes to be anonymous.

Back from the World Jamboree

Reed is back from the World Jamboree and stopped by the Service Center to share his great experience. Here he is showing some patches and neckerchiefs to Schlak.

Don and Paddy

Sunday was a very pleasant time to attend a 50th Wedding Anniversary for Don and Paddy Fitch in Escanaba. It was good to meet their 3 Eagle Scout sons and reminisce about the Wood Badge courses that we worked on together. Thankfully, I arrived after the 21 gun (water guns) salute from the YMCA staff and the pie in the face episode.