Evolution

Last year's Early Bird patch, that I complained about, that featured the "side view of John Kingsley laying down with a green blanket over him" logo.

My Early Bird patch from Old Ky Home Council.

I sent this to Benjamin Alexander.

This is what turned out for this year. I like the "Lonesome Pine" idea.

Aktuellt

I received my first news letter about the 2011 WJ yesterday. It is entitled "Aktuellt", which is Swedish for "current" or "up- to-date".

The event is really taking shape and will be here before you know it.

Jag ska till jamboreen! [Yaag scar till yam-bore-E-en] I am going to the Jamboree!

New Service Flap

The 2008 Kawida Service flap will look sharp again this year. The substitution of gold mylar should make it appear that it is flying off of your shirt pocket!

This is always a tough flap to earn. Limited to only 1 per Service project. Cost should be around $5.00.

However, those who wish to make a special "Service FOS Love Offering" of $125.00 can get one too. Service to our Lodge and Council can be measured in many different ways.

Snow Fun

WinterPlace Ski Resort in Flat Top, WV is almost like a 2nd home for us. We go over twice a year to go snow tubing, skiing, and boarding.

This past weekend was another great time. 18 Scouts and family members attended. It is amazing to see the skill development of these guys on the slopes. Rookies are flying down by the end of the weekend. More seasoned folks develop even better.

New Eagle

Last night an Eagle Scout Board of Review was held at the First Presbyterian Church in Pikeville, KY. Hugh B. Hall, Ret. Lt. Col. Dave Zoellers, Charles Baird, Johnny Belcher, and District Advancement Chairman, Glen Felty met with candidate Viet Pham.

Viet passed his Eagle Board of Review with flying colors! His Eagle Project involved collecting used eye glasses and he got a bunch.

The Pham's moved down here from MI in 2005 and been active in Scouting as a family. Viet's accomplishment last night, along with the title of "Little Debbie Cake Eating" contest winner, will look good on a resume some day.

Good job VIET!

McKee Rocks!

The new Camp Promotion DVD is wonderful. Thanks to Bill Sharp, we have a very effective tool to show all of our Troops this spring. The pictures are awesome. If you look closely, you'll see Hollywood, Aaron, Michael, Baby Goff, and AA Felty.

The music is what got my attention though. Bill tells me that the group Audio Adrenaline does "I'm Alive" and "Summertime" from their 2001 album "Lift". It rocks!

I guess we had better crank it up for McKee this year!

Mentor

I picked up our Chapter's O.A. Mentoring patches and certificates on Saturday. I've been a big cheerleader for the ScoutReach's O.A. Mentoring program for a long time. There has only been one slight problem. Hardly anyone does it!

Do you know of: a Cub Scout Den that could use your help?, a new Scout Patrol that would love for you to attend some of their camp outs?, a struggling Scout leader that could use your advise?, and on and on.

If you answered YES, then you can earn this National O.A. recognition. It isn't difficult and it is what we are supposed to do anyway.

Check out the info at: http://www.oa-bsa.org/programs/scoutreach/

Print and write something down. If you'll get it to me, I'll see that the HoggMan and A. Watts approve it. Pretty PLEASE?!?!?!?!?

Cool Merit Badge

Our buddies in the UK came up with several new proficiency badges. This one sounds really cool. I could see several of our guys earning this one!



PARASCENDING

1. Know the Rules relating to access to airfields as laid down in Policy, Organisation and Rules and the Scout Association Fact Sheet on parascending.

2. Take part in a parascending course and be able to:
-Demonstrate a good landing roll.
-Be able to put on a harness and adjust it.
-Assist on more than two occasions as tensiometer reader, observer or log keeper.

3. Know the main characteristics and different types of parachutes used by parascenders.

4. Show a basic knowledge of the theory of flight.

5. Experience at least four parascending flights. (Where a Scout is under 14 years, flights must be taken in tandem, and under the instruction of a BHPA dual qualified instructor.)

Chapter Necklace

If you looked real close at yesterday's picture of our Chapter Officers, you noticed the Chief wearing a distinctive necklace. Michael Kilbourne made that and donated it to us when we started. It is worn proudly only by our Chapter Chief.

I only get to hold it for a few hours each year, so I made a scan of it. It is a beautiful piece of work, as is anything that Mike creates. (Mike has drawn 300+ Eagle Scout portraits!).

It got me thinking about the guys so far that have worn it. Don Combs wore it first. Michael Shepherd wore it 2 years and now Devan Allara. The real "beauty" of this beaded symbol is the positive impact that Scouting and the Order of the Arrow have had on the young men that have adorned it.

Business With FUN

Both of the Order of the Arrow meetings went well over the weekend. I was pleasantly surprised at the turn out for the LEC on Saturday at McKee. Several strong Chapters were in attendance. Will Hogg did a nice job as Lodge Chief, as well as the other Officers. Expect great things from our Lodge this year!

Our Tomahaken Chapter meeting went well today. 14 in attendance. The following youth were elected as our Officers for the 2008 year:

Devan Allara - Chapter Chief
Andrew Combs - Vice Chief of Service
Viet Pham - Vice Chief of Brotherhood
Austin Newsome - Secretary

The BIG event though was the "Little Debbie Cake Eating Contest". A January Tomahaken tradition from Day #1. 2 LDC's covered with whip cream, no hands, first one done is the winner. Viet Pham won again, for his 2nd crown in a row.

Creamed, but the winner!

2008 Chapter Officers

OA Meetings

It is that time of year again. Time to meet and make out a plan of attack.

Saturday, we are heading to McKee for the first LEC under our new Lodge Chief and Officers. Getting elected is one thing, doing a good job is another and that takes planning.

Sunday, we are having our first Tomahaken Chapter meeting. New Chapter Officers will be elected and our cycle begins again.

Having a successful O.A. year takes a lot of planning. Meetings provide thoughtful input from all members. Sometimes you just have to grab the arrow by the tail feathers and make it happen!

Winter Camping

Our District Klondike Derby is this weekend. Glen "AA" Felty has been hosting the event for several years. What do you expect from the "Arctic Warrior"?

Troop 12 hasn't done much tent camping during the winter. The fact is we have never. I guess it goes back to when I was a young Scout. Old Troop 142 out of Bardstown (which is still in existence), went out one time and it got cold. It snowed. It got really cold! All of us got frostbite. Still to this day, when it is even remotely cold, my toes, fingers, nose, and ears get numb.

Remembering back, it wasn't a bad experience, but it is something that I'll never forget. Maybe that is why we haven't tent camped in the snow. I realize that we are missing out on some great fun, but old experiences are hard to erase.

There is nothing wrong with cabin camping and snow skiing during these cold months. I just don't think that I'll qualify for my Arctic Warrior Merit Badge soon!

Quick Way

Our rovering Section Chief stopped by to tell me of his latest adventures. It seems that Don and Billy drove down to visit our Brothers at Ittawamba over the weekend and attended their Winter Banquet. The event went great.

I received an email from my buddy Joe Craven, down that way earlier this week, and he told me that people are out at Camp Mack Morris almost every weekend, getting ready for our Conclave in April. Sign up forms are already available on the BGC web site.

Don has been from Pikeville to Jackson, TN several times to plan for the event. He has taken and tried every possible route and finally came up with the answer to "What is the quickest way to Jackson?"

There ain't no quick way!

Yorktown

Glen "AA" Felty and Doug Ramey took their Troops down to Charleston, SC over the weekend and stayed aboard the USS Yorktown. All reports of their trip were A+ Wonderful!

Doug told me yesterday that Aviation and Oceanography Merit Badges were good. Glen said that "IT WAS GREAT!!!!!! CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK AGAIN. WE EVEN WORE THE KILTS ON BOARD." (You can take the Scouts out of the hills, but,...)

I've asked them to do a presentation about their adventure at our March Roundtable. Should be a hoot!

http://www.patriotspoint.org/group/camping/

Camp Arrowhead

Before there was McKee, there was Camp Shawnee. Before that, there was Camp Arrowhead.

Unfortunately, that is about all that I know. I have discovered from one person that it was located where Fish Trap Lake is currently.

I'm going to try and find out some more about Arrowhead this week. About like "Cold Case: Pikeville"!

Care Package

When I got home yesterday, Karen told me that I had a package,...from Thailand. Vara!!!!

My "yellow water buddy" Vara Samasiri sent me a wonderful box of Thai Scout stuff. A uniform shirt with badges, pins, and medal. Various other badges, cards, and this really cool belt buckle. NICE!!! I had sent him an old BSA buckle and some badges last month.

The spirit of the WJ and trading at the International Badger's tent lives on!

New Kawida Stuff

Yesterday, a pre-LEC meeting was held here at the BGC East office. A. Watts and all of the Lodge Officers attended to plan out some important Kawida 2008 issues and get ready for next Saturday's meeting.

Approved was the patches for the year. Thanks to Todd Haydon for the design work.

It is going to be a colorful year for sure!

Regular issue flap

Conclave flap

Spring Fellowship flap

Fall Fellowship flap

Winter Banquet flap

CSP

2 piece set

REALLY Good Turn!

If you missed the world news yesterday, one of the most unbelievable Scouting stories surfaced. It seems that a 15 year old Scout from the Maldives, decked out in uniform and neckerchief, stopped an assassination attempt on the local president.

The unnamed Scout wrestled this guy to the ground and grabbed the blade! The youth's hand was cut without serious injury and the culprit apprehended.


The Maldives is a nation of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of India. The President, who was attacked is the "Chief Scout of the Maldives". The highest award a Scout can earn is the President's Scout.

WOW!

New 62 Flap

It looks like our Brothers in Louisville have made a new flap. Don visited the Talligewi Winter Banquet Saturday and got this for me. Thanks Chief!

I don't collect KY stuff, but this is a nice piece. 12 colors! Most noticeably is that there is only 1 flap and not the traditional Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil versions. National put an end to that.

Back growing up in Zit-Kala-Sha Lodge out of Louisville, they always had the O, B, V flaps. I didn't know any better, until I moved and joined Kawida. Personally, I believe that 1 Lodge should have 1 flap and not distinguish between membership honors.

I'm sure that there are many unhappy Lodges with this new rule. I know of several Lodges in our Section SR-6N that will have to change.

More to collect for those who have the "thread disease".

WJ Reunion

There is no rest for the "Scouted"! Yesterday, we ran up and back to Camp Crooked Creek, outside of Louisville, for a Troop 211 World Jamboree Reunion.

Most of the guys were there wearing uniforms traded for from all over the world. It sure was good to see some old friends and remember one of the the most significant Scouting events.

Our Scoutmaster, Douglas Wagoner, compiled a collection of our photos and music on a cool DVD. Several members had displays of pictures and badges.

The 21st World Jamboree isn't the final big event, it is just the beginning. Scouting will continue to burn brightly because of these young men's experience.

National Election

Don Combs stopped by to see me yesterday and filled me in on all of the happenings that took place in Texas while we were gone. It looks like Jake Wellman from the Western Region is our new National O.A. Chief.

Don secured a position for the Arrow Corps 5 Mark Twain site and is fired up and already making plans for the national event. He also made a lot of friends and had a good time.

I guess getting elected to a National O.A. position is kind of like deep sea fishing in the Keys. It takes planning, patience, and some good bait!

Home And Cold

It is COLD here in Kentucky, compared to Sea Base!

A bit of snow has school called off today, so that gives the guys a needed day of rest. The weather though is noticeably different. We left wearing shorts and a t-shirt, to long johns and a heavy coat. Going from sunburn to frost bite, just isn't right!

The Sea Base website is showing temps in the 40's today, so it looks like we got out just in time.

My lost bag still hasn't shown up from the airport, but the good news is that I did pack my camera in my backpack, so I do have pictures. When I get some work done, I'll come back and post them and tell you all about it.

Day #7-Going North

Up at 5:00 am and head to the airport in Key West. We get to see the most beautiful red sunrise I have ever seen.

The plane leaves at 7:15 and we go through Tampa, Newark (we saw NYC and the Statue of Liberty from the air) and finally back to Lexington around 6:20 pm. My bag got lost in all of that travel. Mine was the only one lost, so that was good.

Finally, we pull in to Pikeville around 10:45 pm. We had to stop at Clay City Dairy Queen!

We are all tired, but we will never forget one of the greatest High Adventure experiences ever.

Dreaming about Florida Sea Base!

Day #6-Happy New Year!

What a way to start the year!

The guys stayed up last night and rang in the New Year. I went to bed.
We paddled back to our base this morning. This time I'm helping steer and we make it back in 2 hours. A good lunch and a hot shower make you feel wonderful. We kill some time by playing cards and just relaxing.

The staff hosts some games and a luau with chicken, fish, and crab. We have a wonderful closing campfire and say our good byes.

We don't want to go home.

January 1, 2008

We look tropical for a bunch of Hillbillies!