TROOP 464 MARCH 1999

Happy March to you all. February at Troop 464 was quite active, as usual. As I write this article, the Troop just completed a very successful backpack trip up into the San Gabriel Mountains. I have heard a lot of interesting stories that went on and everyone enjoyed themselves. By the way, Bryan M., please pass the salt!!!!!!(Inside joke). Many thanks to the outing leader, Dave Rozelle for his guidance and direction, he was helped by Scottie Hastie, Debbi Ballew, and Karen Osterheldt. Thanks to the adults.

The other big event of the month was the Court of Honor for Chris B. There were over 120 Scouts, friends, and family in attendance. On behalf of Chris, Carolyn, and myself, thank you to all Scouts and adults that helped put on this very important event. Special thanks goes to Brian Crane who brought emergency lights after the house lights at ECR failed to work.

March is going to be active. The Troop will be preparing for the Solvang Century Bike Ride. John Luker is the outing leader for this event and it promises to be quite exciting.

We are also starting to prepare for the District Annual Camporee in the Santa Monica Mountains this April. Every Scout is expected to participate in this event.

That’s all for now, see everyone at the Troop meetings and keep on Scouting.

Alex Balian, Scoutmaster

March 12-14 Solvang Century Bike Ride
April 23-25 Camporee (PLC @ Camp)

UPCOMING MEETINGS

March
2 7:30 Committee Meeting
3 7:30 Troop Meeting -Bike Orientation
10 7:30 Troop Meeting - Bike Maintenance
17 7:30 Troop Meeting - Art Merit Badge
24 7:30 Troop Meeting - Art Merit Badge
28 7:00 PLC Meeting @ Marks
31 7:30 Troop Meeting - Art Merit Badge & Fun

April

6 7:30 Committee Meeting
7 7:30 Troop Meeting - Physical Fitness Merit
14 7:30 Troop Meeting - Camporee Food
21 7:30 Troop Meeting - Camporee Events
28 7:30 Troop Meeting - Physical Fitness Merit

March
1 Cory F
4 Josh B
11 Joey Hastie
17 Blake S
20 David N
20 Michael Maiman
21 Josh H

April

1 Robert Mc Cready
13 Alex Balian
13 Mike Buffum
21 Chris W
23 Steve Andress

March 17 St. Patrick’s Day
April
1       Passover Begins
2 Good Friday
4 Easter
8 Buddha Day
11 Easter (Orthodox)
17 Islamic New Year
25 Islamic Day of Ashura

Dear Troop 464,
I would personally like to thank everyone for helping out at my Eagle Court last Sunday. I was very touched by the support and the effort that was shown. I hope my Eagle Court encourages all of you younger boys to obtain your Eagle rank. It will serve a very important role in your lives. Once again, it really meant a lot to me, thank you, everybody, very much.
Sincerely,
Chris B

I would like to thank all of the people who made the Snow Trip possible. This includes Mr. Luker, Mr. Balian, Mr. Ballew, Mr. Fischer, and Mr. Marks. I want to give a special thanks to Jeff and his parents for the use of their condo. Everyone had a great time. The color purple will always remind me of the trip.

There is a new meeting place when we go on trips. It is the parking lot ON THE SIDE of Sears on Victory (not in front). This is a lot safer for us and it isn’t disturbing the businesses.

A few reminders…. Show up in full uniform. You never know, there may be a reward. The regular Troop meetings start at 7:30 p.m. BE ON TIME!!!!!!!

Sincerely,
Bryan M, SPL

Every once in a while when you’re working on a pioneering project, you’ll find a spar that looks great but that turns out to be weak and unreliable.

Maybe its’ center has been eaten away by insects. Or maybe it has natural split inside that you can’t see. You can test a spar for soundness by holding one end and rapping the other end sharply with a rock. If its sound you’ll hear it ring.

Some people are like defective spars. They look great on the outside and they may have appealing personalities, the kind of guys and girls you think you would like to know. But when you do get to know them better, you find that they’re like a defective spar, weak inside. They don’t have the strength of character to resist things that you know are wrong, and chances are they will want you to do those things, too.

When that happens, do the same thing you do when you have a defective spar - cast it aside and find a sounder one. In other words, choose friends who are solid to the core.

Submitted by
Brian B, Scribe

It came to my attention at one of our meetings that it was starting a little late. Twenty minutes late to be exact. Now the question is, why can’t this Troop ever be on time? I challenge this Troop to be on time for every event and meeting for the next six months.

As I sit here writing, my mind turns to the many Scouts and adults hiking up to Henniger Flats. Not a difficult hike, but the first one for many of the boys. I have no doubt that this will be a learning experience, and that with proper guidance all will do very well.

Yours in Scouting,
David C. Ballew, ASM