SCOUTMASTER'S CORNER
Happy springtime to everyone, we managed to have the coldest recorded
temperature as well as one of the hottest in the month of April. Welcome
to Southern California!!!! Well, one thing is certain, at least, and that
is that our troop is growing, growing, growing. We will have welcomed a
total of 15 boys into our troop this spring. This has almost doubled our
size, taking into consideration the boys who have left. This means that
all the experienced scouts of all ranks, ages, and positions will be
needed to offer, train, and show these new scouts of our troop their
knowledge of scouting. Anytime, anywhere you see a new scout that needs
help, help him. That's what scouting and scout spirit is all about.
March and April have been busy months in our troop. In March, we had the
50 mile bike trip to Solvang, CA. Many thanks to all the adults who helped
make this trip successful (John Luker, Corky Straus, Brian and Pauline
Crane, Paul Rose, Dave Rozelle, Karen Osterheldt, Dave Ballew, and Scottie
Hastie). Coming in last on the ride made it full cycle on this
outing. April was, of course, Camporee at Tapia State Park. Congrats
to Scott Ballew and the Rebels for winning first and third places and
Chris Osborne and the Odballs for winning second place. The troop won
second place in the gateway, our troop owes thanks to the tireless efforts
of Chris Balian and Brian Ballew. Great job, guys. Thanks to all the adult
leaders who help me supervise the scouts at Camporee. The month of
May is Jamboree time at Woodley Park. This is going to be quite an event
with thousands and thousands of scouts all in one place. Do you think the
San Fernando Valley is ready for us? Who knows, after this jamboree, the
valley may not want to succeed from LA.
We are coming up quickly to summer camp 99 at Emerald Bay on Catalina
Island. I will be calling for parent meetings to pass on important
information in order for the boys to be prepared for camp. The dates will
be announced.
In conclusion, I am very excited with the new additions to our troop. The
challenge will be both fun and rewarding.
Yours in Scouting,
Alex Balian, Scoutmaster
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 1-2 Venture Hike - Grand Canyon
14-16 OA Ordeal Camp Whitsett
21-23 Council Jamboree @ Woodley
29-31 Tehachapi Family Camping
June 2 Court of Honor
27 Summer Camp Starts
UPCOMING MEETINGS
May 4 7:30 Parent Meeting
5 7:30 Troop Meeting
5 7:00 Pre Ordeal Meeting
12 7:30 Troop Meeting
16 7:00 PLC @ Bryan Marks
19 7:30 Troop Meeting
26 7:30 Troop Meeting
June 1 7:30 Parent Meeting
3 7:30 Court of Honor
9 7:30 Troop Meeting
10 7:30 Troop Meeting
22 7:30 Troop Meeting
BIRTHDAYS
May
1 Nolan Street
9 Michael Davidson
30 Chris Osborne
June
5 Danny Rozelle
8 Trevor Nichols
9 Chris Balian
13 Celia Bladow
17 David Ballew
19 Obi Ikemufuna
20 Robert Bladow
27 Art Lucero
30 Debra Maiman
DATES OF INTEREST
May
9 Mother's Day
31 Memorial Day Observed
June
14 Flag Day
20 Father's Day
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SCRIBE'S CORNER
"It's Only a Pin"
Two fond parents watch their boy where he stands,
Apart from his comrades tonight,
And see placed on his camp-battered tunic, a badge…
An Eagle…the emblem of right.
It seems just a few short months have passed
Since he joined with the youngsters next door…
How proud they were then of their Tenderfoot pin
As they told of the message it bore.
But the years have gone as he struggled along
To learn what the Scout Law's about;
He practiced them daily, the Oath and the Law,
Until now he is an Eagle Scout.
You may smile in your worldly wisdom at this
And say, "Why it's only a pin."
But I'll tell you, no honors he'll gain as a man
Will mean quite as much to him.
The red, white and blue of the ribbon you see
Are the symbols of honor and truth.
He has learned how to value these fine attributes
In the glorious days of his youth.
And the out-flinging wings of the Eagle that rests
On the breast of this knight of today
Are the wings which will lift him above petty deeds,
And guide him along the right way.
Yes, it's only a pin, just an Eagle Scout badge,
But the heart beneath it beats true,
And will throb to the last for the things that are good;
A lesson for me… and for you.
Submitted by
Brian Ballew, Scribe
PATROL LEADERS CORNER
I think Camporee went very well. I would like to thank my patrol for all
their work and effort. If I could change anything, then I would change the
menu. I had a good time, and I hope that everyone else did, too.
Do you remember the riddle from the July/Aug 1998 issue of the Troop
Tribune? If you don't, here it is again:
The man who made it didn't use it, he sold it. The man who bought it gave
it to another man. The man he gave it to didn't know he was using it. What
is it?
The answer is a coffin.
Scott Ballew, Rebels Patrol
Leader
All of us had a great time at Camporee. The events were all fun. I
want to thank my patrol for everybody coming and doing a good job. I would
like to thank Scott and his patrol for winning 1st place so they could
shave Mr. Luker's head. Also, I wish to thank Chris Balian and Brian
Ballew for going up early and starting the gateway.
I think one of the most fun things for everyone else was when Kyle, Scott
and I all had our OA vow of silence and couldn't speak. To make the
torment worse for us, Brian, Jared, Robbyn, and others taped and sealed
the zippers on our tent, as well as putting up a barricade in front of the
tent. They also did a great job in doing similar things to another Troop.
Chris Osborne, Odbals Patrol Leader
ADVANCEMENTS
Congratulations to all those who advanced in rank this past month:
Scout - John Trippiedi
Tenderfoot - Wesley Leisen, Daniel Spendlove, Perry Goldsmith, and Justin
Rose
2nd Class - Evan Luker, Mike Elder
1st Class - Marc Crane
Welcome to all our new scouts and their families!
Carol Fischer, Advancements
EDITOR'S NOTE
Congratulations to all of you that took part in Camporee this past month.
We have good reason to be proud, with six awards. The Rebels won first in
the Nature walk, third in First Aid, and a perfect score in uniform
inspection. The Odbals took second place in First Aid, and a perfect score
in uniform inspection. One thing the troop always prides themselves on is
their gateway. A good job on the Gateway deserves a pat on the back, it
won second place. Good job! I would also like to thank Brian Ballew, Jared
Quinn, and Robbyn Rozelle for running the 464 event. Good job everyone.
Yours in Scouting,
David C. Ballew, ASM
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