Winter Greetings, Thanks, and Reminder
(no name) ((no email))
Mon, 14 Dec 1998 08:21:16 -0600
Hi everyone!
I've been spending most of this weekend putting the final touches
on the new release of The Tree, and finding ways to irratate my
wife (she's ill and she doesn't do well when she's not well...who
does, right?!). She's feeling a lot better as of the posting of
this short note, and reminded me of the date. The end of the year
isn't too far from here...gotta find a good anniversary present!
*smile*
I wanted to thank everyone for such a SUPER year here on Scouts-L.
This year, we've gained a lot more participants and answered many
more questions and concerns than we've done in a couple of years!
At the same time, we all expressed some disappointments and some
excitment as the Boy Scouts of America's program zigged and later
zagged (and we are still seeing new items and program support being
released over this and next month, so it hasn't stopped)!!
And this year, we all saw that this list IS more of a family and a
daily diversion from work, play or taking care of others. This has
been evident when the list was "held" or was down for significant
short periods, and almost immediately, many of us went into a kind
of "Scouts-L deprivation shock" until the matter could be resolved!
*laughter*
It goes to show that all of you...all of us...are more than just
viewers and printers of information and resources; that indeed,
Scouts-L is a FAMILY of families.
Again, thanks to our Listowner, Jon Eidson, and to our "hosts",
Texas Christian University, for the usage of their computing
resources for our daily discussions, our archived files and
previous talk, and for providing us all with this great
opportunity. If I'm not mistaken, this winter will start TCU's
eighth year of providing Scouts-L (and the sixth year for E-Scouts)
to the world.
As many of you will be leaving work, school and home for visits to
family, friends and vacations, I wanted to take a minute and remind
you that we're still be here while you're gone and will be here
when you get back; don't forget to follow our Listowner's
suggestions about either "turning off" Scouts-L while you're gone
or changing to other methods of getting us, if you won't have
access to your computer (or venue).
Also, please, please this year, support and ask others to support
some of your "community chest" agencies that are doing a terrific
job of taking care of the less fortunate of all of us through your
and my donations of food, clothing, money and time. Things are
really tough for them this year, as the world economy has been
chugging along, and as the rate of unemployment has been dropping
and the rate of new jobs and industries increase (although, for
some of our participants, that's not true at all!). But for the
agencies whom have been asking for our money and time, it's been
rough....really rough. Rough to ask for money and rough to get
those things from us, including our time!
So this year, in addition to getting things for your family,
friends and co-workers, please also purchase a couple of small
items and donate them to Toys for Tots. Or cook a meal and deliver
it to a local shelter. Or put on an apron and assist with cooking
or preparing meals for a community kitchen. Or sit for a couple of
hours as a "bell ringer" for the Salvation Army or other local
agencies. Or read a story or two to children at a daycare center to
relieve hard working workers to spend time shopping for holiday
gifts for their families. Or to just help out in a multitude of
ways, in a multitude of programs and opportunities. Even if you
don't live within the "States", there are similiar opportunities to
"help other people" and to "be of service to your fellow man"
within your communities.
It's funny that for many people outside our youth agencies and
programs, this is the only time of year they think of others.
Let's make this our opportunity to remind them that we all should
be thinking and doing our best for those others all during the
year, and that our agencies and organizations are in the forefront
of doing just that.
We wish for your family, friends and co-workers in the "game of
youth leadership and service" a very festive season of love,
sharing and new opportunities. Please go and return safely because
we will be "looking" for you when you return to Scouts-L. And "do
your best" to share what you've learned, read, and discussed here
on Scouts-L with those in your youth program or organization.
That's how we grow, how we continue to be of use to you and others,
and how we continue to attract and garner the respect of our
agencies and more importantly the youth we serve.
>From "Momma Ryan", Kelly, Jessi and myself here; and from the
"Three As" in central Kentucky....Happy Holidays, Happy New Year,
and please be careful as you visit and be with family and friends
over the coming Holiday season!
Mike Walton
(c) 1998 Mike Walton ("no such thing as strong coffee,...") blkeagle@mninter.net
http://mninter.net/~blkeagle Burnsville, MN 55306-7130 (612) 435-3085
privately at kyblkeagle@aol.com or waltonm@server.kaiserslautern.army.mil
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