Eamonn

All this talk about what knot not to wear? Ducks that smell like ducks? Man Scouts? Has me feeling like a real twit! Ea.

Maybe I have a twisted sense of humor? A few years back I had a boss, a super nice fellow. I'm not sure how or why? But we somehow got into playing what we thought were practical jokes on each other. Like many practical jokes they seem a lot funnier at the time. I used to tell people waiting to see him that he was very hard of hearing, but was very sensitive about it and too vain to wear a hearing aid. I'd then double up with laughter as people would go in his office and spend the next half hour yelling at him. One day I stuck a fair sized sign on his car that read "Honk For Gay Rights". He said he was wondering why some people were honking and some people at the red light were giving him strange looks. It was only when he stopped at the local beer distributor that he found out about my handiwork. He said he was ready to kill me!! Needless to say he isn't and never was gay. My feelings on this Inappropriate Adult Knots thing is. That there is a time and place for everything. I'm OK with people wanting to show their support for what they believe in. If someone wants to proclaim their support for something or some one, I'm fine and dandy with that. I know a Scouter who has a bumper sticker with a picture of this knot on his car. But I just don't see that wearing it on a BSA uniform is the right thing to do. As for the knot being some sort of sign that informs youth members that the wearer is open minded and easy to talk with? Come on get a life!! That really is a stretch!! We are all free to agree or disagree with the BSA. We can support who and what we like. But we don't need to use a Scout uniform as a billboard. Whats next a knot that shows which political party we support? ScoutDadof5 The UK and I think Canada at one time did have a knot that had two WB beads on. Back when I first became a Scout Leader in the UK,after you completed half the training and before you completed the WB course, there was a knot (Badge" that was to be worn on the UK uniform with one bead on it. It became known as the "Peanut Badge". Eamonn.

I know in the past I have made a big deal about and decried people for the use of "My Troop, my Pack, my District". Here in the forum for a while it seemed we all got a little carried away using terms like "The unit I serve." Of course we all know that we don't have ownership of the units, districts or councils we serve, but after a time we do get close and bonds and ties are made. At times I still think of the Scouts who I have served as being "My Scouts". Of course when I seen how much they could eat, I was glad that they weren't mine! It's been three years since I finished my term as District Chairman. Of all the positions I held, I think I disliked that one the most. The council has set a three year term limit for District Chairs and I was happy to get out when my term was up. Time has not been kind to the District and much as I hate to admit it, I do kinda look at the District as being "Mine". I could spend the next little while pointing out what and where I see things as being wrong and pointing fingers. But I'm not going to. There is plenty of blame to go around and laying it on peoples doorsteps is not going to fix the problem. While I'm not close to our now District Chairman and to be honest I just don't rate him very highly. I do feel sorry for him. We both have very different ways of doing things and are at times like oil and water. My big problem is that I know I'm right, which of course makes him wrong!! We do have a history of not getting along. To be fair to him, I think he now knows that he is in way over his head. He has invited me to sit in on the past few District Committee Meetings. I was deeply saddened to see what had become of "My" wonderful committee. Nothing was there, no agenda,no reports, very few people and the people who were there seemed as enthusiastic and lively as dead fish. The meeting I have attended seem to be more like a meeting of the District Activities Committee (Which I found out is not around anymore.) The agenda is the Council Calendar and they met trying to find a way of making what is on the calendar happen. Membership is in the toilet. In September School Sign Up was a non-event. In the past we signed up about 150 -200 Cub Scouts, this year no one had a real count and the consensus of opinion, was that maybe the number was about 50. No one seemed to know how many we needed to make plus one. No one seemed to care. Back in the day I knew the exact numbers and after sign-up was ready with plan "B" doing everything possible to ensure we were on track for making Quality District. At the October meeting membership wasn't even going to be discussed until I asked. This committee seems to be focused on events and nothing else. It seems to me that they have lost their way. They have either forgotten or don't know what the real role of a District is or maybe they just don't want to know? To make matters worse at this time there is no DE. The last one moved in July. I suspect that the SE (Who has been with us for less than a year and came in when the finances didn't look good.) Is playing a wait and see game. If things don't get better he will break up the district. Which would save the expense of having a DE. To be very honest, I'm not sure if maybe this wouldn't be the best thing? I have talked with the District Chair. He has asked me to come back telling me that I can taken on anything or any position that I like. The Ship at this time does have adults who can provide a good program for the Sea Scouts, I could become less involved, maybe serving on the Committee? My big problem is that I kinda think that the District is so far gone that maybe it can't be rebuilt? I'm also unsure where I'd start? Most of the people I see sitting at the meetings are not going to do anything. The Chairman has due to him wanting to be a one-man-show lost a lot of the good people that used to serve on the committee. Many have spoken with me and openly say so. I really don't know the SE. I did contact him a week or so back about the Council losing out on free money. He was happy to pass the buck, blaming someone else (The Council Auditors). He seemed less than happy when I mentioned that ensuring that this stuff was done was his job. Everything seems to be a big mess. One big concern I have is that while losing a District is maybe a good thing? I just worry once we start merging districts how long the Council will survive? Eamonn.

As with most things in Scouting, nothing beats meeting with people face to face and inviting them to attend the course. Be ready to explain why they should attend the course, how it will benefit them and the unit they serve. Be ready to dispel some of the myths and misunderstandings that might surround the course. As early as is possible get the news of where, when and how much out to as many people as you can. When I was CD, I sent out a personal invitation to all the people that District Training Chairs had identified, I also invited all the members of the Council Executive Board. Make sure that the Commissioner Staff in all the Districts know the details about the course and who can attend. Some of these Commissioners might not know that things have changed!! (Speak slowly and don't use long words!!) While of course the CD wants the best presenters to be the WB Staff and nothing should overshadow the quality of the staff. It is however when possible a good idea to look at the staff and see where they come from. A staff that is diverse and comes from all parts of the Council and who people know, will do a better job of recruiting than someone who no one knows. Look for ways to help people who can't afford the cost of the course. Your Council might have some sort of fund? Ask the Council Treasurer (A Volunteer, sometimes SE's don't like to see any money being spent -It looks better when it's on the books!!) I used the deposits that people lost to offer the course to people who were having a hard time. Visit District R/T meetings. Ask the R/T Commissioner for a few minutes. I have a power point presentation made up with photos of the participants from courses having fun. Where possible have the form ready and be willing to grab the check for the deposit then and there. - Go for the commitment!! "I'll think about it" means more work for you!! Give the " I'll think about" people no more than 3 days before you contact them. Any more and the "I'll think about it"Becomes "Oh! I forgot." Contact the Council Training Chairpersons from Councils that are close. (I try and borrow something from them!!) Let them know all the details and send them a big pile of applications. Contact the Professional in these Councils and make sure they have all the details send them another big pile of applications. By far the best place to recruit people is at other Trainings. Ask the person in charge of the Training for a couple of minutes. Before the lunch break works well as you have time to talk to people as they eat. If you wait till the end, everyone is running home. Be sure not to take too long as the Trainer in charge can become upset!! Think about all the places where groups of Scouter's gather and be sure to have someone from the course at these places to sell the course. Sell the fun, fellowship, benefits to the unit. Don't sell uniforming and tickets!! If you are the CD? Keep the staff up-dated on the count. (Don't count the maybes!!) Make lists of who should or would be the best person to talk with specific people. Follow up to make sure the meetings are really happening. On no account accept "I'm going to get around to it"!! Be tough, be persuasive, think like a used car salesman!! Don't let people off the hook. Remember that a lot of people have a lot of time and money invested in the course and there is no way that you are not going to do everything in your power to ensure that the course gets the green light. More people of course means more money that can be spent on the course -Better food, more little extras. Hope this helps? Ea.

ScoutDadof5, Don't know if this holds true everywhere! Years back when I was first on staff, we didn't pay the course fee. When I asked "Why?" I was informed that the staff had to pay for the little extras that went along with being on staff and pay for the development weekends. When the 21st Century course came along things changed and the staff were expected to pay the course fee and all the extra money for development weekends, along with paying out for things like flip chart pads and the like. Depending on your location and the location of the course and where the development weekends are being held? With gas at over $3.00 a gal. Being on staff can turn out to be a costly little number. Most of the people I have staffed with are happy to pay their way and don't mind spending their hard earned cash. The sad thing is when after spending a lot of cash a course is canceled due to not meeting the minimum number of participants. Of course this explained to all the staff from the get go and they are strongly encouraged to go out and recruit as many people as they can. Ea.

Back when I was a Scout, once a month the Troop had a church parade. In fact the parade was attended by the Scout Group. (Pack, Troop and Venture Unit) The local Boy's Brigade, were also at the same church on the same Sunday. For the life of me I can't remember what denomination the church was. I do remember the service being very boring and the pews not being very kind to the seat. At weekend campouts we would hold a Scout's Own Service. A few hymns a couple of readings a race through the Lords Prayer and we were good to go. We didn't have any sort of prayer at Troop meetings. At this time the area was mostly white and the Scouts were supposed to be Church of England or Roman Catholic. I hated Church Parade Sunday as it meant I went to church twice that day. As time past the area changed and became more and more cosmopolitan. I became Scoutmaster (Scout Leader). The Troop was 60% non-white, with Scouts belonging to a lot of different religions. For a couple of years we still attended the monthly church parade. I'm not sure why? The Scout Group had no affiliation with the church, I think we went because we had always gone in the past and at that time most Scout Groups had some sort of church parade. I didn't like the adults who were involved with the Boy's Brigade and as the Troop grew, I enjoyed the fact that we outnumbered them! Hey, I was young and egotistical!! Still the services were very boring and trying to get our Scouts to turn out on a Sunday to something that didn't mean very much to them was an uphill challenge. Just down the road we had Charring Cross Hospital. A big hospital with 15 floors, I met with the Chaplin and he needed a group that would bring the patients down to the Chapel for services on Sunday. So after selling the idea to the PLC, that is what we did in place of the church parade. It worked out well for me as Mass was said before the C of E services. The Scouts who were RC were invited to join me for Mass, during the C of E services the Scouts had the choice of attending the service or they could get breakfast in the staff caf for free. You can guess which they choose!! As a Troop we did start ending the meeting with the "Great Scoutmaster" and at weekends we did attend Scouts Own services and when possible get the R/C Scouts to a local church for Mass. We were careful to ensure that our menus made provisions for Scouts who had religious dietary restrictions. I have always been open to talk about my take on God, with anyone. I don't ever try and force my views on anyone. Much as it might sound like a cop out, when it comes to Scouting I really do think it's better to "Do good than be good." I'm happy and do my best to respect other peoples religions or beliefs. Recently we had a Sea Scout who had staffed JLTC, the JLTC SM had informed the staff that they had to be Christian in order to be a Scout. The Lad was a 15 year old who was at the stage where he was questioning everything. His family are not active in any church and as far as I know are not religious. The Lad and I talked at length. He said that he did believe that there was some kind of "Higher Power" he was just having a hard time with organized religion. I said that was fine and dandy and suggested that he might want to look into different religions. I noticed that on one long drive to Maryland he was reading up on Druids. "Duty to God" can and does have a lot of different meanings to different people. I'm happy with my religion, there are religions out there that I know little or next to nothing about. I know people who seem to me to be doing God's work and have never been inside of a church, while there are others who seem to spend every free minute inside of the church and are a real pain. OJ did earn a couple of religious awards, the two of us worked on them. HWMBO is not Catholic. I was involved with our Council Catholic Retreat and a Counselor for some of the Catholic Religious Awards. I was deeply honored and very surprised when I found out that I was getting the St. George Emblem. I think the fact that at the time I was CM for the Pack that our local parish chartered had a lot to do with it. No one ever asked me for my take on religion in Scouting. - Maybe if they had they might not have given me the award? Eamonn.

GNX Guy, I never heard of such a guideline? Where is it posted? I have a really bad sewing impairment. I sure as heck would never have a centered row of two, if it meant before adding number six that I had to move numbers four and five. Ea.

I joined the 24 Fulham (Sands End) Wolf Cub Pack, back in November of 1961 and have been around ever since. Sometimes more actively involved and sometimes just sitting on some sort of a committee. I was very fortunate as a Lad that the 24th closed and I joined the 17th Fulham (Pioneers).The program that the 17th offered was a dream come true for a kid like I was. At that time in London there wasn't a lot of choice. There was the Boy's Brigade who seemed far more religious than I was! And the Boy's Club, where the main activity was boxing. I never liked being hit!! The Troop met 3 nights a week and we camped almost every weekend. I was in my element. At 16 I moved up into the Venture Unit. Where I managed to complete my Queen's Scout and the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award. Of course as the legal drinking age in the UK is only 18 and you could be a Venture Scout till you were 21, about this time I was introduced to the joys of real ale!! In 1977 I came over as an International Camp Counselor. The deal was that I had to pay my own return airfare from London to New York. I didn't have any say where the BSA would send me. I didn't know very much about the USA,but Dallas was on TV (JR Ewing)Dallas looked nice. I liked the music of the Beach Boy's so California looked good! I was very disappointed when I found out I was being sent to just outside of Pittsburgh PA. Pittsburgh was one line in a Chuck Berry song!! Things did improve when I got my 1942 world atlas out and found out that the area was all about coal mines and steel works. It was at Camp Conestoga that I met Her Who Must Be Obeyed. We got married five years later in London. In 1984 we moved over to live on this side of the pond. Many of the people who were my friends back in 1977 are still close friends with me today. Including our Program Director, who at that time was a young DE. The days they pass so quickly now the nights are seldom long Time around me whispers when it's cold The changes somehow frighten me still I have to smile It turns me on to think of growing old For though the life's been good to me there's still so much to do So many things my mind has never known I'd like to raise a family I'd like to sail away And dance across the mountains on the moon I have to say it now it's been a good life all in all It's really fine to have a chance to hang around Lie there by the fire and watch the evening tire While all my friends and my old lady sit and pass a pipe around And talk of poems and prayers and promises and things that we believe in How sweet it is to love someone how right it is to care How long it's been since yesterday what about tomorrow And what about our dreams and all the memories we share. (John Denver - Poems, Prayers And Promises) ( And talk of poems and prayers and promises and things that we believe in How sweet it is to love someone how right it is to care How long it's been since yesterday what about tomorrow And what about our dreams and all the memories we share.) I really love those lines!! Eamonn.

Seems to me that we have been down this road a few times in the past. There isn't a right answer. We have Scouter's who think that there is something noble about not wearing any knots. Some go as far as to look down their noses at people who do wear them. We have Scouter's who look like they have gone out of their way to amass as many knots as they can. These look down their noses at other Scouter's who are "Knot-less" Then there are Scouter's like me who have way too many shirts! Some have a few knots, some are bare. Two that I wore to the National Jamboree have almost all of the knots I'm allowed to wear on. There is a uniform guideline on how many of these things can be worn on a Sea Scouter's uniform. I think the number is six? I opted not to wear any. To be very honest I really don't care how many or how few knots are on someones shirt. If an adult is doing a wonderful job and the knot is the carrot that is spurring him or her on? Heck I'll gladly pay the $3.50 to buy him or her the knot. I do have to admit that the non-knot wearers who think that there is something sanctimonious about not wearing them and make a big deal about it, do tend to get on my nerves. If that makes me childish? So be it. Eamonn.

The number of awards is determined by the size of the Council. The Council I'm in awards five Silver Beavers a year. It used to be four. Of course when looking at the number of active people who have the Silver Beaver, all sorts of things come into play. In our area people don't seem to be very mobile?? They die with their beads on! Most of the recipients tend to have been around for a while and have been active at the Council and District level. I have sat on the selection committee a few times and it does seem that unit Scouter's who only serve the youth at the unit level are un-lightly to receive the award. When Her That Must Be Obeyed found out I was receiving a Silver Beaver, she informed me that I was too young!! With friends like her... Ea.

Hi Lisabob, I kinda, sorta see where rkfrance is coming from. I would hope that we wouldn't set a bad example. However as the unit isn't a unit -Yet?? It seems to me that BSA guidelines would be optional. The money to start a new unit? When we started the Ship, I met with the local BPOE (Elk's). One of the first questions they asked was "How much is this going to cost us?" I wasn't sure, but did agree to put some numbers on paper for them which they (The few people I met with.)Agreed to present to their full committee. Sadly my numbers were way off!! But that's for another thread. The Elk's did give us about $500.00 to get started. Going back to the point made by rkfrance. How the Elk's came by this money? Had nothing to do with the Ship and any other money they wanted to donate or might want to donate has nothing to do with the BSA. I'm aware that most of the Elk's income comes from: Bingo, Hall rentals and the sales of alcohol in the bar. To be very honest I didn't care and was not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. We did once the Ship's Charter was in place start having fund raising events, which because we were a BSA unit did follow the BSA guidelines. Some of our members who had been Boy Scouts did transfer their personal Scout Accounts to the Ship, this money was used for "Personal items", things like uniforms and paying for the cost of activities, some Scouts left their account with the Troop but took money out to pay for this kind of stuff. This money never became part of the Ship's Money which of course is the Elk's. Nearly all the Troops in our area do allow Scouts personal money in their personal account to be used in this way. So far no local Troop has offered to make a donation to the Ship. Of course we (The Ship) could only accept it if the CO of the unit making the donation was aware of the donation and was happy with the donation. I did try at one time, when I sat on the Council Executive Board to get the Board to provide money as "Seed Money" for Scoutreach Units. My idea was that the Board put up enough cash to cover the cost of books, adult leader training and uniforms for the leaders. Sadly about the time I came up with this the Council was hurting for money and the idea was lost in the haze. A lot of the money needed to start the Ship did end up coming from my pocket, either in the form as a donation or as a loan. All the money that was loaned was discussed by both the Ship's Committee and the Quarterdeck, before it was given and before it was spent. This was carefully documented. Most times it was only loaned for a very short time, to cover some unexpected expense (Some one wanted to donate a boat and we needed to buy tires for the trailer to get the boat home.)The money was repaid as soon as we had held the next fundraising event. Districts and Councils should help the adults involved in starting new units come up with some sort of a budget plan that can be presented to the new CO. But until such a time as the new unit has a charter, I think the less they know the better. Not that it really makes any difference as the unit is not part of the BSA. Eamonn.

Pint, Many years back when I was a Venture Scout in Fulham (Greater London Central)I remember being part of the Remembrance Day services at The Cenotaph. London in November is not the warmest of places!! Looking back, we maybe were not the best turned out of units, some of us had long hair. We couldn't march to save our lives. But still the older ex-servicemen were kind to us. I think they appreciated the fact that we were there. Some of the active servicemen did at times look at us and shake their heads, as if to say" Man where did they get this lot!" Of course at that time the guys and girls who had served in WWII were a lot younger. Many were happy to share with us, where they had been and what they had done. We of course were young and very idealistic. At night on the news we seen pictures from the war in Vietnam. In London there were demonstrations, marches and rallies to Ban The Bomb. We were young and thought we would solve the problems of the world. We thought we had the power. Still when we stood in the cold with these old brave men, we knew that we owed them a lot. We still do. The number of people who lost their lives during both great wars still horrifies me. Every night on the evening news they give the count of how many more servicemen have paid the ultimate sacrifice. At times it's just to easy to only see the count and not think that these mostly young men are the sons, brothers, husbands and loved ones of people just like us. Eamonn.

"The devil is in the details." Not having or knowing the details does put us (Me!)At a great disadvantage. From what you have posted. I'm really sorry that your good Lady feels that the local OA acted in such a bad way. I wish I could say that SE's, Councils and every part of our organization always got things right. Sadly, this isn't always the case. Things don't always go as they should and people do mess up and get things wrong. Having said that. It has been my experience that most times, when there is a real problem, people in our organization really do want to try and identify the problem and take steps to ensure it doesn't happen again. You don't post what steps you and your good Lady have taken to correct the problem? Of course what did happen, has happened and can't be undone! While I'm not a lawyer, I do think care has to be taken before we start using words like "unlawful and criminal". If the actions really were "unlawful and criminal" the police should be called and any decision to prosecute would be up to the people who make them decisions. -The office of the District Attorney? Of course, not knowing the details, it might well be that there are grounds for a civil suit? If that is the case you do have every right to go ahead and file it. What follows is some "Eamonn Logic"! It has nothing that will back it up! And only makes sense to me. My big question is "Who is the Council?" Sure it might well be a corporation. But to my mind the Council is made up from local volunteers. We elect the Executive Board (Volunteers.)We support the Council. We are the Council. Your actions so far (Be they right or wrong, justified or unjustified) Have harmed the Council and the good name of the BSA. Your actions could directly or indirectly cause financial hardship to the Council. If we really go with the idea that we are the Council? You would be suing yourself! But that might be a bit of a reach! But looking at it from the Council point of view. If you were the Council would you want someone who was going to harm the Council as a member? As of right now. You and your Lady wife are not members. In fact you have no standing in the Council or the BSA. The BSA as a "Private Organization" does not have to provide you with membership. Membership in the BSA is a privilege, that the BSA can grant or take away. As the CO has opted to not recharter the units. The youth members have no choice but to look for a new unit. As the BSA has revoked your membership, you can't be involved with any unit, no matter who the CO might be. While it might sound harsh and seem very unfair, the best thing you can do for the youth members that were part of the program offered by the old CO, would be to encourage them to move on and look for new units. I'm not familiar with what appeals are open to members who have had their membership revoked. While I'll admit that I have little or no knowledge about this, I do tend to think that when someone has brought the good name of the BSA into disrepute, the BSA does seem to close ranks and the Powers That Be, at the National level will whole heartedly support the decisions made at the local (Council) level. Of course the details about what really happened might play a big part in all of this? Eamonn.

Thanks for sharing. While I have read some of what Bill wrote and a little what others have wrote about Bill, sadly I don't know that much. One of my best friends, who is a couple of years older than I am (And believe me I never let him forget that he is older than me!!) Has a necker signed by Bill and he really does treasure it. I really think that it's a wonderful testament of how welcoming the BSA and America is when I see how well an immigrant can do and how far he can go in this great country. From what I have read, I do think "Green Bar Bill" did understand boys and it seems to me that he was like many of the old Scouter's who at one time used to congregate at Gilwell Park back in England. (I'm thinking of people like Rex Hazlewood,John Thurman and John Sweet)These guys never seemed to forget that Scouting was supposed to be a challenge and worked hard on ideas that would keep the fun in Scouting while at the same time they really did promote the patrol method. At times I'm a little unsure which direction Scouting is headed? Falling back and looking at the writings of people like Bill Hillcourt does help me remember what this game is supposed to be about and help me keep the faith. The loss of anyone we love and care about does hurt, no matter how old they are. I feel for your loss, but have to admit to feeling a little envious that you got to spend so much time with a Scouting icon. Most of know that we will never reach the same heights that others may have reached, we are happy to do what we can in our communities and home towns, working with and doing our best for one kid at a time. Eamonn.

"Should I become the uniform police?" NO!! Take plenty of no notice!! If his uniform is not right? Maybe there is a reason? Having said that! I have a few "Odd ball" knots on a couple of my uniform shirts. Knots that not everyone recognizes and there are times when people will ask "What's that knot?" This gives me the opportunity to puff out my 38" chest and bore the pants off them!! Eamonn. (My chances of ever receiving a Buffalo? -It's never going to happen.)

Having just spent the last week covering a lot of ground here in PA on the road. I want to thank all the Troops who take the time to work with Penn dot. Keeping Pennsylvania spic and span. Seeing the signs along the side of the road that state Boy Scout Troop such and such a number is keeping PA beautiful is not only good PR. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy!! Thanks Guys - Keep up the good work. Ea.

"The unit committee should review repetitive or serious incidents of misbehavior in consultation with the parents of the child to determine a course of corrective action including possible revocation of the youth's membership in the unit. If problem behavior persists, units may revoke a Scout's membership in that unit" Hi and Welcome to the forum. For what it is worth? Here is my take on "What this means" and "Who does what" The SM is "employed" to deliver the program, hopefully following the guidelines set down by the BSA. He or She is not in charge of who can or can't join a unit. In fact the SM has plays no part in who can be a member or not. He does not really have the authority remove a Scout from the unit. This should only be done by the Committee. I would hope that the COR would be in on the final decision, just in case there might be any repercussions that might fall onto the CO. Having the COR in the know, is a way of covering your tail!! I feel sure that nearly all Troop Committees would be very sympathetic and would go with the SM!! Really the SM doesn't have any "discretion"! Hiring and firing are not in his job description. I don't have a copy of the Scoutmaster's Handbook at hand, but I think a quick read of this will help you a lot! Eamonn.

i have no idea where the term, "I don't give a hoot." Comes from? Maybe, I'm just odd? But it seems to me that a lot of the stuff we spend so much time on, here in the forum. When I boil it all down is stuff that at the end of the day; is nothing that would make me want to give up my BSA membership. I'm OK with the uniform. I'm a little unsure how really important it is as a method? But if the Powers that be came up with the idea that we were no longer to be a uniformed organization. I could go along with that. Allowing homosexual adults to be leaders? I seen what happened in the UK. A whole lot of nothing! So I'd be OK with allowing homosexuals to serve. Allowing some kind of "Outlander" Promise in place of the traditional Scout Oath, isn't going to be the end of the world. Going coed or at least giving CO's the option, seems like a good idea. Of course if all this were to come about? What the heck ! Would we talk about? Eamonn. (This enlighted thinking might be due to me being stuck in a motel in Harrisburg for a week, missing HWMB0 and the dogs!)

I tend to think of myself as a "Brit, who bleeds green!" Born and raised in London, with Irish Parents. I think I was about 23 ears old before I found out that everyone wasn't an Irish Catholic. Guy Fawkes night was always a good time, when I was a lad. On the night of November 5th, all the local kids on our street got together and lit big bonfires and we pooled all of our fireworks. Parents kept us under their watchful eye, but as a rule were kind enouugh to provide hot drinks and good stuff for us to munch on. Having fireworks over on this side of the pond, on July 4th, when there wasn't a real cold nip n the air took some getting used too. Eamonn.

While I don't have any plans to kick the bucket in the very near future. I have, under the wagging finger of HWMBO!! Been informed that the time has come to update my will. The last update was many moons ago. OJ, was a little fellow and our main concern was who would take care of him, if anything happened to us. Both of our wills (Mine and HWMBO) were fairly simple. In part because we didn't have very much!!In fact I know that there were times when if I had gone to meet the Great Scoutmaster, that there would have been nothing, after everyone and everything had been paid off. While I don't consider myself to be wealthy, and I do at times worry that I might outlive my savings and money I have put by for my retirement. Depending on when I go! There should hopefully be a fair amount. We only have OJ. He is OK. Having money in trust left to him by his Grandparents. Of course we both intend to make sure he is well looked after. Other than him and of course the tax-man we don't have any other dependents. As part of this estate planning process, my lawyer said I should meet with a financial consultant who specializes in estate planning. We met and he gave me a long list of the information that he needs to start working, which I'm working on. I asked him about leaving money to charity, maybe setting up a small foundation? Or trust? He thought the idea was good and spent some time explaining the tax benefits. Then he hit me with the $64,000 question; "What do you want your money to be used for?" He went on to say that I needed to give this a lot of thought and have a very clear picture of what my intentions were. I have been thinking!! It's kinda sad that someone my age is not involved in more organizations or activities! My only true great loves are my church. But much as I like and use our local parish church. The last Bishop we had was a real money hungry take it and run sort of fellow, who I had a hard time liking and just didn't trust. I love dogs.But I don't know enough about organizations who really take care of dogs. I'm looking into Canines for Disabled Kids. Right now I don't know very much about the organization. Then of course there is Scouting. I really have no idea what the National Organization does with all the money they collect? I can't help feeling that National has more than enough cash. I know that our local Council does need money, but I have seen how SE's pull the wool over the eyes of Executive Board Members and the mismanagement of funds. I'm also unsure how much longer a small Council will be able to last? I'd really like to do something that would really help the average, everyday kid. Not the brightest and the best!! Just the kid that joins to have fun and hopefully gets bitten by the bug. Strange as this might sound, this is really driving me nuts!! What to do? What to do? Eamonn.

Much as I hate to spoil the fun. I do really think the unkind comments about lawyers are unnecessary and uncalled for. Take a look at most Council Executive Boards and I bet you find a number of lawyers, who give freely of their time and are happy to support Scouting. Just as not everyone who rides a motorcycle is a Hell's Angel or a member of a drug pushing gang!! Not every truck driver is a foul mouthed moron and not all Chefs are alcoholics. OK, I'll admit my little sister is a lawyer, who has earned a lot of respect and several awards. http://www.minterellison.com/public/connect/Internet/Home/People/Profiles/P+-+Walsh+Pattie "A Scout is Kind" Eamonn. "A Scout is Kind"

Senior?? NO WAY!! Still very much a whippersnapper!! Young at heart!! With very sexy knees. Welcome. Ea.

I live about 20 minute drive from Seven Springs. In fact I can see the slopes when we go for our walks. Much as I hate the cold and winter, I did feel sorry for the people who work at the other Ski resort; Hidden Valley. It was so warm last winter they just closed the resort. I'm sure this must have upset and caused a lot of hardship for the people who worked there. Greater Pittsburgh Council hosts a ski day at Nemocolin's Mystic Mountain. The only thing missing is the mountain!! We attended the event a couple of times. I'm no skier, but I thought you skied on snow not packed ice. Needless to say I found a nice warm spot and enjoyed hot chocolate and hot dogs. Eamonn.

anarchist Like you I have a good many friends who are into hunting. I'm not anti-hunting. In fact the Wild Turkey Federation seen fit to make me an honorary lifetime member. Their way of thanking me for hosting Wild Turkey Game Dinners. I'm very much aware of the good work some hunters do, providing habitat for game and wild life. While I appreciate that on this side of the Pond, hunting and gun ownership are seen by many as the norm. I however am not crazy about guns. I'm not at all happy that I might have to have one in the house. I'm also a big softy!! While I was never keen on turkeys, in fact as a kid staying on my Grandparents farm in Ireland I was scared to death of them!! I know I couldn't look into the deep brown eyes of a deer and shoot it!! The river Boyne runs through my Grandparents farm, which is near Slane (Rolling Stones just played Slane Castle) The main road from Belfast to Dublin follows the river. Some years back a truck load of Bushmills toppled over spilling its load into the River Boyne. You never seen so many "Fishermen" in your life. Ea.

Got out of bed yesterday to find that my part of the world looked very white. Yes! We had our first frost. The furnace was running! We'd had a new super efficient furnace installed over the weekend. I wish I could say that I was playing my part to save the planet. But the truth is that I was trying to get as much out of the $2.54 a gal heating oil as I possibly can. Jack Frost is late this year. Not that I'm complaining. I really dislike winter so the longer we go without any form of white stuff; the better I feel. Not having had a frost has made for a very lack luster Fall. The leaves didn't have the changes that make for a real spectacle. A lot of the trees in my yard just seemed to say what the heck and allowed their leaves to drop off without any fuss. A week or so back I gave the yard it's, what I hope will be the final haircut of the year. I can't be bothered raking leaves, so I'm happy for John Deere to take care of them for me. It's been very dry. Walking through the fallen leaves is great. I love the sound of them under my feet. When no one is looking I like to make a pile of them and Rory and I have a leaf fight. Friday, the new little dog likes to bury her head in a mound of leaves. She seems far more independent than Rory. He rarely lets me out of his sight. Where as she likes to get into the woods and corn fields and chase anything she can find. Normally doves. Last week she hit pay-dirt and found some wild turkeys. Rory sees the world as one big smrgsbord. Earlier in the summer I tried picking blackberries, my dreams of a blackberry pie were dashed due to him eating all the berries I picked. He has mastered the art of husking corn and eats a couple of ears a day. The pear tree is now a stop on his BLW (Big Long Walk). He likes pears. Friday and him fight over the fallen apples. Last year when Her Who Must Be Obeyed wasn't well, I didn't do much around the house. The flower beds that she looked after were let go. Weeds took over and the weeds were full of burrs that stuck to the dogs. I spent hours de-burring them and at times had to remove the burrs by cutting them out. I don't know much about flowers, but I swore that wasn't going to happen again. This past Spring, I took over the flower beds. I spent a fortune at the nursery. You name it!! I bought it. I dug, weeded, covered with some type of weed resistant sheet, planted and mulched. I fed the plants. No self-respecting weed dared show its ugly head in my beds. All in all I was very proud of my efforts. I have no idea what the plants were! But I got a lot of joy tending for them and just looking at them. When I looked at them yesterday afternoon, I was a little sad to see that the frost had done a number on them. Next week Rory and I are planning to prune some of the trees. I'm in the bad books with the power company for not allowing them to cut back my hemlock trees. I seen the terrible job the tree company they employed did butchering the trees in the area and refused to let them near mine. Rory tends to think that every time I pick up a stick we are going to play fetch. He likes to chew on OJ's socks, I'll take a sock with me to keep him occupied.That way maybe I'll get the trees done. Rory, Friday and myself were out about 1800 yesterday. I noticed that things were a lot quieter. Far less birds were around, the bugs and crickets were gone, I did spy one small yellow butterfly. I think he must not have got the memo that Fall is here. There are signs of deer activity. OJ, wants to try his hand at hunting for the first time this year. He isn't happy that I will not allow him to hunt on our property!! My hope is that he goes out once, doesn't see anything, freezes his tail off and decides that hunting isn't for him. Of course I'm now resigned to the fact that Winter is coming. That light coating of white frost will in the next few weeks be replaced by a wet heavy coating of white stuff. There is nothing I can do about it. Rory likes to play in the snow. I enjoy having him chase snowballs or playing fetch with the icicles I break off from the out-buildings. Friday is such a little thing.I don't know how she will manage if we have any heavy snow? I do hate to see winter coming. The Ship has said that they want to return to Georgia next summer. HWMBO wants to go to the beach. I can't wait to just sit with Rory on the porch admiring the flower beds and waiting for the fireflies to perform their magic. Until then I'll enjoy my new furnace, stock up on hot chocolate and maybe something warming to add to it!! I'll fight my way through the Christmas crowds at the stores, bundle up like Nan-nook of the north and maybe take a long winters nap. I hope the people who enjoy winter have a great time. I'll be happy when all the white stuff is gone. Eamonn.