Our next Troop Committee meeting will be on Wednesday, November 12th, starting at 8:00 pm as always. We would be interested in finding out if the Committee would be interested in sponsoring some winter activities, such as sledding or ice skating. We always used to do these things when Russ was a young man, and it would be great if one or two people would aid in reintroducing these activities back into our program. How about it?.
On November 15th and 22nd we will be working with the boys on the Citizenship in the Community merit badge. This is a required badge for First Class, so Robert H., Tim H., Kevin K., Tim M., Chris M., Andrew M., and Dylan S. should make every effort to be there. They can always do it on thier own, but it is a lot easier if they attend these sessions.
On Saturday, November 15th, we will also be doing our Good Turn for the Church that sponsors us - that is, we will be taking up the leaves around the building. Last year we filled about 50 bags. This is a lot of leaves, but it is easy on everyone if we have a good turnout. Parents and leaders are asked to join up, since adult supervision helps a lot. Bring rakes adn brooms, please, and be sure you mark your name on any tools that you bring so that you get them back. The sponsoring institution gives us a lot, and really asks nothing in return. So this is one way we can say "Thank You". We will start at 9:00 am and if we have a lot of help we can be done by 11:00 am. The Citizenship badge will start at 8:00 am and be done by 10:00, so then we can get out and help the final hour.
Registration for 2004 is now underway. The fee is $30.00 for each scout, and $10.00 for each adult leader and committeeman or woman. Checks should be made payable to TROOP 979 0 BSA.
Please pay your fee at the meeting on November 13th or November 20th so we get this out of the way before Thanksgiving. The registration document is an 8 page terror that rival the imcome tax form - there are 81 boys and adults on it. It is a big job and it is made a lot worse if we have to wait for people to get their money in, If you are NOT registering with us for the coming year it would be great if you would give Russ a call and tell him. He hates the waiting and guessing game. Last year we had to make 17 telephone calls to people who were late in getting their money in or who were not signing up the new year. If you can not make the meeting on November 13th or 20th, please mail your check to Russ - and if you ar NOT registering, give him a phone call. Thanks. If we do not hear from you by Thanksgiving, you will not be registered!
Little Things That Mean a Lot: Mayflower Hall has had a complete renovation, and it looks beautiful. The downside is that we can no longer slide chairs and tables on the new tile floor, we have to lift and carry them.......The Big Shots downtown are crying - the United Way has cut their funding. Most of you received a letter explaining their problem but in case you did not, we are enclosing a copy for you. If you are giving to the United Way you might want to help them...........Downtown tells us nothing, but we have heard through other sources that the Yorkville camp has been sold, but that we will be able to use it for a couple of years................Mike Bujewski and his wife are expecting a baby sometime in early December. Our assistant scoutmasters are a prolific lot..............A Good Rule to live by is not to believe that anything downtown tells you, so Doug and Russ are looking for other places to camp. If you have any ideas, let them know. They want a place that is a reasonable distance away, that is safe, and where we can build fires.
Happy Thanksgiving! There will be no meeting Thanksgiving Day.