TROOP 1320 NEWSLETTER
December 5, 2001
“All The News That Fits, We’ll Print”
_______________On the web at “www.troop1320.org ”
SCOUTMASTER NOTES
Do a
good turn daily. It does not have to be a major thing, just a small act of
courtesy and kindness in favor of family, friends or strangers. An extension of
this Scouting slogan is the participation of Scouts in community service
projects.
Scouting
is not simply an outdoor adventure club, it is an organization and program
dedicated to assisting boys in their development into responsible adults. One
element of that program is the community service projects, which we undertake
as a troop and the requirement of service hours for advancement.
On
December 8 and 15 we will be manning the traditional red kettle for the
Salvation Army at the new Giant Eagle Store south of McMurray on Route 19 near
the intersection of I-79 and I-70 just north of Washington, Pennsylvania. This
is a great opportunity to assist many in need, to get those required service
hours, to have some fun and to do that “Good Turn”. I hope that all of our
Scouts will participate in this worthwhile activity. Scoutmaster,
Paul Burke
The Elk Hiking Trip
Over
all, I believe that the trip went well. We had exceptional weather on the trail
excepting only the heavy downpour on the highway driving up to the Elk Trail. I
believe that we hiked a total of nine miles with the exclusion of getting
partially off course. We only had to backtrack a half a mile or so. Not only
that, we spotted many different kinds of wildlife, with elk being one of the
most prominent. For the first night we were out in a muddy run off. The sleep
was nice with only a slight rain problem. But that was no problem for us; we
are Boy Scouts.
For lunch on the first day on the trail we had summer
salami with cheese on bagels, but the feast was yet to come when Jake cooked
the crunched gourmet ramen noodles for dinner. The meal was quite enjoyable for
those of us who brought mess kits.
The entire trip was exceptionally good with the unique
actions that took place.
Mike
Crothers
Hiking the Elk
Trail Another Perspective
After a rainy drive, with the obligatory pit stop at Sheetz on the way, we arrived at the Elk State Forest at 10:30 on Friday evening, November 2, 2001. I had warned the guys that we only hoped to see some of the Pennsylvania elk herd, and that there was no guarantee. As we turned off of the highway and began driving through the fog on the dirt road leading to the trailhead we came upon a grassy area where 10 elk were grazing. We were amazed by the size of these creatures and they remained nonplused at our presence.
After setting up camp in the fog we all settled in for a good nights rest.
The next morning after breakfast, including some Ethiopian Sidamo coffee, we shuttled cars and hit the Elk Trail.
The Elk Trail is a new trail in the Elk State Forest, which travels through some prime Elk habitat. Those of us on the trail, Mike C., Jake B., Nick G., Dean K., Matt M., Dave C., along with Messrs. Burke, Moshier, Grimes and Gagianas, enjoyed the excellent fall weather and the changing scenery as we went over hill and dale.
In the afternoon we marveled at the ability of a large group of elk to move through the forest gracefully and relatively quietly.
After setting up camp near a stream we enjoyed a campfire and a beautiful display of stars until a full moon came over the ridgeline.
Following a scout service Sunday morning we hiked back out to our cars and headed back to McMurray determined to return to the Elk Trail again.
Eagle
News
James Cousins was approved for the rank of Eagle Scout at a District
Board of Review recently. We can expect to be attending an Eagle Court of Honor
in the not to distant future.
Way
to go James!
In
other Eagle news Scott Benton, Ken Helfrich, Steve Underkofler and Dan
Wanninger were recognized at the 52nd Annual Eagle Recognition
Dinner held at the Pittsburgh Hilton.
Greens Sale
The Greens are in and it looks like most of
the guys had a successful year selling these great seasonal products. Some of
the Scouts now have relatively flush accounts and should be wary of getting
into a card game with Mr. Meloro. They should also be on their guard if that
charlatan and cheat Mr. Englund suggests that he can successfully invest their
hard-earned money so as to get them a return of at least 35% per annum. While
that consent decree with the SEC is in the past, old habits do die hard.
A big thank you is owed by all to Mrs. Baumiller our
Wreath Lady who took on the task of organizing and coordinating the greens
sales for this year. Ok, now, everyone in unison, “Thank you Mrs. Baumiller”.
Rock Climbing at Quebec Run
Oct. 12-14, 2001
By: Matt M., 2nd CLASS SCOUT
We went to Quebec Run to rock climb. On Friday night we
set off on a walk down a narrow trail to get to the campsite. When we got there
everyone set up their tents and went out to get firewood. Dan G. and I started
a fire and everyone went to get more wood. Finally, when we got back together,
we sat by the fire and played games and talked about movies.
The next day Mr. Burke and my Dad ate oatmeal and Hudson
Bay bread for breakfast. Dave S. cooked breakfast for our patrol and the
younger Scouts ate raw pancakes. The older Scouts ate perfect pancakes. (Go,
figure.) Then we went rock climbing. Everyone made the easy course and some
people made the hard course. It was hard because we had to climb over an over
hand. I was one of the Scouts that did the easy course. Some Scouts also
rappelled.
That night we tried to make a dish that is affectionately
known as “puke in a pot” for dinner. Dave S. brought too many supplies and
spilled our dinner. Meanwhile, Shawn poured non-boiled stream water into his
patrol’s “puke in a pot”. Jake and Dylan rode him for 45 minutes over that one.
Then Shawn said, “Wait, don’t we have to boil the water?”
My Dad, after conferring with Mr. Burke, graciously, let
us eat leftover white chili from the dinner which he and Mr. Burke had enjoyed.
The next day it rained and poured hard. The wind was
howling against our faces and Mr. Burke decided that we would go indoors to
climb. Dean wanted to climb upside down. We all harnessed up. Dean went up and
decided to fall. He looked like Tinkerbell when he was madly swinging from side
e to side.
When every one had fallen, it was Mr. Burke’s turn to
climb. Then at last we got to hit Mr. Burke like a pińata. He tried to kick us
but that old geezer could not hit us because we were too fast.
After that, it was time to go. We all ran down to the
cars and on the way home we stopped at Jackson Farms. Their ice cream is the best and everybody loved it. Then we left
with ice-cream all over our faces. It was a great weekend.
TIMBERLINE ANNOUNCEMENT! TIMBERLINE
ANNOUNCEMENT!
Scouts and Parents we have room for 23
people on the ski trip for Timberline scheduled for the weekend of January 12,
2002. At last count we had 20 people signed up, so for those of you who may
need help with math, (such as Mr. Englund,) that means that there are spaces
left for three (3) more. If you are interested you need to contact Mr. Grimes
as soon as possible.
PARENTS: FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
Jan.
11-13 Skiing
at Timberline
Jan.
18-20 Klondike
Derby-Anawanna
Feb.
1-3 Winter
Camping
Laurel
Ridge & X-C
Skiing
March
22-24 Camping
at Twin Echoes
April
26-28 Gettysburg
May
24-27 Annual
Memorial Day
Canoe
Trip
June
14-16 Camping
and Sailing
Moraine
State Park
July Backpacking
Otter Creek Wilderness Area
August
4-10
Summer camp @ Heritage
Reservation
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Troop Committee Meeting
The next meeting of the troop 1320 committee will
be held on January 24, 2001 at 7:30 at the Scout House. Richard Meyers, the
troop committee Chair will conduct the meeting. You can expect that matters on
the agenda will include Community Service Projects as well as upcoming
activities for the Troop. All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Please Note that there will not be a
Troop committee meeting in December.
Best Wishes to all of our loyal readers for a Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year.