[Troop 68] ARROW

[Adzlt80 at aol.com]

Hi Folks,
           Yes, I know,  it's been awhile. Between all the eating, holiday 
activities and some world  class napping, writing time has been hard to find. 
But now, when all the  jingling, decorating, candle lighting, singing, shopping, 
wrapping,  unwrapping,high calorie chewing, socializing, snow shoveling and  
whatever else people do for fun during the holidays is over with,  there is 
finally time for deep contemplation. The celestial brilliance  of Orion, Gemini 
and the Pleides parading across the cold, clear  night sky. The gentle hiss of 
new falling snow through stately  evergreens. A fresh blanket of pure white 
slowly covering the  forest floor with a promise of cleanliness and redemption, 
providing  insulating protection for springs upcoming festival of new growth. 
 Startled does bounding away, leaping over brown brush and gray stone walls, 
soon  just bouncing white dots disappearing through the green haze of pine  
boughs. Offshore rafts of sea ducks, canvasbacks, redheads,  buffleheads and 
scoters facing the wind, rolling and bobbing without  complaint in the frigid 
water, testimony to the never ending strive for life,  the against all odds, 
never ending strength and beauty of  nature. Then, of course, there is, the ARROW.
 
            Sept.  19,20 and 21st found us once again tenting, cooking, and 
generally Scouting away  at Bridgeports Beardsley Zoo, our new Sept. home. The 
weather was clear and  warm, allowing the boys to give extra special attention 
to the cleanliness and  improvement of the wetlands aviary and the grounds of 
the 9/11 Memorial cabin.  Dan Marazita gave his all to keep the adults well 
fed, culinarily apexing  with a beyond excellent alfredo (vegetables optional) 
and a rich  cheesecake for dessert.
            Oct. 17,  18, and 19 was the Fall Camporee, held at Putnam Park 
in West Redding,  hosted by Stratford Troop 76. Theme being  International 
Cooking,  Crew 68 and 90 made apple crisp and garlic bread in dutch ovens, Troop 
90  exhibited fire building and matchless ignition, Troop 88 showcased  
unconventional cooking (meat wrapped in paper,etc), Troop 75 baked, Troop 103  did 
tripod roasting and cooking. There was also a radio broadcasting station and  an 
EMS area. The Fall Camp is also the Weblos Invitational,each troop  hosting 
various  Weblos Dens and introducing them to Boy  Scouting,  so many and 
various Weblos were on hand, learning and  having FUN!!! Pat Garber was Chuckmaster, 
employing his extensive backyard  open fire cooking skills to produce a trio 
of succulent dutch  oven potroasts, each bathed in mushroom soup and myriad 
other  ingredients, simmered to perfection ( thanks to the benificence  of the  
Crew, who provided the already lit coals and use of the DO table). A legion  
of hungry Weblos and their parents ate heartily and, hopefully,  memorably
               Troop 68 celebrated their annual Thanksgiving Feast at West 
Reddings Hoyt Scout  Reservation on Nov. 14th, 15th, and 16th.Cold wind and 
horizontal rain  offered no deterrance to the hardy band of intrepid revelers as 
they  labored mightily under the pavilion roof, hanging turkeys, making  pies, 
and, in general, gave the Pilgrims a run for their mythical  money.Frank Chudy 
reigned as the Turkey Ramrod, supervising the cleaning, prep  and hanging of 
3 juicy turkeys, Micheal Card was the Pie King, guiding  as only Micheal can a 
group of budding youth pastry chefs in the  execution of 6 mouth watering 
traditional apple and pumpkin treats.  The Scouts were responsible for delectable 
sides such as lasagna and  potstickers. Mark Ronnow kept the adults fueled 
and ready with a memorable  cracker barrel, hearty breakfasts and a rib warming 
soup and sandwich  lunch, keeping the smile factor high.
              If  it's December, it must be Webb Mountain, and so it was for 
the 5th,6th and 7th.  The boys worked hard to complete the Paul Bunyon Award, 
which demands  they safely fell, trim and section a tree into manageable 
lengths,using edged  and toothed tools, all under the gentle guidance and eagle eye 
of the  Scoutmaster. The adults partook of a tasty shellfish stew, French 
style,  executed by our resident corporate chef and culinary instructor, John 
Valus Sr.  Served over rice, with garlic bread on the side, it was a notable and  
impressive repast. An early morning snowfall added to the event.
 
                The Winter Court of Honor was held on Dec 19 in the school 
gym. New officers are  as follows:
 
SPL- Joe Guerra
ASPL's- Kyle Gustavson
             Jeff  Liskov
              Joe Palmyra
Quartermasters- Mike Liskov
                          Nick Rapillo
Scribe- Coulter Davis
Historian- Liam Terry
Librarian- David DeVito
Chaplains Aide- DJ Marazita
Troop Instructor- John Valus
Bugler- Tom Valus
Den Chief's- Tom Valus, John Valus
Patrol Leaders- Tom Valus, Tyler Rapillo, John Jean Joseph
Asst. Patrol Leaders- Mike LaMastra, Liam Terry, Kevin Garber
 
Advancement
 
Scout- Rocco DeFelice
Tenderfoot- Kevin Garber, Liam Terry, David DeVito
Second Class- Kevin Garber, Mike Liskov, Chad Davis, DJ Marazita
First Class- Kevin Garber, Mike Liskov, DJ Marazita
Star- Coulter Davis, John Jean Joseph
Life- Joe Guerra, Joe Palamara, Nick Rapillo, Tyler Rapillo
 
Year Round Camper
 
2nd Year- Liam Terry
3rd Year- Jeff Liskov
4th Year- John Valus, Mr. John Valus Sr.
5th Year- Mr. Alan Terry
11th Year- Mr. Micheal Abrahamson, Scoutmaster.
 
 
Wood Badge
 
 Mr. Brian Rapillo received his beads.     Congratulations.
 
 
                Well, there you have it. The Merit badges earned and awarded 
took up  several pages, a long time to do with one finger, so I'm sorry I 
could not  list them. You all did a great job. Thanks for letting me tag along.
 
 
                  Happy New Year to all, and to all a good night.     Al 
Terry  ASM.
 
**************New year...new news.  Be the first to know what is making 
headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026)
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