[Troop 68] ARROW

[Adzlt80 at aol.com]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know................I'm late.
 
           Troop 68's  Annual Ski Trip happened a little early in 2009. 
Normally a February event,  lodging in Friendship at Camp Sequassen and skiing 
at Ski Sundown, this year, on  Jan. 30, 31 and Feb. 1 we ventured a little 
farther westward to frosty Camp  Strang, and skiing at Mohawk. Saturdays  
fortifyingly mouth-watering french toast, sausage, cereal,  milk, juice and 
coffee was served up with a smile by Dan Marazita, Mike  Card, and Phil 
LaMastra. The sunny, agreeably  cold weather supported a great day on the mountain 
as  happy scouts and adults schussed blissfully away on acres of new snow.  
As darkness rapidly descended , tired,ravenous scouts mustered in the great  
hall of the lodge for transportation back to Strang, eagerly  anticipating 
the evenings traditional  PizzaFest (facilitated by  John Valus). After 
dessert, which I believe was ice cream, the room  was cleared for the monthly 
Patrol Leaders Council, which plans  the next months events. Afterwards, spent 
scouts retired to their bunks,  crashing in preparation for an EARLY 
wakeup, field day of all spaces,  and a rush to arrive on time at St. Theresa's 
for Scout Sunday. After services,  a pancake breakfast was served in the gym 
by Mr. John O'Neil for Cubs,  Scouts, and all interested adults.
 
        The 2009 Annual Klondike, a  celebration of Snow(usually), 
Sleds(always. Where there is a wheel, there is a  way. I have yet to see pontoons, 
but am not ruling them out), and Skills,  normally a January event, was held 
on Feb. 27, 28 and 29 at Hoyt Scout  Reservation. Weatherwise, rain, wind 
and mud held sway, but what boy does  not revel in such conditions? Scouts had 
a great time sledding and  sliding to various stations, testing their 
proficiency, refreshing their  knowledge, practicing teamwork, and instilling 
pride. The  last event was the Sled Race, a joyous, cheering climax to an 
exhausting but fun  filled Saturday. The adults ate pretty well in my estimation, 
 slamming pancakes, sausage, tomato soup, tuna melts, lamb and beef stew  
with garlic bread, apple and black forest cobbler, lovingly prepared  by Rich 
Guerra, Mike Card, Andy Spalla, Joe Guerra, Jeff Liskov,  Joe Palamara, and 
Yours Truly. After a well done Campfire, sleep was  welcome.
 
       Camp Sequassen was the scene for the  March 13, 14 and 15 campout, 
theme being Riflery.NRA Instructor Dan  Marazita,, along with Bill Amidon and 
Crew 68 helpers, ran a tight range as  scouts shot .22 caliber bolt action 
rifles for awards. The  weather was clear, warm and sunny, and tenting was 
done on platforms, out  of the spring runoff. Brian Rapillo filled the 
Seniors and Adults with  ease-intensive egg sandwiches, hot dogs and beans, a 
wonderfully different  meatball and tortellini soup, followed by dutch oven 
pies. Sunday - cleanup and  bug-out.
 
        On Saturday night, March 28,  Troop 68 held its Annual Pasta Dinner 
High Adventure Fundraiser in the  school gym. Music was provided by Andy 
Spalla Jr. as patrons found their way to  ample seating, collecting around the 
long center tables in  deep perusal of myriad high quality Silent Auction 
items, gathered  into tasteful display by Pat Terry and Donna Valus. John 
Valus, Announcer with  Presence, kept patrons abreast of all evolutions, from 
detail of auction items,  commencement of dinner, to the auction time 
countdown. Smiling scouts served up  pasta, sausage, meatballs, sauce, bread, and 
salad, fruits of the labor of Frank  Chudy, Cheryl Gustavson, Dan Marazita, 
Micheal Card, Bill Chin and other hard  working behind-the scenes folks. 
Thanks to all who made this event a  success.
 
      The morning of April 4th found us gathering  in the Wa-Wa-Taysee 
parking lot.The plan had been to overnight at WWT, execute  service project, 
then backpack over and around the Giant to the primitive  site on the north 
side for Saturdays camp. Due to a  prediction of  severe thunderstorms and high 
wind for Fri. night, the program was  shortened to Sat. morn. service 
project, lean-to-lunch(backpack style),  then embarkation over the mountain. So, 
after some brush re-location  and a filling mid-day repast, we shoved off 
for a pleasant stroll over  varied terrain, finally lighting upon a sunlit 
site next to a burbling burn.  After dinner (a comforting beef stew and 
dumplings for the adults, courtesy of  highly skilled camp cook who always has new 
tricks up his sleeve, Bill Amidon),  a contingent of boys and un-stiff 
adults trekked up to the tower and back.  Sleep, again, was welcome. Sunday 
involved another culinary how-does-he-do-it  surprise by Bill-a wonderfully 
cheesy (in a good way)Mountain Man, cooked in the  Wonder Pot over Whisperlite. 
Well nourished, we saddled up for  short hike  to a close parking lot and a 
shuttle back to WWT.
 
         Well, there you have it.  If I have forgotten anything, anyone, 
stretched or ignored the truth, or  violated the dictates of good taste and 
the American Way, please let me  know.   YIS, Al Terry  ASM  Tp.  68
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