2012 Hessel International Jamboree

Friday, October 28, 2005

Christmas Tree Sales Lot

It is almost that time of year again when Troop 1 has its annual Christmas Tree fund raiser sale.

Three hundred and twenty five trees have been ordered. Kmart has again given us permission to use their parking lot for our sale. We have applied to the City of Gaylord for a Charitable Solicitation Permit to sell trees from November 25, 2005 to December 23, 2005.

The next step in planning our fund raiser is having all Scout Families sign up for time slots to sell trees. In prior years we have tried to have two Scout families at the lot for all time slots, I do not believe that will be practical this year. Sometimes there will be two families at the lot and other times families will work their time slot alone.

I am requesting that each Scout family sign up for four time slots this year. I will have sign-up forms at the Lock-in and at the next Troop meeting. You may email me with your preferred dates too. Slots are filled on a first come first reserved basis. One family has already requested the four Monday time slots.

On the first Friday of the sale and on all Saturdays and Sundays, time slots are two hours long and start with a 10 AM to Noon slot and end with a 6 PM to 8 PM slot. Week day time slots are about two hours long and run from 4:30 to 7:30. The weekday start times depend on when the family can get to the lot and the end times depend on how busy the lot is after 7:00. Please select and sign up for you four spots as soon as possible.

Volunteers are needed to assist with the tree lot set up on Wednesday, November 23. The set-up crew will unload the trees and stack them on the ground. The crew also drives steel posts and strings rope for tree display. Poles are wired to the steel posts and our lighting system is strung. A good time is had by all.

Other important tree lot information:
The Troop trailer serves as our "Office" for the Christmas Tree sale. The keys to the trailer are kept at the Kmart service desk and are picked up by the first family to arrive that day and are returned to the Kmart service desk by the family that closes the lot in the evening.

The Troop trailer will have all supplies and equipment needed for the tree lot.
Cash box for cash and checks. Mr. Marsh collects funds daily from the cash box.
Ledger sheet to keep track of how many trees we have sold and how many are left.
Twine buckets for securing trees to vehicles.
A small ladder or stool for the vertically challenged.
Saws for trimming trees - only if requested by a customer.
Price list. This year we will have two prices - an under 8' price and an over 8' price.
The generator for the lights.
Gasoline and oil for the generator.
Wreaths with price tags attached. Sell them at will.

If I have left anything out, please let me know.

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Little Traverse Wheelway


Freezing rain and snow were in the forecast for the planned 50 mile bike tour of Crystal Lake and the Betsie River Pathway so the tour ride was moved to the Little Traverse Wheelway bike path.

The tour followed the Little Traverse Wheelway bike path from Charlevoix, through Petoskey to Harbor Springs and back for a nice 50 mile ride. Troop 1 Scouts completing the 50 mile tour and earning their Cycling Merit Badge were (nick names only) - Ankle Biter, ASPL-N, Butters, Doughy, and Oak Tree. CONGRATULATIONS!

Riding the the 50 mile tour with the Scouts were Mr. Schlak, Mr. Neff, and ASPL-K. The group did not bring a camera but there are several stories and interesting sites the cyclist can share with the rest of Troop 1, just ask!

Master Angler was also on the ride and completed one of his 25 mile ride requirements. The Scoutmaster and BronzeDragon cycled with Master Angler.

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge


Mr. Marsh is looking for Scouts who wish to work on this Eagle Required merit badge as a group. We plan to have merit badge work sessions for about 15 minutes before each Wednesday Troop meeting or at any other times the group agrees to meet. We can start the first week of November and, if you put the effort in, could complete the requirements for this merit badge by the end of the year!

See the Scoutmaster to get your Blue Card before the end of October and see Mr. Marsh about joining the group!

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Cycling Merit Badge 50 Mile Tour


When: Saturday October 22, 2005. The ride will start at 10:00 AM.

You must have: 1) A bike in good working order; 2) A helmet; 3) WATER!

The planned ride:

Meet at 2570 Crystal Drive, Beulah, MI.

Ride east on Crystal Drive along beautiful Crystal Lake to US-31, Beulah - 6
miles - Paved County Road

Ride south on various city streets to the Betsie River Pathway Trail - 1
mile - Paved Streets - No riding on US-31!

Ride west on the Betsie River Pathway along beautiful Crystal Lake and the
scenic Betsie River to M-22, Frankfort - 11 miles - 3 miles crushed gravel
bike path - 8 miles paved bike path

Ride north on M-22 to 2570 Crystal Drive - 7 miles - Paved State Highway.
This stretch of M-22 is part of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour and has an
extra wide brim for biking.

Stop for lunch and repeat the above rout.

Total ride 50 miles, estimated ride time 6.5 hours.

Please let me know if you will be at this ride!

Directions to 2570 Crystal Drive will be available at the October 12th and
October 19th Troop meetings.

Wreath Sales


The 2005 Wreath selling season is upon us. Scouts will be selling wreaths to earn money for their scouting accounts. Both Balsam and Douglas Fir Mix wreaths are available ranging in size from 22" to 60". Garland in 25' sections of either Balsam, Cedar, or Douglas Fir Mixed along with Candy Cane shaped wreaths, Balsam Crosses, and Mixed Swags are also among the items available. New this year is a cute Evergreen Porch Pot. The tree can be later planted in your yard for a Christmas type feeling all year long. This would be an excellent gift for someone without enough space for a large Christmas Tree. And let's not forget the fabulous Holiday Mix Wreath (27"). This wreath was previewed last year at one of our committee meetings and looked fabulous. It had the committee members actually "fighting" (not really) over who would get to take it home. So...guys...get out there and sell...sell...sell... and earn that money for your account. Wreath orders are due by October 26th for a delivery of approximately November 16th.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Adult Leader Training


The Northern District will be conducting their annual Adult Indoor Leader Training on Saturday, November 12 at the LDS Church in Petoskey. The training will begin at 8:00 AM and run until about 3:00 PM. All adults (leaders, and parents alike) are encouraged to attend. A vast amount of information will be given regarding Webelos to Scouts transition, the Troop Committee and its organization, fundraising, advancement, program planning, and much...much...more. Oh!! And by the way!!! The cost is FREE!!!

Friday, October 07, 2005

The Beautiful Game


Several Troop 1 Scouts will be participating in the Gaylord Soccer League fall playoff tournament this weekend. October 7 - 9. The matches should all be exciting.

Look for U-14 Boys action on Field One and U-12 Boys action on Field Three. Troop 1 has three Scouts on three different teams in the U-14 division and two Scouts on two different teams in the U-12 division.

The tournament begins Friday, October 7, at 6 PM and continues on Saturday and Sunday with first matches starting at 9 AM and final matches starting at 3 PM.

Troop 1 also has Scouts participating on the Gaylord Middle School and Gaylord Junior Varsity football teams. Scouts or adults in the know about game dates and times can send an update to troop1.gaylord@gmail.com.

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Cycling Merit Badge 25 Mile Ride


When: Saturday October 8, 2005. The ride must start no later than 11:00 AM.

You must have: 1) A bike in good working order; 2) A helmet; 3) WATER!

The planned ride:

Meet at Pine Baron Pathway on Lone Pine Rd (West Otsego Lake drive to Old
Alba Rd. to Lone Pine) 10:45 at the latest.

Ride one lap around the outer loop of the Pine Baron Pathway - 6 miles -
Trail riding

Ride one loop around any one of the four inner loop trails - 2 miles - Trail
riding

Ride Lone Pine Rd. to Old Alba Rd. - 1 mile - Paved residential road

Old Alba Road to West Otsego Lake Drive - 2.5 miles - Paved county road

West Otsego Lake Road to Mancelona Road - 5 miles - Paved county road - most
with wide brim for bikes. Climb and descend the newly paved West Otsego Lake
Rd. hill from the east side and the west side!

Reverse the West Otsego Lake Rd to Lone Pine Rd. ride - 8.5 miles

Total ride 25 miles, estimated ride time 3.5 hours.

Please let me know if you will be at this ride! If no one else can make
this 25 mile ride, we can come up with an alternative for another 25 mile
ride and the final 50 mile tour.

The Pine Baron Pathway is trail riding. It is an easier trail then the
single loop trail at Aspen Park. The trail is hard packed and wide enough
that you can ride two wide. There are no switch backs and it is a fairly
flat trail. The Whoopsy Loop has the most grade. It has one short incline
that may have some Scouts walking up.
http://www.fishweb.com/maps/otsego/hike/pine_baron/ for a trail map.