October Newsletter

 

Welcome October! There is something about the month of October that brings out enchantment and delight. While we are celebrating the Autumn season, our friends in the Southern Hemisphere are celebrating their spring.  October is known for many timely events, such as the last two to three weeks in October (and, occasionally, the first week of November) are normally the only time of the year during which all of the "Big Four" major professional sports leagues in the U.S. and Canada schedule games; the National Basketball Association begins its preseason and about two weeks later starts the regular season, the National Hockey League is about one month into its regular season, the National Football League is about halfway through its regular season, and Major League Baseball is in its postseason with the League Championship Series and World Series. Moreover, than sports October has a plethora of observances including Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and National Pizza Month. We also have Fire Prevention Week in October. And did you know that our friends in Canada celebrate Thanksgiving this month? And let us not forget one of the most recognized holidays, Halloween, also called All Hallows Eve. Halloween is not just about costumes, carving pumpkins, Tricks and Treats, and parties. Halloween is also a time of remembrance of those who have passed by lighting candles on the graves of the dead. Without a doubt, all of these are exemplary reasons to enjoy the month but for me, it's the evident changing of seasons. Origins of Campfires  Author William W. Forgey in the introduction to his 1984 book Campfire Stories... Things That Go Bump in the Night noted that in his ten years of service as a scoutmaster the most requested campfire event were stories that evoke fear. Forgey further identified several elements that should go into the telling of a campfire story: 1. Enjoy the practice 2. Maintain eye contact 3. Keep in close contact with the audience 4. Do not obese over details 5. Set a “quiet mood” prior to the story 6. Utilize the energy of the audience  7. Maintain the campfire 8. Forgo props or scare tactics, these distract from the story 9. Use different vocal influences 10. Start sessions with believable tales to build credibility Forgey's points emphasize an important distinction of the campfire story as a practice rather than a genre as is the case with ghost stories or urban legends. The campfire story while owing a strong association with horror or the supernatural is not a subset nor class of tales but an outdoor activity, as much so as is hiking, rock climbing or swimming, as well for many a rite of passage into the years directly proceeding preadolescence.   “If ever I should wish for a retreat whither I might steal from the world and its distractions, and dream quietly away the remnant of a troubled life, I know of none more promising than this little valley.” ― Washington Irving, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow   International Camporee  Mataguay Scout Ranch, San Diego Imperial Council The 32nd Annual International Camporee 2020, was hosted this year by the SDIC International Committee, with the attendance of the Scouts de Mexico, Guias de Mexico, Girl Scouts and other International Scouting Organizations to promote Scouting brotherhood. The SDIC 2022 International Camporee is a unique weekend event with participants from the US, Mexico and other countries. It will provide a venue and opportunity for Scouts from all over to meet each other and share their songs, their scouting spirit, traditions and scouting experiences.  The girls from Troop 2019 attended the International Camporee back in September and had the pleasure meeting other scouts from South America and Mexico as they participated in a Roman themed Camporee.  Thank you, Virginia Wetzel, for sharing their even and pictures. It looks like the girls had a great time making new friends!      Boofest 2022  Firestone Scout Reservation This was a fun filled weekend for all that attended the event. There were many activities to keep Cub Scouts and their siblings busy with adventures. Everything from shooting sports to board games, box hockey, and crafting tables. In addition, there was bowling, a maze and Gaga Ball. There was a total of 1,200 participates and even though it did rain on by closer to the end of the night (no movie due to rain) the scout and their siblings were still out early enough to trick or treat around the campsites. Congratulations to the winning Dens for the best Pumpkin Carving Contest, Best Campsite Decorations- I hear Pack 219 took home 3rd place. Congratulations Pack 219.  A big thank you to the Boofest Committee Staff and the Firestone Rangers for all your hard work and putting on a great event for our youth! Recognitions  A Special shout out to the following: Troop 375 Scoutmaster –  Louis and Team for completing the IOLS Training. Adult Volunteer Awards v District Award of Merit  Submission deadline is 11/16/2022, but the sooner the better!   Nomination forms for both awards are available on the greaterlascouting.org website under Adult Resources & Adult Awards Send nominations to: reynolds461@gmail.com; or Roger Reynolds, 6709 Washington Ave. #576, Whittier, CA 90601 Recruitment Materials If you want any of the items below, please email me as they are not on the web site yet.  I will need the orders by Monday to pick up from council by Nov 4th while I am there.  Any orders after that I will have to arrange to get for you 😊.  Pick up will be in Whittier.  There are wristbands, flashlights, stickers, Boys Life minis, and recruitment envelopes (leaders favorite or at least mine so you don’t have to buy the plain ones) Contact Virginia Wetzel for more details or to grab some varcourt@twc.com Stay informed at the District Round Table! Round table falls on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. We are now meeting Hybrid. So, you can now either come down in person or tune remotely from wherever you may be. Remember, Roundtable is for everyone! Not just unit leaders. If you would like to join us in person we meet at the First Methodist Church 13222 Bailey St. Whittier, CA 90601.  If you cannot come in and would like to be on the email with the link for the Zoom Call, please reach out to Tommy Martinez (tlc_martinez@yahoo.com). We hope to see you there! Upcoming Events in Pio Pico November 5th: Monterey Park Police Dept. Merit Badge Course-Barnes Park 8AM- 12PM November 19th- Merit Badge Day & Cub Scout Adventure Day @ Palm Park 8AM-3PM  SAVE THE DATES: February 11th- Pushcart Derby TBA February 18th - District Dinner TBA April 14 – 16th- Camporee- Pardo June 19-23rd- Cub Scout Day Camp Training Corner History Corner By Lou Smith, Pio Pico District Vice Chair   100 Years ago, in the Los Angeles District Council (GLAAC now) ….   November 19, 1922 – Medal Pinned On Scout Hero (LA Times, Part I, Page 7)   MEDAL PINNED ON SCOUT HERO   William Cannon Honored for Bravery Saved Woman and Child From Drowning Mother Weeps, While Boy is Decorated   Scout William Cannon, a 16-year-old Los Angeles High School boy, was honored as a national hero yesterday at an impressive but simple ceremony In Pershing Square because he saved the lives of a woman and her seven-year-old daughter. While troops of fellow-Scouts, in massed formation, stood at attention, and the forty-piece Boy Scout band played the national anthem, Scout Cannon, his body rigid, and his face white with suppressed emotion, had the silver medal of valor pinned on his breast the greatest honor that can be bestowed upon a Boy Scout.  There were 10,000 citizens who viewed the presentation of the medal, made by Sylvester L. Weaver in behalf of the National Council of Honor, Boy Scouts of America. And there were many tear-dimmed eyes as the tall, slender lad acknowledged the recognition given him by the organization of which he Is a member.   Through the ceremony, while Assistant Chief of Police Richard Hilf told those present what the Boy Snouts have done to aid the police department in many ways, a little woman, who kept in the background, looked silently on. But as the officer continued to speak urging the uniformed lads to follow the precept of their fellow Scout, the woman's handkerchief went to her eyes.   MOTHER WEEPS She was Mrs. Frank Cannon, 2307 Echo Park Avenue, mother of the boy who has become nationally known for his valor and modesty. Weaver then told how the boy swam out into the deep waters of Kahana Bay one morning last July in response to a scream for help and carried the drowning form of little seven-year-old Madalynne Thielan ashore. Then rushing back, he reached the mother just as she was going down for the third time. He managed to get her to shore, and then resuscitated her with first-aid treatment, taught him by his scoutmaster at Honolulu. Through the recitation the boy-hero never moved, except to clear his throat as Weaver told how I modesty had kept him from telling anyone of his bravery until Mrs. Thielan informed the scout head-quarters.    LABORERS CEASE WORK Fifty policemen, led by Assistant Chief Hill, Inspector Charles Jackson and Captain Hubert Lee Heath, a group of uniformed soldiers and sailors, and classmates of Cannon, stood at attention during the ceremony. Men working on the new Biltmore Hotel stopped to watch, resuming their work when the last strains of the martial music died on the morning air.   "Bill" Cannon, as - the heroic young scout is known, went home with his proud mother. The Boy Scouts will begin a ten-day campaign to raise a $50,000 maintenance fund on Monday. The money will be spent in equipping the Hollywood hills camp, buying new instruments for the band, and general maintenance of the organization for the corning year. Have a safe and Happy Halloween Pio Pico!