Where are the Adults?
Boy Scouts of America image used under Fair Usage guidelines I got a whipping for wanting to be a Cub Scout. I got a whipping later because I know that I did something right, but to my mother, I disobeyed her. I stood there, repeating the Scout Law to myself as my mother hit me with my father's Army web belt over and over, intoning that "I won't lie to my parents." It was the... [More]
By: settummanque On: 2020-11-16
Red Arrow
Image by Mike Walton circa 1985 Ken Spiegel wrote:My lodge went back to having ordeal members make their own arrows. Personally, I like the idea of them bring home the arrow as a remembrance.As long as our new Ordeal members don't hack off their fingers nor bows to the Vigil Honor members, Ken...(The following was extracted from "Patches and Pins" (or "The Quest for the Silver Beaver...."), by Mike Walton (c) 1988)Red ArrowsThe Order of... [More]
By: settummanque On: 2020-11-09
Insert name of City/community
NBC/WMAR Photo used under fair usage guidelines This is not about a particular city -- this week we're talking Baltimore. Last week we were talking about some other city, and the week before, we were talking about yet another city.We need to understand that this kind of behavior can be found in every medium to large-sized city or community in the United States. Yeah, including Mayberry. Old Deputy Barney Fife (played masterfully by Don Knotts)... [More]
By: settummanque On: 2020-11-02
What did we learn, if anything today?
MORNING JOE l Photo by Anthony J. ScutroMy television is NOT broke on the Cable News Network (CNN) 24/7. Other networks -- ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and PBS -- all have fine public affairs and journalistic review shows (what I refer to collectively as "talking heads" shows), and I watch them as often as I do the "Network of Record," the "Best network in the Universe -- CNN." My Sundays are spent in part watching... [More]
By: settummanque On: 2020-10-30
African Drum
These drums are the perfect way to celebrate and learn about African heritage. We based these drums on the Djembe drums from West Africa. Djembe drums originated during the reign of the Malian empire in the 12th century. These drums were traditionally made by blacksmiths and played by well-respected musicians known as griots. They play an important part in storytelling and the passing down of the oral history of west Africa. The base is made... [More]
By: scottyiserv On: 2020-10-29
(A Scout's) Toolbox
Image provided by Settummanque (Mike Walton) Our pioneers had one (well, kinda...didn't really fit into a pocket, but the concept was the same). Rambo had one, and so did similar characters portrayed by Steven Segall, Arnold (do I have to type his last name *smiling*?), and several others. Harrison Ford had a version of one in a couple of his movies. My personal hero, Angus MacGyver, not only had one but during the first four... [More]
By: settummanque On: 2020-10-29
Clorox 2 ®
(From "Patches and Pins" (or "The Quest for the Silver Beaver...."), by Mike Walton (c) 1988) You want to get my mother going?? Bring up George Wallace, the symbol for most Black Americans of the *worst* parts of being an American living in the South!"Do you think he's changed? God musta' really touched that man", my mother asked me. We were sitting at the dining room table, the air conditioner making a loud starting... [More]
By: settummanque On: 2020-10-26
Dreamcatchers Native American Art Project
Dreamcatchers are an iconic Native American symbol. It is unknown exactly when and where they originated. They were first documented in 1929 with the Ojbwie tribe and spread to other tribes during the pan-Indian movement of the 1960s and 1970s. They are traditionally made of all-natural pieces, such as willow bark for the ring and sinew for the webbing. They are said to protect the user from bad dreams. According to Native American legend, all... [More]
By: scottyiserv On: 2020-10-22
Gates Foundation. Please Help Us
Shutterstock Image used under Fair Usage Guidelines See those smiling faces? I wish I had an image of smile Scouting youth and adult faces, but this will have to do for now.On 12 August 2020, the BSA's National teams working under the "Churchill Project" made some recommendations to the National Executive Board, the guiding group within the BSA responsible for all decisions on behalf of the national organization. While these recommendations are not binding, the... [More]
By: settummanque On: 2020-10-19
Scoutness
Original home of Earl Hamner, creator of "The Waltons." photo from WaltonsMountain.com I cannot remember if I saw this on as part of a television show or if this was one of my silly "television show dreams." All I know is that the show or dream is based upon Scouting heritage and lore and that I remember it being "true" in the application.So the backstory is that a guy gets hired to work for a... [More]
By: settummanque On: 2020-10-12