Tour de Blackhawk, Silver Dollars, Pinewood Derby, Galena, Johll Bead Ceremony

Don't miss out on the early registration discount for the Tour de Blackhawk which ends this week (May 1).  All the information can be found at www.blackhawkscouting.org/2010Events/TourDeBlackhawk/TourDeBlackhawk.htm.  John Wurtzel and his committee are putting together a great event.  There is something for everyone with rides from as few as 8 miles to about 100 miles.  There are also some bike rodeos planned for the Cub Scouts.  This is something completely different that Blackhawk Area Council has never done before.  If you are available to help on the day of the event John is looking for some volunteers for various duties.  Just fill out the volunteer form (http://www.blackhawkscouting.org/2010Events/TourDeBlackhawk/TourStaffApplication.pdf) or send John a note.

The BSA Silver Dollars are selling out.  The uncirculated dollars are already gone and there is less than a week's supply of the proofs left.  Don't miss out, by law the mint can not make more.

Two weekends ago the Council Pinewood Derby was conducted by Bob Gingras and his team, which seemed to draw a lot from the Mighty Pack 5, put on another great event.  I received a number of compliments about the event while at the Winnebago Culvers on Saturday.

I even got to race my car on the Worlds Longest Track ... well at least part of it. It wouldn't all fit in the building.  My car took a big lead at the beginning before being passed on the straight by Jerry Coots' Wanchanagi Key 3 car and Rick Sanner's super special.  Unfortunately for them their cars were both disqualified for having illegal wheels.

Last weekend was the U.S. Grant Pilgrimage in Galena.  There was a tremendous turn out for the event this year far surpassing last year's attendance.  The Pilgrimage committee did a great job adding a number of new things this year.  There was a new Venturing Trail Hike, which was more challenging, a GPS Trail Hike, and some new activities like a zip line.  The OA had lines of Cub Scouts participating in an ever growing list of activities that included a monkey bridge, knot tying, bear bag toss, and compass work.  We had nine Generals this year that participated in a scavenger hunt.  If you got all nine you could get a special scavenger hunt pin.  The Army Golden Knights parachute team was present but unable to jump because of the low ceiling.  They did march in the parade and had a signing session following the parade.  I stayed at Canyon Camp with the Sycamore District Venturers which is slowly becoming a tradition for all the Ventuers to stay together.

Sunday I was in Cuba City, Wi (just north of Galena) for Greg Johll's Wood Badge Bead Ceremony.  As part of Greg's ticket he developed an informational video about Diabetes that can help educate volunteers.  We had four of his grandchildren (two Boy Scouts and two Cub Scouts) help with the ceremony.  I hope to get a copy of that picture to post.

Now its time to get ready for Adventure Base 100 on Saturday.  The BSA traveling exhibit will be in Douglas Park in Chicago this weekend and Blackhawk Area Council will be working there on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Adventue Base 100, Boeger Lodge, White Eagle and Wanchanagi Dinners

We've had a lot going on this week.  Monday I was at the Chicago Area Council offices with Steve James working on Adventure Base 100.  Blackhawk Area Council will be supporting AB100 on May 1 from 10:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M.  We still have a few seats left on the staff bus if anyone would like to help out.
On Tuesday I was at the Sycamore District Commissioners meeting.  Seems like I've had a lot of conflicts with that meeting lately but we had a good discussion and Blair is doing a great job as our District Commissioner.
On Wednesday I met with Steve James and Bill Mugnai to plan out what we'll be doing with the stage show during AB100.  We have the stage during our time on May 1 to do whatever we would like.  So if your unit is coming out and would like to do something special let one of us know.
Thursday I had to miss roundtable for a meeting in Rockford relating to the Fredj donation.  For those that may not recognize this, the Fredj's left a very generous fund that generates revenues for use at our camps.  We were discussion plans as to how to best utilize those funds.  In the coming years you'll see a lot more about the effects this will have improving our camps.
On Saturday it was an early start out to Camp Lowden for an 8:00 A.M. start to work day.  It was a chilly 50 degrees when I got out of the car but you could tell it was going to warm up fast.  There was a good turn out and a number of projects were worked on.  Some of our typical start up things like getting the water on and other projects like putting a porch on the rangers house.  I was assigned to put up shelving that we got from the central region in the basement of the Wienke Handicraft Lodge.  With the help of Ed Allen and Marty Mosca all of the shelving was put up which should help organize the storage.

I left Ed and Marty to finish up as we had the Open House for the Boeger Leadership Lodge.  We had a very good turn out for the open house.  A lot of people drove out to tour the building and visit with Jim and Karen.

Dave Savone got the plaque mounted but I forgot to get a picture.  I'll get that next time.  Special thanks to Carol's family for all of the decorations and food.  They were a big help.

Then it was off to the White Eagle District Dinner in Sterling.  The dinners are a favorite of mine because I get to participate in their celebration of the past year's achievements as well as catch up with old friends and meet new volunteers.  Don Rastedi, one of my Wood Badge troop members, took over the emceeing job for an ailing Jim Pepper and did a great job.

The only down side is that when I get home, about 11:30 P.M, I'm too pumped to sleep.

Sunday was back in the car.  First stop was an ceremony for one of our newest Eagle Scouts, Jeff B.  I've know Jeff's family through scouting for many years and it was an honor to be asked to participate in the ceremony.

Then it was off to Rockford for the Wanchanagi District Dinner and the opportunity to visit with the scouters there.  They had a fantastic year under the direction of District Chairman, Jim Behrensmeyer, another of my Wood Badge participants, and District Commissioner Jerry Coots.

Tomorrow we start again.