Veterans' Fishing Day Picnic

Nick helping clean up

The annual Veterans' Fishing Day picnic rolled around again, and thanks to Amy, the Troop received another invitation to help out.

An invitation you might ask? Yes. These men and women served our country, and it is always an honor to serve them.

The boys made a very good impression last year and aimed to do so again this year, too.

Our Scouts and a volunteer from Crew 356 (yay Molly!) helped the veterans carry their plates and bus tables. The veterans, in turn, asked the volunteers to join them for a really wonderful pig roast. The organizers even let the Scouts take back the returnable cans and bottles.

After cleaning up, the Scouts helped the National Guard load hundreds of folding chairs and scores of tables back into their trailers for the trip back to the armory. After such a great lunch, the exercise felt good, and the weather was absolutely perfect.

You can check out the rest of the event's album online, too!

Memorial Day Ceremonies

Welcome!

The Scouts in Troop 321 did a fine job representing Scouting today. They helped the VFW prepare their hall for the town's Memorial Day ceremonies after the event weathered out, they held the door and greeted veterans and guests, and they participated in the ceremonies with all due decorum.

It's great to for the boys to see the flag ceremony they learned as Cubs performed by combat veterans from both recent and long ago wars.

I regret that I can't tell you exactly how many times the veterans complimented the boys for their good behavior and helpfulness both today and last week decorating the cemetery with American flags, but it's a large number. Our participation means a lot to our city's veterans, and it shows they haven't been forgotten by America's youth.

Our newest media star

Lunch, by the way, was exceptional. Post members and the lady's auxiliary brought in a very nice potluck with a large variety of special treats.

The Troop also owes a special cheer for Danny P who stood before Channel 10's camera and bright lights to represent our Troop in very good form. Nice job!

I've also posted an album with this morning's highlights.

Memorial Day Flag Planting

Scouting helps more than just Scouts

Sometimes we get so caught up in Scout activities, especially service projects, that we forget the impact we have on other people.

Today I saw Scouts in uniform cleaning up litter and planting flags in preparation for Memorial Day ceremonies this coming Monday, and I saw a lot more than that.

I saw a dozen or more grizzled veterans paying their respects. They, too, saw our boys carrying forward the tradition of honoring those who served during the most difficult times.

I also saw younger children following the example set by the Scouts, and I couldn't help but think, "this means something."

I hope that today, this weekend, and Memorial Day, we can catch our breath, look around, and see how our actions bring a a little brightness or a smile to someone don't even know.

Bit by bit, our actions make this world a better place.

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

About a Hundred...

"Hey Gary, how many pancakes did you flip?"

"About a hundred..."

Thus went the Troop's pancake breakfast fundraiser. Breakfast included pancakes, sausages, eggs, eggs with cheese, juice, and coffee.

But the Troop served up much more than that. The event included a bake sale, a rummage sale, and a Boy Scout Popcorn sale, too!

Our efforts also benefited the community. Many citizens purchased tickets for donation to the Salvation Army, and we fed quite a few people who needed a good meal.

We're thinking about hosting another pancake breakfast fundraiser on Halloween. Anyone up for green eggs and orange pancakes?

Bell Hospital Raised Flower Boxes

Power Tool - or Automated Screwdriver?

Amy reports:

Julie Solka, volunteer services supervisor at UP Health System, Bell, contacted me in late March to ask if the Scouts would be interested in building four planters for the community garden sometime in April or May.  One of Julie's volunteers donated the materials.  Darryl and Carl cut the lumber, and the boys built the planters with great enthusiasm.  The only "funny story" I saw was the feat of strength and cooperation required to move the four very heavy boxes from the driveway into the garden area.  It was an all-hands-on-deck moment.  :)

Commentary from the Troop Blogger:
Didn't someone mention that maybe the boxes should be built closer to the garden? And didn't someone not listen? Do tell!

I sure wish I could have been there!

Project Feed a Neighbor part 3

Just a small part of Troop 321's overall efforts

Hurrah! This is what Dick Derby sent to the media about our efforts:

"Project Feed A Neighbor" had a very successful food collection, for the sixth annual event.  We were not able to calculate the weight this year, but both the Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul said that they had received more food items this year compared to 2014 when we were able to calculate about 9,000 lbs. collected.

"Further, over 2000 food items were collected from the friendly inter school competition between Westwood and Ishpeming High Schools.  This will be taken to the pantries this week.

"There are numerous volunteers and people associated with making Project Feed A Neighbor successful.  They come from churches, schools, service organizations, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, businesses, and it is even important to recognize the critical roll the media plays in helping remind people about contributing to the project.  One estimate determined that between 200 and 300 people have some part to play in Project Feed A Neighbor."

You all should be very proud of the role each of you played in this worthy effort!

Project Feed a Neighbor part 2

Crew & Troop getting it done

Today was the heavy lifting day, the day we distributed collection bags to every single house on our assigned routes - no matter how long the driveway or number of steps up to the door. This week's snow just made it more... interesting. At least it wasn't raining, and the sun was out.

The project included volunteers from high schools, Troops, Packs, and a Crew member, too. Troop 321 made a good showing, and some of the Scouts brought siblings who were also really helpful.

The Troop helped label, rubber band, and count bags earlier in the week. Next Saturday we'll hit the streets and pick up the bags of canned food for our local food banks. This is a really big community project, and it's great to see our Scouts join in.

Project Feed a Neighbor part 1

Young and Old Working Together

"Project Feed a Neighbor" is an annual community event with the aim to restock our local food bank pantries. Dick Derby, our Troop's Charter Organization Representative, heads up this annual initiative and asked for the Troop's help.

The project consists of three parts:

• prepare bags for distribution
• distributing bags throughout the area
• picking up bags

Today the Troop gave our community volunteers a real boost when we showed up to help out with bag preparation. We cut down a task that usually takes three hours to two hours. Dick was very impressed and appreciative. I suggested he keeps are meeting dates and times in mind for future service opportunities. Our boys are enthusiastic volunteers, and we should be very proud of them. 

Hopefully the weather holds out for Saturday's distribution event. The event will run rain or shine (or snow). 

Cub Winter Games

I sure didn't see any slow children

Ishpeming Cubs and Scouts have been instrumental for the past five years or so in making the Cub Winter games a great success, and this year was no different. This year's event also boasted a record number of volunteers from area Troops who set up and ran a variety of activities. The weather held out, with light winds, light snow, and warm(er) temperatures reaching into the upper twenties. Of course, the boys stayed warm racing around and climbing snow mounds between events.

Highlights:

• the best Cub-run flag ceremony ever!
• nine stations
• fourteen groups
• invading Ogre army demolished
• new Cub bowling records set
• possible UP 200 entrants identified
• hot soup and hot chocolate
• the bake sale raised over $290 for Ryan Koski's recovery
• the chili sale raised $110 for Crew 356

Darryl did a great job as the event's master of ceremonies, chief judge, and media spokesperson. He even stayed late to help mop up, though I think he was avoiding the dog house at home. Thanks, also go to the Willey's who ran the obstacle course and to Carolyn and Grace who ran the bake sale - and to all the folks who brought donations. Linda also helped keep the kitchen running (we've honestly never seen a kitchen without pots) and cleaned up afterwards.

Our own Scouts helped run three events and were a credit to the Troop. This is such a change from just a few years ago when they were the ones racing around and rolling in the snow. We're proud of them and our adult volunteers. We turned a dreary winter day into something really memorable for a lot of young boys. 

We've also seen a steady increase in help from the area's Troops - with Troop 372 already volunteering for a bigger role next year. Special thanks go to Chuck Suckow who brought out a very large trebuchet and Paul Salfai who organized behind the scenes and kept registration running smoothly. I wish I could list all the troops that helped out, but I took more photos than notes. 

Speaking of photos, don't forget to check out the event's album. You'll see a lot of boys having a lot of fun. Some are even eating fruits and vegetables. 

Food Drive - Part II

And Bless You!

Great job Scouts! And what a wonderful community response to folks in need.

Over the past two Sundays Troop 321 helped gather over 15 shopping carts full of food and a little over $100 in cash donations for the Salvation Army. They were very thankful again today as we dropped off the donated food. Many families will be helped out by our boys work! ~ Scoutmaster Carl

Just a shout out to the AWESOME boy scouts who went to our local grocery stories and got food donations for our food pantry(two weeks in a row)! A big thank you to Amy Mattson who helped make it all possible!! ~ Liz Nevala, Salvation Army

Be proud!

Food Drive

Lending a hand to the Salvation Army

When the Salvation Army's pantry ran bare, Scouts stood ready to lend a hand. Never mind that it was below zero or that the Troop had a full plate of events, an empty food pantry constitutes a community emergency.

In answer to the call, Troop 321 posted Scouts at the Jubilee in Ishpeming and the Super One in Negaunee Sunday afternoon. Together, the boys collected five full shopping carts from a generous community and unloaded them directly at the pantry. 

This food drive really was a great experience. The boys face a lot of rejection when trying to fund raise for the Troop. However, the community responded vary generously today and had many nice things to say to our boys. A lot of credit goes to Jubilee and Super One for giving our Scouts permission and space to make their pitch - and to our communities for pitching in. 

Big hearts & full baskets at the Jubilee

We're going to do this again next Sunday, and we hope for more great results. We'll participate in the community's annual canned food drive in April, too. The boys are a real asset to the community, and they're learning great lessons about service as well. 

UP 200

Scouts, mushers, and dogs all having a grand time

The Wild called. It was grateful. Dozens of mushers and over a hundred dogs safely crossed the trail's casino intersection thanks to a little help from Troop 321's Scouts and volunteers. Yes, it was bitter cold. And snowing. And the wind came right off the lake, but that didn't discourage the Troop.

Carl set up a comfort station. Darryl brought pallets to burn. The boys arrived with the enthusiasm of youth. Between halting cars and helping huskies, the boys wolfed down hot dogs and hot chocolate. Never mind the snow and ice, this event looks like fun because it was fun.

The dogs wagged their tongues, the mushers thanked us, and the motorists were patient. What a great UP tradition!

Don't forget to check out the whole photo album, too!

Halloween Party Helpers

Pow! Right in the kisser

Troop 321 has a standing tradition of assisting Pack 321 with its Halloween party and potluck for the past few years - thanks in large part to Grace, Amy, and Amanda. The Scouts stepped up to help, too. This time they raced back from the Scout University event in Marquette to help out with games.

Cubmaster David and Assistant Scoutmaster Darryl both challenged the Pack and the Troop earlier this year to sell more than $700 worth of popcorn. Several boys took up the challenge and fed their superheros a few pies as a reward. What a nice treat! 

The Cubs looked like they had a great time playing games and eating (even more) treats in their costumes. Nice work Scouts! For more pictures, check out the album here: http://bit.ly/1tzgX4h

Lending a Finger

Dodging a rocket

Pack 321 held their annual Space Derby race, and they put out a call to Troop 321 to lend a finger - a propeller-winding finger, that is. Many of our Scouts came from Pack 321, and quite a few volunteered to help. While Bo operated the starting line, the other boys helped wind up the rockets and place them on the course.

At one point, a rocket left the track, performed a u-turn, and dive bombed Bo. Fortunately, Bo's reflexes saved him from harm, and we all had a good laugh - including Bo who asked to have this photo published.

The Cubs were really good sports, and it looks like they had a blast. What a great event! For more pictures, you can visit the online album here: http://bit.ly/1wVpcKv

Cleanup - Thank You

Nope can't name the donor, so don't ask

A manufacturing company, whose owner asked us not to name it, donated a snow plow attachment for Camp Hiawatha's truck. Winter camping for everyone!

By way of thank you, Hiawathaland District's Scouts volunteered to pick up trash around their offices and manufacturing facility today. Saturday morning. In the snow (flurries that lasted ten minutes, tops).

About 60 people showed up, including five from Troop 321. The property was already very neat looking, but we still filled up about half a pick-up truck full of detritus. The property was quite large, but we were up to it and finished the job in an hour and a half. And then we had hot dogs and hot chocolate.

There's something about doing a good turn with friends on a beautiful fall day that makes the whole weekend feel worthwhile.

And then the lads from Troop 321 went to Dairy Queen. Or a corn maze - depending on which vehicle they boarded.

Project Keep Kids Warm - Shopping Day!

No one should be left in the cold

The big day arrived, and a large crowd waited outside for their chance to pick out winter coats, snow pants, hats, gloves, and boots. Troop 321's Scouts lent one last hand for this most worthy project. Volunteers from many different organizations, including our own Troop sponsors, Wesley United Methodist Church, were on hand to keep the tables neat and assist shoppers.

Thanks to a very generous donation, Dick Derby, our Chartered Organization Representative, could take down names, sizes, and contact information of people who could not find what they needed. The donation will allow the project to acquire and distribute the needed items so that absolutely no child who walked through the armory doors will spend the winter without a warm winter coat and snow pants.

Hats off to our Scouts for their community spirit. I'd love to see even more boys participate next year. This is truly a worthy project.

Project Keep Kids Warm - Setup

Troop 321 Helping Sort Donations

After distributing collection bags and picking up donations, Scouts from Troop 321 helped set up for the big shopping day! Their efforts included setting up tables and signs, unloading piles of bags, and sorting through mountains of coats. Volunteers from many different groups in our community made the work go quickly.

The presence of our Class A uniforms let our community know that it is blessed with caring Scouts eager to do a good turn daily. 

RSVP Flag Ceremony

Standing Ready to Serve

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program in Marquette put out a request for Boy Scouts to conduct a flag ceremony for their 24th Annual Retired & Senior Volunteer Program appreciation dinner, and Troop 321 answered the call (thanks Amy!).

The volunteers asked for Scouts because the older volunteers like to see youth helping in the community. 

It's efforts like these that help make our presence felt in our community. Great work guys!

Veterans Appreciation Fishing Day

Scouts were a big help and well appreciated

The South Shore Fishing Association sponsored a Veterans Appreciation Fishing Day and asked for Scout volunteers to help out with the pig roast luncheon.

The event went well, and they had enough food left over to treat all the volunteers to a free lunch.

Tree Watering

Transplanted trees need extra water

The trees we planted yesterday needed a bit of watering for them to take, so a couple of the boys pitched in and got the job done in short order. 

If this summer is like last summer, we won't need to water the trees by hand, but if the summer is long and dry, we may want to revisit this park weekly. 

Carl and Robert have extra buckets, so give them a shout if you need any. They smell like pickles, which is a real treat; just ask any gardener.