Good evening to one and all,

So I'm sitting at my computer, thinking about the Irish charging back into the Top 10 with their convincing 31-10 win over the Stanford Cardinal and the fact that the Mighty Mets of New York Town will be facing the Saint Louis Cardinals for the National League Pennant. Then I realize, "Holy moley. I have to send a troop email out. Stop focusing on America's Teams and do your danged job!" So here I am.

**************************************************
Non-Irish, Non-Mets Thoughts for the Week
**************************************************
(1) Micah the Dessert Chef
(2) MC Tom
(3) PLC Tomorrow
(4) PLC Elections
(5) Meeting Plan
(6) New shirt design
(7) Community Service
(8) November's PLC moved to Thursday, 11-09
(9) Raking 1/3 of an acre
(10) One Last Thing

****************************
Micah the Dessert Chef
****************************
This past weekend found Troop 635 at the Ethan Allen Homestead for the Fall Camporee. Led by our fearless SPL and ASPL the boys participated in a number of events from the geocache to shooting sports to storm boarding. We even ran a dual-tomahawk-throwing clinic to help with the program.

Our crowning achievement, though, was our decimation of the other troops in the evening's cookoff. Micah Paroline whipped up a beauty of a strawberry banana trifle that the judges thought might be the best dessert ever. Micah, you are hereby my official dessert chef for all subsequent campouts.

**********
MC Tom
**********
After winning the favor of the leaders with the delicious trifle, our troop was also the host for the closing campfire. Master Thomas Pelchat, coached and assisted by our SPL and ASPL did a great job of running the campfire as its Master of Ceremonies in front of well over 300 scouts and adults. A job well done, my lad, and one less requirement for Communications Merit Badge!

*****************
PLC Tomorrow
*****************
The PLC is still tomorrow at my house from 6:30 - 8:00. True, we didn't have the elections as planned last week, so all you old hands get one more shot at the helm.

*****************
PLC Elections
*****************
Since we didn't have PLC Elections at the meeting last week, we will be having them at the end of the meeting this week. For those who aren't able to attend the meeting, I will send you an email after the meeting and by responding to that email you will be able to vote for your choice of SPL and PL.

****************
Meeting Plan
****************
Last May we dedicated a month visiting with and hearing from people who serve our community either through politics or military service. This week we are going to have the first of our intermittent guest speakers who also serve the community but through other types of community agencies or organizations. We are fortunate to have the Mother of the Potomoid making a presentation this week talking about the work she does helping poor farmers around the world afford things like education and medicine. Please make sure you're at the meeting on time so you don't interrupt her in the middle of her presentation.

************************
New Class B Design
************************
So long as I have known people in Troop 635, the Troop 635 Class B t-shirt has been the same. We're switching to a new t-shirt vendor and so the question came up, "Are we interested in changing the design of the shirt?" Boys--I'll get your reactions through the PLC but if any adults would like to weigh in on this, please email me at this address.

***********************
Community Service
***********************
We have a number of opportunities for community service coming up, so I'd like to list all of them here:

(1) Mr. Watts needs help going through neighborhoods and confirming the number of houses in them for the Scouting for Food food drive that we do every May. If you need some service, this would be an easy thing to do on your bike (or your very cool Land Cruiser if you happen to have one) and would be an easy way to help serve the community. Please contact either me at troop635 A.T gmail D.O.T com or Mr. Watts at ajwatts A.T attglobal D.O.T net if you're interested.

(2) There will be a service project raking leaves over at Whitcomb Woods on the morning of November 5th. We need some scouts to rake and some scouts to direct the raking of other people (but who will need to rake themselves as well, so don't get any ideas of Sonnickian Worker Oppression here.) Please contact Mrs. Sharp at andrea D.O.T sharp A.T gmail D.O.T com if you're interested in participating in this.

(3) Voting Booth Set Up on Monday, November 6th at 6:00 PM at EMS.

(4) Voting Booth Take Down on Tuesday, November 7th at 7:15 PM at EMS.

For # 3 and 4, this is the big general election, so EVERY SCOUT should volunteer for at least one shift. Please let your patrol leaders know when you can do it.

**************************************************
November's PLC moved to Thursday, 11-09
**************************************************
I will not be available for the PLC on Tuesday, November 7th so we're going to move the November PLC to Thursday the 9th. It will still be at my house from 6:30 - 8:00. Mark your calendars now.

*************************
Raking 1/3 of an acre
*************************
We have received an inquiry from the neighbor of one of our troop's family's about whether there are any young men out there who might be willing to rake her 1/3 of an acre. If you're interested in this, please contact me. She is willing to pay either an hourly or flat rate, which you would discuss with her when you contact her to inquire about the job.

******************
One Last Thing
******************
GO IRISH!

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick

P.S. GO METS!

Good afternoon, everyone,

It's come to my attention that the school is rather overbooked for this evening and that we are going to have to squeeze our program into two classrooms. Given the nature of the stuff we're doing, here's an updated meeting plan:

People going to the camporee this weekend: Come to the meeting as normal. Plan on meeting for 45 minutes or so.

People who want to discuss their partial merit badges: Come to the meeting as normal. Plan on meeting for 30 minutes or so.

People who have pre-arranged with MB counselors to work on badges at this week's meeting: Your plans don't change.

Esteban, Elliot and Tom Cogley: Plan on meeting for the entire time.

Everyone else, we're going to punt this week. Enjoy the night off, maybe google the 1988 Championship game when ND thrashed West Virginia 34-21 or just call Mike Kling and tell him how cool you think he is. Whatever it is you do, have a good time and think happy thoughts.

Finally, for those who are meeting tonight, you may come in your Class B uniforms if you like. You should be wearing *a* uniform, though, so if you don't have a Class B, stick with your Class A. No neckerchief required.

See you all next week,

Sonnick

ood evening, everyone,

A relatively quick one tonight.

(1) PLC Elections
(2) PLC Delayed a Week
(3) Partials Corrections
(4) Court of Honor
(5) Advancement Cutoff
(6) Cool Under Pressure

*****************
PLC Elections
*****************
A reminder that at this week's meetings we will be having our elections for Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol Leader. Everyone will vote for SPL and boys from each patrol will elect their individual Patrol Leaders. Since not everyone is going to be able to be at the meeting this Wednesday, I will send out an email with the candidates to the members of each patrol and they may submit their choice for SPL and PL to me via email. We'll cut the election off Friday night. Those elected will then make a decision about whether they will select their respective assistants or whether their assistants will be elected.

Qualifications for each position:
SPL--Sophomore and Life
ASPL--Freshman and Star
PL--Eighth Grade and 1st Class
APL--Seventh Grade and 2nd Class

If you're really hot-to-trot to run for a position and don't meet these requirements, contact me AHEAD OF THE MEETING and we'll chat about it.

*************************
PLC Delayed a Week
*************************
We're going to put the PLC off until next Tuesday so that the new SPL and PLs will be in office ahead of that time. It will be at my place from 6:30 - 8:00, as usual.

***********************
Partials Corrections
***********************
At last week's meeting we passed out a list of the partials we have on file for each scout and we asked the boys to email us with any corrections because we're going to use this information for the purpose of planning the next 3 weeks. Please make sure you have this information to me no later than the beginning of the next meeting.

*****************
Court of Honor
*****************
The PLC has scheduled our fall court of honor for the meeting on November 8th. Parents--please mark this date on your calendars and plan to come to see what your boys have accomplished recently.

************************
Advancement Cutoff
************************
With the approach of a Court of Honor, we obviously need to have deadlines for advancement. The last meeting for turning in merit badge blue cards is October 25th. The last meeting for a board of review for ranks is the following week--November 1st. Please don't wait until the last minute to get your Scoutmaster Conferences scheduled because it's first come, first served and I'd hate to see you miss out.

************************
Cool Under Pressure
************************
At tonight's JV football game against South Burlington, Ross Kelley had a stand-out play early in the 4th quarter. With the Hornets down 7-6 and stuck at the 50-yard line, it was time to punt. Kicker Kelley was lined up to receive the long snap but the snap was a bit high and hard to handle. The Rebels' line was all over him, ready to block the punt and have great field position for the beginning of their next drive. Ross kept his head about him, though, and rather than just punting normally with the knowledge it would be blocked, he scooted out to the left and tried a kick more common on the playground and likely to give a coach heartburn. But boy did he nail it and pin the other team behind their own 20. The Hornets went on to score a couple of touchdowns and get the win, in no small part because of the field position that Ross *didn't* let the Rebels have. Nice job, Ross.

That's it for now, gentlereaders. See you on Wednesday.

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick

Yo 635ers, 'tis time for your weekly update.

*************************************************************
Topics of Amazingly Important...uhhhhh...Importance
*************************************************************
(1) Annual Planning Meeting Wrap Up
(2) 2007 Registration and Forms
(3) Camporee Slips Due
(4) Elections
(5) Advancement Cutoff
(6) The Old Switcheroo
(7) Holy Turnaround Batman
(8) Congratulations

****************************************
Annual Planning Meeting Wrap Up
****************************************
Your Patrol Leaders' Council got together over the weekend for the annual planning meeting. We'll have much more in-depth information about what they've decided to do after the committee has a chance to review it and suggest any changes. Of immediate importance is an event that we've scheduled for the weekend of October 20-22nd. This is a hike of Mount Mansfield. Exactly what the event is will depend on who expresses interest in going. Some wanted to do a backpacking trip Friday through Sunday, others a one-night backpack, others a day hike on Saturday. If any of these sound good to you, let me know so we can make a decision ASAP and get leaders on board and permission slips out.

**********************************
2007 Registration and Forms
**********************************
Another reminder to return your registration forms and $20 as soon as possible. We'll be getting our rechartering information from Council shortly and we would like to have this all taken care of by mid-October. The less chasing people around we have to do the better. I've once again attached the relevant forms to this email. If you are playing a fall sport and aren't able to make it to meetings right now, please mail everything to the attention of Dawn Fleury.

(Webmaster's note: I;m not posting the address because that is in a group of information you generally don't post to the general internet. If you need Dawn Fleury's address, call/email Sonnick)

Here are the forms:
2007 Registration & Photo Permission
Household Information Worksheet

************************
Camporee Slips Due
************************
Permission slips for the fall camporee are due at the meeting on Wednesday. Please make sure they're in so we can start all of the camporee planning at this week's meeting.

The permission slip
2006 Fall Camporee Permission Slip

***********
Elections
***********
PLC Elections will be happening at the meeting on Wednesday, October 4th. At that meeting we will elect a Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol Leaders. The SPL and the PLs will have the option of appointing or having their respective assistants elected. If you're interested in any of these positions, please let me know by next Wednesday.

Reminder: The qualifications for those positions are:
-- SPL: At least a sophomore and a Life Scout
-- ASPL: At least a freshman and a Star Scout
-- PL: At least an 8th grader and First Class
-- APL: At least a 7th grader and 2nd Class

If you're really interested and a job and don't meet those criteria you may talk to me and ask for an exception. It's not unknown to happen but you'll need to make a strong case for yourself.

***********************
Advancement Cutoff
***********************
Another thing scheduled by the PLC is the Court of Honor on November 8th. The cutoff for merit badge advancement for that court of honor is October 25th. The cutoff for rank advancement is November 1st. You have been warned!

***********************
The Old Switcheroo
***********************
Just a quick notification that Mr. Pelchat and Mr. Peterson have switched leadership positions within the troop. Mr. Pelchat is now in charge of training and Mr. Peterson is in charge of advancement. May the Force be with them.

*****************************
Holy Turnaround Batman
*****************************
From down 17-0 to a 40-37 win. GO IRISH!

******************
Congratulations
******************
Congratulations to Lightning Lanz for his successful completion of his board of review for Star. And Leo the Great, Esteemed ASPL of the Realm was similarly successful with his Life rank. Well done, gentlemen.

That's it, folks. Like Bono said in the pre-game down in New Orleans this evening, "It's a beautiful day," and make sure that you buy low and sell high (that last bit is a tidbit of unique Sonnickian wisdom----you're welcome.)

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick

Good evening 635ers and welcome to the newest edition of the troop's Weekly Updates. The things upon which you shall be updated are:

(1) This Weeks Meeting
(2) Annual Planning Meeting
(3) The Camporee
(4) Bike Exchange
(5) Thanks to Mr. Spaeth
(6) Congratulations
(7) A Very Happy Story
(8) A Very Sad Story

************************
This Weeks Meeting
************************
Some of you may know that September 17th is Constitution Day. This is the day on which the Constitutional Convention signed the newly proposed Constitution, thereby sending it to the states for ratification (more information here: http://usgovinfo.about.com/blconstday.htm.) Mindful of that, we are going to have a Constitution Meeting this Wednesday. For all non-Psychotic Monkeys, it will involve splitting up into patrols and working together to answer different rounds of questions (10 questions per round, 5 rounds) with fabulous prizes for the patrol who gets the most information right. The Psychotic Monkeys will be working on their citizenship-based requirements for 2nd and 1st Class.

Immediately before this the patrol leaders will be collecting paperwork from boys who have not yet turned it in. Please remember we need all boys to return the following:
-- 2007 Registration (including $20 registration fee)
-- Signed permission/non-permission to post photographs
-- Household Information Worksheet

In addition, we're collecting permission slips for the Camporee, one of which I have attached to this email.

*****************************
Annual Planning Meeting
*****************************
The PLC's annual planning meeting is at my house this Saturday from 3:30 - 6:30/7:00. If there's enough interest y'all will be welcome to stay to watch the Fighting Irish in action against Michigan State starting at 8:00. Please let me know if you're interested in staying for the game ahead of time so I can plan accordingly.

*****************
The Camporee
*****************
The Fall Camporee is the weekend of October 6-8 at the Ethan Allen Homestead. Our troop is sponsoring the tomahawk throwing event. In order to attend this event, we need some help:
(1) We need at least two adults who are willing to stay over Friday and Saturday nights.
(2) We need at least one adult to help supervise tomahawk throwing.
(3) We need at least two boys to run tomahawk throwing.
(4) We need one parent who can pull the gear trailer to the camporee.
(5) We need one parent who can pull the gear trailer home from the camporee.
(6) We need one parent who can carry 12 10-foot spars for the tomahawk tripods to the camporee.
(7) We need one parent who can carry 12 10-foot spars for the tomahawk tripods from the camporee.

Because of the amount of planning we have to do to pull this off, we need to have parents/scouts who can help out in those 7 ways to sign up by Wednesday the 27th at the meeting.

******************
Bike Exchange
******************
Assistant Scoutmaster Bob Thompson has forwarded me information about a used bike collection. I have attached an informational sheet to this email to tell you more about it. Check it out if you have old or unwanted bikes you'd like to be rid of.

*************************
Thanks to Mr. Spaeth
*************************
In advance of the Groton campout, Mr. Spaeth took a day off work to do a lot of work getting the gear trailer in order, picking up needed supplies, buying new preparation tables and doing a ton of work for the troop that has fallen into his lap as the adult Quartermaster. Since everybody benefits from a well-provisioned, well-maintained, ship-shape trailer, please thank Mr. Spaeth for his hard work the next time you run into him.

******************
Congratulations
******************
Congratulations to Mark Irwin for wrapping up his requirements for Star at the last meeting. During his Scoutmaster Conference Mark basically said he's going to have all of his requirements for Life finished before the court of honor in a month (with the exception of his time/service requirement, of course.) We shall see...

Additionally, Mark Furland, Sam Blakely and Josh "Franky" Sharp helped their team to a 3rd place finish in a cross country tournament last week. Fine work, lads.

***********************
A Very Happy Story
***********************
Thank you all for taking some time last week to send happy musical thoughts the way of Mrs. Fleury. While speaking to her the next morning I learned that she does, indeed, enjoy a few select U2 ballads. I'm sure it's all of the positive energy you sent her way that helped open her eyes.

*********************
A Very Sad Story
*********************
The Fighting Irish v. Michigan. I can't bear to say any more...

That's it, everyone. Have a good one and see you Wednesday.

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick

Good evening, 635ers,

Fresh from the Essex JV Football game versus Hartford, I bring you this week's update, jam packed with informative goodness. Before I continue, though, let me add a footnote that if, at any time, I refer to "Groton" in the email below, I'm referring to the campout that we've had at Groton for donkey's years but are having at Mt. Norris this fall. On to the hot topics:

(1) Voting Booth Set Up/Takedown
(2) Late Meeting for non-PLC
(3) Forms (including 2007 Registration)
(4) Event/Merit Badge Feedback
(5) Uniform Inspection
(6) PLC Annual Planning Meeting
(7) Fall Camporee
(8) Notable Feats
(9) A Very Happy Story
(10) A Very Sad Story


************************************
Voting Booth Set Up/Takedown
************************************
Thanks to everyone who showed up for voting booth set up this evening. A reminder that we have takedown tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7:00. The original message was 7:10 but turnout should be light, so a little earlier will be fine.

*****************************
Late Meeting for non-PLC
*****************************
The PLC needs to wrap up some planning early on, so we will be delaying the regular meeting time to 7:00 again this week. The PLC should be there at their normal time (6:15.)

*****************************************
Forms (including 2007 Registration)
*****************************************
In last week's update I attached a number of forms. At the last meeting we passed out a copy of those forms to each boy present. I've attached another copy of each for your convenience and below are reminders about what each is for:
(1) If you're coming to Groton/Norris, make sure your patrol leader knows ahead of the meeting and make sure you return your permission slip.
(2) Please return your 2007 Registration, along with $20 (preferably in check form, made out to Troop 635) and the form noting whether the troop may publish pictures of you on our web site.
(3) Please return the Household Information Worksheet with all current information. We need to receive this before boys can come on events since it has all of their medical information. We ask for the information on this sheet so we don't have to include it on every permission slip throughout the year.

**********************************
Event/Merit Badge Feedback
**********************************
After consultation with your SPL, Christophero the Great, we are going to take a slightly different tack on planning the events and advancement for 2006-2007. We want every single scout to email his patrol leader/Troop Guide with the two events he liked doing most in the last year. In addition to that, we want a fresh idea out of each Scout. Something we haven't done (at least in the last year or two) that you would be interested in seeing us do as a troop.

Additionally, all scouts who are not in the Psychotic Monkey patrol, we want to know at least two merit badges you'd like to have the chance to work on this year. If you're not super close to Eagle, we want one of your choices to be an Eagle Required badge (I think the only scouts close enough to not need to include an Eagle Required are Mike Kling, Scott Kelley and Tom Cogley.) You may list more than 2 merit badges, but please don't list more than four.

In case you don't remember your patrol leader's email address, here they all are:
Ian Moldovan: GuittarMan10 AT aol D0T com
Ross Kelley: rkelleytwo AT gmail D0T com
Esteban: static.kling AT gmail D0T com
Tyler Heffernan: i_crave_food AT hotmail D0T com

**********************
Uniform Inspection
**********************
I want to give all of the parents a heads up that we are putting a larger emphasis on not only having a uniform inspection each week but making sure that the boys' uniforms get fixed if they are not in order. For boys with merit badges, that includes having all of their earned merit badges on a merit badge sash. We don't go as far as other troops (for instance we don't require they wear scout pants, socks or a belt) but we *would* like their shirt and sash to be in tip-top shape.

The boys have been warned and we're in the process of doing "mega Inspections" which should find any and all problems with the uniform. I just wanted to give you a head's up and to encourage you to have your boys do all of their own sewing--it builds character, it does.

Anything we tell the boys they need they have received from us at some point in the past. They can either root around behind their dressers to find the old uniform parts or we can steer you to where you can acquire new ones.

***********************************
PLC Annual Planning Meeting
***********************************
If you're not in the PLC, you can skip this one.

As y'all know, we are not having our annual planning meeting on the normal Friday night of Groton/Norris, so we need to schedule an alternative. We have two options that pop out at us:

(1--the better option for your Scoutmaster): Next Saturday or Sunday (the 23rd/24th), afternoon/evening.

(2--an acceptable option for your Scoutmaster): This Sunday from about 12:30 - 3:30. I figure that since we don't usually get back from Groton until 3:30 that this wouldn't cut too much into your day since you may not realize that we'll be home from Groton/Norris by 11:30 on the outside.

I can do either and will go ahead with whatever works for the majority. I'd just prefer next weekend so I can make sure that I get to see a recording of the Notre Dame/Michigan game and maybe make it to all you can eat wings before Mass this Sunday night.

*****************
Fall Camporee
*****************
The fall camporee is scheduled for the weekend of October 6-8. We're hosting the tomahawk throwing exhibit, so we'll need some scouts who would be willing to take this on (with adult supervision, of course.) Take a look at your calendars and see if it will work for you. I'll have permission slips this Wednesday, along with a flier telling you what you can expect.

*****************
Notable Feats
*****************
Our boys have been up to some good stuff. Some of the good stuff I know about:

This past weekend our SPL Chris Fleury went through his Brotherhood ceremony in the Order of the Arrow. This elevates him to the second rank of membership in that organization and is as far as he can go unless he is selected by the Lodge to receive the Vigil Honor at a later date. Congratulations, Chris.

Scott Kelley and Mike Kling have been absolutely *blistering* in the world of academia. Both young men are going through the process of being inducted into the National Honor Society and both of them aced their advanced Calculus AP exams. For those of you not in the math geek world, most colleges will give you credit for Calculus I and II (and some even III) if you score as well as these two did. And they took it after their *Junior* year in high school. Amazing. Well done, lads.

Finally, on the gridiron, Austin Harris has established himself as The Man. When the Hornets were trying to come back late in the game and Hartford was driving down the field, Austin came from the opposite side of the field and sacked the QB for some serious yards. It was a great play at an important time in the game. Rock on.

***********************
A Very Happy Story
***********************
Unbeknownst to me at the time I wrote the update last week, the Irish were not actually #2 in either poll since their victory over Georgia Tech was only by a 4-point margin. Well, they have followed that victory with a 41-17 trouncing of #19 Penn State, so they're back up to #2 in one poll and #3 in another. GO IRISH!

*********************
A Very Sad Story
*********************
I had a meeting with your SPL, Christopher Fleury, last night. We needed to discuss the upcoming meeting and Groton/Norris. One of the first things he mentioned as he walked into my house was that his mother, when in the car, upbraided him for "that crap music" he listens to and for the fact that he listens to it too loud. Not an unusual complaint between mother and child, I suppose. But he was listening to U2. That's right. *THAT* U2. With Bono. And the Edge. And Larry and Adam. *That* U2. Next thing you know she's going to call Mozart "The Hack on the Harpsichord." Good grief! So if you could all kindly think happy musical thoughts in the direction of Mrs. Fleury, I'm sure she'll be cured of her error in judgment soon.

Have a good one, folks, and see you on Wednesday.

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick

Good afternoon, everyone,

Since this is the first week of meetings I wasn't going to send out a weekly update but I've gotten some questions, so here goes. Some very brief bits in advance of tonight's meeting:

(1) PLC starts tonight at 6:15
(2) Regular meeting starts tonight at 7:00
(3) "Groton" Permission Slips
(4) Other Paperwork
(5) Important Thoughts

******************************
PLC starts tonight at 6:15
******************************
PLC should always be at the meeting by 6:15, so this isn't particularly new but thought we'd stress it.

********************************************
Regular meeting starts tonight at 7:00
********************************************
Normally the regular meeting starts at 6:30 but tonight it's starting at 7:00. The PLC has some extra work to get through so we're going to use that half hour to do it. If parents need to drop their kids off at the school at the regular time, that's fine. We just ask that the Scouts behave themselves. If they don't I'll be sending them on "errands" that probably require the acquisition of chicken lips...

*******************************
"Groton" Permission Slips
*******************************
We'll be handing out "Groton" (it's at Norris this year) permission slips at the meeting. We'd like to know by this coming Saturday night who is coming, so please be ready to respond to a phone tree this weekend.

********************
Other Paperwork
********************
It is the Great Fall of Paperwork. We will be sending out the Household Information Worksheet, Permission to Post Photographs, 2007 Registration and a couple of other things at the meeting. Please make an effort to have those back by next Wednesday's meeting so Lightning Lanz (who, over the summer got his license and a sweet 1971 Land Cruiser) doesn't have to track you down. You won't like it if he has to track you down. His Land Cruiser has a 350 pound front bumper that will do all *sorts* of damage as he tries to find out where you are.

***********************
Important Thoughts
***********************
With Notre Dame being ranked #2 in the nation and coming off a road victory at Georgia Tech and with the Mighty Mets of New York Town having the best record in baseball and being 15 and a half games ahead of the Phillies in the NL East, this has the makings of a *very* positive fall. True, U2 didn't announce any more East Coast dates for the end of their Vertigo Tour but letting that keep me down would just make me some sort of ungrateful fool. So keep your chins up and if you ever see me in a foul mood..........ask Elliot what he did because it will most likely be his fault.

The normal Weekly Update will go out this coming Monday. See you all tonight!

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick

Good afternoon, everyone,

It's nearly time to kick things off, so here's a quick message with some important dates:

(1) PLC Tomorrow
(2) First Meeting on September 6th
(3) "Groton" is at Mount Norris on September 15-17.

******************
PLC Tomorrow
******************
The first PLC meeting of the year is tomorrow night at my house from 6:30 - 8:00. Make sure you come with something to write with and on.

*************************************
First Meeting on September 6th
*************************************
The first meeting for everyone is next Wednesday, September 6th. Same Bat Time and same Bat Channel as normal (6:30-8:00 at EMS.)

********************************************************
"Groton" is at Mount Norris on September 15-17.
********************************************************
This year's annual Groton campout is no longer in Groton. They're closing down the state park we've used for the last hundred or so years a little bit ahead of time, so the committee has picked Norris for at least this year's campout. We strongly encourage everyone to attend this campout and to bring along the family if you wish. Permission slips will go out shortly.

That's it for now. Keeping it short and sweet to ease y'all into things.

Hope you're all well and that you're ready for the BEST SCOUTING YEAR *EVER* ;-)

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick

Good morning, 635ers,

I've been asked a couple of questions over the last days regarding summer camp, so I thought I'd recap the highlights for you here:

(1) Everyone should meet at EMS at 11:30 tomorrow morning. Scouts should be wearing their Class B T-shirts under their Class A uniforms (including neckerchiefs), so we can ensure everyone has all of their proper uniform parts.

(2) If you don't have a Class B or would like to get another one, we will have them for sale for $10.

(3) All scouts who have medication should give that medication to me (or the person I designate) in the parking lot. If it's prescription medicine it needs to be in the original packaging that shows the dosing instructions.

(4) Everyone should have his scout book. If you're under 1st Class and you forget it, there will be beatings. If you're 1st Class or above and you forget it and I find out, you will have to go down to the dining hall each morning to fetch my fresh coffee for me.

(5) All first year scouts will be in the First Class Adventure program each morning. All other scouts will be taking merit badges. You should have reviewed the merit badges being offered to come up with a plan for what you'd like to take. If you haven't done that and you can read .pdf files, you can find a list of the MBs being offered by going to http://scoutingvermont.org/MountNorris/mtn_leaders_guide.pdf and checking out pages 23/24. A suggested gear list is on page 31. Remember the warnings on the bottom of that page: NO FIRE ARMS, NARCOTICS, OR CHAINSAWS. Because I just know you were *so* looking forward to bringing them along...

(6) At the end of the week, all scouts will be participating in our flag retirement ceremony at the closing campfire. Families are invited to come up Friday afternoon for the closing bar-b-que. The cost is $8 per adult, $5 for children under 12. Please be prepared to pay the appropriate amount when you arrive on Sunday so we can let the camp know how many of our people they need to plan for.

(7) Remember, this Quest for another High-Speed, Low-Drag, Kevlar-Coated, Ready-to-Romp Award is brought to you by the fearsome SPL Leo G. and his Marine-in-Training Thomas C., so you had better be prepared to rock on, all week long.

I'm going to be reachable off and on between now and then but you'll probably have most luck by calling my cell phone. I'll be out of range most of this afternoon but should be around in the morning if you need me.

(8) The mailing address for Mt. Norris is:
Boy's Name, Troop 635
Belvidere Camp Site
Mount Norris Scout Reservation
PO Box 117
Eden, VT 05652

(9) Directions for getting to Mt. Norris from EMS. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please do not go up on your own or leave before the rest of the group. We need to meet in the EMS parking lot to ensure everyone is squared away and plan to leave around noon.

--Take Rte 15 North to Johnson
--Take left onto Rte 100C
--Take Rte 100C to it's termination and take a left on Rte 100 North
--Follow Rte 100 for about 5 miles. At the bottom of a big, long hill there is a sign for Mount Norris Scout Reservation. That would be the place you're looking for. Take a left and meet in the parking lot.

PREPARE TO BE AWESOME.

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick

Oh, that's quite enough of the cheering--you'll give me a complex. And I'm not saying there won't be *any* updates, just that they won't be *weekly*. So your torment shall continue, even through the dog days ahead.

Mind-riveting Issues for Our Final Week
(1) Mike Kling Eagle Court
(2) Matt Turnbull Eagle Court
(3) Memorial Dedication
(4) Year End Court of Honor
(5) Indian Brook Canoeing/Lifesaving
(6) Backpacking Hikes
(7) Summer Camp

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Mike Kling Eagle Court
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Thanks to everyone who came to Mike Kling's Eagle Court and made it as special as it was. I especially liked Tyler's little story that drew such a clear picture of the differences between the the Elder Kling and Evil Esteban. Heh. If you missed it, you missed a good time.

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Matt Turnbull Eagle Court
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Fortunately for those of you who missed it, we have another one this weekend. Matthew Turnbull will, one short day after graduating from High School, be taking the Eagle Promise. The date is Sunday, June 18th at Memorial Hall at 1:30 in the afternoon. If you have not yet RSVPd to the Turnbull family, please do so either by emailing Mr. Turnbull or calling him today.

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Memorial Dedication
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This past weekend saw the dedication of the war memorial at 5 corners. The morning was cold, wet and miserable and 7 of our boys endured the weather to be an integral part of the ceremony. Thanks to Scott Kelly, Tom Cogley, Mike Kling, Steve Kling, Leo Gauthier, John Lanz and Mike Fraser for their exemplary deportment and bearing in what were very difficult circumstances.

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Year End Court of Honor
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A quick reminder that this week's meeting is our year-end Court of Honor at Maple Street Park (serious rain will see us move to EMS.) Important Notes:
-- Everyone should be in full Class A uniforms (that means merit badge sashes if you have 'em)
-- 6:00 - 8:00
-- Bring something to grill
-- Bring something to share
Arctic Fox: Dessert
Dragons: Drinks
Green Mountain Boys: Paper goods.
Psychotic Monkeys: Side Dishes/Salads
-- We'll have a Friends of Scouting presentation while we're eating, just before we begin.
-- This will be followed up by our normal array of ranks, merit badges and special year end awards. w00t!

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Indian Brook Canoeing/Lifesaving
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If you are interested in canoeing or lifesaving at Indian Brook on the weekend of June 24th, the permission slip is due at the Court of Honor on Wednesday. Please also email me and "Lightning" John Lanz at perfectjohn@gmail.com to let us know you're coming.

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Backpacking Hikes
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There is still room on the backpacking hike this weekend from Corliss Camp to Route 15 on the Long Trail. Your permission slip for this is also due at the Court of Honor. I have attached a copy of that slip and a gear list to this email.

If you're interested in going on the other hikes, they are on July 7-9 (this one will be about 20 miles) and August 7-12 (that's the 50-miler.) Make sure you tell Leo Gauthier (soxfan0138@yahoo.com) and Mr. Thompson (Bob.Thompson@vt.usda.gov) so they can plan accordingly.

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Summer Camp
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A reminder to be on the lookout for notices of summer camp meetings in the coming weeks. Also, I could still use some adult help to help this summer go niiiiiiiiiiiice and smoothly. Remember--as ASPL, Tom Cogley will be in charge of discipline and if a kid is bothering him and he doesn't have adequate supervision.......let's just say the two things he really likes are fire building and exotic Dutch Oven Cooking.

Also, everyone should make sure that Mrs. Fleury has the physicals for the boys at least one week ahead of going to camp. We need to make photocopies and double check them ahead of the Sunday departure and having them in a week ahead of time is very helpful.

Thanks for your time, everyone, and see you on Wednesday.

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick