A Scoutmaster's Blog

A long time ago, in a galaxy… Oh wait, Let me start again. Way back in the 1980’s, which is prehistory to today’s Scouts, a young scoutmaster began collecting Scouting memorabilia. That collection continues to grow to this day, although not as fast as it once did. Tonight, as I was looking through a closet downstairs, I came across a few items that I bet most of today’s Scouters did not even know existed for sale at one time. One of those items is a set of Norman Rockwell reprints.

The set is called “Scouting Through The Eyes Of Norman Rockwell”. It contains ten 11″ x 17″ reprints of various paintings by Norman Rockwell, which I believed were used for the annual Boy Scouts of America calendar. The ten prints feature some of the most iconic paintings of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts done by Mr. Rockwell. (See the picture below for the names of the prints in the set.)

I bought the set as soon as I saw it in the local Scout Shop back then. These prints did not just stay in the package. I used them, and used them well. They were used for courts of honor. They were used in displays set up around town. If I thought they fit into something I was doing I was not afraid to get them out and put them to use. The many tape marks are proof of that.

I have not used them in any displays for over ten years or more. They are now keepsakes in my Scouting collection. In fact, I kind of wish I never used them in displays. The tape marks and slight crinkles do mare the looks a bit. But I did, and that is the way they are. Maybe the prints mean even more to me since I did use them. I know people enjoyed looking at them.

The set is labeled as Series II. Unfortunately, I did not pick up a set of Series I when it was available. To tell the truth, I do not even remember seeing Series I for sale. I did a quick search on eBay and did find a Series II set for sale at a Buy It Now price of $45.00. I don’t think I am quite ready to buy another set at that price, even though it does appear to be in much better shape then mine. Although at $20.00 I would maybe think about it.

Do any of you have this Norman Rockwell print set? Have you put it to use like I did, or did you keep your set in pristine condition? Add a comment below.

I happen to be doing some cleaning today in the basement family room. When I opened the cabinet to put away the latest Hallmark Snoopy Scout ornament I decided instead to take them all out for a picture. I now have ten years of the Beagle Scout Snoopy ornaments. I thought it would be cool to put them all in a row, by year, 2016 on the left to 2007 on the right. How many of these do you own? What figures, if any, am I missing?

Click on the picture for a larger view.

I am always keeping an eye out for Beagle Scout Snoopy items. I just like the combination of Scouting and Peanuts, I guess. After writing the last article I decided to have a quick look on eBay to see what other Beagle Scout Snoopy items were being offered for sale. Like usual, there are a lot of Hallmark ornaments for sale. One item in particular caught my eye because I never knew it even existed.

There is an auction for a vintage “new in box” Snoopy’s Beagle Scouts Stand Up Colorforms Play Set. I remember playing with Chloroforms when I was a kid. I do not ever remember seeing this playlet on the store shelves. Of course, maybe this set is not that old. I am not able to see a date on the box cover. I thought it might be fun to have this in my collection… until I saw the price of $39.99, plus $14.00 postage. Sorry, I do not want it that badly.

I found another auction of the same playlet in used condition going for less than $10.00, plus postage. Notice the word “used”. After reading the description I decided I did not want to bid on that one either.

I am not going to list the links here because they will soon be outdated, so if you wish to find the play set just do a search for it yourself. I still think it is a pretty cool item. What do you think?

It is that time of year again. Hallmark stores have started selling the 2016 Christmas ornaments. And yes, once again, there is a Snoopy the Beagle Scout ornament for us involved in Scouting to enjoy.

This month’s ornament features Scout Leader Snoopy and three of his “Scouts” as they head out on a white water rafting adventure. They must be moving pretty fast because Snoopy’s ears are nearly flat in the rushing wind. You can almost imagine the little guy on the back of the raft being thrown overboard as soon as the raft hits its first serious white water. No reason to worry though. Snoopy is a Beagle Scout and knows what to do in case of an emergency. As you can see, everyone is wearing a PFD.

The cost is $15.95 each.  The ornament can be found in Hallmark stores and on the online site at: http://www.hallmark.com/ornaments/keepsake-ornaments/the-peanuts-gang-snoopys-white-water-adventure-rafting-ornament-1595QXI3294.html . These ornaments always seem to sell out.

I picked up mine already to add to the many others from previous years. I actually bought two of them, one to put on the tree, and one to store away for the collection. Do you plan to get one for yourself or someone you know in Scouting? Or did you get one already?

Seven Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 recently participated in a trek at Philmont Scout Ranch. I was there to see them off when they left and wished them a good trip. After I returned home I was in a Philmont mood and noticed I had an email from the Tooth of Time Traders website, which is the place to buy all things Philmont related. ( https://www.toothoftimetraders.com )

I noticed a book was available for the 75th anniversary of the high adventure base. The hardcover book was named A Million Miracles, 75 Years at Philmont Scout Ranch. It was published by Donning Company Publishers, and written by David Mullings. The website says:

   In commemoration of Philmont’s 75th anniversary this book was written to explain Philmont’s Prehistoric History, Cimarron and its Wild West History, Waite Phillips’ Story, 75 Years of Scouting, Philmont Today and Philmont Tomorrow. 
   Within the 120, full color, pages is the history of many years with great photos to document and memorialize those who came before us and helped make Philmont what it is today. A great gift for anyone with Philmont history.

I decided I wanted the book. Instead of ordering it through the website and paying postage, I sent a text message to one of the Troop 68 adult advisors, Dakota, who was on his way to the ranch. He replied that he would pick one up for me.

I stopped by his house yesterday and picked up my book. I am glad I had him pick one up. I have quickly paged through it and noticed it has great photographs from the history of Philmont. I look forward to reading it. It is a great addition to the other Scouting related books I have picked up over the years. Dakota also liked the book and picked one up for himself.

The book can be found online at http://www.toothoftimetraders.com/A-Million-Miracles-75-Years-at-Philmont-Scout-Ranch/-3155101591808044816/Product .

Have any of you read this book? What did you think of it?

If you have been reading this blog for a few years you realize that I have been collecting the BSA Scouting Village pieces as they come out each year. After writing yesterday’s article about the Christmas In July Sale, I thought I would check if the 2016 pieces were listed online. I know it is early, but you never know.

I did not find any new items listed but I was surprised to see two of last year’s pieces still listed. Usually the pieces sell out before the end of the holiday season so I was surprised to see the Resident Camp Tents Lighted House still available. I was not as surprised to see the Lighted Porcelain Villa Philmonte still listed since it was a very expensive piece. It was the piece I almost did not purchase last year. So. you still have a chance to add these pieces to your Scouting Village collection before the 2016 pieces arrive, which I guess might be in late August or September.

By the way, I also checked the Walmart website since I found a really nice “vintage village” set last year. Nope, nothing listed for this year yet, except for some tree ornaments.

Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68 has been using the Boy Scout decorative drape for many years, decades even, at its court of honors and special functions. It adds a nice bit of color to the ceremony and makes things look a bit more official. At least I think it does. They are a little pricey (they are sold for $64.99 on the scoutstuff.org website) but I think the troop has got their money’s worth from ours.

I was at the council Scout Shop today to look around and found something else that could be used to add a bit more color to the ceremonies. The 2010 Boy Scout Centennial drape was on closeout. It was priced for only $9.88. That was too good of a deal to pass up. I own one now. It will become part of my Scouting collection, but I may let the troop use it if they want to for their courts of honor. It might even be a good thing to display during the fall School Night To Join Scouting. I am sure I will find some uses for it.

Will you be heading to your local Scout Shop to pick up one of these closeouts? Or does your troop already own one?

If you were reading this blog last December, you probably read the article I wrote about my “Eagle Project”. It is not an Eagle project in the normal use of the term. I am too old to be working on my Eagle Scout requirements, after all. No, this was a project which would recognize those Scouts who attained Scouting’s highest award. It was to be a display for the local history museum which would feature a picture of each of Troop 68’s Eagle Scouts.

I finished my project in February and presented 22 framed 5″x7″ portraits to the museum chairman, representing the Eagle Scouts from the 1980’s to present time. He took these photographs, found a stand for them, and added them to the museum’s Scouting display. I was not sure how the pictures were going to become a part of the display but I was pretty happy with how it turned out. Roger, the museum chairman, was even able to get a picture of the one Melrose Troop 68 Boy Scout who earned the Eagle Rank in the 1960’s. That was a great addition to the photos and now makes the collection of Troop 68 Eagle Scouts complete.

Last month the troop had another Boy Scout turn in his Eagle Scout application to the local council. We may have to expand this photo collection very soon. Hopefully, we will be adding a lot more portraits in the next few years.