Ohhhhhhhhh, no. Just because I send out the weekly update on Monday *clearly* does not prohibit me from following up with other emails later in the week. Especially when there was a PLC on Tuesday and the last meeting of the school year is in ONE BLESSED WEEK!

Topics of the Bonus Update (isn't it just like getting double extra fudge on that sundae when you only pay for normal fudge? I thought so.)

(1) Year End Court of Honor
(2) Canoeing/Lifeguarding Weekend
(3) Long Trail Hike #1
(4) Summer Camp (1)
(5) Summer Camp (2)
(6) Rock on Potomoid

*****************************
Year End Court of Honor
*****************************
A reminder that next week's meeting is our year-end Court of Honor. We invite all family members to attend to see what your boys have accomplished towards their advancement since last fall. We are keeping the traditional setting of Maple Street Park from 6:00 - 8:00 and have also secured the Saturn grill (thanks to Jack Lanz for offering transport it.) If we are going to have serious rain, we will bring the grill to EMS instead. If that comes to pass, we will send out an email, start a phone tree and post a notice on the troop web site.

For those who are new to the process, this is how it works:

(1) You show up at 6:00 with food to grill for your family for dinner.
(2) In addition to this, you bring something else (a dish, drink, plates, &c.) to share. WHAT YOU BRING DEPENDS UPON THE PATROL YOU/YOUR BOY IS IN. That list is below this, well, list.
(3) We try to finish all eating by 7:00 so we have a full hour for the court.
(4) At 7:55 I go into "manic" mode since we still have 20 minutes of program to finish in 5 minutes.
(5) At about 8:10 - 8:15 we close the Court and the official troop meetings until September.

What to bring by patrol:
Arctic Fox: Dessert
Dragons: Drinks
Green Mountain Boys: Paper goods. Your patrol leader will call to organize which ones.
Psychotic Monkeys: Side Dishes/Salads

**************************************
Canoeing/Lifeguarding Weekend
**************************************
I have attached the permission slip for the Indian Brook Canoeing and Lifesaving Merit Badge Weekend (June 24-25.) There are two programs for the weekend.

Program 1: Canoeing. This is the traditional "come and we teach you how to canoe" weekend. Boys will learn the different canoe strokes, how to swamp and de-swamp a canoe, how to paddle in a straight line for a distance and how to tell the difference between a thwart and being thwarted.

Program 2: Lifesaving Merit Badge. Scott Kelley and I will be instructing the Lifesaving merit badge for any scouts who are 14 years old, in good physical condition and who have the Swimming merit badge. We need to have at least one meeting in advance of this weekend.

Please contact either me at sonnick@gmail.com or John Lanz at perfectjohn@gmail.com to let us know (a) if you're coming, (b) whether you're doing Canoeing or Lifesaving and (c) whether you have any gear (canoes, paddles, kayaks, life preservers, chicken wings) that you can let the troop use to help make this a success.

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Long Trail Hike #1
*********************
The first warm-up hike for the 50-miler in August is the weekend of June 17th. If you contact Long-Legged Leo Gauthier or Mr. Thompson post-haste you can still sign up to go. This particular hike is a really good beginner hike because it only covers about 10 miles over two days and there's a really good view for lunch on Saturday. I have attached a permission slip and gear list in case you're interested but you *must* contact them ASAP so they can plan rides properly.

*****************************************************
Summer Camp (1) -- General Announcements
*****************************************************
Congratulations to Leo Gauthier and Tom Cogley for being named SPL and ASPL, respectively, for our stint at Mount Norris this August. We will be having a couple of meetings over the summer for everyone who is able to make them so we can plan our Dominance of the Camp for a sixth year running. The first of these meetings will be for all non-Psychotic Monkeys and will be on Wednesday, June 28th at a location to be announced from 6:30 - 8:00.

One thing we require for summer camp is that all boys have at least one Troop 635 Class B Tshirt. These are the green shirts with yellow printing you see a lot of us wearing around. We will have these tees at the CoH and on Sunday morning when we meet for camp. The cost of a shirt is $10.

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Summer Camp (2) -- Could Use More Adults
****************************************************
We are still a little short in terms of adults who are coming to camp and I would appreciate whatever help someone is able to give. I understand that coming for a full week is a big commitment, so I'd be happy with some half-week commitments or even less if that's what you're able to offer. Please let me know if you can help fill this need.

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Rock on Potomoid
**********************
Congrats to the kid with the coolest name this troop has seen, at least as long as I've been around. Nick Peterson has been named to the All-State Lacrosse team because of his sleek, yet powerful, brandishing of ye olde lacrosse weapon. er, stick. Make us proud, Neeko.

That's it, folks. Have a good one and see you soon.

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick

Howdy, y'all,

Since the year is winding down and you've been sick of listening to my rambling for about 9 months now, I'll keep this short and sweet (no commentary necessary):

Topics:
(1) PLC Tomorrow
(2) Meeting Plan
(3) Indian Brook Campout
(4) Mike Kling Court of Honor
(5) Matt Turnbull Court of Honor
(6) Youth Protection Training

*****
PLC
*****
PLC meeting on Tuesday night at my house from 6:30 to 8:00. For those who haven't seen John Lanz in a while because he's been very, very busy, be at my house at this time and you will be able to bask in the reflected light of his wisdom.

****************
Meeting Plan
****************
This week's meeting is geared toward FIRST YEAR SUMMER CAMPERS. Everyone is welcome to come but the entirety of the meeting will be spend on summer camp topics and we will be focusing on the first year campers and first year program. If you have been to summer camp before you're still welcome to attend and ask any questions you like but we'll be focusing foremost on the 1st year stuff. We will have another summer camp meeting for all summer camp attendees on the last Wednesday of June (the 28th) at The Abode of Sonnick.

**************************
Indian Brook Campout
**************************
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have lost our youth planner for the Indian Brook campout at the end of June. In order to pull this off I need to get a new volunteer by the time of the meeting on Wednesday or we'll have to cancel the event. Please let me know if you are interested.

******************************
Mike Kling Court of Honor
******************************
Michael Kling is having his Eagle Court of Honor this Sunday at Memorial Hall at 2:00. If you haven't RSVPd yet, please do so immediately at 878-0604. Kindly remember that RSVPs include your regrets if you can't make it ( i.e. if you're receiving this email and you haven't called the Klings either way, it would really be the polite thing to do so at your very earliest opportunity.)

*********************************
Matt Turnbull Court of Honor
*********************************
Matt Turnbull is having his Eagle Court on the following Sunday at 1:30. The invitations have just gone out in the mail, so you should be receiving them shortly. Please be sure to RSVP promptly.

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Youth Protection Training
******************************
Finally, please remember that all parents need to complete the Youth Protection Training that you can find at http://www.scouting.org/pubs/ypt/ypt.jsp?p=i-00&c=592. It takes about half an hour to complete. When you do properly complete it you will receive an email with your certificate of completion. In order for the troop to know you have met this requirement, please forward that attachment to sonnick@gmail.com so we have a copy of it on file or print it out and hand it to Sonnick or Mrs. Fleury at a meeting.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Everyone, regardless of the number of years you've been in the troop, needs to complete this training. As of the end of the scouting year (two weeks from now), if we do not have your YPT certificate on hand, we cannot allow your son to attend our events. As of today we have only 7 completed certificates. Please help us by completing your training soon and forwarding us your credentials.

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick

We're going to the Guard! And since there isn't a *ton* of other stuff to review, this will be a relatively quick email.

Itemization of the Few, the Proud, the Topics:
(1) Reminders about Visiting the Air National Guard
(2) Reminders about the Bike Hike
(3) Advancement Cutoff
(4) Backpacking This Summer
(5) RSVP for Michael Kling's Eagle Ceremony
(6) Congratulations

********************************************************
Reminders about Visiting the Air National Guard
********************************************************
Some things to remember about tomorrow's tour:
(a) We are meeting at EMS at 6:00, not 6:30
(b) Everyone should wear his Class A uniform
(c) The tour goes until 8:00, so pick up for kids will be between 8:20 and 8:30 at EMS.

************************************
Reminders about the Bike Hike
************************************
We're doing bike checks at my house on Thursday, June 1st from 6:30 - 8:00. If you are going on the bike hike, please let me know whether you expect you'll be able to make it to check your bike out. People who do *not* come and whose bikes break down on the trail will be mocked and derided mercilessly.

Bike Hike Permission Slip

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Advancement Cutoff
************************
The cutoff for submitting blue cards for advancement is tomorrow. Those boys still requiring boards of review will be able to get them at next week's meeting.

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Backpacking This Summer
********************************
I have attached the permission slip for the upcoming backpacking trip. It is due at the meeting on June 7th.

Backpacking Permission Slip

*************************************************
RSVP for Michael Kling's Eagle Ceremony
*************************************************
Everyone in the troop should have received an invitation to Michael Kling's Eagle ceremony to be held on the afternoon of June 11th. Please make sure you RSVP to the Kling family either way so they can make the necessary arrangements.

******************
Congratulations
******************
Congratulations to the following scouts on their rank advancement:
Elliot Baglini: Life
Shane Smith: 1st Class
Mark Furland: 2nd Class & 1st Class

See you tomorrow at the Guard base.

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick

Happy Memorial Day Saturday, everyone,

I have received confirmation from Colonel Harris that the tour of the National Guard Base is going to be this coming Wednesday, May 31st to see the F16s.

There are a couple of things we need to do in order to make this work:

(1) For security reasons we need to provide them with a roster of everyone who will be attending.

(2) We need to meet as a group at the base at 6:30 on Wednesday. Not at EMS, at the base.

If everyone could kindly respond no later than Tuesday evening letting me know whether they will be attending and who will be attending, I would appreciate it. For parents who do not wish to go I am sure we can get rides for their kids, just let me know. We will leave the guard base around 8 so we'll be back at EMS by 8:20 - 8:30. Drop off for these kids will be at EMS at 6:00. If you are an adult willing to drive and you are able to meet at EMS at 6, please let me know how many boys in addition to your own you can carry.

Thanks, everyone. This should be another great tour.

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick

Good evening, Troop 635,

Very Important Things (the season finale of 24 and all of the pre-show preparation (picking up chicken wings and pizza, refilling the vending machine, &c)) conspired to keep me from sending this yesterday. My apologies.

This Week's Topics:
(1) Meeting Plan
(2) Bike Hike Permission Slip
(3) Summer Backpacking
(4) Alternative Parking for Eagle Ceremonies
(5) Advancement Cutoff
(6) PBM Lawnmowing

****************
Meeting Plan
****************
ALL SCOUTS should wear athletic gear. For the Psychotic Monkeys this is because those of you who need to take your physical fitness test again will be doing so this evening. For everyone else, the Lieutenant Governor has had a schedule change and will not be able to come to the meeting, so we will most likely be playing a game of Ultimate.

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Bike Hike Permission Slip
*******************************
The permission slip for the bike hike is attached. We need to have it returned with your payment by this Friday. If you can't make it to the meeting, please mail it to Dawn Fleury at 108 Center Road in Essex ***BUT FOLLOW UP WITH AN EMAIL TO ME*** so I make sure we include you in the menu planning.

Download: Bike Hike Permission Slip 2006

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Summer Backpacking
**************************
We've talked about the summer backpacking headed up by Mr. Thompson and Fearless Leo Gauthier and at the meeting tomorrow they'll have permission slips going out. A reminder of the hike dates: June 16/17, July 7-9, August 7-12. They do still need an adult for each of these hikes so hiking moms and dads, please take note!

************************************************
Alternative Parking for Eagle Ceremonies
************************************************
Whilst reviewing the venue for our two upcoming Eagle ceremonies (Memorial Hall on Towers Road) we realized we should let people know that the parking is relatively limited and that we will likely need to use overflow lots. The closest lot is the library across route 128. There is also the Elementary School just around the corner. If you get to Mem Hall and the lots are full, head to those places and you'll be able to find a spot.

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Advancement Cutoff
************************
A reminder that this is the penultimate week for advancement! If you want to receive a rank/merit badge at the court of honor in June, you have precious little time left.

**********************
PBM Lawnmowing
**********************
The Man Who Saved the Camporee with His Large Tarp, Michael Macy, has mentioned to me that the place where he works, PBM Nutritionals in Georgia, needs someone to mow their lawn. This is geared to older boys who can drive themselves there. I don't know how it would work for a younger person with patient parents willing to drive. If you're interested, please call him at 878-7669.

Have a good one everybody and see you at the meeting.

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick

Good afternoon, everyone,

I have tentative driving lists made up based on the people who have told me they're coming. Right now we do not need everyone to drive who has offered so I am asking that *all* drivers park in the regular parking lot ( i.e. not in the bus loading/unloading zone directly in front of the school) and then meet inside. That way if we end up not needing a particular driver you don't have to repark your car before the rest of the caravan can leave. We'll lose about a minute on the time it takes to walk all that extra distance but with the Iron Fist of Fleury in control, I'm sure we'll have no need of that extra minute.

See you tonight,

JMS

So, it is true that we're not even into the summer of 2006 but there are some big opportunities for the summer of 2007 that will affect our planning for summer camp and the committee has asked me to get a feel for people who might be interested in a couple of events. Please understand--by expressing an interest at this point you are *NOT* committing yourself to anything.

PHILMONT: From about the 18th of July through early August, Troop 624 will be heading three contingents to Philmont Scout Reservation in Cimarron, New Mexico. Most contingents focus on backpacking but there are a bunch of back country events like prospecting and shotgun shooting. The cost of the trip will be about $1,200. We will have more information when the gentleman organizing the contingents returns from Iraq at the end of the month. Youth applications will be due at some point in early summer.

Recommended for boys 14 and above with backpacking experience. For more information you can go here: http://www.scouting.org/philmont/index.html


CANADIAN NATIONAL JAMBOREE: The Canadian National Jamboree is a week-long campout from July 25th - August 1st, 2007. The cost is $595 (Canadian dollars) and does not include the cost of transportation. Fortunately, transport only needs to get us about an hour and a half north of Montreal and will therefore be cheap. Over the weekend I spoke to a couple of people who have been before and they say it is a very well-done event that is appropriate for all scouts from 1st years through 17 year olds. For a list of a number of the events available, you can go here: http://www.scouts.ca/cj07/images/programteas.pdf

The reason we would like to know people's preliminary interest is that if enough boys will be going to either of these events, we would need to move summer camp at Norris to be earlier in the season. If it turns out that I'm delusional and the only person interested in Philmont is me, then it's not an issue. Otherwise, we will need to make a decision about Norris 2007 within the next month and a half.

Cheers,

Sonnick

Good evening, 635ers,

Back to a normal-sized update this week. Please excuse me if this email wanders a bit--I'm watching it while WWE Monday Night RAW is on the TV so you can imagine how distracted I must be. One note: though these guys are, like me, in optimum physical condition, my acting skills are clearly on a different plane from these monkeys. My word.

Anyway, into the message.

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Ten Things More Interesting Than Professional Wrestling
*******************************************************************
(1) Scouting for Food Feedback
(2) Camporee Roundup
(3) Coast Guard Field Trip Plan
(4) Meetings Through June
(5) Bike Hike Permission Slips
(6) Advancement Cutoff
(7) Bike Hike--Adults Needed
(8) June 10th--Memorial Dedication
(9) June 14th--Court of Honor--Need Saturn pick up/drop off
(10) All Parents--Youth Protection Training

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Scouting for Food Feedback
*********************************
We have received a letter from the food shelf we helped with Scouting for Food. I've been asked to share it so everyone can see that 3 hours of service by one troop can make a big difference in the lives of a lot of people. The letter:

~~~~~~~~~~
The Ecumenical Ministry of Essex Center, Jericho and Underhill would like to thank you for your dedication to this food shelf. Your work in the food drive has become a true blessing for us. The food you delivered last year took us through till September. That is a lot of food!!

By contributing to the food shelf you are letting your neighbors know that the Boy Scouts are a vital part of our community. By working together we all can help those less fortunate than ourselves.

Thank you again for your continuing efforts to make sure the pantry at the food shelf remains full for our neighbors in need.
~~~~~~~~~~

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Camporee Roundup
***********************
The camporee this weekend was rain-soaked and highly attended (including Webelos we eventually reached 41 attendees.) I wouldn't have blamed the boys if they had gotten a little deflated from walking through the liquid sunshine for hours on end but they were all remarkably resilient and fun to be around. And even if they *had* been a little sullen, it would all have been worthwhile just to see the look on Jonathan Spaeth's face when the chili he and Mike Fraser made together won the chili cookoff. Congratulations to them and thanks to all of the adults who attended--especially Mr. Spaeth, Mr. Thompson and Mr. Fraser. Their extra behind-the-scenes help kept me free to nap and drink coffee in the jacuzzi.

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Coast Guard Field Trip Plan
*********************************
(1) We have enough parents to drive--thank you to everyone for being so responsive.
(2) We will start getting boys into their rides as soon as both boys and rides are there. We need to be sure we will be on time, so please do not be late--we cannot afford to wait for late scouts.
(3) Pick up at EMS is at 8:30.
(4) Westford Psychotic Monkey parents--Mr. Ouellet has offered to bring all of the Monkeys back to his house so that you do not have to travel to EMS after the meeting. Please give him a couple of extra minutes to get there to account for the extra travel time from Burlington.

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Meetings Through June
***************************************
A quick overview of what lies ahead:
May 24: We will have at least a couple of guest speakers. Scott and Ross' grandfather will come in to talk about his time in Korea. We may have another guest speaker who has served in Iraq (we are still waiting to hear.) We will also hear from a man who currently serves his state and country in a different way--by serving in an elected capacity (in this case as the Lieutenant Governor of Vermont.)
May 31/June 7: Depending upon Colonel Harris' schedule, we will be touring the F16s at the Vermont Air National Guard on either May 31 or June 7. They would like us to be *at* the base by 6:30, so we will just meet in the parking lot. We will confirm the date as soon as we can. On whichever of these weeks we *don't* go to the guard base we will be having our annual summer camp meeting. Only those boys going to summer camp need to come to this meeting.
Bike Hike Bike Check: If we have our summer camp meeting on May 31, Mr. Blakely will be inspecting the bikes of anyone who would like to bring it in advance of attending the bike hike. If we are at the guard base on the 31st, the bike check will be at the House of Sonnick on Thursday, June 1st from 6:30 - 8:00.

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Bike Hike Permission Slips
********************************
We will have permission slips available for our annual bike hike on the Mississquoi River Valley Rail Trail at the meeting on Wednesday, along with having them posted on the web site. If we have enough adult supervision we will have both the 13- and 25-mile routes available on Saturday morning. We'll be home by midday Sunday or so. This is a great time and we encourage everyone to come if they can.

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Advancement Cutoff
************************
Don't forget that all blue cards and boards of review must be completed by the last meeting in May if you wish to be recognized at the Court of Honor on June 14th.

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Bike Hike--Adults Needed
*******************************
As I alluded to above, we need parents who can come on the bike hike on June 3rd. Bikers are, of course, preferable but it's not necessary. Please let me know via email if you can help.

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June 10th--Memorial Dedication
*************************************
The troop has been asked to provide 10 older boys to serve in a color guard for the dedication of the Memorial at 5 Corners on June 10th. We do not yet have the time but the Lion's Club has asked me to get to work at finding people who might be available. We will take the 10 boys of highest rank and age who volunteer. It is a great honor to serve in this sort of ceremony. Please email me if you are interested.

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June 14th--Court of Honor--Need Saturn pick up/drop off
****************************************************************
As we've mentioned, we are having our spring Court of Honor on Wednesday, June 14th. We all bring something to grill and to make the grilling easy we reserve the ginormous grill from Saturn in South Burlington. We need an adult who can pick up the grill after 3:00 on the 14th and who can return it no later than the following morning (immediately after the CoH is also ok.) You don't need to have a hitch because you will leave your car at Saturn and drive their Grillmobile to the Court.

********************************************
All Parents--Youth Protection Training
********************************************
Parents: Please don't forget that we need all of the parents in the troop to go through the Youth Protection Training program online before the end of the scouting year. It takes about half an hour and the web site is below. At the end of the training you will be emailed a document that has your name and the date you completed the training. Please either forward that attachment to this email address or print it out and give it to me at a meeting.

The web site: https://scoutnet.scouting.org/elearning/

Thanks, folks. Time for me to rededicate my full attention to the Mighty Spandexed Drama unfolding before my eyes.

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick

Good afternoon, everyone,

First and Foremost, a note about this coming Wednesday's meeting. We have been cleared to visit the Coast Guard station on the waterfront in Burlington from 7:00 - 8:00. This means a couple of things:

(1) We need everyone to be at the meeting *absolutely* *no* *later* than 6:30 so we can get into the cars and get there on time. Showing up 5, 10 or 15 minutes early would even be a good idea.

(2) All parents are invited but we will need to carpool. There is limited parking at the Coast Guard station, so the fewer cars that go the better.

(3) In light of #2, we need parents to volunteer to drive and to let us know how many empty seats they will have assuming they are driving everyone in their family who is attending.

(4) If a boy is planning to *not* attend this meeting, it would also be helpful to know so we don't assign him to a seat and so that we don't wait for him hoping he'll show up.

(5) Pick up for the end of the meeting will be at EMS at 8:30. If the parents driving to/from Burlington are able to bring the boys in their cars home, that's fine but non-driving parents shouldn't assume this will be standard.

In short: I would appreciate an email back from each family letting us know whether the scout is attending, whether a parent can drive and how many empty seats that parent has if s/he's going.

Other things: I may send out the Weekly Update a little earlier than usual because there are a couple of accompanying emails I need to send as well and I might just try to bang 'em all out at once. Do not be alarmed! Do not check your calendars/watches! We're just in the midst of the crazy time of year and I need to get some of this stuff out while I have the chance.

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick

Good afternoon ladies and gents of 635,

Somehow, I have less than 27,000 things to put in the email, so if this email typically serves as entertainment while taking a porcelain cruise, you might wish to bring supplementary reading along.

Topics of Enthralling Interest:
(1) Scouting for Food Recap
(2) Meeting Plan
(3) Summer Camp Early Bird Due
(4) Congratulations

***************
Meeting Plan
***************
For the non-Psychotic Monkeys we are begging a month dedicated to learning about and appreciating the people who serve our country. There are a couple of gaps in the schedule so things could change but right now it is focused mostly on those who have been or who are in the military. This week we have two guest speakers coming. Mr. Needham was a Navy SEAL and Mr. Biczko was an F15 avionics mechanic. Please make sure you're at the meeting on time so you don't interrupt their presentations.

The Psychotic Monkeys are going to be working on their advancement and might spend some time entertaining the Webelos who are coming to the camporee with us this weekend. Make sure you bring your books!

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Summer Camp Early Bird Due
***********************************
If you would like to qualify for the early bird discount for summer camp ($255 vs. $285), the payment is due at the meeting this Wednesday. The only scout who *shouldn't* plan on confirming his attendance with me is Chris "SPL-master" Fleury because he's on staff and is therefore already large and in charge.

******************
Congratulations
******************
Congratulations to Austin Harris for finishing both 2nd and 1st Class at the last meeting. Perhaps a little long in the coming but just sit back and watch the sprint to Star. 'twill be a thing of impressive dedication, indeed.

That's it for now. See you all on Wednesday.

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick