Good afternoon, 635ers. Yes, this is just barely before the meeting but I think it is *very* important to keep you all guessing just a little bit. Or maybe it's just that I was busy. Whatever the true reason, you can be sure it's a good one and that I was thinking of all of y'all fondly whilst aware I was leaving you twisting in the Breeze of Meetingly Ignorance.

Those topics on which you can feast your eyes below:

(1) JASM Scott
(2) PLC Elections
(3) Meeting Plans
(4) Eagle Court: Sunday, June 11th
(5) Camporee Permission Slips
(6) Summer Camp Information/Permission Slips
(7) No Meeting Next Week
(8) PLC Meeting on May 2nd
(9) Congratulations

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JASM Scott
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For those of you who were not present at the end of last week's meeting, I would like to say a word or two about your last Senior Patrol Leader, Scott Kelley. He was fantastic. Ok, that was three words. And I'm not done. After the Year of The Kling (the previous SPL) I knew that no matter who the following election, there was no way the following term would be comparable to Mike's. I have seldom been so happy to have been so completely wrong. Scott was everything a Scoutmaster could ask for--enthusiastic, energetic, punctual, creative--everything. Because of all of his great work I elevated him to the position of Junior Assistant Scoutmaster at the last meeting and hope you all will congratulate him the next time you see him (though it will not be tonight since he's somewhere above the Atlantic on his way to Paris right now.)

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PLC Elections
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We are having elections for Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol Leader for each of the patrols except for the Psychotic Monkeys at the end of the meeting this week. Since this is the April election, we will also be making appointments for all of the other positions ( e.g. Scribe, Librarian, Quartermaster, &c) over the vacation. If you're interested in filling one of these positions, make sure you email me by this Friday.

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Meeting Plans
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Psychotic Monkeys: Wear clothes good for playing frisbee. You'll be headed out to the athletic fields once you've finished some skills training.

Everyone else: Come prepared to continue working on the advancement you chose earlier this month.

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Eagle Court: Sunday, June 11th
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We will be having an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Michael Kling on Sunday, June 11th at Memorial Hall in Essex. The time has not yet been fixed but will most likely be mid-afternoon. Put this on your calendars now!

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Camporee Permission Slips
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We're accepting back permission slips for the camporee starting at this meeting, even though they're not due until May 3rd. Get them in now so you don't have to endure Personalized Scoutmaster Hectoring about participating in this event.

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Summer Camp Information/Permission Slips
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I will have the summer camp information and permission slips at the meeting tonight. I'll also forward them via email to everyone on this list after I've sent this note. The Early Bird price of camp is $255 and to enjoy that you must return your reservation and check to us by Wednesday, May 10th. After that the cost goes up to $285. If you have any questions or comments, you know where you can reach me.

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No Meeting Next Week
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Essex Schools are on vacation next week, so there's no meeting.

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PLC Meeting on May 2nd
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Since no meeting often equals no weekly update, I wanted to remind people that the next PLC meeting is at my house on May 2nd from 6:30 - 8:00.

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Congratulations
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Our very own nimble-fingered violinist Ross Kelley tried out for All-State Orchestra (Violin) and he made it! Word on the street is that this is a really difficult thing to accomplish, especially as a freshman. Given his considerable accomplishments in the classroom and on the athletic fields as well as his involvement in our troop as a patrol leader and leading rabble rouser, it's amazing he finds the time to be proficient in one of the finer arts as well. Given topic #1 today, it seems there are some good genes in the Kelley family.

That's a wrap. I'll send those attachments mentioned above very shortly and will hopefully see you all this evening. If I don't, have a safe and happy vacation and I'll see you in May.

Your Scoutmaster,

Sonnick