March-April 2002

When to call a reporter

In the article "Telling Scouting's Positive Story" in the November-December 2001 issue, Bill Sloan gives some very good tips. However, he suggests calling reporters about 10 a.m.; that may not be a good time for some reporters, depending on the paper's deadline. Instead, you should find out your local newspaper's schedule by asking a reporter, "What's a good time to call?"

Mark Arend
Beaver Dam, Wis.

A special place for special pictures

Your October cover story and article about keeping a scrapbook to store your memories was excellent!

As a young Scout, I started a scrapbook the weekend that I ran for Unami Lodge chief in the fall of 1985. I filled it with pictures, programs, and keepsakes from troop, district, lodge, and national events. It ended with pictures of me at the end of my tenure as a youth leader, being presented with the Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Award at the national OA conference in 1990.

Though only 11 years have passed since the pages in that first book were filled (I now have two complete books), I look upon those pictures often for great memories and inspiration. And I do it filled with pride and thanks, for I credit my experiences in Scouting for making me into the person that I am today.

I can only imagine how special these pictures will be later in life. Time can pass on, but the memories on the pages in my scrapbook will tell stories forever.

Mark Chilutti
Unami Lodge OA Adviser
Philadelphia, Pa.

No butts about this project

Members of Pack 55, Northville, N.Y., pose in front of the sign (which they hope will be the first of many) that resulted from their efforts to publicize the extensive harm caused by large quantities of cigarette filters discarded near water sources. Photograph courtesy of Pack 55

Every year the Cub Scouts of Pack 55 of Northville/Edinburg, N.Y., clean up the shoreline of a small lake the pack has adopted. We noticed a large amount of discarded cigarette butts, and we put together a fact sheet showing the harm to wildlife, contamination of water sources, and fire hazard caused by discarded cigarettes. We discussed this issue with the Cub Scouts, and they become motivated to focus on the problem, with the following results:

• They made posters that were displayed in the community.
• The Village of Northville agreed to erect signs that say "Use Your Ashtray."
• The project was featured in at least two local newspaper articles and one editorial.
• Webelos Scouts wrote letters urging state officials to erect similar signs and submitted petitions signed by residents to show community support.

Adopting a section of land near water for regular cleanup is a particularly good project for Cub Scouts, because they are often too young to participate in local adopt-a-highway programs.

Chester O. Enders
Cubmaster, Pack 55
Northville, N.Y. S

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