The following was received today in response to our posting of the “scouts in the news” article about JR finding a wallet and returning it:

Hi Troop 5!

My name is Cristi Brophy and I am a Scouter and a mom of a Tiger and a Bear in Pack 3097 and I also have a son that is a first year Boy Scout in Troop 90. I happen to be looking on your website and noticed that you had posted the story about one of our brother Scouts in Troop 90.

I just wanted to take a minute to say THANK YOU so much for showing excitement for JR and our Troop, we are very happy about Ms. Cutler getting her wallet back, and now because of all of the attention someone realized they had found JR’s wallet also, So his honesty has rewarded him also!

But we think that this is a little crazy too, because we are Scouts, all of this attention because of just doing what Scouting has taught us? As cubbies we spend years going through the Character Connections, And as Webelos and Boy Scouts we do learn to live the Oath, Law, & the Outdoor Code.It becomes part of us, not just the Boy Scouts but the Scouting families and the communities that support them. JR did as the rest of the boys in Troop 90 would have done he just “did a good turn daily”

Sometimes I feel as though because our Organization has been around for so long that some may not realize just what we are trying to teach our future leaders, However when we see a web site like yours, Scouts supporting Scouts, we really appreciate that. Scouts do heroic things everyday, save lives, help the needy, become mentors, and yes show their honesty. But I really felt compelled to write and say thank you for making us feel special.

You have a great website, Thanks for sharing it with fellow scouters.

Yours in Scouting,

Cristi Brophy

Membership Chair- Lakeshore District

Gerald R Ford Council - Boy Scouts of America

COIN COLLECTING MERIT BADGE STARTING:

Hello Troop 5 scouts,

There will be a Coin Collecting Merit Badge group
starting May 08, 6:30 PM before the Troop meeting. If
you would like to work on this merit badge then please
get a signed Merit Badge Blue Card from Mr. Redline
and contact me to let me know you are coming.

Will see you there,
Mrs. Redline
outdoor@troop5middlebury.org

CARWASH ON SATURDAY, MAY 10TH:

From Dom Romano, Assistant Scoutmaster - please get a
reminder out to the scouts to bring towels to the
meeting this week. Also, some Scouts have committed
to making signs, so please bring those to the Thursday
night meeting.

It would also be great to put out a reminder next week
including towels, the pie / bake sale and that help is
needed at the car wash on Saturday the 10th from 9-3.
Please have people respond to me
with what they can commit to. The carwash will be
held at the Middlebury Fire Station.

SCOUTS IN THE NEWS:

Dorr, Mich. - An 11-year-old Boy Scout who found and
returned a wallet containing more than $800 has
received some good karma for his good deed.

Thanks to publicity about his action, J.R. Bouterse
(rhymes with “doubters”) has gotten his own lost
wallet back. J.R. found the wallet of Jessica Cutler
last month in a church parking lot, not long after
losing his own at an Easter egg hunt.

Meanwhile, Nancy Bosse and her 6-year-old grandaughter
found the boy’s wallet at the park where the egg hunt
took place. There was roughly $30 in it, but no ID.
But they were able to get it back to J.R. after
learning of his own act of honesty. Michigan state
police took up a collection to give the boy a reqard,
but he asked instead to spend the money on a pizza
party for all 30 Scouts in Troop 90.

Associated Press

RECYCLE YOUR RED SHIRTS AND UNIFORMS:

If anyone has class B shirts or uniforms that they
have outgrown, please contact Linda Way
to donate them to our uniform swap.
Thank you to Jackie Mulhall for the idea to recycle
our red shirts.

WHITEWATER TRIP:

From Scout Chris M.:
If you have not turned in your whitewater final
payment, you MUST, MUST have it to me by this
Thursday. The payment is $75 if you weren’t sure. If
you’re paying in full, it’s $120 per person. Wild
Waters needs the payment. I would prefer it in cash,
but if you need to mail it or need to write a check,
that would be acceptable, too. Please make checks out
to “cash” Thank-you!

NO PATROL LEADERS’ COUNCIL:
Per SPL Pat M., there will NOT be a PLC this Sunday.

FLEA MARKET CLEAN-UP:

Scouts, if you can volunteer to help clean-up the
Saturday Flea Market at Shepardson Community Center
from 2-4 this Saturday, May 3rd, please e-mail Mrs.
Marcucci at committeechair@troop5middlebury.org.
If any adults can help, please e-mail me. This is a service project to
benefit our sponsoring organization Middlebury
Congregational Church. Please wear class B uniforms.
Thanks very much!!!

I finally (!) uploaded pictures from Summer Camp last year.  You can check them out in the photo gallery.  I also added pictures from this past weekend’s Philmont Shakedown hike.

Enjoy them.

From Troop 5:

This was announced at last night’s Troop meeting, but
for all who could not attend, Congratulations and
three cheers to Troop 5’s newest Eagle Scouts:

Nick M - number 49 on April 17, 2008

AND

Steven Z - the big number 50 on April 22, 2008

Way to go!!!

From Chris M., Whitewater trip coordinator:

To all whitewater trip participants: It has been
determined that it would be OK to pay the final trip
fee in cash. We realized that this is a lot of money.
A reminder that the payment is $75 per person. Also,
please make sure that you are up to date on all your
forms (permission slip and release form). If you have
any, please get them to me or Mrs. Redline. I am
still looking for someone willing to tow the trailer,
so if you have a truck capable of towing it and are
willing to tow it on this trip, please contact me

From Dom Romano, Assistant Scoutmaster:

There will be a car wash on Saturday 5/10 to benefit
the Philmont trip participants. All Troop members are
welcome to join in the fun and help out. We need some
replacement bath towels and scouts can bring them to
meetings prior to 5/10. Please give the towels to Marc
Romano or Mr. Romano. We are also having a repeat bake
sale; last time the pies were a hit!!!! If you can
send some baked goods, we would greatly appreciate it.

Many Thanks. Dom

From Maureen Marcucci, Chairman:

There will be a Troop 5 committee meeting on Thursday,
May 1st at 7 PM at the church.

FROM DAVE REDLINE, SCOUTMASTER: Please let everyone
know that the hike is on Sunday, NOT Saturday - sorry
about that. I will have permission slips on Thursday.

FROM ROBIN REDLINE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR:
Regarding youth protection training on Thursday, April
24th. Please let me know if you plan on attending. If
there are not enough people I will not be doing the
class this week.

Who should take this training? Asst. Scoutmasters,
Merit Badge Counselours, Parents planning on attending
a camp out or outing with the Scouts.

Please email me with any questions,
Robin
outdoor@troop5middlebury.org

FROM MARTI PETERSON, CANDY SALE UPDATE: There are
about 4 or 5 boxes of candy bars left. Could anyone
who has not picked up a box please do so, or if anyone
would like an extra one please e-mail me. You could also take a half-box
of 18 bars. Please, do whatever you can to help so
that we may avoid another sale date.

Thanks!

Marti

TROOP 444 PASTA SUPPER TICKETS:

May 4th is the troop 444 annual pasta dinner 5-7

Tickets are:

Adult: $7.00
Kids (12 and under) $5.00
Senior $4.00
Family (2 adults 3 or more kids) $25.00

Tickets WILL be available at the door.

HIKE PLANNED FOR SATURDAY:

From Dave Redline, Scoutmaster:

Hi all,

Hope you had an enjoyable week - we’re back in
business next Thursday with a troop meeting.

Next week the Philmont crew is on the road - I’d like
to invite the rest of the troop to join me for a 4.5
mile hike of the Jericho Trail in Watertown. I’ll need
at least one other adult to join me and drivers
depending on sign-up. The plan is to meet at the
church at noon, hike, and call for rides when we
return (approx 5pm). I’ll have permission slips on
Thursday and I will need to know by Thursday night if
you and/or your scout would like to come. They will
need a snack and waterbottle - it is a challenging
trail and will be a lot of fun. Please email or call
me if you have any questions or would like to sign up.

Yours in Scouting
Dave

YOUTH PROTECTION:

FYI - There may be a Youth Protection program offered
this Thursday night AT 7 PM. This is required to
attend Troop 5 campouts. Please contact Robin Redline
for further information at outdoor@troop5middlebury.org

Hello Troop 5:Today you were emailed the April 3rd Committee Meeting minutes.
Please note the following:

1 - Copngratulations to Dom Romano for winning the
Lord Baden Powell award for excellence in volunteering
at the Troop level. Congratulations to Middlebury
Parks and Recreation for winning the Good Turn Award
for helping out Scouting in Middlebury. Both were
nominated by Troop 5.

2 - Sue Mayer is filing a list of Troop 5 Scouts and
adults with the Danbury EMS store. If you wish your
name to be added or you do NOT wish your Scout’s name
to be sent in, please let Sue know by Friday, April
18th by e-mailing her. Sue has a
complete Troop roster. ***Having your name on this
list will entitle you to a 15% discount on store
purchases - only at the Danbury store.

3 - There is a Cub Scout Day Camp staff opportunity for any
Scout interested who has First Class or higher rank.
If you are 13 years old, you can be a Den Chief, all
hours are volunteer, and can be used as service hours.
If you are older (14 and up) you can be a Den Chief or
worker. 14 years old, you can receive rebate for camp,
15 years old, you can get paid. Worker can be
lifeguard, sports area, wherever they need help, Den
Chief takes boys to each station. Let Mr. Redline know if you
are interested - he will give you the contact information for
the Camp Director.

3 - We need another adult (or more) to volunteer for
the May Camporee held on May 16-18th. Thank you to
Mr. Riddle for leading this campout. Please contact
Robin Redline at outdoor@troop5middlebury.org if you can help.

4 - We still need someone to volunteer to store the
Troop’s Klondike Derby sleds. Three are still at the
home of a family no longer part of Troop 5. ***Please
consider helping out by storing our sleds so the boys
can have easy access to them and work to prepare them
for next year’s derby. Please contact Dave Redline at
scoutmaster@troop5middlebury.org if you can help.

5 - Our slate of officers is almost complete, but
could anyone volunteer to lead the silent auction
effort (for October pasta supper)? If you can help,
please contact Adam Burns for further information.

6 - If anyone wants to lead the Earth Day effort,
please contact me (see minutes for details).

Thank you to the following adults who helped out Troop
5:

Boston Campout - Tom DeAngelis, Michael Marcucci, Ken
Bushka, Mike Pekovich, CarolSue Shannon, and Maureen
Marcucci
Boston Campout - Special thanks to Scout Eric D, for
such an awesome job planning the campout!
St Patrick’s Day Parade - Sue Mayer, Michael Marcucci,
Ken Bushka, Tim Baldwin
White Memorial Campout - Pat Dooling, Adam Burns, Dave
Jones, Dave Redline
Candy Drive - Marti Peterson, Rachel Barclay, Shelley
Pille, Frank Koskelowski, Maureen Marcucci, Alicia
Azar-Brandes
Eagle Ceremony - Tefta Bushka and everyone in the
Troop that helped out!
Patty DeAngelis for leading the phonetree
Rachel Barclay for volunteering to be candy drive
asst.
Nancy Pelczar for volunteering to help run the Courts
of Honor
Michael and Michelle Zinko for volunteering to run
publicity.
Adam Burns for the Pasta Supper and CarolSue Shannon
for Advancement . . .

Thank you to everyone who continues to serve Troop 5
and helping make all we do possible.

Maureen Marcucci, Committee Chairman

From Chris M., white water rafting trip coordinator

To all participants of the May whitewater trip:
The next meeting, THURSDAY, APRIL 24, is the day that
final payments for the rafting trip are due. I MUST
have final payments by that meeting. I have to get
our payment in. The final payment, which is $75, MUST
be IN CASH because some of the money is for gas.
Please help me out. Also, if you are missing any
forms, I need you to get them to me.
To all drivers: I’m looking for someone willing to
tow the troop trailer. Please contact me if interested.

Hello Troop 5:

There will be a committee meeting next Thursday, April
3rd, at the church.

Eagle Ceremony: Our Eagle Chairman Tefta Bushka has
not heard from ANYONE regarding clean-up help. Please
e-mail her to
volunteer. This involves putting chairs and tables
away and sweeping up the floors. It is not time
consuming, but help is needed.

Candy Drive: I don’t know where this one stands, but
if you can volunteer even an hour of your time on
Saturday, please e-mail Marti Peterson

Thank you!

Maureen Marcucci