Early December Notes

Cub Scout Sign up- We will be welcoming in New Cubs on Tuesday and at our Pack meeting. Fliers were distributed at Farrington and Hussey. If you know boys in grades 1-5 (We really need some 1st, 3rd and 5th graders) please encourage their parents to call Chuck at 400-9850 or email at cmahaleris@hotmail.com


WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA-Wreaths Across America ­ remembering and honoring U.S. veterans and reminding us all of the sacrifice that many have made for freedom Residents in Maine are cordially invited to participate in activities associated with Wreaths Across America, a program of remembering and honoring American veterans and one that also teaches citizens about the value of freedom. (Please see the Web site for details about the program http://www.wreaths-across-america.org/.) Don Duplessis of Augusta wishes to share information about Wreaths Across American with Maine residents. Mr. Duplessis is the Special Events coordinator for the Maine Patriot Guard Riders, a group that escorts the Wreaths Across American convoy from Maine to Washington, D.C. This year, the program takes place over the time period December 7, when the wreaths journey across the state, to December 13, when the wreaths are placed on the headstones in Arlington National Cemetery. Also, on December 13, similar programs take place at many other veterans’ cemeteries in participating communities and a number of Mainecommunities are participating in this. I've put in bold the information about local events that your den could attend. In Maine, there are two important dates to remember for an opportunity to participate: December 7, when the wreaths will travel across the state and ceremonies will take place at various sites; and December 13, when the wreaths will be placed in Arlington National Cemetery AND when a parallel program will be taking place in some Maine communities (see the Web site noted above and click on “locations” for a full list). On December 7, participate by observing the convoy of trucks carrying wreaths as they make their way from Harrington, Maine, to the various ceremonies. Or, participate in one of the ceremonies by being there to greet the convoy (bring your American flag) and / or attend the ceremony. On December 13, participate in one of the laying of the wreath ceremonies (see the Website noted above for details). The program began about fifteen years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company (of Harrington, Maine) donated wreaths for Arlington National Cemetery. Their generosity has continued over the years. The program has grown to include the procession of the wreaths traveling through Maine on their way to Washington, D.C., ceremonies at various sites during the journey (which happens December 7 & 8), then the placement of the wreaths on the headstones in Arlington National Cemetery and other places on December 13.The itinerary for Maine follows:
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA ESCORT TO ARLINGTON 2008 ITINERARY
December 7, 2008
7:30 Volunteers gather at Worcester Wreath Co. (Harrington, ME) and decorate wreaths for Arlington9:00 Patriot Guard Escort Staging @ Worcester Wreath Co.
9:45 Send off ceremony10:30 Wreaths loaded and escort departs Harrington for Bangor.ROUTE: Harrington to Bangor 68 miles Route 1 to Ellsworth then Route 1A to Bangor.
12:00 Wreath escort arrives in Bangor at the Bangor Auditorium for Ceremony.1:30 Wreath escort leaves Bangor and heads south to Augusta ROUTE: Bangor to Augusta 85 miles. Route 1A south to Route 1 inBucksport to Route 3 in Belfast. Follow Route 3 to Route 202 in Augusta
4:00 Wreath escort arrives in Augusta ­ Augusta Armory
4:45 Wreath escort leaves Augusta for Lewiston.R OUTE:Augusta to Lewiston 35 miles. Route 202 to Lewiston5:30 Wreath escort arrives in Lewiston for wreath ceremony at Veterans Park on bridge between Lewiston @ Auburn
6:15 Wreath escort leaves Lewiston for Portland. ROUTE:Lewiston to Portland 44 miles. Route 202 to Gray. Route 26 south to Portland. Route 26 to Route 295 Forest Ave Exit 6A. Right onto Forest Ave then Right onto State St. Turn left onto Park Ave at light and park along the side of the Expo.
7:15 Wreath escort arrives at the Portland Expo
9:00 Wreath escort leaves the Expo and heads to South Portland to the Best Western Hotel for the night.
December 8, 2008
7:00 am Wreath escort staging at the Best Western Hotel in South Portland (Route 1) and wreath escort departs Best Western Hotel (Route 1)
8:15 Escort arrives at Scarborough Veterans Home
9:30 Escort arrives in Old Orchard Beach for short Ceremony
10:30 Escort arrives in Wells at Wells Jr. High for short ceremony
11:45 Escort arrives at Kittery Trading Post for short ceremony, departs at12:30
For December 9, 10, 11, and 12, the convoy continues on into New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and on into D.C. for the December 13 ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.December 13, 20085:30 am Staging @ Branchville Fire Station 4905 Banchville Rd., N. College Park, MD 6:30 am ESCORT LEAVES FOR ARLINGTON NC FORPLACEMENT OF THE WREATHS ON OUR HEROES GRAVES12 noon - Wreath placing ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery

December 13 - Schedule for Augusta, Maine, wreath ceremonies (for the schedule for other communities, see the Web site noted above)9 AM ­ Laying of wreaths at Togus
Noon ­ Laying of wreaths Veterans Cemetery in Augusta (off Rt. 27)Around 1 PM ­ laying of wreaths at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Road in AugustaFor details please call 512-3181 and speak with Don Duplessis.----------------


Scouting for Food Still Collecting at Dec Den Meetings! At our Den and Pack Meetings in December, keep bringing in canned food items, boxed items, cleaning supplies, baby food, and other non-perishible food items and we will keep bringing those items to the food bank. A recent report showed that more and more families are turning to the food banks in Maine for assistance and donations are going down. Our boys are making a significant difference for local families in need. Thanks for giving them the opportunity to show they can make a positive difference in town!
Bring Food Items to the Dec Den & Pack Meetings



Christmas Pack Meeting -Dec 16- American Legion- 6 PM
At our Christmas Pack meeting, we will have the following:
Games- We are asking each den to run one Christmas-themed game station
Songs & Skits- Each den should come with their boys ready to entertain with either a holiday song or skit
Displays- Tables will be set up for each den to display things that the boys have been working on all Fall in their den meetings or at home.
Snacks- Bring in some treats to share!
Gifts- Our pack will again be giving our boys gifts this year to keep them "rolling" into 2009 (hint)
Fun- Bring the family!
Awards- Any awards that the boys earned but have not received will be presented.
Welcome- We need boys for our Tiger and Bear Dens. If you know boys in grades 1 and 3- a great gift is the gift of Scouting!


Cub Leader Roundtable Dec. 10 at Blessed Hope Advent Church, 10 Pleasant St. in Waterville at 7pm. Please note that there will be no roundtable in Strong in December.In addition to the monthly OA chapter meeting, Cub Leader and Boy Scout Leader sessions, Cub Scout Leader Specific Training will be presented.Cub Scout Topic: "A-MAXE-ing" Games and discussion on What do you do with THAT parent? Leaders This is a Great Training Opportunity!



Neat Things to Do With Your Son or Den
Every Saturday 10 AM to 1 PM there is a different arts and crafts project at Michaels in Augusta. Cost $5 per child. 623-3832 for details.
Lowe's Augusta- Dec 13 building Gingerbread House. No Cost. 10 AM.
Home Depot Augusta- 1st Saturday of every month. Dec is "art easle" on Dec 6 from 9 to noon. No cost.


Klondike Derby January 31, 2009 at China Elementary School! Keep the Date Free. More Details at the December Pack Meeting


Popcorn- Delivered! More than $600 Raised for Pack 603
Thanks to everyone who went around to friends and neighbors to help sell Popcorn. Even though we are a smaller group this year, we still managed to raise more than $600 for Pack 603 activities! Prizes will be awarded to the Cubs who took part at our December Pack meeting. Thanks to everyone who helped and sold and to our Treasurer Liz for keeping track of the books. It was very smooth this year with only one item that needs to be changed.


Popcorn- Individual Sales Over the Internet
From Thanksgiving through Christmas, your Cub can sell popcorn to family and friends online. Boys were given their usernames and passwords at one of the recent den meetings. (I have the ones for the Bears as they werent at that meeting). If you do not have yours, shoot me a note and I will send it to you. (I kept a copy of all of them).

The pack does not earn anything from this sale. It is strictly to help your Cub! He will earn Scout bucks that can be applied towards summer camp, uniform, scouting merchandise, etc. I think this is a great way for the boys to earn their way to summer camp!

Here is a sample text for an email your Cub can send to family and friends to tell them about the program. Feel free to change it around.:

Hi,

My Pack, Cub Pack 603, and I are working towards going to summer camp and go on other special Scouting trips.

I hope you will support me in my efforts to earn some money to help pay my way by buying some Trails End popcorn! By doing this I will get part of the profits credited to my program fees.

This is a perfect time of the year for popcorn! It makes great Christmas gifts and has a good selection of flavors and taste great!

Go to www.Orderpopcorn.com and use my order key, which is #____________! The order will be shipped directly to you!

Thanks, I really appreciate you helping me out and I know I will enjoy my time in Scouts! We do some really cool things!

Happy Holidays!
(Your Name)



Remember: No School (due to weather or other factors) then There Will be No Scouts