Voting
Hinton Street Elementary, Chicago IL As my personal history runs, I do not care for Mrs. Osby. I do, however, have a lot of respect for the woman. I never knew her first name -- it was always "Mrs. Osby." That Black teacher, for all of her experience, awards and accolades over the many years of teaching and managing in the Chicago Schools, did not hold a candle to Mrs. Kay Flauding, who assisted... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-08-28Touch
Shutterstock image purchased by Mike WaltonDescription automatically generatedShutterstock image purchased by Mike Walton (from "Patches and Pins" by Mike Walton, (c) 1998)Of all of the senses we have, touch is perhaps the second most important to me. Sight beats it out slightly, only because there are so many things to see and have my brain process. But touch is second-most.I became aware of this sense as many of you probably have: from the touch of... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-08-26Coffee!!
(This was written and shared with the Scouts-L youth programs discussion list in March of 2001. In looking for content for a new book of short stories this evening, I found and thought I would share this with everyone. Diabetes has taken a massive hit on my caffeine consumption, and I currently drink an average of a pot of coffee (that’s 12 cups) a day now. Very seldom do I drink a sugar-flavored cup... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-08-19Daddy I didn't win
(My second former wife gave me a reflection book for Christmas one year in the middle 90s, in preparation in part for the arrival of our child we were planning. Although we practiced hard and many times over, the child was not to happen. So we did the next best thing - arranged for foster and eventually adoption. My book - Kayleeanne's book -- reflects my answers to questions posed by Terri Gibbs in the... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-08-12Enjoying the hike
Shutterstock image purchased by Mike Walton I love hiking. It is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, to travel with my friends and share experiences with them, and to sing silly songs. As a youth, I participated in some 15 or so hiking trails, mostly because there was an excellent looking medal to add to my faux "buckskin display" I made in Cub Scouts, or patch to go onto my jean jacket (couldn't afford... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-08-05An Arctic Tern Book review
Indoor Nature Activity For Cub Scouts… This book is a fun way to introduce young scouts to nature, whether it's on a stormy day or hot summer day. Your young children should read this delightful and beautiful book “Growing up in Alaska: A Baby Arctic Tern” by Constance Taylor. This book is a short, fun little story about an Arctic Tern from egg to first flight. I could see this book being read to... [More]
By: InsaneScouter On: 2019-07-2925 Ways to reuse an old blanket
Do you have an old blanket taking up space in one of your closets that you probably aren’t going to use any more? If you’re like me than the answer is yes… You probably have more than one old blanket that you’re not going to use again. How about finding a few ways that the old blanket could be reused as something useful? Here are 25 different ways (with some pictures) that you... [More]
By: InsaneScouter On: 2019-07-22In Support of the Transatlantic Council
Mike Walton/Pioneer Press image My name is Mike Walton. I have been blessed with membership and service off and on with the Transatlantic Council (TAC) since 1967. In my youth, TAC served basically the League of Nations (later NATO) nations, the exact definitions of the countries served varied from year to year as the political and military landscape of Europe, North Africa, and the Near East changed. Today, TAC expands through 13 time... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-07-14The Future BSA: not
Two weeks ago now, my local Council and the national organization I represent to the BSA (the US Scouting Service Project, Inc.) sent me to represent them during the BSA's National Annual Meetings in Denver. The national meetings -- in plural for there are more than just the annual business meeting designed to inform, update and elect the national team leading the nation's leading youth-serving organization; there are many other meetings of committees, subcommittees,... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-07-08Deal or Bankruptcy?
Last week, volunteers from across our nation and those representing our two overseas local Councils, met in Denver to help plot the azimuth, check the maps and lay a positive course for the continuation of the Boy Scouts of America. They were successful and have shared their plan – what they call a “Game Plan” – with their thousands of volunteers unable to attend and participate in the discussions. This "Game Plan" -- a one... [More]
By: Mike Walton (blackeagle) On: 2019-06-30