These clips were digitized from the WSLS-TV News archives and preserved by the University of Virginia Special Collections Library. They are posted online for non-commercial use. They offer rare, unseen footage of the Roanoke scouts in the field, in meetings, holding camporees, and preparing for jamborees. Most clips include the news anchor’s notes, and any pertinent voice-over script.
Area Boy Scouts Observe 51st Scouting Anniversary
February 10, 1961
(ROLL FILM) Area Boy Scouts participated in a parade at Salem today commemorating the 51st Anniversary of Scouting. (TAKE FILM) about 15 units from the Blue Ridge Council were in the line of March. Music was furnished by the Andrew Lewis High School Band. Following the parade, the soucts marched to the Longwood Community Center where they received lectures on how to prevent forest fires, how to build camp fires and other camping information. (LIVE ON)
Two Boys, Lost On the Appalachian Trail Near Cove Mountain, Spent a Cold, Windy, Hungry Night Huddled In a Ditch
February 27, 1961
Making good use of their training, two Roanoke Boy Scouts survived Saturday night’s blustry weather in a mountainside ditch. The two, 11-year-old Tommy Hanes and 12-year-old Dennis Donnelly, were found yesterday by a search party. They had been participating in a regular monthly hike by their troop. The boys bacame lost when they forged ahead of the rest of the troop and missed a tree marker. They were following the Appalachian Trail in the Cove Mountain area in the Northwest section of Roanoke County. Hanes and Donnelly spent the night in a ditch with one blanket between them.
52nd Anniversary of Scouting Celebrated At Hotel Roanoke
February 7, 1962
The spirit of service to American boyhood prevailed in Hotel Roanoke tonight (START FILM)… as Blue Ridge Council, Boy Scouts of America, celebrated the 52nd anniversary of Scouting (SHOW FILM)… After a Tenderfoot Scout – Broaddus Fitzpatrick, son of Municipal Judge and Mrs. Beverly Fitzpatrick – had spoken on “What Scouting Means to Me,” Fred A. Sirkel (ZIRKLE) of the Council’s executive board introduced the evening’s guest speaker. This was Harry A. Stool-Drayer, now of the executive board of the Allegheny Council Boy Scouts, but best known as one of the Notre Dame’s foot ball team’s “Four Horsemen of 1924.” Stool-drayer compared Boy Scouting to football. He said they have similar merits because they teach the value of hard work, unselfish cooperation, team work and loyalty. Six Roanoke area Scouting leaders were presented with Silver Beavers and citations for their outstanding work. Their wives received white orchids. The six, in the order in which the presentations were made, were: A. F. Jones, of Salem; Doctor Moffett Bowman of Roanoke; D. B. Haynel, of Martinsville; Doctor Henry Sackett Mosby, of Blacksburg; James O. Nichols, of Galax, and Alfred W. Ferguson, of Martinsville.
Blue Ridge Council of Boy Scouts of America District Commissioners Meet to Plan the 1962 Scouting Exposition
March 17, 1962
(START FILM) Plans for the 1962 Scouting exposition to be held Saturday, May 5th, in Victory Stadium, were made TONIGHT at Scouter meetings of Blue Ridge Council, Boy Scouts of America. The meetings took place in the Marine Reserve Training Center. The Ticket Sales chairman – Dave Barry – explained procedures to be used in selling tickets for the exposition, which will be known as “See ‘n’ Do, ’62.” He pointed out that dozens of different Scout hobbies and types of handicraft will be on display at the annual event. The Council Commissioner – James H. Moore – presided at a meeting of District Commissioners from the Blue Ridge Council’s ten districts. All the Commissioners pledged to do their utmost to make the forthcoming event the greatest success in the Council’s history.
Roanoke Girl Scout Expo
March 24, 1962
Blue Ridge Council of Boy Scouts Launches Its Ticket Sale Campaign for the See ‘n’ Do Scouting Exposition
March 29, 1962
(START FILM) The Blue Ridge Council of Boy Scouts launched its ticket sale campaign tonight for the See ‘n’ Do Scouting exposition. (SHOW FILM) Tonight’s meeting was in St. John’s Episcopal Church. See ‘n’ Do will take place May 5th at Victory Stadium. Roanoke’s Mayor Willis Anderson bought the first ticket, and Council President Don L. Jordan spoke briefly. Others who took part in the discussion of how the campaign should be conducted were Scout Executive Jim Moyer; Doctor Moffatt Bowman; District Scout Executive Lyman Karr; District Show Chairman Fred A. Sirkel, and District Commissioner William J. Boone. John F. Jolly is the district ticket chairman. A troop of Scouts gave an example of the type of demonstration that will be PRESENTED to the public when the camporee is held.
Blue Ridge Council “See and Do” At Victory Stadium Features Friendship 7 Spacecraft
May 4, 1962
Link:
https://curio.lib.virginia.edu/view/uva-lib:2278236
(ROLL FILM) All is in readiness for the Blue Ridge Council See and Do exposition at Victory Stadium tomorrow. (TAKE FILM) One exhibit that is sure to draw more than its share of attention is an elaborate Project Mercuty exhibit featuring a duplicate of Friendship seven, the spacecraft used by Astronaut John H. Glenn. Included in the exhibit are photographs showing the launching and drawings indicating how the capsule was handled in space and on the return to earth. Scouts from 14 Virginia Counties will participate in the big show. The major events in the exhibition are scheduled between two and eight p.m. WSLS TV will present a remote program from the Stadium at noon. (LIVE ON)
Tents and Exhibitions Take Over Victory Stadium for Annual See N’ Do
May 5, 1962
Link:
https://curio.lib.virginia.edu/view/uva-lib:2278240
(roll film) Displays and demonstrations showing the old and the new in scouting highlighted (take film) See ‘n Do, ’62 at Victory Stadium. Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Council, Boy Scouts of America, the event included the traditional in scouting, the pitching of tents, and camping techniques.. Also included were displays about motorboating, the newest scout merit badge category.. Cubs, Scouts and Explorers from 14 counties had booth demonstrations or performances in the event, under the chairmanship of William J. Powers. All aspects of scouting were covered, from the days of the ’49ers up to the present day, with a model of Friendship 7, Astronaut John Glenn’s space vehicle.. Another, more unusual vehicle also was included. See ‘n Do, ’62 was televised live over Channel 10 today… Other attractions included a jazz combo, a marching band and fashion shows… (bakc)
Near Disaster for Explorer Troop 999 As Canoe Trip Ends In Mass Capsizing and Rescue. 1962.
June 14, 1962
Not since Tom Sawyer- and companions- rafted down the Mighty Mississippi, (ROLL FILM) has a group of youngsters had the experience of 11-Explorer Scouts and their 2-adult leaders. (SHOW FILM) The scouts—split into groups of 6-and-7, and manning 7-canoes, set out from Hopewell on a trip down the Staunton River. Before their exploration of the rain-swollen, rapidly coursing river was completed they had either capsized or shipped enough water to make the boats untenable. No one was injured in the mass capsizing near Long Island, but the boys and their leaders were either swimming ashore or clinging to rocks in the river. The members of Explorer Troop 999 were rescued by members of the Altavista Life Saving Crew, after many of them spent nearly 10-hours in drenching clothing. Following the rescue, a Coordinating Council and Brookneal citizens prepared a hearty meal for the lads who awaited their parents—and a drier trip home- by automobile.
Scout Leaders of Blue Ridge Council Participate In Seminar At Camp Powhatan
September 30, 1962
(ROLL FILM) Some 200 scout leaders in the Blue Rdge Council spent today in a scouting seminar at Camp Powhatan. (TAKE FILM) Called a Scouters Showando, leaders received instruction and practice in twenty basic scout skills. The scouters saw demonstrations of such activites as wood chopping, starting a fire with flint and steel, proper packing of camp gear and compass reading. WSLS TV’s Dick Burton served as Master of Ceremonies for the Campfire which climaxed the showando. The Blue Ridge Council includes 14 countys in Southest Virginia extending from Bedford to Smyth County. (LIVE ON)
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale Speaks At the Annual Recognition Dinner of the Blue Ridge Council of the Boy Scouts of America
March 13, 1963
(ROLL FILM) Dr. Norman Vincent Peale tonight praised the Boy Scouts of America as a wonderful institution. (SHOW FILM) The occasion was the Annual Recognition Dinner of the Blue Ridge Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Dr. Peale told a large group of scouting leaders that the Scout program makes men out of boys, and that this country needs to carry us through the uncertain future. T.T. Moore, Vice-President of Shenandoah Insurance Co., presented silver beaver awards to seven outstanding scout volunteers. They are: William S. Kelly, ofPUlaski; Nathan Potolsky of Galax; Reverend J.E.Stockman of St. Marks Lutheran Church in Roanoke; Frank D. Fulton of Martinsville; Dr. Frank B. Wolf ofRocky Mount; W. Earl Overstreet of Cambria; and Nowood C. Middleton the managing editor of the Roanoke Times. The dinner was held at Hotel Roanoke.
Lieutenant General Lewis B. Hershey Addresses Boy Scouts of America Executives
October 10, 1963
(ROLL FILM) Lieutenant General Lewis B. Hershey addressed a dinner meeting of the Region III Boy Schouts of America (TAKE FILM) Executives. General Hershey is President of the National Captitol area Council of Boy Scouts. The General had one central message to bring to those gathered at the meeting. In essance the General says no matter what problems we face in modern day society, if we neglect the needs and development of the youth who will be the leaders of tomorrow, society will end up in pretty bad shape. The Annual Business meeting of Region three will get underway tomorrow. (LIVE ON)
WSLS-TV Roanoke Scouting News Clips: Part One