Welcome to the Blue Ridge Scouting History Blog, celebrating stories from the Roanoke Area Council, Piedmont Area Council, and Blue Ridge Mountains Council, BSA. You’ll find here a good assortment of narratives, photos and artifacts from over the years, going back to our first council’s origins in 1915. This project has had many versions over the past 25 years, and has grown into a robust archive of stories, images, newspaper articles and other source documents. If you wish to contribute any of the above, please contact the editor by using our Contact Form. In the name of preservation, we appreciate your help!
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Hankins Tales: Recalling Tutelo’s First Years
(Originally posted to social media on February 6, 2023) My old friend Steve Warren is trying to assemble some memories in regard to the formation of the Tutelo Lodge at Camp Powhatan. There are not a lot of us left kicking who have strong memories of those days so it is probably a great idea…
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Hankins Tales: Remembering Roy Page
(Originally posted to social media on February 11, 2023) February 11, 2023 A number of people contacted me through messenger yesterday to let me know that Roy Page had died. I appreciate so many folks reaching out and I wanted to comment but I also wanted to give it some considered thought first. I had…
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Hankins Tales: Notes from 2023 Conclave at Camp Powhatan
(Originally posted to social media on April 20 – 30, 2023) April 20, 2023 I am still on the program to tell a story at the OA Conclave in just a few days. But the campfire program leadership has shifted me from the end of the program to the beginning. I am even before the…
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Hankins Tales: “It’s only a powder charge…”
(Originally posted to social media on May 1, 2023) I remember way back in 1981, it was my first season as the new Ranger at Brady Saunders. I was invited to tell stories at the opening and the closing campfire each week. I had rebuilt the campfire ring down at the old lake. It overlooked…
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Hankins Tales: Remembering Larry Adkins
(Originally posted to social media on May 5, 2023) I am shocked to hear about the death of Larry Adkins. Larry and I have been friends for more than 50 years. However we have lost track in the last 5 or so. I understand he has had some serious health issues. I fully expected to…
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Hankins Tales: Video of OA Conclave Stories told at Camp Powhatan, April 2023
(Originally posted to social media on May 10, 2023) There are two recordings of Hankins at the 2023 Conclave at Camp Powhatan. The first video is by Marshall Cheney, and was shot from an angle mid-way up the amphitheater. This second version was shot by members of the Tutelo History Crew, (cameras: Stephen Warren and…
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Hankins Tales: Recalling the Quiet Weekends at Camp Powhatan
(Originally posted to social media on May 17, 2023) By 1969, I was into my second year on Staff at Camp Powhatan. I remember that was the summer I became an Eagle Scout. It was the same night that they landed on the moon. We were able to watch some of that grainy footage up…
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Hankins Tales: Remembering Phil Scarborough
(Originally posted to social media on July 5, 2023) It is not my job to eulogize the world, but when someone dies that was once a close friend I am going to note that passing. The death of Phil Scarborough comes out of left field today to send me back a lot of years. Phil…