(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…

(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…

(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…

(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…

(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…

(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…

(Originally posted to social media on July 18 & 19, 2023) Years ago a man named Jim Maher came out to camp and he began to tape the stories I was telling each week at Camp. Those stories were eventually put into a VHS format and we offered them for sale in the trading post….

(Originally posted to social media on August 12, 2023) I remember many years ago when I was the Nature Director at Powhatan. There were a lot of nights when I could not sleep, I drank a lot of coffee in those days. So I would get dressed and simply start walking the camp in the…

(Originally posted to social media on September 3, 2023) When I was just getting started in the boy scouts I was a little bit of a loner. I did not sit around the campfire poking the other kids with flaming sticks. I would normally go off and find my own entertainment. I recall that the…

(Originally posted to social media on December 10, 2023) Billy Parrish sent me a message to let me know that Tony Smith died last week. I had not heard or seen anything about that passing. However I cannot let that death pass without comment. Tony Smith was one of the most impressive scouters that I…