Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Camping with those that have some sort of food allergy is really no big deal provided you know that the offending food item triggers an allergic response.
For me it's mustard and mustard products and the solution is simple:
Don't bring anything into camp with that ingredient.

For others that might have issues with Ciliac's disease (an intolerance to foods that have gluten in them) here is a great tasting peanut butter cookie:

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg

Mix together. Bake on a greased cookie sheet for 10-12 minutes at 350 or until golden brown. Let cool and remove from cookies sheet.
Makes about 1 dozen cookies.
*You can add chocolate chips or M & M's to the dough if desired.

Other alternatives to gluten free items would be to substitute rice flour for wheat but be advised that rice flour is a little tricky to work with.

My cousing Anna has Ciliac's disease and she came up with this recipe and I am not one for "diet conscious" or "diet friendly" food items but this is one of the better tasting cookies I have ever eaten.
Give this recipe a try.

Once a Scout, Always a Scout

I am back in the scouting program once again and as the saying goes, "Once a Scout, always a Scout."
Truth be told, I never really left the program but took some time to shed a few roles as a volunteer.
I am now associated with Boy Scout Troop 1233 in Pulaski, WI, and am helping Scoutmaster Steve and his fine staff build a new scout unit.
The troop is fairly small in size but the Scouts are highly energetic and thrive on earning merit badges, honing their scout craft and camp craft skills to perfection.
The renewed interest in the program came while helping the scouts teach knot tying to the cub pack at a "round robin" training program which included some basic camp cooking demonstrations, fire building , pitching a tent, first aid and other useful "scouting" type information.
Not only were the Scouts excited by the program presented, so were the parents and the other adults attending the event.
...So now I am back and will be posting more stuff which I will hope will be enlightening and entertaining.
 Keith.

Goodbye

To those of you that have read my blog, I wish to thank you for the support and I do apologize for not posting more information on the site but it now is time for reflection on my scouting career...

• I received my Eagle in '76
• Served on 3 Cub Pack Committees and also served as Den Leaders, Assistant  and Cubmasters.
• Served on the District Committee and assisted on the Cub Scout Roundtables.
• Became Unit Commissioner and Assistant Dist. Commissioner and earned the Distinguished Commissioner's Key and Arrowhead.
• 1st to receive the International Scouter's knot in Bay-Lakes Council
• Served as Webelos to Scout Transitions Chair
• Received honorary Commissioner's Status in Queensland,  Victoria, and New South Wales Australia
• Worked with the Honorable Michael Baden Powell on raising funds to restore the Jam Roll and Eccles Caravan trailer.
• Helped scouts in Aruba secure a new container for storage of scout equipment after being destroyed by vandals..
• Worked with Israeli Scouts, scouts in the U.K and Africa
• Received the International Catholic Awareness Medal.
• Received the International Scouting Medallion
• Received the Baden Powell Award
• Served on the International Scout Committee for Bay-Lakes Council
• Serve as host on Scouting Radio
• Written numerous articles for The Examiner on Scouting
• Recipient of the Silver Beaver and District Award of Merit
• Member of the Speaker's Bank for the BSA
• Inducted into the National Scout Leader's Hall 
• Most importantly, met some wonderful scout friends who are still a large part of my family 
• there has been some other achievements that I have done for 300 Scouts and Scouters which I am not at liberty to state but those 300 know.

This post is not meant to toot my horn but to remind me that after 35 yrs. of Scouting, my path has finally come to that fork in the road where I must change direction and it is time for me to leave Scouting behind.
 I truly believe that "once a Scout, always a Scout" holds true and I will always be that Scout but without the politics.
So, I have very little regrets with my Scouting career and am confident that I can now walk away without hesitation.
Until we meet again,
 Keith

answer to riddle

all of the merchandisers once were advertised in the Boy Scout Handbook.

a Scouting Riddle

What do the following have in common?

• Johnson Reels/Rods
• Coca-Cola
• Delta Electric 
• Eastman Kodak
• Fisher Auto Body
• Schwinn
• Murray Bicycles
• Wilson Sporting Goods
• Spaulding Sporting Goods
• US Rubber Manufacturing
• Eveready Batteries
• Evenrude 
• Chapstick
• Wrigleys Chewing Gum
• American Seed Company
• Sea monkeys
• GRIT

So long Mr.Green

This was the longest work week of my life. Knowing that one of your co-workers will never be at work again is very difficult to face especially when that person was someone that everyone liked and looked forward to seeing day in and day out.
We received word from management that Mr. Green passed away on Monday and on Tuesday we got word that he didn't pass but was still alive.
On Wednesday word spread slowly through the grapevine that he passed away when he was taken of life support.
B. Green was the type of man that would help anyone at anytime, had the most upbeat attitude toward life and work-even when work seemed impossible to get through.
Now he is gone and going into work seems that much more difficult especially when he leaves a void within the warehouse as big as the Grand Canyon.
B. Green, cared for his co workers and he kept a photograph of my daughter's baby picture on his refrigerator for the past 11 yrs.
Always a smile and always some word of wisdom for everyone that took time to listen.
So long B.Green...and I hope you do "feel the love."

Troop 4247 show on Scouting Radio

Girl Scout Troop 4247 completed their first Internet radio show for Scouting Radio and the five girls reported on a range of topics from Juliet Gordon Lowe, girl scout badges, the history of the Girl Scout cookie sales (Including an original cookie recipe) and activities the troop as completed and what is looming on the near and distant horizon.
 The girls of 4247 were able to listen to the show streaming from the Scouting Radio studios from Dublin, Ireland while enjoying their St. Valentine's Day troop party.
Some of the girls were quite surprised to hear how their voices actually sounded and many were amazed by the show they were able to put together.
Samantha enjoyed reporting and doing the research while sister Tabatha enjoyed choosing music the accompanied the show.
Elizabeth, the troop's more reserved girl scout managed even speak on the show.
Anchoring the broadcast was Scout leader Jean and Jessica who gave a brief summary of what 4247 does.
When asked if the girls would create another show, there was a resounding "yes!" by the entire unit.
This week the unit will visit My Favorite Quilt Shop and create pillows for themselves.
Stay tuned as there might be another impromptu show coming.

I'm back!

I am happy to announce that I am coming back with new posts and will return to Scouting Radio for more shows now that I have finally finished the throat proceedures, although not completely 100%, and have a restored computer that actually has found fit to return to normal Internet operations.
Not being computer friendly, the desktop Gods have smiled and graciously allowed me to return to cyberspace.
For some strange reason, the computer shut down without out any known cause (known to me, that is), I call this the blue screen of death.
We took the thing in for a diagnostic check and the computer guru's couldn't find anything wrong- no worms, viruses, etc.
Everything behaved normally and we finally were able to power up and go, so here we are.
If only the medical doctors could work their magic on me.
At any rate, the first radio show that will air will be Girl Scout troop 4247, from Green Bay, and the scouts will provide the whole enchalada; a informative show about the 100 years or Girl Scouts of America.
Highlighting the show is one scout who has some issues that never really spoke to me but has come out of her shell to announce a couple of items on this show- a major break through and she is now more outgoing than ever before.
Topics will include the history of Girl Scouting and the cooking sale, Juliette Gordon Lowe, who loved to stand on her head at birthday parties, badges, some history on Troop 4247 and much more.
Amber will be coming back to the show to announce strange but true news stories that may or may not have a scouting background.
So stay tuned.
Thanks for waiting.
 Keith

Merry Christmas

Once again...that time is here.
The sound of sleigh  bells, carols, and Santa.
Too many "Happy Holidays or Seasons greetings!" and not enough "Merry Christmas-es!"
So to break the norm and to risk being politically incorrect...
"Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!"
Remember...HE  IS reason for the season.
So say it proudly...it doesn't hurt.
"Merry Christmas!"

'Tis the season for scouting

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, I thought that it would be nice to continue a tradition that I hold near to my heart and share it early.
What am I most thankful for?
I am thankful for God, my health, my family and my friends- not necessarily in that order (other than God is first and foremost).
In watching this year's 28th Annual Holiday Parade in Green Bay, I viewed several scouting units march in the parade and I was thinking about how great my scouting experiences have been and the wonderful friends, who now are part of my family.
I am thankful for my parents allowing me the honor in joining Cub Scouts so many years ago, back when we a part of Tall Pine District and the uniforms we wore still had Green Bay, Wisconsin in red and white arches on our right shoulder.
Thanking my Mother for everything she did to help me with my den projects and going with me to some special activities that I now know that she wasn't interested in being a part of.
My life has been filled with wonderful scouting moments as my Grandfather was one of the first Scoutmasters of then Troop 2 although not the SM while I was in the troop.
I am thankful for all of the Scout-o-Ramas that I participated in and sold tickets for to win that highly coveted pocket flashlight  that sold for $2.00 back in the day.
Yes, I still have it ....somewhere.
I am thankful for receiving my Eagle Scout medal at Camp Bear Paw in front of my fellow Scouts during Christmas week in  July.
I am thankful that my son and daughter have taken the interest in the scouting program and now my wife has become a leader in Girl Scouts as well as within the Boy Scout program.
I am thankful that I was able to visit Scouts in Australia and have met several wonderful Scouting friends in 35 other countries.
I am thankful for the opportunity to write this blog, compose articles for "The Examiner," and do a radio show for Scouting Radio.
I am thankful that I was able work with the Honorable Michael Baden Powell in raising funds to help save and restore the Jam Roll and Eccles Caravan trailer (Scouts, do you homework and look up the Jam Roll and Eccles Caravan trailer for its significance in Scout history).
I am thankful for my Scoutmaster Mr. Stubbs, who had the fore-sight to beat into our heads the merits of not having food or candy in our tents while in camp- something I had to learn the hard way and is now one of the most requested stories that I must regale to young Scouts when they ask.
I remember one Christmas receiving my Hillary framed backpack (yes, I still use it), my first mess kit and my tin first aid kit that was worn on the hip.
I am thankful that I ran across my first scout belt with all of the belt loop awards I earned in Boy Scouts while at Troop 2 and fondly remember Charles Yeager help me earn my first belt loop: Citizenship.

This holiday season, why not give boys another reason to be thankful?
Give them a Scout application and uniform for Christmas and watch them grow with memories that will last a lifetime?
Better yet, why not pick up an adult application for yourself and see what memories you will make to be thankful for?

Pack 4363 Webelos tackle winds for Naturalist activity pin

Several first and second year Webelos Scouts from Pack 4363, hiked the Cofrin Arboratum trail to learn and complete the requirements for their Naturalist Activity pin and complete some of the requirements for Leave No Trace awards.
Several Scouts helped pick up litter and trash left behind on the trail from previous hikers and learned how trash and things left behind from man can disrupt the balance of nature.

  There is an excellent photo on Facebook that Spirithood has posted showing how the plastic rings of a 6 pack can trap animals and cause physical damage or often times death.

Please remember to properly dispose of trash and litter so we all can enjoy Nature. The wildlife will thank you for it as well as those that follow you too.
In closing I am reminded of a poem that was posted on a sign at the Wisconsin Public Service campground in Sandstone, Wisconsin, which reads:

    Let it never be said

   and said to your shame;

 that all was well here until you came."

Remember Leave NO Trace!

Pack 4002 to present wierd science at open house

On September 20, 2011, Cub Scout Pack 4002, which meets at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Green Bay, will present "weird science" an exercise in learning about Bernoulli's Principle, the effects of removing calcium from various objects, and chemical reactions with household materials.
 Yours truly will reprise the weird science experiments,one last time, for the Pack's open house to help with the recruiting of potential Cub Scouts as well as new leaders.
 Past experiments have included sucking a hard boiled egg into a milk bottle to the Diet Coke and Mentos experiments.
  The open house begins at 6 pm at St. Paul's United Methodist Church at 341 Wilson Street in Green Bay.

Changes

Following the Scouting trail is similar to life's journey.

The expectations you have sometimes happen to your benefit and sometimes you have disappointments.

The trail is a winding one with many twists and turns and even forks that you have to decide which path to follow. In life the decisions ultimately lead to the end of the journey. In Scouting the path ultimately ends when you choose to stop.

My expectations in Scouting are to make a difference to Scouts and people that I meet along "the trail."

As a young  Scout, I never realized that I would one day achieve the rank of Eagle Scout nor did I ever expect to become a Den Leader, Cub Master, member of 2 pack committees, Unit Commissioner, Asst. District Commissioner, and serve on the District Committee as well as the International Committee for the Bay-Lakes Council.

The recent fork in the road came when I was approached to join the Committee of a new Scout troop and with great hesitation, I accepted to become the advancement chair (the reluctance was that I was unsure of being able to provide 100% commitment to the new unit's needs).

I am very excited to take on this new challenge and have now a renewed energy for the program and now come to know that the trail will be just as scenic and just as challenging for me as the other roles have been.

Thanks to Scoutmaster Shawn Cleary and Committee Chairman Bob Hawkins I have a new focus and a new direction for the program.

Hello Troop 1363.

Missing in action

To all of my readers of this blog, thanks for sticking with me and I do wish to apologize for not posting more on the web site but my computer puked out and we are awaiting special order parts for its eventual repair so posting has had to take a back seat as has doing any Scouting Radio shows.
There has been several changes that have happened this year and I am still recovering from many of those changes in my life.
I will be posting several more articles in the near future and thanks for sticking with me.
 Scouter Keith

Webelos Woods fades into history

Last year's Webelos Woods event, held at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, was the last one for Voyageur District after a successful second session.
Originally called Webelos Outdoor Activity Day, in 2008, the event hosted 48 Webelos Scouts, Leaders and parents and again in 2010, the event successfully saw 100 % of the Webelos Scouts wishing to move on into the Boy Scout program if given the chance.
The event ran activities ranging from working on Totin' Chit, Forester, Naturalist, Outdoorsman, Readyman activity pins to cooking demonstrations and packing for camp which gave the Scouts a taste of what the Boy Scout experience is about in a mock camp setting.
The highlight of the event was the dedication of 96 Webelos wishing to cross  into the Boy Scouts program immediately following the event if given the chance.
There were only 2 no shows at the event and that meant something when last year's event was held in the rain throughout the morning and much of the afternoon session.
Council Exec. Mark Logemann showed at lunchtime to present the Speaker's Bank award and spoke to the Scouts about the activities they were participating in.
The event also received benefit in allowing the event to happen on the park's grounds which showcased the park's commitment to preserving and educating visitors about wildlife habitats and how the staff rehabilitate wildlife that have been injured.
Special thanks to all that have attended the past events and a very special thanks to all those that staffed the event.

No more Commissioner Keith...just plain Scouter Keith

I have changed roles within Voyageur District here in the Bay-Lakes Council.
Having stepped down from the role as an Assistant District Commissioner and will probably continue my Scouting path as an alumni member.
I will still be doing the Scouting Radio show and will be writing articles on Scouting for The Examiner and in this blog.
For those of you close by, you will still probably see me helping out Ed Gerczak with his cooking programs and maybe with some of the training sessions.
Time will tell.
In the meantime, thanks for following me and I hope that you will still continue to do so.
               Keith

Mom and Son Weekend

Today is the conclusion of the Spring session of Mom and Son at Camp Bear Paw and although Friday night's rain soaked a few moms and sons who slept in tents, it did little to dampen the spirit of the event.
Saturday's programming began with a hearty breakfast in the camp's mess hall and scouts and their moms immediately went off to the activity sites where mothers could challenge their sons on the shooting sports range to testing their pioneering skills in rope making and traversing a monkey bridge.
Highlights also included a boat ride on Bear Paw Lake and sampling foods cooked by Ed Gerczak and his staff along the shoreline of the camp's lake.
The scouts' camping experience wouldn't be complete unless you stop at the camp trading post for those commemorative souvenirs as well as the obligatory slushee (flavor is your choice).
If you missed the opportunity to attend Mom and Son, don't worry as there is another session in the works this coming fall.
Watch for more details on the Bay-Lakes Council web site.

"C" is for Community

Life Scout Zach Porior is working on his Eagle Scout service project and he has chosen to write and publish a collection of stories and writings by other youth his age that have had to cope with cancer or had to deal with friends and relatives that have contracted this disease.



"For my Eagle Scout Project, I am creating an anthology to capture the stories of teens, like myself, caring for friend and family with cancer. Our stories are about coping, caring and building a community of support. Together we can help others discover that "C" is not for Cancer, it is for Community." said Zach. "Teens ages 12-18 can get involved in the project by submitting their own stories."



Zach is accepting original, non-fiction prose and poetry for his anthology and the extimated date for publication is slated for December, 2011. Copies of the anthology will be donated to the American Cancer Society and to the Oshkosh schools and hospitals.



In an interview with Zach, I had asked why do a project of this nature and Zach gave me the following story:



"Although I am only 15, I have already had many experiences with cancer. My first experience was my grandma's diagnosis of breast cancer five years ago. This alone was more than I needed at age 10, but it didn't stop there. Within the past year my 7th grade health teacher, 8th grade literacy teacher, grandpa, and most recently, my friend Connor were all diagnosed with various types of cancer. This was when I realized that cancer could affect anyone, at anytime. These are the reasons why I decided that something needed to be done to help people like me cope with cancer. So, I created this project."



There are countless stories like Zach's and even I have had relatives that lost their lives to the deadly disease so this project particularly hits close to home.



About Zach:



Zach currently attends Oshkosh West High School and his an honors student.

He is the web master for the school's band web site and is a member of the tennis team.

He is currently the Senior Patrol Leader and has held several leadership positions including serving on staff for NYLT training (National Youth Leadership Training).

Zach plans to go on to college and pursue something in the field of science.

Mom Vicki Porier said, "Zach is currently holding a 4.0 gpa and also has served as the alter server, until he aged out and now runs the technology department for his church and is very active in school and within the scouting program."

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"Scouts is a pleasure more than a task." she added.


Anyone that is between the ages of 12-18 is asked to help with this project by submitting their writings to Zach at:

http://sites.google.com/site/cisforcommunity/home



Submission Requirements:

Piece must be an original piece of non-fiction prose or poetry about your personal experience with cancer.


The piece cannot already be published or submitted for publication elsewhere.


Entries need to be typed with Arial, 12pt font with standard margins, and not exceed 2500 words.


All entries will be considered for publication and will not be returned, so keep a copy.


Entries need a title with name and age of author. If you do not wish to have your name and/or age published please indicate clearly on your piece.\


All entries must be submitted by June 30, 2011.


Must be 12-18 to submit


In order to respect the privacy of anyone about whom you are writing, please refrain from using real names. If you insist on using someone's real name, however, you must submit the individual's mailing address, email address, and phone number. I will not publish any piece that includes an individual's real name without his or her written consent..


Complete and submit the Statement of Originality and Consent

Thank you

This coming Tuesday is the Council awards dinner and I would like to take this time to thank all of the scouting brothers and sisters that have made a significant impact upon my life as well as my Scouting career.
None of this could have happened without you being in my life.
In 1976, I would have never guessed that I would be receiving my Eagle and I would have never thought that I would have a blog post, talk and present ideas on Scouting Radio, meet Scouts and Scouters all over the world or write articles on Scouting for The Examiner.
I would like to thank God for the gifts you have given me.
Lord Baden Powell for the opportunity to be a part of the Scouting movement for without you; there would be no scouting movement.
I especially wish to thank those of you. and you know who you are, for pushing me to continue to work on a Webelos outdoors event and helping to make Webelos Woods 2010 a success!
Special thanks to all of the Aussie Scouters that I have met and treasure as friends and family.
Thank you Justin and Simon for the opportunities you have also given me.
Thank you Camp Bear Paw and former director Joe Baye for allowing me to receive my Eagle at camp when my troop folded before I could have a court of honor.
I am sure glad that the medal wasn't mailed to me and that it was you Joe that forced me to have the presentation there.
There are several people within Bay-Lakes Council that have made an impact on my life and I cannot mention you all by name for fear that I might leave someone out of the list and that list would go on and on.
Thanks to Shawn for allowing me to talk with Cliff Jacobson on your podcast and thanks Cliff Jacobson for allowing me to ask some "bee poking questions."
Thank you Colin Walker for your contributions to Scouting and the information and advice you have given me on and off the air.
Special thanks to the Honorable Michael Baden Powell for allowing me the opportunity to help raise funds for the Jam Roll.
Thank you Neil Walker and Jim Fournier for allowing me to broadcast live at Bear Paw to showcase summer camp and the Maple Syrup Weekend events. 32 countries now know about Camp Bear Paw.
Thank you Tarek y Azziz and everyone connected with Scout Friends Internationale, Scouting 4 Peace, and the Tzofim.
Thanks to John Nelson and the Wateringbury Scout group for coming to Wisconsin and allowing me to goof off with you at camp!
And last, but not least, I would like to thank my family for their support.

Remember when

The other night, I caught the tail end of our District's round table meeting and one of the Scouters brought up the old Patrol trek carts that scouts used many years ago to haul their camp equipment when the boys hiked to camp.
This was back in the day when most scout troops could walk out the back door of their meeting place and hike to wherever it was they wanted to camp.
Those days are gone but the trek carts seem to be coming back into popularity...at least with the old timers.
Samoset Council has a one day event where scouts build a covered wagon to pull around from site to site and these wagons contained everything the patrol would need to complete various activities throughout the day.
Remember those carts?

I remember the copper Bobcat pins we received for our first award in Cub Scouts and I remember when you were hoisted upside down and the badge was pinned upon you and you were not allowed to right the pin until you did a good deed.

I remember the old red and black patrol patches made from flannel or felt material.

I remember going to the old White Store in Green Bay to get my scouting uniform and how the store used pneumatic tubes to make change when purchases were made.

I remember when the office positions Scouts held within the troop were patches with the bars upon them and no text embroidered upon them indicating what the position was.

I remember when Scouts received patches with either 1 or 2 white stars on a light blue background and the old recruiter patch.

I remember the old Scout-o-Ramas which were held at the Arena.

I remember when the belt loop awards were a part of the Boy Scout program and not for the Cubs.

I remember my first encounter with a wild animal....do you?