Jake Carrigan: Chief Chris Flipse: Editor

Lodge Merger

It has been recently announced that our section will be the home of one less lodge. Delmont Lodge 43, as of March 1, has become a part of Unami Lodge 1.

As a result of this merger, Octoraro has been given the privilege of hosting the 1997 Section Conclave, a year earlier than had been originally planned. Planning for this conclave has already been begun. If you have interest in serving on a committee to help prepare the next conclave, talk to Chief Jake Carrigan.

70th Anniversary Fund-raiser

To celebrate our 70^th anniversary as a Lodge of the Order of the Arrow, a new fund-raiser will be initiated this year. Starting in March at our banquet, lodge members will have the option of purchasing any month in the past 70 years. This month will be used as your ticket for a raffle drawing that will be held several times in the next year. Months can be purchased for $10, and entire year can be purchased for the bargain rate of $100. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to help support the lodge, and to buy a part of our history.

Call-Outs?

If your troop has recently held an election, and has need of a call-out ceremony expertly done, then contact the Lodge's very own call-out team. Contact the call-out chairman, Neil Vaugn, at (610) 644-6776 at least two weeks prior to your meeting.

The Chief's Bonnet

Brothers,

I would first like to congratulate you all for enabling Octoraro 22 to continually serve for 70 years. This is a fine achievement for which we all should be proud. Secondly, those who participated in this years lodge Social are to be thanked for their roles in creating a successful activity. The trip to Blue Mountain Ski Area was filled with fun, fellowship, and falls; regardless, a good time was had by all.

Next, I urge you to play an active part in Octoraro's 70^th Anniversary. This year has much to offer every arrowman. With the passing of a successful banquet we will be ready to give cheerful service in both April and June. In addition the 1996 Conclave, to be held at Ressica Falls Scout Reservation, as well as the 1996 NOAC, to be held at Indiana University later this summer, will surely keep our spirits flying.

On another note, Octoraro has been asked to take responsibility for hosting the 1997 Conclave. We will be looking to all for help in making this event a great success.

Lastly, I would like to thank two of our brothers, Andy Smith and Tom Hillhouse, for creating what many are deeming "the OA website that is leading the way." Yes, in case you have not heard, Octoraro 22 is now on the World Wide Web. We again seem to be on the cutting edge of innovation amongst our fellow lodges.

Yours in Brotherhood

Jake Carrigan

NOAC, Conclave, and Octoraro

Attention all Brothers:

The NOAC and Section NE4B conclave are just around the corner, and spots are going quickly. If you want to go to the NOAC, it is $200 for youth members, and $230 for adult members. If you do not get your money in by May, a late fee of $25 is added to the cost. A fifty dollar deposit will reserve your space in this gathering of brothers from across the country, and is due to the Council Offices by February 15, 1996. This Year's NOAC will be held on the grounds of Indiana University, in Bloomington Indiana, from August 11-15, 1996. After May 1, delegate spots can be Nationally reserved on a first come, first served basis.

The NE4B Conclave for 1996 is scheduled to be hosted at Camp Ressica Falls, by Delmont 43, from June 7 to June 9. The cost is $20, and can be paid at the Council Office. You cannot hold your spot without payment, and spots are going fast, so get your payment in soon.

If you have any questions contact Clee or Kyle Brun at 347-2282. Be sure to get you money in for these two great events soon, and get your friends to go too!

Letter from the Advisor

My Brothers,

Welcome to Octoraro Lodge #22's 70^th Anniversary Banquet. It has been quite a year for our Lodge, which is due to the hard work of our Officers and Members. I salute you for a job well done.

This past year has also been a transition year for Octoraro. During last summer, I was asked to assume the responsibilities of your Lodge Advisor. For the past couple of years, I worked closely with Chris Morris to learn about the runnings of the Lodge. As I stepped in to the role of the Advisor, I had many well wishes from the Brotherhood. I accepted the position knowing full well of the excellent reputation that our lodge has. One that was built upon the fine leadership of Ernie Heegard and continued growth and respect from Chris Morris.

Being new in this position, I relied heavily on Jake Carrigan, our outstanding Chief, for getting me though many a meeting and weekend activities when I was required to act. Thank you Jake, for your valuable assistance.

Finally, as we look into the next year, we have many challenges to overcome. The biggest one will be as the Host Lodge for the NE4B Section Conclave in June 1997. Due to the merger of Delmont and Unami Lodges, we have been asked to move up in the rotation of Conclaves. I know that we in Octoraro can pull off one of the best Conclaves in the history of our Section, because I know that the entire Lodge will support this event to the fullest. We need your help.

In closing, I know that Octoraro Lodge #22 can continue its fine tradition of service to the Chester County Council as well as the Horseshoe Scout Reservation during the next year. I ask that we all work together to keep Octoraro the strong lodge that it has always been. If you have any suggestions for the betterment of the Lodge, I ask that you get involved in the Executive Committee. Thank you.

Yours in Brotherhood,

Bruce M. Goodman

Advisor

Octoraro 22 Makes "Electronic Connection"

Octoraro Lodge now has its very own site on the World Wide Web, the fastest growing section of the Internet. Users from around the world can access the Octoraro Homepage site at http://www.octoraro.org. Brothers Andy Smith and Jake Carrigan started this project in October, and already the site has had thousands of hits from all around the globe.

On the page currently is a letter to the Internet community from Chief Jake Carrigan; a page describing our lodge history with many historical photographs; and the beginnings of an online patch collection.

To view the page, users will need a SLIP or PPP connection to a service provider at a speed of 14.4 kb/s or faster. Netscape navigator is recommended for exploring the site. Other browsers, such as Mosaic, AOL, or Prodigy will work but performance will be suboptimal. Text based browsers, such as Lynx will work, but graphics will not be displayed.

Jake Carrigan can be reached via e-mail at chief@octoraro.org. Andy Smith may be reached at asmith@octoraro.org.

Officers Wanted!

The nominations committee is seeking qualified and interested candidates for the annual election of lodge officers in April. To qualify, one must be under 21 years of age, registered as a scout or explorer, and have his dues paid for the year. If you are interested, call Richard Bowley at (610) 459-3827, or Nick Constant at (610) 347-1738.

Upcoming Events

March 9: OA Banquet

April 13: Camp Cleanup Weekend, Executive Committee at Horseshoe

April 26-28: Ordeal Weekend

April 27: Executive Committee

May 31-June2: Ordeal Weekend

June 1: Executive Committee

June 7-9: NE4B Conclave

August 11- 15: NOAC