BALOO'S THOUGHTS

At USSSP we have been answering comments,questions and suggestions that scouters have sent to us. A suggestion that was made was to share with everyone what is on the minds of the readers of Baloo's Bugle. Hey, sounds good to me so here we go.

Some scouters have asked that I get Baloo's Bugle out earlier. Believe it or not, I get it out as quickly as I can in any given month. In the last six months though it has been more difficult. Six months ago, I finally went back to a paid job outside our home. I am simply shocked at the amount of time I am this "paid job thing" takes. I got a job at a newspaper the same month as the past theme, "Stop the Presses". Ironic, huh? In addition to this, we have two wonderful, very active teenagers. It seems, if we're not at an event with them, I am biding time at home waiting for our children to get off the computer here at home. They are on for "legit" reasons--homework. Homework rules around our house and sometimes Baloo has to be wait: (Although, I do a bit of squirming when it is the middle of any given month and I haven't gotten much done on it. We try our best to get it out before the end of the month preceding the upcoming RT; I just don't know how much earlier I can get it out though. Overall though it seems to be out in time for a majority of scouters.

Another issue that has come up is the problem some users have downloading Baloo's Bugle. Our Webmaster recently changed my home page to include downloads of Baloo's Bugle in both Word 8.0 (Really Word 6.0/7.0/8.0 mix of whatever we had) and Word 2.0 which should be readable in just about any WP program. There is always the PDF format for those who are still having problems.

Also, I have received quite a bit of email thanking me for putting out Baloo's Bugle over the years. That recognition means a lot to me and I thank you all for it. I am embarrassed to say that I am not sure if I deserve all this praise. After all, most of the information contained in the Bugle comes from powwow books. It is leaders like you, who put together those powwow books. All I do is compile the great information I find. So, it’s important to me to say

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT YOU GIVE TO ME!!!!

AND NOW

HELP!!!!!!

Early in March I went to the Cub Idea Factory in Covington, GA. I brought along a large green binder with nearly every issue of Baloo's Bugle for the last five years. There are copies of when I did just a Cub Scout Roundtable Blue Sheet. There are some really old issues in there that I don't have copies of here on our computer. This binder is very important to me. Actually I feel like it is a part of me and my own scouting history and growth. I left the binder in our meeting hall there. I am absolutely broken hearted over this. If you have it, or know who I can contact please email me at CMR1954@aol.com Or you can call the Greater Alabama Council Office, The Northern Service Area and leave a message for me, Chris Reisel. Their number is 256-883-7071.