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INDEX TO ACTIVITIES July
23 July
4 June
17 June
3 and 4 May
29 May
21 May
13 May
6 April
29 April
24 April
18 April
8 April
1 March
27 March
25 March
18 March
4 February
27 February
26 February
19 January
29 January
24 January
15 January
8 December
20 December
11 December
4 November
29 November
27 November
20 October
30 October
25 October
23 October
16 October
9 October
2 September
27 September
25 |
Activities 1999-2000Sunday, July 23, 2000
Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Bobby Fuller, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Fuller, and Mrs. Marcheterre. Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Gregory Marcheterre and Trevor Perry. The boys met at Mr. Perry's house at 8:15 a.m. Following recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance, the Cub Scout Promise, and the Law of the Pack, the Cubs left for Boston, where we took the Fort Independence across Boston Harbor to Georges Island, home of Fort Warren. The fort was named after Dr. Joseph Warren, an early leader of the American Revolution, who was killed in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Fort Warren was an important Civil War outpost -- Union soldiers trained there, and some Confederate soldiers were imprisoned there as well. We were on hand for the second day of the annual Civil War Encampment. The highlight was a mock (but very realistic) battle between Union and Confederate troops held just outside the fort. The boys also toured the fort and the surrounding area, following some very narrow -- and dark! -- passageways. Den 4 returned to Boston aboard the Fort Independence, and returned to Mr. Perry's house at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, July 2, 2000Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Bobby Fuller, Tim Kennedy, and Troy Perry. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Trevor Perry. Den 4 took part in the Danvers Millennium Parade. The boys met at Mr. Kennedy's house at 12:30 p.m. and walked to Plains Park, the starting point of the parade. The march got under way at about 2 p.m. The one-and-a-half-mile route went by Town Hall, through the center of Danvers, and along Routes 35 and 62, ending at Conant Street. Den 4 was the only scout group in the entire parade. Numerous military and marching bands took part. Spectators said it was one of the most impressive parades they've seen in Danvers. The day was hot and humid. Mrs. Perry and Mrs. Fuller met us several times along the route with drinks. We returned to Mr. Kennedy's house at about 4 p.m., where Mrs. Kennedy served drinks and ice cream. Saturday, June 17, 2000Cubs attending: Stephen Cwiok, Bobby Fuller, Tim Kennedy, Garrison Marcheterre, and Troy Perry. Adults attending: Mr. Perry, Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Fuller. Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Trevor Perry. On a very hot and humid day, Den 4 visited the USS Constitution -- "Old Ironsides," one of the first ships to serve in the United States Navy. The Constitution was one of several frigates authorized by Congress to do battle with the Barbary pirates in North Africa, who preyed on American trade ships and were holding Americans hostage. After successfully completing that mission, the Constitution served with distinction in the War of 1812, earning its "Old Ironsides" appellation because British cannonballs bounced harmlessly off its thick oak sides. From 1844 to 1851, the Constitution circumnavigated the globe under the leadership of Captain John "Mad Jack" Percival. The boys met at Mr. Perry's house at 1:30 p.m. They welcomed new den member Bobby Fuller and said the Pledge of Allegiance before leaving for Boston. Following the tour of the Constitution, the Cubs visited the Constitution Museum, where they learned more about the history of "Old Ironsides." By the time they were ready to leave, the hot weather had broken, and the boys ran back to Mr. Perry's van in a torrential downpour. The Cubs arrived at Mr. Perry's at about 5 p.m., where they recited the Cub Scout Promise before leaving for home. Saturday, June 3, and Sunday, June 4, 2000Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Stephen Cwiok, Michael Decoulos, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Gregory Marcheterre, Trevor Perry, and parents. Pack 114 held a two-day campout on Winter Island, in Salem. Under the direction of Mrs. Skomurski and Mrs. Johnson, the pack's end-of-the-year event featured a scavenger hunt, an orienteering event, fishing, and a sandcastle-building contest, complete with trophies for every family. The boys enjoyed an outstanding meal of hamburgers, hot dogs, steak tips, chicken, baked potato, salad, and cupcakes, not to mention an unusual assortment of self-cooking, military-style "meals ready to eat" (MREs). During the evening ceremonies, boys who had earned awards were honored. From Den 4, Tim Kennedy earned his Bear badge. All the den members -- Max Carbone, Stephen Cwiok, Michael Decoulos, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers -- were cited for earning their Whittlin' Chip knifecraft cards and/or for taking part in hikes and activities during the year. Following a campout under a starlit sky, the pack was treated Sunday morning to donuts, coffee, and juice. After that, it was time to pack up and go home following a memorable weekend. Monday, May 29, 2000Cubs attending: Stephen Cwiok, Michael Decoulos, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, and Troy Perry. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Den Chief Ricky Sargent and Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Cameron MacLeod and Trevor Perry. Den 4 and others from Pack 114 marched in the annual Memorial Day Parade, honoring those who were killed in service to their country. The boys did an excellent job of showing up in full uniform and marching in formation. Good work! Sunday, May 21, 2000Cubs attending: Stephen Cwiok, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, and Troy Perry. Adults attending: Mr. Perry, Mr. Kennedy, Mrs. Perry, and Mr. Cwiok. Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Cameron MacLeod and Trevor Perry. Pack 114 took part in the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Fifth Annual Great Walk. The Danvers contingent was organized by Nick's Network of Friends, named for Nick Larkin, a Cub Scout in Pack 114 who has muscular dystrophy. Nick's Network gathered at 8 a.m. at St. Richard's Church. Den 4 boarded one of five school buses for the Hatch Shell, in Boston, where the three-and-a-half-mile walk began and ended. Carrying the American, pack, and den flags, the boys walked, in full uniform, from the Hatch Shell, to the Harvard Bridge, along Memorial Drive to the Museum of Science, and back to the Hatch Shell. We returned to St. Richard's at about 1:30 p.m. for a fantastic meal donated by several Danvers businesses. Mrs. Larkin announced that Nick's Network of Friends raised about $17,500 for this year's Great Walk, double the amount that was raised last year. Congratulations, boys! This was an excellent event that Den 4 will definitely take part in during the two more years that we are together. Saturday, May 13, 2000Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, and Troy Perry. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Den Chief Ricky Sargent and Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Cameron MacLeod and Trevor Perry. Den 4 hiked the Spirit of '76 Trail, a two-mile loop through the Old Town section of Marblehead that includes many historic sites. After meeting at Mr. Perry's house at 1 p.m., the boys traveled to Marblehead, beginning their hike at about 2 p.m. at Abbot Hall, where the painting of "The Spirit of '76" is located. Unfortunately, the building was closed. Just down the street, though, the King Hooper Mansion was open, and the Cubs were treated to a guided tour through the 1728 building. "King" Hooper was a rich merchant who had a reputation for kindness and honesty. Although legend has it that he engaged in the slave trade and kept slaves at his home, the tour guide corrected the record, explaining that Hooper had nothing to do with slaves. Other highlights of the trail included Crocker Park, which offers a stunning view of Marblehead Harbor; the home of General John Glover, founder of the US Marines, who -- with a band of Marblehead fishermen -- transported George Washington, all 9,000 of his men, field artillery, cattle, horses, and carts from Long Island to New York on December 25, 1776 (and also, famously, carried Washington across the Delaware River); Fort Sewall, a 1742 structure built to defend the harbor against French warships and pirates; and the Old Burial Hill, the resting place of more than 600 Revolutionary War soldiers. The Cubs returned to Mr. Perry's house shortly before 5 p.m. Saturday, May 6, 2000Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Stephen Cwiok, Mike Decoulos, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, and Troy Perry. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Den Chief Ricky Sargent and Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Following up on the heels of our visit to the FBI on April 18, Den 4 took a tour of the Danvers Police Station. The boys met at Mr. Perry's house at 1:30 p.m., and we arrived at the police station at 2. The tour was led by Patrolman Joyce, who is the father of Den 4 Cub Scout Michael Joyce. Mr. Joyce began by showing the boys his specially equipped police cruiser. Among the features: a laptop computer so that the officer can get a complete rundown of any vehicle or any person he has to stop, including information on whether the vehicle was stolen, prior arrests, and outstanding warrants; a well-stocked first-aid kit, complete with oxygen tank; a flotation device for rescuing someone who has fallen into the water; and a locked and secured shotgun. The Cubs also got a close-up look at the station's five jail cells and one special cell for women or teenagers under the age of 14. The regular cells are tiny, with a metal cot, metal toilet, and metal bars covered by plexiglass. The special cell is slightly larger and does not have any bars. Neither is a place anyone would want to be. Mr. Joyce explained that a person could be held for as long as two and a half days: if he's arrested on Friday night, he'll be held until Monday morning, when he'll be arraigned in district court. The boys were fingerprinted as part of their Bear requirements -- an activity that had to be interrupted and resumed later when an actual prisoner was brought to the station. Mr. Joyce also fielded numerous questions about how the police do their job, and showed the boys police patches from around the world and historical photographs of the Danvers Police Department going back to the early 1900s. For more information on the Danvers Police Department, visit its Web site at www.danverspolice.com. The Cubs thanked Mr. Joyce for an excellent tour and returned to Mr. Perry's house at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 29, 2000Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Brian Craig, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, and Troy Perry. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Den Chief Ricky Sargent and Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. After meeting at Mr. Perry's house at 3:30 p.m., Den 4 traveled to the Putnamville Reservoir, in North Danvers, for a hike. Following the heavy spring rains, the water in the reservoir was at a high level, which was a good sign after last summer's drought. However, with the high water level came a high tick level. As we did a month earlier when we hiked Bradley Palmer State Park, we tucked our pants inside our socks and learned how to inspect for ticks. The boys also helped Konrad Perry with his Boy Scout requirements, assisting in his search for an ideal campground and 10 signs of wildlife. The Cubs returned to Mr. Perry's house at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 24, 2000Cubs attending: Stephen Cwiok, Tim Kennedy, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Pack 114 held its monthly meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Thorpe School. Cubmaster Scott James announced details of the upcoming "Nick's Network of Friends" walk to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the packwide campout to be held at Winter Island, in Salem. Tuesday, April 18, 2000100 percent attendance! Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Brian Craig, Stephen Cwiok, Mike Decoulos, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry, Mr. Kennedy, and Mrs. Perry. Den Chief Ricky Sargent and Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Trevor Perry. Den 4 undertook one of its coolest activities of the year: a tour of the Boston office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The boys met at Mr. Perry's house at 9 a.m., and headed into Boston at 9:30. At about 10:30, the boys arrived at One Center Plaza, across from Boston City Hall, where they were met by Special Agent Powers, who is in charge of counterterrorism for the Boston FBI, and who is the father of Den 4 Cub Scout Brian Powers. Mr. Powers taught the Cubs about the FBI's mission. The FBI is an elite federal police force that is called into action only to help solve major interstate and international crimes. For instance, Mr. Powers explained that FBI agents cannot arrest drivers who are speeding, since that is the job of local and state police officers. There are only 11,000 FBI agents in the United States. By contrast, the New York City Police Department has 33,000 officers. The FBI's 10 Most Wanted List comprises some of the most dangerous criminals in the country, and even in the world. Number one: Osama bin Laden, a Middle East terrorist who is suspected of masterminding attacks against American diplomatic personnel abroad. The FBI has posted a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest or capture of bin Laden. (For more information on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List, visit the agency's Web site at www.fbi.gov.) Mr. Powers explained that an FBI agent's most important tool is not his gun or the agency's computer system but, rather, his brain. Agents spend much of their time reading, thinking, and analyzing. However, because of the dangerous nature of their work, agents do carry weapons. The Cubs toured the agency's weapons locker, where each boy had a chance to pose with a Thompson submachine gun, more popularly known as a Tommy gun. Under the tutelage of Special Agent Devlin, the Cubs also attended a demonstration of FBI body armor and protective gear, and took part in a training exercise in which they confronted an armed bank robber in a life-size video. Most of the boys turned out to be excellent shots, if a bit quick on the trigger. The den also visited the agency's Communications Center and, later, had their mugshots taken. Mr. Powers led an outstanding and informative tour. He posed with the den for group photos at the end of the tour, and handed each Cub a packet of information on the FBI. The boys were also given an opportunity to buy FBI souvenirs. We thank him for a job well done, and hope to return as first-year Webelos sometime next year. We stopped at McDonald's on the way home and were back at Mr. Perry's by about 4 p.m. Saturday, April 8, 2000Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Stephen Cwiok, Mike Decoulos, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Cameron MacLeod and Trevor Perry. Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy gave a lesson in knifecraft. The boys learned how to handle a pocketknife safely, how to sharpen it, and how to use it for a simple whittling project. Each Cub carved a figure out of a bar of soap. Those attending qualified for the Whittlin' Chip card, which is a requirement for the Bear award. Mike Decoulos was chosen as the new denner for Den 4, and Max Carbone was chosen as the assistant denner. The designations were made on the basis of their being in full uniform and on their knowledge of American history. Saturday, April 1, 2000Cubs attending: Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, and Troy Perry. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Den Chief Ricky Sargent and Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Packs 114 and 16 held their annual crossover ceremony for second-year Webelos scouts at the Danvers Fish and Game Club. Mr. Perry, Mr. Stanley, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Bowers, Mr. Nastuk, and Mr. Kennedy performed in the Arrow of Light Ceremony, a Native American-derived evening of fire and storytelling that culminates in the boys' literally "crossing over," by canoe, from an island to the shore, where they are welcomed into Boy Scouts. Den 4 members were encouraged to attend so they could see a ceremony that they will take part in two years from now. After the ceremony, the second-year Webelos joined the Boy Scouts for an overnight campout. Ricky Sargent was among the Boy Scouts who was initiated into the Order of the Arrow. Congratulations, Ricky! Monday, March 27, 2000Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Mike Decoulos, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Den Chief Ricky Sargent helped. Pack 114 held its monthly meeting at the Thorpe School. The pack gathered at 6:30, with opening ceremonies conducted by the second-year Webelos, who will be crossing over to Boy Scouts on Saturday, April 1, in ceremonies at the Danvers Fish and Game Club. Mr. Perry awarded Mike Decoulos a patch for passing his uniform inspection. Cubmaster Scott James presented awards to boys who had met requirements since the previous meeting. The Cubs also participated in balloon relay races. The meeting ended at 8 p.m. with the second-year Webelos leading the pack in a Cub Scout Circle. Saturday, March 25, 2000Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Brian Craig, Stephen Cwiok, Mike Decoulos, Michael Joyce, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Den Chief Ricky Sargent and Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Trevor Perry. Den 4 met at Mr. Perry's house at 12:30 p.m. Mr. Perry presented Max Carbone with a patch for passing his uniform inspection. We drove to Bradley Palmer State Park, in Topsfield, for a hike through wood and meadow along the Ipswich River. A tick warning had been posted, and Mr. Perry instructed the boys in how to tuck their pant legs into their socks, and how to inspect themselves for ticks when they got home. Ticks carry Lyme disease, a serious illness. The boys also learned about some of the flora that grow in the park. After much hurling of logs and branches into the river, the boys completed the trail loop and returned to Mr. Perry's house by 4 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 2000Cubs attending: Brian Craig, Stephen Cwiok, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Cameron MacLeod and Trevor Perry. Den 4 gathered at Mr. Perry's house at 3:30 p.m. The first order of business was a uniform inspection. Those having complete uniforms on were Stephen Cwiok, Tim Kennedy, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers, each of whom received a patch recognizing them for passing inspection. Tim Kennedy and Michael Joyce have completed their terms as denner and assistant denner, so Stephen, Brian, and Troy will now compete to hold those two important jobs. Mr. Perry chose Tim to serve as treasurer for the rest of the year. Mr. Perry also presented the boys with a "Progress Toward Rank" patch to mark their progress toward their Bear awards. Cubs who have met some of their requirements should bring their Bear books to Mr. Perry at each meeting so that he can check them off. Remember: Very few den activities will be geared toward the Bear requirements. This is something each boy, with his parents, must do on his own. The boys then departed for Boxford, where they hiked through part of the Georgetown-Rowley State Forest. We stopped at a small pond for a spirited round of rock- and stick-throwing. Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy also emphasized the importance of teamwork, and of treating everyone -- especially fellow den members -- with respect. The Cubs returned to Mr. Perry's house at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 4, 2000Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Brian Craig, Stephen Cwiok, Mike Decoulous, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Den Chief Ricky Sargent and Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Trevor Perry. Den 4 took part in the Thorpe School roller-rink party at the roller-skating facility in Beverly. From 5 to 7 p.m., the boys skated in full uniform. Afterwards, the boys went out for pizza at Papa Gino's in Beverly, followed by cupcakes made by Mrs. Kennedy. The Cubs were dropped off at their homes by 9 p.m. Sunday, February 27, 2000Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Stephen Cwiok, Tim Kennedy, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Pack 114 held its annual Blue & Gold Banquet at the Danversport Yacht Club from 4 to 6 p.m. The boys were treated to a ziti-and-meatballs supper. Den 4 showed off its centerpiece, depicting the summit of Great Blue Hill. The Cubs also formed a human bridge for the Webelos crossover and played games. Saturday, February 26, 2000Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Stephen Cwiok, Tim Kennedy, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Ms. Neenan and Mr. Kennedy. Den 4 met at the Carriage House at Endicott Park in order to make a centerpiece for the Blue & Gold Banquet. With the help of Ms. Neenan, the Cubs made a replica of the summit of Great Blue Hill, which the boys climbed on October 30. From 12:30 until about 2 p.m., the Cubs painted, glued, and designed the centerpiece, which featured a photo of Den 4 at the summit. Mr. Kennedy led the boys on a brief hike through the Endicott Park grounds, stopping to inspect the animal barn and the duck pond. The meeting broke at about 3 p.m. Saturday, February 19, 2000Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Mike Decoulos, Tim Kennedy, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Trevor Perry. Despite a heavy snowstorm on Friday night and into Saturday morning, Den 4 proceeded with its plans for a hike at the Danvers Fish and Game Club. We met at Mr. Perry's house at 1 p.m. and drove to the club, on Route 114 at the Danvers-Middleton line. Each boy carried wood for a fire. We hiked in along the snowy road, and had a chance to visit a cabin used by club members. Then, leaving the road, we bushwhacked through the snowy woods until we came to a semi-open area. Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy explained that we were actually in the middle of a swamp, and Mr. Perry taught the boys how to tell whether rabbits had been eating the vegetation in the area. (Apparently not, since there were no tell-tale signs of shoots bitten off at 45-degree angles.) Leaving the swamp, we found a small clearing in which to build a fire. Mr. Perry taught the Cubs the importance of bringing dry kindling, and of building a fire in teepee fashion so that oxygen can get in and under the fire. The boys demonstrated good teamwork in building a snow circle in which to construct the fire. The Cubs made s'mores, played in the snow, and hiked out by 4:30 p.m. Saturday, January 29, 2000Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Brian Craig, Stephen Cwiok, Mike Decoulos, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Trevor Perry. Pack 114 held its annual Pinewood Derby at the Maple Street Church -- and Den 4 made a clean sweep of the Bear Class! The boys arrived at the church at 12:30 p.m., and the competition got under way at 1:15. It was an exciting race with lots of down-to-the-wire anticipation. The Bear Class Champion was Brian Powers. Later that afternoon, he competed in the Pack Championship and came in fourth. Congratulations, Brian! The other winners were Tim Kennedy, first place; Alex MacLeod, second place; Max Carbone, third place; Troy Perry, fourth place, and Stephen Cwiok, best of show. Konrad Perry finished first in the Adult Class. The Bear Class competition wrapped up at about 2:45 p.m. with photos, trophies, and certificates for the winners. An outstanding job by everyone. Monday, January 24, 2000Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Brian Craig, Stephen Cwiok, Mike Decoulos, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Den Chief Ricky Sargent and Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Trevor Perry. Pack 114 held its Pinewood Derby Tune-Up Night at the Thorpe School from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The boys weighed in their new cars and raced their old cars. Several cars were way too heavy, with Mr. Perry performing on-the-spot emergency surgery so that all cars met specifications by the end of the evening. Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Brian Craig, Stephen Cwiok, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Den Chief Ricky Sargent and Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Trevor Perry. Once again we met at Mr. Perry's house at 12:30 p.m. in order to work on our Pinewood Derby cars at Mr. Perry's parents' house, in Gloucester. The boys drilled holes into their cars and installed weights, sealed the wood with a mixture of water and white glue, and sanded the sides to a smooth, hard finish. Mr. Perry's parents served hot cocoa, chips, and cookies, and Mrs. MacLeod also sent some especially delicious cookies. We returned to Danvers at 5 p.m. Now the boys must finish their cars in time for the January 24 Pinewood Derby tune-up. Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Mike Decoulos, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Den Chief Ricky Sargent and Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Trevor Perry. After gathering at Mr. Perry's house at 12:30 p.m., we traveled to Gloucester to work on our Pinewood Derby cars at Mr. Perry's parents' house. We learned a few tricks of the trade and, with Mr. Perry's assistance, the boys learned how to use a T-square, a drill press, and a band saw. Mr. Perry's parents served hot cocoa, chips, and cookies to the boys. Following a busy afternoon of carpentry, we returned to Danvers shortly before 5 p.m. Monday, December 20, 1999Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Brian Craig, Stephen Cwiok, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Den Chief Ricky Sargent and Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Pack 114 held its annual Christmas party! We gathered at 6:30 p.m. at the Thorpe School, and then spread out through the surrounding Woodvale neighborhood to sing Christmas carols. The highlight of our stroll through Woodvale was when we stopped in front of Pack Chairman David Joyce's house. Mr. Joyce was home sick, but the boys sang a rousing version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," which brought Mr. Joyce to the front door. We also included a chorus of "We want some figgy pudding!", but Mr. Joyce didn't bring us any. Oh, well. We returned to the Thorpe School shortly before 8 p.m. The boys had some Christmas treats and received their Pinewood Derby cars. Saturday, December 11, 1999Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Mike Decoulos, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry, Mr. Kennedy, and Mrs. Kennedy. Den Chief Ricky Sargent and Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Becky Kennedy and Trevor Perry. The boys marked the Christmas season by helping others and by having a Christmas party. After gathering at Mr. Perry's house at noon, the Cubs proceeded to the Haven from Hunger shelter, where they dropped off toys for needy children. The project was coordinated by Ricky Sargent as part of his community-service requirements to become a Star Scout. From there it was off to the Salem Evening News's office, in Beverly, where Den 4 held its Christmas party in the newspaper's conference rooms. The boys made gingerbread (actually, graham-cracker) houses and ate goodies. They also did an excellent job of cleaning up afterward. Because of the newspaper setting, Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy discussed the importance of the First Amendment, which guarantees free speech and freedom of the press. The Cubs returned to Mr. Perry's house to be picked up by their parents at about 3 p.m. Saturday, December 4, 1999Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Brian Craig, Stephen Cwiok, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry, Mr. Kennedy, Mrs. Powers, Mrs. Carbone, Mr. Craig, Ms. Neenan, Mr. Joyce, and Mrs. Perry. Den Chief Ricky Sargent and Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Connor Craig, Alexandra Cwiok, and Trevor Perry. Den 4 took part in the annual visit to Danversport by Santa Claus. We gathered at 12:30 p.m. at Pope's Landing and greeted Santa, who arrived by boat. An early rain gave way to cloudy but reasonably dry skies. Each boy had an opportunity to meet Santa and to have his photo taken. The boys also took train and horse rides, played games, and had hot chocolate and cookies. This was a terrific family event, and it lasted until 3 p.m. Monday, November 29, 1999Cubs attending: Brian Craig, Stephen Cwiok, Mike Decoulos, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Den Chief Ricky Sargent and Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. CONGRATULATIONS, BOYS! At the monthly meeting of Pack 114, held at the Thorpe School, seven members of Den 4 received awards. Brian Craig, Stephen Cwiok, Alex MacLeod, and Garrison Marcheterre all received their Wolf badges, joining Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, and Troy Perry, who earned their Wolf last year. Max Carbone (absent), Mike Decoulos, and Brian Powers all received their Bobcat awards, which, as new Cub Scouts, they must earn before moving on to their Bear requirements. The meeting lasted until about 8 p.m. Once again, every boy in Den 4 was in full uniform and well-behaved. Good work! Saturday, November 27, 1999Cubs attending: Brian Craig, Mike Decoulos, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Den Chief Ricky Sargent and Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Trevor Perry. Den 4 visited the USS Albacore (AGSS 569), in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. On a drizzly afternoon, the boys met at Mr. Perry's house at 12:30 p.m., and were driven to Portsmouth to learn about an important chapter in naval history. Now decommissioned, the submarine sits on dry land. The Cubs were able to look at the cramped quarters in which the men served and to inspect equipment such as the periscope and the sonar station. At one time the Albacore was the fastest submarine in the world. According to the museum where the sub is now located, "USS Albacore holds a place in history as the first Navy-designed vessel with a true underwater hull of cylindrical shape that has become the standard for submaries of today. Built at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Albacore served from 1953 to 1972 without ever carrying a weapon or going to war. Her motto was Praenuntius Futuri ('Forerunner of the Future'), and her mission was experimental." The Cubs returned to Mr. Perry's house at about 4 p.m. Saturday, November 20, 1999Cubs attending: Stephen Cwiok, Mike Decoulos, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry, Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Powers. Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Trevor Perry and Sparky. After gathering at Mr. Perry's house at 1 p.m., we headed for the Phillips Estate, in Beverly at the Wenham line, for a hike. It was an unseasonably warm day, in the 60s, and sunny except for a few raindrops from a passing cloud. First we saw the ruins of the Phillips Estate; then, hiking along glacial ridges, we made our way down to Wenham Lake. The hilly terrain presented an opportunity to learn about topographical maps, which use contour lines to depict elevations. In addition, we learned about the difference between coniferous trees (needle-bearing evergreens) and deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves). We also examined a rhododendron bush, which appears to be deciduous but does not lose all of its leaves every fall. Mr. Perry explained that rhododendron leaves are covered with a waxy substance that protects them from the cold; and that you can estimate the temperature by whether the leaves are curled up (cold) or spread out (warm). At the shoreline we found the skeleton of a duck, identified by its beak, and -- because the drought has exposed a perimeter that is usually under water -- bluegill nests. The Cubs returned to Mr. Perry's house at approximately 4 p.m. Saturday, October 30, 1999
100 percent attendance! Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Brian Craig, Stephen Cwiok, Mike Decoulos, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Trevor Perry and Sparky. Today we took part in our most challenging hike so far -- Great Blue Hill, in Milton. We met at Mr. Perry's house at 9 a.m., where Denner Tim Kennedy and Assistant Denner Michael Joyce collected the dues and mustered the Cubs. Our next stop: Milton, where we began our hike at about 10 a.m. under sunny skies, with temperatures in the 50s. First we explored the animal preserve outside the Trailside Museum, where we saw a fox, a bobcat, a deer, wild turkeys, and hawks. From there we followed the Red Dot Trail to the summit. The hike was rocky at times, with some hand-over-hand climbing involved. At 640 feet, Great Blue Hill has one of the highest elevations of any point along the East Coast. We had lunch at the summit. We climbed the stone tower that's at the summit, and had an MDC ranger take a group picture. (Watch for it on the Den 4 website!) We also took a tour of the nearby Blue Hill Observatory, which has been recording weather patterns continuously since 1885. The tour was led by the Thermometer Man, who has a museum of thermometers on Cape Cod. We learned about thermometers, which measure the temperature of air; barometers, which measure the weight of air; and nanometers, which measure the direction of air. From both the stone tower and the observatory, we were able to see such landmarks as nearby Houghton Pond and, farther away, the downtown Boston skyline. Because we're Den 4, we wanted to hike farther than the two-mile loop that is recommended for Cub Scouts. So upon leaving the summit we followed the Skyline Trail to the Five Corners. The boys then voted to extend the hike even more, so we took the Green Dot Trail to the Border Path, the Wolcott Path, and then back to the Trailside Museum. Approximate distance traveled: four miles. Back at the parking lot, Mr. Perry talked about the use of pocket knives. The theme: "Respect sharpened steel." The Cubs learned that knives are never to be taken out except at authorized den events, and that safety rules must be followed at all times. We returned to Danvers at approximately 4:30 p.m. Monday, October 25, 1999Our second pack meeting of the year, held in the Thorpe School cafeteria. Cubs attending: Brian Craig, Stephen Cwiok, Mike Decoulos, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:30 p.m. by Cubmaster Scott James and Pack Chairman Dave Joyce. After the recognition of Cubs who have won awards, the boys played two games. One involved moving a plate of Styrofoam peanuts across the cafeteria without dropping any (not easy to do!). The other was a silent game in which blindfolded Cubs tried to point to boys sneaking up on them to steal Styrofoam peanuts on the floor. Meeting was dismissed at approximately 7:45. Without question, Den 4 was the sharpest-looking den, with all but one of the members present and everyone in full uniform. Behavior was excellent, too. Congratulations! Saturday, October 23, 1999Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Brian Craig, Stephen Cwiok, Mike Decoulos, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry, Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. and Mrs. MacLeod. Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Trevor Perry and Cameron MacLeod. We met at Mr. Perry's house at 6 p.m. for a visit to the Pirates Museum, in Salem. Hiking as a den down Essex Street, the boys encountered all manner of ghosts and goblins. Unfortunately, the museum itself was something of a bust. Rather than being a guided tour, as it has been in the past, it had been transformed into a haunted house. Mr. Kennedy led those boys who wished to see it. From there we headed over to Pickering Wharf, and out to a lighthouse at the end of a long pier. It was a perfect night -- cool, clear, and with a full moon lighting up Salem Harbor. The lighthouse was flashing red, and Mr. Perry explained the purpose of red and green lights on the water. The lights mark the boundaries of the safe channel. On the way in, ships must keep the red lights to starboard (right) and the green lights to port (left); on the way out, it is exactly the reverse. Denner Tim Kennedy helped keep order. Afterwards, Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline when hiking through crowded streets, especially at night. Saturday, October 16, 1999Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Brian Craig, Mike DeCoulos, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Trevor Perry and Sparky. After assembling at Mr. Perry's house at 1:30 p.m. we once again departed for the Lynn Woods, this time to explore Hiram Marble's cave, which was closed when we visited on October 9. Marble believed that somewhere in the area of the Pirate's Dungeon, where former pirate Tom Veal was killed in 1658, there existed a great pirate's treasure. Starting in 1852 Marble began digging and dynamiting through the rock in hopes of finding that treasure. Neither he nor his son, Edwin, had any success. The cave itself is a long, pitch-black hole, with a wooden staircase leading down to a wet, slippery, rocky bottom. The boys, holding flashlights, made their way carefully into the cave, retrieving gold coins here and there -- more than the Marbles were ever able to accomplish! The temperature was in the 70s, under sunny skies. It was neither as humid nor as buggy as it had been the previous week. After exploring the cave, the boys assembled for a pop history quiz. On the basis of their answers to questions posed by Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy, Tim Kennedy was chosen as the Denner and Michael Joyce was chosen as the Assistant Denner. These positions will be rotated throughout the year, but only to those Cubs who are in full uniform. Boys who participated in both parts of the Witch Trail and in both parts of the Pirate Trek will receive patches for their accomplishments at a future den meeting. Saturday, October 9, 1999Cubs attending: Stephen Cwiok, Mike DeCoulos, Tim Kennedy, Alex MacLeod, Garrison Marcheterre, and Troy Perry. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Trevor Perry and Sparky. On this day Den 4 left the comfort of the sidewalks of Danvers and Salem for the trails of the Lynn Woods. We met at Mr. Perry's house at 1:30 p.m., and at 2 traveled to the entrance of the Pirate's Trek, a four-mile hike. Temperature was in the 60s, with a touch of humidity and swarms of mosquitoes. Mr. Perry explained some of the history of the Pirate Trek as related in the Witch Trail Committee's book Historic Hiking Trails in the Boston Area. The Pirate Trek is so-called because, at some point during the 17th century, the nearby Saugus Ironworks had once been visited by a pirate ship during the night. The next day a note was found at the Ironworks stating that if shackles, handcuffs, hatchets, and other iron items were made and left for the pirates at a prearranged spot, a bag of silver would be found in their place. And so it was done. The Pirate Trek is a varied hike of flat forest paths, stony inclines, stream crossings, and rocky outposts. The most impressive outpost is the summit of Mount Gilead (elevation 272 feet), where we were able to see such Boston landmarks as the Bunker Hill Monument, the John Hancock Building, and the Prudential Tower. The highlight of the hike was supposed to be an exploration of Hiram Marble's cave. Marble purchased the area around the Pirate's Dungeon in 1852. The Pirate's Dungeon was a cave where Tom Veal, a pirate-turned-shoemaker, lived. Veal was killed when the cave collapsed during an earthquake in 1658. Unfortunately for the Cubs, the cave had closed for the day by the time we arrived, at about 4:30. The Cubs explored the area around the cave, and by 6 we had arrived back at Mr. Perry's. We will return to cave as soon as possible so that the boys can earn a patch for their long hike. Before breaking up for the day, Mr. Perry once again emphasized to the Cubs and their parents the importance of completing their Wolf requirements as soon as possible so that they can start getting to work on the Bear requirements. Saturday, October 2, 1999Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Brian Craig, Stephen Cwiok, Mike Decoulos, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Garrison Marcheterre, Troy Perry, and Brian Powers. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. We gathered at 9 a.m. at Mr. Perry's house, where an inspection of uniforms was made. Mr. Perry asked the boys and their parents to finish their Wolf requirements over the weekend if they haven't already done so, and to drop off their completed Wolf books at his house by Monday, October 4. At approximately 9:30 a.m. we parked on Federal Street in Salem to hike the second half of the Witch Trail. The weather once again was perfect: sunny and in the 50s and 60s. Among the historic sites we visited was the Charter Street Cemetery, one of the oldest burial grounds in New England. The Cubs found the grave of Colonel John Hathorne, chief prosecutor during the witchcraft hysteria of 1692. Colonel Hathorne's most famous descendent, the writer Nathaniel Hawthorne, was so ashamed of his family's role in the hysteria that he added a "w" to his name. The boys also found the grave of Jonathan Ward, an early library at Harvard College. We inspected several Colonial-era houses. Mr. Perry explained that an unusually high number of nails in a door from that era was a sign of affluence, since nails were in short supply and thus very expensive. Our hike ended at Gallows Hill, at about noon. Although the exact site of the witches' executions has never been found, it is believed that they took place a short distance below the summit of Gallows Hill. The Cubs hiked the steep trail to the summit, where Mr. Kennedy led them in the Pledge of Allegiance. Then, back at the bottom, we gathered in the Cub Scout Circle and recited the Cub Scout Promise and the Law of the Pack. Some review would appear to be in order. Monday, September 27, 1999Our first pack meeting of the year, held in the Thorpe School cafeteria. Cubs attending: Max Carbone, Brian Craig, Stephen Cwiok, Michael Joyce, Tim Kennedy, Garrison Marcheterre, and Troy Perry. Adults attending: Mr. Perry and Mr. Kennedy. The meeting was called to order at a little after 6:30 p.m. by Cubmaster Scott James and Pack Chairman Dave Joyce. This year the pack will meet the last Monday of every month except in December, when the meeting will take place earlier in the month. Activities planned include a Halloween party in October, a "family heritage" event in November, our traditional Christmas caroling in December, and, in future months, the Blue and Gold Banquet, the Pinewood Derby, Olympics, and possibly a trip to Mystic Seaport, in Connecticut. The Cubs had fun playing a game in which they tried to whistle after having eaten a saltine cracker. Boys who had earned badges and awards since last spring were recognized. The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 25, 1999Our first den meeting of the year. Cubs attending: Brian Craig, Stephen Cwiok, Tim Kennedy, Garrison Marcheterre, and Troy Perry. Adults attending: Mr. Perry, Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Craig. Assistant Den Chief Konrad Perry helped. Also attending: Trevor Perry and Sparky. We gathered between 1 and 1:30 p.m. at Mr. Perry's house. Mr. Perry and Konrad inspected the Cubs' uniforms. Troy, Michael Joyce, and Tim have earned their Wolf badges; Mr. Perry stressed the importance of the other boys' earning their Wolf badges as soon as possible so that they can move ahead on their Bear requirements. He also announced that two new boys, Max Carbone and Brian Powers, will be joining the den. At approximately 1:45 p.m. we gathered at the Village Training Field, near Glen Magna, to begin the Danvers Loop of the Witch Trail. The weather was perfect, in the 70s, dry and with just a few clouds. We learned about a number of historic sites related to the American Revolution and to the Salem witch hysteria of the 1690s. The Village Training Field, deeded to the Town of Danvers "forever" for use as a military training facility, was where the town's Minutemen mustered on April 19, 1775, the day of the first battle between British and Colonial troops, in Lexington. The Danvers Minutemen, with 300 men, were the most distant company to respond to Paul Revere's alarm; and, with the exception of the Lexington Minutemen themselves, they paid the highest price in lives and injuries. Other sites visited included the foundation of the Reverend Parris's home, where the slave woman Tituba's stories to impressionable young girls sparked the witch hysteria; the Danvers witch memorial, which was dedicated in 1992; the Holten House (now the headquarters of the General Israel Putnam Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution), the home of Sarah Holten, who helped convict Rebecca Nurse; and the Rebecca Nurse Homestead, home of perhaps the best-known of the victims. Rebecca Nurse was hanged in Salem on July 19, 1692. Following our visit to the Rebecca Nurse Homestead, we hiked to the Peabody Institute Library, where Mr. Perry's van was waiting, and drove back to the Village Training Field. The meeting ended at about 4:15 p.m. This page was last updated on November 11, 2000 |
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