Scout Leader Training-New Leader Essentials Training for Cub Scout and Boy Scout leaders, Youth Protection Training and Troop Committee Training will be offered at the Clare United Methodist Church at 8:30 AM on March 9^th. Cub Scout leaders should direct questions to Murrie Gibson, Training Chair at (989) 386-9615 and Boy Scout leaders may contact Norm Emery at (989) 847-4693. New Leader Essentials is now part of the training program. If you have not yet completed training, you must complete New Leader Essentials. On April 13, Norm will again be conducting New Leader Essentials at 8:30 AM. This time at the Ithaca Methodist Church. Troop Committee Training and Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters Specific Training (Session 1) begins at 12:30 PM. On April 20, Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters Specific Training (Session 2 and 3) will be held at the Ithaca Methodist Church starting at 8:30 AM.

Welcome new District Committee Members - Congratulations to Roberta Kennedy for her new position as our Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner and to Tim Kennedy for accepting as Cub Scout Roundtable staff. Jill Barnes has accepted the role of Webelos Transition. Jill will be working with both the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs. Ken Humphrey has returned to our Commissioning team as Unit Commissioner. Ken has recently retired and we are glad to have him. Welcome Dave and Carolyn Peacock to our commissioning team. They will be working with our Ashley Scouting Program.

Need Money? - Don’t forget about our spring popcorn sale in April. People eat popcorn year round. The packs and troops that sold popcorn this past winter earned more popcorn, made more money, and earned more prizes than last year. The prizes for the spring sale are usually quite different. The council usually offers Scout Bucks as incentives for Scouts. Scout Bucks can be used toward summer camp, at any of the council trading posts, and the Scout Shop for uniforms, supplies, and trinkets. Be sure to offer this opportunity to all of your Scouts. They may want the Scout Bucks for summer camp, uniforms, or supplies.

Service Project of the Year - Mark Ranzenberger, Scouting for Food Chairman may be contacted at (989) 644-3321. This is Mark’s 2^nd season as our SFF Chair. We have a great patch to offer and our community food banks need your help. Mark has initiated a program called "Project Left-Over" that he has coordinated through college housing projects. Students can leave canned goods in our drop-off box as they leave school when they graduate. It’s a great idea. Good job, Mark. If you haven’t yet signed up for this project, please give Mark a call.

Ray Abbey, Our Dear Friend—I had a chance to visit with Ray Abbey recently. Ray told me that he couldn’t wait to turn 12 in 1924 and join Boy Scouting. He has been a long-time Scouter ever since. Ray was responsible for starting the Gratiot County United Way to help fund local Boy Scouts. He’s a charming individual who is both a Scouter and a gentleman. If you’d like to drop this gentleman a note or pay him a visit, he’d love to hear from you. You may contact him at Schnepp’s Health Care Center at 427 E. Washington Street, St. Louis, MI