Valley Highlands Area: Scouts Canada. March 2006

Volume Two #6 Editor: Chris Tyler. Email: FirstscoutKim@aol.com

March, A month often accompanied by turbulent weather is named for the Roman God – Mars, the god of war. The most popular of several feast days is that of St Patrick, patron Saint of Ireland. Born in England, legend has it that Patrick was abducted by Irish marauders and carried off to Ireland where he lived as a shepherd near Slemish mountain in County Antrim. He later escaped to Gaul where he became ordained as a priest. Later, in 481 ad. He returned to Ireland where lived the rest of his days in service to the west and north regions of the country. St. Patrick is said to have banished snakes from Ireland, and today there is still none to be found there. He demonstrated the Holy Trinity using a shamrock, which then became the national symbol of Ireland. St. Patrick’s day is celebrated on March 17^th. Finding a Four-leafed clover is said to bring good fortune.

A Legend in the making…

“An English Lord is looking for a few men and women willing to take part in an unusual experiment on an island off the coast of Great Britain. Volunteers may be of any nationality; in fact, Lord Young of Dartington would prefer volunteers from many cultures. These people, who, according to Lord Dartington, “must have very good imaginations” would live together on the as-yet-unchosen island for a year – as though they were on Mars.

O.K. get the scoffs and scorn out of the way, then be it known, that one of the first to sign up was Russell Schweickart, an Apollo Astronaut and Commissioner of the California Energy Commission. James Lovelock, an atmospheric chemist who worked with NASA on the Viking project, joins him. Also “aboard” are Martin Rees, Plumian Professor of astronomy at Cambridge and former chair of the Science Committee of the European Space Agency. And Heinz Wolff, Professor of biological engineering at Brunel University and member of the Science Committee of the European Space Agency.

According to Lord Young, the experiment has two principal scientific objectives: the physical simulation of the Martian environment and the social simulation of the conditions of life that a group of people of varying nationalities would face while living in a hostile environment for long periods of time with zero possibility of getting home. Lord Young says, “The scientific (Physical) experiments could be done anywhere, but the social stimulation can best be accomplished on an island where the physical separation from a mainland would reinforce the illusion of life on Mars.” He went on “In fact one of the crucial requirements for the volunteers is that they be imaginative enough to convince themselves that they are indeed on Mars”

Lord Young stresses that although he has already, fifteen volunteers, he is not accepting applications at this time.

He first has to raise half a million pound’s sterling, to finance the project.

O.K so it’s a wacky idea. Still the questions that could be examined under such conditions are intriguing: How, and by how much, would behaviour change within such a community? Would sexual stereotypes fade in a technological society where traditional male-female characteristics are no longer necessary for survival? What kinds of entertainment would settlers require? Would they want and need pets? What kind of government would or should such a community have? Always assuming they could manufacture the food they would need to not only keep body and soul together, but to thrive and reproduce in order to ensure the continuum, then what if, several generations later, they ever returned to earth? Having been born on Mars, would they consider themselves terran or – excuse the pun –Martians?”

(Extracted from an ‘Islands’ magazine article written by GARRY KARASIK 1985¹)

Well, all of that was way back in 1985, and although I know nothing more about the project, I believe it became a reality in way far greater than Lord Young ever dreamed of with the birth of the International Space Station.

So why am I writing about it here? Well, maybe these types of questions are just a few that as Scouts in the twenty-first century we should be finding answers to. Maybe if we did that, instead of constantly living on the past goodwill store, built by our senior generations, we would start to build a better understanding of race, colour, culture, and creed. Maybe, if we helped our youth to better understand the motivation that drives our politicians, and big business. Maybe if we helped our youth to better understand the impact of our daily lives upon this ailing planet. Maybe if we helped our youth to be better sons and daughters, to take a more active interest in our families and our communities. To be better friends, and more tolerant of our not-so-close citizens. We would start building a better country, a better community, and a few better citizens to live in it. Just maybe Scouting could make a real legend out of someone’s dream. No, not Lord Young’s… Baden-Powell’s.

¹(Despite much effort, I have been unable to trace Islands International Magazine, Islands Publishing Company or Garry Karasik (Author) for permission to use the above extract from the article “War of the worlds revisited…” Published in volume 5 #1 of Islands. February 1985. - C. Tyler.)

Food for thought…

When you don’t know what your talking about, it’d hard to know when you’re finished.

(Tom Smothers in readers digest.)

Have great, secret, big, fat, hopes for yourself. (Gloria Vanderbilt in Glamour)

Now… Food for Camp. This month a one pot dinner for eight.

Mushroom Ming Toy, Pot Au Feu and Sunshine Fruit Salad.

MUSHROOM MING TOY. You will need 1lb (2pints) fresh, small Mushrooms, 2-tablespoon all-purpose flour, 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, 1 teaspoon Soy Sauce, Dash each of salt and pepper. Eight slices bread, toasted.

Method. Rinse the mushrooms (do not soak or peel) cut off the tip of the stem. Leave mushrooms whole. Sprinkle with flour. Cook covered, in butter and soy sauce over low heat until mushrooms are tender. About 8 – 10 minutes. Cut toast into quarters. Serve on toast. Season with salt and pepper. Makes 8 servings.

POT-AU-FEU. You will need… 4 medium leaks. 6 sprigs of flat parsley and a ¼Cup chopped parley. 1 Bay leaf.

3lbs bone in Chicken pieces, (Thighs are best here) 1 head Garlic separated into cloves and peeled, 1 teaspoon Salt. 1-teaspoon black pepper, 5 Cans (14.5 oz) Chicken Broth, 1 Medium Green Cabbage cut into eight wedges. 1lb Carrots peeled and cut into 2” pieces, 1lb small red potatoes scrubbed and halved, 1lb beef tenderloin tied with string.

Method Cut off roots and dark tops from Leaks. Cut white parts in half lengthwise in half. Rinse well, swishing to remove sand. Tie the leak tops, parsley sprigs, thyme and bay leaf together to make a bouquet. Put Chicken, herb bouquet, white parts of leaks, garlic and half salt and pepper into a large pot. Pour in Broth and add enough water to cover. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered for thirty minutes. Submerge cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and tenderloin in the pot and simmer for another thirtyfive-fourty minutes. Season with remaining salt and pepper. Discard bouquet, and skim off fat from broth. Remove beef to a cutting board, cover with foil and let stand five minutes. Cut beef across grain into eight slices. Discard skin from chicken. Divide beef, chicken and vegetables among eight large soup bowls and smother with hot broth. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve hot.

SUNSHINE FRUIT SALAD. You will need 2 envelopes Knox unflavoured geletine. 1 Cup orange juice, ¼ Cup Sugar, ½ teaspoon Salt, Juice of two lemons, 1 Can (14oz) Crushed Pineapple. (Drain and save juice separately) 1 Can (10 oz) Mandarin oranges. Drained (Discard juice) 1 Can (14 oz) pears Drained. (Discard juice)

Method. Sprinkle geletine over cold orange juice in saucepan. Place over low heat; Stir constantly until gelitine melts – about four minutes; Remove from heat, stir in sugar, salt and lemon juice and reserved pineapple juice. Chill to consistency of unbeaten egg white. Dice pears and add to mixture together with mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple. Mix well and turn into 6 cup jelly mould. Continue to chill until ready to serve. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream. (Or creamy Devonshire Custard.) Garnish with 1 teaspoon Mint Jelly or sprig of fresh mint. Serves 8.

Wash down with Tea, Coffee or cold drinks to taste.

And now to the ‘Scouts Own.’

As Scouts we promise to do our best, to do our duty, to God and all mankind and take care of God’s creation.

The ‘Scouts Own’ is a time to remind ourselves of this promise, and to look for ways of understanding how we

can implement it in our daily lives. The following is my understanding – maybe it will help yours. Perhaps you can use it with your scouts as a basis for discussion, to help them further theirs.

Make friends with the stranger, be a friend to a friend, show love for each other, both woman and man,

We must lay down our weapons and sidestep our fears, show love to each other, embrace all our ken,

We must all work together, and walk hand in hand; we must all live together, no matter which land.

Countries don’t matter, in this global world, the pound and the dollar, the rupee, or yen,

Are things that are shifted, with the stroke of a pen, by understanding and tolerance, - just being a friend,

By sharing our table, and offering our hand, We can all dance together, no matter the band.

Our God’s are all one God, no matter the hue, the diction don’t matter, the same end’s in view,

God put us in Eden, this garden called earth, to share everything in it, and increase our worth,

By befriending each other, and keeping his laws, we can all live together, by uniting our cause.

Moslem or Christian, Catholic or Jew, Islam and Buddhist, and Hindu too,

They all want the same things, as me, - and you, to lay down our weapons, and sidestep our fears,

To share his abundance, in peace, without tears, we can all live together, for the remainder of years.

Our needs are the same, for shelter and food; we need love and friendship, and comfort too,

So why can’t we share it, as God bade us to do, make all men equal, to share all we’re due,

Without need for weapons, to kill every man, that sets foot on our threshold, in this, - Gods Land.

Our likenesses many, our differences few, we need the help from our neighbors, and our brothers’ too,

We need strength for the plough, and warmth when we’re ill, to make every effort, to do only God’s will,

To help with the burden of caring, for all those unable, So we can live all together, in a world, - with one table.

God gave us this Eden – and dominion to Man, with knowledge and power, to work hand in hand,

To share all its wonders, it’s treasures – a-plenty, to all live together, and share in his bounty,

We must lay down our weapons and our shields too, and make everyone worthy, not just a few,

Through Love, Trust, and Compassion, to sow every seed, with broad understanding, embrace every creed,

Without fear of reprisal, when we yield to temptation, we can overcome weakness, and sickness, and stand,

Just like God’s creation, - one people, one nation, As long as we put ourselves – back in God’s Hand.

A prayer to end ‘Scouts Own’

O God our father, we thank you for your creation. You have given us wisdom, but we need your help to take care of our fellow man and ourselves. Show us how to be friends with one another, regardless of colour or creed or country.

Show us how to live together in harmony and peace. Give us the faith to trust one another, and the will to work together for the greater good. Give us the courage to put right that, which we have got wrong. Teach us to understand our differences and show compassion for those less fortunate. Help us to do our duty as citizens of your world. Lord, we place ourselves in your hands, that your will – not ours, guide our thoughts and actions, every day.

Amen.

What’s in a name?

Canada’s indigenous peoples (original inhabitants) are often called First Nations or, incorrectly, Indians. The name Canada comes from a word meaning “village” or “community” in one of the indigenous Iroquoian languages. Indigenous peoples had developed complex societies and intricate political relations before the first Europeans, the Vikings, arrived in the 11th century. The Vikings soon left, but more Europeans came in the 16th century and were made welcome because they brought manufactured goods and traded them for furs and other native products. However, the Europeans settled down and gradually displaced the indigenous peoples over the next 250 years. This process of dispossession has left a legacy of legal and moral issues that Canadians are beginning to face. (See Canada: History.)

European settlers came in a series of waves. First were the French, followed by the English, and these two groups are considered the founding nations. France lost its part of the territory to Great Britain in a war in 1760, but most of the French-speaking colonists remained. Their effort to preserve their language and culture has been a continuing theme of Canadian history and has led in recent years to a movement to become independent of the rest of Canada.

Modern Canada was formed in an event that Canadians call Confederation, in 1867, when three colonies of Great Britain merged to create a partially independent state of four provinces. Since then, six more provinces and two territories have been added, with a third territory scheduled to come into existence in 1999. Canada achieved full independence in 1931 but continues to belong to the Commonwealth of Nations, a voluntary association of countries with ties to Great Britain.

Through these ties, Canada can trace its history back to the ancient historical people called the Israelite’s. (Not the modern day Israel) That particular race of man, chosen by God to be the servant race who would carry out God’s plan for the world. God chose Abraham to start this race, through his son Isaac, and then through his son Jacob. God then changed Jacobs’s name to Israel and gave him thirteen sons. Twelve of these were to continue grow through their descendants to become the twelve tribes of Israel. The thirteenth son, God set aside as high priest and lawmaker (Church and Civil service) for the Kingdom of Israel, thus the Levites were not allowed to hold land or possessions of any sort so that they could go among the twelve tribes and mediate disputes without any prejudice whatever. That tribe was known as the Levites, descendants and therefore named after Joseph’s son Levi. This in time became the house and kingdom of Judah when David was pronounced ‘King’ over all the tribe of Judah some time after the exodus from Egypt. Queen Elizabeth II is a direct descendant of King David. As queen of Canada, the Canadian coat of arms contains a part of the armorial bearings of King David. The portcullis. Derived from the breastplate of Levi, which had Twelve sections – one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. This is clearly demonstrated in the Canadian Customs cap badge shown below.

And finally….

A kerryman was sick and tired of people slapping him on the back in greeting, so he devised a plan.

He placed several sticks of dynamite under his jacket and said,

“There! The next fellow that slaps me on the back will get his stupid arm blown off.”