In Memorandum

Josephine Nikola in Den Mother uniform in 1960.

(5/14/10) Pack 3889, sponsored by St. Alphonsus Church, is saddened to announce the passing of Josephine Nikola on May 13th following a long illness.

Mrs. Nikola began as a Den Mother in Pack 3889 in 1960 and was active in the unit for over 20 years. Even after stepping down as a Den Leader, she continued to actively support the St. Alphonsus Scouting units until her death.

Her husband Frank Nikola served in various positions as a leader from 1960 until his death in 2000. Between her husband and herself, the Nikola's gave 60 years of service to Scouting.

Services have not yet been scheduled but visitation will be held at Herdegen-Brieski Funeral Home on the corner of Southport and Lincoln. The family will announce times for visitation and services in the obituary to be published in the Sunday, May 16th Chicago Tribune.

FORT DEARBORN DISTRICT, THE BIRTHPLACE OF SCOUTING?
TROOP 889, CHICAGO'S OLDEST CONTINUOUS TROOP!

The Boyce Building on the corner of Illinois and Dearborn in Fort Dearborn District was the location where W. D. Boyce founded the Boy Scouts of America in 1910.

(4/30/10) Many Scouts and Scouters are involved in activities commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, but for members of Fort Dearborn District, the centennial may have a deeper meaning.

According to Scouting legend, American publisher W. D. Boyce was lost on a foggy street in London in 1909 when an Unknown Scout came to his aid, guiding him back to his destination. The boy then refused Boyce's tip, explaining that he was merely doing his duty as a Boy Scout. Soon thereafter, Boyce met with Robert Baden-Powell, who was the head of the Boy Scout Association at that time. Boyce returned to America, and, four months later, founded the Boy Scouts of America on February 8, 1910.

 

A plaque placed on the Boyce Building in 1965 commemorating it as the birthplace of the BSA.

There are many variations of this tale which has been printed in numerous BSA handbooks and magazines. But, did you know that while W. D. Boyce incorporated the BSA in New York, the groundwork and planning was done in Chicago at a location in Fort Dearborn District?

A historical plaque mounted on the corner of the Boyce Building at 500 N. Dearborn (corner of Dearborn and Illinois) attests to the fact that this was the location of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. The Boyce Building falls within the boundaries of Fort Dearborn District.

While the legend of Boyce and the Unknown Scout makes a good story, not all of it is necessarily accurate. In actuality, Boyce stopped in London en route to a safari in British East Africa. It is true that an Unknown Scout helped him and refused a tip. But this Scout only helped him cross a street to a hotel; he did not take him to the Scout headquarters as some versions of the legend state and Boyce did not meet Baden-Powell at that time.

 

According to legend, an unknown Scout helped W. D. Boyce find his way in a thick London fog.

Upon Boyce's request, the Unknown Scout did give him the address of the Scout headquarters, where Boyce went and picked up a copy of Scouting For Boys and other printed material on Scouting. He read this while on safari and was so impressed that instead of making his return to America an around-the-world trip via San Francisco, he returned to the Scout headquarters in London. He volunteered to organize Scouting in America and was told that he could use their manual. While Boyce's original account does not mention the fog, a 1928 account recounts that he did say there was fog. Climatologists report no fog on that day in London.

By 1923 the fog was firmly established as part of the legend, apparently because in 1911 a man from Providence, Rhode Island was lost in a fog and helped by a Scout who refused a tip. This man was so impressed that he remembered Scouting in his will and Chief Scout Executive James E. West recognized the publicity value of fog to the legend.

In 1915, Boyce clashed with West over publishing rights for BSA materials and ceased his active participation in the movement when West awarded the contract to a New York firm. Boyce went on to found the Lone Scouts of America that same year. In 1926 the Silver Buffalo award was instituted and three awards were presented. W. D. Boyce was the third recipient of the award after Baden-Powell and the Unknown Scout of legend.

But whether or not the famous fog legend is accurate or an embellished myth, what cannot be refuted is that Scouting's famous founder created the Boy Scouts of America in his office on the corner of Illinois and Dearborn Streets in 1910, right in the heart of what is now Fort Dearborn District.

Ten years later, Troop 79 was founded by the Menominee Club. Twelve years later St. Alphonsus Scouts were founded. (Although Troop 79 was founded two years before the St. Alphonsus units, they have not operated continuously since the date of their founding as have the St. Alphonsus units. Troop 79 is now sponsored by The Old Town Triangle Association.) In 2007 (Troop 889’s 85th anniversary) Fort Dearborn District Executive John Scott researched the founding dates of the oldest units in the council. According to his research, currently, Troop 889 is the oldest continuously operating troop in the Chicago
Area Council.

 JON MARTIN RECEIVES EAGLE

New Eagle Scout Jon Martin

(4/4/10) On March 27th, Scouts and Scouters from across our Council gathered to induct Fort Dearborn District’s newest Eagle Scout Jonathan Martin from Troop 889.

Troop 889 is sponsored by St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and is recognized as one of the oldest continually operating unit in the Chicago Area Council, having been organized in 1922. Jonathan is the 64th Scout to be presented the Eagle Award in the unit’s 88 year history.

District Webmaster Ray Toler served as Master of Ceremonies and CAC President Glenn Emig offered the Keynote Address. District Commissioner Dave Ducat also participated in the ceremony.

Although he started as a Cub Scout in Pack 3148, Jon soon transferred to Pack 3889 where he earned his Arrow of Light Award. As a Boy Scout in Troop 889, Jon served as a Den Chief, Patrol Leader, and SPL and is an Ordeal member of Order of the Arrow. Jon is also a member of Venture Crew 2889 where he earned the Venturing Ranger Award. For the past three years, Jon has served on staff for our District's Cub Scout Day Camp.

Besides his personal achievements, Jon was instrumental in doubling the size of the St. Alphonsus Cub Scouting program.

Normally the St. Alphonsus Cub Scouts met at 7 pm on Wednesdays but the unit discovered a lot of interest in the program if it could offer an after-school den. Unfortunately, the unit could find no parents available at that time of day to act as leaders. Jon stepped up to the plate and volunteered to help by offering his leadership after school.

Because of Jon (along with Venturer Andrea Hodges, Karjan Dambaugh, and Scoutmaster Steve Budde, the St. Alphonsus Cub Scouts have now expanded its program by adding 4 additional Dens on Thursday afternoons in addition to its 4 Wednesday evening dens.

Council President and Former Fort Dearborn Chairman Glenn Emig provided the Keynote Address at the ceremony.

“When I learned of the dedication of this young man and what he had done for the Cub Scouts, I got chills down my back,” said Council President Glenn Emig.

Emig informed Scout Executive Chuck Dobbins of what Jon had done and the two agreed that Jon and the others who had volunteered should be given a special recognition for their service “over and above” the call of duty. At the ceremony, Emig surprised Jon and the others by presenting them with special Founders awards for their selflessness which resulted in doubling the size of Pack 3889’s Cub program.

Following the presentation of the Eagle Award, Jon once again displayed his selflessness. As he stepped to the podium for his acceptance speech, Jon instead used the time to induct Michael Polder, Troop 889’s newest Scout, into the unit. “As I graduate from the program, I want to insure its continuity by bringing in a new Scout,” said Jon.

Jon is 18 years old and a senior at Von Steuben High School. He is an outstanding young man and well deserving of the Eagle Scout honor. Congratulations, Jon.

 

ST. ALPHONSUS SCOUTERS HONOR 100 YEARS OF SCOUTING

Scoutmaster Steve Budde from Troop 889 displays memorabilia
from the Troop's archives dating back to 1922

(3/25/10) "Scouting--The First 100 Years" was the theme as Fort Dearborn Scouters tried to squeeze into old uniforms and display memoribilia from Scouting's first century.

Scout Taz Johnson models a shirt, sash and hat popular in the 1940s.

Troop 889 sponsored by St. Alphonsus Church brought a large display of memorabilia dating back to 1922 when the unit was first organized. Large patch displays were also exhibited by Troop 39 and several attendees brought vintage merit badge sashes and photos from days past.

Several Scouts were on hand to model antique Boy Scout and Explorer uniforms from the 1930s, 1950s, and 1970s. Den Mother uniforms from the 1980s were also on display.

Webmaster Ray Toler and Scoutmaster Steve Budde wear vintage uniforms.

Attendees were surprised while perusing the St. Alphonsus display when photos of Bob and Joan Ott were found in old Scouter newspapers from the 1970s. The well-attended Roundtable featured presentations on Boy Scout and Cub Scout Recruiting along with an interesting presentation by John Kryl on the symbols used by Scouting during the past 100 years.

Jim Mosby and John Kryl reminisce about the displays

Roundtables are held monthly at 7:30 pm at Queen of Angels Social Hall, 4412 N. Western, on the fourth Wednesday. Parking is free at the school lot (1 block north).

For more photos, CLICK HERE...

All St. Alphonsus Scout Leaders must register as a Volunteer with the Archdiocese of Chicago and complete the training course "Protecting God's Children."

CLICK HERE for information and instructions