8 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, February 24, 1999 Pack281l. —— (continued from page 1) of the year he was a leader. “Each boy carved a race car with wheels and painted them. It was excit- ing.” Hess believes Cub Scouts “gives boys a feeling of responsibility and gets them together with their dads.” He could not remember what boys did before Pack 281 was formed, although he supposes with a smirk they were “causin’ trouble.” Richard and Joan Rogers were leaders in the 1970's when their three sons, Ricky, Mark and Donni were involved with the pack. When Mr. Rogers remembers those days he thinks of Polar Bear campouts, Camp Acahela in the Poconos and the Pinewood Derby. “I think they get confidence and learn how to get along with people,” said Rogers. “I look around and see my past scouts who now have their sons in the pack.” Rogers stressed that if it was not for the wives, being a leader would be a much more difficult duty. In the past, mothers involved with Cub Scouts were called Den Mothers, now they are share the distinetion of Den Leader with the male leaders. Lori Chopka is one such den leader. She is involved with the Webelo pack of which her sons Ben and Dean are members. Her husband, Dean, is currently not involved with the pack. “I love it. They learn about nature and be- ing a team. There is so much for them to do and the pack is doing somuch for my kids,” she stressed. Cub Scout packs are devised into groups based on age. Grade 1 is Tigers; 2 is Wolves; 3 is Bears; and 4-5 Webelos. At the Blue and Gold Dinner, scouts received badges and awards for their hard work, got their pictures taken and were treated to a side splittin’ skit performed by den leaders. Paul Luksa, 14, son of Joan and Ed Luksa is now a Boy Scout in Troop 281, but there was a time when he was one.of the pack. “It helped me learn how to behave and taught me many things, like the names of all the birds. I think it’s good. We help the community and they help in return. It’s nice,” said Luksa, whose cub leader was Ray Manke. Nancy McDonald, Cub Scout Pack 281 commissioner, said the night was a special one. “It was nice to have the head table with past cub masters and den moth- ers. It was a pleasure to research them out,” said McDonald, who has been involved with scouts for 35 years and maintains the pack’s long history in albums. She be- gan her long and faithful career as a den mother in 1965 when her sons, Jeffrey and Patrick, joined the pack. Jeffrey went on to be- come an Eagle Scout. “I love working not only with the boys, but the wonderful par- ents. The people are inspira- tional,” said McDonald. “It's a very family-oriented organization. The parents are very much in- volved. We have seven husband and wife teams and a great many parents working in the dens,” she , explained. McDonald said she is always surprised how many people take the time to volunteer for not only their kids, but for other people's kids. “It's mind boggling that it’s run by volunteers who are doing it solely from the heart.” Both she and cubmaster Al Kornack are proud that scouting has stayed strong in the commu- nity alongside the team sports kids are involved with, such as basketball, baseball and soccer. “I think they get confidence and learn how to get along with people.” Richard Rogers Pack leader in the 70's @. Where do you find the most Back Mountain news and pho- tos each week? A. Only in The Dallas Post FRE SE: Bob Besecker, Pack 281's first Cub Scout, sat with one of the newest, Brandon Zalenski, a Tiger Cub. -+ Many rooms will look stunning with * hardwood plank floors! Easy glue down installation. A variety of finishes. Marion Redinski and Robert Redinski with some of their Webelos, from left; Anthony Macri, Stephen Zubko and Bobby Redinski. Above, Joe Kapolka sucked down a plate of spaghetti. Area Rugs in many sizes and patterns. Lori Chopka Den leader POST PHOTOS/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK ‘A dream come true! Fabulous selection of oriental and colorful area rugs Bob Besecker loaned the front window of his real estate office in Dallas for a display of 50th year memorabilia. 4 1 \ Free EES EEE Delivery NO MATTER SIZE OR PRICE! TAGGED - SIZED UP TO 12' X 16 g- £5 : ES © BLE | oC A : FREE CARPET REMOVAL & RIP UP ||. 01 od J IRV 107. N gy (0 lo], Bh if | BY Holo) OPEN 5S DAYS AWEEK 8 TO 8 - SAT. 8 TO 4 “ESTIMATES ALWAYS CHEERFULLY GIVEN - CALL 823-3429 OR 823-1201” > RIVER ROAD - PLAINS (3 Miles North of General Hospital) Visa te MasterCard Welcome — Layaways “Plenty of FREE Parking” Ask for one aaa iso "| INSTALLATION AVAILABLE ||
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers