Cold and Wet Weather Marks Winter Camp 2012

Winter Camp 2012 is in the books and was a cold, muddy success!  Over 125 scouts, leaders and staffers came to Camp Yocona December 27 - 30 to participate in a big selection of merit badge classes and activities.  Julie Chambers and Chase Stanford served as Co-Directors of Program and did a fantastic job with the event.  Rain and freezing rain was present for most of the event as temperatures hovered around freezing, even dropping into the teens Saturday night.  Spirits were bright though as everyone gathered around fires in the dining hall and administration building.  The third annual Polar Bear Swim was held Saturday in freezing rain with eight campers and two adults participating.  The theme of this years winter camp was "The End of the World" and coincided with the end of the Mayan calendar.

Congressman Roger Wicker named 2013 Council Distinguished Citizen

We are pleased to announce that Senator Roger Wicker has been selected as the 2013 Distinguished Citizen.  Roger F. Wicker has represented Mississippi in the United States Senate since December 2007. During his time in the Senate, Wicker has championed pro-growth policies to create jobs and has worked to reduce spending, limit federal overreach, and maintain a strong national defense. Prior to his service in the Senate, Wicker was elected seven times, beginning in 1994, to represent Mississippi's First Congressional District in the House of Representatives. Before being elected to Congress, he served in the state Senate on behalf of Lee and Pontotoc counties. Senator Wicker served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force and then joined the Air Force Reserve. He retired from the Reserve in 2004 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

A native of Pontotoc, Mississippi, the Senator is the son of former Circuit Judge Fred Wicker and the late Mrs. Wordna Wicker. He was educated in the public schools of Pontotoc and received his B.A. and law degrees from the University of Mississippi. Wicker is a member of the First Baptist Church Tupelo, where he sings in the choir. Senator Wicker is married to the former Gayle Long of Tupelo. They have three children: Margaret and son-in-law Manning McPhillips; Caroline and son-in-law Kirk Sims; and McDaniel Wicker (Eagle Scout Troop 12); and two grandchildren: Caroline and Henry McPhillips.

Senator Wicker will be honored on February 19th, 2013, at the annual Boy Scout Distinguished Citizen Dinner to be held in Tupelo at the BancorpSouth Conference Center at 6:30 PM. The dinner is being chaired by Mitch Waycaster of  Renasant Bank. Former recipients of this honor include author and producer Sam Haskell, BancorpSouth President Aubrey Patterson, acclaimed author John Grisham, football great Archie Manning, former governors William Winter and Haley Barbour, Senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott, former Yocona Area Council Presidents Felix Black, Henry Brevard, Rob Leake, Bud McCarty, Jack Reed Sr. and J.C. Whitehead, "The Scoutmaster," and most recently the "Voice of the Bulldogs" Jack Cristil. The Distinguished Citizen Dinner is by invitation to Friends of Scoutingdonors with gifts of $250 or more, for your invitation or more information contact the Scout Service Center at 662-842-2871. 

Council Elects New President, Awards Silver Beavers at Annual Business Meeting

New Council President Kyle Smith

Yocona Area Council held its Annual Business Meeting and Volunteer Recognition Banquet on December 11, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church in Tupelo.  Kyle Smith, former Tallahatchie District Chairman, was elected as Council President.  Kyle is the CFO and Trust Officer of the People's Bank in Ripley.  Kyle has been involved with the council for many years and brings a cheerful optimism to the position.

Also on the agenda was the approval of district and council commissioners.  Johnny Price of Oxford retained his position as Council Commissioner while Ty Robinson, Scott Kirkland, Rob Freeman and Rick Robinson were elected District Commissioners of their respective districts.

John Fulwider recieves the Medal of Merit

One of the highlights of the evening was the awarding of the Medal of Merit to Eagle Scout John Fulwider of Troop 499 in Fulton.  John saved a classmate from choking by performing the Heimlich maneuver and for his efforts was awarded the Medal of Merit by the National Court of Honor. Congratulations, John...we are so proud of you!

Finally, the Council awarded the prestigious Silver Beaver to four Council Scouters.  Among those honored were Mark Lovil, Johnny Price, Debbie Dabbs and Joe Harris.  Many Silver Beaver recipients were on hand to witness the presentation.

Silver Beaver Recipients from L-R, Debbie Dabbs, Johnny Price,
Mark Lovil and Joe Harris

Rosenthal Leaves Legacy

Legendary council Scoutmaster, Louis Rosenthal, passed away Wednesday, November 21.  Mr. Rosenthal was instrumental in the formation and operation of Troop 222, First Baptist Church, New Albany.  During his tenure as Scoutmaster, Troop 222 became one of the premier units in the council and was named in the top ten in the nation in the awarding of the God and Country Award.  Lewis was awarded the distinguished Silver Beaver Award and the Good Shepherd Emblem for outstanding service to youth through the Boy Scouts of America. 

Lewis was a member of First Baptist Church, New Albany, where he served as deacon, Sunday School secretary, Sunday School teacher, Church Training teacher, chairman of the Benevolence Committee, the Boy Scout Committee and member of the Camp Armstrong Committee. He was instrumental in organizing Clarke Street Mission and serving as a teacher there. Lewis was a longtime member of the Kiwanis Club and served as a volunteer at the Baptist Memorial Hospital Union County.

Lewis loved fishing and spent much time teaching the sport to others, especially children. He was one of the organizers of the Connie Davis Fishing Rodeo held each year since 1983 at Camp Armstrong. Lewis served many years as clock keeper at West Union and New Albany basketball games. He was also a district football referee.

The Yocona Area Council extends our deepest sympathy to the family.

May the great Master of all Scouts be with us 'til we meet again, and may we follow the path that leads to him.

Council Wood Badgers Receive Beads

Yocona Area Council's S748-12 Wood Badge course began beading ceremonies this past Saturday at the Order of the Arrow, Chicksa 202 Lodge's Fall Fellowship.  Course Director and Scoutmaster Mark Lovil was in attendance to present the beads to the initial round of course participants.  Those receiving beads included Chris Jenkins, Rob Freeman and Tom Wiseman.  Each participant attended the six day course held earlier this year and completed five service projects in order to become a Wood Badger.

Course Director Mark Lovil said, "The journey to the award was completed this last weekend at Camp Yocona for three Wood Badgers.  We look forward to the other thirty-three following suit!"

Wood Badge is a Scouting leadership program and the related award for adult leaders in the programs of Scout Associations throughout the world. Wood Badge courses aim to make Scouters better leaders by teaching advanced leadership skills, and by creating a bond to the Scout movement. It is the ultimate in leader training.  Courses generally have a combined classroom and practical outdoors-based phase followed by a Wood Badge ticket, also known as the project phase. By "working the ticket", participants put their newly gained experience into practice to attain ticket goals aiding the Scouting movement.

Popcorn Sale In Home Stretch

The council's annual popcorn sale is entering the home stretch and all indications point towards another successful year of sales.  Popcorn is an effective way for units to raise money to fund Scouting throughout the year.  We offer many varieties of great tasting popcorn including Supreme Caramel, Movie Time Butter, Summer Roasted and our newest addition, Nacho Cheese.  See your local Scout unit to order or call the Service Center at 662-842-2871. 

New Albany Boy Scouts Host Merit Badge Day

Troop 222 hosted a merit badge day at the Union County Heritage Museum and the event was featured on WTVA News!  Check it out, click on the link below.

New Albany Boy Scouts earn merit badges