For The Birds

Thank You Gonzales, You FLOCK!!!

I've often been told my board and website is for the birds, and now I know it is. 90a Sign is surrounded by 39 pink flamingos. Seriously, for the last month Troop 262 has been having a fund raiser with 3 flocks of plastic pink flamingos.  They've made their way around Gonzales, yard to yard, and even visited several businesses throughout town.  They have been accepted with open arms through out town. In their farewell night in Gonzales, they are perched at 'the chalkboard' to say Thank You Gonzales!

We wanted to share what these funds will be going towards.  We have 41 scouts in Troop 262.  Of those we have 17 boys (age 14 and above) and adults going to S. Padre Island for a week of high adventure sailing.  We'll be sailing out of Laguna Station.  Everyone will learn knots, tacking, and terminology.  Then we'll start out with smaller sailboats and at the end of the week we'll be on a 40'+ yacht.  This camp is $650+ per person. 

A second group of boys who either chose not to go to Seabase or are under 14 years old will also be going to S. Padre Island to enjoy a week on the beach and fun activities at the state park down there.  We expect this will cost about $300 - $350 per person for this camp. 

These are 2 huge undertakings, and we'll be doing them simultaneously!  Approximately 50 individuals will be spending the week of June 24 - 30, 2012 down in S. Padre.

Our troop is active and always on the go.  In 2 weeks we'll go to Summer Camp 2011 at El Rancho Cima over by Wimberely.

We've spent a night on the USS Lexington, shot riffles, shotguns, muzzle loaders, had "minute to win it" competitions, learned about money management, and so much more, and that's just 2011, and we're only 1/2 way done.

If you have a boy age 11 - 18, and are interested in finding out more about our troop, please contact us at info@trp262.com or visit our website at www.trp262.com

If you are a boy or girl age 14 - 21 and would like to find out about Boy Scouts Venturing (it's co-ed) in Gonzales and all their activities, including surfing, climbing, canoeing and much more contact Allison Poteet at cubmaster_fun_261@yahoo.com.

Or if you have a younger boy, 1st through 5th grade find out about Cub Scouts at www.pack261.com or you can also email Allison Poteet at cubmaster_fun_261@yahoo.com.

Scouting has been a big part of American culture since 1911 (that's right 100 years), and is a great program for any boy (and now girls age 14+ too).

God Bless,
Dennis Nesser

If you would like to donate to Troop 262 camping fund, please mail a check made out to BSA Troop 262 to 712 Ridgemont Lane, Gonales, TX 78629

Those that care

I keep hearing for people over and over, "I don't know why you bother, no one cares" or "I don't know why you bother because nothing is ever going to change in this town".  I beg to differ with all those naysayers! There are plenty that care about this town!

When the issue of the 2 year old flags were brought to my attention I made it my personal goal to have them removed.  First of all I let people know what was going on.  Everyone was appalled that the flags were still up.  They honestly hadn't noticed them, was the most common response.

So I went over to Gonzales Lumber and they were well aware of the flags.  I knew they had large ladders because I had rented from them several times.  David over there was more than willing to allow my scouts of Troop 262  to use the ladders to remove the flags.  Unfortunately the large ladder was to large and the other ladder to small, but I wanted to make sure that everyone knew that Gonzales Lumber was willing to help this town look better.

In my disappointment that day I was talking with someone who mentioned that someone else here in town had a bucket truck.  I went over and spoke with the owner of the truck and he was absolutely behind making this happen and getting this eyesore off of our main drag in Gonzales.  So I have a very special thanks to Lorenzo Hernandez of Lo's Auto for loaning us his bucket truck for this.  His son Kenny and grandson Darron came out and took the time to remove them from the poles.  So the picture on the top are the flags removed from the old Quality place.  Please thank all of these guys next time you see them.

So I now have the flags and the scouts with Troop 262 will properly retire them.  It's one of the things we do for community service about once a year.  These flags have served their country well, and will be respectfully retired.

So things can happen in this town.  Someone has to care.  Someone has to follow through and coordinate.

I've seen this with "Liquor by the drink" here recently and even more recently heard about a group getting together to clean up the city cemetery on College street on September 25th from 9 AM - Noon.  No pay.  Not looking for glory.  No real reason other than it needs to be done. It makes my heart feel good to know that all those naysayers are wrong.  Gonzales CAN change! Gonzales DOES care!  There might be those that don't, but I believe all in all Gonzales Cares.

God Bless,
Dennis Nesser

Scouting / Venturing

I want to talk about our youth in Gonzales, and a part of it I'm involved in.  I'm scoutmaster for Troop 262 here in Gonzales. I've been involved in scouting now for about 7 years, starting out in Cub Scouts and took over Troop 262 about 3 years ago when the previous scoutmaster stepped down. 

About 8 months ago a group of boys came to me and asked what it would take to get a Venturing unit started here in Gonzales.  To the best of my knowledge, the only other Crew (Scouters have Troops, Venturing have Crews) in this area is in Lockhart.  We set out to find a sponsoring organization, and after a bit of a search the BPO Elks stepped up to become the units sponsors. 

Saturday, after the Elks put on a dedication to the US Flag, they will be signing the paperwork to start the unit officially.  John DuBose Jr will be signing the agreement between Capitol Area Council and the Elks for the Venturing Crew 264. 

Venturing is a bit unique in Boy Scouts in that it is open to all boys and girls age 14 - 21.  Unlike Boy Scouts, it's not so much about rank and badges, as the leadership and planning for activities that the participants decide they want to do.  If they want to go camping, then they figure out how, how much, and make it happen.  The adult leadership is more to keep them in bounds and make sure that they have all the training and equipment they might need to for safe activities. 

So Gonzales is pretty blessed with an outstanding Scouting environment.  For the boys we have Cub Scouts Pack 261, starting at 1st grade and going till 5th grade, Boy Scouts Troops 262 and Troop 263, going from 6th grade - 18 y/o, and now Venturing Crew 264 from 14 y/o - 21 y/o. 

For the Girls Scouts I believe they go from Kindergarten - 18 y/o. I was recently at their banquet and can tell you that they too have a thriving organization here in Gonzales.

Scouting teaches these kids leadership skills and exposes them a wide variety of activities that they might not otherwise be exposed to.  Right now Troop 262 has 2 boys at National Youth Leadership Training, learning CEO type training so they will be able to come back and run the troop. 

Next week we'll be on our annual summer camp.  20 boys with a dozen adults will be camping.  The boys will be learning about Environmental Science, First Aid, Cooking, Leatherworks, Rowing, Space Exploration, Knots, Tracking, Indian Folklore, and several other topics.

If you're interested in getting involved in Scouting, either as a Boy Scout or Venturer email info@trp262.com and we will get you in touch with someone. Let us know which (or both) group you're interested in. 

God Bless
Dennis