Muscogee Lodge will have its SpringFellowship on the weekend of March 14 -16 at Camp Barstow.

The Fellowship’s theme will be theGreco-Persian War, which is the wardepicted in the movie 300. The Greco-Persian War was chosen because ourtheme for Dixie is The Mighty 221, whichmeans we will be Spartans.

At the Fellowship we will all be dif-ferent groups who took part in the war,meaning that Chapter 1 will be Spartans,Chapter 2 will be Athenians, Chapter 3will be Persians, Chapter 4 will be thePersian Immortals and Chapter 5 will beArcadians.

We hope everyone will be able to

dress up in their specific outfits and willhave lots of fun.

The Spring Fellowship will help pre-pare the Lodge for the competitions at theDixie Fellowship later this spring. Theactivities we will focus on at the SpringFellowship will be cross-country, ultimateFrisbee, knot tying and tug-o-war, amongother events. We will look for youth par-ticipants to take partin these events atDixie and hope tofind the people whocan help win themost events.

Also, we arelooking for a trainerfor our knowledgeand training team.Please contact Mr.

Stan Haines (stanhaines@gmail.com) ifyou wish to volunteer for this position.We hope to see everyone at the SpringFellowship and hope you enjoy it.

More information will be posted onthe lodge website ( www.muscogeelodge.org) as it becomes available.

On January 12th, 2008, we had ourannual Winter Banquet at Camp

Barstow. The banquet was very enjoyableand all were very satisfied with the pro-gram … including awards and an inspir-ing guest speaker.

The food was catered by Champ’sCatering and was genuine Southern foodand was very good.

The guest speaker was nationallyrenowned naturalist Rudy Mancke. Mr.Mancke spoke about bing a naturalist, notonly as a profession, but as a hobby as

well. He showed a fox’s skulland told about the lives of redfoxes, our Lodge totem.Overall the speech was veryinteresting and insightful.

Yearly awards were pre-sented, including theFounder’s Award given toChris Browy and TommyBaker, for their leadership andcommitment to the Order.Also recognized were outgo-ing Lodge Chief, ChrisBrowy, and outgoing, long-

(continued on page 3)

In this Tale- Winter Banquet Photos

Page 2- Brotherhood Preparation

Page 3- Chief’s Corner

Page 3- New Year’s Editorial

Page 4

- Spring OrdealPage 4

- Ceremony SymbolismPage 5

- Dixie InformationBack Page

- CalendarBack Page

Spring Fellowship prepares for Dixie; the battle has begun

Awards, awards, whose got the awards?

John CueninVC of Program

John CueninVC of Program

Long-time Lodger Adviser Tripp Clark receives a token ofappreciation from new Lodge Adviser Stan Haines. Tripp’sselfless leadership is appreciated and will be missed.

The Fox’s TaleMuscogee Lodge • Order of the Arrow • Boy Scouts of America

Spring 2008

(continued from page 1)time Lodge Adviser Tripp Clark. Tripp’scool demeanor and remarkable organi-zation abilities will be missed but weare comfortable knowing that, althoughhe’s no longer serving as LodgeAdviser, he’ll still be attending eventsand Fellowships.

Also recognized our new Ordealand Brotherhood members. A vigil call-out was also held at the Banquet.

Our new officers, Skyler Hutto, Lodge Chief, John Cuenin, ViceChief of Program, William McCormick, Vice Chief ofCommunications, and many others, were sworn into their positions.

The Chapter Awards, which arealways anticipated, were presented to thebest overall Chapter (Ralph E. GrierAward) for 2007, Sukeu Sipo. SukeuSipo was also presented with the CharlesYoungblood Award for the most hours ofservice in 2007.

We recognized our new SouthernRegion Chief, former Muscogee LodgeChief, Mason Thomas who is now incharge of all Order of the Arrow entitiesin the Southern Region.

The Winter Banquet was a veryenjoyable event, with great food, a greatguest speaker and good presentations,which traditionally leads to an excellentLodge Year.

Winter Banquet

2

As you know, we’ve got some greatupcoming events.

In March, the Spring Fellowship willtake place, preparing us for a Lodge ofthe Year finish at Dixie in April. Not onlywill we have a great time at the SpringFellowship, but we have the opportunityto invite new brothers to seal their mem-bership through completing theBrotherhood Challenge.

For everyone planning on comingout, make sure you try to bring a friend.

If you’re looking for something to doin the lodge, but don’t have aleadership position, let aChairman know. AllChairmen have committees,

and those committees can be quite large. On a committee, the members of that

body support the Chairman in his effortsin dealing with a specific part of thelodge. Some great examples of commit-tees that can actively use their member-ship are the ceremonies committee,CPUE committee, and Ordeal committee.Feel free to contact the Chairman of yourchoice.

Finally, there are two great opportu-nities coming up on a national level,National Leadership Seminar andArrowCorps5.

The National Leadership seminarwill be March 28 - 30 at Camp Kinard inLeesville, SC. This event won’t be thisclose (physically) again for another threeyears, so make sure you sign up soon.

At this event, participants will

receive train-ing from ourSectionOfficers, whoobviouslyknow whatthey’re talkingabout. Ifyou’re interest-ed in theseevents, or inbeing on acommittee,feel free toemail me at chief@muscogeelodge.org.

While ArrowCorps5 is not filled, it iscurrently not accepting new participants.But that may change, so keep your earsopen. This is great opportunity to work inour National Forests.

Have you been an Ordeal member formore than 10 months?

Are you ready for the next step in theInductions Process?

Do you know how to “seal” yourmembership in the Order of the Arrow?

If you answered “YES” to any of thequestions above, then you are ready toattain your Brotherhood membership.

Brotherhood Membership is the nextstep in your “long and toilsome journey”that Allowat Sakima told you about in theOrdeal Ceremony. This is the only of thethree honors in the Order of the Arrowthat YOU earn. Every other membershiplevel you are selected, which means onlyYOU can make the choice to “seal yourmembership” in the Order by completingthe Brotherhood Challenge.

The Brotherhood Challenge consistsof six principle items:

1. Have a current Boy Scout,Explorer or Scouter registration andactively participate in your unit’s pro-gram.

2. Have paid your lodge dues throughthe current year.

3. Have a minimum of 10 monthsactive service since the completion ofyour Ordeal.

4. Possess a thorough understandingof the customs and traditions of theOrdeal, including memorization of thefollowing:

A. The OA SongB. The Obligation of the Order of the

ArrowC. The AdmonitionD. The SignE. The Handclasps of the Ordeal

MembershipTo help in your understanding of the

customs and traditions of the Ordeal, it issuggested that you attend at least one Pre-Ordeal and Ordeal ceremony (other thanyour own).

5. Carve an arrow a minimum of six(6) inches and a maximum of twelve (12)inches in lengths of NATURAL MATER-IAL. The arrow must have a carved headand fletchings of which you are proud.

6. Write a letter to the BrotherhoodBoard containing the following:

A. Explain what the obligation meansto you.

B. Describe how you have used yourunderstanding of the Obligation in your

troop or post, and in your daily life andhow you have used your understanding ofthe Ordeal to aid in this service.

C. Describe your plan for givingservice in the Lodge program.

Once you as an individual feel thatyou have successfully mastered all of theabove mentioned items, then you areready to undertake this new challenge thatAllowat Sakima told you in the OrdealCeremony “that will bring you before meagain, prepared to see the full meaning ofthe Arrow.”

3

Are you ready for the next step on your Journey?Jimmy “Newt” Grant

2008 Brotherhood Chairman

CCHHIIEEFF’’SS CCOORRNNEERR:: AA LLOOOOKK AAHHEEAADD FFOORR 22000088CCHHIIEEFF’’SS CCOORRNNEERR:: AA LLOOOOKK AAHHEEAADD FFOORR 22000088Skyler Hutto

Lodge Chief

EDITORIAL INFORMATIONThe Fox’s Tale is published by

Muscogee Lodge #221 of the IndianWaters Council #553.

Editor . . . . . . . . . . .William McCormickAssistant Editor . . .Andrew JohnsonPublications Adviser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .David M. WhiteLodge Chief . . . . .Skyler HuttoLodge Adviser . . . .Stan HainesLodge e-mail. . . . . . . . . . . lodge221@mindspring.comWeb Page. . . . . . . . . . . . . www.muscogeelodge.org

Remember, the Fox’s Tale can’t beprinted without your articles. Pleaseturn them in on time! NEXT DEAD-

LINE: June 25.

Lodge ChiefSkyler Hutto

Its funny to think about all the NewYear’s Resolutions I’ve made in the past.I’ve promised everything from doing wellin class to learning to the play guitar to los-ing weight.

Every year I feel obligated and strongabout my resolutions but every year itseems that as time passes by, they all waiv-er.

I keep my head straight for about amonth and then that guitar starts to collectdust.

Or those grades start to slip. Or that weight…well that’s not impor-

tant. Every year I have made resolutions,

and some small ones seem to happen, butnever have these resolutions made a pro-found impact on my life.

So towards the end of December lastyear, I started to really think about what Iwanted. Not what the student Blake want-ed; not what the music Blake wanted; notwhat the athletic Blake wanted.

I thought about what Blake and ALLof Blake wanted. I thought about the thingsthat made me happy and the times that Iwas happy.

I broadened my thinking a little bit andcame to realize that my goals were too nar-row. As simple as it may seem, I just need-ed to be positive.

The positive feeling is amazing. I haverealized in the past two months how muchof an impact optimism can have on your-self and other.

It’s like being a first-base coach;they’re doing more support than coaching.And there’s nothing better than having thatpat on the back once you make it to firstbase.

Frustration and anger also cause lots ofproblems for people. Sometimes you haveto step back and ask yourself, “Do I reallywant to be mad about this for the next 30minutes?”

Applying that philosophy to life can begroundbreaking.

I was sitting around with friends onNew Year’s Eve and we were all talking

about our resolutions. The table againresounded with plans of playing the guitarand such.

I laughed and said, “This next year isgoing to be the best year of my life, andthere is not a better feeling than that.”

I charge you to do the same. Let these next months be better than

the last, and the next after those even bet-ter! And you’ll find yourself in a rut some-times, but always remember: Don’t sweatthe small stuff.Editor’s Note: Blake Parsons is a formerLodge Chief (and Fox’s Tale editor) goingto school in Hawai’i. He will report infrom time to time from the other side of theUnited States. Look for an upcoming arti-cle from Blake on one of the largest OALodges in the world, including fromHawai’i and Guam.

EDITORIAL: Starting a New Year … turning the pageBlake Parsons

Special Corespondent

The first Ordeal of the year will beheld May 16 - 18 at Camp Barstow.

This will be the first opportunity in2008 for newly elected brothers to begin

the inductions process into the Order of the Arrow.

During the weekend the new candi-dates will embark on such tasks as settingup the campsite with tents for summercamp, trail maintenance, road maintenance,and other such projects the camp ranger,Dave Bauer, needs to get done prior to theopening of camp for the Summer.

The Spring Ordeal is also a greatopportunity for all current members toshow your cheerful spirit, and serviceto the lodge.

We need several people to beElangomats and Assistant Elangomats.If you are interested please contact,Justin Desrochers, atdesrochersJL@gmail.com.

Even if you do not want to be theleader of a clan youcan still come outto Barstow and help

with our service projects. The more handson deck, the quicker some of the projectswill go … and the more we can accom-plish to help Ranger Dave get the campback in shape for the Summer Camp season.

I look forward to seeing you all May 16th!

Fanning the flames of cheerful service with preparation for summer camp Justin Desrochers

2008 Ordeal Chairman

“Do I really want to bemad about this for the

next 30 minutes?”

4

A lot of it passed by quickly and it’sdifficult to remember it all — but it’simportant to all Arrowmen. The ceremo-nial process of induction into our Order isone of great significance for its symbol-ism. Let’s start from the beginning: thePre-Ordeal Ceremony.

“Awake My Friends …” saysNutiket, Guardian of the Circle, to drawyour attention to not only him, but towhat will happen in the days ahead.

“Fifteen Blazes led you to us…” itwas very unlikely that any of you werecounting on your way to the ceremony.However, along the trail, there were 15 litarrows that led you to the circle. These 15“blazes” represent the 12 points of theScout Law and thethree points of theScout Oath.

Nutiket thenurges us to “… seekthe fire at the center.”If you noticed, therewas no fire at thecenter of the ring;that was no mistake.The unlit fire represents the Fire ofCheerfulness, which has not yet beenstarted by the spark of brotherhood.

When he tells us to “… seek the fireat the center…” he does not mean that lit-erally, instead he means seek the fire ofcheerfulness within your heart. Kindle itto let it burn brightly so that all may see.

Next, he tells us “… Eat only thescant food that you will be given …” andto learn “…not to flinch from self denial.”He is telling us that tomorrow; we areonly to eat what we are given remindingus to be, as the obligation says, “…cheer-ful even in the midst of irksome tasks andweighty responsibilities” and he bids us,“… be like the bow wood and not breakunder hardship.”

After Nutiket has given the bow toAllowat Sakima, the mighty chief, Meteubegins to speak. If you recall, Meteu, theMedicine Man, bids us to “… Strictly

keep a pledge of silence” Most of you atthis point were probably wondering,“What does being quiet have to do withthe Order of the Arrow?”

Silence represents reflection in orderto learn what the true meaning of things,like brotherhood, are really about.

Remember “… let silence, like thebowstring, bind you each to every other,closer when the bow is tested.”

Also, Meteu reminds you thatalthough he attained his wisdom on thehighest mountains and through roughtrails and tribulations, that with thestrength of your brotherhood in this greatand honored order will aid you throughevery step along the journey.

Allowat Sakima, the Mighty Chief,then steps forward to remind you of whathas and will be charged to you. He then

urges you to “… spendthe day in arduouslabor, working gladly,not begrudgingly …”

He is telling usthat there is no greaterreward than unselfishservice for the welfareof others. He then askseach person willing to

make the journey to test the bow and, inso doing, show their willingness to facethe ordeal that awaits them.

The strung bow represents brother-hood and cheerfulness united in service.He explains you were not there out ofluck, fate or just sheer chance. You werechosen by your peers because of yourservice and loyalty to your troop, yourfriends and your family. He explains how

the arrow shows us how we should liveour lives. We must be straight and true,and we must follow a pathway, onwardand upward to bigger and better things.Remember the words of the MightyChief: “…he who follows such a pathwaywill be seen by many others, and byinspiration, lead them.”

Finally, Kichkinet, your guide, tellsyou to “… sleep alone upon your ground-sheet …” You were asked this to showyou were ready to “… face the isolationthat leaders often face.”

He starts by telling of the “… ordealapproaching swiftly as a flock of fieldcrows flying black across the sun …beinga leader will not be an easy task and thateven your friends will try to make youbetray your promise … tomorrow, I willlabor with you, with you I will listen, eat-ing little…” He is telling you you are notalone in this ordeal or throughout life’sordeals. Someone will always be with youthrough your toils and tribulations to helpyou along the way.

We new each having a better under-standing of what was meant by the “Pre-Ordeal” Ceremony, and this helps remindus this is the Brotherhood of CheerfulService, called by theDelawares, Wimachtendienk,Wingolauchsik, Witahemui.

The Pre-Ordeal Ceremony full of symbolism lost on manyAndrew Singletary

Ceremonies Chairman

Recognizing thesymbolism built into

ceremonies helpsstrengthen what itmeans to be part of

the Brotherhood.

David Mason portrays Nutiket

David Hutto portrays Meteu (foreground),and William McCormick portrays AllowatSakima (background).

5

2008 Lodge CalendarMarch 14Call Out for Ordeal candidatesCamp Barstow

March 14 - 16Spring Fellowship, Camp Barstow

April 25 - 27Dixie - Anne Close Springs Greenway

May 16 - 18Spring Ordeal, Camp Barstow,

July 18 - 20Summer Ordeal, Camp Barstow

August 8 - 10Summer Fellowship, Camp Barstow

September 12 - 14Fall Ordeal, Camp Barstow

October 3 - 5Fall Fellowship, Camp Barstow

December 6Lodge Leadership DevelopmentLocation TBA

Indian Waters CouncilBoy Scouts of AmericaP.O. Box 144Columbia, SC 29202

As most are aware the 2008 DixieFellowship, April 25 - 27, is rapidlyapproaching. It will be held at the AnneClose Springs Greenway, near Fort Mill,SC, and hosted by Skyuka Lodge.

Currently Muscogee Lodge has filledits contingent slots. However, a few people

are bound to drop out atthe last minute, and theservice lodge usuallygives more slots to thoselodges needing themafter they receive theirinitial numbers.

If you are interested in going to the2008 Dixie Fellowship, please stop by theCouncil Service Center and see Mrs. Veldato pay the fee of $50.

On a lighter note, the lodge has chosenas its theme, The Mighty 221, based on themovie 300. Which means the lodge’s con-tingent will be the Spartans defendingagainst the Persian Army, fighting to bringback the Lodge of the Year Award to whereit truly belongs.

At the Spring Fellowship coming up,March 14 - 16, the lodge will be preparingfor battle as we test out our SpartanSoldiers and prepare for the fierce competi-tion that will occur during the Quest for theGolden Arrow. (See the article on page 1.)

During the Spring Fellowship thelodge will be boosting its spirit as we getriled up for the Spirit Competition at Dixie.Let’s see who can yell louder: the Spartansor the Persian Army.

Finally, the Lodge Website now hostsa page dedicated to 2008 Dixie Delegates.

This page will be updated about once aweek up until April; then it will be updateabout every day as things change.

This page will have the list of all ofour soldiers who plan to help in the fightagainst the Persian Army in the Quest forthe Golden Arrow, transportation informa-tion, and much more that is relevant toknow prior to departing on this epic battle.

If you have any questions please feelfree to contact Chris Browy, Dixie Chair,at chrisbrowy@gmail.com or DaveCartledge, Dixie Adviser, atdtcartledge@yahoo.com.

Dixie Fellowship is April 25 - 27 at the Anne Close Springs GreenwayWilliam McCormick

VC of Communications Winning the ‘Lodge ofthe Year’ will require the

heart of a Spartan.

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCOLUMBIA, SCPERMIT NO. 40

MUSCOGEE LODGE #221 Spring Registration Form

Spring Fellowship – March 14-16 Ordeal – May 16-18

Name: ___________________________________________ Chapter: _______________________ E-Mail: __________________________________________________ (please check all that apply) SPRING FELLOWSHIP (March 14-16, 2008) _____ I am registering for the Spring Fellowship by March 6, 2008. Enclosed is my fee of $25. _____ I am registering for the Spring Fellowship after March 6, 2008. Enclosed is my fee of $30. _____ I have a 2008 Muscogee Red Fox Card and I am planning to attend the Spring Fellowship. _____ I have been an Ordeal member for 10 months or longer and I wish to accept the Brotherhood Challenge and seal my membership in the Order of the Arrow at the Spring Fellowship. _____ I would like to serve as a project coordinator at the Spring Fellowship. SPRING ORDEAL (May 16-18, 2008) _____ I want to come out and help with the Ordeal on the weekend of May 16-18. I am enclosing $5 to cover the cost of food. _____ I would like to serve as an Elangomat at the Ordeal on the weekend of May 16-18. _____ I would like to serve as an Assistant Elangomat at the Ordeal on the weekend of May 16-18. _____ I would like to serve as a Project Coordinator at the Ordeal on the weekend of May 16-18. I am enclosing total fees of $_________.

Make checks payable to B.S.A. or pay by credit card and fax. Fax or mail the order form to:

Indian Waters Council • P.O. Box 144 • Columbia, S.C. • 29202 • Fax 803-750-9855

Credit Card Type (Circle One): Visa MasterCard Discover

Name on Card: ___________________________________ Amount to be charged: $_____________

Card Number: ________________________________________ Expiration Date: _______________

Signature: __________________________________ Zip code for cardholder address: __________

KEEP A COPY OF THIS FORM FOR YOUR RECORDS!