NORTH STAR PINEWOOD DERBY

The 2008 North Star Pinewood Derby was truly a family affair, as brothers Kamrain and Sammie Hussain of Pack 189 in Fort Kent took the top two slots at the North Star Scout Show on March 1st. Kamrain's time of 3.114 seconds edged out brother Sammie by just 62 thousandths of a second. Jeremy Caron of Pack 179 in Ashland came in third place. Kyle Soetaert-Beaulieu of Pack 185 in Caribou and John Freeman of Pack 171 in Presque Isle rounded out the top five. The race was conducted by Pack 170 of Mapleton and hosted by the Aroostook Centre Mall and featured 52 racers from 14 packs. Congratulations to everyone for making this year's race one of the most exciting yet!

The Derby was organized under the direction of Pack 170 in Mapleton, and special thanks go out to pack leaders Dave Adams and Adam Rider.

The Scout Show opened with a parade led by the National Guard Color Guard and followed by all those Cub Scout Packs and Troops participating in the show. The parade made its way to the food court for the National Anthem and then to the other end of the mall and stopped at the Hero’s Wall to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Best Pack Booth Award for 2008 was given to Pack 162 – Washburn and Best Troop Booth Award was given to Troop 177 – Washburn. Booths were judged by council representatives Bob Grindle, Marshall Smith, Bill Leavitt and his wife, Marty. Bob and Marshall also put on a great OA presentation, and Bill displayed his legendary patch collection to the delight of North Star Scouts. Chuck Easley and his son came to visit our show.

Mall cooperation was superb – they allowed us to use the space next to Trader Joe’s for the Pinewood Derby. Patti Crooks also supplied mall gift certificates for the winning booths and a few more certificates to be given at the digression of the set up and clean up crews to scouts who gave extra time to ensure the success of the 2008 Show.

Special thanks go out to Kathy Peary, without whom the North Star Scout Show would not be what it is today, and to all the Scouts and Scouters who made braved the snow to attend and make the event a smashing success.

The North Star Spring Camporee will be held on May 16-18 in Ashland. The event will feature monkey bridges, and an orienteering course with 5 different stations: first aid, sawing, tree idenification, fire starting and shelter building.

The Cub portion of the event, to be held on Saturday, will be highlighted by a logging museum tour, an obstacle course, plus rocket making and launching.

An Order of the Arrow fellowship will be held on Friday evening, and a fantastic campfire will showcase performers on Saturday night.