Wow!!
What a way to wrap up the 2010-2011 program year with a spectacular Spring Campout at Camp Tippecanoe. Thank you Medicine Man Mike Urbanowicz for planning such a memorable event. The days were hot and humid but that didn’t dampen the fun. I hope everyone was able to pull themselves away from the refreshing lake to enjoy horseback riding, BB guns, and archery.
On Friday night the kitchen was hot not only from the ovens but also from the tempting sauces for the wing competition. Congratulations to our wing contest winners. Big thanks to Mike Urbanowicz, Jeff Brubaker, and Gary Pitzer for doing the bulk of the cooking. Also, thanks to all who helped out with the Friday night clean-up. Proceeds from the St. Judes Walk were over $1,200, thanks to everyone for their generosity and thank you tribe for putting this charity event together.
Congratulations to our 43 graduating members of the mighty Hopi, Cherokee, Mohican, Seneca, and Mohawk Tribes. It was sad seeing all these fine young boys and girls with their dads. I wish each of you all the best as you enter this new phase of your life. Our greatest achievement is the memories you have made with your fathers over the last 5 years at your campouts, pine car derbies, pool parties, fishing, parades, late nighters’, rain gutter regattas, rocket launches, hikes, and tribe meetings.
Thank you to everyone that made this past year a success. From the Longhouse officers to the tribes that hosted the events, you are what make this organization run as smoothly as it does. In particular, thank you to our outgoing Longhouse Chief Carl “Howling Coyote” Wisniewski. It was a pleasure serving as Carl’s Asst. Longhouse Chief over the last year. Also, congratulations to the coveted Golden Tomahawk Award recipients for 2011 Gary Pitzer and yours truly for their past, current, and future commitment to leading this group.
We will never forget those longtime and dedicated CVNSND members, Carl Wisniewski, Jeff Brubaker, Dave May, and Tony Apolzcer who were presented special awards honoring their dedication and commitment to the CVNSND program. Good luck to all four of our highly esteemed members and we look forward to your continued involvement in Pathfinders.
Thanks to the Craig Bonvechio and the Kickapoo tribe for hosting our annual Family Pool Party on July 15th. The weather was perfect for this fun summer event and our Kickapoo grill masters did an excellent job preparing all those burgers and hot dogs to perfection.
Recruiting is full swing for the upcoming program year. Word of mouth is our number one recruiting tool so everyone please keep up the good work. Our flyers have been posted on the website, as an addition to our recruiting campaign please print off the flyers and post them in your church, pre-school, child care provider, or any place you feel will promote the great program we are all part of. Don’t forget about the Recruiting Rally scheduled at 6.30pm on Wednesday, September 14th at the Oaks Grove Pavilion in the Brecksville MetroParks.
As summer winds down and a new school year begins let’s not forget why we are here: to celebrate and build upon the bonds with our children the same way the Native American father did with his offspring. Because of the time we spend with our children, the relationship between us will grow, building memories that will last a lifetime. Our group is so exceptional because we are focused on something of immense importance to us: OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS. Because of this focus, I will forever be proud to be a member of The Cuyahoga Valley Native Sons and Native Daughters Program.
Your new Longhouse Chief,
John “Pink Shorts” Falko
