I Remember Dad...

continued from page 12 to Dad’s blue Ford Econoline truck. It was poetry in motion as I helped my fellow scouts lift the big Klondike sled from the back of Dad’s truck and ever so gently place it to the ground.

And then, Jimmy Anderson, the Captain of the Junior Klondike Team grabbed the back handle of the glorious dog sled, the other five boys grabbed the rope handles, attached to the thick manila rope that ran from the front of the sled, and they ran off to the starting line.

At the starting line, the grand and glorious Junior Klondike Team of Boy Scout Troop 170 had about four other teams in front of them, awaiting to approach the shot gun start. Each shot gun shot, would send off two

Klondike teams, one running to the left and one running to the right. Mr. Spotts had the high honor of starting the teams off with his famous cap pistol. It was such a magnificent sight to behold.

Back in the line, I watched Dad give a pep talk to his scouts. Suddenly, I saw the grand and glorious leadership of my father come to life. There was no doubt about it. Dad was incredibly proud of his scouts and he cared about each and every one of them.

I took a picture of the moment with my Kodak Instamatic camera that I had in my coat pocket. That very picture was to appear within the pages of the noteworthy Lincoln Park Herald, along with a story that I wrote about the big event.

Now at 69, I would give an eye tooth, give up my entire comic book collection, give up most of my worldly possessions, to just relive that day once again. This past May twelfth, marked 17 years from when my dear father went Home to be with the Lord. I still deeply mourn for him. In all so many ways, my father truly was the Beloved Scoutmaster.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. Richard hosts a YouTube Channel entitled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” He most recently published a book of poems and short stories. Richard can be reached at richardmabeyjr@ hotmail.com.

Learn more about the many programs and services provided for free by this group. e lunch meeting will be held at e Corner Bistro, College Plaza in Randolph. Doors open at 11:45. Cost is $25 pp for members. $35 pp for non-members.

September is event is being hosted by CCM. Doors open at 11:45. RSVP is required for this event since parking passes will need to be issued.