Long time!

Well it has been way to long since I last posted to my blog. I just find that I have better things to do most days. Scouting in Pikeville is still alive. We have a slew of activities going this spring and summer. Cub Scout Camporee is 2 weeks away, troop/pack bike trip in Damascus is the week after that. Supposed to have an OA election in May with an ordeal to follow. Need to pay my dues. Scout Camp is coming up in July.

Have fun!

Troop 10

There is a new Troop in Pikeville and it is taking the Scouting World by storm!  Troop 10 is the newest, youngest troop in the District. They are going all over taking the scouting horns in their hands and making the most of it. Keep watching this spot for more updates on this dynamic lil group!

Learn to be a ventriloquist

LEARN THE EASY ALPHABET

Sit in front of a mirror and make a slight smile with your lips parted. Make your teeth lightly touch. Your tongue should have room to move. If you see your tongue moving in the mirror, then change your smile until the tongue is hidden. Your goal is to breathe easily and read aloud these 19 letters without moving your lips:

A, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K, L, N, O, Q, R, S, T, U, X, Z.

Practice the following sentences until they sound clear but your lips don’t move: “Hey, this rocks, dude! It is sooooo easy. Anything you can say, I can say, too!” If you sound muffled, try making your voice come from some higher place in your head as well as your mouth.

MOVE ON THE THE TRICKY LETTERS

There are seven trickier letters: B, F, M, P, V, W and Y.

These letters normally require you to move your lips. To say them without moving his face, the ventriloquist borrows from the easy alphabet, some other letters or combined sounds to “fake” the tricky letters. Use these substitutions:

B = D, F = “eth,” M = N, P = T, V = “thee,” W and Y = O+I

B = D

Instead of saying “The Bad Boy Buys a Basket” the ventriloquist says, “The Dad Doy Duys a Dasket.” Try this in the mirror. At first, this substitution won’t sound right; but with practice, D can be made to sound like B. [Hint: When your tongue rises to the top inside of your mouth to make D, let it stick to the roof of your mouth a little longer before releasing. Also, say D but think B.]

F = ETH

Instead of saying “Phil is a Frisky, Funny Fellow,” try saying, “Thil is a Thrisky, Thunny Thellow.” Say the “eth” sound but think F as you do it.

M = N

“Mary Mashes Many Mangos” becomes “Nary Nashes Nany Nangos.” Make the N vibrate against the roof of your mouth. Keep thinking M.

P = T

“Peter is a Practice Pilot” becomes “Teter is a Tractice Tilot.” Try holding the T a little longer, then release with a little puff of air behind it.

V = THEE

“Vinnie Very much Values Victory” becomes “Thinny Thery nuch Thalues Thictory.”

W AND Y = O+I

W and Y are treated alike. By quickly sliding the letters O and I together you can say “O-Aye” and it sounds like Why. Try putting a fast O to the front of the following: “Why Would Wally Walk?” You’ll be saying “O-Aye O-ould O-olly O-alk?” Now drop the O (or say it silently in your head), and you’ll be saying a clean W sound without using your lips.

In a short time, these substitutions become automatic. Practice for 15 to 20 minutes a day and in about a week you’ll see some serious results! Practice your ventriloquism with a relaxed puppet-like voice that is higher or lower than your own.

Canoe Trip

Troop 12 had their first Troop Canoe Trip down the Big Sandy River!  6 boys and 2 leaders with the help of Dana Ratliff had a great time on the river!  All found the water one way or another. We had a scare the first day as Ray and myself turned the canoe over soaking all our snacks and gear. Ray's phone and the emergency numbers floated out if his pocket and down the river. Thankfully Ty spotted it a half mile down from where we flipped!  Our trip was saved!  The boys decided to practice swamping the canoes while waiting for lunch.  We can't wait to run it again. The river is a very pretty river with the trees changing and the mountains standing majestically over and around it. 

Jamboree

14 youth and 1 adult are having the time of their lives at the Summit!!  Pray for them!

Unit Leader Award of Merit

I was awarded the Unit Leader Award if Merit this year!!

Troop 12 has been very busy this summer. We have made a trek to Gettysburg, PA, Summer Camp, Finished the new Kayaking Merit Badge, Finished the Law Merit Badge, and had 6 members go through their Ordeal for membership in the Order of the Arrow. Congrats Jerrel, Nick, Jagggar, Walker, Quinn, and Danny! More Pics on the way!!