Also,
1. We still have a handful of extra wreaths, living trees, etc. If you can help sell these for the pack (even to yourselves at discounted rates!) please contact Ann Rorem asap. annrorem {at} gmail(.)com

2. Attached is a sign-up for bell-ringing. We still lack 6 spots (and can accommodate more than that if needed). If you haven’t signed up please email Beth Witherspoon bspoon01 {at} aol(.)com or we’ll fix it at the Dec. 14 pack meeting.

3. Finally, the Pinewood Derby is coming up on Sunday, January 24 at 1:00. We’ll send more info to the boys about it, but our theme is “Winter Olympics.” We’ll have prizes for best cars in theme and best cars not in theme. We’ll also have a car-cutting day at the EP Senior Center if you’re interested. It looks like this will likely be the morning of Sat., Jan. 9 (and possible Jan. 16). I’ll let you know when I get confirmation about it.

Have a great day!

1. Extra Wreaths. We have some extra wreaths, since we have to order in full boxes. We REALLY need to sell them. Any money from these is straight profit to the pack.

If you want any of these (or can sell them to a neighbor), please contact Ann Rorem directly at annrorem {at} gmail(.)com or 952-937-3500. You can pick them up from her (and pay for them at pick-up). Let’s do this as soon as possible, and make sure to get your other wreaths and popcorn delivered! Thanks!
4 25″ classic $16
1 36″ classic $27
1 48″ classic $42
3 25″ victorian $22
2 25″ wintergreen $22
2 36″ wintergreen $32
5 classic spray $16
1 victorian spray $20
4 living tree $25
1 25′ garland $25
2. Roster. A current pack roster is attached.

3. Pinewood Derby. Our theme for car decorating is “Winter Olympics.” Be creative! There will also a category for “best cars not in theme.” I’m going to work on arranging a car-cutting date/time at the EP Senior Center and will let you know. Also, we need another volunteer for the Pinewood Derby. If that’s you, please let Kelly Zarling or Joel Nichols know!

4. Bell-ringing. Last but not least, it’s bell-ringing time on Saturday, Dec. 19. See the note from Beth Witherspoon (and attached sign-up sheet) and let Beth know when you can ring. (We really need help in the afternoon and over the noon hour.)

“It’s a Pack 497 tradition to ring bells for the Salvation Army each December. This year we’ll be ringing in front of one door at Rainbow Foods in Eden Prairie. Several of you signed up last night at the pack meeting to ring for a shift or two. Thanks!

If you haven’t yet, please check your calendars, look at the attached sign-up sheet for timing, and e-mail Beth Witherspoon (bspoon01 {at} aol(.)com) by the end of the week if you’re able to volunteer for a shift.
Thanks so much!”

Joel

Saturday, Nov. 14: Service Project at Simpson House Homeless Shelter, 1:00-2:30. More information and directions pasted below. It would be great if you could RSVP (today!) to nichols.jenni {at} gmail(.)com (though you can still come if you don’t).

Monday, Nov. 16: Pack Meeting at Cedar Ridge, 7:00 (6:45 gathering activity). We have a special guest (or 2!!!), pies in the face for Bruce and Joel, and plenty of other fun. There is a uniform inspection, so tell the boys to look sharp and get their badges on their shirts properly. There is info in your scout books if you need help getting your uniform together.

Scouts — What can you do to help people in our own city that don’t have homes? Our pack service project is Saturday, November 14 from 1:00-2:30. We’ll be visiting Simpson House Homeless Shelter in Minneapolis. We will be making sandwiches for their dinner, touring the facility, and participating in an activity that will help us understand what it is like to be homeless in America. Learn more about Simpson House at http://www.simpsonhousing.org/ . (Parents, note that the men will not be present while we are at the shelter; we will only interact with staff members at the facility.)

Please Bring: There is no cost to attend for this service project, so please consider bringing in some needed items for donation: men’s underwear, travel sized toothpaste, men’s long john’s sized M, L, and men’s T-shirts sized M, L, used pillows and blankets. Currently they have no long john’s in stock and are very low on underwear. The pack will provide all the supplies for sandwich making.

RSVP and Questions: If possible, please let Jennifer Nichols know by Wednesday, November 11 if you’ll attend. Yes, siblings and entire families are invited and welcomed. (If you don’t RSVP you can still come, but having a count is important so we buy the right amount of sandwich supplies.) Jennifer is also the contact person for questions: nichols.jenni {at} gmail(.)com

Directions

Here are directions to our Men’s Shelter from 35 W:

35W northbound
Lake Street/31st Street Exit
Left on Lake Street
Right on 1st Avenue South
Left on Cecil Neuman – there is no stop sign, look for this after the K-mart parking lot
Right on Nicollet Ave South
Right on 28th Street West
Turn left into the Alley between Frenz Brake Service and Simpson United Methodist Church and park in the gravel parking lot

The Men’s Shelter is located in the basement of Simpson United Methodist Church – 2740 1st Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408.