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VOLUME 10, ISSUE 1 | SPRING 2017 THE SILVER ARROWHEAD PRESENTED FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE ORDER SINCE 1940

Uncle Otto: The Fire Maker By JAY BOTTORFF he was a member of the Hiawatha Indians and NOQUET LODGE CENTURION by 1900, the American Pioneers. In late 1910, Otto moved to Detroit, Michigan, Otto Hornung was a colorful character at the invitation of Dr. Edward Pense, a local during the formative years of and his pastor of the Fort Street Presbyterian Church. adventures were heard around the world. An His role at the church was to develop a fitness early supporter of Scouting in Auburn, New program for the youth in his congregation and York, he got to personally know the founders at the same time develop a new troop of the , James E. West for the boys. His ability to recruit youth into the and while serving as a movement led him to other positions along the Scoutmaster. way. As a young man he was heavily involved in For the Detroit Area Council, Otto the local YMCA as its physical fitness director volunteered for commissioner service in 1912, and was known for his incredible strength and serving nearly 50 years. In 1939 at the age of for competing in championship strong man 62, Otto earned the Eagle Scout Award, which contests. He attributed much of his endurance adults could do at the time, and then received to his job as a steel mill worker and later used the Silver Beaver in 1940. his ability to craft some of the most revered As Otto aged, he found more notoriety neckerchief slides out of metal, wood and bone. and became the Scouting face for the Detroit Born July 5, 1877 in Rochester, New York, Area Council by promoting every facet of the to German immigrant parents, Otto Casper program: from national and world , Hornung or “Uncle Otto” as he later in life council events and his second love, the Oldest Scout plaque, two years before Scout- became affectionately known, was a member . Well documented in ing came to the US. February 7, 1960. Detroit of a handful of youth groups that pre-dated the CONTINUED PAGE 2 News. BSA. According to newspaper articles, in 1895 UNCLE OTTO, Schnell: Unit 41, Brother Eagle By MARTY TSCHETTER Some Gene stories sound part mythical, while CLASS OF 1996 others are simply legendary. Always very supportive of the Philmont staff Every summer since the inception of the Order and focused on the youth experience, as the of the Arrow Trail Crew (OATC) program over director of services from 1986-90, where crews 23 years ago, Gene Schnell has continuously obtain their gear and food before hitting the served as the lead adviser, secondary to his trail, Gene gave a classic orientation speech full-time staff position at Philmont. A staff icon, to crew leaders, building up the anticipated his commanding, lean physique and towering adventure. He always greeted youth crew frame, easily stands out in any crowd with his leaders with an outstretched arm, “Welcome, field uniform and gold epaulet loops. Working Brother Eagle.” Then proceeded to empower on the seasonal staff for over 32 years, Gene’s CONTINUED PAGE 4 quirky quips are a large part of his persona. SCHNELL, 2017 Silver Antelope recipient Gene Schnell LEADERSHIP Otto made handcrafted neckerchief slides

MICHAEL G. HOFFMAN UNCLE OTTO, CONT’D FROM PAGE 1 National Chairman, Class of 1986 local newspapers, often with photographs, Otto talked to youth MICHAEL L. THOMPSON about his journey in Scouting. In Vice Chairman, Class of 2006 1947, he was voted Volunteer of Recognition, Awards, History and the Year for Detroit by the United Preservation Community Service, which later became the United Way. In May ANTHONY J. FIORI 1948, the City of Detroit named Vice Chairman, Class of 1998 him Volunteer of the month. Communications Scouting afforded Otto the opportunity to travel to MATT W. DUKEMAN international events. He attended Director, Class of 2004 the first Canadian in 1949, the world jamboree in TRAVIS M. RUBELEE France in 1947, and four years later Associate Director in Austria. He participated in or Spring conclave at Charles Howell Scout Reservation, May 3, 1958. staffed all the national jamborees Uncle Otto, Lodge Larry Dittmar, Vice Chief Alan Pulk, Edward from 1937 through 1960, and Dittmar. Courtesy of Thomas Trainor Museum. FORREST J. GERTIN several national OA conferences. tinder and it would ignite. shared, “Otto was a character, and National Chief Due to his high-energy, engaging Professionally, Otto was a he had a never-ending spirit to get story-telling ability, he developed millwright, a tradesman that the boys in Scouting motivated TALON B. PARKER into the ‘must see character’ at worked with factory machinery. for the cause. He never missed an National Vice Chief events, also visiting councils across He used these skills to handcraft opportunity to share Scouting with the country. As a recognized neckerchief slides from bone that others. When you came to an event, MARTIN B. TSCHETTER ambassador for Scouting, in 1956 he often gave to Eagle Scouts and you knew if Otto was there, you Editor, The Silver Arrowhead Region 7 (, Indiana, Michigan, Vigil Honor recipients in his home could always expect a good story or Class of 1996 and ) presented Otto lodge, Mi-Gi-Si O-Paw-Gan. In fact, his ability to keep everyone around with the Silver Antelope. photographs of E. Urner Goodman him captivated by his speech.” In 1961, Uncle Otto Hornung JEFFREY L. ST. CYR One talent he loved to often show him wearing an Uncle Layout Editor, Class of 2012 demonstrate was the ability to start Otto slide. received the Distinguished Service a fire at long distances. In 1947, he Otto received the Vigil Honor in Award from the Order of the Arrow, The Silver Arrowhead is distributed placed first in the World 1951, given the name Tindeuchen, making him the oldest recipient. two times each year via electronic Fire Lighter competition. His flint translated as The Fire Maker. At Otto passed away on October 13th, communication to recipients of the Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Award. and steel was always ready to be lodge events he eagerly shared 1967, at the age of 90. A man of Articles, photographs, and updates may be pulled out to show off his talent. his contagious Scouting spirit with many talents and skills, he lived an sent to [email protected] One account stated that when Otto other Arrowmen, often talking incredible life, not only as an early struck flint he could send a spark with new Ordeal members. The Scouting but also as an ten feet away onto a pile of dry 1958 Lodge Chief Larry Dittmar uncle to all Scouts.

ON THE COVER: National OA Executive Secretary Martin Mockford introducing Uncle Otto at the 1961 NOAC. Photo courtesy of Dr. Louis Marchetti, Class of 1961

PAGE 2 THE SILVER ARROWHEAD CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

My Brothers, again return to Indiana University for the National Order of Arrow Conference. We expect 8,000 to This time of year many of us who are involved locally attend, which will fill every bed available on the IU and nationally prepare for the national meeting . of the Boy Scouts of America. As the Chairman of the Order of the Arrow committee, I start preparing Our high-adventure programs at all four of the for these meetings months in advance as this is national high-adventure bases continue to have the time that we deliver our annual report to the success. In 2017, we will operate at well above national executive board. attendance figures from prior jamboree years. Our training programs continue to develop quality I thought I might take a minute in this update just leadership training. Our National Leadership to give you the State of the Order of the Arrow. If Seminars trained over 800 youth and adult leaders you are involved with the program on a day-to-day in 2016, and we expect to surpass that figure in 2017. basis, some of this is old news to you; but for many The newly created adult training called Developing I think what you will see is the Order of the Arrow is Youth Leaders Conference was piloted in 2016 and alive and well and producing outstanding service to will go to full rollout in 2017 with 10 DYLC training Scouting and its many constituencies. weekends scheduled.

At the end of 2016 the Order of the Arrow consisted For 30 years the national Order of the Arrow of 88,305 youth and 66,605 adults in 275 lodges endowment has provided funding for the national divided into 48 sections. 32.03% of eligible youth Order of Arrow committee’s approved special Boy Scouts were Arrowmen. In 2016, 30,144 youth project allocations. In just the last four years the were inducted into Order of the Arrow membership, endowment has supported key OA programs with 12,970 Arrowmen sealed their ties of Brotherhood more than $1 million in direct funding including and 2,138 Arrowmen were recognized with the more than $200,000 in direct support of local Vigil Honor. The Order’s support of local councils councils through lodge matching service grants. At continues to be overwhelmingly strong. On average the end of 2016 the endowment had assets of over lodges provided $80 per member in cash and $7 million. You can know that the Order of the Arrow materials support. Cash and cash equivalents added leadership spends a good amount of time thinking up to over $12,900,000 in support of Scouting in about the future and how a self-sustaining Order 2016. can further our mission and purposes in support of Scouting. In 2016 the Order hosted two national events. Prism, held at the Summit Bechtel Reserve over a So, I hope you can see that the leadership of the four-week period in the summer, introduced 1,400 Order of the Arrow at all levels is doing its best to Arrowmen to the Summit Circle which is a recreation continue the momentum built up over so many of the original Treasure Island Ceremony site. At the years of great service to Scouting. I loved getting end of July in Bloomington, Indiana, we hosted an the emails from some of you following The Silver event we called Next: A New Century. The purpose Arrowhead newsletter, and would encourage any of of this event was to learn, grow and be inspired you that want to have further dialogue about what to be the driving force behind the Order’s second we are doing, to reach out to me directly. My email century. is the same [email protected].

If you are looking at the calendar in 2017, the Order My best to all of you, will mobilize the largest group of Arrowmen to ever serve Scouting at the national jamboree. We expect well over 600 Arrowmen to fulfill our Order’s commitment to serving the jamboree program. This will not only be the largest jamboree staff the Order has ever gathered but once on site the Order of the Arrow will make up the largest program staff group Mike Hoffman at the jamboree. In late summer of 2018, we will Class of 1986

THE ORDER OF THE ARROW PAGE 3 Some Gene stories are legendary and men’s track coach at Trinity fabulous steak dinner - his special lack of preparedness to which SCHNELL, CONT’D FROM PAGE 1 Catholic High School in St. Louis. way of saying “thanks.” Gene responded in his regular youth by talking directly to them, Gene received Vigil in April 1967; Todd Turner (Class of 1998) pointed and witty manner. He not the adults, encouraging him or appropriately given the name reflected, “Over the years, all of my informed the crew he was out her to take ownership of their trek. “Teacher of young men.” fond memories of working with looking for a water source up A central part of his presentation Before Philmont, he worked Gene have evolved into a larger on the ridge to help support the stressed the importance not to nearly 20 summers for Greater St. than life persona. Whether it’s his pending Tooth of Time trail project lose their crew leader’s itinerary Louis Area Council summer camps, unwavering advocacy of youth, or the OATC would be starting later because it served as a meal ticket including waterfront director at his relentless pursuit to ensure that that summer.” in the backcountry. “Sleep with it; Camp Sakima from 1967 through youth always have the resources Tim Riedl shared, “As the never let it out of your sight. If you 1981. During the summers of 1982- necessary to be successful, we director one summer, I walked into lose it, your crew will perish in the 84, Gene worked at Philmont as could always count on Gene.” a situation with an irate parent wilderness from starvation. Have Scoutmaster for the National Junior David Stowe (Class of 2000) who made demands that simply you ever heard about the incident Leadership Instructor course, shared, “In the summer of 1997, could not be met. This participant at Donner’s Pass? Just remember and then in 1985 directed the Ryan King (Class of 2000), our was overweight, completed the crew leaders if you lose this paper, training center as the last volunteer crew, and I, were bushwhacking work week, but was petrified of your crew will vanish into the abyss manager. our way down from the Tooth the hiking portion. As a result, of oblivion.” Starting in 1991 he worked nearly of Time on the last day of our he was determined to leave the An ardent hiker with long two decades as a backcountry trek. The participants, although program. While in the backcountry strides, Gene often claimed he manager at Philmont, and became tired and looking forward to the waiting for transport back to could hike a full ten-day itinerary known by the Philmont staff as conveniences of civilization, were basecamp, his father waited from sunrise to sundown. As an OA Unit 41 for his assigned radio energized about that morning’s expecting to take him home. Gene chapter adviser from 1973 to 1980 channel. In this position Gene’s mountain top experience. As we was able to intervene and calm the he led 11 Philmont treks, using typical workday started around weaved in and out of trees and parent. He asked about his son – the experience as preparation 5:30 am, spent nearly all day in jumped from boulder to boulder, the challenges he faced at school, for backpacking trips across the the backcountry with frequent an imposing silhouette appeared sports he played, etc. Gene always Grand Canyon, exploring Canadian check-ins with the OA leadership, in the distance. Was it a black had a way of getting to the root wilderness, and other national lending important support to the bear? Was it Bigfoot? Was it the of the problem and, in the case parks. fledging trail crew program. As ghost of Waite Phillips? No, it was of irate parents or participants, Gene grew up in the St. Louis far back as the first two summers, Gene Schnell in full class A uniform ‘killing them with kindness’ as he area, earning Eagle Scout in 1955, Gene provided encouraging words an hour from basecamp with a GPS would put it.” and being inducted into and remained in the background in hand, no rain gear, and no water In August 2013, the Philmont Lodge in 1957 at Irondale Scout which empowered our judgment bottle. He was almost as surprised Staff Association (PSA) recognized Reservation; receiving Brotherhood as young adults. to see us as we were to see him. Gene with the Silver Sage Award the next year. After earning degrees Since the very beginning, the Our crew, being properly initiated (past recipients include professional at St. Louis University and Southern only time Gene insisted on his way in the importance of hydration and Scouters Jack Rhea and Joe Clay, Illinois University, he taught and was by covering the entire check managing exposure, proceeded to Ed Pease, Chope and Virginia served as the Dean of Students for all the OATC staff to have a question Gene about his apparent Phillips, the US Air Force Academy, and the Order of the Arrow). This award acknowledges people who provided exceptional service to Philmont, its participants, the PSA, or any field of human endeavor that brings honor and credit to the legacy of the Philmont staff. Gene also served as section adviser from 1981 to 1986, the year he received the Distinguished Service Award. He subsequently served as the North Central Region OA Chairman from 1988 to 1991. On the national OA committee he served as a vice chairman for a number of years and lead adviser for several national conferences. Gene wrote the original Situational Leadership session for NLS and helped make revisions. The concept of bringing youth more in touch with a challenging but positive high-adventure program fit Gene’s belief in youth spirit, which fit the mold that 1966 Camp Sakima staff, St. Louis Area Council. Back row center is Gene Schnell. became OA Trail Crew.

PAGE 4 THE SILVER ARROWHEAD By the numbers: All in the family By MAC MCLEAN chief, and his father Joe P. Alexander in back to back conferences – Barry recipient and Forrest I. Bolles joined CLASS OF 1988 received the award. A father and P. McFarland in 1998 and Seth P. his son, Cortland E. Bolles from son pair of adult recipients, Roscoe McFarland in 2000. 2004. The list of the 965 recipients R. Bryant and William R. “Bill” Bryant, The selection of Peter A. Cash More recently, the family of the National OA Distinguished received the DSA in 1977 and in in 2000 enabled him to join his relationships have begun to include Service Award surprisingly includes 1979, after years of service on NOAC father, C. D. Cash of 1988, as a DSA spouses. Douglas W. Seaborne 24 families with more than one staffs. Brothers Albert E. “Bert” recipient. A pair of youthful brother received the DSA in 2004 and Sara recipient. Each of these families Bender, Jr. and Hugh T. Bender recipients resulted in 2004 – former L. Seaborne received it in 2012. has an interesting story to tell. received the DSA in 1979 and 1981 National Chief Scott W. Beckett of Robert G. Westmyer and Deanne The Heistand brothers received as youthful selections. Brothers 1996 and Steven H. Beckett of 2004 J. Castrey-Westmyer received the the award in 1950 (Robert H.) and Gary D. and Kurt E. Christiansen – as well as in 2006 when Mark C. DSA in like manner. The selections 1952 (Charles M.), respectively. Both similarly received the DSA in 1981 Bicket joined his brother John C. at the 2015 National OA Conference served as longtime professional and 1983 as youthful selections. Bicket from 2000. The selection added two more brother pairs to Scouters and OA leaders in the era When the OA recognized B. of former National Chief Clayton the list – former Section Chiefs Ryan prior to a youth-led OA. A son/ Jay Fairbanks, II with the DSA in T. Capp in 2004, son of Raymond D. Bajan from the Class of 2012 and father combo, James R. Feil and L. 1990, he joined his father, Bryce T. Capp from the 1973 DSA group, Gregory W. Bajan from 2015, as George Feil, received the award J. Fairbanks from 1979, as a DSA created another formidable father/ well as former Region Chief Ian M. in 1956 and 1958. Jim Feil served recipient. Brothers Craig B. and son team. In 2006, Jared P. Davis Pinnavaia from the Class of 2004 as the 1954 National Conference Michael A. Salazar received the joined his father, OA Historian and Colin R. Pinnavaia from 2015. Chief and George Feil served award at the same time in 1994 – the Kenneth P. Davis of 1977, as a DSA Interestingly, the only family of on the National OA Committee only time the OA recognized two recipient. The DSA Class of 2006 three DSA recipients is the Jones beginning in 1955 (later serving as family members in the same year. also featured another son, Matthew family of Rantoul, Illinois. Young Chair). Brothers Carl M. and Louis When 1995 National Chief Joshua K. Harris, child of Bradley K. Harris, Jon E. Jones, a former region chief, J. Marchetti received the award M. Feigelson wore the DSA in 1996, a 1979 honoree. The year 2009 earned the recognition in 1988. in 1958 and 1961 as youthful he joined his older brother, Daniel J. completed a pair of father/son The OA recognized his father, John selections. Feigelson, a 1988 recipient. A pair recipients; Andrew J. Kuhlmann H. “Jack” Jones, in 1996. Jon’s older In 1975 and 1977, Joseph B. of Nebraska brothers, who both joined his father, Kurt A. Kuhlmann brother, Jeffrey L. Jones, received Alexander, a recent conference vice served as CVCs, warranted selection of the Class of 2002, as a DSA the honor in 2002. National Commissioner leads by example By KYLE PALMER fellow candidates and Arrowmen- RECOGNITION, AWARDS, HISTORY & to-be in cheerful service, but he PRESERVATION would do so in extremely poor and trying weather conditions. Cold On March 25, 2017, Boy Scouts rain spanned the entirety of the of America National Commissioner event, so bad that vehicles had to Charles Dahlquist completed his be pulled out of the mud in one induction into the Order of the part of the camp. Despite the bad Arrow. The Ordeal took place at the weather, all candidates completed Tooele Wigwam Camp of the Great their Ordeal, donned in rain jackets Salt Lake Council, of which Dahlquist and with smiles on their faces. served as council president from Induction into the Order of the 2010-2012. Dahlquist was a Arrow is fitting for this devoted longtime supporter of the council’s servant leader. For decades, OA Lodge El-Ku-Ta, and had been Dahlquist has been active in the trying for years to find a date to go Boy Scouts of America and in through his induction weekend. his religion, the Church of Jesus When he was named national Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). commissioner, he renewed his In his youth, he was a , efforts to join the Brotherhood of Boy Scout, and Explorer. Later, Cheerful Service and made time he served as Scoutmaster and for his induction. Dahlquist is the explorer adviser. He has served first national volunteer (president in the posts of Chairman of the or commissioner) to be inducted LDS General Church Scouting while in office. Committee and LDS Young Men National Commissioner Charles Dahlquist and El-Ku-Ta Lodge Adviser Prior to the Ordeal ceremony, General President. The Young Men Blair Hope. Dahlquist, age 69, asked not to is the organization through which induction into the Order of the national commissioner inducted be given any special treatment Scouting is chartered within the Arrow. When asked what it meant into the OA. Charles is a great and expressed a desire to work LDS Church. to him, Lodge Chief Nathaniel example of servant leadership, alongside the other candidates. It was an honor for the El-Ku- Rodgers said, “After having Charles and we look forward to seeing As the weekend went, Dahlquist Ta Lodge to facilitate National serve Scouting and the LDS Church him complete the Brotherhood would not only serve alongside his Commissioner Dahlquist’s for so long, I was happy to see the ceremony in the coming year.”

THE ORDER OF THE ARROW PAGE 5 NUWINGI – The Willing By BILL TOPKIS Island in 1915. That was the year then, as a Spirit, tells us the story. CLASS OF 2012 he, along with his Assistant Camp The writing and directing of the Director Carroll A. Edson, began film encourages viewers, through During the summer of 2014, Wimachtendienk. Goodman learning and understanding our over the course of two long credited his night alone keeping OA history and the story of the first nights, more than 35 Arrowmen a fire while overlooking Treasure Vigil, to ask the pertinent question, served together to film NUWINGI Island from a rock formation “How can I make a difference?” – The Willing. NUWINGI served known as The Devil’s Tea Table as You can watch this film that as the entry exhibit for the 2015 transformational in his vision for includes a compelling original NOAC GEO (Goodman Edson the young Order. score on YouTube by searching for Observatory). More than 10,000 NUWINGI is also a story of Nuwingi – The Willing. Arrowmen experienced the story servant leadership. Not just for We always admonish viewers to of the Order’s first Vigil during Goodman, but even more so for his turn the sound up and the lights their visit to the NOAC museum. young guide, Treasure Island staff down. A companion film made Now you can watch the film! member Harry A. Yoder. In the film in 2012 can also be viewed on NUWINGI is the cinematic telling Yoder sets the quiet example of YouTube searching for Original of founder, E. Urner Goodman’s servant leadership. Yoder paddles Induction Experience that shows the Vigil and how he received his Goodman up the Delaware River. start of the OA. Vigil name. It is a story Goodman He shows Goodman the way up a We recommend watching the was fond of telling about his trail he had prepared earlier in the companion film first so that experience during his first season day to a site he had readied with the stories are in chronological as Camp Director at Treasure ample firewood for the night. And order. Recording Scout memories group hopes to attract great stories, years prior. The goal of the 2017 Oral living tapestry of Scouting history, big and small, old and new. The History Project is to capture not only and, in so doing, further the Jamboree 2017 Oral History Project personal histories of yesteryear, mission of historical discovery and By NIK NEWMAN is a continuation of the efforts which are often wonderfully understanding within lodges and LEAD ADVISER JAMBOREE 2017 executed by the GEO Oral History augmented by time and perspective, local councils. If anyone would like ORAL HISTORY PROJECT Team at the Centennial National but also to record contemporary to be considered for an interview Order of the Arrow Conference at accounts of individuals who may slot this summer at the Jamboree, This summer the Order of the Michigan State University in 2015. be experiencing Scouting on a or would like to be identified for a Arrow and the National Scouting History has been limited too national level for the first time. future opportunity in a different Museum are partnering to host the frequently by the myopic viewpoint Regardless, the aim is simple: to venue (e.g. NOAC 2018), please Jamboree 2017 Oral History Project. that its domain should be confined create a repository of personal contact nikolaus.k.newman@gmail. Youth-focused and youth-led, the to mere reminiscences of many histories that will provide a rich, com. ARROWMEN SERVING SCOUTING AND THEIR COMMUNITY

DOUG NELSON (Class of 1988) has been Management and a Master of Science in Wildlife Biology and had a career named Scout executive of Northeast Illinois Council with the US Forest Service and NC Wildlife Resources Commission that in Highland Park, Illinois. Doug began his Scouting spanned over 30 years. Larry served as a section adviser in the 1990s. career as a district executive at the Anthony Wayne Area Council in Fort Wayne, Indiana, then most recently successfully served as the Scout executive of Miami Valley Council in Dayton, Ohio. BRETT WARNER (Class of 2015) is the new SR- 7B section adviser that serves six councils in central Doug Nelson and eastern North Carolina. SR-7B consistently has the largest attended conclave in the country. Brett is a member of in Raleigh, where he also serves on the executive board. LARRY WARLICK (Class of 1988) from the in North Carolina received the William T. Hornaday Gold Medal, the highest conservation award in Scouting. This award is by nomination only and for an adult Scouter who Brett Warner has rendered distinguished and unusual service to natural resource conservation and environmental improvement over a sustained period of at least 20 years. As a Scout Warlick, became interested in conservation by earning various related merit badges. After receiving Eagle Scout in 1955, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Cornie Warlick and Larry Warlick PAGE 6 THE SILVER ARROWHEAD