AHWAHNEE SCOUT RESERVATION . . . a home for many

40 Years ago, on old style computer i did a picture of the Eagle badge and gave it to my father, it has since been given back to me this year and would like to display it

Noel (after 38 1/2 yrs)

Many Moons ago our voyages clashed

Not knowing where it would lead our future paths

You being lanky and on staff

Me a scout – a week in camp.

Strutting across the grounds with Gaelic pride

Confident, cockiness, prankster twinkle in your eyes

Character and traits, wished I had inside.

You enthusiastically instructed, programmed, and Luigi skits Meetings round camp, a Roadrunners pace never you quit.

I at thirteen, handbook dictionary, with scouts not a fit

Polar Bears ‘n breakfast, nothing doing I lickedly split

Gazing upon valley below hours spent,

O’er mountains, through the woods, I found by you once again.

All said and done, separate ways we went

Communicating not tell future technology of the internet

Prior to separating on our way

Adopted by a family so grand -

The Family: “We are the Men of the Ahwahnee Staff”.

dmpiantoni

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

THE STORY

When we were young we were caught up in the moment of the life time we were living in. Not taking a lot of pictures or making memorable notes and getting or keeping souvenirs.

Before being adopted into the family of the Ahwahnee Staff (age 11-14) as a participant in winter camp, OA ordeals, other times my dad was camp master and leadership training – summer camps were the best. For there alone I could be myself. There with scouts I didn’t mesh, because of who my father was, high expectations of others placed upon my shoulders so high. I was instructing adults how to teach boys; Knew the handbook like the back of my hand.

Early morning polar bear and morning mess, alone wandering around the camp land: from parade grounds to parking lots building all around. Hotel of Lupen at main gate to the post for trade – grabbed some cement ‘n took a seat, listening to sounds a cabin of staff music abound. From Center of Nature to the creek further down – roads leads up where the eagles roost. Passing the Indians Mohawk and Cherokee and the camps behind. Ranges to Hay out to the Chapel hidden in the pines, with a point just behind. A view of inspiration whether rooks looking down or the valley spread wide. Places along the way, I’d try to hide.

Like a spy no matter what time, over the hills Noel was the only one, me you’d find.

When the season was over and family members went on their way – with a list of contacts, in touch we said we’d stay. Communications at the time was at that time the pony express, our words did fade.

Over the years of life’s situations, souvenirs-memorabilia lost or destroyed, memories blurring into dreams not real, also knowing not what was really thought about you.

Now the highway of the internet communication being such a snap – world so small again the gathering of family from time so past. Affirming events that seemed made up, really did exist. I never knew what was thought of me for I was my fathers’ son, I felt I had to be a step above.

Missing the Reunion of 1986, not told by those who knew. But December of 2014, was a re-union I thought would never be. From Washington to California I took a trip for a wedding of family officiated by Noel. 38½ years once again we did meet. Funny to me, others that should have – didn’t recognize you. Even if no communication, with me not the case.

For your eyes still had the sparkle, your smile so mischievous as was in your youth. Time so limited and only a brief little chat. It was a sight worth while having. Verification of events only seeming a myth, and thoughts of one another from our time in the past.

It was a glorious Re-Union and so long over do.

Ahwahnee Woodbadge

Camp Ahwahnee has many stories and many pictures, and each has a different story. this is the story of Don Piantoni my father as he spent some of his Awahnee experiences with other members of the staff, he has givin me these to add to the Awahnee stories i have been posting:

as told by don:

Woodbadge

Wilderness/Indian Camp at Ahwahnee

David:

Here are some of the photos I have of Wood Badge at Ahwahnee. The course photos were all taken out at the Wilderness Camp.The list for the staff photos are:

1975, Wood Badge Course 39-5 Staff

Front row, L to R: Tom LuVisi, George O'Hara, Don Piantoni, Richard Herrick, Frank Rubino, and

Stanley Mozeleski

Back Rowe, L to R: Richard Tevlin, Jack Hall, William Fulton (SPL), Ken Lacrosse (SM),

George Busdicker (ASM), John Frazier (ASPL), Jeff Vaughn (AQM), Greg Darakjian, and

Gene Bergner (Camp Ranger)

1976, Wood Badge Course W39-6 Staff

Front Rowe, L to R: John Frazier (ASM), William Fulton (SM), and Richard Tevlin (SPL)

Back Row, L to R: Ralph Nordstrom (ASPL), Stanley Mozeleski, Richard Herrick (AQM),

Frank Gamble, Lewis Leavell, Ken Lacrosse, Fred Glass, Art Wilber, Bob Hatcher (AQM),

Frank Rubino, Don Piantoni, and Greg Darakjian (QM)

1977, Wood Badge Course W39-7 Staff

L to R: Don Piantoni (ASPL), Creg Carpenter, Vince Cirritos (QM), Lawrence Shackleton,

Stanley Mozeleski (SPL), Arthur Wilber, John Frazier (SM), Don Marczeski, Frank Rubino (ASM),

Richard Herrick, Frank Gamble, Raymond Budzinski (AQM), Larry Luebben, and

Norman Webb (AQM)

1978, Wood Badge Course W39-8 Staff

James Troska, Ross Wilson (AQM), Richard Herrick, Creg Carpenter, Don Marczeski,

Frank Gamble (ASM), Frank Rubino (SM), Stanley Mozeleski (ASM), Greg Darakjian (SPL),

William Hadley (ASPL), Larry Luebben, Harland McWilliams, Leroy Lance, Robert Richards,

and Don Piantoni (QM)

Jeff Vaughn is in the 1975 photo. He had just finished Summer Camp Staff, and Ken LaCrosse recruite him to be on Wood Badge Staff

Photos "1978 Wood Badge" shows a pioneering mary-go-round built in wilderness camp. I am the one shown on the left, and Don Marczeski is behind the pole with the red shirt and beard.

Photo :1979 Wood Badge shows me sitting on a pioneering gate built by one of the patrols to show me how strong it was. In the background is Lighting Ville campfire ring.

Tribe Of Ahwahnee Neckerchiefs

At Ahwahnee, there were special neckerchiefs for those who would spend time doing conservation projects. There were a total of 4 in all: The Tribe of Ahwahnee.

The many hours we all spent on the trails, in the campsites; especially going up to the highlands of tilroy, blackfoot and eagles roost to prepare the camp for all who would be traveling through the gate to the enchanted world of the Scouting experience. Below are three of the 4 tribal neckerchiefs. The hunter, The warrior and The medicine man.

I only wish that I was able to earn The Chief’s Neckerchief.

SOUL MATES

written 09 December,2011

Hey, Guess Who?

It’s BOO BOO

This Holiday Season when I dough out the decorations to start the yearly chore of decorating, I was finally able to dig through my trunks that had been packed and take a long stroll down Memory Lane.

As I started the stroll it seemed so long ago, but then memories came as if it was just yesterday. The feeling of family and friendships that were forged felt like they were forged not only in steel, BUT in Nature itself. I looked at the amount I had, thinking I had a lot more in pictures and souvenirs.

I realize that over the years (44) since I started collecting – pictures and items became faded, and lost in moves condensing due to space and the choices of what was necessary to keep, I cried – a lot of history that was precious was lost.

The memories feel like dreams, of great spirits and times.

My actual history with Ahwahnee and can be documented ¹ was in 1969 by a patch.

I started as a camper with my Troop 141 (later to become 441). Our troop would go up every year with the SPL going up the week before for the training. The year i became SPL the path of the troop was changing, it was decided that it would not be necessary. Our adult leadership had changed although my father was there for advisory if wanted. I actually was being closed off (over ruled by the new), however at camp i was always there to guide and keep the troop on tract. Every year at camp, i was a member of The Polar Bears

And The Last year with the troop, i was the one elected to be the Friendship Fire Keeper when our troop was honored with the responsibility.

In 1975 I felt I was now a true member of the Awahnee Family, it was my first year to be selected for staff.

(Note: When young – i felt that i was able to receive what i did especially in scouting because of who my dad was. He was well known in scouting on many levels – troop, district and council level. A lot of times i would hear them mention “there’s Don’s son). Although i went through a lot of the scout training and felt i had to be the best, there was that stigma at the time. “I had to be the BEST because i was DON’s son. But NOW that maturity has set in, and looking at the friendships that were forged, i realize that it was me. . .

My father only gave me the clay and the tools to build who i was and am WHICH ALLOWED ME ALL THE PRIVILAGES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT I HAVE ACCEPTED

In the next few days to weeks, I will be downloading onto my blog pictures and pictures of memorabilia’s to bring back memories and stories that we can all share.