SCOUTING,
ALONG the PATH
By Mark W. Palmer - Service Team Scouter
St. George, Our Patron Saint and Slayer of Dragons
Welcome loyal and faithful readers. I would like to
thank recently departed Miner and News staffer, Richard
Amery for coming out this past February 26th for our sliding
and "Birthday Party" celebrations at Lakeside Baptist Church
and adjacent field to honour our founders Lord and Lady
Baden Powell. It was great to have two of his photos, and
accompanying descriptive cut line on the front page of this
publication," Troop Scouter Kelly Naaykens was the capable
Master of Ceremonies for this enchanting fireside ceremony.
Now moving along to the theme of this particular column, I would like to introduce St. George the legendary "Dragon Slayer" The information for this column is derived from Lord Robert Stevenson Smythe Baden-Powell's "Scouting for Boys". Allow me to open with a direct quote from Baden-Powell. "Prepared and alert a Scout follows the lead of our Patron Saint George and his spirited steed". Of course there is much "folklore' associated with the legend as St. George was born in the year AD 303, and a lot has changed as the tale has been handed down since the 4th Century. The illustration Baden-Powell was trying to impress upon his Scouts was to demonstrate a new path to chivalry and honour. Initially, The Saint was known as the Patron Saint of England, and of the Knights of the Garter. This was the oldest order of chivalry in Europe. Born in Cappadocia, he became a Cavalry Soldier at age seventeen; He soon became renowned for his bravery
For those wondering where the Dragon
"fits in" with this story it, as legend would uphold, goes
as follows: St. George, on a particular day, came to a city
known as Selem, where nearby lived a dragon in a swamp.
As part of the dragons' daily dietary requirements, he required
to be fed one of the City's citizens, the poor unfortunate
drawn by lot. The day St .George arrived, the lot had fallen
upon the King's Daughter- I suppose not even Royalty was
exempt - Cleolinda. In a "magnanimous" gesture of bravery
and chivalry, St. George resolved that the Princess should
not die. Hence he mounted his trusty steed, attacked and
slew the dragon. Baden-Powell used this tale to reinforce
the concept that when a Scout was faced by imminent difficulty
or danger, no matter how large it loomed, he did not avoid
or fear it. Conversely, he went into it with all of the
might and courage that he was able to muster. With confidence,
as the story of the "Dragon Slayer" symbolizes, in all probability
the Scout will prevail over the difficulty or challenge
at hand.
St. George's Day is upcoming on April
23rd. Look for Yours Truly to assist at the St. Albans Tea
convened by the St. Albans' Angels-(ACW)- seeing as I didn't
break too many glass ware items last year, I do hope that
the Ladies' will invite me back! I will be in full Scouting
Uniform. For details regarding date and times of the Tea,
please call the Cathedral office.
Did you know that this coming Saturday, March 24th, Area Scouting Groups will be holding their annual Kub Kar Rally? Registration for participants is at 9:00 AM, with racing getting underway at approximately 10:00. The venue again this year is the Kenora Shoppers Mall. Beavers will be racing their "Beaver Buggies", Cubs their "Kub Kars", and Scouts " Pickups". Promises to be fun and, we would love to see the community come out to watch and cheer and, generally be part of all the excitement.
Until Next Time; Yours in Scouting
Mark
