Gem of the Berkshires

Troop 550 and Crew 550 had a great time on the mountain last week. An Indigo Bunting has taken up house keeping in the tree tops around the clearing and we were able to capture it with the Geartner. The new locking diagonal that Bruce made for the telescope will allow the use of the large eye pieces.

The scouts conducted a orienteering course across the clearing and several pioneering projects took shape. One, a Cranson kitchen, is still set up for use behind the pavilion. We also conducted CPR and First Aid certification and had numerous nature walks on the trails. Tuesday night was music night featuring the Bruce and Joe show with special guests. Wednesday was a canoe trip on the Deerfield river and movies in the Pavilion in the evening.

There was general agreement that it was better than any BSA summer camp.

The new showers were well received. Everyone used them whether they wanted to or not. Even with a three day hike on the Appalachian Trail, I managed three long showers. When the week was over we had used only one of the three tanks. Suffice to say we have built plenty of capacity into the system.

I was up on the hill today removing one last car load of camp equipment. I also cut and installed the rafters for the shower house. All that is left is the roof. We need to decide what kind of roof we want. It could be pine boards and shingles or metal.

It is time to put some work into the roadway. At the next work weekend I will start spreading lime stone and gravel.

Well that's all the news from the Mountain. All the girls, boys and parents of troop and crew 550 say thank you Arunah hill it is truly one of the gems of the Berkshires.

Joe

Showers in the Forecast

Joe Zuraw and several Scout Leaders have been busy on the hill, ably assisted by the regular first Saturday work crew. Working showers will soon be on the hill. As of July 5, we have a 12x12 slab poured for the foundation to the shower house, and a 7 x12 slab on the northeast end of the pavilion to hold the water tanks. A structure has been completed for the tanks, and the tanks have undergone a thorough cleaning, thanks to scout leaders Mike and Doug, and Joe Z's daughters.

Many thanks to Joe and the Saturday crew: Ray Burk, Peter Scherff, Tom Walker, Barry Hervieux, newcomer Will from Arlington (last name?) who helped me keep the cement flowing, and to DeeDee Pielock, Dan Carnevale, and Jonathan Klinkowski who mowed and did other things around the hill.

It was also nice seeing Bob Osgood now back on his feet and getting around pretty well.

I'm not sure Will knew what he was in for when Barry invited him up to Arunah to enjoy dark skies, but we sure appreciate his hard work. At least he had some great views of the summer Milky Way for his efforts.

Joe reports that the showers will be operational for the Boy Scouts camp out starting July 15.

-Ed