1991 - 1992

The Nation budget for 1992 was $6,900. The Nation Officers for 1992 were installed at the Fall Campout Fire Ceremony at Tippecanoe. The now annual Ghoul Walk kicked off our new year on October 24, 1991. Fourteen scares were set-up. Indian Maidens were invited for a second year. In November we returned to the Barberton Rollercade II. The roller-skating was a fee family event. Also, in November the council hosted a short orientation/workshop for new tribal chiefs at the Tudor House. The Nation was busy in December with each tribe doing a community service project, the fund raiser kick-off and the annual banquet. Tribes participated in a wide variety of service projects from donating to Toys For Tots and mailing packages to service people to ringing the Salvation Army bells. The banquet was held at Thomastown Party Center. The Animal Man provide entertainment. 65 Little Braves were awarded for 100% participation for last year. A mishap in the restroom, a couple of Little Braves playing with matches made all members more conscious of fire safety. The fundraiser ran from December to March. New ideas were incorporated and it was the most successful to date. Discount coupon books (similar to “Entertainment” books) were available for 46 before Christmas. Bar candy and Easter candy brochures were also sold. The Mingo tribe responded with gross sales of $20,604 for a total profit of $9,857. Danny Gwyn was top seller with $1,040 in sales. The Mingo Tribe was first in sales, followed by Kiowa and Blackfoot. The January 1992 Nation event was a Canton Invaders soccer game. This was a family event. Comet Lanes on Manchester Road was the bowling site for a free event in February. Next, the Swim/Overnighter was held March 28th at the Canal Street Y. Firestone Metro Park was the site for the April Kite Fly. In May, for the first time, a service/clean up day was held at Camp Y-Noah. Participation counted as a make-up for a missed event. The Spring Campout was held May 15th at Y-Noah. Great weather helped a very well planned campout turn into a great time. Events for June and July were switched. June was changed to “sponsor’s choice”. Canton/Indian’s baseball was a Nation-pleaser choice. Also of note, in June the Nation was the recipient of an Appreciation Day at Camp Y-Noah. A ribbon cutting ceremony took place at the archery range we built the previous year. The Nation was presented with a plaque, “Volunteers of the Year”, from the camp. This year the annual Family Picnic was held in July (instead of June) at Clay’s Park. Special discount tickets allowed the use of the entire park. A rebate of $3.50 was given to each Big and Little Brave in attendance. There was no event in August. Tippecanoe was the site for the Fall Campout on September 18-20. Our mighty medicine man changed Friday night’s rain to sun and fun for Saturday and Sunday. We had 19 Little Braves and 13 Big Braves leave the Nation at the Fire Ceremony. Dan Vorhies handed out a patch celebrating our 20th year as a Nation. Mike Grimes made and donated new outgoing chief medals at this campout. Mike Grimes and Roger Gainer designed and sold 20th anniversary t-shirts to Nation members and donated the profit of $200 to the Nation. $100 was sent to the YMCA of greater Miami to help restore Guides in that area after Hurricane Andrew. $100 was used for tee-pee trailer construction. Mike Grimes formed a committee to have the first Manikiki Open Golf Outing for Big Braves on August 30th at Spring Hill Golf Course. It was a great success. 38 people attended. Approximately $175 profit will be turned over for next year’s outing. We marched in 3 parades for make-up events; the Memorial Day parades in Green and Franklin Township and the Barberton Labor Day parade.

The 1992 – 1993 Organizational Drive brought us more than 60 new families. Two new tribes were formed bringing our Nation to 18 tribes strong for the upcoming year.

Big Medicine went to Mingo. Outstanding Service was awarded to John P. Markwood III and Bob Bernat. The Joe Friday Award was presented to Ed Hackathorn, Dan Vorhies, Tim Dunigan, Roger Gainer and Mike Shipe. 47% of our Little Braves received the 100% participation award for 1991 – 1992. Phil First and John P. Markwood III received Adult Volunteer of the year Award from the Firestone Park YMCA. Of special note, Phil First was commended for his community service and work with the Indian Guides in the Our Town section of the Akron Beacon Journal.

The Nation strength for 1991 – 1992 was 167 Little Braves and 146 Big Braves totaling 313. Dues for 1991 – 1992 were $38.00 for father and son and $10.00 for extra son.

Nation Chief - Keith Gwyn, Mingo
War Chief - Don Suboticki, Seneca
Sachem – John P Markwood III, Blackfoot
Medicine Man - Mike Grimes, Mingo
Wampum Bearer - Bob Bernat, Kiowa
Tallykeeper - Dan K Vorhies, Kiowa
Indian Agent - Greg Blondheim, YMCA