1998 - 1999

We started our 1998 - 1999 event year with 105 Big Braves and 128 Little Braves for a total of 233 Nation members. Our Nation budget was $10,200. The Firestone Park YMCA required us to pay the following dues: $41 Father/Son; $12 2nd Son; $5 3rd Son. The Nation held it's annual Lobster Boil at the Sportman's Club on the night of October 24th. Our first Nation event was the October 25th Ghoul Walk held at Camp Y-Noah. Also in October, many of our Nation members participated in the City of Green's Trick-Or-Treat Trail at Boettler Park. On November 14, the Nation with their families took a trip down to the Rubber Bowl to watch the Akron University Zip football team come from behind to defeat the Eastern Michigan Eagles 24 - 21. The Annual Banquet was held on December 20 at Guy's Party Center. At this prestigious event the Nation said goodbye to a few outgoing braves while at the same time welcomed our incoming braves. We were served an excellent meal and entertained by a magician. Also in December, all Nation braves performed a community service to receive their Christmas Project credit. January 23, 1999 was the date the Nation and their families saw the Akron University basketball team destroy the Northern Illinois Huskies by a score of 64 - 47. Our Nation Fundraiser was a Reverse Raffle held February 19 at Guy's Party Center. The February 27th Nation event was father/son bowling at Midway Lanes. We returned to the Canal Square YMCA on March 20th for our Swim Late-Nighter. We played basketball, wally ball, dodge ball and while watching movies we snacked on pizza and pop. The Nation Chief, War Chief and Sachem attended the M.A.E. Field Convention in Ft. Wayne Indiana the weekend of April 16 - 18. On April 24 we went to Firestone Metropolitan Park for a Kite-Flying event with the help of the Akron Kite Club. On May 5, 1999 our Nation became known throughout cyberspace with the creation of our website: http://www.yindianguides.org. The Spring Campout was held May 21 - 23 on the Pennsylvania shores of Lake Erie at YMCA Camp Fitch. The Mandan tribe enlightened our lakeside fire ceremony with an awesome flaming arrow shot down from a cliff! We did however experience some rain-dampened wood that prevented the fire from staying lit for the conclusion of the fire ceremony. Many of our members honored America's Veterans by walking in the City of Green's May 31 Memorial Day Parade. Due to some ticket complications with the Akron Aeros the Nation decided to attend the June 11 Canton Crocodiles vs London Werewolves Frontier League baseball game at Thurman Munson Stadium in Canton. The Crocodiles lost the game 9 - 7 but Nation members were treated to an autograph session with former Cleveland Indians "perfect game" pitcher Lem Barker! The Gathering of Nations was held June 16 - 20 in Loudonville and was attended by many Nation members. Sunshine and warm weather brought us together for the July 31 Family Picnic at Lake Kim Tam. Canoeing at Mohican Wilderness in Loudonville was the event of the day on August 22. The Fall Campout was held at YMCA Camp Tippecanoe on September 10 - 12. The skies were clear and sunny allowing the Nation to enjoy swimming in the lake, horseback riding, archery and the BB gun range. Due to some technical difficulties, the September 18 Manikiki Open golf outing was canceled. We recruited new members from elementary schools in the Green, Manchester and Canal Fulton area throughout the month of September. We also had our sign-up nights on September 27 (Green Community Center) and September 28 (Manchester Trinity Chapel). Joe Friday Awards were presented to the following: Phil Carman of the Mandan tribe, Paul Giesel of the Navajo tribe, Darren Koplen of the Navajo tribe, Pat Marks of the Mandan tribe, and Jeff Will of the Mandan tribe. The Outstanding Service Award winners were: Don Bahr of the Blackhawk tribe, Brent Combs of the Apache tribe, Kevin Ketcham of the Mohawk tribe, and Keith Lewis of the Cherokee tribe. The Navajo tribe was awarded the Big Medicine Award.

Nation Chief - Ray Herrick, Arapaho
War Chief - Bob Mahaney, Mohawk
Sachem - Todd Jones, Blackhawk
Medicine Man - Jeff Will, Mandan
Wampum Bearer - Paul Giesel, Navajo
Tallykeeper - Kevin Ketcham, Mohawk
Storyteller - Jim Peterson, Cheyenne
Web Spinner - Todd Jones, Blackhawk
Program Director - Erin Jupp, YMCA