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January 6th, 2012
A Guide to Identifying Chinese Fakes on eBay
My friend Jason Spangler, also known as the Santee Swapper and host of the Scouting Hot Finds newsletters and podcast has assembled a free guide to spotting the fake Chinese made OA patches currently appearing on eBay.
A Guide to Identifying Recent Chinese Fakes on eBay
This is an extensive 24 page treatise on these patches, with many illustrations. It documents the fakes produced by various sellers over the past several years. It also discusses the marketing strategies of those who produced these fakes including the stealing of images from this website.
This is a must read for almost any collector who wants to avoid being taken by these fakes.
Read the Full Post on blog.oaimages.com
December 23rd, 2011
Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery (III)
[caption id="attachment_6836" align="alignleft" width="90" border="0" caption="Wahunsenakah 333 Piankatank Chapter Winter 2011 Service"]
I have written several posts on this blog about patch designs that appear to have been copied or "inspired" by other designs, quite often from different lodges. For example see the first and second posts using this same title. Another example is this post on more "inspired" patches.
The patch pictured at the top of this post was a recent chapter event issue from Piankatank chapter of Wahunsenakah lodge. (Editor's note: Please see correction in comments). The lodge is chartered to the Colonial Virginia Council which could easily explain the American Revolution theme of the design. However, the lodge totem is a duck so the hawk's head might appear to be an unusual choice.
A friend gave this to me. He acquired it a Trade-O-Ree and thought of me once he saw the design. It's obviously taken from Tsoiotsi Tsogalii's 2010 SR-7B conclave flaps, listed on this site as S34? and S35?.
Perhaps someone in Wahunsenakah can fill us in on the story behind Piankatank chapter's choice of patch design. The artist of the lodge 70 flaps should be flattered that someone in another lodge was so impressed by his design that he chose to adapt it for his chapter's event patch.
Read the Full Post on blog.oaimages.com
December 22nd, 2011
One of These Things Is Not Like the Other...
"One of these things is not like the others, One of these things just doesn't belong, Can you tell which thing is not like the others. By the time I finish my song?"
How many of you remember this song from "Sesame Street"? I saw a friend of mine at the Winston-Salem Trade-O-Ree last weekend. He usually has a great assortment of patches, many classic material and items from our area. However he wants it to be known that he isn't just interested in old patches, so he puts the frame pictured here on his table. I'll let him remain anonymous unless he chooses to step forward here.
One of those patches seems oddly out of place (really two but one sticks out more!). Do you see it? It's not quite as obvious as recognizing letters and numbers, but still very easy to see! Every time I see this frame I chuckle a bit. It's a good way to start a conversation. Now you all can join me in a good natured chuckle.
Read the Full Post on blog.oaimages.com
December 7th, 2011
Of Thee We Sing... About Our Lodge
Last weekend I rode with Greg Grimes and Roger Ward and paid a visit to our mutual friend, Larry Banks. On the way there I was shown a book, published in 1938, given to members of Chappegat Lodge.
The book included the lodge by laws and rules. It included instructions on how to wear the "bands", as the OA Sash was called then, and lodge pin. Specifically, Brotherhood members were instructed that the bands and arrow on the lodge pin were to be worn pointed toward the left shoulder. It was also stated that the lodge pin could not be given to a non-member of either sex. This refers to the custom, still practiced today, of fraternity brothers giving their pins to their girl friends as a token of affection. The centerfold was the brother's membership certificate.
The music and lyrics of the OA song and the lodge song were also printed in the book.
Read the Full Post on blog.oaimages.com
December 5th, 2011
From China... Again
There has been some discussion recently on patch-l about an eBay seller currently using the id, "discountbar". He is operating out of Huhhot, China and selling fake Boy Scout patches.
Several members of that list have pointed out that he is stealing images of real patches from this site and using them to illustrate his auctions. Winning bidders report they do not receive the items pictured, but instead get computer designed fakes of those patches.
Read the Full Post on blog.oaimages.com
Archive for July, 2010
“Everything is in a state of flux, including the status quo.” – Robert Byrne
Another portion of this site’s move has been accomplished. This blog’s software, WordPress, is now installed and running at the new location. Perhaps I should call it “OAImages Blog 2.0″?
Until the move is final, this blog will continue to be updated periodically. However, my primary focus now is on the site move. All previous blog posts and data will be transferred to the new location in due course.
My goal is to be moved into the new location by the time everyone returns home from the Jamboree, or shortly thereafter.
Popularity: 5% [?]
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"Most of our so-called reasoning consists in finding arguments for going on believing as we already do."
James Harvey Robinson
I was only recently made aware of this announcement made by Roy More some five months ago, concerning an interactive Blue Book website. Some are under the impression this website will be discontinued. That is not true.
It has been my hope that Roy and I could work together on the Blue Book in the future. I still hope that happens and look forward to hearing more about this in the future.
Popularity: 8% [?]
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An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come.
While the rest of the patch collecting world is at the BSA National Jamboree and the trade-o-rees around it, I have been working on relocating this site. Thanks to Brett Estrade, webmaster of patchlodge.com for the invaluable help he has given me thus far with this move, and for listening to my sometimes stupid questions. Thanks, too, to James Ford for his help throughout the years with keeping this site going.
You can follow the move in progress at: http://204.109.59.2. As you can see there are still many issues that need to be resolved.
Maybe some day soon I’ll even start answering my email again! I know I have a lot to answer. Some I have been deliberately putting off until after the move is done. Please remain patient.
Popularity: 9% [?]
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"Industry, thrift and self-control are not sought because they create wealth, but because they create character."
Calvin Coolidge
Are there too many posts to handle? Maybe you missed out on a great post. Here’s a quick digest of the top posts from last week that you may want to check out:
- Moving On Up?
The move to a new server and location is now in progress. It is taking priority over any other site work, projects, or even maintenance at this point. It would be nice to be settled into a new virtual home by the time everyone returns home from the Jamboree but I am making no promises.
- The Last Hurrah?
Posted on Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 in OAImages News – Views: (70)
As many have noticed this site’s server has been having a lot of problems lately. It appears to be running alright now, but I don’t know how long that will last. The short explanation is the current server appears to be dying. I have already started making the preparations for a move but have my doubts if I can avoid further interruptions.
If you enjoy the content on this site, please make sure to subscribe to the RSS feed.
Popularity: 22% [?]
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"We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle."
Winston Churchill
The move to a new server and location is now in progress. It is taking priority over any other site work, projects, or even maintenance at this point. It would be nice to be settled into a new virtual home by the time everyone returns home from the Jamboree but I am making no promises. In the meantime, I am keeping my fingers crossed that I have no other hardware failures.
Once I get a bit further along, I may post a link to the ip address for the new location in case anyone wants to see the move in progress. Then in time, the virtual change of address forms will be filed and the site will be officially at the new home.
Does anyone realize how long it takes just to upload the images used on this site? 
More details will follow.
Popularity: 22% [?]
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"Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit from revolutionists and rebels - men and women who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine. As their heirs, may we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion. "
Dwight D Eisenhower
As many have noticed this site’s server has been having a lot of problems lately. It appears to be running alright now, but I don’t know how long that will last. The short explanation is the current server appears to be dying. I have already started making the preparations for a move but have my doubts if I can avoid further interruptions.
Please be patient during this frustrating time for all of us.
For those about to go to the Jamboree: Have fun. Trade lots of patches and send me images when you return. Work and finances do not allow me to be there at all this time around.
Popularity: 29% [?]
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"It is only when men begin to worship that they begin to grow."
Calvin Coolidge
Are there too many posts to handle? Maybe you missed out on a great post. Here’s a quick digest of the top posts from last week that you may want to check out:
- Possible System Maintenance
Posted on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 in OAImages News – Views: (54)
I have discovered some issues with this server last night. Most users will not experience any problems, yet, but this may require me to take down the server for an extended period of time to repair the problem. I don’t yet know when this will be but will try to give some sort of warning if possible and practical.
If you enjoy the content on this site, please make sure to subscribe to the RSS feed.
Popularity: 39% [?]
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"Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery."
Calvin Coolidge
Recent OAImages News
January 14th, 2012
An OAImages iPad App?
Some of those who know me personally, know that I have gone over to the "Dark Side" and have started using Apple products. I bought an iMac a couple of months ago and just recently got an iPad. My brother is trying to tell me that my Droid's days are numbered.
I really like my iPad and started day dreaming about an OAImages app for it. I have no idea how to go about writing this and it would take me into an entirely new area from what I know. It's not something that would happen easily or soon. Here's your chance to give feedback. What do you think about an OAImages app? What would you put in it? Do you have any thoughts on how it would be distributed or how much it would cost?
Please feel free to comment. Comments are moderated for those who have not successfully had a comment published on this blog before in order to control spam. I will do my best to approve comments as quickly as possible in order to facilitate a discussion.
Read the Full Post
October 4th, 2011
Indian Summer and Summit Corps Patches
I have added special pages on this site for the 2011 Indian Summer and 2011 Summit Corps. I still have a few images to add but most of what I have images for is now on the site. Thanks for Rick Horne for most of these images.
To view these items, go to OA Images: National and Special Events Patches page and select either of these events from the "Other Specialties" drop down box.
Read the Full Post
August 27th, 2011
Coming out of Hiding About April 1st
It's kind of odd to come out of hiding to post about a topic like this.
I'm hearing from some brothers that there have been gullible readers to this blog over the years. I would have thought it was obvious from the context of the posts, but the various posts made on this blog throughout the years that have appeared on APRIL FIRST are all satire. None of them are true. Read them and chuckle but please do not complain to your friendly OA National Committee members, Scout Executives, lodge advisers, or official website administrators about the "changes" that are "announced" in them.
Read the Full Post
March 31st, 2011
Comment Spam
This is strictly an "FYI" post for those familiar with the issues facing those who maintain blogs and message boards where readers can post comments.
Recently I had been having issues here with comment spam getting past this blog's filters. I deleted the inappropriate posts as quickly as I could but this was still unacceptable to me, as well as additional work. I since have required that readers register before they're allowed to post comments here. That seems to have stopped the spammers.
I still see a number of probable spammers, mainly from Russian domains, registering on this blog but so far none have had their comments posted successfully.
I may test my luck for a short period of time in the near future. At some unannounced time, I will turn off the registration requirement for posting comments for a day or two. I want to see if the spammers have been chased away, or if they're just awaiting an easy opportunity to push their garbage
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February 11th, 2011
Change in Comments Policy
This blog is being hit with a large number spam comments lately. There have been over 12,000 attempts to spam the blog with comments just within the past 60 days. Recently a few dozen comments, hawking service and goods I deem inappropriate for this blog, made it past the filters. Since I don't desire to spend more time deleting the spam as I find it and don't want inappropriate information to sit on my blog, I am tightening up the policy on commenting here.
Those who wish to comment must now register and be logged in before being to post comments. Registration is free and is not the same as membership to this site. This is a common practice on many blogs especially among sites run by more "traditional media" type companies.
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February 9th, 2011
Gone Home: Matt Kirkland
It is with shock and sadness that I pass along this message Tim Brown forwarded to me this morning:
With deep regret I must announce that my son, Matthew Thomas Kirkland, 31, passed from this world at 9:30 this evening. Matt suffered a massive stroke last night. We are having Matthew cremated and will hold a private ceremony in Memphis at a later date. For those who knew Matt, if you desire, to make a donation to the Transatlantic Council, Boy Scouts of America in his name. http://www.tac-bsa.org/Home.html
Matt was a significant contributor to this site, especially for Black Eagle lodge 482. He will be missed.
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Posted in OAImages News by John E. Pannell on July 28th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
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