Wahissa Prototype Neckerchief Patch

When I was at the Winston-Salem Trade-O-Ree recently I saw a very interesting piece on display there from the Raven Knob Boy Scout Museum.   This was donated to the museum courtesy of William E. “Ned” Vaughan-Lloyd, Jr.   It is a proposed emblem for a lodge neckerchief from circa 1945.   A neckerchief was not produced until many years later and then with a entirely different design.

As far as I know this patch is unique. This proposed design was obviously based upon the Unami lodge rounds that were in use at this time.  The color scheme was changed but the basic design is the same.   There were not very many OA patches in existence in the mid-40s, so it is not unreasonable that a lodge would seek to adapt a patch from the “mother lodge” for their own use.  It probably belongs on my list of “inspired” patch designs.

This was neither listed in the Blue Book nor pictured on this site until now. As a prototype it should probably be labeled as “YR1″, even though collectors should not expect an opportunity to acquire this piece.  This patch is not for sale or trade by the museum.  It is a very interesting part in Wahissa lodge’s history that ought to be preserved and appreciated by future generations of collector.

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.

Tsoiotsi Tsogalii 70 S34?

Tsoiotsi Tsogalii 70 S35?

The lodge 70 flaps feature the red tailed hawk (the lodge totem) in American Revolution garb.  Behind him is General Greene’s flag.   The oldest council in the lodge’s current territory was the General Greene Council.  The Battle of Guilford Court House took place in Greensboro, NC, the headquarter city of the current Old North State Council.

Occoneechee 104 S79?

Recently Occoneechee lodge issued a flap to raise funds to support breast cancer research.  Profits from the sale of this flap will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.   A pre-order form for this patch is still posted on the website.  However since the lodge flap has already been issued and is currently available from the lodge trading post, I strongly recommend contacting a lodge brother directly and inquiring about availability, instead of sending in an order.   I know several members of Occoneechee lodge read this blog regularly.

Occoneechee is at least the fourth lodge to have issued patches in support of breast cancer research.   The other lodges are Ajapeu 33 (three flaps), Japeechee 341, (1 flap), and Tahosa 383 (two flaps).

Ajapeu 33 S54?	Japeechen 341 S30?
Tahosa 383 W1?

Japeechen was the first lodge to issue a flap for this cause back in 2007.  I had previously reported the very personal reasons behind Japeechen issuing their flap.   I also previously covered Ajapeu’s issues.

I know of no coordinated effort on a national, regional or sectional effort for cause.  Each of these lodges apparently have acted independently. At least one lodge had compelling and personal reasons for its advocacy. This is not a cause I would not have expected an organization within the Boy Scouts of America to support and champion but I am fully supportive of their efforts.

These flaps are attracting attention from the collecting community.   If you know of any other lodge patches issued for this cause, please feel free to share that in the comments.

Lodge 489 Wapsu Sisilija Chapter Patch

Last Fall I posted here about a “whatzit” purported by some to be a chapter patch from Occoneeche lodge.   Some, including this webmaster, were very skeptical and did not believe it.   However we could not identify the patch.   Recently Greg Grimes was sent the image to the left of patches spotted at a recent trade-o-ree that solved this mystery.   Since then, a comment on this site also identified the patch.

As can be seen the “mystery patch” is the central portion cut out from the eA1970 of  Wapsu Sisilija chapter of lodge 489.

We still don’t know why this was cut from the original patch or who did it.  Did someone in the past wish to perpetrate a fraudulent “undiscovered issue” upon a collector?  Did they like the design?  Was the original damaged and this was done to salvage the “good part” of the patch?  We don’t know.   Please feel free to comment if you have further information on this item.

It is good to be skeptical.  Previously unknown patches from the 1970s just don’t turn up that often, especially in large lodges that have been actively collected and documented.   It may take some work and time, but most mysteries can be solved.

Occoneechee 104 ZF1?

Occoneechee 104 is a large lodge in North Carolina with an active patch collecting community.  It has been for years.   Most are hones and upright people.    It helps that most of the lodge’s issues are readily available to lodge members for trading in reasonable quantities.  However, in recent years there have been a few collectors who feel a need to have something “special” of their own to trade and are not reluctant to use the lodge name for their own personal gain.

In the last several months a flap, round and CSP have been appearing and hawked as 2010 Jamboree and BSA centennial issues from this lodge and council.   The flap and round are listed on this site and pictured here.   Let me be clear: these items are not official issues of neither Occoneechee council nor lodge.    They are private issues and were traded freely at the National Jamboree.   I do not know, at this time, with certainty who the creator of these items was.

Occoneechee 104 ZR2?

These items are appearing periodically on eBay.  At least one adult collector is scanning the eBay listings for these items.   When found he contacts eBay and has these items removed, but sometimes not until after others have bid on them.

Please don’t be fooled into believing these are official issues.  If you still choose to collect these items, be aware that you are collecting private issues.   The trade in these items in no way benefits the lodge, council or the BSA.   It only encourages the further creation and marketing of such items.

Occoneechee 104 L2?

Occoneechee lodge issued a rather unusual flap at their Fall Fellowship this past weekend.    This patch is manufactured on a type of  imitation leather, called “pleather“.    This is a plastic made to resemble leather, also called leatherette by some.   As far as I know this is the only leather type patch with merrow border.

Some in the lodge are displeased at many of the recent designs Occoneechee lodge has used on their patches, preferring  more traditional and less cartoon-like designs.  Those traditionalists should be pleased with this flap.   Other than the unusual base material, this flap uses the lodge’s traditional flap design.   No unusual design elements or color schemes are to be found here.

There is some disagreement over how this item should be listed on my site and eventually in Blue Book.  In my opinion for those items where there exists a classification based upon material — B, C, L, M — the material overrides the shape. Arrowhead shaped bullions are “B” issues, not A. Round chenilles are “C” issues not R. The few metal flaps (the few there are) are “M” issues not F.   As such I would list this as the lodge’s L2.   Listing data is as follows:

Occoneechee 104 N5?

Along with the other pieces recently issued by Occoneechee lodge was this neckerchief for the BSA’s centennial.   Thanks to Greg Grimes for this image.

Just to rib my friends in the lodge, I’ll note the design of the neckerchief is unusual in that it uses far less purple than is commonly employed on many of the lodge’s recent issues!   The green and khaki color scheme seems designed to match with the BSA’s new centennial uniform.

The listing for this piece should read as follows:

Tsoiotsi Tsogalii 70 S34?

Following the precedent established in 2009, Tsoiotsi Tsogalii lodge issued two flaps for this year’s SR-7B Conclave.   Thanks to Johnny Somers for the images of these pieces.

As with the Spring Fellowship patch, these flaps use an American Revolution theme.   The flag on the patches recognizes General Greene and the Battle of Guilford Court House.   The first flap (S34?, pictured) was issued only to those lodge brothers who pre-registered for the 2010 SR-7B conclave.     The red bordered version of this flap, S35?, was more common.   About 800 of them were issued and sold to all lodge brothers at the SR-7B conclave.

The listing data for these items are as follows:

Wahissa 118 Achowelendam Chapter X11?

It seems like there has been a never ending listing of new issues from the OA lodges in the Carolinas.     Next up are two chapter issues from Wahissa lodge that almost slipped through the crack.     Thanks to Homer Dearmin, again, for keeping me informed about these.

The first item, pictured on the left, was issued by Achowelendam chapter in honor of the BSA’s centennial.     After a run of several different chevrons, the chapter chose to issued a trapezoidal dangle.     More “experienced” collectors will recognize the central portion of the design.   This is similar to the National OA logo used roughly 40 years ago, before the advent of the “MGM Indian”.

Wahissa 118 Sapona Chapter X2?

The second issue is from the newly reformed Sapona chapter, the first patch it has issued in about 40 years.   Homer Dearmin explains this:

…Formerly, Sapona Chapter served Arrowmen from Yadkin, Eastern Wilkes, Western Surry, and Alleghany Counties.   Kola Chapter served the rest of Surry County and Stokes County.  These chapters were in existence from the 1960s through around 1980 or 1981.  Sapona and Kola merged in the early 1980’s to form Minsi Chapter, and Eke Otkia Chapter was formed from Minsi in the late 1980’s to serve Stokes County Solely.In the Fall of 2009, the Lodge Executive Committee approved the creation of two new chapters from the current Minsi Chapter, effectively dissolving Minsi Chapter.   One chapter would serve the former Sapona territory, and the other chapter would serve the former Kola territory.   Chapter members decided to use their old names rather than creating new Chapter names.

Hence, Sapona Chapter has issued it’s first patch in over 40 years.   The design is very similar to the Sapona X!, however with different border colors.

A fleur d’lis has been added to the older design, in keeping with current BSA rules.   Also this new Sapona chapter patch is fully embroidered while the older issue was only partially so.

The listings for these two items are as follows:

Wahissa 118 S31a?

Earlier this Spring Wahissa lodge issued a flap for the BSA’s centennial.     Two varieties are now known to exist, each significant enough in my opinion to be listed.   Thanks to Homer Dearmin for news and images of this pieces.

According to Homer Dearmin 500 of these flaps were ordered and placed on sale in March.   They quickly sold out.   An additional 500 were ordered and put on sale in April.   The fronts of the flaps are appear identical however the backs are different.     The first run has a plain plastic backing.     The second run of flaps has the manufacturer’s and BSA’s official licensee logos on the back.     Traditionally significant changes to a patch’s back — eg. cloth, pellon, gauze, changes in the appearance/color of the plastic — have been listed as varieties.       With precedent in mind, I propose these be listed as S31a and S31b.

The listing information for these two items are as follows:

Klahican 331 S74?

Klahican lodge recently issued a flap for this Summer’s BSA National Jamboree.   Thanks to Bob Walton for sending the image of this flap.

The design features a nighttime beach scene.     The lodge’s totem, the Venus fly trap, is ghosted in the foreground of this flap.   It also apparently commemorates the BSA’s 100th anniversary.

The listing data for this patch are as follows:

Wahissa 118 R11?

Wahissa lodge broke with their own tradition* this year and issued a patch for its brothers who attended the 2010 SR-7B Conclave. However, there was a wrinkle. Thanks to Homer Dearmin for this image.

These were issued one per person to lodge members who preregistered for the SR-7B conclave.   It has been reported to me that not enough were produced and some later pre-registrants did not receive a patch.   The design is based upon the “hippy” theme the lodge delegation adopted at conclave.

The listing data for this issue should be as follows:

*Traditionally Wahissa lodge only issues conclave patches when they are the host lodge.

Occoneechee 104 Eluwak Chapter X2?

There has been a lot of publicity and discussion on the National policy that prohibits lodge flaps for the individual “honors” (Ordeal, Brotherhood and Vigil), also referred to as OBV flaps.     Many lodges did not have such flaps and were unaffected by this change.   Some lodges that formerly issued OBV flaps have discontinued the practice.     A rare few came up with creative ways to skirt the rule and continue the tradition for at least a little longer.       Did Eluwak Chapter in Occoneechee lodge realize this applied to loge flaps and and not rectangular patches issued by chapters?   Thanks to Greg Grimes for news of these issues and the images.

These three issues are an adaptation of the chapter’s X1.   Some have attached symbolism to the color scheme of the oirginal design.   In my opinion, I find the revised color scheme to be more visually appealing and effective as a patch intended to identify membership in a chapter.   Except for the border colors, the three patches are identical

Listing data for these issues are as follows:

Occoneechee 104 Eluwak Chapter X2?

There has been a lot of publicity and discussion on the National policy that prohibits lodge flaps for the individual “honors” (Ordeal, Brotherhood and Vigil), also referred to as OBV flaps. Many lodges did not have such flaps and were unaffected by this change. Some lodges that formerly issued OBV flaps have discontinued the practice. A rare few came up with creative ways to skirt the rule and continue the tradition for at least a little longer. Did Eluwak Chapter in Occoneechee lodge realize this applied to loge flaps and and not rectangular patches issued by chapters? Thanks to Greg Grimes for news of these issues and the images.

These three issues are an adaptation of the chapter’s X1. Some have attached symbolism to the color scheme of the oirginal design. In my opinion, I find the revised color scheme to be more visually appealing and effective as a patch intended to identify membership in a chapter. Except for the border colors, the three patches are identical

Listing data for these issues are as follows:

Wahissa 118 X24?

Thanks again to Homer Dearmin for these two images of the 2009 and 2010 Cook Crew patches from Wahissa lodge.     Both patches feature the same basic coffee pot design that the lodge has used for its cook crew patches since at least 1976.

The 2010 issue (X24?, pictured) was also issued to commemorate the BSA’s centennial.   The two basic design elements of the “BSA 2010″ logo and the phrase “100 Years of Scouting” are added to the basic design.     Strictly speaking “100 years of Scouting” should have been celebrated in 2007, but we know the lodge refers only to the BSA on this patch.

The listings for these are as follows:

Wahissa 118 eA2010-2?

Thanks to Homer Dearmin for sending me images for several recent issues from Wahissa lodge not previously shown on this site.   Two of them are for events patches from this lodge.

The first of these is for the lodge’s March Workday.   The second (pictured) is for the lodge’s recent Spring Fellowship.     The lodge’s totem on the Spring Fellowship patch is similar in design to the lodge’s S1.     The Workday patch adapts the lodge’s totem from the lodge’s P1.     Homer Dearmin has commented, “…Each of the event patches this year will be ‘throwbacks’ to older Wahissa/Camp Raven Knob/Old Hickory Council issues…”

Both patches are also issues for the BSA’s 100th anniversary.   Note the use of the BSA’s “2010″ logo.

The listings for these patches are as follows:

Occoneechee 104 P3?

“Without our traditions our lives would be as shaky as… as…”

Occoneechee lodge issued a new neckerchief at its recent Spring Ordeal.     Following Blue Book custom, since this is a patch sewn onto a neckerchief, it is treated as a “pie” patch (P) rather than neckerchief (N).   After a run of modern, interesting, but at times unusual patch designs the lodge gave a nod to tradition with this patch.     Thanks to Greg Grimes for the image.

Perhaps next year if the lodge adopts a pirate theme for the 2011 conclave, as suggested by a recent commenter we will see a modernized and more fearsome version of this totem.     Yes, I am kidding with my friends in Occoneechee.

Listing data for this patch are as follows:

Occoneechee 104 Neusiok Chapter eN2010?

Aloha `oe, aloha `oe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace,
A ho`i a`e au
Until we meet again
– Queen Lili`uokalani

Neusiok chapter of Occoneechee lodge issued a neckerchief for the lodge’s recent Spring Ordeal.   Thanks to Greg Grimes for this image.     Traditionalists can take solace that this piece does not feature a cartoon styled thunder bird.

Sporting a Hawaiian theme, this neckerchief was handmade.     The central portion of the design is printed and ironed onto hand cut and hemmed floral patterned material.   Greg reported that chapter members were wearing these at the Ordeal.   It remains to be seen how the printed portion of this neckerchief will hold up over time.

The listing for this piece is as follows:

I’ll close by bidding you a fond “aloha `oe” again…

Occoneechee 104 S78?

Occoneechee lodge recently issued a flap for this Summer’s 2010 BSA National Jamboree.       This is also a   BSA centennial issue.   Thanks to Greg Grimes for this image.

The lodge continues to used a modernized caricature version of their totem on this flap.     These have proven to be a hit with younger collectors even while being derided by a handful of adult collectors who prefer more traditional designs.     I only wish they used less ECU purple and more Carolina blue.   (just kidding)

The listing for this item is as follows:

Croatan 117 S76?

Croatan lodge hosted the 2010 SR-7B Conclave last April.       They followed what is becoming a normal custom for host lodges in this section and issued several pieces.     In addition to the three host lodge flaps,   the lodge also issued a host lodge   arrowhead following the lodge’s traditional arrowhead design.

A fourth flap also appeared, not strictly a conclave flap.         This was based upon the lodge’s traditional flap design, rendered all in white except for the lodge totem and name.     Thanks to Wesley Drennan for the images of these issues.

Listings for these issues are as follows: