Last Winter I posted that a new OA lodge was being formed in Long Beach Area Council.   Now I am pleased to report that Tico Perez has passed along news to me that this new lodge has held its first Ordeal.   38 candidates have become the first Ordeal members inducted into this lodge with the help of three lodges from southern California.

The brothers have chosen the name Puvunga, translating as “The Gathering Place”.  The lodge totem will be the porpoise.   I eagerly await their first lodge flap.   Given the totem choice, a talented artist could create an outstanding flap.

Unali'yi 236 S72?

I’m almost through with the lodge issues from the Dixie Fellowship.  I have some other new issues to highlight once I get through them.

Unali’yi lodge issued three flaps for last month’s Dixie Fellowship. The delegate flap is a mostly white monochrome version of the lodge’s standard flap design, with a red mylar border. The other two flaps harken back to the earlier days of video games with their “8 Bit Buck” design.    Once again, thanks to Greg Grimes for these images.

Listing data for these are as follows:

Skyuka 270 S50?

Skyuka lodge issued a single flap for the recent Dixie Fellowship.   The flap depicts a “badass” theme, the “OA Team”.   Thanks to Greg Grimes again for this image.   The design for this flap is rather simple and traditional for Skyuka lodge.   The words WWW, 2012 Dixie Fellowship, Camp John J. Barnhardt are embroidered in black on the black background and may be a bit hard to see in this image.

There were also several new chapter items that appeared at the Dixie Fellowship.   I will post separately about them.

The listing data are as follows:

Muscogee 221 X11?

Muscogee lodge issued two pocket patches for the recent Dixie Fellowship (SR-5 Conclave) held at Camp John J. Barnhardt.   The lodge used a Monopoly ™ theme for these issues.   The trader piece is a diamond shaped patch and features a representation of the game board.   The delegate issue features a mock title dead from the game for “Muscogee Avenue.”   Thanks to Greg Grimes for these images.

The listing data for these are as follows:

Itibapishe Iti Hollo 188 S75?

Itibapishe Iti Hollo lodge’s totem has been the beaver for years but yet it did not appear on their flaps, until now.   The lodge recently hosted the Dixie Fellowship at Camp John J. Barnhardt and issued four flaps for this event.  Thanks to Greg Grimes, again, for these images.

Previous standard issue lodge flaps usually pictured an American Indian in a canoe.  I like this design change and hope they continue using it.   It reminds me a bit of some of the designs from other “beaver lodges” such as Twoa-Ba-Cha 514, but I think this lodge has improved upon those earlier designs.   I offer my kudos to the designer.

The listing data for these issues are as follows

Atta Kulla Kulla 185 X30?

I continue my slow trek through the 2012 Dixie Fellowship (SR-5 Conclave) issues with Atta Kulla Kulla lodge.   Thanks to Greg Grimes for these and most of the other Dixie issues.

The lodge issued a flap and an oval, meant to be paired as a set.   Symbols on the flap represent the two states that make up most of this section:  the crescent moon and palmetto for South Carolina and the Wright Brothers flyer for North Carolina. The section also includes two lodges — Bob White and Tomo Chi-Chi — that serve  parts of Georgia.

The oval is a bit odd in that it almost looks like it could have been the event patch rather than a lodge issue as it gives the lodge numbers for all the lodges in this section.   Also, the lodge name does not appear on the patch, only its number and totem.

The listing data are as follows:

Tsali 134 S79?

Tsali lodge issued a single flap for the 2012 Dixie Fellowship.  The flap pictures a Mayan pyramid, relating to the lodge’s spirit theme for the conclave.  Contrary to what might be implied from the wording on this flap, the 2012 Dixie Fellowship was not held at Camp Daniel Boone, rather that is Tsali lodge’s home camp. Thanks again to Greg Grimes for the scan of this piece.

Given the lodge’s performance at the conclave, I expect there to be two additional strips issued for the lodge’s J4.   I’ll post news of them if and when they are issued.  Listing data for this item are as follows:

2012 SR-7B Vigil Rededication Patch

Greg Grimes and Rick Horne both told me about the patch pictured here. It was given out at the Vigil Rededication ceremony during the recent 2012 SR-7B Conclave.  We have had some discussion amongst our selves over whether this should be considered a lodge or section issue.  Some of the points that came up in our discussion were:

– Tsoiotsi Tsogalii was host/service lodge for this event.  It is customary for the host lodge to give a gift or trinket to those who attend the Vigil rededication at conclave;

– The patch a red tail hawk feather which is an important part of the local customs regarding the Vigil Honor in this lodge but does not use the lodge’s name;

– The patch was only available to Vigil Honor brothers and given to members of other lodges.   However it is not uncommon either for a lodge to restrict its patches to only some of its members or to give its patches to brothers from other lodges.

I have not yet heard the answer to the question that would settle this:  Who ordered, produced and paid for this patch?   If it were the lodge, then in my opinion, this should be cataloged as an issue of Tsoiotsi Tsogalii lodge.   If the section had responsibility for producing this, then it should be considered a section issue.   Please feel free to comment and and discuss.

Baylor University announces the findings from a study on the influence of Eagle Scouts:

“One hundred years ago this month, Arthur Eldred completed the 21 merit badges necessary to earn the rank of Eagle — the first Eagle Scout in the history of the Boy Scouts of America. Plenty of anecdotal evidence gathered in the century since then attests to the benefits of Scouting, but surprisingly, no one had ever conducted a scientific survey on the impact of Scouting in fostering positive youth development — until now.”

The rest of the article from Baylor University, and the study can be read here.

Tomo Chi-Chi 119 R4?

Four issues new to this site showed up this past weekend at the 2012 Dixie Fellowship. These include two rounds for the conclave, a new standard flap, and a flap for the lodge’s 75th anniversary in 2013. Thanks to Greg Grimes for these images.

I am told the Dixie delegate patch was possibly the hardest of the conclave issues present* at conclave.  The lodge had an “End of the World” theme and their issues depict a flaming comet over a Mayan pyramid.  The new standard flap is similar in design to the “S39?” previously pictured on this site with the border color being changed from blue to red.   The 75th anniversary flap depicts a great blue heron flying over a coastal scene.  There is also a jacket patch for the 75th anniversary which I do not yet have an image.

The listing data for these issues are as follows:

*Word is that there was to be an issue from Santee lodge but it was not expected to arrive until this week.

Klahican 331 S77?

Klahican lodge, along with Wahissa, bucked the trend in SR-7B and only issued one piece for the 2012 Conclave.  I’m not exactly sure but the lodge seems to have had some sort of prison theme this year.   Perhaps someone could comment and fill me in on the details.  Thanks to Greg Grimes and Bob Walton for sending me images of this flap.

The listing data are as follows:

Nayawin Rar 296 S65?

Nayawin Rar lodge was busy “going bananas” for the 2012 SR-7B Conclave. Building upon the tradition of the past three years, the lodge issued two flaps. One is a yellow monochrome version of their standard flap, used as their trading flap. The second was their delegate flap, also an adaptation of their standard lodge flap design

Thanks to both Charlie Aman and Greg Grimes for sending images. Charlie was first but his got lost in my inbox… sorry.

The listing data for these issues are as follows:

Croatan 117 S84?

Croatan lodge, following the custom of recent years, issued two flaps for the 2012 SR-7B Conclave.   One was a delegate issue, and the second a more common trading flap.  Both depict the lodge’s “swamp people” theme.   Rather than using a single design, differentiated only by a change in border color, two different designs were used.   Thanks. to Greg Grimes for these images.

The listing data for these flaps are as follows:

Occoneechee 104: S84?

I had previously reported on a SR-7B Conclave flap from Occoneechee 104 as part of the “Spring 2012 Purple Collection“.  Now thanks to Greg Grimes I have to more issues from this lodge to report on.

The first item is the delegate flap for this year’s conclave.   It is identical to the trading flap except for the silver mylar (SMY) border.  The flap depicts the “Mount Thundermore” theme the lodge used this year in winning the section’s “Spirit Award”.   The second item was an appliqué epaulette patch intended to be affixed to the shoulder loops of the Boy Scout uniform.

The listing data for these issues are as follows:

Tsoiotsi Tsogalii 70 R7?

Tsoiotsi Tsogalii lodge hosted the 2012 SR-7B conclave these past weekend at Cherokee Scout Reservation.   The lodge may have set a new standard, of sorts, for patch issues.   So far I know of five flaps and two rounds issued by the lodge for this event!   Thanks to Greg Grimes and Rick Horne for filling me in on these.

The red bordered conclave Work Day flap was earned by working at one of the work days in preparation for the conclave.   One had to attend three of the four work days to earn the yellow bordered flap.   The Early Bird flap continues the custom of recent years of issuing a flap for those who register for the conclave prior to an announced date.

The host lodge and delegate flaps were available to lodge brothers.   This is similar to what the lodge did when it previously hosted the SR-7B conclave in 2006; see S21 and S22.

The R7 was issued only to Cook Crew members.   The R8 was distributed Sunday after all work for the conclave was completed.

Listing data for these issues are as follows:

I can understand with wanting to promote service in preparation for the conclave.   It is also tradition for lodges to have flaps for their conclave delegations in our area.   However, in my opinion, I think the lodge went overboard this year with issues.   I stopped collecting my own lodge.   This exemplifies one of the reasons why.

I still need an image of the R8.   Please send one if you  can help.  The lodge also recently issued a two part set for NOAC which I believe should be S40/X21. When I get the set or an image, I will add it to this site.

Bob White 87: 2012 Dixie Fellowship Delegate Set

Spring here in the Southeast means section conclave time.   That also means a rash of new issues.  I’ll have plenty of updates over the next few weeks for the lodges of SR-7B and SR-5.   To start this off, I have four new issues sent to me recently thanks to John Garcia from Bob White 87.

The lodge chose a James Bond theme for these items.   The design depicts the famous gun barrel sequence used in many of the Bond films, with the bob white taking the place of James Bond.   The delegate set uses red for the flap’s border and in the gun barrel’s rifling, meant to represent blood.

The listing data for these are as follows:

Curtis Brewer recently sent more information regarding the multiple council merger that has happened in Michigan.   Thanks to him for keeping us all up to date.

Mischigonong 89, Chickagami 180, Cuwe 218, and Gabe-Shi-Win-Gi-Ji-Kens 374 will merge to form Maangogwang, using the number 804.   No patches are yet known for this lodge.

Additionally he was able to fill me in on the composition of the various “Field Service Councils” and their names.  I do not yet know of patches for these new entities.   The list is as follows:

• Gerald R. Ford Council and Scenic Trails Council merged into President Gerald R. Ford Field Service Council (Indian Drum & Nacha Tindey Lodges)
• Lake Huron Area Council, Blue Water Council, Tall Pine Council and Chief Okemos Council merged into Water & Woods Field Service Council (Chickagami, Cuwe, Gabe-Shi-Win-Gi-Ji-Kens, and Mischigonong)
• Southwest Michigan Council and Great Sauk Trail Council merged into Southern Shores Field Service Council (Manitous & Nacha-Mawat)
• Hiawathaland Council merging into Bay-Lakes Council as a District (Ag-Im goes, becoming part of Awase)

Over the past several years I have accumulated an abundance of flaps.   This is an opportunity for you.   I can now offer lots of ten (10) different and assorted flaps, all mint and no spoofs/fakes, for $40 postpaid to US addresses.

Please, at this time this is a limit of one lot per person.   No requests for particular issues or lodges can be honored.   My extras are stored in boxes and I will pull them out ten at a time at random.

If interested please send payment via PayPal to me at jpannell@triad.rr.com.   Please remember to include your address.   Thanks and happy collecting!

It should go without saying that my post about this site being sold to a Google/eBay partnership was my annual April Fool’s post.    I have no plans at this time to give up or sell this web site.  Long time readers will know this has become quite the tradition here and I usually start planning the posts several months in advance.  The most famous (infamous?) of these was 2008′s post concerning the abolishment of lodge names.  It still creates difficulty from time to time for those in authority in the OA and BSA due to the inability of some to detect obvious (in my opinion) satire.

This year’s topic was chosen later than normal.  An earlier idea did call for my announcement that mining rights were sold on The Summit.   It was to include the sale of timber rights, which were to become the locations for campsites in open fields like at Fort A.P. Hill.   The mining sites were going to be used for caving activities.   Other great things were going to be announced, too.   Of course that is all completely false.

Google Goggles is a real product that came out a couple of years ago.   I have dreamed of what could be if it were good enough to identify patches.  The idea of taking a picture of a patch and being told what issue it is — or even what issues it probably is — is alluring to me.  Imagine what it would do for the hobby!

Enjoy the rest of your April First.   Stay tuned for next year’s Big News here on April 1st, 2013!

This post contains important information regarding the future of this website.  Please read carefully.

Many have noticed that I have found it hard to maintain this website for quite some time now.   Due to various reasons, some of them beyond my control, updating the price guide regularly has become all but impossible.   Things have become a bit less chaotic, but after 15 years this has become a chore.  I also know that there will come the day when control of this site will need to be passed to another.  With all that in mind, I have been considering various options for the future of OAImages.  In the midst of this, a several months ago I was contacted by someone who made me an offer that was too good to resist.  After many months of negotiations I am now free to announce that this site has been purchased by a combined partnership of Google and eBay.   This will be effective July 1, 2012.

The images library of this site will be made available to Google and incorporated into their Google Goggles product.  An app will be released soon for the iPad, iPhone and Android powered devices.  Once fully integrated one will simply take a picture of a patch, and Google Goggles will identify it for you, returning a list of probable matches.  If a match is not found, it will allow you to submit the image for possible inclusion on the site.   Since Google has such a large stuff, they will be able to quickly review the submitted image and add it to the site within 24 hours  Pricing for the app has yet to be determined, but I expect it will be reasonable.

Both Google and eBay have agreed that the main body of this website will continue to be free to use.   They are strongly committed to the idea of sharing this type of information within the patch collecting community.  I do expect they will seek other ways to monetize their investment including, but not limited to, banner advertisements and perhaps the sale of user data.   Given eBay’s sterling record of data security and concern for their customers, and Google’s “Do No Evil” corporate mentality, I am sure any personal data will be secure and used only for beneficent purposes.

eBay’s involvement will primarily be on the price guide side.   Their data will be fully integrated into this site allowing near instantaneous updates to the price guide without the laborious and difficult task of reviewing thousands of closed auctions.   For this purpose, they will be able to scan the image of the item pictured (see above) and have it identified according to the site.   There will also be an icon added next to any item on the site if it is found to be available for sale on eBay.

Pricing on the members side will change significantly to reflect these enhancements.  Current memberships, and those that start before June 30th, will run their term without any change but a new pricing structure will be unveiled in June to be effective with the change in ownership.   I along with a small group of helpers have been visiting trade-o-rees incognito in recent months doing market research as to what the optimal pricing structure should be and what additional  features should be added.

As this transition occurs, I will be working with Asok Lahtsamor Shullbit at Google and Richard Hertzmore at eBay.   I expect I will be making several trips to the “Google Plex” and eBay’s corporate headquarters.   As I love to travel, I look forward to this opportunity to spend time in California.

Part of the purchase agreement includes significant donations to both councils for needed camp improvements.  Both companies are eager to support Scouting and its goals.  I plan to visit both the Pacific Skyline and Santa Clara Councils in order better to find out what their specific needs might be.   I am sure the local Scouting community in North Carolina would like this significant donation to remain here, but I felt it more appropriate that it go to the councils where the new owners of this site are located.   These next few months will be exciting for both me and users of this website.

Please check back later today for an additional announcement regarding the BSA’s sale of lumber and mining rights at The Summit in order to help fund needed improvements for the upcoming National and World Jamborees.