My Visit with Cub Scout Pack 162

I shared journalistic lingo, using words like byline and columns, and went over a variety of past articles from Monroe's budget and the Rail Trail to the White Lady Ghost during a visit with Cub Scout Pack 162 on Friday night.

I had been invited as the guest speaker at the monthly meeting held at Stepney Elementary School and the topic was what it's like to be a reporter.

The boys' knowledge of the subject was impressive. They knew things like what a reporter does and what a headline is. It was even more impressive when considering how much the industry has changed over the past two decades.

Paul Lesiw, an assistant Cub Master, told the children how he used to load stacks of newspapers on his bicycle as a boy and deliver them on his paper route.

Now everything seems to be online as readership of websites grows and newspaper subscriptions shrink. When I broke into the business in the mid-90's I pasted up ads on large "dummy sheets" for newspapers, then drove all of the pages to Trumbull Printing on Spring Hill Road. Now everything is sent with a click of the mouse.

After my short presentation Friday, I watched members of the Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos receive belt loops, arrow points and rank badges they earned for performing various tasks.

Tasks include things such as learning proper flag etiquette, having a fire safety plan at home, and visiting places like the a firehouse and the police station, according to Assistant Cub Master Ken Clark.

I shot video of the awards ceremony and hope it comes out well for this column.

Other Cub Scout officials include Assistant Cub Master Lisa Dutkowsky and Cub Master Kathy Dilks.

I want to thank the Pack for inviting me to their meeting. I'm not comfortable with public speaking, but the parents and the boys were more than gracious and fun to be around.