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Wednesday, February 21, 2007 · Page 9 Scout Drags and Kub Kar Races held BY ANDY COMBER Dragsters didn't even exist when Lt. Gen. Robert Baden-Powell started the scouting movement in 1907, but he would surely be impressed by the popularity of the local scout model drag races. Over 75 scouts raced their custom-made dragster models and over 150 cub scouts raced their kit-made kub kars at their annual competition held at the Exhibition Hall in Harrow, Feb. 17. "It is a very popular event with entries from all over Essex County, including Essex and Cottam," said Robert Boose, Essex Area Commissioner for Scouts Canada, speaking of the rally, which has been held in Harrow for about 16 years. "We even have adults and leaders interested in racing," he said. Kub Kars must weigh no more than 142 grams and the larger Scout Drags must weigh no more than 283 grams. Weight adjustments are made in the pit crew area, where necessary, according to Linda Keirl, coordinator of the event. Results from the Kub Kar races were: 1st - Jared Mercer, 1st Wheatley; 2nd Ross Svensson Hornbostel, 2nd Harrow; 3rd - Victor Michael, 1st Wheatley; 4th Lawrence, 2nd Kyle Amherstburg; 5th - Devon Bradwell, 2nd Amherstburg; and 6th - Conner Demars, 1st Cottam. Best Design: 1st - Colton Lachance, 1st Cottam; 2nd Joshua Malone, 1st Emeryville; 3rd - Zachary Schram, lst Comber. Best Looking: 1st Brodie Euchar, 1st Wheatley; 2nd - Joel Nantas, 2nd Woodslee; and 3rd Cody Woods, 1st Cottam. Best Original: 1st - Mark Smith, 2nd Woodslee; 2nd Chad Hazael, 1st Cottam; and 3rd - Josh Kimbriel, 1st Cottam. Results from the Scout Drags: 1st - Carleigh Ross, 2nd Kingsville; and 2nd Nathan Morin, 2nd FAST AND FURIOUS ­ Scouts, Cubs and their families from all over Essex County acked the Exhibition Hall in Harrow for their annual Scout Drag and Kub Kar races, eb. 17. Scouting celebrates 100 years of adventure BY DANIEL SCHWAB Over the past 100 years, millions of youngsters worldwide have thrown on a scouting uniform and gone off on adventures. From hiking to rock-climbing, camping to canoeing, Scouts have not only enjoyed the great outdoors but they've also learned survival skills and how to be good citizens. This year they are celebratng a milestone anniversary, ith a number of celebrations lanned throughout the year n different countries. Locally, Scouts are gearing p for a centennial event lanned for Lakeside Park in ingsville. Each section ­ Beavers, ubs, Scouts, Venturers and overs ­ will be starting at a ifferent spot on the Chrysler anada Greenway but all will nd up at Lakeside Park at the ame time, where they'll njoy a campfire and historial presentations. It's a time to honour nglishman Lord Baden owell, who organized the first scout camp in August 1907. Since then, adult leaders have followed Powell's example by teaching youth a variety of social and practical skills. Judi Wijngaarden, local Beaver leader and member of the area council responsible for training adults, has been dedicating her time to youth for more than 25 years. As a former school teacher in Essex, Wijngaarden said she enjoys working with kids and gets satisfaction from watching their skills develop. She helps Beavers ­ kids aged five to seven ­ become good little citizens, focusing on such noble pursuits as environmental awareness and social activism. The kids have contributed to food banks and volunteered at homes for the aged. They have cleaned up litter on local trails and each spring engage in a tree planting campaign. But along with centennial celebrations, the scouts have received a six per cent funding deduction from the United Way, which announced cuts to all its agencies last month. In the past, the United Way has funded scouting programs, provided resources for leaders and paid a full salary for a field executive, who worked in promotion and administration for WindsorEssex County. Now, Scouts Canada will be forced to help pay the salary. "We're appreciative of what we get and we'll try to stretch it as far as we can," Wijngaarden said. "But now we'll rely even more on volunteers." Near the end of April, the local Scouts Canada organization will submit its annual request for funding. With less money available, Wijngaarden says there may be a chance some scouting programming will be cut. Citing tough economic times as the reason for the cuts, United Way's board of directors chair Mike McKinnon said in a media release, "This was a very difficult decision for (us); we spent a lot of time wrestling with the issue. No one wants to make these kinds of calls, but we had little choice. Our community is going through some tough times right now and everyone is feeling the impact." But one organization that won't be feeling the impact is Essex Girl Guides, the sister program to local scouting. While Windsor Girl Guides have traditionally been funded by the United Way, the local group has relied on selling their famous cookies to generate dollars. They sell them twice a year, in the fall and spring. In early April they will be out again. Kathi Poupard, Essex division commissioner for Girl Guides, said registration is up 10 per cent since last year and the organization is enjoying its popularity with more than 100 girls involved in the Essex/Cottam/Woodslee area. The local group is preparing for a trip to Owen Sound March 12-16, where they'll be snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Kingsville. Venturers Div.: 1st Joshua Purdy, 2nd Amherstburg; 2nd - Krysin Ives, 42nd Leamington. Leaders Div.: 1st - Dave Shuttleworth, 1st Cottam; and 2nd - Trevor Ferguson, 1st Wheatley. Scout Best Design: 1st Jan Robertson, 1st Harrow; and 2nd - Karen Edh, 42nd Leamington. Adult Best Design: 1st Dave Shuttleworth, 1st Cottam; and 2nd - Curtis Makish, 1st Cottam. Scout Best Original: 1st Alexander Bonner, 1st Comber; and 2nd - Meranda Malott, 2nd Leamington. Adult Best Original: 1st Danielle Amlin, 1st Harrow: 2nd - Ben Glomes, lst Harrow. Scout Best Looking: 1st Eric Blain, 4th Leamington; and 2nd - Shawn Phaneuf, 1st Cottam. Adult Best Looking: 1st Scott Purdy, 2nd Amherstburg; and 2nd Trevor Gerguson, 1st Wheatley. FAST ON THE TRACK ­ Cubs Josh Kimbriel, 9, left, and Noel Devaere, 10, both of the 1st Cottam Cub Scout troupe, proudly display their race cars at the Kub Kar races held in Harrow, Feb. 17.