Page 38 - June 2019

FIELD NOTES

Deeds—Not Words

Paul Fanning, DTM

It was small, about three-quarters the size of the the faithful Boy Scout he obviously was.
average cheque book. Red cover with bold black Early June found an interesting entry: “went
printing and somewhat dog-eared indicating that and got the sissors (sic) for the aeroplane man.

it had been well cherished and used. Perhaps it Oh, my goodness! Charles Lindbergh landed
was a Christmas gift, or had been earned in some in Ames on his way home from his famous solo
now forgotten manner. But there it was, asking Atlantic flight. Could he have been “the aeroplane
to be picked-up, read and appreciated. The title man?” I’ll never know of course. But little Frank

emblazoned across the top of the cover said, took seriously his Scout oath, followed the 12
“BOY SCOUT DIARY” and “1927”. Original price points of the Scout law, and practiced his “doing
in 1926”? Ten cents. I already had this year in my a good turn daily.” He wasn’t just mouthing
collection in perfect, mint condition, but it wasn’t or mumbling through the words of the Scout

as “experienced” as this one was, with the name, program but acted upon them with all his mortal
Troop, rank, address, physical description and all fiber and moral stamina.
the other information on the owner’s page. The We Toastmasters have a promise as well. In
greatest plus was that each day the now long-gone one of my former clubs, each week we pulled

former owner had written his “daily good turn” out our pocket membership cards and read “As
as recommended on each date square. a member of Toastmasters International and my
Here was Frank Pearce, Troop 12, Ames, Iowa, club, I promise to. . . ” Those three key “promises”
age 12, 5 feet tall and a Tenderfoot of the Eagle are just as important today as they were when

Patrol. I told you it had his whole information, penned 90+ years ago.
including Scoutmaster’s and Patrol Leader’s 1. “To prepare for and fulfill meeting assignments”.
names along with the church where they met. When we joined Toastmasters, we made a
Poor Frank—spelling was not his forte, but I deliberate and conscientious decision to invest

had fun for years reading and re-reading the ourselves into the program to help us grow. We
daily entries thru December 31st. Misspellings can’t do this by spending 1.3 seconds before the
abounded, but the school was the subject that meeting starts to prepare for our meeting role, our
was so often spoken of. March 15, 1927- “raced the leadership position, or our speaking assignment.

boards for Mrs. Parker”. Several entries told about Investing the time to make it a quality meeting,
picking up nails from the school yard, taking a quality speech and a meaningful role is very
care of dogs, cutting wood, and raking leaves. important. Investment means time, talent and
Everyday Frank wrote down his “good turn” like treasure. Be a “Boy Scout Frank” and either look

38 ONE COMMUNITY