When I arrived for a visit, there were three young fathers intently talking around my son’s dining room table in their small town in Illinois.
Was it a neighborhood meeting to fight a liquor store being approved in the area?
A local political strategy meeting for an election?
None of the above. It was a car clinic. No, not NASCAR.
On the table were three small blocks of wood and they were discussing the Pinewood Derby, a national racing competition for the Cub Scouts.
The ingredients were simple. Four nails, four little tires and a 7 inch by 3 inch block of wood. From these, a racing car was to be carved to run on a metal track. It was one of the most important events of the year in the town – and in many towns in the country.
This was serious stuff. Talk about filing nails down smoothly, adjusting wheels, wind resistance (what?) and the advantages of graphite.
Behind the men, listening raptly, were three small boys dressed in their Cub Scout uniforms who presumably were the competitors.
There’s a standing joke that there should be a trophy for the best father’s car.
There was even a cartoon from the Cub Scout magazine showing two Cub scouts saying, “I hope when I grow up, I can build a car.”
Yesterday was THE day. The fathers and the scouts were up at dawn for the race. Hundreds of people from the town went to the grammar school where the race was to be held cheering on the participants.
It was a huge success. There were concession stands serving food and baked goods at low prices. It was a wonderful time.
And every Cub got a badge whether he won or not. So the kids were happy.
The fathers were laid out on their couches exhausted from the ordeal. Most were in bed by eight o’clock.
This slice of Americana was not about the race. That is only one of the many activities that a volunteer army of men and women contribute to scouting and their communities.
This is about family. About fathers and mothers who are active in small and large towns around the country supporting their children. About the work that the Boy and Girl Scouts do, still these many years, in the work of instilling good values in our young people.
Principles which include their Core Values and the Scout Law:
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, brave, clean and reverent.
Remember those?
I say there definitely should be a trophy for the “Best Father’s Car!”
They earn it all year long! God bless them, everyone.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Talk about wonderful memories!!! I remember our Pinewood Derbies so well. My brother and nephew and my husband any my son in the cub scout years. The boys couldn’t say “cousins” when they were little so they became known as the Hussins (there was another boy too). Our parish put on our own Pinewood Derby and everything you say is true- I don’t think the Hussins even touched the cars but I remember a spectacular almost “Christmas Story” kind of time. Magic moments in my memory bank. My son won!!!! I can still see that yellow and black creation. Our parish, St. Gertrude’s, was a real close neighborhood, still is and all the mothers were there selling food, chances and any thing else to bring money into the school. The fathers were busy with their “son’s” entries…. Such a happy time.
What happened to the old “hood”? Most of us moved, off to a better neighborhood, better schools, or perhaps just to try to become a bigger fish in a bigger pond. It didn’t work. Most of us are divorced, dead or drunk. But I loved those times. Everyone, including my mother, was in short walking distance. All I really ever wanted.
Sad to say that one of the Hussins has really never gotten over leaving the friendly, open and happy neighborhood of the 70s. Arrested development and a cold mother. But you know what??? That neighborhood is still thriving. Although the house that my brother bought for $25,000 in 1968 now costs over a half million and that’s a handyman special. But, here’s the wonderful thing. Those people in that neighborhood chose it for the same reason we did and it is more than thriving. There are block parties, church functions ( I hear there is a very enlightenend pastor there). You can walk around anywhere and all those “suburban” kids are now back raising their kids the old fashioned way. That’s all people really want anyway, to feel safe, community, good neighbors, and truly … what most of them saw in re-runs of the Cleaver family. It exists — I know, only I didn’t hold on to it long enough. It still exists in my memories of the happy times raising my son and of me trying to be like June Cleaver. I only wished I had stayed. We all do. So thanks for the memories.
You are welcome for the memories, Grace.
The Pinewood Derby has been going on with the Cub Scouts since 1953 all over the country – so I bet there are lots of people out there who have wonderful memories of this tradition!
It is truly a phenomenon and in my town even the little sisters (and mothers) enter their cars after the official races are done. That’s when the real competition begins! Not for the fastest car necessarily; rather, the CUTEST car! Thanks for such a touching piece.
Dear Louise -
How wonderful that the girls and moms get in on the fun! There definitely should be a category for the “CUTEST CAR!”
Cute beats fast everytime by me!
Yes, I remember sometime back my father was also interested in the Pinewood Derby!
You have an inspiring blog.
Sham
Thanks for the compliment, Sham! Keep coming back!
I was surprised at how many people said this article brought back wonderful memories.