What's Tampa Bay Saying?

Boy Scouts’ Gay Ban: Should it Go?

While the national organization debates the merits of lifting the ban on gay participants, we want to get your take on the issue.

As the Boy Scouts of America celebrate their 103rd birthday Friday, Feb. 8, a heated dispute is likely putting a damper on any celebrations. The national organization was expected to take up the issue of removing a ban on gay participants recently. It, however, delayed taking action until May “due to the complexity of this issue,” according to the Chicago Tribune. Even if the national council votes in favor of lifting the ban, local chapters would retain their right to keep it in place. Some members and supporters of the private organization designed to teach boys life, citizenship and leadership skills say it’s time to end the ban on gay participants. Others are staunchly opposed to the notion. Should the organization lift its national …

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Shore Acres Rick

1:36 pm on Sunday, March 31, 2013

What is moral about excluding people because of the way they were born?   more ›

Boy Scout Food Drive Coming to Area Homes

The Boy Scouts annual Scouting for Food drive will take place from Feb. 11-18 and will encompass 40,000 homes in the southeastern part of Hillsborough County.

Boy Scouts will deliver 40,000 bags to homes throughout Brandon, Valrico, FishHawk Ranch, Plant City and Riverview this Saturday as part of their annual Scouting for Food drive to help Feeding America Tampa Bay. Around 60 scout units will participate in the event fulfilling their "service to others" activity. Scouts will drop the bags off this Saturday and return to pick them up in a week's time, hopefully finding them packed with food. The goal this year is to collect 20,000 pounds worth of food. "We're all well aware that there is a great need in our community, so we use this as a way of teaching the kids about helping the community," said Molly Blanton, district executive for the Timucua district. "Part of the scouting program is …

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Viewfinder: Boy Scouts Commemorate 9/11

Scouts pay tribute to "those who sacrificed all."

Dozens of Scouts of all ages from the Timucua District gathered at the Winthrop Pole Barn on Bloomingdale Avenue Sept. 11 to remember all those who perished Sept. 11, 2001, as well as to remember the service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the War on Terror. Valrico resident Donnie Cagnina, Scoutmaster of Troop 61, and Brandon resident Chris Buchanan, Scoutmaster for Troop 101, organized the event to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. "Most of the boys in my troop are too young to remember 9/11, but they should know what an important event that was in our lives and they should honor those who lost their lives that day as well as the members of the military who have lost their lives since during the …

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5 Things to Know Today, June 16

Here's some things you might want to know as you go about your day.

1. The Greater Brandon Area Friends of Scouting will honor four longtime residents who have been an integral part of area Boy Scouts during its 2011 Soaring Eagle Dinner June 16 at The Regent, 6437 Watson Road, Riverview. Residents interested in supporting the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Sea Scouts and Venturers are invited to the event, which will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m. followed by a dinner at 7 p.m. The atmosphere is casual and the dress is "camping chic." During the event, the Scouts will accept pledges to support its many programs. Scouts also will take the opportunity to honor four men who have played an active role in supporting the Scouts over the years: Dr. Fred Boehmer, Julian Craft, Dick Stowers and the Rev. Bill Wynn. …

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