Old Hickory Council history - year by year
The Old Hickory Council has its beginnings in 1911 from the wish of a young man who had moved to Winston-Salem from Pennsylvania. His wish was that boys here might share the fun and benefits he had experienced there from Boy Scouting. His idea was quickly backed, first by his father, then by his pastor and Sunday School, sixteen enthusiastic prospective Scouts, the Y.M.C.A., and soon by a host of distinguished citizens of Winston and Salem.
The young man was Ralph B. Tucker. The Reverend Mr. Leon G. Luckenbach was his pastor at Fairview Moravian Church, and they soon had a uniformed troop with R.R. (Bob) Kinney as Scoutmaster and young Ralph Tucker as Assistant Scoutmaster. Mr. Kinney�s registration card as Scoutmaster of Troop 1 was dated April 12, 1912. Meetings were held at Fairview Church and later at the Y.M.C.A., where C. Horace Sebring took an early lead in fostering and directing the movement. Troop 1 was very active in community service, notably at a Confederate reunion, and they had many fine camping experiences.
Rather quickly, other boys and their institutions decided they knew a good thing when they saw it. From old records, by 1918 at least sixteen other troops had become a part of the youth program at these institutions: First Baptist Church, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (two troops), St. Paul�s Episcopal Church, Grace Methodist Church, West Salem Methodist Church, Christ Moravian Church, Calvary Moravian Church, Home Moravian Church (two troops), Brown Memorial Baptist Church, Fairview Moravian Church (a second troop), Waughtown Presbyterian Church, North School, and Mineral Springs School. Despite the fact that World War I called some of the best leaders to the service of their country, the consolidation of Winston and Salem in 1913 seems to have fostered greater unity and cooperation than ever before. To properly guide and administer the movement, a second-class council was organized. The position of local council executive was held by the Reverend Mr. Douglas L. Rights in 1917 and by R.E. Dean, boys� work secretary of the Y.M.C.A. in 1918, although the national office considered these men commissioners, since they were not full-time professionals. Old council stationery carries the following slat of officers at some time during the period: Allen M. Craig, President; Dr. P.O. Schallert, Vice-President; J.S. Kuykendall, Secretary-Treasurer; and C. Horace Sebring, Commissioner. The president and commissioner were the general secretary and physical director of the Y.M.C.A. respectively. Other pioneer Scouters who should at least be mentioned here are: Reverend Mr. Rights as Scoutmaster of Troop 4 at Home Moravian Church, organized in 1912; Robert E. Grunert as Scoutmaster of Troop 6 at Christ Moravian Church; J.A. Jones as Scoutmaster of Troop 7 at Calvary Moravian Church, organized in 1916; and Colonel William A. Blair as Scoutmaster of Troop 9 at Home Moravian. Volumes could be written about these and other Scouters and their Scouts, whose lives as useful citizens exemplify Scouting ideals. Quiet encouragement came from a much-loved community spiritual leader, Moravian Bishop Edward Rondthaler. In his �Memorabilia of Fifty Years (1877-1927)�, he mentions the Boy Scouts with glowing approval in 1911, 1916, 1917, 1919, 1922, 1925 and 1927.
In the early spring of 1919 a first class council was organized, and a finance campaign provided for a full-time Scout Executive and a local Scout headquarters. The executive was Roy C. Flannagan, headquarters was in City Hall (then where the Reynolds Building is now), Winston-Salem Council was the name, and the officers were as follows:
President: William F. Shaffner
Vice-Presidents: H.R. Starbuck, Thomas Malsin, F.J. Liipfert
Treasurer: W.H. Watkins
Secretary: R.R. Kinney
Commissioner: W.A. Blair
In 1920, Mr. Flannagan resigned and was succeeded by A.S. Matthews as Scout Executive, who continued in that capacity until February, 1924, when he resigned. On February 15, 1924, W.E. (Ned) Vaughan-Lloyd reported for duty, to begin a fruitful tenure as Scout Executive which was to continue until March 1, 1953. He had served in the U.S. Navy during World War I and thus acquired the nickname �Skipper�. In 1919, he came to Winston-Salem as the city�s first director of parks and playgrounds. Quickly, he established himself as a man who got things done and also found himself involved as a Scouter. He became intrigued with the Scouting program, admired the type of men involved, decided in 1923 to become a career Scouter, and served briefly in that capacity at Rocky Mount before accepting the position here.
By years, some of the important events during the terms of these first three Scout Executive can be mentioned:
1922
The Winston-Salem Community Chest (now United Way of Forsyth County) was formed and began to relieve the Boys Scouts and seven other agencies of the need for each to set up its own separate finance campaign each year. At about this time, Robert C. Vaughn probably began his long and quiet service to the council as a fund-raiser, and he was thereafter frequently one of the council�s two representatives on the community chest commission.
1923
On December 10, the generosity of R.E. Lasater provided a 46-acre camp site with a dwelling and barn. The barn was converted to a dining hall and kitchen, the Kiwanis Club provided for the erection of a fine new building suitable for various activities, and provision was made for a lake, waterfront facilities, shower and toilet facilities, and a campfire area. Under �Skipper�s� guidance, this became the site of council summer camp, troop camps, camporees, training experiences for leaders, and so on. Many Scouts and Scouters have nostalgic memories of their days of fun, fellowship, and learning experiences there.
Thurmond Chatham succeeded Mr. Shaffner as Council President in 1923 and served until April 16, 1925.
1925
R.W. Gorrell, Sr., was president from April 1925 to April 1926, and the Reverend Mr. Robert E. Gribbin succeeded Col. Blair as commissioner.
1926
Reverend Mr. Gribbin was president and continued in that office until 1929. At that time he was rector of St. Paul�s Episcopal Church and had a son entering Scouting later, the father became a bishop and son Emmet became an Eagle Scout.
1928
Until this time, the council had served only the City of Winston-Salem and suburbs, but in 1928 limited responsibility was accepted for Scouting in seven counties: Ashe, Watauga, Alleghany, Wilkes, Surry, Yadkin and Forsyth.
1929
John M. Brown became president and was re-elected to the office each year through the year 1951, resulting in a period of 23 years with the same president and the same executive. The Rev. Mr. Gribbin became council commissioner again and served in that office through 1932. An activity report for the first 10 months of 1929 survives. It reflects a council humming with healthy activity, 40 troops (5 of them new), and 649 Scouts. However, a note of the file copy in �Skipper�s� handwriting says �We closed year with 30 troops & 489 Scouts�. We can conclude that finding ways to prevent such attrition was then and still is a prime problem for an Executive Board to solve.
1931
The Silver Beaver award, for distinguished service to boyhood within the council area, came into being. The first four recipients were Robert E. Gribbin, Robert E. Grunert, Robert E. Lasater, and Robert C. Vaughn.
1933
Being elevated to the epsicopacy, Bishop Gribbin became honorary commissioner and was succeeded by H. Gardner Hudson as council commissioner. The first black troop in the council was organized at Wilkesboro and registered in January 1934.
1934
It was decided that the office of council commissioner, up to then more or less honorary, should become a highly active position aimed directly at keeping existing troops healthy. H. Banks Newman was elected commissioner, which began a highly productive tenure of 16 years of service in that capacity. A native Winston boy, he and �Skipper� first met when Banks was supervisor of the West End playground. Banks had served as assistant Scoutmaster, then as Scoutmaster of Troop 10 (now 910) at St. Paul�s Episcopal Church.
He then served for a time in Georgia as a professional Scouter. Upon returning, he became the original Scoutmaster of Troop 49 (now 749) at Ardmore Methodist Church and continued to serve in that capacity for a time after becoming council commissioner.
The first black troop in Winston-Salem registered in January 1934.
1935
On May 4, 1935, the Twin City Sentinel published its 50th Anniversary edition, which included a good article on the history and current status of Winston-Salem Council. There were 43 troops, 776 Scouts and 287 Scouters. By counties, Surry and Wilkes each had 5 troops; Ashe, Yadkin and Watauga had 1 each, and Forsyth had 30, counting Germanton School at Stokes County line. The names of the council�s 33 Eagle Scouts are listed, as well as the names of 38 Scoutmasters or Assistants who had been Scouts.
The article gives a rather complete listing of the organizational assignments. Banks Newman had four district commissioners to help him keep in contact with each troop and learn what could be done to help keep it healthy. Gardner Hudson headed a Troop Organization Committee, presumably both to help organize new troops on a sound basis and to assist existing troops with organization problems. The Camp Committee, was chaired by Vice-President R. Arthur Spaugh, with R.E. Lasater as one of its members. The Finance committee was headed by R.E. Lasater, with Treasurer Robert C. Vaughn as a member. There was a training activity committee under Rev. Mr. Douglas L. Rights, a civic service committee under Noble R. Medearis, a publicity committee and growth headed by E.T. Mickey, the court of honor chaired by Agnew H. Bahnson with a membership of 15 very distinguished men, a reading committee under Dr. John R. Jester, a church relations committee under Dr. S. H. Templeman, a health and safety committee headed by Dr. R.L. Carlton, an examining board chaired by Dr. G.C. Cooke, a Winston-Salem Central Committee under J.E. Carter, plus courts of honor for Mount Airy District and North Wilkesboro District, chaired respectively by George K. Hale, Sr., and Arthur S. Cassel.
1936
A Camp Lasater brochure for the year reflects that Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan-Lloyd were to serve as camp director and camp nurse, that it was Lasater�s eleventh season, that there was a new lake with ten boats, that leaders were urged to attend with their Scouts as quests of the council, that the camp was equipped for 50 Scouts and would operate for four weeks with a charge of $7.00 per week per Scout, and that there would be religious services held each week and devotional exercises each morning at breakfast.
Cub Pack 10, at Saint Paul�s Episcopal Church, was organized December 31, 1936, the first pack in the Council. Its report to the church February 8, 1937, showed that 15 boys ages 9, 10, and 11 had already passed 162 tests under J. Loice Young as Cubmaster.
1937
In March, 1937, at Appalachian State, possibly the first troop organized by and for college students was registered with 18 members ranging form 17 to 27 in age and including only three who had previously been Scouts.
1938
In January, a plan was adopted to allow qualified troops so desiring to hold their own courts of review and courts of honor for Second and First Class advancement, with the troop�s neighborhood commissioner as a member of the court of review.
In June, camp publicity announced a new feature: the chartering of a lodge of the Order of the Arrow, a national brotherhood of honor campers who pledge themselves to the service of others. G. Kellock Hale, Jr., who was then Scoutmaster of Troop 38 (538) in Mount Airy, had been a member of the original lodge of the order in Philadelphia as a boy, and had suggested that a lodge be established here. After investigation produced enthusiastic agreement, the junior camp staff and key council Scouters found themselves involved in something called an �Ordeal� on June 3rd and 4th, culminating in a ritual which introduced them to the noble Delaware Indian legend around which the ideals of the order are framed. The honors team from General Greene Council inducted our charter members, and the name Wahissa Lodge was adopted. �Wahissa�, meaning �Happy Place�, was selected from several Indian names suggested by Rev. Mr. Douglas Rights. Kel Hale was the first lodge advisor. Under the guidance of Kel, his successors, and generally excellent lodge officers, Wahissa Lodge has a fine record of accomplishments.
1941
After a growth survey during 1941 concluded that there should be five districts fully organized, an active and representative executive board, expansion of the professional and office staffs to serve the full seven-county area, financial support from outside Forsyth, and a new name for the council more appropriate to the total area served--all of this began to happen. The name �Old Hickory� was suggested and adopted in memory of Andrew Jackson, who had practiced law in the area.
1942-43
In 1942 Stokes County was welcomed into Old Hickory Council, transferring from Cherokee Council. The council was incorporated in mid-1943 letterhead reflects seven districts: Ashe, Elkin-Yadkin (including Alleghany), Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, and Wilkes. 1943 ended with 100 troops serving 1,883 Scouts and 16 packs serving 301 Cub Scouts.
1944
On June 14, 1944, a fine Scouter lost his life in the lake at Camp Lasater in a successful effort to help save the life of another swimmer. The loss of Edward M. �Tom� Holder saddened the entire council, and it continues to be a powerful reminder to practice safety rules on waterfronts and in every other phase of activity. The 15-year-old who was rescued has become a very distinguished Scouter in the Northeast Region, so even the darkest clouds can have silver linings.
1945
A healthy council closed 1945 with 140 units, 1605 boys, 4 professionals and 3 office personnel, and 972 adult volunteers, including a very active and effective commissioner staff. Commissioner Newman�s report says: �Our commissioner staff was recognized by the National and Regional office last August by being invited to give instruction through dramatization in commissioner organization and administration at the annual training conference for Scout Executives of North Carolina�. The dramatization was written and produced by Old Hickory�s own commissioner staff and was well received, with many compliments. However, what meant most to the staff was the recognition that their regular, friendly visits to units, plus their reports on conditions found, were helping to keep existing units healthy and to give new units a good start.
World War II was in progress, but the boys did their part with activities such as waste paper drives, and the adults functioned as if they felt that Scouting was needed as never before. Among other accomplishments, a rustic outdoor chapel was constructed at Camp Lasater by his Scouting friends in loving memory of Tom Holder and dedicated June 10, 1945. Also, the council constitution and bylaws were updated, effective March 7, 1945.
1946-1953
Old Hickory Council continued through these years with slow healthy growth, fine boy activities at summer camp and otherwise, and emphasis on four other fundamentals: sound organization of new units, good training for adult leaders, commissioner service to keep units healthy, and recruiting of manpower and boys. In 1948, one of our men was a trainee in the first American Wood Badge Course at Schiff Scout Reservation, with good effect on our training program upon his return. Also, in 1948, Kel Hale was inducted for a term as the first Chairman of the National Committee on the Order of the Arrow.
However, our camping program suffered because Camp Lasater was small, not centrally located in the council area, and otherwise unsuitable. In 1949, Mrs. Elizabeth Dillard Reynolds offered the use of 423 acres of her property at Devotion, with a beautiful mile-long lake. The council accepted, but there were two major drawbacks: We would not have title to the property, and the lake proved to be unsuitable for a safe waterfront and without suitable terrain close enough for tents and activity areas. Under these circumstances, raising money for development was difficult, and the project languished until 1951. Then came an outstanding example of complete dedication by a group to a council�s camp, but with a sad ending. Explorer Post 49, or Ardmore Methodist Church, explored the acreage thoroughly, found a suitable place for a safe lake and activity area,
did the necessary topographical survey and soil samplings, drew up plans and specifications and contracts for stumping, grading, dam construction, valves, pipes, seeding, and tank erection, and spearheaded the labor of tree-felling, brush-clearing, and the like, all without pay and at no cost to the council except food, gasoline, tools and equipment. Money was then found to put a contractor to work and, by June 1953, photographs show a beautiful little lake and a broad green activity field surrounded by forested hills. But, only five miles away, the possibility of acquiring our present camp had arisen, with more acreage, more potential, and clear title. Lasater had to be disposed of and Devotion abandoned to concentrate financial and manpower resources on Raven Knob.
Banks Newman succeeded John Brown as council president January 1, 1952. Ned Vaughn-Lloyd retired March 1, 1953, for health reasons, becoming Scout Executive Emeritus. Courtland Baker succeeded him as Scout Executive.
1954 Through 1978
Trying to touch on a few events in Old Hickory's most recent quarter of a century, all of which probably deserve more detailed treatment, here are at least a few:
1954: Raven Knob Scout Reservation is first used for council camporee (1,422 attending), summer camp, and troop camping.
1955: John Alspaugh Health Lodge, Mary Reynolds Babcock Dining Hall, administration building (from Winston-Salem Kiwanis Club), Richard Clark Flagpole, gateway, and additional land at camp. Robert C. Vaughn is president; Roscoe Stevens becomes Scout Executive in August.
1956: First Old Hickory Council-Scout-A-Rama. Additions at camp include storage building, three 8-boy cabins, and 8 adirondack shelters.
1957: William K. Hoyt is president. A realignment creates two separate districts out of the former Forsyth District, named Pine Tree and White Oak, each with its own professional and volunteer staff.
1958: John McKenzie is president. A trust fund is created, with Wachovia Bank and Trust Company as trustee, the income intended to be used for capital improvements. The chapel is erected at Raven Knob in honor of Robert C. Vaughn, council treasurer 25 years, one of the first four Silver Beaver honors in 1931, council president two years, and the man who almost single-handedly raised the funds to purchase Raven�s Knob.
1959: Field sports center is erected at camp by Wahissa Lodge and dedicated to the memory of David L. Stewart, an outstanding lodge chief who revitalized the lodge in 1954 but died in an accident in Panama in 1956.
1960: Old Hickory Council hosts its first Regional Wood Badge training course.
1961: Charles F. Benbow is president. Much study is given to potential income to be derived from reforestation and intelligent management of part of our acreage, plus the fine experience and good example that this could provide for our Scouts.
1962: Banks Newman becomes president again. A campmaster corps is organized, with two men each weekend pitching their tents centrally at camp; it works beautifully. A waterfront building is erected, a gift from Herbert Thomas. More Old Hickory boys attend Philmont Scout Ranch than from any council in Region VI.
1963-5:An extremely productive period, with Vernon Deal succeeding Banks Newman January 1, 1964. Triggered by the idealism of Wahissa Lodge, Old Hickory revises its constitution, bylaws. and policies to become probable the most racially integrated council in the region at the time. Camp Robert Vaughn is opened in 1963 by the United Way of Forsyth County for black youth agencies, and Old Hickory has 101 camper weeks there and 1,263 at Raven�s Knob, with 68% of its Scouts and explorers having a long-term camping experience, Kalanu Chapter of Wahissa Lodge conducts outdoor skills training for junior leaders of troops in White Oak District. At camp, a nature lodge is built by Post 722 as a memorial to Jim Smith, a fine young man who died in an accident in Mexico during an international good-turn trip for his church. Other fine items appear at camp; a new fair-share budget formula helps to re-activate Watauga as an active district, and certain changes are made as to the trust fund started in 1958. Wahissa Lodge is awarded first place for its exhibit at the 1965 National Conference of the Order of the Arrow.
1966-9:Presidents: W.K. Sturdivant until March 1, 1967; thereafter William S. Yeager. Executives: Roscoe Stevens, retiring for health reasons February 1, 1968; Ted Kellogg, beginning July 1, 1968. This period brings great additions to camp acreage, fine long-term studies, and a 50th Anniversary year program featuring a Wood Badge course at camp, another update of articles of incorporation and bylaws, and the national president of the Boy Scouts of America (Irving J. Feist) as our appreciation banquet speaker.
1970-3:Presidents: Henry C. Allen, Jr. (1970), Herbert J. Caudle (1971-2), and H.C. Woodall, Jr. (1973). Wallace Potts succeeded Ted Kellogg as executive on November 15, 1973. Wahissa Lodge gets the urge to build and does an astounding job of raising funds, learning by building with their own hand, and policy-making in cooperation with the council executive board, resulting in a structure known as the Wahissa Lodge Building and Training Center. Early in 1972, units,Old Hickory Council gets recognition in three areas: its percentage of members subscribing to Boys� Life Magazine, and its being in the top one-tenth of councils nationally in percentage of units attending summer camp. Articles of incorporation and bylaws are again modernized to authorize ladies and youth on the executive board and in other key positions.
1974-8:Presidents: Donald L. Soefker (1974-1976) and Richard E. Glaze (1977, 1978). Executives: Wallace Potts to April 17, 1978; then Donald E. Hamrick, beginning June 19, 1978. In 1974, Forsyth County�s three districts (two white and one black) are consolidated into one, called Daniel Boone District. Certain steps are taken toward reorganizing the council on a �single line structure� without revising bylaws accordingly. The founder of the Order of the Arrow, E. Urner Goodman, helps Wahissa Lodge dedicate its building July 31, 1974. For 1975 and 1976, vice-presidents are elected to head up certain functions, but no council commissioner is nominated; thereafter, both the council commissioner and functional vice-presidents are chose. At camp, construction of the Atwell cottage, improvements to campsites by the troops which use them, and a magnificent effort by President Soefker which accomplished a complete boundary survey, are certainly among items which should be recorded.
1978-85:The council continued its record of growth. The Daniel Boone District was reorganized using the neighborhood service concept; the staff was increased to 9 professionals and a long-range planning study was begun. The following Scouters served as council president - Carroll Tompson, 1980 - Darle Shouse, 1981-1982 - Francis Carter, 1983-1984.
1985-8:Harold T. Murray, Jr. became Scout Executive on February 15, 1985. The council completed its long-range planning effort under the leadership of Harrell Hill and implementation began. Howard Wells served as Council President 1985-1987, Dr. Zane Eargle in 1988 and Jack Childs in 1989. During this period the council moved its offices to 836 Oak Street, Realigned Forsyth County into the Piedmont and Salem Districts, increased the professional staff to 10 members, realigned the Council Service Areas, implemented Cub Scout camping and Day Camp program. The council began a $2,000,000 Capital Campaign for improvements and new construction at Camp Raven Knob. The campaign was led by Bland Worley and Zane Eargle. The council membership and program participation continued to increase each year and the council ended 1988 with 8,222 youth registered in 263 units.
1989: The Capital Campaign surpassed its goal of $2,000,000 and construction was begun on many projects at Camp Raven Knob.
1990: G. Gray Wilson became Council President. Construction was completed on the renovated and expanded Dining Hall and the Zeb Barnhardt Training Center. The Land and Timber Management Program was implemented. The Units/Council raised $102,000 in popcorn sales. Chairman for the fund raiser was Howard Wells and Lee Salisbury. The council had a very successful Golf Tournament and Distinguished Citizens Dinner honoring Paul Fulton of the Sara Lee Corporation. The council had a balance growth in membership and was plus in units.
1991: Construction and renovation continued at Camp Raven Knob. Popcorn sales increased to $193,000 and Distinguished Citizens Dinner honoring Jim Johnston, Chairman and C.E.O. of Reynolds Tobacco was held. Boy Scout and Cub Scout camp attendance reached a new high and percentage attendance led the Southeast Region. The council, again, recorded balanced growth in membership and units.
1992: Steve Robertson was installed as Council President and Loris Colclough as Council Commissioner. The National Council reorganized into four Regions and Area 7 was expanded to include three councils in Virginia. Camp construction continued with the addition of two new troop sites. Trading Post renovation was completed, Lake Watson was drudged, a new ladies� restroom and shower facility was completed and renovation and expansion of the Administration Building was begun. Boy Scout and Cub Scout attendance again reached a new high. A new long-range strategic plan was begun under the leadership of Gray Wilson. Task forces include: Council Facilities, Marketing and Finance.
1993: The Council Strategic Plan was completed and presented to the Council Executive Board. The Board approved the plan, including a recommendation to conduct a $4 million Capital Campaign in 1995, and the consolidation of Watauga and New River Districts. A Feasibility Study was authorized and conducted in the fall of 1993. The Strategic Plan calls for Capital Improvements to Camp Raven Knob, construction of a Council Program Center, and funds for maintenance reserve, operation inclusion and campaign expense. The Council experienced another record year in program participation and Camp Raven Knob attendance.
1994: The Watauga and New River Districts were consolidated and Watauga and Ashe Counties became the Blue Ridge District. A capital campaign effort under the leadership of Walter McDowell, President of Wachovia Bank of North Carolina, N.A. was begun. The goal was established at $3,000,000.00 Key elements of the campaign included a Scouting Center, Cub and Scout facilities at Raven Knob and maintenance reserve. A kickoff date for the campaign was set for April, 1995. The council experienced another record year for long-term growth in units and membership. One hundred and twenty five Scouts were awarded the Eagle Badge.
1995: Grover Myers was selected as Council President and Loris Colclough as Council Commissioner. In April the $3 million Capital Campaign began and continued throughout the year. A victory celebration was scheduled for April 1996. The council experienced marked growth in it�s outdoor program and activity participation. 1995 concluded with the council being recognized with the National Quality Council Award. Growth in youth membership exceeded 4.6% with increases in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Exploring, Learning for Life and total registered units.
1996: The Council completed a successful $3,200,000 + Capital Campaign under the leadership of Walter McDowell, President of Wachovia Bank of North Carolina. A victory celebration was held and construction began on the new Scouting Center, located at 6600 Silas Creek Parkway. Adirondacks, museum and other capital projects were begun at Raven Knob Scout Reservation. Dr. Thomas Hearn, President of Wake Forest University was honored as the Council�s distinguished citizen. Raven Knob experienced a year of record attendance. The Council�s �Scouting Plus program began with over 600 middle school youth participating. Council membership growth continued with substantial increases in every program area. Product sales increased by 28% and reached $448,000.00. The Council was recognized with the Quality Council Award for 1996.
1997: 1997 was an historic year for Old Hickory Council. The 13,000 sq. ft. Wachovia Scouting Center, located at 6600 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem was completed. The council took occupancy in March and a gala dedication was held on May 10, 1997. Scouting units from throughout the council gathered to display their skills to hundreds of visitors and guests. Also in May Bud Baker was honored as the council Distinguished Citizen and nine representatives of the council attended the National Council meeting in Orlando, Florida. Raven Knob Scout Reservation recorded record attendance for both Boy Scout and Cub Scout long-term camping programs. Scouting Plus/Learning for Life grew dramatically with over 150 days of scheduled outdoor training experiences. A council contingent of two troops (80 youth or leaders) and 28 adult staff members attended the B.S.A. National Scout Jamboree in Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. In the fall the council conducted a Wood Badge Training course with over 40 participants and pack activity day with 1,200 in attendance. The council began a new Strategic Planning effort involving 75 key leaders throughout its eight county area. A Scouting Heritage Society was formed to increase the council�s endowment. Over $250,000 in new commitments were recorded. The popcorn sale increased by 18% with gross sales reaching $530,000.00
1998: F. Scott Bauer was installed for his second term as Council President. The council recorded another record year in membership, unit and outdoor program growth. Richard Vaughn and Ed Crossihgham made a challenge gift to the council, in excess of $350,000, toward the construction of a new 16,000 sq. ft. dining hall at Raven Knob Scout Reservation. The new facility is to be named the Harry R. Vaughn, Sr. Dining Hall. At year end, a total of $619,039.00 in cash, pledges and gifts-in-kind had been raised toward the construction costs. Ed Carter gave leadership to a new Strategic Planning Effort. The plan was completed and approved at the council annual business meeting. Over 100 council volunteers served on the strategic plan sub-committees. Harrell Hill provided leadership to the endowment effort which produced $153,000.00 in new commitments to the effort. The council was again recognized as a National Quality Council, exceeding all established criteria.
1999: Greg Wessling was installed as President of Old Hickory Council. The Council qualified as a National Quality Council and achieved balanced membership growth. The council also completed 3rd year qualification as a Class 54 Council. The Harry R. Vaughn, Sr. Dining Hall structure was completed. Infrastructure work continued in anticipation of a year 2000 dedication. The Council added staff positions for a Learning for Life Executive and a Council Finance Director. Record participation levels were achieved in all Council Outdoor programs. The Trails End Popcorn sale exceeded 770,000 in gross revenue with record amounts returned to the Council�s Scouting Units.
2000: The Council completed construction of the 16,000 sq. ft. Harry R. Vaughn, Sr. Dining Hall at Raven Knob Scout Reservation. The dining hall was made possible through major gifts by C. Richard Vaughn, Ed Crossingham and others. The facility was dedicated on Saturday, May 20, 2000 with over 300 Scouters in attendance. Seating over 800 Scouts, the facility is the largest in the nation. The Council was re-classified as a class 600 council, recognizing the continuing growth of membership and program. The Council recorded its single largest gift to the Council Endowment initiative. A gift of property (156 acres, MAI appraised value, $1,179,360.00) was deeded to the Council by C. Richard Vaughn and Howard O. Woltz, Jr. The Council again qualified as a National Quality Council achieving balanced growth in all programs and units.
