The "Up at the Crack of Dawn" Story

Pinewood Derby cars are filling
the board for the big event.

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting in a folding chair next to my daughter-in-law in the basement of the community building of the Ironville Methodist Church in naturally, Ironville, PA.  Barb is telling me that my grandson Caden had no trouble getting up this morning, since he is racing his car in the "Pinewood Derby."  Caden is in pack 181 which meets at the church every week during the school year.  His rank in the pack is Wolf which means he is in his second year as a Cub Scout.  Barb is decorated in her outfit much the same as Caden is because she is one of the Pack Mothers that help run the scout meetings every week.  Caden is so excited, since it is the second year that he is participating in the "Pinewood Derby."  The event features small cars that the boys and their dads, or moms, build together.  I can remember when I helped both my sons build cars for the event.  A fun experience, most of the time!  This year Caden made his car with his dad and decorated it with the colors and logo of the Edmonton Oilers ice hockey team.  His uncle Tad, who lives a few doors away from him, is a big ice hockey fan having played it since high school.  Tad's favorite team is the Oilers and Caden loves his uncle so much that he made his car with Tad in mind.  Caden and his dad painted the car blue and orange and put the 99 and Oilers logo on the car.  I must admit it looks fantastic.  First order of business was weigh-in.  Cars must weigh less that a certain amount of ounces and if they are too heavy do not quality.  Dads are sitting around tables with electric drills attempting to drill holes in their son's car to reduce the weight of the car.  After  your car passes the weight test, it is given a number and placed on the racing board with the rest of the entries.  After the reciting the scout motto, scout pledge and pledge to the flag, a short meeting is held before the big event.  All boys in the Wolf pack then gathered around the track for racing. The track is wooden sections that are about 50 feet long with an electronic finish line that projects onto a wall the position your car was in at the finish line.  I was pretty impressed to say the least.  I can remember the "good ole days" when dads would argue which car came in 1st, 2nd and so forth.  After many rounds of racing, Caden's #99 came in 4th place.  He was slightly disappointed he didn't do better, but the joy of race day and being with your friends was just as important.  He wore his ribbon proudly and held his car so I could take a photo of him.  I hope his enthusiasm for allowing me the honor of taking his photo doesn't wane with the years.  After all, it is a grandfathers thrill and joy to take photos of his grandchildren and show them off to his friends.  That is why I have Caden in quite a few of my photos!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Grandson Caden having his car checked for weight.

Caden's car is #99. 

Medals to be awarded to those who don't win a trophy.

The Wolf Pack watches the cars at the finish line.  Notice that there is a #1 illuminated above the car that has just crossed the finish line first.  Caden is in the center of the five boys.

Caden with his medal for 4th place displaying his car. Congratulations Caden!!