The "Mountville And The Hot Dog" Story

Weigh-In for the Pinewood Derby.

It was an ordinary day.  Watching my final Cub Scout Pinewood Derby.  Ever!  My grandson, Caden, is a Webelos II and in his final year of Cub Scouts before entering Boy Scouts next year.  For quite a few years he has spent time with his dad making Pinewood Derby cars for the annual troop competition.  Fun thing to do with your son.  

Cars ready for racing.

I can remember the many good times I had with my sons making the cars and watching my sons racing them.  We gathered at the Ironville United Methodist Church, in naturally Ironville, PA, for the competition.  Memories from last year were still vivid as we walked through the basement door into the large gathering area.  Last year many people became ill shortly after the event, including my wife and I.  Not sure if it was from an airborne virus or food contamination, but it was a trying time.  This year went fine with the boys excitement filling the air.  The youngest groups of boys, the Tigers, Wolves and Bears, went first and then finally it was time for Caden's Webelos II (We'll Be Loyal Scouts) pack to race.  

Caden (left) and Max handing their cars to the starter.

There were seven boys vying for the three trophies that were to be awarded.  Max, Caden's best friend for many years, was competing against/with him today.  In the end Caden placed 6th with Max placing 7th.  The boys had a great time and I'm sure Caden will remember this year of scouts just as much as the year he took 1st Place in the entire competition.  Max and Caden have developed a friendship over the years thru Little League Baseball, Scouting and Elementary School that will last a lifetime.  

Presentation of the trophies and medals.  Caden and
Max are at the far right.

Both are great students and both have a refreshing sense of humor.  Caden titled his Pinewood car this year "Mountville" for he feared if he chose something funny, everyone would laugh at him.  Max, on the other hand, called his car "Hot Dog".  He wanted the laughs!  It was shaped and looked just like a hotdog.  He even went online and found Oscar Myer logos to put on the sides of the car.  Even though the two came at the end of the pack,  they both, as well as Carol and I, had a fantastic and enjoyable time.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Caden with his Mountville car and Max with his Hot Dog car.