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Founders' Day

Founders' Day Y2K began with an explosion of Arrowmen that spread out onto the field and into the streets. The Arrowmen marched the streets until the National Chief and National Vice Chief, riding in a Mustang, met them. The region chiefs and conference vice chiefs followed in decorated golf carts. Much candy and many flowered leis were thrown to parade goers from the carts.

The parade eventually wound its way to the base of the Holiday Inn Convention Center. There, for the first time, Arrowmen experienced BOB, or Best of the Best. Individual lodges did eight 15-minute training sessions for anyone who desired to attend. Topics ranged from "Camp Chiefs" to the "Importance of Minutes." The funniest session definitely was "How To Be a Ladies' Man." Trainer Carter B. explained the three rules of being a ladies' man: "One: Get your shine on. Two: Keep your pockets filled with the big-faced hundreds. And Three: Be a hard-stunnin' brothuh like Evel Knievel."

In the afternoon, Arrowmen attended ArrowFair, where lodges from across the nation erected booths to entertain all. Many lodges gave away free stuff at their booth and there was also a few Trivia Competitions, including Who Wants to be the National Chief and OA Jeopardy. There were several American Indian Activities including an American Indian workshops and a Pow Wow.

A highlight of ArrowFair was a visit by the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile, brought by Tichora Lodge #146 from the Four Lakes Area Council based in Madison, Wis. Three years ago, members of Tichora Lodge contacted the Oscar Mayer Company in Madison and wanted to know if the Weinermobile could make a stop at the 1998 NOAC at Iowa State University.

Unfortunately, the Weinermobile was booked. But with the help of a couple of lodge members who are executives at the company, it has made its appearance at NOAC 2000. "We wrote to the president (of Oscar Mayer), called the National Office to make sure it was okay, and before you knew it, a big hot dog on a bun was here," said Dan, lodge chief of Tichora.

Overall, Arrowmen from across the nation had a great time at Founders' Day 2000. "It's a great way to mingle and get free stuff." explained Matt G. of Lodge #152 from Scenic Trails Council. Rob P. of Lodge #470 from the National Capitol Area Council, said, "It's really cool to see what other lodges bring with them from their areas."

Revised 8/7/00.