Greetings Mighty Sioux

      Off and running quick into 2008 we kicked off the year with a fun night at Lucy O’Connell’s making photo arrowheads for the Coup sticks. Maybe a new Sioux tradition and an annual event…. Next we had an exciting evening at the HB heliport hosted by Mark Bragg and HBs own man in blue Dave Weiderin. Then we had an evening at Climb X where the fearless girls scaled the death defying slopes of Mount Doom.

      Now onto the big top stories for this newsletter….Congratulations are in order to our ex chief and current sachem Mike D who has added another future Sioux to the world, Gianna Michele D’Allessandro. 

      Thanks to our entire tribe for one of the best Wintercamp weekends on record. Special  mention to all  the new Sioux who attended their first overnight adventure and once again welcome to the best tribe in the Nation. I think most tribes had one or two new first time campers, the Mighty Sioux had over 6… including Brooke Cravotta, Juliana and Camila Foster, Taylor Fullbright, Rylie Grove, Samantha Hess, and Julia Schwarzmann.

       It was a winter wonderland indeed as we stormed the slopes of Camp Aborlado. Sioux domination started early with 60 dads and daughters occupying 5 cabins. The mountain gods rewarded our nation with large amounts of snow for play.  The sleds were flying down the runs as early as Friday afternoon with all tribes having a truly great time.

      A few Sioux even started the weekend off with an extended ski adventure thanks to the graces of Andrew Tosh. Rumor has it this may turn into an annual Sioux ski day event so watch for this next year as well.

      Saturday started with a hearty breakfast then off to the slopes where I think there were as many as five sled runs throughout the camp by noon. Some were high speed daredevil runs with a jump or two, some with high speed corners and steep drops. Girls and  dads were screaming and yelling and having a great time. Big appetites grew quick and lunch was the answer with not quite “In and Out” but not too bad burgers.. that put plenty of fuel in the tank it was off to the Nation games . Three main games the snowball toss, Frisbee toss and the treacherous obstacle course through the depths of artic snow. Sioux girls did ‘em all and won big in all categories.

      Saturday night saw one of the loudest nation campfires I’ve  been to although the pyro technics were extremely limited hey it’s indoors and a 70 year old wooden building whad-ya expect??

      The Sioux girls took many ribbons and feathers in the games including a sweep of the third grade in the Frisbee toss.

      A rainy Sunday washed out the day’s activities so everyone headed home but what a great Wintercamp 2008 it was.

      Following the Second Annual Sioux Monster Garage hosted at lazy Horse’s sawdust absorbing backyard, the Sioux stormed into Seacliff School and took a huge amount of prizes in this years pinewood derby.

      The day was a blast with many victories and war coups to the Sioux.  The Mighty Sioux dominated the race by taking First Place in every grade for fastest car. The third graders (once again) swept the winners circle and took first place in the Most Indian competition. 1st place speed records were won for the Alumni by (Megan Ely), 3rd grade (Cierra Dallessandro) 2^nd Grade (Juliana Foster), 1st grade (Haley Dallessandro) Kindergarten- (Elea Kerins). Track Speed record to Juliana Foster (upsetting the Master's record- Fuzzy Bear Ely). We received many trophies for second and third as well including Alumni Paige Tamblyn first place most Indian, Dayna Wiederin 2^nd Place fastest car, Katherine Kerins 3^rd place Fastest Car for the 3^rd Grade. Lucy OConnell took 1^st Place Most Indian for the 3^rd Grade, Jamie Beck 2^nd Place Fastest Car for 2^nd Grade, Paisley Napier 2^nd Place for Fastest Car in 1st Grade, Samantha Hess 3^rd Place Fastest Car for Kindergarten, Brooke Carvotta 2^nd Place Most Indian and Brenna Tosh 2^nd Place Most Original in Kindergarten.

                Congratulations to all, especially Sachem Howling Wolf Dallessandro for 2 First place speed victories and Alan and Juliana Foster for the Nations Fastest Car.

Save your energy for the Princess of the Caribbean and more fun events put o by The Mighty Sioux!!!

 Washte the Sioux Way,

Dave "Lazy Horse" O'Connell

Smoke Signaler, Mighty Sioux