Rev up those engines and get your pit crew ready! Pack 717's Pinewood Derby is set for Sunday, February 12 at the Christ's Haven's gymnasium. Check-in time begins at 1:00 PM at which the $5 entry fee will be collected (if not already paid) and check-in ends at 1:50 PM. The race begins at 2:00 PM. All cars must conform to the Derby Rules. Most importantly, race cars cannot weigh more than 5 ounces. Attached you will find the specific rules with measurement guidelines and other important information. The key for the Scouts is to have fun.

For Scouts who don't have access to tools or who have never built a winning Pinewood Derby car, you may want to attend a Build Clinic. Our Brother Pack, Pack 165, has invited us to attend their clinic this weekend from 10 AM to 2 PM. It is a come-and-go event. They have adults who have volunteered their tools, time, and talent to help Scouts design their race car. The address is: 5836 Ridge Lake Drive, Ft. Worth. With this being short notice, we will see about getting another Build Clinic scheduled in the next couple weeks. One possibility is to have your Den work on their cars during an upcoming Den meeting. Talk to your Den Leader to arrange for this.

We would like to win the Attendance Award at February's monthly Roundtable Meeting. We need as many leaders in uniform as possible. If you don't have a uniform shirt, but have a Pack 717 t-shirt you can wear that too. If you are not a leader, but are interested in becoming a leader or learn more about the "behind the scenes", you are welcome to come as well. Shoot Traci an e-mail if you plan to attend.

Hold the date and let your family know. Pack 717 will be hosting it's annual Blue and Gold Banquet on Saturday, March 3, 2012. Details are still in the works. You can rest assured there will be food, fun, and prizes. We will be having the Dads and Lads Cake Bake and Auction. We also plan to sell tickets and do drawings for items of unspeakable value. If you, a co-worker, or business can donate items (such as tickets to a sporting event/concert, camping equipment, movie tickets, gadgets, video games or gift cards), PLEASE let us know. Your B&G Committee Chair is Elise McClain. Please step up and volunteer to help her. Every little effort makes a big difference. We'll need people with ideas, skills, talents, and manpower to make the night a success. Contact Elise directly if you are able to help in any way (817-223-6176).

Our January Pack Meeting is on Thursday, January 26, 2012. 6:15 Gathering & Greetings; 6:30 Start. Reminders: Parents need to update ScoutTrack with your Scout's recent accomplishments this week so that our Advancement Chair (Michelle Sanford) can make a trip to the Scout Shop. If we have any rank advancements (such as Bobcats), please remind your Scout to respect the dignity of this event with maintaining silence. All Scouts should be dressed in their Class A uniforms for Pack Meetings. As a reminder, your Scout should earn in advance his Pack Dues in the form of paper and plastic products as our contribution to the Christ's Haven pantry.

Pack 717, I want to introduce to you our Pack's new Charter Org Rep, Derek Kester. He is an employee of Christ's Haven for Children and will represent Christ's Haven within our Pack. In addition, as the CoR, he is a member of our Leadership Team. Don't be surprised if he drops in on meetings and events as time permits in his schedule. Please be sure to welcome Derek to our Pack when you meet him.