THE FAT CAT

Fat Cat has a long history in Mantowagan Lodge, as he was a member of BOTH of the Lodges that merged to form Mantowagan.

You have to go back to the old Section NE-3B(now mostly NE-2B) to understand the whole story. Once upon a time, in 1988, there was a Section NE-3B Conclave hosted by Pamrapaugh Lodge #14 at Camp Lewis. A large orange cat was seen overlooking the Conclave from high atop the Camp Dining Hall, and he was wearing an Ordeal sash!

The good members of Elauwit Lodge #37 couldn't let this poor feline continue to be stranded in this position at such a great height, so they "liberated" the Fat Cat from his predicament. The Brothers of Elauwit cared for the Fat Cat for the next year, and at the 1989 NE-3B Conclave, he returned as a member of Elauwit's contingent. Apparently, the Fat Cat had sealed his membership in that year with Elauwit Lodge, for he returned wearing a Brotherhood sash!

The Fat Cat was declared the Section NE-3B mascot by the Section Chief and he returned home with his Brothers in Elauwit Lodge, the next Host Lodge, to prepare for the 1990 Section Conclave. By now, "liberating" the Fat Cat had become the unofficial challenge of each year's Conclave.

As Welcoming Committee Chairman for the 1990 Conclave, the Fat Cat continued in his dedication to the Brotherhood of Cheerful Service. He also served on the Shows Committee and played a key role in the Saturday Evening Extravaganza along with many smaller feline brethren.

Another year passed, and the Fat Cat again found himself attending a Section Conclave. Having done what he could for the good Brothers of Elauwit, in 1991 the Fat Cat found his way home with the Contingent from Meechgalanne Lodge. Realizing Fat Cat's dedication to the high ideals of the Order of the Arrow, he kept his Vigil as a member of Meechgalanne Lodge #178.

At the 1992 Section Conclave, Section Chief Sean Adams officially retired Fat Cat from his service to the Section. Fat Cat returned to Elauwit Lodge and was a key player in bringing together the brothers of Elauwit and Pamrapaugh during their merger of 1993. To this day, Fat Cat is helping the members of Mantowagan Lodge foster a sense of Brotherhood and Cheerfulness.

In 1998, Fat Cat underwent substantial reconstructive surgery. Although not vain, Fat Cat felt his appearance was becoming a detrimental image for Mantowagan #14. He regained all of the weight he had lost in recent years, and had major reconstructive surgery on his face so as not to scare off young Brothers and potential members. The new improved Fat Cat made his debut when he served on the 1998 Rock Hill Scout Reservation Summer Camp Staff. We are currently waiting for his Public Relations Staff to release new photos so that we may update this page.

Fat Cat currently looks forward to the upcoming merger the our Lodge is due to undertake. This merger will reunite Fat Cat with the Brothers who bestowed upon him the Vigil Honor as well as many old friends from the NE-3B days when he first joined the Order. He joins all of us in Mantowagan Lodge in welcoming our joining with the Brothers of Meechgalanne Lodge #178, Oratam Lodge #286, and Aquaninoncke Lodge #359.