This is a sequel to an earlier post on this blog called, “What is a Neckerchief?”

Recently I posted the item pictured here as the “X28.5?” from O-Shot-Caw 265. It’s from the 2002 NOAC but had not previously been listed in Blue Book or my site. I had been told it was issued sewn onto a backpack and added it to the listings.

That last point has been debated by some collectors in Florida in email to me. Some believe this piece does not exist separately from the backpack unless the pack is cut up, and that’s why it had not been listed before now. Upon examination of the item in question, the facts prove otherwise.

As you can see, in the image at the top of this post, the item clearly has a finished cut edge border and a plastic backing. After production, this patch was sewn onto the backpack ini question and sold. As far as I’m concerned, this needs to be listed as a lodge issue.

I want to use this item as a jumping point to a more general question.   So, what exactly is a patch? I’ll also ask the related question: What is a piece of OA insignia? What follows is my opinion and your mileage may vary. Continue Reading »

It has once again come to my attention that AOL is blocking all email being sent from this site’s server. It’s not something new and I’m convinced it’s part of AOL’s marketing department’s push to claim they’re fighting spam. I urge you not to use an AOL.com email address on the members’ area of this site.

This has happened before. They claimed I probably had an open relay on the server (I didn’t) that was being used to send spam. At that time, I was made aware that AOL would let through what they deemed to be “bulk mail”… for an extra fee… even if I did have that open relay. After some time all was well and mail was flowing through again, without me having to pay them anything.

Continue Reading »

The “N” category, neckerchiefs, is arguably the most frequently misunderstood of all the patch classifications.   This is a creation of Blue Book.   Prior to that there was no consistent nationwide attempt to catalog and document Order of the Arrow neckerchiefs.  So, what is a neckerchief?   What gets the “N” moniker?

As a general practice, I have always followed the work of the Blue Book editors on this site.   Blue Book has this to say about the “N” category:

“Neckerchiefs, either printed or embroidered.  Those with patches sewn upon them are not listed but are described by their patches.”

Continue Reading »