Csatari Paints "The Higher Vision"

The Higher Vision is an incredible Order of the Arrow themed original oil painting by Joseph Csatari. It is a powerful image depicting Uncas handing down the legend of Wimachtendienk in pictograph on a skin to a young Arrowman so that the Order will have the legend for posterity. The National OA Committee received the painting as a gift in October of 1963. The back-story of how the OA received this painting is as extraordinary as the painting itself.

Lee A. Ellison was an early member of Aquehongian Lodge, Staten Island Council, Greater New York Councils. Ellison served as Lodge Adviser from 1940 through 1957 in addition to serving as Scoutmaster of Staten Island Troop 43. While Ellison was beloved by the Arrowmen of his lodge, he actually performed a quiet and virtually unnoticed service for the Order. It was Ellison that personally researched the authentic Lenni Lenape pictograph symbols and he designed the symbolic legend. With Ellison’s assistance fellow lodge member (and Lodge Chief mentored by Ellison) Walter Vines created the original deerskin legend that is on display at William H. Pouch Scout Camp in Staten Island. The very same legend revealed in The Higher Vision.

When Lee Ellison passed away in 1961 his fellow Vigil Honor members wanted to find a way to remember their brother. The decision was made to commission a painting. They contacted OA National Secretary Martin Mockford who recommended artist Joseph Csatari. Csatari was a young artist of 32 at the time. He was a protégé of renowned BSA artist Norman Rockwell. Years before Csatari would become the official BSA artist, he painted The Higher Vision.

The Arrowmen in the painting is of a Scout from Ellison’s Troop 43 and a member of Aquehongian Lodge. He is wearing the lodge’s 25th Anniversary slide issued in 1963 and he is receiving Ellison’s designed legend.

The National OA Committee has recreated the enduring image of The Higher Vision as a porcelain figurine and as a bronze; the proceeds of which support the OA Endowment used for scholarships and High Adventure programs. In 2004 the design was used as the basis for the patch for the NOAC. The Higher Vision was the first Csatari painting owned by the Order of the Arrow and began a lifelong relationship.

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Joseph Csatari

Joseph Csatari was born in 1929, the son of Hungarian immigrants. He studied art and was hired by the BSA in 1953. Csatari would reach international acclaim for his work as a realist illustrator, water colorist and portrait artist. Csatari is still an active artist painting in his hometown of South River, New Jersey.

In 1963 Csatari completed his first oil painting for the Order of the Arrow, The Higher Vision. Four years later a member of Aquehongian Lodge, Harold Cairney, commissioned Csatari to Paint an OA themed painting The Ordeal. Cairney had replicated the feat of other Vigil members in his lodge that had commissioned The Higher Vision. Cairney did it by baking and selling hundreds of pies.

Csatari held numerous positions with the Boy Scouts of America including Art Director of Boys' Life Magazine. Norman Rockwell was Csatari’s mentor. In the early 1970s Csatari became Rockwell’s protégé. He assisted Rockwell with his work, gathering models, drawing sketches, coming up with themes and handling fine work as Rockwell became less steady. In 1977 Csatari became the official artist of the Boy Scouts of America.

Over the years Csatari has completed several paintings for the Order of the Arrow and most recently has completed a painting to commemorate the centennial of the OA; Visions of the Founder. Visions of the Founder features a young E. Urner Goodman explaining his vision of the Order to two young Scouts, Goodman's vision depicted in the background.  The painting was unveiled at the 2012 NOAC.

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1964 National Jamboree

The 1964 National Jamboree was held at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, from July 17 to 23 with the theme “Strengthen America’s Heritage”. 50,960 Scouts and Explorers participated in the Jamboree.

The opening show included over 6,000 actors, a 1,500-voice chorus and opening words from Lady Baden-Powell. President Lyndon B. Johnson challenged everyone to “remain true to the principles of Scouting”. American Heritage day was observed on July 18^th with a number of special activities including each troop raising a thirteen-star American flag. It served to reinforce the strengthening of America through reverent, resolute and responsible patriotism. Each jamboree troop demonstrated fellowship and camping skills by participating in sectional and Jamboree-wide activities ranging from daily camp activities, skill-o-rama demonstrations, field sports events, an obstacle course, competitive Scoutcraft activities, camp fires, spectacular arena shows and the Jamboree Adventure Award.

Approximately 200 Arrowmen served to support the jamboree. Two regular OA service troops were provided to assist the Jamboree and another service troop provided work in conservation areas. Additional Arrowmen served in the protection service troop (along with Alpha Phi Omega members) as part of the traffic control inspectors group. Arrowmen were selected (one from each service area) and were approved by the National OA Committee. Cost was free, other than the cost of transportation to the event, and each participant was provided one free uniform.

During the Jamboree, 15,000 Arrowmen attended a giant OA Pow Wow and heard Founder E. Urner Goodman and Chief Scout Executive and former National Chief Joe Brunton speak. The program also included the use of a band, an Indian opening ceremony, and featured lodge chiefs on-stage during the meeting. The Pow Wow marked the launching of the OA’s 50^th Anniversary celebration that would be concluded at the 1965 NOAC. Dr. Goodman challenged Arrowmen to be brothers and to give even greater service in the future than in the past 50 years.

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1964 National Planning Meeting

The National Planning Meeting returned back to Indiana University to plan the 50^th Anniversary National Order of the Arrow Conference. Michael Costello of Kiondaga Lodge, Evansville, Indiana was elected National Conference Chief and Earl Davis from Mow-A-Toc Lodge, Eureka, California National Conference Vice Chief. The appointed Deputy Conference Chiefs were Philip Lane, Don Jorgenson, Mike Cheney, Neal Boynton, Wayne Willis, Dave Pollock, Jim Morgan, Jim Frey and Tim Rose.

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Wes Klusmann Retires

In 1962 longtime BSA Director of Camping Wes Klusmann announced his retirement. Klusmann had played a pivotal role in the integration of the Order of the Arrow into the BSA, serving as the professional in charge of oversight. It was Klusmann who had hired Norman C. Wood and J. Richard Wilson as National Secretaries when it was a part time job and it was Klusmann that expanded the role of his next two National Secretaries, Phillip Robins and Martin Mockford.

In total, Klusmann had served the Order for 16+ years. Among Klusmann’s greatest contributions to the Order was his love of camping. He always insisted that the OA remember its roots in the council camp and camping. Klusmann was beloved by Arrowmen. He truly loved camping and he knew the well the Boy Scout and OA programs. He worked alongside volunteers and youth with ease. He is perhaps best remembered by a generation of Arrowmen for leading each National Conference in singing his favorite song, “The Happy Wanderer.”

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Fourth National Secretary

On December 1, 1958 Phillip W. Robins accepted a District Executive position with his hometown Portland Area Council. Robins had served the Order and the National OA Committee for five years, the longest tenure of any previous National Secretary. Martin Mockford replaced Robins effective February 1, 1959. Mockford had previously been an Assistant Scout Executive for Golden Empire Council in Sacramento, California and had a long resume of Scouting volunteer and professional service.

Unlike previous National Secretaries, Mockford was not in his early twenties and was a seasoned professional. His official BSA title was more than just National Secretary for the OA. The job title had been elevated to include Assistant National Director in the Camping Service. The position was more than just a clerical position. The job now included supervision of lower level clerical employees working on OA affairs and Mockford was qualified to be more a partner rather than an assistant to the National OA Committee.

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Fourth National OA Committee Chair

After five years of service, J.P. “Judge” Hunter resigned for health and business reasons as Chairman of the OA National Committee. In his place L. George Feil of Tamegonit Lodge, Kansas City, Kansas took over the helm. George Feil was the father of 1954 National Conference Chief Jim Feil and had been serving on the National OA Committee since 1955.

George Feil served longer as National OA Committee Chairman than any other Arrowman, leading for 18 years from 1960 until 1978. During his tenure the OA would mature and grow. Regional youth leadership would expand with the first youth Region Chiefs. Feil was known for his steady hand and consensus building while guiding the OA into the future.

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50th Anniversary 1960 National Jamboree

The 1960 National Jamboree was held at Colorado Springs, Colorado, from July 22 to 28 with the theme “For God and Country”. 56,377 Scouts and Explorers participated in the jamboree.

To open the jamboree, 200 Native Americans set up a huge tepee village on stage as James Arness (Marshall Matt Dillon of television’s “Gunsmoke” series) narrated a western story. Scouts shared daily chores, cooked their own meals as was now the tradition, took part in displays, campfire gatherings, demonstrations, skill contests, a rodeo, and made inter-camp visits during the event.

Anita Bryant, television and recording star, entertained at regional campfires. Other visiting celebrities included stars Lorne Green and Dan Blocker from the hit television series “Bonanza”, Astronaut Edward White, and Mt. Everest climber James Whittaker.

Prior to the Jamboree, a number of plans were put in place by the OA to recognize the BSA Jubilee anniversary. Originally three service troops were proposed, but it was determined that only two service troops to support the Jamboree would be provided. Arrowmen were selected (a minimum of one from each service area) and were approved by the National OA Committee. Cost was free, but Arrowmen needed to pay for their transportation. Service duties were similar to what had been performed at prior jamborees in support of the operation and logistics of the jamboree and where ever else help was needed. Arrowmen were particularly visible performing security details to keep Scouts away from the stage area during shows by wielding large BSA staves.

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1960 National Planning Meeting

The 1960 National Planning Meeting was held at the end of the year in Bloomington, Indiana at Indiana University. Ronald J. Temple from Maywood, Illinois, Owasippe Lodge was the first African American elected National Conference Chief. Seven Area Chiefs were appointed Deputy Chiefs. They were Robert Behn, Bobby Carter, Dave Hundt, Tom Sundling, Jack Atkins, Neal Zimmerman and William Hopkins. The assembly of Area Chiefs working with the National OA Committee planned the 1961 NOAC.

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Ron Temple

Ronald J. Temple has been a lifelong educator and Scouter. An African American, he grew up in Chicago and worked at Camp Owasippe for several summers during the late 1950s-early 1960s. He earned the Explorer Silver Award as a youth and was an active Arrowman, receiving the Vigil Honor in 1960 with the name “The Seeker”.

Temple served as an area chief and had the fortunate opportunity to attend the 1960 National Planning Meeting. At that meeting Ron Temple was elected by his peers to serve as National Conference Chief for the 1961 National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC). This was a significant event for the Order of the Arrow and the BSA. In 1960 segregation was de jure (by law) in the South; the Civil Rights Act was still over three years from enactment. The Order’s youth had selected Ron Temple to be their national leader.

Temple graduated from Eureka College in Illinois and as he continued his educational pursuits he remained active in Scouting as an adult volunteer. While living in Cincinnati, Ohio he was conferred the Distinguished Service Award in 1975. Professionally he has been a college educator and administrator. As a teacher of American urban history his expertise has been a great benefit serving as a member and Chairman of the National Urban Emphasis Committee, which focuses on Scouting units in inner city demographics.

Professionally Temple has been an administrator serving at the University of Cincinnati and as the Chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago, which consists of seven colleges and was the second largest of its kind in the nation.

Temple was appointed to serve on the National BSA Executive Board in 1994 and on the Program Group Committee. He currently serves on the Chicago Area Council Executive Board. Temple is also a recipient of the Silver Beaver and Silver Buffalo Awards (1998).

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550th Lodge Formed

On June 23, 1961, Menawngihella Lodge of Fairmont, WV became our Order's 550^th lodge. Fewer than 25 councils remained without the OA.

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NOAC 1961

For a fourth time the Order returned to Indiana University for the 1961 National Order of the Arrow Conference. A record 2,800 delegates attended training classes, participated in campcraft and joined in fellowship. The Conference theme was, "Weld Tightly Every Link – Brotherhood – Cheerfulness – Service – Camping".

Making a return to the Order of the Arrow was Co-founder Carroll A. Edson. Edson had last participated in the OA in 1933. Dr. Goodman brought Col. Edson back. Edson had been involved in a non-Scouting career in the time following World War II.

Arrowmen flocked to finally see the two founders together. The number one prize was to obtain their signatures on an OA sash. Anytime, anywhere the two Founders stopped together, whether it was a campus bench or a sofa inside a dorm, a line would immediately form and Goodman and Edson would cheerfully oblige and sign sashes. This tradition lasted until the last Conference they attended together in 1979, although the opportunities became limited in the latter years.

The Conference Committee of Area Chiefs challenged the Arrowmen to Build, Serve and Achieve. The Distinguished Service Awards (DSA) were presented. Goodman again gave the final challenge to the assembled Arrowmen.

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