Silver On the Sage

Happy birthday Silver On the Sage Podcast!  Today the podcast begins it's fifth year of sharing stories and highlighting the immeasurable impact that Philmont has had on all of our lives.

As of today, the show has totaled 95,000 downloads. We have aired 166 episodes, and reached audiences in over 13 countries, and 315 cities.  I'm so honored to continue to host and produce this podcast, and to preserve the history of Philmont and her people.

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David is currently the Director of Wilderness Adventures at Northern Tier, and was formerly a Senior Associate Director of Program at Philmont Scout Ranch.  During his thirteen year tenure at Philmont he implemented several new safety and risk management procedures, enhanced Philmont's shooting sports program, expanded backcountry instrument inventory, refined backcountry warehouse usage data, and lead the opening of Metcalf Station.  

David praises Scouting for its recent inclusivity efforts - opening the program to all walks of life, and of course the lifelong impact it offers youth. 

Philmont Experience:
1992 – Two Treks - participant
1995 – PC Apache Springs
1996 – PC Iris Park
2003 – PSA Trek.  Hiking through the Ponil fire area.
2011-2024 – Sr. Associate Director of Program

Northern Tier:
2018:  Trek with Troop 68, Cimarron (Ute Park Fire closed Philmont)
2024 – Present:  Director of Wilderness Adventures

Florida Sea Base:
2017:  Volunteer Staff – Post Hurricane Irma recovery team (PSA)

Summitt:
2017 National Jamboree Staff – High Adventure Booth Director

Notable Mentions:
Monty Gibson
Brent Smith
Jimmy Lowe
Denise Tony
Brent Smith
Chris Sawyer
Tony Chandless
Doug Lundsford
Donnie Lundsford
Doug Palmer
Mark Anderson
John Van Dreese

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Today we travel to 2012 when Jeremy Cunningham and I, along with several other phenomenal individuals, spent the summer at Beaubien - calling it our home.  This episode is special for me because it's the first interview I've done with a fellow staff member. Jeremy and I chat about his one and only summer on staff - the family bond amongst co-workers, working hard to delivery a world class experience for Scouts and advisors, and working hard to enjoy ourselves in our youth - as we all should.   

Philmont Experience:
2007 - Trek Participant
2009 - Trek Participant (crew leader)
2012 - PC Beaubien

Notable Mentions:
Jimmy Lowe
Kim Ford "Mouse"
Gentle Jeff Gamble
Ranger Shawn
Ben Moniz
Nate Nastase
Rachel Aguirre
Dylan McDermott
Van
Dan Edwards
Garrick Lancaster
Teresa
Hannah

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As we close out Season 8 of Silver On the Sage Podcast - I share with you an episode from the vault.  In late spring of 2021 I interviewed my sister Claire Ficke.  We had intentions to co-host the podcast that summer, but - had to delay the idea.  All the same - this episode still holds relevance, meaning, and nuggets of wisdom too good not to share.   

Philmont Experience:
2013 - PC Beaubien
2014 - PC Cyphers Mine
2015 - ACD Beaubien
2016 - Videographer NPS

Notable Mentions:
Austin St. George
Kreable Young 
Devyn Healy (Hanselmann)
Caroline Davis
Nathan Ford
Tanner Shaw
Sam Anderson
Ellyn Washburne Rager
Tyler Minchow
Lucy Baker
Nicole Butler
Ted Cook

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In today's episode I get to chat with the current Director of Program at the Philmont Training Center, Maddy Houk. In addition to discussing what this new era of PTC has to offer, we highlight the success of a special project that Maddy is very passionate about - the Zia Experience.  The Zia experience is a modified BSA Family Adventure Camp program focusing on giving Scouts with special needs and disabilities, their parent(s), family members, and caregiver(s) new and exciting Philmont adventures.

Philmont Experience:
2016 - PTC Craft Center Staff
2017 - PTC Assistant Program Manager
2018 - PTC Program Manager
2019 - PTC Program Manager
March 2021- Present - PTC Director of Program

Notable Mentions:
Davilyn McArthur (Rohr)
Caroline Olerich
Caroline Miller
Grant Reigleman
Shelley O'Neill
Nick Hutchinson
Danny Tucker
Amanda Martinez
Shelley O'Neill
Brian Seibert
Chris Werhane
Alisa Hightower
Nate Lay
Kevin Stickleman
Julie Still
Graeme Bagley

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Eric Locklar, known to several of you as Lock, joins the show to share many a story and a heartfelt appreciation for all that Philmont Scout Ranch has given him. From the Ponil Rootbeer challenege to the 1996 Harlan Tornado radio call - Lock embodies the spirit of work hard, play hard.  He expresses his dedication to the Philmont scouting experience and to the late Doug Palmer as a mentor and lifelong friend.

Philmont Experience:
1986 - Trek participant
1988 - Trek participant
1990 - Trading Post Clerk & Opening Campfire
1991 - Trading Post Manager Ponil
1992 - PC Ponil
1995 - PC Harlan
1996 - CD Harlan 
1997 - CD Fish Camp 

Notbale Mentions:
Bill Spice
Doug Palmer
Spencer Seim
Fred Cribbett
GS Harper
Doug Cram
Cajun
Red
Pat Adams
Rebecca Ellis
Brandon White
Megan Gruellia
Shelley O'Neill
Larry McLaughlin
Roch Roharbacher
Owen McCulloch
Reggie Jayne

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The next 90 minutes will showcase original songs, poems, and stories shared to celebrate the life and impact of Doug Palmer who served as Philmont's Associate Director of Program for over 23 years.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who submitted content to make this episode possible.  Be sure to read the show notes below for set list details.

Set List

1) "The Phil-Sick Blues" - Mark Haechen

2) City Limit Sign - written by Dr. John Alexander and performed with Gayanne Jeffers

3) Cabin Music - Ali Meeks, Andy Gerhart, and Bob Brown

4) Doug Story / Fire and The Sky - Reid Templeton

5) Beaubien Porch - Bob Busch

6) "Green of Dawn" - Dave Liebmann

7) The Other Side - Bonnie Miller

8) Higher Ground - Will Kemple Taylor 

9) The Wind and the River - Carly & Dylan McDermott

10) Doug Story - Fred Cribbett

11) "Philmont Land Ahead of Me" - Steve Chase

12) Philmont on my Mind - Warren Smith

13) Little Ditty - Topher Busch

14) "Waiting" - Elizabeth Knapp

15) Alright For Now - Zak Butler

16) Rich Brothers - Grace Wall 

17) "Pondering A Ponderosa" - Ali Meeks

18) Where There's Mountains - Becca Fallaw with credit to Finnaghan Stumps 

19) Everything You've Grown - Will Kemple Taylor

20) Rayado - David Burchfield

21) "A Young Girl in a Red Hooded Cape" - Anonymous 

22) Across The Great Divide - Jack Chinn

23) Winds Change - Claire Ficke and Dylan McDermott

24) Leaving Beaubien - Tom Munch

25) "The Letter" - Tim Rosseisen

26) Tim's Song - Zak Butler

27) Ride With Me Jesus - written by Dr. John Alexander performed by Rod Taylor

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Ever since his experience as a Kit Carson Trek participant in 1972 and working on staff as a Ranger, John has looked for ways to give back to Philmont Scout Ranch.  He's done so via his time and dedication to the Philmont Staff Association as the VP of Development and President.  John is also a current Ranch Committee member on the facilities task force.  Lastly - he remains an active member of his local East Texas Area council.   

Philmont Experience:
1970 - Trek participant
1971 - Trek participant
1972 - Kit Carson (Rayado) / Trail hire Ranger
1973 - Ranger
1974 - Ranger
2011 - 2014: PSA VP Development
2014 - 2019: PSA President
2022 - Ranch Committee

President of the East TX Area Council BSA.

Notable Mentions:
Ed Pease
Tom MacKinny
Jim Lynch
Marianne MacGillivray
Julie Puckett Phillips
Tim Greminger
Dollie O'Neill
Randy Saunders
Mark Anderson
Steve Johnson

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A bonus episode for this month to highlight the historic, spiritual, and otherworldly encounters that many of us have experienced at Philmont Scout Ranch.  I want to thank Kathy Schroder, Forky Rudin, and JJ Stevens for sharing their stories and time.  

Photo Credit: Christopher Miller, 2019. 

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Forrest, better known to some of you as Forky, shares his passion for the Ranger department - including in 1982 when he achieved the triple crown as a Roving Ranger, Rayado Ranger, and Mountain Trek Ranger. Among the more wild and adventurous stories - yes including the bear bite incident - Forky also highlights the deeper experiences he encountered at Philmont - which have shaped his entire life going forward.

Philmont Experience:
1976 - Trek Participant
1977 - Trek Participant
1978 - Rayado Trek Participant
1979 - Trek Participant
1980 - PTC Services Staff
1981 - Ranger
1982 - Ranger
1983 - Training Ranger
1984 - Training Ranger
1985 - Rayado Trek Coordinator
1986 - CD Pueblano
1987 - Rayado Trek Coordinator
1988 - CD Cito

2003 - Current - Fly Fishing Invitational Staff Volunteer
2013 - Trek Advisor
2017 - Trek Advisor

Notable Mentions:
Marilyn Vargas
Maya Pompeo
Holly Rudin Ingram
Scott Ingram
Mark Fury
Randy Day
Sue Bolin
Shelley Bolin O'Neil
Boss Sanchez
Bob Knox
Little Bob
Sioux Roberts
Laura Lampe Rosiessen
Tim R
Lonesome Dove
Mike Schweeters
Chase Chief Ranger
Brad Sommeral
Brad Newberry
Bob Burns
Mariah Hughes
Lloyd Kunutzen
Mark Chandler
Lee Haddaway "Bear"
GD Werhane
Scott Ingram
Russ Wolf
Cole
Albert Newman
Chaz Gross
Saundy Stockton
Wayne Baker
Johnni Uliberry
Jay Harvey
Lee Hughes
Peter Crook
Pete Costillo
Chase Anderson
Don Horton
Todd Krintz
Bob Longoria
Trigger
Grant Reigleman
Frank Reigleman
Steve Rick
Hunter Seim
Carole Wolf
Roland Pool

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