In another example of how the internet is making the world a smaller place to live, rural El Paso resident Alvin Reed was reunited with his Scouting handbook from 1957 which was owned by a Scout in England who did his "good deed for the day."

It all started when Scout Jack Brown of Burnley, England was given a copy of an old American Boy Scout Handbook as a gift from a friend in the States.

Jack noticed that the Handbook contained the name of the former owner, Alvin Reed, and that in 1957 he lived in Minonk in the State of Illinois. Jack suggested that it would be great to return the handbook back to it's original owner, especially as Scouting is currently celebrating it's 100th year in 2007.

Two weeks ago the MinonkTalk website received an inquiry from Jack's father, Tony Brown, who is one of the Scout Leaders at Saint Andrew's Scout Group. Mr. Brown wanted to know if anyone knew of an Alvin Reed in the Minonk area. Mr. Brown found the MinonkTalk website by typing 'Minonk' in an internet search engine.

Mr. Brown's letter was published on this website and replies were received from Stephanie Fuchs and Tim Ruestman indicating the whereabouts of Alvin Reed.  Dave Uphoff, the MinonkTalk webmaster, contacted Mr. Reed to get his approval and address for returning the handbook. Uphoff then sent the address to Tony Brown in England.

Mr. Brown immediately sent the Handbook along with a number of East Lancashire Scouting badges and Centenary Year Badges as gifts for Reed, Uphoff and Ms. Fuchs.  Mr. Brown and his son Jack also indicated that they wish to create links with local American Boy Scout Troops in Minonk.  Their webpage is at http://www.5thburnleyscouts.org.uk.

The Handbook is now back in Alvin's safe hands, 50 years after Alvin was first given it.  Alvin, who recently retired from working for Bridgestone Tire in Bloomington, personally contacted Tony and Jack to thank them for the return of the Handbook.

Jack Brown in Scout Uniform wearing the latest 100 Years of Scouting Badges and Burnley and East Lancashire County Badges.

Cover of the original Boy Scouts of America