Local scouts scoop popcorn sales records

When the Bowler Brothers set a goal, there isn't much that can deter them from reaching it.

Ten-year-old Luke Bowler, a Webelos Scout in Pack 341, won the award for top popcorn sales for all Northern Nevada and Lake Tahoe recently by selling $18,432 worth of popcorn, said Dan Bowler, his father and cub master for the pack.

"He was just like a little wolf cub, and he more than doubled the old record in a pretty bad economy," Bowler said. "Nick, my other son, won top popcorn sales scout for our Pinenut District - Carson City, Dayton and Minden. Nick sold over $3,800. Combined, they sold over $22,000."

For being the top salesman, Luke won roundtrip airfare for four to Disneyland, four park passes and four days at the Disneyland Hotel.

Luke is a fourth grader at Fritsch Elementary School. Nick, 12, is a student at Carson Middle School.

Both of Bowler's sons sold enough popcorn during the drive to qualify for college scholarship money set aside by the Trails End Popcorn. Six percent of sales go into special college funds, he said. Two other scouts who sold enough to qualify for college scholarship money were Adolphas Stankus who sold $3,600 and Josh Maheux, who sold $3,300.

The entire pack sold more than $25,000, or 25 times the old record of popcorn sales, prior to Michelle Bowler taking over as popcorn coordinator for Pack 341. Each 8-ounce bag sells for $20. Eighteen packages of microwaveable popcorn sells for $15 a box.

The secret to his sons' success, Bowler said, is positive thinking.

"They forget about what's going on (with the economy) and set their goals. They work hard, set high goals and believe they'll succeed," he said.

The Bowler boys are accomplished in other areas, as well, Bowler said. Nick won the Northern Nevada Pinewood Derby against all the derby champs from all over the state in 2007. Luke won the Derby for all of Northern Nevada at the Centennial Jamboree last October.

"Pretty incredible domination by these two boys," Bowler said.

Bowler said a lot of people came together to contribute to the success of the record-breaking popcorn sales.

Capital Ford in Carson City has supported Cub Scout Pack 341 for several years. This year it gave $200 to the pack. Other sponsors who bought popcorn include Raymond James Financial Services, which purchased more than $5,000 in popcorn for clients, family and friends, Gold Dust West which bought $200 worth, and the staff of Carson City Toyota, which also purchased $200.

He said he is also grateful to "all the residents of Carson City who said yes to Nick and Luke at their front doors. Luke sold popcorn in nearly every neighborhood in Carson City."

Nick is planning to raise $10,000 as a special project next year to add a robotics area to the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada, Bowler said.

"He'll probably end up raising $20,000, though," Bowler said. "The head of the Girl Scouts here also wants to get behind him and help him do that. Sounds like an Eagle Project, but it's not. It's just a cool thing he's doing."

Nick and Luke, Adolphas and Josh and Pack 341 will be selling popcorn again in the fall, and are hoping to "crush the numbers we did this year," Bowler said. "Our pack's goal for next year is at least $36,000."

Corporations or people who would like to help support the Boy Scouts and Pack 341 can call Bowler at 291-2286 or send an e-mail to dan.bowler@raymond

james.com.

"We will be sure to have a Scout come see them as soon as we have the new order forms for this very yummy popcorn," he said. "Dreams are alive and well here."