WEATHER.  To make amends for the unusually dry July we have had more rain
in August. The climax was reached when there was a period of three solid
days of downpour,with a day or so before fairly wet.  The boys did not
seem to mind it. We brought out a game called “Real Estate” which absorbed
the attention of eight or nine for every waking moment. Bridge was played
in all its forms. Many sallied out to swim or fish. A deal of reading was
done. At last it cleared off with an ideal drying day, a strong wind making
the lake rough under a steady sun. Soon all was almost as dry as before. It
was some days before the tennis court was in good shape.

Omission. AND A VERY SERIOUS OMISSION!  By some crook of the editorial mind,
if any, we forgot to mention the big event oflast week. We had a treasure
hunt for two days. Starting off with a thumb-print which was soon established
as that of the Director, the devious way wandered through codes, cryptic
quotations, obscure references, and diffidult hiding places till at last
one team fount the sentence,”Where a young man’s fancy lightly turns to
thoughts of love.” To the average councilor this might mean anywhere ,any
time. The confusion wasgreat. Eventually the spring was suggested , but
what spring. At last early in the morning of the third day the team of
Fanny Payne,,to wit, Charles Ferry, Lawry Pickett, Hammy Welbourn(on the
winning team last year) ,and Huidey, dashed in to show the director the
letters:CHEP. Which they had correctly translated. Mr. Payne was given
a fountain pen, colleague Welbourn a mechanical pencil,the others scout
knives, and to the team as a whole a box of candy. It is hard to say who
was second as all other teams disbanded on hearing the bad news of success
of the winners.

Cavern.   On Monday twenty-seven of us explored Howe’s Caverns. They lie
some thirty-five miles from camp. The Chevy,The Station Wagon, Charley’s
car and the Russell Ford furnished transportation. We arrived at the
lodge above the entrance shortly after two in the afternoon. We had had
an early dinner. At a quarter before three we entered the elevator. We
were accorded the unusual pleasure of climbing over the so called Rocky
Mountains and through a small passage where Councilor Walker nearly became
imbedded. Of course we took the boat trip on the underground lake. Most
considered the last feature, a long narrow passage called the winding way,
the most unusual and enjoyable. Geologist Exshaw took copious notes while
he was not popping the “gun” he had bought above ground. Nearly all
adorned themselves with red hats advertising the cave. We were home well
before supper with no misadventure.

BEECHNUT.   All who had not inspected the immaculate plant of the Beechnut
packing company at Canajoharrie, went over Wednesday, just as the rain
began, or just before. We were back for dinner after a trip of some three
or four hours. The usual samples of candy were appreciated, the various
processes watched, the art gallery visited. On our way home we stopped at
Fort Plain to watch a hugge barge of oil pass through one of the big locks.
Many boys had never seen this sort of thing before.

Upset.   The sail boat manned by some of our oldest and wisest boys, was
observed to have turned over. We towed them in. The last of the week the
lake was delightfully rough. A thrilling canoe race in the big waves was
won by George and Charley Classen.

Arrivals and returns.   Scarlett Sister Mary, the well known Hyde
Bay and Gilman cat, appeared Sunday with four kittens..She is
purringly receiving the congratulations of the entire camp at her
room in the infirmary. The alligator, which escaped several weeks
ago was seen today in the duck pond. No one knows how the wiley
saurian found his way back. He ad gotton  out of a box in the lake.

VISITORS.  Mr Benet was here over Friday night and took away Hugh
Saturday Morning. Hardly had he gone when Mr. Hynson and son Billy
rolled in to bear away Dicky and Brad. That afternoon came Mr. Allner
to take two reels of movies, stay over night and carry away both son
Freddie and Charley Ferry.

WIND UP.   The final grand wind up will take place the first of
next week to be duly reported in the last issue of this periodical.
Those melancholy days are here when boys begin to go. Summer is
almost over.

HORSE HIKES.   This week saw Jack Young lead out Freddie, Charley
and Frank to spend the night far up in the hills. The next night
Fanny Payne lead out cavaliers Turnbull,Harper,Smith,(Johnny). Al-
most all have now gone forth to sleep and ride and ride.

The rain cut out so much of our normal activity that this letter
is a bit short. Camp health has been good. Camp spirits have not
suffered from the rain.

Stars.   The sectional star-boat races for this part of New York
state were held here this week. All the races passed the camp
making a very pretty picture. There was a rush of cameras to the
deck. You will shortly see the results for yourselves.

Tournaments.   All the final tournaments are underway . The results,
along with the winners of biggest fish, most fish, best bunk, will
be announced in the last issue. We give no cups, and few prises,
these always of a practical nature.  We prefer not to have camp
a series of competitions. Camp is fun and rest and all sorts of
things one does not experience during the rest of the year. We try
to keep it from being just transplanted school under a thin veneer
of old clothes and rural garb.

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