Home Letter Volume 24, July 24, 1950 No. 6
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Hyde Bay Camp For Boys Home Letter Volume 24, July 24, 1950 No. 6 |
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VOLUME 24 July 24, 1950 No. 6 BIG EVENT: One of the most colorful and respected of all Hyde Bay customs is the trip by car and canoe to Hinckley Lake, Mount Fort Noble, and the famous Trenton Gorge. The trip also includes many miles of excellent rapids down the West Canada Creek. Only boys of a considerable degree of skill and prowess on the water and in it are allowed to make this trip. We expect to have two trips this year -- the first set sail on Monday heavily councilled by Bob Pickett, Heb, Puffy, Blaise, and
Herb Eckert. MONDAY: The departure of the above mentioned trip was about the only important event of this hot dry day. We must say, however, that two very important events took place. C. B. Alexander and Dorsey Brown passed their D. Tests. At Hyde ay this accomplishnent is always greeted by cheers and words of praise. THE NEXT DAY: We had a short rain in the morning which cleared off to a windy afternoon. We dashed off to the hospital to repair Spencer Merrick’s cut above the eye... As the shades of evening began to appear Peter Elliman set off with Tent 4 by rowboat to the distant shores of Gravelly Point where they spent a pleasant night. ON WEDNESDAY: Our numbers were augmented by the arrival of new campers Volz and Sargent. Teddy Cochran added his name to the list of those who have passed the D Test. In the basketball league the Bears triumphed over the Mustangs by a score of 21—10. In the evening the life of Captain Rickenbacker was unfolded to us on the screen. It was an interesting and well received picture. V.I.P: Wednesday also saw the arrival of a famous old luminary in the Hyde Bay constellation of star councilors. Leslie Manning breezed in for a “chat” with the Picketts. Many, many years ago he played the piano and otherwise enlivened Hyde Bay life. Since then he has studied Geology, flown in a B—l7 over Germany times without number, and most recently spent four years in the jungles of the Amazon. In the best Monty Wooley tradition Les departed after supper on Monday night. His music, his stories, and his colorful personality brightened the whole period covered by this letter. He left with bombs bursting inside his car and protesting campers prone on the road before him to arrest his departure. It was indeed a noteworthy episode. THURSDAY: Even a chamber of commerce would admit that this was a rainy and cold day. Somewhat on that account Chiefy and Bob Russell took two carloads of boys to visit the exhibits in the Farmers’ Museum. Bob Pickett took advantage of this day to claw one of his fingers with a hammer. He was properly sewed together at the Bassett Hospital. In the evening a brilliant series of wrestling matches followed each other in rapid succession in the Russellorum. Back of Page FRIDAY: In the highest tradition of the temperate zone Friday was clear and cool. The Thunderbolts beat the Kangaroos in softball by 12—8. The old days were revived when Leslie Manning lead out an enthusiastic group of embryo Geologists who combed the nearby hills for fossils. Puffy took Tent 14 to Gravelly. As a reluctant sop to civilization the older boys once more went to town to saturate themselves with cinematic culture. COLD, CALM, WARM, AND SATURDAY: Bobby Trigg rejoined the outfit, a distinguished camper of last season. The Rockets triumphed over the Redwings. The Violets silenced the Thunderbolts in softball. The same presumably shrinking Violets overcame the Wildcats in basketball. Woodi Hawks joined us for his first summer at Hyde Bay. We acquaplaned back of the rushing Hacker. Junior Life Saving began its final examinations. The E Test was humbled by Johnny Griffiths, Gary Norris, and Rusty Bolognino. This leaves only four non—swimmers in our midst. AFTER THESPIS: (A long time after) The boards of the old Hyde Bay stage have registered the exploits of three more camp plays. You’ll find enclosed the program of this offering. Distinguished board of judges after much deliberation gave the sweet prize to Tent 17. It once more took a solon of rare discrimination to select the winner. Our youngest campers with their devoted councilor; Westy, excelled in a blood-curdling melodrama in which Killer Sherman Murphy was foiled by Humphrey (Westy)- after Farmer Dave Jones and his loyal wife Gary Norris and his lovely daughter Phil Howard had quite despaired. Even Mac Pickett, who dropped in behind a bushy mustache, seemed foiled. Bengie Jones in the next play gave a stellar performance as a mad Barber, ably assisted by his tent mates and his heroic councilor, who submitted to the shave. The winners, portraying such monstrosities as Peter Alexander as an explorer’s daughter and sundry fearful natives who proved to be Peter’s tent mates. There was, of course, the white explorer, Carter Volz, and the inevitable appearance of the Director, this tine lampooned impiously by Herb. There was a strong Manning-jungle flavor to this offering. SUNDAY: Heb preached in our own service while the Director occupied the pulpit of the Cooperstown 1st Presbyterian Church. Junior Life Saving enjoyed a session. Tent 7 once more triumphed over all others in neatness and went to town in the Hacker. EQUIAN EXCELLENCE: There was a horse show at the Four Corners near us. Sid Storke and Dorsey Brown both won ribbons as well as a more material reward. Perhaps our horse, Silver, should come in for honorable mention. Back to Home Letters |
