WEATHER: Atmospheric conditions at Hyde Bay are recorded by our efficient day—men although they are unable to govern the elements. Their record tells of rain on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. None of these days was completely wet. Both Monday and Thursday developed into beautiful days. Clear, breezy and warm are common adjectives this week. Wednesday and Sunday were cloudy. It was very windy Friday. The thermometer this morning at seven on our porch confirmed myshivers with a mercury at 50.

HEALTH: The medical department has been delightfully idle this week. We find Dick Fryberger at the Bassett Hospital with minor injuries in an automobile accident. Two boys went to the same haven of health for finger injuries.

NOMENCLATURE: One of the above—mentioned digit—disasters happened to Dougie Coupe who now wonders why they call it a “soft ball.”

OUR NATIONAL GAME: In the Big Leagues, the Red Legs of Cincinnati playfully defeated the White Sox of our Mr. Gorter’s Chicago. It was an exhibition game on Doubleday Field attended by seventy—seven of our citizens. In the Minor but more enthusiastic League, our varsity lost to Chenango 12—11, while our athletes eleven years and younger defeated the same camp in soft ball by a score of 21—7. The battery was Goodwin to McQuilkin. On the home sand lot Trigg beat Schwartz by a score of 12—S in ten innings in the final of our local soft ball league. The winners promptly devoured the traditional watermelon. There was also an informal soft ball game on Saturday, while Sunday saw Hutch and his men go down to defeat before Griffin’s gladiators by a score of 13-6.

OTHER ATHLETICS: Trigg beat Schwartz in basketball on Tuesday. When our ordered movie did not appear on Wednesday, we had a wrestling exhibition after supper. A committee of four judges decided that Carl Malm was the best wrestler. Dandy Blalock gained the quickest fall. Both were awarded candy bars. The entertainment descended to a climax when Mouldy Pickett and Peter Morrison wrestled as though television cameras were recording their antics.

TRIPS: Heb took his U. L. Tent to Gravelly on Tuesday night. They were followed on Thursday by Skip Idler and the men of Tent 4. Heb, assisted by Councilors King and Miller, took another round—the—lake trip. As a reward for best in inspection Tent 1 made the trip to Cooperstown on Sunday in the Hacker. They were accompanied by the letters which your loving and dutiful sons wrote you.
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DRAMATIC TRIUMPH: The tent plays of August First were probably the best we have had in this very fine season. A group of three judges after agonized deliberation awarded the candy to Tent 12 who satirized the most sacred things in Baltimore life very entertainingly. They displayed the best acting we have seen in many a day. They had to be good to beat McRae Williams and Tent 10 in a skit called “The Dragon and the Damsel.” Councilor Williams stretched his histrionic talents by appearing as both the lady and the beast. It was hard to see which was the more attractive. “The Death of a Dictator” found Tom Offutt and his satellites, whose habitat is Tent 14, exposing some horrible secrets relating to the death of the late Joseph Stalin.

CINEMA: Knute Rockne was to have entertained us this week but the usually faithful “Films Incorporated” failed to send us our movie. On Sunday night we saw a splendid color movie on the lumber industry followed three rather un—appreciated shorts on some of our finest scenery.

NATATORAL NOTATION: Twenty—four boys started camp unable to pass the “E” test in swimming. After four weeks twelve of these passed both the “E” test and “D” test. One has surmounted the “E” only. The eleven survivors are still classed as beginner’s. Eight of them can swim as far as twenty yards. Sixteen boys have passed the “A” test; twenty—four “B”; twenty—two the “C”; nineteen the “D”; and one the “E”. With the eleven beginners this totals ninety—three, the other five being accounted for by the older tutoring boys who reside in Mouldy City who can swim. Junior Life Saving was passed by Butterfield, Classen, Delesemer, Hills, Long, E. Malm and Martin. The fastest swimmer in camp is Eddie Brown with 11.9 for the peculiar Hyde Bay distance of 22 yards.

CHANGE BUT NOT DECAY: A number Of boys have left. A number about equal have come. On Wednesday we reached the staggering total of ninety—nine boys when Eddie Freeman motored into camp. We are fated to stay well above ninety all during the second half.

AUGUST PHENOMENA: In this month we are prone to have shooting stars, occasional northern lights, and many parental visitors. All these are interesting and most welcome.

OMISSION: Anything left out of this chronicle will be found in the letters which your progeny have no doubt written you.

FORESTALLING: Camp closes August 25th as related in the 1953 camp folder. The banquet to which all will be invited, precedes bonfire, Monday, August 24th, at 6:30 or so.

JOHNSON: Our well—liked washer of dishes has gone home ill. Bob motored him to Baltimore. bought back Tim Butler to take his job if not his place.