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Homeletter 1935 Vol. 8, No. 2

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Hyde Bay
CAMP FOR BOYS

HERBERT E. PICKETT,
DIRECTOR
1935 HBC Logo COOPERSTOWN, NY
HYDE BAY HOME LETTER           VOLUME VIII        NUMBER 2, 1935.

FLOOD.
The downpour which wrought havoc in other parts of the Empire State caused us slight inconvenience.  Our only flood was of telephone calls which in all fairness was a mere trickle when one considers our numbers and the lurid headlines in the papers.

NEW BOY.
Wallace Lanahan came to join our numbers this week.  Hugh O'Donovan is on his way via the Adirondacks, which is not the route we have printed for our friends.

BROTHERS.
We have a most unusual number of brotherly pairs here this year.  There are seven sets of them.  An analysis would indicate that the contagion spread from the presence on the staff of the Brothers Classen.  Be that as it may these fraternal brackets were pitted against each other in numbers in the boxing ring.  Families should be quieter this year with all scores settled.

SWEET USES OF ADVERSITY.
The rain did not dampen our spirits, merely our blankets. We turned it to good advantage.  Two expeditions of three canoes each were taken by trailer to Shadow Brook Farm where we used to get our milk, B.P. (before pasteurized).This is about three miles from camp, thence the canoeists under admiral Gott made the descent of the raging torrent in slightly over an hour, to emerge with shouts on the lake.

SAME.
An expedition also was organized, which used all the motor boats in camp, to famed Leatherstocking Falls which were of unusual beauty this year in full flood.  This is a round trip of about twelve miles.Two of the days this week were what we like to call Otsego days. They were windy, warm, cool, and clear with beautiful cloud effects. The rain made us appreciate them.

PUPS.
The usual outbreak of Pup-Tent City was ended quite untimely by the rain.  But a night or two was spent, whereas last year the boys lived in these lowly structures for nearly a week.

FAUNA.
Four rabbits now reside in the cage constructed years ago for Sam George's owls.  Quiet little beasts, they have won their way to the hard heart of Charles, who used to issue moans about the ducks and chickens who have previously inhabited this area.  Two kittens have also been added.  Unkind nature precluded our naming them as planned, Frank and Billy.

FLORA
Fooled you that time. This heading has nothing to do with a councilor's romance.John Gott and his men are planting various varieties of ferns where they will look best about our grounds. He has also the nucleus of a collection of insects. Sandy Howat’s fam­ily of mice scorned the home he built for them and fled to their state of primitive freedom. (This really belongs under Fauna but was delayed in transit.)

DUKE OF YORK.
Monday night Charles Classen and his cohorts lead forth a host which planned to stay all night on the top of Strawberry Mount­ain.  A furious downspilling of rain drove them back home by nine in the night.  Other storms from time to time in the night made the Head Councilor smile as he reflected on his wisdom.  You will recall the march of the Duke and his ten thousand.

SCRAPERS.
Captain Hartzell has installed iron foot-scrapers at strategic points about the buildings.  If any boy is observed using one you may be assured that a report will be made on the case promptly that you may have the boy examined on his return.

DIRECTOR'S WILD OAT.
Some years ago the Director invented, patented, and had a model made of a baseball game.  To his joy this device is in con­stant use in the lodge.  Here is a great opportunity for a promoter. The gene is protected by a patent on eleven features.   It will do everything but throw a pop bottle at the umpire.

DOCK.
The high waters of late have floated off most of the wharf but it is being replaced gradually.

WORK.
The regular U. L. are being reinforced by a salaried crew of transient workers.  The road leading to camp is under repair at their hands at present.  In spots it gives the impression that it leads to the interior of the earth.

BARK.
The old slogan that the bark is worse than the bite is amply supported by the trouble we are having in getting hemlock bark for the roof of the new recreation hall.  It is slowly progressing.

PLAY.
Impresarios Lord and Exshaw are deep in the throes of prod­uction of the first camp play.  It is called "I love Mountain Music", and has more or less to do with mountains and a bit pertaining to music.  A full and truthful account will appear in these pages next week.

GOOD SHOT.
An impressive scene was the sight of a long row of councilors on the porch all trying to think up things to say in the weekly re­ports.  You parents little know the mental forehead-dew which these effusions cause.

PLANE SHOT DOWN.
The other day the aquaplane suddenly shot down into the mud and stayed there while our expert divers tried to pull it out. At last it came to the surface.  We soon are to have a genuine Hawaiian Floater, the newest and best in aquaplanes.  Our present one has done its part but must give way like the horse and buggy to the march of progress.

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