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HYDE BAY HOME LETTER           18th SEASON         Week of August 1 - August 8

  WEATHER.  It has become almost conventional to start this weekly epistle in this fashion.  This week has seen more hot and relatively humid days than I can recall in a long time.  Visitors insist that it is not really hot, but it has seemed so to us.  It has been excellent camp weather however, driving us willingly to the solace of the lake.  At the end of the week came some rain and a change to decidedly cool weather approaching the chilly in the evening.

  PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW.  Parents are already beginning to make their plans for the return of their boys.  Many people have plans which require information on this point considerable in advance.  While I have as yet received no definite assurance from the railroad, I am planning to bring the boys down to New York on the early morning of Thursday, August 24th.  We should arrive in the big city around noon.  A group will then take the first available train for Baltimore and Washington, while several of the boys will be met in New York.  The exact schedule of time of these trains will be sent you just as soon as I get the assurance from the railroad.  In the meantime, this should give you an opportunity to make some tentative plans.

  HEALTH.  We have had a few boys in the Infirmary for a few hours with temperatures.  There haven’t been many of them.  Our three bed facilities have never been fully occupied.  They have been just the little upsets incident to the life of the average boy.

  PUBLIC SERVICE.  Eighteen boys responded to the call for bean pickers on one of the nearby farms.  They spent a very hot Friday in that gainful occupation.  The best record was four bushels which two or three boys attained.  Some were able to get as much as a bushel.  The cause of American agriculture was somewhat advanced and several boys had an experience in working.  One or two felt the heat sufficiently to report to the Infirmary upon their return.  So far, we have played no return engagement.

  COMPETITION.  Thursday was pleasantly occupied with some games.  A group of boys came up from Cooperstown to be defeated in softball and swimming.  On next Friday we are coming down to Cooperstown to give them a chance for revenge.  Both contests were well fought and enjoyed by both teams.

  TENNIS.  Fourteen boys and three councilors went down to Pathfinder on Tuesday and engaged the ladies in tennis, with complete success.  They took their lunch with them and spent practically the entire day in those pleasant haunts.  They went down by motor boat and returned by the same conveyance.

  NEW CRAFT.  A brilliantly colored small boat, which has been in the process of construction in the shop for a long time, was launched with due ceremony this week.  Constructed partially of pressed wood, it is an experiment as far as we are concerned.

  NEW ORGANIZATION.  Councilor Heb Evans has organized a group of Hyde Bay Seabees.  They are devoted to the cause of waterfront repairs.  Members of the organization, so far, are Cordy Parker, Butch Sabin, John Hinckley, Howdy Colman and BlaisedeSibour.  This helpful and constructive initiative is an encouraging sign about Hyde Bay.

  ONCE MORE THE DRAMA.  Four tents presented plays Saturday night to complete our list for the season.  Donald Benham’s small boys did a folktale where the boys took the part of goats who finally eliminated a wicked spirit closely resembling Jimmy Turner.  Bill Bamdin’s tent resurrected the durable Frankenstein legend.  The title role was played by the councilor who succeeded in poishing off his clients in the most horrifying fashion.  Frank Sommers presented Corty Parker and Bill Passano in the role of prize fighters.  The brief play came to an abrupt end when a Parker haymaker laid low his mighty opponent.  The fourth play was a touchingly domestic scene in which very motherly Bobby Roserecealed all sorts of trials and tribulations in “her” family.  A realistic feature of this sketch was the appearance of Binks Little accompanied by his trousers over his arm.  He was, as can be deduced, a belated commuter.

       CINEMA.  In the celluloid realm, we have had two real treats.  Ginger Rogers in “Major and Minor” was scheduled to be shown on Wednesday.  The incitor lamp on the projector refused to incite.  The Picketts made a hurried trip to Utica, secured the missing part and the play was produced on Thursday night in the highest traditions of the American stage.  On Friday one of the most remarkable films this reporter has ever seen, was shown.  It is known as “Eat ‘Em Alive” and gives a thrilling history of the grim warfare which insects and animals carry on continuously in the western deserts.

  BOILER PLATE.  Corn on cob has arrived, locally grown, picked, and eaten. – Sue is still lame.  Our three kittens are growing up in spite of loving care.  Numerous trips to town by older boys.Hikes to East Springfield by younger ones.  “When is the Pathfinder dance”—current camp question.

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