Camp Blog 2012
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Hyde Bay Camp For Boys Camp Blog 2012 |
_________________Comments 2012_________________ Steve Cunningham 11/15/12 - Warren Hills' "Hyde Bay Saga" is now available on the Camp Movies Page thanks to John Mercer, Warren Hills, Fred Gale, Steve Sherrick and Steve Cunningham.
Bruce Rice 10/25/12 - My one year a Counselor I had the youngest kids in camp (Whit Fish, Emlyn Hughes, Blaise, and someone else slipping my mind). The three others were there for the start of camp. I vividly remember lunch (the second day I believe) when a loud screaming could be heard coming down the driveway. The dining hall went silent, and the doors burst open with a father dragging a screaming kid behind him. I figured that was my last camper, and sure enough, after the father left (quite quickly as I recall), Mouldy dragged him over to my table where he screamed for the rest of the day. As Blaise relates, he adapted well after that first day, but that was a rough one.
___________________________________________________ Steve Cunningham 10/03/12 - The Russellorum etymology in hand, the area name that has always puzzled me is "Natchur Nook" for the area where we kept live captives of the forest. Perhaps Scott can give us an explanation for this obvious misspelling. I hung around the nature area a lot but have no clue as to the origins of the sign. Here is a photo of the sign - tho hard to make out: Confirmation of the name can be found in this Home Letter:
___________________________________________________ Tom Lynn 10/02/12 - OK, now that that's been settled, please tell me the origin of (Mechanical) "Kooks." Never have known that.
___________________________________________________ Charlie Burnham 10/02/12 - We may have to call in some experts on the matter but I believe it was the Russellorium, not Russellorum. Shown is the new edifice as the old one was converted into the craft shop. It looks as it was right after it was built. Subsequently Jack Garver painted wonderful wrestling scenes on the insides of the massive doors. http://www.hydebay.net/CampPhotos/1961-End/1961_23.html
___________________________________________________ Doug Taylor 10/01/12 - Steve, I think the camper on the far right in the front row next to Ring is Doug Taylor (from Meadowbrook), not Geiger. Also, that is Taylor in the middle of the 03A picture. That was a trip down the Susquehanna below the Goodyear (?) Dam. The dam let water out at the wrong time and most of our food was lost when one canoe capsized at a fallen tree. Also, one of our campers injured himself swinging from or diving from a huge willow over the river, bled heavily from a groin wound. ___________________________________________________ David Dube 09/27/12 -
This is not a secret message to all the parents among you but one that no doubt had its origins in my "Hyde Bay hardwiring". When my four kids were all less than 6 years old, my favorite 'toy' that I would get them each summer was an eight yard pile of top-soil dumped in the corner of my yard. Throughout the summer the kids would play in the dirt for HOURS, and they always had to get dragged off the pile to go in and take a bath, then go to bed. On those nights when I alone was 'in charge' because it was my ex-wife's golf night, I would line the four of them up in the front yard, and 'hose them down' with the garden hose, before bringing them inside. (same hose often used for volcanoes, dams, and other what-nots.) ___________________________________________________
Steve Cunningham 09/23/12 - I've added a recent photo from startsandfits.com to show that the tower in the illustration is the same. After researching "castle towers" and "Gothic Revival" on Google images (15 pages), I realized my folly when I noticed the little waves and trees behind; no castle tower would be situated thus. Henry J. Hardenbergh, the architect, made this unique in design and both pictures show the same attributes - only from different angles. Unlike the Indian and dog statue, there's only one of these. Great eye, Tom! ___________________________________________________ Robert A. Pickett's (Mouldy's) obituary can now be found in "Checked back into camp." It's worth a read to find out more about this amazing man. Thank you to Rusty. Jim Main 09/23/12 - Thanks for sending Bob Picketts obit... In all the years I was at Hyde bay, I never knew that he was the Governor Dummer connection at Hyde Bay ... I don't know if you knew that I went to GDA before going to Denison ... There was quite a GDA family at Hyde Bay ... the Mercers, Heb Evens, James Barriskill, Doug Coup (later), and many others ... Small world ... Jimain Jimain John Mercer 09/23/12 - The Governor Dummer at HBC connection began with Ed Dunning in the 1930s. Al Kerr was another part of that connection. jhn Jay Alexander 09/23/12 - Thanks for the Moldy bit! I didn't know about the GDA link or that he was a football player. I recall his thunderous serve in tennis. First met him at the train in DC in 1948. Jay. Tom Lynn 09/23/12 - I remember that on the tail-end of that HBC-GDA connection was my former tentmate GDA alum Mike Fish (in Tent 14, with Shoemaker at the helm in 1966*). BTW, did GDA change its name to simply "Governors' Academy" because there were too many jokes involving a school with the word "Dummer" in it?! I know we gave grief to Mike about it! Just curious. -- TKL *And, yes, 1966 was the Summer of the Orioles when Rusty broke the flagpole trying to pull down the Orioles flag that my father had raised before the morning buzzer on the last day of camp. We know the O's went on to win that World Series. Perhaps the Summer of '12 will have the same results, too... (Big story in The Sun today about Baltimore's baseball and football rivalries of late with those Bahston teams.) ___________________________________________________
Webmaster's note - to buy a copy of this cover, go to: ___________________________________________________ Jay Alexander 09/01/12 - Have really enjoyed the blog and the varied info about the cooks. Henry was a memorable man, indeed! ___________________________________________________ Colin Murray 09/04/12 -
Back in '59 or '60, the orange sunsets of summer displayed a phenominon that was still largely a mystery to scientists at the time. I don't recall if there was much, if any, discussion among the Campers about it, but the show of sunspots was a clearly seen, naked-eye event as the atmospherically enlarged orb neared its own reflection on the lake toward day's end. ___________________________________________________ Jay Alexander 08/31/12 - Fascinated by comments about cook Henry Norman (I never knew his last name). He had wonderful sailboats that he would sometimes let campers play with in the lake. Recall being in the kitchen on cold mornings, and being proud that Henry considered me his boy because we were both from virginia. Also remember younger black man Ernie, 1948 and a few more years, who was quite an athlete and sometimes played football with Bobby Russell and some other counselors. We were well fed at HBC, but I do recall with horror the times liver was served and it sparked near mutiny. To this day I cannot eat liver unless it is concealed by some other strong flaovor. Oh, the memories!! ___________________________________________________ Jay Alexander 08/25/12 - Loved Mouldy's comment about HBC: magical place and time. Incredible people! Jocko McQuilkin 08/26/12 - Hey there Jay, Don't know if you remember but I was your battery mate, catching that nasty southpaw hook. Billy and Randy Barker, Bobby Russell, Tommy Offut, Charlie Classen - I recall them all with incredibly fond and vivid memories. It all comes back to me in an instant. Jay Alexander 08/27/12 - Jocko, What's this southpaw bit? I'm right handed! Are you thinking of Bobby Trigg? Best, Jay Jocko McQuilkin 08/27/12 - A slight senior moment at the end of a long week. I have righted you. Thanks and stay well, Jocko Jay Alexander 08/27/12 - Jocko, In truth I always wanted to be a southpaw and a switch-hitter like Mickey Mantle, and I much admired Bobby Trigg's pitching. Jocko McQuilkin 08/27/12 - Think it was one summer before my triumphant arrival at Abner Doubleday. What a thrill it was to be on that field. Take that, Kevin Costner! Jocko McQuilkin 08/27/12 - Interesting overlaps in our profiles, Jay. My graduate work was in Spanish and Latin American studies. Shifted to institutional investment management - co-founded a firm in Boston and managed a portion of KU's endowment fund (was even able to get tickets to Jayhawks basketball games...tough ticket in Lawrence). Also co-authored a four volume fairy tale for adults. ___________________________________________________ David Dube 08/19/12 - For those of us still in the Northeast -- that special dark 'Autumn Blue' in the sky, and the chill in the air at night can only mean that 'wind-up' week must be coming. Every year at this time my heart aches for gunnel jumping, 8 inch regattas, and, all sorts of other boating competitions. Does anyone out there remember how wonderful the water from your canteen tasted first thing in the morning, because it was so cold from the chill night air? DHD Charlie Burnham 08/20/12 - There was always just a little bit of sand in the water too. Which rounded out that aluminum flavor. Blake Goldsmith 08/20/12 - Oh, the canteen and taste of aluminum with sand around the cap that really
brings back a flood of memories! Colin Murray 08/22/12 - The morning chill of late summer in the Adirondacks was well 'contained' in the mental image of a simple canteen. Well done. ___________________________________________________ Charlie Burnham 07/24/12 - Enjoy reading the multitude of memories! I don't ever recall having a camp nickname but do remember Mouldy handing out awards one night in the dining hall and he introduced me as "London Bridges Burnham down" Jim Main 07/24/12 - Boy, do I remember that shocking story, however I did forget which tent had been practicing ... Thank you, Charlie ..Everyone thought I was just doing my usual silly song and dances, however it was the electric vibes that were keeping the beat ... I was extremely lucky that day, as the lightening had hit the showers, gone through the pipes into the heating system and then through the electrical lines down the hill into the theater ... The mike cord wrapped around my body allowed the current to buzz me for a while causing the whooping and jumping around ... Ah, the theater!!! .... Jimain, Jimain ___________________________________________________ Phil Claussen 07/23/12 - Dr. Dube and Mr. C,
I have certainly enjoyed hearing from you both and wanted to thank you for your correspondence. Dr. Dube, I certainly remember you at the range and as a counselor. Matter of fact you awarded me the Archery championship which if I remember was a target with an arrow across it. You had quite an influence on me in that sport as I shot in Olympic Trials and also ended up training the US Archery team for the 1992 games. Congratulations on your career as a Doctor as you sound like you have great compassion for your patients. I see you live in Syracuse. I race cars throughout that area and I have my garage in Brewerton NY. where I house my cars. I have won my class at the Syracuse Mile in years past. What a small world. Tom Lynn 07/23/12 - Count me among the many admirers of David Dube, but also being a stickler for veracity, I have to say that in 1969, archery councilors Dutch Master and Tom Lynn didn't recall seeing D. Dube up at the range! Also, 1968's archery councilor "Paducah" Ray Athey usually had assistance from ULs Master and Lynn, though Dube might have been up there as well from time to time. I recall Councilor Dube being mainly "in charge" of the Russellorum. I'm also wondering if the councilors gave out the specific awards or did Mouldy hand them out? If it was the councilors, then Phil would have gotten the plaque from Dutch and me. -- TK Lynn David Dube 07/23/12 -
I got this lovely note from Phil and shot him a note back. It will be interesting to see how his team does in the Olympics. I will now have a personal stake in the games! David Dube 07/23/12 - Tom, (?TK?),
About how I remembered it with the exception of couldn't remember if I was a UL, or JC when I was up helping with archery, likely only filling in when you guys needed help. (I don't remember Ray being involved the year I was up there 'helping'.) And yes, my absolute first priority was wrestling. Though I also tried to fill some mighty 'nature councilor' shoes. I know I did not do that nearly as well as those who had come before. But it always amazed me how many creatures we were able to find with a bunch of kids turning over rocks, and poking sticks in crevices between boulders!
Jock McQuilkin 07/23/12 - Wrestling? Did I hear the word 'wrestling'? My greatest HBC nightmare: being flattened by Harry Billedeau (sp?). Much preferred catching Lefty Alexander on Abner Doubleday Field.
___________________________________________________ Tom Lynn 07/20/12 - Just wanted to point out to the C's, UL's, and C's who were there in that Theatre on the night of July 20, 1969, if we stick to the quadrennial format for the Durbar, two Durbars from now will be the 50th anniversay of our watching the moon landing together! Space food bars, anyone? Happy "Moon Landing Day!" to everyone! ___________________________________________________ Blake Goldsmith 07/19/12 - "What a gentleman Steve turned out to be, Steve Cunningham 07/19/12 - Thanks, Blake. ___________________________________________________ Mac Mellor 07/19/12 - I just noticed that TCM is televising Forbidden Planet (1956), staring Walter Pidgeon and (I think Robby), tonight at 8 pm EDT. Perhaps some campers will want to see it again. Perhaps this time the councilors who made krull tracks in the beachmuck later that evening to frighten younger campers the next morning will be identified. Mac Rusty Pickett 07/19/12 - I can’t take it! Was quaking in my boots – my first horror movie – Robby the Robot was my hero!!! Rusty Steve Cunningham 07/19/12 - The pool scene with Anne Francis is still etched in my memory. It was as risque as any movie I had seen. Mac Mellor 07/19/12 - Easy there, campers. David Dube 07/19/12 - For me, the most riveting movie night was "Time Machine". Somehow Weena, and the Morlocks still have a grip on me, and though the costumes are now considered totally cheesy, the story, and the mystery of it all, still bring me back to the theater on more than one dark night in the mid and later 60's. Steve Cunningham 07/19/12 - I agree! Those Marlocks were about as scary as can be with their indifference to killing and eating. Jim High 07/19/12 - Weren't the Morlocks the ULs of the movie?
Jim Hi!
B-) ___________________________________________________ Jimmy High 07/17/12 - With the weather we've been having, I really want people to tell me to "Go jump in a lake!!" Harry Turner 07/17/12 - Glad Jimmy's aboard. He was my councilor in Tent 7 my first year. Jimmy High 07/17/12 - I hope that was a good thing, Harry. B-) Jim Main 07/17/12 - What is it about summertime that brings out the campers? 3 out of the 4 years as a counsilor I had the "8:30 to the washstand" gang. I guess that's why our evenings were so long :) ___________________________________________________ Steve Cunningham 07/15/12 - Warren Hills' widow, Leslie, gave a manila folder labeled "Hyde Bay" to George Barker, one of Hillsy's best friends, who in turn gave it to me to memorialized on the HBC website. The contents revealed numerous Hyde Bay Camp treasures; an October 14, 1976 Gilman Alumni Banquet leaflet, "Edward T. Russell a Tribute" which has been added to Historical Campers; Much needed photos of Durbar I with additional photos and personal letters from Walter Lord which completes the history of Durbars; an envelope of Playbills from which ten were missing from our website, thus completing the collection of some years in the '50s. Thank you, Warren, for staying so organized for 55+ years! Tom Lynn 07/17/12 - My goodness those are great photos of a great group! I think that I, along with dear old Dad and brother Jim, missed out on the best Durbar -- the first! Thanks to Warren Hills's legacy and to Eddie Brown's efforts -- as well as to the Commodore, Bobby Russell, et al. ___________________________________________________ Colin Murray 07/13/12 - While we were on the subject of Sunday Services, it occurred to me that one hymn in particular was a perennial favorite as exemplified by the general gusto with which it was delivered whenever it was on the menu. Soooo, since it was a mission for God, with His permission, a fifty-year time-jump took me to the theater and that old upright which was in significantly better shape than the one in the lodge. The hymnal was a 1926 edition, and that, in its thirteenth printing! Old. Steve Cunningham 07/13/12 - Click hear to see the music and hear Colin's re-creation of the old theater piano. Steve Cunningham 07/13/12 - While experimenting with other browsers, I found the Internet Explorer and Safari users might not be able to hear Colin's recreation of the Camp piano. Mike Hilliard 07/13/12 - I had no issues opening it using Mozilla Firefox as my browser. ___________________________________________________ Colin Murray 07/12/12 - Do you remember Henry, who we only saw in that hot kitchen as he and a couple of other guys who remained nameless to most of us, prepared so many tons of good food for all us bottomless pits? Henry, however, was special. I believe he was huger that Michael Clarke Duncan of Green Mile fame. Often, campers would compare the size of their hands to his on that ledge where we returned empty platters for refills. His mitts were immense! And when the food ran out, from afar you could hear the resounding depth of his voice saying, "Ain'no mo." Then, when the work was done in the kitchen, his group would tear off up the road in a big (cream or pink?) Lincoln, leaving a cloud of dust between the trees. Mouldy would call for a vote of thanks for their hard work at Wind-Up, but for those eight weeks prior, we didn't see much of them. ...food for thought about those times when in some respects, we gave no thought. Henry has come to mind now and then; and one can only hope he lived long enough to see conditions improve and attitudes moderate. Tom Lynn 07/12/12 - Of course, I most remember the big hole in the kitchen where the wall met the floor near the big old ice box. The hole left when Henry threw a meat cleaver at the poor little mousie scurrying away, in fear of its life, from the wrath of Henry. ("Ain't no mo'e! Come back nex' Sunday!") Mike Hilliard 07/12/12 - I knew Henry a little more than some campers. I used to drop by the kitchen and visit with him between meals. He was the head chef at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA. The big automobile Colin refers to was a light blue Mercury Marquis coupe. On Sundays he, the dishwasher he hired, and his assistant would use it to go into town on their night off. That is why we had either hot dogs or "Mouldy Burgers" on paper plates in front of the dining hall on Sundays. Tom Lynn 07/13/12 - Henry was also the person who told me that "they fired your man Bauer!" in 1967. This was inconceivable since the previous year Hank Bauer had managed the Orioles to victory in the World Series. But what was really surprised me was that Henry knew that I was from Baltimore! (My favorite Henry food were the Sunday "dinners:" alternately fried chicken and full turkey dinner!) Blake Goldsmith 07/13/12 - How about the fact that Henry could crack 3 eggs at once in his giant hands ? I have had many chefs as a catering owner and would have been happy to have worked with Henry. My memory is of consistently good food and the Bonfire picnic was outstanding! Hyde Bay was lucky to have another bigger than life character keeping us well fed and in awe of his persona. Winston Wood 07/13/12 - The expression "ham-handed" is generally used to mean clumsy or inept, but when I hear it, I always think of camp and its remarkable head cook Henry Norman, aka Big Henry. That's because if you could talk him into holding up one of those huge hands and make it into a fist, it resembled nothing so much as a medium-sized (albeit over-cooked) ham. Imagine getting hit by the thing. Arrrgh. Other people at camp may have dreaded their turns serving meals or doing UL duty around the kitchen, but not me. I loved those guys and they seemed to take to me too, since it was Henry's wing man John Stevens, the guy with the palsied hand, who came up with my camp nickname, Cool Breeze. Tom Lynn 07/13/12 - Well said, Winston! And speaking of John, the thing I remember about him was how fast and accurately he wielded that half broom handle with the nail on the end. When you went into the pantry area, asking for another box of cereal -- THWACK! -- John speared one from the overhead shelves, bringing it down to you in one swift motion. Awesome. ___________________________________________________ Colin Murray 07/10/12 - Thanks for distributing the comments of Dr. Claussen. It is an eloquent endorsement of your hard work, or, more accurately, Calling, to revive the setting in which many standards for a proper life were so positively promulgated among so many over such a long span of time. Are these items the kind of mini-memories you are collecting? Steve Cunningham 07/10/12 - Yes. Tom Lynn 07/10/12 - Colin -- In addition to your most righteous statements about Steve's exceptional work, you have brought up something that almost everyone who was there recalls: Mr. Downs' sermon/homily about our names. (Though I had thought it was Mr. Hilliard until Mike set me straight!) That talk really stuck with people! Jennifer Downs 07/11/12 - I am curious about the sermon/homily "about our names" that you say was delivered by my father....Mr. Downs. Details? Jennifer (aka "Jeffie") Tom Lynn 07/11/12 - If you saw the other email, you can see that a lot of people remember it -- most likely those whose names were included! Steve C and Mike H remember it. But I still thought it was Mr. Hilliard who delivered it. Anyway, I remember that "Lynn" meant one who lived in the glen near the river or lake. Does your father remember it? Steve Cunningham 07/11/12 - The reference to Mr. Downs' serman is found in the July 30th, 1963 Home Letter: "Church service was conducted by Mr. Downs, whom we always look forward to hearing. He not only has a particular message to give us but always has an unusual manner of presenting it. Today's talk was on "Names" and their significance. He interpreted many of the camper's names and then brought in Biblical references with emphasis on maintaining our good name." Blake Goldsmith 07/11/12 - Hi Jeffie, I remember you were very good at 4 square. I also remember Mr. Downes speaking on this subject of name derivations, Moldy’s talk/ sermon on the most important word in the English language is “we” and the least important is “I” was the best one. From Winston – who is quite the writer: "I plead guilty to whippersnapper, but ostentatious? Never! You must confuse me with someone who went to Gilman." Colin Murray 07/11/12 - Jennifer wanted to know more... Some years ago - pre FB - Mr.Downs' address was provided to me by my uncle, Wm. Porter (still with us), who also taught at Gilman. The notion struck me to make contact, mainly to express the sentiment that I held him in the highest esteem in those times and that he was one of my favorite people. At that juncture in my life, good roll models were critically important, and he certainly fit the bill. He, of course, demurred, saying his presence at camp was just a summer job and not much more; but surely it must have given him a warm feeling of validation to be remembered fondly and to have made such a positive impact on one waif who was never even one of his students. ___________________________________________________ Philip Claussen 07/10/12 - Sir, Though I do not believe we have ever met, I commend you for such a fine job on the Hyde Bay web site. Tom Lynn 07/10/12 - Cool! And, he'll be in the land of Leslie Exshaw/Manning's birth! David Dube 07/10/12 - All,
I confess to a certain self-indulgence when I read such emails. It amazes me the degree to which we all shared the same 'Hyde Bay', and the degree to which as I have said before, "Hyde Bay" stamped me for life. I remember 'Dr. Phil' from the archery range -- I know that I helped with that, nature, and wrestling during my last, and possibly my second to last summers. The moon landing in the theater will remain one of the more riveting memories of my life. Sharing the magic with probably 100 others now seems even the more remarkable. ___________________________________________________ Colin Murray 07/01/12 - Rusty sent an obit link about Warren Hills. Reading about him, the man had a career rather similar to my own, having hands-on experience in many aspects of TV. I, too, had great fun producing commercials for local businesses. He surely would have agreed with me in my strongly held opinion that the client should never be the talent in his own spot. Some, whose faces weren't even good enough for radio, were very unpopular with all but the sales staff. Even now, it's easy to identify those 'blue chip,' small-market, low budget, often tasteless productions; some so bad one could fancy the engineers having to flush twice to pump the video up the tower and into the ether; or so cheap in earlier times, the oxides might crumble off that oft re-used 2" tape after one or two late night plays. Warren was never an acquaintance, but had we shared a few drinks, the stories we might have exchanged would have caused one or the other of us to experience the prolapse of some vital organ. I used to speculate on occasion that one could develop cancer from repeated exposure to embarrassment. So far that theory hasn't proven true. ___________________________________________________ Eddie Brown 06/29/12 [on Durbar I] - To the best of my recollection, and I don’t recall the year, for the first Durbar, we all stayed at Rathbuns. The Commodore was there, of course. Other attendees were Uncle Bobby Russell and his tribe, George Barker and his kids, the Browns and their two children, and I believe Jack Garver and family, the Mercers, and I believe that Mr. Dresser of the tutoring school came around the lake for our big dinner. Blaise deSibour and Chiefie were there. (My memory is that Blaise threw Chiefie in the lake – which may have been a little more than the chief had bargained for.) Mrs. Macy, also. A flood of memories! Eddie Brown 06/30/12 - George -- I found a dozen snapshots from that first Durbar at Rathbun's. You're right. Benjie was there. As was Hillsie. And Mrs. Pickett and Larry. And one lady I can't identify. Could it have been Mrs. Benjie? Steve Cunningham 06/30/12 - According to George Barker, it might have been Benjie Jones who was thrown in the lake.
Blake Goldsmith 06/29/12 - Well if anyone deserved being dunked in the Lake Otsego it was Chiefie. My memories of the others mentioned are great such as Jack Garver and I paddling down the Susquehanna with his bronzed bald head glistening in the sun. He would sing songs and tell stories to me as I paddled in the stern. What a great trip that was down to Trenton Falls and jumping off that 40 foot bridge . Mr. Dresser trying to teach me algebra with his snow white hair -a dear man. George Barker 06/29/12 - Steve - With a gap that I will mention below, Eddie's memory is excellent and all of the above information is reflected in the pictures from Hillsy that I will share with you. ___________________________________________________ Tom Lynn 06/24/12 - Ah, yes. That part of his biography is vaguely reminiscent to me now, from what Dad had said [see below]. On a separate note, related to your email, why is it that some camps use the word "counselor" and HBC used "councilor"? I wanted to correct someone (folks from Camp Mont Shenandoah who use "counselor") recently, then I looked it up, and the dictionary seems to limit "councilor" to someone in a government/official capacity. Just wondering... -- TKLynn Tom Lynn 06/12/12 - Yes, that was always my understanding, too. "Counsel" is in a legal vein. But, apparently, that's not what most other camps seem to think! Viva la difference! Mac Mellor 06/24/12 - Hi, Tom. I just remember the HBC spelling, but my trusty old dictionary suggests a counselor is one who counsels (as in law), while a councilor is one appointed to advise and supervise. Trust the Director to get it right, I guess. John Mercer 06/24/12 - Now that is a great question. I believe that "councilor" was just part of the HBC tradition and its assumption of rightness. Perhaps something about a Native American "Council" or "Council Fire," but the dictionary is no help on this one. Steve Cunningham 06/24/12 - Ironically, at Hyde Bay Camp, the only use of "councelor" in a search was revealed in "Billy Lynn - Ye Complete Councelor" by Walter Lord. Perhaps Mr. Lord was dropping a subtle hint. ___________________________________________________ Steve Cunningham 06/24/12 - Another Hyde Bay mystery - In the '30s and '50s there were two campers by the name of Leslie Basil Exshaw, Jr. (30s) and Leslie Manning ('50s ). They shared the same nickname, "The Beezer." Yet, The name "Exshaw" has been applied to photos depicting Leslie Manning in the '50s and "Manning" has been applied to Exshaw in the '30s. A search for "Exshaw" will precipitate the photos. Can anyone solve this paradox? Naming errors? Tom Lynn 067/24/12 - Wow, wild stuff I just looked up. Went to Ancestry.com and found Leslie Exshaw in the 1930 US Census. He was born in England in 1909 of an English father and French mother. He immigrated to the US in 1925. In 1930, he, along with a Minnie Exshaw (23 years older than Leslie -- his mother, perhaps?), was living in Baltimore with James and Miriam Manning (who were only 16 and 19 years older than Leslie, respectively). This explains a lot! (I've been doing a lot of my own geneological research these days!) -- TKL Steve Cunningham 06/24/12 - Great work, Tom! Tom Lynn 06/24/12 - John -- Thanks for verifying. Was The Beezer born an Englishman? Perhaps it's just the name(s) that has made me think that. So, thanks for the insight, but additionally and more so, thanks for "bibulous/bibulousness"! That's a new one to me -- but one I will definitely incorporate into my Word Wealth verbiage! (Then again, didn't your parents and the Russells, et al., have their own "code words" and lingo for their camp happy hours? (Of course, Dad always told us about how Mr. Russell had a "combover" lock of hair that had its own name! It was called "Ol' Bill"!) -- TKL Mac Mellor 06/24/12 - Leslie Manning was a master at the Taft School who mentioned to me in the Spring of 1957 that HBC needed a piano councilor that summer. He had retired from that post. During the academic year Manning taught Spanish and later was in change of the Taft School Archives. He may have tutored at HBC since the piano job was not exactly 24 hours/day. My guess is he was in his late 30s or early 40s in 1960. His nickname was Beezer. Mac Steve Cunningham 06/24/12 - And thus our Dayman has solved another camp mystery below and clarified the name paradox. Thanks john-john! John Mercer 06/24/12 - Tom, Exshaw and Manning are one in the same; He was perhaps adopted under the name of Exshaw but took the name of his adoptive parents later. But certainly one in the same; I knew him as Manning. And he was a great piano player! And a wacky guy - some sort of well-connected HBC theatre sort of guy. I remember him in elegant white pants (perhaps ducks) and perhaps the first v-neck sweater I ever noticed. He was a constant smoker and by the time I met him known for bibulousness. Tom Lynn 06/24/12 - I do know that Dad said that Leslie Exshaw was a very good piano player and used to entertain the campers/counselors quite a bit with his skills on the 88's -- or, knowing HBC and its facilities -- maybe that would be on the 87's? Steve Cunningham 06/24/12 - The mystery deepens:
A 1951 (precamp) Homeletter states: Tom Lynn 06/24/12 - I wish Dear Old Dad were still here! I vaguely recall asking him the same thing because I noticed two different last names being used for the same guy. I'm not sure about the 1930s vs 1950s discrepancy, but I believe that it's the same person, though I can't recall the reason for the two names. Are you sure about the "1950s" dates? Any of the elder Picketts still among us to answer this? ___________________________________________________ George Barker 06/23/12 [Passing on an email from Leslie Hills] - Do you know Hamilton Hackney? He made a donation to Gilman [in Warren Hills memory]. I have an address but I don't know who he is. George Barker 06/23/12 - When we saw Leslie on Wednesday, she gave me a package of Hyde Bay stuff that you might be interested in. Much of it relates to the 1976 Durbar held at Rathbun's. The items are best described to you verbally -- too many to scan. ___________________________________________________ Jim Main 06/20/12 - Good Morning, Campers ... This one goes back to 1956 I think ... I believe this was written by Al Kerr for a tent play in the style of Gilbert & Sullivan's Mikado ... Wonderful remembrances along with the many other songs written by Mac Mellor the great thespian of the 50's and 60's ... Ah, it seems like yesterday ... Jimain,Jimain We're three Indian maidens, looking for a brave Mac Mellor 06/20/12 - You are too kind, Jim. Thanks, Mac ___________________________________________________ David Dube 06/20/12 - How about these memorable lines from one of the camp plays, could have been the same one? Just a snippet, and in my mind I have Josh delivering the lines? And, that line sometimes gets in my head and WONT go away, just like the many memories. Ostentatious whippersnapper, Winston Wood 06/22/12 - I plead guilty to whippersnapper, but ostentatious? Never! You must confuse me with someone who went to Gilman. David Dube 06/20/12 - For those of us younger “ostentatious whippersnappers” in the audience what the team in the theater department at Hyde Bay produced was nothing short on fantastic. The jumping out the side window by Josh and others comes to mind along with a play our tent did on a rock band , and singing Kingston trio songs like “ Did he even return” (I always wondered why when the woman threw Charlie a sandwich through the open window that she never put a dime in the sandwich so he could get off the train. Great memories and great job by all of you theater geniuses. I still rely on great actors for some of the events we produce for corporate clients and the actors create those “magical moments”. Where is Josh Shoemaker these days? ___________________________________________________ Ralph Warren "Hillsy" Hills Jocko McQuilkin 06/18/12 - If it were up to me (which it of course is not) I would scatter Warren Hills' ashes on the mighty Susquehanna and tie both a blue and a red trip bandana to the campers' rope swing tree in his honor. We will miss you, Hillsy. George Barker 06/18/12 - Hillsy was a long-time camper and counselor in the 50s and I think even into the 60s. He was a long-time friend of mine, as noted in the obituary. When I talked yesterday with the guy who wrote the obituary, I mentioned Hillsy's activities at Hyde Bay a couple of times and he even asked me where Hyde Bay was located. Alas, the obituary, which I think is excellent by the way, does not mention the camp, although it was an integral part of Hillsy's life. His camp films are legendary. I am not sure where they are located but will ask Leslie Hills, Warren's widow, what she knows about them. George Barker Steve, Thanks for your good wishes. Hillsy fought the good fight but he was ravaged by Parkinson's and dementia and his death was a blessing. As I said in my earlier email, Hyde Bay was an integral part of his life. Do you know anything about the whereabouts of his movies? He was quite a cinematographer. Best regards, George Replies: Steve Cunningham 06/18/12 - Fred Gale was last known to have had Hillsy's videos transferred to digital format. Fred showed a somewhat shortened version, dubbed with '60s music, at the last Durbar in Cooperstown. I do not know if he had returned the original video to Hillsy. Fred is still working on an even more edited version to make the content a bit shorter. At Durbar, when the lights went off and Hillsy's movies began, several of the drunken campers fell asleep after awhile in spite of Fred's humorously apropos and cleverly dubbed music. George Barker to Fred Gale 06/18/12 - Fred, Judging from the email from Steve Cunningham that is set forth below, it sounds like you might have the Hillsy-movie situation in control. I can get access to whatever inventory he may have had and if there is anything that you would like me to do with what is there, just let me know. George Barker Mike Hilliard (from facebook) 06/18/12 - I thought this Baltimore Sun Article concerning the recent death of Warren "Hillsy" Hills might be of interest to campers. Here's the link:http://www.baltimoresun.com/ news/obituaries/ bs-md-ob-ralph-warren-hills-201 20617,0,3251608.story Replies: Mike Hilliard 06/18/12 (FB) - I remember as a child, I don't even think I was a camper, following him around fascinated by him and his audio visual equipment. I regret not having trying to connect with him, as we both lived our lives in Baltimore. Joshua L. Shoemaker 06/18/12 (FB)- R.I.P., Hillsy. Thanks for this, Mike. I remember leaning over his shoulder as he edited audio tape on an old reel-to-reel tape recorder in the theater. I think it must have been for "My Fair Pierre" or another Mellor/Main extravaganza. It's the first time I became conscious of what editing is. I also remember his mellifluous announcer's voice. John Mercer 06/18/12 (FB) - Thanks for posting this, Mike. Thinking of Hillsy, I always see him as a handsome twelve or thirteen-year-old interested in absolutely everything. Steve Cunningham 06/18/12 (FB)- Thanks, Mike. Winston Wood sent me the bad news this morning. Winston Wood 06/18/12 - Wasn’t Warren Hills a counselor at camp back in the late 50s-early ‘60s? Replies: Mike Hilliard 06/18/12 - Yes, he was. Steve Cunningham 06/18/12 - Winston, Thanks for the heads-up. Yes, Warren was at camp and worked on the technical aspects of theater plays. I hate it when I have to add an obituary to "Checked Back Into Camp." As you know, Fred Gail is working on the original footage of Warren's camp movies. ___________________________________________________ Jimmy High 06/16/12 - I believe I attended in the late 50's early, 60's. I moved to Cooperstown as a permanent resident in 2001. ___________________________________________________ Jeff Lew of ECSC 06/15/12 - Steve, Very nice to hear from you. Thanks for keeping our correspondence active on the HBC site. Please remind me of the HBC website address. Coincidentally, we just June 8-10 had another gathering at Cooperstown. This was a special one because we had located one of our campers who had been there from 1931-1939. ALL of those years. She is with cane in the attached photo. (I am in back with ball cap). Her eyesight is poor and her legs are weak but her mind and memory are sharp as tacks. She told us all about camp in those ancient times.
A caution about our website. I am the website keeper and I am swamped with many other things. Consequently, I have neglected to keep the website up to date. Not as professional about this as you dedicated HBC alumni. Sorry. The link on the website to me works and you or any interested HBC-person can contact me by e-mail if we an help with any information/recollections. A question that HBC members might help with.... When a counselor in the 1960's I visited a local site at Cooperstown called "Natty Bumpo's Cave". It is on the East Lake Road side of town, near Cooperstown. It is high up on the mountain. For years we have had our reunions in June and several times I tried to hike to it. Did not get there. It is a recognized landmark with its own roadside sign. But not even many of Cooperstown residents (at least not the many I have asked) no exactly how to get to it. I did find a local at the supermarket who gave some directions but it was too late in the trip to try. Maybe next time. Got any details about this site? Am also interested in the HBC map showing locations of buildings and other campsite geographical features. We don't have one for ECSC but I asked one of our more artistically talented "campers" to make one. If yours is still on your website I may get a copy or direct her to view it for a model. Stay young Replies: Jeff Lew, 06/18/12 - Steve [and Larry], Thanks sooo much. Am encouraged to make another attempt at next opportunity. I agree with the description. We did try going up from the sign a couple of years ago. Really really steep. I was feeling it but not totally winded. However, one of the guys in our group was having difficulty so we turned back before going any higher. I asked the cashier at the Price Chopper supermarket on 28 ( as I often do when I get to talk to a potentially "native" Cooperstowner) if he was from town and if so, did he know how to get to Natty Bumppo's cave. He said yes and no but the next woman in line said SHE knew how to get there. She said to take a right turn up a road that branched off of the East Lake road after it made the curve out of town and headed north. This is supposedly the road where the Clark property caretakers live. She said you could park your car on this road. Then there is some hiking which I believe is in a north-easterly direction. She mentioned that the rocky formation is close by the "star field". In past years I have noticed that by viewing the mountain from the west lake road there is a clearing in the woods in the general vicinity we are discussing that appears to resemble a star shape. So apparently there is a brute force method of climbing up from below and a more sedentary but still vague path by road and pasture. Maybe next year. Larry Pickett 06/16/12 - As I remember it, Natty Bumpo's cave was directly up the hill from the sign. It was steep hike and quite a ways up. The cave is really a shale outcrop with a chimney from the base to the top. Not so much a cave in the Howe caverns sense as a deep clef in the shale. Steve Cunnngham - 06/06/12 - Something to tuck away 'till next year: I'm sure you'll be able to pinpoint the location of Natty Bumppo's Cave using these two websites. Both maps are clickable to zoom in/out and shift left/right/up/down. ___________________________________________________ Colin Murray 06/09/12 - Goodness! All the time and effort you've invested in the HBC saga makes you a forensic anthropologist of the first order. You deserve the movie rights for your labors. Impressive accomplishment. Wish I had photos to contribute; however, brother Eric was a photog and might just have a gem or two. Replies: Steve Cunningham 06/09/12 - John Mercer published the HBC website in 2001. He passed it me in 2009 to bridge the gap between the "Old Guard"and the next generation of campers. I redesigned John's HBC website and took it from there. ___________________________________________________ Tom Lynn 06/08/12 - Didn't I hear at a Durbar that someone still has his last nightstand? If so, it would be cool to see a photo of it! (We might need to start a Hyde Bay Camp online store. We could sell replicas of nightstands, old Royal Palm "collectible" bottles -- and frozen Zero bars! (Any other thoughts on what we could "sell"?!) For the store: lanyards, leather belts, and spare gymp? And, Henry's recipe for _________________ (fill in the blank)? Replies: Steve Cunningham 06/14/12 - Don't forget Tootsie Rolls, Sky bars Fireballs and Fizzies, tho' I don't think anyone eats that stuff anymore - maybe Fireballs. We could send an archaeological team to dig up junk from around the campus and sell pieces of it. Or, just sell beach muck from the shoreline. I would love to have a baggie of beach muck, with a note of authenticity, adorning our mantle. ___________________________________________________ Stan Heuisler 06/07/2012 - [About his family's busy schedule]...Better'n beating Linky and Pansey, the Hammer Brothers, at Chenango. I remember one game when I spent the time in the third base box convincing them our pitcher was throwing spitballs. Duuuuumb. ___________________________________________________ Stan Heuisler 02/22/2012 - Stan and Betsey Heuisler will be pleased to hold a very informal Hyde Bay mini-Reunion brunch at 105 Deepdene Road on Sunday, April 22nd at noon. That's in Baltimore right down the hill from Eddie's Market and right around the corner from Gilman School. We'll have deli and sides and other stuff and beer, wine and beverages. Pot luck contributions always welcome but not needed. Spread the word in Baltimore (and elsewhere)1 my e-mail is stanheuis@AOL.com ___________________________________________________ Peter Wells 01/18/2012 - I was a junior counselor at Hyde Bay for two years. I think I have some pics from then and will upload them as soon as I can find them. Happy memories. Replies: Steve Cunningham 01/18/2012 - Welcome back to camp, Peter. Stay in touch. Check out our facebook group. ___________________________________________________
The Hyde Bay Blog
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Tom Lynn 09/23/12 - A few years ago at Boy's Latin, I was looking thru a "student directory." What a shock when I saw the illustration for the word "tower"!
John Hendee 09/01/12 - Hi Steve,
Looking back.....One day during the summer of '53, an artist by the name of George Hughes came to Hyde Bay and situated himself comfortably at a spot between the Dayman's chair and the councilor's lodge. He spent several hours drawing a panoramic spread of the camp from his vantage point. Those of us standing about asked him just what he was doing at our camp and he explained that he was a cover artist for The Saturday Evening Post, and that the following summer, Hyde Bay would appear on a cover of the Post. He also told us that he had to alter the scene enough so that the casual observer would not recognize the camp as Hyde Bay. He would also give his camp a fictitious name. We registered our disappointment that our camp would be disguised, but George showed us that there would be one particular detail true to the camp. The unique Hyde Bay flag pole was drawn in precise likeness and we were assured that when we saw the actual magazine cover, we eould recognize the flag pole as being unmistakably ours.
