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VOLUME 24             July 17, 1950                   No. 5

WEATHER: We have had a variety of atmospheric experiences ranging from cloudy and calm to windy and clear. There has been some rain and some hot sunny days. In other words it is the usual assortment associated with the temperate zone.

HEALTH: Henry Vollmer has been in the hospital for a day or two but has returned to camp in good shape. Otherwise we have been very fortunate in this department.

MONDAY: This cloudy calm day, unfavorable to sailing, passed uneventfully. After supper the Hacker took many campers for rides on the lake.

RAINY TUESDAY: Although there were many arid intervals this must be classed as a rainy day. Al Kerr and Sid Storke took a group of smaller boys through the Cooperstown museums where the relics of the past in
baseball and agriculture were viewed appreciatively. Our Wednesday movie was advanced a day. This time we enjoyed Ten Gentlemen From West Point, an ideal film for young observers as well as their elders.

WEDNESDAY: A new sport season started at Hyde Bay when commissioner Bob Russell inaugurated the Hyde Bay basketball league. The “Polywogs” under the direction of wrestler MacLean inflicted a 19—14 humiliation on Westy’s “Cougars”. Pete Powell load the winners with 9 points, while Dave Fringer vainly tossed in four field goals. This day saw Pete Smith make the Home Letter by cutting his hand to an extent which required stitching by the experts at the hospital. He seems very much all right as we go to press.

VARIOUS THURSDAY ACTIVITIES: With the rattle and bang of the aluminum canoes on our trailer the second Susquehanna trip roared out of camp with the inevitable Heb assisted by Edo and John Rouse. We thought often of this group when a terrific downpour of rain accompanied our supper. Then they returned, they reported “not getting very wet”.

FRIDAY: In following out a stream lined trip program the third Susquehanna under Bob Russell and Westy went down to join Heb, who went back down the river with them. The survivors of the previous trip were brought home in the station wagon. In the morning pioneer Blaise lead a hike of intrepid explorers to the very top of Strawberry Mountain, returning with a remarkable trophy in the form of a sign with the legend on it, “Take It Easy”. It was found deep in the woods at the head of the ravine. It had in happier days been the head of a barrel. In the afternoon Strawberry was again the scene of another battle in our mock warfare. About noon that rarest of all individuals -- the blacksmith -- appeared and treated our horses to new footwear. In the evening the elder statesman went to town to enjoy its cinematic offering. The camp was all agog when “Walter Lord, known in Hyde Bay circles as the Commodore, arrived for an all too brief week—end.

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AN ANCIENT AND HONORABLE COMPANIE: We have had at Hyde Bay for many years an unofficial organization known by the unlovely title, “The Slob Salvage Corporation”. The name goes back to a boat which was most appropriately given this title. Currently they are engaged in the endeavor to raise a sunken boat in the harbor to the south of us. To supervise this operation was one of the alleged purposes of the Commodore’s visit. Like many salvage operations this one is full of delightfully vexatious delays.

A HOT CALM SATURDAY: Councilors Forman and Elliman ushered in this day with a trip to the famous sunken islands, the shallow spot in the lake whereon Cooper’s imagination reared the log castle of Thomas Hutter. In the league the Thunderbolts were defeated by the Rockets 7-5, apparently another triumph of the artificial over the natural. We acquaplaned in the afternoon. The evening activities deserve a separate paragraph which they shall have.

THE SEPARATE PARAGRAPH: The second round of Hyde Bay dramatic offering produced an even better selection of plays than those of last week. If the editor had been a judge, he would have been unable to make a choice. Sterner and more discriminating minds were able to fix upon Tent 2 as the best. This group under Blaise, who appeared as a Korean beauty, took three of our councilors to the Korean battlefront. The portrayal of Angus by Sandy Cochran was quite professional. The evening opened with Dr. Frank Von Watkins transforming Jack Cooper into a ferocious monster before our very eyes. After Tent 2, which followed, Tent 12 portrayed Angus and his brood as Gubriel Cooler and his quiz program. The final play boasted the attractive title, “The French Fried Fraud”. We witnessed beauty parlor magnate, Sid Storke, administering aesthetic touches (?) to such maternal figures as those of tent mates John Gardner and John Long.

SUNDAY: Al Kerr preached. Under the impartial eyes of Angus MacLean the Violets beat the Redwings. Tents 2 and 7 were given the Hacker trip for neatness. Some short educational movies were shown in the evening.

HANDICRAFTS: Handicrafts under the direction of Mrs. Reed is attracting an enthusiastic group round the table at the beach. You will presently hear about and eventually see numerous artifacts.

VANISHING RACE: There are now only 7 non-swimmers, 4 having mastered the “E” Test. Meanwhile Junior Life Saving is progressing as usual.

ENCLOSURE: We will endeavor to enclose play programs for the parents of some of the actors, our supply being somewhat limited.

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