INEVITABLE_APPROACH: Although it does not seem possible, the end of camp is approaching rapidly. The boys will leave on Tuesday, August 23rd. The group going by train will leave Ft. Plain at 6:57 a.m., arriving at New York at 11:55 a.m. Daylight Saving Time. They will probably catch about a 2:00 p.m. train out of New York. You will get detailed information later on. Other boys will be leaving all day Tuesday at their convenience.
INVITATION: Monday night, August 22nd is the date of our traditional chicken barbecue bonfire and awarding of prizes. You are cordially invited to attend this affair. This is just a warning, the usual postcard for your convenience will be enclosed in the next Home Letter. There were 235 served last year, we hope to surpass that number on the 22nd.
RESERVATIONS: Cooperstown is experiencing a pleasant seasonal boom. Even this far in advance, you may have difficulty in getting reservations. I suggest the Otesaga, the Cooper Inn, Mrs. Cooke’s (16 Chestnut Street) or our immediate neighbors, the Rathbun Cottages, who have some attractive Motels, where many of our parents have been well cared for. Either write directly or have no hesitation in asking us to get your reservations for you. A very friendly tip is “Do it now”.
HEALTH: The tepid sort of plague described in our last letter has almost to the vanishing point. We took one boy back to camp in the midst of the baseball game, but he has long since been as good as new.
THAT REMINDS ME: Monday was baseball day. Eighty of our citizens went down by bus and by private cars. They ate a picnic lunch at lovely Fairy Springs, the Cooperstown public lakeside park. They sat in excellent seats on the third base line under a blazing sun. The immortal Ted Williams blasted a towering homerun in the first inning and was removed from the game almost before the ball touched the ground. The beer—famous city was defeated by the cod and bean organization (4 to 1). All our men returned safely and reports of the press indicate that both the Braves and the Red Sox emerged undamaged.
MORE BASEBALL: The future big leaguers of America, at present residing at Hyde Bay, were defeated 6 - 3 on famous Doubleday Field on Friday. This debut in defeat reminded Coach Powell that “victory comes to men by turns”. All the scoring was done in the first two innings, after which both teams played as befitted the historic arena.
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PASSING ON - Tuesday, (Monday was all baseball): Twenty-odd campers (note the hyphen) came and went. Flatteringly, many more tears were shed by the departing. Heb, having snatched Red Banker off his horse and Jeff Williams out of his Cornet, was off down the Susquehanna on one of his famous trips. Jack Garver, abetted by Ruestow Minor, went ‘round the lake. As the first half closed, we found only one boy who had not passed his “D” test.
CLEAR, HOT AND WEDNESDAY: Many swimming tests, baseball practice and Red Skies of Montanna, via celluloid in the evening. Camps need to be bathed quite as much as campers — a magnificient downpour of rain did this trick on Wednesday night.
THURSDAY, MISTY, MOISTY MORNING: Wet enough for many shuttled trips to the Baseball Museum, but the afternoon and evening were clear. We aqua—planed and rode the water—skis in vain attempts to catch the towing Hacker.
FRIDAY: Clear and cooler. Heb, returned from the Susquehanna, piloted Griff and Ben and many boys around the lake. In daring innovation, characteristic of this intrepid Harvardman, Sandy Jencks and crews Sailed to Gravelly for the night. Came the morning, they sailed back. In the meantime, Bob Pickett, assisted by his son, Rusty and councillors Offutt and Hills spent a lovely night high up on Nebo with many juvenile companions. The movie trip for older boys was celebrated.
SATURDAY: Standard equipment: clear and warm weather. Jack Garver with the Elder Ruestow and George Barker took another flotilla around the lake. Griff, staying home this time, started his Senior and junior Life Saving Courses. Many parents paid us welcome visits his day.
THEATRICALLY SPEAKING: Tent number 18, in one of the smoothest performances we have yet witnessed, carried off the honors and the candy against strong competition by shelters 16 and 17. The utterly Alarming Eric Malm was voted best “actress” while Jim Main, a prodigal prodigy, was acclaimed best actor.
ANOTHER WARM ONE, CALLED SUNDAY: Ed Ruestow preached very acceptably to an attentive audience. This service was followed by the twin ordeals of inspection and hot showers for all. Tents 1 and 8, as the Nearest to Neat, went to town by Hacker. On the water, Griff and George Ruestow gave a canoe demonstration. In the evening, we were thrilled by the beauties of Persia and the wonders of the timber empire of the Weyerhausers.
SELECTIVE ANNOUNCEMENT: In the appropriate letters, we have enclosed an announcement of a traditional practice which I hope you will read.
BILLS: Some of you will find enclosed the bills for the second half. Almost everyone has paid the first half with remarkable speed. Many paid for the full season at that time. So some will have bills and others will not. If I have made any errors, which is likely, please let me know. You have been wonderfully prompt with the last set of bi11s.
