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Hyde Bay
CAMP FOR BOYS
HERBERT E. PICKETT,
DIRECTOR |
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COOPERSTOWN, NY |
HYDE BAY HOME LETTER VOLUME VII NUMBER 7, 1934.
WEATHER
We have still perfect weather. For three days it blew with great enthusiasm from the lake. One morning it was 45 on the porch. The next day dawned with 51 at breakfast. The days have been cool to cold. Wednesday was really hot, driving us to the lake which we had been neglecting.
OMISSION
It is very hard to remember the most important things. For example, no one could forget the sartorial splendor of Prescott Huidekoper when his parents called last week and took him to town for Saturday night. Yet we did not mention the very pleasant visit of the Huidekopers.
VISITORS
This week Mrs. Munger has been in to see Eddie and the camp for two days. Marshmallows appeared in her wake as they did in that of Mrs. Prentis, who came in with Mrs. Dreschler for a very short stay. Subsequently a card comes from them at Ottawa.
JACK
Jack Fahey left for home Monday via Fort Plain. He had completed a very satisfactory term in the summer school. Fred Levering promptly moved back into the tent of the untamed elder statesmen.
THE PLAY WAS THE THING. (The thing was a play).
One of the most entertaining evenings at the theatre this scribe has ever spent was last Saturday evening on the grass by the new Hyde Bay Theatre. Lord and Exshaw the cosmopolitan composers wrote the script and produced the play. They even acted in it. Called the Savage Serenade or a Tropical Heat Wave, it justified even more names The scene opens in a disreputable inn in Africa where Lawry Pickett, the barkeeper, is serving free liquor to beachcombers, Jenkins and Koppleman, John. Ernie collapsed under the potent fluid but John cried for more. Enter the dissolute, Doctor-with-a-past, Lord, followed by Ronald Beaverbrook Exshaw with his fetching bride, nee Johnny Burwell, Natives beat tom toms or something without.
Act two sees the lovers in the hut of the doctor. It is a bedroom scene, Muriel (Burwell) retires in Mrs. Russell's nightwear. Enter black and venemous native B. Lynn who carries her off with a half nelson and crotch hold.
Act III In the home of the savages reveals F. Lynn,king of the cannibals being fanned obsequiously by Beury and Huidekoper also covered with burnt cork. Enter the rest of the Lynns even blacker throwing down Muriel to slavering king. Enter a suppositious butterfly pursued by Dr. Lord who is tackled in American fashion by Lynn Minor. Callery beats tom tom, also blacker than he could be painted. Just then by invitation more blackness on the ample surface of Bobby Carton capers about as a witch doctor. His dance was the feature of the act. Screams arise as a horrid ghost appears. Savages flee. The sheet falls. It Is Ronald Exshaw Beaverbrook. They clinch as the play ends with cockney philosophy dripping from the mouth of the Doctor.
REVIVAL
A record number of seventeen went to church by car Sunday while most of the rest listened to Fred Levering in a brief sermon on the ball-field in lieu of the cold and windy willows where church is usually held.
BOXING
Tuesday saw a great exhibition of human courage and endurance. At a bit before eight in the arena lights falshed on and a crowd gathered. Both boxing and wrestling followed. Billy Robertson battled Louis Hamman with the padded fists. Tag and Big Pickett also battled. Wampole and Harper rained blows on the air recently occupied by each other. Mortie Prentis was pinned to the mat like so many Insects by Vernon Root, Piggy Prentis was little more fortunate at the hands of Ray Gildea though the bout was not finished. Herbert Smelser raised his hand against Councilor Payne of Mississippi with telling effect. Messrs. Black and Young Classen fought to a breathless draw on the mat. There was another bout in which announcer Huidekoper was humiliated in jig time by Battling Beury. Walter Kop ushered in the evening with a bout against the pride of Virginia, one Leslie Exshaw.
SKUNK
Donny Tag having skewered a woodchuck set out with his attendant myrmidons for skunk. He was only too successful. Skin of said animal, removed by Herbert Moore, resides in the boathouse for seasoning. His inmost parts are no more a secret but an open book revealed by Doctor Classen. Tuesday night they were again successful one would deduce from the breeze-bourn melody of odor. Robertson, Lord, and Lynn Major seem the most faithful attendants.
NATURE IN THE RAW
Mr. Moore is on the go at all times with small parties of boys. The waters of Shadow Brook have yielded many interesting objects for our museum. He has been on the mountain again with Ray and Piggy and Tommy. All exhibits are duly posted and accredited to the finder.
FOSSILS
From Allen's Lake, high on the hills opposite, Leslie and his men bring back about the best fossils yet.
HIKE
Tuesday and Wednesday was the date of the horse hike of Freddie Allner, Swick Kennedy, Prescott, and Sunshine Pickett. No untoward incident spoiled a good hike.
SARATOGA
Tuesday Gary and Cooper went to Saratoga to see Gary's horse run. Back the same day.
TRENTON
All the end of the week we shall be at Trenton Falls or going and coming. So this must be out early and covers but a fraction of a week. We will cover more next time.
BUNK Winners. Names will be reported next time.
VOLLEY BALL AND GOLF
These games are played incessantly. Two ball games, one for old and one for young were a feature of Monday. Eddie's kyak is almost done. The other one we are going to buy has been busy for many days. It was here "on trial.
HOT. Up here on the hill in the office it is hot. The lake calls.
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