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Hyde Bay
CAMP FOR BOYS
HERBERT E. PICKETT,
DIRECTOR |
 |
COOPERSTOWN, NY |
HYDE BAY HOME LETTER VOLUME VII NUMBER 8, 1934.
WEATHER
Knowing that "we can take it," the weather, which has up to this week treated us better than we deserve, has finally given us reason to recall previous bounty. It has blown, rained, misted, fogged, drizzled, chilled, and dripped. In the Intervals there have been great days such as Friday. Only the brave have deserved the dip.
visitors
The roll of our callers this week is long and distinguished. During the canoe trip Major Louis E. Lamborn and his son Robert enroute to Saratoga, paid us a most pleasant call. He reports a good year at Red Cloud, Red Wing, and the new Red Eagle. During the same epoch Miss Charles and Mrs. Miller were here. Visitors are always sure of a warm reception from Headcouncilor Charles and his men. This was no exception. The Gildeas were with us again at the first of the week and took some of the teachers across at golf. John Hesson has been the guest of Herbert Smelser on his boat. Mr. Allner came In Friday night.
VISITORS WITH DEPARTURES
The Cartons and the Roots came in this week to take their boys away with them to our no small sorrow. Vernon and Bobby had entered with the plan of leaving at the end of six weeks. Vernon passed his B swim test the day he left. Bobby passed his A swim test the day he left. To get the last award one must swim from the point opposite camp to the dock. It is about three quarters of a mile.
SWIM TESTS
Every boy in camp has now passed his C swim test which calls for a swim down to the Ethical Culture Camp boat and back, no mean distance. Many have gone down to the next point for the B test which is much further. The A test has been taken by Freddie Allner and a number of the somewhat older boys. In addition strokes and style have been improved.
TRENTON REVISITED
Two trips to the gorge and the West Canada Creek took place since last we smote the trmbling keys in your behalf. The small boys went Thursday followed by the oldest boys on Friday. Both trips met with good weather. Both report excellent campers with no slackers and a time to be remembered. Morton Prentis fell from the cliff into the water with a yelp and a splash. No damage. Young and his crew of Louis Hamman and Hilly practically revolved so numerous were their upsets. The older boys dove high from the rocks into the deep pools. Charley Classen was permanently sucked under the lower falls, but was rescued by a camper whom he had once allowed to come late to breakfast. Such gratitude is part of our Hyde Bay character building process. Miss Deucher of our neighbor Pathfinder's lodge, a splendid girls camp, went up to spy out the land for a trip for her girls. Though she was under Mr. Classen's special guidance, she fell into the stream and lost her purse. Billy Payne recovered it in twelve feet of water on his second dive, being skilled in diving for the necessities of life when the Father-of-waters overflows his native Greenvill, Miss. home. Mr. Byron White, a noted engineer, who constructed the addition to the powerhouse at Trenton Falls, came down and talked with us about the campfire on Friday night. We are indebted to Mr. Miner. He and Mr. White are old friends. We learned much about the region we have come to like so much. Exceptionally low water greeted both expeditions. The course of the Fleet of six canoes can he traced even yet on the rocks of the West Canada. Red, yellow, green, blue, some of the rocks have all the colors.
MOVIES
Just to show how the younger generation can show up their elders, while the Director lay gasping on his cot after the trip, most of his companions furbished themselves and went to the usual Saturday movies in Cooperstown.
SCANDALS
The great theatrical duo, Exshaw and Lord, or Exlord and Shaw,as they are now known, gave us a review of Hyde Bay last Tuesday. The smallest boys protrayed the masters and councilors. Chuck Callery was a convincing Captain Hartzell, at bridge with Julian Kennedy Townsend, Johnny Smith Marrian, and Freddie Allner Russell, who abruptly left the game when a sweet feminine voice from the wings called “Ed.” Charley Classen was honored by two impersonators, Frankie Beury and Mortie Prentis. Piggy Prentis took off Jake Classen, Ray Gildea made an imposing Leslie. Albert Wampole, with perhaps too much padding, in the mid-section, made a replica of the Director. Bobby Carton, while not named, was perhaps intended to represent a recent visitor. Eddie Munger portrayed a ruddy Hammy Welbourn. Mortie Prentis showed his versatility by appearing in one scene as Jack Young after shuffling off his Classen raiment. In the last scene, known as the Hyde Bay Torture Chamber, Kemp Bartlett industriously knitting, in some of Mrs. Pickett's wardrobe, gave a faithful portrayal of a common scene here when he-she extracted a thorn from the hoof of a writhing Huidek'oper.
TRIP TO BIRTHPLACE_
Wednesday was ineed a day. Most of the younger camp went by boat to that most interesting formation known locally as Natty Bumpo's Cave, ate lunch at Faery Springs, and visited Cooperstown and its interesting features. The afternoon was crowned by watching a ball game between our excellent camp team and a Cooperstown team at Doubleday Field, the spot where baseball was invented. We lost in a well played game 3-0. Masterly pitching by Mr. Marrian may have had some influence on the score. Frank Lynn tried to bite a ball thrown to him at third base but failed to open his mouth wide enough. Hilly at second made the only fielding play of the infield. Short Townsend handled many chances bravely. Billy Payne caught two balls, in the outfield. EIGHT BOYS RECEIVED HAIRCUTS. Sunburned ears will now appear.
THURSDAY
It did rain.
BRIDGE
In a tournament limited to two hours on Thursday night the team of Classen and Exshaw won in a thrilling final match vs Hamman and F. Lynn. The favorites, Mr. and Mrs. Pickett, failed to show as expected. (As they expected).
TRIAL
A thrilling trial in the recreation centre saw Chuck Callery,defended by the Director, escape the drastic and deadly diatriees of Prosecutor Lord on the charge OFFENDING AND ANNOYING THE SKUNKS OF HYDE BAY. It was proved through the mouths of witnesses, Hartzell, Robertson, et al that said defendant was a rabbit, and that skunks were still happy anyhow. For the prosecution Charles Classen was the star witness. Foreman W. Lynn brought in a verdict on his own quite adverse to the opinion of his colleagues. Moral courage on his part, Hyde Bay Character building. Judge H. C. Moore presided.
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