Back to The Lodge
Back to Home Letters

Hyde Bay
CAMP FOR BOYS

HERBERT E. PICKETT, DIRECTOR

COOPERSTOWN, NY

CONGESTION.
There is so much to say this week that we have scarcely room to say that there is hardly room to say this. Verbiage must give place to solid fact!

SORROW AT ERROR.
Contrition grasps the editor when he realizes that he omitted from his eulogy on the Treasure Hunt the names of Vernon Root and Bruce Gordon, of the winning team.  As Lord and Exshaw won, and never won before, by the simplest of mathematics we have in these boys the obvious cause.  Qed.

TRENTON FALLS.
On Monday and Tuesday we went to Trenton Falls.  The trip was made by all the older boys who could get off from their intellectual pursuits.  (Note: The Pursuing is done by the faculty.) Also Jack Young and his tent went along.  Exshaw and Pickett assisted in the supervision.  The Director went as usual on these trips. No incident to the falls fifty-seven miles this time due to detour.  Camp pitch­ed, tents up, dinner of steak and potatoes eaten.  West Canada Creek in flood.  The gorge full of foaming water, barley an Alpine margin whereon to invade the gorge.  We were again and again soaked to the skin by the spray.  No swimming under the falls.  A real raging tor­rent.  Up over the second falls and down the pipe to the road.  Up to the dam and then by a trail new to us along the gorge to Prospect. Here we inspected the picnic grounds, ate incredible amounts of pop and ice cream.  The old lady had sold out but returned to harness to help her successor. Again she averred we were nice boys and not like another group which are nameless, college boys, however.  Home on foot to a good night of sleep.  Softies Exshaw and companions slept in the station wagon.  Les on the front seat where his tossings blew the horn at intervals all night.  The next morning after break­fast all hands down the swollen river in canoes.  (All mothers were fortunately absent.)  Through the first rapids and to Poland with no incident.  Then a mile and a half of rapids which upset four canoes stove in the side of one, wrecked the stern of another, and ripped off the bow of the blue one.  Loss of articles of clothing and skin on Jack Young's shin. At last all through. Red canoe with Maggie, Dick and Jimmy Campbell, and the director alone did not upset.  Good fortune and a low center of directorial gravity planted on the bottom of the canoe!  Land at the dam in Newport.  (No social significance) Hospitable man advances with a huge box of caramels made by Borden (by the ton) at this plant.  Gorging just before dinner.  Johnny you must wait!  Dinner on the island below Newport.  Home without inci­dent and articles lost on the way.

MEANWHILE.
The survivors or residue at camp made a trip to Natty Bumpo's cave and sights in Cooperstown. Drenched on their way back they reported a great time.  Tuesday.

BLOWING.
The Howell family of Bohemian Glass Blowers gave a very interest­ing demonstration of their art before the whole camp in the recreation hall, Thursday in a furious down-pour of rain. It was a splendid ex­hibition of art.  The next day they returned to deliver almost thirty dollars worth of various articles many of which have already found their way to your homes.  We hope they will be with us next year.

PHENOMENON EXPLAINED.
The local daily, "The Glimmerglass" comes forth with an article which tells of the results of the recent investigation of the waters of Otsego by the state.  The scientists found that the water was un­iquely free of the larvae of the mosquito.  This must account for the almost complete freedom we enjoy here from that pest.  The few we have must come in on cars from foreign parts.

TEARS.
Tearing himself away amid the tears of the camp, Walter Lord took his amiable way to Baltimore on Wednesday last.  The camp at once took on a more somber tinge. He is now on the briney deep bound to England.

RECRUIT.
The very day saw the arrival of old camper Andrew Turnbull, thus keeping our numbers full.

IAN.
But alas on Sunday the Gordons came and bore away Ian.Much dismay was expressed by his tent-mates.  Ian had planned from the first to stay but a month.  He will return for a few days toward the end of camp.

VISITORS.
Mr. and Mrs. Little, known to many while they were at Baltimore at Brown Memorial Church, and small son Binky, were here over night Wednesday. The visit of the Gordons has been mentioned.Judge and Mrs. Supplee and their daughter Montgomery were here on Sunday to see the boys.   Mr. Allner was here over the week end, making the Beechnut trip with us.

HOC LABOR, HOC OPUS EST.
The U. L. force has almost completed fixing the road.  Ian calls the initials  "Uninterrupted Leisure".  The new recreation hall has been wired but its roof is not done yet.  Bark wanting.

ADVT.
Tuesday the director is to speak before the Cooperstown Rotary Club.  Subject unknown even to his hearers.

MAN HUNT.
Friday night saw a man hunt.  Hero was Chuck Callery who freed the imprisoned outs and brought victory to his side when the Inns seemed to have won. Fearful shouts and awful fights, no injuries and much cocoa consumed—on-the-premises afterward.

ETC.
We beat Chenango in swimming very badly. Winners, Clemmitt, Bobby Pickett, and a host of others.  Council beat the boys in soft fall on Saturday.  "Florence T. Mormon," built by Lord won the eight inch class in sail derby.  Life saving class in full swing under Ed Leedy.  Thirty visit the Beechnut plant.  TIME OUT.  NO ROOM.  MORE NEXT WEEK.  TIME IS NOT ADEQUATE TO PERFORM OR RELATE.  A GOOD WEEK WITHANOTHER HEAVING UP ON THE HORIZON. WEATHER BETTER.  COLD AND BLOWY.  FAIR AND WARMER.

Back to Home Letters
Back to The Lodge