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Hyde Bay
CAMP FOR BOYS
HERBERT E. PICKETT,
DIRECTOR |
 |
COOPERSTOWN, NY |
HYDE BAY HOME LETTER. VOLUME NINE. NUMBER 7. Aug. 17, 1936.
DEPARTURE.
This is a heading which it is never easy to inscribe at the head of a paragraph. The time of year makes it necessary. The boys will leave under supervision at the following hours: Leave Fort Plain at nine-ten in the morning. They should arrive in New York at one-forty in the afternoon on the "Mohawk".Leaving New York on the Baltimore and Ohio at two-fifty they should arrive at the Mt. Royal Station at seven-thirteen Eastern Standard Time. All these events should take place on Wednesday, August 26th which should come to pass a week from Wednesday.
WEATHER:
Let California beware! So far we have had no rainy days sincethe start of camp.Nights, and mornings and later afternoons? Yes.But no rain for a whole day. In more than a decade (impressive way of saying ten years) the Director has experienced no such camp weather.
THE PLAY.
Monday night was a bit rainy but the heavens cleared by eightin the evening when the show began. It was a huge success and rainscredit like the Federal Government on Mrs. Dresser and all her able aids. The doors swung wide to let us see as well as hear the Ramsay Rhythm Ramblers who rambled most enchantingly over a number of current favorites. At the piano was the leader himself, Dave Ramsay. Traps of a fearful and wonderful sort were ably handled by Johnny Burwell. Horns of an uncertain origin were blown lustily by Bruce, Hunt, and Jimmy Johnstone. In the rear hovered a horrendously bewhiskered Sunshine who sawed with vigor on a very base viol composed of Freddie Brune's motor box and a broken paddle. This ensemble set a high standard which all other numbers kept aloft in storm and stress. Oh yes both Jimmy and Ralph Thomas performed wonders on the tumblers filled with water. A duet of penetrating pathos was sung by Hunt and Jimmy to Dave's accompaniment. It was 'Bury me deep way down upon my Old Kentucky Home'.Mr. Edwardt Russell next gave a dance number which was greeted with the loudest cheers which have rocked these hills since General Clinton issued a second on bacon in 1779. It is impossible to describe this terpschicorean or perhaps plain Korean triumph. Jack Young then pranced upon the stage in all the war paint and costume of a ballet girl. And a charming creature he was. With him in the corps de ballet were Eddie Supplee, Bruce Matthai, and Tom Hardie whose rippling muscles were only surpassed by the torso trimmings of their primus donnus. Then the versatile Matthai came on as an opera singer and rendered several selections till the audience was rendered helpless. A silent cinema next portrayed the adventures of the famous small bears in most touching fashion. A duet by Dave andTed Higenbotham was an unadvertised extra number well done and eagerly accepted. All in all it was one of Hyde Bay's greatest triumphs. A topical song satirized Hyde Bays celebrities with spurious indignation by Captain. Even the piano was moved———from the Lodge to the Theatre and back.
TRENTON AND WEST CANADA CREEK.
One of the chapters in a current best seller, "Drums Along the Mohawk", is "West Canada Creek."To paddle down this historic stream went forth all the boys up to and including Charley's tent.Sixteen in all under Mr. Dresser's guidance they arrived at the falls at eleven.Beds were made and tents put up. Then the gorge was explored, Prospect was hiked, ice cream was devoured, a night was passed in camp and down the river they went. Good water was their lucky lot and no mishap marred the voyage to Poland. Here Lawry and Johnny Burwell rejoined with the oars, packs, and food and so home to camp by five in the afternoon. A great trip!
MEANWHILE.
In the interim, to be specific, on Wednesday afternoon that well known equestrian, John N. Classen, piloted Jack Thomas, Hyde Clarke, and Tom Hardie on a horse hike to the usual place. A deep sleep fell upon them at sunset and lasted till long after dawn. Just beforemilkand crackers they returned and, greedy for more sleep, sought their bunks once more.
MIXED TENNIS AND EMOTIONS.
Friday was the day for a very pleasant event. We had a tennis match with Pathfinder's Lodge, the camp for girls about two miles down the lake. Miss Deucher brought almost the whole camp up to witness the fray. Francis Barker bit the dust before a fair visitor but his tent mate Kennedy Cromwell, burning with revenge for his fallen comrade swept his Miniature Amazon from the court in utter rout. Then Johnny Chittenden and Manly Jenkins won from a doubles team as did Bobby Pickett and Chauncey Hall. Then as a special treat, tennis instructors Ramsay and Koppelman played two teachers of the royal game from the other camp. Ganymedes in the astonishing form of Taylor Rodgers, Hunt Williams, and Jimmy Johnstone, distributed paper cups of rich juicy icewater.
CONTINUED STORY.
A treasure hunt has been raging since Saturday morning. The teams are suspended till a later date due to a trip to Howe Caverns.More of this later.
VISITORS.
The Barkers were here Thursday and waited till Kennedy came back from the trip. The next day the Chittendens were here for a while. The Kinders were here Sunday. Mr. & Mrs. Koppelman had Sunday dinner with us. The Bartletts came later Sunday bringing Kemp to stay for two weeks. Jack Higenbotham, a camper of eight years ago, and wife called on Sunday also.
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