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HYDE BAY HOME LETTER                Volume XX 1946                        No. 4

WEATHER: We have had one or two sprinkles of rain, but for the rest it has been perfect camp weather - warm with a bright sun shining, accompanied by a pleasant breeze off the lake.

HEALTH: As you will no doubt note on the reports, the weights are in general down. This is a usual phenomenon at the beginning of camp. Most boys lead a more active life at camp than at home, in consequence of which they lose some weight. A few boys rather need to lose weight. They will presently start to gain a bit, but not very much. At the close of camp, returning to a more quiet life, it is usual for boys to put on quite a few pounds. There are always some parents who are worried about this situation. I suppose letters will appear from some in that category this season. It is rather a natural reaction. Dan Lindley is just emerging from his session with measles in the infirmary. Fortunately we have had no other use for that building during his occupancy.

AS IT MUST TO ALL HORSES, death came this week to Fanny, who was mentioned last week as the “Dean” of our horses. She just lay down and died for some obscure reason. No autopsy was held. She will be much regretted by many generations of Hyde Bay riders.

RETURN OF THE EXECUTIVE: Dr. Charles H. Classen, who was Head councilor at Hyde Bay ten years ago, after previous years as boy and councilor, visited us this week with his 6-1/2-year-old son, Charlie. The latter merged immediately into the camp, while the father marveled at the changes since his day. He was especially impressed with the fact that we had two goats. In his day he said there was but one, who was the Head Councilor.

TUESDAY: Every day in the week a councilor sits on the waterfront to give permission, scan the water for our boats, and in general to be in charge of the camp for that day. Here is the log, compiled by Dave Fitzell, Tuesday’s day man: “Morning warm and hazy, scattered clouds and sunshine, fair breeze from the West—-8:4l, round—the—lake canoe trip--departed--Robert Pickett, Supreme Commander, Jim Latane, Navigations and Operations Officer, Ollie Thomson Discipline Officer -- ll:45 wind freshening and shifting toward the North--12:45 wind shifting more northerly, rain threatening.(Prophet Al Kerr says, ‘I doubt that it will rain at all’)--l6:30, canoe trip first sighted off the point by Chief Chandlee—-l6:40, first canoe containing Cub Forman and Bob Pickett docked after a sprint from the point; entire company present were accounted for; no injuries; some members of party rather tired after bucking stiff head—winds and waves——l7:OO, weather clear and sunny, wind stronger——announcement made at supper of the week’s inspection scores. John Rouse topped camp with a score of 69(best possible 70).”

CINEMA: “‘Four Jills and a Jeep” made their painful way across our screen on Wednesday night. The boys seemed to enjoy this miscellany.

ROTATION IN OFFICE: We have at Hyde Bay an ancient and honorable institution kown as the “Plumber’s Club.” The presidency is held by some individual who is conspicuous for some awkward, inept, or stupid action. First president of the year was one H. B. Pickett, who went far too early to his Fort Plain train, as mentioned in the last Home Letter. He was replaced this week by Head Councilor Chandlee, who endeavored unsuccessfully to run the big motor boat, the Hacker, through the end of the dock. The irresistible force and the immovable object were never better illustrated!

EXPEDITIONS: To the square dance on the village streets in Cooperstown went Councilors Evans, Thomson, Gray, and Stephenson, supervising Hoblitzell and H. Williams, and accompanied by a group of Pathfinder girls. Friday saw Mr. Barriskill and Councilors Kerr, Maxson, Waters, Stephenson, and Gray with the Picketts, Sr. and Jr., to a splendid concert where the contralto, Joan Watson, gave a recital in the Historical Museum Auditorium. Jim Latane and his tent went to the movies while a group of older boys took in the same show.

TRIPS: Tony Bogatko took his tent down to Little Gravelly Point on Thursday, where they stayed all night cooking supper and breakfast. Eventually every boy in camp will have a chance to take this outing at least once. Bob Pickett and Puffy Evans, with a gang of boys, blazed a trail to the look—out, a favorite camping spot high on the mountain overlooking the lake. A huge expedition visited the Sunken Island, famous in Cooper’s ‘Deerslayer.’ Jim Waters and Ed Maxson took their tent-mates out for supper on Saturday night, where they consumed a huge number of hot dogs. The Director took a group down to the farm on Saturday to pick peas for Sunday dinner, Lin Gray and a party of small boys went far up Shadow Brook to get clay for the Handicraft Department.

DRAMATICS: You will find enclosed the program for the first set of plays in the Hyde Bay Theatre. They were much enjoyed by a vociferous audience. The house was imperiled if not brought down by the quartet. All marveled that individuals so near together could sing so far apart.
 
SUNDAY: Al Kerr preached at the Russellorum while two carloads went to the Catholic church in Cooperstown. In the afternoon the Hyde Bay Hackers beat Connie Maxson’s Hyde Bay varsity 8 to 5 in soft ball. The Hackers consisted of left—handed councilors and small campers. Aquaplaning was enjoyed in the afternoon while after supper the Director and son Bob took two station—wagon—loads to Nebo. New readers should understand that Nebo is a 50—acre mountain—top six miles from camp which we own and visit frequently. You will hear many subsequent references to it.

SWIMMING: To the thirty—four boys who had passed the “D” Test last week we must add the names of Hunter and Pete Alexander, Averell Carter, Fritzy Geiger, Fred Krick, Jander Linen, Blaise de Sibour, Johnny Young, and Kirk Kirkpatrick. This leaves a very few non—swimmers in camp. Among these, Kenny Palmer, a non—swimmer on the third of July, on the eleventh of July swam to the raft, rested there a moment, and then swam back to the dock a total distance of about fifty yards. The “C” test which is much longer and harder has been passed by Harry Coulter, Elliman, Farrar, Harkness, John Harreys, Rouas, Hills, Hoblitzell, Livingston, Osborne, Pope, Russell, Veit, and Ed Kunkowski. Peter Elliman and David Farrar have passed their “B” tests.

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