Back to The Lodge
Back to Home Letters

HYDE BAY HOME LETTER  No. 1                                    SEASON 1947

Explanation. These two sheets are composed each week by the Director, as has teen his custom for the last twenty years. He will hereinafter be shamelessly designated as “I” because it is so much shorter to write. This publication endeavors to write the sort of letter which a boy ought to write but so seldom does, (but then, so few boys have secretaries). I hope you read it and enjoy it.

Reports. You will find enclosed the report of the councilor in regard to your son, his activities, his spirit, and other pertinent details. Boys who are tutoring will next week receive reports on their academic activities. As the teachers have had them only three school days up to the end of last week, they have deferred their opinions until more data has been assembled. On the councilor reports, you will find occasional comments by the director in which he frequently answers your good letters, thus briefly and unceremoniously. Please pardon a busy man.

Bills. An astonishing number of people have sent in all or part of their son’s camp fee entirely automatically, which has encouraged the Director to put off the evil day of sending out bills as far as possible. They are, however, enclosed herewith. I trust no checks have been lost or mislaid, but if such is the case, please don’t hesitate to let it be known.

Health. The season has started off briskly in the matter of health. Messrs. Russell and Foshay have succumbed to accidents. The former cut his foot on a bit of glass, while the latter seems to have received a wound from a thorn. As we go to press, Tony Bogatko and Alan Hoblitzell are in the infirmary with colds. For Hyde Bay, this is a bad health week indeed.

Weather. This important item has been variable. The campers were greeted on their arrival on the evening of the First by a terrific downpour. Atonement was made in the form of several good days, although Wednesday was cold and windy. On Tuesday, when this is being written, it has been raining all day. Monday night Was just about as wet. The report says clear tomorrow.

Numbers. We are 52 strong this year, which makes a very agreeable camp. We have some space left for late arrivals.

The Council — consists of head councilor, George Chandlee, assisted by bob Pickett. Al Kerr has the music. DeLaney Kiphuth guards the water front. Jim Waters, Ollie Mason, the redoubtable Evans brothers, Heb and Puffy, and Tony Bogatko are all back from last year’s staff. Buzzie Williams and Alan Hoblitzell have been elevated from the U. L.-ery. Hunt Williams is an old camper, appearing as a councilor for the first time. Walter Geer is back as horse councilor after far too many years of absence. Dick Terrill of New Haven and Yale is the only councilor new to Hyde Bay this year.

Faculty. These are the same group who have been with us for so many years. Mr. Russell is back to direct the institution, abetted by Messrs. Mercer, Dresser and Barriskill - one ought to say, “respectively” after such a list.

Kitchen Staff. This department is new, with William Alexander, Jimmy Alexander, and William Barnes. Our old friend, Jimmy Walker has a year—round job, and so couldn’t come.

Cannery Row. This disrespectful name has been applied to a long row of edifices along the road into camp, reading from left to right, Mr. and Mrs. Russell, the Mercers, accompanied by children, Carolyn, Tommy and John; the Geers in a tent, and the Chandlees in another cottage. Bob and Betty Pickett have built along the shore near the infirmary, and have already populated the new house with a son, six pounds in weight, named Robbie. Up the hill, in their last year’s cabin are the Kiphuths and daughter, Meg. The Ancient Picketts sleep on the same shelf adjoining their cottage.

Tuesday. Campers arrived all day. The main group came in under Bob Pickett at sundown, to be greeted by a pouring rain and a failure of the rural electrification system, and consequently dinner by candlelight.

Wednesday. School started, while late-comers Merrihue, Birge and Webster arrived. Some D. tests were taken. Walt and a gang rode the horses up from the farm.

Thursday. Windy and cold. Whit Firor earned the Plumbers Medal by upsetting a Comet for the first time - the previous holder of the Medal is anonymous.

Friday. A marshmallow roast and some fire—crackers — otherwise a safe and sane Fourth.

Saturday. It was hot and it rained a bit. We had a revival of the annual “hot rock” contest. Numbered stones were placed all over camp to the number of 200. Each one of them had a value and some of them were very important indeed. Winner George Whiting had a big margin.

Sunday. This was sunny. The Catholic boys went to church in town, while the rest met for services at the Russe1lum where Head Councilor Chandlee was the speaker. In the afternoon came a soft ball game. The first after-supper dip occurred. Betty Pickett and son, Robbie, came home to their cottage from the Bassett Hospital.

Back to Home Letters
Back to The Lodge