Alumni News!

Tuesday, April 1, 2003

Hello,

Well it's come time. I guess I have come to admit that it's time for a September Camp reunion. For all those who remember me, I would like to meet up at September Camp 2003.

Christian Dymond, aka Smiley
Plainfield, Vermont
Camper, Staff, 1987-1998

Friday, March 28, 2003

On March 3rd we flew to London England, to see Kate Felstiner Lowe's new son: Mathew Harris Lowe, born Jan 3rd 2003. Stayed with them a week and just loved their children: Bronwyn 2½ and Mathew. Can supply pictures if wanted. They are in their new (old) house which has finally been wonderfully renovated, and can be reached at kateandsteve@btinternet.com.

On our flight there we took an unusual route due to the bitter cold Ontario had: we went right up #60 across the Park, and I had a digital camera. Hoping to use some of the pictures to raise $ for the Bursary Fund, and to share the rest. I think others might enjoy seeing camps and canoe routes (all the way to Hogan and Opeongo) in winter. Here are a couple of samples:

Jim Felstiner
Toronto, Ontario
Ahmek and September Camp since the 1940s

Friday, March 28, 2003

Hi all! Does anybody know how to get hold of Sean McVickers (ex-riding staff @1982)?

If you are ever coming to Whistler, give me a call! My wife Anita and I love seeing Camp people. We usually get a couple a year out here.

For those of you who remember my sister Barb, she will be out here July 10 to August 10 with the Cirque du Soleil. Cheers!

Paul Burk
Whistler, BC
Camper 1971-81, staff 1982-86, 1989-90

Tuesday, February 4, 2003

On December 6th, Carsten Witt asked about an LP recording of camp songs. I've found my copy!

"A Song and a Time to Remember"
27 camp songs
Cover photo by John Wilson
Prose by Dave Lindsay
Concept by Jim Duchesneau
Copyright Ahmek Productions Inc.

I'll pursue possibility of a CD. Anyone involved in this production, please contact me. How much interest is there out there for a CD? Let me know. Keep those campfires glowing!

Love, Swebbs

Sue "Swebbs" Ebbs
Bradford, Ontario
My whole life beginning at 6 weeks in 1942!
Co-Chair, Fires of Friendship Alumni Association

Saturday, January 25, 2003

I saw Barry Gordon's November 8th note with the pictures on the Alumni News, and thought I would try to name the people. Most of them were my best friends at camp.

I don't know where Barry got the pictures. If he didn't take them himself, then my guess is it was me, as I believe that was my cabin group in 1967.

Starting with the top picture, from top left is Heidi Stock, Barbie Siebert, Jackie Scott, Sandy Percival and Jose Rafanelle(sp?).

The lower picture I will take a guess at. Far left is Susie Thompson (Tommy), Pam Davies, Carolyn Pirrie (I think), but the last one I don't know.

Many of those girls (except Jose) were on the Bisco trip we did with Viiu Kanep in 1967. Maybe this will get a few more people responding to the pictures.

Thanks for posting the pictures. They brought back great memories.

Betty "Boo" Tomsett
Toronto, Ontario
Wapomeo 1960s, 1970s

Monday, January 20, 2003

I regret to inform that a past staff member and my grandmother Helen Simmie (later Godden) passed away peacefully in December of 2002. She was on the music staff for a summer at Wapomeo. She is sorely missed by all friends and family and her granddaughters Elayne Dempster and Morgan Davidson who both attended Wapomeo.

Morgan Davidson
Port Hope, Ontario
Camper for many years as well as a staff member from 1993-2000

Monday, January 20, 2003

I am in my first year at Trent University. I am studying international studies. I find that sooner or later you bump into someone from camp. Tracy (who worked with TSC for many years) as it turns out is in her first year as well and is in two of my classes. TSC people are everywhere!!!

Morgan Davidson
Port Hope, Ontario
Wapomeo camper from 1993 to about 1998, then a staff member (babysitter) at Wapomeo

Monday, January 20, 2003

My good friend from camp, Ralph Robinson, told me about this site and it is a thrill to visit it. In fact, I think one of our daughters is pictured on the canoe trip by the waterfalls.

I am semi-retired, having run my own commercial real estate business for over 30 years. My wife, Anne, who was an Inky momma in 1961 when I was director of CITs, and I have been married 40 years, have two daughters, Beth and Susan, both of whom were at Wap in the late 1970s, and we have one granddaughter who, without prejudice, is probably the cutest little girl anywhere!

It would be a treat to hear from any of my old friends ("old" meaning from years ago, rather than ancient because I know none of you are there!)

Mike McCulley
Chester, Connecticut
1950-1962; missed a couple of years in the middle.
Started as a Bantam; ended on our honeymoon in the Bay Cabin as Inky section directors.

Saturday, December 7, 2002

Elizabeth Smythe Brinton is at long last married to a hockey player! Nick Brinton plays for a team called the NIDS (North Idaho Day Surgery). He says that he hasn't gotten as much exercise or loved a sport this much since his surfing days. Liz is very impressed with his playing, and says she knew what she was doing when she picked him out of a bar fight all those years ago in Aspen. The team colors are royal blue and white! Go Nids Go! How How.

Elizabeth Brinton
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Camper 1960-1969, Staff 1972, 1974

Friday, December 6, 2002

After not visiting camp for more than 15 years, I am quite excited how it looks like around there. I would love to get in contact with people that can send me photos from the past years to give me an impression how (or not) things have changed at camp. Are there still the yearly plaques in the dining hall? And what have been the major changes in the past? I wish a photo album could be added to this or the TSC web site to give someone like me, who is living a few thousand kilometers away, the opportunity to take a closer look at the place where one spent the summers for many years.

Does anybody even have a copy of the record of Camp Songs that was recorded in the eighties?

Carsten Witt
Hamburg, Germany
Camper, Staff 1977-1985
Please visit http://www.cwitt.de

Monday, November 18, 2002

David, my roots were showing, it had to go. Kurtis, my head is not a Chia pet, it will take some time to grow back. Speaking of short hair, does anyone know if Matt Chestnut still bics?

Also, I'm travelling in Australia with Alan Smellie. Are there any TSC alumni "down under"? It would be fun to have a beer.

When oft upon a winter's night
Our spirits northward roam
We'll take a cup and drink it to
Ahmek our northern home...

Tim Boyce
Staff 1996-2002

Thursday, November 14, 2002

I just wanted to reply to David Dickinson's posting RE: Tim Boyce.

Dave I agree, Tim's eyebrows don't match his hair colour, and he is in Australia now. Timmy grow it back if you know what's good for you.

Kurtis Vaughan
Camper 1995, Staff 1996-2002

Saturday, November 9, 2002

I was just wondering if anyone out there from the past summer misses Tim Boyce's hair as much as I do. Let me know.

David Dickinson
Groningen, the Netherlands
Camper 1987-1995, Staff 1996-2000, 2002

Friday, November 8, 2002

Here are some pix from 1967, my first trip as a Wap guide. One is a picture of the campers swimming in a waterfall at the end of the Otterslides, the other is on top of the cliffs as you enter Big Trout Lake.

Names provided by Betty Tomsett on January 25, 2003: [L-R] Heidi Stock, Barbie Siebert, Jackie Scott, Sandy Percival and Jose Rafanelle(sp?)

Names provided by Betty Tomsett on January 25, 2003: [L-R] Susie Thompson (Tommy), Pam Davies, Carolyn Pirrie (I think), but the last one I don't know.

I have no idea who these people are, but the fun is finding out.

Barry Gordon
Vancouver Island, BC
Ahmek and Wapomeo 1960s

Monday, October 21, 2002

For those who remember her, these photos of the Marmilwood appeared in Objeckt, a Dutch design magazine. Both Ahmek and Wapomeo are mentioned in the photo caption.

	One of the beautifully restored old speedboats is the Marmilwood, the Gareaus' longboat. It was built in the winter of 1926-1927 for the Eaton family of Marmilwood Cottage at Milford Bay. The boat, with its elegant prow, has a unique silhouette. It was to carry the Eatons gracefully over the lakes for eleven years. In 1939 they gave the Marmilwood to the Taylor Statten Camps, Ahmek and Wapomeo, at Canoe Lake, in Algonquin Park. The boat was in service there for 27 years. Such intensive use took its toll. In August 1965 the boat went into dry dock, for what seemed like the last time. In the spring of 1966 Stafford Smythe's children bought the Marmilwood as a gift for Father's Day. And so the Marmilwood returned to Muskoka waters. As it entered Port Carling, it was saved in the nick of time by Duke Boats. Despite advice to the contrary, Stafford Smythe and Ron Butson decided to have it restored. In 1967 the boat, now dubbed 'Big M', took to the water again, in sparkling condition. A work of art by Ron Butson and Lionel Cope, who was responsible for the trims. The Gareaus became the Marmilwood's new owners in 1992 and took it to the king of restorers, Gerry Clark, to have it done up thoroughly. Today the boat is one of the nautical celebrities of Muskoka Lakes and a highlight in the classic boat shows which are frequently held in the region. The Marmilwood is carefully berthed in their boathouse beside Lake Joseph. They regularly make trips in her and with her Chrysler 'straight eight' she easily reaches a speed of 53 knots. She doesn't need any trimming equipment to help her skim across the waves.

I was a camper from 1962 to 1965, then riding staff in the late sixties and early seventies. I'm still riding and paddling.

Dane Williams
Sacramento, California