Past Web Page News Notes

JUNE, 2008, NEWS

Massawepie Alumni 55th Anniversary Reunion Patches are now available for sale. Use this order form to obtain the great-looking souvenirs while helping to fund the MSAA's continued service at Massawepie. To see the patch design, click here.

MAY, 2008, NEWS

• Massawepie in the Media: John Thaxton ended his "Birdwatch" column on page 46 of the March/April 2008 issue of Adirondack Explorer news magazine with,

  "And I couldn't believe how many palm warblers I saw on the trail through Massaweepie (sic) Mire, a truly spectacular bog, and great all-round birding destination, northwest of Tupper Lake. The mire is closed to the public from June 15 to Sept. 15 (sic), but that gives you plenty of time to see this early-spring bird."

  Actually, under a NYS conservation easement Massawepie is open to the public from September 1 to June 14. But only a portion of the Mire is on Massawepie property; other portions belong to New York State (the old railroad bed through the Mire) and to the Grasse River Club.



• The Massawepie Staff Alumni Association's 2008 Annual Meeting will be held during Beaver Weekend at Massawepie on Saturday, May 31, following the evening meal. We'll meet in the Loren Hakes Campfire Circle unless the weather keeps us in the Pioneer Dining Hall.
  
  Under our Rules of Operations, elections will be held for officers and at-large members of the Executive Committee. Reports of 2007-08 activities will also be shared, especially the 55th anniversary reunion, and future plans will be discussed. Alumni T-shirts and patches will also be available for sale! BarkEater induction ceremonies will be held after the meeting for those eligible.
  
  Part of the discussion at the meeting will be future roles for the Alumni Association at camp, and for the 100th anniversary of the BSA in 2010. Come share your ideas and hear from others, as part of the fun and service of Beaver Weekend!



• The Alumni Association Rules of Operation provide that nominations for officers and at-large Executive Committee members should be made in advance of the Annual Meeting (held on Beaver Weekend). The Executive Committee has nominated the following candidates:
  • Mike Knittel for Chair
  • Gary Hicks for Vice Chair
  • Peter Collinge for Treasurer
  • Stephanie VonBacho for Secretary
  • Matt Arlauckas, Executive Committee Member at Large
  • Shannon Davis, Executive Committee Member at Large
  • David Lippitt, Executive Committee Member at Large
  • Mark Pulvino, Executive Committee Member at Large
  • George Varga, Executive Committee Member at Large
  • John Zaffino, Executive Committee Member at Large
  • (Brad VanAuken will serve as Past Chair)
  Any additional nominations should be submitted in advance of the meeting to Secretary Peter Collinge.

DECEMBER, 2007, NEWS

Pictures (courtesy of Carol Thiel and Arnie Lewis) from the December 28, 2007, Massawepie 55th Anniversary Celebration (Click on small image to see larger picture)

• As of the December 14 deadline, 65 reservations had been received for the 55th anniversary extravaganza on December 28. It should be a great evening! For those of you who are attending, this map shows the recommended parking. (Microsoft Word version of the map here.)

NOVEMBER, 2007, NEWS

OCTOBER, 2007, NEWS

SEPTEMBER, 2007, NEWS

AUGUST, 2007, NEWS

JUNE, 2007, NEWS

MARCH, 2007, NEWS

FEBRUARY, 2007, NEWS

OCTOBER, 2006, NEWS

SEPTEMBER, 2006, NEWS

AUGUST, 2006, NEWS

JULY, 2006, NEWS

JUNE, 2006, NEWS

• Many projects to get camp ready for the summer season, including:
• Replacement of the Pioneer Trading Post Porch and access ramp (started Skills Weekend)
• Cleaning and fixing up the Loren Hakes Campfire Circle after installation of electrical service to support the 2nd year Barkeater ceremonies


• At the 2006 Massawepie Staff Alumni Association Annual Meeting, officers and Executive Committee members were elected for 2006-07 as follows:
  • Chair: Brad Van Auken
  • Vice Chair: Shannon Davis
  • Secretary: Peter Collinge
  • Treasurer: Mike Knittel
  • Members at Large: Gary Hicks, Dave Lippitt, George Varga, Stephanie VonBacho, John Zaffino


• At dusk following the Annual Meeting, a first year Massawepie BarkEater ceremony was held followed by the first official 2nd year BarkEater ceremony. These impressive ceremonies culminate each year's BarkEater program, which is designed to encourage camp attendance and participation by Scouts and units.

FEBRUARY, 2006, NEWS

• The campaign to purchase kayaks for Camp Pioneer for 2006 is off to a strong start, with 5 kayaks funded to date out of our goal of 12. See the Winter Newsletter for more details.
• Unfortunately, the 2006 MSAA Winter Rendezvous had to be cancelled due to a mix-up in park lodge reservations. Our next big Massawepie alumni reunion will be help at camp during Beaver Weekend, June 2-4. Plan to attend!

JANUARY, 2006, NEWS

• The Annual MSAA Winter Rendezvous to be held February 12
• MSAA T-shirts
• Skill and Beaver Weekends
• Fall Family Picnic
• BarkEater Year Two
• Meyering Rifle Range Dedication planned for July 15
• History of Massawepie Purchase by Scouts
• Massawepie Square Foot Endowment Update
• MSAA Membership updates

AUGUST, 2005, NEWS

JULY, 2005, NEWS

JUNE, 2005, NEWS

• Carpentry work on the new Meyering Rifle Range at Camp Pioneer was completed. The deck had been mostly completed on Skills Weekend, but finishing touches (railings, stairs, ramp, etc.) were added. Most impressively, all of the roof trusses were added, and the entire green metal roof was installed. Once the electrical work is completed, the range is expected to be in use for the 2005 camp season.



• At the 2005 Massawepie Staff Alumni Association Annual Meeting, new officers and Executive Committee members were elected for 2005-06 as follows:
  • Chair: Brad Van Auken
  • Vice Chair: Jeremy Cooney
  • Secretary: Peter Collinge
  • Treasurer: Mike Knittel
  • Members at Large: Gary Hicks, Dave Lippitt, George Varga, Stephanie VonBacho



• At dusk following the Annual Meeting, the first official Massawepie BarkEater ceremony was held in the Pioneer Campfire Circle. Over 20 Scouters who qualified as BarkEaters based on attendance at two Massawepie work weekends this spring were inducted. This group of BarkEaters received specially numbered totems in recognition of their status as the first-ever inductees. By the end of the 2005 camp season, over 1000 additional BarkEaters are expected to join the ranks.

• The Rules of Operation for the Alumni Association are now posted on the About Us page.



• Members: Don't forget the Winter Rendezvous on March 5 at Flour City Brewery. For information, see your recent Winter Newsletter.

• Minutes of the October 19, 2004, MSAA Executive Committee meeting are now available.



• New photos of the Childwold Park House (later Hotel Childwold) circa 1890, before it was expanded to its larger size, have been posted in the Photographs pages of the Massawepie History Section. These photos were provided courtesy of Ray Welch, whose great-grandfather, George Smith, worked at the hotel.



• Images of the 1954 felt Massawepie patch and the 1998 Polar Bear patch have been posted in the Memorabilia pages of the Massawepie History Section.



• Images of the 2004 Massawepie Camp Patches have also been posted in the Memorabilia pages.

• All currently paid Alumni members and Friends should have received the August newsletter with details on the September Family Clambake, and with an article on the Sykes family (who owned Emporium Forestry Company and sold Massawepie to the Scouts). If you didn't receive your copy, contact us (see the "About Us" page).



• The list of Massawepie Camp Directors for 1966 in the Massawepie history pages has been updated after comments from several readers. As near as we can tell, the directors of Pioneer and Voyageur changed during the season. If you know any more about this, please contact webmaster Peter Collinge (see below).

• Members: are you current with your Alumni Association dues? Renewal notices were sent out in May, since memberships expire May 31. If you haven't renewed, please do so today!
  
  
• Beaver Weekend, 2004, was a great success. Alumni Association members worked on replacing rotted Staff Cabin bathroom floors and otherwise improving the cabins, replacing the archery firing line roof structure, mowing fields, painting the Health Lodge, repairing broken tent platforms, clearing trails, and renewing the wood chips at the Loren Hakes Campfire Circle (of course). Thanks to everyone who helped, and we hope to see even more next year during June 3-5, 2005.
  
  
• The Association's annual meeting was held at Massawepie on Saturday, June 5. After hearing reports of the past year's successes, the membership relected the following officers:
       Mark Pulvino, Chair
       Brad VanAuken, Vice Chair
       Peter Collinge, Secretary
       Mike Knittel, Treasurer
  Plans for a 2004 Massawepie Staff Recognition Dinner were discussed, and a tentative date of Saturday, August 7 was chosen.
  
  
• The evening of the Association's Annual Meeting, founding president Kathy Elliott was recognized for her outstanding service to the MSAA.
  Note: Kathy distributed a mountain of wood chips at the Campfire Circle almost single-handedly earlier that day! (Photo below shows Dave Lippitt presenting Kathy with her plaque at OPD.)
  
            

• The Alumni Association now has 90 paid members - a new record! Several of the most recent members are "Friends of Massawepie", not former staff members. The "friends" category became available when our new Rules of Operation took effect in 2003. For more information on membership, see the "About Us" page. Members, please encourage your friends to join!



• Paid members of the Association will be receiving a newsletter by mid-May with information on Beaver Weekend (and much more!), and with a dues renewal form for those whose memberships expire on May 31, 2004. The last newsletter (December, 2003) is now posted online.



• Draft Minutes of the March MSAA Executive Committee Meeting are now available online.

• The MSAA Happy Hour was held Thursday, January 29, 2004 at 5:30 p.m. at the Roadhouse Restaurant in Henrietta. A lively group of Massawepie alumni shared camp memories, talked about Alumni Association projects, remembered Don Whitcomb, and socialized with other staffers.



• Otetiana Council will be staging a Klondike Derby the weekend of February 6-8. Over 1200 participants are expected. Alumni Association president Mark Pulvino is heading up the event, and would appreciate some Alumni help for all of part of the weekend. To volunteer, or for more information, contact Mark at (585)872-1507, or at mpulvino@rochester.rr.com .

******************************* In Memorium ***********************************

• Don Whitcomb died September 26, 2003 in Rochester. Don was active in Scouting for over 40 years as a volunteer from Longhorn District. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop 91. Later, he became an active volunteer at both Cutler Scout Reservation and Massawepie Scout Camps. Don served as recruiter and registrar (and sometimes cook) for volunteer work weekends at both camps. In recent years Don was an enthusiastic volunteer in the Massawepie Camp Office, where he was serving this past summer until he became too ill to continue.



• Dan Brandes died September 21, 2003 in Erie, Pennsylvania. Dan served on the Massawepie staff from 1969-1974. He started as a commissioner at Camp Pioneer, then became Program Director at Camp Forester, followed by a stint as Food Service Manager. Dan later joined the BSA professional staff, and served most recently in Erie.

*******************************************************************************

• Our fourth annual FAMILY PICNIC AND CLAMBAKE will be held Saturday afternoon, September 27, 2003. Join us in Shady Rest Pavilion off Woolston Rd. in Powder Mills Park from 2 p.m. - ? Where else can you get 2 dozen clams, chicken, salt potatoes, corn on the cob, and great fellowship with Massawepie alumni for only $10? (Children get the same menu, with hot dogs rather than clams, for only $5.) All currently paid Alumni Association members (both Alumni members and Friends of Alumni members) are welcome. Please pre-register by September 12, 2003, so that we'll have enough food for everyone!



• Are you a Friend of Massawepie rather than a Massawepie Staff Alumni? Membership in the Alumni Association is now open to those who love Massawepie, but never served as a paid or volunteer staff member. If you know someone who wants to be part of the Association, is at least eighteen years of age and in good standing with the BSA and the Council (does not have to be registered), encourage them to join as a Friends of Alumni member. For $10 in membership dues, Friends have full membership in the Association, except they can not be officers. The Alumni membership application has been revised to show both categories of membership. The more members the merrier!!!!!



• The photo below is from the Annual Meeting in the Camp Pioneer Dining Hall on May 31, 2003. (Would you believe we were a bit slow to get our digital film developed?)
  
  

As of July 1, donations and pledges for the new Ray and Addy Meyering Rifle Range at Camp Pioneer total $34,820. That's 39% of the $90,000 goal, with over $23,000 to date coming from Massawepie Staff Alumni. This is great progress, but we still more funds in hand (about $12,000 has been received to date) in order to begin the sitework in 2003. Here are two ways you can help make the Meyering Rifle Range a reality:       1) Make a donation. The Rifle Range Flyer provides more information about the plans and how you can help.       2) Purchase one of the remaining Massawepie Staff Alumni Association special "50th anniversary" patches. This patch is available by mail order only, and proceeds from 2003 patch sales will go to the Rifle Range Project. You may download a form (in Adobe pdf format) here.

• The Massawepie History web pages now contain many new images of memorabilia from the 1950's and 1960's. Thanks to Rob Cunningham, and Jeff Wight for providing some of these images.



• At the 2003 Alumni Association Annual Meeting on May 31, the membership approved the slate of 2003-04 officers pictured below (left-to-right), Chair: Mark Pulvino; Vice Chair: Brad VanAuken; Treasurer: Mike Knittel; Secretary: Peter Collinge.
  
  

• Fundraising for the new Ray and Addy Meyering Rifle Range at Camp Pioneer is progressing. As of June 15, donations and pledges total $23,570, which represents 26% of the $90,000 goal. Of the amount raised, $21,045 has come from Massawepie Staff Alumni. Congratulations, Alumni, for leading the way in honoring the Meyerings while improving the Pioneer facilities! If a total of $35,000 can be raised by the end of summer, sitework will begin in fall with the hope of opening the new range in 2004. A new Rifle Range Flyer provides more information about the plans and how you can help.



• The Massawepie History web pages now contain many new images of memorabilia from the 1970's and 1980's. Thanks to Bill Boyle, Rob Cunningham, and Jeff Wight for providing many of these images.



• The 2003 Alumni Association Annual Meeting was held on May 31 at Massawepie. Dave Lippitt reviewed the Association's accomplishments during the 2002-03 year, especially the highly successful 50th Anniversary Celebration Weekend last August. Next, the membership approved the proposed slate of 2003-04 officers (Chair: Mark Pulvino; Vice Chair: Brad VanAuken; Secretary: Peter Collinge; Treasurer: Mike Knittel), and the proposed Rules of Operation. After the meeting much fellowship ensued, both in the Pioneer Dining Hall and in a smaller building up Route 3.



• The 2003 Beaver Weekend at Massawepie was a great success. Much work got done, including new metal roofs on 3 program pavilions, 48 new tents and tent frames erected, 13 troopsites (and the staff site) set up, 156 mattress covers replaced, ceilings put up in several staff cabins, the docks put in, and the Loren Hakes Campfire Circle remulched. At the end of the weekend, Jay Bailey (the Massawepie ranger) said that the camp looked the best it has in his 3 years. Thanks largely to the 30+ Massawepie Staff Alumni who worked that weekend, included a special thanks for our Gary Hicks, Tim Smith, and the other alumni who prepared the great food!

• All Massawepie Alumni are invited to Beaver Weekend, which will be held May 30 - June 1 at Massawepie. Come enjoy fellowship and fun while helping to get camp ready for summer. Your help now will allow better camp program during the summer - it's difficult for the camp staff to do the necessary training during Staff Week if the tents and program areas still need to be set up! This year the Alumni Association crews will be working on repairing Staff Cabins 9, 11, and 12; remulching the Loren Hakes Campfire Circle; and helping with troopsite/tent crews.



• The Annual Meeting of the Massawepie Staff Alumni Association will be held during Beaver Weekend at Massawepie on Saturday, May 31, at approximately 7 p.m. in the Loren Hakes Memorial Campfire Circle in Camp Pioneer. (Rain location: The Scoutmasters Building.) Agenda items: report of past year activities, election of officers for 2003-04, vote on adoption of proposed Rules of Operation (see below).



• The following slate of MSAA officers for 2003-04 has been nominated by the Executive Committee:
  Chair: Mark Pulvino
  Vice Chair: Brad VanAuken
  Secretary: Peter Collinge
  Treasurer: Mike Knittel



• The Otetiana Council has officially announced that a new Meyering Rifle Range will be built near the Mountaineer Road at the edge of Camp Pioneer. This new range will be named for long-time Massawepie staffers (and MSAA members) Ray and Addy Meyering. Construction on the new range is scheduled to begin in 2003, with the range being ready to open for the 2004 season. However, all construction is contingent on raising the $90,000 needed. That cost estimate includes extensive site work including creation of a 12' high berm, pouring a 20' x 80' concrete pad, building a 16-point range with secure storage (using volunteer labor), installing electric service, fencing the area, and purchasing 8 additional rifles. To date approximately $17,000 has been pledged, of which $1000 was an early donation from the Massawepie Staff Alumni Association's 50th anniversary patch sales and concession proceeds. Please consider donating now via your membership renewal form, so that sitework can begin in 2003 on this wonderful tribute to the Meyerings. For more information, see your Spring newsletter (below).



• The Spring, 2003, MSAA Newsletter has been mailed to current and past members. This will be the last newsletter mailed to past members whose dues expired before 2003. A membership renewal form was included in the newsletter. Please note that those donating $50 or more this year to the Meyering Rifle Range fundraising efforts See below) will have their 2003-04 dues waived.



• A copy of the Alumni Association's proposed Rules of Operations was also included with the Spring Newsletter mailing. Please look these proposed Rules over and be ready to vote on them at the Annual Meeting during Beaver Weekend.

The Massawepie Staff Alumni Association special "50th anniversary" patch is still available at a reduced price. The remaining inventory of fewer than 115 patches out of the 465 patches made will be sold on a first-come, first served basis. This patch is already a collectible, and would make a great gift for a Scouting collector, a new Eagle Scout, a hard-working Scouter, or a new Webelos crossover.       This patch is available by mail order only. You may download a form (in Adobe pdf format) here. Proceeds will be used for Alumni Association projects to benefit Massawepie, such as helping with the new Camp Pioneer Rifle Range (planned for construction beginning in 2003). More details about the Rifle Range project will be coming in the Spring Newsletter.

• The 2003 Massawepie Alumni Happy Hour was held on Thursday, January 23 starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Roadhouse Grill, 830 Jefferson Road in Henrietta (NY). (Roadhouse Grill is on the north side of Jefferson Road, roughly across from Kinko's, between Clay Road and East Henrietta Road.) A number of staff alumni braved the arctic weather to enjoy fellowship reminiscent of "nights off" up Route 3 from camp.



• Alumni Association Executive Committee members were invited to the Otetiana Council Executive Board meeting on January 13, 2003, to share information on the Association's activities. The Board heard about:
  
  
  • The Alumni Association's founding and growth
  • The Loren Hakes Campfire Circle project at Camp Pioneer, and our successful $22,000 sponsorship campaign
  • The Alumni Association's key role in organizing last year's Massawepie 50th Anniversary celebrations
  • Our recent "Dedicate a Square Yard" donation to the Massawepie Equipment/Maintenance Endowment Fund
  • The many Alumni members who now make up the largest group of volunteers at Beaver Weekend
  • The Alumni Association website and the role of Alumni in developing and maintaining the Massawepie section of the Otetiana Council website
  • Our plans to assist with the new Rifle Range for Camp Pioneer
  
  
  
  The presentation was made by Kathy Elliott (President), Mark Pulvino (VP), Dave Lippitt (Treasurer), and Peter Collinge (Webmaster & Historian), with the Massawepie noonday grace ably led by Don DeClerck (Staff Advisor). The final highlight was the surprise presentation of a $1000 donation from the Alumni Association toward the new Camp Pioneer Rifle Range, to be named for longtime Massawepie staff members (and Alumni Association members) Ray and Addy Meyering.



• The January, 2003, MSAA Newsletter has been mailed to current paid members.

The Massawepie Staff Alumni Association special "50th anniversary" patch is now available at a reduced price. The remaining inventory of fewer than 125 patches out of the 465 patches made will be sold on a first-come, first served basis. This patch is sure to become a collectible, and would make a great gift for a Scouting collector, a new Eagle Scout, a hard-working Scouter, or a new Webelos crossover.       This patch will be available by mail order only. You may download a form (in Adobe pdf format) here. Proceeds will be used for Alumni Association projects to benefit Massawepie, such as helping with the new Camp Pioneer Rifle Range (planned for construction beginning in 2003).

• $522 to complete our $22,000 sponsorship of the Loren Hakes Campfire Circle at Camp Pioneer.
• $350 to "dedicate a square yard" at Massawepie, with these funds going to a new permanent endowment to support equipment and maintenance at Massawepie.

Pictures (courtesy of the Lippitts) from the September 28, 2002, Massawepie Alumni Family Picnic:

• Thanks to Rob Cunningham the "2000 - present" Memorabilia page now has several new images of patches from 2001 and 2002.



• The Massawepie History memorabilia pages also now contain several other new items, included a map from 1909 on the Maps page, a Grasse River Railroad Timteable from 1933 on the Historical Documents page, and a 1953 staff neckerchief on the 1950's and 60's Memorabilia page. Also, thanks to Greg Nickason the 1970's Memorabilia page now has several new images including much-improved copies of the 1975 and 1979 Mountaineer patches, and the 1979 Massawepie neckerchief.



• Letters of thanks have been mailed to all those who volunteered for the Massawepie 50th Anniversary Celebration on August 3rd. (If you helped and somehow didn't receive a letter, please accept our apologies, and also please let us know.) This super event would never have been possible without all of those who volunteered.

• On Saturday, September 28, 2002, the Massawepie Staff Alumni Association held its third annual Fall Family Picnic/Clambake at the Shady Rest Pavilion at Powder Mills Park in Rochester. A laid-back crowd (including the usual large Turner contingent) enjoyed a day of good friends, good food and good fun. We also celebrated the success of the 50th Anniversary celebration. If you missed this year's event, plan on joining us on the last Saturday in September of 2003!



• The MSAA Fall, 2002 Newsletter has now been mailed to all current members. Articles includes a wrapup of the August 3rd celebration, coming events, Family Picnic/Clambake news, and a history of the Childwold Park House and Addison Child.

The Massawepie Staff Alumni Association is now taking orders on a first-come, first served basis for the remaining inventory of our special "50th anniversary" patch incorporating a red, white, and blue number "50". The patch was based on a winning design in our Patch Design Contest last fall. Only 465 patches were made, so this is sure to become a collectible. Fewer than 140 currently remaining unsold.       This patch will be available by mail order only. You may download a form (in Adobe pdf format) here. Proceeds will be used for Alumni Association projects to benefit Massawepie, such as helping with the new Camp Pioneer Rifle Range (planned for 2003).

• Over 400 people in attendance, including representatives of the Sykes family (who sold the Massawepie property to the Scouts in 1951) and of Governor Pataki, along with 4 former Massawepie Reservation Directors and various former Camp Directors and camp staff members.
• Camp tours showed the returning visitors the new Camp Pioneer facilities.
• A variety of activities, hosted by volunteers, at program areas all over Camp Pioneer.
• Historical displays (including a surprise visit by a Childwold resident with old Massawepie memorabilia), slides of camp scenes in past years, and camp patch and neckerchief displays and trading.
• A formal flag lowering ceremony was followed by a rededication of the Loren Hakes Memorial Campfire Circle, which was constructed through the efforts of the Massawepie Staff Alumni Association.
• A rousing campfire to close the evening, complete with the best skits and cheers of the past 50 years, a medley of 40+ camp songs, a surprise Silver Beaver presentation to Dave Lippitt (Massawepie Staff Alumni Association treasurer, and a key organizer of both the Alumni Association and the 50th celebration), and a finale of fireworks over Massawepie Lake.

Pictures (courtesy of the Lippitts) from the August 3, 2002, Massawepie 50th Anniversary Celebration: (Click on small image to see larger, clearer picture)

• The 1969 Aquatic Specialty Troop neckerchief
• The 1972 Forester staff neckerchief, 1973 camp staff neckerchief, and 1978 reservation patch
• The 1980 Mountaineer and Rubber Rafting patches
• The eleven(!) different Massawepie 50th anniversary patches

Beaver Weekend, 2002, again featured many Massawepie Alumni Association members working to get camp ready for summer. Projects tackled by groups of alumni included construction of the new Camp Pioneer COPE/Climbing area, remodeling and repair of several staff cabins, and the annual "spruce-up" of the Loren Hakes Campfire Circle. The group photo at left was taken in the Campfire Circle following the Massawepie Staff Alumni Association's Annual Meeting Saturday evening. (Click on the photo for a larger image.)

The Massawepie Alumni Association is now taking orders for a special "50th anniversary" patch incorporating a red, white, and blue number "50". (This was a winning design in our Patch Design Contest last fall.) This patch will be available by pre-order until June 15, at Beaver Weekend, and during the August 3rd Anniversary Celebration. Alumni members should have received an order form with their May newsletter; others may download a form (in Adobe pdf format) here. Proceeds will be used for Alumni Association projects to benefit Massawepie, such as the Loren Hakes Campfire Circle.

• A photo with a different view of the front of the Childwold Park hotel
• A "Notice" (Posted) sign for Childwold Park from the early 1900's, and a magazine ad from the 1920's for the private "Camp Massawepie"
• More documents from the camp purchase era (1948-1951)
• A 1950's photo of the former George Sykes cabin, near the top of the current Loren Hakes Campfire Circle in Camp Pioneer
• A plaque and patch from the 1950's, and several 1960's neckerchiefs
• The 1975 reservation patch, 1977 Beaver Weekend and Pioneer patches, and several 1970's postcards
• The 1980 Forester camp map
• The 1982 and 1983 staff neckerchieves
• The 1990's ASR Trail Blazer patch

• Old Historical Documents (before 1948)
• Documents from the Camp Purchase (1948-1951)
• Documents from the Camp Development (1952-1959)
• Old Photographs (before 1950)
• Photographs from the 1950's
• Old Memorabilia (before 1950)

• The Massawepie Staff Alumni Association will be coordinating all of the activities, in cooperation with the Otetiana Council Staff.



• Saturday afternoon, Massawepie friends and neighbors will be invited to tour the camp, try various program activities, and relive old memories.



• Saturday dinner and campfire, an event patch, and an optional Sunday brunch will be available by pre-registration only. The registration form will be available in March, so bookmark this site and check back then!



• The Massawepie Alumni Association will be producing a special "50th anniversary" patch incorporating a red, white, and blue number "50". (This was a winning design in our Patch Design Contest last fall.) This patch will be available to alumni by pre-order with dues renewal in May, and at Beaver Weekend. It will be available to the public only at the August 3rd event. Proceeds will be used for Alumni Association projects to benefit Massawepie, such as the Loren Hakes Campfire Circle.



• Volunteers are needed for all aspects of the August 3rd celebration. Use your old camp staff skills, or learn some new ones! Volunteer opportunities include food service, helping in a program area, special events, registration, and communications. Come join the fun, help make this once-in-a-lifetime event a success, and get a special weekend staff T-shirt. To volunteer, please call Don DeClerck at (585)374-5770 or e-mail us at MassAlumni@aol.com .

• Our Second Annual Family Picnic/Clambake on Saturday, September 29, was a great success! Alumni from as far away as the Catskills and Ohio gathered for an afternoon of food and fun. Special thanks to Mark Pulvino for making the food arrangements, and to Don DeClerck and Mike Oyer (along with Mark) for again demonstrating their outdoor cooking expertise.



• We are still making progress on raising funds for the Loren Hakes Memorial Campfire Circle. To date we have received over $20,450 in cash and pledges, or 92%+ of our goal of $22,000. We'd like to reach our goal of fully funding this project by December 31. If you haven't yet donated, please consider an end-of-the-year gift to help Massawepie (and perhaps to help yourself with a tax deduction)!

• Our Second Annual Family Picnic/Clambake will be held on Saturday, September 29 at Shady rest Pavilion in Mendon Ponds Park, Pittsford, NY. Come join us at 2:00 p.m. for an afternoon (and evening?) of fun and food. $10 for adults includes 2 dozen clams, chicken, salt potatoes, and corn on the cob. $5 per child includes hot dogs, chicken, salt potatoes, and corn on the cob. You must be a paid Alumni member or family of paid member to attend. Registration forms were enclosed in the recently mailed newsletter. Please RSVP by September 14, so that we can plan the food. (Late? Contact Don DeClerck to see if you can still be accommodated. See the About Us page for Don's address and phone number.)



• The Massawepie Staff Alumni Association is sponsoring a 2002 Patch/Logo Design Contest in association with Massawepie's 50th Anniversary. Designs are due to the Otetiana Council Servicenter by November 30th. (Note: Entries become property of Otetiana Council and will not be returned.) All designs must, at a minimum, include references to Massawepie, 50th Anniversary, and 1952 - 2002. The patch border should be gold-colored. Designs may be modified to meet size and printing needs. The winner will receive 50% off his one-week fee for attending Massawepie in 2002, or a $50 gift certificate from the Scout Shop.



• The third Massawepie Alumni Association Newsletter is out, including information on the September 29 Clambake and next year's 50th anniversary. All current members should have received a newsletter in the mail. To see a copy, visit our Newsletter Archive.

• Our Historical Documents page now has a floorplan, menu, wine list, and brochure with pictures from the Hotel Childwold, which operated at Massawepie from 1890 - 1909. You'll also find newspaper articles about the hotel's founder, Addison Childs, and the hotel's demise. In addition, there's a summary of the portions of Henry Dorr's 1921 book Mohawk Peter that refer to Massawepie, including a tale that explains the origin of the name "Pontiac Point". Also from 1921, there's a brochure from the private Camp Massawepie which operated in the 1920's. New documents from the 1950's include the 1951 press release announcing Harley Burgdorf as Massawepie's first property superintendent, and the brochure for the 1958 joint Boy/Girl Scout Capital Campaign. On the Camp Memorabilia page, you'll now find dates on more of the camp patches thanks to some research in the Otetiana Council Historical Society archives.



• The Alumni Association is still seeking past staff rosters to assist future membership drives. While we have many past staff rosters (thanks to Gary Hicks, Mark Pulvino, Pat Gleason, Peter Collinge, Jon Posson, and others), we are still missing:
      1952-1966: Missing all (Central, Pioneer, Mountaineer, Voyageur, CIT
      1970: Missing Central, Forester, Pioneer, Mountaineer, Voyageur
      1973-74: Missing CIT
      1976-78: Missing CIT
      1980-83: Missing CIT
      1985: Missing CIT
      1995: Missing Trek staff
      1997: Missing Central, Trek
      1999: Missing Trek
      2000: Missing CIT
  If you have any of these, please contact or send copies to Peter Collinge, 77 Tall Oak Lane, Pittsford, NY 14534

• Photos of camp life in 1952 and 1953 have been added to the 1950's Photographs page, thanks to Bill Adams (formerly of Troop 154). Also, information about the geology of Massawepie has been added to the Massawepie Timeline page.



• Our Loren Hakes Memorial Campfire Circle webpage now has a classic photo of Loren. Check it out! We are also making great progress on raising funds for the Campfire Circle. To date we have received $20,000 in cash and pledges, or 90%+ of our goal of $22,000.

• Beaver Weekend (June 1-3) was a great success! Massawepie Staff Alumni worked on several crews, including the Loren Hakes Memorial Campfire Circle and the archery range. The Campfire Circle looks superb, with new "picket-fence" windstops behind each fire ring, and a truckload of fresh mulch throughout. (Some of the crew had never seen that much mulch in one place before!) We truly lived up to our motto of "Spirit, Service, and Support" during the weekend.
  
  On Saturday night, June 2, the Alumni Association's Annual Meeting was held in the Campfire Circle. Topics included a look back at our accomplishments during our first year, and a preview of coming attractions The highlight for next year should be the Alumni Association's key role in planning and organizing Massawepie's 50th Anniversary in 2002. The meeting concluded with a photo session (see above), featuring our (choose one: awesome/ loud/ festive/ garish/ brilliant/ trademark) alumni tie-dyed T-shirts.
  

  Pictures (courtesy of Amy Lippitt) from the June 2, 2001, MSAA Annual Meeting: (Click on small image to see larger picture)



• Last year's Alumni Association memerships EXPIRED on May 31, 2001. Have you renewed your membership yet? We're a small group and need every member. You are important, so please renew!

• May is Membership Month! We now have 58 charter members. Alumni Association memberships (except for new memberships received on or after March 1) expire on May 31 each year.



• SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP OFFER: Any Massawepie staff alumni donating $50 to the Loren Hakes Memorial Campfire Circle project will receive a free one-year new or renewal membership in the Alumni Association.



• RENEWAL MEMBERSHIPS: Current members will be receiving a newsletter this month with a membership renewal form. Renewal is $10 through 5/2002, or $20 through 5/2003.



• NEW MEMBERSHIPS: Charter Memberships will only be accepted through May, 2001, so join today! New members joining after March 1 will also receive a 2001-2002 membership (through May 31, 2002) for FREE!



• MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: The Alumni Association will be mailing our new brochure to a large group of former staff members, based on past staff rosters. While we have many past staff rosters, we are missing others:
      1952-1967: Missing all (Central, Pioneer, Mountaineer, Voyageur)
      1968: Missing Voyageur, Mountaineer
      1970: Missing all (Central, CIT, Forester, Pioneer, Mountaineer, Voyageur)
      1971: Missing CIT
      1973-1982: Missing CIT
      1983: Missing Central, CIT, Forester
      1985: Missing all (Central, CIT, Forester, Mountaineer)
      1986: Missing Central, CIT, Forester
      1987: Missing all (Central, CIT, Forester, Mountaineer)
      1995: Missing Central, Trek
      1997: Missing all (Mountaineer - have names but no addresses, Central, CIT, Trek)
      1999: Missing Trek
      2000: Missing CIT
  If you have any of these, please contact or send copies to Peter Collinge, 77 Tall Oak Lane, Pittsford, NY 14534

• Visit our Loren Hakes Memorial Campfire Circle page to see a picture of the original Pioneer Campfire Circle from the 1950's. (You'll need to scroll down to the bottom of that page.) The new Loren Hakes Campfire Circle was built on the same site as the original. This page also explains how you can help to complete this project, in memory of Massawepie's long-time, beloved property superintendent.



• The Massawepie Staff Alumni Association now has 50 charter members.



• Information on the exciting new Scout Naturalist Program for 2001 is now available in the "Massawepie Today" section of this web site.



• Our first Massawepie Staff Alumni Association Newsletter has been mailed. Click here to see a copy:
          HTML text version     PDF version (Adobe Acrobat Reader needed)

• Hiring Loren Hakes as Massawepie's second Property Superintendent in 1966
• Supervising the development of the "new" Camp Cutler property
• Overseeing the planning of Camp Forester as Massawepie's first patrol cooking camp