*** Camp Pok-O-Moonshine banquet held Thursday night. Details below ***

  YOUNG BREEZES TO VICTORY

   In a match that featured excellent points that defied the final score, it came down to patience, athleticism and health. Friday morning on Court Centre, #2 seed Macky Young of Weston, CT defeated top seeded Serena Hallowell of Lake Placid, NY 6-1, 6-0 in the final of the Pok-O Open to take the 2007 crown. The victory comes 14 years following her brother’s win in the men’s draw.

   The match, although one-sided, enthralled the crowd, largely due to the steady hitting and long rallies. Both players seemed content to stay at the baseline resulting in four points of over 30 shots, and one lasting 43 strokes. There were very few winners hit, rather it was a battle of attrition.

   The #1 seed Hallowell came into the match off of easy wins in the quarters and semifinal, but picked the wrong morning to come down with a nagging cold. She spent a majority of her changeover time blowing her nose instead of resting and hydrating. Trying to find a winning formula, she utilized both a single handed and two handed backhand during the match.

   Meantime Young, a regionally ranked skier and soccer player, can add tennis to her resume as she used pure athletic talent to make court coverage and shots look effortless. After missing the 2006 event due to injury, she was at full strength this year.

AWARDS FOR EVERYONE AT THE BOYS BANQUET

   In a change of schedule from previous summers, the boys end-of-the-year banquet and awards ceremony, held Thursday evening, took place on the second to last night of the summer. None the less, a feeling of emotion and closure was still quite evident.

   “To the summer of 2007, ‘down the hatch’,” toasted camp director Sharp Swan. The fancy meal consisted of chicken cordon bleu, corn on the cob, bake potatoes and rolls, with ice cream and brownie fudge sundaes for dessert. Following the meal, head chef Mike Gast was called out and he circled the dining hall to receive congratulations from all in attendance.

   Awards were given in a variety of areas, from instructional activities to recognition from the nurse. Wilderness directors Ken Ryba and Dana Beck presented patches to all of the trip point recipients, and 2007 entries into the Adirondack Forty-Sixers were announced.

   Every camper received an award for “years of service” with seven canoe paddles, two pack baskets and three blankets presented. 16-year old Benn Singer, announced as “the last remaining camper from the 20th century” was given a standing ovation for his ten years at camp.

   The highlight, as always, was the naming of the 2007 Honor Campers: Alessandro Martini, Elias Smith, Brett Bode Lex Artuso.

   In place of the banquet, campers from both Pok-O-Moonshine and MacCready will gather together tonight for the end-of-the-summer music and video slide show.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FINAL GALLERY OF THE SUMMER

COMING UP TOMORROW IN THE:

Reflections from five 16-year campers who are ending their long camper careers.

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