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2005
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We regretfully report the recent passing of two camp alumni, Thomas Shoemaker White Jr, a grandson of Dr. Robinson and Bruce J. Korten a long time camper and master in the early days of camp
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In Loving Memory of
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Bruce J Korten
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June 3, 1918
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December 28, 2004
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I’ like the memory of me
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to be a happy one
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I’d like to leave an afterglow
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of smile when life is done.
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I’d like to leave an echo
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whispering softly down the ways,
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of happy times and laughing
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times and bright and sunny days
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I’d like the tears of those
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who grieve, to dry before the sun
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Of happy memories that I leave
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when life is done
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A Celebration of Life
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Thomas Shoemaker White, Jr
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September 12, 1926 - December 16, 2005
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Wow Weekend Columbus Day 2005 - By Sharp Swan
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On October 8, 2005, in the midst of a rain storm that essentially has lasted for the entire month, 18 hardy Camp alumni, counselors and friends gave up one of their Columbus weekend days to volunteer on Pok-O-MacCready’s WOW work projects. We had several tasks on the docket, like making a new fence line for the parking lot at Camp MacCready and painting the exterior of several cabins, but because of the inclement weather we all ended up staining 12 bundles of cedar shingles by the warm fire inside the dry Robinson Dining Hall. Eventually all of these stained shingles will be placed on the exterior of Robinson Hall as siding.
Normally 12 bundles usually take three people two days to dip and stack them on the drying rack. This
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Paul Whittlesey
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August Wilson
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Liz Huntley
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Tim Singer
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Jim Kobak
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Wanda Singer-Wilson
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Amy Kobak
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Shai Walker
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Drew Canning
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Phil Corell
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Dan Herbert
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Ben Stanley
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Dana Beck
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Nora Elton
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Chris Durlacher
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Mimi Petrovich
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David Gehrs
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Sharp Swan
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work project, with the help of so many hands, was totally finished by lunch time. Never have I seen shingles get stained as quickly as our WOW volunteers did that day.
We are getting very close to finishing the renovations to Robinson Dinning Hall. These last two years we have applied polyurethane to the interior, replaced the windows and trim, hung new stage curtains, fastened wainscoting to the walls, made new display cases, and hung new Adirondack style chandeliers. We want the dining hall to be a show case for the camp and next year, when we get all of the shingles attached, we will have completed the renovations.
We really appreciate all of the time and effort that these Camp volunteers gave to Pok-O-MacCready to help out.
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Party on Gothics
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Perreault completes her 46ers
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Close camp friend Marrianne Perreault completed her quest for the Adirondack 46, finishing on Gothics Sunday October 9, at 11:30am. Perreault and long time camper, counselor and section head Ken “Squeaky” Herz were married at camp in 2001.
Joining Marianne and Squeaky for the finish were Pok-O-MacCready family members Matt Leto, Michael Tarala, Lisa Jaynes Tarala, Tim Singer, Augusta Wilson and Dan Herbert. The group, ignoring cool and rainy conditions, celebrated on the summit with good food and plenty of spirits. Perreault climbed her final 19 peaks over the past few months with the help of many other camp friends and alumni, among them, J.T. Brooks, Fiona Dubuss and Josh Bornt, all of whom are expected to finish their respective 46ers in the next few months.
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Pok-O Matrimony
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Four couples “tie the knot” in 2005
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In an article appearing in Those Elysian Fields 2004, titled “The Camp Family”, author Sheila McIntyre wrote : “For some of us, our camp relationships are literally and figuratively our true families - be it summertime in the Adirondacks or not. Camp may offer swimming, fishing and hiking, but as we found, it also offers something not promoted in the camp video or website... It’s Pok-O-MacCready match making!”
McIntyre would know. When she and husband Scott (right) married in 1991, they were the first couple not related to the Swan-Robinson family, to marry, having met exclusively at camp. And evidently, they started a trend. During the past 14 years, nearly 20 other camp couples have wed, with several additional matchups being the result of camp connections (see list below).
This year alone, four weddings have taken place around the country, all with roots tracing back to Willsboro.
 CALIFORNIA: Former campers and counselors Jen Roth and Sean Fierman (left) started dating while on staff in 1999...... MISSOURI: Although neither were campers, Lisa Kloeppel and Brian Keller met on staff in the late ‘90’s.... CONNECTICUT: After dating for nearly a decade, former campers and counselors Hilary Moss and Michael Horwich married in a ceremony featuring many camp alumni in the wedding party.... COLORADO: In a very private ceremony, Catherine Dickert (summer camp and outdoor ed. staff) and Jon Holt (camper and counselor) tied the knot. So private was the ceremony, that no one knows any details.
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CAMP MARRIAGES (year married) The following couples met at Pok-O-MacCready:
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Priscilla Swan and Tom Fox (1971)
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Ellen Somers and Sharp Swan (1983) #
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Sheila Stahley and Scott McIntyre (1991) #
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Angela Sutterer and David Swan (1993)
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Amy Daley and Jim Kobak (1994) #
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Kelly Daley and Erik Zimmerman (1996) #
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Stephanie Bruning and Chris Konowitz (1996)
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Katie Kobak and Steve Stuart (1997) #
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Kristen Lary and Erik Anderson (2000)
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Geri Haynes and Mike Goodrich (1999)
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Erin Hammond and Jon Patla (2000) #
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Sami Galloway and Mike Daley (2001) #
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Fiona Smith and Mike Lewis (2001)
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Kristin Bradley and Jason Fiegl (2001)
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Jen Roth and Sean Fierman (2005) #
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Hilary Moss and Michael Horwich (2005)
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Lisa Kloeppel and Brian Keller (2005)
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Catherine Dickert and Jon Holt (2005)
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CAMP CONNECTION Married couples who met via Pok-O-MacCready friends:
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Sarah Lynch and George Disney (1984)
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Cindy Stahley and Jim Watson (1986) # *
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Ann Swisher and Ed Palen (1988) #
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Carrie Klaiber and Tom Lynch (1992)
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Lisa Harris and Peter Levine (1995)
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Katie Calhoun and David Gehrs (1999)
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Augusta Wilson and Tim Singer (2000) #
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Marianne Perreault and Ken Herz (2001) * #
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Several other camp-originated couples (among them: Swan-Sayward; Corell-Coughlin; Lord-Shanholzer; Clark(e)-Reinckens) are either engaged, or have been in long-term committed relationships. Who knows, it may not be long before wedding bells will again be ringing!
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* - wedding took place at camp # - both are ADK 46ers Italics - no longer married
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David Swan: Serving Our Country
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Working on front lines as a tank commander
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 David Swan, the youngest child of camp owner Jack Swan and great-grandson of founder Charles Robinson, is currently serving in Baghdad as part of the U.S. led coalition forces in “Operation Iraqi Freedom.”.
Although he is serving as a volunteer, Swan seemed destined to be engaged in battle. For over twenty years he has served for the National Guard, most recently as a commander and trainer of tank drivers. Part of his decision to enlist in the war in Iraq was because many of his trainees were called into action. Swan felt an obligation to lead: when it mattered.
David’s wife Angela and children Nathan and Elizabeth recently moved from their full-time residence in Chazy, NY, to their other home in Missouri, closer to Angela’s family. And speaking of family, the entire Swan family gathered together in June, just days before David left for the Middle East. And undoubtedly, David is in the thoughts and best wishes of the entire camp family
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 Earlier this year, former camper Levi Sayward (right) returned from an 11 month stint in Iraq. Fighting side-by-side with a regiment made up largely of soldiers from upstate New York, Sayward saw some of the early campaigns’ heaviest action in Sammara.
Current Pok-O-MacCready summer camp and outdoor education center staff member J.T. Brooks spent a good portion of 2003-2004 in action in Iraq. Read more about Brooks here.
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2004
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Camp Owner recognized by University
Fulton, MO (Jan. 13)-- Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, has selected Pok-O-MacCready Camps Owner Jack Swan as a recipient of one of its 2004 Alumni Achievement Awards. Swan will receive the honor during the college's Alumni weekend, April 15 -18, in Fulton.
“This is a great honor to me and my family,” stated Swan, from his camp offices in Willsboro.”The Alumni Council made their selection on my merits: working with children for over 50 years, starting Camp MacCready in 1967, establishing the 1812 Homestead Foundation, and creating the Adirondack Scholarship Foundation for children to attend camp.”
Also during the Alumni Weekend, Swan’s class (1954) at Westminster will celebrate its 50th reunion. ”It will be a humbling experience for me, but I look forward to joining five other distinguished Westminster alumni who will also be receiving Alumni Achievement Awards during the weekend.”
It can be safely asserted that Jack Swan is the most distinguished person in Pok-O-MacCready’s history. The son of Henry Tilden and Sarah Robinson Swan, and grandson to camp founder Charles Alexander Robinson, Swan has spent 73 summers at camp. He’s been a camper, counselor, Master, Headmaster, Director. Currently, as owner and Advisory Director, Swan is still very active in the day-to-day operations of camp, and the planning for the 100th reunion.
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2004 Moonshiner Hits News Stands
(Feb. 1) - CLICK HERE for full story
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Camp Alumni Stand out in Athletic Competition
(Feb. 25)-- Two riders.... One endurance racer. All are shining in sports that they began perfecting on the riding trails and hiking trails in and around Pok-O- MacCready Camps.
Former camper and counselor Leah Greenman, camp’s riding Director from 1990-1992, has continued in the sport. Now based in Rochester, NY, Greenman competes in show jumping Grand Prix events all over the Eastern U.S. When not riding horses, Greenman lives with her husband Don and is a school teacher in the Rochester area.
Another former camper and counselor, Jim Kobak, has elevated to one of the most successful amateur master skiiers in New York State. Kobak, a three-time Patch Sprint adventure race champion, only began cross-country skiing a few years back but has already claimed several dozen medals in state and regional competition. Kobak, who ran Pok-O’s Advanced Section for seven summers, lives in Peru, NY with his wife Amy, and teaches junior high school science.
Also in the world of Equestrian: Mike and Mary Gast are living in Greenfield Center, NY (about 5 miles from Saratoga Springs.) where they've purchased a house and 12 acres of land-room for a few horses. Mary is training Standardbreds (trotters and pacers) at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway. In December, their horse, Star Of Paradise, was named Aged Pacer of the Year, Pacer of the
Year and Horse of the Year at Saratoga Raceway.
His race record was 39 starts-13 wins, 8 seconds, and 3 thirds. He earned over 46,000 dollars!!! Thanks in part to the success of this horse, Mary received the Peerless McGrath Award (up and coming trainer) in December as well.
During the 1990’s, Mary Gast worked as a counselor and section head at Camp MacCready while Mike was a cook and maintenance employee.
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Kobak wins 2004 Patch Sprint; Record Participation
(June 1) - CLICK HERE for full story
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REUNITED
100th Reunion brings together hundreds of Pok-O faithful
WILLSBORO, NY (Aug. 23)-- August 17 to August 22, 2004 saw hundreds of Pok-O-MacCready Alumni, some from the 1920’s and 1930’s, step into their past through the stone pillars for a weekend of remembrance, celebration, and nostalgia.
The total headcount was the subject of some debate thanks to “unofficial” attendees, but was likely somewhere in the neighborhood of 450. About 375 people attended the Banquet on Saturday night, the marquee event of the entire reunion. The banquet was followed closely by the 100th Reunion Slide Show, a collection of photographs from the past 100 years, set to music, just as is shown to Pok-O-MacCready campers at the end of every summer.
The speakers at the banquet were Hank Swan, first son of Colonel Henry Tilden Swan and Sarah Robinson Swan, Jack Swan, Owner of Pok-O-MacCready Camps, Sharp Swan, Phil Corell, Melissa Livsey, John Konowitz, Bob Andrews, Jean Sidaras, Tim Singer, Chris Durlacher and Mark Gibson.
Special Recognition was given at the Banquet to Jack Swan for a lifetime of service to Pok-O-MacCready Camps; he was presented with a pen and ink drawing of Pok-O-Moonshine Mountain done by artist Joe Robinson of Upper Jay, NY. Laser Sailboats were dedicated to Melissa Livsey and Phil and Mary Corell for their years of service at Pok-O-MacCready Camps, and John and Judy Konowitz were given an Old Towne Canoe for their nearly half-century of service.
In all, the weekend was a festive one, full of memories and the prospect of making more for the younger generations of the extended Pok-O-MacCready Family.
See you at the 105th, August 21-23, 2009!
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“WOW” Fall Weekend 2004
Staff and Alumni gather to improve camp
(Oct. 19) On a beautiful Saturday during the Columbus Day weekend, 24 alumni and counselors participated in Pok-O-MacCready Camps WOW work-weekend. The colors around Long Pond were just about peak and the temperatures hovered around the 70 degree mark as the group took on the two projects slated for the workday. The first, which was the more ambitious of the two, was to re-shingle the roof and shore up the foundation on our oldest cabin in the boys camp, Cabin II. The other was to cedar-shingle the exterior walls of the new building we use to store our T-shirts and Sweatshirts. This building has, since the reunion, been affectionately known as the “Jean-Mart.”
Led by Cloudsplitter Carpentry’s Vice President and Long Range Planning Board member, Drew Canning, a small army of volunteers and carpenters tore off the old shingles of Cabin II, replaced quite a few old rotted boards, dug out the dirt that had built up around the base of the cabin, jacked up the building, and restored the foundation to its original condition. They even found time to put new forest green shingles down on the roof. Needless to say, the Cabin II crew worked well past the 4:00 P.M. quitting time to complete the job! The sun had set and there was a hint of rain in the air as the last of the shingles were laid down. In the end, Cabin II, the oldest cabin in camp had regained some of its former luster as a result of the effort of these Pok-O-MacCready volunteers.
The second crew worked at a methodical pace, nailing a siding of cedar shingles onto the exterior walls of our newest building in camp, the “Jean-Mart.” This crew managed to go through all of the ten bundles of cedar shingles that we had on hand. In the end, the Jean-Mart now has more than half of the siding completed and looks great! It was a wonderful beginning and will make finishing the project during the rest of the fall that much easier.
Our 2nd annual Fall WOW work-weekend was a tremendous success. The generations of alumni present spanned almost 50 years. All of the hours volunteered by our Alumni and counselors have made a tremendous difference to the appearance of camp. Each Wow weekend brings us closer to each other and to our goal of sprucing camp up for the next season. It is impressive that we have so many people that are willing to give part of their Columbus Day weekend to help Pok-O-MacCready Camps. Every bit of help is valuable in our continuing endeavor to make this camp the best in the world, if not the universe. Thanks to all who came to help.
Sincerely,
Sharp Swan, Director: Pok-O-MacCready Camps
2004 Fall Wow Weekend Volunteers: Paul Whittlesey and Liz Huntley, Amy and Jim Kobak,, Marianne, Willow and Squeak Herz, Chris Durlacher, Drew Canning, Drew Seitz, David Durant, Fiona Dubuss, Chris, Stephanie and Jackson Konowitz, Matty Leto, Dori Elton, Lisa, Sean and Mike “Fuzzy” Tarala, Phil Corell, Sharp Swan
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