Moonshiner 2013 - Digital Copy.indd - Pok-O

MOONSHINER
Pok-O-MacCready Camps | Alumni Newsletter | 2013
Celebr ating 110 years of Adirondack Summer Camp Tr adition
From the desk of Jack Swan
a letter f rom the owner
JACK SWAN
Owner
SARAH DISNEY
Executive
Director
SCOTT McINTYRE
Financial
Director
BRIAN DeGROAT
Director of
Outdoor Education
ERIN DeBUSK
Marketing
Director
TIM SINGER
Director of
Alumni Affairs
BLYTHE CZAJA
Director of the
1812 Homestead
Dear Alumni:
Can you believe we will be celebrating our 110th Reunion in August of 2014? What a tradtition! We are the oldest private camp in America, having been owned and operated by the
same family since our establishment in 1905.
The past year has been exciting for Pok-O-MacCready and the 1812 Homestead. The
“weight room” building, built in 1912 and previously used as Dr. Robinson’s car garage, was
torn down. In its replacement is a beautiful log structure.
Meantime, the 1812 Homestead shows many new improvements, which you can read about in our letter from Homestead director Blythe Czaja. The one-room schoolhouse received a new roof and paint. A new sugar shack has been built and will be a vital part of our maple sugaring program. The 1830’s cemetery, Currier Cem-
etery, has been cleaned and preserved. Last summer, we developed a history program using the General Burgoyne Wagon Trail, found on the opposite side of the 1813 Farmhouse. Part of Burgoyne’s army traveled on this road in June of 1777. Come walk the Burgoyne
Wagon Trail and relive some history. I plan to give a lecture about Burgoyne’s Army during
the Reunion right on the trail.
I hope you are excited about this edition of the Moonshiner.
Please read on to catch up with old friends, hear news about
camp, and learn how you can help share our special
“Pok-O Spirit” with others.
Can’t wait to see all of you at the 110th Reunion!
Sincerely,
~ Jack Swan
SHAI WALKER
Maintenance
Director
For more info
please visit
www.pokomac.com
1963: 50 years ago Jack Swan became director of Camp Pok-O-Moonshine.
Alumni Announcements
f r o m Ti m Si n g e r : D i r e c t o r, A l u m n i R e l a t i o n s
Dear Pok-O-MacCready campers, staff, alumni & friends,
I hope you’re enjoying the 2013 Moonshiner! If you like reading news & updates from members
of the camp family, you’ll be pleased to know that there will be plenty of chances - in the next
year - to catch up with old camp friends.
As always, the Patch Sprint will be held over Memorial Day weekend. In 2013, the event sold
out for the third straight year, and $12,000 was raised for the Adirondack Scholarship Foundation. A new course record was set and, despite extremely cold and nasty weather, everyone had
a great time running, trekking, volunteering or simply partying! Registration for the 2014 Patch
Sprint opens in January, at www.patchspint.com.
The coming summer will be highlighted by camp’s 110th reunion,
August 20th-24th. We’re expecting to match the nearly-200 attendees from the 105th Reunion , in 2009. Reunion co-chairs Tricia Woodward
and Chris Dulacher are busy planning for the event; you can expect the
usual host of activities, along with special hikes, parties, and a huge
banquet, culminating with the naming of boats for distinguished alumni. If you are interested
in volunteering during the reunion, please contact us. (Email address listed below).
Aside from attending alumni functions, I’m also hoping that
you, as a proud camp alumnus, can give back to this special
place, simply by spreading the word about Pok-O-MacCready.
If you know of a family that’s interested in a summer camp,
please urge them to contact Camp by visiting www.pokomac.
com, or visiting our Facebook page. You can always stay posted about camp and alumni happenings by going to our aforementioned website and Facebook pages, and don’t hesitate to
contact me at any time.
Hope to see you in 2014!
Sheila Stahley McIntyre
and Jim Kobak both still
hike the Adirondacks!
Campers come and go
and cabins change over
the years but one thing
is for sure: Pok-O Spirit
is always the same!
~Tim “Skip” Singer
[email protected]
Camp owner Jack Swan
at Pok-O-Palooza,
indicating to give
peace a chance.
Reflections
on
the
Summer
A l o o k b a c k a t S u m m e r C a m p 2 013
I am honored to be reporting to you from the director’s chair. 2013 has been a year
of many changes at Pok-O-MacCready Camps. As 2012 was coming to a close, Sharp Swan
retired as director. I was very pleased to be asked to take over the position although Sharp’s
shoes are hard to fill (both literally and figuratively).
Pok-O’s Wilderness
Program still introduces hundreds of campers to the outdoors.
This past summer we instituted the first ever
Rookie Camp, a 2 week session for first time campers
age 6-9. We had 11 children attend this inaugural session, 3 couldn’t bear to leave and stayed an additional 2
weeks. We continue to recruit new campers via camp
fairs, open house, home visits and our web presence.
However, our best recruiters are our camp families and
alumni. A huge thank you to all of you who help to
spread the word about “the greatest camp in the universe”. I am happy to come to your home to meet with
any family and friends who would like to learn more
about Pok-O-MacCready.
The Mohawk compete
in a Pok-O Tradition:
Indian Days!
Over the last several years there have been exciting changes
to the look of camp. The interiors of the MacCready Junior Lodge
and Intermediate Farmhouse have been totally renovated and a
new Senior/Intermediate bathroom at Pok-O was completed a few
years ago. Pioneer and ADV bathrooms have also gotten a facelift. The stationary dock at Pok-O’s senior section was replaced
with a floating dock system in June. The North Country winters
challenge the integrity of our crib docks and this should cut down
on dock maintenance for years to come. Just this fall the weight
room was torn down and a log cabin is being built in its place. We
are planning to “tighten up” the theater barn at MacCready this
winter with the hope of putting it back in to use for our drama
productions and Moonshiners.
I am thrilled to report that after 109 years, Pok-O-MacCready Camps is not only surviving but thriving. I would like to end with an invitation to attend our 110th reunion August
20-24, 2014. Come to Pok-O-MacCready and see our new developments for yourself, renew
old friendships, make new friends and enjoy all that camp has to offer.
Horseback riding
continues to be a
strong component
of Pok-O’s
summer program.
Sarah Lynch Disney
Executive Director,
Pok-O-MacCready Camps
The
Other
Nine
Months:
Po k- O - M a c C r e a d y O u t d o o r E d u c a t i o n C e n t e r
The Pok-O-MacCready Outdoor Education Center is coming off an incredibly exciting
and busy year. Although we experienced a change in leadership, the mission remains the same.
We will continue to inspire awe in the presence of nature and promote communication, teamwork and confidence in all visiting groups.
Current Director, Brian DeGroat, was appointed to the New York State Outdoor Education Association Board of Directors, and hopes to use the position to increase professional contacts between educators in the North Country. NYSOEA also featured PMOEC in its quarterly
newsletter, Pathways.
PMOEC has expanded maple syrup production at Pok-O by installing a
tubing system near the Crux on Roger’s Lane. Thanks to help from
Angela and David Swan, and the dedication of 1812 Director, Blythe
Czaja, we were able to produce over 6 gallons of maple syrup in our first
year. PMOEC was also able to partner with the Wild Center, Parker
Family Maple, and Homestead Maple to present three educational workshops to help promote the production of maple syrup in the North Country.
Indoor rock climbing at
Pok-O-MacCready’s
newest state-of-the-art
facility; The Crux
PMOEC may have also attracted a new Patch Sprint participant. Brian gave a tour to
Assemblyman Dan Stec (R-District 114). Since Dan finished his 46 in October of 2012, he has
now set his sights on earning the illustrious Pok-O-Patch.
Last school year, we hosted 44 school groups from around the Northeastern US and
Quebec. These schools, representing both the public and private sectors, stayed with us for just
a few hours, 6 days, and anywhere in between. PMOEC also participated in community events
such as the Haunted Homestead, the Cabin Fever Lecture Series, and our annual Winter and
Spring Break Day Camps. While this kept us plenty busy, we’re looking forward to working
with at least 47 groups this year!
Winter hiking continues
to be a popular
component of our
adventure program.
Brian DeGroat
Director,
Pok-O-MacCready
Outdoor Education Center
Students collect
samples during
a Pond Ecology class
1812
Homestead
Foundation
A m u s e u m of l i v i n g h i s t o r y
Dear Pok-O Alumni and friends of the 1812 Homestead,
As Jack has told you in his opening letter, it has been a very busy year and we’ve accomplished a great number of things at the 1812 Homestead.
A student from a local
school learns how to
make cedar “shakes”
the 1812 pioneer way!
Over the last year, the Homestead has introduced countless school children and campers to 19th Century pioneer living skills. Our campers from Pok-O-MacCready have become
quite the little Homsteaders. They learned about the farm animals and how to take care of them.
They tried their hands at blacksmithing, candlemaking, soapmaking, fiber arts, and primitive
woodworking. Everything that had anything to do with food was a BIG hit with the campers,
and they turned out their own jams, jellies, and breads and made pizza in the beehive oven
topped with their homemade cheeses and vegetables harvested from their garden.
We are looking forward to this “off-season” and have some exciting projects planned
for the winter! We have already built a new sugar shack where we can continue our tradition
of making our very own delicious maple syrup from the trees on our estate. We’re also looking
forward to our Homestead events: Christmas Carol Sing and Sleighrides with Santa, Maple
Weekend, the annual Member’s Picnic, Haunted Homestead, and Thanksgiving at the Hearth.
We hope that, when you return for the 110th Summer Camp Reunion, you’ll come by
and visit! If you’d like to receive updates about what’s happening “in 1812”, or become more involved in the Homestead, we’d love for you to join the membership. The 1812 Homestead Educational Foundation is not-for-profit and welcomes donations, which are also tax-deductible.
Warm wishes from the 1812 Homestead,
Members of the 1812
Homestead share a
meal at the annual
Thanksgiving at the
Hearth celebration.
The new Sugar Shack is
publically unveiled at a
wine-and-cheese event.
~Blythe Czaja
Director, 1812 Homestead Foundation
1973: 40 years ago the 1812 Homestead Museum of Living History opened to the public.
Where
are
they
now?
Po k- O - M a c C r e a d y A l u m n i N e w s
I retired last year after 37 years of practicing dentistry and Betsy has been retired from teaching
for four years. We keep busy with our two 12-year old children - school activities, soccer games,
baseball. I am an occasional substitute teacher at Newcomb Central School, and I volunteer as the
sexton for our local church in addition to serving as a trustee of our local library here in Long Lake. During the winter I enjoy skiing three days a week at Gore, with trout fishing and boating during the
warmer months. This school year we are hosting two girls from China and Vietnam who are attending Newcomb Central School. This past summer we enjoyed a four-week family camping excursion
to the Canadian Rockies, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, visiting over twenty national parks and
monuments and numerous national forests. I am still hiking and climbing, but with a preference for
shorter peaks and flatter trails. - Jules & Betsy Comeau
Lauren Swan married Dylan Gallagher on October 13th, 2012 in Lake Placid. Several members of
alumni/camp family were in attendance: Jack Swan, Margaret Reinckens, Michael and Anne Reinckens, Christopher Reinckens, Jay Corell, William Swan, father of the bride, and Sue Swan, matron of
honor. Our son, William John Gallagher, was born on April 10, 2013. Lauren Swan wed
Dylan Gallagher,
October 13th 2012
in Lake Placid.
Abbe Wright is an assistant editor at O, The Oprah Magazine in New York City. She writes for the
Reading Room and Live Your Best Life sections of the magazine. Two other MacCready alumnae
work for the Hearst Corporation; Hallie Gould at RealBeauty.com and Michelle Sulcov at Cosmopolitan magazine. It’s a Pok-O reunion every day in the Hearst Tower!
Mark and Mary spend winters in Salt Lake City but about five months of the year they enjoy the north
country from their place near Essex. Mark is pecking away at the highest hundred with Phil Corell,
and hiking frequently on the margins of the high peaks where he enjoys the quieter trails, and permissiveness for his hiking buddy, a husky mix named Pok-O. Pok-O family members Matt, Tim, Brendan, Brian and Alexandra are usually all out for a big family week in August. Tim has just started a
geology PhD program at McGill and looks forward to climbing and hiking in the Adirondacks again,
after a long spell out west. ~From the Gibson Family
In personal news and updates, Antoine and I are having the most amazing year of our lives, watching our little girl Emilia grow! She aspires to one day become a Pok-O-MacCready camper....as evidenced in attached photos, she already enjoys ‘high peaks’ (aka Dad’s shoulders), making friends,
guitar sing-alongs and just hanging out. Hope everyone’s doing well and that we have the chance to
see you up at Pok-O soon! Hugs, - Annie (Horwich) & Antoine
William John Gallager,
son of alumna
Lauren Swan.
Still miss Camp and the amazing summers we spent in the Adirondacks! For us it was fantastic to be
able to travel all the way from Venezuela to go to Camp in upper New York state. We always looked
forward to having someone from Camp meet us at one airport or another. The best time was when
we were told it was Jules Comeau, we all clapped and were really happy to see him at the airport in
Montreal, ready to drive us down to Camp! My husband and I live in Georgia with our two furry
Labrador kids Spencer and Ali. The rest of the family, Valentina, Paul and Mariela, all campers as
well, still live in Venezuela but come visit often and so do my parents! Looking forward to hearing
from other Pok-O-Mac alumni! - Christina (Krueger) Hoover
I’m going to Europe next semester to visit 7 different countries and 35 cities! I am doing this through
Hofstra University and I am so excited! I hope to meet up with Camp Europeans! - Annie White
Antoine and Emilia
Horwich, enjoying
some fun in the sun!
Where
are
they
now?
Po k- O - M a c C r e a d y A l u m n i N e w s
Was delighted to see Pok-O-MacCready today for the first time since hitch hiking away from the camp, and the excellent
folk there, at the end of summer 1983 to go and see Andy Paine down in Hartford CT. I couldn’t go back the next summer as
I started my RAF officer training in 1984 and remained in the RAF for the next 26 years. I left to join the Canadian (RCAF)
Air Force in 2010 and settled in Toronto with my wife, Siobhan, and 4 children. Now RV camping in the Adirondacks and
it was such a pleasure to see the camp, and be welcomed by old friends! The place has lost none of its charm and the kids
looked to be having another fantastic summer. Very best wishes to those who were there in ‘83.
- Andy Torrance
I am a former Camp MacCready counselor from 1968. So, so glad the camp is still going strong! I was the Nature Counselor
in the old barn on the MacCready site. Loved my summer there, and ventured up for one winter camp event in the early
1970’s. A BIG “Hello” to Jack Swan for me! - Lynne [Melville] Gregory
Great camp memories from 1955 and ‘56. One great camp! - Dan Horn
Andrew (aka “Joe,” and, briefly, “Fritz”) Leland is living with his wife and tiny baby in NYC for the year before he has to
go back to Missouri when his wife’s sabbatical ends. He edits books, and a magazine and a podcast, all published by
McSweeney’s in San Francisco.
I was a camper there probably in 1940 after the canoe program started. It was a great experience. I learned to swim well
enough to be cleared to canoe solo. I combed the shoreline checking out whatever grew and came upon a perfect yellow
orchid in full bloom. When my dad came to pick me up, I was able to show him the orchid as well as a scar under my left
eye, the result of a shoe thrown in the tent cabin at night. There was some South American kid who taught me all the nastiest
words one could ever wish to know in Spanish. I owe a lot to the camp. - George Becker, age 83
Where
are
they
now?
Po k- O - M a c C r e a d y A l u m n i N e w s
I am married to Marisa Rodriguez. We have 2 girls Maya(4) and Eva(2). Life is nuts but I get back to
Willsboro a few times a year and always in the fall. Hope to see you at the Sportsman’s.
- Alex Paine: CEO - WebSight Design, Inc.
News? Trained for and participated in the MS150 charity bike “race” to benefit the Gateway Chapter
of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Walking more than two mph is a challenge for me but I can still
bike! Miss the NE and the mountains! - Peter Wollenberg (1968-1974)
Hello Pok-o-Alumni!
I thought I would update you on both my brother (Douglas Fiorella) and me. For myself, I recently
was named Director of Operations for all of Northern California for Newport Academy. Newport
Academy is a specialized school for adolescents in that it doubles as a mental health treatment center. So treatment with therapists and psychiatrists occur during the school day, in conjunction with their
education. I’m excited because we are opening 3 new schools/treatment centers in the Bay Area, this
Fall. My brother, Douglas, just started his own company, called “Prive Lifestyles” (accent over the ‘e’
in Prive) which is a high-end personal concierge service for professionals. It launched this past April
2013. Thanks to my Pok-O-MacCready family! - A.J. and Douglas Fiorella
Maddy and Anni play
field hockey for
St. Andrews in
Austin, Texas.
Mele Update on the fly:
Dog ( Abbey ) torn ACL. Got the estimate from vet to repair. Cheryl and I are now considering a
three-legged dog. Noah running varsity XC and doing well- for an ex-offensive lineman. Anni &
Maddys’ talented St. Andrew’s field hockey team beat the St. Stephens squad on “strokes” (very unfortunate term for girls athletics ). Greg and Cheryl celebrated their 25th anniversary on Oct. 1st.
Cheryl was quoted as saying: “ It’s been ten good years.” All for now. Best to everyone! - Greg Mele
Former camper Kylie Edwards is in her second year of living in NYC studying ballet at SLK Ballet
and is in her junior year of high school at the Professional Children’s School (PCS). Check www.
slkballet.com for performance events. Sister Emily is a sophomore at UNH studying to be a nutritionist and enjoying the freedom and adventure of college. Brother Andrew is a junior at Essex High
in Vermont where he is a starter on the varsity football (linebacker and safety) and lacrosse (goalie)
teams. Mom Karen diligently on her way to finishing the 46, one peak shy of aspiring. She’s looking
forward to warmer, dryer weather at Patch Sprint 2014. Great to see so many friends at Visiting Day
2013. - Jody Edwards (1979-1983)
Noah Mele runs Varsity
cross-country for
St. Andrews in
Austin, Texas.
Life has been keeping me busy! I am enjoying my new job teaching a split class of kindergarten and
first graders!! Hannah, Brennan, and I have been counting down the days till the 2014 camp season!!!
- Sue (Andrews) Bagli
Pok-O counselors Pabel Vivanco, from Lima, Peru, and Nathan Swan, spent a few days with the
Blum family (Nathan camper, Eliza and Liana alum) while taking in the sights of New York City in
August. Then Eliza Blum, who is studying abroad in Lima, Peru was hosted to a lovely dinner and
visit with Pabel’s mother in Lima.
Liz Pierson is currently working at a natural resource specialty school in northern Wisconsin. Pabel Vivanco and
Nathan Swan became
friends at Westminster.
Where
are
they
now?
Po k- O - M a c C r e a d y A l u m n i N e w s
Bob and Nancy Andrews (who met in Essex in 1960) celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary at the Upper Deck in
Willsboro this past summer. A goodly number of guests were Pok-O-MacCready friends. For the past 48 years the Andrews
and the McCanns have owned a Willsboro summer home. Richard (Skip) McCann and Bob were campers and counselors at
Pok-O. This past summer Tom Klevan and family visited us. Tom was a camper and counselor in the 1950’s with Bob. As
an ending side-bar, when, at the start of job hunting, Bob was interviewed by the Superintendent of Schools of Northport LI
for a high school teaching position. When the Superintendent read that Bob had been a camper and counselor at Pok-O, he
said that he went to Camp Lincoln and he had the highest regards for the staff at Pok-O. He offered Bob a teaching position! Mary and I have just returned from another summer at our cottage on Long Pond. The only drawback is there seems to be
noise coming from the southern end of the Pond - kids running around having fun, cheering, singing........Mark and Eryn
visited with their two sons, Will and Ben, over Patch Sprint weekend and we headed out to Calgary in August for William’s
birthday. We’ll have to get them started on their “46” soon. Jay continues to live in Plattsburgh so we get to see him on a
regular basis. Mary and I are headed to Ireland in November and got to visit Italy last year. Mary had surgery on her shoulder and is still rehabing. I had a visit from 1960’s ADVer and counselor, Paul DeVries visiting from Ohio. I also get to hike
with Mark Gibson on a regular basis while he spends his summers in Essex. The three of us were campers and counselors
together “back in the dark ages”. Hope all are well. - Phil Corell (1956-2005)
Still live in rural Virginia outside of Roanoke. Although the mountains aren’t quite as high as the Adirondacks, I still enjoy
hiking and camping in the Southern Appalachias. I was well trained during my 6 years at Pok-O-MacCready. - Victoria
(Vickie) Taylor 1970-1974, counselor 1979
I’m still running my own financial administration business (River Road Financial Management), working as a freelance
bookkeeper/administrator for individuals, small businesses and non-profits. My individual clients are typically older folk
who either want or need somebody to make sure bills are paid, accounts are reconciled/monitored, household staff payroll
managed, and so forth. My small business and non-profit clients typically have more traditional bookkeeping needs; as you
know, non-profit bookkeeping is totally counter intuitive and full of pitfalls--fun fun! It’s scary being self-employed, but it
sure beats being yet another Dilbert. All the best!
- Bill Paine (1966-1979)
Ari Cohen is looking forward to his upcoming nuptials to Jenna Cohen (yes she plans to hyphenate) this March in Houston,
Texas. His beautiful wife-to-be moved to Boston and works for Mullen advertising. Ari continues to run the pediatric emergency department at Massachusetts General Hospital. Ari hopes to bring Jenna up to camp to show her where so many great
memories were made.
Courtney Snegroff was recently in England traveling with her five-month old son Caeden, where there they got to spend a
day with former councilor Nicole “Nick” Rowe. She continues to live in Boston and wishes she had the summers free to be
able to return to camp- especially to be a part of the riding program again.
I’ve been living in Somerville for a year and made the career transition to working in Finance in downtown Boston. Would
love to hear from other camp alumni in the Boston area [email protected] - Rebecca Blum
I live near Saratoga Springs, with my cat Olive and my horse, JJ. I had a very successful summer racing JJ. He qualified for
the $45,000 Excelsior final at Saratoga Harness. Looking forward to next summer’s reunion. - Mary Gast
I had brain surgery 8-23-13 because of a tumor that was found when I bumped my head. Thank Goodness, it could have
killed me. Good news they got it all and I am at home recovering well!! Hope to get to camp sometime soon. Miss everyone! - Chris Burgin Sinkhorn
Where
are
they
now?
Po k- O - M a c C r e a d y A l u m n i N e w s
Almost 29 years to the day after finishing my Adirondack 46, I had the good fortune to finish my
New Hampshire 48 on Mt. Moosilauke this fall. I was accompanied by a great group of family and
friends, almost all of them with some sort of Pok-O connection. My fellow hikers included Patch
Sprinters Mary Machado (climbing her first 4000 foot peak) and Kurt Schuler, 46ers Ken Herz, Chris
Konowitz, and, of course, my nieces Elizabeth and Alexandra Disney. Alexandra also hiked with me
on several climbs leading up to my 48th, including the more remote Isolation and Owl’s Head peaks. We all had a great hike up Moosilauke, and fog, high winds, and sub-freezing wind chill did nothing
to diminish our enjoyment of the summit and our feast of hot dogs, beer, and apple crisp. Who know:
perhaps in 29 more years I’ll be finishing up my Northeast 115? - Tom Lynch (1969-2007)
Hello Pok-o friends and here’s a quick update about all known living Joelson family camp alumni.
Debbie Joelson (a MacCready original, 1967-68) living in Lexington Massachusetts and still gigging
in the health care administration field. Looking forward to catching her next weekend along with
another MacCready alumna from those years Jeannie Aschkenazy who’s also coming to town for
a visit. Sharon and I are here in Stamford Connecticut, empty nesters. Debating whether to start
prepping for next year’s Sprint. Nah… Otherwise still working in software and doing the various
rock bands in my spare time. My baby brother Ron moved to Milwaukee working for Northwestern
Mutual Life. He can often be seen running in the sausage race at the Brewers games. Skipping down
a generation:
Andrew living in New York City is working as a professional coffee taster and does comedy on the
side. We’re trying to figure out which is funnier. My nephew Ben, an Air Force Academy grad, got
married this past year. He and his bride Ashley are living in Italy. Jon works as a software developer also in NYC and in the evening he still brings it with the band. Peter worked at camp this past
summer and is now finishing up his senior year at Bentley in Waltham Massachusetts. Alas he is
currently seeking a “real job.” That’s about all folks. We’re about to enter that dark phase of life when
our kids no longer go to or work at camp and there’s no younger generation yet to take up the slack. But Joelsons shall rise again at Pok-o and, according to the ancient prophecy, this time shall be foreshadowed by a long Seneca winning streak. And there will be great joy upon the shores of Long Pond.
Happy trails- Dave Joelson
Amiee Ingram-Kelly, her husband Jeff and their two kids Avery and Graydon are in the process of
launching a travel and tourism magazine for the Outer Banks of North Carolina and will be relocating late spring or early summer if all goes as planned! Fingers crossed!
Tom Lynch completed
his New Hampshire 48
on Mt. Moosilauke.
Peter Joelson upholds
family tradition as a
staff member and
longtime Poko alum.
Living in the Texas Hill Country since 1984, I am fully retired Computer Software Engineer, System
Security Officer USAF. I am fortunate enough to now spend all my free time travelling, or recording
in my studio. For the winter holidays I head to the beach in Oahua, Hawaii. If anyone plans to spend
winter on the islands, let me know! Looking forward to Alumni Week(end) in August 2014 and hope
to see many familiar faces when I return back to Camp! - Jim Singleton
Mike and I moved to Cincinnati! He now works for an artist studio called Funke Fired Arts and is
teaching and producing his own work that we’re excited to sell locally. I’m working for the Girl Scouts
of Western Ohio and am putting particular emphasis on Outdoor activities for girls in the Cincy area,
pushing them past Cookies and into hiking! Miss you all! - Mariah Kennedy
Mariah Kennedy and
Mike English have just
relocated to Cincinnati.
Where
are
they
now?
Po k- O - M a c C r e a d y A l u m n i N e w s
Future camper: Dax Steiner Tonks. How could you not make this kid a Mohawk? All is well for us in
Ann Arbor, Michigan(apart from the fact that there are no natural mountains around here). Hope
to get back to the ADK mountains for a visit soon and reconnect with some of my Pok-O-people. - Jen Steiner Tonks
Future camper Dax
Steiner Tonks, son of
Jen Steiner Tonks.
It is with a heavy heart that we write to you to tell you of the death of our beloved son Michael Zorawick. Michael died at the age of 39 after a year and a half of a valiant fight against cancer. Michael
loved Pok-O. He was at the camp for four years...and would have been there longer if we had found
it sooner. He attended the105th anniversary and doubted anyone would remember him as he had
grown a great deal in stature as he matured. You remembered him and that he had climbed the 46
and had been a tribal chief one season. By the way, when he attended the reunion he chose to do some
climbing during the weekend and reported that it was much easier at the age of 15! Pok-o introduced
Mike to the Adirondacks. We have never forgotten Jack Swan’s visit to our home and the fact that
Mike was granted a scholarship to attend Pok-O. We are so grateful that Pok-O was such a wonderful
and important part of our son’s life. - Rev. Joseph and Mrs. Lois Zorawick
The late Mike Zorawick,
surrounded by the
beauty and calm of the
mountains we all
know and love.
I have come back to the Adirondacks for some part of every year since leaving camp and will continue
to do so my entire life, perhaps get a spot of my own up there one day, should I be so lucky. My sister
lives in VT and as of 2014 so will my Mom, so who knows…perhaps the ‘Dacks are calling…It is the
end of September and I am in Paris right now and have been on the road with my West African Blues
Band ‘JeConte & The Mali Allstars’ for the past 2.5 months promoting our new album ‘Mali Blues,’
and playing over 50 shows. It is a lot being on the road, dealing with logistics, all of it, but everywhere
I go I do my best to live by the camp rule I learned in the backcountry at age 8…”Leave the place
you are in better than you found it.” Since the loss of my Father in August of 2008 and my Fiancée
in August of 2009 to Cancer I have been on a path to travel to the World’s most remote cultures to
help preserve their musical heritage through film, music and philanthropy. It is a long journey, but
hopefully one that will inspire others to make a difference in their lives, as that is why we are here, to
make a difference. I salute camp for inspiring me to be a better person and having instilled such solid
values of appreciation for the World around me. It is a big place, but perhaps sharing camp values
around the World will make it a little smaller. You can learn more about all of these projects at soulnow.org, searchforthesoul.com and jeconte.com or follow my travels at Facebook.com/jeconte. That
is my music name, jeconte. Email: [email protected] and I will be happy to give you a copy of our latest
tunes and would love to catch up. Love n Light to all! Joe Conte - Pok-O 1978-1988 and forever…
Claire Sherred DelNegro serves at the Olympics again (her 10th Olympic Games) as Technical Delegate for the International Luge Federation - she will be joining Tim Singer (8th Olympics) in bringing the Olympics to your living room!!!
Tor Killingsworth:
collecting patches
and showing off
his Poko Spirit!
Tor has written many short stories about camp for school including fantasy stories about he and
Christian Tarala winning Indian Days in a tie-- both of them having captured the Chief’s bonnet and
solving The World’s Most Complicated Game singlehandedly (for separate tribes). His 15 spelling
words a week, which are suppose to be made into sentences, all end up being sentences about camp;
every bed time story needs to be about camp, and he has been overheard humming “ There’s a camp
called Pok-O-Moonshine... whilst attending to his homework. He is the happiest he has ever been
and clearly spiritually he is a “ Lifer” with respect to camp. He’s very excited about Ski Week and he
speaks about camp in the possessive, as in, “ at MY camp..” I frequently have to remind him it is my
camp as well! - Jen Eliel Killingsworth
Where
are
they
now?
Po k- O - M a c C r e a d y A l u m n i N e w s
I’m still restoring the William Stowers house out in the ghost town of Stowersville (aka Lewis/Reber) and expect to be
finished sometime in the next millennium. It is my fond hope and devious scheme that my little grandson Otis, born September 4, 2013, will come visit me there during the summers and become indelibly imprinted with Adirondacks memories.
Best to you all! - Deborah Coffin: Camper 1970-73, Counselor 1975.
We are going off on a big family adventure for 5 months in New Zealand and Australia! We will be thinking of all the Patch
sprinters at the end of May! - Judy Bisaillon
After 12 years in Northern California, my family and I moved to Connecticut in 2011, and have been enjoying hiking and
biking on the East Coast (especially in the fall). I recently reconnected on Facebook with Greg Berger, and shared with
him my memory of the greatest Moonshiner skit of all time, “Army Wars Meets Making Friends,” written and produced, of
course, by him: The Pioneers had done a skit a couple weeks in a row where they overturned benches on opposite sides of
the stage and “shot” at each other with sticks, with very occasionally one of them getting “hit” and falling over. This went
on for what seemed like 10 minutes, nothing really happened, and they only stopped when the audience started clapping
to get them off the stage. Separately, three girls of the same age did a skit one week where two of them bounced a ball back
and forth. A third entered and said “can I play too?” so they bounced the ball between the 3 of them for a little while, then
one said “do you want to go swimming instead?” and the others said “sure!” and they all ran off the stage. You and, I can’t
remember who else, did a skit a few weeks later where you overturned two benches and shot at each other for a while, then
another person came up on one side and said “can I fight too?” and joined the group for a while, then one person from that
side said “want to go torture prisoners instead?” the rest said “sure!” and ran off the stage. Simple, yet brilliant.
- David Foster - 1981-1987
Hope things are going swimmingly for y’all this fall. For me, life is good. I am living in Lander with my partner Alexa and
working for NOLS full-time (20 weeks a year or so) in the field. Between contracts, I do some freelance work for a renewable
energy company installing solar and wind power systems. Got a chance to work in Chilean Patagonia last year and I am heading back down this January for 3 months. Training this fall to become an instructor for the Wilderness Medicine Institute of
NOLS, and planning a trip in May to Alaska with Dave Durant. Dave, Mark Jordan and myself did some Pok-O reminiscing
at a recent staff meeting and are planning on making a trip up for the reunion. Long trip for me and Dave, longer for Jordy.
Looking forward to August and seeing some old friends...to the Colonel! - Drew Seitz
Congratulations to the following
campers/staff/alumni/hikers,
who completed their Adirondack Forty-Six in 2013:
Heidi Taggart
Katie Mahoney Chad Canning Peter Paine Ethan Shapiro
Madeline Mele James Johnston
James Desmond
Terri Kilpeck
There are now 361 known Pok-O-MacCready ADK 46ers!
Where
are
they
now?
Po k- O - M a c C r e a d y A l u m n i N e w s
The 2013 summer camp season witnessed the closest (by far) finish in the 58-year history of Indian
Games. Following 14 different competitions, worth a combined total of 240 points, the top four tribes
were separated by a single point, in the overall standings. Here’s a recap of how the drama played out,
and culminated, from the perspective of the winning Chief.
The Indian Days I Have Experienced
By, Elrick Larson (Senior Section camper)
SILENCE! The Council
Fire is an auspicious
event and element of
Indian Days.
Elizabeth Swan
and Piper Turosak
represent the Cayuga
in Tug of War at
“Indian Days”
The winning Chief
embraces his friend,
Chief of the Tuscarora.
I found that the Indian Days of 2013 has been one of the most thrilling times of my life. Nothing compared to the intensity of this competition. Since I was a last year senior I had only one year left
to show my stuff, and it was only my third year here, which meant I was anxious. Nothing was there
for me to lose; putting everything on the line was what I felt I needed to do.
Cayuga, the green tribe of the forest was my tribe. We had picked up our game the last few
years and began hitting hard. Last year was a second place for us; an almost, but not quite there. I
wanted to show them that I could lead them farther. As the election for our leaders closed in, I really
wanted the position of Chief. If I didn’t get it this year, I wouldn’t ever get it. Sure enough, when the
time passed I got the head position; which may have been from the luck of my opponent stepping
down a day before. After that I didn’t hesitate to start helping the best way I could.
Battle after Battle raged. Pressure rose high. The Cayuga were fighting hard. An opposing
tribes Chief, from the Tuscarora, was my cabin mate and a good friend. We talked and compared each
other. Both of us kept the point value of our tribes after each match. The Tuscarora and the Cayuga
were very close competitors. At times Cayuga would be winning, at other, the Tuscarora would be.
We never thought twice about the other tribes except for when the Mohawk got a shocking comeback
and began to tail us.
Once the battle seceded the final results came to be. The Mohawk were then points behind
first place, and they were last place. That gave an instant notice, to everyone, that this was a close
match. The Chief of Tuscarora and I exchanged glances. We wished for the best to win. The fourth
place tribe was announced, Onondaga, and they were one point behind first place. Adrenaline began
skyrocketing inside of me. Is there going to be a three-way tie? A two-way tie?
The announcers said that the third and second place were tied, one-half point behind first;
so, they didn’t need to announce who they are, now they will announce first place. The three tribes
tensed: Seneca, who made an amazing comeback all the way from 20 points back, and who won last
year… Tuscarora, my friend’s tribe and a tribe that fights strong every year… and Cayuga, my very
own tribe. Inside the tensing I partly relaxed, I don’t know why, but I wanted my friend’s team to win.
Yet, just when I began this thought, they announced who won.
“The winning tribe of this year’s Indian Days is.....(felt like a half a minute pause.) CAYUGA!”. I stood there for a second, shocked. We won... I can’t believe we won! I did it! We did it! I turned
to my friend and we exchanged feelings. Tears began rolling down my cheeks. I turned and ran to the
others of my tribe and embraced one; all the while yelling my head “OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!”
Joy overfilled me with relief of the tension. This Indian Days had been taken, by only a half a point, by
the very tribe I helped lead......for that I am still happy today.
Dear Pok-O-MacCready alumni, parents, staff and friends:
Adirondack
Scholarship
from Peter Levine, Adirondack Scholarship Foundation
It is with considerable pleasure that we report on another successful year for the Adironda
Foundation. The Foundation, which was started 1981, was created to provide annual scho
children attending Camp Pok-O-MacCready, and we’re pleased to report that, this past su
scholarships were awarded. Our recipients came from as near as Willsboro and as far as H
your generous past support and active portfolio management, our scholarship endowment
doubled over the past five years. The endowment is now able to support many more scho
ongoing basis and this would not have been possible without your generous involvement.
Dear Pok-O-MacCready alumni, parents, staff and friends:
Over the past year, we saw an increase in donor participation particularly through the very
It is with considerable pleasure that we report on another successful year for the Adirondack Scholarship
Patch Sprint.
Thestarted
event generated
a recordtonumber
donors
and dollarstoraised.
Foundation. The Foundation,
which was
1981, was created
provide of
annual
scholarships
childrenThank y
participated.
Beyond
the
Patch
Sprint,
generous
gifts
came
throughout
the
year,
thanks to
attending Pok-O-MacCready Camps, and we’re pleased to report that, this past summer, 16 scholarships
were
trusts;
matching,
hundreds
our camp
friends
and family*.
awarded. Our recipientsfamily
came from
as corporate
near as Willsboro
andand
as far
as Haiti.ofBecause
of your
generous
past sup-Your d
appreciated
but we continue
to need
support
port and active portfoliogreatly
management,
our scholarship
endowment
hasyour
nearly
doubled over the past five years.
The endowment is now able to support many more scholarships on an ongoing basis and this would not have been
As one involvement.
who has learned so many valuable lessons via the Pok-O experience, I cannot emp
possible without your generous
how important it is to give the gift of camp to others. As some of our 2013 scholarship re
Over the past year, we saw an increase in donor participation particularly through the very successful 2013
Patch Sprint. The event generated
a recordtonumber
of donors
andgiving
dollarsme
raised.
Thank you
all who
partici“I just wanted
say ‘thank
you’ for
a scholarship
totocamp.
It was
a great ex
pated. Beyond the Patch Sprint,
generous
gifts
came
throughout
the
year,
thanks
to
donations
from
family
trusts;
I really appreciate what you have done for me!”
corporate matching, and hundreds of our camp friends and family*. Your donations are greatly appreciated but
we continue to need your support
“It’s not only the activities and events that are awesome, it’s the campers and counselo
thankso
you
withvaluable
all my heart
it possible
for me
to be at
camp.” enough
As one who has learned
many
lessonsfor
viamaking
the Pok-O
experience,
I cannot
emphasize
how important it is to give the gift of camp to others. As some of our 2013 scholarship recipients wrote:
“I wanted to thank you for providing my son with a very good time at Pok-O this summ
on visiting
day, I was happy
to Itsee
comfort
his surroun
“I just wanted to say ‘thanksaw
you’him
for giving
me a scholarship
to camp.
wasupbeat
a greatconfidence,
experience….
I reallywith
apprecisense
of
satisfaction
with
himself.
I
couldn't
be
more
pleased.”
ate what you have done for me!”
In and
order
to keep
alive
families
and otherstoo.
weI continue
needallyour he
“It’s not only the activities
events
thatthe
aredream
awesome,
it’sfor
thethese
campers
and counselors
thank youtowith
is
tax
deductible.
If
you
wish,
you
may
mail
all
or
part
of
your
payment
amount
today in t
my heart for making it possible for me to be at camp.”
addressed stamped envelope. Alternatively, if you wish to donate online, you can do this
through
ourwith
webasite
“I wanted to thank you securely
for providing
my son
verylisted
goodbelow.
time at Pok-O this summer. When I saw him on
visiting day, I was happy to see upbeat confidence, comfort with his surroundings and a sense of satisfaction with
We pleased.”
want to thank you for the dedication and support you have put into the Foundation, an
himself. I couldn’t be more
you at next year’s 110th reunion, or any of our other alumni and fund raising events.
In order to keep the dream alive for these families and others we continue to need your help. Your donation is tax
a great
season!
the best,
deductible. If you wish, Have
you may
mailholiday
all or part
of your All
payment
amount today in the enclosed self-addressed
stamped envelope. Alternatively, if you wish to donate online, you can do this conveniently and securely through
our web site listed below. We want to thank you for the dedication and support you have put into the Foundation,
and we hope to see you at next year’s 110th reunion, or any of our other alumni and fund raising events.
Peter Levine: Board President
Have a great holiday season! All the best,
(* the list, on the following pages, reflects donations collected between December 1, 2012 and Nove
we omitted you from the list, please contact us so that we may fix the error on our online recognitio
Peter Levine: Board President
(* the list, on the following pages, reflects donations collected between
December 1, 2012 and November 15, 2013. If we omitted you from the list,
please contact us so that we may fix the error on our online recognition page.)
CONTACT US
[email protected]
Info. / Online Donation:
www.adkscholarship.org
2013
Donor
List
Contributions to the Adirondack Scholarship Foundation
Honor Camper
Leadership Level
($ 751 +)
Bunbury Company
Cheshin Family (SC, SE)
Dennis Hepworth (JS, MP)
Geza Ruszka
Goldie Anna Charitable Trust
Harriett Miller (SE)
Jeff Smith
Joanna Gwozdziowski & Amelia Whiteley (NW)
Mark & Cynthia Potel (MP)
Mark Gibson
Medico Health Solutions Charitable Match Fund
Myrna & Michelle Mandeville
Peter Levine
Peter Welles
Proteus Fund
Stein Family
The Beaufort Foundation
The Summit Family Trust
Thomas Reinckens, Jr. (NS)
Pok-O “P” / MacCready “M”
($251 - $750)
Aronstein Family
Celeste Anne Goethe (DM, NS)
Chris Stokes (HTSS)
D. Connal & Gerald Koeppel
Danielle Katz
David, Karen & Emily Hunt (JS)
James Libruk
John & Ann Caradonna
Leona Kern
Matthew Thomas
Michael Eliel (SE)
Michael Welles & Leslie Price
Mildred Wait (BW)
Peter Wollenberg (RVK, JRK)
Wally & Kate Ball Young
In Honor of/
In Memory of:
JS=Jean Sidaras
MP=Matthew Potel
NS=Nancy Swan
HTTS=Col. H.T. and Sarah Swan
NW=Nevin Whiteley
($101 - $250)
Benedict & Edwin Portugal
Caleb Balderston (MP)
Chris Durlacher
Churilla-Popper Family
Cloudsplitter Carpentry
Dana Whitney
David & Lynette Dodillet
David & Muriel Hinkle
David Richards (MP)
Fidelity Charitable
Gary & Iris Levine (JL)
Jack Swan (SE, JS)
Jason & Aubrey Metakis
Jennifer Eliel Killingsworth (SE)
Jody & Kylie Edwards (NW)
John & Michelle R. Richardson
John Rayburn
Kenneth & Marylin Ryba (JS)
Marc Metakis
Marianne Perreault & Ken Herz
Mark Corell
Michael Brakey
Pam & Mauricio Gonzalez (JS)
Patch Sprint Raffle
Peter Christianson & Serena Furman
Richard Stillman (HTSS, JSt)
Sally Durlacher ONeil
Sarah Disney (JS)
Scott & Sheila McIntyre
Sharp Swan & Lauren Murphy (HTSS, NS)
Tarala Family
Tate Aronstein
Tim Singer & Augusta Wilson (NW, MP)
William & Dawn Shillalies (JSw)
RVK=Russ Van Korb
BW=Bill Waite
DM=Col. David MacCready
EW=Emma Lou Worth
BT=Brooke Thayer
SM=Sean McCullough
SS=Sharp Swan
JSt=Joe Stern
JL=Jerry Levine
SC=Schneor Cheshin
JSw+Jack Swan
SE=Stefan Eliel
MZ=Michael Zorawick
2013
Donor
List
Contributions to the Adirondack Scholarship Foundation
Loyalty Level ($51 - $100)
Andrea Lynch
Andrew Jeffreys & Elizabeth Boissevain
Anna Studebaker
Annie Horwich
Annonymous (JS)
Barbara Strowger
Blum Family Fund (SS)
Bob Mason
Brian Quinn
Byron Haynes
Cindy & Jim Watson (JS)
Dana & Sydney Thayer (BT)
Dana Beck
David Durant
David Mason
Emily Harrison Subach
Erin DeBusk
Gary & Bunni Singer
Gillette (Tim) Welles
Harry & Elisha Fischer
Jerry & Holly Heller Ross
Jim & Carol Kobak
Jim Kobak
Jo Ann Van Korb Wyatt (RVK)
Karen Volkman
MacCready CIT's
Mark & Deena McCullough (SM)
Mark & Melissa Livsey (JS)
Marque & Thomas Moffett
Mary Machado
Mary O'Leary
M. Goldman & Leah Crohn (JS)
Mike Horwich
Nancy Buccarelli
Nancy Saltzman
Peter Henderson
Peter Paine
Pfizer Easy Match
Rachel Newman
Robert Andrews
Ron Mistriel (MP)
Ronald Haley
Samantha & Michael Daley
Stuart & Lee Bauer
Tom/Betsy Balderston (MP)
Tom Backus
Tom Benson
Victoria Terenzi
Warren & Phyllis Wanderer
William Paine
Willsboro Rescue Squad (JS)
Enthusiasm Level (up to $50)
Al Cross
Alisa Harrison
Andee Bucciarelli
Andy Hill
Anne Altman
Barry & Betsy Singer
Barry & Sally Mandel
Beverly Sullivan
Bill & Helen Sue Parrish
Brad Spaulding
Bradley Strowger
C. Pierce Johnson
Cecilia Disney
Charles Smith
Charlie Cary
Chris Bell
Chris Burgin Sinkhorn (JS)
Christopher Fey
Cole Starkey
Cullen Roberts (MP)
David & Angela Swan (JS)
David Joelson
Deborah Nordyke
Drew Canning
Elizabeth Pierson
Ellie Madden Bouffard
Erik Zimmerman
Fiona Stauffer
Greg Henderson
IBM EE Service Center
Jan Wellford
Janet & Fred Greenman (JS)
Jason Fiegl
Jason Bauer
Jennifer Brakey
Jessica Anderson
John Applebergh (DM)
Jolie Brakey
Jon Strazza
Joseph Mattimore
Joshua Bornt
Joy Anderson
Judy Bisaillon
Judy Kadlec
Judy Martin
Katie Moffett
Lauren Jacoby
Leslee Linhorst
M.J. Starkey
Marilyn Coll
Mark Balderston
Mark Hummel
Mary Duprey
Matt Elliott
Meghan Taptick
Melinda Burkhardt
Michael & Meghan Taptick
Michelle Forkey
Nathan Menton
Neil & Melissa Perilstein
Nina Wellford
Pam Cataldi Gittler
Peter Joelson
Phil & Mary Corell
Rebecca Blum
Rich & Cathy Schaefer (EW)
Robert Brakey
Robert Gallagher (HTSS)
Rosalie Conte-Stebenne
Sadie & Gabriel Trunck
Sam Politi
Sarah & Andreas Birkedal
Sheryl Brakey
Spencer & Eleanor Stafford
Stephanie Konowitz
Stephanie Lylis
Stephen Elliott
Steve Resnick
Susan Chrzan
Suzy James
Tim Huneck
Tom Lynch
Travis Gervais
Vince Bradley
William Trela
Reflects donations processed between December 1, 2012 and November 15, 2013
Stay
Connected!
ways to keep in touch with Pok-O-MacCready Camps
Pok-O-MacCready Camps
www.pokomac.com
General Information: [email protected]
Alumni Information: [email protected]
Adirondack Scholarship Foundation
www.adkscholarship.org
[email protected]
Pok-O-MacCready Outdoor Education Center
www.pmoec.org
[email protected]
The Crux (Champlain Valley Climbing Center)
www.climbthecrux.com
[email protected]
Don’t forget to “Like” our fan pages on Facebook:
Pok-O-MacCready Camps
Pok-O-MacCready Alumni
Pok-O-MacCready Outdoor Education Center
The Crux: Champlain Valley Climbing Center
Save the Date!
August 20th - 24th 2014
the
110th Pok-O-MacCready Reunion
200 alumni and friends
came together for the
105th Summer Camp Reunion...
Join us for the 110 t h!
Featuring...
~ Swimming, fishing, and hiking ~
~ boating, games, camp activities ~
~ Adirondack Scholarship Golf Tournament ~
~ Alumni “Super Marcy” hiking trip ~
~ games, relaxation, campfires ~
~ Alumni Banquet ~
~ live auction ~
~ live music ~
REGISTRATION OPENS FEBRUARY 2014!
Pok-O-MacCready Camps
P.O. Box 397
Willsboro, NY 12996
USA