February 2011

February 5, 2011

Since last entry in January, I have been on Reunion Road, dodging snowstorms throughout the Northeast.  As impeding as these snowfalls have been to New Englanders’ travel, they’re nothing compared to what our friends on Bear Island in Temagami had to deal with in rescuing their snowplow truck from the icy waters of the Lake – that darned, proverbial thin ice.  Here’s a link:

 Link to Temagami truck

With all of the travails, please note the incredible beauty of the camp’s winter landscape – these shots were sent to us by Jason andc Melanie Ball, Wabun's  new caretakers - a reminder, Wabun reunion on the island, March 26^th – we have ways of putting you up and keeping you warm!

The Camp's Main Dock

The Staff Map Room - formerly the Guest Dining Room:

The Lewises' cabin - Dover Rest:

While on Reunion Road, wonderful times were enjoyed by all:

at the Bethesda Reunion with the Longsworths

at the Larrabees’, where Alex prepared a fabulous blueberry bannock in a reflector oven in front of the fireplace:

the Philly Reunion with the Hartzells – (having so much fun, I forgot to take a picture), and

at The Roger Smith Hotel with the Knowles family last Saturday

I’m looking forward to upcoming meetings in Minnesota, Seattle, Wellesley, MA, Burlington, VT, our home in New Hampshire, and the finale at Wabun in Temagami.  In these times of really unsettling world news – national conflicts, international tensions, rising food and fuel costs – I can’t tell you how warming and heartening the Wabun Reunions have been.  At the Hartzells, we gathered camper/staff representing seven of Wabun’s eight decades of existence.  Just last Saturday we had a wonderful gathering in NYC. With a fantastic turnout, all enjoyed great conversation and reflections. It was fun to see Jason Lewis reconnected with so many past bay-trip campers, John Pereira (’92 & ’93), Hugo Mallinson (’96), Kevin Rees (’00), and Holden Rasche (’07).

A few hearty souls stayed on and continued their reminiscences into the later hours of the day at Lily’s, the Roger Smith pub.  If you are ever in search of an absolutely awesome hotel in Manhattan, I cannot speak highly enough of the Roger Smith Hotel – it is central (47^th and Lexington), fabulously appointed, small and personal, and owned/operated by one of Wabun’s seriously loyal families – please contact Phoebe Knowles at phoebe.knowles@gmail.com for more information – you can’t go wrong.  Side-note: we all know that Wabun is principally about wood, canvas, and leather, so I was struck yesterday by our NYC gathering being held in the most elegant Roger Smith penthouse – no one commented on the incongruity – lots of fun – when in Rome!

after-reunion hours at Lily's

The Lewis family recently said goodbye to Corinne Lewis - she passed away on January 24, 2001, four days after her 95th birthday - a long and happy life - memorial services will be held in Nashville on February 26th and in Dedham, MA on April 16th.

More, later - -