Posted by: luckygingerstudio | November 30, 2009

Vintage Kehonka “Goose Quills” Gems

Years ago, Althea Ballentine gave me copies of “Goose Quills” from the very early days of Camp Kehonka (circa 1911-16).

In 1911, they were published as a weekly in-camp newsletter in which campers and staff rotated as editorial staff  and contributors under the moniker “Paper Committee.”

Most editions include details about every day camp life, camp trips, camp animals and so forth. There are usually some gems, such as lyrics to songs they wrote or references to inside jokes.

Here are a couple snippets from the July 25, 1911 edition, of which Clara B. Lilley, Eleanor Dougherty and John Moore comprised the “Paper Committee.”

SUNDAY SERVICE

  Camp Kehonka returned to civilization this afternoon, or rather civilization returned to Camp Kehonka in the form of neat – Oh,very neat – tents and dresses. The occasion for this unusual spurt was the advent of the Rev. Mr. Dorman, a friend of Mr. Pierson, who conducted a service for us in the pine grove.
  The boys of Camp Winnipesaukee also favored us with their presence, and it was quite a gathering that had the opportunity of enjoying the short service and excellent sermon delivered by the Rev. Mr. Dorman.
  Apart from a few such trivial incidents as a bench loaded with boys turning over backward, and the dogs manifesting an unruly desire to join in the hymns, the afternoon was passed very peacefully.            M.B.G.

PERSONALS

  We wonder if the taste of our hardened pitcher is elevated by wearing her “astral color” in her hosiery.

 There are many attractions at Wolfeboro, especially Tobey’s. Some people go there two much.

  Hark, hark! The rising bell doth ring.
    And Phyllis ‘gins arise,
  Her teeth to polish with the thing
    On rocky shore that lies;
  The wondrous task her toilette is
    Dooms her for late – arise!

We learn from a prominent authority that Wellesley encourages an abnormal conscience. M. C. hasn’t been there yet.

 N. B. Personals obtained only through psychic medium or Oiuja Board.

THE NEW SONG

  Oh, we’re the girls that have the fun -
    We’re always up to something;
  We run around with jumpers on.
    We do just what we like;
  We don’t care what the public says -
    We know that we’re all right.
  And every day in the morning,
    We breathe with all our might:
  Hm, hm (Breathe) Yes! Free!
    We’re happy as can be:
   And if you want to be happy, too,
    Just come along with me.

MAXIMS FOR CAMPERS

  If the boats have leaked,
  If the dogs have fought,
  If the campers look peaked,
  If the ale’s not bought -
      Blame the Entertainment Committee!

A stitch in time saves nine.

Cure for homesickness: stay home.

Talk about sitting on a tack. Avoid our new piano stool.

Cast down your eyes as the buns sail past, if you would get in with the “heads.”

If thirds are not allowed, take another second.

Never acknowledge you are wrong about anything. It’s beastly bad form.

Posted by: luckygingerstudio | November 27, 2009

Kehonka Thanksgiving Prayers

compliments of Bonnie Ballentine!

Heavenly Father:
We offer a prayer of Thanksgiving
for the essentials of life that enable us to grow
in wisdom, in courage, in faith
and above all,
in love of family and friends.

by A. Cooper Ballentine (Bally Ballentine)
November 26, 1981

*******

Three Noble Birds:
The American Eagle – May it give us peace in all our states.
The Thanksgiving Turkey- May it give us a piece on all our plates.
The Kehonka Goose – May it inspire love in all our traits.

by A. Cooper Ballentine

Posted by: luckygingerstudio | November 26, 2009

Kehonka Prayer

Thought this would be appropriate to share, as today is Thanksgiving.

KEHONKA PRAYER

We thank Thee, O Lord, for the things that are out of doors; for the fresh air and the open sky and the growing grass and the tiny flowers and the setting sun and the wooded hill and the rolling surf and the brown earth beneath our feet. They are all good and they all speak the truth, and we rest ourselves and get new strength to go back to the world of restless men. Keep us ever like Thy good world, rugged and wholesome and true. Amen.

Posted by: luckygingerstudio | November 22, 2009

Camp Kehonka Daily Schedules

From the Ephemera Pile….

I kind of miss waking up and hanging up activity choices on oak tag labels on a board! And I definitely miss Rest Hour!

WEEKDAYS – COVE

7:15      Rising

7:20     Camper Sign-Up

8:00     Breakfast 
              Committee Work

9:00     Morning Service
               1st Activity

10:15    2nd Activity

11:00    Instructional Swim

12:30    Lunch

1:30     Rest Hour

2:30     3rd Activity

3:30     4th Activity

4:30     Rec Swim

6:15     Dinner
              Counselor Sign-Up

7:30     Evening Program

9:00     Quarters

9:15     Taps

WEEKDAYS – POINT

7:15     Rising

7:20     Camper Sign-Up

8:00     Breakfast
               Committee Work        

9:00     Morning Service
              1st Activity

10:00    2nd Activity

11:00    Instructional Swim

12:30    Lunch

1:30     Rest Hour  

2:30     Rec Swim

4:15     3rd Activity

5:00     4th Activity

6:15     Dinner

7:15     Evening Program

8:25     Quarters

8:30     Taps

 

SUNDAY – POINT & COVE

7:45     Rising

8:20     Flag Raising

8:30     Breakfast
              Committee Work

10:00   Choir

10:45   Sunday Service Bell

11:00    Sunday Service

                Rec Swim

1:00      Lunch

2:00     Rest Hour

3:00     Optional Time

4:00     Rec Swim

6:00     Sunday Picnic

7:00     Musicale

           

Posted by: luckygingerstudio | November 1, 2009

Photo Updates: Camp Kehonka – 1950s

Click here to see the most recent additions – or use the navigation bar to the right!

Posted by: luckygingerstudio | October 30, 2009

Friends of a Feather….

 

Kehonka Logo

…flock together. There is a “Camp Kehonka” group on Facebook!

Posted by: luckygingerstudio | September 13, 2009

Kehonka: A Traditional Scavenger Hunt…Or Is It?

Note: I found the questions in my “Ephemera Pile,” but I don’t have the answers………

Note 2.0: some genius knew how to maximize burning up camper energy & time!

Blue Geese

  1. How many rocks are in the water yet still showing at Point-Point?
  2. How many blue baskets are there in “Where the Fun Begins?”
  3. How many life jackets are there in the KYC?
  4. How many benches are there in the Sunday Service Court?
  5. In which direction does the goose fly on the Kehonka sign?
  6. How many body lengths long is Point Lodge? (length, not width)
  7. Is the bath tub plug Cove Trip Clean-Up Room separate or on a chain?
  8. How many hangers are in the Point Costume Room?
  9. How many canoes are at Point?
  10. How many pegs are there on the towel racks at Point Beach?
  11. Which way does the door open to the Cove Linen Room?
  12. What is now standing where a tee-pee used to stand?
  13. How many hand lengths around is the Council Fire Ring Rock?
  14. How many cartwheels long is Point Field?
  15. How many skips long is the Woodland Trail?
  16. List one name found on the Lean-To.
  17. List a name in a tent or cabin dated pre-1950.
  18. What color is the linoleum at the Point Shower House?
  19. On which side of the flag pole is the cleat?
  20. How many colors of paint are on the Kehonka?
  21. Which walk-in (Point or Cove) has more shelves, and why?
  22. What cabin has a handle?
  23. How much does a small cone at Bailey’s cost?
  24. How many lengths of the 50 mile swim rope equal one mile?
Posted by: luckygingerstudio | August 30, 2009

Camp Kehonka: Point Beach

My aunt found this vintage postcard in a shop in the Lakes Region last year.

Camp Kehonka: Point Beach (vintage postcard)

Camp Kehonka: Point Beach (vintage postcard)

It is hotter than the fire of a thousand suns where I am today. I only wish I could jump in Lake Winnipesaukee this afternoon.

Posted by: luckygingerstudio | August 23, 2009

Camp Kehonka Sunday Service

Excerpts below are from Sunday Service, August 11, 1985
 
Camp Kehonka - Sunday Service

Camp Kehonka - Sunday Service

**********
To attain peace, we must start with contentment. Learn to appreciate nature. Just sit and observe the quiet beauty that surrounds us. Contrast it with the hustle and bustle of society. Take nature with you in everyday life and communicate the serenity we may find there. We must learn peace with ourselves; a satisfaction with what we have, not what we want. Peace with our brothers will follow. If we are content with what is ours, competition with others, even nations, will eventually subside.

**********
We are each of us angels with only one wing. And we can only fly embracing each other.
    
- Luciano de Crescenzo

**********
Hymn: Pass It On

Camp Kehonka Sunday Service Choir, circa 1959 (photo: David Fetzer)

Camp Kehonka Sunday Service Choir, circa 1959 (photo: David Fetzer)

It only takes a spark to get a fire going.
     And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing.
That’s how it is with God’s love, once you’ve experienced it.
     You spread His love to everyone; you want to pass it on.

What a wonderous time is Spring when all the trees are budding.
     The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming.
That’s how it is with God’s love, once you’ve experienced it.
     It’s fresh like Spring; you want to sing; you want to pass it on.

I wish for you, my friend, this happiness that I have found.
     You can depend on it, it matters not where you are bound.
I’ll shout it from the mountain tops, I want my world to know:
     The Lord of love has come to me; I want to pass it on.

**********
At the Gorge of Lu, the great waterfall plunges for thousands of feet, its spray visible for miles. In the churning waters below, no living creature can be seen.

One day, Kung Fu-tse was standing at a distance from the pool’s edge, when he saw an old man being tossed about in the turbulent water. He called to his disciples, and together they ran to rescue the vitim. But by the time they reached the water, the old man had climbed out onto the bank and was walking along, singing to himself.

Kung Fu-tse hurried to him. “You would have to be a ghost to survive that,” he said, “but you seem to be a man instead. What secret power do you have?”

“Nothing special,” the old man replied. ”I began to learn while very young, and grew up practicing it. Now I am certain of success. I go down with the water. I follow it and forget myself. I suvive because I don’t struggle against the water’s superior power. That’s all.”

     -Chuang-tse

**********
Each person carries peace within himself.

**********
The Footpath to Peace

To be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars; to be satisfied with your possessions, but not contented with yourself until you have made the best of them. To despise nothing in the world except falsehood and meanness, and to fear nothing except cowardice; to be governed by your admirations rather than by your disgusts; to covet nothing that is your neighbor’s except his kindness of heart and gentleness of manners; to think seldom of your enemies, often of your friends and everyday of Christ; and to spend as much time as you can with body and spirit in God’s out-of-doors. These are little guideposts on the footpath of peace.

Posted by: luckygingerstudio | August 19, 2009

Camp Kehonka: Banquet Day Sticky Buns

Sticky Buns1

Ahhh…..one of the favorite details from one of our favorite days: Banquet Day.

Someone asked if anyone had the recipe for the sticky buns, so I thought I’d float this out there to see.

Anyone?

While we’re at it……….anyone have the recipe for the Bishop’s Bread?

Is Pam around somewhere? Surely, she would know.

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