Merrill, N.Y.
Monday
Dear Mom & Dad,
Got all your cards & Dad's letter arrived today. Glad to hear that you had such a good trip. It sounded like fun.
Sorry I didn't have a letter there when you got home but this past week has been really hectic!
Carnival Day was a heck of a lot of work but was really fun - lots more so than U.N. Day. Our kids had a fortune teller and a "Gnip-Gnop" (Ping-Pong backwards) which was merely tossing balls in paper cups, both of which were quite successful. The carnival itself was held on the ball field with booths set up along the foul lines & all looked very festive with flags & all. Supper was served from booths which the counselors had charge of - hamburgers (excuse me - circus-burgers), potato salad, pink lemonade, watermelon, peanuts & lollipops. The booths were really clever. Ours was the "Burger-Go-Round." as you can see from the snapshot. [no longer with the letter] The kids got their hamburgers through the holes at the merry-go-round riders' hands. We really worked hours on this - up until 2 A.M. the night before but it was worth it.
The next day (Friday) our kids had services. They did it on the four freedoms & considering the time we spent on it, it wasn't too bad. Working with the kids on this was a very rewarding experience. You have to really drag things out of them but when the ideas do come, they're sometimes amazing.
Next comes the archery tournament which finally got under way Saturday. It's a very unorthodox tournament but seems to fit our needs. The kids are shooting in rounds based on age & ability & then there will be a final play-off round.
Sunday (yesterday) was my day-off & was I ever glad when it arrived! Ellen Stekert (the girl from Cornell who plays the guitar) & I drove to Fairlee, Vt. to see some friends of her's [sic] who were are camp counselors. It was a long drive (5 hrs), ferry across Lake Champlain included but I really enjoyed it. It was the first chance I had to talk to "Stek" - she's a fascinating girl. It was rather expensive by the time we got our meals, but fun. To top it all off, we missed the alst ferry back & so had to drive way up to the Canadian border to cross Lake Champlain. We took turns driving so the other could sleep but it still was an exhausting drive. Our little detour added 3 hrs. to our driving time.
Today was "Capture The Flag Day." Campers & counselors all played that great game from just after breakfast until 4 o'clock. I think the counselors had more fun than the campers.
Tomorrow we go on another overnight & Friday we have our first canoe trip - but only a day trip - luckily.
The final blow came this morning when Lil announced in a counselor meeting that letters to parents must be written this week. Joy!
None of us can believe that the summer is almost over - less than 3 weeks left. I'm still undecided about after camp. One of the fellows is trying to arrange a trip to climb the Great Range - Marcy, etc for a few days after camp. Sounds fun but nothing definite so far.
About Müllers - I'll write them the first chance I get. I'm surprised they didn't let us know before this.
Heard from Joyce today. They're very busy moving & she got her dress. She understood the situation & got another bridesmaid. Sounds very happy & very excited as you can imagine.
Could you forward this to 43 Brighton St, Rochester? [Aunt Hattie's address] Send the picture too, but I'd like that back. Can't face up to another letter tonight.
Love,
Liz
P.S.
I'll cash a check so don't worry about the money sit.
Noticed from Onanda clipping that only two of last year's counselors returned - both were young kids. Poor Nancy.
