Comments on: Feeling of Home http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/ Listen to stories on anything from honeymoons to WWII, from award-winning journalists to first-time writers alike, from anywhere in the world. Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:44:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Felice Merritt Gelman http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-62857 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:16:13 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-62857 Wow also. A very sad feeling when I learned Wyoda was closed, but I just thought it was too hard to run an all girls camp. My connections go way, way back -- my sister was there in 1950, I think, me from 1955-61, my niece and my daughter as well. My father went to high school with Newcy and Kay. Lots of things I remember that no kid today will experience -- sitting on wooden benches for hours in the open back of the truck driving to camping trips, riding horses that were an encyclopedia of equine vices. When my mother-in-law (a 1930s Zionist pioneer in Palestine) saw Bung 4, she said it was so primitive we should never let a child stay there! And the songs.... And the plays.... And the great pleasure of being able to send my daughter to the same camp I went to, picking up thread in the skein of memories. Wow also. A very sad feeling when I learned Wyoda was closed, but I just thought it was too hard to run an all girls camp. My connections go way, way back — my sister was there in 1950, I think, me from 1955-61, my niece and my daughter as well. My father went to high school with Newcy and Kay.

Lots of things I remember that no kid today will experience — sitting on wooden benches for hours in the open back of the truck driving to camping trips, riding horses that were an encyclopedia of equine vices. When my mother-in-law (a 1930s Zionist pioneer in Palestine) saw Bung 4, she said it was so primitive we should never let a child stay there!

And the songs….
And the plays….

And the great pleasure of being able to send my daughter to the same camp I went to, picking up thread in the skein of memories.

]]> by: Lisa baco http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-60647 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:24:48 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-60647 Wow- Happened to google Wyoda to give directions to a niece who is staying in Vermont & ran across this post. How ironic as just yesterday I was just telling my daughter how Wendy(mary Kay's daughter I believe- who was know as Afua- at least that summer) taught me to slalom water ski on Lake Fairlee. I was a waterfront counselor in the late 70's and had a great summer there. How very sad to hear of it's sad closing. I remember bung 6, some great kids and the play Oklahoma. Andrew Pillsbury in the kitchen, Andy in the stable and Andi, Priscilla, Linda P. Conn, and the earring of the month club because we all put a third hole in our ears one night! Is Baker's store still there? Putting reese's pieces on their vanilla ice cream- was the high light of the week as we had only 1/2 a day off and none of us had cars! Lisa- aka- "Jackie the riding counselor" Wow- Happened to google Wyoda to give directions to a niece who is staying in Vermont & ran across this post. How ironic as just yesterday I was just telling my daughter how Wendy(mary Kay’s daughter I believe- who was know as Afua- at least that summer) taught me to slalom water ski on Lake Fairlee. I was a waterfront counselor in the late 70’s and had a great summer there. How very sad to hear of it’s sad closing. I remember bung 6, some great kids and the play Oklahoma. Andrew Pillsbury in the kitchen, Andy in the stable and Andi, Priscilla, Linda P. Conn, and the earring of the month club because we all put a third hole in our ears one night! Is Baker’s store still there? Putting reese’s pieces on their vanilla ice cream- was the high light of the week as we had only 1/2 a day off and none of us had cars!
Lisa- aka- “Jackie the riding counselor”

]]> by: Stephanie Seiter Blansett http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-59942 Sun, 03 May 2009 20:23:32 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-59942 I was a camper at Wyoda in 1960 and a counselor in 1969. I have only wonderful memories or my summers on Lake Fairlee. My bung mates in 1960 in Bung 5 were Christine Bell, Cathy Clark and Paula Sich. Our counselor's name was Lee but her last name escapes me. As a counselor in 1969 I remember watching the moon landing. Many wonderful friends are etched in my memory: Pam Padian, Karen Sich, Georgeann Kash to name a few. Does anyone remember Black Rock? I too am so saddened to hear of the tragic events that occurred at Camp Wyoda. In my memory the environment felt idyllic and will remain so. I would love to hear from anyone who shares my memories. I was a camper at Wyoda in 1960 and a counselor in 1969. I have only wonderful memories or my summers on Lake Fairlee. My bung mates in 1960 in Bung 5 were Christine Bell, Cathy Clark and Paula Sich. Our counselor’s name was Lee but her last name escapes me. As a counselor in 1969 I remember watching the moon landing. Many wonderful friends are etched in my memory: Pam Padian, Karen Sich, Georgeann Kash to name a few. Does anyone remember Black Rock?
I too am so saddened to hear of the tragic events that occurred at Camp Wyoda. In my memory the environment felt idyllic and will remain so. I would love to hear from anyone who shares my memories.

]]> by: Becca http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-59899 Sat, 18 Apr 2009 21:38:43 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-59899 Hi everyone. I was a counselor there that year and have to chime in and say that what Heather C said is very true. I was staff in 94 and 95 and the camp was not at all what it had once been. I arrived in 94 for that clean up weekend and remember being shocked by the low enrollment, etc. Those that were there rallied and made each of my two summers on staff incredibly memorable (for reasons beyond the obvious). Incidentally, I wound up doing grad school in VT and worked as a day camp counselor/swim instructor on the Wyoda grounds in the summer of 1998, when it was Horizons Day Camp. I visited often in grad school and tear up each time I see the "ake Fairlee" sign off the highway. =) Would love to hear from former staff and campers. rwoconnor@gmail.com Hi everyone. I was a counselor there that year and have to chime in and say that what Heather C said is very true. I was staff in 94 and 95 and the camp was not at all what it had once been. I arrived in 94 for that clean up weekend and remember being shocked by the low enrollment, etc. Those that were there rallied and made each of my two summers on staff incredibly memorable (for reasons beyond the obvious). Incidentally, I wound up doing grad school in VT and worked as a day camp counselor/swim instructor on the Wyoda grounds in the summer of 1998, when it was Horizons Day Camp. I visited often in grad school and tear up each time I see the “ake Fairlee” sign off the highway. =) Would love to hear from former staff and campers. rwoconnor@gmail.com

]]> by: Janie http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-59888 Sun, 12 Apr 2009 22:58:30 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-59888 I attended Wyoda for 2 years, back in the '40's. (None of the contributions above go back that far!) When I read about Newky, MaryKay and Cozy Nook, I just had to add my two cents. I always thought Wyoda was sold when Newky and MaryKay thought it was time to retire; I never knew about the sad and disheartening event that brought it to an end. Wyoda has meant so much to so many! I will continue to hold on to my positive memories. Janie I attended Wyoda for 2 years, back in the ’40’s. (None of the contributions above go back that far!) When I read about Newky, MaryKay and Cozy Nook, I just had to add my two cents. I always thought Wyoda was sold when Newky and MaryKay thought it was time to retire; I never knew about the sad and disheartening event that brought it to an end. Wyoda has meant so much to so many! I will continue to hold on to my positive memories.

Janie

]]> by: Gail http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-59349 Sun, 22 Mar 2009 03:11:38 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-59349 Hello, I'm Gail the English art counsellor from 1991.We did `Annie` as our main play, and Sarah Young did a brilliant Miss Hannigan,and we painted a great backdrop. I had dyed red hair and allegedly overused the word `nightmare`. I liked daffodils (there is one painted on the wall in my bung). Robin, Amy and Christina were my best mates. I may have been a totally ancient 20 years old at the time, but we all grew up together .I am really gutted about the stuff I just read....I was about to download some Wyoda photos earlier onto the Facebook site but after reading this blog, it made me feel far too ill and sad to put anything nice forward. I'll save it for tomorrow. Cheers, Gx Hello,
I’m Gail the English art counsellor from 1991.We did `Annie` as our main play, and Sarah Young did a brilliant Miss Hannigan,and we painted a great backdrop. I had dyed red hair and allegedly overused the word `nightmare`. I liked daffodils (there is one painted on the wall in my bung). Robin, Amy and Christina were my best mates. I may have been a totally ancient 20 years old at the time, but we all grew up together .I am really gutted about the stuff I just read….I was about to download some Wyoda photos earlier onto the Facebook site but after reading this blog, it made me feel far too ill and sad to put anything nice forward. I’ll save it for tomorrow.
Cheers,
Gx

]]> by: Deirdre "Dee" Laing Limoges http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-59308 Sun, 15 Mar 2009 02:33:23 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-59308 My dear friends, sisters, These posts have moved me beyond measure. Oh, Wyoda, Our Hearts to YOU Our Hands to YOU, Oh, Wyoda, Our Hearts and Hands to You. We pledge ourselves to your success, Our love for you will 'nar grow less. Oh, Wyoda, Our Hearts to YOU, Our Hands to YOU. Oh, Wyoda, Our Heart and Hands to YOU. I'll post more another time. My sister Kristin Laing Kittleson and I attended. I in 1973, 79-87? and she from ? 80-87? Our beautiful home. The place where we each first came to truly know ourselves and hold ourselves as real people out in the world. What a great gift. Please reach me at my email any of you. You are my friends, my sisters, my family all of you.........simply because you are Wyoda girls. lifechangeunlimited@gmail.com Kristin started a Facebook Group, please join us there too. My dear friends, sisters,
These posts have moved me beyond measure.
Oh, Wyoda, Our Hearts to YOU Our Hands to YOU,
Oh, Wyoda, Our Hearts and Hands to You.
We pledge ourselves to your success,
Our love for you will ‘nar grow less.
Oh, Wyoda, Our Hearts to YOU, Our Hands to YOU.
Oh, Wyoda, Our Heart and Hands to YOU.

I’ll post more another time.
My sister Kristin Laing Kittleson and I attended.
I in 1973, 79-87? and she from ? 80-87?

Our beautiful home.
The place where we each first came to truly know ourselves and hold ourselves as real people out in the world.
What a great gift.

Please reach me at my email any of you.
You are my friends, my sisters, my family all of you………simply because you are Wyoda girls.
lifechangeunlimited@gmail.com
Kristin started a Facebook Group, please join us there too.

]]> by: Kristin Laing http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-59306 Sun, 15 Mar 2009 01:22:12 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-59306 I thought the change to a day camp was innocent. I'm DISGUSTED that that happened. I have created a Facebook page for ALL campers of Wyoda and have contemplated putting together a reunion. If anyone is interested, please go to Facebook and look up Wyoda Girls. I was a camper for 4 years, my Fran Laing a counselor for 2 and my Dee Laing literally grew up there, while my dad, Fred Laing and brother, Jamie, went to Passumpsic. As sad as I am that the future of the camp was forever altered by one horrible night, I hope that everyone will agree that it is worth it to reconnect with each other - as I am so happy to see that Wyoda was such a special, magical place for everyone. I thought the change to a day camp was innocent. I’m DISGUSTED that that happened. I have created a Facebook page for ALL campers of Wyoda and have contemplated putting together a reunion. If anyone is interested, please go to Facebook and look up Wyoda Girls. I was a camper for 4 years, my Fran Laing a counselor for 2 and my Dee Laing literally grew up there, while my dad, Fred Laing and brother, Jamie, went to Passumpsic.

As sad as I am that the future of the camp was forever altered by one horrible night, I hope that everyone will agree that it is worth it to reconnect with each other - as I am so happy to see that Wyoda was such a special, magical place for everyone.

]]> by: Griffith Feeney http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-58157 Sat, 17 Jan 2009 20:03:28 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-58157 I noted Katy's "If any of you were there between 1959-1964——-I would just love to hear from you! " I was at Wyoda in 1960 as a handy man and 1961 as stableboy. Just wrote Katy an email to the address shown above, but it bounced. I post this on the off chance that it may lead to some way for the email to get through. In fact, ... Remember the Little Abner show? Handy man Terry Thomas played little Abner, exquisite type casting. "Time and quality go hand in hand," he used to say. I got onto the job through Terry's family, who also lived in Montclair NJ. I moved to Scarsdale in 2002, after 30 years living in Hawaii, tried to track down Dan, who grew up in Scarsdale, but it is a common name and I didn't get anywhere. His father worked on wall street, had given up smoking many times. Not a lot to go on. I remember Pam Tibidoux--swimming counselor? Mike, the swimming coach, who had apparently been there forever. There was something between them. Probably you know more than I. Other faces come back, but not names. Well, Susie B., of course, who I re-established contact with in 2006 after--42 years. Carol Ann, her sister. The Kramer sisters, twins, what were their names? They will come to me if I think for a while. Betsy, the riding instructor, was my boss. She said of the riding counselor, who was from Denmark, I think, "She couldn't ride a box car with both doors closed." Think maybe 1961 was the first year riding was offered, at Wyoda, at any rate. Remember Cozy Nook? Was that the name? Across the street from the craft house? I watched the last stages of the barn being built, this must have been before the season began in 1961. I remember watching the carpenter, whose name I can't think of, framing up the door on the side facing the lake, very impressed. The carpenter's daughter worked in the kitchen, Beverly Smith was her name. The twins: Paula and Suzanne Kramer. They must have been from New York, I've googled them as well, but found nothing. Many keen memories from those summers. The moonlight through the pines walking from the barn up to Cozy Nook, never hear Ray Charle's Georgia without thinking of that. The bell clear voices of the campers in the dinaing hall, You are My Sunshine, Blue Skies, .... Well, there you are. I wonder if you have heard from others. Not so many from the early sixties commented on that post. I'll be sorry if this email bounces! Cheers! Griff I noted Katy’s “If any of you were there between 1959-1964——-I would just love to hear from you! ” I was at Wyoda in 1960 as a handy man and 1961 as stableboy. Just wrote Katy an email to the address shown above, but it bounced. I post this on the off chance that it may lead to some way for the email to get through. In fact, …

Remember the Little Abner show? Handy man Terry Thomas played little Abner, exquisite type casting. “Time and quality go hand in hand,” he used to say.

I got onto the job through Terry’s family, who also lived in Montclair NJ. I moved to Scarsdale in 2002, after 30 years living in Hawaii, tried to track down Dan, who grew up in Scarsdale, but it is a common name and I didn’t get anywhere. His father worked on wall street, had given up smoking many times. Not a lot to go on.

I remember Pam Tibidoux–swimming counselor? Mike, the swimming coach, who had apparently been there forever. There was something between them. Probably you know more than I.

Other faces come back, but not names. Well, Susie B., of course, who I re-established contact with in 2006 after–42 years. Carol Ann, her sister. The Kramer sisters, twins, what were their names? They will come to me if I think for a while.

Betsy, the riding instructor, was my boss. She said of the riding counselor, who was from Denmark, I think, “She couldn’t ride a box car with both doors closed.” Think maybe 1961 was the first year riding was offered, at Wyoda, at any rate.

Remember Cozy Nook? Was that the name? Across the street from the craft house?

I watched the last stages of the barn being built, this must have been before the season began in 1961. I remember watching the carpenter, whose name I can’t think of, framing up the door on the side facing the lake, very impressed. The carpenter’s daughter worked in the kitchen, Beverly Smith was her name.

The twins: Paula and Suzanne Kramer. They must have been from New York, I’ve googled them as well, but found nothing.

Many keen memories from those summers. The moonlight through the pines walking from the barn up to Cozy Nook, never hear Ray Charle’s Georgia without thinking of that. The bell clear voices of the campers in the dinaing hall, You are My Sunshine, Blue Skies, ….

Well, there you are. I wonder if you have heard from others. Not so many from the early sixties commented on that post. I’ll be sorry if this email bounces! Cheers!

Griff

]]> by: Julene Schwartz http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-57699 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:46:36 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/02/27/feeling-of-home/#comment-57699 I was devastated when I heard the reason why the camp closed. I attended Wyoda from 79-86. I was in Bung 5,7,10,12,15, 16, CIT and JC. My final year I ran the woodcraft cirlcle, snacks at goodnight circle, taught beginner/advanced beginner horseback, taught sailing, competed in every single regatta on that lake. I canoed the CT River at least 20 times, climbed MtWashington 5 times, went to Volvo (Pro Tennis) every year. I loved the Hanover trips, parent's weekend, trips to Baker's for ice cream. And let's not forget if you were bad you had to sleep on Newky's porch....needless to say I spent a few nights there. My memories of camp are the sweetest most fond memories I have. It's so sad that Wyoda's reign had to end on such horrible circumstances. I was devastated when I heard the reason why the camp closed. I attended Wyoda from 79-86. I was in Bung 5,7,10,12,15, 16, CIT and JC. My final year I ran the woodcraft cirlcle, snacks at goodnight circle, taught beginner/advanced beginner horseback, taught sailing, competed in every single regatta on that lake. I canoed the CT River at least 20 times, climbed MtWashington 5 times, went to Volvo (Pro Tennis) every year. I loved the Hanover trips, parent’s weekend, trips to Baker’s for ice cream. And let’s not forget if you were bad you had to sleep on Newky’s porch….needless to say I spent a few nights there. My memories of camp are the sweetest most fond memories I have. It’s so sad that Wyoda’s reign had to end on such horrible circumstances.

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