Signs, Signs, Everywhere There’s Signs! III

The signs series continues this week with a rarity. Seen here is the sign that graced the road split to Stahlman and Murrey. A version of this sign exists today, but of course “Murrey” is gone, replaced with CubWorld.

This particular sign has seen quite a few revisions over the years. This is the original sign, but after 1975, “Boat Harbor” was removed as the harbor was closed. After the 1994 capital development campaign, “Boat Harbor” was remade and readded, but “Camp Murrey” was removed for Gaylord CubWorld. In the early 21st Century, the current roof was added and this is the sign we have today.

The Murrey-Stahlman Crossroads sign, 1970. Photo by Chris Eckert

Signs, Signs, Everywhere There’s Signs! II

The signs series continues this week with a classic. Seen here is the original directional sign at the top of the hill. The core of this sign still exists today, but it has been covered, expanded, and the cedar planks refurbished and repainted.

Taken in 1970, this was the sign that greeted people as they stopped at the Crippled Crab. At the time, _everything_ on the backside of the reservation was Camp Light. Interestingly, you can just barely make out the next sign in the bottom right with three planks: one for Parnell, one for Light, and one for the Chapel, which was completed in 1965.

The camp directional sign at the Crippled Crab as it appeared in 1970. Photo by Chris Eckert.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere There’s Signs! I

Not having done a series in awhile, we thought it might be nice to take a look at some of the Reservation’s signs. Some are gone, some have changed, but all are very “camp.”

The first sign this week is a relic of a by-gone age. When Parnell was a working resident camp, for many, many years it had a “fenced” area near the dining hall. A picnic table was placed here every summer and for a number of years a “Visitors’ Rest” sign was hung here. The Visitors’ Rest sign was unique though in that it was made of twisted vines and branches.

Here is the sign in its final days. Taken in 2002, the sign was left up after Parnell stopped being a resident camp. Much like the “Greater Camp Parnell” sign, the Visitors’ Rest sign has receded into the shadows of history. For a time though, it was an important marker of a place for staff meetings, breaks from basketball, or a place to just hang out.

The Parnell Visitors’ Rest Sign, 2002. Photo by Kerry Parker.

A Snow Covered Grimes

The essence of simplicity this week: The Grimes Canoe Base assembly area covered in snow. The photo was some time in the 1980s during Wayne Hamm’s long run as ranger at the facility. With this photo, we declare winter over!

The Grimes Canoe Base Assembly area, mid-1980s. Photo by Wayne Hamm.

A free Bologna Sandwich, Courtesy of Michael Allen

This story comes Andy Whitt in January 2000. The story has been lightly edited for clarity and space. Attached photo is Ernie Ragsdale in Stahlman Dining Hall, mid-1980s.

“I believe the year was 1988 or 1989. The late great Ernie Ragsdale was the Program Director. It was lunch time and I was sitting at the front table along with Ernie and the other camp directors. It was also the much anticipated cold cut day.

“The waterfront staff was late to lunch that day (as was usual) but actually had an excuse because it was mile swim day. We had all fixed our sandwiches and were sitting down getting ready to eat. For some reason, Ernie had made his plate, set it down on the table and then walked off to talk to someone leaving has plate dangerously unguarded. Michael Allen [of the waterfront staff] approached the table holding a napkin that had been cut in a circle about the same size as a piece of bologna. He lifted the top piece of bread of Ernie’s sandwich and slapped the napkin on top of the meat and then set the bread on top of it. Of course all of us at the table witnessed it as well as
some scouts around us. None of us decided to tell Ernie thereby becoming silent accomplices.

“Ernie came back and sat down. We anxiously watched him bite into his sandwich. He chewed and swallowed – nothing happened. Ernie took another bite – nothing happened. Then he took another and noticed something. He then pulled something out of his mouth and then with a puzzled look inspected his sandwich. He then pulled the bologna sized napkin from his sandwich. Ernie threw his sandwich down on the table and demanded to know who had done this. Of course due to the safety and well-being of Michael Allen all of us decided against telling Ernie. So we let him rant and rave, he even yelled at a couple of scouts sitting nearby that were laughing at him. Eventually, Ernie simmered down and actually laughed a little in spite of himself.

“But Ernie didn’t know who actually did it until the Gizmo prize for the day was revealed: A free bologna sandwich courtesy of Michael Allen.”

Program Director Ernie Ragsdale in Stahlman Dining hall, mid-1980s. Photographer unknown.