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.

Judi Eubank

“In 1973, I brought someone to camp – my wife,” began Steve Eubank in a 2001 recording. “We had just gotten married. Judi had never spent any time in a tent. We lived in the Hole down in Camp Murrey where married Staff lived.” Apparently, she didn’t hate it. In 1974, Judi Eubank served as Parnell’s Kitchen Director!

As dining hall director, Judi was one of the few women on the camp staff who was not part of Stahlman’s cook staff. The only other women on staff at that time were at Murrey, running the family program. Judi ran Parnell’s kitchen as Steve served as the Program Director. They had a Saint Bernard, Annie, with them that summer, which helped with homesick Scouts and staff.

Judi has been just one of dozens of women to serve on the Boxwell staff over the years. Seen here a crop of Steve and Judi as they appeared in the 1974 Parnell Staff Photo.

Steve and Judi Eubank, 1974, Crop from the Parnell Staff Photo, collection of Perry Bruce.

Canoes from the Ceiling

Some photos just don’t need a lot of explanation. This photo from 2003 shows the late night hard work of the Craig Waterfront staff. Sometimes you have to put in that extra effort to give Scouts the program they deserve. And yes, that’s current Reservation Director Jason Flannery in the bottom right. Did he have anything to do with this? You’ll have to ask him…

Waterfront canoes hanging from the dining hall ceiling, 2004. Photo by Brandon Bateman.