Back when I was a young counselor it made a big impression on me when several former counselors I really looked up to brought their boyfriends and girlfriends down to meet Tay. I wasn’t sure exactly why they wanted her opinion of who they were dating. Looking back on it now I realize two things – #1 they could count on her to tell them what she really thought and #2 she was a great judge of character.

She frequently told the staff “Don’t marry anyone until you’ve gone on a canoe trip with them”. What I think she meant by that is that you see someone’s true character when they are on a canoe trip – you know if they do their fair share, you see if they appreciate the same things you do, you learn if they are a complainer – basically you see them in a real-life situation and not in the artificial setting of a date.

At camp, we discourage romantic relationships and encourage friendships. Even so, over the years, several counselors who have become good friends at camp have gone on to get married. Guy T. helped Lele get her supperhike fires going, Eric and Anneleis were both from Holland, Alex from Denmark and Cristina from Spain married in Pamplona several years ago and Tay and Dr. Guy were there. Several weeks ago it looked like a Strong River Reunion in Lafayette LA when Corey and Sarah Katherine got married. William read the Irish Blessing we sing at our final breakfast at camp as part of the ceremony. Most of the bridesmaids were counselors. The groom’s cake was several tiers of Strong River Banquet cupcakes. The whole event was beautiful and Tay and Dr. Guy and I were so pleased to be a part of it.

Tay’s advice still makes good sense. First, be a friend and next, make sure to go on a canoe trip with someone before you marry them. Best wishes to expert canoers Corey and Sarah Katherine!!!

Meet you at the Orange Mailbox… Sarah Dabney

No related posts.

My high school was affiliated with the English Speaking Union and I got to participate in their exchange program that allowed me to go to England for an extra year of high school. It was an amazing year. In one class, we studied Hamlet for the whole year!

There was a special Jubilee celebration that year and Queen Elizabeth invited some of the exchange students to an event at St. James Palace. It was a thrilling experience just to go into the palace. We were assigned to specific rooms and I was sent to the Queen Anne room – one room away from the Throne room. That was when I met Winston Churchill III who was a Member of Parliament. He was so kind to me and when it was time for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip to come through our room he showed me just what to do.

We all put down our food and drink and formed a corridor from one door across the room to another door. The Royal couple walked through the room slowly and I managed to curtsy to the Queen and she smiled at me. Then Prince Philip stopped to speak to Mr. Churchill. To my surprise, he introduced me to the Prince and told him I was from Mississippi. I honestly can’t tell you exactly what we said to each other. It was a blur even as it was happening. The next thing I remember was leaving the Palace and meeting up with the other students at the Hard Rock Cafe – a new “hot spot” in London.

Another bonus of that year in England was the good friends I made. Akkie was a friend who came over the next summer to be a counselor at camp. Four of Akkie’s six children have also come to camp and we are looking forward to Helen returning to us this summer.

When you embark on a new experience you never know in advance what you are going to get out of it or what you’ll remember most about it. Hopefully, you’ll make a friend or two – some you’ll stay in touch with and some will just be a happy memory. Rest in peace, Mr. Churchill.

Meet you at the Orange Mailbox… Sarah Dabney

Related posts:

1. Homecoming

In early December we had a repeat of last year’s snowfall. Then we had a wonderful visit with Greg Thomas from Oregon. Greg was a counselor the first few summers Strong River existed and even spent a winter at the farm one year as he prepared to enter medical school.

Yesterday several counselors gathered at the farm to wish Tay and Dr. Guy a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Meet you at the Orange Mailbox… Sarah Dabney

No related posts.

I was just back at Chatham Hall – my high school in Virginia. Every time I return I think about everything I learned there. They have just received a 31 million dollar bequest from a woman who felt transformed by the school.

That is what leaving home does for us – it stretches us and challenges us and helps us grow. We get out of our comfort zone and try new things. We find out what we really like and discover that other people like us.

Another great thing about leaving home is that we realize how much home means to us. When you are there all the time you may not appreciate it as much. When you go to camp for a week or school for a year you begin a pattern of leaving and returning home which you will enjoy for the rest of your life.

Strong River is planning a homecoming as well – for all those who’ve come to camp since 1973. Plans are still tentative but we know it will be Memorial Day weekend – May 29-30, 2010. We’ll look forward to having everyone together for a weekend of sharing memories, laughing, eating, and enjoying one another – just like home.

Meet you at the Orange Mailbox… Sarah Dabney

Related posts:

1. It’s a Small World…

Today was Tay’s 85th Birthday! We had a great day at the farm with lots of phone calls and cards from friends and family. We started celebrating yesterday with a luncheon with a dear friend and then a visit with out-of-town relatives. Today we had birthday cake and we recycled candles from a previous birthday – very true to form as Tay has been a recycler for eons. For the photo she added the extra five years by holding up her fingers…
Somehow we got through the day without spankings, Russian ear-pulls or the Bumps – perhaps because none of our International staff are here yet. But they are on their way! This year we hope to have Denmark, England, Scotland, South Africa, and Taiwan represented at Strong River.

Meet you at the Orange Mailbox… Sarah Dabney

No related posts.

Last week there was a big tornado that came within 12 miles of us. It made national news and I started receiving emails and telephone calls from all over the country. We are fine here at the farm and didn’t have any damage from the storm but we are grateful for all of your concern. The town of Magee was hit hard and we are trying to support our neighbors to the east. It is nice to know that we have friends near and far who are keeping up with us.

The Strong River has earned  the name “Strong” this week and I will post some photos of the high water soon. In the meantime – tell your friends to go ahead and register – the waiting lists are starting on some sessions and we hate disappointing our old campers.

Enjoy this beautiful blooming season and we will see you SOON!

Meet you at the Orange Mailbox… Sarah Dabney

No related posts.

Those of you who help pick the squash and blueberries, help dig the potatoes and gather the cucumbers, know how much fun we have in the garden. And those of you who help shell the peas, snap the beans and shuck the corn all tell us how much better the food tastes when you’ve helped in the preparation.

A famous writer died today. His name was John Updike. I remember he wrote a poem once about how children no longer learn the art of hoeing and working in a garden. That made him sad. He would be surprised to see how many of you get up before breakfast to come to the garden… Here is his poem. 

Hoeing

 I sometimes fear the younger generation
 will be deprived
 of the pleasures of hoeing;
 there is no knowing
 how many souls have been formed by this
 simple exercise.

 The dry earth like a great scab breaks,
 revealing
 moist-dark loam --
 the pea-root's home,
 a fertile wound perpetually healing.

 How neatly the great weeds go under!
 The blade chops the earth new.
 Ignorant the wise boy who
 has never rendered thus the world
 fecunder.
                                         John Updike

Meet you at the Orange Mailbox… Sarah Dabney

No related posts.

Some counselors join Tay and family for a visit during the Christmas holidays.

Related posts:

1. Let it Snow!

Today is the Winter Solstice which means tonight is the longest night of the year. I only found out today that Robert Frost was referring to the Winter Solstice in the poem with the line “the darkest night of the year.”

I just took Red and Blue out for a walk before bed and the night sky is amazing. The stars are brilliant and sparkling and I am sure that Frost was inspired by a night like this to write his famous poem.

I’ve had a lot of Christmas celebrations, and when I look back over the years, I think the best gifts I’ve ever given were reciting those poems for my grandmother. That gave us a connection. Sometimes it is the simple things – baking, decorating, sitting around the dinner table, reciting poems, – that end up meaning the most to us later.

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep, 

And miles to go before I sleep.”    (Robert Frost, 1922)

I hope you have a wonderful holiday with those you love and that many years from now you’ll have fond memories of this special season.

Meet you at the Orange Mailbox… Sarah Dabney

No related posts.

Related posts:

1. Counselor Meeting