Copper Enameling and Dippity Glass Flowers

Published on October 23, 2017October 24, 2017 by Kathy Baker

“I remember arts and crafts, weaving the unfinished lanyards that we were making for our girl crushes, or sitting on the dock dipping the straw into the lake to wet the pieces down to make baskets that probably never got made,” said Cara Prieskorn (1966-71). There were also bracelets made from what appeared to be leather shoelaces that we tied in knots and wore on our wrists until they rotted off. But, I did make a copper enamel poodle pin for my Mom that was light blue with a dark eye and she still wears it. I just told her recently, OK Mom, you can stop wearing that pin now and she told me she likes to wear it!”

A kiln sat safely in a corner of the craft hut for copper enameling, but only staff were allowed to use it. Leslie Ciesielski and Kathy Allen were craft directors in 1970 and they handled about 12-15 students each hour. That year, along with copper enameling, beaded necklaces, Zodiac signs in plaster and Dippity glass flowers were popular.

“The Dippity Glass Flowers were simple, but not practical for a crafts class,” their activity report stated. “Many times, we had to dispose of half-full jars because they had thickened so rapidly.”

Arts and Crafts–

Published on October 18, 2017October 18, 2017 by Kathy Baker

In 1927 the craft hut and boathouse were built, under the watchful eye of Mr. Clark, who chaired the construction committee. “He was ably assisted by Mr. Perry, Mr. Fifield, Mr. Davidson and Mr. Clift,” noted the minutes from that year. In 1936, the minutes contained a mention that a screened porch was needed on the “arts and crafts hut”, but it took a few years before it became a reality.

Maryetta Simmons wrote about handicrafts in the “Loon” of 1949, which was run by Jackie Dawson and Vicki Smukal. “The campers may buy craft strip bracelets, plastic belts, scotch purses, earrings, wooden plates, pill boxes, flowers and leather articles,” she wrote of the crafts that were usually made for parents. She remarked the craft hut was a great place to go on rainy days, because “there is a bright fire in the fireplace and happy girls”.

The craft hut was also a great place to take photos for publicity. Many postcards, brochures and feature articles in the Bay City Times displayed the photos of the girls sitting on the long bootstrap benches around the linoleum covered tables, working on their projects.

Mary Obey found herself in two copies of the Bay City Times, dated 1957, seated at a craft table, concentrating on a project. She laughed, saying,”I might be in the craft hut in that photo, but that part didn’t carry over into my adult years!”

Load and Fire!

Published on October 16, 2017October 14, 2017 by Kathy Baker

Riflery was held in a “covered car part building”, which contained seven mattresses and the target was a backboard fifty feet ahead of the lean-to. The building had been enlarged and moved in 1950, due to the proximity of the range to the cottages. (It is unclear where the shooting range was located during earlier years, but there were archival photos of riflery classes.)

According to Linda Lee Harp’s 1969 directors’ reports, there were only seven guns, so only seven could attend class at one time. The guns were in a riflery cabinet that was locked at all times. The camp charged seven cents a round, which bought a round of five cartridges, so the girls knew not to charge up too high, knowing it was going on their store bill.

The safety procedures in place included a red flag to let anyone in the area know that shooting was in progress. The horse trail ran past the range and firing had to cease when the riders went through.The correct way to hold a gun, how to site in, and the positions were taught, as well as the certificate process. Each student moved at their own rate according to their mastery of their guns and the director and her assistant kept good records for certification.

Bullets and Bows–

Published on October 11, 2017October 1, 2017 by Kathy Baker

“I loved the riflery and still have my NRA diplomas and archery certificates from camp, “ said Diane “Dodo” Dudley (1957-63). “I still shoot and use my pellet guns to shoot at balloons or targets. I am not much for the rifles anymore, since they make too much noise, but I have been back and forth across the country about four times camping, so Maqua did influence me.”

Many of the girls learned new skills that came with these sports, bearing bruises as badges. Kathleen Clements (1961-62) decided after the welt on her forearm from archery, it was not for her, but it did not deter Chris Lambert (1958), who later taught the skills to others at camp.

“I loved riflery and my grandfather had given me a 22 when I was fairly young. I loved learning to shoot standing up, sitting down and laying down. I liked archery, but in the beginning my arm would be all black and blue, so I took an archery class before I taught it, so I could hold it the right way.”

Kim Wynne-Parry (1963-68) felt archery and riflery broadened her horizons and was pleased at how proud her Dad was when she came home from camp with her awards. Rosemary Orgren (1956-58) had to be encouraged to try archery and riflery, but loved that she could hit a target. “My Dad was a hunter and I had learned to shoot tin cans off a log, but the archery always bruised my arm.”

Taking Aim—

Published on October 9, 2017October 4, 2017 by Kathy Baker

“Archery is becoming a nationwide, popular sport and for this reason is enjoyed by most of the campers,” wrote Nan O’Tool in the July 11,1950 edition of the “Loon”. “With good coaching and practice, campers can become expert Robinhoods.”

In 1969, beautiful bows were on loan from Bear Archery Co in Grayling. and Barb Grey noted in her activity report that she wished she could buy them. Linda Lee Harp was the archery instructor in 1969 and she had detailed descriptions of the equipment, rules and class procedures, safety procedures, and how to work through the series of awards from the CAA. All these notes were a benefit to anyone coming in the following years as an instructor.

The campers had to complete a series of 15 yd. requirements before moving to 20 yds. Only points were recorded, not hits, and the scoring started from the middle yellow ring or bullseye with nine, the red ring with seven, blue with five, black with three and white ring with one point.

The certificates, cards and seals were free, but pins and arrows were paid for out of the campers’ store funds. A round consisted of five ends of six arrows each and most of the time was practice time with scoring at the end of the hour, until it evolved into a class of only scoring.

Alice Shetter commented in the “Loon” on the archery with Norman Neeb as the instructor in 1949. He had the girls string, unstring and aim the bow for their first lesson and after a day or two of practice, the girls felt ready to score for their awards.

Sports and Staff–

Published on October 4, 2017October 3, 2017 by Kathy Baker

Some years were better than others for staff, and the sports section at Camp Maqua was not immune to the ups and downs of hiring qualified counselors for tennis, archery and riflery.

In one of the directors reports in the sixties’, Dorthe Balaskas wrote that sports was a let down, as she felt they had so much to offer. “I felt the staff did not open enough of the activities to the campers and limited what they could do,” she said, reflecting on the free choice scheduling and lack of enthusiasm. But, the following report indicated sports went much better and the staff was capable and worked better together, attempting to interest campers on a wider level.

Barbara Haggart was the sports director in 1967 and Dorthe felt her to be an asset, as a song leader, driver, and proficient with camp skills and planning programs. She was popular with girls of all ages. “I feel she would make a marvelous program director, and have been pleased with her ability to handle the campers in a group, which I must mention, is not an easy thing to do,” said Dorthe of the loyal social butterfly known as “Beanie” who had excellent ratings.

Girls of Camp Maqua

My Book ~ Your Story

1950’s