Alice Sageman “just loves Maqua and has the patience of Job”, wrote Dorthe Balaskas in her 1967 report on the cook. (No temper, just calm and never wasteful in consideration of the high cost of the food.)
Lin Harris (1967) had a memory of a cook named Alice, cigarette hanging from her mouth, with her child at camp.
“There were some complaints about the food,” wrote Dorthe, “but for every complainer there was someone who thought the food was good.” (A specialist had come from Lansing to help Alice with her menus, but had only one or two suggestions that summer.)
She had a talent for gathering her group of aides together, which meant she was not left to do it all on her own. The campers showed their appreciation with songs. She tried not to repeat menus, and despite not being the best baker, she tried. She was eager to return to Maqua the following summer, which was a relief to Dorthe.
The assistant cook, Mrs. Finnie, was a concern to Dorthe, with her heart problems and age, but there were no incidents and she was a hard worker, who was warm and friendly, which “added so much to the camp spirit and staff morale”. She was considered Alice’s right hand man and if there were ever any disagreements between them, they worked them out quietly between themselves.
The kitchen aides that summer were hard workers and anticipated the needs of the kitchen without having to be constantly reminded. All three of them hoped to return to Maqua. Dorthe added comments about how much easier it was with paper products, but the expense was high and she hoped a dishwasher could be purchased in the future. The camp aides did not have to do towels this year, but a laundry lady was hired.
Cook Edna Sheffer was a first year staffer as a cook in the kitchen in 1971 and Barbara Haggart wrote in her report; “I’m sure none of us are leaving without gaining at least a couple of pounds because of her donuts, cookies, cakes, rolls or sweet rolls.” She was described as flexible, uncomplaining and always willing to do extra things to enhance the camper’s meals. She was also a good sport during the evening programs and showed genuine interest in the campers.
Barb Rehmus (1965-76) attended camp every summer for a month and worked her way up from camper to kitchen aide and on to counselor. “I had so much fun with Edna in the kitchen. She was a school cook and made everything from scratch. I would come into the kitchen and there she would be, breaking down the dough, beating it up and forming rolls. She was the grandmotherly type. I can still hear her saying “Go to the storeroom and get me a can of this and a can of that—-“
The girls all appeared to enjoy her cooking, but Cindy Knapp’s (1968) favorite was the grilled cheese sandwiches and potato sticks. Sharon Williams (1971) loved Edna’s well-balanced meals and the milkshakes that were made for her when her jaw was hyper-extended.
Dawn Sohigian (1966-74) loved her no bake chocolate cookies, but hated her rubbery pancakes. “We couldn’t eat them (cookies) fast enough. Once we were kitchen aides, we could sneak in the kitchen and eat them, because we knew where they were, but we always got caught, “she said.
As Susan Prieskorn (1966-72) said, ”The cook had quite a lot of power.” What do you think she meant by that?
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