The Maqua torch from Dorthe Balaskas was passed the summer of 1970 to her assistant Barbara Haggart, affectionately known as “Beanie”, who followed in the shoes of her former associate/boss, who ultimately became a very good friend.
“She was a great mentor for me, and she always had the well-being of Maqua and the campers in mind,” wrote Beanie about a note Dorthe had given her on the closing day of camp when she retired. “I had a dog (Daisy) given to me the previous year by “Chops” She was a sweet dog, and Dorthe was always teasing me about her.”
“Dear Beanie, You must know that my thoughts will be of Maqua next summer, the wonderful campers, etc. I truly wish you well-strength to do some of the unpleasant tasks, but above all that you will take good care of that which has been put in your hands—Maqua’s future. The spirit was here before I came. I tried my best to care for it, preserve it—some people make it hard to do. Don’t let them diminish what Maqua has. I have confidence that your love for children, (and) your sincere kindness will prevail throughout your years at Maqua. Don’t let others run ruin or think they know what’s best for Maqua, for in this time of our life they care too much for self and little for giving and preserving. Please know that I want Maqua to run smoothly. I hope I have helped you, but if you need any help or have questions, please feel free to call me. You’re a dear—No. 2 “Train that damn dog!! (Joking) Fondly, Dorthe”
Beanie must have been a little rough around the edges under Dorthe’s directorship, as her reports indicated a few bumps in the roads with tardiness and cabin duties, describing her as a “social butterfly”.
“As I recall,” said Beanie, citing an unclear memory, “I was a bit hard to reign in, because I was a social butterfly that enjoyed getting to know the other staff members. I was given a lot of singing responsibilities after meals and at the campfires, and contributed lots of program ideas for the kid’s activities. They took me away from my cabin a bit and I think I wasn’t with my cabin as much as I should have.”
As an only child, and exercising her freedom at her first year of college, she admitted her naivete and the inclination to sit in her dorm and talk to people more than studying, and her first year grades reflected her immaturity. Despite Dorthe shaking her head at her and giving her a hard time, she had leadership potential, according to her best friend and crafts director—Emmy Host.
“In the years after the first one, Dorthe and Emmy would occasionally bring up my flakiness in the first year, and Dorthe would say that Emmy had more faith in me than she did.”
“Barbara Haggart showed improvement after last summer’s performance,” wrote Dorthe in her 1966 report. “She handled her responsibilities as a cabin counselor but still had difficulty getting to class on time”, but continued with glowing remarks about her song sheets, organization and safety record with riflery and maturity with her responsibilities.
Barbara graduated from high school in 1964 and had been a counselor in training at another camp that summer, but after she attended a job fair the following year and interviewed with Dorthe Balaskas, it was the start of her Maqua journey. From sports director to program director, assistant director under Dorthe and finally director when she left, she left an indelible mark there and vice versa.
“Dorthe was Greek, and a little intimidating in her demeanor,” said Barbara, “ but she was also funny and when I did stupid things, she forgave me. We remained friends long after camp.”
“Beanie”, as she was known at camp, received her nickname the first summer at Maqua. “I didn’t have a name and I remember Lee (Engel), who ran the camp store, came out with the staff and showed us what she was going to sell in her store. Everyone laughed when she pulled out this little green beanie,” she said. “No-one thought it would sell. I came out with one, rigged up with two tongue depressors like a “Beanie Copter” and they sold out!”
She started as a Pioneer Girl and attended their camps at age thirteen. She earned her degree in Physical Education at Western and when she came to Maqua, she already had riflery and archery experience under her belt, as well as the one summer at a camp as a junior in training She was the perfect fit for the sports director, which she did for two years. Dorthe Balaskas made sure she had the credentials for teaching archery and sent her to get certified before she came to camp.
For the next two years, she was the program director, which she loved. She made up all the activities, led the songs and played her guitar. “We sang after lunch and after dinner,” said Beanie. “I was an only child and went to camp late in life (thirteen) and was only supposed to stay two weeks, but I called and asked to stay for the whole summer! I sang in high school and a church choir and also in college. I played the baritone ukulele in the dorm and the twelve string guitar in camp, so I could lead the songs.”
The last three or four years she wrote down some of the songs and “ditto-ed” a songbook for the staff, but the kids were able to see the lyrics in bold lettering on large paper sheets attached to the lodge walls. She laughed as she relayed a story of Marcia Michelson and Shelley Harris calling her for years from different parts of the world, including France, to sing the camp songs over the phone.
What were your memories of Barbara Haggart during your sessions at camp?