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 […]
Dorthe Balaskas
Directors #5
“Dorthe had a gargantuan job with all those girls ages six to sixteen and those counselors in their twenties, “ said Kim Wynne-Parry, who camped 1963-68. “She did her job with kindness and benevolence. I remember her as a huge presence.” “A reserved and capable woman, friendly without acting silly. You took her seriously,” said […]
Directors #4
Dorthe Balaskas was the assistant under Alice before becoming the director in 1966 and served until 1969. She had worked for other camps, so when Alice Bishop wanted to retire, Dorthe applied for the position. Her degree was in Special Education, specializing in physically impaired methods from Eastern Michigan University, but she also received her […]
Counselors Share Their Stories #1
“I was at Western Michigan University, packing to go home after my sophomore year, with no plan for a job for that summer,” said Ann Carney (1968-72).” Brooke, (a fellow classmate that I did not know), said she was going to camp as a horseback riding instructor. I had just finished my certification as a […]
Counselors Left Their Mark
“The year was 1947 and we were all in a tent down the hill to the right of the lodge. We should have been known as the dirty shoes and socks gang. There was a counselor that said her name was Julianna Knockalulu Desdemona Pocohantas Bubble Gum Duck Face Ford. Some important things you just never forget”, […]
Arrival!
An early copy of “The Loon” was found in the Girl Reserves scrapbook dating back to 1937 with an article entitled “Arrival Day”, which gave a great vignette of what it must have been like for the new girls to land at camp. “About eleven o’clock Wednesday morning a few girls began to arrive one […]