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Past Web Page News Notes 2000-04


NOVEMBER, 2004, NEWS

SEPTEMBER, 2004, NEWS

JULY, 2004, NEWS


EXCITING NEWS for the Massawepie History pages! Now available under Historical Documents 1952-1959: the first installment of the diary of Harley Burgdorf, Massawepie's first property superintendent. This installment covers September, 1951 - June, 1952, and includes the building of Camp Pioneer and the Mountaineer Road, and the opening of Camp Pioneer. Many thanks to Chuck Burgdorf (Harley's son and a retired BSA property superintendent himself), who copied the appropriate sections from the diaries. When Harley's family (including sons Chuck and Jim) moved to Massawepie on Sept. 25, 1951, none of the current buildings existed, nor was there any electricity on the property. This diary makes fascinating reading for anyone interested in the early years of Massawepie Scout Camps.



JUNE, 2004, NEWS


APRIL, 2004, NEWS


FEBRUARY, 2004, NEWS


A number of Massawepie staff alumni played key roles in the recent Otetiana Council Klondike Derby, held the weekend of February 6-8 at Mendon Ponds Park. Alumni Association president Mark Pulvino headed up this extremely successful event. Thanks to all who helped!



JANUARY, 2004, NEWS

NOVEMBER, 2003, NEWS


The Massawepie Staff Alumni Association Executive Committee met on Nov. 18, and finalized plans to donate $1000 toward the Ray and Addy Meyering Rifle Range in memory of Don Whitcomb. This donation will ensure that Don's name is permanently displayed at Massawepie on the Rifle Range plaque. Don was a member of the Alumni Association when he passed away in September, and most recently had been a volunteer staff member in the Massawepie office the past few summers.

Don's initial Massawepie experiences were in leading Troop 91 of Longhorn District to camp each year for almost 20 years as Scoutmaster. Don was also a leader of the Rolling Rock Patrol, and later the Slug Patrol, both groups of adult volunteers who performed thousands of hours of service work at Otetiana Council camps. Don was a long-time member of the Massawepie Properties Committee, and was the Beaver Weekend coordinator for many years.

Don will be fondly remembered by many. In addition to the Association's memorial donation to the Rifle Range project, a group of Don's friends are currently finalizing plans for an appropriate way to remember him for all of the special and wonderful things he did to support Scouting and Otetiana Council. You'll hear more when those plans are finalized. If you have questions of suggestions on this effort, please contact David Lippitt at dlippitt@frontiernet.net .

For more information on the November, 2003, Executive Committee meeting, check the draft minutes.


SEPTEMBER, 2003, NEWS

******************************* In Memorium ***********************************

The Massawepie Staff Alumni Association has recently lost two alumni members: Don and Dan will be missed by their many friends in Scouting. Please keep their families in your thoughts and prayers.

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The Massawepie History web pages now contain many new images of memorabilia from the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, and 2000's. Several of the 2003 patches are included. Thanks to Bill Boyle, Jim Kunkel and Jeff Wight for providing and/or identifying some of these images.



AUGUST, 2003, NEWS
2003-04 Alumni Association Group Photo



JULY, 2003, NEWS


50th Anniversary Alumni Association Patch        As of July 1, donations and pledges for the new Ray and Addy Meyering Rifle Range at Camp Pioneer total $34,820. That's 39% of the $90,000 goal, with over $23,000 to date coming from Massawepie Staff Alumni. This is great progress, but we still more funds in hand (about $12,000 has been received to date) in order to begin the sitework in 2003. Here are two ways you can help make the Meyering Rifle Range a reality:
      1) Make a donation. The Rifle Range Flyer provides more information about the plans and how you can help.
      2) Purchase one of the remaining Massawepie Staff Alumni Association special "50th anniversary" patches. This patch is available by mail order only, and proceeds from 2003 patch sales will go to the Rifle Range Project. You may download a form (in Adobe pdf format) here.



JUNE, 2003, NEWS



MAY, 2003, NEWS



MARCH, 2003, NEWS
50th Anniversary Alumni Association Patch       The Massawepie Staff Alumni Association special "50th anniversary" patch is still available at a reduced price. The remaining inventory of fewer than 115 patches out of the 465 patches made will be sold on a first-come, first served basis. This patch is already a collectible, and would make a great gift for a Scouting collector, a new Eagle Scout, a hard-working Scouter, or a new Webelos crossover.
      This patch is available by mail order only. You may download a form (in Adobe pdf format) here. Proceeds will be used for Alumni Association projects to benefit Massawepie, such as helping with the new Camp Pioneer Rifle Range (planned for construction beginning in 2003). More details about the Rifle Range project will be coming in the Spring Newsletter.



FEBRUARY, 2003, NEWS


When the Massawepie Staff Alumni Association began in 2000, there were some doubts about the group's staying power, since previous attempts at staff alumni get-togethers had fizzled in the 1970's. Now, after our success in establishing the Loren Hakes Campfire Circle and in organizing the Massawepie 50th Anniversary Celebration, it's clear that the MSAA is here to stay! For that reason, efforts are underway to formalize the group as a permanent part of the Otetiana Council. At its February 19 meeting, the MSAA Executive Committee began work on written "Rules of Operation" for the Association. The tentative plan is to have these rules ready for approval by the MSAA membership during our Annual Meeting on May 31 at Beaver Weekend. More information will be included in the Spring MSAA Newsletter.


JANUARY, 2003, NEWS


DECEMBER, 2002, NEWS
50th Anniversary Alumni Association Patch       The Massawepie Staff Alumni Association special "50th anniversary" patch is now available at a reduced price. The remaining inventory of fewer than 125 patches out of the 465 patches made will be sold on a first-come, first served basis. This patch is sure to become a collectible, and would make a great gift for a Scouting collector, a new Eagle Scout, a hard-working Scouter, or a new Webelos crossover.
      This patch will be available by mail order only. You may download a form (in Adobe pdf format) here. Proceeds will be used for Alumni Association projects to benefit Massawepie, such as helping with the new Camp Pioneer Rifle Range (planned for construction beginning in 2003).



NOVEMBER, 2002, NEWS

Continuing our mission to "Support" Massawepie, the Alumni Association Executive Committee decided at its November 14 meeting to make two donations to the Otetiana Council: Funds for these donations came from member dues and donations and our 50th anniversary patch and concession sales. Thanks to everyone who helped! Our next "financial support" project will be the new Rifle Range at Camp Pioneer, schedule for construction starting in 2003. Details to follow.

Pictures (courtesy of the Lippitts) from the September 28, 2002, Massawepie Alumni Family Picnic:
Grilling Eating Group Photo



OCTOBER, 2002, NEWS




SEPTEMBER, 2002, NEWS




AUGUST, 2002, NEWS

50th Anniversary Alumni Association Patch       The Massawepie Staff Alumni Association is now taking orders on a first-come, first served basis for the remaining inventory of our special "50th anniversary" patch incorporating a red, white, and blue number "50". The patch was based on a winning design in our Patch Design Contest last fall. Only 465 patches were made, so this is sure to become a collectible. Fewer than 140 currently remaining unsold.
      This patch will be available by mail order only. You may download a form (in Adobe pdf format) here. Proceeds will be used for Alumni Association projects to benefit Massawepie, such as helping with the new Camp Pioneer Rifle Range (planned for 2003).


The Massawepie 50th Anniversary Celebration & Reunion was held the afternoon and evening of Saturday August 3, 2002, at Massawepie. Highlights included: Many thanks to everyone who attended this successful event, and especially to those who volunteered their time to make it happen!

Pictures (courtesy of the Lippitts) from the August 3, 2002, Massawepie 50th Anniversary Celebration:
Registration Tent for 50th Anniversary Celebration Boa Constrictor at 50th Anniversary Celebration
Shotgun Range at 50th Anniversary Celebration Campfire at 50th Anniversary Celebration The newest Silver Beaver recipient: David Lippitt



JULY, 2002, NEWS


Check the 50th anniversary page for updated schedules and information on the August 3rd celebration at Massawepie.

The latest Massawepie Beaver:
      
weighs over 350 pounds and lives on the porch of the Camp Pioneer Scoutmasters Lounge! This chainsaw sculpture was commissioned by the Massawepie Staff Alumni Association for Massawepie's 50th Anniversary, and was carved by North Country artist "Woody" Adams.

The Massawepie History pages again have a number of new items. The links below lead to pages where the following new items are found:


JUNE, 2002, NEWS


Beaver Weekend, 2002, again featured many Massawepie Alumni Association members working to get camp ready for summer. Projects tackled by groups of alumni included construction of the new Camp Pioneer COPE/Climbing area, remodeling and repair of several staff cabins, and the annual "spruce-up" of the Loren Hakes Campfire Circle. The group photo at left was taken in the Campfire Circle following the Massawepie Staff Alumni Association's Annual Meeting Saturday evening. (Click on the photo for a larger image.)



MAY, 2002, NEWS


The Spring, 2002 Massawepie Alumni Association Newsletter has been mailed to all current members. The newsletter contains information about Beaver Weekend including our Annual Meeting, along with 50th Anniversary information, the membership renewal form, and the 50th Anniversary Alumni Patch order form.


50th Anniversary Alumni Association Patch The Massawepie Alumni Association is now taking orders for a special "50th anniversary" patch incorporating a red, white, and blue number "50". (This was a winning design in our Patch Design Contest last fall.) This patch will be available by pre-order until June 15, at Beaver Weekend, and during the August 3rd Anniversary Celebration. Alumni members should have received an order form with their May newsletter; others may download a form (in Adobe pdf format) here. Proceeds will be used for Alumni Association projects to benefit Massawepie, such as the Loren Hakes Campfire Circle.



APRIL, 2002, NEWS


The Massawepie History pages again have a number of new items, thanks to ongoing perusal of Otetiana Council files, new eBay listings, and images sent by various Alumni. The links below lead to pages where the following new items are found:
MARCH, 2002, NEWS


The Massawepie History pages now have many new photos and news clippings, thanks to Chuck Burgdorf (whose father Harley Burgdorf was the first Massawepie Property Superintendent) sharing items from his archives. We've also added a few new items from the Otetiana Council files about the Massawepie purchase, including the original "Boy Scout Camp Needed" flyer that kicked off the camp search. You can find these new items on the following pages:
FEBRUARY, 2002:


Planning for the 50th Anniversary Celebration on August 3rd at Massawepie is coming along nicely.
JANUARY, 2002:


Wednesday, January 23 was the date for the Massawepie Staff Alumni 2002 Happy Hour! A gaggle of former staffers converged on the Scotch and Sirloin (in Brighton, NY) to reminisce and to discuss the upcoming Massawepie 50th anniversary events. We even consumed tasty munchies, once our fearless president got past the "No, we don't serve food like that here" protests of some of the establishment's helpless help. The evening was a resounding success when measured in terms of camaraderie, frivolity, and the number of unsuspecting volunteers recruited to help with the big August 3rd anniversary event at camp. Thanks to Kathy Elliott for making the arrangements, and to all who attended.


DECEMBER, 2001:

The Massawepie History section of this web site now contains 34 photographs of Massawepie from the 1940's. These photos were compiled into an album in 1951, when the Sykes family sold the Massawepie property to the Otetiana Council, Boy Scouts of America. The photographer and album compiler was Edward Dreby, III, who has given us permission to post these historic photos of the old Childwold Park Hotel buildings and grounds. Mr. Dreby's wife, Virginia Sykes Dreby, is the granddaughter of W. L. Sykes, who purchased the Massawepie property in 1917.


NOVEMBER, 2001:

The deadline for the 2002 Patch/Logo Design Contest has been extended to December 14. This contest is being sponsored by the Massawepie Staff Alumni Association in connection with Massawepie's 50th Anniversary celebration. Designs are due to the Otetiana Council Servicenter by November 30th. (Note: Entries become property of Otetiana Council and will not be returned.) All designs must, at a minimum, include references to Massawepie, 50th Anniversary, and 1952 - 2002. The patch border should be gold-colored. Designs may be modified to meet size and printing needs. The winner will receive 50% off his one-week fee for attending Massawepie in 2002, or a $50 gift certificate from the Scout Shop.


OCTOBER, 2001:

SEPTEMBER, 2001:

AUGUST, 2001:

JULY, 2001:

JUNE, 2001:

MAY, 2001:

APRIL, 2001:


The Massawepie History area of this web site has been upgraded with many new features. The Massawepie photo page now includes pictures from the 1950's. Additional documents from the 1950's are now available on the historical documents page. There is a new Massawepie memorabilia page including camp patches and also postcards from the early 1900's showing the hotels on Massawepie Lake and Catamount Pond.


MARCH, 2001:

FEBRUARY, 2001:


IN MEMORIAM: Leonard J. "Ski" Delesky, who served as the Otetiana Council Director of Camping from 1963-68, died on February 13, 2001. He was Massawepie Reservation Director during 1963-64. During a Massawepie history interview in 2000 with Peter Collinge, Mr. Delesky mentioned several of his key accomplishments, including:
JANUARY, 2001:


At our January 25 Happy Hour, we got together with "old" staff friends at Chi Chi's Restaurant in Henrietta. In addition to sharing (and trying to recall) camp memories, we talked a bit about the Alumni Association and our plans.


DECEMBER, 2000:

Pictures from Don Whitcomb show the latest work on the Loren Hakes Memorial Campfire Circle improvement effort. The campfire site is looking even better, and we're at 70% of our fundraising goal!


NOVEMBER, 2000:

Our Massawepie History web page has been greatly expanded, incorporating all of the information formerly on Peter Collinge's separate web page.


SEPTEMBER, 2000:

Our first annual Fall Family Picnic/Clambake was held on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Shady Rest Pavilion in Powder Mills Park. We had a great afternoon of fellowship, fun, and superb food. The group swapped old camp stories (suitably embellished with the passage of time), and remembered old friends. We hope to see even more alumni next year!

Special thanks to Mark Pulvino for making all of the food arrangements and for acting as Head Chef. Thanks also to Don DeClerck and Mike Oyer for bringing cooking equipment and helping Mark with the feast. Dave Lippitt, who made the mistake of suggesting a site near his house, willing lugged garbage pails, put up signs, and attended to numerous other details. Our president and first gentleman, Kathy and Brett Elliott, brought all of the odds and ends that make a picnic a success. And everyone there helped out somehow - after all, these are former staff members. (Remember that line in the staff contract: "and any other duties that the camp director may assign"?) Thanks to all for making the day a rousing success.


JUNE, 2000:

The first annual meeting of the Massawepie Staff Alumni Association was held at Massawepie on June 3, 2000 (during Beaver Weekend). Check out our group photo on the steps of the new Trek Building!


Massawepie is the Boy Scout summer camp for the Seneca Waterways Council which serves youth in five counties near Rochester, New York: Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, & Yates counties. The Massawepie Scout Camps are located on New York State Route 3 between Cranberry Lake and Tupper Lake in the Adirondack Mountains.
Page URL: http://MassStaffAlumni.org/News2000-04.htm
Web Page Designed and Maintained by Peter Collinge
Added to the Web: February 19, 2019; Last Updated: November 2, 2020