The Alliquippa Philosophy

By Martha Hunt

Sooner or later every teacher is faced with formulating a philosophy and putting it down on paper. I have often wondered what I would write if I had to state my thoughts as regards my bossing here at Alliquippa. I am quite certain there are many young men and women who have lived here with me who would make a far better statement than I ever could.

Years ago I read Mary Eilen’s Chases Windswept, and I have always compared myself to her bossy and domineering housekeeper. Quite possibly I have even patterned myself after her and have felt safe in that. For although the house was ruled by her firm hand, she was loved and respected.

I believe that all young men and women who work for me should love children. I want them to put the interests of Alliquippa before their own desires. I want them to be firm and friendly and I want them to be leaders who can have fun while they work and play with the kids. My campers should be boys and girls who love the water and who want to learn to swim, to sail, and to care for our boats. I would encourage as many as possible to learn to use the motors and to study the motor so as to understand its care. I would hope that every fisherman is just as interested in cleaning and cooking his fish as he is in catching it.

To me, one of the most important things is to keep our house neat and clean, to have a place for everything and everything in its place…. I am constantly distressed with boys and girls who bring much more clothing than they need and who throw their clothing all over the floor or leave things on the clothes line for days and days. I would strongly request every girl to leave her hair curlers home. Wear the hair natural all summer. I am certainly going to request that girls leave all the fancy country club outfits at home another summer.

I would request that no boy or girl who does not love hiking consider spending a summer here. If a camper does not want to do the necessary jobs in caring for the house he should not come. My ideal camper would be interested in nature and would watch the tides for the best times to study all the sea life. Certainly he would want to explore everywhere his two legs would take him, and he would ask to sleep out under the stars once in a while. When he sails he would learn to sail and all there is to know about sailing. If he water skis he should learn signals and rules of the road and should make every attempt to improve and grow in this sport. If we have tennis instruction he would get all the help possible toward improving his tennis. And of course my ideal camper would read every good book he could find in our library. He would have a book at rest hour and a book before and after dinner instead of just sitting and listening to a noisy victrola.

Now, as my philosophy, it may be too domineering, but perhaps it has to be. I do want happy and busy men and women, boys and girls. I try to promote happiness for all, but I do demand activity and the use of the many opportunities I provide. I would far rather see a boy or girl improve in a sport than I would see him sit in a boat for a ride. Most of all I want everyone here to love and enjoy Maine and Alliquippa and perhaps someday come and tell me that his greatest desire is to give his own children the very same opportunity.

(This was printed in the 1961 Post Quipps)

Sandpiper Comments

By Dick Wallace

Martha Hunt, affectionately known as Mott, ran Alliquippa for about thirty years. Her feelings about how camp should be run are shown in the preceding article. I have done my best to continue the camp using the same basic philosophies…. Whenever I speak with parents and firm time campers I stress the fact that our camp is a big family in which everyone enjoys doing lots of things.

The sandpiper is that beautiful little white bird that runs and flies along in front of the breaking waves on the beach at Seawall. I think that the reason I like that bird so much is that it is always doing something worthwhile – and seems happy doing it. Nothing makes me more content than to see a big group of Alliquippians busily constructing a massive sand castle while furiously defending it from the incoming tide. That may somewhat silly, but those campers are having a good time; they are taking pride in what they are doing and it is something they will look back on next winter as a beautiful memory. What Alliquippa is all about is spelled out very well in Mott’s article.

Mott was a great cook and she ran the kitchen with an iron hand. She had a very shrill voice and when she said “Get out!” even the lobster men jumped. When she was happy she’d grab people in a big bear hug and swing them around. I think that if she could be here with this group this summer and see the neat, happy people we have here, she’d grab you all in one big hug – and you would deserve it!

I think that I shall never see,

The kind of true friend you are to me.

I think that I shall never find,

The kind of true friendship that is yours and mine.

Days pass on, night times too.

What’ll I do without you?

The summer’s gone and you’re gone too,

I’ll always remember my summer with you.

Betsy Rosengarden

Love is not only a

Feeling.

But a part of life.

And when you alter

Life because of it,

Well, at least you know you’re

Getting close.

George Bernstein

An Overnight Sail – Swim

By Nancy & Debbie L.

The overnight sail at Alliquippa has always been a popular event, and this year as many years before, there was a large interest in participating in it. Not everyone who signed up for the sail was able to go, because we could only use four boats, accommodating twenty four people, therefore, some were left out.

After several postponements, the preparations began Wednesday night, August third. Sleeping bags were rolled up, and food was packed along with minor camping gear, such as Swiss army knives and kerosene lanterns.

Bedtimes were the same as usual, however the Dorm descended upon the third floor stairs, and then into Pig Alley where they began the first in the series of raids. Although this raid was unsuccessful, the Dorm got their jollies anyway!

As the stroke of midnight, bells rung, and Dick paraded through the house announcing a fire drill. After dragging campers, and some young counselors out of their beds, everyone met on the front lawn in their evening attire. Five minutes later all were back in bed, and the house was quiet.

The silence was broken at 12:15 a.m. when Nancy and Debbie L. persuaded the Dorm into another raid, promising some real excitement and a lot of volume. Once again the troops descended upon their battlefield. In the confusion and massive disorder blankets were tossed, pillows were thrown, and the four little piggies (Todd, Sean, Chuck, and Kenny) along with their boar (George), remained helpless.

The following morning, after breakfast, the boats were equipped with food and gear, and the sleepy crews were rearing to go by 11:00 a.m. Progress was slow at first because of the lack of wind. The proud fleet was lead by J.J. who was skippering the Seriol, followed by Pam Mattison in the Coo-Coo, Diney and George in the Alaric, and Ted in the Pintail.

The wind picked up beyond Wood Island, and from there on it was smooth sailing, until we entered the harbor at Jewel Island, where the wind became gusty. The Seriol had made its mooring, and the Coo-Coo and Pintail were tacking up the harbor. The Alaric had fallen behind a bit, and was just reaching the mouth of the harbor when suddenly their sails were struck by a strong gust of wind, and the boat swamped immediately. Although the water was cold, the majority of the crew remained calm throughout the ordeal, however there were also some who shall remain nameless, who panicked more than others. As the crew held onto their vessel, clothes, oars, life preservers, etc. floated out to the mighty ocean.

The brave skipper and his first mate, both who shall also remain nameless, remained with their boat, while the other crew members were rescued by the Coo-Coo, thanks to Hydee’s sighting of the endangered craft (thank you Hydee).

A nearby yacht came to their assistance by towing them to a mooring, and once there the water-logged Alaric was bailed, and slowly rose to the surface of the water.

After all the excitement, the crews were ferried to the island, where they collected firewood, and set up a comfortable camp site. The fire was built, and while some stayed to dry off, others went to explore the towers and the caves on the far side of the island.

Because of the loss of some food during the capsization, the cooks made the best meal out of what was left. After dinner most of the group gathered around the fire, singing songs, telling jokes, and stories. After boiling potatoes for the following morning’s breakfast, we all sacked out. No one got very much sleep because of certain peoples rowdiness – Is anyone asleep? – Evan Z. was appointed guard, and throughout the evening he patrolled the area, scanned the harbor with his flashlight, and once in a while catching a brief snooze in his hefty garbage bag.

The following morning we all rose to a breakfast of partially cooked hash-browns and what looked like scrambled eggs. We got off to an early start at 7:30.

The swells of the water were quite large, causing the boats to rock, and few cases of seasickness in the crew.

After a four hour journey home, the proud fleet returned to their home just in time, for lunch, a little earlier than had been expected.

Overall, everyone seemed to have had a good time but were glad to be home.

Talent Night

On August 2, 1977, Alliquippa held its annual talent night. Though it is never easy to find talent at Alliquippa, this year it was especially hard as was shown in some of the skits.

The award for the best Alliquippa talent went to the Pharmacy (see best song) for their very amusing song. Although Terri, Seena and Lisa F. sang a little out of key the song managed to tell the real inside truth about some of the counselors.

The funniest act of the evening came from Pig Alley. With the help of their counselor, George, the pigs managed to take an extremely sophisticated three act play and turn it into a slap stick comedy. We applauded their acting and their courage for wearing dresses and tights. “You’re a lump, so there.”

Lisa B., Debbie L. and Nancy had the most original lyrics in their song which taunted the other people and counselors a bit. This skit was very good considering the type of talent available to write the song-skit.

The Dorm, which was led by Michelle, was the best directed performance of the night. It showed some maturity in their dance and song routine. I wonder what the routine will be like three years from now.

The most appealing skit was by Pickens Nose for their song to the tune of our favorite melody Chopsticks.

Diney’s boys, led by their counselor, were the best costumed. They all displayed their real fantasies, being either headhunters or soup. We thought that was weird also.

Mark’s Monkeys won the award for the craziest skit. With the help of Timmy the boys managed to tell the true story about bedtime.

The cutest act, performed by Little Dorm, was a scene from the Wizard of Oz. Who knows, perhaps it would have been cuter if their counselors had participated.

The goofiest act was by Boys Back Quarters and Matt’s Boys. Displaying their latent tendencies, they parodied a meal at Alliquippa.

Treasure Hunt

The annual Alliquippa Treasure Hunt was held on Monday, August 8, 1977. As usual there was plenty of action and excitement: bringing out the Alliquippa spirit in all of us. The search for the treasure lasted until 12:30 a.m. The victors, the yellow team, found the treasure amid the confusion of three searching teams on Moose Path. Upon their return to the house, the winners were awarded with vanilla and chocolate frappes.

Green	Blue	Red	Yellow
Michelle	George	Monica	Diney
Matt	Hydee	Mark	Coady
Tim	Lisa B.	Debbie L.	Evan Z.
Sean	Jon	Chuck	Todd
Terri	Kenny	Natalie	Lisa F.
Debbie K.	Stephanie	Seena	Betsy
Kathy	Barbara C.	Sharon	Alison
Nick	Meg	Joe	Louis
Brett	Larry	Evan C.	Julie
Jimmy	Debbie G.	Ricky	Rich
Gail	Ilene	Amy	Hanna
Suzanne	Barbara E.	Laura

Talent Night: Best Song

by the Pharmacy

(sung to the tune “Those Were the Days”)

Once upon a time there as a camp, way in place called Small Point, Maine.

The whole camp lived there as one family, after six weeks we wound up insane.

CHORUS:

This is our camp my friends, we’re so sad when it ends

We’re a family bound by trust and love. We have all become so close

And what we all love most and what we all love most is this fantastic place – Alliquippa.

The one who heads the camp is Richard Wallace. He handles all the problems and much more.

We love him and we get along so nicely, except the times he makes us scrub the floors.

CHORUS

With Sydney as the cook the foods not bad, although it is the cheapest in the store.

When she makes us eat vegetables we’re mad, but when it comes to turkey we want more.

CHORUS

Our counselor Monica is such a darling, she hasn’t burnt a bit of chili yet.

But putting us to bed on the exact dot, is one thing that she never will forget.

CHORUS

There are two counselors that we know and love, in the races they are always was ahead.

They are the handymen around the house, these two could only be J.J. and Ted.

CHORUS

Michelle is one of this camp’s crazy counselors, she is in charge of things up in the dorm.

They still arrange to always fight and argue, you should hear them all cry up a storm.

CHORUS

We cannot forget George and his little piggies, he always has them wagging out their tails.

Except sometimes on boring unplanned evenings, when they run off and chase all the females.

CHORUS

The two counselors who live in Little Dorm, are Hydee Patterson and Coady Brown.

They love their job as mommies to the children, at times they’d like to throw them out of town.

CHORUS

Caring for the little boys is Matt Helm, he loves his job and does it mighty fine.

He also runs the fishing at this camp, although fish don’t ever bite his line.

CHORUS

We can’t forget the people in Backquarters, Evan Zemil, Timmy and Jon D.

If you are ever looking for the sloop, the bathroom is the place where he will be.

CHORUS

And last but not least is the Pharmacy, its jars and bottles really give us class.

But when it comes to burning all our garbage, we really can be pains in the ….

CHORUS

Some Treasure Hunt Clues

BLUE TEAM

Lawn Boy

I look pretty mellow

I’m called the little fellow

But I get real mean when I see

Some lean green

J.J.’s Car

Rumors in the cool air

Stormin’ on the super slab

You don’t have a coke

Till you catch sight of a bear

YELLOW TEAM

Round Table

In days of old

When knights were bold

They were known to gather….

Bat

Bluenose and Tinpail Staff Box

Editors: Monica & George

Troll Bridge Ass’t Editor: Mark

A fearsome creature dwelleth Staff: Nancy, Hydee

You would be smart to stay away Debbie L., Coady

But if you must go

You had better pay

RED TEAM

Terrace

If looking for a meal

With special added flavor

Hand here a little

And don’t let the mosquitoes savor

Sail Drying Area

Moist and mildew

They must be spread

For it is rot

We most dread

GREEN TEAM

Theordore Dean Roebling Vogel

There once was a lad from chocolate city

Who’s speech was odd but also gritty

He was apt to shout

At another young lout

And that’s all there is to this ditty

The Further and Final Adventures of the Little Black Bear

When we last left the little black bear, he had been recaptured and locked up by his wicked stepmother Dolly. In this new adventure the little black bear is sad that the friendly family next door is leaving, so he devises a plan to escape once and for all.

Everything runs according to plan for the little black bear. When Evan, Dolly’s serf, comes over to the house to work for his daily pittance, the little black bear’s plan goes into action. From previous experience the little black bear knows that Evan, the serf, would eventually break something. As Evan reaches for the little black bear he darted over to the priceless perfume counter. Evan lunges for the bear and CRASH!!, all the perfume bottles are broken. Just then Dolly rushes through the door. Leaving it open, and screams as she sees the mess. When the little black bear sees Dolly crying over the spilt perfume, he darts out the door. Because Dolly is too upset and too busy with the fiasco, she never notices the little black bear is gone.

Little black bear runs over to the big white house but sadly discovers that the friendly neighbors are gone. They has all gone to their homes in Baltimore (and New Hampshire, and New York, and Tokyo, and Virginia, and Massachusetts, etc…). The bear is disappointed. His friends have all gone away and he wants to be with them.

Just then, he has a great idea. He decides that he will abduct Dolly’s sailboat, the Coo Coo, and sail to Baltimore.

As the sun sets in an August west, the small figure of a Small Pointer, sailed by a little black cat, is seen on the horizon sailing south toward Maryland.

Sports and Activities

VOLLEYBALL

Once again the winner of the volleyball tournament was team 2, Ted’s team.

Team 2

Teddy

Lisa B. PING PONG TOURNAMENT

Evan Z. The 2 finalists in this years

Stephanie tournament were Chuck and Ted.

Alison Chuck had to overcome many

Sharon obstacles (Kenny, Diney), to

Debbie K. get to the finals.

Louis

Jimmy

TENNIS TOURNAMENT

Once again this years tennis tournament was a nail-biter. The tournament went to a third set in the finals before the winning team of Barbara Cohen, and Sean Sumner won the third set over George Bernstein and Betsy Rosengarden. The scores of the match were (6-0), (4-6), (6-4).

Fishing

This year the fishing was far from spectacular. The winner of the fishing chart, with 6 fish, was George Bernstein.

Hiking

This year the winners of the hiking chart walked, and walked, and walked, and walked, and walked their feet off in an effort to win the hiking sweatshirt. The under 12 winner was Ilene Grossman, the over 12 winners were Lisa B., and Debbie K. A special award went to Sydney, for her many miles of hiking, the correct number however will never be known.

What does Alliquippa Mean to you?

To most people Alliquippa means love, camp, sharing, boats, water and family. But to other people it means something different. To Diney it means “girls, boats, and creamed sausage”. And George’s mind is similar, “girls and sailboats, girls in bikinis in sailboats”. To Jimmy it means football and Barbara Eisner thinks of overflowing toilets when she thinks of Alliquippa. Lisa F. says it is a crazy house. I guess Alliquippa is something different to everyone. What does Alliquippa mean to you???

Lisa Blumenfeld

FOR YOU

This year I came to Alliquippa with the feeling of authority. However, when the campers got here and I tried to go into my big, older, tough counselor routine I couldn’t. I could tell that this group of kids was going to be different from years before. In the earlier days of camp there was a feeling of disunity in the camp, but I think that was only because we didn’t know each other very well. As the summer went by the camp formed a very close family. Of course we had our problems but then again every family does. The closeness that occurred during the weeks to comes was to be unbroken the whole summer, and I feel that the feeling will not leave any of us for a long time. We all worked together for different goals, but the outcome of all of our work, play, and those things in-between was the same – love and admiration for each other, and a little more self respect for ourselves. When 50 people from different places can form this strong a bond, it shows you something about this place we call home, our camp Alliquippa. In short, it was my job this year to make sure you all has a good summer, but I realized that it was you who made my summer the best of my life. Let us all keep in touch over the winter.

George Bernstein

WARNING:

Recently there has been a problem at Alliquippa with regard to bedding. Apart from the tendency of Diney’s ceiling to drench him while he is sleeping, other counselors have been distressed to find, upon returning home late at night, that their beds had been short sheeted. Dick consequently has ranted and raved against the devilish mischief and the problem seems to have subsided. However we suggest that before drifting off to sweet dreams tonight that you inspect your sleeping area to ascertain this is it safe.

The Authorities

Alliquippa Last Will and Testament 1977

Chuck Anderson – Camilla, in a Camaro

George Bernstein – an orderly dinner table in the dining room

Kenny Blue – Camilla, and more packages

Laura Blue – vegetables

Gail Blumenfeld – quiet roommates

Larry Blumenfeld – new roommates

Terri Blumenfeld – more responsibilities, and mattresses

Lisa Blumenfeld – vocabulary lessons

Coady Brown – a mean streak, the “Vodka”, and a Maharaji

Evan Clarke – a dry dish towel

Barbara Cohen – a later bedtime

Jon Davis – a new song

Barbara Eisner – a lady in waiting

Mark Eisner – legitimate authority and the air horn

Alison Ernst – Pig Alley

Lisa Felderstein – a little sister

Todd Felderstein – Camilla or a female no preference to species

Meg Gamble – a room of little girls

Debbie Gordon – longer legs

Louis Gordon – a new flashlight

Monica Green – a bigger closet and more choice

Ilene Grossman – a fist fight

Diney Hamburger – an older woman

Ricky Kolodny – a skipping stone

Debbie Krisher – her senior lifesaving

Joe Krisher – ochinchinatoma

Sharon Lefko – her own kitchen

Debbie Levine – a course in personal relations

Matt McElroy – an interest in girls to match his looks

Michelle McElroy – a collection of her own wits

Nancy MacKay – her skippers, freedom?

Kathy Massel – a high school dance

Suzanne Massel – her rowers

J.J. Miller – Alliquippa

Hydee Patterson – composure and a nurse

Nick Platt – his own mountain trip

Sydney Ramey – a vacation

Tracy Regan – 10 more days at camp

Betsy Rosengarden – a room of her own

Brett Sirota – a temper tantrum

Amy Stark – more summers at Alliquippa

Seena Stein – an Alliquippa boyfriend

Natalie Stern – a moody boyfriend

Stephanie Strauss – security

Sean Sumner – Camilla, and a private shack

Tim Ullman – experience to match his knowledge

Julie Varian – a trunk full of gifts

Ted Vogel – a jail sentence

Dick Wallace – his trip to East Brown Cow

Rich Wallace – a care package

Jimmy Williams – two front teeth

Evan Zemil – tact

Alliquippa House Twenty Years from Now

Chuck Anderson will have a manly appearance.

George Bernstein, editor of “Penthouse”.

Kenny Blue, Mr. America.

Laura Blue, baking butter cookies.

Gail Blumenfeld will be smiling.

Larry Blumenfeld will be bossing his sisters around.

Terri Blumenfeld will have straight hair.

Lisa Blumenfeld, still dancing every dance (for her own reasons).

Coady Brown will be “missed” and loved.

Evan Clarke, spending a whole summer at camp.

Barbara Cohen, a doctor of hypochondria.

Jon Davis, best read.

Barbara Eisner will have long blond hair that “shakes”.

Mark Eisner will be a full editor of the Quipps.

Allison Ernst, settled.

Lisa Felderstein will be friendly with her brother.

Todd Felderstein, a dirty old man.

Meg Gamble will be the longest standing counselor at Alliquippa.

Debbie Gordon, a debutante in a green ball dress.

Louis Gordon will be running a complete line of sports outfits.

Monica Green, still at the drive-in.

Ilene Grossman will be competing on the Olympic swim team.

Diney Hamburger will be reaching the end of his fuse.

Ricky Kolodny, a hippie.

Debbie Krisher will be foster mother to a houseful of stray children.

Joe Krisher, a wild man.

Sharon Lefko will be replacing Sydney.

Debbie Levine will be convalescing from a knee operation.

Matt McElroy will be manufacturing tericloths.

Michelle McElroy, getting her drivers license, and her senior lifesaving, and learning to count.

Nancy MacKay, successful.

Kathy Massel will be unconscious of her appearance.

Suzanne Massel will still be happy.

J.J. Miller, still chasing people to bed.

Hydee Patterson, a Small Pointer, and driving an orange truck.

Nick Platt will be wise.

Sydney Ramey, head sailing counselor at Alliquippa.

Tracy Regan, good-natured as ever.

Betsy Rosengarden will still be doing flips across the horizon.

Brett Sirota, getting his serve over the net.

Amy Stark will be running a line of buoys.

Seena Stein will be Twiggy.

Natalie Stern, old enough.

Stephanie Strauss will be allowed to keep her package.

Sean Sumner, settled (also).

Tim Ullman, finally getting into 50’s rock-n-roll.

Julie Varian will not complain about the icy water.

Ted Vogel, still talking odd and gritty and as chocolate as Chocolate City.

Dick Wallace will sleep through second bell.

Rich Wallace, working all morning.

Jimmy Williams, wearing dentures.

Evan Zemil, a spiced out miser.