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Bob's Bike to the Bitter

9/18/2013

 
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Meet Bob.  Well, many of your already know him.  Bob Hammond worked at camp "back in the day."  So... Remember Bob?

He signed up to ride the 22 mile loop in our 3rd Annual Bike to the Bitter.  If you, like me, have met Bob - you probably just titled your head and thought - really?  Bob's gonna ride 22 miles on a bike?

That is exactly  how he hooked sponsors into giving him $20 if completed the ride.  He was really proud to have raised a lot of money and prove all of us skeptics wrong!  He sent the letter below to all his supporters - and gave me permission to share it with you.

Well, (and that's a deep enough topic on its own!) I made it! I've got the pictures to prove it. And so do you. Starting and finishing, I was still vertical and breathing.

 As you can see, I talked a dear friend from Citi into riding with me. As it turned out we went around the 20 mile loop - backwards. But, hey, I was on course. It only adds to the grand mythology of Camp and certainly my own stories.

Chris, Pam (my partner), Barb, and I met for breakfast at the Smyrna Diner at 7:00am Saturday morning and headed out on one of the finest days we've seen this September. Scattered clouds (big, puffy cotton balls heralding a pleasant temperature and humidity), beautiful sunrise, and the lighter than usual post-Labor Day traffic made the drive down to Camp a very pleasant ride.

We arrived just in time to stretch and start with a crew of young, eager riders. When we got to the first branching of the loop the old man pulled out his map, obviously consulted the I-ching instead of the instructions, and said "hey, Scott and Kevin are just a couple miles up the path, we go this way". Off we went.

 At the rest stop with the guys we figured out we were going around the loop backwards. Since it would have added about 6 miles to the total, turning back was not really an option. What's the phrase, "soldier on"? Off we went again.

 By the time we passed the bulk of the other riders we were about half-way round. Pace is pace and ours was doing just fine. We traded leads several times with each other (Pam and I) and mostly stayed in sight of the four girls I'd misled into thinking I knew where I was going. 

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Bob's "Blondtourage" & fellow backwards bikers
About 3/4 around the loop we stopped for a break at the radio controlled airfield Terry Carmine (the former Property Manager at camp for 45 years) used to fly out of. Still a beautiful day, no dramatic rise in temps, and the breeze/pressure combination kept the humidity down. I’m sure you in the Southeast and any sailors out there know how much I detest an over-abundance of humidity. I can stand it but I've got no use for it.

 As you can see, both Pam and I crossed the official finish line. This completes the validation required by your attorneys and financial advisors to release the funds in support of your pledges :)

 On a personal note, a steroid shot in my left hand on Thursday had already started acting by the weekend. This will have a very positive impact on my outlook for both guitar and sailing. 

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Top Row: Bob Hammond, Dave Willis, Steven "Wigger" Caroll & Steve Johns Bottom Row: Jim Feaster & Walt Lafontaine
I've included a picture of several of the old crew from way back when. All of you on the Camp side will laugh or cry and my family will either know or have heard stories of them also.

I've been on a kick to stay conscious in my own aging. It seems to make patience and acceptance an easier journey to take. As Aunt Helen taught Ma, "growing old is not for sissies". Riding around the countryside on a fine September day with five beautiful blondes doesn't hurt, either.

I'll stop now as I've greatly exceeded the 100 word limit my colleague in London lives by.  Thanks for all of your support! I'll be back next year to do this again. It's really great to be part of a win/win on so many levels.

Thanks and Regards,
Bob

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8 Great Ways Camp Staff Alumni Can Engage

5/1/2013

 
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(photo credit to Beth Alsip Crook an her phone)
1) GET ACTIVE WITH THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The Alumni Association was formed for 3 reasons:
  • To promote camaraderie among former staff members
  • To assist Camp Arrowhead in its program, publicity, and recruitment (both staff and campers)
  • To provide funds for worthwhile projects and programs.
Membership in the Alumni Association is open to any person who has worked at Camp arrowhead either as a paid or unpaid staff member since 1954. Dues are $15 per year (which you can pay online) and the money is primarily used to support camp maintenance and programming.  A business meeting is convened each winter.

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Carolyn Lipscomb making tasty taco salad
2) COOK AT OUR 4th ANNUAL STAFF TRAINING ALUMNI LUNCHAPALOOZA - (Thursday, June 20, 2013 from 10am-1ish) Come cookout in Pioneer in pairs - show our staff how to make something delicious, tell them your story, and listen to theirs. It's a GREAT day. If you're interested and available contact Teri Valente.

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3) WORK THE ALUMNI BOOTH ON CAMPER PICK UP DAYS 
You may arrive the night before, enjoy dinner and campfire, and sleep over. Volunteers will then get up early, set up the alumni booth, and socialize with visitors from 8 until about 11. We need 2 people to represent the CAAA at each booth. If you're interested and available contact Meg (Callahan) Sebastianelli.
2013 BOOTH DATES
         Sat., June 29 – Donna Hernandez  & Doreen Raub
         Fri., July 12 – ??
         Sat., July 20 – ??
         Fri., August 2 – Meg Sebastianelli & ??
         Sat., August 10 – Genie & Don Hobson, Doreen Raub

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4) COME TO FAMILY CAMP 
Every year for Labor Day Weekend Camp hosts a weekend for the whole family!!  From Friday dinner through Monday morning come experience camp with your parents, children, and cousins.  Brochures are generally posted on the camp website and you can contact Dina Hollingsworth for more information. 

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5) SUPPORT BIKE TO THE BITTER END 
(September 14, 2013) Come ride, run or walk in our third annual bike-a-thon!!  Or volunteer to help make it all happen.  You can register online this year!  Check out our site and contact Nancy Lafontaine for more information.

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(photo credit to Charissa Elliott & her phone)
6) COME TO A WORK WEEKEND 
Every spring we take a weekend to all pitch in and get camp ready. The work is hard but the company can't be beat.  It all culminates Sunday afternoon with Open House.  Keep your eyes peeled in the fall for the 2014 dates to be announced.

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7) BUY A BRICK TO PUT IN THE ALUMNI PLAZA
Donate a 4x8" clay brick engraved with your personal message to be included in the design of a commons area on the south side of the new staff lounge.  Each brick is $50 and all proceeds will go towards alumni sponsored camp improvements.  The next batch deadline is June 1, 2013 and the following batch deadline will be November 1, 2013. During the summer, you can purchase them in person at the Camp Store or at the Alumni Booth on Camper Pick Up Days.  During the rest of the year, you can mail your forms in to Nancy this summer at camp OR to Nancy's winter address after the summer.  Both addresses are on the order form.
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(photo credit to Beth Alsip Crook & her phone)
8) ATTEND AN ALUMNI REUNION 
Held triennially, our next Alumni Reunion Weekend is being planned for the fall of 2015.  It's a wonderful weekend to reconnect with old friends and see what camp's been up to since you worked.

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AND - You can also like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter and keep up with our blog.

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