spring 2009 - camp merrie-woode

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It was post-war America in December of 1949 and Merrie-Woode girls across the country were saving their Christmas money to send to their beloved camp director, Dammie Day. Touched by the generosity, Dammie collected the money sent by her campers, totaling $400, and included it with a letter and card on its way to Hiroshima, Japan to help the war orphans there. Even in the cold days of winter, with the warmth of summer so far gone, the Spirit of Merrie-Woode was still alive in her dear campers.

This is just one example of the stories which can be found in the newly reopened Camp Merrie-Woode archives. These treasures have been buried for years in dusty boxes, folders and envelopes just waiting for someone to sift through them and make them relevant once more. In each box, voices from the past ninety

years whisper through the discolored papers and faded photographs.

Camp Merrie-Woode has recently tackled the daunting project of organizing, categorizing and digitizing all of camp’s archive materials. This includes photos, documents, letters, promotional materials, film reels, and video collected over the last 90 years. Lindsay

Garner Hostetler is heading up this project with help from Avery Harrelson Jones. The full process of this project is somewhat intricate. The first step is simply gathering the entire Merrie-Woode archives into a single room to assess the contents. The board room of the Program Office has been transformed into a sort of “Merrie-Woode History Center of Operations”. Boxes upon boxes of material - including everything from photographs and slides, to old letters and staff handbooks dating back to the 1920’s, have been gathered together. Lindsay and Avery are working to separate every photograph and document into specific decades and categories. Photos and slides which are badly damaged,

MERRIE-WOODE Situated, Celebrated on Fairfield LakeC

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PSpring 2009

Inside...“A Place of Rarest Beauty” .......... Page 2Witt’s End ...................................... Page 6Staff News ..................................... Page 6Alumnae News .............................. Page 8Annual Fund ................................ 2

discolored or deteriorating beyond salvage are discarded. Fortunately, we have found that the majority of our images are of good quality.

Once we are left with a collection of quality images and documents, Lindsay begins the next step of scanning those items into the computer, thereby creating a digital file of each. This digital file is then saved, tagged with any number of “keywords”, and filed into an archival database housed in the camp office. Keywords are our way of describing any individual object in a way that allows us to find that item later. For example, a photo of Hugh Caldwell paddling the Chattooga in the 1970’s would be tagged with the following keywords: “Boating”, “Hugh Caldwell”, and “1970’s”. The principal benefit this system provides is that once this database is complete, it allows us to search for any group of digital media, making the search as wide or narrow as needed. We could enter a search using the keywords “Crew Skit” and “1965” and the results would show all images of the 1965 Crew Skits. We could also search with the keyword “Dammie Day” and every picture, letter, journal entry, etc. of Dammie’s that exists in the archive database would be displayed.

This project is obviously a large undertaking, but it is also an exciting opportunity for every member of the Merrie-Woode family. The archiving project allows us to preserve our history and traditions in an organized

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Whispers From The Past

Dammie Day in 1949

President Jimmy Carter with Hugh Caldwell

Dammie Day helps load up the last campers to leave on

Closing Day of 1949

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Camp Merrie-Woode, Spring 2009

Mighty Oak ($100, 000 and above)Anonymous (1)Tommy and Beth HolderGeorge and Rudi Robbins PillowAshley Sullivan and Chris Sullivan

Maple ($50,000-$99,999)R. Howard DobbsHebe Sanders DowlingThe William A. Graham FamilyBrenton and Lindsay Graham Halsey, Melanie

Halsey Crittenden, Liza Halsey Perrin and Kate Halsey Smith

Matt and Frankie Schoolfield JordanTommy and Carla Hulsey SimmonsMr. and Mrs. Sherwood H. Smith, Jr.Jane Woodruff

Poplar ($25,000-$49,999)Beau and Sally AllenRoyall and Henri Dibrell BrownMrs. Thomas B. Dameron, Jr. and FamilyMac and Mildred DavisMr. Marc Helmick and Ms. Ashley HelmickHoward M. JenkinsMr. and Mrs. Earl Johnson, Jr.Donald and Peachy Mobley KohlerLaurie Cherbonnier and Chris NielsenDavid and Nancy Conkle SwannBryan and Carolyn Clark TaylorChris and Elizabeth Keenan ThompsonJim and Frances Tims

Dogwood ($10,000-$24,999)Catherine Blanchard BoardmanTerrell and Deane Valentine BowersEdgar and Ashley BrightNina Sledge Burke and Eleanor Burke FarrisCatherine CarrPeggy and Weatherby CarrSharon and Matt ColeMary Moren Sellers Crommelin and Family;

Forsyth Sellers Donald and FamilyThomas and Martha Simkins Davis

Mr. and Mrs. James L. Ferman, Jr.Rex and Duvall FuquaHenry and Diane McRae GrahamBunch Sanders GriffinDonna HandfordJeanie and Ben Hardesty, Margaret Hardesty

Rudisill, Gray HardestyBeth and Bobby HassingerBobby and Avery Harrelson JonesMrs. William P. Kemp, Jr.John and Boo Tyler KennedyPerry and Patty Thompson KingJohn and Betty Blackmon KinnettJed and Debe LykesMr. and Mrs. William McCoyWilliam and Susan McIntyreJane Aldridge MontgomeryJohn and Jean Kinnett OliverCharlotte PippinRobert and Gaylen Alders ReynoldsRichard and Marietta Clark ReynoldsMrs. Stagg Nicholson SandersEd and Becky SavitzJohn and Claire Kinnett TateJay and Mary Jane Scott TrimbleMr. and Mrs. George G. VillereAnne and Cross Williams, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. J. Hulon Williams, IIIRosemary E. WilliamsC. Martin and Daphne Flowers Wood

Rhododendron ($5,000-$9,999)Anonymous (3)Inman and Tricia AllenJorie and Jim AndrewsBonneau and Sharon Bleakley AnsleyFred and Malinda Bradley BergenRich and Ann-Stewart Crane BossBridget and Bobby Bories, Carrie & EvieRead and Jody BranchChris and Adelaide Davenport BratcherScott and Leah Wilkinson BrockwayMary Ann Cooper BroughtonLee and Sunny Burrows

John and Ann Preston Carey, KateHarry and Janie McMullen ClineCashiers Valley Rotary ClubCharles and Sylvia Sparkman CokerCecil and Amy ConleeRob and Anne Emack CouchMatthew and Hilda DillJim and Wynn Gregory DorsettJim and Denice DunnRon and Arline Atkins FinchRick and Joan FleischerAlice and Isaac FreemanJacqueline and Matt FriedlanderPat and Emily Pittman FunderburkHarold and Ginger Somerville HallockJohn and Susan HamiltonJerry and Melissa HarrelsonRosalie HortonJimmy and Liz Counce IrwinMr. and Mrs. Raymond A. Jones, JrJim and Barry Stout KaminerRandall and Anne MannNicholas and Laura Northen ManosAnderson and “E” MarloweWill and Becky Davis McKeeWill and Missy Underwood MillerKeith and Elizabeth Cheek MorganAlice and Harlan PraterAlbert and Susan Gregory Warburton ReddGeorgia Schneidau SimpsonRocky and Margie Johnson SpringerStephen and Janice Ferman StraskeDonnie and Barry Lohmeyer StoutWilliam and Elizabeth Crane SwentAnn and Jim von ThronWoodie and Betsy Hassinger Van HornMark and Betsy WestWard and Margaret Williams WilliamsMargaret and John Cross Williams, Sr.Danielle and Donaldson WilliamsMargaret Menge WinstonRobert and Bright Kinnett Wright

A Place of Rarest Beauty…The Final Piece Contributors (Reflects gifts received through March 31, 2009)

In these times of economic downturn and financial uncertainty, Merrie-Woode has much for which to be thankful – a beautiful mountain location with 390 acres of land, her dedicated directors and staff, her loyal campers, alumnae, parents, grandparents and friends and an extremely capable Board who all work together to carry on Merrie-Woode’s proud tradition – a tradition started in 1919. How fortunate Merrie-Woode was to buy the “Final Piece” of her land acquisitions in 2005 and to conduct a very successful campaign to pay for this purchase. We are so grateful to all of those who have so generously contributed to this campaign. The Campaign Committee, led by Bobby Hassinger and Nancy Swann, has determined that if all current pledges are paid in full

“A Place of Rarest Beauty – The Final Piece” Spring 2009 Update

that the campaign can be successfully concluded, and therefore, the Committee has decided not to solicit additional gifts at this time. However, we certainly welcome any additional gifts/pledges and will continue to monitor closely the payment of outstanding pledges in order to determine when and if further solicitations will need to be made in the future. We thank everyone who helped make these land acquisitions possible and who thereby protected Merrie-Woode’s beautiful setting from encroaching development. The camp has served for many years as a place of peace and tranquility and will continue to do so because of the generosity of her loyal supporters. What a comfort it is in these shaky times to know that Merrie-Woode is there for all of us as she has been for many years!

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Galax ($2,500-$4,999)Chip and Amelia Andrews AbbottJames Adams, Jr. and Caroline Lee AdamsHank and Nancy Dameron AlmquistAlbert and Elizabeth Toepleman BordenKimberlin and Helen Nalty ButcherCraig and P-nut Crumbliss ChambersChan and Vee Smith ChandlerAustin and Meredith Weeks ChaseTom and Jody Ragland DardenManuel and Julie Harrower DiazLawrence and Vevie Dimmitt, Mallory Lykes

Dimmitt, Genevieve Lykes Dimmitt, Elizabeth Lykes Dimmitt, Lawrence Hundley Dimmitt, IV

Carl and Elise Blitch DrakeDavid and Christe Ray EadesLouis FreemanJohn and Sallie Harris GloverKatherine and Gil GriggsPatrick and Sheila Proby GrossJohn and Florence HanesNed and Ellen Ansley HardisonRandy and Anne Rawlings HarrellElliott and Terrell Luck HarriganBob and Hester HoddeJ. Garrett and Helen Hamilton HorsleyJames and Rosalind JeterDavid and Stephanie Gross JulianGraham and Dana Borden LacyKelly and Kara Smith LandChristopher and Miriam Beasley LykesJohn and Elizabeth Dempsey MerrittJohn and Anne Tarbutton MoriGene and Ann PreausMike and Fran ReevesBlair and Stirling Cassidy SmithElaine Roberts Stowers and Anna StowersCharles and Helen Bradley TarbuttonLen and Pam Pitman TurnerHenry and Chamie Grandy ValentineWhit and Catherine Cranston WhithamJohn and Elisabeth Harper Wiener

Water Lily ($1,000-$2,499)Anonymous (1)John and Gay O’Neal AbbottBond and Virginia Neal AlmandWilliam and Loring Harris AmassKevin and Perri AndersonAndrew and Jody Shartle AndersonHolly Armistead AndersonIan and Carrie BanwellDonald and Tracy BarronRob and Barbara BeardWirt and Margaret BeardKara and Andy Berly, MeredithMark and Nancy BeveridgeJames and Nancy Hill Carter BlandAndrew BrantleyGrace and James BroughtonBryce and Nancy Schneider BuggHadley and Cameron Smith CallawayDoug and Ann CameronGeorge and Betsy Steele CarrAnne Casscells and Susan KetchamVirginia Jones CharestCarter and Beverly Bailey ChinnisJames and Louise Johnson ClementKenneth and Rush Dorsett Coe

Alan and Tina ConeKatie Burt ConnellM.E. and Lilla Calhoun CostelloRichard and Mary Anne Lohmeyer CoverRyan and Boofie Lupton CrimminsMark and Lucy Sparkman CrosswellMr. and Mrs. Cornelius C. Crusel Jr.Rebecca DameronMatt and Evie Hackney Smith DavisWinifred S. DavisDallas and Margaret DennyPat and Kate Beasley DilworthGenevieve DimmittRobert and Caroline Whitehead DohertyMr. and Mrs. Roddey Dowd, Sr.Douglas and Catherine Hassinger DrennanRick and Tweed Cline EckhardRoger and Patty Hale Thornhill EdwardsMarshall and Claire EvansEdward and Amy FarriorSlaughter and Sue Harrison Fitz-HughChip and Laura FordPhilip Woollam and Tina FreemanAndrew and Nancy Dicks GayMichael and Gillian White GoodrichFred and Mary Duke Sanders GrubbePhilip and Maurine Shores HalperinBill and Gay Browne HardyBill HarperJohn and Margaret McCall HarperAnn and Worth HarrisJudith Johnson HaysHolman and Margaret HeadClaudia and W. A. Heath, Jr.Mrs. and Mr. Sherman HeazlittAdam Levesque and Lucy HendersonPete and Kathy Barnes HendricksHarriet Broughton HollidayMarriott HortonEvelyn Hanes Moore HortonAndrew and Marilee Keenan HovetSam and Anne Davis HummelPreston and Kris Bell HumphreysJames and Elta Posey JohnstonDavid JonesMatt and Frankie Schoolfield JordanMarcia and Douglas KronnEd and Kit LandryAmy and Tandy LewisJoan MartinDonie “D.D.” Neal MartinMrs. June R. MatsosMr. and Mrs. John Medlin, Jr.John and Anne Ritter MichelMrs. Lizora Schoolfield MillerMarriot Horton MillerJames MontiethLane and Cille Orr MorrisonRobert and Marguerite McKee MossMorgan and Anne Sognier MurrayTony and Susan Rutland McCullarBen and Mary Metcalf McKenneyRichard and Mary Rodes NashPatrick and Mary Norris Preyer OglesbyHarold and Carolyn O’TuelGreg and Anne Holland PolkBrent PriceWilliam and Martha Lee PulleyWill and Carolyn Ratliff

Frances Russell RockwellVirginia and John RowanDolly and Graham SadlerMary and Justin SchmidtJames and Harriet SchnellMrs. Jack ScottMike and Jennie Scott ShadJim and Josie ShufordCharles SimonsRoy and Mary Davis McLendon SmartMrs. Vernon F. SmithWest and Nancyellen Keane SmithersKristi SnyderBanks and Louise Wooten TalleyPaul and Melissa TolmieDonald and Mary McManaway TuckerBob and Sarah McTigue TuthillChris and Margaret UllrichDiana and Charles Untermeyer, EllieStuart and Mary Blair Scott ValentineCharles and Marjorie WaddellMimi WallaceCynthia and Philip WarthSuellen WidemanDan and Amy WilbanksCornell and Mary Leland Davenport WildeBarry and Jacquelyn Buttram WrightEdith and Landon R. Wyatt, IIISarah and George Young

Trillium (up to $999)Anonymous (3)Nancy MacDougald AlbertChase and Holly Pierce AmblerMr. and Mrs. Chip AndersonMalcolm and Elizabeth Hallock AndrewsFayne AnsleyJames and Susan AnthonyMadeline BairdMary Ella Mead BakerBryan L. BaldwinWaverly Burlage BammanPeter and Susan Adams BanceDamon and McLean Johnston BarbieriRobert and Janet Drennan BarnesHelen and James BartelsmeyerNicholas and Amy Oehmig BattagliaAyers Whitton BaughmanJanet and Jim BeanRob and Barbara BeardMichael and Kaki Johnson BehrKen and Beth BeuleyBetsy BeveridgeAmy and Eric Bicknell, SarahSusan BirkheadDouglas and Connie BischoffMr. and Mrs. J. Daniel Blitch, IIIFrank and Connie Dunaway BlytheHolly and Chad BoswellCatherine and Cam BowmanPattie Moore-Boyette and Andy BoyetteDaniel Bromstad and Eleanor RhangosThurman and Anne BrooksKemper and Elizabeth McClatchey BrownStuart and Carol Lewis BrownLee and Libby BuckHilary BurtKathryn Calder Barmore

A Place of Rarest Beauty Contributors ... continued

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William and Edith Fitzhugh CampMary CampbellHugh and Mary Irving Carlyle CampbellMichael and Ann CampbellDana Letson CarpenterDan and Nancy Beers Carithers, Haven Hartley

LongAustin and Mildred Cobb CarrKenneth and Katherine Snyder CarsonDevon and Meg Carrere CarterTerry and Susan Mariani CastleRick and Linda Tienstra ChazalFrank and Katherine Crutcher ChisholmMr. and Mrs. Stuart G. Christian, Jr.Bill and Lucile McKee ClarksonThomas and Katy Mikell CochranJohn and Sally CohenDr. Geoffrey and Dr. Mary Bess ColeTom ColemanDavid and Harriet Cann ConnollyChris and Sallie Shores CornwallCarlton and Carol Hancock CraigJohn and Marie Teague CranstonRichard and Mary Woolard CrawfordRobin and Stockton CroftMr. and Mrs. Warren B. Crow, IIIMr. and Mrs. Henry Crumbliss, Jr.Deborah and Robert CsereDavid and Carter CunninghamJudith CunninghamGreg and Emily CurranBill and Jane CurtisChristina and Peter DalldorfChristina and Jason DanielsGlen and Connie DarbyshireChristy K. DavidsonAnn DavisAnna Ansley DavisGardner and Martha Cousar Davis, Molly and

Elizabeth DavisHarold and Lucinda Oliver DentonLouise DibrellSylvia DoroughLindsay and Bill DorrisRufus and Vickie DorseyScott and Maggie Leonard DouglasCharles and Beth DuckettLee and Isabel “Izzy” Frischkorn DudleyJohn and Debbie Andrews DunlapLarry and Tracy Ziegler DunnGeorge and Lynn EdwardsPerry EllisDoug and Virginia Smith EllisonMarkus and Hannah Davis EmigDavid and Donna Knauer EnnisLinda EubankJamie Porges and Katherine EvansScott and Mary Hulsey Simmons EvansCaroline EwingJeff and Allison Almand EzellAndrew and Beth Seyle FentonMartin and Alecia FischerAmber and Travis FoxDennis FoxCatherine and Peter FreemanHelen Chandler FureHilary and Patrick GaleyVictoria GarrettDebbie and Bill Giudice

Walter and Betty Brent GooBetsy Lindsay GoodeBarry and Amy GreenEleanor GriffinJohn GriffithManuel and Mary Melissa GutierrezCurtis and Carrie Colegrove GunstGreggory and Adrian Steinbach HaleE. Blanton and Susan HamiltonJames and Jeanette Kennedy HancockMary Alice HaneyJulia Ballard HaralsonJimmy and Lisa Ruffin HarrisonMrs. Maurice S. HartleyAnne Farrar HayesJeanne and Michael HeekinDan and Debby HellerJosh HelmsLaura Tillman HendleyPete and Kathy Barnes HendricksMr. and Mrs. L. Dale HendrixEd and Shelley HensonAlice Nelson HerlihyPreston and Frances Talley HerringtonMrs. William H. Heslip (Joyce Gaston)Emily HicksCameron and Sally Soileau HillDavid Cole and Holly HillVianda Hale HillMargot and Chet Hinton, SmithEryn and Joe HodgeJames and Meredith HolbrookDawn and Drew Hooker, MackenzieGary and Lindsay Garner HostetlerRobert HowardHarold and Kathy HoweClaire Benedict HuffBilly and Felicia HugerJeffery and Anne Stout HughesMark and Susan Carrison IsaacsKari and Jim Johnson, LynnTricia and Lee JohnsonRandy and Katie Newton Jones, CatherineSteve and Martha JonesBill and Mary Lee JoseyErik and Lucy Cooper KarlssonMartha Ann KeelsKatherine Persons KellyJames and Anne Dowd Kennedy, IIIHenry and Cary Davis KingPatricia and Travis KinseyBryon and Ginny KirklandJohn and Phyllis Mann KirwanWilliam and Lyle Reynolds KlichFrances McIntyre KnightMargaret Sies KnowlesMary Grady Burnette KoonceElizabeth and James C. Landis and FamilyMerritt and Elly LaneRobert and Millie LathanMr. and Mrs. William LawScott and Marjorie Robertson LeachmanMrs. J.J. LeffersMichael and Donna Dismuke LenaghanSusan and Norman LentAlan and Ruth Kalmar LewisLawrence and Barrie Hill LewisSherwood and Corinne LewisIndia Lindstrom-Cann


Caroline and Michael LockerbyRicky and Theresa Snyder LotspeichRobin and Anne Chichester LyleEd and Julie Whitehurst MacKinlayMr. and Mrs. George White MartinLacy Morris MattoxAnne Marie and Greg McDonaldBill Grubb and Cary McGinnisWilliam and Susan McIntyreBen and Mary Metcalf McKenneyRaymond Brastow and Onie McKenzieJulia McMahonAndrew and Beth McRaeLucy Carothers McRaeRobert and Eloise Parker MeachumJeanne and Malcolm MeyerKathryn MeyerMr. and Mrs. J. Clifford Miller, IIIWill and Missy Underwood MillerGeorge and Betty Evans MillsCarolyn “Flossie” Collins MobleyCarlton and Camilla Hyde MoffattDalton Elder MookMrs. J.L. MooreDwight MorganBetsy MorleyLane and Cille Orr MorrisonGarrett and Ellen Gibson MoseleyHarold and Page Oxnard MulherinMorgan and Jill NaltySarah NashDonna NashGeorge and Ellen NemhauserRyan and Jennifer Hobby NewellGary and Mary Tate “Tatie” NewtonRonald and Brenda NevinPenny and Ruffner PageDaniel and Irene Robinson PallaceClare ParkinsonEd and Suzanne More PaulJohn and Jane Lawrence PeeplesJose Perez-Sanz and Catherine BosherJulia PerryWade and Mary Elizabeth Adams PerryWilliam and Molly Valentine PhilipsJohn and Ridgely Medlin PhillipsShields and Carolyn PittmanDr. and Mrs. Cecil A. Pless, Jr.Phillip and Jill Headley PooleWilmer and Elizabeth Simpson PoynorSheila and Diana Pulling, Victoria Allen PullingCory PressleyJames and Joyce Acker RatliffBetsy ReeseJerry and Isabella ReevesJake and Lilly Varn ReidSean and Courtney Minchew ReynoldsKelly RidingerPeter and Maria Wornom RippeLaura RockefellerEd and Carol RodgersMabry and Jeanne RogersNathaniel and Laurie Jarrett RogersDr. and Mrs. Robert Ross, Jr., NikkiDalt and Paula RuffinIan and Jane Walker RutherfurdJohn and Kerrie Malloy SadlerPatricia and Conrad SauerDonald and Stephanie Saunders

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Rebecca SavitzBarbara SchoolfieldDouglas and Kimberly SelphThomas and Sara Cobb ShoresFred and Patricia Sibley SimsAndy and Laura SinkDavid and Susan Heidt SlackVirginia and Frank Smircic, ShirleyDerek and Ashley Moore SmithCarter and Laura Barkley Walthall SmithLindsay SnyderMaria Trosdal SparkmanBrooke and Isabel Bonnyman StanleyDaniel Todd and Kathryn StephensonMrs. Joanne W. StephensonDeborah and C.W. StewartPhyllis and Roger StiwinterThomas and Kitty StorrsGordon and Laurie Turner StrayhornAnn and Wellford TaborBanks and Louise Wooten TalleyJohn and Amy Watkins TankardBen and Nancy Rankin TarbuttonGeorge and Suzanne Zoppa TaylorJerry and Cathy TempleBill and Lora Tuttle TerryClay and Susan O’Neal ThompsonFrank and Elizabeth TindallWalt and Sally Scott Edwards TippettRichard and Elizabeth TonnerSusan TriggPerrin and Catherine Biggers TrotterJames and Ann TurnerMr. and Mrs. William W. TurpinReid Leavitt WillinghamKenneth and Susanne Gould UncapherAnnise Waterman UphauseLinden vanRoijenShaw VanzeBill and Betsy Hamilton VernerKaren and Paul VogelFred and Virginia Seal WagnerNancy and Ron WalkerAllen and Brooke Hudgins WallaceAlec and Paige WaughRay and Helen WeeksHarrison and Susan WellfordJacqueline WernerJackie and Fred WertymerLeah and Robert WhannGeorgia WhiteheadMick and Meg WhitlockMrs. Louise WilhoitJennifer Robertson WilkinsHannah and Hadley Wilson, SallieMrs. Madge M. WisemanJohn and Cobby Young WitheringtonFrances WoodwardMrs. Sterling WootenKathryn and Landon R. Wyatt, Jr.Michael and Alice Hanson Yopp

Gifts In Honor Of…Kelley Doiren, Liz Landry, and Caroline LandryBy: Ed and Kit LandryEleanor Davenport Owen, Mary Leland

Davenport Wilde, Adelaide Davenport Bratcher, Alice Lupton Smith, Meg Lupton Gerber and Kate Lupton Juett

By: Anonymous

Susannah Tims Wessel, William Lowry Tims and Walter Campbell Tims

By: Jim and Frances TimsLee and Bridges HandfordBy: Donna HandfordDeane Valentine BowersBy: William and Molly Valentine PhilipsRush, Caroline and Elizabeth WilliamsBy: Anne and Cross WilliamsLouise, Parker and Josephine AllenBy: Inman and Tricia Allen (Inman Foundation)Our granddaughters, Martha Cole, Lee Handford,

Bridges Handford and friend Julie Isekson Mitchell

By: Mr. and Mrs. Raymond A. Jones, Jr.Lucy and Laura DorrisBy: Lindsay and Bill DorrisThe Silver Haired Jocks of LouisvilleBy: Bunch Sanders GriffinSelina, Margaret and Lily HorsleyBy: J. Garrett and Helen Hamilton HorsleyEmily Pittman FunderburkBy: Shields and Carolyn PittmanNancy Conkle SwannBy: Whit and Catherine Cranston WhithamBy: Dr. and Mrs. Cecil A. Pless, Jr.Nancy and David Swann; a wonderful MW

spouse, who gives so generously of his Nancy!By: Chris and Elizabeth Keenan ThompsonSherwood SmithBy: Banks and Louise Wooten TalleyDaphne, Hale and Sally Scott EdwardsBy: Roger and Patty Hale Thornhill EdwardsEloise HamiltonBy: E. Blanton and Susan HamiltonPeachy KohlerBy: Eleanor GriffinKelley Doiren, Liz Landry, and Caroline LandryBy: Ed and Kit LandryMary Coleman RogersBy: Mabry and Jeanne RogersIn honor of my granddaughter, Carter Coker’s

graduation from DukeBy: Maria Trosdal SparkmanKatherine and Emily DrakeBy: Mr. and Mrs. J. Daniel Blitch, IIIIn honor of my three granddaughters Helen

Chandler Fure, Creecy Chandler Johnson and Dolly Smith Brantley

By: Mrs. Vernon F. SmithDorothy Dimmitt BaxterBy: Lawrence and Vevie Dimmitt, Mallory Lykes

Dimmitt, Genevieve Lykes Dimmitt, Elizabeth Lykes Dimmitt, Lawrence Hundley Dimmitt, IV

Mary Jane Scott Trimble and Sarah Josephine Busey

By: Mike and Jennie Scott ShadJennie Scott Shad, Mary Jane Scott Trimble and

Jo Scott BuseyBy: Mrs. Jack ScottBeth HolderBy: Rex and Duvall FuquaThe Silver Haired JocksBy: Bunch Sanders GriffinGranddaughters: Mary White Martin and Lizzy

MartinBy: Mr. and Mrs. George White MartinMary Metcalf McKenney

By: Ben and Mary Metcalf McKenneyAshley Nevin Wilson and Caroline NevinBy: Ronald and Brenda Nevin

Gifts In Memory Of…Fritz and Augusta OrrBy: Lane and Cille Orr MorrisonBill PippinBy: Charlotte PippinMargaret CraneBy: Fayne AnsleyHugh CaldwellBy: Roger and Patty Hale Thornhill EdwardsBy: Bonneau and Sharon Bleakley AnsleyBy: Wade and Mary Elizabeth Adams PerryBy: Anne Casscells and Susan KetchamJane Schoolfield TapperoBy: Matt and Frankie Schoolfield JordanBy: Mrs. Lizora Schoolfield MillerBy: Mr. and Mrs. J. Clifford Miller, IIIBy: Mrs. Maurice S. HartleyBy: James and Joyce Acker RatliffBy: Barbara SchoolfieldBy: David and Nancy Conkle SwannBy: Charles and Beth DuckettBy: Louise DibrellBy: Mrs. Madge M. WisemanBy: Kathryn and Landon R. Wyatt, JrBy: India Lindstrom-CannBy: John and Marie Teague CranstonBy: Tom ColemanAlice & Buddy Metcalf and Dorothy Metcalf

ThomasBy: Ben and Mary Metcalf McKenneyBill KempBy: Banks and Louise Wooten TalleyBy: Michael and Donna Dismuke LenaghanMr. and Mrs. Henry ConkleBy: William and Martha Lee PulleyJames Read Branch, Sr.By: Read and Jody BranchBill Kemp & Dammie DayBy: Banks and Louise Wooten TalleyElizabeth “Bunch” Sanders GriffinBy: Ann DavisBy: George and Betty Evans MillsBy: Betsy MorleyBy: Gordon and Laurie Turner StrayhornBy: David and Nancy Conkle SwannAlex SummersBy: Martin and Daphne Flowers WoodSally Wideman YonceBy: Suellen WidemanRuth Day LewisBy: Sherwood and Corinne Lewis

Corporations Supporting the CampaignBank of America Matching Gifts ProgramCarter Foundation, IncDominion Foundation Matching Gift ProgramKPB CorporationR. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation, IncThe Boston Consulting Group, Inc.The Cliffs Management Services, LLCThe Dowd Foundation, Inc.The Raymond E. and Ellen F. Crane FoundationThe Richard S. Reynolds Foundation Wachovia Foundation Matching Gifts Program

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Staff News

Wit’s End Chug-a-Wump! Boo-Whoop! We are counting down the weeks to the upcoming 91st camp season at Merrie-Woode. The camp enrollment is at capacity and all of our counselors have been hired for the summer. Betsy Reese Helms, Head Counselor, spent numerous hours on the road this winter visiting college campuses and encouraging many of our staff to return for another summer at the base of Old Bald. As we go to print, we want to wish Betsy and her husband, Josh, all the best as they start their new life together. May you enjoy many happy years together. In January, we enjoyed spending a weekend with some of our longtime summer counselors at our “Counselor Consortium.” Along with the counselors, Deane Valentine Bowers and Clair Freeman Marshall, two of our Board members, joined us to discuss a variety of topics from traditions and programming to evening programs and cabin life. We appreciated the candor and the fresh ideas generated by this group of dedicated staff members. We accomplished a great deal and also had a lot of fun in the process. As we get closer to the summer, we grow more excited about the opportunities that camp holds for the girls who will be sharing their summer at Merrie-Woode. Christina Daniels, Program Director, has spent the winter months working on the curriculum for the swim and nature programs. The swim program levels have been updated and refreshed. Many of our alumnae will be pleased to hear this news, remembering the importance of their swim lessons in Lake Fairfield. The nature program is being designed to incorporate a nationally recognized nature curriculum, Project Wild®. This program is administered by the Council for Environmental Education and is cosponsored with the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Project Wild® and many of its participants have received a variety of awards and recognitions. The curriculum introduces campers to ecological knowledge, environmental challenges and the need for conservation. Along with the curriculum from Project Wild®, Christina is also incorporating programs and

activities from the book, The Nature Specialist. This book is designed for specific use in camps. It introduces the campers to the plants, gardening and nature in the western North Carolina area. While the Nature Nook reconstruction is a year away, the programming inside our rustic nook will be new and revitalized. Hang in there, “Freaks of Nature” (a term affectionately bestowed upon our nature enthusiasts by Riley Dickey, our nature program head), a new nook isn’t far away! You’ll read later in the newsletter about how busy our facilities crew has been this winter working on the first phase of the CMW master plan. Much of their energy has been spent on the storm water management and the pastures for our horses. You will also learn more about the exciting archiving and filming projects being worked on by Lindsay Garner Hostetler, Avery Harrelson Jones and Sara Huffman. We are also overjoyed and touched by our year-round staff’s 100% participation in our Place of Rarest Beauty – the final piece campaign. Their dedication and support of this special workplace is to be commended. We can’t wait for this summer’s new adventures, lessons and memories! Enjoy the spring and we look forward to the summer!

Denice and Jim

Staff at the 2009 Counselor Consortium

After moving back to Birmingham from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Virginia Alverson plans to spend her summer teaching archery at camp. She hopes to move to Asheville, NC at the end of the summer.

Leanne Aouad moved to London, England after camp last year. She is working as a swim instructor at Latchmere Leisure

Centre, and she recently moved to a new house. Meredith Ashcraft graduated from UGA last May and is now in nursing school at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. The newest member of the Sewanee Fire Department is Glory Beveridge. Congratulations, Glory! Sommerville Bevilaqua is pursuing a Masters of Arts in Adventure-

The Chatel sisters: Alison, Sarah, and Lindsay

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had the opportunity to see the Arctic Circle and Northern Lights in Lapland. In April, Elizabeth will take a short student trip to St. Petersburg, Russia. She is quite a traveler these days! After spending June at camp, Hayley Deavel hopes to study abroad in Austria for a month this summer. Riley Dickey is back in Boone, NC after months of traveling through Australia and New Zealand. She can’t wait to be back at Merrie-Woode this summer! While Riley was visiting Kelli Hewitt in Australia recently, Riley taught Kelli’s Australian friends how to make s’mores. After camp this summer, Kelli Hewitt plans to travel through Europe with stops in Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Madrid, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Athens, and Santorini. Then she is off to Egypt and Thailand! Tyler Dunn was inducted into the Appalachian State University Chapter of the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society on December 7, 2008. After spending June at camp, Perry Ellis will begin a new job as a traveling Field Consultant for Sigma Kappa Sorority. She will travel for several days at a time to chapters, providing them with advice and guidance, as well as serving as a liaison to the National Headquarters. Elizabeth Etherton was recently accepted to Tulane Law School. She will start classes in the fall after spending the summer at camp. This summer, Ashley Garner plans to start a free lance career in special event and editorial photography. She will graduate in May from the University of Central Florida with a degree in photography. Alex Green is enjoying her freshman year at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA. She spent her winter break working at the High Museum of Atlanta as a curator’s apprentice. Sarah Haman, Elly Carrere, and Betsy Rich just returned from a ski trip together in Tahoe. Although Megan Herald just bought a horse named Popsicle, she is making time to spend part of her summer at camp! Julie Kokemore is enjoying her work with campus ministries

at UNC-Chapel Hill. Although we will miss her at camp this summer, Taylor Kronn is excited about her opportunity to work for Moondance this summer. She will primarily be rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and fly-fishing. Liz Lee is studying to earn her MS in Geology at the University of Tennessee. In January, the Sewanee Outing Program hosted a one week snowshoeing trip across the Colorado continental divide. Chessie MacRae was in attendance and had a great time! Maddie Marion loved spending her Hollins University J-Term in Greece. She is excited about her second summer on the Merrie-Woode staff! Tatia McMillan is living and working in Greenville, SC. While attending the Southeastern Theater Conference, Anna Kat Moore interviewed for technical theater positions for dozens of companies. She is hoping to land a job as a result of her networking skills. Though we will miss her at camp this summer, Frannie Parkinson has a great opportunity to spend her summer with the IPSL program in Quito, Ecuador. Mary Coleman Rogers graduated from Wake Forest University last spring. She is now living in San Francisco and working in marketing for Old Navy. Maria Schmitt is hoping to either spend the summer with the Howard Hughes summer scholar research program or studying abroad in Guatemala.

Based Psychotherapy. She is attending Prescott College through a research-based independent study format and is currently working at the Brevard College counseling center for the first of several internship experiences. Her vision is to incorporate adventure and the outdoors into traditional therapy as a form of experiential healing, which appeals to alternative learning styles beyond the scope of “talk therapy.” During a trip to Antarctica in January and February, Ann and Doug Cameron ran into Mary Jane Moore (’58-‘59), a former archery counselor. Doug just returned from serving as Race Manager for the Everglades Challenge; he is excited to be at Merrie-Woode for the entire Main session this summer. Silas and Bae Cimino-Hurt have settled into their home in Johnson City, TN. Their daughter, Lila, is now one year old! Grace Thorington enjoys babysitting Lila once a week. She can’t believe how much Lila has grown since last summer! During the month of March, Martha Cole spent a few weeks teaching English in Costa Rica. Elizabeth Cottrell is spending the spring semester studying abroad at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland. She spent St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin and


A group of 2008 counselors enjoying lunch at the end of the summer

Denice and Tyler Dunn at the Honors Society ceremony at

Appalachian State University

Carrie Borries, Maggie Niehaus, Caroline Reeves, Sarah Josey,

and Laughlin Kane

8


founder of the national “Wear Your Faith Wednesday” campaign, has been interviewed by Mark Victor Hanson, author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, for his new book. Former counselor, LeAnne Fowlkes (05-06) is working as a nanny in San Francisco and looking into graduate programs. Isabelle Fuhrman (08-present) is starring in a major motion picture by Warner Bros. Pictures. Orphan, co-starring Peter Sarsgard, will hit theaters across the country on July 24th! After teaching at the University of Pennsylvania for four years, Hilton Hallock (75-82) has moved to Henniker, NH where she is the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Engagement at New England College. Harold and Ginger Somerville Hallock (51-79) recently finished building a small

cabin on the coast of Maine. Jen Hammaker (87-02) participated in a play reading in New York City where she read opposite of Oscar nominated actor, David Strathairn. Emily Williams King (90-01) and her family is living in Houston, TX where Emily works as a school psychologist. Her son, Finley, is now 17 months old. Maryanna Phillips Koehring (82-95) and family will be leaving Zambia to settle down in Burlington, Vermont. It has been a life of adventure in the Foreign Service, but she is happy to put down some roots for awhile. Baby brother Gideon continues to enjoy his older sisters Josephine

Fayne Ansley (82-08) opened her own working studio and art gallery in Atlanta, GA. Betsy Beveridge (95-05) is working in the admissions office at McDaniel College in Maryland. She enjoys traveling all over the southeast visiting high schools and college fairs. Former counselor, Josie Bray (99-02) is currently living and working in New York City. This spring she worked as an assistant to the Director/Choreographer of the musical Ragtime at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The production will run April 18 through May 17, 2009. Grace Crotzer (97-03) is in graduate school in Savannah to become a P.A. Former counselor Tori Dalzell (05-06) has moved south of Los Angeles to Riverside, CA where she is studying ethnomusicology. Whitney Dunlap (89-04) has moved from Los Angeles back to North Carolina where she is now working in Duke Athletics. Elizabeth Ehrhardt (01-07) will be a freshman at Furman University in the fall. Chelsea Eubank (99-01),

Alumnae News

and Louisa. Natalie Matthews (94-03) is working as a nurse in Asheville, NC. Liz Matthews (93-03) is working towards her PHD in Ecology at UNC - Chapel Hill. Mary Matthews (99-06) is attending Sewanee. Elissa McCarty (95-03) has graduated from Ole Miss with a masters degree in Health Promotion. She now lives in Atlanta, GA where she is working for Clayton State University as the assistant Director of Recreation and Wellness and Outdoor Adventure Coordinator. Katherine McDonough (95-06) is studying in London to earn her master’s degree in Primary Education. Caroline Mix (98-99)

The Bates Family

The Coker sisters: Joanie (01-08), Carter (93-08), Carrie (96-06),

and Eliza (98-present)

The Couch Family: Anne Emack Couch (67-71), Frannie (97-06), Robert,

and Mary Stuart (94-07)

Walker Freeman Jones (93-04) and her husband, Mark

The Norton Family: Evan (97-05), Jane, Kara (99-08), Sam, and

Lauren (97-present)

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is a first year law student at Duke. Grace Mix (99-02) is a freshman at Southern Methodist University where she is majoring in Theatre. Page Oxnard Mulherin (43-46) enjoyed a visit to camp in October where she took the opportunity to walk the lake trail. Sarah Palmer

Maid of Honor, and long time camp friend, Landis Carey (92-05). Drew Brantley (02-present) is engaged to Elizabeth Frisch. Drew popped the question at sunset in Charleston in March. Toni Gibbons (98-06) is engaged to Kyle Carter and planning a December wedding in Indiana. Jen Hammaker (87-02) is engaged to Paul Rondeau. Corey Sturkie and Laura Heyward (94-05) are engaged. They are planning a wedding for April 10, 2010. Susanna James (92-99) married Tim Doyle on November 8, 2008 in Pensacola, FL. Julie Kokemore is engaged to be married to John Farmer. They are planning a wedding for June 13, 2009 at the chapel on campus at UNC-Chapel Hill. Ellie Musson (92-03) married Jeff Jennings in Louisville, KY last October. Krystle Nugent is

Former counselor, Amanda Beckler (03-06) married Ryan Bowman in January. Kathryn Calder (93-05) married James Barmore, Jr. on November 15, 2008 in Wilmington, NC. Merrie-Woode girls in the wedding party included her sister, Caroline Calder (96-04) as her

CMW Engagements and Weddings

James and Kathryn Calder Barmore (93-05) Drew Brantley (02-present) with

his new fiancé, Elizabeth Frisch

(96-98) is living in Lincoln Park, IL and working in the publishing industry. Sallie Reeves (92-06) is teaching kindergarten at St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Charlottesville, VA. Laura Rockefeller (97) is working as an actress with the Synetic Theatre in the Washington

DC area. Susan Heidt Slack (63-67) has moved back to Norfolk, VA where she is working as a dental hygienist. Her two sons are now Naval and Airforce officers. Elizabeth Tessier (94-02) will be starting her residency at Children’s Hospital in Houston, TX this June.

planning a wedding for May 30, 2009 in Australia. Head Counselor, Betsy Reese (89-present), was married to Josh Helms (08-present) on April 11, 2009 in Chapel at camp.

Goin’ to the Chapel ...

It was a beautiful day in early spring on April 11, 2009 as Head Counselor Betsy Reese walked down the aisle of Merrie-Woode’s Chapel

to marry Josh Helms. The couple announced their engagement last spring after Josh proposed over Lake Fairfield on the counselor deck of the swim docks. After months of planning and excitement, the big day finally arrived! Friends and family flooded into camp for the grand event. The ceremony in Chapel was officiated by Reverend John Templeton, Josh’s divinity school friend and roommate. The bride and groom each had one attendant in the wedding party, Louis Helms, father of the groom and Lilah Henderson, cousin of the bride. Lilah is also a current camper at Merrie-Woode.

After Betsy and Josh exchanged their vows and the ceremony came to an end, the party kicked

off at Lilypad. Guests enjoyed refreshments and appetizers on the waterfall field followed by a buffet dinner in the Dining Hall. The reception was catered by Hallie Janes’s, run by camp parent Hallie Duan. The menu reflected both the New Orleans and North Carolina cultures as guests enjoyed shrimp and grits and grilled mountain trout. Everyone then danced the night away to the music of a live jazz band.

Betsy and Josh are spending their honeymoon in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. When they return home to camp, they will be living in Pearly Gates. All of us at Merrie-Woode wish Betsy and Josh many happy years together filled with laughter and love.

Josh and Betsy.

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CMW Births


Sharon Bleakley Ansley (58-60) joyously welcomed her second grandchild, William Bonneau Ansley IV, on October 1, 2008. Chad and Liz Getten Atwood (87-95) welcomed twin boys last year named Hobs and Lee. The family is living in Nashville. Waverly Burlage Bamman (82-92) and her husband Sean are expecting their third child in early September. The baby will join two older brothers, Sean Jr. and Charles. The family resides in Richmond, VA. Tabitha

Rust Bradley (84-85) and her husband, Will, welcomed their second son on March 5, 2009. Everett Bradley weighed in at 8 lbs, 9 oz. Jenna Cameron (80-83) delivered 10 lb, 13 oz Jevan Juday on November 15, 2008. Doug Cameron (79-present) and his wife, Ann, are very proud grandparents! Former counselor, Amber Clayton (07) and her husband Brandon have welcomed their first child, Paige Katherine Clayton. Paula Wilson Copley (86) is expecting her sixth child. After five boys, she’s hoping for a future Merrie-Woode girl! Luke and Kelley Landry Doiron (88-00) welcomed their second son, Samuel Landry on January 30, 2009. Rob and Rebecca Rich Gallardo (87-98) welcomed their second child in April of 2008.

Nicholas Oliver Gallardo (Nico for short) and three-year-old big sister, Sophia, are having lots of fun together. Preston and Kris Bell Humphreys (97-99) welcomed their first child on December 27, 2008. Claire Kathleen was born weighing 7 lbs, 12 oz. Kris is enjoying singing camp songs to her. Cassidy Murray MacKay (89-00) and her husband, Todd, welcomed the arrival of Lillian Ryan MacKay on September 15, 2008. Timothy and Ashley Hayes McCulloh (85-97) welcomed a healthy baby boy, Madsen Hayes McCulloh, to their family on January 20, 2009. Madsen joins his sister Colson, 1 and brother Brooks, 3. Steve

and Holly Cooper Myers (89-94) welcomed twin boys on February 12, 2009. Oliver Cooper and Graham Arthur are the first children for Holly and Steve. Rebecca Savitz Pappas (91-05) and her husband, Chris, welcomed their first child, Rebecca Quinn Pappas on November 28, 2008. They will call her Gigi. Elizabeth Crane Swent (82-87) and her husband, William, joyfully announce the birth of their daughter, Margaret Fearn Swent on February 25, 2009. Liz Moore Uecker (90-99) and her husband, Jeremy, are expecting their first child on May 10th, Mother’s Day!

Elizabeth Crane Swent’s (82-87) daughter, Margaret Fearn Swent

Kris Bell Humphreys (97-99) with her new arrival, Claire Kathleen

Rebecca Savitz Pappas (91-05) with her new baby girl, Gigi

Kelley Landry Doiron’s (88-00) new baby boy, Samuel Landry Doiron

Jenna Cameron’s (80-83) new arrival, Jevan Juday

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Liz Getten Atwood’s (87-95) twin boys, Hobs and Lee

Steve and Holly Cooper Myers’ (89-94) twin boys, Oliver Cooper

and Graham Arthur

Documentary To Be Filmed at CMW!

An exciting new project is about to be underway here at camp. Long time camper and counselor Sara Huffman recently received approval, equipment, and funding to produce a documentary film on Camp Merrie-Woode. Though Sara will be with us again as a counselor this summer, she will also be shooting footage and doing interviews for this film project. The majority of filming will be done here at camp this summer, focusing on camp life and the intricacies of the camp community. Some of the footage will also be saved for a special coffee table book and DVD being planned to commemorate Merrie-Woode’s 100th anniversary. Sara Huffman grew up not too far from camp in Hendersonville, NC. Sara was a camper at Merrie-Woode from 1995 to 2002 and a counselor from 2004 until the present. She has worked on the archery, photography, and theatre staffs during her summers as a counselor. She was the technical director for the Main Session musicals, Singin’ in the Rain and The Music Man, as well as last summer’s hit June Session one-act of The Jungalbook. Sara Huffman graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2008 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Since graduating, she has been working on a number of documentary projects as well as producing a feature length independent film. We are thrilled to have Sara back with us this summer and eagerly anticipate being able to see the finished product of her documentary on Camp Merrie-Woode. Documentary filmmaker, Sara Huffman (95-present)

In Memoriam: Roger Grigg Pearce

Roger Pearce, 51, of Charlotte, died on Wednesday, March 4th, 2009. He was born in Beaumont, Texas on March 21, 1957. Roger was in the banking industry; he worked for the Republic Bank in Dallas. He then joined First Union National Bank (now Wachovia) in Tampa before moving to Charlotte. He retired from Wachovia in 2007. Most recently, he was pursuing a teaching degree at UNCC in order to teach high school history. Roger was a loyal supporter of the Merrie-Woode Foundation. His wife, Lynn (74), attended Merrie-Woode and his daughters, Mary Ellen (00-03) and Arlie (00-08), attended Merrie-Woode as well. Roger served on the Merrie-Woode Board of Trustees from 2002 to 2004 as a member of the Board’s finance committee. We will always remain grateful to Roger Pearce and his family for their service and generosity to camp. The Merrie-Woode family extends love and support to Lynn, Mary Ellen and Arlie at this time.

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Annual Fund 2008Merrie-Woode alumnae, parents and friends continue to support our Annual Fund effort! This fund is an important source of revenue for Camp Merrie-Woode. The Annual Fund is used to support the increased number of camperships, enhance summer programs, and maintain Merrie-Woode’s historic buildings and grounds. In 2008, 355 participants contributed a total of $88,621.05 to the Merrie-Woode Annual Fund. This number is slightly lower than 2007, but in this economic downturn, we appreciate the continued support of our alumnae, parents and staff.

All contributions to the Merrie-Woode Foundation are tax deductible for individuals, corporations, and foundations within the limits of section 501 (c) 3 of the IRS code. Gifts listed are through December 31, 2008.

Please contact Christina Daniels with any errors or omissions.

2008 Annual Fund (Reflects gifts received though December 31, 2008)

Roundtable ($1,000 and above)Andrew and Jody Shartle AndersonRobert and Kathy Swann BrooksRebecca DameronMatthew and Hilda DillJeff and Allison Almand EzellLara and John GillBrenton and Lindsay Graham HalseyBeth and Bobby HassingerJohn and Boo Tyler KennedyJohn and Betty Blackmon KinnettDonald and Peachy Mobley KohlerMarie Turner MoshellHebe Sanders Dowling MurphyGeorge and Rudi Robbins PillowWilliam and Cecil Collins ScanlanSheila and Robert ShawRoy and Mary Davis McLendon

Smart, Mary StuartSherwood and Eve SmithR. Knox and Amanda Allen ThompsonJay and Mary Jane Scott TrimbleMr. And Mrs. George G. VillereWard and Margaret Williams WilliamsC. Martin and Daphne Flowers WoodDavid and Sandy Graham Younts

Knight ($500-$999)AnonymousCharlie and Susie Sears AndersonJoe and Kathy Ross ArterberryMary Grady and Vic BellBeth and Ken BeuleyRoyall and Henri Dibrell BrownCraig and P-nut Crumbliss ChambersJoe and Susan McKinney DavenportCathy and Jim FosterAlice and Isaac FreemanAnn and Worth HarrisMr. and Mrs. Sherman HeazlittBeth and Tommy HolderJimmy and Liz Counce IrwinEleanor and Harry LaneMichael and Donna Dismuke

LenaghanSusan and Norman LentJustin and Stephanie Blessey LilleyChris and Eleanor Davenport OwenVirginia and John RowanMr. and Mrs. L. H. SimkinsDean and Ashley Sparks StamoulisGordon and Laurie Turner StrayhornRosa Tarbutton SumterFrances SymesChris and Elizabeth Keenan Thompson

Mimi WallaceHarrison and Susan WellfordMargaret and John Cross Williams, Sr.Richard Woodruff

Squire ($250-$499)Mrs. Barrick C. BensonJames and Nancy Hill Carter BlandCatherine Blanchard BoardmanBridget and Bobby Bories, Carrie &

EvieBryce and Nancy Schneider BuggKimberlin and Helen Nalty ButcherAnne CasscellsCharles and Sylvia Sparkman CokerSusan and Edward S. Croft, IIIDouglas and Cathy Hassinger DrennanSteven and Anna Ferguson DuffJames and Henrietta EmackLynn and Bruce FeltJacqueline and Matt FriedlanderJohn and Sallie Harris GloverEleanor GriffinHarold and Ginger Somerville HallockSusan and John HamiltonBen and Jeanie Mann HardestyElliott and Terrell Luck HarriganJeanne and Mike Heekin, MaryAdam Levesque and Lucy HendersonMargot and Chet Hinton, SmithJ. Garrett and Helen Hamilton HorsleyKay and Howard HouseAmy and Tandy LewisAlan and Ruth Kalmar LewisMr. and Mrs. John T. LuptonAnne and Randall Mann, Caroline and

ElizabethLouise MulherinFran and Mike ReevesWest and Nancyellen Keane SmithersStephen and Janice Ferman StraskeMr. and Mrs. David C. SwannNancy and Ben TarbuttonGeorge and Suzanne Zoppa TaylorAnn and Jim von ThronWilliam and Theodora Walton, IIILeah and Robert Whann

Yeoman ($100-$249)Anonymous (2)Nancy MacDougald AlbertAlicia and Mike Alford, AliWilliam and Loring Harris AmassShepard and Boyce Lineberger AnsleyFayne AnsleyDan and Mary Joyce ArnoldJulie and Gary Arthurs

Babette Bryan BachHelen and James Bartelsmeyer,

CarolineBarbara and Rob BeardLanier and Robin BivingsRich and Ann-Stewart Crane BossPattie Moore-Boyette and Andy

BoyetteChris and Adelaide Davenport

BratcherElissa Jones BrigdenEdgar and Ashley BrightJake and Julie Adams BurrusCarolyn Crusel CaindecHadley and Cameron Smith CallawayAustin and Millie Cobb CarrCatherine CarrMolly and Henry CarrisonFrank and Missy Casscells-HambySara and Keith ChamblessChan and Vee Smith ChandlerMichael and Meaghan Dowling

ChorskeJoey and Meredith McKenney ClaytonJames and Louise Johnson ClementHarry and Janie McMullen ClineDonnell and Bette Upton CobbDavid Cole and Holly HillSharon and Matt ColeBill and Susan Christian CooganBonnie and Wade CopelandM.E. and Lilla Calhoun CostelloGuy and Melanie Halsey CrittendenClaiborne and Jane Huston CrommelinHenry and Mary Moren Sellers

CrommelinMr. and Mrs. Henry CrumblissJay and Betsy Caldwell DalglieshMrs. Leland Hume DavenportKathryn and Stephen DavieJulia Brooke DavisAnna Ansley DavisMichael and Lisa Loudermilk

deGolianRebecca and Randell Doane, ElizabethPreston and Caroline Johnson DouglasPeter and Marlion DohlmanMr. and Mrs. Roddey Dowd, Sr.Julie and Everitt DrewJoseph and Barbara Rodes DumesnilDavid and Christe Ray EadesJay and Lynn Mahoney EasterlingRick and Tweed Cline EckhardLynn and George Edwards, Julia and

SusanDoug and Virginia Smith EllisonLinda Eubank and Chelsea

J.H. and Molly EwaldMartin and KatherineTroutman FerraraBrian and Caroline Davis FitzgeraldJames and Kathy FrenchDouglas and Mae Mae Houlihan

GabbertSchuyler and Sarah Carter GreyBasil and Harriet HallHilton HallockJulia Ballard HaralsonSinclair and Catherine McKenney

HarcusBill and Gay Browne HardyMarion and Sarah HargroveDr. and Mrs. James O. HarrisNikko and Anne Farrar HayesClaudia and W. A. Heath, Jr.Jeanne and Mike Heekin, MaryLaura Tillman HendleyVianda Hale Hill, Nicki and Christiane

HillEvelyn Hanes Moore HortonElizabeth “Bunny” JohnsTricia and Lee JohnsonJohn and Diane KallenbornErik and Lucy Cooper KarlssonJohn and Phyllis Mann KirwanClaire and Robert Koch, MargotMarcia and Douglas KronnVirginia and C. Richard LathamMrs. J.J. LeffersBill Sullivan and Sid LongLionel and Lee LowryChristopher and Miriam Beasley LykesFerris Lindenberger Lyle Jeffrey and Nicole MaddreyRobert and Kathryn MahoneyDick and Bettye West MasonJean and Tony MaupinRenee and George McEldowney,

ElizabethMac and Georgeann McGrewWill and Becky Davis McKeeJulianne McKeelGabrey Croft MeansSteve and Jane MentonJohn and Elizabeth Dempsey MerrittGrace and Benson MillerVictoria and Stephen MixCarlton and Camilla Hyde MoffattLuther MooreElaine and Bill MooreHarold and Page Oxnard MulherinMelissa Murphy and Samuel WilkinsMorgan and Anne Sognier MurrayRick and Caroline Tuttle MurrayBetsy Shaw Nalty

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Morgan and Jill NaltyDr. and Mrs. T.M. O’FlanaganPatrick and Mary Norris Preyer

OglesbyElizabeth PetersJan and Gregory PorgesPaul Nitze and Elisabeth PorterJane PottsMrs. Stephen PucketteMartha and William Lee PulleyFlorence RawleighBetsy ReesePeter and Maria Wornom RippePaige Williams RobbinsFrances Russell RockwellMabry and Jeanne RogersCatherine RyanLouis and Mamie Seaman SarkesBecky and Ed SavitzVirginia H. ScruggsJan and Thomas ShealyAmy Eady SpearsKimberly and John StrongWilliam and Elizabeth Crane SwentCharles TravisSally Sanders TownsendSusan and Thomas TutenHenry and Chamie Grandy Valentine,

AnnieWoodie and Betsy Hassinger Van HornSuzie WhaleyRobert and Alice Stansbury WhiteElizabeth McArthur WhiteleyJohn and Elisabeth Harper Wiener,

Bizzy and GracieCornell and Mary Leland Davenport

WildeAnne and Cross Williams, Jr.Joan Williams and John HulonBarry and Jacquelyn Buttram WrightStuart and Carol Graham Wyllie

Page ($50-$99)Virginia Simpson AisnerRosemary and Tim AndersonMary Ella Mead BakerRichard and Brandon Moore BerkeleyAmy and Eric Bicknell, SarahRip and Nell Mathis BlackJulia BradfordSarah Nash BumpasTim and Merrill Ware CarringtonRick and Linda Tienstra ChazalNeal and Lee Cory, Stewart and

PrestonMr. and Mrs. M. Alex CrotzerDeborah and Robert CsereCathy CurrySusan and Brian CurtissMatt and Evie Hackney Smith DavisAnn Carter Murray DawsonThomas and Margery Massie

DisharoonPeggy and John DozierWhitney DunlapAudrey DyerJulia EdwardsSabrina Rakes FaheyCharles and Jennifer Jones FiorenzaBenton and Betty Weil FisherCarol GundersenColeen HamiltonOlivia Britton HoldingGeraldine W. Hanson

Randy and Katie Newton Jones, Catherine

Art and Carolyn KramerLiz LandryLiz and Haynes LeaTodd and Cassidy Murray MacKayDouglas and Gigi MatthewsMac and Georgeann McGrewMrs. J.L. MooreLewis and Margaret Myers MorrisAmber NoyesCharles and Nacy Horton NusbaumDana and Larry Pless, DeaneCatherine Porter and James Fuller, IIIBill and Sally QuerinRobert and Gaylen Alders ReynoldsLaura RockefellerEric and Barbara Mariani SchmitzJohn and Susie McLean ShubinVirginia and Frank Smircic, ShirleyCarter and Laura Barkley Walthall

SmithWilliam and Mildred Taylor TierneyWhit and Catherine Cranston WhithamSpencer and Eleanor Hargrove

WilliamsonHannah and Hadley WilsonPage and David Winstead, Lindsay and

SchuylerBarry and Jacquelyn Buttram Wright

Donor (up to $50)James & Susan AlisonBrooks and Jennie Trimble BuseyWill and Trudy Caldwell ByrdMary CampbellChris and Susan CrimminsChristina and Jason DanielsGardner and Martha Cousar Davis,

Molly and ElizabethHarold and Lucinda Oliver DentonLouis and Courtney Freeman, Sarah

Jane FreemanElizabeth Allison Biggers GardnerRory and Shelby Harrell GeyerFrances GivhanGeraldine W. HansonBob and Carolyn Sumbera HeinsohnRob and Annette HerstekHarry and Nan Andrews HopkinsPete and Evelyn Simmons KisselElizabeth James Landis and FamilyJohn and Betsy Mason MarshallAnne Marie and Greg McDonaldRaymond Brastow and Onie

McKenzieHeather McLimoreGeorge and Betty Evans MillsRachel Pillow MitchenerJenny Burch O’ConnorEllen and George PalmerJulie PerryMaude Saunders SharpSybil ShierLessley SoniatMrs. Frank P. Strickler, IIIFrank and Tristana TraniPerrin and Catherine Biggers TrotterWilliam Turpin and Ann LeavesleyNancy and Ron Walker, SavannahLouise WallScott and Ashley Wallace

Phyllis and John Ward, ElizabethAlyce WellonsKaren WhittleseyJohn and Betsy WiensJohn and Cobby Young Witherington

Gifts in Honor Of…

Nellie BlackBy: Rip and Nell Mathis Black

Susan Carrison Isaacs By: Mr. & Mrs. Henry G. Carrison

Tweed & Rick Eckhards (13th wedding anniversary)

By: Harry & Jane Cline

Mary Jane Trimble (& all her hard work)

By: Bonnie and Wade Copeland

Gabrey Croft Means and Addie CroftBy: Susan and Edward S. Croft, III

Claire & Grace Crotzer By: Mr. & Mrs. M. Alex Crotzer

Sigrid Dohlman By: Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dohlman

Anne Emack Couch, Mary Stuart Couch,

Franny Couch, & Anne Fairly AlisonBy: James and Henrietta Emack

Gary and Lindsay Garner Hostetler Wedding

By: Karen Whittlesey

Dot Casey By: Ginger S. Hallock

Alice H. Yopp & Suzie H. DealBy: Geraldine Hanson

Sarah and Georgia Harris By: Worth and Ann Harris

Ciele Gutierrez By: Dr. & Mrs. J. Ocie Harris

Selina, Margaret and Lily Horsley By: J. Garrett and Helen Hamilton

Horsley

Lillie Lowry (first year of camp) By: Lionel & Lee Lowry

Beezy HobsonBy: Jane Hobson Marcus

Genna McKeelBy: Julianne McKeel

Ann O’Flanagan O’Brien By: Dr. & Mrs. T.M. O’Flanagan

Mary Coleman Rogers

By: Mr. & Mrs. E. Mabry Rogers

Loren & Claire Shealy By: Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Shealy, Jr.

Mary Katherine and Caroline Strong By: John and Kimberly Strong

Sally Townsend High Heaven GroupBy: Sally Sanders Townsend

Fayne Ansley By: George and Fran Villere

Savannah Walker By: Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Walker

Sarah and Grace Wilkins By: Mr. and Mrs. Samuel A. Wilkins

III

Rush Williams, Caroline Williams, Elizabeth Williams, Margaret Cheatham Williams, and Eleanor Williams (granddaughters), & Margaret W. Williams (daughter)

By: Margaret and John Cross Williams, Sr.

Margaret Cheatham and Eleanor Williams

By: Ward and Margaret Williams Williams

Kathryn and Sallie Wilson By: Dr. and Mrs. B. Hadley Wilson

Gifts in Memory Of…

Fritz & Augusta Orr and Hugh Caldwell

By: Catherine Porter & James Fuller, III

Margaret Crane By: Ann-Stewart BossBy: Elizabeth Swent

Hugh CaldwellBy: Mary Mercer “Mimi” Daniel

Elizabeth “Bunch” Saunders GriffinBy: Coleene HamiltonBy: Florence RawleighBy: Louise WallBy: Mary M. KohlerBy: Mrs. Frank P. Strickler, IIIBy: Virginia HallockBy: Eleanor GriffinBy: Mae Mae, Douglas, Pattie, Carolyn, and Doug GabbertBy: Barbara DumesnilBy: Ginger HallockBy: Liz and Haynes Lea

Foundations:The Raymond E. and

Ellen F. Crane Foundation, Inc.

Thank you to all of our donors!

14

Master Plan Implementation Begins with Storm Water

ManagementCamp Merrie-Woode was fortunate to be able

to acquire the additional property across the lake and contiguous to camp. The primary purpose of this purchase was to preserve the property and prevent further development on Fairfield Lake. After acquiring the property, the Merrie-Woode Foundation Board of Trustees felt that it was very important to have a direction for Merrie-Woode, as well as a vision for the future use of the property. The first step was to hire a long-range planning facilitator to steer the process. This was a very comprehensive process that considered the comments and suggestions of all members of the Merrie-Woode community. Needs were addressed and prioritized and an implementation strategy was developed. Once this process was completed, the Board hired Ward/Smith and Associates to come in and tie the long-range planning to a master site plan that would be a road map for accomplishing these goals as they pertained to the maintenance and enhancement of the buildings and grounds.

One of the primary items identified was the need to better handle the storm water that was running through camp and into Lake Fairfield. Camp Merrie-Woode is located in a valley behind many of the neighboring housing developments. Over the years, the water has rushed down the mountains and through camp. The rushing water has washed out roads, destroyed vegetation, worn trenches in roads and trails and washed tons of sediment into the lake. This first phase of the master plan is beginning to address this problem. Grass lined trenches have been dug across the upper border of camp’s property to catch much of this water before it gets to Merrie-Woode’s campus. This water is directed into sediment traps that are lined with large rock and smaller gavel that acts as a filter before allowing the overflow to enter the streams and tributaries that feed the lake. These sediment traps are designed in such a way that they can be cleaned periodically with a small tractor.

Other things that are being done to rectify this problem are the addition of French drain systems at the base of some hillsides and the construction of rock lined ditches to better direct the storm water along some of the roadways and paths. The end result is a more controlled flow of the storm water and a cleaner quality of water entering the lake at a more controlled pace. As the streams are being re-routed and improved, Merrie-Woode is re-planting the banks with native species of grass, plants and trees and respecting the 30 foot buffer recommended by many of the ecological preservation agencies. Even following some of the first steps, we are noticing a remarkable reduction of damage from storm water following three or four significant rains.

Happy Horses at Merrie-WoodeOne of the first aspects of the newly adopted master site plan is to

address the lack of pasture space for the horses in the summer time. Merrie-Woode has limited flat land that can be seeded and maintained as grassed pasture space. The solution offered by the architects of the master plan was to develop large paddock areas that could provide horses with a comfortable terrain, shelter from the weather, hay feeders and automatic waterers.

The construction of the new paddocks needed to start far below ground. There have always been some natural springs flowing into the ground in the pasture space behind the barn, but the first step was to install a huge sub-drain system that runs through the entire section of property. This drain is roughly 10-12 feet below the ground and has two large gravel and landscape cloth wrapped pipes that filter the water and direct it to a sediment trap before entering the stream that feeds the lake. Another drain system will be installed just below the surface, and the water will be filtered and handled in a similar fashion.

The top of the paddock areas will be coated with a 4”-6” layer of fines (a sandy gravelly mix) that will be comfortable for the horses to stand on. Each paddock will have a large hay feeder, a large shelter and an automatic watering system. A small amount of water will be diverted from the stream up above the paddock areas into a 1,000 gallon reservoir. This reservoir will have an electronic pump that will provide a constant flow of clean water to the stainless steel watering units inside each of the paddock areas. There will be a small gravel road that runs through the paddock area so that small vehicles will be able to service each of the paddocks. The fencing is a no-climb, heavy-duty wire fence that allows the area to seem more open. When this is finished, the horses should be very happy with their new place to relax and rejouvenate.

Design for the new horse paddocks:

Work underway on the new horse paddocks


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fashion, ensuring its presence for years to come. Furthermore, history that we thought had been lost has been uncovered. For years Dammie Day has existed as a face and an icon. By looking into the history of Merrie-Woode, we are now able to see her as a person. She exists more fully than merely the camp director standing with Mary Turk in that old black and white photo which has become the classic image in many of our minds. Dammie is much more than that young woman in that one frozen moment of time. She is a woman who devoted over thirty years of her life to this place that means so much to us all. She is a mother, a grandmother, a wife, and a friend. Dammie Day believed in the power and strength of women before they were given the right to vote. She was touched by the children of Asia affected by the horrors of World War II, and she spoke out against nuclear power. Dammie loved laughing with her grandson and watching him run around camp as a small boy. She is once again, a full person with hopes and dreams, flaws and fears. We believe this project to be hugely important because by cataloging and sharing these discoveries, we will allow every face and story of Merrie-Woode to live on for future generations.

It has been fun to find documents from the early days of camp and see what has changed and what has stayed the same. In an excerpt from one of the original versions of the Counselor’s Handbook it is amusing to see how Dammie described the way meal times should be run:

“There are two counselors and six children at each table, and the groups are changed each week. The counselor sets the tone for her table as to eating manners and talking manners. Both are important. It doesn’t take a great deal of imagination to realize what bedlam it would be if some hundred-and-fifty people talked at the top of their lungs, chewed with their mouths open, threw water at each other, or were just generally rowdy. We’d quickly have to change camp into

Whispers From The Past, from front page ...

a mental institute!...Step on the Greedy Gerties who grab first. You can do it pleasantly and firmly, and they’ll behave…When a counselor has occasion to go to another table, the children rise just as they would at home should an adult come in. Should Dammie happen to be a bit late for a meal (perish the thought!), or should some adult visitor come into the dining-room after we have been seated, the whole camp, including counselors, rises. It’s a nice touch, and reflects the good manners of our family.

At every meal two campers act as T.G.’s (table girls)…two for breakfast, two for dinner and two for supper. No more than two please! It makes for more confusion. Don’t stack dishes, either – breakage is bad and it’s almost impossible to get replacements.”

While we no longer

stand when a counselor leaves the table, and Dammie would certainly be ashamed to hear how loud the Dining Hall can get these days, it is impressive to see how similarly meals really are still set up. Seating arrangements, T.G.’s, and pleas to refrain from stacking dishes are still very much a part of our current camp life.

We hope that once the photographs and stories, such as the Dining Hall description, are categorized and labeled, we will be able to use them for various projects in the future. One plan is to organize our findings into a historical coffee table book, unveiled at the 100th anniversary celebration, which tells Merrie-Woode’s story. The book could be accompanied by a Merrie-Woode DVD containing still photographs and old video clips. Another possibility is to incorporate old pictures and letters into future publications and advertising materials. Such documents will showcase our history and illustrate the connections and traditions that still endure.

So how can you help with

this significant project? Please feel free to send us unusual and unique photographs, stories, letters, scrapbooks, journals, or other artifacts from your days at Merrie-Woode. We are particularly interested in pictures and information from the 1940s, as we currently have very few objects from that time. We do have plenty of photos of trips. Toxaway Falls, Toxaway Mountain, and the Smokies are all well represented in the archives. Save those pictures for your own memory books!

If you are interested in sending items to Merrie-Woode, please

address them to Lindsay Hostetler at the camp office address. Also, do indicate whether we should scan your items and send them back or keep them as part of the Merrie-Woode archive library.

Thank you for your interest in this vital piece of our camp story. It is because of Dammie Day and the legacy that she passed on that we now have a story to preserve. As Dammie wrote in a letter from 1960,

“It warms my heart that campers still find the enchantment at the foot of Old Bald and the waterfall that has laid hold of the hearts of so many…all I ask is that it go on meaning to campers what it means to you and making them happy, thinking persons…I am just thankful that it still means so much to those who love it.”

The Dining Hall in the 1930’s

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Camp Merrie-Woode®

100 Merrie-Woode Rd.Sapphire, NC 28774

828.743.3300

www.merriewoode.com

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We are thrilled to announce that Denice has been chosen as the recipient of the CCUSA Camp Director of the Year Award for 2008! Camp Merrie-Woode has been working with CCUSA (Camp Counselors USA), one of the largest international staff placement organizations in the country, for the past several years to hire our outstanding international staff members that we’ve all grown to love. Each year CCUSA presents this award to one camp director who they feel truly provides international students with the opportunity to influence American youth while learning about new cultures and lifestyles and supporting a culturally sensitive atmosphere for all members of their camp community.

While Denice is modest and feels that this was an effort of the entire camp staff, medical staff, counselors and campers, we would still like to take a moment to congratulate Denice for this honor. She certainly deserves it. The ability of our staff and camp community to work so closely and successfully together each summer is a reflection of her outstanding leadership. Thank you, Denice, for all you do!

A portion of camp’s new drainage system

Campers and staff of 2008 having fun with some of our international staff from Australia

Denice is named CCUSA Camp Director of the Year!

spring 2009 - camp merrie-woode

Documents