November 2022 - Chewonki

With Every Dip of My Paddle

Board and Trustees, Camp Chewonki Leadership Expeditions, Foundation / By Alexis Grillo

Fly fishing for landlocked salmon at Chewonki’s Big Eddy Campground on the West Branch of the Penobscot River. Fly fishing for brook trout on a remote pond near Big Pleasant Lake in the Allagash Region. Paddling the St. John River when a late spring storm dropped a foot of snow on our group. Canoeing the St. Croix and the Allagash. These are just a few memories I’ve made with Gordon “Gordy” Hall, III, an avid outdoorsman, Chewonki’s longest-serving trustee, and my dear friend. I will deeply miss Gordy, who died on October 9, 2022, at age 92.

Gordy’s Allagash Sass

Alumni & Friends, Board and Trustees, Foundation, President's Office / By Alexis Grillo

I had the privilege of being invited by Gordy to join him, his wife, Taffy, and several of their friends along with Peg-WT, Greg Shute, Kate Z, for a late summer trip on the Allagash River. Although I responded with an immediate and enthusiastic, “yes!” I was, admittedly, a bit nervous to go. Before this trip, I never traveled the Allagash, and, frankly, had very limited paddling experience. Although I heard stories of the beauty of the landscape I kept thinking about other comments shared with me of the hardships of encountering a strong headwind. But Gordy, with his years and years of familiarity with the trip, and his characteristic enthusiasm, assured me that all would be well.

Gordy Hall Kept the Fire Alight

Board and Trustees, People News / By Alexis Grillo

For nearly 70 years, Chewonki has been fortunate to count Gordy Hall as a camp counselor, trip leader, trustee, and dear friend. Gordy left us all the great gift of being memorable, and many of us have our own “Gordy stories” to share, and we hope to hear yours. He was a remarkable person, “one of a kind,” and left an indelible mark on Chewonki. As Gordy frequently said, “Gratitude is a powerful motivator.” We are grateful for all Gordy did for Chewonki through more than seventy years of connection and caring.

Feeding Mind, Body, and Soul; One Year on Chewonki’s Kitchen Team

Alumni & Friends, Foundation / By Alexis Grillo

When I was offered a position at Chewonki as a seasonal cook last summer, I hesitated to accept. I’d just moved to Maine and didn’t know anyone else on staff (except my mother-in-law and 19-year veteran of the Chewonki facilities team, Carol James, who’d convinced me to apply). When I finally did accept, I didn’t have high expectations. I thought it was going to be just like any other job. I’d clock in, clock out, and count the days until the weekend. So, I was surprised when, on my first day, I was welcomed by the kitchen team with open arms and big smiles. I felt like I was walking into a family reunion

The Campfire that Captured my Heart

Camp Chewonki for Boys, Camp Chewonki for Girls, Camp Chewonki Leadership Expeditions, Foundation / By Alexis Grillo

Katie Goodman, M.Ed., Camp Chewonki Director, writes, “first, I’ll state the obvious. I’m a camp person. I loved my childhood sleepaway camp so much that I decided to make camp my career. Now, I’ll tell you a secret. Camp people like me don’t always find a workplace that captures their heart as their childhood camp did. We care about our camps and the people involved. We love our careers. But it’s exceedingly rare to find that special feeling of “I’m home” a second time.”

Alumni & Friends Sheep Pelt Giveaway

Foundation / By Alexis Grillo

Ewes flash: we’re giving away 12 warm, fuzzy Chewonki sheep pelts to our alumni & friends on Wednesday, November 30. Wool you enter? We’ll sheep, oops, we mean “ship” pelts to winners, free of charge, anywhere in North America.

In Memorium: Gary Spiess (1940-2022)

Alumni & Friends, Board and Trustees, People News / By Roseanne Saalfield

With the deepest sadness, I am sharing that we recently learned of the death of Honorary Trustee and long-time Chewonki board member and friend, Gary Spiess. We have included the obituary from Gary’s local newspaper, The Marblehead Current, here, and will follow with more news as we can. I know you all join me in …

In Memorium: Gary Spiess (1940-2022) Read More »

Morning Glory Muffins

Camp Chewonki, What's Cookin' / By Susan Bauer

These muffins have been around since 1978 and are named for the restaurant where

Month: November 2022