Board and Trustees Archives

Alumni & Friends

Join us in Wishing Tim Ellis a Happy Birthday!

From 1970 through 1991, Chewonki experienced a profound transformation, and in honor of his 86th birthday on October 1, we are honoring the man who steered these monumental changes: Chewonki’s First President, Harwood “Tim” Ellis Jr., by publishing guest-written blogs about Tim over the next few weeks.

September 29, 2023

Alumni & Friends

He Ignited a New Chewonki Era

Tim Ellis’ lifelong connection to Chewonki began in 1937. He arrived in a bassinet when his father, Harwood “Hardy” Ellis, Assistant Head at the Rivers School, was recruited by Chewonki founder Clarence Allen as head counselor. Tim spent every childhood summer at Chewonki, eventually becoming a counselor. After college, he ventured abroad and met his wife, Margaret Ellis, while teaching in Switzerland in the early 1960s.

September 29, 2023

Alumni & Friends

In Memorium: Gary Spiess (1940-2022)

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

November 30, 2022

Board and Trustees

Gordy Hall Kept the Fire Alight

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.

November 3, 2022

Alumni & Friends

Gordy’s Allagash Sass

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.

November 3, 2022

Board and Trustees

With Every Dip of My Paddle

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.

November 2, 2022

Alumni & Friends

Photos: Willard Morgan’s Send-off Celebration

On Tuesday, August 23rd, nearly 100 current and former staff members, alums, and friends joined us on campus to celebrate Willard Morgan’s eighteen years at

August 25, 2022

Alumni & Friends

All in a Day’s Work: Kate Day on Co-Founding Dovetail Workwear

Dovetail Workwear, co-founded by Chewonki alumna Kate Day (Semester 2; Camp Staff ’93 and ’96; Trustee ’95-’99; Advisor ’05-’11), is a hardworking company that makes

July 8, 2021

Board and Trustees

Welcome New Trustees and Advisors

We are pleased to announce that Kyo Bannai, Ponch Membreño, and Steph Tipton have joined our board of directors as new trustees and are also excited

May 31, 2021

Board and Trustees

Promise, Focus, and Action

Remarks from the Board Chair, Spring 2021 *Editor’s note: the following comments were recently delivered by Board Chair Roseanne Saalfield to our trustees and advisors

May 5, 2021

Category: Board and Trustees