Something I Always Wanted To Do

Winter Camp!
That's right, after 10 summers of strolling Paul Bunyan Highway, driving the Beluga on Cass, and absolutely owning fish down at Buck Lake, I made it up to camp to see it in all of its winter glory.

What's the best word to describe camp in the winter? Quiet. Not just from the lack of people, but there is no water lapping up on the shore of Cass, no leaves being rustled by the wind, no White Truck rumbling down the road. I bet if tennis lessons were going on at Bear Paw you could hear J.P. hootin and hollerin all the way over at Star Island.

My highlight?

Walking out on the ice of Cass and Buck

Mary? You there? I'm hungry.



No diving

Happy Holidays!

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A Journey To Remember

Last summer, Charlie returned from the Little Churchill River trip completing a 19 day descent to Hudson Bay. This fall, in preparing college applications, Charlie wrote a wonderful essay about his trip and his many years at Chippewa. You can find the entire essay on the camp website. Here is a small excerpt.

"This past summer, a group of nine experienced trippers and I embarked on an adventurous and challenging 19-day voyage to the Hudson Bay. Canoeing 300 miles across pristine lakes and dense forests, we would paddle down roaring whitewater rapids and tell jokes around the campfire.....

Reaching the Hudson Bay after 17 days of paddling brought on a feeling of accomplishment I can’t explain. I had prepared for this moment for ten years of my life. Every year I went on progressively more challenging trips, starting with an overnight when I was nine years old, to a three-week trip in northern Manitoba when I was 17 years old. It was the culmination of my canoeing and tripping career at Camp Chippewa......

The most beautiful sunset I have ever seen lit the forest on fire, dyed the lake a dark orange and yellow, and stained the clouds a deep purple. I was completely at peace with myself for the first time in years. I had time to pause my stressful life and reflect on the natural beauty of my surroundings. I had the pleasure of looking at one of the most beautiful sights I will ever see with some of my best friends by my side....."

Anyone who has paddled the north country in a Chippewa canoe can relate to your sentiments, Charlie. Thanks for sharing.

75 Years and Still Fishing

(Jerry at the Final Banquet, 2007)

2010 will mark camp's 75th annivesary with exciting new canoe trips, fun special activities and an alumni rendezvous. Looks like Jerry Graham beat camp to the punch, however. Jerry recently celebrated his 75th birthday. Congratulations Jerry!

Jerry has been working with the men and boys at Chippewa since the 1950s. No doubt we'll be seeing him at age 76 back at Silent Isle, his Canadian getaway, and of course on Cass Lake. One of his friends In Miami, Oklahoma wrote a short homage:

Good gracious sakes alive,
Ole Jerold Graham is seventy five.
He has no hair to part
but has a kindly heart.
Behind him are birthdays galore.
Now is the time to wish him more.

(Jerry in Canada circa 1980)

Ice Fishing Begins

Winter has arrived in Minnesota. The temperature has not been above freezing for weeks and that means lakes are frozen over and ready for ice fishing. Last weekend I made a quick trip up to Bemidji and managed to spend a few hours on the lake. The crappies and sunnies were biting and in no time I had plenty for a great meal. If you haven't ever fished through the ice and would like to give it a try, email me and we can set something up (it helps if you live in Minnesota.....Peter). Bailey H. is first on the list! Who else wants to go?

Cookie Cook Comeback

Like Brett Favre or Roger Clemens, Ada Shrock has decided that retirement can wait. I am happy to announce that Ada will be back in the kitchen with Mary next summer. Following camp this year, Ada had decided that after more than 10 years as Assistant Cook and Head Baker to say goodbye to Chippewa. Luckily for us, however, she spoke with Mary last week to share exciting news...she will be back in Knutson Hall in 2009.

Cookie aficionados rejoice! Yes, she makes a great salad, fantastic pies and awesome banana bread, but seriously....it's about her cookies!

Welcome back Ada!

"Now Showing" Has a New Look

We have some awesome movies on the Chippewa website, so I thought it was time to redo the webpage to show them off. Check it out! The new Chippewa podcast site is better organized and works faster than before. Plus, it looks cool!

PS- Keep your eyes on the movies page for "outtakes" from the forthcoming 2008 Highlights Video.