Horseshoe Lake - Camp Horseshoe for Boys

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 A contribution from Judy Mallace (my mom)
Author: Michael Mallace 
Date:   11-16-02 15:42

My mother was a camper and counselor at Camp Mac-do Lodge in Lake Delavan, Wisconsin from 1946 – 1955. Like all of us she has very fond memories of her camp days. To this day, she still stays in touch with many of her camp friends.

With that in mind, I have been sharing with her many of the posts on this message board. Today she sent me this poem “To A Camper” by Mary S. Edgar. She had this in her camp file and has been saving it since her first year at camp when she was ten years old.

To A Camper
Mary S. Edgar

You may think my dear, when you grow quite old.
You have left camp days behind
But I know the scent of wood smoke
Will always call to mind
Little paths at twilight
And trails you used to find.

You may think some day you are quite grown up
And feel so worldly wise
But suddenly from out of the past
A vision will arise
Of merry folk with brown bare knees
And laughter in their eyes.

You may live in a house, built to your taste
In the nicest part of town
But someday for your old camp togs
You’d change your latest gown
And trade it for a balsam bed
Where stars all night look down.

You may find yourself grown wealthy
Have all that gold could buy
But you’d toss aside the fortune
For days ‘neath an open sky
With sunlight on blue waters
And white clouds floating high.

For once you have been a camper
Then something has come to stay
Deep in your heart forever
Which nothing can take away
And heaven can only be heaven
With a camp in which you play.
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 Re: A contribution from Judy Mallace (my mom)
Author: Tom Mann 
Date:   12-19-02 14:56

Nice poem, Mike and Judy.
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 Re: A contribution from Judy Mallace (my mom)
Author: Jeff Speer 
Date:   01-28-03 08:52

Greetings once again, Mike -

I hope this finds you well, and thanks for sharing this poem.

Regards,

Jeff
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 Re: A contribution from Judy Mallace (my mom)
Author: Michael Mallace 
Date:   02-28-03 05:49

Jeff, we are doing well in Scottsdale Arizona. Where are you these days?
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 Re: A contribution from Judy Mallace (my mom)
Author: Jeff Speer 
Date:   02-28-03 09:19

Hi Mike -

Thanks for your note.

I've been living in Atlanta since 1985 after living in Austin from 1978-1985 and graduating from UT. My brother, Neil, is here, too. We are both married, and I have two beautiful, sweet little girls (3 1/2 and 15 months) and Neil has a little boy a little younger than my oldest. I've been self-employed as a recruiter for the past three years, after about 14 years in software sales. I love working for myself (and from my house) as it allows me to help raise my girls and support my wife's career as an education consultant.

Neil and I were thrilled to find this site, and we talk about camp all the time. I'm sure you've seen that I've posted all the decent pictures that I could find from those glory years. About the only camp friends I keep up with are Jay Berlin - who grew up in Nashville with me - and of all people, Jimmy Baron, who is a major radio DJ and personality here in Atlanta. Jimmy and I had lunch a few years back and we communicate through e-mail once and a while.

Other than that, this board is my only link to Horseshoe, but it's nice to know that it is out there. I can't think of anything that helped shape my life more than camp.

Again, thanks for saying hello. Be well.

Jeff
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 Re: A contribution from Judy Mallace (my mom)
Author: pamela forman 
Date:   10-28-05 13:55

I'm so excited to find your web site!!! I can't thank you enough!! My sister and I were both campers at Mac-do Lodge circa 1966- 1968. Whenever we get together, we sing all the camp songs we can think of, and try to remember Miss Cohen's many inspirational poems. We would love to know more about your mom and whether she still has Miss Cohen's poems!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!! Pamela Forman
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