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Picture of a Choconut Foundation Labor Day Weekend
You find yourself back in time, turning off of Route 267 onto the "Camp Road". Driving up the long dirt road, besides a few new houses near the bottom of the road, things look pretty much the same. Goggins goes by on the left, the hidden field on the right followed by Charlotte Springs (the springhouse still stands). Up the S-bend and then down the sloping hill past the Bridal Path to camp. You park in the parking lot near the back of Alumni End. Over near the Mess Hall you see a guy you think you knew back in '78. (see attendees from last years reunion on page 2) You grab your stuff from the car and go in search of a cabin. You decide on No Man's Land, first because there's not room for more than three but also it's got its own bathroom. From there it's down to the lake for a cool swim after a long car ride. At the dock there is much activity. Other former Choconutters are every where along with their girlfriends, wives, dogs and kids -- all either swimming or rowing, some fishing. If you get lucky you may see Joe Horne over near the outlet showing a few of the boys how his new potato gun works. Or maybe you'll see Caldwell out in a canoe pulling yet another bass into the boat. Chris Lowe's trying to get some of the girls on the dock wet by doing a cannonball off the high dive, instead he just gets Martha Loerke's book wet. But instead of getting mad she looks at her watch and realizes it's time for a refreshment and reaches for the cooler.
After your swim, it's back to No Man's Land and then a short game of Frisbee or maybe basketball before the dinner bell rings. And then you're in the mess hall and you realize they weren't kidding all those years: the food is good. To your left you hear someone say, "You're kidding me -- that's Truitt??" To your right is Hamill Horne, a little older, a little grayer but still the same old character telling one more funny story.
After dinner it's up to Alumni End where someone has built a nice-sized campfire in the huge fireplace. As the bell rings, the great-room fills up
with people and kids and dogs. Josh Tane's at the piano, Dan Lorber's on the guitar, and if you hit the right year, that's old Gary Silverstein (aka Floyd) playing the fiddle. They warm you up with The Titanic, Packety Pack that Pack and I'm My Own Grampa, Then it's the Talent Show again and you've come prepared. You get a huge applause and a watermelon cheer led by Doug Warren for your incredible accapella version of "Wild Thing" with the loud "UHHH" at the end of each line.
After all the kids clear out it's time for standing around the fire talking about whether Buffington ever was a CA, or when you caught 3 Villas in one day when you were on the Light Brigade in '80. Finally you turn in around one, after going on one of those Scary Walks down Choquita Road without flashlights.
Just another day back in time.
Origin of the Name “Choconut”
by Chris Lowe
While researching the geology of Susquehanna County and the Choconut gas wells I located an interesting article defining the origin for the place name
“choconut”.
There are two interpretations on the origin of the name “choconut”. The first interpretation is that “choconut” is a corruption of the Nanticoke word “tschochnot” meaning “place of tamaracks”. The second interpretation is that “choconut” is derived from the word “chugnut” and is the name of a small tribe and village living under the protection of the Iroquois. In support of the second theory, historian’s point out that “chugnut” was not a single tribe but a geographical group of Indians composed of Iroquois, Delaware, Nanticoke, Conoy, and Shawnee. Their village was actually two villages situated on opposite sides of the Susquehanna River at the mouth of the present day Choconut Creek.
Today, the northern town of Union and the southern town of Vestal, separated by the Susquehanna River, occupy the sites of the Indian villages of the
Chugnut.
(Donehoo, George P. A., 1928, A History of the Indian Villages and Place Names in Pennsylvania with Numerous Historical Notes and References. Harrisburg: The Telegraph Press.)
Choconut Reunion 2001 a Great Success
The warm days and cool, crisp nights of the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania makes the time at Lake Choconut each Labor Day weekend a special time. It offers a time for renewal from the daily grinds we each face. It brings old friends together and a chance to make new friends. It offers us an opportunity to share our unique experiences at Camp with our spouses, children and friends. It's a weekend of great food, pitching in, music, campfires and camaraderie. We share stories of our past Camp Choconut experiences. We now share stories of our past Choconut Foundation Reunions. But we also share stories of our day-to-day lives. We get brought “up to date” with the what happened over the past year.
The 2001 Reunion turned out to be a great success. We had 24 alums, 10 spouses, 23 kids, 5 friends and 6 dogs. There was swimming, basketball, Frisbee, hiking, canoeing, sailing and more. There were activities for the children, including daily arts and crafts. And, of course, the annual Saturday night campfire and talent show.
The included fact sheet details the weekend. It explains the dining arrangements, sleeping arrangements, bathroom arrangements, etc. And for those that would like more “comforts of home” then “roughing it”, a list of nearby hotels, motels and Bed & Breakfasts’ is included. So, make plans now to attend and experience Lake Choconut again—in a whole new way.
Here is a list of last years attendees of the Choconut Foundation Labor Day Weekend Reunion:
Jeff Harshman ('67-'69)
George Reed ('68-'75) with Joanne, Rachel 15
Martha Loerke ('61-'75) with Guest
Doug Warren ('65-'74, '76) with Melissa, Daniel 6, Drew 2
Frisk Miller ('84) with Noah 4 mos.
Phil Harshman ('61-'74) with Janet, Cory 16
Chris Osborn ('65-'68)
Joe Horne ('75-'81)
Chris Lowe ('75-'82, '84-'85) with Kathy, Eliza 4 mos.
Dennis Fusaro ('73-'76) with Mary, Andrew, Matthew,
Tiffany, Timothy, Phillip
Ken Ewing ('79-'85) with Sibelle, Armen 4,
Andre 18 mos.
Dan Lorber ('67-'75) with Dale
Steve Perrin with Laurie 4
John Barley ('68-'71) with Bobbi, Ellen Eberly, Paige Barley 9
Gary Caldwell ('69-'75, '85) with Justin Long 13
Brad Ewing (69-'77, '79, '82) with Patrick 11, Kevin 9
Ham Horne ('37-'42, '46-'52, '61-'85)
Adam Anderson ('70-'78) with Luciya, Guest, Nick 3.5, Noah 3.5, Harry 3.5
Barney Conville ('80-'83)
Anna Hurd ('68)
Josh Tane ('70-'74, '76) with Lisa, Olivia, Vanessa
Gordon Johnson ('68,'69, '71, '73) with Paul 5
Fred Lorber ('74-'78, ‘79) with Neil Millendorf, Ellen
Millendorf, Nancy Babin, Dan Anderson
Letter from the President
Dear members of the Choconut Foundation,
This coming Labor Day marks my last as Foundation President. I had a lot of ideas at the beginning: increase Contact Us, rewrite the bylaws without using legalese, update the website, etc. Now my term is up and I realize I've not accomplished my plans. It all went by so quickly. I kept putting stuff off, and soon it will all be up to Chris Lowe. Good luck, Chris.
It's been fun, though, having all that power, not to mention the buying power of the Striped Rock. That will
teach Prada to advertise to me.
In other news, prepare yourselves for fun this coming Labor Day, or relaxation, whatever you want, I don't care. Ultimate Frisbee! Swimming, boating, also fishing. No rebuilding cabins with glue anymore: we all saw what
happened to Maple.
Some new things for this year's reunion may include:
A larger coffee urn; Friday night board games; Self-service art supplies for the kids; A scale model sailboat at which to aim projectiles. And, more.
See you all soon,
Your Prez,
Tom Neely
Searching for Cemeteries Can Be Fun
by Chris Lowe
The 2002 Labor Day Choconut Reunion is coming and there are many activities that we all expect to take part in like swimming down at the lake or taking a day hike to an old campsite in the woods. In past years, special and unique trips have been undertaken to places like Salt Springs State Park, the Choconut gas wells, and fossil hunting at Little Meadows. This year an expedition will be launched to locate a very old cemetery in the town of Choconut.
What makes this cemetery important is the famous occupant that is purported to rest there. This person is none other than John Locke, a member of the Boston Tea Party and a sergeant in the Continental Army. How did a Revolutionary soldier and member of the Boston Tea Party end up in Choconut? We hope to answer that question and many more. To become a member of this expedition all you have to do is arrive for the upcoming Labor Day reunion and sign-up at the dining hall!!!! All are welcome.
Choconut Foundation Treasurers Report
The Choconut Foundation currently has $1,660 in the general fund and $395 in the scholarship fund.
Each year a monetary gift is made to Camp Susquehannock from the proceeds from the Labor Day Reunion Weekend for allowing us to use the facilities at Lake Choconut. In addition, funds are added to the scholarship fund set-up to offer support to an attendee of Camp Susquehannock. Please contribute to this fund when you send in your Foundation Contact Us dues and/or your
reunion registration form.
The Choconut Foundation Reunion Fact Sheet
Dates: August 30th, 31st, September 1st, 2nd
Begins: Friday, August 30th after lunchtime. There will be a full Friday night Dinner prepared.
Ends: Monday, September 2nd after lunch.
Cost: Adults $50; children under 2 Free; children ages 2-5 $10.00; children 6-12 $25; children 13 and up $50.00
Bathroom & Shower Arrangements: Camp Susquehannock has another bath and shower room in addition to The Rose Room. These bathrooms have been designated for either male or female.
Mess Hall Duties: Individuals have previously been assigned the duty of organizing a meal. Others are asked to share in the responsibilities of food preparation, table setting and cleaning. There is a sign-up sheet located in the mess hall. All food and dry goods are purchased by the foundation and brought to Camp. Meals included are Friday dinner; Saturday & Sunday breakfast, lunch and dinner; Monday breakfast and lunch. Be prepared to eat like a king - really!
Sleeping Arrangements:
At Camp:
All Cabins are available. All cabins now have ELECTRICITY. In addition to those from Camp Choconut, Camp Susquehannock has built 2 others. Cabins are first come, first serve and many times may be shared. From previous summers we have seen single families occupying a cabin by themselves.
Many individuals and families bring tents. Tents may be set-up throughout camp.
Outside of Camp:
PA - Choconut Area
The Montrose House Bed & Breakfast: 570-278-1124, Double w/private bath $50.00; Two Double beds and private bed $65.00, children under 10 years of age $5.00, children over 10 years old $10.00
Addison House Bed & Breakfast, Choconut: 717-553-2682; $65-$75 Single, $85-$95 Double.
NY - Binghamton Area:
Pickle Hill Bed & Breakfast, Binghamton, NY: 607-723-0259; $30 - $50 per night
South Mountain Bed & Breakfast, Binghamton, NY: 607-723-0149; $50 - $75+ per night
Strawberry Hill B&B, Vestal, NY: 607-785-5058; $75+ per night
Econo Lodge, Endicott, NY: 607-754-1533; $51 - $75 per night
Travelodge at Kings Inn, Endicott, NY: 607-754-8020; $51 - $75 per night
The Vestal Motel, Vestal, NY: 607-754-8090; $30 - $50 per night
Activities at Camp:
Lake Front Activities. The Choconut Lake is available for our use. Swimming, Boating, Fishing.
The Basketball and Tennis courts are available. The athletic field is available.
Alumni End is available. Ping Pong, Fireplace, Sitting on the back porch.
The Mess Hall is available. All meals are prepared and eaten in the Mess Hall.
There is a playground available for younger children. Also, there will be arts and crafts available for the younger children.
Most of the trails from Camp days are still open for hiking.
Saturday night Campfire and Talent show will be held in the Alumni End.
Sunday night Campfire will be held at the Vista.
The Choconut Foundation Reunion Registration Form
Please fill out and mail by August 15 to: Steve Perrin, 1497 Scio Ridge Ct., Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Name_________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Phone Number _________________________________________
Enclosed is my total check for $ _______.
Preliminary T-Shirt Order Form
If we get over 25 interested buyers we will order CC t-shirts! Return your registration early enough and you might have a t-shirt waiting for you at the reunion. High quality, short sleeved, grey t-shirt, the Choconut bell and “Choconut Foundation” on front left pocket, blank back. Price not finalized; should be around $15 with profits going to the Foundation. Please indicate number desired next to size.
small ___ medium ___ large___ XL ____ XXL ___
General Release and Hold Harmless Agreement
I/We, the undersigned, for myself/ourselves and for my/our children under the age of 18, intending to be legally bound, and in consideration for permission to camp on private property located at and around LAKE CHOCONUT, FRIENDSVILLE, PA, over Labor Day Weekend 2002, do hereby RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE AND AGREE TO HOLD HARMLESS: CAMP SUSQUEHANNOCK FOR GIRLS, its owners, Edwin H. Shafer and George C. Shafer, Jr., it’s Board of Directors and members, its employees and all others in any way connected with the operation of The Susquehannock Camps, as well as The Lake Choconut Association, its members and officers, The Choconut Foundation, its members and officers, and the heirs, executors, and administrators of each and every one of them, from ALL MANNER of suits, or claims for damages or liability for injuries or accidents, which I/we, my/our children or guests, executors or administrators hereafter may have, by reason of any matter which may arise out of my/our use of equipment or facilities at the private property which I/we have been granted permission to use, or which in any way occurs during my/our attendance at the Labor Day weekend activities conducted by THE CHOCONUT FOUNDATION.
DATED __________________________, 2002:
SIGNED BY ADULT MEMBERS AND GUESTS: PRINT NAMES &AGES OF
CHILDREN UNDER 18 YRS. OLD:
__________________________________________ 1. _______________________________________
__________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________
__________________________________________ 3. _______________________________________
__________________________________________ 4._______________________________________
Alumni Update
Audrey Miller (akaFrisk Ewing, 77, 81, 83, 84) has returned to living in Land O’Lakes, Wisconsin (where the butter does NOT come from) with her husband (and fellow musician) Brett, and their children Noah and Mariah.
Steve Perrin has moved into the ‘burbs and is lucky enough to live next to a 13 acre nature preserve. Steve would prefer renewed Foundation dues rather than housewarming presents, so send your checks to our treasurer’s new address: 1497 Scio Ridge Ct., Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Janet S. Harshman — All the friends of Camp Choconut will be saddened to hear the news that Janet Harshman, Philip Harshman's wife, died in March of this year after a grueling illness. Janet is survived by Philip, their son Cory, and several brothers and sisters. She was 47. Janet, Phil and Cory have been regular attendees of the Camp Choconut Labor Day Weekend reunions since 1990. The Harshmans live in Imler near Altoona, Pennsylvania. Phil and Cory plan to be at the Camp Choconut Labor Day 2002 Weekend Reunion.
Getting Ready: A Grueling Task
by Barney Conville
Preparing for the Camp Choconut Labor Day Weekend Reunion’s meals is a tremendous feat. After 2 years of taking on this task, I am in amazement that Ellen Loerke did such a great job. How she did it is a wonder. Unable to accomplish this on my own, I have gathered a group of volunteers for the Reunion Weekend Food Planning.
The following volunteers were kind enough to help carry the heavy burden of purchasing and delivering provisions for the weekend. Give thanks to:
Brad Ewing: Chief Cereal Buyer
Gordon Johnson: Senior Salad Supplier
Doug Warren: Fruit Picker
Fred Lorber: Meat Man
Chris Osbourne Canned Goods Specialist
Chris Lowe: Bread Chairman
Barney Conville: Food Coordinator and Bringer of Eggs, Dairy, Misc. Call me (215) 393-0887 if you’d like to help.
A Vacation Destination near Choconut
by Doug Warren
Eagles Mere is the closest thing to a Choconut Lake vacation that I have been fortunate enough to find within a four-hour drive from Baltimore or New York. It is also near Worlds End and Ricketts Glen State Parks, familiar destinations that many Choconut alums might enjoy revisiting. Choconut alumni Tom Allen and John Gilbert and their respective families have vacationed there in the past, and last summer I ran into Jon Winicov and his son at the Eagles Mere beach, spending their first vacation there.
Located 60 miles southwest of Choconut in Sullivan County, Eagles Mere bills itself as “The Town That Time Forgot.” The focus of the area is the relatively small, (one mile long) but incredibly clean, spring-fed Eagles Mere Lake. At 2200 feet elevation, the summer days are warm but usually with low humidity. The nights are often cool, perfect for a fire in the fireplace. The lake is special thanks to decades of restrictions on development. All houses are set back from the lake, so all you see are the natural woods, much like at Choconut.
It was once named Lewis Lake after the Englishman George Lewis, who purchased the lake with 10,000 acres in 1794 for $1.00 per acre. By 1803 he had built a glass factory which was active until after the war of 1812. The Eagles Mere Land Company bought the lake and much of the surrounding land around 1885 in order to develop the area as a resort. A railroad was built from the base of the mountain in Sonestown, Pennsylvania. The railroad is now one of the many trails used for hiking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing.
From the early 1900’s through the 1950’s, Eagles Mere was a thriving summer resort with a half dozen large wooden hotels and many individual homes. Each hotel accommodated hundreds of guests from Philadelphia’s Main Line and elsewhere that were fortunate enough to be able to escape the summer heat and humidity in the era before air conditioning. These hotels became economically unfeasible and were torn down in the 1960’s and 70’s.
Today, most of the activity centers around a very well run beach program at one end of the lake. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day and a variety of special children’s programs are offered. The lake itself is very clean and until recently was used as the town’s drinking water (now all the houses have their own wells). You can rent canoes and sailfishes by the hour, day, or week.
A variety of cottages and houses are available for rental by the week (I estimate at least 40) with accommodations for four to twelve or more guests (with prices generally in the $600–1,200+ per week range, per cottage). Folks generally do all there own cooking, which means arriving with provisions or going out shopping soon after arriving. There is a small market connected with a gas station about a mile out of town which is useful for milk, bread, etc. Otherwise you have to drive 20 miles north to Dushore or south to Hughesville for the closest supermarket.
The dining rooms of the Eagles Mere Inn and the Crestmont Inn are open to the public for lunch and dinner. There is also a casual eatery, The Sweet Shoppe, located in the small town center. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, have good salads and sandwiches in addition to delicious ice cream. Getting ice cream at the Sweet Shoppe after dinner is, in fact, one of the few social “scenes” you are likely to experience in this unpretentious town, as families congregate outside and clusters of pre-teens go off to discuss . . .whatever.
If you are looking for nightlife, don’t bother coming here. Nightlife in Eagles Mere is reading a book in front of
the fireplace. Other than the Sweet Shoppe, the town has a bank, a post office, and another ten or so small antique/gift shops and book stores. That’s it!
If this kind of vacation sounds good to you, check out
www.eaglesmere.com which is the website for Sullivan County Real Estate, the firm which handles most of the summer rentals.
Chapel Renovation Update
As you may recall from a previous Newsletter, The Choconut Lake Cemetery Association made plans to renovate the Chapel last year. The major renovation of the Chapel was completed in June 2001. The association spent a total of $41,104.00 on the renovation. Of the generous contributions the Association received, $3,875.00 was received in response to an article in the newsletter of The Choconut Foundation.
Choconut Foundation members had the chance to tour the inside of the Chapel last summer and see all of the improvements - and that another visit to the Chapel and cemetery grounds will most likely be scheduled at this year's Labor Day weekend reunion.
Address Changes and Corrections
If you have an address or correction for yourself or any other Choconut Alumni, please send them to:
S. Hamill Horne, 1436 Rose Glenn Road, Gladwynn, PA 19035.
Only 31 more days until the next Choconut Foundation Labor Day Weekend Reunion
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