Winter is definitely evident at YMCA Camp Wa Wa Segowea with the cold temperatures and snow. Just in time to get us in the holiday spirit! If you're in the Poughkeepsie area on Saturday (and are looking for that holiday spirit), please stop by Barnes & Noble Books in Poughkeepsie on Route 9 on Saturday the 21st. We'll be gift wrapping presents all day with the proceeds of donations going towards scholarships helping to send kids to camp next summer. We'll be there all day, so please stop by and say Hi!
It is with deep sadness that we hear of the passing of a beloved member of our camp family, John "Jack" Hedberg. Jack was 89 and recently passed away in Colorado. He was connected to camp through Al Raymond and William Dick and IBM. He spent a great deal of time at camp on Work Weekends. Current Smith Park of New York Chairman, John Fisher called Jack a pretty amazing and "old school kind of guy". "At the age of 75, Jack would still out work most of us on those work weekends!"
We all have fond memories of Jack, including Smith Park Board member Jeff Raymond (son of Al Raymond) who said "I saw this guy, this 70 year old guy, get his chainsaw out and cut up a giant oak tree that had fallen at camp. He then took it upon himself to stack the wood in the back of the truck and then move on to the next task, whatever it may have been." Past Chairman of Smith Park of NY, John Dunn, added Jack's work ethic was to be admired. "Jack was an old camp committee guy, and he never failed to surprise a lot of younger folks simply by working hard."
Jack (on left) in Hart Lodge with Stuart Griffin.
For those interested, visitation will be at Parmele, Auchmoody & Schoonmaker Funeral Home at 110 Fulton Ave. in Poughkeepsie, NY on Wednesday December 18th from 5 to 7 PM. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 19 at 11 am from Freedom Plains Presbyterian Church, Route 55 and Stringham Rd., LaGrangeville. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/poughkeepsiejournal/obituary.aspx?n=john-hedberg&pid=168597467&fhid=12050
We want to finish by wishing you all the joys of the season and every happiness throughout the coming year. In the words of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.
May the closeness of friends and the comfort of home (and camp!), renew your spirits this holiday season!
