Nurses, Doctors and Patients–#7

Published on September 19, 2016February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker Category: 1960's, 1970's, Accidents and Illnesses, Blog, Camping Life, Directors, Counselors, Staff

One of the activity centers that no one ever wanted to have an incident was the waterfront. The waterfront staff were all certified in water safety, Red Cross training and lifesaving. But, there were other causes for concern that did not always entail water.

On the first day of camp in 1961, Margie Barbier fell on some stones and broke her arm, so off to Dr. Payea’s in East Tawas she went, which ironically was her home. Her mother seemed satisfied with her care, but since Margie could not ride or swim, she was forced to stay home with fees refunded.

The business manager, Rhonda Thayer (1974-77), played softball and was in the outfield running backwards when she broke her hand and fingers. With a splinted hand, she had a tough time doing the books with her hand in a claw shape.

Amy Johns admitted she had such a crush on Mel Hurst, a counselor from Hawaii, who was there the last two years of camp. “He made homemade skim boards out of plywood and sanded each one down. He taught the kids how to skim, but took one fall and cut his foot on a rock under the water. I remember the blood squirting in the air. Maybe it was an artery. We put compression on it and off he went to get stitched up at the hospital.”

Camper Debra Osher (1963) went for one week her first time and can still remember whittling a little stick with a little army knife. “I carved my finger instead. No stitches, but it was a long walk up the hill to have someone help me.”

Carrie Norris (1972-73) spent time in the Infirmary for a dose of poison ivy and Dawn Sohigian was also terribly allergic to poison ivy and underwent a series of shots before she went off to camp in 1966, which paralyzed her leg and caused it to swell.

Nurses, Doctors and Patients–#6

Published on September 14, 2016February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker Category: 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, Accidents and Illnesses, Blog

Carol Hulett was the “Camp Health Director” during the time when it was impossible to find a nurse. After her junior and senior years at Albion College, where she majored in Biology, Carol trained under the American Camping Association and “learned to nurse” at camp the summers of 1973-74.

Sue Patenge, director, had recruited her at college and interviewed her the first summer. “That first summer I spent most of my free time with the unattached staff. I had been a counselor and a WSI and had helped out with the horses, so I had plenty of experience,” said Carol, who ended up becoming close friends with Sue after her camping years.

“I was certainly a little apprehensive, but felt ready as I had spent my whole life going to/working at camp. I was a pre-med, so my ego was fairly healthy,” she laughed. “I was also an athletic trainer at Albion College and felt I could handle pretty much anything!”

The last recorded medical staff in the YWCA records was in 1974, with Carol Hulett as camp health director under the directorship of Sue Patenge and local physician Dr.William McCadie was the camp physician.

Nurses, Doctors and Patients–#5

Published on September 12, 2016February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker Category: 1960's, Accidents and Illnesses, Blog, Cabin Life, Camping Life

“There were some wacky nurses during my time,” remarked one of the counselors (1968-72). “They were either overly attentive and responsible or had short Infirmary hours that let everyone know not to bother them, and there were wacky accidents that occurred while at camp that landed girls in the Infirmary or hospital.”

Kim Wynne-Parry (1963-68) recalled her sister Vicki, who was only six and her accident.“She fell from the top bunk bed when some girl bounced her off onto her head. They came to get me and rushed her to the emergency room in Tawas. I was traumatized and cried and cried and cried. When she got back to camp, they had her in the Infirmary and I would visit her there. I just remember Dorthe Balaskas comforting her and me and feeling very protected.”

Vicki recalled how she ended up in the hospital on the first night of camp. “A somewhat mean-spirited and spoiled girl named Janet—I can still remember her and I think her Dad owned a car dealership in Lansing—bounced me off my bed by kicking me on the top mattress. I just remember “Beanie” (Barbara Haggart) taking me under her wing. She may have even given me one those beanies that put the tongue depressors on it to make a beanie-copter. Everyone worried about me, except me.” (After the incident with the fall from the bunk, Janet became her nemesis and she tried to beat her in every activity she took, but felt like it was her competitive spirit, since she was a good loser.)

Nurses, Doctors and Patients–#4

Published on September 7, 2016February 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker Category: 1960's, 1970's, Accidents and Illnesses, Blog, Directors, Counselors, Staff

In 1967 Mollie Forester was the camp nurse. Dorthe described her as a talker with a kind heart, who was always willing to help out. Her Infirmary was always spotless and there were only two trips to the doctor and one hospital visit on her watch. She had a wonderful rapport with the younger campers, but strained with the older ones, so Dorthe passed out meds to the seniors that summer.

One of her patients was Cindy, who never forgot the orange Mercurochrome, but then who doesn’t remember that little cure-all? Cindy Naylor (1967) turned around in her horseback riding class and the horse raised his leg and kicked her. She still has the dent in her leg.

Zoe McGrath had camped at Maqua as a young girl in the mid fifties, so going back to camp, smelling the campfires and eating “S’Mores” the summer of 1968 was a good bridge between her graduation and her future career as a nurse. It was her first experience as a camp nurse and not only did she fulfill that duty, but she helped out in a kitchen staffing emergency with her director, Dorthe Balaskas. There were a few suggestions from Dorthe to the camp committee for the following summer, and Zoe had the desire to leave her present job and return if she was re-hired.

“One day I was the one that got injured with a concussion on a sailboat,” said Zoe. “They came about quickly and I got whacked in the head with the boom and had to spend the night in Dorthe’s room in the lodge, so they could check me all night.”

Maureen Moore (1968-70) broke a tooth in a water fight when she was working as a kitchen aide. “The girls had their rest period and it was a hot day to do dishes, so we went out with pitchers of water. One of the girls grabbed a metal pitcher and I turned my head just in time to catch it on my teeth. My Mom was horrified when she picked me up because the root was exposed. It was close to the end of session. I don’t know why that girl didn’t grab a plastic one like we did.”

In 1969, Nadine Furlong was listed as the registered nurse, with Dr. Payea still serving as the camp doctor. In her end of season report, she mentioned a staff meeting where she addressed the crushes girls might develop on staff members, as well as notifying some of the staff of the severe ailments they may encounter. (One camper suffered from seizures.)

Present Day Owners of Maqua Celebrate

Published on September 5, 2016September 5, 2016 by Kathy Baker Category: Blog, Camp Envy

Every labor day weekend the present day owners meet on the lodge porch to have their annual association meeting. The board sets the agenda and it usually centers around the maintenance and upkeep of the roads and out buildings, but other issues come up that require attention and the ten landowners discuss and vote accordingly. This year was special. Not only was the historical book on Camp Maqua published, but it coincided with the 100 year anniversary of the camp’s beginnings. Following the annual meeting, the big potluck took place and this year a special cake was created just for our group. We also welcomed new landowners Joe and Denise Clancy, who are no strangers to the camp or Loon Lake. Denise ( nee Williams ) and her sister Sharon viewed the happenings from their next door property while they grew up in the cabin that bordered the camp. Sharon was a riflery instructor at the camp. The property owners are a tight knit group who enjoy the summers on the lake, as well as the camaraderie of their neighbors. One couple, Ric and Denise Braun, are Hale natives and full time residents, while two other families (Engel and West ) have recently made their main residence in Maqua. The remaining residents are part time, but full time in their hearts for the history and amenities the property offers. With the renovation of the boat house, and the upcoming painting of the craft hut and “Brownie”, the future generations of our families can continue to enjoy the buildings for overflow guests and camping adventures.

Nurses, Doctors and Patients–#3

Published on September 5, 2016May 21, 2017 by Kathy Baker Category: 1960's, 1970's, Accidents and Illnesses, Blog, Directors, Counselors, Staff

By1963, the salary for the nurse had increased to $450 for the summer and Lillian Richards R.N. accepted the position. She was forty-five and lived in Harrisville, just north of Hale. It was not always easy to find medical staff to reside at camp for an entire summer, but there was a need that had to be filled, as well as a job–even if the nurse handled only small incidents.

“One not so good memory was when I tripped while walking down one of the hills that had gravel on it, so vehicles could take our trunks and suitcases to the cabins,” said Susan Bradford (1965). “I slid down the hill on my elbows and knees and got skinned up. They had to take me to the hospital in Tawas to get checked out, but I healed quickly.”

Dorthe Balaskas had been hired as director for the camp and wrote in her 1966 report that Dr. Norman Payea had been hired as the camp doctor and practiced in Tawas. “The nurse is the decision maker when a child is ill, as to whether to see the doctor, and makes the appointment and brings the health form,” she wrote.( If the nurse was not in, the camp director or program director took over the Infirmary.)

Girls of Camp Maqua

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