Stoney Lake Reflections Stoney Lake Reflections with Dustin Smith, Celebrating all things YMCA Storer Camps

    Download Episode!         Stoney Lake Reflections Show Notes Episode: 01 Mary Mennel   I sat down with Mary Mennel at the 577 Foundation where she was the Executive Director for 28 years.  It was a beautiful August afternoon to discuss some of her Stoney Lake Reflections. I have known Mary since childhood, but we really got to know each other when she was the North Center Director and I was a long term camper during the Summers of ‘84 and ‘85. (Unbeknownst to me at the time, by me going to North Center , it created a small custody battle between Margaret Spoleman and Mary). Before Mary departed Storer in ‘89 she and Greg McKee interviewed me prior to my first year on staff in 1990!  During my time at Storer through various positions, I came to fully appreciate Mary’s approach to leadership and how important it was to have such a positive Storer role model. The interview is one part reunion and many parts reminiscing. Interviewers usually shouldn’t be fawning, but this is a podcast, not a formal interview :). Considering Mary’s 17 year professional tenure at camp, I was naturally eager to sit down with what I consider a Storer legend. She is much more humble than to easily accept such a distinction or moniker.  I felt that she would be my perfect guest to launch the Stoney Lake Reflections Podcast. Her laugh is as contagious as her enthusiasm for Camp Storer and I appreciate her graciously accepting my invitation to record her thoughts for Stoney Lake Reflections. SHOW NOTES Mary discusses working 28 Years at 577 Foundation Remembers surpassing 17 years at Storer and now is looking at retirement after growing and evolving the 577 foundation 577 Mission Includes- Community garden spaces, growing vegetables and flowers, all organic. Also planting a row for the local food bank, with last years donations at 1300 pounds! Year around garden in a solar energized geodesic dome. Community outreach includes meeting space for other non-profit groups at no cost, educational programs include a pottery barn, lending library, a historic log cabin from the 1800s, a scenic Maumee river walk and a fossil dig. Mary discusses how she considers herself very lucky in that she has had two careers that were a passion and a love…and not just jobs. Mary details her start at Storer as a camper. She then was asked to help out with the horses as a manager, with Outdoor Education. Later she was a center director in the Summer and Director for OE along with Greg McKee. Eventually taking over supervising both centers. Mary also chronicles the start of OE by Bryce Harbaugh, then Greg McKee bringing in his own staff to build upon that foundation. HIGHLIGHTS Mary’s secret to her longevity at Camp Mary’s favorite position while at Storer and why The hardest experience she had at camp Snowbound in the Blizzard of ’78 Wonders of communication MUSIC ‘Stoney Lake Reflections’ Sing-out Performed by Singer/Songwriter Cori Strell: Intsagram: @coristrellmusic Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/cori-strell Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4tp4dwHUsqggPykYmJyssf iTunes:https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/cori-strell/id1155651660 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cori-Strell-Music-1174158396011014/ Additional Tracks used: Music by Hook Sounds http://www.hooksounds.com Music composed by Nicolai Heidlas

Download Episode!         The interview is one part reunion and many parts reminiscing. Interviewers usually shouldn’t be fawning, but this is a podcast, not a formal interview :). Considering Mary’s 17 year professional tenure at camp, I was naturally eager to sit down with what I consider a Storer legend. She is much more humble than to easily accept such a distinction or moniker.  I felt that she would be my perfect guest to launch the Stoney Lake Reflections Podcast. Her laugh is as contagious as her enthusiasm for Camp Storer and I appreciate her graciously accepting my invitation to record her thoughts for Stoney Lake Reflections. Quick Facts Staff: 1968-1989   – K1973-1983 OE; 1984-89 OE Director –As camper: 1959-1968 –Positions: Summer Camper, Trip Camper, Volunteer, Junior Counselor, Senior Counselor, Ranch Counselor, Trip Leader, Kitchen Supervisor, Village Director, Horse Barn Manager, North Center Summer Camp Director, OE Staff, OE Center Director, OE Director   HIGHLIGHTS Representing the child's point of view Learning, improving and growing at Camp Storer In the company of dogs or 'A Dog's Life' Mary's other 'pets' at camp Pioneer Crafts Fair Working with Clark Ewing Working with Greg McKee Explosion of development and creativity – Spolemans arrive         MUSIC 'Stoney Lake Reflections' Sing-out Performed by Singer/Songwriter Cori Strell: Intsagram: @coristrellmusic Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/cori-strell Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4tp4dwHUsqggPykYmJyssf iTunes:https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/cori-strell/id1155651660 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cori-Strell-Music-1174158396011014/ Additional Tracks used: Music by Hook Sounds http://www.hooksounds.com Music composed by Nicolai Heidlas   ©2017 Stoney Lake Reflections in Association with GoldenTime Marketing

Download Episode! Enjoy our last of three episodes with Mary!
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Stoney Lake Reflections Show Notes Episode: 03 Mary Mennel SHOW NOTES   Staff housing and living in the "THE 'A' Frame" later known as 'Mary's A Frame' (even after she left) The importance of selecting the right staff and what qualities to look for Special and favorite traditions Co-Leading Storer’s first European Biker in 1977 Leading other venture out trips Favorite place and activity at camp Mary & Mona Secret to Mary’s success In celebration of Mary… ‘Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble’- I push her to accept some praise ;)
  [caption id="attachment_4802" align="aligncenter" width="701"] Mary Mennel Trip Leader[/caption]
  [caption id="attachment_4793" align="aligncenter" width="672"] Mary Mennel; Andrew Smith '77[/caption]
  [caption id="attachment_4763" align="aligncenter" width="498"] Bassem el-Hibri '77 European Bike Trip 'Karanvansari'[/caption]
  [caption id="attachment_4754" align="aligncenter" width="501"] Mary Mennel and trip enjoys some zippy[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4780" align="aligncenter" width="596"] Mary gets the group ready with Bassem[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_4769" align="aligncenter" width="606"] Mary Mennel, Bassem el-Hibri[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6318" align="aligncenter" width="601"] This is probably the first time I met Mary (although captured on film I don't remember
)[/caption] MUSIC:   ‘Our Best’ composed by Grant Colfax Tullar (1869-1950). Lyrics by Salathiel C. Kirk, pub.1912 Public Domain. Performed by a friend of Stoney Lake Reflections, Kelly Beecher – Bassist with Monterey Chamber Orchestra ‘Rise And Shine And Give God The Glory’ (piano) performed by: Ben Abelovski; Standard YouTube License ‘Stoney Lake Reflections’ Sing-out Performed by Singer/Songwriter Cori Strell: Intsagram: @coristrellmusic Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/cori-strell Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4tp4dwHUsqggPykYmJyssf iTunes:https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/cori-strell/id1155651660 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cori-Strell-Music-1174158396011014/ ©2017 Stoney Lake Reflections in Association with GoldenTime Marketing

Download Episode! Stoney Lake Reflections Show Notes Episode: 04 Jim & Judy Mohr I Sat down with Jim and Judy in August of 2017 at their home in Ann Arbor to catch up with what they are doing now as well as discuss their reflections.  As you can imagine they were as welcoming as ever, even though it had been around 16 years since our last face to face meeting.  (Don't let that happen to you with your camp friends).  The great news is, as it happens with most camp folks, we picked right up where we left off! Our reunion started with Jim & Judy welcoming me and Jen into their home.  When making plans to visit, they had invited us to dine with them after recording our chat.  An invitation we could not turn down.  And  boy was I glad we didn't have conflicting plans.  Upon entering their lovely home, it quickly became apparent Judy had stareted cooking some tomato sauce for that night's dinner.  The smell of simmering tomatos and spices certainly set the stage for a great evening to come.  This was an interview session that was NOT going to run over! Before we started recording I had to check if their home bathroom was labeled 'Jim's' and to great dissapointment, it is not!  I also needed to satisfy a childhjood musing that he must have a dozen fish tanks filled with critters...No on that too! (Not even a turtle pit...however sandhill cranes were present for our arrival!  I commented on their view from the house and it was mentioned that they purchased their house from Clark Ewing when Clark and Marilyn moved to their current abode.  So that cemented it, enough discussion was not being captured, so time to start the show.   What I have to say: Jim & Judy were very much parental figures for me and countless others.  Their roles as 'in loco parentis' were not cemented because of their age in relation to younger staff, but with their stage in life, Storer experiences, and willingness not to only support campers, but support the staff.  It was a knowing look, a reassuring glance, and a quick chat during some long days that helped many of us to dig a little deeper to make the Storer magic happen.  They were a couple that had seen it all at camp, which were once in our shoes.  With their experience came great wisdom and calm, almost silent leadership for us 'young kids' on staff.  It was quite wondrous in the 1990s to have Jim & Judy as true examples of what we were there for.  It was amazing to think, we were fortunate enough to work along side with these two 'legends' that preceded us (at that time) by a few decades.   It was such a solid example of respecting what had come before us; it gave many of us a phenomenal touchstone to the past and present with hope for the future.  And when it came for final campfires, Judy & Jim gave us a great dose of the historical and traditional import of the proceedings.  On our tough days, they gave us strength.  On great days they contributed (sometime caused) and shared in the laughter.   Show Notes:   -           Judy loves Christmas and does it ‘Big’...includes a cookie party that's been ongoing 50+ years! -           Jim donates time to a Kiwanis Nature Center (Yes, OUR Father Nature is seeing another nature center!) -           Both enjoy traveling in their camper van visiting National Parks (30+ so far) -           They have also visited 49 States (Hawaii is on the list this year!) -           The highest ‘unofficial’ honor they both hold at camp -           Judy highlights her first summer at Girl’s Camp in ‘68 -           Married in 1965 -           Judy started at Storer in ‘57 in high school; Jim started in ‘60 -           What the girls camp was like (hint: primitive) -           Judy details how she started as staff and offers the real reason she was hired by Clark. -           Judy details her many, many positions starting with co

Download Episode!  Editor's Note: There were some great challenges with audio quality on this episode...apologies in advance! Show Notes Episode: 05 Jim & Judy Mohr In this second episode I spoke with Jim ‘Father Nature’ about the natural environment at camp and what makes it special. Jim details the diverse and unique ecosystems found at camp, some of them that are rare globally. Examples of varied ecosystem on nearly 1400 acres. Boasting 17 different types of soil lead to such a diverse environment. From fens, sedge meadow, rich Tamarack forest (almost gone) wet meadow to Black Oak barrens to Savannah.   South Fen is Jim’s favorite place at camp since it is such a unique blend of plants and every time he visits he seems something new. And this is after viewing it for 57 years!  What is a Fen?    The benefits of prescribed burns are discussed as well as clearing buckthorn swamp giving way to new growth after the invasive species were addressed.   Jim outlines unique flora and fauna, in and around Lake Stony…Including jellyfish…Yes, jellyfish! 7 out of the state’s nine species of turtles. Stony also boasts 15-20 species of fish.   The three areas of Stony: Big, Little & Petite. Formed from glacial waters. Reportedly it boasts some of the cleanest lake water in Michigan. Camp has been noted to have what scientists call ‘extensive undisturbed wetlands’. Jim discusses how to preserve this resource.   The once rare Sandhill Cranes  Here's more information about these fowl from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.   Jim details the rich history of naturalists at Camp. When Rodney Ferrar left the position, Jim stepped in around ’64 –‘93   Jim shares the history of the famous naturalist and ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson’s time at Storer (please see RTP Combined files from Doc Miller and the first naturalist offering Roger Tory Peterson a position at camp.  These feature phenominal historical documents from the archives!   The history of Cubbage Trail and how this was originally on Jim’s dad’s property (came to camp through Hyatt Purchase in the 1930s)   [caption id="attachment_6337" align="aligncenter" width="280"] Jim drives the bus for a Long-termer Trip![/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6376" align="aligncenter" width="437"] Jim takes well deserved break from said Long-Termers![/caption]    

Download Episode! Stoney Lake Reflections Show Notes Episode: 06 Jim & Judy Mohr What I have to say: Jim & Judy were very much parental figures for me and countless others.  Their roles as 'in loco parentis' were not cemented because of their age in relation to younger staff, but with their stage in life, Storer experiences, and willingness not to only support campers, but support the staff.  It was a knowing look, a reassuring glance, a quick chat during some long days that helpred many of us to dig a little deeper to make the Storer magic happen.  They were a couple who had seen it all at camp, who were once in our shoes.  With their experience came great wisdom and calm, almost silent leadership for us 'young kids' on staff.  It was quite wonderous in the 1990s to have Jim & Judy as true examples of what we were there for.  It was amazing to think, we were fortunate enough to work along side with these two 'legends' who preceded us (at that time) by a few decades.   It was such a solid example of respecting what had come before us, it gave many of us a phenominal touchstone to the past and present with hope for the future.  And when it came for final campfires, Judy & Jim gaves us a great dose of the historical and traditional import of the procedings.  On our tough days, they gave us strength.  On great days they contributed (sometime caused) and shared in the laughter. Show Notes: Part III Mohr’s Judy reflects on lessons learned Judy also details her work on many campership committees that send kids from all backgrounds to camps throughout Michigan, including YMCA Storer Camps. What it was like raising a family at camp Directing the Girl’s camp was a big challenge, but they both worked together and that worked out very well What it was like at Girl’s camp Challenging times on trips and as a kitchen girl- great fun and hard work. Land management is a modern day challenge Jim Mohr dressed as a daffodil Father Nature, Opera star!     'Lands for Learning Project'  Prescribed burn on North Side of Stony Lake