Before too long, the announcement of the 1968 season will be in the mail. We have already been receiving inquiries about that season and even have enrollments on file. By all standards, 1968 promises to be a great season just as every summer is great at Susquehanna, and every summer different than those before it.

We tried to see everyone before they left camp, but in some instances did miss seeing off a few of the boys and some of the staff. We are deeply grateful to have the opportunity to share your summer, and want to thank you all for your many contributions to Camp Susquehanna. 1968 promises to be even finer and we hope you can return, and once more turn Susquehanna back into the normal summer picture of happy shouting, bugles calling, and all of the usual activity we like so well. Best wishes to you all.

Ken & Joy Schroder

Each year the camp arranges to secure a block of tickets to accommodate those who wish to attend this event and enjoy the opportunity to see the nation's top riders and their fine horses in the company of camp associates.

Unfortunately, time is an important factor in obtaining these seats. Consequently our announcement was made last August with a September 15th deadline. Sure, seats are available after that date, but not generally as a whole group, to this matinee performance. Our seats were just excellent.

Amongst those in attendance were Gregg and Gary Pardun and their younger brother Todd; Jeb Seder, John Halpern, Chris Kelly, and Gary Schlesinger. Chris McMurray, who is attending Choate, was unable to get away from school, and in his place we were glad to see Craig Holden, a former member of Camp Susquehanna's riding staff and a long time friend.

Amongst the staff in attendance were Larry Mond, Don Snyder and Bob Pease.

The Saturday matinee program Nov. 4th is one which is generally designed for the younger set - but it certainly didn't detract in any way from the high caliber performance by the entries. A Pony Hunter Class was excellent - and we applaud enthusiastically as everyone when the very smallest pony, named Squeaky, made a perfect ride, cleared all jumps and won top honors. In a later class, Squeaky walked off with a Reserve Championship to everyone's delight.

It was our privilege to remain on for the evening program and see the fine jumping in the Open Hunter Class, and also by the International Competition with the U.S. Equestrian Team adding to its previous laurels. It would have been a great thrill to have seen the new record holder - Dear Brutus - duplicate his jump of 7'3" but it was enough just to see him perform. We enjoyed as much as everyone else seemed to, the unusual jumping style of one of the horses used by the British Equestrian Team.

For most winters, there has been a great deal of snow on the campsite for winter week. However, in a couple of years, it has been quite warm (although not warm enough to spoil excellent ice sledding). However in a recent visit to camp, I have located a weather-forecasting toad, down somewhere between the Intermediate Council Ring and the Nature Den. The weather-forecasting toad has predicted at least six inches of snow to be on the ground during Winter Week. We had plenty of snow last year, and now I can say with conviction that we will have enough again this year.

Winter Week begins the day after Reunion. Transportation is available to camp. We will sleep in the A building or Craft Lodge, both of which are heated. Activities include skiing (both locally and at Elk Mountain Ski Center, one of the nicest areas in that region of Pennsylvania for those who like to ski, sledding and tobogganing, ice skating (ice is also guaranteed by my weather-forecasting toad), roller skating in town, trips to haunted houses, etc., and anything else that people want to do. The program is completely flexible, and is determined by interest and weather conditions.

All those who participate pay their own expenses which include food. In the past, this has averaged around $5.00 for the week. The dates are December 28 to January 2nd.

So if you are interested, or even slightly so, in coming to camp for Winter Week, please get in touch with me (Counselors too) as soon as possible. It is important to know how many are coming. Hope to be hearing from you.

Larry Mond
"The Old Ranger"

Our group boarded the liner Raffaello in New York on Saturday, Sept. 30, amid much confusion, crowding, and noise. Larry Mond, Sonny Flood, other friends, and some aunts and uncles form New Jersey were all there. We had a little party before the boat sailed, and finally departed about 4:30. We had a little rain the first or second day and have hardly had any since. I think I started to get a little seasick the second day, but nothing serious. The seas were quite calm during the entire voyage of eleven days.

After five days sailing under the beautiful skies and a smooth sea, we put into port at Funchal on the beautiful island of Madeira. This island belongs to Portugal and looks like one gigantic mountain sticking out of the sea, but it is covered with vegetation and the most beautiful flowers. Some of the local kids came around selling figs and flowers for the tourists, and some of the kids were just begging for money. There is evidently quite a bit of poverty on the island, and many of the fathers do not work. So the kids beg whenever a shipload of tourists hit the island. After touring the mountains, we went on a toboggan ride which lasted about 15 minutes, winding through narrow streets paved with small sharp stones. Now and then our escorting guides would stop and put grease on the sled runners. These men ran alongside the sled keeping it on course by holding ropes attached to the front of the sled. They put a lot of work in those 15 minutes.

The next stop was the Canarie Islands at a city named Las Palmas. These are owned by Spain. Once more, I wished I could speak Spanish. We took a bus tour up in the very steep mountains. In one very small town there was a magnificent old church which contained a statue of Mary, all covered with gold and silver ornaments. This island was very dry and arid and the local farmers had built up a system of reservoirs and aqueducts to irrigate the crops - mostly bananas. In the evening I went back into Las Palmas, bought a watch that doesn't work and rode the local buses for about 4� a ride. I also had a Pepsi at one of the local parks, with outdoor tables and loads of little stores selling things of interest to tourists and the local residents.

From there we went to Gibraltar. We only had about two hours here, and our ship which is about the fourth largest in the world, couldn't even get into port, so a tender had to take us in for the visit. We took a cable car ride up to the top of the rock, and from there walked to St. Michael's Cave on the Rock of Gibraltar. It was nicely decorated with massive and beautiful formations. It wasn't very big but had one very large room fitted out as a theater for concerts of various kinds. We wanted to stop halfway down to see the mountain monkeys which live there which will sit on your shoulder for pictures, but there wasn't enough time. We got back to the tender with about 5 minutes to spare.

We were now in the Mediterranean Sea and the next stop was Palma on the island of Mallorca, another Spanish island. It too was very beautiful, and again we took a bus tour up into the mountains. Here we stopped at an old monastery where the musical composer Chopin once lived, and we were treated to some authentic folk dances. Back in Palma, we tried to see the cathedral, which is supposed to be one of the largest in the world but it was siesta time and the cathedral was closed. We then took a taxi and went to see an old castle that I wanted to wrap up and send to camp for a haunted house. We walked up the steps to the top of the tower and could look down on the moats, the walkways and the main body of the castle itself. I think the Junior Camp should have its own castle, and perhaps the upper camps as well...

Our last stop before disembarking at Naples was Palermo, Sicily. This time the bus tour took us to a lot of old churches which for the most part were remarkable for the beautiful mosaics they possessed. Many of these mosaics continued gold pieces made by putting thin sheet of gold between two sheets of glass. Most of these were done in about the 12th century. On the hill overlooking Palermo is the town of Monreale which has a magnificent cathedral, built by a Norman king named Roger, in the twelfth century. High on the walls are stunning mosaics on two layers. One layer tells the main events of the Old Testament, the other layer depicts scenes from the New Testament. Our guide told us that there were over two tons of gold pieces in these mosaics. Hard to believe but most beautiful to look at...

Well, then we came to Naples, where our group got off. After getting our things together, we boarded some buses and drove through Naples, so I didn't get a chance to see much of the town. We stopped for lunch on the highway to Rome, at a place named Motta which looked like a Holiday Inn or something. The land going on toward Rome looked very much like Susquehanna County and around camp, and so it made me a little homesick. But then we arrived at Rome and at last drove past St. Peter's, which is the cathedral of the Pop, Pope Paul VI. We went to see him at Mass the next Sunday, and it was quite a thrill when he came into the church. He rode on a special chair he uses on special occasions. Without it no one would be able to see him because the crowds are too big. After the Mass, some speeches were made in Italian, English, French, and German. By the time they got done, my feet were killing me. In my next letter, I would like to tell you some of the unusual things which are here in Rome, and which you usually do not hear about, like the Cat Forum, an old Roman ruin which is now inhabited by thousands of cats.

So much for this current travelogue.

Today, we went to St. Peter's to see the meeting between the Patriarch and the Pope. Again my feet got the treatment but what a thrill it was to see these two great religious leaders meet and give their benediction. When they embraced you could almost feel the centuries of history behind the event.

All is going well although I haven't had too much time to write. Would you give everyone my regards. Also, could you send some extra copies of this to my folks for distribution. Or could I ask you to do this. It would save me a lot of writing and explaining, not to mention the postage from here. All classes are in Latin, which has proved rough so far, but it is coming. The profs rattle the stuff like to make the Spanish kids look slow. Our reception here was great, and everyone has been most helpful in getting us adjusted and started at the Gregorian University where we take most of our course. Next week is all retreat.

On the boat it was great - terrific food and plenty of it. We also had a swimming pool, movie theater, games and evening entertainment - in addition to the tours. Rooms were comfortable. Great weather all the way.

Better close for now. Let me have all the news from your way - and do excuse the errors in my writing. Trying to work too fast as usual. More news later. God be with you.

Ernie Marquart
North American College
Vatican City State
Europe 00120

P.S. Caves all over the islands and here in Italy - but so far no caving companions and no equipment as of yet.

The entire camp gathered in the Dining Hall and following "grace", Carol Botts and her kitchen staff quickly served the traditional banquet meal of tomato juice, pickles, olives, French fries, broiled steak, corn on the cob and whopping portions of apple pie and ice cream for dessert. The Dining Hall had been tastefully and attractively set-up in a banquet seating arrangement.

When nothing remained of the meal but bones and chewed corn cobs, Mr. Schroder spoke, keeping his remarks brief, while battling a reluctant P.A. system. He then introduced John Rose, Outstanding Camper of the Junior Camp - Craig Seltzer, Outstanding Camper of the Intermediate Camp - and Peter Judge, Outstanding Camper of the Senor Camp. Peter had received the Outstanding Camper award in the Intermediate Camp in 1966. Mr. Schroder pointed out that these boys, in the opinion of the staff, merited this distinction, with each of the counselor staff voting and with the results coming as great surprises to the boys. Everyone joined in thunderous applause to these outstanding boys and camp associates.

The group head counselors were introduced, in turn, - Bob Waters of the Junior Camp - Ed Hull of the Intermediate Camp and Bob Hammer of the Senior Camp. Next was the various specialty counselors who announced the winners of their trophies:

Junior Camp:
Air Riflery - Brian McIntyre
Archery - Tyler Malcolm

Intermediate Camp:
Athletics - Peter Kahn
Dramatics - John Stallings
Riflery - Paul Cantor
Tennis - Peter Kahn

Senor Camp:
Archery - Alan Mann
Athletics - Jules Feuer
Riflery - Roland Adey
Tennis - Andy Bershad

The Head Riding Instructor was then introduced, Marc Horwitz, and was called upon to present the Riding Department awards, and the Horsemanship trophies. Marc mentioned that at the Horsemen's Banquet held a day before, many of the Riding Department awards had been announced and presented.

Riding Oscars:
Junior Camp - Michael Fili
Inter. Camp - Manuel Vallecillo
Senior Camp - Fred Shapiro

The John Larish Trophy for interest and care of horses, a perpetual award, was presented to Al D'Cunto.

Winner of the S.P.C.A. Henry Bergh Trophy, as determined at the 1967 Parents Weekend Horseshow, was Chris McMurray. It was the second year in a row that Chris had won the distinctive medal.

Of interest too, is the fact that amongst the perpetual awards announced by Marc Horwitz, was one that had his own name, as recipient, engraved on its plate.

Next to be called upon was the Head Waterfront Director, Paul Davis. He announced the various swimming awards:

Junior Camp - John Rose and Gullermo Espinosa
Inter. Camp - David Winkler and Richard Noonan
Senior Camp - Clyde Sanders and Larry Golub

The Warbasse Trophy, for the boy in the Junior Camp making the greatest improvement, was presented to Mark Schroder by Bob Waters, Head Counselor of that group.

The final award, the Finkler Memorial Award, for the best counselor-in-training was awarded to Chris Kelly and Chris McMurray, two outstanding counselor prospects in a few years time.

Congratulations boys.

Departure of the trip from camp on Sunday, August 27th, was delayed a bit to give opportunity for the Catholic campers and staff to attend Mass in the nearby town of Jackson. But they still got away in good time for a long ride to Lawsville and the first campsite - at the store of Mr. Carl Pease. This was familiar ground to many as it was the center of attraction for the Lawsville Horseshow which was held in early July. From Lawsville, the group moved on the next morning to Camp Choconut, operated by Mr. Hamill Horne. This again, was a familiar place, as it has been used many times in the past as a site for Post Season groups. One of the highlights of the trips has been the opportunity to swim in the beautiful crystal lake.

On August 29th, the group moved on to Mannear Farm near Fairdale in Susquehanna County. Here it was not necessary to set up a picket line, which everyone appreciated. The next day the group moved to Cadre Lake - a singularly beautiful spot for overnight camping. Here a nearby farmer, Mr. O'Reilly, made the group particularly welcome, and it was most considerate. Heading back now, in the direction of camp, the group spent the last night at Fernheim Farms, an especially pretty estate on the outskirts of Montrose.

The group returned tired, but happy, and better riders from the close association of boy and horse, and all were most reluctant to begin the task of packing for the next trip - back to their homes. With this end of Post Season, the 1967 camping season was officially over. Now the job of preparing for winter, and the storing of equipment, the final cleanup - was ahead.

That John Wintersteen (former Crafts Counselor and now Marine Lieutenant Wintersteen) is currently attending Infantry Leadership School, which he expects to follow with a course in Combat Engineers Orientation, and probably moving on to Vietnam in February. BUT- not before his marriage to the fair Elaine on Jan. 3rd.

That Harry Newman sends a note to us saying he has been offered a television job in a show appearing 5 days a week, a half hour a day - the part - Santa Clause of course. But don't start sending him your letters yet - he's not sure he's going to take the job.

Our sympathy goes out to Jud Barnes on the recent tragic loss of his father. Jud was one of the kitchen boys last season (the boy with the long hair).

Sympathy also is extended to Harry Newman for the passing of his father - and to Mary Jean and Bob Waters on the passing of their Aunt Nell.

That Dr. Frank Leow (former Head Riding Instructor) is now tucked away with a course in Pharmacology at college in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

That our Riflery Instructor, Larry Mond enjoyed a vacation trip to England and Europe, after camp closed - winding up in Vienna and attending (weaseling in - the lucky him) a special performance by the Spanish Riding School, held for Madame Pompadeaux of France.

That Ernie Marquart, former Trip Counselor, now pursuing studies heading to the priesthood (in the Vatican) arrived there safely. Read his interesting report of the trip over in this issue.

Whoever, and wherever you are - good luck - see you next summer at Susquehanna.