Chanco Once

Hey folks, I'm moving the website to a new home. Same chancoonce.com address, just a new server. I'm hoping this will take care of some of the quirkiness. Photos are down for a couple of days, but everything else should be okay. -Greg

Old Camp, New Camp, Red Camp, Blue Camp

            It has been four weeks since I traveled by train from Rensselaer County (Troy), New York to Newport News, Virginia on my way to Chanco.  I have had a lot of time to reflect on what that trip meant and how the experience was.  It was great to see old friends and to make some new ones.  My facebook “friends” list has increased considerably.

            On the return trip, I was teary-eyed and sad, but elated all the same.  I took some notes, determined to write some sort of wrap-up piece for the website.  Now, after a month, I still want to write it, so, here goes:

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We still have t-shirts available, for those of you who, for one reason or another, missed your chance to get one at the reunion.  They are $18 each, including shipping.  We have them in white and grey for all sizes M-2XL.  In S we have grey only.

If you'd like one email me at annandstefan@hotmail.com and I'll fill you in on the rest of the details!

Here's Dave's letter to folks at the reunion (the one I read Sat night dinner):

September 25, 2008

Hello to My Old Chanco Friends,

I’m so sorry that Lee and I cannot be present for the grand 40th anniversary of Chanco. We are in Ecuador for a 20th anniversary marriage trip that has been long planned; however, I wish I had had my wits tuned in better when planning things so that I could have worked around Chanco. I am so sorry to miss some old friends whom I have heard will be back on-site. Chanco was a wonderful time in my life and I have many truly great memories. I am grateful to all of you who contributed so much to our collective experiences. I still have lots of slides tucked away and many old “Smoke Signals” and staff newsletters somewhere in my attic, so one day you may see more of them on the great web-site that Greg has managed to create and maintain. One day,  continue reading »

Now that I think I may have finally cleared my head of the smell of roman candles, Boomer:

I just wanted to start a blog so that those of us who had an incredible time this weekend could thank those that made it all happen.

I will start by thanking Ann, Jenny, Tater, Chuck, Helen, Greg, Dave and Sara for a well thought out and rewarding weekend for certainly me and my family. For now all I can say is:

HOW MANY DAYS UNTIL THE NEXT REUNION??????!!!!!!!!!!!!

I understand.

You have that thing with your spouse on Saturday night. And there's no way that they are gonna want to blow that thing off for a whole weekend full of people they don't know telling stories about folks who aren't even there. Whenever someone from camp drops by the house and the stories start to spin, they just sit there with that face that looks interested - but you know that face.  And that face means "you're making up for this tomorrow."

So you can't make it.  Again, I understand.  But there will be people at camp you want to see - foreigners, even.  Folks you haven't seen since you were thin, or since the Carter administration.  You need to see these old friends.  You know you do.  

I have an idea.

What say you have an errand to run Saturday afternoon? It'll only take a couple of hours -- just say it's golf.  Yes - there's this work-related golf thing that you just hafta attend. You're up for that big promotion, right?  And you'll be back in time for dinner and in plenty of time before that thing starts.

Any way you work it, if you can't come to the whole thing, then please try your darndest to drop by on Saturday afternoon. You'll catch up with old friends. Spouse will appreciate not having to wear that face. And you can say that you were at the 40th year reunion.

I'll see you Saturday.

Just wanted to post a few last minute details regarding the Alumni Reunion.  It really is right around the corner now!

For those of you who have not paid the balance in full, we will only be accepting cash or check at the reunion.  Make sure you have your checkbook or wallet on hand!  Also, make sure you have cash available for the 50/50 raffle as well as 40th Reunion merchandise.

Several of you have asked if this is a BYOB event.  We will supply a couple of kegs, and if/when they run out there will be beer available for purchase from the dining hall.  Of course you may also BYOB.

The Fall Fest, sponsored by the Chanco on the James board, begins Sunday at 12.  There will be hayrides, zip lines, boating and a silent auction.  If you plan on staying for this, there is a $3/person or $10/family maximum fee for barbecue lunch.  Please call Stacey in the office 757 294 3126 and let her know you are coming (even if you are registered for the Alumni Reunion) so that they have enough food for everyone!

And last but not least, there are still a few spaces available,  If you haven't already, there is still time to register!  continue reading »