NOTES FROM 2007
Peter Dietz (‘81), writes "Greetings! I am very pleased to see that Mowglis is having a great summer this year. This is my first summer not spending a lot of time in New Hampshire and I am envious of the campers and staff who are enjoying Newfound Lake and the White Mountains. I am now living in North Carolina serving the Marine Corps as a Navy Chaplain. I have two battalions that I care for: 3rd Battalion 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, an artillery unit, and 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion. Both are very busy with many Marines and Sailors deploying to and returning from Iraq. I am very thankful for my experiences at Mowglis, as a camper, staff member and director. All have an impact on what I do in my work daily. I think of you all often. We be of one blood, Brothers all!"
We heard from Dwight Shepard (‘67) this summer: "The big news in my family was the marriage of my son, Ted. My daughter, Lisa, lives in Manchester, N.H., and tracks troubled teen-agers for a social service agency in southern New Hampshire. I really want to bring her to East Hebron someday soon, as she loves the outdoors and, I think, would get a kick out of seeing where her "old man" spent seven of his best summers growing up. I continue as an editor at the daily newspaper in Springfield, Mass., The Republican, and live in Longmeadow, Mass., with my wife, Lucy. When the two of us attended a Mowglis reunion at the Harvard Club in Boston two years ago, Lucy was taken by the loyalty of Mowglis' alumni."
Board President Charlie Walbridge (‘62) spoke to Ben Dulaney ('33) and reports that Ben could not attend our Back-to-the-Pack alumni reunion because he is recovering from a recent heart attack. He spoke fondly of a scouting trip that he and other trip staff took to Katahdin in the 40's, and said he'll be with us in spirit.
The trustees were saddened to lose the wisdom of trustee Henry H. Livingston, III (‘55) when he resigned from the foundation board this past summer. Henry has been an important player for the last seven years as the trustees worked to revitalize the camp for its second 100 years. His outspoken honesty and enthusiasm was a great asset to us. It was through Henry's efforts two new crew boats, along with the necessary oars, came to Mowglis. These boats, faithful copies of the craft that served the camp so well and for so long, were made by John Harkness, a custom boatbuilder in Marblehead, Mass. Henry oversaw the design, construction, and fundraising for these two beautiful boats. In doing so he followed in the footsteps of his father, Henry H. Livingston, II, who, as crew coach in 1938, set up the boats in their current configuration. Henry was also the camp's Crew Coach during the summer of 2002, the very difficult rebuilding year when the camp opened after being closed for a season. The men who served Mowglis were instrumental in rebuilding the camp culture and restoring the respect, honesty, and fair play that makes up "The Mowglis Way." Henry's capable leadership and thoughtful coaching style was an important part of that summer.
Thank you so much, Henry! Good luck and Godspeed!
Trustee Chris Kriesen (‘80) also left the board this summer after serving two five-year terms. Charlie Walbridge said, “Chris always emphasized the importance of restoring and maintaining the Mowglis culture, which is the basis for much of the growth that occurs here. The state of the camp's leadership was his constant concern. As President his steady hand kept us moving forward when unexpected problems arose. He was the key investigator and negotiator when several difficult personnel decisions had to be made. We will miss his intelligence, his professionalism, and his steadfast, positive demeanor. He passed the office of President on to me when his wife became ill, and I have tried to live up to the high standard he set.
Thank you, Chris! Good hunting, and don't be a stranger!”
Doug Stenberg ('72) and the three other members of the Humanities Teaching Team at Wilson High School in Reading, Pennsylvania, have received that state's Golden Apple Award in Arts and Humanities. The Award "recognizes that innovative programs form the basis for school reform and the future of public education." The interdisciplinary Humanities course for seniors has grown in enrollment over the years from an average of fifty to well over two hundred for 2007-08. Doug, a member of the English Department, teaches the literature component of the course. His fellow Team members are from Wilson's Art, History, and Music Departments. In June all four attended an awards dinner at the State Capitol in Harrisburg. Doug is a graduate of Bowdoin. His M.A. and Ph.D. degrees are from Bryn Mawr College. He and Kari, his wife, reside in the home they built on their horse farm in Robesonia, a suburb of Reading. Kari is an equestrian instructor.
Jon Shelness ('71) wrote to the camp this spring: “Well I have been leading the quiet life in Iowa for a great many years now. I now work for a place called the Woodward Academy (www.wwacademy.com). Many years have passed since we spoke last!”
Dartmouth conferred an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters on W. Richard West, Jr. ('57), Founding Director of the National Museum of the American Indian. Rick has devoted his professional life and much of his personal life to working with American Indians on cultural, educational, legal, and governmental issues. As a practicing attorney, he served as general counsel and special counsel to numerous tribes and organizations and has reprecented clients before federal, state and tribal courts, various executive departments of the federal government and Congress. He has served as chair of the board for the American Association of Museums, as member-at-large of the association's board of directors, and as vice chair of the board of directors. Rick currently is vice-chair of the American Association of Museums/International Council of Museums, which reprecents the interests of American institutions in the international museum community. He is married and has two adult children.
Will Tomford's ('92) parents report that he was in Austria for the '06-'07 academic year teaching English in a high school there.
While searching for a way to contact alumnus Richard Colton (‘57) we corresponded with his sister Meg, who wrote: "I'm sure he'd be glad to hear from you folks. I still have a wonderful photo of him taken on Crew Day years and years ago just after the Blue Team won the race. As an adoring little sister, I loved crew day, and have great memories of going to that beautiful chapel in the woods with my parents, walking down from the main road. "
Jan Greven ('80) writes: My bit of news is that my wife Annie and I had two baby boys over the holidays. Nathaniel Steele Greven and William Stokes Greven (Den 2021) were born on 12/16/2006 and are home, happy, and growing quickly. Please give my best regards to Bob and everyone, and I hope you all had a very merry Christmas and happy New Year. With warm regards, Phil (Jan) Greven
p.s. don't forget to note Nate and Will as Den 2021. It makes me smile every time I write that!
Stan Jackson, Jr ('80) writes "I was amazed at how many names I recognized while reading the fall 2006 issue of The Mowglis Call -- from beginning to end! I don't remember faces, and I highly doubt that I would recognize many (if hardly any) of these people if I saw them. But reading their names clicked in my memory! Strange but amazing."
David Wohlsen ('59) writes "I saw the list of "out-of-touch" alumni in the most recent publication sent to me (and incidentally it was terrific reading it!). One of the names was that of Richard William Wohlsen (‘56). He was my brother and attended Mowglis from 1951 to 1956. He was on the losing Red Crew of 1956 and the focus of our slogan that year "Win With Willie." We didn't win that year but it was a good, close race. At any rate, Bill was quite ill in his final years, finally succumbing to leukemia in May 1997 after a courageous eight-year battle fought in the finest Mowglis tradition of bravery, sensitivity, and concern for "the pack" (his family and many friends). Bill taught Social Studies at Mt. Anthony Union High School here in Bennington, Vermont, for twenty-five years. He is the reason my wife and I landed in Bennington and the reason I also attended Mowglis (from 1956 to 1959). Mowglis brought us both to upper New England where we have carved out our careers as educators.
My wife and I make the three-hour drive up to the Camp from our southern Vermont home every so often and the years just evaporate before one's eyes! Bless you all and Best wishes for the new year and the new season!
Jim Washburn ('95) wrote to tell us that he had moved. "It is with a smile on my face that I write to inform you of my change of address, since the change is a result of my marriage! My wonderful wife Tannwen and I live on her family’s farm, Terhune Orhchards, in Princeton. Our new address is 42 Van Kirk Road, Princeton, N.J. 08540. Another change in my life is that I am now teaching at Montgomery High School, north of Princeton, after many years at Lawrenceville School. Following my first days of coaching rowing on Newfound Lake, I am now coaching at Swan Creek Rowing Club on the Delaware River as well as giving lessons on Carnegie Lake. Hopefully all is well at Mowglis.
Congratulations to trustee Abe Unger ('83), who has had a very big year. In addition to the birth of twins Rafi and Ari, Abe also received his Ph.D. in Political Science from Fordham University and is currently on the staff of Wagner College as an Assistant Professor and Director of Urban Programs All this while remaining actively involved in the non-profit arts organization he founded, and while serving as a rabbi at Congregation Ahavath Isreal in Staten Island.
We heard out of the blue from Patrick Grady (Junior Staff, '82), who still has camper photos from his tenure as the Black and White Ribbon (Photography) instructor in 1982. Patrick is now living in Florida and is a professional speaker, writer, spokesperson, media personality, and trainer in the areas of communication, stress management and leadership. He has worked in network and international television, broadcast radio, industrial film and video, and live on stage across North America. Visit www.PatrickGrady.com to learn more about what he has to offer.
Pete St. John ('75) retired this year after years of teaching high school English in Mexico, Maine. Pete will focus his time on expanding his business as a wine merchant in Wilton, Maine, and expects to open a second wine shop in Rangeley, Maine. Pete spends his summers as the Director of Camp Kawanhee for Boys in Weld, Maine.
Art Bradbury ('51) writes often. "Here's a bit of trivia for ya. The Slaymaker rifle reached a point in its career where it could no longer be fired accurately. The rifling was pretty much shot. Jay Bartow (‘51) wanted to replace it. He did so with a match target rifle - I cannot remember the make - and had it named the George D. Gibbs memorial rifle in memory of same. The rifle was purchased from a fine gun shop outside Philadelphia. I don't know what happened to it, but I seem to recall at one point the rifle instructor declared it worn out. If that rifle is still around, it would be good to find it. George was a very special person to me and a number of old Mowglis. His was a work ethic we rarely see nowadays. Completely reliable, a hard worker and selfless. He could eyeball a plumbing fitting, cut and thread it, and it would fit.
Charlie Walbridge (‘62) had the chance to chat this spring with Peter Marx (Akela '68) at his offices in Troy, N.Y. Charlie writes "We had not seen each other for almost 40 years. Peter took over a family construction company and has built it into a large, award-winning organization. They specialize in big projects, mostly educational and government structures. His office has a fabulous view across the Hudson to Albany.
Peter was at camp three years and left after Akela. He has strong memories of Mowglis, especially of people like Tim Coons ('68) and the Popinchalks (Andrew, Paul, Sam, Michael, and Joseph), as well as those sweaty afternoons with me earning his Orange Ribbon. He remembers being promoted to the Blue Racing Crew as coxswain just before race day. He realized part way down the course the boats were set to collide and that it was his fault! Fortunately, he got his boat pointed the right way and the Blue Crew rowed on to victory. After Akela, he went to boarding school, and decided that he wanted to spend summers with his family. We missed him!”
A note from Martin Cornish (staff in the ‘80s) We (he and his wife Susan) moved for the last time ever to a wonderful farm just 20 miles from Edinburgh, Scotland. Built on the Blairadam Estate designed by Robert Adam, the father of the Neoclassical revival, in the late 18th century. Of course it needed work done to it, but this is my last move, and with the hills around and a wildlife lake two miles away, it is almost like New Hampshire. I remember my first day in May was helping to clear up, and I discovered that there were loads of mosquitoes, which no one had told me about!!! Say a big hello to Bob Bengtson (‘69) and Pete St John (‘75), I remember Benji Ringe (‘85); he was a great kid with the most infectious laugh and offbeat sense of humor. I will add as a footer that I really miss my spiritual home there, and every year my heart wants to see it all again... someday. With very best wishes from a warm but wet Scotland. Emails from everyone are always welcome: cornishes@btinternet.com
Charlie Walbridge (‘62) writes "I had a wonderful chat with Scot Gibbs ('65), whose father and grandparents were both involved with Mowglis for many years. Scot lives in Bedford, N.H., and is a professional photographer and a self-described "semi-pro" musician. Over the years he's played country, rock, and blues guitar. He's worked with bands that opened for groups like Alabama, Marshall Tucker, and Little Feet. At 52 he married Amberly, the lead singer in the rock band "Common Knowledge." She asked him to join the band and the rest is history. They have an 18-month-old son, Dillon. His father, Carter Gibbs ('40), is best known for blazing a steep trail up the face of Bear Mountain. He and his wife retired to Utah after a career with the Forest Service. Scot says that his Dad is still "tough as nails."
We received a short note from author Dan Dennett ('55) (http://ase.tufts.edu/cogstud/incbios/dennettd/dennettd.htm)
“Can you please put me in touch with Garland Thayer (staff from the early ‘50s)? A film-maker is making a documentary on me and wants to include interactions between me and people who were strong influences on me in the past. It struck me that Garland would be ideal for this, and I'd love to see him again after all these years (a half-century).” Dan is University Professor and Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy, and Co-Director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University. He lives with his wife in North Andover, Massachusetts, and has a daughter, a son, and a grandson.
Dr. Foster Conklin ('42) has spent many hours at camp this summer with his son Forty ('74) and his grandson Foster (Cubs '07), who is attending his first summer here as a Cub. Three generations! Dr. Conklin shared a memory from the spring of 1945, when he worked as member of the Junior Staff. That was the first year the camp opened after WWII, having been closed for the previous two seasons. During those dormant years, a family of raccoons had moved into the Photography Room under Gray Brothers Hall. Dr. Conklin's first assignment: shovel a huge, 2-year old pile of raccoon dung to make the room usable again. An indelible memory, to be sure!
Many thanks to Stu Carothers ('69), father of Cam (Den '06 and current Junior Staff) and donor of a warmer to the camp's kitchen. This snazzy device is a holding unit that helps keep food hot while other parts of the meal are being prepared. This has made the chef's life easier while ensuring that every meal arrives at the table piping hot. Thanks, Stu!
Chad Bradbury ('83) spent some volunteer time here this spring helping open the camp for the season. Chad is proprietor of Mobile Massage, a traveling massage service based in southern New Hampshire. He received a B.A. in Sociology from the University of New Hampshire, where he also studied for his EMT certification. He graduated from the massage therapist's program at the Northeastern Institute of Whole Health in Manchester, N.H.
Remember Charles 'Slug' Heffernan ('54)? In writing to his friend Lucius Carroll, II ('53) Slug says: "Thank you for the delightful letter and wonderful set of pictures. It was grand to see your house, family, and your various "wheels." I think it is truly wonderful that a person is able to carry his passion throughout a lifetime. It was good to see your photos of Garland Thayer (staff in the early ‘50s) also. I thought he was a great guy and a positive influence at Mowglis. If you see him again, please extend my warmest greetings. To answer some of your questions: I concluded my long teaching career in music at the University of Massachusetts in 1999, having previously taught at the University of Washington, Arizona State University, and the University of Toronto (Canada). I was married for 25 years and have a daughter who is a professional violinist. She has two daughters, both of whom appear to be headed toward music or theater. I guess it runs in the family. Be sure to stay in touch and keep me up to date on events. With my very best regards, Slug"
And speaking of Garland Thayer (staff in the early ‘50s), in a correspondence to Lucius Carroll, II ('53), Garland writes "Lucius: Thanks for forwarding Heffernan's ('54) letter. I remember him well, when his voice was high falsetto and when it became bass. He was great with camp music. He and Price Zimmerman ('48) were close, but I never really got to know either in a personal way. I delighted in reading about his doings and whereabouts. Thank you, Lucius, for the pictures in the "Call" that came recently, and your write-up was really nice. I count it an honor to have been in a picture with you. Looking forward to another get-together sometime….
Hank "Sandy" Phillips ('50) shared with us "My son Brian John Phillips ('91) is now in graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh. He's in a master’s-doctorate program in political science. His special interest is The European Union. He wants to be a university professor. Brian is a 2005 graduate of the University of Cincinnati, where he majored in political science and journalism. He served as editor-in-chief of the school newspaper. Brian served on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps (infantry) for four years where he was a sergeant. When he has a summer break, Brian told me he wants to hike the Appalachian Trail, beginning in Pennsylvania. His Mowglis experience, albeit brief, was indelible!”
Jorge Covarrubias ('82) sent us an update via our Web site: "It was a fun memory to look around in the Web site and will be in contact with Mowglis always, from now on. I'm a proud father of two and one more on the way."
David Concannon ('79) led his third expedition to the wreck site of the R.M.S. Titanic in 2005. David, who has served on the Board of The Explorers Club in New York City and as General Counsel to the X-Prize Foundation, credits Camp Mowglis for his love of exploration. His son Ian hopes to attend Mowglis in 2008.
John Rafferty (staff 1994-99) writes: "Life is good here in Maine. I am currently working at the Eliot Recreation Department as the Youth Program Coordinator. I have been working with youth for the past 15 some odd years and have enjoyed every minute of it. Some of my fondest memories date back to my Tripmaster years at Mowglis. Thinking back on those years always reinforces why I chose the profession that I am in. When I first started taking kids into the mountains, they weren't too fond of the experience. Year after year the same kids kept coming back, but with all the proper backpacking gear such as gaiters, packs, boots and the occasional crazy creek chair. Somehow all those funny "What to Pack for a Trip" campfires paid off along with the actual experience of venturing off in the mountains. The feeling of knowing that I had made a difference in quite few campers' lives is tremendous. I took my son a couple years back to the camp for a short tour of the grounds, and it felt good knowing someday that he too would have the knowledge of his dad and all his teachings. I hope to keep in better touch with Mowglis in the coming years. Please keep me posted on events via email."
Kerry Carpenter ('00) lives only a few miles from camp, but we had not heard from him until this update from the Web site: It has been seven years since I have sent correspondence, I think it is time that I do. I graduated in the year of 2000, and sometimes wonder what has changed since I left the campus. I currently go to Plymouth State University; I aim to complete a B.A. in Criminal Justice in 2008-09. Currently I have taken to making antique Volkswagens fast. My latest project was a 1991 VW GTI, into which I placed a 240 horsepower engine. It seems to be a speeding ticket on wheels. For work, luckily I became acquainted with Team O'Neil Rally School and Car Control Center, where the school cars are all VW's. I help to maintain the roads and the equipment that is used on a daily basis. I am in heaven. I have to say that going 100+ MPH across a narrow dirt road, and traveling sideways around corners should be on everyone's list of things to do before you die. Hope to hear back. Kerry
Richard Morgan ('68) has a significant behind-the-scenes role at camp year-round. Richard provides technical advice and support for the camp’s computers and telephone system. Although he volunteers his services, the ever-willing Richard is on call virtually around the clock and has been seen past the hour of midnight trying to solve problems caused by lightning strikes in camp, telephone outages and computer system crashes. Richard has always been one of our more active alumni, and has appeared at camp almost every Sunday for the past 29 years to play his trombone in the Brass Choir at Chapel.
Randy Beckford (‘86) writes, “Dear Mowglis: Since I completed my Appalachian Trail hike last year at this time, I worked for a short time as a Latin teacher in the northern Piedmont of Virginia but then decided a career change to being a librarian was necessary. I was fortunate to find a position as an Information Assistant at the Fairfax County Public Law Library just across the Potomac from Washington, D.C. However, the 30-mile commute from my place in the country near where I used to work was killer, and I have recently secured a new residence which is only a 10-minute walk from my new job. My address is: 10412 Darby St., Fairfax, VA 22030 (My phone is the same: 609-468-4322). I am very excited about my new living situation, although I will of course greatly miss the quaint horse country village atmosphere I relished since getting off the Trail. This new job and residence puts me in a better position to eventually earn a master's in library science. Perhaps after this degree is obtained, I can choose a more personally enjoyable region to live. Nevertheless, if you ever find yourselves in the D.C. area, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am strategically placed between Dulles International and Reagan National Airports, and less than a 30-minute Metro ride to the Smithsonian! Randy”
Ben Murphy (Staff 2004, Watermaster 2005) writes "Hello Mowglis! I am writing this from Victoria Peak in Hong Kong. It is the British school holidays, and being a teacher I have six glorious weeks of freedom ahead in which I am traveling to Australia via Hong Kong on the way there and via San Francisco on the way back. If I can, I will send you a photo so those who remember me can see how aged and unhealthy I look. Only joking, I am still in good health, but nowhere near the health you get spending eight weeks swimming in a lake every day and climbing a mountain once a week. That is another thing I miss...being in the best shape of my life (so far). I am a math teacher working in a school in Codsall, England. I have just bought a house, so I expect to be poor for a long time to come. I hope everyone is well, the mosquitoes aren't biting too much and that Mr. Bengtson is still doing the campfires on the Saint-Saëns composition about the animals.”
We hadn't heard from Dave Morse (‘49) for decades, when he wrote, "I attended Mowglis for four years -- 1945 to 1948 -- at ages 9 through 12. When I saw the Graduate's Hymn on your Web site, I remembered the melody, and was able to sing it. I would like to be on your mailing list for publications that go out to alumni. Thank you very much. I look forward to refreshing my memories of Mowglis." David recently retired after selling his independent research company, Ford Equity Research, which he founded and built into a thriving business over a period of 30 years
Ron Plumhoff (Staff '59) writes: " I was the senior crafts counselor during John Adams’s first two years as owner of the camp, 1958 and ‘59. It just doesn't seem possible that it was 49 years ago. Those two years were very busy. Many of the counselors were new to Mowglis, so the returning counselors had to educate us on the traditions and routines of the camp. I'm sure we made a lot of mistakes, but we tried to hide that from the campers. Here are a few things that I remember from my two years:
-I still can feel the freezing waters of Newfound as we stood chest deep for what seem like hours, while Col. Elwell tried to figure out how to put the dock together. The Colonel was a wonderful man, but not much at following plans. I skillfully got out of that task the next year, even though they had wet suits.
-The first year everything in the craft shop was in boxes. My assistant and I spent hours trying to get organized. If he reads this, he will probably still remember trying to help me sort colored beads. I am partially red-green color blind, so he spent most of his time taking out my beads and putting them in the right bottles, finally suggesting that I leave the task to him. Smart man. A lot of the material and equipment was added by many counselors over the years, so we didn't know what to do with all of it. The second year a man came to work with me who had been crafts counselor 30 years earlier. We used equipment that he had added to the shop during his earlier years to put on a year-end display of all of the kids works for Parents’ Day. It was very impressive to see all of the work that had been done in only two months.
-The boys did a lot of very good work in the crafts shop. Several were really talented and taught me more than I taught them. It was especially busy at candleboat time, when the shop was turned into a factory. It was very rewarding to see someone make something by himself for the first time. Even the Cubs had a great time in the shop, making metal ashtrays by hammering metal plates into a mold. Jerry Anque (I'm sure I misspelled that), the Cherokee from Oklahoma, who had his archery loft over the craft shop, wasn't as excited. The kids drove him right out of his loft with the pounding.
-The craft shop also supported other activities such as the play that Jerry Hakes put on. I made footlights and helped the kids build and paint the sets.
-There were some wonderful miniature dories tied up at the waterfront. I hope they are still there. They were real works of art, but they weren't used very much.
-On trip days, I took a two or three boats of two boys each on rowing trips on the lake. We had a lot of fun, especially when the wind came up, as it did one day when a thunderstorm rolled over the lake. I think we had to find some friendly shore to hide on until the storm was past. It was a great adventure.
-I had a great time racing some of the younger crews in a rowboat with two broken crew oars that I repaired. Since I had to be neutral, I twisted a red scarf and a blue scarf together and tied them onto my already balding head.
-I also took a couple of kids out fishing in those rowboats. Ben Hertzler caught a huge pickerel that the cooks fixed for his dinner. He was really excited about that catch. John Adams wasn't quite as excited about us being late for dinner.
I think one of the great strengths of Mowglis was the freedom to work with the kids individually and help them grow during their camping experience. I have always hoped that the campers learned as much as from me as I learned from them.
It is true that the more things change, the more they stay the same. I am now retired and spend my time wood carving, tying flies for fishing, making my own fishing lures and taking pictures. I guess I never really left the craft shop. I am also "senior counselor" to six grandkids and a few others in the neighborhood. All of them are still "Cubs.” Sorry I can't make it back for the open house. We have visiting relative that weekend. Give my best to everyone."
Warren Anderson (‘72) retired from the Navy last summer as a Captain and ophthalmologist in the Medical Corps. He spent the past year at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami developing glaucoma imaging with a new technique called spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Now he works with medical device companies in clinical affairs and marketing. He claims that his true aspiration is to be sailing instructor at a summer camp.
Jordan Baker-Caldwell (‘97) hopes to get in touch with more Mowglis and see what everyone is up to. He lives in New York and is an artist, graphic designer and Web designer now. Visit www.bagofapples.com to see some of his work.
Michael Wilken (‘89) shared both happy and unfortunate news with us. He was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer, but with surgery as the only treatment to date, the disease seems to be under control. At this point, doctors are monitoring to make sure it doesn't return. Michael adds, "I left my position as a police officer and took a job with a financial service company. My wife and I are expecting our first child, a daughter, this December. I know someday I will be back to Mowglis for a visit, and until then stay safe, and good hunting."
Peter Holman (‘89) stopped by Mowglis on a visit to Newfound Lake this spring. He spent some time walking through the property, and left us a short note. He wrote: “Visiting brought back many fond memories of my summers here. I just graduated with a Master’s of Public Health from the University of Michigan, and I am heading off to George Washington University School of Law this fall.”
ROBERT P. BORDOGNA JR., 33, of Louisville, passed away Friday, July 6, 2007. Born in Atlanta, Ga., Rob's personal interests included a deep love for music and art, a passion for gardening, and a love for the outdoors. He was a student at Bellarmine University, majoring in music technology. He was a member of the music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (whose mission it is to foster fellowship through music education throughout the world) and a member of the International association of Jazz Educators (whose mission is to promote and preserve America's indigenous art form, jazz music). He lived his life with passion, which showed in everything he touched -- his refined skills in the culinary arts, where he spent 13 years working professionally at fine dining restaurants in the Louisville area; his interests in working with children, which he shared during his work with the YMCA Child Enrichment Program; his love of the earth's resources and its many uses, which he experienced by taking regular hikes exploring the land around the Louisville area and beyond, understanding its history and spiritual possibilities; his love of his family, and above all in his love of his wife and their treasured pets, Peanut, Roki, Basil, and Abby. Rob attended Outward Bound Leadership Course in the Cascade Mountains and in his youth spent time in the mountains of New Hampshire developing his skills and love of the outdoors. He was a graduate of the Youth Performing Arts School/ Dupont Manual High School, Louisville, where he majored in theatre He is survived by his wife, Amy Grace Bordogna; his parents, Bob and Elaine Bordogna; his sister and brother-in-law, Amy and Kelby Price; his grandfather, Fred A. Brown; and several loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Rob's father, Mr. Robert (Bob) Philip Bordogna, Sr., wrote to Chris Thompson ('84) about one of his favorite memories of Rob at Mowglis. It was during "an archery contest at the end of the season. Rob's score was well ahead of his friend's who had trouble getting the arrow to release properly from the bow. It kept going sideways from the bow and falling to the ground. Rob walked over to him and quietly whispered encouragement and showed him how to release the arrow properly. His competitor promptly started hitting the target and eventually defeated Rob. Rob was happy for his friend and never once complained about losing. That made me more proud than any blue ribbon ever could have." Those who knew Rob well over the years all agree that he never once said anything unkind about anybody. His true Mowglis spirit will always be remembered.
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