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MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box
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Subject: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 23 Oct 04 - 01:24 PM Traveling Mudcatters: Early this week, post-Getaway travelers tested out the Mudcat Attic Dorm I've been working towards for several years. I'm announcing it's open now till the end of the "season." The "heatable space" season is: March, chilly April, cool May - September, warm October, cool November, chilly There are currently 3 twins, 1 double, 1 bedroll (and space for 2 sleeping bags on a hard floor). The 4 low beds are innerspring mattresses on good support. Accommodations are quite lovely and a tad rough-- it's a section of an old country house, and there is the choice of pee bucket or using a downstairs bathroom. Think hostel-- bring a sleeping bag to lay out, or change the sheets when you depart. Yet to come is the downstairs picking/overflow sleeping area. Of course there are porches for warm-weather picking. (And, sometimes, Mudcatters picking in the main house's living room!) Come for a night, come for longer, come for a retreat or a vacation. Even on short notice you will find the space waiting for you, beds all made up and clean towels laid by. Chairs for a little picking. Free to cheap, depending how much you need from your hosts. The furnishings in the guest space are made out of memories-- just about everything in it had a long and interesting life in someone else's house (or ours) before it went up there. The management policies are based on two fine experiences I had on a regular basis as a child and as an adult. "Camp" was an Adirondack fishing camp owned by elder family members, where anyone in the clan could go (for as long as the whole summer) for R&R. I was there often as a child. Hardi and I made weeklong visits several times not so long ago, seeing the adult side of keeping it going for us all. At Camp, you always arrive to find it cleanswept, all set for you to fire up the heat and turn down the beds, and several days' food left where the mice can't get it-- to tide you over till you venture out for supplies. And you always leave it that way for the next arrival unless you are physically unable. Anyone off on their own is assumed to be either sleeping or otherwise not desiring company. You do what you can do for yourself and ask help for the rest. Camp is always an adventure in being self-reliant and cooperative. And you can breathe there, and reflect. "Pleasant Valley" was an outdoor education center and summer camp getaway for inner city kids, on a real working farm, where people learned how to live in the country, where milk comes from, what comes out besides milk, and to work together to live lightly on the land. I don't know if it's still there, but when I went to a workshop hosted there, and later when I managed the demonstration farm and presented programs, I found it heaven on earth. You left town concerns behind, because you met the concrete realities of life there. And you could stretch. And, if you needed to, you could work hard enough to sleep deeply. (Between hikes.) Been here? Testimonials and Suggestion Box start here. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 23 Oct 04 - 01:44 PM LOCATION We are an hour north of Williamsport PA, south of Corning/Elmira NY, east of Coudersport PA, or west of Sayre PA, in Tioga County PA. Look at your road map and find where Route 6 & Route 15 cross just south of the NY border right in the middle of the state. That is our general area. Our place is between Mansfield and Wellsboro, a mile from tiny Whitneyville. According to EXPEDIA... ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: YorkshireYankee Date: 23 Oct 04 - 09:14 PM What a lovely idea! Extremely generous of you. I'm sure that you and other Mudcatters will enjoy some very good times indeed... |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: My guru always said Date: 24 Oct 04 - 10:52 AM What a wonderful soul you have W, would definitely want to visit if I ever get across the pond. May you always have music... |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: Leadfingers Date: 24 Oct 04 - 11:09 AM How about a Mudcat weekend one side or the other (or both) of the Getaway next year ? And if so , can I book now ?? |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 24 Oct 04 - 02:47 PM Leadfingers, yes! (As long as we are in this house. Clergy families, as we are, sometimes get called elsewhere, but nothing looks to be in the works at the moment.) We are 5 hours+ drive from the Getaway, however, so you might want to check logistics with MMario... the nearest small local airports are Elmira, NY and Williamsport, PA. If others stopping here were heading to/from larger urban areas, though, they could get you off and on the plane cheaper than one can fly to our small regional airports. I bet if people knew you had made the plan, they'd book to join you just for the pleasure of sharing the time! We do have parking space also for people who want to meet here, stop the night, and then share rides from here to G'way and back. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 31 Dec 04 - 04:34 PM We need to plan a spring date for a Mudcat Gathering. With the help of a few days' well-paid teen muscle, the junky room below the Mudcat Dorm Attic is now a nearly-classy sitting room and pickers' paradise. There are built-in ceiling-height cabinets. The upper section will soon be a well-lit, eye-level place for our scads of music books, church-music songbook originals, and misc musicans' crap. Toys and baby equipment for the emergency-childcare facility are stored below at kid-level. I never know when someone is going to call "that nice pastor's wife" for an emergnecy overnight or several days' childcare-- it happens about 3 times a year, never with any warning, so since we have so much unused space around here I try to be ready for any age, with instant, add-water-and-stir accommodations. (The counter in the laundry area beyond is already the changing table and spare kid-clothes zone.) It will be handy to jam in that space, with music books and toys for pickers' kids readily available. I think I'm going to take the feckin' doors off the cabinets too!!!!!!!!!!! The 6' long living room couch is in there under the window, in place of the piles of storage crap we tend to dump in there, and it is as comfortable to sleep on as ever, maybe more so since the tilt of the floor makes the sitting/lying surface actually level. Almost a twin bed. One lamp is already out there and more are on the way. The dogs love wrestling in there when it's too cold to play outside, where there is nothing to knock over. The sitting room holds the heat well when the laundry room's gas heater is going, a workable 68 degrees on low. So this whole addition on the back of our house-- ruined in the December 2000 fire and just now reaching full recovery mode-- is Mudcat gathering space, play space, fiddling space for Hardi, dude space if he wants to have a friend over for beer and chat, napping space without having to climb upstairs..... ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 19 Jan 05 - 01:29 PM Zoom in on the Expedia link in the second post to see how our location might fit your route. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 19 Jan 05 - 01:32 PM Duh, zoom OUT. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: Teresa Date: 19 Jan 05 - 02:48 PM Susan, you've done such a neat thing here ... keep up the good work. Maybe I'll get a chance to visit sometime. :) Teresa |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: LilyFestre Date: 19 Jan 05 - 08:03 PM I've had the opportunity to see the MudCamp Dorm....it's a great idea and just kinda calls to you to come on in and make yourself comfy! The room with all the beds reminds me of when I was a child....I had a girlfriend who had 4 siblings.....we all slept in the same room....lots of beds....lots of laughter and talks deep into the night after all the lights were out. Yep....the MudCamp Dorm is cozy and makes me wish I didn't live so darn close....then I'd have an excuse to go and stay!!!!!! Nice job Susan, REALLY well done! :) I wish you lots of great conversations, cozy afternoons, and music filled evenings in your MudCamp Dorm!!!! I can hear it now...... 'Night WYSIWYG 'Night Hardi 'Night Lily 'Night Mmario 'Night Alaska Mike 'Night BigMick :) Michelle |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 19 Jan 05 - 08:31 PM I just found (like 5 minutes ago) the pix of the space we took for insurance, when we had the fire back there in December 2000. The first Mudgather we held here was just a few months later. I remember all the mess still being here and sitting on the porch wrapped up tight to stay warm, totally stressed out and numb inside and out, but glad to see Catters sitting in the brisk but sunny side yard, in the sunshine, picking merrily away. I've just come in from the pickin'/playroom to scan the photos, and I'll hang them up somewhere online as "before". Then when I come across the digital camera (hint hint Lily dontcha have one?) I can take some shots as "after". ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 19 Jan 05 - 09:03 PM BEFORE ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: LilyFestre Date: 19 Jan 05 - 09:41 PM Yep, I have a digital camera and NO idea how to use it. I take photos with my 35mm and have CDs made up and take it from there. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 20 Jan 05 - 10:46 AM I've added more "before" photos, including an exterior shot of the addition that houses the space; with firefighters on scene and smoke pouring out HERE. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: open mike Date: 21 Jan 05 - 02:43 AM wow i didn't get it that you had a fire. glad no one got hurt. how handy that you have connections with the red cross. they have been very very busy lately.. with tsunami relief and all. glad you are now able to have mud guests. i hope they wipe their feet. |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 25 Jan 05 - 11:36 PM Hardi bought me a HEATER for the picking space. One of those very-safe oil-filled rads. It works so well I'll get another for the dorm upstairs. We are now year-round! The pickin'/playroom has been arranged for maximum seating, too. Lots more room than in the living room, it turns out. We need to set a date for a spring MudGather! ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 31 Jan 05 - 06:55 PM HERE are Charmion's pix from the Post-Getaway 2004 Gathering at WYSIWYG's 18 October 2004. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 14 Feb 05 - 08:04 PM NEW PIX OF MUDCAMP DORM. They load a little slow-- click the "empty" picture frames and the pic should pop up. Play/pickin' room pix yet to come. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 31 Mar 05 - 02:22 PM Time to plan a spring Gathering? ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 05 Apr 05 - 03:13 PM Sorcha has been kind enough to send me the Guitar Player picture that no one bid on in the Auction. It will go on the wall overlooking the double bed, to the right of the lamp pictured HERE, with a little collection box for Mudcat donations. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 19 Apr 05 - 09:29 AM PLAYROOM pix are up. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: open mike Date: 19 Apr 05 - 12:09 PM multiple thermometers.. bed and breakfast here we go what's for breakfast/ mudsickles?? |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: LilyFestre Date: 19 Apr 05 - 12:18 PM Mudcakes with pure maple syrup? Eggs, Toast and and a side of Mudcat? LF |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 19 Apr 05 - 12:35 PM Of course at a MudGather, breakfast is whatever anyone makes with whatever has been brought. I just lay it all out on the kitchen island before I go to bed. MMario made strada once-- baking pan full of layers of bread, egg/milk, cheese, etc. I make a similar dish, more deep-dish and higher in cholesterol, that is a Hunter's Breakfast or Leaf-Peepers' item. I make it and bake it the night before, though-- I ain't getting up early enough to make breakfast for anyone, except when Hardi has to plow the drive in the winter or, maybe, during Lent and Holy Week so he doesn't collapse! Thermometers were to help me gauge how the oil heater was working the first winter if use-- each side of the room was way different. Actually I just took one down today for the dog run, so I can see how shivery it is when I put the dogs out for the morning. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 11 Jul 05 - 09:11 AM Oooo, Hardi bought me an AIR CONDITIONER for the space! Tres comfee! It just gets better all the time, up there. More storage space for guest gear, and I raised the lamps that were dangerously low so they clear the pillows. I'm going to put up some of dear Giac's wonderful photography. Sorcha gave me the musician prints that failed to Auction, and I've hung those, too. There's a grab bar now making the awkward stair turn much safer. LF made some remark about pole dancing... Turns out it's a great music space, also. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: LilyFestre Date: 11 Jul 05 - 09:39 AM Pole dancing? LMAO! *singing* Shake it to the left, shake it to the right..c'mon baby you know what I like....la la la!!!! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: Alaska Mike Date: 11 Jul 05 - 10:30 AM I can testify to the comfort and hospitality found at WYSIWYG's "Mudcamp". Of course you must watch out for any itinerant Irish persons snoring in the dorm. And the mysterious flying lamps that have been known to awaken sleeping Ren-Faire afficionados, but the food is great, the hosts are magnificent, and the toilets run most of the time (whether you want them to or not). I look forward to my next visit. Mike PS: The "Mudcamp" Theme Song is slowly taking shape. Be afraid, be very afraid. MMMMUUUUUHHHHAAAZAHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 11 Jul 05 - 11:49 AM Bring it on, you housewrecker! :~) Now here is a REALLY scary image. When Hardi and I sleep up there, we push two of those twin bed together. (The double is too little.) Well, Mike, I'm in yours. I won't say whose Hardi is in..... :~) ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: GUEST,MMario Date: 11 Jul 05 - 11:53 AM well - I'll drop in the suggestion that if you are passing that way to take WYSIWYG up on her offer of space. The sleeping area itself is pet free; but for those who like four-legged people they've got some great family members who are appreciative of visitors and music and of course, new laps. |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 07 Oct 05 - 10:23 PM STANDARD "CLEAN ENOUGH?" DISCLAIMER I made peace with my house this year. A few weeks ago I was expecting not only Catter company but my maw-in-law. Now, she is REALLY a clean housekeeper so I got things as ready as I could, so she'd be comfortable being around. We live on an old, dusty country road in an old, drafty farmhouse. Clean it, we do, but it never stays that way long. And this is because I recently realized-- a clean house is not my first priority! A house with room for all sortsa people, that IS a priority. And that means keeping a house way too big for one person to take care of, instead of moving to a smaller and more expensive rental. This house was built for about 18 farm folks, half of them old enough to clean it all. Now it houses just two rapidly-geezifyin' people busy with ministries that are pretty time-consuming. And the occasional Catters who usually assure me that our house is cleaner'n theirs! So here's the thing. If there is anything in my house that offends you, when you come to stay with us (or any clean-house priority you have in a bigger measure than I do), OK! Come to me privately and tell me your plan for resolving it. I'll be glad to point the way to the requisite cleaning supplies and equipment, in between tending to the other priorities in my life which are PEOPLE oriented! :~) It's actually still pretty clean now, from the MIL visit, as we look forward to pre- and post-G'way company arriving soon. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: Sorcha Date: 08 Oct 05 - 10:17 AM LOL! Whiz, I decided that years ago! You moan, you deal with it. |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 08 Oct 05 - 10:25 AM Well, I did strip out all the catpee/flea rugs long ago. There IS a limit! ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: MMario Date: 08 Oct 05 - 12:42 PM I'm so glad that "hostess anxiety" is counter-acted by a Y-chromosome. |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 08 Oct 05 - 01:05 PM And I'm glad any incipient hostess anxiety is easily overcome by toting a mattress from the van, upstairs, to the bedroom-- there being no Y-chromosomes in evidence at the time of toting. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: John MacKenzie Date: 08 Oct 05 - 01:16 PM Well Susan I have an almost completely open schedule after the Getaway weekend, and Max's afterparty, so will try to get to see the great Mudcat Superdorm, it sounds almost as good as the World series. I'm not going back till the 14th November, and apart from the Getaway I plan a visit to see my Son, D-in-L, and Grandson in Beverly Mass pretty soon afterwards, then it's wherever the wind blows me. I'm open to offers [hear that Joe] hint hint. Giok |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 08 Oct 05 - 01:26 PM Come ahead, Giok. Mmario will have a room list with him to let me know who he's stashed where. First arrival will bring me the list. He also will have directions along with him. Leadfingers will have been here forom the Boston area by the time you see him at G'way, and Mmario knows that route too-- suggest you plan to stop here a few nights on your way to Massachusetts! ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 09 Oct 05 - 11:40 AM Please see PRE- AND POST-GETAWAY 2000 UPDATES for further info, and post there for these events. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 09 Oct 05 - 11:57 AM Du, 2005! ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: Jeri Date: 09 Oct 05 - 12:27 PM Susan, you might want to start the thread. The one you linked to is titled BS: Ducks Fly South , and is about the the Ducks' entire trip, not just the Getaway, not to mention it's a BS thread. |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 09 Oct 05 - 02:05 PM No, thanks; that's the thread I wanted. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 11 Oct 05 - 01:05 PM Just got Leadfingers on the road after a pre-pre-G'way stop. What a lovely time. LilyFestre worked like crazy yesterday helping me roast and pack up about 25 pounds of various meats for the freezer, to draw from as need arises for entrees and sandwiches. (Well, we did consume the ham already!) She was still here when Leadfingers arrived, and later her husband came by for a late supper and to pick her up. In between there was mighty craic. Dear Leadfingers was a wonderfully self-sufficient guest, and he brought up something I might as well address here. He wanted us to accept a budgetary contribution; I refused-- for us this is a lot like parish events, where the host parish would supply the entree and other specified items, and others bring the missing items. (I got a VERY good price at the grocers and bought only what was well-priced-- I enjoyed the day spent cooking with LilyFestre.) So of course I said "No, thank you very much," because it really is our privilege to have folks come here when we can't go "there," and what actually motivates us more than anything else is timely RSVP's. So if anyone is thinking along those lines, "Nuh-uh!" A contribution to Mudcat, however, is always appreciated. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: GUEST,Burke Date: 11 Oct 05 - 06:44 PM With everyone else at the Getaway this weekend, I'll be at the New York State Sacred Harp Convention. Friday night & all day Saturday near Ithaca. If you can make it let me know & I'll send the details. |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 11 Oct 05 - 07:53 PM Well hell, Burke, if you're going to be that close, don't you feel a few sick days coming on, to come on down here for Sat-Mon nights here? I have a nice pine bedroom for you, with mattress, and no more catpee rugs! ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 14 Oct 05 - 01:02 PM What a huge help LilyFestre was last night helping to welcome and feed tired arrivals last night. In fact, now she and Mmario are both qualified to host in our absence if a pastoral care emergency gets between us and arriving guests-- it's not a simple house to run and they know what they need to know, now, just in case. And of course they also know how to GET here in case directions are needed. BIG thanks to her and to Mmario for past and present helps, and to Booster Terrik who has helped on past hosting. It is more than Hardi and I could do, alone. Adding helpful, resourceful guests to the mix makes it wonderful for us all! ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: LilyFestre Date: 14 Oct 05 - 08:32 PM :) :) :) Michelle |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 23 Oct 05 - 02:02 PM Seems Giok's travels will not bring him this way after all; with the extremely high heating costs anticipated for this winter, we're closing down the Dorm till spring. There are also some changes in the works that will affect its use as a Mudcat destination. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: Leadfingers Date: 23 Oct 05 - 03:13 PM I didnt get to use the dorm , but did get to visit on my way South - I would say to all catters , IF you are in the area , look in , if only to meet Faulkner - High on my list of lovely dogs . Thanks again . |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: LilyFestre Date: 23 Oct 05 - 06:02 PM While I haven't used the Mudcat dorm as a traditional mudcatter stay, I have to say that I have used this room during scorching summer afternoons to find some relief from the heat and the world. There's something special about that space that I found to be relaxing in more ways than one. On one occassion, I was trying to read a book but found I was distracted by the sounds of the countryside....birds chirping, cows mooing in the distance...very peaceful. Another time I set up my laptop and played my violin for hours....completely uninterupted. On yet other occassions, I went to help Susan set up this or that...always enjoying her space and always still finding a minute or two of quiet from the outside world. I think Hardi and WYS have something special there and I hope those folks that have been priviledged to share it, have enjoyed it as much as I have. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 24 Oct 05 - 01:16 PM Thanks for your kind comments, LF and LF; and thanks also for your self-sufficience during your visits. We're glad to know that visitors find us a good destination for Mudcat travel. And we love having the company, even if it is a lot of work when you add it all up. Regarding the changes we're contemplating, one thing I have found myself reflecting upon is that the Dorm was planned and equipped to serve many purposes, but continuing to maintain it to serve any of them only makes sense if it serves its MAIN purpose-- and that is, weekend Gatherings of Mudcatters or others. The spring Mudcat Gatherings we can host in this mountainous climate, before festival season opens, have been variously attended by a large or small number of people. Spring 2005 would have been the first with the Dorm available.... but I was very sick that spring, so we didn't even try to plan it. So I need to be thinking about a couple of things: 1. Spring MudGather? How to know far enough ahead if attendance will justify allocating the space to it? 2. Other users? Touring cyclists; retreats; clergy vacationers; hunters... 3. If 1 & 2 above are not feasible, then what other use could we have for the space? There are some ways in which the Dorm just does not work nearly as well for one-night visitors (or for hosting them), and that is LINENS and MEALS. Linens-- My health just does not permit me to do mass changing of linens. Yet, as a tired traveler myself, I can appreciate that someone making a single-night's stop does not feel like putting on fresh linens-- nor, often, lugging in a bedroll after lugging in all the instruments one prefers not to leave in the night air in one's vehicle. Unfortunately, I can't say, "The beds aren't made up but help yourself," because if I am also going to take paying guests at other times, I can't have hardy camping souls lying about on naked mattresses or on top of bedspreads, just to save themselves a bed-change or unloading of bedroll-- because the later, paying guests deserve a certain standard of cleanliness. (Someone asked me once, "Why not charge for your time with Mudcat visitors?" The answer is, "Because when there are musicians present, my time is not for sale-- I want to play and sing, too!") Meals-- With weekenders, it's easy to assemble an ample buffet to which all have contributed-- the Friday arrival crockpot and house-prep are usually our end, and this leaves time for us to sing/play, too. But one-nighters using our place as their way-station need to be fed and may be coming a long distance, making it hard to bring a dish to share. It's very awkward for both guest and host. I can feed an army.... But I want to sing and play, too. The guests can go to the store-- but we're in what looks like the middle of nowhere with only the awful Enemy WalMart "near"by. So when we host groups of one-nighters, it is very hard (as a hostess who wants to be gracious) to actually maintain the policy that all visitors contribute to the work/food of hosting, and that each guest readies the space they used for the next visitor. (If you look at my description of Camp memories, above, I think it's clear these are memories of long visits, not one-night whistle stops.) Meals ideas in the works among the ragtag, disorganized Hosting Gang (folkies!!!) include having first-nighters' dinner and brekkie out (there is a handy truckstop with real and good food); the group then assembled can make a plan for the home-meals of the return trip, with more leisure at that end of the trip to stop and shop. Linens ideas involve covering the made-up-for-paying-guests beds with dust sheets (me), providing pillows and changing the used pillowcases later (me), and asking that people bring sleeping bags to spread on top of the beds. Towels, which have been kept till now in the various sleeping areas of the house, will have to be brought down to crowd up the small bathroom, because that's where people look for them. OK-- there's a corner where I can squeeze in a bag of towels. But back to weekends-- the Spring Mudcat Gathering-- that's going to be the make-or-break issue in the decisions we need to make about the Dorm. When I get this year's closing-up done, I'll start a thread to try to find a realistic date that doesn't conflict with early festivals. It's either that, or move this house we rent, downstate. :~) ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: LilyFestre Date: 24 Oct 05 - 02:46 PM So are you planning to close it up NOW or are you going to advertise NOW for the hunters this year? I know that many seasons are now open and bow season has started (may have also ended...I have no idea)...and how does a non-hunting gal like myself know this kind of thing? Easy...the folks from NJ have arrived to stay in their seasonal "camp" up the road. Another tell tale sign? Men standing 15 feet from the road armed and wearing bright orange gear over their camophlage clothes. Now, I understand the bright orange safety gear and think that's great...but why invest in the cammy stuff if you are going to wear safety gear...do they REALLy think the deer are going to wonder amongst themselves where the rest of the body of the guy in the bright orange went to? And the business of standing not more than 20 yards from the road just kills me! People take off time, buy property, drive all the way here to HUNT and then don't go in the woods....C'MON!!!!! Oh wait....serious thread drift...sorry about that! ;) So um, yeah, are you planning on advertising the space for hunters this year? Michelle |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 24 Oct 05 - 03:52 PM No-- need to plan now for spring use and NEXT fall's hunters, if it seems feasible next year at summer's end. If I were really swift I would put a sign out in the yard NOW, "Hunters Welcome," for THIS year's hunters to tour the amenities and book next year's stay. Have signboard. House not dug out yet from recent hosting. I figure I could handle one week or weekend per month. So "the season" would be: Spring MudGather (March or April) Women's Retreat (May, I'd conduct it; they'd bring dishes to share for meals) Cycling Weekends (June & July; I drive them to cycling trails and pick them up at the other end; carb-heavy breakfasts meals provided and other food available for their preparation) Vacation Weeks for clergy families as poor as we are (August; we'd provide map of area attractions, and some dinners; they'd have their own fridge plus kitchen privileges) Cycling Weekends (September; as above) Getaway Travelers (October, as described above, and we get to play too) Hunters (October/November; have to check out the cycle of hunting seasons and places to advertise) Dec. 1, close up for winter unless retreats are wanted. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 25 Jul 06 - 09:19 AM My apologies for refreshing such an out-of-date thread. I need to use this post to update a number of people who have had an open-door invite to use the Dorm whether we're here or not..... Unfortunately, things have changed. That change is reflected in this: NOTICE During our absence, only authorized keyholders are permitted on the premises. If you are a keyholder, please be prepared to show your key and provide identification on request. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Info From: wysiwyg Date: 25 Jul 06 - 05:21 PM Thanks, Joe Offer, for the retitling of the thread. It appears at present that the Dorm will be available pre- and post-Getaway 2006. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Info From: wysiwyg Date: 06 Sep 06 - 02:36 PM Confirming, the Dorm WILL be open again this year for pre- / post- Getaway travelers. Meal plan will be different-- I won't be able to do the cooking. If we get enough people making a commitment to come, I can coordinate food through PUDGIE'S TAKEOUT. Their menu and prices are online. The deal is, single folk go up in the Dorm and couples can sign up for rooms in the main house-- two are available on a first-come, first-serve. There's couch and floor space as well. This only works if people contact me to make arrangements in advance. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 15 Sep 08 - 12:07 PM UPDATES, adapted from a post elsewhere.... The 06 Sep 06 - 02:36 PM post above is mostly still in effect, and we will be open for Getaway travelers. The Dorm beds are now couples' beds though-- the twins are gone. There is still a bedroll up there too. Upgrade of "facilities": The Courtesy Bucket (pee bucket) has been upgraded to a camping PORTAPOTTI. When there are guests up in the Dorm, it can be carried up to sit either in the Dorm or in the landing outside the sleeping space. It really IS odorless! There is an electric cooler that can be taken up there: Also headed up there is the new zero-gravity chair Hardi bought me for camping. We went up to sleep up there last night (the house's only air conditioner is up there and there's a humidity wave here). In the past year we have rearranged the beds to make one king (for us) and one double (for guests). We had not been up there since before vacay, and we'd cleaned and decluttered it then. It was so pretty to see it waiting for us last night. I keep a jar of vanilla spice hand cream up there as well as a vanilla candle, so it's delicious dreaming.... There are three projects left up there: (A) swap around the bed frames so the two matching-height frames are under the twins that became the king; (B) finish the window treatments (have all parts on hand); (C) plank across the milk crates to make shelves for the linens that used to be crammed into a small shelf I re-purposed as my table-side songbooks shelves. I do the layout and paste-up and then, later, collate our songbooks up there. Sometimes I arrange (chordsheets) up there too. There are still two double-bedded bedrooms upstairs (and a LR couch) in the main house. The upstairs bathroom is more functional in the past, although the tub looks quite awful with rust coming through its no-longer-glazed porcelain from the cast iron underneath it. We need a little advance notice! ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 12 Apr 10 - 02:52 PM I was sitting out on the back porch this AM with Faulkner and a cuppa tea. I looked around and saw the mess of winter waiting to be ordered, and thought next, "It's cleaner than it was when we had our first Mudcat Gathering." That was after our housefire. That same porch held me then, as merry Mudcatting took place all around me, and as Hardi came and went in his clergy clothes on a busy schedule. I was wrapped in blankets and still in fireshock. I sat out some of the fun-- a lot of it-- and focused on keeping the kitchen cleared up.... That was about all I could handle. I remember laying out on the LR couch at one point and having a good boohoo, while I heard Catters singing right outside the adjoining window in the sunshine. I think it was Bert who came looking for me and (dear soul) left me to it, with a soft pat. Well, the Mudcatters who'd come were pretty self-sufficient. They'd organized themselves, had a good time, and were kind to us. I remember another mini-Gather (couples only), that turned out to have been right after some of my strokes. I could not remember any songs! They didn't push me, either, but were great company. I hope I was not too boring!!! Another time one of these couples drove hours to mini-mini-Gather when I had a biz stay in Harrisburg, and by that time I'd started to get some song guts back (lyrics in hand even for spirituals). No pix, but I remember. So, sitting on that porch, finishing my tea-- I decided: it's time for another Gathering, here. I decided to make a montage as an invitation (I'm still learning how to make a good one), and post it here. It's almost done. I should add a few pix of me and Hardi and the lawn.... While I worked on the montage, I started to recall all the other Catters I've met on my travels. Sometimes with Hardi and sometimes on my own. Sometimes just to meet a Catter, sometimes for a warm bed in a long trip. So I pulled THOSE Catters' photos off the Members section here. Then I added the ones who had been here but I didn't have a photo of them here, handy.... I even added Joe Offer, a sometimes-antagonist/friend, in memory of the time he drove two hours to sing with me at an airport because I didn't know he lived so far from SF. So I'd scheduled a layover there! (But he came, and we sang, and I almost missed my plane!) As I type I'm remembering others whose pix I can't seem to find. If you have been here or met me/us in person, hey-- send me a pic by email, eh? So the Dorm has changed. So we're all older and fatter or skinnier. I bet we're wiser, though, and I'll post the montage and Gathering date soon. It seems like it's time. Time can be short, eh. It's a great montage for my office, though, to remind me of all my MudBuds. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 13 Apr 10 - 12:52 PM Hardi has OKd the concept and we are searching for a date. Potential returnees need to know that the allergen load here has increased and allergy-free spaces no longer exist, but outdoor space and church-sleeping space are still plenteous. Montage by weekend. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 19 Apr 10 - 12:00 PM Montage is done but I am having some issues uploading it. BOLO. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 19 Apr 10 - 01:36 PM VIDEO MONTAGE Date coming soon. Pls PM if you want to propose a date when YOU can be here. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 19 May 10 - 01:24 PM Date-- we've settled on Getaway (Pre- and post- travelers) again. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 19 May 10 - 01:37 PM PS, come when you can, but before the charm of the whole area is as gone as the strip-mined part of the Appalachians: YOUTUBE VIDEO - GAS DRILLING IN DAIRY COUNTRY ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: GUEST,pattyClink Date: 19 May 10 - 05:23 PM What a great piece of film! Well DONE! Pardon my ignorance, who is the music on the audio track? |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 19 May 10 - 08:46 PM The music was embedded in the video portion of the montage. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 20 May 10 - 10:09 AM I mis-"spoke." There are two different soundtracks in the montage. The folky instrumental I'll have to look up; it's a Public Domain recording (supplied by the free-version of OneTrueMedia where the montage was first built), and runs under all the stills. Then there is the funny moom pitchers with the car-- it has a soundtrack of its own as embedded by its creator-- may have come from Rumblefish. (YouTube has a way of sussing out copyright concerns and if there is a problem they notify the poster.) I did not create that portion, and there should be a credit (which I can't see on this monitor) right in it. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 20 May 10 - 01:15 PM Second July invite shaping up as described here: http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=129212&desc=yes#2910666 (Date TBA pending Band member's travel plans). G'way travelers: plan to bring fud (or takeoput $$). GREAT new area dining spots-- they now deliver here. Scrump-de-healthy-licious. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: Little Hawk Date: 20 May 10 - 05:27 PM Sounds good, Susan. If I can get down there this time, I'll let you know. |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: GUEST,pattyClink Date: 20 May 10 - 09:31 PM I just assumed it was a mudcatter picking. |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 20 May 10 - 10:38 PM That would need a paid account to upload the music file. It sure gives one ideas about using the montage service though to promote a good soundtrack. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 21 May 10 - 12:48 PM LH et al-- updates since your last visit, in brief. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 22 Sep 10 - 02:24 PM Well, the MudDorm is now semi-officially converted to paying space. :~( (I'd rather have all of you up there...) Prepping for all the MudVisits (and your feedback) did get us ready for a new occupant at least 3/4 of the year. One wall up there contains MudNotes, etc., left here from visitors. And some Cattericious reading material as well. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 24 Aug 11 - 08:41 AM Tonight, Hardi and I will go up to the old Dorm and remove most of the stuff left by Catters who visited (or sent us later). A friend is moving in who will stay long enough to want her own decor, so it's goodbye (for example) to the nicely-dried mini-punkin decorated years ago by a young Duck [sniff].... We do still have limited guest space and hope to continue to see visiting friends we first met at the 'Cat, but [sniff] no more Dorm..... [sniff] but hey! I think I can still hear music up there-- hope it don't keep her up nights! :~) ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 15 Dec 11 - 12:42 PM The house is once again able to host groups. The next scheduled use of it is Fall 2012 for hunters, if the surrounding hills' fracking is done by then. The 21 May 10 - 12:48 post's updates above are still valid. A lot of the links upthread are no no good, but the 19 Apr 10 - 01:36 VIDEO MONTAGE is still good. Various policies and remembrances are upthread. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 16 Dec 11 - 09:29 AM Oh! I forgot to TELL YOU! We now have a JELLO PIT!!! (BYO jello) There are actually two to choose from (or of course both could be set up in a flash.) And a lift recliner to launch people INTO it! ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 04 Feb 12 - 08:48 AM Winter heating up there has been really nice-- cozy, with electric blankies/bedpads too. There is also wifi for laptops, plus an electric cooler, and a portapotti. All we need is a small nukerator! The old (harvest gold) beer fridge died-- a new, energy-efficient halffridge now sits where it sat. Oh and the CAMPFIRES! Our friend Doug is a specialist. Haz wood/will travel! ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: My guru always said Date: 05 Feb 12 - 04:25 AM Loved the photos in the Montage! Those cats certainly have a cosy home. Couldn't you have got Giok to smile though? |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 05 Feb 12 - 09:51 AM :~) |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 30 Dec 13 - 05:10 PM As of today, the Mudcat Attic Dorm is no more. Disassembled. Packed. Ready to load. It's all going to a new vacation cottage called "Camp Ridgebury," which will operate by the Carpenter Camp guidelines above, but it was really hard to bid the Dorm farewell! Thanks to all who stayed with us up there! ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: GUEST,Guest froom Sanity Date: 30 Dec 13 - 06:21 PM From: My guru always said Date: 24 Oct 04 - 10:52 AM "What a wonderful soul you have ....May you always have music... " What a GREAT saying!!!! GfS |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: Bill D Date: 30 Dec 13 - 06:30 PM My wife & I have stayed in the dorm... and a fine time was had by all! Best wishes on your new home and keep us informed. |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 31 Dec 13 - 05:22 AM A waking post-boohoo insight... it's halfway between Catspaw and Hollow fox and within spittin' distance of KimC and Mary in we can a arrange our vacay sked to Gather there. I'se jes' movin' the Dorm and adding amenities! <3 |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 31 Dec 13 - 06:35 AM And renaming it Camp Ridgebury. I'll start a thread next month. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: MMario Date: 31 Dec 13 - 08:10 AM The end of an Era! |
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Subject: RE: MudCamp Dorm Open & Suggestion Box From: wysiwyg Date: 31 Dec 13 - 02:11 PM As soon as the dust settles from bugging out to Camp Ridgebury (by spring maybe) we should (may) have a handle on PA houseguests in the main house. Space in both houses will continue to be supplemented with pop-up camper kingbed. ♥ |
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