I visited with Clark and Marilyn in August of 2017. Jenni Lane made all the arrangements for this interview to happen and for that I am grateful. The Ewings invited me into their abode in Saline, Michigan for an afternoon of great reflections.
For starters, Clark hasn’t changed a bit! As an interviewer I was on the edge of my seat as I listened to his reflections. At once I was a camper again, waiting to be entertained…and I was also that young staffer who absorbed any crumbs of wisdom from this camp giant (or is it oracle?). As an adult, I sat there in awe. It is impossible to separate the history of camp and this couple, without one, you would not have the other. This fact cannot be overstated and is not up to debate.
I’ll wait to publish more insights on my meeting with Clark & Marilyn in a devoted blog article. But for now, I’ll let Clark tell his story in his own words. You will also hear Marilyn chime in from time to time, keeping Mr. Ewing honest! 😉
Enjoy.
Show Notes:
Clark’s passion for flying
World Service Day – And the Tower Dive (And he says he’s not a showman!)
Favorite place at Camp: Miami Beach / Indian Point
Kids learning how to swim at Camp Storer
Children with special needs being served at YMCA Storer Camps – A Long History
Special Mottos at Storer – Recollections and Significance
Building Facilities and Buildings at Camp
The power of love at camp that permeates throughout
Children and developing a work ethic
Spiritual values at Storer
Chapel: Job an example of character and belief
Learning lessons during trips, controlled risk
Special relationships with other camps and sharing trips
I visited with Clark and Marilyn in August of 2017. Jenni Lane made all the arrangements for this interview to happen and for that I am grateful. The Ewings invited me into their abode in Saline, Michigan for an afternoon of great reflections.
For starters, Clark hasn’t changed a bit! As an interviewer I was on the edge of my seat as I listened to his reflections. At once I was a camper again, waiting to be entertained…and I was also that young staffer who absorbed any crumbs of wisdom from this camp giant (or is it oracle?). As an adult, I sat there in awe. It is impossible to separate the history of camp and this couple, without one, you would not have the other. This fact cannot be overstated and is not up to debate.
I’ll wait to publish more insights on my meeting with Clark & Marilyn in a devoted blog article. But for now, I’ll let Clark tell his story in his own words. Enjoy.
Show Notes:
How Clark got started in 1939 as a camper
1942 First on Staff as Assistant Cook (at 15 years old!)
Doc Miller as mentor
What camp was like when he was a camper & staff
1946-48: Apache Cabin & Being Water Front Director
Teaching kids afflicted with polio how to swim
1946 Clark Married Marilyn
How influential Marilyn was in making the decision to make it a career at Camp Storer
Doc Miller asks Clark to take some travel trips off camp property (inspiration for what became Venture Out)
Check Chapter 17 of YMCA Storer Camps – The Living legacy of Doc Miller for the ill-fated trip of ’52 Abitibi River
How Clark became Full Time Summer/Executive Director
What made 1956-1958 the most influential years at camp
Sacrifices made to join Camp as Full Time Executive Director
Clark details the expansion of land and facilities (see Chapter 13 for full details)
Bringing in Greg McKee and Mary Mennel to run the show
‘YMCA Camp Storer’ to ‘YMCA Storer Camps’
Dining at Camp
Families at Camp including a staff child who intimidated Clark
Clark’s approach to enforcing curfew
Hijinks at Camp
Who would play Clark Ewing in a Clark Ewing Movie? Click Here
The power of song in his youth through to today?
Secret to longevity: Thinking like a kid & The Power of Love
Jim & Judy were very much parental figures for me and countless others. Their roles as ‘in loco parentis’ were not cemented because of their age in relation to younger staff, but with their stage in life, Storer experiences, and willingness not to only support campers, but support the staff. It was a knowing look, a reassuring glance, a quick chat during some long days that helpred many of us to dig a little deeper to make the Storer magic happen. They were a couple who had seen it all at camp, who were once in our shoes. With their experience came great wisdom and calm, almost silent leadership for us ‘young kids’ on staff. It was quite wonderous in the 1990s to have Jim & Judy as true examples of what we were there for. It was amazing to think, we were fortunate enough to work along side with these two ‘legends’ who preceded us (at that time) by a few decades. It was such a solid example of respecting what had come before us, it gave many of us a phenominal touchstone to the past and present with hope for the future. And when it came for final campfires, Judy & Jim gaves us a great dose of the historical and traditional import of the procedings. On our tough days, they gave us strength. On great days they contributed (sometime caused) and shared in the laughter.
Show Notes:
Part III Mohr’s
Judy reflects on lessons learned
Judy also details her work on many campership committees that send kids from all backgrounds to camps throughout Michigan, including YMCA Storer Camps.
What it was like raising a family at camp
Directing the Girl’s camp was a big challenge, but they both worked together and that worked out very well
What it was like at Girl’s camp
Challenging times on trips and as a kitchen girl- great fun and hard work.
Land management is a modern day challenge
Jim Mohr dressed as a daffodil
Father Nature, Opera star!
‘Lands for Learning Project’ Prescribed burn on North Side of Stony Lake
Editor’s Note: There were some great challenges with audio quality on this episode…apologies in advance!
Show Notes
Episode: 05 Jim & Judy Mohr
In this second episode I spoke with Jim ‘Father Nature’ about the natural environment at camp and what makes it special.
Jim details the diverse and unique ecosystems found at camp, some of them that are rare globally. Examples of varied ecosystem on nearly 1400 acres. Boasting 17 different types of soil lead to such a diverse environment. From fens, sedge meadow, rich Tamarack forest (almost gone) wet meadow to Black Oak barrens to Savannah.
South Fen is Jim’s favorite place at camp since it is such a unique blend of plants and every time he visits he seems something new. And this is after viewing it for 57 years! What is a Fen?
The benefits of prescribed burns are discussed as well as clearing buckthorn swamp giving way to new growth after the invasive species were addressed.
Jim outlines unique flora and fauna, in and around Lake Stony…Including jellyfish…Yes, jellyfish! 7 out of the state’s nine species of turtles. Stony also boasts 15-20 species of fish.
The three areas of Stony: Big, Little & Petite. Formed from glacial waters. Reportedly it boasts some of the cleanest lake water in Michigan. Camp has been noted to have what scientists call ‘extensive undisturbed wetlands’. Jim discusses how to preserve this resource.
Jim details the rich history of naturalists at Camp. When Rodney Ferrar left the position, Jim stepped in around ’64 –‘93
Jim shares the history of the famous naturalist and ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson’s time at Storer (please see RTP Combined files from Doc Miller and the first naturalist offering Roger Tory Peterson a position at camp. These feature phenominal historical documents from the archives!
The history of Cubbage Trail and how this was originally on Jim’s dad’s property (came to camp through Hyatt Purchase in the 1930s)
Jim drives the bus for a Long-termer Trip!
Jim takes well deserved break from said Long-Termers!
I Sat down with Jim and Judy in August of 2017 at their home in Ann Arbor to catch up with what they are doing now as well as discuss their reflections. As you can imagine they were as welcoming as ever, even though it had been around 16 years since our last face to face meeting. (Don’t let that happen to you with your camp friends). The great news is, as it happens with most camp folks, we picked right up where we left off!
Our reunion started with Jim & Judy welcoming me and Jen into their home. When making plans to visit, they had invited us to dine with them after recording our chat. An invitation we could not turn down. And boy was I glad we didn’t have conflicting plans. Upon entering their lovely home, it quickly became apparent Judy had stareted cooking some tomato sauce for that night’s dinner. The smell of simmering tomatos and spices certainly set the stage for a great evening to come. This was an interview session that was NOT going to run over!
Before we started recording I had to check if their home bathroom was labeled ‘Jim’s’ and to great dissapointment, it is not! I also needed to satisfy a childhjood musing that he must have a dozen fish tanks filled with critters…No on that too! (Not even a turtle pit…however sandhill cranes were present for our arrival! I commented on their view from the house and it was mentioned that they purchased their house from Clark Ewing when Clark and Marilyn moved to their current abode. So that cemented it, enough discussion was not being captured, so time to start the show.
What I have to say:
Jim & Judy were very much parental figures for me and countless others. Their roles as ‘in loco parentis’ were not cemented because of their age in relation to younger staff, but with their stage in life, Storer experiences, and willingness not to only support campers, but support the staff. It was a knowing look, a reassuring glance, and a quick chat during some long days that helped many of us to dig a little deeper to make the Storer magic happen. They were a couple that had seen it all at camp, which were once in our shoes. With their experience came great wisdom and calm, almost silent leadership for us ‘young kids’ on staff. It was quite wondrous in the 1990s to have Jim & Judy as true examples of what we were there for. It was amazing to think, we were fortunate enough to work along side with these two ‘legends’ that preceded us (at that time) by a few decades. It was such a solid example of respecting what had come before us; it gave many of us a phenomenal touchstone to the past and present with hope for the future. And when it came for final campfires, Judy & Jim gave us a great dose of the historical and traditional import of the proceedings. On our tough days, they gave us strength. On great days they contributed (sometime caused) and shared in the laughter.
Show Notes:
– Judy loves Christmas and does it ‘Big’…includes a cookie party that’s been ongoing 50+ years!
– Jim donates time to a Kiwanis Nature Center (Yes, OUR Father Nature is seeing another nature center!)
– Both enjoy traveling in their camper van visiting National Parks (30+ so far)
– They have also visited 49 States (Hawaii is on the list this year!)
– The highest ‘unofficial’ honor they both hold at camp
– Judy highlights her first summer at Girl’s Camp in ‘68
– Married in 1965
– Judy started at Storer in ‘57 in high school; Jim started in ‘60
– What the girls camp was like (hint: primitive)
– Judy details how she started as staff and offers the real reason she was hired by Clark.
– Judy details her many, many positions starting with counselor and some exciting times as a trip leader
Jim reflects on the great volunteers throughout the years
Biographical Highlights
Jim:
32 years as Storer staff beginning in 1960, plus he is still involved as a volunteer in the Lands for Learning project
Positions: Counselor, Ranger Director, Waterfront Director, Naturalist, Trip Leader, Hay Baler, Maintenance,Consultant for Lands for Learning
Doc Miller – Yes
Favorite motto – Service
Song – “Our Best”
Favorite Camp area – South Fen
Judy:
35 summers beginning in 1957
Positions: Counselor, Village Director Kitchen Girl, Health Director, Girls’ Camp Director, Registration (in office), Trip Leader
Doc Miller – Yes
Favorite motto – the third – Humility
Song – I loved Greg McKee’s “Hang on the Bell Nellie” and “Calendar Girl”, plus “Happiness is Girls’ Camp” and “Mary’s Boy Child” sung by Rodney Farrar
Camp area – Lewis and Clark on the north side, my first cabin as a counselor
Staff housing and living in the “THE ‘A’ Frame” later known as ‘Mary’s A Frame’ (even after she left)
The importance of selecting the right staff and what qualities to look for
Special and favorite traditions
Co-Leading Storer’s first European Biker in 1977
Leading other venture out trips
Favorite place and activity at camp
Mary & Mona
Secret to Mary’s success
In celebration of Mary… ‘Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble’- I push her to accept some praise 😉
Mary Mennel Trip Leader
Mary Mennel; Andrew Smith ’77
Bassem el-Hibri ’77 European Bike Trip ‘Karanvansari’
Mary Mennel and trip enjoys some zippy
Mary gets the group ready with Bassem
Mary Mennel, Bassem el-Hibri
This is probably the first time I met Mary (although captured on film I don’t remember )
MUSIC:
‘Our Best’ composed by Grant Colfax Tullar (1869-1950). Lyrics by Salathiel C. Kirk, pub.1912 Public Domain. Performed by a friend of Stoney Lake Reflections, Kelly Beecher – Bassist with Monterey Chamber Orchestra
‘Rise And Shine And Give God The Glory’ (piano) performed by: Ben Abelovski; Standard YouTube License
‘Stoney Lake Reflections’ Sing-out
Performed by Singer/Songwriter Cori Strell:
Intsagram: @coristrellmusic
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/cori-strell
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4tp4dwHUsqggPykYmJyssf
iTunes:https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/cori-strell/id1155651660
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cori-Strell-Music-1174158396011014/
Stoney Lake Reflections is an independently produced appreciation of great times as a camper, staff and alumnus with a lifelong passion for YMCA Storer Camps.
For starters, Clark hasn’t changed a bit! As an interviewer I was on the edge of my seat as I listened to his reflections. At once I was a camper again, waiting to be entertained…and I was also that young staffer who absorbed any crumbs of wisdom from this camp giant (or is it oracle?). As an adult, I sat there in awe. It is impossible to separate the history of camp and this couple, without one, you would not have the other. This fact cannot be overstated and is not up to debate.
Cherokee Cutaway Schematic
MUSIC:
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