First Session Camp Dates Summer 2012

Hi All -

Camp is right around the corner!!

"How can you say that," you might ask.  It's January.  It's cold.  It gets dark at 4:30."

Yes, all of these things are true.  BUT - camp dates are out!!

The first session of Camp Jabberwocky Summer 2012 will be ... *drum roll, please, folks*


                                   June 18th to July 16th !!!!
                                    (play on 13th and 14th)


"That's early," you say.

Yes, it's about a week earlier than usual.  But that allows the second session counselors time to enjoy the WHOLE session before having to head back to college...

So, MARK YOUR CALENDARS!  Tell your friends about the play!!  Camp is right around the corner!


Jabberwocky love,
faith

Jonah

Hi All

By now you may have heard of Jonah Taub sudden and unexpected passing yesterday.  I still do not have any details or answers to the questions that have been swirling about.

Dr. Steve wrote something beautiful about one of his first interactions with Jonah, and  - with his permission, of course -  i share it with you so that we can all remember once again what a sweet young man he often was.

Don't be concerned by the apparent length of the article.  it is so well written, it just flows naturally....

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One warm early summer night just after sunset I was feeling sorry for myself.

I had been with Camp all day and I was tired from all the frenetic activity and the intense emotions that I always feel there. Even though those feelings are powerfully positive, they can be draining sometimes.

Just as I was about to go back to the “Doctor’s House”  that camp rents just down the street, ready to finally slump on the couch and watch the end of a Red Sox game, one of the counselors asked me to go up to Graham's cabin, Bandersnatch (the cabins are named after characters from the famous Lewis Carol poem about the Jabberwock), and check on a camper named Jonah. He was an impish youngster, about 10 years old at that time, who always had a mischievous look in his eye. He had CP and depended on others for all his daily needs.

Jonah's spasticity was fairly severe and he had a habit of sleeping on his belly, insisting that it was the only way that he could be comfortable in bed. As a result, he had developed friction sores on the front of his lower thighs and kneecaps that were hurting him.

I went up to see him in the twilight of that perfect late June evening. Cicadas were buzzing. There was a gentle breeze in the scrub oaks that shelter the campus. I could faintly hear the mournful tone of a fog horn way out in Vineyard Haven harbor. Lights were on in the cabins around camp and muted chatter, laughter and some singing could be heard from cabins in the distance.

 After seeing Jonah's abrasions, I decided to apply antibiotic ointment to the scraped areas and dress them with a non-stick bandage and repeat that procedure for the next few nights. I went back out to gather the supplies from our modest clinic in the "main cabin."

As I walked, I wondered what I was doing. It was a glorious summer evening. I was on one of the most beautiful islands in the world. I imagined that, at that very moment, some of my old school friends were sitting on the deck of a big, beautiful boat in Edgartown Harbor, sipping champagne and looking up at the stars with not a care in the world. I envisioned well heeled vacationers laughing by candlelight over lobster dinners in elegant night spots around the island.

By contrast, I was dirty and exhausted, about to visit a hot cabin on a trivial first aid mission for a disabled kid from Indiana whom I had never even heard talk.

 And, like everyone at camp, I was a volunteer. If I was going to take care of people during my precious vacation time, wouldn't it be smarter to do something that involved getting paid?

In that cranky state of mind I opened the creaky screen door to Bandersnatch and sat on the edge of Jonah's bunk. In the semi darkness It didn't take long to apply the ointment and dressings. I said a cursory "Good Night" to Jonah and pushed open the screen door to leave.

But, just as the door was closing, I thought I heard a sound coming from Jonah's bunk.

I went back in.

   "Jonah, did you say something?"

Indeed, In a faint, halting voice delivered with great apparent effort, I heard him speak for the first time.

   "Ankyoo Dahdhastee."

  "What's that Jonah, I didn't quite hear you?"

"Ankyoo Dahdastee."

   "Jonah, I'm sorry. I’m not understanding you….Try one more time..."

On his third try I finally got it. In one of my life's most wondrous epiphanies I clearly heard Jonah say:

  "Thank you, Doctor Steve."

In that poignant moment, I was suddenly amazed by the grace of the tiny figure lying patiently on his belly in the twilight of that June evening.

 " You're welcome, Jonah. We'll do the same thing tomorrow night.   Have a good sleep.”   

As I pushed open the screen door of Bandersnatch for the final time that evening and emerged into that splendid summer night, I was not jealous of anyone in the world.

 I knew that I was exactly where I was meant to be.

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thanks for sharing.

Jabberwocky love,

faith

anyone else who wishes to share stories or memories of Jonah, is entirely welcome to send information to matahina@gmail.com 

Sad news

Hi All -

I'm sorry to start the posting of the blog 2012 with sad news.  Long-time fellow camper and friend to many passed away unexpectedly this morning.  At this time, i do not know any information or details.

If you would like to send a card to his family, please email me at matahina@gmail.com for the address.

May we all find peace.
Jabberwocky love,

faith

Happy New (school) Year ... !!!

Hi All -

Just want to wish to all the students and teachers out there a wonderful new school year ahead.  How was your first day?  Feel free to share stories and fill us all in...

Jabberwocky love,
faith

correction

Though there will still be a service at State Beach on Sept 4th for Hellcat, there will NOT be a gathering at Lamberts Cove.

Sorry for the confusion.  I just learned of the change.

Jabberwocky love,
faith

news about Services

This news got to me just now regarding a service for Hellcat.  As i said, I've been without power ... sorry for the delay in posting

Jabberwocky love
faith



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Gatherings to be Held in Hellcat's Memory at 5:00pm and 6:30pm

We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and gratitude toward Hellcat for all she made possible through camp.
There will be a gathering in Hellcat's memory on Sunday, September 4, 2011 at Jabberwocky's parking place on State Beach starting at 5:00 PM. Please note, this is a change from the 6 pm time announced in the Gazette.  This change will allow a small group to go over to Lambert's Cove at 6:30 pm to scatter flowers in her memory.
If you are unable to join us, we will be having a celebratory concert in Hellcat's memory at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs next summer, 2012.

Back after Hurricane Irene

Hi all

It's been a few days (almost 4)since i've had electricity (thanks, Hurricane Irene!), so this might be old news to some.  I have learned from a very trusted source however, that there is a great article written about "Hellcat" (Helen Lamb) in the Vineyard Gazette.  the link is below:

www.mvgazette.com/article.php?31825

please contact me if this link does not work for you. 

i hope that starting in Sept (tomorrow!) we will be able to post much less sad news than August has held for us...

Jabberwocky love,
faith

Hellcat's latest news...

Hi all =

this post from sully just came in:

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Jabberwocky family-I have just been informed that Hellcat's memorial service will be next August. There will be a private family service soon. She will be greatly missed!

===================

if i hear anything further, i will be sure to let you know as soon as i can.  Hurricane permitting.

thanks,
jabberwocky love,

faith

our founding mother

Hi all -

I received this post from Sully this morning.  I do not know details.  I will post as i learn, providing Hurricane Irene allows it...

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Jabberwockians-I am saddened to share the news that our camp founder Hellcat passed away last night on Martha's Vineyard she was with her family. She was a great inspiration to so many of us. I will post more info as I receive it. Please pass this news along.


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Jabberwocky love,
faith

Funeral info for Larry

Hi All...

i received this information from Madeline Way this morning.  Thank you Madeline for sharing with us.

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Larry's funeral will be held from the Silva Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Taunton on Thursday, Aug. 25th at 8 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at St. Anthony Church at 9 a.m.
 Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery.
 Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

==============================

Larry's Parents' address is:

Lawrence and Annie Perry
65 West Adams Street
Taunton, MA 02780-2419


Larry will remain a light for all of us in the days, weeks, months, and years to come ...

Jabberwocky love,
faith

updated funeral service info for Larry Perry

this is the funeral information straight from the obituary write up.  I hope all who can find it helpful...   ========================================

TAUNTON – Lawrence M. Perry, longtime Taunton resident, died unexpectedly at Nantucket Cottage Hospital on Aug. 21, 2011. He was 68. Born in Middleboro, he was the son of Lawrence V. and Annie (Soares) Perry. Mr. Perry was an avid traveler and a communicant of St. Anthony Church. Besides his parents of Taunton, with whom he resided, he leaves a brother, Kevin W. Perry and his wife Debra of Taunton; two nieces, Kyle Perry and Kimberly Parmenter and her husband Thad, all of Taunton; one nephew, Keith Perry of Taunton; a great-niece, Heather Ann Parmenter of Taunton; five aunts, Josephine Martin of FL, Lillian Horton of Attleboro, and Virginia Amaral, Helen White and Elsie Santos, all of Taunton; and an uncle, Edward Perry of Taunton. He was also the brother of the late Patricia A Gentes. His funeral will be held from the Silva Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Taunton on Thursday, Aug. 25th at 8 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at St. Anthony Church at 9 a.m. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Calling Hours will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, Aug. 24th from 5 to 8 p.m. -------------------------------------------------------------------- thanks for your patience.  i know it must be frustrating reading multiple posts ... in piecemeal.... i will try to do better. jabberwocky love, faith

some larry perry news

hi all -

i got some information on services for larry perry from sully this afternoon.  it is incomplete information, but it is all that i have at this moment:
===============================================

• I just got some info, calling hours are weds 5-8pm at Silva Funeral Home in Taunton. The funeral is thurs but I don't have the time yet.

===============================================

for clarification purposes....

"Wednesday" = tomorrow, August 24th 2011

Silva Funeral Home is located at 80 Broadway street in Taunton MA (508) 822-0081


i hope this information is helpful.  when i learn more about the funeral service itself, i will post as quickly as possible.

jabberwocky love,
faith

Sad news

I hate to have this be the first post of the 2011 post summer blog, but...

Larry Perry, one of Hellcat's original Jabberwockians, passed away in his sleep last night due to a heart attack.  He was 68 years old. 

Larry was at the Nantucket camp.  It was "Family Weekend."  Larry's parents were there and were able to be with him.  He was surrounded by family and friends, and in a place that he loved, at the time of his passing.

No details are known as of now regarding services.  I will keep you posted as i learn more.

Jabberwocky love,
faith

Pool party at the island's new YMCA!

Drumming on the beach and kayaking on Chappy!

Trip to the movies and the Tisbury Street Fair!