The year has certainly started off with a
number of pleasant surprises.
None has been as welcome as receiving the
following letter that not only brought tears to my eyes but I am confident
also gladdens the hearts of all Northwoodsmen.
Mr. David
Goodwin if you are the Grandson of Shirley Goodwin with whom I was
a Staff member
North Woods
Camp
P.O. Box 550
Mirror Lake,
NH 03853
Dear friend
Goodwin:
Your
Grandfather Shirley was, remains, a very precious friend who made
my five years on the Staff at North Woods an experience never to be
forgotten. Years race away from me at my present age of 90 plus, but it
seems I am working with Shirley as if it now is the middle of the Camp
season. When Nordy was the director and decided to replace half the Staff
an old Springfield College Classmate, Johnson, knew that I was temporarily
removed from "Y" work and called me from his Boston
"Y" office with the invitation to North Woods. Being a native
New Englander I jumped at the chance to leave hot Maryland for Lake
Winnipesaukee and I knew of North Woods fame. Shirley was among the
first to welcome me and then I knew what North Woods first of all
would mean a quality of leadership: devotion to God, all His children,
the great beauty of North Woods.
Who could ask
for anything more?
Nate Todaro,
Traylor and family, Glen Hodgdon, Shirleys sons, Steve Gordon and so
many other top leaders and "eager beaver" campers all made for
days never-to-be-forgotten.
Perhaps - most
of all talks with Shirley!
We had much to
share. His years at Harvard, his leadership in the Episcopal Church, my
YMCA work overseas before the war, and what boys were like after the war.
And now?????
Shirley
Goodwin was truly a great man yet you would never immediately realize
it for like that 9 year old camper whose letter was reproduced in your
REACH OUT and touch someone! Story in your Holiday Issue Shirley made the
YMCA, his Church, craft work everything he did significant.
You cant, I
never shall forget Shirley Goodwin! North Woods campers, Staff, and Wally
Dow will remember Shirley like that boy of 9, 15 in May, forever! So shall
I so will you.
Sing the old
Camp Hymn again for Shirley.
Sincerely,
Wally Dow
I had a wonderful conversation with Wally
who sadly just had his wife pass away last year after 67 years of marriage
and sold the old country home in Maryland.
With a smile in his voice, he told a story
of his wife bringing a good friend who arrived at camp by flying his
seaplane right up to the dock!
Wally hopes to be able to make it up this
summer to share a meal in the Great Hall and see camp for the first time
in years. We all hope to be able to sing the Camp Hymn for him and get a
chance to listen to many stories from an earlier era.
Wally, you are in our thoughts!!
DBG
