Two Islanders appeared during the 1958 season -- both outstanding for their wit and attention to the camp as a community. It is clear too that 1958 was the year that the "folk revival" hist the camp with a vengeance: the first issue begins with an editorial intended to be sung to the tune of Leadbelly's "Bourgois Blues" and goes on to efforts like the "Alamar Trip Song," to be sung to the tune of "Erie Canal." The second issue includes songs set to the tunes of "Sloop John B," "Logger Lover," Hangman, Hangman," "Passing Through," and "Frankie and Johnny." (Obviously, the Weavers were a big influence!).

Neither issue contains an address list. Happily, Kitty (Greve) Darst responded to our plea for further information on who was at AIC in the summer of 1958 with the following:

From: KittyDarst@cs.com
Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2003 16:50:19 EST
Subject: AIC CAMPERS & STAFF, 1958
To: pd_hall@harvard.edu

Dear Peter,

I reached into the recesses of my memory and found the terrain surprisingly fertile!

Alexander, Larry Camper
Bigelow, Lew Counselor (Skipper)
Bond, Michael Camper*
Boring, Sally Camper
Chapman, George Engineer*
Chapman, Owen Camper
Clough, Nicky Camper
Cunningham, Anne Camper
Cunningham, Paul Camper
Demerath, Julie Junior Counselor*
Donahue, Bill Camper
Donahue, Haydie Camper*
Eliot, Sam Camper
Fisher, Chip Camper
Fisher, Sally Camper
Fliesher, Jeff Camper
Grant, Judy Cook*
Goodale, Sally Camper
Greve, Kitty Counselor***
Hall, Ding Counselor
Hinrichs, Chris Camper
Kastner, Matt Camper
Kowaloff, Art Camper
Lane, Larry Camper
Legore, Glenda Cook*
McClintock, Julie Junior Counselor
Morgan, JP Camper
Nadas, Trudi Camper
Norling, Parry Counselor
Oldman, Andy Camper
Richardson, Bob Counselor
Rochlin, Greg Camper
Roudebush, George Engineer
Seamans, Dick Camper
Smith, Hil Counselor
Speare, Jay Engineer*
Stillwell, Ellie Camper
Sturgis, Mardie Counselor
Sturgis, Nat Camper*
Vernon, Jim Counselor (Mate)**
Wilson, Alice Camper

* - omitted from current list
** - misspelled as "Vercon" in current Islander
*** - alphabetical order changed

Incidentally, Leadbelly's "Bourgois Blues" was very much Hil's song that year. . .

Best,
Kitty Greve Darst, '58, '59

 

Owen Chapman <ochapman@huttoprinting.com>, an engineer in 1958, has shared playbills, snapshots, and a 1958 camp brochure. To see them click me!

The following thumbs (click to enlarge) include some of the high points of the 1958 Islanders: