Kris is Engaged!

Kris is Engaged!

Monday, December 19, 2005

Nothing like the Christmas season to get romance a brewing! Last Thursday night, "Soup" Campbell (lower right with glasses) popped the question to year 'round staffer Kris Bush (blonde hair below him) in front of a group of friends at dinner! That's a brave boy if you ask me. Those in the know say that she said YES! before he could even get the question out! The excited couple plan an after-camp wedding in September. Another match made in the camping world! (Laurie and Gordon met at Falling Creek Camp as counselors in the early 80s!)

It is definitely the Christmas season, and we have been on the party circuit the last couple of weekends. We were surprised by a visit from Day Peery and Megan Bel on Friday. Megan came up from her duties with the governor in Louisiana, and Day came over from Charlotte to help Kris and Soup celebrate at Kris' house and her annual Christmas fete. It was fun to catch up with all sorts of Illahee folks including Sarah Bell with baby Finn in tow, Lee Timmons, Gareth Tate (who has been helping Gordon and James with some projects at camp), Coates Kennerly, Betsie Stockslager, Day and Megan. It's amazing how many Illahee staff folks end up settling in Brevard. Really, we all know it's a GREAT place to live! (and go to camp)!

Today was absolutely gorgeous, and our friends from Cantrell Construction took the opportunity to pull out every piece of heavy equipment they could find to make some Theadway on our new tennis courts and staff parking lots. It is a big ole mess right now, but it is exciting to see what it's going to be. We are going to have the very BEST tennis facility around!

The Strayhorns are heading to L.A. (lower Alabama) to enjoy Christmas with Laurie's family in Fairhope. Don't despair if you haven't received a treat from the Heavenly World...it should make it to your mailbox by New Year's! We had some technical difficulties this year that took a little bit of time to work out. We wish everyone a blessed Christmas and the happiest of New Years...and you know what Nw Years means? Camp is right around the corner!

These Elves Have Been Busy!

These Elves Have Been Busy!

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Download a copy of the latest Illahee Newsletter here. We have started to think about camp a lot lately with some amazing plans for 2006! We have been sending out contracts (and receiving a lot back) to many of our key staff and leaders for 2006!. We are happy to report that Nancy McCrory will return to keep us all well fed with her amazing cuisine! Robert Dye, a professor at nearby Brevard College will return for his second summer but in more of a leadership capacity as Director of Adventure Programming and Trips. Many of you will remember Robert from the canoe lake last summer. He is a recognized leader in Outdoor Education, and has so many contacts in the outdoor world. He will help recruit and hire many of our trip leaders for 2006. The best thing about Robert is that he is a great trip leader himself and fun to be around, so we're going to make sure he gets out on lots of trips! We are also thrilled that Harriet Morton will return as our Equestrian Director. Illahee has always had such a strong history of riding and Harriet runs such a terrific program. She is going to be excited to have all of that extra pasture area since the tennis courts are gone!

We are in the middle of Christmas season, and I so love being in church this time of year! It helps to remember our savior and Lord when we get in a frenzy of all of the lists and shopping and STUFF! Our family went to see the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe Friday night, and it was such a complement (not compliment!)to the season to help remember Christ's sacrifice for US! Wow! If you don't know C.S. Lewis' story and the symbolism of this movie, ask a parent or youth leader or your pastor. It's a great story.

O.K. so there's still the stuff, and I'll have to admit, the season put me in a buying mood for camp! This past week, we bought 6 new canoes, 10 new climbing helmets, 12 paddling jackets, 12 kayaking helmets, new PFDs, 5 new air rifles, 6 new bows for archery, and lots of other stuff! Our elves have been busy getting a Christmas surprise ready for you (campers)! We are still waiting on it so hopefully it will arrive in time for the BIG day. If not, it may be more fun to get it in that lull after Christmas. We'll see!

Most of all this season, we are thankful for YOU and for Camp Illahee, and for the time we have shared and will get to share this summer in our most Heavenly World! Merry Christmas!

It's Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas!

It's Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas!

Friday, December 02, 2005

The local Illahee crew loaded into two of the camp Suburbans and were treated to a terrific evening of food and fellowship starting at the home of Nancy McCrory (center red sparkling top) to kick off the Christmas season. Included were year round staffers as well as lots of the seasonal folks who keep us all so well-fed during the summer. 2006 will be Nancy's fourth summer running the kitchen at camp, and every Illahee girls will tell you, she does a GREAT job. Illahee's food is second to none; Nancy takes great pride in preparing meals mostly from scratch...and desserts are her specialty!

Last night, we all enjoyed a meal, and catching up with those who we don;t get to see too often, and then we "caravaned" over to Nancy's church for the 10th annual Christmas Spectacular, where she is a member of the choir. Now, this isn't your average hometown Christmas show. There are over 700 folks involved, elaborate costumes, live animals, lights and music, snow and even flying angels. It was such a fun way to begin the month and to refocus on the true meaning of Christmas!

We are busy at Illahee with Santa's workshop. Check your mailboxes in the next couple of weeks for a fun surprise...we are also working on a newsletter that will come out close to the end of the year, so if you have any news, let us know. We wish you all a joyous holiday seaon and lots of Illahee love from all your friends in the Heavenly World!