There’s another girl up here named Patricia – had her as a student years ago – good friend but not in your class!
Monday evening
Giant Forest Lodge
June 21, 1965
Dearest Patricia:
“The moving finger writes; and having writ, moves on.” Each day produces its new surprises, its special joys and woes, and none can change them.
The present school at Sequoia, I think, is making a better impression on registrants generally. Several last week were unhappy over some of the features of management – principally the evenings and especially the singing. Several complained to me and I’ll pass the comments on to the staff & talk with Harry about them. Objections were – the lack of dignity in presenting staff & other personnel - too much offhandedness as if such things didn’t matter; but more than anything else – turning the song leading over to an inadequately qualified student & not rescuing it when it obviously was falling flat. A well meaning & friendly boy, one Joe Stiles, who plays the guitar was given the job. Instead of leading & getting the hall filled with song, he assumed that he and a number of his friends were primarily to entertain the school. Stiles is a good kid but only a 3rd rate singer & entertainer. He gave the school group little opportunity to sing themselves. Instead he tried offering pieces in the general “Hootenanny” style, but sang so poorly he could only be half understood & when he announced songs from our little books that were to be sung by the entire school he could not be heard clearly at the opposite end of the hall, even with a microphone. Anyway, aside from the campus, who knew him around camp, he didn’t go over well. Some also objected to the jagging of old familiar religious songs. However, all that is over now & perhaps it will not happen again. By your standards of music Stiles would not have got a second nod on anything! Also everything was speeded up; Stiles often didn’t know what pitch to use; & generally backed rapport with the audience.
I was asked to repeat my little German poem on The Field Mouse, and on Friday evening to sing the Nature Sunday School song (the verses, that is, with the audience joining in on the choruses.) In tribute to this & also to helping in around the corners whenever I could – (as with the Folk dancing at night when I shared honors with Harry & Ina Thush (?)) I was given a quite unexpected standing ovation. I think my talk on “The Esthetics of the Desert” - really helped there – it made a real hit.
Today – quite incidentally – after the groups had all got started on their trails, I had a chat with Dorothy Ellis – in which she said she thought Dr. Harvey was confused [page 2] last year as to what it took to be director of a program such as field studies. She felt that you were given no guidance when you took the secretaryship, were underpaid, and treated rather shabbily in being dismissed – the reasons for which she didn’t understand. Neither did she understand why she was asked to be secretary again. – All this was voluntary communication on her part. So, in her, you have a friend. She is really trying to do what is needed for the school as, she knows, you also were, but is concerned about several things: When Byron quits, how can a similarly devoted person be found to take his place? When the older staff drops out & new ones – younger ones – come in by rotation, who will supply the ongoing spirit of the past. Recognizing Harvey’s good points and – as you know – they are many, How can he be stimulated to display the measure of human warmth that such a school needs, - etc. etc.
Today was a fine day, I listened to Dr. Ellis in his initial presentation on insects. He was animated, capable, & enough of a clown to make his day get off to a fine start. I was glad of the chance to hear him. Later, I trailed along with Harvey’s group for about an hour and was really impressed by the way he developed concepts in ecology & stimulated his group to a sense of individual responsibility.
My picture taking went well. I got 3 good shots – covering parts of two groups – at lunch in an area along a beautiful little brook. Then I got a couple of good shots of Harvey – in instruction, with most of his group facing or with only their sides to the camera. Also I took 3 or 4 pictures across Crescent meadow showing good meadow features as well as big trees along the margin. Haven’t got any animal pictures yet, but they’ll be coming. I’m listing all the things to try for in close ups using the tripod – and I’ll put in a full day on them. The park is really beautiful as always, but there are lots of people! Our meals are super and our box lunches are individually enough two days. There’s an awful lot of food being wasted. Evenings, I’m teaching folk dance & this A.M. I had a group of the Juniors for an hour. I’ll probably give them another hour Thurs. A.M.
I guess I’ve packed my two sheets, but I’ve brought you up to date on the School. Next time I’ll write on something else – maybe of more personal interest. Again, take care, & let me know what goes on at your end & with the family. Did I tell you I was charged nothing to enter the Park? It must be because of the School.
Love – Carl.
Dr. Carl Duncan and Patricia Whiting Collection (SJSU)
