The Making of the Pirate Pontoon Cruise

By JD (Jes Dean)

Pirates have been a fascination with children and adults alike for many generations. There is something about uniforms, peg legs, eye patches and treasure chests full of precious jewels. Although the theme isn't so glamorous in real life, I think it's safe to say that the innocence of children-at-play lends an excitement and interest in the Pirate culture.

So, how did The Tyler Place Sunday night Pirate Pontoon Cruise tradition come about?

As the co-directors of the Clubhouse in 2006, Jess Lynes and I were looking to spice up the children's schedule with some new activities that would be appealing to the Sr. Midgets and Juniors. It was apparent that Pirates were popular as we saw a lot of action on the Pirate Ship in the front yard of the Clubhouse. The original idea came to me when we were out on a kayak on break and another staff member came by and soaked us with Super Soakers. It was an epiphany and that evening, Jess and I sat down to plan out the logistics. We had some Phil Collins blaring in the background and we knew we were onto something big.

JD (Jes Dean) as Schmeid in 2006.

Jess Lynes as Schmitty in 2006.

After speaking with the Waterfront staff who were very supportive of the idea and putting in an order of Pirate wear, eye patches and tattoos for the campers, the Pirate Pontoon Cruise was born. However, it was nothing like the event you see today. In its early versions, the Pirates consisted of Jess and I dressing up and chasing the pontoon boats around in kayaks. Now, there were many problems with this situation. First, I was not a major fan of kayaking due to a traumatic 16hr sea kayak back in 2004 and am no pro at paddling, steering or other random maneuvers. Not to mention that we had to carry the "booty" and water guns with an extra supply in the single man kayaks with us. Also, not being very sneaky, it was apparent that the guests recognized us within seconds of our arrival. Another "great" idea we had was bringing grapes on the boats that the kids could use as "deterrents" from having the Pirates come close. After a very nice memo from the Waterfront staff who spent hours cleaning up smashed grapes, that fad ended.

There had to be a better way, we thought, so after some brainstorming we gave another call down to the Waterfront to inquire about shuttling us out to the island during the campers’ dinner and bringing us back at the end of group. They agreed and at that moment, a Star was born. Our Waterfront drivers got right into the theme, piloting the pontoons around the island playing East Coast music from Nova Scotia, and maneuvered the pontoons as close to the Island as possible for maximum exposure.

Jess and I spent the rest of the Sunday evenings that summer shuttling down to the lake on our bikes with opaque garbage bags full of costumes, booty, water guns and swords. We shared many sunsets in those days and enjoyed captivating our campers with some friendly Pirate-battling as Schmitty and Schmeid, the original Bandstand Island Pirates. It was also very common for us to arrive back at the Clubhouse and have the children yell “We know you’re the pirates!!” which we didn’t confirm or deny.

As the years have passed by, many other fortunate TP staff have had the opportunity to play this important role as a Bandstand Pirate and have made some wonderful memories on that island. It is my hope that the Pirate Pontoon Cruise remains a staple at The Tyler Place for years to come, and when the day comes that a new activity replaces it, I will think back to the early days and let out my best "arrrrrrggghhhhh Matey".

2011 Pirates

Harvesting Shiitake Mushrooms

By Claudia (TP Gardener)
 

Some of our guests participated in our Shiitake workshop and took home an inoculated log. You are probably wondering how much longer will it take before you see any results, and when and how to

harvest these mushrooms. 

Patience, regular moisture checks, shady location, and more patience are a must. You can tell that the Shiitake spawn has begun to colonize the logs when white fungus-like growth rings appear on the ends of the logs. This happens 4 to 10 months after inoculation. Your first harvest will not be far behind. When the weather is right, small brown buttons will rise from the bark. This is called “pinning.” Mushrooms will follow in a few days if it stays warm and damp; cold temperatures and drying winds can stall them for weeks.

For the finest taste and texture, harvest Shiitakes when the mushrooms are not fully opened. If you prefer larger mushrooms, let them grow until the cap expands completely, a day or two after the veil that protects the gills has separated from the stem. At full fruit stage, the Shiitake has a cap that is maroon-brown and speckled with lovely gem-like dots around the rim. Gently break or cut the stems off the logs and place them in cardboard boxes or paper bags. Once picked, the mushrooms will only stay fresh for a couple of days during hot weather. With refrigeration, they can keep for two to three weeks.

The Tyler Place Duckman Triathlon

By Becky Dean (Adult Entertainment Co-Director)

1/3-mile swim. 8.8-mile bike. 1.4-mile run. All for the glory of charging through the toilet paper, getting your duck keychain and sporting your faded race number proudly at cocktail hour. But for some, the famous Tyler Place Duckman Triathlon becomes more than that. A longstanding tradition, the Duckman was started by Cecile and George “Jigger” Harrington, about 17 years ago as a fun activity for their week. However, word leaked into other weeks and the demand grew. Eventually, the triathlon was added to the weekly entertainment schedule for any of our guests to participate in.

At the Tyler Place, the race begins at the swim dock (or the kayak dock for our gill-less participants!) and the racers swim 1/3-mile out to Bandstand Island and back. But the lake isn’t the only obstacle – often racers will navigate around the big blue floating mat, the death slide and the odd life-jacket sporting kid. After the swim, the racers hop onto their bicycles and ride past all of the farms along Route 7 into the town of Swanton, where they turn around and head back. Many racers admit to abstaining from breathing as they pass some of the more aromatic farms! Finally, once the bike crosses the checkpoint, the racers take off on a 1.4-mile run around Highgate Springs – via Shipyard Road and finish down Old Dock Rd charging straight through our classy finish line of TP.

For some guests, the Duckman was a gateway into participating in other triathlons outside of the Tyler Place. Our current male and female record holders, Mike Long (37:30) and Cindy Hutchings (43:47) both started by participating in the Duckman several years ago as a fun way to get some exercise and friendly competition. However, both of these guests “got the bug” and since have participated in other triathlons, including the National Championships down the road in Burlington, on August 20^th! Although many guests participate all over the country in much larger (but probably less fun) races than the Duckman, many of our racers will admit that this is the most intense race of their year – with their children holding the finish line and family and friends cheering them on!

           

The Duckman has room for everyone to participate, no matter what your skill level or age! We have witnessed guests from ages 6-84 participate and relay teams are always welcome. No matter what, the best part of completing the Duckman is the ability to proudly have thirds from the dessert table. Why not start training now?

Get your Duckman T-Shirt from The Tyler Place Online Store!

             

The International Passport Event

By JD

One amazing aspect of The Tyler Place is the International Staff that come from all over the world to experience life in the United States. Hailing from Bulgaria, Scotland, Russia and South Africa, to name a few, these wonderful employees bring with them rich cultures and many traditions from their native land.Cultural games, songs and crafts are ways to share these traditions with our young campers in an exciting evening activity called the International Passport Event for Junior and Senior groups. At this activity, campers have the opportunity to learn about different countries, participate in songs and play games about the World such as a Landmark Trivia displaying important landmarks located in over 20 countries, Friendship Bracelet making from Bulgaria, Surf Lessons from Australia and our favourite, the Waka Waka Dance from South Africa. Campers design their own multicultural streamer belts and learn the choreography to Waka Waka by Shakira featured in the 2010 World Cup Games to perform as a group. This night is filled with interesting information, multicultural awareness and an uncanny amount of fun!  Watch the video

June Updates from the TP Garden

By Claudia (TP Gardener)

Summer is here. Temperatures are rising, plenty of sunshine, and our vegetable garden is sending out its' rewards. Baskets filled with spinach, radishes, leek, Swiss chard, lettuce, and herbs have made their way into the kitchen, filling our guests dinner plates with delicious, organic produce.

Unfortunately, this is also the time of year where many unwanted critters are crawling or flying in, to sabotage our hard labor and efforts. I am always trying to embrace a more holistic organic philosophy for our gardens by working to create a healthy ecosystem in which plants thrive while pests and disease are held at bay.

Companion planting is a great approach to keep pests under control. For instance, planting onions with lettuce will keep the bunnies away (a fence will do, too), radishes between cucumbers fight off cucumber beetles, tomato plants between asparagus diminishes the invasion of the spotted asparagus beetle.

“Killer Spices” are another great alternative to end pest harassment. Oil extracts of thyme, rosemary, and mint are easy to prepare, and are potent enough to penetrate the brain cell membranes of bugs, which will literary “fry “ their nervous system. Sounds quite cruel, but on a positive note these essential oils also allow for a more fragrant solution of pest control.

And then there is Otto the rooster, our first animated insecticide. Otto arrived with the beginning of our opening season of 2011, made his home in our vegetable garden, and has already been promoted to our new department head for pest control. As he is patrolling the rows of our raised beds, continuously on the move, he picks up bugs and weed seeds with nearly every peck he takes. He seems to enjoy his new territory and assignment; he loves to mingle with our young guests, and sublets his coop to a little chipmunk.

There are many other organic procedures, tricks, and recipes to keep those pesty intruders out of your and our garden. I will make sure to share some more in future updates from The Tyler Place Garden. Until then, “Happy Gardening”.

Let's All Play S.P.U.D.!

With nine separate children's groups we play a lot of games each week and throughout the summer and we want to share some of those with you to play at home or just to warm-up before your Tyler Place vacation.


How to Play:

Spud, not just a hot potato but a game of chance that everyone can enjoy!

You need 3 or more people, a ball and a large playing area free from obstacles.

S.P.U.D is a game that is simple and always a good time. Players are numbered and one person, "it", stands in the middle of everyone else in a circle. The "it" tosses the ball into the air and calls out one number. The person with that number runs into the middle of the circle and catches the ball, becoming the new "it" while the other players run as far away from the circle as possible.

Once "it" catches the ball, he/she yells S.P.U.D at which point players must freeze in one spot. The "it" gets 3 giant steps towards other players and attempts to hit players below the knee. If one is successfully hit, that person becomes the  "it" and the thrower in the middle of the circle. Additionally, that person gets a letter, "S" then "P", etc, until someone gets all four letters to spell S.P.U.D. Any player with "S.P.U.D" is out.

Now Let's Play!

The Colors of Spring

By Claudia (TP Gardener)

The snow and ice are now a distant memory and everything is green and colorful at the T.P.  Trees are leafing out and the springtime bulbs show their floral faces to the sun.  The bright yellow daffodils, vibrant red tulips, and patches of snowbells and crocus have reminded me of my days in England and Germany.

Although our guests will miss our spring flowers, early summer flowers have made their appearance through freshly mulched areas, and fiddleheads are turning into ferns, sending their first long shadows in the sun. 

As families arrived Memorial Day weekend our lilac trees were in full bloom, followed by irises, lily of the valley, peonies, poppies and many more.  The vegetable garden is showing its growth.  The raised beds, earlier covered with fresh stable manure, still steam in the early morning hours.  The vegetables frames are sown in rows - celery, cucumbers, peas, squash, lettuce, kale, radishes, peppers coming up in green ribbons, the radishes racing ahead.  Asparagus, the spears pricking through early in the month so you could watch them growing inch-by-inch, are in full season.  Ted, Chad and Hector made short work of the first of the crop.  As the Inn kitchen is getting ready for the season, so will the asparagus stalks find their way into the hands of our creative chefs. 

Click for more photos!