During the camp season, newsletters are released recapping all the fun and activities that occur at Purchase Day Camp. The 2003 newsletters are published courtesy of the Dragons Group, the Flamingos Group and Cindy Kenny and her computer staff. Excerpts from these newsletters can be viewed below.

Red, White and Blue Day - by Benjamin Engle and Brendan Berkowitz of the Dragons, July 21, 2003
On July 3rd, PDC celebrated the independence of our country. Campers wore red, white, and blue clothing and hats. As always, Uncle Sam roamed the parking lot and Lady Liberty stood with pride. During the opening exercises, PDC got a surprise. Last year's Challenge Course and Camp Crafts Specialist, Will Christie, who is now in Kuwait, sent a flag with his company's signatures. Will was sent to Kuwait about five months ago to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Big Al and Jane Nolan carried the flag across the blacktop and raised the flag. PDC pledged to the flag with great pride and dignity. Afterward, a poster that read, "HOO-RAH WILL" was brought out and the camp groups took pictures with it. PDC's Red, White and Blue Day 2003 was a major success and very memorable. We wish the best of luck to Will and hope to see him soon.

Ham & Mayo - by Michael Raffo of the Dragons, July 21, 2003
For the last couple of years Ham & Mayo have been waking up Purchase Day Camp. I had the chance to catch up with the guys and get a little more info on the band.

Q: What made you want to play and instrument?
Mayo: Boredom, I had instruments at my disposal in the basement and I wanted to be like my dad.
Gabe: I always wanted to learn and hang out with Greg all the time.
Q: How did you get your name?
Mayo: It started a couple of years ago my name is Mayo and what goes with Mayo... Ham.
Gabe: Plus, I love to perform.
Q: What is the New CD about? Songs?
Mayo: The title of the CD is called All Integrity Set Aside. The songs are a combination of many different influences including a little pop, rock, soul and jazz. People have called it a combo of John Mayer, Dave Matthews and Stevie Wonder. You can get clips at gregmayo.net.
Q: Do you plan on playing again for the camp?
Mayo: Yes, we plan on playing again in the upcoming weeks. The songs we'll play are up to the campers. If you have a song you want to hear us play just ask in advance.

Interview with Jim Kelly - by Shane Kelly and Josh Hill of the Dragons, July 21, 2003
Q: Where is your favorite place to be?
A: The golf course.
Q: What's your favorite food?
A: Chili cheese dog wedge.
Q: Favorite activity?
A: Golf
Q: Who's your favorite celebrity?
A: Bruce Willis
Q: What is your favorite part of day?
A: The end because you can judge the day by the look on the campers faces
Q: What is your favorite thing about PDC?
A: The campers.
Q: When did you start?
A: The year 1977 but I started camp in 1978.
Q: When will you leave?
A: When I save up enough money for a golf course.
Q: Why did you come to PDC?
A: Because my brothers were working here.
Q: Will you give the job to your sons?
A: No

Robert the Guitar Guy - by Robert "Bubba" Betz and Scott Valentine of the Dragons, July 21, 2003
On Monday, July 7, Robert the guitar guy came to PDC to entertain the campers. Robert was really funny as he played his guitar and told a story of a witch, a king, and a baby monkey.

The big finale came when anyone who wanted to come on stage could and then everybody acted out a story about a boy who had a guitar tail. Along with the show, the campers enjoyed an extended free swim. It was a great day for everyone at PDC.

Vote Now - by A.J. Liguori of the Dragons, July 21, 2003
I conducted a survey of what is the favorite snack item at the snack bar and this is my results.

Chips = Corn Chips
Ice Cream = Chipwich
Daily Special = Grilled Chicken Salad
Alla Cart = Cheese Burger

There were 20 people who I asked in camp.

Purple Day - by Andrew Eng of the Dragons, July 21, 2003
On July 17th, PDC celebrated Purple Day. Purple Day is celebrated because of PDC's Crafts Coordinator, Carla Lichty. Carla has been at PDC for a long time, and Purple Day honors her. People wore purple shirts, shorts, pants, jerseys, hats, etc. Big Al wore a purple wig. Ham and Mayo also performed during opening exercises. Campers were dancing while Ham and Mayo played their instruments. Most campers and counselors had fun. Purple Day is fun for all of PDC.

The C.O.D. is Coming! - by Joey Hendler and Ben Purinton of the Dragons, July 21, 2003
Starting off the 3rd week of camp, PDC had the COD, which stands for Celebrity of the Day. On Monday, 7/14 the COD was Mary Rich, the lucky camper who guessed Mary Rich was Melissa Rubenstein. On Tuesday 7/15 the COD was Charlie Hill, and Mike Caligiuri guessed Charlie first. Then on the final day the COD was our nurse, Debbie Bobe, and this time 2 campers guessed correct! Zachary Bender, and Christina Adipietro.

Crazy Hats - by David Snopkowski and Nic Farmer of the Dragons, July 21, 2003
Crazy Hat Day is a time when people brush the dust off their craziest hats. Over the years people have brought everything from cheesehats to a fireman's hat. Even if they didn't have a crazy hat people showed camp spirit by just wearing a regular baseball hat. Some of the craziest hats that we saw came from Coach who wore three hats. They were a chicken, flamingo and parrot hat. The next hat was a homemade hat from Joyce. It was red mesh wrapped around a plain baseball camp which towered over most of the tallest hats.

Athletic Happenings at PDC - by Will Stickles of the Dragons, July 21, 2003
I talked to Big Al about what the sports specialists are planning to do for the first four weeks. I asked him if he and the other specialists hand picked the seven sports including hockey, baseball and basketball, which they are focusing on. He said that the administration picked the sports at a meeting that was held before camp. I also asked him if they were trying to play new games this year. He said that they were and there is a list that the administration gave them at orientation. These games are the same games we play now, but they have different names and some different rules. We'll have a good time playing these games!

First Day Impressions of Camp - by Nick Wilson of the Dragons, July 21, 2003
Hi, I'm Nick Wilson, I have had a lot of fun the first week of camp. Although there weren't any events, I still had a great time because there were new people in my group and new counselors to meet. And although this is not really the first week of camp that I'm writing this I'm looking forward to more fun weeks at Purchase Day Camp.

TNT Trip Splash Down - by Konnor Miculcy and Matthew Galloway of the Dragons, July 21, 2003
On Tuesday, July 15th the Dragons, Flamingos, Serpents, Vipers, and Swans went to Splashdown located in Fishkill, NY. Everyone enjoyed the trip, especially the lazy river. The rides included 3 water slides, a lazy river, mini golf, bumper boats, bumper cars, and an arcade. If you decide to go to Splashdown stay away from bumper boats but definitely go on the lazy river. While the TNT groups were at Splashdown the younger campers enjoyed wet day. The younger campers enjoyed various water games.

Flag Cake - by Nicholas Spinogatti and Matthew Galloway of the Dragons, July 21, 2003
Week 5 of PDC we made cookies in cooking. The cookies were a big success, everyone loved them. To make these cookies on your own, the recipe for the cookies is...

• 1 1/2 cups chilled whipping cream
• 3 eggs
• 2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 1/2 Teaspoons vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour baking pan. In a chilled bowl, beat cream until stiff. Beat eggs until thick and lemon colored. Fold eggs and vanilla into whipped cream. Stir together remaining ingredients; fold gently into cream-egg mixture until blended. Pour into pan (3 large spoons small tins). Bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool. Add cream and berries to make flag design.

We thought the cake was excellent and wish we could have some right now.