Musings, Week 4, 2002
To the Attention of the Children Who Bring Their Children

by John G. Dennis

I bring you a tale that starts back yonder,
A past and present, but more, a future for you to ponder.
A bunch of men back then,
when probably it was just men,
said let's find us an isle
Where we can dally awhile
What they did they did not solely for self, but for us, their children, as well.
Main House, cabin, float and dock; even loo with traditional smell.
They, volunteers all, planned and built and made it go,
Through wind, rain, hurricane, and snow.
In recent years, new men, and yes, women too,
Renewed, rebuilt, volunteered; and even redid the loo!
Once dark, smelly, full of stink,
Now sunny, airy, a place to read and think.
An isle where we celebrate, in Week 4 of 2 thousand 2,
Volleyball victory, - 2 for campers, 1 for croo.
In many ways on this isle we hide,
savoring wind, rain, lightning, sun; and friends with whom to abide.
But, our speaker warned us on night recently past,
Without thought, planning and action; without volunteers young, old and in between; it will not last.
He didn't say it, yet we all know,
Our isle's at risk - in world tossed to and fro.
Acid rain, nutrient enrichment, greenhouse gasses,
Strife, greed, instant gratification for multitudinous masses.
Through its cycles of day, night, winter, spring, summer, fall,
Our isle helps us, our children, yes, theirs too, cope with it all.
In turn, to make it through these turmoils today, tomorrow, even year 2022,
Our isle depends on AMC staff, croo, and especially volunteers, on me and you!
Like silent owl hunting by sounds,
And energetic mink using nose to find where prey abounds,
We, AMC's volunteers, our well honed senses must entail,
To protect and nourish our isle's clear waters and untarnished soil
So, as here you giggle, laugh, guffaw and jive,
Volunteer, take the pledge, keep Three Mile's vision alive!