by Steven Martinez
The 2011 Shehaqua Family Fall Festival took place the weekend of September 23rd in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. A large storm passed through the North East Friday night, challenging folks as they staggered into camp, wet and cold. However, no weather could deter the happy and joyful spirit sparked by being back on familiar stomping grounds with old and new friends alike.
The spirit prevailed and the next morning, the sun was shining and the camp swelled to over 150 people.
The goal of a weekend at Shehaqua is to engage a person's heart, mind, body and soul. Saturday morning the camp divided into age groups focused on reflection and internal education. The youngest children were taken care of by Lena Yasutake and middle school, high school, and college ages were split up into groups under the guidance of Crescentia DeGoede. Adults met for discussion and sharing with Uncle Rob Sayre.
After a bountiful lunch provided by Aunt Elke and Aunt Jeanne, families spent an afternoon participating in a variety of fall festivities. The afternoon was filled with pumpkin carving, pumpkin painting, candle dipping, log toss,
archery, and watermelon and pumpkin pie eating contests. Candle dipping attracted a large crowd and in total almost 100 people made their own hand dipped candles! Log toss allowed the men in the camp to showcase their strength, and the eating contests provided exhilarating entertainment.
Dinner and a potluck dessert filled with home baked goodies
was followed by the most anticipated event, the Hoe Down! A live band and caller provided the music and the dance instructions
while more than 150 people laid their dance moves in their best country attire. Next year we’ll definitely have to expand our dance area to make room for the growing crowd, but that didn’t keep us from having a hoot’n holler’n good time.
Sunday morning the camp gathered for a talk given by Victor Servito on the importance of gratitude in our own lives and how Shehaqua is a simple reminder of the many blessings we have in life.
Each year only gets better and we hope to see you and your family next year!