New Year Head Staff Faves
While we wish we were experiencing the warm sunny days of camp, these frigid weeks of winter here in Tuxedo make us long for the summer. How does our Head Staff team keep our “eyes upon the doughnut and not upon the hole” in these cold snaps that pass through? Read below to see what we are enjoying this winter season.
Jimboy
Favorite hot drink that gets me through these cold months: Hot Water… I know, sounds gross but in January I tried it after reading that it is popular in Japan. I actually enjoy it! I now drink coffee, tea, and Hot Water… like them all!
Favorite activity I like to do at camp during the winter: River Trail Walks!
Current playlist: Podcast: Dan Carlin “Hardcore History”
Best book I’ve read recently: The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
Best recipe I’ve tried recently: Tahini Sauce (16 oz Tahini, blend with ice water in Cuisinart till smooth, add lemon juice and salt); great with veggies, chips, salad, bread
Family activity I most enjoy during the winter: Movies, Card Games… both are great!
Something I do during the off season that may be surprising: Mountain Bike (I have one and like to go, but winter isn’t the best time for that fun!)
The part of camp I’m most looking forward to: EP’s by the lake
Something I need to buy before the summer: New cameras for the photo team
Camp project I’m working on: Council Fire, Putt Cove, River Trail, Pool, and Waterpark…lots of updates!
Katie
Favorite activity I like to do at camp during the winter: Take mydogs Pippi & Max on a daily River Walk Run!
Best book I’ve read recently: Turkey & Wolf Cookbook
Best recipe I’ve tried recently: I have not tried any new recipes recently, but I love Korean food, have a new cookbook and can’t wait to try making Kimchi!
Family activity I most enjoy during the winter: Visiting all of our children and grandchildren who are spread out all over the country.
One way I beat the winter blues:I embrace the grey/cold….fires, cozy days with the fire going - hot chocolate and good movies!
The part of camp I’m most looking forward to: Seeing all of our excited Junior Campers arrive on the first day of camp
It’s starting to feel like camp is coming soon because: New clothing for The Greystone Store is already starting to arrive!
Laura
Favorite hot drink that gets me through these cold months: Little River Roasting Coffee
Favorite activity I like to do at camp during the winter: Rest Hour!
Best recipe I’ve tried recently: Jamie Oliver’s Farmhouse roast chicken, garlic mushrooms with spinach and lentils
Family activity I most enjoy during the winter: Running around in the yard with grandchildren
One way I beat the winter blues: Build a fire!
Something I do during the off season that may be surprising: I do all the cooking (not Gervais) and I don’t talk very much (ha!)
The part of camp I’m most looking forward to: The campers singing
Something I need to find before the summer: My camp notebooks
Alli
Favorite hot drink that gets me through these cold months: Coffee
Favorite activity I like to do at camp during the winter: If it snows, go sledding on Apple Hill. Walks on the River Trail. Taking my children Murphy and Arlo to check on the Farm Barn animals. Watch our dog Moose swim in the lake even when it’s 30 degrees outside.
Current playlist: Trolls soundtrack (Murphy’s choice)
Best book I’ve read recently: The Scythe Series (technically I just finished the second book, Thunderhead, but I know I’ll love the third book.)
Best recipe I’ve tried recently: Wishbone Kitchen’s Red Wine Braised Short Ribs
One way I beat the winter blues: Reading a great book in front of a fire
The part of camp I’m most looking forward to: The variety and consistency that everyday brings. I love the daily schedule and love it when random surprises happen or an unexpected quality moment.
Something I need to buy before the summer: Whites! I always forget to spend time finding one good outfit for Banquet at Junior and end up wearing something I don’t love.
Camp project I’m working on: Hiring Kitchen Staff, Kitchen t-shirt designs, Junior Staff Orientation updates
Catherine
Favorite hot drink that gets me through these cold months: Starbucks Honey Citrus Mint Tea!
Favorite activity I like to do at camp during the winter: Walk to the Farm Barn to see how FUZZY the goats are in their winter coats.
Current playlist: Loving Kendra Adachi’s Breezy Instrumental Playlist for starting work in the mornings.
Best book I’ve read recently: I really loved the audiobook of The Anthropocene Reviewed
Best recipe I’ve tried recently: This 15-minute lo-mein is on repeat for us!
One way I beat the winter blues: Plugging in my heating pad and bringing it to bed with me.
Something I do during the off-season that may surprise you: I work remotely from Raleigh most of the year and do the majority of my work behind a computer screen!
The part of camp I’m most looking forward to: Having all of the incredible new staff we’re hiring together and seeing how great they’re going to be at this job. And the Royal Reception!
Camp project I’m working on: All sorts of communications and planning to help our staff feel confident and supported, starting now and all the way through the summer!
Meredith
Favorite hot drink that gets me through these cold months: Ditto to Laura above, Little River Roasting Coffee - a daily morning ritual in my 100-year reunion mug
Favorite activity I like to do at camp during the winter: sit on the DH porch and listen to how quiet it is
Current playlist: A song really, Don’t Be so Hard on Yourself by Jess Glynne (highly recommend in the car with the windows down)
Best book I’ve read recently: Our Bible Study is working through One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp right now
Best recipe I’ve tried recently: Herby Kale Pesto Pasta w/ Buttery Walnuts. Anything pesto give it to me!
Family activity I most enjoy during the winter: We’re pickle ballers through and through, so we don’t let the winter stop us! We’re at the courts most days - ha!
Something I do during the off season that may surprise you: I’m a big estate sale shopper. My husband Chris and I go most Saturdays when we are in town. It’s so fun to find a hidden gem - I got my favorite shoes at a sale for $2! A very satisfying feeling. Ask me to find you something - I love the thrill of the hunt.
The part of camp I’m most looking forward to: The Friday before Opening Day when everyone is here, and the anticipation of the summer really kicks in!
Camp project I’m working on: Hiring our fabulous cabin and program staff
Ellen-Anne
Favorite hot drink that gets me through these cold months: My husband James makes me a Café au lait every morning - lucky me!
Favorite activity I like to do at camp during the winter: Take a walk on the River Trail
Current playlist: Been listening to Caamp a lot
Best book I’ve read recently: The Guest List - kept me on my toes!
Best recipe I’ve tried recently: I made THE BEST chili the other day - buckle up cause it takes 8 hours to simmer on the stove, but it’s the perfect rainy day project on the weekend!
Family activity I most enjoy during the winter: We have been bundling up and going outside no matter the weather. Rainy Day, Windy Day, ALL DAY fun. Bubbles during the winter are GREAT!
One way I beat the winter blues: We do a summery-type meal…we turn on the grill, make a big salad with fresh veggies and imagine longer days :)
Something I do during the off season that may surprise you: I LOVE to rearrange and set up spaces. We just moved - so my after work time has been painting, thrifting (WHICH I LOVE) and setting up our house!
Something I need to buy before the summer: Some fun compression socks - if you know me, I have quite the collection!
Camp project I’m working on: Lots of program surprises - stay tuned!
JF
Favorite hot drink that gets me through these cold months: Stress-ease tea
Favorite activity I like to do at camp during the winter: Visit Zelda and the farm animals
Best book I’ve read recently: Man’s Search for Meaning
Family activity I most enjoy during the winter: Family dinner - Jimboy is a mean cook!
One way I beat the winter blues: Camp walks and cardio
The part of camp I’m most looking forward to: Old and new friends arriving
Something I need to buy before the summer: A fresh gallon of sunscreen
Camp project I’m working on: Getting forms and the new Campanion app ready to go
Anne Hayden
Favorite hot drink that gets me through these cold months: Hot spicy mocha - a new favorite from Sharewell Coffee here in town!
Favorite activity I like to do at camp during the winter: River Trail walks at sunset
Current playlist: I’m a crazy person who just shuffles my favorite songs - loving Zach Bryan at the moment.
Best book I’ve read recently: Know What You’re FOR - we read this for a camp year-round book club and I really enjoyed it!
Best recipe I’ve tried recently: Hello Fresh - Pecan Crusted Salmon - Super easy and tasty
Family activity I most enjoy during the winter: We LOVE to go skiing!
One way I beat the winter blues: Hot bubble baths
Something I do during the off season that may surprise you: I get to work part-time at Ski School out in Colorado over the holidays!
The part of camp I’m most looking forward to: Having all of our favorite people back in the bubble!
Something I need to buy before the summer: New tennis shoes - mine are about to meet their end
Sarah
Favorite hot drink that gets me through these cold months: Decaf Hot Cinnamon Spice. Love!
Favorite activity I like to do at camp during the winter: Looking over the camp property without any leaves; you see so many things you don’t typically see in the summer.
Best book I’ve read recently: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. I chuckled a lot throughout this book.
Best recipe I’ve tried recently: These grilled buffalo wings for the upcoming Super Bowl - they are so yummy but super messy.
Something I do during the off-season that may surprise you: My friend group has decided to have more fun this year. So far, we have played competitive ping pong, experienced an Escape Room, celebrated an 80s dinner, and went bouldering…to name a few.
The part of camp I’m most looking forward to: Not having to cut my fruits and vegetables anymore! And Lip Syncs - they are just the best.
Something I need to buy before the summer: Some new hats. It’s going to be the summer of the hat.
Camp project I’m working on: Lots of fun mailing projects for the spring, and EPs of course!