Freeport Journal-Standard from Freeport, Illinois • Page 13

Frcepoft (III.) Journal-Standard, Tuesday, July 5,1977 Page 13 Visit 'Liberty Tree' THE LIBERTY TREE IS THRIVING, youngsters from the Amity Day Care Center reported after an outing in Krape Park. Examining the tree from left, are: Stephanie Meyers, Sandy Strohecker, Rhonda Clark, Steve Strohecker, Charlotte Llndstrom and Colleen Journal-Standard Photo. Summer Camp, Mom ByNADINEBROZAN New York Times News Service NEW YORK The uniforms and equipment have all been bought, the name tapes affixed, the trunks packed and shipped and all that remains are the farewell? before the big separation of sleepawaycamp. As the season of frolic for children and freedom' for parents draws near, it might be wise to give some thought to a troubling, although usually mild malady: homesickness. Homesickness is described by psychiatrists as a manifestation of separation anxiety, by camp directors as an absolutely normal reaction that is fleeting in all but the most severe cases and by campers as "that terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach." This is how Andy Reif, 12 years old, of Philadelphia, recalls his first days at Camp Powhatan in Oxford, two summers ago: "I was lonely, I didn't know any kids.

I wasn't familiar with the life of an overnight camp. And I wasn't used to being without my mom, and that was the.worst part of it." Now Andy, who can hardly wait for his third season at Powhatan, has advice for novice campers: "Try to make a lot of friends, and try not to keep your parents on your mind all the time. Eventually, you'll like camp a real lot after you get over the homesickness." Ironically, some homesickness is the product of a happy home life. As Dennis Buttinger, director of the coeducational Camp Hillcroft in Billings, N.Y., said, "Homesickness reflects the child 'missing something he feels good about: the love of his parents and the warmth of their relationship." But it can also reflect, psychiatrists 'and camp owners emphasized, an overdose of anxiety in the parents that is transmitted to the child. But, if they think before they speak and transmit positive messages about camp life to their children, parents can do a great deal to prevent, or at least minimize, homesickness.

The worst thing they can do, all the directors interviewed agreed, is to promise the child who has never been to camp before, "If you don't like it, we'll take you home." The bargain dooms the experience before it has a chance. Hobart Rosen, director of the all-girls Point O'Pines Camp at Brant Lake, N.Y., said, "If parents say that, the child is let off the hook. She makes no effort (to adjust or be happy). Then when we call the parents they admit that they made the promise but say they didn't really mean it, so we're really in a bind. "Parents can best help the camps by preparing children properly." Dr.

Bruce M. Forester, assistant professor of psychiatry at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, who treats both children and adults in private practice, suggested, "Discuss camp before the child goes. If the parent has been to camp himself, it's good to talk about that. It's also a good idea to allow children to meet other youngsters who have already been to camp, to allay imagined fears." In addition to describing all the new sports and other activities that children will learn, parents might explain, the experts said, that life in a group situation will require more flexibility and cooperation than are needed at home. Dr.

Michael Brody, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and child development at the George Washington University Medical School, offered this practical idea: "A lot of children sleep with special toys or blankets. Families sometimes feel the children will be ridiculed, so they don't send them. Then the child gets to camp and everyone has a special object." The day of departure is another important hurdle. No matter how chagrined parents feel about seeing their youngsters off, they must take care to keep their own emotions in check. Hobart Rosen recalled a particularly difficult scene.

"One mother was crying harder than her own child, and that upset all the rest of the children," he said. On a in the Park" outing, children from the Amity Day Care Center had a chance to see the "Liberty Tree" which was planted by children tor children. During the 1976 Amity Follies, an original poem entitled "The Liberty Tree," written by the director, P.R. Swango, was read by Mike Gould. The day after the follies, at the suggestion of the enthusiastic director, a red maple was planted In Krape Park to serve as a living memorial to the spirit of the follies and all of those persons of all ages who particlpated.lncludlng the many children In the cast, Swango wanted the tree to "grow along with the children as they grow to remind them of all the had putting on the follies.

The planting ceremony was attended by the children and their parents. After a visit to the little growing tree, the youngsters went on the merry-go- round, played oh the swings, fed the ducks and walked in the park before returning to the Day Care Center for lunch. Win Trophies Two trophies and an award were presented to the Freeport Eagles Auxiliary at the slate convention. Reports were given for the group by Dorothy Whitson, Minnie Runkle, Helen Walrod and Helen Koning. The local group received two trophies for the disaster fund and City of Hope project and an award for the delinquent golden eagle project.

Plans were made for an ice cream social on Aug. 10. Members are to call Virginia Dyson, 232-7289, for tickets. Prizes were won by Helen Walrod, Notes Of The Day Three members of the insurance Women of Freeport, Jennie Blackmore, Helen Herold and Marie Kahly, attended the 1977 area meeting of the Illinois Conference of Women Leaders for Traffic Safety at the Ramada Inn in Rockford. "Operation Lifesaver," railroad crossing safety, was the theme of the conference.

A son, Christopher Ryan, was born June 17 to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Diestelmeier, 1054 Newton Road, Apt. 5, Iowa City, Iowa. The grandparents are Mr.

and Mrs. Robert Diestelmeier, 30 E. PershingSt. Lori Anne Leibig, daughter of Mr. pnd Mrs.

Edward Leibig, 1330 W. Lincoln was named to the dean's list at Trinity College in Washington, D.C. Miss Leibig will be a senior this fall. Charlene Kubatzke and Jane Markwardt. Refreshments were served to 22 members by Lois Vick and Vernetta Fritzenmeler.

Surprise Party Mr. and Mrs. Eldred Cole were honored at a surprise party in celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ray T.

Dougherty, 1107 S. Walnut Ave. Cohosts with the Doughertys were Mr. and Mrs. Stan Klaas, Mr.

and Mrs. Paul Bender, Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Ruthe and Mrs.

Harold Kubatzke. The 40th anniversary is the "ruby anniversary" and the group chose to carry out the red theme with strawberries In the decorations and in the menu. Featured on the menu were ham loaves with cranberry topping, twice baked potatoes, strawberry-topped fruit cup, parsley-frilled cherry tomatoes, vegetables, rolls and relishes. The three-tiered, heart-shaped cake, with a decorative "40" on the lop and each layer accented wilh slrawberries, formed the centerpiece on the head table, which was set with strawberry placemats and nutcups. A candle cen- lerpiece, wllh slrawberry Irim, was used on Ihe smaller lables for four.

Special guests at the party were members of Mrs. Cole's family. Those attending were Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Bockslahler of Elmhurst, Mr.

and Mrs. People BONANZA SPECIALS; ALL THE FISH YOU WISH Batter-Dipped Cod Fri. 11 a.m. 10 p.m. Including: Potato, Texas Toast, Salad Bar Chopped Steak Special 11-4 P.M.

1 1Q Potato-Texas Toast-Salad Bar Prices Good Thurs. July 5,6,7 Drinks refilled FREE EXCEPT MILK 1100 W. Galena Ave. Freeport Phone 235-7139 Banquet Rooms Available John Resh of Valparaiso, Ind, and Mr. and Mrs.

William Wienand, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Moglc and Mr. and Mrs. Greg Wienand.

A weekend at the Marriott Resort Hotel, North, was presented to the honored couple by members of their family. The hosts at the party, all members of their card club, presented them with a strawberry jug, which had been redesigned Into a money berry tree. Party decorations were the work of Mrs. Dougherty and her daughter, Maureen Royster. Eldred and Dorothy Cole were married at Embury Methodist Church on June 19, the Rev.

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First take a 'trip to see your Country Companies agent for the facts on Medical Catastrophe insurance. The Country Companies. We're a little different than most insurance people. Country) Companies, Agent RON ASCHE Freeport, Illinois Phone 232-3906 1 NI-Gas offers free insulation to qualified senior citizens. Northern Illinois Gas has received permission from the Illinois Commerce Commission to conduct a residential ceiling insulation research program at no charge for 1,000 senior citizens who meet established criteria.

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