Celebrating Bunk’s retirement.
The greenest of green thumbs, patience and skill in building and repairs, and a contagious smile: put them all together and what have we got? Camp Nakanawa’s Bunk Hall, newly retired after 58 years with Camp. Job well done, sir, and retirement more than earned! You could say that Bunk got an early start at Nakanawa. As a teenager, he worked both in the kitchen and as a garden helper to Mitch’s friend and right hand “Eva B.” (Eva Boylston), who was dedicated to planting and maintaining Nakanawa’s colorful flower beds. Bright and early on the Saturday morning after Bunk graduated from Cumberland County High School, Carson Tays knocked on the Halls’ front door to tell Bunk he wanted him to come work at Camp. That very Monday, the 58 years began.
Bunk builds, repairs, harvests hay, grades the terrain, spreads gravel, and rescues the plumbing. Many are the trunk locks he has opened, fence rails he has replaced and electrical mysteries he has solved. The Camp community would not be what it is without his skill, reliability and willingness. The signature tables where we share meals and fellowship are Bunk- Crafted. A man of deep lifelong faith, Bunk is a longtime part of Camp Sundays as well. For decades, the spectacular dahlias, sunflowers and zinnias on the worship tables in both Junior and Senior Camps have come from his legendary garden. His wife Kathy maintains that watching and listening to “Miss Eva” as a boy nurtured Bunk’s understanding of gardening and, perhaps the land itself. From the welcome at the Library to our supper tables and the Big House, Bunk’s flowers, so generously shared, are a tribute to both his mentor and Nakanawa’s tradition of hospitality.
Bunk, whose given name is Bennie, is a part of the Plateau. The Hall family’s history in Mayland goes back as far as anyone can remember. The Halls are related to the Garretts, very early residents of the area who were friends and guides to Colonel Rice as he built Camp and explored the Cove as a hiking and overnight destination for campers. During the Nakanawa Centennial, volunteers found an old photograph of Bunk’s grandfather, Name? Garrett, and Colonel Rice resting on a large rock eating a lunch packed in a tin pail.
Resting? Bunk has earned more than a bit of that, and we hear that Kathy is enjoying having him at home. The Halls are avid and experienced travelers; here’s to many more interesting trips together. We hear, too, that sometimes Bunk’s truck drives itself over to Camp, just to check on the place. Thanks Bunk, for everything.
Leave your well wishes or memories below for Bunk.
