Meet Mary Miles Loveless, Tent Row ’71 Alumna
On every level, Mary Miles Loveless is a generous and impactful communicator. She makes connections with her “great big Nakanawa smile,” her contagious laugh and her memorable stories. Mary’s narrative ability connected with readers, too, in her professional life as a journalist for both Ducks Unlimited and Memphis Magazine.
From Fifth Grader to Lifelong Friendships
As a fifth grader on the Memphis bus to Camp Nakanawa in 1965, Mary was surrounded by girls from home but found herself in a cabin far away from familiar faces. We know how this story turns out – with many new, lifelong friends. One of Camp’s gifts, she says, is the opportunity for small but significant successes such as expanding friendships, passing milestones in canoeing and overcoming a touch of homesickness.
Canoeing Milestones: A Family Tradition
Those canoeing milestones were no small matter. Mary and her daughters proved to be proficient with paddles as both campers and counselors. The Lovelesses have their own green, wooden Old Town canoe which survived the voyage to Omena, Michigan, atop foam pool noodles on the roof of an old Suburban. One chilly, windy Michigan afternoon on the lake, the Coast Guard patrol boat followed Mary canoeing in a headwind before a storm. “I see that J-stroke!” the officer called. He too had learned the J-stroke at summer camp.
Keeping the Fire Alive: Legendary TR ‘71 Reunions
The Loveless lake home serves as a connection, too, as headquarters for camp reunions. “TR ‘71 reunions,” Mary says, “are legend.” A close, dedicated Tent Row, 1971 has weathered storms together, supported Nakanawa and kept the fire embers warm with their legacy nieces, daughters and granddaughters. We look forward to welcoming Mary Miles Loveless and daughters Lucy, Kate and Mary to our fine boathouse in 2025 – 60 years after that first bus ride to Nakanawa!