New York: Long Point Camp

John’s great-grandparents served in the Salvation Army, as well as his grandparents, Helen Grace and John Waldron. Grandpa Waldron even served as the National Commander for Canada and Bermuda at one point, so Jeanne, Edie, and Mary grew up being very involved in the Salvation Army. Aunt Edie and Uncle Gene have also followed in their footsteps and have served in the Salvation Army for over 30 years. They are celebrating their retirement in July and invited the whole family to Long Point Camp to celebrate with an official ceremony.

As the story goes, John’s great-grandpa delivered such an inspiring sermon years ago that a man felt compelled to make a large donation to the Salvation Army. John’s grandpa helped to use that money to purchase a piece of land to be used for the Salvation Army, which is now Long Point Camp. Long Point sits on Seneca Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes, near Penn Yan, New York. Jeanne and her sisters lived there in the summertime when they were little and their father was running the camp. When they were teenagers, they came back and worked as counselors. Jeanne got her life guard certification in the FREEZING and rough waters of the lake…she says that was before she realized everyone else went to the Y for their certification! It is a beautiful place right on the crystal clear lake and full of Waldron family tributes. Even the tabernacle is named after Grandpa Waldron.

ALL of the Waldron girls and their families came in for the retirement celebration, and I had a great time getting to actually sit down with and get to know John’s cousins. Since the family is scattered across NY, PA, and OH, I hadn’t seen some of them since our wedding, and I was so crazy that weekend that I really didn’t get a chance back then to have a real conversation. We loved introducing Helen Grace to all of them as well. She charmed everyone, as usual! John was like a kid again as he joined in on cousins’ games of baseball and dodge ball, and of course, they all played like they were 15 and their life depended on the outcome! :)

I am very lucky to be a part of this family. Congrats on a wonderful career, Edie and Gene, and thanks for including us in your celebration!

See anything funny about the curtains? “Here I am!” Dinner with almost the whole family Crystal clear water of Seneca Lake Long Point Getting a tour from Grandma The Lodge- very nice! See Waldron Tabernacle in the background. On our way to the retirement ceremony Their grandkids performed a great little skit.Edie and Gene renewing their marriage vows Accepting their retirement plaque Aunt Edie getting some HG love Check out those curls! Helen Grace LOVED her first swing experience! Grandma Jeanne was swinging next to her, showing her how to do it, and she dubbed the two of them “The Swingers”! Well, really, her New York accent comes out when she is up there, so it came out as “The Swingas.” :)

Clingy baby girl She’s a mama’s girl Checking out the plane in Syracuse “We had a great time on our trip, but I miss my kitties.” “Buh Bye, New York!”