![About the Dinglebat: The word Dinglebat is unique to CH. It is our word for mosquito net, and the origin is unknown other than the fact that all Highlanders have had various run-ins with their Dinglabats at one time or another - and would agree that the word Dinglebat is, like so many nicknames, a better fit than the proper name. In 1914, Doc’s first year as Director, a Board of Publication was formed with the charge of creating a Camp Yearly. The 1st Dinglebat was named by the boys, written by the boys, and printed by the boys, and is 64 pages of treasure. Various excerpts from the first and other years follow. The best way to experience the feeling of the Dinglebats is to thumb through them, of course. But since the collection Camp maintains (only one of each) is both old and never to be reprinted, the abridged offerings below will have to suffice for most of the world. We do plan on scanning them (there are 18 Dinglebats), and hope to make some of the scans available on this site.

Excerpts from The DINGLEBAT, 1914 - A History of the Camp (pages 6, 7, 8)
Have you ever read the story told so often of a tiny village into a great city, how it sprang up out of the wilderness and blossomed out into a modern metropolis? The development of the Camp may be likened to this expansion. At first there was nothing but the virgin forest where the Camp now stands. There were a few resorts on the lake but it was then considered a place hard to reach.
In the winter of 1903-4, a group of parents of pupils in the University Elementary School, came to Mr. Harry O. Gillet, the principal, and asked that he take their boys out camping up in the Wisconsin woods. Though no one in the little party of ten that was to go knew anything about camping, they selected the present site as suitable and bought it from Anna M. Wrigley. Mr. Gillet was assisted by Mr. Kester and Malcomb Kester, who was a carpenter.
The first year in Camp was a mighty hard one. They had no tents, no clubhouse, no boathouse or launch. In fact, they had nothing but a part of what is now the Junior Dining Room, and later one solitary tent about twenty yards from it. Their little cottage was divided into four rooms, three of which they used for sleeping, the other, they utilized as a dining room. They had several row-boats and they carried their provisions over from Star Lake, which was then a flourishing lumber town. The first step which they took in the direction of changing the unbroken forest into what was ultimately to become a small city of tents was to make a considerable clearing. They worked hard almost all summer, cutting down trees and pulling stumps with the aid of a team which they brought over on a large barge from Sayner. It was a difficult job and they did not do much else but row and swim a little. They did not even have a canoe.
 The next year more of the fellows wanted to go with Mr. Gillet and Mr. Kester, and so the size of the party increased considerably. They were better campers now and they had had a season’s experience up in the woods. More of what is now the upper tennis court was cut away and leveled off. A launch was bought to take the campers to Sayner and points around the lake. Since there were more fellows a large tent was erected in the place between what is now the clubhouse and tent 8. Work was commenced on a boathouse to shelter the launch and the few row-boats. One night, however, when the campers returned to Camp they found their newly built boathouse partially blown over. The propped it up and repaired it the next day.
The next season, the summer of 1906, Mr. Gillet bought out Mr. Kester’s interest in Camp, and brought up a still larger party. Among the directors were Doctor Frew, Art Gillet, J. Leonard Hancock, O.E. MacBride, and Ralph Kuhns as an assistant. That year some canoes were bought and the first canoe trip was taken. A party of eight started out from Camp and after getting down to t he Wisconsin River decided to go to Eagle River. They thought it would be a day’s paddle and they stocked their grub-sack accordingly, but it took them four days with obvious consequences. Back at Camp, a large part of the clubhouse was constructed and several new tents were put up, numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. The Camp was beginning to grow.

In the summer that followed, Mr. Gillet who thought he would like to accommodate a few of the parents who came up to visit their sons during the Camp season, rented several cottages from Mr. Scofield on the point abutting that of the Camp. This was the start of the present Parent’s Cottages or rather “P.C.” the growth of which has more than kept pace with the expansion of the Camp proper.
In the next year, the Camp had grown to fifty boys and they were divided into three classes, Senior, Juniors, and Intermediates. More canoes and row boats were bought as well as another launch. Canoe and camping trips became numerous and better organized under the leadership of Mr. MacBride. The first banquet was held and the first cups presented. There were only three of these, a swimming, a tennis, and a best-camper cup. They were won respectively by Tommy Burr, George Kuh, and Bob White.
In the succeeding three years, ’09, ’10, and ’11 the Camp grew in all directions. The membership increased, more tents were built, more trips were taken, and more boats were bought. Inter-camp athletic contests were introduced with Camps Minocqua, and Keewatin, and later Winnepe. In 1909 the property adjoining the Camp was purchased outright from the Scofields.
In the following year, the Camp was for the first time during its history in danger of destruction. Scarcely any rain had fallen for two months and everything was very dry. Forest fires had been raging in the country surrounding Plum Lake when one day the wind changed, sweeping the flames up from the end of the lake toward Camp. All the older fellows worked day and night with the Directors and the people around the lake to stave off the destruction that seemed imminent. Then luckily the wind changed again, bringing rain. The fire-fighters were successful in back firing and every one heaved a mighty sigh of relief when the danger was passed. Later in the year a canoe trip under Rugs Halsey succeeded in making their way down the Flambeau River to Ladysmith, shooting some wonderful rapids en route.
By the summer of 1911, the Camp became thoroughly organized. Tent inspection was now regular and the records make by each tent during the year were preserved. An “O.D.” appointed each day from among the Directors how had charge of Camp affairs. For athletic contests all the fellows in Camp were divided into three classes, Seniors, Juniors, and Midgets.
In 1912 and 1913 the Camp grew rapidly. The dining room was enlarged and several new cottages were built at the Parent’s Camp. A canoe party reached Lake Superior after many hardships shooting the rapids in the Ontonagon. In the winter of 1913-1914 the ownership of the camp changed hands. Dr. W.J. Monilaw, who had been connected with the camp for several years, became its new owner. Many new improvements were immediately started. A new tennis court was made, and a two-story addition to the dining room built. The old pier at tent 10 was replaced by a new one with a springboard and diving tower. The main pier was improved and a new darkroom was constructed. The clearing of a space just across the lake for a new baseball diamond was begun.
Such has been the history of the Camp from the date of its beginning up to the present time. From a party of ten, living in a house twenty-five feet square, it has become and institution of twenty-one tents, a boathouse, a dining room, a clubhouse, two launches, and a fleet of row-boats and canoes, besides innumerable conveniences caused by eleven years of civilizing influences.

Excerpts from The Dinglebat, 1921
In Memoriam: Tom Monilaw, 1900 - 1921
TOM
Some persons on this earth, it has been said, have characteristics eminently individual which seem to belong to them more than to any one else. With Tom this characteristic was cheerfulness. Wherever he was, whatever tasks he had before him, face and voice expressed that cheery nature which those who knew him loved.
 We who came into contact with Tom at Camp saw him in his true element - the great outdoors which he loved. He came to Highlands as a small boy and grew and developed under the blue skies and the sturdy pines of the Northland. He seemed to absorb as part of himself the spirit they emanate. It was here that spirit of cheerfulness was inbred which aided him successfully to meet the problems of life, and gained for him his popularity among friends of all ages everywhere.
Tom lived every phase of Camp life, from Midget to Counsellor. He entered all activities with like zest and took his place equally high in athletics, photography, and manual training. His whole-hearted love of fun and his keen sense of humor enlivened many moments. Tom was a well-rounded boy. On the athletic field, in victory, he had a smile in wholesome commendation of his opponents’ efforts; in defeat, in heartfelt congratulation to the winner. Tom was a true sportsman.
It was at Camp that Tom developed the qualities of leadership which marked him in the course of his progress through High School, where he captained the baseball team and earned membership in the Senior Honor Society. His ability and popularity were becoming as readily recognized in his campus activities during his tragically brief career in the University. Everywhere his cheerful outlook upon the world gained him a high place in the estimation of his fellows.
Greatest of all, however, was Tom’s high sense of personal honor. Even thus early had he shaped his life in accordance with definitely formulated ideals of thought and conduct. He was clean in mind as in body. Tom did not press his virtues upon the attention of others. This was another reason we loved him. Unconsciously he stood as a powerful influence for the right, not through precept but through modest example.
Tom went through life with a light heart. At the end, he was one of a jolly, wholesome crowd driving across country to see their fraternity brothers play football at Princeton. Death came swiftly. Tom died as he had lived - with a smile on his face.
To those of us who were campers and so privileged to know him best, the tragedy of loss is perhaps most severe. But we may find comfort in knowing he will be ever present with us in inspiration. We have only pleasant memories of Tom, memories we shall always cherish. His hearty laugh, his smiling face, his lovable personality, his unselfish helpfulness, his high ideals, bred of the great outdoors of the Northland, we shall treasure in our hearts as a rich legacy.

Excerpts from the Dinglabat, 1928
In Memoriam: ‘Grandpa’ James Frew, 1839 - 1928
Written by ‘Doc’
Camp Highlands is not just a place or a thing. When any of us are suddenly reminded of Camp we do not think of a geographic place, of a piece of land of four dimensions. We think of an institution made of personalities abiding in a place which we all love. One of these personalities, in fact the best loved and one of the most important in the life of the Camp for the past twenty years, has been called home. Grandpa Frew, leaving Camp on September 1st, apparently in good condition and in excellent spirits, suffered a stroke of paralysis on Monday morning, September 10th, from which he never regained consciousness and which caused his death on Sunday, September 16th.
We still recall his last goodbye from the doorway of the kitchen, when he so dramatically raised both hands high above his head and said feelingly: “Goodbye everybody, and God bless you.” Youth is so optimistic that few Highlands boys realized or sensed to any degree Grandpa’s feelings at the time, and so I presume this announcement of his death will come as a very decided shock, and I am sure everyone will feel an immediate loss.
 In 1909 when Mr. Gillet, then director of Camp Highlands, was seeking help for Camp, Froctor (Dr. Angus Frew) suggested that his father was the man, and indeed he was. He came to Camp for the summer of 1909 and he became, not the baker of Camp Highlands, but the Grandfather of Camp Highlands, just as Grandma Frew became the Grandmother of all the boys, and every boy and man who has been at Camp Highlands since 1909, looking back over his experiences, immediately thinks of one or both of these dear old people first of all. When Grandma died in 1921 we all felt the loss immeasurably. Grandpa, then in his eighty-second year, was game. Never having been separated from Grandma for fifty-seven years, his loss was great, but never a word from Grandpa. He came back to Camp the next summer just as happy and optimistic and as full of spirits as before, continuing his good work with the boys. When Dr. Frew accepted the position at the Western Reserve Academy, Grandpa began to make his home with Froctor and this enabled him to be with the boys, not only during his summers at Camp Highlands, but during the entire school year. Froctor, in a recent letter to me, stated that he believed the happiest years of Grandpa’s life were the last few, and this great happiness was because he could be with the boys year round. Grandpa was a member of Free Kirk [Church] of Scotland. He was also a member of the Odd Fellows and belonged to the Boston Caledonian [Scotland/Scottish] Club.
1909 - 1929, twenty consecutive summers in Camp Highlands. This is a record not exceeded in Highlands and probably by few elsewhere; and certainly in point of age during his term of service Grandpa must hold the World’s Record. Count the number of men of eighty whom you know and you will probably not need the fingers of one hand. Drop the age to seventy and the same will probably hold true. But did you ever hear of a man of eighty-nine doing a man’s job? NO.
We might write several paragraphs about Grandpa’s age, his work, his wonderful vitality, and yet we would miss the vital point, for it was Grandpa’s character and personality that endeared him. He lived an unselfish life. He always had the boys in mind. He was optimistic, never crying over ‘spilt milk’ of his own or the other’s spilling, but always happy, thinking of the brighter side of life. He was gay. Didn’t he like to dress up; didn’t he like to tilt his pipe or cigar at a rakish angle; didn’t he make gay birthday cakes? How can we ever forget them! He was ‘true’. Once his friend always his friend. All of us make mistakes and I think none of us ever escaped Grandpa’s ‘wrath’ at times. But we were always forgiven and the incident forgotten. Grandpa just couldn’t stand man or boy who was not ‘on the square’ and he was a keen judge, too. Grandpa Frew - Friend, Father, Grandpa, Efficient, Gay, Loyal, True - long may his memory and influence endure.
To be continued soon...!](Dinglebat_files/shapeimage_2.png)
The Dinglebat ran from 1914 through the beginning of the Great Depression in 1931. Above, atop Junior Hill, camper works on his Dinglebat, 1914. Several months later, the first Dinglebat was published.
The Originals. One wonders if they had any idea what they were helping get started.
The Camp Office was originally located on Junior Hill and wasn’t the Office; it was the Clubhouse. Doc rolled the building down to it’s current location in 1921! This is the oldest building still in use today built by Highlanders: 1906. Cabins 9 and 10 sit on this very spot.
Doc and Mab had three children: Mary, Margaret, and Tom. The loss of Tom meant the loss of Camp’s scion. In the words of Margaret’s daughter Barby, this was an “unbelievably tragic” moment for the Monilaw Family. There are many pictures of Tom in the Monilaw Years pages of the site.
Left: Tom ‘citified’. This is the photo used for the 1921 Dinglebat pages dedicated to Tom. Tom and a friend play horshoes on the Hill circa 1920.
Through Grandpa Frew, Camp’s collective memory goes back to the Presidency of Martin Van Buren!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_Order_of_Odd_Fellows.
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