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Page Updated:
August 9, 2008
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BARB
AND AB MORROW (75,76,77,78,79,80,
81,82,83,84,85,86,87,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99)
A Quarter Century of
Service to HSR
by Katrina Angel (89-90)
 Twenty-five
years ago, Barb and Ab Morrow first came to Haliburton Scout Reserve. In
1999, they retired from working at the camp.
As many younger Alumni members
may not know, Barb was the original hire of the Morrow family. Once the
camp realized the skills Ab had to offer as a retired shop teacher, he was added to the maintenance
staff.
Barb worked as the camp nurse from 1975-1987, being known
to all as “Nursie” rather than Barb. Barb retired from the Nurse position
after 1987, but moved on to the full time job of keeping Ab in line.
Ab
worked in many different roles over the years: 1975-76 Boat repair, 1977-79
Handyman, 1980-82, 1985 Development, 1986-87 Maintenance supervisor, 1992-93
Maintenance staff, 1994 (entire summer) Volunteer, 1995-99 Ranger.
Ab was also the Ranger for Oshawa District's Camp Samac Adventure Base (further
west on the Kennaway Road) from 1988-1991.) Their son
Robb was also a member of staff in 1983. Barb and Ab have seen a lot
and contributed more in their quarter century tenure: Lakeview’s fiery
death, new and old medical centres, renovating
Pow Wow Lodge, new and old MOK shops, under-staffed
and over-staffed summers, rebuilding Kennabi Lodge from the ground up,
good friends come and some gone home. They brought with them children and
pets then later grandchildren and pets. They called HSR home. They called
the people of HSR family.
Barb and Ab have touched
the lives of many of us. An entire book of comments could be written
about Barb and Ab, but here are a few thoughts and memories:
 “Albert Morrow,
or "Abby", if Barb's around (I dare anyone else to try and call him that),
is the only man I have ever met who single handily could emit more smoke
than one of the stove-oil-drenched-camp-fires on a Friday evening.
He was also rarely seen without his chainsaw chaps tightly and safely secured,
in the box where they were stored. You will be lucky to find another
man with such a strong bond with certain wildlife at the camp. For
example: the raccoons whom Ab loved so dearly. He cared so much about
them he would even make sure they had enough lead in their diet.
And don't forget the porcupines who would go to great lengths to ensure
Ab was on the ball with the cabin repairs by chewing on the floors and
walls. Ab would repay his prickly friends by allowing them to finish
their last meal!
Honestly though, I love
Ab and Barb with all my heart. You will rarely meet a more caring, understanding
and loving couple. Ab has taught me more than 2 years of college
and a life time of curiosity. He has helped me with my hands-on skills
and helped me believe in myself. He has been, and will always be
my mentor, my teacher, my personally adopted father and a close friend.
Ab, you will be missed more than you could imagine.”
- Gordon McLean,
(95-98,00)
“Barb and Ab
have become a part of my family. I can't even think of a time when
their opinions didn't matter to me. Barb seems to have always been there
as a sounding board. She is a great listener and always is full of helpful
suggestions and stories. I truly believe "she knows all" and that there
is no fooling her. She has always pushed me harder, but that is what I
appreciate most about her. She has faith in me, so I have faith in me.
I truly believe that a great part of who I am is because of Barb and Ab's
influence on my life. I'm comforted that they will still be close by, but
saddened that they won't be resident in Bayview this summer. The camp won't
be the same without them.”
“I remember Ab
playing cards with Jack (Dobson) every night...they had a big dog that
got tied up in the swimming area line that Irene rescued. They have both
done a lot for the camp and it’s a pity to see them go.”
- Colin Sears
(74,78-93)
“Ab is a man
of few words to most and many words to a few. He is a teacher in many ways
- through the shop but also life skills. He will give anyone a chance,
for which I thank him the most. Ab and Barb are people that I am
glad to say are my friends. They are always very willing to lend that extra
hand. Without their help and advice, I do not know where I would be.”
- Andrew Gough
(95-99)
Both Ab and Barb were made Life Members of the HSR Staff
Alumni Association in recognition of their long service and dedication to the
camp. In 1996 a new Quartermaster's building was
constructed at the "main end" and was named the "Ab Shack" in Ab's honour.
| Ab and Barb sold their
house in Kettleby and purchased a home in the village of Haliburton.
In what one would have to insist is true “Ab” fashion, a large barn-like
structure, referred to as a “garage” has appeared on the south side of
the property. This is where a number of red-shirted Alumni found Ab as
they and various camp followers descended upon the Morrows on the Saturday
of Alumni weekend.
No surprise that we would
peer in and find a massive, immaculate woodworking shop already set
up and garnished with ash trays and Ab at work creating some knicks (or
knacks) for the new place.
Using Barb as a decoy, we
deftly cornered Ab in a circle of past associates and presented him with
a plaque of appreciation from Scouts Canada, Greater Toronto Region acknowledging
Ab’s years of service and contributions to the camp.
Ab, not usually known for
long-winded speeches expressed thanks for the acknowledgement and credited
Barb for keeping him in line and lending him support over the years.
All adjourned for a tour
of the new house and to wish Barb and Ab well in their new adventure. |
(Material taken from the Summer
2000 Issue No. 30 Thunderbird)
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