| Wondering how it came to be called Camp Tuck-A-Basket? Here's the history behind the name. |
| The first Camp Tuck was a sleepover at the local Girl Scout Camp Tuckabatchee, in 1993. The patriarch of this event, Nancy Meyer of Ottawa, arranged for W. Jayne Stanley to each a pine needle basket at the nearby Ottawa High School. After class, everyone went out to Camp Tuckabatchee for a spaghetti dinner prepared by Nancy. Approximately 18 Land of Lincoln members slept on mattresses on the floor. |
| The second and third years of Camp Tuck followed in basically the same manner. Members would arrive on Saturday morning in time for classes, everyone bringing some type of snack to share. The two days were filled with weaving, talks of weaving, reminiscing with friends, or enjoying a walk. The camp was nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded by 150 acres of wooded hills and trails. |
| By 1995, Camp Tuck had grown enough that we needed to have TWO teachers. That year Kathy Tessler and Linda Boyle Gibson were invited to teach more than 40 members. We still followed the same basic routine: snacks, weaving, and dinner at Hanks' Restaurant. There seemed to be a pattern developing here. At this time age, aches, intelligence had prompted everyone to seek lodging at the nearest motels. Seems no one wanted to get out of bed to throw another log on the fire. |
| By March of 1996, Camp Tuck had become too large to have classes at the Tuckabatchee Lodge, so classes were moved to the Glass Workers Hall in downtown Ottawa. It was the year that Camp Tuck really went big time. Five teachers were added in order to accommodate all those wanting to participate. It was the first year that teachers or businesses could vend at this event. It was also the first time a class selection list was sent out. What a big decision to choose from, there were five classes being offered each day. That year Sue Canafax, Patti Hawkins, Mary Hettsmansberger, Sharon McElroy, and Eileen LaPorte were invited to teach. |
| In 1998, we were all back at the Glass Workers Hall, with one exception. Nancy Meyers had turned over her job to Helen Williamson and Patti Hawkins. Nancy decided she would rather winter in Florida with her husband than coordinate another Camp Tuck. |
| By 1999, "Tuck" had outgrown the Ottawa facility and we were on the move again. We moved to the Illinois Valley Banquet Center in LaSalle-Peru. It just kept getting better and better. We made a big jump and added 2 more teachers. A variety of classes ranging from willow, ash, and round reed were added. We began to have classes for beginners on up to advanced levels. |
| The years 2000 and 2001 had us returning to the LaSalle-Peru facility again, and as usual, everyone was elated at the slate of teachers being offered. The registrations for those years have neared the 100 mark. Who would have thought 7 years ago that a small gathering of members of the Land of Lincoln Basketweaving Association could evolve to such a big hit? |
| Contributed by Rose Grampp |