Wapiti Farm, North East, Maryland

Wapiti Farm, for many of us cousins it was a place full of fun and games and now fond memories. You couldn’t wait to get there as your dad navigated the tree lined driveway.  When you got to the barns and turned left you could see the mighty Elk River.  As you coasted down the hill toward the house you could see, hey the Tylers, the Beitmans, Uncle Tilky, Uncle Larry and Uncle Francis are here.  First mandatory order of business was to go say hi to your grandparents.  It was always a little scary in younger years to walk in know you were going to be interrupting Big Pop was concentrating on his pinochle game.  Hi Pop!  Then past the TV set with the Oriole game on to say, Hi Gonni!  Then it was off to the game room to get changed into your bathing suit and walk, don’t run down the stairs to the beach and swim between the jetties.  Always one of the uncles would be assigned to watching the swimmers and would have to make the occasional rescue!

Big Pop bought Wapiti near the end of World War II.  He wrote to a son in the service that he wanted a place that they could enjoy when they came home.  He had five boys who served in WW II. He wanted the whole family to have a gathering place on the water where they could enjoy each other and watch their families grow.  Grow they did until there were more than 66 cousins from eleven Uncles and ten aunts!  We needed name tags if everyone showed up.

Lots of fun times, Jeep rides on the roads in the woods with names like Little Egypt, riding in the back thinking you were going to fly out at any time.  “No Wet Bathing Suits in the House”.  Thirsty, grab a coke or an orange crush from the cooler in the garage. Ping pong games in the Annex.  Softball & baseball games on the ballfield. Boat rides on Chris Craft or the Whaler. Water skiing for some.  Chasing lightning bugs trying to catch them.  There was the doll house on the beach. The Grotto behind the garage and if you were there on Sunday morning, Gonni & Pop had their own Chapel.  Who can forget jovial and kind Edna’s fried chicken!  There was Walter the gentle but shy helper and the distinguished Lester all dressed up to drive Big Pop or Gonni wherever. There was always Uncle Mook, who’s sense of humor, kindness and generosity was always one of the main attractions for visiting Wapiti. Don’t forget, “No Wet Bathing Suits in the House”!

We were blessed to have experienced such a place and hope that as many of you as possible can join us and rekindle memories and pass on to the next generation a little bit of the gift that was Wapiti!