Jean Baptiste

Raconteur

AT THE MOOSILAUKE Ravine Lodge this fall, the lodge manager once again said, "We had hoped to get C. Ross .McKenney to speak to us, but he hasn't shown up. Instead he has sent his friend, Jean Baptiste, to pinch-hit for him." A man appeared in a checked wool hat, woods pants, and a plaid shirt, and apologized in broken Frnech-Canadian Englilsh. "Sum-uv-eh-gun, sometimes I gonna kill my friend Ross McKenne. He Say to me Baptiste you have to go. I promise t'ern I speak. So Baptiste, he come, but jene sais pas pourquoi. His proceeded to spin tales from the north- country, mixing humor and woods lore and philosophy in at'ick French- Canaidan accent, initiating a new class of students in a uniquely Dartmouth rite of passage.

By the time woodcraft advisor C. Ross McKenney stopped making appearances in 1971, his Jean Baptiste fused to let the stories die. Lately the torch has burned brightest through Tom Burack '82, who make the trip to Moosilauke this fall as he has every year since he graduated. He looked out at the newest members of the Dartthing far deeper than a story: "Sum-uv-eh-gun, I t'ink I tell you about the time Baptiste he break his leg..."

Legendary woodcraft advisor Ross McKermey (left) introduced us to Jean Baptiste. Tom Burack '82 spins the yarns today.