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Fallhall Glen

How-about that Tuesday morning, January 19th!
Wow, what a wake up sight greeted and pleased us in the Pine-Hill area and much of Manchester Township.  The blast of cold in minus figures had chilled the night and all that grows around us; then rolled in the fog and everything it touched became sculpture
in frost.  This was not just the gentle brush-stroke of Jack Frost glazing surfaces and obscuring windows, nor was it the heavy aftermath of an ice storm; virtually every twig,
leaf, pine needle branch, trunk, bush, dried grass straw, fence and fencepost were
encased in a very fine coating of spectacular white frost, even undersides.  The
whitened landscape was transformed into lace and drypoint etchings for our enjoyment.
 
I was out without a camera but hope someone was alert and will send to this websight
some of the images they captured.
 
Our Wisconsin weather is a constantly changing and sometimes surprisingly beautiful
reminder of God's creative power, wisdom and strength, all to our blessing and all for
his pleasure.
 
LeRoy Latham
Operations Manager WCYC 

FALLHALL GLEN is the 450 acre site of WCYC The Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp

 

Fallhall Glen occupies land rich in nature's resources and the legacy of many people. It straddles the picturesque Robinson Creek with its tannin colored water, its dramatic falls and majestic White Pines. The wildflowers that bloom here include some exotics and spring up along roadsides, creek banks, meadows and shady forest floors. From the historical settlers like David Robinson 1817 and the Winnebagok and Hochungra long before, to the developers like J.B. and Maudeline Hall that ran a fishing resort they named Fallhall Glen, to the Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp that purchased the 382 acres from Maudeline in 1961, Fallhall Glen with it's falls and walking trails has received more than a few generations of families from all over the Midwest. The property has been expanded through some very generous donors of Black River Falls that have also played a significant role in the conservation of the original log cabins, the establishment of a 65 acre prairie restoration project, the expansion of facilities including a large assembly building and a large bathhouse. Since 1961 WCYC has made efforts to serve the Black River Falls area and specifically the residents of this Manchester Township. The first annual Pine Hill Picnic was hosted on the camp Ballfield. Some have told us of having chicken dinners served by Maudeline and her staff that earned Fallhall Glen an honored spot in The Ford Treasury of Good Eateries and Duncan Heinz book of favorite recipes. During the 30's, 40's and 50's the guest book included the names of Helen Steiner Rice, Charles and Mrs. Lindbergh, Dwight Eisenhower, Gregory Peck, to name a few. And of course many families that grew up in Manchester Township. The Ladies of the BRF Tuesday Club held their May meeting annually in the Fallhall Glen Lodge. Since 1993 The Latham family, LeRoy and JoAnn along with the help of four sons: Jeff, Dan, Tim and Wes have been Caretakers / Operations Managers for the organization and are now seeing grandchildren ‘come to camp'. The coming to camp is also something that many of our neighbors and their children have done. If you would like to visit, or picnic or rent part of the facility, please call us at 284-2979 or e-mail fallhallglen@yahoo.com.

You can turn off of highway 27 about 7 miles south of Black River Falls and enter an area that is immune to the ravages of time. There is a wayside at the corner of 27 and Fallhall road with a historical marker attributed to Martin Torkelson. He was born in Jackson County and served the State of Wisconsin for more than fifty years. He was a pioneer in the development for both land and air transportation. Down the road a bit is the Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp (WCYC) where children from all over the country gather every year for summer camp. With healthy food, activities and teachings this organization has become one of Manchester Townships greatest resources. Robinson Creek cut the glen and provides a set of falls that hold some of the best brown trout fishing in the country.

 

 

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