Nooteeming Lodge 443
By Bob Travis and Michael Kelsey

         In the Summer of 1950 Nooteeming Lodge 443 was formed as an Order of the Arrow lodge and replaced Cabala at Camp Nooteeming as a service organization. The Order of the Arrow is a service organization formed from among honored campers.

         On Sunday, August 20, 1950 Dutchess County Council Scout Executive George Darlington assisted by Deb Brown (Waterfront Director), John Stuart and William Brown of Chimalus Lodge #242 of Washington, Pennsylvania conducted the first initiation at Camp Nooteeming.

The charter members of the Lodge were:

Chief......Raymond Faigle
Vice Chief....Anson Wager
Recording Secretary....Claude Severence, III
Corresponding Secretary...Michael Miller
Treasurer........Richard Veith

Members: Edward Decker, Harry Gerth, William Luckfield,
Raymond Seamond, Donald Sharp, Orrin Thompson

Senior Advisor: Fred Trani

Associate Advisors:
Clarence Bernholz, Ralph Waterman
Robert Travis, Charles Faigle
Robert Slocum - Field Executive
George Darlinton - Supreme Chief of the Fire

         The first Charter and Constitution were drawn up by Charles Faigle, Pierre Plantinger and Robert Travis. The original Nooteeming Lodge patch was designed by Henry Fox.

         In 1951, Robert Travis became Lodge Advisor and served in this capacity for two additional years. The first Brotherhood ceremony was held on July 31, 1952 and was conducted at Camp Siwanoy in Wingdale, NY by Chappegat Lodge #15, whose totem was also the beaver.

The first Brotherhood members of the Lodge include:

In 1956, Nooteeming Lodge held its first Vigil Tap-Out and selected the following
for Order of the Arrow’s highest honor:

Scouts: John Arango Jan Narken Anson Wager
Scouters: George Darlington Donald Osterhoudt Charles Faigle

         Nooteeming Lodge 443 thrived for 46 years
completing frequent and important camp improvement
projects at Camp Nooteeming at workdays
known as “Beaver Days.” It represented Dutchess
County Council at numerous National Order of the
Arrow Conferences; hosted four Section Conclaves
(1959, 1968, 1985, 1993); and four Section
banquets (1975, 1976, 1981, 1984). In 46
years, it produced over 40 different lodge flaps,
neckerchiefs and patches including one service
award called Guttgenennen (meaning “He Who
Gives Back.”

         In October 1995, under Lodge Chief Matt Carroll, Nooteeming Lodge
conducted it’s final Vigil Selection and awarded Vigil Honor to:

Scouts: Michael Kelsey Gordon “Buddy” Cooke
Scouters: Christine Mason John Lukavic, Sr.

         In March 1996, Nooteeming Lodge 443, merged with Munsi Lodge 444
and Skanando Lodge 64 at a joint meeting held at Stewart Air Force Base to
become Nacha Nimat Lodge 86. Nacha Nimat is Leni-Lenape for “three brothers”
and symbolizes the three lodges coming together to form the newly constituted
Hudson Valley Council.

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