CLAMS - A Sig Ep Tradition

For the past several years, brother & chef Pat Marinucci has provided plenty of food at CLAMS.

On the Orgins of CLAMS

Bill LeBlanc '73 reports that the first CLAMS was around 1971 at Grafton Lake and was named by Big Al (Mortensen) '73.

Ron Brooks '71 reports that the clam bake was already a tradition in 1968 when he was a pledge and attended his first house clam bake at Thatcher Park. Ron's not sure how many alumni attended then but the brothers, pledges, and their dates had a great time. He is also fairly certain there was a clam bake in 1969 but the one in 1970 might have been skipped in part to campus unrest at the time.

Steve Litchfield '68 reports that "though CLAMS may have begun in the 70's, we had annual picnics at Thatcher Park back in the 60's - just no clams."

John Barnick '77 reports that CLAMS was usually held in March when there was a high chance of inclement weather. When John was rush/social chairman in 1975/76, he suggested that CLAMS be moved to the first Saturday after the last RPI final. John also reminisces "so besides spilling a few [beverages] on the carpets, there is my lasting mark on...Sig Ep."

Since 1976, the annual clam bake has been held on the first Saturday following the conclusion of Rensselaer's finals at at John Boyd Thatcher State Park (typically at Hailes Cave area) in Voorheesville, NY from Noon to Dusk.

Activities typically include the traditional clam bake, barbecue, softball, football, volleyball, basketball, hiking, and whatever else brothers and guests can think of.

John Boyd Thacher State Park, is situated along the Helderberg Escarpment, one of the richest fossil-bearing formations in the world. Even as it safeguards six miles of limestone cliff-face, rock-strewn slopes, woodland and open fields, the park provides a marvelous panorama of the Hudson-Mohawk Valleys and the Adirondack and Green Mountains. More information about the park can be found on New York State's Park web site at http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/

Photos

Robin Fryberger '83 & Jon Keener '84 flew in from Denver for CLAMS 2003.

Alumni & Actives square off in the traditional softball game.

View from Thatcher Park

CLAMS!