A Text from Billy Madison

In the spring of 2024, Michael T got a text from Bill Madison. Billy, as he was known growing up, is the grandson of Tiny and Jo Hoff (Paul and Josephine), among the very first to build a camp on Hiawatha Lake. The stories of Mr. and Mrs. Hoff are legendary: Mrs. Hoff in her elegant white outfits, gliding across the lake in a canoe during their nightly cocktail cruises, Brian’s gleeful memories of Mr. Hoff’s remote-control boat, Aunt Mary recalls evenings by the fire at the only lakeside fire-pit.

For years, we’d told the family to let us know if they ever decided to sell. The three Hoff lots sit right next to the original property Frank & Thelma Rose purchased in 1972. The Nicoletti’s have the next lot, Uncle Garry owns the two at the end of the road, and Uncle Frankie has a batch of cabins on Hiawatha 1, it’s quite the family compound. So when Billy called to say they were ready to sell, it was an easy decision.

Since 2017, RoseCampAZ has been our escape from the summer heat and was our refuge during the pandemic. We’re excited to see what we can create in New York. Close to family, still surrounded by pines.

Continuing with the RoseCampAZ blog tradition, we’ll document the restoration of Mr. Hoff’s simple hunting camp and the creation of a new gathering place, one that honors the old guard while carving out our own story. Welcome RoseCampNY.