Three cheers for our very own checkers champion — Marcus Welby, M.D., also known as D’Artagnan.

“Hip, hip, hooray!” shouted out my close-knit companions — Joey Cartwright, Michael Painter and Henry Windsor, otherwise called Athos, Porthos and Aramis — when they each put down their plate of snacks to mimic the dancing flames while making a complete circle as part of the impromptu celebration.

My eyes lit up like a Christmas tree when I was singled out for winning top honors at a two-day, double elimination tournament earlier in the week, and received my very first trophy — a ceramic bank in the shape of a baseball player.

“What are you planning to do with your one-of-a-kind award?” asked one of my camp comrades, their eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“It’s going on our dining room display

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