- Still blissed out
-- Nancy Roemer Gire,
17:16:39 07/07/03 Mon
Wow - I'm still walking about three feet over the ground... may everyone's
life contain a blessing like our reunion... I can't begin to describe the
many happinesses -- but suffice it to say that the people are it. How
wonderful to see everyone grown up (or doing their best imitation thereof).
How exciting to experience myself again as a child and teenager through
everyone's recollections -- many things I myself have forgotten... but my
husband wants to know what's with the bra on the flagpole -- he thinks he's
seen that one before...
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
Replies:
- winter -- Monica,
12:21:01 01/31/04 Sat
I just got back from a few days in California where the weather was like
spring. Greetings from Roz,Elyce and Nancy, all of us are humming along in
our adult life.
We are the elders, still it is fun to have dinner (nosh)and talk. Nancy said
it best, our connections were routed in solid fun and the judgements we made
were correct. Our friends still exist and how fun to connect!
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
- Thanksgivings -- Monica,
13:05:47 11/30/03 Sun
Thanksgivings always meant to me that winter was really coming, and of
course New Years. Steve and Marilyn and I spent several great New Years with
the crowds watching the ball drop. It was wonderful fun, with ice cold
weather and my feet solid ice, but the excitment of the crowd was over the
top. My best to all of you Monica
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
- SSC in the New Year -- Jeff
Bauml, 05:46:36 10/13/03 Mon
Yesterday while sitting in on Yom Kippur services, I listened to the list of
all who passed away over the years. At the same time I thought about all the
great experiences I had with so many of them. Before I got too melancholy, I
thought about our weekend in June and everything was put right. That magic
weekend continues to be a great elixir.
Jeff
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
- L'shana Tova/ A Sweet New Year -- Leslie
(Cooper) Fox, 11:45:37 09/26/03 Fri
Dear Stern Summer Camp Alumni and friends.
What a wonderful year this has been. It is almost precisely one year ago
that the planning began in earnest for the June reunion. Taking advantage of
the visit to Woodrock and Meadow by Barbara Eichel Gee, we contacted Meadow
and proposed the weekend of June 28th. From that point forward, it was a
labor of love for all of us.
The success of the reunion is equalled only by the glow of scenes I continue
to replay in my head from that 48hrs in June.
Thank you to all who came and brought your enthusiasm. memories and
memorabilia.
We've re-connected with old friends and made new ones.
Now, at this New Year, I wish all of you good health, good times and good
memories.
With Love,
Leslie
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
Replies:
- Our self-indulging warm & fuzzy -- Ernie,
14:21:05 08/07/03 Thu
The reunion party was self-indulgent. The post-party glow was
self-indulgent. So?? Good for us! That rare opportunity to ameliorate the
past; to time-travel,in a way, and to re-acquaint with people who were an
integral
part of our youth: Thank you for all that, Elaine, Alan, and Leslie. And
thank you, my fellow campers and counsellors (if I started naming names I
wouldn't know when to stop), for allowing me to share that weekend with you.
And if anyone should find himself or herself in this fine windy city, I
would be very happy to see you. As for who might play Lenny -- might I
suggest Joe Pesci; or for Len's calmer days, Jeff Goldblum. The problem with
making any of this into a movie, or even a documentary, is that the interest
of a movie centers around controversy or conflict -- elements that were
clearly absent during our weekend, and minimally present at camp: making for
a dull experience for "outsiders", no matter how warm & fuzzy.
Therefore, the pleasure of self-indulgence. Enjoy!
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
Replies:
- Who'd Play Lenny? -- Leslie
(Cooper) Fox, 07:19:00 08/06/03 Wed
For portrayal of Lenny in the upcoming blockbuster "To the
Flagpole" ["Tramp, Tramp, Tramp" does not make a good working
title!!] : I suggest Tobey Maguire (previously seens in 'Cider House
Rules" and currently in "Seabiscuit"). He has a boyish charm
along with the sweetness which is a lot like Lenny himself. Any other
suggestions or more imaginative title ideas?
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
- Savoring it all -- Lenny
Loewentritt, 15:06:45 08/05/03 Tue
The Wall Street Journal article was fantastic.
Could the organizers or anyone else possibly have anticipated the
now-worldwide attention that our little reunion would attract?
Elaine, Leslie and Alan must be so incredibly proud of both the personal
relationships that have been rekindled and the notoriety that our reunion
has had. This was one of the greatest weekends, and the aftermath has been
incredible.
I have been getting some wonderful comments about the Journal article,
including some from very unexpected sources:
- The Deputy Counsel to the President called that
Friday [Aug. 1] to tell me how much she enjoyed the article and
that she was just thrilled to see how much the camp meant to all of us.
She was on her way to an important meeting in the White House, but felt
she had to take the time to let me know how much she enjoyed the
article.
- Another attorney at the White House called to
tell me how thrilled she was to read about the wonderful camp
experiences that we had and the warmth of the reunion. She in fact
passed a copy of the article to all the attorneys in the White House
Counsel's office.
- I received an e-mail from the Deputy to the
Sergeant of Arms of the Senate, who said: "Well, well, well -- we
have a celebrity in our midst. Is Camp Stern in the Shawagunk Mountains
available for our next congressional conference?
- From a staffer on the Public Works Committee of
the House of Representatives, the message read: "Wow! Front page.
Great story, terrific pictures and even greater memories."
- From an attorney at the Department of the
Treasury, "What a wonderful story about your experience in the Wall
Street Journal! It was a real pleasure to read about your experiences at
the camp and the genuine pleasure that it brought to so many children.
We will have to hear some
of those songs at the next ethics conference."
- I received a call from an attorney in the Office
of the Secretary of Defense, who was so excited to see our article and
observed that he never knew anyone on the front page of the WSJ until
now and what a fabulous camp we must have gone to.
- I received an e-mail from the Commissioner of
the General Services Administration, where I work, with the very simple
message: "SMUFFY?"
- Several attorneys from the General Accounting
Office called as well to indicate how much they enjoyed reading about
our experiences.
So folks, as you can see thus far, our article has made it to the top levels
of our Government in various offices from the White House to the Department
of Defense and beyond.
Now, who should play Ellen and Gerry on the big screen version of our
reunion?
This is beyond anyone's expectations. I am amazed at the intensity of the
feelings that people had and still have for camp.
[ The message above was posted at Lenny's request by Alan, who adds: 'Now
that he brings it up, who'd play Lenny in a movie version?' Send
suggestions as replies here, if you dare! - - A.S. ]
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
Replies:
- The Eichel Sisters -- Larry
Traub, 09:38:15 08/01/03 Fri
Dear Yvonne and Barbara,
I read the article in the Wall Street Journal and saw your names. It ihas
been so many years and yet I felt like it was only yesterday that I saw you.
Please contact me and let me kow how you are doing, what has been going on
in your lives.
With my love,
Larry Traub
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
Replies:
- Front-page news -- Alan
Stamm, 05:04:58 08/01/03 Fri
Today's insightful + delightful Wall Street Journal report on the "few
careworn acres of green" that still have "a powerful hold on the
imagination" is a fitting coda to our lyrical reunion.
It's the latest confirmation that Ellen and Gerry remain present in our
lives . . . and is a fittingly prominent acknowledgment of their impact and
gifts.
Lucette Lagnado evokes the "general euphoria" with a pitch-perfect
tone. If only she had the luxury of magazine-length theme and space
flexibility, I know more of your voices and anecdotes would have been heard
. . .
. . . and readers could have learned that memorial fruit trees were planted
by two of the founders' granddaughters while three of their
great-grandchildren watched or participated.
That's a tangible example of the Buckys' living legacy, right on "the
camp site where they gathered so solemnly" -- as Lucette put it.
I know my scissors aren't the only ones clipping this fresh addition to our
SSC collections ... 'cause that place means so much to me. And I imagine
Journal coin boxes will be sold out today within a wide radius of
Gaithersburg, Md. (Yes, that's where Lenny lives.)
Quite a memorable summer so far, eh boys and girls?!
- - A l a n
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
Replies:
- Thoughts from a Pioneer -- Irv
Weiler, 17:22:57 07/25/03 Fri
When my wife, Evelyn (Neu) received that first email from Alan Stamm
sometime in January, we both naturally were 1. amazed that she was found and
2. amazed how this new adventure began to mushroom. Then as the weeks and
months passed,I became as excited as Evey that the reunion was drawing near,
which was somewhat odd since I had more vivid memories of the years starting
around 1944 when I was at Sterns Kindergarten.
Then, a few weeks before the reunion, Alan contacted me to inquire if I was
the Irving Weiler whose name appeared on that first Camp Roster of 1948 (the
year the camp opened). Indeed, I was.
For one who did not have vivid memories of my one summer at SSC, the
memories of that great weekend in late June will always be special for both
Evey and myself.
...and to cap off those memories, I now gaze at Elaine Ravitch's all camp
picture of that first year. There I am, just to the left (at eye level) of
Lilo. The proof of the pudding! It doesn't get more vivid than that.
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
- Thsnks -- Danny,
18:28:41 07/12/03 Sat
Alan et al (alias the organizers),
You did a really good thing for a lot of really good people. I never got to
thank you properly. It was beyond great! To everyone, hope to see you very
soon again.
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
- Thanks to the organizers -- Mike,
Julianne and Esty Hirsh, 23:02:16 07/11/03 Fri
Wow- just can't express my grattitude deeply enough to Leslie , Elaine and
Alan for pulling off this weekend. Seeing my childhood best friend, Ron
Stamm, and some of the kids in camp that I looked up to the most, like the
legendary "Pomerantz, Reis, A and B Meyer , and J and S Bauml, Manasse",
not to mention my favorite alltime counselors like Lenny L. and Ernie G.-
this was like a trip to Cooperstown for me. As I toil back in the fields of
Pediatric Surgery- I am writng this at 2AM awaiting a 16 y.o. stab wound
vicitm, I only wish that all kids could have had a chance to experience an
SSC in their lives.
My family and my good old camp trunk are filled with memories to last a
lifetime. Thanks for making it so special
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
Replies:
- reflections... -- bobby
meyer, 05:51:08 07/11/03 Fri
I waited a bit....looked at the pictures I took a few times...and sat back.
Thinking back to the overwhelming feeling that camp had made such an
impression on us...carried into adult life.
Now the reunion has created this booster shot effect....bolstering the
feeling that we shared a most unique time in our lives...among some of the
most incredible people....
gives new, stronger meaning to the words (which will never!!
fade)..."friends, friends, friends, we will ALWAYS be..."
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
- what a great feeling -- Monica,
13:47:44 07/09/03 Wed
I am back at work but it is so wonderful to sit back and take a few minutes
to remember last week. I am proud of all of us getting together, and it was
very wonderful. We made memories and I just feel great about seeing
everyone. We can still play together, and its nice being accepted for who we
are.
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
Replies:
- Sharing the memories -- Lenny
Loewentritt, 05:30:07 07/08/03 Tue
It is wonderful to read about the reaction that so many of us had to our
reunion. I can't stop thinking about it. I got my pictures back and every
one of us is just beaming with a smile. The Flappers look like a bunk again.
Maybe Meadow will let us rent her place and run a camp again. Nancy, did you
tell your husband that your bra broke the flag pole. Alan, I miss the weekly
updates. How about Frank pitching 2 innings of the soft ball game at age 84.
That was surreal! It was so much fun playing with my old campers, bunkmates
and counselors. Talk about a dream team!
Lenny
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
- The glow endures -- Alan Stamm, 05:04:34
07/05/03 Sat
I join this electronic embrace with reinvigorated appreciation for the
mountain magic we shared as kids and teens . . . and recaptured during three
memorable days that were fun to help coordinate. The gratitude voiced there
+ here is simply frosting on the treat we all shared -- organizers and
participants alike.
I'll send y'all a newsletter next Friday, July 11, to avoid the cold turkey
tremors so many of you flatteringly teased about. And Avi will post my
reunion essay in this community square as soon as he has time.
- - A l a n
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
- A great reunion -- Lenny
Loewentritt, 13:30:09 07/02/03 Wed
I just wanted to thank Alan, Elaine and Leslie for a fabulous weekend. For
me it was a dream come true. Seeing so many of my former bunkmates,
counselors, campers and friends from SSC brought back so many wonderful
memories. I am glad that the caring and passion for camp still remains in so
many of us. I did not want the weekend to end. I also wanted to add my
thoughts of Lilo and Sandy. They made a huge impact on camp and Lilo in
particular touched so many of us in camp as well as kindergarten. I know
that Elaine and Linda had their mom in their thoughts during the weekend as
well. Let's try to keep in touch.
Lenny
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
- SSC post-reunion note -- Elaine
Hanauer Ravich, 09:12:51 07/01/03 Tue
It was truly wonderful to be together once again after all these years.
Although it was never a big deal in camp, this weekend it was really
important for me to be Lilo’s daughter. It gave me great pleasure to hear
you recall her sense of humor and good nature. Thanks also to those of you
who shared recollections of how she had touched your lives. I know my mother
would have gotten a tremendous kick seeing us reunite - as grown-ups – at
the Nevele!
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
- SSC 2003 -- Jeff
Bauml, 07:53:03 07/01/03 Tue
What a great way to spend a weekend. Steve and I realized this was the first
time we bunked together since he went off to college too many years ago.
When I got home, the first thing I ate was a baloney sandwich, of course it
was on white bread with mustard.
Glad we could all get together.
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
- a quick thanks -- Allen
Meyer, 17:41:13 06/30/03 Mon
A quick thanks to all who organized the SSC gathering. Aside from the
obvious gratitude which goes to Alan, Elaine and Leslie, so many others
spent hours passing the word and searching for long lost SSC'rs. I am still
reeling from the weekend. But for me, it was a gift. An opportunity few get
to experience in their lifetime. More to come. (also FYI...my e-mail address
was misprinted on the sheet given out...it is AMEYERLTD@AOL.COM Love to you
all.
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
- How Wonderful it Was -- Leslie
(Cooper) Fox, 06:26:25 06/30/03 Mon
Trying to keep my mind on work, but still 'replaying' scenes from this most
wonderful weekend. Too many 'scenes' to recount -- but the sight of all our
'campers' 'scattered' over the SSC campsite -- then arrayed around the
flagpole -- such JOY! There were a lot of very happy people this
weekend..Thank you all for coming and sharing your enthusiasm and memories.
This was a 'Re-Union' in the truest sense. We re-united and celebrated all
that SSC meant to each us. Warmest regards, Leslie
[ Post a Reply to this
Message ][Edit]
- Welcome to the Stern Summer Camp Forum! -- Avi,
17:35:30 06/29/03 Sun
It was great to see everybody and what is left of the camp. Let's use this
forum to stay in touch.
Best wishes, Avi