OMG! Here it is, January! Time for the Camp Reunion! Yayyyy!!! This was one of the most anticipated post camp events for a variety of reasons. The obvious one being that in a world without cell phones, e-mail, twitter, and IM's, we got to reconnect with girls we hadn't seen or heard from in nearly six months. From the directors standpoint, the Reunion was a very strategic way to drum up enthusiasm and enrollment for the upcoming summer. And it worked!
So, here it was, the dead of winter, and on the appropriate Saturday, we put on our "party dresses", our nice coats and took the train to Penn Station. The Reunions were usually held in one of the large ballrooms at the Statler Hilton hotel in Manhattan, which was conveniently located almost directly across the street from the station. From my point of view, we never got there quickly enough! Here's how I remember it:
The elevator doors would open to a receiving area, where staff would be sitting to greet you, and hand you the coveted large brown envelope! This envelope contained the following: If you had just completed your first summer, you received one half of your CL pillow. (A rectangular piece of green felt that you would sew onto the back and front of a decorative pillow. The second half would come the following year.) Also, in the envelope were green felt circles that were the "awards" that you received during the Camp Banquet. The goal would be to sew these awards each year onto your pillow, and bring the pillow with you to Camp the following summer. Campers who returned for 4 and 5 years got special "CL" emblems. It was quite the big deal. I still have mine!
Anyway, getting back to Reunion....The next thing I remember was the sound of screaming, as nearly 100 hyper-excited girls greeted each other. (If any of you out there recall specifics, please jump in!)
There was always some sort of "formal" greeting given by the directors. Perhaps a slide show /moviet? I think trophies and team officer gifts were also distributed. We, of course, sang Camp Songs. Cookies and ice cream were served... And the time always went by way too fast. Again, there were tearful good-byes. But, we would take the train back home knowing that in just five months, we would once again be "high upon that lone and lofty mountain top...."
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Epi(b)log
"Father Time is a crafty man" indeed...I started this project to commemorate what I thought was a strange confluence of timing: two 50 year anniveraries relating to my summers at Camp Lenore. I knew I wanted to put something in writing. Somewhere. Prior to July 1, 2009, I had never even been to a blog before. But, then prior to July 1, 1959, I had never been to Camp Lenore before, either...As it turned out, each were new experiences that proved to be transformative.
In what was one of a series of coincidences, Ray Smith, a former waterfront counselor, contacted me through Facebook with the news that he (the only guy in an all-girls camp) had started a Camp Lenore group. What fun to reconnect with former campers and swap stories! Clearly, this was a touchstone. The fact that there was so much joy and excitement in our reminiscences encouraged me to take the plunge into the blogosphere.
So, here I was, committed to writing what had existed mostly in memory. And, after 50 years, memory isn't always reliable. Enter the "Lenorlog." Sometime after 1967, I was ambitious and nostalgic enough to make a scrapbook of my Lenore years, which included photos, memorabilia and ten Lenorlogs.
Those camper-edited journals offerd an amazing window into our lives at Lenore during a much simpler time. Each entry I read, evoked a new memory. Each name conjured up a picture of a girl's face, frozen in time. Like the lyric of "The Ashgrove": "The friends of my childhood, again are before me..."
Then there were the faces of friends in my photos: A picture of my bunkmate, Nancy Katzman, from 1964, her hair wrapped in gigantic rollers (No flat irons for us!) Or, from 1967, a shot of an adorable red-head, Lianne Weiss from Bunk1, the youngest camper that year. She would be 48 now!
This has been quite the trip down our memory Lane (Campus, Hill and Valley, too!). And I hope that it can continue. (Don't forget the Reunion!) Thanks to all who commented and/or followed this, and especially to the inimitable Nancy Kaye for filling in my memory lapses.
It has been 92 summers since Camp Lenore first opened its gates. I can think of no better way to close them than with the words of the woman who started it all: Mrs. Spec.
..."We felt and believed that camp was a wonderful opportunity for exposing our children to the beauty, not the names, of trees and stars, to good music, to good, interesting dramatics, to music and poetry. But most important, we felt that camp provided the opportunity to live together, to be concerned about those with whom you lived, to be understanding and sympathetic, to be aware of how others feel, to realize that to have a friend, you must be a friend....We meet frequently former campers who tell us of the influence Camp Lenore has had on their lives, due to the belief and conviction of the Directors that every one has some ability, some quality to give her a feeling of security, of being of value, and it was our task to discover it and bring it out..."
Camp Lenore may now just be a group on Facebook. But, I believe all of us, (whether writing or reading about it) are the legacy of those convictions.
So, here's to coincidences, and anniversaries,,,(Believe it or not, today happens to be my wedding anniversary, too!)
But, most of all, Here's to thee, Oh Camp Lenore!
In what was one of a series of coincidences, Ray Smith, a former waterfront counselor, contacted me through Facebook with the news that he (the only guy in an all-girls camp) had started a Camp Lenore group. What fun to reconnect with former campers and swap stories! Clearly, this was a touchstone. The fact that there was so much joy and excitement in our reminiscences encouraged me to take the plunge into the blogosphere.
So, here I was, committed to writing what had existed mostly in memory. And, after 50 years, memory isn't always reliable. Enter the "Lenorlog." Sometime after 1967, I was ambitious and nostalgic enough to make a scrapbook of my Lenore years, which included photos, memorabilia and ten Lenorlogs.
Those camper-edited journals offerd an amazing window into our lives at Lenore during a much simpler time. Each entry I read, evoked a new memory. Each name conjured up a picture of a girl's face, frozen in time. Like the lyric of "The Ashgrove": "The friends of my childhood, again are before me..."
Then there were the faces of friends in my photos: A picture of my bunkmate, Nancy Katzman, from 1964, her hair wrapped in gigantic rollers (No flat irons for us!) Or, from 1967, a shot of an adorable red-head, Lianne Weiss from Bunk1, the youngest camper that year. She would be 48 now!
This has been quite the trip down our memory Lane (Campus, Hill and Valley, too!). And I hope that it can continue. (Don't forget the Reunion!) Thanks to all who commented and/or followed this, and especially to the inimitable Nancy Kaye for filling in my memory lapses.
It has been 92 summers since Camp Lenore first opened its gates. I can think of no better way to close them than with the words of the woman who started it all: Mrs. Spec.
..."We felt and believed that camp was a wonderful opportunity for exposing our children to the beauty, not the names, of trees and stars, to good music, to good, interesting dramatics, to music and poetry. But most important, we felt that camp provided the opportunity to live together, to be concerned about those with whom you lived, to be understanding and sympathetic, to be aware of how others feel, to realize that to have a friend, you must be a friend....We meet frequently former campers who tell us of the influence Camp Lenore has had on their lives, due to the belief and conviction of the Directors that every one has some ability, some quality to give her a feeling of security, of being of value, and it was our task to discover it and bring it out..."
Camp Lenore may now just be a group on Facebook. But, I believe all of us, (whether writing or reading about it) are the legacy of those convictions.
So, here's to coincidences, and anniversaries,,,(Believe it or not, today happens to be my wedding anniversary, too!)
But, most of all, Here's to thee, Oh Camp Lenore!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wednesday, Augus 26- The Last Day
Scratch. The last reveille of 1959 would have us jumping, shivering out of our beds, with both excitement and chills. (If camp had lasted a day longer, we would have needed our winter coats...) The only items left in our cubbies were our traveling outfits, which we needed no encouragement to put on. Next, we stripped our cots, and packed the bedding into our duffles. This all was done in a matter of minutes, and was probably the fastest any of us ever moved all summer long. The last "warning"...The last "soupee." The last grace... Breakfast was always a little more subdued on the last day of camp. (But no less nutritious!) I'm sure there were last minute announcements and final "farewells" from the Directors. After our meal, we headed back to our bunks for final clean-up, And we couldn't slack on this, even if it was the last day of camp. All our floors were clear of dust bunnies before we left. I'm not sure if Bobby came by for a "final inspection." But, it wouldn't surprise me at all if she did.
A short time later, the buses arrived to take us to the train station, for our trip back home.* Last hugs to friends, counselors...Last looks. More tears. As the buses pulled away, we all started singing, "Here We Are" one more time, all of us waving to the Directors and staff through the bus windows. Down the tree-lined road and through the narrow stone gate, we kept singing. Most of us, already planning for our next summer at Lenore.
*(By 1962, Lenore had switched from trains to "motor coaches" for our trips to and from camp. No doubt for cost and convenience. Our buses left from the Roosevelt Field shopping center, on Long Island)
A short time later, the buses arrived to take us to the train station, for our trip back home.* Last hugs to friends, counselors...Last looks. More tears. As the buses pulled away, we all started singing, "Here We Are" one more time, all of us waving to the Directors and staff through the bus windows. Down the tree-lined road and through the narrow stone gate, we kept singing. Most of us, already planning for our next summer at Lenore.
*(By 1962, Lenore had switched from trains to "motor coaches" for our trips to and from camp. No doubt for cost and convenience. Our buses left from the Roosevelt Field shopping center, on Long Island)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Tuesday, August 25- Final Campfire
Since this was the last full day of camp, things were fairly unstructured. We spent most of it packing our trunks and duffle bags, and wondering how the clothes that came out of them so easily in July had suddenly become so difficult to get back in in August. (I swore that they somehow expanded...) Any free time was mostly devoted to getting signatures for our autograph books and Lenore photo albums. Whatever we did during the day, was simply marking time until our evening's culminating activity, The Final Campfire. After dinner, as the sun was setting, the entire camp would walk in a candle-lit procession, down to the lakefront. At sunset, the lake and waterfront took on an entirely different look. As the light faded, we'd listen to the Head Counselors and Directors reminisce about the past eight weeks, and of course, we'd sing; "Each campfire lights anew...", "Father Time"..."Camp Lenore, We Will Miss You..." With each song, the sniffling and sobbing would increase.
Now, I'm not sure which came first, but I do remember that campers would take their candles, (somehow affixed to small, floatable containers), and then launch them into the lake, along with our wishes to return for the following year. Watching our little flotilla of lights head off into the darkness was a beautiful coda to our summer. Then, at some point, we'd all sing, "1-9-5-9 at Camp Lenore." With this, counselors stationed in rowboats out in the lake would ignite a large, flammable representation of the numbers "1959." We all stood in awe and watched as the numbers burned brightly and then gradually faded to black, just as our summer had. It was truly magical. (Until I found out that those ephemeral, burning numbers were made up of women's sanitary napkins, soaked in gasoline.)
And then came the mother of all sob songs, which we'd sing with our arms around each other, swaying with tear-soaked faces:
"Remember the times we've had here.
Remember when you're away.
Remember the friends you've made here,
And don't forget to come back someday.
Remember the hills and woodlands,
The skies of heavenly blue.
For you, girls, belong to Lenore
And Lenore belongs to you."
With the last of our songs complete, we'd head back up the hill in near silence and take the sad walk back to our bunks, our flashlights dancing off the dark foliage like fireflies...
And waiting for us, would be milk and cookies.
Now, I'm not sure which came first, but I do remember that campers would take their candles, (somehow affixed to small, floatable containers), and then launch them into the lake, along with our wishes to return for the following year. Watching our little flotilla of lights head off into the darkness was a beautiful coda to our summer. Then, at some point, we'd all sing, "1-9-5-9 at Camp Lenore." With this, counselors stationed in rowboats out in the lake would ignite a large, flammable representation of the numbers "1959." We all stood in awe and watched as the numbers burned brightly and then gradually faded to black, just as our summer had. It was truly magical. (Until I found out that those ephemeral, burning numbers were made up of women's sanitary napkins, soaked in gasoline.)
And then came the mother of all sob songs, which we'd sing with our arms around each other, swaying with tear-soaked faces:
"Remember the times we've had here.
Remember when you're away.
Remember the friends you've made here,
And don't forget to come back someday.
Remember the hills and woodlands,
The skies of heavenly blue.
For you, girls, belong to Lenore
And Lenore belongs to you."
With the last of our songs complete, we'd head back up the hill in near silence and take the sad walk back to our bunks, our flashlights dancing off the dark foliage like fireflies...
And waiting for us, would be milk and cookies.
Two More for the Record-Songs we may have missed
Just in case anyone's been "keeping score" of the songs I've mentioned in past entries...there are two that I'm including here that for me, represent two extremes. One, "Oh Camp Lenore" was an "old standard" (sung to the tune of "A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody). Classic, Simple. Sentimental. I know it was sung at many of our final events, but I show no record of it in my Lenorlog programs. Here it is:
"Oh Camp Lenore, we sing to you once more
Our voices hushed in awe.
Ring out the praise of the glorious days.
We're true to you, saluting you,
A tribute as of yore.
Oh Camp Lenore, we sing to you again.
In each heart this refrain:
We will leave you and then, come back again.
It's not "farewell" we sing, but "Auf Wiedersehen."
The second, "The Spirit of Lenore", was a relative new-comer to our songbook. It first officially appeared in the 1960 Lenorlog Banquet edition. (No record of it in 1959. I believe we learned it on one of our outings, and upon our return, shared it with the rest of the camp.) Out of all the songs we sang, "The Spirit of Lenore" was my least favorite. Here's why:
1) It was ridiculously long, and took forever to learn and teach.
2) I totally disagreed with its premise: the idea being, Lenore had no spirit, so we literally needed hammers, beams and cables to create it.
3) It had no real ending, and it didn't really make sense. ("to keep Camp Lenore on high?')
4) It changed meters at least 4 times, making it really difficult to song-lead to. (And wouldn't you know I, along with Linda Schwartz, Denise Field and Cindy Steiner had to lead it at the Banquet in 1966. Ugh.)
5) Did I mention how long it was?
At any rate, lest anyone accuse me of the "sin of omission" here it is:
"On top of a peak our camp was built, Lenore was its name.
The architecture could not be surpassed, it brought us to building fame.
Soon our camp was completed, but something was still to be found:
Our camp was in need of spirit, so we picked up our hammers and started to pound!
We built the spirit of Lenore, and never will we let it die.
This thing we instilled only we could build.
So firm, so solid so tall!
Other builders were set to this task, but try as they may they all failed.
They didn't have the drive to keep camp alive, they didn't know what it entailed.
Bang went the hammers! Buzz went the saws! Our scaffolds they zoomed to the sky!
With beams and with cables, we knew we were able to construct a sight for anyone's eyes!
We built the spirit of Lenore, and never will we let it die.
So, watch us go, and forever you'll know
To keep Camp Lenore on high.
To keep Camp Lenore on high.
Yuk. At any rate, you be the judge...
"Oh Camp Lenore, we sing to you once more
Our voices hushed in awe.
Ring out the praise of the glorious days.
We're true to you, saluting you,
A tribute as of yore.
Oh Camp Lenore, we sing to you again.
In each heart this refrain:
We will leave you and then, come back again.
It's not "farewell" we sing, but "Auf Wiedersehen."
The second, "The Spirit of Lenore", was a relative new-comer to our songbook. It first officially appeared in the 1960 Lenorlog Banquet edition. (No record of it in 1959. I believe we learned it on one of our outings, and upon our return, shared it with the rest of the camp.) Out of all the songs we sang, "The Spirit of Lenore" was my least favorite. Here's why:
1) It was ridiculously long, and took forever to learn and teach.
2) I totally disagreed with its premise: the idea being, Lenore had no spirit, so we literally needed hammers, beams and cables to create it.
3) It had no real ending, and it didn't really make sense. ("to keep Camp Lenore on high?')
4) It changed meters at least 4 times, making it really difficult to song-lead to. (And wouldn't you know I, along with Linda Schwartz, Denise Field and Cindy Steiner had to lead it at the Banquet in 1966. Ugh.)
5) Did I mention how long it was?
At any rate, lest anyone accuse me of the "sin of omission" here it is:
"On top of a peak our camp was built, Lenore was its name.
The architecture could not be surpassed, it brought us to building fame.
Soon our camp was completed, but something was still to be found:
Our camp was in need of spirit, so we picked up our hammers and started to pound!
We built the spirit of Lenore, and never will we let it die.
This thing we instilled only we could build.
So firm, so solid so tall!
Other builders were set to this task, but try as they may they all failed.
They didn't have the drive to keep camp alive, they didn't know what it entailed.
Bang went the hammers! Buzz went the saws! Our scaffolds they zoomed to the sky!
With beams and with cables, we knew we were able to construct a sight for anyone's eyes!
We built the spirit of Lenore, and never will we let it die.
So, watch us go, and forever you'll know
To keep Camp Lenore on high.
To keep Camp Lenore on high.
Yuk. At any rate, you be the judge...
Monday, August 24, 2009
August 24- The Big Banquet Blog!
The reality of camp ending was most likely punctuated by the arrival of our trunks and duffle bags-- a most depressing event. We still were involved in activities, but one of the notable sights was the pile of evergreen garlands outside the Dining Hall that were to be used for decoration for tonight's Final Banquet. We had been rehearsing many of the special songs all week. So, I am going to fast forward to this evening's activities, and enumerate as many as I can according to the agenda in the Banquet edition of the Lenorlog...
First, I believe we wore all white (or at least our camp uniform)... And we Inters would have entered the Dining Hall to see a lovely transformation: The pine garlands adorned the walls around us, and the tables were arranged for our bunks with table cloths (and perhaps other decorations, (like flowers? candles?) Of course, the Banquet edition of the Lenorlog would be at each of our places to record all the awards... Nancy Kaye would most likely have been playing the piano, We would then all stand as the Seniors marched in singing "Here's to Thee", led by Judy Lager and Alice Shapiro. (In 1962, I would have this honor.)
We then were seated, and sang: "Halls are Decked with Flowers" This was one of my favorite Banquet songs because it had really pretty harmony, In 1959, it was led by Ann Cappell and Sue Dickes; (My sister had the honor of leading this in 1967.)
"Halls are decked with flowers,
Spruce and pearly bowers.
Twined in joyous hours, linked with friendships firm.
Candles blending rays...
Eyes with brilliance blaze...
Voices echoing praise..
Excitement tense and high.
Soft now, all is ending.
All our thoughts are tending
Toward past visions sending
Dreams of you, Lenore."
In all likelihood, there was some sort of general welcome provided by one of the Directors. But, ultimately, it was Mrs. Spec who would preside over the night's activities.
Dinner was then served. The Banquet menu in 1959 was as follows:
Fresh fruit cup
Consomme with dumplings (weren't we fancy?0
Roast Turkey with stuffing
Swee Potato Rosette
Peas and Carrots (Good thing I wasn't at Bobby's table...)
Lettuce and tomato salad
Celery, Carrot sticks, Pickles (served in a relish tray...)
Rolls and Butter
Furst Pukler (What on earth was that? Sherbet maybe?)
Petites Fours (Albert would not disappoint!)
Punch
Nuts, candies, mints
Coincidentally, my last year at camp featured almost the identical menu. The only difference being, asparagus was smartly substituted for the peas, ice cream was listed instead of the "furst pukler", and "Albert's Fancy Cookies' made an appearance.
During little breaks in our meal service we would also sing:
"Father Time" (led by Patsy Goldstein and Bernice Rosenblum) Sure to start some sniffling...
Then Stacy Caplow and Joanne Witty led us in singing "1-9-5-9" (slightly louder sniffling...) (I had the privilege of leading this the following year.)
Next, we sang "High Upon..." led by Kris Camitta and Nan Prussack.
This last song provided some respite from the building torrent of tears.
In subsequent years, other songs might appear:
"From the green mountaintops to the shoreline of our lake,
we'll remember all the days we spent with you.
And as long winters pass us by,
Mem'ries will never die,
Summers of sportsmanship true.
And as camping days will pass,
Friends we made here still will last,
Though the times we get together are so few.
We'll recall all the days spent here,
Joys lasting through the years,
So, Lenore, we sing to you!"
Then Mrs. Spec asked Bobby to read the Inter Honor awards. These awards were given to campers in different major categories, and if your name was called, you stood up. (At the reunion, you would receive a felt circle with a picture of that speciality for you to sew on your Camp Lenore pillow...) After that, Mrs. Spec asked Bobby to read the name of this year's Best Inter Athlete.
The honor went to Abigail Fain. (Who was the niece of one of our neighbors in New York)
Zulie Lerner presented Abby with an impressive loving cup for her accomplishment.
We then sang, "We're from Camp Lenore." (Led by Julie Marsh and Lois Stalford)
Then, Mrs. Spec asked Sandy and the Senior counselors to read the Senior honor awards. Next, Sandy announced the best Senior Athlete. I didn't write down the name of the winner, but by all accounts, it should have been either Ronnie Durchlag or Bobbie Rosenheim. After the presenting of the loving cup to the winner, the Seniors sang "Marianina", led by "Ducky," our music director. All of this excitment must have been exhausting because there was actually an Intermission.
After our break, the Inters all got up and sang the rollicking tune, "Buy My Tortillas!", led by "Ducky" ( I have no recollection of this at all...) To contrast, In 1967, my last year at Lenore, our songs were led by "Scotty", and featured, 'Puff the Magic Dragon", "Exodus" and 'Everybody loves Saturday Night!")
Then, the moment we Inters had all been waiting for: Mrs. Spec asked Bobby to announced the Inter team points and winning captain. She went through every game score...Finally, she said: "And the winning team is the WHITE TEAM!" Just imagine close to 50 girls shrieking in happiness, and another 50 starting to tear up, and all of us rushing to our captains. The captains then had to extricate themselves so Marty Zamore could present Nora Roberts with her trophy.
In later years, the announcement of the winning teams were a little later in the program, with more singing and no intermission.
In 1965,66, and 67, "Oh Camp of Beauty" and "Oh Camp Lenore, We Will Miss You" made an appearance in the Banquet program...The latter being one of the "sob songs" that could induce a flood of tears with its very first phrase...
"Oh Camp Lenore we will miss you,
For we've grown a part of you.
And this feeling that is stealing
Over us is nothing new.
After eight weeks of friendship
After eight weeks of grand times,
Our hearts are heavy, campers truly,
Now the time has come for parting,
We will miss you til next July!"
After the Inters had their moment in the spotlight, it was the Seniors' turn. But, this was obviously a much bigger deal. Sandy read off the points, and... amazingly, It was a tie! This was unprecedented. The room went wild, with both teams jumping up and down screaming and crying at the same time. It was absolute bedlam. All the Seniors rushed to their respective captains, and then each team sang a special thank you song to them This never failed to elicit sobbing from all sides. But, this year, which was so unusual, most likely produced tears of joy.
After the captains accepted their awards, Susan Gross and Gae Ellen Zamore presented the gifts to the team officers and the Camp gift to the Directors. In this instance, Milton Schulman accepted the gift and spoke.
Following this, the choir, led by Ducky, sang "Seat thyself my Dearest Heart." (Again, another obscure song of which I have no recollection)
Now it was time for the Campus Honor Roll to be announced. This marked a part of the Banquet's tradition that was only repeated for one more year: Scroll- an honor whereby certain campers, who distinguished themselves over the summer, were recognized for their contributions by having their names inscribed on a parchment that was displayed...somewhere. It was such a big deal, there were girls who were given honorable mention in addition to the girls who actually achieved the honor. They were asked to stand in front of the whole audience.
This process was repeated for the Seniors, with Hill Honor Roll, Honorable Mention and Senior Scroll awardees.
Then, Mrs. Spec asked the four team captains to come up for a special candle-lighting ceremony, where they lit the candles of "Faith, Truth, Love and Knowledge."
The Council Presidents lit the candle of "Health"
Mrs. Spec then announced the name of "The Best Inter Camper", and she was invited to light the candle of "Beauty."
The highest Honor, "Best Lenorite" was announced. This was a camper who embodied the virtues of sportsmanship, kindness and athleticism (think Billie Jean King meets Golda Meir) and she then lit the candle of 'Service."
The Trio from Music Hour and Ducky led us in the following anthems: (Special thanks to Nancy Kaye, who graciously supplied me with the lyrics where needed)
"Faith, Truth and Love, Knowledge, Health and Beauty.
To higher service, now we dedicate.
Til our ideals shall reign o'er all victorious
And Light of Service, guide us on our way."
"Hail, comrade,in light arrayed
This garland bright will never fade
Hail guardian of the sacred flame
To thee we bring Lenore's proud high acclaim!"
After 1960, the Scroll tradition and its associated anthems were discontinued, along with "Best Inter Camper" and "Best Lenorite." Perhaps they seemed too exclusionary, or archaic (even for Lenore. ) However, the candle-lighting ceremony remained with some new candles. By 1967, the candles were: Faith, Truth, Service, Friendship, Sportsmanship, and Appreciation. Irv Golob, Lenore’s director, lit the candle of Unity.
This last anthem marked the Banquet's closure. In subsequent years, other songs were substituted. As a final act, the Seniors then collected the garlands that were on the walls and exited the Dining Room, followed by the Inters. The garlands then were burned in a magnificent, fragrant bonfire in front of the Dining Room. We all stood around it, our arms around each other singing and sobbing. And though this was the end of the Banquet, we knew that tomorrow night was the real capper: The Final Campfire. There were still more tears to be shed,
First, I believe we wore all white (or at least our camp uniform)... And we Inters would have entered the Dining Hall to see a lovely transformation: The pine garlands adorned the walls around us, and the tables were arranged for our bunks with table cloths (and perhaps other decorations, (like flowers? candles?) Of course, the Banquet edition of the Lenorlog would be at each of our places to record all the awards... Nancy Kaye would most likely have been playing the piano, We would then all stand as the Seniors marched in singing "Here's to Thee", led by Judy Lager and Alice Shapiro. (In 1962, I would have this honor.)
We then were seated, and sang: "Halls are Decked with Flowers" This was one of my favorite Banquet songs because it had really pretty harmony, In 1959, it was led by Ann Cappell and Sue Dickes; (My sister had the honor of leading this in 1967.)
"Halls are decked with flowers,
Spruce and pearly bowers.
Twined in joyous hours, linked with friendships firm.
Candles blending rays...
Eyes with brilliance blaze...
Voices echoing praise..
Excitement tense and high.
Soft now, all is ending.
All our thoughts are tending
Toward past visions sending
Dreams of you, Lenore."
In all likelihood, there was some sort of general welcome provided by one of the Directors. But, ultimately, it was Mrs. Spec who would preside over the night's activities.
Dinner was then served. The Banquet menu in 1959 was as follows:
Fresh fruit cup
Consomme with dumplings (weren't we fancy?0
Roast Turkey with stuffing
Swee Potato Rosette
Peas and Carrots (Good thing I wasn't at Bobby's table...)
Lettuce and tomato salad
Celery, Carrot sticks, Pickles (served in a relish tray...)
Rolls and Butter
Furst Pukler (What on earth was that? Sherbet maybe?)
Petites Fours (Albert would not disappoint!)
Punch
Nuts, candies, mints
Coincidentally, my last year at camp featured almost the identical menu. The only difference being, asparagus was smartly substituted for the peas, ice cream was listed instead of the "furst pukler", and "Albert's Fancy Cookies' made an appearance.
During little breaks in our meal service we would also sing:
"Father Time" (led by Patsy Goldstein and Bernice Rosenblum) Sure to start some sniffling...
Then Stacy Caplow and Joanne Witty led us in singing "1-9-5-9" (slightly louder sniffling...) (I had the privilege of leading this the following year.)
Next, we sang "High Upon..." led by Kris Camitta and Nan Prussack.
This last song provided some respite from the building torrent of tears.
In subsequent years, other songs might appear:
"From the green mountaintops to the shoreline of our lake,
we'll remember all the days we spent with you.
And as long winters pass us by,
Mem'ries will never die,
Summers of sportsmanship true.
And as camping days will pass,
Friends we made here still will last,
Though the times we get together are so few.
We'll recall all the days spent here,
Joys lasting through the years,
So, Lenore, we sing to you!"
Then Mrs. Spec asked Bobby to read the Inter Honor awards. These awards were given to campers in different major categories, and if your name was called, you stood up. (At the reunion, you would receive a felt circle with a picture of that speciality for you to sew on your Camp Lenore pillow...) After that, Mrs. Spec asked Bobby to read the name of this year's Best Inter Athlete.
The honor went to Abigail Fain. (Who was the niece of one of our neighbors in New York)
Zulie Lerner presented Abby with an impressive loving cup for her accomplishment.
We then sang, "We're from Camp Lenore." (Led by Julie Marsh and Lois Stalford)
Then, Mrs. Spec asked Sandy and the Senior counselors to read the Senior honor awards. Next, Sandy announced the best Senior Athlete. I didn't write down the name of the winner, but by all accounts, it should have been either Ronnie Durchlag or Bobbie Rosenheim. After the presenting of the loving cup to the winner, the Seniors sang "Marianina", led by "Ducky," our music director. All of this excitment must have been exhausting because there was actually an Intermission.
After our break, the Inters all got up and sang the rollicking tune, "Buy My Tortillas!", led by "Ducky" ( I have no recollection of this at all...) To contrast, In 1967, my last year at Lenore, our songs were led by "Scotty", and featured, 'Puff the Magic Dragon", "Exodus" and 'Everybody loves Saturday Night!")
Then, the moment we Inters had all been waiting for: Mrs. Spec asked Bobby to announced the Inter team points and winning captain. She went through every game score...Finally, she said: "And the winning team is the WHITE TEAM!" Just imagine close to 50 girls shrieking in happiness, and another 50 starting to tear up, and all of us rushing to our captains. The captains then had to extricate themselves so Marty Zamore could present Nora Roberts with her trophy.
In later years, the announcement of the winning teams were a little later in the program, with more singing and no intermission.
In 1965,66, and 67, "Oh Camp of Beauty" and "Oh Camp Lenore, We Will Miss You" made an appearance in the Banquet program...The latter being one of the "sob songs" that could induce a flood of tears with its very first phrase...
"Oh Camp Lenore we will miss you,
For we've grown a part of you.
And this feeling that is stealing
Over us is nothing new.
After eight weeks of friendship
After eight weeks of grand times,
Our hearts are heavy, campers truly,
Now the time has come for parting,
We will miss you til next July!"
After the Inters had their moment in the spotlight, it was the Seniors' turn. But, this was obviously a much bigger deal. Sandy read off the points, and... amazingly, It was a tie! This was unprecedented. The room went wild, with both teams jumping up and down screaming and crying at the same time. It was absolute bedlam. All the Seniors rushed to their respective captains, and then each team sang a special thank you song to them This never failed to elicit sobbing from all sides. But, this year, which was so unusual, most likely produced tears of joy.
After the captains accepted their awards, Susan Gross and Gae Ellen Zamore presented the gifts to the team officers and the Camp gift to the Directors. In this instance, Milton Schulman accepted the gift and spoke.
Following this, the choir, led by Ducky, sang "Seat thyself my Dearest Heart." (Again, another obscure song of which I have no recollection)
Now it was time for the Campus Honor Roll to be announced. This marked a part of the Banquet's tradition that was only repeated for one more year: Scroll- an honor whereby certain campers, who distinguished themselves over the summer, were recognized for their contributions by having their names inscribed on a parchment that was displayed...somewhere. It was such a big deal, there were girls who were given honorable mention in addition to the girls who actually achieved the honor. They were asked to stand in front of the whole audience.
This process was repeated for the Seniors, with Hill Honor Roll, Honorable Mention and Senior Scroll awardees.
Then, Mrs. Spec asked the four team captains to come up for a special candle-lighting ceremony, where they lit the candles of "Faith, Truth, Love and Knowledge."
The Council Presidents lit the candle of "Health"
Mrs. Spec then announced the name of "The Best Inter Camper", and she was invited to light the candle of "Beauty."
The highest Honor, "Best Lenorite" was announced. This was a camper who embodied the virtues of sportsmanship, kindness and athleticism (think Billie Jean King meets Golda Meir) and she then lit the candle of 'Service."
The Trio from Music Hour and Ducky led us in the following anthems: (Special thanks to Nancy Kaye, who graciously supplied me with the lyrics where needed)
"Faith, Truth and Love, Knowledge, Health and Beauty.
To higher service, now we dedicate.
Til our ideals shall reign o'er all victorious
And Light of Service, guide us on our way."
"Hail, comrade,in light arrayed
This garland bright will never fade
Hail guardian of the sacred flame
To thee we bring Lenore's proud high acclaim!"
After 1960, the Scroll tradition and its associated anthems were discontinued, along with "Best Inter Camper" and "Best Lenorite." Perhaps they seemed too exclusionary, or archaic (even for Lenore. ) However, the candle-lighting ceremony remained with some new candles. By 1967, the candles were: Faith, Truth, Service, Friendship, Sportsmanship, and Appreciation. Irv Golob, Lenore’s director, lit the candle of Unity.
This last anthem marked the Banquet's closure. In subsequent years, other songs were substituted. As a final act, the Seniors then collected the garlands that were on the walls and exited the Dining Room, followed by the Inters. The garlands then were burned in a magnificent, fragrant bonfire in front of the Dining Room. We all stood around it, our arms around each other singing and sobbing. And though this was the end of the Banquet, we knew that tomorrow night was the real capper: The Final Campfire. There were still more tears to be shed,
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Sunday, August 23- The Final Assembly
This was it. The Final Assembly. Color War was officially over and this was our opportunity to put aside our team divisions and come together again as one camp in the Senior Social Hall. As usual, it was tradition that dictated the protocol that we followed. Phyllis Cohen, in the 1960 edition of the Lenorlog, explains it:
'Through the curtains of the stage in the social hall marched the senior teams; this time they were united as one.
While singing, "Here We Are", each and Greenie and Whitie shook hands and took her respective seat. As in past years, the teams interchanged places for the assembly." (The Green Team sat in the White Team's area and vice versa)
'Aftrer singing the traditional farewell songs, the seniors sang, "Go 'Way from my Window"in which janet Scholder sang a magnificent solo.
When the Juniors and Inters had left, Sandy, Judy and Ronnie led us all in team and camp songs. Our assembly was concluded with "I'm a Gnu (?). We couldn't have asked for a happier ending. This was our final assembly, and for some, the last they may attend, but the memories which we have will never be forgotten."
As an Inter, I do remember marching in for the final assembly, but I'm not sure if we came in as a group (singing the I-N-T-E-R-S song, or a general camp song. The Seniors definitely had the more dramatic entry. And I so remember rehearsing the timing of the handshake on the stage when I was a senior. ("Here we are (shake) we are the girls from Lenore...") The captains came through the curtains first; shook hands; followed by the officers, and then the rest of the team.. The process could take awhile...
The senior team "farewell" songs were really poignant, (I called them "sob songs" because they intiated the beginning of four days of nearly continual waterworks.) Here they are; (Tissues ready?)
Green Team Farewell; (Definitely the prettier and sadder one!)
"Green Team we're singing your praises on high
The clarions ringing, as we march proudly by
Green banners waving against the blue sky
Proclaiming our vic'try to all who pass by.
We'll give the best that we've got, and try to land on the top.
But, win or lose, we will 'ere be true!
To Green team ever we pledge loyalty
We'll all stick together til eternity."
White Team (Sung to the tune of "Autumn Leaves")
It is a song (White Team we're true)
That we'll remember (ever to you)
A White Team song (This is the team that we choose)
Of courage bright (Whether we win or we lose)
When summer's gone (Winter is nigh)
We'll still remember (Never to die)
The flame that guides us toward the light.
Though the sky is dark, and night may fall,
Still we'll follow White Team's call
And the torch of faith and loyalty we carry
Shall ignite...the spark of vic-tory."
Strangely, the 1959 Lenorlog calendar indicates that the Inters had their own banquet on this date, with the Senior banquet tomorrow. However, I would swear that both Inters and Seniors were at the banquet together, and my Lenorlog has the agenda written to include both. (My handwritten notes on my program seem to substantiate that, as well)
On a stranger note, and in keeping with the other coincidences of dates I've experienced while writing this, I receive both the Chicago Tribune and NY Times on Sundays. Since the Times is more interesting, I usually just skim through the Chicago paper, and pay more attention to the Times. As I was quickly flipping through the Trib, my eye caught something in the Travel section: a blow-up of a section of Western Massachussetts. Looking closer, I saw some familiar names: Mt Greylock, North Adams, The Clark Institute...Three locations with which we Lenorites would all be familiar. The connection was too obvious to ignore.- Sure enough, there was the headline: "Williamstown, a jewel in the Berkshires." - (See my blog entry from 7/10 about Williamstown) The author gushed about her visit to the area, (despite it being a rainy day) and closed with the following:
"When the rain stopped late that afternoon, I drove to the summit of Mt. Greylock and sat for a spell, trying to figure out why I love the Berkshires. Maybe it's the way they catch and hold the dying light of a summer day, like gold coins in a green pocket." Of course, we could have told her that...
'Through the curtains of the stage in the social hall marched the senior teams; this time they were united as one.
While singing, "Here We Are", each and Greenie and Whitie shook hands and took her respective seat. As in past years, the teams interchanged places for the assembly." (The Green Team sat in the White Team's area and vice versa)
'Aftrer singing the traditional farewell songs, the seniors sang, "Go 'Way from my Window"in which janet Scholder sang a magnificent solo.
When the Juniors and Inters had left, Sandy, Judy and Ronnie led us all in team and camp songs. Our assembly was concluded with "I'm a Gnu (?). We couldn't have asked for a happier ending. This was our final assembly, and for some, the last they may attend, but the memories which we have will never be forgotten."
As an Inter, I do remember marching in for the final assembly, but I'm not sure if we came in as a group (singing the I-N-T-E-R-S song, or a general camp song. The Seniors definitely had the more dramatic entry. And I so remember rehearsing the timing of the handshake on the stage when I was a senior. ("Here we are (shake) we are the girls from Lenore...") The captains came through the curtains first; shook hands; followed by the officers, and then the rest of the team.. The process could take awhile...
The senior team "farewell" songs were really poignant, (I called them "sob songs" because they intiated the beginning of four days of nearly continual waterworks.) Here they are; (Tissues ready?)
Green Team Farewell; (Definitely the prettier and sadder one!)
"Green Team we're singing your praises on high
The clarions ringing, as we march proudly by
Green banners waving against the blue sky
Proclaiming our vic'try to all who pass by.
We'll give the best that we've got, and try to land on the top.
But, win or lose, we will 'ere be true!
To Green team ever we pledge loyalty
We'll all stick together til eternity."
White Team (Sung to the tune of "Autumn Leaves")
It is a song (White Team we're true)
That we'll remember (ever to you)
A White Team song (This is the team that we choose)
Of courage bright (Whether we win or we lose)
When summer's gone (Winter is nigh)
We'll still remember (Never to die)
The flame that guides us toward the light.
Though the sky is dark, and night may fall,
Still we'll follow White Team's call
And the torch of faith and loyalty we carry
Shall ignite...the spark of vic-tory."
Strangely, the 1959 Lenorlog calendar indicates that the Inters had their own banquet on this date, with the Senior banquet tomorrow. However, I would swear that both Inters and Seniors were at the banquet together, and my Lenorlog has the agenda written to include both. (My handwritten notes on my program seem to substantiate that, as well)
On a stranger note, and in keeping with the other coincidences of dates I've experienced while writing this, I receive both the Chicago Tribune and NY Times on Sundays. Since the Times is more interesting, I usually just skim through the Chicago paper, and pay more attention to the Times. As I was quickly flipping through the Trib, my eye caught something in the Travel section: a blow-up of a section of Western Massachussetts. Looking closer, I saw some familiar names: Mt Greylock, North Adams, The Clark Institute...Three locations with which we Lenorites would all be familiar. The connection was too obvious to ignore.- Sure enough, there was the headline: "Williamstown, a jewel in the Berkshires." - (See my blog entry from 7/10 about Williamstown) The author gushed about her visit to the area, (despite it being a rainy day) and closed with the following:
"When the rain stopped late that afternoon, I drove to the summit of Mt. Greylock and sat for a spell, trying to figure out why I love the Berkshires. Maybe it's the way they catch and hold the dying light of a summer day, like gold coins in a green pocket." Of course, we could have told her that...
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