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,