Friday, July 17, 2009
Friday, July 17
Today was most likely an action-packed, excitment filled day, because of what we all knew was coming tomorrow: Parent's Visiting Day!! Bunks were in a state of cleanliness never seen before. We spent our free time making welcome signs and decorations for our front door. I managed to save our bunk sign from 1960, when I was in Bunk 15. We were the "Little Devils of Bunk 15." I somehow managed to copy the devil character from some comic book (Can't recall which one- Casper maybe??) and replicated it in six different postions to represent each one of us. I then wrote the names of all the girls parents on another piece of construction paper, which I still have: "Mr and Mrs. Kurzweil, Mr and Mrs. Nichols, Mr. and Mrs. Schulman, Mr.and Mrs Trattler, and Mr. and Mrs. Jacoby, all around the title "Bunk 15". We could hardly contain ourselves. I'm sure that we must have had some sort of meeting describing what the day's activities would be, and how we were supposed to behave, because the PVD schedule was a carefully planned out day that ran like a well-oiled machine year after year. I'm sure we did the same thing the year before, and I can only assume that since it was our first PVD, the excitement and nerves were even greater. Smart thing that the activity for this evening was "Bunk Nite." (sic) This was no doubt a carefully calculated event designed to try and calm us down by making us participate in "quiet activities" in our bunk. Hmm, let's see. That probably consisted of jacks, more construction paper welcome signs, card games like Spit, War, and Gin, and the always popular comic book reading/trading. Bunk Nite would conclude with our being "released" for milk and cookies. But, this was probably the only time when we were all eager to see the day end, and get to bed. After "Taps" you could almost feel 200 girls collectively willing the next day to arrive as quickly as possible.
July 16
Tonight an Inter Play was scheduled on the calendar. I don't remember the play that we put on in 1959, but I vividly remember the play we performed in 1960; Robin Hood! It was a musical, and I was cast as the villain, the Sheriff of Nottingham. At the time, I thought it was an absolute dramatic tour de force. I even had a solo: "Oh I am The Sheriff of Nottingham Town..." The whole production was made even more memorable, because we also got to perform it for our parents on Parent's Visiting Day (PVD- coming up this weekend!!!) Sandy Forman (The captain of the White Team), played Robin Hood, and Patsy Goldstein (also a Team officer) was Maid Marian. I remember when they sang, "Oh Promise Me" (which I think had been sung by Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald), it drew appreciative laughter. It was definitley a watershed moment for me. I still have my script from that year. Unfortunately, no song sheets.-which is too bad. There were some great songs in that show, and our song director got some surprisingly good performances out of us. But, then, Lenore was able to lure some pretty respectable talent as our instructors.
The Song, or Choral Director in 1959 was Miss Dorothy Drake, and she was profiled by Liz Seeley and Judy Jacobs of Bunk 25.
..."Miss Drake is a former student of Radcliffe College, where she was a pupil of the well-known Dr. Wallis Woodworth (Woody), who introduced her to advanced choral work...As a young girl, Miss Drake also studied the cello. After graduating from Radcliffe, she decided to make music her career. Miss Drake is now a teacher at the Chapin School in Manhattan...In view of her past experience, and the excellent recommendation of our violinist, Ann Purcell,we are sure that working with Miss Drake will be a profitable and enjoyable experience."
The Song, or Choral Director in 1959 was Miss Dorothy Drake, and she was profiled by Liz Seeley and Judy Jacobs of Bunk 25.
..."Miss Drake is a former student of Radcliffe College, where she was a pupil of the well-known Dr. Wallis Woodworth (Woody), who introduced her to advanced choral work...As a young girl, Miss Drake also studied the cello. After graduating from Radcliffe, she decided to make music her career. Miss Drake is now a teacher at the Chapin School in Manhattan...In view of her past experience, and the excellent recommendation of our violinist, Ann Purcell,we are sure that working with Miss Drake will be a profitable and enjoyable experience."
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 14 and Wednesday, July 15- Good Vibrations
As covered earlier, Tuesdays nights were "Cairn and a Movie" nights. I'm sure it was done for practical reasons, like the kitchen staff's day off, but Cairn gave us an opportunity to be outside and to appreciate our beautiful surroundings. Lenore was laid out in a rather formal geometric way, with the Lodge being the focal point. It was a large, gray building with two gables over-looking a large stone columned porch with stairs leading up the center. The vista was one of a vast front lawn of green grass. If you viewed the Lodge as the short side of a large rectangle, here's what you'd see from its porch: The entry road bordered the longer side of the rectangle on the left, and a beautiful, red clay tennis court bordered it on the right. (Cutting across it was strictly forbidden!) The Music Shell was situated on the left corner, and the flag pole was approximately on the right side.(The infamous birdbath was somewhere off-center) The Perg (pergola) was situated further down, slightly off to the right on a outcropping of rocks. The lawn then sloped down, and at the base of the slope was the volleyball/newcomb court. The newer tennis courts, with asphalt suface were off to the right, below the Perg. and if you continued walking, you would be on the athletic field, with the softball field on the right and the golf/general play area on the left. It was near this area, that we had many cairns and campfires.
On Wednesday, July 15, 1959, the Lenorlog noted that there was both a Music Hour and a Senior Play:the equivalent of a cultural double-billing. As campers, we were fortunate to be provided with regular opportunities to expand our cultural awarness, on and off-site. Tanglewood was a particular favorite. The summer home of the Boston Pops Orchestra, it was a place we regularly visited each year. A huge pavillion, along with ample picnic grounds, afforded us the chance to listen to world-class music under the night sky. There were times when we went in August, and we could see the Northern Lights... But, there were other trips. a little less high-brow, that were equally memorable. Like the time we went to the Berkshire Music Festival in 1967 to see the Beach Boys and The Four Seasons. Talk about a double-billing! It was amazing to see those great groups together, outside, on a warm summer night. A teenage dream come true. Fast forward 42 years. The show Jersey Boys (about the Four Seasons) is running in Chicago. And last night, we went to Ravinia, the Chicago version of Tanglewood, to see- The Beach Boys. Mike Love and Bruce Johnston are all that remain of the original group, and the crowd was considerably older, but no less appreciative, For a few hours, under a warm summer sky, we all went back in time.
On Wednesday, July 15, 1959, the Lenorlog noted that there was both a Music Hour and a Senior Play:the equivalent of a cultural double-billing. As campers, we were fortunate to be provided with regular opportunities to expand our cultural awarness, on and off-site. Tanglewood was a particular favorite. The summer home of the Boston Pops Orchestra, it was a place we regularly visited each year. A huge pavillion, along with ample picnic grounds, afforded us the chance to listen to world-class music under the night sky. There were times when we went in August, and we could see the Northern Lights... But, there were other trips. a little less high-brow, that were equally memorable. Like the time we went to the Berkshire Music Festival in 1967 to see the Beach Boys and The Four Seasons. Talk about a double-billing! It was amazing to see those great groups together, outside, on a warm summer night. A teenage dream come true. Fast forward 42 years. The show Jersey Boys (about the Four Seasons) is running in Chicago. And last night, we went to Ravinia, the Chicago version of Tanglewood, to see- The Beach Boys. Mike Love and Bruce Johnston are all that remain of the original group, and the crowd was considerably older, but no less appreciative, For a few hours, under a warm summer sky, we all went back in time.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Monday, July13
A day in the life of a Lenore camper was packed full of activities. In addition to the required activities that involved learning or improving sports and swimming skills, each camper had the opportunity to pick an area of focus, or a "major" that lasted for 11 days. One major was scheduled during the morning, and another one was scheduled during the afternoon. They say, "the boy is father to the man." In the spirit of gender equality, that aphorism is just as true for girls. A glance at my major schedule for 1960 reveals: Drama, Drama, Dance, Canoeing, Arts and Crafts, Arts and Crafts, Archery and Tennis. What I do in 2009 is certainly reflected in what I did in 1959. And with the exception of Archery, I would make most of those same choices today.
On this day in 1959, the Seniors had their first team games. These events were also permeated with tradition. Before each game, the respective teams would meet at two distinct locations:The "Perg" (short for pergola)- a covered seating area built over an outcropping of rocks that overlooked the playing fields; or the porch of the Lodge. (The "big house" where the offices and directors lived.) We'd gather at these locales for some pre-game strategizing, and then a pep talk from our team captain. These pep talks were always capped off with a recitation of "The Poem":
If you think you're beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win, but think you can't,
It's almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you're lost.
For out in the world you'll find;
Success begins with a fellow's will
It's all in your state of mind.
Life's battles don'ts always go
To the stronger or weaker man
But, sooner or later the one who wins
Is the one who thinks he can!
Needless to say, a female camper in 2009 would never even consider reciting this without making it gender appropriate. But, in 1959, we cheerfully embraced it and recited it with near religious zeal. After the last words of "The Poem" were spoken by the group, the captain usually would add- and I'm not kidding- "And who thinks he can?" ---GROUP: "The whites!!"
"Who knows he can?"---GROUP: 'The Whites!!" Who can?---GROUP: "The Whites!!!
"Who will?"---GROUP: "The Whites!!" Then, at an agreed upon moment, the song leaders would get us going, and we'd march/run in formation down the front lawn, to meet the Greens at the playing field. I don't remember too much about the games themselves. But I do recall how funny our voices all sounded as we tried to run down the hill and sing at the same time...
On this day in 1959, the Seniors had their first team games. These events were also permeated with tradition. Before each game, the respective teams would meet at two distinct locations:The "Perg" (short for pergola)- a covered seating area built over an outcropping of rocks that overlooked the playing fields; or the porch of the Lodge. (The "big house" where the offices and directors lived.) We'd gather at these locales for some pre-game strategizing, and then a pep talk from our team captain. These pep talks were always capped off with a recitation of "The Poem":
If you think you're beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win, but think you can't,
It's almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you're lost.
For out in the world you'll find;
Success begins with a fellow's will
It's all in your state of mind.
Life's battles don'ts always go
To the stronger or weaker man
But, sooner or later the one who wins
Is the one who thinks he can!
Needless to say, a female camper in 2009 would never even consider reciting this without making it gender appropriate. But, in 1959, we cheerfully embraced it and recited it with near religious zeal. After the last words of "The Poem" were spoken by the group, the captain usually would add- and I'm not kidding- "And who thinks he can?" ---GROUP: "The whites!!"
"Who knows he can?"---GROUP: 'The Whites!!" Who can?---GROUP: "The Whites!!!
"Who will?"---GROUP: "The Whites!!" Then, at an agreed upon moment, the song leaders would get us going, and we'd march/run in formation down the front lawn, to meet the Greens at the playing field. I don't remember too much about the games themselves. But I do recall how funny our voices all sounded as we tried to run down the hill and sing at the same time...
Sunday, July 12, 2009
July 12
Sunday. Our first Assembly as separate teams! The excitement in our bunk was palpable. We dressed in team colors: White shirts and green shorts for us Whities, and all green for the Greenies. After breakfast, clean-up and inspection, we waited impatiently for the bugle call to assemble in front of the Senior So. The Inter White Team gathered in marching formation: two by two, in size order. So, I basically got to march right behind our officers! Once in our order, we had to remain quiet while the Junior teams marched in. "Listen!", one of the girls whispered. "It's Nancy Kaye!" We were all lucky to have as our accompanist, a former camper, Nancy Kaye, who could play piano by ear, and knew just about any song in the world. She would be playing for us, too. Soon enough, it was our turn, and the captains, holding their Camp Lenore pillow, with the team's stuffed animal mascot, got us marching in place. Then the double doors of the Social hall opened, the song-leaders started flailing and we burst into the room singing in our loudest voices, "Spirit Undaunted, we march on to victory..." The Hall was set up with six different sets of benches around the periphery, with spectator seating in the center, facing the stage. We filed into our positions behind our appropriate green benches, in perfect, military precision., with Joanne and Nan leading us from atop their bench in front. When we were all in position, and our marching song complete, the song leaders gave us the special hand signal to be seated, and we did so in unison. We then had to watch respectfully as the Inter Green Team marched in. After us, the Senior Teams repeated the process. Next, each group performed their "standing songs." This was quite a process, but we had to be on our best behavior, because our assembly decorum was part of our overall team score. After our standing songs, we often performed a group song, where the teams sang together, under the conduction of our music director. Then, the head counselors would get up and announce the results/scores from the week's team games. Since our first game was that evening, there was nothing to report yet. Our last duty for assembly was to sing together, "See Them Go!" (This was another song that took years to figure out the lyrics to) Then, just like the lyrics stated, we exited "Row by row, under the morning sky..."
By the way, according to the Lenorlog, for our first game, the Campus Inters had relay races and the Lane played Newcomb. The Greens won.
By the way, according to the Lenorlog, for our first game, the Campus Inters had relay races and the Lane played Newcomb. The Greens won.
July 11 The Counselor Hunt
Tonight's activity was a " Counselor Hunt." This meant that we spent the better part of the evening scouring the various nooks and crannies of the Camp looking for hiding counselors and dragging them to a central holding area. If I recall correctly, we had to have a camper "guard" posted nearby the captured group, because an undiscovered counselor could then set the "captives" free.(Or maybe I have this confused with Capture the Flag??) At any rate, new campers were at a decided disadvantage at this, because we had barely figured out where everything was in broad daylight, let alone find a hidden counselor in the dark. I remember looking under alot of bunks...
The best part of any of these evening activities was when they were all over, we got to go to the side of the dining hall for milk and cookies. (The food at Lenore will be the subject for another time...) Those were some of the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever had...
The best part of any of these evening activities was when they were all over, we got to go to the side of the dining hall for milk and cookies. (The food at Lenore will be the subject for another time...) Those were some of the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever had...
Friday, July 10
Lenore, being located in "the heart of the Berkshires" was close by to alot of wonderful attractions. Because exposure to "culture" was part of the fabric of camp life, Tanglewood, Jacobs Pillow, and numerous other sites were frequent destinations for us. On this date in 1959, the Seniors got to go on a special trip to Williamstown: As you'll see, the discerning critics from Camp Lenore were a tough group to please.
Williamstown: By Linda Kern, Bunk 36
The Senior girls first excursion out of camp this year ws to the Willaimstown Theater to see Auntie Mame. Most of the girls had either seen the play or the movie, or both before the trip, and thought the show would be too familiar. However, while the production followed the original closely, all of us were happy to discover that the Willaimston production still had a fresh quality which added greatly to our enjoyment. As we piled back into the buses, all agreed we had spent a most enjoyable evening."
While the Seniors were out on their excursion, we Inter campers probably would have attended our first team meeting, in preparation for Sunday's big assembly. This would have been our first chance to meet our team officers, and our team mates. At this first meeting, our team captain (Nora Roberts) told us how we were going to pulverize the Green Team. (All while adhering to Lenore's standard of sportsmanship and lady-likeness), and re-affirmed why we were the best team and going to win!! Then our song leaders (Nan Prussack and Joanne Witty) taught us two songs. This was great, because we actually got to learn the lyrics line by line. The first was our marching song. (Upbeat, motivational...usually in corporating words like "fray", "foe" and "winning"). The second, was our "standing" song. This was more ballad-y and usually extolled the attributes of loyalty and undying love for the White Team. Since this would be our first assemby, our selections were from the enormous archive of past White Team Songs. They typically used melodies from famous symphonic pieces (The William Tell Overture), or from, what was at the time, contemporary Broadway shows or pop music (Blue Moon.) At this point, it was too early to know what budding song writing talent we had, so I remember our first marching song was the classic, "Spirit Undaunted." The song leaders rehearsed our special way of standing and sitting in unison, and then began the famous Lenore arm-flailing that was emblematic of our group singing. Our meeting closed with a rousing group cheer: "Who's gonna win? The Whites!!!" How thrilling was that?
Williamstown: By Linda Kern, Bunk 36
The Senior girls first excursion out of camp this year ws to the Willaimstown Theater to see Auntie Mame. Most of the girls had either seen the play or the movie, or both before the trip, and thought the show would be too familiar. However, while the production followed the original closely, all of us were happy to discover that the Willaimston production still had a fresh quality which added greatly to our enjoyment. As we piled back into the buses, all agreed we had spent a most enjoyable evening."
While the Seniors were out on their excursion, we Inter campers probably would have attended our first team meeting, in preparation for Sunday's big assembly. This would have been our first chance to meet our team officers, and our team mates. At this first meeting, our team captain (Nora Roberts) told us how we were going to pulverize the Green Team. (All while adhering to Lenore's standard of sportsmanship and lady-likeness), and re-affirmed why we were the best team and going to win!! Then our song leaders (Nan Prussack and Joanne Witty) taught us two songs. This was great, because we actually got to learn the lyrics line by line. The first was our marching song. (Upbeat, motivational...usually in corporating words like "fray", "foe" and "winning"). The second, was our "standing" song. This was more ballad-y and usually extolled the attributes of loyalty and undying love for the White Team. Since this would be our first assemby, our selections were from the enormous archive of past White Team Songs. They typically used melodies from famous symphonic pieces (The William Tell Overture), or from, what was at the time, contemporary Broadway shows or pop music (Blue Moon.) At this point, it was too early to know what budding song writing talent we had, so I remember our first marching song was the classic, "Spirit Undaunted." The song leaders rehearsed our special way of standing and sitting in unison, and then began the famous Lenore arm-flailing that was emblematic of our group singing. Our meeting closed with a rousing group cheer: "Who's gonna win? The Whites!!!" How thrilling was that?
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