The highlight of July 31, 1959 was a special campfire. Sometimes, they were held down at the Lake, and other times, they were in other locations around the camp. They always involved singing. And, probably like most campers, it was where we first learned the mother of all campfire songs, "Kumbaya." As the camp season progressed, the nights started to become chillier. We often ended up wearing our green CL emblemed jackets, as we roasted our marshmallows.
The night time was perceived very differently by campers and counselors. The campers would literally crash at the end of one of our busy days. Sleep was rarely a problem. But, for counselors, it was a different story. Once "taps" had blown/played, there were often additional tasks. Like O. D. (On-duty) Every counselor was required to patrol and or sit outside specific camp locations for several hours in case a camper required assistance. You reported to one of the counselor shacks; (A de-commisioned bunk), got your location, and armed with your blanket, flashlight and reading material, you headed for an adirondack chair at your post. There you sat, read, and listened for any calls of distress. Occasionally, you'd hear a small voice call, "O.D!" And you'd walk over to find out what the problem was. Usually, it was a mouse or raccoon, or a bad dream. The O.D. shack always had sandwiches and hot beverages. O.D at Camp Lenore was where I learned to drink coffee. Bad coffee. But, that not withstanding, sitting outside on a cool summer night, listening to the crickets under a constellation-filled sky, wasn't too bad at all.
Sometimes, the O.D's and other counselors would get together and serenade the campers. During my tenure at Lenore, I was on both the receiving and giving end of this tradition. It was fun both ways. Simple, two-part harmonies, and perennial favorites:
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Michael Row the Boat Ashore
Kumbaya
Down In the Valley
Irene Good Night
And, my favorite, The Ashgrove (My apologies for any mistakes. There were a number of versions on-line..)
The Ashgrove how graceful. How plainly 'tis speaking
The wind through it playing has language for me
While over its branches the sunlight is breaking
A host of kind faces is gazing at me.
The friends of my childhood again are before me
Fond memories linger as freely I roam
How soft, how soft, its leaves rustling o'er me
The Ashgrove, the Ashgrove that sheltered my home
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30- Jacob's Pillow
Another outing that was always on the calendar, was Jacob's Pillow. This was the summer destination of many nationally known dance companies. It was sort of the Tanglewood of dance. I remember it was a pretty long bus ride, and we always got back to camp pretty late. On Thursday July 30th, 1959, the Inters made the trek. This entry is from the 1960 Lenorlog:
"After rest hour, the Inters left for Jacob's Pillow. All must admit the hour and a half bus ride was fun, songs and all. Then came the moving graceful performance which was enjoyed by everyone. Soon we were on the ten minute ride to Jacob's Ladder. By the roadside we saw Jacob's Ladder, sisty-five feet tall. Many fearless campers climbed it. We enjoyed supper in the icnic area. Inside, we bought refreshments and souvenirs. We all agreed that it was a fun-filled afternoon."
"After rest hour, the Inters left for Jacob's Pillow. All must admit the hour and a half bus ride was fun, songs and all. Then came the moving graceful performance which was enjoyed by everyone. Soon we were on the ten minute ride to Jacob's Ladder. By the roadside we saw Jacob's Ladder, sisty-five feet tall. Many fearless campers climbed it. We enjoyed supper in the icnic area. Inside, we bought refreshments and souvenirs. We all agreed that it was a fun-filled afternoon."
Wednesday, July 29 Inter Play
According to this date in the 1959 Lenorlog, the Inters put on one of their several plays for the camp. Most of theses "plays" were short one acts that offered some sort of ethical or social message. (ie. "starting rumors will back-fire on you.) I don't recall the specific plays we did that first year, but the 1960 Lenorlog details the theatrical offerings of that season, which I'm sure was representative. of the prior year's. The 1960 season was memorable because it was where I made my musical debut: In "Robin Hood." The show was double-cast, and both Susan Nichols and I played the Sherrif of Nottingham. I, however, got to perform it on Parents' Visiting Day.
"The four Inter plays this season were all successful and well executed. The first was "Sugar and Spite", concerning a teenager who started an untruthful rumor which boomeranged and hit her. In this play, Stacy Caplow, Kris Camitta, and Ronnie Berger were the leads. The next presentation was the musical, "Robin Hood" in which Sandy Foreman, Patsy Goldstein, Ellen Leinhoff, and Susan Nichols had important roles. This was repeated on the second Visitor's Day for the parents. The third drama was "The Discriminating Princess." A surprise ending added to the success of this production. The fourth and last play produced was "Introducing Mopsy."
"The four Inter plays this season were all successful and well executed. The first was "Sugar and Spite", concerning a teenager who started an untruthful rumor which boomeranged and hit her. In this play, Stacy Caplow, Kris Camitta, and Ronnie Berger were the leads. The next presentation was the musical, "Robin Hood" in which Sandy Foreman, Patsy Goldstein, Ellen Leinhoff, and Susan Nichols had important roles. This was repeated on the second Visitor's Day for the parents. The third drama was "The Discriminating Princess." A surprise ending added to the success of this production. The fourth and last play produced was "Introducing Mopsy."
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, July 28 A special Tanglewood
The groups and performers we were able to see during our summers were often quite remarkable. This Lenorlog entry perfectly captured the pop culture of that time. Coincidentally, Mary Poppins is making the rounds again.
Sylvia Greenwald reports:
"On July 28, 1965, the Golobs and the Hill and Lane went to Tanglewood to hear the Boston Pops. The orchestra played some Spanish selelctions; "Mary Poppins"; some marches' and two groups of selelctions chosen by Duke Ellington. (The orchestra accompanied Duke Ellington while he played piano.)
Almost half a dozen encores were played, includin Beatle songs, "More", a march and some TV themes; The Tab commercial, "The Munsters," and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."
We all enjoyed ourselves. (Especially since afterwards, we all had double dip ice-cream cones at Friendly's!)"
Sylvia Greenwald reports:
"On July 28, 1965, the Golobs and the Hill and Lane went to Tanglewood to hear the Boston Pops. The orchestra played some Spanish selelctions; "Mary Poppins"; some marches' and two groups of selelctions chosen by Duke Ellington. (The orchestra accompanied Duke Ellington while he played piano.)
Almost half a dozen encores were played, includin Beatle songs, "More", a march and some TV themes; The Tab commercial, "The Munsters," and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."
We all enjoyed ourselves. (Especially since afterwards, we all had double dip ice-cream cones at Friendly's!)"
Monday, July 27--The Infirmary & the showers
Today's news ran a story about all the summer camps that have been closing early due to the Swine Flu. That started me thinking about a little discussed, and certainly un-sung part of any camper's summer; a trip to the infirmary. Most campers, if they were lucky never had to pay it a visit. Yet, tucked not-too-far above the Hill bunks, was a modern-ish, one story gray building that housed a fully staffed and functioning infirmary. It had a waiting room, examining room(s), an isolation room and a small ward. I know this, because I did some time there. There were at least two occasions where I was sick enough with a cold/cough to require overnight stays, and other visits for less serious circumstances. I know I broke at least one finger each summer playing volleyball. Though there were at least two nurses or med techs, there were some instances when we had to go into Pittsfield for X-Rays. I also had the pleasure of this experience; proudly returning with my badge of honor, a finger in a metal splint. There were also a few un-planned trips into Pittsfield for orhodontic repair. I remember sitting in the chair of some orthodontist who had the hairiest nostrils and ears I had ever seen...(You remember these things.)
Fortunately, we never had to endure the concern of a pandemic like the Swine Flu. However, one summer, we did come close. I forget what year it was, but right after the Camp Birthday celebration, nearly the entire camp came down with food poisoning. This, I'm sure put the infirmary into over-drive, and many of the older campers were confined to our bunk's beds and johns, while we toughed it out. I remember being pretty miserable. I can only imagine how the Directors had to handle it. We all pulled through, and no doubt, ended up joking about it. Needless to say, had it occurred today, the results might have been completely different...
And while we're on the subject of health, we should also discuss the showers. When we consider how germophobic we are today, the shower situation at Lenore would clearly send many of us running for the Purel. As Inters, we showered (required!) at least once a week. This entailed us schlepping over to the Lodge with our towels, soap and shampoo. The shower room was a group affair, with plastic curtains. and often inconsistently hot water. (Who knew what bacteria they harbored?) One did not want to linger there...The shower house at the end of the Lane was alot newer and offered more privacy. Despite all that, we all managed to survive without contracting any bizaare diseases. Which certainly was a testimony to our immune systems.
Fortunately, we never had to endure the concern of a pandemic like the Swine Flu. However, one summer, we did come close. I forget what year it was, but right after the Camp Birthday celebration, nearly the entire camp came down with food poisoning. This, I'm sure put the infirmary into over-drive, and many of the older campers were confined to our bunk's beds and johns, while we toughed it out. I remember being pretty miserable. I can only imagine how the Directors had to handle it. We all pulled through, and no doubt, ended up joking about it. Needless to say, had it occurred today, the results might have been completely different...
And while we're on the subject of health, we should also discuss the showers. When we consider how germophobic we are today, the shower situation at Lenore would clearly send many of us running for the Purel. As Inters, we showered (required!) at least once a week. This entailed us schlepping over to the Lodge with our towels, soap and shampoo. The shower room was a group affair, with plastic curtains. and often inconsistently hot water. (Who knew what bacteria they harbored?) One did not want to linger there...The shower house at the end of the Lane was alot newer and offered more privacy. Despite all that, we all managed to survive without contracting any bizaare diseases. Which certainly was a testimony to our immune systems.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, July 26
Assemblies on Sundays were always exciting...what with all the teams marching in, and all the singing. And while there was a definite focus on "white" and "green", our assemblies always ended with us singing something all together. The song that concluded our assembly was "See Them Go." We'd all stand up, and in a very orderly fashion, row by row, we'd exit the Senior Social Hall. I'm reminded of that song every time I'm at an event, and we all get up to leave at the same time....
See them go. (see them go)
Row by row (row by row)
Heads held high (heads held high)
Under the morning sky.
Who are these eager folks
Breasting their tempest alarm?
Who are these stalwart souls
Guarded so surely from harm
Their sword is justice, their shield is right
And knowledge leads them toward the light.
Their way is clear
What do they fear
Bearing the standards of Truth!
See them go... (repeat until all have exited.)
And we did go... While our summers were filled with activities and outings, not all of them were successful. In the 1965 Lenorlog, May Lisa Ross and Meg Simon wrote about the Lane's overnight that took place on July 26th.
"On the 26th, the Lane set out on their trip to Otis reservoir. When we got theire, there was--to our dismay, a graveyard across the road from our camp-site.
Our first adventure was canoeing to Dismal Swamp. On the way back, we got caught in a big wind. Some of us even had to be towed in by motor boat.
After dinner, we went visiting to Owaissa* and Romaca, who were also there. Once again, we give many thanks to Hank, Tex and Suzanne for a successful trip."
* How ironic...who would have guessed, that six years from that date, Owaissa would become the owner of Camp Lenore?
See them go. (see them go)
Row by row (row by row)
Heads held high (heads held high)
Under the morning sky.
Who are these eager folks
Breasting their tempest alarm?
Who are these stalwart souls
Guarded so surely from harm
Their sword is justice, their shield is right
And knowledge leads them toward the light.
Their way is clear
What do they fear
Bearing the standards of Truth!
See them go... (repeat until all have exited.)
And we did go... While our summers were filled with activities and outings, not all of them were successful. In the 1965 Lenorlog, May Lisa Ross and Meg Simon wrote about the Lane's overnight that took place on July 26th.
"On the 26th, the Lane set out on their trip to Otis reservoir. When we got theire, there was--to our dismay, a graveyard across the road from our camp-site.
Our first adventure was canoeing to Dismal Swamp. On the way back, we got caught in a big wind. Some of us even had to be towed in by motor boat.
After dinner, we went visiting to Owaissa* and Romaca, who were also there. Once again, we give many thanks to Hank, Tex and Suzanne for a successful trip."
* How ironic...who would have guessed, that six years from that date, Owaissa would become the owner of Camp Lenore?
Saturday, July 25-The Mah-Kee-Nac Dance
Inters had another team game scheduled for today, but the Valley Senior girls got to go to a dance- at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac.
Here's Ann Capell's recount of it from the '59 Lenorlog:
"To the background of a rustic fishing village, spot lighted by soft lights, the valley seniors of Lenore met the boys from Mah-Kee-Nac with whom they were to have their first dance of the season.
Approximately 7:15 on the balmy evening of July 25, a bus filled with eager voices left Camp lenore. Upon our arrival at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac, we were greeted by a fromer friend and counselor, Diane Davis. Diane escorted us to the quaintly decorated social hall where we met the Mah-Kee-Nac boys.
All the latest records were played, and refreshments were served during a brief intermission.
After a most enjoyable eveing, we bid our farewells to the Mah-Kee-Nac boys and sped dreamily home."
Ah, those eagerly anticipated "socials" with the boys camps! I remember frantically writing home with an emergency request for a "dance outfit" to wear for my first social. Within a week or so, that request was fulfilled iwitha package containing a really cool polished cotton print shirt in peaches and rusts, with a coordinating pair of shorts. I remember being very excited wearing it. But, the outfit was only part of the picture. The first moments of those dances were terribly awkward, as the girls and boys sized each other up. Since this was way before "women's lib", the boys were the ones to ask us to dance. So, they had the "power." You just had to hope that the creepiest, dorkiest guy (and some camps had plenty) didn't ask you. So, our goal was: to find the cutest guy you could; keep him dancing with you for as long as you could; and end up with him for the "final song", so you could make-out on the way back to the bus. The bus ride back to camp was either blissful, or miserable.
Here's Ann Capell's recount of it from the '59 Lenorlog:
"To the background of a rustic fishing village, spot lighted by soft lights, the valley seniors of Lenore met the boys from Mah-Kee-Nac with whom they were to have their first dance of the season.
Approximately 7:15 on the balmy evening of July 25, a bus filled with eager voices left Camp lenore. Upon our arrival at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac, we were greeted by a fromer friend and counselor, Diane Davis. Diane escorted us to the quaintly decorated social hall where we met the Mah-Kee-Nac boys.
All the latest records were played, and refreshments were served during a brief intermission.
After a most enjoyable eveing, we bid our farewells to the Mah-Kee-Nac boys and sped dreamily home."
Ah, those eagerly anticipated "socials" with the boys camps! I remember frantically writing home with an emergency request for a "dance outfit" to wear for my first social. Within a week or so, that request was fulfilled iwitha package containing a really cool polished cotton print shirt in peaches and rusts, with a coordinating pair of shorts. I remember being very excited wearing it. But, the outfit was only part of the picture. The first moments of those dances were terribly awkward, as the girls and boys sized each other up. Since this was way before "women's lib", the boys were the ones to ask us to dance. So, they had the "power." You just had to hope that the creepiest, dorkiest guy (and some camps had plenty) didn't ask you. So, our goal was: to find the cutest guy you could; keep him dancing with you for as long as you could; and end up with him for the "final song", so you could make-out on the way back to the bus. The bus ride back to camp was either blissful, or miserable.
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