Greetings:
With a little less than a month left before the reunion, I am amazed at how many folks still haven't felt any need to advise us of their plans. I don't know how we are suppose to be able to plan without some idea of how many people are going to show up. I guess that's my problem! Here's the rub, the camp is doing all the cooking for our reunion. Breakfast is $5.00, Lunch is $6.00, and Dinner is $9.00. We need to give them some sort of idea how many people to expect for each meal. Otherwise, things like not having enough food prepared to feed everyone could happen. We have reached the point where we need to know, as best you can tell us at this point, when you will be at the reunion, which meals you will need to be fed and how many will be in your party. The purpose of this is to allow the camp to plan menu, manpower, etc.
Please email this info to me asap at: jameslindsey@sbcglobal.net or call me at: 260-456-0969 weekdays between 8am-noon, or 8pm-10pm Eastern Daylight Savings Time. If you call and I'm not in please leave a message. Thank you!
Another issue that seems to need to be addressed, since several of you have expressed a need for them, is directions to the camp. If you go to the camp's website: http://www.campherrlich.org/, there is a section on directions with a link that will provide you with door-to-door instructions. In my opinion, the easiest way to reach the camp is to get to Interstate 84. Take NY Exit #18, Route 311, Lake Carmel/Patterson, at the stop sign at the bottom of the ramp you will need to turn north. (If you have been travelling west on I-84, like from Massacusetts or Conecticutt, north will be a right turn. If you have been heading east on I-84 from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the Hudson River, etc. you need to turn left). After this turn onto Route 311, you will drive a little less than a mile, up a hill, and take the first right turn you come to. This is Fair Street. As soon as you turn onto Fair Street, you will be making an almost immediate turn onto the first road on the left. This will be Deacon Smith Hill Road. As you drive down the hill, the camp will be on your right. If you still manage to get lost, just call for help, the camp phone number is: 845-878-6662.
Next, where to stay? After all these years, the only place that sticks out in my memory is Heidi's Inn: http://www.heidisinn.com/. I'll be getting with both Bob Gentile and Ralph Palumbo in the next few days to discuss more options.
What will be happening at the reunion? While I feel that most of us would be content to simply have the opportunity to enjoy each other's company all weekend, I guess we need some "activities". What I'm thinking, and as always, remember this reunion belongs to all of us not just me, so if you want to do anything different, please speak up, I'd leave Friday for renewing acquaintances, if we have the energy, a Saturday morning hike around the lake might be in order, films and pictures in the afternoon followed by a camper's choice in the evening and possibly a bit of attitude adjustment. Sunday morning we should offer some sort of worship at the chapel (weather permitting), the afternoon will allow time to begin work on our memory book project and maybe an evening campfire. Monday will probably end up filled with all the farewells.
Well, if any other questions arise, please get them to me so they can be addressed.
Peace, Love,
Big Jim
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Camp Herrlich Reunion, -38 Days
Greetings:
I remember growing up listening to WBLS, the New York City radio station that exclusively played soul music. They featured a disc jockey, the late Frankie Crocker, who was known not only for playing the best music but, for being one of the smoothest talkers anywhere. I particularly recall a few lines he used most nights when he signed off. "May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live." He would follow that with: "If you should live a hundred years, let me live a hundred years minus a day, so I would never have to know that people as nice as you ever passed away." It's been over thirty years since I last heard him say those words. Last night, I was reminded of them when Ralph Palumbo gave me the unfortunate news that another one of our former Herrlich staffers, 1971 lifeguard, Kathie Kerr Belscher, had gone on to glory. We have no further details at this time. Please join me in offering a prayer for her and her family and for Rev. Gerry Gengenbach's wife who is ill.
With the Herrlich reunion looming in the not so distant future, I have been spending a lot more time than I should reminiscing about those relatively carefree times we shared so long ago. I can still remember the optimistic feelings that we could do anything, like they were yesterday. A couple minutes later, my mind will wander back into the present from wondering what became of all that seemingly unlimited energy to dealing with my aging body's aches and pains, diet restrictions, forced exercise, and even mortality. None of us knows how much more time we have or what ailments we might acquire. Please take advantage of your opportunities as they come along. In all likelihood, this will be our last reunion. I simply can't imagine having either the time or energy to do this again. Even though it's been almost forty years, I have found that when I have talked to most of you, the years disappear, the friendships that we developed way back when seem like they were only yesterday. We have a bond that has withstood the test of time. How can you bypass your last chance to spend time with people that mean so much to you? If you can make it to the reunion, please do it.
We need to give a big thanks to Ralph Palumbo who is taking the time to call people about the reunion. Between us, at this point, the following people are planning to attend: Norma (Hanauer) Martin, Rev. Ruben Colon, Norma (Olsen) Levett, Tyrone Wims, Karen(Kangas) Repka, Rev and Rene Wiker, Ralph Palumbo, Rev. Gerry Gengenbach, Judy (Elevick) Reilly, Rev. Ralph Midtlyng, Gloria Pabon, Linda (Larson) DeLong, Kristi Vaiden, Bob and Nancy Gundersen, Ruth (Heins) Phillips, Phil Olsen, Eleanor Duehne and her sisters, Deborah (Negro) Griner, Clay Reasor (director in 1972-3), and me. Only about a dozen people have told us that they will definitely not be attending. This means that we have yet to hear anything either way from over thirty of you! We hope that many of you will find it in your hearts to join us. Please take the time today to let us know one way or the other!
I remember growing up listening to WBLS, the New York City radio station that exclusively played soul music. They featured a disc jockey, the late Frankie Crocker, who was known not only for playing the best music but, for being one of the smoothest talkers anywhere. I particularly recall a few lines he used most nights when he signed off. "May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live." He would follow that with: "If you should live a hundred years, let me live a hundred years minus a day, so I would never have to know that people as nice as you ever passed away." It's been over thirty years since I last heard him say those words. Last night, I was reminded of them when Ralph Palumbo gave me the unfortunate news that another one of our former Herrlich staffers, 1971 lifeguard, Kathie Kerr Belscher, had gone on to glory. We have no further details at this time. Please join me in offering a prayer for her and her family and for Rev. Gerry Gengenbach's wife who is ill.
With the Herrlich reunion looming in the not so distant future, I have been spending a lot more time than I should reminiscing about those relatively carefree times we shared so long ago. I can still remember the optimistic feelings that we could do anything, like they were yesterday. A couple minutes later, my mind will wander back into the present from wondering what became of all that seemingly unlimited energy to dealing with my aging body's aches and pains, diet restrictions, forced exercise, and even mortality. None of us knows how much more time we have or what ailments we might acquire. Please take advantage of your opportunities as they come along. In all likelihood, this will be our last reunion. I simply can't imagine having either the time or energy to do this again. Even though it's been almost forty years, I have found that when I have talked to most of you, the years disappear, the friendships that we developed way back when seem like they were only yesterday. We have a bond that has withstood the test of time. How can you bypass your last chance to spend time with people that mean so much to you? If you can make it to the reunion, please do it.
We need to give a big thanks to Ralph Palumbo who is taking the time to call people about the reunion. Between us, at this point, the following people are planning to attend: Norma (Hanauer) Martin, Rev. Ruben Colon, Norma (Olsen) Levett, Tyrone Wims, Karen(Kangas) Repka, Rev and Rene Wiker, Ralph Palumbo, Rev. Gerry Gengenbach, Judy (Elevick) Reilly, Rev. Ralph Midtlyng, Gloria Pabon, Linda (Larson) DeLong, Kristi Vaiden, Bob and Nancy Gundersen, Ruth (Heins) Phillips, Phil Olsen, Eleanor Duehne and her sisters, Deborah (Negro) Griner, Clay Reasor (director in 1972-3), and me. Only about a dozen people have told us that they will definitely not be attending. This means that we have yet to hear anything either way from over thirty of you! We hope that many of you will find it in your hearts to join us. Please take the time today to let us know one way or the other!
Peace. Love,
"Big Jim" Lindsey
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Camp Herrlich Reunion, -52 days
Greetings:
Here's hoping you and your's all had a good Fourth of July Weekend! For me, it provided a much needed break and the opportunity to spend a little time down in Oklahoma with friends and family. Well, we've now enjoyed our last holiday before our reunion. Nothing left in between these holidays but the dog days of summer. Maybe we can start a movement to make Christmas in July a national holiday. Has anyone else noticed how much more we appreciate air conditioning now that we've gotten old and can't spend our summers at camp.
I spent some time chatting with Bob Gentile, the current Herrlich director, he has decided to waive the fee for our use of the camp for the reunion. This means that if you can get yourself to the reunion, the only thing you'll need to pay for once there is food, unless you require the comforts of a motel. This is quite a present we've been given. Hats off to Bob! When you get to the reunion please make sure that you remember to personnally thank him. We'll need to come up with some way to repay him for his extraordinary kindness. Oh, if you plan to stay at the camp, don't forget to pack some bedding.
While wandering around on the internet, I discovered an interesting Herrlich story. You can find it at: www.allisonswonderland.typepad.com/page/2/, you'll need to scroll down to the article titled, 'Happy Thanksgiving". You should enjoy seeing how another group of people have been effected by the Herrlich Spirit.
If you haven't read the comments, please do so, and, feel free to leave your own.
I need to know your plans! Will you be attending? If you haven't let me know yet, please advise.
How about a few more camp memories? Do you remember:
** Hiking to and from the train?
** Greased watermelons?
** The Big Cheese?
** The races for "seconds"?
** The Great Water Hike?
** 13 straight days of rain?
** Mahopac Drive-In?
** Praying to the Great Pumpkin?
** Birch Hill Diner?
** Sybil Ludington?
** Skunk cabbage?
** Ralph Palumbo's carnival rides?
** Charles Roberts driving on the wrong side of the road?
** Giggle Belly?
** "Tisch"?
** The staff lounge?
** Soothing baths under Fleischmann's dam?
** The Herrlich Olympics?
** Hunting each other with BB guns?
** Driving to Brewster for Carvel's ice cream?
** Grand Central Station?
Peace, Love,
"Big Jim"
Here's hoping you and your's all had a good Fourth of July Weekend! For me, it provided a much needed break and the opportunity to spend a little time down in Oklahoma with friends and family. Well, we've now enjoyed our last holiday before our reunion. Nothing left in between these holidays but the dog days of summer. Maybe we can start a movement to make Christmas in July a national holiday. Has anyone else noticed how much more we appreciate air conditioning now that we've gotten old and can't spend our summers at camp.
I spent some time chatting with Bob Gentile, the current Herrlich director, he has decided to waive the fee for our use of the camp for the reunion. This means that if you can get yourself to the reunion, the only thing you'll need to pay for once there is food, unless you require the comforts of a motel. This is quite a present we've been given. Hats off to Bob! When you get to the reunion please make sure that you remember to personnally thank him. We'll need to come up with some way to repay him for his extraordinary kindness. Oh, if you plan to stay at the camp, don't forget to pack some bedding.
While wandering around on the internet, I discovered an interesting Herrlich story. You can find it at: www.allisonswonderland.typepad.com/page/2/, you'll need to scroll down to the article titled, 'Happy Thanksgiving". You should enjoy seeing how another group of people have been effected by the Herrlich Spirit.
If you haven't read the comments, please do so, and, feel free to leave your own.
I need to know your plans! Will you be attending? If you haven't let me know yet, please advise.
How about a few more camp memories? Do you remember:
** Hiking to and from the train?
** Greased watermelons?
** The Big Cheese?
** The races for "seconds"?
** The Great Water Hike?
** 13 straight days of rain?
** Mahopac Drive-In?
** Praying to the Great Pumpkin?
** Birch Hill Diner?
** Sybil Ludington?
** Skunk cabbage?
** Ralph Palumbo's carnival rides?
** Charles Roberts driving on the wrong side of the road?
** Giggle Belly?
** "Tisch"?
** The staff lounge?
** Soothing baths under Fleischmann's dam?
** The Herrlich Olympics?
** Hunting each other with BB guns?
** Driving to Brewster for Carvel's ice cream?
** Grand Central Station?
Peace, Love,
"Big Jim"
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