Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Camp Herrlich Reunion, +16 days




Greetings:

Above you will find the photos that I got of those attending the reunion. There are two photos because somehow or other no one noticed that the entire Duehne delegation was not present when the group shot was being taken. We are attempting to edit these so that everyone will appear in one picture.


Top Photo
Front row: Karen Duehne Aromando, Sarah Harrold, and Kenny Duehne
Back row: Debbie Negro Gainor, Ellie Duehne Harrold, and Carol Duehne

Bottom Photo
Front row: Tyrone Wims, Ruth Heins Phillips, Barbara Clausen, Louis Clausen, Norma Olsen Levett, and Rene Wiker
Middle row: Warner Wims, Judy Elevick Reilly, Ruben Colon, Karen Kangas Repka, Steve Perge, and Nancy Gundersen
Back row: Linda Larson DeLong, Jim Lindsey, Pastor Ed Wiker, Gloria Pabon, Bob Gundersen, Phil Olsen, and Ralph Palumbo

Missing: Pat Petersen Puchalski and Hector Maldonado

Friday, September 5, 2008

Herrlich Reunion, +4 days

Greetings:

Our reunion has come and gone. And, I for one, believe that it was definitely well worth all of the time and effort that went into it. It still amazes me that I actually got the opportunity to spend time with so many people that mean so much to me. I truly feel sorry for those who were unable to attend. I am indebted to each and every one of you who sacrificed the time and expense to make the trip. You all contributed in making the reunion a truly memorable weekend.

The reunion reminded me of something that Henry Ford once said, "Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress but working together is success." It was clear that our successes working together created a bond among us that the years could not change. Almost forty years later, it was like we had never been apart. The years may have changed our bodies but, our love for one another clearly lives on. Must be that old Herrlich Spirit. It was really refreshing to see that the present camp staff is carrying on the same Spirit.

Our reunion attendees were:
Chaplin Colonel Ruben Colon, 1967-70, from Maryland
Linda Larsen DeLong, 1969, and husband, Tom, from Pennsylvania
Carol Duehne Dunn, camper 1966-71, from New Jersey
Eleanor Duehne Harrold, camper 1965-7, staff 1970-3, and daughter, Stacy, New York
Karen Duehne Aromando, camper 1966-70, staff 1971-5, from New York
Kenny Duehne, camper 1968-72
Debbie Negro Gainor, 1971, from Louisiana
Bob Gundersen, Camp Director 1970-1, and wife, Nancy, from New York
Norma Olsen Levett, 1968 from North Carolina
Phil Olsen, 1970-2, from Maryland
Gloria Pabon, 1969-70, and husband, Elmer Santiago, from New York
Ralph Palumbo, 1965, 1967-70, and wife, Nellie, from New York
Steve Perge, 1969-72, from New York
Ruth Heins Phillips, 1970, and husband, Alan, from Connecticutt
Pat Petersen Puchalski, 1968-9, from Ohio
Judy Elevick Reilly, 1967-69, from Maryland
Karen Kangas Repka, 1968-70, and husband, Charles, from New Jersey
Pastor Ed Wiker, Camp Director 1962, 1967-9, and wife, Rene, from New Jersey
Tyrone Wims, 1968-70, from Pennsylvania
Warner Wims, 1968, from California
Hector Maldonado, 1967-72(?), from Ohio
Louis Clausen, 1962, and wife, Barbara, from New York
Jim Lindsey, 1968-71, from Indiana

I am confident that I can say on behalf of all the attendees, a big thank you to Bob Gentile for all that he did to make our reunion the success that it was. Not only did he provided the use of the camp free of charge, but he went out of his way to help us at every turn and he made sure that everything went smoothly. Then, there was the food. I can honestly say that through the years I have been to a lot of camps but, none of them ever served better food.

I want you all to be aware that the camp is in dire need of our financial assistance. There are two major projects that must be addressed so that the camp can continue it's mission. The lake is in need of an immediate dredging and the dining hall has deteriorated to the point where it desparately needs to be replaced. I would ask that you seriously consider making a contribution. Every dollar counts. The LSS and the churches can no longer be counted on to provide the necessary funding. Let's make sure that the Camp Herrlich experience can continue to brighten the lives of as many children as possible. Please give what you can.

Peace, Love,

Big Jim