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
Friday, September 5, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Camp Herrlich Reunion, -6 days
Greetings:
Well, we've finally made it to the last week before the reunion! Less than a week to go! This sure has been a long time coming! This will probably be my last post before the reunion. Our nation's current economic situation has wrecked havoc on the auto industry. Thankfully, General Motors has seen fit to lay us off for the upcoming week, allowing me the opportunity to drive down to North Carolina to visit my parents and take care of some of their business matters before heading to the reunion. Since I have not yet been able to bring myself to make a decision on which laptop to purchase, I will be pretty much offline once I leave home on Monday. So, if you have any last minute questions for me, please get them to me right away. If you must reach me after Monday, my cell phone number is: 405-413-1634. Please bear with me on this, I'm an old guy and new to cells, I have some real issues attempting to retreive messages and I just don't understand texting. So if you don't actually get to talk to me, your best bet is to call back.
At this point, we have eight people meeting for the pre-reunion dinner at the McCarthy Family Eatery located at 347 Route 52 in Carmel. It's right across the road from the old lumber yard. I suggest using one of the computer mapping services to get driving directions. If all else fails, their phone number is 845-225-6012. There's plenty of room if anyone else would like to join us. Oh, before I forget, I'm planning on arriving early, about 5pm so that those who need to can still get over to the camp and get settled before dark.
I am happy to announce that Pastor Wiker has agreed to lead our Sunday service up at the Chapel, weather permitting.
I trust that I don't need to tell anyone what they need to bring for a weekend at camp but, I must say, don't forget your flashlight. And, please bring your Herrlich pictures. If you have a recent photo for the memory book bring it along.
To those of you who are not attending the reunion, you will be missed and I guarantee that you will be in our thoughts. If your situation has changed and you can get there, please do so. I can assure you that no one will be upset. Otherwise, expect to hear from me in post-reunion blogs and as we work on putting together the memory book.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped make this reunion a success. That goes for those who helped plan, as well as, those who asked the tough questions that helped us cover all the stuff we might have missed otherwise. I'm really looking forward to seeing all of you. Please forgive me if I forget to thank you in person.
Please drive safely and I'll see you all next weekend!
Peace, Love,
Big Jim
Well, we've finally made it to the last week before the reunion! Less than a week to go! This sure has been a long time coming! This will probably be my last post before the reunion. Our nation's current economic situation has wrecked havoc on the auto industry. Thankfully, General Motors has seen fit to lay us off for the upcoming week, allowing me the opportunity to drive down to North Carolina to visit my parents and take care of some of their business matters before heading to the reunion. Since I have not yet been able to bring myself to make a decision on which laptop to purchase, I will be pretty much offline once I leave home on Monday. So, if you have any last minute questions for me, please get them to me right away. If you must reach me after Monday, my cell phone number is: 405-413-1634. Please bear with me on this, I'm an old guy and new to cells, I have some real issues attempting to retreive messages and I just don't understand texting. So if you don't actually get to talk to me, your best bet is to call back.
At this point, we have eight people meeting for the pre-reunion dinner at the McCarthy Family Eatery located at 347 Route 52 in Carmel. It's right across the road from the old lumber yard. I suggest using one of the computer mapping services to get driving directions. If all else fails, their phone number is 845-225-6012. There's plenty of room if anyone else would like to join us. Oh, before I forget, I'm planning on arriving early, about 5pm so that those who need to can still get over to the camp and get settled before dark.
I am happy to announce that Pastor Wiker has agreed to lead our Sunday service up at the Chapel, weather permitting.
I trust that I don't need to tell anyone what they need to bring for a weekend at camp but, I must say, don't forget your flashlight. And, please bring your Herrlich pictures. If you have a recent photo for the memory book bring it along.
To those of you who are not attending the reunion, you will be missed and I guarantee that you will be in our thoughts. If your situation has changed and you can get there, please do so. I can assure you that no one will be upset. Otherwise, expect to hear from me in post-reunion blogs and as we work on putting together the memory book.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped make this reunion a success. That goes for those who helped plan, as well as, those who asked the tough questions that helped us cover all the stuff we might have missed otherwise. I'm really looking forward to seeing all of you. Please forgive me if I forget to thank you in person.
Please drive safely and I'll see you all next weekend!
Peace, Love,
Big Jim
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Camp Herrlich Reunion, -15 Days
Greetings;
Just two more weeks, gee, the tensions starting to build. From all indications, we should have a pretty nice event. Sadly, most folks can't spend the whole weekend, but, after forty years, an awful lot of folks have apparently decided to make the effort to at least put in an appearance. In case I don't get to you at the reunion, let me take a moment to thank each and every single one of you who has taken the time to help make this a success. I can't wait! Judy, Norma Olsen Levettt, Tyrone and I are planning to get together up near the camp for a pre-reunion dinner on Friday. If you'd like to join us, drop me an email. Ruben can only make it for Saturday. Hector and Pat Petersen Puchalski will be flying in together for Saturday and Sunday. Karen Kangas Repka and her hubby will be joining us on Saturday. The Duehne delegation, seven strong will becoming in on Saturday. It looks like if you can only spare one day at the reunion, you probably want to make it Saturday.
Those staying at the camp will be bunking in cabins in the Girl's Unit. That's what we all remember as the Boy's Unit, the one nearest to the lake. A number of you have voiced concerns about using the outhouses down in the units. Let me assure you that they are not the same ones we had forty years ago. The rest rooms at the dining hall are still around so, if you don't want to rough it, you can just climb the hill and go in comfort.
The issue of alcoholic beverages has been addressed. We will be able to serve beer and wine. However, this will be very strictly monitered. We're all getting a bit too old to be tying one on. A glass or two of wine most of us can still handle. Consider this as an opportunity for some mood adjustment not an old fashioned attitude adjustment. There will be limitations, every car leaving the grounds will need to have a sober designated driver. This must be handled in a responsible adult manner so that everyone can enjoy themselves and no one ends up getting hurt or in any kind of trouble.
As I think back tothe 1992 reunion, I recall that it was a rather damp and chilly weekend. You'll probably be well advised to pack a sweater, sweatshirt or light jacket at the very least. And, it can always rain, so don't forget some sort of raingear.
Several people have, in my opinion, been going a bit far in praising me for putting this reunion together. While everyone enjoys a pat on the back, I want to explain just how we came to be having this reunion. Through the years I have pretty much stayed in touch with several of you. Tyrone and I both lost touch with Ralph Palumbo for a few years. Then out of the blue Ralph contacted Tyrone, I called him and we spoke for quite some time. In case you are not aware of it, Ralph has faced a number of serious health issues through the years. After talking to him, I got to thinking about Kathy Connelly Lillestollen(1969, 1971), many of you will remember her as "Spot". Over the years, our paths crossed a number of times. Aside from Herrlich, her best friend in college was a young lady that I was dating and had taken to my prom, then she married the son of the pastor of a church in my neighborhood. So, we had ended up running into each other periodically until I moved off to Oklahoma in the mid-70's. I lost track of her until I started looking for people for the 1992 reunion. I found out that her family had relocated to Nashville but, they were off living in Sweden at the time so, she missed the reunion. Well, I set out to locate her and soon discovered that she had passed away. In discussing her death and our own frailty and mortality with Ralph Palumbo and Tyrone Wims, the thought arose that if we were ever to have another Herrlich reunion, we had better do it very soon. Clearly, if Kathy had not passed away, we would not be having this reunion. Out of a tragedy, we are rediscovering each other and the joys we once shared. I really don't remember which one of us brought up the idea of having the reunion first. Guess that's not really important, but I want you all to understand that this was a group venture not a solo act by me as so many of you seem to think. So, when we all get to the reunion, please thank Ralph and Tyrone because if they hadn't helped get it all started and then continued to help and push me along the way, there's just no way we'd all have gotten back together.
If you haven't told me when you'll be at the reunion, please do so as soon as possible.
PLEASE BRING ALONG ALL OF YOUR HERRLICH PICTURES!
Peace, Love,
Big Jim
Just two more weeks, gee, the tensions starting to build. From all indications, we should have a pretty nice event. Sadly, most folks can't spend the whole weekend, but, after forty years, an awful lot of folks have apparently decided to make the effort to at least put in an appearance. In case I don't get to you at the reunion, let me take a moment to thank each and every single one of you who has taken the time to help make this a success. I can't wait! Judy, Norma Olsen Levettt, Tyrone and I are planning to get together up near the camp for a pre-reunion dinner on Friday. If you'd like to join us, drop me an email. Ruben can only make it for Saturday. Hector and Pat Petersen Puchalski will be flying in together for Saturday and Sunday. Karen Kangas Repka and her hubby will be joining us on Saturday. The Duehne delegation, seven strong will becoming in on Saturday. It looks like if you can only spare one day at the reunion, you probably want to make it Saturday.
Those staying at the camp will be bunking in cabins in the Girl's Unit. That's what we all remember as the Boy's Unit, the one nearest to the lake. A number of you have voiced concerns about using the outhouses down in the units. Let me assure you that they are not the same ones we had forty years ago. The rest rooms at the dining hall are still around so, if you don't want to rough it, you can just climb the hill and go in comfort.
The issue of alcoholic beverages has been addressed. We will be able to serve beer and wine. However, this will be very strictly monitered. We're all getting a bit too old to be tying one on. A glass or two of wine most of us can still handle. Consider this as an opportunity for some mood adjustment not an old fashioned attitude adjustment. There will be limitations, every car leaving the grounds will need to have a sober designated driver. This must be handled in a responsible adult manner so that everyone can enjoy themselves and no one ends up getting hurt or in any kind of trouble.
As I think back tothe 1992 reunion, I recall that it was a rather damp and chilly weekend. You'll probably be well advised to pack a sweater, sweatshirt or light jacket at the very least. And, it can always rain, so don't forget some sort of raingear.
Several people have, in my opinion, been going a bit far in praising me for putting this reunion together. While everyone enjoys a pat on the back, I want to explain just how we came to be having this reunion. Through the years I have pretty much stayed in touch with several of you. Tyrone and I both lost touch with Ralph Palumbo for a few years. Then out of the blue Ralph contacted Tyrone, I called him and we spoke for quite some time. In case you are not aware of it, Ralph has faced a number of serious health issues through the years. After talking to him, I got to thinking about Kathy Connelly Lillestollen(1969, 1971), many of you will remember her as "Spot". Over the years, our paths crossed a number of times. Aside from Herrlich, her best friend in college was a young lady that I was dating and had taken to my prom, then she married the son of the pastor of a church in my neighborhood. So, we had ended up running into each other periodically until I moved off to Oklahoma in the mid-70's. I lost track of her until I started looking for people for the 1992 reunion. I found out that her family had relocated to Nashville but, they were off living in Sweden at the time so, she missed the reunion. Well, I set out to locate her and soon discovered that she had passed away. In discussing her death and our own frailty and mortality with Ralph Palumbo and Tyrone Wims, the thought arose that if we were ever to have another Herrlich reunion, we had better do it very soon. Clearly, if Kathy had not passed away, we would not be having this reunion. Out of a tragedy, we are rediscovering each other and the joys we once shared. I really don't remember which one of us brought up the idea of having the reunion first. Guess that's not really important, but I want you all to understand that this was a group venture not a solo act by me as so many of you seem to think. So, when we all get to the reunion, please thank Ralph and Tyrone because if they hadn't helped get it all started and then continued to help and push me along the way, there's just no way we'd all have gotten back together.
If you haven't told me when you'll be at the reunion, please do so as soon as possible.
PLEASE BRING ALONG ALL OF YOUR HERRLICH PICTURES!
Peace, Love,
Big Jim
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Camp Herrlich Reunion, -23 days
Greetings:
I received word from Bob Gentile that there will be campers still at the camp until 6pm on Friday, August 29. The staff will be having a party off site once the campers leave. There will be about 20-25 current staff remaining Friday night with some possibly staying as long as Sunday. We will have the use of the camp once the campers are gone. If you plan to arrive on Friday, please arrange your schedule to arrive at 6pm or later. Breakfast on Saturday will be the first meal available at the camp. I foresee no problems sharing the camp with some of the present staff. As a matter of fact, I'm looking forward to the opportunity to meet some of them.
Area Motels
In New York: Heidi's; Route 22, Brewster, 845-279-8011
Henry Van; Solon Road, Brewster, 845-279-3428
Bellaire Motor Inn; Route 22, Brewster, 845-279-3350
Smalley Inn; Main Street, Carmel, 845-225-9874
In Connecticutt: Hilton; I-84, Exit 2, Danbury, 203-205-2000
Sheraton; I-84, Exit 2, Danbury, 203-794-0600
Marriott; I-84, Exit 4, Danbury, 203-797-1256
Most of these motels have websites and offer lower rates online. I've given you a number of options so, you can select the establishment that best fits your tastes and budget.
It would be greatly appreciated if you could give me some idea of when you might be at the reunion. It would help immensely with planning the numbers for the meals.
How about some more memories?
Do you remember....
** Carving soap figures
** "Cricket"
** Richard Howell's stories
** Endless card games
** Nap time
** Washing windshields at the Mahopac Drive-In
** Watching the first moon landing
** Singing on 42nd Street
** "Dimples"
** "you FOOTLOCKER"
** Playing basketball against Lake Carmel
** The wild collies
** The nativity scene in the goat pen
** water lillies
** Marsha and Jeanne baking brownies
** Ping pong
** Being refused drinks on Main Street in Brewster
** Gerry wiggling his ears
** Larry Bramble waking up
** The luau band
** "People"
** Staff pajama parties
** Palisades Park
** The party at the Girl Scout camp
Just over three more weeks and we're on our way back to camp, I can't wait!
Peace, Love,
Big Jim
I received word from Bob Gentile that there will be campers still at the camp until 6pm on Friday, August 29. The staff will be having a party off site once the campers leave. There will be about 20-25 current staff remaining Friday night with some possibly staying as long as Sunday. We will have the use of the camp once the campers are gone. If you plan to arrive on Friday, please arrange your schedule to arrive at 6pm or later. Breakfast on Saturday will be the first meal available at the camp. I foresee no problems sharing the camp with some of the present staff. As a matter of fact, I'm looking forward to the opportunity to meet some of them.
Area Motels
In New York: Heidi's; Route 22, Brewster, 845-279-8011
Henry Van; Solon Road, Brewster, 845-279-3428
Bellaire Motor Inn; Route 22, Brewster, 845-279-3350
Smalley Inn; Main Street, Carmel, 845-225-9874
In Connecticutt: Hilton; I-84, Exit 2, Danbury, 203-205-2000
Sheraton; I-84, Exit 2, Danbury, 203-794-0600
Marriott; I-84, Exit 4, Danbury, 203-797-1256
Most of these motels have websites and offer lower rates online. I've given you a number of options so, you can select the establishment that best fits your tastes and budget.
It would be greatly appreciated if you could give me some idea of when you might be at the reunion. It would help immensely with planning the numbers for the meals.
How about some more memories?
Do you remember....
** Carving soap figures
** "Cricket"
** Richard Howell's stories
** Endless card games
** Nap time
** Washing windshields at the Mahopac Drive-In
** Watching the first moon landing
** Singing on 42nd Street
** "Dimples"
** "you FOOTLOCKER"
** Playing basketball against Lake Carmel
** The wild collies
** The nativity scene in the goat pen
** water lillies
** Marsha and Jeanne baking brownies
** Ping pong
** Being refused drinks on Main Street in Brewster
** Gerry wiggling his ears
** Larry Bramble waking up
** The luau band
** "People"
** Staff pajama parties
** Palisades Park
** The party at the Girl Scout camp
Just over three more weeks and we're on our way back to camp, I can't wait!
Peace, Love,
Big Jim
Thursday, July 31, 2008
CampHerrlich Reunion, -29 days
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
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
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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