These recollections were posted as REPLIES by Bob Freid, who was a camper when Hank Snow, Mark Jonas and Myron Weintraub were counselors.
I compiled them for all of us to enjoy.
Thanks, Bob. (and send us some more)
A BUDDY CALL STORY
Hank Snow was a three year counselor who became a division head. I remember that he and his bunk started a famous meal time chant that began: "Pig, Hog, Chaza... Hank Snow (or another person's name), the buddy tow".
This chant started after one swim session in which Jerry Turner blew his whistle for "buddy call" and one camper did not have a buddy. Hank jumped into the water from life-guarding at poolside to assume the duty of the "buddy" to this camper so that he would not be yelled at by Pool Director Jerry.
WATERFRONT RECOLLECTIONS
I remember that there was an old crumbling wooden stairway leading down to the Waterfront, starting from the upper campus - just after Bunk 3 - and winding down to lower campus. You would see old cabins to your right at the end of this stairway, which is where the waiter staff resided. Going to the left would take you to the waterfront.
In 1964, the camp purchased a motor boat and waterskiing equipment, for use on the Delaware River. Mark Jonas was the waterfront instructor during this summer.
You could pass your deep water test for the upper campus pool (presided over by Jerry Turner) at the waterfront or at poolside with Jerry. The test consisted of swimming two laps, diving to the bottom of the pool, and treading water with your index fingers poking out of the water for one to two minutes.
I remember taking canoe trips from the waterfront to Bushkill, Pa. and back. We would go to the local stationary store and cafe in Bushkill and buy new comic books and have lunch. We would also sometimes sleep over at a campsite halfway back to Pokono and come back to camp the next morning.
1960's WATERFRONT RECOLLECTIONS
1965 COLORWAR SING ENTRANCE
Here are 2 recollections of this event, one by the Colorwar General who led it, and one by a Camper who was in it. (Myron's story was also printed in the July Newsletter)
I was the General of the 1965 Maroon team and “Myroon” was my nickname. Our counselors built a 20-30 foot circus car made out of wood and rubber wheels, covered it with paper and painted it to look like a moving circus car with a door in it. We had all the younger campers (about 60-70) dressed up in costumes like circus animals and they were in the car (walking within it – and could not be seen) as it was pulled toward the softball field during Sing Entrance presentation.
When the car reached the field, the campers inside the car all came out in “twos” (surprising all the onlookers) and performed like the animals they were dressed up as. Mark Jonas (my Lieutenant General) acted as “Ringmaster”. The “Ring” was surrounded by about 8 cars with their headlights on, to light up the event. In the dark, it looked fantastic.
As I recall, this entrance increased our lead and we won Color War. All who were there were very impressed with this presentation (including Jerry Turner and Mendy Vim). I think Marv Fleischman, the boys’ Head Counselor, took movies of this event. (by Myron Weintraub)
Bob Freid recollects:
As one of the participating "animals" during this presentation, it brings back great memories from 42 years ago. If you recall, these presentations were called "Physical Entrances" and were judged by the majesty of the presentation.
Do you remember Fake Color War announcements that tried to fool the campers into believing that Colorwar had begun? These phony announcements were probably as expensive to produce as Colorwar presentations.
MYRON'S 1960's COLORWAR MEMORIES
Colorwar Team Names:
The Maroon team of 1962 was called The New Yorkers. The 1963 team was The Planet Nooram. (Maroon spelled backwards) In 1964, it was Robin Hood & his Merry Men. In 1965 - Maroon Team Circus. I remember the themes because I was the Maroon Team General in all of them
Colorwar Breakouts: (don't hold me to the exact years)
In 1963, Colorwar broke out with a motocyle "gang". I think this was the year that the movie "The Wild Ones" with Marlon Brando, premiered. It was about a motocycle gang taking over a town. So, during line-up for the evening meal, a gang of motorcylists came roaring up the road and that broke color war. Afterwards, I saw Jerry Turner giving the head of the group a wad of money.
In 1964, a plane flew over the Camp and flyers announcing "Colorwar" were dropped from the plane. The boys head counselor, Marv Fleischman, was in the plane throwing out the flyers and directing the pilot.
In 1965, fire engines roared into Camp to break Colorwar.
One year, a counselor, either at line up or afterwards, pretended to be hurt and an ambulance was called to take him away. This broke Colorwar.
Colorwar Inspections:
During Colorwar, I remember that the judges inspected the top of the rafters - especially in Siberia (just to stay a little longer with the older CITs).
THE DAY MENDY ALMOST FIRED ALL THE WAITERS
It started, innocently enough, at least for a bunch of 15 and 16 year olds who didn't realize the consequences of what they were about to do.
It was dinnertime and we noticed that ices were on the desert menu.
Yet, when it was time for the waiters to eat - there were none for us.
Herd mentality overtook us and before you know it, we're indignantly chanting some ridiculous mantra about "no ices, no dinnner" and we decide NOT to serve dinner.
We're sitting on the bleachers or shooting around on the Basketball court (while the Counselors are serving their own tables) when I hear my name being called, "Perlow, get over here!" It's Mendy and he is "none too pleased". We gather on the bleachers and listen in stunned silence to how close we all were to being fired for such a "stunt".
Needless to say, we never did anything like that again.