Friday, March 8, 2013

Wawayanda is really the oldest Y camp

Over the years there has been a good deal of discussion about the original Wawayanda/Dudley co-founding of the first YMCA summer camp in the U.S. Sumner Dudley founded a camp in 1885 along Lake Wawayanda in northwestern New Jersey, then moved the camp to Orange, NY. Later the camp split: Dudley took his group to the Adirondacks (to what is now Camp Dudley) and another group remained at Lake Wawayanda in New Jersey. 

For years we talked about Wawayanda as having been founded, under the direction of Charles R. Scott, in 1901. Bud Cox and others have been arguing that in fact our founding dates back to Dudley's first camp in 1885.

Above is a photograph and caption from a book by Ronald J. Dupont, Jr., called Vernon Township. The photo was taken at Camp Wawayanda in 1909. But the caption notes: "A tent group on a sand shore. Lake Wawayanda is regarded as the first permanent YMCA camp in the United States, and the program carried the name Wawayanda to its later camps (the present one being in the Catskills). The camp was established by Sumner F. Dudley in the 1880s and left Lake Wawayanda after the property was purchased by the New Jersey Zinc Company in 1919."

Monday, March 4, 2013

when the maintenance staff lived in the cabins

A few days ago I reported the passing of Al (some of us knew him as "Alfie") Welch. Frank Rutan wrote me his recollection of Alfie and agreed to share it with all of us:

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Al Welch was a Frost Valley employee.   In 1969 I was the counseler in Totem Village Cabin 2  from about mid July thru the end of the summer.  For reasons long forgotten,  they decided to have      maintenance personnel sleep in the cabins.   Al  (usually known as Alfie) joined us in Cabin 2.   We didn’t see a lot of him since he left early in the morning and came back later in the evening.  But he was always cheerful and chatty with the campers when he was around.  However,  maintenance was clearly his interest in camp. He was a strong, stocky guy who played tight end for Tri-Valley High School,   as I remember.  Even then,  just finishing up high school,   he was clearly a capable member of the maintenance dept.   He was also a heavy equipment operator  and I remember one day when he drove Carl Hess crazy the way he was driving  a backhoe. 

He likely worked for the camp for more than just that one summer but I don’t remember for sure.  I believe he went into the Navy soon after high school and I remember him spending time on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.   Unfortunately he had some health problems later in life.   At the time of Halbe’s memorial in October,  Bill Devlin indicated that Al was not well at all.   So it is with great sadness to hear of his passing. While most staffers from that era probably didn’t know him,  he was a big part of the maintenance dept and thus the Frost Valley family.

Friday, February 22, 2013

Al Welch has passed


Many Frost Valley'ers will fondly remember the Devlin family. Bill came to Frost Valley in around 1967 as a property manager and soon became FV's first Environmental Education Director. Eva did many things over the years in the kitchen and at the Castle. Their three daughters, Lorraine, Eileen, and Patti, grew up at Frost Valley. 

Lorraine married Al Welch who (I believe) also worked at Frost Valley. They moved to nearby Neversink and were married for 40 years. I'm sorry to report that in January Al died at the too-young age of 61. Below is the published obituary.

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William (Al) Welch, age 61 a long time resident of Neversink, NY passed away on January 8, 2013 after a short illness. 

Al was born in Torrington, CT on November 14, 1951. He graduated from Tri-Valley Central School and continued on to military service with the U.S. Navy Seabees where he served for four years. 

Al worked as an operating engineer for 20 years, and retired as a groundskeeper for Tri-Valley Central School in 2010. Al was also actively involved with the Neversink Fire Company for many years where he served as a Commissioner and volunteer fireman. In retirement he thoroughly enjoyed motorcycling, spending time with close friends and family, woodworking, and fellowshipping with his MSBF Church family. He will be remembered for his “quick wit,” and “always lending a helping hand.” 

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Lorraine Welch, daughter Tina Tynecki and her husband James of Hellertown, PA, son Thomas Welch and his wife Denise of Glen Spey, NY, a brother Gilbert T. Welch and his wife Susan of Woodbourne, NY, a sister Susan Harris of Brooksville, FL, as well as several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. 

Al is preceded in death by his father Gilbert T. Welch, mother Irene A. Welch and one sister, Sarah Kay who died as an infant. 

Calling hours will be held at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home in Woodbourne, NY from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 12 after which a short memorial service will be held.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be sent to MSBF (Main Street Bible Fellowship) Ministries, PO Box 344, Livingston Manor, NY 12758 (http://www.msbfministries.org/) or Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550 (www.hospiceoforange.com)

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Pop Turner


If you were around Frost Valley in the 1980s, especially between September and June, there's a good chance that you went on a hayride driven by Milton Turner, whom everyone knew as "Pop." In the winter, he brought his horses and took folks out across the fields in a big sleigh. You'll remember Marge, too - and their daughter Margie (horsebarn staff in the mid-80s).

I'm sorry to report here that Pop Turner passed away last night. Below are a few notes from Glenn Horton.

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from Glenn Horton: 

Milton (Pop) Turner passed away last night after a short fight with cancer. Pop was very much involved with the Frost Valley family during the '80s. He and his wife Marge worked in various capacities Frost Valley but he was probably most well known for his horses Ben and Don, who spent countless weekends taking families and groups on hayrides and winter sleigh rides. Pop loved the Frost Valley community and I know the folks that got to know him enjoyed his company as well. I do not have information on services yet, but when I do I will pass them on.

Obituary from the Record:

October 25, 1925 - February 11, 2013
Woodbourne, NY

Milton Turner of Woodbourne passed away on Monday, February 11, 2013 at Catskill Regional Medical Center with his family by his side. He was 87.
He was the son of the late Vernon and Hazel Geer Turner, born on October 25, 1925 in Divine Corners, NY.

He proudly served our country in the United States Army during World War II. Milton was a member of the Hudson Valley Draft Horse Association, Cornell Corporative and an honorary member of the FFA. He was a retired correctional officer for the NYS Department of Corrections. He had a special love of horses and liked to be outdoors. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to all that knew and loved him.

He is survived by his loving children: two sons, Dewayne and his wife, Peggy of Woodbourne, Jan and his wife, Mildred of Spring Mills, PA; two daughters, Marjorie Coelho of Woodbourne, Carol and her husband, Fred Shaver of Lew Beach; two foster daughters, Bertha O`Toole, and Bernice Barrett; eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; two sisters, Sylvia Kortright, Marion Keator; and one brother, Vernon Turner. He was predeceased by his devoted wife, Marjorie E. Turner and one son, Lewis Turner.

Visitation will be on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne, NY 12788 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be on Friday, February 15, 2013 at the funeral home at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers donations in Milton's name can be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550, or a charity of ones own choice.
Arrangements were under the direction of Colonial-Bryant Funeral Home and Cremation Services; for further information please call 845-434-7363 or visit our website at

Friday, February 8, 2013

summer storm comin'

I love looking up at the Castle just before a summer storm hits.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

pooch


Alex Papouchis at the Labor Day 2011 reunion.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

real winter weather

I spent a good but very chilly weekend at Frost Valley. The Board of Trustees gathered for a long session on board development and governance - very successful discussions! This morning I departed early. Here you see sunrise from the Castle lawn, and, above that, a look at the road about 3 miles west of camp. Brrrr!



Monday, January 28, 2013

Outpost and Forest, 1968


 Two photos from July 1968. Above: Outpost, in front of cabin 12, Doug Kerr on the left and Jim Ewen at right. Below: Forest village, Gil Kerr (Doug's brother) at left.  Doug and Gil are wearing the classic white-with-orange-trim Wawayanda t-shirts we all wore on the first day of camp. And those staff shirts! Classic! I own one of these myself, a treasure.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

you can see the Castle from the observatory in the winter

This morning I took this photo from the observatory at Frost Valley. In the winter, from there, you can see the Castle.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Devlins, Hess, Ewen

At the October 2012 memorial weekend for Halbe Brown. Left to right: Bill Devlin, Eva Devlin, Marie Hess, Jim Ewen.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Lenape '72

 Bill Madden sent us this photo - of Lenape cabin 18 in 1972. We seem to be having a run on photos of cabin 18 across the years.

Monday, December 31, 2012

1967



In the top photo, you see, at right, the old garage that in 1967 functioned as the Arts & Crafts Shop, now Hayden Lodge. In the middle you see the old Forstmann cow barn, later used by the camp as "the rec hall" - and, from 1976 on, Margetts Lodge. At barely visible at left: the Forstmann-era bullpen, then used (and still today is used) as the camp laundry. Middle photo: the Ad Office (administration office), the original Forstmann calf barn; you can see the Olympic Circle behind it. Bottom photo: at right, flyfishing shack (Forstmann's paymasters house), and to its left, Smith Lodge, the camp infirmary. Next to the left to Smith, you can barely see the archery range, and to the left of that is the garage/Crafts Shop that later became Hayden Lodge.

Lenape 1967


Cabin 18, Lenape village, 1967. At right is Sven Grotrian. The counselor, wearing a classic Wawayanda staff shirt (white with orange lettering and canoe insignia), is Jim Anisi.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Ariana Juno ("Roo") Geller, our newest camper

Sue Geller has some good news to share:

Please help give a Wawayanda Welcome with lots of hoopla to baby Ariana Juno (aka "Roo") Geller who was born on Thursday December 6 at 11:34 pm , 7 lbs,19 1/2 inches.
I was in the delivery room with the birth mom and it was amazing!  Because of the legalities of interstate adoption, we have to stay in RI for the first ~10 days. Lucky for us we found a great place to "camp out", at Camp Fuller by the Sea, courtesy of Peter and Claudia Swain! I love that she left the hospital to go straight to camp !!

Friday, December 14, 2012

1989 cabin list - Tacoma, session 3

Here's a close-up of part of the cabin list for session 3, 1989. You see four cabins - 3 in Tacoma (cabins 41-45) and one Sacky cabin (they were in 46-50). Of the seven staff listed here, five are still involved with Frost Valley - are at least in touch with us. That's remarkable in itself. Note that Abby Kantrowitz (the director who typed up the list on a word processor didn't try to spell her last name!) is by herself in cabin 42; yes, there was a time when typically one cabin in each village was run solo by a counselor. I also want to point out that a number of the campers in these cabins that session were lifers and went on to become staff. Among those are Wendy Warren and Karin Turer. I'm sure late-80s/90s folks will see others.


Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Linda Richards


A recent photo of Linda Richards, she of the golden voice, nimble guitar-picking fingers, and infectious laugh.

Monday, October 15, 2012

at the memorial service for Halbe Brown

From left to right: Bill Brown, Jeff Brown, Jim Brown, David Brown. The framed poster is one Halbe had hung in his office for 35 years at Frost Valley. Then he gave it to son Jim, whose own YMCA career Halbe wanted to honor. As of yesterday, Jim has given the poster to Jerry Huncosky, FV's CEO, and so now it goes back into the exec's office. One big fabulous beautiful ongoing circle.

Just after the memorial service for Halbe Brown in the FV dining hall yesterday: from left to right, Mike Cobb, Mark Kramer, Peggy Hope, Barbara Hale, Barbara Brower, Mark Showers.

Friday, September 28, 2012

STEP steps up (videos)

Olivia Fraioli went through her videos from the summer of '12 and found three she wanted to share. She was involved with STEP village. These are young adults with various disabilities who have fun, learn about how camp works and help out by doing various jobs and tasks. It's the dream of most campers in Mac village that they will someday join STEP. Here's Olivia:

This summer while working in step we had the privilege of getting to participate in Mike and Stuart's LAST gumbo olympics of 2012. it was actually a funny story -- we weren't sure if we were going to be able to even do them at all! we only had 7 campers in step, which isn't enough to do them with, and were supposed to have done them with windsong, but we had a bit of a scheduling mishap and ended up scheduling the olympics for different days. the other group i had asked to participate with us ended up backing out the period before we were going...so i was extremely nervous! i knew that a bunch of windsong girls this particular session were PHENOMENAL mainstreamers, and truly just loved hanging out with the campers in the mac program. our olympics was scheduled during hird waterfront, so i found them before it and nervously asked if they wanted to participate. i wasn't sure if they were going to say yes, because most of them didn't swim and just hung out which i thought they loved. it turned out they couldn't have been happier or more HONORED to have been asked to hang out with us! even though they had just done the gumbo olympics the day before, they were SO excited.

Mike McNamee and Stuart Duff got to know my campers very well from living in lakeview with us...but it truly went beyond that. they came to our devotions, hung out with us whenever they could...and really just put in true time and effort to get to know our village, which a lot of people don't necessarily do. i feel as though step sometimes gets overlooked at camp, since our guys are much older than most campers at Frost Valley. Nevertheless, mike and stuart completely disregarded those stereotypes and truly became a part of our village. over the course of the session my kids really grew fond of them, so needless to say i was EXTREMELY nervous to possibly have to cancel the olympics on them- something they were looking forward to all week. It was also the very last activity scheduled, and I had cancelled the activity right before it so they could finish packing their belongings.

We (STEP, the PHENOMENAL Windsong ladies, and Mike and Stewart) all met up in front of Margetts for what turned out to be the absolute best activity period of the entire session, and maybe the entire summer in STEP. My campers that didn't typically like to participate were screaming at the top of their lungs, and smiles were just plastered on everyone's face for an hour and a half. This period truly embodied the Frost Valley spirit, and the mission of not only camp, but also the goal of the MAC partnership. I had never been prouder or more excited about any activity I've ever taken part in as a counselor.

I took videos of each groups final performances.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

hiring a full-time media person

Frost Valley is now hiring a full-time multi-media coordinator. Here is the job description: link.

Friday, September 14, 2012

memorial for Halbe Brown

A memorial event is being planned for Sunday, October 14. It will be held at Frost Valley. I personally hope that many, many, many of us can attend as an expression of our deep love and respect for Halbe, and Jane - and the Brown family. The service is likely to begin at either 11 am or 1 pm. The location at camp (Ketcham Chapel? Geyer Hall? outdoor Wawayanda Chapel?) will depend on weather and on the number of people attending. It happens to be a weekend when there are many lodges and cabins available. Everyone is welcome to come back to Frost Valley for the whole weekend, or, of course, just for Saturday night and the Sunday event. If you are relatively nearby, you can, of course, come up just for Sunday. The cost will be $25 per person per night (including lodging and food), and this cost is simply to help defray food and housekeeping expenses. We expect a lot of people to be back at the Valley for this occasion, so please know that all lodging will be shared. It would help the folks at Frost Valley if you organized your group - if indeed you are part of a group - prior to calling to register. Please call the registrar office at 845-985-2291 extension 450 when you are ready to register. But please do not call before Monday. Even if you are coming for Sunday daytime only, please let FV know by calling the registrar so we can have enough chairs, parking, and lunch. I hope to see EVERYONE back at Frost Valley on October 14 so we can appropriately honor and memorialize our generous, visionary friend and mentor.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

good night

Last night, my last night here this summer, was a stunner. As you see, clear skies, and a moon. I walked by the lake on my way to tell a story to Susky and Lakota (together) and saw this and stopped for a long while just to ponder the scene, and what it means to me. Which is to say: a great deal.

I had gone out for pizza at dinnertime and brought back two fabulous toppings-filled slices, along with a giant cakey brownie. I'd checked in on a village evening program in progress, and saw two counselors (one was crying - about the coming end of summer - and the other was comforting her) who seemed to need the treat, and invited them to go to my car, parked nearby, and partake. A few minutes later, I went to get a flashlight from my car, and they were sitting in the back seat, the one no longer crying and the other no longer consoling, munching happily on the slices.

I walked up the hill, past the old cabins of the 40s and 30s (girls 1-20 in the old days) and around the "high road" past Tacoma and toward Sacky. A fairly large black bear, who'd been messing with some garbage bins, ambled across the road about 15 feet in front of me.

Eventually I walked back to Geyer Hall where the two villages of girls awaited my story. Susky had been swimming in the lake for evening program, and they were cold - although they'd changed into dry clothes in their cabins. So indoors on this cold night made sense, though I missed telling my final story of the summer around a fire and under the stars. Some campers fell soundly and happily asleep during the story, but most were bolt upright and enjoyed being "scared" by the (mildly) scary parts.

Then, at the end, I said goodnight to them and they in unison with soft tired voices said goodnight to me. And as I left a number of them came to me for goodnight hugs. It's all I needed for a final evening. I walked down the hill, no flashlight, now in pitch darkness. I could have done one of those late nights around, had another Outpost-burger (delicious a few nights ago!) but figured my Susky/Lakota hugs were a good finale.

From home I will doubtless post a few more entries, using some photos and videos I've taken throughout the summer. But I will be doing that not from here. Here where I want to be. Funny how this place goes so easily, too easily, from presence to absence. But I have to say it's about the most present absence I can imagine.

Goodnight, Susky and Lakota.

Goodnight, Al.

Tell us another story.

Not tonight. But certainly next summer. Will you be back?

We will.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Hirdstock evening concert: "There's a place in the world for Frost Valley"

superhero Al

Alex Toy has drawn me as a cartoon superhero.

Forest camper has a big idea and gets an audience

In one of the most remarkable mealtime discussions I've ever had at Frost Valley, Matthew, a Forest camper (is he 10 years old? I think so), had a "big idea" and wanted to have some time with the CEO. He spoke with his counselor. He spoke with his Village Chief. Then the VC and Matthew spoke with his camp director, Megan Lawrence. Then an audience was procured with Jerry Huncosky. I happened to be there. There was a veteran alumnus/volunteer, a camp director, a VC, a trustee, the director of camping, and the CEO. And Matthew held forth for some time, explaining in detail his grand vision. Well, his grand vision was that children from the midwest would come directly to camp on trains. The camp experience would begin as they got onto the trains and the trains would move eastward and arrive at camp. Matthew had all the details worked out, and was planning to speak with Amtrak to begin the coordination. It happens that Jerry's dad worked on a midwestern railroad for more than thirty years, so the two railroad enthusiasts had a lot to say to each other. Eventually, Jerry invited Matthew to come see him in his office so he would show him the model trains he has displayed there.

Monday, August 20, 2012

talkin' with McNamee (interview - audio)

Today I caught up with Mike McNamee again and we recorded our chat. You'll want to listen to the 12-minute audio.

During our discussion, McNamee and I realized that our daughters - Hannah the counselor of cabin 44 and Fionn, a camper in the same cabin - would be performing at Hirdstock that afternoon. Below are two photos and a video of that splendid performance! You should have seen us then - a couple of heart-filled and proud dads.

2-minute video of Hirdstock as it began this afternoon

Hirdstock 2012

dancing freely

After the Lakota/Outpost Challenge Night, last night, everyone "won" an ice cream sundae (with "all the toppings"). Fantastic. Yes. But what to do while you're waiting around for your group to be called up to the sundae line? Dance, that's what.

Adventure Village learns canoeing before their 3-day trip


Lincoln McClain, our fabulous new Adventure Director, instructs the campers of Adventure Village in the basic art of canoe strokes before the kids and their counselors head out for a 3-day canoe trip.

inducting Fenn Putman into the FV hall of fame

Today we induct Fenn Putman into our Hall of Fame - the longest serving member of the Frost Valley Board of Trustees in the history of this board; in 2012 he marks his fortieth year as a member. This summer we also honor his service as President of the Board, as he steps down from that position after twelve eventful years. Few in the long history of the camp have set a more consistent tone of caring and compassion and clear values-based intention, providing a model of focus and purpose that has permeated the culture of the organization from the Board member to the novice front-line staff.

Fenn was brought onto the Board in 1972 by Jim Kellogg, who recruited him for his business acumen and because he offered representation from Morris County, NJ., a key region for our campers and families but then underrepresented among the trustee membership. By his account – although no one else’s – he languished on various committees and felt his participation to be “less than stellar.” But there is no

dispute about what happened next. After in the early 1990s having recruiting him to the position of Treasurer, Jim Kellogg planned to step down as Chaiman in 1999 and persuaded Fenn to become President as Paul Guenther became succeeding Chair, with Jim continuing as Vice President for a few more years. Fenn’s ascendancy to the leadership position crucially coincided with the announced impending retirement of long-serving Executive Director D. Halbe Brown after 35 years of visionary program expansion and land acquisition. Fenn chaired two search committees over the next few years. In the 10-month interim between these hiring efforts, he led a trustee-staff oversight committee, visited the camp every week, and essentially served as interim director of Frost Valley. The second search produced a result – the hiring of Jerry Huncosky as CEO – that Fenn counts as his most significant achievement as President. The Putman/Huncosky team led Frost Valley from deficit to surplus, improved staff housing, rationalized land ownership, converted underutilized programs into thriving new centers, introduced rigorous assessments, and significantly refined the mission. If finding, hiring and retaining such an effective CEO is the achievement he ranks first, second is his co-chairmanship with Hunter Corbin of the capital campaign that produced funds to build Geyer and Lakeview Lodges and the Guenther Wellness Center.

Nothing is more inspiring for Fenn Putman that being on hand for summer camp check-in days, where he watches, emotions welling in him, as a newly re-arriving MAC camper jumps into the arms of his counselor from the summer before, while the child’s parents stand by in utter tearful happiness at their child’s happiness. He attends every annual staff awards dinner and has found it “one of the most moving experiences of my life” – as truly great people are recognized for their selfless hard work while everyone else, far from feeling envious, is ecstatically supportive. When asked for a statement to sum up his feelings about Frost Valley, he characteristically again points to the staff. “What’s impressed me,” he says, “is how a dedicated staff, living in modest housing, earning modest income, does so much good for so many people and has changed so many lives.” He adds that one need only contrast that with the conventional work experience – where someone “has a desk and a phone and wants a zillion dollars” – and one could only vastly prefer Frost Valley people. His constant support of them over forty years is unmatched by anyone who has been a member of this Board. For his capacity to be inspired, and to inspire, and for his zeal about truly good work, we induct Fenn Putman into the Frost Valley Hall of Fame.

inducting Jerome Wolff into the FV hall of fame

In honoring Jerome Wolff, we recognize a YMCA leader who joined our camp’s Board of Trustees when that body was created for the first time in 1956. Jerry had been a member of the Plainfield Y Board while he was maintaining a medical practice as an eminent ophthalmologist there. Tapped to join the lay leadership of Camp Wawayanda in a time of organizational volatility and transition, he played a key role in the Board’s discovery of the Forstmann property in Branch, NY, in the late 1950s, and the camp’s momentous move there in 1958; and he helped the trustees and directors establish the new identity of Wawayanda, an already important summer camp, as an emerging major force in co-educational camping, environmental education, family conferencing, environmentalism, and health and fitness soon to be known as the Frost Valley YMCA.

During his many summertime visits, Jerry was a regular visitor to – and impromptu white-glove inspector of – our Health Center, and was for years the strongest and often lone voice advocating a new and improved health facility. He stood strongly behind the Wellness “revolution” brought about by Halbe Brown and others in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He pushed for the building of a fitness trail around Lake Cole and elsewhere, and covered the costs of its construction with his own donations. In 1991, when the Frost Valley board sought a trustee who could act as legal advisor, he recruited Bob Haines, who currently serves, in his 22nd year of membership, as the Senior Vice President – another key aspect of the Wolff legacy. After Jerry passed away, we learned that, through a planned bequest, some 80% of his assets were to be given to Frost Valley, an endowment fund that will support us annually forever.

Neversink Lodge was renamed Wolff Lodge in his honor. In the summertime, children with special health requirements are housed there – a fitting tribute to a volunteer leader of Frost Valley who always felt that all children, regardless of health and ability, should have a chance to be at camp. Today we include in our Hall of Fame a generous person of persistent values and a practical sense of what was needed of him. As Bob Haines has simply put it, “Jerry Wolff put his money where his mouth was.”

Sunday, August 19, 2012

other visitors too!

Maddie Geftec (this is her first summer away from FV) and Lily Bushman-Copp also visited yesterday, on that gorgeous day. Here they are with Alex Foley and Nick Lomauro.

annual summer trustee meeting - Hall of Fame

Yesterday the temperatures were in the mid-70s and the skies were utterly blue. And there was a breeze. Perfect day for our annual summertime trustee meeting. Wrong name for it, since it's really a gathering of friends and supporters (not just the trustees). I'll guess that by lunchtime there were 90 people under the tent behind the Ad Office having lunch and listening to extraordinary presentations by campers and counselors. Among them were neighbors (such as Karl Connell) and former important staffers (such as Jeff Daly, Bill Baker, Roe Balchunas) and family members (such as those of Fenn Putman's family). I'll write again soon to summarize the introduction I made about the late Jerome Wolff, who was inducted, along with Fenn, into the Frost Valley Hall of Fame. Below are some photos.

Above from left: Lourdes Montoro, Stuart Duff, Roe Balchunas.

Above from left: Chris Vescio, Gioia Brock, Karl Connell (whose son Ladd visited recently), and Patti Candelari.

Above from left: Dave Gansler, Lauren Solatar, Robin Wachenfeld. Dave was a camper, then counselor, then VC of Lacota (Native American village) in the 70s and early 80s. Lauren is Dave's wife. Robin was an Adventure Trip leader in the early 70s and is now an active member of the Board of Trustees. More on Gansler here.

Above: Fenn Putman accepts his induction into the FV Hall of Fame, after an introduction by new Board President Jim Vaughan.