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This Is Page 2 of the Camp Shoshana Guestbook!

We're No Longer Taking New Messages - But Read What's Already Here!

Entry of Oct 29, 2001 at 09:27 [EST]
From: Steve Kolodny - sgkolodny@aol.com


Steve Kolodny writes: This starts page 2 of the guestbook - the first page filled up very quickly. You can still read those earlier entries - there are LINKS on a few of the pages to get there. I look forward to seeing this page fill up with your warm thoughts, happy recollections and good natured ribbing. ---Steve

Entry of Oct 31, 2001 at 10:34 [EST]
From: Steve Kolodny - sgkolodny@aol.com


Steve Kolodny writes: I've starting putting up staff and group photos. If you have one you'd like put up send an e-mail to CampShoshana@aol.com and please include a guide to who the people in the picture are.

Entry of Oct 31, 2001 at 20:23 [EST]
From: Ira Hofher - romimoo@aol.com


Ira Hofher writes: Well, I think it is about time for a contribution from one of the older generation of Shoshana alumni. Together with my sister Phyllis, I was a camper and then later a CIT and Counselor from 1962 to 1971. I stayed across the road at Paradise Park, with the Klausners, the Liebermans, the Grodofskys, the Litners, Louise and a very special young man named Howie Mandel. To Harry, Howie was simply, "Mendel, you half-wit!", but it was all in fun....Gee! I remember the lake before the pool and the camphouse before the "coolroom", long before the arrival of "Big Irv". When I arrived as a chubby 10 year old, the big boys were Steve leighton, Richie Fisher and Marvin Wurtzelman. Camp was great fun, especially because of Harry and Sue and their loving kindness....though I can't remember how many benches I moved, coke machines I filled...Heck! I was even Lieut. Cable in one of the productions of South Pacific. Playing baseball in the ballfield that ran "uphill" and walking home from Blueberry when they kicked our butts cause Harry was slightly upset! Square dancing at Bear Mountain, usually with Susan Lieberman who ended up marrying my college roommate, Jeff....Even when years had passed since I had stopped spending vacations in Highland Mills, I would always make at least one pilgrimage to Shoshana to see Harry and Sue during the summer. Harry's untimely passing was both shocking and terribly saddening....Anyway, I am 49, an attorney, and I have a daughter, Ariel, who will be Bat Mitzvah this coming April (2002).

Entry of Oct 31, 2001 at 21:32 [EST]
From: phyllis oliner(hofher) - jpmeo@aol.com


phyllis oliner(hofher) writes: I along with my brother Ira Hofher are the older generation from Camp Shoshana.My friends were Jaine Kasner, Lanie Weiss, Mindy Schmelzer. I am now married for almost 20 yrs.have 2 great kids, Matthew 10, Erica 9. we live in Baldwin, NY.

Entry of Oct 31, 2001 at 22:31 [EST]
From: Ellen Bochner - Elgebo@aol.com


Ellen Bochner writes: Seems like I went to Shoshana longer than I did . . . amazing reading other peoples' memories and seeing MY memories come pouring out of other people, too. Those Oneg songs . . .First time I went into the Rec room where my kids go to camp, WHOA!!!!!!!! Camp Shoshana just came alive to me in that moment. There were all the benches . . .there was the piano, with Sue sitting at it, teaching us a new song today . . .and there was Harry, going up and down the aisles singing "Bim Bam," clapping his hands from side to side . . .only the coke machine was missing. Damn, them were the BEST cokes I EVER had!!!!! Coldest, too! I live in Forest Hills now, and I'm raising two kids by myself. My daughter is 13 and my son is 12. I have a store in Brooklyn and I have a business online, too. It's good to hear about Shoshana people, and I hope to see more on the site! Hi to everyone . . . especially Sue! All the best, Ellen

Entry of Nov 3, 2001 at 02:41 [EST]
From: Ellen Stockwell - EllenStockwell@aol.com


Ellen (Rachlin) Stockwell writes: Hello to all you new additions! I am so happy to see so many new names on the Camp Page. Hats of to Steve Kolodny for the fine job he is doing. I know that we all appreciate it. I look forward to seeing all of you in the near future at a reunion. Keep passing the Camp Shoshana word around!!! Let's fill up many more pages. Love, Ellen

Entry of Nov 3, 2001 at 13:55 [EST]
From: Marlene Greenwald Stimell - mszjstimell@rcn.com


Marlene Greenwald Stimell writes: What a treat to read about so many old but still familiar friends. Has it really been twenty-something years since those wonderful summers at Camp Shoshana? I remember Onegs in the camphouse, dancing on the blacktop, Friday morning bowling, tetherball, newcomb, camping trips with kosher bacon, the Orange County Fair, the roller rink, the coke machine and all those great songs we came up with for color war. I'm living in Manhattan with my husband, Steven, and two boys, Zack (9) and Jake (4). I'd love to hear from old friends.

Entry of Nov 3, 2001 at 20:44 [EST]
From: Barbara Greenwald Gregory - barb42100@yahoo.com


Barbara Greenwald Gregory writes: Where has the time gone! This web-site has brought back a flood of memories. For me it has been 25 years since I was last at Camp Shoshana, but it fells like yesterday when I remember the great times I had. Most of all I remember winters were always too long and summers too short. My husband Robert, daughter Sarah (18 months) and I live in New Rochelle, NY (for now.) I can't wait for the reunion!

Entry of Nov 5, 2001 at 14:47 [EST]
From: Jyll Sternstein Kronberg - jyllk@powerlist.com


Jyll Sternstein Kronberg writes: OH WOW! Steve - this is amazing! Thank you Caryn for the songs - great idea - I can't them out of my mind now! Thanks Ira for making it easy for me to show everyone at work what I once looked like! Everyone looks great too! I can't believe it is so many years - but I remember them as if they were yesterday. I'm going to go home and look for my old pictures immediately! Ira Hoffer - I'm so glad that you decided to sign up - I remember you and your sister well - of course I was a little kid back then. I can't wait to see everyone at a reunion! Keep the word spreading!

Entry of Nov 8, 2001 at 16:51 [EST]
From: JYLL STERNSTEIN KRONBERG - JYLLK@POWERLIST.COM


JYLL STERNSTEIN KRONBERG writes: Ok- Does anyone remember the color war theme that went to the tune of Exodus? I think it was done around 1972 or 73. I only remember the beginning words: Ten years from now, when we are parents too, think back on Harry and on Sue... Whenever I hear that melody, I think of camp - if anyone knows the rest of the words - please send them along.

Entry of Nov 9, 2001 at 12:29 [EST]
From: Steve Kolodny - sgkolodny@aol.com


Steve Kolodny writes: I saw Wally Goetz this morning. We were never at camp together but I know him since I'm 5 years old because we were neighbors at Mountain Lodge Park. He is now arguably the best deli-man on the south shore of LI and his store, The Lido Kosher Deli, is a block and a half from my home. He has magnificently catered events for me including my son's first birthday party (over 100 people). He says 'Hi" to all of you. Why hasn't he logged in yet? Well my friends, he is also a luddite. But he promises me that he'll offer up an e-mail address where you can reach him soon. ---Steve

Entry of Nov 9, 2001 at 16:53 [EST]
From: Ira Hofher - romimoo@aol.com


Ira Hofher writes: Dear Steve K,
You tell my former camper, Walter "wally" (we used to sing 'Whatever Walter wants, Walter Goetz', to the tune of Lola from Damn Yankees)Goetz, that unless he signs in and says hello I will be forced to relate to all a certain rather embarrassing anecdote involving Walter, Harry and a frankfruter man aboard the Day Line boat, wherein Walter (during a camp trip) devised a certain strategy to attempt to obtain a snack at no cost, only to be caught red-handed by Harry!
Ira Hofher

Entry of Nov 10, 2001 at 22:05 [EST]
From: Sue Rachlin - Susanrachlin@aol.com


Sue Rachlin writes: As I write these words, I am watching the film "Shakespeare In Love" (see, some people CAN walk and chew gum at the same time!) Listening to Will's words makes me realize how inadequate my own language is at times, especially when I have such a full heart and would love to tell all of you how I feel reading your messages and seeing your pictures. I remember you as you were in the group and staff pictures and not as grown-ups with professions and families and children of your own. I've grown older but you have remained the same in my memory. Where oh where have the years gone to? I doubt that I would recognize many of you were I to meet you on the street or on a bus or in a restaurant. But, we'll put that statement to the test sooner or later. Let's begin to talk reunion! Steve and I talked about next summer's end (say, Labor Day Weekend) and the venue must be a vast outdoor space so that we could plan a "typical" day at camp including basketball, newcomb, wiffle ball, square dancing and perhaps a tug-o-war. All of this with your children involved. Another feature would be a review of some of the shows we performed, highlighting the songs that many of you sang solo or in a group. I remember Stacey Halio sitting on the old upright singing "A Person Could Develop a Bad, Bad Cold." And what about Steve Salamon as Tevye singing "If I Were a Rich Man." We could excerpt from The King and I, Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Mucus, er, Music, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Oklahoma, Peter Pan, The Mikado, HMS Pinafore and Joseph and His Technicolor Dreamcoat...to name just a few. Follow those activities with family/individual/group pictures and then a barbecue...Walter, Goetz ready with the franks and hamburgers. Sounds great doesn't it? A committee to plan it would be helpful and very much appreciated...I'll help, of course and it can be done via the internet and telephone, avoiding many meetings. Contribute your ideas and willingness to plan this once-in-a-lifetime event. To give you a bit of perspective, Camp Shoshana opened in 1954 with 23 campers of different ages...something like The Little Red School House during the development of the Old West. If we convene this reunion in 2002 it will coincide with the 48th anniversary...I don't want to wait for the 50th. Looking forward to hearing from you on this contact sheet. Sue

Entry of Nov 11, 2001 at 09:48 [EST]
From: Fred Jaffe - fregorjaf@yahoo.com


Fred Jaffe writes: Wow! What an unbeleivably nice surprise, to check my e-mail to find that Camp Shoshana now has its own web-site and is planning a reunion. Without a doubt, the best times of my life were had at Camp Shoshana! I was lucky enough to have, as my two best friends, Wayne Belfer (who I noticed on the "contact page" spent more years at Shoshana than anyone else [besides Ellen and Andrew, of course], and was there when the camp first started), and Harold Richland, who had also spent several years there prior to me, and who I see has as yet not been contacted. We were the same age, and therefore, in the same group, through the years. Having these two fellow campers as close friends, made my adjustment to a new camp easy, and my seven summers spent there all the more enjoyable. Almost all of the activities mentioned in the other e-mails here in the guestbook I remember well, and were the highlights of my camp experiences as well. I found it interesting that Camp Shoshana was in existence around, if not exactly, the same number of years that Music Radio 77, WABC-AM was the #1 station in the world for top 40 hits. I recall spending many of the more leisurely camp periods listening to this station, and the summer songs setting a great atmosphere for all the summer fun. Speaking of music, my next two best friends, who were in the group two years older than mine, were Walter (Wally) Goetz, and Steve (King/Sol) Solomon. Steve and I played guitar, and Wally picked up drumming skills from scratch remarkably rapidly, and we ended up starting a band, and playing many hours of music together. I noticed that several campers are still living in the Monroe area. Up until a few months ago, I had been living there also, as a permanent resident since 1996, and of course as a temporary one since the early 1960s. Steve Lichtman, who was in the same group as Walter and Steve S., and who I've known since I was two years old, lived nearby, and still lives in Monroe. It seems that while I was living there those five years, I was particularly drawn to the old Camp Shoshana area, as my main job was driving for Beams Taxi, which services the Hassidic village of Kyrias Joel, which is on the Monroe-Highland Mills border, close to where the camp was. Often, I passed by the nearby properties that were combination bungalow colonies/day-camps--Blueberry, Lebanon, and Sunnycroft (all of whom Shoshana dominated in inter-camp sports competitions)--as well as Paradise Park, Carmel Park, and the property that was once the camp, and it always brings back the best of memories. Many thanks to Sue and Harry (R.I.P.) for running such a wonderful camp! Looking forward to seeing many of my fellow campers and staff again, soon!

Entry of Nov 11, 2001 at 10:35 [EST]
From: Fred Jaffe - fregorjaf@yahoo.com


Fred Jaffe writes: Correction: I see now, after reading Sue's entry into the guestbook, that I incorrectly stated that Wayne Belfer was at the camp from the beginning. Actually the camp began before he was born, but I'm sure he spent more years there than just about every other camper.

Entry of Nov 11, 2001 at 12:03 [EST]
From: Steve Kolodny - sgkolodny@aol.com


Steve Kolodny writes: I saw Wally Goetz this AM and got an e-mail address for him. Send an e-mail to blgonrye@aol.com. He's looking forward to hearing from camp friends. --Steve

Entry of Nov 12, 2001 at 11:02 [EST]
From: Jyll Sternstein Kronberg - jyllk@powerlist.com


Jyll Sternstein Kronberg writes: I just logged in this morning after getting the update from Steve Kolodny and I have to tell you all that reading these entries has brought back sooo many memories. Although I was younger than Fred Jaffe, both Steves and the rest of that crew - I remember their antics and teen nights with Triple SNE playing very well. I can still hear The Stones "Satisfaction" as played by them! I really look forward to seeing all of you. Sue, count me in for help in arranging things, your ideas sound great!

Entry of Nov 16, 2001 at 20:19 [EST]
From: Steve Kolodny - sgkolodny@aol.com


Steve Kolodny writes: I spoke with Barbara Hollander last night - aside from working at camp together we were also neighbors in Mountain Lodge Park. She sounds great and though she hasn't got e-mail access at this time she promises to get online with us when she gets set up with a computer at home.

Entry of Nov 18, 2001 at 16:35 [EST]
From: Lisa Weinstock Golden - lbgolden209@aol.com


Lisa Weinstock Golden writes: What I remember best are some very nice people! Other memories include the plays - Oklahoma, Alice in Wonderland, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, The King and I, Guys and Dolls, and trying to put together Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, but it didn't work. I remember overnights in Mineral Falls, and waiting to get asked to the Orange County Fair. Also, dancing Pata Pata on the blacktop till I was red in the face! Bowling every Friday morning, oneg every Friday afternoon. Those little dixie cup ice creams for snack.... Someone taught me to put potato chips on my sandwich to make it crunchy, and I still do that.....

Entry of Nov 18, 2001 at 17:39 [EST]
From: Ellen Stockwell - EllenStockwell@aol.com


Ellen (Rachlin) Stockwell writes: I just had to write again and say: 1. Steve Kolodny, you are doing an awesome job! Thank you. 2. I am so excited and happy to see so many new names added to the Camp page. Andy Graber, WOW, he was my first real date!!! Evan drove us to the movies, and sat in the row behind us!!! Hey Andy, I hear you're still single, want to go to the movies??? Hey, Fred, wasn't the name of your band The Triple Sne??? Love to you all, can't wait to see you, Ellen

Entry of Nov 18, 2001 at 23:21 [EST]
From: Bruce Richland - RichlandLaw@aol.com


Bruce Richland writes: Wow! Where do I begin? Let me get up from the floor and finish shaking my head in disbelief.... Glenn, you maniac! It had to be your doing. I love you, man!!! And to all fellow alumni, a fond hello. Get in touch. Love, Bruce

Entry of Nov 20, 2001 at 20:48 [EST]
From: Sue Rachlin - Susanrachlin@aol.com


Sue Rachlin writes: Its difficult for me to comprehend the way this project is growing and the new names that accrue on a daily basis. Having left full time employment two and a half years ago to do what others have said is great...RETIREMENT...I was beginning to feel my age (which, of course, I shant divulge at this juncture, so don't even try to figure it out...run-on sentence),and sinking into mild depression. Then along comes Steve Kolodny, brings along a couple of friends and then over lunch proposes what we are now involved in. Well, Steve and Ira and Marc succeeded to make me feel less depressed and as I read your comments and share your memories, the excitement has begun to mount. The things you guys and gals remember! Nobody mentioned yet the spaghetti cook-ins, parent/camper day, indoor campfires, playing mud hockey after three weeks of rain and picture-taking-day with Mr. Happy himself, Joe Slayton??? And how many of you were there the summer of 1978 when so many campers, staff, relatives and friends came to say goodbye to Harry? If he's looking down at all this I'm certain that he's smiling as he lights his pipe. Now you've got me started. Keep it coming and thank you again and again Steve K.

Entry of Nov 20, 2001 at 23:15 [EST]
From: Andrew Rachlin - pfsmaniac@earthlink.net


Andrew Rachlin writes: To all who have written in, wow, the memories you have all brought back are so great. I miss those days,and my father as I see all of you do too.Keep writing and passing the word. To Jill Sternstein I'm working on those words from "exodus for you" I'm getting most of it down. Hope to remember it all. Andrew

We're No Longer Taking New Messages - But Read What's Already Here!