Sixty alumni attended our very first reunion, held on-site at Camp Waupaca in Waupaca, Wisconsin, from Friday August 30 to Monday September 2. This was truly a special event, attended by Manny Desnet and his entire family, and several other memorable alumni. Here's who attended the 1996 reunion:
Jim Avery Jeff Korman John Schmitt
Greg Berke Steve Kuklin Skip Shein
Dennis Bravick George Lamm Steve Shyman
Mike Chavin Ken Lapins Rick Sklare
Manny & Lillian Desnet Kal Larson Stu Sorkin
Beth Desnet-Hayes Mike Lurie Glen Spear
Ellen Desnet-Lipshutz Warren Metzdorff Mark Squires
Marla Desnet-Zelikow Bob Mowen Aaron Sussman
Nancy Desnet-Finkel Tim Mukand Sy Sussman
Steve Dudzak Verne Noparstak Rob Tepperman
Joe Gan Rick Passman Wally Tomchek
Dick Garb Rik Poole Wayne Towne
Don Garrett (Gerowitz) Steve Reitmeister Rich Trester
Rob Gerowitz Paul Ringel Andrea Wanty
Rick Goldman Jeff Rissman Sonya Wanty-Nelson
David Goldman Paul Rosengarten Steve Wanty
Maxine & Bob Greenstein Mike Roskin Paul Warshauer
Lori Huntoon Ken Saunders David Wax
Karamath Khan Ralph Saunders Cathy Weasner-Lurie
Dave Korman Allen Schaeffer Ben Zalay
The weather was absolutely perfect: clear skies and mild days, and no 'liquid sunshine'! There was much reminiscing and storytelling, a lot of hugs and tears, and lots of renewed friendships. Over 5 hours of videotape was made at this reunion, including exclusive interviews with Manny Desnet, Wally Tomchek, Allen Schaeffer, and many more. This videotape is available for just $15. ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!
One of the time-honored traditions of Camp Waupaca, especially in the Trail's End yearbook, was to write a time capsule after each season. In a few short paragraphs, the essence of the season gone by is recaptured in summary fashion. We continue this tradition with each reunion. CLICK HERE to view the time capsule for the 1996 reunion.
Here are some pictures of the 1996 reunion:
If you have photos of the 1996 reunion, please contact MIKE LURIE - we'd like to post them here!
Planning
The 1996 reunion planning took place in January, 1996, at Mike Lurie's house in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Paul Warshauer from Oregon, and Jeff Rissman from Minneapolis got together to discuss the logistics of a reunion in Waupaca: would anyone attend, how much would Camp Young Judaea charge us, is this a good idea, etc. Here are some pictures from this official planning session:
Jeff, Mike, and Paul in serious discussions
More serious discussions
Looking through Mike Lurie's Camp Waupaca box
Still looking through "stuff"
Teaching Jeff's child about Camp Waupaca
Giving our best Tommy Bartlett Water Show "Bob Chase" wave, boring Jeff's child to death
Hours before the reunion, Mike Lurie makes a deal with a local computer guy for some last minute computer time
Around the flagpole
Every morning and evening at the reunion, we gathered around the flagpole, just like in days of old, for "cabin reports". In most cases, personal recollections were offered:
Cathy Weasner-Lurie, Kenny Lapins, Steve Dudzak
Dr. Michael Chavin, Dr. Robert Gerowitz
Manny Desnet, Lill Desnet, Marla Desnet-Zelikow
Mike Roskin taking videotape of flagpole gathering
Paul Warshauer, Master of Ceremonies
Rob Gerowitz, Mike Chavin, Don Garrett (Gerowitz)
Sy Sussman, Aaron Sussman, Jeff Rissman, Rick Passman
Chavin and Lurie (that's Joshua Chavin and Adam Lurie!)
"Hand salute - sound off!"
Storytelling at the horseshoe
The Camp Waupaca Reunion Group was honored to have Wayne Towne and Steve Kuklin tell stories at the horseshoe gathering area one sunny afternoon during the reunion:
Behind the group
Wayne Towne
Thumpdrag
Big Moe
Evening campfires
(NOTE: These photos may take a bit longer to open; they are a higher resolution)
Probably the best part of the reunion was gathering at the horseshoe every evening after dinner, where alumni could share more recollections of camp. Some were serious and heartfelt, some were silly, like when we were campers! Every word was savored as we remembered when . . .
| Manny #1 |
Manny #2 |
Manny #3 |
Manny #4 |
Manny #5 |
George Lamm (something about an egg wanting to be laid?)
Joey Gan, aka Stretch Armstrong (the only kid to ever SNEAK INTO camp!)
Jeff Rissman, Jeff Korman, Allen Schaeffer
Ken Lapins and Paul Warshauer setting up the equipment
Ricky Goldman
Paul Warshauer, Manny Desnet, Bob Mowen
Paul Warshauer, Manny Desnet, Bob Mowen, Rick Passman
Miscellaneous
Here are some other photos, including some of the luxurious sleeping accommdations in the cabins:
Manny Desnet, Marla Desnet-Zelikow, Lill Desnet
Aaron Sussman, with cousin Jeff Rissman's daughter and Jeff's wife
View of the beach from across the lake
"This is the bestest sand in the whole world!" - Jeff Rissman's son, Judge
"Anyone need anything from the Canteen?" - Rob Gerowitz
Mike Lurie was surprised to meet cousin Yotam Lurie, a CYJ staff member from Israel!
Rick Passman and Cathy Weasner-Lurie, glad to meet each other
"You never had it so good"
Zzzzzzzzzz #1
Zzzzzzzzzz #2
"Wake up! It's time for flag raising!"
Marla Desnet-Zelikow's kids