ON THE NEVER ENDING TRAIL OF GEOFF OUTLAW

Geoff was one of the corral counselors in 1963 (the other was Rusty-anyone remember Rusty's last name?)

[click on any photo to enlarge]

Sometime in 1968 or so, Neil went to see Arlo Guthrie's Alice's Restaurant and recognized Geoff as the actor who played Arlo's sidekick, Roger. It turns out that Geoff and Arlo were friends since their early days in Brooklyn, and later attended the Stockbridge School together, where they formed a band.

Steve Elliot, Geoff, Jeff Boverman, and Arlo (dig Arlo!!) performing at the Stockbridge School gym in 1963

Anyway, in my attempt to find Geoff, I came across some great photos of him over the years, and some great multimedia-type stuff which I thought would be fun to share with you. By the way, I heard from Niles Fuller, who took the 2004 photo of Geoff, that as far as he knew Geoff was still living in Austin.

Geoff as "Roger" in the Stockbridge jail with Arlo, from Alice's Restaurant, 1968

Arlo and Geoff, Austin, Texas, 1988

Geoff, 2004 [photo by niles j. fuller © 2004]

On the 40th anniversary of his "Alice's Restaurant Massacree", Arlo tells the story behind "Alice's Restaurant" to Debbie Elliott of NPR's "All Things Considered". To listen to the entire interview, click [here] to open the NPR page, and then on the button.
Finally, Geoff appears in the original 3 1/2 minute movie trailer. Just click on the Play Button in the middle of the image below, and see how many times you can spot him.

[Hint-if your computer is relatively new, try watching in full screen mode by clicking on the little rectangle below the word "YOU" in YOU TUBE]

RACHEL MELTZER and HENRY LASKAU.

I've starting doing some rummaging around in the NY Times archives - they go back into the 1850s - and have been absolutely amazed at the infinite amount of material waiting to be rediscovered. I thought I'd share a couple of my early Chic-a-Lac related finds. First, I came across the 1953 obituary notice for Rachel Meltzer, mother of Elaine Rattner, Carl, and Faye Posner, and of course Rocky and Ronni's grandmother. Click on the thumbnail image below to view it in its original form. As Roy knows, one of my favorite pastimes is poking around the internet to see what dirt I can find on him. Seriously, Roy is an easy subject because he has left so many historical and indelible "footprints" during his incredibly lustrous, lengthy and varied career. What I found was a quote in an obituary of a friend of his, a gentleman named Henry Laskau, who died in May, 2000. While I'm always happy to see Roy's name in print, I found the story of Mr. Laskau's life fascinating, and I thought I'd share it with you. Again, click on the thumbnail below to read the full article. (You can read more about Henry Laskau, and also learn something about race walking, by reading the first "Comment" below).
Speaking of "finds". I'm putting together a post based on a real "Eureka" discovery that I hope will surprise and delight everyone as much as it did me. Check back in a few days.......

FROM ANNETTE-NEW REUNION SHOTS&MINI-REUNION @ AQUAGRILL IN SOHO

[click on a photo to enlarge]

REUNION 2008 HILTON WOODCLIFFE LAKE, N.J.

(killed the sound for now - I began to hear that damn rooster in my sleep. Let me know if you want it back)

MINI-REUNION ATTHE "CATSKILLS ON FILM" EVENT

[click on photo to enlarge] On October 24, 2007, Marcy Silverberg Pulewitz, Rocky Rattner, Carol Deedledum Galetz, Vic Greenhut, Paul Auerbach, and I got together at the "Catskill On Film" discussion at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, in Battery Park City, New York. The event was hosted by Prof. Phil Brown of Brown University (rah), founder and head of The Catskills Institute, and featured Shelly Altman, screenwriter, Sweet Lorraine; Pamela Gray, screenwriter, A Walk on the Moon; and Joan Micklin Silver, director, Hester Street and Crossing Delancey (click here to see a detailed description of the program and the museum exhibit). Carol, Rocky, and Paul Auerbach particularly have had strong family ties to the Catskills, with Paul's family having owned the Lesser Lodge in White Sulphur Springs. The movie clips were classics and caught much of the essence of the Catskill culture. As always happens when Chic-a-Lac refugees gather, we had lots of laughs and a wonderful time, although we felt a bit constrained since Dr. Ruth was sitting right in front of us. For the next mini-reunion, how about renting both movies and inviting Shecky Greene?

NAME THAT BUGLE CALL!!

Grab a pencil. Make sure your sound and speakers are on. Then, after each bugle call, click on the button, or if that doesn't work, try clicking on the button. Listen to the bugle call (patience - you may have to wait a few seconds or hit a "Play" or "OK" button to get going), and jot down your best guess at its name. When you're all done, click on "Comments" at the bottom of the post. Copy your answers (and leave any other laudatory remarks) in the box that opens up, MAKING SURE TO LEAVE YOUR NAME, if you want to claim your prize. Answers may one day be posted in the "Links" section of the green sidebar. And who knows - prizes might even be awarded at the 2008 SUMMER REUNION.
Lots of luck!

	Bugle Call #1
	Bugle Call #2
	Bugle Call #3
	Bugle Call #4
	Bugle Call #5
	Bugle Call #6
	Bugle Call #7
	Bugle Call #8
	Bugle Call #9
	Bugle Call #10
	Bugle Call #11

THE 2008 CAMP CHIC-A-LAC REUNION!!

Dear Chic a lac-ers,
Your committee is delighted and excited that we'll be reunited again next summer. We've made dozens of calls, several on-site visits, debated and discussed and finally decided. The very best deal and best accomodations [sic] are at the very place we had our last reunion.
So save the date--

July 18-20, 2008
at the Woodcliff Lake Hilton
Some of us will come up Friday and stay until Sunday. Come when you can and stay as long as you like. We're planning more fun, more laughs, more excitement, more people!!!!!
Details to follow--we're working on menus and goodies.
Your committee --Uncle Morty,Rocky, Deedle and Corinne

CHIC-A-LAC WEST COAST MINI-REUNIONBrunch in Brentwood Aug 4, 2007

We located Mike Lager through his brother Richard (but that's another story) on Thursday; Gary Nestle had been traveling, but called Friday as soon as he saw my email; and we got together on Saturday. Mike came down from Encino, Gary came up from Huntington Beach, and we had breakfast, appropriately, at N.Y. Bagel.

We were joined by Mike's friend Judy (in the turquoise), my sister-in-law Judy (in the blue) and my brother Les (behind the camera) who taught Mike when he was a Fellow in Cardiology at UCLA Medical Center nearly 35 years ago, and who hadn't seen him since. So it was quite the wonderful reunion with some very special people.               [click on either photo to enlarge]

DINNER ON CITY ISLANDAPRIL 7, 2007

A delightful impromptu get-together with Bob Weiss, his wife Anne, Carol and Corinne. Anne, who took the photo, is warm, charming and very engaging. And we're all invited to So. Padre Island for the next reunion!

DORIS BAIM

Carol reports seeing this obituary of Doris Baim in the Sullivan County Democrat.

VANITY PLATE AVAILABLE IN NEW YORK!(no kidding)

If you'd like to proudly display this on your car, click on the license plate and be the first to follow instructions on the Motor Vehicle Department site. When you get it, be sure to take a picture for all of us to see!
(The possibilities are endless. For example, click [here] to see some other available plates).

MORTIE - YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY, BABY!

To this:

[click on either photo to enlarge]

From this:

LUNCH IN FT. LAUDERDALE

Carol, Sidelle and I got together 2 weeks ago for lunch. It was an unusually cold and windy day here (68 degrees!), so we ate outdoors on the water. This place has been one of my haunts since moving to Florida, back in 1974.

MESSAGES FROM DEBBIE KORN SLOAN!!With Great Reminiscences ofUncle Mortie

strolling down memory lane Well, hi. Despite the fact that I went to Camp Chic-a-Lac for six summers, I found all of one picture that I could absolutely identify as me in the hundreds on your site. Maybe I was just imagining it all? Anyway, I looked up the website because I wanted to thank Uncle Morty after all these years for being so wonderful to me. When I was sick in the infirmary, he made sure that I got to participate in a raffle ... stuff like that. Lots of stuff like that. I had a hard time fitting in and Uncle Morty made sure I wasn't excluded. I remember all the camp songs and have shared some of them with my kids (to their dismay). Movie nights on Thursdays, hot dogs and beans; tuna for lunch on Thursday. I was friends with one of the blind girls -- Cindy Helfond. Sometimes I wonder what happened to her, and to some of the others, but it amazes me to see how much I've forgotten. I didn't think I would ever forget. So, hi from Debbie Korn, Chic-a-lac camper from 1960-1964. I am now a professor at the University of Montana and wish to thank you for doing this for me! Debbie ***************** I remember a lot of the people you mention. Debbie Chernock and I are the same age and were roommates once or twice, I think. I also have wonderful memories of Aunt Ethel and Uncle Roy. Don't worry about the lack of any pictures of me. I was a chubby little misfit and found it hard to make friends. Klutzy to boot! I did like waterfront, though, except I decided to get phobic about diving and refused to do it, kinda screwing up my opportunities to progress through Red Cross training. Sometimes a counselor would take pity on me and pass me anyway. I do also remember Carol Deedledum - she gave me a nice part in Mary Poppins - and Corinne, etc. All good people. Sure, you can post my info. I'll write more when I have a decent opportunity. And thanks again. Debbie ***************** [Debbie's e mail is:. To send her a message, just click on her address]

New Photos on Yahoo Photo Site

Uncle Carl apparently took many color slides at Chicalac throughout the years. Some were taken very early on, at the camp's beginning. Others in the latter years, in the mid 1960s. I am in the process of posting them. Take a look at the "Carl's Slides" album at the Flickr photo web site (click on the red text to be taken there). More old black and white shots will be added in the next few days from my collection. Does this shot ever bring back memories! All that's left of the scenery in this shot shot is the umbrella tree.

A 1959 CLASSIC FROMDEBORAH SCHWARTZ FREEDMAN

"Well I found the picture of my bunk from chic a lac, I knew I would eventually. Here it comes!" "The names over the faces are, counter clockwise, Janet Reiss, me, Rochelle Rosenstein, Marcie Silverberg, Sue, Rochelle Greenstein".

MESSAGES FROM PHIL EDWARDS!!('57-'60)

My name is Phil Edwards and I was a counselor at Chic-A-Lac from 1957-1960, which makes it 50 years since my first summer there. I always remember fondly my years there and often think back on those great summers. I worked with Rocky & Ronnie Ratner, Alex Frankel and many others. I discovered this web site my accident and it's been great looking back on those old photos, especially finding myself in the picture of Chick-A Woo lodge from 1960. I have a few old photos of my own, and if I can find it, I even appear in a camp postcard that was printed up and used at the time. I spent most of my working life in law enforcement, and retired in 2002 as a New York State Parole Officer. I currently live on Long Island, and can be reached at-- *********************************************** The 2 counselors, in rear, on either end, are Charley Dillahay and Leo_____? Year is unsure, but I was there from 1957-1960 and it brings back memories. Phil *********************************************** I have a few old photos if I can find them. I also still have the shirt I'm wearing in the 1960 photo-saved it as a souvenir.

Chic-a-lac South Dinner

On Dec. 28, a dinner was held at Chic-a-lac South (Casa Chernock). Here is a photo from the evening. A great time was had by all. Ethel made a fabulous chicken marsala!

SUE WEISS

[click to enlarge]

Carl Meltzer's Letters to the Editors of The New York Times

What wonderful memories Carl must have had! GERSHWIN MUSICALS; Written In Indelible Ink (June 7, 1992) CELEBRITIES; Memories Of Another Era (October 30, 1994)

Roy Chernock hailed as "One of the most respected coaches in the nation"!!

And "A real runner's runner." Read the entire article from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Oct 3, 2006) [click here]. Awesome!

Monty Python Tryouts.........???

Nope. Before there was Monty Python's famous drag routine, there was the 1962 Waiter's Revue. This may look like Janet, but it's not. It's Judd, with some support from one of Janet's bathing suits. I am not sure that Janet ever knew that Judd borrowed it. The real question is.....did he ever return it? We'll have to find out the answer to this burning question at our next gathering! As with all photos on this page, click on the photo to get the full screen version. Another 35 or so negatives have been found. They will be posted over the next few days on the photo site.

Oh, The Hardships of Camp!

It wasn't easy being us! Our parents sent us away to camp at age 12 (or younger) for the entire summer. We got saddled with all sorts of chores, and had to work hard to earn our stripes as CITs and Junior Counselors. Here is a rather graphic photo of the hardships we had to endure in our own version of Stalag 17, known as Cherokee Lodge, back in 1960.

"New" Photos Found

First, it was the lost episodes of the Honeymooners. Now it's the lost Chic-a-lac photos! I found several rolls of black and white film, with negatives that have never been enlarged or printed before today. Check out this crew on the steps of the Main House, from 1962. I will be posting these new photos to the web site over the next day or so, as I scan them and brighten them up. Look in newly created 1962 album for new shots. There are even a few new group shots from Rocky which span several years ........here's Chicsville 1964. I didn't go back to Chic-a-lac in 1964........what a mistake!

Uncle Mortie's Belated Birthday

A group of us got together on Sunday morning, October 15, 2006 for a surprise (and it was!) belated birthday party for Uncle Morty. A great time was had by all.....our brunch didn't end until just before what would be considered dinner time. Photos of the event have been posted on our Camp's photo web site. Follow this link http://photos.yahoo.com/camp_chicalac. When you get there, click on the album entitled "Mort's Birthday" to become "enlightened" as the what took place.

UNCLE ROYCHIC-A-LAC'S OWN EVEREADY BUNNY!

He just keeps on going and going... And he has a marvelous press agent. Check out this piece from The Palm Beach Post, Oct. 3, 2006. GO ROY!!!

THE CATSKILL INSTITUTE and "CAMP LIFE"

For many years, when we searched the web looking for any reference to Camp Chic-A-Lac, all we found was a reference to “Crystal Springs Hotel (later Camp Chic-A-Lac)” on the web site of The Catskill Institute, which was created and developed by Prof. Phil Brown of Brown University (yea!). After the dinner at Papa Ciro’s I revisited the site and found, among a myriad of other resources, a link to a series of remembrances, entitled “CAMP LIFE”, written by Alan Stamm. They are touching and heart-warming, and so accurately portray many of my memories and feelings of my summers at camps, especially Chic-A-Lac, and the influences that those months had on me. If you haven’t recently visited the Institute site, please do so. It contains a wealth of wonderful information. And please be sure to read “CAMP LIFE”. If you'd like to add a note, please do so by clicking on the “comments” box below. ENJOY!

New Photos Posted on Camp Photo Site

Hey All! New color photos on the web site. Click on this photo for the full-screen version. photos.yahoo.com/camp_chicalac. This link will take you there. Photos like this one, and many others. Check them out in the "Camp 1963" album. These slides have been hiding for 40 years. I didn't remember taking them. Remember the All Day Hike to Swan Lake? You will! Enjoy. More black and whites to come from all years....new ones!

FROM AMERICA'S MOST WANTED!!

DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN? [Click here for more information]

"WHO IS THAT?" CONTEST # 3

[click here to enlarge]

And what is the make, model, and year of the car?

Peter, Paul and Mary Concert -- August 5, 2006

Having posted a blurb on April 24 about the Peter, Paul and Mary concert at the Westbury North Fork Theater on, August 5th, we waited until 11:00 am on August 5th before deciding to go (we like to plan ahead) and got two tickets. I told Susan that given that the median age of the audience was likely to be 63.4, chances were really good that we'd run into someone we knew, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was someone from camp. Glad to report that Happy Willens and his wife made an honest man out of me - ran into them in the lobby during intermission! The concert was both sad and exhilarating at the same time - sad because Mary has been struggling, so far successfully, with leukemia, and the remarkable fire and energy that the group had is not quite there any more, which is understandable after 46 years of entertaining and energizing 3 generations of fans. On the other had, for those of us who used to sit around the Playhouse and sing "If I Had a Hammer" during the summer of 1963, it meant we were seeing and hearing a true legend of American folk music, political and social activism, and children's entertainment. It was wonderful. There's a DVD they made of a retrospective that was originally broadcast on PBS called Peter, Paul and Mary - Carry It On: A Musical Legacy. You can find it on Amazon or Deep Discount DVD. If you are a fan, don't miss it. It contains so many of their songs and follows their extraordinary career - especially their activist efforts - from the very beginning.

NICE BACK !!

[click here to enlarge]

CHERNOCK'S PUBLIC CONFESSION!!

In a letter published in the Palm Beach Post on March 30, 2006 under the caption "Head Counselor or Head Troublemaker", Roy Chernock, mistakenly thinking that the statute of limitations has run on panty raids, fesses up to his trangressions! Attorneys for the estate of camp owner Carl Meltzer are preparing a lawsuit to recover all of Chernock's salary, with interest.

CAMP CHIC-A-LAC IN NEWSDAY!!

Just by chance came across this article, dated July 8, 2006, about Corinne's sister, Cara (whose married name is Cara S. Trager - no relation to the Chic-a-Lac Tragers), and Cara's observations of the Chic-a-Lac years and our reunions on Newsday's web site. Click here to read it! You can then read Cara's original article about camp reunions by clicking here.

UNCLE ROY - THE AUTHOR - ON AMAZON!

Just came across this listing for a book called "Intermediate Hurdles For Novices" on Amazon. It's sold out (heard it was a runaway bestseller [sorry]), but maybe the author still has a copy. Anyone have a suggestion for his next work? I came across the Amazon listing when I found Roy'sname in the company of some world famous coaches at Famous Jews Interactive. What we don't know about Uncle Roy could fill a book... [sorry again].

UNCLE CARL ON EBAY!

Carol spotted this postcard for sale on Ebay. Rocky, his wife Lois, and Janet Weintraub Blake are trying to get more information from the seller. Anyone have any ideas?

If you'd like to see the original Ebay listing (but without the picture), click here. You can also enlarge the picture - and see the caption - by clicking on it. And you can leave any comments by clicking on the word "comments" just below.

CAPTION WRITING CONTEST #4

Before there was a Geek Squad, there had to be a Geek. [To suggest another caption, click on "comments" below. A new page will open where you can create the caption in the "Leave your comment" box]

CAPTION WRITING CONTEST # 3

Can anyone identify these people?

[To suggest a caption, click on "comments" below. A new page will open where you can create the caption in the "Leave your comment" box].

CAPTION WRITING CONTEST # 2

[To suggest a caption, click on "comments" below. A new page will open where you can create the caption in the "Leave your comment" box]

Mini Reunion At Dervish - April 2, 2006

Neil posted the pictures that he took at the lunch at Dervish Restaurant in New York on April 2, 2006. Here is a shot of those who got there on time: You can see all of Neil's pictures (and discover who was late) by clicking on: Dervish Reunion. Thank you, Corinne, for putting it all together! [PS: Compare the guy in the sunglasses and white shirt to the sleepy kid in the picture posted below. Oy!]

Hang In There, Joey!

CONGRATULATIONS, ELLIOT!!

Elliot Taub's huge victory as reported in the New York Daily News, March 9, 2006, Click on the link below to read the entire article as it appeared in the paper. ELLIOT'S DAILY NEWS ARTICLE

CAPTION WRITING CONTEST # 1

[To suggest a caption, click on "comments" below. A new page will open where you can create the caption in the "Leave your comment" box]

AT HOME WITH THE CHERNOCKS (Dec. 23, 2005)

Picture this: Walking up to the Chernock home in Royal Palm Beach with Susan and Gabe (my older son) just 3 hours after arriving in Florida, full of excitement and anticipation of seeing Roy and Ethel, and Debi and Neil, and being greeted with all the warmth and tenderness of this sign scotched-taped to the front door:

Ethel and Neil smiled and smiled while Roy kept Susan and Gabe totally mesmerized with photos from each one of his more than 1400 track meets...

It was a fun evening. I could have spent hours in Roy's office where he keeps memorabilia from his years as an athlete and coach - there are tons of photos, trophies, articles, and tributes from the kids he coached. And does he have stories! Roy has had and and is having one amazing career. We had lots of laughs. And Ethel and Roy are a great couple. Thanks, guys.

"Another Freakin' Reunion?" Maybe - but I wouldn't have missed it for the world!

[click on photos to enlarge]

CHEROKEE 1958-59?

"WHO IS THAT?" CONTEST # 2

Corinne e mailed me this photo along with this note: Dear Bob, Maybe we could put this old picture (from 1958 or 1959--I'm not sure) up on the blog site as the 2nd picture that we could talk about. It was sent to me by Monty Brown--the brother of Sindy Brown, first cousin of Marcy Silverburg. Neil Sznitken is in the picture. If you think it would start new conversations, please put it up, if possible. Corinne

Baim's

An era ends....

Baim's

....and a sad footnote (scroll down to 8th obituary)

Obituary of Dennis Baim

Does anyone have any Baim's stories?

Hi ya' all. I don't know how to post a message on this thing! Hope this is it. The girl on the top right is definitely Dale Trager, Carol's sister. No question about it. We tried to find the Masons but had no luck. this is incredible. I may never get off the computer again.l Deedledum

The New Camp Chic-A-Lac Blog (maybe)

"WHO IS THAT?" CONTEST # 1 Morty, Roy -- those are really big smiles!!

(click on photo to enlarge - click on "comments" to, well, uh, comment)