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.

If you have photos of the 1996 reunion, please contact MIKE LURIE - we'd like to post them here!

Here are some pictures of the 1996 reunion:

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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.
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	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
	One of many mailings to drum up interest in the reunion		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.
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	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.
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	Behind the group		Wayne Towne
	Thumpdrag		Big Moe

Evening campfires

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 . . .
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	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.
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	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