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 this year's event:
| Jim Avery | (1962-1968) | Rick Goldman | (1978-1981) | Rick Passman | (1963-1976) | Glen Spear | (1972-1976) | |||
| Greg Berke | (1976-1981) | Maxine & Bob Greenstein | (1979-1984) | Rick Poole | (1978-1986) | Mark Squires | (1979-1979) | |||
| Dennis Bravick | (1986-1988) | Lori Huntoon | (1979-1980) | Steve Reitmeister | (1979-1981) | Aaron Sussman | (1977-1980) | |||
| Mike Chavin | (1965-1979) | Karamath Khan | (1975-1981) | Paul Ringel | (1961-1970) | Sy Sussman | (1977-1980) | |||
| Manny & Lillian Desnet | (1966-1988) | Dave Korman | (1969-1972) | Jeff Rissman | (1975-1981) | Rob Tepperman | (1967-1971) | |||
| Nancy Desnet-Finkel | (1966-1988) | Jeff Korman | (1967-1973) | Paul Rosengarten | (1972-1980) | Wally Tomchek | (1959-1968) | |||
| Beth Desnet-Hayes | (1966-1988) | Steve Kuklin | (1951-1966) | Mike Roskin | (1974-1978) | Wayne Towne | (1957-1981) | |||
| Ellen Desnet-Lipshutz | (1966-1988) | George Lamm | (1975-1978) | Ken Saunders | (1969-1985) | Rich Trester | (1972-1975) | |||
| Marla Desnet-Zelikow | (1966-1988) | Ken Lapins | (1976-1987) | Ralph Saunder | (1969-1976) | Andrea Wanty | (1979-1988) | |||
| Steve Dudzak | (1982-1988) | Kal Larson | (1974-1976) | Allen Schaeffer | (1960-1968) | Steve Wanty | (1980-1987) | |||
| Joe Gan | (1975-1980) | Mike Lurie | (1970-1981) | John Schmitt | (1977-1980) | Sonya Wanty-Nelson | (1980-1984) | |||
| Dick Garb | (1962-1984) | Warren Metzdorff | (1971-1988) | Skip Shein | (1966-1971) | Paul Warshauer | (1966-1988) | |||
| Don Garrett (Gerowitz) | (1962-1964) | Bob Mowen | (1965-1988) | Steve Shyman | (1969-1976) | David Wax | (1970-1977) | |||
| Rob Gerowitz | (1964-1979) | Tim Mukand | (1979-1980) | Rich Sklare | (1975-1978) | Cathy Weasner-Babler | (1983-1984) | |||
| David Goldman | (1978-1984) | Verne Noparstak | (1972-1974) | Stu Sorkin | (1964-1971) | Ben Zalay | (1968-1974) |
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.
What we did . . .
This was our first attempt at a reunion of this magnitude. We didn't know from detailed itineraries or anything like that (not like we do now). We have a primitive itinerary to share. We also have all of the letters and postcards we sent in the spring & summer of 1996.
June Newsletter |
August 11 Newsletter |
Terms, Conditions, Waiver |
Calendar and schedule of events |
October 23 Newsletter |
Questionnaire |
Reunion Wrap-Up (Time Capsule) . . .
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.
Photos and Videos . . . We have a lot of great photos (by 1996 standards) for you to view below. There are videos of this reunion as well! CLICK HERE to go to the 1996 videos page.
If you have photos of the 1996 reunion, please contact MIKE LURIE - we'd like to post them here!
Click on an image or link below to open the page
Here are some pictures of the 1996 reunion:
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.
Click on the picture to open a larger image.
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.
Click on the picture to open a larger image.
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!" |
Letter from Bob & Sue Krohn |
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.
Click on the picture to open a larger image.
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 . . .
Click on the picture to open a larger image.
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.
Click on the picture to open a larger image.
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 |
Manny, Marla, Lill Desnet |