On Friday June 10th, 75 Alums (and 10 of their offspring) descended on Manitou for the 65th Reunion Gala. This eclectic group represented eight different decades. They traveled from locales such as Miami, Washington, New York, Chicago, Paris and of course Newton, Massachusetts. They all shared the common bond of having grown up and spent the best summers of their lives at Camp Manitou.
It was like they never left. Basketball games seemed to spontaneously spring up. Canoes quickly hit the sparkling waters. Bob Wells embarked on an impressive marathon of activities with his son Cooper. Others chose to reacquaint themselves with old friends and make new ones at a waterfront happy hour that never really seemed to end.
Dinner that night included eastern carolina style pulled pork sandwiches and asian chicken thighs, courtesy of the Manitou BBQ Team. This started a barrage of food that only seemed to accelerate throughout the weekend. Ranger provided Steve Hirsch milkshakes for dessert. Aunt Amy baked her special chocolate chips for mike & cookies. South Pacific chicken wings, pork strips, spare ribs and egg rolls formed a popular midnight nosh.
After a lazy morning breakfast (catered by Rosenfeld’s bagels and HIllman’s bakery), camp teamed with activity. Mike Poretsky led a group of early morning joggers. David Rosenthal practiced yoga at the waterfront. The Shapiros and Rudnicks organized a football game. Marc Heimlich and Orson Wells finished the island swim. The Rifkins grabbed a second breakfast.
Afternoon belonged to Color War. All 27 chiefs in attendance were introduced before Maroon Chief Bob Marcus and Gray Chief Andy Arenson called out their teams. Todd Ente was the surprise star of the basketball game, helping Maroon edge Mike Kline’s Gray squad. Grant Hecht hit monstrous home runs in all three at bats, as Gray took the softball game. Tennis was split as Harris Weiner was still the best player in camp. Plans to settle the war with the cross country relay were scrapped by the happy hour truce.
Banquet lobsters were followed by an incredible talent show. Crystal, Allison and Jackie warmed the crowd up with their banana dance. Cole Rodman sang the National Anthem. Marty Nager performed a Dangerfieldesque stand-up routine. Professional recording artist Matt Schwachman performed three songs. And as soon as the Sabbath ended, Liebel Cohen sang the three skit songs from the 1984 Kentucky presentation. Each of these acts could have headlined any other talent show, but the night belonged to emcee Phil Silverman, as he delivered a lovingly hilarious soliloquy to his “brother” Peter Yaffe.
A party bus to Silver Street Tavern was followed by a camp fire that burned bright past the sunrise. A good time was had by all. 70th reunion just a few years away. Hope to see everyone back at camp for Summer Dreams, Manitou Experience or Seed Camp.
