Sharparoon Blog

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1. birch chapel?

   Comment by Elena Sepulveda — July 13, 2007 #

2. Yellow Jackets under the logs at the Chapel near the lake.

   Comment by Myrka Ortiz-Alvarez — July 13, 2007 #

3. Bald Mountain-Lots of Huckleberries

   Comment by Myrka Ortiz-Alvarez — July 13, 2007 #

4. Ear lobes we all felt sorry for the kid that had it. He could not go in the water poor guy.

   Comment by Peter Mehltretter — June 28, 2007 #

5. My most memorable experience of Bull’s Bridge was in either 1953 or 1954. Along with our counselor (whose name I cannot recall), we hiked to the bridge and set up camp in the nearby woods. There was a lean-to there to protect our food and a few other things. We had a great time cooking, washing dishes in the river, singing and telling jokes. After it was quite dark, we were supposed to try to sleep but two of my cabin mates kept telling “your mama insults to each other, such as “Your mama wears combat boots.” A few of the insults, I cannot repeat but everyone took them as good fun.

   The most memorable fact, however, is that it started to rain and rain and rain… and then came thunder and lightning. Although my cabin mates and I refused to let anyone see how scared we were, let it suffice that when I did return to the city, my parents were wondering how I could have lost one pair of under-shorts. “Oh, mom, some other camper must have taken them by mistake.” Anyhow, it seemed to me that it was hours before along came the cavalry, in the form of Patty Zacarra and one of his staff members to pick us up and return us to camp.” I loved it!

   Comment by Jose Melendez — June 17, 2007 #

6. I almost cried when I found the website and saw the photos. I have so many good memories of so many good experiences that helped to form me, that I know the Sharparoon experience was a pivotal factor in my life. The memories ar very real, it’s as if it happened yesterday.

   Jose, @1956,1957

   Comment by Jose Gonzalez — June 9, 2007 #

7. I’m ecstatic to have found the Sharparoon website. What I remember best about my experience is the how warm the staff were, the outside showers, the wasp nest, and the lake. I went there in the summer of ‘77, I believe a few days or weeks before the blackout.
   Look forward to more comments from myself in the future.

   Yours Truly,
   Patrick Steele

   Comment by Patrick Steele — June 7, 2007 #

8. Oh yes!!! Capture the flag!!being able to hear Sharparoon’s bell in Teen Valley and Green Acres..

   Comment by Pat Gittens — May 6, 2007 #

9. BUG JUICE!…RICE CRISPY CRUNCHIES.!!..CAPTURE THE FLAG!!!

   Comment by debbie york — May 6, 2007 #

10. Capture the flag, Gloria (the nurse at kwitchurbeliaken), Sunday movie night, reveille, and helping build the 2nd Pioneer cabin.

    Comment by Frank Farinella — May 2, 2007 #

11. Hi, George. I remember your parents (George and Gertrude) very well, as I was a counselor (for the Blazers) at GA during the early sixties. They were especially nice and a lot of fun. This past February I was visited in Massachusetts by Lu and Dee Sepulveda. During their stay we reminisced a lot about GA and Sharparoon. Among the many persons they remebered fondly were your parents. I love the way that the Sharparoon/GA spirits never die.

    Comment by Jose Melendez — April 6, 2007 #

12. CINNAMIN ROLLS ON SUNDAY…APPLE BUTTER…MILK,MILK, AND MORE MILK…CIRCLE OF CHAIRS..SUNDAY SERVICE..BELL HOUSE..TOT TOWN..THE BUILDING OF THE LODGES IN GA..REST HOUR..STEAK AT GUIDETTIS ON THE LAST NIGHT OF CAMP!!..CHRISTMAS REUNIONS AT THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD NEIGHBOR…MEETING AND WORKING WITH FOLKS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD..BUS TRIP(CAMPER), AND TRAIN (STAFF) TO CAMP..GROUP CHEERS (SHARPAROON) AFTER DINNER…THE PEASES AT EVERY MEAL…WAITER BELL IN GA–WHILE STILL IN SHARPAROON-HURRRRRRY!!

    Comment by DEBBIE YORK — March 16, 2007 #

13. George, I am glad you found our blog. Its great to hear from you. Please invite Colete to post a message. Make sure that you get your camp photos to Steve Reiss (stever at sharparoon dot com) so that they can be added to the photo blog and viewed and enjoyed by all. Welcome home.

    Comment by Victor Gonzalez — February 20, 2007 #

14. Hi my name is George Crum I’m the son of George & Gertrude Crum.We went to Green Acres from the late 50’s-early 60’s.My sister Colette also attended. I went on the Camp Shaparoon 68,69,70. I would like to identified a person that appears in the 1968 conselors picture. Right next to Reggie Defoure in the white shirt is Thomasine Grant. Our three families lived in the Riverton Houses on 138st. The Crum’s, Grant’s and Defoure’s. It was our shared experience. My first Camp picture is as a new born in the summer of 1957. My sister and I have some interesting pictures of those years. We will get together to down load. I spent 3 years as an Iroquois. I was sent to the Berkshiremen, but the were one short for the Iroquois. They tapped me and said go with them. Everyone thought I was older then I was, boy what an ego boost. Till this day I’m an Iroquois Marauder, and I’ll lead a path that none can follow.

    Comment by George A. Crum — February 12, 2007 #

15. Happy almost Birthday Donna. I can’t believe that you are going to be 70. I am 66 now and I guess Alpha must be aroung 62. Don’t remember how much younger than me she is. I will put your email address in my book. Mine is vzs118 at bellsouth dot net Do you live in Florida? We may be neighbors, so do I.

    Comment by Vicky Zaccara Sapiro — October 31, 2006 #

16. I remember the play lodge porch, and rafter ball.The hikes to the trout stream, and a lot of friends who I’ve lost touch with.

    Comment by Corky Bienacker — October 11, 2006 #

17. I am turning seventy in three weeks and I still retain the beautiful memories of some of the most wonderful times and friends in my life. That lake and swimming across, the chapel services and the ,midnight food fests after parents’ Day!..Donna Reilly
    kabuldr at bellsouth dot net

    Comment by Donna Lupoletti Reilly — October 6, 2006 #

18. Another Jr. Staff production that portrayed aspects of the Civil rights movement and other historical events..with an African dance choreographed by Hugh Carrington Sr, lunch counter integration ,a Dr. King speech and a huge map of the U.S. that lit up lights to show where riots were taking place. WOW! What an education that was! This may have been done with some help of Cindy Robinson who was a SNCC member if my memory serves me correctly.

    Comment by Pat Gittens — August 3, 2006 #

19. I remember the wonderful jr.staff production of ” Day of Absence”I don’t know how it was selected ( or even suggested ) for us to do but I’m sure glad it was.

    Comment by Pat Gittens — August 3, 2006 #

20. I remember Rose and Play Lodge Porch…I remember Figgy and truck nights.. so glad to hear from you both !

    Comment by Pat Gittens — August 3, 2006 #

21. opps..taps at twilight

    Comment by Rose Duran-Harvey — July 30, 2006 #

22. Taps at dawn

    Comment by Rose Duran-Harvey — July 30, 2006 #

23. Wow Steve I sure remember those great nights. We really had a great life didn’t we? Tim Greene gave the best back rubs! Here’s a memory…Squeezing the big yellow dot in the middle of those big bags of Oleo to mix it up when you were waiter. (or was I just helping Victor out)?

    Comment by Vicky Zaccara Sapiro — July 27, 2006 #

24. I remember nights at the mess hall, after vespers when the campers were asleep. Some of us were involved in conversation, talking about our campers, solving the world’s problems or deep religious questions. Others were just participating in the communal back scratch of the night. One summer there was a special treat – Denver Jim, dressed in his cowboy style outfits, at the piano and playing everybody’s favorite songs!

    Comment by Steve Reiss — July 25, 2006 #

25. Do you remember the camp production of Sharparoon Story based on West Side Story and Johnny Messerschmitts wild west all day program when “the bad guys” rode up to the dining hall on horses throwing the Scatties into a frenzy?

    Comment by Tim Greene — July 21, 2006 #

26. Singapore Slings (sic?) at the Post and Rail on Truck Nights.

    Comment by Figgy the Truck Driver — July 13, 2006 #

27. I remember painting our cabin (cabin A Westwood HO) with creosote. I know it sounds crazy but I still remember the smell. Adrian

    Comment by Adrian Soto — June 13, 2006 #

28. Kerosene lanterns. Remember the glow, the smell, the shadows? Memories!

    Comment by Vicky Zaccara Sapiro — June 12, 2006 #

29. I remember my first year at camp, a raccoon somehow made its way into our cabin and couldn’t get out.

    Comment by Linda Gowins — May 18, 2006 #

30. I remember the haunted house that was set up in the rec hall.

    Comment by Linda Gowins — May 18, 2006 #

31. Pine Hollow…Pine Hollow
    (a) rickety rackety russ
    We’re here to make a fuss
    But nevertheless, we must confess
    There’s nothing the matter with us.
    Yeah… Pine Hollow!

    Comment by Pat Gittens — May 16, 2006 #

32. I remember the cute ,little orange salamanders.As a camper, I wanted to take one home so badly.I tried ( too often) to keep one as a pet but they always dried up. Sorry guys!

    Comment by Pat Gittens — May 16, 2006 #

33. I remember the square dances at Green Acres in the early sixties.

    Comment by Jose Melendez — May 14, 2006 #

34. Oh my! I am kinda late (as usual) but hey you guys took all my memories. Yeah right, I only wud have remembered 1. the blueberries for and pancakes. 2.the bull frog hunting etc. oh yeah I did some fishing on the far end of the lake under the “Lilly pads” in the lake. And the infamous races and games we played in the lakes swimming area with a “Greased up watermelon” WOW!!! I wonder whatever happened to all those key chains necklaces and other do hickies we made from those colorfull lanyards.

    Comment by Paul Feliciano — May 9, 2006 #

35. I remember Phillip Jenoure falling off the hay ride with his flashlight.

    Comment by Robert Melendez — May 6, 2006 #

36. the six foot cross on a lanyard given to a counselor for christmas in july.

     

    Comment by Alex Lopez — May 5, 2006 #

37. I remember the Trout Stream swimming hole – swimming into the entrance to the little cave and swimming out, underwater, beneath the falls and back to where we started from.

    Comment by Steve Reiss — May 5, 2006 #

38. I remember nights spent in the woods. Picking blueberries on bald mountain and making pancakes with the blueberries.

    Comment by Linda Gowins — May 4, 2006 #

39. Besides being such pleasant people, Lydia Jenoure and Maria Soto were such vital parts of the upkeep of Camp- they did our laundry. I remember sitting and talking with them in the laundry area to enjoy their company. Because of them, I now know how to fold fitted sheets!

    Comment by Pat Gittens — April 30, 2006 #

40. @ Sharparoon I remember and treasure songs after lunch, nap time….cheers after supper and vespers…

    Comment by Pat Gittens — April 29, 2006 #

41. I remember Dupplesi’s Drug Store where we (GA staff) used to go for sundaes and banana splits, and Everett Jenoure (the elder) asking “Doesn’t it taste like more?” By the end of the summer almost everyone except Everett wore clothing a size larger.

    Comment by Jose Melendez — April 29, 2006 #

42. I remember campfires at the quarter mile fort. Can you find the quarter mile fort now?

    Comment by Billy Leon — April 26, 2006 #

43. Saturday night dances. Adrian

    Comment by Adrian Soto — April 26, 2006 #

44. Rafter Ball on Play Lodge Porch

    Comment by Vicky Zaccara Sapiro — April 24, 2006 #

45. I remember picking and eating blueberries on Bald Mountain….swimming in Trout Stream…catching bull frogs by the old boat house

    Comment by Sandra Jenoure — April 24, 2006 #

46. I remember Rich Adinolfi perofrming his amazing gymnastic feats at Green Acres talent shows.

    Comment by Jose Melendez — April 24, 2006 #

47. Hikes to Dover Furnace. Green Acres circle of chairs. Tot Town.

    Comment by Maria and Richard Adinolfi — April 23, 2006 #

48. Do you remember the moonlight hayrides on the wagon pulled by Hans Bockelman on his tractor?

    Comment by Jose Melendez — April 21, 2006 #

49. Scavanger hunts at night

    Comment by Elia Saldana — April 18, 2006 #

50. Swimming the lake, looking out for BIG JIM….

    Comment by Mickey Castaneda — April 14, 2006 #

51. Teen Valley’s fist name? The area of the city from which its first campers came?

    Comment by Jose Melendez — April 12, 2006 #

52. Something else I remember, during the first aid course I got to smell skunk cabbage for the first time.

    Comment by Linda Gowins — April 12, 2006 #

53. I remember waiting tables, singing songs and church in the recreation hall. I also, remember taking first aid when I was a CIT.

    Comment by Linda Gowins — April 12, 2006 #

54. Those special mornings when Jim would bake those wonderful biscuits. Candlelight service when simultaneously across the lake the cross was lit and from nowhere the counselors would sing When I Survey The Wonderous Cross. Whenever I hear that hymn I close my eyes and I’m magically transported back to that moment. Adrian

    Comment by Adrian Soto — April 11, 2006 #

55. Christmas in July, a wonderful hayride, The barn in Teen Valley a very strange but very nice young man named Dennis with very blond hair who went around barefoot and would skin snakes to make belts. He reminded me of the cartoon character “Richie Rich” because he would always mention his butler and mansion and we would all laugh at him. Somehow I don’t think he was lying. He went to Viet Nam and I remember getting a few letters from him. God Bless him where ever he may be today, I hope he made it back home. My favorite was the Candle Light Vigils by the lake where we would sing Jesus Walks, Blowin’ In the Wind and of course Cumbaya.

    Comment by Luisa (aka Ronnie) — April 11, 2006 #

56. I remember Bug Juice Baseball!

    Comment by Linda Gowins Silva — April 11, 2006 #

57. Christmas in July with an all camp Yule Log Hunt, A huge Christmas tree in the dining hall and glazed donuts on Christmas Eve. Lee was the camp cook. She also made cinnamon buns for everyone on sunday mornings.

    Comment by Nancy Gertsen Stansfield — April 10, 2006 #

58. Summer ‘68-Having to borrow Naomi’s (Camp GA cook) pantyhose to use as a makeshift fan belt on the Camp’s old Apache vehicle while driving her to NYC.

    Comment by Figgy the Truck Driver — April 10, 2006 #

59. Noontime Sunday turkey diners with ice cream for dessert and Sunday evening cold cut suppers with watermelon for dessert.

    Comment by Steve Reiss — April 10, 2006 #

60. Taps every night. Day is done, gone the sun, from the lakes, from the hills, from the sky, Sharparoon safely rests, God is nigh.

    Comment by Vicky Zaccara Sapiro — April 10, 2006 #

61. The citywide High School Conferences with conferees from such churches as Dewitt Memorial, Mount Olivet, Open Door, Church of all Nations, Good Neighbor, Crossroads, Bronx Spanish, et al.

    Comment by Jose Melendez — April 10, 2006 #

62. DA BELL, DA BELL

    Comment by Hector Cruzado Jr — April 10, 2006 #

63. doing the hula hop.

    Comment by Robert Melendez — April 10, 2006 #