"Willie" Franco looks for Quid friends 1939-1946

“Willie” Franco, now Wilma Franco White wrote the following to me about her years at Quidnunc.

Did you know that Quid was the GS Camp for the girls in Queens, NY?  
I guess they opened it up to others at some point in time.   

Here are some of the girls I went to camp with:  

Nancy B Dunham, Doris Ann Heinze (Terry), Jean Patmore, and Anne Dickie all from Queens, NY

Another friend that I was a counselor with was Ethel Axelson.

I went to camp from 1939 to 1946.  I was in Sky Blue the first two years.

After that I think it was Caravan. The next year I was in the Apprentice training and then a Counselor.  

Does anyone remember Gay Ford?  She was the director in 1939 and 1940

I also remember Margaret V. Lynch ("Bridgie") and Annie Sue Waldrop. Does anyone remember her nickname?  They were the Co-Directors in 1941. 
 

I have lots of pictures to go through as I just found my scrapbook from Camp.  My daughter, (Carol “Daisy” White) will post them when she comes to visit.

Wilma Franco White (“Willie”)

Linda Nahum

I went to Quidnunc and Laughing Water. I was a Pot GIrl, Requisition CLerk, and Business Office Assistant. My sister Elizabeth (Beth) Nahum also was a camper at Quidnunc and Laughing Water.  I went in the 1960s I think the last year was 69.

I remember Splint, Cass, Beth Cruse (I think we bunked together and worked in Business Office) also Elyse Springer, Carol (Daisy) White - we were in the same troop and school, 

Hope all is well with you - I am sorry I missed the reunion. Hope to make the next one.

Take care and keep in touch - Linda

5240 39 Drive

Suite 8R

Woodside, NY 11377

718 /606-9918  

Cell: 917/599-6899  Email: Linda@LENsolutions.com  

Rose Remembers

I saw the songs blogspot, and the girl scout alumni web site. 

I did see my picture, middle of lower row of "canoeing on the Susquehana" in Ellen Muth and Elyse Springer's photo. Ellen is correct, though: I know I never made the cut for the Delaware trip, but instead went twice to Candlewood Lake in CT. In that photo, the beauty on lower right is Kathy Barbatsuly, who was in my girl scout troop. I lost track of her many years ago, unfortunately. 

I know I shared a tent my last year (1965, Neppies) with Doggie and Patty McBride; I didn't write names on photos and unfortunately don't remember any others. My photos are few, small, and fuzzy. 

Thanks for tracking me down!

Best,
Rose Weitz

Elyse's Reminiscences

 I was really, really quiet in those days. I think my tentmates were Carol White, Rosemalie Uht, and Toby Lipschitz. The reason I remember their names so well is that way back then, I actually wrote everybody's name on the back of my photos. I wish I had been as careful about doing that when it came to the rest of my life. I certainly remember Peri and the other Minnesota twin, KB (although KB was not our counselor) and Ellen Muth because they were just so dynamic and fun. I also remember Boni (isn't her real name Bona?) who came from Texas. I can't remember Karen at all though. One of my picture shows Peri, Ellen & Mo McConnell. Weren't they the Neppie's Counselor? My memory is playing tricks on me; I remember some things so well and others not at all. 

I know Joey Tyson and Sandy Dunbar were in Neppies because I have them in my pictures and recognize their faces in them, but not because I have real memories of them at this point. I do remember the Kesner girls, Debbie, Diane (Debbie's twin who I don't think was in Neppies that year) and Libby, who I did a lot of canoeing with. I also remember Doggie Grossman and her sister Babs; Doggie always seemed like everyone's older sister somehow.  I don't remember Laurie Schultz or Grace or her cat.

I have some additional names for you, thanks to the backs of my pictures. Do you remember Lois Sotinsky, Pat McBride, Rose Weitz, Gwynn Danielson or Kathy Barbarsuli? Or someone named Shelley? Or Pam Crabtree? She & I suffered as kitchen aides in 1968. Do remember bear scares?

By the way, the Swedish counselor's name was Lena Nillson, not Oleson. I just found it spelled on the back of a photo.

It's good to know there are other women out there who were as affected by their time at Camp Quidnunc as I was. Forget Disneyland, Camp Quidnunc was the happiest place on earth.

Cheers,

Elyse

Two Potgirls: "Daisy" and Elyse

My name is Elyse (Springer) Ellinger and I attended Quidnunc from 1965 through 1968. My first year I was in Sports & Games. Counselors  I remember were Jackie O'Brien, Ruth Klein, Swede, Terp and someone from Georgia with a gorgeous southern accent, and "Cokie", although I'm confused about who was counselor when. There must have been a Danish counselor too because I remember a Danish song that she taught us (sounds like - Den serman han ma leeter, lan meer unt es comp, comp, comp...komfederah hurrah un meer unt es comp), plus having a Danish penpal the next year)   I remember  lots of softball and hiking with those old woven basket backpacks that were filled with food. I remember sleeping in a bedroll and cooking green blueberry pancakes using the lid from a trash can as the griddle (that's why they turned green  - and we survived!).

I also remember the night a bat flew into our tent and we had to wait in some kind of cabin (what was that room?) while the poor counselors bravely tried to get the thing out of there. I most vividly remember my time in Neppies with Peri, Ellen Muth & Maureen "Mo" McConnell; KB and Lena Olson were around too. That was also because my best friend Carol White was there (we met at camp by the way). Carol & I just found each other online after all these years and are having a blast remembering all the great stuff we did at Quid. I loved the canoe trips, especially going down the Susquehanna, shooting the rapids and sleeping on the banks of the river (although the spam is NOT a fond memory). I was never so tan or my arms so strong as after that trip. There was also one doomed portage trip one year; they made us take those dreaded salt tablets (remember those?) and we trekked for miles down the road in the blazing sun with aluminum canoes over our heads. Almost every kid in the unit got sun sickness and we spent a day or so recovering back at camp.

I loved the singing in the dining hall and to this day shake a pot to make sure it's really, really dry. And then there were those great campfires, with more singing. Those camp songs really stuck.

I also remember being a kitchen aide in 1968 although I would most certainly have liked to have that experience wiped from my brain. I will never forget the MacNab family and how they gave us all derogatory, sarcastic nicknames (mine was Speedy) or how they would smilingly chat with one of the black campers and call her "Oatmeal". I'm sure Pam Crabtree would agree that that summer was a horror. The only blemish on my happy, happy memories of Quid.

Camp Quidnunc was what I waited for all year long. It was the reason I remained a girl scout through high school. We did so many fun activities and I made so many great friends.
I had no idea the camp closed down because I've lived in California since 1972, so I'm really sorry that more girls didn't get to experience what was one of the highlights of my life.
I haven't thought about all this in years, so now it's really flooding on back. I'm so glad I found this website. Thanks for making me remember.

Elyse 64-68

OMG!  I just came across your site and I am so excited!  I was in Camp Quidnunc from 1963 to 1967 (12yrs old to 16yrs old).

Ellen Muth was one of my counselors!  Also Boni Evans!  Oh the memories are just rushing back.  My first year I was in Gypsy Skies which was next to Sports & Games just beyond the Dining Hall.

The other years I was in the Waterfront Unit, which was Neppies and then Caravan I think.  My last year I was a pot girl. 
I am a photographer and have dozens of old photos, but am getting a new scanner soon, so it will be a while till I can contribute. 
Do you have a list of emails?  I would love to contact Ellen or Grace Aldag or ?

Please write back, I love your website!!!  My mother also went to Quid in the 1940's and even she's excited!  We were originally from the Bronx, but I am in Minnesota now and she is in Ohio.

Thanks for the blast from the past!!!

Carol "Daisy" White (the Daisy is from when I was a pot girl)

Who are You?

Hi everyone...I have been glad to see new names on the blog as people find it and post their comments and memories. The problem is we don't know who you are...so we can send on info about reunions or try to connect old friends. It would be helpful if you could email me directly and give me your real name and address, so we can update our "Quid Alumni "list. This is only if you feel comfortable sharing this. My email is :klena @roadrunner.com, and the people I am interested in hearing more from are: Carol White, elyseglenna, Lennie Kauffamn Friedman, "footprint" among others...Someone may be looking for you!

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Beth Cruse

Hi, I'm Beth Cruse. I was Program Coordinator my first year at Quidnunc and Assistant Director the next. I was a Troop leader in New York City for my daughter's (Vicki Cruse Sengele) Brownie troop and I brought her to camp with me those first two years. They were the best two years of my life. We grew up singing the Quidnunc campfire songs, playing them on our guitars, and Vicki has taught them to her daughter. 

Thank you for the memories. I still love singing the songs and still love the harmony parts. What a joy it would be to see the Camp Quidnunc again and to sit around the campfire. I can't wait to conect with the Alumni.

Does anyone remember how Kanawaukee lake got its name? An old Indian had walked across the country and when he got to the shore of the lake, he sat on a stone and declaired, " I kanawaukee no more!"

"Do you remember one summer during the break two counselors went to Yellowstone to camp. During the night (zipped in sleeping bags) they were attacked by a bear. He killed one (she was from a nearby camp) and the Quidnunc counselor returned to camp ith a broken arm? She was avery pretty curly headed blonde. Short. I will be able to pick them out of the picture when I find it or we get the other enlarged. I can evrn remember the sound of her voice, but not her name."

"Mother Nay Nay was our nature counselor (a bit heavy with long curly brown hair) I think her name was Jeanette.One night the campers filled the bottom of her sleeping bag with spagitti left over from dinner. Every one turned in early that night and Mother Nay Nay was the last to go. I was already assleep and did not know what had been planned. We were all concerned about snakes in our sleeping bags. When her feet hit the bottom of the bag, all hell broke loose The next day there was spagitti for 10 feet out from the door of her tent platform. Sue and Sue were the water front counselors. Ronny ( Short heavy red- blonde hair) was the Director. We had a pretty ,tall, young Rustic camping counselor whose name I can't remember. "

Vickie Cruse Sengele

Hi! I went to Quidnunc and my mom was a staff member in the 60's. I saw her in one of the staff pics and just emailed it to her. Thank you sooooo much for pulling this together. I'll start looking for pics to scan and share. have talked of going back to Quidnunc for years. We hold so many precious memories of people, activities and songs. It would be a dream come true!

One of my favorite memories was when a young visitor was in the double decker and asked "Is that a pet?" There was a huge snake hanging from the rafters! ANd no, it wasn't a pet! aaauuugh! Such a state of panic!

I have such great memories to share! I'm sure that some of you could clarify them or add your own. Let's post memories one at a time here. That way others can add to them (or correct them if they are fuzzy!)

My absolute most dramatic memory from Camp Quidnunc was when one by one people began to get up during dinner and run to the dining hall rail to throw up. They were vomiting pink koolaid and chicken chunks! I think the whole camp got sick that night. If you weren't actually feeling sick yet, the mere sound of others retching was enough to get you started. I still dream about it every once in awhile!

Marjorie Stamler Snyder, 1942

Camp Quidnunc in 1942!
by Marjorie Stamler Snyder

I'll always remember the 4 weeks that I spent at Camp Quidnunc in 1942. The campfires, the tents late at night (watching the mice run along the posts), the campfires, the sound of rain on the tent, also the open air dining room, are all treasured memories. One of the counselors played the recorder, and it inspired me to learn to play the instrument. It was probably the best summer of my life, and I'm nearly 78 years old.

Judy Ecuyer Rhodes

Quidnunc 1947-52 and 1957?
by Judy (Ecuyer) Rhoades

I went to Quidnunc from Brownie through maybe 8th grade which would have been about 1947-1952 and then returned as a counselor for a year as a college student. I have papers somewhere with the words to most of the songs and many many pictures someplace. Lots and lots of memories (although not too good on names and dates.) I was even a member of a special unit that Ellie had (as a counselor not director) that consisted of all girls who had been to Quidnunc before and we stayed for a full month and got permission to do all sorts of "special" things. And there were some cute kids who came to visit me at home after I was their counselor.

Linda Peck surfaces

I recently found your blog with all the pictures people have sent in and I can't thank you enough for posting all the comments and pictures.  I went to Quid the summers of 1956, 57 and 58 and the experiences changed my life (also worked as a pot girl at Merrywood in 59 and counselor at Brady in 60 and 61).  I still remember most of the songs we sang (still sing them and use them to concoct my various computer passwords), all my counselors' names and the names of a lot of the other girls.  I'm sorry that I did not discover the blog until after last summer's reunion.  I'm definitely interested in attending whatever is happening this coming summer.  I'm not very computer savvy so could not figure out how to publish on the blog the fact that I'm interested in being involved.  Could you put me on the list, or whatever is needed so that I am included in the get-togethers?  I live in Virginia now.  My snail mail address is 1603 Mulberry Ave, Charlottesville, VA, phone 434-979-9348, email linda.ardrey@gmail.com.  I have pictures too but I'd have to get a lesson on how to scan them into the computer and make them available.

New Pictures from Deni

Denise Maynard sent these photos in. They recently surfaced as she cleaned out her father's house. Click on the picture to the right to get to the whole album on Picasa.Denise Maynard's Pictures

Cindy's New Pictures

Ellie and Libby Kesner

Memories from Marjorie and Marianne

Camp Quidnunc in 1942!
by Marjorie Stamler Snyder

I'll always remember the 4 weeks that I spent at Camp Quidnunc in 1942. The campfires, the tents late at night (watching the mice run along the posts), the campfires, the sound of rain on the tent, also the open air dining room, are all treasured memories. One of the counselors played the recorder, and it inspired me to learn to play the instrument. It was probably the best summer of my life, and I'm nearly 78 years old.

Quidnunc- A big part of my life
by Gilda Kormes Zucker -Splint
I haven't finished reading all of the messages but I have been overcome with so many emotions. I began at Quid in Hundred Acre Woods in 1958 and was in just about every unit as a camper, program aid or counselor. My last year 1970, I was asst. Waterfront Dir. My memory for names is not as good as all of yours seem to be but when the names are mentioned I can place myself back at camp with many of those people. Unfortunately, a flood in my basement wiped out a lot of memorabilia but it is all still in my heart. I am still in touch with several Quid alumni , some of whom have posted on this site. Thanks for stirring up the memories. I still have my song books with all of our favorites and used many of them in my classroom throughout my career.

Quidnunc - A big part of my life
by Marianne Skeeter Bradford
You may not remember me (Splint) but I remember you. You were my counselor in Trails End in 1968 and it is because of talking with you that I decided to work as a counselor at camp. I was still a camper in 1969 in Caravan but then I was a kitchen Aide in 1970 and a unit Counselor in 1971. While you were on waterfront you helped teach me Senior Life Saving. I have since been a lifelong Girl scout and have been a resident camp staf for nearly 30 years. I am tall and had long brown hair. My e -mail address is Marianne. B @cox.net

Army of Women

Susan Love spoke on the Today Show about the need for healthy women to participate in breast cancer research. If you are interested in finding out more, or in being involved in finding a cure for Breast Cancer, please click on the title of this post.

Quid Vids

2009 Summer Plans

Hi Girls,

Hope all of you had a great summer and are well rested. We have big plans for the coming year. A few of us have come up with some ideas and thoughts of a way to get Quidnunc back into a working camp. It may take a while but we think it is well worth it. We would like to see it used as as alumni camp for all Girl Scouts. There isn't a camp anywhere in the GSUSA organization, specifically meant for that purpose. So, in order to get things rolling,we need to organize an alumni group and make our presence known. With that in mind, we thought it would be great to have an alumni week end at a GS camp or at Baker Camp this coming summer. It will be set up just like summer camp with a full program, arts and crafts , hiking, nature tours etc ..you get the idea...We also want to do a service project for Camp Addison Boyce and maybe Quidnunc. I have been in contact with GSCGNY and the Heart of the Hudson councils about this. They are fully behind us and will help as they can.. The Heart of the Hudson council already has a wonderful alumni group called the Green Hats.. who do similar things.. Now with all this said, I need to know who would be interested in this and would be able to make it.. The date is July 17th..2009 at Baker camp. Please let me know what you think and if you would be interested in this association.. I think it is important for girls to learn the things we did at camp and to show them what they can achieve...Look at us!!
This is open to any former girls scout whether they were staff members (remember you were all registered GS when you worked at camp) or campers.. all ages. This is a start towards getting our old camp back...I know ...big maybe..but you have to start somewhere.. We would also like to do this as an annual event, with many different ideas to come..Gilda..your name was mentioned specifically for waterfront duty..Let's get this going and show GSUSA and GSCGNY what it means to be a former Quidnuncer..!!!! Cindy PS Full program, fun and new people..Price is $65.00 each per person per day. Lunch will be $10.00 each.. Be apart of history, Girl Scout history that is, lol... More info later..any questions welcomed ...any help more than welcomed.. New tee shirts and ties..arts and crafts.etc...Hope to hear from everyone soon..

Ellen's Reunion Comments

Hi, it's Ellen Muth Davison!

You asked for comments about the reunion... Wow! It was magical, it really was--more than I even dreamed it could have been. From my point of view now, almost a month distant, what impresses me the most is the quality of the women who were there. What an amazing, accomplished, intresting, fun, exciting group of women. I am so glad to have had the opportunity to one, work at Quidnunc, and two, reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. I'm determined to keep in touch. A million thanks to all who made the reunion possible. Hopefully, even more of us will be able to get together sometime in the future. Ellen

Looking For Quidnunc Alumni!

Debbie Wood

Jeanne E. Thelwell

Gwen Jones

Peggy Johnson (Feeley)

Barbara Thomasy (Bops)

Janet "JoJo" DeCreny

"Bunky" Bailey

"Chinky" Cheryl Rose

Saadia

Belle Gross

Donna and Lynn Jeffries

Kathy Prime, of Douglaston NY, dad was tugboat captain

"Cass" the counselor in 1969

Ruth "Pokey" Williams, counselor, from Jackson, MI

If you know the whereabouts of any of these Quidnuncers, please email me and we will try to contact them. If you would like me to post any more "lost girls" names, email me at klena@roadrunner.com.