Hard Jobs and Easy Jobs

Remember Camp Capers and Kitchen Capers? Those were the euphemisms adopted in the early '40's for what we all called Hard Jobs and Easy Jobs. The hard Job I most remember was scrubbing the wooden latrine seats with a hard brush dipped in a mixture of CN and water. This job was memorialized in the only stanza I remember hearing the Prenti Unit sing in 1943 (to the tune of "I Have Spurs that Jingle, Jangle, Jingle"):

We have work, and little kids to do it

As we scrub all the la seats in the camp,

And we sing, 'Oh, ain't we glad we're Prenties,'

And that song ain't so very far from wrong!

Oh, CN dear, oh, CN dear,

We dilute you and salute you as we never did before...

Remember? Who could forget?

Lennie

Tin Mirror on the Tentpole

Another story from the old days: our camp nurse, Gil (Betty Gilbert) was young and pretty. All the little kids loved her. Some even pretended to be sick so they could be near her. She would stand, smiling, in front of her tent, and there was a little tin mirror tacked onto the tentpole. 1942--Gil was gone. She had joined the Army Nurse Corps. We had a new nurse, Zicci (Mary Ziccarelli). She was nice, and we liked her, but we missed Gil. 1943/4(?)-I am at the Saturday matinee at our local theater. The Movietone News comes on with pictures of the war in Europe. Guns...soldiers...and suddenly, Gil, standing in front of her tent, smiling...and there was a little tin mirror tacked onto the tentpole. Lennie

I'm Gonna Sit at the Counselors' Table: Lennie Friedman

Another story from the long-dead past, the true tale of the origin of " I'm Gonna Sit At the Counsellors' Table." It was 1941 or 1942. I am inclined to think it was 1942. Jerri (Wachman) and I were seated in adjacent booths in the lower la. We were talking about the songs we had just sung (we sang songs infront of the mess hall before each meal, Tuck (Kate Kirby) leading). We had just sung, "I'm Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table," and we thought we could write one about the special life of a counsellor, to wit: the counsellors' table, red Hudson Bay blankets, iced tea and coffee... I forget the rest.

We heard a noise behind us, on the other side of the la. "Oh oh," we thought. "We're in trouble again!" I was frequently in trouble, dragging poor Jerri along. We said nothing to anyone.

That night at supper, someone (who?) introduced a new song, "Im Gonna Sit at the Counsellors' Table," which was rapturously received and was sung for many years. But we wrote it.

Lenny Kaufmann Friedman's First Story (for us)

The people I remember most were my Caravan tentmates: Pat (Spargo) Bryan, Anne (Johnson ) Cook, Ann Pfohl, and Barbara Grever, and, of course, Jerri Wachman. Here's a funny Quidnunc story. It's 1938. I am 9 years old in the Brownie Unit. One of the kitchen staff is named Helen Pick. We called her Pixie. Fast Forward. It is 1945. I am 16 and I have a part-time job in Macy's on 34 Street. Across the street in an arcade is a store called "Pick's." I go in, and there she is..Pixie. Fast forward. It is 1973. I have just been appointed to Flushing High School as Chairman of English. At the pre-school faculty meeting I am introduced to the staff, including a librarian about to retire--Helen Pick. "Pixie!" I shout, and I am 9 yearsold again.

No one would be interested in this story, but it's true. and I thought to share it with you.

Lee (Lenny) "Ajax" Price Ellis

Hi: I'm Lee Ellis, Quidnunc alum, camper and staff 1948-58.

Visited Q during my 5oth NYC HS reunion in 2004. I had heard that there had been some vandalism, but had no idea that the camp had been closed all these years. I was expecting the hustle and bustle of getting tents put up, etc. What a SHOCK! to find it not deserted, but completely removed!

Would definitely be interested in future reunions, tho I now live in CA. In 2004. I also visited ST. John's in the Wilderness. It was an unbearably HOT day - can't remember if I visited Claude's grave too. Will check my photos.

Incidentally, all of us are alumnAE of Quidnunc. I almost flunked Latin but I did learn that:

masculine singular plural

alumnus alumni

feminine alumna alumnae

plural of both males and females together: alumni

Miss Walsh would be so proud!

I'm absolutely amazed at the number of women who have the same deep feelings for Quidnunc as I. The blogspot is addictive!!

Hope to meet you at a future alumnae reunion ;)

Lee Ellis

camp name: Ajax

Lennie Kaufmann Friedmann

Hi, Kathy! I'm Lennie (Kaufmann) Friedman. I'm new at this computer stuff, and it has taken me literally months to figure out how to do this. I was at Quidnunc from 1938 to 1945, and my sister, Barbara (Bobby) was there until 1950. We both stayed all summer all those years, and we both have long and pretty accurate memories. If this reaches you, please contact me and ask me anything you want. My e-mail address is teach306310@att.net.

Both of us have stories and remembrances of people up the Wazoo. You mentioned Bridgie. Of course, I remember her. Her name was Margaret Lynch; her sister, Ethel was the camp director of Brady, and they lived together in an apartment in Jackson Heights. Once, I was in their apartment, though I can't remember why. Bridgie and Tommy (Annie Sue Waldrop) became the joint directors of Quidnunc after the death of Miss Ford (That's Constance Evangeline Ford, nicknamed Gay). Miss Ford's last year was 1942, the year I was in Neppie's. I got in trouble for cutting arts and crafts and Miss Ford sat me down on the back porch of the Cabin and told me that she was seriously considering sending me home. She didn't. I think my head counsellor, Dot Lyon, intervened. Bridgie became sole director in 1943 when Tommy joined the WAVES. Tommy left Shanty Wu (Shanty Wu was an Irish Terrier) behind her and Randy (Marjorie Holm) the head counselor of Caravan took him on. 1943 was my first year in Caravan.

There are three other prople on the "do you remember list" that I knew very well. Joan (Jerri) Wachman was a camper with me for several years. She lived in Kew Gardens, and I haven't seen or heard from her sice she left Quidnunc in"45 I think. I would dearly love to know where she is. Nancy Dunham was a prentie in 1943; her sister Jean was a counsellor that year. They lived in Jackson Heights, and she went to Newtown High School, as I did. Maggie was Maggie Magenheimer, the youngest counsellor of the three in Caravan in 1943. The three were Randy (Marjorie Holm), Stevie (Lorraine Stevenson), and Maggie. And Shanty Wu. Lennie

Glo's Midnight Swim

Glo recently sent me a letter detailing a midnight swim escapade involving Flip...

"Many hot nights when the 3 of us...Cathy, Ellie, and myself...looked for mischief. The idea was to go down to the lake for a "swim" in the Brownies crib. ( I didn't know how to swim, so my buddies were kind enough to stay with me.) One night we caught sight of a lantern moving toward us-until we saw the legs in the light we didn't know it was Bridgie. Wow, did we move fast and of course she read us the riot act. That part of our evening entertainment ceased for the rest of the season. When I returned to Cleveland I received a letter from Bridgie telling me I was fired unless I shaped up. Needless to say I apologized profusely and was able to stay on. Later we found out that Flip-Jean Allen- waterfront director had squealed on us."

Linda sends new pictures

Girls in Front of the Infirmary

Thanks to Wilma Franco for this picture!

Flip (Jeanne Allen)

Map of Quidnunc

From Last Import

Quidders from the 40's and 50's

Mary Margaret (Mollie) French (lived in Douglaston, went to Bayside HS, attended Allegheny college but don't think she graduated)

Barbara (Doc) Pesch (lived in Queens, went to Andrew Jackson HS;

Gertrude (Gigi) Gallogly

Ruth (Scottie) McPherson

Carolyn (Dobie) Dobak

Linda Ceriani

Vida Kahn

Iselyne V. (Ivy) Maughn (counselor)

Janet (Jinx) Lipschultz (counselor) was attending Brooklyn College in 1956

Enid (Edie) Pardini

Virginia (Ginny) Colbert (waterfront counselor, from down south)

Jean (Chet) Shelley (nurse)

Finnie Everhart (waterfront counselor, from down south)

Betsy Lapidus

Ann (Andy) Diamond (went to John Adams HS)

Iris Epstein

Ruth Botwinik

Carol Fassbender

Dorothy (Red) Lee

Judy (Browni) Brown

Linda (Chick) Lehr

Willie BonDurant (C.I.T.)

Cynthia (Cynnie) Hibberd (counselor)

Mickey Kabel (administrative staff)

Lennie Richardson (admin staff)

Kitsy Curtis (waterfront)

Peggy Carney (waterfront)

Gail Johannsen (waterfront)

Hazel (Phyl) Coblenz

Joan Conlon

Michele Shapiro

Linda Ewing

Joan Heller

Judy Berek

Vivian Conan (Cookie)

Ellie Alf

Cathy Lennon (deceased 1990)

Glo Arrigo

Joan (JC) Connelly

Lennie Kaufman Friedman

Ruth Healy

Linda Ardrey

Doris Biggio Manganero

Dot Deaver Long

Hilda Witte

Jeanne Allen (flip)

Lenore Price

Paula Strong

Ivy Maughan Hennessey

Louise Black

Barbara (Bobbi) Klazkin

Anyone know any of these alumni??

Wilma Franco White

Nancy B Dunham

Doris Ann Heinze

Jean Patmore

Anne Dicke

Ethel Axelson

Constance Evangeline "Gay" Ford

Margaret V Lynch (deceased in 1982 or 83)

Annie Sue "Tommy" Waldrop (former director)

Marjorie Stamler Snyder

Lennie Kaufman Friedman

Joan Smith Gaetano

Hope Smith Apollony

Judy Brandes

Madelyn Bulmer

Joan Wachman

Maggie

Dot Lyon (deceased)

Ellie's Art

Glo Arrigo sent me this copy of a drawing Ellie made for her for Christmas in 1959. Ellie is at left, sleeping at the desk. Joan Quigley is seated in the middle, Glo is at right drinking a coke and smoking, and Joan Connelly is lying on the floor reading.

Dianne Kesner Baldwin

Hello,

I am one of the Kesner girls, Dianne. I was at Quid in the early 1960s before the new Dining Hall was built and then afterwards. I was in Hundred Acre Wood and Pioneers for 4 weeks. I was also in Sports and Games. I don't remember that much but I do remember Peri and KB. I still remember the songs we sang and sing them on long car trips out loud to my 2 dogs. I also spent time at Merrywood GSC, later Henry Kaufman GSC, due to generous donations from the Kaufman Foundation.  I recently met a GS leader who is a Hospice CNA at the Nursing home where I work who goes to Kaufman even now with her troop.

How do I join the Blogging?

Dianne Kesner Baldwin

"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!