Before the campers arrived this summer, Tranquillity opened its doors to Alumni over the June 18th weekend for an event descriptively called “Back 2 Tranquillity”.  They may not have come from France & Spain & Germany, but Alum’s traveled from as far as Seattle (Bruce Gimplin), Florida (Lenny Klein), and Georgia (Julie & Nancy Seifert) to relive our camp routine for a few days.

The weekend started with Friday night Shabbat dinner for a few of the early birds, including Glen Faber (who organized the event), Lenny Klein, Cara & Stacy Glickman, and Tracy Lerner, who started a new TY tradition with delicious cinnamon bundt challahs. We were joined by Justin Petit and his family.  Our host, Camp Director Richie Lerner, started the meal by chanting the Kiddush and leading us in the motzei. We ate off the melamine plates (though the meat-meal blue have been replaced by green), and we knew we were back at Tranquillity.   We sang the blessing after the meal as if we had done it the week before.

Like Woodstock, the crowds came up the hill in search of some peace, love and Tranquillity.  Although it did rain on us, the Thruway didn’t have to close. Cheryl Schwartz greeted the aged campers as they arrived and signed in “the book” (thankfully, nobody was asked to weigh in).   We congregated in the TY Playroom and on the porch where decades of TY photo albums were treasured as we reminisced.  Despite the weather, our crowd grew to a respectable 35 or so.

Then it was on to the dining room for lunch-–Saturday afternoon, so it was fish, of course.  Sherri Lerner led the table setters including Judith Coan and Cheryl. After the motzi, Richie welcomed us back to Tranquillity and brought us back into camp mode.  Friends of Tranquillity President Alan Abramson also welcomed everyone, and was pleased to hear  that all attendees who were not previously members were now Friends of Tranquillity. The meal was then served by our acting waiters, led by Andy Logan, Bob Wasserman, and Lenny Klein.  The chocolate milk tasted a good as it ever did–you couldn’t even notice the change from whole milk to the less-unhealthy 2%.  In case any of us had forgotten, there was a Corn Speech --Richie reminded us how to make corn bread and to chew our corn 32 times.  And as is rote for the end of a Saturday afternoon meal, we heard the piano introduction to “We’re a Bunch of Campers” and we sang along to that classic along with other selections from the “Oh Me Oh My” songbook.

After lunch was a tour of Camp, from Junior House down to the Roost.  Some girls reminisced about the slanted floors in what used to be Overlook, as the guys longingly recalled the showers under the Manse.   Those who haven’t been to Camp in some time were impressed with the fabulous new Pearl C. Miller Athletic Center, the gorgeous new Hills houses, and the pools. But it was particularly special looking through the eyes of Larry Greenberg who hadn’t been to Camp since the 50’s and had never before seen the dining room--to him, it truly was the “New Dining Room”.

The rain stayed away long enough for an afternoon activity of Spell-It-Out.  Led by Robin Faber, whistle in hand, and Director Richie, the group split up the alphabet and attempted to answer Camp trivia questions. Team captains included Harvey Benjamin and Dr. Larry Palevsky. One nuance to this weekend’s game-– bathroom substitutes were provided when players needed, well, a break. Sort of like seat savers. Through this event we learned that, no matter how many years you spent at TY, regardless of your education, vocation, or life experiences, it’s still difficult to spell out “WALDINGER”.  Um, and “SING”.

The rain returned and Saturday late afternoon led to an impromptu ping-pong tournament on the TY House porch. Helen Weigand displayed her strategy of defense and consistency wiping out the entire girl’s camp including her former friend Ellen Gersen, who hasn’t spoken to her since (OK perhaps I made that last part up).  Then she proudly beat up the boys.  Until she was gracefully spanked by Scott Bloom, who displayed as much Noblesse Oblige on Helen as she had showed to the rest of us, including this writer (Sour grapes? Perhaps! ).

Saturday night we were treated to ziti and meat sauce, served with caesar salad and garlic bread.  The meal was followed by a loud Strawberry Shortcake for Chef Taz. The blessing after the meal was led by Dr. Lawrence Palevsky.
Although our campfire and counselor party were rained out, festivities continued at the Bungalow—the new and improved Bungalow, complete with big screen TV, pool table, foosball, and air hockey.   Campers came prepared with coolers in tow.  Neal Hirsh hosted a group including Todd Graber, Danny Kaplan, Rob Sturiale, Kim Oxenberg and Debbie Dermack.  The adorable pair of Sharon Hochhauser and Beth Tischler spent some quality time with Howie Fiorella and Mike Solomon. And the photo albums continued to get worn out. Eventually, the Saturday night party moved to Brennan’s, where we continued to, well, reminisce.

Lodging for most was provided primarily by Best Western of Coxsackie. Transportation for any who desired was provided by our host, Richie Lerner.   
Sunday morning before breakfast we gathered around the flagpole with the usual pomp and circumstance. Called up to the flagpole bimah to potentially experience rope burns were those of us with kids who currently attend TY–about half of us.  After breakfast,instead of allowing the continuing rain to dampen our spirits, we said, “Hey kids! Let’s put on a show.” And we continued Sunday morning as if it were Saturday Night at TY. Led by Creative Director Robin Faber, the show was on: “Jane Clay”. Tryouts moved along quickly after Cary Spiegel stated: “I’ll be the judge.”  Well, it was his birthday. Other parts were merely assigned; talent didn’t appear to be a factor.
Benches were set up in the Pearl C. Miller Sports Center, where the Noblesse Oblige sign hangs over the new stage.  The aged campers sang “If I had A Hammer”.  After singing of The Tranquillity Hymn, a piano solo of Freebird was performed by Glen Faber (fresh off his “If I had a Hammer”/”Oh Me Oh My” tour).  Then, TY Songbird (and resident pro photographer) Jill Lotenberg enchanted the crowd by recreating her Prologue performance from Gilda Van Gelder. There wasn’t a dry eye, or unexcited guy, in the house.

And then it was on to Jane Clay.  Along with Cary as the Judge, the cast included Bob Seifert who made his return to the TY stage after 33 years as “Boy”; Elissa Taub did a mother-of-a-job as Jane Clay’s mother;  Lenny Klein was typecast as Cop; and a cameo was made by Alan Abramson as “Lawyer”. Special recognition was due Richie Lerner for his featured performance in the role of “Clerk”, where he brought a bit of Groucho flavor to his “Yes your honor”.

The weekend was devoid of fund-raising activities by the Alumni and the Camp.  Participants were charged the paltry fee of $50 for the weekend which included a swanky t-shirt.   During our final meal, Ellen Gersen made a personal fund-raising appeal to thank Tranquillity for hosting the event.  Richie Lerner told some of us of his desire to purchase a hay wagon to be pulled by a tractor.  Anyone who knows Ellen can attest that she has quite the appeal, and her drive was successful in raising far more funds than needed for the hay wagon. As of this writing, the hay wagon is on order.
For all those who participated, “Back 2 Tranquillity” proved to be a good time, a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends and to play with friends we never lost.  Moreover, the weekend provided an unprecedented opportunity to explore Tranquillity and take advantage of all Tranquillity has to offer. There is good reason to believe this was the 1st of what will become an ANNUAL Back 2 Tranquillity event.