just told Hank Finkel about the web site. i asked him to sign the guest book

Smiles - What SGF is All About.

http://sgfvc.com/sgf_overnighter2009_2.htm#top


...or click the 2009 Overnighter button on any page.

The SGF weekend was sensory overload. I never knew how my parents found such a camp to send us to. And you guys brought it back to life. I applaud…hats off…bravo bravo bravo to everyone involved in putting this together.…Geeze, Mike Wolf you thought of everything…Scott Kleiman, how much more running around could one man do…Alan, were you a camper or a counselor (you has so much fun)…Steve Funt, you are magical…Neil Dorfman, you hypnotized the children as the leaned on every word…Mark Blass, It is a pleasure to put a face with the wonderful words you express on the guestbook…Ed Sobel, you are voted most looking the same as 30 + years ago-it was great to see you there…Marshall Davis…are you ready for next year-whew catch your breath yet…I apologize if I forgot anyone…

Ed Rosen…I am so glad that another SGFer was there like myself to visit for such a short period…only you and I can share the fulfillment of that day with each other…both of us having the privilege of being invited to be part of the wonder…

And your counselors…Dylan, Brandon, James, Jordan, Jake (who did I forget) They are all following in your footsteps…And the campers…G-d bless them all...Their smiles and fun (and homesickness) brought me back almost 40 years.

And oh yes … my brother Spencer…You helped make everyone GREAT memories…And it all started in a little 5000 watt radio station at Temple University.

Be Well…Be Happy

MICHAEL

R I D G E

Boys, I am just now waking up. Give an hour here and there and I think from Friday to Sunday I was awake 48 hours.

#@*%! I thought last year was great. This year we had more kids...more smiles...more candy...more food and even more fun.

Like Scott says: This has to be one of the most valuable things I've done in my life. Watching the smiles and gsaps from kids who rarely get to see an open field yet alone a carnival dedicated only to them at midnight, highlighted by an all-you can eat ice cream truck.

I want all of the guys I work with to know what a fantastic group of people you are. Everyone is so full of spirit and giving that it warms my heart.

I'll have more to say, but for now i'll say that this is the best team I have ever been on.

What a weekend the kids had and what a weekend we had! Thank You to the SGFVC Board for the endless and caring work.

When I reflect back over the weekend, I'm left with images flying by in my brain. An image that keeps popping up is a "smile". We all experienced all of the kids smiling and just enjoying the moment. I think what we are all doing is the most valuable thing I've participated in - in my life. It’s so meaningful and so important.

Cheer for our camp boys!

44 campers enjoyed another incredible weekend in the SGF tradition. My camera ran out of juice just after the candy drop so I'm going to wait to post pictures on the SGFVC website until I receive pics from other photographers.

Until then, you can see my shots at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/mblass/SGFOvernighter2009#

Thanks to the camp leaders, counselors, CITs, junior counselors, camp nurse, Briarwood owners and staff, people who supported spiritually or financially, and, of course, some really great kids who bonded into a cohesive group.

It was great seeing SGF at Briarwood in operation last evening. It brought back a flood of memories, all GOOD!

.
To all those following the SGF/Moran Tract Saga....an update:
Todays Montgomery County Commissioners meeting did NOT schedule our case on the docket. I'm advised that it should be on the docket at the August 6th meeting......for now,no news.....
I'll post again once we hear something.
Keep the faith and pray to the great SGF Gods.......

Uncle Herman

Hey Fellas, Just wanted to reach out to all those staffing and attending SGF Camp this weekend. Best wishes to all.Sad that I cannot be there.....My heart is with you.

"CHEER FOR OUR CAMP BOYS!!!!!"

Uncle Herman

Wish GREAT WEEKEND to all campers and Staff of SGFVC this weekend. CHEER FOR OUR CAMP BOYS!!!!!!!!!!!

Val Udell update. Val was released from the hospital today. I visited him and he is feeling well, considering his 10 days in the hospital.

I'm sure that he would like to hear from SGF-ers. Look up "Val Udell" on Yahoo! to get phone number.

Message from Val's niece Linda Burr Bosniak. I'm not sure whether I can visit him because the next two weeks are pretty packed, but I'll try.

============================

"Val has been at Pottstown Hospital since 7/11.  He's doing much better and will probably be released soon. Somehow he drove to my house to attend a family wedding in center city Philadelphia.  He kept falling over and refusing help.

Finally my son, the recently minted physician's asst.,  convinced him that he couldn't wait til Monday to see a dr.

He agreed to go, but would only agree to being admitted at Pottstown. We took him up there and they've been wonderful.

Besides age he apparently had some sort of bleeding ulcer and needed 7 units of blood.  Because of the blood loss he also had a heart attack.  Due to the lack of blood on Saturday he really doesn't  seem  clear on how bad he was that day.  Since denial seems to work so well for him we don't push it.  He's made a remarkable recovery and actually looks better than he has in a about a year. He's been very cooperative with the docs and says he'll have someone stay with him if needed.  He has several long-term care policies so he can remain at home.  He really seems in good spirits and his mind is still sharper than mine."

Just got my letter---Thanks for sending this...great idea to keep everyone informed...Love the 'then and now photo'. I am very proud to be able to pay it forward. If was not for all of your hard work (the entire SGF board) and organization...this would not be possible for me to do. I see by Spencer's note that everyone did not get a letter...I definitely suggest anyone reading this to send him your address to be involved. Sometimes I admit I may feel a little selfish when I gloate to my friends about all of the work YOU are doing. Geeze...all I did was write a little check. Seems I got the easy way out. You guys brought back 100 years of history. I share my appreciation to all of you that have made the SGF spirit alive for generations to come. Just think this may be a good reason for us all to watch our weight,,,eat well,,,and consistantly take our cholestroal medications...just to stay around for one more 'trip' to SGF.
THANK YOU SGF BOARD!
Bye the way tell Todd I just added another 50 buck to my donation, Beat that...HA!

R I D G E

MICHAEL

Hey Campers!

We just sent out a letter by US mail. If you did not get one and do want to be on a mailing list. Please e-mail me your mailing address and we'll TCO it.

PS: See announcements for a similar message.

sorry to say that i will not be able to make it up this year.

Hey I was alumni from the mid 70's, anyone here know me?

IT WAS NEAT CHECKING OUT THE WEB SITE. I WENT TO SGF CAMP IN THE 70"s had a great time there. i loved the balm fires at night dances with the girls from golden slipper camp. and all the other great activies. the best thing was the candy drop, had the best idea get a couple kids to spread out a bed shit hold it under the plane when candy fell most of it landed in the blanket, great idea ah.
well it was great to see people still know about sgf camp. thanks again murray zuritsky. if there is any body out there that knows me please email me.

To all;
FYI....
The Montgomery County commissioners will be moving the docket date from July 9th to July 23rd regarding the Moran Tract. I'll keep all posted as things occur.....
Keep the faith Fellas!!
Herman

GUESTBOOK SPAM

Someone has been spamming our guestbook. It appears to be manually done (i.e., not by a computer program). Please ignore and we will remove these messages ASAP.

Dear Fellow SGF Campers:

You are enthusiastically encouraged to attend and relive the magic and spirituality of the SGF Indian Ceremonial.

As you probably know this will be the second year we are holding an SGF Overnighter on the grounds of Briarwood Day Camp, 1380 Creek Road, Furlong, PA in Bucks County. We expect there to be at least 50 boys in attendance on the weekend of July 24th - 26th.

Your attendance, while a warm nostalgic reminiscence, will form a bond from the past to the future of SGF.

The camp will be open for you to visit from 7:00 PM through the end of the ceremony. For security purposes you must be on the guest list to enter. If you would like to be part of this event, please e-mail me at sglass1258@comcast.net

I'll look forward to see you there. Cheer for our camp boys!

To all, I've just been notified that the Montgomery County Open Space Board has APPROVED and will be reccommending that the County Commissioners finally fund and start proceddings to have the SGF/Moran tract deeded into open space FOREVER!!The commissioners meet again on July 9th . This project is on the docket and hopefully will be rubber stamped.
Keep praying fellas!!I pray to see all of you at a future Indian Cerimonial Council Fire one day.....
Thanks to all who wrote letters,sent prayer,energy and support to this most important project. I'm personally grateful to all of you who gave me the encouragement,strength, and courage to get this done...
See you in the pool,at the sliding board,
Uncle Herman Tannenbaum

To my SGF Brothers,
On this past Friday I was honored to guide a walking tour of our beloved SGF grounds for the Montgomery Commissioners and Open Space Board.There were about 12 of us there.Bill Moran walked with me.His kids were riding their horses around the campus.It brought back memories of the old camp rodeo days.We walked all over the camp and walked a proposed bike,horse,walking trail that connected Methacton High Sschhol with Evansburg State Park. The day stared out cloudy,only heavy dew, but quickly turned sunny with lots of puffy white clouds.I'm sure it's a sign that blue skys are ahead for the SGF grounds......
My goal was to impart the history, along with the experiences of the tens of thousands of us underprivdledged kids that loved SGF.I believe by the end of the tour,they too had fallen in love with this place.I pray that they follow through and approve and reccommend that the SGF site be processed into open space forever!!!
The Board meets again tommorrow at 3:00PM.I ask that each of you put out good thoughs and positive energy and pray with me for a good outcome...I'll be away on business,but at 3:00PM I'll be thinking of all of us lined up for roll call and raising the flag on a new SGF on the Indian Ridge parade grounds....

All present and accounted for ,SIR!!

Uncle Herman Tannenbaum

I was an SGF camper around 64 and 65 but not exactly sure. Looking for anybody that might have been a camper during that time. It was a great experience that I will always remember.

Ed

Lee, look at my facebook pictures i just added and let me know if you can tell me the names of any of the guys in it from troop 709 out of overbrook park. Your pics are there also. thanks

I was a camper in the summer of 1952.Iwas living at the AJC cottage at the time.I remember aunt lainie.I also was at the camp during the off season With the AJC.

As I was driving today, the following one suddenly popped into my head -- another one for the songbook, Mark:

I've got sixpence, jolly jolly sixpence,
I've got sixpence to last me all my life.
I've got sixpence to spend
And sixpence to lend
And sixpence to take home to my wife (poor wife!)
No cares have I to grieve me,
No pretty little girls to deceive me.
I'm happy as a lark, believe me!
As we go rolling, rolling home.
Rolling home (rolling home),
Rolling home (rolling home),
By the light of the silvery moo-oo-oo-oon,
Happy as the day when the counselors get their pay
As we go rolling, rolling home.
(Etc.)

Wow, an SGF site. Most cool. Brings me back to the days of Gino Giants, Bertie the Bunyip, Million Dollar Pier, and Connie Mack Stadium.

I was in Bunk Apache ('67), Comanche ('68), Hopi ('69), "3" ('71), "4" ('72), and "7" ('73). Was asked to be a CIT in '74, but opted to spend the summer in AC. Favorite memories include:

- Me and Phil Kanter (combined weight about 108 lbs.) in a team pillow fight against Bunk Bravo during Boxing Night

- Running into the wrong tribe during Indian Ceremonial, much to the amusement of the audience.

- Singing "Drunk Last Night" during talent night.

- Passing the swim test for the first time (made it into an essay in High School)

- Executing a perfect corner kick for an assist as a member of the SGF Soccer All-Star team (we lost to Rock Hill, 6-2)

- Batting .500 for the SGF All-Star team in my last year

- Creekwalks with Uncle Wiggly

- Candy Drop, capture the flag, the Fleebus scare, and all the other crazy things

My brothers were Steve and Mark. They were both Best Camper winners.

Look forward to hearing from some of you.

Regards/AP

http://www.classmates.com/profile/user/view?registrationId=355591781

Another lost SGFer found. Michael Schaffer, in 1969 first trip he was in bunk Delaware. was my best friend in camp that year.

To my SGF Brothers, The other day we appeared in front of the Montgomery County Open Space Board to support Bill Moran (current owner of SGF) in his quest to have the SGF lands put into open space in perpetuity. I want to personally thank the following men who gave up their time to be there both in body and in spirit: Scott Kleiman, Myles Kauffman, Mark Blass, Carl Lindenbaum, Neil Dorfman & Jon Ashley. Our voices were heard loud and clear. Your letters to the commissioners were received and some were acknowledged by Bruce Castor in favor our the proposal. There is more work to be done. I will be personally escorting and guiding the commissioners on a walking tour of the campus later in June. Hopefully after they've seen firsthand just how beautiful and important the land is that they will recommend to the commissioners that SGF be free and open forever. I spoke with Bill Moran and he is forever grateful to all of the SGF Alumni, wherever you are. Thanks for taking the time and energy to write your letters of support. They really did mean something....... Keep praying and maybe we can all walk across the parade grounds for roll call one more time......

In service to POP,

Herman

Some old SGF-ers don't really get old. Check out Uncle Bruce Heiman (Hamilton) at:

http://sgfvc.com/unclebruceheiman2.htm

See those two old classics - Uncles Shorty and O'Neal - together again.

Click this thumbnail to see full-size version.

Many thanks to all of you who have sent your letters in to save the sacred ground of SGF. Let's pretend we're at the Dell now for Friday night services and pray for a successful result.

Cheers out to Herman Tannenbaum for all of his hard work and dedication. It's mazing this camp ever went away with all of the life that it still breathes...and the spirit of the land in each and every one of us.

We were truly lucky kids!

Spencer Glass
Pres., SGFVC Foundation

I sent my letter in yesterday. Thanks to all of you who are spearheading this effort. Let's hope it works. (Maybe we could tell them there are still dead bodies on the grounds of SGF--I sure saw them during several encampments--who will haunt any developer...) One day we have to find out how many 8 year olds were permanently traumatized by seeing dead people rise to life at the campfire. Did we really do this?

How's about if everybody that sent in letters of support to the Open Space initiative for SGF please check in on this guestbook???I'm sure that all would like to know just how many letters we were able to come up with

Keep praying fellas......I believe!!!!!!

My Brothers,
My prayers are that you have already written your letters to the Montgomery County commissioners to save our SGF lands.My want is that you please e-mail a copy of your letters to put onto the commissioners desks at their meeting on May 26th.We will be in attendance on Tuesday.I believe that it would be very powerful.My e-mail address is: htannenbaum@komar.com Unfortunately we don't know how many of you have actually sent letters.Right now we're down to the eleventh hour.Please make sure your letters are recieved at the commissioners office by Friday,May 22nd.I ask that you take all measures to assure arrival by then.All are welcome to call me directly with any questions that you may have.My number is :215-518-6325........ We're right at the threshold to making this happen, We still need and want your letters of support sent to the commissioners. I've heard that one commissioner is in favor of this proposal.That doesn't mean that they all are. They MUST hear from you!!Let's not take for granted and let's not let up on our campaign to push this through."DO IT FOR THE KIDS".... Uncle Herman Tannenbaum

Just to let everyone know, I sent a letter to the commissioners this past Monday and received a response yesterday from Bruce Castor stating that he will support our position.

My SGf Brothers,
WRITE your letter NOW!!!!We will be appearing before the Mon tgomery County Commissioners board next Tuesday.Let your voice be heard. This is our one & only chance to save SGF from the developers wrecking ball.Go back to the homepage and click on the "Save SGF" icon.Write your own indvidual letter to the commissioners and tell them to save our beloved camp.......I'm begging everyone that is reading this message to do this......NOW!If not you,then who?If not now,then when?Time is running out...Please.

Uncle Herman Tannenbaum

Does anyone remember the Green family who lived on the farm adjacent to the camp? Time frame 1930s:
Both my sister and I were born there and im looking for any information that may excist.
Thanks Please contact me via email DJDetwiler@cox.net

Well, here's our chance. Imagine keeping the wrecking ball out of our HAIR. Imagine keeping a dream alive! Don't you think we have enough suburban mansions & townhomes. When will it stop?
The builders have built enuf. How many remember the story of the Lorax?(Dr. Suess's rendition of Collegeville,PA)

Peace!!

SGF'ers!

We had a very interesting meeting with the current owner of the SGF lands and a neighbor who are fighting to keep SGF lands as open space.

Watch for an e-vite with details and a link to tell you exactly what you can do to help. We're 2/3rds there already, but your prompt action is essential.

Stumbled on this site and was amazed. I think I know every one of you. And all the words to "Dem Bones" Best regards and love to all.

My son, Allen Jr., found this site and sent it to me. You have done a great job putting it together and maintaining it. The guestbook page is lots of fun and a great way to bring back memories.

Who remembers the Cremation of Sam Magee?
How about eating fire at the campfires?

Thanks for all of the memories.

Here's another inquiry that came in via the website. I know Marc from the sixties, but not from SGF. Anyone else old enough to know him? - MB

01_first_name: Marc
02_last_name: Soslow
07_email: sos3344@aol.com
20_camper_years: 1951-1959
21_counselor_years:
30_message: Would like to meet anybody in my camping era.

I was a camper summers '58 & '59. I enjoyed it. That is about all I remember

This message came through the website contact page. I responded. Anyone know Ed Krakow? (posted by MB)

===========

"I know I was a camper but not real sure which years I attended SGF. Are there any pictures from 1964 thru 68"

I was a camper from 67-70 on The Hill. Visiting the web site brought back great memories. I have been out of the Philly ares since '80, and never got a chance to atend re-unions. SGF was such a great experience. It is the people that make a great camp. The counselors really helped to make that place fun. Activities like The candy drop,the sports, Spell It Out, great fireworks over the lake, The Perkiomen trips. I made great friends there also. Is the camp still located at the same town?

Hey to all my SGF brothers. Attended the greatest camp in the universe from 68-70. Many fond memories. Always attended 1st trip. Had uncle Cy "Cyclops" in Featherhead, Uncle Jack Enco and Uncle Bob Cohen in Iroquois, and I think it was Uncle Bubba, Doug, and Walt in bunk 2. This is a great site. Cheers!

Jay,

Hope you have recovered and are healthy as ever.
Don't know if you remember me but you are the Uncle
Jay I used to pull out of bed when we would be practicing softball on weekends. We had a pretty good ridge team. Our home field was adjacent to the nature center. Were you coaching when we played Green Lane?
After we lost on a questionable call, they gave us real "soda". We couldn't believe that camps carried any other beverage besides bug juice.

Hello guys ..yes i know its been a while..had a heart attack 12-08-08..have been recovering since then,,im back now and looking to get back with all of you..be well and lets talk soon...Jay

looking at google earth it looks like bunk 3 and 4 are no more.