1962

Some quick facts about our families (as of May 2006):

• I have taught school for 32 years, and live in Palm City Florida; 40 miles North of Palm Beach.
• My husband of 27 years is Dennis. He is a boat captain/sportfisherman.
• Our 24-year-old son Matthew is a U.C.F. graduate living in Orlando.
• My mother Belle lives in Stuart, Florida (3 miles from Palm City). My dad, Bill, passed away 10 years ago.
• My brother, David, and his wife Nora and their two daughters also live in Stuart.
• My cousin Barbara sang “My Man” in the camp show. She and her brother Henry live in New York; Henry in Rockland County, and Barbara in Brooklyn. Henry has a wife, Hildy, and a son and granddaughter. He is an assistant principal at Music and Art High School. Barbara works for the state.

• Roberta lives in Palm City, Florida. She can be reached at steelerfugly@yahoo.com

1964

2006

I couldn’t believe it when I saw a picture of Phil Glotzer!! He was my favorite counselor and one of the people I’ve written about.

Demian, I also followed a path into theatre and film (I looked at your resume). Rob Morrow was a great friend of mine. Maybe you bumped into him on the set of “Northern Exposure.” [Note from Demian: Yes, I did. But it didn’t hurt much. He caught me stealing cashews from the stars-only food table.]

• See Peter’s’s articles on his summer camp experience:
        “A Boy Called Jacob”.
        “The View from Far Right Field”
• Peter directs the “New Voices-New Visions” acting school in Massachusetts.
• Peter may be contacted at newvoices@juno.com

1964

My father, Irving Broz passed away in 2003 and, every so often, I Google his name. I was very surprised and delighted to come across your writings and photos. I also found an article by Jay Leites which gave my dad credit for a song he wrote about Uncle Mel. Dad loved to write and became an amateur poet, belonging to on-line poetry clubs as he was home bound in his later years.

My mom is well and living in a West Palm Beach suburb, and my sister Linda and her family live close to mom. I stayed in New York with my wife and two children, who are now [in 2006] 22 and 24 years old.

I was sorry to hear that your father died. I have wonderful memories of him and sometimes catch myself humming camp songs while I’m driving alone in the car. Your dad was a true gentleman and great role model for a bunch of kids.

• Jon lives in New York. He may be contacted at jonbroz@aol.com

1962

2009

Though it is almost a lifetime ago since we last spoke I wanted to share with you a few things.

The Coburn family has really made a huge impact on my life. Many of my principles, especially those about caring for others, I learned from “Uncle Mel” and his son Al, who was my counselor for 3 years.

I taught for 33 years and have directed day camps for 37 years. In 2009, I wrote the first, full master’s program in camp leadership for the American Camp Association.

My book “There is No Place Like Camp: A camp director’s guide for parents” extols the virtues of camp. It contains lessons I learned from your family that I wanted to share with others.

Presently, I am writing a TV series, “Confessions of a Camp Director” - again, lessons learned from Tall Timber and your family.

Though we rarely spoke, thank you for really showing great respect for your parents.

• Ken is the founder and director of Day Camp in the Park, in Harriman State Park, NY.
• Ken lives in New York City. He may be contacted at dcitp@aol.com

Jeff’s Bar Mitzvah, with Molly and Joe Marder October 1968

2015

My parents were Hy and Lilly. Joe Marder was my mom’s uncle. I am still in touch with their son, Artie Marder, my first cousin, once removed.

My daughter is about to turn 19. When she was 12, I told her about Tall Timber. I told her that about 50 families lived there for the summer; a place where no one had an air conditioner, or a TV, and there was only one pay phone for all of us. She couldn’t understand how we survived, let alone had the best summers ever.

2019:
• Jeff’s wife died in 2019.
• Jeff lives with his daughter in Oyster Bay, NY.
• Jeff may be contacted at 516-313-2527

Stu Kaplan Lake Mohegan, ~1957

Stu and Richie Kaplan, ~1994

Thoughts about Tall Timber:

I was born in 1950, after my brother Richie (Richard) was born in 1946. We lived in the Bronx near Yankee Stadium, on Gerard Ave., and spent summers in the mountains of upstate New York. I lost Richard when he was 67. I miss him dearly.

My parents, Hy (Herman) and Ida Kaplan, went to the Tall Timbers Bungalow Colony after spending a few summers at Mohegan Country Club. We first stayed on second floor of the Main House, eventually moving to the Long House. We attended the camp run by Joe and Molly Marder.

I remember the ball field, handball court, and the dock on Lake Mohegan, where we’d go fishing. I also recall another “beach” location where families would go on Lake Mohegan, but I can’t recall its name.

There was a rivalry between Tall Timber and Evergreen. Us kids used to throw rocks at each other on the border between the Colonies. Eventually, we became friends with the Evergreen boys and played ball against them.

I remember the “Fog Man” who drove a vehicle throughout the property to kill mosquitoes with DDT. Many of us kids would dance around behind the truck in the fog. Probably not a good idea, and our parents told us so.

One of the parents, Izzie Hershman, once hit a softball over the Longhouse, that my father had pitched. I’d stuffed dad’s cigarette with something called a “Load”, which blew up in his face while he was pitching one day. I quickly left the area after the explosion. I was trying to convince my parents to quit the habit. They did not stop and both lived to be 90-years-old, and enjoy 64 1/2 years of marriage together.

I started a garbage business with a wagon, carrying people’s trash to the garbage house for 5 cents a load (which did not blow up).

One summer, the camp play was “South Pacific,” in which I sang “Some Enchanted Evening.”

Sandy Guth (sp?), a parent, got me into swimming underwater at the pool. He was able to swim underwater two laps; I was totally impressed. Tried to copy him but never succeeded in doing more than a single lap.

I made many good friends at Tall Timber, and had wonderful summers away from New York.

I remember the shows the adults would put on every summer. As I recall, the young children were not permitted to view some of the acts they put on. The men played card games in the Casino constantly, and the ladies played cards, and Mah Jong, rotating locations around the colony. The pool had a shuffleboard court right next to it, within sight of the ball field.

Fathers would work all week, and come up for the weekends from the city. It was a great place to be when it got steaming hot in the city.

Post-Tall Timber thoughts:

I attended PS 114 on Cromwell Ave. for grade school, and moved on to PS 22 for Junior High. Next stop was William H. Taft high school.

I attended Queens College, with major in Political Science, and then on to the University of Richmond Law School, graduating in 1975. I married Debra Walker, in 1987, in Richmond Virginia, and practiced Criminal Law there until retirement.

We bought a V.W. van and toured America, Alaska, and Canada. We continue to live in Richmond, where I’m an avid Disc Golfer. We have a getaway home on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, where we enjoy boating and fishing, and an extended family.

Demian, thank you for all your hard work in compiling all these wonderful memories and bringing them back to people, like me, some 60-plus years later. It was a tremendous time in our lives, when we were carefree. It was quite different from the issues we deal with today.

• Please see “Stu’s Photos” page.
• Stu can be reached at: Stuart Kaplan <s2.kaplan@comcast.net>

2009 photo by Jon Broz

My father Aaron, mother Frieda, and brother Brian spent about a dozen summers under the Club House’s penthouse. They were the happiest times I have had. That’s saying a lot, as rest of my life has been fairly happy.

But if I could once more, spend an entire summer, with good friends, in a country setting, with no duties or responsibilities, except to have fun. Well, that would be swell indeed.

        >Sigh<

• For more of Jay’s reminiscence please see his article: “Thanks for the Plaque”
• Jay lived in Queens, New York. He died on April 10, 2011.

“Our dear friend, Jay, passed away this morning. Several of us have been close to him since those early childhood days — without interruption — and this is a really horrible and surreal thing to deal with. He love all things Tall Timber; expect, of course, being forced to play sports. I truly believe those summers were the happiest time of his life. He had a great time at the reunion, and really enjoyed reconnecting with folks from Tall Timber.”

1971

2007

I loved Aunt Sylvia as she used to keep an eye on me, as I was one of those kids who didn’t like to stay with her group! I always hung out with Aunt Sylvia while she did her crafts. I can’t remember if she was into knitting and crocheting.

• For more of Debbie’s reminisence, please see her article: “The Time of Our Lives”
• Debbie lives in Yorktown Heights, New York. She may be contacted at heidiwill@aol.com

My heart went into my throat when I saw the photographs. I stepped back in time.

I went to Tall Timber for three years in the mid 60s. Your brother Allen was my counselor, for the senior boys, at one point. I also remember your father, “Uncle” Mel, with his thick Massachusetts accent. Of course, we had no accent.

I can still hear him at the end of each day counseling us to “walk, walk, walk” as we charged away from the singing of taps to run home for dinner. Sometimes I find myself humming the refrain somewhere deep inside my head. Funny how some things stick with you some 35 years later. I'm truly sorry to see that he passed on.

The first year we were there we lived on the “other” side of the street. The next two years were spent in one of the main buildings near the casino and the pool.

I see that you are an actor. I am, too. I make my living mostly in commercials, here in New York, along with the occasional TV or movie role.

• Mike lives in New York.

1961

I have quite a few clients up in the Mohegan area. In fact, I will be going up to Peekskill (now called Cortlandt Manor) on Tuesday (April 2, 2007). I haven’t looked at the old place in quite a while, but, after seeing the pictures on this Web site, I’ll probably take a side trip.

A lot of the old businesses are gone. White’s ice cream stand is now a butcher shop. Caldor is now a Koles. The Dugout is gone, and so is The Rodaks ice cream stand in Mahopac. The old Mohegan Country Club is now a condominium development.

Living in Rockland, I have been in contact with some of the old crowd, sometimes in strange ways. I ran into Nancy Solomon at the George Washington Bridge when they were doing “Hands Across America.”

On another occasion I went to a garage sale with my wife, and it turned out that it was Beth Rozoti’s parents’ house. I saw “Rozoti” written on a box in their garage, and asked if it was Frank and Lita. 10 minutes later, Beth showed up.

• Mark now lives in Davenport Florida. He may be contacted at malowitz7@verizon.net

1961

The Tall Timber grounds are now garden apartments.

1961

Your dad [Uncle Mell] used to call me “Sharp Eyes” because I used to find all the arrows that were lost.

1964

I was the tom boy that played ball with all the boys.

Joey Taft is now a doctor in Queens where I live.

Great, great memories.

• Alice lives in Queens, New York.

1963?

• Barbara lives in Queens, New York.
• Barbara sent a batch of photos. See: The Roza Photos

1962

I was one of those “Tall Timber” campers that you wrote about. My family would make their pilgrimage up to Lake Mohegan every summer from, I believe, 1960-1965. My sisters — Barbara and Alice — were camp counselors. They were some of the best years of my childhood.

I remember 12 kids piling into my dad’s Dodge and driving up the road to Whites for ice cream, and the “fog man” (the pesticide truck) spraying his cloud of chemicals as we all chased after him inhaling what is probably the cause of my nuttiness.

I remember “Uncle” Mel with such fond memories. I am now 48 years old and sang many of his songs to my kids. Some of them didn’t even have words, just gestures and melodic sounds, but they were entertaining.

When my family gets together with fellow “Tall Timberites,” Uncle Mel’s name always comes up. On Shabbat evening, we would all gather around Uncle Mel and sing. He would dismiss us and holler “Walk, walk, walk.” I was sorry to hear of his demise but I am glad that he lived a long life.

By the way, the second person in the camp photo is Simon Halegoua. He was my dance partner on many occasions at camp. I also thought he was my cousin.

Many of us were the children of concentration camp survivors, and our parents told us we were related. I think I was 25 before learning we were not really relatives. Simon is well and living on Long Island in New York.

I really enjoyed your pictures and your stories. I am going to call my sisters and tell them about the site. Great Web site.

Wish I could go back to camp. Wish my kids could have experienced Uncle Mel.

• Sandy lives in New jersey.

1961

• Brian sent some photos. See: The Rucker Photos

1961

2006

I came across the Tall Timber Tales Web site yesterday (June 27, 2006) and was totally blown away. The memories came flooding back after forty years (can it really be 40 years!).

Loved the total group shot camp photos. I saw you also have some photos of Gary in another section — the trip to Bear Mountain. [See bottom two photos on Summer Camp Emergency]

I am currently living in San Diego with my wife Barbara and two daughters, Elizabeth and Kayla. I retired as a naval officer some time ago, and took up a second career as an attorney.

I am a softball umpire for the Amateur Softball Asssociation, which is sort of how I found your Web site. I just finished umping a divisional championship game this past weekend in nearby Escondido in really oppressive heat and humidity. For San Diego, the humidity is rare.

I had the feeling, standing on the humid ball field, that I was back east, in New York. It reminded me of Mohegan Lake and Tall Timber and those many summers playing ball in really hot, humid conditions.

When I returned, I got curious as to what Mohegan Lake looks like now, so I brought it up on Google Satellite (a very neat feature) and had a look around. [See the Mohegan Lake area on Google Maps. Once there, click on the Satellite button for the landscape view.]

Then I did a word search for “Tall Timber” and “Mohegan Lake,” on the off chance I might find out what happened to the camp, and your site popped out at the top of the list.

I also found the Google Tall Timber Group and left a note. [See Mike Schinasi’s Tall Timber discussion board groups.google.com/group/tall-timber]

I got an answer from Phil Glotzer this morning. It was great hearing from him. It was also great to hear that he and his brother (and best friend from those days) Kenny and his sister Heidi are doing well. It is just so amazing to connect with somebody that was that far in my past.

I’m sure others have told you how much Camp Tall Timber and your dad, uncle Mel, meant to us growing up. He created a wonderful world of play, education, and competition (Color Wars!). As a small child, I remember the first time I met him. He spoke in such a thick Boston accent I thought he was from a foreign country. I think he laid it on a little thick for our benefit.

Be it softball, horseshoes, swimming, ping-pong, crafts, dancing, kick ball, the days were always filled with fun activities, and your dad (and his helpers) were responsible for organizing it all.

Would love to hear from others and learn how they are doing.

A further note from Ira:

I spent an hour today, doing cardio, totally lost in thought; mostly in Tall Timber. It was a very fast hour and I found myself smiling, and tearing up a bit, as the long-ago scenes unfolded like a movie.

This was the time of year, the last week of June, after the last day of school, when we loaded up the old two-toned Plymouth and changed worlds for two months. My brothers and I would be packed into the back amid the blankets, pillows, and towels for the hour ride from the gray, concrete Bronx to the incredibly green Mohegan Lake.

It has been more than 40 years, but I still remember the feeling of unbounded exuberance I experienced when we arrived, and I knew that an entire summer of fun stretched out before me.

• Ira lives in San Diego, California. He may be contacted at bluelaser7@aol.com

1962

• Mike lives in New York. He may be contacted at mschinasi@aol.com

We went to Tall Timber until about 1969, but we may have known your family at some other bungalow colony. [The Schlesingers followed Uncle Mel from Camp Kiawanna in 1961.]

Our family, the Schlesingers, were very close with yours. In fact, I always thought that your dad, “Uncle” Mel, was my real uncle.

I know that my dad saw your mom and dad in Florida in the 90s. He gave my dad a Tall Timber T-shirt to give to me. I always meant to call your dad to say thanks, but never did. So, anyway, thanks.

My mom, Marilyn, passed on in 1968. My dad, Walter, passed on in 1998. My older brother, Mike, is doing well, and so am I.

Those were very sweet times.

1962

I remember every show I was in, and the words to all those songs. We have old movies of Tall Timber, the shows, the carnivals, the Sabbaths, and color war. Unfortunately, the technical quality of the film has diminished with time.

I remember every night gathering on the hill and singing “Day is Done.” I am starting to cry as I write this. These are such sweet memories to me. I remember “Uncle” Mel’s songs “Mine Hans On Mineself” and “I Don’t Want No More of Army Life.”

I have very fond memories of Uncle Mel. It is a real blessing that your family has had such a positive impact on so many people’s lives.

Thanks for sharing the camp stories and photos, they are priceless! You are honoring your dad by continuing his legacy of sensitivity and kindness. It seems to me he taught you well.

We have a print of the second picture in your article “Summer Camp Emergency.” The third boy from the left is my brother Russell Senz. If you have any other pictures of him, our family would greatly appreciate seeing them. He died in an accident in 1968.

I am printing all your memories for my parents to read, being that they don’t use the computer.

Thanks again for the memories.
Sincerely, Sharon Senz (Jack, Ella, and Russell).

• Sharon lives in New York. She can be reached at neileiger@optonline.net

1961

It was my job to pick berries, although, how I knew to do that is a bit of a mystery. Like most campers, I was a New York City child, from parents who grew up in the City as well. My parents never ate wild blackberries, and they were a bit nervous about eating something wild that did not grow on a truck.

• More of Bob’s story can be read here: Indifference to Poison Ivy
• Bob lives in North Carolina.

1961

My family was there from about 1956-67. I was in Normy’s group, along with Michael Melasky, Alan Malowitz, one of the Kroshaks, and I can’t remember who else. I posted a message on Mike Schinasi’s Tall Timber Google Group of many of my favorite memories.

So sorry to hear that Uncle Mel passed on.

My dad is about to turn 80. He and my mom live in Spring Valley, New York (Rockland County). My younger sister Michelle and her family, and my family also live in Rockland. My older sister Nancy lives in Santa Fe, and my brother Bob lives in North Carolina.

I’d love to have a reunion. Is there any interest in having one?

• Gary lives in Rockland, New York. He may be contacted at garysolomon@optonline.net

Demian, I just came across your Tall Timber site, and it brought back old memories.

I lived on Kimble Ave., down the road from the camp. I was born in 1963, so I was four when we moved there from Cortlandt. I went to Tall Timber for one or two years, probably in 1967-8. I recall walking to camp alone.

I remember the Marders, mainly Joe’s wife Molly. And I remember the Ruckers; Ray, I think? [ed. Parents: Jay and Evelyn. Kids: Ira, Brian, Gary. See the Rucker kids photos here.] They lived up the street from me. Their mom was from Israel, maybe? I think they had a house fire around 1967.

I remember being in a play and singing “How Much is that Doggie in the Window” while dressed up like a dog (thanks mom).

My neighborhood used the baseball field, tennis courts and clubhouse next to Tall Timber (west of camp). We used to play ball every day, and I remember hearing kids play across the field.

We used to buy candy — the large sweet tarts — at the casino store. It smelled musty!

Tall Timber must have closed down sometime after ’68, because I walked through the bungalows when I was 10-13 years old. The buildings were beat-up with broken windows and doors.

I live across town in Yorktown now, and still drive around the old neighborhood. There was talk about the Town buying the land and making a park, but it never happened.

Thanks for bringing me back.

• Brian lives in Yorktown, NY. He may be contacted at briantess@hotmail.com

I was a camper at Tall Timber, in the same group with Norman Coburn. I am so sorry your dad has passed on, what a great man he was. My parents have passed as well.

I often thought how wonderful it would be to have a reunion.

Thanks so much for the memories and pictures.

• Robert lives in Westport, Connecticut.