I got the message below from Sue Rosenberg regarding the upcoming Camp Woodland reunion this weekend. She asked me to pass it along to all of you. Since the camp was in Woodland Valley I thought some of you might be interested in going to this and exploring local history.
- Carol
Hi, I am a former camper at Camp Woodland (oh so many years ago). WCA member Bill Horne suggested that I send you a note about this weekend's Camp Woodland reunion. On Sunday we are having the second half of the reunion at the Parish Hall in Phoenicia. This is going to be a Folk Festival with lots of music and stories and poems about camp and the Catskills. Its open to the public and I think its going to be great fun.
I have attached a press release about it if you want to share it with anyone up at Woodland Clove.
Sorry for the late notice.
Hope you can make it,
- Sue
Folk Festival and the Spirit of Camp Woodland
On July 15th from 1-5 pm, in the old Parish Hall on Main St
in Phoenicia, there will be a celebration of the music, stories and spirit of Camp Woodland. Camp
Woodland was a progressive summer camp in Phoenicia which brought together a
diverse group of children, counselors musicians and folklorists from NYC and across the county. It was known
for collecting folk songs and lore of the Catskills and promoting and preserving
the regional heritage. Each summer
the camp director Norman Studer, took campers and counselors on trips
throughout the Catskill Mountains to learn about and collect the traditions, music and folk lore of
the mountains, bringing both the music and new made friends back to camp.
At the end of each summer Woodland put on a Folk Festival of
the Catskills . Local musicians and their music mingled with
Cantatas, dances and plays written at camp and music brought to camp from
around the world as well.
On Sunday, as part of a weekend long Camp Woodland
reunion,and in the spirit of those Festivals, A Folk Festival of the
Catskills will be held in Phoenicia.
Performers will
include former campers and counselors including Eric Weissberg, Karl Finger,
Mickey Vandow, Pat Lamanna, Robert and Louise DeCormier, Niela Miller, Dan
Mack. In addition there will be Bob Lusk of the Heritage Music and Laurie and
Ira MacIntosh-local story tellers.
Members of the Hudson Valley Folk Guild will present a cantata
written by Camp Woodland music counselor and noted composer and folklorist
Herbert Haufrecht. Titled
"We've Come From the City," the cantata deals with the conflict that
arose when parts of the Catskills were flooded to make reservoirs to supply
drinking water to New York City.
Lydia Adams Davis, Frank Tetler, Steve Allen, and others will play the
parts that the children of Camp Woodland played when it was originally
performed, and Linda Bresnahan-McCarthy is the music director.
Open to the Public -$10 donations suggested.
For information call Sue Rosenberg -845-246-3449
