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THE 65th BUCK'S ROCK REUNION & Alumni Day at Buck’s Rock
SATURDAY, JULY 28th, 2007

Who is 65 years old but still has the vitality, creativity and soul of a teenager?

Buck's Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp, founded in 1942 by Ernst and Ilse Bulova, celebrated its 65th summer in 2007.

Camp Directors Mickey and Laura Morris, in collaboration with the Friends of Buck's Rock, invited all former campers, staff, family and friends to return to camp for this most festive anniversary celebration.

Many special activities marked the day and we featured the musical talents of several generations of Buck's Rockers.


July 29th, 2006 Friends of Buck's Rock Alumni Day

All former campers, staff, family and friends were invited to return to camp for the day.

The annual Alumni Day at Buck's Rock allows us to share our talents and perspectives with the amazingly creative staff and campers who continue to make Buck's Rock such a special place. We all enjoy the opportunities to revive or strengthen old friendships, create new ones and continue our participation in a vibrant, creative community where the values we learned at Buck's Rock continue to thrive.

In 2005, we formalized plans with the camp for a regular Alumni Day at Buck's Rock to be held on the fifth weekend of the camp season.

A very special feature of this day was initiated in 2004 when we invited alumni to return to camp and meet informally with campers and staff in various shops. Alumni were invited to talk about their craft or profession and to bring some of their work to show or demonstrate or perform. They also shared their thoughts about what the shops were like when they were at at camp and how Buck's Rock influenced their career choices and life in general.

This year Jeffrey Paul Bobrick and Jackie Keveson performed at a singer/songwriter concert at the Music Shed, Lew Frisch hosted a radio show at WBBC and a listening session/engineering discussion at the recording studio, Jon Rose and Jackie Keveson spoke at the Pub Shop and Mark Davis discussed his life and craft in the Sculpture Shop. Jeffrey Paul, Lew and Mark also spent time with the CIT's at the night snack.


DAVID BEARG AND KATY BLAIR HOSTED A SPECIAL NEW ENGLAND MINI-REUNION AT THEIR HOME, SAGE FARM IN CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS

SATURDAY OCTOBER 29, 2005, the last day of Daylight Savings Time, came bringing an unexpected and beautiful snowfall that dusted and frosted the surrounding woods. Some 20 alumni braved the unusual weather and greatly enjoyed the warmth of the Bearg home as they renewed ties with fellow Buck's Rockers. Several alumni from the 1960's were seeing each other for the first time in 40 years !

In 1962 and 1963 David was a camper at Buck’s Rock. His major activities were the Capable Construction Crew, Woodworking, the Vegetable Garden, and walking down the hill to the damned creek.

His son, Nat, attended Buck’s Rock as a camper in 2002, 2003, 2004 and a CIT in 2005. He commented that the Bearg house in Concord, with all its additions, woodworking shop and other aspects, has become a shrine to Buck’s Rock.

Sage Farm was a fascinating location for this event, reflecting the spirit and the legacy of Buck’s Rock in the life of David and his family. David still grows vegetables, but now in a heat-storing greenhouse (thanks to 11 tons of rock) with an automatic greywater irrigation system. The Woodshop is superinsulated and gets some of its heat from the adjacent sunroom. You see, after Buck’s Rock, David managed to pick up college degrees in Chemical Engineering and Environmental Health, so this house also reflects his work in the area of achieving healthy indoor air quality for the smallest expenditure of energy.

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If you wish to be kept informed of upcoming mini-reunions and our annual "Alumni Day at Buck's Rock Camp" (June 29, 2006) please contact Friends of Buck's Rock Events Outreach, Lew Frisch. He can also be reached at 610-746-9342.

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ALUMNI DAY AT BUCK'S ROCK CAMP 2005

Friends of Buck's Rock sponsored a relatively small and informal, but certainly enjoyable, Alumni Reunion Day at Buck's Rock on Saturday July 30th. Alumni Days are now being held every summer during the fifth weekend of the camp season

Some 30+ alumni attended. The afternoon was entirely informal-- basically a do-it-yourself affair. Two alumni led demonstrations/discussions in the music and jewelry shops.

Thanks to all the below-listed alumni for their interest in and support for this event :

Sarah Levithan, Rebecca Siegel, Mark Zeltzer, Lewis Frisch, Stepanie Segal Hartman, Jeffrey Paul Bobrick, Juli Martin, Mark Davis, Elyse HF Maxwell, Harris Sussman ( Hal Lenke at BRWC), Erica Babad, Laura Fink, David Bearg, Kat Reilly, Eric Weiss, Noah Landow, Neil Blacladder, Josh Feintuch, Jasmine Winkler Stobbe. Also, Steve Ansell, Fred Winter, Paul Zlotoff, Ricky Winston, Jane Tavalin Schwartz, Dan Pearl,Michael Aschenbrenner, Lou Simon, Mark Skolsky, Alison Schiff, Jonathan Rose, Mollie Rose, Jamie Studley, Elana Fishbein, Mark Schenker, Benjamin Lapidus, Allegra Boverman and Debbie Urken.

Frinds of Buck's Rock Spring Event - April 2, 2005

The Party of the Year! Buck's Rockers past, present and likely future gathered together in the home of Andrea and Ed Kopel for a spring fundraiser party to benefit the Friends of Buck's Rock Scholarship Fund. The event was a success on many levels, with the grand total of $1,460 raised for the Friends of Buck's Rock Scholarship Fund. Many thanks to the incredible performers -- Dan Seiden, Ivan Rubenstein-Gillis, Kurt Fitzpatrick and Julia Adolphe -- and to all those who attended.

Friends of Buck's Rock thanks the Kopels for opening there home and for all their generosity and also thanks all the performers and guests who made this event a success.

THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE FRIENDS OF BUCK'S ROCK NEWS IS HOT OFF THE PRESS. VOLUME 4, NUMBER ONE. THE THEME :

"BUCK'S ROCK : THEN & NOW - A COLLECTION OF MEDITATIONS " featuring contributions from Roger Bailey, Hannah Goodman, Michael Greenfield, Sam Kusnetz, Billy Mann, Jennifer Pollock, Johnny Rabe, Dan Seiden, Jen Langton, Jackie Keveson and Winnie Winston.

The previous issue of the Friends of Buck's Rock News is also still available, featuring an interview with Pete Seeger. To request a copy of either or both please e-mail Lewis Frisch.



HERE'S AN UPDATE ON THE 2004 CIT REUNION FEBRUARY 19TH, 2005:
The event took place at the Chelsea Piers' bowling lanes, beginning in the afternoon and continuing through into the early evening. Despite weather that could only be described as " extremely discouraging" some 23 CITS and staffers Roger Bailey, Ivan Rubenstein-Gillis and Erica Zeller turned out to share a memorable afternoon. Pictures and details will be posted soon.

Nicole Singer and Jonah Rosenberg worked closely with Jeffrey Paul Bobrick to organize this event and thanks to their incredible efforts, the event could be pronounced as an unqualified success.

The organizers were in contact with the following 2004 CITs: Amanda Caggiano, Julia Adolphe, Mimi Bain, Seth Caplan, Jordan Fraade, Sarah Dupuis, Luke Geller, Geoff Giller, Emily Newbury, Peter Hempel, Michelle Iseman, Zoey Howe, Matt Thurm, David Pantaleoni, Eli Peck, Carly Levin,Rebecca Lieb, Hannah Pinover, Anna Strasser,Olivia Pomann, Sam Rogal,Malorie Savran, Dylan Shad, Rue Silver, Katie Stone, Sarah Tepler, Rebekkah Vegaromero, and Raymond Weiss. Counselors Rick Price, Roger Bailey, Erica Zeller, Emma Kirwan, Eric Wellman, Sam Kuznetz, Kerry Silva, Ivan Rubenstein-Gillis, Ingrid Schorr,and Mark Richter were also involved in the pre-event discussions and planning.


ALUMNI DAY AT CAMP 2004:

Friends of Buck's Rock and Buck's Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp invited alumni to spend a very special day in New Milford on Saturday, July 31st. July 31st was Village Fair Day in charming New Milford. The New Milford Parks and Recreation Department sponsored the New Milford 8 Mile Road Race and the Fair Days 5K Walk/Run for those seeking less strenuous exercise. Buck's Rockers of all ages participated and as always, a crew of Buck's Rockers cheered on participants when they passed Buck's Rock Road.

While a few alumni made it to New Milford in the AM, most gathered at Buck's Rock for an 11:45 AM for a picnic lunch on the lawn. An Alumni Softball Game with current CIT's and JC's, organized by Marc Richter, took take place from 12:45 and 1:45 PM. There was a guitar snack at 3:00PM on the porch.

During the afternoon, we planned a number of informal discussions/events with alumni and campers. For so many of us, the Buck's Rock experience has become an integral part of our adult lives and careers, so we invited alumni to share their experiences and thoughts with campers. Five volunteers met with campers on the 31st: Allegra Boverman, Lew Frisch, Erika Blumberg, Jeffrey Paul Bobrick and David Iserson.

A number of us also got together at the close of the afternoon and headed to a local New Milford eatery, for dinner and more socializing.

We have had the pleasure of corresponding with quite a few Buck's Rockers in recent weeks and saw many of them on the 31st. We heard from Anne Wikler Minninberg, Richard Fried, Zelda Yarmuk, Rachel Kahn, Samara Sussman, Joel Schwartz , Bernie Unger, Alex Saltzman, Heidi Handelsman, Marissa Block, Pam Kolber Zicca, Abigail Levin, David Bearg and Mike Greenfield . Also : Kelly Kniffin Pacelli, Naomi Rabinowitz-Buchanan, Emily Rabinowitz-Buchanan, Jonah Rabinowitz-Buchanan, Joshua Feintuch, Aaron Kromash, Ruth Shannon, Jane Tavalin Schwartz, Allegra Boverman, Laura Fink, Jeffrey Segal, Erika Blumberg, Eliot Lerman, Ken Walker, Elana Fishbein, Leanne Handelsman, Arie Rubenstein, Rachel Schweitzer, Edwin Melliza, Sarah Barnett, Laura Dadap, David Iserson, Sarah Kroll-Rosenbaum, Sarah Levithan. Pam Renner, Elyse Maxwell, Adam Markovics, David Fishkin, Gina Costagliola, Jesse Reiser, Pam Lyman and Thomasin Franken.


News about THE 2004 and 2005 PARTY AT ED KOPEL'S can be found on the MAIN page!!

Before the intimate soiree at Ed Kopel's in 2004, enterprising Buck's Rockers Jeffrey Paul Bobrick and Jonah Lloyd Rosenberg made the day even more special by assembling a group of Buck's Rockers in Manhattan on Saturday afternoon. They met at the School of Ethical Culture, then headed downtown for lunch and a 3PM showing of the original director's cut of the classic 1950's Japanese masterpiece GODZILLA !!. Extra footage and no Raymond Burr made the man in the rubber monster suit all the more terrifying. Fortified with this apocalyptic drama of post-nuclear terror in the streets of Tokyo, the intrepid Buck's Rockers headed across the bridge via the F train to Ed's house in Brooklyn.


THE MESSAGE THAT FOLLOWS WAS POSTED ON THE BUCK'S ROCK CAMP MESSAGE BOARD:
We thought it would be appropriate and encouraging to post it here, unedited:

Subject: Multitudinous Gratitude...
Posted by Dylan Shad at 22:41:40 Sunday, May 16, 2004

I would just like to personally thank everyone who was involved for the amazing day i had yestarday (saturday, may 15). Most importantly, Jonah for organising the group that got together after the CIT meeting (I believe it was his brainchild) and JPB for bringing us to see Godzilla (Which was AMAZING, by the way...there was some amazing screen writing and acting in that movie, along with some great models and special effects... 'zilla's death scene was especially original).

I think, though, that the person that deserves the most thanks would have to be someone I had never met before last night -- Ed Kopel -- for opening up his townhouse to us and starting, organising, and covering the costs for the fundraising party. There were quite a few people there, and in the true spirit of Bucks Rock I felt very welcome even though I only knew a small portion of the people there.

The acts were amazing... I got to see some past and present BRockers perform, and I had an all around fun time. Sadly enough, I admit that I was unable to pay the whole $75, but even so over $1000 was raised to help send someone to camp who would not otherwise be able to go...

So, again, thanks everyone... Ed, JPB, Jonah, the performers, Friends Of Bucks Rock, everone that came, Anna for picking up my taxi tab, everyone for just being great (but you're all great people, so I expect no less) and... of course... me. I mean Ernst. (haha... psyche! Who could forget Ernst,though? Honestly!)
~Dylan


SOME OF YOU HAVE ASKED ABOUT HOW THIS EVENT CAME TO BE:

Last summer Ed Kopel, a 1980's era camper from Long Island, returned to Buck's Rock for the 20 Year Glass Shop Dinner Party (see below). Ed was so impressed with the spirit and joy of the boneholder's reunion that he came to a Friends of Buck's Rock Alumni Council meeting and graciously offered to open his home in Broooklyn Heights to past and present Buck's Rockers for an incredible fundraising party

Ed attended Buck's Rock from 1979-1984. He worked as a CIT/JC in wood and ceramics and is now an architect living in Brooklyn with his wife and daughter. More than anything else, Ed wanted this special evening to be fun! So we invited more than a few talented Buck's Rockers, past and present, to perform at the fundraiser. There was music, comedy, food and beverages. As was the case with our previous fundraisers, when so many talented friends get together, the evening is sure to be memorable and perhaps even magic!

But there was a serious purpose behind this evening of good times and shared memories. All proceeds from the event benefit the Friends of Buck's Rock Scholarship Program, providing scholarships to send adolescents to the camp that would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend. A fantastic evening filled with great performances by talented Buck's Rockers -- all while making a difference in the lives of young people. The event at Ed Kopel's raised over $1000 for these scholarships.

We would love to hear from other Buck's Rock alumni who would be interested in hosting similar events in their homes. It's a great way to reconnect with old friends, make new ones and benefit some very deserving young people.

HERE'S A RECAP OF SOME NEWS FROM AUGUST 2003....

Friends of Buck's Rock , 80's Buck's Rock staff member Michael Aschenbrenner and Buck's Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp coordinated the long-awaited 20 YEAR GLASS SHOP DINNER PARTY whuch was held August 16, 2003 at the Buck's Rock Festival. It was truly a day to remember with some fifty Bone Holders and friends attending. Some came from as far away as California, Washington, the UK and Switzerland

In 1983 Glass Shop staff and campers laid plans for a dinner party at 8PM on August 16, 2003 at Buck's Rock. The idea was to create a bond that would unite the kids in the glass shop for at least 20 years. The bond was symbolized by ruby-red glass bones, designed by Michael Aschenbrenner, incorporating an invitation to the Dinner Party. Over the next few years about 260 of these "dinner tickets" were distributed to campers and staff.

Responding to a suggestion from member Jim Hausman, Friends of Buck's Rock began working with Michael Aschenbrenner to make this event a reality. Months of preparation culminated at this year's Festival. Enthusiastic former campers and staff from the 1980's gathered at the Glass Shop for an afternoon of renewing old friendships. At 5:30 PM the Bone Holders officially commemorated the passage of 20 years and plans were made to meet again in 2013. Conversations and good times continued until late in the evening. Friends of Buck's Rock is creating a Directory of Bone Holders, as we continue to work to enhance communications between members of this unique group. To learn more contact Lewis Frisch.

To view some photographs of the Glass Shop Bones click here . Friends of Buck's Rock and several Bone Holders posted photos of the Dinner Party.We will be adding more photos over the next few weeks. Other photos of the 20 Year Glass Shop Dinner Party can be viewed at Todd Brous's website.

BONE HOLDERS and FRIENDS WHO RESPONDED: Amy Vernon, Jim Hausman, Noah Salzman, Todd Brous, Kenny Peyton, Julie Peyton, Suzy Soffler Dunser, Stephanie Segal Hartman, Lou Simon, James and Anita Dupree, Rob Tewlow, Lydia Neuman, Kerry Blinder, Ed Kopel, Marc Forby, Rudy and Brenda Veltre, Jeff Richter, Jessica Halem, Bess Morrison, Adam Wolfe Lerner, Jennifer Shapiro Spatz, Emily Prager, Roger Bailey, Aliza Lirtzman Worthington, Sean Black, Kelly Kniffin Pacelli, Ira and Phyllis Weiss, Lorna Bailey, Brian Gross, Lisa Bauer Klein, James Atkins, Nina Lesser Insler, Lynn Barnett Seigerman, Todd Katzner, Joseph Center, Richard Elliot, Nancy Shear Elliot, Sean Heller, Steve Angelson, Peter Dreher, Andrea Cohen, Aaron Kromash, Chris Forby, Terry Nowell, George Summers Jr., David Grausman, Stefan Widmer,Craig Douglas, Beth Ann Gerstein, Todd Sager, Beverly Goodrum, Lee Kind, Bernie Unger, Eric Yudin, Dave Edelstein, and Ian Jackson.

1990's Theater Department Reunion and Scholarship Fundraiser -- 06/01/03

On Sunday, June 1st, more than twenty Buck's Rockers reunited at the Jean Cocteau Theater in NYC to see Buck's Rock director Ernie Johns' latest show, raise money for the Friends of Buck's Rock Scholarship fund, and reminisce about the good old days at the Summer Theater and The Actor's Studio. Event Co-Chairs Amy Herzog and Charlie Ledley were joined by co-hosts Megan Hart, Abby Rasminsky, Sarah Schacter, and Ernie Johns, and a gaggle of other Buck's Rock theater folks.

We saw Ernie’s riveting production of “The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds." This summer will be the tenth anniversary of Ernie's first year at Buck's Rock, and our party included campers, CIT's, and JC's from almost every year of his tenure at the camp. At a wine and cheese reception following the show, we toasted to Ernie's commitment to theater, to young artists and to his admirable sanity, so rare in our industry! Although many of us had not been at camp at the same time and did not know each other, we have all been influenced by Buck's Rock and by Ernie. Thank you Ernie and thanks to all who attended!

The Second Annual Concert for Friends of Buck's Rock -- 04/13/03

On the afternoon of Sunday April 13th, the Triad in New York City was transformed for a one of a kind Friends of Buck's Rock event.

Performers at the concert, MC'd by longtime camper/staff member Roger Bailey, included singer-songwriters Julia Adolphe, Madeline McMillan, Jeffrey Paul Bobrick and Dan Seiden; singers Bess Morrison, Alexondra Ambrossini and Casey Solomon; the Buck's Rock Alumni Chorus directed by Erika Blumberg; pianist David Grausman; Ivan Rubenstein-Gillis' music commentary and Emily Meg Weinstein's original journalism.

The level of talent displayed was nothing less than extraordinary and the event was truly reflective of the Buck's Rock spirit. Many thanks to the performers, the volunteers and the wonderful members who attended. Money raised from the concert went to the Friends of Buck's Rock Scholarship Fund, which sent two campers to Buck's Rock in the summer of 2003.

Pizza Party/Envelope Stuffing Extravaganza -- 02/02/03

Freinds of Buck's Rock volunteers gathered to fold, stuff, stamp and seal letters for our Fundraising Mailing. The cause was worthy, the food was good ( even though it turned out to be more Burger Day than Pizza Day) and the people were ( and are ) the best. Many thanks to all the volunteers, especially Juliet Ross, Stephanie Segal Hartman and Noah Landow.

Buck's Rock Camp Reunion -- 12/08/2002

Friends of Buck's Rock members (including Madeline Goldfisher and Marc Richter) attended the Buck's Rock Camp Reunion. Everyone present received a copy of the Winter/Spring 2003 Newsletter, edited by Jackie Keveson. The Friends of Buck Rock Newsletter, currently published twice a year, featured contributions from (among others) Jeffrey Paul Bobrick, Myq Kaplan and Roger Bailey. This newsletter will be made available at future Friends of Buck's Rock events throughout the spring.

Buck's Rock 60th Reunion -- 07/20/2002

Friends of Buck's Rock and Buck's Rock and Performing and Creative Arts Camp worked together to plan the 60th Anniversary Reunion at camp on July 20, 2002. Stephanie Segal Hartman spearheaded the group's effort. All who attended enjoyed music performances, clown improvisation, StaffWorks, visiting the shops, and a picnic on the lawn adjacent to the new Ernst Bulova memorial.

The two organizations also collaborated on a mural of Ernst and Ilse, nurturing the Buck's Rock tree in the palms of their hands. Campers and staff painted individual squares of the mural, designed by Rick Price, without knowing what pieces of the puzzle they were painting or the nature of the overall design. At the reunion, alumni created clay tiles for the border, which the Ceramics Shop, under the auspices of Adam Ellison, assembled. Juliet Ross, Membership Director for Friends of Buck's Rock, was lucky enough to spend the summer of 2002 at camp and coordinated the project. Art CITs Brittany Speisman and Julia Weiner unveiled the mural.

Some celebrity guests also made appearances at the reunion, including former camp director Ed Budd, who visited with his daughter Amy, an alumna, and her adorable twins. Please take a look around the photographs.

The Concert for Friends of Buck's Rock -- 04/21/2002

Attended by many past and present Buck’s Rockers, the first Concert for Friends of Buck’s Rock was held on April 21, 2002 at the Triad in New York City. Please enjoy the photographs.