1980 Camp Ravenswood West

In 1980 the Chicagoland Muscular Dystrophy Association ran a one-week summer camp simultaneously at both East and West Camp Ravenswood YMCA camp sites (the following week it also ran a one-week camp at Camp Hastings, and all three camp sites were on Lake Hastings in northern Illinois not far from the Wisconsin border).  The East and West sites were separated by Lake Hastings, but connected by a winding lane of perhaps a couple hundred yards long running around the south end of the lake.  Attendees at both camp sites came together a couple of evenings for combined entertainment programs.  I spent the week at Ravenswood West at a cabin we called Club Babaloo.

(L-R front:) Bobby Schlesak, Dave Walsh, Jeff Brinkman, Chris Bouras, and Jimmy Cofer;
(L-R middle:) Ed Okeson, Chris Schulz, Doug Batesky, Cliff Grant, and John Mayer;
(Back:) Rick Balsamo

                 

Above: Mike Goodman and Cathy Radz

Above L to R: Sandy Sheffler, Tracey Bracket (I think), and Nancy Goodman

Above L to R: Bob Secco, Denny Harris, and Ron Pudlo

Above L to R front: Dana Brinkman, Kevin Brinkman, and Mike Goodman
L to R back: Stephan Meehan, Denny Harris, Joe Putrow, Bob Watson,
 (camper Tim Stagg missing from photo), and Jim Misak

Above: The guys in the previous photo decked out for carnival night. 
Tim Stagg is second from left in front.

Above: The Club Babaloo guys in a skit

Above: Doug Batesky look on while Dave Walsh secures a mid-afternoon snack from a plentiful source

Above R to L: Bob Medrala, Maureen Frossard, and Maureen's attendant
(whose name I unfortunately cannot recall) 

Above:  Scene at Carnival Night

Above: John Mayer and Jimmy Cofer

Above: Cliff Grant and Chris Bouras

Above: Entertaining Camp with a song

Sitting, L to R: Sharon Vargo, Dawn Coats (face hidden), MaryJo Clancy, Nancy Goodman, Debbie Goodman, & Rosemary Plescia  

Center: In back Denny Harris on guitar with Sandy Sheffler in front of him

Mike Goodman and Rick Balsamo

Relaxing at Club Babaloo: Jeff Brinkman, Chris Bouras, Doug Batesky, and Ed Okeson

Cliff Grant, Doug Batesky, John Mayer,
and Danny Martin in his iconic red coat.

Below: Chris Bouras and Jimmy Cofer

Skit with (not in order) David McSweeney, Brandon Roach, Nicky LoBianco, and Joey McManus 

Sitting, L to R: At a campfire, Randy Smit, Danny Leist, Mike Trimpe, James Perkins, and John Martin. (I think I got each name and face matched up right)

Jimmy Liptak, Danny Martin, & Rich Westley

Above: Some old-timer volunteers from both Ravenswood camp sites that week: 

Back row L to R: Denny Harris, Patty Rogers, Bob Medrala, Tom Musillami, Danny Martin, Terry Rozdolsky, Jeff Sader, Rick Balsamo, and Jimmy Liptak

Front, L to R: Bob Secco, Pat Brice, Ron Pudlo, Marian Liptak, Marie Glazer, and Rich Westley 

Danny Martin at MDA Camp = 1984 - 1989

This is the final installment of my series on Danny at Camp.  In these years I only attended Camp Hastings (Danny also volunteered at Camp Ravenswood every year), and my last year was 1989, where my pictures end.  These photos are all newly-scanned and as such have not appeared on this site before now.  It's been hard to complete this, having to think of how time has taken him, and so many others, from us all.    

In the 1988 Camp Hastings newspaper, Danny wrote this:  

"It was another week to remember forever; 

another week to realize that whatever is real in life can be found at camp."  

1984 = Danny with dear friend Alvin James

 

1984

1984

1985 = Talking with Lisa Bertolini

1986 = Danny and Alvin in a musical performance

1986 = Danny, Terry Coor, and I putting on another "To Tell the Truth" skit, 

with Jeff Sader as MC, 

with our index fingers raised in homage to Terry

1986 = Danny and Chris Matthews

1986 = Jimmy, Claire, and Danny Martin

1986 = Freddy and Danny Martin, in their magnificent multi-layered skit featuring

an alcoholic Bozo and a bitter Uncle Ned who carries the act but is always in the clown's shadow

1987

1987 = (L to R) Danny, Mike Goodman, Rick Balsamo, and Jeff Sader

1987

1987

1989

"....For eternity, Brother, hail and farewell."
Ave Atque Vale