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 Camp = 1980 - 1981

The Golden Years continued into the 1980s.  In June that summer, once again there were two week-long sessions of MDA Camp.   There were so many camper attendees that year that both sections of Camp Ravenswood, East and West, were needed for the first week session.  The two Ravenswood camp sections were both along the shore of Lake Hastings but were separated by a narrow road a few hundred yards long that ran along the shoreline.  Each camp site had its own dining room, pool, beach, and activities, so the two groups did not mix much during the week.  The one exception was the Carnival Night, which was held at Ravenswood West for both Camp groups. 

I was at Ravenswood West in Cabin Club Babaloo and Danny was at Ravenswood East, but everyone got together for one big, long evening.

Danny hanging out with some Club Babaloo Boys: 
(L to R) standing Cliff Grant, Doug Batesky, and John Mayer,
and sitting Chris Bouras and Jimmy Cofer

A Gathering of Some Old-Timers:
Back Row: Denny Harris, Patti Rogers, Bob Medrala, Tom Musillami Danny Martin,
Terry Rozdolsky, Jeff Sader, Rick Balsamo, & Jimmy Liptak
Front: Bob Secco, Pat Brice, Ron Pudlo, Marion Liptak, Marie Glazer, & Rich Westley

Three Kings of Ravenswood:
Jimmy Liptak, Danny Martin, & Rich Westley

At Camp Hastings Danny teamed up with John Lianos as his attendant, 11 years after John and I were paired up my first week of Camp.  They were in Cabin 18 – Ron’s Dons – with Ron Balsamo as the cabin leader.  The cabin was filled with old timers and they all had a wonderful time together.

Danny Martin & John Lianos

Ron's Dons:
Standing L to R: Jim Holmes, Warren Robinson, Pete Muzzy,
Danny Martin leaning over, Ron Balsamo, Scott Berman, & John Dunham
Sitting: Aaron Adams, Roger Gordon, Eric Cook, John Lianos,
George Jeffries, & Mike Engels

At Carnival:  Danny Martin, Tess Martin, Jeff Sader, & Rick Balsamo

Tell the Camp Truth Skit Impersonating Blanche Hamende:"My name is Blanche -- NO, MY name is Blanche......."
Danny Martin, Rick Balsamo, & Terry Coor

John "The Golden Greek" Lianos & Danny Martin

Throughout the 1980s Danny volunteered for the week at Camp Ravenswood, but not being able to attend those I have no photos.  But at Camp Hastings in June of 1981 Danny and I were cabin leaders at the attached Cabins 15 & 16.  We had a blast.

1981 Cabins 15 & 16
Back L to R: Jon Franke, Keith Kheo, (unidentified), Art Robinson,
Rick Balsamo, Gary Dehne, Juan Martinez, either Mark Curi or Mike Hussey, & Danny Martin.
Front: Aaron Adams, Mike Goodman, Ceodes (Butch) Bolden, Dana Brinkman,
Eric Cook, George Jeffries, John Lianos, & Kevin Brinkman
(Doug Batesky is missing from the photo)

Chris Bouras & Danny Martin
(Taken by me with Danny's camera)

Donna Sandowski, Danny Martin, & Claire Martin

Patty Riley & Danny Martin

Danny Martin as a Bridgeport lady, with Tim Sullivan of Bridgeport

Danny Martin, Loretta Martin, & Rich Westley
(Taken by me with Danny's camera)

Irene Roach & Danny Martin

Dinner at the Camp Drive-In

Remember the 1950s?  Well, I do, some, and one vague memory is the drive-in fast food restaurant where girls on roller skates moved quickly between kitchen and cars to take orders and serve food.  As seen in American Graffiti and Happy Days.

Those at camp in 1980 who missed the real thing were treated to a reasonable facsimile when a whole crew of guys and gals dressed in their best 1950s garb – poodle skirts, tight tees, rolled-up blue jeans, and slick DAs – and on roller skates served the whole camp dinner al fresco.  It was a sight to see, and surprisingly no one went hungry from spilled food.  Kudos to all those skaters.  A wistful aside:  1980 was far closer to 1955 than 1980 is from today.  Rick Balsamo



A Classic 1950s Poodle Skirt Helps Create the Ambiance 



Maria Brown Stays Afoot

Bob Medrala Looking Sout'-side Tough

Sherri Tumpa, Kathy Sheehan, & Mary Ann McGinn

John Walsh Still On His Feet -- But For How Much Longer?

Jeff Sader: "Now Exactly Who Asked for Seconds?"