I spent at least part of every summer as an "on-island" camper at Camp Copake, from 1954 when I was 2 years old and in the Elf House, until my final summers there as a counselor in 1967, then, finally, as the Camp Secretary in 1968. The myriad of memories and colorful experiences from those years form a rich history of my youth, and had a huge role in making me the person I am today.

After the camp and resort had closed, my sisters and I would occasionally visit the island and explore the abandoned remains that were left to the whims of nature, gradually, but most certainly disintegrating before our eyes. It wasn't always clear just why we were drawn to go back each time and witness the island's decay. Invariably, we would leave, shaking our heads in amazement, uttering "what a shame, what a waste..." As much as it was depressing to go visit each time, if we were anywhere near the area, we still had to go see it. It was almost like we couldn't let that island, or the memory of it, die alone.

I only wish that island had gone on forever, as it had always been, rather than turn into the privileged, gated community it is now. No longer can we visit that land of our youth; smell those old "smell memories" of pine and open fields of grass. Quelle Domage...

 

The Good Cop

     “Have you ever arrested a man you knew was innocent?”. Sheriff Proper rolled his cigar around in his fingers, then he answered, “No, but it is done some times.” Sheriff Proper went on to explain, “You must never loses control of a situation. If you do bad things can happen.“ Sheriff Proper wasn’t just a Sheriff, he was President of the New York State Sheriff’s Association. You might say he was the Sheriff of Sheriffs, but it was politics that was his business. He knew how to get out the party vote.
     Our little community had a big problem. That problem was arson. I knew it was a serial arsonist because he had already burned one of my barns. I knew Sheriff Proper didn’t want me to say it was arson. “Don’t say it was arson,” he told me. “If you do the insurance Company won’t pay.” He told other farmers the same thing. That was a powerful incentive to keep quiet and Sheriff Proper was defiantly in control.. In reality it wasn’t Sheriff Proper that was in control, it was the serial arsonist who was out to destroy the Copake Sheriff Proper loved so dear.
     Scandal in the Courtroom, Found Guilty Without Trial is a storey of fact. My first barn was burned in 1980, my second in 1985 and my third was in 1987. The person found Guilty was my son, Frank Langdon. Frank never stood trial. The Good Cop was Sheriff Proper’s own son David. David and Frank drank beer together at the bar in back of the fire company..

 

I was a babysitter the summers of 1967 and 68 for a couple who worked at Camp Oleana. I have many fond memories of the people I met, seeing Pete Seeger in concert and learning tons of songs. I'm glad the Tassler family is OK and hope they see this to know what a great effect Oleana had on my life.

 

My dad had a log cabin "up on the hill" in the woods. I use to go up for the summer months in the '50's & early '60's. As so many others I have wonderful memories of Copake. Swimming in the lake,walking into town (W Copake)to get an ice cream cone, hiking in the woods, meeting kids from the surrounding camps. I loved hearing the bugle every morning waking the campers from their night of "sleep". My dad (Ed Germano) bought the cabin back in the '20's & my parents spent their honeymoon in that
log cabin in the early '30's. There were only about 7 cabins back in the '50's. Does anyone remember Babe & Edith (I think it was Arnstin)? They were two sisters & they were the only ones on the hill that had a phone. We use to have campfires & marshmellow roasts & tell ghosts stories down by their cabin. Love to talk to someone who might remember the "log cabin up on the hill in the woods". In order to get up that hill you had to cross over a little wooden bridge. And just pray no one was coming down at the same time you were going up (we use to honk the horn at the bottom of the bridge before going up).

 

I was a camper at Oleana for three summers-- I believe that they were in '65, '66, and August '67. I have a memory of Theodore Bikel coming to perform for us one summer, but can't be certain. I also remember trips to the Red Barn to hear Odetta and Miriam Makeba, Tanglewood . . . What a wonderful camp that was!

 

I must say that if you are reading this story you must scroll down to my first note and then come back.In any case I have Dreamt and think of this spot on the map and of ,all my childhood friends and teachers.Not only has the future opened this Pandora's box but has made this world much smaller / closer.I attended school with the graduating class of 83 yet My family moved to Poughkeepsie after the 9Th grade...I did not get to attend High School with my friends.... But often wonder how, where and whom they have become.I have hit each state maybe 1 maybe twice,but my heart always calls that spot on the map my home.Copake Falls is where I spent all my Summertime.Who remembers "The Ore-Pit" The Burquist family,the Bruise The Millers anyone remember the Griffins???I have tried for years to find Jennifer.My crowd was Julie Lumpkin and her fabulous family,D.D Spooner,Becky Schofield,Liz Haight,I have found Alison Blythe.There are sooooooo many class mates to recall but I never forget a face... If any one reads this and has crossed my path, not only do I wish you well, but would love to reminisce. Im very Lucky to be alive, I had a heavy duty stroke 4 years ago (and Thank God)was not partially paralyzed) and was caught homeless after Katrina hit (another town I called home (New Orleans). Lost my precious daughter (Sunshine) and recently lost my Husband. Like everyone else we all have our life experiences that make us stronger,and I must say that being one of the few bi-racial children growing up not seeing another person like myself... I can honestly say that there is no place like home.I would have loved to have shown my daughter where I came from. I hope to cross path's with my past...and if it's meant to be.. God bless; just a few names I'll throw out to see if any one can catch,or at least bring back a memory or 2(please excuse the spelling,and these names are coming out randomly;Lisa Gansowski,Hillary Thomas,Happy Sperry,Dwayne Hotailing,Dane Shaddic???Todd Miller,Darlene Brusie,Any Lumpkin,or Haight,The Saunder girls,Lois Hall ,Becky Schofield,the school librarian(Shemaker???They lived in B.C and turned it into a golf club if I recall)Terri Moore and familyTimi Spaulding if you recall any of these folk, please drop a line to valeriephilmore@aol.com I would love to further reminisce....

 

So it starts like this...I am watching T.V last night gently falling asleep, when I hear Alice Cooper telling his tale about his pharanormal experience while being asked to score music for a Spanish "Slasher Movie" Joe Perry (of Areosmith) was providing musical imput along with accomodations...An old mansion in upstate New York In Copake N.Y.
WoW...Was I abruptly awoken. #1 I love Areosmith and#2 Joe Perry had affilliation with my beloved area of the world in which I shared many a childhood memeory???
The flood gates opened. Its funny how the older you get, you realize if you just go with the flow instead of against it,Life will lead you on many interesting path's...Now maybe I am mistaken on what I heard, but my window of oppertunity was opened and the first thing I did (even befor feeding my youngest son (Lucky)I typed on the computer...Copake N.Y
After reading many(I mean all)of the guestbook responses,I was also flooded with emotions.
Myself,personally grew up along with my little sister KIM in the Beautiful area of Boston Corners.I recall my mother sending me information in regaurds to that area,(the race horses being painted and the bare knuckle fights) I recall as a young girl,with much time on my hands would use that whole area as my stomping grounds.I may not remember the names of many of my neighbors, but fondly remember singing Christmas carrolls or selling Girl scout cookies or school raffel tickets to them.My summers were spent riding my bike through Copake to get to Copake-Falls(the scenic route) and passing the clock, I remember going to Kindergarten at the 2 room school house and yes I remember the Theater(next to the laundry mat and across from the ice cream shop.)I think Margret Langdons Mother watched my sister and I for a short time after school,along with the Moore's and Miller,s. I remember the scattered farms owned by the Saunders,Schofields Millers in my neck of the woods. I recall a bar down the street In which I can not remember the name of the owners,but they were There for the duration of my childhood.I often thought as a kid.How did they stay affloat.Who patronized it???How did the families make it there,...What did they do... My mother was the Director for Head Start in Millerton,NY and my father commutted from almost NYCity.
I realize there were many N.Y residents whom had summer homes in the area and reading this website, many Campers who enjoyed the area from a summertime perspective.I loved the Winters also as a child(But I see why the older folk move south or to Cali to get away from the cold)As a youth... I loved Catamount,My Dad taught me how to ski,and even though I am alittle less than 2 hours from Lake Tahoe,I can say it was just as enjoyable cross country skiing,in my neck of the woods on top of the snowmobile tracks and in the fiels around my neighborhood.

 

Growing up in hawaii didnt compare to my summers in copake. The Peter Frampton concert at camp Oleana was one of my fondest memories. Still looking for my lucky Rockville Ford baseball hat i threw on stage tho. Skinny dipping with Molly Hunter helped speed along puberty in
'74. Man, that water was cold!Deep too! Looking forward to this summer and those famous blt's that velura makes. Mom, culd you slice the tomatoes just a little thicker tho? Please.

 

Happy Birthday Baby!
51 ! Can't believe it. Hope you celibrate with a rousing game of monopoly .

 

I attended Camp Oleana in 1968 and 1969. I still have such found memories. I was best friends at Camp with Robin Tassler, daughter of Norma and Bob. I have wonderful memories of visiting them off-season and spending time in their home. They had a great big Saint Bernard who used to jump up and lick your face. If anyone remembers Camp Oleana, please get in touch. It was such a huge part of my childhood.

 

Hello to all that went to Camp Woodielake. I was there for 2 summers - 1962 and 63? I have a brother Jimmy who was also there for one summer. Loved those old bunk houses where the bats sometimes lived with us. I can't recall any of the kids names except a Karen who bunked with me. I have always loved the area and last went back in 1998. Please contact me if we sat around the old campfire together.

 

Just hoping some Roe Jan graduates check the guest book out. Looking to find some '66 classmates to chat up on FB or Skype. Raymond Emerson, Robert Sperry, John Stalker, James Colclough, James Melius, Ralph Lawrence where are you all these days?????

 

I have two books; Rebels of the North, how Land Policy Caused the Civil War and Scandal in the Courtroom, Found Guilty without Trial. Both involve the history of Copake Learn more and buy both books at my web site

If you ask the average person what caused the Civil War they will likely say slavery. Rebels of the North tells a different story. South Carolina would not have seceded if Lincoln was not elected. The issue that elected Lincoln was the Homestead Act which he signed into law in 1862.
In Scandal Federal District Judge Howard G. Munson ruled Frank Langdon confessed to burning the barn at Bull Spring Farm. He cited case after case to deny Trial by Jury. It was a cover-up and the question remains in my mind of did he take a bribe. The Copake arsons continued. Judge Munson was forced from the bench shortly before his death.

 

Welcome to the 2010 Guest Book for Copake, NY.

I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!