Winter 2025

Dec 13

Music and Camp

A recent Random Scatico Sighting (an “RSS”—when Scaticonians make an unplanned connection) has us reflecting on the importance of music in our day-to-day camp lives. Performances at talent shows and Sings. Background music at clean-up or before bed. Spontaneous singing in the dining room or when walking with your bunkmates between activities….

In September, girls head counselor Kerri Berkman Winderman (1980s-2020s) traveled to the University of Michigan to visit her son Tyler (he’s a current Junior there along with former bunkmates Ethan Rotko and Jordan Klein), and attend a Zach Bryan concert at the school’s famed stadium. The concert was destined to set the United States ticketed concert attendance record (112,408). Kerri had tickets with her group of friends, and Tyler with his.

What they all knew prior to attending was that the Front of House Engineer for the current Zach Bryan tour was none other than Jamie Hamburg (2000s-10s)—Tyler, Ethan, and Jordan’s former counselor, who for many summers ran the sound board and organized music at 4th of July Talent Shows and mid-summer Open Mic Nights. Maybe all those Scatico events with an audience of around 400 campers and counselors prepared Jamie for this night. We’ll let a Zach Bryan news release sing Jamie’s praises (not that we understand all the terminology): “FOH engineer Hamburg may be looking at a record of his own as he's managing about 200 input channels, including 125 from the stage, plus effects, returns, and more on his DiGiCo Quntum8 out front and a Quntum7 located backstage for recording, track-playback, and after-show mix applications.” Whew!

The Kerri and Jamie RSS occurred in the airport afterwards as they boarded the same flight home to New York. And as it goes with RSSes: instant smiles and lots of memories shared. Scaticonians from the 1960s-80s may even recognize Jamie’s last name and that passion for music as they make a connection to his dad Larry, who accompanied his division on acoustic guitar for a Divisional Sing in the early 1970s (a rendition of “Proud Mary”) and then fronted several counselor bands on electric guitar in the late 1970s and early 1980s. And in true Scatico generational fashion, in Kerri’s first summer in 1981 (as a 9-year-old camper), Larry was finishing his long camp run as a lower hill division leader.

As we prepared for Scatico’s 100th anniversary in 2021, we asked alumni to “share their Scatico histories” in a variety of ways (objects, photos, memories…), perhaps none more universally embraced than requests to nominate songs from their decades to create the perfect Scatico playlist for each generation. (Here are the “Scatico 100” Spotifly playlists by decade: 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s .) While the 2020s are still in progress, and don’t yet have a playlist of their own, fittingly many Zach Bryan songs would make that cut. From a rendition of “Revival” in the 2023 Divisional Sing, to “Heading South” sung and played at a 2025 campfire… his music has been a soundtrack to recent summers.

In any summer, the undercurrent of music vibrates through camp, drawing together the community on micro (by bunk) and macro levels (throughout camp). Certain songs can transport us back through time not just generally, but to specific moments that are frozen forever in our minds. Bellowing out a song on a bus ride home from an intercamp game. The wake-up song a division leader played after Reveille each morning…. Songs become your bunk’s song, the song of the summer of ____ (fill in the blank). On the last night of camp in 1978, the entire girls’ dining room rose spontaneously to sing/scream Barry Manilow’s “Looks Like We Made It.” You can’t make this up!

As for Jamie and Larry Hamburg? In the interest of full disclosure, I confess to two personal music connections. I was a backup singer for one of Larry’s bands in the late 1970s (the Chum Brothers’ performance of “Love Stinks” and “Summertime Blues”) and then was accompanied on guitar by Jamie in the 2010s as I struggled to hit the high notes on Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” at a mid-summer concert. (Only forty years between performances.)

Scatico to Hit the Radio Waves

On Sunday, March 1, at 4PM, Scatico will host a show on Radio Woodstock--WDST 100.1 FM.

As part of our annual Camp T-Shirt Day fundraiser, Scatico donates to a local charity for every participating camper, staff member, or alumnus who submits a photo in Scatico attire for posting on our Instagram account. Camp T-Shirt Day is an event promoted each November throughout the industry.

.This year’s charity? The Radio Woodstock Cares Foundation, which supports numerous non-profits throughout the Hudson Valley. With our gift, Scatico can host a show—and we are waiting for your recommendations for the playlist (email to info@scatico.com).

In the News

Send any news (and non-news) and photos for the Scatico Alumni Newsletter to info@scatico.com....

Amy Paul Tunick (1980s-90s) hosted a November division reunion for her daughter Lainey. Highlights included a Color War Relay Race, art projects, and when “the girls sang (impromptu) their second place 2025 Jinter Divisional Sing songs.” A performance they’ll probably be able to replicate in twenty-five years

Comedian Modi Rosenfeld’s (1980s) latest tour includes spring 2026 solo performances at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan. Modi was also profiled in a feature-length article in The New York Times in October. After a recent appearance in New Jersey, Susan Greenbaum Gross (1970s-80s) stopped by to say hello with her sons Matt and Jon Gross (2000s-20s)…

Saxophonist Josh Schwartz (2000 Upper Senior) has been touring Europe with the “Remain in Light” tour, alongside headliners Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew (of Talking Heads and King Crimson fame respectively). Jim Hosking (1990s-2020s) took in a June show in London and met with Josh afterwards.

Scatico on stage: Jon, Modi, Sue, and Matt

Alan O’Neill traveled from Ireland in the 2010s-20s to work as a golf instructor, division leader, and assistant head counselor. Recently working as a teacher in Abu Dhabi, he has now opened the United Arab Emirates’ first Irish Pub (Alan’s claim): MaBuckley…

November 8 marked the fourth annual "Laugh 'Til It Helps" night of comedy to benefit the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation (CPARF). Organized by alumnus Scott Kaufman (1990s-2000s), on behalf of Ben and Hope Amsterdam, the event raised more than $35,000 for CPARF, which is dedicated to groundbreaking research and innovative solutions for those impacted by Cerebral Palsy, such as Ben and Hope's daughter Natalie. Ben and Scott were divisionmates and Ben and Hope both had longtime careers as campers, counselors, and division leaders. More than 100 people attended, including over 45 Scaticonians, with careers spanning from the 1960s to the 2020s… Amy Paul Tunick (1980s-90s) recently launched The Canteen, a marketing consultancy firm. As the website explains: “The company name, The Canteen, was inspired by sleepaway camp, which has played an important role in Amy’s life. At camp, the canteen is a cherished central location where campers, counselors, staff, and visitors gather. It is the heart of the community.” We can’t argue with this!

Congratulations to Ali Goodman Ecker (1980s-90s) who was honored at a spring dinner for her 25th year of teaching at the Dalton School in Manhattan. Seated at the same table? Peter Ehrenberg (1960s), who’s wife Camille was likewise honored for 25 years of teaching at Dalton… Peter Katz organizes and oversees Galaxycon conventions throughout the United States, often assisted by fellow senior staff from the 1990s-2000s Ketti Krieger and his wife Andrea Katz. In their last camp positions, Peter headed Outdoor Aventure and Ketti and Andrea helped run the main office. At a December show in Columbus, OH, current boys athletics director Randy Au (who started his Scatico career in 1984 and will celebrate his 23rd Scatico summer in 2026) stopped by to say hello.

Galaxycon: Andrea, Randy, Ketti, and Peter

Congratulations to Jeff Bukantz for being honored at a December 14th event as one of only 10 recipients from the United States ever to receive the Yakir Award by Maccabi World Union (the organization’s highest honor). Jeff was the President of Maccabi USA from 2017 to 2025. Another former president and winner of the award? Scatico’s founder Nat Holman…. And speaking of Uncle Nat, in a Daily News op-ed in July, Ben Krull (1960s-70s) referenced “Mr. Basketball” after the Brooklyn Nets selected two Israeli players in the 2025 NBA draft (Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf).

Random Scatico Sightings

Nothing makes our day more than hearing about Random Scatico Sightings (RSSes), especially when the connection is pieced together from alumni from different Scatico eras.

While visiting her son Steven Kahn in Greenwich, CT, with her daughter Laura (Steven and Laura were campers and counselors in the 1990s-2010s), Eileen Fleder Kahn fractured her elbow (the story has a “happy ending”). While recovering, she was particularly impressed with an extremely kind-hearted and upbeat nurse at a local hospital. And then, of course, conversation turned toward summer camp. It turns out that the nurse was none other than Justin Mazzola (2010s-20s).

Former divisionmates Doug Florin and Josh Singer spotted each other at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center this summer. Their last time together? Their Upper Senior summer in 1987!

Not pictured RSSes

Andrew Rubinson (1960s-2000s) and Jack Swerdlin (2000s) had their October RSS on a Manhattan street corner, which is why, like Andrew, you need to wear a Scatico sweatshirt when in public.

Checking In

When attending his 55th high school reunion in Rhinebeck, NY, in May, Joe Polisar headed north 15 miles to visit camp for the first time in more than 50 years. Retired and living in New Mexico, Joe was formerly chief of the Albuquerque, NM, and Garden Grove, CA, police departments. He attended camp with his brothers Steve and Roger, following in the footsteps of his dad Ira. Afterwards, Roger wrote: “Amazed at how I used to think I needed a Sherpa and pack 2 lunches to get from the canteen to the baseball fields. How the memories flowed back while walking the campus…. Could still see and hear Stan addressing the camp.”
Sisters Emily Briskman and Anna Briskman Rakowsky (1980s-90s) visited in August along with Rachel Ziff, their mom Ellen Briskman, and Anna’s husband Darin Rakowsky. Their dad Ira was a Scatico camper and counselor in the 1950s-60s.
It’s been more than 60 years since Walter Bachner was last at camp in the early 1960s. He retired in 2019 as the editor of a mainstream news website and has fond memories of riding a horse named “Scritch.”
More than 60 years as well for Jeff Margolis (1950s-60s), who currently works as an immigration attorney in New York City.
Gil Grand attended camp in the 1950s and is a retired Retina Specialist now living in Jupiter, FL: “Scatico is a source of great memories for me and I just thought it would be fun to reconnect.”
Amy Malina (1960s) lives in Playa Vista, CA. Though distance poses an impediment for visiting camp, it hasn’t deterred her from purchasing a Scatico shirt (https://www.scatico.com/alumni-gear) for her granddaughter.

Reunions

**Jamie Meltzer Truman** and **Ann Bernard** were bunkmates in the 1990s. Jamie and her family traveled from New Jersey to visit Ann and her family in Bozeman, MT, in August. As Jamie wrote: “*It was nice to hike and sit by a lake with her—like old times*.” Jamie’s sons Bryce and Dylan are currently Scatico campers.

Vintage 1980s-90s: Amy Paul Tunick’s summer birthday BBQ. Left to right: Jon Reitzes, Lindsay Newblatt Reitzes, Dale Margolin Cecka, Allie Fass, Caryn Ecker, Amy Paul Tunick, Jen Kornreich Geller, Stacey Koretsky Strauss, Eric Strauss, Jarret Fass, and Doug Florin.

1981-82 Soopers summer reunion: Stefanie Friedman Feidelson, Alison Rothschild Max, Patti Klyde Press, Jill Ettinger, Beth Gustave Bochner, Andrea Friedman Voorhis, Janet Lapidus Nova, Elisa Segal Madorsky, and Margie Strauss.

Paul Jellinger and Neil Littauer met for lunch in Florida. Paul was Neil’s counselor during his first summer—a Sub-Senior in 1961.

Vintage 1950s-70s-New York dinner: Howie Berke, Steve Hanft, Roger Warren, and Marc Hellman.

Vintage 1940s-60s lunch in Florida: Dennis Rinzler, Paul Jellinger, Bruce Holman, Arnie Goldman, and Annie Bierman Cion Gruenberger.

Kyungmin Park (2000s Art assistant director) visited 1990s-2010s caretakers Ian Slater and Bren Karcich for Thanksgiving at their home in Old Town, FL. Kyungmin, a Figurative Ceramic Artist, is an Associate Professor at Endicott College in Beverly, MA.

Organized by their former DL Scott Kaufman, the 2005 Upper Seniors and counselors got together for an afternoon in Elizaville and dinner in Manhattan.

2010 Upper Seniors and their significant others planned a weekend in the Hudson Valley that, naturally, included a day spent at camp.

Congratulations!

Weddings!

Julia Modica and Brenner Bernstein on October 4. Julia and her sisters Barrie and Rachel were campers, counselors, and division leaders in the 2000s-10s.
Ging Vann and Lucy Lipari on October 25. Ging’s reign as a basketball counselor, athletics director, and assistant head counselor ran from the 1980s to the 2010s. Scaticonians from all four decades that Ging worked at Scatico joined the celebration.
Matt Brown and Heather Aponte on October 9. Matt was a camper in the 1990s-2000s.
Gaby Phillips and Sky Prentice on September 12. Eleven of Gaby’s divisionmates (2014 Soopers) joined in the celebration (this includes twin sister Halle). Their brother Zach was a music counselor in the 2010s and mom Jill a counselor and camper in the 1960s-80s (along with her siblings Doug, Debbie, and Jane Herzog). If you’re keeping score at home, Jill’s parents Don and Sue Kohlreiter Herzog met at Scatico in the 1940s.
Jackie Hollander and Brandon Lawrence on September 15. Jackie and her sisters Jaime and Rachel were campers and counselors in the 1990s-2000s. Brother-in-law Michael Heller (camper and counselor 1990s-2000s and Rachel’s spouse) officiated.
Sammy Wolfin and Jared Aronowitz on November 8. Sammy was a camper, counselor, and division leader in the 2000s-10s. Sammy’s brothers Ben and Jake also attended Scatico as did her mom Sue Rubin Wolfin and Grandfather Dick Rubin. Dick, in attendance, began his camper career in the 1930s. Uncle Rob Rubin (1960s-70s) officiated.
Dani Josephson and Noah Soumekhian on November 1. As Dani reports, “including significant others, we had 45 Scatico guests at our wedding!” Along with many of Dani’s divisionmates (2010 Soopers) were contemporaries of her dad Brandt (a camper and counselor in the 1970s-80s).

2012 Soopers and Upper Seniors with **Julia**: **Hailey Gelbert**, **Emily Goldner**, **Leah Kochen**, **Emilie Dorn**, **Julia**, **Jack Bressman**, **Ellie Klein**, **Lexi Schecter**, and **Emma Bochner**.

Celebrating with **Ging**: **Doug Florin**, **Diana Wallerstein**, **Amy Paul Tunick**, **Andrew Rubinson**, **Mike Madorsky** (kneeling), **Ging**, **Laura Thorpe**, **Lynette Santoro-Au**, **Randy Au**, **David Fleischner**, and **Mitch Polay**

2000 Upper Seniors: **Mike Brown**, **Ben Lew**, **Justin Katz**, and **David Adam**

2014 Soopers with **Gaby**: Top—**Blair Haworth**, **Allie Burrows**, **Rachel Waxenberg**, **Gaby**, **Halle Phillips**, **Mackenzie Press**, and Sammi Salmirs. Bottom—**Ellie Klein**, **Sam Wilner**, **Amanda Hartstein**, **Alexa Jacobson**, and **Rebecca Harris**

**Ben Wolfin**, **Molly Polizotto**, **Sue Rubin Wolfin**, **Sammy, Jared**, **Lil Monroe**, **Jake Wolfin**, and **Rich Wolfin**

2008 Soopers with Jackie: **Rachel Gladstone**, **Audrey Fleischner**, **Emily Specht**, **Jackie**, **Sammy Wolfin**, **Rebecca Schwartz**, **Emily Heineman**, and **Ariel Katz**

Vintage 1970s-80s: **Mike Madorsky**, **Brandt Josephson** (father of the bride), **Dan Oshatz**, **David Feldman**, and **Rob Rosen**

The Next Generation!

Gemma Aliza to Stefanie Bukantz on October 1. Stefanie and her brother Michael were campers and counselors in the 1990s-2000s. Her parents Jeff Bukantz and Carol Irwin were counselors and division leaders in the 1970s-80s and her Grandfather Dan Bukantz was a Scaticonian in the 1930s-40s.
Leia Sloan to Barrett and Alyssa Bush Lyner on September 28. Alyssa and her siblings Brett and Matt were campers and counselors in the 1990s-2000s. Her parents Michael Bush and Nedra Rosen were camp doctors for more than 10 summers in the 1990s- 2000s (Mike was also a camper and counselor in the 1960s-70s).
Elijah Bernard to Jacob and Alex Sunshine on May 20. Jacob and his brother Gabe were at camp in the 2000s-10s; their dad Andrew was a camper and counselor in the 1960s-70s.
Ezra Benjamin to Justin Sachs and Rachel Modica on July 1. As mentioned above (wedding of sister Julia), Rachel and her siblings Julia and Barrie, were campers, counselors, and division leaders in the 2000s-10s.
June Willa to Andrew Ehinger and Tory Dodge Ehinger on September 21. Tory and her siblings Jessica, Trevor, and Aliza were campers and counselors in the 1990s-2010s. Their mom Lisa Paymer Dodge had a Scatico career that spanned from the 1960s to the 2000s as a camper, counselor, division leader, athletics director, theater director, and assistant head counselor. (Maybe we missed a few jobs?)
Charlotte to Livingston Long and Natalie Polen on October 27. Natalie and her siblings Jocelyn, Zach, and Bennett were campers and counselors in the 1990s-2000s. Their dad Rusty was a Scaticonian in the 1960s-70s.
Aaron to Matt Watson and Judith Gutierrez de Quijeno Llorens on September 4. Matt traveled from the U.K. to camp for several summers in the 2010s to coach basketball and work as the assistant head of girls athletics. Matt lives in Belgium and helps run a non-profit e (specifically training coaches).
Elsie Blake to Brian and Katie Hecker Hoffman on December 8. Katie was a camper, counselor, group leader and girls athletics director in the 2000s-20s. Her twin sister Morgan was also a camper (2000s); her dad Dick was a counselor and Athletics Director in the 1980s; and her mom Nancy Klyde Hecker was a camper, counselor, and group leader in the 1970s-80s.

Obituaries

Steve Winston (nee Weinstein) at the age of 78 on October 18, 2024. Steve and his brother Matt were campers in the 1950s-60s. Steve’s children Erik and Sara attended Scatico in the 1990s.

Caroline Chambers at the age of 45 on August 23, 2025. Caroline and her husband Jim Hosking met at Scatico in 2001 (technically at a London staff recruiting fair and not in Elizaville). Caroline’s last summer worked at camp was 2013, heading the boys Art Program after several years as a Division Leader.