While away at camp during the summers of the 1970s, much was happening elsewhere: Presdent Nixon resigned in the summer of 1974, and in 1977, we read about Son of Sam terrorizing New York. Ironically, the death of Elvis on August 16, 1977 came just one week before the curtain came down on Ma-Ho-Ge's final season.

The 1970's saw the arrival of many campers and staff from Twin Lake camp, including our beloved Ed Shumsky, in 1973. They were followed in 1974 by campers and counselors from Camp Alamar. Sadly, 1977 was to be the final summer after nearly four decades of memories.

Oklahoma, 1972 performance by Subbies  (photos courtesy of the Checkla family)

Camp Ma-Ho-Ge from the air in early 70's(view from Silver Lake)

Blue City Slickers vs. Grey Country Squires

 Color War Sing Night, 1973 (Blue won )

"With the sound of our voices, sing Blue, see how everyone rejoices, so true, as the Blue team marches onward, beat Grey, we're ready and we're waiting for our victory day. So join the City Slickers with our power and skill, our spirits, soaring high and holding fast until the Grey is beaten to the earth below..."

West Side Story, 1976, Directed by Ursula Iskols

1973 Super Boys?

1972 Boys Side Staff

1974 Subbie boys - Flanked by Uncle Milt Sirota at far left and
Ed Shumksy at far right, counselors Mark Orloff, Mike Zackman
and Mike Kera are in the back row in the middle.

1975 Super Girls

                                        1975 Senior Girls

Mike Zackman and Trudy Marks, circa 1970 or 1971

Bunk 4, 1970--Howie Braverman, group leader, second from right.
As of 2006, Howie can be found at Temple Beth Sholom in Roslyn, still leading Newman & Leventhal. Milt Sirota is at far left.                      

1971 or 1972-- Boys HC Milt Sirota, with tie in center. To his immediate right is Howie Braverman. Behind him with hand on shoulder appears to be Ira Parr and Ken Itzkowitz is in the checkered jacket and "Sarge" is to Ken's left. Possibly Steve Leventhal at far right of photo. (courtesy of Mike Zackman)

Ken Itzkowitz surrounded by unidentified Super girls in the early 1970's. (courtesy of Mike Zackman)

1972 Inter Boys -- Back row includes Gregg Feinstein
and Mike Bellovin; Middle includes Scott "Buffalo" Borsack", Jeff Magid;
Front row incldes: Mark Rosenthal

We are the Champions..Ma-Ho-Ge Invitational Tournament, either 1975 or 1976.

Top: Dennis Brandt, Mike Burke, Marc Silverman, Richie Chalfin, Andy Fishman, Michael Ralby, Ed Shumsky

Middle: Craig Litt, Bruce Gutenplan, Ken Rindler, Andrew Rubin

Front: Bob Nelson, Brian Abel, Howie Bressler?, and David Relkin.

1972 Subbie Girls..Back row includes Shari Rappaport, Ilene Silverman,
Judy Zarucki; Middle includes Debbie Semel and Cheryl Abels;
Front row includes (l-r) Stacey Goodman, Caryn Schwartz, __Alyssa Stenger, ___, ____Melanie Schiffman (?) and Lisa Checkla (?)

1972--Subbies Cheryl Ables, at left, and Ilene Silverman, right.

Steve Leventhal, left, and Dennis Brandt, right, circa 1974 in front of the Boys HC. Steve was a long time counselor and group leader; Dennis, who came over from Twin Lakes in 1973 with Ed Shumsky, ran the Animal House known as Super Hall for four years and was a longtime basketball coach. (Dennis also headed the boys side at Camp Chipinaw after Ma-Ho-Ge closed). Steve and Milt Sirota used to put on a dazzling display of athletic ability as a two-man volleyball dynasty. Hmm...sounds like the hustle from  "White Older Men Can't Jump".

Stevie Gutenplan, circa 1975, probably listening to Coach Denny Brandt to make the layup. The two guys on the bench appear to be Adam Israel and Robert Saraga.

                       1972 Super Girls

1977 Photos- Top: Super Hall  - top row: Ed Shumsky, co-owner Rick Freeman, Steve Matarese, Michael Rubin, Craig Schmell, Dennis Brandt, Scott Borsack, __, ___, Milt Sirota. Middle: Craig Litt, Steven Binder, ___, ___, ___, Craig Wiener, Michael Bellovin. Front: Steve Gutenplan, Phil Schwamm, Brian Gutner, Howie Klaskin?, ___.

 Bottom: A Subbie (?)  bunk

"Summer's come to an end, days have passed by us
quickly, we have learned how to live with each other...
friendships made, growing strong, helping everyone
to get along and showing us we can learn to live as one.."
--Color War alma mater to the tune of "Father & Son"
from either 1972 (Blue Fantasy, pictured with the shoe above,
or 1973 (Blue City Slickers).


"With our eyes wide..seeing ourselves from the inside...showing the feelings we won't hide..Ma-Ho-Ge, Ma-Ho-Ge on our side, we know you'll always be there."  --Color War alma mater to the tune of "How Can I Be Sure" from 1971 Grey Astronauts.

"We've got magic to do just for you..." --Blue Magic march, 1974 or 1975

"Blue and Grey join today, this our last farewell.." --Color War alma mater, from Blue Atlantis, 1969, which lost to Grey Armada.

With the sound of our voices, sing Blue..see how everyone
rejoices, so true..as the Blue team marches onward..
beat Grey..we're ready and we're waiting for our
victory day..so join the City Slickers with our power
and skill, our spirits, soaring high and holding
fast and still, until the Grey is beaten to the Earth below..
sound off, let's go! --- 1973 March of Blue City Slickers

Color War Results, 1970-1977
(PLEASE help if you remember the results!)

1969--Grey Armada defeated Blue Atlantis

1970 --  Blue  Crusaders (General Linda Bell) vs. Grey Pioneers (General Diane Rudnick) TIED!
1971 --  Grey Astronauts (Generals Trudy Marks and Hy Weiner) defeated Blue Aquanauts (Generals Randy Karch and Howie Braverman)

1972---- Blue Fantasy (General Ken Itzkowitz) defeated Grey Reality
1973---  Blue City Slickers (General Mike Zackman) defeated Grey Country Squires
1974---  Grey Odyssey?? defeated Blue ___
1975 -- Blue Magic and Grey ___
1976 -Blue Gay Nineties vs Blue Roaring 20's
1977 --Grey Matadors vs Blue Gypsies??

Bob Klein's Jukebox favorites

As a small tribute to my late father, Bob Klein, who helped run the canteen on weekends with my mom , Gerri from 1970 through 1977, here are some of his favorite 45 records that received repeated airplay in the Ma-Ho-Ge jukebox year after year. What were your favorite 45's?  Email silverlake@mahoge.com and we'll add your favorites to the site.

Layla

Eight Days a Week

She Loves You

White Room

Sunshine of Your Love

Light My Fire

Jumping Jack Flash

Brown Sugar

Taxi

The Hustle

Lido Shuffle

White Rabbit

Somebody to Love

Proud Mary

Spinning Wheel

I Feel The Earth Move

It's Too Late

United We Stand

It's My Party

Rock The Boat

25 or 6 to 4

Saturday in the Park

Everyday People

I Want To Take You Higher

Color My World

Beginnings

Woodstock

Feeling Stronger Every Day

Indian Reservation