Even though the pictures & brochure are from the 40's & 50's it still looked pretty much that way when we started going there in the early 70's. Our last vacation there was August 1979. I really miss that place and have nothing but great memories there and wish it was still up & running so I could stay there again. In the last 15 years or so I've visited the place 3 or 4 times and just can't believe what I see.
One of our first vacations there, my parents thought it would be fun for me & my sister to attend the Banner day camp. I wasn't too happy since all I wanted to do was spend my day in the pool or rowing around the lake and making laps around the island. I was really good at the race car arcade game they had there & one day during some rain the camp counselors had a little contest that I won. For winning I was given a green Banner Lodge t-shirt that I still have to this day. I will not part with it, even though it's not even close to fitting me.
I hope others have appreciated your work and have as good a memories as I have. During a couple of vacations I became friends with Jack Mather's son and we hung around some. We exchanged addresses but never wrote each other. When I think back I wonder what some of the people are up to now, like Jack's son. I'm sure besides having lost Jack Banner, that dancing Harry & probably Jack Mathers are gone also.. Jack had some wardrobe for his evening gigs in the very low ceilinged night club that my parents would occasionally allow us to go to with them.
The food was great and every time I smell an onion bagel or onion roll I remember those fresh rolls at every meal.
Well, I'm sorry for going on and on like this but I just have such wonderful memories and miss the place so much I wanted to share it with you. I hope you continue to add more and more stuff to the website and hopefully pictures from the 60's & 70's. If I had some I'd gladly share them but whatever photos my father took during our trips there are more than likely long gone by now. Thanks again.
--Joe
