Frolicking in the hay wagon

I have glorious childhood memories of Orchard Mansion. As a nine-year-old kid from the Rockaways, NY, it was imperative that I learn to swim, with the Atlantic ocean at my doorstep. My parents paid the lifeguard/swimming instructor, Hank (yes 50 years later I remember his name) to teach me to swim. And teach me he did, I will always be grateful. 

I remember going on real hayrides in the evenings with the other kids (real hay in the horse drawn wagon). My date was a girl named Frolic and frolic we did. We had movies in the evenings as well. I remember watching 'Oklahoma', 'Requiem for a heavyweight', and 'Gidget goes Hawaiian'.

Breakfasts were my favorite meal, French toast every day! Kids had their own tables and ordered what they wanted. I spent most days by the pool especially after learning how to swim.
 

 One afternoon my parents took me to Gillette's castle, that wild-looking home turned into a museum. My friend Ivan's parents bought me a small wooden cufflink box there in the gift shop for my birthday. I still have it, use it for coins to this day.

There was horseback riding, square dancing, so many things to keep everyone busy. It was a fun place, cherish the memories.

--Barry Weber 

The smell of onion rolls lingers

Every time I read your article, it brings back my fondest memories. Now I have a lot, I will be 50 soon.

My favorite summers as a kid were from 1963-1972 at Orchard Mansion. It closed in 1972. My father, of blessed memory, had the best sense of humor.  One year he made an OM "Check In Kit" with soft toilet paper, a hook and eye for your door, and a light bulb, among other things. As soon as we checked in, my dad made his way to the TV room where he put a cigarette in the stuffed moose's head. That is how Rose and Herbie and other guests knew THE GRUSKINS have arrived!!  My parents made wonderful friends there and still keep in touch with them.  

I only wish my kids could experience OM.  I always remember milk and cookies with real glasses, square dancing on the patio, playing nucom, the bats on movie nights in the barn, the Purple People that lived in the cemetery, making key chains from lanyard, cracker soup, Lina's awesome hot fudge sundaes for 85 cents, Maxie's rolls (whenever I smell onion rolls, the aroma brings me back to OM instantly).

Thank you so much for bringing a smile to my face and and warm feeling to my heart whenever I read your article.  The closing of OM was a very emotional time for my family and myself.

Best Always,

--Terri Gruskin

Summer life was good in Moodus

Thanks for posting the photos and memories of Orchard Mansion; they're great! My family was there for a week or two in the summer of 1956 and/or '57. The photos of the cabins, pool and especially,  the TV room bring back wonderful memories. A couple of things that I recall that weren't mentioned by others on your site:

-The "canteen" to which we ran we every night after dinner with our nickels to buy packs of gum or candy bars;
-The Nestle's Quik on each table in the dining room;
-The dodge ball games played on a flagstone patio before dinner;
-Going in to town to see a movie: Pat Boone in April Love

Coming from the Long Island suburbs of NY, I also recall, quite fondly, the coolness of the summer nights at Orchard Mansion, the different way the air smelled, and being able to roam freely through the grounds
at twilight, safely, without parents or older brother; noticing a bird or the way the breeze moved the leaves on the trees; becoming aware of the natural world in ways I hadn't been before. For a six-year-old, those
were special feelings. 

Life was good at Orchard Mansion and the Universe was benign – except for the day my brother put peanut butter in my hair and my mother had to cut it out with scissors. ...

With kind regards,

--Stuart Frolick
Los Angeles

From summer camp to double dating

I was discussing Moodus with a friend of mine the other day and she said that she would love to spend a weekend as we did in the 50’s and 60’s.  I used to love to come with my parents, their friends and family, as well as the family dog. There was always much to do and the camp counselors kept us busy all day.

I remember going another year with one of my friends and her family. I was a little older and had a double date with one of the locals. His name was Louie Pear. That’s about all I remember about the date, other than I accidentally sat on some blueberries in the front seat of his car!!

Anyone have any details on Louie?  I’m approaching age 61 so I would venture to say this took place around 1962-1965.

Can you recommend a weekend getaway in Moodus this summer?

--Ilene Jackson

Those summers were the best!

I stumbled across this web site and it certainly brought back wonderful memories.

I worked as a camp counselor at Orchard Mansion starting in the mid 60's. I grew up in Middletown, CT and my Mom thought it would be a great experience.  She was so right. In 1969, I moved up the street, to join my sister, to work at Banner Lodge as a waitress.  I worked there through college.

These summers were the best!  Working hard, making money and having a great social life.

--Maureen Charatan Bernstein