Fern Cliff House, East Durham

I have just found out about The Fern Cliff House, which I guess was discussed previously, which I was ad to find out about its sale. I have written post on the Bronx Board, and did not find any reactions. My memory goes back to 1942, and I just wondered if there is a soul alive that may have been there that last summer..
Deo gratias, Soldwedel@aol.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch...

We were there the last summer it was open (June 2006). Since then my parents have been past it, nothing has been changed except for the fern cliff sign has the name camp givoah on the bottom of it with those black block letters.
My family has gone to the fern cliff the last weekend in june since the 60's so we were so saddened when we suddenly found out it was sold (from a co-worker of mine whose family lives down the street).

I worked their for two summers. Nicest people ever to work for. One of the longest lasting resorts in the area. The whole resort scheme of the catskill mountains seems to have come to an end.

I just spent the last hour or so reading through these posts.. Sad.... Really sad.
Lets start over.. I just got back from E Durham.. brought a tear to my eye. I wanted to take my son to a place that has so many memories for me (and my brothers and sisters). Big mistake.
To take some of the blame.... I did not keep up part of life's rules. To give your children what your parents gave to you. Life took control and we found other was to spend our summer. Every summer I would think of going up "to the mountains" but never made the move. Every summer I would fondly recall the days in the creek. At the bridge past the fern cliff (and jumping off it). Going with my father to pay "25". Ahhh Mooneys..... Shamrock House......
Ok.. it was a mistake to show my son a place that does not exist anymore.. Do not get me wrong; we still some some young irish faces around town.. In front of Lawyers.. in the old Hansel and Gretel (now call JJs and a shadow of itself - although it has the same freakin counter even after 30 years). Somehow I do not think the kids we saw while we were there will have the same memories that I have that will last a life time.
To put a point on it.. We could not even find a place to stay that was worth it.. Gavens was full.. No hotel on 145 was worth staying at.. honestly... We stayed in Freehold at Sunny Hill.
Enough said. After 30 years in the Marine Corp.(now retired)and in the middle of raising a family I realize you can not go back. Move forward a create new memories.
East Durham is gone.. Let it die. Find not pleasures in life.
Last point. The town fathers started a beautiful thing in building the irish villlage. That too is falling apart. What the hell happened there??????
Pardon my grammar and spelling. I am not a college grad. Had a Marist HS education and then Uncle Sam did the rest..

http://www.youtube.com/watch...

Time Ticks on and on wrote:

I just spent the last hour or so reading through these posts.. Sad.... Really sad.
Lets start over.. I just got back from E Durham.. brought a tear to my eye. I wanted to take my son to a place that has so many memories for me (and my brothers and sisters). Big mistake.
To take some of the blame.... I did not keep up part of life's rules. To give your children what your parents gave to you. Life took control and we found other was to spend our summer. Every summer I would think of going up "to the mountains" but never made the move. Every summer I would fondly recall the days in the creek. At the bridge past the fern cliff (and jumping off it). Going with my father to pay "25". Ahhh Mooneys..... Shamrock House......
Ok.. it was a mistake to show my son a place that does not exist anymore.. Do not get me wrong; we still some some young irish faces around town.. In front of Lawyers.. in the old Hansel and Gretel (now call JJs and a shadow of itself - although it has the same freakin counter even after 30 years). Somehow I do not think the kids we saw while we were there will have the same memories that I have that will last a life time.
To put a point on it.. We could not even find a place to stay that was worth it.. Gavens was full.. No hotel on 145 was worth staying at.. honestly... We stayed in Freehold at Sunny Hill.
Enough said. After 30 years in the Marine Corp.(now retired)and in the middle of raising a family I realize you can not go back. Move forward a create new memories.
East Durham is gone.. Let it die. Find not pleasures in life.
Last point. The town fathers started a beautiful thing in building the irish villlage. That too is falling apart. What the hell happened there??????
Pardon my grammar and spelling. I am not a college grad. Had a Marist HS education and then Uncle Sam did the rest..

whats your point???

LI Irish Girl wrote:

We were there the last summer it was open (June 2006). Since then my parents have been past it, nothing has been changed except for the fern cliff sign has the name camp givoah on the bottom of it with those black block letters.
My family has gone to the fern cliff the last weekend in june since the 60's so we were so saddened when we suddenly found out it was sold (from a co-worker of mine whose family lives down the street).

I used to go every summer im 32 now, Do you know who i am? biocarb6@ aol.com

I say we buy it back and restart it

Boy has the town changed! My family used to go there regularly when I was growing up but I haven't been back in 25+ years. A recent business trip to Albany gave me the opportunity to do so and I was disappointed. The area seemed so shabby and desolate. I would be curious how well the cultural center is doing.(We stayed there when it was Dolan's Hotel.) It struck me as a case of "build it and they will come". Do they?

batman wrote:

<quoted text>
I used to go every summer im 32 now, Do you know who i am? biocarb6@ aol.com

My brother is 33 but there wasn't anyone close to our age there growing up. We always went the last weekend of June as soon as School let out for the summer. What group were you part of going up there?

East Durham is coming back. Fern Cliff is gone but it is not the only place there. With the way the economy is now, it is time to get back to basics. The places didn't make East Durham the people did. There are certain weekends even in 2008 that were very busy. We still have memorial day weekend festival and irish arts week. For the first time this year we are starting an East Durham reunion on July 4th, 2009 weekend. East Durham has its yearly parade and than the fireworks. Currently we are lineing up other activies for the families as well. With the Irish not coming out from Ireland, East Durham visitors were and are down alot. Now its time for us to Take East Durham back and revive it. I want my childern to know and have the same memories. Check out Facebook under East Durham Reunion...Web site is under construction

LI Irish Girl wrote:

<quoted text>
My brother is 33 but there wasn't anyone close to our age there growing up. We always went the last weekend of June as soon as School let out for the summer. What group were you part of going up there?

enter we usualy went in july it was great making friends for a week only to never see them again i miss hanging out n the game room remember that>?

batman wrote:

<quoted text>
enter we usualy went in july it was great making friends for a week only to never see them again i miss hanging out n the game room remember that>?

oh ya! How about the table video games in the lounge. I think one of them was Galastica. Remember when they used to work!

correction- galaxia..... I was confused with the title of that Sci-fi show!!!

I agree with the people that want to see E. Durham come back to what it was but we here in Durham need your help. So come on BACK. There is also the Gray Fox gathering, Vetnam Reunion, and the 4H fair. All in July. We will be looking forward to seeing you help us get back to what it was.

why are we worry about east durham ;when this country is going to hell in a hand basket. that energy - climate bill passed . more money out of our pockets and our kids and their kids. plus our freedom is less and every day .

lost soul wrote:

why are we worry about east durham ;when this country is going to hell in a hand basket. that energy - climate bill passed . more money out of our pockets and our kids and their kids. plus our freedom is less and every day .

Because concentrating on the economy as a whole isn't logical. If we concentrate on one area at a time we will be able to help the smaller towns in our country, the ones who are the most deeply affected from our recession. There is only so much in our power to do as none elected officials (who aren't doing much anyway).

I think you have start from the top ,because thats where the problem begins. Like the energy bill is for our benfit.To save the earth, I agree ,but their lie throw their teeth ,because if you solar panels up they want to charge you money for what ever you dont use. another words ,they not worry about the earth ,just our money to make them richer ,because they have stock in energy any way.

so lets do something about it lets open some new business .???