**Editors Note**
The photo on the right is from Otto's stint in the Kitchen (c.1980-81).
L-R: Charlie Russell, Rob "Big Bird" Hoffman, John "the Bread God", Ted Anderson, Dave Shavlik, & Otto Grunow.
What is your hometown?
Lani: (maiden name, Grout) Waukesha,Wis.
Otto: Pretoria, South Africa
Where do you live now?
We now live in London, England but have lived in Washington, DC (1988-1994), Dallas (1994- 2010), where we raised our sons {also PLYC alum}, Graham and Justin, and New York City (2010-2012).
How did you meet?
Lani: We met at UW Madison when Otto arrived as a foreign student in January 1980.
I was his first contact, then friend, then girlfriend, in America. We were engaged in 1982, and married, in Waukesha, in June 1983.
Pop or Soda?
Either or neither.
How did you first come to PLYC?
Lani: I came to camp because my dad, Jerry Grout, was a camper and counselor at Phantom in the mid 1950s, and was also a long time member of the Waukesha YMCA, so coming to camp was a natural thing to do.
My sister, Holly (Grout) Leggett, was also a camper at Phantom, and had a most memorable experience when she broke her leg horse-back riding.
Otto: As a foreign student at UW Madison in 1980, I came to camp as a counselor because of my acquaintance with Lani and her family, and their recommendation that it would be a uniquely American experience during his first summer in Wisconsin!
Lani: We’ve carried on the family tradition of summer camp with both of our sons, Graham and Justin, by having them come to Phantom Lake (all the way from Texas)! Holly’s son, David, joined them from Atlanta, Georgia.
Otto and I, and my parents, always enjoyed dropping the boys off at camp and reminiscing about our years at Phantom, seeing what changes were made, and even meeting some old friends, Riley Cooper and Sir G., while we were there.
What years did you attend PLYC?
Lani: I was a camper for 4 years, about 1972-1976.
(The first year was when the fire burned down the dining hall and we had to eat outside).
I think it was the same summer there was a goat named Ajax.
Otto: I was a foreign counselor/cook in 1980 & 1981.
What tents were you in?
Lani: I seem to remember Cactus Gulch, Boot Hill, Shiloh, and most memorably, being a Buccaneer with Connie Meek, and canoeing on the Wisconsin River.
Otto: I think I was in Shiloh, and the Green Mansion(!).
What was your favorite tent and why?
Lani: My favorite had to be the Buccaneer tent. That was such a unique and memorable experience canoeing and camping on the Wisconsin River.
I can vividly remember one particular afternoon when it was pouring rain, and I was so cold I could hardly paddle. To motivate me Connie kept telling me that we’d be setting up camp “just around the next bend” but there was always one more bend! That was a long, long paddle and one that built character!
What job did you have as staff member?
Otto: I was a cook in the kitchen, and even called home to get a recipe for a traditional South African dish, which Lady Sue and I then cooked for over a 100 kids!
Favorite songs?
Titanic and Green Canoe; I like to eat apples and banoonoos!
What are you doing now?
Lani: I have been in charge of our recent moves from Texas, to New York City, and now London. Like I did in Texas, I foster dogs for local dog rescue organizations.
Otto: I have worked for American Airlines for 18 years, both in the Legal Department and currently as Managing Director of Finance for Europe and Asia.
What about your camp experience has influenced you the most?
Lani: It’s not about one specific experience but rather about the “tradition” of summer camp, and sharing it with several generations in my family.
Otto: It was a chance to put down roots in America and make many friends.
Is there anyone from camp to which you'd like to say hello?
Our recollection of many names is a bit rusty but we recall great times with Ted Anderson, Joe Murphy, Rich “Habib” Rizk, Alan Stewart, Barry Gore, Ruthanne Reichert, Robert “Bennie” Bennett (English exchange student), Yolanda Cozijn (Aussie student), & Jenny Porter.
Special memories?
Otto: I remember the beauty of the lake and the green kettle hills, and tough little guys getting eaten alive by ferocious mosquitos the likes of which I had never seen in Africa.
Would you like to share your email addresses?
lanigrunow@yahoo.com
otto.grunow@aa.com
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