PLYC Alumni - Alumni Connection

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			Anne Martino Winter 2012 - Featured Alum What years did you attend PLYC? 1976-1982 What tents were you in? Tombstone, Antietam, Boot Hill. I think I was in Atlantus one year… I was a camper and I think I was an SDP one or two summers. It’s amazing to me that I can’t remember all of the details. Especially since I’m sure I swore as a kid that I’d remember every moment of those magical summer days… What job did you have as staff member? I worked at Davy Jones locker (LOVED IT!) and I think I may have been in the craft shop – definitely a hardship for any camper since I’m far from creative! What are you doing now? I’ve recently returned to Wisconsin. I was in Chicago and lived in Shanghai, China as an expatriate for a few years. I have had a whirlwind career as a marketing catalyst - developing innovative solutions for global business-to-business and consumer brands. Currently, I am Vice President of Interactive at HY Connect in Milwaukee (formally Hoffman York Advertising) where I lead mobile and online marketing initiatives for the agency’s clients. Most recently, I was Vice President of Corporate Marketing for Nokia Location and Commerce (formerly NAVTEQ, based in Chicago), the leader in digital map data for GPS-powered devices. At NAVTEQ, I led business-to-business marketing activities supporting sales efforts through retail, dealer and online channels. In addition, I led a global team providing product marketing support for software and application services and solutions. I actually grew up not far from PLYC so it’s fun to occasionally stop in at the Elegant Farmer. My boyfriend Tom’s parents live in East Troy so we get out that way pretty regularly. And, Tom’s a private pilot so we’ve flown over Phantom Lake and the camp which is really fun. What about your camp experience has influenced you the most? I think there’s something very spiritual and grounding about my camp experience. When I think about it I first think about the Phantom Square and how powerful that was for me. And, I think about how I was challenged to find my way as a kid and that Sir G was a strong guide. I also think about learning to sail at camp. A white band on my wrist was a big goal for me each session. I’m grateful to Phantom to exposing me to sailing – something I really enjoyed and hope to return to again one day. I think learning a challenging skill – so far outside of my understanding was the catalyst for embracing challenges and new adventures throughout my life. Is there anyone from camp to which you'd like to say hello? Andrea Beutner was my best friend from second grade and we went to camp together each summer. My Phantom memories aren’t complete without her. There were so many campers and counselors who had an impact, I hate to try to name names since I know I’ll forget someone! Favorite Memories? I have lots of great camp memories – sailing in the Jeune Fille, playing tether ball, eating orange push ups and fudgsicles from the store, playing kettle games, canoeing across the lake… I still sing some of the camp songs in my head when I’m running long – 10+ miles. I don’t wear headphones so I keep myself entertained with…”I want to linger a little longer”…or “Granny’s in the cellar, lordy can’t ya smell her?”…or “Up in the air junior birdsman”… Would you like to share your email addresses? martino.anne@gmail.com
			Margaret John Jankowski Spring 2012 - Featured Alum What years did you attend PLYC? My first year at camp was 1969—I was 8 year old. I was a camper, then an SDP, kitchen staff and counselor. I was there from 1969-1980. What tents were you in? I was in Boot Hill my very first year as a camper (Karen Johnson was my counselor) and Buccaneers my last year as a camper. I don’t really remember all of the tents in between but they spanned the Western, Civil War, Mythical and Adventure units! Interestingly enough, in all of my years there I was never in the Indian unit. What job did you have as staff member? As an SDP I worked in the stables for a summer and loved it. I moved around some! A stint at riflery, dabbled in the craft shop, got wet at swimming and boating… What are you doing now? I am the Director of The Sewing Machine Project, a grassroots nonprofit that I founded in 2005. Our mission is “mending communities, one sewing machine at a time”. We do this by collecting and distributing sewing machines to those in need locally, nationally, and internationally. My work varies…I do a lot of public speaking about the project, I get to travel often to distribute machines, teach people to use machines, I do a lot of writing, and of course, all of the day to day administrative details. As I was raising my children (Alec-23, Maddie-21) I held many part time and volunteer positions and often wondered how all of these various experiences would possibly serve me later on when I went back to work full time. Turns out that each experience held valuable information, learning, messages that I use in my work now. What about your camp experience has influenced you the most? There were so many lessons that I didn’t see at the time. One that stands out is just the freedom (with gentle boundaries) to be in such a beautiful place and have choices about how to use each day…and such good choices! All of this while surrounded by such love and kindness—talk about heaven! An experience, that stands out is visiting camp with my daughter for an alumni reunion. She had camped there as well, and had been an SDP. After the square ceremony, we all headed outside of the lodge to see the familiar image of Jesus projected on the stone chimney. There in the darkness I felt Maddie reach for my hand and the two of us just stood there singing, crying, and feeling an added level of understanding in our relationship. Is there anyone from camp to which you'd like to say hello? I’d like to say hello to everyone, especially my kitchen staff buddies, Alan Stewart, Caroline Browne, Diane Battin-Rogers, Jenny Brown and Ellen Winchell. Hello to Lady Sue and Sir G. And Riley Cooper, I’m sorry for all of the times we made you perform ‘Gray Squirrel’… Favorite Memories? I loved the games of Capture the Flag in the kettles. Loved loved loved the announcements and the singing…ah, the singing. I still know those songs…don’t think they’ll ever leave me. I remember singing and laughing (Granny’s in the Cellar), singing and crying (7 Golden Daffodils). I loved the square ceremonies…the serious and loving nature of the message, the dark room slowly illuminated with little candles. I remember, as an SDP, sneaking into the kitchen for some leftover apple crisp, with a few fellow crisp-lovers…mmm, Lady Sue’s apple crisp… Would you like to share your email addresses? margjankowski@gmail.com
			Rich Rizk Summer 2012 - Featured Alum What years did you attend PLYC? I was there from 1970-1980. What tents were you in? Seminole was first tent. Many others over the years What job did you have as staff member? Boating instructor and lifeguard What are you doing now? I'm an Attorney in Portland Oregon. What about your camp experience has influenced you the most? Storytelling watching others…learning the skill as a counselor. The ability to tell an interesting story is a skill I use as a lawyer, every day. Is there anyone from camp to which you'd like to say hello? Hi Ruthanne…wherever you are. South Pole? Russia? Favorite Memories? Every night while a counselor, I told my kids a story. One night I told the now forbidden story of “thump drag” with variations with my kids in mind. When I got to the punch line, the kids screamed, then laughed. The next day, I bumped into fellow counselor and South African Otto Grunow, who would later become a successful attorney (although for the defense). Otto revealed that the night before he had secretly listened to my bedtime story outside my tent. Eyes wide, Otto congratulated me, “what an amazing story, Rich!” At that moment I then realized my special talent. I now make my living in part because of story- telling skills learned at Phantom. Thank you Phantom Lake and Otto! Would you like to share your email addresses? rich@rizklaw.com
			Matt Korinko Fall 2012 - Featured Alum What is your hometown? Waukesha, Wi Where do you live now? Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Pop or Soda? I was a crazy kid that called it soda and one of the few that didn’t call a drinking fountain a bubbler! What years did you attend PLYC? Camper – 1980 – 1985 CIT – AC – 1986 – 1988 Staff – 1989 – 1990 What tents were you in? Wow. So many. My first, Spartus, doesn’t exist [in it's old location] anymore. But I was also in Olympus, Atlantus, Brigadeers, Vikings, Buccaneers, Antietam, Tombstone and Oh, Yes – Boot Hill! What was your favorite tent and why? I’d have to say my first, Spartus. That week was truly a turning point in my life and in my becoming who I am today. And though the tent isn’t around anymore, whenever I visit, I walk by where it stood. I think everyone’s first tent has a special place in their heart and their first week at camp a special place in their soul. What job did you have as staff member? Theatre, Craft Shop, Tripping, Mask, Fins & Snorkel, Raggers, Kitchen Staff Favorite song? Can’t decide, so going with two. "Sing a Song You Don’t Know" and "I Don’t Care if I Go Crazy" Favorite story of something you did at camp? The story that’s always around in my head is when I was an SDP. We used to have a week that we worked with the Epilepsy Center of Wisconsin. And other than of course making sure meds were on schedule, it was a week to be a normal kid. Well, there was a camper whose epilepsy was a bit more severe and he needed someone to be with him all day long. I got that honor. We built crafts, went boating, went for walks, and talked. As a result of his condition and his meds, his memory was not very good. The two things he never had a problem with though – his Mom’s name, and the Lord’s Prayer. He was truly a special kid, and I knew I’d never forget him. But what I’d realize the next year when I saw him, was that he remembered in incredible detail his week at camp. What we did, where we went, what we made, and how happy he was. Truly, the power of camp. What are you doing now? I am the proud co-founder of Slow Burn Theatre Company in South Florida. We’re about to start our fourth season - which includes Avenue Q, Side Show, Sweeney Todd and The Wedding singer. Our mission is to bring daring and intelligent works of musical theatre to the entire South Florida community and to inspire the next generation of theatre students. Our website is slowburntheatre.org. This Fall I’ll also be working with another theatre company, Stage Door Theatre in Neil Simon’s Rumors. What about your camp experience has influenced you the most? Without a doubt - Raggers. I’m not a wildly religious guy, but I’m a spiritual one. And while you can take a lot of religion from Raggers, at it’s core, it’s about improving yourself. Knowing that you can be a better person, making a list of things you’re going to do to make it happen and then being your own judge as to whether or not you succeeded. And all the succeeding means is that you get to make a new list. As it should be, it’s never-ending. Well, until you’re perfect of course, and I got a little work yet. Is there anyone from camp to which you'd like to say hello? Wow. As I even attempt this, I know I’m going to forget someone. If I did, I apologize. So here goes… Patrick “Pee Wee” Carroll, Cathie (Mairet) Treacy, Adam Coblentz, Michael Murphy, Pat McSteen, “Slim” Gillin, JP Porter, Katie Schultz, Joe & Jean Diedrich, Mark Kindler, Crazy Dan, Troy Morgan, Becky Greco, Brian & Derek Machan, Ruth Olsen, Joelle Horn, “Toodles” Tobin, and Sir G and Lady Sue!! Favorite Memories? So many... The New Kids on the Block crier, The Hasselletti brothers (H-A-double S-E-double L-E-double T-I!), Craft Shop sleepovers, Morning PAs, “Throw him in the Lake”, Sitting on the deck of Alford Lodge spending quality time with Sir G working on one of his logic problems, and my favorite night – the Phantom Square. I’ve got the Phantom Square Grand Slam – having done all four sides - but even when you’re doing a side, there’s three more you’ve never heard before. You’re wiser for every night you’re part of one. Would you like to share your email addresses? mkorinko71@yahoo.com