Camp K Winter/Spring Reunion

by kodaifriends | Apr 18, 2016 | Archives | 0 comments

Another awesome reunion has come and gone, and what a wonderful time we had!  I think this is the first time we had someone drive in from Montreal to be with us at a winter / spring reunion. Ted Hahn (from Montreal) had a trade show scheduled for that week end in the Javits Center, NYC. I contacted him about this reunion, knowing that he travels quite frequently, and hoped he might be in the area. Well, SHOCK OF AGES! He drove down Thursday night; I met him at Kirchenwald early Friday morning, and after coffee we proceeded to make a large, highly flavorful and delicious pot of chicken biriyani.

Rani Maloney and Jeff arrived mid morning, and right away went shopping for groceries.  By the time they returned, Ted and I were consuming our second, or maybe third plate of biriyani. Rani and Jeff dug in and had some, and there was tons still left. Then Rani began cooking up her famous beef keema, which EVERYONE loves.  Soon Mario Bellido arrived, bringing his friend, Mike from Cleveland. John Piet bicycled on over from the Elizabethtown train station. Then came Tracey (Somers) Maloney,

Finally, a nice surprise, former KIS faculty member Ellen (Dash) Walter arrived. I had never met Ellen before, but Ellen has a delightful personality, and she is also an accomplished and talented piano / keyboard player. She brought her keyboard with her to give us a taste of the music we will be singing along with at the main Kodai reunion in September. Ellen can entertain us with almost any song we can think of. She has lyric sheets to pass around, plus she has agreed to be the pianist for our church service in September. Thank you Dash! (She says we should call her Dash).

Ted had to leave Friday for his trade show in NYC. Ellen had to leave Friday evening to do piano a gig at an event. The rest of us remained with excitement and anticipation of catching up with those who were to arrive on Saturday.

First to arrive Saturday morning were the Kolumban brothers, Mike and Paul (the Dosai boys) bringing a big pot of Dosai batter. Right away we set about making Dosai, and Rani Maloney began steaming up some fluffy idlies and made coconut chutney. (Sambar had been made made on Friday.) Paul Heusinkveld and Basil Manns were next, coming in from Maryland and Washington DC, bringing a delicious shrimp curry. Jeff Maegerlein had brought three big blue fish fillets, which we marinated Kerala style, and Mario cooked them up outside on the propane burner. John Gipson arrived bringing a rice and chicken curry dish. Emily (Grumm) Jeske picked up Hank Moyer in Allentown, and came in with a huge fruit salad. Elaine (Lomperis) and her husband Wayne brought the birthday cake for Hank Moyer. Barth Lewellyn brought chicken – mango curry, and helped out by taking Hank back to Allentown in the evening.

On Sunday Jeff made the traditional eggs and bacon which we ate with idli, Dosai and sambar. After cleaning and sweeping / mopping Meyers Retreat house, we sadly packed our sleeping bags, and departed … Back to reality and to the dysfunctional world and US news, which we had tuned out, in lieu of three days of happiness and peacefulness in the woods of central Pennsylvania.

This reunion revolves around the social aspects of having everyone together in one large area for relaxing, cooking, eating and drinking. The kitchen is part of this multipurpose room which also has large hearth and comfortable couches. There was plenty to eat and drink. There is never a lack of laughter and conversation in this group. If you have never experienced a Kodai reunion, you must give it a try. WHAT A WEEKEND!!!!

Bob Edwards