Seniors enjoy an outing to Butzel Conference Center.

Lazar Chevoni of Prentis
Apartments in Oak Park
enjoys some fishing.

Olga Krivoseev of Teitel Apartments

in Oak Park with a new friend.

I

t had been many years since the 23 residents from Jewish Senior
Life's Fleischman, Hechtman, Meer, Teitel and Prentis residences
had been to camp. On July 11, the residents plus staff arrived at
the Butzel conference center. Many of the participants were "New
Americans," Russian-speaking residents from Oak Park, who had a
translator with them.
On the first day, they all enjoyed listening and dancing to songs
played by Yury Avanesov. Later, dog trainer Steve Robinson provided
a visit from his therapy dog followed by a field training exhibit with
his beautiful German shepard. That evening, they sat by a bonfire
near the lake and had a sing-along followed by &mores.
On Tuesday, the overnight campers were joined by 60 more day
visitors from the various JSL facilities. The day was filled with nature
walks, flag raising, a tour of the camp, swimming, canoeing, fishing
and kayaking. Those who wished to work indoors took part in crafts
as well as board games. In the afternoon, everyone enjoyed an out-
door concert by Rennie Kaufman.
The overnight campers enjoyed a movie and later more musical
entertainment by Emma Leonard. Everyone had a chance to relax,
sitting on the deck overlooking the beautiful grounds. As one camper
said, "You can just feel all the stress flow right out of you."
On Wednesday morning, there was more walking, relaxing, games
and boating before everyone boarded the bus to return home. 111

Riding The ADI

Mary Blowers, Otto Herczeg and

Jerry Order and Carl Herkowitz, both of Oak Park,

Arnie Aaron, all of Fleischman in

finish a canoe ride with a camp staffer.

West Bloomfield enjoy a game.

raw,
The senior campers and staff

Moishe House sponsors bike tour that shows one rider a new side of the city.

Karen Gordon / Special to the Jewish News

I

have always been a huge Detroit fan. In fact, my husband, Vernon, and I have been
there a lot this summer. However, the Moishe House Motor City bike tour really opened
me up to so many other fabulous things going on down there — the Riverwalk and the
Dequindre Cut.
Mike Barg led the tour; he's fascinating. He knows so much about Detroit — and he
is not even 30.1 am planning on getting some friends together with Mike to do another
tour.
Detroit is such a diamond in the rough. It is a shame that it is portrayed so negatively
in the news. I have always felt very safe in Detroit. This ride was no exception, and the

Justin Jacobs and Marci Finegood get
ready to ride.

Tour guide Mike Barg gives
instructions.

people out and about were very friendly and welcoming.
I feel empowered now to single-handedly revitalize Detroit amongst my generation.
Keep in mind, there were 15 people on this ride. Vernon and I were by far the oldest. It
is great what is happening to get the young adults to Detroit. I just want my age friends
(mid-40s) to realize that we need to help out just as much. We may not be moving there,
but certainly can go biking on a Sunday, dinner on the weekends, see shows, games, etc.
I see what positive things are going on and would love for it to continue. I have seen how
cities like Baltimore (its inner harbor) or Cleveland have turned around, and I would love
to see that in my hometown.

Karen Gordon lives in Farmington Hills.

The Renaissance Center looms on the
horizon.

Vernon Gordon checks out the art at the
Heidelberg Project.

August 11 • 2011

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