Local Campers Enjoy Diamond Festivities as Owner/Director Celebrates a Personal 45 Seasons
July 21, 2010 – Armonk, NY
Hundreds of campers ages 3 – 13, counselors and leadership staff sang loudly and proudly at Breezemont Day Camp’s 75th birthday party today in Armonk. John Richard (JR) Tesone, who started as a counselor at the camp in 1966 and became Owner/Director in 1986, spoke with enthusiasm about the camp’s history and its bright future.
“For the campers and counselors celebrating with us today and for the thousands of others who have been part of our history, I’m honored that you have grown with us,” said Tesone. “Breezemont is known for focusing on the needs of the individual child and for giving each child the experience that lasts a lifetime.” “You will remember these days," he continued.
Being at Breezemont is like being Upstate. But you are right in Armonk. Set on 16 beautiful acres, complete with a lake and Adirondack-style camp buildings and cabins, Breezemont Day Camp gives each child a true camp experience. The day is filled from 9:35 am to 4:10 pm with wonderful activities related to sports, arts, science and culture/history. In addition to a well rounded day, the older kids are allowed to select an activity that interests them. From Red Cross swim instruction and sports of all kinds, to arts and crafts and performing arts, to science and nature, to boating on a man-made lake, canoeing and fishing, Breezemont allows each child to pursue his or her particular interests.
“As far back as I can remember Breezemont has been an important part of my life,” said group leader Eric Bitterman of Hartsdale, who teaches during the school year in Scarsdale. Eric first became a Breezemont camper at the age of 3 and spent many wonderful summers as a camper, before becoming an assistant tennis instructor, then counselor and working his way up to group counselor at the camp. It is Eric’s 23rd summer at Breezemont and his own children now attend. “Kids have so much fun here, many come back year after year and then become counselors as I did.” He continued, “It’s my family’s hope that we will join our 'summer family' at Breezemont to celebrate anniversaries for years to come."
Director Tesone is proud of his family run business. Each year he and his leadership team look forward to bringing new programs to the campers. This summer, Breezemont added the popular dodgeball-like game, Gaga, to its program as well as a wiffle ball field, sports clinics, Zumba, Weird Science and rocketry. Breezemont Day Camp is accredited by the American Camp Association, which means the camp has met rigorous standards for staff, programs, safety and facilities and is committed to a safe and nurturing environment for its campers.
Breezemont’s History
Breezemont has come a long way since its start. The Gelbaum family purchased the property at 62 Cox Avenue in the early 1930s. Running the main house as a hotel and the buildings as a bungalow colony, families would register their children in the program run by the Gelbaum’s daughter Beatrice.
The inaugural camp season was 1936. Beatrice was studying to be a music teacher and would later marry a French gentleman who had studied art at the Sarbonne in Paris. They would eventually change the name of the program from camp Alysum to Breezemont.
Jean and Beatrice Laurain ran the camp until selling it to Michael Cannold in 1971. Tesone is celebrating his 45th summer at Breezemont. He worked with the original owners, the second owner and has been Owner/Director since 1986. While the camp has been refurbished and modernized, it still has a rustic sleep away camp feel. Legacies have been maintained to honor the past. Many of the group names are holdovers from the past.
Tesone has spent his entire adult life teaching and working with children. “No two children are alike,” he often says. “They keep me young.”
For more information about Breezemont Day Camp visit www.breezemont.com or call 914-273-3162.
Michelle's Picks for the Summer
Looking to keep cool this summer? Michelle's picks are the way to go. She's scouted out the most refreshing drinks, scrumptious eateries perfect for summer time treats, and ways to look fresh and feel good in Armonk.
Bon appetite and stay cool,
Michelle
Michelle Cioffoletti is a senior at Byram Hills High School with an interest in fashion and public relations.
Beascake’s Bakery
Is your sweet tooth yearning for something extra special? How about chocolate chip cookies the size of your hand or a fresh baked rugelach? Or how about mouthwatering cupcakes, buttery soft croissants or festive sugar cookies? Are you aching for some freshly baked cakes, muffins, donuts or even fresh candy? Beascakes Bakery is just the place for you!
The bakery’s new convenient location sparkles with Parisian elegance and the delicious perfumes of fresh baked pastries and pies intoxicate your senses. The shiny cases sparkle with delicious fresh baked goods. Beascakes has just about anything your sweet tooth desires. In addition to the extra yummy desserts, Beascakes also has amazing rustic breads, brioches and challahs.
Cool off with their refreshing tart low-fat frozen yogurt; try it melba style with fresh fruit! Quench your thirst with some of their awesome lattes with soy, almond or coconut milk. Pick up a custom cake at Beascakes for any special occasion. Stop by daily to accompany your coffee with something special. 575 Main Street, Armonk, NY (914)-273-3612
Town Center Pharmacy
On your way to the beach or pool? Don’t forget sunscreen! Town Center Pharmacy has just about every kind of SPF invented! If you are looking for some extra relaxation, try the amazing selection of bath salts, soaps and oils. My personal favorite is the jojoba oil; which was used by the Native Americans to moisturize the scalp, or get ready for school with lavender to help relax and relieve stress.
Town Center Pharmacy also has pens and all the basic necessities to get you ready for the school year. 575 North Main Street Armonk, NY (914)-765-0600
Fernando’s Pizzeria
With these summer scorcher days, who wants to be slaving away in the kitchen? Fernando’s is serving pizza with basic toppings as well as some tasty options like pineapple and pepperoni or buffalo chicken and pasta. In addition to pizza, Fernando’s has crisp salads, yummy pastas, and many other classic Italian foods. Try the chicken parmigana, calamari marinana or the finger-licking garlic knots. Pick up a large pizza for just under $14. Delivery is also available. 466 Main Street Armonk, NY (914)-273-1333
From the old fashion Victorian style frames to the funky urban sparkly frames, Framings of Armonk has a frame for every kind of personality. Owner Judy Willsey can find the answer to just about any of your decoration questions, what she doesn’t have in stock she’ll find a way to create it!
Framings of Armonk
With twenty years under their belt, Framings of Armonk has what it takes to help you finish up your summer with a bang. Cool photographs of shells are the perfect addition to any beach home. With the marvelous selection of frames you can get your summer pictures looking even better!
To stay organized for school get a custom bulletin board with your own kooky surfaces to match your room. You can get one in just about any size or color and you can even add a mirror. It’s the perfect touch for dorm rooms! Framings of Armonk is the perfect stop to finishing up the summer and getting ready for the school year.
420 North Main Street Armonk, NY (914)-273-4242
Looking for something to do? Here are some places near and not so far to consider:
With hectic school schedules on pause, summer is a great time for parents to reconnect with their children. Starting new family habits now can help establish them by next school year.
Eating together and reading together are great ways for parents to help their children develop healthy minds, healthy habits, and stay on track for academic success.
According to WebMD, dining as a family encourages all members to eat healthier, however the positive benefits of eating together go beyond improved nutrition. Eating together also opens communication between parents and children, eases stress at home, and correlates with better grades in school.
“One of the simplest and most effective ways for parents to be engaged in their teen’s lives is by having frequent family dinners,” says Joseph Califano Jr., chairman and president of The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, as published by WebMD.
Reading with children has substantial benefits as well. Parental involvement is one of the greatest influences on a child’s attitude toward reading. Parents who often read for pleasure have children that are six times more likely to read for pleasure themselves.
Children who are read to regularly show better vocabulary, spelling, grammar, writing skills, and critical and creative thinking than those who aren’t. Often, education, especially at the elementary level, is as much about developing skills as it about developing attitudes. Teaching children to enjoy reading from a young age can help them develop a life long love for learning and discovery.
Summer break can be a great time for students to reconnect with their families and prepare for the next year of school. “Summer is also a great time for children to catch up academically without the pressures of a regular school load,” notes Chad Schwartz, tutoring industry expert and founder of Tutoring Club. “Just like athletes who train and condition their bodies, students who enroll in Tutoring Club’s Summer Camps sharpen their academic abilities and retain more of what they learned during the school year.”
While most children look forward to summer months away from school, up to 20% of what is learned during the school year can be lost over the summer. It’s important for parents to keep their children’s minds active throughout the year. By simply making a few changes this summer, parents can help their families reconnect and send their children back to school a step ahead rather than a step behind.
Katie rested after practicing her dives at the Ehrman pool.
