Thank you for creating the opportunity for me to reconnect with Manny Toonkel (albeit limited to your interview) after many years of being unaware of his goings-on. As a Scaticonian for 9 years between 1962 – 1973, I had the opportunity to connect with Manny as a camper, CIT and Counselor, to play with him on the basketball court, baseball and soccer fields and simply to have spent time with him as a peer and friend. Always the iconoclastic character with the charm of a man-child whose innocence remained unspoiled by time and age, Manny was someone who could both frustrate, beguile and charm you within 5 minutes, but whose presence always added to the camaraderie and joy of being at Camp and simply being alive.
I was at Scatico in 1972 when Toonkel was a division leader. He never spoke to me once. I thought he was unusually unfriendly, stickup, perhaps thinking that he was Scatico royalty.
Jake —
Thank you for creating the opportunity for me to reconnect with Manny Toonkel (albeit limited to your interview) after many years of being unaware of his goings-on. As a Scaticonian for 9 years between 1962 – 1973, I had the opportunity to connect with Manny as a camper, CIT and Counselor, to play with him on the basketball court, baseball and soccer fields and simply to have spent time with him as a peer and friend. Always the iconoclastic character with the charm of a man-child whose innocence remained unspoiled by time and age, Manny was someone who could both frustrate, beguile and charm you within 5 minutes, but whose presence always added to the camaraderie and joy of being at Camp and simply being alive.
Thank you.
Jack Cohen
jrcohen24@gmail.com
941-740-3346
I was at Scatico in 1972 when Toonkel was a division leader. He never spoke to me once. I thought he was unusually unfriendly, stickup, perhaps thinking that he was Scatico royalty.