“THE HARTMAN SISTERS” (and the Hagan sisters I met along the way)
At some point early in my Hagan life, I was asked by the camp newspaper why I came to Hagan. I jokingly quipped that our Mother wanted to get rid of us. Regrettably, the paper actually printed my response and somehow Margaret – who seemed to know everything – found out. Gratefully, she came to understand I wasn’t serious.
The fact is that I adored my three older sisters — Carol, Mary Jane, and Nancy — and wanted to be one of the Hartman Sisters at Camp Hagan. It was fun to be an only child on Easton Avenue in Bethlehem for awhile, but I soon missed them. I went to Hagan for two weeks as a newly-minted eight-year-old and never looked back, soon staying the entire two-month season each year. I eventually became a CIT and subsequently a Junior Unit counselor. Yes, I was following in my sisters’ footsteps but also learning to follow my own path.
Along the way, to my delight, I discovered wonderful girls and young women whose friendship and mentoring I came to value renewing every summer for 11 years. I’m sure I will neglect to mention everyone I should, but here are a few – my dear friends Margie and Wendy, along with my fellow 1967-1968 CITs, as well as counselors Loretta, Sandy and Snad, and my lifesaving instructor Robyn. Each had an impact on my youth with their unique perspectives.
So, while all the fun, instruction, special days, etc. were memorable without question, my best memories of Camp Hagan are of being a Hartman Sister, as well as being a member of the Hagan sisterhood.
Grandmother, Mom and Grandfather. Bottom row: Nancy, Judi, Carol and Mary Jane (Jupiter)
