Health & HappinessThe

HERALDFOUNDED BY CHARLES R. WOOD AND PAUL NEWMAN

FALL 2015

Shine Bright

A Message from Vince and Max . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Special Wish Granted to Double H Camper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Tribute to Ed Lewi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Double H Ranch Alumni Staff Shining Bright in the World! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4–5Dr . Marty—Leader in Pediatric Infectious Disease Treatment and Volunteer Physician . . . .6–7Member of the National Ski Hall of Fame for the Disabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8–9Shop the Double H Ranch Online Store for Unique Gifts This Holiday Season! . . . . . . . . . . 10Iconic Trophy Benefits Double H Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Summer 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Double H Ranch Welcomes New Team Members! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Founding DirectorsCharles R. Wood & Paul Newman

Board of DirectorsVincent T. Riggi, ChairmanEmily Bailey BerryDerek Brown Lauretta ChrysCharlie Crew, TreasurerNeil Golub, Honorary Life ChairmanGeorge HearstVictor Hershaft, Immediate Past ChairmanTom IndoeKevin JohnsonKimberly Sanger Jones, SecretaryWalter “Buzz” LambRobert LaughlinSenator Betty LittleElizabeth Matthews McCarthy Ed Mitzen, Vice ChairmanMaureen O’Brien Christina RiversWalter RobbJohn RyanSheryl SchwartzRoss SheridanSandy ShermanKathy StrikerEd SwyerAnthony Tartaglia, MDMichael Toohey Marian WolginCharlene Wood

Executive Director/CEOMax J. Yurenda

Emeritus DirectorsRobert Dorfman, Esq. & CPAUrsula GwynneA.E. HotchnerEd LewiAgnes PompaDr. Sam Ross, Jr.Floyd H. RourkeJosie Beckos-Wood

Medical Advisory BoardKathleen Braico, MD, Medical DirectorEmo Castle,BS, RN, Nursing DirectorJacquline Bovair, RNTimothy Carey, RRTTina Facteau, BSNGerard Florio, PhDDorothy Grover, RPTGinelle Jones, RN, FNPMarilyn Kacica, MD, MPHMartha Lepow, MDAimee McMaster, ACNPJennifer Pearce, MDMargaret Shea, RNClara E. Somoza, DOAmanda Steen, SRPh, CIAnthony Tartaglia, MDDanielle Viola, RD Raymond Walsh, MD

Newsletter ContributorsEditor: Eileen NashContributor: Jacqui RoyaelGraphic Design: APROPOS Design SolutionsPhotos: Dave Bigler, Don Creten, Jim Smith and Madeline Heckman

In This Issue

Contact UsDouble H Ranch, 97 Hidden Valley Road, Lake Luzerne, NY 12846-3318 • Tel: (518) 696-5676 • Fax: (518) 696-4528Development Office: Tel: (518) 696-5921 • Fax: (518) 696-7186 • www.doublehranch.orgA publicly supported 501(c)(3)charitable corporation.

A MESSAGE FROM VINCE AND MAX

At the Double H Ranch, we truly celebrate each day with the knowledge that we are changing lives throughout our society . We don’t take this responsibility half-heartedly . We most certainly recognize the obligation that we have to insure the sustainability of our important mission .

In keeping with this year’s theme “Shine Bright” our Board of Directors engaged in a strategic exercise that will insure that the leadership of the organiza-tion remains strong and focused . At a Board Retreat, the Board determined that it needed to create new leadership opportunities within the organization while preserving the key leadership that created the foundation of the Double H Ranch . The Board established a mentor—mentee program which has proven to be very valuable to all participants . At the annual meeting in August, the Governance and Nominating Committees facilitated a transition of leadership with the officers of the organization . The previous slate of officers dedicated eight years of service and remain fully engaged and supportive of the organization . This process was implemented in a thoughtful and respectful manner, which ultimately strengthens the leadership team . This was a “Shine Bright” moment for the Double H Ranch Board and represents the professionalism and unconditional dedication of the Board of Directors . Many organizations either struggle with this need to transition leadership or they simply don’t address it . As our Board focuses on what is best for our kids, the children will continue to fill our hearts with positive energy and fulfillment .

In reality, the Double H Ranch is blessed with an extended family which faces its challenges head-on and recognizes the good in others . Identifying opportunities to keep the Double H Ranch shining brightly is a daily focus . We have created an environment that supports growth and learning . We recognize that we are a part of something that is bigger than who we are and it is a privilege to share the vision of our founders, Charley Wood and Paul Newman .

On the last evening of each camp session, there is a traditional wishboat ceremony that our campers and counselors celebrate . As the wishes of our campers are captured on their wishboats all you have to do is look up in the sky at the shining stars and you know in your heart that those wishes are being heard .

We are truly grateful for the community support that we receive throughout the year . Our promise to you is to stay true to our mission and to keep the Double H Ranch shining bright .

Health and Happiness,

Vincent Riggi Max J . YurendaChairman of the Board CEO/Executive DirectorTel: (518) 583-6191 Tel: (518) 696-5676, ext . 224Email: vriggi@turbineservices .com Email: myurenda@doublehranch .org

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Special Wish granted to Double H Ranch Camper

When the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York offered to grant 11-year-old Gabe Donovan’s wish, he didn’t hesitate with his request to improve the barn area at Double H Ranch in Lake Luzerne . His wish was in memory of his friend and fellow camper, Michael Gulli .

In 2010 Gabe met Michael, a Gansevoort resident who passed away in 2014 at the age of 21 . Their moms parked next to each other on Gabe’s very first day at Double H and they started talking .

Gabe asked Michael what his disease was . Michael said he had NF, and that Gabe had probably never heard of it . Gabe was excited because he has Neurofibromatosis (NF) too, and had never before met another person with the same disorder .

“It’s a blessing to be involved in this partnership between Make-A-Wish, Double H and the Gulli family,” said Maureen O’Brien, “Double H is not just a place for Gabe to interact with kids like him, it’s a conduit for families to come together and connect, like we did with the Gulli’s .”

Over 200 family members and friends of Gabe and Michael came together in late May to help make Gabe’s wish come true . They spent the day painting, staining, cleaning and making

improvements to the barn area, including a brand new gazebo for campers to enjoy .

“I was one of the volunteers there with Gabe’s school, Mater Christi (Albany, NY) . This was, by far,

one of the best things in which I have EVER par-ticipated, and one of the greatest days of my life .

Gabe is an amazing kid and I know his friend Michael was smiling down on him that day . I am so grateful for the opportunity to play a small part in making Gabe’s Make-a-Wish come true,” exclaimed Amanda Wingle .

Michael’s family shared the following sentiment, “Even when he outgrew being

able to attend camp, Michael still wanted to give back and be connected, and that’s how

we feel — it’s a lifelong partnership for us and this is a pretty incredible gift from an 11-year-old,

who could have done anything in the world, but he chose to give back .”

Gabe

Michael

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Tribute to Ed Lewi Almost 25 years ago, Charley Wood set out to

found a camp for children with serious and life-threat-

ening illnesses . He enlisted his dear friend and public

relations expert Ed Lewi to get the camp up and running .

Ed had first met Charley when he worked in sales for the Times

Union and he approached Charley at his theme park Storytown USA (The Great Escape)

to sell him advertising . The two became fast friends and Ed worked with Charley to

garner community support, build a Board of Directors to guide the Double H Ranch and

open the doors to our first group of campers in the summer of 1993 .

Ed was well known and respected in the community for his six decades of work

in the public relations field . Throughout his career, he was responsible for media rela-

tions for the XIII Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid; Saratoga Race Course, and

Price Chopper, as well as many other community and philanthropic organizations .

“Charley, Paul and Ed were the pillars of our organization,” said Max Yurenda,

CEO and Executive Director of Double H Ranch . “Ed was chair of our nominating

committee and was instrumental in

bringing on every board member .

He helped tens of thousands

of children and shared

with them his core

value of celebrating

life every day .”

Ed Lewi

passed away on

August 29th,

2015 . He will

forever be

remembered

in the hearts of

the Double H

Ranch Family .

“If it’s not FUN, don’t do it!”

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Double H Ranch Alumni Staff Shining Bright in the World!

As our 23rd summer comes to an end, we are reminded of the kindness and compassion of our Double H alumni staff . Each alumni begins their Double H story at a different point, but they all share a common bond—because of summers at camp, they are better . Who else can smile at a time they sang Mama Gooney Bird or Three Bears loudly at a campfire or spent an afternoon in the hot summer sun catching fish at the waterfront?

Together as a team, alumni saw the sometimes harsh realities of life through an innocent child’s eyes, but vowed to go beyond and make magic happen if only for a week at camp . Alumni leave camp with a lifetime of memories made from talent shows, cabin nights, and wishboat ceremonies . These memories all help them to see the difference camp can make in life, especially their own .

Our 2015 summer was filled with moments to “shine bright .” Today, we find out where our alumni continue to “shine bright” from two beloved Double H alumni .

Tim DoakTim began his camp journey in 2004, after being diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma at the age

of 12 . While he first came to camp reluctantly at the urging of his mother, the decision made all the difference in the world to Tim, his family and the Double H community . After four summers as a camper, Tim went on to be a staff member for six summers (2008–2013) .

Tim has many accomplishments to celebrate in his life . One of the biggest is that he has been cancer free for over 10 years . Tim continues to show the world how to live with purpose and in servitude to others . In 2013, Tim began his two year journey as a Peace Corp Volunteer . He served in Fiji volunteering within the Ministry of Health to help empower and create sustainable programs .

After spending the last two years living in Fiji, providing outreach to his community and learning so much along the way, he returned to the States . Tim just began his next journey

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working for Music Speaks in the capital region, as a Music Therapist with children who have developmental disabilities .

Tim and his family learned that a serious illness doesn’t just impact the child, but affects an entire family . Over the last ten years, each member of his family has made a difference in the Double H community as a camper, staff and volunteer . Double H is proud to call Tim Doak an alumni staff . Welcome home, Tim!

Heidi SchumacherMany staff come to Double H knowing they want to

make a difference, but never truly realize the magnitude of the impact they have in the lives of others . This could not be more accurate than for HH alumni, Dr . Heidi Schumacher .

For many summers as a staff member and volunteer, her energy, leadership and compassion inspired campers and staff! Heidi’s love of Double H and its amazing people began in the summer of 2003, when she started as a camp counselor . A year later, she went on to lead the Out-door Extreme program helping campers not only see clearer the beauty of the Adirondacks, but also have fun learning about our environment .

The inspiration she gained from the positivity and energy of the campers and other staff during her two summers at Double H carried her onwards, as she graduated from college and entered medical school . While managing the busy schedule of medical school, Heidi continued to make Double H a priority . She came back to volunteer at Double H for several summers .

It has been over ten years since her first summer as a camp counselor . Heidi is now a pediatrician and works in federal health policy . She lives in Washington, DC with her new husband Stephen . She keeps the spirit of Double H in her heart and mind always by donating crafts and helping to improve the lives of others through her work as a physician .

What were your years? We want to hear from you to share your story.

To learn more about how to spotlight a Double H alumni staff, please contact Jacqui Royael

at jroyael@doublehranch.org.

To the Double H alumni from all your campers near and far: T- H-A-N-K Y-O-U, we thank you, we thank you, we love you! 5

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The strength of our founding partners is what makes the

important work at Double H possible . For 22 years, Albany

Medical Center has been the backbone of quality

medical care in the summer program, providing highly

skilled and compassionate physicians and nurses in

every session . Today we are grateful for those people

who have helped make this partnership successful,

especially Dr . Martha Lepow .

Dr . Lepow has been an Albany Medical Center

physician since 1978 . She is a Professor of Pediatrics

and former division head of Pediatric Infectious Disease . Dr .

Lepow has educated countless medical students and residents dur-

ing her tenure . She is considered the nation’s most senior pediatric infectious

disease expert .

In 1994, Double H recognized the need for increased medical care . At the

time, Dr . Lepow was the acting Chair of Pediatrics at Albany Medical College

and taken by the mission and proposal for support . She, along with the Dean

of the Medical College, Dr . Anthony Tartaglia, helped foster the relationship

between Albany Med and Double H that has continued and grown for the

last 22 years . Dr . Lepow has been back to camp as a volunteer physician every

summer since .

As a physician working at a virus lab in Cleveland in the 1950s, Dr . Lepow

participated in clinical trials for the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines under Freder-

ick Robbins, who shared a 1954 Nobel Prize for isolating the polio virus . Since

then, she has worked on clinical trials for vaccines to treat many diseases,

including measles, rubella, and meningococcal disease .

She has been honored with numerous awards that recognize her

work in the field of infectious disease . In 2004, she received the Albany

Medical Center Pillars Award . This award is given annually by Albany

Med to individuals who epitomize the spirit of the Medical Center

and whose sustaining work and contributions reflect the essential

community-based nature of its mission . Additionally, in 2011 she 6

Dr. Marty—Leader in Pediatric Infectious Disease Treatment and Volunteer Physician

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received the Award for “Lifetime Contribution in Infectious Disease Education”

from the American Association of Pediatrics .

Dr. Dennis McKenna, MD, Vice President for Medical Affairs

and Medical Director at Albany Medical Center

“I love to be at Double H with Dr . Lepow, to experience camp through her

eyes . She brings not only years of experience with camp medicine, but in addition

she has an unbridled love and passion for Double H . She loves to be with the

campers, and it is pure joy to see her in that element . And nobody loves being in

the Talent Show more than Dr . Marty!”

Thank you Dr . Marty for believing in the mission and power of the Double

H program . Because of your kindness, dedication and medical insight, countless

children have had the opportunity to play and just be a kid at camp .

Dr. Marty—Leader in Pediatric Infectious Disease Treatment and Volunteer Physician

88888

Member of the National Ski Hall of Fame for the DisabledAdaptive Winter Sports Program Pioneer

Gwen AllardIn 1997, when Charley Wood, was trying to

determine if the hill at Double H would be suit-able for an Adaptive Ski Program, he reached

out to Gwen Allard . Gwen founded the Adaptive Program at Windham Moun-tain, now known as the Adaptive Sports Foundation, the largest adaptive program on the east coast . In the adaptive ski industry Gwen is affectionately known as ‘Mom” the mother of adaptive skiing . As a member of the National Disabled Ski

Hall of Fame, she is widely recognized as a leader in the industry for her contributions

to teaching those with physical challenges the sport of skiing .

After she was contacted by the Double H Ranch, she brought her peers from the Profes-

sional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) to look at the hill . She reported back to Charley that he had one

of the best beginner slopes around . Gwen has never left! She helped to set up the program and to this day oversees the training of our instructors . We have grown from teaching 10 kids a day to teaching over 25 kids per day . We currently have over 200 volunteer ski and snowboard instructors . Gwen is still on the slopes watching over the instruc-tors and kids alike .

Max Yurenda (Double H Ranch CEO) on Gwen“From the very first moment I met Gwen, she had that twinkle in her eyes and grand ideas

to build our ski facility into one of the most reputable Adaptive Winter Sports Programs in the country . Gwen is a visionary educator and advocate for our families and their children .”

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John Ryan (Volunteer Ski Instructor and Board Member) on Gwen“I think it’s fair to say that Gwen is the reason we have the Double H Ranch Adaptive

Winter Sports Program . Her constant input and guidance have helped to create a one of a kind private ski and snowboard school with an excellent reputation in the industry . Our campers and volunteers are extremely lucky to have had Gwen Allard looking over our shoulders for all these years .”

James “Jimmer” Hayes (Ski Instructor) on Gwen“Gwen’s passion for skiing provides her with an enthusiasm for teaching skiing to people of

all abilities . If you have ever watched Gwen teach, then you know the genuine excitement she exudes at her students’ success! Being a great listener helps her to be the leader she is .”

Gwen on her involvement with Double H Ranch Adaptive Winter Sports Program

“There really is no favorite part of my being involved at the Ranch . The terrific instructors, dedicated staff, and Board support all make this program work! It is a “team” that allows miracles to happen during these winter months . (If you don’t believe this, just come some family week-end!) The students—each one provides me with life’s lessons to ponder, each a role model to aspire to, each reassure me that there are good people in this world . The program allows me to believe that the “nip in the air, the white dusting on the trees, the crunch of the snow” is a season that makes us all stop, open our eyes and appreciate all the goodness that is going on in this world .”

For over 30 years, Gwen Allard has been a passionate leader in the adaptive skiing industry from teaching and program management, to publishing guides and establishing national certification standards .

Thank You Gwen for your guidance, passion

and dedication!

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We are excited to introduce the enhanced Double H Ranch Online Gift Shop! Our online store, operated by CafePress, is the only place to purchase unique Double H Ranch merchandise including t-shirts, sweatshirts, water bottles, stickers and MUCH more . Available for a limited time are 2015 “Shine Bright” themed items — the perfect gift for your camper! A portion of all purchases support the Double H Ranch . Visit our web-site to order your holiday gifts today!

Shop the Double H Ranch Online Store for Unique Gifts This Holiday Season!

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Iconic Trophy Benefits Double H Ranch

One of the most iconic trophies in all of sports, the Stan-ley Cup, came for a visit to Saratoga Race Course this summer thanks to Chicago Blackhawks Assistant Coach and seasonal resi-dent Kevin Dineen . The Blackhawks took home the Stanley Cup for the second time in three years this past season .

Fans waited in line for over two-hours and contributed $10 to Double H Ranch to have their picture taken with “The Cup” .

“My family and I were thrilled to be able to share our Stanley Cup experi-ence with the community at the Saratoga Race Course . We enjoy a few days at the track each summer, and we could not ask for a better venue to share the Cup with the local horse and hockey fans,” said Coach Dineen . “We were so excited to incorporate a fundraiser for the Double H Ranch into our day with the Cup . The opportunity to raise money and awareness for the Double H Ranch, and sup-port their campers who are facing illness, made our day infinitely more special .”

Thanks to Coach Dineen, NYRA and the community, over $6,000 was raised to help support Double H Ranch programs!

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Summer 2015

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Double H Ranch Welcomes New Team Members!

Emily “Lolly” Hamilton— Assistant Camp Director of Programs

Lolly first came to Double H Ranch in 2007 as a camp counselor . She spent three additional seasons as a summer staff, as well as two summers as a session volun-teer . Prior to joining the year-round team, she worked as an Occupational Therapist in pediatric outpatient, alternative school-based and adult acute care settings . She is from the Shenandoah Valley Region of Virginia and is married to Greer, a Double H Ranch Alumni Counselor . When asked “What it’s like being back at camp?” Lolly exclaims, “Amazing, phenomenal, I have yet to encounter a family as big, passionate, inspiring, and welcoming as the Double H family! I am so fortunate to be part of the year-round team and to have kicked off this new chapter of my Double H journey!”

Lisa Haux—Volunteer DirectorLisa joined the year-round team in the summer of 2015

and supervises and coordinates all volunteers who partici-pate in our programs . Prior to working at Double H, Lisa was a preschool teacher and also worked with children with special needs for more than fifteen years in a local school district . Lisa feels truly blessed to be part of such a wonderful organization!

When asked about her first summer at Double H Ranch Lisa simply stated, “It was a life-changing experi-ence!” When she’s not at the Ranch, Lisa enjoys every moment spent together with her husband and their three children . She enjoys cooking, hiking, kayaking, and taking day trips with her family .

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