Emily Park - Memorial Day Weekend

© (2014) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Jackson Browne - "Rosie"

Had some time to wander around Emily Park in Skokie.  Saw about a dozen baby Wood Ducks along with baby geese.

Driving Around Southern Wisconsin (May, 2014)

© (2014) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Henry Mancini - "Romeo and Juliet"

It had been a very long time since I had seem real farmland and cows, so I hopped in the car and took a mini road trip up to southern Wisconsin.  It really saddens me so much to see how much of the beautiful farmland is gone and replaced by housing developments.  What was once miles and miles of farmland is no longer a reality, yet at least I found a few.

While driving around I also passed by Alpine Valley Ski Resort and the Beulah Bog State Nature Area.

Meditative Moments at Montrose Harbor

© (2014) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music By Alon Michael - "Zlotchover Rebbe's Niggun"

Finally Spring was shining today, verses yesterday when it snowed.

There were so many variety of birds here today, yet I don't know what they are.

The Deer of Saint Paul Woods (Morton Grove, IL)

© (2014) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Music by Peter Kater and R. Carlos Nakai - "If Men Were At Peace"

I took a few minutes out to see if I could see any deer. I saw at least a dozen if not more. I was also to see how flooded everything was. I saw a pair of ducks swimming in the grass and some geese jumping around as if they were in a stream.

Gander Mountain and Wilmot Mountain

© (2014) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Music by Jackson Browne - "Love Needs A Heart"

I used to think that the hills in parts of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin were mountains.

Growing up I remember walking to the top of Gander Mountain which is the highest point in Lake County, IL (and which is connected to the Wilmot Ski Resport, in Wilmot, WI) and thinking I was so high up above sea level.

Lake Glenview in the spring

© (2014) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Music By Little Feat - "Willin'"

Had a little free time on a beautiful spring day so I went wandering around the former Glenview Naval Air Base. The nature there is amazing. 

A friend was talking about the band "Little Feat" the other day and ever since then this song was playing in my head.  It just made sense that I would use it for these pics.

Memories of Camp Maskokie

© Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Joni Mitchell - “Both Sides Now”
Music by Coven - One Tin Soldier




I’m like so many others who grew up in Skokie during the 1960s - 70s.  I went to “Camp Maskokie”, which was located at Emily Park, which is now called Emily Oak Nature Center.

Recently, went back to the park and my mind was flooded with so many fond memories of my childhood.  Camp Maskokie was open to Skokie residents who were ages 8 - 11 (3rd to 7th grade students).

Camp Maskokie was divided into three different groups divided by age, with three camp circles for each group.

As campers we would learn about Native American folk lore, archery, how to row a boat, along with so many wonderful child camp songs, along with songs from the time.  I vividly remember a fellow camper bringing her guitar and teaching us the words to “Both Sides Now”, by Joni Mitchell  and “One Tin Soldier” by Coven.

Emily Park has changed dramatically since my days Maskokie.  Back in the 1960s - 70s, the park was 13 acres which was mostly made up of a huge open field with manicured lawn, and the lagoon –– which was filled with leaches and snails.

Back in 1929, the Niles Center Park District purchased 62-acres of land from the Cook County Forest Preserve for $1,000.  The original purchase also included Oakton Park and the land in which Niles Township High school was located (Niles East).  Camp Maskokie originally opened in 1956.

The last time I was walking around the park, one of the park rangers told me that they were looking for any old photographs of Camp Maskokie.  If you have any please contact the park at:  (847) 677-7001.

"Ips spiddily ooten dooten bobo ska deeton dotten ha cha wanna Maskokie!"