Memories of The Catskills

Memories of The Catskills: The Making of a Hotel, by Alvin L. Lesser, with a foreword by John Conway, Sullivan County Historian, takes the reader back to a time and place that was like no other. Families wishing to get out of the stifling heat of a New York City summer and other nearby crowded areas, found the perfect escape in 'the Catskills.' By sharing an insider's view of one person's life in this magical arena, Lesser lets readers experience the fun and the work that went into creating a place that people came back to year after year. Memories of the Catskills is a candid and charming memoir about the rise and fall of the 'Borscht Belt.' Lesser Lodge, a small hotel where the author spent the better part of his childhood, lies at the center of the heartfelt tale. Famous stars of yesteryear came to entertain in the Borscht Belt at Lesser Lodge. The Lodge survived the depression era and then flourished during the years of economic recovery and growth. Not just the story of the Lesser family, but the warmth of people who made others welcome by providing a respite which made them all family-- entertainers and guests alike.The Lesser Lodge was started by Alvin's mother and father with just a modest house and some out buildings. However, Lesser Lodge ultimately grew into a sprawling complex with multiple buildings and bungalows as well as a lake, swimming pool, handball courts, and a separate day camp for the children of guests. The 1987 film Dirty Dancing, set in a Catskills resort in the summer of 1963, gave many a snapshot of life inone the hotels where a guest was provided not only a room, but also food and entertainment free of additional charges. Now Memories of the Catskills puts the reader there in a more intimate way. 'With each passing year, there are fewer folks who remember this era,' writes John Conway, Sullivan County Historian, in the book's Foreword. 'That's why efforts like this book are so important and so vital to preserving memories of a time that will likely never be duplicated.'