LOCH SHELDRAKE

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Originally Sheldrake Pond, Loch Sheldrake had about 48 hotels such as Brown's,  Edgewood, Evans, Holiday, Karmel, New Roxy, Riverside Hotel, Shady Nook and about 36 bungalow colonies including Kushners, Pesekows, and Melamed’s Villa.  

From 1929 to 1941, Murder Inc., an organized crime group of Jewish and Italian mobsters from New York City, frequented the Catskills. Some of their victims perished in the lake, with one making national headlines in 1939.  

Opening in 1944, Brown’s Hotel offered supreme entertainment and atmosphere. The Brown family had a long relationship with comedian Jerry Lewis and put his name on their nightclub, the only one in the Borscht Belt named for a celebrity. The Jerry Lewis Theater Club presented acts such as Harry Belafonte, Totie Fields, Dean Martin, Woody Allen, Sammy Shore, Liberace, and others. 

Hotel Evans is embedded in boxing history. Jimmy Braddock, Marcel Cerdan, and others trained at the resort. The Karmel Hotel later became Stagedoor Manor, a performing arts camp. 

Loch Sheldrake dedication, July 17, 2025, 6 pm 

• David Hilfstein, MC 
• Marisa Scheinfeld, Photographer, author, MP 
• Isaac Jeffreys:” Photographer, MP Visual Coordinator + 
• Bruce Turiansky
• Barry Lewis
• Hayley Samen

Bruce Turiansky: Bruce began his career at Browns Hotel right out of college, working alongside his grandparents, Charles and Lillian, for 22 years. He was also actively involved in the Catskill Resort Association during that time. After leaving the Catskills, he spent three years in the marketing department at Liberty Travel’s GoGo Tours before becoming Chief Marketing Officer for two different companies—one of which he co-founded and helped build as a partner. He is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Remote Care Today, a healthcare startup that operates Brain Health Plus, a service that helps seniors navigate new in-home Medicare programs aimed at reducing hospital and ER visits and supporting independent living at home for as long as possible. Bruce lives in Farmingdale, New Jersey, with his wife Mariann and their dog Noodles—just an hour away from his three adult children and five grandchildren. 

Barry Lewis was a longtime journalist whose passion was to chronicle the history of the Borscht Belt. He spent every summer of his youth at the Shady Nook, where his father Eddie Lewis was the Master of Ceremonies. Barry later was a busboy at the Shady Nook and was there, 48 years ago, that he first set eyes on Bonnie, the future Mrs. Lewis. 

Hayley Samen is the granddaughter of Carl and Elsie Samuelson, the founders of Stagedoor Manor, the world-renowned performing arts training center. She currently serves as Associate Producer, continuing her family’s legacy of running a welcoming, artist-centered summer program. For over 15 years, Hayley has been a dedicated member of the Stagedoor office team and is the Head of Accessibility and Dietary Needs Specialist, ensuring that every camper feels supported and included. During the year, she also runs Stagedoor’s College Connection program, helping high school students prepare for their next steps in the arts. Hayley takes pride in upholding Stagedoor Manor’s tradition as a family-operated program while fostering a nurturing environment for the next generation of performers.