You might remember me as Karen Bilske. I was a camper in 1969, and from 1970 to 1974 was a CIT, CIT II, Jr. Counselor, then Senior Counselor at Bement. In 1974 I also was part of Bishop Stewart’s promotional team that traveled around the Diocese representing Bement. I was trained in Anne Fenn’s group of “VBS facilitators”, who went on a two church assignment to help parishes in the Diocese run Vacation Bible Schools in the summer of 1974. I played guitar, and was an active member of the liturgical and music team of Bement during those years. I participated in the production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, which was presented at camp and at several Diocesan parishes in the fall of 1973.

I grew up in Worcester, finishing at Burncoat High School, then graduated from Anna Maria College in 1978 with a degree in Music  Education. That same year, I married Kevin Haynes and for the next several years my life was one of part-time jobs and raising children. I have two beautiful kids; Matthew, who is a High School choral teacher, and his wife have given me two beautiful granddaughters, and Beth, who is working in a Blue Cross day care and attending school. Both of my children went to Bement, and still communicate with friends they made there.

I am currently married to Mike Dvareckas, and have retired from teaching music in Worcester Public Schools after 12 years. I am also the organist/choir director at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Gardner. In 2005 Mike and I moved to Rutland, MA, and I continue to teach guitar, piano and voice lessons, and serve as the Clerk of the Bement Alumni Association.