Banner Jack

MOODUS &
EAST HADDAM

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Here's Jack

For most guests, Jack Banner personified Banner Lodge. Along with his wife Ceil and other close relatives, Jack had built the resort up from its humble beginnings as a dairy farm. His dad "Pop" Banner started the farm in 1922 on land that he purchased from relatives. Jack was an ubiquitous presence at the resort, charming guests, greeting entertainers and managing the outside staff and the grounds.

Heavily involved in local and state politics for many years, Jack was an energetic advocate of the Connecticut tourism business. As a Connecticut State Representative, Banner was the prime force in getting the state to rescue the Goodspeed Opera House from its use as a state DOT garage in the 1960's.

Jack was the main man at Banner Lodge. His death sealed the resort's future. Changing vacation habits had already made for a tough atmosphere. In an attempt to deal with changing times, Jack had grand plans for a condo development but those plans stalled after his death and things deteriorated from there.

Here is a sampling of pictures of Jack, posing with Banner visitors, staff, family and entertainers.

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	Jack (second from right) and Connecticut Gov. John Dempsey (second from left) with three other state politicos, 1960s	Jack (left), band leader Irv Jeffries (center) and entertainment director Jack Mathers (right) pose with a group of entertainers.
	Jack and his sister Claire Goldblatt consult during a 1967 celebration in the Banner dining room.	Jack and wife Ceil pose for a gag shot.
	Former major league star pitcher Sal Maglie visits Jack and brother-in-law Irv Levowitz in 1958 at poolside.	Jack posed with thousands of guests over the years. Here he poses with visitors in front of the dining room
	Jack and Banner Lodge photographer Stan Simon at the pool's diving board.	A significant player in Democratic politics, Jack hosted an event featuring actor Paul Newman (left), which raised funds for Senate candidate Joe Duffy (right)
	Jack poses with Bannerville day camp kids dressed as Indians.	Each week, Jack mingled with guests during the weekly lakeside barbeque dinner, usually with his wife Ceil.
	Jack enjoyed meeting all the entertainers who came to the Lodge. Here, Joe E. Ross, who played Officer Toody on "Car 54, Where Are You," poses with Jack	Ted Mack of the "Original Amateur Hour" backstage with Jack.
	A late 1940s shot of Jack and his first cousin Zero Mostel on the Banner stage. Zero remained loyal to the Banners, performing regularly through the 1960s.

MORE CLASSIC PHOTOS FROM BACK IN THE DAY OF BANNER LODGE
Here's Jack! The main man at Banner Lodge The Banner Staff Work, play and a great summer tan Country Cabins A comfy knotty pine experience Food, So Much Food No hunger allowed The Social Scene Mixing it up in Moodus Good Sports for All From bocce to baseball and more The Main Stage The stars came out at night
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