25 Years!
 

25 years ago today I registered the name winnipesaukee.com and began to build this site. I had just sold our house in Moultonboro (a big mistake) and building this site was a way for me to stay connected and contribute to the area that I loved so much.

I wasn't sure what I'd do with the site but the first thing I did was to get on a seaplane and take several rolls of aerial photos of the lake. Those photos are still available here in the Photopost Gallery. A few years later forum software became available and the site became interactive. In 1999 I added the WeirsCAM and very quickly the site began receiving thousands of visitors a day.

From the beginning I wanted this site to be 100% dedicated to the Lakes Region. A place to immerse yourself for a few minutes in lake activities and issues. I think I've achieved that but it wasn't easy, especially now.

For many years running this site was a blast. In the days of our ForumFests I was almost a celebrity. There were articles written about me and the site and I felt that I had created something special. Not so much anymore. If you saw the messages and criticism I get almost every day you'd think that I am involved in something evil. I'll never forget the email I received a few years ago, dozens of pages long with the word NAZI repeated thousands of time. That sentiment has been repeated many times, although a little less dramatically.

I can't say what the future of this site is. Many days I dread opening my mailbox because I know it will be full of criticism and accusations. For today I'm going to ignore all that and try to celebrate being able to do this for 25 years!

Congratulations [emoji324][emoji322][emoji323]


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Thank You
 

Congratulations and Thank you!

Sorry to hear of the undue criticism you have and continue to receive. Unfortunately it's a thankless job and the work involved to keep this site going is unknown to many...

I for one sincerely thank you for this great Lakes Region resource!

Dan

2nd that!

Alan

Thank you so much for being the ringmaster to this circus, and I promise that as in the past, I will never go down the political , criticizing road. There's a time and a place for everything.....keep it light and fun here!! We all need it!!

GREAT Job, Congrats!
 

I echo 308"s words and must say I think this is an outstanding site and it has been so helpful to me over the years.

As a newbie of only ~18 years and just under 500 posts, I may not have seen all that others here have, but nothing I have ever seen would cause me to criticize your management of the site in any way.

As an IT professional and some one who is strongly opinionated, I have nothing but praise for your efforts.

Congratulations on 25 years, that alone is a major accomplishment, let along the fact that this is such a wonderful site.

Many Thanks for making this resource available to us and for the outstanding job managing it.

ATB :cheers:

25 Years
 

Thanks for all you do to make this such a wonderful site. I've been following along since almost the beginning. While my statistics show I "joined" in 2004, I remember my college computer wallpaper being one of the original sunset photos back in early 2000. I have learned an extraordinary amount from this website. I wish I could say I was surprised by the criticism, but there seems to be a lack of civility in just about everything we do these days. This is a wonderful site that provides joy to so many of us who can't always be at the place we love. Here's to wishing and hoping for many more years on this site.

3rd that!
Congratulations!
⛵️🛶⛴🚤⚓️💥💥🌟
Stick with the positive comments, and delete the garbage!

Sue

As the son of a machinist and grocery store clerk from Lowell, this site was my source of all info when entering into unknown territory to buy our camp (the first in the family), boat (ditto), jetski (double ditto), etc. The forum members have become my guidance, and, though there are sometimes barbs and needles, in the end we always support each other...just like family.

Thanks for all you do, and congrats!

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Wow! Congratulations!! Don't get discouraged, it's the same for everybody who owns/moderates a site. You can't please everybody.

Thank you for all your hard work over the last 25 years. It is greatly appreciated.

I too am somewhat of a newbie. Having been a member for only 5 years.
The fact that you've stayed on for 25 years is a testament to your love of the area. The fact that you've stayed on through the things you've mentioned just reinforces that testament and says a lot about your character and stamina.
Keep up the good work.

Thanks a Million
 

We have been fans for many years, and greatly appreciate all of the effort you go through to produce and maintain this very interesting and helpful forum. Sorry to learn of the fecal matter that you endure to provide all of us with this valuable source of information and history about our magnificent lake. 🐻

Thank you and congrats on 25 years
 

Sincere thanks on creating this special site. As an island property owner, (10 years) I refer to it often as an import resource for lake/island living and as a source of entertainment.
I always try to be positive and only post what might be useful or entertaining to others.

I'm sorry to hear you've had to endure such animosity from some over the years for something that was created with a spirit of good intention.
No good deed goes unpunished!

Thanks again

I thank you also. What you have built has become an appreciated part of my daily life.

Anyone who landed on your site and felt it necessary to write dozens of pages of criticism, must have been taken by your work. The impression it left must have been massive. When the word Nazi is used, IMHO, all credibility is lost.

We all would be lost without this website. Because of the website, I was able to locate a cottage that my family had rented back in the 50s and 60s each August. We again rented that cottage and were able to bring my late father back to the cottage and to the lake he loved. We continue to travel from Texas each year to the lake to continue building memories for our family. Thank you, thank you for this website and all the joy you have brought to all.

Great story....very cool!

Need to put an item in the top banner such as ...."25 Years Strong" !!!!! Thanks for all you do !!

Congratulations!
 

This forum has so much to offer- to simply say thank you could easily sound understated- the sincerity of my compliment is not.

Thank you!

Thanks
 

Thanks for all you do. I have lived being a part of this site and check in several times a day.

Congratulations.

If people don't agree with your guidelines for posting on these forums, they are free to leave. Better yet, open up their own "uncensored" website.

Dave

Please hang in there and keep up the great work!

Congratulations
 

You do a great job and I think your management of the site is more than outstanding.

Keep up the great work.

What is wrong with people?Don you have one of THE best sites anywhere!Period!Thanks for all you have done to make it what it is.My take is that because it has become so popular it has more of the low life out also which probably comes with the territory.Keep on doing what you do please.:D:D

Thank you
 

I have enjoyed and benefitted from this site over the past several years. I appreciate all the work you've put in and also the abuse you've had to endure.

Wow! 25 years.
I check this site every day.

Don,

Thanks for all your work, and don’t let a few people grind you down!

Thanks Don
 

Great work over the years Don, along with many improvements. The forum and the whole site is a valuable resource to the area. Hopefully you can ignore the rude complaints. The "delete" key is there to help with that.

Webmaster Extrodinaire
 

Don,

The site speaks for itself, great work.
At least twice a day for me.
Weekend warrior by boat when I can get up there!

Thank you
 

I’m no longer a “newbie” joining in 2004, but the forum has been where I come to learn about the Lake...how to get here, how to navigate and how to appreciate what a treasure we have in the Region and in this site.

I am sure it seems, at times, a thankless task to manage it; but I just want to add my thanks for your doing it.

Congratulations.
Keep up the great work even in the face of adversity.The best revenge is truly doing something extrordinare, exactly what you have and are doing each and every day.

_________________________________________

I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic

Many Thanks
 

Thank you so much for even handed and tolerant management, as well as the time you devote to us. A valuable service to the Lakes Region. I visit almost daily, and I think of some of the frequent posters as trusted friends. I'm always intrigued and impressed when you bring back some wonderful relevant posts/pictures from some years ago.

Descant
da capo al fine

You're doing a great job here ....... keep up the good work ....... look'n forward to the next 25-years ....... till the year-2045! ...... three cheers, Buddy!

Many Thanks Don. Have enjoyed site daily for many years.
Too bad a few bad apples ruin it for you and others. Thanks for fighting the good fight for us who love the lakes region and this site you have created for us
Have met and enjoyed some great people from this site
Michael

It's a tremendous site and I hope it continues. Thank you for your tolerance.
I know I wouldn't have put up with it this long.
I know many of us tend to swerve off course once and a while, me included, and you get us back on the straight and narrow.

Thank You!
 

I love the lake and this forum. Not being up there much anymore, I am able to still see and enjoy all the wonderful fun and adventures going on up there. Its the greatest.

Well.....Mr. Webmaster, if you ever had doubts about your importance to those of us who follow this forum, you can see for yourself...we truly think you’re THE BEST! Thank you for all you’ve done, and please keep up the great work!

Sue

Electric Man
 

Well done
I have been reading posts on this site for a few years now. I don't post much at all but I like how you have taken a Lake only and politics are not welcome attitude with this site.
I started coming to the lake in 1968 and there is something that keeps me coming back and the form is one of those things.
This site keeps me in touch all winter long and the ice out contest is fun. I never won anything but I did win the ice out contest.
Congratulations on 25 years
Keep up the good work.

This site is my shrink all Winter
 

I can't believe anyone would have a problem with you or the way you run this site. I am all over winni.com all Winter to keep from going crazy waiting for warm weather. Don you have always been a gentleman about keeping the lid on all this ruckus. I know I've been a little "passionate" about some stuff and you always keep things level headed. Keep up the GREAT work...there are FAR more admirers than detractors.

The Breeze

Thank you for all you do!

Congrats Don, this website is a treasure, and thanks for keeping it going so well! Cheers!

Congratulations on 25 years and thank you for what you do. The site is a gift to those who appreciate the lake and the region.

Congradulations on 25 years. It is hard to believe that you wakeup in the morning to people crabbing about this great site. Both my wife and I visit this site at least twice a day 365days a year.. I have learned so much and shared so much, it keeps us connected to this great lake. Keep plugging and don't get discouraged, a lot more people enjoy this site than BiXXH!

Congrats on 25 years of putting up with us when we get political...(can’t help it!)
It’s the way things are today...sadly. You seem to have a fair way of calling us out when we do. Thank you!
We all appreciate having this forum to banter about Lakes Region subjects!

Congrats on 25 years, love seeing whats happening here but have learned to scroll past certain posters for my own sanity, it is a thankless job to be sure. Keeo up the great work you have done.

Five years ago during our first ever visit to Winnipesaukee (a long weekend in the summer) we hooked up with a local realtor and told her we were interested in purchasing a lakefront summer home. She was taken aback by the abruptness of this statement because we told her we'd never been here before. Bless her heart, she said we really needed to learn more about the area before quickly coming to conclusions (no duh and kind of embarrassing that she needed to tell us that). So we agreed to do some more research. We asked her what she suggested. At a minimum she said:

1. Drive around the lake, stop places and talk to people.
2. Take a 2-1/2 hour ride on the Mount.
3. Read up on winnipesaukee.com.

She said that if we were still interested after this, then she'd have places lined up to tour in a few weeks.

We did #1 and #2 that weekend and I devoured the Forum over the next 12 days. Our interest fueled, we came back two weeks later, toured properties, made an offer and closed several months later.

Today we are as happy as ever and I still visit the Forum nearly every day (though I just joined as a member this past October). Can't tell you how much I've learned and enjoyed the banter over the years.

Thank you Webmaster. I've never met you but I share your values and concerns. But please consider - I'm sure that 99% of those that read your handiwork are good people that really can't imagine not having this Forum. You are an integral and valued part of the Lakes Region fabric. We've got your back as you've had ours.

This is your house and you should be very proud of it, thanks for your dedication, time, and stewardship.

This site is a huge resource for the lakes region! I stop by daily to check in and see what is new and read threads from the past on the history of the area. My family has a camp down on Upper Suncook that my grandfather built back in 1964, we didn't frequent Winnipesaukee much when I was a kid in the 90's unless it was for a trip to the Weirs and the Kellerhaus, but I have fallen in love with the lake and am going to do my best to get a place up there one day.

I am having fun sharing new experiences with my kids learned about from this site and its members. My 5 year olds comments when we found the Belknap were "this is the most awesome thing ever!!!" while jumping up and down on the swim platform. I never would have known about it if it wasn't for this site so thanks for all that you do!!

Anthony

Congrats and a big THANK YOU!

I have learned so much about boating, our beautiful lake, and the towns that surround it thanks to this site and these forums. I joined in 2006 when first getting interested in boating, and this site educated me on many aspects that have contributed to our 13 wonderful years as boaters on Winni.

Thanks for all the tie and effort you take to run a site that makes so many people smile. Those who love the lake like we all do appreciate you and each other. I know so many people who visit the lake who like being on the water. All of us in the forum community are part of the subset of people who love being on the lake. Big difference. Congratulations on your silver anniversary!


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Sorry to hear about the troubles...you have been very fair out here for years to the posters from what I have seen.

A simple, heartfelt THANK YOU!

Thank you
 

Thank you for the great job you do. Your contribution to our "Lake Life" has been invaluable. Its your site, your rules and I am happy to abide by them. Thank you again

Please, please ignore the negative comments. You are doing an awesome job.
We're also on a forum in SW Florida that is very much like this one but not managed as well. Thanks for keeping politics out and keep up the good work

Much appreciated!
 

I am also an infrequent poster but regularly read and enjoy the site that you have created. We all owe you a lot of gratitude for creating and maintaining this site. It has loads of excellent information and helps connect us to the lake when we are not there.
Thank you so much for your efforts!

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Congratulations!
 

Thank you so much for beginning this site and continuing through thick and thin. I can't believe people can be so mean spirited. I, for one, love this site and the Wentworth and Winni live cams. You're doing folks like me who can't live in Wolfeboro a huge service and give me plenty of enjoyment 24/7. I hope you enjoy good health and peace during these difficult times.

Congratulations
 

Thanks for your dedicated effort over the years for providing a forum for those of us that are interested in lake activities.

Huge Asset!
 

This site has been a huge asset to our retirement home search. Even though we haven’t found what we’re looking for, thank you for everything and keep it going no matter what the naysayers say! Steve & Michele

For about 16 years my husband and I have been reading and learning from your site. It saddens me to hear that there are so many shallow and self-centered people who unfoundedly criticize you - who have selflessly given so much to so many of us. Read first line of your emails and immediately just delete any negative one. They don’t deserve your time or energy. Thank you for all 25 years!!!


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Your forum keeps us at the lake
 

No matter where I am, when I can not be there, the forum lets me check lake pictures, news, weather; glimpse lake activity, and be awed by the sunrises and sunsets. Family has been at the lake since 1906. We may be far flung, but this forum keeps us driving (or flying) towards the next time.

Skip past the negative comments! Thank you for hosting this marvelous site.

Three cheers! :) :) :)

Don as a long time member i thank you also. I don't post that much anymore as a number of old timers have left. I find the last several years that the site has at times become more caustic but so has the country. I remember meeting you at Peppers many years ago . As they say those were the good old days

Great story- great job! Many thanks! God bless you!



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Awesome Years
 

Thank you Webmaster Don!!

I started a similar forum around a high end audio brand around 2000. I ran it for 10 years and then handed off to a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable member. Just didn’t have the time for it. Still going with 5000 members. The brand even hosted special events for members only a few times.

I know about all the crap that goes on behind the scenes. One time even police got involved around one member. I was on a “shared” server that got infected a few times which is a PITA. I recall being in an IMax 3D Movie for Avatar and alarms going off on my phone that the site was being broken into. That spoiled that movie.

I think this site is fantastic. Don’t let the bad apples spoil what you did here.

Can't say thank you enough for all the continuous hard work and extensive time it takes to not just build an online community like this, but maintain it. :cheers:

Congratulations... you still are a celebrity!
 

We all still love you! This forum has been a shining light throughout the years. Your tireless efforts have kept the forum clean and friendly so that we can get to the information. I am not sure why people think it is ok to harass you. I hope you shut them off.

I appreciate how much you helped in the early years of Snake Eyes, hosting for me and other small local sites.

We do need a forum fest.... unfortunately we should not this season.

The lake is the busiest I have ever seen this year and I only hope that means more people use your site for the 25 years of information that is here.

It is fun to go back and read posts from years ago and get reacquainted with old forum friends.

We all wish you well. Visit when you can.. You are always welcome at my house!

IG

Thank you for your hard work on this website. It's a great information place for those who love Lake Winnipesaukee.

Happy 25th - Look forward to the next 25 years

Thank you this is a GREAT FORUM and I visit it every day!