Keeping in touch

coltgov101 · 11-22-2009, 11:48 PM

My son has made me feel guilty for not posting, I have enough memories of the lake after forty summers there to write a book. Maybe that is something i should do, now that i am retired, let us see what other people think.

VitaBene · 11-23-2009, 01:51 AM

There are a lot of us that would love your perspectives. Post away!

Old Hubbard Rd · 11-23-2009, 03:41 AM

What part of the lake did you grow up on?

glennsteely · 11-23-2009, 09:50 AM

You have a wealth of knowledge about the Winnipesaukee area, that I want you to share, thats why I told you about this forum. I love you Dad, and I love the fact that we have shared time at the lake, and now I share it with my family.

My Grandparents had a cottage in Sachem's Cove, on Spindle Point in Meredith. My Father (coltgov101) spent just about all of his childhood summers there. I grew up in my Grandparents home, so I spent all my summers there as well. The Lake is near and dear to both my Father and I, and I wish he would get off his butt and make a trip up.

Airwaves · 11-23-2009, 12:43 PM

coltgov101 I'm with your son on this one. My Dad who recently passed away also spent all of his summers at the lake at the family cottage while growing up and had hundreds of stories. He wasn't a real talker so all of those stories with the exception of one or two are now gone.

Even if you don't share them here, jot them down somewhere, a diary, in the computer, somewhere. Believe me your kids and grandchildren and beyond will be grateful!

Good luck and welcome aboard!

upthesaukee · 11-23-2009, 12:45 PM

Glenn, it can be tought raising your parents and getting them to do stuff you want them to do.

Just ask my Kids!!!!!!!

Coltgov101, go for it. Post away...you will be surprised how many others will have similar memories.

Redwing · 11-23-2009, 01:10 PM

Coltgov,

Many of us have spent our summers at the lake for many years, and it would be a pleasure to read your memories! I am approaching my 57th summer of enjoying life at the lake. Up until I was 21, my family spent all summer/every summer at our cottage, and I worked in various retail/restaurant venues in the Lakes Region during my college years. After graduating from college and getting a real job, those summers came to an abrupt end, and I joined the ranks of spending hard-earned vacation time at the lake, when I could. In short, please do write your memories for the sake of family posterity ... and our enjoyment!

glennsteely · 11-25-2009, 09:40 AM

I know, right? It is hard raising your parents. "It's a tough job but someone has to do it," "this hurts me more than it hurts you" and "tough love" are expressions that come to mind here.

Now that my Dad is "retired," there is no reason why he can't make the trek. Someone back me up here, will you??

tis · 11-25-2009, 11:01 AM

Consider yourself backed up glenn!

LakesRegionSpirit · 11-25-2009, 11:33 AM

Glen, I've sent you an email and your dad a PM. If one of you could get in touch? Thanks. Kevin

glennsteely · 11-28-2009, 09:20 AM

Kevin, please send to glennsteely@yahoo.com I would love to chat....I sent you an e-mail as well.
Glenn

Lakesrider · 11-29-2009, 09:14 PM

Agreed. All too often memories are lost in the dust, which we all become again.
Writing down those memories, thoughts, ideas, emotions, are not just important for your own family but to us all. So don't be a selfish old fuddy duddy and let us join in your memories. There that ought to get him going.....

eillac@dow · 11-29-2009, 11:26 PM

Coltgov101~

A couple words will lead to many.

My parents came to NH in 1951-2. We have sat around campfires listening to the stories over the years......but we never wrote them down. But we do still pass them down. Take a few minutes and share if you would. Once you do......some many others will soon follow.

Thank you.
eillac@dow

coltgov101 · 12-04-2009, 12:23 AM

I will try this again.My last reply disappeared when I tried to post it. My first summer was in 1954. My parents bought a cabin with no shower or bathtub for $5400. That included almost a 100 foot of shoreline! Ha, Ha. The cabin meant almost nothing, it was a place to rest your head at night,little more than that, the lake was the big attraction, and I felt like aquaman spending my summers there. The water was so pristine than and the following summer I received a rowboat,that really gave me a chance to explore, it became a wonderland, you could see to the bottom to about 40 feet and the rock formations and aquatic life was incredible. Water lilies complete with frogs on the leaves were commonplace, is that still so today? I became a fisherman without equal, but to this day I still say I was the first catch and release guy as I hated to see the fish die. Crayfish and catfish were especially fascinating , they used to live in the shallows then and were incredible to watch.My mother and I used to watch a mother catfish bring her babies in to our beach to feed and it is a sight I will never forget. I could go on and on and I will if this posts correctly, and people are interested in my memories.

Onshore · 12-04-2009, 09:22 AM

Does anyone else here keep a camp journal? Not a personal diary but a camp journal that anyone can write their thoughts in. I have relatives who have kept one for their current place on the lake since they purchased it. I knew nothing about it until a couple of years ago when an aunt showed it to me. There were entries in it by aunts, uncles, grandparents and old family friends. It was great to be able to go back and read through them.

VitaBene · 12-04-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coltgov101

I will try this again.My last reply disappeared when I tried to post it. My first summer was in 1954. My parents bought a cabin with no shower or bathtub for $5400. That included almost a 100 foot of shoreline! Ha, Ha. The cabin meant almost nothing, it was a place to rest your head at night,little more than that, the lake was the big attraction, and I felt like aquaman spending my summers there. The water was so pristine than and the following summer I received a rowboat,that really gave me a chance to explore, it became a wonderland, you could see to the bottom to about 40 feet and the rock formations and aquatic life was incredible. Water lilies complete with frogs on the leaves were commonplace, is that still so today? I became a fisherman without equal, but to this day I still say I was the first catch and release guy as I hated to see the fish die. Crayfish and catfish were especially fascinating , they used to live in the shallows then and were incredible to watch.My mother and I used to watch a mother catfish bring her babies in to our beach to feed and it is a sight I will never forget. I could go on and on and I will if this posts correctly, and people are interested in my memories.

Wow- $5400! That is unbelievable. Where were your travelling from and how did you get to the lake (was 93 here then?)

Pineedles · 12-04-2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shore things

Does anyone else here keep a camp journal? Not a personal diary but a camp journal that anyone can write their thoughts in. I have relatives who have kept one for their current place on the lake since they purchased it. I knew nothing about it until a couple of years ago when an aunt showed it to me. There were entries in it by aunts, uncles, grandparents and old family friends. It was great to be able to go back and read through them.

Yes, we keep one at our cottage. Since we share the place with relatives, each spending about 2 weeks from June through September, each family writes in the journal typically at the conclusion of their 2 weeks. Topics include what the family did while they were there, what they saw, where they ate, etc. I remember writing one passage about the strange empty bug shells that were clinging to the walls and screens on the porch and wondering what type of bug came out of them. It looked like some huge spider emerged but that wasn't what it was. It turned out to be dragonflys.

colt17 · 12-04-2009, 11:00 AM

I love the idea of a camp journal. So many friends and family members come to visit during the summer and the memories and stories start to blend together over the year. I just told my wife I want a camp journal for xmass

tis · 12-04-2009, 11:05 AM

We have a place that is all rentals and we keep one there. It is so much fun to read what everybody writes.

mcdude · 12-04-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shore things

Does anyone else here keep a camp journal?

Well It's actually a "Guest Book" that was started at the old cottage and moved with us to the new cottage. All guests and renters are asked to share a few thoughts. It's a lot of fun to look through over the years. It includes what kind of wildlife people saw, fish they caught, where they went, who they met and other adventures. There are even a few photos attached. Great idea for a gift!

Flylady · 12-04-2009, 03:56 PM

My Great Uncle started a camp journal or guest book in 1955 when he purchased his camp on the lake. As a very young child I remember my Uncle reminding us at the end of our cherished visits to write in the guest book. Every summer he had guests from all over including Sweden. He continued that journal until he passed away in 1989. While the camp was later cleaned out by other family members and sold, the journals may have been lost. How sad. As life unfolded, I was able to recapture my love of the lake and all of those memories when I decided to go back to my roots and purchased a place on the lake about 5 years ago. I started my own "guest Book". This summer as many of my cousins were visiting, while sitting around the fire pit, they began to share stories about thier stays at Uncle Carl's and his insistance that they write in the journal. We all truly as adults have come to understand the precious memories that those journals contained and wish we could find them! But the memories live on...

John A. Birdsall · 12-04-2009, 06:55 PM

My grandfather kept a camp journal for the cottage in Merrymeeting Cove, and it was interesting and sometimes we have to use it to find out how he did something or when it was done. he recorded purchasing lumber from Barnes and how much it cost. He drew diagrams with measurments on it, and he talked about there trips from Melrose Mass to the cottage and where they ate. He mentioned who was at the camp an when. When the cottage was turned over to my father, he has done the same thing. We used it this summer when we were having trouble with the drain system in the cottage its fun of sorts to say something was done in say 1975 and then find that it was 1962. And back when we did not have a truck available how did they get the material to the camp they tied it on the roof of the car. That may not seem odd but think of a steel glidder on the roof. Family cottages have many memories and need to be shared.

Pineedles · 12-04-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John A. Birdsall

My grandfather kept a camp journal for the cottage in Merrymeeting Cove, and it was interesting and sometimes we have to use it to find out how he did something or when it was done. he recorded purchasing lumber from Barnes and how much it cost. He drew diagrams with measurments on it, and he talked about there trips from Melrose Mass to the cottage and where they ate. He mentioned who was at the camp an when. When the cottage was turned over to my father, he has done the same thing. We used it this summer when we were having trouble with the drain system in the cottage its fun of sorts to say something was done in say 1975 and then find that it was 1962. And back when we did not have a truck available how did they get the material to the camp they tied it on the roof of the car. That may not seem odd but think of a steel glidder on the roof. Family cottages have many memories and need to be shared.

OMG, my grandfather did the same thing with "opening camp" instructions and "closing" camp of the same. Included were hand drawings of how everything worked. He was an MIT engineer who had a Boston business selling and installing DURO pumps, and I have to assume some were sold in the LR area. Our's still works!

Argie's Wife · 12-05-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John A. Birdsall

Family cottages have many memories and need to be shared.

That would make a great photo-essay book about the LR... (I'm not running with that ball but maybe someone else will....)

coltgov101 · 12-07-2009, 11:03 PM

As I said before this was a time that you owened the Lake. The population than was so limited, everyone knew every sound of everyone's boat and very few ventioned out at night. It was a real avent to go to the Weirs to see the fireworks on Sunday night.I could go on and on if you want , let me know, I could write a book.

ApS · 12-08-2009, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coltgov101

"...everyone knew every sound of everyone's boat and very few ventured out at night..."

Sometimes a meal and a board-game "across the way" would end hours after dark. Since my boat wasn't equipped with lights, many times I navigated home without lights—using "starshine" when there wasn't any moonlight. (Just as my Dad did, while sailing to the Wolfeboro "Casino" at night).

(In my new winter neighborhood, I watch commercial crabbers tend their traps in the wee hours. They also don't use any lights).

I certainly knew the sound of a Winnipesaukee neighbor's boat, a large wood Chris-Craft cruiser, the "Sea Witch". He would get "tanked", turn off his lights, and chase anyone else out on the lake at night—including me!

(Fortunately, my night vision was never affected by dashboard lighting, and I could "zig-zag" away).

The Chris-Craft had a turquoise deck—he also owned a steamboat, from which, I don't recall hearing any sounds. The CC was very well maintained and recently sold at his estate's auction for around a half-million bucks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by coltgov101

"...I could go on and on if you want , let me know, I could write a book.

Please do: especially share your "Sounds of the Lake...Past"

I was never so brave as to go all the way to the Weirs for fireworks, but we could certainly hear them!

Janet · 12-08-2009, 06:59 AM

It was a big event going to the Weirs on Sunday nights. We'd all pile in the car, get the "Karamel Korn" on the pier, listen to the group of the week playing or singing on the bandstand above the train station and await the signal from "Dominick" on the beach that the fireworks were ready to start. Please continue Coltgov101, your postings have brought back some wonderful memories.

coltgov101 · 12-08-2009, 10:21 PM

To everyone concerned, we lived in N.J. and no there was no Rt. 93 then, there was no NJ turnpike either, it used to take us 12 hours to get to the Lake. In later years we made it in about 6 and one half hours. We had a place in Spindle Point,outside of Meredith, a beautiful piece of property with a natural cove beach, protected from the wind, by the landscape, and a lovely area for a dock, which was wonderful on really windy days. You boaters know how that is, I am sure I don't have to explain! I hope this doesn't upset anyone but my friends and I had a routine to meet girls. We would water ski up and down Meredith Bay and if we saw girls floating on air rafts that looked interesting we would fall from the boat, accidently of course, and strike up a conversation. In those days if you had a boat that went 40 MPH you had something. We hardly ever ventured out at night, just to see the fireworks at the Weirs,which now that I think about it was almost a suicide mission, you could'nt see a thing! Thank goodness there was no boat traffic back then! We had to almost feel our way back home. I will go on and on, just give me a chance. I haven't even started about my scuba diving and what that lead me to!

Island Life · 12-09-2009, 09:49 AM

coltgov - keep going. I lost my dad a couple years ago. He was probably a contemporary of yours, spent every summer of his life on the Lake and probably had pretty similar stories ("falling off" the boat - haha). He'd been saying for the last few years that he was going to write them all down, but ....
At the end, we got a few stories on video tape, thank goodness. You keep telling your stories and I'll just pretend your my dad.

Redwing · 12-09-2009, 11:13 AM

My friends and I also had devised ways in which to meet young men on the lake. Green's Basin Girl's sister and I would gather the canoes and the younger girls in our lake neighborhood (including GBG), and canoed from Green's Basin all the way to Melvin Village. Our plan? We pretended to be a girls camp (we even had a name based on our last names: Camp Lehweeschni. We older gals were the "counselors" and the younger ones were the "campers". In those days, there were always numerous boy's camps on canoe trips, and our plan worked!

Another very successful way to meet boys on the lake: we pretended to have engine trouble (tried and true, I know!), but it worked every time. We'd disconnect the fuel line and pull, pull away at our motors. The things we did to meet young men on the lake!

Wonderful memories! Does anyone remember the Teen Haven dances at the Weirs? A favorite spot for us (lake gals) and a great place to meet other teens, local and otherwise.

Pepper · 12-09-2009, 08:44 PM

I am totally loving this thread. Keep the stories coming!!!!!

RLW · 12-10-2009, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pepper

I am totally loving this thread. Keep the stories coming!!!!!

Happy Holidays Pepper

Pineedles · 12-10-2009, 08:38 AM

Back in the early '60s my Dad was driving our PennYann while my Uncle was serving as shotgun for my aunt who was skiing. Well, with my Aunt in the water ready to catch the ski rope my Uncle decides to do a cowboy rope twirl around his head with the ski rope to "lasso" my Aunt the rope. His circles got a bit too long and zapped my Dad in the eyebrow with the ski handles. Dad, with his hand on the steering wheel throttle cringes and flips the throttle to full. My Uncle is flipped into the water and Dad does his best to stop the blood and the boat. If it wasn't for his injury, 5 stitches, it would have been comical to watch.

coltgov101 · 12-10-2009, 11:49 PM

I was never much of a dancer, but there was some kind of fire escape on the side of the bldg.I would stand in there all night long to watch the drummer in the band.I learned so much that summer from him and I don't even know his name.

Redwing · 12-11-2009, 10:53 AM

Yes.... Teen Haven was THE place to be if you were a teenager in the 60s! If memory serves me correctly, Ron Piche (of ski shop fame) was in that band, or one of the bands that played over the course of several years. He may well have been the drummer. We gals used to pay IslandAL of this Forum to drive us to the Weirs (before we could legally drive), and we gave him the hefty sum of one quarter each.

Met lots of interesting people at those dances, some of whom I still know to this day.

Greene's Basin Girl · 12-11-2009, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redwing

Yes.... Teen Haven was THE place to be if you were a teenager in the 60s! If memory serves me correctly, Ron Piche (of ski shop fame) was in that band, or one of the bands that played over the course of several years. He may well have been the drummer. We gals used to pay IslandAL of this Forum to drive us to the Weirs (before we could legally drive), and we gave him the hefty sum of one quarter each.

Met lots of interesting people at those dances, some of whom I still know to this day.

After Teen Haven closed we would go down to the place at the end of the pier. That place had bands from all over the country. I would stand right in front of the band. I am surprised that my hearing is still good. Can anyone remember the name of the place? The miniature golf place was under the pier so we would often play golf also.

coltgov101 · 12-12-2009, 12:49 AM

I know in later years , after teen haven closed some big name groups came to the (Winnipesaukee Gardens) not sure of the name, it was down the board walk at the large bldg. over the water. Some of my friends saw famous groups of the time there although I never went. Guess I was getting older and I never liked large groups of people. I am sure there is a phobia for that but never pursued it. My memories come from a less busy time, a time like I said before, when I felt like I owened the lake.

riverat · 12-12-2009, 07:33 AM

I spent all my summers at Sawyer Lake in Gilmington, the 60's were great with dances in the street and bonfires on the beach every friday and saturday nights and that ocassional trip to the weirs to watch the fireworks. Riding in my fathers studabaker stuck in traffic on weirs blvd as the fireworks are going off and I caught the 5.00 coupon for the arcade as it drifted down on a parachute from one of the fireworks. I remember one night at the weirs when a bunch of people arriving at the docks in boats were all dressed up in silver suits that made them look like aliens from space, so funny. barbershop quartet on top of the train depot, so many great memories.

bkeav111 · 12-12-2009, 03:51 PM

My summers started in the summer of 1955. My parents bought a cottage at the north end of Sachem Cove. We were lucky because we got to spend our summers there. We also learned our boating and fishing there. I, too, remember the crawfish, but you don't see many now. I would love to know if one of you are one of the friends we had that made those summers so special.
Would love to hear from those that spent there summers there around that time. (bbkeav111@aol.com.
Those summer were so special many years later I bought a place on Lockes Island and am enjoying the lake again with my family

tis · 12-12-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkeav111

My summers started in the summer of 1955. My parents bought a cottage at the north end of Sachem Cove. We were lucky because we got to spend our summers there. We also learned our boating and fishing there. I, too, remember the crawfish, but you don't see many now. I would love to know if one of you are one of the friends we had that made those summers so special.
Would love to hear from those that spent there summers there around that time. (bbkeav111@aol.com.
Those summer were so special many years later I bought a place on Lockes Island and am enjoying the lake again with my family

That is true, there doesn't seem to be any where near as many crayfish now as there were when we were kids. Frogs seem less numerous too. But I don't remember having blue herons around then either.

Greene's Basin Girl · 12-13-2009, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

That is true, there doesn't seem to be any where near as many crayfish now as there were when we were kids. Frogs seem less numerous too. But I don't remember having blue herons around then either.

I remember seeing many herons, and of course loons, in the 50's and 60's.

ApS · 12-13-2009, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island Life

"...You keep telling your stories and I'll just pretend your my dad..."

Nicely said.

This thread has the potential of becoming a huge book—although the title, Tales of Our Fathers, is already taken.

Quote:

Originally Posted by coltgov101

"...we lived in N.J. and no there was no Rt. 93 then, there was no NJ turnpike either, it used to take us 12 hours to get to the Lake..."

It was very much a "hike", just from Rhode Island. (Though one year, at eight years of age, I left Hawaii to attend Wolfeboro's Camp Wyanoke—traveling alone!)

I don't recall the exact passage through Massachusetts—we kids remember passing by the candy store "Putnam's Pantries" along the way

—and then entering into a darkly-forested tube that magically appeared at the New Hampshire border.

At that "border-moment", we kids would break into a made-up song, "Oh, we're going to New Hampshire, New Hampshire, New Hampshire...". (Mimicking a song popular in Hawaii at the time).

...My Dad has proved to be a very patient Dad.

The sun would flicker brightly through the forest as we drove along the road to Wolfeboro—which may be the same road now known as the "Old Wolfeboro Road".

Later, Spaulding Turnpike signage had us directed to New Hampshire's "Lakes and Mountains" at an immense Portsmouth rotary: in the 60s—perhaps?

tis · 12-13-2009, 08:10 AM

Do you really? That's very interesting. I don't remember any. Maybe I just don't remember or maybe there just weren't any in our area.

Redwing · 12-13-2009, 08:36 PM

Our drive from Connecticut in the 50s and 60s was also a very long one, longer than today's four and one half hour drive. It took us about 7 hours, and my parents would always leave at 2:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m.which meant that my brother and I slept for most of the trip. I do remember, however, that when we entered New Hampshire, my father would always open his car window, and as he said, would "flush" out all of the Connecticut air, and fill the car with New Hampshire air. Believe it or not, that is still a tradition which we follow today.... as soon as we hit the Welcome to New Hamshire/Bienvenue au New Hampshire sign, we do the same thing! Old habits die hard.

We were very fortunate in that as soon as school was out at the end of June each year, we headed to the lake for the entire summer. Life was very, very simple then.... no tv, no electricity, not even indoor plumbing in those early years at the lake.... and no telephone. And yes, there were so few of us in our area of the lake, we could tell by the sound of outboard or inboard motors who was coming through the channel...We all knew each other, and we all knew many of the Moultonboro year-round residents

Redwing · 12-13-2009, 08:53 PM

GBG,
It was Irwin Gardens where the big name bands played, and then it became Winnipesaukee Gardens. I remember seeing the Beach Boys there...very popular spot apres Teen Haven.

Greene's Basin Girl · 12-13-2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redwing

GBG,
It was Irwin Gardens where the big name bands played, and then it became Winnipesaukee Gardens. I remember seeing the Beach Boys there...very popular spot apres Teen Haven.

Thanks Redwing. I couldn't remember the name. It sure was a fun place. We had such a good time dancing and listening to the bands.

Tiger Lilly · 12-14-2009, 04:59 PM

Who remembers Ernie Piper and his overalls??

tis · 12-14-2009, 05:03 PM

I sure do, always putting the mail in the slots, sometimes stopping to wait on a customer if Bob Pigott wasn't there! What memories. We always loved to take the boat up to Ernie's for a coke or candy bar.

Greene's Basin Girl · 12-15-2009, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

I sure do, always putting the mail in the slots, sometimes stopping to wait on a customer if Bob Pigott wasn't there! What memories. We always loved to take the boat up to Ernie's for a coke or candy bar.

Back in the 50's we spent our summers in Green's Basin like we do now. Back then there wasn't a road to the cottage so we traveled back and forth to the mainland by boat. We learned how to drive the boat when we were very young. One time my brother and I were out in the boat when the motor fell off. My mother reminds me of what I said. I yelled "Mommy- Scotty ( my brother's name) lost the motor. I am not sure how we got to shore, but I do remember that we didn't get in trouble since my late father put all the motors on the boats. I remember that one of our motors was a green Mercury. We also had cows at the end of the basin that would stand in water. Can you imagine what people would say now if that happened! There were also cabins that were rented out during the summer. The coattages had red row boats. We always enjoyed seeing the renters having a good time in the row boats. Also one time my sister was casting off the dock (we called it a wharf back then) when she got the fishhook caught in her head. Our boat was on the mainland so my mother didn't know what to do. She was alone her aunt and 3 kids- with no running water or electricity etc. She looked across the lake and she saw a couple of guys on the mainland. She yelled to them to bring the boat over which they did. It turned out they were on the mainland because they were updating a topographic map of the lake. I even think they brought my sister with my mom to the local doctor in Moultonborough. I believe his name was Dr. Rasip ( spelled incorrectly). The doctor took the fishhook out and my sister was fine. We spent endless days swimming and reading comics in the hammock on the porch. We had 3 gas lights in the house and we didn't have any lights at all up in the bedrooms. We used flashlights. I spent many nights trying to kill all the mosquitoes that would swarm into the cottage because the screens were never air tight. At night I would read by flashlight or listen to my transistor radio. Life was simple, but not easy. Back then we took our baths in the lake as we only had a hand pump in the house. There were times when the lake was very cold, but we went in to clean up. The outhouse wasn't much fun either. The memories though are so wonderful. Children today often do not have a clue what life was like without TV, computers, microwaves, etc. We played a lot of cards and the family always spent time together.

Tiger Lilly · 12-15-2009, 07:47 AM

LOVED reading your memories Green Basin Girl, and everyone's...keep them coming!

Redwing · 12-15-2009, 11:50 AM

I hope others will chime in with their stories of the lake in simpler times! GBG, I remember hearing about the fish-hook story, and the Moultonboro doctor's name was Dr. Ratsep. Another memory: Your sister and I -- and many other lake friends - used to spend the good part of every day at Arey's marina (before we all turned 16 and had lots of time on our hands). Ray Arey, the owner's son, was part of our lake group and we must have driven his poor Father, Howard Arey, crazy. We basically took over the place, swam off of the gas-pump dock, water-skied off of their docks, lazed around on the picnic tables and basically had lots of fun. I remember a woman who worked at Arey's by the name of Hazel Straw (I think that was her last name), and she worked in the store where you could buy sandwiches and other treats. Gas was about $.25/gallon in those days, and Howard Arey kept all of our parents' credit cards "on file" so that we could fill up our putt putts anytime we needed gas, without exchanging any cash. Oh my... how lucky we all were!! Love sharing these random, treasured memories!

coltgov101 · 12-16-2009, 07:43 PM

We never kept a camp journal, although we had much company, My parents had many friends, and they visited us often.We had a huge wall tent that would contain the overflow. My mother was a school teacher so we spent our entire summer there, I know now that she missed my father greatly, he could only come up for the month of August,he would save his vacation for that entire month. At this point in time I was a better boat driver than my father, so it was my job to show our guests around the Lake. It was my pleasure, as I loved the Lake like nothing I have loved since. When my parents retired I realized that my Lake was going to disappear, I could not afford the taxes, (the mortage was long paid off.) I had my own family at that point, and could not afford to keep two homes. I have many more memories, though and would love to share.

coltgov101 · 12-17-2009, 02:54 AM

We had a special way of coming into the dock, We had a spotlight on the boat. (In those days a very special thing) And a huge spotlight on the waterfront at the dock. It was very easy to find our way home from the fireworks, My uncle was an electrican, and every time he came to visit he would install lighting that anyone else would pay dearly for. For those of you that are interested we were at Sachem Cove Rd. Number13 Spindle Point in Sachem cove, I think one of the best spots on the Lake.

VitaBene · 12-17-2009, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green's Basin Girl

Back in the 50's we spent our summers in Green's Basin like we do now. Back then there wasn't a road to the cottage so we traveled back and forth to the mainland by boat. We learned how to drive the boat when we were very young. One time my brother and I were out in the boat when the motor fell off. My mother reminds me of what I said. I yelled "Mommy- Scotty ( my brother's name) lost the motor. I am not sure how we got to shore, but I do remember that we didn't get in trouble since my late father put all the motors on the boats. I remember that one of our motors was a green Mercury. We also had cows at the end of the basin that would stand in water. Can you imagine what people would say now if that happened! There were also cabins that were rented out during the summer. The coattages had red row boats. We always enjoyed seeing the renters having a good time in the row boats. Also one time my sister was casting off the dock (we called it a wharf back then) when she got the fishhook caught in her head. Our boat was on the mainland so my mother didn't know what to do. She was alone her aunt and 3 kids- with no running water or electricity etc. She looked across the lake and she saw a couple of guys on the mainland. She yelled to them to bring the boat over which they did. It turned out they were on the mainland because they were updating a topographic map of the lake. I even think they brought my sister with my mom to the local doctor in Moultonborough. I believe his name was Dr. Rasip ( spelled incorrectly). The doctor took the fishhook out and my sister was fine. We spent endless days swimming and reading comics in the hammock on the porch. We had 3 gas lights in the house and we didn't have any lights at all up in the bedrooms. We used flashlights. I spent many nights trying to kill all the mosquitoes that would swarm into the cottage because the screens were never air tight. At night I would read by flashlight or listen to my transistor radio. Life was simple, but not easy. Back then we took our baths in the lake as we only had a hand pump in the house. There were times when the lake was very cold, but we went in to clean up. The outhouse wasn't much fun either. The memories though are so wonderful. Children today often do not have a clue what life was like without TV, computers, microwaves, etc. We played a lot of cards and the family always spent time together.

Great stories. We just bought a house that has "rangeway access" which meant that farmers had the right to move their cattle across your land to get to the water (in our case Berry Pond). I am assuming that is how the cows got into the Basin back then

bkeav111 · 12-17-2009, 10:18 AM

We were in sachem cove the deepest in the cove. If you come down the road and make a right and it was the first house on the left. I think the Bock's were next door and next to them was Sunstrand. I would love to chat with you my email is bkeav111@aol.com sorry I made a mistake on the last one.

glennsteely · 12-18-2009, 02:49 PM

Now your talking (now we will never get him to shut up) HEHEHE!! Now there is even someone from Sachem cove to talk to....

I remember the Bach's very well....their mailbox said Bach's Box....I thought that was the funniest thing, they were good friends of my grandparents, and by the road they had a large patch of wild strawberries, which they gave me free range to pick. My dad knows the Sunstrands I think, I know I have heard the name before....Welcome back Dad, I'm so excited.....

By the way, my father is coltgov101....

Tiger Lilly · 12-18-2009, 08:23 PM

[QUOTE=coltgov101;114513 It was my pleasure, as I loved the Lake like nothing I have loved since.[/QUOTE]

I know what you mean! I love the lake like nothing else. I can't explain it and have often wondered if there are others out there who love it as much as I do. Maybe it's due to all the wonderful care free summers as a kid.

trfour · 12-18-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiger Lilly

I know what you mean! I love the lake like nothing else. I can't explain it and have often wondered if there are others out there who love it as much as I do. Maybe it's due to all the wonderful care free summers as a kid.

[Quote]= ; "I can't explain it and have often wondered if there are others out there who love it as much as I do." ...

I think that the aforementioned phrase out here has put it into words that we can all very much appreciate! "Smile Of The Great Spirit"!

This covers us all, so to speak.

... as in, Oldtimers & Young'ns alike.

coltgov101 · 12-21-2009, 10:43 PM

You have to be a McKeavy, (not sure of the spelling) I tried to send you an e-mail but for some reason it would'nt go through. I am coltgov101@aol.com, would love to hear from you!

glennsteely · 12-22-2009, 12:25 PM

I would say he/she is, check out his/her name, bkeav111. It would be real cool to find out you hung out with her family when you were a kid. What are your plans for the holidays? Give me a call when you get a minute.

coltgov101 · 12-22-2009, 08:59 PM

I still need to see something from the McKeanvy"s (not sure of the spelling) I think I know exackly h\who they are. Glenn if you read this (asI am sure you will) I wish you the best of the season, I know you know I am thinking of you and Scott even though I don't see you.

glennsteely · 12-25-2009, 05:21 PM

I know whats up, thanks and have a Merry Christmas....Love, Glenn III

coltgov101 · 12-27-2009, 11:37 PM

Another thing I remember about the Point was our fire reporting system. There were members of the s.p. c. a. Spindlle Point civic assoc. that were concerned the response time of the Meredith fire dept. would not help us. They were four miles away, country road, etc, all valanteers, limited equipment, not ready for a forest fire that was a possibility. I always thought that we could escape by boat if need be but I was just a kid. What did I know. Anyway we established this system of air horns on trees in every other driveway or so and thought that would save us. Little did we know what the winters would do to the air horns. In those days there was only a phone at every fourth house or so and it was a party line, if someone was even home, thank goodness we never needed to use it.

11-22-2009, 11:48 PM	#1
coltgov101 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Nj now. Spindle point in the past.(35 yrs.) Posts: 87 Thanks: 105 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Keeping in touch My son has made me feel guilty for not posting, I have enough memories of the lake after forty summers there to write a book. Maybe that is something i should do, now that i am retired, let us see what other people think.

11-23-2009, 03:41 AM	#3
Old Hubbard Rd Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 462 Thanks: 141 Thanked 54 Times in 33 Posts	Where did you spend time What part of the lake did you grow up on?

11-23-2009, 09:50 AM	#4
glennsteely Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Mantua, N.J. Posts: 472 Thanks: 90 Thanked 111 Times in 38 Posts	You should feel guilty, Dad.... You have a wealth of knowledge about the Winnipesaukee area, that I want you to share, thats why I told you about this forum. I love you Dad, and I love the fact that we have shared time at the lake, and now I share it with my family. My Grandparents had a cottage in Sachem's Cove, on Spindle Point in Meredith. My Father (coltgov101) spent just about all of his childhood summers there. I grew up in my Grandparents home, so I spent all my summers there as well. The Lake is near and dear to both my Father and I, and I wish he would get off his butt and make a trip up. __________________ You have to go out on a limb sometimes, cause that is where the fruit is. You can't get to the fruit from that nice safe spot, clinging to the trunk of the tree......

11-23-2009, 12:45 PM	#6
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,547 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,398 Thanked 1,918 Times in 1,061 Posts	It can be tough Glenn, it can be tought raising your parents and getting them to do stuff you want them to do. Just ask my Kids!!!!!!! Coltgov101, go for it. Post away...you will be surprised how many others will have similar memories. __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

11-23-2009, 01:10 PM	#7
Redwing Deceased Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Haven, Connecticut and summer resident of Moultonborough, NH since 1952 Posts: 216 Thanks: 324 Thanked 43 Times in 27 Posts	Post and blog away! Coltgov, Many of us have spent our summers at the lake for many years, and it would be a pleasure to read your memories! I am approaching my 57th summer of enjoying life at the lake. Up until I was 21, my family spent all summer/every summer at our cottage, and I worked in various retail/restaurant venues in the Lakes Region during my college years. After graduating from college and getting a real job, those summers came to an abrupt end, and I joined the ranks of spending hard-earned vacation time at the lake, when I could. In short, please do write your memories for the sake of family posterity ... and our enjoyment!

11-23-2009, 01:51 AM	#2
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,532 Thanks: 1,574 Thanked 1,607 Times in 822 Posts	There are a lot of us that would love your perspectives. Post away!

11-23-2009, 12:43 PM	#5
Airwaves Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: I'm right here! Posts: 1,153 Thanks: 9 Thanked 102 Times in 37 Posts	coltgov101 I'm with your son on this one. My Dad who recently passed away also spent all of his summers at the lake at the family cottage while growing up and had hundreds of stories. He wasn't a real talker so all of those stories with the exception of one or two are now gone. Even if you don't share them here, jot them down somewhere, a diary, in the computer, somewhere. Believe me your kids and grandchildren and beyond will be grateful! Good luck and welcome aboard!

11-25-2009, 09:40 AM	#8
glennsteely Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Mantua, N.J. Posts: 472 Thanks: 90 Thanked 111 Times in 38 Posts	upthesaukee.... I know, right? It is hard raising your parents. "It's a tough job but someone has to do it," "this hurts me more than it hurts you" and "tough love" are expressions that come to mind here. Now that my Dad is "retired," there is no reason why he can't make the trek. Someone back me up here, will you?? __________________ You have to go out on a limb sometimes, cause that is where the fruit is. You can't get to the fruit from that nice safe spot, clinging to the trunk of the tree......

11-25-2009, 11:01 AM	#9
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,410 Thanks: 719 Thanked 1,381 Times in 957 Posts	Consider yourself backed up glenn!

11-25-2009, 11:33 AM	#10
LakesRegionSpirit Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gilford Posts: 188 Thanks: 7 Thanked 40 Times in 21 Posts	Glen, I've sent you an email and your dad a PM. If one of you could get in touch? Thanks. Kevin __________________ __________________________________________ Lakes Region Spirit "Seeking the soul of the Lakes Region one story at a time" www.LakesRegionSpirit.com

11-28-2009, 09:20 AM	#11
glennsteely Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Mantua, N.J. Posts: 472 Thanks: 90 Thanked 111 Times in 38 Posts	I didnt get it... Kevin, please send to glennsteely@yahoo.com I would love to chat....I sent you an e-mail as well. Glenn __________________ You have to go out on a limb sometimes, cause that is where the fruit is. You can't get to the fruit from that nice safe spot, clinging to the trunk of the tree...... Last edited by glennsteely; 11-28-2009 at 09:21 AM. Reason: add name

11-29-2009, 09:14 PM	#12
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	Agreed. All too often memories are lost in the dust, which we all become again. Writing down those memories, thoughts, ideas, emotions, are not just important for your own family but to us all. So don't be a selfish old fuddy duddy and let us join in your memories. There that ought to get him going.....

11-29-2009, 11:26 PM	#13
eillac@dow Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dow Island & Weymouth, MA Posts: 365 Thanks: 295 Thanked 94 Times in 48 Posts	Coltgov101~ A couple words will lead to many. My parents came to NH in 1951-2. We have sat around campfires listening to the stories over the years......but we never wrote them down. But we do still pass them down. Take a few minutes and share if you would. Once you do......some many others will soon follow. Thank you. eillac@dow

12-04-2009, 12:23 AM	#14
coltgov101 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Nj now. Spindle point in the past.(35 yrs.) Posts: 87 Thanks: 105 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Memories I will try this again.My last reply disappeared when I tried to post it. My first summer was in 1954. My parents bought a cabin with no shower or bathtub for $5400. That included almost a 100 foot of shoreline! Ha, Ha. The cabin meant almost nothing, it was a place to rest your head at night,little more than that, the lake was the big attraction, and I felt like aquaman spending my summers there. The water was so pristine than and the following summer I received a rowboat,that really gave me a chance to explore, it became a wonderland, you could see to the bottom to about 40 feet and the rock formations and aquatic life was incredible. Water lilies complete with frogs on the leaves were commonplace, is that still so today? I became a fisherman without equal, but to this day I still say I was the first catch and release guy as I hated to see the fish die. Crayfish and catfish were especially fascinating , they used to live in the shallows then and were incredible to watch.My mother and I used to watch a mother catfish bring her babies in to our beach to feed and it is a sight I will never forget. I could go on and on and I will if this posts correctly, and people are interested in my memories.

12-04-2009, 09:22 AM	#15
Onshore Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 500 Thanks: 12 Thanked 400 Times in 143 Posts	Does anyone else here keep a camp journal? Not a personal diary but a camp journal that anyone can write their thoughts in. I have relatives who have kept one for their current place on the lake since they purchased it. I knew nothing about it until a couple of years ago when an aunt showed it to me. There were entries in it by aunts, uncles, grandparents and old family friends. It was great to be able to go back and read through them.

12-04-2009, 11:00 AM	#18
colt17 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hollis NH/Laconia Posts: 132 Thanks: 62 Thanked 17 Times in 12 Posts	Great Idea!!! I love the idea of a camp journal. So many friends and family members come to visit during the summer and the memories and stories start to blend together over the year. I just told my wife I want a camp journal for xmass

12-04-2009, 11:05 AM	#19
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,410 Thanks: 719 Thanked 1,381 Times in 957 Posts	We have a place that is all rentals and we keep one there. It is so much fun to read what everybody writes.

12-04-2009, 03:56 PM	#21
Flylady Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: So. California & Lakes Region Posts: 256 Thanks: 225 Thanked 106 Times in 61 Posts	Camp Guests My Great Uncle started a camp journal or guest book in 1955 when he purchased his camp on the lake. As a very young child I remember my Uncle reminding us at the end of our cherished visits to write in the guest book. Every summer he had guests from all over including Sweden. He continued that journal until he passed away in 1989. While the camp was later cleaned out by other family members and sold, the journals may have been lost. How sad. As life unfolded, I was able to recapture my love of the lake and all of those memories when I decided to go back to my roots and purchased a place on the lake about 5 years ago. I started my own "guest Book". This summer as many of my cousins were visiting, while sitting around the fire pit, they began to share stories about thier stays at Uncle Carl's and his insistance that they write in the journal. We all truly as adults have come to understand the precious memories that those journals contained and wish we could find them! But the memories live on...

12-04-2009, 06:55 PM	#22
John A. Birdsall Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 599 Thanks: 27 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	camp Journal My grandfather kept a camp journal for the cottage in Merrymeeting Cove, and it was interesting and sometimes we have to use it to find out how he did something or when it was done. he recorded purchasing lumber from Barnes and how much it cost. He drew diagrams with measurments on it, and he talked about there trips from Melrose Mass to the cottage and where they ate. He mentioned who was at the camp an when. When the cottage was turned over to my father, he has done the same thing. We used it this summer when we were having trouble with the drain system in the cottage its fun of sorts to say something was done in say 1975 and then find that it was 1962. And back when we did not have a truck available how did they get the material to the camp they tied it on the roof of the car. That may not seem odd but think of a steel glidder on the roof. Family cottages have many memories and need to be shared.

12-07-2009, 11:03 PM	#25
coltgov101 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Nj now. Spindle point in the past.(35 yrs.) Posts: 87 Thanks: 105 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	more info on my days at the Lake As I said before this was a time that you owened the Lake. The population than was so limited, everyone knew every sound of everyone's boat and very few ventioned out at night. It was a real avent to go to the Weirs to see the fireworks on Sunday night.I could go on and on if you want , let me know, I could write a book.

12-08-2009, 06:59 AM	#27
Janet Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 467 Thanks: 230 Thanked 130 Times in 88 Posts	It was a big event going to the Weirs on Sunday nights. We'd all pile in the car, get the "Karamel Korn" on the pier, listen to the group of the week playing or singing on the bandstand above the train station and await the signal from "Dominick" on the beach that the fireworks were ready to start. Please continue Coltgov101, your postings have brought back some wonderful memories.

12-08-2009, 10:21 PM	#28
coltgov101 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Nj now. Spindle point in the past.(35 yrs.) Posts: 87 Thanks: 105 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	More Days at the lake To everyone concerned, we lived in N.J. and no there was no Rt. 93 then, there was no NJ turnpike either, it used to take us 12 hours to get to the Lake. In later years we made it in about 6 and one half hours. We had a place in Spindle Point,outside of Meredith, a beautiful piece of property with a natural cove beach, protected from the wind, by the landscape, and a lovely area for a dock, which was wonderful on really windy days. You boaters know how that is, I am sure I don't have to explain! I hope this doesn't upset anyone but my friends and I had a routine to meet girls. We would water ski up and down Meredith Bay and if we saw girls floating on air rafts that looked interesting we would fall from the boat, accidently of course, and strike up a conversation. In those days if you had a boat that went 40 MPH you had something. We hardly ever ventured out at night, just to see the fireworks at the Weirs,which now that I think about it was almost a suicide mission, you could'nt see a thing! Thank goodness there was no boat traffic back then! We had to almost feel our way back home. I will go on and on, just give me a chance. I haven't even started about my scuba diving and what that lead me to!

12-09-2009, 09:49 AM	#29
Island Life Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 273 Thanks: 12 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	coltgov - keep going. I lost my dad a couple years ago. He was probably a contemporary of yours, spent every summer of his life on the Lake and probably had pretty similar stories ("falling off" the boat - haha). He'd been saying for the last few years that he was going to write them all down, but .... At the end, we got a few stories on video tape, thank goodness. You keep telling your stories and I'll just pretend your my dad. __________________ Island Life the way my grandparents' grandparents enjoyed it - but with a faster boat!!!

12-09-2009, 11:13 AM	#30
Redwing Deceased Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Haven, Connecticut and summer resident of Moultonborough, NH since 1952 Posts: 216 Thanks: 324 Thanked 43 Times in 27 Posts	The good ole days My friends and I also had devised ways in which to meet young men on the lake. Green's Basin Girl's sister and I would gather the canoes and the younger girls in our lake neighborhood (including GBG), and canoed from Green's Basin all the way to Melvin Village. Our plan? We pretended to be a girls camp (we even had a name based on our last names: Camp Lehweeschni. We older gals were the "counselors" and the younger ones were the "campers". In those days, there were always numerous boy's camps on canoe trips, and our plan worked! Another very successful way to meet boys on the lake: we pretended to have engine trouble (tried and true, I know!), but it worked every time. We'd disconnect the fuel line and pull, pull away at our motors. The things we did to meet young men on the lake! Wonderful memories! Does anyone remember the Teen Haven dances at the Weirs? A favorite spot for us (lake gals) and a great place to meet other teens, local and otherwise.

12-09-2009, 08:44 PM	#31
Pepper Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Laconia, NH Posts: 1,284 Thanks: 409 Thanked 155 Times in 40 Posts	I am totally loving this thread. Keep the stories coming!!!!! __________________ Never waste time lamenting what was. Simply celebrate what is!

12-10-2009, 08:38 AM	#33
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,535 Thanks: 1,059 Thanked 652 Times in 363 Posts	Playing Cowboy Back in the early '60s my Dad was driving our PennYann while my Uncle was serving as shotgun for my aunt who was skiing. Well, with my Aunt in the water ready to catch the ski rope my Uncle decides to do a cowboy rope twirl around his head with the ski rope to "lasso" my Aunt the rope. His circles got a bit too long and zapped my Dad in the eyebrow with the ski handles. Dad, with his hand on the steering wheel throttle cringes and flips the throttle to full. My Uncle is flipped into the water and Dad does his best to stop the blood and the boat. If it wasn't for his injury, 5 stitches, it would have been comical to watch.

12-10-2009, 11:49 PM	#34
coltgov101 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Nj now. Spindle point in the past.(35 yrs.) Posts: 87 Thanks: 105 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	I remember the teen haven dance all to well. I was never much of a dancer, but there was some kind of fire escape on the side of the bldg.I would stand in there all night long to watch the drummer in the band.I learned so much that summer from him and I don't even know his name.

12-11-2009, 10:53 AM	#35
Redwing Deceased Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Haven, Connecticut and summer resident of Moultonborough, NH since 1952 Posts: 216 Thanks: 324 Thanked 43 Times in 27 Posts	Teen Haven dances rocked! Yes.... Teen Haven was THE place to be if you were a teenager in the 60s! If memory serves me correctly, Ron Piche (of ski shop fame) was in that band, or one of the bands that played over the course of several years. He may well have been the drummer. We gals used to pay IslandAL of this Forum to drive us to the Weirs (before we could legally drive), and we gave him the hefty sum of one quarter each. Met lots of interesting people at those dances, some of whom I still know to this day.

12-12-2009, 12:49 AM	#37
coltgov101 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Nj now. Spindle point in the past.(35 yrs.) Posts: 87 Thanks: 105 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	More on teen haven I know in later years , after teen haven closed some big name groups came to the (Winnipesaukee Gardens) not sure of the name, it was down the board walk at the large bldg. over the water. Some of my friends saw famous groups of the time there although I never went. Guess I was getting older and I never liked large groups of people. I am sure there is a phobia for that but never pursued it. My memories come from a less busy time, a time like I said before, when I felt like I owened the lake.

12-12-2009, 07:33 AM	#38
riverat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alton, NH Posts: 722 Thanks: 337 Thanked 280 Times in 123 Posts	I spent all my summers at Sawyer Lake in Gilmington, the 60's were great with dances in the street and bonfires on the beach every friday and saturday nights and that ocassional trip to the weirs to watch the fireworks. Riding in my fathers studabaker stuck in traffic on weirs blvd as the fireworks are going off and I caught the 5.00 coupon for the arcade as it drifted down on a parachute from one of the fireworks. I remember one night at the weirs when a bunch of people arriving at the docks in boats were all dressed up in silver suits that made them look like aliens from space, so funny. barbershop quartet on top of the train depot, so many great memories. __________________ Waking up in the morning is the greatest, everything after that is a bonus

12-12-2009, 03:51 PM	#39
bkeav111 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Keeping In Touch My summers started in the summer of 1955. My parents bought a cottage at the north end of Sachem Cove. We were lucky because we got to spend our summers there. We also learned our boating and fishing there. I, too, remember the crawfish, but you don't see many now. I would love to know if one of you are one of the friends we had that made those summers so special. Would love to hear from those that spent there summers there around that time. (bbkeav111@aol.com. Those summer were so special many years later I bought a place on Lockes Island and am enjoying the lake again with my family

12-13-2009, 08:10 AM	#43
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,410 Thanks: 719 Thanked 1,381 Times in 957 Posts	Do you really? That's very interesting. I don't remember any. Maybe I just don't remember or maybe there just weren't any in our area.

12-13-2009, 08:36 PM	#44
Redwing Deceased Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Haven, Connecticut and summer resident of Moultonborough, NH since 1952 Posts: 216 Thanks: 324 Thanked 43 Times in 27 Posts	Driving to the lake Our drive from Connecticut in the 50s and 60s was also a very long one, longer than today's four and one half hour drive. It took us about 7 hours, and my parents would always leave at 2:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m.which meant that my brother and I slept for most of the trip. I do remember, however, that when we entered New Hampshire, my father would always open his car window, and as he said, would "flush" out all of the Connecticut air, and fill the car with New Hampshire air. Believe it or not, that is still a tradition which we follow today.... as soon as we hit the Welcome to New Hamshire/Bienvenue au New Hampshire sign, we do the same thing! Old habits die hard. We were very fortunate in that as soon as school was out at the end of June each year, we headed to the lake for the entire summer. Life was very, very simple then.... no tv, no electricity, not even indoor plumbing in those early years at the lake.... and no telephone. And yes, there were so few of us in our area of the lake, we could tell by the sound of outboard or inboard motors who was coming through the channel...We all knew each other, and we all knew many of the Moultonboro year-round residents

12-13-2009, 08:53 PM	#45
Redwing Deceased Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Haven, Connecticut and summer resident of Moultonborough, NH since 1952 Posts: 216 Thanks: 324 Thanked 43 Times in 27 Posts	Irwin Gardens GBG, It was Irwin Gardens where the big name bands played, and then it became Winnipesaukee Gardens. I remember seeing the Beach Boys there...very popular spot apres Teen Haven.

12-14-2009, 04:59 PM	#47
Tiger Lilly Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Melvin Village & West Virginia Posts: 42 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Who remembers Ernie Piper and his overalls??