Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post

Steveo · 04-24-2007, 06:15 PM

OK, My name means nothing but my name.

My history starts with my grandparents, who lived in Philadelphia and bought (God knows why) a camp on Penelton Beach (across from Weirs Beach) after the war (number 2). My grandfather use to take August off every summer and come up north via the train that let him off in Weirs - unbelievable. As a child, born in '52, I used to come up every summer to spend 2-4 weeks with my grandparents and LOVED it. We lived in NJ and I use to bring back a sack full of pine needles, pine cones and anything else that would smell like the lake. My parents use to make me keep it in the milk container in the backyard (yes, in the 50's we use to have a milkman, even in NJ), but I would love to smell it every chance I got.

My grandparents had to sell the place in the early 60's and I still remember standing on the shoreline and saying "I will find a way to live here year round no matter what" - pretty brilliant for a child of 9 or so, but it happened.

In the late 60's my father worked in NYC and hated it. He had the traditional "midlife crisis" and wanted to do something new. I remember the lake and suggested "why not go the Lake Winnipesaukee", he bit, thank God for me. He moved us to, of all places, Governor's Island. Now I know what you are saying, but we lived in what we affectionally called "the ghetto" which was on the very top of the island, very cheap but was a great investment.

I went to high school in Laconia, and even worked at Dorothy's at Glendale, commuting by a mahogany Correct Craft to work at 5am every day. Still the best time on the lake.

Long story short...I wasn't able to stay longer than high school in the area. I had to follow the work, but I keep my promise to myself on that shoreline. I moved and worked in Massachusetts. I bought an old cabin cruiser and restored it at Fays. Lived on it with the babies until it leaked on us and my wife said she had enough. Bought my first of a few "condos" in Weirs and finally was able to find a "piece of s..t, needs a little work" in Alton 18 years ago.

I have now spent the last 18 years fixing up the camp, raising the kids, fishing, swimming, sailing, closing and opening the camp and LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

My father once told me that the Lake was "God's country" and was he ever right.

This is a much longer story but you get the idea, this is a very special place.

04-24-2007, 06:15 PM	#18
Steveo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 524 Thanks: 47 Thanked 123 Times in 63 Posts	OK, My name means nothing but my name. My history starts with my grandparents, who lived in Philadelphia and bought (God knows why) a camp on Penelton Beach (across from Weirs Beach) after the war (number 2). My grandfather use to take August off every summer and come up north via the train that let him off in Weirs - unbelievable. As a child, born in '52, I used to come up every summer to spend 2-4 weeks with my grandparents and LOVED it. We lived in NJ and I use to bring back a sack full of pine needles, pine cones and anything else that would smell like the lake. My parents use to make me keep it in the milk container in the backyard (yes, in the 50's we use to have a milkman, even in NJ), but I would love to smell it every chance I got. My grandparents had to sell the place in the early 60's and I still remember standing on the shoreline and saying "I will find a way to live here year round no matter what" - pretty brilliant for a child of 9 or so, but it happened. In the late 60's my father worked in NYC and hated it. He had the traditional "midlife crisis" and wanted to do something new. I remember the lake and suggested "why not go the Lake Winnipesaukee", he bit, thank God for me. He moved us to, of all places, Governor's Island. Now I know what you are saying, but we lived in what we affectionally called "the ghetto" which was on the very top of the island, very cheap but was a great investment. I went to high school in Laconia, and even worked at Dorothy's at Glendale, commuting by a mahogany Correct Craft to work at 5am every day. Still the best time on the lake. Long story short...I wasn't able to stay longer than high school in the area. I had to follow the work, but I keep my promise to myself on that shoreline. I moved and worked in Massachusetts. I bought an old cabin cruiser and restored it at Fays. Lived on it with the babies until it leaked on us and my wife said she had enough. Bought my first of a few "condos" in Weirs and finally was able to find a "piece of s..t, needs a little work" in Alton 18 years ago. I have now spent the last 18 years fixing up the camp, raising the kids, fishing, swimming, sailing, closing and opening the camp and LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT. My father once told me that the Lake was "God's country" and was he ever right. This is a much longer story but you get the idea, this is a very special place.