Becky's Garden

[The Boatwiser]

Anyone know if Becky's cottage was ever put out this season?

[gillygirl]

Didn't see it July 26th.

[tis]

So strange you should ask that question. We went by there yesterday and remarked that the cottage was missing. I was going to ask what anyone knew. Anyway, we did not see it.

[Phantom]

I cannot swear to it --- but I am almost positive it was there on Memorial Day.

We also noted it was missing last week when we had guests out


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[Justenuff]

We paddled out a couple of times to see. Not there.
Was hoping it did not get washed off the island or destroyed during the winter.

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by Justenuff

We paddled out a couple of times to see. Not there.
Was hoping it did not get washed off the island or destroyed during the winter.

no fear on destroyed during the Winter ....

Becky's house always come in for the Winter ..... some mysterious "house snatcher" takes it off every year late Sept/ early Oct

[The Boatwiser]

We went to breakfast at The Mug in Center Harbor this morning and took another look to see if the cottage was there - nope. Looks like this will be a year without Becky's cottage. If I remember correctly, a few years back it never made an appearance either but then returned the following year.

[WakeUp]

Times got rough out on the 'Garden.'...I think the bank took over the little house. It might be on the auction block soon!!

[tummyman]

Sequestration finally hits the lake....no money. Fannie Mae called the loan. EPA also ruled the house non-conforming on an undersized lot too close to a body of water. Shoreland Protection Act kicked in.

[First Mate]

We were so happy to see that the cottage is on Becky's Garden!

[Newbiesaukee]

That's good news, we did not see it about 10 days ago.

[Grove84]

Is he house flying the Stars N Stripes for the 4h width bunting around the windows. There was one 4th where the house was decorated. I love showing this landmark to family and friends when they visit.

[LIforrelaxin]

excellent now we can bring the little kids over and tell them to look for the mouse family that lives their as we pass by.....

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

excellent now we can bring the little kids over and tell them to look for the mouse family that lives their as we pass by.....

It's NOT the mouse family silly !!

It's Barbie & Ken's summer home .... and they are never seem to be home as there is never a boat parked at the dock





(That's the line we've always used)



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[Phantom]

case you didn't know what it looks like



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[Phantom]

Picture from Forum Photo's a few years back (quite some detail when you get up close).


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[AC2717]

where is Becky's garden again?

[Phantom]

between Two Mile Isl & Black Cat Isl

"smallest island on the Lake"

[glennsteely]

Barbies boat doesnt clearly display reg numbers.....also, I would check the motor may be too big for the boat, it is sitting a little low in the water......lol.

[tis]

Originally Posted by Phantom

It's NOT the mouse family silly !!

It's Barbie & Ken's summer home .... and they are never seem to be home as there is never a boat parked at the dock





(That's the line we've always used)



.

Love that Phantom!!! Never thought of that!!

[garykunz]

Becky's house was there yesterday.

[Rich]

I printed out this "Legend of Becky's Garden" and read it to everyone on board each time we visit it:



from:
http://www.nhtourguide.com/legends/beckys_garden.htm

Legend of Becky's Garden, an island on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.

The Legend of Becky's Garden is about a girl named Rebecca. Rebecca was one of many siblings in a Center Harbor family. Her sisters were said to be "spoiled rotten girls" that always prettied themselves up looking for that one rich man they could cal their husband.

Rebecca was a pretty young girl who enjoyed the simple things in life, including gardening around her family home. Her gardens were her prize possession and she guarded them closely. One afternoon, her father's cattle escaped from their holding area, trampling and defecating in the beautiful gardens. Becky was horrified and deeply saddened by the destruction her father's cattle had caused to her gardens. Some suspect that Becky's sisters let the cattle out to do damage to Becky's gardens.

Becky's father felt terrible by the accident and offered her any island she wanted on Lake Winnipesaukee. Her sisters were highly offended that Becky would get her own island and they all wanted one too. After much debate their father agreed to give all of them their own island, but Becky would get the first choice of any island on the Lake because of what had happened to her gardens. Her sisters were once again upset by the news that Becky had the first choice and taunted her terribly. Becky felt bad for her sisters, so she chose the smallest island in the entire lake, allowing her sisters to get any of the larger islands they wanted, which they did. The island Becky chose was just a small pile of rocks with some bushes on them.

The news of Becky's generosity to her sisters was heard by many, including a wealthy young lad that was very intrigued by who this generous, loving woman was. He found out where she lived and paid her a visit, he was very attracted to her and they soon married.

Even though Becky chose the smallest island on Lake Winnipesaukee so that her selfish sisters could pick out the huge, luxurious islands they so desired, Becky found love with a wealthy young man and lived a happy life. Becky's sisters on the other hand, lived lonely lives on their huge islands.

It is now said that the smallest island produced the biggest results. This small island on Lake Winnipesaukee, now known as Becky's Garden, is adorned with a mini house that offers every detail, so the island can still be called inhabited and is still known as Becky's Garden.

[Twomileisland]

To all of you asking, Becky's house did NOT go out at all in 2013! We had it ready but the high water deterred us for so long, that we just didn't do it at all. The good news is that we did get it out a couple weeks ago, so it's on Becky's Garden for 2014 with lots if new little items.

As a possible point of interest, we pay the town of Meredith property taxes on that rock! Weird, but they require taxes and we're happy to own it and put the house out for others to enjoy. Hopefully most know of the folklore that goes with it. 😊

[HellRaZoR004]

Originally Posted by Twomileisland

To all of you asking, Becky's house did NOT go out at all in 2013! We had it ready but the high water deterred us for so long, that we just didn't do it at all. The good news is that we did get it out a couple weeks ago, so it's on Becky's Garden for 2014 with lots if new little items.

As a possible point of interest, we pay the town of Meredith property taxes on that rock! Weird, but they require taxes and we're happy to own it and put the house out for others to enjoy. Hopefully most know of the folklore that goes with it. 😊

That's very interesting. I hope they aren't charging you much.

[glennsteely]

I cant believe they charge you taxes on a rock!! What is the REAL folklore that goes with it? I'm dying to hear the real story....

[Twomileisland]

Actually there is a good version of the legend posted earlier by Rich, I believe. The one I use that's out on the island was printed in the Weirs Times as a reprint several years ago. We do actually get charged about $68/yr in taxes by Meredith...they also charge us for Gull Rock which is a trailer island to Two Mile and we affectionately renamed "Time Out" for the grandkids! Neither is inhabitable obviously. We find lots of joy seeing so many kayak, canoe & boat up to Becky's to look... Many additions to it this year as over time the little items rot from being out in all sorts of weather.

[RailroadJoe]

Many thanks to someone who really shows what is is to be a person of lake charm.

[tis]

Twomileisland, do you really let Ken and Barbie rent it for a couple of weeks in the summer?

[glennsteely]

You should be able to offset that $68......lol.

[Twomileisland]

LOL is right! And Barbie & Ken are welcome....
Had an Indian squaw and a hula dancer on it for a couple of years. They'd been made for Becky's by a dear friend on Black Cat, Barb Trismen. Problem is very few dolls are made that actually "fit" the scale! It's fun.

[Rich]

Twomileisland,

Thanks so much for what you do!

But I have to ask, what is the town's reasoning for taxing you on that rock? This makes no sense at all.

[winnigal]

Twomileisland,

Thank you, thank you for Becky's Garden. My husband and I take our jetski out every year for our annual picture with the house in the background. We were able to do so last week. Your island is one our our lake treasures!

[The Boatwiser]

The Winnigal / Boatwiser annual Becky's Garden photo for 2014

[Jeanzb1]

For those of us who have not visited Becky's Garden, the above picture puts the size in perspective! Thanks! Going by boat (not jetski) how close can you get to it without taking a huge chance?

[glennsteely]

Ive been up pretty close, with a experienced, trusted spotter, but believe me, it is a very rocky and dangerous area. Surely beautiful though, and def worth a look. Maybe rowing, or a kayak or canoe is a better idea. Lake history at its finest!!

[Greene's Basin Girl]

How did you become owners of a rock? I don't understand? Was it by adverse possession?

[ITD]

Originally Posted by Jeanzb1

For those of us who have not visited Becky's Garden, the above picture puts the size in perspective! Thanks! Going by boat (not jetski) how close can you get to it without taking a huge chance?

Depends on how much new props cost....... be very careful.

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by The Boatwiser

The Winnigal / Boatwiser annual Becky's Garden photo for 2014

Great selfie! I hope you don't mind that I tweeted it out to our followers:

Becky's Garden, the smallest island (and cottage) on the lake. http://t.co/YeQB88jyu7 #lakewinni pic.twitter.com/8rqhPrgqPs

— Lake Winnipesaukee (@iWinnipesaukee) July 16, 2014

[cillovely]

You learn something new every day!! I never had heard of Becky's garden before. And this year we are renting in Center Harbor for the first time, normally we are on the other side of the lake, so now I have something to look forward to trying to find. If I do find it, I'll use my zoom lens on my camera, I have had some bad luck with props

[Rusty]

I think it would look neat if it had a tiny dock with some tiny boats tied up to it.
The little people have to get to the house some how don't they?

[ITD]

Originally Posted by Rusty

I think it would look neat if it had a tiny dock with some tiny boats tied up to it.
The little people have to get to the house some how don't they?

That would require a shorelands permit and a permit to clear vegetation to the dock. No Bueno...

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by ITD

That would require a shorelands permit and a permit to clear vegetation to the dock. No Bueno...

You're right ITD, what was I thinking.

[Rich]

It would probably also raise the taxes!!

I honestly can't believe that someone is paying taxes on this rock!

Is there a true and reasonable explanation as to why Twomileisland is paying even 1 cent a year for taxes on a rock on the lake?

[Rich]

Perhaps because it's a charted island that someone owns?

According to Lake Winni Historical Society:

http://www.lwhs.us/steam-earlysteamboats.htm

Equally interesting is the legendary origin of Becky's Garden, the smallest charted island in the lake. An early settler of Center Harbor had several daughters, of whom the loveliest was Rebecca. While her sisters were frivolous and spoiled, Rebecca was a model young lady, and she beautified the surroundings of her father's house by her care of her garden, of which she was justly proud. One day her father's cattle escaped, and, before they were noticed, they had laid waste the beautiful garden plot. Rebecca was heartbroken, and her father, by way of consolation, offered her as a gift any one of the numerous islands in the lake which she might care to choose. Her sisters clamored for the same dower, and their father finally consented, giving Becky her first choice. This caused her sisters to be so envious that Becky decided to choose the smallest island she could find, and selected the one which bears her name today, an island that is scarcely more than a bush-covered rock. The other daughters picked out large, verdant islands.

The story of Becky's choice travelled far, as stories will; and a wealthy young farmer in the vicinity became so interested in hearing of the unselfish young maiden that he sought her acquaintance, and, finding her an attractive young lady, wooed and won her for his bride. Thus it was said that Becky's Garden, though the smallest of islands, produced the greatest results. Today, each year, a model house, complete in every detail, is placed on the island to distinguish it as inhabited despite its size-all in memory of the unspoiled Becky.

[jmen24]

Originally Posted by Rich

It would probably also raise the taxes!!

I honestly can't believe that someone is paying taxes on this rock!

Is there a true and reasonable explanation as to why Twomileisland is paying even 1 cent a year for taxes on a rock on the lake?

It is a rock that has been determined to meet the criteria of an island, therefore it is taxed as such. I am thinking due to proximity, Twomileisland was given first right of refusal on whether they wanted that burden or not.

Seems cheap enough for the novelty of it!

On the dock permitting:

I would think getting a permit for a dock would be easy, it is just a simple wetlands app.

A boathouse on the other hand would likely cause this thread to get locked.

[tis]

I bet there isn't enough frontage for even one dock, Rusty. Sorry, not allowed.

[SIKSUKR]

The frontage needed should be scaled to the size of the dock. Shouldn't be an issue. What would be an issue is trying to scale the waves down to size, That little dock would almost always be under water.

[Happy Gourmand]

I think a floating dock with a wave attenuator would work.

[wifi]

Heck, the Meredith assessor page even has a picture of the house on
their "dues" page.... LOL, I needed that lift today

(at least, I HOPE it was a joke on their part !!)

[Misty Blue]

Thanks for your wonderful stewardship of Becky's Garden. But watch out!

If the tax man finds out that you have upgraded the house he may pay you a visit!

BTW. I noticed that Barbi was driving the boat with Ken just sitting there like a sally man. I think that she should dump that wuss and latch up with GI Joe.

Misty Blue

[Phantom]

Misty --

He was NOT sitting there like a "sally" ...... he was doing the responsible thing !!

They had both been over to Braun Bay (a long trip in their small boat) for the day whereupon Ken had too many "refreshments" -- THUS Barbie, infuriated, drove home to Becky's Garden.






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[Twomileisland]

Originally Posted by Rusty

I think it would look neat if it had a tiny dock with some tiny boats tied up to it.
The little people have to get to the house some how don't they?

I love the idea, however, it's difficult enough to get the house out on Becky's Garden and between the weather and wave action, a "dock" would have to be out of the water. I'll think it thru over the off season and who knows what you'll spins in 2015.

[RLW]

Twomileisland, I was just browsing through the forum and noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends.

Great to see u on the forum.