June 15, 1906 - Winthrop a Favorite Mane Summer Resort - Its Lakes Are Unsurpassed for Beauty - Many Improvements on the Summer Hotels at Maranacook - Winthrop - Now that the ride for summer travel has begun once more, and tourists, the world over, are hastening northward, to the Pine Tree State, it is fitting that the enthusiastic traveler give some little time to those unexplored nooks and corners of the quaint villages that add so much of charm and beauty to the coast and inland region of Maine. * There is an infinite variety in these Maine villages, and it was recently the privilege of the Journal traveler to visit one of the most delightful of them all, the town of Winthrop, with its winding roads and wonderful attractiveness of lake country, and the gracious hospitality of its people, that has helped to make the town so great a favorite throughout the State. * Summer visitors are now here, many of them coming for the season and nearly all the cottages and other accommodations in the place will be thronged with guests before the season is half over. * At Maranacook a dining-hall is in process of erection to take the place of the building that was burned last year. This picturesque spot is a favorite place with the summer people, who have cottages near the dining-room, and who will take their meals there, later on. In all, there are twenty-five cottages that belong to the Lake Maranacook Hotel, Cottage and Camp Company. * This season, the Sir Charles Hotel will be managed under a new administration. It is located at Craigs Point and the name will be changed to Mohican Inn. This hotel has always been popular, and there is a reason to believe that the new name will add to the popularity that the building has already acquired. It will open in about two weeks. The tide of summer travel is at its best on the Fourth of July, those people who live in cities hurrying country ward as soon as the schools are over and the vacation of the children begins. * Joseph Bernard, of Jacksonville, Florida, is occupying his cottage at Maranacook. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wood and family, of Massachusetts, are at their summer home in Winthrop. A new electric motor has been established in their cottage so that they will be able to have water in the house by a system of their own. The Woods have thoroughly renovated the cottage and now have two immense fireplaces in the living-room and in the dining room. * One of the attractive places in this locality is the Hines Milk Farm. Mr. Hines business is in New York, but the family has built a fine place at this pleasant Maine summer resort. * At the present time there are ten new houses being erected in Winthrop. L. A. Jones has purchased one of the Snow houses, which he is now repairing and putting in shape for occupancy. Mr. Harry Stevens has bought another of the Snow mansions and this has also been remodeled. When finished it will be one of the best residences in town. * Over in Wayne * In Wayne, that restful retreat from the cares of business, many cottages have been built. One cottage erected cost $15,000. There is hardly a cottage along the shores of Cobbosseecontee and Lake Maranacook but what is filled with summer folk. * The Bailey farm is one of the most prosperous places in this vicinity. Owned by C.I. and E.O. Bailey, it is a splendid piece of property, and on the farm they keep 75 head of cattle. * Even Island park, just half way between Winthrop and Augusta, has a large quota of tired people, who in tents and the glorious life out of doors, with canoeing, swimming, and kindred pursuits, manage to get the most good possible out of the swift, fleeting summer time. July 2nd is the date scheduled for the opening of the little theater at Island Park, which is always well patronized in July and August. * The Maxims of Indiana are among those guests who come every year to Wayne and the neighboring localities. At the Moulton’s, there are always crowds of guests and in the big yard of the place one finds the fragrance of locust trees, heavy and penetrating in its sweetness. From Gott Hill there is a beautiful view of the village, and equally as good a post of observation is the cemetery just beyond. There are electric launches on the lakes, and canoes without number, canoeing being that form of rowing that is in highest favor with the summer residents on the shores of the lakes. * The Quaker Church - To the traveler, it seems passing strange that there should be a Quaker church in Winthrop and also one at Winthrop Center, just beyond. There are seventy-five members of this quaint and simple faith in the village. Bred of good old stock are the Winthrop Quakers, and nurtured in this belief are some of the best people of the town. In the old days, those who married out of church were excommunicated, and not allowed to enter the fold again, unless he or she as the case may be, stood up in meeting and confessed that he or she as the case may be, was sorry for the act, and asked to be forgiven. They still tell the story of the Quaker youth who dared disobey the precepts of this religion, and wooed and won a gentle maid, who was of the worlds people. Straightaway followed his excommunication from the faith of his fathers, and as the young man refused to say that he was sorry he married his girlish sweetheart, he was never allowed to re-enter the fold. But the end of the story shows how one steadfastly clings to ones early beliefs, even when one has wandered far astray from the familiar paths of youth. When old age, and finally, death, over took this truant Quaker man, he was buried by his own request in the old Quaker burying ground of a neighboring town, where all his ancestors lay at rest; and when his bride of the old days, who had grown gray with advancing years, lay dead in the little homestead, too, was buried side by side with her loyal lover and husband, in the little graveyard on the hill. * There is no stronger element in the town of Winthrop than its progressive spirit that manifests itself so strongly for the general good of its citizens. Just now it is the movement for a public library that is agitating public sentiment. The Ladies Relief Corps have some money that was first intended for a monument, and many of them still wish to use their finances for this purpose; but there is another element that wishes to provide a library, and there are a number in the town who would give liberally for this purpose. The movement is strong for the library, and the question has not yet been decided. * A Windy Road * A windy road is that to Cobbosseecontee, and after leaving Lake Maranacook, the road swings round and by circuitous route at last reaches Hammonds Grove, and then goes beyond, to Island Park. From there on to Augusta, with few exceptions, the road is not so picturesque. Through Winthrop Center and East Winthrop, winds the electric road, past the wharf in the village where later on in the season, the boat comes to take passengers to the Sir Charles Hotel, now transformed into Mohican Inn. All along the way, the waters of the lake are dotted with canoes, launches, and pleasure craft of all kind, while the pungent odor of the ferns that fringe the roadside is invigorating to the weary traveler. * Just beyond the Park, gay with its camps and crowd of summer people, is a little place on the Augusta Road, called by the cottagers, the new Old Orchard. Beside this road, tis said, there once stood an orchar, and deeply indented in this shady retreat are several cottages, that peer in contented idleness from amid the pink and white blossoms of the apple trees. The summer people are everywhere on this stretch of gleaning road that winds, ribbon-like, toward the distant town, and to him who is wary of the hustle and tumult of the city, there is infinite pleasure and peace in the restfulness of this quiet retreat among the woods and waters of Winthrop; that veritable Mecca and paradise of towns in the lake country, that so well deserves the popularity it has attained. * Driving parties are now popular in town, and the big college games are a signal for many of these jolly companies. One of this weeks parties was to Kents Hill, where a number of Winthrop enthusiasts congregated, and encouraged the players by the inspiration of their presence. As nearly all the Winthrop party had friends in the rival teams, there was great interest felt in the late contest. * Last season, many of the younger set in the suburbs of the town enjoyed that invigorating exercise of horseback riding. The pretty picture made by the young girl with the flyaway locks and dark blue habit is still remembered by the townspeople. There was always an anxious youth in attendance, and it seemed to be the special delight of the mischievous maid to torment her numerous cavaliers by wild and reckless driving. There is a pathetic side to the story, as this fair one suffered a serious mishap all from her reckless riding, and was doomed last winter to the narrow limits of a hospital; but it is hoped before the season is over that she again will smile on her Winthrop friend. There is a touch of romance added to the story, when one learns that the youth who sought most to turn her from the waywardness of those early rides, has gained her special favor and it would not surprise the wise folk of the town if before the season is over a wedding will be solemnized in the country home of the littl-bride-to-be. * Camp Cobbossee * Camp Cobbossee, while not yet open, has been visited by Mr. Harry Moony, who will soon open the camp. There will be quite a settlement this year, over 80 in all, and the boys who of the party will be accommodated by tutors and will devote much time to athletic sports, being drilled in this by their teacher in athletes. One of the leading athletes of Columbia College will be in camp. This is an ideal spot for a summer outing, and the boys are always loath to leave in the fall. Cobbosseecontee is central in regard to the neighboring towns and there is no pleasanter way to pass the summer than by rowing on its waters and the drinking in the life-giving ozone of the pure country air. * Neighboring Happenings * An enjoyable whist party of Augusta ladies was entertained Wednesday afternoon by Mrs. S.W. Carr at Merrymeeting Lodge on the shores of Cobbosseecontee. During the afternoon refreshments were served. The prize was won by Mrs. Martin, who proved to be the most fortunate player. There were four tables of whist. End.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Nov 2013 20:34:16 +0000
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