On this ice and snow filled day, I rub my hands together in quiet anticipation. I can scan, scan, scan! I love old (and new) photos, evoking pleasant memories, and today’s technology that lets us safely copy them for daily use! If I may so indulge, I will show you here a wonderful moment for me from our Migis Hotels meeting last spring….see my name on the bottom of Jed’s slide? Yes!
Migis has many nooks and crannies where memories are stored, and not all in photos. When the guys tear into a wall for a renovation, they often find the pride of craftmanship as evidenced by a date and an autograph from a carpenter. Sometimes, too, a weather report written in the wall (“September, 1930. Cold as heck today!”). Occasionally, old newspapers used as insulation, and remarkably preserved. Portland, and many other cities, published two editions daily of the local paper (the Portland Press Herald and the Evening Express) not so long ago, so papers were plentiful.
We find keys here and there……remember actual keys, with the big tags? “Return postage guaranteed! Drop in any mailbox!” Has anyone actually ever tried that?
Maps and brochures from long ago businesses around the lake. Twin Pines Gift Shop. Four digit telephone numbers. Boxes full of recipes. Old guest registers, and folios. The guest histories (yes) that we still keep, on hand lettered card stock. The hand-stitched Laurie Sieminski quilt that hangs over the living room piano.
If you have family memories and photos, particularly from the 50s through the 80s, we would love to share them. I will happily scan any prints sent to me at Migis, and return them safely to you. Many of you have seen some of the beautiful Bill Dodge slides from the 40s until the 70s that his family generously shared with us a couple of years ago. I particularly love the little period details; the bureau-top radios, the bathing suit styles, the open dining room windows (helping clear the air of cigarette smoke!), the fishing gear, the cars pulled up and unpacking. Then, too, are the things that happily don’t change; the comfort of a porch rocking chair, the beauty of a Sebago sunset, the fun of dangling bare feet in the water during island cookout, the memorable meals shared with family and friends.
Here is a particular favorite, from 1959. Love the red hat, and the Andrew lookalike dog on the right. Maybe I’ll unearth a similar fave from 2009, fifty years later. Any red hats?
Well, found three elements. Snow, red garment, black dog! Winter of 2009.
Feel free to send me your photos, red accents or no! And if you have none, time to make a reservation for 2012 and make some memories! Call Robyn and Scott at 207-655-4524.
Mary
migismary@live.com