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Friday, September 30, 2011

1981: GROPP'S LAKE'S NEW DAM

Today, this splendid local treasure is just sitting there spouting water from a lovely fountain. I could never figure out why past administrations failed to restore "Lakeside" into a lovely swimming area. I'm sure there must be an environmental issue that prevents the restoration. "Lakeside" holds very special memories for me. It was here that my classmates in the Hamilton High School choir held a beach party in our senior year. It was here that I tripped and fell in love with Judy Britton, my dear wife of 56 years.
I have extracted part of my original Mercer Messenger column and posted it above. It will give you young folks an idea of just how wonderful "Lakeside" was back before the dam broke and the beach was off limits to swimmers.

2 comments:

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM....I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY THOUGHTS ABOUT "LAKESIDE'. IT WAS PROBABLY THE BEST SWIMMING LOCATION WE HAD IN THE EARLY DAYS. I REALLY LEARNED TO SWIM THERE AND WITH THE CORNER STORE ALONG WITH THE BEACH AND FREE USE DURING THE TOUGH DEPRESSION YEARS, IT PROVIDED A GREAT PLACE TO COOL OFF. BEST REGARDS.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Tom - another great Lakeside moment!
Lakeside Girl