Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-04-14
"Maine A. a Winter Resort

We have received an attractive ami
interesting monograph on Maine as
a Winter Resort" an address at the
semi annual session of the Maine
State Board Of Trade by Arthur g..
Staples of Auburn, managing editor
and business manager Of the Lewiston
Journal. The subject is handled by
Mr.. Staples in a clever and appealing
way Of which few men are capable.
We are not surprised that it made a
hit' with the State Board of Trade. as
we had heard.
The subject is alluring. It sug.
gests phases Of life which compare
lively few really understand. 1t opens
vistas of possibilities intoxicating to
the dreamer.
We have often wondered why winter
camps had not been provided and
properly advertised for those who
would comfortably enjoy a specimen
Of real Maine winter. We call people
from everywhere to fish and to hunt,
why not call them to see a Maine for
est Of evergreen after a winter storm ?
Why not call them to camera shoot
the wild life in a wilderness in mid
winter: Why not call them to par
ticipate in snow shoeing, toboggan-
Ling, skeeing and coasting? Why not
call them to partake of the fascinat-
ing recreation Of gathering spruce
gum? Why not introduce them to the
joys Of a winter evening in camp be-
fore big log fire. with games. music
and stories appropriate to the occa-
sion: while the winds whistle and sigh
in the evergreens and now and then
is heard the crash and boom of a
falling tree carried down by the
storm?a;
Such camps could be made as com.
Portable ir winter as they are in sum-
mer. by their location. Instead of the
exposed shore Of lake or pond, they
should be in evergreen thickets from
which the lofty trees have been cut.
that there be no fear Of the fury Of
the elements. In such spots the
blasts Of winter are never felt. and
the odor Of boughs and new wood fire
is everywhere. Such camps as these
should supplement big winter hotels
where comfort and plenty would be
provided by such as the Rickers Of
Poland Springs fame.
Who would undertake to describe
the beauty Of forest Of evergreen
trees laden with new snow? Wha.
artist could paint it? Vividly comes
to us a memorable night when we fol-
lowed a bobsled several miles through
a forest where ten thousand spectres
and COLLINS danced in the Pickering
light of a lantern carried by the
the blind trail. That was after Q
heavy fall of damp snow. Every
bough dropped under it's burden. The
graceful ladies of the woods, the sill
yer birches, were bowed to earth in
humble homage to the storm gods.
Musky scented fingers of the fir and
the pine, the spruce and the hemlock
reached out to us friendlily. Now and
then the familiar snort Of a deer in
alarm was heard, for there was not
breath Of wind and sound of our
progress was deadened by Is inches of
the softest carpet. Can you picture
in your mind, if you have never en-
joyed such an experience, the narrow
limit Of lanterns rays on myriad
diamonds against a background Of !
blacklist night? -
We believe there are many thou
sands Of people who would 60 far tor
Just such an experience again and
again. And, We congratulate M.
Stap)es on his pioneer work on Maine
as u Winter Resort"
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