St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1916-08-16

am enclosing a short article on
Lake Willoughby, which you are very
welcome to use either in part or en-
tire. I can't help but feel that 1T
tie persistent and loyal publicity for
this lake might bring the citizens OF
Vermont, as we'll as those of other
states to realize that this lake is one
of the most beautiful spots of all New
England The lake is certainly not
receiving its due share of summer
tourist business, and here is one plea
in it's behalf.
If any mention is made of this arti-
Gle in your columns, 1 would appre-
ciate your sending me copy of the
issue to the above address.
Very truly yours,
MORTIMER r. PROCTOR.
SO Laurel avenue.
Vermont possesses no one natural
charm more enticing to the summer
visitor than Lake Willoughby. Fur
thermore, it would be very difficult for
cur friends in Deighboring states to
mention any possession within their
borders as beautiful and delightful as
this lake that lures. Unprecedented
minds from distant states have pro-
claimed it the most beautiful lake in
all New England.
Yet how many tourists does 1T call
| to its shores each year? Every YER
monter who has visited the lake ana
! is acquainted with its pitifully meagre
number of summer visitors, should
suffer from a guilty conscience until
he has done his share to raise Will
Ioughby from its present almost IN
| known" condition to that honestly de-
served position of zone of the most
popular lakes in New England"
It's extremely magnetic personality
! from each and every vieS point must
enthuse the most stole observer. Who
would not be thrilled when suddenly
confronted by those two gigantic SEN,
| tineIs. Hor and Pisgah, towering ma
| jestically over the southern end? II
! YOU gaze for a moment upon their
| grand dignity and everlasting power
they will seem to tell you that their
! charge is too sacred for human hands.
Or who would not feel vastly proud
er of Vermont and her possessions
when, at sunset, your motor or car
riages reach the height of land to the
north, from which point you try to
comprehend that one spectacular COM
| bination of mountain and lake-a
never-to- be-forgotten picture set in a
frame of typical Green Mountain
| scenery? From such a viewpoint you
can far better appreciate the lakes
gracefully curving shore line, nestled
deep and secure between the densely
wooded slopes which, on either side,
descend abruptly into its silent tran
quill depths.
Or. best of all, sit down alone
among the fringing birches, close to
the waters edge, with the full moon
overhead. Across the mirrored sur
face stealthily creep the giant shad-
dows of mountain ridges, which
night and day proudly guard this lit
tie lake as if it were sacred with the
very presence of nature herself. The
great hushed wilderness absorbs all
care and worry. You are at peace
with yourself and the universe. Then
listen moment and yon can distinctly
hear the silent voice which has been
calling from the heart Of Willoughoy
for many, many years, 1t has calleo
to every loyal Vermonter at home and
abroad to appreciate one of the rich
est productions of natures own skill
But so far it has for the most part
called in vain. And why? Are there
locations elsewhere much more beau
/ tiful or better adapted to the tourist
? tastes? No. Is it too inaccessible 1ol
j a summer resort? Certainly not; fol-
: nowadays we see railroads and autos
reaching any location to which tour
Y lists are attracted. Is it lacking in the
/ elements which are essential to the
= pleasure of the tourist? Surely not
e For here is a body of water five mile!
: long and one-half mile wide, adapted
= to all water sports. The mountain!
! which nearly surround the lake would
e afford delights for any climber. M
e part of Vermont is more picturesque
e for the motorist than that for miles
t about this lake. st. Johnsbury, Lyn
don. Newport and Barton are boil
: within a very few miles for those wht
: desire the privileges of larger com
It munities. The lake and vicinity is
o veritable paradise for those who en-
d Joy camping and the two major sport
of hunting and fishing.
s We could truthfully continue tn
n above advantages to great length, We
re it does not answer the all importan
~ question: Why is not Lake Willough
o by a popular resort for the summe
" tourists? There certainly seems to b
ir but one decisive answer and that
n simple but unpleasant-we are too in
Ig different to our natural wealth, an
TO indifference, in this case, seems almos
traitorous to Vermont natural right!
in Lake Willoughby is a bank containin
2 untold wealth for Verm onters, but tn
OF only key which will unlock that ban
20 is the key of publicity, backed by de
a. termined and unbounded loyalty. w
s. Vermonters, however, are yet to
q. overpowered by indifference to sum
ut mon the necessary strength for turn
ing this key to Willoughby. 1t woul
u be doing the state publicity depar
"a ment a grave injustice If we did M
h. right here emphatically emphasize tf
ne tremendous amount of patriotic pull
a. Iicity they have given the state in
ay great many ways OF late. But as ye
If. | Willoughby has hardly received its dl
e. share.
r. We, the rank and file Of Vermo
ey citizens, must bear our share OF Il
NV responsibility for Willoughby, as we