The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-06-14
"The Playground of Somerset County
(By Roland T. Patten)

| gan to Madison Center, in company
| with boy companion. many years
| ago. There was some sort of gather
ing in "Hayden's Grove" the nature
| of which | do not now remember. On
the shore of the lake, not far from the
location/at present occupied by Lake
wood Inn, there was a good sized
boathouse. There was no window
| in 1t as | now recall, but on the side
facing the lake, toward one end, there
was slide door of wood. l can't
| now figure out how any cooking was
done in this boathouse for it must
have been as dark as windowless
| cellar. | do recall that by stepping
up to the little door just mentioned
and depositing a quarter you could
get very excellent helping of perch
chowder. This was served by some
Olive Hayden as being the mistress
of activities of this kind.
Hayden's Grove was noted for its
natural beauty. Natural was just the
right word. Little or nothing had
been done to change the wooded area
between the road and the lake from
its primeval roughness and grandeur.
There was a path down through there
somewhere between the brook and the
bog. Through it you wound your
way to the boathouse aforementioned
or to the lake shore. 1t served the
purpose very we'll for those who went
there to fish or for picnic purposes.
The above picture Is necessary in
t@
change that has come with passing
years From 1880 to 1900 this change
was not rapid. 1t consisted mainly
in the erection of a building by the
Maine Spiritualists for the purpose
of holding their annual convention
and other meetings. Since 1900
improvements have gone on with
rapid strides eliminating in the Lake
wood Of the present day. The bog
mentioned earlier has been entirely
filled. A large part of its location
is occupied by a tennis court and
playground. Some small portion OF
it has been used for building pur-
poses. The grove has been tended
and beautified and hundreds of cot
tagos erected all about. The
original spiritualist structure has
been enlarged to the present theatre
with the seating capacity of 1000.
| sometimes wonder II we appreci-
ate how much Lakewood means to us
We often hear those who come back
from Boston and New York tell of
paying from two to five dollars for a
theatre ticket. They get of course
more luxurious surroundings and
orchestra music. So far as the plays
and players are concerned and so far
as the essentials of the stage settings
go what we get at Lakewood is in
every way equal to the city perform
ances. Moreover, what Lakeood lacks
in big orchestras and upholstery il
richly makes up in leaf and lake-tem-
pered breezes and other of natures
charms.
Our generation is prone to take .
good deal for granted. We enjoy
a three dollar production at Lakewood
for sevcnty-fve cents. We recall
the same privileges in previous years
and have fallen into the way of think
ing that such good things just happen
We ought to know that very good
planning business courage, and tire
less energy must be coupled with
some pretty good luck to render sucl
situation possible, .
We should not in our thoughts dis
associate Lakewood from the Somer
set Traction line the one being an ad
iunct or corollary of the other. La
these days when hundreds of miles of
trolley track are idle with little hope
of their being again brought into use
and when other hundreds of miles OF
traction property has been stripped Of
rails and trolley wire, we should con
graduate ourselves that the Somerse'
road is still running Nor SHOULD
we be content with self graduation of
that character. The fact should sink
into us that if we are to continue the
business of the road, and the summer
resort is to be continued, we shall
have to show little more than
casual interest in them.
This road. connecting western, cen
trail and eastern Somerset County is
of desperate importance to all of us
Lakewood is not so essential and yet
in view of the quantity and quality of
the DIHubuIt WilNi IL DItlS 1T illOu-
crate expense any possibility of its
loss should rouse us to its enthusiastic
support.
How can we help the road and the
Lakewood business? BY speaking
well of them on all occasions, by
symathizing with it's management and
by rescrving abundant patience for
any actual or fancied falling down ct
car service. Considering the battle
which the transportation department
of the Traction Company has had to
carry on its service is remarkably
efficient.
Entertaining a friend or friends at
Lakewood is most economical and a
the same time an easy and enjoyable
way of entertaining. Get the habit
of taking your family. your employees
or your guests to Lakewood for an
evening Let's all attend "The Three
Wise Fools at Lakewood Theatre