The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1929-01-31
MT. LAKE PARK.
WHAT HAVE YOU, AND HOW?

This column is not beng written
just in order to put in the time during
the winter evenings. There is def
mite object in view. Whether that
object can be accomplished remains
to be seen. Certainly it can not be
by simply the spoken or written
word. We can talk until we are
black in the face and write until we
have pen paralysis, and yet, unless
the citizens of this community awak
en- to the fact that improvements
must be made and certain abuses cor
rected before this Park can amount
to a whoopee, all will have been in
vain.
For instance, how would you ans
wer the following letter which has
been received from a prospective
visitor from the east?
Dear Sir:-As l have heard so
much about Mountain Lake Park, l
have almost decided to spend part of
my vacation there, but not knowing
Just what is there though maybe |
had better get some information and
was wondering if you could give me
some.
81 would like to know what is about
there for amusement
For obvious reasons the writer's
name cannot be used. But we have
the letter. Now, what would you say
in reply?
Of course, we can answer that
there are moving picture theatres in
Oakland. That part is all right. We
don't mind boosting Oakland-as
long as we don't have much to offer
ourselves. We can reply that there
lis a swimming pool at Deer Park.
That's not so good. We are not
crazy about boosting Deer Park, be-
cause that place does not have a
single advantage over US. 1t does
seem to have a quality that we lack
energy and the desire to keep things
in ship shape-attractiv to the eye.
But we can overcome that. We sup
pose you realize that the eXpendi-
ture of little thought and money
can make dandy outdoor swimming
pool at the lake? But it will have
to be made attractive and kept clean
and sanitary.
We can reply that there are three
or four good tennis courts-these by
the grace and hard work of the la
dies of the Civic Club 1t is reason
able to presume, judging from the
lack of interest in other directions,
that if it were not for the Club we
would not have those. In strolling
about the Park the other day, we
cut up through the Association
grounds and we did notice two courts
up there. At least they had been
courts. The only way we can des-
cribe them in their present condition,
is to quote an old friend of ours from
the South when he said, in speaking
of a certain mans farm, at looks
like a chicken pen in a free nigger's
back yard" They either ought to
be torn down or fixed up.
1t goes without saying that we
would be as proud as peacock strut
ting our stuff if we could truthfully
reply:
That we were operating under an
up-to-date charter, with full
complement of officers, good police
and fire protection.
That we had good side walks, well
repaired roads and beautiful lawns.
That we had good outdoor bathing,
under attractive and sanitary sur
roundings.
That we had moving pictures two
or three times a week, with an oc-
casional good vaudeville.
That we had Civic Center, with
provisions for receptions and social
gatherings, together with a small,
but well selected library.
All this in ADDITION to our
strictly religious programs.
But as we can't reply, we are ask
ing in all seriousness that some one
of you suggest how to answer that
letter.
Personal and General News.
The cold snap is delaying the work
somewhat on the new basement at the
NJ E. church. There seems to be no
lack of volunteers, however, and the
work will be pushed rapidly when
weather conditions become more fav-
orable.
Mrs. John Brenneman is visiting
her daughter in Cumberland.
Floyd White, who was severely in
jured by falling on the ice several
days ago, is still confined to his home.
He has host of friends who wish
for him a speedy recovery.
Mrs. Kate Hardy is visiting her
mother in Pittsford, N. Y.
Wiley yelling, who is employed in
Cumberland, is home for few days.
The cold weather has delayed his work
at Cumberland.
Mrs. Margaret Berghaus, of Fair
mont, who was a visitor at the Park,