Blue Lake – Minocqua, WI

(from MERRIMENT AND CHAOS WITH FIVE YOUNG ‘UNS
by Lois Myers Harris)

By the shores of Gitche Goome,
By the shining Big Sea Water,
Dark behind it rose the forest,
Rose the pines with firs upon them.

–Longfellow’s “Hiawatha”

The Tavern at Blue Lake was the scene for much happiness. We often traveled there by boat. Doc had a charge account at the Tavern and the children were allowed to go on Thursday evenings. It was like Fairyland – a jukebox, different penny and nickel candies on the shelf, plus all kinds of pop and soft drinks.

It was a big day when Vernon, Nanny, Deezee, Nippy and Aunt Lois arrived at Blue Lake. Al and Bucky had such excited looks on their faces and met us with the welcome that they had rowed up to the Tavern and brought us back a surprise – a carton of warm pop which they kept hidden in their cottage under their bunks.

Do you boys remember the afternoon you invited Nippy and me to take a motorboat ride on Blue Lake? We never had time to see the blueness of the lake or the beautiful fir and birch trees surrounding the lake. Albert was at the helm and Bucky was the “urger to go faster, faster”. What a ride! We were covered from head to foot with spray. Nippy started to cry and we both pleaded with you to take us to shore. There was little heed to our demands and the faster we went. Finally, we landed back on familiar soil, but the two of us were too exhausted and scared that there wasn’t even a “Thank you“.

Then there were the times when we were all invited to the Manzer’s Cottage next door for steaming dishpans full of hot, delicious, sugary, homemade doughnuts. What a treat!

It was always a big occasion when Doc took his vacation from his dental practice in Park Ridge, Illinois. He usually came up to Blue Lake on the train, arriving at Rhinelander, Wisconsin. One summer, Vernon took the boys, Deezee, and me to meet him. The boys were real excited when he arrived – rushed to him with the greeting, “Doc, did you get to the bank before you left Park Ridge?” I think Doc had relaxed in the club car with a few bottles of beer because his nose and cheeks appeared quite red. He shook his hands and greeted Deezee and me asking, “Are you girls having a good time at Blue Lake?” We arrived home to the big cottage and as soon as we got indoors, he shook hands again with Deezee and me and asked, “Are you girls having a good time at Blue Lake?” He was feeling no pain. At that point, Honey took him aside and said, “Doctor, you go right down to the little cottage and go to bed.” Dear Doc and Honey – they were the best host and hostess in the entire world, and we will never forget the good times at Blue Lake and at their home in Park Ridge.

Do you boys remember how you would try to charge us 25 cents for the use of the deck chairs down at the water’s edge? And do you remember how poor Deezee would trudge up the hill each morning to feed your riding horses?

Then came Bucky’s birthday – he had some of his little friends at his home for a party. Deezee baked him a beautiful yellow sponge cake with white icing and decorated with candles. He informed her that he preferred devil’s food cake. What a letdown for poor Deezee!