The
Merryweather
June
21, 1973. “Tracy, did you
think this day would ever come?”
“I knew the day would come, but I never dreamed we
would be ready for our opening. We have the journals to thank for
keeping us on schedule.”
“You are so right there. The whole town has been
reading every word of the journals. I think everyone has felt a real
connection to the past and to the generations who lived in Camden
Corners before us. It was a whole different way of life back then.
I envy the way everyone cared for their neighbors.”
“Do you remember how everyone told us we were foolish
to try to renovate this place? Now that people have read the
journals, they are supporting us wholeheartedly. I can't believe
Steve is on our side now. He is the one who persuaded the Town
Council to give us a tax break on the old mansion.”
Walking through The Merryweather was like walking back
in time. Every square inch of the place was sparkling. Tracy and
Holly had worked day and night to clean, repair, paint and polish the
whole house. Each second floor suite was decorated in an authentic
1900s theme and bore the family name of a resident of Camden Corners.
The Crowley, The Mackenzie, The Burke, to name
just a few. Thanks to donations from the townsfolk, the third
floor spa and exercise area was completed in time for the opening.
Walking through the front doors, the focal point was a grand
staircase to the second floor with a massive crystal chandelier in
the center. Beautiful reconditioned early 19th century
tables and chairs were placed in the lobby. The display cases
holding the open journals and donated mementos from days gone by had
been carefully placed along the walls. Copies of Tony Marino's
photographs were displayed in ornate frames. The carpeting felt like
velvet underfoot. There was one large dining room and three smaller
ones for more casual meetings or parties. Outside, the theme was
more modern with two pools, a playground area for the children and
tennis courts. Seating and small tables adorned the porch that
surrounded the house where views of the lake on one side, grapevines
on the another and the ski resort on a third could be enjoyed.
“Tracy, I think we have done everything we can to get
ready for the reception tonight. I think I'll take a walk around
town to clear my head, would you care to join me?”
“I think that is a wonderful idea, Holly. If I stay
in here one minute longer I'm going to rearrange the candle
decoration on the piano for the tenth time.”
The girls walked down the long sidewalk to Main Street.
They were silent as they took note of the town as though it was the
first time they'd seen it. People seemed to be walking more after
reading the journals. It had always been a friendly town but now the
folks went out of their way to greet each other. They walked by
the old firehouse where Iris Taylor fell asleep on the dogs pallet
and woke up to a new family. Diana's bakery was still functioning as
a bakery after changing hands dozens of times. The Burkes Candy shop
no longer made fresh candy but had it delivered from a factory. The
Antique Shop filled three other old shops. Jennifer Crowley and
Andrea Fulbright were the new owners and history buffs. Along with
antiques, customers could get information on any and all of the
residents of Camden Corners through the years. The Hardware store
had closed its doors in the fall of 1970. There was a new large
hardware store that offered prices the smaller one just couldn't
compete with. Pringles Christmas shop was still open although the
aroma of peppermint and gingerbread was no longer a constant reminder
of Christmas. O'Sullivan's was still owned by the Burkes and
Mackenzies. Marinos was still an Italian restaurant but the spinach
lasagne was never as tasty as when Eduardo and Mamma Rossi were in
competition to make the best. Philip Clarke's book store still had
some precious rare books in the back room. The Camden Corners
Chronicle moved from the Quilt Shop many years ago and was located
just west of town. It was now a daily newspaper with national as
well as local news. The Quilt Shop returned to its quilt days along
with sewing machines, dress patterns and fabric. It was operated by
Cindy Hightower who had developed a talent for quilting and taught
classes two days a week.
“Look Holly, there is the gazebo where Jamison Bentley
first kissed Caroline Watson. What a wonderful romance that was.”
“People certainly suffered in silence in those days.
I would have kissed him back that very first time. Instead Caroline
was alone for 20 years.”
“The romance of Neville and Helene was a pretty sad
one too. I'm awfully glad they finally ended up together.”
“What about Nettie and Oscar? I can't imagine why
Nettie didn't marry someone while she lived in Greensboro.”
“She must have been waiting for her soul mate.”
“Did they have soul mates back then?”
“Probably not.”
“Speaking of soul mates, here comes yours.”
“Hi Steve.”
“Hello girls. I thought you would be pacing the
floors of The Merryweather and here you are strolling down Main
Street. It's really a nice little town, isn't it?”
“That it is.”
“Did I ever tell you girls that I'm proud of you and
you were right about The Merryweather. It is just what Camden
Corners needed. Now that the project is complete, maybe I can
convince you to marry me.”
“What do you think, Tracy? Should I marry this guy?”
“The next generation of Camden Corners residents has
to begin somewhere. It might as well be with the two of you.”
“I just happen to know of a lovely place to hold the
wedding reception.”
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