Some History of Point View
So the story goes…….Ernie and Jeanne were high school sweethearts and used to travel to Groton Pond (who knows why else?) to enjoy the summer’s sunny weather. They frequently were accompanied by Beverly and Midge Rossi. Beverly and Jeanne were classmates and Midge and Ernie, both being mechanics, were very good friends. In August of 1946, soon after my sister Jacky was born, and soon after my parents had purchased a “fix-r-upper” house in Barre, Ernie purchased the then existing, single room camp with a front porch. The interesting fact is that, he bought it without Jeanne knowing it, using all the money they had planned to use to fix up the house in Barre. Apparently, Jeanne quickly got over her anger and dismay about it, judging from this early picture of her bathing in front of the original camp. Note the low water level and the still existing pile of rocks out front.
It was the beginning of an era at Groton Pond for many local Vermont residents that bought available lots on the Pond from the Hooper parcel. For my family, it became our summer life. For Ernie, it became his passion to spend as much time as he could there. One never knows why, but he could not ever stop fixing or building, more and more to include digging the entire cellar by hand. All of us including uncles and guests got a taste of that chore! Back then, building was more difficult as we had to park at Stillwater and take supplies by boat to camp. I remember many trips when I was on top of a “boat load” of lumber, worried the boat would sink. Little by little, electricity arrived, running water appeared, a flush toilet and even television arrived. 1 channel only. Ernie’s schedule was to leave for work, by boat, each day except Wednesday. He used to stay in Barre on Wednesday and do grocery shopping. Thursday night was “surprise” night for us. Usually a box of Canadian mints was the treat. Some were usually missing. Then on Saturday, he always had a project. On Sunday, we got back into the boat to head to Marshfield to church. Another “treat” day for us, and Ernie. He always got 1 cigar on Sunday for the ride home. Sunday was his only day off. Other early projects included filling in the swampy areas behind the beach with sand from the lake. All natural sand that was pulled in by a team of horses and a scoop Ernie made. He also welded and manufactured many docks and boat winches for neighbors and friends. In the late 50’s he decided to build his own fireplace. I remember a lot of relatives around for that project.
My sister Jacky and I spent every summer here thru the 60’s and my sisters Janice and Janet took over from the 60’s to the present time. They (“The Twins”) were born in August 6, 1964. That began the tradition of a summer birthday party at Point View, on the beach, with many neighbors attending.
Point View was also a favorite location of the Annual Lake Groton Association meeting. Lots of parking . For boats that is!
As time went on winter weekends became part of the camping experience and now the interior of the camp started to change. Insulation was added and heating systems as well.
Ernie passed away at an early age in 1975 and but his dream of retiring to Groton Pond lived on with our mom Jeanne. Our mom made Point View her permanent residents until the age of 90. She stayed for as many months as she could stay warm. Mom passed in February 2014.
Groton Pond was as blessed by Jeanne and Ernie Desilets, as they felt blessed by being able to be in such a wonderful place.
Today we are passing on the Groton Pond camping experience to the new owners of Point View. Welcome David and Nancy Guy. Groton Pond welcomes you. May your new memories and traditions add to the vast number that exists for many of us here on Lake Groton.
8/28/2015
Written by Jon
Edited by: Jacky, Janice and Janet