"Romeo & Juliet"

Peter Molloy & Geraldine Tischer, approx. 1958

Peter, Geraldine/"Gerry", Bobby Mitchell - (baby refused to be identified)

January, 1952

(David, Peter, Isabel Giriat, Fran Molloy/Mom, Bill)

We're standing on the lake, a day of ice skating. In the background, Denny Giriat's cabin.

(Great views of Denny Giriat's cabin)

Pictured from left to right: Denny Giriat, Peter Molloy, Isabel Giriat, Fran Molloy, David Molloy (petting Denny's dog, "Buddy"). Click on pic(s) to enlarge!

Update; 2/25/09: The following photograph is of Denny Giriat (right) and Van Ness Ballard (center), taken outside Denny's cabin around 1950. Many thanks to John Giriat, a charter member of the Ballard Crew, for these great shots...

Denny's cabin...

Giriat's cabins: Joe's (left), Denny's (right)...


After the blizzard!..

Ballard Barbecue...

Greetings, Ballard Crew!

The following group of fantastic pictures were taken at the lake during the 1950's, taken specifically in the area known as "The Field," with "The Beach" in the background. This series of shots are provided courtesy of Mickey and Karen Kwasnicki. Click on the picture(s) individually to enlarge, enjoy the show - and thanks to Mickey & Karen for sharing these great memories...

In this last picture, I don't recognize the folks around the table, but I do recognize the Rheingold can!

Swimmers & Bathing Beauties!

(click photos to enlarge)

Update: June 3, 2010:

"Big Ray" Van Wagner, Bill Molloy, Dinny Keane

Photos: Thanks to Mickey & Karen Kwasnicki!

Kit, Kids + One Happy Toddler

Update: June 3, 2010:

Kit Keane & Daniel

Kit, Daniel, and Mathew ("Matt") standing

(click images to enlarge)

Daniel & Matt

Kit & Daniel

Keane family photos, courtesy of Mickey & Karen Kwasnicki

Summer

Courtesy of Mickey & Karen Kwasnicki

Another great picture from Mickey and Karen, apparently taken at the "Red Dock," probably around 1956/7. Sitting on the left facing the camera, it appears to be Eileen Amy with daughter Mona Lou (back to camera) - and sitting to Eileen's right, it appears to be Margie Mitchell. And even further to the right, Billy Molloy - plus a bunch of kids playing in and around the water. Really, a typical summer afternoon at the lake - kids having fun, the parents relaxing.

Also a terrific view of the lake, and Milltown Road in the background, see how it climbs up the hill to the left. Like it's going somewhere... and it was.

Note: Click on picture(s) for larger image, greater detail.

Happy Birthday! 1957

Courtesy of Mickey & Karen Kwasnicki

This is just such a fantastic shot!* Hard to believe it was taken 50 years ago. There's Mickey smiling at the camera, and next to him brother Peter smiling at his spoon, and next to Peter brother Billy apparently engrossed in deep conversation! Sitting at the head of the table, it appears to be Bobby Mitchell, with at least one of the [unidentified] girls staring at him - in love again. From what I've heard, Bobby was quite the lady's man!

For the Molloy's, this picture offers an additional treat; our cabin - the camp's converted mess hall - in the background. Also, to the right, Ballard's "spider" emporium, also know as the camp's outhouse, although it did have plumbing (i.e., toilets). But at night, forget it!... Black Widows lurking behind the bowls the size of trucks! Just waiting to grab some kid and drag'em under the creaky floor. In the outhouse, it was Halloween all summer long. Oh, but what a joy!

Update: May 28, 2010: Same great party, different angles! At the head of the table, Dinny Keane! These shots were retrieved from the original slides, which accounts for the outstanding color and detail (given the time period!). Just look at that watermelon, you can almost taste it! And the cake, baked in a bungalow oven!

"I'm RICH!"

Lake Ballard, late Fall 1957

Courtesy of Mickey & Karen Kwasnicki

What a great shot!* Probably taken on or around Thanksgiving, when several Ballard families would return to The Lake to "officially" end the summer. Over turkey. Never quite got used to the silence of fall though, the quiet desolation, the leafless trees, and of course, the cold. Gathering around the potbelly stove instead of the outdoors - even the fish had gone deep for the coming winter. And like us, praying for summer's return!

*For a larger image click on picture(s).

Update (5/11/08): Click Here For Complete Ballard Photo Album/Slide Show - via “Flickr”. When there, click on any image to view full size, or just click on "Slide Show." In addition, our Ballard Flickr site contains several pics not displayed here. So, be sure to take a look!

Three Amigos

Billy, Peter, Dennis (c. 1953)

Inscribed on back:

"Billy, Peter and their little friend Denny. I took these quite late and against the light. This is just one little corner of the lake."

The handwritten inscription is undated and unsigned, although verified as written by Billy and Peter's "Aunt Nona."