Saturday, April 25, 2009
Message in a bottle...
"In 1960 when I was 15 years, my parents bought "the cabin" across the road from Lake Ballard. There were two cabins on the property. The first had living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. The second was just a couple of rooms with no plumbing. Two months later the electric meter box was struck by lightening and the living-room and bedroom burned down. The Holmes volunteer fire dept saved the rest and some of the old furniture. Mom had insurance and they rebuilt. That summer was so much fun. We drove from Stamford, Conn. almost every weekend. My sister, Ginny, was 18. We would drive up on Friday nites, my parents not coming up until Saturday. My grandparents lived in Lake Carmel. I had spent many years swimming at the beach near the fire dept. on Rt 52 below Barrett Hill Rd. My cousin, Linda, also lived in Lake Carmel and her boyfriend, Billy, lived past White Pond . We met some of the local boys. I would go down the hill to the lake dive off the rock, swim to the stump, shampoo my hair, climb on the stump, jump in, swim across the lake. I met the kids in camp, Peter, Geraldine, Bobby, Joey, Larry, Mona Lou... Throughout the fall and into the winter, we'd make the drive to "the cabin". We had a fireplace and a kerosene heater. We had an outhouse, we called "Mary". The next summer the fun continued. There were lots of parties. We'd play records and dance. The boys would drink beer. There were parties in camp, too. I took many walks in the woods and to Flossie's. Watched the boys jump off that big rock hoping they'd be OK. My parents retired to "the cabin". They added a room. They lived there until around 1980. We had many family picnics with the grandkids. We still swam in the lake. I would walk thru the camp. For a few years the "hippies" lived there then everything was just gone but the lake." - Janet Gill
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Big Ballard Cook-In - 1940
Inside the mess-hall, and what later (1952) became our (the Molloy's) cabin. This interior shot looks just like it did when we first moved in, with its massive, commercial stove, and the large service table! Which kinda proves that although things may change, our memory never does. And on this particular day in 1940, the early Ballard Crew was cooking for a crowd! From the left: Dot Coutard, Martha Giriat, Isabelle Giriat, "Hug," and Alice Landi.
The hungry mob outside the mess-hall: Most are unidentified, but from the left, Arthur Ballard Jr., Denny Giriat. Standing on the extreme right, Martha Giriat. Below; Marge Giriat(?), Charlie Giriat, and Van-Ness Ballard. (Bottle; can't make out the label)
Many thanks to Dee "Dorothy" Giriat for these and all the great photos, a wonderful ride through Ballard Lake's early history! Be sure to visit our sister-site at Flickr and click on the slide-show, which also includes outtakes not displayed here.
Arthur Ballard & Friends
The above is a rare photo, indeed. Standing center is Arthur Ballard Sr., Van-Ness Ballard's father! To his right, Mickey, and below, toddler Glen Williams. Dated March 26, 1939
Here's Van-Ness Ballard's brother (cousin?), Arthur Ballard Jr., with toddler, Glen Williams. Look at Arthur's spiffy high-tops, possibly purchased from a Sears & Roebuck catalog. Photo dated March 26, 1939.
What a terrific photo! From the left; Isabelle Giriat; Arthur Ballard Jr.; Mickey; Martha Giriat; and toddler Glen Williams - March 26, 1939.
All the above were taken outside Denny Giriat's cabin. Many thanks to Dee (Dorothy) Giriat for providing them!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The Great "Pabst" Caper
1942 - Above we see Pabst's delivery boy (aka "Joe Braun") outside Denny's cabin, captured by one of Ballard's notorious gunmen, Bob Coutard.
In the above we clearly see why, too, as Bob guzzles the hops from his nefarious caper.
The above is just one of Bob's accomplices, Denny Giriat! Of all people! I think his brother Charlie Giriat was in on it, too - because Denny and Bob are sitting (smashed) on Charlie's dock!
The above may also help explain why the Baptists abandoned Ballard, and went to Lake Whaley. That is, assuming they weren't in on this business in the first place. After all, that moonshine still us kids found buried in the woods wasn't built by the Ballard Crew!
(Great photos, thanks to Dorothy-Dee!)
In the above we clearly see why, too, as Bob guzzles the hops from his nefarious caper.
The above is just one of Bob's accomplices, Denny Giriat! Of all people! I think his brother Charlie Giriat was in on it, too - because Denny and Bob are sitting (smashed) on Charlie's dock!
The above may also help explain why the Baptists abandoned Ballard, and went to Lake Whaley. That is, assuming they weren't in on this business in the first place. After all, that moonshine still us kids found buried in the woods wasn't built by the Ballard Crew!
(Great photos, thanks to Dorothy-Dee!)
"Chateau Pres Du Lac"
Thanks to Dee (Dorothy Giriat), this wonderful series of images chronicles the construction of Charlie Giriat's (Dee's father) cabin, Chateau Pres Du Lac. The above photo was taken in May, 1941, and the photographer appears to be standing on or near the "Red Dock." On Mickey's map here from the 1950's, Pres Du Lac is designated as "Helen & Ed's" (who kept themselves locked in their cabin, with the shades down).
Above, Pres Du Lac from across the lake, 1942. Note there's no evidence of "The Chapel," which must have come later. Further to the left, can't see Denny's or Joe's (Giriats) either, although their cabins may be hiding behind the trees in this shot. To the right, a few cabins from the central camp may be seen. All in all, a wonderful photo! (And taken in the year I was learning to say "Mama"!)
Above, Pres Du Lac at completion, 1939. On the left, Dee's mom, Martha Giriat (others unidentified).
Above captured July 15, 1939 - apparently taken before the final paint; the dark color appears to be a base coat. That's my guess, anyway.
Above, Martha Giriat (Dee's mom), July 19, 1939.
Above, Pres Du Lac during construction, May 12, 1939. The photographer appears to be in a boat, just off where the chapel would have been.
Above, Martha Giriat (Dee's mom), April 23, 1939, taken during early construction of Pres Du Lac. Great shot, great *series, thanks to Dee!
*Stay tuned, more to come!
Above, Pres Du Lac from across the lake, 1942. Note there's no evidence of "The Chapel," which must have come later. Further to the left, can't see Denny's or Joe's (Giriats) either, although their cabins may be hiding behind the trees in this shot. To the right, a few cabins from the central camp may be seen. All in all, a wonderful photo! (And taken in the year I was learning to say "Mama"!)
Above, Pres Du Lac at completion, 1939. On the left, Dee's mom, Martha Giriat (others unidentified).
Above captured July 15, 1939 - apparently taken before the final paint; the dark color appears to be a base coat. That's my guess, anyway.
Above, Martha Giriat (Dee's mom), July 19, 1939.
Above, Pres Du Lac during construction, May 12, 1939. The photographer appears to be in a boat, just off where the chapel would have been.
Above, Martha Giriat (Dee's mom), April 23, 1939, taken during early construction of Pres Du Lac. Great shot, great *series, thanks to Dee!
*Stay tuned, more to come!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
At the Kelly Place
From the shoebox of memories, these photos were taken in 1953 at the Kelly's farm on Holmes Road - where Denny Giriat kept his horses "Buddy" and "Pride."
Fran Molloy (Ma) on "Pride," and Jim Molloy (Dad) on "Buddy"...
...
Dennis Giriat on "Buddy," with Louie facing the camera...
From the left, Isabel, Denny, and Dennis Giriat; Dave, Peter, and Bill Molloy; Louie...
From the left: Peter (holding fence), Bill (watching the cows approach), Ma/Fran, Isabel & Dennis...
Dave and Peter, "Elsie wranglers"...
Fran Molloy (Ma) on "Pride," and Jim Molloy (Dad) on "Buddy"...
...
Dennis Giriat on "Buddy," with Louie facing the camera...
From the left, Isabel, Denny, and Dennis Giriat; Dave, Peter, and Bill Molloy; Louie...
From the left: Peter (holding fence), Bill (watching the cows approach), Ma/Fran, Isabel & Dennis...
Dave and Peter, "Elsie wranglers"...
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