Out for a drive with Mr. Flea a few weeks ago...
...we came upon what was once The Tamarack Playhouse.
It was opened in 1938 by Malcolm Atterbury and his wife Ellen
and served as a summer stock theater
with many a famous Hollywood actor performing
and spending time here during the 40's and 50's.
For a peek at the newspaper article announcing it's opening ...click HERE
In relatively recent years and for a long time...
the old building housed an antique shop....
...called Tamarack Shoppe.
This is how I remember it...
...with old wooden sloped floors...a screen door that banged closed after you...a bell that rang to let the shopkeeper know you were there...a stack of old picture frames leaning against the wall...
...a room with shelves floor to ceiling...hundreds and hundreds of old books to thumb through...
I think I loved those the best...
Sun streaming through dusty windows onto colored glass bottles....
...old crocks and linens mixed with Adirondack souvenirs,
penny candy, new silver and garnet jewelry...
maps of the area, old dressers with gingerbread trim,
old paint and stuck drawers...
...curious old implements used for farming, fishing and hunting...
...and friendly family shop keepers
always ready to show a pretty antique ring...
or simply just welcome a customer to chat with.
I loved spending time there...
...and since there aren't many shops
in this very rural, mountain area...
...I spent many afternoons looking...
...looking at every. single. object.
in that wonderful old shop.
But time passes and things change.
A few years ago...well, maybe more than a few now...
...the shop closed its doors.
The building sits empty now.
I wanted to go in...
...to see what was left.
Mr. Flea would never allow that....
I have also always wanted to see the rest of the place....
...the old kitchen...the stage area...the places where those famous Hollywood actors of long ago spent so much time...
I should have asked to do that long ago...
...when I had a chance.
Although the place is not in good shape these days...
...it did not make me feel sad to be there...
Instead...it made me think of all the happy summers
that have long since passed...
I imagined laughter, camaraderie and cool mountain summer nights for those who attended or performed at the playhouse...
...decades ago.
I thought of the times I visited the shop with my Mom and sisters...
looking at the pretty garnets set in silver...
and remembered many quiet afternoons
poking around looking for treasures
...browsing through dusty books.
Happy thoughts...
Feeling full of gratitude for so many things.
To be able to spend time here in these mountains
with Mr. Flea and Dad...
with family and dear friends arriving for weekend visits...
...it's heaven on earth.
The fact that my Mom and my two cousins
are not with us this summer is bittersweet.
But time brings change...
and regardless of how painful losing a loved one is...
these changes are simply a part of everyone's life.
How lucky am I to have such wonderful memories of happy times?
How fortunate we are to be able to continue to spend summers in these beautiful mountains.
I love being here.
Thanks for stopping by.
I haven't been posting as often...involved with...well...
living and loving life.
Hope you've been managing the changes in your life...
...and enjoying the August summer days.
:)
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30 comments:
Thanks for the little trip. I bet it was an awesome place... still is really.
Laura, your images tell a beautiful story. Your love for this place shines through as I scrolled down though your thoughtful words. This is a wonderful post! Glad you are enjoying life in the mountains. Hugs ~ Sarah
An absolutely beautiful post Laura.
The times are changing, things are passing but as long as we have wonderful memories it helps to ease the sorrow.
Enjoy your time in those lovely mountains!
Susan x
Hi Laura,
What wonderful memories and what a wonderful old place. I would have loved to see the inside and stage area as well. Can you imagine the amazing talent from the 40's and 50's that acted there?
Thank you for the beautiful photos.
Have a lovely week.
Sincerely,
Melinda
C'est très beau Laura,une belle leçon du temps qui file devant nous.
bel été à toi et ta famille.
Amitiés
manon
Little tears to my eyes.....Beautiful Girl!
xoSue
You are lucky to have those memories, brought into conscious mind by a vision, a scent, a fragrance, a sound. Aren't we all lucky to have those thoughts os times past to bring color and pleasure to our oft times frenetic lives today? Savor your new times in those mountains...
xoxo, Chris
I hope someone will buy this charming place, and turn it into a restaurant or shop. Thanks for sharing with us, Laura. We "antiques people" love and cherish memories....of people, places, objects, treasures....
What a lovely trip. Thank you for sharing that with us. It is sad that a place like that is no longer, but, you are right, you have fond memories to hold onto. I would have like to peek inside too~!
it is sad to see something once so vibrant fall down...you have some lovely photos to keep
hello laura, I'm Italian and I'm here by accident: I tried the blog with beautiful pictures and it really is your time. despite the imperfect translation of google I was thrilled to read you. I'm glad to have found you and will follow with great pleasure. a hug. lella
What a lovely place to visit.Especially with so many memories.Yes it is not the way it once was.But you can't erase the memories of what once was.Enjoy your time with your family.That is what is most important in life.Spending time with loved ones and making new memories.
xx
Anne
Laura
Being a nostalgic soul, I enjoyed this post immensely...I have re-read it several times. I often recall places from my childhood and it seems that I visit them with all my senses.
I think you should have politely disregarded Mr. Flea's suggestion that you not go inside and wander about...husband would have said the same to me.
Busy Hands...Happy Heart
Patricia
What a lovely post. How wonderful to have a place still standing where you can remember good times from days long ago.
I'm with you. Not much blogging when there are places to go and family to visit during our too short summer months. Enjoy!!!
A trip down memory lane is good for the soul. It is what makes us appreciate all the love and good times we had in years past. August was always a lazy month for me growing up...gathering the last bit of garden vegetables, fruits and watching my mom and grandmother canning for the winter. The "dog days of summer" spent sitting on our porch, playing outside and starting to feel the excitement about the new school year which brought new clothes and shoes and seeing our friends again. These were happy, tranquil days and evenings just passing the time.
Your images go so nicely with the "story" here. Lovely to imagine the happiness this place brought to you and so many others! Enjoy your summer too Laura!
What a great place to be with all the ones you love.
Great images! You really captured this site for all of us to see. I can imagine those by gone days... must of been fascinating.
Have fun up there in those mountains :)
xxx Liz
hi laura...so lovely to hear you sounding so well and at peace.... you are lucky indeed.
enjoy your time at the lake!
erin
xxoo
Love your post as usual!
Aaaaaah, your chippy paint photos are pure beauty, Laura!!!
It certainly looks like a place filled with lots of heart warming memories. Shame that its abandoned and forsaken now. Hopefully someone will take pity on it and rescue it for generations to come.
Joasia x
Memories are such a blessing and make life that much sweeter. So glad you are able to enjoy so many beautiful memories in your heart.
What a beautiful place to make new memories and remember the ones you love, thanks for sharing.
A sweet poignant post. Where is it located?
love your crystal clear writing and beautiful photos Laura!
What a beautiful building and story! Thanks for sharing. :)
Such a beautiful post. Loved the sentimental journey.
Please do post more often. You inspire me.
Laura,
I loved Tamarack Shoppe, too. My family has been going to Piseco Lake since the 1920s and I used to stop in every summer. I will never forget a very still August day when I went in and found the owner asleep in a chair. It was like going back decades in time. Thanks for the great photos.
Jennifer
Laura,
Thanks for the great write up and photos. I loved Tamarack Shoppe, too. I stopped in one very still, hot August day to find the owner asleep in an old chair. It was like going back in time.
My family has been going to Piseco Lake since the 1920s.
Jennifer
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