Thursday, July 18, 2002

First crush at Riveredge

When I was 10, which was 22 years ago, my family and I would go for a week or 2 to a resort called Riveredge which was in Moodus.

I have some cute memories and photos from there. I remember I had my first crush there, would join in all the games, like the sac races, the pie eating contests, etc. I also enjoyed the paddleboats and learning how to use a scaddadle (water skiis covered with canvas).

I remember going to the rec hall to play ping pong or watch a movie. I remember having corn roasts and hot dog roasts at night near the river and taking tours on the pontoon boats. I even think I remember one of the social directors there whose name was Arty.

Can you tell me if the resort still exists or is still open? I would love to take my children back there.

Thanks,
--Jeanette Ziangos

Monday, July 15, 2002

Really fresh chicken at Budka's

My Czech grandparents owned property in the Rocky Hill Road/Lake Bashan area of Moodus from 1930s onward. A relative still owns the property. Sent there as a child from Michigan in the 1940s (w/o parents).

I remember Weinstein's drug store in Moodus Center (where fireworks were purchased) as well as the Grand Union store in the village, a local doctor (could his name have been Dr. Horsefeathers?) who came up one day to examine me thoroughly in what much have been a concern about polio.

Czech relatives owned a boardinghouse (possibly Julia Budka's from your photos) where my older cousin & friends went to help prepare meals, including plucking feathers from the place's freshly killed chickens. Also remember that the evening's activity frequently was a walk to Mr. Bailey's ice cream store at a reservoir. Day events including swimming & soapy baths in Lake Bashan as our farmhouse had an unreliable water supply.

--Rhona N.

Soapy baths in Bashan Lake

My Czech grandparents owned property in the Rocky Hill Road/Lake Bashan area of Moodus from 1930s onward. A relative still owns the property. Sent there as a child from Michigan in the 1940s (w/o parents).

I remember Weinstein's drug store in Moodus Center (where fireworks were purchased) as well as the Grand Union store in the village, a local doctor (could his name have been Dr. Horsefeathers?) who came up one day to examine me thoroughly in what much have been a concern about polio.

Czech relatives owned a boardinghouse (possibly Julia Budka's from your photos) where my older cousin & friends went to help prepare meals, including plucking feathers from the place's freshly killed chickens. Also remember that the evening's activity frequently was a walk to Mr. Bailey's ice cream store at a reservoir. Day events including swimming & soapy baths in Lake Bashan as our farmhouse had an unreliable water supply.

--Rhona Neuwirth

  I am pleased to announce that the new local history website EastHaddamStories.org is now live. It is a project of the East Haddam Historic...