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Note: , 1959. Our daughter, Meghan Stephanie Fichtenau, was born November 24, 1964, in Tallahassee, Florida, where Bob was getting his Ph.D. in English Education. We moved to Pontiac, Michigan, in 1966 and been in this area ever since. That's why Meg is going to Lewis and Clark College in Portland in September -- to retrace her unknown western roots.
My memories of the Lake go back to the early "40's" when my mom and I took the train there together wearing matching plaid, cotton suits and slept in the upper berth. We visited family along the way and more family at the lake. Frankie and Van Stone were the babies around and Harold and Edie were newly-weds. Though I may be mixing up trips - we got to the lake several times in my childhood. I loved it.
When we moved to Michigan, my mom and dad were living in Eugene. They bought into the hill cottage with Aunty Grace and Uncle dick and spent the summers there. When Meg was 3, she and I went to visit. Meg fell in love with all the aunts, uncles, and cousins. She had never experienced "family" before like her Michigan friends whose families mostly lived in the area. Meg and her grandmother had a very special rapport - brief though it was.
We bought the property at the lake in the summer of 1971, I think. We bought the trailer in 1972 and drove it over that summer. Meg, Bob, and I spent as much time as possible there for several years. Then I went back to work as a professional librarian in 1974 and didn't have the summers off. The hayfever and I had been willing to put up with in the past was too much of a burden when I had to go back to work in two weeks. But Meg continued to go there and stay with my dad. One summer before 1974 John and Charley spent a long time with us there. It's part of our family tradition - whether we are there or not.
My dad is now 78 and last summer may be the last time that he can spend there on his own but, Meg, John and Charley all look forward to "going to the lake" the same way Fred and I did, the same way my mother and father did.
Note: Lane wrote: I married Robert Louis Fichtenau in Portland October 24
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