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Summertime in the BelgradesContentsfor Printing
Article Summaries |
Buying a Bit of the BelgradesBy Esther J. Perne
Deep in December, it's nice to remember days of sun and pine-scented breezes. And deep in summer? It's nice to do the shopping, the planning, the browsing, the buying for all the memories, the gifts and memorabilia that serve as reminders of the summer that was or are a reason to return next season. Shopping for that special keepsake of the Belgrades is a unique way to complement the intangible memories that are carried inside, a unique part of the vacation-time visit, from window gazing to store-to-store wandering to doing a downtown to spontaneous purchases wherever the season may lead. This is the excuse to spend a day on Main Street, usually Water Street in these lake and riverside towns, where store-to-store visits with or without purpose provide an enjoyable outing. Or, go to a one-store village general store; but don't stop at the door. Backrooms, balconies, cellars and additions, nooks and crannies, are neat sites for discovering unique souvenirs.
What's on the list to take or send home? Themes are the key: camp, lakes, loons — they're in a category by themselves, sports, recreation, wildlife, history. Traditional camp décor, old or new, is easy to find. Once a way of life, many of the old camp utensils, furnishings, photos, maps and paintings now line the walls of lodges, restaurants, and general stores. If something catches the eye it can usually be purchased at antique shops and yard sales, or is available in replica in most gift shops. Think survival and a whole line of campy memorabilia comes to mind. Lamps, candleholders, matchboxes, and reflectors are well-used and still useful items. Tools, many with elegantly carved wooden handles, shop and woodshed racks, and woodboxes find interesting places and uses in the modern home. Ice picks and saws, ice chests, and cabinets are representative of this former ice-harvesting region. Ash pails and shovels, bellows, and tongs — or complete fireplace sets — fit well next to today's hearths. Sporting equipment, old and new, makes great gifts. Fishing mementos are most popular, but boating, canoeing, sailing, and kayaking all offer something to add to collections or use on the lakes. Old paddles and oars hang well on walls and convert cleverly to signs. Hat racks and hats are a trademark of the fishing life. Creels and reels, colorful flies, and any manner of lures contribute to an angler's obsession.
Things loony can be found in the more modern shops where loon decor abounds. So do books for all ages, tapes, CDs, cards, calendars, carvings and stuffies. Look for books, cards and calendars, and especially stufffies for other wildlife, too. Moose are great attention-getters. The small critters appeal to the younger set. All ages appreciate books about Maine. Pictures, drawings, paintings and artwork offer a special Maine connection for adults. Perhaps the best gift of all is the something for another summer. A gift certificate to an overnight, a meal, a day with a guide, a season pass at summer theater, a canoe rental, a ticket to a future event, or an offer to attend an outing that's free are all fun to look forward to. Deep in December, or far from the lakes, it's more than nice to remember those great days of summer. Add buying a bit of the Belgrades to that stock of memories — when shopping, browsing, and unhurried selecting are easy. | |||
