There are only a few of us left who remember Bar Harbor in its glory days. Those wonderful days when the Cottages of Bar Harbor were the center of the summer season of the rich and the famous. Many of the great families of America were summer residents of this wonderful colony before the great fire of 1946 spelled the doom of one of America's great resorts. When I was much younger I was a part of this wonderful scene. My parents were natives of the area and through hard work and perseverance they established a mercantile business that became one of the well-known suppliers to the Cottage Colony. The memories of my childhood and through the latter years will always be a part of my heritage as a member of one of the town's merchant families. The business was established in 1892 and is still operated by the same family of Shermans. Although I have been away for many years I can still recall those memorable times. Coming into Frenchman's Bay on the ferry boat "J. T. Morse" and being wel- comed home by our dear friend, Captain Joe Norton. Stopping on the Ocean Drive at an S.P.C.A. station for a cool drink and to fill up the hot radiator of our car. Going to Thunder Hole in a storm to see and hear the high waves thunder against the rocks. Picking blueberries beside the road. Riding my bicycle and taking a lunch to Suer-de-Mont Springs, a beautiful place. Buying a dressed hot dog from Tuleo B. and hot roasted peanuts from my good friend Angelo - a nickel each. Going to the Star Theatre where owner Joe Emery took your ticket and his niece Hilda Emery played the piano - (now Mrs. Meyer Davis). -2- Playing in the hayloft on Roberts Avenue and riding the horses bareback around Roberts Square. Buying lobsters for $3.00 a dozen. Buying my kid gloves and having them fitted by Clara Norris. A shiny red apple from Green Brothers Fruit Store. Buying steak at Butterfields and not asking the price. lupin Picking beautiful tuppin in the fields at the Ledgelawn Cemetery and putting them on graves. Having tea and popovers at Jordan Pond - enjoying the view of the mountains and Bubble Pond - a visit with the McIntires. Playing ring-around-the-rosie at the bandstand on the village green. Wearing sneakers to walk on the barnacles to Bar Island. Watching the Phillip Livingstons come around the corner of Main and Cottage Streets in their Tally-ho with coachman and footman. Buying Maine salt water taffy from Miss Lufkin at her candy shop. Penny candy at Bees and a birch bark canoe on a mailing card. Stopping to speak to Mr. Perlensky standing outside his dry goods store. My godmother, Mrs. John Harrison, coming for me to take a ride in her hansom cab - beautiful black horses, a coachman and a footman - first stop, the library. Ice cream sodas at Fred Gonyas made with real cream by Frank Carroll, my much-admired soda jerker - the Ford boys were often there. Selling yeast cakes in my father's hardware store for two cents. Frank Sporinger, my cousin, and Harry Johnston, my very good friend. "minding springer the store". Going to Hulls Cove for birthday cakes made by Aunt Jess Higgins of The Tea Cup Inn. Singing in the choir for many years at St. Saviours Church. Taking dancing lessons upstairs in the Odd Fellows Hall - from Mary Moore and Shirley Johnston at the Piano. Delivering grey and khaki yarn on my bicycle for the Red Cross in World War I. Listening to concerts at the Building of Arts. Beautiful linens at Fairlambs and pretty dresses at Mrs. Hoags. -3- Playing with gold pieces on my father's big desk at the store. Having dinner with Doris Jones at the 01d Newport House - later walking to the Shore Path looking at Balance Rock, Porcupine Island and the waves. Harry Hamer coming from Sand Point with luscious strawberries, blueberries and raspberries served with heavy cream - and do not forget gooseberries for jam! Buying my first polo coat at Lyford Woodwards. The smell of hot bread and doughnuts frying at Ed Douglas' bakery. A fish man coming to your back door twice a week. Clam bakes at Salisbury Cove. Waiting for the ice man to come in his horse-dravn wagon to pick up small chips of ice to eat or use for lemonade at a stand. Going to the Chatauqua in the summer at the Athletic Field. My father talking with John D. Rockefeller in our hardware store the day after I was born and learning that he had a new son, Nelson, born the same day. The Eden Fair and church suppers - baked beans and brown bread. Talking with Steve Kingsley in his hearing horn. Beautiful yachts in Frenchmans Bay. People beautifully dressed on the streets of Bar Harbor. The war ships coming in the harbor for a summer visit. Taking piano lessons from Sister Josephine. Everyone meeting at my cousin's store "Sherman's Book and Stationery Store" waiting for the out-of-town papers to arrive. Having a hat made by Alma Farrar. Penny post cards. A good fish dinner for about 50 cents at Joys or Murches. Dr. C. C. Morrison delivering my three brothers and me all at home. Buying shoes at Ladds Shoe Store. My favorite policemen, Harry Willey and Wash Grant. Going to the Girls Friendly Society at St. Saviours - if you were lucky, a boy to valk you home. A ride around the Belmont and Malvern Hotel and Cottages in summer - beautiful flower boxes everywhere in full bloom. -4- Sitting on one of our porches at "Royeden", now the town motel, and listen- ing to string music from the Lorraine Hotel - then across the street. My mother driving her favorite mare and one-seated buggy over Cottage Street going at a pretty good clip. Many social functions at the Casino including George Harris singing "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory of the Coming of the Lord". My handsome father in his white flannels and navy blue jacket ushering in the summer at St. Saviours. My brother Bill being encouraged by Walter Damrosch to study music and becoming baritone soloist at The Cathedral of St. John in New York City. Clayton These and many more are happy memories of my childhood days in Bar Harbor.