Friday, Sept. 6th at 7PM at Folsom School--Two Historic Campgrounds

Two Historic Campgrounds Featured by So. Hero Historical Society Friday, Sept. 6th at seven o’clock at Folsom Ed. Center the So Hero Historical Society will reminisce about Skyland and Lakeside Campgrounds. Both at one time offered campers delicious communal dinners. Both hosted campers who returned season after season and now have become residents of South Hero. Priscilla Norton Arnold, third generation owner/manager of Skyland will share stories of Skyland, which was purchased by her grandparents, William and Mable Norton in l927. Many of us have fond memories of her father, our local doctor, whom we would see every day at eight o’clock as he drove up South Street to make his rounds. He was one of the last to make house calls. Skyland no longer serves meals, but it does have rustic cabins, RV campsites, as well as tent sites. Priscilla and her husband, Jack Arnold have managed the popular campground for several years. Lakeside was managed by the Giffords for many years. Although it is no longer operated as a campground it holds many happy memories by many former campers , such as Sandy Gregg, who will share stories and photos. Both the Nortons and the Giffords were not only business people, but also active in the community as a whole. Participating in church, plays, masons, and many other community activities. All are welcome to share our memories of an important part of our community. Email southherohistoricalsociety@gmail.com if you have any questions.

South Hero Historical Society to present TALES FROM THE INN-This Program has been postponed. We will let you know when it has been rescheduled. Once a tavern offering spirits and a bed to the weary traveler, now a respected financial institution. Join the South Hero Historical Society on Friday, August 16th at 7:00 P.M. and learn about the evolution of the South Hero Inn or Island House as it was called in the early years. Christine Allard, branch manager of our local Merchants Bank, will share her collection of Inn memorabilia assembled from customers and former town residents that had connections to the old stone building long ago. Christine is intrigued by the Inn's long history and will show photos of building modifications over the years and chronicle the institution's colorful proprietors. Ruth Gregg Evans, owner of the Inn in the 1960's and former Congregational Church organist and soloist, will join us for the evening. She will share many stories of her experiences running the bustling establishment with its wide array of intriguing guests. We will learn hidden secrets such as how, in the absence of a town bank in years past, she would exchange large bills for dollars from the church's Sunday collection plate in order to make change for customers. This was know as the "Money Changers in the Temple." Other tales will include how Ruth's daughter conveniently changed her waitress schedule in order to coincide with dinner visits from boys athletic teams from New York and the tale of the bleak winter night the furnace went out and Ruth nearly burned down the building trying to relight it. Be with us for an evening of history, a good measure of country humor and a song from Ruth's repertoire.