7/23/72 We have become path conscious since walking around Cleveland’s and Newharts’ islands. Today Jimmy and I built an 18 foot bridge across a steep place. It was long needed. It looks good. We had charcoal burning and one drink consumed (supper time) when Vern Reuters stopped. The Vern Docks and the new neighbors, Al and Marion Skurkis on board. They came up for a drink and stayed almost an hour. I thot, “Oh, nuts” when they pulled in but agreed with Layna, after they left, that it was fun. Nancy and Johnny manage a few minor irritants every day. Jimmy near perfect.
7/24/72 My last line yesterday “Jimmy near perfect.” All that went to hell today when I took Dan and K.C. & Jeannie back to landing. I let Nancy, Jeannie’s friend, go but not Jimmy. He pouted most of day but came around in evening. I guess he is like the most of us, a great guy when everything goes his way - but don’t cross me! Picked up the Sweetser gals, Elizabeth and Teresa. They seemed genuinely happy to be here. We definitely have had - and will have - altogether too many people at island this summer. I would hate to eliminate these two.
7/25/72 To Edwards’ island, Teresa and Elizabeth along. We picked blueberries for 1 ½ hour and came home with about 12 quarts. Much good talk with our old gal guests. Elizabeth does most of talking but Teresa is the one with the stuff. Real class. To Langdon’s for second meeting of LAC. A good group. Don’t know if we will accomplish anything.
7/26/72 At 3:30 we loaded everyone in Starcraft and took off for Ranier. Everyone except me to Arden’s store. I ran into Dan Clark. What a goddamn rattle brain he is! Now he knows exactly how to get a new boat. There is a black market dealer in Bemidji - $100 above dealer’s cost- blah, blah, blah. I will bet NWI against Garbage Island that he won’t buy a boat this summer! Home for a song fest with old gals. They are fun.
7/27/72 The Sweetser sisters sure dragged their feet this a.m. They hated to leave. Teresa ate at least 8 blueberry pancakes, savoring each. She brought out a small book of verse that she had illustrated herself. A very talented lady. We finally left them at landing at 10:30. To Ranier for minnows and the Jernbergs & Johnsons off for Swell Bay by 11:30. At 3:30 Layna gave me the signal that she wasn’t feeling well. Off for home in light rain. She went immediately to bed. Diarrhea & nausea far into night. Called McGuires to tell them not to come because of fear of dysentery.
7/28/72 Layna surprised all of us by getting up about 9:00 this a.m. Still a bit woozy. Now what to do about McGuires? Two telephone calls later, the last at 9 p.m., they decided to come Sunday and stay till Tues. or Wed. Good people who we hate to disappoint. Layna not up to joining us in dinner at Rays so Sally, Jim and I went. What a great pair they are! Billy doesn’t contribute as much as the dog, Peppy, but neither does he bother anyone. After all these years, he remains an enigma to all of us.
7/30/72 Layna and Sally cooking up a storm this a.m. in preparation for the McGuire arrival. At 10:30 Mary called to say that Little Jeff was sick and the deal off. That’s that. Rays here for short stop when phone buzzed to say the Byrne Johnson kids were at Buck’s. I went after them, a bit surprised to see Sheila there - full head of hair and all. A warm clear day and kids in water for a couple of hours. Sally & Jim too. When we all got together at supper table, we got into a religious discussion. Nothing proven except to make us aware that our 4 grandchildren had been indoctrinated into something far greater than we had anticipated. The Jernbergs took off for their Snowball Island tent about 8:30. The little Johnsons, Etta Chairman, had a meeting, one of the purposes of being to lay out a plan for the coming weeks. Layna and I observers. Brad in favor of dropping EI completely (I think he wants a rest) saying “I think we should go back to being a family. We are the same people that we were a year ago.” Etta replied “If you think that, you had damned well better shape up and do some serious thinking.” For better or worse, I have to agree with Etta. They are not the same four kids who left Rainy lake in 1971.
7/31/72 Gil Edwards called at 9 a.m. to say that they were in Fort Frances. At 11:00 I met them at Point Dock, cleared boat, and back to island. Brad & Etta left with Doc to lend a hand. They needed some as their station wagon full. I am glad they are here to share the 4 Johnsons. Dr. Hugh Monahan about 2:30. I could feel that something was up. There was, he wants to buy island, either alone or with a group. No commitment made by either party but now I don’t know why I didn’t give him a flat “No.” We aren’t ready yet. A long discussion with Sally & Jim. We agree in principle to a number of things. Met Ray & Ethel Palmer at dock at 6:45. We were joined for dinner by the Rays.
8/1/72 Jim fell on rocks along lake shore while retrieving a snag for John. A nasty gash - good thing Dr. Edwards came over about then.
8/2/72 We started moving the Jernbergs at 10:00. I got choked up (Goddamn habit) when I hugged Sally. I sure love that kid, and her family too, for that matter. To landing at 7:00 p.m. to pick up 5 Benoists. A good looking group. Ethel had three martinis and her voice louder and more raucous than ever. I am getting the old Mando and NWI feeling “This is the last party!” Five trips to landing today.
8/4/72 Had long talk with Karen on dock this a.m. - mostly about my concern for the little Johnsons. Later she talked to Brad but she left for town before she could give me results. I was fishing when Gil came over with the girls. He talked to Layna - not very happy about his grandchildren either. Fishing holding up well for Benoists.
8/5/72 Brad and I on scouting trip for blueberries. We made a half dozen stops on islands and found none. Big deal for me, however. Ran across railing from Dahlbergs guest house that someone had hidden on Hapgood’s Island. Brad and I hauled a section home. About 100# It was exactly the right length. Off for Lynches at 5:30. Buck’s family, Ray (the cook’s) family, Dave Mannassau and Charlie Skrief. A few drinks, good meal and then song fest later. I was amazed at way Charlie played piano. Fun!
8/7/72 While I napped, Joe got a good start on mounting railing on my little bridge. We finished. No one seemed too restless. Cards, puzzles, talk, talk.
8/8/72 Benoists left. The usual bustle to get people to landing. Joan broke down when we kissed goodbye and damned if I didn’t choke up so I couldn’t talk. Mighty fine family. It gives one faith in the institution.
8/9/72 Much activity as Karen and Robin prepared for canoe trip. They got away about 10:45. K & R and Ah-li in one canoe, Brad, Toby & Etta in other. Off for Cranberry Bay. A beautiful, calm day.
8/10/72 The Palmers announced yesterday that they were leaving this a.m. I took them to landing and came home to call roll. “Layna” - “Here!”, “Don” - Here!” - and that was it for first time in more than month. Not for long. About 11:00 a.m. Buck brought K & Robin and Etta. Etta sick and K & R had paddled her form Cranberry. Dr. Edwards came after her and K & R took kicker.
8/11/72 Layna and I to town at 11:00 to have lunch at Daveys. Much talk and upshot was that we abandon NWI tomorrow and take off for Gun Lake. When we got home the canoers were here. We learned that K & R were off for Nisswa on Sunday. That would leave care of island up to Brad. Layna about to call Gun Lake trip off. I talked her out of it, with Karen’s help. Hope we have no reason to regret it.
8/12/72 Off for Gun Lake by 8:30. Arrived at Bern’s at noon. At 5 p.m. the Kimballs and Elkins arrived for cocktails and dinner. Bud Elkins, retiree from Federal Fish and Wildlife. Very well informed on ecology. Some great conversation headed by him and Kimball. A fine day.
