This is my comment at the first meeting to establish a Friends of the Goss Reading Room hosted by the Lakeport Community Association at the Lake Opechee Inn & Spa on June 2, 2010.

   Friends of the Goss Reading Room

      It looks like the Goss Reading Room has some friends and I’m sure more will follow. Thank you for coming.

     The Goss Reading Room is that lovely little red brick building on a knoll on the corner of Elm and Franklin Streets. Even though it’s been there for over 100 years, some don’t know it’s there and others don’t know it’s a library. But we do. 

     In 1890, Lakeport established a library. In 1893, when Lakeport annexed with Laconia, this library and its books merged as a branch of the Laconia Public Library. Dr. Ossian W. Goss was not happy about this. In 1903, a devastating fire destroyed much of Lakeport including Dr. Goss’ home on the corner of Elm and Franklin Streets. Dr. Goss planned to rebuild but since his wife and only child had died, he included a bequest in his will to build a reading room instead of a house. Three trustees were empowered to oversee erecting the building and operating it. Just weeks later, Dr. Goss died.

     The trustees took great pain in the design and construction and finally in 1907, the Goss Reading Room opened to the public with little fanfare.

     For over 100 years, this little library has served our grandparents, our parents, you, your children, and your grandchildren through depressions, recessions, wars and hurricanes.

I walked across the footbridge and met up with that cute redhead, Ginger Tefft to go across Elm Street to the Goss to read The Bobbsey Twins. Our beloved librarian then, Marie Prey is your beloved librarian today, Sue Laramie.

     The Goss was so treasured that it was added to the National Register of Historic Buildings in 1986.

     Yet, recently the Goss was threatened with closure for the lack of users and to save less than $20,000 as a budget item. The Goss still has funds and the Goss still has friends.

Lois Juris and her class of first graders from Elm Street Elementary School are friends.

The Lakeport Community Association has been a friend for years. While there was a lack of fanfare when it opened, the Lakeport Community Association organized a grand fanfare for its 100th Anniversary celebration on the back lawn of the Goss in 1907.

     Other friends have planted flowers and donated books, paintings and other treasures and funds. Former Mayor Charles H. Perkins left the Goss $81,000 when he died in 1948.

On July 30, 2009, Armand Bolduc and I met with the Laconia Public Library Board to seek information on the Goss. I proposed plans to establish a Friends of the Goss Reading Room and Armand Bolduc resolved to look into issues with parking and signs.

     The problems plaguing the Goss were not having the three designated trustees from Lakeport – a doctor, a lawyer and no, not an Indian chief but a minister – and the lack of parking which created the Catch 22, a lack of use and enthusiasm. We must find a solution to the parking issue so we can use it.

     And that is why we are here tonight. We must save it and use it by making it easier to use. It is very important to the Lakeport community, its residents, its businesses, its history, its culture and its future.

     Our goal tonight is to establish the Friends of the Goss Reading Room. Thank you.

There are very many Friends of Library organizations in New Hampshire.

                                                                  Dorothy Duffy

                                                                  Secretary

                                                                  Lakeport Community Association

Hello Lakeport Lovers,

Here we are entering yet another year and adding 2009 to history. The Christmas lights came down in Lakeport Square.  What a sight this year and many comments of appreciation.  Our members went all out devoting the finances and the labor to light up Torrey Park.

Santa visited the freighthouse and children shared their wish list and enjoyed treats. And the members enjoyed the annual Christmas party hosted by our leader, Wanda Tibbetts.

Our men are readying to continue working on the inside and the office is on the agenda.  In the meantime, we are not meeting until the thaw.

We won the Laconia Community Award for our Adopt-A-Spot in Torrey Park for the second time.  See, we do nice work.  Join us anytime.  You'll be rewarded with pride.

Happy New Year!
DD  1/6/10

Hello Lakeport Fans,

The lush rains we had this year have served our trees well.  They are healthy, full and ready to burst into the bright autumn colors for all to enjoy before they are blanketed with that cold, white stuff that makes everything look so clean and to the delight of skiers and snowmobilers. 

LCA has had more yard sales to help defray the cost of painting the boxcar.  It looks so good with the maroon color.  The paint is so rich and  thick; it should last many years.  The next procedure is to stencil the car in gold lettering. 

Stop and take a look at Lakeport.  It's greatly improved.  Stop in at Wanda's Beauty Shop on Elm Street and she will delight in telling you about Lakeport.

DD

Hi Lakeport Fans,

Two months of nearly constant rain, don't know where it's all coming from but it's sure going into our lakes. 

I'm on Facebook now, family snagged me.  I've discovered this site  "I Love Lakeport" designed by Jay Goodwin and enjoyed reading many comments of others growing up in Lakeport.  I hope they visit this site and add to it.

We've decided to hire a painter to paint the boxcar and hopefully it will be done soon.  It's not one of our better sights in Lakeport at the moment ~ like some of our members, a little rusty looking.  But I tell you, folks like the idea of shopping in a boxcar during our yard sales.  It's the yard sales, donations and grants that pay for everything.

LCA has been receiving some wonderful items to add to our museum collections.  The Richardson family just donated over two dozen clothing items from the late 1800s, early 1900s.  One that we especially enjoyed was a very petite lady's mourning outfit; we had just heard a presentation at the Laconia Historical & Museum Society on mourning customs.

Come visit Lakeport -home of 4 of the best restaurants in town - Avery's, Fratello's, O's Steak & Seafood and T-Bones, 3 lakes -  Winnisquam, Opechee, Winnipesaukee WOW, 2 sites on the National Registry of Historic Buildings - Untied Baptist church and the Goss Reading Room and 1 remaining B & M building in the once railroad hub -our Lakeport Freighthouse.

And speaking of the Goss Reading Room. If we don't use it, we may lose it.  We have to convince others that we do not want to see it sold or closed.  Please, become a "Friend of the Goss Reading Room" and use the library or donate to keep it open.  Write me at dorothyduffy@metrocast.net. 

Carl and Sandy Lendl invited LCA members for a splendid evening of cocktails, dinner and grand tour of the former G.A.R. building.  It was located on the other side of the footbridge on Gold Street and housed our famous Old Niagara No. 1 fire engine.  The Lendls live in California and restored the inside as their summer home.  They collect and  treasure antiques and fire station history.  This building was put to such wonderful reuse.   

The Leavitt Park Carnival may have be reduced in size and time, but everyone enjoyed it.  They need more volunteers to help with the community center.  YOU?

Live for today, plan for the future, but treasure your past.

DD  8/1/09

Things are buzzing here and it's not just the bees.  We are in the midst on the annual Laconia Bike Week and bikers are arriving by the thousands. 

It appears that we are to be enamored to the Anns among us.  The Lakeport Community Association  had just received many Boston & Maine items from Ann Oehschlaeger, when at our last meeting, a special guest, Anne Richardson, endowed us with two dozen clothing items mostly c. 1880 for our museum. With each item, lace bibs, infants gowns, mourning clothes, Anne narrated how they related to her mother, Alice and her aunt Grace's Richardson family from the days of running a boarding house in Tamworth to Valley Street in Lakeport where their father was working in the mills when the Great Lakeport Fire of 1903 wiped out most of the buildings on the other side of the Elm Street bridge. Dear Reader, you do remember the Richardson Barbershop on Elm Street and the Richardsons in the Barbershop Quartet, don't you?

Does that inspire you to donate items that you know we will treasure for our museum? Hope so.

Visit our ongoing yard sales this summer or visit us in beautiful Lakeport when you vacation  here. We'll leave the light on for you.

DD ~ June 14, 2009

Hello Dear Reader,

It's the most beautiful spring morning.  The sun is shining, the grass is growing greener and the squirrels are eating my tulips!

Meanwhile at the freighthouse, the crew has repaired and refinished the old floor keeping it intact. The shelves are starting to line the walls and are being filled with donations.  One big donor is Anne Oehlschlaeger who was employed at the Boston & Maine and has filled an entire showcase with her railroad memorabilia.

The merry month of May starts our summer series of yard sales for fund-raising.  Unique this year, many sales will be conducted from our boxcar.  Also in May, LCA members will continue with their spring cleanup around Torrey Park and the freighthouse.  They will continue to feed the chestnut tree, plant flowers in the park and Adopt-A-Spot.  Last fall, LCA was awarded the Landscape Recognition Award at Laconia City Council. 

Stop and visit us or at least jot us a little note at this site. Love heaaring from you.

DD ~ 4/29/09

Dear Visitor,

You might be interested to know that many Lakeport Community Associations members serve their community in other ways.  Armand Bolduc is the Ward 6 City Coucilman.  Robert Fortier, Wanda Tibbetts, Mary Jane Hoey and Dorothy Duffy serve on the Board of the Laconia Historical Society, others are members.  Wanda Tibbetts, Mary Jane Hoey and Dorothy Duffy serve on the Laconia Heritage Commission.  Robert Fortier serves on the Leavitt Park Community Center Board of Directors.  Most of the members are very active participants in other organizations as well as the Lakeport Community Association. And many are LHS '52 classmates!

Recently an owner of a lovely old barn on Union Avenue in Lakeport sought a demolition permit.  The Laconia Heritage Commission met with the owner and granted permission after the owner agreed to attempt to have the barn dismantled and relocated.  We are so pleased to announce that this did happen.  The owner saved thousands of dollars and the barn was moved and rebuilt in Belmont.  A win-win ending.

DD 2-17-09

Hello Visitors,

It's bitter cold in the Lakeport area with just a light dusting of snow to date - December 9, 2008.

While this website hasn't been updated in a while, it doesn't mean were weren't busy; we were and that's why we didn't get to the site!  We have done so much. 

We are working on the boxcar that we recently acquired and set on the sidetrack.  The "guys" have cleaned it up and painted the inside and are installing shelves, lighting (very generously donated by Gigure Electric).  We use it for storage and additional space for our yard sales.  Our customers were quite enchanted to be able to shop in a boxcar!   We have been seeking funds through our labor, donations and grant writing to do the expensive historically-correct  painting of the boxcar exterior.   And we have added a wonderfully restored B&M caboose to our wish list.  It is just a stone's throw up the tracks by the old roundhouse at the bae of Sheridan Street and Paugus Bay Marina are.  It's so within range for easy transport.  Need $$$$$.

We have joined the NH Boston & Maine Railroad Society, a great group that offers much support. 

W.O.W. the great Rails to Trails program of the northeast is commencing work on the first phase from the Laconia Public Library to Elm Street. 

Three LCA members are on the Laconia Heritage Commission assigned to review demolition permits and inventory any buildings over 100 years old.  One great success story here is the very old barn at a Union Avenue in Lakeport site is being dismantled and moved to a new site.  The building is saved and the homeowner saves a big demolition expense.  A win-win situation.  We also took a tour of the railroad tracks that are part of the W.O.W. trail and made very promising discoveries of nice shoreline and park areas the City of Laconia owns.  Looks so hopeful for future plans for Lakeport. 

By the way, did I ever tell you that four of our members are aso on the board of the Laconia Historical Society?  Ayup!

We're continued our successful yard sales and Christmas sales, calendar sales, afghans and other Lakeport items for sale (our very own senior girl, Helen Pisano, is our Numero Uno Saleslady!). And we have added three puzzles for sale.  They are old postcard collage images of Laconia, Lakeport and the Weirs - so timely for purchase by history buffs and natives of the area to present as gifts.  They are only $20 each and are selling very well.  Contact us for more information. Call the Wanda at 524-5473.

As always, Santa found his way to the Lakeport Freighthouse where he greeted the good little boys and girls of Lakeport and surrounding areas while his elves passed out little gifts and goodies.  Then LCA threw the switch to light up Torrey Park and other areas with lights and holiday decor that keeps getting bigger each year - thanks to the Lakeport Elves.

Check out The Citizen feature of our very own "Queen of Lakeport" that was featured as a V. I. P. recently.  We are very proud of our Lakeport Community Association President, Wanda Tibbetts! 

Let us know how we might help you.  We'd love to hear from you.  Perhaps you even have stories or photos you'd like to share with us.  Please do.  Give us a call if you'd like to see what we are doing when you are in the neighborhood.

And in the meantime, enjoy the holidays and look forward to your new year in good health!

DD

Hi Reader,

Seems like we had 40 days and 40 nights of rain this summer.  It's a good thing we have a lot of boats here in the City on the Lakes.

We have purchased our boxcar and it's on the sidetrack.  Watch our smoke!  We are now researching the colors with the help of the Boston & Maine Historic Railroad Society.  We are in the process of fundraising to cover the expense.

Typical of our summers, we are having many yard sales, one of our most successful ways of raising money to continue our rehabilitation of the Freighthouse.  We expect to be having a grand opening any day now of our Lakeport Freighthouse Museum and Community Center. 

And check our the puzzles we are selling.  They are great, historical,and just in time for the holiday gift giving.  Just $20 for 300 pieces of fun for the whole family! 

And while you're at it, we have our newest 2009 Lakeport Community Association calendar for sale for just $6.  It's another perfect gift for Lakeport fans. 

Call 603-524-5473 for more information.

Hope to hear from you,

DD

August 30, 2008