A July visit with Harriet Robie

I had heard of the diner in Waterboro from Marnie Timberlake, and on July 14 Fran Mains of Raymond drove Marnie and me to that diner, “Blast from the Past,” its advertisement in our sister publication. The Reporter newspaper, called it “A 50’s Style Diner.” It is a large, handsome building with silver chrome exterior and many bright, shiny decorations inside. The food was excellent. Marnie greeted friends from the Portland area who had discovered the diner too. The waitress told me that the diner was built in Florida and has been there in Waterboro for about a year.

After our lunch, we drove on to Limerick for a visit with a former Gorham friend of Fran’s, Harriet Robie, who lives in a cozy one-story yellow cottage, with a lovely garden in the front yard. Harriet is a great-grandaughter of Frederick Robie who was governor of Maine in 1882.

In “Gorhamtown, A Pictorial History,” we read this, under the picture of Governor Robie and his dog, Tige:

“Hon. Frederick Robie, who represents the 11th generation of the Robie family, was born in Gorham Aug. 12, 1822. He graduated from Bowdoin College in the year 1841. He became a physician, graduating from Jefferson Medical College in 1844. The breaking out of the Civil War found Dr. Robie a member of the Executive Council of Maine. On June 1, 1861, he was commissioned by President Lincoln as paymaster of U. S. volunteers. He retired from the service in 1866, and he was elected that year to the Senate. He served ten terms in the Maine Legislature. In 1882, he became Governor of the State of Maine and two years later was re-elected.”

“In all movements for the advancement of material or spiritual interests of Gorham, Governor Robie has ever been in the front rank. For the benefit of his community, both his services and his means have been freely contributed.”

In this pictorial history, there is a picture of the Robie Mansion (1805-10), on Main Street; under Schools and Campus Buildings, Frederick Robie Hall is pictured, on the Gorham campus, with this cutline: “Built in 1898 as a dormitory to replace Seminary building. Placed near Corthell Hall and named in honor of former Gov. Robie;” and under Country Schools in Gorham, Frederick Robie School is pictured. The school cost about $3,000. Its bell was donated by the Hon. Frederick Robie, 1888.

Now we’ll return to his great-grandaughter’s home. Harriet has a fascinating turtle collection, many of them gifts. Over the years, the collection has grown considerably, with tables of them in the living room, some large ones on the floor, and another large one in the garden; that turtle has a pipe in its mouth!

I noticed a wide tray full of sunflower and other seeds, outside a front window in the living room. Harriet said birds come to it frequently, and recently there was a raccoon standing on the tray of seeds. It bid retreat after she tapped on the window. I asked how the raccoon could get up there. He had climbed up the trellis on the side of the house and then jumped over to the tray!

Harriet’s garden is lovely, with a walkway of stones, and a small pool in the center of the garden, surrounded by shrubs and flowers. Her yellow primroses greeted us as we entered the house. Also I noticed some slender white birch trees, which Harriet had planted several years ago.

Also Marnie, Harriet and I have a summer camp connection. We all attended Camp Kuhnawaumbek in Convene, a most enjoyable experience and fun to reminisce about. Marnie had given Harriet a big picture of a play at the camp, with the actresses all in costume. Harriet, in an Indian costume, was in the center, as Nokomis. Beside her, in a long, white gown, was a Portland friend we knew, Eleanor Davis, and another I recognized was Dorothy Hall, also dressed as an Indian girl. Her sister Nancy was a good friend of mine.

Harriet’s daughter, Rosie, was visiting that day too, and Rosie’s son was busily working in the garden.

On our drive home, Fran, an excellent driver who knows all the highways and also the byways, drove us through Robie territory when we approached Gorham. We passed Robie Field and Robie Memorial Gymnasium, then followed Robie Street, where we passed the home where Fran had lived. She was pleased to see that her day lilies and roses were still in bloom, in the yard there.

We had a full and happy day, seeing new territory, in Hollis, Waterboro and Limerick, and making new friends, too.

Deering class of 1936 reunion committee

July and August are the best months for reunions – many people are on vacation or can wangle time off; weather is good; travel conditions are good; kids are out of school. Our DHS ’36’s 69th will be Saturday, July 30, at the Port-West Restaurant at Verrillo’s, 155 Riverside St., Portland, at noon. What to eat? In the past we have chosen meat or fish, but now we will order from the menu, which gives us more choices.

Committee members for the reunion met at Eleanor Berry Beal’s home last week to make final plans. Other members are Harold Griffith, Betty Halloran Kennedy, Jane Drew Sampson, Alicia Wilbur Watson and Anne Blanchard Foote.

Over 35 classmates have signed up already, and we expect to hear from more before the 30th. Our cards sent to class members said that any friends, relatives or other graduates are more than welcome. It is always a pleasant time, with good food and a good chance for reminiscing, too.

Recipe

This recipe is an easy one, from Marjorie Standish’s “Cooking Down East.” She writes, “The recipe for this easy-to-make salad appeared in Maine several years ago. Served on lettuce as a salad or in a sherbet glass as dessert, you will find it good.”

Five-Cup Salad

1 cup canned mandarin oranges

1 cup small marshmallows

1/2 cup flaked coconut

1 cup chunk-style pineapple

1 cup cultured soured cream

Mix all ingredients together, after draining the fruit. Allow to stand, refrigerated, for 3 or 4 hours, to blend the ingredients.

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