After reading The Lilac Girls, my mom and I took a trip to New England and made sure we stopped at the Bellamy-Ferriday House. It was a marvelous tour.
My family story that I often think about is that of my 17-year-old great grandfather who left Poland to come to the USA. It was before WWII and I can't imagine being 17 years old and leaving the only home you know, your family, your friends, your language, and moving to a different country by yourself. I think about who he was before coming to the USA, and what his last name was. My grandmother doesn't even know what his last name was before he made it an American last name. I think about if I still have family in Poland and if we could one day meet up. There are so many different branches that come off of this one thought. One day, I'll uncover the mysteries.
What an incredible family history, Nicole. I feel like a trip to Poland is in your near future. It’s one of my favorite countries I’ve been to for research and will be so meaningful to you and your family!
The internet is fabulous for finding Polish cousins. I connected with a second cousin on my trip to Poland. She doesn’t speak English and I don’t speak Polish, but, hugs and kisses are universal. We keep in touch now via Translate.
My grandfather worked at Columbia Records in Bridgeport, CT, in the early 1900s. He and his coworkers were locked in a work room when a fire broke out and he died as a result of his injuries. 35 years old. His widow spoke no English and had 6 children. They lived in a house rented on the Jennings estate in Fairfield. Annie Jennings offered to adopt my aunt, the youngest child, but, my grandmother refused. Annie was a philanthropist, a major influence in Fairfield. Her estate is now Fairfield University.
I loved reading about your family’s former home on the Vineyard. We are moving out of Florida and will be living in CT permanently from now on, so I’m looking forward to finally being there in time to see the lilacs at the Bellamy-Ferriday house.
Your story made me think of growing up in a funeral home. That may sound strange to most people, but it was completely normal for me…and my friends. We lived in the apartment upstairs, and my mom always said my first full sentence was, “Is the family downstairs?” I had to be EXTRA quiet when the family of the deceased person was downstairs, out of respect for the grieving relatives. I’m sure that influenced my personality, both preferring quiet and respectful of other people’s feelings. I still visit the old house when I return to my hometown.
Oh, I just cannot wait to get my hands on your new book! I got hooked on Lilac Girls and the Bellamy-Ferriday House and visit as often as I can. Now I need a trip to Martha's Vineyard to explore! A favorite place to visit is not where I grew up, but where my heart is... Vermont - I went to college and taught elementary school there and the Green Mountains keep calling my name!
Yes, Kyle I agree with you about Vermont—I love it up there! But you need to visit Martha’s Vineyard as well. A similar vibe, just more beachy. It’s also such a lovely, restorative place.
I have read all your books and this glimpse into a new one is so tantalizing. Congratulations!
My parents are from NewBedford and Waltham MA. The best memories are of 110 Ellison Park in Waltham. It was my father's father's home where I spent nearly 3 years from ages 7-10. The street really is a circle and the ice cream truck in the summer showed off how many children were part of that circle. Snow days meant street skiing and tunnels to the friends behind the house on their part of the circle. Autumn is leaf piles for jumping before burning. The 4 story house was heated with coal. The basement stove was fed with a chute in the back yard. It must have passed for adequate but the charm is the old fashioned-ness of it.
I once thought I would like the attic to be my bedroom because there were 2 matching book cases with matching journals in each one. My memory tells me the books were on the order of today's composition books. But it was the handwriting that I have coveted with many a fountain pen in my own journals. The penmanship was delicate and matching with both sets suggesting a long life of writing. I couldn't read them [too young] and would love to have asked for them when my Baba passed away. His passing meant leaving MA altogether soon. F\If you find any penmanship primer of the 1900's and I suspect you get the idea. My daughter now 58 has traveled to Waltham in recent years and sent me a picture of 110 still standing. The change I see is a window air conditioner mounted where Baba's study was. My NewBedford grandmother pulled my hair as she braided it; her home on Carroll Street had every Bobbsey Twins book so it was there the bookworm I am was cultivated.
There are amazing stories offered here. Congratulations again on your latest!
I love hearing your lovely memories, JoAnne. The Waltham house sounds so charming--and those snow day memories! Making tunnels? I wish I grew up in that neighborhood. Heaven. And what was better than the ice cream truck? I love old handwriting--it was actually my favorite subject in grade school. LOL. And I love that the Bobbsey Twins books were your gateway to reading. Thank you for sharing.
I really enjoyed reading this and seeing the photos. In some ways it reminds me of my great grandmother. I have researched our family tree and I remember stories my mother shared with me about her. I was about 2 years old when she passed away. She was a nurse during the Spanish Flu epidemic. Later in her life she sold home made tamales from her home in Redwood City California. Not all that far from where my family lives now. My mother told me that in those days people would line up for miles to buy her tamales. Unlike today where you can buy them just about anywhere. I have photos of her Tamale store. At one time business was so busy she took on a border and hired him to help make Tamales to sell. They ended up married, my great grandpa Frank. Often on Sunday's my mom and older brothers, my Aunt and grandparents would visit them and have lunch with great grandma and grandpa. He would share stories of his cowboy days. The women usually in the kitchen helping to cook a meal. She had a small home and they would set up tables with her linens outside in her backyard. I have my grandmothers old trunk, with table linens inside. I am sure some were probably used for those visits. They had mixed matched chairs and often dishes that didn't match. But they always had a great time visiting. I wish I was able to go back to those days and visit and talk with all of them.
I can't wait to read this next book. I hope now that my husband is thinking about retirement, one of our trips would be to visit the Bellamy Ferriday house.
What lovely memories, Laura! I can just taste those tamales. I love the part about your great grandmother marrying the boarder. The story would make a great novel. :) I bet the pic of her tamale store is wonderful—and that you treasure it.
Thank you for your lovely response. I have always dreamed about turning my family genealogy stories into a book. I'm not sure how to do that, but maybe someday.
I have been to the Bellamy-Ferriday house for your Lilac Girls book signing. I am a fan of nostalgia and family history. My special place is Willow Street on Park HIll in Yonkers NY. In the 1920's my 12yr old grandmother was brought there from Italy with my great-grandmother Pia Renzi and siblings. They were in search of her father who came to America without them, promised to send for them but never did. They arrived at Ellis Island, found him there and continued thier lives together raising thier family. Steeped in history of an Italian immigrant neighborhood with pastry shops, catholic churches, visits to the Grotto in the Bronx, sunday gravy and meatballs with 15+ people at her table. I hold pictures of the house I grew up in, with her life size sacred heart statue in her garden and black and white photos of relatives at that table long since gone now stored in boxes. There are a few living relatives who can tell her story. They are in thier 80's and 90's now. I have not been back there since 2014 when I drove my dying mom through those streets. Her memory was not great but we reminisced some and I will always hold those memories of growing up in Yonkers and those family traditions close to my heart. Gina Giallorenzi-Marcou
This is beautiful, Gina. What memories—the Sunday gravy and meatballs. Yes, please! It’s so wonderful you got to hear your mother’s reminiscences before she passed. What a gift.
After reading "Lilac Girls" and passing the book to Beta Sigma Phi sisters Carol and Lori we made the trip to the Bellamy-Ferriday house for your book signing and met you! A highlight we talked about many times. We also read the "Golden Doves" "Sunflower Sisters" and "Lost Roses" and looking forward to "The Martha Vinyards Beach and Book Club", which has been on order for many months. Our friend Carol has passed from ALS, she was so looking forward to your new book.
Over the years I have visited many places in your books so in my imagination, while reading I can visualize the people and places. My great grandfather came from Sweden. One place I would love to visit. I fantasize about possibly having relatives in Sweden and one day going to Sweden.
I watch travel shows when they visit Sweden to see how the people live. I have visited the American Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia trying to imagine my Great Grandfather's journey to the USA from Sweden.
Hi Joanne--I remember you all visiting the Bellamy-Ferriday House. Did we take a picture together? I have to check my pics. I'm so sorry about your friend Carol. I can't even imagine how hard that has been for you and Lori, losing such a wonderful friend.
Re. your Swedish great grandfather, it must be so interesting tracing your roots--I bet you would love a trip to Sweden. It has been on my bucket list for a very long time. Norway and Denmark, too! Have you seen the Swedish series The Restaurant? If not, I bet you would enjoy it. Hopefully I'll get to see you again on the next book tour--I would love that.
So nice to see you on Substack and your first stack could not have been more beautiful. I will never forget my first visit to Caroline’s home. I could also feel her presence but at the same time felt transported into your book the Lilac Girls. Still one of my very favorite books. My favorite place that takes me “home” is a campground in rural Wisconsin. For years and years we went there and were closest as a family when there. Life was simple, filled with nature, friends, campfires, taming chipmunks with peanuts and laughing as we counted how many they could fit in their mouths. Swimming and fishing and an abundance of laughter. Thank you for taking me back there this evening.
That sounds magical, Jamie. Rural Wisconsin is so beautiful--like going back to everything good about the fifties. And you had me at chipmunks. So often it's the simple stuff that stays with us, isn't it?
That would be great Martha; I’ll be watching for your tour. Would love to go on your Paris tour but, sadly, it’s not working out. Enjoy the spring, and the lilacs are not too far behind.
Last year my friend Robin and I visited you at the Ferriday House and we absolutely loved it so much! I love historical museums showcasing where people lived in days gone by! Reading HF novels set in these homes just makes the story come alive! My in-laws were survivors of the Holocaust and about ten years ago we retraced the journey of my MIL from the Czech Republic, Thereisenstadt, and on towards Prague and Auschwitz. Walking through these streets and neighborhoods in those areas brought that world to life and impacted my perception of what had previously felt so distant to me! I will never forget that trip nor will I ever take my life for granted as I think about how previous generations survived the unsurvivable! I cannot wait for your new book.., May can’t come soon enough! I look forward to reading your Substack! Thank you!
What an incredible trip, Susan! It’s so important to remember. I agree that retracing your roots always makes you appreciate your own life so much. Have you read Jen Coburn’s Girls of the Glimmer Factory? And I’m right there with you about May! 🩵
Yes I did read The Girls of the Glimmer Factory! Jennifer Coburn will be speaking at my temple in May..it’s her second time coming! We are very much looking forward to seeing her again! Thanks for replying and I can’t wait for your new book!
Oh Martha, what a vivid SubStack debut! Thank you! When I was in college, my grandmother’s two-story, five car garage home at the top of the hill of Twin Peaks in San Francisco, was for sale (many years after it was no longer in the family). It was where I lived the first years of my life. It was great fun sharing secrets of the house with the realtor, as he gave me a tour of my first home. He had no idea there was a crystal doorknob, original to the house, on the inside of the coat closet under the stairs! Looking forward to your book in May! 🩵☘️
OMG I love that, Sheila! For me, I had taped up drawings on the wall of my bedroom closet where no one found them until years later. There must be kid’s secrets hidden in houses all over!
I loved reading this Martha! I’ve been to the Bellamy-Ferriday house several times (I discovered it when I read Lilac Girls). Each time I read a book you wrote with ties to the house I felt the need to go back!
I am grateful to have received an ARC of your upcoming book through Netgalley and this was great to hear a little background on the house as I prepare to read it. Thank you for the chance to win one of the beautiful LL Bean bags! ♥️😊
Isn’t Caroline’s house so lovely, Melanie? There’s something so calming and inspiring about walking through those rooms. And how exciting that you got an ARC on NetGalley for the new book—can’t wait to hear what you think!
It really is! I’ve gone at a few different times in the year. First with my parents (before we realized my mom has dementia- so it was a great memory since she loved reading historical fiction as well- she now has aphasia and sadly can no longer read as she used to). And then I took friends the other 2 times.
I got so wrapped up in talking about the house that I never answered your question. When I was little i used to go to Lake George in NY. My parents would bring me to Gaslight Village (now defunct). While I have few memories of it, my parents have picture slides of our trips to reminisce . When my mom was growing up her family and her parent’s best friends would vacation in Lake George. My Nana (from England) met her best friend (also from England) here after they both met American men during WWII whom they later married. They remained best friends their entire lives and I love to watch the movies they took in Lake George. So I completely understand your nostalgic feelings of Martha’s Vineyard.
I’m so sorry about your Mom. There’s nothing harder. But it’s nice to have such nice memories of being at Caroline’s house with your parents. And Lake George is so beautiful—you almost feel like you’re in Europe. I love that your Nana and her friend both married men they met during the war! Makes me nostalgic for that time.
You’ve made me want to visit the Bellamy-Ferriday house! I love old house museums… I went to the Florence Griswold museum for my birthday.
The perfect birthday gift to yourself.
After reading The Lilac Girls, my mom and I took a trip to New England and made sure we stopped at the Bellamy-Ferriday House. It was a marvelous tour.
My family story that I often think about is that of my 17-year-old great grandfather who left Poland to come to the USA. It was before WWII and I can't imagine being 17 years old and leaving the only home you know, your family, your friends, your language, and moving to a different country by yourself. I think about who he was before coming to the USA, and what his last name was. My grandmother doesn't even know what his last name was before he made it an American last name. I think about if I still have family in Poland and if we could one day meet up. There are so many different branches that come off of this one thought. One day, I'll uncover the mysteries.
What an incredible family history, Nicole. I feel like a trip to Poland is in your near future. It’s one of my favorite countries I’ve been to for research and will be so meaningful to you and your family!
The internet is fabulous for finding Polish cousins. I connected with a second cousin on my trip to Poland. She doesn’t speak English and I don’t speak Polish, but, hugs and kisses are universal. We keep in touch now via Translate.
My grandfather worked at Columbia Records in Bridgeport, CT, in the early 1900s. He and his coworkers were locked in a work room when a fire broke out and he died as a result of his injuries. 35 years old. His widow spoke no English and had 6 children. They lived in a house rented on the Jennings estate in Fairfield. Annie Jennings offered to adopt my aunt, the youngest child, but, my grandmother refused. Annie was a philanthropist, a major influence in Fairfield. Her estate is now Fairfield University.
What an amazing family story, Irene. As a former Fairfield resident I think it's fascinating. Have you thought about writing it as a novel?
I loved reading about your family’s former home on the Vineyard. We are moving out of Florida and will be living in CT permanently from now on, so I’m looking forward to finally being there in time to see the lilacs at the Bellamy-Ferriday house.
Your story made me think of growing up in a funeral home. That may sound strange to most people, but it was completely normal for me…and my friends. We lived in the apartment upstairs, and my mom always said my first full sentence was, “Is the family downstairs?” I had to be EXTRA quiet when the family of the deceased person was downstairs, out of respect for the grieving relatives. I’m sure that influenced my personality, both preferring quiet and respectful of other people’s feelings. I still visit the old house when I return to my hometown.
There is definitely a novel in that story, Perry!❤️
Oh, I just cannot wait to get my hands on your new book! I got hooked on Lilac Girls and the Bellamy-Ferriday House and visit as often as I can. Now I need a trip to Martha's Vineyard to explore! A favorite place to visit is not where I grew up, but where my heart is... Vermont - I went to college and taught elementary school there and the Green Mountains keep calling my name!
Yes, Kyle I agree with you about Vermont—I love it up there! But you need to visit Martha’s Vineyard as well. A similar vibe, just more beachy. It’s also such a lovely, restorative place.
I have read all your books and this glimpse into a new one is so tantalizing. Congratulations!
My parents are from NewBedford and Waltham MA. The best memories are of 110 Ellison Park in Waltham. It was my father's father's home where I spent nearly 3 years from ages 7-10. The street really is a circle and the ice cream truck in the summer showed off how many children were part of that circle. Snow days meant street skiing and tunnels to the friends behind the house on their part of the circle. Autumn is leaf piles for jumping before burning. The 4 story house was heated with coal. The basement stove was fed with a chute in the back yard. It must have passed for adequate but the charm is the old fashioned-ness of it.
I once thought I would like the attic to be my bedroom because there were 2 matching book cases with matching journals in each one. My memory tells me the books were on the order of today's composition books. But it was the handwriting that I have coveted with many a fountain pen in my own journals. The penmanship was delicate and matching with both sets suggesting a long life of writing. I couldn't read them [too young] and would love to have asked for them when my Baba passed away. His passing meant leaving MA altogether soon. F\If you find any penmanship primer of the 1900's and I suspect you get the idea. My daughter now 58 has traveled to Waltham in recent years and sent me a picture of 110 still standing. The change I see is a window air conditioner mounted where Baba's study was. My NewBedford grandmother pulled my hair as she braided it; her home on Carroll Street had every Bobbsey Twins book so it was there the bookworm I am was cultivated.
There are amazing stories offered here. Congratulations again on your latest!
I love hearing your lovely memories, JoAnne. The Waltham house sounds so charming--and those snow day memories! Making tunnels? I wish I grew up in that neighborhood. Heaven. And what was better than the ice cream truck? I love old handwriting--it was actually my favorite subject in grade school. LOL. And I love that the Bobbsey Twins books were your gateway to reading. Thank you for sharing.
I really enjoyed reading this and seeing the photos. In some ways it reminds me of my great grandmother. I have researched our family tree and I remember stories my mother shared with me about her. I was about 2 years old when she passed away. She was a nurse during the Spanish Flu epidemic. Later in her life she sold home made tamales from her home in Redwood City California. Not all that far from where my family lives now. My mother told me that in those days people would line up for miles to buy her tamales. Unlike today where you can buy them just about anywhere. I have photos of her Tamale store. At one time business was so busy she took on a border and hired him to help make Tamales to sell. They ended up married, my great grandpa Frank. Often on Sunday's my mom and older brothers, my Aunt and grandparents would visit them and have lunch with great grandma and grandpa. He would share stories of his cowboy days. The women usually in the kitchen helping to cook a meal. She had a small home and they would set up tables with her linens outside in her backyard. I have my grandmothers old trunk, with table linens inside. I am sure some were probably used for those visits. They had mixed matched chairs and often dishes that didn't match. But they always had a great time visiting. I wish I was able to go back to those days and visit and talk with all of them.
I can't wait to read this next book. I hope now that my husband is thinking about retirement, one of our trips would be to visit the Bellamy Ferriday house.
What lovely memories, Laura! I can just taste those tamales. I love the part about your great grandmother marrying the boarder. The story would make a great novel. :) I bet the pic of her tamale store is wonderful—and that you treasure it.
Thank you for your lovely response. I have always dreamed about turning my family genealogy stories into a book. I'm not sure how to do that, but maybe someday.
There are so many good "How to Write a Novel" books. At last count I had 67, LOL.
Thank you for that LOL wow 67 !! I stayed up late looking some up, maybe a trip to my favorite book store is needed.
I have been to the Bellamy-Ferriday house for your Lilac Girls book signing. I am a fan of nostalgia and family history. My special place is Willow Street on Park HIll in Yonkers NY. In the 1920's my 12yr old grandmother was brought there from Italy with my great-grandmother Pia Renzi and siblings. They were in search of her father who came to America without them, promised to send for them but never did. They arrived at Ellis Island, found him there and continued thier lives together raising thier family. Steeped in history of an Italian immigrant neighborhood with pastry shops, catholic churches, visits to the Grotto in the Bronx, sunday gravy and meatballs with 15+ people at her table. I hold pictures of the house I grew up in, with her life size sacred heart statue in her garden and black and white photos of relatives at that table long since gone now stored in boxes. There are a few living relatives who can tell her story. They are in thier 80's and 90's now. I have not been back there since 2014 when I drove my dying mom through those streets. Her memory was not great but we reminisced some and I will always hold those memories of growing up in Yonkers and those family traditions close to my heart. Gina Giallorenzi-Marcou
This is beautiful, Gina. What memories—the Sunday gravy and meatballs. Yes, please! It’s so wonderful you got to hear your mother’s reminiscences before she passed. What a gift.
Martha,
After reading "Lilac Girls" and passing the book to Beta Sigma Phi sisters Carol and Lori we made the trip to the Bellamy-Ferriday house for your book signing and met you! A highlight we talked about many times. We also read the "Golden Doves" "Sunflower Sisters" and "Lost Roses" and looking forward to "The Martha Vinyards Beach and Book Club", which has been on order for many months. Our friend Carol has passed from ALS, she was so looking forward to your new book.
Over the years I have visited many places in your books so in my imagination, while reading I can visualize the people and places. My great grandfather came from Sweden. One place I would love to visit. I fantasize about possibly having relatives in Sweden and one day going to Sweden.
I watch travel shows when they visit Sweden to see how the people live. I have visited the American Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia trying to imagine my Great Grandfather's journey to the USA from Sweden.
Hi Joanne--I remember you all visiting the Bellamy-Ferriday House. Did we take a picture together? I have to check my pics. I'm so sorry about your friend Carol. I can't even imagine how hard that has been for you and Lori, losing such a wonderful friend.
Re. your Swedish great grandfather, it must be so interesting tracing your roots--I bet you would love a trip to Sweden. It has been on my bucket list for a very long time. Norway and Denmark, too! Have you seen the Swedish series The Restaurant? If not, I bet you would enjoy it. Hopefully I'll get to see you again on the next book tour--I would love that.
So nice to see you on Substack and your first stack could not have been more beautiful. I will never forget my first visit to Caroline’s home. I could also feel her presence but at the same time felt transported into your book the Lilac Girls. Still one of my very favorite books. My favorite place that takes me “home” is a campground in rural Wisconsin. For years and years we went there and were closest as a family when there. Life was simple, filled with nature, friends, campfires, taming chipmunks with peanuts and laughing as we counted how many they could fit in their mouths. Swimming and fishing and an abundance of laughter. Thank you for taking me back there this evening.
That sounds magical, Jamie. Rural Wisconsin is so beautiful--like going back to everything good about the fifties. And you had me at chipmunks. So often it's the simple stuff that stays with us, isn't it?
Where I live in CT now reminds me of it so. I hope you received my private message. I didn’t want to post it publicly.
Hi Martha,
Hoping to visit the Ferriday House this year; loved your article and so excited for your new book.
Your St. Louis friend💗
And I hope I get to see you when I come on tour to St. Louis!
That would be great Martha; I’ll be watching for your tour. Would love to go on your Paris tour but, sadly, it’s not working out. Enjoy the spring, and the lilacs are not too far behind.
I’ll be posting from Paris a LOT so you can join us virtually, Mary. And I cannot wait for lilac season. The best time of the year, hands down.
Last year my friend Robin and I visited you at the Ferriday House and we absolutely loved it so much! I love historical museums showcasing where people lived in days gone by! Reading HF novels set in these homes just makes the story come alive! My in-laws were survivors of the Holocaust and about ten years ago we retraced the journey of my MIL from the Czech Republic, Thereisenstadt, and on towards Prague and Auschwitz. Walking through these streets and neighborhoods in those areas brought that world to life and impacted my perception of what had previously felt so distant to me! I will never forget that trip nor will I ever take my life for granted as I think about how previous generations survived the unsurvivable! I cannot wait for your new book.., May can’t come soon enough! I look forward to reading your Substack! Thank you!
Love her! That’s going to be good.❤️
What an incredible trip, Susan! It’s so important to remember. I agree that retracing your roots always makes you appreciate your own life so much. Have you read Jen Coburn’s Girls of the Glimmer Factory? And I’m right there with you about May! 🩵
Yes I did read The Girls of the Glimmer Factory! Jennifer Coburn will be speaking at my temple in May..it’s her second time coming! We are very much looking forward to seeing her again! Thanks for replying and I can’t wait for your new book!
Oh Martha, what a vivid SubStack debut! Thank you! When I was in college, my grandmother’s two-story, five car garage home at the top of the hill of Twin Peaks in San Francisco, was for sale (many years after it was no longer in the family). It was where I lived the first years of my life. It was great fun sharing secrets of the house with the realtor, as he gave me a tour of my first home. He had no idea there was a crystal doorknob, original to the house, on the inside of the coat closet under the stairs! Looking forward to your book in May! 🩵☘️
OMG I love that, Sheila! For me, I had taped up drawings on the wall of my bedroom closet where no one found them until years later. There must be kid’s secrets hidden in houses all over!
Congratulations on your new platform. Interesting reading.
Loved this! Looking forward to reading the book.
I loved reading this Martha! I’ve been to the Bellamy-Ferriday house several times (I discovered it when I read Lilac Girls). Each time I read a book you wrote with ties to the house I felt the need to go back!
I am grateful to have received an ARC of your upcoming book through Netgalley and this was great to hear a little background on the house as I prepare to read it. Thank you for the chance to win one of the beautiful LL Bean bags! ♥️😊
Isn’t Caroline’s house so lovely, Melanie? There’s something so calming and inspiring about walking through those rooms. And how exciting that you got an ARC on NetGalley for the new book—can’t wait to hear what you think!
It really is! I’ve gone at a few different times in the year. First with my parents (before we realized my mom has dementia- so it was a great memory since she loved reading historical fiction as well- she now has aphasia and sadly can no longer read as she used to). And then I took friends the other 2 times.
I got so wrapped up in talking about the house that I never answered your question. When I was little i used to go to Lake George in NY. My parents would bring me to Gaslight Village (now defunct). While I have few memories of it, my parents have picture slides of our trips to reminisce . When my mom was growing up her family and her parent’s best friends would vacation in Lake George. My Nana (from England) met her best friend (also from England) here after they both met American men during WWII whom they later married. They remained best friends their entire lives and I love to watch the movies they took in Lake George. So I completely understand your nostalgic feelings of Martha’s Vineyard.
I’m so sorry about your Mom. There’s nothing harder. But it’s nice to have such nice memories of being at Caroline’s house with your parents. And Lake George is so beautiful—you almost feel like you’re in Europe. I love that your Nana and her friend both married men they met during the war! Makes me nostalgic for that time.