Life at Lake X in the '60s

[GENE LANHAM]

Does anyone have any info on Fred Lowe, back in the mid 60s he was part of Mercury Racing crew, mainly crewed with Wayne Vicker. just wondered.

Hey Jerry---could this be Fred Lowe, in the blue Mercury shirt??? Schoonover's wooden Wing, Parker, 1968. I think I recognize Bill Petty; Roy Ridgell: Jim Emerson; Ralph Seavey; Wayne Vicker and maybe John Stenbeck----?

[T2x]

Oppsss- spell check got me! Gene Lanham...

Just wondering what those that lived the past think about the present and future, like Mr.T2x does from time to time.

The past was better...... from time to time.....

[powerabout]

the past was better when I was there but I wouldnt want to be there now at my age
( although I might be making a few share purchases)

[velox]

I don't think we ever had anymore fun back then than we do now at OFF. Back then we were working very hard and late hours were the norm. A lot of time things did not turn out like we wanted or deserved.
Most of the time the best boat did not win as it was a crap shoot.
Now we are all winners just by showing up.
What is great, is to be able to meet a lot of people from other areas and times that we have only heard of.
Off has been the best times of boat racing.

[Lake X Kid]

Steve,
I hope you do not mind that I took the liberty to add some text to the buildings and grounds on your Lake X photo. I did this for those not familiar with the different structures on the property.

Offshore:
The building I labeled Offshore was erected subsequent to the 1960s shop building.

[JP Love]

Plaisant to read all stories ..... Awesome pics.... Go again.... Thank's for sharing.. JP Love

[seeroy]

Kid - Actually, I very much appreciate it. Well done.
By the way, I thought the world of your Dad.
Thank You - Steve Sirois

[Lake X Kid]

Steve, Thanks for the kind words about our Dad.
Now I would like to add some comments regarding the past at Lake X.


<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif][if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> Offshore building:
I do not think I would be remiss to accurately surmise that the foundation for the Offshore building reflects historically the (late 60s, early 70s) evolving transition to increase transom power. Accommodating the industry advent to larger/longer offshore boats and heavier pleasure boats.


Motel:
This is the sleeping residence of visiting executives and dignitaries. I was informed that Mr. K stayed in room #1, when on the property. Albeit even during the 1960s Freddy Kiekhaefer spent many nights there too. One hurricane day around 1963 our family spent a night in the motel, due to safety reasons. That stormy evening the agitated lake's white-caps were splashing up onto the concrete patio deck, which was an amazing sight for youthful eyes.

[Lake X Kid]

Olegator,

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif][if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif][if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> It is good to know that Southern Hospitality for motel accommodations at the Lake, was extended to those not of the Executive & Dignitary ranking. That also included the likes of me.

[fastboat]

Hey, Jim,

I have to disagree. You are a dignitary to anyone who knows you. Haven't seen you since Smith's Bend, but I am sure Daphne wouldn't have hopped in the boat with anything less than a dignitary. You are one of the nicest guys I have ever met, and all the Melon Bellies think the world of you. Hope you are doing well.

[Lake X Kid]

Roy A. Ridgell
James F. Lueck &
William E. Marshall receive 10 year employment award at Mercury Lake X.
Ted Collins

[lilabner]

The first time I was there was around 1959. I remember the building called the Wood Shop. We weren't allowed in there. Someone told me Entrops hydro was in there. What ever happened to that building? I also remember the boat burn pile..What a sad sight to see..

[J. Sherlock]

Disregard the red arrow. This is the only photo I can find on my computer that shows the I beam you are referring to. It hangs out from the canopy on the closer end of the old shop. It is barely visible above the 3rd floating dock in the old slip. The hoist actually travelled under the canopy. The answer is...NO, I never dove off of it. In fact, I really don't even remember having swam in the lake. At least not on purpose

The red arrow is showing the old wood shop......

[lilabner]

Thanks John,
It looks like something was built in front of the original one.It wasn't that big when I first was there..progress, you can't stop it..

[Lake X Kid]

Can someone inform me as to the names of the other gentlemen,
on each side of Mr. K.

Albeit Roy Ridgell took this party fishing, being he's an unofficial fishing guide for Lake X dignitaries. They probably went fishing on the pontoon boat in the background, given their age and leisure style.

Roy taught all his four kids how to fish on Lake X, and the surrounding ponds on the property's dirt road.