Fishing poles were put away when this picture was snapped by Frank Rix. These ladies found the calm water of Piseco Lake too irresistible to do anything other than to enjoy the exceptional day to paddle their canoe.

Courtesy Piseco Historical Society

UNCLE EARL and Aunt Emma enjoyed fishing. Uncle Earl also raised worms to sell. When I visited them I looked forward to eating Aunt Emma’s cookies and pulling out “the berthing” trays to look at the wiggling critters. When I work egg shells and coffee grounds into my compost pile and see the young red worms, I think of all the flats my uncle once tended. It was always easier to get worms from him than to go outside with a flashlight to pluck night crawlers. I never found one long enough to dangle over my shoulder. They must develop differently at Cold River!

Mary Dittmar and Noah John Rondeau fishing Boiling Pond (aka Seward Pond) on the hermit’s homemade raft. Circa 1940s. Courtesy of Dr. Adolph G. Dittmar, Jr.