Spending every summer of my life at “camp” was hard to give up – and in 1973, I was wanting a summer job and wanting to be at camp. Bob Phillips from the Island Lodge pulled up to our dock and said he was looking for help for Chris who was pregnant with Elizabeth. I was thrilled to ditch the “reroofing our camp” job and start a paid position.
Bob and Chris Phillips had just purchased the Lodge. (They told me they were contemplating buying the Lodge or maybe a Sailboat – as a fun summer activity while they were on summer break from teaching.) The Lodge won out – hardly a relaxing summer project!
My first tasks were cleaning out the cabins which were in rough shape, and painting the chairs and windows in the cabins. Meanwhile the cabins were being sandblasted to remove the decades of green and brown paint and then restained. Cleaning out the old gift shop and discovering the lovely Viyella shirts (back in the day considered “technical” clothing), I had to buy one. The old Rock Candy was very soft, and sticky so only fit for the trash. There was kitchen equipment bought at an auction that needed major cleaning as well.
I worked at the Lodge for 6 summers. Once the guests started arriving, I worked 8-12 for breakfast and prepping various dinner items, then 4-8 for the dinner service. (I still use some of the recipes from back then.) Having the afternoon off was ideal for me – allowing time to have fun with the other Islanders. I could tell a few tales about fellow co-worker Bobby Dobbins – but will leave that for him to share…HAHA. We had many games of ping pong in the games room and Euchre in the card room. Many others around the Bay worked at the Lodge including my three brothers. It was a fun time and Bob and Chris were so great to work for.
Submitted by Nancy Lunham Renaux
Bay Of Islands Community Association