Guest Book | Harvey's Lake

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223 entries.

Neil Brazitis from Rosemont, PA wrote on March 4, 2009 at 8:47 pm:

My mother who we lost last year loved the Lake and especially Sandy Bottom. Almost every day during the summer she would take the three of us kids and whoever else was around and pile into the station wagon for a trip to the lake. She had the good sense to at least wait until my father left for work. We went to Sandy Bottom because the snack bar didn't have the toys and as much food as Sandy Beach. I was prone to car sickness so I always had a window seat. Unfortunaely during one of my bouts out the window the door flew open as we went around the lake. Fortunately I hung on the swinging door until by siblings reluctantly pulled me back. When I'm in town I always make time for a drive around the lake. Thanks for the site.

Chris from Belcamp, Md wrote on January 2, 2009 at 3:01 am:

Unfortunately, I don't have many memories from the glory days of the lake. In fact, the year they closed Hanson's, I was a year old. Having the opportunity to sit and read all of these messages makes the lake almost seem legendary. If it wasn't for the pictures, I wouldn't believe much of what the lake is described as. No traffic after Labor Day?!? Now, constant traffic year round. Enough room for steam boats?!? Now the lake is filled with boats all summer. And docks with the ice cut away? There are only about 5 spots on the lake where the ice meets the shore because of the amount of docks and their bubblers. It really does seem legendary. It almost saddens me because of the way people abuse the lake sometimes. They take the greatness of it for granted. Not knowing the history. Not knowing what it once was. The grand hotels, amusement parks, dance halls, the trolly, trains. The lake had it all back then. Growing up through the 80s and 90s, I remember going out some evenings early in spring. This is when the ice starts cracking due to thawing. The noises the ice would make and the sounds echoing off the mountains sounded really spooky back then. Then in the summers, I lived close enough to The amphitheater(lakevi ew terrace), that I didn't even have to go to the concerts. I was able to listen to them from my porch. One time in highschool, a few buddies of mine and myself decided to build a massive snowman in the middle of the lake. The ice was EXTREMELY thick that year, and I knew this from the ice fishing holes about 50 feet away. We spent about 5 hours of our day off from school putting this massive snowman together. In the end, it measured about 15 feet tall, and actually was in the Dallas Post as a random photograph with a caption. The snowman lasted until it fell through the thinning ice in the spring. The memories I have are great, but are totally different than the ones from decades before. I enjoyed this site and have shared it with family who has lived at the lake. Thanks for taking the time and effort of putting this site together.

Jim Eitel from Glassboro, NJ wrote on December 11, 2008 at 4:48 pm:

Charlie. I really enjoyed the site. I turned Sue Nicholas Tiernan on to it. She knew the Mayers, etc. Her Aunt Bett still lives near Sandy Bottom.

Dotti Tyndell from Wanaque, NJ wrote on October 22, 2008 at 1:21 pm:

I was wondering - what ever happened to Cyndi Polinski? She ran the Wildthing Taxidermy in Harveys Lake. Does anyone know her whereabouts?

Tracy from Hazelton,Pa wrote on October 13, 2008 at 9:14 pm:

Why dosent this site have a autobiogrpahy about the founder???

Gisela Demko from Route 118, Red Rock Pa wrote on September 20, 2008 at 11:17 pm:

Thank you Charlie for the great website, in addition to the wonderful book, unfortunately out of print. Just read the story about smelt fishing on the Lake and i remember, coming from Germany, a city girl, the total amazement to see this "village with lights" come to live at he lake with huts and even some vehicles on this then totally frozen over lake. My 21st birthday the end of January in 1966 was spent smelt fishing in one of the huts. The simple life, but so much fun. On summer nights you could just sit on the dock and hear the music from across at Hanson's. Glad to be able to relate to some of the info. and thankful for all the research you did for those of us who remember some of it and the ones who can't even imagine how much fun Harveys Lake used to be,... Read more

diane jones ascani from nanticoke , pa wrote on September 3, 2008 at 12:36 am:

thanks for the memories ! i really miss hansons park . there was something for everyone there ! i loved the arcade ! i wish i had a piece of memorabilia from there ! i wish that hansons would be fixed up as a tourist attraction site ! that would be awesome ! i bet a lot of people would show up ! especially people that visited there yrs ago !

Christopher Concert from Swowersville Pa wrote on August 11, 2008 at 10:50 pm:

Great Site, Great Memories of Growing up at the Lake, Miss those old days at Hansons Park. It was great reasing everyones Memories. We lived only steps away from Hansons on Lakeview terrace, it was great to go ride the train, and the haunted hose was awesome. I miss it I also have very fond memories of walking to church every Sunday to Alderson United Methodist Church, Michelle Boice and Karen White were my Sunday School Teachers.....on the way home all 9 brothers and sisters would stop off at Javers Store for a snack....

Theresa Yankoski Wyzinski from Mountaintop, PA wrote on August 11, 2008 at 8:01 am:

What a great site! So glad I found it. I grew up in Nanticoke. Harveys Lake is a big part of my childhood. My father always took my mom and I for a ride there on Sundays. Always looked forward to it. Even before I was born he would take my mom and Aunt Catherine and her daughter Elaine for rides up there in the 40's. I have pictures of the lake with them at that time. My father taught me to swim at Sandy Beach. Can still picture it. And I loved Hansons Amusement Park. Can still picture it in my mind. Those were great days in the 50's & 60's. Miss all those parks like Hanson's and San Souci and Angela Park. Always remember my mom telling me how the movie with Liz Taylor and Montgomery Clift were about Harveys Lake. Glad I found out the truth on... Read more

DENNY HONEY from BANGOR,MAINE wrote on August 8, 2008 at 10:03 am:

My brother in law sent me this site as we have fished it a few times and had a little luck also.It was always an enjoyable time and he tells me that you have redone the public boat landing this summer. Am planning to be there later this summer. He lives in Sweet Valley and is an easy trailor to the lake. Again,a real nice site and informative.

Michell'e Tattersall Boice from Harveys Lake, PA wrote on August 8, 2008 at 1:07 am:

This is great and took so much work, and I also have your book. However, you need to make a correction. My dad owned the Lake Side Inn/Hotel & Restaurant, which was the last hotel at the lake and burned in 1978. I grew up there and have so many fond memories. However, the correction is that there was NEVER a bar there, at least not during my father's ownership. I don't know that there ever was a bar there. And although it was mainly apartments when it burned, we still had rooms for rent; just not as many! I'd love to contribute to the history of this hotel during my families ownership because I have some great stories!

Roger A Cease from Bucks County, PA wrote on August 7, 2008 at 10:12 pm:

Thanks to my classmate, David George, for guiding me to this site. It is a terrific source. Viewing the films and reading the pages make me homesick for the Valley. We spent many happy days at Hanson's and Sandy Beach.

Betty Cyganowski, West, YOung from Ft. Lauderdale, FL wrote on August 3, 2008 at 12:10 pm:

Your thoughtfulness at preserving such wonderful memories of this area is greatly appreciated. I graduated from Plymouth High and spent many days of my childhood at Harvey's lake. My uncle, Leo Lutinski was part of the family that owned Pine Grove and I still remember its grandeur, the tennis courts, the large hall where I attended many weddings etc. I was also friends of decendents of the Davis family. I will forward the site to all my classmates; some who still have homes on the lake, Leonard Pallis, Wayne Thomas and many more. Thank you again for your insight into preserving such priceless memories. Perhaps some of the people I contact can add to your collection of memories.

David L. George from Spring,Tx.(Houston) wrote on August 1, 2008 at 2:59 pm:

All memories of "The Valley" are precious to me. I graduated Plymouth High School in 1956 and keep in touch with classmates at our ANNUAL picnic each September at a local picnic grove. I've lived and traveled the globe , but Wyoming Valley is a where I'm at my best. Thanks for keeping this wonderful website. I liked the film clip of the Lehigh RR going to Hansons. I'm into model trains now in my 'dottage'and enjoyed the film very much.

Layla from Stroudsburg wrote on July 28, 2008 at 12:53 pm:

You're site provides great information on Harvey's Lake. I didn't realize there was so much history in the area. I'm thinking about building one of those schumacher homes in the area. I'm sure it will be a great fit.

Robert A. Richmond Jr. from 107 Woods Dr. Marysville, Pa. wrote on July 23, 2008 at 12:32 pm:

Charlie I was at harvey lake on friday 07-18-08 and what a wonderful time i had it was so inspiring that I went on line to see more of the history thank you for this wonderful site Pss. by the was what is the history on the grotto pizza that is on the lake is it the first one in Pa. I have a bit with my son he said the first grotto was in dalaware please let me know BOB

Dave Mayer from Delaware wrote on July 19, 2008 at 11:32 pm:

Great site! My grandparents were Tony and Leila Mayer who owned Mayer's Grove. My dad,Hal, and hi siblings grew up at the Lake in the 1920's and 30's. I would love hearing from anyone who knew the family back then.

Rich Bennett from Hershey, PA wrote on July 18, 2008 at 8:49 pm:

Love the old pics of the Lake. Been spending time with the lake and my granparents for over 20 years. Would like to see something done with Hansons to bring people back out to lake. Will it ever be for sale??

Randy Shaver from Honolulu Hawaii wrote on June 24, 2008 at 10:50 pm:

Charlie, Thanks for the site, I first found it when I was researching my father's family line. Clarence Shaver, the General Manager of the Steamboat, was my great uncle, you have picture of him next to one of the boats. My mother's family is also from near the lake and I've found school photo's of them also. Great to see the site is still active and alive. Randy Shaver

Janice McClintock from San Antonio, TX wrote on June 14, 2008 at 1:29 am:

Thank you so much for making "Ghost Towns of North Mountain" available on the site, Mr. Petrillo. I have been interested in this for many years and I only wish my father were still here to enjoy it with me. He showed me the site of Ricketts years ago and told me the story of the town that used to be there; It taught me that nothing is permanent. His interest in local railroad and lumber history would have found the perfect outlet in this volume. Your careful research and resulting work are very much appreciated.