SEBAGO REFLECTIONS

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A LOOK BACK AT SPECIAL BUSINESS,PEOPLE & AREA OF THIS COUNTRY TOWN THAT RESTS NEAR LAKE SEBAGO.

By Mike Anderson

*FITCH'S STORE

*NORTH SEBAGO POST OFFICE

* DOUGLAS MT. INN

*NORTH SEBAGO STORE

*SPAULDING ESTATE

* CAMP O-AT-KA

* ANDERSON TEXACO STATION

IF YOU LIKE THIS WEB SITE, PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT: mja114@gwi.net

Sebago,a small town that is nestled in the western hills and next to Sebago Lake. As time goes by, things may change, Sebago doesn't however. It is still a small country town which everybody knows everybody. Where neighbor still helps neighbor. Sebago does not have a Mcdonalds or Pizza Hut. We just have good neighbors. I am giving a reflection of people who touched our life here in the town of Sebago. I will add more stories as time goes by. -Enjoy

FITCH'S GENERAL STORE

For 167 years, the Fitch family gave service to East Sebago and the area around this part of the Lakes Region. Fitch's General Store was a store that people depended on for years. Fitch's Store had most everything that you wanted. From bins to nails, Coffee makers to glass. Even keys could be made. Luther Fitch founded the store in 1830. It burnt in 1850. In 1909 ,Monty Fitch (Luther's Grandson ) bought the store. Just as the business was building up, the store met another disaster. It was struck by lightning in Oct. 3,1919 while Monty was on a vacation. He then moved the business into a converted stable that was attached to the house. He made it into a store and reopened it in 1920. Monty died in 1957. His son Laurence took over the business. Laurence and his English born wife,Vera, both continued to operate the business for the area. Laurence and Vera had a daughter Jill and two sons; Ward and Jack. Robert was Vera's son from another marriage. Laurence died Spring'97. Vera and her son, Jack operated the store until November. The memories are all we have now. The Fitch family gave us (not only a great general store) but, they gave us wonderful memories. Laurence and Vera always had a smile. Always willing to help.

THE BET

Many years ago when Monty Fitch operated the store,two men made a bet. One man said that Fitch's had everything! The other man said,"I bet that there is one thing that they don't have" The other man said,"What's that". "A coffin" said the man. So, the other man bet him that Fitch's General Store did indeed have a Coffin. Later they went to the store. The one man said to Monty,"You have just about anything". "ahh yes" replied Mr. Fitch. Ok!, said the man. "Do you have a Coffin?" Monty paused for a second, then he said,"Come with me". They followed him upstairs. In the attic there were coffins from Big down to small. Monty said,"Would you like a Large,Med. or small??"

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Fitch's store was truly a country store. The sign on the store would read,"BEST STORE IN THE WORLD". Anyone that lived in the town of Sebago, would have agreed with that sign. There will never be another Fitch's store. May God bless the Fitch family.

NOTE: I will be adding more stories about Fitch's store. If anyone would like to offer any story, e-mail me at: mja114@gwi.net

NORTH SEBAGO POST OFFICE

The little North Sebago Post Office was another place where a lot of memories were made. Lillian Nason took over the post office in 1972 in a converted garage. For 25 years, the village of North Sebago had this little post office. In fact, North Sebago always had a post office for 113 years. When this post office closed April,1997,it was an end of an era. Lillian gave up the post office because of health problems and her husband Cliff (who was in failing health). Cliff later died. For years as Lillian would take care of the mail, Cliff would have plenty of fresh produce awaiting on the counter for people. He would light the wood stove in the morning and keep the lot clear of snow.

What was special about the North Sebago Post Office? The post office had an old brass office boxes and service window. (that was moved from post office to post office around)

The mail boxes ect. are at the local Historical Society now. This is all we have now: Memories. And memories we do have! Lillian kept the post office open 6 days a week. She did not go on vacation for those 25 years. Several years ago, Lillian broke her leg and she only missed a few days. Lillian loved to come in contact with the villagers. She watched the children grow up. She knew everyone by their first name. She would see the same children later bring their kids to get the mail. Lillian would make sure that any letters for "Santa"would make it back to the writer's relatives. Lillian & Cliff gave the post office a personal touch. I remember picking up my mail and talking about former times that Cliff told me. We would talk about Sebago Lake ,fishing and the way it used to be. I would meet other people that I knew in the town. We would look forward to see each other. When it came close to the holidays, Lillian would place Coffee and treats on the counter for people in the area that came in to get their mail.

Lillian & Cliff gave the post office a personal touch that the modern post office does not offer.
I am happy to have such good neighbors and to have had such nice post office