Big Fish

Big Fish: The Musical  now playing at Lakewood Theater through June 29th. 

I simply loved the book, and thought the movie was grand. Ever since I heard it was to be a Broadway Musical I have been waiting to see what it would be; so it's very exciting to see it performed on our own Lakewood Theater stage!

Also am quite looking forward to seeing my son Jakob as the "giant" Karl. 

Tickets to all Lakewood Theater productions are available at the box office, by calling 474-7176  or online by clicking here  

Jedidiah Hayden

A tiny historic blurb about Olive Hayden's grandfather:

"In the spring of 1799, Jedidiah Hayden made a small clearing in the eastern part of the town of Madison, upon the shore of a beautiful pond which is known as Hayden Lake. The next summer Hayden moved his family to the town.

In 1812, Jedidiah Hayden purchased one thousand acres of land, extending across Merrill's Flats. There were seven brothers by the name of Hayden, who settled in the town of Madison, about the beginning of the century. "The History of Madison " by Emma Folsom Clark

Sweet Maggie

When you visit the Sugar Tree cottage, and enter the cottage through the porch, it is this photo of  Sweet Maggie that will greet you.

My endearing nickname means no disrespect, it is simply how I like to think of her, young and sweet, enjoying her summer at the Lakewood Theater camps, the whole world of experiences yet to be. 

The re-printed photo, as you see it framed, was part of the 1920's set dressing for  Mount View High School's production of I. M. Grey's   "A Mad Breakfast", directed by Jakob Sutton, for the 2019 Maine Drama Festival One Act Play competition.

Permissions for use of this image of Margaret Chase was granted by the Margaret Chase Smith Library in Skowhegan.  

......

Photo information:

Title: Summer outing at Lakewood [ Lakewood Theater]
Subject Date: 1914
Town: Madison
County: Somerset
State: ME
Media: Photographic print

artist search

Here on Olive Street - or more particularly the Sugar Tree Cottage - we are officially looking for artists for small events! From solo exhibits to musical performances, host an open house for your work or talent at our place alongside Hayden Brook! Tea would be provided of course, but if you wanted wine and cheese et cetera you would have to bring that in. The Sugar Tree Cottage would do it's own social media advertising and any other would be on you. No rental fee, no commission, we are not a business venue... but you may sell your works or busk your talent! 

If you have an art or talent to teach, we have space for that as well!

Please contact us with anyquestions or suggestions, or to request a date!  createonolivestreet@gmail.com

limited edition print

One of the first things to hang at the Sugar Tree cottage was this limited edition print of a painting of Lakewood Theater by Robin A. Davis.

Robin's family has been a part of the Lakewood family for generations.

visiting Olive

Took a moment to stop and visit Olive Hayden (and the many Hayden family resting there) at the Blackwell Cemetary, which is just up the road from Olive Street. A strange feeling to be standing there among history. 

William Davis Hayden

Olive Hayden's father, William Davis Hayden was a bit of an importaint man in the community. School teacher, town clerk and twelve years a selectman.  Elected to the position of County Commissioner for Somerset County, where he served for six years. Following he was again chosen selectman and served four years as chairman of the board.  He was postmaster of Madison Centre for thirty years. Serving as a member of the State Democratic committee for fifteen years. He was refered to as "one of the ablest campaign leaders of his time."

It was in 1882 William Davis Hayden, a spritualist himself, bought and helped reconstruct a meeting hall on the shores of Hayden Lake for the Madison Spiritualist Association. When General R.B. Shepherd bought the hall and lake land in 1895 for the Somerset Traction Company he intended to, and did, create an amusement park for his trolly service, and turned the large building into a skating rink. That building went through a few changes over the years, but it is now the historic Lakewood Theater.

teas

The tea you'll find available at the Sugar Tree Cottage on Olive Street is Tealightful Tea, to taste and to purchase there, or you may order online through my personal independent ambassador link.

All of these sales will also help to support the On Olive Street project.  Just click  here 

a coat of paint

Something I have known since I was a kid (my father was a house painter) is that a simple coat of paint can make big changes!  No more yellow kitchen cabinets at the Tower House, but beautiful white that really makes the room look bigger! (and cleaner)  

Swampy

Right in the middle, on the island of land that the circut of Olive Street cradles, is number 29. If you draw a slightly curved line from the Tower House to the Sugar Tree Cottage, in between is a smaller camp. Fixed up (all of the houses we have on Olive Street need a bit of fixing) it should make a cozy place for my son to spend his summers, if not longer.  All of his summers since 2011 have been spent around the  Lakewood Theater. He was part of several Young Performers/Teen, Tech & Tour performances, and has now also appeared in nearly a dozen main stage productions. Additionally he ushers regularly, and sometimes works backstage.  He has acted, directed and stage managed with/at/for several other companies as well, but I do believe Lakewood is his favorite and there's no place he'd rather be.[other than Salamanca Spain perhaps] He intends to be a part of the Lakewood community for a long, long, very long time indeed, so it's nice to have a place for him to hang his hat! 

Unfortunately, due to it's location at the bottom of the hill,  there is indeed some water that seems to settle right there in the front yard of the camp during the springtime thaw... and so it has earned the nickname "Swampy."