There were always at least a few people sitting there on the porch, leaning back in the row of rocking chairs; especially during thunderstorms, and of course for the fourth of July parade that went right by the Festival House.

The rocking chairs were all nearly the same: turned wood painted a dark color (usually forest green), caned seat and a high caned back, and arm rests so wide and flat that if you kept still you could rest your glass there while you turned the page. The hotel was torn down a few years ago, though many efforts were made to find someone interested in restoring it. We stop by every summer, stand right about where the porch was, and invariably talk about what's changed in town.