October 2000
As we left the garage of a man who gave hundreds of thousands of people thrills and memorable happy times over many decades - I turned to see him sitting alone among his "things." As I snapped the picture I was immediately struck with the sad loneliness of this scene. A man who gave huge crowds of people great joy, sits alone with his bittersweet memories.
Many of us have tried to thank him for his "gift" of heartfelt memories of our "Caroga Times" at Sherman's and the lakes. The safe, clean, place he provided for our parents, for us, for our kids, and for our grandkids.
The comfort of parents not having to worry about letting their kids "go over to Sherman's" for the day, or night, as we knew they would be safe. The dancing, rides, the taste and aroma of popcorn, candy apples, roasted peanuts. He and his father's dream of "Sherman's" truly gave life to our tiny community of Caroga, and to all that visited it.
He just seemed incapable of accepting our thanks and compliments for the place we called Sherman's. Why? Who knows. Perhaps it is just his pragmatic thinking and ways. It's a business. We had to survive. No big deal - we had to do something with all that warped lumber.
Whatever it is - I think I speak for many when I say.....
Thanks, Frank, for the Memories.
