On weekend mornings, "Dindy" often took me down to the Weirs dock to watch "The Mount" set sail for the first tour of the day. The drive itself over the hilly road from the house to the famous Weirs boardwalk was an adventure that built up the anticipation, with all the familiar landmarks along the way.

Once we reached The Weirs, the first stop was a little general store where we bought freshly baked donuts. We took them away, warm, fragrant and sugar coated in a brown bag. We parked at the top of the boardwalk. The fresh lake breeze was invigorating and full of lovely smells.

Dindy talked business with Captain Bryan Avery and the crew as he scanned the number of passengers queuing up to board the boat. When the last passenger had boarded, there was a sudden flurry as deckhands scurried about lifting the heavy ships lines, and leaping athletically aboard.

At 9 a.m. the Mount set sail, sounding a resonant blast of her horn, while we waved. Time and again on these mornings, I told Dindy, "When I grow up, I want to be a deckhand!"

Dindy, you will live forever in our hearts.
Wendy Lubetkin
Granddaughter

My beloved grandfather, affectionately known as, Dindy, passed away last week. I am blessed to have so many amazing memories.  I will always treasure the magical times that we had at my grandparent's home in the Weirs Beach.

It seems like just yesterday we were all sharing a delicious meal together, celebrating a birthday or holiday, doing cartwheels across the front lawn, catching fire flies or toads, or sledding down the hill on a cold, wintry day.

When it was time to leave, Meme and Dindy would slip me a handful of candy for the ride home. I remember riding down their driveway, waving as I peered out the back window, and there would be Meme and Dindy still smiling and waving until we were completely out of sight. 

I always knew that I was the luckiest kid in the whole wide world to have a grandparent like Dindy. I am forever grateful that my two children, Miles, nine, and Maddy, six, got to know and love Dindy too.  

Dindy, I will never forget your twinkle, integrity, intelligence, generosity, sense of humor and kindness. Thank you for being such an important part of my life.  You are loved and you are missed and will be forever in my memories

Kim Stein
Granddaughter

My 91 year old father, Vincent Dahlgren, worked for Mr. Hedblom during World War 2. He has always spoken of Mr. Hedblom as a man who gave him so much confidence as a young working man. I also believe that Mr. Hedblom went to the draft board and spoke of my father's importance to the ship building effort. As a result, my dad was not drafted but remained working in the ship yard.

Dee Leighton (Bangor, ME)

Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet Mr. Hedblom, but I grew up admiring three of the boats that he and his father built.  I first rode the Mount Washington during the summer of 1978 when I was just 5 years old, and I have been hooked on the ship and its history ever since.  While my peers were chasing after rock stars and TV celebrities in high school, I found myself inspired by people like Leander Lavallee, Byron Hedblom, Bryan Avery, and Bob Murphy, who had spent countless years of their lives navigating the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee.  

Nate Beyea and Charlie Greenwood in the Ticket Office at the Weirs (1991) - Click to enlarge

My interest in the Mount ultimately turned into a summer job, and I was lucky enough to work for the Winnipesaukee Flagship Corporation off and on from 1989 to 1999 as a ticket agent, dockhand, and deckhand aboard the Mount, Sophie, and Doris.  During my tenure at WFC, I enjoyed working with many people from the Hedblom era, including Bruce Heald, Bruce Campbell, Bob Cole, John Pettingill, Don Carr, and Jan Wescott.  I also met many former employees, including Bob Murphy and Murray Ryder, who returned from time to time to visit the ship and the company.  

Working for the Mount was always like having an extended family, where a family atmosphere was forever present.  Yes, we worked very hard to serve the customers, but we also found time to have fun.  And we cared about each other too, just like we were all a part of a close-knit family.  I have always believed that Mr. Hedblom was to thank for this sense of family that still prevails at the Mount today.  In so many ways, the Mount truly was my best job, and I think about my time there often.  It goes without saying that I will always have a deep fondness for the boats that Mr. Hedblom built and the wonderful "Mount" family that he created.  He has certainly left behind a beautiful and amazing legacy.  Thank you for all the great experiences and memories

Sincerely,
Nate Beyea
Historian and Former Employee
Wells, Maine

I spent many summers on the Lake mostly on Bear Island camping and staff for the Lawrence YMCA.
I mostly piloted the MV Camp Lawrence now named the MV Bear. I Also worked for the Winnipesaukke Flagship Company as The skipper of the Doris E 1977 and 78.
I enjoyed the Officers and crew very much. Bob Murphy, Brian Roger Murry Don and John Petengill
John  taught me a lot as did Bob. Roger was great fun to work with. The capitol and energy that Mr. Hedblom put into the company and his choice of staff were there in the years after he sold the company and still are the reason we have the a great fleet crusing the lake.
With the shore of Winnipesaukee mostly private I always felt privilaged to share its spectacular views with so many people from all over the country and the world. I enjoyed telling the tales we told in our traveloges and getting to the most spetacular vista berore sunset.
Thanks for the Website

Tom Caughey