Growing up on Pelican Lake: Barbie Dolls

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Barbie Dolls

Barbie says: When Barbie dolls came out in about 1959, Linda had one. She had the original Barbie with dark hair, striped swim suit and a ponytail. Wow! We couldn't afford a "real" Barbie so I had a Babette doll. We played Barbies a lot. Each spring I couldn't wait for Linda to arrive so that I could show her my newest "Barbie" stuff. We kept adding to the collection. There was Midge, Ken, a Barbie bed and even a Barbie house.... and yes, at one point I got a real Barbie.

When I was in 5th grade, for Christmas I got a new Barbie with a bu-font hair do and a red swim suit. I couldn't wait to show Linda when she came up. I must have asked her about her Barbies before she even got out of the car. I remember the conversation taking place by the carport as they were getting out of the car, just having arrived.)To my disappointment Linda didn't even bring her Barbies with her. She had outgrown dolls. (She was now in 6th grade.) I remember acting like "Ah, no big thing. I don't play Barbies anymore either.".... when inside I was so disappointed.

2 comments:

UnknownMay 10, 2017
Linda says: Oh Barbie! I feel bad having read your disappointment about the halt on playing with our Barbie dolls....but you got pay-back .....the summer we arrived and I saw through your shirt that you were wearing a BRA!!
I was still pretty flat chested and felt so uncool. When I got the chance to bring it up to you, you said "well, don't be too anxious to get one, I HATE it". hahaha. I felt better after that.
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LindaSeptember 28, 2023
I love this “Bra” initiation entry❣️
I remember like it was yesterday, Barbie saying “I HATE it”. l was so relieved haha.
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Barbie's History

When my grandparents, Etha & Oskar Blom, built their cottage on Pelican Lake there were only 6 other cottages on the whole lake. When my parents, Russ & Eddie Grover, got married in 1946, my grandparents gave them the lake lot next to them as a wedding present.

In about 1995, my parents gave the cottage to my brother and me. In 1998 we sold the property to John Barrie and we moved to Little Pelican Lake.

The lots that my grandparents and my parents owned are located on the east side of the current John Barrie mansion. (Proven Beach)

I have always spent a good share of each summer at the lake. All of Linda's and my lake memories took place on Proven Beach, Big Pelican Lake, MN.

~Barbie

Linda's History

Both of my parents grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. They were married in February 1942 and became Susan and Ken Connor. My Dad owned a sporting goods store named Casey's Sports.

One day a traveling salesman called on Dad and the man was from Minnesota. Dad asked him where would be a nice place for a honeymoon that included good fishing. The man told Dad that he couldn't go wrong with Fair Hills Resort on Pelican Lake. So, in June of 1942, my parents with Mom's parents in tow, spent a week at Fair Hills Resort.

Across the lake on the point was a cottage and to the left of that, vacant land. They fell in love with the area and long story short, they purchased the land next to the point and began building a summer home in 1955. The properties next door belonged to the Blom’s and next to them were the Grover's. Barbie and I became life-long friends at that point in time.

We moved in, in June 1957 when my brother was 11 and I was 5 1/2 years old. We spent every summer at "Connorhaven".

After my brother and I grew up, we still visited. Mom and Dad eventually purchased the Point from Sholds and in 1975, began building another home on that site. After selling "Connorhaven" they moved to the Point in 1977.

When Dad passed away in 1996, Mom sold the property to John Barry, and all that is left for me are the priceless memories which Barbie and I are putting into words here.

~Linda

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Barbie Dolls

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