Knollwood

I remember growing up during the summer and my parents would often drive us 90 minutes or so from our home in Weston, MA to our extended family home in Dublin, NH, called Knollwood. Knollwood was purchased by my maternal grandfather Ernest Flagg Henderson II in the 1950’s. It was originally built around the turn of the 20th century by Franklin MacVeagh. He was appointed by President Taft to be Treasury Secretary in 1909. He served in that role until 1913. After changing hands and eventually falling into a bit of disrepair grandfather bought Knollwood, refurbished and furnished it, and made it a very comfortable location for all of his descendants to enjoy. The town of Dublin, and Knollwood, are located on the Mt. Monadknock crest, with incredible views looking south and east toward the state of MA. It was in Dublin that much of my young, pre-teen life grew up into teenage years. We belonged for many years to the Dublin Lake Club adorned with unusual red clay tennis courts; and a perfect sized mountain lake for swimming and sailing sunfishes, and a classic clubhouse that was perfect for social events including square dancing. It was here that my Dad and brothers Tom and Rob taught me how to play tennis. Dublin also had a nine hole golf course where Dad taught me how to play. I learned to swim in Dublin Lake. There was a raft with a slide and high jump about 100 yards offshore. To be able to use it without supervision you had to pass a swim test that involved swimming the entire distance of the lake, round trip, about 1 mile overall. I have so many fond memories of Dublin and the indelible impact it had on my life, especially my propensity for sports. I hadn’t discovered hard, aerobic pumping sport yet, but I did learn, sometimes the hard way, sportsmanship and competition. I especially remember so many trips with just my Dad and I. In more recent years, like the last 40 or more, Knollwood became the home of my dear Aunt Augusta and her late husband and my uncle Ambassador Joseph Carlton Petrone. They have done an incredible job maintaining and enhancing Knollwood (man-made lake Augusta, winery, grounds, rebuilt stone walls, garage, and so much more) as well as doing all the enormous preparations to host an annual family reunion every summer. Mt. Monadknock keeps a close eye on Knollwood, a mountain that many of the family climb every year, and one that I climbed countless times growing up. In the spirit of traditions these family reunions are another event that binds us all together, reminds of us our roots and lineage, and a chance to connect again even though so much of our lives are spread all over the country. We are a fortunate family and one I am blessed to be a part.
 

Tom

Tom is the second oldest behind Molly. Tom and his wife Kyle own and operate a B&B in Limerick, ME, a little over 30 miles from Portland. They have two beautiful daughters, Anne and Jessica. Tom will be retiring shortly, but I suspect he will not “fully” retire, at least not yet. Tom in many ways is like my Dad, gifted with musical talents both instrument and voice. His voice is something to behold. One of my fondest memories was when he sang the wedding song at our wedding service. There wasn’t a dry eye in the sanctuary, and every time he has sang it since brings tears to my eyes. His voice over the years, as he has learned opera and more, is something to behold. His voice projects his soul, powerful, emotional, heart-felt. Tom has played tennis most of his life. I grew up in a tennis family and marveled at Tom’s talent and consistency. He played in high school and he and his double’s partner came in first place in the state of MA. The summer of 1978 Tom and I shared an apartment in Brookline, just a few minutes west of Boston. We played a lot of tennis that summer and did some running as well in the hazy, hot, humid, dog days of NE summer. It was during that summer Tom and I did something really cool for the 4th of July. We rented a canoe and decided we would “put in” near the Science Center along the Charles River. Our goal was to paddle across the river to the Boston Esplanade and listen to the Boston Pops play while looking at the fireworks high overhead. It was quite an event. Tom and I also ran a marathon together in the summer of 1983, the Maine Coast Marathon, which hugs the coastline in and around Kennebunkport. The interesting thing is that I trained hard for 3 months before the marathon, did all the things to properly eat and hydrate before, wearing all the appropriate gear. Tom started with me, only intending to run the first 8-10 miles, meetup with Kyle, and then drive to the finish line to watch me finish. Only thing is he and Kyle never connected, so Tom ran the whole thing unbenounced to me. He did this in tennis sneakers, not properly prepared in anyway, shape or form. Yet he did it. That alone tells something about Tom. Grit. Drive. Determination. There’s something else even more profound about Tom - his heart for others. Tom’s example for serving others is a model for all of us. I know of no one who is more unselfish, more giving, sacrifices more or has an innate ability to sense and connect with people as Tom. He has been a strong familial force in my recovery, attentive, compassionate, able to know what was on my mind or what I was going to say before I said it. I’m grateful for all of my siblings and Tom is a gift that always gives, never expecting or wanting anything in return. Love you bro!