August
16, 2000
This
is Dennis Helfand, former owner of Cranmore Mountain Lodge in North Conway, New
Hampshire. We sold the inn 3 ˝ years ago and relocated to Newport Beach,
California.
Being almost 60 years of age, memory lapses occasionally
set in. Couple this with the thousands of guests my wife Judy and I hosted as
innkeepers, it was not surprising to me that I could not remember the name
Scott Kinkele when my former head-housekeeper Kari phoned last week.
Today, Kari sent me the web site address and I was
struck as if from a bolt of lightning. All the years suddenly came back and I
was crushed. Yes, I know Scott Kinkele as if it were yesterday. I am terribly
saddened by this senseless and unspeakable act.
Sitting
in my North Conway inn during the mid 90’s, the phone rang one day and it was a
young gentleman named Scott at the other end. He stated that he was planning to
bring a group of climbers from Annapolis into the White Mountains area of New
Hampshire. While we hosted many rock and ice climbing groups from around the
world, this was our first contact from the Naval Academy. We were very happy to
host the US Navy, as Judy’s father was a retired Naval officer, her brother in
law is a retired Navy pilot, and her brother is now a captain in the Navy,
stationed at the Pentagon. To Judy, Navy was synonymous with home.
That first visit became many visits. Scott and his
friends were our frequent guests and when he couldn’t organize a trip, others
would be assigned to do so. The Annapolis climbers found a home away from home
at Cranmore Mt. Lodge and we loved their visits. It became a tradition and it
all began with this smiling, wonderful person named Scott Kinkele, who was so
“into” his friends, his sport, his alluring mountains, his sheer ice precipices
and his country.
They would all arise before the first light of dawn
and a few would wander down into the kitchen while I was busy prepping the
breakfast for the guests. We’d talk and then suddenly they were gone, out for
the entire day, seeking some new ledge or ice wall. They’d return late and
start drying the gear out in front of the lounge fireplace. They quietly
prepared for the dawn and the new challenges ahead. It was a wonderful time for all of us.
This beautiful and vibrant life ended too soon.
Scott, I do remember. I will always remember.
Judy and I leave tomorrow, before the first light of
dawn, for the Grand Teton Mountains of Wyoming. We will say a prayer as we remember you and our times together.
Rest in peace.
<http://www.webconsuls.com>
<dhelfand@webconsuls.com>