Updates from the OH

13 February 2006: Ocean House Website Update
by Paula Ruisi

I had lunch with Kathy and Frank Sumpter from Middlefield, CT, several weeks ago. They stopped off in Westerly to deliver their photos and share remembrances of the OH. They chose not to drive by the site, preferring to remember the hotel as they knew her.

Hopefully their pictures will inspire more of you to send in your visual memories. These photos tell a story of what was so captivating about the hotel. (visit the Photo Gallery to see all the Sumpter's photos)

Kathy and Frank reminisced about their last few stays at the hotel before it closed. They would pack up their cooler with food and drinks, tote portable fans, bath and beach towels and pay $250 a night to stay at their favorite hotel. One can see the beach was their focus for Kathy, a graphic designer with her own company in Middlefield, the umbrellas resonated what she loved most.

I also heard from Diane Wald who learned of the Ocean House from friends and came only once 6 or 7 years ago. Diane is a poet and titled her 2002 publication of collected verse, The Yellow Hotel. Her title poem, "The Yellow Hotel" captures her impressions of the Ocean House (click this link to see her book on Amazon.com).

In my research on the hotel I ran across another poet, Kevin Pilkington. Kevin is a member of the writing faculty at Sarah Lawrence College and teaches in the graduate department at Manhattanville College. He is the author of five collections, a winner of the La Jolla Poets Press National Book Award (for Spare Change) and the Ledge Poetry Prize. His most recent publications include a book, Ready to Eat the Sky (River City Publishing, follow the link to Amazon.com) selected by Andrew Hudgins, and a chapbook, St. Andrew's Head (Camber Press). His poetry has appeared in Poetry, Ploughshares, Iowa Review, Boston Review, and Hayden's Ferry.

Kevin's poem, Magis, is a touching remembrance of his father at the Ocean House. Kathy Sumpter's Umbrella's could be a fitting illustration.

Both Kevin and Diane are planning to attend the Oral History Night at the Westerly Armory in June, date to be announced. We are most appreciative of their contributions to our website.