John Hentz is probably MH's guest of longest standing. He has been coming to Milford for 73 years – ever since 1936, when as a boy of six, he visited his grandfather, Dr. Herbert Fox. Dr. Fox, an avid fly fisherman, had discovered Milford House in the 1920's. The family stayed in what is now known as Fox cabin – then just Cabin #18. Since 1966, John's been at Milford every year except one when surgery prevented his annual migration. John and his wife, Dee, now stay at North Cabin, usually for two or three months every summer.

Over the years, John has been instrumental in sustaining and preserving Milford House. He was one of the original shareholders when Milford House was purchased in 1968 from Joan Thomas King, the last of the Thomas family to own the property. John was one of the seven men who became the original shareholder-directors of Milford House Properties, Ltd. and he has served on the board ever since, in just about every capacity.

We asked John about changes over the years. Setting aside the disastrous fire and the rebuilding of the Main Lodge in 2001-2, John cited the electrification of the cabins, which permitted introduction of hot water and refrigerators. In his early days, there were only kerosene lamps and a cold water tap. Brackish water was supplied from McClelland Stillwater via a system of pipes. John recalls opening the tap one day and out came a baby perch! Drinking water came from a well near the main entrance, and cabins were supplied with a large pitcher which guests routinely brought down to dinner to replenish their supply. Each cabin had an ice box on its verandah; fresh ice was brought daily. In the 30's and 40's, Milford House kept a cow to supply milk and cream to the dining room. John remembers watching the milking as a child and being fascinated by the separator. Raw milk was poured in the top; there were two spigots. Out of one flowed milk, out of the other, cream.

Another basic change over the years is related to the d e c l i n e o f MH a s a fisherman's and hunter's paradise. John loves to fish as much as his grandfather, and remembers in the 40's and 50's that the guides' cabin (now the workshop) would be a hive of activity each morning with guides packing for trips with their “sportsmen.” It was quite usual for trips to take several days and to go deep into virtual wilderness. You could spend days without encountering another human being. John recalls the guides as infallible on where to find fish, and ingenious at coping with difficulties. One day John, less than vigilant in the bow, allowed their canvas canoe to get ripped on some submerged rocks. Unfazed, his guide steered them ashore, built a fire, pulled a hunk of pitch from his pocket, heated it with his hunting knife, and proceeded to mend the tear. No problem!

We asked if the culture of Milford House had changed from his early days here. John replied that there hadn't been significant change, that a great strength is that MH is one of the few places you can go where things don't change. John remembered that at one point, in an effort to build business, MH applied to be listed in the AAA Travel Guide for Canada. We were turned down flat - we didn't have keys to the cabins!

We asked if there have been changes in the board and the way it operates. John reported that over the years there have been remarkably few disagreements on basic issues. The board has always been united in wanting to preserve MH and its culture for future generations. Everyone recognizes that MH is unique, and the things which attract people - its unplugged, relaxed atmosphere, its lack of organized activities, the latitude to be as private or as gregarious as you want - is what makes guests so loyal. John mentioned that Milford House Properties has never paid a dividend, that directors volunteer their time and have never received any sort of fee for their services. All revenues are plowed back into operations.

Finally, we asked John what his hopes are for MH in the future. He replied that the best he can hope for is that MH continues pretty much as it is, but with an increase in occupancy and a longer season. With changes in tourism people are staying for shorter periods, and with an aging infrastructure to preserve, expenses are rising. If we are to sustain Milford House, we must market it. John is convinced that there are people out there who will cherish MH as much as our long-time guests. Our challenge