The Story: The Thayers have reached old age, and their daughter Chelsea has long since moved away, had a failed marriage, taken up a professional career. Norman and Ethel Thayer, nevertheless, have continued every
year, with few exceptions, to make the long trip to re-open their summer place at Golden Pond in the Maine north woods. They spend the summers living in the summer place, reminiscing and looking through the old photographs and knick-knacks from years long gone by.

We learn from their conversations that Chelsea and her father have never been as close as they might have wished to be; that her marriage didn't work out; and that she never had any children. They have not seen her for years, a fact which Norman pretends to shrug off, but he is hurt that she didn't even come back for his retirement party. Both
Norman and Ethel are sorely aware that time is running out for Chelsea to present them with a grandchild.

Nevertheless, as the play opens, Chelsea has apparently accepted an invitation to the summer place this year, Ethel having used the bait that Norman is about to turn 80. Chelsea does show up and brings along her latest boyfriend, Bill Ray, and his son by a previous marriage, Billy Ray, a boy of 13. The boy is a city brat, a "cool cat" kid, and, although
Norman pretends to be "not amused," he is really quite fascinated with him. Chelsea and Bill go off on a vacation to Europe, leaving Billy with the Thayers; and the old man develops a wonderful relationship with the young
boy, delighting in picking up all his slang expressions and in taking him fishing. The boy breathes new life into Norman and becomes the grandchild they never had.

Chelsea and Bill get married and take the boy off to their home in California, and, as the play draws to a close, there are excited phone calls between the old folks and Chelsea, agreeing that the Thayers will spend their winter vacation with Chelsea in California, instead of their usual routine of going to Florida. A bright new future has opened up for
everyone. Chelsea finally has a good man, and the old folks have the grandson they always longed for. One gets the sense that Norman, in pursuing the relationship with Billy, is also aware that, in the process, he will regain the old bond with his daughter, a bond which he misses terribly but is too proud to admit.

Observation: With most plays, it seems to me that there are many pages of opening exposition, a simple laying-out of the facts and circumstances, so that the audience will get a feel for locale, characters, background. All of the above is dry, but necessary. Then you have an occurrence or activating mechanism that propels all the ingredients into action , and the play finally drives ahead. In this case, that "activator" would be the arrival of Chelsea with Billy. But with this play, one does not have to wait for that interjection. All of that "dry stuff" at the beginning? It's there. But it's not dry! It's funny as hell! Why? Because of the curious, dry, droll, quirky humor of the old man, Norman Thayer.

Chelsea Thayer Wayne 42 Daughter of the Thayers. "She is quite pretty, a bit heavy, athletic-looking, tan, a nervous type, something dark about her, but she has her father's humor." Charlie Martin has been in love with her since they were children. Chelsea and her father have been somewhat estranged or alienated for years, and the reasons for this are revealed as the play progresses.

Bill Ray Mid-to- late forties. "Attractive and well-dressed, a ready smile." He is Chelsea's latest boyfriend. Like Chelsea, he is divorced, but, unlike Chelsea, who is childless, he has a 13-year-old son, Billy Ray. " Tends to be serious, but has a good sense of humor when he remembers to use it. He works at being an intellectual, and is a bit cautious in life. But he has extra personality supplies on reserve, just below the surface." He takes just so much of Norman's bullying, then stops him cold. Norman finds out, to his happy surprise, that he is no pushover.

Billy Ray 13 "Short, flippant, but only to cover his awkwardness. He is eager and bright. His hair is long, his posture terrible." He is the son of Bill Ray, Chelsea's latest boyfriend.  Billy's arrival changes the whole course of the play, since Norman, caught up in his youth and energy, and quite fascinated with him, develops a healthier outlook on life, and the two become fast friends. One also gets the sense that Billy is the link that will bring Norman and daughter Chelsea back together.

Charlie Martin 44 "He is a big, round, blond-haired man, weather-beaten face, smiling eyes, strong Maine accent. In his own rustic, simple, thoughtful way, he is quite charming." Charlie works for the Post Office, has been delivering the mail by boat to the houses along the lake shore and to the girls at Camp Koochakiyi ever since Chelsea, the Thayers' daughter, and he were children. He never married, as he was never able to find the equal of Chelsea, on whom he has had a great crush his whole life long. He has a warm, easy, infectious laugh, which continually peppers his conversation.