Memories of Dave's Sauna
In 1977 Dave Graiver, a Jewish refugee and hippie outcast from Massachusetts - found himself the owner of an old-fashioned wood-fired sauna in the village of South Paris, Maine. Over the next thirty years laws and hearts would be broken, barrels of money would be buried, and a legend would be born.
'This book is about one man's journey to define himself on his own terms. As a father, as a friend, as a husband, and as a law -breaking, drug dealing, man of his times who carved out a legacy from wood."
- Johnny Crashed
"The book doesn't run from the drugs, irresponsibility, poverty, sexism - but instead presents them as parts of the people and cultures they portrayed, just as much as the freedom, community, warmth, and dedication to simplicity being celebrated [...} congratulations on bringing the story to life!"
- Sirrii Cressey
"I'm going to plead the 5th!"
- The Sauna
AUTHOR"S STORY
As a young boy, I would often find myself at Dave's Sauna along with my father who always valued his conversations with Dave.
Later, as a young man, I would often return to Dave's Sauna with large contingents of friendly and modesty attired hippy girls enjoying the anything goes atmosphere that seemed to be the general rule of thumb at Dave's.
Dave and Nancy were even kind enough to serve as witness and official for a questionable wedding I was blackmailed into participating in. If I remember it correctly, Dave spent most of his time coming onto my wife.
And finally, I even played music alongside one of Dave's tenants, and a bandmate of mine (Val Lawton) at his memorial service at the Sauna.
But did I really know Dave?
Doubtful
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