Every town had that place - we
had Canada Pond, or if you traveled - it would have been Twin Rivers. In
the summer the playground would take groups to Twin Rivers. I was not
allowed to go. Mom was to fearful. I learned to "float" at the
Pawtucket YMCA , but the Polio scare caused my mom to remove me after
one lesson. So- needles to say- I was only able to float; except now I
have a harder time getting this body to "float"
Winter was always a challenge in those galoshes /boots with the metal
fold over closures and snow suits or snow pants. How about the home made
mittens and hats and scarves , with Idiot mitten strings! We really did
have MORE snow and they made us walk to school - UP HILL BOTH WAYS!,. It
was up to our waists - I swear! Or at least a little kids waist. People
did shovel the side walks for the most part. and we had crossing guards
to help. That was the bigger kids -8th graders I believe. They got to
wear the white strap thing and a whistle.
Which reminds me, did you go to release time at the Presentation B.V M?
With . French Nuns and old Father Hebert. and a younger Father Maynard.
Most of the class did. As a matter of fact, I remember there was only
one Protestant boy in our class- Paul White. You remember CCD- Catechism?
I made my First Communion at the Old Church and then I made my
Confirmation at the "NEW" church. I remember, we got to sit in
these really old connected desks in really small class rooms in the
basement of the old Church , we went in the morning on Wednesdays- I
Think. Then there may have been Afternoon classes too?? It was all
memory and repetition. "Who made you? God made You" Those nuns
were scary. My cousins went to Parochial School , but I got the uniform
sometimes as a hand -me -down jumper; as if nobody knew what it was-
daaaa.
I started out at the old Marieville Grammar school the one on Dodge
Street. I can't remember all their names but the ones I recall are; Miss
McCormic, she was my First grade Teacher. She was young. My Second grade
teacher was older and very sweet. I remember a Miss Nevans and a Miss
Houner. I remember a man teacher ; Mr. Dresner. And I believe the eight
grade teacher was fooling around with the Principal, Mr Mowry. They had
"meetings" in the Library and the kids would all whisper and
giggle. I remember a time when we did split time at the new Marieville,
because they were building the extension/ more class rooms. We went
either morning or afternoon. Either way we went home for lunch. Imagine!
We walked and had to eat and return all in one hour - Or at least that's
how I remember it. Its kind of a blur, but there are some things that
stick out.
Also wasn't there another pond ...Gillen Pond... on the other side of
Mineral Spring near 146?I think that was filled in and houses were built
on that land. I guess - there , but for the grace of God - Goes I.......
There was Twins Pizza and Doc's PX ( not there any more) There was the 2
drug stores Marieville ( New Marieville) and A REXALL - both gone as a
mater of fact the Walgreens takes up the entire corner of Charles and
Mineral Spring , where the Marieville Drug was. Those that were
adventurous went to Johnnies Spa down near the Pawtucket Line on Mineral
Spring and there was also Etta's Dry Goods- she sold those comics The
Classics and the Cliff Notes There was even the Religious based Comic
series. At Johnnies Spa you could buy the comic without the front page
for 2 cents but since I lived at the 1069 Charles which was right next
door to Doc's , we just collected the glass soda bottles and turned back
in for penny candy and/or the a latest Jug Head, Superman, Donald Duck,
or War comic Then came the Superman Annuals and even the fantastic Four
or Justice League. (DC or Dell or Marvell). Of course if the season was
right we bought baseball cards and popsicles . We didn't just collect
though. No We pitched for fun and profit as well as decorated the spokes
of the Schwinn! A nickel sure went a long way!
"This is so true. I
miss home. We live in Florida for 6 years now and how we miss the unique
language and history and the great hot wienas on Al's arm. We rememba
the first hot wienas and also ya would just get in ya cah and drive to
the donit shop. Everyone would be there. Pahk ya cah and go in (how ya
doin, houz it goin, what is it wit you and hey- theres a podey layda.
This e mail makes me miss da corna, da pahk, the chowda and most of all
da Hill.
We went to Rahgah Williams Pahk, down city and then went riden around.
Peetza was good at Cahcerta's. How about Del's frozin lemonade, reckid
hops and dancin to the Videl's songs at the Elmwood Post. OK I betta
quit while I'm ahead because I am going way way back now. Great times in
the Rocky Point Palladium and at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet dance hall will
be in my memories foreva.
Thanks for a wonderful funny e mail that only us Rhode Islanda's would
understand.
Michele Kostelnik Parrillo - yup my husband comes from Thornton. The
corna of Atwood Ave and Plainfield St, Johnston. I lived in Wahwick most
of my life. Alot of wise guys came from Wahwick. It was sure a cullifull
time back in da old days.
So long - catch ya layda ( I guess most of the guys are in da can or
passed on.)
The spelling in this letter is strictly for locals."
"I received your site from A
friend who now lives in Florida. I was born on Dec. 5, 1945 on Tell Street
in Federal Hill. I unfortunately have no photos to send in. But I just
want you to know that I think your site is great and hope it continues on.
I read A letter that I believe is on page 8 written by Bobby LaNinfa. Come
to find out, he is friends to one of my uncles.
Reading his letter just brought back memories from the HILL. I just had to
send him my own e-mail. Hope to hear from him soon.
Well, keep up the good work."
Sincerely,
"Hi,
I loved your website. it brought tears to my eyes reading about R.I.. I
was born in Prov. and spent most of my time in Federal hill with my
cousins. I remember as a child going to the Boston store with my mother
and having ice cream soda's , then later going to Chen's , the stairs
seemed so steep then to get up to the restaurant. when I was 11 we moved
to a place called Gaspee Point in Warwick and there I stayed till I moved
to Calif. in my teens we would hang out at rocky point pool on summer
days. we would go to dances and movies at a community hall in G.P. after
the dances we would go to governor's steak house and have the best steak
sandwiches in the world. I still always go there when i visit R.I. we used
to go quahauging all the time. it was not allowed because they would say
the water was polluted. my mother would make me hide them in my bathing
suit so we wouldn't get caught. as I got older we would hang out at the
burger chef , go to the shipyard drive in, some of us in the trunk. all
the dances were at "Rhodes on the Pawtuxet" . I remember seeing
Frankie Avalon and other stars there and going all the proms there. some
of my fondest memories were at the carousel at Roger Williams park.
when I visit R.I. every couple of years, being Italian all my cousins
there are like my brothers and sisters. anyway, all I want to do is have
clam cakes, lobster, dell's , NY system weiners. I always go to Iggy's in
Oakland beach, they have the best clam cakes.
when I first moved to Calif. in 78 I had to learn not to say bubbler and
gravy for sauce, no one knew what i was talking about. I still have my
accent and most people think I am from N.Y. some people think R.I. is in
N.Y.
thank you for some fond memories."
