Archives for November 26, 2014

The Iceless Refrigerator

The iceless refrigerator, which is the very latest refinement of the electrical industry, threatens to dethrone the ice man so effectually that it may be but a short time before his shining morning face will no longer be seen at the back door. The iceless refrigerator has been … [Read more...]

The Making Of I Love Baseball

The Making of I Love Baseball, by Joe Manning The headline in my local paper said: "Manning and Vozzolo Make the Baseball Hall of Fame (sort of)." It was true. We have lifetime passes to the museum in Cooperstown to prove it. But it’s not what you think. We didn’t make it … [Read more...]

Gig At The Amtrak

I wrote this poem after reading the following in the September 1995 edition of Jazz Times. Used by permission. "I had a conversation with Hank Mobley before he died. Hank was a very prolific writer, but most of his songs were in different publishing companies, they’re all over … [Read more...]

Lumina & Elizabeth Desmarais, Winchendon, Massachusetts

Lewis Hine caption: Elizabeth Demaris [i.e., Demarais?], 13 years old. A spinner in the Spring Village Mill, Winchendon, Mass. Been working since May. Lumina Demaris, sister of Elizabeth, admitted 12 years old. Been a doffer in Spring Village Mill all summer, Father and sister … [Read more...]

Mildred Greenwood, Winchendon, Massachusetts

Lewis Hine caption: Comparison of Ages: Left end, Marion Deschere, just passed 13 years. Helps sister in mill "some." Next is Mildred Greenwood, "going on 14." Goes to school. Next is Mamie La Barge, 13 years, but said 14 years. Right end is Rosina Goyette, said 14, probably 12 … [Read more...]

Dubben Brothers Hardware, Delhi, New York

In 2006, my wife and I drove into Delhi, New York, while taking a "trip back in time" to Oneonta, where we met 40 years ago while attending college. Delhi, a small town with a rich agricultural history, is about 20 miles south of Oneonta. My wife spotted an interesting item in … [Read more...]

Harmony Mill, Cohoes, New York

The Harmony Mills complex was one of the largest mills in the United States, but most of the space is now either vacant or occupied by small companies and a retail outlet. … [Read more...]

Isabella Roy, Fall River, Massachusetts

Lewis Hine caption: Bella Roy, said 11 years old. "Been comin' here 7 years, been pickin' since I was 5 years old." Lives 44 Bowler St., Fall River. Sister Jeanette said 6 years old beginning to pick now. Also their cousin Anita (on right hand) 7 years old regular picker. Began … [Read more...]

Grandfather, Reunion, & Bunky Hipple

Grandfather is about my paternal step-grandfather, who was my best friend when I was young. Reunion was inspired by a huge January snowstorm a few years ago, and a girl I had a crush on in high school. Bunky Hipple (that was really his name) was sort of a legend in my hometown, … [Read more...]

Anna & Alice Dugas, Winchendon, Massachusetts

Lewis Hine caption: Annie Dugas, spinner at machine on top floor of Glenallen Mill. Location: Winchendon, Massachusetts, September 1911. "I knew that she had worked in a mill, but there was no face to it until now. It's hard to see an older person as a child, especially your … [Read more...]

Canaday family, Ola, Idaho

Dorothea Lange caption: Wife and baby of president of Ola self-help sawmill co-op in doorway of their home. Gem County, Idaho, October 1939. This is one of my favorite Dorothea Lange photos. She took many at the Ola Self-Help Sawmill in the small village of Ola, in 1938. Three … [Read more...]

Mary & Dora Roberts, Winchendon, Massachusetts

Lewis Hine caption: Group of workers in Glenallen Mill. Smallest girl helps her sister Dora Roberts in mill. Lives at 13 Woodlawn St., there are 13 in the family, five or six working. Apparently prosperous. In this group is also Corinne Cuillette. Location: Winchendon, … [Read more...]

Vibrant Music Scene In North Berkshire Spawns Graceful CD (2002)

Windsor Lake, the glorious new CD by The Flying Garbanzos, is the result of the kind of offhanded collaboration that can only thrive in a rich and diverse music scene. In the last decade, that scene has been quietly cultivated in North Berkshire. Dale Ott, 50, started playing … [Read more...]

Urban Scenes

Cities have their own special curiosities: alleys, functional doo-dads on buildings, forlorn scenes in downtrodden neighborhoods, and in one case here, a person sitting on a stoop. The utilities in the two bottom photos, common gadgets on buildings in all cities and towns, … [Read more...]

Dumb Ideas

I call this section Dumb Ideas for a reason that will become immediately obvious. I often think of these things during my wacky weekly breakfast conversations with my best friend in North Adams. Salad bars in funeral homes "While you're waiting, help yourself to our … [Read more...]

Henry Smith, Winchendon, Massachusetts

Lewis Hine caption: Group of sweepers and doffers in the filling spinning room of Glenallen Mill. The boys were smuggled out of back window during hours by second hand. All work. Smallest boy is Francis Pagnette. Also Henry Smith, Maple Street. Location: Winchendon, … [Read more...]

Unidentified Newsboy, St. Louis, Missouri

Lewis Hine caption: Truants selling papers at Jefferson & Washington 11 A.M. Monday May 9th, 1910. Smallest boy is Marvin Adams, 2637 Wahington Ave. Said he got his papers "off'n de other feller." Other boy is Owen McCormack, 2651 Washington Avenue. Location: St. Louis, … [Read more...]

Guillette Family, Winchendon, Massachusetts

Wilfrid Tow family, Laredo, Montana

Marion Post Wolcott caption: FSA (Farm Security Administration) borrower and two of his children. Laredo, Montana, August, 1941. On June 23, 1938, according to National Weather Service records: “More than five inches of rain fell in the Gravelly Coulee watershed in one hour, … [Read more...]

When Baseball Was Just A Game (2002)

"I remember my Grandpa, his hat in his hand/The 'Star Spangled Banner' being played by the band/The roar of the crowd as the pitcher took aim/When baseball was just a game." I grew up in Maryland in the ‘40s and ‘50s. My paternal grandparents lived in Beltsville, a small town … [Read more...]