Tag Archives: Worcester

David’s Diary – June 9, 1969

Monday, 9 June 1969

Up about 9:00. Had breakfast, was preparing to work on German, phone call from Harold Cramer’s office—he could see us this morning instead of at 2:00. So we got ready to go (shaved, e.g.) and left here about 10:30. Arrived at 581 Boylston about 11:40. Saw Cramer about insurance with the conference; after this we stop briefly at Cokesbury,[1] then went to the Open Latch for lunch; fed Debby there. Then went to BU to check on a few details; then drove to Government Center. Went to the JFK building to apply for passports. Didn’t take long. We were on way home by 2:30. We stopped in Beverly to see about buying VW in Luxembourg [???]. We were home by 3:45. Relaxed, tried to nap briefly after reading mail. Read for a while in the book I got at Cokesbury: The Religion Business. Fixed supper. By 8:00 was at my desk working on German. Continued, with one break until about 11:00; bathed; off to bed; lights out 12:00.

Tuesday, 10 June 1969

Θ before arising shortly after 8:00; big breakfast, then got to the yard work—spent the morning mowing and clipping. Finished mowing—with one break—about 10:30. Then begin clipping the hedge around the front door. Was done with this by noon. Fixed lunch after going to the store for bread + milk. After lunch stretched out for a while; bushed after all the physical exertion. Actually slept a little. Shaved after getting up. Then we all went for a walk. The ocean was almost calm today and a very beautiful blue—so we went walking along the beach, took pictures. Stopped to see Kay—she came up to the parsonage to see the kittens. From 3:30–5:00 I worked on German. 5:00-6:30 worked on German with Allen at his place; supper; 7:30-8:00 wrote letter to Levon King; 8:00-9:00 visited with Willard Trafton at his home re: his mother’s funeral tomorrow; 9:00-11:00 worked on German; bathed; off to bed, lights out 12:05.

Wednesday, 11 June 1969

A full day; up at 8:00, had breakfast and got to work on German. Kept at it until about 10:30. Waited for the mail man, who brought the slides we’ve been hoping for. I set about sorting them—as well as all the vacation slides. Had lunch shaved, dressed. At 2 o’clock went to the Beach Grove Cemetery to do the committal service for Mrs. Trafton. Home by 2:10—worked further on sorting + numbering the slides, which turned out to be a major project—wasn’t done until about 4:30. Relaxed—read Newsweek. Worked on helping with supper, making cornbread and brownies. Bob and Nancy Peek arrived about 6:30. They had supper with us then we walked down to the end of Bear Skin Neck, then came back home; they left for home and we went to the Patriquins. Gamages came over too—we showed all of our vacation slides—over 250. Enjoyed”mug-ups”—left for home about 11:15. Bathed, off to bed, lights out 12:12.

Thursday, 12 June 1969

Debby, Rockport, 1969

I was surprised to wake up and find it 9 o’clock; got up, had breakfast and got to work on German—my main concern for the day—spent all morning on it with only a short break when the mail man arrived. Stopped for lunch about 12:30. Shaved after lunch, then went down to the church to change the wayside pulpit. Got back to German after 2:00—worked until 4:00, then went down to the church again to see Winnie Gamage + Florence Lilya [?]—who will be our organist Sunday. 4:15 to 6:30 worked on German. Stopped for supper. 7:30 went back to the German to finish the paragraph I was working on; did about 3½ pp. today. We all went for a walk then (Debby on my back) along front beach. Didn’t stay out too long—too many mosquitoes. We stopped at Patriquins about 9:00. Drue and Sully came in as we were leaving about 10:00; they came up to the parsonage with us to hear Tom Lehrer;[2] left c. 11:00; bathed; off to bed 11:50.

Friday, 13 June 1969

Woke up at 5:00 with very stiff and painful muscles high in the back + neck. Got back to sleep but c. 8:00 Bonnie got me heating pad + Ben Gay. Got up, had breakfast, went to work on German—but back still bothering me. About mid-morning Bonnie gave me an excruciating back rub, and that seem to cure it. Worked on German until I reached my stopping point about 1 o’clock. We had lunch, then I went to work on my sermon. It was mostly done by 3:00—at which time we all went over to Mals [???]—got some swim suits, and some groceries. Came home and then went to the beach—very cold—Debby cried. Bonnie went all the way in for a few seconds, but not I. We were back home by 5:30. Alan Federick arrived + we transplanted tree from Mrs. Parodis’ yard to ours. Supper about 6:30. Then worked on staking the tree. About dusk came in, relaxed, bathed c. 10:00; to bed, Θ+ lights out 11:30.

Saturday, 14 June 1969

Up not too long after 8:00; had breakfast, then about 9:00—after watering the tree—got to work on German—worked with a few interruptions until after 12:00—reached the point I had set. After lunch I got the bulletins typed and run off. From about 12:00 until 3:30 I visited with the Hannibals at their home. I came home, chatted briefly with Becky Bussey who was just leaving, then went back to work in German—on a lesson in the grammar book—fell asleep at one point, but worked until about 6:00, then stopped to get supper + bake brownies. Supper was over at 7:30—Alan Federick came over about 7:45—we worked on German until about 9:00, then stopped for dessert—then viewed slides until about 10:30—at which time Alan went home. I busied myself then finishing up work on the service; bathed; off to bed; lights out 1 AM.

Sunday, 15 June 1969

Up about 7:30. Breakfast, shaved, dressed. Worked on German for about a half-hour—left for church bout 9:30. 28 in attendance—preached on worship. After service we showed the kittens to Dave, Winnie, etc. I went over to Alan Federicks to pick up my German grammar book. Had lunch about 12 o’clock. Left about 12:40 for Wesley Church in Gloucester. [This is incorrect: it was Worcester, see below.] Arrived there about 2:45. Worship began about 3:15 after brief opening session. Charlie Whitford went to the social concerns workshop with me. The first session, which was rather dull, lasted until 5:15—we had supper—Charlie + I ate together; chatted for a while with Bob Metzof (?) on the steps of the church. 6:15 session came to order again. Vietnam resolution approved which is objectionable. Kent Millard + I plan to organize to present an alternative proposal. Left Worcester after 8:00; home in Rockport by 10:05; relaxed, bathed, off to bed; lights out 11:35.

[1] Methodist bookstore.

[2] His satiric songs on record.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/06/09/davids-diary-june-9-1969/

Book of Me – Prompt 21: Hobbies

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The Book of Me – Written by You is a weekly blog prompt created by Julie Goucher of the blog Angler’s Rest. This is a fifteen month writing project to highlight my life so that I will have something to leave behind for my descendants. Week twenty one’s prompt is Hobbies.

Childhood hobbies & collections
Did you share a “passion” with a family member or friend?
Tell us about it – How, why, where
Do you still have any old hobbies – the ones that have been with you since childhood?
Do you still have those childhood collections?

I have a few hobbies and they have pretty much been lifelong. They are 1) books and reading, 2) sewing and knitting, and 3) genealogy. All three activities have been passed down to me by my elders and have developed or evolved over many decades. Some of my lesser hobbies are subsets of the larger three categories. For example, I have always been a fan of the science fiction and fantasy genre. I have read lots of books as well as enjoyed many science fiction television shows and movies over the years. One of my oldest friends (from Jr. high) can be credited with introducing me to science fiction literature. We had already bonded over Doctor Who and Star Trek. One series we read was the Dune books by Frank Herbert. I still have my copy of The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin which she gave me for my birthday or Christmas many years ago.

Some of my Doctor Who books

So the major, sometimes overwhelming, collection in my life is my books. Some of my books, I have owned since childhood. The collection is always changing but I have thousands of books in my house. I have a collection of Doctor Who novels from my high school days. My first job was at the Worcester (Massachusetts) Public library’s main branch. Across the street from the library was an independent book store (whose name escapes me at present). The store no longer exists. However, they sold many of the Doctor Who books I own. They were the only place in town that sold them at the time. I used to go across the street during my break to buy the newest novelization or I would go to the store after I left work on my way home. I have contemplated selling these books at times, but they really aren’t worth much so I have just held onto them. Several years ago my daughter picked up a few of them to read and that was definitely fun for me to see.

Vintage patterns from 1900-1940

As a knitter and seamstress, I have collections of yarn and fabric. My workroom is filled with buckets full. I also collect old paper patterns. I have some that survive from the 1910s and 1920s. Of course, there are lots of knitting and sewing themed books in my library. There are a few vintage sewing books from the 1950s and 1960s. These are the types of books that were used in high school home economic courses to teach girls to be happy little homemakers.

At this point, genealogy is more than just a hobby; it has turned into a profession. (Sewing was my profession at one point but has now returned to the hobby status). Currently, I have boxes of family ephemera and artifacts that need to be sorted through, preserved and catalogued. I spend much of my spare time every day learning and working in this field. There are a few hundred books that go with this specialty as well.

Most of my friends and family share a passion for one (or more) of the above and I can’t imagine it being otherwise. A world without books is inconceivable!

© 2014 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/02/08/book-of-me-prompt-21-hobbies/

Those Thursday Places – Higgins Armory

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Higgins Armory

Higgins Armory is located in Worcester, Massachusetts. The museum is the product of the lifelong obsession of one man. John Woodman Higgins was a prominent industrialist from the early 1900s who spent his life collecting medieval armor. Eventually his collection became so large that he built an entire building to house it. In 1931, this building was opened to the public as a museum. Many a school child from Worcester (and the surrounding area of central Massachusetts) experienced Higgins Armory as a field trip, often more than once. Since I consider Worcester to be my hometown, I definitely spent countless hours at the armory as a child (on more than one field trip or family outing). Higgins’ collection of medieval arms and armor is among the best in the United States. As I child, I did not realize what a privilege it was to visit this museum.

Grand Hall

Earlier this year, the armory announced that they would be closing their doors at the end of 2013. The costs of running the building are draining the endowment that Higgins created to sustain the museum. Over the years, the museum has expanded their programs. Today, it is definitely not the museum I experienced as a child. Some of the new features include a dedicated children’s room, program rooms and additional events including the occasional Viking battle and trebuchet contests. Since I knew the museum was due to close at the end of the year, it was one of my “must do” stops on my New England tour with my children this last summer. Although the building closes its doors on December 31^st, a deal was made with the Worcester Art Museum to allow the collection to remain on display. In January, the armory will begin the transfer and a new chapter in the Higgins Armory and John W. Higgins’ amazing collection will begin.

Knights fighting

Program on fight tactics

Swords on display

If you are in central Massachusetts, and you have the time before the museum closes its doors forever, take the time to check it out. The building itself is a marvel of Art Deco architecture.

Giant chess

Seige the castle

Make your own shield craft

http://www.higgins.org/

Update 12/22/2013: Article published in the New York Times regarding the closure and what is happening to the collection. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/20/arts/design/a-bell-tolls-for-the-higgins-a-quirky-armor-museum.html?_r=0

All photographs were taken by the author Deborah Sweeney.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/11/those-thursday…higgins-armory/

Book of Me – Prompt 5: Childhood Home

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This is week 5 of a 15 month writing project. This week’s writing prompt for the Book of Me focuses on childhood homes. This writing challenge is provided by Julie Goucher from the blog Angler’s Rest. Coincidently, I just took a big trip this summer to show off my childhood homes to my children. We stopped by three of the four to take pictures.

When did you leave home?
Where was it?
Where did you move to?…
Was it rented or owned? – with parents/Grandparents
Was it inherited
What was it like – describe it – each room.
Were there a favorite room?
Is there anything you particularly remember from the house?
Pictures
The road & area

Childhood Homes

During her childhood Deborah lived in 4 different houses.

The foot of Hale Street in Rockport (Image courtesy of Google images)

Her first house was in Rockport, Massachusetts, also known as the Methodist church parsonage. This address appears on her birth certificate, 17 Hale Street. The house was built in 1800, so it turns out that this was the oldest house that Deborah ever lived in. She lived in this house for almost three years. One impression Deborah had of this house was that it was located at the top of a hill, at the end of the street.

In the yard outside Hale Street

Her parents did not own this house as it was provided by the church for their spiritual leader. Some of the furniture was old and second hand, having been used by previous occupants. The only memories that remain of this house are the photographs. They moved from this home to their new parish soon after the birth of Deborah’s brother.

Yegerlehner, David - 1969-02-08 Rockport Parsonage

Rev. Yegerlehner in his study at Rockport

The Sias Avenue house today is no longer owned by the church (2013)

The next home was in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. As the first, this was also a parsonage for the Methodist church which was located nearby at the end of the street. This home was built in the early 1950s, a two story structure with a basement and an attic. All the bedrooms were on the second floor. The fourth tiny bedroom was used as David’s office. A large porch stretched across the front. The main floor consisted of an entry way (with staircase), living room, dining room and kitchen. All the rooms had two doors so it was possible to run in a giant circle throughout the rooms. In the 1970s, a large lilac hedge separated the property from the neighbor’s yard. The lilac has always been one of Deborah’s favorite flowers, due in part to these childhood bushes. Another contributing factor was the Nancy Drew book The Mystery at the Lilac Inn.

Deborah in her tree – Shrewsbury

In the backyard was a large tree. The tree’s trunk branched about 4-5 feet above the ground. It was one of Deborah’s favorite pastimes to climb this tree or to sit in the trunk’s fork. While living in this home, Deborah attended pre-school and started elementary school. She took her first dance lessons and learned to ride the shiny red bike she received for her fifth birthday. She got her first kitten, an all black male that was mistakenly named Queenie before its sex was discovered. It was also the last home in which her family lived as a single unit. This was her home for less than four years.

Outside the house in Shrewsbury

Greybert Lane (1982)

During second grade, in the spring, Deborah, her mother and her brother moved to a small ranch home on the west side of Worcester. Of all four homes, the house on Greybert Lane deserves the grand title of childhood home. She lived in this home from second grade through ninth grade. The house was located on an acre parcel of land. The bulk of the land was wooded with a small creek, Tatnuck Brook, forming one of the boundaries. The house was located at the end of a cul-de-sac. Across the street, behind the neighbor’s houses was Patch Reservoir. In the winter, one of the neighbors allowed the neighborhood children to cut through their property to access an old dock for ice skating on the lake. The summers were filled with playing in the woods and brook. The house wasn’t particularly special, a cookie cutter ranch. Deborah’s grandfather was recruited to help “finish” the basement which became a combination play room and guest bedroom. By the time Deborah reached high school, the house had grown too small.

Greybert Lane (2013)

High school graduation day at Hadwen Lane

The fourth childhood home was also on the west side of Worcester, but closer to the high school. It was located up near the top of a hill. Although the back yard was wooded, the lot was smaller and there was no longer a brook in the back. When the house was purchased the second story was unfinished. Again, Deborah’s grandfather was recruited to frame the rooms in the upstairs although several contractors were hired to attend to the drywall, wiring and plastering. Deborah and her brother had the rooms on the second floor to themselves. For the first few years, there wasn’t any heating upstairs. Deborah had a room almost double the size of her previous room and the closet was a walk in room beneath the eaves. This is the home where Deborah lived when she graduated from high school. She only lived there continuously for three and half years.

Hadwen Lane (2013)

Deborah left home at age eighteen to attend college. She only ever came home for vacations after that, with the exception of the year that she left graduate school. She came home one last time for about six months. She met her future husband during that time and never looked back.