7/29/22

January 1999

 

Here is the commentary on the death of Attorney J. Wesley Miller that appeared in the Valley Advocate on February 23, 2006. 



Like many in Springfield, we were surprised to learn recently of the death of J. Wesley Miller. It was the news, not the death, that was recent; Miller died back in September, a few weeks before his 64th birthday. He was reportedly found dead from a stroke in his Sixteen Acres home, but, strangely, his passing wasn't widely publicized until earlier this month, when his obituary appeared in the Republican

The strange circumstances surrounding Miller's death seem fitting; Miller no doubt would appreciate his death's prompting some intrigue and a little extra drama. In a city with more than its share of eccentrics, Miller was in a class by himself. A lawyer by training, Miller was, by practice, a self-styled social critic, who turned up at all manner of public meetings and political events, invariably dressed in a bright orange prison jumpsuit (he once told us it was a sign of solidarity with prisoners locked up for drug offenses), occasionally (and less explicably) topped by a pair of purple underpants. 

When he wasn't out on the town, Miller devoted his time to writing letters, often scathing, to political leaders, media figures and others in the city, offering his biting criticism of their work. He was equally prolific with those he liked; we at the Advocate office regularly received packages from Miller stuffed with copies of his correspondence and pages from his copious diaries, mixed with curious items like freebie pens he'd picked up at trade shows and some pages torn from hardcore sex magazines. 

Miller was, to put it mildly, a man with obsessive tendencies. His interest in certain figures in the city bordered on stalking; for more, see Baystate Objectivist editor Tom Devine's dead-on reflections on Miller's life, including his own uncomfortable relationship with Miller, at his blog. 

But he was also an extremely bright man whose passions, while they may seem odd to others, were deep and sincere. We once had the fascinating, if somewhat unnerving, opportunity to spend an afternoon at Miller's home, where he showed us his basement, which was packed with books, files and local ephemera. Sadly, Devine reports, a flood after Miller's death ruined the basement's contents. Still missing are Miller's extensive diaries, which no doubt provide a fascinating perspective on Springfield, not to mention a peek into the life of one of its most colorful characters. 

 

January 1, 1999

 

Sunny and 23 degrees on the breezeway at 8:30am. 

I am an artistic property lawyer, licensed real estate broker, violinist and author of The History of the Springfield Symphony. My undergraduate major was English with a minor in Latin. My masters was in Literature with a minor in history. I am the foremost authority in the country on community postering and street literature, an expert on Springfield's history, foremost authority on the bibliography of literature of legal interest and author of five books on the same with others in progress. I am a Republican and a WASP.  

 Had Harvey's Bristol Creme from a cobalt bottle at midnight. Also had the last of the Friendly's ice cream roll and a slice of Eamon's 100th Anniversary Collin Street Bakery Fruitcake. Mother had small portions of all and wanted no pills. At 5:30am I heard her radio turn on to Latino music, so I gave her two pills and she slept until morning. 

Chet the newspaper guy threw the paper into the snowbank again. I put the pork shoulder into the oven around 8:30 at 450F. Woke Mother up at 10:30 and got her to call and wish Aunt Maria and Mrs. Staniski a Happy New Year. She didn't want to call Martha so we didn't. 

At 11am I gave Mother half a cup of coffee and we watched the Rose Parade on ABC. The theme of the parade was Echoes of the Century, but it seemed less exciting than in the past. We were told that the Rose Parade was first broadcast nationally in 1955. I remember we went over to Mrs. Lynch's to see it.

Buck Badger of Wisconsin was scooting around on rollerblades, a wonderful invention.The Cat in the Hat float was really super. It is this sort of immense, wild item that we need at the Quadrangle, not a park of dinky little statues. A lot of the floats didn't intrigue me. The best floats have one overall conception as the Seuss float did. In the ending credits there appeared "Copyright ABC - All Rights Reserved." With no date! 

At 1:25pm the doorbell rang and it was O'Connell, who asked Mother questions but she was so groggy she was unresponsive. She did however thank Helen for coming. O'Connell left at 1:45 and Mother slept until 5pm. 

When she woke up I asked Mother what she wanted to eat and she said nothing. Eventually she agreed to have a cup of celery soup. But once Mother got to the table, she wanted to go back to bed. I made her take her pills, which caused her to lose all interest in the soup and she ended up eating none of it. 

Called to wish Eamon a Happy New Year, but he didn't answer so I left him a message of new year greetings and salutations. 

January 3, 1999

Sunny, nice winter day. 

If the Rosetta Stone had been on a CD we wouldn't know what it said. Question: Did African blacks sell other blacks into slavery? If blacks enslaved their own than the moral responsibility of whites is not as great. 

Got up at 8am this morning. Mother was still sleeping at 9:30, so I drove out to the Acres. The wooden frame is up for the new Pride station. The old Pride station on Sumner Avenue is closed and the gas tanks are being dug up. I noticed the last time I was on Sumner that the Arthur Johnson Photo Studio, a beautiful, ranch type brick structure, is still boarded up and for sale. 

With a coupon, I got a breakfast biscuit at Burger King (a round scrambled egg, sausage patty and cheese) but it was a disappointment because the biscuit overpowered the taste of everything else. I'll never get it again, even with a free coupon. I paused at the Salvation Army but bought nothing, then swung by Walmart and got the lens tightened on my glasses.

When I got back at 11am Mother was awake and ready to go to the toilet. I put a new diaper and pants on her and served her coffee with two pills. At noon I asked her what she wanted for lunch and she adamantly refused to eat anything but I finally convinced her to drink half a cup of milk. 

The mail was an hour late today and two of the envelopes had been damaged by the postal equipment. Left word on the recorder at Trinity Church that I will loan them my copy of A Time to Celebrate by Horace Moses. Watched a show on 57 about pigs. 

Mayor Albano was on TV22 saying that ongoing construction in Springfield will be good for property values. Someone on the radio said the millennium will be the biggest historical event of our lives, but I'm not interested in the millennium at all. 

While reading a book about Byzantium and the fall of Constantinople, the power went out at 2:34pm. Called Northeastern Utilities at 783-3424 and was told by Jolene that a repair crew had been dispatched. The power didn't come back on until 5:19pm. Birchland Avenue has always had its share of outages. 

Mother got up at 8pm and I gave her one pill, not two. She asked what would become of our dolls, and I reminded her that Floppy and Ambrose were buried with Father, and that I am hoping the others will keep me company after she is gone. I think she would like them buried with her.  

January 4, 1999

32 degrees on the breezeway at 8am. 

Haven't heard anything from Mother's old friend Madeline Waite. Took Mother to the toilet and back, this morning and then gave her some ginger ale. As I put her back in bed she cried, "I'm going around in circles, I'm going counter-clockwise!" I gave her two pills with the ginger ale. Mother woke up and had chicken broth around 4:30pm.

Listened to the Dan Yorke Show this morning and he didn't have much to say. He was complaining about the quality of the hot chocolate served at the Civic Center hockey games. The garage door was frozen shut. I got it open with the help of an ice pick and some hot water.

Today I found a receipt from Railroad Salvage dated May 7, 1993. The first RR Salvage was in East Windsor and was founded by Ruby Vine and his wife ChooChoo. Their stores were dirty and messy inside, except for the one in Turner's Falls which was always quite tidy.  

Dr. Richard B. Flynn is the new President of Springfield College. The evening news reported that the partners at the Union Buffet in Chicopee, where we once had Christmas dinner, stabbed each other to death in the back room. Their food had a real oriental flavor. 

I've talked it over with Mother and she is agreeable with being cremated. Called Roy at Byron's and he said that their fee for cremation is $895 dollars. He said it is not permissible to be present at the cremation.

Called Father Zachary at the St. Francis Chapel and he said the Bishop's Prayer Breakfast would be held on the first Friday in February. After the stock market report I called Aunt Maria and she told me she hasn't mailed out her Christmas cards yet but still intends to. Aunt Maria considers herself a well-heeled old lady.

January 5, 1999

Jesse Ventura has been inaugurated in Minnesota and has promised honest government. 50 inches of snow fell in Buffalo, New York, falling at a pace of two inches per hour. Airplanes fly faster, but you still hear people complaining about delayed flights. The trains are better run, I think. 

At 5:15am I woke up and saw that the light in the front room was on. Mother was completely uncovered, holding a folded kotex from her diaper and complaining that she was cold. She also complained that she couldn't find the switch to her electric blanket, asking, "Why do you hide it from me?" I showed her that the switch was right next to her, remarking that if she covered up she wouldn't be cold. 

Mother claimed that the kotex had fallen out of her diaper, but that is nonsense. She plays with herself all the time and probably pulled it out with the same scratching nervousness that caused her to scratch scabs on her back (now completely healed) and on her hands. She has also scratched her scalp with the same fingers she has run through the shit in her diaper. It is sad. 

Anyway, I straightened her out and turned on the radio for her. With Mother not wanting anything more, I drove out around 10am and stopped at the Eastfield Mall to redeem my prize coupon for a new set of knives. The hippie shop is closed, although their sign is still up. I was looking for a pair of boots. They had some at Payless, but they weren't included in their 30% off sale so I didn't buy any. 

The Springdale Mall is completely empty now, even Strawberries Records is gone. You can feel that the heat has been turned off. Yet the building is still open, you can walk through it, but it is completely deserted. It's a shame. 

Then over to Stop&Shop for groceries, where I encountered my jovial neighbor Mr. Cohn and wished him a Happy New Year. He bemoaned President Clinton and said he wishes someone would "straighten this country out!" I told him that it is obvious Clinton's Methodist background has had no effect on him. He asked about Mother as I was departing and I thanked him for asking without actually telling him anything, instead I urged him to give my regards to Mrs. C. 

Home at 11:35am. Mother wanted to go to the toilet so I took her directly and then served her coffee. Barbara arrived at 1:04pm and washed Mother, changed her clothes, gave her a shampoo and fed her orange juice and two pills before departing at 2:19pm. The mail brought an Xmas card from Mrs. Penniman, saying it is late because she has "not been feeling up to snuff."

There had been news accounts that Westfield Savings Bank would be opening a new branch in downtown Springfield in January, but it hasn't happened. I decided to call them and find out why not. Judy, the secretary to Mr. Williams, told me that the opening has been delayed due to "construction problems." They now expect to open in March. 

Westfield State College has a new ad urging people to come there to earn their teaching certificate. So I called Westfield State and got Laura, who connected me to Debbie, the Admissions Clerk. I asked her if I could get my Mass teaching certificate without taking their course because I already have eight years experience teaching at the college level. 

She replied no, that I would still have to take their education courses. To this I informed her that I have never sullied my academic record with any so-called education courses. Debbie sounded upset to hear this and transferred me to Dean Catherine Lilly. She told me that I should not make such mocking statements to Debbie or anyone else at Westfield State and then she concluded with a coldly professional good-bye. 

January 7, 1999

18 degrees at 8:30am, light dusting of snow.

There's a picture of the rock band Motley Crue in the latest issue of Music Review Magazine and the one in leather is the best looking of the four. Peter L. Picknelly and his children have paid $5 million to buy Harrison Place at 1391 Main Street from Klondike Investment Group. The Springfield Newspapers are launching new Holyoke and Chicopee editions of the Union-News

Listened to the Dan Yorke Show this morning. Helen O'Connell the nurse was supposed to come today between 11am and 1pm, but she never came nor called to say she wasn't coming. She is really unreliable.

Chet left the newspaper by the paper box, but not in it. Did two loads of wash. At 2pm I drove to the Breckwood Shops to make copies and put out mail. Before I left I brought Mother to the toilet and gave her two pills. 

On the noon news  they said the Springfield Civic Center "continues to boost the local economy." Really? Eamon's latest message complains about the relentlessly rising tax assessments while the sale value of the typical Springfield home on the real estate market is dropping.  

Barbara arrived and cleaned up Mother and read her the card from Mrs. Staniski that came in the mail today. Also in the mail was a brief, unsubstantial letter from Mr. Hurwitz thanking me for my letter. I warmed up some chowder for Mother's supper but she wouldn't eat any of it. At 8pm she drank some ginger ale. She has had no solid food for two days.

While Barbara tended to Mother, I watched the opening of the Clinton impeachment trial, with the Chief Justice being sworn in by Sen. Strom Thurmond. Doris Kearns Goodwin commented that she never thought the Clinton sex scandal would actually lead to an impeachment trial.  

Danielle at Hein called, telling me that their catalog is now available only online. I told her that I have no way to access their home page from my home. She replied that she'll look to see if there are any copies of last year's catalog she could send me, which is essentially the same as what's online. 

Called Ms. Provost at the School Department to find out the date of the Mass Science Fair but she was out. Also called the Valley Advocate to speak with Dan Caccavaro but was told he is on vacation this week. 

I called the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst and spoke to Neil Zagerin, who told me he is 39 and grew up in the Forest Park area. He promised to send me some info on their upcoming poster exhibit. I told him about my own poster collection.

The phone rang three times, and when I picked up the person immediately hung up. My call identifier showed it was from a Warren Ames, so I called back and identified myself. They then declared that they knew no one with the name J. Wesley Miller and hung up on me again!  

On TV22 Kathryn Kirby made a grammar error so I called the station. The guy who answered listened to me politely and said thank you, then hung up without commenting. 

January 9, 1999

9 degrees on the breezeway at 8am, heavily overcast with brief afternoon precipitation. 

Senator Kerry was on the news saying the impeachment trial has turned into a circus. I say the White House turned into one long ago! Former State Treasurer Joe Malone was on saying that he would vote to convict Clinton if he were a senator. I predict the impeachment trial will drag on, and I like that. In other news, the producers of Popeye the Sailor say that he and Olive Oyl will be married next month. 

Mother got up at 3:45am and drank a full cup of orange juice along with her pills. Mother seemed confused, asking at one point, "What are you doing with the days you've been saving?" I also find it increasingly difficult to understand Mother's speech. She never wants food, but today I myself ate lima beans, a lettuce and tomato sandwich and the last of the clementines.

Listened to Yorke for a while. Mother spoke briefly on the phone with Aunt Maria. Helen the nurse finally arrived today and she said she sees a decline in Mother since the last time she came. She told me Mother's pulse is 82 and her blood pressure is 138 over 60. 

Before Helen left we chatted at the kitchen table. Helen said Mother is fading away and told me some elders in their final decline go weeks surviving on nothing but fluids. I gave her a copy of Aunt Jennie's Poems and inscribed it with a thank you message for tending to Mother. 

I drove out at 10:30am after writing to the Provost at St. Michaels. I also wrote a condolence letter to Atty. E. B. Berman, whose wife Carol has died at only 66. I mailed both at Louis & Clark. As I was leaving the Breckwood Shops I saw a white jeep-like vehicle with a bumper-sticker that said, "Pro-Life Plus."

Came through the Goodwill but bought nothing. From there I left some reading material at Eamon's. He wasn't home so I dropped it off by hanging the bag on his back doorknob. Then to the Plaza where I found K-Mart much tidied up and where I bought a new pair of boots for $22. 

Passed through Paysavers and bought a pair of raspberry colored sunglasses for 99 cents and a black Hood milk crate for $1.49. Finally to Stop&Shop, where I bought some groceries from their day-old counter. Then I headed home, pausing at Angelo's for lettuce and tomatoes. I arrived home at 12:30pm. 

The mail came about one o'clock, then at 1:15 it briefly started to snow.  A wrong number was from someone at the Haufbrahaus in W.Spfld looking for Storrowtown. Eamon called to thank me for the reading material. We talked about marriage and he says he feels lucky to have avoided it. According to Eamon, funeral directors are notorious for stealing jewelry out of caskets after the last mourners have left for the cemetery. 

January 11, 1999

A sunny, nice day. 28 degrees at 10:45am.

Herbert P. Wilkins, Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, recently blasted lawyers for their perceived lack of civility, especially within their own ranks. He said lawyers were often uncivil to each other. 

Peter Picknelly has made many civic gifts, most recently donating $2.5 million toward a downtown baseball stadium. Judge Peter Velis has ordered $15,000 to what the city's Redevelopment Authority pays to F.L. Roberts for two tracks of land off West Columbus Avenue for the Basketball Hall of Fame expansion project. 

The mailbox is knocked down over to Karen Yaeger's at 1530 Wilbraham Road. She never wrote me a thank you note for loaning my stuff to her. At 9:45am I served Mother two pills with milk. She continues to confuse fantasy with reality and asked me, "Have you seen Bloomer's dog?" She also nonsensically asked, "Did you find the paper that told about Ruby?" 

This afternoon I headed to the Open House at 43 Birchland, but the agent Roger Trombly was a half hour late. 43 was built in 1948 and looks lived in. but it has a nice room in the attic. The dining room is lovely but the kitchen is too small. 43 also has nice landscaping, including a stone wall.  From there I went to the Open House at 95 Birchland. It is neat as a pin. The house was built in 1949 and the realtor was Joanne Carlisle. As I was departing the Allard's were just arriving. 

I then went and made copies and put out the mail at Breckwood. I also got gas at Sunoco for 95 cents per gallon. The new Pride station in the Acres is all framed and plywooded in. No concrete or steel in the structure, just pre-fab wooden walls supporting a nearly flat roof. The one they tore down recently on Sumner had been built to last, this new Acres one will probably develop structural problems within a decade.

When I returned Mother was in bed. I smelled something so I told her to get up. Pulling back the covers on the bed I saw it was all soiled with brown shit. I got her to the toilet and found that her undergarments were full of shit. Has the tumor collapsed due to the radiation? I cleaned her up, got her back to bed and gave her two pills and some orange juice. A few minutes later she was sleeping comfortably. 

Called Tom Devine but his mother said he "just left for the library." I wonder why he goes to the library so much? Eamon called and described President Clinton as having "no shame." He mocked Mayor Albano for describing Springfield in the paper as a "sports city" while claiming that "sports are the way to revitalize Springfield's economy!" I told Eamon that it is pathetic that the once great cultural center of Springfield has been reduced to promoting itself as a "sports city."  

January 12, 1999

29 degrees on the breezeway at 8:30am. 

Michael Jordan is retiring just as the basketball season is commencing. Police Chief Campbell in Agawam has been suspended for 90 days without pay. Substitute teachers in Springfield have been given a raise to $60 per day. There are about 2,500 teachers in Springfield and an average of 191 are out daily.

Two inches of light, fluffy snow fell last night. Served Mother water and one pill at 8:15am. Barbara called and said she can't make it today but will come Thursday. This morning I called Aunt Maria but she said she couldn't talk because she was in a hurry to go shopping.

I called the Union-News at 788-1234 and got Estelle in Classifieds. I asked her about their death notices and she told me it comes to them through the funeral home. She said the price of a death notice is $1.02 per line. I asked Estelle if there is a legal requirement that a death notice be published and she replied that they are not legally required. 

Then I called Springfield Cemetery and they said they have lots available starting at $795 but their Methodist section "sold out years ago."I called Hillcrest and they have mausoleum vaults for $4,250 or $700 for a ground burial with a $100 discount for veterans.   

Called Oak Grove and their plots sell for $635. I asked about the stone building on their property and she told me it used to be a chapel but it has deteriorated to the point of disuse. She said they are hoping to one day "get it back in shape." 

Ms. A. Provost from the School Department called  about the science fair and she said it will be held on March 23rd at UMass in Amherst. She said a few students from the Springfield schools are competing, but not like in the past when Springfield was a major participant. 

I mentioned how I had participated in the fair in 1959 with a project I did under the supervision of Mr. Lynch. Provost exclaimed that "back in the stone age" when she started her career Mr. Lynch had been her "mentor." She described herself as "in awe of his devotion to excellence and his deep love of learning." She ended by telling me she would send me more information on the fair when it becomes available. 

Just before noon I called Tom Devine, who thanked me for my card. We talked a bit about the Twig Painter and Tom warned me not to take everything Doyle says too seriously because he likes to joke around. I asked him if Dan Yorke likes being back on in the morning and he said yes. Tom says he hasn't heard anything from Hurwitz. He also said he has no interest in applying to become editor of the Arts & Entertainment section of the Valley Advocate. Devine declared, "Politics is my beat!" 

It was a lovely, sunny winter afternoon. The mail was here at 2pm. Around 7pm I brought Mother to the toilet. She has reached the point where she can barely sit up on her own. She can still sit up in bed, but she can't get out without help. She is shriveling up into a bag of bones. I hugged her and told her I loved her as I put her back in bed. Mother was soundly sleeping by 8pm. 

January 14, 1999

Snowing lightly at 2:15pm.

Last night Mother woke up at 10:30pm and I took her to the toilet, then put her to bed with water and a pill. She went through the rest of the night sleeping peacefully. This morning Unknown called, voiceless. I left the receiver off the hook for a while so they couldn't bother me again. Later Mrs. Penniman called and told me that Ray has a bad case of the shakes but is otherwise okay. She was cheerful and thanked me for my card. 

Drove over to Byron's and J. N. Paquette showed me their cremation urns. They are pricey and had nothing I really liked. The best were made of pewter. Paquette told me there are a lot of other models but he couldn't find the catalog. 

Then to Home Depot for termite poison. At the new Pride they are putting in the insulation. Next I had lunch at the Boston Road McDonald's to take advantage of their two Quarter Pounders for the price of one sale. That still came to $2.60, not really a bargain since Burger King has the same sandwich for 99 cents each.   

From there to Angelo's for bananas, tomatoes and lettuce. Finally, I left a bag of stuff for Mrs. Staniski on her back porch and then headed home, where I noticed Murphy's Plumbing parked at the Cohn's. 

Helen O'Connell arrived at 12:25pm, examined Mother and gave me a booklet about dying Completing the Circle. She reported that Mother's blood pressure is 110/60 and her pulse is 72.  O'Connell told me that Mother has at most only a few weeks to live.  Mother must have overheard us because when she left at 1:10 Mother exclaimed, "Oh no, I'm going to die!" She spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping quietly. Shortly after Helen left the mail came. 

The news had a poll showing that support for removal of Clinton has risen from 28% last month to 36% now. I'll be glad if he gets kicked out for putting America through this ordeal. Representative Henry Hyde was on Nightline last night and Ted Koppel asked him some hard questions. Hyde handled them well, saying Clinton has set a bad example for kids and has coarsened the public discourse. 

I agree, what girl now doesn't feel that she is expected to suck cock? And what fellow now doesn't expect the service? Father and Mother never would have thought of such a thing, much less done it. 

Buffalo got more snow. G. Gordon Liddy is on WNNZ from ten to noon. The Jim Rome Sports Show is now on WHYN AM-560 from 3-7. Dan Yorke was giving away tickets this morning to Alice in Wonderland at City Stage this evening. 

Nader the Hatter called tonight and said he was at the Goodwill on Sumner Avenue and bought an antique Bible for $100. He recently got his hearing tested and it is fine except for the highest decibels. The Hatter informed me that he spoke to Eamon on the phone yesterday.  

January 16, 1999

Heavily overcast, some sleeting. 17 degrees at 7:30am.

Police Chief Paula Meara was sworn in today saying, "Integrity is the only foundation for police work acceptable for Springfield."  Friendly's reports they expect losses in their quarter share prices. Friendly's has 640 company owned restaurants and 40 franchises. While telling us this Brenda Garton made a grammar error. 

Roger A. Young is Chairman of the Board at Baystate Gas Company.  My good friends at Cat's Paw in Indian Orchard sold virtually the entire contents of their collectibles store, except for her collection of teddy bear tea sets. They have redesigned their store space to accommodate a kitchen table snack bar and office. They have space for only half as much stuff. Darlene Burns of The Orchard has moved out of I.O. and up to Chicopee. 

No paper until 8:30am. Changed Mother and cleaned up her bed, then gave her coffee and two pills. Mother is not as chipper as yesterday. At least she is no longer burping but is drinking less. Left a message for Wendy at Hospice that Barbara is a wonderful woman but that I have taken care of Mother and she needn't come today. 

At 1:40pm the doorbell rang and it was the mailman with a big box containing my order from Hamilton. My Traveler's annuity check also came today. Michael's car was next door. I dined today on waxed beans and warmed up some fish filet. Had a Swanson meatloaf dinner for supper.

Watched the impeachment trial this afternoon. Rep. Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin spoke beautifully but Ed Bryant from Tennessee was less articulate as he urged us to "focus on the big picture." Asa Hutchinson was down to earth and splendid on obstruction. James Rogan of California was extremely fine exposing Clinton's lies. 

The Republicans have done a fine job, sometimes positively eloquent. They each left no doubt that Clinton is guilty as charged, but Doris Kearns Goodwin appeared to be pro-Clinton as she said, "This is not a momentous event, the charges are too inconsequential. It feels small rather than enlightening." Clinton's a bum and he should get out. 

Peter Picknelly is out of the hospital in Boston. I read the Boston Globe today and their cartoonist Pat Oliphant is a mischievous character. He is always insulting Republicans and praising Democrats. ABC is promoting an upcoming program asking, "Have we Become a Nation of Cheaters?"

Called Lynn at Punderson and she said they'll deliver our oil Monday or Tuesday. The price is 89 cents per gallon with payment due within ten days. Mrs. Stanisiki called and we chatted for half an hour. Her daughter Ann had to play at a funeral today in Needham. 

Called Aunt Maria who told me that she was spooked by someone calling asking for her late husband. I reassured her that it was most likely a telemarketer who had probably pulled Uncle George's name out of an old call list.   

January 18, 1999

Sunny and 31 degrees at 8am. Martin Luther King Day. 

Everywhere, every twig, everything was covered with ice and glistening in the light of the rising sun. There were even icicles hanging from the clothes line. It all melted away as the morning passed. 

At 4:30am Mother cried out "John!" but when I checked on her she didn't want anything. I brought her to the toilet, changed her diaper and put her back in bed. She says she has no pain. I served her coffee but she couldn't muster the strength to pull the liquid up the straw. So I pulverized a pain pill and put it in a Friendly's tartar sauce cup with a little water and she drank from that. 

Did a load of wash and cooked up a spaghetti and hamburg casserole. The newspaper never arrived today, so I drove out at 1:30pm and bought the New York Times at the Newsstand in the Acres, but the manager informed me that the Springfield paper had sold out. I remarked how it is amazing that such a poor paper sells so well and the manager agreed. Before I left I gave him Eamon's number. 

Put the mail out at Parker Drug, sending letters to Fred Whitney, Kateri Walsh, Dan Yorke and Tommy Devine. Then drove to Sampson's in the Acres where I was waited on by John Flynn. Their prices are considerably higher than Byron's, and their so-called "cremation containers" are nothing but a flimsy cardboard box about as sturdy as an orange juice container. On the way back I noticed a black and white FOR SALE sign on Mary Alice Stusick-Plant's place. 

The oil was delivered while I was out so I called Caroline at Punderson and she said we owe $167.27 so I wrote a check. Tom Bevaqua said the temperature today reached 50 degrees.

Watched the special on cheating in America and one Rabbi was quoted as saying it is the result of "a moral collapse in American culture" and cited the Clinton scandals as an example. On the evening news we saw Clinton and a brightly smiling Hillary walking out of Foundry United Methodist Church with bibles in hand. The president is hoping to keep the nation focused on national affairs and not his personal ones. 

At 5:30pm Paul Smith called asking if I wanted to subscribe to the Union-News. I said I already subscribe but my paper was not delivered this morning and when I went out to buy one they were sold out. He said I will have to call the paper's main number to file a complaint, then he apologized for bothering me and hung up. 

January 19, 1999

Bright and sunny, 38 degrees on the breezeway at 7:30am. 

The presidency is not merely an administrative office. That's the least of it. It is preeminently a place of moral leadership. - Franklin Delano Roosevelt   

Both Barbara and Helen came to care for Mother today. Helen said she will come again on Friday. I noticed she has a Tom Reilly for Attorney General sticker on her car. Barbara told me she has three kids, the youngest attends Putnam. 

Jurzephezyk's mailbox has been knocked down again. I drove out at 9am to mail my oil payment to Punderson at Parker Drug, where I ran into Mr. Stanley Cressotti, the electrician who lives next door to the Cohn's. He greeted me as Wesley and we wished each other a Happy New Year.  

Then to Wilbraham, where I paid the taxes on our property there. I also stopped at Albank and deposited some checks. Their parking lot was icy and I complained to the bank teller about it. She said the lot is actually owned by Rocky's so I should complain to them. 

I replied that I should not have to run around asking for the lot to be properly cleared. I said I am a customer and this bank and the hardware store should both want a clear lot to keep me coming back. I added that this was something I shouldn't have to explain to her. Furthermore, I alerted her to the fact that the date on their check writing table was wrong. 

Then to the Goodwill on Sumner Avenue, where they had some nice empty milk crates. I asked the clerk if I could buy a few of them but the woman said she didn't know if she could sell them and the manager wasn't around. 

Came back by Oak in order to attend the Tuesday Morning Music Club's winter concert. I found a parking spot right in front of AIC's Griswold Theater. I went in and the event was poorly attended. I counted 34, all white, but 9 of them were men. For a long time I was the only male that attended. 

The piano music by Frigo Scott was competent but dull and expressionless. Clifton Noble of the Springfield papers was an accompanist.  Eileen Ruby is vivacious and has a lovely voice. Peter Demos and Anita Chang were nothing less than superb. 

Afterwards we had coffee, tea and cookies. I shook hands with Demos and thanked him for performing the high public service of playing for the public for free. I also shook Frigo's hand, but in a formal, less cordial way. Neither Mary Alice Stusick nor Mrs. Staniski were there. I didn't stay long.

I then headed downtown where I  parked at the Marshall Center and walked down to the post office. From there I walked over to A.G. Edwards to order 20 more shares of Friendly's stock with a $200 payment. Johnson's Bookstore was pitch dark. 

All the development offices and the Chamber of Commerce have moved to the SIS Center, where I acquired a free copy of BusinessWest. Then to Antiques on Boland Way and their 30% off sale. I bought a paperweight with a picture of the White House on it for $22.50.

In the mail today Madeleine Rabideau of St. Michael's in Vermont wrote saying they do not have an address or phone number for Dr. Jennie Versteeg. Called Aunt Maria, she said Shirley brought her to the doctor's. Also called Michael Bearse at the newspaper. I told him I received no paper yesterday or today and then asked him when my subscription ends. He replied March 4th. I told him I am debating whether to renew. 

January 20, 1999

Stuart Hurwitz is the Chair of Mayor Albano's Arts and Entertainment Initiative. E. Wayne Turner is the Corresponding Secretary for the Tuesday Morning Music Club. 

Trash went out early. I looked out at 8:45am and the morning paper was thrown up against the garage door with an orange bag beside it with the missing papers I complained about. They contained no note of apology.

Helen the nurse came and told me not to feed Mother any solid food because she may choke on it. I told her that Mother never asks for anything but water. Barbara arrived just after 1am, changed Mother and gave her a glass of water. I sat with Mother for a bit and she almost smiled when I made Sweetpea and Honeypot kiss her. 

This morning I drove out to Hillcrest and spoke with Karen Cormier in the office. The carillon was playing and she told me they had four funerals that day. She loaned me a key and I went over to the mausoleum and looked around, admiring the Tiffany windows near where Mother will be interred. 

From there I drove downtown, pausing at Byron's Funeral Home, where Joe Roy sold me a lovely brass urn for $429. They have a better selection of urns than Sampsons. From there I drove into the city and parked at the Quadrangle, where I ran into Mr. Nardi, who asked me to say hello to Nader the Hatter. I went into the City Library and made copies.  

From there I went to City Stage for the Mayor's re-election campaign announcement. On the way over I paused briefly at Edwards Books, where I bought a picture book of Longmeadow for $25 that was published in the 1980's by the Longmeadow Historical Society. 

At Albano's campaign event there was live piano background music provided by Frank Jackson of Holyoke. I would say that half the people present were on the public payroll. David Starr was there and Francis Gagnon arrived late. I saw Peter Picknelly talking with Gary Shepard, while Kateri Walsh was chatting with Teresa Regina and Marshall Moriarty. Frankie Keough was talking with the Sheriff, and Hurwitz left early. Chief Paula Meara was there, I hadn't realized she is so short and fat. I said hello to Election Commissioner Deezer Sullivan. He is a jovial fellow but also overweight.

Health Commissioner Helen Caulton smiled at me, and Judy Matt gave me a friendly greeting. I spoke with Kevin Coyle, who mentioned that his brother Jimmy has been dead for 20 years and that his mother lives with him now. He also mentioned Mike Spencer and said he knows Billy White. Jim Contavinch was cheery but said he was saddened by the closing of Johnson's Bookstore. I briefly spoke with Michaelann Bewsee and Fred Hurst and waved to Tony Ravosa.

It was pretty crowded, with most people standing. A video was shown called "Faces of the Can-Do City" but the face most often appearing in it was Mike Albano's. City Councilor Dom Sarno came up to me and we talked about Paul Caron's breakfast. I thought that Mo Turner, Tom Devine or even Eamon might stop by if only to spy on who was there and eat the free food, but they never showed.

There was lots to eat catered by Elegant Affair. A long table was set up with soft drinks and beers. Smaller tables offered crackers, breadsticks, chunks of pineapple and melon, four cheeses, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and lettuce. I dined mainly on the cheese and melons, then left having stayed about an hour.  

President Clinton gave his State of the Union tonight. The stock market is up, including Friendly's. I wrote to the University of Vermont today on a minor matter, they don't realize that I am doing so simply to get a copy of their latest letterhead.

Peggy Sutton from the Hospice called and offered to send over a free meal for Mother and me. I said thank you but told her that Mother is in her final decline and no longer eating. She expressed sympathy. I called Aunt Maria and explained to her how Mother is fading fast and told her not to tell anyone in order to protect Mother's privacy. 

January 22, 1999

Overcast, sometimes drizzling, 41 degrees at 1pm. 

Newspaper here okay. Left at 9am and drove over to SIS. As I was leaving the bank, I noticed Francis Gagnon at the end of the hall talking to Joan Lewandowski. Then I went next door to Angelo's for grapefruit and brussel sprouts. 

From there I headed to Eastfield Mall, where Book Market was having a 50% off going out of business sale. There are many empty storefronts in Eastfield. At the food court I bought a large slice of pepperoni pizza for $2.40.  When I got home I called Goodwill on Sumner and asked the manager if their milk crates were for sale. She said no, they use the crates to carry merchandise around the store.

Barbara came at 1:15 and told me she has two sons, the oldest is 23 and the younger son Tom is into computers. She took care of Mother, whose mouth now hangs open all the time and whose cheeks are very drawn in. She can no longer speak. I made Sweet Pea and Honey Pot kiss her and tell her they loved her. Mother is deteriorating badly - how much longer can she last?

When Barb left at 2:20 I did a load of wash and watched the impeachment proceedings. Senator Robert Byrd announced he will not vote to impeach. Obviously Clinton is guilty and should be removed, but it is unlikely to happen. Dan Quayle has announced he is running for president. TV22 had a segment on economic development in Indian Orchard. Russ Denver was on and sounded almost competent.

The mail brought a letter from Ann Burke saying my poem has some good lines in it. Had milk and beans for supper. I called Eamon, who told me he had just gotten off the phone with John Silber from Boston University. Eamon thanked me for the syrup and said he has been taking it easy the past few days because he threw his back out shoveling snow. 

Eamon said he sees Francis Gagnon on the city's cable access station all the time. He also told me that virtually every day he gets calls from the Basketball Hall of Fame from employees listening to his messages. 

Eamon says a source told him that the guy in the paper who beat someone with a baseball bat is actually a cousin of Anthony Ardolino, who then unsuccessfully tried to intimidate the police into dropping the matter. Eamon called Fitchet at the police station who confirmed that Ardolino had indeed tried to intervene on behalf of his cousin. 

The article was by Kevin Claffey, so Eamon called him in search of more details. Claffey told him that he knew of the Ardolino connection and included it in his story, but an editor removed that fact before publication. Claffey told  Eamon that the level of censorship at the paper is increasing and that the reporters are getting frustrated by their inability to tell the full truth in the stories they submit. 

January 23, 1999



mother has died.



January 24, 1999

Edar Allen Poe - Once Upon a Midnight is at City Stage on February 3rd.

Mother was a nervous sort of person who often had a "better way" that was often a lot more work and not a better way at all.  

Sweet Pea and Honey Pot are now sitting on the sofa in the basement. Drove out in the afternoon and donated 80 of my paperbacks to Goodwill. Then over to Caldor's where there was plenty of business and Food Mart was mobbed as always.  I then headed down to the newspaper and submitted Mother's obituary, which I wrote last night.

I finally got a letter from the insurance company saying they would agree to pay half the cost of replacing Mother's teeth. Technically, the letter has arrived after her death. I wonder if they heard she was dying and decided to stall off replacing her teeth until they didn't have to. How would they know? Gossip among nurses.

Dined on a lettuce and tomato sandwich and a can of Campbell's Chunky Vegetable-Beef Soup. I called Aunt Maria to tell her that Mother has left her $10,000. She replied that she doesn't need the money and doesn't want anything belonging to Mother.  

January 25, 1999

Still overcast, but rain has stopped. 

The Pope today asked Mexicans to protect human life and honor the church's teachings on abortion. Charles F. Storey of 195 Wilbraham Road is a dentist. 

Mother's obituary appeared in the paper today. At 5 of 9 I stopped at Louis & Clark to buy postage, but they were out of one cent stamps and had no copies of the Union-News. I got three copies at the adjacent Sunoco convenience store Then I drove out to Goodwill and delivered a box of Mother's shoes to Patty. I reminded her that I'd really like any milk crates she comes across.

At 12:59 the doorbell rang twice and it was Eric from Merriam Graves to pick up the hospital equipment. I helped carry out a couple of pieces. At the same time, Barbara pulled up at the mailbox saying she was told this morning that Mother had died. She returned the books I lent her and I told her how much we had appreciated her service. 

I cancelled Mother's pension from Monarch by calling Overland Park and got Laura, who transferred me to Tammy, who told me she will need a death certificate. I told her those cost $8 each but I will be glad to send her a photocopy. She told me they will send out no more payments effective immediately.  

Mail was here around two with my MLA catalog and lots of other stuff.  I then called  Bell Atlantic to get rid of the rental telephone. Spoke to Ms. Bisbrow, who put me on hold and I wound up with Tony in Texas, who said I should call the Lease Equipment Department, which I did and then was transferred to Consumer Lease Service and then to Latasha in Florida. Her voicemail said, "Our system is down, please call back in half an hour...."

I did call back and ended up with Maria, a woman with a Latino accent in Miami. She told me I could return the phone to Mailboxes Etc. on North Main Street in East Longmeadow. So I took the phone over there and turned it in to the owner Nicole E. Kelly. On my way back I paused at Stop&Shop and bought some specials on soup. While there I ran into mayoral aide Candice Lopes and we exchanged greetings.

Joe of Byron's called and said he will proceed with engraving Mother's death date on her urn. Mrs. Penniman called and expressed her condolences. She shared a few anecdotes about Mother as she stressed how desirable it is to maintain one's sense of humor. She asked me to tell her if she can help in any way. 

Had Progresso Beef and Barley Soup for supper. Then I called Eamon and left a message telling him that Mother had died and her obituary is in the paper. I added, "Don't send flowers. Don't send money. Don't send anything!"  

An hour later Nader the Hatter called and told me that he had just got off the phone with "Commissioner O'Sullivan" who told him of Mother's death. The Hatter expressed his solemn condolences, but the rest of his call was quite cheerful and I hung up feeling refreshed. 

January 26, 1999

A lovely day.

I have started wearing my pink triangle earring. It will remain there permanently and it will be great fun to see how people respond to it. Now that Mother is gone I intend to be much more strict about wearing my uniform at all times without exception. 

An article by Catherine L. Aspy in the Reader's Digest says that women are not generally suited for combat because they are simply weaker than men and are unable to carry the necessary equipment into the war zone. So men and women are not equal after all? 

I cleared out some of the papers in the kitchen cabinet (mostly addresses, cards and receipts for many things) and came upon this dinner grace by Grandfather Miller:

Our Father, we beseech thee to give thy blessing on this food. Help us to receive it with thanksgiving and do thy will for Christ's sake. Amen. 

I also cleaned out the drawers in the living room and ended up putting out a full dumpster on the curb. The mail brought condolence cards from Yarber and Mrs. Staniski.  It also brought a letter from Eric Bachrach, Executive Director of The Community Music School of Springfield, thanking me for my financial donation. 

There has been a 2-1 stock split at IBM. Attorney Cava is now advertising on TV22. Listened to a little of the impeachment trial. General Wesley Clark, Supreme Commander of NATO, was on the Lehrer News Hour and he spoke very well. At one point he said it is time for Yugoslavia to "enjoy the wonderful prosperity of democracy." Is that his standard bullshit or does he mean it? 

Unknown called and when I picked up it was silent. Eamon called with condolences and offered to help in any way. I thanked him but said I don't like to impose on my friends. He said he always enjoyed talking to Mother and admired the way I cared for her until the end. 

Eamon then talked about the consultant Joe Napolitan, who started out as a sports writer for the Springfield papers. Eamon said Napolitan would never have had a political career without Larry O'Brien, who introduced him to Ted Kennedy and Tommy O'Connor.  Napolitan was well paid to advise Charlie Ryan in his 1995 campaign but was never around as Ryan ended up losing to Albano. 

Then Eamon recalled how his aunt Bridget Fitzgerald Johnson was a gung-ho supporter of "Danny Boy" Brunton and used to hold fundraisers for him featuring a local violinist and accordion player. She wanted Eamon to sing at these events but he refused because he was supporting Brunton's opponent O'Connor and was also a friend of Brunton critic Bill Putnam. She was furious when Eamon accepted a job in the O'Connor administration and wouldn't speak to him for years. But shortly before her death she apologized for having ostracized him over their political differences.   

We also talked about how David Starr is changing his role at the paper and becoming its president. Eamon said he never heard of a paper having a president and we both couldn't imagine what a president of a newspaper is supposed to do. 

Eamon then told me about the time that Councilor Vincent Dimonaco was having lunch at The Fort with Starr and Arnold Friedman when Eamon's name came up, causing Starr to state, "Ed Sullivan is bad for Springfield." Dimonaco then asked, "Have you guys ever met him?" They replied that they had not. Dimonaco then told them, "Eddie Sullivan knows more about Springfield than the two of you combined. You should have met with him on the first day you arrived in the city!"

Later Dimonaco called Eamon and told him what had transpired. He asked Eamon if he would be willing to meet with Starr and Friedman at The Fort for lunch. Eamon said sure and even offered to pay for everyone's food and drinks. Dimonaco relayed the invitation and although Friedman agreed to attend, the lunch ended up being cancelled when Starr angrily declared, "I want absolutely nothing to do with him!"

January 27, 1999

Nice day. 

Trash went okay. Around 10am I drove down to Breckwood and bought gas for 91 cents per gallon at Sunoco. Then I drove up to the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside to visit Barnes & Noble. It is big and beautiful, everything a bookstore should be except no used books. This absence disgusted me to the point that I refused to buy anything. 

They had easy chairs all around, and a restaurant where everything is outrageously over priced. Public restrooms are on the second floor. There was a rack of newspapers from all over, mostly just one copy. None from Vermont. 

I spent two hours looking down every aisle in the store. No cases devoted to law books. Quite a bit of poetry, Shakespeare, some gay and lesbian stuff, foreign languages and a splendid children's department. It is shameful that Barnes & Noble is not located in downtown Springfield and a sign of how far Springfield has fallen that even Holyoke has a better bookstore. I would say that the Ingleside Mall has been the death of downtown Holyoke and has damaged the Springfield downtown as well.  

I stopped in at Men's Wearhouse and it's just another fancy men's clothing store. I was wearing my uniform of an earring, chain collar and biker jacket. I asked the clerk if they had any leather pants and she politely said no but told me that Wilson's does. Checked out Pier 1 and it is finer than we ever had on Boston Road. Also looked in on Bed & Bath.

Then I went to COMPUSA, where they had a sale on space beanies, so I bought a green and white one for my doll Floppy. I'd never buy such a thing for myself. From Holyoke I drove down the mountain to Route 5, where I was dismayed by how much of what was once beautiful farmland has been replaced by commercial development. It is not picturesque development either, they have ruined the area. 

In West Springfield I paused at Dick's but simply did a walk through. Then over to Burger King where I succumbed to a Great American Burger for $4.49 plus tax. It was simply too much of a burger and I won't buy one again. Then home around 3pm.

Patricia Collins, who used to work for Johnson's Bookstore, was on TV leading a rally in front of First Church for abortion rights. Also in the news, Caldor's is closing and the Agawam cops voted no-confidence in their police chief. 

Unknown called.   

January 29, 1999

Overcast, snow and drizzle.

No word on Mother's urn or cremains.  Friendly's stock is up.

Reading some of the books I recently bought, including the book on Buddhism I paid $75 for. I didn't know that Buddhism and Hinduism are so closely related. 

Spent five hours today sorting through Mother's papers and throwing away her old prescriptions and medical supplies. While cleaning I came across a Shawmut First Bank and Trust Company check written by Father in February 1984. I also came upon a receipt dated February 10, 1986 from Dr. Mark Radzicki of Forest Park Medical Associates across from the park entrance. He has recently been in trouble for misprescribing addictive drugs. Mother was his patient until around 1991. 

I called Central High today after I saw a notice in the paper that the School Department is destroying a lot of their old records. I asked if I could get a copy of my transcripts. Dorothy told me she'd have to go into another room to check if they still have them. She returned and told me they do and I could come and get them anytime for a two dollar copying fee.  

I drove to Louis & Clark to put out mail and then swung by Central and got my transcript from the very conscientious and helpful Dorothy. She also gave me a copy of their school handbook, which I will edit for errors. The transcript was accurate, but not the same as the one I received years ago which included certain advanced courses I took and Rodeheaver's recommendation. 

Next I headed to the Springdale Mall where J. Crew was having a sale in where T.J. Maxx was. I looked at their shoes, and some of them were quite nice, but I bought nothing. Then over to Stop&Shop, where I bought a chicken for $4.99. They were $6.99 at Big Y earlier this week.  I also bought a bottle of a new Coke product called Citra, which has grapefruit in it. It tastes a lot like Sprite.

When I got back I cooked up a Sara Lee blueberry pie. For lunch I had two lettuce and tomato sandwiches. I ate too much yesterday by buying that ridiculously large American Burger at Burger King

Five condolence cards came in the mail today, including one from Arlene Morton. Also received a letter from Christopher Kelly at Oxford University Press declining to publish my book of poems.

Called Aunt Maria, who said she did not feel up to sending any Christmas cards this year. She told me she has decided to be buried with her husband George in Feeding Hills. Good. There had been talk of putting her in the Wilson lot in Fairview. She talked about Uncle George a bit, regretting that he died in his early 60's and never got to do all the things he had planned for retirement. My Uncle George was a good guy.

Got another voiceless call from Unknown, took the phone off the hook.

January 31, 1999

23 degrees and sunny at 7:30am. 

Life is a story of which we never get to see the ending, and it is not necessarily a happy one. 

Mother's obituary appeared in today's Union-News

SPRINGFIELD - Blanche E. (Wilson) Miller, 92, of the 16 Acres section, died last Saturday at home. She was a waitress in her youth at Springfield's Colony Club. She also worked at Birnies Paper Co. and was a registrar in the claims department of Monarch Life Insurance. She was a sales associate at the former Forbes & Wallace at Eastfield Mall and served as an enumerator on the 1960, 1970 and 1980 censuses. 

Born in Lympus, Vermont, she was educated at Whitcomb High School and the former Bay Path Institute. She was a descendant of some of the founders of Springfield and Longmeadow. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and belonged to the Tuesday Morning Music Club. She was very active in the Methodist Church throughout her life.

Her husband of 53 years, John W. Miller Jr. died in 1986. She leaves a son, J. Wesley Miller, with whom she lived, and a sister, Maria Giroux of the Feeding Hills section of Agawam. The funeral and burial will be private. Byron's Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge. 

At 9:27am I drove to Breckwood to make copies of the obituary and put out the mail. I ran into Professor Bradley and we exchanged greetings. He said he is on sabbatical from WNEC. Then over to Angelo's, where I got tomatoes, lettuce, brussel sprouts and a lot of clementines. Then over to the Salvation Army on Boston Road, which was well stocked but I bought nothing. 

Reading more about the Borobudur Temple. While eating a $1.95 Freezer Queen Pot Roast Dinner, I started proofreading the Central High Student Handbook. It is full of bad English of various sorts. Today I also ate a couple pieces of pie and a lettuce, tomato and onion sandwich.

Friendly's stock is at 6.13. Cleaned a little in the basement and threw away some worthless hair products belonging to Mother.  The mail came at noon and included the "Babe the Blue Ox" plush doll I had hoped to have for Mother by Christmas. I also received my Chamber of Commerce Rolodex (plastic, no less) and a letter from Health New England saying Mother's coverage ends as of tomorrow.

I got a letter from the gas company saying that the average heating system lasts less than twenty years and suggesting I get a new one. I called them and got Colleen and told her that our system is over 45 years old and working fine. I told her my Aunt was all electric for decades and switched to gas two years ago and her system failed last month. I suggested that maybe it was the lousy gas heater that was to blame. Colleen listened politely but did nothing to prolong the conversation as she thanked me for calling and hung up. 

I called the newspaper and cancelled their Sunday edition. I'm looking for ways to save money and I expect to find them. Called Leonard Collamore and told him I would give him my extra copy of The Legacy of Christopher Columbus (1949) which I bought for $17. He thanked me for "a wonderful addition to my collection."

Eamon called and apologized for not sending me a Christmas card this year. I told him the wonderful fruitcake he sent me was more than enough. Eamon noted that this is the first year he did not receive a crazy Christmas card from Doyle the Twig Painter.

Eamon says a friend of his told him that the courthouse downtown has a poor ventilation system resulting in unhealthy air that has made some people sick. Eamon also told me about a letter he received from Rep. Henry Hyde of Illinois, thanking him for the Irish blessing Eamon sent him and describing Eamon as "a true patriot." 

We discussed the article in the paper today saying that Springfield's population is declining. Eamon claims people are leaving because of bad schools, declining property values, a high tax rate and a population that is now only 70% white. Eamon described Mayor Albano as "bent over with stupidity." 

In 1995 PHH MarketWatch, a real estate publication out of Connecticut, had this to say about Springfield - 

There is still no end in sight to the decay of the city of Springfield, where downtown property is estimated to be losing 2% of its value PER MONTH. Businesses and residents are fleeing to the suburbs, driven by widely reported violence in the schools and scarce job opportunities. 

Foreclosures are up more than 20% in Hampden County from this time last year and the tide of bank owned biddings shows no signs of ebbing. The suburbs are stronger than the city, and some (notably Wilbraham) are expected to see some minimal appreciation this year.

4/13/22

February 1999

 

February 2, 1999

Overcast, freezing rain.

Why do people bother to wear clothes? As the millennium approaches new things have to be tried, so I am adjusting my uniform to include a thick, black leather collar. When I go out I should also wear my athletic cup with a diaper in it so I can be a real pig. 

Friendly's stock continues to rise. The Southwick Public Library has opened a lovely new building. It has taken them a long time. The Just Kiddin Around Children's Theater in South Hadley is featuring Tony Lupo and his monkey Coco.  I recall that the same act was at the Grand Opening of Filene's, which Mother and I attended. At one point the monkey kissed Mother. 

I drove out first thing and got the paper out of the trashcan at Breckwood and put out the mail. Once back home, Byron's Funeral Home called at 12:14pm and said they have Mother's urn and cremains and I could pick them up in an hour.  So I drove out about 1pm, stopping to make copies of Mother's obituary at Shea Library . I will mail one to Aunt Maria, who has said she doesn't want me coming over to visit her. 

Passed through the Goodwill, where I bought a bell, then over to Byron's. Surprise! They had the wrong date on Mother's urn - 16 Decemeber should have been 15 December -  so they will do it over. I also ordered an urn for my own cremains, with instructions that it be engraved "Queerboy Fag Sissypansy" with the date of my birth. They promised to contact me when the new urns were ready. So at least I have Mother's cremains, currently in a box sitting on Father's Monarch chair in the parlor.

Next I drove down to Subway and got my usual deli sandwich for 99 cents. I was waited on by a sweet, young woman who said she was the manager with four employees working under her. She was generous putting the stuff in the roll. When  I got back, the mail included a sympathy card from the Cressotti's, but it had been ripped and bent by the postal machinery.  

Called Picknelly's office and told Brenda about the winter antique auctions. I then called the St. Francis Chapel but Father Zachary was unavailable. Also called Old Hadleigh Hearth and Patio and they sell Hearthstone stoves.  Sales lady said there is a $350 installation fee and there may be other charges.

Called to hear Eamon's latest phone editorial but he answered directly - most unusual. I asked him if he has ever been to Barnes & Noble and he said he has not and does not intend to. He told me people at the Basketball Hall of Fame have been calling to listen to his messages regularly, adding that he has heard through the grapevine that the Hall has been lobbying for an exit ramp from the highway leading right to them.

I mentioned to Eamon that my electric bill averages about $25 per month and Eamon told me his is about $30. I told him how I had come upon an old receipt from Channel Home Center in Springfield dated 8/23/87 for a paint sprayer we never used. Channel was a very large and complete hardware store right where Food Mart now stands. Mother was sad to see it go and Eamon said he also liked it.

Eamon says his friend Karen Powell and her husband Bob,  who led the fight against needle exchange, have been calling him lately. Apparently the Powells would like to move their auto repair business from East Longmeadow to Springfield. I said that sounds very foolish. Karen is trying to convince Eamon to run for mayor, but he is too smart for that. 

February 3, 1999

Very misty. 

We need to get away from all our traditional clothing to something like a single, zip-on plastic suit. It won't soil the way fabric does and stays clean on the outside no matter how fouled on the inside. 

This morning I cleaned up a bit and shaved my head down to the skin, put on my biker jacket, boots, and my new, raspberry colored round glasses. My pants of course are very baggy. My outfit is stunning as my appearance is queer thru and thru and I daresay neat and slick.  

Petco is also at Holyoke Crossing.  Today I came upon Mother's list of the members of the Wesley Church Bridge Club - Katherine Hill, Ursula Smith, Gladys Stone, Lois Hastings, Mabel Williams, Sally Bender and Marian Staniski. A note at the bottom says that Mrs. McFarland and Mrs. Margeson were sometimes players but not regularly. 

On the news, Brenda Garton mentioned the State Board of "Resignation" when it should have been Registration. At 5:40pm Barry Kreiger said the Dow went down today though it actually went up. A few minutes later he laughingly corrected himself in small talk with the other anchors. 

Deluxe Check Printers are closing their main plant in a Springfield industrial park and there go over 200 jobs. That's along with Caldors closing their store and big new warehouse in Westfield. Who says times are good?

Unknown called while I was outside putting out the recycling. I called and spoke with the secretary to Principal Budd-Jackson at Central High, Mrs. Crinalla, and suggested that with all the errors in it, they ought to have their best English students make a week's project of correcting the school handbook. She thanked me for calling and hung up without commenting. 

February 5, 1999

Cloudy and showery.

Miller at Springfield. Logged 74.1 miles driving today. I went everywhere in full queer outfit with a chain around my waist held together by handcuffs.

I drove up to Whately for the Antiquarian Book Center winter sale. First I drove through Hatfield trying to locate the offices of the Valley Advocate. The Hatfield Library is a nice, 1920's tudor schoolhouse across from Town Hall. Their sidewalk was salted but still quite icy. I asked for directions to the Advocate offices and the librarian told me. 

I found the Advocate building on School Street. It is a beautiful, 1840ish wooden mill structure of two stories with a cupola on top. There is a wide waterfall to one side. The building is chocolate brown in a town of white New England farm houses. 

All the parking spots were taken so I parked in the street. I went in the front door and found a very warm, friendly, quiet, home-like, softly lighted interior with a Hatfield historical preservation award on the wall.  A receptionist greeted me with a jovial grin. I introduced myself and she recognized my name, telling me that her name is Patty and she is an assistant to the publisher. 

She pulled out a Advocate 25th anniversary t-shirt and placed it in a tote bag with an image of their first issue on it. Patty asked me if I had ever received the Pynchon Award and was surprised when I replied that I have not. I told her that it must be a pleasure to come to work in such a nice place that is so superior to the office they used to have in Springfield. I thanked her graciously as I left and urged her to thank Maureen again for giving me these things.

I drove back by Rte. 5 and saw lots of new development in Hatfield. It is sad to see all that historic countryside lost to commercial use. When I got to the book sale everything was 40% off, so I got a few things considerably cheaper than I could have got them from Jordan Luttrell. 

The owner came over and thanked me for "taking the trouble to take a look." His name is Eugene Povirk and he said he attended Harvard in the 1960's and graduated in the 70's.  Povirk said he just got a lot of signed stuff from Charles D. Farrell, and also does some trading with Moyer Boswell. He didn't know  Luttrell.  At one point he told me he has met David Starr and found him ungracious. Eugene said he would send me his catalog and I said I would send him photos of my poster collection. I was there from 10:30am to 1:30pm.

Back in Springfield, I stopped at Subway and noted that the once stylish block looking over the park next to Merriam-Webster is boarded up. Then I drove to the Kasparian Center (former Monarch back building) to check out the Open House for students considering going to Sci-Tech. When I entered the high school info fair I asked if there was an English teacher around. 

They introduced me to Mr. Richard Stoddard, an Assistant Principal who was a former English teacher. He sort of reminded me of Peter Johnson. I told him about all the grammar errors I find in official School Department publications. He was cordial, but made no comment, politely thanking me as he walked away. 

Rained a bit on the way home. News had a story about Hoboken, New Jersey cracking down on Federal cars parking everywhere they want illegally. We've had some of the same problems here, with federal employees parking where they please and claiming they can't be ticketed. Journalist Elizabeth Drew called the Clinton's "hypocritical" on the Lehrer Report. I agree that hypocritical is the right word for the Clinton's.

The mail brought condolences from Dianne and Maria Mulhausen. When I got home a bag of Harvard Gazettes and other periodicals were hanging on the back gate from Mrs. Staniski, so I called and thanked her. Called Aunt Maria and she said she hasn't any money. I told her she should have gotten her Social Security check on the first but she hung up after accusing me of wanting to get into her bank account. 

Called Eamon, who told me his phone editorial has received over 60 calls today. He said he is still getting calls from the Hall of Fame and for some reason he keeps getting a listener from Enron. Eamon told me he went to see his friend Dick Serkin at his leather shop on Worthington to buy an Italian jacket but they were sold out. Serkin told him he'll call when some come in and said Eamon could have any coat he wants at 30% off. Eamon knows a lot of people. This is Eamon's latest phone message:

"Does anyone think that Springfield's dull in the extreme downtown, without a single retail anchor store, can be saved by enlarging the badly designed, misplaced, white elephant Civic Center and Hall of Fame, along with a new Federal Building and baseball stadium? Can Springfield's downtown ever compete with Boston, Providence, Worcester or even Northampton? Springfield's downtown is beyond the point of no return."

February 7, 1999

Overcast, a few snow flurries.

Grease featuring Frankie Avalon is appearing at the Wang Theater in Boston. Black Sabbath are playing Wednesday at the Fleet Center. Mad Max and bell bottoms are back and they're hot! 

The Clinton impeachment trial started today around 10am. I recall going to a Ward 7 Democrat City Committee meeting once where I was politely told (and thanked for coming anyway) that I had to be a registered Democrat to attend. There were about twenty people there and I remember Bill Foley giving me a good stare. 

The Easton Press in Norwalk, Ct. is a top-rated publisher, but I don't know about the quality of their texts! Reading all my new books has taken a few days. Now proofreading the Central High handbook.

I left at 10:30am and mailed at Louis & Clark my letter to the Tuesday Morning Music Club, describing my history with the organization. Next to the Big Y in the Acres for fruit punch and that was all. The new gas station is coming along, building looks about finished.  

Then over to the Open House for 296 Longmeadow Street, a grandiose ranch house. Really nice. Around 11:21 I arrived at the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst via 47 and down 116. It is a fabulous, wonderfully exhilarating, moving, functional - what else you can say - beautiful building! I told everyone that. 

There were several extremely ornate chandeliers. Ramps, not stairs, connect the levels. There is a theater in the back. Exhibit rooms are small and intimate. You can wander freely about. I bought some postcards and running the gift shop was a Mrs. Fine, who said her husband and daughter are Springfield lawyers. I departed at 12:20pm and as I left I got a poster for a pro-pot rally off a pole by Hampshire College.

On the way back I saw Schmerhorn's white blimp with red fins aloft over Amherst. Home at 1:05. For the second time lately a Papa Gino's discount coupon doorknob hanger was awaiting me. I baked lima beans, Spam and potatoes in the oven.

Called Aunt Maria and she said she was cleaning house. She said she gets so tired she just falls asleep. Told me she wants to die. The cat goes in and out whenever he wants. She doesn't want me to come over. 

February 8, 1999

32 degrees at 8:50am. 

Is President Clinton emotionally immature? For most people, emotional maturity means going along to get along. I may be emotionally immature because I admit I am turned on by leather. 

I drove out at ten to nine, came through the Goodwill and got the newspaper out of their trashcan. Why buy it if you can get it out of the trash? Then I drove over to the high school to give R. Stoddard the corrected handbook I made for him which I had told him about at the high school Open House. The black lady at the desk said Stoddard was with a parent, so I told her I would just leave this for him and asked for a receipt, which she gave me. 

Then Stoddard suddenly appeared at the desk, where I welcomed him as "my friend." He replied, "I'm not sure about that!" I told him the lady behind the desk had just taken my corrected version of the school handbook. He asked me if I spent all weekend working on it. I replied no, informing him that I am so expert I did it in just one evening. Then I wished him a pleasant good day and beat it. 

Then over to the Bank of Western Mass where I withdrew $600  from my savings account. I will use $250 of it to pay Jeff Manzetti  for 25 shares of Woronoco Bank stock. I stopped at the Citgo on the corner of Alden for gas at 87 cents per gallon. From there I headed toward Feeding Hills to give Aunt Maria a box of Valentine goodies.

When I arrived there was a red truck outside and at the back door I met Paul Broz, a good looking young fellow from the Methodist Church, who said he was here helping Aunt Maria. What a mess, more of a mess than I have ever seen before. There was clothing all over the floor, not even a path through it. The door to Uncle George's room was open. 

I placed the Valentine box on the night stand. Aunt Maria herself was standing at the far side of the bed without her teeth and naked from the waist down, with a paper towel in her crotch. Mother would have made a diaper for herself, but not Maria! Paul said she had diarrhea real bad and was about to take a bath. He told me he was leaving but would be back at 1pm.  

When Paul left I told Aunt Maria her house was an incredible mess, and she didn't like to hear that. She took the shitty paper in her crotch and threw it at me. She also grabbed the box of Valentines candy and threw that at me, but she missed and hit the wall. Aunt Maria then screamed at me to get out and never come back. I disposed of the shitty paper and departed. 

On my way back I swung by the Buffet and for $6.50 had chicken, liver, onions, potato skins and a nice plate of salad. Then I came home and read the paper and other stuff. The mail brought the proof from Hein, but no Milton Society booklet. Also got a letter and t-shirt from Dan Caccavaro, Editor and Chief of the Valley Advocate, thanking me for the medal I sent him.

February 10, 1999

Sunny, 38 degrees at 9:30am.

The blessing for Mother is that she was so sick she was just happy to have a place to die in peace. Aunt Maria is still her sassy old self that has never taken any advice. I just hope that when she dies I will be able to get the Revere glassware and a couple of other things. When the time comes there is a lot of stuff I should get, technically, she once said it is all mine.  

Wrote letters to Maureen Turner and others. Then to Breckwood to put the mail out. As I was leaving, the Powers drove by and waved. They both go out every morning, maybe she works over to the monument works too.  Swung by the Big Y for asparagus and more Swanson dinners at $1.30 each. Ran into Mr. Anzalotti .

Dined on a Swanson Chicken Dinner and had a grapefruit for breakfast. A Peter K. Barrett 565-2643 rang and when I said hello they hung up. So I called back and a woman answered and I said, "When you dial the wrong number the polite thing to do is to say you're sorry, not hang up and hope they don't know. Get it???"

I called and left word with Jen for Anthony Ardolino to call me so I can tell him why the positions on the Historical Commission should not be a lifetime job. Eamon called, his birthday is Friday the 13th and his sister is coming over to bake him a cherry pie. He gives away all his food coupons to his sister. I mentioned my supper and he said he rarely eats Swanson dinners. 

Eamon then recalled how before he had his office in the Produce Building, he was with the Department of Education at 235 Chestnut on the second floor next to the Attorney General's office. Mass Rehabilitation was on the other side of the building. Sheriff M. Ashe, who was a sociology major in college, originally started out working for Mass Rehab.

I noted how years ago Wayne Phaneuf used to write the historical pieces for the paper, then R. Garvey started writing things, now Phaneuf is back to historical writing. We agreed that the stories in the paper about the arrogant Historical Commission and political fixer Charlie Kingston reflect the stinky political situation in Springfield. Eamon says that in his opinion Kingston is connected in some way to the mafia. 

Eamon recounted how on the corner of Morris Street used to be the Empire Cafe, a notorious mobster hangout. On the right two houses down is the house of Jake Nettis, a soft-spoken gentleman who was General Manager of Dreikorn's Bakery in Holyoke. The house looks old from the outside, but inside it's a palace. His wife is Rita Santaniello. 

Eamon met Nettis through Joe Calabrese who owned New England Auto Body on the West Side. Eamon also met Morris Kirby there, who had a good size office over the oriental rug shop on the Apremont Triangle. Nettis has a son who is one of Sheriff Ashe's deputies out in Ludlow.

Eamon knows everything. 

February 12, 1999

Sunny day, 33 degrees at 8:30 this morning.

President Clinton has been acquitted in his impeachment trial. Rendering the decree Chief Justice Rehnquist declared it "ordered and adjudged." I should think it would be the other way around, that is to say, adjudged and ordered. 

The map of Springfield in the 1999 Getaway Guide newspaper pull-out is very inadequate. Springfield's map in the 1999 Mass Transportation Guide is much better, but they should put a little blue star on the bottom of the eastern end of Wilbraham Road, which is just about where my house is. 

The news on 22 had a story that Big Dig overruns in Boston have delayed completion of 57 from Agawam to Southwick. The project is now a year behind schedule and there was no progress last summer. Gorden Cinema in Greenfield is showing the film Payback, a remake of a 1967 thriller.

Drove out at 9am and put out the mail at Breckwood. Then I left papers, a box of chocolates and copies of Mother's obituary on Mrs. Staniski's back porch. Stopped at the office of St. Michael's Cemetery and asked for a map, but they had none. Then I had two Big Macs for $2.22 each at Allen Street and came home. 

The mail today brought condolences today from Chrissy and issues stickers from Common Cause, but they are defective and don't stick. I also got an Albank statement postmarked February 10th that was sealed in such a way that the sole check enclosed was folded out of the back under the sealed flap to the extent of one corner of the check, base an inch, altitude an inch and a half, third side or hypotenuse along the flap of the envelope. 

First thing this morning I called the President's office at Baypath and the secretary said they would be "glad to publish" notice of Mother's passing in their alumni magazine and a note will be sent to Joanne Guernsey, their Director of Publications, to see that it's done. Then I spoke to Judy, the secretary at Byron's, who said Mother's urn is done and it's on its way here. Shortly after, Joe called from Byron's saying Mother's urn is "being shipped today" but that "Wilbert refused to do your urn" with my Sissypants name.

I called Tom Devine and told him various things, he said he hadn't seen Mother's obituary in the paper. Tom is quoted in this week's Valley Advocate in an article about Linda Melconian. He told me he has never been to the Advocate's Hatfield office but he has driven past it. Last week Tom's website got 830 hits. Anthony Ardolino called and I told him what I think is wrong with Fran Gagnon and the Historical Commission. He thanked me and said he would "pass it on" to the mayor. 

Called Aunt Maria and Edith Michaud answered, saying she was there to "help clean up a little bit." She got Aunt Maria to come to the phone, but when my aunt heard my voice she hung up immediately without speaking. 

February 13, 1999

Sunny but colder, some occasional flurries. 

A poster can last for years if you use paste. There is a poster from the 1970's from when Angela Davis spoke here still visible on a door at the back of Rose Bedding (now Chapin Furniture) on Bliss Street. I have photographed it as it has deteriorated, but it is still mostly legible after two decades. 

ABC News said their polling shows that 49% of Americans believe President Clinton should be criminally charged.  85% said they believe he has lied under oath. Doris Kearns Goodwin was on and said Clinton's trial "represents a failure of the political system." Sam Donaldson said that "Mrs. Clinton is not in a particularly forgiving mood" over her husband's affair.

Drove out at 10:30am and the mailman was just heading down the street as I left. I bought gas at the Citgo on the corner of Alden and Wilbraham Road. Put the mail out at Louis & Clark, where Candy was on duty wearing tights and a sweater.  

Then over to Angelo's, where they always have a good spread on the day-old counter on Saturdays. I haven't mentioned it in ages, but they are still rehabbing the K-Mart/Shop-Rite (later Unclaimed Freight) complex. They have put on a fancy new front.

Mail brought the February 16 Acres Civic Association newsletter and a surprisingly nice letter from Assistant Principal Stoddard. He thanked me for my interest and said that the school handbook will be revised in the ways I suggested.  

I saw four Mark E. Salomone commercials on TV40 between 6 and 7pm. His ads always show the insurance guy saying "let's settle it" as though getting a company to settle a case is a big thing. None of his lawyer ads say "let's litigate it." Bruce Avery was on the weather. Didn't he used to be on 22

Commercials for Manny's Appliances always end with Manny saying, "You'll see why we're better, we have to be - we live here!" I decided to call Manny's Boston Road store and a woman answered. I told her their commercial is misleading because the other appliance store owners live here too. She thanked me for calling and hung up without commenting.

Got a wrong number from June Collaro of Hampden, looking for Storrowtown Tavern. She politely said she was sorry.  Later Mary Serra from Agawam called looking for the Tavern and apologized. I called Aunt Maria, who said, "I'm not interested in hearing from you in any way" before hanging up.

Phoned Eamon and sang Happy Birthday on his tape. His latest message concludes, "Dr. Seuss must be rolling over in his grave wondering how enlarging the white elephant Civic Center can save our downtown, which has been dead for years."

February 15, 1999

The automobile and the computer are antithetical. Autos made people outgoing and gregarious in the fullest physical sense. It made everybody want to go, go, go! Computers will make people not want to go out. They will stay home and browse, browse, browse. There will be gregariousness of a different sort, interaction of a different sort, most social interaction will not be physical, but electronic.  

This is school vacation week. Reading Cowley's Reader's Companion to Military History. A good book. Proofread my proofs from Hein. My new editor is conscientious but inserts too many commas and uses the colon incorrectly.

Did two loads of wash. Took out seven bags of trash. Spent a lot of time today cleaning out the medical closet. I found an old paper bag from 16 Acres Drug. They were located next to the Acres A&P and had a blue and yellow tile image of a mortar and pestle on their outside wall. After they closed, everyone went to Parker Drug, now Walgreens.  

The Reminder arrived at 8:45am as I was leaving to get the Union-News. Picked up Tom Devine's newsletter at Louis & Clark. Drove to the X, but nothing going on there. Bought a few books at the Eastfield Mall. There is now a chain link fence around a large area behind Friendly's where they are digging up the parking lot pavement and preparing to construct the new mall movie theater. It was an area where no one parked anyway.

Newspaper says Pratt & Whitney has lost a multi-billion dollar contract. Charles P. Catjakis was fired from his court guard job but has now been hired for a full-time job at the State Turnpike Authority. He'll get $30,000 a year plus benefits and union protection.

Antique Roadshow was broadcasting from Milwaukee. TV22 had a story about Joanne Garland of Greenfield, who takes people's memories and turns them into books. For a fee, of course. PBS told how poor government economic development policies hurt the city of Moscow. Hope Eamon heard it. 

The news had pictures of the Oriental New Year. This is the year of the rabbit. Weatherman John Quill tried to use the word "plethora" and couldn't pronounce it. He tried and stumbled a few times, then admitted that he had never used the word in speech before. 

Bananas for breakfast, a Swanson Meat Loaf Dinner for supper. Tomorrow I'll cook the green beans I bought.Called Byron's and Fred Aldrich picked up very professionally. I told him I would pick up Mother's urn soon. Called Albank and Mother has $4,239.44 in her account.

Called Aunt Maria, but she hung up instantly at the sound of my voice. Wrong number my identifier said was a Pat McGrath calling looking for Storrowtown.  A few minutes after he apologized, it rang again but stopped before I could get to it. Then fifteen seconds later it rang again, so I snatched the receiver and declared, "This is your third try Patrick J. McGrath! Don't call again!"

February 17, 1999

Overcast, 44 degrees on the breezeway at 1pm. 

Should Democrats make an issue of the way Republicans pursued impeachment? For the first time in history the U.S. Post Office processed more advertising than first class mail. There are not enough jobs, and automation will just make it worse.

The mail brought a condolence from the Allards, a Milton Society booklet and a letter from Joe Roy at Byron's saying my urns are ready. So I went right down and got them. The first time they left out Mother's full name, but now it is correct so I think I have done my best by Mother. It is a top of the line urn, stamped with the brand Wilbert as well as the date of production.

I next went to STCC to drop off a letter to Leonard Collamore, then walked around. They have relocated the campus store to another building. From STCC I drove down Pearl Street and saw the sad state of the apartments along there that my parents told me had once been the choicest in the city. 

Parked by the cathedral and walked down to the Subway for a $1.25 deli sandwich. Johnson's is pitch black inside. Came through Tower Square and looked into Antiques, but nothing going on. Then down to the Peter Pan bus terminal, the only place downtown that had people everywhere and bustling with activity.  

Next I delivered a letter for David Starr to the desk of the Union-News. I asked if Starr had gone to lunch at The Fort today and the receptionist said she didn't know. So I left there and drove over to the X and came through the Goodwill, but nothing good there. 

Then on to Eastfield Mall where I bought some books, including one on the ACLU. I swung by Albank and showed Barbara J. Sullivan the statement from them that had been damaged in the mail. She photocopied it and apologized.

Thermostat set at 60. Cooked up some beans for supper. Eamon's new message complains about all the litter in the city. Called Aunt Maria and got Edith, who said they were having lobster. Aunt Maria refused to come to the phone. I'll bet my Aunt is feeding Edith bad gossip and mean stories about me. 

Wrong number Michael Murray called from 731-8531. Teresa of Uniset Commerce of Capital Drive in West Springfield called seeking to sell me something and I asked from what number she was calling. There was a pause, and then she asked, "Why would you want to know that?" I replied, "Well, you seem to have my number, why shouldn't I have yours?" She hung up in my ear. 

February 18, 1999

Bill Clinton is in New Hampshire, where 64 percent believe the president's sex scandal will have a negative effect on the country's moral fiber. The newspaper says that Peter Picknelly has been back at work for several days. I brought down the little white RCA portable TV with the dials on top and can now work and watch at the same time. 

I see that Erwin E. Evans has died at age 86. He was the head of the trustees at Wesley Church about the time my family left. Evans was the liaison to the black community as they moved into the Square and remained loyal to the church after it turned black. 

I called Mrs. Staniski and told her of Evans death. She said she was surprised there was no mention of Wesley Church in his obituary. She recalled how he went back to the days of Dorothy Smith and remained with the church right up until he was disabled by a stroke. Evans worked as a purchasing agent for Valley Bank.

Called Aunt Maria and she hung up. Ruth Johnson called and said she hasn't seen Aunt Maria in about a month. She wondered whether anyone has been in to clean her house, then she called it a "pigpen." Just the right word. Ruth thinks Edith is a wonderful hard worker who takes Aunt Maria to church every Sunday.

 

Former State Rep. Fred Whitney with the Coolidge etching

 

Eamon called at 6:57pm and talked to 7:15. He spoke about Allen Simpson, who owned the junk shop on Worthington Street and had an enormous old iron safe in the back of his shop. Simpson liked to go to the girlie bars but would always complain about the prices even though he was loaded. 

The Mardi Gras eventually took over the building and made Nader and Simpson move out. However, Simpson died before he could remove his stuff so Eamon thinks the Mardi Gras people got everything in the shop. Eamon then recalled how downtown really started to go downhill after the opening of the Eastfield Mall. Eamon says he now feels that downtown Springfield has no future. 

February 19, 1999

Sunny, no precipitation. 

Spent time going through Mother's dresser and found inside a grey jewelry box her "Backstreet Driver's License" a humorous promotional piece from Ledger's Service Station at Six Corners. I also found Mother's locker key #32 from when she worked at Forbes & Wallace. A receipt I found showed that Mother got her ears pierced at Bradlees for $85 on April 22, 1978. 

Left at 9am and made copies at Copycat. Then I bought asparagus, peppers and onions at Angelo's. Stopped at Caldor's, which was having a 50% off sale, but it looked to me the markdown was only about 20%. Bought a Subway sandwich next door for $1.65, a little lower than most Subway's charge. Next to that, where Cindy's Lounge used to be, is now Card Smart, offering greeting cards and cute knickknacks.  I asked when they opened and the lady said two weeks ago.

Then over to White and Sumner Avenue, where I found all the antique shops closed, so I couldn't see my tag sale friend who owns Forest Park Antiques. The Coin Shop isn't completely cleared out of its space. Paused at Trinity Church to leave off an envelope for Rev. Goad. The sanctuary was unlocked and in Asbury Hall they were serving lunch.

From there down to Salem Street and went through the Apremont and Dwight street porn shops. Fewer mags, more videos, less in the line of toys. Saw a poster for The Judge's Chambers in the entrance to the Dwight porn shop and asked about it. I was told it is where Zone used to be, underneath the print shop. 

I went inside and looked around and the bartender, a short, older and jovial man told me The Judge's Chambers now has 112 members with membership only $10. There is a large square bar in the middle and two pool tables, plus a back room with sofas in it. He invited me to their big party on the 28th. 

Came through City Hall and checked with Kathy to make sure I am still listed as an independent. There were a couple of lights on in Johnson's and there appears to be furniture still in there. Down the street where Westfield Savings Bank is supposed to open soon there was no activity at all. 

Antiques on Boland Way was almost empty, the manager told me they are "restocking." As I was leaving Roy Scott from PBS was just coming in, wearing a turquoise and white ski jacket. He smiled and asked, "Did you find something you couldn't live without?" I replied not today but told him about the cherry highboy I bought recently. We wished each other a nice day. 

Next I drove up Liberty to the new Salvation Army in where the Food Mart next to the cemetery used to be. It is a clean, well-lighted place with lots of clothing. Then out to Indian Orchard and picked up free literature at the office of Sen. Brian Lees. As I walked past Paul Caron's office I waved to him through his office window. 

Went to Cat's Paw, where they had a retirement medal from Moore Drop Forge to a John M. Collins dated 1955. She asked $15 but I talked her down to $10. There was a lovely little oil painting of a brook in the woods, a Spring scene by James Pierpont dated 1902. It was priced at $85 but I know where I can sell it for at least $125 so I bought it. Before coming home I stopped at the Acres Big Y and bought some bottles of Sprite

The mail brought a misdelivered thank you letter from the City Library for a financial contribution made by Mr and Mrs. Irving Cohn. Called Aunt Maria. Ruth answered and said my Aunt wouldn't come to the phone because "she isn't in a good mood."  

February 21, 1999

Overcast, 35 degrees at 9am.

For breakfast I had grapefruit, Wheaties in milk, two tomato and lettuce sandwiches for lunch and a Swanson Veal Parm Dinner for supper. I've been doing a lot of running around lately. While Mother was alive she was sensitive to me being away for more than a short while. Now I'm largely caught up. 

Drove out at 1:25pm and attended the memorial service for Erwin E. Evans in Longmeadow. There were about 70 people in attendance, including 14 blacks from Wesley Church seated near the back. I sat by them and it was a very nice service. 

Following the funeral I stopped at an Open House at 283 Longhill in Forest Park, which turned out to be Rev. Riddle's place. It is a lavish Mediterranean Revival style home that I have always admired. I told the broker Linda Lappin of Sears Real Estate that from the style of the staircase it appeared to have been built in the 1920's. She told me it was built in 1926 by Harry Slingerland, who was an executive at General Ice Cream. She said the Riddles moved to Granville.  

The mail brought a condolence card from Mrs. Devine and Tom, as well as something for the Allards that was misdelivered to me. Also got a letter from Russell Denver at the Chamber, thanking me for sending him a copy of the Herald, noting that he is familiar with the area having once lived in Haverhill, New Hampshire, approximately 40 minutes north of White River Junction.

Called Aunt Maria, but she wouldn't come to the phone because she was having lunch. Eamon called and I told him about yesterday. He noted that there was a large photo in today's paper of Francis Gagnon posing by displaced bricks on Salem Street. I told him they didn't print my picture when I complained about improper disposal of books by the City Library, but they print her for whining about bricks.  

Eamon said he ran into a guy he knew from school named O'Shaunessy, a former vice-president at Friendly's, who told him that the reason Friendly's has been in decline for the last 15 years is because they wouldn't pay salaries high enough to attract and hold competent people. Eamon also said that the police department doesn't know what it is doing, with the Chief of Police "running around like a chicken with their head cut off."

February 23, 1999

Sunny and 23 degrees at 8:30am.

One month since Mother died. 

Got up to pee at 2:30am and saw the light was on in Kelly's garage. Dined on Wheaties, asparagus on toast and a bowl of chicken noodle soup. Linda Bartista was the Employee Representative for Monarch Life Insurance in 1991.

Cleaned out the drawer in the china closet in the living room. Mother saved all her dead ball-point pens and worn down pencils "just in case." Also found a 1995 receipt from Accurate Termites and Pest Control of Wilbraham for removal of termites outside the house on the side of the breezeway. Best of all I found a medical receipt for Father from Archer L. Hurd, a doctor with an office on Maple Street, dated April 17, 1952.  

Made copies and put out the mail at the Breckwood Shops. Came through the Goodwill and gave Patty some discount coupons. Then out to Walmart on Boston Road and got the pictures I took of Mother dead, her urn and the basement. The disposable Kodak camera worked splendidly. 

Then to Staples and bought envelopes in which to send copies of Aunt Jennie's Poems to those who sent condolences. The strip mall up there is mostly occupied, but the space formerly occupied by Marketplace and the little package store are empty. 

Headed downtown and noted a man replacing a broken window pane on the State Street side of the Indian Motocycle building. Downtown I strolled around and the sidewalk on the north end of the Kimball building is a mess, so cracked up it looks awful. Over at the corner of State and Main, the former Masonic building where Maurice Freedman had his studio, the original Richardsonian archway is intact, but the inscription on the cornerstone with its Masonic symbol has crumbled away, perhaps by the combination of snowplows, salt and who knows what else. 

From there I drove over to Aunt Maria's to see if she wanted to go to The Buffett at Springdale and brought along Mother's urn so she could see it, but she declined to come to the door. On the way back I saw that the Edward's bridge is closed for construction. 

Received in today's mail a Year 2000 Litigator's Calendar and a card from Cathy Davidson at Duke thanking me for my letter.  Also got a subscriber's savings card from Michael P. Fay, Circulation Director at the Springfield Newspapers. TV57 had a story about how Levi's jeans are in trouble because kids are becoming more individualistic and don't like the conformity of big brands like Levi's.

I called Edith and she said she hasn't seen Aunt Maria since Thursday. She asked if I have a key to Aunt Maria's house and I said there may be one somewhere in my house but I don't know where. I told her it is sad how my relationship with Aunt Maria has soured. Edith told me she just received word that her 76 year old brother in Florida was in an auto accident and broke his neck. 

Eamon called and told me a woman close to his house had her home broken into Sunday while she was at church. She came home to find her door open and men with pillowcases full of her stuff running out the back door. She lost a valuable coin collection. 

Eamon said he heard that Mayor Albano and Tim Rooke went to Moody's in New York to see about the city's bond rating. Eamon said he called Moody's today and discovered that Springfield's bond rating is BAA3, which the lady told him is "just a hair above junk bond status." 

February 24, 1999

Sunny but chilly. 

In the words of Benjamin Franklin, "Our critics are our friends, for they show us our faults." Rub your nose in it Dave Starr, Peter Picknelly, Mike Albano, Larry McDermott and the whole bunch of you. 

Had hotdogs and beans today and some apples. The living room and my bedroom were painted with Glidden paint, but nobody in Springfield sells it anymore. Fortunately Aubuchon up in Chicopee next to the Chinese restaurant sells it. 

Watched Teletubbies on TV57 today. What utter nonsense it is! Talking to children like that will keep them babies. My parents always addressed me as an adult, which is why I became serious and mature at a young age. They also encouraged me to have broad interests. 

Also on 57 was a special interview with former Clinton mistress Juanita Broddick. I called Eamon, Nader, Devine and Whitney to tell them it was on, but only Mrs. Whitney answered saying, "We're watching it!" 

Edith called complaining that the drawer in Aunt Maria's kitchen is broken. I told her there are many things in my aunt's home that are lost or broken. I asked her to ask my aunt if she would like some of Mother's perfume. 

Prudential called but hung up without speaking when I answered. I called back and Betty answered. She said she didn't know why someone had called my number so she connected me with Mark Brown. I told him I don't like voiceless calls and told him how I am continually annoyed by wrong numbers looking for Storrowtown Tavern. He said he will see to it that no one calls me again. 

Eamon called and told me that Nader the Hatter's father fell last weekend and broke three ribs. Nader rushed his father to Baystate where they had to wait over four hours to see a doctor because the waiting room was filled with Latinos. 

Eamon said he called Robbins on the business desk at the newspaper and asked her what the city's bond rating is. She replied, 'I haven't got the slightest idea." He then called Mark Wiernaz over at TV22 and he didn't know either. Finally he called Tom Vannah at the Advocate, and to Eamon's delight he did know. Eamon then shared with Tom the numbers of his own inside contacts at Moody's Public Finance Division in New York, for which Vannah thanked him profusely. 

February 25, 1999

29 degrees on the breezeway at 8:30am, light snowfall all day.

Stuart Hurwitz is the Chairman of the Springfield Arts and Entertainment Committee. The 16 Acres Library has closed for renovations for the rest of the year and perhaps beyond.  

PBS says the White House has "no comment" on the rape accusations of Juanita Broddrick. That is how Clinton operates, you have to have actual photos of him with his pants down or he will just deny everything. Tonya Harding, the spiteful little skater, was on NBC trying to rehabilitate herself by claiming she is now a devout Christian. Watched Teletubbies again today, more of the same nonsense. 

Looked over some of my old slides about Madison, Colby, the Methodist Church and other things. Found a slide from the Birchland Avenue area clean-up of 1975 which shows 13 trash bags collected. That compares to the nearly 80 bags collected in recent years. I also found an old script for Father from Navazio and Ramaswamy of 15 Mulberry Street dated March 19, 1979.

TV22 reported that Salads and Such in the Food Court at Baystate West/Tower Square is closing. They always offered a good choice of selections on their menu. Also, Autumn Furs of 318 Bridge Street is closing after being open since 1910. So there goes two more downtown businesses. 

Cooked up hamburg and spaghetti and two baked potatoes. Called Paul Martello and told him I want to see more proofs. I also told him to have all my legal books listed together in their catalog so that people are encouraged to buy more than one. 

Called Westbank and asked for Donald Chase and got his secretary Denise. I told her that their advertising line "At Westbank we have a reputation for doing things better" is grammatically incorrect. She asked if I had a complaint about my account or customer service, to which I replied that I was complaining about their English. She thanked me for calling and hung up without commenting. 

Called Aunt Maria and she hung up in my ear again. 

A woman calling from Spaulding Sports was a wrong number. Eamon called and told me there was an enormous explosion at the green-painted Jahn Foundry in East Springfield and a dozen men were seriously injured.  I told Eamon what I was cooking and he said he buys Franco-American Spaghetti at Stop&Shop rather than make his own. 

Eamon then said he called Carol Mally at the newspaper and asked her for the city's bond rating. She admitted she didn't know it but thanked Eamon for bringing the subject to her attention. He told me Mally's maiden name was Schultz. Eamon then called the National Civic League and alerted them to Springfield's near junk bond status. 

Finally Eamon said he called Treasurer Donna Williams at City Hall today but was told she was unavailable. He asked the aide who answered the phone if they could provide him with the city's bond rating and was told, "We have it on file somewhere, but I don't know where to find it." 

February 26, 1999

Today started sunny but turned cloudy. 31 degrees at 9:30am. 

The Arthur Blank Printing Company is located in Boston. The Rev. Jerry Falwell has claimed that the purple Telletubby is gay and a poor role model for kids. Naturally, that has done much to sell Telletubbies merchandise to the queer community.

The mail came at 1pm. Drove out at 1:45 and as I was leaving the Allards drove by in a red van, she in the passenger seat, he in the back seat and Debbie driving. They stopped and we had a pleasant conversation for a few minutes. I thanked them for their condolence card and told them I'll respond in appropriate form in due course. 

Made copies, then put out the mail at Louis&Clark, where I bought a 20 cent postcard of the downtown Springfield Post Office. As I was leaving, Mrs. Penniman was just arriving and we waved. Then I headed downtown and parked on Salem. The Spanish Baptist Church looks nice with their stones cleaned and the woodwork painted a deep red. No activity at Westfield Savings.

On Dwight Street I found lying on the ground a warning notice from Commerce to student Myron Debane that she is failing Mr. Rice's Physical Science course due to poor test and quiz scores. Came through City Hall and used their restroom to wash my hands. Crossing Court Square, I passed a lady dressed in a black leather jacket, black tights and black boots. I said hello but she scowled at me and proceeded to the bus stop. Then to the Subway on Main for a baloney sandwich. They tried to overcharge me by a dime, but I caught them.

Got a poster for the 20th anniversary of the Iron Horse from the convenience store next to the Christian Science Reading Room. The Indian owner of the convenience store graciously let me have it, the only such poster I've seen in Springfield. Posters are expensive and many do not consider it worth it to put posters up in Springfield. If you can get an adequate audience from postering Amherst, South Hadley and Northampton, why bother with Springfield?

State Treasurer Shannon O'Brien was on TV meeting with officials in Northampton. Their government officials look younger than the old farts who run Springfield. At 7:33pm TV57 went briefly off the air due to "satellite transmission difficulties."  

Wrong number called looking for Connie Avery at Storrowtown. Called Aunt Maria at 12:45pm, no answer. Eamon called and said he knows and likes Shannon O'Brien's father, a longtime Governor's Councilor and player in the local Democratic Party. He thinks Shannon could help clean up the mess in Boston if she lets her father give her advice. He then recalled once meeting Mayor Albano's father, a short man and union leader who often wore dark glasses.   

February 28, 1999

Sunny and 34 degrees at 9:30am.

Westbank has a new slogan, "Westbank has its roots where others have their branches." The Chicopee Public Library is showing the film Paper Moon, which it describes as "a self-reliant orphan teams up with a con-man to steal your heart." 

Got up at 7:30 and spent about three hours going through the drawers in Mother's dresser. The dresser produced two important items for my archives. One was the original sketch for the layout of our house by builder Lorenzo J. Lawson. The other was a complaint I wrote to the Haband Company in 1984 over a hat I ordered but did not receive.

Dined today on grapefruit for breakfast and beans and potatoes in milk for supper. The paper guy left my newspaper in a snowbank where I had to fish it out with a rake. I drove out around 9 and bought gas for 85 cents per gallon at the Citgo on the corner of Alden. Across the street it was 86 cents as the price of gas continues to fall. Then I backtracked to Dunkin' Donuts and got a cheese and bacon bagel plus a raspberry doughnut. I tossed my ten cents change into their tip cup. 

However, when I sat down to eat I realized there was no bacon in my bagel, so I asked to see the manager. A young woman with flour all over her apron came out and apologized, giving me a bonus bagel with bacon and cheese, meaning I got two for the price of one. It's a good sandwich but I won't be buying anymore. As I ate I noticed that in the strip mall across from Dunkin' Donuts, down from the theater and liquor store there are two vacancies being offered by Fran Cataldo Jr. The barber shop and bar are still there. 

Next I drove down Breckwood to Boston Road, pausing at Russell's to get a copy of their take-out menu for my collection. At the nearby convenience store run by a black lady I got three Arizona beverages in the Peter Max bottles and a half-gallon of milk. I also stopped into the porno shop next door but the selection was pretty thin. Then I crossed the street to Angelo's and bought two grapefruit. 

From there I headed over to Forest Park Antiques on White Street, which was having their Grand Opening with a big bouquet of balloons out front. The proprietor is someone I've seen at tag sales. She sold me a very handsome Reed & Barton pitcher for $16 after I talked her down by a buck. I also bought a 1931 postcard of the Brooklyn Bridge. I then proceeded to Red Brick Books, where I bought a collection of back issues of Hungry Hill magazine plus a book on the history of Florence, Massachusetts. Didn't see a single oil painting.

I decided to briefly stop at O'Brien's Corner, where I barely found a place to park in back. They have a pay phone out front and a Friendly's across the street. It is a well-lighted bar and clean, done up in knotty pine with a bulletin board for business cards. There were old photos and fireman's hats on the walls. About five older men were drinking at the bar and about a dozen young people of both sexes were at the tables laughing and having a good time. The bar has a reputation as a place where women go in order to meet unmarried public employees. A nice place to spend a Saturday afternoon, but I was in and out rather quickly.

Wrong number Paul St. Amour of Indian Orchard called looking for Storrowtown. Called Aunt Maria and asked, "Anything special happening today?" She replied, "If you want to talk to Ruth, you can talk to Ruth. I'm not talking to you." Then she hung up in my ear. 

Stu Hurwitz called thanking me for the downtown critique I sent him. He said that he "reluctantly agreed" with some of the points I made. I told him abut the flea market on King Street in Northampton and thanked him for calling. 

Eamon called and we spoke about Mayor Ford of Northampton deciding not to seek re-election. Eamon says Northampton has an A-1 credit rating. He then explained that Springfield is having a hard time attracting substitute teachers because the pay is too low. According to Eamon the city is also having a hard time meeting its financial obligations to the municipal employee pension fund.