April 1999

 April 2, 1999

Sunny, 50 degrees at 6:15am. Gas is now $1.03 per gallon at the Breckwood Sunoco.

Got up at 6am and caught the bus at 7 into the city to attend a singing concert at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. There were only three of us on the bus. When I got to the church, the parking lot was empty. I went to the rectory door and the frowning white haired woman who answered said the paper misprinted the time and the concert was not until this evening. Thanks, Union-News, for wasting my morning!

I decided to wander about and discovered that Johnson's has a sign in the window saying that it is for sale or lease and to contact John Reed at 413-732-9150. So the Bookstore Building complex is now for sale. Peter Picknelly has bought the Third National Bank building and has removed without a trace the Bank of New England lighthouse ad that had been there for so long. Picknelly gets things done!

As I passed the Chamber of Commerce the jovial Mr. Herala was arriving in casual attire. I commented on the nice weather and he replied, "It doesn't get any better than this!" and continued on. Got today's paper out of a trashcan on Main Street. 

As usual I was dressed in my orange jumpsuit, and a Jehovah's Witness came up and offered me a copy of The Watchtower. I declined and told him he should focus on the redemption of his own congregation instead of trying to convert strangers. Bought a $1.25 Subway grinder before coming home on the 11 o'clock bus. 

Got home at 11:30 and the mail was here with a Easter card from Mrs. Staniski. Mrs. Meltzer called about Mother's membership in the Tuesday Morning Music Club. I told her Mother died on the 23rd of January and she expressed condolences, adding that her sister Evelyn Leonard died the same day at age 96. I left word for Vannah at the Advocate that he should talk to Wayne Phaneuf, who Eamon says is more approachable than others at the paper. 

Dr. Dean Edell was on TV today saying that many illnesses have a special odor associated with them. He also said that different races have different odors. That reminded me of how upset Frank Buntin got when I told him that black voices have different characteristic overtones than whites. Interestingly, he has always been friendly to me since then. 

Richie Neal was on TV talking about the situation in Ireland, saying that the Irish shouldn't have to give up their weapons. The Mayor was on about having the Housing Department assist first time home owners with down payments and closing costs. At one point Albano said that Springfield is "one of the best cities in America to buy a home." 

Dave Madsen reported that a judge has ordered the city to reveal how much it paid in the Benjamin Schoolfield wrongful death case. Susan Goodman came on talking about Easter and Passover. She's sweet and good at what she does. Guy McLain was on the news talking about the origins of April Fool's Day, but his delivery was dull.  Fran Gagnon was on TV40 talking about the first Knox motorized fire engine hose. Oh, the glory that was once Springfield!

Eamon called and told me about a segment that was done on 20/20 showing widespread errors and historical distortions in history textbooks. One history book had only three paragraphs about George Washington while devoting two pages to Marilyn Monroe. Another one gave the date of Columbus coming to America as 1500! In many cases the teachers themselves are so incompetent that they don't even spot the errors. 

Eamon said that Tillotson once told him about a former history teacher in Chicopee who spent thousands of dollars of her own money for textbooks for her students because the ones provided by the city were so bad. I said she should have received public recognition for the financial sacrifice she made for her students. Eamon repeated his belief that many teachers have no love of learning themselves, and therefore cannot pass it on to their students. 

April 4, 1999

Easter Sunday 57 degrees at 3:50pm.

No, I didn't go to church. Daffodils are on their way out. Had scrambled eggs, bacon and toast this morning, so just a can of soup for dinner. Wonderful music on WFCR all day, six of Chopin to start. 

John Mace, who ten years ago stabbed prosecutor Joseph Quinlan, who caught him trying to destroy evidence that he had embezzled thousands to support his gambling habit, is being released from prison. TV40 had a feature on "Horror House" in Holyoke, where a hoarder amassed so much junk it will take six dumpsters to clean it out. Horrible smell. Worse than Aunt Maria, of course, but still analogous. 

Fran Gagnon was on TV again, this time yapping about Junior Achievement and The Springfield Plan. All week they have had short segments about the past hundred years in Springfield with Gagnon appearing in every one. Also, Walter Andrews of The Clock Mill was on discussing Daylight Savings Time, which started today. 

Drove to Food Mart, but the lot was so full of cars I didn't bother to go inside but instead came home and completed reading Sifakis on houses. A fine book. Then I drove back to Food Mart and finding it less crowded I went in and bought all their specials. 

Then over to Angelo's, but I ended up buying nothing. I was looking for marked down fruit and they had none. Spent the rest of the day straightening out my stock papers, reading the Friendly's stock holder report and preparing tax forms. 

At 4:35pm, a Walter Greaney from 782-2078 called looking for Doris Schatz. After he apologized and hung up, I looked in the phone book and there is a Doris and Sam Schatz at 503 Forest Hill Road. Aunt Maria called. She was the only one to wish me Happy Easter today. 

April 5, 1999

Sunny, pleasant, somewhat brisk. 39 degrees at 7:30am.

There will be more riots in Springfield. Sometime, I have no idea when. Architecture should be riot-proof on the ground level.  Dow closed today at 10,007, but Friendly's stock was still down. The mail was here at 12:30pm and included a condolence note from Colleen. 

Another busy day. Vacuumed the car. Drove to the Breckwood Shops and got the newspaper out of the trash. It had lots of coupons. Put out mail that included something to Devine stamped with my Wear Orange....  motto on the envelope. Bought gas at the Citgo on the corner of Alden for $1.03 per gallon. It is $1.03 everywhere. 

Next I took a large box out to Eamon, returning his books. On the way my odometer turned past the 92,000 mark right at the corner of Berkshire and Bay where Mutual Ford used to be. He showed me his latest letter from John Silber and loaned me The Last Cuckoo by Kenneth Gregory. Eamon told me that he blames Clinton for the mess in Kosovo for propping up Milosovic in 1993. 

From there I delivered to the Chancery a letter informing them of how my morning was wasted by the error in the Union-News. The woman who took it frowned at me. Then to Mt. Carmel and handed another letter on the same subject to a most cordial young, thin priest. 

I got donuts and bread at Freihoffer's, then headed up to the Red Wing shoe store, which was having a sale. Stopped on the way at Angelo's, still no cheap fruit. As I passed the former K-Mart I saw a sign saying Raymour & Flanagan is now open. When did they open? No hoopla? Did I miss it in the paper? Have to visit soon. 

I paused to return soda bottles at Stop&Shop, where no longer do you get your returns money from the machine, instead you get a receipt you have to redeem at a cash register inside. Just a few odds and ends were marked down at Red Wing. I ended up buying some engineer's boots for $75, marked down from $119. They also had a sale on beautiful woman's flats of the traditional sort such as Mo Turner wears. 

From there I drove over to Five Town Mall for a baloney grinder from Subway. On the way home I noticed that the Evangelical Covenant Church appears to be undergoing renovations. From Parker Street to the Acres the street has been scraped for resurfacing and is quite bumpy to ride upon. Similar problem on Boston Road as roadwork has resumed. Home at 5:05pm.

April 7, 1999

Sunny, nice day.

The Rolling Stones performed in Hartford last night, the first time since 1981.  Palmer and Holyoke are the only Western Mass communities that have encouraged gambling casinos. What does John R. Auchter think of that?

Got together the numbers for my taxes this morning and started Mother's. Warmed up the remaining hamburger and spaghetti for my main meal today. 

Drove out around 9:30am and mailed several pieces including Edna's obituary to the Herald in Vermont. Visited Raymour & Flanagan and was told by the manager Ernie Carbone that they had an "easy opening" with no advertising or ribbon cutting about a week ago. He showed me an open area where they are going to put marked down and damaged furniture. 

Their stuff looks like frat house furniture, really, fancy fronts but not the best construction. Something for everybody. I examined a really nice mission deacon's bench, a little one, but the seat wouldn't lift up without scratching the arms. Their stuff looks nice, but it is not the best. Next door a carpet place is going in. 

Stopped at the McDonald's across from Big Y and got a 99cent Big Mac with a coupon. Next, I drove to the Goodwill on Sumner Avenue and got several books on good terms. Also swiped a Jennifer Markey gardening service poster off the wall.  

Mail here at 12:20pm and included a nice letter from the pastor at Mt. Carmel, Rev. Richard A. Scioli expressing regret over the concert mix-up. He included a church program of all their upcoming events.  Also received Poem is a Four Letter Word as well as my books from Hamilton, one of which actually mentions that orange jumpsuits are part of the degradation that is dished out in prisons. 

Called Aunt Maria at 5:10pm and she started by asking if I'm going to be nice to her. I said I always am. I asked if she finally got my Easter card. She said yes but then called it "an awful card" and said my Mother "would never have sent me an awful card like that! She was very generous and always gave me good ones." Then she shouted, "Don't call me back!" and hung up.

Unknown called at 12:39am.

April 8, 1999

Sunny, nice day. 73 degrees at 5:08pm. 

Drove out mid-morning and swung by the Cohn's, who were both out sitting in chairs in front of the garage. I let them borrow some of my historic photographic plates of downtown Springfield and he said he would show them to Cressotti and Penniman. Both Cohn's were friendly and told me their granddaughter visited them yesterday. I then paused at Angelo's to get some bananas. 

From there I went to visit Mrs. Staniski and she gave me a pile of Harvard Gazettes from Ann. Mrs. S.  asked me to go with her into the basement to turn on her outdoor water line. We admired the old cream and green kitchen stove she has stored down there at Ann's insistence. I also carried up a box of stuff she is going to give to Carol in Agawam. 

Next I headed to the Forest Park post office, mailed the three income tax forms and peeled a Mount Tom-Don't Dig It sticker off of a pole outside. I decided to check out the new antique store next to The Clock Mill. They had a little pair of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins figurines, but they were not for sale. So why are they in business?

Visited several stores along Belmont, then to the Saigon Market, which is really two storefronts. There were posters on the entry walls, some of which I took and which have significantly expanded the amount of Vietnamese community literature that I have been collecting for the past year. 

Then to downtown, where I parked in one of the rare spots on Chestnut in front of the telephone building. I walked down to the Chamber of Commerce, but they had no free copies of BusinessWest lying around. Leaving at the same time as me was a distinguished young woman and when I got to Subway I discovered that she was also there so we chatted. She is a loan officer at SIS and was carrying a United Way bag she said was given her by the bank for being an employee for three months. She ordered a fish salad grinder and waved bye as she left. I got my usual deli grinder and then got today's paper out of a nearby trash can. I noticed that the old marquee is off the front of what will be Westfield Bank. The inside of the old Johnson's was dark. Home at 12:53pm. 

Eamon called and gave me the latest figures from Commerce. They have five security people, including two cops who spend all their time sitting in the cafeteria drinking coffee. There are 1230 students and an average of 285 are absent every day. That's almost a quarter of the student body!

No mail today. I ate a small can of Food Mart brand baked beans and found them satisfactory.

April 9, 1999

52 degrees at 8:30am. Gas is $1.05 at the corner of Alden. 

Up at 6:30am and put on my complete orange jumpsuit with my old biker boots and an orange bandana on my head. My ridiculous costume is in fact state of the art fashion. Around ten I drove to Holyoke Community College for the Western Mass Economic Summit featuring keynote speaker Sen. Edward Kennedy. 

Outside the conference Francis Crowe and three other ladies had a table set up opposing the war in Yugoslavia and sanctions against Iraq. I gave Crowe my orange business card. A hippie fellow from the Boston Phoenix was interviewing her, as was Judson Brown from the Daily Hampshire Gazette. 

HCC is a lovely campus, much nicer than STCC and larger than Greenfield, I think. Bulletin boards are everywhere, with much more postering than at any of the Springfield colleges, which lack sparkle. There was no registration, just tables with piles of literature to pick up. There were small containers of orange juice on ice, coffee and tea, plus different kinds of fresh pastry. 

Mostly white men in attendance, a few women, very few blacks. When I finally went in and sat down in the auditorium, I wound up sitting with a lively man named Jim Jakowski, who said he is a columnist for the Holyoke Sun. 

Congressman Olver was in attendance, as was Jane Swift. Richard Neal was there in chinos, chatting with Holyoke Mayor Dan Szostkiewicz. I spotted Larry McDermott talking with Martin Langveld of the Berkshire Eagle. Jim Asselin of the Hampden County Employment and Training Consortium was sitting with Rick Feldman of the Employer's Task Force of Western Mass and Tim Brennan of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. 

The theme of the whole summit seemed to be that high tech has all the answers. I attended the talk on tourism where a very informal Jill Turner, wearing a sweater and clogs, told me she is a trainer for the Women in Transition program. I don't think she has the most thrilling academic background. Once a beautiful preppie type, she has not aged well. No wedding ring. 

Steven Root was the moderator and needed to speak louder. Bill Wilson from the Berkshires was a fine speaker, but Edie Shean-Hammond of the National Park Service was short and chubby with a hoarse, little girl voice. She was all dressed up in a ranger outfit and hat and frankly looked almost ludicrous. 

After the tourist presentation, I walked around HCC instead of listening to the main speakers, and then came home. The mail was here when I got back. Had a Swanson Fish and Chips Dinner for supper. The TV22 news coverage of the summit showed President Bartley presenting Sen. Kennedy with a souvenir t-shirt from the 1994 Kennedy/Romney debate. They interviewed Congressman Neal and he declared the event a big success. 

Tried to call Aunt Maria but she hung up in my ear. 

April 10, 1999 

Lovely spring day. 47 degrees on the breezeway at 8:15am. Gas at Breckwood Sunoco $1.04 per gallon. 

Most of the spring flowers are coming out. I set up the bird bath and it looks real nice thanks to Cat's Paw. I had wanted to do some raking along the hedges, but it was windy all day so that was impossible. Kelly was out around noon so I went over and told her about the pretty note I got from her mother and asked her to thank her for me. 

Cooked up some parsnips but ate only a couple, dining primarily on Chef Boyardee Ravioli. Drove downtown at 6:30pm and got today's paper out of a trash can in Stearns Square. Lots of people downtown, apparently for a Falcons game. 

David's wasn't open, but the downtown club scene doesn't come alive until around 9pm. A short line was forming outside Club Kaos. The people in line looked a bit freaky in their attire. The Judge's Chambers had about four people in there plus the guy who runs it. He said they are doing well considering having opened only two weeks ago. He claimed his customers are "mostly well to do people."

Across the street at The Pub there were seven mostly elderly customers. Down at Friends there were about 25 patrons, including four women and two blacks. I paid $2.50 for a Bud and perused their gay publications for about an hour and then left without anyone speaking to me. People who go to bars are often people with nothing else to do and that is perhaps sad. Bars offer minimal entertainment, but little else. 

As I left downtown I noticed that David's had its lights on. I'll have to visit them sometime at a later hour. Also grabbed a few posters off of telephone poles, including a gay one outside Friends. 

Called Whitney to say hi but he said he was busy at the moment, working on the late reservations for the GOP banquet at Chez Josef. He was friendly about it though. I called and left a message, without saying who I was, for the Titanic Historical Society about the 1912 Beesley letter on pages 92-93 of The Last Cuckoo by Gregory. 

Called down to the Phoenix Newsstand and the owner told me they don't sell the Daily Hampshire Gazette because he doesn't get along with the Gazette's distributor. He said they used to have the Worcester Telegram but he can't get that either. 

I told him I am looking for alternatives to the Springfield papers and he called the Union-News "the worst piece of trash on the market" adding that those who are seriously interested in staying informed "never read it." He did speak favorably of the Boston Globe, and noted that on the rare occasions when the Springfield papers do an investigative piece it is usually on a subject first reported on in the Globe. 

He then recalled how years ago he used to deliver copies of all the papers to the Springfield newsroom every day, but then someone overheard him say that David Starr thinks he is "the chosen one." Starr caught wind of it and ordered his contract cancelled. He called Starr's reaction to his criticism "infantile."

Modern Postcard called saying they've mailed the proofs. Then Eamon called and said he sent John Silber copies of the Commerce attendance records, as well as Tom Vannah, Wayne Phaneuf and the TV stations. We talked about the latest issue of Hungry Hill, with Eamon noting how he still hasn't heard anything about the pictures he sent them. 

We also discussed recent local political developments, and at one point Eamon said, "I don't like the Catjakis/Murphy crowd." Eamon recalled how Calvin Coolidge once told the Massachusetts legislature that, "You didn't come here to become wealthy, you came here to represent the people!" Eamon feels the Catjakis crowd is mainly interested in lining their own pockets. He was also critical of Barbara Garvey, who he described as "a pompous, self-serving individual." He then told me he feels the entire Water and Sewer Commission should resign due to rising rates. 

Called Aunt Maria and she hung up instantly upon hearing my voice. 

April 12, 1999

41 degrees at 8am. 

It is very dry out with a forest fire in Montgomery. WFCR played Mozart and a Beethoven sonata this morning. One of the announcements they made is that the music faculty at UConn is holding a chamber music concert tonight. They also mentioned one of their sponsors is the Springfield Union-News "serving all of western New England." Really? They serve Vermont, Hartford and New Haven?

Took a picture of Sweet Pea and Honey Pot with the daffodils. I picked up litter on the tree belt and raked along the fence, which came to four bags loosely packed. I saw a tall fellow get into a Connecticut car over to the Lynch's.

Finished the Cuckoo book and decided to return it to Eamon. Drove to Breckwood and got the paper and a copy of Tom Devine's political newsletter at Louis & Clark. On the way over to Eamon's my back bumper got banged at the intersection of Bay and Roosevelt. I got out and got the number from the driver of a light blue Ford, an old lady with an equally elderly female passenger who said, "I'm sorry, I'm having trouble with my eyes." There was no damage to my car that I could see. 

When I arrived at Eamon's I found his garage door open and car gone. I left his book at his back door by the dog feeding dish. From Eamon's I went to Savers, where I bought nothing, then got a few groceries at Stop&Shop and came home. 

The mail was not here until 3:15pm, with the Reminder arriving a half hour later. The mail brought a letter from Jennifer Markey about the community garden plots she's offering on Beaumont and Dickinson Streets. Is she related to Patrick the attorney? Also something from Brian Woodward at SIS and an invitation to a reception being held by The Pilgrim Society.  

The noon news on 22 had a birthday tribute to John Quill. He is 82. I called Linda at the Chamber of Commerce, who told me I can pay at the door for the Chamber Channels after Five event at the Forest Park Carriage House. Tried to call Tom Vannah but he had left for the day so I left a message on his answering machine. 

Dined on scrambled eggs, bacon and toast for breakfast and a Swanson Chicken Dinner with cranberry sauce for supper. Took a bath instead of a shower tonight, the first bath I've taken since Mother died. Called Aunt Maria and she hung up on me again. 

 April 14, 1999

Sunny but windy, 44 degrees at 8:15am.

This is Holocaust Remembrance Day. WFCR had a report on the International Whistler's Conference. The Brightwood Branch Library is having a poetry reading today to celebrate National Poetry Month. The Allbank on Island Pond Road was robbed yesterday. The place has been held up four times in recent years - November '97, November '98, January '99 and now. A suspect named William Wilson has been arrested. 

Trash was picked up by 8;30am. Went out first thing this morning after doing a few household chores, I try to do at least one per day. Today I brought down a painting from the attic and tomorrow I'll move a chest of drawers into Mother's bedroom. 

First I drove to the Goodwill, where I bought a couple of books, including a copy of Upton Sinclair on education in mint condition. I persuaded the little blonde working there to sell me their nice, light blue Cumberland Farms milk crate. She asked where I got the scarfs hanging from my back pockets and I told her about the place in Mason Square. 

From the Goodwill I drove downtown and parked on Chestnut, then walked down to Subway for a $1.25 baloney grinder. Then I drove over to the Quadrangle parking lot and read the Catholic Observer as I ate my grinder in the car with the window open. A Latino homeless guy approached my car and we chatted briefly. He said he was new to Springfield and was staying at the Worthington Street shelter, which he described as "a good place." He also unsuccessfully tried to sell me a box of Hostess donuts he said were given him by the Open Pantry. 

The mail was disappointing, no Randolph Herald and no proofs for the postcards. Got a letter from Nancy Casillas at Maccabee Life Insurance saying Mother's policy is worth only $5,271. 

TV22 reports that the Valley Advocate has been purchased by The Hartford Courant. Better them than the Newhouse Corporation. On TV57 we had two wonderful programs this evening. At 8pm a show about the Unabomber and an even better show at 9pm about Osama bin Laden. 

Eamon has a new phone editorial - "Progress and performance in school systems are measured by evidence and records. The overwhelming absenteeism, tardiness, suspensions and low test scores at Commerce demonstrate a degree of failure that is simply staggering. Some 300 students are absent and 150 are tardy each and every day, and nearly all students are performing below grade level. Mr. Negroni and the Union-Snooze say there have been great improvements at Commerce, but their claims are based on fictitious numbers."

Called Brian Woodward at SIS who told me he hasn't gotten my letter yet but would be on the lookout for it. He told me he has worked for the Springfield Institution for Savings for six years. Tom Vannah from the Advocate called at 4:20 but I missed it. 

I called Jan Reynolds of the newsletter for the Forest Park Civic Association and left a message telling her why graffiti is art and should be appreciated rather than condemned. I told her she didn't have to call me back and she didn't. 

I called Fred Whitney and told him about the economic summit and how Kennedy was given a t-shirt from his debate with Mitt Romney. I asked Whitney who holds the equivalent leadership position to his in the local Democratic Party and he said no one. He claims the party is run by the Democratic City Committees in each ward, most of whose members have city jobs. 

He said Eddie Boland and Matty Ryan enforced party discipline in the old days, but the power has since shifted to the city committees. At one point Whitney recalled how Richie Neal and Mike Albano had tried to block the political career of Cheryl Rivera, but Cheryl's mother Barbara had too much influence at the grassroots level. 

Called Aunt Maria who said, "Toodle-loo!" and hung up. Three rings from Unknown at 9:18pm. 

 April 15, 1999

55 degrees at 6:30pm. 

Income tax day. I finished reading John Irwin on jails, very succinctly written. I went out first thing this morning to put out mail at Louis & Clark and ran into Durham Caldwell who was buying the Boston Globe. He nodded to me in a professional but not collegial way. 

When I returned Maureen Turner called at 8:40am from 247-5152. She speaks softly so I had to tell her to raise her voice. She asked me if she could come by tomorrow around 10am to interview me and I instantly agreed, though that will mean a lot of running around early tomorrow morning getting ready. 

Mo told me that the Advocate is interviewing about a dozen prominent people for their best-of issue about what and who they consider to be the best and worst of the valley. She said it was editor Dan Caccavaro who suggested I be included, having been intrigued by the article about me that Tom Devine wrote for his newsletter. I asked Mo about the sale of the Valley Advocate and she said they have been assured that nothing will change "but everyone is still worried." I asked Maureen whether she would like to have donuts or fruit during our interview and she said she would prefer fruit.   

Mail didn't come until 2:30pm. Received a thank you card from Gene Berman in response to my letter of condolence regarding his wife, Carol Marles Berman, in which he said, "Wesley, you are a very special person and your friendship is dear to me." I also received a thank you note from Nader the Hatter on the death of his mother, Maria Alice Nader, which included a biographical brochure. His mother was from Fall River and didn't move to Springfield until 1947, where she worked at Steiger's and Chicopee Undergarments. Apparently she was quite religious. 

I attended the Chamber of Commerce affair at the Forest Park carriage house today as planned. I wore my combat boots with my orange overalls and arrived at the park around 4:40pm. First, I drove around the park a bit and found it better kept up than the last time I visited. They've put up some fancy ironwork and upgraded the roads. There were kids rollerblading.

I parked in the carriage house parking lot at 4:55, and regretted not wearing my biker jacket as it was quite chilly, made worse by the fact that the event was held in a large tent erected outdoors rather than inside the High Victorian carriage house itself. 

I paid my $5 entry fee and was handed literature about upcoming carriage house functions. TV22 had a display featuring the plans for their new building. It was manned by Sy Becker, who is a nice guy, and I urged him to be sure that Bill Putnam is invited to the new building's grand opening. He nodded and said Putnam would definitely be invited so I didn't bother him any further. There was also a table set up promoting the Market99 business expo on the 28th.

The tent was pretty full, with one guy staring at my outfit and asking, "Where did you parachute in from?" I noticed that one young fellow was wearing combat boots like mine. West Springfield golf lady Cindy Johnson was there, smiling at everybody. I also recognized the accountant from the Wolf Compliance Consulting Group. Russ Denver wasn't there, but Briggs was. Petlock and Cathy were in attendance, with Art telling me that he has largely lost his hearing and now has digital hearing aides which cost him $2,000. He wanted to know when the Friendly's stockholder meeting would be, although Cathy said she feels this may be a good time to sell Friendly stocks.

I had hoped to get a free meal out of the event, but the food was disappointing. They had some artistically displayed selections of cheese and fruit from the Wild Apples Cafe. There were also platters of veggies and dips, along with crackers and bread. I ate some pieces of pineapple and melon, but that was it. They had beer, $2.50 for domestic and $3.25 for imports. No coffee or soda. At $5 a ticket it was a borderline rip-off, essentially a profit making event for the Chamber, and I won't be going again any time soon. 

April 16, 1999

Temperature was 48 degrees at 8:30am. 

Mayor Albano likes to refer to Springfield as "The Comeback City" but Springfield is actually a city that has declined beyond the point of no return.

Benjy appears to have a newish light blue car. A brown jeep stayed overnight and well into morning, parked in his turnaround. I got up at 7am and started cleaning. Then I went out to the Newsstand in the Acres to get the Hartford Courant and as I left I found Paul Murray and his black motorcycle was pulling in right next to me. We chatted briefly, recalling the Mullen's gathering a few years back. 

Then to the Boston Road Big Y to buy jars of fruit for Maureen Turner. While there I saw some McCaden cheese, which I haven't seen for years and which was Father's favorite. However, it is very mild and no thrill to me. Put on my orange outfit and was ready at 10am, but Maureen didn't arrive in her maroon car (with a statue of the Virgin on the dashboard) until 10:30 or so. 

We began by talking about my costumes and I showed her my closet and the various outfits I wear and their meaning. Next I showed her my autographed portrait of Calvin Coolidge and the art in the living room. Then I brought her down cellar. As I showed her around my vast library she remarked that she had lived in Philadelphia for a time, but she didn't know about Allen Books.

 Finally we went upstairs and she interviewed me over a bowl of fruit which I prepared for her, making sure she could see that I was opening each jar for the first time. After she left I saw how she had eaten all of her fruit, but with the sole exception of the cherry! Can you believe it?

In the course of our interview Mo revealed that she is 30 years old, which is the exact age I had guessed her to be! At one point her tape recorder failed so she recorded the latter part of our interview longhand. I told her there is no reason to be discrete about reporting my comments and she can quote me at whatever length she pleases. 

I asked about Kris Hundley but she had no idea of what she is doing now. Maureen expressed surprise that I don't own a computer and I told her I probably will at some point. Of course I praised Eamon. I also told her that I think Fran Gagnon should retire, which was very restrained of me considering what I could have said.

Maureen told me her dad is a New York policeman and her mother is an elementary school teacher. She is the youngest of several children and was sent to parochial school, but come college time she rebelled and went to Haverford. She majored in English, speaks French, but has had only one year of Latin. Then she took a master's degree in journalism at Chapel Hill, but said so in an apologetic tone. I reassured her that her academic credentials are impeccable and that her mixing of Catholicism and Quakerism is wonderful. I told Maureen that she is "both a radical and a lady" to which she blushed and quietly said thank you.

I gave her one of my comic books and let her borrow a book about the Newhouse family that she is to return within one year. I also gave her a Justice Department statistical leaflet on jail populations.  Maureen left at 1:43pm, saying she was going to drive around 16 Acres for a bit in order to get a feel for the neighborhood. She told me Tommy Devine had once given her a tour of Pine Point, but she had never had the chance to properly explore the Acres. The Union-News Extra was hanging from my mailbox as we walked out, so I gave it to her as she had never seen one before.

 

 

 

Tom Devine and Maureen Turner, April 2000

 

Last week's Randolph Herald for April 8th came with Edna Davis Turner's obituary in it. For supper I dined on a Weight Watcher's Sante Fe Style Rice and Beans frozen dinner I bought on sale at Big Y for $1.50. It was good, but they certainly don't over-feed you. 

Eamon called and complained about all the litter he sees strewn all around his neighborhood. We talked about the death of Nader's mother, Eamon says The Hatter is leaving for Florida with his father next week. Eamon told me he and Alderman Tillotson have agreed to help Righty Keough win the State Representative special election. 

Called Aunt Maria and I quickly blurted out as she picked up, "Have the tulips I gave you come up?" She replied, "I guess so," and then hung up.

April 17, 1999

54 degrees at 3:10pm. 

Out at 9am and mailed a pretty thank you letter to Maureen. I sent it from the Forest Park post office where I was waited on by a black woman with a big smile named Geraldine. 

Then over to West Springfield for the Antiques Show. I was early so I pulled into the strip mall where there was a long line in front of Strawberries waiting to buy tickets to a Dave Matthews Show at The Meadows in Hartford. Mostly teenagers but quite a few older adults as well. Most of the other shops were closed, so I looked in the windows. I found the CVS open, so I bought a 99 cent bag of chips and ate it in the car. Then I drove over to the Expo grounds for the Antiques and Collectables Show. 

Once inside I walked around in a leisurely style and bought quite a few postcards. One dealer sold me a card of the Bethel Methodist Church. Only one vendor I dealt with insisted I pay the sales tax, everyone else absorbed it.  

I also bought the most lovely little painting from Patrick Burke of apple blossoms with butterflies fluttering nearby which was dated 1889. I got it for $90 after talking the dealer down from $140. It somewhat reminds me of a hummingbird picture hanging at the Quadrangle. On the back of my painting is a label from a Northampton art supplier named George N. Lucia at 229 Main Street. 

Best of all, I bought for $525 a John Rogers Merchant of Venice statue with Shylock and Portia among four figures. It is in this work that art, literature, American culture and high Victorian taste come together. It fits nicely on the table to the left of the fireplace.

On the way home I stopped at Food Mart where I bought a half gallon of ice cream for $5, as low as it ever gets. Dined on a Weight Watcher's Smart Ones Spicy Szechran Style Veggis and Chicken Dinner, but I don't think there was much chicken in it.  

Called Aunt Maria but she didn't answer. Eamon called and we chatted for about an hour. Eamon said he has heard that the principal at the High School of Science and Technology, hired after a nationwide search, resigned about a month ago but nothing has appeared about it in the media. Eamon says the school is a mess with chaos in the halls and disorder in the computer labs.

Eamon is annoyed by a condescending letter he received from Commissioner David P. Driscoll, saying he will take no action in response to the statistics Eamon showed him from Commerce and implying that Eamon was imposing upon him by bringing up a petty local matter that is beneath his attention. Eamon also received a short letter from Dr. Silber thanking him for the Commerce stats he sent him but making no further comment. 

Eamon then began recalling his years of musical training, beginning with piano lessons with Al Mastriani on Market Street. His wife had been an opera singer in Boston and New York as well as with the Springfield Symphony. 

Eamon briefly took banjo lessons with Mr. Pizzatola on Worthington Street. He also took lessons for over four years with Vincent Spolzinno in the Paramount Building. Spolzinno had sung in the opera in New York but his performing career ended when his parent's failing health forced him to come back and care for them. He taught voice and music in a studio in the Paramount for many years and Eamon said Spolzinno was the best of the teachers he had. 

Eamon also studied voice with Ruth Ekberg, who had taught Adele Addison, but Eamon said he didn't feel he learned much from her. Finally Willard Clark told him he had an outstanding natural talent that required no further training. Eamon credited his mother for being willing to pay for his musical education. 

Eamon was pleased to hear I had been interviewed by Mo Turner. He claimed that he is considering writing an article for the Valley Advocate about the city's schools or perhaps economic development, but wonders if he would get paid enough considering the research involved. He said he would be lucky to get a hundred bucks. Eamon feels that we reformers aren't going to get anywhere by being civil because "times are tough and Springfield is in a hole."

According to Eamon, the best reporter the Advocate ever had was Gary Neilson, who went on to work for a paper in Anchorage, Alaska, where he wrote something that won a Pulitzer Prize. Eamon said he and Neilson "used to talk all the time." Eamon is good at finding people to talk to. 

April 19, 1999

Patriots Day - 48 degrees at 8:15am and overcast. 

Where does one buy Damar Varnish now that Johnson's Bookstore is gone? Springfield College is having its Spring Dance Concert at Appleton Auditorium today. The Berkshire Antiques and Ephemera Sale is May 8th in Pittsfield.

Bacon, toast and three scrambled eggs for breakfast. Flowering quince and dandelions coming out. Drove out about 9:15 this morning and picked up another Devine newsletter at Louis & Clark and got my morning paper out of their trash can. Put out mail to Kennedy, Dupont, V-Mag and Hawley.

Then I bought gas at Sunoco  for $1.05 per gallon. The lady forgot to give me my free flower seeds so I had to ask. There were not many seeds in the envelope. My odometer hit 92,200 at Watershops Pond. Then drove over to Springfield College and walked around, but not much going on. Did get a few posters for events in the Black community. 

The mail arrived at 11:30am on the button, the Reminder was already here. In the afternoon at 3:05pm I drove out again to attend the Amherst Symphony concert at Old First Church. I wore my orange jumpsuit and biker jacket, perhaps the reason why no one sat down in the same pew as me. 

The place was well-filled, but there was no sound system. The music was fine, all pieces composed after 1800. They sang Happy Birthday to the fellow who played organ, the conductor is a very young fellow who jumps around a lot and seems to have excellent rapport with the group. One of the violinists parts his hair in the middle and looked like he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. 

Didn't attend the reception, and came home via the Acres Big Y, where I bought more Weight Watcher frozen dinners. Got to eat something.  I dined this evening on the last of the corned beef and cabbage I had in the freezer.

Heard on ABC-40 that the first cartoon Walt Disney made in his garage in 1922 was Little Red Riding Hood. TV22 had coverage of Westfield's Patriots Day program. Called Aunt Maria, who shouted, "I told you not to keep calling me!" and hung up. Unknown called, one ring and then nothing. 

April 20, 1999

58 degrees and sunny at 8am. 

Made vanilla pudding last night and put it in the fridge. I drove out to West Springfield for the Friendly's Annual Stockholder's Meeting and arrived around 9:30am. As I was admiring the Friendly Hall of Fame, an elderly David Young spoke to me briefly, admiring the red, 1970's era Friendly t-shirt I was wearing over my orange overalls. He said he's been with the company for 41 years and started as a cone scooper. Young claims he is confident about the company's future.

They served a good breakfast, I had 2 bagels, 2 danish, 3 slices of melon, four grapes and 1 strawberry. I told V.P. Mike Maglioli that along with the tables of food they needed a table where people could put their dirty dishes. A few minutes later, such a table did appear. No ice cream treats were served.

Mr. Petlock came and sat with me in the front row. I could hear well enough, but Petluck kept having to adjust his hearing aides. Lyman Wood was there, casually dressed in a red sweater. I counted 69 in attendance, none were minorities. 

Friendly Ice Cream Corporation had a net loss of $6.5 million in the first quarter of 1999. I am so good at spotting problems that Friendly's ought to hire me part time to go around on an hourly basis seeing what problems I can find in their restaurants.

From the annual meeting I proceeded downtown to pay my taxes, then came through the antique shops but forgot to stop at the library. I parked on Salem and noted how they are still working on the new roof at the Grace/Hispanic Baptist Church. I'm so happy it is getting fixed up. Met Attorney Mulcahy on my way walking into the city. He remarked on my orangeness, and after my explanation he agreed that too many people are in prison for drugs.

Saw several economic development types in suits inside the fence surrounding Technical High, looking around. There is scaffolding up in front of the Westfield Bank. More posters have been appearing downtown lately, as if somebody said to put some up.

WFCR today announced that April 29th is the 100th Anniversary of Duke Ellington. The mail brought a letter from Mrs. Ehrenberg asking to borrow the books I offered to loan her. 

Bob Robinson from the Valley Advocate called from 739-5094 and wanted to know if he could come by at 9am on Thursday to take my picture for their article. He asked if 9 was too early and I said he can come as early as he wants. Eamon's new tape is critical of "The Albano, Murphy, Fyntrilakis Gang" whom he describes as "three slick, fast-talking politicians."

Aunt Maria did not answer when I called.

April 21, 1999

51 degrees at 11:15am

The number of students killed in Littleton, Colorado is fifteen. Littleton is the home of Rothman Law Book Reprinters, now the western division of Hein.  The mail brought a survey request from Carla Braveman of the Visiting Nurses Association.

I hauled the grandfather clock down out of the attic and stood it by the stairs where I always planned to put it. It was really packed away and I had some trouble getting to it. This is the last piece of furniture I plan to bring down for my use, but I do hope to bring down regularly things to discard. 

When I drove out about 11:30am, Mr. Cressotti was washing a green and chrome motorcycle in his driveway. Never seen that before. Headed for White and Sumner, and while driving down Sumner a red car in front of me had its left turn signal on the whole way but never turned. (Mass 181NHI). Most all the antique shops were closed, including one place that had an OPEN sign prominently displayed. Lady in Red has never sold nor even priced their printing press.

Came through the X Goodwill and left some kerchiefs for Lynn, the short blonde. Then out to Indian Orchard, where I noted there is a Union-News, Sunday Republican gold on green sign over a storefront in the former A&P shopping center out there. There was also a multi-colored Greater Springfield Best Business sticker.

The former cycle shop where the guy helped Mother once is now the office of Faith P. Thompson (543-0215) with AFFORDABLE ATTORNEY signs all over. I looked in the window and there are two cute kittens, maybe twins, and the place is a mess like a college dorm room. Must be a new lawyer starting out. 

Then to 532 Main as Patti's Antiques was supposed to be open, but it had a closed sign, perhaps due to her ongoing medical problems. Then to Stop&Shop, where I spent $20 on specials, most of my buys were of deep discount loss leaders. 

On Nightline a professor from Cornell said, "Almost anybody who commits a serious act of violence thinks they are doing it for a valid reason." Good point. That's why people are not deterred by the threat of punishment. 

The Channel 57 auction was on this evening. At 10:32pm Debbie was talking about what she called "a high class bird feeder" and made the neo-racist remark "nothing but high class birds will come to your feeder." They also had as an auctioneer a black gentleman with an ethnic hairdo. He spoke excellently and is more competent than Roy Scott, who was wearing beads. Tony Gianetti donated an antique mirror worth $100. The auction ended at 12:15am. 

Called Aunt Maria who said, "I don't want you calling me, stay off my phone!" Then she hung up.

April 22, 1999

Darkly overcast this morning. 50 degrees at 8am.

Bob Robinson called from 739-5094 at 8:56am. He said he'd be ten minutes late and asked again for directions to my house. He is a short man who arrived wearing a black leather jacket and said he is a freelance photographer who does work for others besides the Valley Advocate.

Robinson told me he graduated from Classical in 1975, then went to UMass and studied in some special program in leftist thought, although Robinson assured me he is not a socialist. He also mentioned that he is about to move out from where he is renting and that he plays accordion.  

Robinson took a whole roll of pictures, all in the basement, some of them by the Johnson's Bookstore sign. Upstairs I served him a cup of coffee and a bowl of fruit, which he appreciated. Departed at 10:30 after an hour and a quarter photo session. I gave him a copy of one of my poems and another to give to Maureen. 

A Richard King called doing a survey about television viewing habits. I told him I mostly watch the news on TV40 and PBS. Called Patti's Antiques and Treasures at 543-8484 and got her husband who said Patti had an operation but is feeling better and they will be open this weekend.  Called Aunt Maria, no answer.

As I was writing a letter to Newsweek magazine, Eamon called and told me that Lyman Woods lives in Hampden and is politically close to Peter Picknelly. Eamon also told me he is thinking of buying a china cabinet and added that he has been warned not to bother attending the Hayden Wayside going out of business sale. He knows one of their ace salesmen George Bettis and he told him that the sale is being run by an outside liquidator who is asking too much for inferior stuff. Eamon claims he always felt their furniture wasn't top of the line and thought their showroom paintings were ugly. 

Somehow this led to a discussion of the murders of police officers Scavina and Beauregard and what Eamon insisted are unanswered questions. According to Eamon, there is some suspicion that the deceased officers were in a sense looking for trouble that night due to some words that were exchanged earlier between them and the murderer Crazy Eddie Ortiz. Was it the cops who instigated the shooting? One officer wasn't wearing his bullet proof vest and the other was shot in the head.

Eamon claims that many details about the incident never appeared in the media and that Crazy Eddie was not killed in a shootout, but was found hiding in a closet after which he was beaten and shot several times by the police. Eamon said he once attempted to quiz Officer Spellacy on the subject but he cut him off by saying, "I'd rather not comment about that."

April 23, 1999

Raining most of the day. 52 degrees at 8:30am. 

IBM stock is up to $199 today. Yeager at 1530 Wilbraham Road on the corner of Aldrew has a hand lettered, very tastefully made sign up that their house is for sale by appointment. 

Had a donut and a head of broccoli (raw) for breakfast. Drove out in the rain at 7:45am and delivered a letter to the bosses at Friendly's, complaining about the sound system at the annual meeting. Pride in the Acres has lettering on their sign board that they intend to open next week. 

Then to the Allen Street McDonald's with a coupon good for any sandwich and got a ham and cheese bagel. I'm surprised that they don't call it "The McBagel." The young woman who works at the Goodwill was there with her daughter and accorded a friendly hi. 

Next I drove over to Trinity for their tag sale and was 8th in line. Melinda McIntosh was first, several black ladies next, a couple I didn't know, then me. It rained on us. This was a really good sale for books and I bought ten. At one point a young woman grabbed a walnut leaf picture frame from my bag. Accosted, she returned it. 

Then drove to Indian Orchard and parked in front of the church. Stopped at Tri-Town Collectables and spoke with the proprietor Peter P. Nowack, who showed me a marble table for $375. I said it was bigger than what I wanted, but we got to talking and it turns out that Nowack is a prominent photographer. In the old days he was Supervisor of Photography for Diamond Match with two men working under him. They did all the printing plates and etchings for the Diamond matchbook covers. Of course he knew Leon Brown, who he called "a real classy guy." Brown was also the company historian, so I asked if any of his historical material remains and Nowack promised to look into it. 

Then to Patti's Antiques and found both her and her husband on duty. I bought a tiny, rectangle marble top table for $165 (talked down from $200). Patti told me she has been in business nine years. Home at 3pm and the mail included a fundraising plea from Don E. Gibson, CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Had a bowl of chili for supper and then completed the puzzle Deer Country. I will be buying virtually no puzzles in the future as II only bought them for Mother.

Called Aunt Maria and Ruth picked up. She said she was going to take my aunt shopping. I thanked Ruth for all she is doing and said I would call back another time. Paula Rickson called from Mass Mutual, looking for St. Mary's in Ludlow. She politely apologized and thanked me for providing the correct number. 

Eamon called and informed me that the Westfield Public Library is having a book sale. Eamon also told me he went to the Hayden Wayside closing sale, despite having been warned it would be a rip-off. He said it was packed, but he only stayed a few minutes as the prices were indeed too high. He also informed me that Mayor Albano has found a site for the East Forest Park Library and will spend a fortune to rent a former video store as a library until a new one opens.

Voiceless called, they hung up after a long, silent pause. 

April 24, 1999

Sunny, 43 degrees at 6:45am.

Lisa A. Hallee is the Alumni Fund Chair for Colby College. NPR said this morning that this day in 1915 the Turks began their final campaign to exterminate the Armenians. Grandfather J. Wesley Miller used to collect money for "the starving Armenians." 

My friends at Classical (Jimmy Coyle, Mike Spencer, Billy White, Roy Wright and Bob Ayers) were nerds like the kids that shot up the school in Colorado. Dyed my apache haircut purple, taking care to keep it out of my eyes. It looks quite ridiculous, now all I need is to have a ring placed permanently in my nose and that will be it.

Drove down to the Church in the Acres and Melinda McIntosh was just getting out of her little blue car. Then the Koziel's arrived and we formed a line at the door, Melinda first. She said she has a life membership in The Friends of the Springfield Library. The tag sale was disappointing, so I soon left, telling the ladies to tell Ellen Balch that Attorney Miller sends his felicitations. 

I headed over to the St. Patrick's sale, where I got a children's book of poetry and a book on wine. Then to Trinity Church where I got a red, 1981 Hoods milk crate for a dollar and a copy of Rev. Goad's latest sermon. Home at noon

Dined on the last of the chicken. Called Aunt Maria and found her surprisingly polite for the minute or so we spoke. She even said, "Nice to chat with you," before signing off with "toodle-oo."

I left again this evening at 7:40pm to continue my research into downtown nightlife. I parked on Worthington at 8pm sharp. The Civic Center looked dead but there were lots people heading towards Symphony Hall. Peeked in at the TicToc, which only had two people at the bar. 

I sauntered over to Tower Square, where a sign in their entrance said closed. Gus & Paul's was open, but had no customers. Mad Maggie's had a good crowd of young people playing pool. Business was moderate at Spaghetti Freddy's. Pizzaria Uno was about half full. 

At Stearns Square KAOS was closed while only seven people were in Theodore's. The Pub had the largest crowd I've ever seen there. David's had a $3 cover charge and no one inside. An employee told me to come back at 11 and "the place will be packed." Friends had fewer patrons than the last time I checked. I saw two men go into the restroom and heard them lock the door.  I didn't bother to hit the Judge's Chambers and came home at 9:55. I am of the opinion that the effort to promote entertainment in Springfield is an attempt to enhance and protect Peter Picknelly's downtown business interests.

April 25, 1999

I spent much of the day reading my new books. The New Yorker book is not paginated, so I had to number the pages myself so I can find things. Books that are not paginated  are a pain. 

At 3pm I set out in my purple and white striped shirt beneath my orange overalls, combat boots, bandana, biker jacket and collars to attend my first ever Friends of the Library Annual Meeting. When I got to the Quad I immediately proceeded to the Periodical Room. I saw the Security guy with a pigtail and beard eyeing me so I waved at him as I went downstairs. 

I found an article on the Valley Advocate takeover in the Hartford Courant for April 16 and wanted to photocopy it. However, the machine wouldn't work so I summoned the librarian, a man with a beard, but he was unable to fix it. I demanded the return of my quarter, then went upstairs and sat in the front row to await the start of the meeting. 

In due course the Security man came and informed me that the library was closing in two minutes so I would have to leave. I informed him that he was being impertinent and he should not judge people by the way they're dressed.

Just then Emily Bader entered with two ladies and I asked him why he wasn't asking them to leave. He said that was because he knew they were attending the annual meeting. I replied that so am I and he should have known that was why I was sitting in the front row. I also told him of my Irish ancestors and my friendship with Eamon O'Sullivan. 

Again I told him he should not judge people by the way they are dressed. I said I even dyed my hair purple for this event, then I pulled off my bandana and showed them, causing everyone to laugh. The Security man apologized and left, then a badly limping Mrs. Napolitan came over and politely presented me with the meeting's agenda. I was impeccably polite to her and promised not to disturb their meeting and I did not, although right off I noticed a spelling error on the agenda sheet. 

Mrs. Napolitan introduced me to their Trustee Liason Gregory L. Swanson of Longmeadow, an attorney who works for MassMutual. Helen Boyle greeted me with an enormous smile. The meeting was dull, starting with a reading of the Secretary's Report by Michelle Webber. Then Treasurer Patrick Markey read his report, followed by reports by Emily Bader and Mary Napolitan. Guest speaker Kevin Markey spoke about using the Masslive website as a promotional and research tool.

After the meeting they served lime ice cream with strawberries and very nice cookies. I spoke to Councilor Foley and told him the City Council should not fund everything that the library wants. Then I thanked everybody and departed.

Had Weight Watchers Spicy Style Veggies and Chicken for supper.  I left a recorded message for Ray Phaneuf regarding the return of my books and mentioned the possibility of lending him a book on iconography. Spoke again briefly with Aunt Maria, who said the Japanese Quince are in bloom and the tulips are coming out. 

Spoke with Eamon, who said the paper offered him the Sunday edition for 25 cents per week and he continues to receive the Union-News for free. Eamon says he wants to know when Larry McDermott will order an investigation into attendance and tardiness in the schools. 

We talked a bit about the refurbishment of Eastfield Mall, which Eamon thinks is in an irreversible decline. Eamon then told me about Michael O'Sullivan, who owns the Brew Pub, a man just twelve years out of Ireland. Although not an accountant himself, he owns an accounting business with an accountant named Mark Dorval. 

Eamon then talked about Morris P. Kirby, who opened his own accounting business near Apremont Triangle. Kirby ended up doing three years at Allenwood for doing crooked tax returns for the mafia. When he got out of jail he went into the golfing business. At age 65 Kirby married Candice Rose, aged 30, a star dancer at the Mardi Gras and his 4th wife. They lived in a penthouse on Mulberry Street. One day they had a fight and he threw a chair at her that missed and broke a window, damaging a Cadillac parked below. They are still married. Eamon also mentioned Attorney Ellio Bellucci, 5 feet 7 and very fat, who none the less married a beautiful blonde. 

April 27, 1999

Mild, 58 degrees at 8:30am. 

Heard Bach's Violin Concerto WFCR. Longtime Springfield teacher Ferne Terwilliger has died at age 94. There was an article in the paper today about the Friends of the Library meeting. The only quotes were by Emily Bader.

No papers in the trash at Breckwood, but I did pick up Tom Devine's latest newsletter at Louis & Clark. I also got a copy of the new Ayn Rand postage stamp to give to Tom. Drove down to the City Library and tried again to copy the Courant article about the Valley Advocate sale, but found the page I wanted to copy strangely missing. 

I therefore walked down to Subway for a deli sandwich. As I was passing the Chapin statue a cop on horseback inquired about my outfit and where I got it. I told him it's a Third World costume I got in Mason Square. 

Anyway, I then drove up to the AIC library and got to copy the article about the Advocate from their edition of the Hartford paper. As a bonus, I picked up two Hoods milk crates from the tree belt on Massachusetts Avenue that the trash collectors had declined to take. I then stopped at Coin & Card Exchange on Allen and bought an old Pynchon Medal he had for $20.

No Reminder. Mailman came down the street at 11:06pm. Mayor Albano sent me a bumper sticker and Maureen Turner sent me a thank you note for the hospitality I showed her during our interview. Still no word from Ray Phaneuf. Dug dandelions and noticed that the squirrels have been eating my tulip buds. I also saw a field mouse run by.

Called Mrs. Penniman and she  told me her social worker daughter became a Quaker and is married to a computer whiz. Her husband Ray had his stroke at just 67 years old and is not doing good. I also called Mrs. Cressotti, who told me her husband bought his first motorcycle at the age of 57 because their son had one. Her husband has since ridden all over western Mass and even to New Hampshire, but hasn't ridden much lately due to medical problems. 

Called Aunt Maria but she was just leaving to go shopping with Shirley.  Eamon called and told me he only gets around $400 per month from Social Security. We then discussed Peter Picknelly and Eamon said that he's heard Picknelly is "nuts about women" and "will go after anything in a skirt." 

We then turned to the subject of Joe Napolitan, whose son Eamon claims was "a serious drug addict." He worked at The Little Gallery, owned by Larry Humphrey, a gay who bought it for $35,000. Napolitan's son was always borrowing $5 and $10 dollars off of Eamon and Nader the Hatter. 

Eamon insisted that Joe Napolitan didn't do much for Charlie Ryan in his unsuccessful 1995 mayoral campaign. Eamon was always sending election material and suggestions to Napolitan, but never heard back. The only time Eamon saw Napolitan in person during the 95 campaign was at Charlie's headquarters on Election Night. During their conversation Napolitan called Eamon "his idea man" to which Eamon replied, "Too bad you didn't follow any of my ideas, if you had we might be having a better night!"

Unknown called, was voiceless when I said hello. 

April 29, 1999

47 degrees at 8:45am. 

Dan Yorke was broadcasting from the train station restaurant in Northampton and interviewing a woman who, with only slightly subdued arrogance, informed us that Northampton has "sixty full service restaurants complemented by our large arts and entertainment scene. " I wished I could hit her in the face with a banana creme pie!

The morning news had a segment featuring Russell Denver, who first organized the Business Expo in 1989 and which will have over 400 exhibitors this year. I wore my orange overalls and my Valley Advocate 25th anniversary t-shirt, plus my old engineer's boots because they are comfortable to walk around in. 

I left for the Business Expo at 9am and drove over to Mrs. Staniski's with some books. She is really starting to show her age. She complained that a skunk has been digging up and eating her plants. Before I left she gave me the Tuesday Morning Club music program for the season.  

From there to the Goodwill at the X where I found the parking lot all dug up and being repaved. Inside, I ran into Belle-Rita Novak and we exchanged pleasantries. I said I would take her out to lunch sometime and that seemed to please her. We also discussed her farmer's market and I praised her for all that she has accomplished. The blonde girl was working wearing denim overalls and she thanked me for the kerchiefs I gave her. 

Stopped at McDonald's and had a 99 cent bacon, egg and cheese bagel that was very nice. Then I took a big bag of stuff to Eamon and found his neighbor on the peak of his garage installing a weather-vane with Eamon supervising from the ground. He returned a box of my books and copies of his recent letters as well as today's New York Times. 

From there, I drove directly to the Expo, where I put my WEAR ORANGE.... cards in all the pots for drawings. Petluck was there with a fellow accountant. I saw Lisa Cignoli but we didn't speak. I told the UPS booth what a fine man Mr. Wilson is and they told me he just got a big award of some sort. Westbank was passing out key chains. 

The Springfield Symphony Orchestra was passing out pins, but when they saw me they said they didn't have any left. However, I pointed to some that were lying on the table behind them so they let me have one. I told Fleet and Bank of Boston that I was displeased by their merger. Nicole Meyer of Reliable Temps asked if I was looking for a job, but I told her I didn't want to do grunt work.

Three booths offered free popcorn and Holiday Inn offered seasoned noodles. I told an advertising executive at the Springfield Newspapers booth what I think of David Starr. He listened politely at first but when I mentioned the name of Eamon T. O'Sullivan he rudely turned away from me and silently walked off.

On the way home I dropped off a bag of material at Fred Whitney's back door. Edwards Bridge has restored two way traffic. Mr. Ciatras was walking down my street as I arrived home but he did not return my wave. Mail delivered at 3:28pm by a light-skinned black man. The mail contained a brochure from the NRA and a fundraising plea from the Saint Francis Chapel on Bridge Street. 

Dined on chicken noodle soup and broccoli. Called Ray Phaneuf and left a polite message about my books. Called Socrates Babacas and found him friendly, although he totally dominated our conversation. He talks at you, rather than to you. He claimed Eamon is an old friend and they agree on everything. He also said he doesn't think much of Peter Picknelly. 

Unknown called. 

April 30, 1999

Arbor Day. 

I've always admired Jesse Jackson - he has always tried. Kathryn Gibson, a local with perhaps too much charm, will be the new headmistress at MacDuffy. Timothy Murphy, a retired postal worker who used to hang around Bottle Park and who died recently at 74, left $4 million dollars to Our Lady of Hope Church. Eamon is 64, Nader the Hatter is 47.

TV40's Kathryn Kirby was wearing an orange suit for the morning news. TV40 has a frequently run commercial about how Dave Madsen and other station personalities have been doing charity work. At one point Madsen says he's "received so much, it's important to give something back." You hear that "giving back" phrase frequently, but since I have received so little, I have no obligation to give anything back, and in due course I shall have the occasion to tell someone that. 

Hauled four plastic containers of blankets upstairs and stored them in Mother's bedroom. A section of the basement is packed with her stuff.  The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Luke in East Longmeadow had an ad in yesterday's paper for their tag sale so I drove out there, located up on a hill with a view of Longmeadow. 

It was a large sale to which I arrived late. They had a lousy selection of books but lots of clothes. I bought a piece of Turkish metalware and a jig saw puzzle of baby ducks blowing bubbles because it was marked as manufactured by Parker Brothers, Springfield, Massachusetts. I also bought on a whim an old pair of rollerblades for just $5. 

Tonight I ate the last of the corned beef and cabbage. Ray Phaneuf called and said he would swing by tomorrow and drop off my books. I told him he could borrow my dictionary of Chinese art. I tried out the rollerblades I bought today, zooming through the hallways of the house until past midnight. I wish they had such things when I was a kid.