tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1451982815021589512024-03-18T14:17:08.732-04:00The Diary of J. Wesley Miller<center>Alternative History of the Pioneer Valley</center>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-15642302141440506782022-07-29T14:41:00.165-04:002024-01-06T16:56:55.647-05:00January 1999<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Here is the commentary on the death of Attorney J. Wesley Miller that appeared in the Valley Advocate on February 23, 2006. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhv_khGfvi43wI8r-R8V-OqL0RwgRnGeZLOBZpaBmTaxU6u_uRZjlrNDzo9dYoN3Soup_cThe5NfPbhyUTOnSlKWKDOK_8tmfy4ZpW3gFRb1Nm3ZrDSLsTSE_WdR_KKTq1i9tmn0FIzbCKrNt6nQrIN5Cjmpw0KtHacMbxpJ22dPZrtNA3tHi99dFmvg/s1280/wesley.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="1280" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhv_khGfvi43wI8r-R8V-OqL0RwgRnGeZLOBZpaBmTaxU6u_uRZjlrNDzo9dYoN3Soup_cThe5NfPbhyUTOnSlKWKDOK_8tmfy4ZpW3gFRb1Nm3ZrDSLsTSE_WdR_KKTq1i9tmn0FIzbCKrNt6nQrIN5Cjmpw0KtHacMbxpJ22dPZrtNA3tHi99dFmvg/w400-h272/wesley.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">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 <i>Republican</i>. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">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 <i>Advocate</i> 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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">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 <i>Baystate Objectivist</i>
editor Tom Devine's dead-on reflections on Miller's life, including his
own uncomfortable relationship with Miller, at his blog. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 1, 1999</b></p><p> </p><p>Sunny and 23 degrees on the breezeway at 8:30am. </p><p>I am an artistic property lawyer, licensed real estate broker, violinist and author of <i>The History of the Springfield Symphony</i>. 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. <br /></p><p> Had <i>Harvey's Bristol Creme</i> from a cobalt bottle at midnight. Also had the last of the <i>Friendly's</i> ice cream roll and a slice of Eamon's <i>100th Anniversary Collin Street Bakery Fruitcake</i>. 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. </p><p>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. </p><p>At 11am I gave Mother half a cup of coffee and we watched the Rose Parade on <i>ABC</i>. The theme of the parade was <i>Echoes of the Century</i>, 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. <br /></p><p>Buck Badger of Wisconsin was scooting around on rollerblades, a wonderful invention.<i>The Cat in the Hat</i> 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! <br /></p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 3, 1999</b></p><p>Sunny, nice winter day. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Pride</i> station. The old <i>Pride</i> 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 <i>Arthur Johnson Photo Studio</i>, a beautiful, ranch type brick structure, is still boarded up and for sale. </p><p>With a coupon, I got a breakfast biscuit at <i>Burger King</i> (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 <i>Salvation Army</i> but bought nothing, then swung by <i>Walmart</i> and got the lens tightened on my glasses.</p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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 <i>A Time to Celebrate</i> by Horace Moses. Watched a show on <i>57</i> about pigs. </p><p>Mayor Albano was on <i>TV22</i> 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. </p><p>While reading a book about Byzantium and the fall of Constantinople, the power went out at 2:34pm. Called <i>Northeastern Utilities</i> 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. </p><p>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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 4, 1999</b></p><p>32 degrees on the breezeway at 8am. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>Listened to the <i>Dan Yorke Show</i> 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. </p><p>Today I found a receipt from <i>Railroad Salvage</i> dated May 7, 1993. The first <i>RR Salvage</i> 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. <br /></p><p>Dr. Richard B. Flynn is the new President of Springfield College. The evening news reported that the partners at the <i>Union Buffet</i> in Chicopee, where we once had Christmas dinner, stabbed each other to death in the back room. Their food had a real oriental flavor. <br /></p><p>I've talked it over with Mother and she is agreeable with being cremated. Called Roy at <i>Byron's</i> and he said that their fee for cremation is $895 dollars. He said it is not permissible to be present at the cremation. <br /></p><p>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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 5, 1999</b></p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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 <i>Eastfield Mall</i> 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 <i>Payless</i>, but they weren't included in their 30% off sale so I didn't buy any. </p><p><i>The Springdale Mall</i> is completely empty now, even <i>Strawberries</i> <i>Records</i> 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. </p><p>Then over to <i>Stop&Shop</i> 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. </p><p>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." <br /></p><p>There had been news accounts that <i>Westfield Savings Bank</i> 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. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 7, 1999</b></p><p>18 degrees at 8:30am, light dusting of snow.</p><p>There's a picture of the rock band Motley Crue in the latest issue of <i>Music Review Magazine</i> 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 <i>Klondike Investment Group</i>. <i>The Springfield Newspapers</i> are launching new Holyoke and Chicopee editions of the <i>Union-News</i>. </p><p>Listened to the <i>Dan Yorke Show</i> 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. <br /></p><p>Chet left the newspaper by the paper box, but not in it. Did two loads of wash. At 2pm I drove to the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> to make copies and put out mail. Before I left I brought Mother to the toilet and gave her two pills. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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.</p><p>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. <br /></p><p>Danielle at <i>Hein</i> 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. </p><p>Called Ms. Provost at the School Department to find out the date of the Mass Science Fair but she was out. Also called the <i>Valley Advocate</i> to speak with Dan Caccavaro but was told he is on vacation this week. <br /></p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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! </p><p>On <i>TV22</i> 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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 9, 1999</b></p><p>9 degrees on the breezeway at 8am, heavily overcast with brief afternoon precipitation. </p><p>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 <i>Popeye the Sailor</i> say that he and Olive Oyl will
be married next month. <br /></p><p>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.</p><p>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. </p><p>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 <i>Aunt Jennie's Poems</i> and inscribed it with a thank you message for tending to Mother. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Louis & Clark</i>. As I was leaving the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> I saw a white jeep-like vehicle with a bumper-sticker that said, "Pro-Life Plus."</p><p>Came through the <i>Goodwill</i> 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 <i>Plaza</i> where I found <i>K-Mart</i> much tidied up and where I bought a new pair of boots for $22. </p><p>Passed through <i>Paysavers</i> and bought a pair of raspberry colored sunglasses for 99 cents and a black <i>Hood</i> milk crate for $1.49. Finally to <i>Stop&Shop</i>, where I bought some groceries from their day-old counter. Then I headed home, pausing at <i>Angelo's</i> for lettuce and tomatoes. I arrived home at 12:30pm. </p><p>The mail came about one o'clock, then at 1:15 it briefly started to snow. A wrong number was from someone at the<i> Haufbrahaus</i> in W.Spfld looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. 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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 11, 1999</b></p><p>A sunny, nice day. 28 degrees at 10:45am.</p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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 <i>F.L. Roberts</i> for two tracks of land off West Columbus Avenue for the Basketball Hall of Fame expansion project. <br /></p><p>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?" <br /></p><p>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. </p><p>I then went and made copies and put out the mail at <i>Breckwood</i>. I also got gas at <i>Sunoco</i> for 95 cents per gallon. The new <i>Pride</i> 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.</p><p>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. </p><p>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." </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 12, 1999</b></p><p>29 degrees on the breezeway at 8:30am. </p><p>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.</p><p>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. <br /></p><p>I called the <i>Union-News</i> 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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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." </p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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 <i>Valley Advocate</i>. Devine declared, "Politics is my beat!" </p><p>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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 14, 1999</b></p><p>Snowing lightly at 2:15pm.</p><p>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. <br /></p><p>Drove over to <i>Byron's</i> 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. </p><p>Then to <i>Home Depot</i> for termite poison. At the new <i>Pride</i> they are putting in the insulation. Next I had lunch at the Boston Road <i>McDonald's</i> 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 <i>Burger King</i> has the same sandwich for 99 cents each. </p><p>From there to <i>Angelo's</i> 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 <i>Murphy's Plumbing</i> parked at the Cohn's. </p><p>Helen O'Connell arrived at 12:25pm, examined Mother and gave me a booklet about dying <i>Completing the Circle</i>. 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. </p><p>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 <i>Nightline</i> 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. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>Buffalo got more snow. G. Gordon Liddy is on <i>WNNZ</i> from ten to noon. <i>The Jim Rome Sports Show</i> is now on <i>WHYN AM-560</i> from 3-7. Dan Yorke was giving away tickets this morning to <i>Alice in Wonderland</i> at <i>City Stage</i> this evening. </p><p>Nader the Hatter called tonight and said he was at the <i>Goodwill</i> 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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 16, 1999</b></p><p>Heavily overcast, some sleeting. 17 degrees at 7:30am.</p><p>Police Chief Paula Meara was sworn in today saying, "Integrity is the
only foundation for police work acceptable for Springfield." <i>Friendly's</i> reports they expect losses in their quarter share prices. <i>Friendly's</i> has 640 company owned restaurants and 40 franchises. While telling us this Brenda Garton made a grammar error. </p><p>Roger A. Young is Chairman of the Board at <i>Baystate Gas Company</i>. My good friends at <i>Cat's Paw</i> 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 <i>The Orchard</i> has moved out of I.O. and up to Chicopee. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Hospice</i> that Barbara is a wonderful woman but that I have taken care of Mother and she needn't come today. </p><p>At 1:40pm the doorbell rang and it was the mailman with a big box containing my order from <i>Hamilton</i>. My <i>Traveler's</i> 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 <i>Swanson</i> meatloaf dinner for supper. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>Peter Picknelly is out of the hospital in Boston. I read the <i>Boston Globe</i> today and their cartoonist Pat Oliphant is a mischievous character. He is always insulting Republicans and praising Democrats. <i>ABC</i> is promoting an upcoming program asking, "Have we Become a Nation of Cheaters?"<br /></p><p>Called Lynn at <i>Punderson</i> 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. </p><p>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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 18, 1999</b></p><p>Sunny and 31 degrees at 8am. Martin Luther King Day. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Friendly's</i> tartar sauce cup with a little water and she drank from that. </p><p>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 <i>New York Times</i> at the <i>Newsstand</i> 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. </p><p>Put the mail out at <i>Parker Drug</i>, sending letters to Fred Whitney, Kateri Walsh, Dan Yorke and Tommy Devine. Then drove to <i>Sampson's</i> in the Acres where I was waited on by John Flynn. Their prices are considerably higher than <i>Byron's</i>, 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. </p><p>The oil was delivered while I was out so I called Caroline at<i> Punderson</i> and she said we owe $167.27 so I wrote a check. Tom Bevaqua said the temperature today reached 50 degrees. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p>At 5:30pm Paul Smith called asking if I wanted to subscribe to the <i>Union-News</i>. 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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 19, 1999</b></p><p>Bright and sunny, 38 degrees on the breezeway at 7:30am. </p><p><i>The presidency is not merely an administrative office. That's the least of it. It is preeminently a place of moral leadership</i>. - Franklin Delano Roosevelt </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>Jurzephezyk's mailbox has been knocked down again. I drove out at 9am to mail my oil payment to <i>Punderson</i> at <i>Parker Drug</i>, 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. </p><p>Then to Wilbraham, where I paid the taxes on our property there. I also stopped at <i>Albank</i> 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 <i>Rocky's</i> so I should complain to them. </p><p>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. </p><p>Then to the <i>Goodwill</i> 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. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>I then headed downtown where I parked at the Marshall Center and walked down to the post office. From there I walked over to <i>A.G. Edwards</i> to order 20 more shares of <i>Friendly's</i> stock with a $200 payment. <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i> was pitch dark. </p><p>All the development offices and the Chamber of Commerce have moved to the <i>SIS Center</i>, where I acquired a free copy of<i> BusinessWest</i>. Then to <i>Antiques on Boland Way</i> and their 30% off sale. I bought a paperweight with a picture of the White House on it for $22.50. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 20, 1999 </b><br /></p><p>Stuart Hurwitz is the Chair of <i>Mayor Albano's Arts and Entertainment Initiative</i>. E. Wayne Turner is the Corresponding Secretary for the Tuesday Morning Music Club. <br /></p><p>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.</p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>From there I drove downtown, pausing at <i>Byron's Funeral Home</i>, where Joe Roy sold me a lovely brass urn for $429. They have a better selection of urns than <i>Sampsons</i>. 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. </p><p>From there I went to <i>City Stage</i> for the Mayor's re-election campaign announcement. On the way over I paused briefly at <i>Edwards Books</i>, where I bought a picture book of Longmeadow for $25 that was published in the 1980's by the Longmeadow Historical Society. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i>. I briefly spoke with Michaelann Bewsee and Fred Hurst and waved to Tony Ravosa. <br /></p><p>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. <br /></p><p>There was lots to eat catered by <i>Elegant Affair</i>. 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. <br /></p><p>President Clinton gave his State of the Union tonight. The stock market is up, including <i>Friendly's</i>. 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. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 22, 1999</b></p><p>Overcast, sometimes drizzling, 41 degrees at 1pm. </p><p>Newspaper here okay. Left at 9am and drove over to <i>SIS</i>. 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 <i>Angelo's</i> for grapefruit and brussel sprouts. </p><p>From there I headed to <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, where <i>Book Market</i> was having a 50% off going out of business sale. There are many empty storefronts in <i>Eastfield</i>. At the food court I bought a large slice of pepperoni pizza for $2.40. When I got home I called <i>Goodwill</i> 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. <br /></p><p>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? <br /></p><p>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. <i>TV22</i> had a segment on economic development in Indian Orchard. Russ Denver was on and sounded almost competent. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 23, 1999</b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">mother has died.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 24, 1999</b></p><p><i>Edar Allen Poe - Once Upon a Midnight</i> is at <i>City Stage</i> on February 3rd.</p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Goodwill</i>. Then over <i>to Caldor's</i> where there was plenty of business and <i>Food Mart</i> was mobbed as always. I then headed down to the newspaper and submitted Mother's obituary, which I wrote last night. <br /></p><p>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.</p><p>Dined on a lettuce and tomato sandwich and a can of <i>Campbell's Chunky Vegetable-Beef Soup</i>. 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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 25, 1999</b></p><p>Still overcast, but rain has stopped. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>Mother's obituary appeared in the paper today. At 5 of 9 I stopped at <i>Louis & Clark</i> to buy postage, but they were out of one cent stamps and had no copies of the <i>Union-News</i>. I got three copies at the adjacent <i>Sunoco</i> convenience store Then I drove out to <i>Goodwill</i> and delivered a box of Mother's shoes to Patty. I reminded her that I'd really like any milk crates she comes across.</p><p>At 12:59 the doorbell rang twice and it was Eric from <i>Merriam Graves</i> 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. <br /></p><p>I cancelled Mother's pension from <i>Monarch</i> by calling <i>Overland Park</i> 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. <br /></p><p>Mail was here around two with my MLA catalog and lots of other stuff. I then called <i>Bell Atlantic</i> 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...."</p><p>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 <i>Mailboxes Etc</i>. 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 <i>Stop&Shop</i> and bought some specials on soup. While there I ran into mayoral aide Candice Lopes and we exchanged greetings. <br /></p><p>Joe of <i>Byron's</i> 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. <br /></p><p>Had <i>Progresso Beef and Barley Soup</i> 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!" </p><p>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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 26, 1999</b></p><p>A lovely day.</p><p>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. </p><p>An article by Catherine L. Aspy in the <i>Reader's Digest</i> 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? <br /></p><p>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:</p><p><i>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></p><p>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. <br /></p><p>There has been a 2-1 stock split at <i>IBM</i>. Attorney Cava is now advertising on <i>TV22</i>. Listened to a little of the impeachment trial. General Wesley Clark, Supreme Commander of NATO, was on the <i>Lehrer News Hour</i> 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? </p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p>Eamon then told me about the time that Councilor Vincent Dimonaco was having lunch at <i>The Fort</i> 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!"</p><p>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 <i>The Fort</i> 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!"</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 27, 1999</b></p><p>Nice day. </p><p>Trash went okay. Around 10am I drove down to <i>Breckwood</i> and bought gas for 91 cents per gallon at <i>Sunoco</i>. Then I drove up to the <i>Holyoke Mall at Ingleside</i> to visit <i>Barnes & Noble</i>. 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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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 <i>Barnes & Noble</i> 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 <i>Ingleside Mall</i> has been the death of downtown Holyoke and has damaged the Springfield downtown as well. <br /></p><p>I stopped in at <i>Men's Wearhouse</i> 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 <i>Wilson's</i> does. Checked out <i>Pier 1</i> and it is finer than we ever had on Boston Road. Also looked in on <i>Bed & Bath</i>. <br /></p><p>Then I went to<i> COMPUSA</i>, 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. </p><p>In West Springfield I paused at <i>Dick's</i> but simply did a walk through. Then over to <i>Burger King</i> where I succumbed to a <i>Great American Burger</i> for $4.49 plus tax. It was simply too much of a burger and I won't buy one again. Then home around 3pm.</p><p>Patricia Collins, who used to work for <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i>, was on TV leading a rally in front of First Church for abortion rights. Also in the news, <i>Caldor's</i> is closing and the Agawam cops voted no-confidence in their police chief. <br /></p><p>Unknown called. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 29, 1999</b></p><p>Overcast, snow and drizzle.</p><p>No word on Mother's urn or cremains. <i>Friendly's</i> stock is up. <br /></p><p>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. <br /></p><p>Spent five hours today sorting through Mother's papers and throwing away her old prescriptions and medical supplies. While cleaning I came across a <i>Shawmut First Bank and Trust Company</i> check written by Father in February 1984. I also came upon a receipt dated February 10, 1986 from Dr. Mark Radzicki of <i>Forest Park Medical Associates</i> across from the park entrance. He has recently been in trouble for misprescribing addictive drugs. Mother was his patient until around 1991. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p>I drove to <i>Louis & Clark</i> 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. </p><p>Next I headed to the <i>Springdale Mall</i> where <i>J. Crew</i> was having a sale in where <i>T.J. Maxx</i> was. I looked at their shoes, and some of them were quite nice, but I bought nothing. Then over to <i>Stop&Shop</i>, where I bought a chicken for $4.99. They were $6.99 at <i>Big Y </i>earlier this week. I also bought a bottle of a new <i>Coke</i> product called <i>Citra</i>, which has grapefruit in it. It tastes a lot like <i>Sprite</i>. <br /></p><p>When I got back I cooked up a <i>Sara Lee</i> blueberry pie. For lunch I had two lettuce and tomato sandwiches. I ate too much yesterday by buying that ridiculously large <i>American Burger</i> at <i>Burger King</i>. </p><p>Five condolence cards came in the mail today, including one from Arlene Morton. Also received a letter from Christopher Kelly at <i>Oxford University Press</i> declining to publish my book of poems. <br /></p><p>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. <br /></p><p>Got another voiceless call from Unknown, took the phone off the hook.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>January 31, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">23 degrees and sunny at 7:30am. <b> <br /></b></p><p>Life is a story of which we never get to see the ending, and it is not necessarily a happy one. <br /></p><p>Mother's obituary appeared in today's <i>Union-News</i>. </p><p><i>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. </i></p><p><i>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.<br /></i></p><p><i>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. </i></p><p>At 9:27am I drove to <i>Breckwood</i> 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 <i>Angelo's</i>, where I got tomatoes, lettuce, brussel sprouts and a lot of clementines. Then over to the <i>Salvation Army</i> on Boston Road, which was well stocked but I bought nothing. <i> <br /></i></p><p>Reading more about the Borobudur Temple. While eating a $1.95 <i>Freezer Queen Pot Roast Dinner</i>, I started proofreadin<i>g </i>the <i>Central High Student Handbook</i>. 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. <br /></p><p><i>Friendly's</i> stock is at 6.13. Cleaned a little in the basement and threw away some worthless hair products belonging to Mother. <i> </i>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 <i>Health New England</i> saying Mother's coverage ends as of tomorrow. </p><p>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. </p><p>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 <i>The Legacy of Christopher Columbus</i> (1949) which I bought for $17. He thanked me for "a wonderful addition to my collection." <br /></p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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." </p><p>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." </p><p>In 1995 <i>PHH MarketWatch</i>, a real estate publication out of Connecticut, had this to say about Springfield - </p><p><i>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. </i></p><p><i>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.</i><br /></p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-37644940904395235782022-04-13T16:03:00.126-04:002023-12-19T14:21:06.562-05:00February 1999<p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 2, 1999</b></p><p>Overcast, freezing rain.</p><p>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. <br /></p><p><i>Friendly's</i> stock continues to rise. The Southwick Public Library has opened a lovely new building. It has taken them a long time. <i>The Just Kiddin Around Children's Theater</i> in South Hadley is featuring Tony Lupo and his monkey Coco. I recall that the same act was at the Grand Opening of <i>Filene's</i>, which Mother and I attended. At one point the monkey kissed Mother. <br /></p><p>I drove out first thing and got the paper out of the trashcan at <i>Breckwood</i> and put out the mail. Once back home, <i>Byron's Funeral Home</i> 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. </p><p>Passed through the <i>Goodwill</i>, where I bought a bell, then over to <i>Byron's</i>. 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 <i>Monarch</i> chair in the parlor. <br /></p><p>Next I drove down to <i>Subway</i> 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. </p><p>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 <i>Old Hadleigh Hearth and Patio</i> and they sell <i>Hearthstone</i> stoves. Sales lady said there is a $350 installation fee and there may be other charges. <br /></p><p>Called to hear Eamon's latest phone editorial but he answered directly - most unusual. I asked him if he has ever been to <i>Barnes & Noble</i> 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. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Channel Home Center</i> in Springfield dated 8/23/87 for a paint sprayer we never used. <i>Channel</i> was a very large and complete hardware store right where<i> Food Mart</i> now stands. Mother was sad to see it go and Eamon said he also liked it. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 3, 1999</b></p><p>Very misty. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p><i>Petco</i> is also at <i>Holyoke Crossing</i>. 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. </p><p>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. </p><p><i>Deluxe Check Printers</i> are closing their main plant in a Springfield industrial park and there go over 200 jobs. That's along with <i>Caldors</i> closing their store and big new warehouse in Westfield. Who says times are good? <br /></p><p>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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 5, 1999</b></p><p>Cloudy and showery.</p><p>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. </p><p>I drove up to Whately for the <i>Antiquarian Book Center</i> winter sale. First I drove through Hatfield trying to locate the offices of the <i>Valley Advocate</i>. 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 <i>Advocate</i> offices and the librarian told me. </p><p>I found the <i>Advocate</i> 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. </p><p>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. </p><p>She pulled out a <i>Advocate</i> 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.</p><p>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. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>Back in Springfield, I stopped at <i>Subway</i> and noted that the once stylish block looking over the park next to <i>Merriam-Webster</i> is boarded up. Then I drove to the Kasparian Center (former <i>Monarch</i> 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. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Lehrer Report</i>. I agree that hypocritical is the right word for the Clinton's. <br /></p><p>The mail brought condolences from Dianne and Maria Mulhausen. When I got home a bag of <i>Harvard Gazettes</i> 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. </p><p>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 <i>Enron</i>. Eamon told me he went to see his friend Dick Serkin at<i> </i>his leather shop<i> </i>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:<br /></p><p>"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."</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 7, 1999 </b><br /></p><p>Overcast, a few snow flurries.</p><p><i>Grease</i> featuring Frankie Avalon is appearing at the <i>Wang Theater</i> in Boston. Black Sabbath are playing Wednesday at the <i>Fleet Center</i>. Mad Max and bell bottoms are back and they're hot! </p><p>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. <br /></p><p><i>The Easton Press</i> 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. <br /></p><p>I left at 10:30am and mailed at <i>Louis & Clark</i> my letter to the Tuesday Morning Music Club, describing my history with the organization. Next to the <i>Big Y</i> in the Acres for fruit punch and that was all. The new gas station is coming along, building looks about finished. </p><p>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. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>On the way back I saw <i>Schmerhorn's</i> white blimp with red fins aloft over Amherst. Home at 1:05. For the second time lately a <i>Papa Gino's</i> discount coupon doorknob hanger was awaiting me. I baked lima beans, <i>Spam</i> and potatoes in the oven. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 8, 1999</b></p><p>32 degrees at 8:50am. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>I drove out at ten to nine, came through the <i>Goodwill</i> 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. </p><p>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. </p><p>Then over to the <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> where I withdrew $600 from my savings account. I will use $250 of it to pay Jeff Manzetti for 25 shares of <i>Woronoco Bank</i> stock. I stopped at the <i>Citgo</i> 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.</p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>On my way back I swung by the <i>Buffet</i> 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 <i>Hein</i>, but no Milton Society booklet. Also got a letter and t-shirt from Dan Caccavaro, Editor and Chief of the <i>Valley Advocate</i>, thanking me for the medal I sent him.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 10, 1999</b></p><p>Sunny, 38 degrees at 9:30am.</p><p>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. </p><p>Wrote letters to Maureen Turner and others. Then to <i>Breckwood</i> 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 <i>Big Y</i> for asparagus and more <i>Swanson</i> dinners at $1.30 each. Ran into Mr. Anzalotti . <br /></p><p>Dined on a <i>Swanson Chicken Dinner</i> 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???"</p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>Eamon recounted how on the corner of Morris Street used to be the <i>Empire Cafe</i>, 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 <i>Dreikorn's Bakery</i> in Holyoke. The house looks old from the outside, but inside it's a palace. His wife is Rita Santaniello. </p><p>Eamon met Nettis through Joe Calabrese who owned <i>New England Auto Body</i> 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. <br /></p><p>Eamon knows everything. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 12, 1999</b></p><p>Sunny day, 33 degrees at 8:30 this morning.</p><p>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. </p><p>The map of Springfield in the <i>1999 Getaway Guide</i> newspaper pull-out is very inadequate. Springfield's map in the <i>1999 Mass Transportation Guide</i> 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. <br /></p><p>The news on <i>22</i> 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. <i>Gorden Cinema</i> in Greenfield is showing the film <i>Payback</i>, a remake of a 1967 thriller. <br /></p><p>Drove out at 9am and put out the mail at <i>Breckwood</i>. 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. <br /></p><p>The mail today brought condolences today from Chrissy and issues stickers from <i>Common Cause</i>, but they are defective and don't stick. I also got an <i>Albank</i> 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. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Byron's</i>, who said Mother's urn is done and it's on its way here. Shortly after, Joe called from <i>Byron's</i> saying Mother's urn is "being shipped today" but that "Wilbert refused to do your urn" with my Sissypants name. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Valley Advocate</i> in an article about Linda Melconian. He told me he has never been to the <i>Advocate's</i> 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. </p><p>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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 13, 1999</b></p><p>Sunny but colder, some occasional flurries. </p><p>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 <i>Rose Bedding</i> (now <i>Chapin Furniture</i>) on Bliss Street. I have photographed it as it has deteriorated, but it is still mostly legible after two decades. <br /></p><p><i>ABC News</i> 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. <br /></p><p>Drove out at 10:30am and the mailman was just heading down the street as I left. I bought gas at the <i>Citgo</i> on the corner of Alden and Wilbraham Road. Put the mail out at <i>Louis & Clark</i>, where Candy was on duty wearing tights and a sweater. </p><p>Then over to <i>Angelo's</i>, 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 <i>K-Mart/Shop-Rite</i> (later <i>Unclaimed Freight</i>) complex. They have put on a fancy new front. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p>I saw four Mark E. Salomone commercials on <i>TV40</i> 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 <i>22</i>? <br /></p><p>Commercials for <i>Manny's Appliances</i> 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. </p><p>Got a wrong number from June Collaro of Hampden, looking for <i>Storrowtown Tavern</i>. She politely said she was sorry. Later Mary Serra from Agawam called looking for the <i>Tavern</i> and apologized. I called Aunt Maria, who said, "I'm not interested in hearing from you in any way" before hanging up. <br /></p><p>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."</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 15, 1999</b></p><p>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. </p><p>This is school vacation week. Reading Cowley's <i>Reader's Companion to Military History</i>. A good book. Proofread my proofs from <i>Hein</i>. My new editor is conscientious but inserts too many commas and uses the colon incorrectly. <br /></p><p>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<i> 16 Acres Drug</i>. They were located next to the Acres <i>A&P</i> and had a blue and yellow tile image of a mortar and pestle on their outside wall. After they closed, everyone went to <i>Parker Drug</i>, now <i>Walgreens</i>. </p><p><i>The Reminder</i> arrived at 8:45am as I was leaving to get the <i>Union-News</i>. Picked up Tom Devine's newsletter at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. Drove to the X, but nothing going on there. Bought a few books at the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>. There is now a chain link fence around a large area behind <i>Friendly's</i> 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. <br /></p><p>Newspaper says <i>Pratt & Whitney</i> 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. </p><p><i>Antique Roadshow</i> was broadcasting from Milwaukee. <i>TV22</i> had a story about Joanne Garland of Greenfield, who takes people's memories and turns them into books. For a fee, of course. <i>PBS</i> told how poor government economic development policies hurt the city of Moscow. Hope Eamon heard it. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>Bananas for breakfast, a <i>Swanson Meat Loaf Dinner</i> for supper. Tomorrow I'll cook the green beans I bought.Called <i>Byron's</i> and Fred Aldrich picked up very professionally. I told him I would pick up Mother's urn soon. Called <i>Albank</i> and Mother has $4,239.44 in her account. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Storrowtown</i>. 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!"</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 17, 1999</b></p><p>Overcast, 44 degrees on the breezeway at 1pm. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>The mail brought a condolence from the Allards, a Milton Society booklet and a letter from Joe Roy at <i>Byron's</i> 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 <i>Wilbert</i> as well as the date of production.</p><p>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. </p><p>Parked by the cathedral and walked down to the <i>Subway</i> for a $1.25 deli sandwich. <i>Johnson's</i> is pitch black inside. Came through <i>Tower Square</i> and looked into <i>Antiques</i>, but nothing going on. Then down to the <i>Peter Pan</i> bus terminal, the only place downtown that had people everywhere and bustling with activity. </p><p>Next I delivered a letter for David Starr to the desk of the <i>Union-News</i>. I asked if Starr had gone to lunch at <i>The Fort</i> today and the receptionist said she didn't know. So I left there and drove over to the <i>X</i> and came through the <i>Goodwill</i>, but nothing good there. </p><p>Then on to <i>Eastfield Mall</i> where I bought some books, including one on the ACLU. I swung by <i>Albank</i> and showed Barbara J. Sullivan the statement from them that had been damaged in the mail. She photocopied it and apologized. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p>Wrong number Michael Murray called from 731-8531. Teresa of <i>Uniset Commerce</i> 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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 18, 1999</b></p><p>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 <i>RCA</i> portable TV with the dials on top and can now work and watch at the same time. </p><p>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. </p><p>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 <i>Valley Bank</i>. <br /></p><p>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.</p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmSnkCM0ACKhorDROjEgLlCEykT97OXpV0TdyPlw538AY-ifSo6iT_G-kRqj_sW6uV7-t7ZJ_4il34ENeZxDcRLoXd0M2VvdQ_Mf_tIPS8L9Xg1BKHI20yuXaG5QVYbn5Nifd5Ep_zDtpYSSi1wKuVGlbkVvMZIIlEpjDd__ZG5RbUvVQ8aj4VGso-g/s867/Screenshot%202022-07-20%20at%2015-35-07%20Mail%20-%20Tom%20-%20Outlook.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="867" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmSnkCM0ACKhorDROjEgLlCEykT97OXpV0TdyPlw538AY-ifSo6iT_G-kRqj_sW6uV7-t7ZJ_4il34ENeZxDcRLoXd0M2VvdQ_Mf_tIPS8L9Xg1BKHI20yuXaG5QVYbn5Nifd5Ep_zDtpYSSi1wKuVGlbkVvMZIIlEpjDd__ZG5RbUvVQ8aj4VGso-g/w400-h268/Screenshot%202022-07-20%20at%2015-35-07%20Mail%20-%20Tom%20-%20Outlook.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former State Rep. Fred Whitney with the Coolidge etching<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>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. </p><p><i>The Mardi Gras</i> 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 <i>Mardi Gras</i> people got everything in the shop. Eamon then recalled how downtown really started to go downhill after the opening of the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>. Eamon says he now feels that downtown Springfield has no future. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 19, 1999</b></p><p>Sunny, no precipitation. </p><p>Spent time going through Mother's dresser and found inside a grey jewelry box her "Backstreet Driver's License" a humorous promotional piece from <i>Ledger's Service Station</i> at Six Corners. I also found Mother's locker key #32 from when she worked at <i>Forbes & Wallace</i>. A receipt I found showed that Mother got her ears pierced at <i>Bradlees</i> for $85 on April 22, 1978. </p><p>Left at 9am and made copies at <i>Copycat</i>. Then I bought asparagus, peppers and onions at <i>Angelo's</i>. Stopped at <i>Caldor's</i>, which was having a 50% off sale, but it looked to me the markdown was only about 20%. Bought a <i>Subway</i> sandwich next door for $1.65, a little lower than most <i>Subway's</i> charge. Next to that, where <i>Cindy's Lounge</i> used to be, is now <i>Card Smart</i>, offering greeting cards and cute knickknacks. I asked when they opened and the lady said two weeks ago. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Forest Park Antiques</i>. <i>The Coin Shop</i> 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. <br /></p><p>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 <i>The Judge's Chambers</i> in the entrance to the Dwight porn shop and asked about it. I was told it is where <i>Zone</i> used to be, underneath the print shop. </p><p>I went inside and looked around and the bartender, a short, older and jovial man told me <i>The Judge's Chambers</i> 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. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Johnson's</i> and there appears to be furniture still in there. Down the street where <i>Westfield Savings Bank</i> is supposed to open soon there was no activity at all. </p><p><i>Antiques on Boland Way</i> was almost empty, the manager told me they are "restocking." As I was leaving Roy Scott from<i> PBS</i> 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. </p><p>Next I drove up Liberty to the new <i>Salvation Army</i> in where the <i>Food Mart</i> 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. </p><p>Went to <i>Cat's Paw</i>, where they had a retirement medal from <i>Moore Drop Forge</i> 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 <i>Big Y</i> and bought some bottles of <i>Sprite</i>. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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." </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 21, 1999</b></p><p>Overcast, 35 degrees at 9am.</p><p>For breakfast I had grapefruit, <i>Wheaties</i> in milk, two tomato and lettuce sandwiches for lunch and a <i>Swanson Veal Parm Dinner</i> 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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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 <i>Sears Real Estate</i> 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 <i>General Ice Cream</i>. She said the Riddles moved to Granville. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Herald</i>, noting that he is familiar with the area having once lived in Haverhill, New Hampshire, approximately 40 minutes north of White River Junction. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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. <br /></p><p>Eamon said he ran into a guy he knew from school named O'Shaunessy, a former vice-president at <i>Friendly's</i>, who told him that the reason <i>Friendly's</i> 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."</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 23, 1999</b></p><p>Sunny and 23 degrees at 8:30am.</p><p>One month since Mother died. </p><p>Got up to pee at 2:30am and saw the light was on in Kelly's garage. Dined on <i>Wheaties</i>, asparagus on toast and a bowl of chicken noodle soup. Linda Bartista was the Employee Representative for <i>Monarch Life Insurance</i> in 1991. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Accurate Termites and Pest Control</i> 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. <br /></p><p>Made copies and put out the mail at the <i>Breckwood Shops</i>. Came through the <i>Goodwill</i> and gave Patty some discount coupons. Then out to <i>Walmart</i> on Boston Road and got the pictures I took of Mother dead, her urn and the basement. The disposable <i>Kodak</i> camera worked splendidly. </p><p>Then to <i>Staples</i> and bought envelopes in which to send copies of <i>Aunt Jennie's Poems</i> to those who sent condolences. The strip mall up there is mostly occupied, but the space formerly occupied by <i>Marketplace</i> and the little package store are empty. </p><p>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. </p><p>From there I drove over to Aunt Maria's to see if she wanted to go to <i>The Buffett</i> at <i>Springdale</i> 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. <br /></p><p>Received in today's mail a <i>Year 2000 Litigator's Calendar</i> 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 <i>Springfield Newspapers</i>. <i>TV57</i> had a story about how <i>Levi's</i> jeans are in trouble because kids are becoming more individualistic and don't like the conformity of big brands like <i>Levi's</i>. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>Eamon said he heard that Mayor Albano and Tim Rooke went to <i>Moody's</i> in New York to see about the city's bond rating. Eamon said he called <i>Moody's</i> today and discovered that Springfield's bond rating is BAA3, which the lady told him is "just a hair above junk bond status." </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 24, 1999</b></p><p>Sunny but chilly. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>Had hotdogs and beans today and some apples. The living room and my bedroom were painted with <i>Glidden</i> paint, but nobody in Springfield sells it anymore. Fortunately <i>Aubuchon</i> up in Chicopee next to the Chinese restaurant sells it. </p><p>Watched <i>Teletubbies</i> on <i>TV57</i> 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. </p><p>Also on <i>57</i> 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!" <br /></p><p>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. </p><p><i>Prudential</i> 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 <i>Storrowtown Tavern</i>. He said he will see to it that no one calls me again. </p><p>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. </p><p>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 <i>TV22</i> and he didn't know either. Finally he called Tom Vannah at the <i>Advocate</i>, and to Eamon's delight he did know. Eamon then shared with Tom the numbers of his own inside contacts at <i>Moody's</i> Public Finance Division in New York, for which Vannah thanked him profusely. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 25, 1999</b></p><p>29 degrees on the breezeway at 8:30am, light snowfall all day.</p><p>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. </p><p><i>PBS</i> 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 <i>NBC</i> trying to rehabilitate herself by claiming she is now a devout Christian. Watched <i>Teletubbies</i> again today, more of the same nonsense. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Navazio and Ramaswamy</i> of 15 Mulberry Street dated March 19, 1979. <br /></p><p><i>TV22</i> reported that <i>Salads and Such</i> in the Food Court at <i>Baystate West/Tower Square</i> is closing. They always offered a good choice of selections on their menu. Also, <i>Autumn Furs</i> of 318 Bridge Street is closing after being open since 1910. So there goes two more downtown businesses. </p><p>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. </p><p>Called <i>Westbank</i> and asked for Donald Chase and got his secretary Denise. I told her that their advertising line "At <i>Westbank</i> 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. <br /></p><p>Called Aunt Maria and she hung up in my ear again. </p><p>A woman calling from <i>Spaulding Sports</i> was a wrong number. Eamon called and told me there was an enormous explosion at the green-painted <i>Jahn Foundry</i> in East Springfield and a dozen men were seriously injured. I told Eamon what I was cooking and he said he buys <i>Franco-American Spaghetti</i> at <i>Stop&Shop</i> rather than make his own. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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." </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 26, 1999</b></p><p>Today started sunny but turned cloudy. 31 degrees at 9:30am. </p><p><i>The Arthur Blank Printing Company</i> 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 <i>Telletubbies</i> merchandise to the queer community. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p>Made copies, then put out the mail at <i>Louis&Clark</i>, 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 <i>Westfield Savings</i>.</p><p>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 <i>Subway</i> on Main for a baloney sandwich. They tried to overcharge me by a dime, but I caught them. <br /></p><p>Got a poster for the 20th anniversary of the <i>Iron Horse</i> 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?</p><p>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 <i>TV57</i> went briefly off the air due to "satellite transmission difficulties." </p><p>Wrong number called looking for Connie Avery at <i>Storrowtown</i>. 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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>February 28, 1999</b></p><p>Sunny and 34 degrees at 9:30am.</p><p><i>Westbank</i> has a new slogan, "<i>Westbank</i> has its roots where others have their branches." The Chicopee Public Library is showing the film <i>Paper Moon</i>, which it describes as "a self-reliant orphan teams up with a con-man to steal your heart." <br /></p><p>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 <i>Haband Company</i> in 1984 over a hat I ordered but did not receive. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Citgo</i> on the corner of Alden. Across the street it was 86 cents as the price of gas continues to fall. Then I backtracked to <i>Dunkin' Donuts</i> and got a cheese and bacon bagel plus a raspberry doughnut. I tossed my ten cents change into their tip cup. </p><p>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 <i>Dunkin' Donuts,</i> 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. <br /></p><p>Next I drove down Breckwood to Boston Road, pausing at <i>Russell's</i> 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 <i>Arizona</i> 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 <i>Angelo's</i> and bought two grapefruit. </p><p>From there I headed over to <i>Forest Park Antiques</i> 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 <i>Reed & Barton</i> 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 <i>Red Brick Books</i>, where I bought a collection of back issues of <i>Hungry Hill</i> magazine plus a book on the history of Florence, Massachusetts. Didn't see a single oil painting. <br /></p><p>I decided to briefly stop at <i>O'Brien's Corner</i>, where I barely found a place to park in back. They have a pay phone out front and a <i>Friendly's</i> 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. </p><p>Wrong number Paul St. Amour of Indian Orchard called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. 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. </p><p>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. <br /></p><p>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. <br /></p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-77480740363622916792021-12-08T14:50:00.134-05:002024-03-06T13:13:07.514-05:00March 1999<p style="text-align: center;"> <b>March 1, 1999</b></p><p>Sunny, nice day. 46 degrees at 1:40pm. </p><p><i>ABC News</i>
says a survey shows that 20% of Americans want nothing to do with
computers or the internet. Elmcrest Country Club is having their Third
Annual Center School Golf Classic on April 26th. <br /></p><p>A busy day, but I got a lot done. Drove out just before 9am and got the paper out of the trash in front of <i>Louis & Clark</i>. I had a bag of paperbacks and some odds and ends for Patty. Then I dropped off a bag of stuff at Whitney's back door. </p><p>Next down Alden and over to Donald Holland's on Dwight Road and looked into the units of the <i>Longmeadow Professional Park</i>. <i>The DeWolfe Real Estate Agency</i>
is on the first floor of the back building. Lesley College has an
adjacent suite of rooms, mostly empty for their School of Management
program. Holland's office is on the third floor of the middle building,
with a very Victorian looking bookcase in one of the rooms. </p><p>Then I drove over to Bliss Road and visited the shops there.<i> Brightwood Hardware</i>
cut me a small piece of glass for the frame of my picture of William
Blackstone. They are an old hardware store but they have everything
including stuff that looks like it is exclusively for the Longmeadow
crowd. </p><p>I took my cut glass and left it in the car and walked through the strip mall. <i>Longmeadow Flowers</i>
has an extensive line of upscale figurines of many sorts. One cloisonne
lamp like mine was priced at $350. They had fancy painted birdhouses
and bronze sundials. </p><p>There is a post office at the end which had a
community bulletin board covered with posters I've never seen in
Springfield, such as a <i>Channel 57</i> wine tasting, the Junior League and a talk by Fran Gagnon on the History of Women in Longmeadow. I then came thru their <i>Big Y</i>,
which had two community bulletin boards. However, I was aghast at some
of the prices of things, grapefruit 79 cents per pound, artichokes two
for $3. It was crowded but sort of old fashioned like the one in 16
Acres. <br /></p><p>I stopped at <i>Pizzeria Uno </i>for a large bowl of
chili for $3.50. I had to send the spoon back because it had spots on it
so I only left a $1.25 tip. The chili was splendid and I had a large
glass of ice water with it. The chili came with taco chips and two
slices of okra of top. I added grated cheese and hot peppers. The place
is nicely decorated with a full bar. Framed memorabilia from Chicago,
but also a framed print of the Springfield skyline and a litho of the <i>Fire and Marine</i> building. Then into <i>Staples</i> and bought small clasp envelopes, 25 to a package, but when I got home I found there were only 24. </p><p>It was sprinkling as I drove back. Heard a chickadee when I got out of the car. The mail came at 1:10pm and included <i>The Cheater's Bible</i> from <i>Hamilton</i>,
which I plan to read tomorrow, as well as clearing off the shelves in
Mother's closet. Also got a charming letter from Viola Dutton Huff
offering condolences for the death of Mother. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 2, 1999</b> </p><p>Sunny and in the high 30's.</p><p><i>TV57</i> had a special on the number of people who are incarcerated for marijuana. I've sent copies of <i>Aunt Jennie's Poems</i> to all the people who sent me condolences over Mother. Read over half of Corbett's book on cheating today. </p><p>Went out to mail some letters, then to the 30% off sale at <i>Caldor's</i>. By the time I got there most of the shelves were bare. From there to <i>Subway</i>, where the woman put about twice the amount of meat on it than usual. She was a sweet girl who told me she's a nursing student at Holyoke Community College. Then into <i>Food Mart</i> where I swiped a poster off their bulletin board. <br /></p><p>Called <i>Baystate Medical</i> about Mother's unpaid bill and got Jinnene Douglas, who was a surly individual. I told her about the problem and she said, "Tell her to call us, I'm not supposed to be talking to you about it" and then hung up in my ear!</p><p>I called right back and told her Mother is dead and she replied, "You should have said that before." I replied that I'm not running an information service and stressed that Mother had received no services from Baystate on January 15th and if they want to me to pay the bill they will have to sue me. "Okay, that's what we'll do," she sneered and hung up on me again! I've had trouble with <i>Baystate</i> twice this year. </p><p>Fred Whitney called and said he had just heard that Mother died and gave oral condolences. Eamon called and said I should get a motorcycle. He liked <i>Aunt Jennie's Poems</i>, especially the pictures. Eamon says Dr. Silber's enemies are trying to get him to resign, but Eamon has sent a letter to Governor Cellucci in his defense. I promised I would do the same. <br /></p><p> Eamon said he spoke with Gary Mescher and Bob Stanley in the public finance department at <i>Moody's</i> who who told him the Albano press conference on the city's fiscal status was "full of lies." Gary urged Eamon to keep him updated regularly because "we need a watchdog in Springfield" to keep them informed of what the local politicians are doing and saying. Eamon said he only wishes his old <i>Moody's</i> contact Carl Jacob was still around. <br /></p><p>Eamon told me he passed on the same info to Tom Vannah at the the <i>Advocate</i>, who wants to do an article on Springfield's bonding issues. Eamon has also written a letter to the <i>Chicopee Herald</i> critical of Hillary Clinton. According to Eamon Fred Whitney calls his phone editorial about once a week. <br /></p><p>Allegra from <i>Modern Language</i> called wanting to sell me something, but I told her to call back another time because I was busy. She asked whom she should ask for when she called and I told her "Queerboy Fag Sissypansy." Nobody called back.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 3, 1999</b></p><p>Sunny, 52 degrees at Westover at noon. </p><p>Tourists killed by terrorists in Africa - if you want the thrills you have to take the spills. Monica Lewinsky was interviewed by Barbara Walters on <i>ABC</i>. She said Clinton told her, "I might be alone in a few years," and Monica replied, "I think we'd make a good team." </p><p><i>TV40</i> conducted a dial-in poll (cost 60 cents so you bet I didn't participate) in which 55% replied that the Senate made the wrong decision in not removing Clinton from office. The main issue is that of an older man using his power and position to abuse a younger woman. <br /></p><p><i>United Co-operative Bank</i> has an ad on TV that has a close up shot of the Miles Morgan statue. On <i>TV57</i> Carol Ross Joynt said, "The basic principle of journalism is persistence, persistence, persistence." <i>Big Y</i> donuts are now 50 cents each. Not that long ago they were three for a dollar. I went out and completed the spring pruning. Started clouding up at 2:45pm, rain started at 4:12. <br /></p><p>Finished Corbett on cheating, a remarkable book. Mail came at 1:45pm and brought a badly ripped copy of <i>Newsweek</i>, a note from Eamon about Albano's press release on bonding and pink sheets from <i>Northeast Utilities Action Network</i>. </p><p>Clearing out Mother's closet, I spent two hours sifting through the contents of a box marked 1973. It was Mother's custom each year to put selected memorabilia and documents from that year in a box and stick it somewhere. I expect to find many more of these boxes. <br /></p><p>Wrong number Kathy called looking for David at <i>Storrowtown</i>. Didn't apologize. Called the <i>Union-News</i> and Dotty said the last paid day of my subscription is March 9th. I asked her to cancel after that and she said, "Okay, will do." Called Aunt Maria but as soon as she recognized my voice she hung up. Eamon called and said that when he went to Boston Road <i>Walmart</i> recently the place looked awful dirty. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Dined on a small can of <i>Dinty Moore's Beef Stew</i> with an <i>Arizona</i> iced tea. While eating the stew a small chip came off my right wisdom tooth<b>.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 4, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Thursday, yes, Thursday. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Very windy today. The dumpster got blown over, but fortunately nothing was inside. A pine branch fell into the street. <i>TV40</i> had technical difficulties and was off the air between 6:45 and 8am. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Finished Mother's closet and moved all the books that were under the old kitchen table into my bedroom. The biggest treasure to surface today was a letter from Wesley Church sent by Minister Edgar J. Helms as a fundraising plea in 1968. There was also a 1973 house insurance letter from <i>Palmer, Goodell and Keeney Insurance</i>, located in the <i>Valley Bank Tower</i>. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I came upon a silver box from <i>Steiger's</i>. Inside was a piece of Chinese pottery from <i>Hall Gallery</i>. In the old days, <i>Hall Gallery</i> had many little alcoves with different lines of expensive items. I found the last bottle of Lucien Leleng's <i>Whisper</i>, the final bottle of the perfume she was able to buy after they went out of business thirty years ago. I recall she once loved a little bottle of scent she got from <i>Stanley Home Products</i> but could never find another. In the closet I also found three boxes of unused greeting cards and Father's favorite shoes from his last years. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Sun finally came out at 2:45pm. Mail here at 1:45. I drove out and got the <i>Valley Advocate</i>, came through <i>Angelo's</i> and found a <i>Chicopee Herald</i> in their trash. I bought two <i>Peter Max Iced Teas</i> for 99cents, then headed over to the <i>Marketplace/Job Lots</i>, where I got some juices and Lynda the checkout girl said, "I like your jacket." <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Ads say prices at <i>Caldor's</i> are now down 50% but there can't be much left. Dined on <i>Swanson's Fish and Chips Dinner</i> today. Called Aunt Maria and got her to talk. Ruth and Edith were over and Edith's brother is doing much better. I told her I would be over in a few days to rake, but she shouted, "I don't want you to rake my lawn," and hung up in my ear. <br /><b></b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Wrong number Connie called from Boston. Eamon called and we talked about the splendid article in the <i>Advocate</i> by Tom Vannah on the city's bonding issues. However, the article never mentioned Eamon, who provided a lot of the information. Eamon told me he didn't care, "I'm just delighted that the facts finally got out." Eamon says his activism is focused on "results, not self-promotion." </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 6, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">27 degrees at 9am.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The Dow closed at 9736. Unemployment is up a full percentage from last Fall. The light bill for last month was under $20 and the thermometer is set at 50. Skipped the Bishop's Prayer Breakfast this morning and had hotcakes and sausages at home instead. I'll attend his St. Patrick's Day Mass. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Did some general picking up, pockets of order are emerging. I watched <i>The Today Show</i> and then decided to tune into Dan Yorke's radio show, where he was hosting an open forum on abortion. I prefer his TV show. Yorke is a Dayton alumnus. I wonder how his ratings are? One of his advertisers is <i>The Student Prince/Fort </i>which is described in the ad as "a historic landmark that's still here!"</p><p style="text-align: left;">The mail arrived shortly after 1:30. Got a thank you note from Mrs. Cressotti for <i>Aunt Jennie's Poems</i>. I later replied to condolences from Penniman, Waite and Mulhausen. I sent a friendly letter to Colleen informing her of Mother's demise and apologized for not sending a Christmas card. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Aunt Maria hung up on me again. I called <i>Friendly Ice Cream</i> and they told me their new President is John Cutter, replacing Donald Smith. I then wrote to Mr. Cutter, informing him of the date errors on their receipts. I told him I own a whopping 25 shares in his corporation, and I expect his employees to know the date. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Anybody can make a mistake, but our country is going to hell on mistakes. I also told Cutter that I have gone to <i>Boston Chicken</i> twice, but never bought anything because I can do better buying a chicken from the supermarket and cooking it at home. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Called downtown and Mary in the Registrar of Deeds said their fee is $25, while Doris in Ashe's office said I have to contact City Hall to discuss tax matters. Maria in Probate said it costs $90 to file a will. </p><p style="text-align: left;">About 2pm I drove out to Mrs. Staniski's and dropped off some magazines. Then I headed to<i> Cat's Paw</i>, where the Robillard's sold me a lovely birdbath for only $40, half the price charged anywhere else. I also bought an antique book of nursery rhymes for $5. I swung by <i>Stop&Shop</i> for some chicken and peanuts. Flurries started at 2:21pm and snow was coming down heavy by the time I got back at 3 o'clock. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A contrite sounding Mayor Albano was on TV tonight with Bob McCollum and Dom Sarno announcing a settlement in the Schoolfield death for an undisclosed sum. There have been several undisclosed settlements by the city in recent years and it would be interesting to know how much they add up to. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 7, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Overcast, 36 degrees at 1:16pm. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Found some newspaper clippings of Mother's - Author Jim Ballard addressed the
Springfield Area Council for Excellence at the SIS Center in 1995, Mrs. John B. McGahan of
Wilbraham Road had a girl in 1973 plus a
1975 flyer for John Sheedy, who serviced Father's hearing aide for some
time. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Got about three inches of snow yesterday, so I was out shoveling at 8:30am. By the time I finished the driveway the sun was brightly shining. Nobody home at Colleen's. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>TV57</i> pledge drive today featured <i>Barney's Big Surprise</i>. Had <i>Shredded Wheat</i> this morning, it was Mother's favorite cereal. Wrote some letters. I went to the concert at First Church and parked in front of City Hall. I went in at 3:30pm just as it was starting. The concert wasn't wonderful but consistently fine. When I left it seemed very raw and cold out.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Called Mrs. Staniski and told her about the memorial service, the concert and cautioned her against doing anything dangerous. Called Aunt Maria and she silently paused for a couple of seconds before hanging up on me.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Eamon T. O'Sullivan changes his taped editorials on his answering machine three or four times a week, although he has been known to change a tape twice in a day when some some special news breaks. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Eamon called and I told him about the half price birdbaths at <i>Cat's Paw</i>. Eamon described the <i>Jahn Foundry</i> as "a hellhole poorly served by OSHA." Eamon then recalled how <i>O'Brien's Corner</i> used to have an upstairs room where St. Mary's Church celebrated Mass before their church was built. Eamon says that someday he might write a historical essay about <i>O'Brien's Corner</i> and its colorful past. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Eamon then described this Jewish guy named Myron Miller, who was extremely talented in making marquetry and who did some work for Ruppert Scherff at <i>The Fort</i>. Eamon said that Miller had mirrors on the wall of a basement room that was designed to make it look like a casino in Las Vegas' old days. He called it <i>The Alibi Room</i>. A young Tommy O'Connor used to hang around there with his girlfriend, and Myron Miller was one of O'Connor's earliest backers for mayor. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Eamon then told me about how he helped Socco Catjakis run his early campaigns by writing 90% of his press releases and campaign literature. Eamon said he tried to get Catjakis to endorse Charlie Ryan for mayor in 1995, but he refused because Socco was close to Tommy O'Connor, and O'Connor hated Ryan as his chief political rival. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Despite the fact that Eamon himself had once been fired from his city position by Ryan, Eamon supported Charlie because he considered him a man of integrity who would pursue sound policies. After Ryan lost, Eamon and Socco were walking in Van Horn Park when Catjakis asked if Eamon wanted him to put in a word to get Eamon a position in the Albano Administration. Eamon told me he emphatically replied, "Absolutely not!"</p><p style="text-align: left;">I told Eamon about how I was trying to get in touch with the editor at <i>Hungry Hill</i> magazine. Eamon said that Faulkner can be flighty and unpredictable "like so many who have been scarred by the Irish experience." </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 9, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Cold, 23 degrees at 8:30am.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>The Union-News</i> and the <i>Reminder</i> were both here before 9am. Today is the last day of my <i>Union-News</i> subscription. The first thing I went down to <i>Breckwood</i> and made copies. I bought a copy of the <i>Boston Globe</i> which I notice has a Coupon of the Day just as the Springfield papers do. I wonder who came up with the idea first?</p><p style="text-align: left;">Next I swung by Whitney's and dropped off the poetry book and a copy of my latest letter to Governor Cellucci. I could see Fred through the window walking with a cane, but I left quietly without him realizing I was there. I also stopped at <i>Friendly's</i> and left off a letter for their new president. Then to <i>Cat's Paw</i> where I bought an antique <i>Springfield Beer</i> metal tray at a big discount.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">At noon, John Quill said the high today would be 41 but it only got up to 27 degrees. Barry Krieger on <i>TV22</i> showed the sketches of the new Basketball Hall of Fame, with some commentary from City Economic Development Director Tom McColgan. The mail came at 1:45pm and included a thank you note from Mrs. Allard, plus the <i>Beau Ties</i> catalog and an already opened envelope advertising porn. The mailman must have had a good time. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I dined on baked potatoes and the rest of the hamburg and spaghetti. News said the State Police Map website gets 100,000 hits per month. Tom Devine says he gets only a tenth of that amount. Called Aunt Maria and when I said my name she replied, "Wesley, who?" then hung up. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Lynn at <i>Punderson</i> called and said my furnace inspection will be Wednesday. Eamon called and talked quite a while. He told me how for a time he dated the youngest daughter of Michael Ferris, who had two sons and two daughters and lived in a fancy English Tudor house. The old man ran a store in Chicopee and was always vacationing in Florida.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Once when Eamon was sitting with the daughter in the parlor she asked, "Eddie, would you mind if father checked your credit rating?" Another time they were swimming in the pool of Leo Babian and she asked, "Eddie, do you think you'll ever be able to afford a place like this?" Eamon said he is glad they never married because he now realizes she was a goldbricker.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Eamon called Wayne Phaneuf at the paper and asked about the bond rating discrepancies between Albano and the state, but Phaneuf claimed to be unaware of the issues. Phaneuf did say the paper is determined to uncover the amounts paid in the Schoolfield, Danielle and other city settlements. Eamon told me he has heard rumors that Danielle got $700,000 and the Benjamin Schoolfield settlement was almost one million. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 10, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Overcast and 28 degrees at 8am. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Sheryl McLean worked at <i>Business Digest</i> on Southwick Street in Feeding Hills in 1994. Took the early bus into the city at 7am and attended the Springfield Area Council for Excellence business learning session featuring local inspirational speaker James Ballard giving a lecture entitled <i>What's the Rush?</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">I was dressed full queer with my freshly shaved head, pink triangle earring in my right lobe, biker jacket with black and blue hankies in my back pockets identifying me as a masochistic cocksucker. I topped it all off with my white <i>Valley Advocate</i> 25th Anniversary t-shirt. The question is, how many people understand the nuances of my uniform? Anyone who knows queer uniforms would get the message, but most people probably just think I look queer. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I arrived a little early so I walked around the <i>Baystate West</i> food court. They have added potted trees that look real nice. It appears that <i>Salads and Such</i> are closing. In the tourist information rack I got a glitzy postcard for the new American glass exhibit at the Quadrangle. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">As soon as I arrived at the learning session I introduced myself to Tom Herrala. He is an insurance man who I found to be jovial, articulate and competent. He stood throughout the entire program, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. They served hot coffee and muffins. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Janet Edwards, the<i> </i>bookstore lady was there and so was Burton from <i>Hampden Bank</i>, but I politely avoided him. Speaker Jim Ballard came up to me at the end and said, "I've seen you around, but I don't know you." I replied that he had probably seen me collecting posters in the Amherst area. I gave him my card and he said, "Thanks, Wesley." I suspect the real reason he approached me is he saw my <i>Valley Advocate</i> t-shirt and wondered if I was with the media. I also spoke with a woman who told me she felt that Ballard's philosophy was too
much "the gospel of going with the flow" and she believed that more
emphasis should have been put on individualism. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Afterwards I went to the Main Street <i>Subway</i>, where the woman working there told me she used to manage <i>Bruno's Pizza</i>. Then I walked around downtown a bit, paid $10 at the <i>Judge's Chambers</i> and was given a red membership card and a key marked No. 173. In time I shall visit all the Springfield gay bars to see how they differ. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Stopped by the fur shop on Bridge Street which has been in business since 1910. It's a warm, intimate type shop. The manager was a friendly little Jew who told me they had just lost their lease and are going out of business. He told me he is 76 but never intended to retire. A thin, elderly woman was in the office, perhaps his wife. I wished him well and gave him my card. </p><p style="text-align: left;">The mail today brought a nice letter from John Silber at Boston University, thanking me for the copy I sent him of my letter to Governor Cellucci. He said "it is heartening to know of your continued efforts to improve the educational standards in the public schools." He also thanked me for the copy I sent him of Mother's obituary, stating that Mother "was clearly a remarkable woman whose absence in your home must be keenly felt." </p><p style="text-align: left;">I also got a letter from the Morgan Library politely telling me they are not interested in the material on Miles Morgan I wanted to donate to them. It's clear they have no real interest in adding to their collection. Friday's <i>Wall Street Journal</i> had an article on Pierpont Morgan entitled, "Object Lessons: A Stroll Through the House of Morgan" by Eric Gibson. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Unknown called while I was out. Called Aunt Maria and although she didn't speak, before she had the chance to hang up I was able to blurt out that I would come to see her soon.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 12, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Chilly, breezy, 31 degrees at 9:30am. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. - Johann Goethe </i><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">14 weeks of the <i>Union-News</i> costs $28. Dow up to 9882 at noon. The Dow hit 1000 in 1972 and 5000 in 1995 and is projected to hit 10,000 any day now. The stock market is over-valued and overdue for a correction. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Development Director McColgan was on TV again talking about the Hall of Fame project. A pledge break on <i>TV57</i> during the <i>Louis Rukeyser Show</i> suggested people call the station at 781-5757 and tell them whether your financial situation has improved or declined. I called and told them I lost half a million dollars in the fall of <i>Monarch</i> and am now virtually penniless. I didn't say who I was. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I listened to the Dan Yorke radio show for a little bit. A woman called in saying she is connected to the Ludlow Library and wanted to know why Yorke never responded to a letter she sent him weeks ago detailing problems they were having. Dan said he must have misplaced her letter, which sounded like a BS excuse. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I drove out around 9am and bought the specials at <i>Stop&Shop</i> using triple coupons, then came through <i>Bradlees</i>. I headed downtown, parking on Salem and then walked down the hill. I ran into Jim Contavich, who told me the library is having a book sale in June. </p><p style="text-align: left;">No activity at the <i>Westfield Bank</i> site. This month's <i>BusinessWest</i> says they are the fourth largest bank in the Valley, after <i>SIS</i>, <i>Fleet</i> and <i>Bank of Boston</i>. The <i>McDonald's</i> is now gone from the <i>SIS</i> building, meaning there is now no <i>McDonald's</i> in the heart of downtown, although there are still <i>McDonald's</i> in the North and South End. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Wandered into the <i>Sheraton</i> where they were offering their $5.95 luncheon special which today was featuring baked scrod. I'll have to try it some day when they are serving something better. Got a newspaper out of their trashcan. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Then to the Quad for the glass exhibit in the Wheeler Gallery. I like it, but it is too bad that each artist was permitted to show several pieces, because many of them were very similar and do doubt there were some runner-up artists who would have better deserved a slot. On the way home I swung by the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> where I got a free pair of plastic salad tongs with my<i> Eastfield Mall Frequent Shopper</i> card. They never give away anything of real value. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Eamon called to make sure I saw the statement in the paper where they announced their intention to uncover the sums paid in the settlements over Schoolfield, Danielle and others over the past several years. A grieving Nader the Hatter called to say his mother had further complications and has died. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Edith Michaud called and said Aunt Maria has lost her lower dentures and is always hiding money around the house. I hate when she calls me telling me things Aunt Maria does that I can do nothing about. Called Aunt Maria myself and told her the <i>IBM</i> check should be coming soon before she hung up. I called back and told her I am only trying to help her and to call me anytime. She shouted, "I wouldn't call you! You've always treated me like shit," and then hung up the phone on me again. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 13, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">A nice, sunny day. 33 degrees at 7:30am. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I found one crocus behind the house in full bloom. I drove out at 7:35am and bought the paper for the obituary of Nader the Hatter's mother. She was born in Fall River and is described as having been "a commercial artist at the <i>Albert Steiger Department Store</i>."<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Then over to the Foster Memorial Annual Rummage Sale at the corner of Wibraham Road and Parker Street. The line outside was slow in forming, probably because Cathedral High was having their fundraising sale at the same time. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Ms. Morin was there and said she might be interested in buying some of Mother's clothing if I was selling any. She told me she went to the new flea market in Chicopee, located in the former<i> Big Y</i>, where she bought some excellent jars for cookies. She hasn't been to the place in Northampton yet, but she was told it featured expensive antiques and things by local craftspeople. I told her that sounds like just the sort of thing that Mayor Albano would like to have in Springfield but never will. She agreed.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The couple who run the <i>Cumberland Farms</i> in the Acres were there and told me they were broken into a few nights ago. I also spoke with the man behind me, who told me Foster Memorial is having trouble continuing the sale because the old people who organize it are dying off and the younger church members aren't interested. I looked around and sure enough most of the people there were older than me. </p><p style="text-align: left;">A lady from the church came out to put up the directional signs, so I asked her why they have never installed the antique stained glass window from the original church in the wall of the new one. She said at the time the present building was erected it was decided the window didn't match with the rest of the architecture. </p><p style="text-align: left;">For a long time it sat deteriorating in a closet, until it was finally restored and placed in a stand up frame. Once a year it is put out front with a light shining behind it. She told me originally it was hoped it could be installed in the wall of an addition once planned for the church, but declining membership means it will probably never be built. </p><p style="text-align: left;">She then informed me that just recently the heirs to the family that donated the window to the church presented them with the program from the dedication ceremony for the original church, where the window had hung in the church tower. That was wonderful because previously there were no known copies in existence. The whole time she told me these things she was totally unfazed by how I was dressed in my full uniform, complete with black and blue hankies. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Another lady told me she is opening a collectible shop right next to the clock shop in Forest Park. She said she feels that is a good location with the Forest Park Post Office nearby. The Foster sale was a good one. I got a 1969 <i>Webster's Dictionary</i> for $10, a rare edition worth much more than I paid for it. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Next I drove over to the Cathedral fundraiser, but everything was pretty much picked over. Koziel was there with his son, and I asked him what he thought of the Clinton scandals. He said he didn't care because he liked Clinton's policies. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Books were only 75 cents so I bought six, five on the philosophy of religion and a comedy book by Jerry Seinfeld. And of all things, they had two antique Cathedral football helmets with CHS on them in silver and with leather straps. They cost $10 apiece so I bought both of them, one for my own collection and the other to sell for a pretty profit to the football collectible dealers. You can make money on the tag sale circuit if you know what to buy and where to sell it.</p><p style="text-align: left;">As I left the nun at the register said I could take for free a little woven basket I wanted to buy along with the helmets. I threw her a dollar anyway, to which she exclaimed, "We love you!" I replied, "Ditto to you." <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Finally, I swung by <i>Susan T's Antiques</i> on Sumner Avenue, where I bought an artsy silver tray with "Springfield, Ma. 1939" stamped on the back of it for only $12. I could get a nice price reselling this as well, but I want it for my own collection. </p><p style="text-align: left;">The comic <i>Nancy</i> had a cartoon today where Sluggo has a dream that his bald head is replaced by shoulder length hair and a beard. Cartoonists can't resist drawing hippies. Mail was late, not here until 12:30pm. Dined today on asparagus on toast and finished the corn chowder. Spoke briefly with Aunt Maria. She was polite and told me she had received nothing from IBM. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 14, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">A little snow last night, 34 degrees at 8am. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Ronald Reagan was charging $50,000 per speech in 1989. Military fatigues are the ultimate juvenile delinquent jock outfit. When you're dressed like that it's a license to have a sexed up good old time maiming and killing.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The news said the USA sends 210 new prisoners to jail every day. We are second only to the Russians. A quarter of all our prisoners are drug offenders. News at noon said that <i>Fleet</i> is purchasing <i>Bank of Boston</i> with an immense amount of stock. That is bad because <i>Fleet</i> is a stingy bank and I can get better interest elsewhere. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Dined this morning on two sugar donuts. The Lynch's have a new, little black car. Reached Aunt Maria at 12:45pm. She went to church and is cooking her corned beef and cabbage, as am I. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I drove out about 3pm and mailed sympathy cards to the Nader family at <i>Breckwood</i>. Swiped an unusual poster for the Walker Hall Ballroom Dance, the first I've seen for dancing in a Baptist Church. Then over to the <i>Five Town Mall</i> and into <i>Caldor's</i>. The shelves were picked bare so I left. From there I got bread and cheese from <i>Food Mart</i>. As I was leaving, a woman getting into a car wearing a black biker jacket waved at me. </p><p style="text-align: left;">When I got home I dined on my corned beef and cabbage with boiled onions, carrots and potatoes. The first big dinner I've cooked for myself in a while and there was enough left over for another meal. The mail came at 2pm, which included a sample copy of <i>Yankee</i> magazine.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Former UMass coach J. Calipari has been fired in New Jersey after winning only three games this season. They said his in your face approach to coaching was not popular with the players. Maybe they lost on purpose. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 16, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Sunny, 37 degrees at 10:30am. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Dow momentarily hit 10,000 before falling 28. My principal achievement today was putting out an order for 1000 postcards of the Bethel Methodist Church. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Gas is going up. Read my free <i>Yankee</i> magazine, I always find something in <i>Yankee</i> that makes reading it worthwhile. Drove out this morning and stopped at the <i>Goodwill</i>, where Patty sold me a lamp for $15.75. Then I drove into the city and parked near the Marshall Center and walked down the hill. </p><p style="text-align: left;">On my way I found some cards promoting <i>Club Kaos</i>, which is in where <i>Enterprise</i> was and before that the Unemployment Office. It is a lovely structure with a resin floor and art deco railings on the stairs. A sign by the door said that no liquor is allowed on the premises. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Then through <i>Tower Square</i> to <i>Antiques on Boland</i> way, but it had more retro than antique stuff. Left a letter for Herrala at the Chamber of Commerce. Nothing has changed at the old <i>Johnson's</i> or <i>Westfield Savings</i>. Stopped in at the Periodicals Room at the library and looked at several papers. The desk attendant gave me a dirty look as I left. Got home mid-afternoon. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Around 6:30pm I went and listened to the Mayor speak at the 16 Acres Civic Association meeting. The Association was first formed in the early 1960's and was originally called the Sixteen Acres Civic Council. Its meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at the Church of the Acres on Wilbraham Road. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Albano arrived early and was friendly to all, including me. There were about fifty people at the meeting, all white and only a few young people. City Councilors Brian Santaniello and William Boyle were there, as was Dom Sarno. Roger Dumais was back from his by-pass surgery. Two cops were present, I approached one and asked about the cards they were passing out with their picture on them, sort of like bubble gum cards. He was satisfactorily polite (I was in full uniform) and told me they are part of a public relations effort that began about a year ago. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I sat down in the front row and so did Albano, but we spoke only briefly to acknowledge the St. Patrick's Day decorations that adorned Walker Hall. President Marshall Moriarty called the meeting to order, then introduced Albano by praising him for "single-handedly changing the financial landscape of the City of Springfield." First thing Albano said after walking to the podium was that he had just gotten back from two days in Philadelphia and was tired but "glad to be here with you." </p><p style="text-align: left;">Albano thanked Moriarty for his introduction and declared that he had indeed "stabilized the fiscal situation in Springfield." He talked about public safety, building new schools and the new sidewalks he had installed throughout the neighborhood. He also claimed that property values were rising in the Acres. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Albano then listed the "sixteen advantages to building a baseball stadium" downtown, which he claimed would make Springfield "a destination city." He then described the Basketball Hall of Fame as a "successful private/public partnership."<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">One woman stood up and said she lives by Veterans Golf Course and complained that her house gets bombarded with golf balls. She said she told the city about it three years ago and nothing has been done. Albano told her he would ask the Park Department whether it was possible for the course to be changed to avoid her house. Then I stood up and asked Albano about the city's debt and he dodged the question by telling me that Dan Kelly or Kevin Kennedy would get in touch with me. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Afterwards, a woman came up to me and accused me of having asked the Mayor a
"hostile question." I told her my question was completely legitimate and
accused her of having an attitude. Then I spoke with Mrs. Boyle, who is on the New Library Committee, and she said that with seven entrances the new library will be the safest library in the city. I have been sparring with Mrs. Boyle for years but didn't mean to put her down when I told her that what's important is the books in the library, not the number of entrances. As I left Moriarty told me he was delighted by the turnout and thanked me for coming. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I was back home at 8:30pm. Unknown called while I was gone. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 17, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Sunny and 37 degrees at 7:30am.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Maine is considering a bill that would prohibit discrimination against motorcyclists. Peter Max is designing cans for <i>Arizona</i> brand. Called Eamon O'Sullivan and Charlie Ryan and left St. Patrick's Day good wishes. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Lawn still substantially covered with snow. Our roof is one of the last to melt, especially now that I have turned the heat down. It was mild, so I loaded the trunk of my car with all the pieces of wood from my spring trimming of a few days back. I embarked for my Fernbank property at 11:01am. Arrived in Wilbraham at 11:12. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Nobody home next door. No tracks around, no sign of anybody. The tarp is still on the garage. Dumped the trimmings and left at 11:16 to head to Palmer. A lot of tacky urban sprawl up in the Palmer area. Parked on Main Street where there are no parking meters. There is a little depot park in the middle of town, with numerous people walking around. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>George Washington Plaza</i> still has a <i>K-Mart</i>, <i>Asylum Health and Racquet </i>and several empty storefronts. <i>Western Auto</i> was having a retirement sale, the old man inside said there are still <i>Western Autos</i> in Greenfield and Southampton. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Palmer has a <i>Jane Alden</i>. They used to have a fancy shop across from the entrance to Forest Park, where Mother's drug addicted Dr. Raczicki had his office. It is interesting to find fossil chains like <i>Jane Alden</i> and <i>Western Auto</i> hanging on in Palmer when they have disappeared elsewhere in the valley. Found not a single poster in Palmer, not even on the bulletin board at the library. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Left Palmer at 12:14 and went to the <i>Eastfield Mall Subway</i>, where I got a ham and cheese grinder for $2.97 with a dollar off coupon. The guy seemed a bit skimpy in putting things on the grinder so I will not be returning to that location. On the way home I saw the carpenter's union was picketing renovations being made by non-union labor at the Boston Road <i>Walmart</i>. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Home at 1:19pm. The mail was already here, including a thank you letter from Elder Robert Booth of the local Jehovah's Witnesses. Called my aunt. Edith answered and said Aunt Maria was out with Ruth. <i>TV57</i> had Irish dancers on and Paige Thayer was begging for
donations when she said "People like you and I..." I called 781-5757 and
pointed out her error.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <b>March 18, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Very windy. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Busy day (aren't they all?). Had asparagus on toast and grapefruit for breakfast. Raked behind the house, especially around the foundation to uncover the flowers, then cut up the remaining twigs and piled them on the tree belt. Mrs. Penniman drove by and waved. When later cleaning out a drawer in Mother's room, I came upon a receipt from <i>Steiger's</i> dated June 26, 1976. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>TV40</i> had a story about how in Versailles Palace there is a Pascal Clock made in the 1700's that will have no problem with the year 2000, having been made to adapt to every year up to 9999. That's what you call 18th century high tech! The news also showed the stock market cheering today as the Dow went over 10,000 again, although it fell to 9998 by the closing bell. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Another news story told how marijuana should be eaten, not smoked, because of lung cancer concerns. Governor Cellucci was talking on <i>TV22</i> about economic development and made numerous grammar errors. I have always considered Cellucci to be a bit soft-headed. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Mail here at 1pm with a letter from Blanche Allen Prichard and a notice from Mother's doctor Thomas F. Race announcing his retirement. Drove out around 1:30 and went to <i>Angelo's</i> where I bought yellow beans. Next I swung by <i>Tibby's Harley-Davidson</i> on Berkshire and got all the free booklets and brochures they had. Finally to <i>Stop&Shop</i>, where I bought the week's specials. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Fred Shapiro of Yale Law Library called and thanked me for the postcards
I sent him. He said he's read my books and found them "helpful." He
invited me to visit Yale Law Library sometime and offered to give me a
tour, "just let me know in advance when you are coming." It was a nice chat. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Called Aunt Maria to ask if she is interested in getting <i>Meals on Wheels</i>. She replied, "Why would I? I can cook my own." She then hung up on me after adding, "I don't want you coming over here!" Flora Bacon called and thanked me for my letter on Mother's death. She praised Mother's sense of humor and promised to buy my new book. Flora said she didn't send out Christmas cards this year as she was recovering from colon cancer. Her doctor is still Mullan. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Eamon called and I told him about Albano's appearance at the Sixteen Acres Civic Association. He urged me to call Tom Vannah and tell him about it. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 19, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Cloudy and 43 degrees at 7:30am. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Gregory L. Moore, Managing Editor of the <i>Boston Globe</i>, appears in advertising material praising the <i>Sheraton</i> at Monarch Place. Had shredded wheat for breakfast. Took the coats off the closet door handles and put them in the empty section of Mother's closet. Mother always left coats hanging on the doors, I have removed them.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The mail came at 12:30pm and included a box from <i>American Greetings</i> of Christmas cards in response to a complaint I made way back. I also got a David Tobin poster and a flyer from <i>Springfield Senior Services</i>. The <i>Union-News Extra</i> came in a lilac colored bag and had grocery store circulars inside. Printed on the bag was "Valuable Coupons Inside" but that was simply untrue as there were none to be found.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I drove out about 3pm after cooking beans and potatoes, only to find Boston Road blocked by an accident in front of the Pine Point Library. I turned around and drove up to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, where I was given four free tokens to the <i>Dream Machine</i>. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Vibrations</i> had a fine line of hippie clothes and irreverent t-shirts, but not the marijuana leaf style that I was looking for. When I left I drove to the Boston Road <i>McDonald's</i> and had a 99-cent fish sandwich. Cindy the <i>Breckwood</i> cashier and her husband were there with their little girl. Her husband seemed like a very straight, normal fellow. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">When I got back Julie from the <i>Union-News</i> called and offered me a subscription at half-price. I told her I am going without the paper from now on, thanked her for calling and that was that. Called Vannah at the <i>Advocate</i> and told him about Albano's 16 Acres speech. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Then I called the newspaper and asked to speak to Wayne Phaneuf. His secretary answered and transferred me to the City Desk where Phaneuf himself answered. I told him I enjoy his historical essays and hope to read more of them. I then explained that my <i>Union-News Extra</i> had nothing but the same old stuff in it and none of the valuable coupons advertised on the bag. Phaneuf explained that the bags were printed a long time ago and admitted there are no longer coupons inside on a regular basis. </p><p style="text-align: left;">He then noted that we are both friends of Eamon O'Sullivan and Phaneuf claimed he had recently received a letter from him with two Irish blessings in it. I told him that Eamon is a fine Irish-Catholic gentleman who has had the benefit of a Protestant education. I said that Eamon is almost always right and never takes a position on any issue without first doing a lot of research. I was also critical of "the old dogs" like Francis Gagnon who have taken control of the crown jewels of Springfield and sent the city down the tubes. I then thanked him for his time and hung up. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 21, 1999</b> <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">50 degrees at 3pm. Gas is 95 cents per gallon at the corner of Alden. </p><p style="text-align: left;"> <i>Art should be joy-giving and life enhancing.</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">Had a <i>Great Start Swanson Breakfast</i> and watched the St. Patrick's Day Mass at 7:09am featuring a memorable James O'Leary solo. The Bishop talked about the importance of opposing abortion, euthanasia and capital punishment. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Drove over to Aunt Maria's where I raked her front lawn real nice. Soon Aunt Maria arrived from church in a Toyota driven by Thelma Kerr. Aunt Maria had a plant given her by the church for her birthday tomorrow. </p><p style="text-align: left;">We went inside and I gave her a cat joke book and a card, as well as the latest <i>Xerox</i> statement. She then accused me of trying to steal her <i>IBM</i> stock and called me "a snake in the grass." At that I quietly closed the door and left. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">From there I went to the big flea market in Northampton. It is in a building that was once a mall and the parking lot was full. There were many booths and a great variety of antiques, gemstones, crafts, few books but lots of toys, clothing and furniture. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">An old man was selling copper kettles, very nice looking but copper kettles eventually crack. I asked him how much he paid for his space and he said the person in charge is Ed Zaganiacz of Sunderland and he charges 50 cents per square foot. A guy was selling <i>Garland's Arthurian Encyclopedia</i> for $60 dollars and I talked him down to $40. That alone was worth the trip. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">There was a snack bar where I bought a piece of Greek pastry for $1.25. Young and old, all sorts of merchandise, everybody having a good time. Though the market was diverse in many ways, I saw no minorities. A tag sale for the beautiful people. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I left at 11:44am and was driving through Mason Square by 12:20 on my way to <i>Eastfield Mall</i>. I ended up buying some wild orange cargo pants at <i>Vibrations</i>. They are wonderful and now I can dress totally in orange in solidarity with all the people in prison on drug charges. Home at 1:15pm. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Turned on the St. Patrick's Day parade with Jack O'Neil and Brenda Garton. Pittsfield participated for the first time and the local carpenter's union won first prize for their float featuring an Irish castle. Jack O'Neill was very diplomatic about saying only nice things about the politicians in the parade. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Cooked corn beef and cabbage with yellow beans. Then I called Edith and told her about my trip to the Northampton tag sale. I also thanked her for all she has done for my aunt. She said she spent two hours cleaning the oven and then the next day Aunt Maria cooked macaroni and cheese in it and got it all dirty again. Edith also told me not to worry about Aunt Maria keeping up with the property tax as she saw Aunt Maria's checkbook and it has over $85,000 in it. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 23, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Soaking wet this morning. 48 degrees at 7:25am.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Why is it when you and I have a "collector's item" nobody ever tries to collect it? - Liz Smith <i>Daily News</i>. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>The Montague Book Mill</i> is housed in a 1842 grist mill along the beds of the Sawmill River. Mail here by 12:30pm with a sympathy card from Jordan Luttrell. Mother has been dead for two months now. Not many more condolences will be coming in. Mother's chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution never got in touch and no word from Aunt Annie's family. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The oil tank is just a sliver over one-quarter. Mark Wahlberg and Chow Yun-Fat are shown wearing leather jackets in promotions for the new film <i>The Corrupter</i>. <i>The Bushnell</i> in Hartford is staging The Who's <i>Tommy</i>. Dined on a <i>Swanson Salisbury Steak Dinner</i> tonight. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Dan Elias on <i>TV22</i> said, "Sixty percent of intellectual capacity is developed during the first three years of life. Read to your child." That's what my parents did with me. They were serious people and they talked seriously to me. People should not goo-goo ga-ga with their kids. Role modeling begins instantly and missing in my life was a virile male role model. Father was a wonderful man, a good and fine man, but not a virile role model. Too bad I ruled out going into the military, but not too bad that I missed out on the Vietnam War. </p><p style="text-align: left;">State Rep. Dennis Murphy has resigned to take a position with the people planning a power plant in Agawam. I listened to Dan Yorke and a little of G. Gordon Liddy while completing a puzzle of a waterfall Mother had begun before she died. Yorke was mercilessly critical of Rep. Murphy, accusing him of "a conflict of interest" and saying he should donate all his campaign contributions to charity. I called in using the name Frank Wilson intending to talk about the general corruption of charities, but his producer wouldn't let me on the air because he said it was off topic. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Drove out at 7:45am and got the newspaper and Devine's newsletter at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. Today I wore my orange overalls and the purple and white t-shirt I got at <i>Savers</i>. With my biker jacket and cap it forms a fabulous outfit. <i>The Boston Sunday Herald</i> for March 21st had a picture of Elton John wearing an orange suit. Wearing orange is becoming popular and I am doing everything to support it. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Called Peter Picknelly at 746-4100 and told his secretary Barbara about the Northampton flea market. Called <i>Hungry Hill</i> magazine but only got their answering machine. I called down to <i>The Fort</i> and told Barbara that their commercial on <i>WNNZ</i> would be better grammatically if they used the term "historic treasure" to describe themselves instead of "historiCAL treasure." I then called to wish Aunt Maria a happy birthday but she said nothing and just hung up. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>TV22</i> did a story tonight about the tremendous economic spinoff from the St. Patrick's Day parade and showed Rep. Murphy getting an award for being an outstanding legislator. Eamon called and I told him about Yorke's attack on Murphy, which Eamon said he regretted missing. Eamon said that in his opinion Murphy was an unimpressive legislator. I mentioned Picknelly and Eamon told me Jack O'Neil is no longer with him but Chris Johnson of Agawam may replace him. Tony Cignoli is still Picknelly's political consultant. Eamon also described Wayne Phaneuf as one of the few people at the paper he finds easy to talk with. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 24, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">38 degrees at 7:25am. Gas is 97 cents at Breckwood <i>Sunoco</i>. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>United Cooperative Bank</i> is running commercials that briefly show the statue of my ancestor Miles Morgan. <i>Friendly's</i> stock is down. Richie Neal is stirring up the local Irish. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Since it was a rainy day, I decided to go up to the <i>Ingleside Mall</i> since I figured it wouldn't be too crowded. Drove out at 8:15am and left a bag of magazines on Mrs. Staniski's back doorknob. On the way there I paused at the Pine Point Library and found a sign saying it is being renovated and will reopen on the 24th. The janitor came along, a friendly handyman sort, who said it's supposed to open at noon today, but maybe it won't and then he chuckled. </p><p style="text-align: left;">When I got up to Holyoke the parking lot was virtually empty so I parked by <i>J.C. Penny</i> and went inside. Only a couple of women were in the store with me as I wandered around looking at furniture. I went past <i>Pizzeria Uno</i> to the <i>Christmas Card Shop</i>, where workers were restocking the shelves. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Delores from <i>Quick Test Inc</i>. approached me and asked if I would take a ten minute test for which I would receive $3 and a roll of Kodak film. I agreed, so we stepped into a little office where she showed me prospective commercials for <i>Amtrack</i>, <i>Kodak</i> and some kind of iced tea. Basically, I told them the colors in all the commercials were of lousy quality. The <i>Kodak</i> ad was clever, but the others were dull. I also informed them that I am queer and was disappointed they showed only heterosexual couples in the ads. Delores said I did a good job, gave me my money and film and sent me on my way. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Next I stopped at <i>People's Pottery</i>, which has very nice contemporary crafts ware. I looked in vain for combat boots at <i>Footastics</i>, while <i>Ambercrombie & Fitch</i> had no orange clothing for sale. I told the cashier that their prices were too high and they should start selling orange clothing because that is the coming fashion trend. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I headed for the food court, but it was so crowded I bought nothing. The only place where I did buy something was at <i>T-shirt Alley</i> where I bought a shirt reading, <i>Raising Hell is My Business - and Business is Good!</i> for $16.99. I paid exactly $17 and had to ask for my penny back. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">At <i>Art Express</i> I saw a yard wide panorama of the Springfield skyline, framed at $49.95. Skyline photos of Springfield were popular in the 1910's, I recall Ben Jones had a dingy but comprehensive one. When I left at 12:48 the parking spaces around my car were full. <i>Ingleside</i> is a middle class mall with much more to offer than Eastfield Mall. Eat your heart out, Springfield. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I drove back to the city and parked by the Marshall Center. Bishop Maguire was walking by in a black top hat and winter coat with a smile on his face. I cried out, "Hi there, Bishop Maguire!" He uttered a soft hello. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I walked down the hill and took lunch at the <i>Monarch Place</i> buffet. I asked for a seat by the window, but I had a lousy view showing only the top of a tree with Christmas lights still on it and cars going towards the Memorial Bridge. Banker Tom Burton was there seated with another man. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I had chicken breast in some kind of goo, pasta in red sauce, a baked potato with sour cream and a thin slice of chocolate cake. It was well worth the price of $5.95 plus tax. I left behind a tip of 75 cents. It was a nice dinner but <i>Old Country Buffet</i> in West Springfield is better. On my way back to the car I got a copy of today's paper out of a trash can. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I then drove back to the Pine Point Library, which was open. It has nice new carpeting, but I noticed the old photo of the former schoolhouse turned library that was hanging there was missing. It was a two story wooden structure with tan asbestos shingles all over it, a portico with stairs running on each side and a cupola on top. A tacky, ugly old building but it would have been worth preserving as part of the heritage of the Point. No known postcards were ever made of it. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Called Aunt Maria and wished her a happy day after your birthday. Upon recognizing my voice she chirped "toodle-loo" and hung up. Eamon called and told me how he joined the Naval Reserves while in his junior year of high school. They had meetings every Monday evening at the Naval Reserve station on Cass Street. Eamon said he and Nader the Hatter went to the <i>Monarch</i> buffet and liked it. Eamon even got a discount as a senior citizen. Eamon told me he was up to the vet's hospital in Northampton and they said he could use the store at Westover. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 25, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">42 degrees on the breezeway at 8:37am.</p><p style="text-align: left;">If March comes in like a lion and goes out like lamb, does December come in like a lamb and go out like a lion? <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Going through some of Mother's stuff I came upon a prescription form from May 29, 1937 from <i>Professional Pharmacy</i>, which was in a building on Maple Street in Springfield that no longer exists. Tuned into Dan Yorke but listened only briefly as he was collecting for charity. Yorke did say that there are rumors that Chief Meara is seeking a police chief job in New Jersey. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>TV22</i> had AIC Professor Mark Magopian on discussing world affairs. Secretary of State Galvin was also on saying that the special election to replace Representative Murphy will cost $20,000. The primary will be on the 25th of May and the election June 22nd. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Left about 9am and put out the mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. Bought $10 worth of gas at the corner of Alden for 96 cents per gallon. Then over to Agawam where there is a medium sized billboard promoting <i>The Dan Yorke Show</i>, similar to the ads that have been appearing in the paper. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I stopped at <i>Country Squire Furniture</i>, which is in a fancy old house with a cupola on top. They have a nice but expensive assortment of the most tasteful furniture and some imitation antiques. They had a cherry high-boy with twelve drawers for $1225, but the cherry looked more like mahogany. Then I went to <i>Ames</i> looking for combat boots, but they had none. It seems nobody has them.</p><p style="text-align: left;">From there I went to Aunt Maria's to finish raking. Soon after I started a blue Oldsmobile pulled up and it was Ruth. I thanked her for all she has done for my aunt. Ruth said she could use somebody to rake her lawn, but when I told her my fee of $50 per hour the subject was dropped. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Aunt Maria herself emerged from the house and accused me of trying to set up a post office box to divert her mail. I said that is obviously not true and showed her the mail that was sitting in her box. Ruth smiled and said that "sometimes Maria gets things confused." They drove off and I continued raking the front and left shortly before 1pm. </p><p style="text-align: left;">When I got back Benjy Lynch was walking by wearing shorts. The mail included a thank you note from Mrs. Staniski for the postcard I sent her. Dined on a <i>Swanson Fish and Chips Dinner</i> plus day old donuts I bought at the Feeding Hills <i>Stop&Shop</i>. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Called Tom Devine to alert him about the upcoming trade fair and to impishly suggest he run for Murphy's seat. However, his mother said he was not home so I told her where to get extra telephone books should she ever need one. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I then called ARISE and spoke with Dorothy about my crusade to encourage people to wear orange as a way of showing solidarity with those in jail for drugs. She said she liked the idea. Next I called Mr. Whitney and told him I will drop stuff off at his house. He said he appreciates how "you've given me a lot of useful information." He then told me his wife liked <i>Aunt Jennie's Poems</i> but he hadn't read it himself. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Whitney informed me that he called the <i>Dan Yorke Show</i> yesterday and told him that "Dennis Murphy is a turkey" as a state legislator. He said he doesn't usually listen to Yorke because he is on too early, but he regularly tunes into G. Gordon Liddy. I then complained about how the well-connected in Springfield get good paying city jobs despite a lack of qualifications. Fred replied, "I've felt that way for years."</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 26, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Sunny and 35 degrees at 6:30am. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Religion causes more wars than perhaps anything else. </p><p style="text-align: left;">This morning I applied some <i>Thompson's Water Seal</i> to the birdbath out by the hatchway. Left at 9:45am and headed for Chicopee. I parked between the entrance to <i>Fairfield Mall</i> and <i>Ocean State Jobs Lot</i>. I asked in a sporting goods store about rollerblades and the wear on the wheels. Turns out they have to be replaced at a cost of about $40 (yes) every three months if you skate daily. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Passed through the <i>First Edition Bookstore</i>. <i>Caldors</i> is cleared out and closed, but the lights are still on. <i>Fairfield </i>has always been a cheaper, lower-end mall with no high-end stuff, but with a few unusual vendors such as a slot car racing place and a discount hardware store. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I then drove up the road to <i>Ames Plaza</i> and found the Chinese restaurant open under new management. I went into <i>Aubuchon Hardware</i> next door and bought a can of blue paint for touching up my bedroom. A tall, thin fellow waited on me, he said he never went to college, but still seemed a fine fellow. He told me the flea market is in the former <i>Big Y</i> where <i>Railroad Salvage</i> was. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I headed over that way, but took a wrong turn someplace and ended up in Aldenville. I came back by the Methodist Church and swung by Eamon's. I gave him a copy of the <i>Boston Herald</i> and returned his anti-Clinton material. Eamon loaned me a big pile of books including <i>The Complete Henry Root Letters</i> (1996). He complimented me on the hankies in my back pockets. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Eamon told me his friend was told by the court he had to get out of Pearl Street but didn't have to pay back rent. We recalled how Pearl Street used to be be covered with lovely yellow bricks. Sometimes where patches of blacktop get worn down you can see them again. Pearl Street used to be Springfield's yellow brick road. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Then I drove over to STCC and walked around. I grabbed a poster for their Spring Fling. I also took a few pictures of the entrance to the college and several photos of the former Springfield Conservatory of Music. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Next I drove down to Salem and parked, then walked into the city and bought a <i>Subway</i> grinder, got the newspaper out of a trash can and looked into the window of <i>Westfield Savings</i> to confirm that construction is going on. Home at 1:10pm.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>The Union-News Extra</i> in the purple bag came today. The mail brought a letter from Cornelius Mahoney, President of <i>Woronoco Savings Bank</i>, thanking me for my stock purchases and a thank you note from Sharon Helms Gray for the pictures I sent. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">On the news there was a story about Obsessive-Compulsion Hoarding Disorder and a woman in Holyoke who had waist high piles of stuff throughout her house with only narrow spaces for walking. The city wants a court order to clean the place out. I wonder if Aunt Maria has the same disorder, only not as severe. Jenette Mandel did the story. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Called Aunt Maria and got no answer. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 27, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Sunny. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Listened to <i>57</i> last night. We are pounding the shit out of Serbia and that is a very sick development indeed. Clinton wanted to be a great man and this is a last, desperate attempt at it and everybody's paying for it but Clinton. This is a quagmire and we are in trouble.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I feel my hearing is continuing to deteriorate. This evening around 9pm I heard a foghorn type sounds in my left ear. I shall go without a hearing aide for as long as possible. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Raked along the back fence. I drove out at 8:15am to the tag, rummage and bake sale at Wachogue Congregational Church on Roosevelt. While in line I had a good chat with a high school teacher from Chicopee, a woman with red hair. She said she doesn't mind testing teachers as long as they tell them what they are going to test in advance. She teaches algebra, geometry and trig, and feels students should be restricted as to how many hours they can work at their after school jobs.</p><p style="text-align: left;">In her opinion, the parents are to blame if their child fails and the children themselves have no love of learning. She claims a lot of students don't even know their multiplication tables. I made her laugh when I told her about how I correct the English errors in official School Department publications and send them to Negroni. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I also spoke with Melinda McIntosh, who thinks Northampton's King Street market is lousy because they have the same stuff week after week. I bought four books, including a hymnal with St. James Methodist Church stamped inside in mint condition. At the checkout was Mrs. Robert Gray. She told me her maiden name was Helms and she went to St. James as a child before it was demolished in the 1950's to make room for a gas station. I gave her my card and said I would like to interview her sometime. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Next I drove up to the flea market at St. Mary's and got a Kiwanis bell for $3.50. Then I attempted to go to the flea market in Chicopee, but it is only open on Sunday, so I drove back to the city. I parked on Main for free and got the newspaper out of a trashcan. Business Improvement District or not, I don't believe they collect the trash downtown more than once a week. The two Angela Davis posters on the side back door facing Bliss Street of <i>Chapin Furniture</i> on the corner of Bliss and Main are still visible but badly worn. They were so well pasted to that metal door that they have remained all these years. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I left downtown and then parked in Mason Square on Massachusetts Avenue and walked around. The <i>Mason Square Development Corp</i>. office is closed, as is the office of Representative Swan. I was amazed to find a Korean made orange jumpsuit in one of the black clothing stores and I bought it. Lately I have been finding orange meter seals. I found two down at the
Quadrangle recently and found more today in front of the Mason Square Library. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">For a time I looked at copies of the <i>Chronicle of Higher Education</i> in the Shea Library at AIC. I asked the guy at the desk whether there are any local libraries that still carry <i>Linguafranca</i>. He checked and it was unavailable at any library, including UMass. Nobody gets <i>Linguafranca</i>? That's pretty sad.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I drove out to the Acres and took pictures from the traffic island in front of the library. The Acres center is a very unbeautiful place. I noticed that the house between 175 and 183 Wilbraham Road has been demolished. Finally, I stopped at a tag sale on Jeffrey that had a lot of cheap collectibles. I paid $5 for an <i>Avon</i> endangered species stein with a panda on it. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">When I got back Kelly was getting home and waved. She always backs her tan Cadillac into the garage. Nothing special in the mail, just the excise tax bill for the car and an ad for <i>Secure Horizons</i>. Had some baked beans for supper. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Wrong number Saul Small called, a very polite person who apologized. Phyllis Granger, Aunt Maria's friend, died in a fatal car accident in March of 1985. Called Aunt Maria and managed to wish her a nice weekend before she hung up. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 28, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Overcast, gas at Alden Street <i>Citgo</i> is 99 cents. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>The 1999 Inter-tribal Pow Wow</i> will be held in Charlemont, Ma. on May 29th. I recently got at a tag sale a French biography of Ferdinand Gagnon (1940) so I called Fran's number and got a recorded message that they are "tied up now." I disguised my voice and cited the book and remarked, "If it's something you'd like I'm sure you can have it. Otherwise, don't bother me." I gave my number but no name. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Up at 6:45am and since it wasn't raining I quickly got dressed and headed to the <i>Pioneer Valley Flea Market</i> up in Chicopee. When I was a child Memorial Drive was just mile after mile of scrub pine. Now there are only a few splotches of the scrub pine left, and overall it is a sickening extravaganza of urban sprawl, the kind you would expect to find around an Air Force base like Westover. However, they still have a <i>Ponderosa Steak House</i> up there where the others in the valley have disappeared. </p><p style="text-align: left;">There was virtually no traffic on the road and I arrived at 7:40 to find there was already a good bunch of cars in the parking lot. It turns out the market is run by my friends Richard and Darlene Burns of <i>The Orchard Antiques</i>. They told me the booths cost $35. Anything goes at a tag sale, one booth was selling apples beside another booth selling hardware. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A Donald Snow had a booth featuring remarkable watercolors and prints. He said he lives in 16 Acres. Along with the booths, there was an enormous table where everything on it was a dollar, but most of the customers weren't interested. I asked a cop where the men's room was and he smiled and said he didn't know as he hadn't had to find it yet. So much for helpfulness. I left at 9:20. It's a better flea market than the one in Northampton, but also pretty much the same, with a wide variety but a lot of junk. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I took the expressway back to Springfield and arrived around quarter to ten to attend the service at Trinity Church. I was in full uniform with my orange bandana headdress and the black and navy blue hankies hanging out of my right hip pocket with the dog leash around my neck. Everybody was polite, but of course they really had no choice.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Home at 11:50 and made hamburg and spaghetti casserole while listening to WFCR. Around 2pm I put on my new orange jumpsuit (cargo pants style) with chain belt and biker jacket and set out for the concert at South Church. I had no trouble parking behind Classical and walked over to the City Library. Guy McLain was at the reference desk in Rice Hall, a soft job perhaps because not many people come on Sunday. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Then at 3:30 I mozied over next door to South Church and sat a third of the way down the center aisle. I noticed Mrs. Staniski sitting on the far left side, but never got a chance to speak to her. It was a splendid concert with about 150 attendees. After the Mozart piece Peter Hermmichs immediately stood up so I did too. Alas, no one else did, so there was no standing ovation. The audience was not in a ovation mood. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Home at 5:01. Called Aunt Maria and wished her a happy Palm Sunday. I asked if she is okay and she replied, "No, I'm not okay but I'll live." Then she banged down the phone. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 29, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">A mild, pleasant day. 45 degrees at 7:15am. </p><p style="text-align: left;">The U.S. is discussing ground troops in Bosnia. Dow closed at 10,007. There is an article in this morning's paper about Dr. Negroni's outrageous salary. There is also the obituary of Leonard Collamore's father, who has died at the age of 90. I put another coat of water seal on the birdbath. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Wrote Easter cards to Aunt Maria, Mrs. Staniski and Morton Sealts. Drove out at 9:20am and put out the mail. No newsletters by Tom Devine at <i>Breckwood</i>. Swung by WNEC and left my memo for President Caprio with his secretary Suzanne. No freebie brochures but I did take one of her <i>Hershey Kisses</i> candy wrapped in pretty blue foil. Paused at the Mason Square Library and realized that Ben Swan's office isn't closed, he has simply moved one door over. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Then to Springfield College to collect posters, after leaving some good stuff for ex-rep Whitney on his back doorknob. Fred's new car is a Saturn, and his neighbor on the corner of Roosevelt is a tall, thin black man who was picking up branches on his lot. There was a box of Springfield College phone books in their library entryway so I took a couple. </p><p style="text-align: left;">The old Crest Street neighborhood is looking up in interesting ways. Some of the houses that were tacky looking are being fixed up. Crest Street especially looks good with several houses painted or with new siding. However, the Maher house, or "castle" as it was called, has a muddy lot with four cars parked on it. The Corchoran place is boarded up and the former Brent lot is badly deteriorated. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The April issue of <i>V-Mag</i> has a story about <i>Kitchen Sink Press</i>. I will send a copy to Timothy Hawley. The latest <i>Reminder</i> features Paul Caron's Easter parade at the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>. Rep. Caron gets the credit, but I'll bet the mall paid for the freebies. The <i>22</i> news at 11 had a sad story about the hit and run murder of a 17 year old boy in Brimfield. A woman from <i>Triple A</i> was on claiming that gas prices are going down in this area. Who is she kidding? <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Mail came after 2pm with a mealy-mouthed letter from <i>Hein</i>. Cooked up more corned beef, cabbage, carrots, onions and potatoes for dinner. I called and left word with <i>Hungry Hill Press</i> to contact me. Is Faulkner going to snub me like Bibbers Dalton did?<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Ruth called and said Aunt Maria's income taxes showed up. I told her I'd be over tomorrow to rake the yard and then look them over. Left word with Eamon to call me but he did not. His latest tape humorously states that our local politicians are inferior to his dogs. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>March 31, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">A lovely spring day. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Springfield College is staging <i>A Lie of the Mind</i> by Sam Shepard, featuring live music by Chris Hayes and Dianne Sanabria. Came across an old prescription for calamine lotion from <i>A.E. Sunter Drug</i> on Wilbraham Road dated August 10, 1949. The newspaper says that <i>Service Merchandise</i> is pulling out of the <i>Holyoke Mall</i>. So even <i>Ingleside</i> is soft. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">With the thermostat set at 50, the furnace doesn't have much reason to turn on. I set the thermostat at 70 when it's really cold, 60 in the winter otherwise, and 50 the rest of the year. Mother always had it at 80 or more. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I got up at 6:30am and left here at 7:05. I drove over to Aunt Maria's, where I must have arrived around 7:30. Very windy, but I manged to complete the spring cleaning, raking the back of the house, the driveway and the rhubarb patch over by Daignault. At 8 I heard the church bells ring. </p><p style="text-align: left;">About 8:15 I headed into the house and found Aunt Maria standing in the doorway in a purple coat and bright blue hat, telling me that I could not enter the house. I said I had come for the tax papers and pushed my way past her. However, the drawer where the papers were supposed to be was empty. That means I either got a bum steer from Ruth or Aunt Maria snitched the tax papers and hid them. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I told Aunt Maria that I couldn't find the papers and she ordered me to get off her property. I said the least she could do is thank me for raking her lawn. I finished up outside and then left around 9:20. From there I stopped at <i>Food Mart</i> for some orange juice on special. On the way out I saw a Springfield police cruiser (#70) leaving the parking lot. What was it doing in this town? </p><p style="text-align: left;">I then swung through the Springfield North End, picking up some interesting posters. There was lots of litter in the streets. I inquired at the barber shop in <i>Northgate Plaza</i> about who the owner of the plaza is and he told me it is Andrew Cohen. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Dined at the <i>Sheraton</i> again, it was slightly better fare than last time. They seated me against the far wall, maybe to keep me out of sight in my orange uniform, although the minorities and bums I encountered while walking down Main towards the <i>Sheraton</i> smiled at me with approval. I had the beef stew, with lots of beef in it, and for desert had a bowl of melons (no grapes) and a brownie with whipped cream on top. Okay, but I don't think I will be returning anytime soon. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Eamon called and told me that Andrew Cohen also owns the strip mall next to <i>Sears</i> in West Springfield. Eamon claims he once visited Cohen's father's lavish home in Longmeadow. Eamon's latest tape says the Daylight News Service is on hiatus but urges callers with complaints about the Springfield School System to call 734-8064. Although Eamon's tape doesn't say so, that is the home phone number of Dr. Peter J. Negroni. <br /></p><br />Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-91110909022650627782021-09-09T20:47:00.111-04:002024-02-09T13:07:41.442-05:00April 1999<p style="text-align: center;"> <b>April 2, 1999</b></p><p>Sunny, 50 degrees at 6:15am. Gas is now $1.03 per gallon at the Breckwood <i>Sunoco</i>.</p><p>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, <i>Union-News</i>, for wasting my morning!</p><p>I decided to wander about and discovered that <i>Johnson's</i> 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 <i>Third National Bank</i> building and has removed without a trace the <i>Bank of New England</i> lighthouse ad that had been there for so long. Picknelly gets things done!</p><p>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. </p><p>As usual I was dressed in my orange jumpsuit, and a Jehovah's Witness came up and offered me a copy of <i>The Watchtower</i>. 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 <i>Subway</i> grinder before coming home on the 11 o'clock bus. </p><p></p><p></p><p>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 <i>Advocate</i> that he should talk to Wayne Phaneuf, who Eamon says is more approachable than others at the paper. </p><p>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. </p><p>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." </p><p>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 <i>TV40</i> talking about the first <i>Knox </i>motorized fire engine hose. Oh, the glory that was once Springfield!</p><p>Eamon called and told me about a segment that was done on <i>20/20</i> 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. </p><p>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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 4, 1999</b></p><p>Easter Sunday 57 degrees at 3:50pm.</p><p>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 <i>WFCR</i> all day, six of Chopin to start. </p><p>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. <i>TV40</i> 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. </p><p>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 <i>The Clock Mill</i> was on discussing Daylight Savings Time, which started today. </p><p>Drove to <i>Food Mart</i>, 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 <i>Food Mart</i> and finding it less crowded I went in and bought all their specials. </p><p>Then over to <i>Angelo's</i>, 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 <i>Friendly's</i> stock holder report and preparing tax forms. </p><p>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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 5, 1999</b></p><p>Sunny, pleasant, somewhat brisk. 39 degrees at 7:30am.</p><p>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 <i>Friendly's</i> stock was still down. The mail was here at 12:30pm and included a condolence note from Colleen. </p><p>Another busy day. Vacuumed the car. Drove to the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> and got the newspaper out of the trash. It had lots of coupons. Put out mail that included something to Devine stamped with my <i>Wear Orange....</i> motto on the envelope. Bought gas at the <i>Citgo</i> on the corner of Alden for $1.03 per gallon. It is $1.03 everywhere. </p><p>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 <i>Mutual Ford</i> used to be. He showed me his latest letter from John Silber and loaned me <i>The Last Cuckoo</i> by Kenneth Gregory. Eamon told me that he blames Clinton for the mess in Kosovo for propping up Milosovic in 1993. </p><p>From there I delivered to the Chancery a letter informing them of how my morning was wasted by the error in the <i>Union-News</i>. 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. </p><p>I got donuts and bread at <i>Freihoffer's</i>, then headed up to the <i>Red Wing</i> shoe store, which was having a sale. Stopped on the way at <i>Angelo's</i>, still no cheap fruit. As I passed the former <i>K-Mart</i> I saw a sign saying <i>Raymour & Flanagan</i> is now open. When did they open? No hoopla? Did I miss it in the paper? Have to visit soon. </p><p>I paused to return soda bottles at <i>Stop&Shop,</i> 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 <i>Red Wing</i>. 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. </p><p>From there I drove over to <i>Five Town Mall</i> for a baloney grinder from <i>Subway</i>. 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.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 7, 1999</b></p><p>Sunny, nice day.</p><p>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?</p><p>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. </p><p>Drove out around 9:30am and mailed several pieces including Edna's obituary to the <i>Herald</i> in Vermont. Visited <i>Raymour & Flanagan</i> 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. </p><p>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. </p><p>Stopped at the <i>McDonald's</i> across from <i>Big Y</i> and got a 99cent Big Mac with a coupon. Next, I drove to the <i>Goodwill</i> on Sumner Avenue and got several books on good terms. Also swiped a Jennifer Markey gardening service poster off the wall. </p><p>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 <i>Poem is a Four Letter Word</i> 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. </p><p>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.</p><p>Unknown called at 12:39am.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 8, 1999</b></p><p>Sunny, nice day. 73 degrees at 5:08pm. </p><p>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 <i>Angelo's</i> to get some bananas. </p><p>From there I went to visit Mrs. Staniski and she gave me a pile of<i> Harvard Gazettes</i> 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. </p><p>Next I headed to the Forest Park post office, mailed the three income tax forms and peeled a <i>Mount Tom-Don't Dig It</i> sticker off of a pole outside. I decided to check out the new antique store next to <i>The Clock Mill</i>. They had a little pair of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins figurines, but they were not for sale. So why are they in business?</p><p>Visited several stores along Belmont, then to the <i>Saigon Market</i>, 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. </p><p>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 <i>BusinessWest</i> lying around. Leaving at the same time as me was a distinguished young woman and when I got to <i>Subway</i> I discovered that she was also there so we chatted. She is a loan officer at <i>SIS</i> and was carrying a <i>United Way</i> 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 <i>Westfield Bank</i>. The inside of the old <i>Johnson's</i> was dark. Home at 12:53pm. </p><p>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!</p><p>No mail today. I ate a small can of <i>Food Mart</i> brand baked beans and found them satisfactory.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 9, 1999</b></p><p>52 degrees at 8:30am. Gas is $1.05 at the corner of Alden. </p><p>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. </p><p>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 <i>Boston Phoenix</i> was interviewing her, as was Judson Brown from the <i>Daily Hampshire Gazette</i>. </p><p>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. </p><p>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 <i>Holyoke Sun</i>. </p><p>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 <i>Berkshire Eagle</i>. 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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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 <i>Swanson Fish and Chips Dinner</i> for supper. The <i>TV22</i> 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. </p><p>Tried to call Aunt Maria but she hung up in my ear. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 10, 1999</b> </p><p>Lovely spring day. 47 degrees on the breezeway at 8:15am. Gas at Breckwood <i>Sunoco</i> $1.04 per gallon. </p><p>Most of the spring flowers are coming out. I set up the bird bath and it looks real nice thanks to <i>Cat's Paw</i>. 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. </p><p>Cooked up some parsnips but ate only a couple, dining primarily on <i>Chef Boyardee Ravioli</i>. 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. </p><p><i>David's</i> wasn't open, but the downtown club scene doesn't come alive until around 9pm. A short line was forming outside <i>Club Kaos</i>. The people in line looked a bit freaky in their attire. <i>The Judge's Chambers</i> 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."</p><p>Across the street at <i>The Pub</i> there were seven mostly elderly customers. Down at <i>Friends</i> there were about 25 patrons, including four women and two blacks. I paid $2.50 for a <i>Bud</i> 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. </p><p>As I left downtown I noticed that <i>David's</i> 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 <i>Friends</i>. </p><p>Called Whitney to say hi but he said he was busy at the moment, working on the late reservations for the GOP banquet at <i>Chez Josef</i>. 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 <i>The Last Cuckoo</i> by Gregory. </p><p>Called down to the <i>Phoenix Newsstand</i> and the owner told me they don't sell the <i>Daily Hampshire Gazette</i> because he doesn't get along with the <i>Gazette's</i> distributor. He said they used to have the <i>Worcester Telegram</i> but he can't get that either. </p><p>I told him I am looking for alternatives to the Springfield papers and he called the <i>Union-News</i> "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 <i>Boston Globe</i>, 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 <i>Globe</i>. </p><p>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."</p><p><i>Modern Postcard</i> 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 <i>Hungry Hill</i>, with Eamon noting how he still hasn't heard anything about the pictures he sent them. </p><p>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. </p><p>Called Aunt Maria and she hung up instantly upon hearing my voice. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 12, 1999</b></p><p>41 degrees at 8am. </p><p>It is very dry out with a forest fire in Montgomery. <i>WFCR</i> 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 <i>Springfield Union-News</i> "serving all of western New England." Really? They serve Vermont, Hartford and New Haven?</p><p>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.</p><p>Finished the <i>Cuckoo </i>book and decided to return it to Eamon. Drove to <i>Breckwood</i> and got the paper and a copy of Tom Devine's political newsletter at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. 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. </p><p>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 <i>Savers</i>, where I bought nothing, then got a few groceries at <i>Stop&Shop</i> and came home. </p><p>The mail was not here until 3:15pm, with the <i>Reminder</i> 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 <i>SIS</i> and an invitation to a reception being held by The Pilgrim Society. </p><p>The noon news on <i>22</i> 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 <i>Chamber Channels after Five</i> 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. </p><p>Dined on scrambled eggs, bacon and toast for breakfast and a <i>Swanson Chicken Dinner</i> 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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> <b>April 14, 1999</b></p><p>Sunny but windy, 44 degrees at 8:15am.</p><p>This is Holocaust Remembrance Day. <i>WFCR</i> 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 <i>Allbank</i> 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. </p><p>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. </p><p>First I drove to the <i>Goodwill</i>, 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 <i>Cumberland Farms</i> milk crate. She asked where I got the scarfs hanging from my back pockets and I told her about the place in Mason Square. </p><p>From the <i>Goodwill</i> I drove downtown and parked on Chestnut, then walked down to <i>Subway</i> for a $1.25 baloney grinder. Then I drove over to the Quadrangle parking lot and read the <i>Catholic Observer</i> 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 <i>Hostess</i> donuts he said were given him by the Open Pantry. </p><p>The mail was disappointing, no <i>Randolph Herald</i> and no proofs for the postcards. Got a letter from Nancy Casillas at <i>Maccabee Life Insurance</i> saying Mother's policy is worth only $5,271. </p><p><i>TV22</i> reports that the <i>Valley Advocate</i> has been purchased by <i>The Hartford Courant</i>. Better them than the <i>Newhouse Corporation</i>. On <i>TV57 </i>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. </p><p>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 <i>Union-Snooze</i> say there have been great improvements at Commerce, but their claims are based on fictitious numbers."</p><p>Called Brian Woodward at <i>SIS</i> 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 <i>Springfield Institution for Savings </i>for six years. Tom Vannah from the <i>Advocate</i> called at 4:20 but I missed it. </p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>Called Aunt Maria who said, "Toodle-loo!" and hung up. Three rings from Unknown at 9:18pm. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> <b>April 15, 1999</b></p><p>55 degrees at 6:30pm. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Louis & Clark</i> and ran into Durham Caldwell who was buying the <i>Boston Globe</i>. He nodded to me in a professional but not collegial way. <br /></p><p>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. </p><p>Mo told me that the <i>Advocate</i> 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 <i>Valley Advocate</i> 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. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Steiger's</i> and <i>Chicopee Undergarments</i>. Apparently she was quite religious. </p><p>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.<br /></p><p>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. </p><p>I paid my $5 entry fee and was handed literature about upcoming carriage house functions. <i>TV22</i> 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<i> Market99</i> business expo on the 28th. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Wolf Compliance Consulting Group</i>. 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 <i>Friendly's</i> stockholder meeting would be, although Cathy said she feels this may be a good time to sell <i>Friendly</i> stocks. <br /></p><p>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 <i>Wild Apples Cafe</i>. 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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 16, 1999</b><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Temperature was 48 degrees at 8:30am. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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 <i>Newsstand</i> in the Acres to get the <i>Hartford Courant</i> 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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Then to the Boston Road <i>Big Y</i> to buy jars of fruit for Maureen Turner. While there I saw some <i>McCaden</i> 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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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 <i>Allen Books</i>. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"> 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?</p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. <i>The Union-News Extra</i> was hanging from my mailbox as we walked out, so I gave it to her as she had never seen one before.</p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0n3sD9KCLdkIQNnHa-FvNn3Xq4DsXPrZcTA9ffrxUm7-FQu_nsoz2d-8fwV9IrTTHtcsQt4o1NBxbjVrwnlhkl-1UgJRZus_SIRFUW62ejd0xI3bAEYLF-wfAihxs6gzk_jBBjdrJVspOOtfN9kwQ2QBcmKZ0ifClRRkggZBTjHN-fXmhtdjkoOebA/s1781/mo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="1781" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0n3sD9KCLdkIQNnHa-FvNn3Xq4DsXPrZcTA9ffrxUm7-FQu_nsoz2d-8fwV9IrTTHtcsQt4o1NBxbjVrwnlhkl-1UgJRZus_SIRFUW62ejd0xI3bAEYLF-wfAihxs6gzk_jBBjdrJVspOOtfN9kwQ2QBcmKZ0ifClRRkggZBTjHN-fXmhtdjkoOebA/w400-h229/mo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Tom Devine and Maureen Turner, April 2000<br /></div><div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Last week's <i>Randolph Herald</i> for April 8th came with Edna Davis Turner's obituary in it. For supper I dined on a <i>Weight Watcher's Sante Fe Style Rice and Beans</i> frozen dinner I bought on sale at <i>Big Y</i> for $1.50. It was good, but they certainly don't over-feed you. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 17, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">54 degrees at 3:10pm. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Then over to West Springfield for the <i>Antiques Show</i>. I was early so I pulled into the strip mall where there was a long line in front of <i>Strawberries</i> waiting to buy tickets to a Dave Matthews Show at <i>The Meadows</i> 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 <i>CVS</i> 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 <i>Antiques and Collectables Show</i>. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Best of all, I bought for $525 a John Rogers <i>Merchant of Venice</i> 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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">On the way home I stopped at <i>Food Mart</i> where I bought a half gallon of ice cream for $5, as low as it ever gets. Dined on a <i>Weight Watcher's Smart Ones Spicy Szechran Style Veggis and Chicken Dinner</i>, but I don't think there was much chicken in it. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Eamon was pleased to hear I had been interviewed by Mo Turner. He claimed that he is considering writing an article for the <i>Valley Advocate</i> 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."<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">According to Eamon, the best reporter the <i>Advocate</i> 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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 19, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Patriots Day - 48 degrees at 8:15am and overcast. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Where does one buy <i>Damar Varnish</i> now that <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i> 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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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 <i>Louis & Clark</i> and got my morning paper out of their trash can. Put out mail to Kennedy, Dupont, <i>V-Mag</i> and Hawley. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Then I bought gas at <i>Sunoco</i> 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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The mail arrived at 11:30am on the button, the <i>Reminder</i> 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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Didn't attend the reception, and came home via the Acres <i>Big Y,</i> where I bought more <i>Weight Watcher</i> frozen dinners. Got to eat something. I dined this evening on the last of the corned beef and cabbage I had in the freezer. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Heard on <i>ABC-40</i> that the first cartoon Walt Disney made in his garage in 1922 was <i>Little Red Riding Hood</i>. <i>TV22</i> 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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 20, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">58 degrees and sunny at 8am. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Made vanilla pudding last night and put it in the fridge. I drove out to West Springfield for the <i>Friendly's</i> Annual Stockholder's Meeting and arrived around 9:30am. As I was admiring the <i>Friendly</i> Hall of Fame, an elderly David Young spoke to me briefly, admiring the red, 1970's era <i>Friendly</i> 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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Friendly Ice Cream Corporation</i> had a net loss of $6.5 million in the first quarter of 1999. I am so good at spotting problems that <i>Friendly's</i> ought to hire me part time to go around on an hourly basis seeing what problems I can find in their restaurants. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Saw several economic development types in suits inside the fence surrounding Technical High, looking around. There is scaffolding up in front of the <i>Westfield Bank</i>. More posters have been appearing downtown lately, as if somebody said to put some up.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>WFCR</i> 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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Bob Robinson from the <i>Valley Advocate</i> 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." <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Aunt Maria did not answer when I called. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 21, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">51 degrees at 11:15am</p><p style="text-align: left;">The number of students killed in Littleton, Colorado is fifteen. Littleton is the home of <i>Rothman Law Book Reprinters</i>, now the western division of <i>Hein</i>. The mail brought a survey request from Carla Braveman of the <i>Visiting Nurses Association</i>. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. <i>Lady in Red</i> has never sold nor even priced their printing press.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Came through the X <i>Goodwill</i> and left some kerchiefs for Lynn, the short blonde. Then out to Indian Orchard, where I noted there is a <i>Union-News</i>, <i>Sunday Republican</i> gold on green sign over a storefront in the former <i>A&P</i> shopping center out there. There was also a multi-colored Greater Springfield Best Business sticker. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Then to 532 Main as <i>Patti's Antiques</i> was supposed to be open, but it had a closed sign, perhaps due to her ongoing medical problems. Then to <i>Stop&Shop</i>, where I spent $20 on specials, most of my buys were of deep discount loss leaders. </p><p style="text-align: left;">On <i>Nightline</i> 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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The Channel <i>57</i> 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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Called Aunt Maria who said, "I don't want you calling me, stay off my phone!" Then she hung up. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 22, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Darkly overcast this morning. 50 degrees at 8am.</p><p style="text-align: left;">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 <i>Valley Advocate</i>.</p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Robinson took a whole roll of pictures, all in the basement, some of them by the <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i> 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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">A Richard King called doing a survey about television viewing habits. I told him I mostly watch the news on <i>TV40</i> and <i>PBS</i>. Called <i>Patti's Antiques and Treasures</i> 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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">As I was writing a letter to <i>Newsweek</i> 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 <i>Hayden Wayside</i> 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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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.</p><p style="text-align: left;">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."</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 23, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Raining most of the day. 52 degrees at 8:30am. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>IBM</i> 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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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 <i>Friendly's</i>, complaining about the sound system at the annual meeting. <i>Pride</i> in the Acres has lettering on their sign board that they intend to open next week. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Then to the Allen Street <i>McDonald's</i> 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 <i>Goodwill</i> was there with her daughter and accorded a friendly hi. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Then drove to Indian Orchard and parked in front of the church. Stopped at <i>Tri-Town Collectables</i> 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 <i>Diamond Match</i> with two men working under him. They did all the printing plates and etchings for the <i>Diamond </i>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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Then to <i>Patti's Antiques</i> 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 <i>Deer Country</i>. I will be buying virtually no puzzles in the future as II only bought them for Mother. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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 <i>Mass Mutual</i>, looking for St. Mary's in Ludlow. She politely apologized and thanked me for providing the correct number. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Eamon called and informed me that the Westfield Public Library is having a book sale. Eamon also told me he went to the <i>Hayden Wayside</i> 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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Voiceless called, they hung up after a long, silent pause. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 24, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Sunny, 43 degrees at 6:45am.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Lisa A. Hallee is the Alumni Fund Chair for Colby College. <i>NPR</i> 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." <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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 <i>Hoods</i> milk crate for a dollar and a copy of Rev. Goad's latest sermon. Home at noon<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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."</p><p style="text-align: left;">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 <i>TicToc</i>, which only had two people at the bar. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I sauntered over to Tower Square, where a sign in their entrance said closed.<i> Gus & Paul's</i> was open, but had no customers. <i>Mad Maggie's</i> had a good crowd of young people playing pool. Business was moderate at <i>Spaghetti Freddy's</i>. <i>Pizzaria Uno</i> was about half full. </p><p style="text-align: left;">At Stearns Square <i>KAOS</i> was closed while only seven people were in <i>Theodore's</i>. <i>The Pub</i> had the largest crowd I've ever seen there. <i>David's</i> had a $3 cover charge and no one inside. An employee told me to come back at 11 and "the place will be packed." <i>Friends</i> 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 <i>Judge's Chambers</i> 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.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 25, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">I spent much of the day reading my new books. <i>The New Yorker</i> 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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I found an article on the <i>Valley Advocate</i> takeover in the <i>Hartford Courant</i> 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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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.</p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Mrs. Napolitan introduced me to their Trustee Liason Gregory L. Swanson of Longmeadow, an attorney who works for <i>MassMutual</i>. 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 <i>Masslive</i> website as a promotional and research tool. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Had <i>Weight Watchers Spicy Style Veggies and Chicken</i> 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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Spoke with Eamon, who said the paper offered him the Sunday edition for 25 cents per week and he continues to receive the <i>Union-News</i> for free. Eamon says he wants to know when Larry McDermott will order an investigation into attendance and tardiness in the schools. </p><p style="text-align: left;">We talked a bit about the refurbishment of <i>Eastfield Mall, </i>which Eamon thinks is in an irreversible decline. Eamon then told me about Michael O'Sullivan, who owns the <i>Brew Pub</i>, a man just twelve years out of Ireland. Although not an accountant himself, he owns an accounting business with an accountant named Mark Dorval. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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 <i>Mardi Gras</i> 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. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 27, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Mild, 58 degrees at 8:30am. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Heard Bach's Violin Concerto <i>WFCR</i>. 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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">No papers in the trash at <i>Breckwood</i>, but I did pick up Tom Devine's latest newsletter at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. 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 <i>Courant</i> article about the <i>Valley Advocate</i> sale, but found the page I wanted to copy strangely missing. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I therefore walked down to <i>Subway</i> 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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Anyway, I then drove up to the AIC library and got to copy the article about the<i> Advocate</i> from their edition of the Hartford paper. As a bonus, I picked up two <i>Hoods</i> milk crates from the tree belt on Massachusetts Avenue that the trash collectors had declined to take. I then stopped at <i>Coin & Card Exchange</i> on Allen and bought an old Pynchon Medal he had for $20. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">No <i>Reminder</i>. 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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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." </p><p style="text-align: left;">We then turned to the subject of Joe Napolitan, whose son Eamon claims was "a serious drug addict." He worked at <i>The Little Gallery</i>, 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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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!" <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Unknown called, was voiceless when I said hello. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 29, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">47 degrees at 8:45am. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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! <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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 <i>Valley Advocate </i>25th anniversary t-shirt, plus my old engineer's boots because they are comfortable to walk around in. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">From there to the <i>Goodwill</i> at the <i>X</i> 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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Stopped at <i>McDonald's</i> 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 <i>New York Times</i>. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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 <i>UPS</i> booth what a fine man Mr. Wilson is and they told me he just got a big award of some sort. <i>Westbank</i> was passing out key chains. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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 <i>Fleet</i> and <i>Bank of Boston</i> that I was displeased by their merger. Nicole Meyer of <i>Reliable Temps</i> asked if I was looking for a job, but I told her I didn't want to do grunt work. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Three booths offered free popcorn and <i>Holiday Inn</i> offered seasoned noodles. I told an advertising executive at the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> 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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Unknown called. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>April 30, 1999</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Arbor Day. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>TV40's</i> Kathryn Kirby was wearing an orange suit for the morning news. <i>TV40</i> 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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;">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 <i>Parker Brothers</i>, Springfield, Massachusetts. I also bought on a whim an old pair of rollerblades for just $5. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">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. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-79445918319290999072020-02-06T15:56:00.069-05:002024-03-15T13:58:49.108-04:00May 1999<center><b>May 1, 1999</b></center><p><br />
An absolutely beautiful day, 76 degrees a 4:04pm. <br />
<br />
On this Mayday, <i>WFCR</i> played the Brahms Violin Concerto. Left a message on Melinda McIntosh's phone inviting her to visit the Quadrangle with me sometime. Called Aunt Maria, who said she is going out today to have lunch with Ruth. I had hotdogs and lima beans for supper. I love lima beans. <br />
<br />
Left here about 9am, stopping first at <i>Pride</i> in the Acres, which was open with a chubby woman at the cash register. They are going to start selling <i>Subway</i> sandwiches like that place across from St. Michael's. I then drove down to the corner of Allen and got gas for $1.07, then down to the Quadrangle for <i>Bookfest 99</i>. They had tents set up on the Quad and hotdogs for sale for a dollar. Mrs. Boyer was at one of the Information booths and I told her I was on my way up to the Northampton Gay Pride Parade. She smiled and told me to have a good time. <br />
<br />
So I headed up to Hamp, and then drove around looking for parking, but when I saw that parking was only a dime per hour in the municipal parking lot I said what the hell and pulled in behind the Roundhouse. I then walked across to take a leak at the <i>Peter Pan</i> station before heading to the nearby gay merchandise shop where I bought some buttons. At <i>Thornes</i> market I got some posters and asked people if there was a Pride information booth. I was told it was up by the Unitarian Church. <br />
<br />
So I went to the church by City Hall and down in the basement they were serving a pancake breakfast for $4. It was disappointing, the pancakes were about the size of a cookie, although they did come with strawberries and whipped cream. I ate and then departed, grabbing their Pride poster from their doorway. I was wearing jeans with black and blue hankies hanging out of my back pockets, an orange bandana, purple t-shirt and my leather collar plus padlock. <br />
<br />
I decided to walk up to the Forbes Library. It's lovely and so tasteful how the Forbes has been done over, but lots of shelving has been removed and a lot of the old books are gone. The Circulation and Reference desks are larger. The <i>Sylvester Judd Manuscripts</i> are gone from what was the main Reading Room, so I asked Joanne McGee at the Reference Desk and she said the manuscripts are still on the premises. I asked her for one of their rainbow Pride posters, but she wouldn't let me have it so I had to settle for the one I swiped from the Unitarians. <br />
<br />
Next stop was the Neilson Library at Smith, where Mansell is still on the shelves in the catalog room. I got some posters off the bulletin boards in the stairwells, including a Mount Holyoke theater poster from last summer. From there I headed back downtown where the parade was assembling alongside City Hall. <i>The Union-News</i> had someone passing out little flyers encouraging subscriptions that were titled <i>Celebrating Together</i>. I took some pictures, including one of a big, black guy in a green wig and another of a nearly nude man wearing butterfly wings. <br />
<br />
I decided I would march with the Greater Springfield LGBT Youth Group, led by Erica Tucker and Holly Richardson. We shouted, "We're here! We're queer! Get used to it!" and also chanted, "Two, four, six eight! How do you know your kids are straight?"</p><p> <br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbBOYOnvk3MH4somKMuJLDFept29zJdbaM5PIoc7OQEtERvdcPvG-jopPMd0mgOvt6qs8wV-SWwBf3IYHMhGemTYHJhtJHIr16i3wPBpccRCoSBCEXfyQ6mDuyAwfkc0Nz_MU57i8u7D5/s1600/out.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="388" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbBOYOnvk3MH4somKMuJLDFept29zJdbaM5PIoc7OQEtERvdcPvG-jopPMd0mgOvt6qs8wV-SWwBf3IYHMhGemTYHJhtJHIr16i3wPBpccRCoSBCEXfyQ6mDuyAwfkc0Nz_MU57i8u7D5/s200/out.jpeg" width="194" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Directly behind us were a group of male and female Congregational clergy persons, all in Roman collars. There was a delegation from Springfield College of good looking guys with pink triangles on their grey sweatshirts. Mt. Holyoke also sent a delegation. I saw some people from <i>Friends</i>, including one guy in his thirties who roller-bladed all the way. It was a long parade. I didn't see a lot of people in leather, except for a few lesbians. I chatted with one, who told me there is a new lesbian bar opening in Indian Orchard at 186 Main called <i>The Rainbow Connection</i>. <br />
<br />
When we approached the fairgrounds I bid my young hosts farewell. Inside the fairgrounds were over 40 booths selling merchandise and services. They had tasty looking shiskabobs, but I never eat fair food. I saw people selling a new woman's magazine that looks better than the old <i>Women Unlimited</i>. I started to feel old and tired from all my marching and walking around, so I headed back downtown. When I passed the antique shop by the post office I saw a marbletop table with fancy woodwork for $290. Left Northampton at 2:10pm. <br />
<br />
It was a really nice day and a lot of people came out for fun. The Northampton Pride Parade is special in that it is participatory, the people on the sidelines watching the parade are as lively as the people marching in it. Queers have found a way to maximize their fun free of Puritanical inhibitions.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>May 2, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Another lovely day. <br />
<br />
<i>Hawthorne Services</i> is located at 93 Main Street in Chicopee. <i>Senior Selections</i> is on Plainfield Road in Hawley, Massachusetts. <i>Thunderstorm Air Purification</i> is run by Mike Lewenczuk in Belchertown. Jack Hess had a least 6,000 Springfield postcards. <br />
<br />
First thing this morning I took a bag of stuff over to Eamon and let him see the uniform I wore to the Pride Parade yesterday, which included my buttons such as a Yippie marijuana leaf in a red star, Jesse Jackson's face (I see he has secured the release of three American prisoners in Yugoslavia, good for him), my enormous <i>Goldwater</i> button, a peace button and <i>Silber for Governor</i>. Eamon liked it, or so he claimed. Next door his neighbor was doing some gardening, he has a lot of tattoos. <br />
<br />
From Eamon's I drove over to Fred Whitney's and left off material with his grandson and Mrs. Whitney, both were very friendly. Then to Paul Caron's 13th Annual fundraising breakfast at St. Anthony's Social Hall on Island Pond Road. Bill Dill was running the affair, which cost $10. I counted 178 in attendance, virtually all white and mostly elderly. I saw Righty Keough and Chris Asselin chatting so I walked up and asked them what they thought about gay rights and legalizing marijuana. They sidestepped my question on gay rights, but both said they opposed legal weed. Keough broke into a big smile of approval when at one point I mentioned Eamon. <br />
<br />
Jose Tosado was there, along with Angelo Puppolo, Nick Fyntrilakis and Dan Kelly. Caron's wife Pamela and son Matthew were also present. Bill Foley and Dom Sarno arrived late. Armand Caputo sat with me, he said his favorite mayor was Ted Dimauro and that his nickname for Richard Neal is "Tricky Dick." Armand also said he wants ward representation and term limits. I told him we have nothing to disagree about. </p><p>Caron's speech focused on family values bullshit and his Catholicism, but nothing about what he intends to do legislatively if he is re-elected. At one point he observed that "once you have kids, it changes your whole perspective." And so it went. I found his dwelling on family values to be sentimental Catholic drivel. <br /></p><p>I have now attended two of Caron's annual breakfasts. Both times the food was good, the company gracious and congenial and overall a pleasant Sunday morning. St. Anthony's is a wonderful place, several people who go there are among my friends. </p><p>Last year Caron had as a guest speaker Sen. Stan Rosenberg, and as a liberal Republican I especially enjoyed the opportunity to hear him. While I am personally proud to be represented by Brian Lees, I have respect for Senator Rosenberg, as indeed I do for any intelligent person who can offer reasoned discussion of how I should refine my opinions. <br />
<br />
From there I paused briefly at the Senior Fair at the Jewish Community Center. I had a nice chat with Michelle J. Feinstein of Cohen-Rosenthal, who remembered me from WNEC '84. After that I drove downtown and sat in the back at the Choir Festival at First Church. It was very good. When one all black chorus performed, only about half the congregation rose in ovation with the other half remaining stubbornly seated. As I left, I noticed and then fell in love with a marsh painting by Michael Graves of Millbury, which reminded me of the view out the window of the little cottage we once rented in Brookfield. <br />
<br />
I got home at 6pm, where I cooked up a <i>Weight Watcher's Spicy Szeuhuan Style Veggies and Chicken Dinner</i>. Fred Whitney called and thanked me for the stuff I left for him, I told him I may be in this week's <i>Valley Advocate</i>. He told me he is having trouble settling his mother's estate and has had to hire a lawyer. I told him I am looking for a job but not very hard. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>May 3, 1999</b></center><br />
Breezy and lightly raining.<br />
<br />
I am reading <i>Better Times Than These</i> (1978) a Vietnam war novel written by Winston Groom, the author of Forrest Gump. It is well written and I am carefully noting the imagery and details of Army life. My parents shielded me from a great deal that was good. The reality is that I am ashamed that I did not serve in Vietnam along with the youth of my generation. I am ashamed that they served, some coming back in body bags, while I did nothing.<br />
<br />
Dow closed today at 11,014.69. A lot of investors must be drunk. <i>TV22</i> did a segment on the Quadrangle Director Heather Haskell. Short, chubby, she said her first interest was sociology. She claimed that 385,000 people visited the Quadrangle last year. Art historian Charles Hayward then talked about oriental rugs and noted how our cloisonne collection is the largest in the country. The engineer's boots I have been wearing has the label <i>Walker Shoes</i> in them. <br />
<br />
April was dry, not really any April showers. Violets and buttercups are in bloom. Wanted to take a picture of Sweet Pea and Honey Pot with the tulips, but the sun never came out all day. Dined late afternoon at the Allen Street <i>McDonald's</i> on a two for one Big Mac special with a small side of fries. I think those were the first fries I've had since Mother passed on. I noticed the <i>Reminder</i> being delivered as I drove out today, but it was not here when I checked later. <br />
<br />
I went to the Temple Beth El on Dickinson Street to hear Rabbi Harold Kushner, the author of <i>When Bad Things Happen to Good People</i>. I've been to the Temple before, but not in the sanctuary, which seems both Unitarian and Methodist. It is also an Akron-style worship space. As I entered I took off by orange bandana and put on a black yarmulke. The lecture was wonderful, the core of it being that nobody's perfect and we have to forgive even Hitler because "failure to forgive makes a monster out of us and we must never permit others to make us monsters." <br />
<br />
At the end we went into the Fellowship Hall, which had round tables covered with absolutely delicious chocolate pastries. There were brownies and chocolate cakes that were moist, textured and flavorful. I had two and a half cups of coffee. I spoke to a <i>TV40</i> cameraman who was wearing a leather jacket and told him they have too much sports programming. I suggested they should broadcast game shows based on subjects like Math and Latin. The guy politely responded that getting mass viewership is what TV is all about and sports shows draw much bigger audiences than educational programming. When I left, I thanked the physician who ran the thing and told him it was indeed a wonderful lecture. Home at 9:30pm <br />
<br />
A woman called, saying she wants to subscribe to <i>Media One</i>. I said this is <i>PBS</i> and told her to get lost. Called Aunt Maria and she was friendly. Eamon called and at one point characterized Frankie Keough as "a legitimate bastard" because he was born out of wedlock and adopted by the Keough family out of an orphanage. Unknown called while I was napping. <br />
<br />
<center><b>May 4, 1999</b></center><br />
Overcast but not quite rainy out. <br />
<br />
Enormous tornadoes hit Oklahoma and Kansas overnight with 50 dead. Who needs war? Who needs more people? More people, more sinning, more suffering. Mother was so thrifty she used paper towels, folded and stapled on one end, for years as sanitary pads and continued to use them well into her final illness. <br />
<br />
The story is that Kraft has turned his back on Connecticut and will stay in Massachusetts. On TV this morning we had Steve Root wearing a grey suit saying he is "looking for ways to package local attractions to Patriots games." Brattleboro,, Vermont is offering a $1,000 reward for identifying who gave their school a bomb threat on Monday. <i>Security Engineering Inc</i>. is located at 1686 Riverdale Street in West Springfield. <i>Patty's Antiques and Treasures</i> is located at 522 Main Street in Indian Orchard. <i>People's Bank</i> was founded in 1842 as <i>Bridgeport Savings Bank</i> in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Marilyn D. Feldman lives on Turner Road in Wellesley, Massachusetts. <br />
<br />
<i>The Hartford Courant</i>, which just this month did a spoof of the <i>Hartford Courant</i> titled, "Hartford not so Current" will now be sold to the <i>Courant</i>, along with four other weekly papers including the <i>Valley Advocate</i>. <br />
<br />
Dined on <i>Mary's Kitchen</i> hash and two eggs. Mail was here at 12:30pm. I called South Church and their tag sale is Thursday and Friday. Talked to Nader the Hatter and invited him to supper at the <i>Buffet</i> in West Springfield. He agreed and told me he wants to relocate to Florida. At one point Nader proclaimed, "Life is theater!"<br />
<br />
Eamon called and complained about a flattering story on Dr. Negroni that appeared on <i>TV22</i>. Eamon said he called Mark Wiernacz at the station and questioned Negroni's claim that the drop-out rate for Commerce was only 19%. Eamon told Mark how he called the State Department of Education and spoke with Paula Girard, who said the number of entering freshmen in 1994 was 1983. Only 985 graduated in 1997, meaning that 49.7% had dropped out. When Eamon told Wiernacz about this, he said he would try to work the numbers into a future story, but seemed so vague about it that Eamon thinks they will ignore it. <br />
<br />
Eamon said he also spoke with former Superintendent Tom Donahue today, who told him an interesting anecdote. Donahue was a friend of the late City Councilor Vincent Dimonaco. One day soon after Dr. Negroni was hired, he gave a presentation to the City Council, School Committee and others. Donahue and Dimonaco sat and listened while Negroni went on and on about how he was going to make Springfield the best school district in the state. At a reception afterwards, Negroni came up to them and asked what they thought of his speech. Vinnie replied, "I think you're full of shit." Negroni's jaw dropped as he silently turned and walked away. <br />
<br />
<center><b>May 5, 1999</b></center><p>
Another damp day. <br />
<br />
Last night I had severe pain in my right ear. Very first thing this morning I gave my hair a third dyeing in purple. The color is now very bright. Dined on two hot dogs and a grapefruit in the evening, had a <i>McDonald's</i> quarter-pounder with cheese and fries at noon. Finished up my box of <i>Wheaties</i> this morning. I went out and dug up dandelions all over my lawn. Put in four hours going through Mother's pocketbooks. <br />
<br />
I drove out at 11am or so and made copies at <i>CopyCat</i>. I looked at <i>Louis & Clark</i> but no <i>Advocates</i>. While there I bought four Mother's Day cards. I drove over to the <i>Goodwill</i>, where I noticed that their new sidewalk has many imperfections. Inside, I found an immense pile of <i>Valley Advocates</i> and saw Turner's lovely article about me inside. The blonde lady who runs the place was much friendlier than usual and congratulated me on the article. </p><p>The photo accompanying the article about me shows me in my collar and leathers beneath an engraving of John Wesley, a photo of Caesar Thompson (the violinist who taught Maurice Freedman, who was my violin teacher and whose estate I helped to settle) and a service sign the <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i> people gave me when they closed up. <br /></p><p>There were no <i>Advocates</i> at the liquor store in the Acres, but a big pile at the pizza shop next to <i>Walgreens</i>. The liquor store gave me a quote of 20% off on a case of <i>Harvey's Bristol Creme</i>. There were none at the laundromat, but a big pile at <i>Newsstand</i>. There were none at <i>Angelo's</i>, where I bought a grapefruit off the discount table.<br />
<br />
Driving by the intersection of White and Sumner, I saw in the window of the <i>Antiques Boutique</i> just my sort of marble top table. I went in and the price was $295. Too much. I tried to talk Dorothea Radziki into lowering her price, but she would not budge. On the way home I paused at the liquor store across from Duggan and they only offered me a 10% discount for a case, or about $175. Home at 1pm, the mail was already here. <br />
<br />
<i>Modern Postcard Company</i> called and said my new postcard shipped Monday. Martello of <i>Hein</i> called and said they're ready to send my new book <i>Coke and Verse</i> to the printer. I told him I wanted 20 copies for myself. I called Father Joyce at Our Lady of Hope rectory and told him about seeing at <i>Forest Park Antiques</i> some sketches of their original chapel selling for $60. He said I should talk to the pastor, so I asked him to pass the information on to the pastor for me, and he said he would. Margaret McDonald of 583-6335 called saying, "I'd like to make a reservation for May 19th at 1pm." I asked her what legal issues she wanted to discuss, copyright, trademarks or patents? "Oh sorry," she replied, "I thought I was talking to someone at <i>Storrowtown</i>." <br />
<br />
Called Aunt Maria and told her about the article about me, but she showed no interest and instead demanded, "When are you going to do something for me?" Tom Devine called to congratulate me on my piece in the <i>Valley Advocate</i>. I thanked him and gave Tom all the latest gossip. We spoke from 9:03 to 9:57pm. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he wants to donate his papers to Amherst College. He said he has letters from Peter J. Grace, Cardinal Cushing, Fulton J. Sheehan and many others. Eamon had not read the <i>Advocate</i> piece on me, so I read it to him. He liked it. <br />
<br />
Then Eamon told me that today he got a photocopy of a booklet from the Department of Education on statewide truancy rates, but when he turned to the pages that were supposed to have the Springfield statistics, every page was missing! So Eamon called the Department, and it turns out the Springfield stats are missing from the original booklet as well. Someone had torn them out! <br />
<br />
Eamon was shocked by how unconcerned they seemed to be about the missing pages. He told them how he had worked for the Department of Education for 30 years in Adult Education, Curriculum Development and Research and Auditing, and how in his day the discovery of the destruction of important data would be a matter of grave concern. She replied that they would look into it and promised to contact him if they came up with anything, but Eamon says he expects never to hear from them.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>An Article That Appeared in the Valley Advocate by Maureen Turner</b></center><center><b> </b></center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqR0IPAMQ61p5UQaCUuigdazdIndS7lEbmUUJIhWtlpnjyrvxuLutyvBFYkPxz9hhRQGb-QBi8sl6lLPddjJ1tAhn-LMIrVt1gLIJ5HTzKAN8NSVg0hA_m0zVrekCtW3qyBWdkt753vOL/s1600/wesley.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="1400" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqR0IPAMQ61p5UQaCUuigdazdIndS7lEbmUUJIhWtlpnjyrvxuLutyvBFYkPxz9hhRQGb-QBi8sl6lLPddjJ1tAhn-LMIrVt1gLIJ5HTzKAN8NSVg0hA_m0zVrekCtW3qyBWdkt753vOL/s400/wesley.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br />
<i>There is no way to capture J. Wesley Miller in one paragraph. He is an attorney who specializes in Art Law. He is a legal antiquarian, a classicist. a bibliographer, an art collector. He's a devout diarist and a mad collector and cataloger of, among other things, "street literature" - the flyers and posters most of us walk past or trample upon but that he believes record a vital part of our social history. <br />
<br />
He's a self-described "extremely liberal Republican" (socially progressive, fiscally conservative) who often sports an orange schmatte on his head and an orange workman's jumpsuit in keeping with his plea to sympathizers to "wear orange (preferably a jumpsuit) in solidarity with all the folks in prison for doing drugs." He is a social critic, he explains, who takes his cue not from the Roman satirist Juvenal, who "sees the corruption of the empire and cuts out with bitter indignation" - Miller assigns that role to his friend and fellow commentator on city affairs Eamon O'Sullivan - but from the poet Horace. "Horace is genial, he leans back, he smiles, he tickles people with his feather. That's what I am. I'm Horace." <br />
<br />
<b>What are the best and worst things you've seen happen to Springfield?</b><br />
<br />
When I was growing up, Springfield was pretty confident about itself as a place that was the best in every way. We really did have a wonderful situation at the Quadrangle. Miss Rose, who was the Rice Hall librarian, had an immense number of bookcases constructed to make room for lots more books. Those bookcases were ripped out within the last decade, and the books were thrown out. The worst thing to happen to Springfield in my lifetime has been the prettying up of the Quad. I think there's no doubt that the Quad is a prettier place today than it has ever been. But it has been thinned and it has been dumbed down. <br />
<br />
Your own paper some years back quoted the <i>New York Times</i> architecture critic as saying Springfield was "banal in the extreme" with its modern cement structures and urban canyons. The courthouse is the most hideous county courthouse in the state by everyone's agreement. Another nail in the coffin was the elevation of the expressway rather than the depression of it, cutting the riverfront off from the city. Sit in the dining room at Peter Picknelly's <i>Sheraton</i> and look out the window and all you see is expressway. <br />
<br />
The other worst thing that happened to Springfield, really the big domino of our present situation, was the collapse of <i>Monarch Capital Corporation</i>, which may be blamed on the greed of its stockholders, officers and directors, who never really realized that their product couldn't be patented and who were just not cautious enough. Concomitantly, probably the best thing Springfield has is <i>Mass Mutual</i>, because it's all we have left. <br />
<br />
<b>Who are the people doing the best, and the worst, for Springfield?</b><br />
<br />
Miss Michaelann Bewsee is one of the finest people in Springfield, and her work with Arise for Social Justice is very important. Belle-Rita Novak, over at the X, is one of the finest people in this city. Eamon O'Sullivan, even though he comes across as being tactless and perhaps a racist, is an impeccably fine Irish gentleman. <br />
<br />
My attitude toward Mayor Mike Albano has mellowed. I think that Albano has always been in a difficult spot. He has to make the best out of a mess, and he has to look enthusiastic. He has, in the situation he's been in, done a good job. Mr. Albano came in saying he was going to bring in a lot of new blood, but basically Albano has been working with the same old team. There is a group of people that, whenever one organization dissolves, they play musical chairs, and all the people that had $55,000 a year jobs in the old place wind up with $65,000 jobs in the new place. They have been good at keeping jobs for their people, but they've not been good at producing results. <br />
<br />
I think that cleaning out the riverfront for the Basketball Hall of Fame was a good idea, to get rid of that older, and very motley, shabby building stock. But do I believe for one second that the Hall of Fame will bring all the tourists they're predicting or that it will bring in all the revenue? No, I don't. I do believe that the neighborhood will be tidied up, and that's good. <br />
<br />
Superintendent Peter Negroni took over a school system which had been rotting under the previous administration. Mr. Negroni on the one hand has done a splendid job of bringing in new ideas which are necessary to shock the place into modernity. At the same time, I don't think he deserves the highest superintendent pay in the state. Eamon O'Sullivan is absolutely correct that there's too high a dropout rate, too low an attendance rate and the bottom line on student performance is lousy. <br />
<br />
<i>Springfield Newspapers</i> head David Starr is going to say that he's produced thousands of dollars for <i>WFCR</i> and <i>Channel 57</i> and the libraries and all these other things. But in addition to doing this, he has been politically repressive and we have a repressive media regime. I remember seeing Mr. Starr going to dinner with the mayor and other politicians. Sociology 101: With whom do these people interact? The question is to what extent the new publisher Larry McDermott is going to be an improvement. <br />
<br />
I would like to see Francis Gagnon (chairwoman of the city's Historical Commission and of the Libraries and Museums Association) depart from the scene. She's got her Pynchon Medal, now I would like to see her just leave. Mrs. Gagnon has had her impact for good or ill, and it is time for her to depart. <br />
<br />
The City Council, these people have been in office for years and years. We've seen what they can do. They should go. Mr. Albano started out looking for new people. He should find them. The people that have been in power here have been around too long.</i> <br />
</p><center><b>May 6, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Overcast, gas at <i>Breckwood Sunoco</i> is up from $1.07 to $1.08.</p><p>How did I get in the <i>Advocate</i>? Years ago, when the <i>Valley Advocate</i> was young (1977) they did a lengthy feature on me and my street literature collection. Over the years they have published half a dozen letters from me and used me as a consultant on several articles. </p><p>For over a decade I kept submitting the names of Bill Putnam, Walter English, Irving Cohn and the <i>Valley Advocate</i> for Pynchon Awards, which are our valley's highest honor. Of course being recommended by me was the kiss of death for any chance they had of receiving it, since the award has fallen under the control of a clique at the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i>. </p><p>I have an extensive collection of Springfield related medals and tokens, three of which are Pynchon medallions that were abandoned by the families of their late recipients and sold to me. I decided to send one of them to the <i>Advocate</i>, telling them that despite their courageous, singular and steadfast defense of the free press in our valley, my second hand Pynchon Award was the only one they were ever likely to receive. I suspect that in gratitude for that gesture, they decided to do that very nice article about me. <br />
<br />
Up at 6am, departed at 7:30am to go to the South Church tag sale. Before I set out I found that my new postcards of the church in Bethel had come. I am delighted with the results, later I wrote them a note telling them that they had exceeded my expectations. The back reads:<br />
<br />
<i><b>Bethel, Vermont</b> - Miller Memorial United Methodist Church (1905) named after its longtime pastor J. Wesley Miller, is a a miniature Akron-style structure erected during Bethel's white granite boom days. It contains the earliest Hilbourne L. Roosevelt organ still in use.</i><br />
<br />
First I went to <i>Louis & Clark</i>, where there were still no <i>Advocates</i>. I arrived at the tag sale at 8:10 and got in line behind three black ladies and Melissa McIntosh. Behind me was a woman around 40 who is taking a course on plays, featuring no Shakespeare, no Chaucer, just modern stuff. The Koziols were there and the old man congratulated me on the piece in the <i>Valley Advocate</i>. He said he can get along with Republicans as long as they are liberal. The sale overall was disappointing, but of course there is always something. The Treasure Room had no real treasures in it and the collection of books was thin, but I got some biblical books in Greek and a couple of postcards. <br />
<br />
Nader the Hatter met me there as planned for our lunch at the <i>Buffett</i>. We left the sale at 10:14am. Nader and I dined in a leisurely way at the <i>Buffett</i>, he gave me the <i>Boston Globe Guide to Cambridge</i> - a very nice paperback - for taking him to lunch. Nader also gave me an <i>AT&T</i> thermometer paperweight. He said he is driving his father's grey Oldsmobile because his own car broke down. Nader told me he is 53 and feels he has 'a spiritual side" to his nature. At one point he remarked that "almost all antique dealers are gay." <br />
<br />
On the way back, I saw that <i>Stained Glass Resources</i> is working on the window in front of Alden Baptist Church. Paused at Mrs. Staniski's and found her gardening out front looking wilted in the heat. I told her she should quit working for the day and get some rest. I then bought some bananas at <i>Angelo's</i>. From there I took a swing through the Acres to get fish and chips at <i>Big Y</i> and some more <i>Advocates</i>. This afternoon I finally photographed Sweet Pea and Honey Pot with the pansies and tulips.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>May 7, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Overcast, rained in the morning.</p><p>I have three identical typewriters, one for correspondence, one for my diary and one for composing memos. <br />
<br />
I almost didn't go to <i>Riverside</i>, but I figured with the rain nobody would be there, so I went. But first I went to the Faith Church sale and got a few items. Things were thinner than previously. I bought a Revere-like brass bowl, a tiny Indian vase, several puzzles and assorted other little things. I always tell them to keep the change because it's a charity. Edward A. Koziel of Chicopee was there, he again praised my article and said I was "fair with everybody." I told him I was especially flattered he felt that way. <br />
<br />
With raspberry glasses on, I set out for Riverside Park and got there about 11:30. I hadn't been there since Mother and Father took George, Martie, Steve and Dianne from <i>Monarch</i> in the 1950's. We walked around and rode the merry-go-round and that was about it. Today <i>Riverside</i> is fabulous, given a choice between a year's pass to the Basketball Hall of Fame and a weekend pass to <i>Riverside</i>, I'd take <i>Riverside</i>. This is the year to buy a season pass because when they finish the renovations they will probably charge a lot more. <br />
<br />
There were a lot of school buses lined up as today was Physics Day at the park. I was in uniform, laced boots with worn jeans, chain belt, black t-shirt, biker jacket and pink triangle earrings. I was told the season ticket office didn't open until noon, so I walked down the main street, with certain themes for each section. An enormous water ride is almost completed. Some things were open, some not, I was told more things open as the day goes on. They also said that once school lets out they will open up earlier. Eamon says one of his in--laws is an electrician who told him they have spent millions on electrical work. <br />
<br />
So I got the lay of the place, then got in line to get a season pass at ten of noon. The super-straight guy in a topcoat in front of me kept eyeing me suspiciously, but I had a pleasant conversation with the young fellow behind me. I was offered a season parking ticket for $20 so I took that. My season pass had only a small black and white photo of me, which made it hard to appreciate my purple Apache haircut. I used my queer pseudonym Queerboy Fag Sissypansy on the pass. <br />
<br />
I then resumed walking around. I spent a few minutes in the video game arcade watching people play. Walked down the path to the picnic grove and sat for awhile. Very restful. At one point a tall young fellow asked where I got my boots. Just before it was time to depart (I was getting tuckered out by all the walking) three high school girls asked if I would pose for a picture with them. I cheerfully consented and they snapped a single picture. On the way out I bought copies of each of <i>Riverside's</i> postcards at 50 cents each. As I drove out I was behind a bus from Danbury, Connecticut. <br />
<br />
On the way back, I picked up some more <i>Advocates</i> in the Acres and got a canned ham and potato chips at <i>Big Y</i>. When I got home I called Aunt Maria, who said she got my postcard and thought it was "nice." I asked if there was anything I could help her with but she said she doesn't want me coming over unless I change my "eccentric attire." I was surprised to then get a call from Edith Michaud. She said she thinks Aunt Maria has "mellowed down a bit" but told me how the other day she fount Aunt Maria asleep in a chair with a pile of money on her lap. She shook my Aunt awake and was immediately accused of trying to steal the money, to which Edith replied that if the wanted to steal "there wouldn't be a dollar left." <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>May 8, 1999</b></center><br />
Michele Rogers Beck is Mrs. United States for 1998-99. Gordon Alexander is <i>Tortus-Tek's</i> Director of Operations in Holyoke. Lisa A. Cignoli is the Marketing Manager for the City of Springfield. <br />
<br />
The lilacs are coming out and the buttercups are in bloom. This evening I should have gone out to Indian Orchard for the artist's Open House but I chose to go downtown instead. There was a story on the news about a demonstration today at Court Square for women in prison for drug use. I wanted to get any literature lying around from that, so I drove downtown. On the way, I paused at a tag sale at 50 Jeffrey but there was slim pickings. The family said they are moving to San Diego. <br />
<br />
I swung by the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, where the Shriner's were having a Clownarama. The back of <i>Eastfield</i> is all dug up to expand parking by the Cinemas. There was a good crowd and at one point one of the onlookers came up to me, thinking that with my purple mohawk I was one of the clowns! The clowns juggled and pulled pranks on the kids. They marched in a parade, but there should have been a band. I got a laugh from the crowd by loudly declaring that it was nice to see the Democratic City Committee all in one place. A great event for kids and everybody is a kid. <br />
<br />
From the Clownarama I went directly downtown, where there must have been something going on at Symphony Hall, as it was hard to find a place to park. I ended up parked on Worthington Street by the <i>Kaos Club</i>. <i>Kaos</i> appeared to be empty, it was dark inside and the doors were locked. I walked around Court Square, but saw little evidence of the demonstration. I did see a bumpersticker reading RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE. I decided I would walk back to Worthington and do a little tour of the downtown bars starting at 8pm. <br />
<br />
<i>The Civic Pub</i> on Court Square had only five patrons. <br />
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<i>Kokomos</i> was closed although the lights were on. <br />
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<i>MardiGras</i> has a $3 cover and a good, lively crowd. <br />
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<i>David's</i> was dead, the bartender said they "come to life" around 11:30pm. <br />
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<i>The Pub</i> had 13 patrons, an older crowd, basement not yet open. <br />
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<i>Silvio's</i> on Worthington had three at the bar and two at a table. <br />
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<i>Viper's Nest</i>, the piercing place, was supposed to open May 5th, but inside I could see only a few pieces of furniture and a sign saying "Coming Soon" but not saying how soon. <br />
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A facade is being erected for <i>Westbank</i>, but so far only the metalwork is up. <br />
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<i>The TicToc</i> had fourteen guests around the bar, two cops walked in as I was leaving. <br />
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<i>Caffeine's Cigar Room</i> was open, with the proprietor sitting in an easy chair waiting for customers. <br />
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<i>Caffeine's Restaurant</i> is a nice place with a porch on Duryea Park, which no longer has any park benches. At 8:45pm there were 15 in the main room and about 20 on the porch. <br />
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<i>The Hot Club</i> on Stearns Square was not hot, only a few people at the bar. <br />
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<i>Fat Cat</i> on Worthington had about 20 middle-aged men around the bar. <br />
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<i>Naismith's</i> had eleven seated around the bar. <br />
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<i>Theodore's</i> had a $3 cover with over 30 people present but still not too crowded. It has ambiance, more my kind of place than any of the other joints.<br />
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<i>Pizzeria Uno</i> had a guitar player playing for a mostly young crowd of about 40 people. <br />
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<i>Houlihan's</i> had only five customers being served by three bartenders. A $3 cover after 10pm.<br />
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<i>The Fort</i> was jammed with good looking, respectable people. <br />
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<i>Just Friends</i> had 22 patrons, including two women and one black. They have a bulletin board with news for the gay community. I think they are the best gay bar in the city, but <i>David's</i> won the <i>Valley Advocate</i> award last year. I ordered a beer and drank half of it. As I was going to my car two black men asked for a ride to West Springfield because they missed the bus. I said I was sorry but I couldn't help them. Home at 9:36pm.<br />
<br />
<center><b>May 9, 1999</b></center><br />
Overcast, started to rain at 11:52am.<br />
<br />
I have set many things to do that each day I want to make real progress towards achieving. I am willing to wait and see with a lot of things, undecided is often the correct answer. <br />
<br />
The Pope is in Romania for the first time since 1054. People are complaining about a two-week old Blunt Park user fee which is funding better security and park improvements. A patron on camera remarked, "There's nothing to do here worth paying for." How true. Richard M. Gaberman practices law at 32 Hampden Street in Springfield. The radio played Mozart's Paris Symphony today. <br />
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Pulled five large stems of rhubarb. One year we had lovely daisies but Mother stomped them all out. My lawn is getting shaggy, but I always let it get a good start in the spring. It needs attention, but the Lord will provide. I have spent the day writing Mother's final condolence communications. Everyone got a postcard and a copy of my <i>Valley Advocate</i> article. I have sent a great many people my <i>Advocate</i> article and it will be interesting to see how many people like it and how many are turned off and scared away. I also typed a thank you letter to Maureen Turner to mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. <br />
<br />
I drove out at 10am. While I was making copies at <i>Louis & Clark</i> I saw Jackie Bradway and asked about her plants. At <i>Kappy's</i> they had a petition opposing the baseball stadium at <i>Northgate Plaza</i> and I signed it. They are going to present the petitions from all over Springfield to the City Council in May. I stopped by the Evangelical Covenant Church for their tag sale and bought ten black milk crates for $7.<br />
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Swung by Trinity Church, where I avoided the church office and knocked on Mrs. Goad's door. She answered and I handed her a bag of reading material that included my new postcard. Then to the <i>Goodwill</i> where there was nothing special and I bought nothing. <br />
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Next I went downtown and parked in front of the telephone building on the corner of Chestnut and Edwards and left a red envelope for Hernala. Then up to 13 Monarch Place and left an envelope at <i>Cohen/Rosenthal</i>. Tony Cignoli has an office on the same floor. Then I dropped off something at <i>Just Friends</i>, got a deli-baloney sandwich at <i>Subway</i> for lunch and headed home. <br />
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Cooked myself a <i>Swanson Roast Beef Dinner</i> for supper. I also had some vanilla tapioca pudding. Spoke with Lynn at <i>Punderson</i> and the burner cleaner will come tomorrow. Called Aunt Maria. She was civil, says she may finally be getting over the shock of Mother's death. <br />
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Eamon called and he likes my new postcard. I told him he should make a postcard of his house and use them to send people short messages. Eamon objected to me using the term "racist" in regards to him in my <i>Advocate</i> interview. He pointed out that he is a donor to the Southern Poverty Law Center. He also said he discussed his displeasure with Tom Vannah. I told him that although he sometimes comes across as racist, I also consider him to be an impeccably fine gentleman. By the end of our talk he told me he is not mad. <br />
<br />
<center><b>May 11, 1999</b></center><br />
Gas at <i>Pride</i> is $1.07 per gallon. <br />
<br />
Anita Bryant was formerly high priestess of Florida orange juice. She came out against homosexuality and in due course suffered a deserved decline. On the back of the May <i>Reader's Digest</i>, a woman in a biker jacket is shown drinking a glass of <i>Tropicana Pure Premium Orange Juice</i>. Not all bike jacket wearers are queer, certainly not, but the ambiguity is a good slap in Anita's face. A proverb Mother used to utter from Gram Wilson: "If the dog hadn't stopped to take a shit, he'd have caught the fox."<br />
<br />
Men working on the light poles in front of neighbors Stevens and Nichols. My heat has been turned off for several days now. <i>WFCR</i> had the Beethoven Violin Concerto on. A bee, a big one, came into the dining room and I had to dispatch him with bug spray. Lately I saw a chipmunk scurrying out from the large barrel in the garage, so maybe I have a family on the premises. I hope so. <br />
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Left here something after 9am. At <i>Louis & Clark </i>I mailed a thank you to Joe and Shirley Lucas and payment to Joe Luttrell. <i>Pride</i> in the Acres has a new nickle copying machine. The black male manager with an ornately braided hair-do showed me how to use it. Then to the <i>Goodwill</i>, where I got a nice, little cloisonne dish for a dollar. Patty said she had just put it in the case. I got 2 for 1 breakfast bagels at <i>McDonald's</i> on Allen with a coupon I got in the Sunday paper. <br />
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Arrived at the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> at 10am after stopping at <i>Kappy's</i> to get some more <i>Valley Advocates</i>. I am snitching <i>Advocates</i> everywhere to have a supply of copies I can use to make tearsheets. I was barely inside the <i>Mall</i> door for the Senior Health Fair when red-headed Jean Ferrars of <i>WMAS</i> most cordially greeted me, but I did not see Monique Bovat. Jean told me she used to work for the <i>Valley Advocate</i> and was glad they did a story on me. The fair itself was dull, however, aside from some material I got from the Tobacco Control Program and Providence Place at Ingleside. Left <i>Eastfield</i> at 10:48am. <br />
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The mail was here when I got home. <i>Valley Motorsports</i> on King Street in Northampton sent Blanche Miller a flyer. Jack Egan, a friendly, young fellow from <i>Punderson</i>, arrived at 2:45pm. He said he has been in the oil burner business for 12 years. He cleaned up after himself as well or better than anyone else has ever done. Declined refreshment, good guy, left at 3:34pm. <br />
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For supper I devoured another <i>Weight Watchers</i> entree. Spoke to <i>Sampson's</i> about their ad in the <i>Reminder</i> saying, "It's no secret who owns our funeral home." I told them that people know who owns them but not their prices! Hung up on me. Next I spoke to John Leno and then Kerri Anderson at <i>Bank of Boston</i>, asking why they offer free admission to the Quad to credit card holders, but not to CD owners. She will get back to me. Called Aunt Maria and she has been more chipper lately. Said Ruth got her mailing.<br />
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On TV22 this evening Lynn Barry was in Orlando, Florida, where Universal Studios is opening <i>Seussland</i> near <i>Disneyland</i>. They showed colorful statues and rides related to Dr. Seuss characters, including a carousel. How can Springfield compete with that? Audrey Geisel was shown in attendance. As I have said before, Springfield's statues will be dead upon unveiling.<br />
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<center><b>May 13, 1999</b></center><br />
Sunny day.<br />
<br />
In the <i>Valley Advocate</i> there is a letter from a R. Leppington that is critical of the Northampton gay pride parade: "There's no sense that gays march on the town in a gesture of pride or defiance anymore." I thought the same thing, they marched all the gays out of town to the fairgrounds. I got an offer from the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> offering <i>The Republican</i> and <i>Union-News</i> for 28 weeks at $2.50 per week instead of paying the regular $4.50 per week price. <br />
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On the news they said the Armory School is to be demolished and with land deeded by Our Lady of Hope, a new school called the Edward P. Boland Learning Center will go up. The band <i>Schwa</i> is playing at the <i>Tic-Toc Lounge</i> on Worthington Street on the 28th, promising "blues, funk, reggae and jazz with stylish grooves." The Springfield Symphony is having its anniversary concert this Saturday. Heritage Woods Respite Care is located on Main Street in Agawam. Brick work on the east wing of the Evangelical Covenant Sanctuary started a couple of days ago. <br />
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I drove out with a big bag of magazines and took them over to Mr. Cohn. He said he just had a cataract operation and can only see out of one eye, but otherwise is in excellent health. From the Cohn's I went to the <i>Goodwill</i>, where I left Father's coats that were hanging in the garage. Next I had a chicken sandwich plus a small order of fries for $2.04 at the Allen Street <i>McDonald's</i>, where they are fixing the sidewalk leading to the side entryway. I found the first of this week's new Advocate in a tiny pile in the entrance to <i>Leone's</i>. It has a big article on the <i>Northgate</i> stadium proposal by Mo Turner, who didn't mention the topic when she interviewed me. <br />
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This day I read the <i>Hein</i> proofs. They reset the type and I corrected many errors, but now new errors have been introduced so I corrected it again. Today I dined on <i>Maypo</i> and a <i>Budget Gourmet Lasagna Alfredo with Broccoli</i>. I didn't see much broccoli. I also cooked up the lovely green beans I bought at <i>Angelo's</i> a few days ago. The electrical lineman were out front again. Jozephczyk gave me his old papers and congratulated me on my <i>Advocate</i> article. <br />
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Mail here today at 11:30am. Whitcomb High School never learns. They were repeatedly told that Father is dead, but he continues to get mail. Now Mother does too. I will notify them once again. Called Aunt Maria, she is still chipper but had no interest in talking. I called Councilor Ryan and left a message thanking him for defending <i>Northgate</i>. At <i>Kappy's</i> the other day I noticed there was a phone number (796-4924) at the bottom of their save <i>Northgate</i> petition. I decided to give the number a call, and got Mrs. Karen Powell, whom I recognized as an opponent of needle exchange. I introduced myself and we had a nice chat. She said she has heard of me before from her friend Maureen Turner.<br />
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I called Tom Devine and told him how the U.S. Postal Service is releasing a stamp in honor of Ayn Rand. He said he was already aware of it. Eamon called, and he has a new upstairs phone from <i>Bloomingdale's</i>, but its ring isn't as loud as his <i>AT&T</i> phone. He said he liked a letter to the paper by Richard Crossen on the insanity of our foreign policy. I was surprised when Eamon told me that Dennis Murphy is Albano's real campaign chairman, he claims the Boland's are only figureheads. <br />
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Eamon said he called Wayne Phaneuf at the paper and asked him why they haven't done anything on the high rates of truancy. He said Phaneuf hemmed and hawed and agreed that attendance at the Springfield schools is "lousy" and finally suggested they would bring it up in some future story. Eamon told me he also told Phaneuf about how off-duty cops are going door to door campaigning for Nick Fyntrilakis. Phaneuf said it was the first he'd heard of it.<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>May 14, 1999</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Absolutely beautiful day. Lilies of the Valley are in. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>TV57</i> had a discussion of cluster bombing in Kosovo with Gen. Robert Gard, a real hard-nosed conservative who said the U.S. is "exasperating the situation and our strategy is wrong." The April <i>New York Times Book Review</i> has a picture of S. Rushdie on the cover with an earring in his right ear only. He, Elton John and me. Hmmm. The fancy new office building for the legislature behind the Connecticut statehouse is disintegrating, even though it is only 11 years old. A studio apartment at <i>Providence Place at Ingleside</i> is about a thousand a month. </div><div> </div><div>Dark colors are in, WASP true blue is completely out. People talk about the way I dress - an orange suit, sometimes with a handcuff belt - is a form of performance art inspired by Jack Fritchers fine biography of Robert Mapplethorpe <i>Assault with a Deadly Camera</i>. The biker jacket and various collars are simply part of my queer uniform. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have added bright purple jockey shorts supported by an athletic cup underneath them and black slacks to create what is called "a nice basket," a toned down codpiece that accentuates my groin. Doubtless many people consider this outfit obscene, but it is perfectly legal. One day at the corner of Mattoon and Chestnut I ran into a black fellow who said to me, "Hey man, I like your style," and we exchanged high fives. There is no disputing style, and if someone wants a "dark side of J. Wesley Miller" why shouldn't I deliver?<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I am reading Bob Corbett's splendid new book <i>The Cheater's Handbook - The Naughty Student's Bible</i>. Worked in the basement and did a bit of gardening. Also worked on the final consolation letters for a couple hours. On television, they said the most popular item they serve in the Springfield public schools is pizza (maybe they serve too much of it). Someone assaulted a <i>PVTA</i> worker and a black gentleman who is her friend is offering a $200 reward to help catch the person who did it. I think that's great.</div><div><br /></div><div>TV also said that it has been found that <i>Jahn Foundry</i> had many OSHA violations, though the owner says they have always been very concerned about safety (you bet, the safety of their investments). The air ducts hadn't been cleaned since 1979 and there was dirt in the machinery. Sounds like a real hell hole, but no one who works there will say so if they want to keep their job. </div><div><br /></div><div> The mail brought photocopies of Father's manuscript from Jeff Marshall at the University of Vermont. I also got a letter today from Maureen Turner saying my article has gotten good feedback "most recently from Tom Devine." Mo also said a critic of her stadium coverage called her "a anti-American pinko of the highest degree." She was vague about accepting my invitation to meet with her for shortcake and strawberries at Picknelly Plaza. </div><div><br /></div><div>After the mail came, I decided to take Aunt Maria a <i>Swanson</i> TV dinner and a pie. I found her sitting in her big chair in the living room, a sink full of dishes and George's room was a mess. She was friendly but didn't have anything she wanted to communicate. When I left I picked up a few dead branches off the lot and took a picture of her tulips. Then down to the fire station behind the Baptist Church where they were having a tag sale to benefit the Historical Society. I bought three books, a folding chair and a little bell for Sweet Pea and Honey Pot. </div><div><br /></div><div>I cooked up the green beans and potatoes and dined on them, plus grapefruit. Eamon called at 6pm and said Mayor Albano is going to endorse Nick Fytrilakis for state rep and the police union will do so as well. Dennis Murphy is Albano's campaign manager and was also Fyntrilakis' former boss. Eamon says it would have been better had Albano stayed neutral. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>May 15, 1999</b></div><div><br /></div><div>An absolutely beautiful day, bridal wreath starting out. </div><div><br /></div><div>At <i>Johnson's</i>, the coin slot in the wall has been removed and several bricks now fill the spot. The last vestige of <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i> is gone for good. </div><div><br /></div><div>The <i>For Sale</i> sign is gone over to Yaeger's. Called Aunt Maria at 2:49pm. She was friendly enough, but had nothing to say other than she had been out riding with Ruth. <i>Providence Place at Ingleside</i> is managed by <i>Sisters of Providence Health Care System</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>I began by driving out to Epiphany Church in Wilbraham. The Koziels were there, but considering the quality of the sale the turnout stank, with only about ten other customers besides myself. Young John Kosiel was examining a wooden music box while the old man told me he doesn't like to drive into the city. </div><div><br /></div><div>The sale had a lot of nice things with lots of books, art and some very nice furniture including a cute little rocking chair for only $8. I bought a soft fabric pumpkin, a little iron kettle with the date 1939 etched on it and some very nice coffee table books. I also bought an oval, gilt-framed glass painting of three chickadees, which I will add to the picture collection in my living room. </div><div><br /></div><div>Next I headed downtown and parked on Salem Street to attend the pancake breakfast and to look for posters outside the Democratic State Convention being held simultaneously at the Civic Center. Parking on Salem Street was tight but I was able to find a spot. </div><div><br /></div><div>Soon after I arrived at the breakfast, Health Commissioner Helen Caulton approached me to sign nomination papers for her sister's campaign for City Council. Fred Whitney was there wearing a red apron and working the Western Mass Republicans booth. He congratulated me on my <i>Advocate</i> article, which he said he liked. Agawam Councilor Bob Magovern was also there. </div><div><br /></div><div>I walked around and thought there were fewer booths than in past years. The automobile exhibit was nice, displaying Picknelly's two Rolls and a reproduction of a <i>Duyrea</i>. There were National Guardsmen around. I got some free muffins and a cup of orange juice from the Massachusetts Career Development Institute booth. Petluck was also there, eating muffins. </div><div><br /></div><div>The last time I picked up after a Democratic Convention here there was litter all over. This year everything was cleaned up because even while the pancake breakfast was in progress there were men coming around taking full trash bags and replacing them with empty ones. Result: next to zero litter. All I got was a few things for Al Gore for President, Shannon O'Brien for Treasurer, Bill Bradley for President and Tom Reilly for Attorney General. </div><div><br /></div><div>I left for the <i>Westfest Arts and Crafts Fair</i> at 11:08am and arrived at Stanley Park at 11:40. <i>The 18th Annual Westfest </i>was a high-toned affair in an ideal setting and well attended. They had a juggler, a group of Peruvian flute players and other acts who provided first rate musical entertainment. I liked the South American music especially. </div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, the merchandise offered was mostly lower end schlock. The only impressive items were a lovely carved Noah's Ark with 30 pairs of animals by Carl Peabody of Fiskdale, Ma. for $125 and a variety of wood carvings by a Chinaman named Chien Fei Chiang. The only thing I bought was two greeting cards from a dealer from Waterville, Maine. There should have been more dealers. They had refreshments and a youth art contest. It was a fine small city family affair such as Springfield would like to have but can't. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the way home from Stanley Park I stopped at Liberty Methodist Church coming up Carew. I have never seen so many people at Liberty. The entire side yard was full of tag sale booths. A fellow in farmer's overalls named Dale asked if I was the guy in the <i>Valley Advocate</i>. He said he had seen me at other tag sales. I gave him my card as I talked about how people should be free to accept responsibility for their use of drugs and he agreed. </div><div><br /></div><div>A lot of the stuff was junk but it was late in the day. I gave the ladies at the Liberty Church booth a contribution, saying they had nothing I wanted to buy but congratulating them on having such a nice sale. I arrived home at 1:30pm just as Mr. and Mrs. Penniman were going by. I shook hands with him but he neither spoke nor smiled. I told her how good the Wilbraham sale was. </div><div><br /></div><div>The mail brought a letter from Roberta Dean saying she liked my postcards. Dined on beans and hot dogs. </div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>May 17, 1999</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Another beautiful day. Warm outside but cool inside the house. </div><div><br /></div><div>Got up bright and early today and arrived at Aunt Maria's at 6am. I found the garage door open, so I pushed the button and closed it. The lawn was freshly mowed and all the lights were on in the house. I left quietly without being noticed. My early morning trip to Aunt Maria's was very unusual but instructive. </div><div><br /></div><div>On my way back I stopped at the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> and got two of Devine's papers out of the trash. Then I headed to the <i>McDonald's</i> on Allen and used a coupon for a dollar off a bagel with a hash brown unit and orange juice. </div><div><br /></div><div>Next I mailed out more postcards for R. Dean at the Forest Park Post Office and bought a book of stamps with tropical flowers on them. They were all out of berry stamps. The Forest Park bound lane of Edwards Bridge is still under construction. I dumped some of the Democratic Convention literature I gathered on Mrs. Whitney at her back door. She is always very friendly, and asked if I had seen Fred on TV. When I said no, she told me they interviewed him at the pancake breakfast. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then through the <i>Goodwill</i> where they said they were going to start selling bandanas such as I wear in my hip pockets. She couldn't possibly know what it means! While there I bought a picture book on San Francisco and a travel guide to Russia. At <i>Cat's Paw</i> I gave them a postcard of Miller Church. </div><div><br /></div><div>Arrived home at 11:15am. I warmed up a <i>Swanson</i> TV dinner and looked at my new books. A lawyer in Salem mistakenly called me looking for a Jacqueline Miller. Called Aunt Maria at 2:49 and although she said she had been in a deep sleep, she answered in good humor. I believe her prior surliness was the result of melancholy over Mother and harassment by social workers. </div><div><br /></div><div>The lawn needs mowing. No <i>Reminder</i> today. I took all the card catalogs and books off the green chest in the corner that Father made years ago and I cleaned all around it and now I can say I am 98% finished with the cleaning of the basement, which I began just about a year ago while Mother was incapacitated with her broken hip. </div><div><br /></div><div>Since I was up since 5:30am I took an hour nap and then set out for downtown around 4:30. I parked on Salem and then walked down the hill. The awning on the front of <i>Johnson's</i> is down and the scaffolding is still up in front of the future <i>Westfield Bank</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I got to City Hall, I found about 60 labor unioners picketing in favor of the baseball stadium. "Baseball is a Family Value" read one sign. They had a grill set up at one side and were serving burgers and beer. I was too late for the speakers (the event began at 4) but Mayor Albano was still around talking with the workers. </div><div><br /></div><div>From there I walked over to <i>J.W. Miller Frames </i>to ask Bill Myers, who also works as a conservator for the Quadrangle, if he would be interested in restoring an old oil painting for me. He said he is very busy now, but gave me his number so we could discuss it later. After that I just killed time sitting on a bench behind the <i>Bank of Boston</i> for awhile, watching people go by at the end of the work day. At 4:50 a crowd of secretaries from <i>Cooley-Sharir</i> came by.</div><div><br /></div><div>I walked back to City Hall at 5:15 and the union guys and their grill was gone. I stood by the entrance as people started arriving and soon the Powells appeared with their picket signs. She is a little woman, friendly, and he was tall, thin and wearing jeans. </div><div><br /></div><div>The liquor store manager came over, he said he had 1,665 signatures and the Powells said they had collected 421 more. I was introduced to Dr. John Brown, who has an office at <i>Northgate</i>. I asked if anyone was aware of Eamon's phone editorials and they all said yes. </div><div><br /></div><div> We headed into the council chambers, where about 50 people had already gathered. I spotted a seat still available in the front row and found myself seated next to a bearded gentleman who turned out to be John Appleton, the newspaper reporter. The Powells were seated further back, and at one point I spotted them chatting with Maureen Turner. </div><div><br /></div><div>Many spoke at the public speakout, including Henry Thomas, who supports Albano on everything, it would appear. The union boss was asked if he lived in Springfield and evaded the question by saying that he represents union workers throughout the valley. A tall black man talked about "taking back our city" and waved this week's <i>Advocate</i> at the Councilors, which no doubt pleased Maureen. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I got up to speak, I said that throughout my life they have been trying and failing to revitalize downtown and a baseball stadium isn't going to do it either. Councilor Boyle had a smirk on his face as I spoke, but Councilor Santaniello appeared to be listening intently. I got about the same amount of applause as the other anti-stadium speakers got. </div><div><br /></div><div>I left right after I spoke. When I got back home, I dined on brussels sprouts and spaghetti.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>May 19, 1999</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div> Overcast. Honeysuckle coming out, bridal wreath in full bloom. </div><div><br /></div><div>There is no substitute for victory. - General MacArthur</div><div><br /></div><div>Today is the day the new <i>Star Wars</i> movie comes out, with people lining up at the theater since midnight and missing work. Being a <i>Star Wars</i> delinquent is in. <i>MassMutual </i>last night paid tribute to 500 students for being "the best and brightest" at their schools. The ceremony was held at City Hall with Mayor Albano and Peter Negroni the featured speakers. </div><div><br /></div><div>The street sweeper went down Birchland. <i>The Reminder</i> came late in the day. I dyed my hair again this morning and also a pair of jockey shorts to complete an all purple uniform to wear to the Gay Festival at Riverfront Park in June. My WEAR ORANGE business cards are soliciting a low response. </div><div><br /></div><div>Pushed around the vac. Mowed the lawn. Mr. Cohn drove by and waved but didn't stop. Assembled the trash. Cooked a hamburg and spaghetti casserole in the oven. Took a bath. Did a load of laundry. Uncovered the air conditioners. Heard the <i>Bartok Violin Concerto No. 2</i>. I listen to <i>WFCR</i> all the time now. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last night at 11:07pm Dave Madsen said that 400,000 are expected to visit the Basketball Hall of Fame this year. But at noon I heard them say 500,000. I saw myself on <i>TV40</i> during their stadium coverage, they showed me sitting in the front row with my biker jacket, bandana and picket sign. Mail here at 11:28. I got a letter from Eugene Povirk of <i>Southpaw Books</i> that had an Ayn Rand stamp on the envelope. He said in his letter that ephemera from the 1960's is appreciating in value "rather quickly."</div><div><br /></div><div>After writing some checks to pay the bills, I drove in the early afternoon to mail something to Maureen Turner and others at <i>Breckwood</i>. Then to Indian Orchard, but Patty was not in her antique shop. I stuck a note in her door saying, "If you are going to post hours, you should keep them!" I also dropped off my latest letter to Paul Caron at his office. </div><div><br /></div><div>At 5:15 I headed to the Albano fundraiser at the <i>John Boyle O'Reilly</i> in my orange uniform. When I got there, I saw that there were only four people in the banquet room. Soon a young, petite black woman appeared so I asked her if I would be allowed to stay if I paid $10. She said you'll have to ask that man, and pointed to someone whom I recognized as Anthony Ardolino. He smiled and said sure, so I proceeded to examine some of the art in the room. </div><div><br /></div><div>One wall was windows, while the inside wall had three expensive, signed and numbered prints of Ireland. At the far end of the hall is a stage, maybe 15 feet wide, with a canvas backdrop painted with the image of a dirt road leading past a stone wall to a small, white cottage. The scene portrayed is somewhat desolate. </div><div><br /></div><div>I got a beer and sat in the very last chair of the last table next to the windows, where I had a clear view of what was going on in the entire room. So I sat sipping my brew as people came in, including Mayor Albano and his wife. He looked at me with a big smile and said of my orange suit, "I like your outfit." I gave him one of my orange business cards, telling him to save it because they will become collector's items. We shook hands as I wished him good luck and then he left to tour the tables greeting guests. </div><div><br /></div><div>Councilors Dan Kelly and Dom Sarno arrived. Brian Lees came around to each table, when he got to mine he waved and I waved back but we didn't talk. After he had toured every table, Sen Lees headed to the door, shaking Albano's hand as he left. </div><div><br /></div><div>Chris Asselin passed my table and gave me a little wave. Frankie Keough was nowhere in sight. I didn't see Fyntrilakis, but it's hard to believe he wasn't there. Was Dennis Murphy there? A few blacks and Latinos were present but those attending were overwhelmingly white and older. I even spotted my old <i>Sealtest</i> milkman with his aged wife. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the middle of the room a long table was set up with plates, plastic dining utensils, large serving pans with heat beneath and a salad bowl station. The food consisted of rotini pasta in red sauce, large Italian meatballs with a nice tossed salad and a large container of parmesan cheese you could dump all over your food as much as you wanted. Near the end they brought out a large sheet of cake, chocolate with white frosting. </div><div><br /></div><div>At 7pm the place began to clear out. I left at 7:20. A voiceless Unknown call at 9:08pm. I chastised them for bothering me. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>May 21, 1999</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Some rain overnight, otherwise a picture perfect day.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the news it said that there is an anti-war movement going on in Yugoslavia that blames Milosovich's government for their misery. In the paper it says that Janice Raymond, a UMass professor, sees prostitution as a modern form of slavery. WNEC graduation is this weekend. I am quoted in Maureen Turner's <i>Advocate</i> article this week about the City Council meeting. </div><div><br /></div><div>I tried to call Mr. Whitney this morning but he couldn't talk because he was just leaving to visit his daughter who had a major operation. I called Patty at her shop but no one answered. Her voicemail said she is closed to attend a doctor's appointment but will be open Saturday at 12:30pm. </div><div><br /></div><div>I headed out slightly after 10am to <i>Riverside</i> and got a parking spot close to the gate. Lots of school busses in the lot and kids in school uniforms. They took my doggie collar and padlock and leash, but let me keep my leather bondage collar. I had to ask for my chains back on the way out and there was no problem. </div><div><br /></div><div>I tried two more rides, the high grade thriller <i>Time Warp</i> and the tame <i>Antique Auto</i> ride. I stood on the scale in the western village and my weight was 195, but that included my lumberjack boots and bike jacket, so maybe take off ten pounds. I bought a brownie for 99 cents. As I left I asked if they had printed rules of conduct I could have and they had none. When I got back home at 1:09pm, a guy in a little grey car honked and waved at me from Wilbraham Road as I was walking in the house. </div><div><br /></div><div>Later, while outside rinsing off my new red milk crate (from a Philadelphia dairy and dated 1978) a fat, balding, white shirted man came along and asked if I had ever heard of <i>Pasquale's Restaurant</i>. When I told him no he said it was in East Longmeadow. He then asked if I wanted to buy some restaurant coupons and asked where I like to eat out. I replied that I rarely eat out but when I do I especially like the <i>Old Country Buffet</i> and <i>Pizzaria Uno</i>. He said he had no coupons for them and left. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wrong number Patrick Tobin at 533-6978 called and said he was sorry to bother me. Tom Devine called at 3:12pm, saying that he saw me on the TV stadium meeting coverage. I told him about the fundraiser and how I was warmly greeted by Mayor Albano, to which Tom replied, "Albano's a fan of yours." We also discussed how Councilor W. Boyle is set to become a judge and how the newspaper has endorsed Fyntrilakis. </div><div><br /></div><div>Eamon called a little after 4pm and told me he is becoming increasingly discouraged about the Keough/Fyntrilakis contest. Eamon is mad because the newspaper accused the anti-stadium folks of causing "a ruckus" at the City Council meeting. He read me a letter he sent to Wayne Phaneuf at the paper on the subject, and while it had some good phrases in it reflecting Eamon's breadth of education, I told him it was probably too long to be published. I also told him about the fundraiser at the <i>Boyle</i>, and Eamon told me he had received an invitation from Albano to attend the event, but had used his BULLSHIT stamp on it and then mailed it back. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>May 23, 1999</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>A lovely day. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>NPR</i> says Gorbachev accused the US of "leading the world to disaster." Good for Gorby. There was a Friends of Bosnia rally at the Northampton Unitarian Society yesterday. Today was the final mass at Our Lady of St. Carmel in Ware. It will be torn down. The reporter was Kathryn Shepardson - any relation to Phil?</div><div><br /></div><div>Put a couple of hours into the estate this weekend and cleared off the top of the china closet in the dining room. While doing so, I watched a half-hour infomercial on a product that fights arthritis by rebuilding cartilage in the knees and other joints. A Dr. Glenn Halverson explained it all. </div><div><br /></div><div>Today was the debut of my all purple queer suit with the tight crotch. There was a big story about the Methodists welcoming gays in the religion section of Saturday's paper, so I decided to put it to the test by going to Trinity Church in all my queer regalia. </div><div><br /></div><div>My hair is about a half-inch long and dyed purple to match my outfit. I added two political buttons - <i>We're Here, We're Queer, Get Used to It</i> and <i>Gay Rights are Civil Rights</i>. I was all done up like a character out of a porn magazine, as textbook a queer as Springfield has ever seen. </div><div><br /></div><div>So dressed I strode into Trinity Church at 10:15am. Two ushers, a man and a woman, cheerfully greeted me. However, the older man who takes up the collection looked amazed. It was, after all, an amazing sight. I proceeded to my usual pew and found the usual family seated in front of me. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once the service was over, I made a point to line up to shake hands with the pastor. When my turn came I nonchalantly said hi and he smiled and replied, "Nice to see you." I then circled around to the information table and shook hands with Mrs. Goad. I stepped into the hallway and had a piece of crumb cake, then walked around so the maximum number of people could see me. </div><div><br /></div><div>From the corner of my eye I could see jaws dropping just about everywhere, especially among the older people. One group of old ladies just stood and stared at me, their mouths open aghast. Was just starting to lightly rain as I left and came almost directly home, pausing only at <i>Louis & Clark</i> to mail my <i>Southpaw</i> book order, a thank you postcard to Luttrell and some Dr. Seuss stuff to Mo Turner. </div><div><br /></div><div>I then drove out again in the afternoon and stopped at a couple of tag sales. At 144 Moss Road there was a large sale well-picked over. I got three milk crates at a dollar apiece and a quite remarkable yearbook of the United States Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois for Company 6 in 1964. It's just like a school yearbook. One thing you notice is how young the recruits seem. Some look scared shitless, as doubtless I would have. R. Gribble, the company clerk, appears the sort of nerd I would have been. </div><div><br /></div><div>The class consisted of 70, only three of which were black. It came with the GED diploma of Roger L. Macintire of 42 Cliftwood Street in Springfield. Also tucked into the yearbook was a clipping by Jack Smith about a drum festival that mentions the "sparkling <i>Marksmen</i> from Springfield." I paid five dollars for the whole mess. </div><div><br /></div><div>I took my marble-top table base to Patti's on Parker Street and her husband Bill Manning is going to glue it all up good. Came home and completed two <i>Where's Waldo?</i> puzzles - <i>Safari Park</i> and <i>On the Beach</i>. Called Aunt Maria who joked that she was dying and said I shouldn't call so often. I called Charlie Ryan and left a message saying that I saw a copy of his mayoral campaign book in an antique shop priced at seven dollars. I told him, "You have produced a piece of ephemera that will be rising in the market from now until the end of time."</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>May 24, 1999</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Overcast.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester has an exhibit called <i>Road Warriors and Night Riders: An Exhibition of Motorcycle Culture and the Chivalric Tradition</i>. Today I found $760 dollars that Mother had squirreled away.</div><div><br /></div><div>Physical labor builds character and we should have a national physical service requirement for everybody. In the middle of it all is sex but my parents protected me and suppressed my sexual urges. It's clear to me now how athletic activity and sexual development are related and that moral development requires there be athletic physical activity.</div><div><br /></div><div>For youth today there is no discipline and discipline is one of the most important aspects of normal physical/sexual development. Discipline feels good, Ms. Vickers down the street said her son who played in the navy band remained in the service because he liked the discipline. We need some way of inspiring discipline without having to go to war. It's complicated. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>NPR </i>at 5:04am says a study has established that Americans have 22 fewer hours a week for quality time with the family than three decades ago. I have said a number of times I recall how when I was a child they talked of shorter work weeks in the future. Instead we have longer work weeks with both parents working and people working multiple jobs. The standard of living has declined but because of wage slavery we are masking it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Maureen Turner's latest article says Rick Brown of the AFL-CIO and their allies at the Pioneer Valley Project "sold out cheap" to Albano's stadium project because of the jobs it would create. Albano is quoted in the paper accusing the anti-stadium group CANE of standing for "Citizens Against Nearly Everything."</div><div><br /></div><div>Dined on puffed rice and bananas for breakfast and a <i>Hungry Man Veal Cutlet Dinner</i> for supper. Got my newspaper out of the trash down at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. Mail here by 12:30. Interesting how Mother had been a good customer of <i>Sixteen Acres Mobil</i> to the tune of hundreds of dollars but never received a discount. However, today's mail brought an invitation to the non-existent Joseph Miller for a <i>Mobil Speedpass</i>. I also got a letter from Roger J. Crandall, Executive Director of the New England Historic Genealogy Society, thanking me for my contribution to their microfilm project. </div><div><br /></div><div>Today I called Melinda Phelps at her law firm and spoke to her secretary Sandy. I reminded her that the picture I sent deserved the courtesy of a thank you note. Then I called Mo Turner and invited her to go with me to the <i>Eastec</i> business show in West Springfield. She declined, saying she has a very busy schedule tomorrow. </div><div><br /></div><div>Eamon called and said he heard that Peter Picknelly is holding a big fundraiser for Mayor Albano at <i>Monarch Place</i>. Eamon then talked about how he used to sing in the navy and once performed an Irish ballad for Governor Fritz Hollings. I told Eamon I am using him as a reference on my latest job application to WNEC. </div><div><br /></div><div>This evening I caught the <i>Antiques Road Show</i> in Hartford on <i>57</i>. Unknown called.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>May 25, 1999</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Lovely day, nice breeze.</div><div><br /></div><div>A well developed imagination is the source of great deeds. </div><div><br /></div><div>The lock on my driver's side door no longer works. Swept the hatchway and vacuumed the basement. I am declaring the basement finished so now I have to do the first floor in a hurry so I can do some June entertaining. </div><div><br /></div><div>Gas prices are falling, at the Watershops <i>Citgo</i> it's $1.05 per gallon. An article in the <i>Union-News</i> says Springfield hopes to have a Red Sox farm team by 2001 if the stadium is built. </div><div><br /></div><div>I took off for the <i>Eastec</i> fair around 10:30am. Going through downtown I noticed that the <i>Forbes & Wallace</i> fountain at <i>Monarch Place</i> was gushing. Across the river, I stopped at the <i>Burger King</i> across from the Expo and bought a 99 cent chicken sandwich. I asked if they had any Twinky Winky dolls and he said they had none left, "They went pretty fast." </div><div><br /></div><div>When I drove onto the fair grounds I noticed they were waving cars into the Springfield end parking lot so I drove along to the <i>Storrowtown Tavern</i> and parked in front of the Rhode Island building. This was at 11:43am. I approached the sign-in booth and registration was a breeze, all done by computer. The guy who registered me said he was from Longmeadow. </div><div><br /></div><div>At the entrance stood a <i>Pinkerton</i> guard and I mentioned having seen their ad in the paper. I asked him if they gave him any training and he said he didn't need any training because his job was to just stand there. He told me he was hired on the spot merely by applying. I also saw lots of East Springfield Fire Department men standing around in uniform. There was blue astro-turf carpeting connecting all the buildings. </div><div><br /></div><div>There were practically no blacks in attendance, almost all were white males and Orientals. The last time I went to this fair several years ago it was much smaller. This time it appeared to have doubled in size. So I began at the Industrial Arts Building, where I noticed that the food vendors appeared to doing a booming business. An outdoor chuck wagon was also doing well. </div><div><br /></div><div>After walking all around the fair, I sat under the dome in front of the livestock pavilion and chatted with John Jacobson, a marketing manager from Hartford. He asked me if I was a biker and when I said no he said that when he was young bikers were considered delinquents. </div><div><br /></div><div>A caricaturist named Bill Dougal was sitting in a booth doing portraits for free. He did a nice job on me, and as he drew I gave him copyrighting advice. He told me he also writes music. My caricature took only four minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div>There were lots of freebies. From <i>Pressure Island</i> I got an orange and green water pistol and a pen holder from <i>CNC Systems Incorporated</i>. I also got a free letter opener from <i>Peter Pan</i>, a midget basketball from the Hall of Fame and a <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> coffee mug. No free food but lots of candy. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I got back I dined on a discount Swedish meatball frozen dinner and was pleased to find that there were six meatballs in it as shown on the box. Tonight Susan Goodman of <i>TV40</i> had a piece about the <i>Eastech</i> fair describing the economic spin-off. They always mention the money above all else. She said there were 22,000 in attendance. This was the 12th year of the show, and <i>Eastec</i> has contracted with the Expo to come here for five more years. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>May 26, 1999</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Read newspapers this morning. <i>The Union-News</i> says Mark Russell Smith is leaving the Springfield Symphony Orchestra to become the Director of one in Richmond, Virginia. Dined on two lettuce and tomato sandwiches. Called Aunt Maria to alert her to an important letter from <i>IBM,</i> not to be shown to Ruth, and told her I shall take care of it when I come over next.</div><div><br /></div><div>Went downtown and parked on Salem at 11:26am and walked down the hill to the Seuss stamp unveiling. The exhibit hall of the Civic Center was comprehensively set up for the affair. As I entered the door the woman who works at the Feeding Hills Post Office cheerfully greeted me. I told her I take my things to her post office when I don't want Springfield to lose them. </div><div><br /></div><div>The hall had many chairs set up, but about 2/3rds of them were reserved. Up against the Dwight Street side was the stage. To the left of the front door was a balcony for the TV cameras. Against the far wall was an <i>Abdow's Big Boy</i> statue and three 50's cars, two toned with fins. <i>Michaelson's Gallery</i> of Northampton and Amherst were displaying framed Seuss illustrations for sale around $350-400 each, but I already have several Seuss originals. </div><div><br /></div><div>Loud rock music was playing at another booth where the Pioneer Valley Stamp Club was promoting itself. The Springfield Post Office also had a booth with lots of glitzy philatelic promotional material. They had forms so you could vote on the topics and people from the 1990's to be made into stamps, although if you think about it, technically the 90's are not over! They also were selling various postal pins of the kind I've seen them giving away for free at trade shows. I bought nothing. </div><div><br /></div><div>I sat in the front row where the general public was allowed to sit, behind all the reserved seating for people like David Starr. There were lots of postal workers wearing red t-shirts and I recognized John Hegarty, President of the Mail Handler's Union. I also spotted Lyman Wood in a tan suit coat. Joe Carvalho was there but we didn't get a chance to speak. Richard Neal sent his aide Kevin Kennedy, who told us the congressman couldn't be there because he was attending an event at the Holocaust Museum in Washington. </div><div><br /></div><div>School children danced and sang for us, but the kid's choir was a bit sour and when they sang in the higher range it was awful. The main speaker was Seuss widow Audrey Geisel, who spoke well and briefly.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DFFlggOh_JAy-602iQ5PY5BXLJv32WT7pLO6EhEyvsd8aAtItdWXO_haPJxwWQ36vnKvouWjezP4v2w4mP7iV0QFXCD9u0HM-xBQMhWh5hJ5kxgs-fySdWxxeUfygM2GFBT-nsGcazdQ/s2048/geisel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1637" data-original-width="2048" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DFFlggOh_JAy-602iQ5PY5BXLJv32WT7pLO6EhEyvsd8aAtItdWXO_haPJxwWQ36vnKvouWjezP4v2w4mP7iV0QFXCD9u0HM-xBQMhWh5hJ5kxgs-fySdWxxeUfygM2GFBT-nsGcazdQ/s320/geisel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>She talked about how she had "adopted Springfield" which might be considered condescending. She recalled the time she and her husband visited his childhood home and how he couldn't recall the location of his bed. She also recalled attending the first Cat in the Hat balloon parade (from which I have one of the doubtless now rare posters) describing it as a "frigid day" and how exciting it was for her. At the conclusion of her talk she called Springfield "a special place as you will always be." The sound system worked fine and I didn't miss a single word of anything. </div><div><br /></div><div>Afterwards I heard a woman who bought a sheet of stamps say that she hoped her Cat in the Hat stamps would be much more valuable in the future. The truth is these commemorative stamps never increase much in value, which is why I stopped collecting them in 1980. Too many are distributed and everyone saves them so they never become rare. The only exception is the duck hunting stamps from the 1940's. </div><div><br /></div><div>I made one last tour around the hall and then departed. On my way back to Salem I noticed that one of the Tiffany slag glass windows in the Baptist Church is broken in one corner. I was back in the car at 2:03 and drove over to the West Springfield <i>Burger King</i> for a chicken sandwich and fries. As I was arriving home, Cohn drove by and waved. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>May 27, 1999</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Milosovic and several of his top officials have been indicted for war crimes and genocide. The market continues to tumble, down 235 to 10,466. It is due to fears of higher interest rates and maybe a recession down the road. </div><div><br /></div><div>Heard a Mozart Quintet on the radio this morning. <i>TV40</i> at 6:45am claimed that since standards for rating content on TV have been abolished, the shows have become "ruder, cruder and lewder." I have observed a similar phenomenon in professional codes of ethics. </div><div><br /></div><div>I prepared some event programs and other freebies for Maureen Turner and then went out to mail them at <i>Louis & Clark</i> via Joanne. She said she is going to an all-day concert on Monday. When leaving I ran into Mr. Ciantra, who greeted me and asked how Mother is. I told him she died and he expressed condolences, then told me his mother died some months ago at 82. </div><div><br /></div><div>My next stop was <i>Angelo's</i> where I bought a six-pack of flower seeds for $1.49. They had native peas but I didn't buy any because it is too early. Then to Mrs. Staniski's, where she was just stepping out into her yard. She didn't want me to do anything for her, but said she loves the pretty floral Mother's Day card I sent her and showed me where she had taped it to the wall. She then pointed to a lovely yellow rose bush and said Mother had given it to her. I took a picture of it. This weekend is Ann's 61st birthday. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cutting through St. Michael's to get to Wilbraham Road, there was a goose crossing the road toward the pond by the Picknelly monument with a brood of goslings trailing behind her. First time I've seen such a procession in years. I delivered my job application to Professor O'Donogue at WNEC and received a receipt from the receptionist Susette Curto. </div><div><br /></div><div>She asked if I had finished law school and I told her yes, long ago. Did I like it? This made me suspicious that she was on a fishing expedition based perhaps on some gossip about me she had heard. I replied evasively that I enjoyed attending law school with students younger than me, as it helped to keep me young. But then I added, "Of course there are always rotten apples in every barrel." I wished her a good weekend and then departed. </div><div><br /></div><div>Eamon's newest tape crows about the victory of Righty Keough over Fyntrilakis in the special election:</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>"Have you noticed that they're mourning at the 1860 Main Street headquarters of the <i>Union-Snooze</i> over their endorsed candidate's loss in the state rep election? Flags are flying at half-mast, black bunting drapes the building and the entire editorial staff, including chief mourner Toots Starr and toady scribe Twinkles McDermott are wearing black armbands. It's not the first time their endorsed candidate has lost, but their dwindling readership is getting sick and tired of their heavy-handed editorial policies."</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgG3EtN9YYZPqhdKZBXxvewVsduXLo5rgVPYAoNOVtw39Au0Mt974dhphEvCQNzcoZnt3_xzQ0hRt2mVSAvQtFdYTdzV5P_P8MnZuy3UsNmBewJH69nE_-gPmnMmhktznoLmClVQJ_a1pQ6fqM3CxS0L3xr-ylBUYVhGoFe7ugywuBd49q1NmubKmamtg=s785" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="605" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgG3EtN9YYZPqhdKZBXxvewVsduXLo5rgVPYAoNOVtw39Au0Mt974dhphEvCQNzcoZnt3_xzQ0hRt2mVSAvQtFdYTdzV5P_P8MnZuy3UsNmBewJH69nE_-gPmnMmhktznoLmClVQJ_a1pQ6fqM3CxS0L3xr-ylBUYVhGoFe7ugywuBd49q1NmubKmamtg=w309-h400" width="309" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>May 29, 1999</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Sunny, hot and humid.</div><div><br /></div><div>The news this morning said the Baystate Medical Center nursing program has a 96% graduation rate. The national average is 83%. The word obelisk was mispronounced by Ray Herschel on <i>TV40</i> at 6:03am in a story about Smith Vocational High School. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tracy Kidder was on TV talking about his book <i>Hometown</i> and addressing criticism that there were no lesbians in the book, which some are saying is a major oversight in a book about Northampton. He said he chose his subjects by their personalities, not by what ethnic or sexual category they belonged to. He claimed he tried to cover as many aspects of Northampton as he could, but it is still hard not to suspect that he excluded lesbians out of homophobia. </div><div><br /></div><div>I addressed the pile around the stairs, sorting it out and cleaning it up, also spent about seven hours on Mother's estate. The Iris is coming out, supposedly blue but looks more like deep purple to me. Put out the sundial today. Every day some little thing gets done. </div><div><br /></div><div>The mail brought a notice from the <i>Bethel Herald </i>saying that my subscription expires June 1st. Pretty short notice! Got a copy of the <i>Chronicle of Philanthropy</i>, even though I cancelled my subscription. My editor Paul Martello wrote saying the final corrections have been made on my new book <i>Coke in Verse</i> and it will be sent to the printer June 7th. </div><div><br /></div><div>Never got the poster promised to me by <i>Westfest</i>. That is why you don't forego snitching a poster when you can rather than politely asking them to send you a copy, as they seldom do. I could follow up and get them to send one to me, but the time involved makes it foolish. </div><div><br /></div><div>I headed out to Breckwood, and finding the copyshop closed, used the one at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. I also mailed my payment to Drysdale at the <i>Herald</i>, noting the short notice but also thanking him for many past courtesies. I also mailed to <i>Bell Atlantic</i> and the <i>Spam Fan Club</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then drove down Rosewell to where there was supposed to be a tag sale, but it was only a bunch of junk from the close out of <i>Donna's Collectables and Crafts</i> in Springfield. Next I got corn and bananas at <i>Angelo's</i>, then went to <i>Freihoffer's</i> for bread and pastry. </div><div><br /></div><div>While cutting through the <i>Springdale Mall</i> there was a big black Cadillac with a black woman beside it standing in front of <i>Old Country Buffet</i>. I stopped and got out and there was a sign on the door saying the <i>Buffet </i>had closed and to go to the one in West Springfield. She asked me how to get there and after I told her she told me she was from New York. Was home at 3:25pm, where I noticed that someone has smashed the Allard's mailbox. Dined on a <i>Swanson's Fish & Chips Dinner</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Called Aunt Maria, she said she went riding today with Ruth. I asked if Ruth would ever drive her over here some time to visit me and Aunt Maria said she didn't think so. Finally, Eamon's new tape concludes with the observation that "the difference between a cup of yogurt and Springfield is that a cup of yogurt has a live culture." Very good. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>May 31, 1999</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Lovely day, mild.</div><div><br /></div><div>Heard on the radio today Vivaldi's Concerto for fiddles. The paper says <i>Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare</i> is dumping their Western Mass senior citizens and I have wrote them an angry letter. Bob Hope has celebrated his 96th birthday and his wife celebrated her 90th the day before. Jack Benny was my favorite comedian. </div><div><br /></div><div>Drove out at 9:30am and mailed to <i>Southpaw</i> at Breckwood and bought a copy of the <i>NY Times</i>. Gas at Breckwood <i>Shell</i> is $1.11 per gallon. When driving past Duggan the kids were all outside with fire trucks, but nothing about it on the news so maybe just a drill. Arrived at <i>Riverside</i> at 10:23 and saw maroon Wilbraham & Monson Academy vans parked in the lot. Again my chain belt was challenged and I had to leave it with Officer Oswaldo. </div><div><br /></div><div>I went directly to the <i>Mind Eraser</i> ride and climbed aboard. It was early so there was no wait, the ride left me feeling a little dizzy but that's all. I'll take Nader the Hatter on it sometime, he would like it. I went on no other rides today as a control on the <i>Mind Eraser's</i> effects. </div><div><br /></div><div>The water park area is now open and it is simply fabulous. It has numerous water based activities including a pool that is seven feet at the deep end. All around there are white plastic lawn chairs. Lots of certified life guards, even at the wading pool. You have to have appropriate swim-wear and they have men's trunks for sale for $20, woman's swimsuits for $49 and locker rentals for $5 plus an additional $5 key deposit. I chatted with the swimsuit sales lady and she said the best time to come to the water park is in the morning before the afternoon rush. </div><div><br /></div><div>I spent time in one of the several video game rooms on the midway by the pavilion. I found an especially choice gun game where you fire at endless waves of aliens. The name of the game was <i>Revolution X</i> and the rock music accompanying it was by Aerosmith. The cost of the game was fifty cents. At one point I filled out a questionnaire that put me in a raffle for a new 1999 automobile. Where they asked for your occupation I put "gay prostitute and drug dealer." </div><div><br /></div><div>Back home, I spent some time working in the attic. I found numerous pairs of shoes, still tied together from the store, that were bought but never worn by Mother. Also came upon a box of five hernia trusses that, according to a note in Mother's handwriting, Father wore between 1970 and 1973. My parents were Victorians and never told me of Father's hernia or the operation. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also found an old rug from Crest Street with a tag on it reading <i>Superior Rug Cleaning Service</i>, 247 Hancock Street in Springfield. Came upon the papers of Frank Wilson, my maternal grandfather. He had only one eye and his life was one of scraping along, although they say he had a way with women. </div><div><br /></div><div>Dined on chicken and pastaroni plus a nice lettuce and tomato salad. M. Goodman called looking for <i>Storrowtown. </i>It was a long day and I dozed off and missed half of the second installment of <i>Antique Roadshow</i> from Hartford. </div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-17640779858735015222019-08-10T15:27:00.018-04:002024-03-08T13:19:24.730-05:00June 1999<center><b>June 1, 1999</b></center><br />
Today is the beginning of the hurricane season. President Clinton delivered a speech in Europe where he reminding the audience that delays in opposing Hitler led to the holocaust. He did not mention his own delays because of the mess with Monica. Beth Carroll on TV called Memorial Day "the most American of all holidays." Isn't the 4th of July the most American of all holidays? Thanksgiving? The number for <i>Louis & Clark</i> is 783-1209. The car over to Colleen's is a navy Buick license number 5662JD. <br />
<br />
An extremely busy day. I was up at 6am and planted all the flowers. Also unrolled the rug that was in the dining room on Crest Street. I took pictures of the rug with Sweet Pea and Honey Pot on it. I recall how as a child I played on that rug. It is 8 by 10 and too nice to dispose of. What I can use it for is the question. I called <i>Cat's Paw</i> and Vince said they don't rewire lamps.<br />
<br />
Mail came very early. Haven't seen the regular mailman for ages, since he left the mail has come earlier in the day. I drove out around 1:15pm and mailed a money order to Hamilton and a letter to Jester. First I swung by the Cohn's (nobody home) and left a bag of magazines on their back doorknob. The Penniman's are putting on a new roof. There is a pest control van parked next door at #95. After putting out the mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i>, I headed across the street to the liquor store where I ordered a case of <i>Harvey's Bristol Creme</i> for $148. <br />
<br />
Then over to <i>Brightwood Hardware</i> in Longmeadow and left off the lamp, then into the <i>Big Y</i> across the street. Inside I saw a big breasted black woman wearing a Buckingham Junior High t-shirt. Proceeding home, I was flagged down by a policeman, who said there was a problem reported about the way I was dressed. That was about 3:15pm. Sgt. Mellis was friendly enough as I explained to him that I had come to have a lamp rewired and showed him my claim check. They said someone at <i>Big Y</i> had complained about a person walking around with their underpants outside their pants. I recall seeing an old woman glaring at me as I walked in. Seeing how I was not improperly dressed, the cop let me go. <br />
<br />
I called Aunt Maria and she was quite chipper, she has been feeling better the last few days. Then I left word with Belle-Rita about our upcoming plans. Called Tom and Mrs. Devine said he was not at home. I could hear the kids running around in the background. The domestic situation over at Tom's is confusing and I'll have to clarify it. <br />
<br />
I called Eamon and he said John O'Brien of <i>WAQY</i> called him and said he's talked to Mark Wiernasz at <i>TV22</i> but not with anybody at the <i>Valley Advocate</i>. Eamon's new tape is simply remarkable: <br />
<br />
"Mayor Albano's secret diaries, written in pencil, have been found by accident at a private Albano pajama swap party hosted by Gerry Phillips in Longmeadow while David "Toots" Starr and "Twinkles" McDermott were playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Many beautiful people were there, Muffy, Buffy, Kinky and Biff. There was an open bar, welcomed by the news scribes because they have 18 inch pockets. Some of the Mayor's more shocking entries were, "Bloopers Foley talks funny," "Peter Negroni is a real change agent who looks better wearing a dress," and "Good thing for Bud Williams that hot air rises."<br />
<br />
<center><b>June 2, 1999</b></center><p>Overcast until noon.<br />
<br />
<i>WFCR</i> had a feature on the Palliative Care Unit in Hartford. Sounds like the same thing as a hospice except in a hospital setting. In the paper today, Allan Blair, president and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Western Mass, cited the Pioneer Valley's "long tradition of business excellence." WNEC has bought land abutting Evergreen Road. </p><p>I watered the flowers and then worked on the Frank Wilson papers. While doing so, I came across a Devine handout from March 2nd. I drove out at 9:30am and made a deposit at <i>Albank</i> on Island Pond Road. I told them their countertop calendars needed correcting as they all read Tuesday June 1st. Then I got carpet cleaner at the hardware shop and cookies at <i>Food Mart</i>. <br />
<br />
On my way back, I saw Mr. Cohn was out so I stopped and we chatted. He was planting flowers. Mr. Cohn loves flowers, and has many little clumps of different varieties arranged picturesquely around. Said he had his eye operated on recently but can still drive. His son Zachary was recently in London and thinking of leaving Prague. <br />
<br />
The front of the Penniman's roof appears to be done, I don't know about the back. When I got home I mowed the lawn, and while doing so looked over into Colleen's backyard. The plantings have come along very nicely and it is a wonderful garden. The pool with its plantings and floating lilies is still going and I counted four goldfish. <br />
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Mail delivered at 3:15pm by a man I haven't seen before. Still no phone book. Dined on frankfurters and beans, had rice puffs in milk plus a danish for breakfast. Tom Devine called saying thanks for the invitation but he doesn't think he can make it with so much going on. He also said he hasn't heard Eamon's tape about Albano's diaries. I was surprised at one point when Tom spoke of visiting his father, whom I thought was dead but is apparently still alive. <br />
<br />
I told Tom I haven't heard from Maureen Turner lately. He told me he sometimes hears from Mo or someone else from the <i>Valley Advocate</i> who contact him mostly to clarify points of local political history. He did tell me that Stephanie Kraft told him that she felt that certain passages in <i>Unpleasant Memories of Downtown Springfield</i> were anti-Semitic. I told him I have impeccable credentials in interacting with Jews and mentioned studying with Maurice Freedman as well as my friendship with the Cohn's. The call ended around 9:30pm.<br />
<br />
I then decided to try calling David Starr. It was picked up by Mrs. Starr, who asked who was calling and I identified myself. Starr came to the phone and said it was a little too late to be calling, but I was instructed to "give me a buzz at my office tomorrow." And so I shall. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>June 3, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Hot and sticky.<br />
<br />
On the morning news, <i>Ryan's Drug Store</i> in Agawam, the last of a once ten store chain, has sold out to <i>CVS</i>. <i>WWLP-TV22</i> is promoting itself as "Your Home for the 2000 Summer Olympics." <i>WFCR</i> needs to raise $186,000 in four weeks. In my copy of Samuel Busey's <i>Immigration: Its Evils and Consequences</i> (1856), with the No-Nothing and anti-Catholic advertisements in the back, has a bookplate in it indicating it was donated to the State Normal School in Salem by A. Crosby. Lynn McCarthy works at <i>Healthtrax</i> in West Springfield. <br />
<br />
Cleaned house, even the refrigerator and front steps. Mail came at 11:30am with two books from Eugene Povirk at <i>Southpaw</i> in Conway. I took a bath and then dined on boiled potatoes and corn with warmed up hamburger and spaghetti from the other day. Tried calling Aunt Maria but she said she was busy and didn't want to talk. <br />
<br />
I called David Starr at the newspaper and we talked from 4:35 until 4:50pm. He was gracious and I was polite. Starr said he would look into what happened to my submission of <i>Unpleasant Memories of Downtown Springfield</i> to their essay contest and which they claim they never received. I also explained how the paper has lost other things I have submitted in the past. <br />
<br />
I told Starr that a copy was anonymously sent to <i>TV40</i> and probably others, which could only have originated with the copy I submitted to the paper. I mentioned how I had applied for the post of city arts guru, and suspect that someone sent the manuscript to the media so as to kill any chance I had to get the job. Starr then suggested that perhaps someone might have stolen the manuscript before the contest judges had a chance to see it. <br />
<br />
At the end of our conversation I invited Starr and his wife to come to my home to see my poster collection, but only if he promises not to bring Fran Gagnon, telling him how she has been ungracious to me on several occasions. I told him that if he wants any refreshments he will have to bring his own because "you have more money than I do." Starr politely declined the invite, but promised to look into what happened to my manuscript and said he would get back to me. We shall see. <br />
<br />
This evening I went to the Historical Commission meeting at City Hall for the latest updates on the Seuss sculpture project at the Quadrangle. I went in my biker jacket with a t-shirt reading "Raising Hell is My Business...And Business is Good!" As I walked into the Aldermanic Chamber, the Quadrangle lawyer gave me a sharp, suspicious look. Hearing was a problem, they really need a public address system. I am certain that no one had difficulty hearing me, I won the Hamlin Speaking Prize at Colby, named after U.S. Vice President Hannibal Hamlin. <br /></p><p>Seuss came up late. Mrs. Gagnon, whom I have publicly criticized, was in charge, wearing a professional, navy blue dress, and was cheerful throughout the meeting. It is obvious that Gagnon has been closely involved in this project. At one point Joe Carvalho spoke, but he always has a hard to hear voice. He seemed to think the monuments will be a fabulous attraction. Near the conclusion, Gagnon asked for questions or comments from the audience, so I stood and asked whether any Bethel white granite would be used in the project. The landscaper spoke up and said Bethel granite is too light and reflective.</p><p>I then told them that they should have had a national competition to design the project that would have brought in lots of ideas and lots of publicity. I mentioned the new <i>Seuss Landing</i> at <i>Universal Studios</i> in Orlando. I conceded that the planned Seuss monuments will be the work of a skilled artist, but said they show little imagination. They are extremely academic and more in common with the art nouveau style of a century ago than is appropriate to either a figure like Seuss or these times. </p><p>I said the drawings I saw of the planned statues struck me as boring and too
tame. They lack color, chrome, motion, music, water, movement or neon. At
$6 million it is also expensive. I think something like the jungle gym
they have at <i>Riverside</i> would be more appropriate for a monument
to Seuss. What do you do to make every kid in New England want to come to Springfield? Bronze sculptures are not the answer. <br /></p><p>And why is so much being done for Seuss but nothing for
other local literary luminaries such as Timothy Leary, Josiah Gilbert Holland, Samuel Bowles, Richard Garvey and myself? I told them the whole project should be sent back for more imagination in the design and be expanded to honor others besides Seuss. I told them the project is a dud that will be dead upon unveiling. I then thanked the Commission, bowed, and beat it. </p><p>On the nightly news I discovered the vote was 3 to 1 in favor of four statues to be sculpted by Lark Diamond-Cates, Dr. Seuss' step-daughter. Sounds like nepotism and a land grab to me. Gagnon and Commission members Dorothy Lortie and Thomas Belton voted in favor of the project. Ronald Carle was opposed, Steve Jablonski didn't vote and Bill Boyd was absent. <br />
</p><center><b>June 4, 1999</b></center><br />
Nicest day all week.<br />
<br />
<i>TV22</i> has a new slogan, "We're #1 for all News Broadcasts." There are <i>Burger Kings</i> located at 1219 Parker Street and 770 Boston Road. <i>MSC Liquid Filtration Corporation</i> is located in Enfield, Connecticut. <br />
<br />
Today I took Belle-Rita Novak to <i>Riverside</i> as thanks for her dinner party. When I picked her up she was wearing a white top and greenish shorts. She did not return my books. Belle-Rita is an intelligent and friendly person who likes helping others. Her father was an insurance man for <i>John Hancock</i> who felt that <i>Monarch</i> was a badly managed company. I thought Belle-Rita went to Smith but she went to Boston University. She also took some classes at UMass in the 80's and brought up a family of two sons and a daughter. One son is gay. At one point she told me how she has given books and articles to Mayor Albano on urban food issues she feels he should read, but she has no idea whether he ever read any of it. <br />
<br />
We got to <i>Riverside</i> around 10am. Once inside we immediately got on the merry-go-round. Then she wanted some french fries, so I bought two containers at $2 each. They were good but unexciting. Belle-Rita had no problem walking around other than having to stop and rest a few times. We walked around the water park, then sat under an umbrella and watched people sliding down the chutes. I also bought her four postcards showing various parts of the park. We had a good time, and afterwards I took her to the <i>Buffet</i> in West Springfield to eat. There she expressed concern about her dog so I agreed to take her home. I arrived back at Birchland at 3:24pm. <br />
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The mail brought info about the Springfield Woman's Conference. Called Aunt Maria and she said she is okay and doesn't need the air conditioner installed yet. Eamon called and said he had been to a fundraiser to retire the campaign debts of Righty Keough. He also recalled how former Mayor Daniel B. Brunton, who served several terms in the 50's, always had a chauffeur driven city limo.<br />
<br />
David Starr called from 413-747-0283. He told me he had looked into the disappearance of my <i>Unpleasant Memories</i> essay I left with them. According to Starr, they were "only a conduit" through which entries were submitted and then delivered to the contest judges. "None of our employees ever handled them." he said. In other words, they had nothing to do with their own contest. He also said there was no evidence that anyone at the paper leaked my essay to the media. I told him I find all this highly unlikely, but thanked him for calling anyway.<br />
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<center><b>June 5, 1999</b></center><p>
A beautiful and busy day.<br />
<br />
On <i>TV22</i>, <i>Days of Our Lives</i> comes on after <i>22 News at Noon</i>. <i>Five Star Cleaning</i> is located at 634 Boston Road, across from <i>Hollywood Video</i> in Springfield. The Holyoke Community College Role Playing Club meets every Monday. I had chicken noodle soup for supper. </p><p>Doyle the Twig Painter has a letter in today's paper complaining about nearly being hit by a car while sitting and painting on the sidewalk on Boston Road. Mayoral aide Tim Reilly has announced that the $6 million expansion of Boston Road will not prevent Doyle from painting on the sidewalk as he has done for the past 28 years. <br />
<br />
First stop was the Quadrangle, where I parked out back. Not many there for the Library Book Sale, maybe 20 standing around when I got there. There was a rectangle arrangement of tables in the middle of the green, with Contavich and others wheeling books out of trucks. The religious guy was there with his three kids. There was an immense pile of Tony Bevivino's sheet music. I recall he lived in a little house off Central and was the principal bassist with the Springfield Symphony. <br />
<br />
Nader the Hatter came along and bought some of the sheet music, describing all the books for sale as "wonderful to behold." Nader said he bought a children's book autographed by the author and actress Cornelia Otis Skinner. Nader also told me that Nardi the architect has had a double by-pass heart operation. Then along came Melinda McIntosh wearing a cute hat and looking like a real doll. She said she got my postcard. Melinda told me she was disappointed in the sale, which had none of the royal collectibles she likes. <br />
<br />
I arrived at the Northampton Fair grounds at 11:40am and business was good at the Crafts Fair. There seemed to be a lot of cars with Vermont plates. Admission was a whopping $8, but the show was worth it. This is only the second Northampton Crafts Fair but everything was done right. However, there were no plastic bags with Northampton Crafts Fair printed on them, a definite deficiency for a show of that caliber. There were a few food booths and the art was mostly quite good. I was there in my laced boots and orange coveralls, which caused Karen Krieger to smile and say "I like your orange!" In the end, there wasn't anything there that I couldn't live without, so I left Northampton at 2:35 without buying anything. <br />
<br />
By that time I was exhausted, but I wanted to check out the Gay Pride event on the riverfront, where there were lots of cars parked when I arrived. Admission was $5 last year, but this time only $2. It was a pleasant event, largely organized by <i>Just Friends</i>. I saw two fellows dressed as Egyptians who were wonderful. I bought a hot dog with onions and mustard and left at 3:45pm. <br />
<br />
When I got home, my shipment of books from <i>Hamilton</i>, including the Marines one, was leaning against the garage door. I called Belle-Rita Novak and asked if she wanted to do something on Sunday, but she said she has to babysit for her son. I then called Fred Whitney, who said his daughter was on the operating table for 11 hours, but is doing better. Whitney himself suffers from diabetes. We then discussed Eleanor Powell, the actress/dancer who came from Springfield. Finally, Eamon called and complained about all the fundraising Albano is doing, which Eamon thinks is outrageous given that the Mayor has no opponent and $300,000 already in his campaign account. Eamon claimed that Bill Foley has told him that he wants to be mayor after Albano leaves. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>June 7, 1999</b></center><br />
98 degrees, a record for this date. <br />
<br />
Serbs not pulling out so airstrikes continue. Today New Hampshire became the last state to adopt Martin Luther King Day. There was an article in the paper about the Historical Commission meeting, but it made no mention of me. <i>The Healthtrax Fitness and Wellness Center</i> is located in West Springfield. <br />
<br />
I heard the first birds at 4:45am. <br />
<br />
Rhododendron and all sorts of roses coming out. Went to Trinity wearing tan shorts. Mayor Albano gave a fine sermon about co-operation between religion and government. At one point he said that AIDS is a big problem and needle exchange is a practical solution. He also spoke of the need to make healthcare more generally available. There were no printed copies like they do with Mrs. Goad's sermons. As usual, Albano walked straight out after he spoke and no one got to meet with him. <br />
<br />
Then on to <i>Longmeadow Days</i>, where the St. Andrew's Episcopal ladies had a table selling cookbooks of the sort so many churches do (spiral bound). I asked them what happened to their tag sales. They said it was too much work. I saw a little kid with a t-shirt that read, "Football is Life." Another guy had a t-shirt reading "Seeking Homer." I asked about it and he said it's a NYC based band that plays up and down the East coast. Some of the things for sale at <i>Lomgmeadow Days</i> were of quality, but in general the Northampton Craft Fair was superior. Longmeadow had too much cookie-cutter, off the shelf schlock. Then I drove over to <i>Brightwood Hardware</i> and picked up the cloisonne lamp, which they repaired for just $13.50. I was prepared to pay $25 or $30. <br />
<br />
Next I headed downtown and parked above the rug store at Apremont Triangle and walked into the city. The Chamber of Commerce had no free copies of <i>Business West</i>. I did pick up a poster for a law school seminar put on by the UMass Career Center. As I was leaving I spotted Mayor Albano standing in front of <i>Tower Square</i>. I walked up and shook his hand and thanked him for his speech at Trinity. He said he didn't see me there. <br />
<br />
When I got home, I dined on a <i>Stouffer's Hearty Pot Roast Dinner</i>. It didn't really have a very hearty piece of meat in it - hearty on vegetables, not meat. Called Aunt Maria, she still doesn't want her air conditioner installed yet. Started reading Rick's <i>Making the Corps</i>, which I can already tell will be a transformative experience for me. <br />
<br />
<center><b>June 9, 1999</b></center><br />
No rain, hazy and a little less humid.<br />
<br />
No peace in Serbia yet. Face it, civilization is spread very thin indeed. The light company is blaming air conditioners for a shortage of power. I say the problem is more likely people's computers which they leave on all the time. <i>The Holyoke Mall</i>, already the largest in New England, is planning to expand. Frederick G. Christenson and Annette Scherdecker are the bosses at <i>Tower Square</i>. <br />
<br />
First Zinnia out. Made some rhubarb, apple and strawberry sauce. Dined on a <i>Stouffer's Hearty Meat Loaf Dinner</i>. The meat loaf meal is a little better than the roast beef. Reading in the Marines book I am learning a lot about military culture. I now realize what a sissy I was brought up to be and how bootcamp would have done me a lot of good. Also read about homosexuals and masochism in Kutchins. Tried to talk to Aunt Maria but when I called and asked, "Is there anything new today?" she shouted "No, so goodbye!" and hung up! <br />
<br />
Mail here at 2pm along with the phone book. I called Eamon and he said he got his phone book two weeks ago. He then complained that grubs are eating up his lawn and wondered why he hasn't seen any garden toads in years. Eamon recalled how when he was in Navy bootcamp he was always disagreeing with the drill instructor and getting punished with extra push-ups. If he saw the drill instructor abusing some kid he would speak up. At the Starrett Hall Naval Library in Charleston, South Carolina he knew everybody, including Beth Field, the black lady who cleaned the chapel. Once he was invited to have breakfast at the house of his superior, R.P. Winkel. His wife was drunk and Winkel cooked them eggs and ham. Once Winkel needed some political help, so Eamon put him in touch with Silvio Conte, but nothing came of it.<br />
<br />
Eamon then went on to tell me about a fundraiser he attended for Dominic Sarno at the <i>John Boyle</i>. Eamon and Jack Keough were leaning on the bar when Mayor Albano walked in. Albano wasn't there long, as usual he put in an appearance but didn't stay. As he was leaving, the Mayor passed by where Eamon and Keough were sitting and said, "Go fuck yourself!" Keough and Eamon made no reply, but a pair of women sitting nearby expressed shock at the Mayor's remark. The next day, Keough called and told Eamon that Anthony Ardolino had called him, telling Jack that Albano wanted Keough to know that the insult was not meant for him. <br />
<br />
<center><b>June 10, 1999</b><br /></center><p>
Sunny and cool all day. <br />
<br />
The Carew Street School is being demolished. It was used until rather recently and is one of the better buildings in the old stock. The Master Gardner Association of Western Massachusetts has a Master Gardner Hotline at 734-2655. <i>Maypo</i> cereal should always be eaten with grapefruit. </p><p>The following letter from Ethel Farrington appeared in today's paper: </p><p><i>In your recent article on the unveiling of the bronze bust of the late Rep. Anthony Scibelli, you failed to mention the name of the talented local artist who created the memorial. He is Carl B. Sundberg of Wilbraham. </i></p><p>I wish Sundberg had been the one to design the Seuss memorial for the Quad. The Scibelli monument is indeed beautiful (although the turtle neck may be tighter than it would be in real life). The coloration of the patina is lovely and the smile is wonderful. However, as Springfield's Italian population in the South End continues to decline, it may eventually need to be relocated to the STCC campus or somewhere in Forest Park. <i> </i><br /><br />Up at 5:45am, cleaned off the front stairs, watered the flowers and did the dishes. Called the Chapin Center and Mother's old friend Madeline Waite is still there. Since Aunt Maria likes berries I decided to get her some today. Drove out at 9:12am to <i>Angelos's</i> and got some sweet peas plus a pint of lovely California berries for Aunt Maria. Then to Mrs. Staniski's, where a blue/grey van was out front and Carol Staniski was inside the house. Carol's personality and face are unchanged, but she has put on a lot of weight. Mrs. Staniski returned materials and gave me some Harvard things from Ann. <br />
<br />
Next I headed to the Chapin Center, where I found Madeline sitting in her wheelchair. I gave her a copy of Mother's obituary and asked how the place is treating her. She said okay but she is bored. Her lawyer is still handling her affairs and they sold the house in Brimfield. She had some balloons attached to her chair which I asked about and she announced that today is her 87th birthday. I started to sing <i>Happy Birthday</i> to her and two old ladies in wheelchairs rolled up and joined in. <br />
<br />
After I departed, I headed straight to Aunt Maria's. I found her sitting in her living room in front of a little round fan. I gave her the berries and when she asked if she should pay me for them I said of course not. Her cat is okay. At one point, Aunt Maria predicted that she would be "dead by October." She told me she had made clear to her lawyer Anthony C. Bonavita that she didn't want me to have anything to do with her funeral. </p><p>I suggested she must be worth at least six figures and she insisted she was worth a half-million "at least" in stocks and property alone. She would not respond when I asked her point blank whether she has cut me out of her will. Instead she lit into me, accusing me of wanting to steal her <i>IBM</i> stock and said she is going to report me. I told her to go right ahead and walked out. The less contact I have with Aunt Maria the better because of all the time I waste on her. <br />
<br />
When I got back Kelly was washing her car. I am continuing to read about the Marines. Called Ruth but no answer. Eamon called and at one point said that Raipher Pellegrino, Angelo Puppolo, Dom Sarno and Nick Fyntrilakis are the political rising stars of their generation. <i>TV22 News</i> tonight said that physical exercise increases sexuality. I've discovered that to be true. Attorney Mark E. Salomone has had an ad on for years where a bunch of insurance executives are shown saying they don't want to settle the claim, but when they hear the name Salomone they instantly decide to settle. Attorneys today want to settle your case so that they can get a piece of the pie. Never do you hear of attorneys who want to litigate.<br />
</p><center><b>June 11, 1999</b></center><br />
A nice day, though it got hot. <br />
<br />
President Clinton says that "as long as the nation is run by a war criminal, the U.S. won't leave Yugoslavia." They should reply that as long as the U.S. is run by a pathological liar they won't deal with us. <i>The Goodwill</i> has a sign on the front saying that they are moving to 120 Parker Street, the former <i>A&P</i>. Reuben Telemaque is Pastor of the Agawam United Methodist Church. Morgan Square apartments reopened yesterday with tours of the renovated units. <br />
<br />
First thing in the morning I mowed the lawn, finishing at 9:55am. Also planted the portulaca beside the other flowers. Arrived at <i>Riverside</i> just a few minutes before eleven, having left at 10:07. The parking lot was nearly full. I rode a second time on the <i>Time Warp</i>, which was less horrifying than the first time. <br />
<br />
As I got off I complemented the operators on their park and said they do more to keep kids off drugs than a dozen cops. I got to talking about the Dr. Seuss memorial and to my surprise a man in a turquoise shirt standing nearby introduced himself as Tim Black, the General Manager of the park. He said that <i>Riverside</i> had approached Mayor Albano and offered to donate their expertise to help creating the exhibit, but Albano never got back to them. We agreed that no one will sit on a bronze chair to read stories to children and that they would've been better off creating something interactive that the children could climb on. On my way out I saw a kid with a t-shirt on with a computer graphic on it reading "RAM is War." <br />
<br />
I left <i>Riverside</i> at 1:49pm and decided to have lunch at the new <i>Firehouse Tavern</i> on Mill Street. It's a clean place with plenty of sunlight. There are two little party rooms, as well as fire fighter themed decorations. There are several framed black and white photos of the old South End hanging up. I told my waitress Bev about my own collection of <i>Springfield Fire and Marine Co</i>. memorabilia and how I told Ben Jones I would one day donate it all to <i>Monarch</i>, but since they have gone out of business, I asked to see the manager to ask if he would like to display some of it. However, Bev said that John the manager wasn't in. Home at 3:13pm. <br />
<br />
Mail brought a letter misaddressed to Brian R. Woodward. I readdressed it and put it in the outgoing mail. Tonight <i>Channel 57</i> did a lot of begging. The charming and sweet oldtimer Mary Alice Rogers was on, and said she has been working at the station for 19 years. Talked with Ruth tonight and told her how Aunt Maria predicted she would be dead by October. Ruth laughed and said, "I haven't heard that one yet!" Ruth told me she thinks Aunt Maria's house is worth about $200,000. Ruth also said she bought some berries at <i>Stop&Shop</i> for $1.50 and was surprised when I told her I got mine for $1.25 at <i>Angelo's</i>.<br />
<br />
<center><b>June 13, 1999</b></center><br />
Rain, sometimes a downpour.<br />
<br />
The news says the life expectancy in 1900 was 47 and is now 76. <i>WFCR</i> is having a fund drive. They said <i>Car Talk</i> costs $400 per week, one of their more expensive shows. At one point they announced that Dave and Peggy Starr of Longmeadow gave $500. <br />
<br />
I have shaved off my Apache and am now an impeccable skinhead, and that is what I want to be. It is more masculine and not as queer as the purple Apache, more ambiguous. First thing I pulled down some of those climbing vines by the fence. Black-eyed Susans are starting to come out. Drove out to <i>Freihofer's</i>, cashed a check at <i>Bank of Western Mass</i>, groceries at <i>Stop&Shop</i> and fish and chips from <i>Big Y</i>. <i>The Big Y</i> boss Henry has been transferred to Longmeadow. <i>Hood</i> ice cream had a booth set up giving away free samples. <br />
<br />
Mail here at noon and included acknowledgement of my WNEC job application. Had spanish rice and a pork chop for dinner. Left Martha Young a message for Nader the Hatter. Eamon called and I told him about the Roberta B. Gratz book <i>Cities Back from the Edge</i>. We talked about the Seuss monument, and agreed that a well done memorial would attract kids from hundreds of miles around, but that the current design is not it. Eamon thinks they should have had a contest for the design, which would've gotten free publicity and lots of free advice. He said that would be much more beneficial and cost effective than the present nepotistic arrangement. <br />
<br />
Eamon then talked about Al Casella, the architect who designed the WNEC Law School and the Agawam Library, who once took Eamon to see the Gardner School, a beautiful building with a hexagon garden. Casella unsuccessfully submitted a design for the Basketball Hall of Fame that was in the form of a huge basketball with the entire museum inside it. Eamon claims it was far more beautiful than the design they chose, which Casilla tried to warn them would not look impressive from all angles and he was right.<br />
<br />
<center><b>June 15, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Today was overcast and humid with a few sprinkles at noon. <br />
<br />
George W. Bush says he's running as "a compassionate conservative" but he is more conservative than his father. I think I prefer John McCain. "Welcome to the Web for...." is the Springfield Library's service of free, special interest internet programs. I checked and Anthony C. Bonavita is at 2 Southbridge Drive, Agawam 739-2020. Josephczyk hasn't uncovered his pool yet.<br />
<br />
I completed re-reading and cross referencing <i>Making the Corps</i>. It is one of the finest books I have read and I have studied it with all the care of a literary text so as to squeeze every bit of information out of it. Spotted out the window some Jehovah's Witnesses coming down the street, but they did not stop here. Drove out to <i>Eastfield Mall</i> around 10:30am. The new cinema complex is coming along nicely. <br />
<br />
Next stop was <i>Stop&Shop</i> where I got a good deal on one day old broccoli. The person in front of me in line was wearing a <i>Friendly's</i> uniform and buying five loaves of bread. She told me the restaurant was running out so they sent her out to buy some more. Stopped by<i> Tommy Mack's Carpetland</i> at 879 Boston Road, where outside I found a nice <i>Sealtest</i> red crate. I can always find use for a milk crate. <br />
<br />
<i>The Reminder</i> was here by noon, but the mail didn't come until 1:30pm. Dined on a new <i>Swanson Chicken Dinner</i>, which had a boneless chicken patty about the size of a drumstick. They are charging more but giving less. Today was the first day since Mother died that I haven't called Aunt Maria. <br />
<br />
Called <i>Westbank</i> this morning and spoke with Kim and then Gary Saymaniak, who told me my Certificate of Deposit has been renewed for two years. Later I called Karen Powell and she said she hasn't seen Mo Turner in person for some time. However, Maureen did drop off a book <i>Sports, Jobs and Taxes</i> recently but Karen wasn't home at the time. <br />
<br />
Beth in Dr. Reed's office called looking for Muriel Stone. I told her she had the wrong number. Eamon called and said he spoke with the <i>Valley Advocate</i> this morning, telling Turner that about 70% of the School Department employees live outside the city. Eamon told me he has talked with Jim Tillotson in Chicopee about Teresa Regina, who told Eamon that Regina is a go-fer who formerly taught tenth grade English. She writes all of Dr. Negroni's press releases and almost all of his other writing, which surprised me because I thought that Negroni had good writing skills. </p><p>There was a brilliant letter in the paper recently from Gregory Saulmon of South Hadley, encouraging an "Undress Code" for high school students that would require that students attend school in the nude. Meanwhile, School Committee member Beth Conway is urging that Rebecca Johnson School adopt school uniforms. <br />
<br />
Under Mother's bedroom window today, behind the rhododendron, I found a green ball point pen from <i>Commonwealth United Mortgage</i>. Somebody must have been crouching there.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>June 16, 1999</b></center><br />
Sunny and cooler.<br />
<br />
So good so far in Kosovo. I can't blame the Russians for behaving as they have, everyone else has a piece of the pie, why shouldn't they? The Pope has fallen ill in Poland, I bet he would prefer to die there. George W. Bush's wife is a Methodist. Gainor B. Davis is Director of the Vermont Historical Society. <i>Champions</i> "The American Sports Bar Restaurant" is located in <i>Tower Square</i>. <br />
<br />
Up at 5:30am. <i>WFCR</i> is having a Schubert Festival and begging like crazy for support. They say that only 1 in every 12 of their listeners gives to <i>WFCR</i>. I drove out at 10:15am and bought the paper at <i>Louis & Clark</i> and had <i>CopyCat</i> make me more letterheads. <br />
<br />
Then, never having been there, I drove out to <i>Meadowbrook Farm</i> in East Longmeadow. It is way out on the road by the Methodist Church, after the turnoff to Hampden. A nice, old farmhouse neatly maintained but the place as a whole is disappointing. Their three Quonset hut type greenhouses were crude and sloppy, nothing like at the <i>16 Acres Garden Center</i>. To pick your own berries at <i>Meadowbrook</i>, you can't drive into the field, you have to park down by the greenhouses and walk up steps to the road and then walk way down into the field. It didn't seem worth the trouble so I left <i>Meadowbrook</i> without buying anything. <br />
<br />
Then to the <i>Taste of Springfield</i>. I think there were fewer booths than in prior years, but there were a lot of people there having a good time. Music was playing in front of City Hall. Lots of cops. I ran into Atty. John Rice and told him I sang Happy Birthday to his client Madeline Waite. He smiled and we exchanged cards. There were freebies around, such as discount coupons for <i>McDonald's</i> and <i>Dunkin Donuts</i>. For $10 I bought a Springfield Millennium Medallion, then I went into the Main Street <i>Subway</i> and got a baloney deli sandwich before heading home. <br />
<br />
The mail brought the paperwork for my <i>Yankee Energy</i> stock. Dined on milk and cake, then finished up the Mexican rice with hotdogs. Talked with Eamon, he's pretty mad that Teresa Regina has been promoted to Deputy Director of Teaching and Learning and Support Services at $100.000, after having just been promoted at a whopping raise several years ago to Executive Director of Special Services at $94,000. <br />
<br />
Called Doyle the Twig Painter and he picked up. He said he has no interest in going to <i>Riverside</i> with me but thanked me for offering. He said he started painting when he was 10 and studied at Boston College of Art and got his MFA from Mississippi at Oxford. Doyle also served in the Army as an illustrator. His paintings are now "selling like crazy" on cruise ships, quipping at one point, "My ship has come in!" Doyle said he thinks of himself as more of a bohemian than a hippie. <br />
<br />
<center><b>June 17, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Congressman Neal will provide an update on The Good Friday Agreement during a presentation at Elms College in Chicopee. I will be going.<i> Riverside</i> raceway is closing as they plan to upgrade the entire park. In Great Barrington, 56 acres are for sale for $3 million. David Sharken is Executive Director of the Food Bank of Western Mass in Hatfield.<br />
<br />
Started today by writing letters, I have so many to do! Sent a card to Martha and wrote to the Southworths and Porters. A letter came today from Dr. Ross A. Gouker, Mother's optometrist, saying it was time for her check-up. I called his office on Boston Road and left a message saying, "The Doctor may be in, but the patient is out." I then called <i>Subway</i> downtown and got Bob and told him about the black lady Shkena who always remembers my order. He said he would pat her on the back in their newsletter. I also left word with Nader the Hatter to call me when he gets back. <br />
<br />
There is an article in the paper by Chris Hamel about the public meeting and workshop held by the <i>Cecil Group</i> at <i>City Stage</i> Tuesday. Steven G. Cecil, the firm's principal, said that tourists alone can not be the backbone of a successful downtown "spiral upwards." </p><p>I decided to call Steve Cecil in Boston. He accepted my collect call but was eager to conclude it. After complaining that I had heard nothing about the meeting, he said that Michael Piscateli in Planning was responsible for publicizing the event. I told Cecil that there was no notice of it in the monthly business pull-out in the paper. No mention in <i>Chamber Channels</i>. Nothing in <i>The Reminder</i> (if you even call that a paper). Nobody called the <i>Valley Advocate</i> and I saw no posters around. I said it was a prizewinning example of a nihilistic advertising non-campaign with pre-kindergarden level marketing. <br />
<br /> Next I called City Hall and got Piscatelli at Planning and I told him that since David Starr ignores my ideas, I had hoped to share them with the <i>Cecil Group</i>, but was never made aware of the meeting. Piscatelli admitted there had been only 20 people at the event, not the 40 reported by the media, but he said he hopes that future meetings will have better publicity and a bigger turnout. He did say they got a pretty diverse group and he was glad about that.<br />
<br />
I next called Maureen Turner at the <i>Valley Advocate</i> (247-9305) and she was her usual friendly self. I did most of the talking and told her about my Historical Commission remarks (she liked my line about <i>Riverside</i> doing more to keep kids off drugs than the cops). We also talked about the Seuss statues, with Mo saying that "what's going up isn't exactly what you'd expect to honor somebody like Seuss." I asked her at one point if she was married, and she is not. Such a lovely person, the fairest of creatures, I told her to ignore any rumors she might hear that I am an anti-Semite. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and told me he contacted the Census and they said that trends suggest that the 2000 census will show population declines in Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee. I told him about my call to the <i>Advocate</i>. He expressed surprise that I would just come out and ask Maureen whether she was married, saying he would have considered it impolite. "This may be 1999," he said, "but I still follow 1950's manners." <br />
<br />
Eamon says that Councilor Barbara Garde should not vote on the stadium project because she has a conflict of interest since her son was the Treasurer of the <i>Springfield Baseball Corporation</i>. Tim Ryan has already recused himself because of a conflict. Eamon then told me how he is related to Judge John Greaney through the Fitzgerald's. The judge had a devout Catholic upbringing but married a Lutheran and converted. <br />
<br />
Eamon then complained that a page one story by John O'Connell about Nick Fyntrilakis' primary challenge was supposed to be continued on page 9, but there was no sign of it on that page or anywhere else. When Eamon hung up I called the paper and got Brenda, who admitted that they had received numerous complaints about the missing half of the story. She offered to fax me the rest of it but I told her I do not have a fax machine. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>June 18, 1999</b></center><br />
City Councilors Bill Boyle, Bill Foley and Barbara Garvey have announced that they are opposing Albano's stadium. <i>Cherry Bombs</i> at 95 State Street urges you to "Party on the Patio" with Ed's Grill. Diane Lederman was in charge of the listings in the <i>Sunday Republican</i> in 1993. <br />
<br />
I found a tag sale at 15 Ferncliff and bought some criminal justice textbooks with the property marker of Mt. Wachusett Community College. When I got downtown, there were five school buses from Southwick and Tolland pulled up in front of the Museum of Fine Arts. While waiting for the First Church book sale to begin, I finally made friends with the tall, bearded Jewish fellow who I often see buying books. His name is Robert. Councilor Tim Ryan walked past and cheerfully greeted me. I also saw that guy from <i>Child's Stamps Company</i> on his way to lunch. He's a friendly soul. <br />
<br />
I got a whole slew of <i>Reader's Digest</i> books at 50 cents apiece. My prize find was a college textbook, <i>The Pageant of Greece</i> by R.W. Livingstone (1924), that had once belonged to Commissioner Beaumont A. Herman. It was signed by him and dated 1930. I got it for $15. On the way back I stopped at <i>Stop&Shop</i> for milk. <br />
<br />
I microwaved the other half of last week's fish and chips and it came out nicely. Eamon called and said he has read Devine's piece praising Fyntrilakis and doesn't agree with most of it. I got a wrong number call from Larry Plane, who wondered if there was a vegetarian alternative . I replied that we serve nothing but vegetarian and hung up. I get so many of these calls meant for <i>Storrowtown</i>. <br />
<br />
Called Durham Caldwell and his voicemail message said I got 30 seconds and to please indicate the date and time I called. So I did that and then asked if giving that info cuts into my 30 seconds? I told Caldwell how I had seen his book at the Ferncliff tag sale selling for a dime. <br />
<br />
This evening I went to Rep. Neal's speech on Ireland at Elms. I was dressed in full orange and I caught Neal staring at me from across the room. I was able to grab a poster promoting an Irish Language Study Group taught by George Bresnahan. The Congressman made a professional presentation and at one point Neal mentioned that he played three sports in high school. As I was leaving, Sister Caritas said to me, "I'm surprised you weren't afraid to come dressed in that color." I told her, "I must say that I think your comment is impertinent." To which Sister replied, "Perhaps it was." I then bowed and wished her a good evening. Home just after 9pm. <br />
<br />
<center><b>June 19, 1999</b></center><br />
Lovely day.<br />
<br />
The national economy is booming, but is lagging in Western Mass in general and Springfield in particular. <i>WWLP-22</i> boasts of having "the top coverage for Western New England." <br />
<br />
How much responsibility do I have for Aunt Maria? Legally, none. Morally? Depends on her level of competency. To what extent is any responsibility mitigated by her surliness? <br />
<br />
I was planning to go to the Beer Fest n Northampton but decided to go tomorrow instead. Put out the mail first thing after dining on a steak, egg and cheese breakfast bagel I got with a coupon at the Allen Street <i>McDonald's</i>. That was my main meal of the day. From the Post Office I went downtown for the second day of the First Church book sale. I was early so I sat on a shady bench in Court Square and actually dozed off for almost an hour! <br />
<br />
When I woke up I went inside where I was greeted by a tall fellow in a tank top who said he liked my earrings. I suspect he may be one of the fraternity, seemed intelligent, works for the church. The woman running the sale told me she also works as the church librarian. She said they will donate anything leftover to charity, but I failed to ask which charity. <br />
<br />
I was amazed to find a mint set of Trollope's Barsetshire novels. I bought a copy of Gibson Willet's Inside History of the White House (1908) in mint condition with many pictures of the White House during the administration of Teddy Roosevelt. The book was at best glanced at by a former owner and never opened again. I also got a volume on Roman literature with a bookplate inside that said it was originally from the library of Hope Congregational Church and had been donated by Dr. Britton G. McCabe in December 1968. <br />
<br />
From First Church I drove down to <i>Northgate</i>, where the Powell's were holding an anti-stadium rally. There was a clown, lots of balloons and a decent crowd, mostly minorities. The liquor store had a table outside with literature and petitions and were passing out <i>Avalanche</i> shot glasses and a green <i>Budweiser</i> key ring. John McCarthy said every day he feels uncertainty about how long he will be in business. Councilor W. Foley was there, Karen says he wants to be mayor very badly. I took lots of pictures and hope some come out.<br />
<br />
Eamon called and said Tom Devine called his phone editorial twice today. As he spoke I could hear his clock clicking in the background, but only in one ear. A kind of hearing test. Eamon told me that his brother Ray the fire chief played the violin as a boy and insisted on joining the Navy at only 17 during World War II. His parents had to sign a special form permitting him to enlist. They were reluctant but relented in the end.<br />
<br />
<center><b>June 21, 1999</b></center><p>
It is very dry.<br />
<br />
Dyansen Gallery in Boston is putting on a Peter Max show. Brian Lees was on TV this morning talking about the Basketball Hall of Fame. I am still in a letter writing phase. I hope to get everything wrapped up by the end of the month and then I'll go mute for the summer. <i>Bill Crum and Sons Landscaping</i> of Hampden was working on Collen's hedge. Tiger lillies and Black-eyed Susans are coming out. </p><p>Back on June 15th the <i>Cecil Group</i> led a discussion at <i>Stage West</i> on Springfield's master plan for downtown.There was no prior mention of it in the <i>Union-News</i>. No insert in the <i>Chamber Chronicles</i>. Nothing in that not very nice little paper <i>The Reminder</i>. Nobody told the <i>Valley Advocate</i>. I saw no posters put up about it. </p><p>Everything I learned about it I got from Tommy Devine, who attended and told me that only about 20 people showed up. That was by design, the lack of promotion meant that only Chamber of Commerce types would attend. They didn't want Joe Six-pack showing up so they didn't advertise. </p><p>An article in today's paper by Fred Contrada talks about young people up in Northampton dying their hair unusual colors and a bill filed by a legislator from Plymouth who wants to ban the sale of "exotic" hair dyes in Massachusetts. <br />
<br />
Shortly after 11:30am I drove out and headed to the fairgrounds in Northampton for the <i>Great New England Brewers Festival</i>. First I went to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres, where their <i>Subway</i> is still not open and they had no date for when it would. The old <i>A&P</i> looks all fixed up and ready for the <i>Goodwill</i>. The 16 Acres Library appears gutted inside with bare light bulbs hanging down. <br />
<br />
The beer fest was an egregious rip-off. The ad in the <i>Valley Advocate</i> said it costs $4, but didn't mention that you had to pay $3 more for parking. Then you had to stand in line and show a picture ID to get in. When you paid the $4 they gave you a program and a plastic mug with <i>Rock 102</i> on it in an ugly shade of light olive. There were a few food vendors under tents. The <i>Advocate</i> had a booth asking people to evaluate their paper by filling out a questionnaire. I found no postcards and very few paper coasters. I did get a couple beer newspapers, and walked around the grounds twice, buying nothing but a souvenir poster for a dollar. They had lovely t-shirts for $15, but I wasn't about to shell out that after what I'd already paid. <br />
<br />
Nearly everyone attending was white, young and respectable looking. No one appeared to be drinking too much. You had to buy tokens for $1.25 apiece to get beer with. The tokens were wooden nickles, but they were so stained and dirty that they were worthless as collectibles. One token gets your mug a quarter filled, three tokens don't even get you a full drink! It's a total rip-off. Northampton is out to get all the money it can soak out of people. I vowed I would never go again, and left Northampton at 1:03pm. <br />
<br />
Dined today on <i>Maypo</i> and a <i>Hungry Man Salisbury Steak Dinner</i>. I also took a <i>Centrum</i> vitamin tablet as I do every few days. The mail brought a note from the Jewish Community Center thanking me for the pictures of the 50th Israel Celebration, including two of Alan E. Baskin. <br />
<br />
Ann Kennedy of <i>R.L. Sheet Metal</i> called asking, "Is this <i>Storrowtown</i>?" I called Aunt Maria and it rang nine times before she picked up. Aunt Maria was cheerful and said she went to church today. Called Fred Whitney who said he couldn't talk, but asked me to call back and tell him about Neal's Ireland speech at Elms. Belle-Rita Novak called and thanked me again for taking her to <i>Riverside</i>. She said she thinks I am "well mannered and very intelligent, although you dress funny."<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>June 22, 1959</b></center><br />
Children are helpless because they aren't smart or articulate enough to talk back. They have to take what they get even when it may not be best for them. <br />
<br />
This morning I did the dishes and a few other chores such as trimming the hedges along Birchland. Golden rod appears to be crowding out the Phlox. Saw a Monarch butterfly. Kelly has a flag hanging outside her door and others on the street have patriotic decorations up. The Penniman's drove by but didn't stop or even wave. Finished at 9:15am.<br />
<br />
At 9:30am I went to <i>McDonald's</i> and had a ham and egg bagel with a coupon. I then left off a bag of stuff at Whitney's back door. He has squash coming up in the garden and marigolds nicely spaced along the side of the house. Then up to Elms, where I left off something for Moriarty. He is a Holy Cross grad with a masters and doctorate from Notre Dame. <br />
<br />
Next I headed back to the city and parked on Salem. I walked down the hill and left off an envelope for Herrala. On my way there I saw Fred Whitney's son walking along in a suit. He pretended not to see me. Stopped by the Election Commission Office but Kathy Fleury said that Deezer Sullivan wasn't around. <br />
<br />
<i>The Reminder</i> came today. The mail arrived around 2pm and I got the latest catalog from that company which specializes in geology books. I'd like to get a complete set of their catalog as it would be a good bibliography of geology. I tried to call Aunt Maria but I guess she was out with Shirley. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he likes Mo Turner's latest article. He then told me about the trouble he has had with his checks. Today he had to go to the bank in person to get it fixed. At one point Eamon claimed that he could have written the book on the Marines, but I doubt it. Eamon then argued that he thinks that marriage would be a bad idea for him because women change after they get married. He says he likes to come and go as he pleases and that would end if he had to deal with a wife who would try to make him "a slave." He says you can't sit around in your underwear with a wife. Eamon said that before he would consider marriage he would live with the woman for a while first. Eamon claims he would prefer "a loose woman to an uptight feminist." So much for Eamon and marriage! <br />
<br />
<center><b>June 23, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Sunny, not a cloud in the sky.</p><p>The Buendos who publish the <i>Reminder</i> have an editorial this week entitled <i>25 Things You'll Need to Know After High School</i>. Number 22 is: "Television ruins more minds than drugs." Note it well.<br />
<br />
On <i>All Things Considered</i> they said that by 2008 a major problem will be thieving by computer hacking. Hillary Clinton is being called a "carpetbagger" for moving to New York to run for Senate. A sign in the window says the new Acres <i>Goodwill</i> will also be a postal substation. <i>Table & Vine</i> is located at 122 North King Street in Northampton. </p><p>Brainwashed by propaganda that posters look tacky, merchants are foolishly withdrawing their postering sites. 16 Acres <i>Big Y</i> had a bulletin board, but they took it down. Just a few weeks ago I remarked that the Breckwood <i>Louis & Clark</i> bulletin board in their entryway was slowly becoming popular as a postering site.. Then suddenly they took the board down and put up advertisements for their goods and services. Happily the Longmeadow <i>Big Y</i>'s two bulletin boards are as lively as ever and the Storrs Library information table is always covered with notices unseen in Springfield. <br />
<br />
Found among Mother's things today an old shopping bag from <i>Steiger's</i>. It has been five months since Mother died. This morning I read one of her favorite poems <i>The Blackberry Girl</i> from a book she got at <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i>. This has been an office work week and it will be an office work summer. </p><p>For breakfast I had <i>Maypo</i>, grapefruit and a doughnut. For supper I had a <i>Swanson Chicken Dinner</i>. <i>WFCR</i> says it needs $24,000 before next Wednesday. Today they had a <i>Beethoven Bash</i> featuring the <i>Pastoral Symphony</i>. I intentionally delayed going out because I wanted to hear everything because I've never listened to a lot of Beethoven. His passages can be hauntingly beautiful, but I prefer the regularity of Bach and Vivaldi.<br />
<br />
Wrong number Edwin Johnson called from 786-1435. Called Mrs. Staniski and she sounds old. She said that tomorrow after she waters her plants she is going to drive down to see Ann this weekend. She then asked me about Aunt Maria and I told her how she has been a lot of trouble and intends to cut me out of her will. Mrs Staniski exclaimed, "After all you've done for her!" <br />
<br />
Tonight I went to the stadium forum. The discussion featured Smith College Professor Andrew Zimbalist, who wrote the 1997 book <i>Sports, Jobs and Taxes - Economics of Sports Development</i>. He has a new sports book coming out in August called <i>Unpaid Professionals</i> about college sports. The organizers of the event were Springfield College sociology Professor Susan Joel and UMass Professor Todd Crossett and was held at Springfield College in Locklin Hall. <br />
<br />
It was a good gathering. Belle-Rita N. was there in raspberry shorts and a purple top and sat next to me. Maureen Turner came along and I introduced her to Belle-Rita. I also told Maureen how Eamon liked last week's piece in the <i>Advocate</i> by her. Councilors Bill Foley and Tim Rooke were there, but Rooke spent most of the presentation talking with friends in the hallway. That is typical of the lack of respect city officials have for academics. It reminded me of the time Mike Albano was too busy to listen to a visiting expert from Harvard. <br />
<br />
Eamon's relative Tux Sullivan was there. The Powells said they were happy with the event and I saw Karen at one point chatting with Maureen. Zimbalist was very good, at one point using Eamon's phrase "smoke and mirrors" to describe the stadium process. Later he mentioned urban theorist Jane Jacobs, and Belle-Rita whispered in my ear, "I love Jane Jacobs." At the end, Dr. Zimbalist, Councilor Foley and myself were among the last to leave.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>June 24, 1999</b></center><br />
A hot, unpleasantly sticky day.<br />
<br />
Drove out at 10:07am. I paused at the Cohn's and left some stuff, there was a luxurious white car in their driveway. Got the paper out of the trash at <i>Louis & Clark</i>, then got some veggies at <i>Angelo's</i> and a few groceries at <i>Price-Rite</i>. <i>The Goodwill</i> at Breckwood is completely empty, while the new one in the Acres has a sign saying they'll have a coffee shop in some way connected to <i>Gus & Paul</i>. <br />
<br />
Dined at <i>Boston Market</i>, formerly <i>Boston Chicken</i>, for the first time. I was early for lunch and there was only an elderly couple there besides myself, although a couple of workmen were just sitting down when I left. The food was okay, not great, the servings adequate, not overwhelming. I found my leg of chicken rather small. My Caesar salad had lettuce and croutons but nothing else, no onion, no tomato, no olives. There was also a small piece of cornbread. It all came to $5.24. <i>Boston Market</i> is charging all they can get but not delivering anything very special for it. The chicken was not very big and considering the cost it was no deal and I shall not be going back. Home at noon, where the mailman was just arriving. Took a nap until late afternoon. <br />
<br />
Called Ann and talked for a minute or two. I mentioned that her mother may be getting too old to drive out to see her. Called Nader the Hatter and left word to call me if he wants to go to <i>Riverside</i>. Called ex-rep Whitney, who told me he was just getting back from a meeting over what the local Republicans should be doing but said there was "not much agreement." Fred says he's "76 going on 77" and he needs to cut back on some of his activities. I told him about the <i>Beer Fest</i>, the <i>Northgate</i> rally and last night's meeting at Springfield College. He seemed to be listening intently as I told him about Neal's Irish speech at Elms. At one point Whitney mentioned that Ross Perot is a Presbyterian. Later he complained that most college professors are Democrats and probably socialists.<br />
<br />
Eamon called and said there was a close-up of me and Belle-Rita on the news last night. I told him I saw the TV stations there, but they departed early on. Eamon is annoyed that there was nothing about the stadium meeting in the paper today. He thinks David Starr is playing a bigger role in the stadium process than anyone realizes and that Mike Graney is an unqualified figurehead. Eamon says he has to go the veteran's hospital on Monday because of a "serious" blood pressure problem. I told him I was sad to hear that. <br />
<br />
<center><b>June 25, 1999</b></center><br />
Sprinkled at 4:55pm. <br />
<br />
Greater time flexibility could be the most important single change in education introduced by internet study. A large cause of bad grades is people not having time to prepare. Francis Gagnon was on TV talking about renovations to King Phillips stockade in Forest Park. Robert W. Kellogg's <i>Unusual Gifts by the Hundreds</i> was located at 32 Temple Street in Springfield in 1924. <br />
<br />
Birchland Avenue was finally swept this morning. Up at 5:50aam and was over to Mrs. Staniski's by 6:30am. I watered her flowers, but her hose is too short and some plants had to be sprayed from a distance. Then out to the Boston Road <i>McDonald's</i> across from <i>Big Y</i>, and got a ham, cheese and egg bagel. The store has green termite traps around the outside, suggesting it isn't as immaculate as it should be. In their men's room the faucets are covered with crud, the workers there just aren't into scrubbing away dirt. Then to <i>Stop&Shop</i> for some <i>Swanson</i> dinners on special. Peeked into the new <i>Goodwill</i> and the clothing is all installed although the bookshelves look flimsy.<br />
<br />
Mail not here until after 2pm but the <i>Union-News Extra</i> was here by noon. Dined on a hot pocket, later I had a lettuce, tomato and baloney sandwich. Called Elms and their Development Office told me Ms. Kris Gregory handles all the Irish Cultural Center donations, but she is on vacation until July 6th. Then called Mercy Hospital and got the address of Sister Mary Caritas as Providence Mother House, Five Gamelin Street, Holyoke. I called the home office of <i>60 Minute Photo</i> and got Ann, who told me Bob Russell will not be in until Monday afternoon. Next I called <i>Albank</i> and spoke with Baliba, who said my <i>Ludlow</i> checks are still good for six months. I told her if I don't like <i>Albank</i> I will withdraw my money before my checks expire. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he went to the Vets Hospital today and gave a blood sample. His doctor is a Pakistani woman whose husband is a computer engineer. Eamon has <i>AT&T</i> for long distance but doesn't make many calls. He hasn't heard from Nader the Hatter and thinks both he and his father are in Florida. Eamon talked a bit about Grandma Nardi who ran <i>Nardi's Happyland Restaurant</i>. She made extra money cashing the checks of the <i>Westinghouse</i> workers for a weekly fee. Her son Red, with red hair, died at age 40 of a brain tumor and she put up one of the largest monuments in St. Michael's for him. Nardi also paid the way through college for all of her grandchildren.<br />
<br />
<center><b>June 27, 1999</b></center><br />
No end to hot days. It was 97 today, beating the record of 96 in 1966. <br />
<br />
Men are campers and women are homebuilders. Joseph Thompson is the Director of the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams. <i>The Robert Baker Company</i>, a wholesale nursery located in West Suffield, Connecticut is looking for agriculture workers for the 1999 growing season. <br />
<br />
The heat hasn't gotten into the basement yet, it isn't bad upstairs because I have the house all closed up. Some of my plants are withering, and I don't think my raspberries are going to amount to much. We are going to be sick of summer from the start, which is sad. Listened to opera on <i>WFCR</i>. Drove out at 8:30am and watered Mrs. Staniski's place again and put her Sunday paper in the back entryway. Mrs. Staniski likes to go shopping early in the morning, but with Mother it was never possible.<br />
<br />
Then to <i>Ocean State Job Lot</i> to look around. I bought peanuts and olive oil. Next to <i>Stop&Shop</i>, where I've noticed of late that <i>Stop&Shop</i> has better fruits and vegetables. I saw Mrs. Cerrone's sister Adele Falk and wished her a happy 4th. She didn't stop to talk. From the supermarket I headed home. Dined on a <i>Swanson Fish & Chips Dinner</i> today. Currently reading Thomas Plate's <i>Crime Pays</i> (1975). It's a good book. Most of the criminal justice books I got at 15 Ferncliff last weekend have property marks from Mount Wachusetts Community College in them.<br />
<br />
Called Aunt Maria and spoke to her for the first time in a few weeks. She answered pleasantly and said she slept late but is going out later. I warned her it is going to be real hot. "Are you okay?" I asked. "I'm fine," she replied. Being reminded of Adele Falk at <i>Stop&Shop</i> today, I called her. She didn't know Mother had died and so I am sending her an obit. Eamon called and was critical of Larry McDermott's essay in today's paper, where McDermott tried to brush off Springfield's declining population by saying it is happening to cities everywhere and is not a reflection on Springfield's municipal leadership.<br />
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<center><b>June 28, 1999</b></center><br />
Overcast, 73 degrees at 6am. Very sticky.<br />
<br />
Anyone who can't see what is going on in the world is blind. It's all about eating, sleeping, fucking and fighting. Who would want it any different? <br />
<br />
My plants are collapsing and turning brown. Drove over to <i>McDonald's</i> on Allen for a Spanish omelet bagel and was surprised to see that <i>Springfield Lawn Mower</i> is for sale by <i>King & Newton</i>. My next stop was to make copies at <i>Pride</i> in the Acres. The sign in the window of the <i>Goodwill</i> says the Grand Opening will be June 30th, but no time given. Then over to Devine's where I left off a few things on his back porch. <br />
<br />
Decided to go to the fireman's trade show over at the <i>Big E</i> grounds. Firemen tend to be all-America boys, jocks no doubt and more congenial than cops. Lots of fire engines on display, plus lots of booths. <i>American Environmental Technologies</i> of Hamden, Connecticut were passing out little American flags. <i>Vermont Medical</i> of Bellows Falls had little teddy bear buttons. Smokey the Bear had a trailer and was passing out free decks of playing cards. They had inscribed copies of books by Don Whitney and Mike Kernan. There were t-shirts galore and fire collectables. <i>Franklin Mint</i> had a booth and one booth was selling <i>Redwing</i> logger boots like mine. There were kiddie fire engines and even a fire hydrant with rolling eyes that scooted around. The place wasn't anywhere near as crowded as the machinery show. I saw one black person and no women at all. It was the sort of event my parents would like to have gone to, especially since the price was free. Home at 1:30pm. <br />
<br />
Mail finally came at 3:15pm. No letters from relatives and nothing from Elms. Bevacqua at 5pm said the temperature was 93 degrees. Anne Schiavina. mother of the dead police officer, is in the news because she thinks she was ripped off on an air conditioner that was advertised in the <i>Reminder</i>. A woman named Louise Dees called from a "marketing firm" but when I pressed for the name of the firm she hung up the phone in my ear. Mrs. Staniski called and said, "Thank you for saving my flowere." She and Ann were in Kennebunkport but "the heat was too much." <br />
<br />
Called Eamon at 7:52pm and he said it was raining so hard in Hungry Hill that his street was flooded. Eamon talked a little about Gino Maggis, who is the President of <i>Chicopee Cooperative Bank</i> and his cousin who is in the cement business. I read him the letter I wrote to <i>Hungry Hill Magazine</i> warning them about Dr. Negroni. He said it was "a very good letter." Eamon told me that Tom Devine called his phone editorial again today. I asked him what time Tom calls and he said generally in the late morning. Eamon wondered if Tom is working second shift somewhere and I simply replied that there are some things Tom doesn't tell. I mentioned Mrs. Schiavina being on TV complaining about her air conditioner and Eamon said she is "a real jerk." He says her son and Officer Beauregard broke all kinds of rules the night they got killed but the police will never admit it. <br />
<br />
<center><b>June 30,1999</b></center><br />
Somewhat cooler, a little rain at night. <br />
<br />
The Fed raised the interest rate by a quarter of a percent and the stock market shot up 150 points. Colonel James L. Jones is the current Commandant of the Marine Corps. <i>WFCR</i> has the best news. <i>Northgate Plaza</i> shops: <i>The Dough Show</i>, <i>Friendly Barber Shop</i>, <i>Rent-a-Center</i>, <i>Union Market</i>, <i>Northgate Discount Liquors</i>, the Veteran's Center and the WIC nutrition program. <br />
<br />
Up at 5am. Trash picked up at 7:05am. The goldenrod has crowded out the phlox. Did some housecleaning, cooked up some broccoli and picked some raspberries. Finished my latest Arts memo culminating in my complaint to the Anti-Defamation League and decided I would bring it over to the Federation on Dickinson. First, I mailed some stuff to Maureen and Vannah, after stopping at the Cohn's, telling them about my suspicions about David Starr. Mr. Cohn told me that he thinks Starr "is a jerk." <br />
<br />
Drove out to the Acres and stopped by <i>Burger King</i> and had a 99 cent bacon-burger. I was wearing my khaki shorts today, bare legs with laced boots. As I was leaving, the manager lady came up to me and said someone complained about my shorts and she told me not to come in wearing them again. I then headed over to the Grand Opening of the relocated <i>Goodwill</i>. The Acres Civic Association treasurer greeted me. I took two pictures of Patty and was the first customer at their Post Office. Nolan was there behind the pastry counter. Ms. Ayakanian was there with her daughter. <i>The Goodwill</i> parking lot out back is now nice and smooth, a wonderful place for rollerblading. <br />
<br />
From that event I drove over to the Jewish Federation where I gave my complaint to Bea in the presence of a woman dressed in light green. She said that Catherine Schwartz, the woman who would handle my complaint, is on vacation until July 12th. Then downtown, where I parked on Spring. A black fellow who was also walking along told me he was on his way to Christ Church to volunteer at Loaves & Fishes. Stopped at the School Department and gave a letter to Dr. Negroni's secretary Shea, then dropped letter with Atty. Berman's secretary. <br />
<br />
Work still being done at <i>Westfield Savings</i>. I am wondering if the artist with the sculptures of blacks in the window of <i>Bank of Boston/Baybank</i> is the same one Nader told me about in Indian Orchard. Over at the <i>SIS</i> building, I left a friendly note for Root and picked up notices from the round table in the waiting room of the Chamber of Commerce. At the corner of Harrison and Main a woman named Rosalie stopped me and said she read about me in the <i>Advocate</i> and told me it was nice that I mentioned Michaelann Bewsee. She claimed they went to Cathedral together. It was past noon, so I headed over to <i>Pizzeria Uno</i>, where I had lunch on a half-price coupon, ordering a deep dish pizza and a mug of <i>Budweiser</i> for $6.25. The beer was draft, sweet and served in a frozen mug, the way it should be. <br />
<br />
Mail was here when I got home and Mrs. Staniski sent a nice card from Maine. No <i>Reminder</i> this week. I called Dianne, David Starr's secretary, and told her I consider her boss to be the primary suspect as the author of <i>The Dark Side of J. Wesley Miller</i>. Then I called Tom Devine at 793-8129 and he picked up directly. He told me that a copy of <i>The Dark Side</i> had been dropped off anonymously at <i>TV40</i>. He didn't know if it had also been sent to the <i>Valley Advocate</i>, but thinks it probably was because it "appears to have been sent to all major media outlets." Tom also agreed with me that it is possible the author may be David Starr. <br />
<br />
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-85844110772505778222019-03-17T15:45:00.022-04:002024-03-08T14:09:06.232-05:00July 1999<br />
<center><b>July 1, 1999</b></center><p><br />
A nice, steady rain in the morning.</p><p>Kings may rise and kings may fall, but eating and talking goes on and on. <br />
<br />
<i>The Blizzard River</i> ride opened at <i>Riverside</i> today. I drove out after 10:30am and it was no longer raining much. I made copies at <i>Breckwood</i> and picked up the new <i>Valley Advocate</i>, which has several articles by Maureen Turner. They are keeping Mo busy while underutilizing Stephanie Kraft. I'd like to find out more about the personal politics of that. <br />
<br />
From there I drove into the city and parked on Edwards. They were putting up lettering on the front of <i>Westfield Bank</i>. Paid the waterbill and swiped some posters off the City Hall boards. Nardi has moved out of his office in by the Springfield Parking Commission and <i>Stage West</i>, sandwiched between them. Cutting over to <i>Just Friends</i>, I encountered Joe Carvalho and his jovial, tall, lawyer friend in a tan suit, coming around the corner. I said, "Good day, gentlemen!" However, Carvalho and his friend said nothing and just kept going. Got a baloney sandwich at <i>Subway</i> and the playful black lady whispered the kind of sandwich I always order to the tall, thin fellow who was actually making them. <br />
<br />
On the way back, there was bumper to bumper traffic on Wilbraham Road. I paused at ARISE and talked with Michaelann, who is starting to show her age. She thanked me for mentioning her in my <i>Valley Advocate</i> article and I told her I have a little more free time since Mother died so I'll be able to participate in more of the events she and her crazies cook up. She said ARISE is currently focusing on voter registration and I said I would have no problem supporting that. Michaelann opined that politics in Springfield isn't about Republicans or Democrats, but "reformers versus entrenched politicians." <br />
<br />
Swung by <i>Goodwill</i>, where Patty is limping due to a painful problem with the bottom of her foot. She is going to avoid walking when she goes on vacation because the doctor told her that her foot will never get better as long as she keeps walking on it. The woman who owns <i>Pam's Books</i> in Wilbraham was there and she told me the price of books at <i>Goodwill</i> is too high. I bought one book and as I was chatting with Patty at the cash register a young girl customer asked about my collar, "Do you ever take it off?" I said, "I can't, it's part of my uniform." When I got home, I found that Mrs. Staniski had returned my book along with some stuff from Ann and a one pound box of <i>Goldenrod Kisses</i> from York Beach. They are still like Mother remembered and loved. <br />
<br />
Someone called and asked, "Is this <i>Custom Photo</i>?" I asked who was calling and they said no more. Mrs. Ehnrenberg called about returning my book. At one point she said, "You must be smart, you talk so well." I called Karen Powell and she sounds optimistic that the stadium scam will be stopped. She mentioned that she has been communicating frequently with Maureen Turner. I also learned that only Karen is Jewish, Bob is Catholic. <br />
<br />
Called Eamon, we chatted about Nader the Hatter and Eamon said my books must be valuable because the annotations I make are so systematic. We then discussed the stories on <i>NPR</i> and in the paper that <i>Mass Mutual</i> is willing to put up one million dollars toward a baseball stadium and Peter Picknelly has offered $4 million. He also told me that Kevin Claffey spends all his time at the courthouse these days and is "out of the loop" as to what is going on at the paper these days. <br />
<br />
Eamon then recalled how when he went to school the nuns always made him sit in front where they could keep an eye on him. One day he went to school with a jack knife hidden in his high-top sneakers and was caught by a nun. She brought him to detention but he walked right back out the door saying he had to go to his newspaper job and wasn't about to lose money sitting in detention. The next day Sister said, "Master Sullivan, you are the most bold and brazen young man I have ever encountered." She then made him stand in the hallway for an hour as punishment. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>July 2, 1999</b></center><br />
If it isn't different, it isn't art. Charles V. Ryan is with <i>Crevier and Ryan</i> at 1500 Main Street. <i>WFCR</i> has met its fund raising goal. It costs $250 to rent the George Murray Barney Conference Room at the Forest Park Carriage House. <br />
<br />
I was up early, and as I picked berries, Mrs. Lynch was heading out to go to work. I hailed her, wished her a Happy 4th and told her she can pick some berries for herself if she wants. I also put the Arizona calendar Mrs. Staniski gave me on Kelly's doorknob. Then I took some stuff up to the attic and came down with my flag. I cooked up the wax beans I got the other day and put them in the refrigerator. <br />
<br />
I mailed my letter to Zimbalist at <i>Breckwood</i>, then headed downtown and parked on Edwards. Then to <i>Monarch Palace</i> and up in the elevator. This time the security people didn't trail me. I wonder if Peter Picknelly has seen my memo yet? Mrs. Ehrenberg is a tiny woman who graciously returned my stuff. She thanked me "from the bottom of my heart." The material was returned in good condition but contained no thank you note. She also introduced me to her son. As I was leaving I noticed a lot of old office machines in the hallway. I told her I have a collection of old office machines and Mr. Catuogno came out and said he'd like to see what I have so he could offer to buy them. As I left the building I wished the security guard a Happy 4th and he cheerfully wished me the same. <br />
<br />
Next I drove out to <i>Bank of Western Mass</i>, where Mrs. Maggi said she's having a picnic with neighbors on the 4th but otherwise staying home for the weekend saying, "It's foolish to drive all around." Got pastry at <i>Freihoffer's</i>, bought the specials at <i>Stop&Shop</i> and also went to the Acres <i>Big Y</i> for fish and chips. I got an unusually large portion, perhaps they wanted to unload some fish that was due to be dumped. When I got back I listened to music on <i>WFCR</i> and heard Ives Sonata No. 4 for Piano and Violin. He takes fragile, simple tunes and works them into a larger sonic fabric. Never heard any of his work before, but good stuff. <br />
<br />
Tom Bevacqua says to check the frail and elderly in this heat, so I called Aunt Maria. She picked up on the first ring and I asked her if she needed anything. "Why would I need anything?" she snapped. I replied that I don't know, but if she needs anything feel free to call. Then I wished her a Happy 4th of July and hung up. Eamon called and said he is going to join the Irish Caidre group at Elms and see how they treat him. I told him about being snubbed by Carvalho and his lawyer friend yesterday and Eamon said he has seen them hanging out at the bar <i>T.J. Hourihan</i>. He told me Hourihan was an attorney and a friend of his.<br />
<br />
<center><b>July 4, 1999</b></center><br />
Heavily overcast, torrential downpour at 8:24am.<br />
<br />
I agree with the Protestants that the IRA could at least state a date when they promise to start handing over weapons. Richie Neal was talking on the news about it. <br />
<br />
First thing yesterday, I drove out and had a free Spanish omelet at <i>McDonald's</i>, then got milk and cheese and specials at <i>Food Mart</i>. The copy machine at <i>Pride</i> was not working and the black lady couldn't get it to work. Paul Caron was there, he has gained a lot of weight and is now built like a football player. He thanked me for my postcard. Got fruit at <i>Angelo's</i>. <br />
<br />
When I got home I found Nader the Hatter's car in my driveway and found the Hatter and his father picking black raspberries. I helped and they ended up with about two quarts. I took their picture. The old man has gotten quite humped over. Nader said he stopped by the <i>Goodwill</i> on his way over but saw nothing worth buying. He also said that Nardi has moved in with some general contractor in West Springfield. Count that another small business that has left Springfield. Nader and his dad left about 2:05pm. <br />
<br />
It was hot reading at home today. I dined on scrambled eggs and toast, black raspberries with milk and boiled sweet, native corn from <i>Angelo's</i>. For supper I had hot dogs and beans with Jello for desert. Put up the flag around noon when the rain let up, took it down at 6pm. Wrote some letters and prepared checks for deposit. One letter was to Customer Relations at <i>Star Snacks</i> asking, "Is this a human hair I found in my mouth from your can of roasted peanuts?" Wrong number called, "Hello, is Danny there?" <br />
<br />
I heard fireworks down the street. There were also the usual fireworks downtown, which were broadcast at 11:30pm. I watched. <br />
<br />
<center><b>July 5, 1999</b></center><br />
Hazy and hot, thunder and lightning at 9:15pm.<br />
<br />
It is an unfortunate fact of this diary that I type it at such a speed, sometimes when exhausted, that things get left out. <br />
<br />
Drove out at 9am and deposited checks, then put out the mail at Forest Park. At the Sumner Avenue <i>Goodwill</i>, I found workers putting the finishing touches on the new parking lot there. It looks super. Told a lady in the book department that a little folding metal footstool they were using was too flimsy and a danger to the public. She agreed and took the stool away. I bought nothing. <br />
<br />
Then to <i>Palmer-Goodell</i> on Roosevelt Avenue and left a letter for Robert Carnavale. His beautiful, young black assistant Yvette gave me an impeccable receipt and I thanked her warmly. I swung by <i>Redbrick Books</i> and they had lots of different issues of <i>Hungry Hill</i> magazine, but none for May. Clerk said that issue must have had something special in it as they went quickly. <br />
<br />
On the way back I stopped at <i>Louis & Clark</i> and got the paper out of the trash can. It had the form for their Business Excellence Awards. From there I drove out to the Acres <i>Burger King</i> and got two cheeseburgers for 95 cents each. The woman who waited on me asked about Mother so I told her she had died. She expressed condolences and I told her that Mother really liked <i>Burger King</i> food. <br />
<br />
The mail brought from <i>Southpaw Books</i> Andrew Kreig's 1987 book on the ill consequences of the <i>Time-Mirror</i> takeover of the <i>Hartford Courant</i>. I left a polite but firm message for <i>Hungry Hill</i> magazine, but never heard back. Therefore I called Melinda Phelps at her office and spoke with her receptionist Linda Livingstone. She said that Frank runs the magazine and that Melinda may never have seen my letter. <br />
<br />
Linda told me Phelps is on vacation but that "she will get the message" when she gets back. Nader the Hatter called, saying he was cooking a steak in his apartment, and told me he is unable to come over tomorrow as hoped. I then left a message for Maureen Turner saying that I haven't been in touch much lately because I am in one of my quiet periods.<br />
<br />
<center><b>July 6, 1999</b></center><br />
Up early reading newspapers before the trashman came. Then the <i>Punderson</i> oilman came and filled a total of 218 gallons for $167.65. Drove out at 9am, where my first stop was the Boston Road <i>Walmart</i> where I got some photos, mostly from last fall of art, flowers and the <i>Northgate</i> demonstration. One of them is of Mrs. Staniski standing by the yellow rose bush that Mother gave her. <br />
<br />
From <i>Walmart</i> I proceeded directly to <i>Riverside Park</i>, where I arrived at 9:41am. The place was mobbed and the season pass line moved slowly. The turnstile showed I was the 68th person through. As I was entering I was told to take off my scarf, which they described as "that Arab hat thing" so I stuffed it into my pocket. I walked around and then decided to try the <i>Blizzard River</i> ride. Overall, it is a pretty tame ride, not very blizzardy, not very wet. Anyway, I've been on it. <br />
<br />
I left at 11:30am, drove downtown and parked across from the old Tech High. Walked downtown and had lunch with a coupon at <i>Pizzeria Uno</i>. At a nearby table I noticed the Quadrangle lawyer having pizza and drinks with an employee of <i>Hampden Bank</i>. Went to drop off something for Herrala and ran into Jim McClean at the Chamber. I asked for his address and he fumbled with papers and then wrote down his address for me on the current issue of <i>Chamber Channels</i>. He lives in Enfield, Connecticut. McClean was as warm and cordial as ever, even asking me how I was doing.<br />
<br />
I ended up buying an oval marbletop table at the <i>Boland Way</i> annex. It was marked $350, but I talked them down to $300. I once saw a similar one selling for $295 so I think the price I paid was about right. Kyle waited on me and said he was the one who refurbished it. It looks nice and I put it in the living room. <br />
<br />
When I got home, I called Karen Powell, who was pleased when I told her I have the pictures of the <i>Northgate</i> demonstration and would leave them in her front door tomorrow. Spent the afternoon reading Jack Fritscher on R. Mapplethorpe. It is a key book that is having a confirming and even transforming impact on my sexual views. I knew that Mapplethorpe the photographer was into the leather scene, but I didn't know that he wore leather all the time like a uniform. <br />
<br />
I was reading this on the back lawn by the picnic table, when out of the corner of my eye I perceived something - a mother skunk with a couple of babies! They paraded toward the back fence. I hope they are not living under my picnic table! Cutest thing I have seen for some time, with the little skunks following behind their mother like a goose and a parade of gooselings. They went under the fence and towards the corner of Lynch. <br />
<br />
I went directly over and told Benjy through the front window. He told me he has never met nor talked with Kelly and clan. Then over to Kelly's, where I told her and Michael and their friend David. Kelly said she would keep a lookout for the skunk family. I then went back and phoned Allard, telling him to keep his skunks at home.<br />
<br />
<center><b>July 7, 1999</b><br /></center><p>
Nice and cool out. </p><p>Philanthropist Albert E. Ferst, who is already investing more than five million dollars in an ice skating rink facility near the Westfield Middle School, has offered up another $50,000 to create a state of the art skateboard park in the same general area. <br />
<br />
Over to Mrs. Staniski with a bag and the yellow roses picture. She had her old lawn mower standing by the back door so I mowed her lawn over mild protests. She said she sometimes pays a neighbor $10 but I told her to tell him an old friend happened by so he doesn't have to do it this time. It took half an hour, and as I was leaving she returned <i>Vanishing Cornwall</i>, which she very much enjoyed. From there I went and shoved the pictures into the Powell's front door, although the car was in the driveway. I then went and got a ham and cheese bagel at <i>McDonald's</i>. <br />
<br />
When I got home, I did the lawn here at 5 Birchland, finishing at 11:30am. I saw the Caldwell's walking down Wilbraham Road, both are getting old but she especially. I made a point of shouting to them and they waved but kept on moving. After the mowing, I went to <i>Louis & Clark</i> for the new <i>Valley Advocate</i>, which has a Tom Vannah article politely panning Fran Gagnon. I then took some mags down to Mr. Cohn and left them on his lawn chair with a note saying I hope he wasn't offended by any criticisms I've made of David Starr. Chatted briefly with Mrs. Penniman, who said somebody stole her flower pots. <br />
<br />
The mail came at 2:15pm, including a letter from Dr. Negroni thanking me for sending him the article on Eamon, but without ever mentioning Eamon by name. I had also included a copy of Devine's <i>Heroes and Villains of 1998</i>, but he made no mention of that either. Karen called and thanked me for the photos. The meeting to vote on taking <i>Northgate</i> is scheduled for July 11th. Karen claims that Albano is using phony figures to support the stadium scam. <br />
<br />
I took a bath and then headed out at 6:45pm to Trinity for what was the most lovely carillon concert event. Their lawn looks lovely. Most people brought lawn chairs and the sky was clear. I sat on the exposed root of the beech tree as I usually do. The sun was at an angle that made the whole scene look like an impressionist painting. The temperature was mild and there was a gentle breeze. The last one I went to it was miserably hot. Over in the corner by Asbury Hall they were serving ice cream in bowls with toppings. I was in my purple uniform and twice people asked if I wanted ice cream, but I didn't try any. <br />
<br />
The church was open so people could go in if they wanted. I was told that Mrs. Goad was there but in the parish house. Later she appeared in a flowing sky blue dress with a light brown leather shoulder bag with matching sandals. Three little girls were doing somersaults and then held hands and danced around in a circle. Someone should have got it on film. During the last song by Freddie Mercury some couples danced. The guest carillonneur was Marcel Siebers and the carillon itself dates back to 1928. During the applause at the end Siebers came to the window of the performance room and waved to the crowd.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>July 10, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Overcast, sometimes sprinkling, getting more humid. </p><p>We see bad English in the press, hear it on television and the Internet is a cesspool. Talk is cheaper than ever. Just where is the market for excellence in English and how much longer are the taxpayers going to put up with fancy English departments?<br />
<br />
I can hear the crickets singing through the window. Father spoke of his deafness as a dulling of sound and it is the same with me, except my hearing isn't as bad as Father's. <br />
<br />
Had a bagel for breakfast. Out at 9am and went to <i>Fleet</i> in the Acres and got out stock certificates, Mother's Will and the Deed to Birchland Avenue. As I was going into the bank Police Officer Ray Phaneuf and his wife were heading towards their tan car. He said he's been trying to reach me, but I've seen no indication on my phone ID that he has called. I told him he can drop off my book anytime this weekend. <br />
<br />
At Boston Road <i>Big Y</i> I got some fruit drinks, cold cuts and macaroni salad. Then to <i>Freihofer's</i> for their three for $5 sale and to <i>Angelo's</i> for fruits and veggies. I stopped by Mrs. Staniski's, and Ann was there and thanked me for mowing her mother's lawn. Ann has always been the sweetest thing and still is. <br />
<br />
Next I went downtown to get the usual at <i>Subway</i> on Main, where the black lady gave me a generous serving. Grabbed a Municipal Credit Union poster on a quick run through City Hall. Not much in the downtown windows now, although the <i>Third National</i> building has a nice, colorful piece. <i>Johnson's</i> is bare. <i>Westfield Savings</i> is coming along, I hope they open soon. <br />
<br />
Had a big bowl of freshly picked berries in milk when I got home. Mail here at 11:45am. Got the <i>Wisconsin Academy Review</i>, just about the worst issue ever with ugly pictures of modern art. Recently I noticed that the floral urn at the Pine and Maple triangle that got busted several years ago has never been replaced. Other Neal era urns are still around and in good shape, including in the Wilbraham/Roosevelt triangles. <br />
<br />
Still reading Fritscher on Mapplethorpe. I also skimmed John Briggs' <i>Fractals: The Patterns of Chaos</i>. The book has wonderful graphics, but I'd like to see more math in it so I could see better how this works. If I were younger, this field would interest me. Karen Powell called and she liked my account of the meeting at Springfield College. Karen said the Monday speak-out on <i>Northgate Plaza</i> has been cancelled. She suspects it is because the Mayor is having trouble putting together a credible presentation. <br />
<br />
Nader the Hatter called and he was amazed that I admire Osama bin Ladin. I told him about taking the Blizzard Ride at <i>Riverside</i> and he said he is abandoning <i>AT&T</i> for long distance because of their prices. We also discussed the Jewish portion of my <i>Unpleasant Memories of Downtown Springfield</i> essay.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>July 11, 1999</b></center>
<br />
Lovely, mild out. <br />
<br />
I really hunkered down today to finish the Vietnam book. I also perfected the marginalia in Winston Groom's <i>Better Times Than These</i>. Together with the T.E. Ricks book on the Marines <i>Making the Corps</i> these two books are my military education, something my parents deprived me of. <br />
<br />
It would have been good for me to have joined the Marines. I loved the details in Ricks on exactly what goes on in boot camp and I'd like to have endured it all. It also shows what a senseless fiasco the Vietnam war was, something to be avoided by all means and teaching college English was mine. But I'll use "Honor, Courage and Commitment" the rest of my days as a corrective to the sissy-pansy Caspar Milquetoast approach of my parents and Methodist Sunday school. <br />
<br />
Now to finish the Mapplethorpe book, which has queer theory sprinkled throughout. At one point it says almost word for word what I told Paul Caron about overpopulation, that people who are not breeders should be rewarded. Spent half an hour going over estate papers. <br />
<br />
About 9am I drove out and got the <i>Sunday Republican</i> out of the trash in front of <i>Louis & Clark</i>. Harriet Michaels was there and I pointed out to her the article on Fran Gagnon in the paper. She is an old Gagnon supporter, and she recalled how when they knocked down Bowles' house she tied herself to the Magnolia tree. Even I had to agree that was indeed commendable. <br />
<br />
I then headed downtown and parked on Salem. Men are now restoring the Grace Church windows. Looks like they're doing a good job. I walked down the hill and found workers putting up ceiling tiles at <i>Westfield Bank</i>. A truck with a carpenter's union sticker in the window had a Marines bumpersticker reading, "When it absolutely, positively has to be destroyed overnight." Very cute. I asked one of the workers when the place opens and he said about the first of August. <br />
<br />
Over to the courthouse, I had no trouble walking in as a lawyer with my chains on. I left off Mother's will and was given short form probate papers. The courthouse was bustling with a lot of people around. Probate has a new service desk opened up out back. The girl who waited on me, Anna, was very professional. Came through the law library and the leaking water in the ceiling is still a problem in some places. Chubby, white haired man at the desk, Flynn's office was dark. When I got home Lynch was out doing his lawn. <br />
<br />
Called T. Vannah and thanked him for his "positively classy" blow off of Gagnon. I also left word with Mo Turner that the Jewish Federation lady in charge of defamation complaints gets back from her vacation today. I said I will keep her informed of developments. <br />
<br />
Called Karen Powell and she said there will be a forum at <i>StageWest</i> on the 26th, a panel discussion with both sides and Zimbalist thinks he can make it. She also said the Sunday paper says <i>MassMutual</i> is loaning the city one million towards the stadium, not giving it to them as Mayor Albano has been saying. I told her that members of ARISE have become interested in entering the <i>Northgate</i> debate on our side. Karen said she has heard of Michaelann Bewsee but has never met her. I gave her the name and number of Larry Libow. I spoke briefly with Eamon, who said Paul Caron's office has been calling his phone editorial almost daily.<br />
<br />
<center><b>July 12, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Beverly Blake Sullivan is Executive Assistant to the President of Harvard University. <i>Community Savings Bank</i> was located in Holyoke in 1985. <i>Heritage Bank for Savings</i> was located in Holyoke in 1991. Thomas P. Moriarty Jr. is Registrar of Probate. <i>Gus & Paul's</i> is located at 1209 Sumner Avenue. </p><p> <br />
Father was 57, my age, when I graduated from Colby. Worked two more hours on the estate, then drove and got the paper out of the middle trashcan at the <i>Breckwood Shops</i>. Then drove into the city and filed papers at Probate. On the way out of the courthouse, I paused in the Bar Association lounge to chat with retired Judge Robert Moran. I was wearing my juvenile delinquent outfit and when I addressed him he grumbled at me something about how I was improperly dressed, but gradually softened. He told me he was in the navy in World War II and got his law degree from Boston University. He has a brother with a Harvard degree. Moran answered all my questions politely. </p><p>I talked to the manager at <i>Factory Outlet</i> and he complained that the foot traffic through <i>Baystate West </i>is "just not very brisk" I told him that the problem is <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, which is really buzzing. There is plenty of business being conducted in Springfield, just not downtown. It is all out to <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, <i>Five Town</i> and <i>Liberty Plaza.</i> <br />
<br />
Came through <i>SIS</i> and Denver was coming out the door. He waved and I saluted in return. There was someone standing in the doorway of the old <i>Johnson's</i> holding a <i>Valley Advocate</i> coffee mug in her hand. I asked if she had any ties to the <i>Advocate</i> and she said she worked in their Advertising Department. I then got a baloney deli grinder at <i>Subway</i>, where I found out that the black lady that always greets me so cheerfully is named Shkenna. <br />
<br />
The mail brought a wrongly delivered letter for Dianne McKenney at 111 Jeffrey. When I closed up the garage this evening I found the book I lent to Ray Phaneuf in my newspaper box. There was no thank you note in the book. The paper today has a big article about how Hartford is considering a ballpark bigger than anything Springfield can afford. Called Karen Powell and told her about it and she was amazed, but had to hang up because she had a call from Councilor Bill Foley coming in on another line. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and I read him the key paragraphs from the <i>Courant</i> baseball article. Eamon says his friend Landers, who has a brick house in the Atwater section, is trying to sell his house but can't get the price he wants. He would like to move out of Springfield as quickly as possible, but won't take a loss on his house. Eamon spent some time recalling how Charlie Ryan ran against Ed Boland in 1968. Charlie tried to use the closing of the Springfield Armory against Boland but was unsuccessful. Finally, Eamon complained that the newspaper prints the salaries of all the bigshots in the Valley, but why don't they tell us the salary of David Starr?<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>July 15, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Lovely, mild day. <br />
<br />
The peace process in Ireland is declared to have collapsed. The 14th Annual <i>William Cullen Bryant Homestead Crafts Festival</i> will be held July 17 and 18 in Cummington, Massachusetts, just a short drive from Northampton and Pittsfield. Belle-Rita Novak was President of the Forest Park Civic Association for three years. Reading onward in Mapplethorpe. <br />
<br />
Cooked broccoli and beets in the same pot. Also had peaches with tuna fish sandwiches today and finished off the the potato salad from <i>Big Y</i>. First thing I drove down to <i>Copy Cat</i> and made <i>Legal Laughs</i> flyers on their new machine, which makes super copies for 50 cents. Got stuff at <i>Angelo's</i>, then out to <i>Goodwill</i> where I bought an orange Japanese elephant - most unusual. When I got back the new guy was mowing the lawn over to Kelly's. <br />
<br />
Received a card and <i>Wisconsin State Journal</i> from Merton Sealts today - says he is stable. Fran at <i>Fenway Golf</i> called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. She apologized. I called Donald Holland and told his receptionist about the <i>United Electric</i> light bulb stickpin. <br />
<br />
Called Tom Devine and thanked him for the information on Hurwitz and Berman, whom Tom described as being "in the pocket of David Starr." Tom said he hasn't seen much of the Twig Painter but says Twiggy is grateful for the <i>V-Mags</i> I've been sending him. Tom described himself as currently having "a torrid affair with a waiter from the <i>Colony Club</i>." <br />
<br />
Eamon called and thinks the paper's coverage of the <i>Northgate</i> meeting was very favorable. Karen Powell couldn't make it because she wasn't feeling well, but her husband Bob was there. He told Eamon that about 80 people were in attendance, almost all opposed. Mike Graney spoke and made a terrible presentation with no charts, figures or anything. He said at one point that Hispanics like baseball, an ethnic stereotype of course. <br />
<br />
Eamon also informed me that the speak out at City Hall has been cancelled because Graney could not make it - or perhaps he doesn't want to face the pressure of more questioning after last night. Eamon described Nick Fyntrilakis as having been "used by Albano for all these years" and now that Nick is no longer useful "it's all over for him."<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>July 17, 1999</b></center><br />
A man does what a man has to do, they say, but every man looks out for himself and nurtures and protects that which is near and dear to him. <br />
<br />
<i>Frigos</i> is located at 90 William Street in Springfield. There are <i>Goodwill</i> shops in Springfield, Chicopee, Palmer, Ware, Northampton and Hartford. Todd Roland is the store manager at the <i>CopyCat</i> print shop at <i>Breckwood</i>.<br />
<br />
John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife and her sister have been killed in a plane crash. Some wreckage has washed up but no bodies, they continue to search (would they search so hard for me?) These Kennedy people have always behaved as if they were gods or royalty but they are not and are constantly reminded of it. No PT-109 for this kid. Tom Brokaw was interviewing Doris Kearns from London, who is really aging, her face is getting lean and there are crows feet by her eyes. She said it was very murky where Kennedy was flying, and that he probably couldn't see anything. My condolences are minimal, more for the wife's family since they lost two and their hopes of being in-laws to big shots - the paths of glory lead only to the grave. <br />
<br />
Very uncomfortable overnight, but I haven't used the air conditioner at all so far this summer. Today I had berries in milk, peaches, plums, a banana, a large helping of toast, scrambled eggs, potato salad, a cucumber and a can of <i>Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup</i> and a salad. That's all. I drove out at 9am and left some magazines with Mrs. Staniski. Then to <i>Angelo's</i>, to Boston Road <i>Big Y</i>, <i>Price Rite</i> and then home as the mailman was coming down the street. Nothing from Hopgood. It was hot so I sat in the basement reading <i>Brotherhood of Fear</i> (1998). It is a popular book, not a work of scholarship. It lacks precision, missed key details and has too soft a focus in too many places. I wrote a letter of complaint to the publisher, see if I get a reply.<br />
<br />
Holed up here in the basement rapidly skimming <i>Reader's Digest's Treasures of America</i>. For supper last night I had a <i>Marie Callender Chicken and Broccoli Pot Pie</i>. It's big, with carrots and mushrooms and a crust that was flaky. It was full of food, not just some gravy with a couple of little chunks of something and was everything a pot pie should be and more, almost too big. However, the regular price is $3.49, which is preposterous. I bought two for $4 at <i>Big Y</i>, which is about all it's worth. I'll probably not buy them again. <br />
<br />
After a nap in the evening I finished reading in Fritscher. It is one of the best books I ever read on gay theory. He maintains that homosexuality is a virtue because queers don't breed and cause the social problems associated with overpopulation, precisely the point I made in my letter to Rep. Caron. I also read <i>Making of an American Warrior</i> in the August <i>Reader's Digest</i>. Well written, but lacks the rawly descriptive and theoretical underpinnings of the Ricks book which I so love. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he was impressed by Ricks' <i>Making the Corps</i>, saying that experiences on Paris Island leave "a deep-rooted, indelible mark on its members." Eamon feels there are a lot of funny women working for Clinton. He wondered whether Donna Shalala is a lesbian. Is Hillary? Reno? Eamon told me that Tim Ryan's uncle Paul Sears owns one-sixth of the <i>Northgate</i> complex, but Ryan would vote against the stadium anyway even if that were not the case. Ryan asked the Ethics Commission if there was a conflict and got permission to vote on the issue. Eamon also said he got an invitation from Albano to a fundraiser on the 24th. I didn't get one yet but it may be along. <br />
<br />
<center><b>July 19, 1999 <br /></b></center><p>Ray Herschel on <i>TV40</i> said the U.S. Census Bureau thinks the 6 billionth person was born last night. Kennedy corpses not yet found, just pieces of wreckage. Also in the news: <i>Viagra</i> adds to the life of a flower in water, a 50mg pill will sustain a vase of roses for a week. This could be a source of humor for some comedian, men want sex but woman would rather have roses, stealing their husband's pills and so on. The Society of Mayflower Descendants will have their Summer Meeting on August 7 at the <i>Sheepscott Inn</i> (formerly the <i>Muddy Rudder</i>) in Edgecomb. </p><p>People are getting the impression that every time Peter Picknelly makes a charitable gift he expects his name to be chiseled in stone. Well, there are more donor asses to be licked than Mr. Picknelly's. <br />
<br />
This was a hot day and I did a lot. I ate modestly, fruit for breakfast, two burgers, a piece of pie for supper and that's it. No red <i>Bronco</i> next door anymore, Ken is gone and the new guy looks more businesslike, clean cut and younger than Ken. I drove out to <i>Breckwood</i> where I made copies and got the paper out of the trash. Then downtown, where I parked on Salem Street. Talked with bankers Paul Ennis at <i>Hampden</i> and Kammy Niccum at <i>Fleet</i>. The <i>Advocate</i> lady with her cup of coffee was standing in the entrance way of <i>Johnson's</i> again. <br />
<br />
In <i>U.S. Factory Outlet</i> I got two pairs of summer slacks, one purple, one black, for $2 each. In the <i>SIS</i> building I asked about the Census office and was taken upstairs. It just opened and they were friendly as I told them how somebody in my family has worked on the census each decade of this century and I'd like to continue the tradition into the new century. I said I would be back soon to apply. I was in my collar and jacket but with my jeans over my laced boots. <br />
<br />
Then up to <i>Walmart</i> on Boston Road to drop off some film to be developed. The film has pictures of <i>Northgate</i>, Nader and his dad and Patty at the <i>Goodwill</i> opening. From there to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, where many parking spaces were empty. The mall continues to go downhill, with more empty stores than ever before. <i>Cherry & Webb</i> is now gone, although the cinema complex is coming along nicely. <br />
<br />
I sat on a bench and was approached by Jennifer of <i>Freedman Marketing</i>, asking if I would agree to be in a survey. I agreed even though she said there would be no compensation. She showed me some credit card designs with diamonds on them. I told her they were all pretty mediocre. After she left, I went to the game room and played one game of <i>Terminator</i> for 25 cents. I then went to the food court and got a couple of cheeseburgers at <i>McDonald's</i>. It started raining as I was headed back.<br />
<br />
Despite the rain, in Pine Point I stopped by the gallery of Doyle the Twig Painter. Sampson from the music store next door was there and an old fat man named Tom who talked a lot. I looked at the paintings hanging on the walls and they were all very good, especially his Vietnam painting <i>For Nothin'</i>. I told Doyle he should start putting copyright notices on all his stuff and asked where he got his supplies from. He said the <i>Hobby Shop</i> in East Longmeadow. As I departed, I told Doyle to call me anytime. Certainly I was dressed temptingly. <br />
<br />
<i>Kimball Farms</i> called while I was out. Eamon called and said his mother thought most of the Kennedy's were stupid. He told me that the Twig Painter is a millionaire and has made a lot of money over the years selling pictures to <i>MassMutual</i> to decorate their executive's offices. He claimed that years ago he used to visit Doyle regularly when Eamon had an office in the area.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>July 20, 1999</b><br /></center><p>
Cooler.<br />
<br />
No Kennedy bodies yet. There was a lot in the paper today about the ballpark; a lot of banks have been dragged by the hair to make some puny contributions. David Valinho and Richard Fish worked for <i>Vanguard Bank</i> in 1991. <i>WFCR</i> is playing the <i>Pastoral Symphony</i> right now, I do love it. </p><p>I have to disagree with the advertisement for "big" art for the downtown windows during "Young Artist Month." Young Artist Month is a great idea. But I dislike "the bigger the better" as a general principle. We've all also heard of "big and dumb." We have to communicate the right values to young artists, and the seminal value for artists is that it's quality, not quantity, substance, not form. <br />
<br />
Airing the house out. Today I went to the bsseball stadium presentation at <i>City Stage</i>. I left here at 6:15pm and parked by <i>Tower Square</i> at 6:35. I cut through <i>Tower Square</i> and headed toward <i>City Stage</i>. The outdoor tables at <i>Pizzeria Uno</i> were practically full, as a two man band played on a little stage. I spotted Hurwitz and went over to say hi. He politely asked me about the "anti-semitic stuff" at the end of my latest memo. </p><p>I told him I think the person secretly circulating the slanderous <i>Dark Side of J. Wesley Miller</i> essay is Jewish. He was sympathetic and said that shows how the person who wrote it lacks the courage to confront me personally and identify themselves. Hurwitz then asked me point blank, "Are you anti-semitic?" I answered just as directly, "Of course not." Our encounter ended on a friendly note. <br />
<br />
From <i>Uno</i> I entered the small theater and it was well filled. I counted 137 people present. Dave Madsen was there from TV, I tried talking to him but he rudely ignored me. Timothy Rooke greeted me, as did Councilor Foley and Barbara Garvey. Tom Devine was there and offered me a copy of his latest publication, but I declined, telling him I had already picked one up at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. </p><p>Mayor Albano gave me a gigantic smile and said he loves my outfits. I chatted with Professor Zimbalist and Todd Crosett. Maureen Turner arrived late and marveled at my leather outfit. I told her I was revealing "my dark side." I gave her a bag of reading material and asked her if she would like to go out for a pizza sometime. She said she would think about it. </p><p>There was no PA system. Albano gave a very self-serving speech. Graney was inaudible. Mr. Crossett has polished his presentation wonderfully from the job he did earlier at Springfield College. When Dr. Mark Mullan (my personal physician) came on I shouted "Louder!" to no avail. I again complained when Angelo Puppolo was asking a question that couldn't be heard. No public event should be held where there is no sound system. </p><p>At the end they didn't take questions, but asked people to submit their
inquiries on little pieces of paper. Dave Madsen read only a couple of
them. Madsen (like Beth Carroll) grew up around here and may be a flunky for
the establishment. The meeting ended at 8:45pm. </p><p>It's clear that the lack of promotion of this and similar events is a form of social control. Their attitude is that the fewer people that know what's going on the better. Therefore they delay providing information and tell the timid that their inquiries are impertinent. If all else fails, they hold the forum in a place with poor acoustics so listeners cannot be sure whether they heard correctly and therefore cannot write down every stupid syllable that was uttered. <br />
<br />
The mail brought a fundraising letter from Albano, which said in part, "Asking for political donations is never an easy task. Unfortunately, the cost of running for Mayor has become astronomical - over $300,000 is now required to run a credible campaign. However, ineffective leadership can be even more costly." <br />
<br />
Called <i>Freedman Marketing</i> and got Joan, who said they do surveys at 45 shopping centers besides the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, and sometimes they give something to interviewees, sometimes not. We chatted about the mall and she agreed that the refurbished cinema will improve traffic flow to <i>Eastfield</i> as a whole. </p><p>Eamon's phone editorial now says that due to a lack of air conditioning, the <i>Daylight News</i> is out of service. Listeners are invited to send information about incompetency, corruption and mismanagement to "suburban scribe David Starr" and then gave Starr's private home number. <br />
<br />
Eamon called tonight and claimed he is getting more calls to his editorials every day. Today he said he got two calls from Tom Devine, three from county offices and four from the Hall of Fame, as well as ten spread across various departments in City Hall. He also got three from the downtown post office and four from the <i>Union-News</i>. Those are interesting statistics. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>July 21, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Lovely, cool air.<br />
<br />
Today, Barry Kriger and Brenda Garton informed us that the Kennedy bodies were found inside the plane, which was broken in pieces with the engine separate from the rest. Kennedy Jr. will be buried at sea, but what about his wife? </p><p>Atty. Alan Goodman has a new ad running on <i>TV40</i> about nursing home mistreatment cases. Team Albano will hold a signature drive on the 24th from 10am until noon. Afterwards a lunch of hotdogs, hamburgs, beer and soda will be served to campaign workers at <i>An Elegant Affair</i> on Main Street. <i>The Carriage House at Barney Estates</i> does not allow alcoholic beverages beyond certain designated areas. </p><p>Springfield teenagers can neither read nor write so they should file a class action suit against the teachers, superintendents and politicians for academic malpractice, seeking damages for pain and suffering, emotional cruelty and lifetime lost wages. <br />
<br />
Blackberries are ripening rapidly. Trash was picked up promptly at 7:28am. I decided to drive up to the <i>Ingleside Mall</i>, where I went to <i>Barnes & Noble</i> and looked over the military books. I bought three, and the young cashier thoughtfully informed me that the books were on sale and gave me a 10% discount on my entire purchase. However, I will always hate <i>Barnes & Noble</i> for their role in driving <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i> out of business. Came through <i>Bed & Bath</i> and they said they don't sell unbreakable chinaware. As I was leaving, there was a bomb scare at <i>Target</i>. I hurriedly departed before I could be detained as a suspect. <br />
<br />
I dined today on a <i>Banquet Turkey Dinner</i>, fruit and pie. Mail today was disappointing. All I got was a small 10oz container of <i>Star Peanuts</i>. I wrote them a consumer complaint about finding a hair in their container of nuts, informing them that since I am a skinhead it could not have come from me. However, I feel cheated because the can with the hair in it was a 16oz can I got at the <i>Ocean State Job Lot</i>, and they only sent me a 10oz one. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he thought the media did "a nice job" covering last night's stadium meeting. Eamon then recalled how he met James Murray Hilman, a nephew of Sen. Abe Rubicoff, in the service. Hillman washed out of the naval academy in less than six months, but today Hilman is a big lawyer in Hartford and has been a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. A few years ago Dan Kelly, then an assistant to Matty Ryan, informed Eamon "you've got a great friend in Hartford, Jim Hilman thinks the world of you."<br />
<br />
Called Tom Devine at 10:30pm and he was at the WNEC law library. I called back and got him at 11:30pm. I quizzed Tom about Mo Turner but he didn't spill much info. He thinks Mo is about 30 years old and said she is not married and probably not a lesbian. He sat with Mo at the meeting in the same row as Larry McDermott, who got up and left as soon as the pro-stadium people finished their presentation. Devine agreed that they should have had a PA system. I told Tom that Zimbalist's books have been published by <i>Princeton University Press</i>, but Tom isn't sophisticated enough academically to appreciate the significance of that. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>July 23, 1999</b></center><p>
Getting warmer, overcast.<br />
<br />
Mother has been dead for six months. </p><p>Before I was a lawyer, I was a college English teacher, and I can tell you that once upon a time there were classes in speech. Among the topics taught were projection (Cicero and John Wesley spoke to enormous audiences and were heard) and annunciation (pronouncing words so that they can be understood). Speaking nice and loud and enunciating clearly are responsibilities of the speaker, and a speaker who can't make himself heard by his audience is in fact a speaker who cannot speak. <br />
<br />
Channel 40 ran a story where a woman said she thought there had been too much Kennedy coverage. Tipper Gore was in town this afternoon, having come up from Hartford. The 30th anniversary of Woodstock celebration is this weekend. Edward D. Friedman is a lawyer who was on the School Committee and got into trouble. <br />
<br />
My watch mysteriously beeped twenty times at 3:30am. Blackberry bushes are loaded, some ripe. Checked the fluids in the car, then out to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres to make copies. First I left three magazines in Cohn's chair, I haven't spoken to him in a while. The <i>Pride's Subway</i> sandwich unit was open. Their baloney deli sandwiches are only 99 cents, so I got one and consumed it on the premises. <br />
<br />
Next I left my arts memo on Tom Devine's back porch, then on to the Forest Park Post Office to mail Mother's death certificate. The triangle where the Avalon Block was has been transformed into a pretty neighborhood park with marigolds and other flowers around. Looks good. At the corner of White and Allen right behind the gas station I bought some pipe hangers at <i>Manny's Plumbing</i>. Then over to the <i>McDonald's</i> on Allen and had a steak and egg bagel. <br />
<br />
I went to Longmeadow and was told by <i>Longmeadow Florist</i> across from <i>Brightwood Hardware</i>, that their <i>Tiffany</i> lamps sell from $150 to $300. There are merchants around that have stuff, just not in Springfield. When I got back I saw that Birchland Avenue had been visited by the street sweeper. Dined on <i>Hormel Chili</i> from <i>Food Mart</i> with <i>Kraft Stove Top Stuffing</i>.<br />
<br />
A letter from Election Commissioner J. Sullivan came in the mail about poll training sessions. It was mailed on the 13th but didn't arrive until today - suspicious. Eamon called and said <i>Casio</i> is a good brand of sports watch, he's surprised I found one in the trash. Eamon claims that Nader the Hatter is trying to get the state police to revoke his father's driver's license. The doctor agrees he should not be driving. Eamon then recommended a car dealer he knows, Edward Borlen of <i>Hilltop Motors</i> up on Worthington Street. <br />
<br />
I left a message for Maureen Turner telling her I would send a critique of her current article. Spoke to Mr. Whitney, who said he has been in the hospital for a chronic stomach condition but is better now. He told me that he was briefed on the Stadium meeting by Tommy Devine. Whitney claimed there were many local Republicans at that meeting, but I saw only Devine, who oftens helps the local GOP, but whom I believe is actually registered as an independent. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>July 25, 1999</b><br /></center><p>
Hot, very uncomfortable last night. <br />
<br />
I am wearing one of the pipe hangers as a collar. Read <i>Japanese Art of War</i>, leafed through Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella (long sentences, section on gardens is in poetry). Just a little left to read in Sun Tsu' treatise on war. American life has been militarized since 1914 and especially since Vietnam. Military thinking now permeates everything. </p><p><i>The Valley Advocate</i> has a letter in it this week by former City Councilor Mitchell Ogulewicz in which he does a nice job explaining "why Francis Gagnon doesn't understand her critics and why they regard her with such reservation." He says, "She comes across with an elitist and condescending attitude - as if she and she alone knows what is best for the boards on which she serves." <br />
<br />
I love the cartoonist Pat Oliphant. <i>WFCR</i> had something this morning about Jesse Ventura running for President. I'd certainly consider supporting him. Wrote some letters this morning. Out first thing and made copies at <i>Pride</i> and bought newspapers at <i>Newsstand</i>. The Troop 239 book sale was a dud with the cops preventing parking out front. <br />
<br />
Dined on a can of <i>Campbell's</i> beans, for main dinner had <i>Weight Watcher's Smart Ones Chicken Chow Mein Dinner</i>. I should have bought more of them when they were on sale. Nader the Hatter called wanting help with a letter he is writing to get his father, Abraham C. Nader, a medical competency test to stop him from driving. We went over it and got rid of several passive voice constructions. Nader thought his original draft was awkward, but now he is delighted with the results of my edits. Nader said he may come by for some of my berries if he finds the time. <br />
<br />
I was surprised this evening to get a phone call from my old classmate Archie Strong. He was calling to see whether I had heard anything about a class reunion this year, but I said I had heard nothing. Back at Classical, Archie spent all his time reading books on Physics, along with Billy White, Jim Coyle and Mike Spencer. Archie was short, somewhat gabby with a sense of humor. I recall he was in the chess club and had a sister named Shirley. Archie got his bachelor's in Math from UMass and now works with computers in Pennsylvania. He is down to Earth and always has been, a little guy who gets things done. He recalled of me, "You were always a hard worker." I told him about my life now and what I know of some of our classmates and we exchanged addresses. I'll send him some stuff.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>July 26, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Hot and humid, thunderstorm at 7pm.<br />
<br />
<i>Salads & Such</i> closed last weekend. <i>The Springfield Newspapers</i> are looking for people to deliver the <i>Union-News Extra</i> in Northampton and Springfield. The Farmer's Market at the X kicks off its first Multicultural Entertainment Series in the <i>Goodwill</i> parking lot on July 27. It will feature acts such as Tony Vacca, Gene Bassili, The Floyd Patterson Band and the The Healys. <br />
<br />
Drove out first thing, made copies and put out the mail at <i>Breckwood</i>, then into the city and parked on Salem. Walked down the hill and saw that the <i>Westfield Savings Bank</i> was having its Grand Opening at 10am, so I had time to attend the service for JFK Jr. at St. Michael's. <br />
<br />
There was a man playing bagpipes out front and the cathedral was about two-thirds full, with Bishop Maguire presiding. Fran Gagnon, in a light blue dress, was one of the liturgists. When Richie Neal and Albano walked in, the Mayor smiled and waved to me. I nodded back from where I was sitting in the corner back seat on the left-hand side. No collection was taken.<br />
<br />
When it was over, I walked back down the hill, pausing to ask a few questions at <i>Labor Ready</i>. The manager Steve Benoit told me you have to come at 5am and maybe they will have work, maybe not. They usually have lots of jobs doing housekeeping in local hotels for $6 per hour. You get paid that day or next, although he said there was not much work today. Then over to <i>Subway</i> and Shkena served me well. I saw a half dozen minority teenagers in navy blue t-shirts that said New England Farm Worker's Council on the front. I would love to buy one of those shirts but they never come on the market. The kids were scraping stickers and dirt off of electric light poles on Main Street. <br />
<br />
Next I headed to the <i>Westfield Bank</i> Grand Opening at 1341 Main Street. They passed out little folders with a quarter in them reading, "Two bits of advice: Switch to <i>Westfield Bank!</i>" I chatted with Rick Zabielski, who told me that their special Grand Opening CD rates would be available for about a month. <br />
<br />
Next I came through the porn shop on Apremont. What was formerly a whole stall of gay magazines was only half full, but they said they will have a new shipment on Thursday. Then out to Wilbraham to pay my taxes, on the way back I stopped at the <i>Goodwill</i> and bought a lovely cloisonne bowl with lid for $3. Got home around 11:45am. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he thinks Nader the Hatter will definitely move to Florida. Colleen Walker from <i>New England Dermotology</i> called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>, wanting to know if we do retirement parties for 50 to 60 people. I replied that they are so much work and the guests are often unruly, so we no longer handle that sort of thing. <br />
<br />
Called Tom Devine and he liked that I included his website in my biographical note. He told me that <i>Bax & O'Brien</i> on <i>WAQY</i> mentioned me in their report on the stadium presentation, referring to me as "Mr. Purple Pants." Devine said they also had Tom Vannah on recently.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>July 27, 1999</b></center><p><br />
We are now in a prolonged heatwave, in the 90's every day. No rain. Blackberries ripening slowly rather than suddenly. Gas is $1.15 per gallon on the corner of Alden, it has gone up quite a bit. "Home again, home again, jiggity-jig" was an expression which Mother used to say when we got home from a drive in the 1950's. </p><p>I loved the <i>Bank of Boston</i> art collection, but not the <i>Heritage Bank</i>
collection because it looks like something cheap they just bought off
the shelf. <br />
<br />
Dined today on <i>Smart Ones Angel Hair Pasta</i> with chicken and stuffing. Today's first event was delivering a package of stuff to <i>WAQY</i> in East Longmeadow. On the way there I honked at Belle-Rita N. as she was getting into her car on Belmont. <i>WAQY</i> is located at the end of Fisher Street, out behind the <i>Stop&Shop</i> shopping center. They have a neat little building with a tower and a large parking lot. I rang the doorbell and a guy wearing shorts and a t-shirt came to the door and thanked me for dropping off my envelope and that was it. <br />
<br />
Arriving downtown, I parked on Pearl and picked up a poster I saw on a pole in the traffic island between Harrison Place and <i>SIS</i>. Then to City Hall to pay my taxes and attend the poll worker's meeting. The tall, clean cut black man who is Vice-Chair of the Election Commission greeted me and we chatted a bit before he disappeared into the Municipal Personnel Office. At the meeting there were 98 poll workers present, virtually all of them old ladies, two of them with walkers. Seventeen were men, six blacks and two Latinos. I was one of the youngest people present, and I am 57. </p><p>Desir Sullivan arrived promptly and passed out forms about voting regulations, which he went over with us. No discussion or chance to ask questions. I spoke to Sullivan briefly afterwards, and he said it has been hard with all the pressure he's been under to retire so that Albano can replace him. He agreed with me that we certainly need younger and a greater number of minorities as poll workers. Ended at 10:29am.<br />
<br />
When I got home I called Tom Devine to tell him about the poll worker's meeting. He told me he is thinking about quitting working at the polls. I told him to keep his options open until closer to the primary. Craig then called for the Springfield Police asking donations to keep kids "doing sports instead of doing drugs." I said I'm not fully employed and can do nothing for them. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he just got off the phone with Officer Spellacy, who told him that Stassi Hieropolis is no longer with <i>Yankee Candle</i>. Eamon at one point described himself as a great admirer of Fulton J. Sheehan and thought he should have been chosen for Cardinal. Eamon then talked about Father Lynch, whom he worked with in the navy. Eamon helped him to get a fancy apartment and they had fun drinking together. <br />
<br />
Eamon recalled how <i>Bax & O'Brien</i> at <i>WAQY</i> used to record his phone editorials and play them on the air, although they haven't done so recently. Eamon says he disagrees with <i>United Co-Op</i> lending money for the stadium scam. He has written to Bank President Labbe telling him he has several accounts with them and disagrees with their use of bank funds for what amounts to a public relations stunt. He doesn't think much of Jack Briggs either. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>July 28, 1999</b><br /></center><p>
I slept on the sofa last night. We've had 20 days over 90 this year. Peter Hart was on NBC this evening telling about the economy. I haven't seen him for ages. Councilor Foley is taking a job at the West Springfield office of the lottery at $55,000 per year.</p><p>Because of the Springfield Armory, there was once lots of local machinery companies around here. I have a number of their catalogs in my collection. Charles K. Treiber and I brought up the idea of a museum of local machinery to the Quadrangle, but it went nowhere. <br />
<br />
I drove out at 9am and left several magazines at the Cohn's. Then I left off an envelope for Caprio at WNEC with the usual receptionist. Next I made copies at <i>CopyCat</i> and mailed out some letters at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. Got the new <i>Valley Advocate</i>, which has an article about the North End Community Council approving the stadium project with only three members voting against. Next stop was dropping off books and magazines with Mrs. Staniski. She told me that the 88 Dodge she bought in 1989 has a broken air conditioner, so she brought it to <i>Hampden Dodge</i>. They said they needed $1,800 to repair it. Sounds fishy, but difficult to prove any wrong-doing. <br />
<br />
I drove up to the <i>Holyoke Mall</i> at Ingleside, where I arrived at 10:57am. Stopped at <i>Wilson's</i>, where the number of biker jackets in stock is way down. At <i>Ambercrombie and Fitch</i> for $6 I bought their Back to School catalog. Then I visited <i>Target</i> and <i>Best Buy</i>, both of which seem too large. Neither sold chinaware. After looking at the cameras in <i>Best Buy</i> I departed <i>Holyoke Mall</i> around 12:30pm. <br />
<br />
Paper says Walter Jackson Bates has died on July 26th. The mail brought a refund from <i>Baystate Ambulance</i> for $56 for double billing on Mother's ambulance service. Dined on a <i>Swanson Fish & Chips Dinner</i>. Called Melinda McIntosh and told her she ought to get the <i>Ambercrombie & Fitch</i> catalog because it has a royalist theme. Karen Powell called and said the North End Community Council is funded by the Mayor and he probably twisted some arms. She also said she thinks Jesse Jackson might run for president again. <br />
<br />
Eamon O'Sullivan called and said that Dan Gordon is re-paving his driveway for $800. Eamon has also bought a new car, a polo green 1998 Cadillac that was Tom Donahue's. Tom's wife didn't like it so he sold it to Eamon with only 3200 miles on it. Eamon likes the Mapplethorpe book and is looking over the <i>Reader's Digest</i> sightseeing book. <br />
<br />
Eamon thinks I will hear nothing from the Anti-Defamation League. He can't believe he will be 65 next year. Eamon talked a bit about Jack Sweeney who used to work at Commerce as a history teacher and was "an out and out homosexual" who used to perform with Tom Dowd's brother at the <i>Liberty Theater</i>. He was involved with a lot of kid athletics at Van Horn Park and eventually ended up as a guidance councilor at the jail. Eamon also told me that Sam Abrams, who Eamon says actually runs the Registrar of Deeds, is a good friend of his. Eamon is friends with everybody. <br />
</p><center><b>July 29, 1999</b></center><br />
Gas is $1.15 at the cheap places.<br />
<br />
It is a principle of life that one hole in the dyke is all it takes. It is principle of wide application.<br />
<br />
Report says pilot error, not mechanical malfunction was the cause of the JFK Jr. crash. Of course. This is Peter Jennings 61st birthday, said NPR. Lately Eamon has been quoting me things he hears from <i>MS-NBC</i>. Belle-Rita Novak has a <i>Letter to the Editor</i> in which she urges everyone to "fight against the rising tide of litter" in the city. Rosanna Zingales is the Site Manager for <i>Morgan Square Apartments</i>. Nose ring piercings are $45 at <i>Viper's Nest Piercing</i> on Worthington Street. <br />
<br />
Up at 5:30am. <i>WFCR</i> at 7:15am had a guy on talking about how our War on Drugs in Columbia is creating a downward spiral in that country. This is why we should dump the War on Drugs. Aired the house out, cleaned up the kitchen and did two loads of wash. There was a motorcycle parked next door while I was hanging the wash. Soon a fellow came along wearing an upside-down flag on his t-shirt who got on the bike and drove away.<br />
<br />
Drove out a bit late and made copies at <i>CopyCat</i>. When I left there were a lot of cars parked around WNEC Law. Eamon says they are giving bar exams for the first time due to Judge J.M.Greaney, who teaches there. From <i>Breckwood</i> I headed for downtown and dined on a coupon at <i>Pizzeria Uno</i>. Hurtwitz was there entertaining two young men, perhaps job candidates. From there I went to <i>Friends</i>, where a woman was tending bar and there was not a single customer. <br />
<br />
Came through the State Tax Office and asked for some forms, but the lady took forever to find them, so I told her, "Madam, my request is so simple that the forms should be at your fingertips." A man came up and asked politely if he could be of assistance. I told him what I wanted and he went over to a filing cabinet and gave me the forms. I thanked them politely and left. In my full skinhead leather jacket and boots I arrived at the Jewish Community Center. The regular, chubby receptionist was not there, but Dianne in the corner office told me that Kathy Shwartz was in a meeting. She took my phone number.<br />
<br />
The mail brought another brochure from <i>Sampson Family Chapels</i>. I called and spoke to John Sampson, who tried to play dumb, but then got angry and said he was taking out a restraining order against me. I told him I found his constant mailings to be a form of harassment and told him once again to stop contacting me. This evening Tom Bevacqua was wearing a light orange polo shirt. <br />
<br />
<center><b>July 31, 1999</b></center><br />
Oppressively warm, air is heavy and stinky.<br />
<br />
Scott Harshbarger has been named President of Common Cause, probably a better job than governor. <i>WFCR</i> says Vermont is launching an anti-smoking crusade by calling the habit "a gross-out." Some clever person on the radio said, "Basketball is a contact sport. Football is a collision sport." August 14th is the 50th Anniversary of Stanley Park. <br />
<br />
I'm watering my plants, but they are still wilting, my artichokes are half their normal height. I was up early and cooked beans and broccoli. I mailed Maureen Turner a birthday card, some stuff to Archie Strong and an envelope for Tom Hopgood at <i>Breckwood</i>. <i>Louis & Clark</i> has removed the bulletin board they had in their entrance way, thus eliminating a posting place that had been growing in popularity and had become useful. They have replaced it with a poster promoting the services of their store. People just don't understand the importance of bulletin boards. Similarly, I noticed recently that the business card bulletin board just inside the doorway of the <i>Newsstand</i> in 16 Acres is also gone. <i>The Big Y</i> in the Acres also used to have a bulletin board, but they removed it about a year ago. <br />
<br />
After putting out the mail at <i>Breckwood</i>, I proceeded to the <i>Goodwill</i> in the Acres to use a half-off coupon on any single item which was expiring today. They have some nice furniture there, but I have no desire for furniture, so I settled for half off the book <i>A Century of Progress: The General Electric Story</i>. It is a really good picture book which at half-price I got for $6. The grey ironwork is up at the 16 Acres Library addition and there is a flag on a pole hanging from the front peak. Then over to <i>Big Y</i> for groceries, to my good fortune <i>Smart Ones Dinners</i> were on special again, two for three dollars. I bought eight. <br />
<br />
Mail has been thin lately. Downtown yesterday I parked on Fairbanks and saw a Classical Reunion sign on the <i>Hurley Plumbing</i> building, which is adjacent to the Cabrini. It read, "Where in the World is the Classical High School Class of 1959?" It then listed a number 781-2984, which I called today and left the address of Archie Strong so they can contact him. I never said who I was. Called Aunt Maria and it rang ten times before she picked up. She was polite, said she isn't too hot and doesn't need anything. Arthur A. Parent called from 737-1326 and apologized for calling the wrong number. The heat gave me a headache this afternoon. I'm glad Mother isn't here for this heat. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-31655071457771707312018-09-13T18:41:00.018-04:002024-03-18T14:05:06.586-04:00August 1999<br />
<br />
<center><b>August 2, 1999</b></center><br />
62 degrees, first thing. <br />
<br />
Many teachers know very little - narrowly educated teachers produce narrowly educated students. Grace Coolidge's engagement ring has been stolen from an exhibit at the Vermont Historical Society. It was donated in 1982 by her son. <i>Allied Signal</i> is purchasing <i>Moneywell</i>, which is in trouble. There are so many mergers and acquisitions these days. Historians Mim and Wes Herwig of Randall, Vermont are pretty uppity, pushy people, great self-promoters. The Carriage House at Barney Estate parking lot holds approximately 65. <i>Sampson's Funeral</i> is located at 21 Tinkham Road. <br />
<br />
Aired the house out, dined for breakfast on oatmeal and blueberries. I listened to <i>Rock 102</i> this morning and Angelo Puppolo was on for about a half hour. He said the vote on whether to take <i>Northgate</i> will be the 16th, with the funding vote later. Hosts Bax and O'Brien asked excellent questions, laid back but deadly competent. I called Karen Powell to make sure she was listening. I also called Eamon but he was just about to head out for errands. <br />
<br />
Out bright and early and got the paper out of the trash at the <i>Breckwood Shops</i>. I also found a red <i>Big Y</i> coin. I never get <i>Big Y</i> coins on my own because I don't buy enough. I buy only the specials because they overcharge on most brands and their own cheap brand items are inferior. Then into the copy shop and only the boss was there. He made 50 pieces of letterhead for me, but when I gave him a twenty he announced he had nothing in the cash register but twenties. That happens too often. I told him the twenty I was offering was legal tender for all debts, but he declined to get change or put it on account, so I told him I would come back and get my letterhead when I got around to it. I also put out several pieces of mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. <br />
<br />
From there I got a steak, egg and cheese bagel for free with a coupon at <i>McDonald's</i>, where I read the paper. I saw that Eamon's friend the builder and auto repair guy Bertrand G. Talbot of Spears Road, has died at age 76. Next I went to the Jewish Community Center where the chubby receptionist was back and told me K.S. was in a meeting. I popped into the Holocaust Museum and had a good chat with Jane Trigere and her companion Lynn who run it. She asked about my attire and I told her I am a masculine oriented homosexual. She said her family was in the 5th Avenue fashion business and knew lots of gays. She showed me the library and I signed the register. <br />
<br />
Next I headed down to Enfield, where barely over the line is a clean, well-lighted porn shop called <i>Bookends</i>. In fact, the outward appearance was so respectable I thought it was a bookstore. They have bondage equipment not available at any of the Springfield shops, including a wonderful biker jacket with "Loud, Fast and Out of Control" on the back. I bought a copy of the <i>Gay Yellow Pages</i>. Interesting that Springfield and Longmeadow can support a porn shop, but not a good used bookstore.<br />
<br />
Down the road is <i>Vibrations</i>, which has a hippie look on the outside and in. It is a complete head shop with little brass, clay and stone pipes. They also have hookahs, bongs, incense and florescent posters. They also sell products for covering up your drug use in employer screening tests, such as <i>Sweet Pee's Urine Test Spoiler</i> and <i>Tommy Chongs Urine Detoxification Products</i>. I also swung by the Storr's Library, where they had a pile of things about Sacco and Vanzetti on their information table. <br />
<br />
Today I was reading from the <i>Oxford Companion to Edwardian Fiction</i>, wrote two queer sonnets and several letters. <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 3, 1999</b></center><br />
This is the third consecutive summer of below normal precipitation. The miserable truth is that my plants are wilting for lack of water. Had oatmeal and blackberries for breakfast. First thing I headed down to the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> to get a money order. Mrs. Allard was in line and greeted me cheerfully. She says she can smell the skunks at night that she thinks live under Elmer's shed. <br />
From there I headed downtown to <i>Jeff's Framing</i> on East Columbus Avenue and left a $20 deposit on framing Bragg. Then to the <i>Union-News</i>, where I parked in the Visitor parking lot and left with a young woman receptionist my blunderbuss <i>Letter to the Editor</i> criticizing the paper for not doing more to promote recycling. <br />
<br />
I've decided to stop going to <i>Pizzeria Uno</i> now that their half-off pizza offer ended in July. So I parked on Fairbanks and walked down to <i>The Fort/Student Prince</i>. They were doing a good business but it was not packed. I had their luncheon special with a $2.90 mug of beer. They only gave me a single butter pat for two slices of bread, served on a metal plate with their trademark lightly stenciled on it. The silverware was not marked. The chowder was wonderful with corn, potatoes, onions and just a trace of ham. The sauerkraut was distinctive. But the buttered noodles were dull and the pork chop was thin but otherwise okay. The Indian Pudding was a treat with a little scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. <br />
<br />
At the end I asked Rudi in a grey vest where the name <i>Student Prince</i> came from and he knew all about Heidelberg and Tiffin and gave me a 60th anniversary newsletter they issued. It's a nice place, but I'll not be going back soon because it is too expensive. I'm sure my parents never dined there, they never dined out anywhere. On the way back I paused to get a lovely full-color poster for the Puerto Rican Festival from the window of a vacant storefront at the corner of White and Orange. <br />
<br />
The Jewish Federation called while I was out. The mail brought a polite letter from WNEC's Caprio thanking me for my suggestions about their signs out front. <i>The Reminder</i> came late in the afternoon. Had <i>Rice-a-Roni</i> for supper. Eamon called and said he can't see me tomorrow because he is going to Bert Talbot's funeral at Liberty Methodist. The paper said Talbot will be buried at Oak Grove, but Eamon said the burial will actually be at Gate of Heaven. Eamon said the Whitcomb's of David Street "were very good to me" as a little boy of about four or five and took him to camp at Otis and Becket in the summertime. Pearl Whitcomb was Talbot's wife. <br />
<br />
Eamon also informed me that there will be an anniversary mass for his mother at the nunnery on Wednesday. When I told him I went to <i>The Fort</i> he exclaimed, "I'm surprised they let you in the way you dress." Eamon then told me that Leonard Collamore is at his big house down on the Cape, which led to him talking about John R. Auchter, whom he first met way back when he was involved in the anti-fluoride Citizen's Rights Association. Eamon feels a little annoyed that he hasn't heard from Nader the Hatter in a while.<br />
<br />
<center><b>August 5, 1999</b><br /></center><p>
Lovely, cool weather. <br />
<br />
The news said that Osama (bin Laden's first name) is now the most common name for baby male Arabs. George K. Charkoudian, an oral surgeon and orchard owner, has died in Wilbraham at age 62. His brother John once asked me if I'd give him a blowjob in the Classical High Men's Room. I declined. </p><p>Michael Matty is Vice President for Investments for <i>D.J. St. Germaine Company</i>. This summer, Club Metro in Northampton is running all ages dance parties every Wednesday and Saturday. The hippest county fair around is taking place under the guise of the <i>Litchfield Jazz Festival</i> at the Goshen Fair Grounds in Connecticut. <br />
<br />
I see several cars parked in front of 100 Birchland a lot of the time. Blackberries are blooming, I'm still reading Edwardian fiction. Dined modestly on a can of <i>Progresso Minestrone Soup</i> and a cheese and ham hotpocket plus fruit. I think I have been gaining weight and that should not be. Spent half an hour researching Maria Giroux today and a half hour on Mother's estate. I took Sweet Pea and Honey Pot out and photographed them in front of my zinnias, which have done well. <br />
<br />
I called Eamon and told him I was coming over, promising to tone down my attire a bit so as not to alarm his neighbors. First I went to <i>CopyCat</i> and then to <i>Louis & Clark</i> to mail Mother's death certificate to <i>Banner</i> and <i>Monarch</i>. I also got one of Devine's handouts from the free paper section. When I arrived at Eamon's, he had his rooster flag out. His forest green Cadillac with the leather seats was parked in his newly paved driveway. We looked at his garden and nothing is wilting, you can bet that Eamon has been good about watering. He gave me a bag of reading material and I gave him mine. <br />
<br />
After I left Eamon's I headed up the hill to <i>Kentucky Fried Chicken</i> and had their thigh and leg meal with cole slaw, which was really good, sweet like Mother made it, not sour, with fried potato wedges and a biscuit, all for a whopping $4.02. I won't be going to <i>KFC</i> again soon, it is good but way too much. Then into <i>Savers</i>, which had some nice chairs, but I bought absolutely nothing. I was surprised they no longer offer a handout announcing their specials. <br />
<br />Mail came late today, not here until after 4pm. I got a charming letter from Catherine Fisher Schwartz at the Jewish Federation of Greater Springfield declining to offer me a certificate of good standing as an anti-Semite. She wrote, "I must tell you that we cannot and will not, under any circumstances, provide you with a certificate of antisemitism." </p><p>Called <i>Oak Knoll</i> and ordered several books. Then I called <i>Merriam-Webster</i> and was told their old PR lady had a baby and is now a full time mother. Alicia Bilco and Arther Bicknoll are her replacements. Next, I called Aunt Maria and she was in good spirits, everything seems okay. <br />
<br />
I decided to call Peter Griffiths about my painting. He is a nicey-nicey individual like Guy McLain. Peter suggested that my painting sounds like one by Martin Johnson Meade and that I should contact an appraiser. I also left a recorded message for Maureen at the <i>Advocate</i> about the exploitation of poll workers. Then I called Nick Fyntrilakis and anonymously left this message on his tape: "A couple of years ago you were a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed college graduate. As of right now you have a lot of fence mending to do. Because of you all the poll workers had to take two hours of extra training and they didn't get paid for it." <br />
<br />
Unknown called and wouldn't talk so I told him to get off the line.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>August 6, 1999</b></center><p><br />
I drove out early and made copies at <i>CopyCat</i> and put out mail to Timothy Hawley and <i>Oak Knoll</i> books. Then I headed downtown wearing my purple pants uniform and parked on Salem Street right by the church back door. As I walked down Mattoon Street, a black guy walking the other way said as he passed me, "Hey man, I like your style!" I had my leather cap on and saluted him as I said thanks. It's interesting that the public appearance I am rendering that is so unacceptable to some is just right for others. Stopped into <i>Westfield Bank</i> and after a 15 minute wait opened an account with Rick Zabielski. My reward for opening the account was a black umbrella and a letter opener. All was dark in <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i>. <br />
<br />
Coming home I parked on White at Sumner and went into several antique shops. At Radzicki's I mentioned Mother's passing as he sold me a plated child's cup manufactured in Cromwell, Connecticut which has polished up nicely. Then out to the Acres, where I got fish and chips and a few other items at the <i>Big Y</i>, where I also swiped a Poetry Slam poster. Unfortunately, <i>Pride's</i> copying machine was not working, so I went over to <i>Staples</i>, where color copies are only 49 cents, much better than <i>CopyCat</i>, which is too expensive all around. <i>The Springdale Plaza</i> across from <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, including the cute little clock tower, is all reduced to rubble with a chain link fence around it. Only <i>Bradlees</i> remains. I liked <i>Springdale</i> and knocking over a perfectly good building that was renovated just a decade ago is ridiculous.</p><p><br />
<br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3yjWTD15DFdA3y3k6KrQJqulYzsOt8AWSxp5mYhyBxQ_yoszEAM-mRRnYJfxYHehM4R2LUwhn86Za1LjO4G8nnetws2aLRjz6jkQ2X7sPUIAgxMtM6jGEIgRXkJh1V3RorZTBhA2HFrh/s1600/springdale.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="949" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3yjWTD15DFdA3y3k6KrQJqulYzsOt8AWSxp5mYhyBxQ_yoszEAM-mRRnYJfxYHehM4R2LUwhn86Za1LjO4G8nnetws2aLRjz6jkQ2X7sPUIAgxMtM6jGEIgRXkJh1V3RorZTBhA2HFrh/s400/springdale.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><p><br /> </p><p>Called <i>Traveler's</i> local number but can't get anyone to answer. Eamon called and said he received his Emerald Charter Membership card from Elms and thinks it is pretty tacky. Deputy Chief Speallacy, his old chum from Cathedral, told him that between July 31 and August 3rd there have been 18 robberies in Springfield and nothing has appeared in the paper. Today the <i>Fleet Bank</i> on Island Pond Road was robbed again. On Strong Street a U-haul backed up and cleaned out a house while the owners were on vacation. The convenience store on Liberty got broken into and the thieves got away before police arrived. <br />
<br />
Where are the police? Eamon said he sees them parked behind <i>Liberty Plaza</i> or on the street behind St. Mary's. Eamon claims Springfield has more police officers than New Orleans. He was talking with a former Court Officer named Foley who agreed with him that the city has gone to hell and that the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> had a big part in it. After Eamon hung up, I received another voiceless, Unknown call. <br />
<br />
Florence R. Giroux, formerly of Wilbraham, has died at the age of 81. I will send a letter of condolence on behalf of Aunt Maria and myself. Great letter in the <i>Valley Advocate</i> today from Mitch Ogulewicz attacking Francis Gagnon titled, <i>Gagnon Reflex</i>, that says of her, "Although she has done many wonderful things for the community, it is time for her to allow others to serve without her elitist and condescending attitude looking over their shoulders." <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>August 7, 1999</b></center><p>
Nice day. <br />
<br />
Had Cream of Wheat for breakfast and some roast beef for supper. I am getting fat. I am feeding myself too well and something must be done. Drove out early without realizing that yesterday I put a box of lawn clippings on the trunk and it fell into the road as I turned onto Catalpa Street. A jovial black man in a blue pick-up truck stopped to help me pick it up and I thanked him for his kindness. After I dropped off some reading material at Devine's, I continued on to <i>Angelo's</i>, where I got two packages of plums, three packages of native beets, a package of tomatoes and some lettuce. <br />
<br />
I stopped at a tag sale and bought nothing, but on my way there I discovered a wonderful European style house with bay windows and a clay tiled roof, I'd say built around 1920, at the intersection of Marsden and Newhall. From there I went to Mrs. Staniski's, where I left some reading material and a small package of beets. She always has a lovely smile. <br />
<br />
Next stop was to see Fred Whitney, who was just getting out of his car as I arrived and seemed pretty chipper. As usual he was dressed stodgily but was friendly and professional. He had a Santaniello for City Council sign out front. I told him about the poll worker meeting I attended and noted how everybody was so old. He said they used to make poll workers retire at 70, but then age discrimination laws came along. He blames the problem on the city, who won't pay the poll workers more money. I told him I'm in it more for the gossip than the money and he agreed that a lot of the others are as well. <br />
<br />
I asked him about the GOP picnic and he seemed reluctant to tell me, perhaps because I promised to wear my orange costume It's August 20th at 5pm, the same place they had it last year. $12 per ticket. Whitney says it raises from $800 to $1000 to help candidates. He doesn't think they will serve corn on the cob this year, so I told him that the corn last year was the best part of the meal. <br />
<br />
Then out to the Forest Park postal substation to mail Washington a painting registration form. Next up to White and Sumner to <i>Forest Park Antiques</i> on 429 White Street where Frank Wilson sold me a wonderful book on Victorian buildings. Also stopped at Radsicki's shop to ask about the iris painting and she wants $350, which seems excessive.</p><p>I swung by the Jewish Community Center on Dickinson and went into the Holocaust Museum. Lynn was there and told me that Director Jane Trigere had the day off. I left the Fritcher S&M book for her to give to Jane and said she can keep it for a couple of months and call me when she's through and I will come pick it up. I told Lynn to tell Jane my markings in it are purely analytic so don't be offended by them. <br />
<br />
A beg letter came today from the Catholic Relief Services and misspelled my name as "Willer." Received a letter from Senator Robert Byrd thanking me for my comments on his book <i>The Senate of the Roman Republic</i>.<br /></p><p>Eamon called and said he made a blueberry pie and his sister said it was very good. I suggested he should look into becoming a house boy. Eamon has written to Labbe of <i>United Co-op</i> where he has a lot of his money, complaining about the loan to the baseball stadium project. He received a reply from Jack Briggs which was very polite but also arrogant and condescending, implying they were merely following the will of the people, which is false. Eamon also complained that he got a form letter reply to the letter he sent to Senator Orrin Hatch.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>August 8, 1999</b><br /></center><p>
Gas at Alden is $1.17 per gallon.<br />
<br />
We are in danger of getting involved in a war Columbia that is none of our business. <i>Riverside</i> was the lead story on <i>TV40</i> about how six people were injured on their <i>Blizzard River</i> ride, which has been closed down indefinitely. Christopher Roy is the General Manager of the Boston Road <i>Staples</i>. I read <i>The Reader's Digest Treasures of America</i> today.<br />
<br />
Had scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. Shortly after 9am I drove down to <i>Louis & Clark</i> on Breckwood and put out my mail. Then over to West Springfield to the craft fair on the common. It rained on the way, but stopped by the time I parked on the edge of the common, which has a lovely grove of trees. The new shingles on the Day House look nice. It never started raining again, but the sun never did came out all day. <br />
<br />
I got out and walked around and what a dud the fair was, with a lot of lower-end shlock and dull postcards. Some watering cans with a ribbon on the handle were among the stupidest things I saw selling for God knows what. Some of the merchandise was manufactured and not hand made at all. The only decent crafts were the miniatures made by <i>Country Folk Art</i> in Monson. They also had dollhouse furniture and accessories. </p><p>I very much approve of the student portraits installed in the old <i>Third National Bank</i>. I hope the students were given registration certificates thanking them for exhibiting. At Northampton every dealer had a pretty business card. At West Springfield too many of the vendors had no card at all or one that looked like it might have been designed by an insurance salesman - no creativity at all. </p><p>I located a fair official in the gazebo, JoAnn, and told her that their merchandise suggests that a bunch of little old ladies are in charge and they should be fired and told to go run a church fair. I said if they must stay on, then they should be made to drink at least three shots of vodka before they are allowed to choose any merchandise for the fair. I said they should draw the line and say this is neither arts nor crafts. She politely thanked me for my comments and I gave her my card, figuring she had a right to know who was speaking to her. <br />
<br />
Got a letter from UMass Professor Todd Crossett saying that the bylaws of the Baseball Corporation states that it is a non-profit, but is able to form companies from which directors and politically connected individuals could make lots of money. I called Crossett at 736-5136 and left a message thanking him for his letter. Tried to reach Anne Richard but her recorded message says she is away on vacation until August 18th. I called Aunt Maria and she isn't going to church. She sounded less disoriented than usual. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said Nader the Hatter's sister has found a house for the old man somewhere in the Acres. He also told me someone told him the anti-trust suit against the acquisition of the <i>Hartford Advocate</i> has been dropped because of the expense. I told Eamon how disappointing the craft fair was, and he said his nephew Patrick the Park Commissioner and his wife were selling lawn ornaments and flags there. He also told me how Spellacy told him that there were two break-ins on Ashland Avenue in two days, but still nothing in the media about the crime wave.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>August 9, 1999</b></center><br />
Mild, even cool day. <br />
<br />
Up at 5:30am, out at 6:20am. Went downtown and parked on Salem in front of the Pastor's office and walked down to the <i>Sheraton</i> in my lace boots and orange suit. The <i>Masslive</i> Community Connections forum at the <i>Sheraton</i> was most pleasant. <i>Masslive's</i> current headquarters is on West Street in Northampton. Tables were set up for 120, with about fifty empty seats, so maybe 75 were there counting the presenters. Most people were dressed informally, only a couple of minorities were present. <br />
<br />
The food was wonderful and I ate my main meal of the day there. They had coffee, cereal in little boxes, nice big sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs and homefried potatoes. I took a table right by the podium and some of the speakers came along and sat there too. Don Muse was in a sports coat and chino pants. The marketing lady was stunningly dressed and the most articulate of the three. Trish is a young blonde woman with her hair close cropped except on top. I asked if she was gay and she said yes. <br />
<br />
It ended promptly at 8am, after which I left off my art memo for Griffith with a woman in Kilroy House at the Quad. On my way home I stopped at <i>Louis & Clark</i> and got the newspaper out of the trash. Then to the <i>Goodwill</i> in the Acres, where I bought a few books from Pat. On Birchland Mr. Cohn was outside so I paused and he told me he and his wife had been to a family reunion in the Carolinas. His son Zachary is back from Europe and is hoping to open a used bookstore in the Berkshires. He offered to go inside and get me some old copies of <i>The Economist</i>, but I said not to bother. <br />
<br />
Spent time reading <i>The First Book of Ethics</i>. The black General Manager of <i>Riverside Park</i> was on TV talking about the accident on their ride. The TV also reported that <i>MassMutual</i> is laying off via early retirements. <i>MassMutual</i> currently has 3,700 working in Springfield and 1,100 in Hartford. <i>Skate Scene</i> in Chicopee is closing, the TV showed kids skating around on an immense wooden floor. They hope to reopen at some point. <br />
<br />
Called Mrs. Allard and told her about the break-ins on Ashland Avenue. Called Patty at <i>Patty's Antiques</i> and she is still having medical problems but is improving. Called Eamon and we had a good chat. He says Nader the Hatter is selling their "ark of a house" and Nader's sister has found a new house for the old man in the Acres.<br />
<br />
<center><b>August 10, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Very mild, down to the 40's last night.</p><p>Paul Marshall Murray is a "Book Monger and Paper Americanist" who wants "anything printed, painted, lithographed, etched, engraved or photographed....and the elusive oddment." He operates out of Wilbraham. <br />
<br />
When I drove out to get some <i>Scotch</i> tape at <i>Breckwood</i>, the entrance to WNEC's Gateway Village was being fooled with and there was only one lane open. When I got back there was a thin package from <i>Oak Knoll</i> on the door handle. My GOP picnic reservation form also came today. <br />
<br />
Called Myers of <i>Forest Park Antiques</i> and gave him the address of <i>Law Exchange</i>. I then called ex-rep Whitney at 10:15am and he answered, as always, "Fred Whitney speaking." I told him about the <i>Masslive</i> forum and suggested he create websites for the local Republicans and his church. He said he doesn't have a computer and concluded with, "Thank you, Attorney Miller." <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he went out to breakfast this morning with Nader the Hatter and his father at <i>Jake's Diner</i> on the corner of Worthington and Main. He thinks it's a clean place, but his scrambled eggs were not done right. They were the only customers at 8am, there are usually lots of customers from the Federal Building across the street. Nader paid for everybody. Eamon says Nader's father has aged considerably since the last time he saw him, but then Nader's father is now 83. <br />
<br />
While walking back to where he was parked on Bridge, Eamon ran into Dick Osgood, the former Sports Editor for the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i>, who greeted him cheerfully. Osgood managed the Sports Department very well, but Larry McDermott pushed him aside, even though he had been with the paper since 1959. "That Larry McDermott has hurt a lot of people at that paper," Osgood said, noting how Jack Tilotson, Advertising Manager, was transferred to Pittsfield, and Don Ebbeling was transferred to Greenfield and later died in a car accident on his way to work. Dick further claimed that personnel changes are "done behind closed doors, they don't give you a hearing or anything." Osgood called McDermott "a real lightweight" and said he can "look you right in your face and lie."<br />
<br />
Eamon went on to talk about his time in the late 50's as a Health Inspector, working alongside Harry Morin, who had trained at the Chicago stockyards and always carried a gun. One complaint was from a woman who found a mouse tail in a brownie from <i>Daun Brothers Bakery</i> at the X. They closed them up for that. In 1959 they closed <i>The Fort</i> briefly over a salmonella outbreak in which 27 people got sick. His friend Leo Gorman, a liquor salesman, was one of those who became ill. <br />
<br />
<i>Royal Meat Market</i> in the North End, a Jewish operation, got caught selling spoiled swordfish. Eamon told them to throw it out, but when he paid a surprise return visit three hours later, it was still on sale. They eventually relocated to Winchester Square. <i>Schermerhorn's</i> also got caught selling bad fish, and <i>Kresge's</i> and <i>McClellan's</i> were also cited for various violations. Mayor Tommy O'Connor's brother was head of the Dairy Division, checking all the milk sold in Springfield. <br />
<br />
Then there was the <i>Springfield Rendering Company</i>, a butcher shop that had mostly Puerto Ricans doing the really dirty work, hitting the animals in the head with a sledge hammer to kill them and cutting them up with a chain saw. Once Eamon caught them preparing to kill a cow that was so sick it couldn't stand up. They fined the owners, but I say why was nothing done to the farmer who tried to sell it? <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>August 12, 1999</b></center><br />
Cool and overcast, there is a total lunar eclipse across Europe today. <br />
<br />
During this day I ate a porkchop, some beans and potatoes in milk and three plums. I spent part of the morning fiddling with stock transactions. Barbara Corgan from <i>Fleet Bank</i> on Mill Street called saying she is only the Assistant Manager and I should talk to the Manager Cory Casden about the interest on my account. <br />
<br />
I then went downtown to <i>Bank of Boston</i> where the black lady asked where my orange suit was so I showed her that at least I was carrying my papers in an orange bag. I was waited on by Ann M. Gadziala, an impeccably professional, highly competent, sweet elderly lady, a holdover from years ago who could not be duplicated today. She even offered to validate my parking ticket. <br />
<br />
I stopped briefly to say hi to Brenda Branchini at <i>Eros</i> on Court Square. All her stylists wear lingerie. From there I peeked into <i>Subway</i> at five of noon, and saw a black woman licking her finger so I decided not to get a sandwich there today and went instead to Picknelly's smorgasbord for $7. I had fried fish and filled up on so much salad that I had no room for fruit. <br />
<br />
Mail was here at 1:15pm, which included a pretty postcard from Mt. Holyoke. Rhona called from California trying to sell me <i>Verbal Advantage</i>, a vocabulary building program, for $400. I explained that I am an English teacher and I have no use for it and shall not be ordering it. I was annoyed that she called just as the TV news had started. Someone attacked a Jewish Community Center in California and urged people to "kill all Jews." I thought it remarkable that they would quote this on the air, which was tactless and foolish. I'm not in favor of censorship, but why say something like that? They had Mark Dindas, the local JCC Director, on at one point. <br />
<br />
I notice that <i>U.S. Factory Outlet</i> is airing TV commercials. This evening I spoke with John M. Lovejoy of Wilbraham, a former selectman in that town. He said he thinks Vermont is just as racist as any other part of the country. I told him I would send him my article on how the Springfield Library improperly discards books. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he got a thank you note from Thomas Moriarty for donating $25 to the Irish Cultural Center at Elms College. We then talked about the story in the paper about re-accrediting Commerce. He says his sources in the school tell him they still have an absentee rate of nearly 40% and that 70% of the students are performing below grade level. He read me a 1994 letter he received from Carmella Gray Bennett, saying that even back then Commerce was deficient in nearly every area of student performance. There has been concerns about Central High as well, but their accreditation is not in danger. <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 14, 1999</b></center><br />
Downpour at 2:30am with lightening and thunder. First significant rainfall in weeks.<br />
<br />
<center>Protoplasm never changes<br />
There will be no end of violence<br />
War is inevitable<br />
Real men wear boots<br />
Wars are always holy. <br />
Red-blooded boys like to fight<br />
Fighting is a manifestation of sexuality<br />
Pain is good<br />
</center><p><br />
<i>NPR</i> said only half of President Clinton's legal bills have been paid and contributions dropped off dramatically after the impeachment trial. Most of the contributions came from California. <i>TV22</i> says the police in Cambridge are taught that pepper spray is less effective against Latinos because their diet is strong in hot food. People are supposedly coming from all over the world to the <i>Gem and Mineral Show</i> on the <i>Big E</i> grounds, second largest such show in the country.</p><p>Maureen Turner has an article this week in the <i>Advocate</i> questioning the non-profit status of the <i>Springfield Baseball Corporation</i>. Turner notes that board members include Michael Graney, Craig Brown, Rep. Cheryl Rivera and Peter Picknelly and that there are several related sub-corporations that can accept profits. She asks, "Why would an organization that claims no interest in making a buck write its by-laws to make sure that it can?" <br /></p><p>Mo Turner reminds us once again that it is the <i>Valley Advocate</i> which has kept a free press alive in this Valley. For true investigative reporting you have to rely on the <i>Advocate</i>. <i>The Union-News</i> gives us some of the news, but the <i>Advocate</i> gives us the news behind the news. <br />
<br />
Drove out about 8:30am and paid the bills at <i>Breckwood</i>. Then to <i>Angelo's</i>, where I arrived just as he was putting things out so I got lots of nice fruit. Continued down Boston Road to the <i>Big Y</i> for corn flakes and milk. Across the street I had a steak and cheese bagel at <i>McDonald's</i> with a coupon.</p><p>When I got back there were a lot of cars parked in front of 100 Birchland. Finished reading <i>The Reader's Digest Treasures of America</i> (1974). It is a lovely book but uneven, arranged as if you were riding along a highway, making it hard to look things up. Started reading about Edwardian fiction. <br />
<br />
The mail was a tad late, both Kelly and I went out to our boxes at the same time. She was dressed in sandals and shorts and said hello cheerfully. Dined this evening on a pork chop and fried onions. Eamon called, but no sooner had we began talking than someone rapped on his door so he had to go. He soon called back, telling me that Nader the Hatter has gone to Florida for two weeks. Eamon then recalled how in the old days of Pynchon Park and the Springfield Cubs there were normally seven or eight hundred people at a game, a thousand maximum. He doesn't see why a new park would draw any larger crowds. <br />
</p><center><b>August 16, 1999</b></center><br />
Extremely misty this morning, didn't burn off until 10am.<br />
<br />
The population of India is now 1 billion, only China has more people. Stanley Park in Westfield is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. Parking fines will go up to $10 in Northampton beginning September 15th. The crabgrass is coming in. I cooked up the peppers and tomatoes I got at <i>Angelo's</i>. I also had a ham and cheese <i>Hot Pocket</i> and some snacks throughout the day. I cleaned house and did a load of wash. Reading Upton Sinclair on higher education, a powerful book that deserves to be read. Kelly drove by in her tan Caddy. She seems more chipper since changing husbands. <br />
<br />
<i>TV22</i> is running a telephone poll on the stadium, but there is no limit on how many times you can call. Eamon told me he voted ten times! I called, and the recording asks, "Do you support the Mayor's proposal to build a stadium in the North End of Springfield?" Each call costs sixty cents. They were careful to call it "an unscientific poll." I called twice and each time a recorded voice responded and said, "Your NO vote has been registered. Thank you for calling." I called Mark Wiernasz at <i>22</i>, the News Editor, and told him I had voted twice. He said he will "look into it." <br />
<br />
The regular guy delivered the mail about 1:30pm. A wrong number called looking for Lasha and banged down the phone with no apology. A black woman named Michelle called from 746-0525. I told her she was calling at a very inconvenient time and she banged down the phone in my ear. So I called the number back and it was <i>Springfield Mortgage</i> at 20 Maple Street. I told her to never call here again and once again she slammed down the phone in my ear. Called Aunt Maria to see if she was okay and she said, "Well, if I had any problems you'd know about it." <br />
<br />
This evening at 7pm there was a meeting about the baseball stadium at Central High in the auditorium. I didn't go, I have liked staying home this week. <i>WFCR</i> and the newspaper said about 100 attended. Karen Powell appeared in the TV coverage at 11pm and did very well. Also shown were Gus Weissman, Leon Moultre and Andrew Cohn. <i>TV22</i> called it "a skeptical crowd that got a little rowdy." <br />
<br />
At one point Brian Santaniello asked for a show of hands and most there opposed the stadium. I called Karen and she said Russ Denver of the Chamber spoke at the end and everybody got up and left without listening to him. Karen said her husband Bob was once asked to join because of his auto repair business, but declined because he feels the Chamber of Commerce has no interest in small businesses. I suggested there should be a junior chamber for small businesses with lower rates. She said Mo Turner was there but she didn't see Tom Devine.<br />
<br />
Karen said that Mayor Albano confronted her after the meeting, shouting, "You're the person who was against me on needle exchange and the Civic Center!" However, Karen says she can't recall being involved in any controversy involving the Civic Center. Karen told me that Albano seemed seriously upset.<br />
<br />
<center><b>August 18, 1999</b></center><br />
Ryan Green of Gulfport, Mississippi was told to keep his Star of David out of sight under his shirt, lest it be taken as a gang symbol. Naturally, there is a lawsuit. <i>Oscar Bail & Son Shoe Store</i> is closing in Holyoke after 110 years. Larry Fishbein ran <i>Market Place Antiques</i> on Dickinson Street in Springfield in 1996. <br />
<br />
Channel <i>57 PBS</i> had a segment on Poetry Slams and it was wonderful. I say it's a development of Rap and a recreation of the essentially oral nature of poetry going back to Homer and the Bards. My <i>Ode to Springfield</i> was to be performed either by punk goths or a Little Lord Fauntleroy innocent. Tom Finneran was in town today to endorse Righty Keough and on <i>TV40</i> I thought I saw Eamon leaning against a pillar of Our Lady of Hope basement. They showed Mayor Albano greeting Finneran with a hug. <br />
<br />
Also on <i>40</i> was a piece about Stuart Hurwitz being the Director of the Civic Center. <i>TV22</i> released the results of their stadium poll - 31% support it and 69% are opposed. That's better than a 2 to 1 margin. I called Terry at <i>TV22</i> to get the number of votes cast and she said the newsroom is very busy just now and to call back later. So I called back after an hour and she said they are not releasing that information nor would she say whether the number of participants were in the hundreds or the thousands. <br />
<br />
The mail brought a thank you note from Patricia T. Keiser of Wilbraham for the photo of the Grand Opening of the <i>Goodwill</i> in the Acres. According to the <i>1984 Suburban Directory</i>, she was a clerk at <i>Mary Wentworth's</i> in East Longmeadow. I called Massachusetts College (formerly North Adams State) which is described on page 89 of the Berkshire Guide as "offering a quality liberal arts experience." Sue in Admissions answered and I asked her, "Do you offer a major in the Classics?" She sputtered something about fine and performing arts so I said, "I'll ask the question again, do you offer a major in the Classics?" No, we do not. "Do you teach Latin or Greek?" No, we do not. "Madam," I declared, "if you do not teach Latin or Greek than you are definitely not a quality liberal arts college." She hung up on me. <br />
<br />
Spoke to Arthur Bicknell at <i>Merriam-Webster</i> and he said they have never registered their paintings with the Smithsonian inventory, so I told him I would drop off the forms and he thanked me. Eamon called and admitted that it was him I saw leaning against the pillar at Our Lady of Hope. He said he spoke to Speaker Finneran briefly and told him the government shouldn't be the source of funding for sports stadiums and ballparks. Eamon then told me that his brother Raymond told him there are 27 sump pumps going in Genera School running at all times and in 1990 he saw the actual bill for electricity, which showed they were paying about $8,000 per month to keep the pumps going. <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 19, 1999</b></center><br />
A very mild, pleasant day.<br />
<br />
The news said that increasingly families are having only one child because it's less of a drain on their time and money and they can do more for the kid. They claim experts say that only children are not maladjusted and in fact are more likely to be intelligent and more patient. <br />
<br />
Dined on two peaches, scrambled eggs, cold beets and two baked potatoes. Looking at some papers I found under some clothes in the first floor closet, I came across an old letter from <i>Baystate</i> to Mother from Dr. John P. Santoro explaining the damage done to Father's face during resuscitation efforts. When Father died they stuck a tube in his mouth and left it until rigor-mortise set in and his face was disfigured so he looked bad in his coffin. <br />
<br />
I was amazed to see the return in the mail of the Mapplethorpe book by the Jewish Community Center. I assume that means they would rather see no more of me. I also got a nice letter from President Carol Leary, who told me that the summer\fall edition of <i>Bay Pathway</i> will mention Mother's death. <br />
<br />
On <i>TV22</i> tonight they had Karen Powell on saying that the the Stadium poll results vindicated the critics. The station tried to contact Mayor Albano about the results but he was "unavailable for comment." In the past I've urged the Powell's to get to know Eamon, but they did not so Eamon called her himself and when I spoke to Karen briefly today she said she is glad to have gotten to know him. <br />
<br />
Eamon himself called later and said he spoke to Mark Wiernasz at <i>TV22</i>, who told him he didn't know how many voted in the Stadium poll but it was "in the thousands." To Eamon that suggested there was only two or three thousand voters. He also told me that Mark had mentioned to him that I had called earlier on the same subject. Eamon said the poll shows that the arrogant and condescending letter from Jack Briggs was incorrect in his statement that the people of Springfield want to build a stadium <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 20, 1999</b></center><br />
Overcast, sprinkled a bit.<br />
<br />
The Peregrine Falcon has been removed from the endangered species list. Is it time to put human beings on the endangered list? In 2003 Rice will be a 100 year old farm and they said on TV they want to keep it going at least until then. The media said there has been Wilbraham Peach Festivals for fifteen years. Does that mean this is the 15th or the 16th?<br />
<br />
Received a letter from Rosemary O'Donoghue, Director of the Writing and Reading program at WNEC, declining my offer to teach composition. Also got a check from <i>Traveler's</i>, but no explanation for the delay. I invested half an hour straightening it out and tied up my phone line, turning away Eamon and not calling others. I called Mo Turner and left a message that I have mailed her some material, including an envelope to give to Tom Vannah. I found a letter today among those I found in the closet dated October 20, 1941 from Clayton E. Dunham that includes "best wishes to John Wesley Miller III."<br />
<br />
I have hardly gone out at all this week and staying home has been good. I called Eamon and told him I was bringing some stuff over. He said he wouldn't be home, but told me to look at his new fence. When I dropped off the stuff his car was in fact in his garage. I think he doesn't like to see me too often and that's okay. On my way out I dropped off some magazines at the Cohn's. Next I made copies at <i>Breckwood</i> and put out the mail with Joanne. Momma Debbie and a little blond girl were home when I left some material for Tom Devine with them. <br />
<br />
I swung by <i>Merriam-Webster</i> and left the forms for Bicknell with a man named Robert, a mature white man in casual wear and mahogany tasseled shoes. Paused at the frame shop and took a picture of Jeff. Then I parked in the Visitor's Lot of the newspapers and left with a black lady named Sylvia some envelopes addressed to Starr and McDermott. At the Chamber of Commerce I dropped off items for Denver and Herrala. In the <i>Monarch</i> lobby I left a leaf for Picknelly with officer Dave. I also left something for the Mayor at City Hall with his black receptionist. Stopped by Attorney Berman and asked him what he thought of my orange suit as I gave him a copy of my <i>Seminal Document on the History of Western Bullshit</i>. He is always gracious. <br />
<br />
Then over to Hurwitz and left an envelope with manager Jeff. Got the latest newsletter at <i>Just Friends</i> and then headed back to the car. The Republican picnic was today, I was hoping it would rain so I wouldn't have to go. I prepaid $12, but last year it only cost $10. I wore my full orange uniform, and got my iron collar on the first try. I wore my "We're Here/We're Queer/Get Used to It" button and also brought along my signed etching of Calvin Coolidge for people to see. <br />
<br />
Same place, same set-up this year, no literature about candidates or anything else. The picnic was catered by <i>Outlook Farm</i>, with their small truck parked on the side. There was no corn, no clams, even for those who were willing to pay more. Beer was free, although they had a container for tips to which I made no contribution. They had rotini salad and cole slaw. No baked beans, but there were hot dogs in rolls with potato chips. I took two dogs and a bag of chips to go with my beer. They were grilling hamburgers but I had none. It was a rip-off. <br />
<br />
I didn't count noses but saw no black ones. Iris Holland was not there this year. No Brian Lees. Fred Whitney was there, of course, jovial and with a big smile as usual. Brian Santaniello came over to admire the Coolidge portrait, and was polite even after I told him that Eamon thinks he's a toady who does everything Albano says. I heard one woman from Westfield say she thought Santaniello was a Democrat. I replied, "Madam, Springfield politics are more perverted than I am." <br />
<br />
Mary Kaufman said she thought with my orange suit that I was an escaped convict! I told her I am in a pre-admission program. Chatted with Marshall Moriarty, he said he's an Amherst grad and currently practicing labor law. I told him that Amherst College has a major archive about the 60's counterculture. Paul Flannery of the City Committee spoke to me about the importance of Coolidge to the modern conservative movement. When I finished eating, I left and in all was only at the GOP picnic for about 45 minutes.<br />
<br />
<center><b>August 21, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Overcast this morning, rain the rest of the day. <br />
<br />
On the <i>TV40</i> news this evening they showed Richard Garvey writing a check for $2,300 for a document signed by Calvin Coolidge that he got in an auction for the benefit of Memorial Hall. He is going to give it to the Coolidge Room in the Forbes Library. That suggests my etching with the president's signature is worth at least $3,500. </p><p>Rebecca Lobo was on <i>Celebrity Jeopardy</i> tonight, a local girl done good. <i>Promise Keepers</i> are meeting in Connecticut this weekend, their first meeting in Connecticut. Still reading about Edwardian fiction. The Reverend Gordon P. Scruton of Springfield has a letter in the paper today speaking against the attempted killings at the Jewish Community Center in Los Angeles. <br />
<br />
I have a good crop of plums this year, half on the ground and half still in the tree. I will pick them tomorrow morning if it is dry. Dined today on wax beans, potatoes, ham sandwiches and melon. I drove out about 8am and made copies at <i>Pride</i> in the Acres. The blue awning decorations are up at the <i>Goodwill</i>, but I didn't go in. <br />
<br />
Then to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, where the renovations on the cinemas are all done and looks real nice. The carpeting is down inside and there were men putting the finishing touches on the wall paint. Got a free calculator from the mall office and then joined a large crowd watching a magician extricate himself from a straight jacket. I dropped off a few things with Eamon, who told me he read that there are 45 restaurants in Northampton. Then down Liberty to the post office, followed by a return to the Point in order to get some lovely melon halves at <i>Angelo's</i>. <br />
<br />
<i>Banner</i> check came in the mail, along with the Vermont paper and a statement from <i>Bank of Boston</i>. I called Aunt Maria and told her about the mention of Mother in the Baypath alumni magazine. She said she was "surprised" by that and reminded me that she doesn't want me to have anything to do with her funeral. She then went on to say other negative things so I wished her a nice day and terminated the call. I then called Jack Fritscher at <i>International Leather</i> and left a message asking for his flyer of videos and books and also asked him where the most sadistic monasteries are. See what kind of reply I get. <br />
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</p><center><b>August 22, 1999 </b></center><p><br />
Overcast and temperature below normal. <br />
<br />
In San Francisco, NORML is trying to get marijuana legalized, as is Governor Gary Johnson in New Mexico. Massachusetts is one of five states now declared Federal drought disaster areas for farmers. Today's paper has a full page ad of all the musical groups appearing at the <i>Calvin</i> in Northampton. Very impressive. The paper also had a very nasty editorial on the stadium, stating that the Citizen Action Network (CANE) should stand for Citizens Against Nearly Everything. There is also an article about Hurwitz taking control of the Civic Center. <br />
<br />
Today I found, in some papers from his estate, Father's Firearm Identification card from 1976. I picked a quart of plums this morning, then mailed something at <i>Louis & Clark</i> to Carol A. Leary. I got today's <i>Republican</i> out of the trash can in front of <i>Fred's Shoes</i>. From there I dined at the <i>McDonald's</i> on Allen Street using a coupon for a steak, cheese and egg bagel and glanced at a <i>Boston Herald</i> that was laying around, then headed out to Wilbraham. I paused at the Acres <i>Big Y</i> and stole a Peach Festival poster they had taped to their front window. At the end of Tinkham Road there was a big sign directing everyone to the <i>Wilbraham Peach Festival</i>. The funeral home is putting up an out building, clear of the carport. <br />
<br />
Arriving at the park, there was a sign saying <i>Parking $2</i>, but I got in free as the parking attendant in an orange shirt told me that parking is free for all who arrive before 10:30am. I went in full black with my purple jockey shorts. When I walked into the Festival, I found a large tent with a long line of at least 100 people waiting to get pancakes at the St. Cecilia's Pancake Breakfast. The peaches they were serving on the pancakes came out of large, restaurant size cans of <i>Libby's Peaches</i>. Mr. Peach was greeting the people waiting in line, and I asked him what he thought of them serving <i>Libby's</i> canned peaches instead of fresh. He sputtered and then walked away without commenting. <br />
<br />
I walked around and there were lines of food booths in the back. United Church was serving peach ice cream, but they were not doing much business. The Rice's were just opening their stand, I chatted with them briefly and 2000 will be their 100th anniversary year. There were also schlock crafts booths, the best one had jewelry boxes in wild colors for $15.95. It was the best thing there but too expensive. There were a number of children's games and a space for performers. I saw only a preacher there using that performance space, preaching to an audience of one. <br />
<br />
There was a nice display of antique farm machinery, which was the only thing really worth going to the Festival for, and after I looked that over well I left for home. When I got back, I had a <i>Budget Gourmet Fried Rice Dish</i> for dinner, which was quite good. Eamon called, and said he saw me on <i>TV22</i> looking at the farm machinery and said he thought the outfit I was wearing "looked excellent." I suspect Eamon would like to dress more colorfully then he does but can't bring himself to do it. Eamon told me his nephew Gary Sullivan is now Director of Community Relations for the Fire Department. Eamon wondered what happened to the Fire Officer who used to do that? He also blasted the paper for its "one sided editorial" on the stadium and called the Hurwitz Civic Center article "a puff piece."</p><p><br />
</p><center><b>August 23, 1999</b></center><br />
On the early <i>TV22 News</i> weatherman Adam Strempko said it was 57 degrees in 16 Acres according to their Weatherwatcher Les Maynard, but I can't find him in the phone book. Wilbraham had their Peach Festival fireworks last night. I see they have been putting new curbing all along the front of Western New England College this week. <br />
<br />
Frank Faulkner, owner of <i>Hungry Hill</i> magazine, is a former city editor for <i>The Springfield Newspapers</i>. I came across an old notice today revealing that Birchland Avenue was paved by the city in 1958. I also found a <i>Springfield Safe Deposit and Trust Company</i> car fund receipt from 1949, plus a 1949 bill from <i>Automobile Sales Company</i> of 95 Liberty Street, whose motto was, "Service As You Need It." I also found a document for the 1953 <i>Ford</i> from the <i>Arthur E. Center</i> at 500 Columbus Avenue. The car documents were in Father's estate settlement papers. <br />
<br />
First thing I drove downtown, where I never found a copy of today's paper in the trash cans on Main Street. Parked on Salem and got to the <i>Westfield Bank</i> just as they were opening. When I went inside, Jill Cameron greeted me as "Attorney Miller" and gave me their latest interest rate. Then to the <i>Bank of Boston</i>, where I was able to get Mrs. Cadsiala again and talked to her about a $25,000 certificate. I asked what interest they're paying and she said 5.75. I also stopped briefly at <i>Hampden Bank</i>. <br />
<br />
When I was back on Main I stood for awhile and watched the city come to life. I saw Nader the Hatter's old client, the dapper, smart dressing black man walking along Main with his customary cane and an orange-brown outfit and Panama hat. So he's still around, I haven't seen him for ages.<br />
<br />
I then headed to the Jewish Community Center to have lunch with Irving Cohn's group which he has been attending for 22 years. It consisted of 12 men in a small room where I counted 12 men. I could hear quite well. Mr. Cohn, who was dressed in grey sneakers, white shorts and a polo shirt, said that four regulars were missing. I toned down my act for him and wore my tweed sportscoat and a white nylon shirt with jeans. <br />
<br />
The featured speaker was Paul Keller, who went with his wife on a week's tour of Poland, where his parents were from but he himself had never been before. Neither he (nor Mr. Cohn, who is of Polish ancestry) know Polish though both speak broken Yiddish. Paul Keller said he is 80 and his wife (who taught reading and English at Buckingham in the 60's) is 75. The luncheon was lovely: Tea, tossed salad in a cereal bowl with cheese and radishes in it with a scoop of tuna salad and French bread served right out of the oven, but without butter. Afterward I chatted with Mr. Cohn and his friends for a bit, Cohn is a somewhat learned man who had read widely and filled in several points regarding which Keller indicated he had no knowledge. I left and got home at 2:05pm. <br />
<br />
The mail brought a Wisconsin Academy newsletter with a mention of Mary Gard on page 3. I took a nap, and when I woke up I put on my orange jumpsuit and iron collar to attend the Sacco-Vanzetti rally. The last time I went to one of these events it was several years ago at St. Mary's Parrish Hall. I left for St. Michael's at 4:45pm, arriving at the Bishop Marshall Center just after 5pm and went in. I made a $5 donation at the registration table and paid $3 for a booklet. They had t-shirts and buttons for sale but they were unexciting so I passed them up. At the back of the room they had long tables with food, including clam rolls, but I sampled only some nuts and dried fruit. There were also cookies, crackers and cheese.<br />
<br />
<i>TV 40</i> was already there, along with the paper's young, thin female photographer, but <i>TV22</i> didn't arrive until Warren Tolman was in the middle of his speech. I gave my card to Monsignor Snolzyk and exchanged cordial greetings with Atty. J. Thompson. He was wearing a t-shirt as always, looking the same with a ponytail although he has gained weight. Michaelann Bewsee was there, but I saw no one else from ARISE. <br />
<br />
Fran Gagnon and her husband were there. Beth Simon, who sometimes has letters in the paper, is a small, elderly woman who proudly pointed to her Gay Rights pin. She also praised my marijuana leaf button. The only person from the Law School was Professor Wolfe. I saw Mayor Albano talking and laughing with Cheryl Rivera and Frank Keough, but he didn't wave when he spotted me. Albano was no supporter of Rivera when she ran for the legislature, but they surely seem like chums now. <br />
<br />
Albano spoke briefly at the beginning, then left before the speeches got underway. Tolman was wonderful, he and Scott Harshbarger should have been elected, I voted for them 1998. Award presenter Kathy Grady is very able, but she slipped in an anti-Protestant line. It is unfortunate that the Irish figure that people with English names are their enemies. The award was named after Rev. Ken Childs, who was a major anti-death penalty activist. The winners were Pat Bresnahan and Jim Curran for their production of <i>They're Irish, They're Catholic, They're Guilty</i> about Irish immigrants wrongly executed in Northampton. Some folk music was sung by Verne McArthur. Sister Carol Allen, chubby and vivacious in a butch haircut, was interesting and inspiring. As the program ended, they made a point of noting that there was much more food, but I exited directly, the first to do so. <br />
<br />
When I got home I watched the news coverage on <i>TV40</i>, but there was little about the actual gathering. They interviewed Sen. Brian Lees, whom I didn't know was there, along with Cheryl Rivera, but nothing about the event itself or the participants, not even a shot of the audience. Later, Eamon called and told me he spoke with Donna from the paper and she sold him 28 weeks for $7.00, which is 25 cents per paper. I told Eamon about the rally, he said he hates to think of innocent people being executed and believes that life in prison without parole is a crueler and therefore better punishment.<br />
<br />
<center><b>August 24, 1999</b><br /></center><p>
Another lovely day, gas is $1.19 at Alden.</p><p>On <i>TV57</i> a requester of funds raised the ethnic stereotype that "loyalty and respect" are things that Italians value highly. The implication was made that that Italian viewers should show loyalty and respect to public television by pledging. </p><p>Loyalty and respect are indeed very important (I'd call them part of common courtesy) but there are other things that are important too, and above all is professionalism. For the benefit of any Italians I'll say there's more to it than loyalty and respect - honesty, truthfulness, candor when necessary, tact when possible and professionalism all work together in an ongoing way as parameters of democratic dialogue. <br />
<br />
Drove out just before 9am and my first stop was the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> to put out mail, then across the street to <i>Dunkin Donuts</i> for a Coolatta (raspberry and lemon) with a jelly donut on a 99 cent coupon. It was okay, but I wouldn't pay full price. <br />
<br />
From there I headed to Doyle the Twig Painter's with a pile of copyright forms. I found the door standing open, the air conditioner dripping and he at his desk, his shirt off and his famous paintings on the wall. The gallery was crammed with the furniture he hauls out front when he works outside. He thanked me graciously for the forms and said he was working on a painting for a client who seemed to be throwing around money, which made him suspect he may be a drug dealer or in organized crime. </p><p>He said he left $300 as a down payment on two paintings. Doyle then heard nothing more from him and yesterday was told his client is in jail. Doyle asked what I thought he should do. I said if he ever gets out of jail and comes by Doyle should return the money saying the account has been dormant so he is returning the cash and then thank him for his interest in Doyle art. The Twig Painter said that was a good idea. <br />
<br />
Then down to the <i>WMTW Credit Union</i>, where they are currently offering a 6 point yield on 60 months or more. Unfortunately Ann Rebello, the lady who waited on me, didn't know what to do so I gathered up my paperwork and departed. From there I went over to the <i>Union-News</i> and bought the Sunday and Monday papers because they have things I want to read in them. The Sunday paper as handed to me had no grocery store flyers in it. <br />
<br />
I had intended today to be my next-to-last visit to <i>Riverside</i> for the season, but it turned out to be my last, as I was ejected for my purple shorts. I arrived sometime between 10 and 11am and got right in as there was no one in the season pass line. I noticed that attendants were giving what looked like coupons to people who paid, but as a season pass holder I got nothing. Right inside they had a hearse promoting Halloween events. I walked around and overheard a couple of teenagers talking about joining the National Guard but they were afraid of boot camp. I interjected and told them that it is just "a goofy summer camp" and only lasts three months. <br />
<br />
<i>The Blizzard River</i> ride is still down. <i>Time Warp</i> had a long line. I walked over to the Water Park, which was jammed with people. As I was turning to leave, a tall park security guard approached me, promptly followed by a chubby man in a white polo shirt. He said he was Brian Kokotajlo (strange name) and ordered me to remove my purple shorts. He asked if there was anybody with me and I said no. He then asked to see my season pass and when I handed it to him he declared that he was confiscating it. <br />
<br />
In retrospect, I was far too friendly and co-operative with a man whose intention was to ban me from the park simply because my attire didn't fit with the rest of the clientele. He mentioned having been told that they had "trouble with me before for wearing chains." I told him I was just about to leave and he said, "You're darn right you'll be leaving" then informed me I was trespassed from the park for a year. I asked what the charge was and he replied "disorderly conduct." I asked, "What did I do that was disorderly?" He didn't reply. <br />
<br />
I asked for a refund for my pass and he curtly said no. I was then escorted through a back passage to the Security Office. The officer began fishing some forms out of the desk drawer and I asked if I was being arrested. He said no but demanded my ID. I gave it to him. I then asked again why I was being ejected and he replied, "Trespassing." I asked, "Which is it, disorderly conduct or trespassing?" He said nothing. <br />
<br />
All this time another security guard was leaning on the doorway to the office. I asked him for a list of rules and regulations and was told they would be mailed to me. He seemed to hesitate when he realized I was an attorney and I told him I see a pattern of them making up rules just for me. "Aren't I entitled to a warning before I lose my pass?" No. Then he asked me, "What were you doing at the Water Park?" I replied that I was just looking around. "At all the children in their bathing suits?' he asked, implying I was a person who might molest them. <br />
<br />
I was then escorted to the exit and drove myself home, having been told that if I was spotted in the park again anytime in the next year I would be arrested. I showed him the pink triangle I was wearing and told him I was leaving under protest and believed I was being harassed because I am gay. Naturally he denied that he was discriminating against me. However, it was clear that I was expelled and stripped of my pass by unwritten rules. In all I spent about a half hour in the Security Office. <br />
<br />
The mail was here when I got home, unusually early. It included a note from Team Albano inviting me to join his signature drive to get on the ballot. After collecting signatures we are invited to go to <i>An Elegant Affair</i> at 1380 Main Street for "hamburgs, hot dogs, beer and soda." My phone ID showed that Chris Demetrios called three times, so I called back and got a recorded message saying that I had reached <i>Cricket's Corner Salon Arts and Crafts</i>. I called back later and a woman answered and I told her I had gotten several calls from her number. "I'm sorry," she replied, "It must have been one of the children." Afterwards I looked them up in the phone book and found no such place listed, although there is a <i>Cricket's Corner Learning Center</i> in Chicopee. <br />
<br />
Dined on a <i>Swanson Meat Loaf Dinner</i> tonight. Eamon called and said <i>ZPG</i> has just released their rating of Kid Friendly Cities. All the top cities were out west, with Springfield rated 75th out of 112 cities for an overall grade of C-minus. In the Education category, Springfield got a D. <i>TV22</i> and <i>40</i> had stories about it and Regina was on claiming that they used 1990 figures and things have improved since then. Eamon told me he found a 1983 $3 refund check from the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> and he has no idea what it was for. I told him I'll give him $3 for it and he is saving it for me. Unknown called at 11:52pm. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>August 26, 1999</b><br /></center><p>
Overcast and a shower at 2pm.<br />
<br />
The Dow closed at 11,326 today, an all time high. When will the bubble burst? Yesterday the FED raised interest rates by a quarter point. <i>TV22's</i> Lydia K. was floating up the valley this evening on the <i>Hood</i> blip. The Congamond Lakes are being treated for algae. An oak on the Allard's treebelt at 1455 Wilbraham Road has died. <br />
<br />
They unveiled the preliminary sketches for the new courthouse in the paper. William Matlock of Holyoke has a letter in the paper stating that the baseball stadium is a great idea, but they should find a different site, asking, "Is it really necessary to build this thing downtown?" </p><p>My white Delilah has been blooming for three days. I just discovered that my 1939 Methodist hymnal has a a bookplate for St. James Methodist Church on the bottom front cover. No relatives tried to visit me this summer. </p><p>Three peaches for breakfast, started mowing the lawn about 9am, having gotten up at 6:30am. Finished lawn at 10:50am. While I was out a big black fellow with a poly-sci degree from Syracuse came by asking the way to WNEC Law. Later, a man in a light tan car stopped to ask directions to <i>Manny's</i>. I took my Polish grammar book down to Mr. Cohn. Mrs. Cohn let me in, she doesn't smile at me anymore, still mad that I didn't write a recommendation for Myra. However, Mr. Cohn seemed delighted to see me and was very friendly. He offered me tea but I declined. <br />
<br />
Then to <i>Louis & Clark</i> to put out the mail, which included a note to Reverend Scahill. Also a thank you note to Sandra Carlson of Evangelical Covenant Church. I got today's paper out of the trash can outside <i>Louis & Clark</i>. Next over to <i>Angelo's<i></i></i> and got tomatoes and peaches, but the man said they had no beans. I also got some butter and sugar corn. Then to <i>Food Mart</i> for milk and chicken noodle soup, but there were many good specials so I got a dozen eggs for 50 cents, three frozen pizzas for $6 and ended up spending over $20 dollars. <br />
<br />
The mail came early today and included a nice note from Patrica T. Keiser thanking me for the pictures I gave her of the <i>Goodwill</i> Grand Opening. Linda Muehlig, Curator of Painting and Sculpture at Smith College Museum of Art, sent me a letter saying she couldn't identify the floral still life I sent her, but she said it appears to be by a local artist inspired by Martin Johnson Heade. Got the <i>Valley Advocate</i> while I was out and have read Maureen Turner's wonderful article on the ten reasons to oppose the baseball stadium. I left word on Maureen's answering machine, telling her that her article is splendid. Her tape said she is gone for the week so she must be on vacation. Only a week? <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he also mowed his lawn today. He started out recalling how he had belonged to Zeta Chi fraternity at Amherst College, but then seemed reluctant to talk much about it, saying only that "there were incidents." While at Amherst, Eamon said he worked at the <i>Bosch</i> running a tool crib. Eamon is mad that the paper wrote nothing about the <i>ZPG</i> study showing that Springfield is not a child-friendly city, despite the stories that appeared about it on the local TV stations. He also said he liked Turner's latest article, and said he hears the land taking vote will be postponed while Councilors Tim Rooke and Dan Kelly check out a stadium in Connecticut. <br />
<br />
Eamon also told me he got a long letter from Paul Caron praising Righty Keough. Eamon advised me that it would be futile for me to apply for a job with the Springfield Public Schools, claiming that "all the teaching positions are political, you can't get hired without insider help." He says Nader the Hatter's sister is a secretary at SciTech, and Eamon hopes she can provide him with insider info about why their principal had to leave after just nine months. After Eamon hung up, a wrong number called asking, "Is Tom there?"<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>August 27, 1999</b></center><br />
Overcast, some sprinkles.<br />
<br />
A $5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the return of Grace Coolidge's engagement ring. The diamond ring was stolen last month from an exhibit at the Vermont Historical Society. <i>TV22</i> says only two City Councilors have said they will support the land taking for the stadium. <br />
<br />
In my orange overall and boots, I drove over to the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> at 9am. An old man washing windows outside looked aghast and frowned at my orange duds. No <i>Valley Advocates</i> at <i>Louis & Clark</i> and no Springfield papers in the outside trash can. The trash cans at <i>Breckwood</i> have been looking rather tacky, but this morning they have all been replaced with new containers that look much better. Next stop was <i>Pride</i> in the Acres where I made copies for a nickle each. I also got a poster addressed to Springfield College students looking for a 2 bedroom furnished lakefront house in Ludlow. <br />
<br />
Then to Fernbank where I arrived at 10:17am and stayed about ten minutes. Maynard Road is nicely paved up to King Drive and the foot of the hill. At Fernbank the tarp is still on the roof of the garage and everything is still closed up okay. There is lush vegetation everywhere with a sign for a dirt bike for sale over at Riley's. On the way back I saw that the <i>Candaras Law Office</i> right across from the Wilbraham Police Station is closed while on vacation. <br />
<br />
I then went to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, and found workmen putting the finishing touches on things at the <i>Cinema</i>. They said there was a Grand Opening party last night. I paid to go inside to see the Witch movie, despite Sy Becker giving <i>The Blair Witch Project</i> only one star and calling it "the kind of rubbish they release every year at the end of August." <i>The Eastfield Cinemas</i> are lavish, it seems movie theaters are returning to their former sense of elegance. There were 25 patrons watching the movie with me. <br />
<br />
The film itself was awful. Three students go out to document rumors about a witch in some isolated woods. In the end they arrive at a decaying house where we gather they are killed but aren't actually told so. An amateurish film, probably by a recent graduate and basically just a piece of junk. When it was over, several uniformed kids came in and swept up the popcorn and other litter before the next showing. The kids taking tickets were white, but the clean-up crew were all Latinos. I probably should have seen <i>Universal Soldier</i> or <i>The Muse</i>. As I left and was crossing the parking lot, two young guys rolled by in a little black car and honked and waved. Maybe they read the <i>Advocate</i> and know who the Orangeman is. <br />
<br />
Dined on tomatoes on toast and a chicken leg. I called Westfield State, which has been advertising again on TV. I spoke to Maryann who put me in touch with Priscilla Haskins and I ashed whether they teach Latin. She replied that they teach "no foreign languages anymore, there wasn't sufficient interest in them." I called Eamon, who recalled visiting Liberty Methodist Church years ago and how he "loved the organ" and said the lady minister was a very good singer. I told him about going to Fernbank and he said what my camp needs is some "Jewish Lightning." Of course I would never think of burning it down, I only mention it because I had never heard that term for arson before.<br />
<br />
<center><b>August 28, 1999</b></center><br />
Misty in the morning, then sunny, hot and humid.<br />
<br />
The newspaper insists that the riverfront won't do for the stadium because it is inaccessible. They have made up their minds and won't budge. The Evangelical Covenant Church on the corner of Bradley and Plumtree Road has a banner up saying that they are showing the film <i>Return of the Man From Snowy River</i>. <br />
<br />
I drove out at 9am and got today's paper out of the trash can in front of <i>Louis & Clark</i> at <i>Breckwood</i>. In my purple pants suit I drove out to <i>Eastfield Mall</i> and came through the <i>Cinema</i> where workers were holding the doors for those who entered. Sauntered through <i>Eastfield</i> and then left for <i>Cat's Paw</i>, where they had nothing new. <br />
<br />
Then to <i>Randall's</i> where they had an enormous basket of shell beans at $1.49 per pound. I bought $2.03 worth, but the clerk only asked for two dollars. Then I drove over to <i>Food Mart</i> and bought an additional $10 worth of discounts like stuffing and pizza. In the front door of the newly closed <i>Caldors</i> is a Help Wanted sign for <i>Spag's</i> "Where Shopping is an Adventure." At the former <i>Mikara's</i> a dumpster is out front and there is a For Rent sign up. At the Sixteen Acres Library the Boston Road end has roofing system support beams all in place. <br />
<br />
Mail was skimpy, brought by the regular Saturday man just before noon. It did include the Fall 1999/2000 program of the Tuesday Morning Music Club noting the death of Mother among a couple of others on the inside of the back cover. The DAR gave no recognition to Mother, though I suppose she was a bad girl because the resigned even though she gave them a farewell donation. That is discourteous, and I am thinking of writing them at some point. <br />
<br />
I dined on some nice butter and sugar corn as well as some peaches and plums. Called Aunt Maria and told her I would be visiting sometime in the next few weeks. Does she need anything? No, but then she asked if I had any bottles of Mother's perfume. I told her Mother left about ten bottles behind and I would bring her one. I also told her to remember that she can call me anytime.<br />
<br />
<center><b>August 30, 1999</b></center><br />
Lovely, mild day in the 70's. <br />
<br />
The basic problem of students is reading skills. Back at Heidelberg I used to begin each course with a full hour lecture on how to study. Kids can't read and that's a big part of why they do poorly in college. <br />
<br />
I spent today reading Susan C. Cloninger's <i>Theories of Personality</i> (1993). It is a history of psychology and a summary of the leading theorists. I didn't read all of it, but I read in every single chapter and marked the key passages. On page 113, Cloninger says straight out that the world is over-populated. I also listened a bit to the radio and heard Bruckner's Symphony #9 which seemed quite good. <br />
<br />
I drove out around 8am and got a breakfast sandwich at <i>Burger King</i> with a coupon. It's a croissant with sausage and cheese on it. I read the paper while I was there. Earlier there was so much trash in the cans down at <i>Breckwood</i> that I couldn't find any newspapers. <br />
<br />
I dined on half a <i>Tony's</i> pizza, fruit, corn flakes, a light eating day. The evening news had a story that there were eight fatalities in amusement parks this summer. Got a wrong number from a sophisticated sounding woman but she did not say she was sorry. Another wrong number came from Phillip C. Keegan at 783-7847, he apologized. Eamon called and I told him about the movie. He mentioned how he retired on 70% of his salary. <br />
<br />
There was a big fire on Elm Street in Holyoke last night. Apparently two youths started the fire, which damaged the beautiful edifice of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The adjacent school had only slight damage. I recall that there was another Victorian French church, Precious Blood, which was demolished just a few years ago. The kids who started the fire should be put to work for the rest of their lives as slaves. Slavery should be permitted under certain circumstances, and I believe this is one.<br />
<br />
<center><b>August 31, 1999</b><br /></center><p>
Another lovely, mild day. <br />
<br />
Walter Jackson Bate, the literary critic, has died in Boston. I have little bugs invading my breezeway. They crawl all over the walls near the floor. I traced them to a sack of <i>Frank's All Season Wild Bird Food</i> and dumped it in the trash. <i>Hampden Savings</i> is advertising their 5.5% rate in <i>The Reminder</i>. Anne Staniski Flentje got divorced in August 1987. <br />
<br />
I drove out early and put out the mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. They had no <i>Valley Advocates</i> in their doorway nor Springfield papers in their trash. Then to <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> and deposited $7,600. Picked up some photos at <i>Walmart</i> on Boston Road, including ones of the Powell's at <i>Northgate</i>, Nader the Hatter and his father berrying and Pat Keiser at the opening of the <i>Goodwill</i> in the old Acres <i>A&P</i>. </p><p>Went to see <i>Universal Soldier: The Return</i>. It had good acting, good special effects and the word "fuck" was used only once by a computer. But it was wall to wall violence with more broken glass than I can ever recall seeing anywhere. Based on my wide reading in serious military books, the film is essentially garbage. <br />
<br />
Came home by way of Evangelical Convent Church and they have sitting in their doorwell a new aluminum steeple in three parts. A <i>Home Depot</i> circular came in the mail. Also got an invitation from the <i>Quality Paperback Book Club</i>, who once gave me the bum's rush but now say they miss me and want me back. Nothing from the Giroux family thanking me for my condolence. Dined on Swedish meatballs and the rest of the peppers. <br />
<br />
Spent the evening reading and getting the papers ready for recycling tomorrow. Eamon called and told me he was in Belchertown yesterday taking a real estate lady to dinner. He also stopped by <i>Randall's</i> for a blueberry pie and some cranberry nut bread. Not much business, so he asked the owner how things are going and he said they are having difficulties but things are getting better. Eamon recalled how he used to get wheat berry bread at <i>Arnold's</i> day old bakery shop behind <i>Angelo's</i> all the time. He also mentioned that Righty Keough's election night party was at the <i>Van Horn Spa</i>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-65738482049557327852018-04-10T15:46:00.005-04:002024-03-18T13:38:04.407-04:00September 1999<br />
<center><b>September 1, 1999 <br /></b></center><p> I greatly enjoyed the Phillip Glass Violin Concerto on <i>WSPR</i> today. I called <i>Merriam-Webster</i> and asked for Mr. Bicknell and spoke to Ann Brown, who said he was "in a meeting but he received your material and thanks you very much." I said he is supposed to send me a thank-you note and she replied, "He will if he hasn't already." So are we going to have trouble with Bicknell? <br />
<br />
I drove out close to 4pm and made copies. I then took a Coolata coin from <i>Dunkin Donuts</i> over to the <i>Coin Exchange</i> and gave it to the guy, but he had no new medals of interest. Then over to White and Sumner and into Radzicki's and we talked about the Iris painting which he said came out of a Springfield attic that contained many treasures. I also identified a yellow <i>Tiffany</i> bowl for them which turned out to be with $300. </p><p>There is no doubt that Mike Albano (who lacks the fine education I have) protests too much when he claims that his policy proscriptions are not political. Everything is political to him. Eamon called and said Nardi, who has two or three kids, is now living someplace in an apartment. He recalled visiting with the family many times in their house on Ardmore Street in the old days. </p><p>Eamon says Nader the Hatter is talking about buying a very expensive house in Florida and fixing it up to sell. Eamon said Nader often thinks up projects that never get completed. He told me he gave $700 towards a safety lock Nader invented and was going to patent, along with three or four other investors, but only he and Libby ever contributed and nothing came of it. That was when Nader went to Holland. When I told Eamon about the books I acquired that had once belonged to a nursing student, he said he once had an excellent nursing book, but gave it away to a woman who was going to nursing school. Eamon is very generous.<br />
</p><center><b>September 2, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Intellectual capital counts and time off is better than money. </p><p>Devin R. Adams of Elm Street in West Springfield is a former employee of <i>Jalbert Electric</i> and <i>I Like it Like That Bakery</i>. His favorite writers are Stephen King and Carl Sagan. <br />
<br />
First thing I left some magazines at the Cohn's with their cleaning woman. I never noticed before, but Mr. Cohn has a little desk by the kitchen table and obviously conducts business there. I stopped to see if they had any <i>Valley Advocates</i> at <i>Louis & Clark</i>, and for the second consecutive week they had none. I recalled to the clerk how <i>Schermerhorn's</i> stopped distributing them after they started attacking Matty Ryan and I said I hope they are not going to do the same. The clerk replied no, that they have always supported the <i>Advocate</i>. A woman in the her 30's in line behind me piped in, "It's my favorite paper!" I then went next door to the fitness place, which also had none, and the manager said the stopped carrying it because "it's not the sort of paper my customers read." That sounded like nonsense, but I said nothing. <br />
<br />
Next I swung by Karen Powell's and dropped off some things. We chatted briefly at the her back door but her dogs would not stop barking. From there I drove to the 16 Acres <i>Big Y</i> mall, where the pizza parlor in the corner, which always had an enormous pile, had none. The manager said he didn't want them anymore because they made a mess of the place. Yet, there were other papers on the windowsill, including the latest <i>BRAVO</i>, the CANE report and Devine's newsletter. Finally, I went to <i>Blockbuster Video</i> where there was a large pile. I remarked to the clerk that I wonder if Albano people have been going around urging merchants to drop the <i>Advocate</i>. The clerk smiled and said that <i>Blockbuster</i> will always support the <i>Valley Advocate</i>. <br />
<br />
I stopped by <i>Gateway Hardware</i> on Boston Road, but Tom McCarthy wasn't there. His place looks good and was not too badly affected by the road widening, which is virtually complete. As I left I grabbed a Caribbean Labor Day Parade poster. Then to Mrs. Staniski's, whose lawn was freshly mowed by the black man. She had a lot of books to return to me and she thanked her profusely for them, as they helped sustain her through the hot weather. Mrs. S. is a nice lady but aging rapidly. I gave her the <i>McDonald's</i> toy of Snoopy and Woodstock to give to Ann, who is still reading the Western Mass/Pioneer Valley anthology. Before I left, she gave me a bag of chocolate chip cookies she made for me and some hollyhock seeds she said came from <i>The Colony</i> in Kennebunkport, Maine. <br />
<br />
From there, it was over to Eamon's where I left my bag for him in the chair next to the open garage door. Then came the difficult part of the day, when I went to visit Aunt Maria Giroux. I was there from 10:58 to 11:14am. The lawn was mowed and there was a white plastic chair by the front steps. The rhubarb patch is plucked nearly clean and no sign of activity in the shop. I went inside and found the place relatively picked up. Aunt Maria was sitting in her chair in the corner of the living room, looking at a new <i>Panasonic</i> TV. She has a new, white telephone with large numbers that Ruth got her. <br />
<br />
Aunt Maria was friendly at the start. I gave her a poster of Vermont and two bottles of Mother's perfume. I put the five <i>Swanson</i> frozen dinners in the freezer and showed her the bag of canned goods I brought. She turned off the TV with the remote and told me about a girl she had come in and do some cleaning for $10, but she has since decided to do all the cleaning herself. When I asked her, "What's the state of your medical plan?" she snapped back, "None of your goddam business! Now, get out of here and take the stuff you brought with you if you want!" I said directly to her, "I want the IBM stock!" to which she shouted, "You are never going to get it!" Without further ado I departed. Aunt Maria has always been an attention glutton, getting people to dedicate large amounts of time caring for her. Spoiled brat is the bottom line. <br />
<br />
From there I drove over to the <i>Old Country Buffet</i> and dined for $6.50. When I paid, I told the lady that I used to dine at their restaurant on Boston Road all the time and I'm mad they closed. She replied, "I am too." On the way back I stopped at the former <i>Valle's Steak House</i> on West Street, where I addressed the Rotary Club in 1976 and where Mother and I once took Aunt Maria for Thanksgiving dinner. I learned that it is now <i>Razzl's Night Club</i>, a very large and fine facility for that sort of thing. <br />
<br />
When I got home I called Maureen Turner and left a message saying that I think the <i>Advocate</i> may be being boycotted and wishing her a nice Fall. Eamon called and read me the editorial in today's paper criticizing Tim Ryan and Bill Foley for opposing the baseball stadium. Eamon called it "one of the meanest editorials" the paper has ever printed. Eamon's cousin Tux Sullivan, who has written two books on baseball, thinks the whole stadium project is laughable and so does Spellacy, who calls it "a joke." Eamon then recalled the time Carol Malley Schultz came by the Ryan headquarters on Sumner Avenue, the only person from the paper to do so, and expressed shock that Charlie intended to criticize the newspaper coverage he was getting. "You're going to take on the newspaper?" she exclaimed, as if they were above all criticism. After he hung up I called Tim Ryan and left a message of support with his secretary, who thanked me.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>September 3, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Lovely day.<br />
<br />
Arrogance and Ignorance are twins running in a viscous circle. </p><p>Paul Caron's office is at 535 Main Street in Indian Orchard. The members of the Springfield Baseball Corporation include Cheryl A. Rivera, Peter Picknelly, Michael J. Graney, Allan Blair and Tom Russo. Ronald F. Goulet is President of the North End Community Center. Angelo Della-Ripa is the proprietor of <i>Razzl's Night Club</i> in Springfield. <br />
<br />
First thing, I cooked up a mess of broccoli and stewed tomatoes. Paul Caron sent a letter endorsing Jack "Righty" Keough for State Representative, stating, "I feel that Jack Keough is the right candidate for the job of serving as your next State Representative." Eamon called and said his cop friend Spellacy told him to "wear your bullet proof vest if you go downtown at night." He should know. <br />
<br />
We discussed Armory Street School and I suggested the building looks in too good shape to tear down. "No doubt about it," Eamon replied, and suggested the problem is the failure to maintain the schools properly. If he was running things, Eamon would privatize the custodial services because a private firm would supervise them better. He says there are five or six custodians per school with no accountability or supervision. He claims that many custodians "don't know what they're supposed to be doing." <br />
<br />
Reached Tom Devine, whom I have not spoken with for some time. I mentioned my visit to see the the Twig Painter and the photos of nude people on the wall, but told him I didn't look close enough to see who was in them. He replied that "it's just as well you didn't look too closely." Tom told me he has copyright papers from Doyle, but hasn't read them yet. I suspect Tom is quite close to Doyle so I asked him if Doyle is still friends with Tom McCarthy across the street, and he said yes. I wondered why Doyle seems less interested in me after the mailings he sent and Tom replied, "Maybe because he's afraid you'll embarrass him." So, by being way-out I have caused some people to pull their heads in. <br />
<br />
Tom says he gets the impression that "Mayor Albano likes you," but I said that may no longer be true. I also told him how there seems to be an organized effort underway to get merchants to boycott the <i>Valley Advocate</i> and Tom said, "I wouldn't be surprised." Devine wanted to talk about the mean editorial in the paper, he feels the stadium project will fail and cited Mo Turner's article suggesting that the city did not follow instructions and wrongly classified <i>Northgate</i> as a blighted area. Tom says he sometimes exchanges e-mails with Mo Turner but was vague when I pressed him for details. I asked if he thought Mo was well off, but he refused to speculate except to say she is from Long Island, which is an expensive area. I told him I don't care if she has money, I want someone who can bear my child. Maureen Turner remains a research project in progress.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>September 4, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Nice day, but the drought continues. </p><p>My friends at Colby had a little ditty about the now deceased Chairman of the Classics Department Archibald Allen:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>The Archangel came down from heaven</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>and stated with miles in view</i></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><i>"Smile and the world smiles with you</i></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><i>Frown and you'll never get into grad school</i></p><p><br />
Eamon claims to be able to to recognize which unsigned editorials are by McDermott or David Starr, based on their writing styles. Over 100 displaced by the Holyoke fire. <i>Northeast Utilities</i> claims they had a profit for a change, 14 cents per share. Jeremy in the comic <i>ZITS</i> has a hippie van. B. John Dill is the President of <i>The Coleman Group</i>. <br />
<br />
Dined today on cornflakes, three peaches, a plum, broccoli and hot dogs. I drove out and made copies at <i>Breckwood</i> and put a few letters in the <i>Louis & Clark</i> mailbox. Then I drove to Forest Park and put out the major mail there. The antique shop up the street is asking $5 for old road maps. Since I have several hundreds of them, my collection must be worth thousands of dollars. <i>The Clock Mill</i> was closed for vacation. Dined at 16 Acres <i>Burger King</i> on a 99 cent coupon (a big burger, not a little one) and took pictures of the construction work at the library and the awnings in front of the <i>Goodwill</i>. <br />
<br />
I set out for a tag sale at the corner of Puritan Road and Puritan Circle. The sale was unremarkable except for one thing, a box of fundamentalist religious tracts. They were about converting Jews, converting Muslims, Billy Graham, you name it. They had belonged to Rick W. Lidwin of 16 Oliver Street in Chicopee Falls, who had printed his name with mechanical precision on a number of the items. I took all the controversial ones, they are wonderful. I also spotted a sale on Balboa, where I bought a <i>Sealtest</i> milk crate dated 7/86. <br />
<br />
Home at 4:30pm, I watched the news and took a nap. Awoke at 10pm and decided to go cruising downtown. I drove past Doyle's art gallery and saw the lights were on, but couldn't see in because of the large painting on display in the window. Arrived downtown at 10:30 and found no parking around the arch, so drove around Worthington and Stearns Square but found no parking spot. Finally I turned back towards Main and parked opposite <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i>. <br />
<br />
The lights atop <i>Monarch Palace</i> were an impressive red, white and blue. <i>Gus & Paul's</i> were just closing with three fashionable, young women sitting on the patio out front as workers stacked chairs all around them. Inside, <i>Spaghetti Freddy's</i> was also empty but with their lights still on, having closed just a few minutes ago. Down the hall at <i>Champion's Sports Bar</i>, the story was very different, the place was absolutely packed. There were another 40 people in <i>Mad Maggie's Billiards</i>. Departing <i>Tower Square</i>, across the way <i>Pizzeria Uno</i> had a good number of people inside and on the terrace. <i>Kaos</i> was getting ready to open at 11:30am, it stays open until 5am. They serve no liquor, but no doubt many customers have been drinking at the bars all night and of course may sneak in a vest bottle along with pot or whatever. <br />
<br />
<i>Friends</i> had 58 customers, the usual sort, yuppies in their 30's. The stairway was open to the leather bar, so I walked up the green lit stairs and paid a $2 cover charge. It was a long, narrow room, painted all black with art deco mirrors and prints on the walls. There was no live band, but blaring rock music with several mirror balls revolving with blinking colored lights. Some guys were wearing white t-shirts, but no leather anywhere. Lots of conversation, but no action. Back on Worthington Street, I saw that <i>Theodore's</i> had maybe 40 people in it. The band was on break and their instruments were at rest on the stage which is just inside the front window. <i>Naismith's</i> had maybe 30 people at the bar, with the owner checking ID's. <br />
<br />
<i>Fat Cat</i> and <i>Cat's Alley</i>, two adjacent storefronts, had a band and a good crowd of about 75. Suddenly a police officer approached and started speaking to me, but I pretended not to hear. Finally he loudly asked, "Sir, are you looking for something?" The officer, whose badge number was 481, was quite friendly. I told him I was counting noses in the bars to see how business really is. The cop said downtown will become more populated the closer it gets to midnight. He said nothing about my purple pants. "All set." he said and walked on. <br />
<br />
Over across Stearns Square, the <i>Cafe Manhattan</i> had a good crowd, maybe 50 customers. <i>Caffeine's</i> as always was packed, with maybe a hundred people. <i>The Hot Club</i> was rocking with a police officer standing outside. <i>The Tic-Toc</i> had maybe 30 inside. Eamon says the <i>Tic -Toc</i> has the burger anywhere, served custom made, fat and beefy. Eamon says he's taken Nader the Hatter there several times, he's also taken the Hatter to the <i>Mardi Gras</i>, where girls will dance in your face for a dollar, which seems pretty cheap to me. Eamon claims the strippers look nice, but they're airheads. He says he sees a higher class of girls at someplace in Ludlow, where he sometimes goes. <br />
<br />
<i>Sivio's</i> just before Dwight had only 8 customers and nobody at the tables. How does it keep going? <i>The Pub</i>, the oldest gay bar in Springfield, is dominated by a U-shaped bar and a couple of game machines. The bartender was an older man. I cut out and crossed the street to the <i>Judge's Chambers</i>, which had 23 customers with the cheerful proprietor greeting customers as usual by the door. <br />
<br />
I'd never been to <i>David's</i> at night before. I paid $3 at the door and then $3 for a <i>Budweiser</i> and sat at the bar for about twenty minutes. The place was filled with kids in their twenties, well dressed, bright and clean. There are pool tables up front and young latino male and female bartenders. No food as far as I could see. They had wonderful dance floor lights, worth watching though there were no dancers. I soon left having engaged in no conversation, although I did have repeated eye contact with a tall, well dressed black man with a collar around his neck who said hi as he passed. I left at 12:15 and headed home, the lights were still on when I passed Doyle's. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>September 6, 1999</b></center><br />
Lovely day, but ground wet this morning and humid.<br />
<br />
John Boyle O'Reilly died in Hull, Massachusetts in 1890. This is the 17th season or <i>Wheel of Fortune</i>, and I am sick of it. The best music on <i>WFCR</i> is to be heard on Sunday mornings and especially in the middle of the night. Clarentha A. Coleman is Director of Personnel for the Springfield Public Schools. <br />
<br />
Spent most of yesterday and today at home reading. I wrote a letter to President Caprio this morning, then dined on bacon, eggs and a peach. Went out first thing to the <i>McDonald's</i> on Allen Street and had a steak, egg and cheese bagel with a coupon. The manager asked where I got the coupon and I told him at the Taste of Springfield. Read a morning paper that someone had left behind in the restaurant. Next I went to <i>Food Mart</i> to get some brown bread and other items on special. I made copies at <i>Pride</i> and mailed something to Moriarty at Breckwood. I found a <i>MARS Night Club</i> Grand Opening featuring D.J. Michael Kane flyer lying on the ground.<br />
<br />
When I got back, I came across an old lock from the <i>Waterbury Lock and Specialty Company</i> in Milford, Connecticut that Mother got out of a bargain bin somewhere. I remember it never worked and when I sent a letter of complaint I got it back with a notice of no forwarding address. Perhaps they were already out of business when Mother bought it, yet she never threw it away.<br />
<br />
Eamon called and told me that over the years he has given away thousands of dollars in clothes to the Salvation Army. He fears an economic downturn is coming soon. We got to talking about former governors, and Eamon said that Governor Foster Furcolo's administration had homosexuals in high positions. "Chris Mahoney, his chief secretary, was one." Eamon hears that Senator Brian Lees may be gay, but has never seen any evidence of it himself. <br />
<br />
Eamon has heard nothing from Nader the Hatter. He did speak recently with Tony Ravosa, who told him that Tony Jr. is no longer with the Massachusetts Port Authority and is making more money as a political consultant. Yesterday Eamon was walking past the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> building when he ran into an old friend. As they were chatting, David Starr and Larry McDermott walked past and gave Eamon dirty looks. Eamon gave them a big, friendly grin in return, thinking this would annoy them more than responding in kind. "Oh Sully!" his friend exclaimed. "They didn't look like they liked you too much!" Eamon laughed and told his friend, "It's a long story." <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 7, 1999</b></center><br />
Red sun at dawn. <br />
<br />
<i>TV22</i> was showing us their new studio on the 6am news. It is supposed to be the premiere studio between New York and Boston. The Business section of the paper had an article about Mary Kay Wydra of the tourist bureau, she is an unmarried 34 year old who is a Springfield College graduate. Barbara Wallace is Senior Vice President of the <i>Bank of Western Massachusetts</i>. <br />
<br />
Typed a letter to Wesley Church. Drove out to <i>Pride</i> at 7am and made copies, but on the way I dropped off something for Caprio. His car was not in his space so I left my stuff with Susette Curto, who was very cordial. No campus literature lying around. Actually, my first stop was at the Cohn's. She was at the kitchen table and he appeared and returned the Polish grammar book. He said Zachary has a hit a snag and won't be down to visit as planned. He also said "it's too bad" that Mr. Penniman's health is failing. Then down to Breckwood, where I saw two cop cars parked across the way at Duggan. I got the paper out of the <i>Louis & Clark</i> trash can as usual.<br />
<br />
Then out to the Forest Park Post Office to put out my mail, including my letter to the Anti-Defamation League in Boston. The clock shop was open but I didn't go in. Bombed down to the Quadrangle, where I tried to park by <i>Lido's</i>, but the lot was full. Cops having a union meeting? I finally found a spot on Worthington. On the way downtown I paused at Fred Whitney's and left some stuff, including the Harvard recommendation forms. The garage door was open and his car was inside, but no one came to the door. Road work is still clogging the Edwards Bridge. <br />
<br />
At the library I picked up Devine's latest newsletter, which includes a flashback to his <i>Heroes and Villains of 1996</i>. I then left a few items with the security guard at the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum. The Museum of Fine Arts lunchroom is closed for remodeling, silly because they just opened. Then I picked up my Mass estate tax forms at the old post office. The blood drive people had a table set up and a woman invited me to donate. I pointed to my leather jacket and replied, "I hear you don't want any from queers." She nodded and said, "So sorry." That took care of that.<br />
<br />
My next stop was the current Federal Building, and I had trouble getting in. The metal alarm went off and they couldn't find the source until we realized it was the zipper on my fleece. I got the federal estate tax materials, then looked at a display of building plans for a new Federal Courthouse. They all look awful, although some are better than others. One proposed plan looks like nothing but big panes of glass held together by coat hanger wire. <br />
<br />
I swung by the SIS Building and dropped off something for Christopher Bramley with his receptionist Joan Lewandowski. Then I made a deposit at the <i>Bank of Boston</i>, wandered through City Hall, then over to the courthouse, where I found Moran impeccably clad, cordial, complaining of back pain and not ready to return the book I loaned him. I decided to go the <i>The Fort</i> to dine, where I was greeted at the door by Rudi. I sat at the table under the bottle openers, but walked around a little first. I found the tunnel out to the back alleyway, it really is an immense and eccentric structure. Matty Ryan was there, seated with an old man. I had onion soup and a mug of beer and left a $2 tip. Down on Dwight in the porn shop next to <i>David's</i>, they have a small sex toys department with an nice iron collar, but Larry had no idea what the price was.<br />
<br />
When I got home, the mail was already here and there were no calls while I was out. The mail included a letter from Marshall Moriarty, Chairman of the Springfield Republican City Committee, inviting me to a meeting about ward representation at Christ Presbyterian Church on Allen Street September 13th. Eamon called and said he was downtown filling out the papers to have his tax lowered as a disabled vet. He asked me to sell him my Roche's <i>Collected Works of John Boyle O'Reilly</i>. I said he's a friend and is free to borrow, but the set is not for sale. He argued that he is afraid to borrow lest something happen to it, so I told him if so he is forgiven in advance. I also gave him the number of <i>East Bay Books</i>. We talked about the ad in the paper for Halloween jobs at <i>Riverside</i>. <br />
<br />
Eamon's caller ID shows his editorials get regular calls from <i>Jahn Foundry</i> and John Cameron. Eamon is surprised because he hasn't said anything about <i>Jahn Foundry</i> since the time of the explosion. Eamon told me Spellacy called and told him that Starr, McDermott and Wayne Phaneuf came down to the police station and complained that they are not being given regular updates on important investigations and their reporters always have to ask. But Chief Meara was not around, she goes to a lot of official functions. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 9, 1999</b></center><br />
Raining this morning, then hot and humid.<br />
<br />
Manhood is a current issue. Formerly both the church and military taught young men discipline. Such is no longer the case and things are getting out of control as young men aspire to male stereotypes. Nastiness prevails. A monument to the kids killed at Kent State was unveiled today. What a disgraceful adventure Vietnam was. Why didn't they unveil the monument on May 4th, the actual date? Henry J. Duffy is Curator of the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site in Cornish, New Hampshire. <i>Just Friends</i> on Hampden Street in Springfield has a monthly Latin Night with Nina Arena. Wes and Mim Herwig took a birthday cake to their daughter Daphne Fleury of West Brookfield. <br />
<br />
Trash went promptly. Dined on dropped egg, a peach, corn flakes and then later <i>Franco-American Ravioli</i>. Reading about Edwardian fiction. An awful lot of these authors were educated at home, as Grandfather George Manuel Miller was. A lot of little moths on the breezeway today. Drove out to the Acres looking for the <i>Valley Advocate</i>, but nobody had one. Then to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, where they were giving away a free vegetable brush. Went past the theater and the ticket seller lady told me that business is usually slow except on weekends. <br />
<br />
The mail didn't come until 5:30pm. What's up? None of it was First Class. I called <i>Merrian-Webster</i> and Ann answered, saying that Bicknell was in a meeting. She connected with John Morse's secretary and I left my complaint with her. Eamon called and said he is a member of <i>Cosco</i> for $35 per year, but he isn't sure he's getting his money's worth. We talked about the opening of the riverfront in Hartford. He also told me that the article in the <i>Advocate</i> dumping on McDermott is excellent. We also talked about the Talented and Gifted program in Springfield, which Eamon says is a mess. <br />
<br />
Eamon told me he listens to <i>WMAS</i> because he "likes the oldies." It will cost $287,000 for <i>United Wreckers</i> to clean up after the fire in Holyoke. Eamon said his brother Raymond the Fire Chief, who died young despite working out three times a week, told him once that the Holyoke Fire Department has the wrong fire fighting philosophy. They fight fires from the street, instead of aggressively going into a building and knocking the fire down from the inside. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 11, 1999</b><br /></center><p>
Rainstorm at dawn, biggest shower we've had for weeks.<br />
<br />
A lawsuit has been brought on behalf of the disabled, claiming that the courthouses in Plymouth and Franklin Counties deny adequate access to the handicapped. There was a picture in the paper of Thomas F. Moriarty, history professor at Elms College, walking through the old Elms Library in Berchman's Hall. The Boston Nasty Boyz are performing at <i>Club Escape</i> on Paine Street in Chicopee. <i>The Pioneer Valley Brew Club</i> is located on Taylor Street in Springfield.<br />
<br />
Years ago the Gallagher's painted their house lilac and then later put maroon paint over it except for a patch on the back of the roof, I suspect because it is a difficult spot to get to. Dick Nichols never finished painting the sides of the gables at the back of his house and they are tacky looking. Kelly has pulled the weeds out of her lawn and reseeded.</p><p>Out bright and early at quarter to ten. I got the paper out of the <i>Louis & Clark</i> trash can, then stopped at several tag sales. I got some video boxes that were marked <i>H.O.T.</i> 1900 Wilbraham Road. I also saw a desktop paddle wheel such as I once saw on the reception desk of the <i>Valley Advocate</i>. At the Evangelical Covenant Church the base to the steeple has been mounted on the roof. A new building is going up just beyond <i>Angelo's</i> and <i>Arnold's</i> on Bay. <i>The Pier One</i> building at the corner of Parker and Boston Road has been demolished and the land leveled. <br />
<br />
From the tag sales I proceeded downtown and parked on Dwight near the old Federal Building and headed to the fair on Mattoon Street.The temperature was in the 70's, all of nature was cleansed and refreshed by the morning rain. The sky was blue with puffy cumulus clouds, with the light of the sun filtering down through the leaves of the trees onto the pavement. The sight of the white exhibition tents along Mattoon reminded me of why I consider the Mattoon Fair Springfield's most lovely event. If I were entertaining someone in Springfield, it is the weekend of Mattoon and Glendi that I should want them to come. </p><p> I walked around and studied the crowd. Mattoon Street has always had high standards and they remain true to
them. The quality of their stuff is someplace between Westfield and
Northampton and well above Longmeadow (just because people have money
enough to live in Longmeadow doesn't mean they have taste). Mattoon is
certainly well above the country craft schlock of West Springfield. The quality is still there, but not as many vendors. </p><p>When I arrived at 10:30am there weren't many customers. The last time I was at Mattoon they charged admission and the booths were spilling out into Chestnut and curled around the corner toward the triangle. There were so many people it was hard to walk around. In my opinion there were over twenty fewer booths this time. I saw no posters. Mattoon
Street was looking pretty empty compared to past years. There was no
Doyle the Twig Painter or other local artists such as Hayward or Gnatek who had once been Mattoon
Street regulars. Louise Minks had a sign "Artist of the Day" on her easel. I bought a marsh
painting of Leverett Pond from her. </p><p>At one point a woman carrying a canvas covered violin case called out to me. She was wearing a white blouse, red shirt and short heeled black shoes. I realized it was Stacia Flipiack Falcowski, the violinist/vocalist from Indian Orchard. She told me she studied with Maurice Freedman and was in the Junior Symphony, just like me. What a coincidence! She described herself as an environmental activist with a degree from UMass. I mentioned Eamon and Belle-Rita and promised to send her info on how to get in touch with them. A few minutes later she was performing alone and at one point asked me what I would like her to play. I suggested <i>Meditation from Thais</i>, as I know no one who studied under Freedman could fail to know it. She played it very nicely. </p><p>There was lots of empty space and no booths near Chestnut. There were two food booths at the top of Mattoon, one run by the Hispanic Baptists with a line of twenty or more customers. A larger role by these people in the fair in the years ahead would be a blessing. Good gay community turnout, I spotted a few couples holding hands. I talked to the Preservation Trust Lady and asked if Fran Gagnon was still involved with their group and she said she used to be but no more because "she's busy with other things." I said I didn't think much of her and the lady volunteered "a lot of people don't." <br />
<br />
I then spoke with a man and woman at <i>Encore Players</i>, which is celebrating their 25th season, and they were very forthcoming. They said that in the old days under Steve Hays, <i>Stage West</i> was very friendly to them. But shortly after Hays left, things changed, certainly after moving into the city, and now <i>Stage West</i> has nothing to do with them, no sharing, no communication. They said <i>Stage West</i> is no longer sensitive to the kinds of shows Springfield audiences want. I recalled that Eamon told me he has been to <i>Encore</i> performances and they were good, despite the acoustical problems at the <i>Sanderson Theater</i>. <br />
<br />
From Mattoon I went over to <i>Glendi 99</i>, which is back after a year hiatus and has always been my favorite cultural festival. <i>Glendi</i> is a high toned event, clean and well run, exactly what a cultural fair should be and a model for others. Their tent is enormous so nobody has to worry about getting out of the sun or rain. </p><p>I paid $6 for a gyro plate, which turned out to be different than the one I used to buy at Madison. In Wisconsin, the plate was piled high with meat, lots of onion, tomato wedges and with sauce poured generously over the whole business. It was a feast and I got one every month or so. However, at <i>Glendi</i> it consisted of only a gyro sandwich with a little rice on the side. I drank no beverages. There was a long table of Greek desserts but I bought nothing. There were a few men standing around to pick up dishes and wipe the tables. <br />
<br />
In the basement of the old public library they had an art show, but the prices were far too high, selling for thousands what was only worth hundreds. There were few of the beautiful Greek scenes I recall from the last time I went. Upstairs they had a good tag sale going, which included the <i>Diamond Gold Connection</i> dealer, a fine table of Russian religious icons and nice boxes of carved wood featuring images of bears and rabbits. I bought a handful of Russian postcards, which are fairly difficult to get. <br /></p><p>There were several hundred under the tent, watching a line of red, white and black clad Greek dancers. My Jewish neighbors Mr and Mrs. Cohn were there making a purchase of Greek sweets. Bradley and his wife were just arriving at one sale as I was leaving. He asked me, "Do you still wear orange?" Apparently, he has a problem with it. I decided I had enough for one day and exited. Home at 4:20pm. The mail brought a nice thank you letter from John M. Morse at <i>Merriam-Webster</i> for the painting registration forms I sent him. <br />
<br />
For supper I had a <i>Marie Callendar Chicken Pot Pie</i>, which has good crust. An Alice Quinlan called asking, "Are you the John Miller who went to Holy Name School in Chicopee? When I replied no, she apologized for bothering me, but it was the only way she had of finding this person. Called Aunt Maria and she answered with a hearty hello. Called Crosset and Powell about the upcoming Republican party meeting featuring Fred Whitney. </p><p>Tom Vannah of the <i>Valley Advocate</i> returned my call and we had a cordial chat. I congratulated him on his piece on McDermott and told him that many are praising Mo Turner's piece on the Police Department. I informed him about Spellacy also liking it because it was critical of the Meara regime. He seemed quite interested as I told him how I got my season pass revoked by <i>Riverside</i>. I had no problem hearing Vannah's voice, which was not always the case when I spoke with Maureen.<br />
<br />
Eamon called and we talked for about 15 minutes about the lawsuit by Dianne Wilson over injuries she received at <i>Riverside</i> in June 1998. Eamon said Chicopee is paying $70 per day for substitute teachers and more if they work for an extended period. Eamon has not yet received an invitation to the opening of the Irish Cultural Center Grand Opening. We talked about the decline of Protestantism in Springfield and all the churches that have closed or merged. I was surprised by how little Eamon seemed to know about the Protestant faith.<br />
</p><center><b>September 12, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Sunny, a beautiful day once again. <br />
<br />
Worcester now wants a baseball stadium. Thirty years ago it was civic centers. Anthony Lake, former National Security Adviser, will speak at the Springfield Public Forum on October 21st. Muhlberger is not in the phone book. Dined on tomatoes and toast. <br />
<br />
Increasingly things are being put in squeeze containers, and now they are going to sell peanut butter that way. I'll bet manufacturers like squeeze containers because food is left behind that you can't squeeze out and that means more sales sooner. No scraping clean a squeeze container. I came across some of the last checks from <i>Shawmut</i> signed by Father in 1985, and it is obvious his handwriting was failing. <br />
<br />
I went to bed this morning at 12:35am after listening to some Swedish composer's <i>Reminiscences of the Norwegian Mountains</i> which was hauntingly beautiful. Out to <i>McDonald's</i> with another coupon for a free steak, egg and bagel sandwich. My supply has lasted all summer and I have two coupons left. The <i>McDonald's</i> on Allen was well filled as it always is, but next door at <i>Wendy's</i> there was only three cars in the lot. As I left, I pointed out a loose door latch to the <i>McDonald's</i> janitor, a black gentleman with pigtails. <br />
<br />
Next I made copies at <i>Pride</i> in the Acres and photographed the progress on the new library roof. <i>The Goodwill</i>, whose Grand Opening I missed on the 9th, had a large red balloon in front. From there I headed downtown and parked on Spring right near the back door of Technical High. I headed over to the second day of the Mattoon Fair, it was a beautiful day and a good turnout. There were people all around and I took pictures. The Jozephczyk's were there and we exchanged pleasantries. I said I'll have to have them over sometime. I then drove over to the North End to check out <i>Glendi</i> again and parked in front of the <i>Peter Pan</i> bus garage, the old trolley shed. There was more people there than yesterday. <br /></p><p>When I got back, the Allard's were just going out to eat. He asked, "How are you doing now, living all alone?" He also said they hated the oak tree that died during the drought and claimed the city will have to remove it because it is on the tree belt. I suggested they might be sluggish about doing so and promised to have them over for sherry sometime. Eamon called and we discussed McDermott's latest diatribe against lengthy letters. Eamon claims I wouldn't last a week married to a woman. Could well be.<br />
</p><center><b>September 13, 1999</b></center><br />
Dined on cornflakes, peaches and a <i>Subway</i> grinder I bought downtown, generously prepared by Shkena, who after a hiatus still remembered how I like vinegar and oil. <i>D'Affunchio's Ristorante and Pizzaria</i> next door is closed and available for rent thru <i>Colebrook</i>. I think <i>Lou Dramin's</i> was in there and the art deco motif goes back to <i>Arden's</i>. <i>The Reminder</i> was delivered and the mail came at its heels, delivered by the regular guy. The General Edwards Bridge will be closed tomorrow, it has been tied up on and off all summer. <br />
<br />
Took a pile of mags down to the Cohn's and Mrs. Cohn was at the kitchen table so I left them with her. Her husband was out. Poked my head into Penniman's, but she had her hair up in curlers so I simply said hi and extended my good wishes. I didn't hang around. Got the paper out of the <i>Louis & Clark</i> trashcan. From there I went to drop off film, which would be developed by noon (I don't really need such good service) at <i>Walmart</i>. The clerk at <i>Walmart</i> was an Oriental guy named Lenny so I asked him if he had ever heard of Lenny Bruce. He laughed and said, "That's who my parents named me after!" However, he admitted than he has never read anything by Lenny Bruce. The film developing cost $6.46. I counted 31 cars in the parking lot. The new pavement on Boston Road is really nice, the orange lines in the middle remain to be painted.<br />
<br />
Next I headed down to <i>Merriam-Webster</i>, where I left something for Mr. Morse with their chubby receptionist Ann. Directly across from their main door was a light blue car with the driver's side window smashed out. I saw a cop standing around Pearl Street so I told him about it. There were cars parked illegally all along Pearl by the Armory fence and every one of them had an orange ticket on it. Then down to the Greek Cultural Center where I got a <i>Glendi 99</i> poster. From there I drove back downtown and and parked on Salem. At City Hall I ordered seven copies of Mother's death certificate, which they said would not be ready until 3pm tomorrow. Got a grinder at <i>Subway</i> and then headed home, pausing to photograph the steeple raising at the Evangelical Covenant Church. I told the person in charge I would give them copies, it turned out to be Ralph Carlson, a Vice-president at <i>Spaulding</i> in Chicopee. <br />
<br />
At night I went to the Republican City Committee meeting wearing my <i>Raising Hell is My Business</i> t-shirt. It turned out the meeting was quite worthwhile. I had hoped Brian Santinello would be there so I could tell him I think he's an Albano toady who only turned Republican in hopes of getting a big job in Boston. However, although he had been at the GOP picnic, he was not there tonight. Candidate Scott Santaniello was there, he has signs all over town but is somber rather than smiling and doesn't speak very loud. <br />
<br />
Marshall Moriarty arrived late, but made some good comments about the need to recruit more minorities into the party. I doubt that will happen, but Marshall's heart is in the right place. The Powell's were there and were chatting with Fred Whitney when I arrived. Karen told us she is going to run her dog for Mayor as a joke write-in candidate because Mayor Albano has no opposition this year. I mentioned Wavy Gravy's Nobody for President joke campaign and she remembered it. Mr. Whitney wasn't all that friendly towards me, I don't think he liked the way I was dressed. His son walked by me without speaking. Bob Magovern of Agawam was there. I counted 26 attendees in all, no blacks or Latinos. <br />
<br />
While I was chatting with a young Italian fellow who lives in Longmeadow, recently graduated from Worcester Poly in Chemical Engineering, a tiny mouse appeared in the hallway. I stepped on him and threw the corpse in the trash. We figured he probably got in through the back door of the church. I put a dollar in the collection pail, they served coffee, donut holes, stale cookies but nice brownies. I put Eamon's phone number on the blackboard at one point and told everyone to call "to find out the latest news." <br />
<br />
The whole event was Whitney giving a presentation, after being introduced by Mary Kaufman, about the need to change from at-large to a ward representation system. Whitney stated that the current system "has killed democracy in Springfield." He spoke politely, honestly and with confidence, coming across as a real teddy bear. I could hear Whitney just fine. Later I told him he should develop his speech into a scholarly paper. Whitney said Tom Devine has been appearing regularly on Kateri Walsh's radio show on WHYN. We both agreed that it is difficult to get elected in Springfield if you are not Irish or Italian. <br />
<br />
Eamon's present answering machine editorial is about the need for term limits. Eamon called and talked about his oldest brother Gerald, who died of scarlet fever. Eamon got it too and it stunted his growth, so as a kid he had to be tough in order to handle bigger kids who gave him a hard time. Eamon said Peter Hogan, who vacations at Groton Long Point in Connecticut, told him that Eddie Boland just spent $1.2 million for a place down there. It's more private than on the Cape where a lot of big politicians go. <br />
<br />
Eamon then talked about Boland's adviser and life long friend Daniel Keyes, a Chicopee judge. Keyes never gave any politician more than $25 and his son was a disappointment to him because he never became a lawyer. Young Keyes was briefly Hampden County Treasurer, but was defeated by Rose Marie Coughlan. The son also sold life insurance and Eamon described him as "light as a feather" intellectually. Eamon then told me how he himself once tried to sell life insurance, but he couldn't stand the idea of scaring people into buying by talking about heart attacks and the need to provide money for loved ones. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 14, 1999</b></center><br />
It was a busy day. <i>Peter Pan</i> has closed its pizza shop in the Springfield bus terminal, <i>McDonald's</i> will move into the pizza shop's former space. Dined on Swedish meatballs and peppers. Spoke to Karen Powell briefly, she told me that Picknelly's son was involved with the Cellucci campaign. According to her, the Picknelly family deals with both Democrats and Republicans and "play both sides of the fence."<br />
<br />
Went out to cut the lawn, and brought out Sweet Pea and Honey Pot so I could take their picture sitting in the driveway. I also clipped down the goldenrod, which has crowded out the phlox in the garden. Kelly was home watering her lawn. Both Mrs. Penniman and Martel drove by and waved. The Allard's went by in their black Cadillac. The street sweeper came by, which seemed silly, they should have come by after the trash gets picked up tomorrow. <br />
<br />
At <i>Breckwood</i> I sent a mailing to Tom Vannah which included a note for him to give to Maureen. I also got the paper out of the <i>Louis & Clark</i> trashcan. Then I left off a Harvard vita form on Fred Whitney's back doorknob, after swinging by <i>Walmart</i>, where I bought four rolls of film for $9 and dropped one off for developing. Then I drove downtown and parked in the parking lot for <i>Jeff's Frames</i> and walked over to City Hall to get the copies of Mother's death certificate, 7 for $56.<br />
<br />
From there I headed to the unveiling of the bust of State Representative Andrew M. Scibelli (1911-1998). The ceremony was on Main Street in the South End, opposite Margaret Street, with a reception later at the Our Lady of St. Carmel Society. The bust of Scibelli is by Wilbraham artist Carl Sundberg. Governor Cellucci, a friend of Scibelli when they both served in the statehouse, was there along with Mayor Albano. All the big shots were present, Peter Picknelly arrived in a white and cream Rolls Royce. Fran Gagnon and her husband sat right in front of me, he nodded to me but she remained sullenly silent. Had a chat with Leonard Collamore, who said he still collects Columbus material. Mayor Albano gave me a big smile and a handshake. I heard someone call "Wesley" and it was Marshall Moriarty. Joe Carvalho was there chatting with the Quadrangle lawyer and City Councilor Bill Foley. At one point a Monarch butterfly fluttered around the bust. <br />
<br />
I spoke with the sculptor Carl Sundberg, who described himself as "a Swede who converted to Catholicism." I told him it was wrong that his name appeared no where on the program, although he was introduced at the end. I told him how much I admire his work and that the Scibelli bust has a great smile. An honor guard stood behind the monument throughout the ceremony. This was the third event I've been to recently where Kevin Kennedy has stood in for Richie Neal. Eddie Boland was there sitting with former Mayor Sullivan. Boland looked feeble and hunched over, that beach house he bought for a million must be some kind of estate planning.<br />
<br />
President Caprio was there with an umbrella (it sprinkled slightly but soon stopped). Gagnon's umbrella was white and gold. Some Italian women sang the Star Spangled Banner and the Italian National Anthem. Many people spoke of how Scibelli was an early riser and used to call people at five in the morning. Several people spoke besides Governor Cellucci, including Picknelly, Albano, Heribero Flores, Cheryl Rivera, Tom Finneran, Linda Melconian plus Representatives Bill Nagle and Tom Petrolati. Paul Caron said hi. <br />
<br />
At the reception at Mt. Carmel, the refreshments were lovely. They served cream puffs with real cream, little cakes from <i>LaFiorintina</i> plus a platter of veggies from which I took only one tomato. They had a plate of cheese, finger rolls filled with egg salad (I consumed two) deviled ham and tuna fish. When I got back to the car I gave Jeff a program for letting me park at his shop. On my way home I stopped to see Mrs. Staniski, who I found sitting on her front porch. She said she had been over to see Carol, who has had a knee operation and can't drive for a while. Ann is expected this weekend. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 15, 1999</b></center><br />
<i>TV22</i> had a reporter on talking about food safety at the Big E and said the stands are inspected "by the town of Springfield." <i>Louis & Clark</i> has stores in Baystate Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, Chicopee, Wilbraham, Breckwood Shops and one on Page Boulevard. <i>The Dance Company</i> is in most of the old lawnmower place at the plaza. As of the end of August my <i>Hampden</i> account has $2,916.79 in it.<br />
<br />
Dr. Thomas G. Little has died at age 87. He was an oral surgeon in Springfield for over 35 years and his daughter Susan Little, a thin, dark haired girl who often wore plaid skirts, was in my 8th grade class in Room 203 in Buckingham. At one point she invited our class to a picnic at their large house on Parker Street about opposite Hillcrest Cemetery. I think her family moved to Longmeadow in 1958. <br />
<br />
I've been reading and working on the estate. At <i>Louis & Clark</i> I mailed the quarterly tax payments to the IRS and a note to Lois the artist. Ciatras was there but sheepishly just said hi. Then I delivered the steeple pictures to Aggie in the ground level office at the Evangelical Covenant. There were lots of cars in the parking lot so there must have been something going on. It was starting to sprinkle as I arrived at the <i>Albank</i> on Island Pond Road. Then to STCC, where the lady in the President's office took my letter. I walked around the campus a bit and picked up a few posters. <br />
<br />
Next to Eamon's, who was out so I left my magazines in a chair by the garage. Then to <i>Savers</i>, where I found a used book with a John A. McDonough business card in it. I also bought a hardcover <i>Portable Arthur Miller</i>, an unusual find. A young guy in a red <i>Savers</i> employee cap told me that if something doesn't sell in about a month they take if off the shelf. I also popped into <i>Food Mart</i> and bought the specials, especially the <i>Swanson</i> dinners and <i>Progresso</i> soup. I could survive just buying the foods that are on special. I stopped and got a <i>McDonald's</i> double cheeseburger with bacon for 99 cents, on the way home I saw Doyle doing his twig painting under his umbrella. <br />
<br />
I called Sheila at the Probate Office and she immediately recognized my voice. I told her a lot of people recognize my voice and asked if there is anything funny about it. "Nothing at all," she said, "It's just a very distinctive voice. You said once you were an English teacher and I'm sure you were a very good one." She said she would see that I get the form. Called and spoke to Karen Powell briefly, she said she doesn't think Larry McDermott is all that bright. She also agreed with me about the Seuss statues, they need color and motion to better represent the style of Seuss' work.<br />
<br />
Eamon called and said Nader the Hatter called him on Monday. He also thanked me for the magazines I dropped off. Eamon said he was down talking to Dick Serkin at <i>Feinstein's Leather</i>, who told Eamon he believes the baseball stadium will fail. Serkin has heard rumors that the <i>Mardi Gras</i> may buy the Exeter Building and tear it down for parking. He said of David Starr: "He'll step over a dollar to pick up a dime."<br />
<br />
<center><b>September 17, 1999</b></center><br />
Rainy, windy, cleared up in the afternoon.<br />
<br />
The Hispanic population is growing at a rate five times the rate of the general population due to immigration. The City Council has approved a $5 pay raise for Springfield Election Workers, the first since 1986. <i>Peter Pan</i> closing its pizza place reminds me that the bus station used to have a nice bar. Marsden P. Earle is the Treasurer of the Pilgrim Society and Museum. My Investment Broker is George C. Gouzounis. <br />
<br />
In 1994, Mother was sad that the Col. Israel Converse Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution never thanked her for her check and note. So I wrote them today: <i>When, in the frailty of old age, my Mother resigned from the DAR, she wrote you a check and sent you a pretty note wishing you well. You might at least have sent a note thanking her, but you did not. She was sad about that, but would not have written you about it. Now that she is deceased, I have. You should be nicer to old ladies.</i> I sent a copy to Shirley R. Gentry of the DAR Springfield chapter as well. <br />
<br />
I finished reading Howard Stern's <i>Private Parts</i>. It is not daring enough to be dirty and not arty enough to be high porn. No profound message, trash. TV said the reason for the slow growth in popularity of electronic books is fear, uncertainty and doubt. Phooey! Carol Malley's article in the paper says Barbara E. Rivera, Director of the New North Citizen's Council "has been waiting ten years to see the former Carew Street School demolished." <i>TV22</i> says there was no NBA basketball here last year "due to poor attendance." There will be one this year, but future games "depend on attendance this year." Woman on <i>WFCR</i> was talking about "turning tools of war into tools of peace." <br />
<br />
Out in the morning to put out the mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. Then to <i>Hancock Fabrics</i>, where an elderly oriental woman in front of me in line tried to pay with a credit card but the machine declined to accept it. She was asked if she wanted to pay cash but walked off without the merchandise. There was a power outage today from 4:37pm to 6:11pm. I called <i>WMEC</i> and was told a power line was down on Birchland Avenue. Dined on baked potato, a pork chop, tomatoes on toast and donuts from <i>Stop&Shop</i>. I called Westfield State to reserve a seat at the John Hume lecture, but was told by a female at the Campus Center that he is not coming and Senator Jon Lee will come instead. <br />
<br />
Terry Munoz called for the <i>Wall Street Journal</i>, saying a subscription would help me "meet the competition in your local area." I asked her what she had me down as doing and she replied Arts Law Letters. I explained to her that I have no competition in my field and told her not to call again. Tom Tyrone for <i>Quest Communications</i> called offering long distance services, I asked him to please not call again. A woman called asking to speak to "Gary Czerniak in the kitchen." I replied that I have no Gary Czerniak in my kitchen. <br />
<br />
Called Fritscher again and got his partner, who said they've been together for twenty years. He also said Fritscher was glad I liked his book. I called <i>Hungry Hill</i> magazine and reminded them that they promised to get back to me about my letter of February 27th, which is now seriously overdue. Eamon called and said Quirk told him that the acoustics of Symphony Hall, once excellent, were ruined in the last remodeling. He was also told that Mount Holyoke College is "a nest of lesbians." <br />
<br />
Eamon then added that most of the city's 39 department heads are "political hacks not qualified by experience or training." Eamon is mad because Councilor T. Rooke has announced his support for the land taking and stadium. He thinks Dan Kelly is also leaning towards the project. Eamon says Rooke drinks at <i>The Fort</i> and was stopped by the cops once but got off by claiming it wasn't drinking but his diabetes that impaired his driving. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 19, 1999</b></center><br />
Ruth Bader Ginsberg is being operated on for colon cancer. At first it was misdiagnosed as diverticulitis. Harry Houdini said, "The greatest escape I ever made was from Appleton, Wisconsin." <i>WFCR</i> broadcast a performance by the Springfield Symphony. <br />
<br />
Reading in Larry Townsend, juggling papers. Washed dishes and did a load of laundry. I put out the mail with Cindy at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. I also copied some stock certificates. <i>The Springfield Institution for Savings</i> by <i>Angelo's</i> was closed. The <i>SIS</i> out at Cooley was open, so I went there. Then I got another <i>McDonald's</i> double-cheeseburger with bacon for $1.04. The young manager seemed skeptical and asked, "How many of these coupons do you have?" I replied that I wasn't sure. "We can only take so many of them." he said, but I got the sandwich. A little black girl was washing tables and watched me as I left. Was it my jacket or had she been told to watch me? The latch on their door is still broken. <br />
<br />
From there I parked in the shade over by <i>Mikara's</i> and did some reading. When I got home I dined on a can of <i>Progresso</i> split pea and ham soup. Eamon called and told me he bought two loaves of specialty bread at <i>Randall's</i> in Ludlow and gave one to his sister. He said his prostate screening is scheduled for Saturday.<br />
<br />
<center><b>September 20, 1999</b></center><br />
Gas $1.29 at the pond. <br />
<br />
Raisa Gorbachev has died. I recall how insulting Mrs. Reagan was to her because Nancy didn't like being lectured to. The city is demolishing the former <i>Van Norman Company</i> building on Wilbraham Avenue. Mildred A. Buddington, a retired receptionist from the <i>Monarch Life Insurance Company</i>, has died at age 76 in East Longmeadow. <br />
<br />
Out at 7:15 to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres to make copies, but their copying machine wasn't working. The clerk there calls me Mr. John because I remind her of Elton John. That is flattering. At <i>16 Acres Mobil</i> Otto Welker gave me a courteous greeting. He took a look at my light and said the part is $140, but he had none in stock. He called <i>Camerota's</i>, but they had none either. Al said he'll see if he can track one down. <br />
<br />
Out to <i>AAA</i> and read in the car while waiting for them to open. They said they can't find the title, but will write to Boston for another. Put out the mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. I also dropped off a bag at Fred Whitney's. The Edwards Bridge had one lane ripped up. Swung by Eamon's to drop off stuff and found him watering his front lawn, he has a new garage door that he is thinking of painting almond. <br />
<br />
I dropped off pictures of the Scibelli bust dedication with the woman in the President's office at STCC. I plan to send him a portrait registration form for their Ed Garvey painting. Heading downtown, I noticed that the <i>Stop & Go</i> store by the towers on Chestnut has a sign saying the <i>Sunday Republican</i> is only $1.25. At <i>Bank of Boston</i> I got a money order and Ann said my account is still over $25,000. Got the <i>Hartford Courant</i> out of a Main Street trash can. <br />
<br />
From <i>Bank of Boston</i> I was startled to discover that as of sometime this spring <i>A.G. Edwards</i> has moved out of its first floor suite at State and Main in the old <i>Mass Mutual</i> building and moved into the Chamber of Commerce suite on the third floor of the <i>Bank of Boston</i> building. Steve Marantz, the Dartmouth guy, who was my broker for some years, has left for somewhere in Connecticut. My new one is a guy I've seen before, George Gouzounis, who seems nice enough. He's Greek so I told him how much I like the St. George Cathedral and their Glendi festivals. He agreed to supply figures for the stock Mother and I owned jointly. He told me that <i>Chittenden</i>, parent copy of <i>The Bank of Western Mass</i>, is down in price so I bought 40 shares. <br />
<br />
Next Shkena at <i>Subway</i> made me an enormous deli-baloney sandwich, for which I thanked her. Walking back to the car, I paused to admire a display of masks in the window of the old <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i>. A little man in a green suit with a heavy accent came along and asked me where <i>Johnson's</i> is. I had to tell him they went out of business a year and eight months ago. He said he was looking for a Russian-English dictionary, so I pointed him towards <i>Edwards Books</i>. He headed there after thanking me profusely. <br />
<br />
Back home, the <i>Reminder</i> was being delivered as I pulled into the driveway. I decided to call Peter Johnson, who said he's still getting mail for the bookstore. He told me he "enjoyed very much" the article about me in the <i>Valley Advocate</i>. Karen Powell called and told me that Election Commissioner James D. Sullivan told her that about 80% of the signatures needed to put the <i>Northgate</i> land taking on the ballot have been approved. Stacia called and thanked me for my letter. She's President of Citizens Against Pollution and she's been interviewed by Maureen Turner. She said she knows the Robillard's at <i>Cat's Paw</i>, but they do not support her activism. Michaelann Bewsee is a supporter who sometimes comes to her meetings. I told her to call Eamon's number. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 21, 1999</b></center><br />
Lightly raining on and off all day.<br />
<br />
69% of the people in Maryland favor medical marijuana. Springfield's first City Hall at Court Square was built in 1864 on land donated by Chester W. Chapin and was destroyed by fire January 6, 1905. Roy L. Dickson lives on Maple Road in Weston, Massachusetts. <br />
<br />
Had <i>Swanson's</i> sausage, scrambled eggs and hash browns for breakfast. Charles Gibson on <i>Good Morning America</i> mentioned that "the resources of the world are at their breaking point." Who needs war? Somebody on <i>WFCR</i> said, "Americans are too cynical." They complained that ironic detachment has become the custom so as to escape conviction, sincerity and feelings. Cited <i>Seinfeld</i>. I picked up Devine's latest release this morning at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. <br />
<br />
Called St. Germain, but when a man answered I hung up. Spoke to ex-Rep. Whitney, who said he hasn't sent the recommendation to Harvard yet, he's been concentrating on getting his son's house sold by October. He told me he will have very nice things to say about me. Fred said he didn't go to the Scibelli unveiling "because I never had any respect for Scibelli." We both praised Marshall Moriarty but neither of us likes Brian Santaniello.<br />
<br />
Eamon called and told me he finally got a flyer from Elms. He then mentioned that his sister's oldest daughter Connie is in charge of trusts at <i>Bank of Western Mass</i>. At one point Eamon made a remarkable statement, "My mother never had much use for money, she claimed it is "just a means of exchange." Eamon thinks that A.G. Tom Reilly wants to run for Governor. <br />
<br />
Then he told me he had a long chat with Stacia Filipiak Falkowski. I got the impression that he was a great help to her. She told him she has two masters degrees and worked for 23 years as a Special Education teacher in Enfield. She's divorced and has a son. Her father was a violin maker who died of cancer. Stacia doesn't like Mayor Albano, whom she claimed once made an arrogant remark to her. Eamon told her about his own activism as President of the Springfield Citizen's Rights Association opposing fluoride in the water. He also told her he heard that <i>Interstate Uniform</i> is a mafia company that donates campaign money to everybody. She agreed with Eamon that we do not have a good daily newspaper and the TV stations are ineffective. She also agreed with him when he said it is too bad that there is no one like Bill Putnam still around.<br />
<br />
Next Eamon told me about a former Pastor of Sacred Heart Church, a tall, good looking Irishman, who lost a $300,000 inheritance paying off the families of kids he had relationships with. The Pastor was eventually sent to Pittsburgh and was never heard of again. Eamon thinks there is no way to get homosexuality out of the church because "it is too deeply ingrained." He also told me had no intention of attending the Scibelli affair, describing the state rep as "a phony who bullshitted everybody."<br />
<br />
<center><b>September 22, 1999</b></center><br />
Overcast.<br />
<br />
The Springfield Museums are putting on a "Hair-raising Halloween" on October 24th. Dr. David Chadbourne is a urologist at 222 Carew Street in Springfield. <i>Be Green</i>, a hemp store, is located in the <i>Carriage Shops</i> in Amherst. Mary E. Kaufman is Vice-Chairperson for the Springfield Republican City Committee. <i>Keenan & Molta Associates</i> has an office on Allen Street in Springfield. Socrates Babacas is President/CEO of <i>BCL Associates</i>. Alexander Chalmers wrote <i>The Works of English Poets</i> in 1810. <br />
<br />
Last night I dined on broccoli and ravioli. I went out today around 9am and got the paper out of the trash at the <i>Breckwood Shops</i>. I was amused to see that the prizes for the newscarrier's contest are limo rides to Northampton and certificates for shopping at the <i>Holyoke Mall</i>. There were no prizes related to Springfield. I dropped off a bag at Mrs. Staniski's, she said Carol hasn't had her operation. Then I drove down to Wesson (built in 1906, the year of my parent's birth) for the free prostate screening. While waiting they offered large muffins, better than last year. They took a blood test as well as a digital examination by Dr. Raphael deLima, who proclaimed, "Everything is perfectly okay."<br />
<br />
Then I drover over and parked on Salem Street and walked down the hill and found my way to the new tourist center, which just opened last week. It is nice and splashy but perhaps too small. Russ Denver's office is in the corner of the building where <i>McDonald's</i> was. Through the window I could see his WNEC diploma on the wall and some sort of legislative citation. Along Main Street they have tacky student art in the windows of the abandoned storefronts. I arrived at <i>Subway</i> at noon sharp and Shkena made my sandwich after serving a guy his salad. I love those sandwiches. Home at 12:35pm. <br />
<br />
<i>WFCR</i> palyed a lot of Paganini today. I am preparing to loan Tom Devine the Ricks, Townsend and Fritscher books along with a copy of my poem. When the mail came, I returned a mailing from the American Heart Association addressed to Mother, telling them to send no more. Eamon called and praised the article in today's paper about the excellent results East Longmeadow's Eliel Gonzalez has gotten with his calculus class. Eamon told me he called Natalia Arbulvat at the newspaper and asked her how the Springfield kids did by comparison. She didn't know, and also said she didn't realize the terrible attendance figures at Commerce until Eamon told her. Eamon thinks that if we are to have a stadium, it should be a year-round, multi-use facility. He also recalled how <i>TV22</i> had a call-in poll that showed 70% in opposition to a stadium. <br />
<br />
I left after five and headed downtown to the City Council meeting about<i> Northgate</i>. By luck I was able to park in front of the Campanile and arrived in the Council Chambers about half past. Karen Powell and Maureen Turner arrived shortly after me, with Tom Devine and Jordan Williams arriving at quarter of. The <i>Media One</i> guy had a hard time getting the sound to work and when it did come on it wasn't that good. Tom said, "Isn't it ironic that the sound is fine when you watch the meeting on TV, but if you are actually in the room you have to strain to hear." Tom introduced me to Williams. <br />
<br />
I offered Maureen a small plastic bag full of stuff I had prepared for her but she declined it. I bowed and said, "No ill feelings," and departed her presence. Maureen was sitting with Cohn, the manager of <i>Northgate</i>. Russ Denver gave me a big hi. First Albano presented his people and then the opposition got to speak. Mayor Albano spoke okay, saying "It is time to move this project forward." Peter Picknelly spoke of wanting to take his grandchildren to the park, but he was barely audible. Barbara Rivera accused stadium opponents of "anti-North-End sentiments." Rick Brown of the AFL-CIO talked about the construction jobs that would be created, and John Abbott from <i>MassMutual</i> stressed "investing in the future." Russ Denver read from the unanimous decision of the Directors of the Chamber of Commerce to endorse the project. <br />
<br />
Councilor Bill Foley was the first of the opposition speakers, warning that the stadium project could put the city's finances at risk, especially if hazardous wastes are found on the site. The woman from <i>Discount Liquors</i> spoke, followed by Karen Powell, who questioned the soundness of the stadium's financing. Bob Powell did fine, he is soft-spoken but rattled off a list of concerns. Jose Gonzalez, a bald, goateed man from the North-End, claimed there was no need for a sports stadium. Leon Simons was followed by an old man who recalled seeing the old Pynchon Stadium burn down in 1950. <br />
<br />
Carol Lewis-Caulton said the whole controversy should be settled at the polls and Dr. Mark Muller shared his stadium expertise. Bobby Brown, the retired cop and labor activist, talked about growing up in the old North-End. I spoke about 9:07pm and received long applause at the end. I mostly echoed what the Powells said, then read Henry Brooks' poem about "the laws they were made for the little." I urged the Council to remember that Democrats are supposed to stick up for the little people and "David Starr, Peter Picknelly and Mike Albano are not little people." <br />
<br />
When the meeting ended I had a good chat with Melvin Brown. Barbara Garvey told me that to her knowledge, I was the only person to ever recite a poem to the Council. I promised to send her a copy of the poem, which I also promised to send to Bill Foley and Tim Ryan. I told John Baiback, the News Director for WNNZ, that the city needs to develop the neighborhoods, not just downtown. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 23, 1999</b></center><br />
Beautiful day, sunny, clear. <br />
<br />
Tom Vannah has a column in this week's <i>Valley Advocate</i> entitled <i>Same Old News</i> blasting McDermott. It begins, "Somewhere along the way, <i>Union-News</i> publisher Larry McDermott lost his integrity." Mayor Albano has enrolled his three sons at the city's most popular school, taking advantage of a policy which allows members of the Sabis International Charter School Board of Trustees to bypass hundreds of other students on a waiting list. Other trustees doing the same are Edgar Alejandro, Joyce Barbieri, Lynn Lessard, Paula Meara and Raipher Pellegrino. Robert Jabaily is an Editor in the Research Department of the Boston Fed. Henry Brooke was born in Ireland in 1706. <br />
<br />
My typing has been hard lately because I got a sliver of glass embedded in my left index finger. I got it out, but the cut has made typing slightly painful. Eamon called at 7:19am to tell me that my picture appears on the front page of today's paper, but my name does not appear anywhere in the text. Eamon couldn't say more, because his sister had just arrived. Socco Babacas also called about the photo, saying that my speech last night was "one of the best speeches I ever heard at a City Council meeting." <br />
<br />
Today I attended the Eastern States Exposition. I parked on Salem in Springfield and took the bus across the river to the fair at 9:40am. The bus left us off at the back gate and the first thing I noticed (I was in my jacket and boots with an orange bandanna on my head) was that there was virtually no security to give me grief about my apparel. A young girl in tight fitting clothes said my apparel was "awesome!" It was Massachusetts Day and <i>Cape Cod Potato Chips</i> were giving away little bags of chips, as many as you wanted. <br />
<br />
I went to all the state buildings and got free maps from each. The Young Building has been renamed International Plaza. The Industrial Arts Building was packed. The Connecticut Building had music playing so loud that it sounded like a disco. The New Hampshire Building was the least changed from previous years. That's where I met and chatted with a young Puerto Rican named Carlos. He liked my clothes, which is probably why he opened up to me. He's from the North End and wishes there was a police substation there to help control drug dealing. His father died of AIDS from using dirty needles and he spoke of "fucking up my life with bad decisions," although he said he is a high school graduate. <br />
<br />
The Springfield Armory Museum had an exhibit. <i>Mohegan Sun</i> had a tent and was giving away free decks of cards. Christ Church was serving dinners in the Old Storrowtown Meeting House. I got a small order of French Fries for $2.50 and ate them on the green. I also bought a button for Eamon reading <i>Full Blooded Irishman</i>.There is a new ride called <i>The Time Warp</i>. Overall, there seemed to be more life, more vitality to the fair than in recent years. I got home at 3:05pm, which is enough fair for me. <br />
<br />
The mail brought my <i>Bank of Boston</i> statement. Chatted with Eamon, who said Deputy Spellacy watched the City Council meeting on Channel 27. He told Eamon he thought my speech last night was "splendid." Eamon says I should try to get a tape of the meeting and hypothesized that "you'll never be on the front page again." Eamon said an impartial observer would have to conclude that it was the opponents that made the stronger case last night even though "Albano had it all rigged to favor his position."<br />
<br />
<center><b>September 24, 1999</b></center><br />
Lovely, sunny day. <br />
<br />
Went to <i>Louis & Clark</i> and was pleased to get several copies of yesterday's paper with me on the front page out of their trash can. There was a customer with a t-shirt reading, "I used up all my sick days so I called in dead." That reminds me that the Powell's have a bumper sticker that says, "A Tax Cut is a Pay Raise." Then to <i>McDonald's</i> for a cheeseburger. Dropped something off at Eamon's, and at Liberty Street I got rear-ended (gently) by Rabbi Alex Weisfogle of Spruceland Avenue in Springfield. Did no damage to my bumper, but his left front light was smashed. He was a sweet, polite old man and I told him I bear him no ill will for hitting my car. <br />
<br />
Babacas called and said he wanted to take me out for a cup of coffee in five minutes. I said I'd have to put on my pants, so ten minutes. I was ready when he came by and he drove us down to the <i>Dunkin Donuts</i> in the Acres, where I noted a <i>Yacavonne Landscaping</i> truck ran a red light. At the donut shop Babacas invited me to "Order whatever you want." I got a jelly donut and coffee, he ordered coffee and a cruller. Then he made the discovery that he didn't have his wallet, so I paid the $3.26. He said he had a penny, but I told him to keep it. <br />
<br />
Socrates showed me pictures of the new stadium going up in Washington and then showed me a card he got from the Governor of Virginia. He told me a lot of gossip, such as Peter Picknelly owns apartment buildings all over the North End. He believes Mayor Markel should have bought <i>Monarch Place</i> for back taxes rather than letting Picknelly have it. Babacas feels the land by <i>Smith & Wesson</i> or Blunt Park would be a better site for a ball park, but the reason they want it at <i>Northgate</i> is so the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> can sell their land for a parking lot, move out of Springfield and save $800,000 in taxes. He wishes the <i>Boston Globe</i> would start a Springfield edition. <br />
<br />
Socrates claimed that the renovation of Tapley School into apartments was "a crooked deal" with consultants getting enormous commissions. He thinks Bill Foley is the best City Councilor. He again praised my speech to the Council, saying, "You stuck it up the asses of them all." He also said he considers me to be "a down to earth person." Recalling my Father, he described him as "a nice man." He told me he doesn't smoke or drink because he has diabetes, and claimed to have attended as a child the dedication of the Calvin Coolidge Bridge in Northampton in 1939. He dropped me off back home after we had chatted for about an hour. <br />
<br />
When I got back, I called Fred Whitney and told him I will drop off some things soon. He complained that someone had stolen his Scott Santaniello sign from his front lawn. Also spoke briefly with Karen Powell, who said their petition drive "has more volunteers than ever before." Left word on the petition drive with Belle-Rita on her answering machine. C. Lewis-Caulton called and congratulated me on my speech and I told her she could put a sign on my treebelt. <br />
<br />
I then called Tom Devine to see if he knew whether John who does the morning news on <i>WNNZ</i> spells his name Bayback or Baiback. He admitted he didn't know. Tom told me he has read both of Howard Stern's books and found them "funny" but thinks the second one was better. I told him I would stop over soon and let him borrow some books on homosexuality. <br />
<br />
We discussed the Council meeting, and Tom told me I appeared in news clips from the meeting aired on <i>The Dan Yorke Show</i>. He also told me that people are commenting positively on my speech on the <i>Masslive</i> forums and he will send me copies. Tom felt they should have mentioned my name in the newspaper. Devine also feels that Barbara Garvey gave the best speech and said I should be flattered that she praised my speech and poem in her remarks. If I want a tape of the meeting, Tom says I should try contacting <i>Media One</i> or <i>WGBY</i>. He thinks it will cost around $25. I usually get good information whenever I talk to Tom.<br />
<br />
<center><b>September 25, 1999</b></center><br />
Lovely day.<br />
<br />
As I left today Larry Lemaine, who lives at 131 near Ballard drove by with his wife in a sporty little car and paused to say, "Wonderful job the other night, you did a good job of representing us." There were several copies of today's paper in the <i>Louis & Clark</i> trashcan, some carrier must ditch their extras there. Why pay more? Then I stopped at a tag sale at 725 Plumtree, where a man came up to me and said, "That was a nice job you did on TV the other night." I stumbled upon another tag sale at the fancy colonial on the corner of Ballard and Ashland. They wanted $20 for rollerblade knee and arm pads. I paid 50 cents for a forest green plastic <i>Moser Farms</i> milk crate. I also got these books: <i>The Satyricon of Petronius Arbiter</i> (1927) in fine condition, <i>Byrd of Virginia</i> (1958) and <i>Penguin Island</i> by Anatole France (1947). <br />
<br />
When I got back, I had a nice visit with the Cohn's. As I was coming home I saw Mr. Cohn sitting outside in his chair, so I stopped and took his picture, and then another with Mrs. Cohn. Mr. Cohn returned a number of things I lent him and told me that he saw me give my speech on TV and thought it was "terrific." I asked him what he remembered about he early days of Birchland Avenue. I started off by telling him some anecdotes about my house, telling him that my parents moved to Birchland in 1956 when I was starting at Classical High. <br />
<br />
Soon he began to reminisce, saying they arrived in 1950. He told me there were only four houses when they moved to Birchland, which was a rutty, unpaved road in those days. He described the area as "a forest" with M.J. Berselli owning most of the land. Jeffrey Road was named after his son. They bought their house from William Dwyer, who was being drafted into the Korean War. It is a large Cape Cod, fancier then mine with a fireplace, breezeway and a single car garage. As the street developed, they began having street parties, which my parents never attended because they were never the entertaining sort and didn't drink. <br />
<br />
Cohn originally came from New Jersey, and started a hat manufacturing business as <i>Winfield Hats</i> in Holyoke, then as the <i>Ware Millinery</i> in Ware. He worked almost around the clock, but still took his wife and kids on vacation every year. He has three children: His late daughter Myra, with whom I went to school, Zachary, the bookseller and Beth, the youngest. The neighborhood had "lots of children" and it was "an idylic place in which to grow up." Once there was a fire in the woods that threatened the houses. No one knew how the fire started, perhaps kids playing in the woods, but everyone used their garden hoses to keep the fire at bay until the fire department arrived. He says this may have been in July of 1955. <br />
<br />
I recalled how Myra was friends with Teresa DeRiso, Charles Berg, Susan Little and Paul Tatro. We were all in Homeroom 203 at Buckingham. I used to ride home on the bus with Myra and Teresa, in the morning Father used to drop me off on his way to <i>Monarch</i>. A significant social event for our class was an evening when Myra invited out class to come to her house and I got to see Mr. Cohn's train set in their knotty pine basement. I also recalled our class being involved in the Toy for Joy Fund and that Myra got her picture in the paper. Myra was the first Jewish person I knew, but it meant little to me because my parents were not ethically oriented. Unlike many Methodists, I was not taught to hate Jews or the Irish. In the early 1990's, I wrote to Myra upon hearing of her illness and she sent me a lovely card I treasure to this day. <br />
<br />
In all a great visit, for there to be understanding, there must be communication, and the Cohn's always communicated with the community all they could. Sometime while I was out, Ms. Lewis-Caulton came by and put up her sign on the tree belt by the tiger lilies. A brief thunderstorm passed over between 6:20 and 6:45pm. I called Aunt Maria and she didn't want me to read her Blanche Allen's letter, claiming "she tried to kill my cat." Is that true or is she nuts? At least she spoke to me in a polite tone. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 26, 1999</b></center><br />
Lovely day.<br />
<br />
Used last remaining <i>McDonald's Breakfast Bagel</i> coupon at Boston Road, not Allen. Spent part of the morning mowing the lawn behind the house, but not the front or side. Then I set out in my queer suit to collect signatures for the baseball stadium referendum. Powers and Mrs. Abernathy and Mrs. Bradley refused to sign. Mrs. Penniman and Coburn said they had already signed elsewhere. But overall, most everybody signed. I now feel that collecting signatures at shopping centers is the way to go. Going door to door like I did is inefficient. Of course, I also had a hidden agenda of meeting the neighbors, introducing myself and to gather neighborhood gossip. <br />
<br />
Mrs. Allard blurted out that she intends to vote for Simon the Dog for Mayor. She also predicted the referendum would get on the ballot and voters would send the stadium idea "floating down the river." Mrs. Allard informed me that she had J. McConachie for a math teacher at Classical Junior High. That would have been in 1946 because she graduated from Commerce in 1949. She claimed that Principal Williams at Classical Jr. was a Wesley Church Methodist. <br />
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Mrs. Sullivan told me her husband died recently. Mr. Cohn signed for both himself and Mrs. Cohn. Mr. Strain at 22 Birchland said he was 74 but he looks 65, a tall, athletic man with a good looking wife. He said they have lived on Birchland for 40 years and he used to run <i>American Electric Cable</i> in Holyoke. He recalled there used to be block parties but they faded out as the neighborhood kids grew up. Quiet remarkably, Strain said he was aware that I wrote articles and books. <br />
<br />
The oriental father and son at 1525 Wilbraham Road signed. The father said he works in maintenance at Baystate Medical Center. Nice people. The Lynch's both signed, her mother was visiting from New Hampshire. Kelly signed, but Michael is not registered in Springfield. Kelly told me she likes the new management at <i>Friendly's</i>. Babacas signed for himself and his wife, whom he said was sick and couldn't come to the door. Larry Haile and his wife both signed, friendly people. She is still working as an aide at Homer Street School and knows of no plans for anyone to write a history of the school. <br />
<br />
Had a good chat with Gilbert Vickers, whose son recently retired from the Navy. Mrs. Caputo, a cultured lady in color-coordinated clothing, was cordial and signed for both herself and her husband. Even in old age, Stanley Cresotti and his wife are a wonderful couple. He said they will have been married 54 years on September 16th. They moved to Birchland in 1954, building the house himself except for the plumbing. She worked at <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i> for a time, something I must follow up on. <br />
<br />
Mrs. Walker at 65 said she works at <i>Aetna</i> and her husband stays home with the kids. The Honan's at 82 said they've lived here since 1949. Berselli built their house and it cost $12,500. Their's was the second house built on the street, which they described as "unpaved with a lot of mudholes." In the summer they would put oil on the street to keep the dust down. Honan said he was a "steel treater" at <i>New England Metal</i> on Columbus Avenue. Mr. Scott at 95 said he only moved in a couple of months ago, but used to work in the Underwriting Department at <i>Fire and Marine</i>. <br />
<br />
The old Dick Petzold house has old newspapers, trash by the breezeway and an old phonebook on the steps. I said something to the guy at 100 about it and he agreed that all the junk invites break-ins and rodents. Oil painter Dorothy Parker Larson at 212 had a new driveway so I asked her about it. She said it cost $1350. She invited me in to see her art. She's an older woman, and I couldn't help but notice she has railings around her toilet as we passed the bathroom. Her still lifes are excellent, very realistic. I especially liked one of a milkweed letting its seeds go. One of a purple iris was also very good. However, her landscapes were disappointingly dull. She said her last art exhibit was at Tower Square. <br />
<br />
Mrs. Berselli at 165, with her hair dyed red, had just gotten back from shopping at <i>Filene's</i>. She apologized for sounding hoarse due to bronchitis. She told me she will soon have a cataract operation done. She moved onto Birchland on August 18, 1948, her wedding day. Her husband graduated from Amherst College and their son was named after Lord Jeff. They bought the land that became Birchland Avenue from Dr. Paul Sanderson's father-in-law. We laughed to discover that we were both delivered by Dr. Sanderson. She also told me she recalled seeing Mother in Dr. Radzicki's office. <br />
<br />
Dick Lucius said it's hard to feel patriotic about U.S. foreign policy these days. Lucius has a red Cadillac with a purple heart license plate. Their house at 141 Birchland was built in 1954 for $12,800. He has three daughters and was a Lieutenant in the Springfield Fire Department before taking early retirement to pursue his love of falconry. He recalled the fire of 1955, said it burned all the way behind Glickman School. <i>Boilard Lumber</i> owned the lot his house is on plus the one next door.<br />
<br />
Turner at 116 is an old man, said his wife was a social worker. He told me I "made a good presentation" at the Council meeting but added, "I'm on the other side, I want the ballpark." We parted cordially. Picked up a few signatures on Jeffrey Road, but the people over there don't know me and were less friendly. A young woman at 50 Jeffrey, who has bird images on her mailbox, said she is single and just moved here from Worcester. I received some negative reactions on Jeffrey, including one person who proclaimed, "NO, I won't sign! Never!" Obviously Albano, with the help of David Starr, has made progress in their campaign to misinform the public. Got 64 signatures in all.<br />
<br />
<center><b>September 27, 1999</b></center><br />
Stock market is slightly up. The High School of Commerce Class of 1984 Fifteen Year Reunion will be October 16th at the Knights of Columbus on Page Boulevard. Had stuffed peppers for supper. <br />
<br />
First thing I dropped off a book on Lucius' chair inside his breezeway. Then out to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres and made copies. Someone had thrown a bottle at the side wall of <i>Pride</i>, there was a liquid stain on the stucco-like finish. I took a picture of it. Left film off at <i>Walmart</i> where I met a very friendly Helen Boyle. <br />
<br />
From there I went to <i>Big Y</i>, where I was warmly greeted by manager Julie Cyr. After buying a heap of frozen goods on special, I was somewhat thrilled to have a man in a tan shirt come up to me in the parking lot and say, "I think you did a good job the other night." I thanked him and before parting he added, "It was typical Albano, always trying to ram things thru."<br />
<br />
I dropped the car at the <i>Mobil</i> for inspection, then walked home to do some chores. Was surprised to get a phone call at 10:10am from <i>Welker's 16 Acres</i> saying my car was done. The bill was only $53.44. After walking up and paying the bill, I took the clipboard in my car with a referendum form on it and got two signatures from people waiting for inspections. I got two more, one from someone pumping gas and another from someone standing by <i>Dunkin Donuts</i>. <br />
<br />
I asked a jovial cop walking to the <i>Newsstand</i> to sign, but he said he could not because he lives out of town. The officer congratulated me on my Council speech, saying "You did a good job, I'm related to Bill Foley." I thanked him and told him that Foley has been a big help to our cause. <br />
<br />
Called Aunt Maria and read her the Billings note. Aunt Maria was unusually talkative. I asked about her cat and she said it is fine. It sounded as if Aunt Maria is doing okay today. I called Belle-Rita Novak about gathering signatures and she proclaimed, "I'm way ahead of you" and told me she will have signature gatherers at this week's <i>X Farmer's Market</i>. Good for Belle-Rita!<br />
<br />
Chatted with Eamon. He said he went to twelve houses collecting referendum signatures, but they all said they had already signed at <i>Stop&Shop</i>. So he drove up to <i>Liberty Plaza</i> and found a black person already gathering signatures there. We joked that Eamon should have provoked the man into a fist fight over who could collect signatures there. From the <i>Plaza</i> he drove over to the <i>Big Y</i> on St. James and found no one collecting signatures there. I told him I saw no one collecting signatures at either <i>Walmart</i> or Boston Road <i>Big Y</i> today. Eamon told me that Spellacy thinks that referendum supporters will have no problem getting enough signatures. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 28, 1999</b></center><br />
Been overcast.<br />
<br />
Wife: Someone to fight with.<br />
<br />
"Digital Divide" is the latest buzz phrase used to describe people who are online and those who are not. President Clinton was speaking at a prayer breakfast and talked about "the power of forgiveness and grace unmerited." That's a Calvinist/Lutheran theology and in any case pure bullshit. <br />
<br />
Chunk of my lower right wisdom tooth fell off so I arranged to have it pulled on Friday. Tied up two bundles of branches. Martel is cutting down Coburn's dead tree and left a little free wood by the curbside. I went to <i>Dunkin Donuts</i> on Breckwood and saw Mrs. Radzicki and her oldest son. I went out to my car and got my petition form and she signed. <br />
<br />
Decided to go to the <i>Cecil Group</i> meeting tonight. They were conducting a public workshop on the Springfield Metro Center Downtown Master Plan. <i>The Cecil Group</i> is headed by Steven G. Cecil and is located in Boston, specializing in Architecture, Land Planning, Urban Design and Planning. There was a big red sunset as I drove into the city at quarter to six. As I walked past the Pynchon Building, I noticed the new Director Hamilton coming out the door. I approached him and introduced myself and gave him my card. I told him that the exhibits he has put on are very nice, traditional historical society exhibits and I congratulated him. <br />
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After we parted I headed over to the Museum of Fine Arts, where the meeting was to start at 7pm. Doors didn't open until 6:55pm and we had to sign in. I sat in the very front seat. There were 41 people present and it was an all white audience. Fran Gagnon was sitting with Joe Carvalho. Mayor Albano arrived shortly after I did. <br />
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The Mayor was the first to speak, after first being introduced by Sue Davison. Albano thanked us for attending "this important meeting" and promised us that "politics will play no role in devising the master plan." Then Steve Cecil introduced himself and spoke about coming up with 'some really good ideas.' As Cecil spoke, I spotted Albano quietly slipping out the door. <br />
<br />
After a long slide presentation that included a number of historic photos of Springfield, Cecil spoke of the Hall of Fame and riverfront opportunities. He also mentioned public safety and the Entertainment District. The floor was then opened for remarks by the public, and Mr. Cecil took notes on people's comments, including my own. Fran Gagnon made a statement about protecting the historical integrity of the downtown buildings. I stood up and urged them to consider sociological issues as well as financial ones in revitalizing downtown. I also mentioned the "miserable failure" of previous downtown revitalization plans. <br />
<br />
When I got home I saw that the stock figures came from George G. and I did some math for half an hour. Called Karen Powell to tell her about the meeting. She thanked me. I called Fred Whitney but he couldn't talk, saying he was working on a script for a generic TV commercial to be used by all Western Mass Republicans. Babacas called and wanted an update on the signature drive. At one point he called me, "The Mayor of Sixteen Acres."<br />
<br />
<center><b>September 29, 1999</b></center><br />
Overcast.<br />
<br />
I got up at 7am, read, then did housekeeping. The grief I have had from that bag of birdseed that went wormy has been unending! I have cleaned up the breezeway and have sprayed around, but the blanket over the wheelchair was full of larvae. <i>The Union-News Extra</i> came today and had a <i>Walmart</i> circular in it. Haskin of <i>Fleet Bank</i> called and she has the updated info for Mother's bankbook so I drove out there. There was a complete set of somebody's keys sitting on top of the teller's counter, someone left them there a couple of weeks ago and never came back. <br />
<br />
About 2pm real estate broker Paul Montefusco came and looked over the house and will be back Friday with his analysis of the market value. At one point he remarked that my furnace still looks brand new. Montefusco lives over on Plumtree and said he used to work at <i>Monarch</i> in Disability Claims from 1987 to 1994. He told me he felt it was "disgusting what Gordon Oakes did to that company." He remembered Yarber as "a real nice man" and Bill Giles as someone who "drank like a fish." I showed him some of my <i>Monarch</i> memorabilia. <br />
<br />
After he left around 3pm, I went to <i>Acres Mobil</i> to complete my payment and found Mr. Welker in a little, windowless office hidden by the repair room. He has a TV, a paper shredder, a fax, everything a businessman needs. We parted with friendly farewells. Then I went over to <i>Burger King</i> and with a 99 cent coupon I got a chicken sandwich. I am puzzled by the receipt I got which said I bought one sandwich for 99 cents and got another one for free. That was not the case, I paid 99 cents for one and that's all I got. <br />
<br />
Then I went down to the WNEC College Fair, which was held at the Healthful Living Center. The college literature was loud, colorful, glitzy, non-academic and fun orientated. Some of the schools were handing out computer discs about themselves. I remarked to the representative from Holy Cross that colleges these days are seldom so bold as to show a picture of students studying in the library. On the way back I dropped off some magazine's at the Cohn's. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and I told him about the <i>Cecil Group</i> meeting at the Museum of Fine Arts and he read me some excerpts from the account in the paper. Eamon said Babacas has been trying to call him but he doesn't call back. No sooner had Eamon hung up then Babacas called me. He told me how he used to have his own boy's baseball team that he coached for 15 years. They played over at Forest Park with Babacas covering all the team's expenses. Bill Metzger, the City Clerk, was his batboy and they still stay in touch. Babacas claimed that Metzger told him recently that the stadium is as good as dead. Metzger believes the <i>Springfield Newspaper's</i> presses are obsolete and they want to build a new plant in the suburbs and sell their current location to the stadium for parking. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 30, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Overcast and rainy.<br />
<br />
An earthquake has been reported in southern Mexico, there's been a millennial crop of disasters lately. On Public Radio a woman remarked that "The United States dropped hydrogen bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II." Wrong, babe, it was atomic, not hydrogen bombs. </p><p>The paper says about 150 people attended a ceremony this week at the Quad for a dedication of the Starr Gallery of Watercolors in honor of "longtime arts patrons" David and Peggy Starr. <i>WFCR</i> says the Chinese are celebrating their 50th anniversary under communism and only invitees get to watch the parade in person. The general public must watch on TV. I think if Springfield televises it's baseball games, people will watch them on TV rather than paying to go. </p><p>Had ringing and diminished hearing in my left ear this morning. Cooked a pumpkin pie and put <i>Draino</i> down the drains. Dined on boiled corn and potatoes and a chicken from <i>Food Mart</i>. I have dumped my birdbaths, but still had to chase off two mosquitoes when hanging some wash. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and told me about the <i>Save Northgate Plaza</i> flyer in the paper today. I drove down to <i>Breckwood</i> for the paper, but my copy did not have the <i>Northgate</i> insert. I called Karen, and she said the liquor store paid for the insert and they have received reports of them not appearing in all papers. I told her I would go out and do some inspecting. <br />
<br />
I went to <i>Sunoco</i> and they had lots of papers, all with the inserts. The police were busting somebody at <i>Fred's Shoes</i>. Then to <i>Dairy Mart</i> in the Acres and they had the inserts, as did <i>Newsstand</i>. <i>Walgreen's</i> had a few papers with inserts. No papers at <i>Big Y</i>, but <i>Pride</i> did with inserts. <br />
<br />
Mail got here around 1:15pm. I got a pretty note from President Scibelli today, thanking me for the pics I gave him. I called Evangelical Covenant and Aggie told me she gave my pictures to Matthew Burt. Socrates Babacas called and wanted me to go out to dinner with him in East Longmeadow, but I respectfully declined. He said he did not get a <i>Northgate</i> flyer in his paper. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said his sister the nurse said that doctors prescribe too much medication. He was also critical of David Starr's contribution to the watercolor gallery at the Quad, saying that $100,000 is peanuts to Starr and Eamon sent him a sassy letter saying so. <br />
<br />
Warren Beatty, whom Eamon thinks is a "spend-mad liberal," says the Democratic Party has been taken over by Big Money. This morning on <i>Good Morning America</i>, Jesse Ventura said that organized religion is "a sham and a crutch for the weak-minded." Eamon is amazed by what Ventura said, saying it was politically unwise. I told him I'm glad Ventura said it, he will be respected for making such a remark and it doesn't mean that you stop respecting those who have religious beliefs. <br />
<br />
Chippy S. Barber called and very politely excused himself for a wrong number. Voiceless unknown called and was in no rush to hang up. <br />
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</p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-12792918184051123012017-12-17T16:05:00.018-05:002024-01-11T16:05:28.902-05:00October 1999<br />
<center><b>October 1, 1999</b></center><p><br />
The Springfield Library and Museums Association has formally announced the appointment of John D. Hamilton as Director of the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum. Ethnic diversity is one of Springfield's special assets because we have people with significant experience in many different cultural traditions. <br /></p><p>The main event today was having my lower right wisdom tooth pulled by Dr. Terichia. Half the crown had come off, causing occasional pain but nothing regular. A simple extraction, but had to have an x-ray for $18 on top of $105 for the extraction. The dentist said I might experience some pain and bleeding. I was in and out in half an hour. <br />
<br />
First thing this morning I drove out to <i>Ace Hardware</i> in the Acres and bought a flimsy, Chinese made caulking gun. On my way home from the dentist I stopped at 39 Greenlawn Street for a tag sale. It was run by an old man named Chris Longhi, and a number of books for sale had the name Elana Longhi in them. I bought a book that caught my eye because it had a stamped likeness of an Aztec calendar stone. Longhi said he went to Mexico once but is now moving to a small apartment where he won't have room for books. I thanked the man for selling it to me and told him I would take good care of it. He told me he had no knowledge of Lorenzo J. Larson. <br />
<br />
I stopped at another tag sale on Talbot, but nothing good there. From across the street I was hailed by Ken Mills, who said, "I never thought I would see you in leather!" I told Mills that my true nature has been coming out since Mother died. He politely expressed regrets, having not heard of Mother's death. He told me he still delivers oil for a company in Northampton and does lawncare on the side.<br />
<br />
I went around gathering signatures for the <i>Northgate</i> referendum, starting with Doyle the Twig Painter, who cheerfully signed. He was using brushes, not twigs, on a beautiful wharf scene. The music guy Sampson next door also signed, he told me he and Doyle are old friends who look after each other's shop. Then I went over to Mrs. Staniski, who has had the crack in her pavement fixed. It looks good. She had just finished waxing her kitchen floor and agreed to sign. She said Carol's operation was a success, no problems. <br />
<br />
Next to Eamon's, where I found him sitting in a lawn chair by his garage in a tank top, shorts and leather slippers. He invited me to sit down, which I did while he read the petition and signed it. Eamon told me that the High School of Commerce has been approved for the International Baccalaureate Program. He has sent a letter to the paper asking why the City felt it had to take <i>Northgate</i> by eminent domain so swiftly. I told him I saw Professor Gordon of WNEC Law on TV, discussing the eminent domain taking and saying he saw nothing wrong with citizens collecting signatures to have a referendum to reverse it. Eamon said Karen Powell told him that the signatures of many 16 Acres business owners show that most live outside the city in places like Wilbraham, Hampden and East Longmeadow. <br />
<br />
<i>The Union-News Extra</i> came today. Real estate broker Paul C. Montafusco arrived promptly at 2pm and appraised my house as worth $65,000. Rather low, but good for settling Mother's estate. I told him I have property in Wilbraham I am interested in selling if he knows any potential buyers. He left at 2:30pm. The mail brought the Morgan Stanley certificate from New Jersey. I also got a birthday card with a teddy bear on it from Mrs. Staniski. Fred called from the American Cancer Society. I told him I used to donate but never will again. <br />
</p><center><b>October 2, 1999</b><br /></center><p>
Lovely fall day. </p><p>A school that does not offer Latin is not a school. A school that offers no languages at all (like Westfield State College) is a joke. <br />
<br />
Having eaten nothing but pumpkin pie yesterday, I cooked up a pork chop, potatoes and corn. I had supper for breakfast! You can do all sorts of things when you're a bachelor living alone. Drove down to the <i>Breckwood Shops</i>. Along came retired Officer R. Brown in a cap and blue jacket, headed towards <i>Louis & Clark</i> to mail something to a local genealogy society. He was jovial, and told me he has personally collected over five hundred signatures so far. I apologized for having collected so little. Brown lives at 140 Maybeth on the corner of Sunrise Terrace. While we were chatting, a police car pulled up and we spoke with Officer Taylor #282, who signed the petition. The cop told me, "I saw you on TV with that guy Devine, you were quite effective." <br />
<br />
Next I swung by <i>Angelo's</i> for peaches and a melon. I also returned the cheap caulking gun to the hardware store, which cheerfully let me credit the refund toward more caulk, which I will apply with a knife. I headed over to Durham Caldwell's to get him to sign the petition, and arrived just as he was putting something in his mailbox for the mailman. Dudek was out gardening and told me he works at the wastewater treatment plant in Enfield. His wife lost her job at <i>Deluxe Check Printers</i> when they closed recently. A friendly enough man, nice to talk with. I also got a signature from Maurice G. Murphy of 111 Mary Coburn Road. He said he teaches history at Chestnut Accelerated and I gave him Eamon's number. <br />
<br />
From there I headed out to the Acres <i>Big Y</i>. Standing by a card table with petition papers and brochures was Scott Santaniello in a brown suit. I gave him a $20 contribution to his campaign and congratulated him for helping with the referendum campaign. "We might end up with twice the number of signatures we need," Santaniello said. I asked if he would ever consider running for mayor some day and he replied, "We'll see how this election goes." I proposed that CANE should endorse a slate of City Council candidates and Scott said Karen Powell was working on such a list. <br />
<br />
When I got back I found a bag hanging on the back gate with a birthday card from Ann and two <i>Harvard Gazettes</i>. The mail brought a reply from <i>Day Funeral Home</i> and printouts from Tommy Devine of the <i>Masslive Springfield Forum</i> with Steve Kelly's comments praising my eloquence at the City Council meeting: <br />
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<i>The most eloquent speakers were Tim Ryan and Barbara Garvey. Wesley Miller, who said he used to teach college English and who dresses as if he borrows his clothes from the dressing room of Willie Nelson or James Dean (he's the gent wearing leather and taking notes in the front row in the picture in today's paper) was also quite eloquent.</i><br />
<br />
Eamon called, perhaps thinking to cheer me up the night before my birthday. He said he hasn't heard from Nader the Hatter in ages and fears he may be ill. Eamon also accused Judge Eileen Griffin of being "a noted lesbian." Her picture is in the paper at a Springfield museum event, shown hanging out with women from Longmeadow and Wilbraham. Eamon says Devine calls to hear his editorials nearly everyday. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>October 3, 1999</b></center><p><br />
My 58th birthday. I got two cards from the Staniski's and that was it. Some good times should remain, and then downhill, for that is what old age is, alas.<br />
<br />
James A. Brown of the Citizen Action Network has a letter in the paper asking of the <i>Northgate</i> land taking, "Why was Mayor Michael J. Albano in such a rush to take over this property? He certainly knows that we have a petition drive in progress to get this matter before the voters of Springfield." Attorney James G. Sololove works at One Beacon Place in Boston. <i>The Stony Brook Energy Center</i> Open House will be Saturday, October 16th on Moody Street in Ludlow. The Pioneer Valley Brewer Club is presenting an Octoberfest Grand Dinner on Taylor Street in Springfield October 5th. <br />
<br />
Irving Cohn returned six books with a note saying I help him "to keep up with a world of constant change." I cleaned up the breezeway and then headed to Elms for the farewell ceremony for the Irish visitors they have been hosting. I wore a sport coat, tie and boots for the event. There were 81 people present, including staffers, the visitors from Ireland and media people. No big shots like Eddie Boland or Billy Sullivan attended, but Congressman Neal was there without his wife. <br />
<br />
The event was held in the front hall of a fancy 1920's building with Catholic touches. There was a green ribbon across the fireplace with a table of food on each side. They served melon and grapes, a bowl of punch, strawberries cut in half plus large pieces of cheese with crackers. There was an information table that had maps of the Dingle Peninsula, information about Ireland in general, but nothing special. There were also copies of the last two issues of <i>Hungry Hill Magazine</i>. <br />
<br />
Richard Neal spoke first, but I couldn't hear him as there was no public address system, despite there being a number of old folks there. The visitors from Ireland presented a gift consisting of a painting of a primitive Irish stone village, which I thought absolutely ugly, but an Elms art professor praised the work for its "spirituality." Two women wearing tight tops sang a few Irish songs, which was much appreciated by the audience. The whole affair was festive but disappointing, so I left. <br />
<br />
On my way home I stopped at Open Houses at 87 Bellwood and 28 Ashland. A number of honking birds flew over 28 Ashland in V formation while I was there. I think 28 Ashland is a cute number which is selling for $128,00 and has been extensively renovated. The real estate agent Denise Vaudrin told me five or six college students were the previous tenants and they wrecked the place. While on Ashland I collected 12 signatures for the <i>Northgate</i> stadium referendum. Of course that was also an opportunity to gather neighborhood stories for my <i>History of Birchland Avenue</i>. The lady at 61 Ashland told me she's been there since 1961, but is not the original owner, who was someone who came from the North End. However, the original owner became bored in the Acres and chose to return downtown. We agreed that downtown in 1961 was very different than it is today and no one would miss downtown now. <br />
<br />
Durham Caldwell waved and reminded me he had already signed. The Lee family still have the metal "S" in their front door left by the Sullivans. An Oriental woman there told me she is now a citizen and smiled when I told her she was eligible to sign. 123 is a stately colonial with a two car garage. The owner Kevin says he has a degree in Sports Management and works in the Equipment Room at Springfield College. He said he loves being in 16 Acres. Claire St.Germain at 205, whose landscaping is impeccable, told me she has lived in her house for 40 years. She said the Acres is "a very nice place to raise kids." <br />
<br />
The elderly couple at 213 already signed but told me they don't like all the school buses that drop off kids at the portable classrooms across the street. The man, who is 81, told me they went to a party for Chris Johnson in Agawam and Mayor Albano was there "acting like a bigshot." He added that he believes that the people on Birchland are more politically active than the people on Ashland. Edward J. Hart has lived at 239 for thirty years in a five room ranch for which he paid $15,000. He disliked the quiet and secrecy with which the city installed the portable classrooms without consulting the neighbors. However, he claims the street is very quiet in the summer and weekends, perhaps even quieter than Birchland. When I got home, Karen Powell called to inform me that they have about 8,000 signatures and will set up their tables at <i>Food Mart</i> and <i>Stop&Shop</i> on Sunday. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>October 4, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Overcast, raw and rainy.<br />
<br />
Bill Clinton is a dirty, rotten bum who ought to be run out of town on a rail. Minneapolis Methodists are complaining about Jesse Ventura's positive comments about atheism. I like Ventura. Today was the Grand Reopening of <i>Radio City Music Hall</i>. The Maine Marine Academy is in Castine, Maine. Professor Joel Miller, of the University of Utah, will speak at Clark University in Worcester on November 8th. <br />
<br />
I threw out some old <i>Ludlow Bank</i> checks, which are obsolete since they were taken over by <i>Albank</i> in 1995. All these bank mergers are silly. Went out to the mailbox at 1:15pm and found a box from <i>Hein</i> containing eight copies of my new book. Looks like they got everything right. I called Scott Fiddler and asked him to send ten more copies. I consider the arrival of my new book my birthday present this year, one of the nicest presents I ever got.<br />
<br />
Went to <i>Louis & Clark</i> and got today's paper for the Business section. Misty out when I left. I also mailed Bernard at Day and the Harvard Alumni Directory. Then I brought a copy of my new book to Eamon, who invited me into his parlor. He has lavish, fine furniture, chiming clocks of all sorts and lots of figurines. There is an immense framed painting of his Mother and Father hanging in the front corner of the living room. </p><p>I inscribed my book to him, describing him as a "highly esteemed Citizen, Gentleman and Scholar." Eamon told me he eats whenever he's hungry, not at any set times. "All I had was a tuna fish sandwich for lunch," he complained, "and still I gain weight!" I only stayed a few minutes lest his neighbors talk about how a known homosexual was seen entering his house. <br />
<br />
Flash of lightning at 9:04pm, followed by thunder 15 seconds later. Today I dined on melons, lasagna and peppers. I haven't been getting bank statements from <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> so I called Ann in Customer Service in Holyoke and she said she would look into it and get back to me. I called <i>Carellas Insurance</i> and got young Bill, who said he'd send me the forms. I also informed Carellas how much I enjoyed the Greek festival <i>Glendi</i> this year. I called <i>TV22</i> because they had no stock quotes and I was told that their computer is down so there was no stock quotes on any of their newscasts today. <br />
<br />
I called Steve Kelly of 5 Elm Street at 737-8417. He picked up his phone directly and has a young sounding voice, but told me he worked for the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> for 27 years. Kelly is originally from Minnesota. He said "it used to be pretty good" when he started at the paper, but gradually deteriorated until he finally left after "I told Larry McDermott to his face that he was a moron so he fired me." Kelly then sued them and eventually "they bought me off." Kelly said the newspaper employees are scared of McDermott because he is quick to threaten to fire them. I told Kelly that I saw his post on the <i>Northgate</i> meeting and he said that was one of five recent postings on <i>Masslive</i> by him that were taken down. At the meeting he said he sat behind Karen Powell, who talked so much he couldn't hear so he told her to shut up. I informed him that Karen is a friend of mine and then gave him Eamon's number. <br />
<br />
Next I called Eamon himself and described to him my conversation with Kelly. Eamon said he thought the name sounded familiar and recalled that Kevin Claffey gave him a copy of the court file of Kelly's lawsuit against the paper and thinks he still has it. Eamon said he will call Kelly himself tomorrow. Eamon added that he hopes Kelly can help confirm a story he heard about David Starr being stopped by the police for traffic violations and that Starr got Matty Ryan to help him out of the jam. If so, that might explain why the paper "never went after Mr. Ryan" when he got into political trouble. Eamon also spoke again about his friend Jack Tillotson, who used to work for the paper but got exiled to their Pittsfield office by Dwight Brouillard, whom Eamon doesn't think very much of. Eamon was shocked when I told him that Kelly described the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> as "probably the most morally corrupt operation possible, it's incredible." I assured Eamon that yes, he said that. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>October 5, 1999</b></center><br />
Overcast, 43 degrees first thing.<br />
<br />
A.I.C. graduate Stacia Filipiack Falkowski has founded an environmental group called Citizens Against Pollution. Dr. Dennis Drake works in the Chemistry Department at Elms College in Chicopee. Dr. James C. Shattuck is the Chair of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Hartford. Celeste T. Jackson is the the Principal of Springfield Central High School. Richard W. Stoddard is the Assistant Principal. <br />
<br />
Last night the light was on over at Kelly's, so she must've been just getting home then. Drove out about 2:30pm and dropped off magazines at the Cohn's. Then I headed down to American International College for the Tuesday Morning Music Club event. There was a man at the door checking tickets and a lady handing out programs. I told the lady that I wanted to be able to hear so keep the sound turned up. The sound was indeed quite good. Mary Alice S. and her husband arrived late but sat in the front row. I had a nice chat with them and they were both very friendly. Refreshments were served afterwards, supplied by the <i>Marriott</i>, consisting of various cookies (I had chocolate chip) plus coffee. Afterwards I went upstairs and told Alvin Paige's secretary how much I appreciate A.I.C. making the place available to the Music Club. I also got lots of stuff out of the freebie rack in Shea Library. <br />
<br />
Dave Madsen reported tonight that the stadium opponents have collected over 11,000 signatures and stated that a referendum could end up killing the deal for the stadium funding. There is still no stock market quotes on <i>TV22</i>, so I called to complain again to Tammy the receptionist. I advised her to tell management that they should tell viewers what they want to hear about, not just the news that they want to tell them. I called Aunt Maria, who said she's been going to Springfield a lot for doctor appointments. I mentioned my birthday and she said she was sorry she didn't send me a card, to which I replied that I didn't expect one. "Are you happy?" I asked her. "Considering my age," she replied, "I am as happy as I can be." I concluded by promising to call again in a few days. Socrates Babacas called but I didn't answer. He is becoming a pest. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said Nader the Hatter's father got an equity loan on the Grenada Terrace property and gave the money to his daughter to purchase a new home in 16 Acres. Eamon wondered whether that's taxable, and I replied that it depends on the circumstances. Old Mr. Nader is 83. Eamon feels Dorothy Szuch is the reason for the Hatter moving to Florida. Nader has to be out of his Maple Street apartment by November 1st because he is the only tenant left and the owners want to rehab the building. Eamon is holding off on calling Steve Kelly, he wants to do some background research on him before contacting Kelly in due time. <br />
<br />
Next I called <i>Landmark Real Estate</i> and got Gail Pelletier, who says she's a cousin of Claudia at <i>Cat's Paw</i>. She said she grew up in Monson and knows Mrs. Auchter. She told me that Mrs. Auchter's daughter Sarah is studying Environmental Law at WNEC. I also called and spoke to Jeff at <i>Woronoco</i>, who said Julie A. Cyr is off today. I called Tom Devine about 7:05pm and got his mother. I told her about Steve Kelly and other political things. She said Tom would not be back until around 11pm, but I told her I would not be up at that hour. I also told his mother how I am always grateful for the political tips Tom gives me and I repay the favor when I can with insider information of my own. <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 6, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Clear and cool. Gas is $1.25 on the corner of Alden.<br />
<br />
I inscribed a copy of my new book to Atty. Terry Scott Nagel. I wrote, "With highest esteem and thanks for the many kindnesses, especially support for my Spring 1981 publishing program." <i>Antiques on Boland Way</i> has completely taken over the space where the liquor store was. Sandra J. Bevilacqua works for <i>Carellas Insurance Agency</i>.</p><p>The movie <i>Fight Club</i> was given three stars by Sy Becker and he
was right, it is a good film. Most folks will miss the leather symbolism
which permeates it. I consider it a leather film. If kids start
copycatting the film, the police will have their hands full. <br />
<br />
I drove out to the <i>Woronoco</i> stockholder's meeting in my orange suit and lumberjack boots, biker jacket, no collar, before 9am and parked on Salem Street in the first space right by the church back door. Then I took my signed book over to 175 State Street and left it with Debbie for Terry. I walked down the hill to the Chamber of Commerce, where I ran into R. Denver talking with Sally Fuller (wearing a business suit with black and white athletic shoes). Denver congratulated me on my speech to the Council, saying, "I was very much impressed with your oratorical abilities."I presented him with a copy of <i>The Harvard Gazette</i> and nodded politely to Sally. <br />
<br />
I then headed to <i>Tower Square</i>, where I went to the toilet then up to the stockholder's meeting. I was introduced to the company lawyer Douglas P. Foucette, who told me that stockholders are allowed to speak according to the rules established in their by-laws. I asked for a copy of their by-laws and he said he would mail them to me. He asked if I had a card so I unzipped my jacket and pulled one out and gave it to him. I asked him for his card so he opened his wallet and found one, which was dirty and stained on the back. I counted 75 people present, 61 males and 14 females. <br />
<br />
The meeting itself was uneventful and very short. We were welcomed by Cornelius D. Mahoney, Chair of the Board of <i>Woronoco Bancorp Incorporated</i>. When the end came they said they'd take comments and I got up and said that Westfield is a proud city and told them their stockholder's meeting should have been held up there. I was followed by a stockholder who said he had 25,000 shares and wanted to know what they planned to do in order to increase stockholder value. The next stockholder to speak was Joe Stephano, who said he had 60,000 shares. Good grief! At the end we were all gifted with a fancy pen and were served refreshments in the form of danish, nice muffins and a choice of drinks but no fruit juices. As I left I took a parking validation sticker, not because I needed one but because I have never seen one before.<br />
<br />
On the way back I made copies at <i>CopyCat</i> and got bananas and beets at <i>Angelo's</i>. Going down Boston Road I saw Doyle painting under his umbrella with several people hanging around. I also swung by the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, where there were not many cars parked by the cinema but a good number wandering around the mall itself. When I got home I was surprised to see Dickie N. crawling around on his roof. The only thing I ate yesterday was a <i>Burger King Whopper</i>. Today I had the refreshments at the stockholder's meeting and once home ate two baloney sandwiches. I called <i>Hein</i> and got Paul Martelle. I ordered five more copies of my new book for $34.80 each and asked if they intend to get into electronic publishing. He said yes, but they are not quite there yet. I informed him that I hoped to do future projects in emerging formats. <br />
<br />
Still no stock market quotes on <i>TV22</i>. They show whether it went up or down, but no longer show quotes for individual stocks. Looks like <i>Hayden Wayside Furniture</i> is sneaking back into business. There was a very poised, articulate, young (Jewish?) woman who was their TV spokesperson for some time before they closed. Today on <i>TV22</i> at 5:38pm she was back on for <i>Hayden Computer Furnitur</i>e of Enfield! Socrates Babacas called and I picked up. He says the stadium is dead and they will start turning in signatures for the referendum on Wednesday. Meantime, Karen P. is urging everyone to keep collecting because they may need more if some are disqualified.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>October 7, 1999</b></center><br />
45 degrees at 7:45am when I got up. <br />
<br />
Stayed up until 3am typing and sorting through papers. Mother commingled things and I found a bunch of certificates of deposit mixed in with bank statements. Steve Forbes was on TV this morning talking about "a new birth of freedom" but I can't see him as president. <i>TV22</i> continues to have no quotes of individual stocks. A story on NPR said that seat belts improve student behavior. Our culture is shot through with bondage and discipline. <br />
<br />
I dined today on microwave warmed up chicken, potatoes and onions. Very good. I put out a pile of mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i> and made a couple of copies. I then went out to <i>Fleet Bank</i> in the Acres where Socrates Babacas was just coming away from the teller window with a fistful of $20 bills. "Well, hello Attorney Miller," he said. "I just cashed my Social Security check!" On a carpenter's truck in the parking lot I saw a bumpersticker, "When was the last time a Republican helped working people put food on the table?" When I got back I found a Tom Ashe campaign brochure in my newspaper mailbox by the garage. Fred Whitney had called while I was out. <br />
<br />
I called <i>WFCR</i> and John Montinar picked up and will send the contest rules. Called for a free orthodontics video and got a female who replied, "Right now our system is down, could you give us a call later?" I hung up. Why couldn't she write down my name and address? I called Census Jobs and got a recorded message, "A recruiting representative will return your call as soon as possible. Thank you and good-bye." I then called Julie Cyr directly at <i>Woronoco</i> and she said she checked with research on Tuesday and I should be hearing from them soon. <br />
<br />
Sandy from <i>Carellas</i> called saying they got the paperwork and asked about 124 Maynard Road in Wilbraham. I told her it is a camp with a small cottage on it. She said there would be no problem. I called <i>Lawbook Exchange</i> in NYC and got Gary Talbot and alerted him to my newly published book. Then I called <i>Hein</i>, but Fiddler was out of town on business so I left word for Paul that Talbot of <i>Lawbook Exchange</i> will be ordering copies soon. "We're in business to sell books!" said I.<br />
<br />
<center><b>October 8, 1999</b><br /></center><p>
42 degrees on the breezeway at 7:30am.<br />
<br />
There was a frost last night and the Dahlia and Zinnias are gone. Farewell, I loved you! </p><p>There is a letter in this week's <i>Valley Advocate</i> from Paul A. Fitch, the General Manager of <i>The Hot Club</i> downtown. He writes in support of the proposed baseball stadium and announces that "I've decided to stop advertising with the <i>Valley Advocate</i>" as a result of the <i>Advocate's </i>negative coverage of the project. </p><p>He wrote that "<i>The Valley Advocate</i>, once the other newspaper, a bastion for free speech and alternative speech, has now managed to convert liberal journalism into staunch cynicism." Editor Tom Vannah responded, "<i>The Advocate's</i> role is to raise important questions that aren't getting asked elsewhere. That's not cynicism, that's journalism." </p><p>Let me observe regarding that letter: First, part of the reason I admire the <i>Advocate</i> so much is that they are willing to publish a letter like that. Would the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i>? The real people who are cynical are the publishers, editors and journalists who dream of bigger jobs and fat pensions while they deliver little or nothing of substance. <br />
<br />
<i>Union-News Extra</i> came today and a shipment of books was left by the garage door. The stock market quotes are back on <i>TV22</i>. <i>The Quadrangle Cafe</i> is about to get longer hours and a more varied menu with more soups, sandwiches and salads. This morning I came across a stray copy of T. Devine's <i>Heroes and Villains</i> from 1996 and I filed it in my archives. <br />
<br />
I drove out to <i>Five Town Plaza</i> and closed Mother's last checking account, where I was waited on by Linda S. who remembered my name. I must have been talked about in there. Next, I drove downtown and parked on Salem. Someone has stuck up small stickers of The Ten Commandments all over downtown. I walked to <i>Westfield Savings</i> and used the $15,000 in Mother's account to open a CD at 6.1% over three years. Then I stopped at First Church and got their list of Wednesday noon organ recitals. <br />
<br />
Next I stopped at the Bar Association where I was told that Judge Moran had left for the day, so I left a copy of my new book with Patricia. I also stopped at candidate Brenda Branchini's and made a $5 contribution to her "fun-raiser" next week at <i>Cherry Bombs</i>. I took the time to discover where 5 Elm Street is, and it's that really old little brick building with apartments upstairs. I peeked in the window and it seems a tad rundown. Suddenly old man Ravosa appeared and I explained to him my interest. I also asked him not to tell Steve Kelly I had come by. <br />
<br />
Since I had some extra time, I decided to try to collect some signatures for the stadium referendum from people around Court Square. I was soon startled to discover sitting on a bench with a pile of paperwork, Tom Finneran, Speaker of the Massachusetts House, trying to be inconspicuous. I approached him and introduced myself and told him I appreciate some of the more thought provoking statements he has made, and he thanked me. I gave him a copy of the stadium petition and quickly told him the issues, as well as informing him about my grandpa having been a four term Democrat in the Vermont legislature. He was very polite. Suddenly a tall aide to Finneran came up and I went along.<br />
<br />
So I danced down Main Street, collecting signatures, coming to rest in front of <i>Tower Square</i>, where I stayed until 12:30pm. Despite my juvenile delinquent outfit I did surprisingly well with old ladies and of course also with my fellow juvenile delinquent types. Two Latinos came along, brightly clad in the latest loud fashions, who pulled up their pant legs to show that they were wearing ankle monitoring bracelets that they had just been fitted with at the courthouse. I told them to wear them with pride and both cried out in harmony, "We do! They signed.<br />
<br />
About a dozen people I approached told me they had already signed. Some declined to sign because they were from out of town, like one couple who were visiting from Maine. White male, working class types said no more that any other class. Atty. George Nassar signed, but most business types did not. A Jewish woman named Kellogg signed, telling me that one of her parents was a Protestant. One old lady said she was glad to encounter me so she wouldn't have to walk down to <i>Northgate Liquors</i> to sign. Blacks and Latinos almost always signed. Perhaps they are flattered to be spoken to so respectfully, and after they sign I always shake their hand. In the end I wound up with a miserable 200 signatures total. <br />
<br />
Got a note in the mail from Rev. R.A.S. thanking me for my gift to the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Music Ministry. Artist Louise Minks of Leverett sent me a thank you card for the photo and negative I sent her. She wrote, "Autumn colors always overwhelm me and sometimes inspire me to get out and paint." Eamon's present answering machine editorial is fabulous: "Daylight News Central has received over 500 calls regarding suggested names for Springfield's new baseball team. It's a tossup between the Picknelly Polecats and the Picnelly Pirates. Callers suggested that Mayor Albano's Springfield Baseball Corporation and the City Council are behaving like nasty, weasel-like creatures. Others contend that the eminent domain taking of <i>Northgate Plaza</i> reminds them of robbery on the high seas. Whether it's the Picknelly Polecats or the Picknelly Pirates, it all stinks to high heaven!"<br />
<br />
When I heard the editorial I couldn't help but to call Karen Powell and alert her to it and also took the opportunity to congratulate her on all she has done. We had a good chat. I told her my story about running into Speaker Finneran and how I told him about the <i>Northgate</i> controversy, which pleased her. Karen is afraid that Raipher Pellegrino is planning to block their referendum with a legal challenge. Atty. M. Moriarty has already discussed with her some of the legal hurdles they may face. I also told her about Steve Kelly. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>October 10, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Rained last night, heavily overcast at 7am. <br />
<br />
Youth thinks that it is immortal, and that is good because youth must dream and youth must dare. <br />
<br />
A man who just wrote a book about Reagan was on <i>WFCR</i> and said, "I don't think Ronald Reagan ever had a close friend in his life." He wanted to save America from various problems and he often did. At Eamon's urging I have written a letter to the <i>Valley Advocate</i> about cynical journalism and have completed my millennium statement for the Modern Language Association. I inscribed a copy of my new book to send to Peter Westervelt via <i>Colby Classics</i>.<br />
<br />
Out just after 10am, made copies, got the paper out of the trash can at <i>Louis & Clark</i>, where I put out the mail to Paini and Day. I left my last petition paper in the backdoor of the Powell's, along with some material related to the <i>Cecil Group</i>. Next I came through the <i>Goodwill</i> at the X, which has more junk books (lots of health titles) than they know what to do with. Stopped at a tag sale on the way home, but bought nothing. Mowed the lawn this afternoon and then came in to take a bath. My Lewis-Caulton sign was vandalized sometime today. I stapled it back together and then called and left word on Lewis-Caulton's recorder. <br />
<br />
Dined on a <i>Swanson Fish and Chips Dinner</i>, baloney sandwiches and scrambled eggs in the morning. The mail brought an invitation from Emily Bader inviting me to the opening of the rare book exhibit <i>Gutenberg to Gates: 500 Years of Books from Printing Press to Computers</i> with author Charles Mann, Professor Johnathan Tryon and librarian Guy McLain. Babacas called, rang four times, but I ignored him. An effervescent male wrong number asked, "What do you think of the videos I picked up at the <i>Big E</i>?" I replied, "I haven't had a chance to look at them," and hung up. <br />
<br />
Fred Whitney called and said that he didn't hear my speech because he doesn't watch the City Council meetings. I told him he can still see it because they always replay them several times. Whitney also told me that Brian Santaniello became a Republican because he wanted a job with Governor Weld. He didn't get one, but continued with the GOP because he thought he might get hired by Cellucci. Now he is switching back to a Democrat because he may be getting a job with the Secretary of State, a Democrat. So much for Brian Santaniello and the GOP.</p><p><i>Haberman Insurance Group</i> is moving their downtown office to Ashley Street in West Springfield. Our city ebbs away, drip by drip. <br />
<br />
Eamon called to remind me he wants to borrow the O'Reilly book. Eamon says his sisters sometimes help him with the housework, but he's a naturally tidy person. He then recalled that the <i>Royal Meat Market</i> at Winchester Square was run by the same Jew who ran the North End shop that sold bad fish. He then recalled how Charles K. Treiber wanted to put an auto and machinery museum in the Indian Motocycle Building. His wife works in the Registry of Deeds. Eamon suggested that I call Charlie Treiber at 846-4397 because "he knows a lot of history." <br />
<br />
Eamon then talked about how from 1962-1968 he had a job as a salesman for medical companies. His territory was New Hampshire, Vermont and Western Mass. Eamon decided to leave the field in '68 because he was offered a job with the State Department of Education with a real nice pension. He said he was ready for a change, recalling how he woke up one morning in the <i>Cadillac Motel</i> in Vermont asking himself, "What am I doing here?" <br />
<br />
Eamon says his nephew Gareth Sullivan, the son of the former Fire Chief, was an aide to Mayor Albano, but has now been made the Community Relations Director for the Fire Department, replacing Bernie Wells, a fireman who held the job for years. Eamon is glad his nephew got out of Albano's office, but thinks it's silly that he got a job for which he has no real background for. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>October 11, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Heavily overcast, 63 degrees at 7:45am. <br />
<br />
You get nice things, you struggle to get them, you feel good to have them and use they sparingly so they will last, then you die and they end up with people who don't really appreciate them. <br />
<br />
Columbus Day. According to the <i>ABC Evening News</i> the 6 billionth person will be born sometime tomorrow. They said the population hit one billion for the first time in 1800. Governor Davis of California has signed a needle exchange law. Local news voice Don Duquette on <i>WFCR</i> said e-coli bacteria was found in Belchertown. Kathy Esser works for <i>Landmark Realtors</i> in Monson. <br />
<br />
<i>The Springfield Marriott</i> is selling sandwiches with the names of local attractions. One is called the <i>Stage West</i> (sliced ham and Swiss cheese) but <i>Stage West</i> has been replaced by <i>City Stage</i>. "The Symphony" is sliced roast beef with cheddar cheese and the "Museum of Fine Arts" is a grilled herb chicken breast sandwich on a croissant. Each costs $14.50 and come with a salad, fruit and a cookie or bag of chips. <br />
<br />
Left the plants out last night but can't tonight. Workmen are continuing to put a new roof on the house on the corner of Catalpa. Inscribed my new book to Jordan Luttrell, wrapped it but haven't sent it. I used many layers of wrapping paper the same way he wraps up rare books for shipping. I also inscribed a book to Kevin Marmion for his "wonderful abiding sponsorship of Legal Poetry." I've been sorting papers and fishing out jewelry for Mother's urn. I found a note stating that we found an arrowhead in the garden at Wilbraham in 1950. I also found Father's bowling champ medal from 1933. I came upon an old <i>Forbes & Wallace</i> credit card with hippie flowers on it, as well as credit cards from <i>Steiger's</i> and <i>Lechmere</i>. <br />
<br />
Mid-afternoon I drove out to Indian Orchard and everything was open. I stopped at <i>Cat's Paw</i> where I had a nice chat with Claudia and Vince. They thanked me for telling them how to register historic paintings. Then I dined at the Acres <i>Burger King</i> on a coupon, I was the only one in there at 4:15pm. At the <i>Goodwill</i> I ran into the Allards dropping off donations. <br />
<br />
I called Fred Whitney and asked how he was doing gathering signatures and he said he only got three names. He told me he will turn them in at City Hall tomorrow and get a receipt. I also called Aunt Maria and found her more jovial than sometimes, she actually said, "I'm glad you called." Aunt Maria said she had a nice supper of beef and potatoes tonight. My aunt at one point asked if I still wanted the oak desk in the front room because Joe asked about it. So Joe is trying to pry the oak desk away from her now? I said we could talk about it when I come over around Thanksgiving, then I wished her a Happy Columbus Day and ended the call. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and told me he put up a new message about putting a house of prostitution where <i>Steiger's</i> was. I listened to it later and wasn't thrilled about it, although Eamon claimed it got 50 calls in the first few hours and several comments were left by callers. Millie Dunbar called and said, "We've tried everything else so why not give it a try as long as it is monitored by Ms. Caulton at the Health Department." Somebody else called and said they should accept credit cards and that the city should get a percentage of the money from the tricks. <br /></p><p>Eamon told me he spoke with Nader the Hatter, who has to be out of his apartment by November 5th. Nader still talks to his girlfriend in Rhode Island on the phone, but their relationship is "in the past." Now Nader says he wants a condo by the sea and a Latin woman. Dorothee Szuch is in Switzerland visiting her mother for a few weeks and her husband is in New York with his mother, who is ill. Eamon then talked about marriage, claiming that he once lived with a woman in Mexico for a few months but never married her or anyone else because his mother "had a very strong personality" and another woman could never have tolerated it.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>October 12, 1999</b></center><br />
Pleasant, 51 degrees at 8am. <br />
<br />
Today is the day the 6 billionth person is presumed to be born. There were 3 billion people in 1960. 370,000 babies are born in the world everyday. Norwich University is being asked to return students it is training for the Indonesian military. A new <i>Walgreen</i> is going up at the corner of Parker and Boston Road. <i>Woronoco</i> is running a commercial saying, "At <i>Woronoco Savings</i> we remember what's important." Notice they don't actually say the customer is important. The cedar in the middle of the front lawn is a lovely yellow. <br />
<br />
A very hectic day. I cut down the artichokes, raked up stray branches and backed the car out of the garage so I could get the lawnmower. The Ciantras were walking by and we had a nice chat. After the yardwork, I decided to drive down to the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> and put out the mail, but my car was dead! So I went in and called ALA, but got a recorded message that "no one is available." Not a very nice way to treat people! So I called the ALA number for Allen Street and got Gina, who took my membership number and address and said someone would be there within twenty minutes to an hour. <br />
<br />
I had called at 9:40am and so I waited. The mailman came down the street at 10:05am. When they still hadn't come by 10:37am I called again and a young woman answered but I was silent and hung up. I pushed around the vacuum, leaving the garage and breezeway door open so I could see out and anybody could just walk right in. Nobody came. At 11:03am I called again and this time I got Janet, the receptionist. I told her my story and said I am leaving to walk over to Breckwood to do errands and I would call when I got back. She said, "I trust you have another vehicle," and I told her she was being presumptuous and hung up. <br />
<br />
As I walked to the <i>Breckwood Shops</i>, I came upon Mr. Mancusco, who was out front raking leaves. He told me he had already raked up seven bags. Mancusco is now 85 and thinks President Clinton is a disgrace who will hurt Al Gore if he is the nominee. Mancusco is not opposed to a baseball stadium in Springfield, but thinks it should be located in Blunt Park. The problem, he says, is that Mayor Albano is trying to do too many things at one time. Once Mancusco wanted to take his wife for a ride on Picknelly's riverboat, but decided not to when he found out the price was $10 per person. He thinks the price is too high for families to take their children and believes Picknelly should charge no more than $3 per passenger. I told him I agreed with everything he said. <br />
<br />
As I arrived at Breckwood, police car #66 was just coming out the exit by <i>CopyCat</i>. I made copies there, then put out the mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i>, where I also bought the <i>Hartford Courant</i>. Ex-Officer Brown was there and told me he has collected over 600 signatures for the stadium referendum. Brown told me he hates Albano "with all the intensity of my being" and we both chuckled. I crossed Breckwood to <i>Dunkin Donuts</i> and bought half a dozen donuts, then bought a half gallon of milk at <i>Sunoco</i> and walked home. As soon as I got back I called ALA and told them I was back. Soon a black man arrived in a tow truck from <i>Five Star Towing</i> and cheerfully jump started my car. I then drove out to <i>Sears</i> to get a new battery, where Mike agreed my five year guarantee was still good and I only had to pay $36.69 for the labor to have it installed. <br />
<br />
The mail brought my <i>Chevron</i> certificate but it was incorrectly made out to John Wesley MILLS. I called their number and spoke with Mrs. Brown, telling them their mistake has cost me time and I expect to be compensated. She said they would send a letter with a postage paid envelope to return the incorrect certificate in. I lamented again having to waste my time and said whoever made the mistake shouldn't be working there, but added that it doesn't really matter because no matter who you hire these days nobody can get anything right.<br />
<br />
Next I called Laurie Bongeorni at <i>Landry-Lyons</i> and she will come Friday about 11am to appraise the house. She said she grew up on Catalpa and believes she has seen me at Open Houses. She also told me her father was an excavation contractor. The law office of John Defoe in East Boston called looking for Atty. Jacqueline Miller so I told them they had the wrong number. I called <i>Fleet Bank</i> and asked to speak to Terri Haskins, but they said she was on vacation until next week. Babacas called but I didn't pick up. <br />
<br />
At 6:00pm I left for the candidate forum at the John Boyle O'Reilly. Ex-rep Fred Whitney was there in a dark suit with a gold elephant stick pin he said he got from a friend he used to work with. Whitney said he got only three signatures because all the people he asked told him they had already signed. He showed me the receipt he got from Clerk Metzger when he turned them in. It was a good gathering with candidates having tables set up and a stage with speakers for speeches. Everyone was cordial to me, including Bill Foley, who told me he saw comments about my council speech on <i>Masslive</i>. Marshall Moriarty and his wife were there, and at one point I introduced them to Michaelann Bewsee. Mayor Albano was present but we didn't speak. Before the speeches started I concluded it had been a long day so I discreetly stepped out the door.<br />
<br />
<center><b>October 13, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Lovely day, simply lovely.<br />
<br />
The Springfield Library and Museums Association has elected four new trustees - Noel Leary of Longmeadow and Brian McCook, Elsie Smith and J. Michael Wallace, all of Springfield. On the evening news Peter Picknelly was praising Fran Gagnon for the museum display <i>Picturesque Views of the Connecticut Valley</i>. Judith D. Kelly is Manger of Special Events for the Springfield School Volunteers. <i>The Plant Lady</i> is a plant care service offered by Donna Centore in Enfield, Connecticut. <br />
<br />
Went to <i>Louis & Clark</i>, where I ran into the woman who told me I remind her of Elton John. She said she no longer works at <i>Pride</i> and now works at <i>Newsstand</i>, where she gets better benefits and free magazines. From there I went to the <i>Border Buster Expo</i> on the Eastern States grounds, where there was a sign in front saying it costs $5 or a business card. I told them charging just $5 was bad strategy because it makes the event sound inconsequential. <i>Russell's Sixty Minute Photo</i> was giving free photos of yourself set to certain themes. I chose the Red Sox one, they wanted to know if I wanted them to add a cartoon cap but I declined. Rob Wallace, who took my picture, said they have been in business since 1980. I think it's a lovely photo of me:</p><p><br />
<br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymT3RHra_YF2Y2wW_HvA747llKAPGZV5U0Au6weSXWItYzKFq5laPL2eiZ3qv7o05YMUENy3-vVJguOJUvvX4uLAz7O-xxGw3uFp_HRKDJg6nLhq-EUVAK_KV4RUwzQjwcw1EoL4atDe_/s1600/wesley.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1068" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymT3RHra_YF2Y2wW_HvA747llKAPGZV5U0Au6weSXWItYzKFq5laPL2eiZ3qv7o05YMUENy3-vVJguOJUvvX4uLAz7O-xxGw3uFp_HRKDJg6nLhq-EUVAK_KV4RUwzQjwcw1EoL4atDe_/s400/wesley.jpg" width="334" /></a></div><p><br /> </p><p>Petluck, showing his age more than ever, was there and we chatted. I spoke of his wife and he corrected me that she is his "companion." Geoffrey Little of <i>Tellitcom</i> was there and promised to send me information on his development corporation. Ashley Shea of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission was there and I told her they need to work more closely with Connecticut. She promised to send me stuff about their latest projects. <i>Northeast Utilities</i> had a booth manned by Michael Levin, as did <i>WestMass Area Development Corporation</i>, manned by Bob Pyers. One booth served spicy meatballs, others gave out candy. <br />
<br />
Not many people around when I first got there, but business picked up as it got closer to the free lunch, which consisted of soda pop, a tossed salad provided by <i>The Marriott</i>, cheese casserole, rice and half a chicken breast provided by a place in Enfield and strawberry shortcake for dessert. <i>The Springfield Newspapers</i> were not passing out free papers, just copies of their last business section supplement. I asked, "If you're a regular reader of the paper, why would you want a copy of what you've already read?" I received a silent stare in response. <br />
<br />
Tonight I dined on a <i>Hungry Man Deep Dish Chicken Pot Pie</i>. It's pretty good, but not as good as the <i>Marie Callender</i> pies. Terry Scott Nagle has not yet sent a thank you for the copy of my new book I sent him. I called Karen Powell and told her Whitney turned in his signatures. She said they have 80% of the signatures they need verified so far. Eamon called and I told him that the latest issue of <i>BusinessWest</i> makes the economic outlook for Western Mass look even worse than anyone thought.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>October 15, 1999</b></center><br />
Rainy overnight, sun out by 10am.<br />
<br />
Cooked up some cauliflower and beets and ate the last donut with a can of fruit and a banana. In the late afternoon I drove out and made copies, then left off a bag of stuff with Mrs. Staniski. She told me a black man named James Smith patched her cracked driveway. I dropped off a bag of stuff at Whitney's backdoor, then to Eamon's, where I found him using his gas grill at the entrance to his garage. While I was there dropping off stuff his mailman delivered his copy of <i>BusinessWest</i>.<br />
<br />
I headed downtown and parked on Salem, then went to the Museum of Fine Arts and viewed the new exhibit on photo pointilism carried to an imaginative extreme. Next to <i>Westfield Bank</i> where I opened a $1,500 CD with Rick Zabielski. At City Hall I paid the water bill, then peeked into the Election Office and saw two women working on the petitions. Leaving I encountered Judy Matt entering City Hall. She is always extremely polite. Then into the courthouse where Patrica returned my books and said the Judge enjoyed them and would enjoy more. <br />
<br />
I walked to the Mill Street <i>Fleet</i> where Barbara Corgan was at her desk. She told me she has been working in banking since 1980. She showed me the paintings they have of South End scenes and a Jeff Kern panorama of the Springfield skyline over the Connecticut River. The Angela Davis poster is badly weathered but still visible on the metal back door of the store on the corner of Main and Bliss. I saw a helicopter hovering directly over the South End Armory building, perhaps someone taking pictures of downtown.<br />
<br />
As I got back to Birchland, I found Lucius in his driveway. He returned my books with thanks and added, "You must have quite a library," then added, "You can tell a lot about a person based on what they have on their bookshelf." He and his wife are about to leave for Florida but will be back around Christmas. He says he used to have a lot of birds in his backyard, even eagles, before the neighborhood became so developed. His lot and and the one next door used to belong to the Boilard family and at one point there was a croquet court in the woods! The broker lady Laurie Bongiorni arrived at 11:30 to do an appraisal at 11:30 and left at 12:05pm. Her maiden name was Ely and as a kid she used to play in the Nichols lot. She said she would have a quote by the weekend. <br />
<br />
My first <i>Woronoco</i> dividend came today, $1.06 on 25 shares. This morning someone from <i>Wadsworth Press</i> called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. Brenda Branchini called and I told her she could put up a sign on my lawn. Called <i>Banner</i> and got Stephanie in Customer Service, who connected me with Judy Corbin in Claims, who told me Mother's <i>Monarch</i> policy was an endowment which matured in 1988. Called <i>Who's Who</i> and got Julia in Customer Service who said they are "in the process of shipping as we speak."<br />
<br />
On the news this morning, <i>WFCR</i> said the Helter Skelter Motorcycle Club was found to have riot gear stolen from the Connecticut State Prison and a prison employee is being charged. They also had a story on "food insecurity" in the suburbs, the new buzzword for hunger. On the TV evening news we saw Solicitor H.P. Carroll and the whole Law Department lined up before the camera to say the Powell's petition drive is unconstitutional because a referendum can not be held to overturn an eminent domain taking. I called Karen and she said she isn't worried about it and was told the Election Office is forging ahead with certifying signatures. 4,600 have been approved so far, a rate of about 70%. Karen told me she has photocopies of all the petition papers and the Election Office won't stop verifying signatures unless they get a court order. I also told her about Whitney and the trade show at the Expo. <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 16, 1999</b></center><br />
There are so many interesting and exciting things to do that you can become depressed thinking of all you can't do for reasons of time or money, rather than rejoicing in how nice it is you could do what you did. For Queen Elizabeth, an orange was a novelty, we have lost the ability to see much of anything as novel because fantastic new possibilities are unfolding before us at such a rapid rate that we can hardly absorb it all. Last night I awoke from a dream where I was in the woods with a number of friends I can't identify, we were all naked and eating jelly beans and Mother was trying to climb a staircase that was there in the woods with us. It was in color, quite a Dadaist experience. <br />
<br />
Was thinking about Fran L. Zipee, who was Director of Music in the Springfield schools after Richard C. Berg (Charlie Berg's father) left. She directed the Homer Street Band and Orchestra in which I played as a child. I have a picture of the Homer Street group on the stage in the basement where we went to practice. The little Wheeler twins were in the group and it was a pleasant period of my childhood. <i>WFCR</i>was playing Straus's opera <i>Arabella</i> today, which was the name of Mary Ellen Waller's doll. <br />
<br />
I wore my completely purple outfit for the first time today. As I drove out I dropped off three books and a catalog at the Cohn's. Then to <i>Louis & Clark</i> to make copies of stock certificates because <i>CopyCat</i> was closed. Cindy asked about the progress of the petition campaign. As I left, I held the door for an old man who said he recognized me from the <i>Yorke Show</i> and we talked about Dan. He said Yorke called Albano "a prick" on the radio and I agreed that wasn't right. He told me he always votes for the man, not the party. <br />
<br />
Got the paper out of the trash can. Then out to <i>Burger King</i>, where I got a Whopper for 99 cents with a coupon. Lots of tag sales around, but their contents were a joke. At the Church in the Acres I had a good chat with the Koziel's. Mr. Koziel is a smart old man, I recall that one of his kids worked in computers at <i>Monarch</i>. I inquired about Ellen Balch and was told she's traveling. I spoke with Camille from Concord, New Hampshire, where she is a bookkeeper at Franklin Pierce Law School. She said she learned her trade at Springfield Technical Community College and she and her husband have lots of stock in <i>Harley-Davidson</i> and <i>Budweiser</i>, which I thought was a charming portfolio for a hip, working class couple. The sale itself was an absolute dud and I bought nothing. <br />
<br />
Then over to the <i>Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company</i> for their Open House. In the basement of their headquarter building by the jail we were served cider and coffee plus a nice spread of pastries. A mini-school bus was used to drive us out to the plant. An engineer of about 40 showed us around, he told me he got his degree from STCC. It is a clean, well maintained facility. The guy in the master control room said he has an Associate's degree from STCC. After the tour we were bused back to their headquarters and could have had more refreshments, but I left. As I did so I took a couple of pictures of the back of the jail and of the power plant. The <i>MMWEC</i> tour was the sort of thing Father would have enjoyed. Years ago, when the West Springfield generating plant opened, he went on a stockholder tour of it. I was a little kid and not involved. <br />
<br />
Lynch was mowing his lawn with his red rider mower when I got back. The regular Saturday mailman arrived at 2pm on the button and brought Plough and the <i>Ford</i> certificate. I also got a thank you letter from President A.S. Caprio at WNEC, thanking me for the "material you sent me some months ago" and claiming, "I had not seen the May <i>Valley Advocate</i> interview with you." But because I was in the <i>Advocate</i> he couldn't take the risk of being surly to me because it might be dangerous. A polite and very limited thank you, but better than when we first met, where having been poisoned against me by others, he refused to let me be seated at their economic summit. Not an archival quality letter, but one I shall save anyway.<br />
<br />
<center><b>October 17, 1999</b></center><br />
Lovely fall day.<br />
<br />
Chopin died exactly 150 years ago today. NPR says that student loan default rates are 10% and the government is clamping down. Historically black colleges are where the default rate is the highest. <i>Taylor Rental</i> is offering millennial themed balloons and other items to "create your own Millennium party!" Dined today on bananas, donuts, bacon and eggs and a <i>Swanson Meatloaf Dinner</i>. <br />
<br />
Peak color now, the leaves are coming down slowly and most are still in place in all their glory. I was up from 9pm to 2am and slept until 8am. Out at 9am to <i>Food Mart</i> for the specials. Lots of customers at <i>Food Mart</i>, which now has big signs with <i>Five Town Mall</i> in a pinwheel pentagon. Heading to the Boston Road <i>Stop&Shop</i> to redeem bottles, I noticed that next to the <i>Walgreens</i> going up on the corner of Boston Road and Parker is a small, empty lot being offered for sale by <i>Atlantic Rental Properties</i>. The new hardware store complex is going up fast. The bottle machine at <i>Stop&Shop</i> used to give you coins, but now you get a tape that you have to go inside to redeem.<br />
<br />
I then crossed the street to see <i>Fight Club</i> at the <i>Eastfield Cinemas</i>. There wasn't much business as there were only ten of us in the extra large theater. It is a good film, Sy Becker gave it 3 stars. I think in some ways it conveys the leatherman philosophy. The fights are wonderful on film, in reality much less so, but what can we say? The gagging of the bigshot in the Men's Room by the waiters recalls the gangbanging of the cops in Larry Townsend's book. It is a good film with good ideas about the nature of man. <br />
<br />
When I got home, I saw that Socrates Babacas had called while I was gone. I called <i>Stop&Shop</i> and spoke with the manager Dan Grogan. I told him that today my cashier (whom I didn't name but it was Hilda) was so preoccupied with talking with the cashier at the next register that her head was turned completely away from me. He apologized and said cashiers should give customers their undivided attention and next time I come I will get a can of <i>Dole Tropical Fruit</i> for free. <i>Belltone Hearing Center</i> in Wilbraham called. I read them the riot act, saying I've told them before that Mother is deceased! They said they won't call again. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and I told him about <i>Fight Club</i> which he said sounded to him like a gay film. During Eamon's drinking days at the <i>Stonehaven</i>, he used to hang around with Pat Amatio, Paul Kranic, Dr. Johnson the eye doctor, Judge Landers, Eddie Hurley and Bill Conlin. According to Eamon, a Chicopee attorney used to split fees with Judge Landers on drunken driving cases, a thousand apiece. They hired Maurice Kirby as their accountant because they figured he was as crooked as they were. <br />
<br />
Eamon then recalled how Pat Amatio was married to a secretary at <i>Mass Mutual</i> and they lived in the penthouse of a Mulberry Street home. He had an English bulldog and owned some cigarette machines and a tobacco shop in the Whitney building that had a red carpet in front of it. One day Eamon asked Pat Amatio how he was and he said not so good. He lifted his shirt to show that he was black and blue all over. "The boys got me," he said, referring to the mafia, who were angry because his cigarette machines were infringing on their territory. He thought that because he was close to Judge Landers he was safe, but they got him anyway. Later that day he went to the hospital and two days later he died. Nobody did anything about it, with Eamon guessing this happened "about 1970."<br />
<br />
<center><b>October 18, 1999</b></center><br />
Rained last night, overcast this morning. <br />
<br />
These glasses frames are the worst I've ever had, the lenses keep falling out and the left nostril rest has fallen off a second time. The new Central High handbook is out. Last spring I corrected the English and style and the newer version appears much improved. At the time Assistant Principal S. sent me a nice letter. J. Bernard Miller was Treasurer of <i>Hearst Consolidated Publications</i> in 1939. Father had a few shares of stock in the company, it was one of his earliest investments.<br />
<br />
On the radio they were playing the Brandenberg Concerto #2 in F with Wynton Marsalas playing the trumpet, today is his birthday. The mail brought a disc from Terry Nagle, who is a singer and trombonist with a very snazzy group <i>The Gypsy Wranglers</i>. The disc is called <i>Step It Up And Go</i>. Unfortunately, I don't have a disc player, but someday I'll get one, until then the disc is set aside lovingly with several others I have. <br />
<br />
I drove out at 2:50pm and reflected on how much gas the car uses just driving between the various shopping centers. It's five miles to <i>Food Mart</i>, then from there to <i>Stop&Shop</i>, it's all rather silly. At <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> I got a $400 money order for <i>Hein</i>. Mrs. Maggi waited on me. She likes her new house and doesn't mind that it doesn't have a fireplace because she wouldn't use it anyway except around Christmas. I mailed the payment to <i>Hein</i> at the mailboxes in front of <i>Filene's</i> at <i>Eastfield Mall</i>. In <i>Filene's</i> the Christmas decorations were up already! There were only a few cars parked in front of the cinema. <br />
<br />
I called <i>Hungry Hill Magazine</i> which rang five times before the voicemail came on and a young woman's voice said, "We are not available right now." I left a brief message identifying myself and requesting a reply to my letter of February 27, 1999. I called the <i>Union-News</i> about the Copy Editor job they've been advertising for weeks and asked for Maria Grady. I got her secretary Kathy, who connected me with Judy in personnel. She wouldn't discuss the salary range and although the job is "very important" it is not publicly recognized on the masthead or anywhere else. She suggested I send a resume and I told her that since they are uncooperative with those making inquiries they shall get no resume from me. Didn't say who I was.<br />
<br />
Karen Powell called and said they have all the valid signatures they need and Deezer Sullivan will be on the <i>Dan Yorke Show</i> tomorrow morning. Socrates Babacas called wanting the Powell's phone number so that he can offer them legal advice, I said I don't have it. Fred Whitney called to tell me that he was down at City Hall today and they were "furiously working on the petitions." At suppertime I called Tom Devine and he was friendly. He said comments praising me have appeared on the <i>Masslive Springfield Forum</i>, but were taken down by their censors. I told him about my research into Steve Kelly. <br />
<br />
Michaelann Bewsee called asking questions about legal matters which I didn't know much about really. She thanked me for introducing her to Marshall Moriarty and said she enjoyed the event. I called Stacia Filipiak and she picked up as soon as I said my name on her voicemail (that's happened before) and said she was very grateful for my alerting her to Eamon's phone editorials. She also made me promise to go hear her at the 16 Acres Civic Association on November 16th.<br />
<br />
Eamon called and we talked about the memorial at St. Michael's where Mayor Albano was pictured in the paper sitting with Donald J. Dowd. Eamon said Dowd was a bartender who supported Kennedy for President and became friends with Joe Napolitan and Eddie O'Brien. He got appointed to the New England Regional Commission but when asked for his qualifications he replied, "I like people and I'm a former bartender." Eamon says Dowd was "nothing but a political hack who carried water for the Kennedy's for 40 years." <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 19, 1999</b></center><br />
In the 20's last night, pleasant 44 degrees on the breezeway this morning. The solution to capital punishment or not capital punishment is to let the prisoner decide. Jennings on <i>ABC News</i> said Venice is sinking into the sea at a rate of ten inches a century. Why not say one inch per decade? <br />
<br />
I turned on the furnace today and am keeping the temperature at 70 degrees. Also wrote to Henry J. Hyde in Ohio and Gary Johnson in New Mexico. The Tuesday Morning Music Club was playing at Westfield State today, but I did not go. Instead I cooked a cherry pie. This evening I cooked a pork chop and microwaved a potato with two onions. I am probably eating too well, but it's difficult to cook a dab of food and just eat that. Drove over to East Springfield to get a Whopper Jr. at <i>Burger King</i>. It was nicer, fuller and fresher than they serve in 16 Acres. <br />
<br />
When I got home I saw that my Lewis-Caulton sign had been blown down by the wind. I retrieved it for later repair. Following the instructions on the last page of the grey booklet <i>A Guide to Estate Taxes 1997</i>, I called and was told that I needed to verify that my house is not worth over $650,000. She was surprised that the literature being passed out in Springfield is out of date, she said there is more recent literature available. Bernard Robbins called saying he wanted reservations for 16 for Thanksgiving dinner. I told him I sell books, not dinners. A woman from Dr. Kodali's office also called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and says the new theater going up at <i>Liberty Plaza</i> will have 16 screens and he wonders where all the viewers will come from. Eamon told me that he was on <i>The Tom Colton Show</i> three times. He also sang <i>Danny Boy</i> on <i>TV22</i> the day the station went on the air in 1953. He then recalled how the Navy had good food, with steak and eggs a couple times a week. Eamon went to the VA today for his long time problems due to a concussion he suffered in the service. He says he has pain in his head two or three times a week. It is aggravated by lots of light so he sometimes has to wear sun glasses even inside. Eamon then told me about a Catherine Fitzgerald who specialized in special education who worked downtown at the little statehouse. She had a very masculine woman come in three times a week to do typing. Eamon feels sure she was a lesbian because "they were everywhere" in the State Education Department. <br />
<center><b>October 21, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Very lightly raining and 49 degrees at 7:25am when the trash truck came by.<br />
<br />
Big news is the Boston Red Sox lose to the Yankees and thus the pennant, which they have only won once. Who wants to root for losers? Al Gore delivered a speech on childcare at a Washington D.C. Methodist church today. Mayor Albano was on Channel <i>40</i> announcing that 400 free tickets to a basketball game will be given away to children. That's how they inflate the turnout. <i>WFCR</i> says someone from New Haven is interested in bringing baseball to Springfield. Will they ever shut up about baseball? </p><p><i>The Sheraton</i> of Springfield is offering a <i>Bright Nights</i> package for $69 with "one night's deluxe accommodation." <i>Al Dente Ristorante</i> is on Elm Street in West Springfield. Robert J. Samuelson has a great essay in the latest issue of <i>Newsweek</i> about how the truth is no less important just because it is unpopular or unfashionable. <br />
<br />
Bleak and wet all day. The back Birchland maple is yellow, other trees haven't really started to change color. I brought the plants out for the day, brought them in for the night. Did two loads of wash first thing this morning. I fixed my Caulton sign and put it back out. Cooked up some broccoli and had <i>Stouffer's Lasagna</i>, plus a can of <i>Progresso Vegetable Soup</i>. Their soup is on sale for 99 cents, whereas <i>Campbell's</i> is on sale 2 for $3. Obviously <i>Campbell's</i> is clueless.<br />
<br />
Went to the <i>Louis & Clark</i> and discovered that my letter to the editor was printed in the <i>Valley Advocate</i>, which is nice. Got the paper out of their trash can and ran into former librarian Irene Fariss, who said she has written a long poem about the pilgrims, but can't get anyone to publish it. I told her about my new book. Then bought gas at the corner of Alden for $1.26 per gallon, first time I have paid $16 for a fill-up in a long time. Bought radishes at my beloved <i>Angelo's</i>, then out to <i>Walmart</i> to complain about my glasses. I was waited on by a friendly, young black woman who convinced me to upgrade my frames from the $36 model to the $68 frames They are very nice now. Then to <i>Big Y</i>, where I bought some frozen pies on special. <br />
<br />
Spent part of the afternoon reading about the science of killing. <i>Bay State Plumbing and Heating</i> called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. At 5:40pm Laurie Bongiorni called from <i>Landry-Lyons</i>, saying she would be by with my house appraisal in five minutes. I waited in the driveway as it was only slightly raining. She arrived at 5:55pm and handed me a very professional looking binder. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and told me that Karen Powell is getting legal advice from Kaufman, Rep. Holland's brother. Cohen of <i>Northgate</i> has a Boston attorney who is going to file something as soon as Angelo Puppolo makes his complaint. Kateri Walsh is running a sticker campaign for City Council, but Eamon says he would never vote for her. Mo Turner from the <i>Advocate</i> is coming to interview the Powell's tomorrow. He praised my letter in the <i>Advocate</i>, which they printed exactly as I wrote it:<br />
<br />
<i>I am proud of the Advocate for printing Paul Fitch's hot-headed letter complaining about cynical journalism. The true cynical journalists are the newspaper publishers, editors and reporters who write up booster drivel for a readership they hope will be too dumb to see what's going on - or at least too inarticulate to reply. <br />
<br />
Also cynical are the career politicians whose true visions are of bigger jobs and fancier pensions as they plan, program and promise wonders, but deliver only unsubstantial, evanescent fun and games. Accessories to cynicism are the political hacks and lackeys with fat salaries who, under the direction of their political handlers, are endlessly engaged in much ado about nothing at taxpayer's expense. <br />
<br />
The Dark Ages are long past and the Light Age has dawned with the electronic media. Lots of people who can't read Greek or do differential equations and who have trouble with grammar, spelling and simple math are nonetheless living in a sort of enhanced illiteracy: They do know what is going on and they won't be fooled. <br />
<br />
J. Wesley Miller, Esq.<br />
Springfield. </i><br />
<br />
</p><center><b>October 23, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Lovely, cool fall day. <br />
<br />
Given a choice between spraying bullets and spraying paint in a body shop, a lot of guys would rather be spraying bullets. That's just how it is. F. Robert Naka is Chair of the Graduate School Fund of Harvard University. Joseph Appleton is President of <i>HB Solutions</i>. <br />
<br />
Cold weather this weekend will bring the leaves down and I will have a lot of raking to do next week. I drove out first thing and visited AIC and Springfield College. After parking at AIC, I saw Reggie Wilson at 16 Massachusetts Avenue scraping his front porch for painting. I told the AIC librarian about registering paintings and he was very cordial. He seemed to know me but I don't recall ever meeting him. I looked at newspapers and got Devine's newsletter off the freebie rack. <br />
<br />
Then down to Springfield College where I noticed the painting of Ruth Evans standing in a light green dress was gone. I asked Bob Kudly, whom I've had dealings with before, and he said it was taken down for cleaning. I walked around Springfield College a bit and then drove down to the Quadrangle, where I looked into the lunchroom at the Museum of Fine Arts which had just ten customers. A lot of children were playing on the green. Then into the library where I nodded to Jennie White, who was taking a book truck into the stacks. <br />
<br />
For supper I cooked a potato and a couple of onions and finished the cherry pie. The mail brought a letter from Mrs. Guidi who says the Beech tree at 37 Crest was hit by lightning. The bank statement also came, Paini hasn't cashed his check. I called <i>TV40</i> this morning and told the woman who answered that Beth Carroll made a grammar error last night. She offered to connect me to the News Director but I hung up. Eamon called and said he thinks the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is probably honest, but he's not sure. I told him about Picknelly's rare book.</p><p><i>The Orchard</i>, one of the most interesting used furniture and antique places in Indian Orchard, is relocating to Chicopee. The folks who run it live up there and also operate <i>Meadow Street Market</i> in where <i>Railroad Salvage</i> was. It was an ornament on Indian Orchard's Main Street, which needs all the ornamentation it can get. <br />
<br />
I believe you should stimulate your body in as many ways and places as possible. The big question with Buddha is, what's going on with his crotch? Wearing the bondage helmet with a blindfold produces an experience like transcendental meditation. </p><p>Monica Lewinsky is a role model. Her great achievement is erecting a tombstone over puritanical sexual mores. She has made cocksucking normal, adult behavior. The scandal is that Clinton lied and exploited an intern. He was also faithless to his probably puritanical, Fran Gagnon like wife. But Monica has made cocksucking acceptable, respectable and even expected conduct between loving and consenting parties.<br />
</p><center><b>October 25, 1999</b></center><br />
Elizabeth Dole is out of the presidential race. I don't like her or her husband because they are both proud and condescending. Why should she be the nominee just because he was? Sy Becker awared his worst rating, the seldom seen Golden Goose Egg, to the film <i>Bats</i>, which he called a bad copy of Hitchcock's <i>The Birds</i>. <i>Fleet Bank</i> has a new ad saying, "You know the things you were putting off until tomorrow? It's tomorrow." The Springfield Symphony box office is at 75 Market Place in Springfield. <br />
<br />
I drove out around 9am and got today's paper out of the trashcan at the <i>Breckwood Shops</i>. Then I drove downtown to attend the Springfield Library booksale and parked in the new lot by Blake House. Last night's rain clouds had cleared so they had the sale outdoors under a tent. Jim Contavitch has been a faithful booksale worker for years and as always did most of the work. A couple of library workers were rolling out the boxes of books and Jim would carry them into the tent where other workers laid them out on the tables. <br />
<br />
I spent $46 on mostly non-fiction books. I flattered Contavitch on the job he was doing and he made sure I saw two books he thought I might like, one on the Crusades and another on the role of the Irish in the American Revolution. I had told Eamon that he should come because there would be naval books there, but he didn't come so I grabbed a few for him. Contavitch said the military books were not from the library's collection, but had been donated from the estate of a collector. I told Jim I would carry my own books to the car because the exercise is good for me. <br />
<br />
I swung by the Basketball Hall of Fame and there were only eight cars in their parking lot. Then I drove up to STCC to check out the elder continuing education fair, but there was nothing of interest. I crossed the street to the <i>Burger King</i> and got a 99 cent Whopper. When I came home there was a little black car parked at the Cohn's with Mrs. Cohn standing outside. I paused to speak to her, and she told me the girls are visiting but are leaving first thing tomorrow. She asked if I saw Zachary at the book sale but I told her he wasn't there. The mail brought the <i>Allstate</i> certificate and the <i>Randolph Herald</i>. I also got a letter from Harvard thanking me for nominating Silber. For supper today I had brussel sprouts and ministrone soup. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and asked me for the address of the <i>Northgate</i> lawyer and I gave it to him. He told me to call Karen for the latest updates. Eamon then recalled that his doctors during his time at Bethesda were Doctors Druckmiller and Elroy Kurth. I read him the fundraising letters I received from Mayor Albano and City Councilor Bud Williams. Among those supporting Wiliams listed on the invitation were Senate Majority Leader Linda J. Melconian, Albano, State Reps. Ben Swan and Cheryl Rivera and School Committee member Marjorie Hurst. The Williams fundraiser will be held Oct. 29th at the <i>The Waterfront Club</i> on Hickory Street and William's campaign treasurer is Valarie Little of Fenwick Street. Eamon said that Bud once "got in a jam" over drugs and that Ray Jordan had to convince Matty Ryan to get him out of it.<br />
<br />
Eamon then told me about the time he was at the <i>Chestnut Hill</i> restaurant back in his drinking days, when two drunks started roughing up the old guy who was minding the place. Eamon jumped in and helped fight the ruffians off, but got his thumb bent in an abnormal way. Dr. George Sotirion treated it unsuccessfully until Dr. Goldberg on Maple Street finally straightened it out. Eamon says he used to go the <i>Vanilla Tree</i> with Dr. Carl Cirioli because they liked to fool around with the black girls there.<br />
<br />
<center><b>October 26, 1999</b></center><br />
45 degrees at 8:15am, very windy today.<br />
<br />
It's a race to see how much I can accomplish before I die. Last night on <i>ABC</i> they talked about the decline in gym classes in high schools. I feel gym should indeed be part of the school curriculum, but continue to feel that sports are over-emphasized. <br />
<br />
Went to the dentist today. Dr. Torscha took an x-ray and said he could put in an implant for $1285 or simply remove it. I chose removal. I like Torscha, but one of his two nurses held her hand on my throat throughout the extraction. The other nurse took my blood pressure and pronounced it "excellent." I got one stitch but now the adjacent tooth no longer occludes as it should. I was charged $185. From there I went to the Graduate School Fair at WNEC in the former Rivers Gym. They had more schools participating than formerly I think, but I was in and out. <br />
<br />
Victor J. Morone called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. Socrates Babacas called and I invited him to attend the Simon for Mayor rally at Karen's and he seemed pleased to hear of it. Eamon called and said his telephone editorial got 42 calls today. He also called Madison to inquire about my ephemera collection, but got the runaround. He was referred to Dick Newman, then to Michael Stevens and finally to a Harry Miller, but got no information. <br />
<br />
Nader the Hatter called about 5:30pm and wanted to come right over. He arrived at 5:50pm in a black 1981 <i>Jeep Cherokee</i> with 250,000 miles on it that belongs to Dorothee Szuch. He said he has to get out of his apartment by November 1st and is storing a lot of his stuff out in Indian Orchard. His sister Kathy and her husband Jerry Larose are moving to 16 Telbar Street off Parker. He brought me two books and I gave him a bottle of sherry. Nader declined pie and ice cream and left at 6:10pm. He will be leaving for Florida with his dad very soon. I shall miss him, he has been a good friend.<br />
<br />
<center><b>October 27, 1999</b></center><br />
47 degrees on the breezeway at 7:45am. <br />
<br />
Tax payment day. First thing, before the trash was collected, a street sweeper came by. It used to be the trash was picked up, then the street sweeper came by to tidy up. Having them come before is foolish. Out a 9am, made copies, then paid my taxes at the Wilbraham Town Office at 9:31am. On to Fernbank, where at 222 Maynard Road, the fancy shingle house way in, they have a little rounded stone wall with pretty flowers and a small bench. Fernbank is secure, the next house had a large white car on the side of their lot. <br />
<br />
The former <i>State Line Potato Chip</i> plant has a sign on it saying it is for lease by the <i>Foley Company</i>. <i>The Lakeside</i> restaurant appears to be out of business, closed up tight. The big brick place that was formerly <i>Belli's</i> is for sale. I stopped at <i>Ford of Wilbraham</i> to see about clearing the title on Mother's car. I also told them I have 1935 and 1973 model Fords if they know anyone who wants them. <br />
<br />
Left there about 10:12am and went to <i>Bank of WMass</i> where I was waited on by Mrs. Maggi. I then made some color copies at <i>Staples</i>, driving there behind a <i>PVTA</i> bus that had a sign on the back, "If you can't see my mirror, I can't see you." Next I left a bag of stuff at Mrs. Staniski's back door, but I didn't knock because I could hear her practicing piano. <br />
<br />
Continuing downtown, I parked on Salem at 11:04am. I paid my taxes at Springfield City Hall, then swung by Mayor Albano's office and left an invitation for the Simon the Dog for Mayor rally with his chubby, Irish aide Nick Breault. Then I left one for Russ Denver, on the way running into genealogist O'Connor (glasses on a shoelace around his neck) walking with Dorothy Pepin. The food court in <i>Tower Square</i> has new flooring down, very elegant, more space, possibly more sanitary than the previous arrangement. I left a Simon invitation for Peter Picknelly at the <i>Sheraton</i>, officer David immediately got on his walkie-talkie to somebody the moment I got out the door.<br />
<br />
I stopped to see Brenda Branchini, who was wearing bibbed overalls, and she told me she intended to go to the dog for mayor rally. I then stopped at First Church and retrieved my knit cap that I left behind Sunday. Then to give Hurwitz an invitation where I met his son Mike. Finally, at the <i>Union-News</i> I left invitations for Starr, Garvey, McDermott and Phaneuf with the black woman at the reception desk. Then back to the car, dropping off an invite for Fred Whitney on the way home, where I arrived at 1:10pm. <br />
<br />
Atty. Kamberg Berman called while I was out, but fortunately I missed him. Carellas called from his insurance office and wanted to know if I'd like a policy on my Maynard Road property but I declined. I called Aunt Maria, who told me she now gets <i>Meals on Wheels</i>, which she described as "delicious, I don't think you'll ever get better food than this." I recalled how she used to be against the program, just as she was once opposed to going to <i>McDonald's</i>, but then loved it when she finally did go with Mother. She was much friendlier than she has been, I told her I'll see her in early November. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and I chatted with him for awhile. He told me about Bill Putnam's wife, a Fitzgerald with whom he had nothing in common. She didn't like being in public although she was quite intelligent and she died about 14 years ago. Eamon says he's certain that Bill's relationship with Kitty Broman is intimate. Then he talked about Sherman Bowles of the paper and how he used to laugh at Dick Garvey behind his back. Bowles owned a few businesses, <i>Atlas Trucking</i>, <i>Longchamps Chocolate</i> out of NYC and owned a lot of wooded land up in Maine. Eamon claimed that the only person at the paper "with any brains" was Sidney Cook and that the recently published history of the paper is "full of lies."<br />
<br />
<center><b>October 28, 1999</b></center><br />
Sunny and 43 degrees at 9am.<br />
<br />
I dined today on micro-waved potatoes, onions and sprouts. A review of <i>Fight Club</i> in the <i>Boston Globe</i> calls it, "A dark, simmering comedy of male rage." <i>A&E</i> has a biography special on Pablo Picasso this Sunday. The General Manager at <i>Riverside Park</i> is Tim Black. <i>Nichols Fine Antiques</i> is located in Plainville, Massachusetts. <br />
<br />
I left word of the Simon for Mayor rally at the Powell's on Tom Devine's voicemail first thing this morning. Visited the Cohn's briefly, Mrs. Cohn told me that Zachary was in Hudson the day of the Library booksale so he couldn't attend. From there I went to <i>McDonald's</i> for a breakfast of a bacon and egg bagel bought with a dollar coupon. Then I got groceries at <i>Super Food Mart</i> and for the first time used the self checkout machine. When I got back at 11:05am there was a bag from Mrs. Staniski hanging on the back gate. <br />
<br />
Raked the side lawn. Mail arrived here exactly at 1:35pm. Following raking the leaves I called Mrs. Staniski, who said she still feels sad when she stops at my house because it is too soon after Mother's death. She told me Carol's 21 year old son works for <i>Old Country Buffet</i> and I said getting away from home would be the best thing that could happen to him. Ann had to go to a convention in Burlington, so they drove up and stopped in Bethel. She said she had her picture taken in front of Miller Church, which she said has been "freshly painted." It was locked so she couldn't go in. Then on to Burlington, but it rained the rest of the day so she sat at the hotel reading while Ann went to the convention. We agreed to go out to eat together sometime soon. <br />
<br />
I left a message with Paul Martello about what I've been doing to promote my books. "We want to sell these things!" I said. I then left word of the rally on Belle-Rita Novak's tape. Eamon called and said he wants to be cremated and have his ashes buried either in Bourne on the Cape or in Agawam. Called Madison again about my archives but has still gotten nowhere. They always tell him to leave his name and number, but no one ever gets back to him. I told him Michael Stevens is the person he should talk to. Eamon then talked about Rep. Catjakis, who has one son who is "a thief" who was involved with the collapse of <i>All for a Dollar</i>. Another son is the jail guard who was in the news for beating up a man in handcuffs. He simultaneously held a job working for the turnpike. His friends are trying to organize a fundraiser to help him with his legal expenses.<br />
<br />
<center><b>October 30, 1999</b></center><br />
Sunny and 47 degrees at 8am.<br />
<br />
<i>WFCR</i> claimed today that the the Internet was started October 29, 1969 at Stanford. Tonight I cooked myself a can of <i>Campbell's Beans</i>, onions and sprouts. For breakfast I had cake and a banana. Took a bath and finished the raking today. My Lewis-Caulton for Council sign got knocked over again. I fixed it and then left word with her about it and also the Simon rally. Out first thing to <i>Angleo's</i> for potatoes, onions and bananas. then over to the tag sale at Trinity, whose parking lot needs repaving. I didn't arrive until 10:30 and was well back in line, Melinda McIntosh and the black ladies were at the front, as usual. <br />
<br />
I did extremely well, got a complete set of the multi-volume <i>Smithsonian Antique Encyclopedia</i>. <i>Forest Park Antiques</i> had a booth and the guy congratulated me on my TV appearances with Devine. He says he's opening up another shop in Connecticut. Somebody was asking $10 for a 1964 Mass license plate, but I already have one. I found a few antique books that had once belonged to the Attleboro Public Library, including a 1845 Methodist hymnal in good condition. I bought a fistful of postcards from Mike Jacobs of <i>Matrix Gallery</i> in New York, who told me all four of his daughters are lawyers. Melinda said she got a couple of things. <br />
<br />
For lunch I got a 99 cent Big Mac in the Square, the service was very slow. From there I swung by the mall, where there were 34 cars parked outside the cinema. I got pastries at <i>Freihoffer's</i> and I cashed some checks to have money for the week. When I got home I saw that Mrs. Penniman was out, so I asked about her husband, whom she described as "not doing well." Someone had left a flyer for me with a Kateri Walsh write-in sticker attached. <br />
<br />
I decided I should alert a few more people about tomorrow's Simon rally, so I got on the phone and left word with Tim and Maureen Ryan, plus the bartender at <i>Just Friends</i>. I also spoke to M. Bewsee, but she said ARISE has too much going on tomorrow for her to attend. Chatted with Eamon, who liked Berman's letter. Eamon said he's received lots of calls on his latest phone editorial dumping on Kateri Walsh.<br />
<center><b>October 31, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Sunny, 59 degrees at 9:30am.<br />
<br />
Had scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, carrot cake, milk and a sugary orange drink for breakfast. Also a banana. </p><p>I thought the <i>Union-News Business Monthly</i> for October that focused on the arts was a very good issue. The current issue of <i>BusinessWest</i> tells us that business isn't so very good at <i>Tower Square</i>, and, in so many words, that nobody has the foggiest idea how to fix it. </p><p>The theater complex that Mr. McLean was going to install in the <i>Steiger's</i> lot has never materialized. Instead they are putting up new theaters at <i>Liberty Plaza</i> and out at <i>Eastfield Mall</i> we have a fabulous new theater complex. But every time I'm out that way I count the number of cars in the parking lot around the theater and the numbers don't impress me. </p><p>I like the <i>U.S. Factory Outlet</i> in Tower Square and I'm glad they have it for the same reason I'm glad we have the <i>Union Market</i>. People who live downtown need these businesses as part of their neighborhood. If I want something ritzy, I can go to the flower shop in Longmeadow, it has a wonderful line of products. Everything is available someplace around Springfield. So, <i>BusinessWest</i> concludes, "the future of downtown as a retail center is dubious at best." That isn't the cynical <i>Valley Advocate</i> that said that. It was <i>BusinessWest</i>. <br />
<br />
I went to the Powell's Simon the Dog for Mayor rally and arrived at 1:30pm. I wore my orange suit. Socrates Babacas arrived just after me. Robinson the <i>Valley Advocate</i> photographer was there. He apologized for not getting my material to me, but said he would bring it by tomorrow. I gave him my card and said I'll be hom. Later he noticed me taking pictures and asked me to send him any with him in it. Brenda Branchini came with her little dog and I took her picture. <br />
<br />
The Powell's had a picnic table set up in their garage, which is quite tidy, with plenty of food, a cooler of soda and beer and a campaign themed cake. I took a bag of potato chips. I'd say the gathering peaked at 25 attendees around 3pm. A colorfully attired Tom Devine arrived with his friend Jordan Williams. I asked Tom why I never see him driving, and he replied that he has his license, but since he doesn't own a car, has little opportunity to use it. <br />
<br />
The candidate was in the backyard with Karen posing for pictures as Robinson rolled around on the ground getting different angles. At one point Tom Devine gave a delightful campaign speech, full of humorous dog metaphors, cliches and puns. Afterward there were Simon for Mayor signs and I took one along with a Tim Ryan sign which I promised to put up in front of my house. After I left I tried to get my film developed at <i>Walmart</i>, but they said it was too late for today and I would have to drop them off tomorrow. <br />
<br />
<br />
</p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-57688898085132846932017-09-01T15:41:00.010-04:002024-03-06T13:55:47.134-05:00November 1999<br />
<center><b>November 1, 1999</b></center><br />
Lovely day. <br />
<br />
Halloween passed without incident around here. I put out my Lewis-Caulton sign today, did the dishes and read some of the material that has piled up on my kitchen table, a mountain of it. Then I called Tom Devine, who had asked me for copies of the pictures I took at the Simon for Mayor rally and told him I would drop them off before the end of the day and pick up the S&M books I lent him. He said he found the S&M volumes "disgusting" but agreed that Rich's book on the Marines is good. I then called Karen Powell and told her I will give them pictures of the rally. <br />
<br />
So out to the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> and got the paper out of the trash, which included the four section 175th Anniversary insert. Then to <i>Walmart</i> at 8:45am, but was told their photo department doesn't open until 9am. I complained to Marta, a Latino at Customer Service, that I was given the wrong information as to when their photo department opened. She told me a dollar would be deducted from my photo bill for their error. I returned at nine and got my prints, which are just fine. I decided I would give the Powells 13 pictures, Robinson 5, Babacas 1, Branchini 2 and Devine 8. While at <i>Walmart</i> I ran into Donald C. Myers of <i>Forest Park Antiques</i>, who complemented me on my recent speech. I also bought a can of <i>Spam</i> for $1.78. <br />
<br />
From there I went to the <i>McDonald's</i> on Boston Road and had a bacon and egg bagel with a coupon. Next I left a picture with Mrs. Babacas, then took the Powells their pictures, which I left with Karen, before leaving some housewares at the <i>Goodwill</i>. I left Devine's pictures on the back porch, where he had left my books on the table. He also left me a sample <i>Kid's Voting</i> ballot with pictures of the candidates on it. A black man next door was blowing leaves out of his hedge onto the Devine's driveway. Nobody appeared to be home at the Devine's at the time. <br />
<br />
Called Peter Kessler and left a message. On his answering machine he has a sombre, snotty, businesslike recording. Hurwitz, very friendly, called from 787-6626 and said it took him a while to read my memos and thanked me for praising the downtown Visitor's Center, which will remain open even after the new one is finished. I called Devine and he said he got the pictures and will send me a print-out of how they look on his website. <br />
<br />
The Citizen Action Network (CANE) has announced their endorsements, which include of course Simon the dog for Mayor, plus Bill Foley and Tim Ryan for City Council because "they have stood up against big money for the people of Springfield." They also endorsed non-incumbents Scott Santaniello, Carol Lewis-Caulton, Brenda Branchini and John Ryan, whom they said "will not be swayed by the powers that be." They also suggest voting for Tim Rooke and Angelo Puppolo as people "we have been able to work with in the past." They stressed that they do not support Brian Santaniello or Bud Williams because "they have shown total disregard for what the people say." <br />
<br />
Here is Eamon's current phone tape: "Tuesday the voters of Springfield should vote to take back their city from the monopoly rag <i>Union-Snooze</i>, the arrogant, dishonest Albano Gang and the rubber stamp City Council and School Committee, including all the career hacks behind the baseball stadium. Don't forget to write in Simon the dog, but do not write in Albano's candidate Kateri Bennett Walsh, who is only running in an attempt to secure gainful employment."<br />
<br />
<center><b>November 2, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Gas is $1.25 at <i>Pride</i> in the Acres. Election Day. </p><p>I wish that Mayor Albano and Peter Picknelly would sit down with Andrew Zimbalist from Smith College and sort out the stadium issue once and for all. <br />
<br />
I'm reading George Ryley Scott's <i>History of Corporeal Punishment</i>. It makes it very clear that Catholics have used flagellation for sexual arousal for hundreds of years. The scheduled presentation by poet Maya Angelou at Symphony Hall has been cancelled due to the death of her brother Bailey J. Johnson. Nancy Zare of the Springfield College Holocaust Committee is seeking new members. <br />
<br />
Up at 5:30am. I arrived at the Rebecca Johnson School at 6:25am and M. Anzalotti of Parker Street and Officer Joe Carelock (badge #85) of Surrey Road were already there. My precinct 4-A has 1,130 registered voters. Precinct 4-B also votes at Johnson. The warden in 4-B was Joseph Louis Jones of Pearl Street, the brother of Morris Jones. Joe believes the city is purposely trying to drive blacks and Latinos out of downtown, which he says is racist in nature and must be resisted. The day was eventful in many was and an unusually large number of issues came up. For instance, Kateri Walsh was running a sticker campaign and people were leaving the paper the stickers peel off of behind and I had to go around picking them up occasionally. <br />
<br />
There were coffee and donuts when I arrived, but that is all the food we were offered all day. My aide Gloria Harris is wonderful and does most of the work, but doesn't like to be crossed in any way. Martha Edwards of Manilla Avenue is friendly, quiet and a good helper. Nan Arnold of Roosevelt Avenue was somewhat slow, but able to help. She can read, but may not know the letters in the alphabet because when someone gave her a street she had to go through all the pages to find it. <br />
<br />
Thelma Williamson of McKnight is absolutely wonderful, the ideal worker. Thelma has a smile cemented on the smooth skin of her round face and the touch of white in her hair seems premature. Thelma is a remarkable person in addition to her nice personality. She has a degree in criminal justice from AIC and worked as a prison guard in Somers. She started her masters but never finished. Her son also has a degree in criminal justice from AIC and her husband drives an automated trash truck for the City of Springfield. He started as a lowly trash picker-upper and then graduated to truck driver. Officer Joe brought about ten magazines to read and as always he was helpful in a million ways. <br />
<br />
There is always running around to be done for one thing or another. On my lunch break I went directly to Glickman and voted as #60. In the parking lot I saw a bumper sticker reading, "Bad Cop - No Donut!" I then went to the <i>Five Town Mall</i> and dined on a sub before going into <i>Spag's</i>, which has a warehouse type arrangement and some incredible bargains. They have a book section with tables and chairs but not many books. They did have the newspaper history book for sale, which has lots of credits in the front including Gormally, but no mention of F. Gagnon. <br />
<br />
When I got back Deezer Sullivan came around and ordered that no signs were permitted outside the polling place unless someone was with them - no signs just stuck in the ground and abandoned. Later Anzalotti said he had never heard of such a policy and he has been working the polls for 55 years. Armando Dimauro first got him the job and he has always been grateful to him for that. Anzalotti also works part time bagging for <i>Big Y</i> because he needs the exercise. He informed me that <i>Walgreens</i> will be moving to Boston Road and the Acres <i>Big Y</i> will take over its space but it will still not be big enough to be called a World Class Market.<br />
<br />
Today was also Kid's Voting Day, for which Tom Devine gave me a sample ballot, and their table was set up between the two precincts. At one point Durham Caldwell, wearing a Kid's Voting t-shirt, was supervising. A skinny, female photographer from the <i>Union-News</i> came along with Peter Goonan and wanted to speak to the warden. I informed him that I am a critic of his paper, but would tell him whatever he wanted to know. He asked about the turnout and I told him it was about average, although turnout in a minority neighborhood like this is often unfortunately low.<br />
<br />
One of the special pleasures of working the polls is getting to see old friends. Darnell Williams came by and gave me an NAACP flyer. I hadn't seen him since we worked together on keeping Alden Street open to neighborhood traffic. I saw Michaelann Bewsee holding a sign for Carol Lewis-Caulton. Ed Lonergan came by to vote and said to me that Election Day is the only time all year that I do something remotely like an honest day's work. Ray Jordan came by and shook everybody's hand but paid little attention to me, so I reminded him that I am a fellow Harvard alumni. He then jovially came up and squeezed my hand. Candice Lopes also came by to vote. Victor and Fran Gagnon of Worthington Street voted in the early evening, as well as Ann Richmond of 156 Buckingham and Ted Crossett. <br />
<br />
Tom Devine's friend Jordan Williams also voted, I told him I would be giving Tom some of my pictures from the Simon rally. The Rev. J.P. Morgan voted just after the Gagnons, followed by former 16 Acres Librarian Dorothy J. Pelte. She told me she has been retired for seven years and was recently released from the hospital. Brenda Branchini came by with her clean cut teenager. Rosilyn Hodges, a black business student at AIC, expressed opinions about downtown similar to Eamon's, so I gave her his number. She said downtown has gone "nowhere but downhill" since <i>Forbes & Wallace</i> left. Marjorie Hurst was around and I told her about Eamon and his research into false attendance figures. She listened, but she is a known supporter of Negroni. Her ears perked up when I told her Eamon has copies of all the articles written by the <i>New York Times</i> about Negroni.<br />
<br />
Young Ben Swan Jr. voted and I told him I was glad to meet him. I also had a good chat with Frank Buntin about what happened to the Mason Square Development Corporation. He said it became too political and lost its funding. Buntin complained that Mary Hurley kept trying to tell him what to do and he wouldn't go along with her advice. Buntin claimed his own salary was paid with private funds and that David Starr used to donate $10,000 per year but stopped because he felt they weren't accomplishing anything. Fred Whitney finally appeared when it was time to empty the ballot box and when we did so we found a 1998 ballot that had stuck to the top of the ballot box so we gave it to Officer Joe to give to Deezer Sullivan. We had to ask three voters to show ID's, William J. Pitty of Florida Street, Gilberto Padillo and Mariane Baez, both of Armory Street. <br />
<br />
It had been predicted that there would be a light turnout but in my precinct it was about normal. The results of my precinct were for Mayor, 147 votes for Albano and 19 write-in votes for Simon the Dog. For School Committee McCollum got 154, Jose Tosado 121. Tom Ashe 104. For Council, Lewis-Caulton 158, Bud Williams 152, Bill Foley got 122, Brian Santaniello 109, Dom Sarno 99, Puppolo 97, Dan Kelly, 83, B. Garde 82, Tim Ryan 82, Scott Santaniello 80, T. Rooke 78, Brenda Branchini 64 (I'm so sorry she lost), John Ryan 58. When I arrived home I found that Bob Robinson had left a packet of photos but no note.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>November 3, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Sunny, nice day. <br />
<br />
The Hartford Go Local Biz Expo will be held at the Hartford Civic Center on March 16, 2000. Today's paper has a picture taken yesterday by David Molnar of Karen Powell and "Simon the canine candidate" standing outside Marcus Kiley Middle School holding a sign with the names of the candidates endorsed by CANE. Of course, talking about the Simon candidacy and CANE's activism at this late date does the Powells no good.</p><p>There was a picture in the paper showing baker Anne Kelley of the Massachusetts Career Development Institute passing out muffins to judges of their Millennium Muffin contest. Do we need a Millennium Muffin? How about a Millennium Drink? <br />
<br />
I have brought in the plants for the winter and placed them in locations where they can get some sun. Sent out the mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i>, which included pictures for Robinson and a thank you note to The Hatter. Then I drove downtown and parked on Salem. First I stuck some pictures from the Simon rally in Brenda Branchini's mail slot. Then I delivered a note to Mark Russell Smith, saying he doesn't look like a real hippie. I left a copy of my book <i>Coke in Verse</i> in an orange bag with Berman's secretary. I also left something for Richard Garvey with the receptionist at the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i>. <br />
<br />
Pieces are falling off the cheap wooden front they put on the Fuller Block in the '80's. I complained at the time that it wouldn't last and now it is deteriorating and the Masonic cornerstone in Freedman's old block is pretty much gone. Came through City Hall and went to the Election Office to tell the girls about my Election Day experiences and my recommendations for improvement. They promised to inform Commissioner Sullivan. Finally, at the Visitor's Center I had a friendly chat with the girl about the advantages of putting up posters with a staple gun. On the way home, I stopped at <i>Burger King</i> on State, but the line was so long I didn't stay. On the corner by the Motocycle Building, a city truck #3791 ran a red light. <br />
<br />
I called Fred Whitney and told him all about Election Day at Precinct 4-A. He was friendly and appreciative and said he was grateful "to be able to get someone of your caliber." Yet he still hasn't written the recommendation I asked him for. Whitney also says he is campaigning to have the pay for precinct wardens raised to $12 per hour. According to him, at one time there was an age limit of 70 for working the polls, but it was shot down as age discrimination. Whitney also said he is furious that Scott Santaniello, whom the Republicans raised over $1,000 for, has announced following his Council defeat that he is switching to become a Democrat.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>November 4, 1999</b></center><br />
45 degrees at 7am this morning.<br />
<br />
They are putting a new sign in front of <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, raspberry and pink with bright blue neon. It looks nice. <i>The Monarch Credit Union</i> merged with the <i>Telephone Worker's Union</i> in May of 1987. The Duryea Transportation Society Museum is located at 25 Mill Street above the <i>Tavern Restaurant</i> in Springfield. <br />
<br />
The South Church tag sale was largely a dud, but I had good conversations with old and new friends while in line. Melinda McIntosh was first in line and I was fifth. Melinda buys mostly clothing, she said she took a vacation day to come to this sale. Melinda told me that a group of Russian ladies are being very greedy at sales recently. They walk up to the clothing rack and put their arms around everything and say "Mine!" Sometimes at an outdoor tag sale they will arrive three or four to a car and while one distracts you with questions or haggling, the others rob you blind. <br />
<br />
Dan Myers of <i>Forest Park Antiques</i> came but didn't hang around long. Jim Serrafinis is my new bookseller acquaintance. He looks Jewish or Italian and has long hair in a pigtail. He was wearing the latest style youth wear and always wears shorts with neat socks above sporty boots. I spotted him reading a modern fiction catalog so I went over and said hi. He knew all about <i>Oak Knoll</i> (which to my shame I didn't until recently) and he sells books over the internet. Jim lives five minutes from South Church which puts him in Precinct 4-A. I got a few books but nothing exciting. I exchanged pleasantries with the elderly lady running the book section but I failed to tell her that Mother died, I should have. She delicately made it clear to me that she knew I was gay and didn't approve. Such people only inspire me to be even more extreme. <br />
<br />
From the tag sale I went to the Notman service at Trinity. Donald Ogilvie Notman, formerly of Skyridge Lane in Springfield, died at a local nursing home at age 91. He was an underwriter at <i>Monarch Life Insurance</i> for 45 years and a member of Trinity Methodist Church in Springfield. He was also a past President of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Springfield Country Club. I signed the guest book and noticed fourteen people present and not many cars in the parking lot. I saw no one I recognized from <i>Monarch</i> nor anything Masonic. <br />
<br />
I was quickly in and out, then headed up to Chicopee for the <i>Commerce 99</i> event. Charles River Hospital West has a big renting/leasing sign in front from <i>McDonough Real Estate Services</i>. This year the business fair was the best it has ever been, a good show. A couple of people there remembered me from my appearance last year in my orange suit and asked why I was conservatively attired in black leather, so I had to explain that I had been to a funeral. I noted the absence of the <i>Westover Development</i> people. Sally Fuller and I exchanged greetings. <i>The Springfield Newspapers</i> were giving away 175th Anniversary candy bars. The person at the <i>City Stage</i> booth told me they have sold 3,000 season tickets this year. <br />
<br />
From there, I went to my dentist Dr. Frontera, and read magazines while I waited. The dentist checked me out and declared my teeth okay. On the way home I stopped at <i>Food Mart</i> for some of their grocery specials. When I got home the phone was ringing and when I picked up it was a woman who asked, "Is this Paul?" When I told her she had the wrong number she hung up in my ear! I had so many snacks at the business fair that all I had for supper was a can of soup and a sandwich. <i>TV22</i> had a feature this evening about former <i>Valley Advocate</i> writer Kitty Axelson-Berry, who now helps people to record their personal history. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and complained that although the paper endorsed the write in candidacy of Kateri Walsh, they never printed how many write-in votes she got. I told him I heard on TV she got around 3,000 votes. Eamon alerted me that his friend James K. Tillotson has his picture in today's paper. Tillotson's brother John was the ad manager for the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> for over 20 years, but was shipped off to their Pittsfield office where he had a stroke and died. <br />
<br />
Jim Tillotson told Eamon that when he taught in the Springfield school system he worked briefly under Dr. Negroni and considered him to be "full of shit." Negroni was only his boss for one year, but Tillotson told him point blank that he was "interested in teaching the kids something, not protecting their self-esteem." He said Dr. Negroni replied, "So you're not going to be a team player?" Tillotson was Assistant Principal at Kennedy under Willard Wright when he retired.<br />
<br />
<center><b>November 5, 1999 </b></center><p>Today is the 20th Anniversary of <i>The Morning Edition</i> program on <i>National Public Radio</i>. I'm reading <i>Aramco and It's World</i> (1981). A lavish book that was discarded by the Winchester Square Library, it is the best possible general book on Arabia (lots of maps) and should not have been junked. A good starting place to get to know the Mideast.<br />
<br />
<i>WFCR</i> says State Auditor Joe DeNucci is complaining that too many defendants who can afford a lawyer are passing the costs on to the taxpayers and wants to cut back by insisting on better income verification. The news on <i>TV22</i> had a story about a little boy like I was, Bret Couture, with glasses and a thin frame, who is being bullied as a sissy. The parents complained and Negroni responded personally and instituted a "Gentle Warrior" program that teaches kids how to fight back. <br />
<br />
Bob Robinson is one of the people I am having difficulty documenting. The mail brought from Household Finances a misdelivered letter for Brian R. Woodward. Tom Devine sent me a print-out of his web page coverage of the Simon for Mayor rally. He used a number of my pictures, including the one of himself with Bob Powell, and had a delightfully clever write-up:<br />
<br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LUgkgo6ISAoJnDvGPK2_K79bDJ2L7qEJfvrPkayWlhy30v9AT8SRfc9ZuietjFRef04VSRcVgdGcawDWL9hcKJ3jr_2Mnsi-VEWc4hG_vXz1pahchIN8RzQY53w2aPun3JRHZRhL0efu/s1600/simon.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="648" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LUgkgo6ISAoJnDvGPK2_K79bDJ2L7qEJfvrPkayWlhy30v9AT8SRfc9ZuietjFRef04VSRcVgdGcawDWL9hcKJ3jr_2Mnsi-VEWc4hG_vXz1pahchIN8RzQY53w2aPun3JRHZRhL0efu/s400/simon.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<i>Simon Powell, the canine companion of activists Bob and Karen Powell, agreed to work like a dog in order to defeat Springfield Mayor Michael Albano, who was otherwise running unopposed. I personally attended the Simon for Mayor rally as the informal master of ceremonies, for which I arrived elegantly attired in a suit and tie usually reserved for Halloween, as we all stood in line and proudly shook the paw of the mayoral contender.<br />
<br />
I also spoke in Simon's behalf as he barked out his campaign promises of a return to good government, an end to corruption, the liberation of the county dog pound, repealing the leash law and imposing a tax on cats. Afterwards, we all enjoyed a dog's lunch until the rally had to disperse amidst never substantiated rumors that the candidate had run off with a bitch in heat named Monica.<br />
<br />
Amazingly Mayor Albano did respond to our rally, declaring the next morning on Bax and O'Brien that if dogs could vote they would support him over Simon in gratitude to Albano for the planned new Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Shelter.<br />
<br />
Despite Simon's dogged campaigning, many voters felt that a canine mayor was redundant, Springfield having already gone to the dogs years ago. Although every dog has it's day, Election Day was not to be Simon's as the dog eat dog tactics of the Albano camp successfully smeared Simon as a real son of a bitch. Yet even in defeat, Simon the Mayoral Pooch was still able to garner over 600 write-in votes.</i><br />
<br />
Did a load of laundry today. Went to <i>Burger King</i> with a coupon, earlier I perused the <i>Valley Advocate</i> at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. There appeared to be so little of interest in it this week that I didn't even take one. The news account of the hearings on the petitions showed Russ Denver saying he is "waiting with baited breath" for the decision of the court. Eamon called and said the paper is calling the <i>Commerce 99</i> trade fair a big success. He also spoke with Karen Powell who told him she's happy their petitions are being accepted.<br />
<br />
I received a speechless Unknown call at 11:36pm. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 6, 1999</b></center><br />
Lovely day, 52 degrees on the breezeway at 6:50am.<br />
<br />
Australian politicians are telling President Clinton that he should stay out of their politics. <i>WFCR</i> is having another fund drive and also listed their fiction contest winners, but I heard no winner mentioned in the category of fantasy. <br />
<br />
Worked on this diary this morning, then drove out about 9:30am to the library book sale at Forest Park. They have a large basement room that was laid out for the sale. Some of the books were definitely ones they'd recycled from previous sales. I saw none of the big shots from Friends of the Library. I did see Ed Lonergan, who told me they had to have a sale because "the stacks are sagging" under the weight of all their books. He said they donated some art books to Western New England College. I told Ed that I saw that that his dad had died and expressed condolences, for which he thanked me very much. Durham Caldwell was at the sale and has been a lot more polite to me since I told him I bought his book. He now calls me Wesley. <br />
<br />
Jon Contavitch was once again doing all the lifting, at the end he carried my books up the steps and out to the curb, where I brought the car around from <i>Food Mart</i> where I had parked and picked them up. When I remarked to Contavitch that it appeared he was doing all the work he replied, "That's the story of my life." I got a few nice things, including two books I will give to Nader the Hatter, two to Zachary Cohn, two to Eamon O'Sullivan and one to Ann Staniski. The best thing I got was <i>Primary Colors</i>, inscribed to <i>MassMutual</i> executive Tom Wheeler. <br />
<br />
From there I drove to <i>Burger King</i> to dine again on a coupon, and then to the Cohn's, where I gave Irving two free passes to the <i>Antiquarian Book Fair</i> in Boston for Zachary along with the books I got for him at the library sale. Mr. Cohn told me that Mr. Penniman has been taken to a nursing home because he got so bad his wife couldn't handle him. When I got home the <i>Union-News Extra</i> in a blue bag was draped over the mailbox, not hung on the hook. <br />
<br />
I needed some 3x5 cards and turned up some old change of major cards from Colby with the names of some old friends and professors on them: Robert M. Whitelaw, Joanne Randel, William W. Allen the Classics Professor, Bob Crespi, John Alden Clark and others, the whole zoo. The signature of Literature Professor Archibald William Allen is rare because of the size of the department and the fact that he didn't teach there long. For fun I dialed Nader the Hatter's old number 734-6780 and got a message saying it has been "disconnected, no further information is available." I then called the Powells to tell them to see Devine's website for coverage of the Simon rally. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 7, 1999</b></center><br />
47 degrees on the breezeway this morning. <br />
<br />
Cooked a cherry pie and dined on a <i>Swanson Roast Beef Dinner</i>. I also microwaved potatoes with pepper and margarine on it. Worked on this diary and read this morning. I drove over to the <i>Firehouse Tavern</i> on Mill Street for the Grand Opening of Jack Hess's car museum. They had cheese and eclairs, but I only had one hunk of cheese. I gave Mrs. Hess a $10 contribution, for which she offered me the book on the Knox car, but I told her I already had it and asked her to accept the money as a gift towards the museum. <br />
<br />
Hess himself remembered me and we had a good chat. He told me he was waiting for Fran Gagnon to show up, which I think may have been a joke. I told him about the <i>Moore Drop Forge</i> medal I recently got. He talked about Neal's replica 1886 medal. I also spoke with Richard Stevens, an expert on the original Duryea automobile, who told me he is Jewish and had many unpleasant experiences as a youth growing up in Springfield. He and Hess were the hosts. At one point Hess told me that the interstate was put on this side of the river in part because Eddie Boland and his friends owned a lot of land in the North End. He also said the land where the new animal shelter is to be built was owned by numerous political figures over the years. Our conversation was most interesting. <br />
<br />
From there I brought a few things over to Eamon. On the way I again noted that 924 Carew at the end of Nottingham has its cement wall damaged as if it had been rammed by a car. Next door to the cute little house at 9 Tacoma was a tag sale with some nice stuff. As I approached his house, Eamon was just getting back from walking his dog. I gave him a box of reading material and he gave me his. <br />
<br />
Eamon said he had just mailed a letter to Larry McDermott, under a false name, of course, in which he called McDermott and David Starr "carpetbaggers from out of state." Eamon then discussed his cousin Jimmy Sullivan, who had a $50,000 job with the turnpike, retired with a 70% pension and then was hired the next day by the Basketball Hall of Fame. Jimmy's brother was former Mayor Billy Sullivan, whom Eamon described as "a big dunce." Jimmy was also on the Civic Center Commission. <br />
<br />
I told Eamon about my talk with Hess at the museum and he agreed that Boland and Judge Daniel Keyes of Chicopee were heavily invested in land in the North End and the riverfront at the time the highway was built. Boland and Keyes also owned the land at the far end of Vernon Street that was erased by the highway which once had been two story storefronts. They also owned the land where <i>Kresges</i> was replaced by the Federal Courthouse. One of Boland's top political operatives was Tom Donahue, who had once been the local political reporter for the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i>. Eamon again recalled how Ted Dimauro told him that Boland's wife Mary got a $350,000 commission when the Tapley Street post office was transferred to the city. <br />
<br />
On the way back home I stopped by the Evangelical Covenant Church, which had about 25 cars in the lot, and stopped just long enough to get the dedication program for their new sanctuary. I told them I couldn't stay for the ceremony, increasingly I am like Mayor Albano, who shows up at things just long enough to fulfill his own purposes and then leaves. I too am tired of sitting through bullshit events.<br />
<br />
<center><b>November 8, 1999</b></center><br />
42 degrees at 7am and sunny. <br />
<br />
New York City is a three hour drive from Springfield. Albany, New York is only 90 minutes away. <i>The Springfield Marriott</i> is located at the corner of Boland and Columbus Avenue. <br />
<br />
For breakfast I had tomatoes on toast. Wrote checks and mailed them to the registry, <i>Baystate Gas</i>, <i>Bell Atlantic</i>, <i>Ultramar</i>, <i>Punderson</i> and <i>Northeast Utilities</i>. I then put the mail out at <i>Louis & Clark</i> before 9am, got today's paper out of the trash and made copies at <i>CopyCat</i>. Then over to <i>Angelo's</i> for fruit and veggies. Next I left off a bag of reading material for ex-rep Whitney on his back doorknob. <br />
<br />
From there I went to the Evangelical Covenant Church on Plumtree where I found the church offices have relocated to the basement. I was cheerfully greeted by the Rev. Greg McCaslin, Assistant Pastor. I gave him my card, congratulated him on their new improvements and told him I was looking for Burt. He told me he was at a conference, so I told him to tell Burt that I think his thank you letter for the the photos I gave him is overdue. I added that if he sputters and grumbles, tell him I said, "That ye not be judged, judge not." At this I wished McCaslin well and departed with him looking somewhat taken aback.<br />
<br />
I then went up into the new Sanctuary and looked around. They have pictures of all their former pastors on display, including one of John Lind (1952-1961) who had a son who was a nice fellow at school but not in any of my classes. Formerly they were the Swedish Evangelical Mission Church at 17 John Street, a structure in the North End. Next I went to the Family Care Medical Center and spoke with Judy. To get a blood test I have to pay $61 to the physician, $12 to draw the blood and $74 dollars to have the blood analyzed. I had difficulty getting those figures out of her until I told her I am a lawyer and entitled to know the costs before I contract to do anything.<br />
<br />
I swung by the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, where I found a dozen cars parked by the <i>Showcase Eastfield Cinema</i>. Walking through the mall I saw only a few meandering shoppers. They have put up their Christmas decorations. I never see them being put up, maybe they do it at night after it closes. All the palm trees that once decorated the mall are gone, they were a prominent feature of the mall when it first opened. I asked the customer service lady what became of them and she said they had to be removed because they had grown too tall. <br />
<br />
From the mall I drove out to <i>Cat's Paw</i>, where things were popping. Vince was raking his front treebelt while inside Claudia was appraising a lot of glassware someone had just brought in before I arrived. It did not appear to be the most choice stuff. Jack Hess was there, buying a pitcher with an image of the Springfield Municipal Group on it with Gill's seal on the bottom. Hess told me an archivist at the Springfield Armory Museum told him that many historic items there have been stolen, probably by staff. Hess believes dishonesty at museums is a major problem. They had maybe 35 copies of <i>Time for Springfield</i> (1978) priced at a dollar each and I said I'd take two. I also bought a <i>Hampden Savings</i> penny bank and a kibbie chocolate spoon. It was fortunate that I happened to go there and both talk to Hess and get a few collectibles. <br />
<br />
Coming home, I found the mailman at the corner of Talbot. Kelly was raking her lawn. Eamon called and told me he had just got off the phone with Dan Spellacy, who told him that Richard Cohen, who was just elected Mayor of Agawam, rented an apartment there just a few days before filing to run. His father is a golfing buddy of David Starr, whose paper endorsed Cohen for the Agawam mayoralty. Eamon also told me that he called Eric Bachrach at the Community Music School and asked him how many of their students are local. He replied that only 60% of the students are kids from Springfield. Eamon said Bachrach is from the Bronx and was brought up here by David Starr. Eamon confessed he recently sent an anonymous letter to Starr - he's sent quite a few to various people lately - criticizing a misleading article about the city's bond rating that made it sound better than it actually is.<br />
<br />
<center><b>November 9, 1999</b></center><br />
Chilly last night. <br />
<br />
<i>WFCR</i> had a story today featuring Scott Southworth of the University of Wisconsin complaining that students should not have to fund organizations they don't like through an activity fee. <i>TV22</i> has a new woman on the air, feminine and lovely, named Sonia Baghdady. She does well. Peter Picknelly is still advertising his New Year's Eve party at the <i>Sheraton</i>. <i>Marcus Printing</i> is located in Holyoke and <i>Metcalf Printing</i> is in Northampton. <br />
<br />
Drove out at 10:55am and got the paper out of the trash at <i>Louis & Clark</i> and then made copies. After that I dropped off the latest issue of <i>U.S. News and World Report</i> and some internet things at Devine's. Stopped at <i>Walmart</i> for <i>Spam</i>, chili and stuffing on special. Next I got some baked goods at <i>Freihoffer's</i> and later had a crispy chicken sandwich at <i>McDonald's</i>. Back home, I called Evangelical Covenant and asked for Aggie but got Sharon and I told her to remind Burt that he owes me a thank you note and she said she would. Unknown called and was again voiceless so I cried, "Speak thou fearful and rude knave!" The line went dead. I had answered with my usual very waspish good afternoon. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and we talked about an unusual article that appeared in Sunday's paper. Eamon can't figure out how they happened to print it. It's about a Professor Sanders who wrote a study criticizing consultant reports that exaggerate the positive effects Civic Centers have on economic development. Eamon figures they printed it just to show that they were being objective at least once about the Civic Center expansion proposal, thereby avoiding criticism from people like Charlie Ryan, who often accuses the paper of printing only one side of the story. Eamon told me he has talked to Ryan about the <i>Northgate</i> lawsuit and Ryan says he's never seen such a mess. Eamon described Ryan as in his early 70's but in good health and he drives down to Boston on legal matters all the time. <br />
<br />
Eamon recalled how the nuns used to "scare the living daylights out of us" with threats like, "Mr. Sullivan, I am going to put you down this ventilator shaft that goes straight to Hell!" He claimed they used to brainwash kids through fear. Eamon's father was a foreman at <i>U.S. Tire</i> in Chicopee for 37 years, but when he died his pension ended and his mother was forced to live on $600 per month Social Security. Eamon talked to Nader the Hatter, who is still in the area staying with his sister but will leave soon to bring more stuff down to Florida. The Hatter's father worked for <i>Hamilton Standard</i> for a long time and has a good pension with them. <br />
<br />
Eamon told me that weatherman John Quill has been divorced twice and is about to marry his third wife. Eamon doesn't think Quill owns any part of <i>TV22</i>, the company was always tightly held by Bill Putnam, Kitty, Putnam's parents and Joe Deliso. He said he'll ask Keith Silver about the company's current status the next time he sees him. Eamon recalled that Bill Putnam once told him that the only job he ever wanted in city government was Police Commissioner, but he never got it because they knew he would shake things up. Eamon says he was told that Putnam's mother begged him not to sell the TV station, but he couldn't resist the wonderful price Charlie Ryan negotiated for him. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 11, 1999</b></center><br />
<br />
Mild, springlike, 67 degrees at 3:55pm. <br />
<br />
The Basketball Hall of Fame has a half page ad in the paper thanking "each and every one of the 7,648 fans who supported the Hall of Fame NBA game and activities on Thursday, October 8." Also in sports news, the head of the New Haven baseball team is using the reverse selling technique of saying what a bunch of losers his team has been down there so he wants to bring them up to Springfield. Also, the news said people are thinking of fixing up and reopening the <i>Bing Theater</i>. That's nice, but where are all the theater goers going to come from? <br />
<br />
Saw birds flying South last night. I opened all the doors and a couple of windows because it was warmer outside than inside. I planned to read today, but never got to it, which happens too often. Dined today on my last pork chop, potatoes and brussel sprouts with two cups of tea. I walked a bag of magazines down to the Cohn's at 10am and hung them on the back doorknob because there was nobody home. I drove out and got the newspaper out of the <i>Louis & Clark</i> trash, then went over to <i>Five Town Mall</i>, where there were lots of people parked in front of <i>Spag's</i> and <i>Food Mart</i>. The mall was buzzing with activity although <i>Mailboxes</i> was closed. Then I drove past <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, where there were many cars parked outside the cinema. <br />
<br />
Left home again at 4pm to attend the Chamber of Commerce <i>After Five</i> gathering. It was held at <i>Westfield Bank</i> and Baystate Hospital gave everybody little slinkies meant to be stress relievers. Prominently featured businesses included <i>United Personnel Services</i>, <i>Baystate Blood Donor Center</i>, <i>AAA</i>, <i>Cocchi Marketing</i> and, of course, <i>Westfield Bank</i>. The head woman at <i>Westfield Bank</i> came over (I was wearing my orange outfit and jacket) and we chatted about the Eagle coin pendant she was wearing. She said she has numerous Eagle dollar coins in a safety deposit box. <br />
<br />
Mr. Parker, the advertising guy from East Longmeadow, told me he has put away his bike for the winter. After he asked me about my orange outfit, I in turn asked about his business. He candidly replied, "You know all that garbage that's inserted in the Sunday paper every week? Well, I print it." I also chatted with Walt Carroll from <i>NPR</i> about their fiction contest, but he was defensive and said that my entry must have been considered. I left at 6:05pm with the latest Chamber flyer, which has a Barry Moser woodcut on the cover. <br />
<br />
Burnham Ward called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i> and banged down the phone without apology when she realized she had the wrong number. I called Karen Powell and congratulated her on the cover story about her in the <i>Valley Advocate</i> by Maureen Turner. Then I called Mark Wiernasz, the Assignment Editor at <i>TV22</i> (the News Director is Mike Garreffi) and told him I got charged for all four calls I made to vote in their <i>Northgate</i>/stadium survey, meaning there was no attempt to block multiple calls from the same person, "making your survey even less scientific than I thought." "Thank you for your call," was all Wiernasz said in reply and then hung up! <br />
<br />
Is Susan Goodman, a reporter on <i>TV40</i>, the daughter of Attorney Alan Goodman? <i>TV40</i> says a survey shows that one out of three high schoolers don't know what continent Vietnam is on. Charlie Ryan's picture is on the front page of the paper, shown speaking before the Supreme Judicial Court yesterday. Ryan defended CANE and Judge Neil L. Lynch has taken the matter under advisement. Eamon has Judge Lynch's address and is writing to him.<br />
<br />
<center><b>November 12, 1999</b></center><br />
Clear blue sky, cold last night. <br />
<br />
Left at 8am for St. Cecelia's Tag Sale in Wilbraham. I was about 20th in line and Melinda McIntosh was first. Melinda told me that she considers Heather Haskall to be her "chief rival" at tag sales. The Polish lady from up Boston Road was there, cheerful, the first time I've seen her this year. The church was full of stuff. I looked in housewares where people had already grabbed the good stuff, but I still got a Turkish pot and a carved India box for $10. I also got a 1934 <i>West Lynn Creamery</i> crate. <br />
<br />
In the book section I found two books with Rita Ewig bookplates in them. I also found a shipping label in one book addressed to the <i>M.J. O'Malley Company</i> in West Springfield from <i>Mass Mutual</i>. Another book had a brass bookplate with the <i>Lord's Prayer</i> on it. I bought a book on Arizona (1984) in mint condition, which I gave to Colleen by hanging it on her door handle when I got home. On the way back I got a few groceries at <i>Stop & Shop</i>. The mail was here at 2:30pm. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he spoke to Nader the Hatter and his dad was up to Northampton. The doctor is confident he can help him after some tests. The house has been sold after they fixed the front porch. Eamon then told me he just hung up from talking with his teacher pal Gingras, who described the school system as "worse than ever." He told Eamon that things are especially bad at Commerce, with a nearly 50% absentee rate and students hanging out in the hallways while classes are in session. Gingras said Commerce has four security people, as well as six Assistant Principals, one of which, a black woman named Dr. Henry, makes $72,000 per year. Gingras told Eamon that as far as he can tell she doesn't do anything all day. Buddy Langford, whose former welfare agency had a funding scandal, now teaches two classes, each with only four or five students, for about $40,000 per year. According to Gingras, Langford "doesn't do a damn thing at all." <br />
<br />
Commerce's new principle Jerome Winegar is hardly around, often away at meetings with Dr. Negroni. Gingras says Negroni holds meetings with the faculty and drones on and on and expects people to take notes. Once Negroni caught Winegar nodding off during his talk so Negroni sent a long memo to everyone about the importance of staying alert at meetings. Another time Negroni got mad at an obviously bored audience and shouted, "I've just about had it here! I've got two years to go and I don't care what happens!" Gingras claims that Negroni doesn't give a damn, he just came in, ripped the city off and will retire with a nice pension to Florida or Puerto Rico, perhaps even get another job with the government and further fatten his pension. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 13, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Overcast today, 49 degrees at 10am.</p><p>The always correct answer is, "I don't know, but I'm searching." <br />
</p><p></p><p>Rumors of Bill Clinton's sexual philandering date back to when he was Governor of Arkansas. The mail today included a nice letter from Professor Lynn H. Lees about Professor A.P. Watts of UPenn. Also a newsletter from the University of Vermont addressed to Mrs. Blanche W. Miller. Philip C. Haughey is President of the Friends of the Boston Irish Famine Memorial in Braintree. Wayne Turner is the Membership Chairman for the Tuesday Morning Music Club. <br />
<br />
I drove out to St. Cecilia's again and got some more used books. A used book implicitly carries the recommendation of its previous owners, who thought it was worth having in the first place. On my way back to Springfield I noticed there was a good crowd parked at the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>. Then I bought a paper and made some copies at <i>Louis & Clark</i>, came through <i>Angleo's</i> and bought gas across the street at <i>Cumberland Farms</i>. I continued down to Main Street, where I fished a current <i>Union-News</i> out of a trash can in front of the <i>Bank of Boston</i> building. My letter to McDermott warning him of how easy it is to find free papers has apparently had no effect. <br />
<br />
Next I drove over the Memorial Bridge to go visit Aunt Maria. The lawn was covered with leaves. The mailman was just going by as I arrived so I brought it in to her, a large envelope from a Pauline Sosnovich of Royal Street in Agawam. Next door Joe was blowing leaves over on his lot, but I kept out of his view. I even parked the car out of sight. Inside I found all the lights on, Aunt Maria's room the usual mess with clothes all over the floor and bed. However, the living room was picked up, the kitchen had no dishes in the sink and there was a store bought pie in a box on the kitchen table. <br />
<br />
I found Aunt Maria examining a long grocery tape while sitting in a chair in the living room. Her new large screen TV was on full blast. She didn't turn it off, but we were still able to talk. She was pleasant and didn't try to start a fight. I gave her a <i>Freihoffer's</i> cake and she said it would go well with her Meals on Wheels. I didn't see the cat and Uncle George's bedroom door was closed. The back door was also all closed up. <br />
<br />
Aunt Maria's speech was rambling as she asked me, "Do you have a TV? Are you happy? Do you have any friends?" Later she recalled, "You were such a cute little kid, too bad you never had your own little kid." She described herself as "happy as a bug in a rug" adding, "I find I'm having an easy time dying." Her mind is declining, she even asked at one point if I lived in Springfield, but she is comfortable and her surroundings are reasonably neat and clean. I left at 2:59pm and got home at 3:33pm. <br />
<br />
When I got back Mrs. Staniski called, wondering if I had the flu since I haven't been by. I told her I'm fine and will bring her some reading material soon. She said Ann won't be able to come until the day before Thanksgiving. Carol needs therapy for her knees. Socrates Babacas also called from 783-3598 and said he feels the stadium scam is dead. Babacas told me that Raipher Pellegrino is the son of a judge and Babacas doesn't think very much of him, claiming Pellegrino had to use his influence to become a judge because he couldn't make enough money in his law office. Raipher's mother is on the Police Commission. <br />
<br />
Eamon called right after Babacas and told me he has been talking with A. Gingras some more about Commerce. Gingras described the school as "a study in total breakdown" and claimed that Jose Tosado is "totally taken in by Negroni because of their shared Latino background." The teachers have given up and no longer waste their time giving kids detention. The school has multiple administrators but most of them "don't do a damn thing." Each Principal works under a unique contract, but Eamon is finding it hard to get copies. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>November 14, 1999</b></center><br />
43 degrees and overcast at 8:15am.<br />
<br />
<i>Cat's Paw</i> is located at 45 Parker Street in Indian Orchard. Paul J. Lapointe is President of the Massachusetts Twisters and Massachusetts Youth Indoor Soccer League. The Bright Nights Festival was named one of the Top 100 Events in the USA by the American Bus Association. Hmm, I wonder who was behind that?<br />
<br />
Went to bed after midnight last night, then up at 8:15am, which is late for me. I headed out at 11:55am and made copies at <i>Pride</i> in the Acres. Then I drove down to the Duryea Museum and gave some copies of my history articles to Hess who is always cordial. They have now installed the original gas pump for the former Fire Station in the downstairs lobby. <br />
<br />
Then out towards Indian Orchard, where I noticed on the way that <i>Pizza Hut</i> on Boston Road is closed, but a new one has opened where <i>Jaycox</i> was on Sumner Avenue. <i>Red Lobster</i> is also closed and up for sale. Their lobster prices were extremely high and they seemed interested in peddling everything else but lobster, especially shrimp. I went there once with my parents to dine, but we never went again because it was too expensive. <br />
<br />
I stopped at the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> and found lots of cars parked around the cinema. The men's room is all fixed up, they must do their refurbishing work at night. <i>Lowe's Hardware</i> was taking job applications in the Food Court. I had two 49 cent burgers at their <i>McDonald's</i>. Across the road, <i>Springdale Mall</i> has been renamed <i>Lowe's Plaza</i>. <br />
<br />
Left <i>Eastfield</i> about 1:25pm and headed to <i>The Indian Orchard Mills</i>. I paid two dollars to get in and they were serving crackers and cheese with a cash bar. David Bowerman, who did the sculpture I liked downtown, had two pieces on display but he himself wasn't around. Eamon told me once that Bowerman is a friend of Nader the Hatter. I especially liked Peter Barnett's sketches of Wales. <br />
<br />
I had a good chat with Angel Pettis, who said she's a housewife who would rather do art than watch TV or read romances. She likes <i>The Mills</i> because of the company of the other artists. She also likes the old building with its antique features and how quiet it is, although she can sometimes hear people down the hall. She shares her studio with Julia Courtney, whose pieces I also admired. <br />
<br />
In the gallery two guitarists, Joe Wilson and Victor Rosarie, were lightly strumming away. I had an interesting conversation with Ann Marie Kreybig, who said she would love to be an arts lawyer like me. Kreybig's son, a high school senior named Nicolas Manning, was playing Corelli on his violin. I spoke to the youth, who told me he is in the Amherst Orchestra this year. Kreybig's daughter, whose picture was on the door, is doing graduate work in Russian at Princeton, while another son is fluent in Latin and likes Greek history. A remarkable family. <br />
<br />
It was raining as I drove from the <i>Mills</i> over to Trinity, where the parking lot was full so I parked in the street. I just ran in and grabbed a program, but a good crowd was there. When I got back home, I cooked up some brussel sprouts and dined on potatoes and onions. Eamon called and claimed that someone is replacing Michael Fay as Circulation head at the paper. Eamon also heard that Peter Picknelly has been buying a lot of land lately.<br />
<br />
<center><b>November 16, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Overcast, windy, 37 degrees at 7:30am. <br />
<br />
Dead men tell no tales, unless like me they kept a diary. A view of the inside of a library should be called "a bookscape." In an imperfect world the greatest source of imperfection is man. Noel Coward's <i>Blithe Spirit</i> is being performed at <i>City Stage</i> this month in honor of Coward's 100th birthday. <i>Greniers Fine Photography</i> is located at 850 High Street in Holyoke. </p><p>Temperatures are ten degrees below normal. I found a lot of clear glass in the street between my mailbox and Colleen. I swept it up. The decline of a neighborhood could be traced to the frequency of broken bottles in its streets, but ordinarily such trivial records are not kept. I went out at 8:15am and got the paper and the latest release by Tom Devine. I also got a copy of <i>Moody's</i> out of the trash. Then I brought a bag of things to Mrs. Staniski, who said she just got back from her morning walk. She had five bags of leaves sitting just inside her fence. <br />
<br />
Got beets and broccoli and grapefruit at <i>Angelo's</i>. I also bought <i>Hot Pockets</i> with a coupon at <i>Food Mart</i>. I went to the 16 Acres Civic Association meeting to hear Pat Sullivan. The Association President Marshall Moriarty greeted me cordially. After Sullivan's talk on neighborhood improvements, I approached him and he told me he thought my TV appearance with Devine was "excellent." I told him that his Uncle Eamon is "one of the brightest minds in the city." When I got back <i>The Reminder</i> was hanging on my mailbox hook. <br />
<br />
<i>Ryder Truck</i> called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. First I called <i>Gale Research</i> in California and they promised to send one of their posters that say, "Build Something Monumental - Your Library." I called Vannah at the <i>Advocate</i> but he wasn't in and their voicemail system is down. I called back later and got Vannah but he said he couldn't talk because he was racing to meet a 2pm deadline. He said he would call me back but never did. Then I called Charlie Ryan's office and left word that if he needs my legal help on <i>Northgate</i> I volunteer to do whatever I can. I also called Karen Powell about the essay by Richard Rodrigues "Old Neighborhoods and Baseball Stadiums." I told her it's about San Francisco, but some things in it are relevant to Springfield. <br />
<br />
I called the <i>Union-News</i> and Kathy in the comptroller's office told me the paper's most recent circulation figures are accurate as of September. I then asked for Michael Fay and I was connected to a receptionist who said he is no longer with the company. I asked if they had a forwarding address for him, so she connected me to Fay's former secretary, who told me he is in Trenton, New Jersey but she doesn't have his phone number or address. <br />
<br />I had a bowl of vegetable soup in the evening, Eamon called and we discussed theories of management style and I told him Donald Dunn at WNEC Law Library was a manager who had excellent rapport with everyone and never let his employees down. Eamon said a management style is developed through "recurrent patterns of behavior exhibited over time" and not any single trait. Eamon says Nader the Hatter left for Florida today. Eamon also said he got a form letter from Mayor Albano urging him to donate to the Basketball Hall of Fame so he stamped BULLSHIT on it and returned it in the prepaid envelope. <br />
<br />
I told Eamon about my trip to <i>The Mills</i> in the Orchard and told him I suspect Heidi Coutu paints from postcards and photos. Eamon told me that Doyle the Twig Painter has his paintings reprinted in Holyoke in large quantities in black and white and then colors them with watercolors "almost like painting by numbers." Eamon told me he spoke with reporter Kevin Claffey on the phone, who told him that "Larry has claimed another scalp" with the departure of Fay. Claffey described McDermott as "not well liked" at the paper because David Starr makes him do all the dirty work.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>November 17, 1999</b></center><p>
Sunny but cold, 35 degrees at 7:30am.<br />
<br />
<i>MassLive.com</i> has a new slogan, "MassLive Means Business." <i>Southpaw</i>, a seller of used, rare and out of print books, is located in Conway, Massachusetts. There's a new weekend flea market called <i>The Hill & Dale Treasure Chest</i> at 327 North King Street in Northampton. <br /></p><p>I saw Kelly putting out more bags of leaves as I drove out first thing and made copies and got the paper out of the <i>Louis & Clark</i> trashcan. Then I got $9 in groceries at the Boston Road <i>Big Y</i>, after which I got an egg and bagel with a coupon at the <i>McDonald's</i> across the street. <br />
<br />
Mark Goldberg called from <i>Bluestone</i>, so I told him not to call again and he politely apologized. Robert Connally 782-4905 called wanting to make reservations for a luncheon at <i>Storrowtown</i>. I said I get a dozen wrong numbers a week for <i>Storrowtown</i> and have given up feeling I have an obligation to be polite and then I hung up! Next I called <i>TV22</i> and asked for the news department and got Mark Wiernacz. I told him that Brenda Garton erroneously referred to "Presidents Hamilton and Lincoln" in last night's broadcast. He said nothing so I went, "Good afternoon?" He replied, "Good afternoon." I said, "You're supposed to thank me for calling," but he hung up in my ear! <br />
<br />
Tom Vannah from the <i>Valley Advocate</i> called and was apologetic about not getting back to me earlier. He said one of their reporters interviewed Richard Garvey "in Northampton" and he told them that David Starr doesn't like to be corrected. Garvey also told them that he doesn't like the direction Starr has taken the paper. Vannah told me he graduated from Bates in 1982 and was editor of the school paper there. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said loafing cops use the back lot of the Quadrangle to hide-out. He informed me he has written a letter to Chief Meara saying that although her Police Department looks good on paper, it really isn't working and she should spend less time at seminars and public relations events and more time managing the department. Eamon says he's gotten lots of calls regarding his current answering machine tape: <br />
<br />
<i>In 1989 Springfield's inept, rubberstamp School Committee hired the slick charlatan Superintendent Peter Negroni from the last place ranked, worst performing School District #12 in the Bronx. Mayor Albano called him "the biggest change agent in the country." </i></p><p><i>Ten years later, Springfield has one of the worst performing school systems in the state. The only changes we've seen are high absenteeism, drop out and suspension rates, the lowest test scores, the doubling of Mr. Negroni's outrageous salary and some fancy new buildings built for children who can neither read nor write. </i><br />
</p><center><b>November 18, 1999</b></center><br />
I never find copies of the <i>Wall Street Journal</i> in the trash can outside the <i>SIS Center</i> anymore. The CANE fundraiser to defray the legal costs associated with defending the stadium petition drive, will be held at the Italian American Veteran's Club in East Longmeadow on November 21st. The event includes a ziti dinner.<br />
<br />
Called Gay at Baypath 565-1000 and told her about Margaret Thatcher's article in Hinsdale's <i>Imprimis</i>. She thanked me graciously. Libby Medina called from the Census and reminded me of my appointment. She told me to bring my driver's license and Social Security card and two references. The mail included something from Staccia, the <i>Judge's Chambers</i> and a lovely cartoon from Eamon showing the Springfield Public Schools portrayed as a ship sinking like the Titanic. <br />
<br />
I headed downtown and parked at the Quadrangle for the premiere of the film <i>Telling Our Stories: Massachusetts Public Libraries</i>, where I found a copy of today's paper in a nearby trashcan. The front of the Pynchon Building is dug up for pipes and drains to service the Seuss sculptures. The film's premiere was held at the Davis Auditorium in the Springfield Museum of Fine Arts. The door to the art museum opened at 5pm and we were allowed to wander around. We each got a nice booklet about the event. There was free wine, <i>Perrier</i>, all sorts of food such as ham, chicken, meatballs, tomato soup, grapes, kielbasa on crackers, roasted potatoes and cashews. There were about 125 people present from the count I made at 5:45pm. <br />
<br />
I saw David Starr being interviewed by <i>WSPR</i>. Emily Bader and Marjorie Guess spoke, as well as the filmmaker Maribeth Edmonds. City Councilor Bill Foley was present. I chatted with several people, including Commissioner Cameron and told him to his face that I think making a movie about the libraries is a waste of time and they should have spent the money on books. I also told him about how the state's Equal Opportunity Office made a film three or four years ago that was premiered at a wine and cheese party at <i>MassMutual</i> with guest speaker Scott Harshbarger. However, state law changed soon afterwards, making the film inaccurate so it was never publicly released, a year of work and bundles of money spent for nothing. He hurried away but remarked in departing, "I respect your opinion." <br />
<br />
As for the movie itself, it is very good technically though not very enjoyable. The film featured the Belding Memorial Library in Ashfield, Bradford M. Field Memorial Library in Leverett, the Mason Square Library in Springfield and others, including of course the Boston Public Library. Filmmaker Edmonds is not from Massachusetts but has done films for other state agencies. She seems like somebody who has political connections, her filming skills are competent but the movie's narration included a lot of gibberish. I can think of no useful function the film serves so I am right, it is a waste of money. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 19, 1999</b></center><br />
Nice day, 55 degrees at 4:35pm. Gas is $1.27 around town. <br />
<br />
Amazed to hear Tom Brokow tell the world that conservative Hillsdale College President Roche has had a 19 year secret affair with his daughter-in-law. He has resigned as president of the college and William Bennett, the goodie-goodie former Secretary of Education, has severed his connection to the school he described as "deep in scandal." I told Eamon they could use a Leatherman for president. Also in the news, a <i>McDonald's</i> has opened at the <i>Peter Pan</i> bus station where the pizza parlor was. <i>WFCR</i> says their fundraiser is over with more than 2,700 listeners contributing. My old lockermate from WNEC Law, Jay Nathaniel Michelman, is now advertising in the phone book with his picture. <br />
<br />
This evening at 5:15 the <i>Bright Lights</i> at Forest Park turned on to a countdown by Sy Becker. This is their fifth season. Judy Matt was on saying over a million cars have gone thru in the last four seasons. She claimed that most of their success is due to always adding new stuff each year. A $15 a ticket fundraiser to help meet the legal expenses of CANE's efforts for a citywide referendum on the proposal to build a baseball stadium at <i>Northgate Plaza</i> will be held Sunday from 4-7pm in East Longmeadow. Robert G. Lange is the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Academy of Arts and Letters. <br />
<br />
I typed some this morning and then got a big pile of mail ready to go out. I left at 9am, and saw that Ballard Street is being patched where you drive out of Ashland. At the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> I put out the mail with Jeanne at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. I made copies at <i>Pride</i>, then dropped off some reading material at Eamon's. I noticed that the <i>Salvation Army</i> is gone over on Belmont. Along Bay Street I found on the edge of the road near Central High an abandoned milk crate from <i>Crowley Foods</i> in Binghamtom, New York. It is maroon with solid sides and hand holes rather than lattice, like most other crates. I am beginning to have quite a collection of milk crates.<br />
<br />
I drove into the city and parked at the Quadrangle. I went in and looked at the Benton paintings carefully, then into W.V.Smith and looked at the textiles of India display. I also dropped off a letter for Bader in Periodicals and then walked down the hill, where I found today's paper in a trash receptacle at the corner of State and Chestnut which was also stuffed with several dozen copies of the <i>Union-News Extra</i>. Nobody delivered one to my house today, but somebody had enough to throw copies away! . Before going home, I stopped at the Boston Road <i>McDonald's</i> and bought two fish sandwiches for $2.22. <br />
<br />
Belle Rita Novak called and told me she has written a letter to the editor about a liquor store in her neighborhood. She agreed to meet me at First Church for the concert. Eamon called and said of thin women, "The closer to the bone the sweeter the meat." We discussed the deadly collapse of the bonfire at Texas A&M. Eamon described it as the biggest gung-ho jock school in the nation and 70% of all military officers are Texas A&M alumni. Eamon says he has sent a letter to the Education Commissioner urging him to audit all figures coming out of the Springfield school system because they are fraudulent. <br />
<br />
Talked to Tom Devine and he says that the <i>Valley Advocate</i> is moving to Easthampton in March because their owner doesn't want pay the rent at their Hatfield mill location with a waterfall, which they also consider to be too remote. He told me my pictures of the Simon for Mayor rally got lots of hits. Devine asked if I was going to the Powell's fundraiser and I said no because I will be going to hear Bishop Marshall speak at St. Michael's. As for the news that Dan Yorke is leaving for a job in Rhode Island, Tom said it was a shame and he hopes it's just a ploy to get the station to pay him more money. He noted that Yorke is the only local talk show that lets the Powells come on. I told Tom to tell Yorke that he has always had my respect and I wish him well. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 20, 1999</b></center><br />
Overcast but very mild, 50 degrees at 7:30am.<br />
<br />
A football player and a wrestler at Heidelberg College were arrested and expelled from school after being accused of videotaping themselves raping an unconscious woman and then showing the tape to other students. <br />
<br />
In the middle of the night I completed eight sonnets. I spent most of today reading and writing. At 9:30am I left for my census exam. Everywhere on the way I saw people doing outdoor work. I had been told that my experience on past censuses was an adequate reference, but was told when I got there that they'd still like two more, so I gave them Stuart Graham and William Metzger, the WNEC Law professor who wrote on my Harvard form that I could use more education. <br />
<br />
The test was given from 11:05 to 11:35 and I was out by 11:40am. The test was delayed five minutes because a Latino woman had to go to the toilet. While waiting, I cracked everyone up by asking if we could use calculators. From the exam I went to <i>Dick's</i> in West Springfield and bought a jock and cup and then dined at the <i>Old Country Buffet</i>, which is now the <i>Hometown Buffet</i>. I had the chicken dinner for $6.60 total.<br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he just got off the phone with Jim Tillotson, who told him that he gets paid $70,000 by the school department, another salary from his elected post in Chicopee and a third salary administering G.E.D. tests to inmates at the jail. Tillotson expects his retirement pension will be worth at least $50,000 per year. Eamon also told me that Gingras called and said he has a class where 25% of the students are totally illiterate. No one at Commerce will tell you what the exact enrollment is and if you continue to ask you get reported to Negroni. <br />
<br />
The funding for schools is based on the enrollment and Gingras suspects that the official numbers are inflated to get more money for the Springfield schools. Commerce is overstaffed, with some teachers having very few students. Buddy Langford has two students in one class and three in another. Some of those hired are political hacks, and Eamon claims that the Sheriff's Department is the same way. As an example, Eamon mentioned disbarred lawyer Daniel O'Malley, who works a job evaluating inmates. The mobster Jake Nettis has a son who has a big job at the county jail, and Al Bruno's son also has a jailhouse job.<br />
<br />
<center><b>November 21, 1999</b></center><br />
Very mild, sun out, 55 degrees at 11:30am. <br />
<br />
Tom Reilly is the Massachusetts Attorney General. Thomas J. Amidon, class of 1961, is President of the University of Vermont Alumni Association. I had a hum in my right ear part of the morning. At 10am I drove over to <i>McDonald's</i> and got hotcakes without sausages for $1.35. As I left the house there was an ambulance backed up to the chocolate colored house at 90 Birchland. On the way over to <i>McDonald's</i> I saw there was a large congregation gathered at Evangelical Covenant Church with around 40 cars in the parking lot. <i>McDonald's</i> was packed.<br />
<br />
From there I headed downtown in my black jeans outfit and went to St. Michael's to hear the Bishop. I got their current ephemera and sat in the back pew on the left hand side. There were about 65 people there and the music was just dreamy. I had to leave 3/4 through however to meet Belle-Rita Novak at First Church for the concert. Belle-Rita says she likes Gershwin. Rev. Loeach was at the concert, turned and waved to Belle-Rita and then gave me an enormous smile when he realized we were together. The church has a new painting, a restored antique oval of Little Red Riding Hood, given by Jean Sessions of 29 Porter Drive, Agawam. We looked at a First Church picture book and it showed Fred Whitney's son, the Webers and John Sessions. Belle-Rita asked whether I noticed the almost all white racial make-up of the audience and I said I always take note of such things. I told her that even at the Thanksgiving balloon parade there are few minorities, for some reason they seldom come out for cultural things. <br />
<br />
Following the concert, Belle-Rita invited me to her house for supper. I brought along two small bottles of <i>Harvey's Bristol Creme</i>. She said she doesn't drink but would serve them to guests. I also gave her the newspaper clippings about her I had saved for her. At one point she mentioned that she had an Uncle Emmanuel Miller on her mother's side. We had a wonderful repast of cheese and crackers, a tasty, tossed salad, bread, and a chicken and noodle casserole that was nicely flavored. We talked politics, she is mostly disappointed with what is going on in the city. On her walks she has found abandoned trash bags around and sometimes searches inside them for something with an address and then returns the bags by dropping them on the owner's doorstep. Belle-Rita is no nonsense. <br />
<br />
I mentioned seeing the crowd at Evangelical Covenant and she described them as "extremely conservative." Belle-Rita noted that each week at the <i>X Farmer's Market</i> she gives a free table each week to a community group, and recently it was Mrs. Goad from Trinity, whom she thinks has a good way with people. She also revealed that she worked for two years at <i>Brightwood Hardware</i> and praised <i>Community Feed</i> in East Longmeadow. Belle-Rita suggested that the Tuesday Morning Music Club should invite a class from Homer Street School to each of their concerts since they are right by American International College. What a splendid idea! I bought an <i>X Farmer's Market</i> bag for $10 and departed. As I left I noticed a car in her driveway with a Vermont plate. Does she have boarders? When I got home, Mrs. Penniman was out and said that her husband is "not doing too good."<br />
<br />
Eamon claimed that he tried to join the Marines but they rejected him for having bad eyesight. He also announced that "someone" had leaked him some official attendance figures for the High School of Commerce. They show what Eamon called "shocking" levels of absenteeism, with attendance ranging from a high of 57% November 18th to as low as 37% on November 10th. Easmon said no one is checking or verifying any statistics, so they could be even worse. With the enrollment that low, the teachers have nothing to do and charging the taxpayers for kids that never show up is "getting money under false pretenses." <br />
<br />
Eamon moaned that schools today pay too much attention to "silly ass computers" in order to keep the kids occupied and amused. He recalled that when he attended Glenwood there were seven teachers and a custodian. "Now there are 41 people there," Eamon exclaimed, "including teachers, supervisors, aides, it's unbelievable!" I told him that when I taught at Warner School all the teachers parked in the front or back of the school. Now they've paved over part of the playground and lawn to provide parking for all the staff. Eamon has tried to interest President Silber in these issues, but he says it should be handled by the local school board. Eamon has also sent the same material to Vannah at the <i>Advocate</i> but he has never done anything with it.<br />
<br />
<center><b>November 22, 1999</b></center><br />
Overcast and misty. <br />
<br />
On the news tonight, Brenda Garton said that 50% of all marriages end in divorce. I've written two more hard-core leathersex sonnets. I will see about sending them to a porn literary agent and see what happens. My check cleared for $850 so supposedly work is progressing on the tombstone in Bethel. Cory J. Turer is a Waste & Recycling Consultant for <i>Somers Sanitation Service</i> in East Windsor, Connecticut. <br />
<br />
Went to <i>CopyCat</i> and saw that Daniel Pelletier was mowing his lawn. I took the Cohn's some magazines and Mrs. Cohn sadly reported that Mr. Cohn was operated at Baystate yesterday for colon cancer. He is expected to recover okay but will be needing plenty of things to read as he rests. I told her to give him my best. At <i>Louis & Clark</i> I got the paper and told the Indian woman (from India) on the front counter about an aquamarine car in the parking lot with its parking lights on and she exclaimed that was her car and thanked me profusely. As I was leaving I held the door for a party pushing a woman in a wheelchair and they thanked me graciously although I was in leather attire. From there I drove up to <i>Barnes & Noble</i> at the <i>Holyoke Mall</i>. I told Assistant Manager Karen Lynn about my books and she said she will look into making them available. <br />
<br />
Dined today on <i>Progresso Beef Barley Soup</i>, a ham and cheese <i>Hot Pocket</i> and <i>Munchkins</i> I bought with a coupon at the donut place across from the <i>Breckwood Shops</i>. Eamon has a wonderful new voicemail tape: "Superintendent Peter Negroni has been going through the motions for ten years, planning, promising and programming but failing at execution and delivery. Despite fancy new schools, the children are unable to read or write. Our schools have become psycho-social holding pens where the diplomas aren't worth the paper it's printed on."<br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he was down to the Boston vets hospital and claims the Big Dig is making a mess of the city. I think Eamon goes to a lot of medical appointments and that's too bad. Eamon recalled that Dr. Gilchrist, his father's doctor, told him his father's life could have been saved had he sought treatment a few months earlier. Eamon explained that the school enrollment numbers are always changing because of the "mercurial movement" of kids and their parents in and out of the city, most to schools in Chicopee or Holyoke but even back and forth to Puerto Rico. Eamon is wondering whether Tom Ashe will be any good on the School Committee. Jose Tosado is already in Negroni's pocket. If Ashe wants to use his position to get jobs for friends and family and Negroni hires them, then from that point on Ashe will have to behave. "That's how it works!"<br />
<br />
Eamon then talked about the Mass Turnpike, which he described as "riddled with corruption from the start." The contractors all cut corners to save money to add to their profit margin. "The construction companies robbed the Commonwealth blind." This reminded him of the old Hillman Street garage, where they left out metal support plates to save money and in less than ten years it was starting to collapse.<br />
<br />
<center><b>November 23, 1999</b></center><br />
Mild, springlike day. 63 degrees at 2pm. <br />
<br />
On TV George Stephanopolos said Hillary Clinton's senate campaign is floundering. I tried to play along with the <i>Do You Want to be a Millionaire Show</i>. I was weak on film and pop culture, but was still smarter than the contestants, one of whom didn't even know that Mark Twain's real name was Samuel Clemons. Dumb! Leonard J. Frigon is President of the <i>Western Mass Federal Credit Union</i> in Chicopee.<br />
<br />
First thing, I got together a pile of outgoing mail and then drove out to drop the mail in the mailbox at the <i>Breckwood Shops</i>. I dropped off some reading material on Tom Devine's porch and then bought gas on Boston Road. From there I drove downtown and parked on Salem. I had my purple outfit on as I dropped off a bag of stuff with Atty. Berman's secretary, cashed a $75 check at <i>Westfield Bank</i> and then had Shkena make me a foot long ham and cheese grinder, which she filled up good. I found no <i>Wall Street Journals</i> in the trash but did find today's <i>Union-News</i>. Another piece of wood has fallend off the Fuller Block ornamentation, that makes two. I looked in <i>Johnson's</i> which is still unoccupied. I could see the little guy who's been the janitor for years pushing a dry mob on the floor of the main store. <br />
<br />
Lots of cars circling the Federal Building, it was stupid to build it without any parking. Was it Boland who owned the land? I got back to my car at 11:30 and then headed up to the mall at Ingleside. I walked around <i>Pier One</i> and <i>Kaoud's Oriental Rugs</i> next door. Then to <i>Barnes and Noble</i>, where I bought Larry Gwin's book on Vietnam. Next I got the <i>Ambercrombie & Fitch</i> Xmas catalog, which comes in a green bag with a warning label on it. Very soft porn indeed but still quite sexy. I then sat down in their food court and ate the grinder I bought at the downtown <i>Subway</i>. I really didn't stay very long and didn't bother to walk all around. <i>Filene's Basement</i> is going out of business. I took a consumer survey and was given a coupon for a free <i>Stouffer's Chicken with Stuffing Dinner</i>. The survey lady's name was Helen. <br />
<br />
Read newspapers this this evening. I see that Alberta Robertson, the book dealer from <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i>, has died at the age of 90. She once told me she had a son up in Chicopee who was a divorce lawyer. She was the manager of the Second Hand Book Department and continued to work there part time after she retired. Robertson lived in Wilbraham for many years, and the obit says she worked for the Springfield Libraries from 1928 to 1946, when she joined <i>Johnson's</i>. <br />
<br />
I spoke to Dr. Mullan's Michelle about getting Mother's medical records and she said they will cost 25 cents per page but probably won't come to more than $20. <i>Medical Care Partners</i> is the current name of their practice. Eamon called and said he had been over the Edwards Bridge and the traffic was two way. Eamon then recalled the time that Vincent DiMonaco told him how he was having lunch at <i>The Fort</i> with David Starr and Arnold Friedman and told Eamon "your name came up in conversation." At the time Eamon was in touch with the National Civic League about the All American Cities Award for which Springfield was being considered. Eamon had been in touch with their New York office and told them that several things in Springfield's submission were "absolute fabrications." When they finally checked it out they were "flabbergasted to see that I was right, it was all fraudulent." <br />
<br />
David Starr told DiMonaco he was "ticked off" by Eamon's interference and said he felt that Eamon's activism "is not good for Springfield." DiMonaco asked if either of them had ever met Eamon, and when they both said no, DiMonaco replied, "Maybe you should, he's forgotten more about this city than all of us know put together!" Councilor DiMonaco later called Eamon and asked if he would like to meet with Starr and Friedman to which Eamon replied yes, adding, "I'll pay for the lunch!" However, Eamon soon heard back from DiMonaco, who told him, "They have no interest in having lunch with you."<br />
<br />
<center><b>November 26, 1999</b></center><br />
Overcast, 63 degrees at 5pm, gas is $1.30 per gallon. <br />
<br />
Stock market down 29 points. John Quill, the <i>TV22</i> weatherman, aged 83, has married a woman named Pauline, also 83. It was reported that they were both widowed, but I think John Quill was divorced. His son Jim Quill briefly appeared on camera. I still save pictures of people in leather jackets, such as one recently showing motorcyclist Jim Fountain of Ludlow in the the Brightside Toy Run. <br />
<br />
Dined on two dropped eggs, grapefruit, beets and donut holes. Out at 7:45 and got today's paper out of the trash at the <i>Breckwood Shops</i>. Stopped at the Acres <i>Big Y</i> and got milk, cranberry juice, ginger ale and margarine. Going through some files I came upon a certificate presented to me on June 11, 1950, when I was 6 years old. It was given to me by the Rev. Leslie W. Johnson at the Wesley Methodist Church in Winchester Square here in Springfield. I also received a bible for Children's Day, which they always made into a big event. The children were paraded to the front of the sanctuary to receive one thing or another, usually religious in nature. I also received a hymnal for singing in the youth choir, as well as a wooden cross. In June 1950 I would have been in Mrs. Dickinson's class, who started the school year as Miss Muzzie but got married. <br />
<br />
Michelle from Dr. Mullan called, telling me I can pick up Mother's medical file Monday for $10. I called George Gouzounis at <i>A.G. Edwards</i> and talked to him about the balance of my account. I then called <i>Hungry Hill Magazine</i> and got the usual recorded message. I called Aunt Maria and Shirley answered. She said <i>Meals on Wheels</i> didn't come on the holiday but brought extra food the day before. Next I called John M. Lovejoy in Wilbraham and asked if he received the material I sent him. He replied that he was "into something right now" and "can I call you back?" I responded, "You promised me a thank you note, either send me the note or refund my postage!" Then I hung up the phone in his ear! <br />
<br />
Reading my new Vietnam War book today. I also started reading Jeanna Bourke on killing and find it fascinating. Yesterday was Thanksgiving but I didn't watch the <i>Macy's</i> parade. I had the <i>Stouffer's Chicken Dinner</i> I got for doing the survey at <i>Eastfield</i> and a <i>Mrs. Smith's</i> pumpkin pie I cooked up. The chicken dinner was okay, but not much chicken and too many croutons in the stuffing. It was unusual to see so few cars going by on Wilbraham Road whenever I looked out the window. I found a child's Thanksgiving card in the road by my mailbox so I brought it inside to save. I have always been committed to saving lost voices.<br />
<br />
<center><b>November 28, 1999</b></center><br />
57 degrees and heavily overcast at 7:15am.<br />
<br />
The peace process in Ireland appears to be really moving at last. <i>Mount Washington Hotel</i>, which has always closed at the end of the season, will be open all winter this year. Their New Year's Eve party will cost $7,000 per ticket. Breezed through Rigg's <i>How to Stay Alive in Vietnam</i>, one of many books I read and don't always mention in my diary. The December issue of <i>Lawbook Exchange</i> has a nice ad for my book <i>The Reports of Sir Edward Coke</i>. Arika Dumas is Administrative Assistant for the Wisconsin Academy of Science, Arts and Letters. <br />
<br />
Rain fell most of the night. Mail a little late today. I drove out at 9am and got today's paper out of the trash and made copies at <i>CopyCat</i> of my old Riverside Season Pass. I bought some veggies at <i>Angleo's</i> and from there I went to Mrs. Staniski's, where I found Ann outside with her leaf blower. She told me she is a workaholic who never wants to retire. I didn't go inside, but told Ann to remind her mother to feel free to call me if she needs anything.<br />
<br />
Dined on a frozen chicken dinner, parsnips and bananas. Larry McDermott used the word "carpetbag" (although he is a carpetbagger himself) in his editorial, "Little People Win Big on Election Day." The big story today in the <i>Union-News</i> today is that the 90% reimbursement from the state for the already demolished Armory Street School won't come this year and may not next year. Mayor Albano says he was assured of the money, but not in writing. Councilor W. Foley was on the news saying that, "We were assured that we were going to be funded, that the letter verifying it was only a formality." <br />
<br />
Eamon's new tape editorial is this: <i>Moody's Investor Service has given Springfield a near junk-bond rating due to mismanagement for years by inept career politicians and their hack appointee department heads, auditors and city treasurers, many who don't know the difference between a debit and a credit and are unable to read a balance sheet. City Hall is a glorified political employment agency where employee evaluations are unheard of and employees simply go through the motions, ripping off the taxpayers as they wait for retirement. </i><br />
<br />
Eamon called and talked about how to make a silencer for a M16. He then recalled how his father's first wife died after having a son William, who went on to serve in Europe during World War II. His brother Raymond the fire chief was in the Navy and served in the Pacific. His brother Robert, whose son is Patrick the Park Commissioner, served in Africa. So Eamon had numerous military role models in his family. Eamon then went on to claim that most of his co-workers at the Department of Education "were draft dodgers." Eamon accused Albano of ordering the ripping down of Armory Street School and Carew Street so that the city would be locked into building new.<br />
<br />
A Mrs. William W. McCarry of 29 Gilman in Holyoke called and then apologized when she realized she had the wrong number. She told me she's 76 and doesn't drive, which makes it hard for her to deal with her husband's medical problems. I thanked her for apologizing and wished her husband well. When I was young I was tenderhearted and never liked to see animals killed. Socially I was rather self-conscious, inclined to keep to myself. I was not a normal, mischievous boy, but rather more virtuous than my companions. I have always been shy with girls and never thought of getting married. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 30, 1999</b></center><br />
A lovely, late fall day. 47 degrees at 9am.<br />
<br />
I finished Bourke's book on intimate killing, which I will give to Eamon. American International College is promoting its former sports stars Jim Calhoun, Mario Elie and Kevin Collins, all of whom went on to have roles in professional sports. George Talbot told me they have already sold five copies of <i>Coke in Verse</i>. That's not bad. <i>The Reminder</i> came today. Eating a bowl of <i>Cream of Wheat</i> this morning I found a bug in it.<br />
<br />
Made copies at <i>Pride</i> first thing this morning, where I ran into Virginia Giaquinto from down the street. She said she saw me on TV with Devine and said I did "a very good job." I put out mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i> to the <i>Boston Phoenix</i> and to Vannah at the <i>Advocate</i>. I also sent out a letter to the Pope proposing that Martin Luther be made a saint. I got today's paper out of the trash as well as two girlie magazines <i>Voluptuous</i> and <i>Buff</i> in mint condition. I then dropped off a bag of stuff at Eamon's and picked up the bag he left for me. <i>Cal's Variety</i> seemed to be doing a brisk business. <br />
<br />
I headed to Dr. Mullan's and paid for Mother's medical records, but I don't see the letters from oncology in there. Then I drove downtown and parked on Salem. There were no papers in the trash but I did get a poster off a pole for AIDS Day. I ran into Brenda Branchini, who cheerfully thanked me for the picture I sent her. She said she will consider running for office again and definitely will remain active in city politics as a reformer. I stopped in at the Education Center and found a WNEC Law School 25th alumni magazine with Bouchard on the cover. <br />
<br />
Next I swung by <i>Graziano Gardens</i> in East Longmeadow to see Santa's castle. I told them they should make a postcard of it. I bought chicken nuggets for the first time in ages at the <i>Eastfield Mall McDonald's</i>, where I also got a free Santa candle. I stopped and got a free calendar at <i>16 Acres Gardens</i>. There was a sign saying you could take only one free calendar, extra ones cost $3 each. On the way back I left a bag of things to read at the Cohn's. <br />
<br />
No more in today's paper about getting money for new schools. However, <i>WFCR</i> had a story this morning about not getting the funds. Mayor Albano told <i>WFCR</i> he is going to build "two new schools per year for the next ten years." I called Leonard Collamore and got his son David and told him about the $450 chair at <i>Antiques on Boland Way</i> that has an image of Christopher Columbus on it with a padded floral seat. Eamon called and said he believes that most problems can be solved with "a positive attitude and a bit of creativity, cooperation and courage." I called Tom Devine, who had nothing special to say. I advised him that when he does his <i>Heroes & Villains</i> list for 1999 that he give Mike Albano a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Villains category. <br />
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-72732194392107607322017-05-23T16:33:00.007-04:002024-03-06T13:42:18.464-05:00December 1999<center><b>December 1, 1999<br />
</b></center><br />
37 degrees at 2:40pm.<br />
<br />
There is rioting and looting all over downtown Seattle in anti-globalization protests. Shannon O'Brien is our State Treasurer. Paula Berthiahume is Title Clerk for Ford Motor Credit Company in Southboro, Massachusetts. Dennis A. Hawes and Aimee L. Gladden are students at the High School of Commerce. Had <i>Corn Flakes</i>, grapefruit and a <i>Hungry Man Chicken Dinner</i> today.<br />
<br />
My oil tank is 5/8ths full. Simple days have a way of becoming complicated. Out at nine and noticed the white car of the Cohn's housekeeper in their driveway. Next door at Cressotti's is a sign for <i>Jenkins Residential Roofing</i>. I got a copy of today's paper out of the trash can in front of <i>Louis & Clark</i>. From there I drove to <i>Stop&Shop</i> and got a few groceries on special. Then I went to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> and asked at <i>Sears</i> whether they had body suits, but they had none. At <i>Filene's</i> the poinsettia tree is gone. As I was leaving, President Caprio walked past and pretended not to notice me. But after we had passed each other by about 30 feet I turned around and caught him turning and looking at me. Ha! As I headed back, I noticed that the parking lot of the Evangelical Covenant church was very full.<br />
<br />
Home at 10:55am and found my shipment from <i>Lawbook Exchange</i> had arrived. The mail was here at 1pm for a change and the title certificate arrived for the car. I also got a copy of <i>Elms Today</i> which listed me as a donor but not Eamon. Socrates Babacus called and said Karen Powell told him that his signature was among those being challenged. Babacas thinks that Mayor Albano should be the subject of a recall petition. I called Fred Whitney but he said he couldn't talk because he was going to pick up his son at the airport where he is returning from Florida.<br />
<br />
Eamon called and we discussed some of the stories in the paper, such as how only 20 people showing up for the public hearing for the <i>Cecil</i> masterplan. Eamon then wondered why Priscilla Ress hasn't been doing any of her consumer protection segments lately on TV. Eamon then recalled how when he took over the Andover Institute at 145 State Street, he was hired after a luncheon at <i>The Fort</i> with the Lipenis brothers of Boston. Eamon claims he "turned the whole place around" and I can believe it. Eamon says Mrs. Leroy Crenshaw told Karen Powell that Charlie Ryan wants all the stadium signatures verified.<br />
<br />
Eamon then told me that his friend Gingras the teacher informed him that he was in Principal Winegar's office while Negroni was screaming over the phone that <i>TV40</i> was investigating the absentee rates at Commerce and demanding that Winegar make no statement to the media. <i>TV40</i> reporters tried to enter Commerce to do interviews with students and staff but were turned away at the door. Gingras says that Negroni never wants anybody in the school system talking to the media, and if they do he threatens them with losing their jobs. Eamon has been told that Negroni has plants throughout the system who fill him in on what's going on. Nader the Hatter's sister, who works at Sci-Tech, says everybody is scared, especially since Sci-Tech's attendance is as bad as at Commerce. Attendance is also poor at Putnam, although Central High is a little better with only 200 out per day.<br />
<br />
<center><b>December 2, 1999</b></center><br />
Sunny, 28 degrees at 7:30am.<br />
<br />
Last night Parliament voted to end British rule in Ireland. There was a conference in Worcester for educators from all over the state to discuss working character instruction into education. TV coverage showed Commissioner of Education David Driscoll and Roberta Schaefer, Vice Chair of the Board of Education. <i>TV22</i> has revealed that Springfield has a new distinction - it is among the 10 metropolitan areas with the smoggiest air. <i>The Crossroads Development Park</i> is on Bobala Road in Holyoke.<br />
<br />
The <i>Food Mart</i> on Springfield Street in Agawam is to be replaced by a <i>Super Food Mart</i> like we have here. A commercial on <i>TV40</i> showed that <i>Savers</i> is offering 50% off this weekend on black leather motorcycle jackets. That is not characteristic of the products they normally carry. The news on <i>TV57</i> showed a person in a biker jacket rioting in Seattle. They say the rioters are middle class youth worried about their future. Good for them. <br />
<br />
<i>Edwards Books</i> in <i>Baystate West</i> is getting a lot of publicity because it is not doing well and trying hard to survive. This week they are having local authors in to sign their books. Friday, Barry Moser will sign autograph his illustrated <i>Bible</i>, Thursday Dick Garvey and Wayne Phaneuf will be in to autograph their history of the newspaper and today was Amy Lyon, author of <i>In a Vermont Kitchen</i>. Others slated to appear are Anita Shreve, Suzanne Strempek Shea and Michael White. I'm enjoying reading Tom Devine's <i>Ogulewicz Chronicles</i>. Eamon called and said he's been talking to Nader the Hatter in Florida. Szuch's husband has checked into a New York hospital for heart surgery. <br />
<br />
I received a call today informing me that Aunt Maria is in the hospital and will be going into a nursing home. The call came from Sue Canus, an R.N. at Mercy Hospital, who said Aunt Maria was brought in at 3pm yesterday after a fall. She described Aunt Maria as "sitting upright but confused." She was found by Shirley lying on the floor who called for help. Police officers were involved. Aunt Maria will be taken tomorrow to to the Riverdale Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at 42 Prospect Avenue in West Springfield. <br />
<br />
So I left here and arrived at Mercy Hospital and was directed to Room 540. The nurse in charge, Sarah-Kate Fitzell, said Aunt Maria "just had a spill." I spoke to her doctor Gaziane, a small fellow, who said he and his partner Gary Jacobs are handling Aunt Maria's recovery. Gaziane described Aunt Maria suffering from "chronic dementia" which will only get worse. He said when she arrived at Mercy she was dehydrated and needs care in a nursing home for at least several weeks as she is "too weak" to return home. <br />
<br />
I found Aunt Maria lying in her hospital bed and looked a mess. I almost cried to see her in such a condition. I couldn't help but recall how a few weeks earlier she had said in her parlor that she was happier than she had been in a long time. Aunt Maria managed to sit up and talk, although somewhat scatterbrained, about how lovely Mother was, that she didn't like my whiskers and was afraid that the hospital staff were out to get her. As I left I told nurse Fitzell that Aunt Maria can be paranoid and sometimes turns against those who are trying to help her. The nurse smiled and said she understands as earlier Aunt Maria had shouted at her, "You're trying to kill me!" <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 3, 1999</b></center><br />
36 degrees at 7:15am.<br />
<br />
The Visiting Nurse Association and Hospices of Western New England is having an Interfaith Memorial Service on December 14 at 50 Maple Street. A car belonging to Mayor Albano's wife Michelle was stolen from their home yesterday morning, but was recovered in the afternoon on Crystal Avenue. <br />
<br />
This was another busy day. Today I paid $12 for a scalping at the barber shop in the Acres. $10 plus a $2 tip. I wanted to make the queerest possible impression at the art show so I wore my orange suit and logger boots all day. I put out a lot of mail at <i>Breckwood</i>, including something to Donald Newhouse. I then drove down to the newspaper headquarters and left some papers for Robyn Newhouse, from which I've heard nothing lately. I parked on Salem and found a copy of the <i>Wall Street Journal</i> in a trash can by <i>SIS</i>.<br />
<br />
From the paper I went to B. Moser's book signing where I was the first one there. Moses was seated at a table back by the children's section. I bought his book after ascertaining it was printed on acid free paper. Moser wrote in my inscription, "I believe Jesus was gay." I was surprised to see Atty. Berman come in wearing a loud tie. He was jovial but for some reason swore me not to tell anyone I saw him there. He didn't thank me for the copy of my book I gave him. I looked at Garvey and Phaneuf's <i>History of the Springfield Newspapers</i>, which is glossy with color pictures and a lot of hype about the paper in general and Springfield in particular. <br />
<br />
Afterwards I got a deli-baloney sandwich at <i>Subway</i>, where there were lots of Latino customers who were very friendly. Down at <i>Northgate</i> I exchanged pleasantries with the liquor store owner and ran into Dan Carr. All of the businesses at <i>Northgate</i> are running except the medical center is gone and that's a biggie. There are Christmas lights all over downtown which create a Bright Lights wonderland effect which is quite lovely. <br />
<br />
I then drove over to the <i>TV57</i> Art Show opening and was fortunate to be able to park in the first space besides <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i>. The art show itself was at First Church and they gave me a program whose color was black instead of the pretty picture they've put on them in the past. A sign of hard times? Susan Tilton Pecora was the featured artist with her portraits of buildings in Deerfield. They had some Little Red Riding Hood pieces, but I didn't want them. <br />
<br />
There were scanty snacks of crackers, cheese and I was offered wine but refused. Jack Briggs was casually dressed but Roy Scott wore a tuxedo. David Starr (without Peggy this year) wore his usual brown pants and tweed jacket. Starr disappeared early, perhaps having spotted me. There were no black people present. The eccentric rainbow lady I met at the Sacco Vanzetti meeting greeted me. Most of the art was mediocre. Pecora's stuff is great, but who wants a rural Congregationalist church on their wall? <br />
<br />
I called Atty. R. Gendron and told him that Aunt Maria has been moved to Riverdale from Mercy. I told him Riverdale is on Prospect Street right over the Mass Pike, the last road before Holyoke. We discussed her estate and I told him that her estate is worth about a million. I said she mentioned leaving most of it to me, but also some to Thelma who brings her to church, Ruth, something to the church to repair its roof and some kind of a memorial to her husband George, who made her the money in the first place. He listened politely and told me his office is at 890 Springfield Street in Feeding Hills. <br />
<br />
Eamon has a wonderful new tape: "There are hundreds of kids absent each day in Springfield's Commerce, Sci-Tech and Putnam schools with hundreds more tardy. Many of those who do attend disappear around noontime. So how many kids are actually enrolled and attending classes on a regular basis? We're not talking about the 1200 who are assigned to those schools, but to those actually in attendance. Superintendent Negroni and his toady numbers man Mr. Howell say there are over 20,000 students in the system, but an actual head count would prove otherwise. This is a systemic problem that is out of control and calls for an investigation." Very good.<br />
<br />
I chatted with Eamon later and he said a custodian he knows who has worked in the schools for 30 years told him that "things are a lot worse in the schools" than the public thinks. "Ten times worse," he was told, "people have no idea of how bad it is." Eamon says Negroni was investigated by the Education Department's Dispatcher General when he was down in the Bronx. <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 4, 1999</b></center><br />
42 degrees on the breezeway at 7:15am. <br />
<br />
<i>WFCR</i> news said this morning the World Trade Organization conference was "a failure and a fiasco." Good, I'm with labor on this one. Later <i>NBC News</i> had a story on Seattle and the jubilation of the protesters, focusing on several wearing black leather motorcycle jackets, which has truly become the uniform of choice for troublemakers. George K. Mazareas is the Director of the Massachusetts Economic Assistant Coordinating Council. <br />
<br />
I wrote a letter today to Atty. Gendron about Aunt Maria's will and then mailed it at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. There were no papers in the trash. Coming back to the car, I ran into Bob Robinson, the <i>Valley Advocate</i> photographer, and when I asked if he got my pictures he sputtered and said he will look for them next time he is in the <i>Advocate</i> office. He was all smiles and he takes splendid pictures, but still strikes me as something of a dodger. <br />
<br />
I keep telling myself that I am going to withdraw a bit from public activity, but I keep getting lured out by different adventures. I'm certainly not going to go to all the events in the coming year that I went to last year. Today I went to the Memorial Service at <i>Byron's Funeral Home</i> on Allen Street which they held for their clients who have died in the past year. I was surprised to find the place almost full with over a hundred people present. Many were not really dressed for a Memorial Service and there were only a few Latinos and no blacks. <br />
<br />
They had a Christmas tree up in front with an ornament on it for each deceased person. As they read your relative's name from a roster, you could go up and take the ornament with their name on it. They served fruit punch and cookies and that was it. We also got a Norman Rockwell calendar with the <i>Byron's</i> logo on it and a booklet <i>How to Deal With Grief in the Holiday Season</i>. It was a nice event. On the way home I dropped off a big bag of reading material at the Cohn's and found Irving standing in his driveway wearing sweat pants. I told him he looks great, especially having just had an operation. <br />
<br />
A letter from Atty. Alan Goodman came today saying there may be a case to be made against Ring Nursing Home but there's not enough money in it. The mail also brought the lab report from Dr. Mullan. I called for an update on Aunt Maria and nurse Kate informed me she lives across the street from me in the white house with blue trim at 1556 Wilbraham Road. She said I once came to her tag sale and bought a dollhouse. Kate said that Aunt Maria fractured her hip on the 2nd and "seems to be alert, she answered my questions appropriately. " The doctor wants her to sit up in a chair this afternoon. I asked Kate to tell my aunt that her nephew called.<br />
<br />
Dined tonight on a <i>Swanson Fish Filet Dinner</i>. Eamon called this evening, and when I told him about the service he said he had never heard of such an event. Eamon says that Gingras the Commerce teacher is getting $52,000 per year. According to Eamon, Dr. Negroni buys the loyalty of his teachers with high salaries - Keep your mouth shut about what's going on and you'll be well paid. <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 4, 1999</b></center><br />
Sunny, 48 degrees on the breezeway at 12:15pm.<br />
<br />
Am I an Anal Compulsive Record-keeper? My best ideas come at night, but Arnold B. Kanter claims, "For many lawyers, bathroom time is their most productive and profound thinking time." Gail A. Seklecki is President of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce. <br />
<br />
Last night I slept for a while with my right ear on the pillow and when I awoke I had a very intense, high pitched ringing on that side. After about an hour it went away. Drove out at quarter to nine and bought a paper at <i>Louis & Clark</i> to read about the <i>Cecil</i> report community survey. First I stopped at the Acres <i>Big Y</i> and got two free boxes of <i>Cream of Wheat</i> with a coupon. Next I drove over to Carew and made copies at the convenience store on the corner of Nottingham Street and made copies of Devine's <i>Ogulewicz Chronicles</i>, which I left at Eamon's. <br />
<br />
From there, I drove down to Mercy Hospital, where I found Aunt Maria still in the same room with various tubes attached, teeth out, looking pretty much a mess. I announced my presence and informed her that I had brought the morning paper. I told her that I loved her and cherished the memories of the many good times we had together. Nurse Kate arrived, a thin woman with a big smile, who said that Aunt Maria will be going to rehab tomorrow. She said a group from the church had already visited earlier today. I told Aunt Maria that while I won't visit regularly, I'll call to see how she is doing. <br />
<br />
When I was leaving, I recalled how Nader the Hatter once told me that Mercy has good food, so I went to their cafeteria and had sausage links, eggs and fruit for $1.85. It's help yourself so you can get a nice portion. Then over to 223 Forest Park Avenue for the <i>Forest Park 100 Year Old House Tour</i> put on by the Forest Park Civic Association. I parked across from Steve Hay's house. Belle Rita Novak was helping with the registrations and I took her picture. <br />
<br />
It was a lovely day for a house tour. I was wearing my full purple outfit featuring purple pants with cup, logger's boots, biker jacket, padlocked chain with dog tags and wearing an earring. A sight to behold, but all very neat and clean, just very queer. Many of the houses in Forest Park were already decorated for Christmas. They were selling copies of the Forest Park historical booklet with a map for $3 and I bought one. <br />
<br />
The first house we visited was Hay's, which was in some respects the best one. It is a large house with a beautiful collection of bottles along the kitchen sink and a dollhouse on the second floor. There was a bad reproduction of a famous painting of Venice in the living room, real art was scarce. I ran into Fidele Malloy, who told me her father's name was Fidel. I also chatted with someone named Lavalle who said he works in healthcare. He goes power walking every morning and sometimes runs into Mayor Albano. Lavalle believes the city is bonding too much and that Springfield needs a radical change in leadership. <br />
<br />
65 Bellevue is a house with steam radiators still in use. I told the owner her house is lovely as I left, and she said she remembered hearing me speak at the City Council adding, "You did a good job, you spoke well." 106 Magnolia had an ugly painting of some roses in a field of grey, while 36 Magnolia has an immense beech tree in the lot next door. Finally we arrived at former Mayor Charles V. Ryan's house, which I believe was built in 1906, and thereby is less than a hundred years old. Ryan was good natured and cordial to me, as was his wife Joan. I asked about a chair that was similar to the one Father got from <i>Monarch</i> and Ryan told me he got it from the family of <i>Monarch</i> President C.Y. Young. He also showed me a campaign button from his 1968 congressional campaign against Boland. "Everything in this house has a story behind it," Ryan said. <br />
<br />
On the way home, I left a copy of Moser's <i>Bible</i> with Mrs. Cohm, who exclaimed that the illustrations are wonderful. Eamon called and confessed that he sent in five <i>Cecil</i> survey forms using fake names. He also told me that Negroni is sitting on the latest test scores to avoid embarrassment. He believes that only reforms instituted in the schools from the bottom up will work, not ones from the top down. My phone ID showed M. Stone called from 737-9855 asking, "Is this the kitchen?" Yes, I replied. "Marty?" they asked. "Not here now," I said and hung up.<br />
<br />
<center><b>December 5, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Rainy, mild, 51 degrees at 8:30am. </p><p>As my dear friend Nader the Hatter says, "Life is theatrical."<br />
<br />
James Peyser is Chairman of the Mass Board of Education and David Driscoll is Commissioner of the Mass Department of Education. I drove out and got the morning paper out of the trash can in front of <i>Louis & Clark</i>. Then I went across the street to <i>Dunkin Donuts</i> and bought a dozen donuts with a dollar off coupon. Next I drove over to <i>Angelo's</i> for mostly fruit and as I was leaving it was raining heavily. <br />
<br />
Dined today on grapefruit, brown bread, pork chops, spaghetti and donuts. Mrs. Staniski's 90th birthday is Saturday the llth and her daughter Ann is taking Friday off to come home and be with her. I spoke on the phone today with Mrs. Cohn, who says the family was there yesterday afternoon. She told me they all looked at Moser's <i>Bible</i> and claimed that she herself has always been an admirer of Barry Moser's work and that she once visited his studio. I called about Aunt Maria and nurse Jean said that "she's doing well but a little confused." I asked if she will be leaving for the nursing home and Jean replied, "It could happen, but I haven't heard about it." <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said the Basketball Hall of Fame is the poorest attended Hall of Fame of any major sport. Worse, the Ladies Basketball Hall of Fame just opened and is a big success in Tennesee. Eamon claims the Baseball Hall of Fame gets 475,000 visits per year, football gets 400,000 and the Springfield Hall doesn't even get 100,000 visitors per year. Eamon then recalled how he had two friends who sold their homes to live downtown in Chestnut Towers, Al Hirshorn the jeweler and Al Cyriac, a good friend of Mayor Tommy O'Connor who was in the wholesale lumber business. They didn't like it when welfare recipients with housing subsidies moved in on the same floor as them. Within two years they had moved out because "the goddamn place was ruined." Hirshorn sold a $400,000 house in Longmeadow to move there and Cyriac had given up a nice place in Wilbraham. <br />
<br />
We then talked about the obituary in the paper for The Rev. Dr. Dorothy Spoerl, 93, who taught at A.I.C. from 1946 to 1957. Her classes were held in the big lecture room in Lee Hall. She had an adopted son Walter who was sort of the class dummy. Eamon recalled a time when Walter used a bow and arrow to impale a pigeon on the roof. It was still alive, so Dr. Spoerl climbed up the porch railing to rescue it, but Walter (who was a big fellow) failed to help her get back down and she fell and had to teach her classes wearing a cast on her foot. Young Walter had a dirty mouth because his mother felt children should be able to express themselves any way that wanted so swearing was okay. Dorothy Spoerl was an advocate of Free Love and appeared in an article on that topic in <i>Life Magazine</i> in the 1950's. She was also the subject of rumors that there were communists teaching at A.I.C. that included not only Spoerl but Whitelaw and Mather. <br />
<br />
Eamon was a student in Sproel's Abnormal Psych class where she was always giving the class psychological tests. His friend Bobby Fitzgerald was diagnosed by her as being overly aggressive towards women. Daniel Patrick Murphy was also in the class and later become President of Hampden Chemical. Murphy had two brothers who were priests, with one becoming President of Merrimack College. Spoerl was anti-Catholic and let it show, saying that she considered all people raised Catholic to be victims of brainwashing. I told Eamon about how I was told by the Unitarian Universalist church historian that a professor at A.I.C. was a strong advocate for tearing down their beautiful State Street church and building a new one on Porter Lake Drive. As a doctor of divinity, we both agreed that who else could it have been if not Sproel? <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>December 6, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Sun out but not for long, 54 degrees at 6:15pm.<br />
<br />
Things are moving slowly around here, especially with Christmas coming up and I feel the flu coming on. <i>Females in Training</i> at the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> has an ad saying, "Merry Fitness!" Dr. Anthony P. Giannetti has a dental office at 275 Bicentennial Highway in Springfield. The McNally Brothers have an office in the same building. Shawn Jenks works for <i>Map Display Inc.</i> in Westfield. </p><p>The Duryea Transportation Museum is a splendid achievement by a group of individuals working by themselves. Jack Hess especially deserves much more credit for his work preserving Springfield antiquities than he has received. </p><p>Hess has compiled an enormous collection of Springfield industrial memorabilia, a small portion of which has ended up in the Pynchon Building. But Starr, who built up Fran Gagnon, Dick Garvey and Wayne Phaneuf, has done nothing for Hess. <br />
<br />
I called Lovejoy and got his answering machine, but said nothing. I called Mercy and the RN Jean said Aunt Maria has been sent to Riverdale Gardens. She described her to me as "still confused when she left." So I called Riverdale Gardens and was told that Aunt Maria is in Rm. 115 and is confined to a wheelchair. I asked that she be told that I called and that I would be coming by. <br />
<br />
So I drove over to Riverdale Gardens, which is lacking in the pretensions of elegance of some nursing homes. It is nice enough but shows some hints of tackiness. Aunt Maria can see a little greenery out her window and she has a roommate named Mary Dearden. I found Aunt Maria seated in a wheelchair wearing a rose robe and looking somewhat better and more normal. She immediately said to me, "Wesley, will you please go away? You're not supposed to be here. I do not want you coming near me. I know you'd like to have me killed!" <br />
<br />
A nurse, Marilyn Rossi, appeared and asked me to speak with Debra Kratoul, the Unit Manager, and Ann Smidt, a social worker. They asked me to step into a private room and on our way there I caught them staring at my scalped hair and biker jacket. Debra said that Aunt Maria didn't want me coming to see her. I replied that it was fine with me, as I live twenty miles away and have other things to do. However, I explained that as her only living relative, I felt obliged to look over the place she is staying and assured them I would be making inquiries about the reputation of the nursing home. I promised not to harass my aunt with visits, but would call to inquire about her condition. <br />
<br />
Channel <i>22</i> is asking people to drop off toys at their new station, and Jerry Franklin, President of CPTV, is suavely begging for thousand dollar gifts. I called the Unitarian Universalist Association and spoke to their Administrator Trisha, but she knew nothing about Dorothy Spoerl or any other A.I.C. professor pushing for their historic downtown church to be demolished. There are no plans to have a memorial service for Spoerl, so I dropped it at that.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>December 8, 1999</b></center><br />
Lovely day, 34 degrees at 8:45.<br />
<br />
The latest space probe to Mars is a failure. In today's paper there is an obituary for Dr. William Baker, who was the Medical Director for <i>Monarch</i> from 1976 until 1990 when he moved to <i>Merrill-Lynch</i>. He was a member of Trinity Methodist Church. The Great New England Air Show will be held August 12-13 at Westover Air Reserve Base. The news says <i>Riverside Park</i> will be opening in early May as <i>Six Flags New England</i>. Russ Campbell is a store manager for <i>Big Y Supermarket</i>. <br />
<br />
The current value of my <i>Northwest Utilities</i> stock holdings are $893.75. I have diminished hearing in my right ear today. Kelly has set up elaborate Christmas decorations around her house, including green lights and wreaths. I left the house late and stopped at Irving Cohn's. He was sitting in the family room which has a sofa, a somewhat large TV and a bookcase with cabinets beneath. I got back my <i>Oak Knoll</i> catalog, but nothing else I had lent him marked "return." I asked if he knew the name of a good urologist and Mrs. Cohn suggested Leonard Shaker, whom she described as "a local boy." The Cohn's are having Terry Deriso Barton over for supper and I could smell spices cooking already. There was a bag of trash by the door so I offered to take it out and she asked if I'd take the old newspapers out as well. When she thanked me she added, "I'm so glad Myra had good friends like you." <br />
<br />
From the Cohn's I drove to <i>La Fiorintina Bakery</i> and bought $10 worth of fancy pastry filled with whipped cream plus strawberries dipped in chocolate. Then I drove to the Boston Road <i>Big Y</i>, thinking of buying some lobster, but the $18 cost was more than I wanted to pay so I settled for two orders of scallops. Next I went to <i>Bickford's</i> and bought two liver and onion dinners with mashed potatoes and butternut squash to go. It came with rolls but they forgot the butter. <br />
<br />
When I arrived at Mrs. Staniski's a female neighbor was just leaving. Mrs. Stanisiki's place has always been impeccably clean, nothing like Aunt Maria. Even the inside of Mrs. Staniski's refrigerator is tidy. She has a little television in the kitchen and big one in the basement. I brought with me as a gift a sweater that Mother had bought at <i>King's Department Store</i> but had never worn. We had dinner at the kitchen table and then we opened the pastries and each had one. I told her the rest are for her and Ann to share over the weekend. At one point Mrs. Staniski recalled how miserable Aunt Maria had been on the trip to Madison. She also showed me a music box that was bought by her mother in the 1930's which was still in perfect condition, as good as new. She thanked me profusely and I told her she is a good Christian woman and I wished her a happy 90th birthday. <br />
<br />
When I got home I called Shaker at Pioneer Valley Urology and made an appointment with his receptionist Debbie for January 24th. I called Shirley who told me she doesn't expect there to be anything left of Aunt Maria's estate if she lives much longer. Maybe she's hinting that I shouldn't expect anything. I replied that there are things in Aunt Maria's house that belong to me, including pictures and the spinning wheel. I also said the stuff in Uncle George's old shop are all mine, as well the boxes of books in the basement plus the old stove and the blue washing machine. She was noncommittal about I said. <br />
<br />
I have heard nothing from Eamon in the last couple days. The MCAS test scores were released today, inspiring a bitter phone editorial from Eamon, "Springfield's dismal MCAS scores should mean the end for the social promotion, rudderless charlatan Superintendent Peter Negroni, who lacks the decency to resign while the inept, rubber stamp School Board lack the courage to fire him. We're stuck with this despicable villain, who talks a good game but fails to deliver. He produced the same failing results in District 12 in the Bronx. Since his arrival in 1989 to date not a single principal or teacher has been fired. I'm afraid our school system, lacking accountability, employee evaluation and supervision is doomed to a state takeover." <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 9, 1999</b></center><br />
36 degrees and frosty at 8:45am. <br />
<br />
The Powell's are having their fundraiser to help cover legal expenses in the <i>Northgate</i> fight, which are piling up even though Charlie Ryan is donating his time free of charge and Councilor Foley is helping as well. It will be held on December 16th at 7am at the John Boyle O'Reilly Club. On <i>Days of Our Lives</i> there was a scene with a young fellow in a biker jacket talking to his blonde girlfriend. <br />
<br />
Went out this morning to <i>Louis & Clark</i> and mailed a check to Ford Associates. Then I went to the <i>AAA</i> office and found that they have moved from their digs behind Walker's on Cooley and Allen and moved into the front of what was <i>Mikara's Nightclub</i>. Mary-lou Irvine, a chubby and friendly lady (chubby people are often the friendliest) waited on me, taking the documents and saying she will bring them to the registry and will call when I can pick up the new plates. I was in and out very promptly.<br />
<br />
After supper, Nader the Hatter called at 5:44pm, saying that he would be there in a half an hour but didn't arrive until a few minutes after seven. He said he had just been to visit a relative on Ashland named Daniel Donovan. Nader brought me a copy of a speech by President Clinton he was inspired by and I gave him a book on art collector I.S. Gardner plus a copy of the <i>Ogulewicz Chronicles</i> since he had never seen it. Nader says they are supposed to close the Grenada Street house on Monday, but there are still things to be done. His father is in bad shape, having lost all sense of time and he gets angry with people who disagree with him in any way. Nader is going to take the old man to see a neurologist in Connecticut after the first of the year. <br />
<br />
I watched the fireman's funeral service in Worcester on TV. Eamon called and described the relationship between the School Committee and Dr. Negroni as "a rope a dope routine." We talked about the Worcester firefighter and Eamon believes the Chief should have never sent the men into the building. Then we talked about ways to revive the Riverfront and I suggested a replica of the Great Wall of China be built for pedestrians to walk over the expressway. Eamon said, "When you're dealing with a dumbed down, misinformed population like Springfield you can feed them all the crap you want and get away with it. If the newspaper would only do their job we wouldn't have these problems."<br />
<br />
<center><b>December 10, 1999</b></center><br />
39 degrees at 10:43am. <br />
<br />
Springfield has a warehouse like the one that burned in Worcester at 270 Liberty Street, although smaller. It has a <i>Sitterly Mover</i> sign on it so presently still in use. On the TV news, Sam Stonefield of Western New England School of Law was on with Steve Pierce in connection with an affordable housing conference at WNEC. Sisters of Providence has a Stop Smoking Support Group that meets every Monday at Mercy Hospital. J. Bernard Miller was Treasurer of <i>Hearst Consolidated Publications</i> in 1940.<br />
<br />
A medical bill for Mother arrived in the mail today. I called and spoke to Margie and told her that Mrs. Miller is dead and this bill should have been presented many months before this. She replied that the hospital has 18 months to bill Medicare. I said that as a taxpayer I feel that is too long. The mail also brought a nice thank you note from Mrs. Stanisiki. I later called Nader the Hatter and told him I like the Clinton speech he gave me and I have filed it with my papers.<br />
<br />
I wrote checks to cover the bills this morning and finished my reply to the <i>Cecil</i> master plan questionnaire. Then I went and made copies at <i>CopyCat</i>, left some reading material at Tom Devine's and then headed over to Eamon's. He has multicolored bulbs in candelabra in every window of the front porch and an x-mas stocking flag hanging by the front door. I knocked and Eamon came and offered a bag of things for me. He told me he just got a report from the Mauricio Gaston Institute at UMass on <i>Latino Students in Massachusetts Public Schools</i> and how they do on the MCAS tests compared to other ethnic groups. Eamon again remarked that the Moore's next door have an immense collection of antique weapons, maybe the biggest around. <br />
<br />
From Eamon's I drove downtown and parked on Salem Street, then headed down to City Hall to pay the water bill. Afterwards, I walked over to <i>Subway</i> for a deli-baloney grinder. Coming through <i>Tower Square</i> I paused to see a calligraphy and poetry exhibit of which I never heard any promotion. There was a guest book in which I wrote "Fire Negroni!" and then departed before anyone noticed. I left downtown and went up to the Boston Road <i>Walmart</i>, to buy a deep maroon shade for the Oriental lamp at home. I ended up also stopping by the antique shop, which had an OPEN sign and the lights were on but the door was locked with no one inside. I wrote on their chalkboard, "You say you are open, but you are not - you lie!" <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 11, 1999</b></center><br />
Cloudy to sunny, 40 degrees at 8am. <br />
<br />
On TV last night, John McCain said American renewal should come "from the bottom up, not the top down." Great idea, but how do you make it work? <i>TV22</i> is inviting people to take I-391 Exit 3 and they'll see their new station on Chicopee Street. Attorney Theodore C. Brown worked for <i>Egan, Flanagan & Egan</i> in 1986.<br />
<br />
I put out the mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i> in the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> and got the newspaper out of their trash can. I also got the latest installment of Devine's <i>Ogulewicz Chronicles</i> in their free paper section on the floor by the door. Then I drove over to the gun show at the Better Living/Industrial Arts building in West Springfield. This gun show at the Expo grounds is the biggest gun exhibition around here and it was mobbed. I got there around 11am, two hours after it started, and there were two long lines waiting to get in. I saw about twenty National Guard members walk in for free, all dressed up in their boots and fatigues, very clean cut men. Admission was $7, but I got in for $6 with a coupon. That's still expensive considering what they charge for the Antique and Collectibles Show. <br />
<br />
I got the sense as I looked around at the gun show clientele that for a lot them it is a vicarious event for a lot of guys who have been in the military and miss it. A good number of leather jackets around, some men had medals on them and two were in a wheelchair. There were a few wives there with their husbands, dads with their boys, blue collar people of the sort snobs look down upon. There was lots more than just guns, such as books on military history and dirty tricks, engravers and canning jars done up into scented candles. They had a novelist pushing his book, uniforms and all sorts of military gear, antique guns and power horns. <br />
<br />
There was also table after table of knives. I bought a knife with a brass knuckle unit on it for $45 from <i>Bill's Knives</i> of Albany, New York, which he marked down from $65 when I informed him that brass knuckles are illegal in Massachusetts. I also bought a book, Rex Applegate's <i>Kill of be Killed</i>, just what I want to zero in on the details of fighting. There was a variety of anti-Clinton bumperstickers and funny money of various sorts and denominations, I took all varieties I saw. There were t-shirts with macho slogans, a few of which were anti-gay. <br />
<br />
The show was a fine learning experience for anyone interested in all things military. I recall that Mother was fond of a little cap pistol she called Ambrose's gun. I saw one just like it selling for $30. I think gun shows are okay, crooks will always have guns so citizens should also have them. But those who use guns improperly should be punished, a father whose son is involved in a school shooting should be tried for murder along with the kid. <br />
<br />
When I got home at 1:30pm I found that some <i>Wisconsin Cheese</i> and a tin of macadamia nuts had been left by Mrs. Staniski. I called to thank her, but no one answered so maybe Ann had taken her over to see Carol. In the mail I mistakenly got a flyer from the <i>Society of Manufacturing Engineers</i> that was addressed to Rick Hill, <i>Hodge Manufacturing Company</i> at 55 Fisk Avenue in Springfield. I wrote a critical comment on it about the the reliability of the postal service and remailed it. Later I got a wrong number from <i>Mercolino's Bakery</i> on Columbus Avenue asking, "Is this Sal?" I said no and he just hung up, so I called back and asked, "Why didn't you apologize for bothering me?" The guy went, "Yeah, yeah, look, I gotta business! Sorry!" Then he banged down the phone again. <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 12, 1999</b></center><br />
37 degrees at 10am.<br />
<br />
I do type at a furious pace and mistakes do get out, but I think I correct most of them and I always proofread numbers. Am reading my new military books. <i>TV22</i>, now in Chicopee, had a piece on <i>Northgate</i> tonight hosted by Dan Elias. It featured Angelo Puppolo, Karen Powell and Bill Foley. Puppolo suggested that just as people were skeptical at first of <i>Bright Nights</i>, it eventually turned out to be a success and Puppolo predicted that the same would be true of a baseball stadium. <br />
<br />
I drove to <i>Eastfield Mall</i> and between the food court and the Santa pavilion I found a swinging concert underway by youthful <i>Falcetti Music</i> students performing for their parents and friends. <i>Falcetti's</i> is in where <i>Ethan Allen</i> was with the liquor store. There were lots of people at the mall but no lines at the cinema. At the food court <i>McDonald's</i> I had two cheeseburgers and a small order of fries. <i>Wilson's Leather</i> has opened a shop with biker jackets, more decorative than heavy duty. Outside there was a guy selling perfume at discount prices from a cart. <br />
<br />
After I left the mall I went across to <i>Stop&Shop</i> to buy the specials and use their Men's Room. On the matter of public toilets in grocery stores, <i>Food Mart</i> has a real nice Men's Room at their new store at <i>Five Town Plaza</i>, <i>Stop&Shop</i> on Boston Road has a nice enough restroom, but <i>Big Y World Class Market</i> has only one unisex bathroom with one sink, one toilet and a lock on the door. <br />
<br />
Dined on a <i>Swanson Fish & Chips Dinner</i> and cauliflower. Eamon called complained that he feels like a trashman every morning as he walks around the block picking up litter which he puts in his trashcan. He picks up lots of losing lottery tickets because of nearby <i>Cal's Variety</i>. He also noted the picture of David Starr in the paper posing with some arts group. Eamon also noted the retirement of newspaper ad manager Dwight Brouillard, who is stepping down after 45 years with the paper. Eamon doesn't think much of Brouillard, describing him as "a big, fat slob" who started out as a copy boy. Brouillard's wife was a public relations person at <i>Valley/Baybank</i> but was fired four years ago, according to Eamon's niece who worked there and told him.<br />
<br />
Eamon also talked about how as a kid they had theater up in Liberty Heights that was run by a man called Butterball Autry. He was often made fun of and had a hard time getting the kids to behave. Sometimes he'd turn off the projector to lecture the kids, who responded with jeers and spitballs. Joe Garvey once brought a skunk into the theater in a box and set it free, they had to open the fire exits to let the screaming people out. Eamon also mentioned how theaters used to give away plates for free and sometimes during a film you would hear a dish someone dropped smashing on the floor.<br />
<br />
Eamon then talked about Mae Florence Abby, who lived in a cute little Victorian house on the corner of Liberty and Newbury Street. The Abby's once owned all the land around there up to the Chicopee line. She was an English teacher at Van Sickle and an old maid. (As were many of my teachers such as Miss Darling, Miss Wall, Miss Bacon, Miss Wood, Miss Muzzy who later became Mrs. Greenwood, Miss Virginia Johnson who dyed her hair, Miss Schnappe, Miss Copley who later married the shop teacher, Miss Lynch, Miss Gay, Miss McConache, Miss Oliver, Miss Flaherty, Miss Terwillian at Classical, Miss Helen Flanagan, Miss Erma Battis the history teacher, Miss Theresa Boylan and perhaps others). Eamon described Miss Abbey as a good educator who had three brothers in the construction business. In her house she kept a 38 revolver in a safe and a grand piano she was reluctant to play but she was good and Eamon sometimes sang along. Eamon's mother knew her because the Abby's had built their house and held the mortgage. Tacoma Street was originally called Taft Street and went unpaved for a long time, but Eamon's mother lobbied former city official Benjamin Grout to pave it. I told him I remember hearing that name before. <br />
<br />
Eamon's latest tape: "In any profession except public education, pay raises and promotions are based on job progress, performance and the quality of the end product. Some of the dumbest people in our society are teachers, principals and superintendents. Teaching positions are lifetime appointments, sinecures, protected by labor unions and rubber stamp school boards. Based on the disgraceful MCAS results and his ten year record of failure, Superintendent Peter Negroni should be fired for incompetence and mismanagement."<br />
<br />
<center><b>December 13, 1999</b></center><br />
34 degrees at 7:30am. No snowfall overnight. <br />
<br />
I am typing this in the middle of the night. A diary is a lot of work even though I have never tried to make a fancy diary. I tell people considering being a lawyer that law school is a sham. At times today I had a twitch beneath my right eye. <i>The United Way</i> is holding a fundraising raffle that includes <i>Delaney House</i> gift certificates, <i>Gus & Paul's</i> VIP cards, free <i>Interskate 91</i> tickets and an <i>Ochoa Salon</i> gift certificate.<br />
<br />
Someone on the news was talking about "The New Urbanism." I recall when I used that term at the <i>Cecil Group</i> appearance at the Museum of Fine Arts Auditorium. I got sorta put down as not knowing what I was talking about. David Starr appears in the print advertisement for the Garvey/Phaneuf book <i>History of the Springfield Newspapers</i>. He is quoted as saying that "the history of our newspapers are the looking glass through which the events of the last 175 years can be examined, understood and appreciated." <br />
<br />
This <i>Multi-Fluid Liquid Paper</i> is shit. Left at 7:30am and put out the mail at Breckwood, but first I stopped at the Cohn's to drop off some reading material. Poor Mrs. Cohn is now way bent over and speaks softly. I wonder if the Cohn's resent my feud with David Starr. I got today's paper out of the <i>Louis & Clark</i> trashcan, then to <i>Walmart</i> where I bought another lamp shade. I also made copies at <i>Pride</i>. I bought the clementines that were on sale at <i>Food Mart</i>, where I found a bottle of Egg Nogg with the wrong price on it so I got it for free. Next I drove over to <i>Angelo's</i>, where I got bananas, string beans, potatoes and onions. On the way to <i>Angelo's</i> I noted that the Devine's have their plastic Santa in the front window as they do every Christmas. I swung by Mrs. Staniski's but she was out. <br />
<br />
From there I drove downtown to leave off material at the paper for Garvey, McDermott, Robin Newhouse and Phaneuf. I also left things with Hurwitz and Atty. Berman. It was just starting to rain when I got home. The mail came early and accidentally included a Dear Applicant postcard from the Pennsylvania School of Medicine for Michael Moynihan. I will put it in their mailbox tomorrow with the note, "You can count on the U.S. Postal Service to blow your most closely guarded secrets. Merry Christmas." <br />
<br />
I called <i>Oak Knoll</i> and got Andy who said Bob told him the expensive book I wanted is already sold. I called Lovejoy and wished him a Merry Christmas. I tried calling Tom Devine, but the young woman Debbie said he was out. Nader the Hatter called and said his sister Kathy LaRose, who lives on Telbar Street, has called <i>TV40</i> and suggested that Eamon be chosen as Dan Yorke's replacement now that he has a new job out of state. Nader urged me to call <i>TV40</i> and do the same. Instead I called <i>WNNZ</i> in order to suggest that instead of hiring one person to replace Yorke on his radio show, they should have a rotating series of hosts that could include Eamon, Devine and even myself occasionally. I spoke first to Larry, who gave me Kevin Casey's voicemail with the admonishment to "be brief."<br />
<br />
<center><b>December 14, 1999</b></center><p><br />
<i>Peanuts</i> creator Charles Schultz has colon cancer at 77 and will retire in January. Denis Budd is the Fire Chief in Worcester (who should resign). The paper says the <i>Forest Park 100 Year Old House Tour</i> raised over $4,500 for their Civic Association, according to Bill Malony, President of the Association. I must suggest to Marshall Moriarty that we do a similar event to raise money for the Sixteen Acres Civic Association. <br />
<br />
I covered the air conditioner for the winter. Out at 9:15am and bought stamps and a paper at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. Today I had more trouble at <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i>, where nobody is reliable. I was told that the Insurance Lady is there once a week on this day at their Allen Street branch. So I arrived at 9:30am, and when I went inside there was a desk with their insurance brochures on it but nobody sitting at the desk. I asked Elizabeth behind the counter where the Insurance Lady was and she replied that she wasn't in today, but maybe I could find her at one of their other branches. <br />
<br />
I told Elizabeth that it would be foolish of me to go from branch to branch searching for her when she was not here on the day she was supposed to be. I reminded her that she is being paid to deal with me, not I to deal with her, and that she is wasting my time. I told her in a nice, firm voice, so that the whole bank could hear, what I thought of their service failure. Elizabeth listened politely, rather than calling security to have me ejected. I then turned on my heel and marched out the door. <br />
<br />
From there I drove over to the Forest Park postal station and mailed a check to <i>Blackstone</i> for the $500 Irish law book plus shipping. <i>Blackstone</i> is overpriced, but it is easier to get the books through them. I then swung by Mrs. Staniski's to see how she was and she gave me some magazines from Ann. She also said I was "wonderful" for treating her to a birthday dinner last week. Her wall is covered with cards she got for her 90th birthday. Someone gave her a dozen roses and she offered me one, although only four remained because she has been passing them out to friends. I told her to save her petals, I don't need a rose.<br />
<br />
When I got home I called <i>Hampden</i> and as always Alexa answered and identified herself. She told me President Burton was in a meeting and his secretary was unavailable. I responded, "Everyone out? Are you running a bank or a country club?" She politely replied, "We're a bank." I told her I would settle for Burton's voicemail, which begins with the statement, "Your call is important," although he never gets back to me. I began by complaining that I had never been thanked for advising them to register their oil paintings. I then recounted some of the run ins I had with former WNEC President Beverly Miller in order to show Burton that I am not afraid of doing battle with people in high places. I also told him how current WNEC President Caprio has always avoided me, even refusing to be seated by me at the Economic Summit they had a few years ago, after I warned him that, "I have friends at the <i>Valley Advocate</i>." <br />
<br />
Janet called from the U.S. Census Bureau and they need proof of my Social Security number as soon as possible "so I can process your application." Eamon called and noted that Mayor Albano was quick about tearing down the Armory Street School and
the Carew Street School, but now the funding for replacing those schools
is in jeopardy. Albano has been ripping down everything he can get his
hands on. Eamon is afraid the newspaper will start attacking City Councilor Bill Foley for supporting <i>Northgate Plaza</i> and opposing the stadium. Eamon feels that if Foley is attacked we must all publicly rally behind him. </p><p><br />
<br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpTRoyBZvzNisVoDhSqLkAS-_hg9_Bi8lyqSlHODYSBQs6SZ1Buass5RhY2IKbZ8vf1MlhR_ksblIE0JPDXBsWk_u-zc1jCC9yDi3yYNtmRN2AFtHH8FYE8fcfddh3Y9wb3n3eYr3zpOc/s1600/foleybennett.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="500" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpTRoyBZvzNisVoDhSqLkAS-_hg9_Bi8lyqSlHODYSBQs6SZ1Buass5RhY2IKbZ8vf1MlhR_ksblIE0JPDXBsWk_u-zc1jCC9yDi3yYNtmRN2AFtHH8FYE8fcfddh3Y9wb3n3eYr3zpOc/s400/foleybennett.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<center><i>Bill Foley and Bill Bennett 2014</i></center><center><i> </i></center><br />
<center><b>December 15, 1999</b></center><br />
Gloomy all day, 42 degrees at 8:45am. <br />
<br />
Got up late this morning at 8:45am. Went out and found the trash gone. The Powers drove past in their little truck, maybe she is his secretary or bookkeeper. Got the newspaper out of the trashcan at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. It has a picture of Atty. Berman in it looking through a telescope. I also found an ARISE newsletter. No <i>Valley Advocates</i> had arrived yet. I drove downtown and parked on Salem. I poked my head into <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> and the secretary was at her desk while Burton was in his curtained office with the door closed. Ennis got me an orange form with the hours of the Insurance Lady on it and I departed at 10:45am. <br />
<br />
My next stop was Atty. Berman's, but Joanna said Berman is out of his office until next Wednesday. Then over to Posnik for the <i>Market Place</i> bidder's package. I swung by the courthouse, where I wished Judge Moran a Merry Christmas and waved at Kathy Flynn. Walking back from the courthouse, I found a pile of trash bags in front of Ravosa's. One was full of real estate appraisal periodicals and a book, <i>Appraisal Classics 1935-1960</i> by Jerry Davis. I also took a binder of the minutes of the local appraisal society from 1961 prepared by James C. Brody for the Society of Residential Appraisers, Western Mass Chapter 104. Brody was the Chapter President. There was also some photos and construction costs for leading home builders, including many of the houses built here in the Acres, some dating back to my childhood. I got all this from only one bag of the Brody pile, doubtless there were other treasures, but I left everything else by the curbside. <br />
<br />
I went over to AAA and got the new registration and plates for the car. Got the plates without any trouble at all and thanked everyone very politely. Then I drove up to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> and had two 39 cent burgers and a medium fries at their <i>McDonald's</i>. The parking lot for the cinema was practically empty. Approaching home, I saw Bradley trudging down to WNEC with his large briefcase. The mail brought a Christmas card from the girl who delivers <i>The Reminder</i> - Krista Ambrose of 3 Ronald Circle in Wilbraham. When I got back I called Fred Whitney and reminded him how I asked him to send a recommendation to Harvard for me, but he said, "No, I'm getting old and I have to apologize for not doing it." I told him that I was now asking him that he not do it and wished him Merry Christmas. <br />
<br />
Stuart Hurwitz called me today from 787-6625. Mr. Hurwitz has always been polite, but has been more so since I mentioned how I dislike how people fail to thank me for my memos. He said he read my memo on the Civic Center, for which he thanked me, but insisted that, "I firmly, honestly believe the refurbished Civic Center will be the economic engine that's going to revitalize downtown," adding that Springfield "has to start somewhere" if it hopes to revive itself. When I suggested painting a mural on the wall over and behind <i>Joseph's Liquor</i> on the corner of Chestnut and Mattoon, he thanked me for the suggestion and said he will look into it. I also told him I liked the calligraphy and poetry show at <i>Tower Square</i>. He didn't know anything about the status of the Arts Commission. Hurwitz said he appreciates my humor and I thanked him for calling and wished him Happy Holidays. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and talked about how he used to have an office on the second floor of the Exeter Building on the corner of Worthington and Chestnut. It once had shops on the ground floor and a number of dentist offices above. Eamon recently went to see his friend Dick Serkin who runs <i>Feinstein Leather</i>, who told him the building has no heat. Word is the owner is in bankruptcy and the Santaniello people have taken over the mortgage and are thinking of demolishing the building to make more parking for the <i>Mardi Gras</i>. Serkin also heard that <i>Absorbine Jr.</i> might in some way be involved, so Eamon later called Tyler Young. He wasn't in, but Eamon knows his secretary Anita. She told him that the Young's have sold the Produce Building on the corner of Chestnut and Taylor to <i>Safe Environment</i> of Ludlow through their realtor Leon Reinolds. She hadn't heard anything about demolishing the Exeter Building. <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 16, 1999</b></center><br />
Overcast, misty, wet out. 43 degrees at 7:35am when I got up. <br />
<br />
A study out of Boston University finds that hospital costs in Massachusetts are 42% above the national average. <i>NPR</i> reports that an unpublished poem by Harriet Beecher Stowe has been discovered in Washington, Connecticut. St. Peter's Church in Great Barrington and Holy Family Parish at Mount Marie in Holyoke are presenting <i>Advent and Christian Music from the Second Millennium</i>. Edward T. Celatka of Chicopee and Harold J. Coleman of Springfield were Vice Presidents of the Society of Residential Appraisers in 1960.<br />
<br />
My ears were stuffy all today, the right one ringing badly. Called Riverdale Gardens Rehab and Nursing at 8:30am and Sarah told me Aunt Maria is "doing okay this morning." She turned me over to Debbie who told me that Aunt Maria "will be here for Christmas but don't know about New Year's." Deb went on to say that my aunt is "confused at times, more lucid at others" and thinks "there may be some memory loss." <br />
<br />
The big news is the obituary in yesterday's paper for my dear teacher Robert B. McCreech. I hauled the paper out of the trash yesterday but didn't read it until today. McCreech has appeared often in this diary. I last heard from him by a Christmas card last year. He lived in South Hadley and taught at Buckingham, Classical, Chestnut and Kiley. McCreech was also a longtime member of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Springfield near where Devine lives. The memorial mass will be held there. I called <i>Sampson's Funeral Home</i> and they said there will be no wake. <br />
<br />
Robert McCreech was a fine gentleman, teacher and role model, a man of jovial stories told in perfect English. He taught by example, by coaching, by inspiration to excellence and never by criticism. He always pointed to the good and never to the bad. A true diplomat, he was politically correct before his time. He took our class to visit the United Nations because he shared its aspiration to love and peace. The following year he entertained some of us, such as John Coyle and Myra Cohn, with a tour of Boston. McCreech engaged in many undertakings of a positive nature and never said an evil word about anybody. He was a wonderful man, he really was.<br />
<br />
When I left the house today I first brought a bag of magazines to the Cohn's, and next door the workmen are finishing Cressotti's new roof. Kelly has some very festive wreaths up. Next I headed to the auction at 9:15am. I parked on Salem and as I came by <i>Hampden Savings</i> I looked in the window and the Insurance Lady was not at her desk where she should be. I walked in and asked for the Insurance Lady and they said she was not in. I approached a professionally attired black woman named Jackie and asked her to give my card to President Burton and tell him I was here to see the Insurance Lady.<br />
<br />
The auction was held in the narrow alley by <i>Union Trust</i>, where there used to be painted on the bricks, "While Brunton sleeps, Springfield rusts." Eamon says it dates back to when Tommy O'Connor ran against Daniel Brunton. It was here where the auction was held by David Mendel, who always performs nicely. There were only men there except for Ms. Best. Dan Elias of <i>22</i> there with a cameraman. I saw Kitty Broman walk by but she didn't stop. <i>The Foley Company</i> guy was there as was Peter Picknelly's broker. I saw Tom King of <i>King & Newton</i> and asked him if the Society of Residential Appraisers still exists and he said he has never heard of it. <br />
<br />
A bald photographer from the Springfield paper was there taking lots of pictures and I'm probably in some of them. I was wearing my usual uniform without decorations. There was a man casually dressed in green who suddenly collapsed, but revived quickly before an ambulance could be called. He stood through the rest of the event with no problem. Bidding started at $800,000 and sold for $1,900,000. I'll have to wait to see in tomorrow's paper who bought it. Afterwards I walked to City Hall to take a piss and there was a bum passed out in one of the stalls. Then I went to <i>Subway</i> and Shkena made me one of those baloney deli sandwiches I like. <br />
<br />
On my way back to the car I stopped at <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> and this time I asked Ennis where the Insurance Lady was and she said she was out due to "a family emergency." I asked why they didn't tell me that earlier when I was there this morning and she replied, "We just found out about it." I was impeccably polite, no speeches, good or bad, and simply left the premises. <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 17, 1999</b></center><br />
A lovely and sunny day, 43 degrees at 7am.<br />
<br />
On <i>WFCR</i> this morning there was a long segment about the <i>Northgate</i> matter with several on air interviews with people like stadium expert Zimbalist, who called Albano's plan "not realistic" and said people buying hotdogs at the stadium will not revitalize the rest of downtown. The reporter was Karen Brown. Baystate Medical Center has a commercial saying they are "the first to offer prostate seeding implations" in the area. Richard K. Cassan, my friend at Colby, is now a lawyer in Vermont. In 1961 the Society of Residential Appraisers held a seminar with panelists James C. Brody of Springfield, Edward W. Shaw of Pittsfield, Richard A. Bowler of South Hadley plus John Woods and Floyd J. Rossi of Springfield. Fred R. O'Donnell of Westfield was the featured speaker. <br />
<br />
Had a <i>Hungry Man Chicken Pot Pie</i> as my main meal of the day. Eamon called and said he chatted with the U.S. Inspector General's Office for a half hour with Chief Inspector Daniel O'Neil about the hundreds of students absent at Commerce every day. He exclaimed to Eamon, "You've got to be kidding" but later admitted that he had heard stories about attendance problems in the Springfield schools before. <br />
<br />
Today was the memorial mass for Robert B. McCreech. On my way to Our Lady of Sacred Heart I stopped first at <i>CopyCat</i> and made some copies. Although I have been in many Catholic churches, this was my first time visiting OLSH, despite its nearby location. It is among the more modest Catholic churches in the city, built in the 1920's and only partially modernized. They have an old marble baptismal font, but the stations of the cross are new as is the tabernacle to the right. The altar itself is small with the organ to the left. Among the church publications I was able to grab was the Sacred Heart School flyer and the <i>OLSH Teen Scene News</i>. <br />
<br />
Mr. Kelly was the the only Buckingham old timer there. Eamon always said that Henry Kelly, like Phil Sweeney, deserved to have been made Superintendent of Schools at some point but was always passed over. Eamon seems to know everyone, but he didn't know McCreech. There were about 60 people present, fewer than the turnout for Walter English. The attendees were mostly older, with only one black man present and a few Latinos. I overheard someone say that McCreech had been on a respirator since December 3rd. Bishop Dupre was there, but the principal celebrant was a tall priest from South Hadley, where McCreech had lived out the last years of his life. The priest described McCreech as "everyone's friend" who "never lost his old friends but just added new ones." He said as a teacher, McCreech "could get through to kids that everyone else thought were hopeless."<br />
<br />
Following the Sacrament, there way a eulogy by English teacher Jim Boyle, consisting of primarily of anecdotes about McCreech. One great line was about McCreech's belief that, "Kids can't always explain what they mean and think, but they can't be fooled." The Bishop was the last to speak, with frequent mentioning of McCreech's community service and help in raising funds for the diocese. He also said that McCreech "was able to expound on any subject, just a wonderful person." I was sitting in the very back corner aisle and I got out quickly when it ended. The Bishop was standing by the door and greeted me cordially as he had at the Marshall Chapel event. I told him that McCreech had been my 7th grade teacher and Bishop Dupre responded that McCreech "was a truly remarkable gentleman." <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 18, 1999</b></center><p><br />
35 degrees at 7:25am. Sunny, lovely day.<br />
<br />
Before you spit, check which way the wind is blowing. </p><p>Harry Neunder is Administrative Director of Continuing Education at WNEC. The house at 334 Maple Street is for sale. The hum in my right ear continues. </p><p>A mixture of Irish and Protestant style education can produce excellent results, as in Maureen Turner. Her father is an Irish cop in New York. She went to parochial schools but then revolted and went to that bastion of High Quakerism Haverford, and the result is the best of both worlds. Eamon O'Sullivan has a good Catholic high school education built upon solid public elementary school instruction and a degree from Amherst College. <br /></p><p>Put the mail out at <i>Louis & Clark</i> and made copies at <i>Pride</i>. In the free paper section of <i>Louis & Clark</i> I picked up a pink flyer by Tom Devine on the stadium controversy. They had no <i>Valley Advocates</i> at <i>Louis & Clark</i> nor <i>Pride</i>. I got broccoli at <i>Angelo's</i> and bought chicken at <i>Stop&Shop</i>. The new hardware store has new pavement in front of it. Mailman came at 2pm and not much mail, just a Christmas card from Corliss. No deliveries this week. Dined on chicken, zapped potatoes and <i>Stovetop Stuffing</i>. <br />
<br />
I called Belle-Rita Novak and congratulated her on her forthcoming article in the <i>Valley Advocate</i> and of course wished her the best for the holidays. Then I called <i>Hampden Savings</i> and Alexis told me their Public Relations Director is Edward Kuchyp. Next I called the <i>Hampden Insurance Agency</i> and got Ginger, who was most cooperative. I told her of my problem seeing their Insurance Lady. Ginger replied, "I'm sorry to hear that, our representative Joann Gold had a death in the family." I said that's too bad, but they have posted hours and should have sent a replacement to which she replied, "You're right." She said Gold will be back next week "so there's still time to see her at the Allen Street branch on Tuesday." I told her I would be there in the morning because I get my days off to an early start. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said his niece who works at the <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> went to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> cinema last night and there was only three or four other people in the theater. Eamon also talked about Gerry Fortier, who was a principal at Chestnut (as H. Kelly was) and who would have made a good Superintendent in Springfield but ended up in charge of the Southwick/Tolland School District. Fortier told Eamon years ago that lots of historic documents stored in the bowels of Springfield City Hall were damaged by water. <br />
<br />
Eamon then mentioned the story in the paper about Mayor Albano deciding not to go ahead with the rebuilding of the Elias Brookings School. Eamon claims the reason Albano dropped the plan is because the city is already overextended on school construction debt. Eamon described the neighborhood around Brookings as being relatively lower middle class and therefore "isn't poor enough or rich enough to have any power." We discussed the string of anti-Bill Foley articles that have been appearing in the newspaper. "That's their typical routine," Eamon said. Unknown called at 3:57pm. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>December 19, 1999</b></center><br />
30 degrees at 8:15 this morning.<br />
<br />
At Colby, the football bonfires were sort of like a haystack of stuff heaped up, not a wooden structure. Lisa A. Hallee, Class of 1981, is the Colby Alumni Fund Committee Chair for 1999. In May of 1961 the Society of Residential Appraisers held a seminar at the <i>Storrowtown Tavern</i> in West Springfield featuring cost expert Jerry Knowles of Maine. Francis J. Bory of Chicopee was the Secretary of the Society of Residential Appraisers in 1961. <br />
<br />
I have practically no trouble with my right kneecap when wearing my lumberjack boots, which tells me that ankle control is an important factor with my knee problem. Brought my beloved dolls Sweet Pea and Honey Pot up to the living room for Christmas. For lunch I bought cheeseburgers and fries at the <i>Eastfield Mall's McDonald's</i>. The <i>Crew</i> store is now open in where <i>Peerless</i> once was and more recently <i>Cherry Webb</i>. I walked around the mall and lingered a bit in <i>Penny's</i>. <br />
<br />
There is a story in the paper today with an immense picture of Jerome Radin reading a psychology book at the City Library and he is quoted as saying that the Springfield Library system is second only to Boston and far superior to Worcester. Actually, Worcester has a number of fine libraries and as a research library our main branch has been decimated. I called the Riverdale Gardens Nursing Home and asked Marilyn about Aunt Maria. She told me "she's calm, ate a good lunch and is now watching TV." I asked if she's had any visitors and she replied that her neighbor Shirley came today. I told her to tell Aunt Maria that her nephew called and she said she would.<br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he had a conversation today with an old friend who has been with the Department of Education for 24 years. He told Eamon that corruption is rampant in the public schools. His friend also told him that the higher ups in the Department were frightened of Eamon when he worked there. In 1980, when he was working in Boston at 182 Tremont, he and Harold McNulty went to see the Commissioner's aides John Carney and William Crowley. They informed Eamon that he would not be put in charge of any of the six regional offices because he was considered disruptive. <br />
<br />
"John Carney shot me down!" Eamon cried, adding, "I always knew they didn't like me." Eamon then vowed that he will have his revenge some day. At times he was so disgusted with the Education Department that he wanted to quit several times but his mother talked him out of it. Before hanging up Eamon pointed out that <i>Cries & Whispers</i> has a tidbit on Bill Putnam marrying Kitty Broman. Eamon recalled how years ago he took some apples over to Putnam at <i>WWLP</i>, which was a maze of hallways and stairs leading to Bill's office at the top, and when he got there Kitty was coming out of his office in a bathrobe and Putnam was pulling up his pants.<br />
<br />
<center><b>December 20, 1999</b></center><br />
29 degrees at 7:45am. John Quill says the freezing weather will end today.<br />
<br />
Today the Vermont Supreme Court held that gay couples are entitled to the rights and benefits of married couples. A water main break has closed Main Street from Boland Way to Court Street. Clement Pin, Sidney Baron, Harold Grinspoon and Al Spongeon became members of The Society of Residential Appraisers on April 12, 1961. <br />
<br />
My left ear is stuffy today. Did a load of laundry. More adventures with <i>Hampden Bank</i>, alas. Left at 8:45. I bought gas at Alden, which has gone down from $1.31 to $1.28. There was a Santa standing on one of the triangles at the X, waving at people. When I got to Longmeadow I found that the <i>Hampden</i> branch doesn't open until 10am. I arrived at 9:42am, it had been raining since 9:31. A tan van was parked out front, other cars arrived and the teller ladies went in. At two minutes before ten a female customer and myself entered and waited in the entrance way for the bank to open. I slipped but did not fall on their sidewalk, I should have allowed myself to fall and then asked for $15,000. <br />
<br />
They opened the door at 10:02 according to the bank clock on the far wall. I let the lady go first and then asked the Assistant Manager Sue Gosselin where the Insurance Lady was. "She's not here," she replied and then asked the tellers, "Do you know where she is?" They didn't. I pulled out my card and told Gosselin to tell Tom Burton that the Insurance Lady wasn't there when I came. On my way home I had a twenty foot skid on Plumtree near the church and thereafter drove home at only 25mph. Imagine, endangering my car just to be disappointed again in finding what a bunch of jackasses the <i>Hampden</i> operation is. <br />
<br />
Coming down Birchland, Mrs. Penniman was backing out but I told her the roads were terrible so she decided not to go out. When I got home Mrs. Staniski was parked opposite my driveway poised to deliver a tin of 21 cookies to me. She declined my invitation to come in. My shipment arrived from <i>Oak Knoll</i>, including the 1840 book <i>Librorum Prohibitorum</i> with the 1554 index. I immediately called <i>Hampden</i> and left a memorable message for Burton, repeating my demand for a written apology. I told him that if he is going to deal with Protestants, his business should exude the Protestant work ethic even if he himself wasn't privileged to have been brought up with it. I summarized the events of the day, including calling over the weekend and denounced his bank for its "exceptional service, exceptional because it has been horrendous, service which has far exceeded my expectations for terribleness." <br />
<br />
Dined on <i>Swanson's Fish and Chips Dinner</i> and the last of the scallops. On the evening news Nick Morganelli said there were "lots of collisions" all over the valley today. During the broadcast <i>Yankee</i>, <i>New England</i> and <i>Pilgrim</i> candles were all advertising for Christmas. What a racket, increasingly the masses are being sold fancy little pieces of junk at fancy prices instead of truly nice things. On the <i>Leher News Hour</i> a lady doing a special report from Haiti said, "Institutions are not brick and mortar. Institutions are people."<br />
<br />
<center><b>December 21, 1999</b></center><br />
Misty and 40 degrees at 9:15am.<br />
<br />
<i>TV40</i> says only 9% of doctors tell their patients enough information for them to make an informed decision. Locally, Salvation Army kettle donations are down 10%. Chris and Greg Rooke are the paperboys delivering the <i>Sunday Republican</i> to my neighborhood. John F. Nitcavic worked at <i>Products Engineering and Manufacturing Company</i> at 420 Dwight Street in Holyoke in 1961. <i>Berard & Sons</i> was located at 61 Harmon Avenue in Springfield in 1961. <br />
<br />
Cleaned house and spent some time reading the newspapers I got out of the trash recently. Barry Simpson, the guy over to Kelly's, subscribes to <i>U.S. News and World Report</i>. As I put out the trash today, Bradley was coming by with his briefcase and a large folder with student work in it. I told him that as a scientist he should know that folder was insufficient to hold that many papers so I made him wait until I got a plastic bag for which he thanked me and I wished him Merry Christmas. The incident reminded me of the other day when I saw by the courthouse there was a lawyer carrying a large case file in his hand as if there was no possibility that a high wind might come along and the papers scattered all over the street. <br />
<br />
I drove out at 11:15am and stopped at <i>Louis & Clark</i>, then to <i>Walmart</i> for assorted light sockets, got nuts at <i>Job Lot</i> and then to <i>Eastfield Mall</i> for the weekly freebie. No one had New Year's cards at a reasonable price, so I'm going to send letters this year. When I got back I called <i>Hampden Savings</i> on Allen Street and asked Carolyn if the Insurance Lady was there and after waiting for a couple minutes the Insurance Lady came on and said she would be there until one, after which she would be going downtown to a Christmas party. I told her sarcastically that the <i>Pilgrim Candle</i> commercial says, "It's an experience you're sure to remember." Same goes for <i>Hampden Bank</i>." <br />
<br />
I called Edith Michaud, who told me both her brother and sister died of medical malpractice. She said she went to see Aunt Maria a week ago with her church friend Louise because she didn't want to go alone "because of Maria's attitude." It turned out that Aunt Maria was very pleasant and Edith told my Aunt "I love you and I always have." When she was leaving Shirley and Joe were just arriving. I asked her about the nursing home and she replied, "I've never heard anything against it." I then told her about Aunt Maria accusing me of murder and she said, "If Maria where herself she wouldn't say these bad things. I feel for you because I know you were close to her." I thanked her for all she has done for my aunt in the past year and wished her happy holidays. <br />
<br />
Next I called Ruth Johnson, who said she has been visiting Aunt Maria daily. At one point she said that Mother "babied her" by sending stuff whenever she needed it and giving her money. She doesn't think that Aunt Maria will ever be able to come home because she's incontinent. I told her I used to take Mother to the toilet in her wheelchair whenever she needed to go so that needn't be a barrier with the right help. I thanked her and wished her the season's best. Eamon called later and scoffed at the editorial in the paper about Springfield being "a city of readers" with no mention of <i>Johnson's</i> going out of business. I read Eamon the 1.5 million circulations statistic from the 1960 Library Directory, along with the 900,000 figure in the latest one, proof of how local reading has slipped significantly.<br />
<br />
<center><b>December 22, 1999</b></center><br />
36 degrees at 8:45am with light flurries.<br />
<br />
A policeman was brutally killed in Holyoke today according to Priscilla Ress, who was wearing black leather as she reported from the scene. <br />
<br />
I've wondered when somebody would get to this, California is considering letting people vote on the internet. Very unusual situation in the local hospitals, Mercy says all their hospital beds are full for the first time in 20 years and they are exporting patients to Worcester and Hartford. An epidemic of some sort? The hole in Main Street from the break in the main is fifteen feet deep and service is out from City Hall to the County Courthouse. William G. Carellas is owner of <i>Carellas Insurance Agency</i> on Union Street in West Springfield. <br />
<br />
I always prefer to do business in writing both because of my difficulty hearing over the phone and to prevent anyone from shifting terms and positions. Dined at noon on a bowl of tomato soup. Stopped by Devine's, and Tom gave the most recent three installments of <i>The Ogulewicz Chronicles</i>. I then went to <i>Angelo's</i> at 2pm and bought a muskmelon on discount and a can of corn chowder. Nader the Hatter stopped over today with his dad in Szuch's Connecticut registered jeep and gave me Myron Magnet's <i>The Dream and the Nightmare</i> and <i>The Closing of the American Mind</i> by Alan Bloom. I thanked them and wished them well. <br />
<br />
<i>Bravo</i> newspaper is selling its entire theater library of scripts and theater texts, some over 100 years old. Eamon has sent a scathing letter to the newspaper insisting that "the evidence of the failure of Mr. Negroni to educate the children of Springfield is overwhelming." He is using the fake names Michael and Tilly Preston and claiming they are retired teachers. He has sent the same fake letter to Driscoll, Peyser, Silber and Paul Cellucci. Eamon has promised to give me one of his business cards from Silber and Governor Cellucci. He just got a letter from John Silber, in which he described Eamon's latest letter on the situation in Springfield as "brilliant." Silber lamented to Eamon that he's afraid that the Springfield's schools may be "beyond the point of no return." <br />
<br />
Eamon complained that he tried to get some navy gear from Navy Support in New London and they had trouble verifying that he was ever in the Navy. "Nobody can get anything right," he groaned. Eamon predicts it will be a month before the hole in Main Street is fixed. He said he spent 45 minutes this morning in the office of his friend Deputy Chief Spellacy, who told Eamon he will be retiring in March. Spellacy also complained to Eamon that Chief Meara doesn't communicate with him very well. She goes to a lot of meetings in Boston and elsewhere and never tells him when she is going until the last minute.<br />
<br />
<center><b>December 23, 1999</b></center><br />
Cloudy, 33 degrees at noon.<br />
<br />
The former <i>Friendly's Ice Cream</i> on State Street opposite the Christian Science Church is freshly boarded up, as is the one on Bay Street next to the bank. The former <i>Arthur Johnson Photo Studio</i> on Sumner Avenue at last has a new tenant, some school of dance. Robert J. Paquette, a very nice man, is the Operations Manager for <i>Punderson Oil</i> in Springfield. Father contributed $245 to the <i>Monarch Employee Group Life Insurance Program</i> in 1957. <br />
<br />
Throughout the course of the day, I started coming down with a cold, despite getting a free flu shot in Chicopee this fall. Recently there has been a shortage of hospital beds around here, I wonder if they made the vaccine for the wrong strain of flu this year? In the afternoon I started to have a sore throuat, when I told Eamon about it later he said he stops a cold as soon as it starts by drinking shots of <i>Jack Daniels</i> "as necessary." My illness caused me to miss the <i>ABC 20/20</i> special on obsessive/compulsives who can't throw anything out. That's Aunt Maria, Mother to some extent and even me. But it was really Maria. Put out my mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i> and got the premier edition of <i>Elevation Magazine</i> out of their trash. <br />
<br />
When the mailman came we exchanged Christmas pleasantries. No mention of the certified letter. I had a good dinner of chicken, stuffing, potato and cranberry sauce. Eamon called and said he knows for a fact that brand new computers were carried off in their boxes at Sci-Tech when it opened. He heard that Principal Green was so disgusted with the theft and coverup that he left. Eamon also spoke with former Superintendent Tom Donahue who agreed that the system is playing games with the attendance figures but wouldn't comment on whether there is cheating on the MCAS tests. People tell Eamon that the schools cheat by doing "preparation reviews" where they basically tell the kids the answers in advance. "Even then," Eamon exclaimed, "the scores are abysmal!"<br />
<br />
Eamon and Donahue also talked about the schools who recently received awards for improving student scores. Kensington Avenue was one of them and Eamon said their Principal Tim Beckworth is "a big blowhard." The principals at the other winning schools, Daniel Warwick of Glenwood and John Fitzgerald at Talmadge are "inside players" who go along with Dr. Negroni to get ahead. They also use their insider status to get their friends and relatives jobs in the school system. "Those who oppose Negroni get nothing." Unknown rang nine times.<br />
<br />
<center><b>December 27, 1999</b></center><p><br />
A trace of snow on the driveway. <br />
<br />
They are saying that the Millennium is shaping up as one of the slowest New Year's in a decade because people are staying home in case there are problems. The Hartford Ballet shut down last summer after 27 years and now has reconstructed itself as "Dance Connecticut" and will be less stuffy and try new things. Belle Rita Novak has a letter in the <i>Valley Advocate</i> saying that she "loved Maureen Turner's article about efforts to clean up Springfield's X neighborhood." <br />
<br />
Feeling too ill to converse, I left the phone mostly off the hook in recent days. Dined primarily on liquids. I've moved the cot into the kitchen and am basically living in the kitchen. Christmas Eve was a rough night, but I did less coughing on Christmas Day. After leaving Christmas greetings with Eamon, I took my phone back off the hook. By nightfall I had improved enough to have a <i>Swanson Veal Parmigiana Dinner</i>. <br />
<br />
Brought the mail in at 2pm and waved to Mr. Wilson and his helper going by. Received no Christmas cards this year. I finished reading Magnet's <i>The Dream and the Nightmare</i>, a fine book I got as a gift from Nader the Hatter. I made a call to <i>Law Technology News</i> complaining that they only cover people who advertise and therefore are not comprehensive and not worth perusing. <br />
<br />
At 9:50pm I chatted with Eamon. He says even though his sister is a nurse, she never gets flu shots. Officer Spellacy's dad was a motorcycle cop who got killed chasing a robber. Spellacy's youngest son just got a $60,000 per year job with <i>Raytheon</i>, while another is with the Secret Service. Neither has been in the military. Eamon says Spellacy's wife teaches at Bowles and when she heard of the Principals at Kensington etc. winning test improvement awards, she instantly exclaimed, "They're cheating!"</p><center><b>December 30, 1999</b></center><p><br />
Sunny and cold out, 25 degrees at 8:45am.</p><p>Tom Devine has put me on his Heroes list, which I consider a significant civic award, and my book is finally done. A good end to both the year and the century. <br />
<br />
Clayton Moore, TV's Lone Ranger, has died at the age of 85. Posters are in the news as several states, including Vermont, are mandating that posters be put up informing students of the penalties for various offenses. The Columbus Exhibition chair was still in the window of <i>Antiques on Boland Way</i> the last time I was down there. I don't think Collamore moves very quickly on Columbus stuff, but who knows? Leonard Collamore's son, a failed politician, has been in the news advocating for a football stadium for Springfield, probably just trying to get a leg-up on the action. <br />
<br />
Out a nine and found a bag from Mrs. Staniski hanging on the fence. It included Harvard tabloids from Ann and a box of <i>Mediquil Cold Remedy</i>. I went to <i>Angelo's</i> and bought a lovely pecan pie for a dollar, so there was no need to go to the bakery thrift shop. I briefly appeared in some old footage aired on <i>TV22</i> today, old City Council meeting footage showing me sitting next to Dr. Mullan taking notes. It ran during a story about Judge Constance Sweeney consolidating all the <i>Northgate</i> related legal actions.<br />
<br />
Maybe, just maybe, I am well enough for things to get back to normal. There was a power outage today from 9:13 to 9;50am. Went over some paper's relating to Mother's estate. The mail brought confirmation of my Blackstone purchases from Jordan Luttrell. I also got an invitation to Mayor Albano's inaugural and a <i>Northeast Utilities</i> dividend check. <br />
<br />
Called down to the Cohn's to see if they were okay. I called Hurwitz and told his wife about <i>Harvard Magazine's</i> Urban Planning issue, which I also shared with Atty. Berman's secretary. Shera Cohen of the <i>Bravo</i> newspaper called about the theater material for sale and wanted to know what I can offer. She said there are only a few items from before 1900, which she wants to sell separately. We had a pleasant chat, but I told her I have a cold and am not prepared to make an offer until the new year. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said a relative of his just bought a brownstone in Boston. Eamon is critical of the efforts by Albano and Hurwitz to get more money for the Civic Center. He then told me that Mrs. Napolitan is a Nelen from the <i>Kavanaugh Furniture</i> family. They have a son that has had drug problems, he hung around with "the addicts who ran <i>The Little Gallery</i> framing shop on Worthington." Eamon claims the son now "mopes around the mansion on Longhill" and doesn't appear to have a job. Eamon recalled that on Election Night in 1995 Joe Napolitan came up to him at Ryan's headquarters and sarcastically asked him, "Hey there, Eddie, still coming up with all those smart ideas?" Eamon shot back, "I've come up with a lot more than you ever did!" <br />
<br />
Eamon then recounted the time when Charlie Ryan came over Eamon's house, and Eamon's mother snapped at Ryan (who had fired Eamon back in the 60's) "I hope if you win this time you'll treat Edward better than you did before!" Eamon's mother always called him Edward. In response, Ryan politely beat a hasty exit. <br />
</p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-82325500290370024712017-03-28T17:36:00.007-04:002023-11-20T13:40:51.613-05:00January 2000<center><b>January 1, 2000</b></center><center><b> </b></center><center><b><br /></b></center><center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicrNOakprHZOdo92vrADdg3GU9P25VLDiMM3O-vWH-kQkoLzHAgIUk4CU6d8Ebhu9J4zIgZNRuYrIJurkurbTvgeOItXzpp731J9Y0YnXr-x0Ud7BA7fp9qKvNBypekD8Dub2IDGJEMud/s640/unionews.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicrNOakprHZOdo92vrADdg3GU9P25VLDiMM3O-vWH-kQkoLzHAgIUk4CU6d8Ebhu9J4zIgZNRuYrIJurkurbTvgeOItXzpp731J9Y0YnXr-x0Ud7BA7fp9qKvNBypekD8Dub2IDGJEMud/s320/unionews.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></center><p>
27 degrees at 7:45am. The cold weather is still here, damned overcast, the sun crying to come out. </p><p>Dined on broccoli and lasagna.
Called the nursing home yesterday and got Debbie who said Aunt Maria is "just fine" and there are no plans for her to come home until "she has a talk with her physician." She said ladies come regularly to visit her and Aunt Maria told the staff that she wants nothing more than to live to see the millennium. I watched TV last night and <i>TV22</i> was celebrating the Grand Opening of their new station. Judy Matt was shown at Court Square, where there were already 800 people gathered by 6:30pm. I went to bed at 11:30 and that was it. <br />
<br />
I waved to Michael today over the hedge, but didn't call anyone to wish them a Happy New Year. Eamon called me and said he spoke with ten people today and six of them had colds. He complained that they're saying it will take three weeks to fix the hole in Main Street in front of Tilly's. He said in NYC a main installed in 1894 burst at the corner of 93rd and 2nd and it was fixed in a day. He says it's tough to get people to do things right. Eamon said his sister Kathleen had a wonderful New Year's at <i>Chez Josef</i> for $100, dancing to a big band with a continental breakfast served at midnight. Candice Lopes called reminding me that I got an invitation to Albano's inauguration tomorrow. I thanked her saying I'll try to come. <br />
<br />
Went to <i>McDonald's</i> for hotcakes, no sausage. No <i>Valley Advocates</i> at <i>Louis & Clark</i> so I drove downtown and got an <i>Advocate</i> out of a newsbox and bought a <i>Union-News</i> out of a box in front of the post office. Richard Garvey is gone from the paper's masthead, although he and Fran Gagnon were cited in their millennium coverage as local experts on the history of the valley in the last century. Downtown was pretty much deserted. I walked around Court Square and found a little confetti on the ground and got the millennium program from First Church out of a trash can, then home.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>January 3, 2000</b></center><br />
Heavily overcast all day, 50 degrees at 10:40am.<br />
<br />
The news said that as the Millennium begins there are 35 wars in progress around the world. In the 50's and 60's we were told that technology would make it possible for a shorter work week, but the opposite has happened with workers now required to work mandatory overtime as Americans work more hours than any other country on Earth. Technology makes life more competitive as everyone struggles to keep up. <br />
<br />
Kelly still has her green backyard lights up. I have put the sample of millennium graffiti I got off the ground in Court Square on New Year's Day in a tiny baggy to preserve for historical purposes. They successfully suckered me into going to the pre-Inaugural event at First Church, but not Mayor Albano's inauguration itself. I wore my purple outfit with bondage collar with two big queer buttons attached to my crotch area, a real innovation, but nobody said anything. Went downtown and parked on Salem. The porn shop told me they sell six or seven copies of <i>Leatherman</i> magazine each month. <br />
<br />
I arrived at First Church just as the service was starting. The guy at the door said it was not a public event, but I pulled out my invitation and that took care of that. There were around fifty people present, it looked like all the Albano people were there. Candice Lopes spoke and a group from the Golden Agers sang. The sermon was about wisdom. Ms. Van Orter engaged me in conversation briefly, I also congratulated Loesch on his sermon and he was very cordial. The breakfast was disappointing, no eggs or meat, just danish, muffins, bagels, fruit juice, coffee, grapes, berries and sliced melons. As I left by the back door I saw Peter Picknelly talking with his real estate man. I waved to him and he grunted as I walked out. Lots of buses with school children in them were arriving for the inauguration. I waved to Albano himself as he walked towards the auditorium. <br />
<br />
The mail arrived late. Called Nader the Hatter and left a message telling him I have a present for him. Called Tom Devine who told me that housing values have gone down on Breckwood Boulevard. Talked with Stacia who said the assessor came by and pointed to all the problems with the house. She said her house dates back to 1790, but her father jacked the house up and rebuilt the foundation in 1925. She also said she saw a movie recently at the Academy of Music in Northampton and remarked how that city is so nice "while downtown Springfield has nothing." I told her <i>TV22</i> had a story about Gary Goss of Northampton, who takes damaged classic film posters and restores them back to good as new.<br />
<br />
Eamon called and complained it took him over twenty minutes to place an order for paper with <i>Staples</i>. Eamon told me that School Committee chair K. Shea has passed out this year's committee assignments. Tom Ashe got an inconsequential appointment but Jose Tosado is on the Superintendent Evaluation Committee. Eamon says Tosado has spoken of putting pressure on principals to improve performance but never is critical of Negroni. <br />
<br />
Eamon was also intrigued to see a sidebar in the paper claiming that the <i>New York Times</i> stated that Dr. Negroni is under consideration for Chancellor of the New York City Schools. Eamon said he recalled hearing a similar claim years ago, so he decided to get to the bottom of it by making some calls. He called Dr. William Thompson of the Board of Education who said that Negroni is not under consideration. "No truth to it all, sir," he said. Later he spoke to Ralph Blumenthal at the <i>New York Times</i> who declared, "We printed no such thing!" He tried to call Wayne Phaneuf at the <i>Union-News</i> but couldn't get past his secretary.<br />
<br />
<center><b>January 5, 2000</b></center><br />
Raw, 42 degrees and sunny at 7:30am. <br />
<br />
The Dow took a dive yesterday, but has recovered today. <i>City Stage</i> is putting on <i>Lost Highway: The Music and Legend of Hank Williams</i> thru January 23rd. I have read quite a lot of books in the past year, filling in gaps in my education in many areas. The more libraries there are the more librarians to get into mischief and do things like throwing away books. <i>Xerox</i> has fired 40 employees for surfing the internet on company time. This complies with The Miller Glitch Thesis: Employees often purposely slow down their rate of work in order to ensure there will always be enough work for themselves and their co-workers to do.<br />
<br />
Today I went to visit the urologist Dr. Mostafavi. I arrived around 2pm yet had to wait about an hour to see him. They wanted $100 up front, then took a urine sample. The Doctor is a personable young fellow with a degree from Tufts. He said that if I want him to do a biopsy it will cost $750, so I told him that doctoring must be a profitable business. He said he felt nothing wrong and that prostate cancer grows slowly, so there's probably no need for a biopsy this time.<br />
<br />
On the way back I stopped at <i>Bickford's</i> on Boston Road for liver and onions ($6.54). Almost stopped at the Boston Road <i>McDonald's</i> for their two Big Macs for $2 special, but with my weight at 197 that would not be good. I also went to <i>Freihofer's</i> and then to <i>Stop&Shop</i>, after which I withdrew $2,500 from the Bank of Western Mass. I drove over to Hillcrest Cemetery and went into their office. They have, I think rather inappropriately, a model train that chugs along a track hung from the ceiling around the office and out into the waiting area. It's cute but makes a noise with is irritating. I didn't complain but asked Director Len Bergeron about it and he said it was donated by "a lot owner." <br />
<br />
We walked over to the mausoleum and he said they had enough space for many years before it was full. He also told me there are 25 bells in the carillon and the temperature in the mausoleum never goes above 70 degrees. He said to have my name engraved on the vault would cost about $1600. When I suggested that seemed expensive, he said many people don't have it done because they prefer the privacy. For my $2,000 plus another $300 in fees, I got my "Right of Entombment" certificate. Before going home I swung by <i>Louis & Clark</i> to put out the mail. <br />
<br />
My Blackstone rare law books came from Jordon Luttrell came today in a white box and were in nice condition. Received a pretty note of thanks from Terry DeRiso Barton thanking me for remembering her in the matter of McCreach. I called St. Francis and was told the Bishop will have a prayer breakfast after Mass tomorrow. Not sure if I will go, my cold has not gone away. <br />
<br />
Chatted with Eamon, who told me he ordered some checks but they came through with his named spelled without the O in O'Sullivan. Nobody can get anything right. Eamon also recalled his friend Larry Humphries who worked in Reichart's framing shop. He was an expert on dance and other artsy things and was a good friend of David Starr. Eamon says he listened to Albano's mayoral address on TV and was disgusted when the Mayor mentioned the city's bond rating without stating that it is currently just above junk bond rating. Eamon spoke again with Blumenthal at the <i>New York Times</i> who told him that when Negroni left NYC for Springfield "they were glad to get rid of him."<br />
<br />
<center><b>January 7, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Overcast and 34 degrees this morning at 8:45am. </p><p>I recall the time that Professor Porter from Harvard Business spoke at the Municipal Auditorium and Mayor Albano was, alas, unwilling to stay and listen to his comments. Serious academics have trouble getting serious respect in Springfield because the people running this city are more engaged in a search for flunkies to do their bidding than in looking for solutions. At least Albano passed through the auditorium when Porter spoke, but I did not see David Starr or Peter Picknelly. <br />
<br />
The General Edwards Bridge is now finished and open. Saturday I read a third of <i>Law Quibbles</i> (1724) and found it a practical guide to the law rather than an expose of dishonesty by law professionals. I plan to copy some of my rare books so I can put them away for safekeeping and will only use the copies. <i>WFCR</i> this morning played Mozart's Concerto #7 in F (1776). <br />
<br />
Decided not to go hear the Bishop although I would have liked to. The reality is my cold is still here, although I took some medicine last night. Bank President Thomas Burton of <i>Hampden</i> has sent me a letter saying he is closing my account due to my "loud, rude and offensive behavior" that was "simply not appropriate for the situation." I will respond in due time. <br />
<br />
Found the <i>Union-News Extra</i> by the mailbox. My letter advising that motorcycle jackets for school uniforms has appeared in <i>International Leatherman Magazine</i> Issue #27 page 21. How wonderful, now I have been published in a queer leathersex magazine. I drove out to <i>Fancy That</i> and the lady told she has just gotten over a cold. Then to the porn shop and got the two most recent issues of <i>Leatherman</i>. I didn't know that one had my letter in it until I got home because the magazines were sealed in a plastic bag. <br />
<br />
When I got back I saw that <i>Houser Buick</i> had called from 781-0419. Later Nader the Hatter called and said his father has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Nader is leaving on Friday to close on a condo he's buying in Florida. Eamon called and said his sister has the flu, apparently the flu shot she got is not working. Eamon was grumbling about a letter in the paper from J. David Keaney, a staff assistant to Congressman Neal, urging that the rebuilt Armory Street School be named after Eddie Boland. The letter identifies Keaney as living in Springfield, but Eamon heard he has a $400,000 condo in West Springfield in Windpath by the golf course. I said they probably want to name Armory after Boland so that the new courthouse can be named after Neal.<br />
<br />
In another example of nobody getting anything right, Eamon mail ordered a sweater and the size he got is too big. John Silber recently sent Eamon a letter praising Eamon for his "brilliant analysis of Springfield's educational challenges." President Silber also told him that nothing can be done about cheating on state tests or the false attendance figures in Springfield unless some courageous teachers and administrators "stand up publicly." Silber said they need signed affidavits from eyewitnesses to the cheating "otherwise it's just gossip." <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>January 9, 2000</b></center><br />
36 degrees and overcast at 9am.<br />
<br />
On the last meeting where I was President of the Student Government at Colby in 1963, I gave everyone who served with me a certificate of thanks for everything they had done. I was surprised when Bob Gula came up later and gave me a thank you certificate from the Student Government. Attorney John D. Hewitt lived in Hingham, Massachusetts in 1961. Realtor James C. Brody had an office at 31 Elm Street in 1961. <br />
<br />
<i>NBC News</i> says that the true millennial bug is influenza. My cold is slowly subsiding, but it is still preventing me from performing as I'd like to. The mail didn't get here until 1pm and included the electric bill. Most of the day I spent writing belated Christmas letters to the people I didn't have a chance to write to earlier. Drove over to the <i>McDonald's</i> on Allen for hotcakes around 9am. Read the paper there, which had an editorial supporting naming Armory Street School after Congressman Boland. <br />
<br />
I had a slice of ham as my main meal. E.R. Trumble called looking for Paul Caron. When I told her she had the wrong number she replied, "I'm sorry to have bothered you." I called the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> and was told by the receptionist that Howard Datus was in charge of the <i>Cries & Whispers</i> column, but I ended up talking to George Chapman and left an anonymous tip that J. Wesley Miller of Springfield had a letter published in <i>Leatherman</i> magazine. Chapman said he would pass it on at the daily "editorial meeting." Called Tom Devine several times but didn't reach him until 8:29pm. Tom asked if I had received a Christmas card from Doyle the Twig Painter and I replied, "No, I must have scared him off!"<br />
<br />
Eamon called and said Officer Spellacy told him that it is futile to try to drive Negroni out because he has the political support to stay as long as he wants. Eamon wants to get copies of the attendance records in Springfield and show them to the state. Eamon accused today's educators of trying to dismiss cheating on state tests by calling it "co-operative learning." We both agreed that Springfield's schools have "passed the point of no return." Eamon also recalled how the woman who did the payroll at the Department of Education told him once that the higher ups at the Department were "deathly afraid of me" and that is why they kept giving him assignments "out in no-man's land." <br />
<br />
<center><b>January 11, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast, 40 degrees at 7:30am. <br />
<br />
I can think of no lawyer I would like to see nominated to the State Supreme Court more than John M. Thompson. I loved his celebrated Sacramental Use of Marijuana Defense even if it didn't prevail. A commercial on <i>TV22</i> showed a lot of punk youths saying, "It's time we were judged by what we do, not by how we look." Excellent. As a child I had a slingshot with a light pastel green handle and a sling of red rawhide.<br />
<br />
Finally changed my calendars today. I drove out at 9:45am, made copies, then dropped off a copy of my <i>Leatherman</i> letter at Devine's. From there I bought some coleslaw and a muskmelon at <i>Angelo's</i>, before heading over to Eamon's. The house at 922 Carew Street opposite Nottingham, which had its cement wall damaged, has now been fixed. Eamon has a large Year 2000 pennant hanging out front. He said he is starting to come down with a cold that he thinks he got from his sister's husband. He told me he is going to give up his real estate broker license because he doesn't want to meet the new re-licensing requirements. Eamon said <i>Feinstein Leather</i> still has no heat, so generous soul Eamon got two portable heaters from his attic and brought them down to them. Feinstein told him later that when he turned both of them on at once it blew a fuse. <br />
<br />
I went up to Elms College but found nobody on the third floor of the former library, so I left my stuff with Jenna in the Academic Dean's Office. Then I went to the <i>Polish National Credit Union</i> and walking around Chicopee I thought what a nice downtown they have, although everyone I saw was white. On the way back I stopped at the <i>Burger King</i> by <i>Springfield Plaza</i> and bought two Whoppers for two dollars. <i>Springfield Plaza</i> is starting to look tacky with overflowing dumpsters and flocks of seagulls in the parking lot. <br />
<br />
Next I went downtown to the Quadrangle, where the guy who used to run the Forest Park branch helped me find a book. I saw McLain walking around. Then I crossed the street to deliver a copy of my <i>Leatherman</i> letter to Dr. Negroni, who was sitting in his office chatting with Committeeman Kenneth Shea. I handed Negroni the letter and he said, "Thanks, Wesley" as I departed. The medallion in the pavement in front of the Campanile is not as sturdy as it looks and needs a new foundation. <br />
<br />
The mail came at 1:25pm. Dined on corn chowder, hot dogs and fruit. Called Mrs. Staniski, who said she went to lunch with her daughter Carol, whose birthday is this weekend. I told her if she needs anything feel free to call. Called Hurwitz and left word with his wife about the <i>Back to Main Street</i> article in the <i>Regional Review</i> and told her how to get a free subscription. She was most grateful. Called the nursing home and got Debbie who told me Aunt Maria is in Room 115 and "she's doing fine." Her mind is good and she is pleased to have survived until the millennium. She's not complaining, has regular visitors and hasn't mentioned wanting to go home.<br />
<br />
<center><b>January 12, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and 40 degrees at 7:45am. Gas is $1.29 at Watershops Pond. <br />
<br />
I went out on errands at 9:30am. They are putting up a frame (pre-fab, I think) for a new two story colonial at the eastern corner of Arliss and Wilbraham Road. One day the floor was going in, now today they are working on the second floor. I deposited $500 cash at <i>Albank</i> at 9:50am. A woman in line told me her daughter had just come down with the flu. 10:05am I arrived at the Wilbraham Town Office, where they are putting a new roof on. A lady told me the old roof has been on over 25 years. They are also fixing the air vent over the Collector's Office. <br />
<br />
Went to the Assessor's and got abatement forms and then spoke with J. Pearsall the Town Planner. We talked about my wanting to get rid of my Wilbraham property. I told him about the damage Fernbank suffered in the hurricane of 1958. From there I drove to Fernbank itself and found everything secure, although some leaves need to be removed from the roof. At the Wilbraham Post Office I put out my tax payments and lots of other mail. I arrived at the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> at 11:15am and dined on 39 cent <i>McDonald's</i> burgers and a small order of fries. I left <i>Eastfield</i> at 11:45am and stopped by <i>Angelo's</i> at 11:55am but bought nothing. <br />
<br />
At 12:09pm I arrived downtown and parked on Salem Street. I walked down the hill to the Census Office where Cindy in charge of recruiting took my photocopies of the relevant documents. She asked when I was last employed by the census and I said 1990. She said she will put the material in my file and then Dave, a big, fat, tall man showed me out. I saw no minorities working in the Census Office. <i>Tilly's</i> is open again and the area around it has been made into a kind of courtyard. I stumbled upon a "Black Cat Found" poster, I've seem many lost pets signs but never one that thanked the public for looking for it. On the way back I paused at A.I.C. to research Blackstone and his poem. <br />
<br />
Home at 1:15pm. The mail came at 1:25pm. The title certificate for the car arrived so I can forget about that. No phone calls from Eamon today, he must be sick. I called and left an encouraging get well message on his tape. Eamon's current phone editorial is critical of Robert McCollum, saying he has no expertise for heading the School Building Committee and "should have the decency to declare himself unqualified and resign." There is a wonderful story in the <i>Valley Advocate</i> by Maureen Turner this week on how Mayor Albano let the cable company screw the city, and how cable endowment funds are being channeled through a dummy corporation headed by Gary Shepard to funnel money to the stadium project. <br />
<br />
<center><b>January 13, 2000</b></center><p>
36 degrees at 8am. <br />
<br />
Got up shortly after 7am and it was snowing steadily. <i>WFCR</i> predicted 4-8 inches and claimed it has been 303 days since we last had snow. <i>WFCR</i> also played <i>Mozart's 13 Piano Concerto</i> and reported that a third of the nation will be Hispanic by 2100. There are simply too many people. <i>All Things Considered</i> had a feature on Governor Gary Johnson of New Mexico, who wants to legalize most drugs. I immediately sent him a note praising his efforts. <br />
<br />
There was also a wonderful story about a Jewish philanthropist who is putting up $70 million so that Jewish youths can get a free ten day visit to Israel. I think it is good for Jewish youth to connect with their history and heritage. <i>TV22</i> showed the Grand Opening of the U.S. Census Office in Springfield, saying they need workers and flashing a number on the screen. </p><p>Maureen Turner wrote a story of immense importance in this week's <i>Valley Advocate</i> entitled, "How Mike Albano Sacrificed his City's Cable Contract to Bankroll a Baseball Pipe Dream." Turner's piece taught me many things I did not know. <br />
<br />
The mail came at 1:30pm, but no books were delivered. I pushed the thermostat up to 65 degrees and made a hamburg and spaghetti casserole. Spent much of the day going over the Frank Wilson papers. I found a delightful receipt for five dollars of hay signed by a Kinley Cox of Bethel in 1929. That's a hick first name you never hear anymore. Unfortunately, the bulk of letters between Grandpa Wilson and his family were last seen twenty years ago in a rucksack in Aunt Maria's attic, but no one can find them now. <br />
<br />
My oil tank is 3/8ths full. Chatted with Kathy at <i>Who's Who</i>. She was in New Providence, New Jersey and told me they only got a dusting of snow before it turned to rain. A friendly young woman, she said they will send me my Certificate of Inclusion next week. I also informed her that the message on their answering machine is too informal for <i>Who's Who</i> and she may tell her bosses I said so. I had a nice chat with Kim at the McDuffie School around 11:15. She clarified that the correct term is "Head of School" not Headmaster as in the <i>Union-News</i> headline "MacDuffie installs new Headmaster." Kim said, "The newspaper got it wrong" (her very words). I urged her to have a nice day and she said something cheerful in reply. The current Head is Kathryn P. Gibson. <br />
<br />
Not a peep out of Eamon, so I called in order to leave him another encouraging get well message on his tape. However, Eamon suddenly picked up and said he is feeling much better. According to Eamon, Moody's has just upgraded the bond rating of Massachusetts, that's the state's rating, not Springfield's. Eamon said he just got off the phone with Charlie Ryan and they had a long discussion about Mo Turner's stadium article in the <i>Advocate</i>. Charlie said he would alert someone about getting the story more coverage, maybe Bunny Riedel.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>January 16, 2000</b></center><br />
27 degrees at 10:30am. Gas is $1.31 at Breckwood.<br />
<br />
Alan Greenspan says interest rates will be going up soon. Father went to the re-union of his graduating class from the University of Vermont in 1978. Father completed his Real Estate course at WNEC in 1979. Kelley had the green xmas lights on her backyard tree on last night. I like <i>Progresso's Beef Barley Soup</i>. <br />
<br />
Heard Mozart's Piano Concerto 14 at 9:30am. We ended up with three inches of fluffy white snow yesterday. My cold hasn't gone away yet, and may have gotten worse from shoveling snow. I've been sick and mostly staying home these past days working on the Wilson papers. I am compiling a wonderful collection of Bethel business letterheads and throwing away the duplicates. Also getting a lot of great old postal stamps off the envelopes. <br />
<br />
I did venture out to <i>Woronoco Savings</i> at the <i>Big Y</i> to transfer my certificate with them, which started at $30,000 and has grown to $43,000. I was waited on by a young, friendly Lebanese woman named Magda Colen, who said she just got over a cold she'd been fighting for two weeks. Dined on warmed over fish and chips with canned fruit. The mail bringing me some new books arrived at 11:00am. Gov. Gary Johnson sent me a thank you letter for my writing to him to praise his desire to legalize drugs. I included in my letter a tear sheet from the <i>Valley Advocate</i> on the drug war which was enhanced by my "Wear Orange...." stamp. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TmSVzwLEu7Cx-6nuUY9eTZiCp0egeXCpUGTxOrih-qZdUsOZj0D_oyH0WxHrnvAs39Ud4WRg12wPsVb6Ri7ezHSjOXRCc2wFcd68jzK-pISUISaY0vCATY7zG3_heEzZ0vwQls4wuOOj/s1600/drugs.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TmSVzwLEu7Cx-6nuUY9eTZiCp0egeXCpUGTxOrih-qZdUsOZj0D_oyH0WxHrnvAs39Ud4WRg12wPsVb6Ri7ezHSjOXRCc2wFcd68jzK-pISUISaY0vCATY7zG3_heEzZ0vwQls4wuOOj/s320/drugs.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<center><b>January 19, 2000</b></center><br />
A real nice day, 13 degrees at 7:45am. <br />
<br />
I agree that South Carolina should take down their Confederate flag. It should disappear throughout the South, they were licked and that's it. Years ago I said the human race will die of boredom. On <i>WFCR</i> this morning they said that the <i>Immigration and Naturalization Service</i> is having trouble retaining officers because the work is so boring. If you train an army your have to find a war or the boys will get bored. <br />
<br />
I was surprised to hear on <i>WFCR</i> an advertisement for <i>Western New England College</i>. Julia A. Cyr is a branch manager for <i>Woronoco Savings Bank</i>. George F. McGrath was Clerk of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts in 1984. Grandmother and Grandfather Wilson both worked for the <i>Massachusetts School for the Feeble Minded</i> in Waltham, Mass in 1905.<br />
<br />
I drove to <i>Louis & Clark</i> to mail my payment to <i>Hillcrest</i>. Then I went to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, where I was given a complementary turkey baster. The lady kindly asked, "What do you really want?" I told her the pizza cutter and she grabbed it and handed it to me. I thanked her, then bought some cough syrup at <i>CVS</i> and had burgers at the food court <i>McDonald's</i>. <br />
<br />
Then over to <i>Lowe's Hardware Store</i>, which has a hiring sign out front. I politely told the young black woman behind the counter that I filled out an application and never heard from them. She said they had received over 3,700 applications and couldn't respond to all of them. I told her I was told I would hear something and warned her that I can be a troublemmaker when I'm wronged. She called over a stocky guy in jeans who identified himself as the Hiring Supervisor. I told him my complaint and suggested I be given a $5 gift certificate in compensation. He just stared at me without speaking so I turned around and left. 3,700 applications? Unemployment must be high around here! <br />
<br />
Paused at <i>Angelo's</i> on the way home, but bought nothing. Bob Rankin called from <i>Northeast Utilities</i> to invite me to a public event, but I told him I have a cold and cannot go. We had a friendly enough chat, but I did ask him to convey to management that I don't approve of destroying meter box seals and they should show more respect for the environment. The news says both lanes on Main Street should be open by the end of the week. The cold wather has caused a pipe to burst in the Civic Center parking garage, resulting in a flood. There was also a story on drug problems in the Longmeadow schools. <br />
<br />
Eamon's latest phone editorial thanks "the <i>Valley Advocate's</i> Maureen Turner for smoking out Mayor Albano's lying about junk bonds and siphoning funds to the stadium project." He concludes by condemning the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> for failing to inform the public and expressed gratitude that "the <i>Valley Advocate</i> is up to the task." At the end of the message, Eamon picked up and told me that his friends at <i>Finestein Leather</i> all have colds. We discussed the black eye WNEC has recived in the matter of David Levinstein and also agreed that <i>Stop&Shop</i> is wrong never to put salad ingedients on it's day old counter. Eamon has discovered that Hartford has 410 police officers and Springfield has 602. There has been three murders in Springfield so far this year, and Eamon's cop friend Spellacy told him that certain sections of the city are "a disaster area" when it comes to crime. <br />
<br />
<center><b>January 21, 2000</b></center><br />
Light snow starting at 9:15am.<br />
<br />
The quality of life has steadily deteriorated in the last 100 years. Advances in technology have, ironically, often contributed to the deterioration in the quality of life. Less living space per person, less green space and fresh air, less solitude, less personal style (ornament, eccentricity), more noise, congestion, pressure, more fear of bombs, brutal war, violence, more standardization and regimentation, collapse of values and few positive role models. <br />
<br />
The Association of College and Universities meets today. A <i>WFCR</i> story said that comic book collection peaked in the mid 90's. The new medium for comics is online. Peter Picknelly was on insisting that he wants more co-operation from the city on development projects he has in mind for Union Station. There was also a story about how <i>Friendly's</i> is losing a lot of money and is selling restaurants to managers who want to run them as franchises. I suspect they had to practically give them away. My Colby acquaintance and pollster Peter Hart was on <i>NBC News</i> this evening interviewing Gary Hart. I haven't seen Hart on TV in years. <br />
<br />
Kelly has the green lights on her tree tonight. Mail was here early and included two books from <i>Hamilton</i> and my <i>Who's Who</i> certificate. Didn't go out much. First thing at 8am a woman in a light blue sedan got out and hung the <i>Union-News Extra</i> on my mailbox handle and then drove off. Absurd to be engaged in such labor on such a cold morning. At 9:30am I drove over to <i>Louis & Clark</i> and got the new <i>Valley Advocate</i>. On the way to get salad ingredients at <i>Angelo's</i>, I noticed that the green house next to Tom Devine at 112 Breckwood is for sale by <i>Landry's</i> Longmeadow office. Down to the <i>Big Y</i> I bought fish and chips and things to drink. I ran into Mr. Anzalotti, all bundled up, he took off a glove and we shook hands. He is always an impeccably polite, very fine Italian. <br />
<br />
Aunt Maria has the flu. The Frank Wilson papers came from a trunk that had long been stored in Aunt Maria's attic but Mother got it in the 1960's. I called Gary Shepard and left this message with Mary Ann. "We are not friends, but I whole heartedly support your efforts to get Picknelly onboard for Union Station. Best wishes to you, J. Wesley Miller." She was very careful to write down my message exactly. <br />
<br />
I called Longmeadow's <i>Landry-Lyons</i> about 112 Breckwood. Roberta said it's a "handy-man special" priced at $59,000. I then called Devine, but his mother said Tom was not in, so I asked her about the house next door and she said it appears to be already sold to somebody in Longmeadow. She said the house "is a mess" and the buyer's daughter intends to fix it up and resell it. Michael J. Day called and asked, "Is this Dr. Reich's office?" I called Eamon but he didn't call back. <br />
<br />
<center><b>January 23, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Chilly but sunny, 17 degrees on the breezeway at noon.<br />
<br />
This is the first anniversary of Mother's death. I got a pretty card for the occasion from Mrs. Staniski. <br />
<br />
So many books are being written about things that would be better said in an article. You don't need a book when a <i>Reader's Digest</i> type article can say it as well. A survey shows that most high school seniors find their last year to be a bore. I felt that way about my last year of law school. There's been a fire in a 90 year dorm at Heidelberg College. A break in a water main in German Gerena School has caused some flooding. In 1959 I won <i>The Boston Globe Massachusetts Science Fair Award</i>. Margaret Seitelman, Executive Director of <i>American Mensa</i>, accepted me as member in 1978. </p><p>I have a collection of Springfield numismatic history. I was so angry with Mayor Richard Neal for striking the 1986 350th medal in a limited edition that I wrote him a letter criticizing him for not making it available for public purchase. I'll always wonder whether Neal has any socked away in his safety deposit box. Springfield's new Millennium Medal for $10 is a beautiful item and a splendid value. In a few years they will be worth at least $25. <br />
<br />
I went over items in the drawer of the drop leaf table in the parlor. In going over the Frank Martin Wilson estate, I found some items I recognized as having been typed on the old <i>Smith</i> typewriter that is still around here somewhere. I used to do my school papers at Homer Street and Buckingham using it. Even during the Depression when wages were low, Mother tried to make life better for her father by buying him a stove from <i>Sears & Roebuck</i> in 1932. I remember we had it in storage on Crest Street and it had green and cream colors. <br />
<br />
Kelly has had her green lights on every night into the wee hours. It actually looks very nice. For breakfast I had creamed beef on toast with a fruit cocktail. The big sales at the Expo currently featuring electronic stuff, jeans, leather jackets, etc. used to be held at the Civic Center. The mail was not here until after 2pm, included was Hillcrest Park Cemetery Association material and a letter from Mrs. Smith's insurance saying I get $225. <br />
<br />
Raymond Macari called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. I called <i>Barnes & Noble</i>, who told me they don't have <i>Damn the Torpedoes</i>, so I called <i>Edwards</i> where I was told they would order it for $20. Then I called Aunt Maria's nursing home and got a cooperative Jean. Aunt Maria is doing well and had no visitors today. She knows what is going on pretty much, although she does have periods of confusion. She walks around and goes to eat in the dining room where she seems to like to mingle with others. I asked if she talks about going home and Jean replied, "She does at times, yes."<br />
<br />
I called Tom Devine before the news and told him about the Ayn Rand book. I also told Tom that this year's <i>Baystate Objectivist</i> prizewinners had some strange picks and omissions (no York, no Turner). He said he left Turner and Yorke out of his prizewinners because they were mentioned in other categories and have won so often in the past. Tom claimed that Mo Turner was "shocked and repelled" by my <i>Leatherman</i> essay, stating that Turner thought I "would never write anything like that." I asked Tom about Al Giordano and he said Al no longer lives in the United States. He described Al as "always looking for a revolution and he finally found one in southern Mexico." Giordano is also doing a monthly column for the <i>Boston Phoenix</i>. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he thinks Gary Shepard is a bagman who collects money for Albano. In fact, Eamon believes Albano has several such people. Eamon now has all the information he needs on that poem he likes so much <i>The Guy in the Glass</i> by Peter Dale Winbrow, who was a Florida publisher. It was copyrighted in 1934. Eamon's friend Eddie Berland of <i>Hilltop Motors</i> is the person who alerted him to the poem. <br />
<br />
</p><center><i>When you get what you want in your struggle for self<br />
And the world makes you king for a day<br />
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself<br />
And see what that man has to say.<br />
<br />
For it isn’t your father, or mother, or wife<br />
Whose judgment upon you must pass<br />
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life<br />
Is the one staring back from the glass.<br />
<br />
He’s the fellow to please – never mind all the rest<br />
For he’s with you, clear to the end<br />
And you’ve passed your most difficult, dangerous test<br />
If the man in the glass is your friend.<br />
<br />
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years<br />
And get pats on the back as you pass<br />
But your final reward will be heartache and tears<br />
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass. </i></center><br />
<center><b> </b></center><center><b>January 24, 2000<br />
</b></center><p><br />
A lovely day, 23 degrees at 8am. </p><p>The Pioneer Valley is a destination due primarily to the <i>Big E</i> which is still evolving and deserves all the respect and nurturing we can give it. <br />
<br />
They say Greenspan is going to raise interest rates. Icelanders read more books per capita than any other people in the world. There will be a Wild Game Fest held at the Minnechaug Regional High cafeteria on the 26th. <i>The Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts</i> is located in Woburn, Massachusetts. Jean C. Sessions lives on 29 Porter Drive in Agawam. Old First Church has been located in the Court Square area since the 17th century. The original church was organized in 1637.<br />
<br />
Dined on <i>Weight Watchers Swedish Meatballs</i>, also did a load of laundry. Drove out at 9:30am to make some copies, put out the mail at <i>Breckwood</i> and dropped off some stuff for Devine. As I arrived an <i>Agawam Medical Supplies</i> van was just pulling out of the driveway after leaving a bag on the back doorknob for Joyce Devine. I also noticed that the house for sale next door has a double lot with a large garage, a real bargain for less than $60,000. Went to <i>Woronoco</i> with some checks and deposited them with Jeff Mezzetti for a total deposit of $4,898.26. From the bank I went to <i>Burger King</i> for a chicken sandwich with a 99 cent coupon. I swung by A.I.C. and worked on my Blackstone project. On my way back I stopped at <i>Angleo's</i> to get stuff for a salad. <br />
<br />
I called <i>TV22</i> and asked them why they haven't been running stock quotes for the past few weeks. She said they have been having "technical difficulties" and she apologized for any inconvenience. Laurie Saunders does a nice little nature show on <i>WFCR</i> every Monday. I think I once criticized a show by her on <i>TV57</i> as overly ambitious and perhaps pretentious. However, on <i>WFCR</i> she does a good job. $40,000 in books were destroyed in the flood at German Gerena School, I recall this is the second time this has happened. News says another water main has broken on Harkness Avenue. Alumnus Library at Elms College sent me a thank you note for the five volumes of Irish literature I gave them. <i>Females in Training</i> called and wanted me to join an exercise program. I told her my boyfriend gives me a good workout regularly. Unknown called at 10:25pm. <br />
</p><center><b>January 26, 2000</b></center><p>
27 degrees at noon.<br />
<br />
Hell is the cover story on this week's <i>U.S. News and World Report</i>. If Heaven and Hell did not exist, a lot of people would be out of work. Bill Clinton was interviewed by Jim Lehrer tonight and quoted Benjamin Franklin, "Our critics are our friends because they show us our faults." </p><p>I collect ephemera, mountains of ephemera, such as local road maps that go back to the 1920's and 30's. Alas, gas stations no longer give away maps. Today I came across cousin Guy Wilson's Guardianship Account for the funds of Mother and Aunt Maria between January 1919 and September 1921. The latest issue of <i>New England Travel & Life</i> has lots of ads and articles about the Berkshires. There is nothing about Springfield.<br />
<br />
<i>The Welcome Wagon Club of Wilbraham and Hampden</i> is presenting an evening with Michael White, author of <i>The Blind Side of the Heart</i> in the Brooks Room of the Wilbraham Public Library. <i>Whately Antiquarian Books</i> is having a 30% off sale starting tomorrow. At 2am there was a commercial for Allan K. Reisner, offering legal services for collisions and showed cartoons of chariots, autos and flying saucers colliding. I have had this awful cold for a month now. This afternoon the sun came out and it was a mild winter day. Streets are clear. The price of heating oil has jumped to nearly $2. Last year it was 75 cents per gallon. <br />
<br />
The trash was picked up and <i>The Reminder</i> is here. Mailman came down the steet at 10:20am. Would you believe that I got a flyer from <i>Hampden Bank's</i> subsidiary <i>Hampden Insurance</i>? <i>Hampden</i> has no idea of the detailed records I have kept of my interactions with them. At some time I will take my case to the Banking and Insurance Commissions. <i>Hampden's</i> bad service is a big contrast with the lady at <i>AAA</i> who often replies when I ask her something, "I've done it already." That's service! Also got a thoughtful (as usual) letter from Edwin Atlee Garrett III on the problems they're having recruiting members to the <i>Society of Colonial Wars</i>. I wrote back that these are tough times for WASPS and they should refocus on the contributions of Colonial culture. <br />
<br />
I have returned to biting my fingernails for the first time since Mother died. Called the <i>Gilded Lily</i> to ask about roses. They said their current price is $50 for a dozen, $60 around Valentine's Day. I'm considering sending Maureen Turner a dozen roses from "The People of Springfield." She certainly deserves them, but I don't like the way she's behaving towards me. Turner is a good little lady, but she could use some loosening up. Eamon called and said he hopes to go to Ireland next year. He spoke with Charlie Ryan's wife Joan and she said Ryan "had a great day in court yesterday" in the stadium trial before Judge Sweeney. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>January 27, 2000</b></center><br />
Lovely, sunny morning, 24 degrees at 9:20am. <br />
<br />
This evening President Clinton gave his final State of the Union Address, the longest in history. Clinton likes to philosophize in long speeches, just like my memos. Clinton claimed credit for economic prosperity, but afterward Senator Trent Lott said it was "like the rooster taking credit for the sunrise." On <i>TV40</i> Steven Cojocaru, the fashion expert for <i>People Magazine</i>, was on saying, "The more you look like a freak the better." He cited Cher as one of the best dressed people of all time. Senator Bradley was also on, saying that many Americans don't have health insurance. <br />
<br />
I set out for the <i>Whately Antique Book Center</i> and the condition of the main roads were fine, bare and free of slicks. I got to Whately around 10:30am. There were cars in all the parking spaces except one in front of the old schoolhouse that houses the <i>Antiquarian Book Center</i>. Once inside, Paul Marshall Murray came over and said he liked the article about me in the <i>Valley Advocate</i>. He said he has a relative that teaches at Harvard and asked if I've ever lectured on legal poetry. Robert Merriam was also there and observed that my beard is new. He said he does all his bookselling on the internet now. Later I saw him leaving with a box of books on collectibles. Barb Smith was running the place. I bought 17 books for $365 and left at 1:55pm. <br />
<br />
When I arrived back in Springfield I parked in the Visitor Only spot in the <i>Union-News</i> parking lot. There was a brisk wind which made it feel chilly. Lots of cars were in the <i>Northgate</i> parking lot. Came through the <i>Peter Pan</i> bus terminal and noted that their <i>McDonald's</i> still has bus company memorabilia on the wall. I walked down to <i>Edwards Books</i> but my book had not come in yet. She said it will be in by noon Friday, so I complained that they originally said it would be here by Tuesday. I headed back to the car at 3:01 and noticed that a truck was clearing snow out of the newspaper parking lot. Scott Santaniello was one of the workers and waved. Home by 3:18pm. <br />
<br />
Dined on spaghetti and meat sauce, salad and two small potatoes. Today I came upon a receipt from Dr. H.R. French, who was a clockmaker on Washington Street in Boston in 1902. I called Maria at <i>Punderson</i> and ordered 100 gallons of heating oil at $1.70 per gallon. She said, "Hopefully the price will fall." The mail brought my copy of <i>Imprimis</i>. Jeff called looking for Jack claiming "he's expecting me." I answered in a falsetto voice saying, "I'm not expecting you!" He hung up without identifying what firm he was with. <br />
<br />
<center><b>January 29, 2000</b></center><br />
16 degrees on the breezeway at 5am. <br />
<br />
The history of America is like a tag sale, the people who got here first ripped it off good. Still no stock quotes on <i>TV22</i>. <i>Mass Mutual</i> is being sued by a 44 year old employee for age discrimination. Young Gordon Mackay, spokesman for <i>Pet Zoo Express</i>, misspoke the word "cattle" in his ad. I'm reading <i>Damn the Torpedoes</i>, which is good, but not as good as Bourke's <i>The Intimate History of Killing</i>. Mother lived at 241 North Main Street in 1928. Mother had whooping cough in October of 1930. <br />
<br />
Kelly had her green lights on last night. Left here at 9:30am and mailed out letters, including one to Belle-Rita. Then I dropped off some stuff with Eamon, who greeted me at his backdoor with a bag of stuff for me. Eamon is redesigning his business card and decided to use my expression "Multidisciplinary Generalist." He is going to continue to call himself "Esquire." He likes that.<br />
<br />
Left Eamon's at 9:44am and returned to the <i>Whately Antiquarian Book Center</i> for a last look at their sale. The place is adequately heated and has a toilet in the basement. <i>The Antiquarian Center</i> claims to have 50 dealers offering 20,000 books. The rarest books are kept in a glass case, where I saw a 1795 copy of a Methodist magazine that once belonged to the Forbes Library in Northampton, selling for $95. I bought <i>Death on the Striped Pig</i> (Boston 1839) which is a splendid little temperance piece. Left Whately at 11:30am and headed to downtown Springfield and parked on Dwight. I headed to <i>Edwards</i> and found the front doors to <i>Baystate West</i> locked, so had to use the Boland Way entrance. Didn't find any posters all, even at the Visitor's Center, which is not open on weekends. <br />
<br />
Unknown called while I was out. The mail was here on time and brought a pretty note from Ann Staniski, with a picture of her and her mother standing in front of the Miller Memorial United Methodist Church in Bethel. I called Ann and thanked her for the lovely picture. Today's mail also brought a curious item, a credit card offer for my doll Sweet Pea, first time he's received mail since the <i>Paperback Book Club</i> solicited him. I also got in the mail an <i>SIS</i> bank form mis-delivered to me for <i>Martel Tree and Landscape</i> at 55 Birchland. I wrote on it "Mis-delivered to 5 Birchland" and walked down and stuck it in their back doorway.<br />
<br />
<center><b>January 31, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and 16 degrees in the morning. Gas is $1.26 across from <i>Angelo's</i>.<br />
<br />
On my WNEC Law School diploma I used John W. Miller, not J. Wesley Miller, because it is Father's name as well as my own. Reading Jeffrey Wattles <i>The Golden Rule</i> (1996) and it is a splendid book. I'll loan it to I. Cohn. George O. Stratton was President of the <i>Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company</i> in 1931. E.W. Bunce worked for the American Guernsey Cattle Club in Peterborough, New Hampshire in 1935. <br />
<br />
My cold has been subsiding each day but it has been a long visit. I drove out and dined on hotcakes without sausage at <i>McDonald's</i>. Then I got a couple of items at <i>Food Mart</i>, where I ran into Marshall Moriarty and his wife, who greeted me with ceremonial joviality. From there I went to <i>Goodwill</i> and the woman behind the counter said she is going skiing this coming Friday. There were not many customers and I bought only a few cheap books. Next I went over to <i>Burger King</i> and bought a chicken sandwich with a coupon, made some copies at <i>Pride</i> and then headed home. <br />
<br />
The mail was here on time. Where is my book from <i>Oak Knoll</i>? Called over to Riverside Gardens and got Joe in Unit 4. He said Aunt Maria was discharged Thursday and was sent to Heritage Hall "in order to be closer to the family." So I called Heritage Hall and got Andrea who said my aunt is in Room 8c. She then connected me with Lisa the nurse who said she found my aunt "delightful." I'll bet she says that about everybody. Lisa described Aunt Maria as "alert but very confused, if you asked her where her room was she couldn't tell you." <br />
<br />
Aunt Maria was up at 4am to get ready for church but didn't go. They have no religious services there. Shirley has been to visit. I told Lisa to tell Aunt Maria that her loving nephew called and to ask if she would like me to come visit her. Lisa replied, "She doesn't like you, that's perfectly obvious." I said, "Well, maybe I'll be over to visit someday" to which Lisa responded, "Good enough" and that was it.<br />
<br />
<i>TV22</i> says there has been a 2% increase in houses for sale in Western Mass over the past year. None other than John Michon was on saying that now is a good time to buy because "you get a lot of bang for your buck." Now that <i>TV22</i> is in Chicopee I notice they are slanting their coverage towards Chicopee. The stock listings are finally back. Eamon called and said there is a good article in <i>Harper's Magazine</i> on Bush. He also informed me that John Davis of the U.S. Office of Education left a long message on his tape about absenteeism. Eamon saw the article in the paper about Albano working with the mayor of Hartford so he called <i>Moody's</i> and found out that Hartford has an A-1 bond rating while Springfield remains at near junk bond level. <br />
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-53516664200108492702017-01-21T15:39:00.010-05:002023-11-20T14:46:24.115-05:00February 2000<center><b>February 1, 2000</b></center><p><br />
27 degrees and sunny in the morning.</p><p>My criticism is no less valid even if my attitude is lousy. <br />
<br />
As of today, America has had the longest continuous period of economic expansion in history, 107 months reaching back to 1991. Housing sales in the valley are up 7.7% over last year. Today is Primary Day in New Hampshire, with McCain predicted to trounce Bush while Gore should edge out Bradley. <i>WFCR</i> says the Catholic Diocese of Vermont is busing people to Massachusetts to demonstrate against gay marriage. Howard I. Kalodner was the Dean of WNEC Law School in 1981. Mother lived at 356 Belmont Avenue in Springfield in 1926. <br />
<br />
I received in the mail today a catalog from <i>Bauman Rare Books</i>. I called Tom Devine and his sister Deb answered, saying he had gone to the Pine Point Library. My, he goes to the library a lot! I saw him recently walking down Boston Road, either on his way to the library or maybe he was going to visit the Twig Painter. I left word with Deb about the prices being asked by <i>Bauman</i> for Ayn Rand books. <br />
<br />
Today I dined on a cheese sandwich, hotdogs and veggies. Completed reading <i>Damn the Torpedoes</i>, a good book on what goes on in the military. When I went out for the mail I found a bag from Mrs. Staniski containing Harvard material from Ann and a tin of homemade cookies, popcorn and peanuts. In return I will inscribe one of my books to her. <br />
<br />
I called Moriarty at Elms, who said he's preparing for classes. I quickly told him to get a <i>Bauman</i> catalog to see the Bartlett books in it. He thanked me politely. Next I called Riverdale Gardens and asked Debra Kratouil how Aunt Maria is. She replied, "She's doing okay." I asked if Aunt Maria has been discharged and she replied, "I can't tell you that over the phone because of patient privacy." I was then urged to call later when Ann Smidt would be in. So later I called back and the receptionist Mary got me Ms. Smidt, who told me, "I was told not to let out any information regarding her status. This was her request!" Then she banged down the phone in my ear. <br />
<br />
This evening on <i>TV22</i>, Jerry Gretzinger said <i>Six Flags</i> will open May 6th (let's see if they send me any advertising). <i>Six Flags</i> has a new 208 foot rollercoaster that will have a speed of 70mph and dip into an underground tunnel. There was also a story about new signs on the expressway pointing to City Stage, Symphony Hall, the Quadrangle and the Civic Center. Eamon called and expressed concern that his interaction with Davis has been all telephonic. In the past when he has contacted the Inspector General he has gotten a letter with a consent form to sign. Kelly had her green backyard Christmas lights on this evening. </p><p>A serious poster campaign needs a serious number of posters, at least one hundred. Put up half your posters about ten days before the occasion, then put up the rest a couple of days prior to the event. There's a firm up in Amherst that puts up posters, but they are expensive. Thumb tacks work okay, but they are expensive and fall out easily. Masking tape is also expensive. Staples from a gun work best. All you need are a hundred posters, a staple gun and somebody to run around putting them up. </p><p>Springfield is a pretty big city, so it requires at least 50 posters just to cover the downtown. Don't waste time going through the proper channels for permission to put up your posters on private property. Just stick it on a nearby telephone or light pole for the same level of coverage. <br />
</p><center><b>February 3, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Today was a lovely day, 25 degrees at 10:30am. Gas is $1.35 at Breckwood <i>Shell</i>.<br />
<br />
The Fed has raised the prime from 5.5% to 5.75%. Senator McCain was on the <i>Leher News Hour</i> and said that young people 18-26 are cynical, alienated and they don't vote. Also in the news, Boston's Big Dig was estimated to cost $5.8 billion in 1991, but the price is now $12.2 billion. There was a commercial on <i>WFCR</i> for Dr. Joseph Brown's Obsessive-Compulsive Treatment Center in Stafford Springs. Aunt Maria should have consulted with him years ago. In Northampton the gay/lesbian bar <i>The Grotto</i> wanted to have nude dancing but were turned down. </p><p>Maureen Turner has a fine essay in the <i>Valley Advocate</i> with a picture of Charlie Ryan. Tom Vannah attacks Mike Albano in this week's <i>Between the Lines</i> column entitled <i>The Albano Approach</i>; in which he skewers the mayor with lines such as, "Albano can talk a good game, but really can't get anything done." <br />
<br />
F.M. Wilson lived on a dairy farm in Vermont in 1935. Mother had a miserable wage during the Depression, but I found a receipt today showing she still gave a contribution to the Springfield Hospital Campaign fund in 1931. Doubtless <i>Monarch</i> twisted the arms of their employees, but my parents were always generous to charities. Remember George Gopen the lawyer who did an article on college English to which I replied? I looked him up in MLA and he has disappeared. Remember when I was out to Palmer there was an old <i>Western Auto</i> store that I parked in front of and chatted with the manager? Well, a story in the January 23rd paper shows Joseph Adamski going out of business after almost 60 years.<br />
<br />
The mail brought a <i>Walmart</i> credit card application with an invitation to the Grand Opening of their new store in South Hadley. I also got a thank you note from St. Mary's of Turners Falls for my "wonderful remembrance of Robert B. McCreech." It was thoughtful of them to write. A polite Kevin Devine called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i> from the number 782-3882. Carol stopped by in her mother's chocolate brown Voyager and I gave her some things for Mrs. Staniski. Carol told me that she hasn't had a cold in four years. She is a friendly soul who was brought up by good people. <br />
<br />
I spent part of the day reading newspapers and I am up to about page 250 in Foxx and Kloppenberg's <i>A Companion to American Thought</i> (1995), which, as such reference books go, is quite well done. Virtually no typos, but little attention is paid to the thoughts of freaks. I also read John Marks newsletter from Ann and <i>The Baystate Objectivist's Heroes and Villains of 1999</i>. Went out at 9am and dropped off a bag of reading material with the Cohn's maid. I also dropped off stuff at Eamon's, who was not home and has a very mediocre Valentine Day flag up. There was a long line at <i>Fleet Bank</i>, where I cashed a check with Susette Goncalves, who told me her sister works at the Ring Nursing Home. I was in full uniform, including my chain locked collar and Queerboy Sissypansy dog tag attached to it. I looked quite freaky today, have to keep working at it. <br />
<br />
Next I headed out to the <i>Whately Antique Book Shop</i> in Hatfield, where Eugene Povirk was in charge. He told me about how six years ago historian Henry S. Commanger was taken to a nursing home and Amherst College, which had provided him his house, asked his wife to leave so they could let some other faculty member have the house. He had about 5,000 books which his wife offered to Amherst College, but they didn't even come to look at them. Povirk and his partner Barbara E. Smith bought the books and he told me there were many valuable volumes in it, including an annotated copy of <i>Profiles in Courage</i>. Left Hatfield at 12:12pm, dined at the <i>Buffet</i> in West Springfield and was home at 2:11pm. On the way back I stopped by briefly at the AIC library and saw that the <i>Chronicle</i> has not published my letter.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>February 5, 2000</b></center><br />
27 degrees and overcast at 8:40am.<br />
<br />
Have to leave things as they are, live with it. <br />
<br />
I never empty the trash without scraping the mud off my boots into it. Had two eggs and toast for breakfast and dined on <i>Stouffer's Lasagna</i> tonight. <i>Bridgeport National Bindery</i> is on Silver Street in Agawam. Mr. Arthur H. Dakin lived in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1932.<br />
<br />
I'm reading a catalog from the super expensive furniture dealer that moved into where <i>Hayden-Wayside</i> was. I put a pile of mail in the mailbox and then drove over to Indian Orchard. I had trouble with my garage door, but I cleaned the track and had no more trouble. First, I went to <i>Pride</i> for copies and then to <i>Angelo's</i> for salad. In the Orchard there were a lot of For Rent signs along Main Street. When I got to <i>Tassinari Book Bindery</i>, it was all closed up. I went into the <i>K & D Deli</i> and the lady said the bindery is closed today. The people shopping in there openly stared at my collar, jacket and the rest of my costume. <br />
<br />
I proceeded down to the Quadrangle and bought a blue ticket to see the exhibit on Tibet. I found E. Bader and two others in attendance. Heather Haskell was talking about the exhibit and a very polite Chinese lady asked me to take off my chain so it wouldn't distract anyone with its tinkling sound. Naturally I complied. The Tibet exhibit was absolutely wonderful. Then to the Smith where they had a beautiful blue-green Buddha. In the library I saw they have my new book in Rice Hall. They also still have my book on the history of Buckingham Junior High School. <br />
<br />
My phone identifier showed a James G. of 84 White Birch Drive called while I was out. The news showed the closing arguments being given in the <i>Northgate Plaza</i> case. Valliere gave the <i>Northgate</i> position, while the City Solicitor tried to hog the camera all he could. This afternoon I found a small puddle of oil around the base of the oil burner, which looks as good as new although it is now 45 years old. I called <i>Punderson</i> and got Trish, who said someone will come by as soon as possible. <br />
<br />
The repairman arrived at 7:25pm and left the truck running because he was afraid it might not start, even though it was a <i>Punderson</i> truck! He told me the problem was a little nut that was not tightened as much as it should have been and said it was the fault of the person who was here last time and therefore there was no charge. The repairman was a light skinned black man who looked like he would have been a good football player in his day. He cleaned up diligently and left about 7:45pm. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said his sister was in the house when I came yesterday, she does some chores for him. And in keeping with my ongoing research on nobody getting anything right, yesterday Eamon called <i>Randall's</i> in the afternoon and a young fellow took his order for carrot muffins. This morning he called to find out if they were ready and they said they didn't have them. The lady said the order got garbled and apologized. Eamon told me he chatted with her for a bit and she told him that the Ludlow schools are awful. Eamon and I used to talk regularly for an hour or more, but now our typical call is about fifteen minutes. <br />
<br />
<center><b>February 7, 2000</b></center><br />
28 degrees and sunny at 10:32am.<br />
<br />
On the <i>ABC News</i> Peter Jennings discussed whether the descendants of American slaves should be given reparations. Yes, but the restitution should be given from the endowments of Southern institutions. Hillary Clinton announced that she is running for the U.S. Senate from New York. Senator Kennedy has checked into the hospital for what sounds like the flu. Heard on <i>WFCR</i> that a UMass gallery has an exhibit of rare Tibetan photographs. Is there a Tibetan PR campaign to develop friends in America in case they need the Marines to turn back a Chinese invasion? There was also a new ad for <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> on <i>WFCR</i> this morning. <br />
<br />
We have a foot of snow around here and it looks like winter. Did a bit of housecleaning. My cold is almost gone, I've had it for over a month. Drove over to the <i>McDonald's</i> on Allen for hotcakes. They are expanding the side walls so the place is something of a mess right now. I mailed James Sappenfield and the Extension application at <i>Breckwood</i> after making copies at <i>Pride</i>. At the <i>Goodwill</i> Patty greeted me enthusiastically, noting that she hasn't seen me lately. They were selling their hardbound books for half price so I got several books very reasonably. <br />
<br />
Called <i>Westfield Bank</i> and Erica said their best interest is 6.10%. I called Duggan Jr. High and asked to speak to the librarian. I got Ellen Hayes who said she was not the librarian but was in charge. I told her I just got a book at the <i>Goodwill</i>, <i>A Short History of Espionage</i> (1963) and their property marks are on it and no discard marks, with a card in the pocket indicating it was last signed out Novemeber 3, 1967 to M. Wallace in Rm 213. She snapped back, "I have a class, could you call back later?" I replied that I am a lawyer who charges $200 per hour and that I was merely calling to inform her that when you discard books you should mark them as discarded. Again she snapped, "I am not the librarian!" to which I suggested, "Well, then tell the librarian." "Certainly, good bye!" said she, no thank you, and then banged down the phone in my ear!<br />
<br />
So I called Duggan again and Carrie connected me to Mrs. Clement and I told her of my conversation with Ellen Hayes. Mrs. Clement explained that sometimes they put books on a table in the hall to give away. I informed her that without a discard stamp I had a responsibility to check to be sure it was not stolen. She was very supportive and even told me that her maiden name was Miller. She apologized and said she would send me a thank you note for my trouble. Nader called and said he's back from Florida where he just bought a cheap condo 15 minutes from the beach. He said he used Eamon and me as references. I told him I have a cold and the house is a mess, but I will come by before he leaves and give him a book. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and he's delighted by Larry McDermott's editorial about all the letters to the editor they got last year, followed by a listing of all the people that sent letters. The editorial sneers at people who send anonymous or fictitious letters and described three, all of which had been sent by Eamon! McDermott didn't realize they were all from the same person because Eamon used a different typewriter with different fonts for each one. One complained about the quality of the free chocolate bar the paper passed out for promotional purposes, in another he called McDermott and David Starr carpetbaggers and in a third he called Larry a lightweight. Eamon laughed as he recalled how he and Jack O'Neil once sent four fake letters opposing the proposed new high school on the site of <i>Kavanaugh Furniture</i> and the paper printed all four! <br />
<br />
<center><b>February 8, 2000</b></center><p>
22 degrees and sunny.<br />
<br />
Religion is the millstone around the neck of ethics. People clearly see that religion is a lot of nonsense and it makes them think ethics is also. <br />
<br />
<i>WFCR Morning Edition</i> is starting a three part series on compulsive gambling. <i>TV40</i> had a story with Malcolm R. George, formerly of <i>Ludlow Savings</i>, presenting a check for $500 to the John DiNapoli Gold Badge Club. So where is George now? The city has agreed to pay $375,000 to a developer who was denied permission to build a 13 lot subdivision on Crystal Brook Drive ten years ago. <br /></p><p>I drove out to <i>Tassinari's</i> in Ludlow this afternoon, second place on the left, a big industrial building that must have been let go for a song by somebody moving out. A couple of cars in the parking lot and a white bindery delivery truck with snow all around it and none underneath. I left Leslie's <i>Spanish-American War</i> atlas-sized book to be rebound in black buckram and <i>Three Trials</i> (1818) to be rebound in standard brown buckram for $35, too much, but he appears to do good work. I also left James D. Haig's <i>Kings Inn Library</i> to be done in Kelly green buckram for $25.<br />
<br />
Tassinari has a very large work area with a lot of machinery and at least one other worker. There is a large rack with many rolls of cloth at the very back. Across the front of the building are offices, including Tassinari's corner office with an ornate desk with an incredible mess atop it. Indeed, the entire bindery is messy. The office has a picture of the Pope being presented with a book bound in white leather by a priest. I commented on it and Tassinari said the Pope has a number of samples of his binding that Polish priests have had him do. I told him I'm a little hard of hearing so he spoke louder. There was a bookcase of leather bound <i>Works of Spencer</i> which he said had previously belonged to the President of the University of Hartford. A very nice fellow but his prices are high. <br />
<br />
Went by <i>Cat's Paw</i> on the way home and they had a sign in the window, "On Vacation - Be Back Late February." On the corner of Boston Road and Parker, where <i>Circuit City</i> and <i>Auto Zone</i> are now located, there used to be an <i>Edwards</i>. With <i>Walgreens</i> going in across the way where <i>Pier One</i> was and the theater and other new tenants at <i>Eastfield</i>, you could say the mall area is experiencing a renaissance. <br />
<br />
Frederick Whitney called while I was out but I did not call him back. Kevin Devine called and I said, "You've called here before, get the number right!" He said, "I'm sorry." Laura called from Colby College looking for money. I could've told her no and hung up, but naturally I gave her an earful. I told her how I offered land once to Colby and they said no so I told them no more gifts from me. She asked if I wanted her to remove my name from their calling list but I said, "Oh no, let them call every year." Laura said she doesn't know what her major will be. <br />
<br />
Dined this evening on <i>Banquet Turkey Dinner</i> and tossed salad. The mail brought a pretty thank you card from Mrs. Staniski for the book I gave her. Enclosed was a picture of Ann and her and two tall grandsons. Also received a note from John Rixon. Reading Herb Goldberg's <i>The Hazards of Being Male</i>. I like it. </p><p>Also reading<i> Higher Superstition: The Academic Left and it's Quarrels With Science</i>. It rips apart literary studies as bullshit on precisely the same theory I have held, that literature majors are trained in nonsense and judged by their ability to produce nonsense. It rates history highest among the non-sciences, slyly adding as long as the historians are content to gather facts and not fool around with interpretation. My position exactly. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>February 9, 2000</b></center><br />
Sun glowing through, 25 degrees at 7:15am.<br />
<br />
The Sunday paper has an article about people wanting to change the names of Amherst and Turners Falls because they are named after Indian killers. Kelly had her green backyard lights on last night. <br />
<br />
A note to Richard Garvey was in one of the books I got at the <i>Goodwill</i> the other day. This suggests that Garvey has given books to the <i>Goodwill</i>, maybe when he cleaned out his office at the newspaper. I'll have to keep my eye open for more. Eamon called and we discussed what mischief we might do to McDermott. Eamon also recalled Bruce Sheffield, who lived on Ardmore Street. He was a salesman of men's clothes at <i>Paramount Clothes</i> for years and later worked for John P. Lynch at the Registrar of Deeds. <i>Paramount Clothes</i> was owned by a Jew named Hugo Roth. <br />
<br />
From home I went directly to the <i>Woronoco</i> branch in <i>Big Y</i>, where Magda helped me again. Ms. Cyr was also there. I took out two checks, one for <i>A.G. Edwards</i> to buy some G.E. stock and one for Jordan Luttrell. Then downtown where I parked in the first place right in front of the Church on Salem, which was very messy from not having been plowed. At the <i>SIS</i> center I found the <i>Wall Street Journal</i> in the trash can but with coffee all over the bottom so I left it there. At <i>A.G. Edwards</i> I bought ten shares of <i>General Electric</i>. <br />
<br />
Then into <i>Subway</i>, where Shkena is on vacation so a young fellow waited on me. The price of their deli-baloney grinders have gone up from 99 cents to $1.29. Came through <i>Westfield Savings</i> and the place was empty of customers except for me. At <i>Antiques on Boland Way</i> a lot of their stuff is reproductions, probably from estate liquidations. <i>Miller Framing</i> has J. Gnatek art priced at $50 and higher. I walked down to the newspaper to get a copy of Sunday's paper for McDermott's column. They had none behind the counter, so they called upstairs to circulation and a lady brought one down. <br />
<br />
From there I went to the Chamber Channels After Five at the Museum of Fine Arts. It was a big disappointment. I arrived about 5:15pm in my full orange uniform with boots, chain and collar and scalped head. I had my raspberry glasses on and a copy of my new book to show to people. A black man came up and told me he loved my outfit, so I gave him my card. A Chamber of Commerce secretary collected tickets in the middle of the MFA lobby. At a side table was some MFA literature.<br />
<br />
In the past these Chamber of Commerce events have had various kinds of good, such as meatballs, veggies and fruit platters, hotdogs and chicken wings. This time there was essentially no food, just a cash bar at the far end. It was a real let down, but perhaps the perspective of the MFA is that you got into the museum for free, so what else do you expect? Several businesses had tables set up, and I flattered <i>Longmeadow Florists</i> by telling them that now that <i>Hall Galleries</i> is gone it's nice that there is still a place to get nice things. The PVTA was passing out 25th Anniversary chocolate coins. <i>Wolf & Company</i> had freebies but I didn't take any. <br />
<br />
I'd say there was about 200 people there, but I saw very few going upstairs to see the wonderful Tibetan exhibit. Petluck and his female companion was there, but he said all the noise overwhelms his hearing aid, so I just shouted that I'll see him at the <i>Friendly's</i> annual stockholder's meeting. I chatted with R. Denver and showed him my book. I also talked with Marlene M. Ryan, who used to be a legal assistant but is now in accounting. I approached Alan R. Goodhind, who asked if I ride a motorcycle. I hadn't realized he was involved with <i>Mass Mutual</i>, so I promised to send him information about Father. I left the MFA about 6:15pm and didn't take note of the time that I got back. Former State Rep. Fred Whitney had called while I was out.<br />
<br />
<center><b>February 12, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and 47 degrees at 2:15am.<br />
<br />
Dined on chicken, salad, fruit and bread. Did some housekeeping in the morning. <i>WFCR</i> says the University of Vermont is being sued over an athletic hazing incident. Also, Burlington's City Council has rejected a <i>Shaw's</i> chain supermarket. The <i>TV40</i> evening news mentioned a December "water cooler poisoning incident at WNEC" which police are investigating but not close to solving. Whatever happened has been pretty well hushed up.<br />
<br />
I am mostly over my cold after almost two months. Called <i>Lowe's</i> and their ribbon cutting is tomorrow at 8am. Mother used to have a two wicker chairs from <i>Adaskin's</i> in her bedroom on Crest Street. She brought them to Birchland, but used only one and it wore out long ago. The twin to it now sits in the basement, like new because we never used it. There is a box of papers sitting on the seat, which I glanced through and found this wonderful letterhead from a long vanished North End business <i>Mark Aitken Florist and Decorator</i> dated December 11, 1903:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0aa7dd2gh7XdNBodKMom5oqfU31tLI-VGg023BgZ0KS1enKye_MP8E7do3mjippLPKO3lK4umx9_HqoTKNIZD_Im0PbzDRapEOCZ6-sqG5acWapt0lY9c06M12yEcpzaU2OyQEMf-Uqk/s1600/aikin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0aa7dd2gh7XdNBodKMom5oqfU31tLI-VGg023BgZ0KS1enKye_MP8E7do3mjippLPKO3lK4umx9_HqoTKNIZD_Im0PbzDRapEOCZ6-sqG5acWapt0lY9c06M12yEcpzaU2OyQEMf-Uqk/s400/aikin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Made copies at <i>Pride</i> and then mailed letters to Goodhind, Connie Wilson, Marleen at Morrissey, check to Luttrell, all with my <i>Wear Orange</i> stamp. I wrote to Garrett today but didn't mail it. <i>Pride</i> had the new <i>Valley Advocate</i>, but when I got to <i>Louis & Clark</i> they had none. Got veggies at <i>Angelo's</i>, after which I swung by the O'Sullivan place and got a bag of reading material from little Eamon himself. Eamon has told me in the past that as a baby he was in the Isolation Hospital for a month with scarlet fever. They were afraid he would die, but it only stunted his growth. His older brother Gerald died of it at the age of five. <br />
<br />
As we chatted, Eamon wondered whether the MFA has a sprinkler system, as fires go through open spaces in a flash. This started us talking about the old Colony Club fire. Eamon recalled how at the time he was a rental agent for Union Court Apartments, where Bill Putnam's mother moved from Longhill Street to an apartment on the top floor, Maple Street side. The fire started around 8 or 9pm and roared right through the Colony Club. <br />
<br />
From there I went to <i>Savers</i>, where I bought three books, Padiman's <i>Ex Libris</i> (very good) Hefley's <i>Textbooks on Trial</i> and Turner's book on Northern Ireland. Then to <i>Stop&Shop</i> for roasted chicken. Stopped on the way back at <i>Forest Park Antiques</i> but nothing good. <i>Fancy That</i> has been cleared out for inventory. The mail brought a copy of <i>Investor's Business Daily</i> that was addressed to Carol Dine, 22 Jeffrey Road. Still no thank you note from the lady at Duggan. <br />
<br />
Fred Whitney called while I was out. Unknown called late at night, but hung up before I could answer. <br />
<br />
<center><b>February 13, 2000</b></center><br />
At 2:49am I sang Happy Birthday over three octaves to Eamon's answering machine. <i>Peanuts</i> creator Charles Schultz has died of colon cancer. Today I dined on salad and a chicken pot pie. <br />
<br />
I went this morning to the not-so Grand Opening of <i>Lowe's Hardware</i>. There were around 70 people present. It was chilly, although 28 degrees isn't all that chilly. Many sat in their cars until it was time to go in. The mayor didn't show up and there was no actual ribbon to be cut. There were a few balloons inside the door and everybody got a free yardstick. It's an immense store with lower prices than <i>Home Depot</i>. It will certainly kill the neighborhood hardware stores just as the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> killed downtown.<br />
<br />
<i>Lowe's</i> has office furniture and appliances which <i>Home Depot</i> does not carry. They had good buys on steel doors and sinks, faucets and stained glass rooster lamps like Eamon's. Some employees looked at me suspiciously, perhaps because I was wearing my all white plastic <i>Dupont</i> coverall with purple pants, biker jacket and collar. There were anti-shoplifting posters around about a "War on Shrink." From there I went to the Allen Street <i>McDonald's</i> and had hotcakes without sausage and read today's paper. <br />
<br />
Thence to services at Trinity Church, which was well filled. The Goads are doing a good job of rebuilding the church. I notice that they always print his sermons, but I have never seen any of hers printed. I had no problem hearing. Nobody said anything about my outfit and everybody was friendly, purple pants and all. Many young people in the congregation were casually dressed. <br />
<br />
When I got home I called <i>Lowe's</i> and spoke to Brian the night manager. I told him I had applied for a job with them, but never heard anything back. I said, "You have a war on shrinkage in progress, but you might also have a war with a disgruntled person you said you would get back to but did not!" Then I hung up in his ear! <br />
<br />
<center><b>February 14, 2000</b></center><br />
Still reading in my book of American ideas. <i>The Blair Witch Project</i> is up for a Golden Raspberry Award because it was "overly hyped." I agree. On <i>TV57</i> someone said, "Great souls have small use for small morals." Jim Lindblad of 1069 Parker Street advertises with the motto, "Is Money Low? Book a Show!" Peggy Starr is a member of the Board of Directors for <i>WGBY</i>.<br />
<br />
<i>Dirt Rag Magazine</i> came in the mail with the cover ripped savagely, a third of it gone completely. Also received a <i>Grassroots Lawn Care</i> flyer. At 12:15pm the phone rang and it was <i>Storrowtown Village</i>, with a very cooperative lady named Irene wanting to make reservations for 65 people for an event following a wedding. I told her she had the wrong number and she told me that Betty at <i>Storrowtown</i> had told her she would connect her to somebody who could help and "she just clicked it over to your phone." <br />
<br />
So we parted and I dialed <i>Storrowtown</i> and got Betty and told her what happened. She replied, "I'm going to transfer you to our boss who is the Director of <i>Storrowtown Village</i>." I got Denis Picard and we had a pleasant chat. I made it clear that I have to put up with wrong numbers from <i>Storrowtown</i> all the time, but this was the first time I ever got a wrong number from <i>Storrowtown</i> itself! At the end I told him that their mistake is okay this time, but if it happens again I will charge them with harassment. A very professional call. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and had a lot to say. Charlie and Joan Ryan sent him a birthday card. Eamon is annoyed by all the church related solicitations he gets because his mother often gave to religious organizations. He says he throws them in the trash unopened. Eamon also told me about his neighbor who works for the city and leaves at 7am, comes home a few hours later and doesn't leave until he goes back to work to check out at three o'clock. Eamon then recalled how he sent letters to Sen. Jesse Helms, who was blocking Bill Weld's ambassadorial appointment, telling Helms that Weld is a phony. Eamon sent a few letters to Paul Cellucci on various topics, but none were ever answered. <br />
<br />
Eamon then told me about a pastor at Sacred Heart named Edward M. Kennedy, whose dad was rich from railroad money and people complained because Rev. Kennedy owned land on Lake Congamond in Southwick and had valuable Waterford collectibles. The church forced him to sell the land and collectibles because it looked bad to have a rich priest. Eamon said he keeps hearing that a group of gay priests meet weekly at <i>The Fort</i> downtown on Friday afternoons around 2pm.<br />
<br />
Next Eamon complained about the article in the paper saying that Chief Meara is hiring seven public information officers. Eamon believes she should handle the info herself. His friend Dept. Spellacy is retiring at the end of March and he doesn't want a party or a plaque. "They can put the plaque where the monkey put the plum!" he told Eamon. Spellacy's friend Fitchett is putting on a private party to honor Spellacy on May 27th, to which Eamon has been invited to sit at the head table. Spellacy is still mad about how he topped the written exams but was denied the job of Chief by the Assessment Evaluation people who are unacquainted with real life police work. Spellacy claims they wanted a woman police chief and nobody else had a chance. <br />
<br />
We talked a bit about a <i>60 Minutes</i> story that said 40% of cops beat their wives. Eamon asked Spellacy about that once but he told Eamon, "There's some abusers but I won't get into details." Eamon recalled how in 1960 he urged Chief Raymond Gallagher to give new hires a psychological exam. Gallagher told Eamon he did not approve of requiring it. I told Eamon about my neighbor Edward R. Gallagher at 1480 Wilbraham Road. Eamon claimed that Mike Albano once told him, "The Springfield police take care of their own when it comes to domestic violence." <br />
<br />
<center><b>February 17, 2000</b></center><p>
Sunny and 33 degrees at 8am.<br />
<br />
The United States is spending more on prisons than on universities. I remain disgusted by President Clinton and how he is always shown leaving the Foundry United Methodist Church with a big Bible in his hand. <br /></p><p>The female General Manager of <i>City Stage</i> was on the news talking about integrating the arts with education, as suggested by the new Council that David Starr is forming. There was also a story on a big residential development near Mt. Holyoke. Naturally, I opposes that. Main Street from Court Square to Boland Way will be closed tomorrow for repairs to the water main that broke. A job that should have taken hours has taken weeks! <br />
<br />
<i>Serv-U</i>, whose owner Steve Rosencrantz used to say on his TV ads, "Where have you seen that lately?" is closing their stores in Springfield and Westfield. Their Northampton and Enfield stores will remain open. It's too bad to see local businesses having a rough time, less than a week of <i>Lowe's</i> was enough for <i>Serv-U</i>. <br />
<br />
We got an inch of snow last night but it melted off by noon. I was up early today reading newspapers. Still reading in <i>American Ideas</i>. Had bacon and egges fro breakfast, dined this evening on chicken and potatoes. I drove out around 2 o'clock, first leaving the misdelivered letter at 22 Jeffrey, then left a bag of material with Mrs. Cohn, who was seated at her kitchen table. I put out the mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i>, then crossed the street to <i>Dunkin Donuts</i>, but they were all out of jelly donuts. <br />
<br />
Going down Breckwood Boulevard I honked at Tom Devine, who was walking towards WNEC, but he didn't respond. I stopped at the Pine Point Library and got some Teacher Excellence Award nomination forms and signed my name in their big, gold Millennium book, writing that people should call Eamon's number. The thin, male librarian told me that the book is of acid-free paper, but I wonder. It's not bond and looks like plain paper to me. <br />
<br />
From there I took a bag of stuff to Mrs. Staniski, who was waiting for her mailman. She said Ann is taking her to Arizona to visit her cousin. Then I made a deposit at <i>Ludlow Bank</i> and complained about the layout of their bank statement. Stopped at the Evangelical Covenant Church and had a chat with Sharon in the office. I gave her my card and told her I am still waiting for a thank you letter for the pictures I gave them. Also stopped at the AIC Library and my letter has still not been published in the Chronicle. <br />
<br />
<i>Priceline</i> sent me a credit card made out to Joseph Miller, which is unusual. I won't be using it, but will keep it because I collect cards. Fred Whitney called while I was out. I called <i>Saks Fifth Avenue</i> and told them they should more precisely label their items for sale, as what they call a bowl I would call a vase. I called Duggan school and Carrie gave me Althea Clement's voice mail. I politely reminded her of the thank you note she was going to send me but did not. On the news, Charlie Ryan is supporting Republican John McCain for president. McCain is getting a lot of endorsements around here from Democrats. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>February 19, 2000</b></center><br />
Snowing and 27 degrees in the morning.<br />
<br />
McCain has conceded to Bush in South Carolina where bush got 53% and McCaine 42%. <i>WFCR</i> this morning said that Florida is dropping race and gender preferences for university admissions and state contractors as "a step towards ending affirmative action." The stock market took a tumble. Dined on broccoli, <i>Weight Watcher's Salsbury Steak and Macaroni Dinner</i> with fruit and orange juice. <br />
<br />
I am almost better from my cold. Tried to repair my copy of Blewitt, which is well thumbed having been bound in the 1800's. Finished Fox and Kloppenberg's book on American thought and then wrote them a nice letter telling them it is a fabulous book. At 9:50am I drove out as the regular mailman was going down the street early, usually he delivers around 1:30pm. It really only takes one hour to deliver this route but he often makes it last three hours or more. Made copies at <i>CopyCat</i> and then crossed the street where they still had no jelly donuts, telling me they always sell out early. I bought a dozen donuts with a coupon. Then I got gas at the <i>Cumberland Farms</i> by OLSH, which is five cents cheaper than elsewhere. <br />
<br />
I got my shipment from Timothy Hawley today. I called the Evangelical Covenant Church and got Aggie who told me Mrs. Carlson wasn't in. Also called Baypath and told Claire about the upcoming conference entitled "The Thatcher Years." Next I called the PVTA about their failure to hyphenate "twenty-five" on the cover of their flyer. Tina the receptionist told me that Michelle Goldberg is in charge of their brochures, but that particular one was made by a new employee named Tammy Poulos, who doesn't come in until noon. I told her to tell Tammy about the error, but Tina hung up without thanking me for my communication. <br />
<br />
Called Tom Devine who is very hoarse with a cold he came down with on Monday. I told him I saw him walking the other day and asked if he has a driver's license. He said yes, but since he doesn't have a car he doesn't use it very often. Tom told me that the Twig Painter received the materials I sent him on copyrighting his paintings. I asked Tom if he is still writing essays for the local GOP newsletter and he replied yes, one will be coming out in a few days. Devine wonders whether Charlie Ryan has left the Democratic party completely or is only going Republican to back McCain. <br />
<br />
At one point I urged Tom to write a letter to the <i>Union-News</i> praising Eamon. Tom said he has already had one letter to the editor published recently and he was surprised McDermott didn't censor it. I asked Tom if he's still releasing episodes of <i>The Ogulewicz Chronicles</i> and he said yes, offering to mail them to me. I told him to save his pennies and I'll come by sometime and pick them up. I used to get the <i>Chronicles</i> at <i>Louis & Clark</i>, but haven't seen any lately. Tom said that Fred Whitney told him he has been trying to reach me to work the primary. I didn't tell Tom how I've been purposely dodging Whitney's calls. In fact, Whitney called today but I didn't pick up. I haven't heard from Eamon for a couple of days. <br />
<br />
<center><b>February 20, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast and 34 degrees at 8:45am. <br />
<br />
I called Eamon and told him I'd be by to drop off some stuff. I wore black slacks, timber boots and my notorious purple pants, which I have worn several times with no trouble. Left at 9:20am and made copies at <i>Pride</i> in the Acres. Then to Eamon's, who came to the door and said he was watching TV. He gave me a bag that included stuff he got from Don at the Mass Department of Education. He also gave me a copy of a letter he once received from Walter Cronkite agreeing with Eamon that Pat Robertson is a stinker. <br />
<br />
From there I headed to the Exposition grounds for the Camping Show. After paying to enter, they stamped PVC in big blue letters on your hand. I have no desire for a camper, but Father wanted one, a <i>Winnebago</i>, but Mother wouldn't go along. However, they did go to Florida and Nova Scotia, while I stayed behind and watched the house. The campers were selling for ridiculous prices, one the size of a <i>Peter Pan</i> bus was selling for $149,000. The campers that fit on a truck were cuter and more realistic. There were a lot of booths offering campsite rentals. <br />
<br />
I got a nice picture of a moose from one campsite renter, <i>The Moose Hillock Campground</i> in Warren, New Hampshire. Years ago in Madison I had a couple of opportunities to purchase antique moose paintings that I now regret having passed up. At the Girl Scout booth I asked how much profit they make on a $3 box of Girl Scout cookies. The lady said about half the cost is profit, although if you buy from a Girl Scout she gets a commission. I replied that as a Cub Scout I sold 36 jars of Christmas candy, more than anyone else in my troop, and got no commission at all. The girl replied, "Times have changed!" <br />
<br />
I picked up a handful of road maps, including the latest one of Massachusetts. <i>Markham Meadows Campgrounds</i> in Connecticut passed out wooden nickles good for $5 off. The most interesting item was a genuine 1931 covered wagon camper with green trim, a tiny thing, but quite sensible with bunks in back and a gas stove on the side. It was part of the display booth of <i>Lake Schroom Valley Resort</i> in Warrensburg, New York. They were passing out postcards showing it being displayed at the 1932 Olympics. <br />
<br />
From there I got burgers and fries at the <i>McDonald's</i> up the road and then got some books at both <i>Goodwill</i> stores (Sumner Avenue and Sixteen Acres). The lady behind the counter at Sumner Avenue said, "Hello stranger, haven't seen you in here for a long time." Was she flirting with me? Anyway, I had a friendly chat with her. Got home a little after 3pm. I have not seen a newsletter from Friends of the Library lately. I did receive an invitation to a $125 fundraiser for Mayor Albano. I got my first 2000 penny today and I'm letting Sweet Pea and Honey Pot fight over it. <br />
<br />
<center><b>February 22, 2000</b></center><br />
Lovely day, 31 degrees at 6:45am. Gas is $1.33 at <i>Cumberland Farms</i>. <br />
<br />
President's Day. The memorial service for Peanuts' Charles Schultz is today. Property taxes are rising in Vermont. No more in the news about about the flooding at the German Gerena Elementary School and the $40,000 worth of books destroyed. Apparently the incident has been hushed up. A Wesley Stevens who tutors child actors was on <i>WFCR</i> today. <i>Tony's Pizza</i> appears to have less and less toppings, especially pepperoni. <br />
<br />
Typing my diary this morning and cooking a pumpkin pie. After that I wrote a memo to Gary Shepard at the PVTA. I also wrote a letter to Dean in Bethel about doing a postcard of the Lympus Church and mentioned my new Waller book. I looked over the books I got at the <i>Goodwill</i> the other day. I especially like <i>The President and Fundraising</i> by James L. Fisher and Gary H. Quehl (1997). It confirms many of my suspicions about campaign fundraising.<br />
<br />
I have five plants that I water once per week. Four of them are on the kitchen table so they get better light. There is still ten inches to a foot of snow on the ground. Drove out at 9:10am and bought the paper for a story about an increase in the number of people in Springfield who are applying for tax rebates. I also made copies, then dropped off a few things for Devine. Next I got some veggies at <i>Angelo's</i> and from there I got groceries at <i>Stop&Shop</i>. <br />
<br />
Crossing the street, I put out the mail at the Eastfield Mall Post Office. Then I had lunch in the food court consisting of a gyro and fries for $5.04. Tasted fine with beef but I would have preferred lamb. Coming home, I saw a car with New York plates outside the Penniman's and a tall kid walking toward the door with Mrs. Penniman. I stopped and she invited me in. Mr. Penniman was sitting in a wheelchair next to the bed in the front corner bedroom and I greeted him. I think it's nice that he's home from the nursing home. I hope Aunt Maria will also be able to come home. We chatted a bit and I left. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and told me how he sold fruitcakes as a Cub Scout. He got an invite to Albano's expensive fundraiser and told me he gave it to "The Deputy" meaning Spellacy. M.M. Keenan rang wanting the <i>Foster House</i> (the restaurant up in Westfield Mother and Aunt Maria sometimes went to). She didn't apologize for dialing the wrong number. Colleen the receptionist at <i>Moriarty and Connor</i> confirmed to me that Marshall is the Chairman of the Springfield Republican Party. Unknown called, but I did not pick up.<br />
<br />
<center><b>February 24, 2000</b></center><br />
Sun coming out at 7:45am, 33 degrees.<br />
<br />
There was a big story this morning on <i>WFCR</i> about how the University of Vermont has a problem involving hazing by the hockey team. Someone blew the whistle and a lawsuit was filed. University President Thomas Gustafson has set up a commission to investigate. Somebody on <i>WFCR</i> also said that George W. Bush "is in the place he's in due to heredity, he's not one of the brightest talents around." Socrates Babacas' BCL Associates is located at 224 Birchland Avenue. <br />
<br />
Nonsense pays better than commonsense, so most of what is published is nonsense. Kingsley Birge at Colby spoke of there being two kinds of scholars, those who published and those who read. I don't think Birge as Chairman of the Sociology Department published much. Why don't schools ever ask their graduates what they think was wrong with their education? Punishment for problems should come out of the hide of the educators, not the students. <br />
<br />
I hadn't noticed this is a leap year! Cooked up some cauliflower and spent time leafing through my new books. I often take a nap in the afternoon and then work until late in the evening. Brenda Garton got it wrong on the news by saying that <i>Lowe's</i> is located in the old <i>Lechmere</i> building. <i>Lowe's</i> demolished <i>Lechmere</i> and built from scratch. Also in the news, <i>Old Navy</i> opened at the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> today. <br />
<br />
Called Jeff the Framer to discuss re-backing some of my posters and paintings. His assistant answered and instantly recognized my voice. What is it about my voice that everyone remembers? A nice girl called from <i>Arthur Murray Dance Studio</i> offering me some lessons. Since she was nice, I thanked her for calling but told her to take my name off their list and don't call again! Called Evangelical Covenant Church and Sharon said, "Mrs. Carlson and Angie are not here now." I asked who is the Chairman of the Board and she said John Larson is the Chair of the Building Committee. I asked who the Minister reports to and she said Royce Layman, who is a teacher in Ludlow. <br />
<br />
I called Duggan looking for Mrs. Clement but Terry said everyone is on vacation until next week. Called the library and asked for Guy Mclain and they connected me with Art and Music, where Linda said she didn't know where he was. I left word about the Gutenberg article and said Guy doesn't have to call me back. Eamon called and told me he has mailed two letters to the paper using fake names. Eamon also said he would never marry a young wife because they are only looking to inherit your estate. Eamon and I heard two clicks on the phone while we were talking. <br />
<br />
Shepard from the <i>PVTA</i> called, but I didn't answer. I called ex-rep Fred Whitney and he picked up promptly. Boy, was he cheerful when he learned it was me. I politely said that Tom Devine had told me that he was trying to get in touch with me. I also mentioned how last fall I asked him to give me a recommendation and he gave me various excuses for not getting around to it. I told him to not mention my name to anyone, including Tom Devine or Marshall Moriarty, and I promised not to talk about him to others. I said, "Good day, Sir," and hung up. Whitney immediately called back, but he let it ring only three times before hanging up. My relationship with Whitney has been one-sided - I put in more than I get out. It was I who introduced Whitney to Devine, the Powells and ARISE. I also took him a good deal of literature, yet, no recommendation. <br />
<br />
Unknown rang six times.<br />
<br />
<center><b>February 25, 2000</b></center><p><br />
54 degrees at 4:35pm. </p><p>Urban planning should focus on the even distribution of municipal services, uniform expenditure of municipal funds on every community - not the focusing of resources to one segment or another (including the city core).<br />
<br />
Up at 3am, the light was on over in Kelly's kitchen. Dined today on juice, fruit, toast, bacon and eggs and a can of <i>Progresso Minestrone Soup</i>. Finished reading Snodgrass' <i>Encyclopedia of Utopian Literature</i>. It taught me some things, but overall lightweight, as the works cited are often secondary rather than seminal works. It's a book by a diligent high school teacher type. <br />
<br />
The mail finally came today at 2:05pm. Drove out and left a big bag of magazines with a smiling and very pleasant Mr. Cohn. I see that Durham Caldwell has a "Bradley for President" sign in front of his house. I then went to <i>Louis & Clark</i>, where I bought postcards and made copies. I ran into Socrates Babacas, who is always chasing a deal but never making one. I went to Tom Devine's and dropped off a copy of the review of Ayn Rand's <i>Anthem</i> in <i>Utopia</i>. His driveway is unpaved and was quite icy. Tom came to the backdoor looking like he just woke up and was wearing nothing but tight jeans. Finally, I headed to the <i>Goodwill</i> where I bought Norwich's <i>British Heritage</i>, an absolutely beautiful book. <br />
<br />
Called Heritage Hall about Aunt Maria. Debbie got me Mary Ellen, the nurse in charge, and she was most helpful. She told me Aunt Maria had two ladies visiting yesterday and went out today for a follow-up visit with Dr. Titus at Mercy Hospital. To have the information so concisely delivered was more than I could have hoped for. Chatted with Eamon and told him about the guy at <i>Jeff's</i> recognizing my voice. I recalled how when I was a little kid at Homer Street I heard my voice on a tape recorder and thought that my voice didn't sound anything like my voice sounded to me. Eamon said he thinks I have "a homosexual voice." <br />
<br />
I told Eamon about running into Socco Babacas and Eamon said he believes Babacas is suffering from mental illness. Eamon also admitted he has lied on job applications, "Nobody checks them, I know how it's done." I then told Eamon about the <i>Lesbian Wars</i> book I am reading. Eamon recalled how he was once chatting with a lesbian in a downtown bar (he admitted it was when he should have been working) and her butch came along and started accusing Eamon of trying to steal her lover and soon it turned into a shouting match. Eventually Eamon "hit the bitch" and knocked her to the ground. Eamon claimed it was necessary in order to defend himself. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>February 26, 2000</b></center><br />
45 degrees at 7:45am, rainy day.<br />
<br />
The <i>Dow</i> took a dive to below 10,000. Shares of <i>General Electric</i> have fallen by $10 since I bought it, but I think it will revive. Tom Brokow had a <i>Fleecing of America</i> feature on the Big Dig in Boston. With gas prices up, I have curtailed my driving. I have also curtailed my use of oil here in the house. I'm a real slob of a typist, usually done with my notes strewn all around, it is a wonder that so much gets written down. <br />
<br />
Talked with Eamon in the early afternoon. He said he renewed his subscription to the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> for 13 weeks at a third off by telling them he is a retired person living on a fixed income. Eamon told me that over the years he has acquired teaching certificates in History, Social Studies, English and Business. Eamon also intimated that "higher ups" in the Police Department told him that Brian Lees is a homosexual. Eamon says the police look the other way when officers misbehave because of drunkenness. He then described Mayor Albano as someone who "talks in riddles and out of both sides of his mouth." <br />
<br />
A lot of dirty snow around. Dined on fish and chips from <i>Big Y</i>. I predicted to Eamon yesterday that a decision on the stadium/Northgate would be coming on Friday and indeed it came late today. ALBANO LOST! We the People have won, thanks to Charlie Ryan. I first heard the decision handed down by Judge Constance Sweeney in Hampden Superior Court on the <i>TV22 News at Five</i>. I then switched to <i>TV40</i> to see what they were saying but they were commenting on the anniversary of the Jahn Foundry explosion of exactly one year ago. They spent a lot of time bragging about how they had news of the blast on the air first, completely oblivious to how they were missing the most important story of this year!<br />
<br />
Albano was unavailable for comment as he was "attending to family business." Jim Coppola of the <i>Union Market</i> was interviewed. Jennifer McCarthy of the liquor store was on, and so was Bob and Karen Powell. Karen thanked Ryan and Professor Zimbalist, but made no mention of the <i>Valley Advocate</i>, a serious omission. Jim Polito interviewed Ryan, who said he was surprised by the length of the Judge's decision. <i>TV22</i> gave generous coverage to the Northgate story, but <i>TV40</i> droned on about the Jahn explosion for about an hour. I called <i>TV40</i> twice to complain, the first time she brushed me off with a sassy tone, so I called back and asked, "Is this the History Channel?" She slammed down the phone.<br />
<br />
<center><b>February 27, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast and 43 degrees at 1pm. <br />
<br />
<i>Captain Underpants</i>, an irreverent kid's book series, have sold over 3 million copies. The motto of the John Harvard Society is "Generosity in the Spirit of John Howard." Todd Crosset, Professor of Sports Management at UMass, will be giving a lecture on <i>Sexuality in Sports Organizations: Gender Segregation and Issues Around Sexuality</i> at Radcliffe on March 14th. <i>Razzles</i> down the North End is closing. My telephone bill went up ten cents, the phone company is constantly nickle and diming the public. <br />
<br />
Did a load of wash. Karen Powell called and invited me to a party today to celebrate the stadium decision. Went and had hotcakes without sausage at the Boston Road <i>McDonald's</i>. Before I left I called Albano at 788-4461 and left a message that there's a gathering about the stadium (not saying whether pro or con) at the Powell's on Mohawk Drive this afternoon. I also called Michaelann Bewsee and Marshall Moriarty. I called Belle-Rita Novak but she said she couldn't go because she was babysitting. Belle-Rita also told me that one of her best friends went through school with Mike Albano and she said he had a reputation as a bully. <br />
<br />
From <i>McDonald's</i> I went to the Open House at 1288 Parker Street. The basement was a mess but the rest of the house is nice. Out back there is some woods and I asked if any of the land comes with the house, but surprisingly the saleslady didn't know. About 2:15pm I arrived at the Powell's Northgate Victory Party and was the third car to arrive. By the time I left there were 14 cars parked around the house. The sun never came out but the temperature was in the 50's. <br />
<br />
The party was inside with the dogs in the backyard. The Powells have a nice house with a fireplace. Their living room has a copy of the Constitution hanging on the wall. They have an office with a computer, copying machine and fax. The kitchen and dining area was crowded with guests. First thing Karen asked me to sign a nomination form to get Pat Buchanan on the presidential primary ballot, which I did to be accommodating. Bob Powell was passing out copies of the court decision. A man named James Wilson showed me a reply he received from Mayor Albano to a suggestion Wilson made to turn the Little Statehouse into a Senior Center. I told him that Albano never responds to anything I send him. Wilson also said he doubts the Technical High School building can be saved because the roof is badly damaged. <br />
<br />
The owner's of <i>Northgate Discount Liquors</i> brought food, rolls of various kinds, a good variety of cheeses and cold cuts with two types of salad, potato and macaroni. Marshall and his wife were there. He seemed a bit distant but did tell me he is a 1971 graduate of Amherst College. I made no mention of my break with Fred Whitney, but we talked about a Sixteen Acres House Tour. Several people noted that Tom Devine was not there. Bob Powell showed me the many certificates and awards he has received for target shooting, one was from <i>Smith & Wesson</i>. He said he has a competition coming up next week. Carol Lewis-Caulton arrived late, no one came from the <i>Valley Advocate</i> although Karen said she had alerted Mo Turner. When I left, I photographed each of the 14 vehicles present. Home at 3:35pm.<br />
<br />
<center><b>February 28, 2000</b></center><br />
48 degrees at 7:30am. <br />
<br />
Congressman Neal is giving a talk tonight on Ireland at Mt. Holyoke. Orangemen should attend but won't. <i>TV22</i> news tonight described the "serious political fallout for Mayor Albano" over the stadium decision. Albano says he still wants to build the stadium, but without taxpayer dollars. Peter Picknelly was also on, saying that Albano was "totally genuine in his desire to bring baseball to Springfield and I praise him for that." Picknelly said he thinks that a proposal to put a stadium in the South End is too expensive. <br />
<br />
I wrote two consumer complaint letters today, one to <i>Taste Maker's Ground Black Pepper</i> for their brittle plastic caps and the other to <i>Progresso</i> for the string bean stem I found in their minestrone soup. Next I called the Evangelical Covenant and spoke with Barbara Roberts who said Sharon is gone for a week on vacation. Called Mrs. Penniman, who told me her husband has been home since before Christmas and although the burden of his care is great she takes it "a day at a time." Overall she said "it's a terrible situation to be in," especially since his health collapsed "just when he was getting ready to enjoy retirement." I invited her to call me for help anytime and she politely asked how I have been.<br />
<br />
D. L. Jameson called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. Called East Longmeadow Library and Joanna told me that the book I'm looking for on lying is not in their database. I called the City Library and Ed Lonergan said he will check to see whether they have the book at UMass. Ed did tell tell me that they have the set on English and Welsh antiquities in Rice Hall. I also inquired with Sister Mary Gallager in rare books at Elms. <br />
<br />
Called Mrs. Staniski, who has had a cold for the past three days but it is going away. I then called Karen Powell and asked her when it was that she first heard of Judge Sweeney's decision. She said she got a phone call from Andy Cohen and then Karen immediately called her husband Bob at work. Charlie Ryan called her about an hour later, saying the media had called and asked him to come down to <i>Northgate</i> to be interviewed and Ryan urged her and Bob to do the same. When they arrived at 5:15pm she and Bob were interviewed immediately while a crowd of reporters also surrounded Ryan. <br />
<br />
Next I called Duggan, where I got Karen who connected me with Ms. Clement who said she gave my name and number to the Principal Thomas Keating. Ironically, Keating was on the evening news tonight in a story about 40 windows that were broken over the weekend at Duggan which will cost over $6,000 to repair. Eamon called and said his phone editorial on <i>Northgate</i> got over 50 calls today. Eamon is unhappy with the interest his money is making at <i>Union Federal</i> and is considering switching to <i>Westfield</i>. <br />
<br />
I offered to give Eamon the <i>Valley Advocate's</i> number, but he said he already left his comments on the stadium decision on Maureen Turner's voicemail at 247-5182 Ext. 223. We both mocked <i>TV40</i> for its poor coverage of the decision and their bragging about their coverage of the foundry explosion. He said their lack of coverage shows that their motto, "Coverage You Can Count On" is a joke. Eamon says he doesn't like Governor Cellucci, whom he heard had trouble with the mob in years past over money he lost at the ponies. Eamon feels just as Cellucci couldn't handle his own finances, he is now having trouble with the Commonwealth's finances.<br />
<br />
<center><b>February 29, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and 39 degrees at 7am. <br />
<br />
Leap Year, Sadie Hawkins Day. Zinnias are my favorite garden flowers because they come in so many different colors, sizes and shapes. <br />
<br />
My copy of <i>The Pantheon</i> came today from Jordan Luttrell by <i>UPS</i>. It included a card in Luttrell's sloppy handwriting, which I am saving as a relic from the antiquarian book trade. Out at 9:20am to <i>Hampden Savings</i> where I tried to open an account with $15 cash. The short, black lady teller told me I needed at least $50. She asked me my name, but I said since I can't open an account she didn't need it. <br />
<br />
The insurance lady was there at her desk, so I walked over and sat down. I asked her whether their motor club gives away free road maps, which are eventually marketable as ephemera, but she didn't know. She told me about their program and I told her it sounds like AAA, but more expensive. I admitted I already belong to AAA and then told her how Mary Irvine is so helpful that whenever I ask her to do things she often replies, "I already did it." I explained how I could never betray her loyalty by joining a competing motor club. (Ironically, later in the day I saw Mary Irvine pushing a cart in <i>Food Mart</i>.) Anyway, I never told her my name. <br />
<br />
From there I went to <i>Big Y</i> and withdrew $200 from <i>Woronoco</i> and paid my credit card. Then to the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> where I put out my mail and made copies. <i>The Daily Hampshire Gazette</i> had a remarkable insert from an undertaker with all the prices on it, which I found in a trash can at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. Then I went back to <i>Hampden</i> to continue my adventure. I walked in and waved $50 at the sweet, black teller and announced I had enough for a bank account. She asked me to step into the Manager's Office, also a black woman. This manager lady curtly said, "We're not opening an account for you" and then added if I have any questions to call Tom Burton. In other words, get lost! I replied that "most banks want to keep their old friends, but not <i>Hampden</i>!" I departed noting that the time was 11:10am. I also noted that the clock in the bank was off by seven minutes. Once again, <i>Hampden Bank</i> has wasted my time.<br />
<br />
I then dined on a <i>Subway</i> sandwich at <i>Five Town Mall</i>. The price there is 99 cents, but downtown the price has gone up to $1.29. While there, I ran into Joseph J. Caputo Jr. who lives in the yellow house at 205 Birchland. He told me he bought his lot on our street from a priest at Holy Cross. Birchland is a street of custom cottages, not big houses but special little houses. He bought his house in 1955 and is an electrician by trade. We congratulated ourselves on the People's victory on <i>Northgate</i>. Caputo complained that Albano "never held a private sector job" and is "just like his father who ran the garment worker's union." He said Albano tries to "push people around" and that the mayor after Albano will have a big mess to clean up. <br />
<br />
<i>Balise</i> of Wilbraham called and it was Richard Stred saying he "heard you were looking for a vehicle." I told him I have a lovely 1985 <i>Ford LTD</i> which I praised in every way. I also told him about Lizzie the Model T and how I would like to place her with a loving purchaser who would fix her up and cherish her. I said I was in no rush, as she has been confined to her garage for fifty years. I told him it was Mother's darling car until she bought the '49 <i>Ford</i>. He connected me to William, also of <i>Balise</i>, and he was very much interested. I told him the garage is now surrounded by snow and ice so we'll have to wait a few months. I think I may have a buyer, the only issue is how much of a sucker he expects me to be to take it off my hands.<br />
<br />
Eamon called and told me he will ask his car dealer friend in Florida how much I should charge for Lizzie. He also told me that Tom Devine called twice today. Eamon said several people have told him over the years that Albano was a bully in high school. Charlie Ryan told Eamon he stopped by the City Council meeting last night and all they did was approve licenses for used cars. Ryan thinks Springfield already has too many car lots. <br />
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-78644110318832111552016-10-13T16:54:00.009-04:002023-11-20T14:02:38.731-05:00March 2000<center><b>March 2, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny.<br />
<br />
<i>WFCR</i> is having their March fund drive. The news says Mayor Albano is withdrawing his request for $4 million in state funding. <i>TV22</i> also said that four thousand parking tickets have been handed out downtown so far this year, with someone shown promising that "those who park illegally in downtown Springfield will pay the price." That's a real good way to drive people out of downtown, for sure. The 112 year old <i>Cherry & Webb</i> is liquidating by April 1st. They have a store in Longmeadow and had one at <i>Liberty Plaza</i> where <i>Steiger's</i> was. The also had one at <i>Eastfield Mall</i> but they closed. I always wanted one of their gift coins but not at the prices they charged. <br />
<br />
Read newspapers until midnight last night. Jordan Luttrell wants to sell me <i>Fragmenta Antiqua</i> and I guess I'll have to buy it. Went out and there were no <i>Valley Advocates</i> at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. I did run into Officer Bobby Brown, who is the president of the retired cops and firefighters organization. He described himself as "Protestant and over 70." He wants to start a recall petition against the Mayor and described Albano as "a bully." He said he has filed a Freedom of Information request on the finances of the Basketball Hall of Fame but they have stonewalled him for years. I told Brown I collect manuscripts of historical significance and if he has any I hope he will think of adding them to my archives. Brown also told me he once appealed his taxes and got a substantial refund. <br />
<br />
From there I went to the Quadrangle and left my letter for Hamilton with the Pynchon receptionists before pausing briefly in Rice Hall. Next I went to the AIC Library and looked through the <i>Chronicle</i>, which has not published my letter. While I was standing there reading, a short man dressed in brown came up to me and asked, "Are you Attorney Miller?" I replied, "Yes, but who are you?" He replied, "I am Arthur Gingras, a teacher at the High School of Commerce and a friend of Eamon T. O'Sullivan." We stepped into a seminar room and chatted for ten minutes. He told me he once visited with John Silber in Boston and asked me some questions about the fall of <i>Monarch</i>. Before we parted Gingras told me he lives on West Silver Street in Westfield.<br />
<br />
Back home, I spent some time reading, then dined on apple cider, <i>Stouffer's Lasagna</i> and cauliflower. Unknown rang and when I picked up it was voiceless. "Who are you?" I asked. "Your failure to speak is discourteous." Eamon called and said he got me some McCain for President literature from their headquarters at <i>Converse Carlisle</i>. He also got a McCain button and some plastic signs. Eamon also told me he had a talk with Charlie Ryan. Charlie told Eamon that he is too old to run for mayor and there are too many problems. Ryan accused Albano of "leaving a terrible mess for the next mayor to clean up." <br />
<br />
Fred Whitney called while I was out. I read Tom Devine's essay <i>Mayor Albano Should Resign</i>, which is very well written. I called Devine and he told me his cold is somewhat better and that he usually communicates with Mo Turner by email rather than phone. He also told me he is going to the McCain rally in Boston Saturday with Mitch Ogulewicz. Eamon informed me that Charlie Ryan is going as well. Tom then asked me if I was working the polls Tuesday and when I asked why he asked he replied, "They're desperate for help." Devine said the tax on his house jumped, but they didn't appeal it "because it's useless." I told him no, not at all, and told him how Eamon claims he always wins his appeals. We then tried to list all the lawsuits that have been brought against the Albano Administration, such as Gerry Daniele's $100,000 settlement and the $700,000 paid in the Schoolfield case. <br />
<br />
<center><b>March 3, 2000</b><br /></center><p>
38 degrees and sunny at 8:15am. Gas at the corner of Alden and Wilbraham Road $1.49 per gallon.<br />
<br />
The full name of <i>Monarch</i> in 1930 was <i>The Monarch Accident Insurance Company</i>. Although dead, Mother is still getting mail. <i>Serenade Chocolatier</i> is at 5 Harvard Square, Brookline. Tracy Fleming is Customer Service Manager at the <i>Bank of Western Massachusetts</i> on State Street. </p><p>Parking meters are our city's first greeters. The first thing you encounter wen you arrive in downtown Springfield is a parking meter. It's a Ruby Goldberg contraption on a pole. They ought to say on them, "Welcome to Springfield, the International Domestic Comeback Sports Parking Lot City of America!"<br />
<br />
Listened to <i>WFCR</i> in the morning as always. They are calling themselves "exemplary radio, radio at its best." That is correct. Their news said President Clinton had promised to connect all of U.S. students to the internet by the year 2000 but only 78% are in fact connected. The problem with Clinton is, despise him though you may, what's he done that's so wrong? Mike Albano would like to be like him but Albano is no Clinton. J. Carvalho was on saying that the Seuss statues have been delayed. Makes you wonder if they are short on money or experiencing cost overruns, but they're not talking about those issues yet.<br />
<br />
The stock market is up, <i>GE</i> is finally over what I paid. I went to the <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> to get the money to pay Luttrell. Mrs. Maggi is always very friendly. I also left left an envelope with Greg Michael at WNEC. Wood framings are going up on the corner of Parker and Boston Road in front of the former <i>Edwards</i>, but there's no sign telling what it will be. Then I drove into the city and parked in front of the Baptist Church as usual. Down the hill to the Chamber of Commerce where I bought a Chambers Channels ticket for next Wednesday. I also left off some items for Russ Denver with Linda, including info about my new book, pictures of Tibetan art and my Best Teacher application. <br />
<br />
From there I crossed the street to <i>Monarch Place</i> and left some Italian stuff for Peter Picknelly with the new security guy Roberto. Into <i>Fleet</i> where I was told that their special rates offer had ended and was only for people with <i>Fleet Gold Accounts</i>. I visited the <i>Boland Way Antique Shop</i>, which had a sale on Springfield themed souvenir glassware and crockery, but I buy only metal. In <i>Tower Square</i>, the <i>U.S. Factory Outlet</i> had about twenty racks of clothing and two registers open. <i>Factory Outlets</i> is being permitted to display merchandise at the center court among <i>Spaghetti Freddy's</i>, <i>Dunkin' Donuts</i> and <i>Hannoush Jewelers</i>, which is a sure sign that business is bad and they may be on their way out. Passing through <i>Tower Square</i> there were some shoppers but not a crowd. <br />
<br />
It was pretty raw out so I didn't do much walking around outdoors as the day got progressively wintry. When I got home, I warmed up some leftover fish and chips. There was a lot of mail, including seven pieces for carol R. Dana at 22 Jeffrey Road. I called Gordon McKellick, a postal police officer, and he said he would send an envelope to return it in. <br />
<br />
Called Aunt Maria's house and her phone still rings but no one answers. So I called Heritage Hall and Lisa answered and I asked her how Maria Giroux is doing. She replied, "I'm looking at her right now." I asked about her appetite and she said "picky." As for visitors, she said Aunt Maria has had a few, all women. I then inquired whether she thought Aunt Maria may be coming home soon and she replied, "I do not." She also described Aunt Maria's mental state as "varying from day to day, sometimes good, sometimes not so good." Later, Unknown called but I didn't answer because I was napping. <br />
<br />
Eamon has a new phone editorial calling for Mayor Albano's resignation. I called him and Eamon complained that his Cadillac forces him to spend more on gas. Eamon said he was up at <i>Ingleside Mall</i> for two hours today, describing the mall as well filled with people. While there he looked at watches at <i>Penny's</i>, then went to <i>Hannoush</i> to examine their top of the line watches. Eamon asked how their <i>Tower Square</i> store is doing and the clerk exclaimed, "Terrible!" I then told Eamon about my postal problems and he said his mailman Randy doesn't arrive until 4:45pm. Eamon said Gingras the teacher called him and told him that the Oriental and Russian students at Commerce do wonderfully because they have a great work ethic and love learning. Most Hispanic students, however, have little interest in academics.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>March 5, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and 34 degrees at 6:30am. Gas at Cumberland Farms on Boston Road is $1.46.<br />
<br />
My throat still bothers me, but overall I feel better. The snow is just about all melted. All this grief counseling they have today for kids is bad. When I was a kid the Sangers died and nothing was made of it. In High School I went to Helen Flanagan's funeral but not L.W. Smith's. No counseling. I fear counseling may rub the grief in rather than relieving it. My Father put a window in the garage out in Wilbraham so that Lizzie our Model T would have a view of the river. Father lived in a simpler world of goodness, where romantic sentimentalism was still possible. <br />
<br />
I drove out and left a copy of the <i>Wall Street Journal</i> on Tom Devine's back steps. Got stuff at <i>Angelo's</i>, which has been somewhat rearranged. They have new cash registers and the floor plan has been changed so that you have to go to the back to get the fruit and then have to pass the regularly priced vegetables to get to the bargain ones. Had hotcakes and sausage at the Boston Road <i>McDonald's</i>, then headed to the <i>Goodwill</i> where I bought two used books and mailed my order to Luttrell in the mailbox in front. The mail brought a thank you note for the pictures of the steeple raising from Matthew Burt at the Evangelical Covenant. Dealing with him takes up time and psychic energy, but research is what I am about and as a conservative Christian he fell for my stuff hook, line and sinker. <br />
<br />
When I got home I raked the backyard. For supper I had the chicken I got at <i>Food Mart</i> and cooked it with onions and potatoes in the microwave. I also spent three hours cleaning out Mother's closet and putting things aside for the <i>Goodwill</i>. In the news, Rev. Ann Geer is stepping down as head of the Council of Churches because of a back problem. On <i>TV40</i> Tommy Reilly was on talking about "the need to tell the truth" about the real costs of the Big Dig. He said "people have not been candid." Joe Malone is a mess as Treasurer, Weld is a mess as Governor and the Republicans have made a mess of the Big Dig. Republicans always boast that they can handle money, but can they? <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he heard that a lot of local political people are going to McCain's rally in Boston today. We also discussed CANE, which Eamon praised. At one point Eamon referred to David and Larry at the paper as "Toots" Starr and "Twinkles" McDermott. Eamon complained that McDermott's columns are well written but too biased. He said McDermott is not stupid, but his intelligence makes him dangerous because he might actually carry out his ideas. McDermott's latest column complains about over population, but his paper is always pushing economic development, which brings more people. I asked Eamon if he had a nickname for me and he replied, "Gabby Miller." I exclaimed, "Oh no, I want my nickname to be "Sucker." Eamon insisted, "Your nickname is Gabby Miller and it can't be anything else."<br />
<br />
<center><b>March 6, 2000</b></center><br />
38 degrees at 6:30am. <br />
<br />
On <i>WFCR</i> Priscilla Drucker said that "funding Public Radio is messy, but that's good because democracy is messy." There was also a segment about how meningitis can be spread through saliva. "Don't share drinks!" they exclaimed, which made me think of the rite of Holy Communion among Episcopals. <br />
<br />
Mother was always a nut for putting clothes hangers on every door from which they could be suspended. I have removed all of them and can now close her closet door, which never completely closed due to the hangars. <br />
<br />
Out at 9:10am and was fortunate to find today's paper in the <i>Louis & Clark</i> trashcan. I ran into Officer Brown, who said he was on Western Mass Genological Society business. After putting out my mailing to the WNEC chaplains, I went across Breckwood Boulevard to get a doughnut with strawberry frosting at <i>Dunkin Donuts</i>. Professor Anzalotti was there, saying he was on his way to work. He said he was surprised not to run into me at the the poll worker orientation meeting the other night. I told him I would not be working the polls due to a personal matter. He told me, "We're going to miss you a lot." I replied, "Mr. Anzalotti, you are one of the finest gentlemen it has been my privilege to know." On my way out I ran into Mr. Wilson the UPS man and we exchanged pleasantries. <br />
<br />
Then to Evangelical Covenant to leave some photo negatives with Sharon. Next I headed to the <i>Goodwill</i> and dropped off several bags of Mother's clothes. All the regular workers were there except Patty. When I got home, I trimmed the hedges by the blackberries and picked up dead branches. This is the first serious exercise I've done in some time. The mail came at 1:15pm and included a postcard from Fred Whitney warning that I would lose my position as a poll worker if I don't contact him immediately. I also got a catalog from <i>Lawbook Exchange</i> and will order <i>The Taproot Lawyer</i> by Michael Thomas (1959). Tonight I dined on a <i>Healthy Choice</i> meal of potatoes and ham. There wasn't much to it and the picture on the box was misleading. You can be sure I will complain.<br />
<br />
<center><b>March 7, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny, mild day, 35 degrees at 7:30am. <br />
<br />
Today was Super Tuesday and in Massachusetts John McCain beat G.W. Bush as Al Gore beat Bill Bradley. The Catholic Church is going to have a Day of Forgiveness this Sunday in which it is apologizing for all the injustices it may have committed against women, minorities, indigenous people and also for the Crusades and Inquisition. Well. <br />
<br />
On <i>WFCR</i>, Madeline Brown had a story on the rise in the number of foster children. They also had a story about how Vermont has turned down a pipeline to Rutland. At one point they crowed that <i>The Today Show</i> reaches only 4.9 million people each morning, but National Public Radio reaches 8.8 million people daily. They also said they try to "respect your intelligence" in their stories, something we rarely get from the Springfield Newspapers.<br />
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Betsy Lowenstein is the Library Director for the Nantucket Historical Association. <i>Wolf & Company</i> is a certified public accounting firm with offices in Boston and Springfield. I left for the Tuesday Morning Music Club concert at 10:05am and parked on Massachusetts Avenue. The club officers spoke using a microphone and you could see that a lot of the men in attendance wore hearing aids. Do men have bad hearing more than women? Clearly there are more men members now than a decade ago, when it was primarily an old ladies' group. Yet, I was still one of the youngest people there. They served several trays of assorted cookies without providing napkins. Mrs. Staniski was there but left at the break. <br />
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On my way home I stopped to vote at Glickman. Durham Caldwell was standing outside leaning on a sign for Senator Bradley. He has been more friendly and pleasant ever since the time I made fun of him on the phone. The Cohn's were just leaving the polls as I arrived, she seemed to be walking with a limp. There were only two elderly ladies working the polls, I was voter #86. <br />
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When I got home I called Mrs. Staniski and asked her why she left the concert early and she said she had a lot of errands to do. She told me that she was "appalled" to see Mary Alice Stusick and her husband sitting in the front row, noting that they are "too busy to go to church but not too busy to go to concerts." I said I hoped she wasn't appalled by the way I was dressed and she said no, that times have changed and today anything goes. She did add that she is glad that she has two "red-blooded American grandsons who are into life." <br />
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Called Heritage Hall about Aunt Maria. They say she wants to come home and has said so repeatedly. Nurse Laura told me that Aunt Maria had no visitors today and is still forgetful and unsteady on her feet. She did say that Shirley comes all the time. I told Laura that Aunt Maria's birthday is on March 23 and that she always celebrates St. Patrick's Day.<br />
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On the evening news Tom Brokaw talked about rising telephone rates and fees, saying that American phone users are getting "nickled and dimed" by the phone companies. Eamon called and told me Moore is taking an exam to become a contractor, but he only wants big jobs and wouldn't want to bother with my little ones. Eamon then recalled how he rode into Boston a few times on the bus with Peter Picknelly, who told him that he has to pay $100,000 to insure each bus. Eamon then expressed delight that his latest answering machine editorial attacking Albano has gotten a lot of calls, including ones from the Basketball Hall of Fame, City Hall and from state and county offices.<br />
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<center><b>March 8, 2000 <br /></b></center><p><br /> Each king in a deck of playing cards represent a great king from history. Spades - King David, Clubs - Alexander the Great, Hearts - Charlemagne and Diamonds - Julius Caesar. </p><p>A person on TV said that Sen. Bill Bradley is losing because he's too boring and speaks with a "passionless, Spock-like vibe." The estimated cost of Boston's Big Dig in 1993 was $6.4 billion dollars. Now it is $12.2 billion and counting. Harold E. Quackenbush, manager of the <i>Ocean State Job Lot</i> store on Boston Road in Springfield, is featured in an article by Patricia Norris about orange prison jumpsuits available at $4 apiece. There was no ad for <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> in last Sunday's paper. <i>USA Town and Country Recycling</i> is located in East Windsor, Connecticut. Antoine V. Wilson is a Postal Inspector in Springfield. </p><p>Drawing fancy plans is easy and brings in nice pay. But here in Springfield we have tough problems and we need tough thought and hard answers. <br />
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While raking the backyard today I saw three crocuses in bloom, one snowdrop and lots of blooming daffodils. Irving Cohn came by and we had a good chat. He said Zachary is in Prague trying to buy illuminated manuscripts from churches but they don't want to sell. Mr. Cohn politely tried to feel me out on my political orientation. He doesn't like conservatives and feels America owes its greatness to the openness of our universities. We both agreed that long term trends favor liberalism. I brought in my McCain for President sign, the nice plastic one with the wire frame, and added it to my collection of political signs. <br />
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I called the Bushnell Box Office and asked if the Bushnell has an organ, but the guy who answered, who sounded like he's from India, said he didn't know. Ashley Shea of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission called from West Springfield. She told me she has only lived in the area for about two years. Ashley is so sweet that I told her I would send her some Tuesday Morning Music Club tickets. Eamon's new phone answering machine editorial talks about "The Albano Difference" just as I suggested. Eamon says his tax consultant told him that since he can no longer claim his mother as a dependent he will have to pay more in taxes. Eamon said he got a phone call from John Smith in Washington about the material he sent them on Commerce and said he would forward it to someone named Richard Rafa for further examination. <br />
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At about 3:15pm I headed out to the Chamber Channels meeting being held at the new Channel 22 building in Chicopee. First I sent out some mail in the box in front of the <i>Goodwill</i>. Then I headed over to <i>Ocean State Job Lot</i>, parking by <i>Lowe's</i>, but they were completely sold out of prison jumpsuits. I left a message with Colleen to call me when they got more. I then headed over to the Liberty <i>Ocean State Job Lot</i> where they had three so I bought one. As I was leaving I ran into Mo Jones and he asked why he didn't see me working the polls. I told him it was "a personal matter." While I was out that way I went to <i>Savers</i> and then dropped off material at Eamon's. I told Eamon about the little crack in my new driveway and Eamon suggested I complain loudly and demand that they patch it at once. <br />
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From there I drove to Chicopee and was amazed to see the <i>TV22</i> parking lot totally full. I ended up parking on the road behind the place near some abandoned railroad tracks. The station is ideally located, come off the expressway on the left and the station is the first left down the road. I wore my "Raising Hell is My Business and Business is Good" t-shirt. There were maybe 200 people there, the place was so packed you could barely move.<br />
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There were pastel colored balloons all around which was quite nice, and several <i>NBC</i> banners hanging on the walls. I spotted one security guard. In the middle of the room was a long table with an ice sculpture of the <i>NBC</i> peacock and the <i>WWLP</i> logo. They had veggies and fancy bread bits and all kinds of cheese and crackers. The prize attraction was some good size shrimp, but I only had one because I'm not all that crazy about shrimp. They also had stuffed mushroom caps and cheese filled pastry balls. No fruit. Coffee served along with brownies and raspberry strudel. There was a cash bar and catering was done by <i>White Gloves</i>, whose employees I have never seen wearing white gloves. I took a plate of goodies to a man in a wheelchair, he thanked me but never ate it. <br />
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Sy Becker was there chatting with Russ Denver. Lefkowitz and another <i>22</i> official were talking for a long time. I recall how Lefkowitz sent me a nice letter after I corrected their copyright notice. I noted Sally C. Fuller, the Chair of the Chamber of Commerce Teaching Excellence Awards. I also saw Suzanne R. Cloud of <i>Bottaro-Skolnick</i> and asked her if they were giving tours of the building. She said that they were planning to but because so many people came they were not. I had hoped that at least we'd be able to see their broadcast studio. I saw Bill Pepin chatting with a group so I got down on my knees and whined, "Please let us see your new building, please, pretty please?" Pepin and the others laughed, but no luck. <br />
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Roy Scott was there and jovially introduced me to the people he was with as "an individualist." I spoke with Pendergast the financial consultant. He told me he was raised Catholic, but switched to Protestant because he didn't like the Catholic rituals. I buttonholed a <i>TV22</i> employee, Account Executive Lowell McLane, and asked him about the building. He said it has no basement and there is a large garage outback. I asked about their archives and he said most of it goes back only about 15 years. They have almost no tapes of the 1950's and 60's, but Rollie Jacobs saved a lot of sports material and they contact him when they need old sports footage. At one point I made some negative comments about the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> and how their news is distorted and inaccurate and he nodded in agreement. I stayed until 7pm hoping they might let a few of us see the rest of the building but alas they did not. The TV22 Chamber party was memorable, but not all it could have been with booklets and tours. <br />
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Home at 7:45pm. On the evening news Anita Wilson mispronounced the word "presidential."<br />
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</p><center><b>March 10, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Lots of fog and 47 degrees at 8am.</p><p>Posters are by their very nature subversive. I recall Mullin coming out with a proposal that store signs be uniformly formatted, but that's no good - variety is the spice of life. Posters where they don't belong is something we must not get excited about. <br />
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The <i>Nasdaq</i> closed above 5000 today. Women are now 46% of the workforce. America will soon be celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. The completion date of the Basketball Hall of Fame has been pushed back, just like the Quad Dr. Seuss park. Student Advisor Lucille Zukowski was one of my favorite people at Colby, very friendly, professional and with impeccable English. Her husband Walter worked in the Business Administration Department, with which I had no dealings. <i>The Regal Bostonian Hotel</i> is located in the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. The pair of falcons are back nesting at <i>Monarch Place</i>. <br />
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High School kids in Holyoke are working to make a virtual reality tour of the Wistariahurst, claiming it will be be "possible to take a trip to Wistariahurst Museum without even leaving home." I've told the Pilgrim Society they should do something similar, in ten years who is going to travel to tourist destinations except by internet? Received a letter from Russell Denver thanking me for nominating Eamon O'Sullivan for a Teaching Excellence Award. I called the Springfield Business Improvement District and asked to be put on their mailing list. At one point they asked if I was The Twig Painter. Also got a wrong number from someone looking for the offices of Kenneth Stoll, a New York City investment firm. <br />
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My lower right tooth aches, so I made an appointment via Kelly with Dr. Gianetti for Tuesday at 11:30am. Tonight I ate spaghetti with hamburg and potatoes. They will be recruiting census workers at <i>Eastfield Mall</i> on Sunday afternoon. If they want to attract minorities why not in Memorial or Mason Square? I went out at 9:55am and left some magazines on the Cohn's doorknob, then to the Allen Street <i>McDonald's</i> for a 99 cent sausage McMuffin. Next I made copies at <i>Pride</i> and put out a lot of mail at the <i>Breckwood Shops</i>. I saw Mrs. Boyle as I came out of <i>Louis & Clark</i> and she waved as she got into her little white car. Next I dropped off a copy of <i>Boston Magazine</i> at Tom Devine's, where there were men putting shingles on the roof. <br />
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From there I bought oranges at <i>Angelo's</i> and then dropped off some reading material at Mrs. Staniski's. She gave me a bag of eight cookies. Then I headed over to the East Church rummage sale. Melissa McIntosh was third in line and we spoke briefly. She said she is an only child and never wished she had siblings. She also told me she has never been to Whately but knows who Barbara E. Smith is. I bought a few books and two puzzles of Big Ben and the Empire State Building. I also bought a <i>West Lynn Creamery</i> crate. When I got home I found my dumpster rolled up to the garage door, uppity neighbors telling me they don't like it left by the street. Unknown called, but when I picked up it was voiceless. <br />
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Eamon's latest phone editorial denounces Larry McDermott's recent column as "<i>New York Post</i> tabloid kind of journalism and sensationalism." Eamon called and I asked him who his dentist is and he replied he doesn't have one. He told me when he worked for the Department of Education he was covered by <i>Medical West</i>, but no longer has that coverage. He also told me he never receives mailings from the Chamber of Commerce. Eamon's friend Spellacy told him that Chief Meara is fat and has a refrigerator in her office full of candy and snacks of all sorts. <br />
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Eamon also claims that Raipher Pellegrino's mom Kathy is getting $77,000 to run the Springfield Parking Authority although she has no known qualifications for the job. Mayor Albano has given Raipher a two year $69,000 contact to be a legal aide to Chief Meara, which is enough with his City Council time to get him vested in the city's retirement system. Eamon recalled how Charlie Ryan once told him that Raipher's lack of of legal expertise was "embarrassing." Raipher is especially disliked by the Powell's.<br />
</p><center><b>March 12, 2000</b></center><p><br />
40 degrees and overcast at 7am. </p><p>Economic development is all about people. If you don't got people, you got nothing. <br />
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I always water my houseplants on Saturday or Sunday. Drove out for another Egg McMuffin and then cashed a check for $112 at <i>Albank</i>. Then I paid nearly $20 for gas at $1.49 per gallon at the corner of Alden. From there, I went to the St. Mary's flea market and got a few small things. The Census 2000 folks were at the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> from noon to 5pm, so I went and they had two tables set up in the main court with two guys in red outfits and a very cultivated black woman. They were passing out business cards, buttons and red and white balloons. The black woman wrote my name and number on a card after I said I was interested in employment. When I left at 11:45am it was pouring out. <br />
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When I got back, I called Edith Michaud and she told me herself and husband Joe were doing fine. She said Aunt Maria has been moved from Riverdale to Heritage and is recovering nicely from her fall. She said the minister went to see her and found her "happy in spirit." She doesn't think Ruth has visited. Aunt Maria still wants to come home and Edith promised me she will be in touch if there are new developments. <br />
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Next I called Ruth Johnson, who complained that she has a cold, her first in ten years. I suggested it might be the flu but she insisted it is just a bad cold. Ruth said Shirley goes to visit Aunt Maria every day and she always asks to go home. I told Ruth about how I had to care for Mother her last couple years and could only leave the house for a few hours at a time. Ruth told me that Shirley is doing a good job and gets Aunt Maria anything she wants. She also speculated that Aunt Maria will leave little inheritance as all her money will probably go to her care. <br />
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Dined this evening on baked potato and hamburg. <i>DiGrigoli Salon</i> had an ad on <i>TV22</i> with a woman in a biker jacket. No doubt about it, for a really trashy look get a biker jacket. I called Tom Devine but his mother said he was not home. Tom was raised Catholic despite the fact that his mother is a Protestant. I also left a message on the answering machine of Marshall Moriarty.<br />
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Eamon called and said he doesn't like donuts, but the best donuts he ever ate were at <i>Johnson's Bakery</i> across from St. Michael's Cemetery at the intersection of Berkshire Avenue and Boston Road. The owner was in the midst of expanding the place to add a coffee shop when he suddenly had a massive heart attack and died. Eamon then complained that ten years ago when Albano and the superintendent search committee went to New York they had a good time but didn't do the necessary background research on Dr. Negroni. We talked about the Carol Malley article in the paper about how the mayor has announced a hiring freeze on city jobs. <br />
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Eamon recalled how it was Raipher Pellegrino who defended the crooked travel agent that was in the news several years ago. He has been brought before the Bar Overseers once or twice. Eamon called Raipher's mother Kathleen as "a nitwit who was such a headache on the Police Commission they got rid of her by giving the Parking Authority job for which she is getting $77,000." Eamon called Mo Turner at the <i>Valley Advocate</i> and she assured him she is doing a story on Kathy Pellegrino's new job. He also spoke with <i>TV40</i> to make sure they will do a story on it. <br />
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Eamon also said it is disgraceful the way the <i>Union-News</i> is trying to distance itself from Mayor Albano after having been a big supporter of the stadium project. We also discussed the old Kris Hundley article in the <i>Advocate</i> about the <i>New York Times</i> architecture critic Paul Goldberger calling the results of downtown revitalization "dull in the extreme." He said Goldberger was invited to speak at First Church by David Starr. Eamon saw David Starr on the local cable channel recently addressing Henry Thomas' group saying, "I feel very fortunate to be working with an organization that allows me to devote so much time to community affairs." Eamon suggested that Starr should have described himself as "meddling in community affairs."<br />
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</p><center><b>March 13, 2000</b></center><br />
36 degrees at 6:30am.<br />
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Timothy McVeigh was quoted on the news as saying, "I was brought up in an environment where men don't cry. I came to terms with my mortality in the Gulf War, so I am prepared for death." A good statement of the warrior mentality. <i>WFCR</i> says Spring will arrive a week from today. <i>The Hampden Savings Bank</i> drive-thru on Allen Street opens at 8am, the lobby opens later. John J. Peterson is the Senior Vice President of the <i>Monarch Place</i> branch of <i>Paine-Webber</i>. Grace Justice works in Consumer Relations for <i>Stop&Shop</i>. <br />
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There are birds nesting in my hedge. I went out at 9:12am and got the paper out of the <i>Louis & Clark</i> trashcan. Then I went to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres and made photocopies. Next, I went to <i>Circuit City</i> and looked at their phone identifiers. I also played a little on their <i>Nintendo</i> game, the first time I've played <i>Nintendo</i>. It's better than a comic book, although the experience is military rather than literary, the cute little cartoon figure had to jump around to protect itself, not talk. This is an important shift in how young people experience cartoons, from thought to action. <br />
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From there I went to <i>Radio Shack</i> at <i>Eastfield</i> and bought a new call identifier for $12 and some batteries. The cashier told me that <i>Radio Shack</i> batteries outlast all the others. A socialite-like lady was going through the mall doing surveys on tissue paper brands, but I didn't participate. Then into the mall offices where I told the Assistant Manager that I have always loved <i>Eastfield Mall</i> for its warmth, history, plantings and lighting. She clasped my hand with both of hers and said, "We don't get many comments like that!" I got a fish sandwich at their <i>McDonald's</i> and then came home and read the paper. <br />
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The census form came in the mail, and being a simple form I quickly completed it. I installed my new phone identifier, then called the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> and told them that I don't often praise the paper, but I wanted to tell them that I admire the work of photographer Michael S. Gordon. She said they would pass the complement along to him. I didn't give my name. <br />
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Ann called and said she doesn't want me to send her anything more like the porn magazine I sent of a lady sitting in front of an organ of British production. She said she was hurt by it and has thrown it out. I reminded her that I sent it in a brown wrapper and said I picked it up as a a bibliographical entity consistent with my policy of sending her anything I see on organs. I also noted that the subject matter is excessively unique. She then thanked me for all I do for her mother and asked what I've been doing. I told her all about the new book I'm working on. I then thanked her for calling and urged her to stay in touch. Ann is a sweet, good and talented woman, but also a prissy, Methodist miss. I suspect that contributed to the breakup of her marriage to Flentje, who was clearly a regular guy who saw in Ann a cute dish. He probably wanted more sexual action than she did and sexual compatibility is more important than a lot of people like to admit. Enough said.<br />
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Eamon called and said his sister's son Thomas Joseph Haggarty, age 37, wants to become a Notary Public. He is a Cathedral graduate. Eamon spoke to James Johnson of the State Department of Revenue, who informed him that Springfield's bond obligations are $260 million. He also said Springfield receives $160 million in aid from the Commonwealth. Johnson described Springfield as "not having a good bond rating." Eamon told me he passed this information on to Charlie Ryan. Good for Eamon. <br />
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I called the <i>Hampden Bank</i> and spoke to Alexa, telling her I wanted to speak to someone in the main office. She told me that Heidi Young "just stepped out" but would call me back. Ms. Young soon did so, and informed me that my account had been closed for "harassing bank employees." I said I want that in writing and denied harassing anyone who worked at the bank. She claimed that bank President Thomas Burton "has the right to close accounts whenever he chooses and for whatever reason." I then called Burton and left a message on his answering machine saying that his bank is "so unsatisfactory in so many ways" and ended by shouting, "Your service stinks!" <br />
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<center><b>March 14, 2000</b></center><br />
Tuesday morning, 33 degrees, sun glowing thru. <br />
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<i>WFCR</i> says it costs $200 per hour to operate the station, and at one point in their fundraising pitch the woman said, "It all comes down to the details." Richard J. McCarthy, Public Information Officer at the Hampden County jail has a letter in the paper today entitled <i>Prison Garb as Fashion Fad Not Cool With Jail Officials</i>. I can't believe that some prison jumpsuits are green, the proper color is obviously orange. <i>TV22</i> made a mistake using "I will" when "I shall" is correct because it best denotes determination. Hamilton from the Quad was on TV commenting on the Dr. Seuss WWII exhibit and mentioned that the <i>Quad Cafe</i> has been given a liquor license. He looks to me like a flunky and a follower of instructions. <br />
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My appointment with my dentist Anthony P. Giannetti was at 11:30am. I always admire what a wonderful spread of magazines he has in his waiting room. I assume he gets all those subscriptions thru some kind of package deal. He took an x-ray of the tooth that hurt and said there was no problem with it, but recommended that I clean it was a mouthwash and gave me a coupon for <i>Perozyl Oral Rinse</i>. His young black female assistant told me she was trained at STCC. It all came to $117 and I was out by 12:23pm. <br />
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From there I went to <i>Food Mart</i> and bought some cabbage and corned beef. I notice that the <i>Grote & Wiegal Liverwurst</i> packages all cost $2.69, but some were conspicuously bigger than others. I'll write to the company. I drove into the city and had a chat with Laurie St. Cyr, the manager of <i>Westfield Bank</i>. Then I trotted over to see Atty. Berman but he was not in. From Berman's I went to the City Treasurer's Office and asked for a bond prospectus. The woman hesitated until I told her that James Johnson from the State Department of Revenue said they always have a pile to hand out. She asked me which one I wanted and I replied, "How about all of them?" She walked into a backroom and then Chief Financial Officer Donna Williams came out and gave me the prospectus for the bond sale this fall. She said the last time they had a sale was in December. I thanked her and left. Before heading home I bought the Tuesday Special at <i>Subway</i>. <br />
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Unknown called while I was at the dentist. Someone on the news said we should try to attract a resident opera company. Groups get suckered into coming to Springfield and then die, the greener pasture is not in Springfield. I called the Valley Opportunity Council but no one was in. Next I called Karen Powell and told her I would drop off the prospectus for her to copy and then promptly return. Next I called Tom Devine and after chatting with his mother, Tom came on and told me that Mo Turner told him in an email that she had finished her Pellegrino article. Later I called Eamon and he said he was making a kielbasa sandwich. Eamon said his spoke with a friend who works in the <i>Valley Advocate</i> print shop who told him Turner's Pellegrino article has been submitted for publication. Eamon warned that maybe Burton will tell all the other bankers about me and cause me trouble at other banks.<br />
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<center><b>March 15, 2000</b></center><br />
46 degrees at 6:30am.<br />
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<i>The Springfield Newspapers</i> has scooped the <i>Valley Advocate</i> by breaking the Pellegrino story this morning. I called Tom Vannah and warned him that he might have a press room security problem as someone tipped off Eamon that their Pellegrino story was going to press. I told him I don't think Eamon had anything to do with the <i>Union-News</i> beating the <i>Advocate</i> in releasing the story. I also told him I'm disgusted with all the delays in the Cecil economic development report.<br />
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Linda P. Swartz works at <i>Westfield Bank</i>. I called <i>Hampden Bank</i> and left a message on Tom Burton's voicemail urging him to call me because I felt it would be fruitful for us to talk for ten or fifteen minutes. I left my number and then prepared a script for what I'd say to him. Then Amy Koehn called from <i>Restaurant Business Magazine</i> offering David McGurin a free subscription. I said this is Miller's Law Office and she asked, "Not <i>Storrowtown</i>?" I gave her the correct number and said I hoped she would send me a free subscription as well. She declined. Eamon discusses the <i>Advocate</i> story on his telephone editorial, referring to Raipher Pellegrino as "the failed baseball barrister." Later he called and told me he got over 70 calls today, three from the <i>Union-News</i>. <br />
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At 10:37am bank president Burton called as requested. We had a mostly pleasant, soft spoken conversation. I thanked him for calling and then read all my complaints off of my script. My voice shook a bit as I couldn't quite maintain the tone of poised confidence I had on my voicemail messages. At one point I warned him that I'm the worst possible person to have problems with. I suggested at the end that he take time to consider my complaints but Burton insisted, "I want to settle this now!" I informed him that I have detailed diaries and explained how I dealt with Caprio at WNEC. Since his claims that I caused trouble at his banks is simply not so, I told him I want a thousand dollars to drop my complaints. <br />
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Burton then accused me of extortion, telling me that he was willing to send me a letter of apology but no more than $50. I said $50 seems a little low for all the time and trouble he's caused me, but he insisted and furthermore told me I would not be allowed to bank at <i>Hampden</i> any longer. So we eventually reached an understanding where Burton got what he wanted, to get me off his back with only a token payment. I did not say thank you when we hung up. <br />
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Later I left to go to the Teaching Excellence Awards. Leaving the house, I saw Mr. Jozephczyk and he complained that he got a green door knob tag warning him not to put garden waste in his dumpster. I told him I'd like to have it for my files. Next I went to the Powells and gave Karen a box of stuff. She told me she had just gotten off the phone with Mo Turner but told me no details of their conversation despite my direct questioning. From there I headed to the awards ceremony at the Basketball Hall of Fame, wearing clean jeans, a t-shirt, my blue sports jacket and a belled fool's hat. <br />
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It started at 4pm and there were a lot of people there from the start. It was mostly all whites, very few blacks or Latinos. There was an open bar with a choice of white or red wine. They had kiwi and cucumber slices and broccoli bites, oranges, cut up peppers, carrots and celery. The event was catered by <i>Elegant Affair</i>. The food was mostly gone by 4:15. At 4:30 we were all seated and Sally Fuller, who with Briggs is now in PR with <i>United Cooperative Bank</i>, did nicely as Mistress of Ceremonies. <br />
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Mayor Albano spoke, saying that when he started on the School Committee in 1986 the city "did not have the commitment to education we now have, spending only $2,800 per year per student, now it's $7,000." He also made the incredible statement that "we now have the most aggressive school building program in the nation." He criticized the local press coverage of educational issues because "they don't write about good news." <br />
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Mr. Denver spoke about the role of the business community in promoting excellence. Well, they may be promoting it but they aren't achieving it. Sally Fuller then explained the teacher evaluation process and at the end asked all the teachers in the room to stand up. I remained seated although I have worked as a teacher in the past. Marjorie Hurst and Kenneth Shea were there, but Dr. Negroni didn't make it. Several people commented favorably on my fool's cap. One teacher told me she uses funny hats to teach all the time. I told them all that no one is qualified to teach but a fool. As I left I got a poster for the event off a bulletin board.<br />
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<center><b>March 16, 2000</b></center><center><b> </b></center><p> I have figured out what Over the Hill means to me. It means you know who
your friends and enemies are, and if the enemies want anything they'll
have to pay. Every generation comes instinctively to know what it wants
to do. The good old people are the ones who help the kids do it, the bad
old people are the ones who get in the way.</p><p>Record gain in the Dow today. <i>TV22</i> says over 800 students are out of school everyday and they are thinking of using the police to enforce attendance. The New England Historic Genealogy Society is having a dinner in honor of Ralph J. Crandall on the occasion of his 25th year with the Society on April 24th in Boston. The rates for the <i>Stick em' Up Professional Postering and Promotion Service</i> is $25 to put up 75 posters in Northampton and Amherst. <br />
<br />
My right ear is somewhat clogged. Today I used up the rest of the hamburg and spaghetti. Put out the mail to Carol, Betty in Exeter and others at <i>Louis & Clark</i> around 11:30am. After making copies at <i>CopyCat</i>, I drove downtown and parked at Eliot and Salem. I left a copy of the Chamber of Commerce 1923 by-laws with Denver's plump receptionist. She told me that Sally Fuller no longer works there and is now at <i>United Cooperative Bank</i>. I asked her where the nearest branch is and she didn't know. I responded with, "Well, you should know!" She looked shocked so I told her that I am noted for my impertinence and while I am usually polite, people who cannot produce what I need to know will have a problem with me. I found <i>United Cooperative</i> on my own and left a letter for Fuller with Kimberly R. Marion, who said that Fuller has been with them for over a year. <br />
<br />
There is a wonderful put down of Larry McDermott by Tom Vannah in this week's <i>Valley Advocate</i>. "You, Larry McDermott, are a horse's ass," were the opening words of his editorial. Vannah condemns the paper for its "irresponsible and idiotic coverage" of the baseball stadium controversy. Turner's article on Pelligrino was also printed, as expected. </p><p>Eamon called and said he had a headache all morning. Eamon thinks Sally Fuller is divorced with two young children, aged 8 and 10. He hears she's involved with Billy Baker, a book collector in Northampton. He also told me he has made copies of Vannah's McDermott editorial and is sending it to key people. Eamon says he can't confirm that Police Chief Meara is a lesbian, but everyone agrees she likes chocolate cake. <br />
<br />
The mail came on time. Nader the Hatter sent me a pretty postcard of Miami. Nader seems like he's becoming a permanent Floridian. Eamon also got a card from the Hatter, one of pretty scenery with a nearly nude girl. <i>The Colony Club</i> called and General Manager Roseann Taylor said they already have people working on their club history. I asked their luncheon hours and she said noon to 2pm. She recommended making reservations first because because they are usually full. <br />
<br />
The check from <i>Hampden</i> came today with a brief statement signed by President Burton:<br />
<br />
<i>This letter will serve as an apology for the inconvenience you were caused at the Hampden Savings Bank. As stated in my earlier letter, the reason I closed your account was due to the abusive, loud, rude and and offensive behavior you had shown while in our offices. Over the years that you have been a customer at Hampden Savings Bank all of our people, myself included, have treated you with courtesy and respect. Obviously, we are not perfect and any mistakes that are made rest with me. Therefore, if you need to vent any frustration, it should be towards me, not the staff. At this point it appears that we would both be better off parting ways. There are many other fine banks in Springfield that you can choose from. Enclosed is a check for $50 to cover any trouble we may have caused.</i><br />
<br />
I called Burton and left a voicemail thanking him for his apology and check. I said I expect that he will make no negative remarks about me to other bankers. I stated that I hope his bank will not be a continuing source of irritation to me, and mentioned how all the other banks I deal with sent me condolences when Mother died but his bank did not. I called this omission tasteless, especially since I have done more than any other person in the city to point out how to improve the service of their bank and yet end up having my account closed. I told him he should try to make amends by nominating me for a Pynchon Award. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>March 19, 2000</b></center><br />
44 degrees at 7:30am, about an inch of snow. <br />
<br />
Golf prevented the broadcasting of the St. Patrick's Day mass on <i>TV22</i>. It was aired in its entirety at 6pm. Bishop Dupre said that "cheap labor enriches the already rich" and urged his listeners to "preserve your faith in the face of tyranny, discrimination and tragedy." Jack O'Neil and Brenda Garton presided over the 49th Annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade. Richie Neal was the honoree this year. There are two branches of <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> in Springfield, 19 Harrison Avenue and 1363 Allen Street. There are also branches in West Springfield and Longmeadow. Robert A. Massey is the bank's Senior Vice President. The office of Attorney William C. Flanagan is at 67 Market Street in Springfield. <br />
<br />
Today I read Lovejoy's essay on blacks in Vermont and sent him a letter as well as a copy of <i>Aunt Jennie's Poems</i>. This is the Golden Age of Tag Sales because the richest generation of Americans that ever lived is dying off and a lot of their nice stuff is going for a song. Yesterday at 1740 Wilbraham Road there was a great tag sale of good stuff. The sale was badly attended because everyone was at Foster Memorial. It was put on by a retired 6th grade teacher who had taught at Bowles, Carew and New North who is moving in with his daughter. <br />
<br />
I bought only one book, an autographed autobiography by Jesse Ventura. Mrs. Gray greeted me cordially and thanked me for the pictures I sent but never sent me a thank you note. Mrs. Aykanian from <i>Monarch</i> told me Ben Jones has moved out of Suffield and she wonders if he moved back to his place in Long Island. She doesn't go to the <i>Goodwill</i> anymore because the prices have gone up too high. A little boy was admiring a jigsaw puzzle of the Empire State Building. His dad didn't want to buy him the puzzle so I forked over the money to buy it for the kid.<br />
<br />
Cooked up corned beef and cabbage with carrots. I called Heritage Hall and Laura said that Aunt Maria refused all her meds and was a little cranky today. She told me that Aunt Maria was aware that it was St. Patrick's Day. Eamon called and agrees that Nader the Hatter is becoming a Floridian. He spoke to Nader's brother-in-law who said the Hatter will be back in the area next week. We also chatted about bonds. I told Eamon I was bringing stuff over and he said he is going over his sister's today, but said he would leave a bag of stuff for me and to leave mine on the chair. <br />
<br />
First I got veggies and fruit at <i>Angelo's</i>, then swung by the Powells and Bob gave me some reading material at the door. I arrived at the <i>Goodwill</i> in the Acres just as Patty was arriving. She exclaimed that the <i>True Value Hardware Store</i> had burned out and sure enough the rafters were charred and the roof all gone. I wonder if the fire had anything to do with the opening of <i>Lowe's</i>? There were people gathered around, some taking photos. One man said he heard a terrific explosion around 10pm. People were clearing equipment and potted plants out of the adjacent restaurant. <br />
<br />
My next stop was hot cakes without sausage at the Boston Road <i>McDonald's</i> where I read the paper. There was an immense shamrock painted in the intersection of Liberty and Newbury. I rang the bell at Eamon's and no one answered, so I took his bag and left mine. Then I drove around the block and checked back and saw that my bag was gone, meaning Eamon had been only pretending not to be home. No problem.<br />
<br />
<center><b>March 21, 2000</b></center><br />
The Fed has raised interest rates. <i>TV57</i> said that one out of every 150 Americans are in jail. <i>The Reminder</i> is already here. Called the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce again to try to get one of their posters. They told me to call back tomorrow to speak with Daniel Torres. This is why I grab posters rather than asking for them. <br />
<br />
Spent much of the day on correspondence and this diary. There were no newspapers in the <i>Louis & Clark</i> trash can today. I made a deposit at <i>Ludlow/Albank</i> which is being completely remodeled. A teller at <i>Woronoco</i> has long false fingernails and has to hit the computer keyboard with the balls of her fingers. The teller at <i>Albank</i> didn't have the silly false fingernails and had much better flexibility. I also dropped off the photos of Belle-Rita Novak at <i>Walmart</i>. <br />
<br />
The mail did not get here until 1:40am. Tammy from Georgia called asking if I wanted to renew my subscription to <i>Newsweek</i>. I replied, "If I want to subscribe to your mag I'll let you know." Got Rev. Loesch at his number and he said he was on a conference call and offered to call back. I thanked him without identifying myself and hung up. An hour later Loesch called back saying he recognized my voice (there we go again). I told him about my experience working for the Census and told him I would send him a Bethel Church postcard. <br />
<br />
Called Heritage South Wing A and spoke to Laura who said they have been testing Aunt Maria's memory by asking her questions about her past. Laura said Aunt Maria is doing okay, sometimes gets out of her chair and walks around, also talks about wanting to go home. I called <i>Hungry Hill</i> publisher Frank Faulkner and his wife picked up and said, "Let me have you talk to my husband." Frank was friendly enough and we related well over the phone. He said he works at Holyoke Community College and just got back from Ireland last night. I said I was sorry for calling so often or if I came across as a pompous ass. He said he doesn't remember seeing what I sent him but would look and get back to me. <br />
<br />
Eamon has had the same phone editorial for the past several days: "Someone called wondering why I don't have anything nice to say about Springfield. I'm not the most perceptive guy on the block, but outsiders, Pulitzer Prize winning architects and Harvard Business School professors have said that Springfield has been decimated by arrogant developers, planners and politicians. That which appears superficially correct in the glossy marketing brochures and videos is all glitz and no substance. Just below the high fog index is a dishonest, bad city government mismanaged by career politicians, creating a last place ranked, near junk bond rated city." <br />
<br />
Finished the corned beef and cabbage, cooked up some beats. Eamon called and read the statistics that <i>Yankee Candle</i> drew 4 million visitors last year and the <i>Ingleside Mall</i> drew 17 million. Eamon's cop friend Spellacy was in Ireland last week and said he couldn't stand all the smoke in the pubs. At one point in our talk it came up that Eamon wouldn't mind performing in a porn flick. I said nothing. According to Eamon, Mayor Albano is talking about a skating rink downtown. We both agreed that the old <i>Steiger's</i> site would be a good place. Eamon also said he has heard rumors that the Feds are looking into the Asselins' housing empire. <br />
<br />
Eamon then recalled how when he ran for State Representative a couple of times, <i>Mass Mutual</i> offered him $500 both races but he declined, fearing they would own him if he took the cash. Eamon went on to say that Charlie Kingston was "a bag man" for Mayor Dimauro. "Dimauro was crooked," Eamon claimed, "but he was smart, never got caught." He also recalled that Frank Freedman got into politics because he had a law practice with no business. Freedman's mother worked as his secretary. <br />
<br />
Eamon then went on to talk about his aunt, Bridget Fitzgerald Johnson. His Aunt Bridget was one of the biggest socialites in the city's Irish Catholic politics. Having no children, she threw parties at her Governor Street home for Brunton, Furcolo, Boland and many others. She would crochet fancy handbags and sell tickets to a raffle of them and gave the money to the Our Lady of Hope priests. "I was the entertainment at those events," Eamon said, sometimes accompanied by an Irish violinist or accordion player. <br />
<br />
He described his aunt as "a very organized woman" despite having only an 8th grade education in Ireland but "knew geometry and everything today's high school graduates don't know." Her husband Patrick, a timid little man, was a "car-knocker" on the railroad, which meant he had something to do with making sure the cars were hitched together. Eamon described most of the Irish women he knew growing up as tough while their husbands were timid. He described his own father as "a mild mannered man." Woman ran the show and did the disciplining of the children. Eamon's father was born in the Blasket Islands off the coast of Ireland. His father never went back to Ireland, but his mother went back three times. A wonderful conversation filled with valuable local Irish and political history.<br />
<br />
<center><b>March 23, 2000</b></center><p><br />
42 degrees at 7:30am.<br />
<br />
I eat to live, not live to eat. Dined this evening on <i>Stouffer's Spaghetti and Meatballs</i>. <i>The Paramount</i> is being renamed the <i>Hippodrome</i>. What happened to the <i>Julia Sanderson Theater</i>?</p><p>The new Basketball Hall of Fame Visitor Information Center looks like a 1950's gas station of the vintage of Edgar A. Ledger's in Six Corners. It's tower and whiteness faintly remind me of a <i>White Castle</i> burger place. It's just plain ugly, a skeleton without flesh or soul. </p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0sawvKtcbEsN3K4ahD5YW6ONfWQ2FnlE0KyESOQ9vqJizMKD1d9ePt3KDxsXLqKowYTNJipFm1dJHtu-oDLAEYPGxlcJLq0CLdNnG7zOF7g_CpgyLAPfaqLSA3VByo5bPLJG7kaRM7B7KRMVjstt89HGk1zxdU6op1HC0bEygAsBA92gk7mDYgiLayCu/s380/visitor.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="380" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0sawvKtcbEsN3K4ahD5YW6ONfWQ2FnlE0KyESOQ9vqJizMKD1d9ePt3KDxsXLqKowYTNJipFm1dJHtu-oDLAEYPGxlcJLq0CLdNnG7zOF7g_CpgyLAPfaqLSA3VByo5bPLJG7kaRM7B7KRMVjstt89HGk1zxdU6op1HC0bEygAsBA92gk7mDYgiLayCu/s320/visitor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>This is New England, and it is not a New England type building. The planners talk of buildings that will draw people off the expressway. This is not such a building, although it will fit in with the hideous towers on Chestnut and all the other hideous new buildings downtown. <br />
<br />
<i>The Reminder</i> came. I drove to <i>Angelo's</i> and got salad, then dropped off some reading material at Mrs. Staniski's, whose gate was open but was not at home. Good. With Eamon's sister's coupon I got a ham, egg and cheese sesame bagel at the Boston Road <i>Subway</i>. It is a spacious place and has a new wallpaper up of skyscrapers and other buildings. The old wallpaper was white with black print. <br />
<br />
I went to <i>Lowe's</i> for the Grand Opening at 9am but the manager, Rex Hayes, told me the actual ribbon-cutting would be at 10am. Therefore I killed time by going through <i>Ocean State Job Lot</i> and <i>Stop&Shop</i>. I bought <i>Rice Krispies</i> and used triple coupons on six items. Well worth it. Outside, I ran into Mayor Albano and Russ Denver walking by. Denver greeted me with a big smile but Albano barely said hello. Denver quipped, "I can't go anywhere without seeing you!" Then I went to the Wilbraham Post Office and mailed many things, including a letter to J. Lovejoy. The regular smiling postal clerk said he'd put it right away in Lovejoy's box and that Mrs. Lovejoy always comes down to get the mail. <br />
<br />
When I got back to <i>Lowe's</i> Sen. Brian Lees was chatting with reporters from TV stations <i>22</i> and <i>40</i>. Ellen Chang says "guys" too often. They had antique autos on display and there were flags and red and blue balloons everywhere. There was a drawing for a Grand Opening prize of a free $1,000 shopping spree. I entered under the name Ambrose Miller and lost. By 10:35am the crowd was gone at <i>Lowe's</i>, and on the way home I picked up the Belle Rita Novak prints at <i>Walmart</i>.<br />
<br />
When I got back I saw that Mr. Cohn had left in my box his mint copy of the <i>Millennium Economist</i>. I penned him a pretty thank you note. Today is Aunt Maria's 97th birthday. I called Heritage Hall and got Mary Ellen who said Aunt Maria's health "is very well this morning" but described my aunt as being "in a very nasty mood." I told her that's the way Aunt Maria treats a lot of people. She said Aunt Maria will get something special on her supper tray and Shirley will be there. <br />
<br />
School Superintendent Dr. Peter Negroni resigned today at a press conference just after noon. The Mayor was there and Teresa Regina appeared to be crying. Albano announced that he is naming Regina interim superintendent. Negroni's new job on the College Board will be "working with schools for better performance." Eamon called at 12:12pm and said that's crazy because improving performance is the very thing he failed to do around here. Eamon scoffed that Negroni "worked with schools to design new buildings, maybe, but not to inspire performance." Eamon claimed that Negroni "has failed to achieve his goals, the kids are stupid, and his priorities have been lopsided at best." He also recalled how Art Gingras once described Negroni as having "dismantled the entire school system."<br />
<br />
Unknown called, but when I picked up remained voiceless for a good while before hanging up.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>March 24, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny, 44 degrees at 6:30am. Gas down to $1.49 at Watershops.<br />
<br />
Had croissants for breakfast, for lunch I had two cheese sandwiches and a can of <i>Progresso Split Pea Soup</i>. Nader called and he will arrive in Springfield tomorrow afternoon for a three week stay, primarily to tend to his ailing father's affairs. I invited him to come over whenever he cares to. <i>Sovereign</i> will open in the former <i>Bank of Boston</i> location by City Hall on Monday. Paula Rickson has left <i>Mass Mutual</i> with an early retirement package. <br />
<br />
Thundering down the home stretch of re-reading my diary for the last year. I sent Tom Vannah's article on McDermott to McDermott himself with a note attached saying that Vannah speaks for me, telling Larry that respect has to be earned. I also sent a transcript of Eamon's latest phone editorial on Dr. Negroni to <i>Letters to the Editor</i> with my signature on it: <br />
<br />
<i>In spite of all the glowing remarks in the local news media regarding Mr. Peter Negroni, the social promoting, rudderless charlatan Superintendent, outside of building some new schools, there's overwhelming evidence he has failed to educate the children of Springfield. The accumulation of facts which demonstrate this failure is staggering. I say good riddance to an overrated, slick conman change agent, who never should have been hired in the first place by Mayor Albano and his dumbed down, rubber stamp school board.</i> <br />
<br />
Drove downtown and parked on Eliot. Lots of cars ticketed all over the place, nobody in their right mind would go downtown. Some posters around, but none I wanted. I got a copy of the paper out of one of the trash cans on Main. I left some stuff at Marshall Moriarty's office on the fifth floor, room 510, just down the hall from the Hendel bankruptcy people. There were 7 customers, mostly young men, in the <i>Central Barber Shop</i> on State. Passed by my broker G. on the way back from Atty. Moriarty's and he gave me a friendly hello. <br />
<br />
I stopped at the <i>Peter Pan</i> bust terminal's <i>McDonald's</i> and noted that someone has ripped one of the framed memorabilia photos off the wall. They had no breakfast or fish sandwich specials. I inquired about the price of bus rides: Amherst $10, Hartford $18, Boston $34 or ten Boston tickets in a book for $144. Stopped at the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> to drop stuff off and noticed that the receptionist was reading an in-house paper I never knew of before entitled <i>1860 Main Street Memo</i>. Home at 10:25am. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he has talked to a reporter at the <i>NY Post</i> about Dr. Negroni. The <i>Post</i> reporter was shocked by what Eamon told him, remarking that, "If true, this puts Negroni in a different light." Eamon also sent a 25 page report on Negroni to former Governor of Virginia Gaston Caperton, now President of the College Board. Karen Powell called Eamon today and said that the newspaper is trying to get rid of Kevin Claffey and wouldn't let him report on the Northgate stadium story. Eamon speculated that Claffey will probably end up working in his brother's law office. <br />
<br />
Eamon also told me that Marshall Moriarty called him and asked what Eamon thought about Marshall running against Edward O'Brien for Governor's Council. Eamon told him that he heard directly from O'Brien's assistant in Westfield that O'Brien will definitely be running again. He told Marshall that O'Brien is a long time friend of his so Eamon declined to offer Marshall any support. Eamon then recalled how Tony Ravosa once came to him thinking of running against O'Brien and Eamon advised him not to waste his money. <br />
<br />
<center><b>March 26, 2000</b></center><br />
Sun glowing through, 44 degres at 6am. Gas is $1.51 at Breckwood <i>Sunoco</i>.<br />
<br />
The St. Patrick's Day Parade will honor Marshall Patrick Sullivan, who will receive the traditional Irish walking stick named in honor of Thomas W.P. Sampson, a former Marshall. They will also honor the John J. Burke Award winner Bruce Fitzgerald and the Paul G. Caron Award winner Patti McDowell. Also included will be Appreciation Award winners Jim and Peggy Sullivan. <br />
<br />
Today I finished my review of the diary, then did the last of the backyard clean up with mower and blower. Daffodils and crocuses up all around. Next I went to the Church in the Acres tag sale. There was a very long line that curled all around the front of the church, but there was nothing special inside. Balch was not there, but the black lady was there with her feeble minded son. She told me they won't be going to the Foster tag sale anymore. From there I went to <i>Subway</i> with another coupon, where I ran into Anderson from the <i>Valley Advocate</i>. He was friendly and had just come from having some photos developed at the <i>Breckwood Shops</i>. He has a handicapped medallion on his car. <br />
<br />
On my way back I left a computer magazine with Mrs. Devine, who now has a cute white cat to replace the dark colored one that died last summer. She was turning over the earth where she plants her Dalilas. T. Regina was interviewed tonight by <i>TV22</i>. She was seated in an office, Negroni's I think, but it may have been another fancy office someplace on the first floor of the old <i>Fire & Marine</i>. She said she'd like to be chosen for Superintendent because she is familiar with the system and "would like to see it going in a positive direction." <br />
<br />
Eamon has a great phone editorial today: <i>Once again, Peter Negroni is leaving his position one step ahead of the sheriff, just as he did when he resigned from the most corrupt, mismanaged, last place ranked School District 12 in the Bronx. After ten years, his abysmal record has caught up with him. The State Department of Education, U.S. Office of Education and Inspector General's Office are raising questions about the chronic absenteeism, low test scores and fraudulent use of student enrollment numbers to obtain state and federal funds. Mr. Negroni wants out before the waste hits the fan.</i> <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said his phone editorial got two calls from the offices of the <i>Valley Advocate</i>. We talked about the story in the paper about the gala for big donors to the library and the dedication of the obelisk with their names on it. We also discussed the ugly new Visitor's Center they are erecting. The paper says they expect 500,000 visitors per year, but Eamon would like to know how many visitors they get at centers elsewhere in the state. Eamon also recalled how Nader the Hatter's nickname used to be The Bushman. I talked about some of my ancestors and Eamon said they sounded like "Yankee Protestant shit-kickers from Vermont." <br />
<br />
<center><b>March 27, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Sunny, 42 degrees at 6am. <br />
<br />
<i>Friendly's</i> announced it is closing their shop on Liberty Street. On TV I saw that <i>Six Flags</i> is advertising a four pack Season Pass at $49.99 per pass, available at <i>Big Y</i>. In other words, if you care to spend $200, you can have four season passes. They also said 95,000 people attended the Home Show this year. Gary L. Fialky is the President of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Mother lived at 99 High Street in Springfield in 1930. Aunt Maria traced titles in the courthouse for <i>Ellis Title and Conveyance Company</i> at 500 Main Street in 1924.<br />
<br />
I drove out about quarter to nine and found no free papers in the <i>Louis & Clark</i> trashcan. Then into the city, where I parked right in front of the Hispanic Catholic Church. I walked down to the opening of <i>Sovereign Bank</i>, but the ribbon cutting was over and the Mayor and other officials had already left. There remained bouquets of flowers, orange and yellow balloons and a table with a scanty spread of muffins, danish and orange juice. I soon left there and got a black raspberry donut at <i>Dunkin Donuts</i> in <i>Tower Square</i>. I ran into Mr. Hurwitz and explained why the Visitor Center stinks. He listened politely. <br />
<br />
I stopped at the City Library and read the names on the obelisks of the donors. Fran Gagnon is not listed, but David Starr is down for $100,000 as was the <i>Union-News</i>. Other names I recognized were Ruth and Homer Chapin, the estate of Mildred Clark, Merrie and Lynn Wood, the stuffy Thomas Wheeler and three Putnams - Michael, Roger and William. Those who gave $5,000 included Henry and Emily Bader, Joseph and Gayle Carvalho, Randolph Bromery, Michael Marks and the Hon. Mary Hurley-Marks plus the Napolitans. <br />
<br />
When I got back I called down to the Springfield School Department and Judy told me that Dr. Negroni starts his new job at the College Board in New York on July 1st. I told her that Negroni has always been polite to me and I wish him well. I also left a message for Rosemary Shea and the School Board that I'm nominating Eamon T. O'Sullivan for Superintendent because he has done more to improve the schools than anyone else in the city. I then called Nick in the Mayor's office and also told him that I am supporting Eamon for superintendent. <br />
<br />
Eamon called tonight and said that former Governor Bill Weld did a poor job of controlling "the bottomless Boston money-pit called the Big Dig." He told me that the College Board told him they are "flabbergasted" by the material he sent them on Negroni. They said, "You know more about Dr. Negroni than we do!" Eamon has also spoken to Campanini at the <i>New York Post</i> about Negroni. Eamon is still wondering what became of the book Negroni was writing back in 1992 called <i>Transforming the Nation's Public Schools: America's Last Hope.</i> </p><p>Eamon admitted to me that he spends around a hundred bucks a month on long distance telephone calls. Eamon also said that former Governor Bill Weld did a poor
job of controlling "the bottomless Boston money-pit called the Big Dig." Eamon told me broadcaster Bill Putnam just married Kitty Broman. He thinks Kitty's kids look like Bill, and nobody seems to know anything about who her first husband Broman was. <br />
</p><center><b>March 29, 2000</b></center><br />
Heavily overcast, 53 degrees at 6:15am.<br />
<br />
<i>Goldman-Sachs</i> is recommending liquidating some of your assets into cash. Amherst has voted to discourage enforcement of the marijuana laws, but the Chief of Police said they will continue to enforce the law. Russell Denver of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield sent me a letter thanking me for sending them a copy of the 1923 by-laws of the Springfield Chamber. The Chamber is currently moving from the BankBoston Building to the SIS Center. On <i>TV40</i> Ms. Wilson used "was" instead of "were." E.V. Johnson was a Bethesda Lutheran and one of my favorite teachers. David Starr is 78.<br />
<br />
Today I put out four bags of garden waste, including two bundles of branches. <i>The Reminder</i> was delivered this morning, it was supposed to come on Monday. <i>Cries and Whispers</i> had a tid-bit critical of Dr. Negroni Sunday entitled <i>Dr. Negroni and Mr. Hyde:<br />
<br />
The normally press hungry Springfield School Superintendent, Peter Negroni, did the unexpected last week, tossing a reporter out of a school and leaving some to wonder whether he's lost his renowned media savvy. The reporter visited John F. Kennedy Middle School on assignment to report on a 12 member team touring classrooms and meeting with staff in the wake of a state announcement naming the school as one of eight to be reviewed for poor MCAS scores. Negroni's team apparently plans to soften the blow of the state inquiry. <br />
<br />
The reporter followed standard routine, signing the visitor list and checking in at the office. She was told where to find Negroni and the team. Her arrival in a classroom was met with an atypical response from the usually responsive Chief: "Who invited you here?" he asked. "You're welcome to tour the school on your own, but you are not welcome to join us. We are evaluating a school." Of course, Cries and Whispers is sure the good doctor has nothing to hide.</i> <br />
<br />
Finished reading Dyer on war today. Cooked up some corned beef and cabbage for supper. Belle-Rita Novak called, she's back from babysitting and told me she got the pictures I sent her. She said she will be glad to attend the Tuesday Morning Music Club concert and luncheon next month, she'll drive her own car and meet me there. Nader the Hatter called and said his sister and brother in law are in NYC and he is alone with the old man and has his hands full. He found nothing about Wilson on the internet, but found the <i>Valley Advocate</i> article about me complete with picture. Nardi is having terrible legal problems with his ex-wife. Nardi has Peter Bellotti for an attorney and he said he has never seen such an "egregious case of malicious prosecution." Nardi has already run up $50,000 in legal bills and has had "a tough last few years." <br />
<br />
I called Rosemary Shea about Negroni's alleged book and she said, "I don't think he ever finished it. Maybe a chapter or two, but that's all." Eamon called and said he bought something from <i>Ross-Simon Jewelers</i> but when it arrived the item in the box was wrong. "Nobody can get anything right." I asked him what he thinks of <i>Friendly's</i>. He described it as too expensive, the service is lousy and the waitress always messes up his order. He said they used to have big cheeseburgers with a nice slice of onion on top, but now they are dinky little burgers with chopped up onions and not much of it. Their fries are also soggy.<br />
<br />
Eamon complained that $50 million was spent on remodeling the High School of Commerce, but a new gym, pool and a paint job would have been fine. Now Commerce has a fancy building but the same old academic problems. Eamon told me he has been talking to Robert Johnson, the District Attorney for the Bronx. He sent Johnson material on Negroni, and also to the <i>New York Times</i>, <i>New York Daily News</i> and the <i>New York Post</i>. He also wrote to the New York Commissioner of Education, who told Eamon his mailings are "definitely" in the hands of the Inspector General's Office. Eamon asked if I have seen the latest <i>Valley Advocate</i> on Negroni, which mentions Eamon at one point. I said no, I stayed in today, with gas prices up I am sitting still. He said he has already received a congratulatory call from Stacia. <br />
<br />
<center><b>March 31, 2000</b></center><br />
George W. Bush resembles the mascot for <i>MAD Magazine</i>. A big tornado hit Fort Worth, Texas, the skyscrapers had their windows blown out. The East Forest Park Library opens the 18th in the row of stores where Norman Halperin had his pharmacy (<i>Brooks</i> is in there now) on Island Pond Road. Trinity College is located on Summit Street in Hartford. <i>Fancy That Antiques</i> was located at 752 Sumner Avenue in 1999. <i>Matties</i> on Boston Road have been hosting Sunday Poetry Slams with cash prizes. <br />
<br />
I have started my April Fool's memo and wrote checks. Had a <i>Swanson Meatloaf Dinner</i> yesterday. <i>Boston Magazine</i> came today with a notice that it's time to renew for $9.95. I have had my free year and am not renewing. I drove out this morning to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres and got copies of the <i>Valley Advocate</i> with a splendid story about Dr. Negroni, which begins by quoting one of Eamon's answering machine editorials. It also mentions a couple of negative impressions Eamon sometimes makes, including a quote by Tom Devine in which he says that Eamon sometimes comes across as "bigoted." Other negative terms about Eamon were also included.<br />
<br />
I went over Mrs. Staniski's and gave her some magazines and some some Macadamia nuts from Wisconsin. When I got there we split the nuts (over her protests) and then she told me a sad little story about how on February 13th she was backing out of a parking spot at South Church after service when a car suddenly appeared out of no where and "tapped" her car. The driver, who was wearing a cross around his neck, got out and started screaming and swearing at her (on Sunday). That attracted a friend from the church, Dell Lehman, who got the information from the other driver. <br />
<br />
The car is registered under Lucille B. Fish of High Street, Apt. 104. The guy shouted, "Didn't you hear me honk?" She said she had her foot on the break when the collision occurred. Mrs. Staniski has until April 8 to decide whether she wants to appeal a surcharge on her insurance. So Mrs. S. is set up for a pain in the ass all the way around. I think Mrs. Staniski is starting to slip. When I got back to Birchland I left some material with Mrs. Cohn. White-haired Mrs. Cresotti was out and we exchanged pleasantries. <br />
<br />
I called and left word with Tom Vannah that I liked the Negroni article and that I hope the investigation into Dr. Negroni goes someplace. <i>The Advocate</i> receptionist said she didn't know when they'll be moving to their new location, perhaps in June. I then called my broker Guizonis and he said they have FDIC insured CD's that pay more than banks. He also said pharmaceuticals are now depressed so this isn't a good time to sell. Spoke with Cassandra at <i>Banner Life</i> and the value of my policy is $8,512.93, She said she will send the forms for closing it out. <br />
<br />
Someone called looking for Fred Withee at <i>Storrowtown Tavern</i>. I told them, "This is not the number for <i>Storrowtown Tavern</i>." The person said okay and hung up. Eamon called and said he was upset that Devine had used the term "bigoted" to describe him. Eamon has apparently forgotten that is similar to what I said of him in the <i>Advocate</i> in the article about me: "Eamon O'Sullivan, even though he comes across as being tactless and perhaps a racist, is an impeccably fine Irish gentleman." Eamon told me he called the <i>Advocate</i> today and spoke with Maureen Turner for half an hour and told her all about contacting the Inspector General. He suspects that Negroni smells something's going on. Turner has not seen Negroni's resume, which Eamon got in 1986 from Broward County, Florida. Eamon has been getting a lot of calls today, even though his number was not in the article. <br />
<br />
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-29665358706819675322016-08-04T17:07:00.007-04:002024-03-08T14:00:07.989-05:00April 2000<center><b>April 2, 2000 <br /></b></center><p>It is hard to hear in the <i>Julia Sanderson Theater</i> or in the Aldermanic Chamber of City Hall where hearings are often held. The result is that common citizens attending meetings get a sort of acoustical brush-off in the form of ""we're sorry you can't hear, but that's how it is."</p><p>A democracy where public officials go through the motions but are unwilling to insure that their constituents have a good chance of hearing at public events is, finally, not democratic at all. It is just peek-a-boo elitism masquerading as democracy. <br /></p><p>Example of academic gobbledegook: "Contextualization subtending meta-thought is dominated by paradigmatic de familiarization of exclusionary encodings of mimetic post narrative constructs based upon dialogic historicity." <i>Tru-Green Chemlawn</i> is located on Westover Road in Chicopee, where Mike McManus is the Branch Manager. <br />
<br />
Had breakfast at <i>McDonald's</i>, then bought vitamins on sale at <i>Stop&Shop</i>. Them I made copies at <i>Pride</i> in the Acres and left a bag of reading material on the Powell's doorknob. There were no tag sales around at all, but I did run into <i>Dawn's Antiques and Collectibles</i>, a tall, white panel truck, that they pack with plastic containers full of mostly dime store merchandise. I bought none of their overpriced cheap store items, but I did get the Norton <i>Book of Light Verse</i> in good shape. Then down to the Quadrangle where Ed Lonergan and Reggie Wilson were both on duty in the Reference Room. Ed is always friendly and found me some information on Gutterman, for which I gave him a dollar. <br />
<br />
I placed in my permanent files several items including the rainbow poster for The Millennium March for Equality, some <i>Sovereign Bank</i> ads, my correspondence with <i>Progresso</i> soups and the latest <i>Ogulewicz Chronicles</i> from Devine. Nader the Hatter came by, saying that the books at the <i>Goodwill</i> are on sale so he bought me a copy of <i>The Legal Word</i>. I was in my plastic suit and didn't ask him in. His visit was important because he rang my doorbell and it worked.<br />
<br />
Chatted with Mrs. Staniski, her insurance agent is getting the name of the other driver, but doesn't have it yet. She asked me not to call Carol about it because "she has problems of her own." I told her she will have to discuss the accident with Ann and Mrs. S. is afraid she will be all upset. I offered to drive her to the hearing. Ryan Blair from 781-5828 called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. He was polite, but I refused as always to give him the correct number. <br />
<br />
Called Tom Devine and we talked about Doyle the Twig Painter's latest mailing with a question mark surrounded by a heart drawn on the back. Tom said that the mailing "was sent to everybody" and to just ignore it. I told him I am planning to make my move and see what happens. Eamon called and said he had to change his answering machine tape three times since the <i>Valley Advocate</i> story on Negroni came out Thursday. We discussed Devine's comments about Eamon printed in the article and Eamon recalled Devine telling him he wanted to "distance" himself from me. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>April 3, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Overcast, sprinkling.<br />
<br />
<i>Peanuts</i> today has Peppermint Patty saying, "And remember Marcie, winning is everything and losing is nothing!" Peppermint Patty has always been my kind of girl, she wears sandals. In 1998 John Silber sent Eamon a Christmas card with an illustration adapted from a 1760 wordbook for Handel's Messiah. I'm reading the <i>Norton Anthology of Light Verse</i>. With the basement all picked up, I am ready to wind up Mother's estate in the next few days. When I went out at 9am it was starting to rain. At <i>Breckwood</i> I got some newspapers, put out the mail and bought a gallon of milk for $1.79. Ouch! </p><p><br />
<br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQokWbfiuX5NASFOLrXR9Ew2xeOd1u3-lLLQeOh7M3zjLbJnCgK3IM9Ym5Bb6Q-BXP6g_VF915GhD1HuGAWiLmQPt8m5PUCGpouuXYKyb5vyszVgl0JUfRzfKYjCrTAWlXE-5y2mx05Zd/s1600/breckwoodp.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQokWbfiuX5NASFOLrXR9Ew2xeOd1u3-lLLQeOh7M3zjLbJnCgK3IM9Ym5Bb6Q-BXP6g_VF915GhD1HuGAWiLmQPt8m5PUCGpouuXYKyb5vyszVgl0JUfRzfKYjCrTAWlXE-5y2mx05Zd/s400/breckwoodp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><center><i> </i></center><center><i>The Breckwood Shops in 2000.</i></center><center><i> </i></center><br />
Then I drove over to <i>Woronoco</i> at the <i>Big Y</i>. The main entrance to the store is closed off for remodeling, so their bulletin board was bare. I have decided to take Gutterman as seriously as he would like to be treated. I sent him a copy of my book <i>Coke and Verse</i>, along with a picture of myself in leather inscribed, "To Dr. Leon Gutterman with profound respect and admiration for your good works in advancing learning."<br />
<br />
Karen Powell called and thanked me for the reading material I left which she said she had just finished reading. She was friendly and told me she has passed on the bond prospectus I gave her to Maureen Turner. Powell said they had over 160 people at their fundraiser to cover Charlie Ryan's legal fees for helping them in the <i>Northgate</i> case. She said Maureen Turner attended and I told her that Maureen was no doubt glad that I wasn't there. Karen said she has filed a formal complaint with the Bar Overseers about Raipher Pelligrino's role in trying to falsely claim that signatures gathered by CANE were forgeries. <br />
<br />
Dined on artichokes and creamed beef on potato. Eamon called and I read him some passages from the <i>Ogulewicz Chronicles</i>. Eamon told me that Richie Neal once called him and was swearing over the phone at him "yelling and screaming about all he's done for my family." Eamon defended himself by saying that his brother the Fire Chief had the highest test scores and that Neal had nothing to do with it. Eamon claims that Neal "has made those kinds of calls to a lot of people" so he wasn't surprised when I read him the account of Neal screaming at Ogulewicz over the school roofs. Eamon said that Neal is of the "perception is reality school" so he let the roofs go to hell. Eamon claims nothing would have been done about the roofs if Ogulewicz hadn't made it an issue. <br />
<br />
<center><b>April 4, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast and sprinkling at 3:50pm. <br />
<br />
Perhaps nothing is so restful as being laced into a bondage helmet and blindfolded with all contact with the outside world cut off. Cleaned house and found five of Mother's most worn shoes under he bed. I dispensed of the shoes except for a still good pair of sandals that I will give to the <i>Goodwill</i>. Drove out at 9:30am and mailed a lot of letters and payments at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. Then I drove down to AIC for the Tuesday Morning Music Club Concert, which as usual was quite good. I parked as I always do on Massachustts Avenue and as I crossed the street there was a funeral procession approaching with cop cars in front, two wagons of flowers, three or four limosines and a long line of cars with a cop at the back. Doubtless it was the funeral for former Mayor Mary Hurley's father, Edward H. Hurley. <br />
<br />
I went inside and bought my ticket to the concert and in front of me was somebody from South Hadley who brought three old ladies in a wheelchair. Mrs. Staniski was not there. On the way back I went to the <i>Ludlow Bank</i> in Indian Orchard where Mother sometimes went and deposited checks, then stopped along antiques row and went to a couple of places including <i>Cat's Paw</i>. I passed the former Indian Orchard Congregational Church where Loesch was preaching a few years back and the sign now says Evangelical Covenant Church. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he just got back from buying bagels from <i>Gus & Paul's</i> on Sumner Avenue. Eamon's former neighbor Theresa A. O'Brien has died. She was an Administrative Clerk for Superior Court Clerk Marie Mazza. O'Brien moved with her sister into one of the exclusive <i>Windpath Condos</i> in West Springfield and paid in cash. She didn't live to enjoy it for long! Eamon said he spoke with Christine Schaves (Potugeses he says) in the State Department of Education and they discussed the Springfield drop out rate. She exclaimed, "Those are shocking numbers! What's wrong with your school board?" Eamon has been talking to Donahue a lot lately about Dr. Negroni and all he has gotten away with. Donahue recalled how he was at a Rotary Club meeting once where Negroni spoke and he got a ride back with him. They discussed Commerce and they both agreed that making Jesu principal after Phil Sweeney was a big mistake because he was totally incompetent. Donahue felt that Sweeney was a good principal whom the kids liked and respected. Donahue felt Henry Kelly and Jerry Fournier were outstanding principals as well. Eamon also had a nice chat with Nader the Hatter's father, whom Eamon says talks as though he's doing pretty good. Eamon says that Tom Devine has been calling regularly, no doubt to see if Eamon responds in his phone editorial to the negative remark Tom made about Eamon in the <i>Valley Advocate</i>. I advised Eamon to just ignore what Devine said and he decided to do just that.<br />
<br />
I mentioned seeing the Hurley funeral pass by and Eamon told me that Ed Hurley had been a pilot in World War II and was the brother of William the bondsman. His favorite drink was a <i>Dewars Scotch</i> and water. Bill became prosperous, but Edward was not successful. He was among the gang who used to drink at the <i>Stonehaven</i> on Chestnut Street. Eamon claimed he was always pretty generous about buying drinks, but he can't recall Hurley ever buying him a drink. When Eamon came in the bar the first thing he used to do was buy a round of drinks for everybody. When it was Hurley's turn to treat he'd disappear into the Men's Room. Hurley was close to Jack Connolly of the State Department of Revenue, a nice guy who lived on Langdon Street. Hurley lived over on Sumner Avenue but eventually moved to Chicopee. His wife died just a few years ago. Others who drank at the <i>Stonehaven</i> were Jerry Spear the builder, Paul Krause the photographer and Jerry Sarno the ABC inspector. They're all dead now. Hurley was close to a number of mobsters including Howard Cotter, who was involved in a scandal involving paintings stolen from a mansion on Cape Cod. Ed Hurley had to hire an expensive female attorney from Connecticut to keep himself out of it.<br />
<br />
Mary Huley's husband worked for a while for a junk dealer on Albany Street and also likes to hang out at <i>Hilltop Motors</i>. Eamon says he is "in tough shape" and is so fat he can barely move, but according to Eamon, Mary was lucky to have found somebody because "sometimes you have to take what you can get."<br />
<br />
<center><b>April 5, 2000</b></center><br />
45 degrees and overcast at 3:45pm.<br />
<br />
One of my collecting interests are things related to Little Red Riding Hood. Went out at 9:40am and bought a <i>Subway</i> ham and cheese bagel with a 50 cents off coupon. The guy who made it for me didn't wear plastic gloves like he's supposed to. I parked behind <i>Price Rite</i> and noticed three <i>Shop Rite</i> trailers. No doubt about it, they are a <i>Shop Rite</i> subsidiary. There was a <i>Shop Rite</i> located at that location for many years but was replaced by <i>Unclaimed Freight</i>. Now they're back and it's a much tidied up shopping mall from the way it was when they left. Got veggies at <i>Angelo's</i>, but didn't need much. <br />
<br />
From there I headed downtown and parked at Salem and Elliot, where I dropped something off at the Quadrangle and then headed down the hill. On the street behind the Quad workmen were digging up the bricks around the trees because the trees have outgrown their space since they were planted in the 1980's. Around the <i>Bank of Boston</i> building the red granite tile work has cement missing everywhere. It used to look so nice when new but now all the 80's renovations are starting to look tacky. <br />
<br />
Stopped into the Civic Center offices and left an envelope for Hurwitz, then to Atty. Berman's office. Next to City Hall to give mayoral aide Nick Breault some material I originally intended for Marshall Moriarty. I also paid my excise and water fee. The display case that Fran Gagnon used to sometimes fill in the main lobby is now completely empty. Mary Hurley's suggestion box, the sole concrete survivor of her mayoralty, appears abandoned. The front steps of City Hall also needs work and the medallion in front of the campanile has a puddle over half of it. <br />
<br />
<i>Kayman's Custom Tailors</i> is gone, as is the adjacent eatery. <i>Johnson's</i> is still empty, but with a colorful display of artificial flowers in the window with a sign indicating they are <i>U.S. Factory Outlets</i> merchandise. <i>Factory Outlet</i> is no doubt desperate to drum up business for their store. I was back at the car at 11:25am and on the way up State I saw that there were three police cruisers parked in front of Commerce. I used visitor parking to briefly attend the STCC job fair. There were both more booths and more freebies than last year. The best freebie was a rainbow slinky. I left only one application, with <i>Big Y</i>.<br />
<br />
When I got home Hurwitz called, saying he was sorry he missed me this morning. Hurwitz said he read everything I gave him and told me that I write beautifully. Regarding Negroni, he feels Eamon should "move on to other pursuits." He doesn't know the status of the Cecil report. I told him I was cheered by our victories involving <i>Northgate</i>, but Hurwitz said he believes a baseball stadium would be good for the city if done properly. When I criticized the new Visitor Info Station he conceded "a lot of people agree with you" while insisting he had "nothing to do with it." I made positive comments about his restaurants and said they could make better tourist info centers than the one they are putting up. I stressed to Hurwitz that I have nothing against Jews, but David Starr has permitted his paper to print too much disinformation and that is the cause of a lot of the city's problems. <br />
<br />
Sidney E. Queen called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. Eamon called about the story in the paper about the deterioration of the Barney Mausoleum and wanted to know when Barney died. I told him that Everett Barney died April 29, 1905. The paper said he left $3 million to the city for the park, Eamon said that would be a bundle today if it were properly invested. I told Eamon about the job fair and told him I almost filled out an application for <i>Yankee Candle</i>. This caused Eamon to recall how Stassi Hieropolis went to work for <i>Yankee Candle</i> after losing his media job after a morals incident in Forest Park, according to Eamon's friend Deputy Spellacy. <br />
<br />
Eamon recalled how he used to know somebody named George who was a phony in the Department of Revenue. He was about to be nominated for a Liquor Commission post until Eamon complained he had conflicts of interest so they didn't appoint him. Today, Eamon saw on his phone ID that this person was calling to listen to his latest editorial, so he came on the line and the guy was shocked exclaiming, "How did you know it was me?" and then hung up! Eamon also recalled how he signed up for the naval reserve in 1951 and didn't start college until 1958 when he went to Amherst College and graduated in 1962. Edmond Garvey, future head of STCC, was Commander of the local Naval Reserve. Garvey was into electronics, had patents in radar and sonar and owned two TV stores. <br />
<br />
Eamon said the professors at Amherst had great respect for students who had been in the military and offered them all the time and help they needed. He also knew lots of foreign students who were incredibly wealthy and thought nothing of paying for big dinners for their friends. The call was cut short because Eamon said he had an incoming call from Paula Girary from the State Department of Education. I have some details on Eamon's life in high school, but know almost nothing about his life from his 1951 graduation to 1958, his first year at Amherst. That's seven long years that I know nothing about, so I must research further.<br />
<br />
<center><b>April 6, 2000</b><br /></center><p>
Red sky, overcast, 40 degrees at 6:30am.</p><p>I am an authority on the structural granite activities of the <i>Woodbury Granite Company</i> and their subsidiary. A bank building in Greenfield is one of their structures, as is Hartford City Hall.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2Wgm6coW_4Vw3Bda8xRy3otAPcwgjG_l_3Me2RcBiCWx93Qa5ZWcb5l6g5dTcH8mKShdnmnVOLSbkVz6vlYPB7jZ90gQ3spM1Z4m01H8iRUC6GJRrKi7YmHoX5dMLYPyTRzq6uAnTSpQtEm9vcsjWdEp39KF5mNLTe7WOUxz59m2geLSA67hz7eK2A/s1000/WoodburyGraniteMonumental.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1000" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2Wgm6coW_4Vw3Bda8xRy3otAPcwgjG_l_3Me2RcBiCWx93Qa5ZWcb5l6g5dTcH8mKShdnmnVOLSbkVz6vlYPB7jZ90gQ3spM1Z4m01H8iRUC6GJRrKi7YmHoX5dMLYPyTRzq6uAnTSpQtEm9vcsjWdEp39KF5mNLTe7WOUxz59m2geLSA67hz7eK2A/s320/WoodburyGraniteMonumental.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>A certain type of snob (like me) likes to be photographed with their books. <i>Off the Mark</i> is a cartoon by Mark Parisi. The friends of the Wilbraham Public Library will have an opening reception for their annual art exhibit March 5th with a special presentation unveiling the commissioned painting of the Wilbraham Public Library on Crane Park Drive by local artist Mary Massidda. <i>Tassinari Brothers</i> is located on Moody Street in Ludlow.<br />
<br />
Early in the morning, around 7am this time of year, the sun comes in the eastern basement window and lights the piano/sofa/typewriter corner very nicely. I drove down to <i>Breckwood</i> for the new <i>Valley Advocate</i> and the parking lot was full. There was a big crowd in <i>Sophia's Sports Bar and Grill</i>, I have never paid much attention to that watering hole. Cooked up some brussel sprouts tonight and ate them with some <i>Stouffer's</i> stuffed peppers. I AM getting fat, must eat less food. Worked on the final numbers on Mother's estate, then had a can of beans and two franks. I shouldn't have, I must control my appetite. <br />
<br />
I've finished looking over Leslie's <i>Spanish American War</i> (1899), exceptionally brittle paper, a splendid book on a forgotten war. I then called Leonard Collamore and told him about the unusual picture of the statue of Columbus at San Juan that appears in the Spanish American war book. Next I called <i>Dunkin Donuts</i> at 470 Burnett Road in Chicopee and told Lisa that their Munchkins box is defectively engineered. If you put more than 50 Munchkins inside the weight pulls the catch down so they fall out. I said there should be hooks to prevent that from happening. She said she would pass the word along and thanked me for calling. Finally, I called Belle-Rita Novak who is just back from the Boston National Main Street Town Meeting and says she is really energized. She isn't sure if she can attend the Tuesday Morning Music Club concert because the following day is one of her big holy days. <br />
<br />
<i>TV40</i> had a piece on the news about the appointment of Pellegrino to a $65,000 job advising the Police Department on a safe schools project. They also had a story about UMass English Professor Richard Burt who is in trouble for posting bare chested women on his university website. Valerie from <i>United Consumers of West Springfield</i> called, but I said we have nothing to talk about and hung up. </p><p>Eamon called and said he had an hour long conversation with Nader the Hatter last night. Eamon said that he and Donahue were talking about Negroni again. They talked about how Negroni has four kids by a wife he is divorced from. Negroni now has a girlfriend in NYC that he just bought a new car for. Edward Shea, Clerk of County Courts, an elected official, took the bar fifteen times and never passed, according to Eamon. He then told me that the Nardi restaurant family are Sicilians and Mama Nardi was tight with the mob. Her son Alphonse was a real mama's boy and when he went to Notre Dame she told him, "Don't be fooling around with the girls, get your education first." Alphonse was often in trouble and she had a hard time keeping him out of jail.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>April 8, 2000</b></center><br />
Windy, mild, springlike day, 49 degrees at 6:25am.<br />
<br />
I hurtle through time into the future, leaving too many jobs unfinished. Called Debbie of <i>Banner Life</i> and she will close out both policies next week. Called <i>Friendly's Ice Cream</i> and got Deborah Burns, who is in charge of the annual meeting, and told her that so far I have not received their annual report. <i>Chimney Corner Antiques</i> is located on Magnolia Street in Newburyport, Massachusetts. <i>Springfield Life Insurance Company</i> was in Brattleboro, Vermont in 1988. <br />
<br />
I cut my finger on this paper putting it in the typewriter, hence the bloodstain. Yes, that's my blood. I pulled litter out of the front hedge and raked half the treebelt lawn. Lots of cigarette butts along the street. Magnolias and forsythias are out. Left a bag of stuff for Mrs. Staniski at 1:15pm but didn't knock on the door because that is her nap time. I also left something for the Cohn's, who did not appear to be home. I was about 6th in line at the Methodist tag sale in East Longmeadow. I got six books, two were nice New England picture books of the sort Mrs. Staniski likes. Melinda M. was there wearing a black sweater with white bunnies on it. <br />
<br />
I was in line right behind a couple and the woman turned to me and said, "You look just like a drug dealer!" I assured her that I don't even use drugs, let alone sell them. The husband chimed in and told his wife that there is no way to know if someone is a drug dealer. He told me he graduated from Tech in 1965 and was on the football team (very broad shoulders) then went into the Air Force. The wife went to Buckingham for two years, but some black girls verbally abused her and threatened to push her down the stairs so she transferred to Cathedral. Her husband told me that he has heard rumors that Peter Picknelly and David Starr have bought up a lot of land on the other side of I91, planning to make it into parking for the baseball stadium.<br />
<br />
After that I went to the antique show at the the Eastern States grounds and bought 131 postcards for $260, which in today's market is quite good. Barbara Smith showed me a rare picture of Chicopee Street. She also told me that <i>Antiques on Boland</i> has bought out <i>Cobalt Turtle Antiques</i>. It was love at first sight when I saw an engraving of a rural English village gawking at a Punch and Judy show. Lydia Gadman told me she has never seen a hand tinted one before. They were asking $1,200 but I got them down to $950, tax included. On the way back, I came through <i>Angelo's</i>, made copies at the Boston Road <i>Big Y</i>, then to <i>CVS</i> where I saw Mr. Wilson and we exchanged pleasantries. Finally, I swung by <i>Subway</i> and bought a ham grinder with a dollar off coupon. When I got home I noticed that my mileage is at 97,017. <i>The Union-News Extra</i> was here and Dick N. was raking his Aldrew treebelt. I stood my new print up against the bushes and took a couple of pictures before putting it on the green sofa in the basement. Wonderful is the only word for it, the frame is a little beat up but what do you expect? <br />
<br />
Hurwitz was on the <i>TV40</i> early morning news saying that <i>Six Flags</i> "is expected to improve the economy of the entire Northeast." We were also shown the people that Mayor Albano has chosen for a committee to find a new location for the baseball stadium. The committee is headed by Councilors Tim Ryan and Bill Foley. The noon news had a story about the <i>Fairfield Mall</i> having financial problems as four tenants have moved out this year, including one that moved to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>. Jason Russell, the weatherman, said snow is expected this weekend in Madison, Wisconsin. Eamon's phone editorial is urging people to write to Gaston Caperton, head of the College Board, and complain about their hiring of Peter Negroni. I called Eamon and he told me that he is not impressed with the Dean of the Council Brian Santaniello, calling him "a water-carrier for Mike Albano" as is Bud Williams and sometimes Tim Rooke. Eamon recalled that when Albano was on the Council "he made static for Mayor Markel every time he opened his mouth." At one point Eamon said of the newspaper and City Hall, "They're full of shit."<br />
<br />
<center><b>April 9, 2000</b></center><br />
Lightning and thunder at 6:24am.<br />
<br />
The third annual Springfield Arts Festival will be this coming weekend. The Great Barrington Artist's Co-operative will hold an open house March 25th at the Berkshire Dreams Gallery. Morton H. Baker is the President of the Club of Odd Volumes in Boston. <i>Linda J. Schramn Antiques</i> is in Brookfield, Connecticut. The plinth of the Main Street end of the front corner of the steps at the front of City Hall remains four inches off its base, even though the steps have supposedly been restored and reset. <br />
<br />
Sorting tax papers for two hours this morning for the estate. Arrived back at the Antique Show at the Expo grounds at 11:14am. Virtually no traffic on the ride over but a lot of cars in the parking lot. I bought <i>Knapp & Baldwin's Newgate Calendar </i>from Andrew Nichols. He told me his father had been a Linotype operator for the <i>Providence Journal</i>. When I left there was a very light snow but falling constantly. By 3pm the snow had stopped, leaving only a light coating on the flowers and bushes, but later I heard they got ten inches in Burlington, Vermont. <br />
<br />
The newspaper has an editorial suggesting that Mayor Albano forget about a baseball stadium and focus on other ideas like a skating rink, aquarium or a pedestrian mall. Eamon's latest phone tape says that the elder Pellegrino got his judgeship through Jimmy Landers office and friends in high places. Eamon called tonight and said the thunder and lightning this morning upset his dog. Eamon's friend Dick Serkin, owner of Finestein Leather, used to ship leather supplies to over five hundred cobblers in New England, but now only about 75. <br />
<br />
Eamon spoke with Advocate reporter Maureen Turner for about a half hour Friday afternoon. She was "asking all kinds of questions about Negroni." He also sent her Negroni's resume. She told him that she heard that Albano wants to take Chief Meara out of civil service and give her the highest salary in the city. He then told me how a big retirement party is being given for Spellacy the cop on Friday, May 26th at the Carriage House. Eamon sent the requested $30 donation, but doesn't like cops and has told Spellacy he won't be there. Eamon told me he saw Fran Gagnon on a cable channel saying that Hispanics are like the Irish, Polish and others who came earlier and had problems with the language. Eamon insisted that the Irish had no language difficulties, which is why they were able to pass civil service tests and get jobs. <br />
<br />
<center><b>April 10, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and 46 degrees at noon.<br />
<br />
A Marine aircraft crashed near Tuscon, killing a couple dozen men. That little Cuban kid in Florida is all in the news, I'm sick of hearing about him. A too free policy with immigrants has caused many problems for the USA. <br />
<br />
When I got up at 6:30am there was a faint dusting of snow on the ground, but in NYC they got 8 inches. Out at 9am to make copies. There was an immense puddle right in front of <i>CopyCat's</i> door with no attempt made to clean it up. I mailed the tax form on Mother's estate and also sent mail to <i>Maccabees</i>, <i>Ameritech</i> and to Chicago regarding <i>Baystate Gas</i>. Drove to the Acres and got two forms notarized. Reardon couldn't do it and the other lady was not there so I had to wait for the manager who was busy doing something for somebody. <br />
<br />
Then I drove into the city and parked in front of the Baptist church. I noticed a big For Sale sign on the building on the corner of Apremont Triangle and Chestnut Street opposite the Tarbell-Watters. It is completely empty on the first floor with the postal union upstairs. A couple of adjacent businesses are empty, the karate studio has moved onto Main. <i>Feinstien Leather</i> is still going, but adjacent stores are empty. A inventory of empty business places downtown would be appalling. <br />
<br />
When I got back my phone ID said a Sherman L. Rose called, so I called them back and a woman said I had the wrong number. I replied, "It was you, Madam, who had the wrong number!" Then I hung up. The mail came at 1:50pm. <i>ConAgra</i> replied with free coupons to my complaint that their dinners are expensive with only pennies worth of food in them. My royalties for my book <i>Curiosities and the Law of Wills</i> came today for $6.80. <i>Lawyer's Alcove</i> produced $6.50 in royalties. <i>My Famous Divorces of All Ages</i> has sold only 40 copies so far, which is below the 75 I need to sell in order to collect royalties. <br />
<br />
Dined earlier today on <i>PopTarts</i>, orange juice, soup and a sandwich. Tonight I dined on creamed beef on potato and somewhat bedraggled artichokes. Anita Wilson and Dan Elias were both guilty of mispronouncing words on tonight's newscast. The news also reported that the average person spends $900 per year on coffee. How nice that I'm not average. Jerome Winegar is out at Commerce, in part because of the attendance records that were leaked to Eamon which he used to blow the whistle loud and clear and put pressure on Negroni. The attendance problem is systematic in the Springfield Public Schools, but Negroni figured he would cover his ass by getting rid of Winegar and declaring the problem solved, case closed and claim that Eamon's complaints are in need of no further inquiry.<br />
<br />
I went to the City Council meeting tonight to back Michaelann Bewsee in her efforts to get ward representation on the ballot. I parked by the Civic Center and when I went inside had a nice chat with Councilor Lewis-Caulton. I told everybody I was willing to make a speech if anyone wanted me to but no one said anything. Bewsee did thank me for coming. Fred Whitney was standing out in the hallway and politely said, "Hello, Attorney Miller." Marshall Moriarty also politely said hi. Maureen Turner was sitting way on the other side of the room wearing jeans and a grey sweater. Did I see the twinkle of a diamond on her finger? Yes I did! One man had a t-shirt that read "Nixon had his Watergate, Clinton had his Monicagate and Albano had his Northgate." I spoke with Verne McArthur of Human Services at Springfield College, who was somewhat aloof. <br />
<br />
<i>Media One</i> does the video of the council meetings. A white haired lady spoke at the citizen speakout claiming that the quality of the Springfield libraries are such that she brings her kid to the Wilbraham Library to do his homework. Bewsee and her friends were there in good numbers and were all excellent speakers. Not all the councilors wee there to listen as the public spoke, Tim Rooke seemed to think he was too important to listen to any of them. Lewis-Caulton delivered a very fine speech, as did Michaelann. Bill Foley churned out a lot of smoke about how it is too risky to change to a ward system because we don't know what problems we may be headed toward. In the end they approved the referendum but made it non-binding. When I left I noted Joe Carvalho and Emily Bader were sitting in the front row. I chatted with Frank Buntin and Yusif Mohammad outside City Hall. Buntin said Ann Southworth is being pushed by some to be the new superintendent now that Negroni is leaving. Yusif said he favors a nationwide search for Negroni's replacement. While we were talking Brenda Branchini walked past and waved. <br />
<br />
<center><b>April 11, 2000</b></center><br />
Rain, 38 degrees at 7am. <br />
<br />
Robert John Gula died April ll, 1989 about 10am. Only 66 copies of my book <i>Legal Laughs</i> have been sold, I need to sell 75 to start collecting royalties. The phone rang today and there was no voice on the other end so I told them this constitutes harassment and can result in legal action. The line went dead. <br />
<br />
Today I completed and mailed my Federal income tax, no state taxes were due. Kelly put out some nice magazines in her trash which I took. The garage bell rang and I went out and it was Nader the Hatter bringing me some Mary Waller books he got on sale. He told me he perused my <i>Coke in Verse</i> book and commented on its esoteric nature. I showed him my new Punch and Judy print, he said it is in remarkable condition with no staining. I recalled that the last time he came he brought me Barrow's <i>Famous Poems</i> (1931). This time I showed him the book to which it is a companion, Barrow's <i>One Hundred Best Poems for Boys and Girls</i> (1930) which was given to me by my Fifth grade teacher Eleanor V. Johnson. Nader said he doesn't know when he'll be returning to Florida, but not any day soon. <br />
<br />
A woman called looking for the Human Resources Department. I hung up. Out at 11am and made copies, then over to <i>Angelo's</i> and bought lots of fruit. There were about a dozen people waiting in line to check out. The cashier told me that they get a lot of business in the morning but not in the afternoon. I headed downtown and parked in front of the parsonage on Salem and walked down the hill. There were no posters around nor newspapers in the trash cans. The old <i>Zeller</i> site is now a by the month parking lot. For the first time in ages I actually got a free copy of <i>BusinessWest</i> at the Chamber of Commerce. At the tax office there were four personnel on hand and I was waited on promptly. Out in the lobby I found a whole pile of paper towels on the floor and called out, "Did somebody lose some paper towels?" A security guard appeared and suggested that maybe they fell off one of the custodial carts and gestured for me to give them to him. I told him that since I am serving him, not he me, it behooved him to come towards me to take the towels. <br />
<br />
Then into Congressman Neal's office briefly, a Dunbar Community Center Capital Campaign brochure was the only freebie on the table in Neal's office where a thin, black lady sat at a typewriter. Next I headed to <i>Antiques on Boland Way</i> and we talked about the demise of <i>Cobalt Turtles</i>. He showed me a toothpick holder with the Mt. Holyoke Summit House on it, but for $65 it was too high. Chet Janis, Executive Director for the Cooperating Colleges of Greater Springfield, had his feet up on the desk while reading. Nice work if you can it. He said he will send me a copy of their booklet, and says he has an office at Springfield College but no secretary. I stopped at <i>Subway</i> where Shkena made me a deli-baloney, then I walked around a bit and on Dwight a guy came along and asked if I had 50 cents so he could buy some cigarettes. I directed him to First Church who I said will give you all the help you need. He said they won't give him cigarettes and disappeared down an alley. <br />
<br />
While I was out, <i>Chemlawn</i> left some paperwork in the handle of the breezeway door. I recall that towards the end, Mother was determined to buy a rider mower for me, but I dissuaded her several times. Walking the mower around is the best exercise I get. On TV Nancy Dell warned against taking too many vitamins. The news also said that the Big Dig is "a bottomless tunnel with no light at the end of it." Tony Cignoli was on saying that the project began under Gov. Dukakis but the present governor should be held responsible for straightening things out. He spoke of a domino effect if the Big Dig project should fail, but as I told the <i>Valley Advocate</i> last year, the collapse of <i>Monarch</i> was the first domino that fell. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said Tom Devine called to listen to his phone editorial twice today. He also said John O'Brien of <i>WAQY</i> invited him to come on the radio sometime and he consented to do so. Eamon told me he watched the Council meeting last night on TV but complained that the sound wasn't very good. I'll bet he saw me in the audience but didn't say so. Eamon then expressed the opinion that Ann Southworth is the smartest person in the School Department, but Negroni assigned her to Putnam hoping she would fail. Instead, she succeeded in turning Putnam into the best run high school in the city. He also said he spoke to Gingras the teacher who told him that at least 500 kids are absent at Commerce every day without fail and nothing can be done about it. <br />
<br />
<center><b>April 13, 2000</b></center><br />
Overall a nice day, 47 degrees at 9am.<br />
<br />
Do the little jobs before the big so you will have nothing on your mind to distract, but always buy the expensive things first, then go without the cheap junk you don't need such as coffee and newspapers. The list of things you don't need is endless. <br />
<br />
The City Council wants to increase the fine for parking illegally in a handicapped space. My oil tank is now on .125 on the button. I got through the winter using a minimum of oil. John Drysdale, a reporter for the <i>Springfield Union</i> in the 1940's, has died at age 94. <i>Friendly's</i> stock is unusually high at 5.4. <i>The Mars</i> nightclub is located on Worthington next to the <i>Mardi Gras</i>. George and Carolyn Malley own <i>Add-More Books and Antiques</i> in Danville, Virginia. Lynne Alexandrowicz is Marketing Director for <i>Orchard Valley</i>, a senior living community in Wilbraham. <br />
<br />
I consider myself a talented generalist. The trash was picked up before 7am. There was precipitation last night, raining so gently that the pavement was not wet under the pine tree across the street. Went to <i>Fleet</i> in the Acres and couldn't get right into my safety deposit box because someone was in the only room they have because the second one is being used for storage. Fortunately, the lady came out promptly so I went and put in some large stock certificates, found the photocopy of the 1973 car title and took out three 1980 thousand dollar bonds. Eva Wiseman processed them. She said the bank will be moving across the street where <i>Bank of Boston</i> is sometime this summer, adding that they will be at their current location until at least July 28th. She said that Santos, whom I know from <i>Shawmnut</i>, is very good but unfortunately she only works part time. <br />
<br />
From there I went next door and ordered a case of <i>Bristol Creme</i>. Swung by <i>Angelo's</i> for an avacado, then dropped off material on Mrs. Staniski's back door. When I got back I went to the Penniman's and rang the bell. Mrs. Penniman was friendly but declined my offer of magazines, saying of her husband, "He's having a very hard time now." When I got back I dined on artichokes and the rest of the creamed beef on potato. <br />
<br />
Unknown called and I didn't answer. Eamon called and said he has been changing his phone editorial every day because there is so much dirt surfacing "it's like a candy store of scandal!" Eamon said sources told him that two years ago at a crackhouse in Six Corners, a narc squad spotted Raipher's younger brother John Pelligrino coming out. As the officers approached, Julian ran to his car and sped away, endangering the life of a sergeant who threw himself on the hood of the car. They caught him, but immediately his mother Kathleen Peligrino was on the phone to Chief Meara and no charges were filed. Kathleen is some sort of engineer who was the key point person in getting Paula Meara her job as chief. He hear Kathleen was "a real pain in the ass" on the Police Commission. Although no longer on the Commission, she still spends a lot of time in Meara's office. When Meara is out, Kathleen sometimes even sits at the Chief's desk! Eamon also told me he finally got a list of the City Councilors who have nicknames: "Bloopers" Foley, "The Dean" Santaniello, Tim Ryan is "The Altar Boy," Bud Williams is called "Mugsy," Dom Sarno is "The Truant Officer" and Ken Shea is "The Bishop."<br />
<br />
I Called Heritage Hall and got Mary Ellen, who said that Aunt Maria is "doing good." She said Shirley "always comes to see her" and that Aunt Maria gets around with a walker and a wheelchair. Next I called Karen Powell, who said that Maureen Turner is indeed engaged. I told Karen to pass along to Mo my congratulations and blessings. Then I called Tom Devine at 10:30pm but his mother said he wasn't home. She apologized for her weak voice, saying her sinuses are bothering her. I got Tom directly at 11:45pm. He had not heard that Maureen Turner is engaged, but said he knew she was dating Sean Glennon, who is a music writer for the <i>Valley Advocate</i>. Tom told me he has a copy of Sweeney's baseball decision but not of the bond prospectus so I told him I would lend it to him. <br />
<br />
I asked Tom if he has heard from the Twig Painter, but he said no. I told him I liked the latest <i>Ogulewicz Chronicle</i> critical of Richie Neal. Tom says he has known Karen Powell for a long time but agreed that I probably know her better than he does. Finally, Devine recalled how at the time of the defeat of the first casino referendum, Charlie Ryan appeared on the front page of the paper holding a cardboard Peter Pan bus and laughing. The photograph allegedly enraged Peter Picknelly. When the baseball stadium was killed by Judge Sweeney, the Powells bought Charlie a big baseball trophy. However, Ryan refused to be photographed with it, fearful of provoking a similar backlash.<br />
<br />
<center><b>April 15, 2000</b></center><br />
Sprinkling at 12:25pm. Gas is $1.46 in 16 Acres. <br />
<br />
The <i>Dow</i> is down. Maintenance workers in Los Angeles are on strike. Justice for Janitors! Fern L. Zipse, a longtime Music Education Director in the Springfield schools, has died. She joined the Springfield school system in 1948 and was named Music Education Director in 1957 and retired in 1981. Fern Zipse, allegedly a lesbian, was my music teacher at Homer Street School. Orchard Valley at Wilbraham is owned and operated by <i>Benchmark Assisted Living</i>.<br />
<br />
<i>WFCR</i> was trying to be clever this morning by saying it was "42 minutes before the hour" instead of 18 minutes after the hour. My forsythia are in full bloom. Out at 10am and hung some reading material on the Cohn's back doorknob. I haven't seen much of them lately. Made copies at <i>CopyCat</i> and then dropped off the bond prospectus at Devine's on Breckwood. Then over to Forest Park, leaving my resume with Beverly at <i>Ludlow Bank</i> en route. Next to the clock man is a door that goes into the basement of the Serenity Club. <br />
<br />
Went downtown to the Main post office to put out the mail, including Mother's Massachusetts estate income tax. There were lots of cars at <i>Northgate Plaza</i>, it is a more vibrant business district than most of downtown. When they say it is rundown, that is a cynical reference to the sort of people who trade there, not the condition of the buildings. I ran into Scott Santaniello in the parking lot. He was wearing a blue, somewhat dirty coverall that had <i>Union-News</i> on it. I said, "You must be working for David Starr." He replied, "I'm working for Mr. McDermott." Where the Charles and Cooley hotels were located there is one of those "little park for for a little while." The miniature version of the old trolley station built by the kids at Putnam has been relocated from the Quadrangle to the far back of the park. The large cement "C" that was the keystone of the Hotel Charles is planted in a mound in front along Main with greenery around it. <br />
<br />
Workmen were all over the sign in front of the <i>Paramount</i>, but when I went by later I saw nothing changed about it. I walked down to City Hall with my tax bill but found I had written the check 96 cents short, which I paid in cash to a little, black lady. I also got a deli-baloney grinder at <i>Subway</i>. More wooden decorations have fallen off the Fuller Block. <i>Kay Man</i> is gone from where he was but the <i>Tower Square</i> newsletter <i>Square One</i> says he is moving in there. <i>Square One</i> is a good name for their newsletter because downtown is back to square one. <i>Tower Square</i> was having a photo exhibit with some good entries. Drove up to the Quadrangle and dozed in the parking lot for a while, then walked into the library. The Quadrangle is all dug up for the installation of new water piping. I walked around Rice Hall thinking about how it has changed. On the way home shopped at <i>Big Y</i> with triple coupons and was greeted with a smile by Sal Anzolotti. He asked if I would be working the polls this year. I replied I wasn't sure and wished him a Happy Easter. No tag sales around. <br />
<br />
Back home I was gathering items for the <i>Goodwill</i> and found 24 pairs of shoes that Mother bought at <i>McCrory's</i>, <i>Zayre's</i> and <i>Bradlees</i>, most of them with their price tag still on them. Mother wore size 5 shoes and 16 to 18 size dresses, I have saved some of her favorite and nicest ones. In the front closet I found brand new coats, never worn, plus Father's best suit. I threw out half but saved the rest. I don't want to get rid of all my parent's things, a little clutter is good because it makes it easier to hide things. Heard nothing from Karen Powell today. I left a message for Leonard Collamore alerting him to a new book about Columbus. Eamon called and said his power went off last night but was fine this morning. He will be visiting his sister in Agawam tomorrow. I told him about the <i>Robb Report</i> I am willing to lend him with ads for luxury watches in it and he sounded eager to see it.<br />
<br />
<center><b>April 17, 2000</b></center><br />
Very cloudy at 5pm. <br />
<br />
Anti-World Bank people are acting up in Washington and the cops mistakenly fired tear gas at them. Play it again, baby! The Census Bureau is advertising for workers. I turned off the furnace yesterday and it's a tad chilly in the house, but I'm not burning any more oil until fall. It was 52 degrees in the house this morning, which is chilly, not cold. I'm told that the renovations underway at the Indian Orchard Library are quite lavish, and I wonder if that's because J. Carvalho is from that area and if so that's okay. I take a vitamin pill but not everyday because they say too many vitamins can be bad. <br />
<br />
Mother had a key made at <i>Haberman Hardware</i> on High Street in Holyoke on July 12, 1989. Mother liked <i>Haberman's</i> because it was a tidy version of an old fashioned hardware store. Father always had in his wallet a trimmed and terribly worn 1923 calendar and a worn picture of me as a little boy holding a toy I don't remember having, by the steps of 37 Crest Street. <br />
<br />
Out at 8:30 and dropped off a big box of stuff for Eamon. First, I had a breakfast of hotcakes without the sausage at the <i>McDonald's</i> on Allen Street. Eamon said he has had a lot of new callers since the <i>Advocate</i> mentioned him in Turner's article. He has satisfied them by changing his taped editorials frequently. His phone ID shows two calls yesterday from a P. Albano in East Longmeadow at 525-1570. He looked in the directories but can't identify them. <br />
<br />
Then I went to the Palm Sunday services at Trinity and found the place well filled with Mrs. Goad preaching. Her sermons are never printed. Then I left a load of stuff with the Sunday book lady at <i>Goodwill</i>. I drove out to <i>Bridgeport Binding</i>, which has a tiny foyer enclosed with windows. The office has three chairs, an end table, a water fountain on granite blocks and several pots of ferns and ivy. I had wait ten minutes for Vice President Bruce F. Jacobson to come and tell me they would charge $100 to frame my Punch and Judy picture and $30 for the Newgate calendar. He said they would be ready in four weeks. <br />
<br />
Then over to Jeff Cohen the picture framer and left off the ripped San Francisco poster which he will mount and frame for $190. A Jewish couple from Pittsfield were there, redeeming a $75 gift certificate they got from a <i>TV57</i> auction. They were using it to frame a very nice piece of family needlework. Jeff showed them a new kind of glass that doesn't glare like regular glass. He also showed us a picture of his little red car with a window busted where a turkey flew into it, and a picture of Pete Seeger playing with his choral group. Jeff told me his sister runs the <i>Leonard Gallery</i>. <br />
<br />
On the way home I saw Mr. Cohn sitting in a chair in his driveway. He said he's been fine, he and his wife just got back from visiting relatives in California. He said he doesn't see much of Zachary. He also said I didn't have to write him "a love note" for the issues of <i>The Economist</i> he gave me. I replied that I was brought up the right way, as do those who who do business the right way, but as to others I am in their face!<br />
<br />
When I got home, I heard the end of the St. Matthew passion on <i>WFCR</i>. I called Karen Powell and it was she who answered, but I thought I could hear Bob moving around in the background. I told her I was going to Commerce 2000 and she said she's never been to one. I told her it is worthwhile to go because you can pick up information. Karen said once again that she is against ward representation because people like Cheryl Rivera would get their flunkies in and cause problems. She said Bill Foley asked her to be on the baseball stadium search committee, but she declined because she considers the effort a waste of time. I mentioned what Tom Devine told me and she admitted that they had given Charlie Ryan a baseball trophy and Ryan didn't want it to get in the press. Supporters also surprised the Powell's with their own trophy, but she said nothing was given to the <i>Valley Advocate</i> although Karen said they thanked Maureen Turner very warmly for all her help. <br />
<br />
I had asparagus on toast and minestrone soup for dinner today.<br />
<br />
<center><b>April 18, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast. <br />
<br />
"If you can't beat them with footnotes, baffle them with bullshit." - Eamon T. O'Sullivan. <br />
<br />
<i>Fleet Bank</i> has branch locations at the East Springfield <i>Stop&Shop</i> on Liberty Street, on Cabot Street in Chicopee and Main Street in Springfield in the North End. Roy J. Lever is <i>Fleet's</i> Executive Vice President. Doris W. Madin was a secretary for the <i>Provident Mutual Life Insurance Company</i> in Worcester in 1971. <br />
<br />
Out at 9:45 wearing slacks and a tweed sports coat for the the Tuesday Morning Music Club concert and lunch with Belle-Rita Novak. When she arrived she said she was parked in a corner of the Homer Street School playground, wearing a jean coat over a red Main Street National Convention at Boston t-shirt with black slacks. She looked quite good. Belle-Rita asked if I went to the First Church concert on Sunday and I replied no, I'm busy and can't go to everything. She expressed disappointment that the census never called her about working for them. <br />
<br />
Novak told me about the Boston convention, which had seminars on things like street fairs, niche ethnic businesses and small business development. There were only five people besides herself from Springfield at the event. According to her, the <i>Bing Theater</i> revival project is struggling after a lady pledged a lot of money then pulled out because the theater needs more repairs than expected. She never thought the <i>Bravo</i> arts organization was up to the task, but believes someone will eventually restore it. <i>The Food Mart</i> at the X is also having trouble, having lost their middle-class customer base. Belle-Rita is an excellent conversationalist and a most intelligent woman who graduated from UMass in 1986 and is always pleasant to be with.<br />
<br />
Belle-Rita sat on one side of me and on the other was a mature woman, husband deceased, who was brought up in Dexter, Maine and thinks well of Colby. She was married in Wesley Church in the Square by Rev. Johnson, so I told her about the decline of the church. She worked as an elementary school teacher in Westfield and knows Arthur Gingras. Mrs. Staniski was there, but didn't stay for the luncheon, which consisted of a large plate of tossed salad with two little tomatoes, several black olives, a couple of pepper rings, three slices of cucumbers and a nice, lemony sauce. The main course was some long green beans, steamed but not well done, potatoes and a filet of fish. A picture perfect lunch! For dessert they had brown bread with a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream and a cherry on top. I told Belle-Rita how my Aunt Jennie always advocated eating your dessert first so would always have room for it. <br />
<br />
Belle-Rita had to leave at 1:30pm. On my way home, I swung by the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> to collect the free Easter Egg they advertised. Mine was purple with a pink rabbit on it, just right. There were lots of kids in the mall, it must be school vacation week. <i>The Old Navy</i> store looks just like the one at the <i>Ingleside Mall</i>, but with less merchandise in it. <br />
<br />
A letter arrived today from Leon Gutterman today thanking me for the book I sent him, "I wish to thank you for your gift of the fascinating book <i>The Reports of Sir Edward Coke In Verse</i>. It was most gracious of you to inscribe it to me and I have inscribed a volume of <i>God's Wisdom and the Holy Bible</i> to you. May I add that the introduction you wrote to the <i>Coke</i> book is not only immensely interesting but truly brilliant. I congratulate you warmly on your admirable literary and legal achievement. Every lawyer and library in our country ought to have your book. You have done the legal profession a great service by giving it Coke's wisdom."<br />
<br />
<center><b>April 20, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast and 47 degrees at 6:35am. <br />
<br />
There was a small earthquake in the Adirondacks that could be felt in the Berkshires. My shipment from Gutterman and his Wisdom Hall of Fame came today. I tried all the doorbells and despite my hearing loss could hear them okay. The mail came down the street an hour late at 11:26, arrived here at 1:30pm. My $10,000 property tax abatement came today, so I immediately called Karen Powell, who said they haven't heard yet on their abatement application. She says her taxes are paid by the bank so may not be paid until May 1st and an abatement is granted on a money first please basis.<br />
<br />
I drove out after 10am and cashed a check at <i>Fleet</i> in the Acres, then paid my taxes for Wilbraham at the town offices. I swung by my cottage at Fernbank and all is secure. I took some pictures of the forsythias and lilies. Some kids around 12 came riding up King Drive, so I took their picture and they told me they are from Three Rivers and bike in that area "all the time." <i>Skropski Gas Station</i> is now completely redone, with a fancy brick building with <i>Mobil/F.L. Roberts/2780 Boston Road</i> over the front door. Adjacent to it is a very nice <i>Touchfree Car Wash</i> with two lanes. <br />
<br />
The news said that Hartford has had the lowest response rate to the census of any city. Next lowest was Newark, the home of the <i>Newhouse Newspapers</i>. Someone named Carvella called from the Census and invited me to attend three days training starting Monday. I told them I would think it over for a day. I called Belle-Rita Novak and wished her a Happy Passover, then told her about the call I got from the census. She still has heard nothing. I then called the Wilbraham Town Planner at 596-2806. He told me has been in contact with Jim Carlin and would present the realignment of Maynard Road to the Town Meeting in May. He said he could present it to the legal department by July. Jolene in Boston called asking if I wanted to subscribe to <i>Newsweek</i>. I asked her not to call again. I called <i>Fleet</i> and complained about my account being transferred. Chatted with Mrs. Staniski, who asked me about the Tuesday Morning Music Club lunch and later told me she couldn't believe "the gall" of Mayor Albano in trying to take <i>Northgate</i>, saying he acted like he was a president instead of just a mayor. <br />
<br />
Called Aunt Maria's house and a woman answered so I hung up, thinking I had the wrong number. I called again, and the same woman answered, telling me she was Shirley Huang. I said, "Oh, the Korean minister's wife?" She replied that I was correct, she is Shirley Whittier Huang from Ohio. I told her I recalled Ruth saying something about getting a relative to come. Huang knows Ruth but not Edith Michaud. I informed her that Aunt Maria was very grateful for the time her husband shoveled the snow for her, then mentioned that I used to do a lot of chores for Aunt Maria, but since she accused me of murdering my Mother I have followed her affairs from a distance by calling her caretakers to monitor how she is. However, the murder accusation has given me license to do nothing for her. <br />
<br />
I explained to Shirley about Maria's mood and attitude problems and said there have been questions about her competence at some points. I asked if Aunt Maria was coming home for Easter and she said she wasn't sure and "we are taking it day by day." She told me they are trying to get the house livable and Shirley Lucia did go through the clothes and threw some of them out. I mentioned the missing gold beads and urged her to save my archives trunk, the spinning wheel in the attic and any pictures that are mine. I told her I have sent Aunt Maria an Easter card and urged Shirley to call me anytime. Next I called Heritage and spoke to Aunt Maria's nurse Bonnie who said, "Yesterday she had a wonderful improvement in her labs" and may be able to come home soon. Unknown rang six times. I ignored it.<br />
<br />
Called Eamon and chatted a bit. I told him about my abatement and Eamon said his disabled vet status gets him an abatement worth $600, but he has to apply each year. I also told him about the census calling me and he said that if he got a job with the census he would want to work in the office rather than canvassing out in the field. "You get more gossip that way," he explained. He liked the <i>Robb Report</i> and contacted some of the watch companies featured. He thinks Gutterman and his Wisdom Award are a gyp and a fraud. I said maybe, but I might be able to use it sometime. He scoffed and said, "You have enough credentials and don't need anymore."<br />
<br />
<center><b>April 21, 2000</b></center><br />
Sometimes raining, 57 degrees at 12:30pm. <br />
<br />
Last night on <i>Late Night with Conan O'Brien</i>, Hugh Hefner said he was brought up a Methodist. They also had two male twins on with collars around their neck, tank tops and leather shorts on. The Pilgrim Society has decided against merging with the Plymouth Antiquarian Society. Rep. Paul Caron's 14th Annual Breakfast will be on May 7th at St. Anthony's Parish Hall on Island Pond Road. No <i>Union-News Extra</i> came today. The Cooperating Colleges of Greater Springfield consist of A.I.C., Springfield College, Bay Path, STCC, Elms, WNEC, Holyoke Community and Westfield State.<br />
<br />
I picked up litter in the front berry patch and raked along the street. Kelly drove by and waved. My spring clean-up is now complete. Out this morning around 9am, made copies at <i>CopyCat</i> and put out the mail. Today I sent mailings to Aunt Maria, Mrs. Staniski, Beck, Helen Miller, the Vermont Historical Society, Garrett, Pritchard and William Kelly of the CUNY English Department. Then I went to <i>Angelo's</i> and got flowers (pansies, six for $1.69) and some fruit. <br />
<br />
I've been hauling things down from the attic, worthless items such as rags, shoes, several boxes of manila envelopes, the list goes on. Mother never threw away any clothing, so there were old pajamas and underwear meant to be used for rags, lots of pairs of sneakers and ladies plastic boots. About half the shoes were brand new and never used and there were 14 pairs of never used boots. Some shoes were in plastic bags. Tucked into a box of shoes was a big bag of girdle garters from the days when Mother wore a girdle. Mother bought so much that it actually made more sense to buy more when needed than have to root around trying to find what she had bought before and squirreled away who knows where. <br />
<br />
Dined today on a <i>Swanson Fish Filet Dinner</i>. Lasteria Thomas from the Census called and asked if I could work part time. She said the training sessions will be next week Monday-Thursday at <i>Mrs. Clancey's Restaurant and Pub</i> on Cottage Street. She said they are looking for people to canvas East Forest Park, East Longmeadow and Wilbraham. I told her how someone from my family has worked in the census each time for the last hundred years. She had a nice, bubbly, real estate lady personality and said I could take a little more time making up my mind. <br />
<br />
Called Mary Ellen at Heritage, who told me that Aunt Maria has been discharged as of today. I thanked her for the care they had given her. Karen called and said her request for an abatement was denied, but she will appeal. They valued her house at $95,000. Eamon called and told me he has gotten the city to regrade and plant some of his tree belt. Eamon gets all he can out of the city. Eamon claims his anti-Starr phone editorial brought listeners from two law firms, <i>Winniman & Winniman</i> and <i>Doherty-Wallace</i>. Unknown rang six times and hung up just as I picked up.<br />
<br />
<center><b>April 22, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast and 46 degrees at 7am. <br />
<br />
Today is the 30th Anniversary of Earth Day. I remember it at Madison, Wisconsin, they had booths along State by <i>Brom's and Rennier Drug Store</i> dispensing ecological literature. I'm sure I collected it. Early today Elian Gonzales was seized in what I thought was a totally appropriate proceeding. They showed a picture of him smiling brightly at the reunion with his dad, which is the best advertisement for sending him back to Cuba. <br />
<br />
Richard J. Prochnow is the Veteran's Agent for the Town of Wilbraham. The Friends of the Libraries Board of Directors consists of Helen Cohn, Mary Napolitan, Doris O'Leary, Gladys Oyola and Mary Rivest. Their next meeting will feature Janet Kelly of the Read/Write/Now Adult Learning Center. That meeting sounds like a real bore. The regular Saturday mailman came by at 11:30am, but there was no First Class mail, not even an Easter card from Mrs. Staniski. <br />
<br />
Today I spent most of the day in the attic, bringing down handbags and more dresses and took them to the <i>Goodwill</i>. I also brought down the immense box of rags Mother had collected and will put it out with the trash. I threw out all the manila envelopes except one box, as well as a lot of glass and aluminum. I found a pair of black galoshes with metal buckles that I had as a child, but the rubber was dried out so they had to go. Mother intended to start cleaning the attic herself, but then fell into her final illness. I finished everything I wanted to get done and have brought the attic to where it is no longer impassable. I can now work on the remaining areas one at a time and gradually thin things out. My philosophy is to save the best of Mother's clothes and discard what is worthless.<br />
<br />
I took the <i>Goodwill</i> 25 purses this time, a number of them brand new. On the way I stopped at the <i>Big Y</i> for milk and juice. I made copies at <i>Pride</i> in the Acres, where there was a tall old man in front of me. He told me he had 18 pages to copy and offered to let me go ahead. I said, "I can see that your are a fine old gentleman and a Christian, but don't be a sucker. You are first and should finish your job, I can wait." It turned out he was a retired minister of the UCC, connected with the North Wilbraham church, copying wedding ceremony text. When he finished he very politely thanked me for waiting. <br />
<br />
Today I dined on ham, cabbage, red potatoes, onions and carrots. I got a polite wrong number from Thomas J. McGowan, who gets a gold star for promptly apologizing. Called Eamon's phone editorial and today he is saying how none of the <i>Newhouse</i> papers have ever won a Pulitzer Prize. I called him and praised his editorial and he asked me if I knew how many papers the Newhouses currently have. I told him I could probably find the answer but I'd have to drop everything and I'd rather focus on my housecleaning. Eamon told me to not be selective and toss everything, like his sister did when she cleaned out his mother's stuff.<br />
<br />
<center><b>April 23, 2000</b></center><br />
Heavily overcast, 46 degrees at 7am. <br />
<br />
Today is Easter Sunday. Father always bought his personal office supplies from the <i>Monarch</i> Supply Department. Father bought, he did not swipe. <i>WFCR</i> is observing Shakespeare's birthday today. I wrote to Richard Wightman Fox and James T. Kloppenberg at Boston University and Brandeis respectively, but the letter to Fox came back in yesterday's mail <i>Return to Sender</i> with word that Professor Fox "not found." <br />
<br />
In the attic today I found seven rolls of wallpaper for my parent's bedroom bought at <i>Serv-U</i> in 1977 that was never put up. Part of the reason was that the original paper was so beautiful that Mother didn't want to cover it over. I went to the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> and put out the mail. At <i>Louis & Clark</i> the Easter candy was already discounted and I bought some. The raspberry filled eggs from <i>Schrafft's</i> that used to be a quarter apparently are no more. They only had eggs that were the flavor of standard candy bars so I bought none. Then I drove to the Allen Street <i>McDonald's</i> and got two cheeseburgers at 49 cents each and read the paper. In the Acres, the <i>Goodwill</i> was closed today. At the 16 Acres Library, I peered through a window at the darkened interior. <br />
<br />
Back home, I called Aunt Maria's and got Shirley Whittier. She told me she took Aunt Maria to church today and met Edith, whom she hopes to get to know better. She said Aunt Maria is doing quite well, better than expected, she is alert and knows people. I offered to speak to Aunt Maria but Shirley didn't want to get her upset. She told me that the Lucia's have the cat, Fritz. I told Shirley that she has a cordial invitation to visit me anytime, but to call first as I may be having summer lectures. I also read her Dorrene's card and suggested the courteous thing would be to reply. <br />
<br />
I worked in that the people next door are getting the land for looking after Aunt Maria, so I don't know why others such as herself had to be called in, but assured her I wish her well and to feel free to call if I can help in any way. I also told her about my 15,000 volume library and told Shirley that I can loan her things not easily available. She expressed amazement at how many books I have. I promised to be in touch regularly but not too frequently. She made a crack about how she's only been here a week and I have already called four times. Shirley did wish me a Happy Easter, but didn't mention the Easter card I sent to Aunt Maria.<br />
<br />
In the evening I watched <i>Antiques Roadshow</i>. They were in Toronto at the world's largest shoe museum. They also discussed antique beer trays but did not give prices. Then I called Nader the Hatter, who is leaving for Florida on Friday. He proposed we get together some morning this week. I initially got his sister, who I have never spoken with before. I then called Eamon, who told me that the U.S. Secretary of Education gets $145,000 per year, the Superintendent in Boston gets $87,000, but Dr. Negroni is getting $160,000. That's ridiculous.<br />
<br />
<center><b>April 24, 2000</b></center><br />
Breezy and chilly, 46 degrees at 7am.<br />
<br />
Today is the 200th Anniversary of the Library of Congress and the 85th Anniversary of the genocide in Armenia. There is talk of breaking <i>Microsoft</i> into three entities. L.A. janitors may strike by tonight for $6.90 per hour. There were <i>Serv-U Stores</i> on both Saint James Avenue and Dickinson Street in 1977. Mary Gauthier was head of the Master Charge Department at <i>First Bank and Trust Company of Hampden County</i> in 1974. Harold A. Smith was Vice President of the <i>Springfield Institution for Savings</i> in 1973. <i>Ganlay and Crook</i> were located at 1200 Main Street in 1956. Philip R. Smith was a Notary Public in 1956. My parents bought this house on Birchland in 1956. <br />
<br />
Lots of mail today, but nothing from the Census. Drove out at 8:50am and made copies at <i>Pride</i> in the Acres, after getting today's newspaper out of the trash receptacle in front of <i>Louis & Clark</i>. At the <i>Goodwill</i>, the lady behind the desk had behind the counter leaning against the wall, two framed prints of Indians with no price on them. They looked like they might be hand tinted. I told her to take them out of their frames which were too modern. She said she was getting them for her nephew who likes Indians. I said nothing, but the paintings were obviously an example of how the workers set aside the real goodies for themselves. At least she should have been smart enough to face the images against the wall. <br />
<br />
I called Marty Kerson, Regional Director for Easter Seals, to complain about the free address stickers they sent me that don't stick. She said the stickers are sent out by the national organization in Chicago and gave me their address. Nader the Hatter called at 10:45am and said he expects to be busy this week. He told me his father is grouchy and in bad physical shape, then suggested we meet at the Quadrangle and he'll show me how to use the internet on the computers in Rice Hall. I agreed and then headed down to the main library. Inside they had an exhibit about Carnegie libraries. I asked the Rice Hall librarian, a chubby woman I've never seen before, if she's ever heard of G. Thomas Tanselle. She claimed to have heard the name, then checked to discover that they have copies of his editions on Melville and that's all. She told me Tanselle was born in 1934. <br />
<br />
When the Hatter arrived, we sat at a computer and he showed me how to use it, but I've already forgotten most of it. He offered to set up a <i>Hotmail</i> account for me, but we did not do so. After our hour was up, a lot of students were coming in so I proposed we go to lunch. With decorous reluctance, Nader permitted himself to be persuaded and we drove separately over to the <i>Hometown Buffet</i> in West Springfield. On the way there, I noticed they are putting a new theater onto <i>Showcase Cinemas</i>. Nader was a little late because he stopped at the post office on the way over. We each had the liver and onions special, and were dining in the dead of the afternoon which was a quiet, pleasant experience. However, the caliber of the clientele at <i>Hometown Buffet</i> isn't as high as you get at <i>Friendly's</i>. We left around 4pm, but not before the Hatter gave me his address in Adventura, Florida. Nader expects to be away until August, but the situation with his father may change things. He said he hasn't seen Eamon at all this visit. <br />
<br />
<center><b>April 26, 2000</b></center><br />
Lovely, sunny day, 44 degrees at 7am on the breezeway.<br />
<br />
Sunday will be the 25th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Throughout the ages the most important business of civilized people has been fighting wars. On <i>WFCR</i> this morning they read the last letters of soldiers killed during WWII. A notable feature of the letters they read is that they are in excellent English. A cop on the radio said, "Beat your wife and a cop shows up, beat your kid and you get a social worker." There was also a story about how schools don't teach kids how to handle money. Kids need to be taught that there are more jobs for ditch diggers and soldiers than corporate presidents. Jobs like Father's, high grade clerical, have disappeared entirely. The tough jobs remain but computers have eliminated the easy ones. <br />
<br />
Governor H. Dean of Vermont has signed a gay civil unions bill effective July 5th. Today Mercy Hospital was conducting prostate screenings for free for city residents at Christ Church. I thought of going but didn't, maybe next time. I did manage to clean out the freezer, as I do once a year. The regular trashman came at 6:45am and took away a full dumpster, one bag of yard waste and Mother's broken old, wooden ironing board. <i>The Reminder</i> came this morning. I found a few magazines in Kelly's recycling box, including a <i>Sports Illustrated</i> addressed to Mrs. Judy Cates of Chicopee. I drove out at 8:50am to make copies for Ashley Shea.<br />
<br />
I then headed downtown and parked in front of the Hispanic Minister's office and walked down into the city. I was wearing my lumberjack boots, orange bloomers, <i>Northgate</i> t-shirt, motorcycle jacket and my current queer hair-do. Unfortunately, my triangle earring had fallen off when I was putting on my clothing. I went to the <i>Woronoco</i> stockholder's meeting, which was brief. Muffins and coffee served, and there was a welcoming speech by bank President Cornelius Mahoney. There was no opportunity to ask questions, although the bank officers were circulating and Mahoney, who seemed to recognize me, did greet me personally. I also chatted with Steve Estee.<br />
<br />
I soon left and headed over to the business fair at the <i>Big E</i> grounds. I usually walk around the fair twice, but I only made one round today. I took only a few freebies because most were the same as offered in previous years. No doubt that the best freebies run out early in the day and what's left is left. There were no phonebooks offered this time, very unusual. The <i>PVTA</i> gave out little clocks, but nothing with their 25th Anniversary logo and batteries not included. <i>Eastfield Mall</i> had a wheel you could spin to win a gift and I won a stop watch. They put it in an <i>Eastfield Mall</i> bag, which I have saved as part of my collection of local bags.<br />
<br />
<i>CopyCat</i> was distributing jelly beans in little cups, rather disappointing. Five places were serving popcorn, I got mine from the <i>Bank of Western Mass</i>. <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> was giving away large peppermint patties. <i>The Carriage House</i> was passing out brass clips with a likeness of the carriage house on them. I had a long talk with Fink of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he said they have no retail tenants lined up so far. Don Wesson of <i>Veritech</i> asked me if I use drugs. I said only <i>Harvey's Bristol Creme</i>. I told him my 14 ancestors who fought in the American Revolution were fighting for every American's right to get stoned in the manner of their choosing and called the War on Drugs "The Narc Employment Protection Act." <br />
<br />
The Indian Orchard Main Street Corporation was passing out Titanic Museum brochures. Braman the termite guy smiled and asked me, "Atty. Miller, how are your termites?" From <i>TV22</i> I got a coupon for a free foot-long <i>Subway</i> grinder, which is nice. At the <i>TV40</i> booth Dave Madsen was hosting a local version of the TV game <i>Who Wants to be a Millionaire</i> only you couldn't win a million dollars. The guy at the <i>Masslive</i> booth said they have gone from 10,000 hits per month when they started to 5 million a month now. Although they have the same parent company, he said they have little contact with David Starr or Larry McDermott. <br />
<br />
Back home I dined on fruit, a can of soup and chicken pot pie. The mail today brought word of stock fun and games at <i>Ford</i> and a Western New England College 2000 Summer Schedule of Classes. No postcard from the Census, and my abatement application was denied by Wilbraham. A woman from <i>Milton Bradley</i> called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i> and said she was sorry.<br />
<br />
<center><b>April 27, 2000</b></center><br />
Raw and cold, 43 degrees at 8am. <br />
<br />
London will be voting for their first popularly elected mayor and may elect someone more radical than the Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Mayor Guilliani announced today that he has prostate cancer. The stock market is down on fear of rising interest rates. <i>Corporate Staffing Solutions</i> is located on Westfield Street in West Springfield. <i>Account Temps</i> is located at <i>One Monarch Place</i>. Anthony L. Drapelick is a Managing Consultant for <i>Drake Beam Morin</i> in West Hartford. Eamon's street has been swept by the city, but mine has not. <br />
<br />
This morning I planted my flowers and watered them. When I went out for the mail, I found a <i>Wall Street Journal</i> in my driveway addressed to Kelly Simpson, 15 Birchland Avenue. I left it at her house with a note congratulating her on her parson's bench. Drove out mid-afternoon and got the <i>Union-News</i> with the story about Pellegrino. <i>The Valley Advocate</i> has a similar story by Maureen Turner. <i>The Advocate</i> always does a better job. I stopped at <i>Louis & Clark</i> to put out the mail and picked up two copies of <i>Tom Devine's Weekly Report</i>. Next I swung by Tom Devine's house and left a bag for him of computer oriented stuff on his back porch. <br />
<br />
Dined on corn, potatoes, ham and fruit. On <i>TV22</i> they said the local census canvassers will be out starting tomorrow looking for people who didn't turn in a census form. Springfield had a 65% response rate. Rev. Loesch was briefly on camera. On <i>TV40</i> Jim Polito did a story on the Civic Center. Hurwitz was on briefly saying they expect to select an architect within a week and "the minute construction begins there will be excitement throughout the valley." Guy McClain and John Pretola, the Quad archeologist, was on and had a broken piece of china they dug up on the Quadrangle lawn. Fran Gagnon was also on saying that MacDuffie in 1890 set up "the first high school for girls." Is that so? What about Boston? <br />
<br />
Now that I have completed the tax forms, I notice I have stopped biting my nails. <i>Jeff's Picture Frames</i> called and my picture is ready for $161.70. Also got a wrong number from someone looking for <i>Fisher Scientific</i>. I called Margaret Goad at home and reached her on the third ring. She said she has my books in her office. We agreed that the local schools are in trouble and she restated her support for charter schools. I gave her Eamon's number and told her she should call him sometime. Donna calling for <i>Orchard Valley</i> in Wilbraham wanted to talk to me but I told her I don't like being called during the news. I got a call from a woman on Eastern Street and when I called back she refused to reveal her identity. I told her it was a matter of telephone courtesy and she hung up in my ear! <br />
<br />
Called Mrs. Staniski and her answering machine has a somewhat snappy Ann saying, "Please leave a message after the beep," no formalities or identification that you've reached the right number. I called back a little later and Mrs. S. said she had just been down to the mailbox to send me a thank you note for my Easter card. On the way, she stopped to talk with her neighbor, an old man who gets Meals on Wheels three times per week and used to work for <i>Mass Mutual</i>. Mrs. Staniski spent Easter with Ann, but after she brought her home, it took Ann four hours getting back to Arlington, the longest it ever took her. I told Mrs. S. about Aunt Maria and she expressed surprise that Shirley hadn't called me first to tell me she was in town. We agreed it has been a cold spring. Mrs. S. takes no pills and thinks that hospitals are dangerous.<br />
<br />
<center><b>April 28, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast, raw, cold, wet, 47 degrees on the breezeway at 8am. <br />
<br />
<i>TV22</i> said today is the 25th Anniversary of the end of the war in Vietnam. The average age of the soldiers who died was 23, barely old enough to know much except how to follow orders. <i>TV57</i> had a discussion about the anti-war movement featuring David Horowitz, Director of the Center for the Study of Popular Culture. Ho-hum. It costs $95 to advertise for three months on a <i>PVTA</i> van. <i>The Hampden Inn</i> is located on Riverdale Street in West Springfield. <br />
<br />
I went to the Trinity Church tag sale at 10am. Melinda McIntosh was first in line, she later told me it was the worst sale Trinity has had that she can remember. I spoke briefly with Bob, the bearded, young, Jewish book guy who was just ahead of me in line. Also nearby was a cultivated woman who said she gave the Quadrangle 300 books for their booksale and described herself as a collector of children's books. One of her sons went to St. Michael's and the other to the University of Vermont. She told me she admires the generous character of Vermonters. I bought only a few books, one of which was a 1939 hymnal with a bookplate indicating it had been donated to Trinity in memory of Charles W. Jones by his wife Mary E. Jones. <br />
<br />
Next I drove over to Eamon's to give him two bags of stuff, including a ruler and the <i>Peppermint Patty</i> I got at the business fair from <i>Hampden Savings</i>. He said he was "delighted with all the goodies" I gave him. From there I drove to <i>Savers</i> but bought nothing, their next half price sale is June 10th. <i>Popular Club Plan</i>, which used to be across from the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> by the barber shop and cinema, is now up near where the old <i>Steiger's</i> was at <i>Liberty Plaza</i>. On my way back, I stopped at <i>Freihoffer's</i> for donuts, bread and a cake, for which I spent less than five bucks. <br />
<br />
Then to <i>Eastfield Mall</i> to redeem my $4.99 coupon for free food at the Mexican place, but they cheated me. All he did was take a round shell and dumped a handful of cheese in it, a few peppers and fried it. It was incredibly thin and served with a small orange soda. That's not even worth 99 cents and it is no incentive to come back! Mall Services were giving away a folding, plastic alarm clock similar to the one given away at the fair by <i>PVTA</i>. <br />
<br />
When I got home, the mailman was doing the boxes on Ballard. Unknown rang five times but I didn't answer.<br />
<br />
<center><b>April 30, 2000</b></center><br />
Absolutely lovely spring day, gas is $1.46 at Alden.<br />
<br />
Miller's Corollary to the Golden Rule: If you mess something up, you make it right and compensate anybody who had any losses (of goods, money, time, rights) because of your mistake. <br />
<br />
Cheating on overall performance tests in public schools has surfaced in New York, Texas, Connecticut and Kentucky. The May issue of the <i>New Republic</i> has a hippie on the cover. The Harvard alumni magazine for spring takes notice of my book <i>Coke in Verse</i>. That's good, Harvard has never really let me down. That's professionalism. Lyn M. Washington is the Membership Director for the Harvard Club of Boston. <br />
<br />
Today I pulled 23 dandelions off the lawn. The <i>Chemlawn</i> killed a lot of Black-eyed Susans and some Golden Glow, but the dandelions survived. What did those <i>Chemlawn</i> people do except collect their money? I mailed letters to <i>The Nation</i>, Bush for President and the electric company. Then I went to Wesley United Methodist Church and picked up some of their current material. I got a flyer indicating that their Centennial Celebration will feature preaching by The Reverend Mark Goad, Rev. Alfred Johnson, Rev. J. Willard Cofield and The Rev. Amos L. Bailey. The church paper is no longer called <i>The Courier</i>. The new church has a nice dining room in the basement. The sanctuary looks okay with banners and pennants on the walls. Next I headed over to the <i>Goodwill</i> on Sumner Avenue and then to <i>McDonald's</i>. <br />
<br />
I went to <i>Fleet</i> in the Acres and closed Mother's checking account. Then I headed down to Jeff the framer's to pick up my San Francisco poster, which he very nicely mounted. From there I went across the street to <i>Sam's Glass Works</i>, then across the bridge to the former <i>Sears</i> store where <i>Bob's Discount Furniture</i> was having an Open House. Bob himself was personally handing out t-shirts at the door. Bob is older than he looks on TV, thin, very working class, loud, quite a guy. The place is real nice with a showroom on the second floor and damaged pieces in the basement. The first floor must be their warehouse because it's closed off. There were salesmen all over the place and coffee and popcorn was served. Bob's TV commercials promise "a furniture shopping experience beyond expectations," which reminds me of the similar phrase falsely used by <i>Hampden Bank</i>.<br />
<br />
Tonight I dined on hot dogs and spaghetti with meat sauce and peas. The mail was here a tad late with a thank you note from Belle-Rita Novak in beautiful handwriting. Still nothing from the Census lady or the cancer lady. I did get a Paradise City Arts Festival flyer. I spoke to Eamon briefly on the phone at 7pm and he told me his neighbor Moore has the largest collection of Civil War guns around. Jena Larivier mispronounced "Smithsonian" on <i>TV40</i> tonight, so I called and told the station. The young fellow who answered thanked me for calling. <br />
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-90506328333418484802016-05-18T16:54:00.009-04:002024-03-15T13:14:28.893-04:00May 2000<center><b>May 2, 2000</b></center><br />
Heavily overcast, 46 degrees at 8am. Gas is $1.43 across from <i>Angelo's</i>.<br />
<br />
Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day. Space waste from a rocket fell to Earth in South Africa today. Hilary Hahn the young violinist is playing in Hartford and they have been playing a number of recordings by her on <i>WFCR</i>. Today they played a concerto by Strauss. The Modern Language Association of America sponsors a short term medical plan developed especially to meet the temporary medical insurance needs of MLA members. President Woodrow Wilson visited France in 1918. Michael J. Harrington was the State Cancer Crusade Chairman in 1977. <br />
<br />
I forgot to mention there was a citizen environmental cleanup crew working in the gully by Breckwood Pond Saturday. Yesterday I closed Mother's 16 Acres branch <i>Fleet</i> account which still had $414.15 in it. <i>The Reminder</i> was here first thing but the sun didn't come out until 10:30am. No street sweeper has been down Birchland this spring. Went out at 9:45am today and left off three military books with Mr. Lucius down the street. At the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> I found no empty cans or copies of the <i>Union-News</i> in the trash can in front of <i>Louis & Clark</i>. I mailed letters to Stanley and the Houghton Library. Next I went to <i>Angelo's</i> and Mr. Mancuso was there. He said he has planted a cherry tree and his wife is not doing good. Says he's 85. I asked him why do so many Italians run fruit stands and he said in the south of Italy they grow lots of fruits and vegetables. <br />
<br />
Dined today on asparagus from <i>Angelo's</i>, noodles, hot dogs and an avocado. Did six loads of sheets and blankets in the wash and will do more tomorrow. <i>The Punderson Oil</i> man appeared today in truck 183 and I paid $122 for a hundred gallons. This time he put in just the right amount of oil. The delivery leaves the tank at just under half full. I have once again received the Whitcomb High School alumni circular even though Father is long dead and I have asked them to cut it out. They have also been told that Mother died. No letter from the Easter Seals lady. I called <i>Gordon Paving</i> and left a message about the cracks in the driveway. There is an ant hill in one of the cracks in the driveway already. <i>ReMax Quality</i> called but I didn't answer. Unknown called at 3:06pm but I did not answer.<br />
<br />
I called Mrs Staniski late in the afternoon and told her about my visit to Wesley Church and she told me that in the old days they didn't even permit food in the Ladies Parlor. But when "Brother Joe" came things changed and he let kids jump up and down all over the furniture. <i>TV57</i> had a program on about Vietnam saying America should only enter wars that are vital to the interests of the United States and have a clear military objective. Without a clear cut strategy for victory you can't get the total commitment of the American people. Colin Powell was on talking about understanding your objectives and Sen. J.F. Kerry of Massachusetts spoke about "the need to be honest with people" and how "the draft was uneven and unfair." <br />
<br />
On <i>TV22</i> they were talking about the Dr. Seuss statues and Joe Carvalho came on and said the statues will be casted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He said people "will soon by dying to come here and experience this." Kathryn Shepardson reported on <i>TV40</i> that 700 kids a day are skipping school. Now that Eamon has got the ball rolling, everyone is talking about the problem. Dom Sarno wants the City Council to vote to have the cops pick up truant kids and take them to an assessment center. The School Committee is also considering the matter. Dr. Negroni was on calling truancy "a community issue." Shepardson interviewed one kid who said he skips school about three days a week. I wonder if she is any relation to Phil Shepardson, the weatherman who makes jokes that are sick rather than funny? <br />
<br />
Kansas City schools, which sound like ours, are no longer accredited by the state. 50% don't graduate and new buildings and social programs didn't make things any better. Money alone isn't the solution. Chatted with Eamon who said Nader the Hatter left today for Florida in a truck he rented. We talked education and once again Eamon called Negroni "a crisis manager" who only acts once a crisis occurs instead of trying to anticipate it and head it off. He says Negroni doesn't attack problems head-on. Eamon claims we need a superintendent who will confront problems with courage, creativity and co-operation. However, Eamon is afraid that even if we got such a leader, the Springfield school system may now be beyond the point of no return. <br />
<br />
<center><b>May 3, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Absolutely beautiful day.<br />
<br />
The London and Frankfort Stock Exchanges are to merge. Karen Brown of the <i>WFCR</i> Springfield Bureau reported that the city is declaring war on dumping. This morning <i>WFCR</i> played G.F. Handel's <i>Sonata for Violin and Oboe</i>. They said that the oboe was Handel's favorite instrument, I love it too. <br />
<br />
Kelly mowed her lawn today. The trash man came early, but no one has come along to sweep Birchland Avenue. I'm trying to get everything organized. I have been sorting through the contents of Mother's Indian Orchard bank vault and came across documents from the years Mother was of service to the State Cancer Crusade. Today I did five loads of laundry, stripped the cot and folded it up, then typed up my invitations. I drove out to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres around 1:35pm to print them. Back home I sealed the invitations along with a letter to Tom Vannah, mailing them all out at <i>Breckwood</i> except for those I intended to deliver by hand. I wore my nice plastic suit, boots with laces and my biker jacket. While at <i>Louis & Clark</i> I bought the <i>Hartford Courant</i> because of an article on all the projects being funded by the Connecticut legislature. <br />
<br />
The invitation reads in part, "In celebration of spring and to provide myself with incentive to complete spring housekeeping, I shall be at home the four Sundays in May from 2pm onward talking about art, street literature and books, especially in the context of pastoral, hip and progressive activities, history (especially 16 Acres) and law." I concluded with, "Unlike political events, you don't have to pay $100, though there is no cheap wine. It is a quasi-academic event and you are invited to bring a notepad. Dress as informal as you dare or the law will allow." Among those I invited were Rev. Goad, Bill Foley, Hurwitz, Peter Picknelly, Peter Johnson, Russ Denver, Roy Scott, Tom Devine, Tim Ryan, Lewis-Caulton, Mayor Albano, David Starr, Larry McDermott, Wayne Phaneuf, Caputo, Meeropol, Kathy Tobin, Sy Becker, Pat Markey, the Powells, Fred Whitney, Belle-Rita Novak, Congressman Neal, Paul Caron, Brian Lees, Leonard Collamore, John and Mark Koziol, Melinda McIntosh, Darnell Williams and M. Bewsee. <br />
<br />
When I left for downtown Coburn and his little boy were shoveling dirt out of daddy's truck. He's getting to be a big boy, next year he goes to school. They haven't decided whether to send the kid to parochial school or move to a town with a better school system. Coburn told me he is a graduate of Catholic schools in Chicopee. At 2:40pm I went over to WNEC where I saw President Caprio walking past the easterly classroom building talking with a student. When I left off the invitations I noticed that the religious brochures were gone from the free literature in the Administration building. </p><p>Next I stopped by the Devine's because as I was driving past I saw Tom helping his mother plant a weeping cherry tree in front of the house, a tree which ECOS had given Mrs. Devine for her birthday. I told them I thought they were planting the tree too close to the house but they disagreed. I gave Tom his invitation and he gave me the May issue of his zine, which has a picture of Maureen Turner and Tom sitting at a table at <i>The Tavern</i>.
<br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglotqv7H54ceT0hAilt7P9755rT4Ulsdvo1psZ7VtBZKNDdBeSacgC-Yrpi5Z7WsENAioJ2wliSROtCC7wBv5VcsKMjrq2kneyVvb0jrV0zwBisAyhS607gJUGhVHEbRdhg01ylphNoT8i/s1600/tree.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglotqv7H54ceT0hAilt7P9755rT4Ulsdvo1psZ7VtBZKNDdBeSacgC-Yrpi5Z7WsENAioJ2wliSROtCC7wBv5VcsKMjrq2kneyVvb0jrV0zwBisAyhS607gJUGhVHEbRdhg01ylphNoT8i/w480-h640/tree.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><center><i> </i></center><center><i>The tree planted "too close to the house" on June 6, 2016.</i></center><center><i> </i></center><p> I arrived downtown at 3:18pm and parked on Salem. I left four invitations with security at the Quadrangle and slid Peter Johnson's invite between the double doors leading to the bookstore building's elevators. Walked around downtown leaving invites for Hurwitz, Atty. Berman, Foley, Lewis-Caulton and Tim Ryan. I left Mayor Albano's invitation with his black aide Candice Lopes, who thanked me politely. Left Peter Picknelly's invite with his security man Frank, a young fellow trying hard to appear businesslike. Left Scott's with the receptionist at <i>TV57</i> and left three invites at the <i>Union-News</i>. It was then the dead of the afternoon so I had a deli-baloney sandwich at <i>Subway</i>. <br />
<br />
As I passed the old <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> I noticed Kaufman was in his law office so I went in and told him the granite in his building might be Woodbury granite. All the clocks downtown tell slightly different time. Another thing you notice about downtown is all the litter everywhere. Popped into <i>Just Friends</i> and the guy said the Northampton Gay Pride Parade is May 6th (I won't be going) and Springfield's will be June 3rd. The new issue of the <i>Valley Advocate</i> was available downtown, but not when I got back to the Acres. The mail brought no cancer letter, no bylaws from <i>Woronoco Bank</i> and no thank you from Shea. <i>ReMax Quality Real Estate</i> called again, but I was out. Jack Barnaby from California called wondering if I'm interested in franchise investments. Called Jim Contolvich from Emergency Preparedness on Roosevelt Avenue to get his address so I can send him an invitation. Unknown called.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>May 4, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny at 6:30am, a beautiful day. 66 degrees at 12:30pm. <br />
<br />
Today is the 30 year anniversary of the killings at Kent State. This morning I came across a list Mother made of the people on the street that gave her contributions to the American Cancer Society. Besides herself, Birchland Avenue residents who gave were Cerrone, Potvin, Pasters, Beatty, Allard, Foley, Marshetti, Sierodzinski, May, Grasuinto, Hoves and Penniman. Mother delivered the donations to the 16 Acres branch of <i>Valley Bank</i> on April 25, 1977. CPA Kenneth P. Ryan is a graduate of Burdett College in Boston. Joseph and Shirley Lucia live at 189 Poplar Street in Feeding Hills. <br />
<br />
Last night was my first night back in my bedroom. Cleaned and tidied up the breezeway. I also defrosted and thoroughly cleaned the freezer, then I took a bath and washed my plastic suit and hung it up to dry. I went out about 3:15pm and noticed that my lilies are budding up. The Allards drove by and waved. First, I took Mrs. Staniski a bag of stuff for which she gave me some cookies. She was planting maybe 15 Marigolds in front of her house with a pillow to kneel on. She declined my offer of assistance. From there I went to <i>Angelo's</i> and bought the biggest grapefruit I have ever seen, measuring six inches across. Got today's paper out of their trash. <br />
<br />
The mail brought the Massachusetts estate tax forms with their new policies. I also got a letter from Aunt Martha thanking me for the Easter card. She said cousin Dianne has divorced her Jewish husband and has resumed using the name Miller. Frankly, I always found it hard to believe that fundamentalist Dianne would ever get along sexually with a Jew. I feel sorrier for him than her, unless of course it was his fault in some other way. Dianne has been divorced twice now, which has got to be a reflection on her. Her first husband, Randy Watkins, was a society yacht sailor. <br />
<br />
Dined tonight on a <i>Banquet Turkey Dinner</i> and the fresh artichokes I have on hand. Ernest called from <i>Elect Life</i> in Mesa, Arizona. I told him I am a Methodist and pro-choice and told him we need to control overpopulation and women should be allowed to control their own bodies. He was very polite but insisted abortion is bad for women. Chatted with Eamon, who said he was in Cambridge yesterday with Mark Murphy, looking at watches at <i>Alpha Omega Jewelry</i>. He said the store is on JFK Street. Eamon had to pay $12 to park and never went on the Harvard campus. <br />
<br />
Maureen Turner called him today, at one point informing him that she is originally from Long Island. She is doing a story on Police Chief Meara and complained that the Chief never calls her back or only after her deadline. Maureen thinks the Chief is pissed because of the bad things the <i>Valley Advocate</i> has written about her dear friends the Pellegrino's. Karen Powell also called him, saying there is a rumor that money is missing from the riverfront development funds. Eamon told her he hasn't heard anything but "it certainly sounds plausible."<br />
<br />
<center><b>May 6, 2000</b></center><p>
Cloudy to start, sunny and 70 degrees at 10am.<br />
<br />
The U.S. has the lowest unemployment in 30 years. <i>WFCR</i> says scientists have identified certain proteins in babies which may indicate if they will be artistic or mentally deranged. What's the difference? <br /></p><p>Anthony Athanas was State Chairman of the Cancer Crusade in 1978. CPA Mark A. O'Connell is a graduate of Western New England College. John and Mark Koziol live on West Street in Ludlow. Melinda McIntosh lives on Morning Star Road in Hadley. <i>Falcetti Music</i> has five locations besides the one on Boston Road
in Springfield. One reason why Springfield needs an Arts Commissioner is
so that we have someone with taste and a knowledge of art history to
advise the city when putting up new buildings or remodeling old ones. <br />
<br />
There is a leak under the left sink which means I'll have to call the plumber. Nuts. I have a rash on my kneecap, what could have caused it? I later decided it was the plastic suit, probably the same way it happened to Jonathan Kline the bedwetter at Camp Norwich. Maria from California called saying she was with <i>Currency Brokers USA</i>. She sounded Jewish. I told her I wasn't interested but didn't read her the riot act. The mail brought a check and certificate from Baystate and a letter from the <i>International Library of Poetry</i> accepting a very dirty sadomasochistic poem by Jack Miller. I also got two checks from <i>Banner</i> and an invitation to Blanche Miller from Baypath, even though Mother is dead. <br />
<br />
Wrote a couple of more invitations and mailed them at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. Nolan was there. At 2:15pm I dropped off a thin bag at the Cohn's. Mrs. Cohn told me Mary Kay has been named Visiting Scholar in Residence at Case Western next year. Wasn't much at the Faith Church tag sale. I got four books and pointed out some books about chocolate to Melinda McIntosh. She was first in line as always and told me she sometimes takes vacation days to go to sales. Melinda remarked about my hair and I noticed for the first time that she is left handed. I also bought a child's play keyboard for $2 to add to my collection of kiddie instruments. Unfortunately, this new one is partly plastic. <br />
<br />
From there I went to Trinity and left off some material for the Goads. The Huber lady I dropped it off with openly laughed at my appearance. Good. While there I got copies of recent Goad sermons, only his get printed up, never hers. Then to <i>Walgreens</i> to drop off a roll of photos and bought some eggs for 89 cents. <i>Walgreens</i> didn't have my roll developed in an hour so I complained to the manager. Went to <i>Lowe's</i> and bought their termite killing stuff for $20. Went to <i>Stop&Shop</i> and redeemed a $3 coupon on $19 worth of groceries. I also turned in some soda bottles. <br />
<br />
Dined today on salad, minestrone soup and milk. Eamon called and said he is using <i>Easy Off Oven Cleaner</i>, put it on overnight and wipe it away in the morning. He told me he is going over his sister's tomorrow at noon. Roy Wright called and said he has been teaching at Marlboro College in Vermont. He never got his Harvard Phd but it doesn't matter at Marlboro which he described as "very radical." He says he has seven years until retirement. He's teaching linguistics and sounds very busy. I invited him to get in touch with me sometime when he's in town and he told me has never met Richard Ringler. Roy said he hardly uses the U.S. Post Office since he started e-mailing. His father is now in a nursing home. He knows Maureen Turner personally through his close friend <i>Advocate</i> reporter Mark Anderson and he agrees that Turner's writing has noticeably improved over the past few years. He talked to Charlie Ryan recently about <i>Northgate</i> and the use of expert witnesses. Roy laughed with glee as I told him of Judge Sweeney's decision. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>May 8, 2000</b></center><br />
Lovely day, but hot in the afternoon. 76 degrees at 12:21pm. <br />
<br />
There's more traffic around here all the time. Now it is not uncommon to have a long line of cars at the Breckwood light going all the way to the entrance to WNEC. There are sometimes long lines along Parker backed up by the Wilbraham Road intersection. <i>Falcetti Music</i> is helping UMass sell some old pianos. <i>Hunter's Typewriter Shop</i> is on Elm Street in West Springfield. Ron Slate is the Director of Marketing Services at <i>Bay State Gas</i>. <br />
<br />
Kelly was out on her patio last night. The lilacs are coming out and if it stays this hot they'll go by like a freight train. I did a little cleaning but the main even today was the Senior Fair at the Jewish Community Center. I had considered going to Paul Caron's breakfast, but that would cost money and it was unexciting last year. I also preferred to hear Steve Sobel, whose name appears so frequently in the <i>Reminder</i>. <br />
<br />
I left at 8:35am and swung by Eamon's, where I found him spraying something soapy on his front awnings. I looked to see if there was an Open House at DeRiso's but there was not. He gave me a thin bag that included an expose of Hillary Clinton. He said he sent Clinton's opponent $15. Overall Eamon is a generous individual who helps many in small ways. June Ryan told him that the Rev. Geer has been quite ill. He also read in <i>Cries and Whispers</i> that Dr. Negroni is getting an honorary degree from Springfield College. He was surprised when I told him that David Starr was once given an honorary degree from there. Eamon told me about how years back there was a superb, nationally recognized baton twirler who lived in Springfield and it was said he liked to get in a tub and have people piss on him. Excellence has its price! <br />
<br />
Then I went over to the JCC, where I arrived by 9:30am. Dr. Sobel spoke in a gymnasium with about a hundred people present. All the people present were white. His lecture was entitled <i>Laugh More, Live Longer</i>. He talked about how laughter is good for you and how we should all laugh more often. He also tried to sell us audio tapes and videos. He was good, but not that good. After his lecture I walked around the JCC. There was no Police Department booth this year, but the Springfield Armory Museum did have a booth. At one point I had my picture taken with a cut out of the Three Stooges. I also went through their Holocaust display which has wonderful color pictures of those who helped the victims. Petlock was there with his "companion" and told me he thinks <i>Friendly's</i> is in trouble because of excessive material and labor costs. Rev. R. Loesch passed me, but turned his head in the other direction so that we wouldn't have to talk. I'll bet he gets Ann Geer's job with the Council of Churches. Wayne Phaneuf was there and said David Starr has made no mention of retiring.<br />
<br />
On the way back I stopped by <i>Goodwill</i> and bought four books, one of which was <i>The Grand Resort Hotels of the White Mountains</i>. I also stopped for a chicken sandwich at <i>Burger King</i> in the Acres. Dined this evening on salad and albacore tuna. The mail brought a slip saying they are holding a package for Jack Miller. The Trustees of the Vermont Historical Society wrote and thanked me for the 1995 postcards I gave them of the Bethel United Methodist Church. In the late afternoon I took a nap. This was <i>Six Flags</i> opening weekend and Hurwitz was on TV talking about what a drawing card the theme park will be. <br />
<br />
I called the School Department this afternoon and got a recorded message and then was disconnected. So I called back and a woman gave me the number of Dr. Lorraine Plasse. However, when I tried to call I was told it was actually the number of Director of Sciences and that Plasse's number is 787-7134. I told them I would report these confusions and delays to the Superintendent's secretary Rosemary Shea. Finally I got connected to Plasse's secretary and I asked her is she was familiar with <i>The City That Reads, Writes</i>. She replied, "I'm not acquainted with it." I told her to please ask Plasse to call me when she gets a chance. <br />
<br />
<center><b>May 9, 2000</b></center><br />
83 degrees at 1pm.<br />
<br />
The heat has been record breaking. According to the weatherman, it was 91 degrees on Sunday, 92 on Monday and 93 today. Hopefully the weather will soon be getting back to normal. My tulips have wilted in the heat but the lilacs are fully out and I cut a sprig and put it in Mother's cremation urn. This has been an abbreviated spring, like the lives of the guys who died in Vietnam. Martha Kerson is the Annual Campaign Director for the Masachusetts Easter Seals campaign being run out of West Springfield. <br />
<br />
Writing checks and cleaning house. By noon I had done the living room real good and by 1pm the bathroom and hallway were done. I got down on the floor and scrubbed with a mixture of water, <i>Dazzle</i>, <i>Fantastic</i> and a little bar soap mixed in. I let it sit a minute, then went over the floor with a piece of steel wool. Things look as they should again. Late afternoon into early evening I finished up the dining area and the kitchen floor. I did all my work naked. <br />
<br />
I called <i>Gordon Paving</i> at 788-4884 and a woman answered. She said he'd left and that there were never any guarantees. She knows her lines well. I said I was never told that and there is always an implied warranty of fitness for use. I said he should come back and look at the driveway and told her I think they put on a very thin layer whereas Eamon said they put several inches on his. She said she'll have him call me, we'll see what happens. <br />
<br />
I think my doorbell has stopped working. The street sweeper finally came down Birchland today. They left a pile of sand from winter up toward Wilbraham Road. As I swept up the mess someone drove by and waved hello but I'm not sure who. Went out to put out the mail at Breckwood at 9:45am and found no free paper in the trash. Then over to <i>Angelo's</i> where he told me that what I thought was an immense grapefruit was actually a Central American fruit called a Pannallo. It's a tad sweeter than a grapefruit and pink inside. <i>The Reminder</i> came at 1:30pm. <br />
<br />
The 26 rolls of typewriter ribbon I ordered arrived today, I found them leaning atop the newspaper box against the front side of the garage. There was a maroon truck parked in Kelly's driveway this evening. No sign of Michael. Eamon called and said a story in the paper has Mayor Albano wanting <i>Six Flags</i> to build a hotel and an aquarium. Eamon responded by writing a letter to <i>Six Flags</i> CEO Gary Story in Oklahoma as well as local manager Tom Black in Agawam. He told them all the dirt on Springfield and how unreliable Albano is. He also told them about how Albano lied about the businesses coming to the Hall of Fame and included a copy of an article by Maureen Turner critical of the baseball stadium scam. <br />
<br />
<center><b>May 10, 2000</b></center><p><br />
A thunderstorm went over at 6am. Still overcast at 12:28pm.</p><p>The new Sixteen Acres Library has a design similar to F.F. Richardson's Billings Library at the University of Vermont. </p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQxepiGQj66xhIgAJK1N7XxfU_vEtQQNKb34Rf3SzjTe2ygm1hZVGHNmiamUM5AtGU1GaBGWhln5FYXS-jE0e-q2XfO5Wb8k7UaKIgRpydLBky7Ixur6tjfJBYCxhfoGTWkOM18PMnrT5JdTZXmxPauUX7FIlsw7525QwF56JMq147AtAKcC9TIt_vyCc/s1200/vermont.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="1200" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQxepiGQj66xhIgAJK1N7XxfU_vEtQQNKb34Rf3SzjTe2ygm1hZVGHNmiamUM5AtGU1GaBGWhln5FYXS-jE0e-q2XfO5Wb8k7UaKIgRpydLBky7Ixur6tjfJBYCxhfoGTWkOM18PMnrT5JdTZXmxPauUX7FIlsw7525QwF56JMq147AtAKcC9TIt_vyCc/w400-h243/vermont.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IHuAe_g50N1Uxdg9GHDAVpEj8GWppEFt2NhTeTIORa7tQRjimNsoU1t8Z224YodIW7mNHpHFdXkfTBHncXqpw-vpeP9hTUjtcoo-BLl5HOGNnK7vAHRBWKQw3Aw7Sjok13GCDDyp6FK_kdcTkRS-e0omKvXMad87x0UjBJ0FJW7fp26mEQyTlY11teIm/s375/acres.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="375" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IHuAe_g50N1Uxdg9GHDAVpEj8GWppEFt2NhTeTIORa7tQRjimNsoU1t8Z224YodIW7mNHpHFdXkfTBHncXqpw-vpeP9hTUjtcoo-BLl5HOGNnK7vAHRBWKQw3Aw7Sjok13GCDDyp6FK_kdcTkRS-e0omKvXMad87x0UjBJ0FJW7fp26mEQyTlY11teIm/w400-h309/acres.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br />
I dined today on two microwaved potatoes, a can of soup and two hot dogs. An ad in the paper says they will deliver the new phone books Friday, May 12th. Atty. Carol E. Tully CPA is a graduate of Boston College. James P. Kenney CPA is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. <br />
<br />
Put the recycling out before 8am, then decided to treat my typewriter to a new ribbon. Did a load of wash before venturing out. At the <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> I had a pleasant meeting with Carol E. Bolduc, informing me that their interest rate is six percent. I told her how wonderful her staff has been but I'm looking for a better rate. Then over to <i>Lowe's</i> to get caps for the kitchen chair legs. I asked the first employee I met and he said aisle 17, but they didn't have the kind I wanted. I spoke to Customer Service who got me the Assistant Manager, a young fellow who said all they had was a kind I didn't like in a package of four for $1.68. I said no thanks and left and as I did so I noticed that a new place is opening in the parcel by <i>Circuit City</i> called <i>Tuesday</i> something.<br />
<br />
I headed down to the Main Post Office to pick up a package from Western New England College that the mailman failed to deliver, perhaps to punish me for reporting him. I arrived at the <i>Friendly's</i> annual stockholder's meeting about 9:45am. The <i>Friendly's</i> staffers were obsequious and directed me to the free food where I had a sesame bagel with lots of spiced cream cheese on it. They had greeters at all the doors and I told mine that I only buy stock in <i>Friendly's</i> in order to get a free breakfast once a year. I also informed her that on their event program the word "guidelines" should have been capitalized. They also offered danish, juice and coffee. I wore my <i>Friendly's</i> t-shirt with my collar and biker jacket and got plenty of attention. <br />
<br />
There were about 100 chairs set up and I sat on the left hand side in the first row. Petlock was not there this year. TV reporter and broker Jim Vinnick got up and asked a question about how they intend to improve their image on Wall Street. Their answer that they are going to focus on "operating results" for the next two quarters didn't adequately answer the question. Why not all the quarters? The most memorable speaker was an elderly woman, short and slightly plump named Alice Riddick. She said as a girl she worked for <i>Friendly's</i> and complained that the company is nothing like it used to be. She said the restrooms are filthy (Eamon has also said the same thing) and there are inconsistencies between restaurants in portion sizes. At one point she turned to address founder S. Priestly Blake, who seems to have developed a nervous tick in his face. This went on for ten minutes and when she sat down I raised my hand to make a point of order. I asked the Corporate Counsel to provide his definition of the phrase "two minutes" and tell how such is measured. Smith apologized and said they let her speak longer because of her "passionate interest." I made no other comments. Lyman Woods complained about the waste of <i>Friendly's</i> corporate jet and they said they are cutting back its use. I never see Wood wearing a tie. <br />
<br />
Coming home by Dwight I see they are planting new trees along the east side. The mail arrived at 1:10pm. When I arrived home I went over to Kelly's and found her reading the paper in a white bathrobe. I congratulated her on getting married a few months ago. My phone ID showed a Neil B. Epstein was calling so I picked up and it was Dr. Matthews, Epstein's partner, looking for his patient Ann. I informed him that I am not she. Unknown called three times but there was never a voice when I picked up. <br />
</p><center><b>May 11, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Overcast and dripping.</p><p>My favorite sports are croquet and tiddlywinks. <br />
<br />
Saw a bumpersticker in the parking lot that said <i>Irish Power</i> with the flag. Yes, but Irish Power can be used, like any power, for good or evil. A jackass is a jackass, whether it is its tail or its nose that is long. The <i>BBC</i> is Britain's most important export to the United States. On <i>WFCR</i> the Teacher of the Year from California was asked the one book students should read and she replied Toni Morrison's <i>Song of Solomon</i>. The new black newscaster on <i>TV22</i> mispronounced Kateri Walsh's name tonight. <br />
<br />
There were no <i>Valley Advocates</i> at the <i>Newsstand</i> at noon. The burned out hardware store remains an eyesore. Went to <i>Walmart</i> and they had chair leg caps for four for a dollar, cheaper than yesterday at <i>Lowe's</i>. Got fish and chips at <i>Skeeter's</i> on Boston Road for $4.95, served in a paper boat with one container of tartar sauce, two containers of ketchup, and a small slice of lemon. Good fish with okay fries, a little better than <i>Big Y</i> with no tax added to the $4.95. <br />
<br />
Today I called the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> and got the receptionist Sabrina and told her I used the Chamber of Commerce coupon they gave me for <i>Salsa's Mexican</i> and thought it was flat and not worth buying even with a discount coupon. I also told her I saw the same product advertised at a cheaper price in <i>The Reminder</i>. She seemed very understanding saying, "Attorney Miller, I really do appreciate this call. Thank you for telling me." <br />
<br />
The mailman was here at 1:14 and quickly pulled away as I opened the garage door. There was no box of books and just two pieces of mail. The morning paper has <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> offering a 19 month CD at 6.5% so I called them and asked for their investment councilor, who is Eamon's niece Barbara Lucia, but all I could get was her answering machine. Tried twice. I also called the <i>Polish National Credit Union</i> and Maggie says for 72-96 months they offer 6.5%. Finally, I called George Gouzanis at <i>A.G. Edwards</i> and they can get me 7% for one year. <br />
<br />
Chatted with Eamon and he was interested in my interest rate survey and said he has a lot of money maturing at <i>United Cooperative</i>. He described Barbara Lucia as a shrewd investor of her own money. Eamon also told me that <i>Williams Distributing</i>, the liquor company, is moving to Chicopee. Hugo Roth used to run it and Eamon described him as "a nice man." He also talked about how from 1960-62 Eamon ran the Springfield contingent of the Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade. Roth had a collection of Model T Fords and Eamon rode in the parade in one of them. Eamon has had a hand in just about everything. He is especially proud of what he did for the Andover Institute of Business. Under Eamon, enrollment increased from 300 to over 800. He also got all the code violations fixed in the Insurance Tower building. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>May 12, 2000</b></center><br />
Lovely day. <br />
<br />
The power went off at 6:57am so I called <i>WMECO</i> and Bennette said they had a lot of calls from Birchland, Ashland and Talbot. Power back on at 7:57am. When I opened the garage door this morning, the mailman was speeding away after having left a note that there is a package for me to pick up. I got a letter from Russell F. Denver, President of the greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, declining my invitation, stating that "with three young boys being very active in track, baseball, soccer and hockey" his weekends are all tied up. Obviously the mailman is engaging in payback for me having ratted to the postal inspectors, by making me drive downtown for packages that should have been delivered to my home. I'll give him lots of rope and then spring the trap door. <br />
<br />
Steve never sent me a thank you note for the balsa wood model I sent him. I discovered that the case of sherry I bought was missing a bottle, so I drove out to <i>Stop&Shop Liquors</i>. They were very accommodating. Bill said cases of liquor are frequently missing a bottle or have a broken one and he gave me a refund on the spot. Bill also said that he had been talking to McCarthy of <i>Northgate Plaza</i> who told him, "Attorney Miller helped us a lot." I was flattered because while Karen Powell introduced me once to McCarthy I didn't realize he was aware of all I had done. Went to <i>Big Y</i> and spent my refund money on the specials. Saw Professor Anzolotti there and wished him Happy Mother's Day. <br />
<br />
Next I went to the tag sale at the Christian School held to raise money for the Rescue Mission. Loads of stuff, I got two good books, a few metal objects, two milk crates including a bright blue one that says "Thou Shalt Not Steal" on it, two <i>Springbok</i> puzzles and a working <i>Smith-Corona</i> portable in a very beat up case. It was built in the 50's with green keys in the middle and olive keys at the edges. Then drove over to <i>Eastfield Mall</i> and bought a double cheeseburger at <i>McDonald's</i>. While at <i>Eastfield</i> I looked into <i>Vibrations</i> for a fugitive t-shirt but the lady said it sold out immediately. Instead, I bought an orange t-shirt reading "Corrections Facility" on the back and "Solitary Confinement" on the front with a number. Just the thing. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said Dennis Murphy, the state rep that quit suddenly to be the PR man for the electric utility thing in Agawam, is head of the Pancake Breakfast. Both Eamon and I heard him saying on TV that "Kalamazoo" Michigan surrendered to us and we are number one in pancake breakfasts. Actually, it is Battle Creek, not Kalamazoo. He said they served 71,230 plates of pancakes last year. Mary Kay Wydra was also on saying that "it's an exciting time" and "<i>Six Flags</i> is changing the face of tourism in the region." She said they expect <i>Six Flags</i> to draw over two million visitors this year. Eamon also read to me from General MacArthur's farewell, the part where "duty, honor, country" is stressed and the necessity of "not lying, stealing, cheating or tolerating those who do." Eamon then contrasted that with the behavior of the Albano Administration.<br />
<br />
<center><b>May 13, 2000<br />
<br />
Pancake Breakfast Day</b></center><br />
Temperature in the morning was 59 degrees. Raining when I got up, but the rain had stopped by the time I left at 8. I noticed the sun reflecting off the hoods of the car as I passed through Mason Square, which was enough of an improvement to get the people out for the breakfast. I went to the main post office first to get the Hamilton book shipment. I suspect my mail carrier is making me go to the post office for my packages as "payback" for having informed the postal inspectors that I had received seven pieces of wrongly delivered mail from that carrier. <br />
<br />
From the post office I drove to Boylston, a street I didn't know existed that runs along the back of the newspaper plant and has "two hour" parking signs all along it where I parked. The newspaper itself had some tables set up on Main trying to sign people up for jobs, so I left my vita with Carol, using as my references David Starr, Larry McDermott and Eamon O'Sullivan. I then walked into the city, pausing at the bus station to relieve myself and when I came out of the stall to wash my hands there was a black guy in a biker jacket with a red flag hanging out of his right hip pocket. I was in my jeans and black t-shirt and jacket with my usual baby blue and black flags hanging out of my right hip. I said hi and moved on.<br />
<br />
There were not that many people at the breakfast when I got there at 9:30am, but the multiracial crowd soon picked up. I saw Sally Fuller and Fred Whitney talking to Marshall Moriarty, but there was no eye contact and I said nothing to them. Mayor Albano was supposed to be there but he was late. Peter Picknelly was in the crowd in front of the Civic Center, where I also saw Henry Thomas talking to Judy Matt who was holding municipal medals in lucite cubes. I didn't see Congressman Neal. Two people congratulated me on my speech to the City Council, Barbara Garde and the black man who runs a camera for <i>Media One</i>. There weren't many informational tables or street literature. <br />
<br />
I left downtown about 10:30am and stopped at the <i>Goodwill</i> in the X. On Kimberly there was a lot of car glass in the street as if a car had been busted into. Arrived at the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> at 11:33 and got my free flashlight at Mall Services. I told the lady at the AAA booth that I'm a member but I can't seem to get their newsletter. Dined on a <i>Subway</i> deli-baloney and left <i>Eastfield</i> at 12:15pm. <i>Ruby Tuesday</i> is the name of the place going up on the out parcel on the corner of Parker and Boston Road. It looks like a <i>Pizzeria Uno</i>. I stopped at the Evangelical Covenant tag sale and got a wonderful box of books for $3. I got two books for Mrs. Staniski on religious thoughts and picked up a <i>Webster's Seventh Collegian</i> for Eamon. <br />
<br />
The United Methodist Church voted decisively yesterday to retain policies prohibiting homosexuals from ordination. Eamon called and said he feels that the most important intellectual dimension is imagination. He also wondered why the Basketball Hall of Fame can't get Tip-Off Classic players. Eamon told me he closed his $5,000 bank account with <i>Hampden Savings</i> because he found them arrogant. <i>Rock 102</i> hasn't asked Eamon about appearing again on the <i>Bax and O'Brien Show</i>. We discussed how the cartoons on the <i>Union-News</i> editorial page are being printed larger these days than formerly. I guess the more cartoons the less Letters to the Editor you have to print. <br />
<br />
<center><b>March 15, 2000</b></center><br />
An absolutely beautiful day, mild 56 degrees this morning.<br />
<br />
The Fed has raised the interest rate by a quarter point five times in the last year in what they are calling an "incremental approach." When it comes to dead artists, the higher the price the more people clamor to pay. Research can kill topics. As long as research continues there is interest, but once the exploration is completed, one's interest moves on to something else and old topics are forgotten. Christopher W. Bromley is President and CEO of <i>Springfield Institution for Savings</i>. Runa A. Skar is Director of Marketing for <i>Providence Place at Ingleside</i>. Providence Place at Ingleside is sponsored by the Sisters of Providence and managed by the Sisters of Providence Health System. <br />
<br />
Is this termite emerge day? Bridal wreath is coming out and the white flowering tree at Colleen's is in full bloom. I have just finished my second tube of <i>Enamelon</i> toothpaste. While I cleaned my room, there was a very brief power interruption that stopped the digital clock. Went out at 1:15pm to get a couple of books at <i>Goodwill</i>. I got the incredibly rare Springfield imprint <i>Gerald Chapman's Philosophy of Life</i> (1926). It is edited by Ray W. Willey and autographed by him in 1930. The book is about a gangster executed for murder in Connecticut. While there a little girl selling pins said, "I like your very special hair style," referring to my Apache. I thanked her. Patty was having a snack with an elderly lady. We chatted, and when Patty mentioned golf I said that unlike her stockbroker husband, I'm not into golf. She replied that she's divorced now and I said I'm sorry to hear that because she's such a beautiful person. The old lady spoke up and said she's divorced too, from a Peruvian doctor. <br />
<br />
There were no papers in the trash at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. I made copies at <i>Pride</i> in the Acres and then had two double cheeseburgers for the price of one at <i>Burger King</i>. I was customer number 85, which probably indicated how many customers they had so far today. I swung by <i>Angelo's</i> but he had nothing I want to buy right now. I left a bag of books and magazines on Mrs. Staniski's back entranceway. Arrived at AIC library and took out a few books. I wonder if the staff knows that William Menzies Whitelaw of their History department wrote his articles on Africa there at a penny a word back in the 50's. The Wilbraham Road side of the unused porch has a rotting floor and looks bad. Then over to Springfield College and the President's secretary gave me a copy of their graduation program. I then walked around campus gathering posters. <br />
<br />
Carol from the Bank of Western Mass called saying they forgot to deduct $50 I got in interest so I said no problem, just deduct it from the other account with them I still have. She thanked me for my cooperation. Mrs. Staniski called to thank me for the stuff I left for her. She doesn't know when she can come over because "Ann is pretty busy." I suspect Ann is turned off by my openly gay personna. Dined on corn on the cob and a Swanson Yankee Pot Roast Dinner. I also cooked up some brussel sprouts. Spent some of the day reading <i>Dirty Little Secrets of the Vietnam War</i> which is full of good information. I also took some photos of the living room late in the afternoon. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and complained that his garage has become messy with "stuff" and he likes to keep it neat as a pin. He also told me he has his triangular lilac banner up in front of his house. We talked briefly about the feature story about Hurwitz in the Sunday paper, then I read the citation I found given to Dr. Negroni and told him I am mailing it to him and T. Vannah but not to Devine. I'm avoiding all my invited guests until June. Eamon has bought an Irish Development Bond which pays 18%. According to Eamon, the best place to buy gas is the <i>Cumberland Farms</i> across from the Methodist Church at the triangle in Hungry Hill, where gas is only $1.39 per gallon. Lately the price of gas has been all over the place, $1.46 at <i>Citgo</i> and the <i>Daily Mart</i> (took over Dairy Mart) at Watershops Pond. <i>Sunoco</i> at Breckwood is $1.51 and at <i>Shell</i> is $1.53. He also talked about inductive and deductive reasoning. I told him that most people don't use reason, they just ask what's good for Number One.<br />
<br />
<center><b>March 16, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny, lovely day although cool in the morning.<br />
<br />
The Fed has bumped up interest rates by a half a percent but most are saying it will make no difference. Shadows Fall is a popular band out of Holyoke. <i>Bridgeport National Bindery</i> is located on Silver Street in Agawam. Their motto is <i>Bound to Last</i>. <br />
<br />
Father left a note in his Indian Orchard bank papers asking that no reproductions of his beloved doll Floppy be made and I shall honor it. Kapok was the stuffing used in the original Floppy dolls. I forgot to mention that the last time I was downtown, I peeked in the window of <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i>. It is still stripped to the walls and the floor is shiny clean. It has been empty several years now. One of the best things about <i>Johnson's</i> was the way it was selective about the used books they bought, unlike <i>Goodwill</i> where the shelves are bulging with junk no one will ever buy. The Johnsons sometimes went to auctions in order to obtain older and rarer books. <br />
<br />
Went out at 9:30am to mow the lawn and had just enough gas in the mower to complete it. I paused to watch a white tow truck back into Dicky Nichols driveway and hauled away the car with the Connecticut plates on it. He glared at me, doubtless cursing the fate that of all days I would be on hand to see it going on after being out of his sight for weeks. I did the treebelt first in order to get the most public view of the place cleaned up first. Soon a late model car pulled up by my mailbox. Two women got out holding copies of <i>The Watchtower</i>, one a comely young white woman and the other an older black woman. I greeted them cheerfully, but told them I am a Methodist who respects all beliefs including atheism. They expressed surprise at that. I said I wished them well but have no time to talk and we shook hands and they departed. Finished the lawn at 11:30am. <br />
<br />
By noontime Kelly had her back yard umbrella up. The mailman came down the street at 12:15pm and brought me a copy of the <i>Woronoco</i> by-laws. I watched the noon news, then went right out to mail stuff to Eamon and Tom Vannah and a letter giving permission to the poetry company to print my poem if they want but I will not be buying a copy of the book. Then over to <i>Angelo's</i> where I got a lot of good stuff. When I got back I called Aunt Maria's number and a woman faintly answered, so fearing it was my Aunt I hung up. Where was Shirley Whittier Huang? I decided to drive over to Aunt Maria's and check things out. Upon approaching my Aunt's house I saw an old man walking along the street who may have been Joe Lucia. Aunt Maria's car was nowhere in sight. Her tulips have gone by, sumac is growing all around the old shop, the lawn was mowed and the front door closed. This was at 2:52pm. From there I went to the nearby <i>Stop&Shop</i> for a rotisserie chicken and the specials. Then I circled back to Aunt Maria's but there was no change. I turned around in DePalma Street both times. Back home at 3:55pm and there was a bag from Mrs. Staniski hanging on the fence.<br />
<br />
After the news, I did a load of wash and took a bath. For supper I dined on my chicken and a day old bagel from <i>Stop&Shop</i>. Eamon called and I told him about my rare book find, but Eamon said he had never heard of Gerald Chapman. He said Maureen Turner told him she's tracking down rumors that $25 million in seed money for the Basketball Hall of Fame is missing. When Eamon hung up I called Nader the Hatter's sister Kathy LaRose. She said she has only heard from the Hatter once since he left. She works at Sci-Tech High and told me that there are 300 kids absent there daily with lots of others showing up late. She claims the security guards don't do anything but talk to the kids in the hallway when they should be ordering them to class. She told me that if you speak up about the problems in the school "they'll fire you and put you on a list and you'll never work for the city again." She also told me they recently put up a sheet to sign-up for a farewell party for Dr. Negroni, but nobody signed up so "they'll probably make attendance mandatory." I told her about Negroni's citation from Springfield College and she laughed out loud in derision.<br />
<br />
<center><b>May 18, 2000</b></center><p>57 degrees at 6:55am.<br />
<br />
Helen Thomas the reporter has retired at 79. Today I got a letter from Bolduc at <i>Bank of Western Mass</i>. It completely lacks the friendly politeness of our chat over the phone. The Reverend Mrs. Goad, who together with her husband is co-pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church, is an extremely intelligent and fine younger woman who has developed a substantial following. <br /></p><p>Atty. Gerard F. Boudreau is a graduate of Boston College. Jean M. Joy is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. <i>Westbank</i> is headquartered on Park Avenue in West Springfield. R.C. Ballou was the Local Manager for <i>Massachusetts Electric Company</i> in 1966. Thomas Lee had a tree trimming firm on Bridge Road in Florence Mass in 1977. <br />
<br />
A coach at Indiana U. is in a lot of trouble for profanity and throwing things, but he is their all time winningist coach so they didn't fire him saying, "He deserves one last chance." Seems he gets more chances than I got at Hampden. The Co-efficiency of Tragedy - Thinking about Vietnam, one life is said to be worth no more than another. But the fact is the loss of a 17 year old high school dropout's life is certainly greater than the loss of an Ethiopian infant who dies of starvation and less than that of an Olympian gold medalist who got drafted.<br />
<br />
Bridal wreath in full bloom, first big pink daisy opening up. At noontime Kelly was mowing her lawn. I put in at least eight hours going through several drawers of papers looking for things, but didn't find the objects of my quest. Mother hid things. I did find an old bill from <i>Massachusetts Electric Company</i> from June of 1976 in the back of a drawer. Also came across an angry letter to the electric company from Father over tree cutting on our Wilbraham property saying, "I feel that the cutting was done far beyond what was necessary." Recently the electric company was cutting branches here on Birchland Avenue. Some pictures I took of electrical workers in Wilbraham trimming without permission along King Drive in 1978 are valuable now because they show the original width of the King Drive right of way.<br />
<br />
A fly drowned in my cup of orange juice. Walked down and spoke to Mr. Cohn as he sat in his garden. He said he had a cataract and lens implant operation two weeks ago and now everything is fine. I waved to Mrs. Berselli, got to remember to interview her someday on the early days of Birchland Avenue. The phone books were delivered today with a stupid gambling refrigerator magnet on them which I dumped in the trash. The <i>Boston Herald</i> had the MCAS scores in them today. <br />
<br />
Dined on <i>Campbell's Siesta Soup</i> and salad. Caller from <i>Reminisce Magazine</i> insisted on speaking to Mrs. Miller until I had to say she's deceased. I also got a call from an ebullient woman wanting me to subscribe to <i>Boston Magazine</i>, but I declined even though it was only $1.16 per month for 24 months. Phone ID showed someone from Florida calling but I didn't answer because it wasn't from Nader the Hatter's area code. Unknown called and I shouted, "It's time for the 5:00 news and you shouldn't be calling!" Then I slammed down the phone. Unknown called again at 6pm on the button but I hung up instantly without saying anything.<br />
<br />
On the <i>TV22</i> news Dan Elias said, "Sci-Tech used to be the headquarters of <i>Mass Mutual</i>, one of the area's largest employers." No mention of <i>Monarch</i>, whose headquarters was there for many years. <i>Mass Mutual</i> used the building only briefly until their current one was built. <i>TV57</i> had a piece on the National Guard which said people are trained as specialists and you can expect to see active duty overseas if your specialties are needed. One soldier described his work in Kosovo, "It's exciting, to me this has been a blast!" Military service is fun. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>May 20, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast and 52 degrees first thing this morning.<br />
<br />
Cut my nails last night. Today is Armed Forces Day. James Pierre Rampal the classical flutist has died at 78. Radio personality Dr. Laura is losing sponsors because of her anti-homosexual views. Kimberly Campbell of <i>Westside Bank</i> used to work for <i>Shawmut</i> for nine years. <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> has an office on Allen Street in Springfield. James M. Buker was head of Baystate Medical Center's Senior Class Club in 1992. <br />
<br />
Finished <i>Dirty Little Secrets</i> about the Vietnam War. There were tag sales sprouting like mushrooms all over the place today, although I forgot to go to the sale in Wilbraham. I left shortly after 8am and got papers at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. <i>CopyCat</i> was printing <i>Math and Science Summer Activity</i> booklets and gave me samples. Then I went to the clearance book sale at St. Mary's in Ludlow. It is a newish Catholic Church made of brick with nice stained glass windows and a small steeple. In the very back of their basement they have a "Book Nook" and the lady said they were tired of tending to it and so were selling all the contents. I grabbed Britannica's <i>Annals of America</i> (1976) and a book on the Museum of Architecture in Washington. I also got a little Gaelic grammar that was published in Glasgow in 1896 for $11. I left elated. <br />
<br />
I stopped at <i>Stop&Shop</i> but they were all out of bargain toilet paper. I saw the large <i>AAA</i> lady and made a point of saying hi. She said she's enjoying the big lottery jackpot she won saying, "Money is freedom." I replied, "That's a bit of wisdom to be underlined." On Birchland I saw Mrs. Penniman fooling with her front lawn so I stopped to say hi. Mr. Penniman was looking out the picture window, so I waved to him and he waved back. "He's waving, that's great!" said Mrs. Penniman smiling broadly. The mail came at noon and I got my refund from the City of Springfield. <br />
<br />
Tonight I dined on franks and beans with a tossed salad. On the news Dr. Negroni has been given a $3,800 merit raise, bringing his pay as Superintendent to $166,000. Chatted with Eamon, who thinks the attendance at the Basketball Hall of Fame is about half of the 75,000 they claim. Of course they also probably pad the numbers by counting people who come for the Chamber of Commerce parties and that sort of thing. There was a tag sale at 235 Birchland yesterday where I bought a pair of 25lb barbells for a dollar each. <i>TV22</i> had a feature on the <i>Michaelson Gallery</i> in Northampton. They also featured Sharon Harris, who paints murals. Northampton has won first place as best small arts city in America. That's pretty tough competition for Springfield. <br />
<br />
I called <i>New England Fidelity</i> and chatted with Jane Parker, who told me they've been in business three years and Bob Florian is their President and Chairman of the Board. She connected me to Brian Coombes who was friendly. He said they are a private company with $30 million in premiums who only do business in Massachusetts. He said he will send me two brochures and a letter. So why didn't <i>Hampden Savings</i> refer me to this company? Then I called Aunt Maria and got a high pitched Southern woman who was Bonnie from Ohio expecting Ruth to call. She said Shirley Huang is "down in Randolph visiting relatives." Aunt Maria was "having her bath." It was a very cordial chat once it got going. <br />
<br />
A John Bennett called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. Then Dr. Matthews' office called looking for "Mrs. Pollock of <i>Storrowtown Tavern</i>." I said, "You have not dialed the proper number." The line went dead with no apology. I looked under "Dentists" in the phone book and found <i>Pediatric Dentistry</i> with Neil B. Epstein and Robert L. Matthews at 1795 Main Street. I called and spoke to Darlene, telling her that I found their hanging up on me without an apology discourteous and unprofessional then added, "If I hear anymore from you people I'll consider it harassment." She replied, "I'll pass the message along."<br />
<br />
<center><b>May 22, 2000</b></center><br />
Drizzle and clouds all day, 54 degrees at 7am.<br />
<br />
This day the Arkansas Committee on Professional Conduct recommended the disbarment of President Clinton and he has been fined $90,000 for lying about Paula Jones. The matter had been referred to them by Judge Susan Webber Wright. Smoking is down 8% in the USA and 2% worldwide. John F. Gately, Professor of English at STCC, has been elected into the American Antiquarian Society, the only community college professor to be nominated. He has been a member of the STCC faculty since 1970. <i>WFCR</i> had more about basketball coach Bob Knight of Indiana with someone saying "it would not be fair to not give him a second chance." But <i>Hampden</i> Savings and <i>Riverside Park</i> dumped me without a second chance. The axe is yet to fall. <i>WFCR</i> is also having a seminar starting Friday on Dorothy Canfield Fisher. Thurston Twigg-Smith was Treasurer of the Town of Bernard, Vermont in 1992. <br />
<br />
115 Birchland for the last couple of weeks has had a large pile of broken up brownstone dumped in the middle of his front yard. A woman from <i>Cellphone Professionals</i> called looking for Jean at <i>Storrowtown</i>. Kim from <i>Marriot Hotels</i> called offering me a room in Boston for $99. I told her to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy, read her the riot act and told them don't call again! I went to Trinity Church and it was Children's Day. Mrs. Goad made quite a production out of it. All the youth were lined up down the center aisle, I counted 46. A little boy and two older ones delivered excellent sermonettes. Mrs. Goad went around saying hi to people and made a point of greeting me as John Wesley. The flower guy has a fancy new white truck and after church I got a wonderful flat of zinnias and marigolds. Then to <i>McDonald's</i> for hotcakes and sausage. <br />
<br />
From there I went to the Open House at 1350 Wilbraham Road. When I was a small child we drove out to Wilbraham every weekend to work on our property and this house I think was the very first house on Wilbraham Road to be constructed after the war. Built in 1945 and selling for $89,000, it has been redone a couple of times and is a really small, cute place. Considering its size, the kitchen is unusually large. The stairs to the attic are extremely steep as you see sometimes in Vermont houses. The stairs to the basement are not so steep, but are so narrow that you can't take much down there. There is an old fashioned wooden hatchway. I am happy to have gotten into 1350 because it is a special house, not just because it was the first post-war house, but because it was not designed according to cookie cutter specifications but just as the original owner wanted it to be built. A special feature pointed out by the brokerlady Priscilla Harmon is that out back is all yet untamed forest. I think there used to be a camp back in there, I never paid much attention to it. <br />
<br />
Dined on tossed salad and creamed beef on two small potatoes. Eating salad is an objective at every meal, but having meat should not be. I found Mother's 25 year DAR certificate when I cleaned out the drawer the other day. Today I spent some time reading Heckler on the warrior spirit. After I finish Grossman on killing and the Tuttle book on pressure point fighting, I shall have read about twenty significant books on military science. Already the information is overlapping in my brain and I'm getting ideas for a lot of things. Three Sundays and no lecture guests. No muss, no fuss, no bother and I get credit for inviting. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and told me that <i>Morgan Stanley-Dean Whittier</i> has a wonderful offer on CD's. Eamon says that he was told by his gym teacher that although he was a small guy he did the best push-ups he had ever seen. Eamon spent a lot of his time at the Boy's Club when he was 8-9 years old. Eamon then wondered why I think I'm gay. I told him I consider homosexuality an option in the realm of human sexuality and a permissible and sensible option. I see nothing strange about it. Overall, my parents were too protective of me as a child and although I have some manly skills (fixing things and cutting down trees) I was not fully brought up as a boy. Mother always worried about my safety, wear rubbers, drove me to school for several years, wouldn't let me spend time on the farm with Cousin Clifford. Eamon asked if I was ever in a fistfight and I told him no except for that time at Buckingham I already told him about. <br />
<br />
<center><b>May 23, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast and damp, 55 degrees in the morning. <br />
<br />
Massachusetts has the highest income tax rate in the USA. <i>AcuCut</i> is located in Southington, Connecticut. Roy L. Scott lives on Woodsley Road in Wilbraham. <br />
<br />
Today I went to <i>Eastec 2000</i>. Drove out at 9am and went to the <i>Breckwood Shops</i>. Put out some mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i>, where in the trashcan outside I found some material from a newspaper carrier route including a list of customers. Then I drove into the city by Alden and saw that Mr. Whitney removed all the paint from the shingles of his house. They were brown, now they are wood colored. YMCA Springfield School Program signs were up all over Springfield College. <br />
<br />
I swung by the Basketball Hall of Fame and there were 37 cars in the lot. What were all those people doing in the Hall at 9 in the morning when the doors aren't open for guests yet? A lady let me in the door and I was permitted to carry my envelope for Don Gibson upstairs and gave it to the lady at the desk who was Ann Sandstrom, the Office Manager. She told me she had heard of Mrs. Vickers but doesn't know her. I asked what all the cars in the lot were for and she said they're employee cars. We then agreed how beautiful the little garden is out back and I left. <br />
<br />
I drove along the expressway to come back on Main and clearly observed absolutely zero posters on the kiosk in front of the Visitor Information Center. The <i>Tilly's/Subway</i> side of Main Street is dug up again. There were quite a lot of cars on the Memorial Bridge and at the entrance to <i>Eastec</i> as they were making us park in the remotest field. I drove instead way down to <i>Storrowtown</i> and found a few empty spots and parked. Inside I saw there was scaffolding up all around the Connecticut Building with a banner saying the restoration work was being done by some company in Middleton. I saw coming across the green a line of elementary school children being escorted by docents in Colonial costumes. I then spotted a golf cart in front of the Administration Building and in it was Wayne McCary himself and I told him what a wonderful job he does each year with the <i>Big E</i>. <br />
<br />
In front of the Colosseum I met a man in a suit who offered to show me the entrance. Formerly the entrance was by the Industrial Arts Building, but this year there were two entrances, one at the Springfield end of Industrial Arts and the other one way over by the parking lot next to the new building. It is my opinion that they reconfigured the parking and entrance to effect a more even distribution of attendees throughout the five or so buildings and the big, white tent they put up every year. I asked the man how many people came to <i>Eastec</i> last year and he said about 20,000. I said gee, I would have thought more than that. He replied, "We were hoping it would be." <br />
<br />
So I started in the tent and then did the Industrial Arts (now called Better Living) and then I took my bag of freebies to the car, emptied it and did the other three buildings. There were more freebies than in the past, but I took only the most interesting ones. At the <i>Texaco</i> booth were about five men and I sang out to them, "You're the men from <i>Texaco</i>, you work from Maine to Mexico, there's nothing like that <i>Texaco</i> of yours!" They laughed and the guy in front pulled out a <i>Texaco</i> sticker and affixed it to my name tag as a potent reminder of the power of poetry. I thanked him and moved on. That song was from the start of the <i>Milton Berle Show</i> in the 50's. The ranks of those who remember that jingle are doubtless thinning. <br />
<br />
Food as always was expensive, a knockwurst on a bun with sauerkraut, fries and a soda was $7. Hot dogs were $2. The Springfield Visitor's Bureau had a booth this time as did several Connecticut communities and New Hampshire. All were economic development booths. The only display that Springfield had was some papers on a table like they use for church suppers. It was overseen by an executive suited woman named Doreen Turgeon, whom I told I would be sending a memo to Hurwitz about how inadequate Springfield's display was. I got a great freebie from <i>Toyoda</i> of a cube within a cube ash tray that was such a gem I told the man at the booth, Robert Isotalo, that they should charge money for it. <br />
<br />
I left at 2pm and swung by Eamon's to drop off the freebies I picked up at <i>Eastec</i> for him. He told me he just got off the phone with Spellacy, who told Eamon he was delighted with Maureen Turner's article on Chief Meara. Spellacy also told Eamon that City Solicitor Peter Fenton called him wanting to know whether Spellacy would like Mayor Albano to come to his retirement party. He told him no. Spellacy's brother John Spellacy of the State Police told him he did the right thing in rejecting Albano. Eamon claims Spellacy's retirement party at <i>Storrowtown</i> is expected to draw 400. Obviously Officer Speallacy has a lot of friends.<br />
<br />
<center><b>May 24, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Overcast, wet, 58 degrees in the morning.</p><p>I taught college English for eight years at Heidelberg and the University of Wisconsin and the first rule of writing a student essay (or any essay) is to put a title on it that identifies what the essay is about. <br />
<br />
The China trade bill has passed the House, that is very good. However, on TV a labor leader named Bob Dickson claimed the agreement will cost jobs. Three movies I like are <i>The Age of Innocence</i>, <i>The Jerk</i> and <i>Terminator 2: Judgement Day</i>. <i>WFCR</i> was playing some Rampal music including Vivaldi's <i>Flute Concerto</i>. Ginger Marszalek is a Licensed Agent for <i>Hampden Insurance Agency</i>. Henry K. Adams is a Trustee of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. <br />
<br />
Stuck a bag's worth of sunflower seeds into the ground after having soaked them last night. Dined on fruit and <i>Rice Crispies</i> and chicken pot pie today. Stayed home most of the day sorting things out. First thing spoke with Wanda at <i>Maccabees</i> and she said they got my form. Then I called Elms and Michael got me Sr. Mary Gallagher who said they don't have <i>The Cabinet of Irish Literature</i> in Father Barry's (founder of St. Mary's) collection. She said it doesn't appear in their online catalog either. Spoke briefly to Kelly, she told me she mistakenly received a magazine meant for Mrs. Judy Gates of Blanan Drive in Chicopee. Someone called for Lawrence and when I said I wasn't he they slammed down the phone. Maybe I'll start saying I'm whomever they want. <br />
<br />
Just before the mail arrived a blue van with a driver and a young girl in it delivered <i>The Reminder</i>. I yelled thank you. Got a card in the mail today from Nader the Hatter in Florida:<br />
<br />
<i>Hey Wesley,<br />
Have you morphed into a techno-maniac yet? I really believe in its potential to give the small guy a voice that will be heard. <br />
It's beginning to feel a lot like home down here. <br />
Usually the day begins with an ocean sunrise swim. After that, who cares?<br />
I hope that you and The Commissioner continue to beat the drums for a Springfield renaissance. <br />
The Hatter</i> <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he was on the phone this morning with Longmeadow Selectperson Arlene Miller. She told him the Longmeadow <i>Subway</i> got shut down because they hadn't gotten their paperwork approved by the town. Eamon said they also talked about Joe Flahive, who used to call himself a doctor when he worked for the State Board of Education. He is now working for Longmeadow. Flahive seems to have a close connection to <i>Tessier Associates</i>, who seem to get a lot of contracts on low bids in matters in which Flahive is involved and when Adjustment Orders for more money start coming in. <br />
<br />
For instance, when the Putnam renovation was bid out at $12.5 million and ended up costing $25 million, the state auditors came in but couldn't find the source documents verifying the expenses. The source documents were also missing when they did New North Genera. A lot of machinery for the Putnam Auto Body Department couldn't be found and some spray booths were also missing. According to Selectperson Miller, in Longmeadow the Blueberry Hill and Wolf Swamp school projects were bid at $18 million and are already up to $22.5 million. John Rossini is the architect. Eamon told the Selectperson that such situations characteristically come up whenever <i>Tessier</i> gets a low bid on contracts where Flahive is involved. He told her to examine all contracts where <i>Tessier</i> and Flahive were involved. Eamon recalled that Flahive was "called on the carpet" for his influence with the School Building Assistance Bureau by Commissioner Rainolds when Flahive was on the State Board. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>May 25, 2000</b></center><br />
59 degrees in the morning. Extremely dark at 9:12am, pouring four minutes later.<br />
<br />
Eaten bread is soon forgotten. - Eamon's Mother <br />
<br />
Beverly Sills is 79 today. The Los Alamos fire will be "completely snuffed out" by Sunday. Thomas J Vocatura is a licensed CPA in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Atty. Stephen R. King got his law degree from Suffolk University Law School. Marion Rice Kirkwood was a donor to the Stanford University Book Fund, as was Henry Vrooman. Rich Gula is a pitcher for Pathfinder Regional High School in Palmer. <br />
<br />
At <i>Johnson's</i> years ago I came upon a lot of books discarded by some Jewish libraries and synagogues. They were good books and I bought a few and ended up with a nice collection of Jewish bookplates. In one book I found four plates stuck on top of the original bookplate, each dedicated to a different person. I wonder if this is a scam practiced by librarians, where they put the plates for book purchases on top of their old books and then pocket the money the donor intended to go for new books. Librarians think they're pretty damn smart, but, well, they just aren't. With all the games librarians play, who in their right mind would be foolish enough to give them their books or money? Show me a librarian who has donated their own collection or taken a voluntary pay cut to buy books and then you may have found an honest librarian. <br />
<br />
I drove out at 1:17pm but forgot to get the new <i>Valley Advocate</i>. I dined on a Colossal Burger for $6.59 plus a dollar tip at the <i>Friendly's</i> next to the Wilbraham plant. It was just as big as the picture on the menu implied with two thick slices of onion. There is a mural on the wall depicting a circus with a carousel and balloons with <i>Friendly's</i> on them and a ticket booth with <i>Friendly's</i> over the window. Copyrighted, but no date. I wonder if it's unique or do they have it in other stores? When I came home from <i>Friendly's</i>, I saw the mailman coming down Venture Drive having done Jeffery and the roads over by Venture Pond. <br />
<br />
Shannon Tucker called from the Native American Heritage Association in Rapid City. I told her I had a Wilson cousin who was a physician on the Rosebud Reservation and said I would send them $25 if they sent me some information. Then I called <i>Gillette</i>, maker of <i>White Rain Shampoo</i>, and their receptionist Jennifer got me Karen their Product Specialist. I told her how I was settling Mother's estate and that I found a container of <i>White Rain</i> which had completely deteriorated. I told her that "we are not pigs" and that the deterioration had nothing to do with anything done by myself or Mother. I described the label as having a raspberry rain drop with <i>White Rain</i> lettering in white and a blue umbrella inside a gold border. She said it's "a very old container" and she asked me to send her the container for examination. She mentioned nothing about freebies.<br />
<br />
On <i>TV57</i> they had a story about the enormous fundraiser the Democrats had last night. Scott Harshbarger was on for Common Cause, talking about how he is working to change the campaign finance laws. Harshbarger's unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign nicely illustrated how the best man doesn't win. A letter came from Rep. Paul Caron thanking me for inviting him "to join you at your home to discuss, art, street literature and books," then adding, "I am certain the discussion will be intellectual and provocative, as well as a successful offering to celebrate Spring." However, he declined to come. <br />
<br />
Eamon called wondering what affect digging up Main Street again will have on <i>Tilly's</i> business. But the call came to an abrupt halt because two black cops with a German Shepard were in his driveway. Eamon said he needed to run out and rescue his little dog. Eamon called back later and said the cops told him that a man and a woman had arrived at <i>Cal's Variety</i> in a taxi. They went in and tried to hold the place up, but Cal pulled out a pistol and they fled. The cops said they were combing the neighborhood for clues to the pair's whereabouts.<br />
<br />
<center><b>May 26, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny, beautiful, 59 degrees in the morning.<br />
<br />
Today all the newspaper cartoons are supposed to do something to honor Charlie Brown, but <i>Doonsbury</i> did not. Shame on Trudeau. I like <i>Funky Winkerbean</i>. Pumpkin seed are supposed to be good for the prostate. Celia J. Moffie is Owner/Executive Director of the <i>Suffield by the River Senior Residential Community</i> in Connecticut. CPA Susan J. Hanagan is a graduate of Stonehill College. <br />
<br />
My sweet peas bushes are in full bloom, purple iris is coming out. By noon Kelly had her umbrella up. Kelly put a lot of branches out for the trashmen but didn't tie them up and so were not taken. Once before I tied them up for her, not this time. I drove out before 9am and made a deposit at Island Pond, the renovations at the bank are not complete and are taking a long time. Went through the <i>Goodwill</i> but bought nothing. The vitamin store at the Acres has moved to <i>Centennial Plaza</i>, grass of the cemetery next door is nicely mowed. <br />
<br />
Then out to the Wilbraham town offices where police cruiser #94 was parked in the lot with with the window wide open and no officer in it. Somewhat improper, I should say. In the Assessor's Office they gave me the parties to contact about appealing a rebate decision. The Town Planner was not in so I left a note on his desk. I came home down Stony Hill Road and got a cake at <i>Freihofer's</i>, specials at Stop&Shop, nuts and bolts at <i>Job Lot</i>, left a mini-camera with film for developing at <i>Walmart</i> and got deli-meat at the Boston Road <i>Big Y</i>. I swung by <i>Spags</i> on Cooley and bought a box of potato chips and then bought a deli-baloney at <i>Subway</i>. I brought it home and had it with fruit and lemonade. <br />
<br />
Lynn Barry was broadcasting from <i>Six Flags</i> throughout the <i>TV22</i> news, this being opening day of the season, with spokesman Dean O'Keefe saying they need nice days to bring out big crowds, although on not so nice days it's easier to get on the rides. According to O'Keefe, <i>Six Flags</i> spent over $100 million upgrading the former <i>Riverside Park</i>. The news also showed World War II vets being given their high school diplomas. It's a disgrace that it took so long. Where is the old vet with the presence of mind to say, "What good is a diploma now? I do not want it." Read in my military books today, especially Dave Grossman on killing.<br />
<br />
A little black kid down at Lake Worth Middle School in Florida, an honor student who got sent home for throwing water balloons, came back and killed a young, male teacher who happened to be Methodist. It's amazing more grad professors haven't been killed for flunking kids on prelims, dissertations or whatever. Joe Sibilia heads the <i>Gasoline Alley Foundation</i> at the rear of the <i>See Gallery</i> in Springfield. Sibilia was among a group of socially conscious investors that sought to buy <i>Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream</i>. Sibilia gave the anti-casino activists space for their campaign. A good guy.<br />
<br />
<center><b>May 28, 2000</b></center><br />
The Mind Eraser at <i>Riverside</i> stalled thirty feet up and they had to use a cherry picker to get people down. The Connecticut River is several feet above normal. John J. Richards is President of the International Union Operating Engineers Local 98 in East Longmeadow. A day home, decided not to go anyplace except to to get the Sunday paper, which was absolutely worthless. First thing this morning I planted the zinnias and most of the marigolds. I put them by the Elm tree by the hedge behind the black raspberries. Mother would want it that way. <br />
<br />
I called Pat at <i>Edwards Books</i> and put in an order for the book on pressure point fighting. Eamon called and said he is fixing to go to Mendon to buy a large safe to keep his things in while he is away. He said he already has trip wires, grenades and three revolvers to protect his property. Paul J. Brown called and asked, "Is this <i>Storrowtown?</i> I replied, "I wish you wouldn't bother me with any more of your bothersome calls." They said, "I don't think I'm being bothersome," so I rose my voice and cried out, "Well I do!" and hung up in their ear.<br />
<br />
Shirley Whittier Huang called and said she'd tried several times to reach me (oh?) but would like to come over this afternoon. Since I have my phone ID and my phone was not off the hook yesterday, that is probably a fib. I said I would be delighted to have her and offered to come get her. She said no, so I told her how to get here, warning her that I have no special food to serve and that the place wasn't picked up. After she hung up, I scurried around picking up and had just finished the dishes when she arrived, coming through the back gate as I had instructed. She hadn't pulled into the driveway, but was parked down on Catalpa out of sight. Was Maria in the car? Bonnie?<br />
<br />
She told me she came over by Route 57. Shirley is thin, narrow faced and very much guarded. I gave her a box of books about Chinese topics and showed her my Currier & Ives <i>The Little Sister</i> but she remarked that she doesn't know much about art. I also gave her some maple syrup, strawberries and Zadock Thompson's <i>Vermont</i>. I took her into the basement and explained about my diary and showed her a few things, such as my signed Coolidge and the Little Red Riding Hood. As I showed her the <i>Punch</i> print she exclaimed, "Where do you get all these things!" <br />
<br />
Next I walked her around upstairs and then we sat in the parlor and talked. We discussed Mother and I told her we had agreed on cremation and that I bought the urn myself. I told her how the hospice people congratulated me on what a good job I had done taking care of Mother. Shirley said Aunt Maria's okay but her gold beads haven't been found. She has met Edith and knows Ruth but said nothing about her. We discussed a number of other matters such as Dorene coming to New England this summer, but I was disturbed by her many pauses when I asked questions. She claimed to be "a neutral party" in the estrangement between me and my aunt, but there was nothing neutral about her standoffishness. There were some conspicuous pauses as she hesitated to give Bonnie's last name. I took her picture on her way out, though she made a crack to the effect that now I have evidence that she was here. I wanted to carry her box of books to her car but she insisted on carrying it herself. Shirley was here from 5:15 to 6:15, roughly. <br />
<br />
So much for Sunday.<br />
<br />
<center><b>May 30, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast and 55 degrees at 7:45am. <br />
<br />
<i>WFCR</i> said the Vermont Agency for Human Development says that "Vermonters lead better lives than most Americans." Author Barbara Cortland has died, Mother liked her. The dip in gas prices has evaporated. It is ridiculous to ride five miles to the grocery store and back even if it is only a seven minute ride. We are too wasteful. Finished Dave Grossman on killing today, also finished Heckler on the Warrior Spirit. Dined today on creamed beef, potato and salad. <br />
<br />
Basketball Hall of Fame employees are taking pay cuts, 50% for the top four guys, 20% for all others. The cuts are necessary because it is "taking more time than we anticipated for private elements to fall into place." The groundbreaking is scheduled for June 23rd. <i>The Reminder</i> for May 29th has a story on the Wolf Swamp and Blueberry Hill cost overruns in Longmeadow with Assistant Superintendent Joseph Flahive saying, "We have no control over costs." On <i>TV22</i>, Harriet Michaels was shown with Fran Gagnon helping to dig up a 1960 time capsule. It was Michaels' class that did the time capsule project. <br />
<br />
It was my understanding that <i>Gillette</i> would send a package in which I was to return the <i>White Rain</i> container that rusted out, but all they sent me was a shipping label so forget it. Karen Morrissey is Consumer Service Representative for <i>The Gillette Company</i>. Called Ruth from <i>Edwards Books</i> but my pressure point book has not been received from the publisher. Chatted with Gouzanis and my CD will be fully insured by the FDIC, 7.5% for five years. Called <i>Maccabees Life</i> to confirm my policy closed out. At 4:26pm someone called sounding black asking, "Whose zat?" I said don't call again. A. Kozlowski called from 594-2187 saying, "Happy Memorial Day to you. Are you open for lunch?" "No," I replied, "I am not open for lunch and you have the wrong number!" <br />
<br />
Eamon called and talked about Jake Nettis who had been General Manager at <i>Dreikorn's</i> bread. Eamon used to write to him after he went to prison. On day the Probation Officer called Eamon and asked, "What is a respectable educator like you doing corresponding with a hit man like Nettis for? I'm not sure you are fully aware of his background." Eamon replied that Nettis once helped him when his car was stalled in the winter and that made him a good guy as far as he was concerned. Nettis lived on Morris Street, in a place that was dumpy on the outside but a palace inside. The FBI found six guns in there and afterward Nettis was afraid the FBI left bugs behind so whenever he had to talk about something shady he'd go out back among the grape vines. <i>The Empire Cafe</i> was on the corner of Morris. In prison Nettis ran the prison laundry and they said he did the best job anyone had ever done.<br />
<br />
<center><b>May 31, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and 64 degrees at noon.<br />
<br />
Calvin's son John Coolidge has died in New Hampshire at age 93. The news says there is a movement in New York called ABC - Anybody But Clinton. Hillary's opponent Lazio sounds like a fine candidate. A female reporter on <i>TV22</i> mispronounced "precautionary" as "procautionary." <i>New England Toyota</i> has been running a sickening commercial with a professional woman in it talking about their sales saying, "Why are we doing it? To save you money, it's just that simple." But of course it's not, they are doing it to make themselves money. I shall save money, however, simply by not patronizing them. <br />
<br />
Big rhubarb stalks, blueberries in full bloom. Completed a Noah's Ark puzzle last night. At 8:09am I dropped off reading material with Mrs. Staniski. Ann is flying to Oregon today. Mrs. S. said of <i>The Parables of Peanuts</i>, "That book is a real treasure." From there I went downtown and parked on Salem. Got some posters off the <i>CVS</i> kiosk, including English and Spanish versions promoting the Community Blood Drive and the West Springfield Taste of the Common. Into my broker, where I put a $55,000 CD at 7.5% for five years. Gouzanis said his wife has written a children's book and wanted to know how she could find a publisher. I mentioned a number of possibilities. <br />
<br />
From there I bought the BLT special at <i>Subway</i> but nothing that special about it. The new art gallery in <i>Tower Square</i> is not open yet with no hours posted. There is stuff in there and a few lights on, but nobody inside. Can't sell by osmosis. Next to the long abandoned <i>Sheraton</i> garage across from the towers, a police cruiser was parked with the window open and nobody around. There was a lot of papers on the seat. I stood there for several minutes before I took a card out of my pocket and wrote that this is the second time in a week I've found a cruiser unattended with the window open. I then flicked the card in the window. Back at the car at 10:57am and when I got home at 11:10am there was a <i>Union-News Extra</i> with a <i>Walmart</i> insert hanging from my mailbox. <br />
<br />
A special team is going to oversee the Lawrence Schools. We need such a team here, and the sooner the better. Chatted with Eamon, who is thinking of buying a 400lb safe. He also recalled how when he was at A.I.C. a Chinese Professor named Woo said that the yellow race will take over the world, claiming that even if they lost half their population they would still dominate. It is amazing that he would say that openly to his class. Eamon says that Tom Devine has been calling to listen to his phone editorials, as has the Basketball Hall of Fame. He said it is widely known that that the Hall of Fame is having cash flow problems. The Hall is disappointed that the NBA "hasn't really stepped up to the plate" when it comes to financial support. Even though Tom Burton told me in writing I should hear no more from <i>Hampden</i>, today I got a brochure from him addressed to Mother and me. I told Eamon that Tom Burton is an individual who does not care and who cannot be trusted even when he puts it in writing. Eamon says I should tell Burton off again, but this time I'll just sit quietly for a while. <br />
<br />
Note from TD - <i>It is my intention to let Wesley speak first before any outside analysis or commentary is made on the diary by me. However, many of you who know something of the events going down around this time will note something is conspicuous in its absence. Nevermind, all will be unveiled in all good time.</i> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-5608053941432645342016-02-01T18:01:00.009-05:002024-02-09T13:11:21.467-05:00June 2000<br />
<center><b>June 2, 2000</b></center><p>
82 degrees at 3:15pm.</p><p>We are living in a nobody can get anything right society. <br />
<br />
The big event today was the coming of Roy to inspect my oil burner. Up at 6:30am and went to <i>Pride</i> to make copies. They had no <i>Valley Advocates</i> and I was back home at 7:05 just as Lynch was leaving his house. As I opened the garage door I saw Ciantras walking quickly by hoping not to speak to me. I said hi to him and said a couple of other nice things. Penniman was in his garage and we exchanged waves. Some geraniums are sprouting, I cut them back. Purple Iris are out, I photographed Sweet Pea and Honey Pot by them. Roy arrived in his <i>Punderson</i> truck at 12:30pm. He found a puddle of water under the oil tank and left at 1:50pm.<br />
<br />
Went out after Roy left and put out the mail with Joanne at <i>Breckwood</i>, where I ran into retired Officer Brown in sandals and shorts. He said the Powell's are annoyed over the painting of Albano's Clean City campaign slogans on city trucks. Heading down to the Square, I noticed that the Motorcycle Building along State has their broken windows covered in plywood painted green. I went into the Martin Luther King Center for posters and found a special one for a meeting held at the <i>Cherry Bomb Lounge</i> on State Street to plan the Schoolfield Classic basketball tournament. The city had to pay $700,000 to the Schoolfield family in 1999 and I fully support their claims.<br />
<br />
Next I bought gas at <i>Cumberland Farms</i> at the X and passed through the <i>Goodwill</i>. Over the freebie stand there is a fine color snapshot of Farmer's Market clients with their names below, one of which is Jessica Knox, Belle-Rita's mother. Then I drove over to the <i>Longmeadow Shops</i> to get posters off their bulletin boards. <i>Big Y</i> in Longmeadow was giving out <i>priceline.com</i> cards. Went to <i>Stop & Shop</i> in East Longmeadow and they have one toilet, most inadequate compared to their newer stores. That <i>Stop & Shop</i> was originally an <i>Edwards</i>. None of the places I went are close by if you consider the price of gas.<br />
<br />
Dined on <i>Stop & Shop</i> rotisserie chicken and Spanish rice. Called and left word with Melinda McIntosh about the City Library book sale. Called Tom Vannah to alert him to the new <i>Western Mass Law Tribune</i>, whose editor and publisher is Vincent M. Valvo. Unknown called four times but I didn't answer. Eamon called and said that at the dedication of the Boland School, Eddie Boland talked about former Armory School teachers but Eamon doesn't think that all of the names he mentioned actually taught at Armory.<br />
<br />
Boland mentioned May Abbey several times. She used to say there are two ways of spreading light, be the candle or be the mirror that reflects it, a decidedly Victorian analogy. Miss Abbey had compassion for poor children and often said, "You are a king by your own fireside as much as any Monarch on a throne." A Miss Batchelder used to say, "I can resist anything but temptation." Miss Wells, Mrs. Melville (her husband taught at Tech, Eamon thinks) and Miss Gritzmarker were teachers Eamon remembered from Van Sickle. Gritzmarker was very masculine and could throw kids up against the blackboard. She was good friends with Wells and they may have been lesbian lovers. Most of Eamon's teachers were "old maids." Eamon told me that Tom Devine called his phone editorial twice today.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>June 4, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Sunny, cool,clear with low humidity.</p><p>Janis Casail, owner of <i>Lady in Red Antiques</i>, spoke in 1995 to the St. Michael's Catholic Woman's Club on "Collectibles of the Future." They also sponsored a "Fashion Solutions Extravaganza" hosted by Brenda Garton of <i>WWLP</i> and Alvin Silva of East Longmeadow. Matt B. and Jason B. (aka Crash and Burn) held a <i>Haunted Woods Night</i> on
Halloween 1998 at 205 Fairlawn Street in the 16 Acres section of
Springfield. <br />
<br />
There is a story on the front page of the <i>Globe</i> about the Rev. Donald B. Cozzens saying the "priesthood is or is becoming a gay profession." I left word on Leonard Collamore's phone about the New Haven Columbus statue. I also told him about the postcards from Jacobs at the <i>Matrix Gallery</i>. I wish I thought he was serious about collecting Columbus stuff, I've given him plenty of help but have never actually seen the collection.<br />
<br />
One of the plastic pieces over the back breezeway window fell last night with heavy rain, but no water came in. There are branches down, a big one by the front Maple. A lot in the street. At 12:24pm today I spotted a chipmunk sunning itself on the brick pedestal by the grill, the first this year. My books from <i>Oak Knoll</i> came today, lovely books with fancy green binding. One book has a picture of Romantics scholar Hyder Edward Rollins where he looks like an anemic fellow pretending to read in a chair in front of the fireplace. It originally sold for $25.50, I paid $25. I spent an hour overlooking my new<i> Cabinet of Irish Literature</i>, a lovely set I'm considering giving to Elms, but Eamon says they wouldn't know what to do with it.<br />
<br />
Took Heckler, Dunnigan and Grossman and loaned them to 141 down the street, who loaned me two volumes by Robert D. Kaplan, which he is sure I will like. Sent out mail today to Moynihan, <i>Chimney Corner Antiques</i>, <i>Business Solutions</i> subscription, LaRose, Tom Vannah and Garrett. My next stop was the St. Paul United Methodist Church tag sale. The church and parsonage front lawn was covered with loads of stuff,but not a lot that was particularly desirable. Saw an <i>Olympic</i> typewriter, priced at $10 and I gave them $7 for it. Like new, but dusty. They had an <i>Olympic</i> in the Teacher's Assistant room at the University of Wisconsin which I used a lot so I'm familiar with it. The lid was too high so I always used the Madison machine with the lid off. I have placed this model on the dining room table, Mother's side, and have the lid off and it hums along just fine and I prefer the elite type. So I could pull both of the <i>Royals</i> out of service and fall back on the portable and this 1970's <i>Olympia</i>.<br />
<br />
Had toast and scrambled eggs for breakfast. I parked about 12:40pm on Dwight and wore my orange overalls, <i>Bookends</i> t-shirt, collar, chain and dog tag, freshly shaved head except for Apache, biker jacket and boots with purple socks. I walked down Bridge and came to an antique car show in the Steiger Rogenbagengarten. The wind blew over a sign with literature affixed to it at Bridge and Main. As I was passing 300 Bridge Street I saw there is a new store specializing in art deco and modern furniture. Was Altman the furrier in that space?<br />
<br />
At the car show I spoke to Keith Korbut, who was selling a 1938 Buick, about selling my 1935 Ford, which I described to him. He said I should get on the internet and contact the Ford Owner's Club. He said some people collect different years, some all from the same year. The auto show was a real success with a lot of Rolls Royces and other luxury cars, a Duryea and some old Indian motocycles. No Edsels. Lots of people taking pictures. There was a drawing for a tailgate basket by the <i>Union-News</i> which I entered twice, for myself and Eamon. Attendance was multicultural and cut across all socioeconomic planes. There were about 300 people attending at the time I was there. Harvey Clay, tall and talkative, told me he never played basketball or football but did play ping-pong.<br />
<br />
There were three <i>Peter Pan</i> buses in front of the Civic Center. The Basketball Hall of Fame had a little booth set up on Court Square passing out a glitzy magazine. The art shop in <i>Baystate West</i> was not open. At the Convention & Visitor Bureau the Armory Museum poster was still up. I went inside and noticed that their door was propped open with a white spiral binder. Although I didn't trip on it, I did hit it with my foot as I walked in. I told the woman behind the counter about it and she sassed me saying, "Nobody is around, what's the matter with the entrance?" I said I nearly tripped going in. She insisted it wasn't a problem. I asked her name and offered her my card but she snapped, "I know your name!" She refused to give me hers and demanded that I leave, which I did, but she followed me outside and seemed to be looking for security officers. She was bossy, cranky and someone with questionable credentials for working in public promotion.<br />
<br />
The Gay Pride Block Party used to be down on Hampden by <i>Just Friends</i>, the most wholesome of the city's gay bars. Last year's party in Riverfront Park was largely a success. This year it was held in a new outdoor spot behind <i>MARS</i>. <i>The Pub</i> had balloons and had maybe 30 people in there when I passed through. Everybody had copies of <i>The Pink Pages</i> and other queer publications. I paid $5 to get into the perimeter. There were only five tables compared to the twenty or so last year. They were giving away wonderful little multicolored flags. I was in there maybe five minutes and came home having done my duty and given them my support.<br />
<br />
Eamon's latest phone editorial says that the Football Hall of Fame in Canton draws 375,000 visitors per year, Baseball in Cooperstown get 400,000, <i>Yankee Candle</i> claims 1.2 million and the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield draws a mere 70,000. Eamon called and we had a long chat. He got a letter from the Fire Chief inviting him to the groundbreaking Wednesday June 11th for the Raymond Sullivan Memorial Fire Station. Eamon said he can't go because he is already scheduled to be consulting in Cambridge that day. He wrote back telling the Chief that the city is a mess, but he hopes the fire station named after his brother will be something positive. Eamon then complained to me that by putting an emphasis downtown on restaurants, the city is putting all its eggs in one basket. He said he has received two anonymous calls from people claiming that the Hall of Fame is considering relocating to Orlando, Florida. Eamon believed the Hall's recent round of pay cuts indicates far deeper problems than they are admitting to.<br />
<br />
Eamon said he spoke with Thomas Haggarty of North Adams, who took his kid to Forest Park for the first time and was aghast at the condition of the park. He said the park was filled with blacks, Puerto Ricans and cars with Connecticut license plates. Eamon also told me he ran into Joe Falcone, someone he hasn't seen for years, up to <i>Stop & Shop</i> and they talked for half an hour. Falcone is an old retired typesetter for the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i>, who complained that when the Newhouse's took over "they screwed everybody out of their pensions." Falcone was active in the union, but couldn't get them to sue the company because most employees didn't want trouble. He was with the paper for 41 years and hated to say what he was getting for a pension. Back in 1941 there was a strike, but a lot of employees were strike breakers, including Eamon's Aunt Ellen O'Connor, a linotype operator close to Mary Gallagher. Eamon's dad, a loyal union man from the Chicopee rubber plant, was pretty sore at Ellen for strike breaking. During the strike, even Sherman Bowles drove a truck and after the strike failed all the scabs were taken care of.<br />
<br />
Joe Falcone accused <i>Republican Company</i> Treasurer Sidney Cook of "doing something he would have gone to jail for" and when the Newhouses found out they demanded he cooperate with their plans or they would turn him in. Falcone had a chance to switch to papers in Hartford and New York where the unions were stronger, but he wanted to stay in Springfield. Eamon then told me a story about a Dell Forni, a typesetter in Ad Alley. He wanted a raise and got into an argument with his boss Nick Zades, the foreman who was known for his terrible temper. They got into a shouting match that ended with Zades yelling his refusal and then he ordered Forni to do some sweeping up. Someone must have gone and told him what was happening because suddenly through the double back doors came Sherman Bowles, demanding to know what was going on. He ended up granting Forni a pay raise larger than he asked for and then he grabbed the broom from Forni and thrust it at Zades shouting, "Why don't you sweep the floor!" Eamon said that Bowles used people and that his employees were deathly afraid of him, but on the occasion of the big fight between Forni and Zades, Bowles stood up for the little guy.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>June 5, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast and 68 degrees at 1:45pm.<br />
<br />
June is Violence Prevention Month. With a major earthquake yesterday in Indonesia, who needs war to control population growth? Literary studies are so dumb they go around and around in circles without considering all the possibilities. I'm going to give Eamon the <i>Conservative Union's</i> book about Hillary Clinton when I finish it. Moles have started growing on my body in profusion. They start out small but get bigger.<br />
<br />
At 10:20am I went down to the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> and sent mail to Morton Baker, Frank Faulkner of <i>Hungry Hill Magazine</i>, <i>North Atlantic Books</i>, the Harvard Club, Wesleyan University and <i>Shelburne Bay</i>. At <i>CopyCat</i> I ran into Mrs. Boyle preparing invitations to her daughter's PhD party. Her doctorate is in International Relations. Mrs. Boyle gave me a copy after I told her it was for my archives and I promised not to come. She said she has never heard of my archives. The party will be at Helen Boyle's house on Patricia Circle in Springfield. We discussed books and she asked me what I intended to do with my library. I said that since nobody has ever given me a job around here, I'll probably have to sell my books to support me in my old age. She was surprised I knew of the Cathedral of Learning.<br />
<br />
From there I went to <i>Angelo's</i> and got a lot of nice things. I dined exclusively on fruits and vegetables today. When I got home Mr. Cohn was out so I asked him where his blue and white SHALOM flag is and he said he gave it to his wife to clean and it was ruined in the wash. I told him how <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i> had a problem with their book bags running. In my yard I took pictures of Sweet Pea and Honey Pot in the grass. One of Mother's favorite plants was the Baby's Breath which had been her father's, but it died when transplanted to our camp in Wilbraham. Until close to the end Mother had perfect handwriting.<br />
<br />
I washed the kitchen floor. The mail came late but there was plenty of it. In the phone book I happened to stumble upon a Jodi Fearebay of Point Grove Road in Southwick. I wonder if she is any relation to to George Renfrew Fearebay, the jailbird from Maine who claimed to have a relationship with Grandmother Wilson? I called <i>Reeds Landing</i> and told Elizabeth I was accepting their invitation to lunch on the 29th. Chandler J. Howard is the Executive Vice President of <i>Fleet Bank</i>. Next month, the <i>Fleet</i> Branch located at 1930 Wilbraham Road is consolidating with their Boston Road branch. That means my safety deposit boxes will be relocated even further from home. I called the number on the letter and Mrs. Reardon picked up directly. She said she doesn't want to move any more than I do. I told her I got my boxes there so they would be close by and I don't appreciate them being relocated to Timbuktu. She said she is sorry but their branch is closing on July 28th.<br />
<br />
<center><b>June 6, 2000</b></center><br />
60 degrees and raining at 9am.<br />
<br />
This is the 56th anniversary of D-Day and the grand opening of the D-Day Museum in New Orleans. The sale of residential single family homes in the Greater Springfield area dropped 15% during April, according to a report by the Greater Springfield Association of Realtors. Donald J. Devine is Second Vice-President of the American Conservative Union. There has recently been criticism of rows of bikers parking in front of restaurants in Northampton. <br />
<br />
The white lilac in front of the bathroom window has sprouted again and hopefully will grow until mature. The one several years ago died. The rain has drowned the peonies, I'm so happy I photographed my dolls Sweet Pea and Honey Pot with them. Reading the Hillary Clinton book and so far it has talked mostly about Bill's affairs. It's a good summary. I am also reading Deena Weinstein on Heavy Metal, which I have decided is my genre rather than punk. It's an extremely well done book, however, I think her very limited comments on homosexuality may be off base. She claims that most Heavy Metal fans hate queers but she doesn't mention the leather and hyper-masculine crowd. She underestimates the role of S&M in it all.<br />
<br />
I put on my bondage helmet real snugly about noon and left it on until 6pm. Being in a bondage hood is rather like being in a separate world. It blocks out distractions and makes concentration possible. A perfect meditation setting. I had trouble reading because I couldn't put my glasses under the hood, but now I have rigged up my old glasses with a post office rubber band so I can put the glasses over the hood. It works fine.<br />
<br />
Nobody on the street put out recycling trash this Wednesday, but I did first thing. I have never received a proof from the PMLA of my tiny piece that they are publishing for the 2000 issue. My refund check from <i>A.G. Edwards</i> came in the mail today. I also got a $5.80 royalty check from sales of <i>The Reports of Sir Edmond Coke in Verse</i> for the past six months. Jennifer Ratajczak is Director of the Royalty Department.<br />
<br />
Dined on the last of the Spanish rice, two hot dogs and some fruit. I am eating too much, I cook something and it's more than I should eat at one meal, but I hate to throw anything away. I have cut back dramatically on fries and fried food and burger and other meat since Mother departed. I eat lots more veggies and salad. Mother always had plenty of fruit, but her dislike of broccoli and sprouts was a problem. I still have my little barbells on a mat and every morning when I go out I lift them over my head. Right arm doing okay, left side having trouble making it. The confessions of a wimp.<br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he has just received in the mail some literature from Nader the Hatter about Florida condos, urging him to move down there, but Eamon says he can't stand hot, humid weather saying, "We'll see how much the Hatter likes Florida when summer comes." Larry McDermott has printed a Sunday editorial praising Dr. Negroni and Eamon said that if Negroni is so good, then why do so many schools have a worst placed ranking? I asked Eamon why he isn't still working and he said that even if you have good ideas, if you are not on top you can't get anything done. He figured there was no sense in just standing around so he was better off out of it. Fortunately, he has a wonderful pension.<br />
<br />
Eamon then recalled how he was Springfield's Director of Emergency Preparedness from 1959-62 under Mayor Tommy O'Connor. He was responsible for putting up 32 siren horns around the city. He put in reserve fuel oil tanks and back up generators in all the hospitals, many of which are still in place. Much of it was built with surplus property from Westover. Eamon mentioned how John C. Parker, who lived on upper Union, told him that Westover Field was the finest airfield in the state and noted that Concords could land there. Parker used to write letters to the editor on all sorts of topics, designed Cape Cod style homes and claimed he did his best work at 3am soused with sherry. Eamon said Municipal Hospital is considered the highest point in the city and that a Rev. Avery from the Council of Churches opposed some of the security measures. Eamon was interviewed 75 times on television, including once with Tom Colton. Mayor O'Connor complained to him, "Who's the mayor, you or me? You're in the media more than I am!" Eamon has been friends with everyone and knows everything.<br />
<br />
<center><b>June 7, 2000</b></center><br />
A lovely day, 54 degrees at 6am.<br />
<br />
In the news, there was an explosion at Putnam High when a kid mixed Coke and Drano in a can, closed the lid and ran. By telling us exactly how it was done, I could now do that myself. The Chamber of Commerce breakfast honored six teachers and the tenth anniversary of the Business Education Collaborative. Sylvia Nadeau-Poole is in charge of getting businesses involved. Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas are located at 1500 Main Street in Springfield. Susan Houle is the secretary to Melinda Phelps. Ginger Marszalek is a licensed agent at <i>Hampden Insurance</i>. <br />
<br />
Mother's yellow rose bush, which she gave to Mrs. Staniski, is in full bloom. The bell that Aunt Mabel gave my parents when they got married I have placed in Mother's urn. My main thrust today was getting out the rest of my June correspondence. I wrote and sent mail to Deena Weinstein in DePaul sociology, the Appellate Tax Board, Luttrell, subscription payment to the <i>Herald</i>, Kathy Tobin at <i>TV40</i> and Gareffi at <i>TV22</i>. They were all mailed from the Breckwood <i>Louis & Clark</i>. Shortly after 9am, I drove out to Fleet and deposited $200 from my <i>A.G. Edwards</i> check. I came through the <i>Goodwill</i> but bought nothing. Made copies at <i>Pride</i> in the Acres where they had the current <i>Hungry Hill Magazine</i>, which has a picture of Police Commissioner Melinda M. Phelps in County Kerry where Springfield police officers are marching in a parade in Tralee.<br />
<br />
I stopped and bought squash at <i>Angelo's</i> and Angelo himself told me local peas may be around next week. Then I went to <i>Redbrick Books</i> but bought nothing. The lady working there said they have their annual sales in May and October. Went to <i>McDonald's</i> by there, which has a <i>Burger King</i> right next door (Allen Street has a <i>Wendy's</i> right next door). I bought a burger for $1.39 and a small order of fries which I dunked in sweet and sour sauce. Went downtown and parked on Boyleston behind the <i>Union-News</i>. I dropped off something for Onslow, then stopped in at <i>Just Friends</i>. The same thirty-something I spoke to at the block party was there and told me about 200 attended. He was flattered when I told him I thought last year's gay pride event was fabulous. I dropped off material at Robinson-Donovan, where the receptionist kept getting one call after another. I told her it is wonderful how she holds up under all those calls. Later I was surprised to encounter her and a girlfriend coming out of <i>Dunkin Donuts</i> and I told her I was glad to see her taking a break.<br />
<br />
The art gallery in <i>Baystate West</i> wasn't open. I went into the antique shop and he said he is only open from 11 to 1 on weekdays. Stopped at <i>Morgan Stanley</i> where John S. Bonitakis told me that interest rates on CD's are falling "because of what Greenspan did to the economy." Their offices are fancier than <i>A.G. Edwards</i>, but not as fancy as when they were on the corner of State and Main. Went over to the Court Square Building and found where a number of shops are empty including Branchini's <i>Eros Lingerie</i>. When I got back, Melinda McIntosh called and said she can't make the sale on Saturday but she's sure she'll run into me soon. The mail brought two leaflets from <i>Hampden Insurance</i> and my certificate from the Wisdom Hall of Fame. The trash and recyclables were picked up early, Kelly's leaf bags were wet and disintegrated on the bottom leaving a clump of leaves on the ground. The news said more men are resisting marriage because liberated women are unreliable. Gays have always had their fun without responsibility or financial danger.<br />
<br />
I called Mrs. Cohn and told her about the book sale Saturday. She said she'll email Zachary about it. There is a story in <i>The Reminder</i> about St. Andrews in Longmeadow and their fund drive to raise $750,000. I called the church and got Hops Turner who said they used to have tag sales but they haven't lately. She said they didn't have one last year or the year before and they probably won't until construction is done. I said I spoke with some church members who said they found the sales too much bother to mess with. I instructed her that tag sales are a way to recycle goods, raise money and showing that you are willing to work for the money. I also noted that tag sales are a social event that brings outsiders to your church. I concluded that a church that doesn't have tag sales is a church that will probably always have trouble raising money, then I hung up in her ear!<br />
<br />
<center><b>June 8, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and 56 degrees at 6:30am. Gas is $1.57 at Alden and the Pond.<br />
<br />
Radio talk show host Laura Schlessinger is being criticized for calling homosexuals "deviants." On the news, Dan Elias said the Census Bureau is having trouble hiring people even though they pay $15 per hour. Lynn Maziarz is the receptionist for Jeffrey L. McCormack at Robinson-Donovan. Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas was founded in the 1920's. Atty. Robert B. Atkinson works for Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas. Frank D. Dibble is Chairman of the Litigation/ADR Department at Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas. Their Business/Finance Chairman is Ronald P. Weiss.<br />
<br />
I drove out to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres for two cans of gas for the mower at $1.59 per gallon. That station is brand new, but they have cut holes in the cement slab and macadam around it. The girl working there said it was so the Fire Marshall can conduct tests. I told her it is too bad they are making a mess of something new. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMwfd3cMKkrdeNggnnd72ilf0gnO9FtDKusS2TTBuPdqcyIGkdnPgaXFm3DHDahMxpdoAhag8FWjgthdxHk33s6JdYiz5sK9tGLnwT_0LiH8t-saaaDzq9D6MzX04gThe2GddCrCJvrzn/s1600/pride.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMwfd3cMKkrdeNggnnd72ilf0gnO9FtDKusS2TTBuPdqcyIGkdnPgaXFm3DHDahMxpdoAhag8FWjgthdxHk33s6JdYiz5sK9tGLnwT_0LiH8t-saaaDzq9D6MzX04gThe2GddCrCJvrzn/s400/pride.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<center><i>Pride in the Acres 2016</i></center><br />
There has also been a lot of digging between WNEC and Gateway Village by the telephone company. They put in nice new streets and then someone comes along and digs them up, often creating a dip in the road.<br />
<br />
I drove downtown at 10:35apm and parked in front of the church on Salem. For some days now, the owners of 29 Mattoon Street (the Haskell House built in 1872) have been reconstructing the front steps. The brick foundation was replaced after the heavy brownstone posts and railing were removed. There are stale posters up all over downtown. Downtown Springfield leaves stale, outdated posters up because they look like activity. There was a big yellow poster for the Taste of Amherst on the bus stop behind SIS.<br />
<br />
I proceeded toward Court Square and found a thin man in a brown suit and yellow tie painting a sort of compass thing in the middle of Main Street. The painter was from Hartline Painting of East Longmeadow and I asked if he was an artist. He said he just needed some extra money and wanted to try something new and different. So the street mural is in the hands of a clown, but I didn't say that and secured his card. <i>TV22</i> later had a story on the painting with Bill Turin of the Business Improvement District talking about all the music and art they will have downtown this summer. They also had Dave Madsen and Harvey Clay from <i>Lincoln-Mercury</i> on puffing up downtown. I toddled over to <i>A.G. Edwards</i> where George said <i>Microsoft</i> is at a good price so I bought 15 shares. <i>Northern Nurseries</i> of West Suffield was putting Locust trees in the planters. I went over to First Church to see the art show in the 2nd floor back room. I found the show a great disappointment compared with previous years. I don't know if it was because Heather Haskell has lousy taste or they had lousy submissions. I was able to snag today's newspaper out of the trash.<br />
<br />
Went to <i>Subway</i> for a deli-baloney and then sat between <i>Sovereign Bank</i> and <i>Tilly's</i> and watched people going by. Everybody was dressed pretty casual, it seems like only older men still wear suits. Jim Conorvich greeted me with a big smile and said they have a lot of books for the sale on Saturday. He was very pleasant and said he was sorry he couldn't come to my lecture in May but he was very busy. I said that was okay, I just wanted to give him a chance to see where all his books end up. One man walked by wearing a <i>Union-News-Sunday Republican</i> t-shirt. At ll:45 I walked over to <i>Tower Square</i> but found the art gallery again closed. The postal boxes that used to be in front of the old <i>Third National Building</i> are gone. Back to the car and home at 1:05pm.<br />
<br />
When I got back I did the lawn. Someone in a sporty little car drove by and waved. Lucius at 141 drove by in his red <i>Cadillac</i> but apparently didn't see me. Went over to Colleen's garden. She has installed a wooden trellis to grow roses on. I think my parents had one on Crest Street, but I'm not sure. Her new trellis looks flimsy, we'll see how long it lasts. It's probably made with specially treated wood. The garden itself is lovely and I counted 12 or more goldfish in the fish pond. She also has a new rainbow windcatcher.<br />
<br />
My call identifier said <i>Remax Quality Real Estate</i> was calling but I didn't answer. I called Leonard Collamore and left word that <i>Redbrick Books</i> has a book about Columbus for sale. Mrs. Cohn called and said she called the City Library and there will be no preview the night before the sale. I told her I hope Zachary can stop by here after the sale and pick up the boxes of books I have for him. I want no cash, although if he could give me a few old law books that would be nice. Eamon called at 2pm sharp and said he got his new phone book today. Eamon told me that Nader the Hatter called him last night and told him that he has bought an $82,000 condo on the 17th floor of a 26 story building. I told Eamon about how Brenda Branchini is being ripped off by the city over her former business on Court Square and he agreed it was wrong.<br />
<br />
The dedication of the new fire station in honor of Eamon's brother was yesterday, his sister didn't get her invitation until the same day as the event. The TV stations didn't cover it, but there is a picture in today's paper with Eamon's nephew Gareth Sullivan in it. Eamon also talked to Charlie Ryan, who is now representing Barbara Garvey in her suit against Westfield State. Eamon said Ryan and Garvey are old friends and the lawsuit is really about her getting a higher wage so she can enhance her pension benefits. Eamon then recalled how he once asked Ryan point blank what Joe Napolitan did for his 1995 mayoral campaign and Charlie could not state one thing.<br />
<br />
Called Wesleyan Church and left word on their tape about the possibility of my donating to them my set of books on the works of John Wesley. Then I called Mrs. Huber at Trinity and she wrote my offer down. I called St. John's and the lady asked if I could call back Monday when the pastor would be in, but I said that's not possible. I then called Wilbraham United Church and the lady who answered was very rude. She was combative and said she didn't know if anyone would want Wesley's writings. I told her that I would contact Pastor Bob Stuart and suggest that she be discharged from her position in the church and she sarcastically stated, "I'm terribly frightened!" Then she slammed down the phone. It certainly is difficult to do people a favor.<br />
<br />
<center><b>June 10, 2000</b></center><br />
Beautiful day.<br />
<br />
Amherst College has acquired Emily Dickinson's Vergil book with her markings in it. Bruce Moore of the East Longmeadow Historical Commission will give a tour of Pine Quarry on June 10th. The Real Estate Department Chairwoman for Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas is Felicity Hardee. Roy Scott was on <i>WFCR</i> this morning begging for funds. Jay Presser, the <i>Six Flags</i> attorney, was on TV asking that the law be changed to allow kids to work until 11pm as they can currently only work until 10pm.<br />
<br />
Today I completed the <i>Great American Puzzle Factory</i> children's puzzle <i>Easter Egg Hunt</i>. I also completed volume one of Read's <i>Cabinet of Irish Literature</i>. A nice set of books. There were a few of those little moths flying around the breezeway again, I have to be alert for termites. I applied <i>Spectracide Terminate</i> to the foundation and all around. <i>Remax Quality</i> called while I was outside, the recent pick up in interest from them is interesting. Then I did the dishes, a load of wash and took a bath. Later I cooked up some summer squash and parsnips.<br />
<br />
I went to West Springfield this afternoon and quickly stepped into the <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> where I discretely picked up their Statement of Condition for 1999. There were other people in the bank and I spoke to no staff person. The manager lady didn't notice me. For this raid I shaved off my beard, wore my leather cap over my Apache with my jacket and jeans so I didn't look like the last time they saw me. When I left, on the other side of the street, a man got out of the driver's side of a deep blue car and pointed a camera at me. He then got back in the car and drove down the street. I was able to get the license plate of the car - 688KDA. Very strange.<br />
<br />
A letter came today offering me membership in the Academy of American Poets. I wrote on it, "Get lost, refused, return to sender!" Mail brought nothing from <i>Hein</i> but I got my long awaited <i>BID Bulletin</i> featuring Robert L. Turin, their "new" Executive Director. I called Aunt Maria's number to tell Shirley about the book sale, but after a long, cumbersome pause Aunt Maria herself answered so I said nothing and hung up. Next I called the receptionist Marguerite who took my reservation for the Grand Opening of <i>Orchard Valley</i> in Wilbraham. Then I talked with Eamon's niece Barbara Lucia at <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> about their CD interest rates.<br />
<br />
Eamon himself called tonight and said he used his new <i>Weber</i> grill to make cheeseburgers with a thick slice of onion the way <i>Friendly's</i> used to make them. He also bought a 500 pound floor safe for $800 with black and gold trim, about two feet by two feet. Eamon said he talked with Nader the Hatter who asked him why he hasn't heard from me. Dorothee is helping the Hatter decorate his new condo. Eamon told me he called the <i>Valley Advocate</i> to try to speak with Tom Vannah but was told Vannah is on vacation by Maureen Turner's boyfriend Sean Glennon, a music critic.<br />
<br />
<center><b>June 12, 2000</b><br /></center><p>
Lovely day, 80 degrees at 1:05pm.</p><p> Someday our local colleges will be converted to condos and other forms
of housing. Since eventually everybody will be going to college online,
reading books online, writing papers online - Who needs college
buildings?</p><p>The college flags hanging on the front of the old <i>Worcester Federal Savings</i> building are banal in the extreme, expressing no individuality, no spice. Our inconsequential local colleges will be among the first to die - too bad we didn't set up a Springfield University years ago. <br />
<br />
At 3:15am I woke to hear rain hitting the air conditioner. Mother's red roses in the garden are out, the poppies have gone by. <i>The Miller Machine Company</i> was started by Manuel Miller in Bethel, Vermont in 1937. My Aunt Lucille Miller typically spoke with great fluency. The Environmental Law Department Chairman at Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas is Christopher B. Myhrum. The Estate Planning and Administration Chairman at <i>Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas </i>is Martin D. Turpie. <i>WFCR</i> says 54% of Americans use e-mail.<br />
<br />
I wanted to take the East Longmeadow quarry tour today, but that turned out to be not possible. I called the Cohn's and Irving told me that Zachary is not going to the library sale. That was a relief, actually. I set out for the Quadrangle at about 9:20am and had no trouble parking. When I left I saw more moths in the breezeway. Kelly had her umbrella up and was mowing the lawn. The Quad is all dug up for the foundations of the Dr. Seuss statues, so instead of being held under the shade trees, the sale was in the glaring sun along the front of the W.V. Smith Museum with the cash box on the loggia steps.<br />
<br />
It was bigger and better than either of last year's sales. There were about 20 old city directories for sale, and several people were interested so we agreed, at my suggestion, to share them. I got the 1946 and 1949 Springfield directories and 1970 directories for Chicopee and Holyoke. They bear the stamp of Atty. Louis Kerlinsky, 31 Elm Street, Springfield. I also got an autographed photo of poet J.G. Whittier in Cambridge. I got a copy of <i>Dukakis' Betrayal</i> by Harvey Robbins (1988) and the February 19, 1905 musical program by the pupils of Louis A. Regnier of 336 Chestnut Street. It is probably the only surviving copy.<br />
<br />
Mrs. Napolitan was there and greeted me politely. Real nice guy Jim Conorvich was there doing more work than anyone, as usual. A lot of old art catalogs were scooped up by a woman who said she knew where she could sell them. They had a lot of poetry books given by Henrietta C. Harris, but they duplicated what I already have. For Eamon, I bought <i>Sick Cities</i> by Mitchell Gordon (1969) and Manchester's <i>American Caesar</i> about General MacArthur. On the way home, I swung by <i>Angelo's</i> but not much was available, then went and bought the specials at the Boston Road <i>Big Y</i>.<br />
<br />
I dined mostly on fruits and salad today, after bacon and eggs for breakfast. The mail brought membership invitations in nearly identical formats from the ACLU and the National Trust with little I ACCEPT and I DECLINE stickers. So I put the silver sticker saying I ACCEPT from National Trust on the ACLU invitation and and a blue ACLU sticker saying I ACCEPT on the National Trust invite and I am mailing them in. When questions are asked, my reply will be that since the proper sticker was not used no valid contract was formed.<br />
<br />
I called Aunt Maria and got Shirley Whittier, who was friendly and said Aunt Maria is doing okay. I told her about the book sale and reminded her that it is pea and berry time and Aunt Maria likes both. I also said it is lobster time and she can get lobster rolls at the <i>Stop&Shop</i> over the hill. I also noted that there is rhubarb growing on the property, but to be careful as there is poison ivy all over the lot. She thanked me for calling. I called Leonard Collamore and left word that Columbus was mentioned on Letterman's Top Ten List last night. Chatted with Eamon and told him I'll give him the <i>Cabinet of Irish Literature</i> when I'm done with it. He recalled how his teacher May Abby used to say, "Every leaf is a flower." Eamon also claimed that <i>Mass Mutual</i> tried to sell <i>Baystate West</i> but couldn't. Eamon's latest phone editorial laments that Springfield voters lack the intelligence, perception and common sense "to see through the high fog index surrounding Mayor Albano" and that he hopes that one day the citizens will finally wake up.<br />
<br />
I mentioned the Dukakis book I purchased and Eamon recalled how there was somebody named Gerald T. Indelicato who served as Dukakis's special assistant for educational affairs from 1983 to 1986. Eamon was hoping to get a job in the Dukakis Administration, so working through the Governor's Western Mass aide an appointment was set up for Eamon with Indelicato. At the interview, they were chatting and at one point Indelicato reached into his suit and pulled out a letter Eamon had written to former Governor Ed King in which Eamon had described Dukakis as "a social tinkering, permissive limousine liberal." Governor King had left the letter behind and Dukakis found it and kept it on file. Said Indelicato, "Mr. Dukakis can not help you." Eamon said that eventually Indelicato ended up going to prison at Cedar Junction for stealing money from government programs. Eamon laughed, saying all he had done was call Dukakis what he was and didn't care if a future jailbird threw him out of an interview. Eamon had a friend McNally in Cedar Junction who later told him that Indelicato got caught stealing meat from the prison kitchen.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>June 13, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Rain later in the day and evening, 64 degrees at 1:30pm.<br />
<br />
I love the typewriter I am using to write this. Layoffs were announced today at Mercy Hospital. The leaders of North and South Korea are meeting. The funeral of Assad of Syria is today, his successor son is an optometrist expected to be less repressive than his father. Atty. Peter H. Barry of Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas was born in Salem in 1950 and admitted to the bar in 1975. I received a community activist award from Tom Devine's <i>Baystate Objectivist</i> in 1993, 1994 and 1995. <br />
<br />
Ruth called from <i>Edwards Books</i> and said they have a copy of Kaplan's <i>The Coming Anarchy</i> that they are saving for me. She punched Gus Edwards into the computer and nothing came up even though their supplier is <i>Ingrams</i>, one of the largest. Then I called <i>Barnes & Noble</i> and got Debbie, who also looked for the Gus Edwards book but said, "Nothing came up matching so it must be out of print." </p><p>I asked if they had my book <i>Coke in Verse</i> and she replied that it is "not something we carry but we can order it from the publisher for $58.00." For fun, I then called my publisher <i>Hein</i> and asked for my book and Marita said, "we do have it in stock" and told me it cost $48.50 plus $7 shipping. I also asked about my <i>Curiosities and Law of Wills</i> and also <i>Famous Divorces</i> and they said they could order them from the publisher and get them within eight weeks.<br />
<br />
Before driving into the city I stopped at <i>Breckwood</i> to look at the morning paper and mail my underpayment of $3 to <i>Hamilton</i>. Found in the trash can in front of <i>Louis & Clark</i> was a copy of today's paper. Gas at the stations at Alden and Wilbraham was $1.57 and $1.59 when I drove into the city today, but were $1.58 and $1.59 when I came home. Fred Whitney's house was a deep chocolate brown, then was completely stripped and now it has a new coat of deep chocolate brown once again. On State I stopped at the all boarded up <i>Friendly's</i> just before St. James and pulled a number of posters off the plywood.<br />
<br />
Parked on Salem, then over to the porn shop <i>Video Expo</i> which has an Under New Management sign on the door. The clerk said he hasn't seen a copy of <i>The Leatherman</i> in months. When I left, a Latino woman in a van asked me where the church is on Salem Street and I told her to go around the block until she sees the steeple. At the Visitor's Bureau they had an expired Taste of West Springfield poster not seen elsewhere downtown and a green and white Mass Department of Agriculture Farmer's Market poster. By Court Square I ran into Tom Elmore whom I told they should hose away the dirt from the pavements. He said they'll do that if the rain doesn't wash it away. They have placed forest green park benches around the base of all the tree planters. I was sitting on a bench reading <i>BusinessWest</i> when I saw Russ Denver coming from <i>Tower Square</i>. Our eyes didn't meet and he may not have seen me. I also saw Tom Burton and a young fellow in his 20's coming along. Burton has a funny walk and was careful not to look in my direction.<br />
<br />
I made my fourth attempt to find the <i>Tower Square Art Gallery</i> on the 2nd floor open. The light was on, but there was no one in there. I picked up my book from Mrs. Edwards herself. When I arrived she was speaking French to an elderly gentleman buying a number of magazines including <i>The New Yorker</i>. She is obsequious, especially to people with collars, queer Apaches and leather jackets. When I left, I went back to the art gallery and it was finally open so I carefully inspected each work of art. They have carpeting on the floor, a few fancy lamps and furniture, but overall it's just walls with art that overall is completely blah. They had four Victorian landscapes covered with dirty varnish priced $195 to $395. There were works by several local artists of mediocre quality and a few other unusual but not exceptional pieces. Nothing bright and wonderful. I thanked the guy working there politely and left.<br />
<br />
Next, I drove to <i>Dick's Sporting Goods</i> in West Springfield where I bought rollerblade knee protectors for $9.99. Then into <i>Hometown Buffet</i> where they no longer have liver and onions on Mondays. I asked for fried steak but they said only on Thursday, so I had sausages with fried onions. The manager came by and I said I wish they would open up again in <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, which I told him is coming back to life. He said he'd pass the word along.<br />
<br />
Judy Matt says on the news that there will be 30 food vendors at the Taste of Springfield, although Wednesday's paper said only 28. Today is the last day for the Springfield schools, but school was cancelled at New North due to a water main break on Birnie Avenue. The Armory kids are also attending New North while the Boland School is being constructed. Today was the deadline for applications for Superintendent of Schools, but they got only 16 applications and O'Shea says they were expecting 30 so they are thinking of reopening the call with a higher salary than the $135,000 they put out. There is also the possibility that they looked over the applicants and none of the candidates were kinky enough and THEY WANT KINK. Eamon called and said he got the stuff I left yesterday by his trash can. He thinks they got so few Superintendent applicants because the city's school system has such a terrible reputation.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>June 14, 2000</b></center><p>
Overcast at noon.</p><p>I have written hundreds of pages on how to straighten out Springfield. My Pinderic <i>Ode to the Collapse of Springfield as a Polis as Mirrored in the End of Johnson's Bookstore</i> sums it all up. <br />
<br />
<i>TV40</i> announced tonight that Barbara Garvey has lost her lawsuit against Westfield State. Today's paper gave the schedule of events for the Taste of Springfield. There is also an article about Mike Albano having $400,000 in his campaign account towards his re-election. I haven't received any mailings from the Albano Committee lately. </p><p>Kelly A. McCarthy of Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas was born in Springfield in 1964 and was admitted to the bar in 1989. Melinda A. Phelps was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1956 and was admitted to the bar in 1983. Deborah D. Ferriter was born in Springfield in 1958 and admitted to the bar in 1994.<br />
<br />
The street sweeper came by. When I went out around 9:50am to haul in the dumpster, Simpson went by and then Cressotti came around the corner and paused. I was wearing my rollerblading outfit and he laughed. "Riding a motorcycle is a lot easier," he said and I replied, "Yes, but it's not my speed." This was my second time practicing in the driveway, I was out for 15 minutes last night after the rain and now twenty minutes this morning. I sometimes wear my rollerblades around the house. It exercises my body along with my lifting weights in the breezeway every morning without fail. My right arm lifts the 25 pound weight okay, but my left arm has trouble, although it is improving.<br />
<br />
I returned Lucius' copy of <i>Anarchy</i> to his front porch with a thank you letter telling him I got my own copy at <i>Edwards</i>. I still have his copy of Spengler's <i>Aphorisms</i> and Kaplan's tour of the western states. I saw there was a little green car with Mass plates in Dick Nichols driveway. Dick mowed his lawn the same day I did mine. To the Taste of Springfield I decided to wear my jeans with my locked collar plus my dog tag which says "Queer Fag Sissypansy" on it and turquoise t-shirt from the Bookends porn shop in Enfield. I really slicked up my head today, shaving it right down so it shines with lots of Vaseline on my Apache haircut so it stands several inches high. You don't see as many biker jackets around as you did when it was a fad several years ago. Nor do people comment as much, perhaps because my jacket is definitely not new and so looks routine.<br />
<br />
Around 2pm I drove into the city and parked on Salem. Missionary Paul Johnson was coming across the street from the parking lot behind SIS. He was eager to keep moving, but paused to ask why I don't dye my Apache red and I replied that I've been thinking of that. He urged me to have a nice summer. <i>Springfield Electrical</i> was installing a big tall switch box for anyone who needed power for the event. There were not many people at the Taste on a gloomy afternoon. All the radio stations were there with <i>Rock 102</i> distributing round stickers reading "I'm Sticking to Rock 102 Springfield's Classic Rock." One cop stared at me and a number of people smiled at my Apache.<br />
<br />
<i>Peter Pan</i> was giving away plastic swizzle sticks with a parrot on them. There were a number of <i>Peter Pan</i> buses on display, including a new one, the <i>Futureline</i> from the 1939 World's Fair. <i>The Court Square Theater</i> marquis read "Future Home of Park Place." There is a little bar in the corner building where <i>Chicopee Savings</i> used to be. Does Tony Ravosa still own the building where he lives on the top floor? He usually boycotts the Taste of Springfield. <i>NOKIA</i> was passing out flashlight keychains, otherwise nothing really. No free food coupons anywhere, no <i>McDonald's</i> although <i>Friendly's</i> had a big booth. I saw Tom Burton hobbling up to his brown car. He was wearing a navy jacket with chino pants and I think he saw me, I'm certainly easy to recognize.<br />
<br />
On my way back I stopped at <i>Freihofer</i> and <i>Stop&Shop</i>, then bought a double cheeseburger at the Boston Road <i>McDonald's</i> and home. <i>Ruby Tuesday</i> looks like it's about to open. When I got home at 4:25pm there was a jeep like vehicle stuck at the corner of Birchland. I asked if they needed help but they said they already called. The mail came and no sign of the John Wesley books that were supposed to be shipped on the same day the order was received. The real estate tax appeal form came, which made me recall how Hampden County sold its old law books to somebody in Ontario, the better to get them out of sight so the locals won't complain. I screamed and some of the old stuff in the stacks were saved, but I no longer see any of it so it's hard not to believe it's been discreetly slipped out the door. Unknown called at 6:12pm.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>June 15, 2000</b></center><p>
Overcast.<br />
<br />
On the <i>WFCR</i> news this morning they said that a lot of Justices of the Peace are resigning rather than perform gay marriages. This is stupid because if they resign a new group of people will move in and take the power. The only way to hang on to power is to hang on, not to give it up. Today in my files I found a letter from Mr. Thomas Jemielity to Tom White dated 2 September 1977 about a coffee cup. Kathleen A. Abbate was born in 1952 and is a paralegal for Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas. </p><p>I recall that on a research trip to Ottawa with Father, we arrived late in the day so we walked around looking in store windows along the mall. The next morning we already knew what we were going to buy, so we made our purchases early and then went to the National Archives without wasting time shopping. <br />
<br />
I am reading Kaplan on <i>Anarchy</i>. I'm still waiting for the works of Wesley and the <i>A.G. Edwards</i> refund. Dined at noon on one of the nine pork chops I bought at <i>Stop&Shop</i> yesterday, plus the rest of the parsnips, microwaved potatoes, ginger ale, donuts and chocolate cake. Chatted on the phone with Mrs. Cohn about the books I got yesterday. She said she has heard that I got a pair of rollerblades and seemed to approve. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he felt bad Barbara Garvey lost her lawsuit. He said he just got off the phone with Gingras the teacher who he said asked about me. Gingras laughed over the article in the paper praising Commerce for graduating 151 students this year. Gingras claims there were over 300 in the class originally, so what happened to the other 150? Dr. Negroni was quoted as saying the school has turned around, but Gingras says that's hokum. If that's true then why did they fire the new principal? <br />
<br />
Gingras went to a well attended farewell party for Negroni at the <i>Red Rose</i> and at one point Gingras had a conversation with him. Negroni told Gingras that he wants to work for the College Board for a few years and then maybe run for congress. Gingras told him to his face that he should have done that years ago because his talents seem to be more for the political than school administration. Gingras said Negroni didn't look too cheerful about that statement. <br />
<br />
Julie from <i>Harvard Magazine</i> called and straight out said this call may be monitored for quality control. She asked if I wanted to "continue to support <i>Harvard Magazine</i>" and I told her that the gift I gave last year was special on account of their centennial. I told her that people think all Harvard grads are rich and it just ain't so. She asked what I do and I said I'm a lawyer who is into leather. I asked her if she knew who Robert Mapplethorpe is and she did. I then told her that <i>Harvard</i> is one of the best magazines I get, but I was disappointed when they were scooped on the Unabomber by <i>The Atlantic</i>. I said the Unabomber is a murderer and should be treated like any other, but I endorse his manifesto that technology is out of control. I suggested that <i>Harvard</i> should do some stories they don't want to do, that there must be other Harvard grads in jail, they could also do a long piece on the history of antisemitism at Harvard. Julie was a young, friendly woman and we had an interesting conversation. <br />
<br />
Going out for the mail this morning wearing rollerblades I took my first fall, but fortunately my helmet took the beating. Good thing I had it on. I also chafed my right elbow. It's good to get banged around. Went out to <i>Breckwood</i> at 3pm and mailed out <i>Cocksucker's First Love Sonnet</i> and some stuff to <i>BusinessWest</i>. I bought the <i>Wall Street Journal</i> to read their article <i>Mafia on Wall Street</i> but no firms were mentioned that I'm familiar with. Then down to the Martin Luther King Center for some black newspapers. <br />
<br />
I stopped at A.I.C.'s Shea Library for their freebie literature. While I was there I also looked up James David Haig in Edward's <i>British Museum Catalog</i> and found a few titles about him including mine. AIC has a complete set of <i>British Parliamentary Pages</i> and a fine collection of German literature, but they don't even teach German. I had a chat with the librarian about their collection, who said they periodically review their holdings but are under administrative pressure to cut library costs. He says he has friends who work at Mt. Holyoke who are having similar problems with their administration. I told him to tell the administration that a library is a laboratory just as much as a place with test tubes and animal cages. He asked me to list what titles I want him to save and I gave him my card while declining to mention any special titles. I did mention how I publicly thanked AIC for the use of their library in my 1990 poetry book. I suggested that the local colleges should all merge their library holdings and surprisingly he agreed. He told me there are plans to possibly make STCC into a full fledged university. In all an enlightening talk.<br />
<br />
Just after 5pm I drove out to <i>Orchard Hill Assisted Living</i> at 2387 Boston Road in Wilbraham. It is directly behind the nursing home and looks like another of those proto <i>New Hampshire Hotels</i> of the Gilded Age. There are balconies at several points on the building, but individual rooms have none. Peaches are orange so they had orange, white and Kelly green balloons up, appealing to one ethnic group but not to others. Small front lobby and the usual parlors and other public spaces, one fireplace but no piano. The sample room was rather small although it had a nice walk-in shower with grab bars like I wish I had here. At the second level is an alcove with several bookcases stocked with <i>Reader's Digest Condensed Books</i> and other bottom of the line tag sale leftovers. There was some shlock art expensively presented with matting and framing and a real pastoral painting over the fireplace, possibly an expensive reproduction, enough to create an illusion of elegance. <br />
<br />
The food was fabulous, books for dunces, art for fools, be stingy with furniture and accessories, but bring on the best food. In fact, it was the best spread of food for free I've seen since Ben Jones' retirement party. They had a lot of fancy little pastries, a chef cooking thin pancakes with peaches on them, a peach drink fountain and chocolate covered peach candies. They had peach cobbler, a tray of broccoli, cauliflower and carrots and all sorts of grapes. There were shells done up with fancy topping, although I tried none. In the fireplace lounge they had a big tray of cheese, sliced sausages and a man carving a tenderloin. There were several bowls of nuts, but no spoons to ladle them. There was lobster and scallops and shrimp done in various ways. The also served meatballs and coldcuts and macaroni dishes. It was a real feed but I didn't make a pig of myself, although I did try one of mostly everything including two slices of tenderloin. <br />
<br />
They had a bar with a good variety and I had a glass of red wine. A guy who was playing the harp came up to me at one point and said, "Hi, J. Wesley Miller." I asked how he knew me and he replied, "From the Tuesday Morning Music Club, I'm the treasurer." Laurie Bongiorni the nice real estate lady was there and I congratulated her on being elected to the Wilbraham Planning Board. A photographer took my picture by the fish bar. After I left I decided to swing by Fernbank and discovered that that the underbrush is very heavy on my land this year. I parked on King Drive and walked around finding everything in order. I noticed that the first house on Maynard is up for sale for $189,000. The real estate agents are Justin and Anna Pelissier. I also drove past President Caprio's house at Seven Wagon Drive, a palatial modern thing on a good street with a gazebo. I estimate the house is worth at least $300,000. <br />
<br />
Home at 6:55pm. Unknown called while I was out. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>June 16, 2000</b></center><br />
A sunny, hot day. 79 degrees on the breezeway at 2pm. Gas is $1.60 at the stations by Lake (really pond) Massasoit.<br />
<br />
<i>The NBC Evening News</i> said this is the warmest spring with the average temperature 55 degrees higher than normal. My book <i>Legal Laughs - A Joke for Every Jury</i> was published in 1993. <i>The Lawyer's Alcove</i> was published in 1990. <i>Paine Webber Incorporated</i> is located at One Monarch Place and John J. Petterson is their Senior Vice President. The house at 24 Dennis Road, off Shaker Road in Longmeadow, was built in 1960.<br />
<br />
First thing this morning went out and pulled some rhubarb and cut other vegetation away. I also found a plastic bag by the back door delivered by <i>UPS</i> from <i>Timothy Hawley Books</i>. It contained the wonderful <i>Curiosities of Street Literature</i> by Charles Hindley (1871) with a new introduction by Leslie Shepard in 1966. I bought this for the street literature, not realizing that it also has a fabulous anthology of dying speeches and horrible crimes illustrated with woodcuts. Just what I need! <br />
<br />
<i>The Western Massachusetts Law Tribune</i> came in today's mail, but they didn't print my press release. The mail also brought my Millennium statement from <i>PMLA</i> which left in everything except my list of role model teachers. <br />
<br />
The main event today was going to the First Congregational Church tag sale at 11am. The last couple of years they have been fantastic, but this year was substantially a dud. All I got were three books and another Kiwanis bell. The little black nurse was there with her granddaughter looking for Chinese stuff. She told me that it was her own mother who taught her to go to tag sales. She also said she used tag sales to fill her 150 year old house with nice things. She said she sold a lot off and now regrets it because the things can't be replaced. Also there was the English woman Jeane Bowden and her black retired Air Force husband. Her real first name is the Welch Gwynth. I still don't know which of the many Bowdens in the phone book they are. He is now cured of his cancer and they were in England in March. Bowden told me that they rarely go to London and that Tony Blair was smart to keep England out of the Euro currency. I then asked her what she thought of the situation in Northern Ireland and she replied, "That's a touchy subject," so I didn't press her. Instead I told her that the South Church had no tag sale this spring. <br />
<br />
After the sale, I bought a <i>Subway</i> deli-baloney grinder for $1.04. By <i>Sovereign Bank</i> is a plantless planter that now holds a large multi-colored cube with three dimensional letters reading <i>City Block</i>. So that is the name of this new urban space and a sign said it will open Monday. A big black guy with a t-shirt that read BEWARE walked by and I discreetly followed him to a juvenile clothing dive carrying a complete line of martial arts stuff. I introduced myself to the man and he told me his name is Hiawatha. He also told me he's a singer. I bought a bright red martial arts athletic cup with hefty black straps supporting it. It's almost like a pair of shorts. No doubt about it, I am experimenting with my sexuality. <br />
<br />
On the way back I swung by former Rep. Whitney's and noted that his house was painted by <i>DSA Painting</i> 796-7341. I also dropped off a bag with Heber at Trinity of the Pink Pages and all the gay stuff from the Springfield Pride. State Street from Eliot up to the Alexander House is all dug up while they install plastic pipes. When I got back, Carol Bright of <i>Business and Legal Reports</i> called and offered to sell me a book on how to deal with my staff. I thanked her but said this firm can get along without it. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and talked about somebody he knows in the laundry business who bought all his machinery in Germany because it was better than American and affordable even with shipping costs. He also discussed how his father was a very meek man and that is how most Irish families are - "the woman rules the roost!" <i>TV22</i> reported that there was a 3.3 Richter quake centered in Westfield last night, but they didn't give any time. Later I called the station and asked what time and the girl said "about 1am." I then scolded her for "leaving out the most important facet of your story!" She hung up on me without even apologizing.<br />
<br />
<center><b>June 17, 2000</b></center><br />
I hope I shall have the wisdom to stop collecting posters except for the most remarkable ones. South United Methodist Church presented a concert of Sacred Music directed by Earle G. Bidwell on May 21st. <i>CopyCat Print Shop</i> is having a 10% off sale on offset printing orders. <br />
<br />
Today I dressed in purple once again. I put on my gigantic oriental martial arts athletic protector and then my long purple pants. Over them I wore my purple dyed briefs, put on my purple topped socks with lumberjack boots, <i>Bookends</i> t-shirt and biker jacket. I also shaved my head and slicked up my Apache with Vaseline to make a super slick impression as an impeccably groomed masculine oriented queer. I got up early and made copies at <i>Pride</i>, then came through the <i>Goodwill</i> but no books of interest there. Then over to put out the mail at the Forest Park station, where in the trash I found a brochure addressed to Steve Hays, <i>Drama Studio Incorporated</i>, 175 Forest Park Avenue, Springfield. <br />
<br />
From there I headed out to Longmeadow for the house tour. I parked in front of the school where I sat in the car from about 9am to 9:45, when I walked across the green to register at 780 Longmeadow, the Wilkinson House. I paid $25 for the tour, which benefits the Pioneer Valley Girl Scouts, and was given ticket number 265. The garden at the Wilkinson House is wonderful. Out back there is an unterraced sloping lawn with narrow walks between the flowerbeds. In the distance is the vista of the hills, although I couldn't see the river. There were rhubarb clumps just the other side of the gate and a garden plot for herbs. The fireplace in the living room still has the cranes from which pots were hung in the early days. The dining room has a Queen Anne highboy built by the owner's grandfather. She showed us the key to the antique front door which has an immense lock on it. There is a nice, modern kitchen. <br />
<br />
Next, we went to the Gill House and as we left I saw a cop riding in on his bicycle. Was he looking for me? The Gill House is invisible to the street. Go in the front door and you're in a long curving hall with a large Victorian painting of a seascape. It occurred to me that the owners may be related to the local art dealer named Gill. There was an old <i>Webster's Dictionary</i> on a stand that was most unusual. By the kitchen door is an atmospheric painting of a sunset, much like the one that used to hang outside the President's door at the <i>Springfield Institution for Savings</i>. There was an immense cathedral living room built of redwood with floor to ceiling windows. What I noticed most was the paintings, a Victorian still life of grapes and over the fireplace an 1875 painting of the valley with Mt. Tom in the middle. There was also a painting of sheep. Of course, these paintings reminded me of my own paintings of grapes, sheep and landscapes. I asked for the hostess and she was in the garden. I told her about the sheep painting in the <i>World Colombian</i> catalog and of my Gill woodcut of the valley. I told her about registering the painting with the Smithsonian, of which she hadn't heard. She told me the house was designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright in 1949. <br />
<br />
The next two houses I visited were garden only and they were both duds. The first place had a terrible long walk down a hill to one large area of flowers and that was it. 844 Longmeadow had a shaded, terraced lawn with plantings on the side. It had a few little garden statues and a tiny birdbath. It wasn't bad, okay, but not great. Next I drove over to 15 Parkside at the edge of the cemetery, an old Victorian farmhouse, two stories like the houses along Wilbraham Road, wide porches across the first floor and a little porch upstairs, a home for a well-heeled middle-class family. The lady asked to see my ticket and then made sure she accompanied me around. I was there only briefly. Then to the Carpenter House and there were very nice antique prints and tons of little accessories. It created a very cluttered, feminine environment with an immense back room and a nice backyard lawn not billed as a garden but nicer than some I had seen. <br />
<br />
The next house was around the corner on Dennis, a new house maybe worth $250,000, a substantial but not luxurious Cape Cod with a really nice shaded backyard. They said the owner is Dave DiRico, a golf pro, and there was a little den behind the stairway with his memorabilia in it. They asked to see my ticket but not as stubbornly as before. As I walked around the back yard, Mrs. DiRico graciously offered me a glass of lemonade from a very fancy pitcher. There was also a bowl of munchies and I thanked her for her gracious hospitality.<br />
<br />
There was an interesting incident as I left the DiRico house. A big black car turned onto Dennis and out jumped a little lady with a butch haircut and a camera exclaiming, "I think you look awesome!" She said she's visiting relatives and is from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and asked to take my picture. Her name was Heather Daniels and the car registration was 992 CME. She wanted to know if I rode a bike and I said no, this is my queer uniform. "Isn't it hot?" she inquired. "It's the price we have to pay for being queer," I replied, tugging at the locked chain laced through my bondage collar. She told me she's a lesbian so I let her take my picture and gave her my card. <br />
<br />
Tired by now of looking at second rate gardens, I headed up toward Springfield and arrived at what turned out to be an enormous mansion on the edge of Forest Park with a fence with elements from the Springfield Armory fence. This house belonged to businessman Joseph J. Deliso Sr. who was a founder of STCC. It had a huge living room, a piano, pastoral paintings and contemporary prints in expensive old frames. There was a little lavatory with the finest touches of gold and marble. There is an enormous crystal chandelier over the staircase and a library full of <i>Reader's Digest Condensed Books</i> and a very old encyclopedia set. The guide described it as a "working library" and not for decoration. She said her name was Melissa Binns, the wife of Dennis Binns, who worked with Gordon Oaks at <i>Monarch</i>. Harrumph! <br />
<br />
On the way back I stopped at <i>Big Y</i> for a couple of things and I saw the woman who used to be the crosswalk lady for Ashland. I did not run into Professor Anzalotti. I got home around 12:10pm and there was a green car over to Dick Nichols along with his old Dodge and the truck. Mrs. Staniski called to tell me she is going to Maine this weekend. The mail brought a letter from Eugene D. Hill of Mt. Holyoke wanting to buy my old volume of Lodge. I wrote him a nice letter saying I have so many books and haven't seen it for years but will contact him if I can find it. A letter also came for Mother from Baypath, although they must know she's deceased because they printed her obituary. There was also advertising from the <i>Spellex Corporation</i> that was filled with errors. I called their number and got their recording and left word that I will "correct your grammar problems, but be prepared to pay me." I spent the remainder of the day reading Charles Hindley's <i>Curiosities of Street Literature</i>. How fortunate that I got this book.<br />
<br />
<center><b>June 19, 2000</b></center><br />
Very overcast at 1:09pm.<br />
<br />
Tiger Woods won the 100th U.S. Open in what is being called the greatest golf game in history. On the <i>ABC Evening News</i> they said that the Millennium Dome in London is "a bust" with too few visitors. News also said gas in Chicago is selling for $2.36 per gallon. This is Motorcycle Week in New Hampshire. <i>Lenscraft</i> has a new TV ad with the slogan, "Nothing is more precious than your eyesight." I had planned to go to City Block with my rollerblades today but did not. <br />
<br />
The local weather people say temperatures this June have been below normal. That certainly has been my view. Judy Matt was on <i>TV40</i> saying the Taste of Springfield drew 120,000 people over five days and they had their biggest Friday night ever. Eric Bachrach of the Springfield Community School of Music was on <i>TV22</i> asking people to donate instruments they can loan to kids. Today to my alarm I found I weigh 200 pounds, which surely means I have been eating too much. I do have a pot belly and I have been going to bed too early. I don't like TV or like to use my eyes at night, so what is there to do but strap on my bondage helmet and masturbate? I should do more reading.<br />
<br />
Today I worked on this diary and read in Kaplan. I also wrote a few letters, one to Professor Moriarty at Elms and the other to Charlie Ryan. Got a newspaper out of the trash in front of <i>Louis & Clark</i> at 9:30am. I also mailed out letters to Gardner in New Jersey, Eugene Hill at Mt. Holyoke, <i>Art in America</i>, Wilkinson at 780 Longmeadow Street and Gill at 808 Longmeadow. Also mailed was my complaint to the Harvard Club director and a nice questionnaire reply but no money to Bob McCollum. I also sent a letter to the Freedom Alliance telling them to get lost with their fundraiser for Ollie North. Then to <i>Angelo's</i> where Angelo told me he has no peas yet. <br />
<br />
Home at 10:05am and I finished the hedges along Birchland. The mail came at 10:15am. It included the <i>Herald</i> with an article about Bethel granite that mentioned me. I also got some Jobs With Justice material. Still no John Wesley books, where are they? And where is my refund from <i>A.G. Edwards</i>? I finished the hedges at 10:40. Dined on two ham and rye sandwiches with tomato, pepper and onion plus fruit and fluid. Glenn Andrew called for Ann Kennedy of <i>Storrowton</i> at 11:52am. I called Karen Powell, but she said they were just leaving so I said call back when it's convenient. She never did, so maybe the word is getting around about what a terrible lecher I am. Good. Eamon called and said Nader the Hatter's old man arrived in Florida yesterday. Eamon also commented on statistics in the paper today showing that in 1980 there were 175,000 people living in Springfield, but by 1990 it had fallen to 157,000 and is now at 144,000. Eamon says all the best people are leaving and all the wrong people are staying. <br />
<br />
Eamon and I talked longer than usual because I told him all about the Longmeadow house tour. Eamon told me that Joe Deliso was a multi-millionaire who owned <i>Hampden Brass</i>. He was close to Bill and Kitty and knew the old man Roger Putnam as well. Eamon recalled how one day he was at the little statehouse at 235 Chestnut Street when he ran into the prominent local Republican Atty. Robert Moran, who was one of Deliso's lawyers, and Edwin Satter, who ended up with a job in the Nixon Administration. Moran asked Eamon how to get a couple of Italians into the country that Deliso wanted to work for him. Deliso often brought over strong, hard working Italians to work in his foundry. Eamon suggested Deliso use political asylum as an excuse. Eamon also suggested they contact Congressman Silvio Conte and ultimately that was how it got done. Deliso was "very friendly" with State Rep. Tony Scibelli and they used to go on trips to Florida together. It was rumored that Deliso had ties to the mafia, but Eamon never saw any evidence of that. Of course Scibelli was another story. <br />
<br />
<center><b>June 21, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and warmer than yesterday.<br />
<br />
The Summer Solstice will be at 9:48pm today. I wonder if George Bush picked Dan Quayle for his running mate because he wanted a dolt so there would no one positioned to run against his fine sons in a few years. Completed Kaplan's <i>The Coming Anarchy</i>. It would make a splendid book around which to organize a freshman composition course. The albino milkweed didn't come up this year on the side lawn. A one bedroom apartment at the <i>Shelburne Bay Senior Living Community</i> in Vermont is $2050 per month. <br />
<br />
I laced on my bondage hood last night and wore it all night. There is no place more secure and placid than inside a bondage hood where no distracting sight catches the eye, no distracting sound catches the ear, no breeze massages the flesh and the whole skull is securely frozen in place and unable to move. The bondage hood is probably the last peaceful place on Earth. This morning I pulled off the blindfold and mowed the lawn in the bondage hood, at one point having to sit at the picnic table to catch my breath for fifteen minutes. I saw Kelly, who said nothing about the note I sent her mother. Barry next door told me he's now the manager of the <i>Friendly's</i> at 1811 Boston Road. I also added oil and anti-freeze to the car. <br />
<br />
Still no sign of the Wesley books in the mail today. I wrote to Bethel High School and <i>Hein</i> and Mrs. DiRico who served me lemonade, and enclosed a <i>Universal Golf Dictionary</i> for her golf pro husband. I then went down to <i>Louis & Clark</i> to mail them out, including some reading material for Moriarty at Elms. Then I went to cash a check at the <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> and noticed there were pastel colored balloons outside <i>Ruby Tuesday</i>. They have Victorian woodwork outside and a neon sign. I stopped and was told today and tomorrow are their Grand Opening. There is a bar, but with a family restaurant menu featuring steaks, burger and a nice salad bar. <br />
<br />
The carpeting was drab but there were chandeliers all over the place and Tiffany stained lamps over the tables. On the walls were memorabilia, postcards of Springfield courtesy of the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum and photos and pennants from Smith, UMass and Springfield College. I ordered a hamburger with Wisconsin cheese, which came with a large handful of fries. At the salad bar I took a big serving of diced ham, black olives, broccoli, tomatoes, cottage cheese, peach segments, watermelon cubes, pineapple slices, sunflower seeds, raisins, hard boiled eggs and shredded coconut. The place has everything. In a nutshell, it looks to me like a <i>Friendly's</i> done over by <i>Pizzeria Uno</i>. <br />
<br />
When I got home I tried to call Guizonis at <i>A.G. Edwards</i> three times. The first time he was out to lunch, the second I was told he had just stepped out and the third time at 3:21pm I got him. I asked him about the City Block activities and he said there has been "a lot of negative feedback from my co-workers because of the disruption of traffic." He said, "I try to like it," but doesn't think clowns and hot dog vendors will do much to bring business downtown. He told me my refund check will be for $4,166.64.<br />
<br />
I called <i>Restaurants and Institutions Magazine</i> and told them I found a typographical error and suggested they send me a can of beans to thank me for calling the matter to their attention or at least a thank you letter. Next I called the Powells and left a message that I'd like to talk to Bob about fixing the left rear light on my car. I also said I think Mo Turner's article on the libraries was fine, but she should have addressed the issue of staff size. It has grown a lot and many of them no doubt are patronage hires. During the news a B.M. Patryn called but hung up when they heard my voice. I called back and the lady denied calling but when I said I got her name and number from my call identifier she said maybe her sister called the wrong number and added, "I'm sorry." At 1:14pm wrong number "Tammy calling from MBB Medical Services" wanting to know if I had anything available for a wedding reception. I said I did not. <br />
<br />
Dined again on another ham and rye with onion, tomato and pepper with fruit and the last of the cake. Eamon called and said he is enjoying the books on Irish literature I gave him. He told me his mother used to say,"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." We talked about the big feature in the paper on the Pellegrino family with nine pictures, including one in color. The article was written by JoAnn Moriarty and Eamon has written her a sarcastic letter. I suggested that after some of the scandals involving the family this is an attempt to "rehabilitate them." He liked the term. He also told me that his friend Spellacy has been hired to be a part time greeter in the rotunda of <i>Mass Mutual</i>. One of Spellacy's kids is in the secret service's presidential guard unit and another works for the CIA. Eamon told me he talked to Charlie Ryan recently, with Ryan saying about the Northgate fiasco that when dealing with the city's attorneys he had "never before seen such ineptitude." <br />
<br />
<center><b>June 22 2000</b></center><br />
Sun out at 8:30am, 72 degrees.<br />
<br />
Bad Boy - A boy that's too good. <br />
<br />
<i>Dexter</i> of Windsor Locks, the longest trading company on the New York Stock Exchange, is selling itself off in four pieces to avoid a hostile takeover. So it goes. Baystate Medical is complaining of a Medicare payment shortfall of $15 million so some services will be cut. I say the healthcare industry is a rip-off, the slogan of which might as well be, "Your money or your life." Manual S. Miller's license plate was always GMR for Green Mountain Riflemen. On May 6, 1999 Springfield Technical Community College had a March for Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence. On Sept. 19, 1999 the UMass Black Student Union presented the <i>Black Comedy Tour</i> at the Fine Arts Center. <i>Interskate 91</i> is located at 2041 Boston Road in Wilbraham. <br />
<br />
Tiger Lilies coming out. Jozephazyk has been uncovering his pool, a little late I think. Usually, he has a big family event to mark the occasion. Wrote checks. Out shortly after 9am and left a bag for Mrs. Staniski, who was out but had her laundry on the line. Headed downtown, where <i>The Telephone Worker's Credit Union</i> has redone their interior so that the teller stalls are against the cityside wall and there is open space in the middle with customer service desks to the right. The receptionist's office is where it always was and they have employee lockers in the back. There was less waiting than usual and I was waited on by Rodriguez<br />
<br />
I walked into the city at 10:34am and at the Federal Building a few white, clean-cut young men were being sworn into the Navy. There was a sign on the front door of the <i>Bank of Boston</i> at <i>Tower Square</i> saying they are closing July 7th. Went to Charlie Ryan's office and left off some Elms and Hungry Hill material. The short woman at the reception desk was very friendly and gave me a receipt but I lost it. <i>Johnson's</i> back building has a sign saying that a <i>Hampden Savings</i> walk-in Consumer Loan Center will be opening in the downstairs first floor portion soon. <i>Hampden</i> has been renting the upstairs for offices for some time. The <i>Third National Bank</i> Clock is still keeping time. <br />
<br />
Next I went to the City Collector's Office and paid two bills. I asked the clerk what she thinks of City Block and she said it only started this week but she didn't see "how anyone will make any money off it." I replied that it's a shame they can't bring back <i>Forbes</i>, <i>Steigers</i> and <i>Johnson's</i> and she agreed. They no longer have free papers in the City Hall front lobby and not much is available at the newsstand downstairs. While I was waiting for the City Hall elevator former Mayor Ted Dimauro came along in a wine colored sports coat. <br />
<br />
When I got outside I went and sat on one of the metal benches between <i>Sovereign</i> and <i>Tilly's</i>. I asked a woman coming out of <i>Sovereign</i> what she thought of City Block and she said she hadn't really noticed it and then smiled and walked on. In due course a man sat nearby and introduced himself as Mr. Divenuto. He is retired, majored in the classics at John Hopkins, taught in the public schools and at Holyoke Community College and speaks five languages. Wow. He told me he was just passing time until his appointment with the Mayor about a grant for a neighborhood computer center. I must do a further investigation of him. Jim Vinick the TV stockbroker was standing nearby so I asked him what he thought of <i>Microsoft</i> but he declined to give me any information for free although he was friendly. A couple of bag ladies were shuffling around as well as a man digging cans out of the trash. <br />
<br />
A Channel 40 van pulled up by Court Square and a young cameraman in cargo pants, love beads, bracelets and a black rock band t-shirt jumped out. The camera people are the fun people, not the newscasters. On the planter facing State Street at the end of City Block was a sign reading "No Bicycling - No Skateboarding - No Rollerblading." So City Block is a No-Fun, No-NoLand. I shouted to the cameraman, "NO BICYCLING! NO SKATEBOARDING! NO ROLLERBLADING.!" The cameraman laughed and said that City Block would be "a great surface for skateboarding." At one point I did see a policeman tell a black kid on a bike that he can't ride it at City Block. <br />
<br />
On display were some obnoxiously fancy merchandise carts with wheels, natural wood, domed top and big brass pipe fittings. Mike Rivas came along passing out the City Block rules to all the vendors. He didn't know who I was so I asked about setting up a sales stand. He said I would need a license for $250 and asked me what I sell. I told him booklets with poetry in them for $2 or $3 each. He told me I would also have to rent a cart for $1,000 for a 10 week season. I said, "Gee, that's pretty expensive, can't I use my own table or cart?" He said it would have to approved by the City Block committee. I asked if the carts were from one of the malls and he replied, "No, this guy out of Cambridge." <br />
<br />
At five to noon four people in their thirties, actor types, began juggling. They were very skilled. Jason Russell, the <i>TV40</i> weatherman, appeared in a suit and wingtips. I counted noses and got 119 people at noon with about twenty more sitting outside Tilly's for a total of about 140 on hand by noon sharp. <i>Love's Downtown Dogs</i> were selling chili dogs for $2.25. <i>Sprint</i> had a fancy wagon selling cell phones, a black fellow was selling candles, <i>Blue Moon Coffee Roasters</i> of Sumner Avenue was there and someone was selling <i>Silver Forest</i> jewelry from Vermont. The Basketball Hall of Fame was selling t-shirts and mugs. Before departing at 12:15pm, I counted again and got 171 persons present. On my walk back to the car, I cut through <i>Baystate West/Tower Square</i> and there was a good crowd in the Food Court, maybe a hundred diners around. <i>Champions</i> had about twenty customers and <i>Pizzeria Uno</i> had ten or twelve. Not bad, but awful compared to happier times. By <i>The Fort</i> I saw a uniformed cop get out of a black jeep 9818 ET. Forgot to write down the time I got home. <br />
<br />
The evening news said a survey showed only 14% of women work mainly for personal satisfaction. Jobs got women wage slavery, not liberation. 37% of women are the primary wage earner. The primary point is this: I support Women's Liberation 100%. Women should be treated equally and should be liable for military service while still respecting the differences between men and women physically and psychologically. The sexes are different and intended to be complementary, not the same. But women working has masked the fact that the American standard of living has been falling for the last thirty years. Everyone in the family has to work to maintain our standard of living. What a man could provide in 1958 now a husband and wife both must work to provide. People are nickle and dimed into buying lawncare, cell phones, cable TV, internet, etc, etc, etc, stuff you buy but have nothing to show for. We are paying more and more for less and less, until the day will come when we pay everything for nothing. <br />
<br />
What sounded like a kid called from Keith A. Korbut, 783-5624. I asked who they were and what they wanted and when I heard no reply I hung up in their ear. I called Mrs. Staniski who said she got the stuff I left her but she said it is too hot to read in the summer. She said her daughter Ann is taking her to Boston. The mail brought a thank you note from Joann DiRico. Where are the works of John Wesley? Eamon's latest phone editorial is very good, including phrases that are from talking to me: "The chickens have come home to roost for the never gainfully employed Pellegrino family, repeatedly cast in a bad light of their own making. <i>The Union-Snooze</i> is trying to rehabilitate the family's image with an absurd puff-piece of photo-journalism that ignores the facts, record and the truth, from the political hack appointee judge to the Mrs. who was removed from the Police Commission for general incompetency. The apple didn't fall far from the tree. Raipher, a lightweight lawyer booted off the City Council, is best known for his mishandling of the illegal basketball stadium land taking case." <br />
<br />
<center><b>June 23, 2000</b></center><br />
A mild day, 74 degrees at 10:45am. Gas is $1.61 at <i>Cumberland Farms</i> across from <i>Angelo's</i>. <br />
<br />
I am typing on the <i>Olympia</i> in the dining area. Governor Cellucci was in the area for a ribbon cutting at the Chicopee River Business Park and also visited the State Police Tactical Operations Center. Wasn't today supposed to be the groundbreaking for the Basketball Hall of Fame? I remember Mayor Albano saying it would be, but it wasn't and I wonder if there are serious problems. It could be that Larry O'Brien's projections are out of line and created impossible expectations. Later on <i>TV22</i> we were told that the groundbreaking was postponed because of a scheduling conflict. Former Mayor Robert Markel, who is presently with the <i>Boston Management Consortium</i>, is a candidate for City Manager of Lowell. <br />
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Cleaned house, did a load of wash, did the dishes and took a bath. <i>Orchard Valley</i> called while I was bathing. A Rollin Atkinson called and apologized for dialing the wrong number for <i>Storrowton</i>. Later Karen Powell called but I was napping. The mail came at 1:45pm and Barry Simpson and I were out by our mailboxes at the same time. He is a good looking fellow and thanked me for recommending he check out <i>Ruby Tuesday</i>. I asked but he declined to say where he got his education, but told me has been with <i>Friendly's</i> for 17 years. He used to run the <i>Friendly's</i> at <i>Baystate West</i> and he blamed the local politicians for downtown's decline. A nice fellow. <br />
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Dined today on a pork chop, microwaved potato and a tossed salad. Went to <i>Louis & Clark</i> mid-afternoon, then to Angelo's for some rhubarb at 59 cents a pound, nice, big stalks. <i>Matties Cafe</i> at 750 Boston Road features comedy every Friday night. Arriving home, I found the Penniman's sitting out by their garage so I stopped. He can understand what people say but can't talk. Mrs. Penniman must be greatly burdened by the responsibilities of caring for him. She told me they haven't been to Vermont for a long time and her youngest child just turned 40. Her eldest is 48. <br />
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The School Board wants to crack down on absenteeism, but of course Eamon gets no credit. I chatted with Eamon, who just had some clocks fixed by <i>Gary Block Jewelers</i> on Walnut Street in Agawam. Eamon also visited his friend Serkin of <i>Finestine Leather</i>, who told him the Santaniello people have told him he has to be out by July so they can begin demolition. That was a good block for little shops and Eamon feels it is a mistake to tear it down. I said no thanks to Fran Gagnon, who has been a development friendly historical commissioner. Eamon suggested to Serkin that Gary Block has space to let on his second floor, but Serkin said bolts of leather are heavy and he needs a first floor operation. Serkin said he might be moving to a new location in West Springfield, so there goes another business! Sadowski of <i>Williams Distributing</i>, the liquor dealer, whom Eamon thinks runs a wonderful operation, is moving to Chicopee. Lots of good economic news for everybody but Springfield. <br />
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<center><b>June 24, 2000 <br /></b></center><p><br />Never trust anybody over 30 is as relevant today as it was in the 60's. <br /></p><p>Texas Governor and Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush joked that Democrat Al Gore has no chance against him in the general election because the vice-president went to Harvard instead of to Yale like Bush. </p><p>The comic <i>Apartment 3G</i> is by Frank Belle and Lisa Treslani. Karen J. Goldstein is the Curator of Collections at the Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth. On the evening news <i>First Notice Systems</i> were advertising for workers that have a pleasant personality and can type 25 words per minute. They are also offering a $1,000 signing bonus. The moving of the <i>Eurasia</i> restaurant to Bridge Street is a blow to the Johnson family. What if they reach a point where they can no longer pay the taxes on their building? <br />
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Every morning before I leave I make it an ironclad rule that before I go into the garage I lift my weights over my head. My left arm is improving a bit, which is nice. I heard on television last night that the best cure for pain is to just keep moving. I have always thought the same about exercise, just do it! These are truths I learned from my body, not from Father and Mother, who approached everything with a be careful attitude. </p><p>There was an Open House at the Glickman school today but I went to the job fair instead. First I mailed some stuff to Vannah of the <i>Valley Advocate</i> at <i>Louis & Clark</i>, where I also got today's paper out of the trash can. Then over to the Meline Kasparian Center behind Sci-Tech, where they have a photo of her in the hallway. There were only about 25 cars parked outside. The recruitment materials were really glitzy and some were quite clever. I spoke to one Robert Starr about construction work and he said you have to be able to lift 80 pounds in 80 degree heat. I told him, "I think you are trying to scare me away," to which he replied, "I'd rather overstate it than understate it."<br />
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From the Labor Fair I went on another House Tour. I parked at MacDuffie and walked down. It starting at 220 Maple, the house of James Shriver, the former Chamber of Commerce head. I was dressed High Queer with my Apache haircut, bondage collar, name tag (Queer Fag Sissypansy), padlock and chain, purple pants and underpants pulled tight over my Oriental jock strap, purple socks and lumberjack boots. Jill, the lady at the door, recognized me and said, "You were first last week and this week!" She told me that Mrs. Wilkinson in Longmeadow was very pleased with the note I sent her. Mrs. Wilkinson also told her it is very hard to get a house ready for tourists and it was nice to know someone appreciated it. They called the Shriver House gothic, but it's not really. Shriver was friendly but the house had no oil paintings. There were nice flowers all around and a pool out back.<br />
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Then to Tifft Hall, which is the headmistresses residence. It has a large double kitchen and a smaller one for everyday use. The Wallace House was an enormous disappointment. It has some Victorian touches, but most were lost during a remodeling. Then over to Ingersol Grove, where Fran Gagnon's house is the grey one on the corner. She has a lot of weeds in her lawn and the house needs painting. I wonder if Gagnon runs around the city so much that she neglects her own property. 28 Ingersol Grove is a palace. The tour was by the meek Dr. Robert F. Kinder, who is a retired consultant to the Connecticut Department of Education. He showed us around this massive mansion furnished with both real antiques and reproductions of the the expensive sort. There was a lot of Jewish stuff, although Kinder said he's Christian. It is his partner Ed Zuckerman who is Jewish. There was an enormous glass case of Jewish candlelabra, all sizes and about 50 of them. Outside, Kinder showed us an immaculate garden, an impeccable lawn and a large, black water fountain. It was once the home of James Gill the art dealer. He was married to Emily Abby, whose first husband was the contractor who built extensively in the Forest Park area. Emily, who came from Chicopee, gave a total of $16 million to various colleges in the area. The Gill grandfather was President of the <i>Peerless Handcuff Company</i> and I was right in guessing that they were related to the people in Longmeadow with the nice paintings. <br />
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Next was 179 Clarendon where I met Paul Kenny, who collects the sort of paintings I do. 190 Longhill belongs to a diplomat and is full of an incredible collection of Islamic brass and paintings. An immense house ruined by modernization but full of Islamic treasures. There is a sun room with maybe 50 hookahs, big and little, a wonderful assortment. Several doors were custom hand-hewed for the house. Everywhere there were museum quality curatorial signs. 218 Longhill is impeccable and black owned, the windows were open and it was breezy with fresh air. They had two bride's baskets like Mother got from Mrs. Hayes. But ultimately nothing special, no interesting collections, nothing distinctive but everything kept nice. Barnshaw's 237 had some especially nice Western things, including a bronze sculpture of a bison on the mantle and a fabulous garden out back. <br />
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Following the tour of Ingersol Grove and Clarendon, I drove over to Springfield Cemetery. Don D'Amato the trustee was just leaving as I arrived. I found no one in the office so I drove up to the crematorium. Unfortunately, two guys came out and told me that I couldn't go in but in a friendly enough fashion. I looked the chapel over and there is a podium with an oak thing to put a coffin on beside it. On it was written "Blessed are the Pure of Heart for They Shall see God" and 1886 in Roman numerals. The balcony is full of boxes, indeed the chapel overall doesn't appear to be used very often and it is in need of major repairs. I don't believe there has ever been a postcard made of the chapel. <br />
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On my way home I swung by the porn shop at Apremont Triangle. The clerk told me that he had no idea what became of <i>International Leatherman</i> magazine. At the corner of Mattoon and Eliot there was a tag sale sponsored by the Mattoon Street Association where I bought an <i>Avon</i> bottle in the shape of the Eiffel Tower and 34 political buttons from the 1960's for a dollar apiece. One lady asked me, "Do you live around here?" I stopped at <i>Louis & Clark</i>, where Mr. Lucius was mailing a letter wearing chinos and a white t-shirt. I wonder what he thought of my purple outfit? When I got home, in the mail I received a check in the amount of $25.20 for royalties from the sale of five copies of <i>Reports of Sir Edward Coke in Verse</i>. There is a letter in the paper from Mary Lou Connolly of Del Mar, California. She is the daughter of Eamon's brother Raymond M. Sullivan. She didn't attend the dedication of the fire station, but wrote praising the city for honoring her father "in a tangible and representative way."<br />
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</p><center><b>June 26, 2000</b></center><br />
Hot and humid, 77 degrees at 7am. <br />
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Today is the 50th Anniversary of the start of the Korean War. The news last night said the USA is tops in the expensiveness of our healthcare. Milton Bradley, founder of the <i>Milton Bradley Game Company</i> in Springfield, lived from 1838 to 1911. Last night I wrote a poem:<br />
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<i>The more smut you read, the smuttier you get. <br />
The more religion you read, the more religious you get. <br />
But there is this difference:<br />
Religion is nonsense.<br />
Smut is reality. <br />
Smut is the nature of Man.<br />
Religion is not.<br />
Smut is real. <br />
Religion is not. </i><br />
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Last night I got into my white, plastic suit naked except for my martial arts jock strap, put on my bondage hood and spent the night that way. I almost think if someone offered to make me a slave and keep me in a cage for a year I'd do it for the sheer adventure of it. Life is boring so we do things to escape boredom. Therefore, I try to train myself to endure all sorts of "unpleasant" things that I should be able to handle as someone's slave. <br />
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Yesterday I had fruit juice, french toast with syrup and two grilled cheese sandwiches. I am overweight so today I dined on salad, juice, fruit and two hot dogs with mustard. That's it. Stayed home most of today and wrote a lot of letters. I did go out to make copies and was aghast to discover that <i>Pride</i> in the Acres is now charging seven cents each for copies. That makes their price the same as <i>CopyCat</i>, but their quality is not as good. Briefly stopped at the Open House at 49 Bellamy Road, located among some of the houses owned by WNEC. I bet they'd like to sell it to the college. At <i>Lewis & Clark</i> I mailed things to Hambley at 190 Longhill, Kinder and Zuckerman at 28 Ingersoll, Kenny and Sims at 179 Clarendon, Helen Boyle, the Gills of Longmeadow, Shriver at 220 Maple and Jill at the Pioneer Valley Girl Scouts. There was no newspaper in the trashcan. <br />
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The mail was here at 1:33pm with no Wesley books but there was my $93.32 tax refund from the Feds. There hasn't been a word in the paper about the Hall of Fame groundbreaking having to be postponed. No mention on <i>TV40</i> either, only on <i>22</i>. There is an interview with Bob Turin of the Business Improvement District in the paper today. Karen Powell called and said she has tried to reach me several times. I told her I have been out a lot shopping, on house tours and monitoring City Block. I told her quite a bit about those topics. I asked her about <i>Wizard Auto Body</i> in Hampden and she said they're "good but expensive." I asked her if Maureen Turner is getting married and she said not this year. I told Karen not to mention to Mo that I was inquiring. <br />
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<center><b>June 27, 2000</b></center><br />
Misty, hot and humid. <br />
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<i>Club Infinity</i> on Liberty Street features hip-hop, R&B and reggae. My black raspberries are starting to fill out and turn pink. Wrote more correspondence this morning. When I went out to make copies at 8:55am, there was a <i>Bud</i> can on the front lawn. I found today's paper in the trash can by <i>Louis & Clark's</i> front door. Next, I headed to Sixteen Acres for the dedication of the extensively remodeled and expanded 16 Acres Library. I wore my logger boots, orange jumpsuit, my Apache sticking up and of course my bondage and chain collars, dog-tags and padlock. <br />
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The ceremony was very nice with all the big shots present, including Sen. Brian Lees and Mayor Albano. The ceremony started at five to noon and was over at 12:15pm. The Mayor had a big red plastic pair of scissors to cut the ribbon. Inside, they had refreshments consisting of iced tea and pink lemonade, finger rolls of egg salad, tunafish and seafood salad. There were assorted cookies and tarts. They gave away shopping bags with <i>16 Acres Library Grand Opening</i> on them. They also gave out coupons for $2 off any round trip fare on a <i>Peter Pan</i> or <i>Greyhound</i> bus. There was no sign of the Liberty Bell or the picture of Mrs. Corriveau. I mentioned them to Emily Bader who was friendly and said they haven't got all the furniture and decorations back in place yet. I also told her that the children's room needed little furniture for little patrons. She told me she never knew Mrs. Corriveau. <br />
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A photographer took a picture of me chatting with Dominic Sarno in his red suspenders. There was a tablet naming all the people involved in the renovation, including Helen Boyle, whom they said in her earlier days used to be a librarian. I told Boyle she should be getting a letter from me soon. There was no mention on the tablet of the people involved with constructing the original building. People from <i>3M</i> were there setting up the automated check out system. I asked but no one knew how many people are on the library staff. I also chatted briefly with Eamon's nephew Pat Sullivan of the Park Department, who told me the skateboard park in back will be opening soon. Fran Gagnon and I wound up standing next to each other at one point. We didn't speak until finally I leaned over and asked, "Should we say hello?" She was very friendly about saying, "Hi, how are you today?" That was that. <br />
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When I left at 12:50pm it was sprinkling and it occurred to me that they should have added a sidewalk going from across the front lawn towards the shopping center parking lot. From there I went over to the 16 Acres <i>Big Y</i> and bought several items, including a container of potato salad that I noticed at the checkout counter had an expiration date of June 5th. The girl checked, then said it was a "misprint" and should've said July 5th. I asked if I could have the potato salad for free for discovering the error and she said, "It's yours." "Thanks, sweetie," I replied, "I've taught you how to do business." With a frown she plunked the salad container in a bag. Professor Anzalotti was there and as always greeted me like a great friend. It was still sprinkling when I came out of <i>Big Y</i>. On my way home I took the latest <i>Randolph Herald</i> to Mrs. Penniman, who thanked me with a bright smile. <br />
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Today I dined on half a grapefruit, a peach, raspberry yogurt, a baloney and cheese sandwich and some potato salad. Back at the Expo Business 2000 or whatever I asked Don Wesson of <i>Veritech</i> to send me material about their firm and gave him my card. He remarked about my comment on the card about being in solidarity with those in jail for doing drugs by asking, "Do you do drugs?" I said no, but I believe my ancestors in the American Revolution, all thirteen of them, fought for the right of all Americans to get stoned in the manner of their choosing. Anyway, the promised material never came, so today I called their number and got Melinda, who said that Don Wesson is Vice President for Sales and Marketing. She was friendly and told me she would "remind Don to send the information." <br />
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The mail brought my semiotics handbook but not the Wesley books, which <i>The Scholar's Bookshelf</i> in its advertising states that they ship all orders within 24 hours. My <i>Saturday Evening Post</i> subscription has expired, so I wrote them saying I would not renew because they no longer carry the comic <i>Hazel</i> and are too out of touch with the times, are aimed at old folks and lacking diversity in its advertising, which is mostly medical products that make it seem like a magazine for hypochondriacs. A wrong number today from Sister Catherine, a meek, sweet nun at St. John's Congregational Church, calling looking for Robert F. Trabka of the City of Springfield, who inspected their furnace last week. I told her Trabka was not here. Unknown called four times and I never answered.<br />
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<center><b>June 28, 2000 </b></center><br />
A lovely, less humid day, 67 degrees at 7:30am. <br />
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The Federal Reserve has decided not to raise interest rates. New Hampshire is first in the nation for standard of living. Hurwitz was on the news saying the costs of remodeling the Civic Center have gone up, but Governor Cellucci says no way. <i>Club Asylum</i> on the corner of Worthington Street holds teen dance parties for those 15 and older. The Exeter Building is being torn down for a parking lot. Eric Brown is the Mortgage Development Officer for <i>Sovereign Bank</i>. <i>The Best Western Hotel</i> on Riverdale Street in West Springfield is showing the film <i>Healthcare: The Hidden Truth</i>. The 7th Annual Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Luke Golf Tournament was May 22 at Oak Ridge Country Club in Feeding Hills. The Pine Theater in Northampton in 1999 featured performances by Buddy Guy and the Pat Metheney Group. <i>Theodore's</i> had a <i>Remembering Duke Ellington</i> show in May 1999. <i>Theodore's</i> has an ad stating, "Fat Jack's Quote of the Week - When a man is tired of beer, he is tired of life." <br />
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I drove downtown at 11:15am and deposited $150 with the Credit Union. I intend to have another $2,000 CD with them. I came through the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> building and read the paper, where they described the library as Richardson Romanesque" instead of the proper "Richardsonian Romanesque." Arrived at City Block at 11:37am and picked up the new <i>Valley Advocate</i>. Ann Burke was there in the same tan outfit she always wears. Later I saw her talking on her cell phone as she bought a hot dog and soda and then sat down at a table with Bob Turin. Performing was the Unity Band, sponsored by AIC and consisting of keyboard, sax, guitar and a black drummer. Turin talked to the band as they were setting up. Their gear was stored in a black truck. Turin was wearing black loafers, grey socks, light brown pants and a blue shirt. <br />
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Soon someone representing the <i>AIC Live Jazz Series</i> announced that the band would start playing and the music was very good. The sax player introduced himself as Carl Lieberman and told us they would be playing again Thursday outside <i>Gus & Paul's</i>. Later I came up to him and corrected some of his language, explaining that I'm a grammarian and he said he was sorry but he never went to college. There were two cops on <i>Smith & Wesson</i> bicycles riding around, one of officers wore badge 140. Kids of all ethnic sorts were also riding around, some quite fast but nothing was done about it. At noon I counted 148 people. They had a new vendor with a southsea islands motif selling Mauwi Wowi smoothies for $4. Another vendor sold bottled water and candy bars. <i>Blue Moon Coffee Roasters</i> was there as well as <i>Sprint</i> with a tent roof. The best buy was was a vendor by Court Square who was selling hot dogs for a dollar. There were some black kids playing hopscotch, which reminded me of how at the First Church tag sale kids were drawing pictures in the sand of the churchyard. Kids invent their own games if they have no fancy toys. <br />
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<i>Tilly's</i> had five umbrellas up with <i>Corona Extra</i> printed on them. They have a white lattice fence all around their property line to contain the tables. There were 34 customers at <i>Tilly's</i>. <i>Cafe Eurasia</i> had a CLOSED sign on their door. Thirteen little black kids accompanied by three adults walked by but did not stay for the music. Councilor Dominic Sarno came along in his suspenders, saw a piece of litter on the ground and picked it up. Attorney John Thompson came by and stared at me for several moments before finally saying hi. I told him about my Blackstone poetry book. Turin eyed me several times as I talked to Thompson but never approached me. I decided to walk around and at 12:25pm and discovered <i>Champions</i> had only four customers. However, <i>Pizzeria Uno</i> had seven customers inside and a whopping 26 sitting outdoors. At 12:40 I went back and counted 211 at City Block. Music is a weak organizer because unlike a concert, it is throw away music and most people were throwing it away rather than staying for the duration. <br />
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On the way back to my car parked at the Credit Union, I stopped for burgers at the <i>McDonald's</i> in the <i>Peter Pan</i> bus terminal. There are no chairs in that restaurant. When I got home at 3:05pm, I found that Mr. Cohn had returned three of my magazines. Brian from <i>MDS Auto Sales</i> in Ludlow called and said he heard that my land in Wilbraham is for sale. I told him to send me a letter as a stating point for any discussion of selling Fernbank. He concluded, "Okay, very good." Had a nice chat with Mr. LaRose this evening, who called the intro to my book "eloquent." I told him to tell Nader the Hatter that I will write him eventually. Eamon called and told me how when he was a kid they had a chicken coop in the back corner of his lot and a garden where his lawn is. Everybody did, and he also recalled how his father used to have a competition with an Italian neighbor to see who would get the first red tomato. One time his father fooled the Italian by taking a big red tomato and tying it to the bush. <br />
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We talked about the plans to move the Federal courthouse from Main Street to where the Alexander House now is. Eamon complained that it will only move more people away from the downtown core. The current courthouse has ventilation problems and that is why the FBI has already moved out. The FBI moved first to the Fuller Block and then out to Brookdale Drive. Eamon said the Main Street deli by <i>The Fort</i> where Nader used to go a lot used to get customers from the nearby Unemployment Office. The office has been replaced by a nightclub and now the deli is long gone. A lot of the courthouse people go to <i>Jake's</i>, a little restaurant in the front corner of the <i>Hotel Worthy</i>. He wonders if that may also close when the courthouse moves. <br />
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Eamon says that Kevin Claffey, the court reporter, has graduated from law school and passed the Bar. His brother is also a lawyer. Claffey has not been assigned to cover several major cases recently and Eamon thinks the paper is trying to get him to leave. Eamon said his answering machine shows that someone named Edmond J. Miller calls a lot. Someone at the Basketball Hall of Fame called three times today and someone at the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> calls twice a week. No calls from Fred Whitney in a while but Tom Devine calls all the time. Lots of calls from City Hall and the Hampden County Sheriff's Department. He said he also gets calls from Commerce and Central high schools. Many of his calls come from anonymous sources and Eamon wondered, "Who is hiding behind them?"<br />
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<center><b>June 30, 2000</b></center><br />
According to <i>WFCR</i> the release of the 4th <i>Harry Potter</i> book is causing quite a stir. Berkshire County goes out of business at midnight, the last county to be taken over by the Commonwealth. The ads for <i>Club Escape</i> in Chicopee use the phrase, "If you miss this you're slippin." <i>Reflections</i> on Hancock Street in Springfield has Hot Body Contests. Rachel Jones is the Young Adult Librarian at the Springfield Library. <br />
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I was supposed to go to a Mormon business seminar, but it was set for 7pm and a thunderstorm arrived so I stayed home. Can't go to everything. This morning I went and made copies at <i>Breckwood</i>, where a black woman at <i>Louis & Clark</i> commented on my appearance, which obviously pleased her saying, "You're unique, not queer." From there I went to <i>Angelo's</i> for some nice veggies and bought gas across the street for $1.63 per gallon. I told the cashier, "At these prices I ought to get green stamps or a turkey platter." Then over to Reeds Landing, arriving at 10:10am in my plastic suit and logger boots with my biker's jacket, full bondage collar and my Apache straight up in a fresh application of Vaseline. I had no problem with anyone. I was greeted by Linda Maloney and brought with me my Camp Massasoit postcards. I told her I brought them today so the residents could see them and I showed her the Underwood cards which are extremely rare. <br />
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They had tables set up and thirty or so old folks seated and being served coffee and muffins. There was a table showing handicrafts the residents had done. I said I'd skip the coffee and spread out my postcards on top of the piano. Only a couple of people looked at the postcards before Maloney introduced the day's program. The morning started with a very nice slide lecture by a thin man named Dick Martin. It included a shot of the Tech High cornerstone and the old South Church building on Bliss Street. After the slides, Dr. Markarian came out and did sit down exercises. I made a list of just what the exercises were. Markarian said the secret to good health is to keep moving and I am of the same mind. <br />
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Following that presentation, we were broken up into groups and marched to the store, the library and the hairdresser. In my group was Mrs. Wilson Forbes, a very friendly lady who used to work for the telephone company but would have been good in <i>Hall Galleries</i> or someplace like that. The tour culminated in the dining room, where I sat with Mr. Forbes (who is in a wheelchair) and Mr. and Mrs. George Nieske of Wilbraham. We were served ice cream topped by strawberries and banana slices. Next we were shown the apartments. Barb Kieth in 108 has lots of Oriental stuff. Bernice Aborn has a lovely Victorian living room set upholstered in rose. Her bed is very high and I told her how Mother sometimes slept on a cot close to the floor. <br />
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The Forbes' are in a large and fancy cottage that was featured on the cover of <i>The Landing</i> newsletter. Mr. Nieske was a dentist and his wife was his receptionist. She is a slender, vivacious can-do gal. They have a collection of weighing scales. Wilson Forbes was a mechanic for Western Mass Electric. Addie Falk came over and said hi. Joyce's kids are doing very well, one is in Pennsylvania, the other is an athlete and getting offers from Ivy League places. Falk's psychologist/lawyer daughter is lecturing on law in Russia. I promised to send Addie a notice when my new book comes out.<br />
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From there I headed downtown and parked on Salem Street. Two black men were fixing a staircase on Mattoon Street. I found a copy of the <i>Union-News</i> in a trash can on the corner of Dwight and Bridge. At City Block T.J. Conroy Jr. was performing with a guitar, keyboard and an adjustable mike. The music was lovely but didn't fill the space as well as the jazz the other day. I counted 121 present, 31 of them in <i>Tilly's</i>. Ann Burke was there talking to a chubby man in a <i>Springfield Electric Company</i> t-shirt. The candles vendor wasn't there, and the jewelry stand was replaced by a t-shirt vendor, which probably has better prospects. A kid in his 20's looked at my outfit and smiled as he said, "How ya doin, buddy?" <br />
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Shkenna was sitting on the bench in front of <i>Subway</i> where she works and a woman in a PVTA shirt was retrieving soda cans from a trash can. Is it worth the effort? No cops anywhere in sight. Albano's red haired aide went into <i>Cafe du Jour</i> and came out with a cup of coffee and headed back towards City Hall. Turin in a striped shirt sat down on the bench by <i>Tilly's</i>. A guy walked by wearing a shirt that said, "I got my pork pulled at Theodore's." A woman and her little boy laughed at me. Before I left I counted 39 people at <i>Tilly's</i>, an alltime high. <br />
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From there I went to the porn shop and still no <i>Leatherman</i> or <i>Brush Hill</i> publications. What happened? They were doing so well. I checked out the Exeter Building at 172 Chestnut. The black man running the trophy shop confirmed it is being torn down. I looked in the stairwells and the marble has been stripped off the walls and plaster is all over the place. It's a nice two story building that is great for small shops, exactly what the city would need if it ever makes a comeback. A senseless waste to tear it down for parking. <br />
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On the <i>NBC</i> news tonight they mentioned the Summer Concert Series in NYC so it seems everybody has such a series. Eamon called and read me the Thomas Sowell column <i>Teachers May Protest, But Facts Remain</i>. We agreed it is splendid, just what we have been saying. Eamon told me that Serkin of <i>Finestein Leather</i> is still searching for a new location. His worker Al had to be rushed to the hospital recently for a colon operation. Eamon also talked about a TV show he saw about the Springfield Campanile. He says it is very rusty and in disrepair, a typical example of the city letting things go to hell rather than keeping things up. An attorney named Flanagan is collecting pennies from school children to repair it and has raised $72,000. Eamon says <i>Mass Mutual</i> should volunteer to pay for the repairs. It has only 12 bells, which are on hammers rather than wheels. I told him hammer mechanisms are common on carillons because the action is faster. Presently they don't work at all, but they would make nice background music downtown at noon and attract people to Court Square. <br />
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Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-562330228750530652015-10-13T18:19:00.006-04:002023-12-09T15:06:03.125-05:00July 2000<center><b>July 2, 2000</b></center><br />
The old <i>Abdow's</i> in West Springfield is closing. It opened in 1959 and was sold to <i>Bickford's</i> in 1995. The Trinity United Methodist Church on Sumner Avenue will hold a series of concerts for its 2000 Carillon Pops Festival. Trinity's carillon was built in 1928 and was a gift to the church by the Horace A. Moses family. Artists performing include George Matthew from Middlebury, Vermont. <br />
<br />
My black raspberries are ripening and the black-eyed susans are coming out. Quiet, stay at home day spent reading slave porn and Gwin's Vietnam memoir <i>Baptism</i>. He talks like a military jock most of the time but occasionally comes out with a politically correct statement about how there is no glory in war. I skimmed Noth's <i>Handbook of Semiotics</i> (1995). I bet none of the local libraries have one and they all should. This town is dumb. <br />
<br />
The mail came at noon. Wrote a nice long letter to Nader the Hatter and dined on <i>Weight Watchers Chicken Chow Mein</i>. So is Colleen home? Kelly and Barry's cars are out of the garage, which might mean Colleen's rental car may be parked there. But no sign of her yet. Did the dishes and boiled some corn on the hot plate out the back door. Briefly went to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> for burgers. I talked to the clerk in <i>Vibrations</i> about hair color, she said the liquid works better than the paste. <i>Pride</i> in the Acres had their front lot all dug up with a new pipe going in even though the place is brand new. Coming home from <i>Eastfield</i> I saw a car with Masonic emblems and this bumpersticker: "Keep Scotland tidy, throw your rubbish in England." <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said Nader the Hatter called him today and told him he bought a new <i>Mazda</i> off a schoolteacher. The asking price was $6,000 but Nader talked him down to $3,800. Nader's father is visiting him in Florida and his sister is glad to have a vacation from the old man. Eamon recalled how a lot of the kids he was in the Navy with signed up because a judge gave them a choice: jail or the service. A lot of them were tough and unmanageable. He claimed that Navy chaplains used to suck up to the officers and thereby got the best housing. <br />
<br />
<center><b>July 3, 2000</b></center><br />
82 degrees at 2:30pm.<br />
<br />
<i>Kimberly-Clark</i> has not offered a printed tissue since 1998. <i>The Valley Advocate</i> has a feature in their Classified ads section called <i>Personal of the Week</i>. Living alone I can run around like a queer slave - naked. <br />
<br />
I stayed up reading <i>Baptism</i> and didn't get to bed until 1am. At 12:05am the phone rang three times and stopped. The ID said Cornell Harris - 782-8561. So I waited five minutes and called back and said, "The party you just called is now available." No response, so I said, "When you call and wake someone up you really ought to apologize." Unknown called earlier at 9:58pm. At about noon a woman called and upon hearing my voice said, "I must have the wrong number, sorry." <br />
<br />
This morning Kelly and Brian's cars were in the driveway. I unpiled several crates of books to get into the cabinet by the refrigerator to see if Mother's ruby perfume bottle was there. It was not, but I found a treatise on religion by Addison. It's not comforting to know that I have the only set of Addison in the city. I made copies at <i>Louis & Clark</i> because <i>CopyCat</i> was closed. I also put out letters in their mailbox in front to the Hatter, Larose and Addy Falk. Then down to Reeds Landing and handed the black receptionist something for Martin. She said she'd see that she got it, but didn't thank me. I suggested that she should thank me, and she did so with a big smile. <br />
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Dined on a small can of red salmon, succotash with brown sugar and onion added plus french fries, all cooked in the microwave. Eamon called and spoke of his old friend Bill Frohmer, now in his 80's, who used to own <i>Highland Novelty</i> on Worthington in a building since torn down. He used to have customers coming to his shop from as far away as Maine. Years ago he retired and now lives in Longmeadow. Eamon then bemoaned the loss of all the little businesses now gone from north Main Street. <br />
<br />
Eamon recalled how Samuel Bowles generally got a bowl of oatmeal at the <i>Bowles Restaurant</i> every morning. He owned the place, but he never carried any money and he never treated anybody. <i>Bowles Restaurant</i> was famous for its chicken pot pie and Bowles was often seen eating one at noon. He once remarked to Eamon, "People don't like to approach me, but you are different." Eamon says he talks to everybody, including janitors, claiming that janitors often see and hear things and can be valuable sources of information. <br />
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Eamon told me that the biggest funeral he ever attended was that of Samuel Cufari, known as Big Nose Sam, about fifteen or twenty years ago. He claimed to have known Cufari personally and used to dine with him at <i>Grandma Nardi's Happyland</i>. Once Eamon was singing Irish songs in the restaurant and Sam asked him if he knew any Italian songs, so Eamon sang some operatic material and Sam was very much pleased by it. "I knew all the gangsters," Eamon boasted, "even Skyball knew me." Eamon said that at one point Skyball's son-in-law Victor DiCaro was fooling around with Sam's young wife. In 1972 Victor DiCaro, then 29, was pulled from the Connecticut River in Windsor, Connecticut encased in a sleeping bag, wrapped in a tarp and bound with rope. <br />
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<center><b>July 4, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny, but rain at 6:05pm.<br />
<br />
Everything you'll ever need is available on the markdown counter or at a tag sale. Why pay more? <br />
<br />
Kimberly A. Perry was a realtor for <i>Stearns & Yerrall</i> in Wilbraham in 1994. Corinne A. Giroux of Agawam, a clerk for the U.S. Postal Service in downtown Springfield, has died at age 58. I don't think she was related, although she did have two daughters in Westfield. William Francis Galvin is the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Reeds Landing is located at 807 Wilbraham Road in Springfield, Massachusetts. <br />
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Sweet Pea and Honey Pot are sharing a flag today. I watched some of the 4th of July events on TV, the first time I've watched television in ages. Kelly and Brian's cars are in the driveway, no sign of Michael. I watered the flowers today and picked some berries. Trees now shade the berries so there are not so many, but all I can use. The location where the tree was that was knocked down by a car years ago has sprouts coming up by the berry corner right where the tree was. Queen Anne's Lace coming out. Today I skimmed Bob Cousy's <i>The Killer Instinct</i> and Sara Harris' <i>Hellhole</i>. <br />
<br />
Last night I heard a cricket singing at 1:35am. For breakfast I had a dropped egg on toast and peaches and berries in milk. At 9:32 I called Aunt Maria and got Bonnie who was very friendly. She said Aunt Maria is fine and they were eating breakfast. Bonnie said Shirley is in Randolph with her mother. Aunt Maria can still walk around, she goes to church, shopping and goes to the library to check out music tapes. I warned Bonnie to look out for poison ivy around the house and she said she already got it and is using calamine lotion. I said that is an old fashioned treatment and recommended <i>Super Ivy Dry</i>, noting that I used to do the spring clean-up over there and I sometimes got infected. It was a nice conversation. I called Mrs. Staniski and she said she is looking over old pictures and hasn't done much reading this summer. Unknown rang seven times at 8:42 and was again voiceless. <br />
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On a nail in the attic I found a plastic bag with four packages of shower rings unopened and ten individual horse blanket safety pins. Mother was very fond of these things and had stashes of them all over the house. The curtain rings were from the old <i>Topps</i> on Boston Road and were 21 cents per package. <br />
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<center><b>July 5, 2000</b></center><br />
The Basketball Hall of Fame officials have taken pay cuts, but they're probably only working part time summer hours anyway. Richard W. Lucius of 141 Birchland is listed in the 1970 City Directory as a firefighter. His wife is listed as a receptionist at <i>Jilson-Thoren Opticians</i>. The worst effect of the Vietnam War was that it legitimized a decline in civility. It underlined the hypocrisy of the Protestant establishment. Vietnam was the epitome of hypocrisy, a war in which we had no business and drafted uninformed young kids. World War II had been a just and noble war but Vietnam was not noble and the establishment lost all credibility. <br />
<br />
Whenever I cook pork chops the smoke alarm goes off, but at least I know that it's working. Mother always said that she had hidden money under a floorboard in the attic, but I have checked and found nothing there. I suspect that at some point she retrieved it and made a CD of it someplace in fear that we would somehow move out of the house and forget it. She always wondered whether there was some over the stairwell to the attic. She told me she had hidden cash there many years ago and said she thought some may have slipped behind. I have not checked that. On Crest Street my parents had a hiding place in the crawl space in the bathroom over the toilet.<br />
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Mother saved an enormous number of obituaries of people she knew or knew of. Today I found one for Emma A. Maher, widow of Joseph J. Maher. She died in 1981 at age 75. The Maher's were our neighbors next to 37 Crest Street in a place everyone called The Castle. It was probably the original home in the area. Mrs. Maher's mother, Mrs. Guy, was a great talker over the backyard fence and Mother lacked the social skills to dismiss her. They were what might be called white trash, but what were we?<br />
<br />
Things are back to normal over to Colleens: Michael's car is back, Kelly's is not to be seen and Barry's is in the middle. There is a wide space between Mike and Barry, so a vehicle could get out of the garage. The principal order of business today was going out to <i>Fleet</i> in the Acres at 8:30am to make a withdrawal, then to <i>Pride</i> for copies. I paused as I left to talk to Lucius, who told me he knew Eamon's brother Ray well. Lucius is an expert on falconry and once addressed the Harvard Club of Boston on the subject. He loaned me his copy of <i>With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa</i> (1981). I gave him a copy of my essay on functional underlining. Lucius said he believes democracy is not right for everyone on the globe at this point and I agreed. <br />
<br />
I parked by <i>Pride</i> and asked the guy working on the dug up pavement what the story was and he said he was working on a leak in the gas tank and doing an environmental clean-up. I was the first customer at the bank, then I drove down to the credit union and arranged with Linda, who was sitting in for Ann Revelo who is on vacation, to transfer $3,000 from my account to a CD. I now have $6,000 in CD's there. Next I went over to the newspaper building to read today's paper, then walked downtown. I found four newspapers dated the 4th in a trashcan along Main Street. I peeked in at <i>Jake's Cafe and Lunch</i> by the <i>Hotel Worthy</i>, which Eamon says will be endangered when the new Federal Courthouse is built. The old Federal Courthouse has never been named. <br />
<br />
I saw Congressman Neal talking with someone on the terrace of <i>Gus & Paul's</i>. I pretended not to notice them. At City Block they have removed the benches outside <i>Tilly's</i>, I guess they didn't want the bums sitting that close to them! <i>The Union-News</i> has a paper box in the middle of the brick area between <i>Sovereign Bank</i> and <i>Tilly's</i>. There is a cluster of paper boxes including the <i>Valley Advocate</i> in front of Harrison Place. There is also a cluster of boxes at one corner of Court Square. Neither Turin nor Burke were around. <br />
<br />
The jazz band was good and I asked a band member for a card and he gave me one for Andy Jaffe but said if I wanted to book them I have to do it through a guy name Steve Warshaw. I recall that he was prominently mentioned in the June 20 story on the Grand Opening of City Block which says, "The performances were arranged by <i>Just Sit Back and Enjoy the Ride Production Company</i> of which he is President." <i>Blue Moon Coffee</i> was there with a cart with a red and white umbrella. <i>Tilly's</i> had 15 tables and four umbrellas up. I counted 62 people attending the concert. <br />
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A cool breeze made it an absolutely wonderful day. <i>Eurasia</i> has a sign in the window saying that they are moving in July to 272 Bridge Street and their Grand Re-opening will be in August. I saw three <i>Robinson-Donovan</i> guys, including the President of the Mass bar, buying food at the chili-dog stand. The brickwork in front of <i>Subway</i>, done in the 80's, is starting to crumble with bricks falling out of place. I went into <i>Subway</i> and Shkenna made me a well-filled deli baloney. She said business has been just great. <br />
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On my way back to the car I looked in at <i>Champions</i> and found 23 inside. At <i>Pizzeria Uno</i> they were setting up a platform for music that a guy said would start at 7pm. There were 16 customers sitting in the courtyard and 16 inside for a total of 32 customers at <i>Uno</i>. Returning to the car, as I drove south on Main to turn north onto Union, I saw publisher David Starr in a solid grey herringbone suit, looking older but stepping right along. Eamon jokes that Starr walks so fast so that no one can give him a sucker punch. I believe Starr steps right along so that no one will presume to stop him to talk about anything. I got home around 1:15pm just as the mailman was arriving. <br />
<br />
Unknown called at 9:45am. Someone called from California while I was out. Butchmann's? Could also be Stanford Law Library or Luttrell. At 2:30pm I called Tera at <i>Orchard's Valley</i> and thanked her for a good time at their gala Grand Opening. I told her I have a couple of relatives that might end up there and said that I was the party in the leather jacket. I said the food was wonderful but they should have had a spoon in the bowl of mixed nuts. I also advised her that <i>Reader's Digest Condensed Books</i> are good for old folks because the stories aren't too long and the books are lightweight. I then called the Springfield Symphony regarding a postcard I got that says Smith is coming back to do <i>Magic Flute</i>. They said the date is May 12, 2001. <br />
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<center><b>July 6, 2000</b></center><br />
A lovely day. 66 degrees at 8:30am. <br />
<br />
Nancy Reagan is 79 today. <i>Funky Winkerbean</i> is drawn by Tom Batluk. Dr. Janet L. Castleman is Director of Continuing Education at Western New England College. My DeMolay friend James Anthony Johnson Jr. was born August 8, 1940. Mary Menzel White, a Westfield High graduate, died in 1993 at age 80. Mary Menzel and her crippled husband Al were good friends of my parents to the extent that they entertained them out to Wilbraham at least once and I have pictures of them there. Mary decided she wanted better things and divorced Al to marry somebody rich out in Missouri. I understand that Mary used to use blackmail to get things out of Al, like no sex until you buy me a dishwasher. They also fought over how many children they should have. It was too bad how Al was a cripple and she left him. He died in 1986. Their son Bobby Menzel was a small, smart, hyper-active devil who went to Tech High and never returned the dime I loaned him once at the library for bus fare. <br />
<br />
I've heard nothing from Gutterman although the lady said he was on tour and she'd place my letter on his desk for when he got back. Unknown rang seven times at 10:19am. I called the City Library today and asked for Rice Hall and asked about Winfried Noth's <i>Handbook of Semiotics</i>. She checked the computer and no libraries have it. Perhaps the Springfield College library does. I then left a voice mail for Brian Jablonski at <i>Hein</i> saying I'd like a copy of their new catalog. I left several messages for Eamon today but he never called back. Today I got a stray letter from WNEC but no replies to my job applications. I also heard from Elms and <i>The Judge's Chambers</i>, but nothing from Charlie Ryan or the <i>Hungry Hill Magazine</i>. <br />
<br />
Dined this evening on a pork chop and the rest of the potato salad. I drove out just after 5pm on an adventure to count noses at various activities. I also put air in my tires at the Breckwood <i>Shell</i>. I drove downtown and parked on Salem and walked over to the porn shop on the triangle. They had no <i>Leatherman</i> publications, don't know what happened to them. I was wearing my white hazardous waste suit, lumberjack boots, collar, chain, dog tag and padlock with of course my head clean-shaven with my apache haircut Vaselined to stand up just right. The young fellow at the porn shop remarked that my hair "looks fuckin' good!"<br />
<br />
There were parking places along Dwight. I arrived at City Block about 5:52pm. I counted only 84 people, a rather deserted downtown overall. B. Turin and A. Burke were both on hand as well as a <i>Budweiser</i> beer booth with two girls serving beers at $2.50 each. A blues band was playing called Chris McDermott Love Perimeter. A black woman with pigtails and red pants danced in front of the stage but she was the only one. I saw a few people wearing <i>Abercrombie & Fitch</i> t-shirts but <i>Old Navy</i> was more common. I approached Turin and told him about the big carillon concert at Trinity tonight. He was friendly enough. Then I approached Burke who was talking with a Jewish guy with curly brown hair and beard wearing a wonderful tye-dyed Allman Brothers 1969-1999 anniversary shirt. I admired it and he remarked, "They're still a good band." I told Burke they ought to be selling City Block shirts like that and she said "we're going to get some" but we shall see. The atmosphere feels more socially cohesive at night than at the afternoon City Block performances. The Court Square dollar hot dog stand is not there in the evening. <br />
<br />
I saw the short, fat, redheaded woman scrounging for cans, it didn't look like she had very many. At one point I saw Gary Shepard in shorts, athletic shoes and a New Boys t-shirt talking with Turin. I counted noses before I left and counted only 106, not that good. As I was leaving a young woman came over and said she had seen me taking notes and wondered if I would tell her what for. I said I would tell her if she told me her name and she said Jane. I gave her my name and told her that I am in <i>Who's Who</i>. I explained to her that at one point Mayor Albano considered hiring me for Arts Commissioner, but the city never had the money. Still, I gather information on arts activities and send the city memos. I told her I think the music is a relative success, but there are not very many people here because folks can't buy anything because there are so few merchants left downtown. I said the city should be paying vendors for bringing their carts downtown instead of charging them for the privilege of coming downtown to lose money. There just isn't enough to lure people down here. I said the people in charge are just going through the motions and there is no commitment to excellence. Into nothing, nothing goes and out of nothing, nothing comes and that is the story of Springfield. She seemed a sweet, innocent thing and shook my hand and thanked me before she left. <br />
<br />
As I departed I went through <i>Baystate West</i> and counted 17 in <i>Champions</i>. At <i>Pizzeria Uno</i> the band was about to start, a group called The Dayton's wearing black t-shirts that said "Oldies with a Kick." I counted 78 paying customers, almost as many as were attending the free show. My next stop was Trinity United Methodist Church on Sumner Avenue, where they were serving strawberry short cake to carillon music. I arrived at Trinity at 7:20pm and parked on the street. There were 56 cars in the parking lot and 97 people on the lawn. I didn't see the Goads but the Rev. Loesch was there in a lawn chair. I saw Ellen Balch going up for ice cream and I told her nice to see you, but she refused to take my hand so I guess she didn't think it was nice to see me. That's the same treatment she gave me at St. Andrew's tag sale, although she was polite to me at the Church in the Acres sale. I left Trinity shortly after 7:45pm. <br />
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<center><b>July 7, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Beautiful day, 77 degrees at 2:10pm.<br />
<br />
<i>Non Sequitur</i> is by Wiley. Ann B. Tracy was born January 2, 1941. Eamon's sister Eleanor Haggarty lives at 1785 Carew Street. His sister Marion B. Rogers lives on St. James Avenue just beyond <i>Serv-U</i>. I recall how sad Mother and I were when Father's pet magnolia died a few years back. Picked berries and saw a cardinal sitting on the back hedge. The mail was here before 1pm. There was nothing from DESCO or works of John Wesley. Got a <i>Honda</i> motorcycle circular addressed to Blanche W. Miller! The guy running for senator against Hillary Clinton in NY sent me a beg letter, doubtless because I bought that anti-Clinton book. He makes a simple request for funds, but as a matter of fact does not say thank you. My <i>Lawbook Exchange</i> shipment was placed in the breezeway door at 2:40pm, I hollered thanks out the door.</p><p>Springfield ought to hold a Poetry Slam at Symphony Hall. I know all about rap and once wrote a rap rage song for the retirement of my favorite professor at Colby. My <i>Ode to the Collapse of Springfield as Polis Mirrored in the End of Johnson's Bookstore</i> is written for performance as a rap song performed by two choirs, one of Heavy Metal goths and the other of Little Lord Fauntleroy types. <br />
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I notice that Mr. Cohn has not been sitting in a chair in his driveway much this year, or doing much gardening. Today I went down to the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> and pulled a Molly Bish poster off a telephone pole. Then to <i>Angelo's</i> where I got a good assortment of goodies and then over to see Mrs. Staniski. As I came down her street, a black man, presumably the one who lives across the street, waved to me, so he must recognize me as a frequent visitor to Mrs. Staniski. She returned a number of books to me including the one on the Dukakis conservation scandal. She told me she never liked Governor Dukakis. I gave her a spare picture of her and Mother and another of Manuel with the organ in the church in Bethel. She is very proud of the pink hollyhocks that are blooming outside her back door about eight feet tall. <i>The Union-News Extra</i> was here when I got back. <br />
<br />
Called the West Springfield <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> and they are open 9 to 6 today. Eamon called and told me that he was in Old Saybrook, Connecticut yesterday, being entertained by an old friend from Amherst College named William James Lee, who majored in English at Amherst and went on to get his doctorate at Columbia. He is now an Associate Editor of the <i>Oxford English Dictionary</i>. He took Eamon out to dinner at the <i>Atlantic House</i> and Eamon asked him how a word got into the dictionary. He was told that if a new word is spotted in five different sources in five years it's in. Eamon's friend also knows about the <i>Newhouse Company</i> and <i>Advance Publications</i> and said they recently bought a paper in New Jersey and four in Pennsylvania. They are now the third largest newspaper chain in the USA.<br />
<br />
Dined on a pork chop, a cup of raspberry yogurt and a 69 cent Caesar salad. This evening I headed downtown around 7pm, arriving on Eliot around 7:25pm and walked down the hill. Approaching Main Street, I saw the city's portable music shell opened up to the south right in front of <i>Monarch Place</i>. There were banners for <i>Budweiser</i> and a long one for the <i>Valley Advocate</i> along the bottom of the stage. The music was supposed to start at 7:30 and end at 9:30, but they were late starting. I counted 294 people in attendance, 25 in <i>Tilly's</i> and 23 sitting in lawn chairs. The <i>Budweiser</i> cart was there as well as the <i>Blue Moon Coffee Roasters</i> and the chili-dog vendor. The Court Square hot dog cart was not there, it is apparently strictly a nine to five operation. <br />
<br />
I saw three <i>American Security Force</i> people walking around working for the BID. I also saw the Springfield Fire Chief walking around talking to people. Plenty of people around everywhere. When the show started, the announcer said they would try to get the band to come over to <i>Theodore's</i> afterwards. What do you do to get the artists to come over to your restaurant after an event? The music was fine. It was a truly cosmopolitan crowd crossing all economic and racial boundaries. I counted noses again and got 332, but missed some so I estimate maybe 400 attendees but not 500. <br />
<br />
There were about 50 people seated in the small patio inside the iron fence at <i>Gus & Paul's</i> at <i>Tower Square</i>. I walked over to <i>Pizzeria Uno</i> and found a whopping 102 inside the terrace. Mr. Hurwitz saw me and asked me why I didn't come inside the restaurant the last time I dropped off a memo. I said I know you are a busy man and I don't want to bother you. I congratulated him on the crowd and said it proves that he has the best restaurant in town. My impression was that the paying crowd at <i>Uno</i> was classier than those attending the free show. Yuppies. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>July 8, 2000</b></center><br />
An absolutely lovely day, 65 degrees at 8:17am.<br />
<br />
If God had wanted our genomes mapped he'd have made us out of graph paper! <br />
<br />
Sandra Sedacca is the Dean for Development and External Relations at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. Leslie A. Morris is Curator of Manuscripts at the Harvard College Library. Vincent J. McCorkle is President of the Sisters of Providence Health System. Edwards Books is having a Harry Potter party at 11:30am with chocolate cake. What you have to say for Harry Potter is that in an age when books are going out of style, Harry Potter is reminding people that books still exist. <br />
<br />
I drove over to Feeding Hills at 8:45am to spy on Aunt Maria. Her lawn is mowed, but I think the flower circle was never cut down. My Uncle's old shop is engulfed in sumac which is bad. There was no one in sight, although next door a forest green wagon is for sale by the driveway. I then went up to <i>Stop&Shop</i> where I found no rotisserie chickens available until 11am. There were lots and lots of posters and notices on the <i>Stop&Shop</i> bulletin board. I saw that the name of the store manager is George Miller, I'll have to follow up on that. I came through the <i>Old Navy</i> store, their prices seem reasonable but as a leatherman hippie I can forget the duds. Next I went to the <i>Cecchi Farmstand</i> for peas that were $2.49 per pound. The $1.79 per pound peas were all pods so I left. <br />
<br />
Then over by <i>Strathmore</i> in West Springfield, where I parked at <i>Westbank</i> and walked across the street to the <i>Insurance Company of New England</i>. In the 1984 City Directory there were many insurance agencies in there, but now it appears that all there are is <i>Fidelity</i> upstairs and <i>Special Risks Ltd</i>, <i>James F. Sullivan Insurance Agency</i> and <i>Gallagher Insurance</i> out back. The sign on the door clearly says Saturday open 9 to 1, but the place was locked up tight. There was just a couple of cars in the immense parking lot that backs up to the West Springfield Fire Headquarters. The back door says it's for <i>Fidelity</i> workers, reminding me of the old <i>Fire & Marine</i> where the workers were not supposed to use the front door. <br />
<br />
Since I was arriving at 9:15am, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and walked all around the building. I saw a police officer, a short, broad shouldered young fellow watching the <i>Bell Atlantic</i> workers on the corner. I asked him whether he knew when things opened up over at the <i>Insurance Center</i>. He frankly admitted that things were a bit boring watching the <i>Bell Atlantic</i> workers, so he welcomed the opportunity to assist me by walking around the building. He checked each of the building's doors and concluded that there was no one inside. I thanked him as I said it is good for the police to know what's going on with all the properties in town. I went back to my car and drove over to the <i>Hometown Buffet</i> for breakfast, but it turned out they were not serving breakfast. I got the chicken for $6.80 with no cottage cheese. I miss their liver and onions. I decided to go over to <i>Bradlees</i> and walked around. I haven't been in a <i>Bradlees</i> in ages, but I always liked them. They had a big pile of <i>Harry Potter</i> books, which are very fat at 700 pages. <br />
<br />
Just outside the large mall area is a little garden with benches, a wonderful touch in a crassly commercial development. As I was sitting on a bench I was amazed to see my former law professor Denis Binder strolling towards the toy store. He came over and we had a good chat. I told him that he was one of WNEC's best law school professors and he thanked me. He told me he moved out of the Springfield area four years ago but had left WNEC sometime before that. Biden said he is in the area visiting and asked what I was doing. I told him and he congratulated me on my interests. He recalled that I lived in "that old house down the street from the college." I also told him about Albano and how he was defeated in his attempt to turn <i>Northgate Plaza</i> into a baseball stadium. We wished each other well, and running into him was a wonderful surprise.<br />
<br />
Back home, I stopped by Irving Cohn's just as the Penniman's were arriving. Irving was sitting in his special chair reading magazines. I told him he could keep the book I lent him on <i>Famous Pollacks in American History</i>. He said I shouldn't give it away, especially since it had the author's signature in it. I replied that someone of partly Polish descent was best to have it. He told me was down South recently for the naming of a great-grandchild on Myra's line and he remarked about how everyone down South is very polite. Mr. Cohn said that people don't read books like they used to. He should know, he was the synagogue librarian! Cohn also told me that he's afraid that the Jews are losing their identity, but I said Judaism asks their followers to believe less nonsense than Christianity, so the Jews will probably outlast the Christians. I gave Mrs. Penniman the latest issue of the <i>Boston Herald</i> and then home. <br />
<br />
<i>The Springfield Phone Book</i> has the downtown skyline on its cover, but a tree completely blots out <i>Baystate Waste</i>. It is strange to show <i>Monarch Palace</i> and the <i>Sovereign</i> building but not <i>Tower Square</i>. When I got inside I called <i>Stop&Shop</i> and asked for George Miller, but they said he wouldn't be in until Monday. I then called the <i>Insurance Center</i> and a recording told me they are closed weekends during the summer. I left a message telling them about my adventure this morning and suggested they should send me a letter of apology and a check because I made a commercially useful suggestion. <br />
<br />
<center><b>July 9, 2000</b></center><br />
Today's <i>Doonesbury</i> comic is fabulous with George W. Bush playing <i>Want to be a Millionaire?</i> and using a lifeline to call his father while a computer geek shouts that he should call McCain instead. Bush is a jerk and after his father and Quayle I wonder what credibility WASPS have left. Listened to the evening news. The Pope, head of the largest organization of homosexuals in the world, doesn't like the Gay Pride Festival in Rome this weekend. He says it is an "insult" during the Grand Jubilee Year. The Orangemen are making trouble in Ireland, their leader says he won't disavow violence since Jerry Adams won't disavow it. I also watched the grand beginning of <i>Real to Reel's</i> tour of Catholic sites in Europe hosted by a young Mark Giza. My cousin Guy Wilson was an agent for the <i>Continental Insurance Company</i> in 1931. <br />
<br />
A busy morning. I mowed the lawn from 7 to 9:15 and sat for a break of fifteen minutes on the bench beside Colleen's goldfish pond. She has made a lovely place over there. I did some housecleaning, after which I did a load of laundry. I also cooked up a kettle of tomatoes, shelled some peas and put them in the refrigerator and then took a bath. At 10:15am I drove out and dined on hotcakes but no sausage at the <i>McDonald's</i> on Allen Street and read the paper, which says that the <i>Cecil</i> economic development report has been delayed until the fall. With so much up in the air with the new Hall, Civic Center and City Block, how could Cecil make concrete suggestions with so much quicksand? On the way to <i>McDonald's</i>, I left Adam's book and the current <i>Hamilton</i> catalog on the hood of Lucius' red Cadillac. His mower was close by so he probably just finished mowing his lawn. <br />
<br />
Arriving back home, I noticed Mrs. Penniman working on the flowers around her mailbox and we chatted. She remarked that her house was the first to be built on that side of the street. She told me they sold their home in Vermont, which was assessed at $70,000 for $45,000 just to get rid of it, but still had to pay a 5% sales tax! Her son still lives up there and owns 35 acres with a log cabin on it. Mrs. Penniman, who used to be a high ranking woman with the <i>Third National Bank</i>, said she asked someone at <i>Hampden Bank</i> about a new bond and the clerk said she didn't know anything about them. Mrs. P. said that when she worked at the bank, "If I'd given anybody an answer like that I would have been fired!" She then complained that all her husband will eat is french fries and burgers, if she makes him something nice he won't touch it. I said you have to watch out for the colon but she replied, "The way things are it doesn't really matter does it?" She said she believes he should enjoy what he can and I said that she is correct. <br />
<br />
Returning to my house, I dined on <i>Weight Watcher's Swedish Meatballs</i> and a tossed salad. I picked a lot of black raspberries again today. The mail brought no business card from Steve Warshaw. I called Dean Florian and told his answering machine to call me back. I then began reading Father's autobiographical manuscript to see if there is anything in it that I can use for the centenary of <i>Monarch</i>. <br />
<br />
<center><b>July 10, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and mild, 79 degrees at 12:30pm.<br />
<br />
George Bush addressed the NAACP today, dirty Dick Dole boycotted them in 1996. Mrs. Doris Cooper was a housekeeper making 25 cents per hour in Bethel, Vermont in 1933. Frank M. Wilson lived in Bethel in 1935. <i>Heinz</i> is making green ketchup because children want something other than red. Atty. Mark E. Salamone has a new commercial. <br />
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I lifted my 25 pound barbell with my left arm five times this morning, the best I have ever done. Weakling is making progress. I am wearing my black <i>Pathfinder Auto Body</i> t-shirt and my purple briefs with my red and black band <i>Century</i> brand oriental martial arts jock over it, plus my engineer's boots, shaved head with greased up apache cut plus my collar, padlock and dog tag. Then off I went to <i>Barnes & Noble</i> to buy a copy of <i>With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa</i> (1981) by Eugene B. Sledge. Lucius loaned me his copy and I found it good reading. I especially enjoyed the account of how the kid's parents didn't want him to drop out of college to go to officer training school with the Marines:<br />
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<i>Most of us felt we had joined the Marines to fight, but here we were college boys again. The situation was more than many of us could stand. At the end of the first semester, ninety of us - half the detachment - flunked out of school so we could go into the corps as enlisted men. Captain Payzant said he admired our spirit for wanting to get into the war. </i><br />
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That's as fine an example as you'll find of a young man's romanticism of war. Unfortunately, <i>Barnes & Noble</i> didn't have the book. They told me they had 1,500 <i>Harry Potter</i> books but they were all sold out and they were hoping for more by the end of the week. I asked the clerk Tom to see if he could find Gus Edwards in his computer and he could not. I then asked him to check my name in his computer but he could find none of my books. I did however buy <i>A New Key to Guatemala</i> by Richard Harris, <i>The Pleasures of Murder</i> by Jonathan Goodman and <i>Music Reference and Research Materials</i> (1996). I saw a volume on spiritual literacy, but it was $5.95 and I wasn't going to pay that. <br />
<br />
Nobody said anything about the way I was dressed at <i>Barnes & Noble</i>, nor at <i>Louis & Clark</i> where I bought three stamps and mailed a check to Allen Gold of the Appellate Tax Board in Boston. On the way home I also swung by the <i>Goodwill</i> at the X. When I got back, I saw that there were lots of phone calls from Unknown and one call from someone named Jeffery Chapell at 782-3693. Eamon called and said he is visiting his former supervisor from when he sold <i>Encyclopedia Britannica</i>, George Patrick Brennan, for a few days in Nahant where Brennan lives near the Howard Johnson family. I called Gouzanous at <i>Edwards</i> who said my <i>Microsoft</i> stock certificates will be along in due course.<br />
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The <i>TV22</i> noon news reported that Teresa E. Regina will be the acting superintendent until a replacement for Dr. P. Negroni is selected sometime next year. So we won't have a new superintendent by fall. One father killed another father at a hockey game and was charged with manslaughter. His attorney says he is "very remorseful' but I say lock the bum up and throw away the key. Two organizers of an S&M party in Attleboro have been arrested. I'd like to hear more about that. <br />
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<center><b>July 11, 2000</b></center><br />
Beautiful out, 71 degrees at 8am. Gas is $1.65 at <i>Mobil</i>, $1.59 at <i>Pride</i>.<br />
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<i>Tilly's Restaurant and Pub</i> is having a concert by the Jimmy Buffett cover band Key West Trio on August 19th. James L. Kemper was the President of the<i> Automobile Underwriters of the Lumberman's Mutual Casualty Company</i> in 1935. <i>The Insurance Center of New England</i> was incorporated in 1866. Few figures in legal history lend themselves to exciting biography as notably as Sir Edward Coke. <i>Coke's Reports in Verse</i> is the most conspicuous early volume of English legal poetry. <br />
<br />
Today I am wearing my lumberjack boots with purple topped socks, my purple briefs with the oriental jock over them and my very long purple and white striped shirt. I am a prisoner of purple. I went out to Wilbraham to pay my taxes on my land, but stopped at the Acres to get my <i>Ford</i> certificates out of my deposit box at <i>Fleet</i>. I noticed on the way that Mary Alice Stusick's immense mailbox (probably so large in order to hold sheet music and earlier, her father's medical stuff) has been vandalized and was lying on the ground. I also noted that <i>Sampson in the Acres</i> now has a new building backed up to some nice residences on Wilbraham Road who probably don't like it very much. <br />
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I arrived at <i>Fleet</i> in the Acres at 9:05am and the Wilbraham dentist's wife I met at <i>Reed's Landing</i> was there and we said hi. <i>Fleet</i> was serving nice cookies of regular size and pink lemonade. Why? Customer Appreciation Week. There was a line, but Reardon let me into the vault and I pulled out the <i>Ford</i> certificates while she waited. Out at 9:20am. I came through the <i>Goodwill</i> store, the prints of Indians are gone. I don't know when they disappeared because I haven't been in the <i>Goodwill</i> in a while. I bought stamps there and deposited my letters in the mailbox out front. I also bought a purple <i>Dunkin Donuts</i> 50th Anniversary t-shirt and a beautiful tye-dyed t-shirt of the old sort. <br />
<br />
Left there at 9:44am and then down to <i>Louis & Clark</i>, where I got today's paper out of the trash. Why pay more? A businessman cast a stare at my costume. Driving downtown along where the triangular Avalon block once stood, there is now a triangular park with a round garden in the middle and a sign saying it is maintained by the Hampden County Sheriff's Department and <i>Longmeadow Flowers</i>. Very nice. I parked on Salem at 10:20am and walked down the hill. I went into the <i>SIS</i> building, but there were no free <i>BusinessWests</i> at the Chamber of Commerce. I looked into <i>Fleet</i> downtown and they too were celebrating Customer Appreciation Week, but with danish so small they were a veritable dab of dough. I wonder if they're afraid that street people might come in for treats? I swung by City Hall to pay my taxes, and then to <i>Subway</i> where I got a deli sub from Shkena. <br />
<br />
Coming home, I ran into Mrs. Vickers coming down my street and we had a conversation. She didn't know that Mother had died, so I told her I would leave her an obituary inside her breezeway door. She said she is now 79 and her husband who worked at Springfield College is 82. I asked her if she likes the current Basketball Hall of Fame and she replied, "I don't, things aren't the way they were, it used to be like a family." Someone told her that <i>Figures & Fitness</i> was invited to come downtown to the Hall, but they refused. <br />
<br />
I told her that is the way downtown revitalization has operated for decades, enticing existing firms to come downtown where they soon fail. <i>StageWest</i> was one of the first they tricked that way and they soon wished they had stayed in West Springfield. <i>Gus & Paul's</i> and <i>Dunkin Donuts</i> came down, but <i>Friendly's</i> had the brains to get out and so did <i>Penny's</i>. Eamon's friend the tailor has regretted moving to <i>Tower Square</i>. <i>Monarch</i> got suckered into going downtown and they had the biggest crash of all. I gave her Eamon's phone number and she recognized his name as someone whose letter to the editor on the schools she liked. I mentioned the stadium fiasco and she said someone from Raipher Pelligrino's office came to her house to see if she really signed the petition against it. <br />
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In the mail today, Dean M. Florian, President of the <i>Insurance Center of New England</i>, sent me a $25 gift certificate and a letter saying, "I am very sorry that you were inconvenienced Saturday morning....I also totally agree with you that a complaint is a gift and was received in exactly that spirit by me." A fine, professional reply. It would be nice if the West Springfield Police Department also inquired, in any case, there was no way that they could say I missed the sign, there was no sign and the cop saw that there was none. The mail also brought my shipment of books from <i>Oak Knoll</i> and a bill from Bob Fleck. No Unknown calls today.<br />
<br />
<center><b>July 12, 2000</b></center><br />
Lovely day, 79 degrees at 1:50pm.<br />
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There was a big fire overnight in the block on the corner of State and Hancock across from <i>Walgreens</i> and abutting the Baptist Church. They say it was caused by kids playing with matches and apparently the tenants were all minorities. Once those were nice blocks. <i>TV22</i> News said the Supremes concert tomorrow at the Hartford Civic Center has been cancelled because they sold only 1,400 tickets out of 10,000. <i>Randall's Farm</i> is located in Ludlow, Massachusetts. Mary Ann Reardon is a <i>Fleet Bank</i> Customer Service Rep. at the Sixteen Acres branch. I have a balance of $51,685.80 at <i>Fleet Bank</i> in a CD at 8%. <br />
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Last night I was working on my 1969 St. George and the Dragon jigsaw puzzle. St. George is a special interest of mine and this puzzle was excessively difficult. I haven't done many puzzles since Mother died. I sat out on the breezeway in an elementary school child's chair while I worked on the puzzle. Today the trash collectors came by at 7am, then the street sweepers came by. I went out about 1:50pm and made copies. As I left, I saw a chipmunk disappear into a hole about a yard from where the magnolia was. <i>CopyCat</i> is charging only 3 cents for copies during the month of July as their Customer Appreciation gesture. Wish I had more copying projects lined up. I also paid 77 cents to mail my cheese complaint to <i>Food Mart</i>. After mailing the cheese letter it was 2:45pm. <br />
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My next stop was the Sixteen Acres Library, all dressed up in the same costume I wore yesterday with my oriental jock and purple shorts. The Sixteen Acres Library was passing out tickets for a free coffee at the <i>Goodwill</i>. I spoke to the supervisor in the Children's Room and she said they have no microfilm machine. I asked how large a staff they have on duty and she said the number varies but they usually have three on circulation, three on reference and two in the Children's Room. That makes eight. <br />
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I distinctly remember that in the mid-1980's, when I had just begun my researches into law and was reading certain of their reference books cover to cover, they sometimes had only two librarians on hand, a full librarian and an assistant to handle check-ins, of which Mrs. Pelto was one. At night, when kids were doing homework, they might have four in the form of a reference librarian, a children's librarian and two assistants on check-out. Gernerally, if the Reference Librarian was there another head librarian was not needed. Now, with twice as many, obviously the staff has become bloated with political patronage hires. When they moan about funding shortages, the Library Association never mentions the extent to which they have padded the payroll. Lean can be better but they don't think that way around here. <br />
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I left the Acres Library at 3:10pm, after glancing through the Yellow Pages of the Boston phone book for used bookstores. I went to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, and before I went in I checked the Rules and Regulations on the door and there was nothing forbidding swim trunks, so in I went. I think where <i>Old Navy</i> is now is where <i>McCrory's</i> used to be. At <i>McDonald's</i> they had no chicken nuggets on sale for 99 cents as advertised, but they offered me a fish sandwich instead which was just fine and I also bought a small order of fries. I sat down by myself at a table away from the center of things. In due course a couple of kids came by and asked if I'd buy them a pack of cigarettes. I said no and they made some jeering comment and moved on. <br />
<br />
As I was finishing up, I noticed a fat security officer staring at me off in the distance about 30 yards away. I continued to finish up and dumped my trash in the recepticle, noticing as I did so that the security officer was on his walkie-talkie. I left the mall in a leisurely fashion, and as I reached the car I saw that two security guards were running after me. The one in the white shirt did the talking, but the black fattie was with him. I asked his name and he said Tom and I told him my name was Jack. Tom told me that some women were offended by the way I was dressed and politely asked if I would wear a little more next time. That was the way he put it. This incident ended at 3:44pm and I was home by 3:50pm. I drove home behind a green <i>Cadillac</i> like Eamon's that said 32 V Northstar on the back. <br />
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While I was out Unknown had called seven times. No sign of my John Wesley book in the mail, but a nice letter from <i>Hein</i> and the <i>Boston Book Company</i> in Jamaica Plains. Also, got a lavish postcard from Leonard Ekkowitz of Readville, Massachusetts. I called Kelly and reminded her of the upcoming recycling days and to put her leaves out. She thanked me. I decided to call the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> and spoke to Tom. I told him I read the mall rules before I went in and there was nothing about shorts. He replied, "We can't post every single good behavior rule, if nobody complained there wouldn't have been any problem at all." I asked, "What if I come in tomorrow in an orange jumpsuit?" He said, "I don't think anyone will be offended by it, but if someone is offended, well, this is private property." I congratulated him on his politeness and he thanked me and that was that. <br />
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<center><b>July 13, 2000</b></center><br />
Getting warmer, 68 degrees at 7:30 this morning.<br />
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The news had something about building a new $600 million dollar particle accelerator. I wonder if cousin David Miller is connected with this? Marcella Uszynski was a Sales and Service Representative at <i>Fleet Bank</i> in 1996. <i>Fred Bassett</i> was one of Mother's favorite cartoons and today's comic had the rarely seen Tucker Twins. I think it is a British cartoon and I have more than once caught them running the same cartoon twice. Once I wrote to the paper about it, but received no reply. <br />
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A wrong number called looking for Michael. Dined on a tomato and cheese sandwich plus fruit and liquids. I completed the St. George puzzle in the early hours and to my utter delight all the pieces are there. It is a treasure and I'll display it on the board on the breezeway table for a few weeks. The black background of the puzzle was difficult. The previous owners of this puzzle ruled ballpoint pen lines across it in several places as an additional clue that the pieces are going in line where they should. I've never seen this technique before and I don't approve of it but it is a phenomenon to be observed. <br />
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I drove out around 9am and made copies at <i>CopyCat</i>, got veggies at <i>Angelo's</i> (not much). On my way I left <i>Art in America</i> and a couple of other things at the Cohn's. I also left the <i>Boston Herald</i> on Penniman's chair. I then came through the Boston Road <i>Big Y</i> where I bought nothing but should have because I have coupons. Then down to the <i>Freihofer</i> store where there was very little merchandise but I got a nice cherry pie (I should have gotten two). Then to the <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> to make a withdrawal and from there to the <i>Lowe's</i> hardware store seeking something to frost glass with. The service was ghastly. There was nobody but nobody in the paint department, but fortunately a man delivering paint and putting his wares on the shelf directed me to a woman in the next department. She said they have frosted film that you can stick on glass, but nothing that can be applied by brush. I thanked her.<br />
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I went to <i>Red Wing Shoes</i> and was waited on by a very sophisticated light-skinned Latino. Their lumber boots are still $212 and engineer's boots are $199. I paid a lot less for both last year on sale. From there I went to <i>Stop&Shop</i> where with coupons I reduced a $54 bill to $44 and stocked up on canned goods. I also bought a rotisserie chicken for $4.99. I went to the bulletin board in the lounge area where three old ladies were huddled, one wearing a White Street Elementary School t-shirt, and even with my defective hearing I overheard one say, "Look how he's dressed! Isn't that awful!" So that's what they thought of my apache haircut and biker jacket. The mail was here about 1:35pm and I got a letter from Social Security, a letter from the <i>Boston Book Company</i> and a check for $84.39 from <i>Fleet Bank</i> for interest. I was getting about $120 a month when I had my account at <i>Bank of Boston</i>. <br />
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<i>WFCR</i> says former Mayor Bob Markel lost out in the competition for Lowell City Manager. He is still one of three finalists for the job in Chelsea. Eamon called and he is back from Nahant where he was entertained by his friend the former head of sales for <i>Britannica Encyclopedias</i> in New England. They saw the tall ships from a distance. Eamon told me he just got back at noon and went straight to get fish and chips at the Greek place up at <i>Liberty Mall</i>. He says they are very good. I told Eamon about <i>Skooters</i> in Pine Point and he said he'll try it sometime. Eamon did some investigating into the city's bond rating. <i>Standard & Poor's</i> was at triple B and <i>Moody's</i> was worse at baa3. The newspaper printed only <i>Standard & Poor's</i> rating. <i>Moody's</i> told Eamon that although Springfield has a poor rating, West Springfield has a good one because "it has a more substantial tax base." <br />
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<center><b>July 15, 2000</b></center><br />
Lovely morning, 72 degrees at 8am. <br />
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Former President Gerald Ford is 87. Diane M. Way is Director of Sales and Marketing at the <i>Shelburne Bay Senior Living Community</i> in Shelburne, Vermont. At Colby, Danny Parish was a very meek fellow who I think died young. Classmate Hank Wingate's dad ran <i>International Nickle</i>. He was tall and personable but not the best of scholars. <br />
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My book <i>Curiosities and Law of Wills</i> sells for $40. My book <i>Legal Laughs: A Joke for Every Jury</i> (1993) sells for $48.50. In the old days, when <i>Edwards Books</i> was on the first floor of <i>Tower Square</i>, they had a much larger store. Today, on the second level, it is slimmed down but more selective, a more high toned clientele and is less crowded. They always had a better new books section than <i>Johnson's</i>. What <i>Johnson's</i> had was their wonderful used books section. Today I came across Mother's gallery of favorite cards, most of them from the 1970's. Wrong number Wendy Reardon from 782-8402 called looking for Jackie at 6:50pm. Unknown rang at 8:20pm. <br />
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I live in a four room house with an unfinished basement and attic with an attached garage. Wore my black dungarees and t-shirt today. I left home shortly after nine and sent mail to Jacqueline Newman and the <i>Boston Book Company</i>, <i>Acorn Books</i> and Leondra Exkowitz. I sent him some nice stuff but didn't invite him for a visit. Officer Phaneuf, now retired, was coming at a good rate of speed as he pulled into a parking spot at the <i>Breckwood Shops</i>. I greeted him as he was headed into the photo shop and he was friendly enough but said he didn't like my hair-do. Then I drove down Alden to Hancock, then up Hancock but there was a roadblock one block south of State Street, so I went up and down Eastern Avenue and out to the Square. The block destroyed by fire is not the block on State but just behind it, leaving a missing tooth as it were on the street.<br />
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On Taylor I saw David Allessio, who attends the auto park for city, standing out front reading a book on military affairs. I went into the <i>Phoenix Tobacconist</i> and the proprietor is a large man with whom I struck up a conversation. He told me that when <i>Monarch</i> went into bankruptcy they owed him $145.00 for newspapers and he had to file all kinds of documents before he was granted a fraction of a share in one of the derivative companies, which turned out to be worth 19 cents. I asked if he would sell it to me for $25 and he said he'll look for it. He was a supporter of the casino and baseball stadium, feeling that they would have helped his business. He also told me he hates David Starr and feels that downtown has no future. Part of the problem he claims is that the city is too concerned about doing things for minorities. I told him I would be visiting him again. <br />
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The photo gallery in <i>Tower Square</i> is getting new furniture. I walked around and told them it looked nice. Went over to <i>Fleet</i> and they still had mini-danish and coffee out for Customer Appreciation. Then into <i>Sovereign Bank</i> and Gadzilia was on her way to lunch carrying a sandwich wrapped in foil and a big bag of green grapes. The supervisor Scully cheerfully waited on me. I wandered through City Block looking in trash cans for today's paper and finally succeeded. The Hawaiian drink man was not around and the <i>Budweiser</i> trailer booth appears to have been left there permanently. There was a <i>Westfield Flowers</i> wagon and they wanted me to know that they deliver in Springfield. A vendor was selling hot dogs for a dollar at Court Square with a line of customers. <br />
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<i>Tilly's</i> had fifteen tables, 6 with umbrellas. Music blared from two speakers in front of Tilly's and I counted 26 people eating there. Ann Burke was there in a tight fitting black dress and Turin was around in a tan suit talking on a cell phone. I encountered Guizonis on his way to <i>A.G. Edwards</i> and he gave me a bright smile as I was scrounging for a newspaper in a trash receptacle. A fellow and girl holding hands went by on rollerblades. There were also people on bicycles riding past. I recognized Nader the Hatter's black friend walking by wearing a Panama hat. There was a black fellow fishing cans out of the trash barrels. A woman in a <i>Dunkin Donuts</i> waitress uniform walked past and said, "I like your hair." <br />
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I meandered down to the South End and checked out the set up for the Italian Festival. There were lots of food booths and the city's music shell was set up. But nothing was open yet, no literature or anything blowing around the street, not much to report. The Tony Scibelli statue looks great with nice flowers planted around it. Overall, business in the South End appears much healthier than in the core of the city's downtown. I walked back to <i>Tower Square</i> and City Block and noted that the <i>Glenn Law Offices</i> are off Main Street over a fancy men's clothier. I noticed how bad the woodwork is on that lovely Worcester Federal Savings Building. Inside, I found copies of a booklet about how basketball was invented at Springfield College. I noticed some kind of Consumer office presided over by an older black woman named Barbara, who was very reluctant to tell me who they were and what they were doing.<br />
<br />
On my way back to the car, I walked through the <i>SIS</i> building and there is a little pizza place there called <i>Buona Pizza</i>. I asked the woman working there whether the City Block events help her business and she replied that it causes "quite a cut" in their regular sales because the lunch crowd goes to City Block instead of her shop. I paused at the St. Francis Chapel, which may be closing, and said I hope they will continue their ministry because I enjoy hearing the Bishop talk there each year if the weather is not too bad. <br />
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On the evening news, Dan Elias on <i>TV22</i> said that the first in a series of speakouts on the baseball stadium was held last night and only a dozen or so showed up. However, they came up with seventeen viable suggestions from local residents of where to put a stadium besides Northgate. Eamon called and told me that a friend at the Department of Education told him that Education Commissioner Dave Driscoll is "a drunk who spends all his time in a Malden bar." Eamon was also told by his friend that that the Department is afraid of getting an audit and everyone has been warned not to talk to anybody. The Springfield paper reported recently that Mass Special Education has been "in longstanding serious non-compliance with Federal regulations" and they are attaching special conditions to the money they receive. Massachusetts is one of only four states with such restrictions. The paper said Driscoll couldn't be reached for comment. Eamon moaned, "Massachusetts is crooked and that's all there is to it." <br />
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<center><b>July 17, 2000</b></center><br />
74 degrees at 11am, warm and humid all day.<br />
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On the <i>TV40</i> news George Bush said he wants a vice-president with whom he can get along and who will be loyal to the administration. In other words, a Bush yes-man. I wonder if Bush is taking tips from his dad, which is how we got the stupid Dan Quayle. Al Gore was saying he will appoint Supreme Court Justices who support a woman's right to choose. I also support a woman's right to choose. Bush waffles on abortion. At Colby, Harmon J. Withee was a Springfield person but not a friend. He was a staunch member of the jock, anti-intellectual faction. Ellen M. McCue was one of the most respected women leaders at Colby, not fat, just very solid. Larry R. Mitchell and Samuel V. Hunt were also Colby classmates. <br />
<br />
The albino milkweed came up again this year outside my parent's bedroom window. It is small and fragile as always. Quite a bit of rain overnight and a little water got through the hatchway. Spent some time cleaning up down cellar and then went to <i>McDonald's</i> for hotcakes, no sausage. Copies of <i>The Churchwarden</i> were kicking around <i>McDonald's</i> and appears to be several sheets of nonsense. When I got back there was a <i>Ryder Truck</i> backed up to Lynch's garage. Mrs. Lynch told me they have bought a place in East Forest Park because they wanted something bigger. They sold it quietly, with no sign and nothing in the paper, to an unmarried man. Mrs. Lynch said the closing was Friday. I told her they have been wonderful neighbors. <br />
<br />
<i>Scholar's Bookshelf</i> cashed my check, but where are my John Wesley books? I have been doing some retrospective reading in my diary and found the <i>Northgate Plaza</i> auction prospectus from October, 1996 and I'll give it to Karen Powell. Went out again at 12:15pm to visit two Open Houses. First I dropped off a bag at the Vickers that included the basketball history booklet I picked up downtown the other day. 175 Sherwood is a mess and needs a lot of work. It might have been a nice house years ago but nobody has kept it up. It belongs to a member of the clergy who has been transferred to Pittsfield. 2415 Wilbraham Road is one of the older houses abutting the Armenian Apostolic's new church. It is real small but nice. I drove around the Sabis School and parked on Glenoak Drive while I was in the house. There's a new house going up in a vacant lot opposite where Tinkham enters Wilbraham Road. Finally, I went to a tag sale at 157 Prouty but they had nothing.<br />
<br />
When I got home, Claudia Koppelman's Jack McQuaide called saying all is well. He runs the office and handles the books, saying he and Claudia have "a relationship that works." He told me Claudia was at a bridal shower. Nancy called from Alan G. Vadnais (568-7725) and was gregarious as always. She said she is 46 and has been a real estate broker for <i>Landry-Lyons</i> for over two years. Nancy completed STCC as a medical assistant. I then called <i>Gordon Paving</i> to come and fill in the cracks in my driveway. Next I called <i>Sovereign Bank</i> and spoke to an easily audible Chris Matt about my account. He told me, "I'm not bringing up your social security number nor do I have your name." So there is another very sloppy bit of business on <i>Sovereign's</i> part, although I congratulated Chris on his politeness. Finally, I called <i>Edwards Books</i> and Ruth said they'll have my book about noon tomorrow. She'll call when it arrives. <br />
<br />
There is an interview in the business section of the paper with the female head of the Mass Department of Tourism, who says convention and business visitors are the least significant part of the tourist business. Eamon called and said Nader the Hatter sent him a letter with pictures of Florida. Eamon then remembered that the old Our Lady of Hope Church stood for many years after the current one was built and they held minstrel shows there in which Eamon used to perform. Eamon also recalled how there used to be a Father Cruise at Our Lady of Hope, but he never knew anything about him. He said Father Power had a brother who worked for GM and every year Father Power got a brand new Cadillac. Someone told Eamon that Cardinal Spellman was a homosexual who used his contacts at the Vatican to try to prevent Fulton Sheen from becoming a bishop.<br />
<br />
<center><b>July 19, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Sunny, hot and humid, 75 degrees at 7am.<br />
<br />
They had a big parade in England today for the Queen Mother's birthday. I'm really fed-up with British royalty. The Boston Red Sox have the most expensive ticket prices in all of baseball. President Caprio of WNEC lives on Seven Wagon Drive. <i>TV22</i> had a story tonight on the 65th anniversary of <i>Friendly's</i> with an interview with Curtis Blake. <i>Friendly's</i> has a new commercial advertising their "crispy clams." They were never a standard part of their menu in the past when Mother tried to get them. <br />
<br />
Springfield's baseball stadium at Pynchon Park burned to the ground in 1966. John Dellaria had a hair fashion shop at 26 Main Street in Amherst in 1987. Was up at 6am, did two loads of laundry, caulked the shingles over the hatchway, picked up twigs in the yard, picked four ripe blackberries, did the dishes, cleaned house and took a bath. Both <i> </i></p><p><i>The Reminder</i> and the mail came around noon. Dined on hamburger and some tomatoes on toast. Ruth called from <i>Edwards Books</i> and said my book has arrived, but I told her I would not be coming to get it today. Sara from <i>21st Century Associates of California</i> called and asked me if I have a net worth of over a million dollars. I told her to get lost. I then called <i>Abercrombie & Fitch</i> in Holyoke and told them they are overpriced and should be more like <i>Old Navy</i> or <i>Bradlees</i>. They hung up in my ear. <br />
<br />
I planned to visit Mrs. Staniski today but she was busy because Carol was coming over. The Sixteen Acres Civic Association held their monthly meeting tonight at the Church in the Acres on Wilbraham Road and I went. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss possibilities for a site for a baseball stadium and get an update from Al Karoack on Dr. Courniotes' request for a zone change for his property. This is his third attempt to get it rezoned so he can put up a big medical building. He is currently using his property improperly as he is supposed to live there but actually lives in Monson, so I am naturally against any accommodation of him. I left for the meeting at 6:45pm, bringing with me a can of hot chili for their food drive for the Open Pantry. <br />
<br />
As I came into the church I was greeted by Atty. Marshall Moriarty and his wife. Moriarty confirmed that the Basketball Hall of Fame is in trouble and desperate for money. I told Marshall that he can put his campaign sign on my lawn, but not one for George W. Bush. The Powells were standing off to one side so I chatted with them for a few minutes. Karen agreed with me that City Block is just a mask for the fact that there is absolutely nothing going on downtown. City Councilor Bill Foley arrived wearing a suit, but everyone else was dressed casually with Marshall wearing white shorts and sandals, as was his wife Sandy. She is a lovely person who told me she went to UMass. I asked Councilor Foley point blank whether he received the memo I sent him and he replied, "Yes, Attorney Miller, I appreciate that." Mr. Boyle also thanked me for what I sent him and told me about the Summer Reading Club. <br />
<br />
Mrs. McCarthy from <i>Discount Liquors</i> was there and later sat with the Powells. Richard Greenberg, a bright fellow, introduced himself and I gave him Eamon's number. At one point Foley asked the audience whether they should continue the effort to bring a baseball stadium to Springfield and most people raised their hands against it. Foley is the co-chair of the search committee with Stephen Clay. Other members include Tim Ryan, Brian Santaniello, Bud Williams and Bo Sullivan. <br />
<br />
When I got back, Eamon called and said he saw an airplane go by today trailing a banner for the Hall of Fame. I told him it must be April Fools in July. Eamon claims he got a lot of calls today from his phone editorial on the widespread truancy in the Springfield public schools. He also told me that he has been told that the Greek restaurant he was recommending the other day for fish and chips actually has a filthy kitchen. That caused him to recall the old <i>Ding Ho</i> Restaurant on Ferry Street, which Eamon once inspected for the city and says he never saw so many cockroaches. <br />
<br />
Eamon told me he was talking to an old Italian friend recently who used to have a tool designing place on St. James Avenue that has since relocated to machine shops in Agawam and West Springfield. He told Eamon that the Basketball Hall of Fame "is dead, they don't have any money." His friend claimed that the NBA doesn't want anything to do with them and their financial problems are far more serious than they are letting on. Eamon's friend thinks that the City Block events are "a feel-good, stop-gap measure to cover up for the fact that there's nothing going on down there." Eamon told his friend that the relocation managers and financial planners all know that Springfield is controlled by an insider clique that has wrecked the city's chances for economic development. Eamon's friend agreed with him and predicted that the new addition planned for the Civic Center "won't amount to anything" and added that other venues like the Eastern States have "gone past the Civic Center like they're standing still." I asked Eamon for his friend's name but he declined. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>July 20, 2000</b></center><br />
Lovely all day today, 68 degrees at 9:55am. <br />
<br />
President Clinton is in Japan, the news had Peter Jennings interviewing Eugene B. Sledge on the battle of Okinawa. The George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum's collection of Chinese cloisonne is one of the largest outside China. The local office of the Census Bureau at 1441 Main Street in Springfield is closing at the end of August. Susanne Woods is the Provost at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts. At Colby, Ann B. Tracy was black-haired and a classics English major. She dated Jerry Zietara. After Colby, she went to Brown and did a book about Gothic novels which I have. She now teaches in New York and is a correspondent of Gary Miles. <br />
<br />
Today I dined on a cup of yogurt and a <i>Healthy Choice Country Baked Chicken Dinner</i>. I used up the last picture on my film by taking a shot of Sweet Pea and Honey Pot among my Black-eyed Susans. I dropped off a paper at the Penniman's and materials at the Cohns, who were still eating breakfast. I saw the mailman turning around at the end of Talbot Road, he recognized me and waved. Then I went to the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> to get the paper, which had an article about Peter Picknelly wanting to build a hotel by the Basketball Hall of Fame. At <i>Louis & Clark</i> the new manager of <i>CopyCat</i> got in line behind me and said they do Ken Jorgensen's cards for him. <br />
<br />
Then out to the Acres to cash a check in my boots, jacket, collar and haircut. No problem. The bank manager is Sheila M. Nadolski, who said she used to work for <i>Valley Bank</i>. Then over to the Acres Branch Library to photocopy a postcard of the Billings Library in Burlington. The librarian, Nora Couture, told me that the Summer Reading Club kids get a free ride on Picknelly's boat if they bring a paying adult. Then I took several pictures of the front of the library on my new roll of film. I dropped my used film off at <i>Walmart</i>, which had signs all over the place promoting $200 off all rider mowers. Good thing Mother didn't see them as she wanted me to buy a rider mower, about the last thing before she died, but I dissuaded her. I was home by 10:20am. <br />
<br />
The mail came at noon and still no Wesley books. I called Chris Kilroy, vice-president of marketing at <i>Smith & Wesson</i>, but he was out to lunch. So I spoke with Director of Marketing Ken Jorgensen and he didn't know the answer to any of my questions. Unknown called. At 11:30am Eamon called and said that Mercy Hospital will be taken over by Baystate Medical Center in the coming months. He also wondered what the cost will be for that fancy brick guardhouse they are making at Forest Park. I recalled that the guardhouse they built at Harvard yard a decade ago ran over $100,000. <br />
<br />
We talked about the story in the paper about how Picknelly may build at the Hall. Eamon said the Hall of Fame is in a lot of trouble and they need Picknelly to bail them out. Eamon also said the closing of the St. Francis Chapel is as bad a blow to downtown as a business closing. Eamon recalled how the nuns at Cathedral always gave the athletes passing grades. He said once Monsignor Leary came to recruit him for the glee club so that he could be "more than just a barroom singer." Eamon refused, saying he had jobs after school and had to save for college. The nuns were displeased that he refused the Monsignor's personal request but Eamon never did join the glee club. <br />
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John Quill, perhaps the nation's oldest television meteorologist will officially retire from <i>WWLP-TV22</i> on August 12 when he marks his 84th birthday. On the <i>TV22</i> noon news Mayor Albano and Peter Picknelly were having a press conference about the hotel he wants to build and the <i>Pizzeria Uno</i> that Hurwitz wants to put in. Picknelly said the financing is almost all in place and "The project will go forward!" He will put up $8 million of his own money through <i>Monarch Enterprises</i>. <i>The Pizzeria Uno</i> will seat 200 at a cost of $2 million. Picknelly claimed that construction could start "as soon as August." Albano crowed, "It's just a matter of time before hundreds of thousands of people start flocking to Springfield. This city is about to explode with economic development." Beth Carroll made a blooper at one point when she said, "Springfield is the birthplace of Springfield."<br />
<br />
<center><b>July 22, 2000</b></center><br />
Beautiful, mild day, 68 degrees at 9am. Gas is $1.69 per gallon. <br />
<br />
Yesterday, Congress gave preliminary approval to open up the export of medicine and food to Cuba. <i>Woronoco</i> stock closed today at 11.18, which is way up. My diaries have the most complete account of the end of <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i>. Every cartoonist wants to draw a hippie, and today one appeared in the strip <i>Nancy</i>. I've noticed hippie types appearing in <i>Nancy</i> before this. On <i>TV22</i> I saw a commercial for <i>Mazda</i> that said "The meek shall inherit the dust," with a speeding car churning dust in your face. The line is a play on the Beatitudes and I would say it is not funny but disrespectful. In any case, it nicely illustrates how the texture of life is deteriorating and coarsening. Or maybe it is the other way around, the fact that we can joke about this suggests that we are becoming more civilized.<br />
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The fire at Brightwood Hardware in Longmeadow a few weeks ago has been determined to have been arson. This morning there was a fire around 7:30am that started in an electrical unit in the basement of the Country Inn and Buffet on Boston Road. I sometimes go there for corned beef on Thursdays, but not lately. The latest issue of <i>Law Technology News</i> is especially fat and actually had good reading material and not just a lot of ads. I'm sending it to Marshall Moriarty with my card stapled to it. Today is Issac Stern's 80th birthday. The radio began playing the intro to the <i>Rondo Capriccio</i> (which Mike Ouilette had down) but I had to leave. Went out at 9:30am and put the mail out at <i>Breckwood</i> and bought a paper. The Picknelly hotel announcement, surprisingly, was not the lead story and there were no architectural sketches. Got $7 worth of gas at the <i>Cumberland Farms</i> by OLSH.<br />
<br />
Then over to Mrs. Staniski's, whose flowers were not watered and the ground was dry. I called out and she came to the door, friendly as usual. She said she had quite a time with the oil burner people and doesn't know what it will cost, but will pay it because she needs hot water. I wanted to tell her that her mother heated kettles of hot water on the stove, but didn't because she would've doubtless replied that the steam from the kettles would heat the house to an unbearable level in this weather. I did tell her she should have gotten the price in advance and warned that you can't do business like a Methodist Sunday School teacher. I asked if there was anything I could do for her and she asked me to water the flowers that were in the shade. That was easy. As I got in the car, she came out with a batch of cookies she made. She also told me she is quite delighted with the Agatha Christie paperbacks I brought her. <br />
<br />
From there I drove into the city and parked on the Salem end of Eliot. The Spanish Baptists were putting up their signboard and a chubby man, probably the pastor, was supervising. I told him about the 16 Acres Library being Richardsonian Romanesque and explained why. He was friendly and thanked me graciously. On Mattoon I ran into Warden Jones, looking lean, hair still black and neatly dressed. He said they found a tumor in the area of his nose and although it was benign he decided to have it removed. The radiation knocked out his teeth and he lost a lot of weight. We had a more cheery conversation as we as we walked down to Chestnut together and I said I hope he values me as a friend. <br />
<br />
I stopped to see the <i>Phoenix</i> tobacconist but he hasn't found the <i>Monarch</i> stock certificate yet. I told him that the name listed as Executive at <i>Monarch</i> is Kevin McAdoo and their legal counsel is John S. Coulton. It was about 11:00 when I arrived at <i>Tower Square</i> and the gallery was open. They had a ship painting featured, and like virtually everything in that gallery it is mediocre, unexciting and who would want it? I predicted to the clerk that it will end up in a landfill eventually. I went into <i>Edwards</i> and got my book. About 12:10 I bought a deli grinder from Shkena at <i>Subway</i>. She was working under the supervision of an older, white woman in a purple top. I told her that <i>Subway</i> is my favorite grinder shop. There were no posters on the bulletin boards downtown worth taking today. <br />
<br />
At the City Block, at the <i>Learn and Earn</i> wagon they were selling water, candies and popcorn. I saw several people eating popcorn so maybe they have learned and started to earn. <i>Bravo</i> newspaper had a little metal table set up for distributing their rag. <i>Tilly's</i> had 16 tables set up with 53 chairs and six umbrellas advertising <i>Coors</i>, <i>Bud Light</i> and <i>Bud Ice</i>. Burke and Turin were standing around <i>Tilly's</i>. In due course someone started passing out free bottles of <i>DaSani</i> water from <i>Big Y</i>. A UPS worker parked his truck down on the corner of Harrison. Atty. Payne came along in tan clothes and sun glasses. Guizonis from <i>A.G. Edwards</i> walked by and we chatted briefly. He is somewhat of a yesmanish individual but I have no doubt that he is mostly sincere. <br />
<br />
Atty. Berman with a rough beard went by with another man. He paused to ask, "Are you alright?" I said I'm fine and offered him a free water bottle but he wasn't interested. He wished me a nice summer. I counted noses at 12:20 and there were 137 present, no counting those just passing by. One of those walking past in a tan suit was former Mayor Bob Markel. I shouted, "Did you get the job, sir?" He gave me a big smile and replied, "They haven't decided." Somehow I suspect he will not get hired as city manager. There were no cops anywhere. The <i>Johnson's</i> back building has had it's face cleaned and some painting done. I wonder if the bank has bought it? Home at 12:55pm. Unknown called while I was away. <br />
<br />
The mail brought a <i>Fleet Bank</i> credit card offer, but as a preferred customer shouldn't I already have one? Eamon called and said it must be hot in Florida, which reminded him that he should call Nader the Hatter. Eamon complained that he has had a hard time reaching Charlie Ryan and wonders whether Ryan is out of town on vacation. Eamon said he read in the paper that 39 people were at the baseball meeting the other night in the Acres, but I didn't see that in the paper. Eamon suggested that Picknelly's new motel is aimed primarily at businessmen and Big E goers, and if they also go to the Hall of Fame than all the better. Eamon claims there are rumors that the <i>Pizzeria Uno</i> by <i>Stage West</i> will close, which is just another nail in the coffin of downtown. He predicted that the new Hall of Fame will siphon business out of downtown and this is just the first example. <br />
<br />
<center><b>July 24, 2000</b></center><br />
Lovely day, 68 degrees when I went out at 9:45am.<br />
<br />
Tiger Woods has won the British Open with the best score in history and has won all the major tournaments this year. So what. Actor Robert Downey Jr. is serving three years for repeated drug violations. Susan Kaplan did the news this morning on <i>WFCR</i>. I currently have $1,024.71 in my <i>Fleet Bank</i> checking account. My bank statement came today, but no checks were enclosed. There may be other difficulties. I'd like to get out of <i>Fleet</i>. If they mess up everybody's account as they have mine they have quite a mess on their hands, but it may be good for the workers because they can get lots of overtime. <br />
<br />
Dined this morning on tomatoes on toast. First thing today I typed a complaint demanding restitution, compensation and cancellation from <i>The Scholars Bookshelf</i> in the matter of the seven volumes of Wesley's works I ordered June 8th and which have never arrived. On the way out, I dropped off for Lucius a basketball history leaflet and the <i>Harvard Gazette</i> in his breezeway door. Dined on pancakes without sausage at <i>McDonald's</i>, where the price has gone up from $1.35 to $1.45. They had a special on Egg McMuffins, which are cheese, egg and bacon, for 99 cents. A very macho, short, fat, black man was picking up the floor and really banging chairs, trash receptacles and worst of all, grabbing all the newspapers and throwing them away. <br />
<br />
From there I went and mailed the letter to <i>Scholar's Bookshelf</i> at <i>Louis & Clark</i> and bought gas for $1.61 per gallon at the adjacent <i>Sunoco</i>. I also got some nice veggies from <i>Angelo's</i>. When I got home, I called the <i>McDonald's</i> on Allen Street and spoke to the manager Carlos about the noisy behavior of their black employee and he replied politely enough, "I'm sorry about that, I'll talk to him." A man with a British or Irish accent called from <i>Stockbytes Photos</i>. I thanked him for their catalog but asked him not to send anymore material. Unknown called at 9:40pm and was ignored. <br />
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For supper I dined on another <i>Healthy Choice Beef Tips Dinner</i>. Eamon called and said he tried to call Nader the Hatter but his answering machine doesn't work, it rings four times and then just hangs up. Eamon told me he has taken almost $100,000 out of <i>United Cooperative Bank</i> and will withdraw another $25,000 soon. He is transferring the money to an account he has in a New Hampshire bank. Eamon then went on to recall how former City Councilor Paul Mason was a good friend of Bill Putnam. Mason's son was briefly a weatherman for <i>TV22</i> but got into drugs and no more was heard of him. I told him about J.G. Holland. <br />
<br />
Eamon went on to complain that the Springfield Police Department is the largest in the nation for a city this size and has no accountability or supervision. He said there is an organizational chart but no one follows it. Everybody has their own agenda "and for too many that's drinking beer and eating donuts." Eamon believes there should be only one cop to a cruiser (I don't necessarily agree with that) and there should be stricter supervision so they know where their men are at all times. He further denounced the police for having 29,000 outstanding arrest warrants and one of the highest violent crime and domestic violence rates in the country. Eamon declared that enlarging the Police Department "didn't reduce crime any more than an aspirin would cure cancer." <br />
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<center><b>July 25, 2000</b></center><br />
72 degrees at 7:30am.<br />
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<i>Keenan and Molta Associates</i> is in Southwick, Massachusetts. Robert P. Molta is the President. Today's <i>Nancy</i> comic has Sluggo dressed in full leather. Took the little tough guy a long time to find his duds. <i>The Reminder</i> was here first thing in the morning. Cleaned house. When I opened the dumpster to put in the morning trash I found a <i>Bud</i> 6-pack holder with three empty cans that someone had neatly and thoughtfully placed in it. The mail brought no correcting documents from <i>Fleet Bank</i>. I did get a postcard inviting me to City Block downtown. <br />
<br />
I called ARISE to speak with Michaelann but she was out on a three week vacation. No one else at ARISE knew when the demo against the death penalty is, so I called the Council of Churches and they didn't know either. Finally I called Atty. Linda Thompson and she said it will be tomorrow from noon until 2pm at Court Square. She said she has a meeting at 12:30 but may still catch some of it. I then called ARISE and the Council and informed them. A bothersome call from came from J.P. Turner in New Jersey but I told him by broker is <i>A.G. Edwards</i> and that was that. A call from North Carolina from a Mrs. Marty McKinney called from <i>Double M Enterprises</i> asking me what I do for a living. When I said I'm a lawyer she said, "I don't think I'd like to work with you" and hung up. Ha! I picked up a call from Unknown but there was no voice on the other end. <br />
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I found out in the paper that <i>The Odyssey Bookshop</i> at the Village Common in South Hadley is having an Open Poetry Night hosted by Efrain Martinez tonight, sign-up at 6:30pm. When Mother was alive I couldn't have gone, but today I saw it as a good opportunity to dust off my <i>Johnson's Bookstore Funeral Ode</i> and give it a public hearing. Tonight I wore my logging boots with black pants covered at the crotch with my red jock strap and purple briefs, exactly what got me thrown out of <i>Riverside Park</i> last year. I wore my collar and chain, dog tags and vaselined Apache haircut sticking straight up. I also wore my black t-shirt with the slogan, "I Have an Attitude and I Know How to Use It." A really neat looking queer. <br />
<br />
Dined on <i>Wheaties<i></i></i>, pork chops and and salad for supper. I left the house at 5:15pm and and arrived around six. As I walked in I saw Alvin Paige purchasing about ten art books worth $250 on a purchase order from AIC. We greeted each other cordially, he even called me Wesley, which is not bad because we've only met a couple of times. Paige had his right hand in a sling of some sort, he said he injured it while working on one of his artistic projects. Joan Grenier, the daughter of the old man who used to run the <i>Odyssey</i>, was there and most friendly. She told me that next week Boston poet and UMass MFA alum Diane Wald will read from her new collection <i>Lucid Suitcase</i>. <br />
<br />
The poetry reading was upstairs with about twenty people in attendance. The host E. Martinez began by reading one of his pieces and then called on others to read off a list. I was called third and my poem was well-received and loudly applauded. I was followed by a teenaged girl who read her poem <i>Are You a Hero or a Zero?</i> about opposing bigotry. It was well done. She said she was Italian but had Irish red hair. There were poems read next by an Oriental woman and a guy wearing a band t-shirt that were not as interesting. Also reading were a couple housewives and a chubby woman with short hair who said she was a lesbian. Most didn't speak up as loudly as they should have, public speaking is an art too many lack. <br />
<br />
Before I left, I gave an autographed copy of the <i>Ode</i> to Joan, Martinez and Paige. I also bought two books from the store, Lee on <i>Guthrie and the Trinity Episcopal Church</i>, hot off the presses, and a 1932 edition of <i>Drake's Fairy Book</i> in good condition. There was also a beautiful volume of Bryant, which I already have. There were a number of autographed books, a lot of authors pass through there. They have a tiny assortment of used books and I noticed that several were former Springfield City Library books, including Hopper's <i>The Fire and the Hearth</i> (1864) and <i>Autumn Musings</i> by Elizabeth Hazard (1874). Although the event was three hours long, I didn't have to go to the toilet once, although I didn't drink a lot of liquids today.<br />
<center><b>July 26, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Overcast this morning, 71 degrees at 8:30am.</p><p>I am pleased to announce my election to the Wisdom Hall of Fame. I am very much flattered and deeply appreciative to those who made this possible. As a certified wise-guy I am sharing my wisdom with you. <br />
<br />
In the news today, the Mideast peace summit has collapsed. This is the 10th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act. The percentage of disabled people employed has not improved in the decade since the law was passed. A case of the West Nile virus has been found in Jamaica Plain, the first in Massachusetts. There is a beautiful picture of ladyslippers on the front of today's <i>Boston Herald</i>. <br />
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<i>Five College Radio</i> had something on about a Joann Simpson of West Springfield being arrested for the theft of Japanese woodblock prints from the George Walter Vincent Smith Museum. There has been shrinkage in Quad museum collections for years and nothing was done about it, now they have finally pinched somebody. <br />
<br />
Unknown called at 10:50am. I drove into the city just about 11am. It was raining slightly when I parked on Salem. The Hispanic Baptist Church has their new sign up with the name of the church in removable letters. Down on Mattoon on the odd numbered side there were papers spilling out of the trash into the street. When I stooped to pick them up, I saw they were from a lawsuit by my former neighbor Nancy Fleury. Her lawsuit, dated July 1996, was against Grace Tucker of Swampscott and was over a 1993 car accident for which Fleury was seeking $25,000 in damages. Fleury's attorney was William G. Scibelli of the Law Offices of Salvatore J. Scibelli. Frank Yesu was also with the firm. I gathered the papers up and took them with me. No posters were on the kiosk and no set up at City Stage for noontime entertainment. However, there was loud music coming out of the speakers in front of <i>Tilly's</i>. <br />
<br />
I walked over to Court Square, where seventeen people were gathered for the anti-death penalty rally. However, we were told that it had been cancelled due to the rain and would be held next Wednesday. Alan Wilcox was talking with a person I recognized as a <i>Northgate Plaza</i> supporter from Forest Park. Darnell Williams was there, impeccably dressed. We chatted a bit about the Police Department's foolish arrest of Minister Mohammad. I said it was the best thing that could have happened to the black community, that Muhammad was obviously targeted by the police and now we have this wonderful issue. Darnell was very cordial. <br />
<br />
Since the protest was postponed, I went over to <i>Subway</i> and got a deli baloney sandwich. There was a sign in the door of <i>The Court House Barber Shop</i> reading, "CLOSED - Had the pleasure of serving you over 50 years! Thank you, Leonard. P.S. I'll miss you too!!" From there I went over to the <i>Springfield Marriott</i> for the seminar by <i>Whitney Internet Services</i>. It was a good presentation, but the audience was small with only 26 present. After the break there was only half that. I have seen seminars like this packed to overflowing so this must have been a real disappointment. It was conducted by four street smart looking young men in their twenties, the speaker named Paul was especially good. I learned something about websites and the book they were selling looked good. <br />
<br />
When I got out about 3:30 it was damp but not raining. I was home by four after having some difficulty getting today's paper. Nobody at <i>Breckwood</i> had any left (<i>Sunoco</i> said they were sold out by 2pm) and I had to go to the <i>Newsstand</i> in the Acres which had two papers left. I was glad to get a paper because I wanted to read the latest about the Hall of Fame and the theft at the G.W.V. Smith Museum. The mail brought no Wesley books or word on them.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>July 27, 2000</b></center><p>Lots of rain overnight. This July is one of the coolest on record. <br />
<br />
In a major setback for pro-gay activists, the United Methodist Church declared homosexuality as "incompatible with Christian teaching." <i>Napster</i> has been told they have to close down their copyright infringement facilitating music website by Friday night. <i>IBM</i> is restructuring their retirement plans to screw their employees. I always considered editor Richard Garvey a blow-hard for calling his paper "the newspaper of record" for the Pioneer Valley. <br /></p><p>Parking costs $2.00 per day at the <i>Tower Square</i> garage. Finished reading Sledge and he makes a good case for the nuclear bombing of Japan having actually saved both American and Japanese lives. <i>City Block</i> was on the news, it wasn't sunny but not actually raining at noon so they they had an <i>OREO</i> cookie stacking contest. The winner was a little boy who stacked 19. </p><p>Spent two hours on the estate this evening going through Father's dresser. The top drawer had his hearing aids, glasses and a little inexpensive jewelry. The middle drawer had underwear, all in good shape, a lot new. Bottom drawer had bed coverings, at the bottom of which I found a bag from <i>Robin's Handbags</i> of 14 Vernon Street. In the 1970's I made a gallery of Springfield paper bags and periodically I have added additional items as they turn up. In the old days there were a lot of little shops around downtown which had a narrow front and a deep store. This one may have been a store like that, I have no idea, but Mother always bought only specials, so they must have attracted her with a sale. <br />
<br />
I also found a 1969 appointment card from <i>Harris Pharmacy</i> at 139 Chestnut Street. Father retired from <i>Monarch</i> in 1971. I found a sheet of exercises for knee rehabilitation in his dresser. There was also a brown leather folding case with <i>John W. Miller</i> imprinted in gold on it in small letters. Inside, there was a file, a comb and a little pair of scissors. Father must have carried it on him often because it was very worn. I saved the file and scissors and cut out the part with his name on it and unceremoniously dumped the remainder in the trash.<br />
<br />
Called <i>Music Art Collectibles</i> and asked them to send me their catalog featuring Beatles and Stones stuff. I called the Basketball Hall of Fame this morning and spoke to Norma about speaking to the Director of Development. She said that Scott Zuffelato is not in today but got me Amy Benoit who helps out. However, all I got was Amy's voicemail so I hung up and called Norma back and told her I wanted to speak with a real human being. She said she would page Amy and she came on the phone almost immediately. I did most of the talking, but Amy did admit that the Hall is having trouble raising money and that it is unlikely that they will get all the retail partners they were hoping for. <br />
<br />
I talked about life memberships and said I would buy one for $500 that would give me lifetime free admission, souvenir shop discounts and a newsletter a couple of time per year. I told her I have no interest in basketball whatsoever, but I am very interested in historic preservation, art and anything they touch upon. I spoke of the importance of the Hall building relationships with people like me and should consider all that I can do for them. I mentioned Eamon and our critique of things, gave her his number and assured her that I want only to help them.<br />
<br />
After several tries, I got through to Susan Whitney from <i>Whitney Internet Services</i>. I told her how I felt they did a good job on their presentation at the <i>Marriott</i>. I speculated that the low turnout was due to poor advertising on their part, as personally I didn't find out about it until the morning of the event. Susan and I were suddenly disconnected, and so be it. These types of people always hang up when I ask smart questions. Mitchell R. Briarwood of Ludlow called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. Unknown called at 5:25pm but when I picked up the call was voiceless.<br />
<br />
Received a nice thank you letter from Ken Jorgensen of <i>Smith & Wesson</i>, I'll send a copy to Dickie Drysdale at the <i>Herald</i>. I also received something from the The Milton Society. I went out around two and bought a paper after dropping off the Randolph paper at the Penniman's and a couple of magazines at the Cohn's. Mrs. Cohn was sitting at the table eating and the car was not in the garage. <br />
<br />
Ellen Chang on <i>TV22</i> mispronounced the word clandestine. Dined tonight on a <i>Healthy Choice Colonial Chicken Pie</i>. Eamon called and said he finally got in touch with Charlie Ryan. He told Eamon that he thinks that "this city is a mess!" I told Eamon about my call to the Hall and he described the Hall of Fame as "a very ordinary rectangular building." Eamon also told me about his military marksmanship training when he was stationed by the Great Lakes. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>July 28,2000</b></center><br />
Overcast, 66 degrees at 8:30am.<br />
<br />
<i>Hagar the Horrible</i> is drawn by Dik Browne. <i>The Optical Shop</i> was located at 141 Bridge Street in 1955. <i>The Valley Hearing Aid Center</i> was located on the ground floor of 9 Pearl Street in 1967. Father bought hearing aids from from both Mercy Hospital and <i>Sears</i>. He didn't like the one from Mercy but the <i>Sears</i> one was fine. Dr. Hugo Cuadra, a Costa Rican, was Father's regular physician after Dr. Popkin retired. He used to talk like, "Meester Meeler, Meester Meeler." I have so many things I collect, such as a fabulous ladyslipper image from the vacation edition of the the <i>Randolph Herald</i>. I gave the rest of the paper to the Penniman's, but I had to keep the picture. <br />
<br />
I began the morning by getting ready to write to <i>Fleet Bank</i>, but then discovered my last statement is just a statement for my former <i>Bank of Boston</i> account. So I prepared an even nastier memo for <i>Fleet</i> and made copies of it for 3 cents each at <i>CopyCat</i>. Steve Hays was there and waved hi. From there I went straight to the 16 Acres branch of <i>Fleet</i>, which was closing for good that very day. Daniel A. Marini had a dumpster outside his office with Marini himself in jeans and a black top with a bottle of <i>Advil</i> on his desk. The pictures were still on the wall, but boxes were piled on the floor. I told him he is a good fellow and wished him well. I also called out good wishes to the tellers as I departed at 10:50am. <br />
<br />
I drove into the city and parked on Salem under a tree that dripped goo all over my while I was gone. I trotted down to the <i>Fleet</i> by <i>Monarch Place</i>, where there were zero posters on the kiosk. At <i>Fleet</i> the boss lady was on vacation, so I spoke to business banker Gregory T. Musante. He gave me a receipt on a piece of letterhead and said he'll see that the appropriate department gets my complaint. As I came out of the bank Shkena from <i>Subway</i> was standing on the sidewalk talking to a friend and she said the buns should be ready so I went into <i>Subway</i> for a deli-baloney. The banner out front said it is now under new management. <br />
<br />
When I left it was only 11:30am, so I hung around the City Block mall and watched the musical act setting up, a father and son with electronic drums. When I asked the dad he told me he's out of business cards and his kid told me that he's eleven years old. <i>Tilly's</i> had only five umbrellas up. I saw Bob Turin and another man carrying food into the <i>Bank of Boston/Sovereign</i> building. They were carrying milk crates filled with veggies and who knows what else. The music started at noon but very few were present. I counted noses and got only 75 including the 27 sitting at tables in <i>Tilly's</i>. <br />
<br />
A couple danced to the music in front of <i>PCX</i> (the Pocket Change Exchange) at 1402 Main, the new hip clothing store but to me so much like all the others. Hurwitz paraded past in a maroon top and chinos, but I pretended not to notice him. A little radical lady I've seen around was coming from Harrison Place and I gave her a cheery hello. She asked where my orange jumpsuit was and I said I'll be wearing it with full regalia at Wednesday's anti-death penalty rally. I noticed that the former <i>Johnson's</i> has rearranged their window display. <i>The Factory Outlet</i> flowers are still in the left window by the <i>Johnson's</i> entrance, but the window next to the <i>Cafe Eurasia</i> has a Save the Mountain display promoting the website savetheholyokerange.com with posters, bumperstickers, pictures and maps.<br />
<br />
From City Block I went up to the Quad, where the parking lot was full of Connecticut visitors so I parked on Eliot. I looked up Edward Wynn, who I am amazed to learn was the heir to Narcissus Luttrell's house and library. Luttrell is of course one of my heroes for his collection of dated materials. Next I went over to the G.W.V. Smith Museum to see the cloisonne exhibit. The joke is that the hall that has the cloisonne in it has been stripped to just one case with about ten pieces all crowded together although jazzily presented. The young black guard and I chuckled about the arrangement but he said some of the pieces were taken out of storage for the exhibit. He showed me a gigantic bronze of a tiger with Buddha riding atop it and said that was his favorite piece. I told him the elephant with the urn atop it is mine. He told me the museum is a good place to work, although it can be boring at times. I looked at the Native American pieces in the MFA and then left by way of the bridge exhibit in the Pynchon building. <br />
<br />
On my way back I stopped at <i>Big Y</i>, where I bought lots of frozen food on special. When I got home, the Lynch's were out packing the <i>Ryder</i> moving truck. Mys. Lynch was nowhere in sight, but I promised to send them a farewell letter. There was a big blue <i>New York Times</i> bag hanging on my garage door. It was from Irv Cohn returning two books. He still has the Felix Frankfurter and Judge Judy books. I called Cohn to tell him I found the bag he left. I was tired so I took a nap and when I woke up I had a <i>Stouffer's Veal Parmigiana Dinner</i>. <br />
<br />
It had been a very long day, but I wanted to go back downtown to see NRBQ, a band for which I have posters going back many years. I parked in front of the liquor store on Chestnut and walked down the hill. By the bus shelter by the <i>SIS</i> building I found a <i>Champion's</i> heavy sweatshirt hanging on the edge of a trash receptacle where somebody had abandoned it. I took it and moved on down Main. The music shell was pulled up to the end of the Harrison Place building with a tall white panel truck nearby. There was a tent in front with a loud sound mixer. When I arrived at just about 7:30pm there were not quite a thousand people present, a good crowd. There were 33 people in line at the <i>Bud</i> beer wagon and 32 lined up by the hot dog stand. It was not a crowd that reached to Court Square or even to <i>Westfield Bank</i>. There was a good crowd around <i>Tilly's</i>. The front door to <i>Cafe Eurasia</i> was open and there were ten or so customers inside. <br />
<br />
I ran into activist Brenda Branchini and her tall husband, who told me the city is charging her $50 to have her business removed from their list of city businesses. She refused to pay it and promised me she will eventually resume her political activities. I saw Nicholas Fyntrilakis in a light blue open collar shirt talking with Gerald Phillips in a brown plaid shirt. I also saw STCC President A. Scibelli sitting at at a table in <i>Tilly's</i>. There were other politicians around as well. I should have told them that downtown needs tables like they had at Winchester Square when I was a child where old men can play chess. Downtown could also use a few water fountains. <br />
<br />
The band was introduced by Mayor Albano, who called NRBQ "the best band in all of America." That is probably not true, but it was a good concert. I like NRBQ for their variety and versatility, at one point incorporating a harmonica and trumpet. At one point I heard someone complain that the band was so loud they couldn't hear themselves speak. Lately I've been watching children at play and how they create their own fantasy worlds and devise their own games. I saw young men skateboarding on the ramp in front of the Civic Center and at one point I sat on a bench behind the music shell and watched a little girl skip rope. I saw two little boys swing themselves around and around a tree.<br />
<br />
At 8:45 there were 46 in line for hot dogs and 40 at the beer wagon. There was someone walking around with a bucket of roses and appeared to sell some of them. At 9:20 the band left the stage, then quickly returned for an encore that ended right at 9:30. The concert was as fine a cross section of society as I have ever seen in Springfield, all kinds, more men than women, not many children. There was a lot of litter in the streets, not many cops around but there may have been some plain clothes officers. I saw Turin as I was leaving, carrying a bottle of water. <br />
<br />
<center><b>July 30, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast all day, rain in the evening. <br />
<br />
Lots of talk in the news about the West Nile virus. I dumped my bird bath long ago, but to me Kelly's fish pond is a problem. The vocal music group Chanticleer, winner of a 1999 Grammy Award, will be performing at Old First Church on October 1st. Charles E. Page is the Artistic Director for the Music at First concert series. The repaving projects on State Street and Plumtree Road are completed. The intersection of State and Spring was an awful mess of potholes but is now nicely repaired. The high beams on my car don't seem to work at all. <br />
<br />
Harry Steinberg was the manager of <i>Sonotone of Springfield</i> on Bridge Street in 1968. 1046 Wilbraham Road is the <i>Breckwood Professional Building</i> and it has been empty for some time and has large sumac trees growing up around it. It has a peaked portico at the front and pillars, a cheap little building really. I never did know who or what was in it. <br />
<br />
In the morning first thing I wrote a friendly farewell note to the Lynch's. On my way to <i>Angelo's</i> I delivered it to Mrs. Lynch who was out mowing the lawn around 10:40am. Mrs. Berselli is having her driveway repaved. I have to make an appointment to interview her. There was a crew of men cleaning out the Petzold house. I asked if there was going to be a tag sale and they said the old lady is barely alive and all her stuff is being junked. Too bad. Next I went to the <i>Big Y</i> for more frozen stuff on special. I also got an order of fish and chips that's good for two meals. Forget to mention that first I went out to the <i>McDonald's</i> on Allen for an Egg McMuffin and then to <i>Angelo's</i> for veggies. <br />
<br />
When I got back, I did two loads of wash, the dishes, vacuumed and took a bath. Tonight I dined on a <i>Swanson Yankee Pot Roast Dinner</i>. Eamon called and said his friend McNulty of the local building trades is mad because so much city construction work is going to non-union people. Eamon also talked about his friend Dan Pease who ran a costume place on Worthington Street. Unknown called at 8:21pm but I didn't answer. <br />
<br />
<center><b>July 31, 2000</b></center><br />
69 degrees at noon. <br />
<br />
Junior Achievement of Western Mass is located on Benson Drive in East Longmeadow. <i>Cambridge Credit Counseling</i> is located in Agawam. <i>Star Press</i> is located in Holyoke. <i>The Valley Hearing Aid Center</i> was located on Bridge Street in the lobby of the <i>Kimball Towers</i> in 1975. Priests Anthony Donahue and Andrew Ducles live in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Today I came upon this old Camp Norwich songbook from the 1950's:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVS0qM0OE48i7pnu0UAGVf7hCoiH_qiJCb-wrhSTlWZvDNKCqvp2rQ7Tut382NHcf4V9iVWxTsRJqoPRIyR3_hevA2Rp8rDprWCMlya02RXIvynqPhePlagO8_7mFxXt_h5sv8RJxsrTE/s1600/norwich.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVS0qM0OE48i7pnu0UAGVf7hCoiH_qiJCb-wrhSTlWZvDNKCqvp2rQ7Tut382NHcf4V9iVWxTsRJqoPRIyR3_hevA2Rp8rDprWCMlya02RXIvynqPhePlagO8_7mFxXt_h5sv8RJxsrTE/s400/norwich.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<center><i>O, Norwich, fair Norwich,<br />
tis a name known to fame in days of yore, <br />
May she ever be glorious<br />
till the sun shall climb<br />
the heavens no more.</i> </center><br />
I was brought up in an environment that was, what shall we say, overly protective. Mother was very much concerned that I not get hurt, so I didn't get bumped around as I should have. On the other hand, 60,000 did get killed in Vietnam, and had I died there then there is a great deal of productivity I would not have produced. I have always had a sense that I was here to produce something special and not necessarily something that was moneymaking, but something needed that nobody else would bother to produce.<br />
<br />
Got up at 6:15am, tucked my jeans into my logger boots, black fleece with hood outside my leather jacket, collar, vaselined my Apache and parked downtown right in front of the Spanish Baptist Church. I tumbled down the hill to the 7:10 Mass at the St. Francis Chapel. Today is their last day with final services at 7:10 and 11 and closing for good at noon. I attended both services with some snooping around downtown in the interim. There were various religious freebies on the counter when I came in, one with virgin misspelled "virgen." You would think they could do better. <br />
<br />
I didn't hear much of the 7:10 service, led by a jovial, chubby, bald friar type who mumbled. We closed singing <i>Joyful We Adore Thee</i>, a Protestant hymn, but without musical accompaniment it took me awhile to recognize it. They have an organ, it is a fully equipped church, but I have never known the organ to be used. I counted about 75 people present, some young, some old, no children of course, an equal number of men and women. No one in suits. The jeans and frizzy faced architect I sometimes see around was in front of me and turned around to say hi. <br />
<br />
These were ordinary people, many of whom may depend on that church. I put a dollar in the basket, I saw change but there were mostly dollars. I picked up some of the concluding ephemera, including a list of former priests, the schedule of services for the last week and a well worn copy of their Novena prayers, so well worn that one of the staples were gone. A little woman in the congregation told me that they are closing today and I may as well take it as the books will be thrown out. I thanked her saying that I'm a Methodist and came because I thought it would be nice if they had a Protestant at their last service! <br />
<br />
When I got out of the service at 7:50, I wandered around downtown. The lights inside <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i> were on and most of the trash cans along Main Street were empty, except for the ones on Market and in front of the <i>Bank of Boston</i>. I got four posters off the light posts on Columbus Avenue. The bricks on the sidewalk in front of the <i>Civic Center Convenience</i> store are buckled, the fancy fix-up of the 80's is now falling apart. An older man in a topcoat and hat crossing Court Square knocked a piece of trash onto the brickwork. He didnt try to pick it up but said to me, "The City sure has gone to hell." To which I replied, "So that means I have gone to hell too." He then declared, "You're an honest man," and we walked on. I watched him from a distance and he was parked on the Square in front of the church.<br />
<br />
I walked up toward Memorial Bridge and crossed Columbus Avenue and saw that there is a parking lot where the railroad yard used to be. I asked the dark skinned native of India in charge who owns the lot and he said Peter Picknelly. I counted units on a <i>Conrail</i> train going south, three engines and 40 cars, no caboose. Parking there is only $40 per month or $3 per day, when across the street in the Municipal garage it's $110 per month for reserved spots and no daily rate except for those serving jury duty. <i>The Sheraton</i> parking lot is $2.50 per hour. I walked into Riverfront Park, hoping for Puerto Rican ephemera from over the weekend, but the trash cans were empty. <br />
<br />
I looked in on <i>Dunkin Donuts</i> in <i>Baystate West</i> but each time it was loaded with customers. I finally gave in at 10:30 and paid 60 cents for a single jelly donut, then returned to the chapel for the service at eleven. TV cameramen were there, but I know not where from. The celebrant this time, Father John E. Mahoney, was younger and had a good voice with an articulate manner. I heard most of what he said. The 11 o'clock service was well filled, I counted 160. <i>Joyful</i> was not sung at the end of the service. People were advised to go to the Basilica of St. Stanislaw from now on, but that is way up in Chicopee. <br />
<br />
Today was the last day of <i>CopyCat's</i> customer appreciation month. I made a mountain of copies of all the documents I mean to donate to the Historical Society of Wisconsin. When I was a child, I had my tonsils out, but <i>22 News</i> said that new procedures make that unnecessary. Also, there was a story about how retired cop Bob Caplette now has a business called <i>Homewatch</i> to look after your house while you're out of town. Hurwitz was on the news saying that the renovated Civic Center will be "the economic engine that will move the city and the region forward." Blah, blah, blah. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he was in East Otis over the weekend with his nephew who is a consulting engineer. His nephew has a cottage there and they went boating and fishing. The nephew told him that the Rebecca Johnson School is only ten years old and is a mess due to poor maintenance. He also told Eamon that the Hall of Fame is 'grimey." Eamon told his nephew that his friend Casella told him that the Hall could've been built for a third of what the city paid for it. <br />
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-65659311533088567712015-07-08T17:42:00.007-04:002024-03-15T13:32:51.039-04:00August 2000<center><b>August 1, 2000 </b> </center><p>I'll blow the whistle if I see a foul. Whistle-blowing is the highest form of public service. <br /></p><p>Keith Martin and Jeff Haspin teach computer courses at <i>Whalley Computer Associates</i> in Southwick. The Petzold house at 101 Birchland has a dumpster outside where the old lady's belongings are being unceremoniously dumped. Nothing is being saved, but I'll bet there are things that should be. There was a tannish jeep like vehicle over to Hansen's yesterday, maybe Susan's? <br />
<br />
Out at 9am and there was a buzz saw going over at Kelly's. Brian Simpson in shorts was making a very handsome workbench. He looks like a good, friendly, regular fellow who is a good catch for Kelly. I bought the morning paper telling about how the legislature did not approve the money to upgrade the Springfield Civic Center. </p><p>Then I dropped off some material for Mrs. Staniski. I showed her the leaf of my diary (December 7, 1996) with the picture of her cookie in it. I told her to tell her grandchildren about my diary because when I'm gone they'll want to read it because it has stuff in it about their family. She then said she wanted my advice about something. <i>Noonan</i> is her oil supplier. They put a new valve on her oil tank and it leaks worse than ever. They say she needs a new oil tank for $350 and over $400 for the installation, which comes to about $750. They said there may be additional costs as well. I told her she should get estimates from <i>Punderson</i> and <i>Grimaldi</i> and then decide. <br />
<br />
Next, I drove over to Eamon's house. He returned my books and gave me a big bag of stuff he had saved for me, including a 1941 San Quentin guard badge. It is brassy and good looking. He said he just finished reading the <i>Cabinet of Irish Literature</i> books and found them "very enlightening indeed." Eamon says his brother in law is going to work on fixing his telephone. From there I picked up my books on John Wesley at the post office, a lovely set of books almost worth waiting for. I've got to stop buying books as I now own about everything I want. <br />
<br />
After that, I got on the highway and drove up to <i>Odyssey Books</i> in South Hadley. I ended up buying two volumes in one of William Cullen Bryant's <i>Forest Hymn</i> and <i>In the Woods</i> for $40. Although published in 1824, the beautiful leather binding is in good shape. <i>Odyssey</i> has four bookcases on the second floor dedicated to other dealers, one of which is the former proprietor of <i>The Globe</i> in Northampton. One of the books they had was a Springfield City Library discard of the poems of A. Conan Doyle for $35. <i>The Big Y</i> in South Hadley has a sign up saying they're hiring. I stopped there to use the toilet and a person outside said it's only a year old, so basically a new store. Inside they have a <i>Woronoco Bank</i> and cleaner toilets than the ones at <i>Big Y</i> on Boston Road. <br />
<br />
While I was out, someone called from <i>Mars Auto Sales</i> in Chicopee. Tonight I listened to the Republican Convention. There was too much militaristic patriotism, John McCain is maybe too good a soldier. Longmeadow lawyer Bruce Colton, a McCain delegate, was interviewed by Dan Elias. Condoleeza Rice, the young black woman, was superb. The Republicans are lucky to have her. I like what I see of Bush, but I don't like dynasties, partly because I detest the shabby Kennedy dynasty. <br />
</p><center><b>August 2, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast and getting more humid.<br />
<br />
The Sons of the Confederacy veterans organization convention starts today. <i>Clear Channel Springfield</i> owns <i>MIX93.1</i>, <i>WHYN560</i> and <i>WNNZ640</i>. Neil Novik and Joan Grenier own <i>Odyssey Bookshop</i>. <i>W.B. Mason Office Supplies, Furniture and Printing</i> is located in Auburn, Massachusetts. <i>Themistos & Dane</i> is a full service accounting and business advising firm with offices in Springfield at <i>Monarch Place</i>. <i>Telecom Management Services</i> are at 1331 Main Street in Springfield. <i>The Valley Hearing Aid Center</i> was located in the <i>Kimball Towers</i> in 1971. On February 14, 1962, Mother received a white, wool knitted sweater from Aunt Alma Olmstead. I found it recently wrapped in plastic in the attic, carefully labeled and never worn. <br />
<br />
I came across a letter to the editor today from Thurston Munson to the <i>Sunday Republican</i>, January 16, 1994. Vince McCorkle of Mercy Hospital was smug on the news over a report that the cost of medical services at Baystate is twice as expensive as in Boston. Bob Robinson the photographer was interviewed and asked whether he feared his cell phone would give him brain cancer. Robinson responded that he is not worried. <i>WFCR</i> said the bacteria in the White River just south of Bethel has been cleared up. They also had a story about how women who were abused as children frequently have anxiety and depression as adults. Mother was very anxious and uptight and enforced her will by tantrums, so maybe abuse was more of a feature of her childhood than she ever admitted. <br />
<br />
No water has come in the cellar despite all the rain we've had, my caulking has at least temporarily done the job. The tan jeep was over to the Hansen's this morning, there was a man around 40 unloading it. I drove out around 10:45am and dropped off the <i>Boston Herald</i> at the Penniman's. The garage door was open and the breezeway unlocked, but their car was gone. I then spoke with Mr. Cohn, who was out sitting in the rolling chair with the handle breaks. He said the chair actually belongs to Mrs. Cohn, but she doesn't use it. He confided in me that he now has to wear a girdle to keep his tummy in. He also said the white car in front belongs to his relatives visiting from New York state. We discussed politics, and he expressed concern that the country is becoming too conservative. <br />
<br />
From the Cohn's I went down to the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> and put out some mail to Aunt Martha, the Community Foundation and a birthday card to Maureen Beck. I then drove downtown and parked behind the Quadrangle. I walked down the hill and hand delivered my job application to Telleha Lopez at the Community Foundation. I then continued on to <i>Subway</i> for a deli-baloney grinder. They were setting up tents at the farmer's market. From there I crossed the street to attend the anti-capital punishment rally at Court Square. <br />
<br />
At noon there were about 80 people present, that's not as many as at the Saco and Vanzetti gathering. The audience was somewhat fluid with people coming and going. I was wearing my collar, orange correctional outfit and lumberjack boots. A good looking radical if I do say so myself. They had a good public address system and I didn't miss a syllable. The first speaker was Mayor Albano, who was followed by Sister Annette McDermott representing the Diocese of Springfield. She declared that "official Catholic teaching no longer considers the death penalty acceptable." She said the Bishop would have been there as well as Msgr. Slezak had they not been on vacation. She was followed by Sister Jane Morrisey, President of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, who quoted John Donne, "Death thou shalt die." The rest of the Sisters of St. Joseph were standing in the audience holding a banner. The camera people from the TV stations left after the nuns spoke. <br />
<br />
At this point Steve Root arrived and stayed a long while. Tom Oppenheimer was there at the start but soon left. Rev. Kelly Gallagher from the UCC First Church of Northampton was next. Kelly is young and vivacious and was a little nervous to start, but after she got going she was a good radical kid, declaring that "Capital punishment is a political tool by which we can legally rid ourselves of those who make us uncomfortable." A black man Charles Stokes was next to speak at 12:55pm. He said he spent 13 years in the Massachusetts penal system and said blacks are being imprisoned "at an enormous rate." At that point two cops on horses appeared, the same time as a pig-tailed John Thompson did. Stokes went on to claim that Amherst is named after "the man who invented biological warfare." I shouted, "Tell that to the Society of Colonial Wars!" <br />
<br />
Darnell Williams, a black man wearing a gold tie, spoke next. He strikes me as sort of pompous and dull and he is definitely not a radical. It was like he was trying to act like a respectable white man instead of a black. He also mispronounced several words. Williams was followed by Bill Newman, a young lawyer in a tan suit who is Director of the local ACLU. He talked about the Gilbert case and said, "The death penalty appeals to the worst part of us." Ken Dunn spoke briefly and was followed by Joanne Cumberfield talking about the Interfaith Prison Pilgrimage. Linda Thompson then arrived and asked me if I wanted to speak and I said no. <br />
<br />
While Caron's aide Leon Gaumond was speaking, I spotted Picknelly's political consultant Anthony Cignoli pausing briefly to listen and then he left. At that point Jarrold Thompson from the Ralph Nader for President campaign came up to me and I told him he could put a sign on my lawn. Also speaking was Norman Townsend, who spent 18 years on death row, followed by a woman whose brother was murdered in front of the <i>SIS</i> at the Fairfield Mall in 1971. Walt Everett, a white bearded Reverend from Connecticut said, "Forgiveness has everything to do about feeling good about ourselves." Rep. Benjamin Swan spoke and promised, "I will never vote for the death penalty." He said, "We have Democrats here and maybe even a few Republicans"( I cheered). Swan was followed by libertarian Alan Wilcox, who called for an end to the War on Drugs, which caused myself and John Thompson to cheer and clap. <br />
<br />
A chubby Michael Lindberg from ARISE delivered a good speech which called Governors Cellucci and Bush demagogues, declaring that "any politician for the death penalty is a liar and a crook." A real cute little black kid in a purple top, Nancy Gallman, delivered the shortest speech by simply standing up and saying, "I don't believe in God but I do believe in the truth." Later I praised her by telling her, "Brevity is the soul of wisdom." Leslie Haynes, short, plump and obviously sincere, spoke with a nasal voice and a snotty attitude so I left at 1:40pm, sorry to miss John Thompson. As I headed back, a band was playing at City Block and about 75 people were listening. Not many considering that the band was quite good. There I saw white haired Carlo Marchetti, of whom little has been heard lately. I remember him hissing at me in the alleyway behind <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i> once. <br />
<br />
J. Oczkowski called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i> and said she was sorry. Somebody else called and I answered professionally, but they were silent yet stayed on the line. Finally, I hung up. Cooked up some native corn from <i>Angelo's</i>, but it was only so-so. Eamon called, and he claims that poker and blackjack are games at which the player's intelligence can make a difference. We talked about Commerce becoming an International Baccalaureate Program school. Art Gingras told Eamon that Commerce only has a couple of teachers capable of handling such students. Eamon recalled how several years ago he gave Gingras a third grade reading book and suggested that he have his students read from it. Gingras reported back that a lot of the kids couldn't handle the reading material.<br />
<br />
<center><b>August 3, 2000</b></center><br />
Hot and humid, 76 degrees at 9am.<br />
<br />
From October 21 to November 10th the Interface Prison Pilgrimage will walk to the major prisons in Massachusetts to vigil, pray and call for a more humane response to crime than incarceration. The local contact is Sister Clare from the Peace Pagoda in Leverett. Father's official retirement date from <i>Monarch</i> after 42 years was November 30, 1971. Retirement was mandatory, but Father didn't want to stop working so he applied at <i>Mass Mutual</i> but was turned down. <br />
<br />
<i>Friendly's</i> stock is down to 4.11. There is a large community garden on Central Street, fenced, on the left as you come up from the city. Bob Turin of City Block was on <i>TV40</i> saying they have had record crowds even though they had to cancel two concerts because of rain. Turin was interviewed by female reporter Alison Maloni. <i>Frosted Wheaties</i> has a free offer of <i>Sports Illustrated for Kids</i>, so I joined in the name of Ambrose Miller, born April 2, 1986. <br />
<br />
I am currently doing some retrospective reading in this diary. The lilies by the backdoor are coming out. The Hansen house had a little white shaded light in the window last night. I called <i>Byron's</i> in the Square and Judy answered and will have a Director call back to discuss the sealing of Mother's urn. I then called <i>Barnes & Noble</i> and asked if they had any titles listed under J. Wesley Miller and they said they could find no books under that name. Next I called Judith at the <i>Union-News</i> and she said they would send me their latest copy of the <i>Belden Report</i>. I also called the Five College Women's Research Center at 538-2275 but no one answered. <br />
<br />
I then called Aunt Maria's and the phone rang eight times before cousin Shirley answered. She was friendly, but not forthcoming with information, listening politely but that's all. I asked her if they ever go out and she said they just got back with some "take-out scallops, your Aunt loves scallops." I said yes, but she especially likes lobster and I reminded her that lobster is now in season. She said they tried to get lobster rolls at <i>Stop&Shop</i> but they didn't have any. She also told me that Bonnie's poison ivy has cleared up. I told her that I hoped my next book would be about Vermont feminist Mary Waller. One thing she did say was that she has found a clipping about Sharon Hall being in the top 10% of her class in 1960. I told her that I think I already have that clipping in my files. I also told her I'm gay, to which she responded with silence and then changed the subject.<br />
<br />
<i>The Springfield Newspapers</i> often exaggerate crowd numbers, like the number they said attended Gordon Oakes' job speech, the number that attended the final mass at St. Francis and the time that Bill Zajak failed to get the correct number of booths at the <i>Big E</i>. Bill Doughty is the security guy at WNEC who delayed me on April 4, 1998, the day after I made an anonymous phone call to President Caprio. I don't like dynasties. I remember when old "read my lips" Bush was running and his wife Barbara behaved waspish and politically incorrect. She was awful. Young George (a much rougher gem than his brother in Florida) appears to be a phony all cleaned up by media consultants. <br />
<br />
Dined this evening on <i>Stouffer's Swedish Meatballs</i> and canned beets. Eamon called and said he is delighted with his pop-up calendars from <i>Graphix</i>. He told me about one Stephen Burke, a fireman and marine, who he said told him that firefighters have a lot of time to read and make food and that some of the firefighters are wonderful cooks. Burke went to law school in Connecticut and just took his bar exams. Eamon also recalled how Bill Putnam's father had a nice place in Petersham out by Quabbin. He then launched into his typical attacks on the Springfield police, describing them as "burglars in blue who are worse than the mafia." <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 5, 2000</b></center><br />
Lovely, mild day, 75 degrees at 12:20pm. <br />
<br />
On <i>WFCR</i> Susan Filopoli of the Communications Department at Auburn University, said she thinks Sen. John McCain's address to the Republican Convention was something he was given to read rather that something he prepared himself. Certainly that's what Bush's speech was. Rick Lazio is the Republican Senate candidate running against Hillary Clinton. I can usually get two meals out of a <i>Big Y</i> order of fish and chips. <br />
<br />
I was out at 2pm and chatted with the Allards as the street sweeper went by. Mrs. Allard said she thinks the Lynch's were renting. Later, Jozephczyk swept all the dirt the city left behind in the street. That the kind of man Jozephczyk is, a good man! I also dropped off reading material for the Cohn's and Lucius. Coburn was out mowing his lawn and there were two little kids over to Kelly's playing with a white dog. I saw the new neighbor Jonathan M. Salvon out, so I parked next to Nichol's Forest and we chatted. He had a very handsome red business card revealing that he works for architects <i>Kuhn-Riddle</i> in Amherst. Salvon is unmarried and grew up in East Longmeadow. Then I made copies, mailed my complaint to <i>Acorn Books</i> and then went over to <i>Angelo's</i> where I ran into Fred Whitney in the parking lot. He greeted me cheerfully. Next I made a deposit at <i>Ludlow Savings</i> and cashed the <i>Woronoco</i> check. <br />
<br />
Elizabeth Lehman of the Five College Women's Studies Research Center, located in the Dickinson House at Mount Holyoke College, returned my phone call today. I told her of my interest in Mary Waller, but she replied that she had never heard of her. I said that Mary Waller was an educator and the author of more than twenty novels and it's a shame that she isn't a household name among woman's studies scholars. Lehman said she will look into it and notify me if they have any material in their files about Waller. I am sending them some of my info. <br />
<br />
Senator Brian Lees had his <i>Golden Gathering</i> today with over 100 organizations and businesses participating. Eamon called and noted that he has a clothes dryer but not a dish washer. He also complained that the guy next door to him always parks his jeep in the same spot. Eamon claims that the Mayor's new Consumer Protection Office is just an excuse to create more jobs for political appointees. Suddenly he had to hang up because someone was knocking at his door. <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 6, 2000</b></center><br />
75 degrees at 1pm. It starting raining at 4:30pm, just a shower but pouring. <br />
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Today, August 6th, is the 55th anniversary of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima which killed 140,000 people. War is war and that is the way to fight them. <i>The Union-News</i> this morning said the groundbreaking for the new Basketball Hall of Fame will be next July. Been reading past diary entries, which takes a while because I cross index and note loose ends. <br />
<br />
Out at 9:45am for an Egg McMuffin at $1.04 from <i>McDonald's</i>. Then I came home at 10:30am and did some gardening, picking a quart of ripe blackberries off the bushes out back. I left again at 11:30am to bring the berries to Mrs. Staniski. I passed Durham Caldwell working on his lawn and slowed down to shout hi and he waved back. Going up Aldrew I passed Lucius and his wife on a walk but they didn't notice me. When I gave Mrs. Staniski the fruit she said that when she was a kid she would pick berries twice as big in the woods and get paid $2 for twenty baskets. <br />
<br />
Dined on a pork chop, potato and salad today. I called <i>Lortie Realty</i> and told them that their sign at 1671 Wilbraham Road is covered with bushes and so is invisible to outbound cars. I also asked when they are having an Open House there. Claire connected me to Steve Lortie, and he told me they haven't scheduled an Open House because they are "swamped with business." He told me the price of the property has been reduced to $129,000 from $143,000. I told him I hope he is not upset by my constructive suggestions about his business. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and told me that he intends to go down to <i>Hampden Bank</i> tomorrow to close his checking account and empty his safety deposit box. "It's awful the way they do business," he complained. He then described former Mayor Tommy O'Connor as "very smart" but never on time for anything so people secretly called him Tardy Tommy. Eamon says his friend Feinstein the leather dealer is divorced and living with his girlfriend in Enfield. He said his girlfriend used to work for John Lindsey in NYC as a municipal planner and he called her "a very intelligent woman." Feinstein is thinking of moving his leather business to Enfield. <br />
<br />
I asked Eamon if as a Columbia graduate he could help the <i>Valley Advocate</i> win a Pulitzer Prize. He said he knows a Lynelle Hancock, a Professor of Journalism down there, whom he once spoke to about Dr. Negroni. She told Eamon that she couldn't believe that Springfield would name Negroni Superintendent of Schools since at the time he was hired there were five different investigations of him underway in NYC. She also said that Negroni received more publicity in the New York media than anyone else who wasn't an elected official. I told Eamon that the only reason we prevailed over the stadium scam was the unique combination of the Powell's CANE, the <i>Advocate's</i> Turner and Vannah, Charlie Ryan, Devine and just plain luck which allowed The People to win for once. It was certainly the <i>Advocate's</i> finest hour and they deserve a Pulitzer for it. Finally Eamon agreed to make some phone calls. He calls all over the country for other things, let's see what he does here. <br />
<br />
Eamon said he gave money to Lazio's senate campaign in New York, politically Eamon can be quite generous. Eamon then told me that Tony Ravosa's wife has a brother in Boston who's an architect and that Tony's brother Anello is gay. He then discussed how the wife of Gingras the teacher works for the architect Schenkelberg, who is a close friend of Peter Picknelly. She doesn't like working for him because Schenkelberg is always asking her to run personal errands for him and his wife on top of her regular duties. Eamon then recalled how he once asked Charlie Ryan what Joe Napolitan has ever done for Springfield with his connections all over the world and Ryan just stood there mute, unable to think of a single example. <br />
<center><b>August 8, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Overcast and humid, 73 degrees at 7:30am. <br />
<br />
On this date in 1974 Richard Nixon resigned the presidency. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, a critic of the Clinton scandals, has been tapped as Al Gore's running mate. He will be the first Jewish vice-presidential candidate. Lots of forest fires out West. </p><p>The cost of the Big Dig has risen to $14 billion dollars. The Diocese is forgiving Sacred Heart's million dollar debt. Diane Goncalves is the Administrator at the Ring Health Center on Bicentennial Highway. <i>Stop&Shop's</i> manager George Miller is on vacation this week. Jodi Fearebay lives in Southwick. There was a disturbance downtown by the newspaper and post office where an observer said the manholes popped ten feet into the air and flames licked out of the manholes. <br />
<br />
A squirrel is making a nest in the backyard Maple. I also saw a brown rabbit hopping cautiously along the back lawn and then disappeared into Colleen's thick hedge. No cars next door last night or today. Charlene called and said she'll send me 2 free trial issues of <i>Fortune Magazine</i>. Fred Aldrich of <i>Byron's Funeral Home</i> called and was very pleasant. He said he can seal Mother's urn with an epoxy that will make it impossible to reopen once sealed. I replied, "I wouldn't want it any other way." I called Mrs. Staniski and she said she is wilting in the heat and "sitting here reading Agatha Christie is all I can do." <br />
<br />
Fred Whitney called to ask if I wanted to work at the polls this November. I said I don't think so and that I don't think I'll make it to the Republican picnic either. I told him to tell Moriarty he can put one of his Governor's Council signs on my lawn. I called Rep. Caron's office and got a courteous Leon G. who said he saw me at the death penalty rally the other day. He further informed me that Jerrold Thompson of the Nader campaign goes to Springfield College and was an intern in Caron's office last year. Leon is always more cordial than Christian at Senator Lees office. Finally, I called Belle-Rita Novak about returning my books but she said she was not finished with them. <br />
<br />
My parents bought cars, all Fords, in 1935 (Lizzy) 1949, 1953, 1957, 1966, 1973 and 1985. The 1966 car was Mother's favorite until it was ruined by a repair shop in Ludlow. Before Father died we were always great purchasers of pretty greeting cards. My parents carefully selected each Christmas card and at Christmas time our mantle was festooned with cards, some even hanging from the light over the dining room table. After Father died, we bought fewer cards. Going through Mother's things, I found a bag containing Mother's favorite cards. I have arranged them in a display I call <i>Mother's Gallery of Favorite Cards</i>. I am rereading for the first time the portion of my diary covering when Mother was dying. It is clear that Aunt Maria's mind was getting feeble and confused. Mother was absolutely convinced that Dr. Mullan had been negligent to her needs. Mullan is a mass production doctor, okay for healthy people to come and pay fees, but not for sick people. <br />
<br />
There will be a fundraiser June 24th for Bobby Pass, a West Springfield kid who has muscular dystrophy. <i>The Reminder</i> says there will be an Open Mic poetry reading at <i>Odyssey Books</i> on August 15. I guess they liked the results of the first one. Went out at 9:05am to put out a pile of mail at the <i>Breckwood Shops</i>. I saw Mrs. Allard and told her what a nice new neighbor Jonathan S. is. Mr. Power has just installed a cute little cupola atop his one car garage. It also looks as if the new roof is finished. I got peaches and salad at <i>Angelo's</i>, followed by a trip to <i>Food Mart</i> for a rotisserie chicken and other goodies. <br />
<br />
Someone on <i>WFCR</i> today said that that "the hallmark of Clintonism is that one's political agenda is the highest goal in life." To me, the advancement of learning is the highest goal. <i>TV22</i> had a story on the Breast Cancer Malpractice Institute. Also on <i>22</i> Patti Smith had a story asking <i>Is City Block a Boon or a Bust? The Business Community Weighs In</i>. They had the manger of <i>Subway</i> saying that their business is up 20% because of the concerts, but <i>Cafe du Jour</i> were unimpressed and Alice Babcock, Vice-President of <i>Westfield Savings</i> said they were disappointed in the turnouts. Turin said there were crowds of up to 5,000 for the evening concerts, but I doubt it. I counted only 1,500 for NRBQ. Turin came on saying that City Block was "meant to revitalize downtown" but admitted that "some businesses are still hurting." <br />
<br />
Commissioner David Driscoll was booed by the Mass Teacher's Association yesterday as he praised the testing program for children. Eamon is a member of the Disabled American Veterans Commanders Club. Usually Eamon calls me, but today I called him to find out how things went at <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i>. He had just gotten home and said he closed his account, but at first they had a hard time confirming that he even had an account. He told me, "My general impression is that the bank is all screwed up." He did tell me that the bank has bought all of <i>Johnson's</i> back buildings including the cracker factory. As for going downtown, Eamon said "I get depressed whenever I go down there."<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>August 9, 2000</b></center><br />
Raining, 77 degrees at 7:30am.<br />
<br />
I've noticed that some people battle boredom at the <i>Holyoke Mall</i> by playing board games. The Free Shakespeare Project is presenting <i>As You Like It</i> at the Forest Park Amphitheater. The Second 2 None Car Club Summer Jam is being held at the Hampden Ponds Hall in Westfield across from <i>Froggies Bar and Grill</i>. The colonial at 1671 Wilbraham Road was built in 1951. I am continuing to re-read this diary over the period of Mother's last illness. <br />
<br />
Was up at 6pm, watered the plants and stood in the middle of Birchland Avenue watching the day come alive. Saw the shades come up in the Coburn's bedroom at 6:30 and he left about 7am. Saw several on the street roll out their dumpsters just before the truck came by. I spotted Irving Cohn outside and he told me he doesn't see DeRiso much but she still teaches at WNEC. At 7:15am I drove over to Mrs. M. Staniski's and left some magazines by her back door. Eamon said the other day that he was a good friend of former Sheriff John Curley, whose clambake he said used to cost $25. I called Sheriff Ashe and got Mike Sullivan in the Sheriff's office. He said this year's clambake will be August 22nd at <i>Riverside/Six Flags</i> and costs $40 per ticket. Food will include hotdogs, hamburgs and clams but no lobster. <br />
<br />
The mail today brought a thank you letter from Mrs. Staniski for the blackberries I gave her. I also got a letter from <i>Lortie Realty</i> which misspelled my name as "Weslie." I called Mercy Oncology and got Patty. I asked her for Mother's medical record with Dr. Stark and she said to come in and fill out a form. I then called Mohammed P. Handani's <i>Laser Surgery</i> and got Mindy who's in charge of their records. She said I can have Mother's records if I send a note requesting them. Finally, I left word with John T. Quirk that I would still like the items related to Muriel and Howard Lynch, which he first offered me back in 1998 at a meeting of the Tuesday Morning Music Club but never sent. Around noon I was on the toilet when Kenneth Martin called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. I shouted, "No, but I was on the toilet!" After ordering him to never call again, I slammed down the phone. <br />
<br />
Dined on <i>Stouffer's Veal Parmesan</i> and a tossed salad. Eamon called and said the latest copy of <i>BJ's Wholesaler Club Magazine</i> has an article on sports halls of fame in it. Eamon told me he's mad at John McCain for becoming a toady for Bush at the Republican Convention. He claims McCain finished fifth from the bottom of his Annapolis class and no doubt used political pull to get in there. Eamon also said that because he himself has a 100% service related disability Eamon gets free medical care, including free dental and eyeglasses. He says he earned it but admits that a lot of vets are worse off than he is. Eamon then discussed the argumentation and debating skills he learned at Amherst College and said that public speaking is a neglected course of study. At the end Eamon said that "Springfield politics is like a horse's neck, not a straight bone in it."<br />
<br />
<center><b>August 10, 2000</b></center><br />
Sun out, 79 degrees at 1:15pm. Gas is $1.59 at the Acres <i>Pride</i> station. <br />
<br />
There was a lightening and rain storm overnight around 3am. A Bob Herbert column in the paper Wednesday reports on a study on education reform in Texas. It seems that in response to a lawsuit Governor White asked H. Ross Perot to come up with a plan to improve education in Texas. Perot did all the work and when Ann Richards got in she expanded on his policies. So by the time G. W. Bush got in the reforms were already in motion and all W. had to do was not mess it up. This confirms me in my view that Bush is nothing. <br />
<br />
Thomas L. Zimmerman is the President of <i>H&R Block</i>. Nobody around next door. Someone got injured on the Superman ride at <i>Riverside</i> but not seriously. 44 year old Tom Welch was found dead in the Forest Park duck pond. This is Pledge Week on Public TV and at 7:28pm Jerry Franklin down in Connecticut, a station which I consider better than <i>TV57</i>, said that the <i>Lehrer News Hour</i> is the most expensive program on Connecticut Public TV. <br />
<br />
My ears were ringing more than usual today. The mail brought a Mass tax refund on Mother's estate and apologies from <i>Acorn Books</i> (nice) and <i>Scholar's Bookshelf</i> (arrogant). My first stop today was <i>Pride</i> in the Acres for a tank of gas, where prices are generally cheaper than the <i>Mobil</i> across the street. They were working on the pipes outside, which caused me to say to the station owner that I bet he never realized that running a gas station would be so complicated. He just stared at me. Then out to the <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> to withdraw money to pay Joe Luttrell for a copy of <i>Mr. Bumpkin's Lawsuit</i> (1883). <br />
<br />
Next I went to <i>Home Depot</i> and bought a container of <i>Dalton Enterprise's Premium Crack Filler</i> for $6.98. Then to the Wilbraham Post Office to mail some things out to the National Campaign for Tolerance and <i>American Heritage</i>. I walked around the post office parking lot and from the street the stores look nice with the cupolas and uniform signage. A dance studio is about to open in the last available space. The parking lot surface is not in very good shape, especially by the area closest to Boston Road. Then to <i>Freihopher's</i> where I got a pie and two cakes, plus some wheat bread. <i>Freihopher's</i> was piled high with stuff at noon, I must remember to try to go at that time. I went to <i>Staples</i> and made a color copy of a portrait of my old buddy Robert John Gula. I popped into the <i>Fleet Bank</i> across from the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> and spoke with teller Amy Lagasse. She said there are no safety deposit boxes right now but there may be some in October. Finally, I swung by <i>Stop&Shop</i> for a few things and then home. <br />
<br />
There was a bag hanging on my mailbox when I got back. It was from I. Cohn containing the Hillary Clinton book I let him borrow and the current address of DeRiso/Barton. The water meter reader, a young fellow in jeans, rapped on the door so I let him in. He said they come by twice per year. John T. Quirk called from his office at 45 Willow and said he'd drop off the Lynch material in the next day or so. He said the Lynches lived right next to the Grange Hall and recalled how Lynch sometimes fell asleep in class. <br />
<center><b>August 11, 2000</b></center><p><br />
6pm really cloudy.<br />
<br />
Attorney General Tommy Reilly has a commercial asking people who bought insurance from <i>New England Mutual</i> if they want to opt into a class action. With all the other insurance companies so crooked, no wonder <i>Monarch</i> couldn't compete. <br /></p><p>On the news they had Anita Wilson interviewing Mary Ann Ward while standing on Main Street as part of interviewing people about their opinions of the presidential candidates. Another shot showed Anita interviewing people in front of the <i>Tower Square CVS</i>. <i>Friendly's</i> stock closed at 3.93 today, going down while everything else was going up. Somebody told me lately that the local antique business has been bad for the past year. <br />
<br />
Charges of illegal peddling and disorderly conduct have been dropped against Rev. Yusif Mohammad. Frederick Hurst was his attorney. I went out after 9pm and deposited a check at the Island Pond Road <i>Fleet</i>, then came through the <i>Goodwill</i> at the X but bought nothing except a cute little watercolor in arched mat signed MAC in the lower left corner. At just $20 I thought it was a lithograph but it is an original, showing a rustic bridge, a log over an icy stream and a bit of green on the ground as moss often looks in winter. John T. Quirk dropped off the Lynch material today while I was out. I left a thank you message on his answering machine. Still nobody next door. <br />
<br />
The Republican Party Picnic in West Springfield was ruined by thunder showers. Newsman Dan Elias went parachuting with the Golden Knights at Westover. Beth Carroll was also on the plane but didn't jump out. Oh my, Sy Becker was also shown riding in the <i>Hood</i> blimp. Today was John Quill Day in Agawam by proclamation. He retires tomorrow after 47 years with <i>WWLP</i>. It is also Quill's 84th birthday. Dave Madsen closed the <i>TV40</i> news wishing John Quill a Happy Birthday and noting that he is retiring after 47 years "at one station," never mentioning their competitor but showing some class by noting Quill's departure. <br />
<br />
<i>TV22</i> likes to brag that "some stations try to attract viewers with misleading promotions, but not 22." The are talking about how news shows are always saying "Straight ahead," "Coming right up" and other such statements and then make you wait until much later for the story to actually come up. However, today I called <i>TV22</i> and got Paul the News Director and told him how the promotion for their City Block coverage came at 5:06pm but hey didn't air the story until an hour later. He replied simply, "Thank you for taking the time to call," and then hung up. Tuned into the <i>Jay Leno Show</i> for the first time in ages and Hillary Clinton was on talking about the need to improve education. But what has she done while her husband has been in office? There was a flood warning on the corner of the TV screen during Leno, I could hear rain pelting the east side of the house. <br />
<br />
Tonight I warmed up some <i>Franco-American Macaroni and Cheese</i> in the microwave. Eamon's bank in New Hampshire is <i>Providence of Manchester</i>. He said he has a CD at <i>United Co-0p</i> maturing on the twelfth and is thinking of transferring it to <i>Polish National</i>. Eamon claims the local jail is overstaffed because anyone with the right political connections can get a job there, including people who couldn't pass the police civil service exams. I mentioned John Quirk and Eamon said he had Quirk's aunt Miss Quirk in the second grade at Glenwood Elementary on Connecticut Avenue. Eamon said it was remarkable how many of his elementary school teachers were unmarried women. Eamon recalled how John Quirk supported Charlie Ryan in 1995 and visited the campaign headquarters a couple of times. In the old days Quirk wrote a lot of letters to the editor opposing the Springfield Civic Center and was probably the most prominent critic of the project after Jimmie Grimaldi. Quirk also criticized the makeover of the Municipal Auditorium into Symphony Hall and thinks the new acoustics are lousy. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>August 12, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and mild, 73 degrees at 9:30am.<br />
<br />
Nothing that we do matters, things only seem to matter. <br />
<br />
Nothing picks up dirt off the floor like bare feet, which might be why the Japanese walk around barefoot in the house. Saw a cardinal on the fence at 7:45am, we have always had cardinals living around here. The hedge is a good hotel for critters since it is so big and thick. <br />
<br />
Kelly is setting up her backyard umbrella. There is still nobody next door. I went over and looked in their mailbox and there is a pile of mail, one letter is addressed to Jonathan and Christina Salvon forwarded from their old residence at 2205 Boston Road, Wilbraham. They have a <i>GMAC</i> mortgage. Out at 10am, to make a deposit of $118.911 at <i>Fleet Bank</i> on Island Pond Road. First I left the <i>Boston Herald</i> at the Penniman's. Then I made copies and put out the mail to Luttrell, Stark and others. I saw no <i>Valley Advocates</i> at the Breckwood <i>Louis & Clark</i> this week. I asked a woman leaving <i>Females in Training</i> (what a physique she had for a woman) about the rumors that they might relocate to the new Basketball Hall of Fame and she said she has heard nothing about it. <br />
<br />
I drove over to Atty. Ouirk's to drop off some reading material on his front porch, which has bookcases on it laden with books. He lives in a tall, old house, freshly painted a forest green with a one car garage out back. A fine residence, but the surrounding neighborhood is in decline. Next I drove to <i>Spag's</i> and bought a bottle of <i>Damir Varnish</i>, then got a deli baloney grinder at <i>Subway</i>. I then went to see Kathryn at <i>Fancy That</i> and thanked her for all the price breaks she's given me over the years. She looked real pleased. The guy up to <i>Forest Park Antiques</i> says he's moving to larger quarters down Sumner Avenue. He has a lot of cheap, non-elite stuff, but says the current inventory "is just the tip of the iceberg." <br />
<br />
My next intention was to stop at <i>Lederer's</i> but when I arrived I saw that the pretty greenery in front was overgrown with weeds. There was a sign on the front door reading:<br />
<br />
<i>Dear Friends and Customers,<br />
I would like to thank you for 63 years of friendship and faithful patronage, but due to health reason I have decided to retire. <br />
Thank you! <br />
Karl Lederer</i><br />
<br />
Inside the place has been stripped (the murals are gone) and there was a <i>Union-News</i> dated August 3rd on the windowsill. In the front entrance way window is an immense sign reading <i>AVAILABLE Schreiber & Co. Realtor 736-2778</i>. Next door in the dive shop <i>Fantasia</i>, the guy said they closed up six weeks ago. The little shopping center down there is doing well, as is the ethnic grocery store. My motorcycle jacket got me lots of respect today and I was meticulously polite to everyone. <br />
<br />
Coming up State Street there were telephone workers picketing in front of the art deco building next to Commerce. There were two kids skateboarding on the nice walkway along the side of the school heading to the new addition in the rear. I also saw two picketers standing in front of the telephone company building across from Duggan Middle School. <br />
<br />
The paper says that Peter Picknelly has been given more time to submit plans for revitalizing Union Station. That project is always being delayed. Eamon called and said he is only five feet four inches tall because his growth got stunted by scarlet fever. His brothers are five feet ten and his mother had brothers who were over six feet. The Acres Civic Association newsletter came out today with a glaring typo saying that a Fran Gagnon lecture and a visit from Courniotes of AIC is to take place at the same time. So I called Dr. Al Kerouak and he said he will complain to the printer about the error. He said Courniotes will speak on the 21st and Gagnon will be on the 15th. <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 13, 2000</b></center><br />
69 degrees at 8am, overcast. <br />
<br />
There are significant forest fires in eleven states. The number of <i>Pine Grove Stump Grinding</i> is 783-7236. Been reading English poet George Crabbe for the first time, despite the fact that the City Library once had an old volume. Crabbe is undervalued and not fully appreciated. He is a novelist in verse who draws a lovely picture of country life in all its aspects, including the less fortunate. When critics say Crabbe lacks the high poetic qualities of others they miss the point. Crabbe was a storyteller in verse who wrote good stuff that has been totally neglected. <br />
<br />
Nobody around next door. I went out at 8:15am and went down to the telephone building across from Duggan and parked by the entrance to the back lot by the theater and liquor store and walked around. 1046 Wilbraham Road is the abandoned <i>Breckwood Professional Building</i>, a white four unit structure with stairs going up to the front door. It is not handicapped accessible. The left door still has the name Dr. Robert A. Leikin Oral Surgeon on it. There are also steps down to two doors into two basement suits with substantial windows above the ground. No names there. There is a chain link fence around the thing with mature sumacs and other weeds all around. How long has it been abandoned? Perhaps because of its lack of handicapped accessibility it became a white elephant. The original builder may have thought it was cute to put up a medical building without an elevator. <br />
<br />
Next I checked out the picketers in front of the telephone building. There were four of them plus a cop (badge #133). I asked the picketers if they had any handouts and they said no. I told the cop about my street literature collection and gave him my card. He pointed to the wanted posters for the killer of Molly Bish and I told him I already have one. There were eight utility trucks in the phone building parking lot and the picketers were carrying signs saying, <i>IBEW Local 2324 ON STRIKE</i>. <br />
<br />
From there I went to <i>McDonald's</i> for an Egg McMuffin, where I read the paper with an article in it about the struggle of the <i>Odyssey Bookstore</i> to survive. Then to <i>Food Mart</i>, where I was amazed to find a poster on which <i>WGBY-57</i> was advertising its Paul Bisaccia programs. It is the first time I remember a TV station using a poster to promote its programming. I see that <i>Ann of Green Gables</i> is back on <i>57</i> but too late for Mother to see it. I went to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres to photocopy the lettering on Mother's urn and when I came out it was pouring. <br />
<br />
I spent part of today deciding what to put into Mother's urn and making an inventory. I wish I could have found the lovely opal pin I bought for Mother in Cleveland, which she wouldn't wear for superstitious reasons. I always hoped she tucked it away somewhere and I should eventually find it, but no such luck. I believe I paid $85 for it. I weighed Mother's urn on two of my scales and it weighted exactly 4.5 pounds on each. In all I spent four hours working on the estate today. Eamon called tonight and talked about how Paul Sears made lots of money and had a fancy house over by Charlie Ryan (who is his brother in law) but Sears sold the house and now lives in a condo downtown. <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 14, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast and things are wet, 77 degrees this morning.<br />
<br />
Thomas F. Welch of Burton Street, who was found dead in Forest Park, has been determined to have died of a heroin overdose, according to Lt. William J. Noonan of the Detective Bureau. I got a letter from Karen Falb in which she comments on my old <i>Valley Advocate</i> article that, "Having myself grown up in the Connecticut Valley, I find your comments about the best and worst things to have happened to Springfield to be right on target." <br />
<br />
I'm typing at the dining room table. The jeep is in the driveway next door meaning that Salvon is back. I called to welcome them back and to remind them about the trash collection. He sounded somewhat groggy when he answered, but he soon came to himself. I drove out about 11:15am and had four color copies made at <i>CopyCat</i> for $1.19 each. I then hit <i>Angelo's</i> and got lots of stuff. I asked Angelo about the red <i>Angelo's</i> t-shirts with the green lettering they used to sell. Angelo smiled and said the shirts weren't selling at their original price of $18, so he kept lowering the price until it was just $2 and still nobody bought them. I said that wasn't nice and Angelo laughed saying that eventually he just gave the shirts away so there are none left except the one he was wearing. I told him that once the shirt becomes scruffy and unpresentable I will buy it from him. <br />
<br />
Next I went downtown and parked at the <i>Telephone Worker's Credit Union</i>. On the way there I picked up two posters, a badly printed one for the <i>Taste of Northampton</i> and another for tango lessons at the <i>Lady Madonna Studios</i> in Easthampton. I took those off the closed <i>Friendly's</i> on State Street, whose plywood window covers have become a major postering site. Things were damp downtown but no rain was actually falling. The doors to the <i>Paramount</i> were propped open so I looked in and encountered a man with a lot of keys in his hand. I asked what they intended to do with the organ and he said "it's staying, although somebody offered us an awful lot of money for it." It's great they are keeping it, but I predict that one day it will be sold and leave the city, unless there are formal covenants tying it down to the property. <br />
<br />
No City Block concert today, but the <i>UPS</i> man was there with his special truck. The tables and chairs that are usually set up were stacked over by <i>Tilly's</i>. I fished today's paper out of a trashcan and noted that it has a notice about F. Gagon's upcoming address to the Civic Association. There was a cluster of four women standing under the bank building overhang. A little guy with a BID button and gold rank bars came along wearing a name tag reading Clifford Waldren, so I asked him how many times this year the City Block concerts have been cancelled. He said he was just filling in and didn't know. Even with no entertainment, office workers still come out to get fresh air and stand around. At 12:40 I counted 63 people standing in the area or walking around. If a jazz band had been playing, there might have been 200 people. <br />
<br />
For supper I drove out to the <i>Foody Goody</i> at <i>Haymarket Square</i> on Boston Road. What an awful name! Actually, it's Chinese and real nice. There's a picture on the back wall of the Great Wall of China and a waterfall picture in the front of the main dining area. Lots of Chinese delicacies on the menu and not much of the plain stuff I prefer. I like the <i>Old Country Buffet</i> in West Springfield better, <i>Foody Goody</i> is more expensive and the waiters expect to be tipped. My total bill came to $9.40. I corrected the English on their menu and they were nice about it. I told the lady manager that she can speak English better than I can speak Chinese. It's a good place, but I won't be going back. <br />
<br />
So yesterday I identified the things to go into Mother's urn along with her cremains. This evening I packed the urn. I put in Mother's obituary, Father's obituary and my resume and card. Then a sprig from the Vermont lilac brought down from Rochester Mountain. I put in splendid pictures of Mother and Father, plus the sapphire pendant and the silver bracelet. I also included Mother's 1928 engagement ring which was reset in 1937. Mother was apparently given the ring for her birthday, December 15th. The gold bracelet went in the urn, but the sterling one did not. The pearl Mother found in a cooked oyster in 1936 went in, as did her pet stones. I also included a share of Monarch Capital Corporation Common Stock. My parents owned five thousand shares of stock in that company, which went bankrupt around 1990 as part of the general economic collapse of Springfield. Gordon N. Oakes ruined the company, an idiot incompetent with an agriculture degree from UMass. I stirred the cremains around and found a number of staples. I have saved them, you may be sure. The urn is now packed and ready to be sealed by Aldrich. Here is the complete list of everything placed in Mother's urn:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5iP9k6JjBJUY-gYB9qtct55pgnJC8LjeDb9Vp8xlTFyenfx_2rr829lAWOcygUkW1eqjkvWoXSNmJkZNFmpJdklwUxnu2KKpIVhUEml90V7uiykEoWeDdpH888Oa8ezGOK4sJ1l3E_oT/s1600/bmiller.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5iP9k6JjBJUY-gYB9qtct55pgnJC8LjeDb9Vp8xlTFyenfx_2rr829lAWOcygUkW1eqjkvWoXSNmJkZNFmpJdklwUxnu2KKpIVhUEml90V7uiykEoWeDdpH888Oa8ezGOK4sJ1l3E_oT/s320/bmiller.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<i>Note - When her husband John Wesley Miller, Jr. was buried in April 1985, since he was embalmed, there was no time to include anything in the coffin except Ambrose, the family teddy bear and Floppy, the family pink rabbit. Included with the cremains of Blanche Miller are items from her father Frank Martin Wilson, from her mother Blanche Simpson Gleason Wilson and items of her husband's. <br />
<br />
Small plastic honey colored teddy bear from the china closet. <br />
Small plastic pink rabbit from the china closet. <br />
1897 Indian head penny from Frank Martin Wilson's wallet. <br />
1 crisp $5 bill series 1977A.<br />
1 crisp $10 bill Series 1977A<br />
1 crisp $20 bill Series 1981A. Blanche and John never used larger bills. <br />
John's driver's license, expiration 11-12-88 with his photo, a good likeness. <br />
Blanche's Springdale Mall ID card with photo, a good likeness. <br />
Bethel Bicentennial Medal Serial Number 38 supplied by John's brother Manual Miller. <br />
Art deco chrome table bell, a gift from Aunts Mabel and Julia when John and Blanche were married. <br />
John's 1932-33 bowling medal suspended from white ribbon. <br />
John's 1928 Kappa Phi Kappa University of Vermont key. <br />
John's Life Office Management Associates 1948 key. <br />
John's American College of Life Underwriters key. <br />
John's Monarch Life Insurance Company 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 year pins, all with diamonds. <br />
John's youthful Wild Bill Hickok belt buckle. <br />
Pet Stones: white egg shaped stone picked up by Blanche on Lake Michigan, October 1973,<br />
dark egg shaped stone from the road leading to the Wilson Place on Rochester Mountain. <br />
Grandma Wilson's watch with chain. <br />
Grandma Wilson's small bone letter opener with her initials nearly worn off. <br />
Frank Wilson's two glass eyes. <br />
Blanche's gold beads, gold chain, earrings, a pearl from an oyster. <br />
Eight rings, including one engraved "Father, June 1924" when she graduated from high School. <br />
Blanche's sterling, crystal and diamond bracelet from John, 1927.<br />
Blanche's sterling thimble from a friend with most of the blue enamel fallen off. <br />
Blanche's Daughter's of the American Revolution emblem and chain. <br />
Blanche's large sapphire necklace with silver chain and four pearls,<br />
a birthday present from John about 1933. She never wore it because she was superstitious about pearls, but she loved it. <br />
Blanche's gold locket, ring and chain from her early years. <br />
Two of Blanche's penknives, one Mother-of-Pearl, the other silver. <br />
Blanche's gold teddy bear pendant on a chain, a birthday gift from John. <br />
Blanche's art deco gold with black enamel bracelet from John, an anniversary gift. <br />
Blanche's panda pendant (Franklin Mint) anniversary gift on September 3, 1982. <br />
A bottle of Blanche's favorite perfume Lucien Lelong's Whisper, but they stopped making it. <br />
Snippet of Blanche's hair for DNA. <br />
Business card of her son Attorney J. Wesley Miller III, Blanche and John's obituary and a copy of this Inventory.</i> <br />
<br />
<br />
Eamon called and claimed that Bishop Thomas M. O'Leary was a gambler who liked to play the ponies. He says a lot of clergymen rob the church to give money to their families. I told him about my work on Mother's urn and he said his mother's funeral cost over $6000, but Phaneuf later told Eamon that he would have done it for $3,500. Eamon claims that <i>Sampson's</i> is the most expensive funeral home around and is rumored to steal people's jewelry. Eamon said he has already paid Phaneuf $900 to be cremated. <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 15, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Overcast, 69 degrees at 8am.<br />
<br />
Four more years of the Bush family in the White House would be unfair! Today is Julia Child's 88th birthday. The <i>WFCR</i> morning news said they broke ground on the new Basketball Hall of Fame yesterday and work will be completed in two years, including the museum, a theater, retail stores and an underground garage. No mention of Picknelly or Hurwitz and their hotel and restaurant. Connecticut's <i>Suffield Conference Center</i> boasts in their advertising of having a state of the art computer lab. Emily M. Binn, the daughter of Donald and Melissa Binn of Wilbraham, a marketing major at UMass Amherst, has made the Dean's List. <br />
<br />
The Western Mass Republicans hold their picnic each year at the West Springfield/Agawam Elks Pavilion on Morgan Road. <i>Bacon & Wilson</i>, founded in 1895, is located at 33 State Street in Springfield. Hyman G. Darling was voted Best Probate Lawyer in Western Mass in 1986 and 1987. Mother died January 23, 1999 at age 92. I spoke with Judy at <i>Byron's</i> and she said that Aldrich is on vacation this week but if I come in at 2pm Monday the 21st he'll be able to seal up the urn. </p><p>Charlie Ryan has criticized David Starr for using his newspaper to build people up. Guy McLain of the Quad has had a lot of career help from Starr. I recall that Guy came here from UMass where as a student he had been an assistant in archival processing among other things. Guy did a good job on our local archival collections. </p><p>I believe in the 1990's Guy was helped by Starr to publish a glitzy, vanity press book about Springfield. It is my opinion that no one who is selected, retained or promoted by David Starr should hold any public position. </p><p> </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQKMkBnOzVIoAdwUkM8Ap1I_3b3CMmzR4kylLviJ69RnCAAeFjm9XTcQfCikzDi-xVWsEBjTbDDJfqoXXfADTVyNdCptTpVZeytfhWilvRt6AEDrZyHwYAnQa1ZcB_76VdY8Efjn4VKIgqnUinukCxVNEAE4ORgbh-g4U2u1PGf7WCG6ychqrtBmkmR5Y/s269/mclain.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="269" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQKMkBnOzVIoAdwUkM8Ap1I_3b3CMmzR4kylLviJ69RnCAAeFjm9XTcQfCikzDi-xVWsEBjTbDDJfqoXXfADTVyNdCptTpVZeytfhWilvRt6AEDrZyHwYAnQa1ZcB_76VdY8Efjn4VKIgqnUinukCxVNEAE4ORgbh-g4U2u1PGf7WCG6ychqrtBmkmR5Y/w320-h222/mclain.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guy McLain<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />
I went out and picked up a package of new books at the Main Post Office downtown. The day was cloudy but there were occasional patches of blue. I parked on Salem and the azaleas that lacked water in front of the Spanish church have partly died. Over at 492 Bridge Street next to the porn shop at Nuestra Iglesia there was a message in Spanish signed by Pastor Juan Vera. In the porn shop they now have <i>Leatherman Magazine</i> again at last, the guy said they ordered extra so they don't run out. </p><p>Down at St. Francis Chapel everything is abandoned but the clock is still working and continues to serve the public looking in the window. Finestein's window was full of books that were down in the cellar and which he is taking home. In front of the main telephone building there were lots of picketers but no leaflets. The front of the old <i>Tic-Toc Lounge</i> is being pulled off and a fancy bar <i>Art-e-Pasta</i> is going in nearby. Duryea Park is being encroached upon by restaurants on both sides who want to use it for outdoor dining. <br />
<br />
At the Post Office I received <i>Martinet on Artful Dodging</i>, <i>The Ultimate Car Collectors Price Guide</i>, which suggests that Lizzy the Model T is worth several thousand dollars and <i>Thomas Cole's Paintings of Eden</i>. I then went down to City Block where the first person I saw was the <i>UPS</i> man who remembered me and said, "How ya doin?" At 11:27am I was sitting on a bench reading the newspaper I got out of a trashcan when Russ Denver came along and said, "Hello, Attorney Miller." I replied, "Howdy do!" </p><p>There was a banner hanging up promoting <i>Masslive.com</i> and sandwich boards promoting <i>Pizzeria Uno</i>, <i>Tilly's</i>, <i>Theodore's</i> and <i>Spaghetti Freddy's</i>. Picnic tables were set up and <i>Tilly's</i> played music on their outdoor speakers during breaks. Interestingly, City Block employees hogged one table the whole time I was there. There were 12 tables, five umbrellas and 38 chairs. It was a good show featuring Bruce MacKay. He described himself as "a multi-instrumental genius, song writer and story teller." <br />
<br />
Turin appeared and was talking with Burke by <i>Tilly's</i>. Only nine customers were eating outside at <i>Tilly's</i>. In all I counted 176 people in attendance. Eugene Berman walked by but didn't see me, he had a woman with him and shifted from inside to outside to walk down the street with her. Atty. Berman is a gentleman. A Latino woman came by with two bulging <i>U.S. Factory Outlet</i> bags. Returning to the car I encountered a handsome young black man wearing an Amherst College t-shirt. I asked him if he went to Amherst and he replied, "Nope, Westfield State." At Mason Square a Community Health Fair looked like a pleasant event on the front lawn of the Shiloh 7th Day Adventist, formerly Hope Church. <br />
<br />
While I was out, Ted Dacisme called from Agawam, wrong number. I dined today on soup, salad, fruit and cake. Eamon called and said he ran into an old acquaintance at <i>Cal's Variety</i> he hasn't seen in years, James Gilhouly, a graduate of MIT and an engineer in Boston. He has a brother who is retired from the Springfield Police Department and a brother who worked for the Fire Department who is dead. Gilhouley said he can't get over the decline of downtown and the loss of all the little stores on the sidestreets "the little shops that make a city's downtown work." He says the loss of population in Springfield is "a significant loss for a small city." When Eamon told him that 60% of the city's employees live outside the city he remarked, "That tells you that they see the city as a cash cow, they just use the city for a paycheck." Gilhouly was already familiar with the water leakage problem at New North School. He said the city was named Springfield for a reason, that there is underground water all over. <br />
<br />
Eamon says two Springfield police officers have been accused of raping a woman in their cruiser. The PD will have an internal investigation, but Eamon says they always cover these things up. He accused "Billy Bennett" of helping to cover up police wrongdoing in the past as well as crimes by political figures such as Anthony Ardolino. "Unless you have hard evidence," Eamon said, "they cover everything up." He said his friend Deputy Chief Spellacy told him that he felt "isolated and alienated" by Chief Meara. <br />
</p><br /><center><b>August 16, 2000</b></center><br />
Pouring at 7:17am. Gas is $1.55 at Watershop Pond stations. <br />
<br />
The July issue of <i>Restaurants and Institutions</i> lists <i>Friendly's</i> as 43rd best in the country. At noon <i>Friendly's</i> stock was at 4.12. Attorney Robert A. Corbert was born in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1948. Attorney Stephen Krevalin was born in Springfield in 1951. I wrote <i>The History of Buckingham Junior High School</i> in 1956. SLAM calls itself, "The in Your Face Basketball Magazine." <br />
<br />
Up at 6:15am, I tied up some branches and cut back the golden rod which has crowded out the phlox. In nature organisms do not share, they push others out. Went inside when I saw a flash of lightening at 7:04am. I called Aunt Maria and let it ring eight times, but no one answered. A. Malagati of 86 York Street, West Springfield, called wanting to book a Christmas party at <i>Storrowtown</i>. I replied, "Since Mother died, we haven't had any Christmas parties," and she hung up. <br />
<br />
I went to the speech Francis Gagnon of the city's Historical Commission gave to the Sixteen Acres Civic Association at the Church in the Acres on Wilbraham Road. She discussed plans for the State Street corridor where a new federal courthouse is to be built. The development is also expected to have an impact on Byers, Spring, Elliot, Mattoon and Pearl Streets. They required you to bring a donation for Open Pantry as payment for the lecture, so I brought a can of hot chili I accidentally bought some weeks ago. Since Roger Dumas passed away, Jean Masse is the next Civic Association President. Fran Gagnon wore a blue top and blue skirt with white shoes. Gagnon said, "I am almost 58 and can recall when State Street was busy with all sorts of activity involving Classical, Commerce, Cathedral and the Armory going full blast. All that has changed." I counted 37 people in attendance, including the Powells, who told me they are supporting Bush for President. <br />
<br />
Joseph J. D'Amour of the Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians in Chicopee has a letter in the paper wondering why Bishop Thomas Dupre allowed pro-abortion Governor Jane Swift to speak on July 26 when the Catholic Church is "intensely and unconditionally pro-life." Paul D. Condon of Springfield had a letter defending columnist Thomas Sowell from a previous letter writer who described Sowell's attacks on public education as "hateful." On the Democratic Convention tonight Ted Kennedy gave a stumbling speech, but Joe Lieberman did splendidly as did Gore's daughter. Lieberman said "there must be room for everyone" but there can't be room for everybody. I like the national Democrats a lot, but I don't like their friends in the local machine. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said the woman who accused two Springfield police officers of raping her was a white woman who was dating a black man. They were arguing in a car when the cops came along and told the black man to get lost while they took the woman to the Camp Massasoit area. At first the sex was consensual, but at one point she began to resist and it became rape. One of the accused cops was a newcomer to the police force who had previously been fired from <i>Sears</i> for stalking women! Eamon also said that he was talking with his friend Casella who told him that the Main Street Post Office was built with a foundation strong enough to hold two or three more stories than it currently has. He also insisted that all three public high schools, Classical, Tech and Commerce, could have been rehabilitated to meet modern standards for a lower price than what it cost to build Central High. <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 17, 2000</b></center><br />
There are 160,000 deer in Vermont. Barry Moser is the featured speaker at the Oak Knoll Book Fest. Jason Russell on <i>TV40</i> described today's weather as being more like late fall than late summer. At 6:59 each morning <i>TV40</i> has a City Block weather forecast that includes a list of events. <i>TV22</i> says that <i>Absorbine Jr.</i> will be in East Longmeadow by January 2001. <i>Northeast Utilities</i> has two new TV commercials, one featuring a portrait of Primus Mason and the other of Mayor Albano fulminating about "the improvements to our 45 schools" and praising himself for improvements in the city's infrastructure and energy efficiency. <br />
<br />
I recall how Father and I visited Ottawa years ago to do research on Commodore Steele. Cheryl J. Dunn is a partner in <i>Bacon & Wilson</i>. Gary G. Breton wrote an article <i>Protecting Your Business With Buy-Sell Agreements</i> for <i>BusinessWest</i> in November 1999. <i>Bear Auto Leasing</i> is located at 510 Main Street in Springfield. Peter K. Barrett of 565-2643 called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. I wrote to the <i>Leather Archives</i> this morning. I also called Aunt Maria and let it ring six times but no one answered. <br />
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Before I went out today, I poured tar into the little cracks in the driveway. I put the tar on at the right time when the temperature was going up. I went downtown and parked on Salem at 12:10. There were 287 people attending the show at City Block, with 21 at <i>Tilly's</i>, a few vendors like <i>Downtown Dogs</i> around and that's all. Today the featured attraction was puppets, with children sitting on the grass in front of the stage set up by New Hampshire's <i>Perry Alley Theater</i>. It was a man and woman doing kinky versions of classic fairy tales and they were splendid. At one point during <i>The Princess and the Pea</i> they wondered what went under the piles of mattresses and nobody knew so I shouted out, "A Brussels sprout!" That delighted them and they gave their color postcard to me. Later when I got home I placed it on the mantel alongside the organ grinder and the monkey who kissed Mother. <br />
<br />
The hot dogs sold well and at the break the sponsor <i>Baystate Medical</i> passed out little packets of <i>Teddy Grahams</i> for the kids, but that was after most parents had already bought them hot dogs. There were no picnic tables set up. Ann Burke approached me and we spoke for ten minutes. I told her that overall the artistic performances at City Block this year have been quite good. She said she'd just sent out a questionnaire to businesses to get their feedback on how the series is going. She also informed me that the same artist who did those great Holyoke posters did the graphic designs for City Block. I was told that there is going to be a sidewalk art contest next and I informed her of how I had once sent them a memo suggesting sidewalk drawing. Burke told me that everyone keeps hoping that someone will rent the still empty <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i> space. <br />
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Over in <i>Tower Square</i> I found a whopping 193 people eating in the food court. <i>Factory Outlet</i> was having a sale on men's suits and coats. At <i>Pizzeria Uno</i> I counted 19 on the terrace and 17 inside for a total of 36 at 1:20pm. Next I swung by the <i>Hofbrahaus</i> where I hoped to buy lunch but they were closed. So I went over for further adventures at the <i>Insurance Center of New England</i>. Inside there was a counter with literature upon it, but nothing about <i>New England Fidelity</i>. There was an XMass calendar handout, some <i>Ways to Save on Your 2000 Mass Auto Insurance</i> booklets and ads for <i>Western Mass Collision Service</i> and <i>Hanover Glass</i>. They also had the schedule for the Wilbraham Peach Festival. I went last year but won't be going again because they claim admission is free but then hit you with a $3 parking fee. I went up to the receptionist Jane Parker, who asked what I wanted and invited me to take a seat and said Joanne Gould would be with me as soon as she gets off the phone. <br />
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Sitting on one of the benches was a young woman named Jessica Kavanau who was selling tapes of her short stories for $5. She said she has a bachelor's degree in English from Chicago and started to study education at UMass but didn't finish. She gave me a copy of an article about herself that appeared in the January 6 1998 edition of the <i>Daily Hampshire Gazette</i>. I wished her well and told her I am an author myself, but declined to buy her tape, telling her that getting $5 out of me is rather difficult. At some point Joanne hung up and prepared to make another call, but Jane intervened and Gould offered to help me. I asked if they were connected with <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> and she said, "We do help out." I asked if they were completely independent of <i>Hampden Savings</i> and she said, "We cannot answer that if you are not connected to <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i>." I asked for her card and when she went to get it I saw her speak to her supervisor and then throw her hands up in the air. When she handed me her card she coldly said, "Please have a pleasant afternoon." <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 19, 2000</b></center><br />
62 degrees and sunny at 6:45am.<br />
<br />
Tipper Gore is 52 and President Clinton is 54. This is a splendid fall like day, but what will we get for winter? I'm afraid to project. It will be too late to do anything by the time we realize that we have ecologically ruined the Earth. Spent too much time recently typing in this damn diary, but there was a lot of information to log in. The mail was late. I saw a bumper sticker today that read, "Dick Miller Sent Me." Now who would that be? <i>WFCR</i> had a piece on the Center for Reading Life Stories in Northampton. Dined today on fruit, veggies, a hot pocket and a can of soup in the evening.<br />
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Former Mayor Bob Markel has missed out on the Chelsea City Management job by a 7-4 vote after thirteen ballots. He missed out on a job in Lowell earlier. The State Department of Education wants volunteers as education advisers at 781-338-3115. Whatever happened to their toll free number? I've told both Brian Lees and Paul Caron that there should be toll free numbers to reach all state offices. A travel agent named Jay Smith is marketing the festivities surrounding the Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement in packages varying from $400 to $900. <br />
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I dropped off some reading material, including the current issue of <i>Fortune</i> magazine at Irving Cohn's, then put out the mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. There was a little white car with a Connecticut plate parked at Kelly's. At a tag sale at 220 Jeffrey Road I got a modern cloisonne vase for $3. I decided to go to the rock concert by FAT this evening. I parked in front of the old YMCA and was personally able to count 356 people present at 7:48pm, so at the peak it was probably around 500. There was nobody in <i>Cafe Eurasia</i> and nobody lined up for beer or hotdogs. Only a few people were seated on <i>Tilly's</i> patio. A cop was standing in front of <i>Civic Center Convenience</i>, another by the old <i>Third National Bank</i> and one each in front of <i>Subway</i> and <i>Tilly's</i>. <br />
<br />
It was a good crowd considering it was misting out but not quite raining. There were about 15 people who brought their own lawn chairs. The music was splendid with the sound mixing console under a white tent. The lead singer Peter Newland made a crack about the band having to play in a puddle and referred back to the 1970's when the band used to play under all kinds of conditions all over Massachusetts. I spotted Robert Turin staying dry by sitting under the sound tent. At 8:10 I spotted Turin buying a beer. At one point two fellows, one in a UMass t-shirt, started fighting over a couple of girls who were dancing. <br />
<br />
When I got home Eamon called and said Charlie Ryan will be out of town for the next three weeks. Eamon is upset that nothing has been reported in the paper to follow up on the story of the rapes by police. I told him that no big city paper would let the story go and was surprised when a few hours later I heard this message on Eamon's phone editorial: <br />
<br />
"The rape by two Springfield rogue cops would be a front page story in any other daily newspaper, but not so with the monopoly rag <i>Union-Snooze</i>. It is three days later and there's been no update regarding this horrendous act. Thankfully, the victim got the number of the police cruiser and reported it to the State Police. They have impounded the police cruiser and DNA tests are being performed at the State Police Crime Lab in Sudbury, Massachusetts. Had she reported the rape to the Springfield Police Department or the local District Attorney's Office, it would have resulted in just another cover up to protect Chief Paula Meara from charges that her department is out of control." That message includes information not reported in the media which Eamon said he got from people who dump messages in his mailbox or slide notes under his door. <br />
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<center><b>August 20, 2000</b></center><br />
63 degrees on the breezeway at 8am.<br />
<br />
Today I saw a Molly Bish poster I'd never seen before. September 24th will be Gaelic Ireland Day at the <i>Big E</i>. Tim Allen is the Chairman of the Board of the Irish Cultural Center at Elms College. John Bellows of <i>Sears Real Estate</i> was on TV claiming that real estate values are going up in Springfield. A.G. Timmy Reilly is running commercials seeking people who were aggrieved by <i>New England Mutual</i> between 1983 and 1996. No wonder <i>Monarch</i> couldn't compete against such crooks. Peggy Bone majored in French at Colby and married Gary Britton Miles. I am currently reading <i>A Guide to Writing Sociology Papers</i> (1994), <i>World War I British Poets</i> and <i>The Curse of Madam C</i>, a <i>Far Side</i> comics collection. <br />
<br />
I hung the pictures I dragged down from the attic. Left at 10:15 for the Allen Street <i>McDonald's</i> for an Egg McMuffin at 99 cents. Most of the employees there are black. Then I went to <i>Food Mart</i> and bought <i>Hungry Man</i> dinners on special and then went to a few Open Houses. The 1930's wooden house at the intersection of Wilbraham and Old Acre Road is being substantially rebuilt. On the corner of Tinkham is a new house with an old fashioned front porch. I see that Lorenzo J. Larson's yellow ranch house is for sale and <i>Lortie</i> is the broker. I saw kids riding those new narrow aluminum scooters by the golf course along Plumtree by Larson's.<br />
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I attended the Open House at 83 Macomber, a long yellow ranch. The owners moved to Florida and rented it out for seven years and it is now pretty beat up. There are finished rooms in the basement and a fireplace, and the backyard has grown up to weeds around an above ground pool. I also went the Open House down to 387 Union Street. It's a nice old house but it needs a lot of work. Out back there's a deep lot reaching back to the cemetery and all grown up with weeds. The whole property reeks of Victorian Protestants. With the right restoration, it could be a showplace again, just the thing for a young lawyer and his tomboy wife with a little money. The house is sort of at the peak of the hill so out of the window you get a vista of downtown interrupted only by Wesson Hospital. Bottom Line: Place is run down and needs thousands in repairs. <br />
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I swung by Mrs. Staniski's who returned three of the hardbound Agatha Christie books I lent her. She told me that <i>Grimaldi Oil</i> never contacted her so she will let <i>Noonan</i> replace the oil tank. I asked if she wanted to see Mother's urn and she declined, noting that both her mother and husband John were cremated, which I hadn't known. When I left she gave me some more pink Hollyhock seeds. Just before I got home, I parked at <i>Sixteen Acres Garden Center</i> and walked across the street. Just before the little house at 1350, there is a vacant lot where in the old days a small white cottage with a fireplace at one end was set way back on the property. That has been demolished and only the cellar hole and a few bricks remain. I wonder if they intend to build something there? <br />
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When I got back I finished mowing the lawn. I twisted my ankle slightly carrying garden waste. There was a white car with a Connecticut plate over to Kelly's. Christine's blue car (9862 FV) is gone from under the shed. I called Pam Jendrysik and her boy answered. When Pam came on I asked if she got the $20 I sent her and she said yes and thanked me. I told her I was sorry I couldn't do more. I then asked her whether Aunt Maria ever paid her anything for all she did for her and she replied, "No, she did not." She then told me that she hasn't talked to Aunt Maria in some time and so I told her about Aunt Maria's current situation. <br />
<br />
Pam said Aunt Maria was nice to her at first, but then started doing things like accusing her of stealing her remote control. Pam found it and gave it to her, but she did not apologize. Pam also got no thanks for spending days sorting through clothing and other things left behind by my Uncle George. She said she was really upset and hurt by Aunt Maria's cranky behavior. Pam insisted, "I tried to help your Aunt, I really wanted to help her." I told her that if she remembered any other negative details regarding her relationship with my Aunt to feel free to call me. <br />
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The <i>Verizon</i> strike is over and everyone will get a 12% pay raise and better pension benefits. I remember one of the strikers I spoke to across from Duggan telling me they expected to win the strike because of all the phones that have to be connected for college students in September. Dined tonight on a <i>Hungry Man Salisbury Steak Dinner</i>. I received a letter today regarding my entry to <i>Poetry.com's</i> International Library of Poetry from Editor Rob Hartman:<br />
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<i>Although your contest entry Cocksucker's First Love Sonnet is well written, we sincerely regret that we will be unable to publish your poem in its current form. Once your poem went on to further judging, we found that it did not meet standards established by our Senior Editorial Board for publication. We realize this is a disappointment, yet we hope you understand that our books are meant to reach a wide audience of all ages and beliefs. For this reason, we are required to maintain a certain level of neutrality in both the content and subject matter of our poetic selections. This is in no way a reflection on the integrity of your artistic talent.</i> <br />
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<center><b>August 21, 2000</b></center><br />
Octoberlike, 55 degrees at 7am. <br />
<br />
In November 1999 Michelle M. Begley wrote an article <i>Prenuptial Agreements Make Good Business Sense</i> for <i>BusinessWest</i>. Atty. Gary G. Bretton is a partner at <i>Bacon & Wilson, </i> knowledgeable in banking and business. Bill Furstenberg was a broad shouldered, friendly fellow at Colby who was once a friend of mine but not a close one. <i>WFCR</i> usually works a tidbit of Vermont news into their news segments. Today they said that 250,000 cords of wood are sold in Vermont each year at about $175 per cord. Ho, ho! Gas is going up and so is the cost of wood. <br />
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The Hampden County Citizens Against the Death Penalty will be holding a reception on August 23rd to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the executions of Italian immigrants Nicola Saco and Bartholomeo Vanzetti by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1927 at the Bishop Marshall Center at St. Michael's Cathedral. The mail today was unexcitingly routine. Lucius' garage door was open today and I could see his red Cadillac inside. Mrs. Penniman waved to me, I haven't seen her husband sitting out by the garage in his wheelchair since early summer. Irving Cohn was sitting in his red director's chair. <br />
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I drove into the city and parked on Edwards in the section before the parking meters start and walked down the hill to the City Block event. I counted 103 committed watchers of a juggling act by Leonard Solomon. He had a host of funny homemade musical instruments. I focused on studying them before in due course he played them. Solomon started on the "bellowphone" playing "Oh When the Saints Come Marching In." On his little organ called the Callioforte (31 keys) he played the English tune "Sigh No More, Ladies." He also performed the "Overture from William Tell" on an instrument made of dog food cans soldered together. His Ruby Goldberg instruments were in perfect tune. Afterwards, I struck up a conversation and he gave me his card. I told him he is a great hippie and he admitted, "Yes, I am one." He said his act began as a lecture on acoustics for 5th graders and he said he performs a lot in schools. Solomon told me he is from Concord, Massachusetts. I asked if he has ever thought of patenting his instruments but Solomon said he had no intention of doing so. <br />
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They were passing out surveys about the City Block program and gave us <i>Teddy Grahams</i> left over form the <i>Baystate Health</i> sponsored show the other day if you would fill it out. I told them it would be better if they moved the shows over to Steiger Park or Court Square. I later gave the <i>Teddy Grahams</i> to Honey Pot, but now my doll Sweet Pea wants to know what I intend to do for rabbits. I saw Turin and I praised Solomon's show to him. The hot dog stand was there and other vendors selling popcorn, candles and a wide array of candy bars. I never saw Ann Burke. Workmen were washing the windows of the <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i> office tower. I saw a 25% Off sign in the window of <i>Antiques on Boland Way</i> but I didn't stop in. There were no City Block shirts for sale. After the show ended at 12:30, I went into <i>Subway</i> and bought a grinder. <br />
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From there I headed up to <i>Byron's</i> to have Aldrich seal up Mother's urn. I described to him the contents of Mother's urn and when I told him about the <i>Monarch</i> stock certificates I put in with Mother he correctly stated that they were worth nothing. He is probably someone who got stung as bad as we did. I asked him the charge for sealing the urn and he said it costs nothing but I gave him $10 anyway. He accepted it and said we are "friends always" to which I replied "you may be sure." <br />
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They say it was in the thirties some places last night with a record low of 45 degrees recorded last night at Windsor Locks. I finished a puzzle of the Eiffel Tower last night but one piece was missing. Cut off my Apache haircut, picked up the breezeway and did the dishes. Then I took a bath and did a load of wash. Also pushed the vac around. There is a new green station wagon over Dickie Nichols but it is unregistered. The Coburn's car is around so they must be back from vacation. Unknown called but when I picked up there was no voice. Unknown called four more times today, but I did not pick up. Eamon called and said he just spoke to Nader the Hatter in Florida. Nader said the weather down there is beautiful and he never wants to return to the weather up here. Nader told Eamon that he feels like he has "a relationship" with a school of fish that come to swim with him everyday. <br />
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<center><b>August 22, 2000</b></center><br />
63 degrees at 8am. <br />
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Someone on TV said about G.W. Bush, "Anybody who surrounds themselves with the right people is going to receive the right advice." The evening news said they have found a crow in South Hadley that tested positive for West Nile Virus and will start using pesticides on Friday. I say why didn't they do it preventably in expectation of such a discovery? In 1991 the firm of of <i>Bacon & Wilson</i> converted 33 State Street, opposite the Hampden County Courthouse, into their law offices. Unique plaster columns were found behind the walls of the upstairs offices when they were gutted. To restore the columns, they found an Irish plasterer who rebuild and refurbished each column by hand. <i>Sunday Skool</i> at 296 Worthington Street has as its motto "Skool is not for Everybody." Fifteen people from Chicopee died in Vietnam.<br />
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I went out at 9:15am, put out the mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i> and then went to the library at AIC. I parked on Massachusetts Avenue and then went to the library and worked at the microfilm reader until 2:45pm! I looked over six rolls of microfilm and found various things, including the autobiographical essay Father wrote, but I still haven't found Father's account of his early years in Bethel. I did find a full account of Father's retirement dinner with a copy of the speech given by Dr. Simpson, subsequently killed when a gas explosion leveled the good Doctor's house in Wilbraham. I also found Father's account of the marriage of cousin Charles Bowen and Donna Marie Lashway in May 1976. But most interestingly, I found Father's <i>History of the Monarch Credit Union</i> in four parts. I spent several dollars making copies at a dime each. The freebies rack is gone so alas no freebies. <br />
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I got home at 2:55pm as an elderly lady in a tan late model car was stopping at the Coburn's. Whenever I get home, it always seems as though somebody has just called. Today it was the Center for School Crisis and Intervention. I called back and their receptionist Peggy said she didn't know who had called me or why. <i>Tru-Green</i> called today but I was napping. Later a Scott Labonte called and when I picked up he said, "I'm sorry, I must have the wrong number, sir." I called the <i>Telephone Worker's Credit Union</i> and the receptionist started by apologizing, "I've only been here two months." Isn't it the same everywhere? She said their President is Paul MacDonald who is on vacation until August 28th. She said he doesn't have a secretary, so I left a voicemail asking about the nature of their company archives and what they have from the merger with the Monarch Credit Union. I then asked whether he would be interested in a copy of Father's manuscript. We'll see what happens. <br />
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<center><b>August 23, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny, 65 degrees at 8am. Gas is $1.54 at the <i>Cumberland Farms</i> in Hungry Hill.<br />
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Paul H. Rothschild is a partner in the Springfield based law firm of <i>Bacon & Wilson</i>. Gary R. Parks who lives at 147 Westminster called and we had an interesting chat. He wanted to know if I could appraise an old painting for him but I said I am not competent to appraise a painting. I told him the best way to get an appraisal is through an auction house and I mentioned <i>Stanton's</i>. Mrs. Arthur McIvery called and said, "I was calling <i>Storrowtown</i>," to which I replied, "Madam, I get about a dozen such wrong numbers a week and I don't take kindly to them." Unknown also called but when I picked up there was no voice though I could hear someone moving around. Then nothing. <br />
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My left arm has really improved to where I can lift the 25 pound weight seven times each morning with relative ease. This was the day of the Sacco-Vanzetti reception. I didn't go, probably to their relief. This was also the day of Sheriff Ashe's clambake at <i>Riverside/Six Flags</i>. On the evening news they had a shot of the affair and it didn't look very crowded, perhaps because it was overcast by noon and raining hard at 6:49pm. <br />
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I drove out after 9:30am and deposited checks at <i>Albank</i>, which is now <i>Charter One</i>. Then over to Eamon's, where I left a bag of stuff on his backdoor handle at 10:05am. He had not left a bag for me. Eamon has had his garage door painted green to match his shutters. From there I went up the hill to <i>Liberty Plaza</i>. In where <i>Steiger's</i> and <i>Cherry Webb</i> once were there is now an <i>A.J. Wright</i>. Their bag nicely asks "Who Needs a Sale?" which of course can be taken different ways. Across the front of the store was a banner reading CLEARANCE. When I went in the first thing I saw was a rack with t-shirts marked down to $3.99, which is pretty cheap for a new t-shirt. They were black and white with ugly pictures on them, but ugly is in style. <br />
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I have plenty of t-shirts, but I have been wanting a pair of black jeans and I found a pair of black <i>Wrangler</i> jeans in just my size for $7.99. Even in her dreams Mother couldn't beat that, so I bought them. Now I can dress head to toe in all black with no exceptions. <i>Popular Club Plan</i>, which had been over by the former Breckwood <i>Big Y</i> is now up here at <i>Liberty Plaza</i> next door to <i>A.J. Wright</i>. <i>Friendly's</i> is closed, replaced by the fancy <i>99 Restaurant</i>, which I saw didn't open until 11:30am. I went into <i>Savers</i> and bought a few books, including <i>Mayflower Madam</i> and <i>The Bell Curve</i>. <br />
<br />
When I got out of <i>Savers</i> I toddled over to the now open <i>99</i> and bought their cheapest burger and a cup of French onion soup. It is a nice restaurant with a long narrow bar. I took a window booth in the front dining area, which is dimly lit with a lot of fake memorabilia on the walls. There are fancy Victorian style signs for businesses that never existed and a few photos of someplace but not Springfield. Both <i>Spaghetti Warehouse</i> and <i>Ruby Tuesday</i> have real memorabilia from Western Mass. While waiting for my order the waitress brought water with a lemon in it and some popcorn. My burger came on a plump roll with crushed lettuce and two small slices of hothouse tomatoes and only two strands of purple onion. The fries were immense, about the size of your thumb and done through. The onion soup was nice though maybe too tame. The bill came to $8.82 and I gave the waitress a twenty and told her to bring me a ten. Not a bad place, but <i>Ruby Tuesday</i> is still tops and <i>Friendly's</i>, let's face it, is the bottom of the bunch. <br />
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When I came back I found the <i>Tru-Green</i> invoice on the backdoor handle. As I drove into the driveway I spotted a chipmunk perched on the pole to the back gate. I think I have heard him in the garage. Received the mail from the hand of the mailman at 1:10pm just after I got home. <i>The MLA Directory</i> came, Rothstein and Harth are there, but Henning and Waddington have retired. I feel that those who drop out or retire lack commitment to the profession. True scholars are scholars forever. <br />
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Phone ID showed that Eamon called at 11:32am and 12:28pm when I was not home. Eamon called again at 3:35pm and apologized for not having left a bag of reading material for me, but he said he left in a hurry because he was worried about rain. He went downstairs to visit the <i>KayMan</i> tailor Chhugan, who is Pakistani, at <i>Tower Square</i>. Eamon told me he was in the shop for two and a half hours and only one other customer, a woman, briefly stopped in. Eamon says the only reason <i>Kayman</i> has survived is because they have no competition with <i>Lou Dramin</i> and <i>A.O. White</i> gone. He is paying $19 per square foot, which is better than the $33 per foot they charge at <i>Ingleside Mall</i>. <br />
<br />
Eamon said he ordered some custom made shirts of Egyptian cotton, 300 threads per inch. It takes about six weeks to have the shirts made to your specifications. The tailor told Eamon that he thinks most Springfield politicians are full of shit. He told Eamon that Anthony Ardolino is a special friend of the <i>Tilly's</i> people who give him special consideration. The tailor also said that business is down all over downtown and claims that in spite of recent renovations, <i>Tower Square</i> is still in financial trouble. <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 24, 2000</b></center><br />
Misty this morning, 67 degrees at 9am. Gas at Breckwood <i>Shell</i> is $1.59 per gallon.<br />
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<i>WFCR</i> says that over 20% of Montana is closed to the public due to wildfires. Kenneth J. Albano is an attorney who specializes in business, corporate and municipal law. <i>Javanet Cafe</i> on Main Street in Northampton sells BusinessWest. <i>Antiques on Boland Way</i> is involved with the gallery at <i>Tower Square</i>. <br />
<br />
Zachary Cohn has never come by to pick up the three boxes of books I had for him. I told him I would swap them for a couple of law books. In reality I suspect that when he realized that I do in fact know what books are worth, he lost interest in talking to me. People are like that, huh? I am reading <i>Mayflower Madam</i>, I seldom read a book that I don't get something useful out of. I sent a postcard with positive comments to the <i>99 Restaurant</i>, but said they couldn't match <i>Ruby Tuesday's</i> salad bar.<br />
<br />
Drove out at 11:00am and copied some things of possible interest to the Rev. Mrs. Goad. Then I dropped them off at the Trinity office with Hebert who said thank you with enthusiasm. Then I headed downtown and parked at the <i>Telephone Worker's Credit Union</i>. I crossed the street and read the morning paper in the lobby of the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i>, then came down Main to the City Block show. They were passing out bottles of water, packages of <i>Teddy Graham</i> cookies and coupons for free slices of cheese pizza at <i>Big Y</i>. I rummaged in the trash and got an extra one. <i>King's Pizza</i> and <i>City Stage</i> were passing out leaflets. Ice cream and hot dogs were the only vendors. The scaffolding is still up on the Johnson's Bookstore Building, where they are scraping the wooden trim on the windows. I wonder if the Johnsons are trying to make their building look its best so they can sell it?<br />
<br />
A group called The Dinner Dogs from Pennsylvania performed dressed as chefs with a vocalist in robin's egg blue pants. They did okay for an audience of little kids. Ann Burke was in <i>Tilly's</i> with no signs of Turin. There were four umbrellas up at <i>Tilly's</i>. A <i>UPS</i> man told me that City Block makes it more difficult for him to deliver packages downtown. There are always virtually no blacks at these events. There was a kid on a skateboard, but nobody made any trouble for him even though he skateboarded too close to people. One guy sitting on a bench looked at my locked chain and padlock, then showed me his own saying, "Not many of us around." The general energy level downtown was down. Returning to my car at the <i>Telephone Worker's Credit Union</i>, I went in and deposited several small checks totaling $430.84 with Lucy. On the way back, I swung by <i>Food Mart</i> and got more <i>Hungry Man Dinners</i> on special and once I got home I put a fried chicken one in the microwave. The white Connecticut car was parked in front of Colleen's, so I rang the bell and Colleen's face came to the window and she said she was in her night clothes but will be in town all week and will stop by. <br />
<br />
I called Belle-Rita Novak to congratulate her on her picture in the paper, which she had not seen. I told her it is a lovely picture of her at the <i>X Farmer's Market</i>. I promised I would get her two Tuesday Morning Music Club tickets next month. She told me she has been named a Woman of Achievement by the YMCA and naturally I congratulated her. Eamon called and claimed that years ago <i>Ford</i> wanted to build a plant in Springfield but <i>Mass Mutual</i> kept them out because it would have increased pressure to raise wages locally. Other insurance companies that wanted to come here were fended off for the same reason, according to Eamon. Years ago <i>Filene's</i> wanted a downtown store, but <i>Forbes</i> and <i>Steiger's</i> didn't want them in. Eamon closed by repeating that he suspects a lot of Springfield cops are involved in criminal activity. <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 25, 2000</b></center><br />
A lovely day. 77 degrees at 1:55pm. Gas at the Boston Road <i>Sunoco</i> is $1.58. <br />
<br />
There is a big picture of Francis Gagnon in the paper today attending the Historic Register meeting on Byers Street, which only ten people attended. Gagnon was shown standing in front of the Homer Merriam house at 54 Byers, the former conservatory. My old friend Dick Pious is attending a symposium on Rating the Presidents. Ellie Ochs, Professor of American Studies, is the Chair of the Political Science Department at Barnard College. Neil Rudenstein intends to conclude his tenure as Harvard's 26th President at the end of the 2000-2001 academic year, following a decade of service. Robert G. Stone is the Chair of the Presidential Search Committee. In 1996 Atty. Paul H. Rothschild wrote an article for <i>BusinessWest</i> entitled, "New Sexual Harassment Law Requires Attention." <br />
<br />
When I left early this morning the white car was still at Colleen's. I drove down to Lucius' and left him the latest <i>Atlantic Monthly</i> and some WWII poetry. Then over to <i>Walmart</i> to have some camera film developed. From there I swung by Hillcrest Cemetery and asked for a key to the mausoleum for Labor Day. There was a slight bit of foot dragging but he got one and put it on a Hillcrest keychain and that was that. I said they should require people to sign a receipt for the keys but he said none was required. I returned to <i>Walmart</i> where my pictures came out splendidly, however, they were unable to make a copy of the Hillcrest key. <br />
<br />
I withdrew $100 from the <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> and from there headed downtown, parked on Salem and walked into the city. Metermaids were at work on Mattoon, where they now have new cobalt blue dumpsters. I copied the registration number of the one outside 18 Mattoon: 99017507. I arrived at City Block at 11:35am and things were pretty quiet. Went around to the City Hall side of <i>Monarch Place</i>, where a black man in a cherry picker was cleaning the stains on the side of the building around the air vents. A sign on the cherry picker read, "United Rentals 1-800-437-3368. After watching for a while, I went back where two girls were sitting at a picnic table by <i>Tilly's</i>. One had a Jewish word hanging in gold around her neck and said she is a student at UMass. The other said she is pursuing a degree in education from the Center for Excellence at Westfield State. <br />
<br />
Kristen gave me four more <i>Big Y</i> free pizza coupons which was nice, but that is all the pizza I can use for awhile. They were passing out all the bottles of water you wanted and at one point I saw Turin walk by. There was no ice cream wagon today, I guess one day of lousy sales was enough for them! Only the hot dog wagon remained, meaning all the commercial activity around City Block had gone dead by the last day. At 12:15 I counted noses and there were 105 people listening to a single male vocalist with a keyboard and guitar. There were lots of pedestrians walking north towards Tower Square, but they took no interest in the performance. The City Block noon shows must now be judged an unmitigated flop.<br />
<br />
I was back at the car at 12:29pm and then drove over to the <i>Hofbrauhaus</i> in West Springfield. My waitress Carrie brought water but no bread and butter. I asked if the bratwurst came with potatoes and she said no, so I ordered homefries which were wonderful. At the end I gave Carrie $20 and told her to bring me $7 change and keep the difference, but she brought it all back and spilled the coins all over the table. Before I left, I conducted myself on a tour of the place. There is a bar with a stuffed moose head alongside the main dining room, plus some rooms downstairs, meaning they can handle several parties at a time. The place overall is old and dingy with a few old, badly deteriorated oil paintings on the walls. The lighting is by electric candles with little shades over them. The whole place should be closed down and given a complete renovation to brighten it up. <i>The Fort</i> is still the best German restaurant around. Before I departed, I left a quarter on my table. <br />
<br />
When I got home, Kelly's car was parked in front of Colleen's and Barry's behind it. I peeked around the hedge and saw Colleen spreading sealer on her driveway, but I ducked back before she saw me. Once settled, I read a little in <i>Mayflower Madam</i> and then took a nap. After I woke up Eamon called and told me he was back at <i>Kayman's</i> this morning to complete measurements for his shirt order. He said <i>Dunkin Donuts</i> in <i>Tower Square</i> had a line of customers but the rest of <i>Tower Square</i> was dead. He said no one came into <i>Kayman's</i> while he was there. The tailor told him that few of the businesses in <i>Tower Square</i> pay full rent and that he is charged nothing for electricity or promotional events. However, he does have to pay for his own parking. There is no maintenance fee. <br />
<br />
While he was downtown, Eamon said he had his car inspected at the tire place on Chestnut. The tire guy said he is glad the Exeter Building is coming down because now his place will be visible from Main Street. However, he told Eamon that the demolition has been delayed by the discovery of serious soil contamination on the site. Before heading home Eamon said he drove out to <i>Randall's Farm</i> to get an apple pie. Eamon also recalled that Franklin Bacon, the photographer on Bright Street, is an active Shriner. He then retold how he once sang for Cora Hustis. After Eamon hung up, I called the <i>Hofbrauhaus</i> and got Keith the bartender. I told him that I should get a $2 gift certificate and a letter of apology because I received no bread and butter with my meal. He patiently listened to everything I said, then hung up without replying. <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 26, 2000</b></center><br />
A lovely day, 72 degrees at noon. <br />
<br />
The media is failing to cover Ralph Nader's presidential campaign adequately. Don Crossman of East Longmeadow frequently writes letters to the <i>Union-News</i>. In 1995 Suzanne Bay wrote a puff-piece article for <i>BusinessWest</i> entitled, "Michael Katz, a Man of Many Talents." <br />
<br />
I'm continuing to read <i>The Mayflower Madam</i>, which is a virtual manual on running an escort service. When I left this morning Colleen was out in raspberry shorts painting the trim on her bedroom window. I hope she is not spiffing the place up because they're thinking of moving, but with Colleen you never know. Went to the Boston Road <i>McDonald's</i>, then I dropped two postcards in the <i>Walmart</i> mailbox. Next I drove out to the <i>Cat's Paw</i> but Vince and Claudia are on vacation this week. I then went to <i>Stop&Shop</i> to buy the specials, where I ran into Addie Falk, Mrs. Cerrone's sister. We greeted each other but didn't talk, so I received no thank you for my mailing. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he saw Robert Turin on a long segment of <i>TV22</i> news, claiming that City Block has been "a great success" with an empty Main Street in the background. Turin further claimed that that they had "as many as five thousand" at one event, adding that he had no idea whether they would do City Block again next year. People from <i>Westfield Bank</i> and <i>Cafe du Jour</i> were interviewed and expressed disappointment with the City Block turnouts, but the lady from <i>Tilly's</i> described it as "a tremendous success." Eamon accused Turin of exaggerating in order to create "a bandwagon effect" and described Turin as talking "in glittering generalities."<br />
<br />
Eamon says he thinks Frank Faulkner teaches at UMass and that it was Richie Neal who got Faulkner's wife Melinda Phelps on the Police Commission. Eamon is mad at Faulkner because he lent him some valuable photos to use in <i>Hungry Hill Magazine</i> and now he fears he will never see them again. Eamon also talked about his friend Billy Schwartz, who gave a lot of money to the symphony. He said the family owns a mansion on Sumner Avenue. Eamon once took a course on eastern culture with Schwartz at AIC. He described Schwartz as "a perpetual student" who was always taking courses at AIC. Schwartz never married and hung around athletes and sporting events. Gay? Eamon didn't know. Eamon claimed that Schwartz knew what was going on behing the scenes in the city to a very high degree, but not as much as Eamon himself. Eamon recalled how Bill Putnam once told him, "I have a staff of fifteen and they can't get me the information you can get in five minutes!" Eamon was indulging in self-praise, but the characterization is accurate. <br />
<br />
I had planned on missing the last City Block evening concert, but Eamon's call changed my mind so at 7:19 I decided to set out for downtown and parked at meter 782 on Hillman. The fact that I could find a meter so close was an indication of low attendance. I arrived at 7:55, dusk. Two black men drove up and wanted to park in the non-space in front of me, so I backed up a bit and they were able to park while I still had room to get out. <i>Eurasia</i> was open with only two men at the counter. The scaffolding is gone from the <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i> building. <br />
<br />
There wasn't much of a crowd. There was a line of three at the beer wagon, a couple over to the hot dogs. I bought a <i>Doc Otis Hard Lemonade</i> for $3 and was disappointed when they said I couldn't have the bottle and poured it into a <i>Budweiser</i> paper cup. There were 35 in <i>Tilly's</i> and about 450 in front of the concert stage. The crowd was not hard packed, with lots of people towards the back. The sound control console was right in the middle and spotlights were shining down on the front area. There were banners on stage for <i>Budweiser</i> and the <i>Valley Advocate</i>, with 45 lawn chairs set up, fewer than usual. I saw three cops, two of them fat. One of them was talking on a cell phone. I shared my crowd count with the fat cop by the Forbes Fountain who had been eyeing me. He politely thanked me for the figures. <br />
<br />
At the corner of Hillman and Main they were passing out green Stearns Square Block Party handouts. Turin was up by the sound control console when I arrived, smoking a pipe. I wondered what Turin was smoking in the pipe, but said nothing. Ann Burke stood in the back area and the man who was with her brought her a beer. He was a white haired lawyer type and I wonder who he was? A Latino fellow arrived and spoke with them for a good while. Eventually I walked up and asked Burke why she wasn't passing out questionnaires and she agreed that they should have been. She told me she has been sending out three sets of questionnaires, one to people in the office buildings, one to restaurants and other businesses to determine impact and a third were passed out to people on the street at the events. I warned her that some people might tell her negative things about me, but she was all smiles and said she enjoyed "the nice memos you send me." <br />
<br />
I shared my crowd count with Turin, who was sitting on the cement base of the light box. He didn't grin or thank me and merely grunted. I told him that if he wants to inflate the figures for the media then 800 was acceptable, but I warned him it would be going too far to say "over a thousand." As I left at 8:45pm, a man asked me the way to Memorial Avenue in West Springfield and I told him. Home at 8:56pm. <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 27, 2000</b></center><br />
83 degrees at 6pm. Gas going up for Labor Day, $1.58 at <i>Cumberland Farms</i> on Boston Road.<br />
<br />
<i>Two Guys Discount Department Store</i> was on Boston Road in 1970. Spent an hour going through some of Father's things and found a 1972 receipt from the <i>H. Klempner Company</i> on Bridge Street, where Father had a cuff link repaired. Mother saved virtually every single price tag off of everything she ever purchased. There are boxes of them in her closet, it's such a curiosity I don't dare throw them out...yet. <br />
<br />
I drove out today at 9:30am and had an Egg McMuffin at <i>McDonald's</i> on Boston Road where I read the morning paper. It had a Larry McDermott editorial saying that Mayor Charlie Ryan was responsible for cutting off the riverfront with I-91, which should have been built on the other side of the river. I'll bet the reason for wanting the road on this side of the river was the vain hope that people would see downtown and want to get off to go shopping. It's just like they hope people will see the new Basketball Hall of Fame and get off and go in.<br />
<br />
I drove over to Dot Lortie's Open House at 1098 Plumtree Road, Larenzo J. Larson's house. Larson is the man who built my house and he's been mentioned in this diary before. When new, his house would have gone for around thirty thousand. The first floor is really nice, the basement is clean and dry but unfinished. There is a two car garage and an enclosed breezeway, plus a not so big living room with a fireplace. The bathroom is unusually wide with a double sink. The house is a couple of years older than mine and was always painted yellow. In all, Larson had a pretty nice house for himself. From there I went to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres and made a few copies, then to <i>Big Y</i> to use one of my City Block coupons for a free slice of pizza and soda. The girl said it would be ready in twenty minutes but it only took ten. It was good, but plain cheese pizza can get somewhat boring. Stopped at a couple tag sales, but bought nothing. Arrived home at 4:57 pm. <br />
<br />
A Bill Chsanno in Watertown, who works for <i>Eastern Advertising</i>, called looking for a donation to the Police Association. I told him I'm unemployed. Eamon called and we chatted for half an hour. He recalled how his brother and sisters wanted to put his mother in a nursing home but he resisted. Eamon's niece, Merriam's daughter, runs the <i>Pine Manor</i> nursing home up the road, but after inspecting it Eamon would not let his mother go there. We talked a little about Marshall Moriarty's campaign for Governor's Council. Eamon predicted that Moriarty "will get his head handed to him" because incumbent Eddie O'Brien has been in there too long. Eamon described O'Brien as "a good reason for term limits" and suggested that Governor's Councilors should be limited to one six year term. <br />
<br />
Eamon doesn't think Charlie Ryan is back from vacation yet. He said McDermott was right in his column today, Charlie Ryan was partly responsible for the unfortunate decision to put the expressway on this side of the river, resulting in the tearing down of a lot of buildings that should have been saved. He also blamed Ryan for the building of the Civic Center. Eamon described the moving of Tech and Classical out of downtown as a racist decision designed to get the minority students out of downtown. Someone Eamon knew who worked in <i>Steiger's</i> told him that they were swamped with kids when the high schools got out, but when the schools moved out there were no new customers coming in to take their place, forcing <i>Steiger's</i> and others to go out of business, the victim of their own racism and stupidity. <br />
<br />
Eamon recalled how Mr. Cassella told him that the high schools could have been restored at a fraction of what it cost to replace them. He noted how they were able to put condos on the top floor of Classical, which had been closed when it was a school because it was supposedly uninhabitable. Tech and Classical had been condemned as "fire traps" and unfit to be occupied by students for six or seven hours per day, but after they closed they were suddenly declared capable of renovation for 24 hour a day habitation. <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 28, 2000</b></center><br />
Somewhat misty this morning. <br />
<br />
In crankiness is the only sanity. <br />
<br />
Jane Swift is now the state's Education Czar. She pulled the "working mother defense" when she was found to have acted unethically in having state employees babysit for her, but anyone with a position like hers should've been able to hire a nanny. <i>WFCR</i> said today that Philemon Parker, who died in Chester, Vermont 150 years ago, has been given a new headstone. Sandra Feldman, President of the American Federation of Teachers, was on TV Sunday evening saying she is opposed to the "instant teacher" programs some states have. Naturally I thought of Helen Miller. I waste too much space in this diary on news. <br />
<br />
Maueal S. Miller called and said they would be coming on Saturday, September 2nd, but not staying overnight. Very friendly, but sounded rehearsed. Martha didn't feel too good last week but feeling better now. Joseph Kochandwicz owned the <i>Poli Jewelry Company</i> on Bridge Street in 1973. <i>Bradlees</i> was on Boston Road in 1974. I participated in the City of Springfield Street Tree Inventory Project in 1995. Mike Andrews was Chairman and Director of the Jimmy Fund of Western Massachusetts in 1995. Paul R. Salvage was senior partner with the Springfield Law Firm of <i>Bacon & Wilson</i> in 1996. <br />
<br />
I dined today on <i>Stouffer's Meatballs and Noodles</i>. While sorting over some books to give Helen, I found a book related to Christopher Columbus <i>Little Stories of Explorers</i> (1935) by Laura A. Large. Shall I alert Leonard Collamore and his mythical Columbus Collection? Today I wrote to Marshall Moriarty, the University of Vermont and the <i>Scholar's Bookshelf</i>. I called Mr. Lucius and he will come over without his wife at 2pm Tuesday. So I got out the white paint and touched up the breezeway and picked up the garden waste. I got two tomatoes from the plants I got from the guy at Trinity. I gave one to Sweet Pea and one to Honey Pot.<br />
<br />
After tying up the branches and putting them out, I drove down to <i>Gateway</i> for copies and to pick up my photos. There was nobody at Colleen's, but when I got back the white Connecticut car was again parked the wrong way in front of the house. The mail brought a postcard of Gilbert Haven Cottage on Martha's Vineyard. I called Collamore but no answer. Someone called and asked, "Is Bob there? I'm sorry, I got the wrong number." I moved my typewriter off the dining room table and am using the <i>Smith-Corona</i> portable in the basement. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said Charlie Ryan is still out of town. Eamon got a renewal notice from the Irish group at Elms, but he's not renewing. Eamon said Steve Burke the fireman is anxiously awaiting the results of his bar exam. Burke is presently interning with Mary Hurley. Eamon told me that he chatted with Larry Humphries who ran the <i>Little Gallery</i> and danced at <i>Jacob's Pillow</i> and knew Ted Shaw the founder. Humprhies called downtown Springfield "a wasteland" and said he personally knew Carlo Marchetti whom he "never thought much of." <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 29, 2000</b></center><br />
Bright, sunny and cool.<br />
<br />
You can call me Gentleman Stinker, but somebody has to tell people how to do things correctly. <br />
<br />
The World Conference on Spirituality has excluded the Dali Lama at the request of China. So much for catching the spirit! George Bush Jr. says such stupid things that he is a disgrace to the Republican Party. There is no reason why we should elect a second President Bush anymore than we should elect a second President Kennedy. <i>WFCR</i> says the University of Vermont has paid a settlement of $80,000 to a former hockey player in a hazing scandal. Former 1999 City Council candidate Scott D. Santaniello has admitted he stole a motorcycle in 1995. The Springfield Science Museum has received accreditation from the American Association of Museums. Starting Sept. 1st the Springfield Museums at the Quadrangle will expand operating hours and increase fees, according to publicist Sara Orr. <br />
<br />
The East Longmeadow Planning Board unanimously approved a new building to house <i>W.F. Young's</i> marketing and sales headquarters. Northampton schools have been named among the 100 best school systems in America. <i>The Village Store</i> in the center of Wilbraham is now vacant. <i>Dot Lortie Realty</i> is located on White Street in Springfield. <i>The Hofbrauhaus</i> is on Main Street in West Springfield. Sally L. Gula of Chicopee, who worked at the former <i>Vee's Beauty Shop</i> in Ware, died recently at age 88. Lorenzo J. Larson died in 1997. <br />
<br />
<i>Friendly's</i> stock is at 3.93, <i>Woronoco</i> is at 12.37. Every week there is a story about how something we were told not to do isn't so bad for you after all, like a little wine is good for the heart. <i>Stop&Shop</i> sells its brand of milk for $1.59 per half gallon. I never buy <i>Hoods</i> unless a coupon makes it cheaper than other brands. There is no finer advertisement than a quality product that is competitively priced. Drove out to get the paper at 12:40pm and Mrs. Penniman was out with another lady and waved. Her husband hasn't been out lately, sitting in the garage as he did at the start of summer. <br />
<br />
I own 15,000 books, the largest private library in Springfield. I do not own a computer. Our slide projector was purchased September 1, 1952 from <i>Valley Cinema</i> on State Street across from AIC. The price was $34.50. We were pretty proud of it and never abused it, so it still looks as good as new. We had to install a new bulb once and it was very expensive. Bob Turin was on TV saying that City Block was a big success and cost $225,000 to put on. <i>TV22</i> had Ernie Bates on again talking about insurance. For years whenever they interview an insurance expert it has been Ernie Bates, so I called <i>TV22</i> and got Robert in the newsroom. I told him they should spread their favors around and I also told him that computer and electronic media encourages sloppiness in the presentation of text. He replied, "Okay, I'll pass it on." Unknown called at 7:08pm. <br />
<br />
Colleen has a bush growing up all around her mailbox. The street sweeper went by sometime this morning. Did two loads of wash today, took a bath, pushed around the vac and got out a few books to show Lucius. <i>Federal Express</i> delivered 350 shares of <i>Ford</i> stock inside the backdoor while I was in the bathroom. What will it be worth after the Firestone mess? I dined on <i>Stouffer's Veal Parmigiana</i> before Lucius came. Richard Lucius, age 76, arrived at 2pm and I served him a little glass of sherry. Lucius is a tall, thin, fine gentleman. His English is impeccable but he speaks no French or Latin. His great grandfather Patrick Bradley wrote <i>A Soldier's Story</i> of which he has a copy and he was disappointed to discover it is worth only around $75. I showed him my cartoon of Melvin Laird and the State Street Mall cartoons. <br />
<br />
Lucius told me he grew up on White Street in the shadow of a brother seven years older who was a star student. His parents expected him to be as good as his brother but he couldn't do it. Therefore, his big brother got a lot more attention and praise than he did. Lucius said that he used to play chess at Winchester Square a lot when he was a kid and there was an old Scotsman who could beat anybody. However, one year Lucius beat him and won a prize of a silver cup and a box of cigars, but because of his age he got cash equal to what the cigars were worth. Lucius told me, "We need more chess heroes and fewer sports heroes. Chess is about math and reasoning." <br />
<br />
He joined the Marines at the age of 17, which his father wasn't too happy about. Lucius said that when he got to Parris Island he could see real differences between kids from different parts of the country, with New York kids having street smarts the southern boys did not. He said he was in a heavy weapons unit that saw a lot of action. I asked him how many of his buddies never made it back and he just sat silently with his head bowed so I changed the subject. At one point in his military career he went to China and saw the Great Wall. After the war he became a printer's helper and worked all kinds of presses including one like my <i>Chandler&Price</i>. He later worked for the Fire Department and pursued his interest in falconry on the side. At age 42 he had to have an operation to remove some of his stomach. <br />
<br />
Lucius remarked that the Hall of Fame was supposed to pay a portion of its profits to the city, only there hasn't been any profits! He scoffed at the city's attempts at urban renewal, saying urban renewal must happen gradually and by itself, without government interference. Lucius said he believes in God but doesn't like the way the Catholic Church bosses people around. In his opinion some people are just born bad. I talked a little about poetry and he mentioned <i>Gray's Elegy</i>. At the end I urged him to write a little autobiography for his children. <br />
<br />
Eamon's new phone editorial goes, "With 100,000 visitor a year, the Basketball Hall of Fame is the least attended Hall of Fame in the nation. It has not been the economic generator promised by our local planners and politicians. The New England Sports Museum in Boston attracts 600,000 visitors a year. It's a mystery how much money the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield is losing every year." <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 30, 2000</b></center><br />
A lovely day.<br />
<br />
Springfield City Hall is full of too many people who know somebody but not something. <br />
<br />
In the middle of the night at 2:32am the power went off for just a second. Paul Dearden is Vice President of Investments for <i>A.G. Edwards and Sons</i>. My former neighbor and old friend Dr. Claudia Koppelman, one of the few solo practitioners around, had her picture in the paper in 1998 checking the heart of her patient Eugene W. Piela of Chicopee in her Holyoke office. Julian de Cordova's art collections were so densely packed that viewers could barely see the walls. <br />
<br />
I am going to give Helen Grandmother's favorite picture that she gave me years ago. Read newspapers this morning. The Turin segment from last night was re-run at noon, probably also in the early morning but I seldom watch then. There's a lot of hype for the <i>Big E</i>, which is the fifth largest fair in America, generating over $100 million in revenue. The news also had someone on saying that the best proof of development in the valley is that there are six new hotels going up. Another story told about a floating island in Island Pond that has drifted to a location that has nearby residents mad. A person on a "Reflexology" advertisement asked, "What have you got to lose by giving it a try? Answer: MONEY. <br />
<br />
Dined today on ravioli and tomatoes on toast. Mid-afternoon I found a box inside the back door which UPS had left from Jordan Luttrell with <i>Mr. Bumpkins Lawsuit</i> in it. I called Odyssey and they buy used books, but not until after the school year gets underway. Payment by cash or credit slip. Mrs. Berselli called at 11:45am and she just got out of Baystate and won't be back up to speed for a couple of weeks. She will call back when she feels better. I am taking notes on her in my notebook and already have a few good tidbits. <br />
<br />
I called Mrs. Staniski and told her I won't be coming by this week. She said <i>Noonan Oil</i> wants her to sign a contract to replace her leaking tank. Then I called Mrs. Hall's School in Pittsfield and talked to Felicity. She told me they only teach grades 9 through 12. Sheila Reneberg called from <i>Verizon Internet Services</i> and asked whether I use the internet. I said I have 15,000 books so I have no use for the internet. I asked her if she knows how many businesses there are in the USA and she didn't know. I told her if I gave every one of them the amount of time I've given to you, I'd never get anything done. I instructed her to never call here again and she politely agreed. Unknown rang at 4:30pm. <br />
<br />
<center><b>August 31, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Overcast and misty, getting more humid. <br />
<br />
Wesley Snipes stars as a covert officer working for the United Nations in <i>The Art of War</i>. Sister Keating is retiring at Elms. They need someone young and vivacious, Sister K always projected an old and dumpy look. There's a picture of Jack Hess in the new <i>Reminder</i> attending a fundraiser for the East Longmeadow Historical Society. Good for him, Jack Hess is an unsung hero of Springfield history. Frances Gagnon published her <i>History of the Eastern States Exposition</i> in 1998. </p><p>Our leaders need to appreciate the outrageous, the truly creative and the different. We know what the standard responses are, but what about the non-standard answers? Eccentric answers may be the most important comments. Everything should be re-thought. <br />
<br />
I left the <i>Herald</i> for the Penniman's, then visited with Mr. Cohn. A van was parked on his beautiful front grass to install a new front storm door. I took some leftover driveway patch to Colleen, who has been working her butt off since she got home. Colleen has had a tough life and she has faced it with toughness. </p><p>Then I drove out to Hillcrest Cemetery to take some photos. After that, I drove over to the <i>Freihoffer</i> store, but found it doesn't open until 11:30, so I went to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> to get my free back to school kit. <i>Eastfield</i> looks wonderful now with lots of new stores. <i>Donovan's Irish Pub</i> is in the area where we signed up for jobs at <i>Lowe's</i>. <i>Donovan's</i> has mahogany beams, green walls and, of all things, 50's cocktail shakers. Down the other end of the mall, the <i>99 Restaurant</i> has a Help Wanted sign up but isn't open yet. <br />
<br />
I went into <i>Friendly's</i> and there were only eight customers at 11:35, yet even then nobody showed any interest in helping me, so I left. I was at <i>Ruby Tuesday</i> at 11:45am and counted noses and there were 36 customers. When I got home, I had fun by calling <i>Friendly's</i> and got a receptionist who said, "I'm new on the job," so she had to ask around to answer questions she should have had on the tip of her tongue. Twice I was put on hold for a long time until finally I was connected to Debbie Burns in charge of stockholder relations. </p><p>However, Debbie was out so I asked for the President or his secretary and actually got Felicia. She was polite and said she knows me from the stockholder meetings. I told Felicia the headcounts at <i>Friendly's</i> and <i>Ruby Tuesday</i> and told her that the company is dead because Ozzie and Harriet are dead and times have moved on. I said <i>Friendly's</i> lack of a salad bar is killing them, not to mention <i>Ruby Tuesday's</i> superior ambiance and authentic memorabilia. I also told her that I am surprised they hired the head of the failed <i>Boston Chicken</i>, I said I prefer to get my chicken at <i>Stop&Shop</i>. She replied, "Some people like the old fashioned ice cream shop." Ho-hum. <br />
<br />
The mail was delivered at 1:40 to my hand. At 5:28pm, Corliss Welch called, effervescent as always, and we talked until 6:19. She said she feels guilty for not thanking me for the book I sent her inscribed to her as a "soulmate." However, she told me she has had "a bitch of a year" and was too busy. She said the Principal retired early and as second in command she got stuck with the job but no title or payraise. Eventually they hired "a lovely, fat old Irish Catholic to fill in temporarily but she still did most of the work. They finally hired a black fellow who is so slow she has to explain things to him over and over again. At the end of the year she did the entire class schedule for the entire school, grades six through eight. She gave up directiing the annual play but still advices the Student Council. Welch is in her 32nd year of teaching, ever since she was 21, and she feels burned out and then some. Surgery on her foot put her out for five weeks. She said her mom is "83 and still swinging." I told Corliss to visit anytime. <br />
<br />
On the news they had more on the police rape case, with Minister Mohammad shown with Michaelann Bewsee telling of other women who have come forth with tales of being raped by the police. One woman claimed she had been raped in a police cruiser in the police station parking lot. Eamon called and at one point used the expression, "Why buy the cow when you're getting the milk for free?" Eamon said he heard that Mary Hurley's sister, a school Principal, has a reputation for being "a complete fool." Eamon also talked about his jeweler friend Dave Downey, with whom he used to drink at <i>Nardi's</i>. Eamon sang at this wedding to Fran Godek at St. Stan's. Fran was an AIC graduate. Eamon told Downey that, "If this marriage lasts a year I'll buy you a dinner." Sure enough, Downey soon found out she was seeing Professor Goodman the casino expert. Downey threw her out and she ended up having a child by Goodman. </p>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-77562811254918990542015-04-21T16:41:00.016-04:002024-03-06T13:38:58.182-05:00September 2000<center><b>September 1, 2000</b></center><br />
84 degrees at 4:30pm. <br />
<br />
Even days when nothing is happening, a lot happens.<br />
<br />
I'll never forget Irving Cohn telling me, "David Starr is a jerk." <i>TV22</i> forgot to read the stock quotes at noon. City Councilor Bud Williams was on the news saying that Homer Street is the oldest school in the city and he is urging improvements. Elizabeth Pietrantonio is Director of Marketing for<i> HeartHaven Alzheimer's Care</i> in Bloomfield, Connecticut. Whatever happened to C. William Lynch at 782-8241? The phone company says the line has been disconnected and no further information is available. Carol Cheney of <i>Landry-Lyons</i> called at 11:28 looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. "I apologize," she said and that will have to do. <br />
<br />
Saw Mrs. Ciantra at Larson's the other day. I said hi but didn't say much else because I don't want Lortie to know I was there. I went out to the <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> today to withdraw money. The teller D. Chamberlain was incredibly dumb and got several things wrong. She had long maroon fingernails that made it difficult for her to type. Next I went to the Wilbraham Post Office, which told me they can no longer give out forwarding addresses. Finally, I went to the <i>Big Y</i> where I got a pizza with a coupon. <br />
<br />
Last year Aunt Maria was talking about giving Joe Lucia her estate in exchange for looking after her. Joe's son is a developer who would like the land. This week's <i>Valley Advocate</i> has an article <i>Around Amherst - What's where in this jewel of a college town</i> by Tricia Asklar. Maureen Turner has a story <i>Those Little Town Blues - South Hadley is a classic college town, but student options are limited</i>. <br />
<br />
I prefer football to baseball. Eamon is cynical about Mayor Albano's anti-litter campaign. Tom Burton of <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> seems to be an individual who does not care or who cannot be trusted even when he puts it in writing. I worked on organizing and tidying up my diary this afternoon until the mail came. <i>The Lawbook Exchange</i> list came so I called Atty. Berman about Edwin James (1867) and got Berman's associate Kerry D. Strager, who thanked me cordially for passing on the information. I also got a CANE flyer for September in the mail, they have never sent me their newsletter before:<br />
<br /><br />
<i>Upcoming Events for September:<br />
</i><br />
<br />
<i>Saturday Sept. 9th at 11:00am</i> - Marshall Moriarty will be formally announcing his candidacy for Governor's Council at Court Square. Everyone is invited. <br />
<br />
<i>Monday, September 11th at 7:30pm</i> - The City Council will be taking up the stadium bond issue. The meeting will be held in the City Council chambers. <br />
<br />
<i>Tuesday, September 19th is Primary Day</i> - There are three contested seats that I know of in Springfield, and all three are Democratic primaries. The contested seats are for the 2nd Congressional District and the 9th and 12th Hampden District State Representative seats. <br />
<br />
<i>Tuesday, September 26th at 6:30pm</i> - Our monthly CANE meeting will be held at <i>Bickford's Restaurant</i> on Cooley Street in Springfield. <br />
<br />
<i>Wednesday, September 27th at 4:00pm</i> - A rally for more library hours will be held at the Quadrangle. The Springfield library and Museums Association will be holding their annual meeting and we hope to get their attention. <br />
<br />
Sincerely, <br />
Karen Powell<br />
CANE<br />
<br />
<center><b>September 2, 2000</b></center><br />
"I can't live without books." - Thomas Jefferson<br />
<br />
They're talking about increasing the electric rates by about $7 per month. What happened to all the talk a couple years ago about lower electric rates? <i>Pederzoli Pharmacy</i> was at 341 Wilbraham Road in 1947 and Ralph M. Burke was the Pharmacist. <i>The Liggett Drug Company</i> was at 1411 Main Street in Springfield in 1954. <i>A.E. Sunter Drug</i> was located on Wilbraham Road in 1954. <i>Louis & Clark Rexall Drug</i> was located in the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> in 1964. T.D. Seymour Bassett was Curator of the Wilbur Collection at the University of Vermont in 1971. Janice M. Fitton is the Marketing Director at Academy Point in Mystic, Connecticut. <i>Ruby Tuesday</i> restaurants advertise themselves as offering "Awesome Food, Serious Salad Bar."<br />
<br />
This morning there was a white Connecticut car in Colleen's driveway, no other vehicles around. I dropped off a copy of <i>Interior Construction</i> magazine at Cressotti's, then I hurried back because some of the Millers from Bethel, Vermont were coming to visit today. Cousins Helen and David Miller and Aunt Martha Miller Bowen arrived at 11:35am. They started here at 8:30am so they made normal time. Helen's vehicle is a maroon Chevy <i>Lumina</i> with a plate that reads RVRBEND for they live at the bend in the river. They brought a very fancy maple leaf bottle of syrup from <i>Ward's</i>. <br />
<br />
I began by presenting Helen with what I believe was Grandma Miller's favorite picture of herself, which showed her around 1900 looking out over the sea. I served them pistachio ice cream, sugar cookies and a tiny glass each of <i>Harvey's Bristol Creme</i>. Aunt Martha drank her's down no problem, but David said he would just smell his while Helen wouldn't touch hers. In the end I poured the two small glasses down the drain. I hauled out the High Hippie posters Clyde so much loved of Donald Duck and his nephews smoking pot, plus one of Popeye and Olive Oyl doing it in the missionary position while Sweet Pea looks innocently through the window. Aunt Martha cried out disapprovingly that they are good Methodists and pretty straight. <br />
<br />
I then brought out Mother's urn and gave them copies of the list of things I have put in the urn. I gave Aunt Martha Mother's best set of gold beads and I gave Helen Mother's gold locket. I also gave them some freebies, Helen liked her yo-yo and was quite good with it. None of them wanted the copy I offered them of Billy Graham's <i>Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse</i>. I took them up to the attic and asked Aunt Martha if she wanted a whistling tea kettle, but she said she already has one. They didn't want the Louise Minks <i>Leverett Pond</i> painting, which is just as well because I like it. <br />
<br />
Aunt Maria was just briefly mentioned and we never mentioned Josephine. I complained about people not answering letters, and I urged that someone catalog Lucille's artwork. I asked for a picture of the 'Lympus Church, and they said the new lady minister the Rev. Deborah Perrigo does a good job on sermons. I gave them jigsaw puzzles and I gave Aunt Martha two cakes of <i>Dove</i> soap and a bottle of Mother's favorite perfume. She said she liked my motorcycle jacket, little does she know. Cousin David was wearing blue jeans, grey athletic shoes and a plaid shirt with nerdy pens in his pocket. <br />
<br />
I tried to ask cousin David E. Miller as many questions as possible. David said his son Stephen is grown and moved out. David has been teaching all summer and is still a Professor of Physics at the Hazleton Campus of Penn State. He regretted that he didn't have much of a chance this summer to "space out and be meditative." I asked him straight out how the students he has today compare to the ones when he first started teaching and he replied, "Much worse." He told me they have had to lower their standards and are always revising their curriculum. I was told he doesn't know much about the National Association of Scholars, saying "People keep asking me if I've read this or that, but I haven't got time to read much of anything." David says he can't wait to retire from teaching but he wants to continue his research. He said he will get several pensions including his Social Security. <br />
<br />
Around one we left for lunch. On our way to <i>Ruby Tuesday</i>, I dropped off some film for developing at the <i>Breckwood Shops</i>, where outside I saw Cindy from <i>Louis & Clark</i> having a smoke while sitting against the wall of the steps leading from <i>CopyCat</i> to the <i>Sunoco</i> gas station/convenience store. I took her picture because there was unused film on the roll. Cindy used to be the mail clerk at <i>Louis & Clark</i> but now she just works weekends. Cindy always has a wonderful smile. <br />
<br />
When we arrived at <i>Ruby Tuesday</i>, there was a line extending outside the door, but we agreed it was worth waiting. When we got in after a 15 minute wait, to my astonishment we got the front corner booth with a window looking out on the Parker and Boston Road intersection. We all got Wisconsin cheeseburgers and the salad bar. David drank <i>Coke</i> minus the ice, Aunt Martha had coffee and Helen had a raspberry smoothie. The food was excellent, the salad bar was complete with diced coconut rather than shredded and the burgers were all just right. They really liked their visit and for once it was well worth the effort I put into it. <br />
<br />
The mail brought me two copies of <i>Imprimus</i> for August and an invite from Mayor Albano and <i>Peter Pan's</i> Picknelly for a fundraiser for Rep. T. Petrolati at the <i>Sheraton</i> September 21st at $100 a seat. It's the first mailing I've gotten from the Albano Committee since the <i>Northgate</i> stadium defeat. Yesterday Eamon said he got one too. I also got a letter with decidedly decaying handwriting from Mother's old friend Pritchard. Eamon called at 6:48pm but I was too tired to answer. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 4, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Labor Day. Overcast and very humid, 75 degrees at 7:30am. </p><p>There was a 5.2 earthquake this morning in the Napa Valley of Northern
California. Parts of Texas have had no rain for 65 days. October 7th and
8th <i>WFCR</i> will hold their 10th Vintage Vinyl sale on the Amherst Common. No 78s. <br /></p><p>Anybody thinking about Springfield being a destination entertainment center where we have all kinds of attractions better think twice. Architecture has to catch the imagination, and the new Basketball Hall of Fame is not really that exciting. The <i>SIS</i> building has an imaginative, warm, and pleasant interior, although plantings would really dress it up. <br /></p><p>Alexander House on State Street between the Cathedral and the Federal Land Bank is in a pitiful state of decline. The picket fence out front has mostly fallen down and whatever is left is rotting. The paint on the house is peeling. The Springfield arts community should raise a holler demanding the place be restored. Architecture is art. <br />
<br />
I tried to call Aunt Maria and got Shirley H. who said, "I'm on my hands and knees washing the floor right now, if you would call back later I would really appreciate it." I wished her Happy Labor Day and said I was on my way out. When I left the house, I saw Durham Caldwell walking his dog down to Talbot. There's a lot of tall grass around the old Deliso house and I noticed Salvon putting mulch around his bushes. I also saw the <i>Sealtest</i> milkman walking a big dog at the other end of Jeffrey, he lives over by Franconia. </p><p>At 9:30am I got pancakes without sausage at <i>McDonald's</i>. There were no newspapers lying around <i>McDonald's</i>, except at a table with two ladies who had a pile of papers they were not reading but claimed were theirs. From there I drove to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> and walked around. The mall looks good, but the prices in <i>Sears</i> were high. Jeans were selling for as much as $45. This is not my father's <i>Sears</i>! How can they be making money? <br />
<br />
On the evening news, Brenda Garton made numerous mispronunciations and grammar errors. Had an interesting chat with Eamon today. He started out complaining that his Social Security is only $400 per month. Eamon then became nostalgic as he recalled how Willard M. Clark had a little voice studio on the second floor over the <i>Waldorf</i> on the corner of State and Main. He told Eamon's parents, "Your son has a natural voice, I wouldn't give him too many lessons." He did take lessons anyway from Vincent Spolzino who "taught me how to throw my voice up." Spolzino used to sing with the tenor Redmond at the Met in New York, but came back to Springfield to look after his aged Mother. Later in life Spolzino ended up working for the Salvation Army. Eamon also took voice lessons from Al Mastrioni, who also taught piano. Matrioni's wife was an opera singer. At one point Eamon studied with Pizzatola on Worthington, on the second floor of what is <i>Hourihan's</i> now. <br />
<br />
Next Eamon reminisced about the Josephs family that used to own a lot of liquor stores in the city but now only own one over on Mattoon. All of the brothers (there were also several sisters) had Michael for their middle name: Eddie M, Frank M, Joseph M, Victor M and Fred M. Victor runs the <i>Chestnut Liquor Store</i>. The smartest was Frank, whose son Stephen is the lawyer with the <i>Yankee Candle</i> account. Frank was involved in coat manufacturing with George Saba at the corner of Fort and Worthington. Saba remained in the garment field after Frank left. Frank was into race horses, plane piloting and had a home in Westerly, Rhode Island. He also served in the Air Force in WWII. <br />
<br />
Eamon said someone at the Puerto Rican Cultural Center told him he should focus in his phone editorials upon the "cumulative drop-out rate" instead of the annual drop-out rate. What matters is the number that drop out of a class over the four years until they graduate. By that measure, you can more clearly see that the drop-out rate in Springfield is enormous. At the close of his call, Eamon recalled Butterballs Autry, the fat man who ran the Liberty Theater. The kids used to drive him nuts by throwing spitballs and making noise until he threatened to call the police. Alas, how poor Butterballs suffered just to show movies to the kids of Hungry Hill on Saturday afternoons. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>September 5, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Today dawned sunny and 61 degrees, gas went up on Labor Day to $1.55.</p><p>Our local politicians are heavy on form but weak on substance. <br />
<br />
I drove out late at 1:55pm and my first stop was to mail a $25 contribution to ARISE. I wrote that they should spend the money on things that matter. Then downtown to <i>Westfield Savings</i>, where the teller told me that business has been "a little slow." Heading back to the car, I ran into Tom Burton walking out of the parking lot of his bank, looking mad and glaring at me, frowning like a professor planning to flunk a student. I said nothing, but later when I told Eamon about it he suggested I should have greeted him ebulliently and he's probably right. The CityBlock area was all cleaned up, with recorded music blasting out of <i>Tilly's</i> loudspeakers. There was a long, white, stretch limo idling in front of <i>Sovereign Bank</i>. <br />
<br />
While making a deposit at the <i>Telephone Worker's Credit Union</i>, I asked to see the Credit Union President Paul C. MacDonald. He was broad shouldered and wearing a rotary pin and he voluntarily gave me his card. He told me they got the accounts from the <i>Monarch Credit Union</i>, but no historical records. He suggested I talk to Bernadette Smail, who might know what became of the historical materials. I told him that I know Bernadette. He told me the merger with <i>Monarch</i> "didn't work out as well as we hoped it would as Gordon Oakes led us down the wrong path." An exact quote. MacDonald indicated he would be willing to incorporate Father's manuscript about the credit union's history into their archives and to make a note of it in their newsletter. I'll wait a few days and follow up. <br />
<br />
From downtown, I drove up to the <i>Farmer's Market</i> at the X behind the <i>Goodwill</i>. It was just wonderful, the market looks like a caravan tent city. There were about 15 booths, including one being run by Belle Rita Novak, who was selling her cabbage and meatball soup. There was a guy playing guitar with reddish hair named Tom Neilson from <i>Roaring Jelly Productions</i> in Leverett. The merchandise was laid out very artistically in a high hippie fashion. They had veggies of all kinds and paperbacks for sale, three for a dollar. </p><p>I asked Belle-Rita if she would consider running for Mayor of Springfield, but she has no desire to serve as Mayor or on the City Council. I told Belle-Rita how Eamon and I have discussed a dream ticket of candidates that would include herself, the Powells and Michaelann Bewsee. She said neither Bewsee or the Powells share her philosophy and she doubts they could work closely together. I told her I thought otherwise, but Belle-Rita insisted she has no political ambitions. I ended up buying a loaf of bread before leaving. On the way home I stopped by the <i>Food Mart</i> at the <i>Five Town Mall</i> for a $1.99 sub and got home at 4:35pm. <br />
<br />
Called Erica at <i>Baystate</i> and made an appointment for a prostate screening on September 20th at 11:15am. I left a recorded message for Pearsall in Wilbraham that I'm ready to work with him. I then called the Powells and got Bob. I told him how I become less active in the winter. We talked about the need to block the attempt by businesses to have the tax rates lowered for them while increasing the tax on residences. Next, I called the Council of Churches, who said their Director is Rev. Karen Rucks, a Baptist, so Rev. Loesh didn't get it. Finally, I called <i>Olympia Sports</i> at <i>Eastfield Mall</i> and told Eric the manager that their receipt tape is illegible because the type is too small and the red background makes it even harder to read. <br />
<br />
Arman Marshall called for <i>Boston Magazine</i> at $9.95 per year. I told him <i>Boston</i> is a nice magazine, but repetitive in the kind of stories they cover. I urged him to please don't call again. Later, Eamon called and said he always reads the <i>Union-News</i> very carefully. Eamon's sister told him there are a lot of personnel problems at <i>TV22</i>, big turnover. The black lady Anita Wilson has gone to <i>TV30</i>, saying that she had a lot of trouble working with the <i>TV22</i> bosses. <i>TV40</i> is having trouble keeping help as well. Eamon continues to praise Armando Feliciano, Director of Operations at the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, who was the guy who told him about the cumulative drop-out rate. Eamon is sending him some information about the Springfield Public Schools. This illustrates how Eamon is willing to work with anybody who is interested in rationally improving things around here. Who ever thought that Eamon would join forces with the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, but he has. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>September 6, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny, clear and 62 degrees in the morning. Gas in the Acres is $1.52.<br />
<br />
Clinton shook hands with Fidel Castro yesterday at a Millennium Summit of 150 nations at the United Nations. They say that attendance is up 30% at the Quadrangle because of school and group tours. <i>Benchmark Assisted Living</i> is in Wellesley, Massachusetts. <i>The Roberts Brothers Three Ring Circus</i> performed at the Polish American Club grounds in Feeding Hills last month. <i>Friendly's</i> stock is down to 3.75 and <i>Woronoco</i> is up to 12.18. <br />
<br />
Eamon's uncle Tux Sullivan was on <i>TV22</i> talking about his new book <i>Baseball Makes Friends</i>. I think <i>TV22</i> is the station that screws up the most. <i>TV40</i> had a story on Albano's "club quarter" downtown and property owner Victor Bruno was interviewed. They also had a story on <i>Marox</i>, formerly of Congress Street, that was ousted by Albano via eminent domain during the stadium scam. They have since moved into a new 46,000 feet facility in Holyoke. Owner Manfred Rosencranz was on, explaining how <i>Marox</i> manufactures medical and military precision pieces. Even Albano himself was on, claiming that several businesses have expressed an interest in their former Congress Street facility and that he considers the new <i>Marox</i> plant in Holyoke "a gain for the entire region." <br />
<br />
I mowed the lawn today except for the front of the house to the hedge. Still hunkered down straightening out my records and diaries for the last couple of years and identifying loose ends. Someone named Wanda called from the Republican National Committee. I told her I am a Republican but not a supporter of George W. Bush and told her why. She sounded black and seemed to like what I said. I then called the <i>Valley Advocate</i> and left a message for Tom Vannah to call me. <br />
<br />
Next I called Aunt Maria and got Shirley Huang and told her she should give me my books back soon. I asked her how Aunt Maria is doing and Shirley said "she is doing very well right now." I asked if I could talk to her and Shirley replied, "She's occupied right now." I then asked if I could call back later and speak to my aunt but Shirley insisted, "She doesn't want to have anything to do with you." Other than that, Shirley described Aunt Maria as "very happy" and said she goes to church every Sunday, sometimes goes to Stanley Park and occasionally gets visits from Myrtle, Azel and Harley. She didn't know anything about Jessica Manning. I closed by saying that as long as Aunt Maria is happy I don't want to intrude and will stay away. <br />
<br />
Tonight I dined on a <i>Hungry Man Pot Roast Dinner</i>. Eamon called and said he has been getting anonymous tips from people calling and claiming that since Dr. Negroni left more than $2 million has been discovered missing from the School Department. He also claims that he heard that the resignation of Don E.N. Gibson, chief operating officer of the Basketball Hall of Fame, was due to a large amount of money missing from the Hall's accounts. <i>TV40</i> reported on the resignation Tuesday night, but gave no reason. <i>TV22</i> reported that attendance at the Hall is down this year. Gibson's last day of work will be October 31st and the marketing chief will fill in until a successor is found. <br />
<br />
After Eamon hung up, I called the Hall of Fame to see if I could apply for Gibson's soon to be vacant job. I got Ann Sonderstrom, and I told her that her name reminds me of Siv Sonderstrom the cellist. Ann said that she is the Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer. David Gaut is the Chairman of the Board. Scott Zuffelato is the development man that never got back to me. Ann told me that if I want to apply for the directorship to bring my resume and leave it with her and she'll give it to the Chairman of the Board. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 7, 2000</b></center><p>Overcast/misty, 57 degrees at 8am. </p><p>I am not a professor anywhere, but I have the bibliography of one. <br />
<br />
The UN is evacuating people from West Timor because of renewed trouble there. Only two percent of American estates are subject to the inheritance tax on the Federal level. My parent's estate came close, especially if they had figured in the value of the books and antiques in my collections. Commercial artist Paul Flannery is doing the artwork and graphics for the Moriarty for Governor's Council campaign. <i>Berkshire Mountain Bakery</i> is in Housatonic, Mass. and sells bread at the <i>X Farmer's Market</i>. <i>99 Restaurant & Pub</i> in the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> is open. </p><p>Today I finished mowing the lawn between the house and the hedge. I also did the dishes and took a bath. I went out at 8:45am and dropped off stuff at the Cohns. I met Mr. Lucius on his morning stroll and gave him a couple of things I had for him. He politely asked how my visit with my Vermont relatives went. I left my slide of the <i>Costello Paint Shop</i> at <i>Sixty Minutes Photo</i>, they said it will be ready in a week. Thomas J. Costello's shop at 141 Dwight Street was in the row along with the <i>John H. Breck</i>
headquarters. Costello's building was very tacky and very dingy inside.
In those days the neighborhood was called Victoria Square. <br />
</p><p>Then I went and got lovely wax beans and other stuff at <i>Angelo's</i>. Next I went to <i>Fleet Bank</i> in the Acres and had to stand in line to make a deposit although they had four tellers on duty. Businesses with lots of money were the problem. <br />
<br />
I headed over to <i>Albank</i> to make a deposit and was informed that I will have to buy deposit slips because starting next week they are no longer supplying counter deposit slips. They said the new procedure will eliminate errors and I told them I felt I was entitled to 30 days notice. They said the deposit slips are "$4.50, shall I order some for you?" I replied that I'll think it over, but actually I am thinking of closing that account. Someday maybe I'll just never come again. I got a slice of pizza with a coupon at the <i>Big Y</i> and then came home. I called <i>Time Design</i> at 1:50pm and was told that C. William Lynch doesn't work there. Caller ID showed that <i>PaineWebber</i> had called while I was out, but I didn't call back. <br />
<br />
At 6:05pm I headed back out to attend the Canned Heat concert at Stearns Square. I parked in front of the Chestnut Street telephone building (and found bird shit all over my car when I got back) and arrived at Stearns Square a few minutes after 7pm. There was already a large and enthusiastic audience listening to the backup band. <i>Rock 102</i> had their banners stuck up on trees and on a firetruck parked by the old <i>Bloom's</i>. There was a van selling balloons and souvenirs, including glowing rainbow necklaces. A beer wagon had a long line all evening, despite selling beers at $3 each. I counted 18 people standing in line, and I suspect that was the only booth that made any real money off the event. <br />
<br />
<i>The Union-News/Republican</i> had a booth where if you picked two numbers and they matched you got a prize. I won a booby prize consisting of a clear plastic water bottle with the newspaper logo on it in black. They gave away the same thing at a trade fair I attended. There was a food booth from <i>Theodore's</i> that had a grill, but I didn't see anyone buying anything. The crew in the <i>Theodore's</i> booth wore t-shirts that read "On the 8th Day God Got the Blues." Between the first band and Canned Heat there was a break of almost a full hour, during which recorded music was played, but nobody seemed to mind. There were lots of people wearing leather around, and when I arrived there were about fifty motorcycles parked along Worthington, Bridge and Picknelly's lot. In my fully black boots and collar outfit I was right in style! Everything appeared to be fine, but if the bikers ever decided to riot the cops would have to go running back to Pearl Street! <br />
<br />
There were a few folding chairs around, but not enough. A young girl whom I didn't recognize came up to me at one point and asked, "Where is your orange suit?" When I told her I only wear it at special events she exclaimed, "This IS a special event!" I admitted she was right but said I was wearing black tonight in solidarity with the approaching Black Fights Back Day. Robert Turin walked by and uttered an unsmiling but polite hello. Mike Plaisance from the <i>Union-News</i> came over to interview me, but I warned him that I am not David Starr's favorite person and just gave him my card after writing Eamon's telephone number on the back. Plaisance is a young, hip looking fellow, I told him I thought the event was an artistic success but I'm not sure it helps the local merchants that much. <br />
<br />
I walked around and counted nine people on the benches outside the Hotel Worthy and six people visible through the window at <i>Gus & Paul's</i>. There was no one in <i>Spaghetti Freddy's</i> but 34 in <i>Champions</i>. There were 16 in <i>Mad Maggie's</i> pool hall and 25 in <i>Pizzeria Uno</i>. <i>Theodore's</i> was packed, but only two customers were in <i>Naismith's</i>. I figured there were about 1200 people present, a good crowd but not many blacks. The music of Canned Heat relies heavily on guitars and harmonica. I got home around 9:45pm. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said his sister regularly plays bingo with his cousin Jimmy Sullivan, who is the brother of former Springfield Mayor Billy Sullivan. Jim used to be in charge of the turnpike tolls between Springfield and Worcester. After he retired from that, he used his political pull to get a job at the Basketball Hall of Fame. Eamon also said that his sister heard from Jim that the reason Gibson resigned as director of the Hall was that there were big disagreements between him and the Board. Gibson's background was in baseball and the Board didn't like that he was applying baseball marketing techniques to basketball. The sister also said she heard there were financial irregularities at the Hall, but when she asked Jimmy Sullivan about it "he clammed up." <br />
<br />
I like Eamon's current phone editorial: "Springfield is a last place ranked city with a junk bond rating. It is badly served by a monopoly rag newspaper and two cookie cutter Ken and Barbie television stations. They say how hard they're working for you with all the coverage you can count on, but it's mostly about the weather and other idle nonsense. The third grade news copy poorly read off of teleprompters is well suited to Springfield's dumbed down, spoon fed Joe and Martha Sixpack. These talking airheads with their helmet hairdos, perfect teeth and pancake makeup are a disgrace to investigative reporting." <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>September 8, 2000</b></center><p><br />
62 degrees at 7:30am.<br />
<br />
An immense Mayan Palace has been discovered in the jungles of Guatemala. Nader the Hatter sent me a postcard saying, "I'm in no hurry to head north." I called Mrs. Staniski and invited her over to lunch, but she was busy preparing supper for guests. She said she will get her new oil tank on Monday, an oil delivery on Tuesday and a trip to the dermatologist on Thursday to look at her nose. Her face has large moles all over it and her nose has a bright red spot on the tip. I fear for her. <br />
<br />
<i>Secure Horizons</i> brag in their ads that they value honesty and give "straight answers." So at 9:16am I dialed their number and got Diane. I asked straight out, "How many lawsuits are currently pending against <i>Secure Horizons</i>?" She replied, "If there are any lawsuits against us I don't know about it." I asked, "Is there any way to find out?" She said she'd get her supervisor and Janet came on. She told me, "To be perfectly honest with you, I don't know the answer to that." I thanked her for her frank reply and hung up. It was fun. Finally, I called and got Ann at the Basketball Hall of Fame and she connected me to Director Gibson's voicemail. I left a message asking Gibson why he never replied to the letter I sent him and explained how on the equal dignity theory he should still send me one. <br />
<br />
I went out at noon and left off the picture I took of Cindy at <i>Louis & Clark</i> with the tall, thin lady in the prescriptions department. Then I went to <i>Freihofer's</i> in West Springfield and got two cheesecakes and a crumb cake. Next, I had lunch at the <i>Ground Round</i>. When it was new it must have been a nice place, but it has fallen behind the times. The bar is in the back and there were a few framed pieces of local ephemera on the walls. In the Men's Room there hung a framed picture of workers eating on a girder high above New York. There were stains on the glass that looked like somebody had jacked off on it. I was seated at a square table that was sticky where someone had spilled beer on it. <br />
<br />
I ordered the burger dinner with soup and salad, which came to $9.96. For the soup I had clam chowder, which had lots of flower, milk and potatoes but only one piece of clam. The salad was $1.99 and I told the waitress I could get the whole salad bar at <i>Ruby Tuesday</i> for the same price. She replied sadly, "I know." I got a large plate of salad with greens and a couple slices of cucumber, a couple of chunks of tomato and a few pieces of onion. I said I wanted a lot of dressing, so they gave me two cups of bleu cheese, which were all goo except for a piece of cheese the size of the tip of your thumb in one of them. The burger was well done on an untoasted roll with shredded lettuce, tomato and onion rings. Years ago, going to the <i>Ground Round</i> may have been a real treat, but compared to what others now offer it is a sad performance. The place was empty when I left and later, when I drove by <i>Ruby Tuesday</i>, I noticed that their parking lot was full. <br />
<br />
Eamon called, and when I told him about the Court Square concert he recalled how bikers used to gather at <i>Salerno's</i> on Liberty. He said bikers are known to spend a lot of money in a place they like. Eamon also recalled how talk show host Dan Yorke used to hang out at <i>Theodore's</i> a lot and we discussed how both of us went on the <i>Yorke Show</i> when Tom Devine was guest hosting. Eamon told me that Eddie O'Brien of Westfield, against whom Marshall Moriarty is running to unseat, is in his mid-seventies and was a heavy smoker who has emphysema. Eamon feels that Moriarty can't win because the 8th District is an enormous territory to cover and would cost a fortune to advertise in. Eamon said someone told him that Tom Devine is actively involved in the Moriarty campaign. </p><p>Last year I was talking on the phone with my TV friend Tom Devine and he mentioned that the word was out that I had applied for the position of Arts Commissioner in Springfield. Tommy told me that someone at <i>TV40</i> (he declined to say who) told him that the station had received anonymously a manuscript entitled <i>The Dark Side of J. Wesley Miller</i> purportedly proving that I am anti-Semitic. Other news outlets also received it. <br /></p><p>Obviously someone was out to prevent me from becoming Arts Commissioner. The sender lacked the honor, courage and commitment to identify themselves. Is this the way things are done in Springfield? Am I getting The Starr Treatment? It was a hate mailing against J. Wesley Miller!</p><p>Since returning to Springfield I have had a number of direct and indirect clashes with David Starr. He would have been one of the first to read my essay about downtown Springfield and the first to be aghast at my fingering the tacky practices of Jewish merchants among others. I shall criticize any Jewish merchant or Catholic merchant or any Protestant merchant whom I think deserves criticism. </p><p>Mr. Starr has been pretty good at snuggling up to the big shots and getting degrees and awards. But I endorse Charlie Ryan's criticism of Starr. I endorse Bob Markel's criticism of Starr and I endorse what the <i>Valley Advocate</i> has said about Starr. I feel I have been given the Starr Treatment. David Starr is a tacky, street-smart New Yorker who is like crabgrass in the lawn. </p><p>The highest and best use of my time is not acting as Arts Commissioner in a city where years of flunkies have flunked the place good. I hope to hear no more about <i>The Dark Side of J. Wesley Miller</i> being an anti-Semite memo because this queer WASP snaps back! <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>September 9, 2000</b></center><p><br />
I saw a dove sitting on my clothesline this morning. <br />
<br />
Today I donned my logger boots, orange jumpsuit, marijuana t-shirt, collar without chain, orange kerchief head-hankie and four buttons: rainbow <i>Gay Rights are Civil Rights,</i> standard white peace symbol in black field, <i>Challenge Authority</i> in white on black field and a large <i>Jesse Jackson for President</i> button, and headed to the downtown rally for Marshall Moriarty's campaign for Governor's Councilor. I brought along my gong and a wood-handled screwdriver with which to hit it. <br />
<br />
I left at 10:30am and parked on Dwight beside the old <i>New England Telephone and Telegraph</i> building. I arrived at the Moriarty gathering at Court Square about 10:45am and Moriarty himself came over and cordially greeted me. Fred Whitney was also there and seemed taken aback by my attire, but politely said "we welcome all types of Republicans." Tom Devine was there with his two little nieces, he must have been babysitting them. We successfully kept apart from each other. <br />
<br />
A man was passing out Bush $2000 bills and gave me one. There were 17 Asians present passing out flyers about the Vietnamese organization in the X. Only two blacks were present. I was chatting with Peter Abair and Ron Hastie when Mrs. Moriarty came by passing out white on blue signs. They also had button stickers. There were red, white and blue balloons with Moriarty festooned on them attached to the pillars on either side of the podium - this was the Court Square iron gazebo with a copper dome.</p><p><br />
<br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOuWA7RfjOkTOHudWhMC5ZhHbWzl5pMQdusyFZeAmQtgFu9pEK_-kBXif6UmyQ6U1t-V7akSMu2gegPQrWgLVrSB8XrSsAjKe_Uh1a0x5Ua3tjNy2Gxud_9GRh6xDWGj5g5-vRZI6Dhyphenhyphens/s1600/mm.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOuWA7RfjOkTOHudWhMC5ZhHbWzl5pMQdusyFZeAmQtgFu9pEK_-kBXif6UmyQ6U1t-V7akSMu2gegPQrWgLVrSB8XrSsAjKe_Uh1a0x5Ua3tjNy2Gxud_9GRh6xDWGj5g5-vRZI6Dhyphenhyphens/w488-h640/mm.JPG" width="488" /></a></div><center><i>Atty. Marshall Moriarty at his campaign kick-off.</i></center><p><br /> </p><p>Someone was there with a video camera, I don't know who, and they didn't stay long. The City failed to turn on the juice for the sound system, but in due course that was remedied. At four minutes past eleven I decided to test my gong and gave it a good bounce, which brought the gathering to order and soon we had people at the podium giving speeches. Fortunately, the speeches were short and Moriarty's was especially good. He spoke of "change, rebirth and restoration" of the Governor's Council. Moriarty promised to use the office an an avenue of input to the Governor for Western Mass and described himself as having "through failure, success and life experience grown to maturity." He spoke of his Irish firefighter father and Italian mother, how he grew up in Winchester now Mason Square and thanked his wife of thirty years and three sons. <br />
<br />
I counted 80 people in attendance as of 11:15am. Whenever there was major applause I banged my gong. After it was over Moriarty thanked me for coming, then before leaving I chatted a bit more with F. Whitney. I praised Moriarty's speech and I was surprised when Whitney claimed that he had actually written the speech for Moriarty with a little help from Tom Devine. The weather had been beautiful throughout Moriarty's event, but now clouds were gathering. <br />
<br />
From Moriarty's rally I walked over to the Mattoon Street Arts Festival, where many people expressed worry about rain. Bill Boyle was there and didn't look delighted at my appearance. Louise Minks was there with some of the same pictures she was selling last year. I told her she should have sold them a dozen times by now. The Springfield Preservation Trust had a booth. Larlin was playing a good sized Irish harp and down the other end a guy was playing sax. Paul Murray with helmet in hand said again how we must get together, but we never do. As always, the festival was nice, but may be struggling financially. There seemed to be fewer booths, buyers and vendors than in the past. Empty spaces all along Mattoon bespoke dealers who didn't come and spots never rented. There was no Hayward, Gnatek or Doyle the Twig Painter. I got home at 1:15pm and by 2:11pm it was really raining. Dined this evening on a <i>Hungry Man Chicken Dinner</i> and some broccoli. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>September 10, 2000</b></center><p>Overcast, 68 degrees at 8am. </p><p>Politicians are always coming up with ways to fix Springfield. For our political over-lords, economic development projects mean construction jobs that translate into votes and planning fees and marketing costs that make the insiders money even if the project ultimately flops. <br />
<br />
This was a lovely day and I hope it revived the Mattoon Street Arts Festival. Public Radio had a <i>BBC</i> woman making a report and I noticed how she placed the word stresses in different places than we Americans do. I put up my Moriarty for Governor's Council sign in the best location on my treebelt, the first political sign I've put up this year. The For Sale sign in front of the DeRiso house is gone. <br />
<br />
Went out to <i>McDonald's</i> at 9:55am, but there was a long line at both service stations so I left. I swung by and got a cheap melon on sale at <i>Food Mart</i>. <i>Five Town Mall</i> has a new woman's clothing place opening and a new building is going up. While Springfield's inner city continues to die while grasping at entertainment arts prospects, there is an extraordinary exuberance in the construction of chain shops elsewhere in the city. Next I ate at the Acres <i>Burger King</i> which had just two old lady customers in there. There was only one car in the parking lot of the Allen Street <i>Wendy's</i>.<br />
<br />
I left at 1:03pm to see the Open House at 88 Ashland. The brokerlady told me that the real estate market is up and it's a good time to sell your house. She said the houses in this neighborhood have risen steadily in value since the 1980's. 88 Ashland is immaculate, with an expansive kitchen, small livingroom and the bathroom near the front. There are three bedrooms upstairs and a larger than normal bathroom with no windows. The basement is unfinished, messy unlike the rest of the house, and with no hatchway out. The stairs to the basement could use a coat of paint. Overall, the house is overpriced at $129,000. <br />
<br />
The newspaper story on the Moriarty rally claimed 60 people were there. I counted 80. Eamon called and said he spoke to Dot Lortie yesterday, and she said a house in Springfield is a good investment, so he lectured her about the bad schools and crime in the city. He also said his late Mother would talk to at least a dozen people a day on the phone, sometimes more. That's why he and his mother had separate lines. </p><p>Eamon's mother made a lot of friends from her annual pilgrimage to St. Anne de Beaupre in Quebec, which is a trip she took for many years. Eamon got a fundraising letter from Rick Lazio in New York which said in part, "It won't take me six pages to convince you to send me an urgently needed contribution for my United States Senate campaign. It will take only six words: I am running against Hillary Rodham Clinton." <br />
<br />
Eamon's newest phone editorial is an attack on the local media, dismissing the "sickening, airhead television stations" which he denounced as "devoted to advertising, weather, sports and health reports." He claims there is only ten or twelve minutes of actual news coverage per half hour, consisting mainly of "house fires, dog bite cases and automobile accidents." Of course he also slammed the "monopoly rag <i>Union-News</i>" which he says carries "three day old stories unfit for print by a real newspaper." <br />
<br />
Eamon asked me if I would call and alert the news media to his editorial, so I called <i>TV40</i> and said, "Eamon T. O'Sullivan has a wonderful editorial about your station on his answering machine at 746-6164." Then silence on the other end. I asked, "Are you still there?" Yes. "Are you going to thank me for calling?" Thanks. When I called <i>TV22</i> they were much politer with a man replying "very good" and thanking me for calling. Finally I called the <i>Union-News</i> and spoke to their receptionist Jennifer who then asked, "Who is Eamon O'Sullivan?" I called Eamon back and told him about my calls, and when I told him about the response of the <i>Union-News</i> he laughed out loud.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>September 11, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Robert W. Pyers is director of Marketing and Sales for the Economic Development Council of Western Mass. His address is 255 Padgette Street in Chicopee. Marion L. Bairstow is Director of Marketing for <i>Chestnut Village West</i> in Chester, Connecticut. </p><p>Today I came across the September 1984 issue of a Springfield black community paper called <i>The Mirror</i>. I never saw another copy. There was a black publication called <i>The Bottom Line</i> that appeared around the same time. <br /></p><p>Eamon mailed me an article from <i>Connecticut Magazine</i> on eldercare. I asked a policeman the other day who was right where I was idling for the red light, why they have the cement barriers near the intersection of Boston and Pasco Roads and he said because of heavy trucks turning at that intersection, which wears out the blacktop. <br />
<br />
Today I called Kelly at the Heidelberg Admissions Office and she will send me their catalog addressed to Cappy Miller. She said the Willard Residence Hall "is still just standing there after the fire." Then I called the Chamber of Commerce who told me Ann Burke's title is Project Manager for Springfield Economic Development. I spoke briefly with Shirley Whittier-Huang about Aunt Maria. I said either my Aunt Maria is competent or she isn't. If she isn't competent than that has certain consequences. If she is competent, than she should watch her tongue and stop badmouthing people, including me.<br />
<br />
I called Rev. Karen Montana-Gutowski, who lives on Ohio Avenue in West Springfield and is Pastor of the Liberty and Chicopee Falls Methodist churches. There was static on the phone line and she said the telephone company was working on fixing it. We discussed the ancient postcard I have of the Liberty Street church and told her I would send her a copy of it along with a more recent one from the 1950's. She was unaware of Robert Holcomb's historical sketches of Springfield. Vivacious and high pitched in voice, Karen is a graduate of Elms because it was the only school around with an undergraduate major in religion. She described Elms as a very open minded institution, after which she went to the Wesley Seminary in Washington. <br />
<br />
The Reverend told me that her ancestors were from an orphanage in Italy where they were given the last name Montani because the orphanage was at the foot of Montani Mountain. Once in America, they changed their name to Montana. She is related to Raymond Montana, who was a Principal in Springfield. Her husband was a Polish Catholic who was told by the church that if he married a Protestant it would be the same as marrying a heathen, so he quit the Catholic Church to become a Methodist "and never looked back." She also told me her grandfather was married to a niece of President James A. Garfield. We briefly discussed Akron Style church construction and the <i>Zion's Herald</i>. In closing, I told Rev. Montana-Gutowski that I am delighted by the quality of the people in the Methodist pulpits around here, as they are much better than I can remember at any time in the past.<br />
<br />
Called Mrs. Staniski and she said her new oil tank is in and Carol is coming over on Wednesday to help her clean. She said some relatives from New Hampshire will visit this week. <i>TV22</i> sexpot Sonia Baghdady mispronounced the name of a team playing UMass on the news today. R. Tettemer pronounced the word correctly. I called <i>TV22</i> and complained and the woman replied, "She may have just slipped, I appreciate you calling." Finally, I called Roseann Taylor, the General Manager of the Colony Club, and asked her if they received the copy of Mother's obituary I sent them. She replied yes and said they placed it in their files. I said I wondered about it because I never heard anything back from them and I thought it might be an example of the Colony Club's reputation for being a bunch of snobs. There was silence so I said, "A pleasant good day to you, Roseann," and hung up. The truth is you can be snappy with people who aren't going to be polite to you anyway. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>September 12, 2000</b></center><br />
Gas is $4.00 per gallon in Great Britain. Rain in Texas after 73 days of drought. Vice President Gore was on TV saying people "should devote themselves to reading their entire lives." Senator John McCain, when asked if he'd ever run for President again replied, "Everybody has their time." The population of Rochester, New York was 295,000 in 1970, 242,000 in 1980 and 230,000 now. <i>Midtown Plaza</i> is being boarded up and everybody is moving to the suburbs. <i>Kodak</i> and <i>Xerox</i> once employed two-thirds of the local workforce, but no more. <br />
<br />
Alison Maloney on <i>TV40</i> said that UMass is getting strict about curtailing student partying. The Red Cross is giving away tickets to the Eastern States Exposition to blood donors. Shirley Whittier Huang lives in Oberlin, Ohio. Diane M. Way is Director of Sales at The Shelburne Bay Senior Living Community in Shelburne, Vermont. Maureen McCarthy is a Consumer Sales Representative for <i>The Gillette Company</i> in Boston. <i>The Bushnell</i> in Hartford is holding a musical Battle of the Sexes with the Manhattans and Main Ingredient representing the males and the Marvelettes and Carol Douglas representing the females. <br />
<br />
Today was Ten Cent Bus Ride Day. Started the day by writing checks for my taxes and household bills. Had hash and eggs for breakfast. Then I called Homer Street School and got Darcy who said the Principal now is Bobbie Renox, Brown retired last year. I asked if a history of the school has ever been written and she said "not to my knowledge." I asked if they ever issued any postcards of the school and she said no. Went out at 10:30am, there were two cruisers pulled up in front of <i>Louis & Clark</i> casually chatting away. I put out the mail, then deposited at <i>Ludlow/Charter One</i>. <br />
<br />
I bought gas for $1.57 at the corner of Alden and Wilbraham Road, $21 dollars didn't quite fill the tank. Stopped by <i>Lyndale Garage</i>, but they said Bobby wasn't in today. I collected some posters around Mason Square, then got a free kid's calculator at <i>Eastfield Mall</i> with a coupon. The new restaurant <i>99</i> is open, there will soon be a <i>Victoria's Secret</i> opening behind it. At 1pm I counted 39 people in <i>99</i>, which is decorated real nice with color blow-ups of classic Springfield postcards. Looking in at <i>Friendly's</i>, there were only 8 people there. I recall that <i>Friendly's</i> used to occupy more space when the mall first opened. I saw a fast walking tall man in the mall wearing a Yale t-shirt. I asked if he actually went to Yale and he laughed and said no. When I got home, I decided to call <i>Friendly's</i> and got the President's Secretary and told her the numbers I counted in <i>Friendly's</i> versus the <i>99 Restaurant</i>. She simply replied, "All right," and hung up.<br />
<br />
Pearsall from Wilbraham Town Hall called and I told him I definitely want to transfer my family's riverfront property to the town. He said these things happen at a glacial speed but said he definitely wants the land. I told him how we once had a large offer of money for it, but I prefer to give it away as a memorial to my parents. He said he would call me again on the 19th. Took in in the mail today straight from the mailman's hand and pointed out to him the white dove that's been hanging around here lately. Got a copy of <i>Holy Humor</i> from Mother's friend Mrs. Staniski. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said his tax buddy warned him, "Don't drop your pants for the IRS" by co-operating with them when they want money. He said, "Co-operation plus records equals prison." Eamon told me that he was talking about <i>Friendly's</i> recently with an old couple he knows and they complained that <i>Friendly's</i> is too expensive now. I praised <i>99</i> to him, but he never wants to go to any place I suggest. He explained that his time as a health inspector during the O'Connor Administration has made him skeptical of eating out. He claims that most restaurants "are always ten times filthier than you imagine." I said that attitude reminded me of Mother when she worked in the <i>Monarch Claims Department</i> and always suspected people of fraud. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 13, 2000</b></center><br />
Rained overnight, 73 degrees at 8:30am.<br />
<br />
Public radio had a story about the pervasive presence of performance enhancing drugs among Olympic athletes. After all, we have to win! <i>The Galaxy Family of Mutual Funds</i> operates out of Providence, Rhode Island. Marshall Moriarty was on <i>WFCR</i> at 12:06pm talking about his campaign. A guy in his twenties at <i>Food Mart</i> the other day paid for his goods, rolled his carriage out to the edge of the parking lot and then jumped on the carriage and rode it down the slope of the lot about 200 feet to his car. Shall we call that Extreme Shopping? <br />
<br />
Dined on hash and eggs on Monday, chicken nuggets and salad on Tuesday. I haven't had the air conditioner on all summer. Alison from the <i>Flatiron Capital Corporation</i> in Boulder, Colorado called saying she got my name off "an asset builders list," a nice euphemism for a sucker if I ever heard one. They want me to help build their assets! I told her not to call again. The mail brought a letter from Aunt Martha saying she likes the credit union manuscript by Father I sent her because he never wrote her a letter and she had no sample of his handwriting. I also received a membership bill from the Elms Irish Cultural Center and a check for $118.90 from <i>Fleet</i>. <br />
<br />
Kathryn M. Nylic, publisher of the <i>Valley Advocate</i> and the former <i>Springfield Advocate</i> newspapers, died Sunday in Holyoke Hospital at the age of 46 from cancer. Last year the <i>Advocate</i> lost their Sales Executive Al LeBeau to cancer and <i>Advocate</i> executive Vicky Ryan was killed this year in a car accident. Next month, the <i>Advocate</i> will be moving into new offices in Easthampton. Ms. Nylic must have been a great little woman because she ran a great little paper. Went out around 3:15pm to make copies at <i>CopyCat</i>. Mr. Holman from is it 91 Birchland came in and I surrendered the machine to let him make a few copies. The guy on the other machine was copying a book on Custer's last stand borrowed from UMass. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he usually gets his copies made inside the backdoor of the Tarbell-Watters building by his friends Jack and Antaya. They do work for <i>Baystate Medical</i>, <i>Friendly's</i>, the Diocese of Springfield and <i>Henderson Funeral Home</i>. His latest phone editorial received 38 calls today. Eamon's sources tell him there are several Grand Juries hearing evidence in local corruption cases. He said another source told him that Linda Melconian's husband, a Scibelli who works for <i>Mass Mutual</i>, was picked up with $450,000 on him and the authorities want to know where it came from. There have also been people picked up at Phillip's Mass Career Development Institute who were found to have large sums in their possession. What's going on there? <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 14, 2000</b></center><br />
Engineers aren't perfect and when they fail people die. <br />
<br />
Mt. Holyoke has sold the Skinner Estate to become a residential music school for the handicapped. The local farmers are complaining about the falling price of milk. <i>WFCR</i> is plugging what they cleverly call their Final Vinyl Sale. Dan Caccavaro has a nice tribute to Kathy Nylic in the <i>Valley Advocate</i>. Denise Curtin is the Executive Assistant at <i>Arbors at Hop Brook</i> in Manchester Connecticut. Donna M. Strattman is their Retirement Councilor. At 6:18pm someone called and when I picked up and said good evening in my professional manner there was no voice on the other end. <br />
<br />
Tonight I skipped the final Stearns Square Block Party, but the 5:30pm news had Tom Bevacqua reporting from the event live downtown. He interviewed restaurant owner Victor Bruno (son of Al) who claimed that last week "a few thousand people" came to the concert. That is an exaggeration, but there was a good crowd. Bruno said that after the concert people "just flowed in" to his establishment. The manger of <i>Theodore's</i> was also on and said "we were absolutely packed last week." That was how it was when I went by there, as noted in this diary. Eamon called and said that Art Gingras told him that reducing class size in not the answer. Gingras said his classes have been reduced in size but still the students learn nothing. <br />
<br />
Today I completed and delivered my Elms Irish Cultural Center memo. I decided to dress high queer for Elms with black logger boots, black jeans, Black Power t-shirt and my bondage collar with a new feature - I attached my dog tag to the ring of my bondage collar and it dangles down looking wonderfully ridiculous. On the way there I stopped and parked on Massachusetts Avenue and made copies on the microfilm copier at the AIC library of Father's essay on the <i>Monarch Credit Union</i>. The new machine is nice but finicky and several times it jammed. I was there from 11:30 to 12:45. The library's freebie rack is gone and that's too bad because I sometimes got good stuff off of it. <br />
<br />
I also swung by to get the prints of the <i>Costello Paint Shop</i> and then paused at <i>Angelo's</i> and got some nice things including peaches and grapes. I next stopped by <i>Cat's Paw</i>, where Vince told me he needs to have an operation to fix a clot in a vein in his head. Yet, he was in good cheer and Claudia let me have an antique Quaker bean pot for $30. I also bought $12 worth of assorted postcards. Claudia and Vince have always treated me nicely. Then on to <i>Randall's</i> where I bought two pounds of shell beans for $1.99 per and was a true "bean counter." At that price I had no intention of paying primarily for pods, so I carefully felt each pod I took and any with less than six beans in them I threw back in the basket. Some had seven and even eight. <br />
<br />
A female school crossing guard with no kids to attend to at the moment was gabbing on her cell phone at the corner of Bay and Berkshire. I was surprised to see lots of Asselin for State Rep signs in Chicopee. Springfield Street is dug up and the curbs are being reset. I finally arrived at Elms around 2:40pm. and had great fun. This time I interacted with the Dean of Faculty herself, Dr. Ann E. Harrison, a good looking, sprightly and vivacious professional woman with a bubbly personality. I guess my outfit caught her attention as I came through the door and she cheerfully greeted me. She reminds me of Colleen in some ways. Dr. Harrison was wearing sandals and there was a sign on the bulletin board that read, "Women don't have hot flashes - they have energy surges."<br />
<br />
We made small talk and I said I would like to meet Tom Moriarty someday as I told her he "has never had the privilege of meeting me." (Some privilege, she no doubt thought). I also mentioned my academic credentials, but of course they are not looking for a Miltonist. I handed her my envelope of material for her to read and told her I would like a receipt. She looked at the envelope as if she thought coming from a character like me the envelope might contain a bomb. I told her I wanted the receipt written on a full sheet of paper. <br />
<br />
We parted with the customary pleasantries, but as I was headed out the front door I noticed that the receipt hadn't been signed. So I went back and said something about the lack of signature and how we Methodists are not very trusting. She said something nice about John Wesley and thanked me again for the reading material and postcards, which she called "photographs." When she reads what I wrote, perhaps she will conclude that my envelope did contain a bomb after all. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 16, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast and rainy at 7:30am. <br />
<br />
Prince Henry is 15 today, how thrilling! Public Radio had a story about a woman in Missouri who bought 35,000 <i>Earth Shoes</i> and bellbottom pants when they were just past their fashion peak and is now selling them in Japan. Ray Herschel did a story today on the historic <i>Rivoli Theater</i> in Chicopee. Debbie LaJoie is the District Manager for <i>Dunkin' Donuts</i> in Chicopee. I saw a woman in an African orange body wrap garment standing on the corner of WNEC and <i>16 Acres Gardens</i>. Colleen never thanked me for the driveway repair patch I sent over there for her. Obviously, I've been snubbed. Perhaps Steve and Sue Root have given her an earful about me. <br />
<br />
This day I assembled Father's <i>History of the Monarch Credit Union</i> for presentation to President MacDonald down to the<i> Western Mass Telephone Worker's Credit Union</i>. I called Mrs. Staniski and told her it was too rainy to go to lunch. She told me that she has been diagnosed as having melanoma on the tip of her nose and has an appointment with Dr. Stark. I had shelled beans and husked corn for lunch. <i>Rothbury Farms</i> makes good croutons. The mail came a little late today, bringing a reply from Heidelberg, but nothing from Mrs. Hall's School. Lemke's name is not in the Heidelberg catalog, so perhaps he's passed on. I also got a new, blue Campus Ministry brochure from WNEC. It seems to have none of the errors that were in the earlier version I corrected. And what is Helen doing and <i>Day's Funeral Home</i> for that matter? <br />
<br />
In the trash can at <i>Louis & Clark</i> I found that someone had chucked all the Sixteen Acres Newsletters. I took them out and put them back on the floor with the other free papers by the door. Later I left a message with Jean Masse telling her what I had done, signing off as "The Anonymous Dumpster Diver." I went by <i>Food Mart</i> for the specials on the way home. I bought some <i>Kozy Shack Rice Pudding</i>, about the size of a cottage cheese container and it is very nice. I circled over down Breckwood past Tom Devine's and he has no Marshall Moriarty sign up. So far mine is the only Moriarty sign I've seen, so let the record show that Miller was the first one to get it up! <br />
<br />
I called Eamon tonight and told him about Mrs. Staniski and he said his mother's first melanoma was frozen off by a Dr. Stoddard, whom he said had more diplomas on his office wall than he's ever seen. She was operated on at Baystate. He told me he was up to the Vets Hospital yesterday and they had a big pile of <i>Valley Advocates</i>. Eamon thinks Righty Keough is in political trouble. He says he has had a hard time getting through to Righty these days, he leaves messages but never hears back. Eamon recalls that the owner of <i>Costello's Paint</i> was some sort of low grade Irish politician "they all are" and he thinks Costello may even have served on the City Council or School Committee at one point. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 17, 2000</b></center><br />
Absolutely beautiful fall day, 56 degrees at 8am. <br />
<br />
The typewriter I'm using today wears out ribbons less than the <i>Royal</i> downstairs that hacks them to death. Tom Thomas, class of '63, is in charge of this year's Colby Planned Giving Drive. Holyoke industrialist Donald Taber was honored at a reception at Holyoke Community College recently. Taber was the top executive at Holyoke's <i>American Pad & Paper Co.</i> until his retirement in 1974. <br />
<br />
I called Mrs. Staniski, who agreed to come over, but then asked, "Can we eat first?" She said she hadn't eaten since breakfast at 6:30am. I left at 12:20pm and picked her up, heading directly to <i>Ruby Tuesday</i> on Boston Road. Mrs. Staniski said that when she and her daughter Ann drove past it the first time, they didn't like the way it looked. Now she says she has come to like it. There was no line, unlike when I came with the Vermont relatives over Labor Day. We both had the unlimited salad bar and I also ordered a cheeseburger and french fries. Mrs. Staniski ate some of the fries. I had a mug of water and she had coffee, which was refilled once. <br />
<br />
Mrs. Staniski told me there is a controversy dividing South Church, as gays are teaching the little kids in Sunday School that gay is good. She went to Trinity Methodist last week, she likes both of the pastors and thinks they give good sermons. Ann had to travel 200 miles to an event in New Hampshire recently, after playing organ in her usual church in Boston. To my surprise, she complained that Warren Ammerman exploited Ann as a student by asking her to perform a lot which cut into her regular studies and lowered her grades. <br />
<br />
One of Mrs. Staniski's grandsons sent her a postcard from Buenos Aires, she is happy for him, saying he has "turned his life around." She just finished reading Carson's <i>Silent Spring</i> and for the first time she is reading <i>Pilgrim's Progress</i>. Mrs. S. admired my frames more than my pictures, when I pointed out a picture she would say, "What a lovely frame!" She expressed surprise over all the things I have placed in Mother's urn, saying that I should have given the jewelry away to relatives. Mrs. Staniski also said that she is disgusted by Springfield politics and doesn't think the city will recover in a hundred years. <br />
<br />
Before we left, Mrs. Staniski excused herself, saying she always likes to check the toilets to see how clean they are. When we got to the car, next to us was a nice young fellow with a baby in his arms who said his wife is a waitress at <i>Ruby's</i> and he is the Executive Chef at <i>Tilly's</i> downtown. On the way home Mrs. Staniski told me about her grandmother who came over from Czechoslovakia with a tureen full of butter, but since the trip took three weeks, the butter was spoiled by the time she arrived. Mrs. Staniski still has the tureen. At one point I explained to her that I'm a stay at home type of guy. I've taken care to get all the books I'll ever want, and now that I've got 'em, I'm going to use 'em! <br />
<br />
So I brought her to my house and as always she was amazed by all my stuff and the examples I showed her of Mother's thrift. She said she could use a flashlight, so I took one of the ones lying in the clutter and gave it to her. I also gave her a picture taken at Lois Hastings place in 1980, as well as a bag of croutons. I showed her a picture of Father, Vanderbrouk and others at Father's 25 years of service party at <i>Monarch</i>. I took her home at 3:30pm and told her to bring Ann next time, but she said Ann is too busy. I guess Ann finally caught on that I'm gay, so she's not chasing me anymore. <br />
<br />
In recent months, Springfield has cleared a thousand arrest warrants, but there are 28,000 left. Eamon called and said that the Springfield police don't bother investigating the local mafia, claiming that they don't have the money to do it. He read me the interview in this morning's paper with the Marketing Director of the Basketball Hall of Fame and we laughed and laughed. He claimed the Hall had 120,000 guests this year, itself an exaggeration, but then absurdly suggested it will grow to 400,000, thanks to having hired a Direct Sales Associate. A bullshit artist he is, indeed. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 18, 2000</b></center><br />
Lovely, sunny day, 60 degrees at 9am. <br />
<br />
A photograph that appeared in <i>Kiplinger's Personal Finance</i> magazine in an ad for the <i>Westcore Blue Chip Fund</i> features a model that looks very much like me as a little kid, the same haircut, round face, glasses and most of all the striped jerseys I wore when I was a boy. The latest <i>Dollars & Sense</i>, the newsletter for the <i>Telephone Worker's Credit Union</i>, says they have abandoned the <i>Insurance Center of New England</i> and are now offering their discounted insurance through <i>Abodeely Insurance Agency</i>. What is that all about? A story in the paper says that people around Stearns Square are complaining about all the noise from the nightclubs. <i>Friendly's</i> stock is down to 3.68. <br />
<br />
<i>CopyCat</i> has a woman working there now in addition to the two fellows. <i>Charter One Bank</i> is on Main Street in Indian Orchard. Mother wrote her last check on September 1, 1998 to me for regular expenses. Dined on <i>Wheaties</i>, peaches and rice pudding. I am currently reading <i>Health Stories #3</i> (1935). I went out at 9:30am and dropped off magazines with my neighbors Irving and Lenore Cohn. They returned the books I let them borrow on Judge Frankfurer and Judge Judy. We chatted, Mr. Cohn is a learned tho not highly educated man who has always tried to do good and is aspirational in his thinking. I fear he finds me too negative. <br />
<br />
From the Cohn's I drove out to <i>Fleet/Bank of Boston</i> in the Acres and left a complaint with Judy Wing, who didn't know whether the construction of safety deposit boxes at the Boston Road site has begun. Continuing on to the <i>Lyndale Garage</i>, Bobby Vendovelli said he's booked up for a month but looked at the tail light and said he would fix it if he can find the part. I asked how much it would cost and he said around $125. We'll see what happens. When I got home, Mrs. Staniski called and said she could use a Springfield road map, so I will give her a couple. I called the city Economic Development Office and copied their menu of people: Teresa Wesley, Director of Operations, Thomas McColgan, Director, Attorney Robert Warren, Jim Madden, Industrial Development, Lisa Cignoli, Marketing and Ann Burke, listed at the end with no title. The mail brought a burial certificate from <i>Day Funeral Home</i>, nothing from Helen. <br />
<br />
Barry next door was at his workbench in the garage throughout the afternoon and evening. I spent the evening until bedtime throwing out receipts from old bills from Mother's final illness. Among them were bills from <i>Providence Diagnostic Imaging Inc</i>. and <i>Gino Mercadante Internal Medicine</i>, both in Ludlow. Why didn't these people find or at least suspect Mother's fatal tumor? The new <i>Law Tribune</i> arrived with an article on <i>Mass Mutual</i> that Colleen would like to see. It also has a big ad that WNEC is looking for a new dean. When I went out for the mail, I noticed Mr. Bradley was walking home from WNEC and we had a respectable chat and I invited him in. I swiftly showed him my library, and he told me he retired at 63 last year but still teaches one evening course and has a consultant job with <i>Milton Bradley</i>. His son is working in Northampton as a nutritionist. He liked my Punch print and the Danner and of course everyone gazes at the large deep in the woods painting. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 19, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast and 64 degrees. Gas is $1.55 at Watershops Pond. <br />
<br />
Acting Governor Jane Swift has been fined $1,250 for improperly making state employees look after her kid. C. Wright Mills used to use a motorcycle to commute to Columbia in the 1950's. <i>Springboard Technology</i>, founded in 1993, is a global minority owned and operated company headquartered in Springfield. Dined on a tossed salad tonight and a <i>Hungry Man Salsbury Steak Dinner</i>. <br />
<br />
This was Primary Election Day. I voted around 11:15 over to Glickman School, where I was voter number 24. Obviously there was a very low turnout. I am registered as an independent, but took the Democratic Party ballot and voted in all sorts of naughty ways, including voting for myself for Hampden County Sheriff. First thing today I drove out to Wilbraham to meet with Mr. Pearsall and T. Capparello in the conference room of Wilbraham Town Hall from 9am to 9:50. Capparello told me she got her degree from Union, while Pearsall said he has a bachelor's degree in psych from Tufts and degrees in geology and planning from UMass. Capparello primarily took notes. Pearsall gave me an aerial photo of King Drive. When I left I told them I would send them a memo by Tuesday responding to what was said. <br />
<br />
After leaving Wilbraham, I went to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, where I mailed a pile of letters. A lot of people are about to receive messages from me, some of them unwelcome. I went into <i>Vibrations</i> and got <i>Manic Panic</i> lavender hair color. From there I went to the barber at the Acres where he scalped me except for a Mohawk. He told me he has been barbering at the Mall for 34 years. Stuffed animals decorate the shop, taxidermied that is, three heads over the mirror and a full bobcat. I read the paper while waiting for the barber, which had a story about the <i>Union Market</i> closing. <br />
<br />
When I got home I put the hair color on immediately. Then I called Homer Street School again to verify that the Principal there is Bobbie L. Rennix. I also called Duggan at 787-7410 and the Principal there is Thomas Keating, who told me that Clement is now Principal at Warner. Next I headed downtown to STCC to deliver some reading material to President Scibelli. The secretary looked at me and smiled, I was dressed full queer with my leather collar and dog tag, black t-shirt reading Berlin in lavender and black jeans tucked into logger boots. A wonderful outfit. <br />
<br />
Then down to the <i>Telephone Worker's Credit Union</i>, where President P.C. MacDonald came right out and appeared genuinely pleased with Father's credit union history. MacDonald said he is Scotch and Irish. I then delivered some material to Russell Denver's receptionist. I also left something with Barbara Gray at Charlie Ryan's office on the 9th floor and saw that the paintings were all gone. Lewandowski said they gave the paintings to the Quadrangle, maybe they got the idea from me. Over at the Community Foundation Mike Riley came out and gave me a receipt on my business card. <br />
<br />
Men were setting up tables outside <i>Tilly's</i>. I got a Job Corps sticker off of a telephone pole. When I got to the School Department, I had to wait around awhile because Rosemary Shea was out to lunch. When she got back she gave me a copy of the Negroni piece <i>Creating High Achieving Schools: A Proposal With Supporting Action Plan</i>. Leaving, I saw Brian McCook waddling down State Street in a blue jacket and chino pants. Next I paused at the courthouse for some forms, then intended to go eat lunch at <i>Subway</i>. The downtown <i>Subway</i> has a new menu which omits the 99 cents deli-baloney sandwiches I love. They now have more expensive deli sandwiches, everything is $1.89 which is too high.<br />
<br />
Heading back to the car, I saw that the sidewalk in front of <i>The Paramount</i> is all dug up. Driving home I stopped at Homer, where the Principal now has an office on the second floor where the grand piano used to be overlooking the playground. Principal Bobbie L. Rennix is an articulate and friendly black woman. At Duggan I was harassed by campaigners insisting I take their leaflets. A male assistant named Lapan took my material and promised to give it to Principal Thomas Keating, no questions asked. <br />
<br />
When I got back, Eamon called and said he talked to Nader the Hatter, who says he loves it in Florida. Nader is trying to make some real estate deals down there. He recalled to Eamon how old man Nader was a high school chum of Matty Ryan, whom he asked to help him get his license back, however, the Nader kids found out and put a stop to it. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 20, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and 70 degrees at 10am.<br />
<br />
Stimulation is the mother of inspiration. <br />
<br />
<i>WFCR</i> says the U.S. Women's Olympic Tennis Team looks good. <i>USA Today</i> says that performance enhancing drugs in the Olympics is a real problem. I say why even have an Olympics? The Barnes Foundation of Philly is broke so they want to raise $85 million. Wow! Mercy Hospital is located at 299 Carew Street in Springfield. John M. Pearsall is the Planning and Community Development Administrator for the Town of Wilbraham. Tonya L. Capparello is the Assistant Town Engineer. Kerry O'Keefe is the Marketing Coordinator for <i>Advance Communication Systems</i> in Easthampton. <i>Burke Medical Equipment Inc.</i> is in Chicopee. <br />
<br />
I cut my fingernails today, they were as long as they have ever been. I also went to the free prostate screening today. A lot of my purple hair dye has faded, but I wore a cap to the screening anyway. It was at 3300 Main Street and I was in and out in less than a half hour. I had to park on Birnie Avenue because the parking lot was full. I saw a bumpersticker on a small, black pick-up truck (which had an Irish flag in the back window) reading "Kiss My Shamrock." <br />
<br />
3300 Main is a lavish, modern building which suggests that Baystate Medical has plenty of money. On the first floor there is a pharmacy, a library and a fireplace with an oil painting over it of the <i>Moore Drop Forge</i> building, which I believe once stood on that site. They also have a dining room, a snack bar and a tiny gift shop. There was art hanging all around, plus a spiral staircase and elevator. Dr. Sonn said there was no problem, although he didn't seem to feel around as much as the doctor last time. There were also no coffee and donuts offered this time. I left at 11:25am, swung by Eamon's to drop off a bag of reading material, paused at <i>Angelo's</i> for fruit and was home at 12:20pm. <br />
<br />
I forgot to mention that the other day I stopped at <i>Redbrick Books</i> but it was closed. I parked in <i>McDonald's</i> and noticed a door open nearby to a factory called <i>Universal Tool</i>. I peeked inside and it is a very messy machine shop with maybe a dozen or so workers. The mail arrived on time today, it seems strange that I still have heard nothing from Helen or David. My <i>Harvard Alumni Directory</i> arrived, and I also received notification that Marjorie Russell-Ames has died at the age of 76. She owned the cottage in Maine that my parents rented for a couple of summers. I called to tell Mrs. Staniski and she said she last ran into Marjorie many years ago when she was up in Maine visiting the Smith's. I then called the always friendly J.M. Pearsall and told him that I mailed him my 1992 article critical of the Quadrangle from <i>Collection Building Magazine</i> and he joked that he would send it to David Starr. I replied that I sent one to Starr years ago, but he claimed he never received it. <br />
<br />
Chelsea Sobel made a good debut as as reporter on <i>TV22</i> this evening. Is she related to Sobel the self-promoter? Eamon called and discussed how his father's first wife died in childbirth but left behind some money that was divided among the family. The one child by the marriage, William Sullivan, was a boiler tender in World War II but was never heard from again. There were indications that he lived in Boston and New York and may have drank himself to death. Eamon also confessed to me that he really isn't very sorry that Righty Keough lost to Chris Asselin. He said it helped that Asselin is French (as was Dave Vigneault) and Asselin went door to door working very hard to win. Eamon said he heard that Asselin is married to a nubile Puerto Rican. <br />
<br />
Eamon thinks that Righty may have borrowed a lot of money and is now stuck with a lot of bills to pay. Bill Christofori, who is the money man for Sheriff Ashe, was also the money man for Keough and when Eamon spoke to him last week Christofori admitted that Righty was in trouble. Keough is a Fairfield University graduate. He wasn't in the state legislature long enough to get a pension, but Righty may be able to lump the time with other government jobs he's held. Eamon said his own service to Springfield was less than four years, but he was able to combine it with his time with the Department of Education because "it's all the same system." <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 21, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast, 72 degrees at 8am. <br />
<br />
Today is Massachusetts Day at the <i>Big E</i>. In Chapter One of my Introduction to Edwards, I said I have often gotten my best ideas at night. It looks like a cycle of inflation has begun with oil prices up and electricity going up and it seems like everybody is raising their prices. Dr. David Chadbourne, Dr. Leonard Shaker and Dr. Donald Sonn work for the Baystate Medical Center. <br />
<br />
I have over 15,000 antiquarian books. Unsatisfactory condition describes my 2-volume <i>Harvard Alumni Directory</i> that arrived yesterday, but since it is Harvard, I wrote them a letter forgiving them. The mail today finally brought a letter from the <i>Day Funeral Home</i> in Randall, Vermont saying that the urn containing Mother's ashes was buried in the family vault at 1:30pm on September 7th. They included three photographs, two of the urn and the front of the stone. I could barely make out Floppy and Ambrose on the stone. I have sent a thank you note and I'm still wondering when I'll hear from Helen and David. I also got letters from Turin of <i>CityBlock</i> and Carellas. <br />
<br />
Heard nothing from the <i>Lyndale Garage</i>. I called <i>Cat's Paw</i> and Claudia said that Vince goes to Baystate next Wednesday for his operation. A three inch long dragonfly came buzzing into the house at 2:43pm, don't know what happened to it. This was a quiet day, mostly spent at home. I had bacon, eggs and <i>Wheaties</i> for breakfast, then I walked the the <i>Boston Herald</i> down to the Penniman's. I haven't seen Mr. Penniman around for ages I doubt he is still at home. Next I went to <i>Louis & Clark</i>, where I found a Boston Red Sox baseball cap in fairly new but faded condition in the trash can in front. The label says it was made in Bangladesh. I put out the mail to poetry.com, Belle-Rita, Tuesday Morning Music Club, the <i>Harvard Alumni Directory</i> and a letter I wrote to Jerry Falwell telling him I think he's a bigot. My name and address were clearly written on it.<br />
<br />
Tom Vannah from the <i>Valley Advocate</i> called from 247-5182. This is the first time Vannah has called here from that number since September 10, 1999. Vannah mentioned how he wrote recently that David Starr is married to a Newhouse, but Starr himself has written Vannah saying it isn't so. Vannah wondered if I could help clear it up. I said I would do what I can, then looked up Starr's vita in <i>Who's Who</i>. I called back and told Tom that Giffen is Peggy Starr's maiden name. Tom was very polite and even obsequious. I could hear his voice fine and used the call as an occasion to express condolences for the death of their publisher Kathy Nylic. I also asked Vannah if he wanted me to nominate him for <i>Who's Who</i> and he said sure, somewhat surprised.<br />
<br />
The big story in the paper today is that the Grand Jury did not return any indictments against the cops suspended by Chief Meara for rape. The officers were represented by Kevin Coyle. The Police Commission still fired them for what Meara called "conduct unbecoming which tarnished the whole police force." Eamon called and told me he called the <i>Union-News</i> today and told them about an incident involving the police. It seems two police officers were beaten up and hit with a brick and one ended up in the hospital with a concussion. The three blacks involved were arrested, but nothing has appeared in the media. The reporter asked who are you and Eamon replied, "What does it matter? These are the facts." <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 22, 2000</b></center><br />
Lovely, mild day. Astronomical Autumn begins at 1:57pm.<br />
<br />
The advancement of learning is my goal. Professionalism is the standard, and nothing less will do. <br />
<br />
Today is New Hampshire Day at the Eastern States Exposition. Tomorrow is Vermont Day. Governor Rowland of Connecticut and Celluci of Massachusetts were shown on television promoting relations between Hartford and Springfield. <i>Fleet Bank</i> should hire me as a consultant for making the commercial suggestion that they should put the date on each and every page of a financial statement. Homer Street School is located at 43 Homer Street in Springfield. <i>Vibrations</i> at the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> does not allow the return or exchange of body jewelry. I'd like to know what's behind Peter Picknelly's fondness for the name Monarch. <br />
<br />
A dead bird in Springfield has been found carrying the West Nile virus. Robert T. Crowley and Paul A. Penna work for <i>Downey, Sweeney, Fitzgerald and Co.</i> on Hampden Street in Springfield. Back in 1986, when my Father died, their Mr. Sadowski ably handled the Federal and State Estate Tax returns. Ordinarily we figured our own taxes, but for Father's death we felt we should have an accountant. I also recall that the <i>Costello Paint Shop</i> offered the service of painting names on glass. It was stylish in the 1980's to weed library collections to make way for computers, but alas, the public spirited citizens who helped were generally strong on muscles but weak on learning.<br />
<br />
I walked down the street with a nice bag of magazines for the Cohn's, but Mrs. Cohn was dozing in her chair at the kitchen table so I quietly hung them on the door knob. <i>Matt's Landscaping</i> left flyers at every house on the street. Today I went to the Armenian Apostolic tag sale, which was gigantic. But no real bargains, although I did buy an antique plated child's cup for $6. I was the first to arrive at 8:30am, but when I left there were so many cars in the lot that I had trouble getting out. The Koziel kid was there, but nobody else I knew. On the way home I stopped at <i>Angelo's</i> and bought some nice 99 cent peaches. <br />
<br />
Next I went to <i>Louis & Clark</i> and mailed an envelope to Tom Vannah with David Starr's <i>Who's Who</i> vita in it and a friendly note suggesting they set up a basic filing system with folders of info related to prominent figures. I promised to get in touch with them again once they move into their new offices. When I was in <i>Louis & Clark</i>, a large black man wearing a white cap and heavy, masculine sandals told me, "Your hairstyle looks sharp." <br />
<br />
Dined this evening on <i>Swanson Fish and Chips</i> with musk mellon. A big pile of junk mail came today, but nothing first class. People are not rushing to answer my memos. <i>TV22</i> is reporting that <i>New England Fidelity</i> has been taken over by state regulators. This certainly is not good news for Tommy Burton at <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i>, who just a year ago was pumping up his banks relationship with <i>New England Fidelity</i>. Burton has had quite a few black eyes this year. <br />
<br />
I called the <i>Lyndale Garage</i> and was told by Bobby that he got the part and it will take just a few minutes to install the light and put the sticker on. Called Aunt Maria to tell Shirley Huang to tell my Aunt that Mother was buried, but got Bonnie who said Huang was in the backyard talking to Shirley Lucia. Our conversation had many pauses of dead air. She doesn't know if Aunt Maria got the pictures I sent. She said Aunt Maria is "just fine." She asked where Mother was buried and I told her in the Miller lot in Fairview. I also mentioned that Mother and Aunt Maria had always talked of burying Aunt Maria in the Wilson lot. I tried to chat with Eamon today, but he said he couldn't talk because Charlie Ryan was expected to call. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 23, 2000</b></center><br />
Out to the Acres <i>Newsstand</i> at 7:30am for the <i>Union-News</i> and on page A-7 Tommy Burton is getting just the kind of publicity he does not like. <i>Hampden Bank</i> is headed down the drain. Today I went to the tag sale at Epiphany Church. I parked behind the old <i>Heritage</i>/<i>Fleet</i>. The burned hardware store has been razed down to the cement slab foundation. There is a new front going on the Acres <i>Dunkin' Donuts</i>. The tag sale was disappointing, but I did get a nice bell for $1.50. Books were a dollar but I bought none. <br />
<br />
I ran into the fundamentalist bookseller guy and he said he hasn't been selling much lately but business always picks up around Christmas time. I asked if he's seen any of the Johnsons and he said no, then he asked whether they have rented their store dowmtown. I told him he must not have been downtown lately because the answer is no. A woman told me that Peter Picknelly had been there earlier signing copies of his book <i>Driving Vision</i> about the creation of <i>Peter Pan Bus Lines</i>. I wonder if Fran Gagnon helped him write it. <br />
<br />
Then to the <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> to withdraw $50. From there I put out the mail at the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> post office, including a letter I mailed to David Starr:<br />
<br />
<i>My Dear Mr. Starr, <br />
<br />
I have belonged to the Tuesday Morning Music Club for so many years I can't count them, but though you are conspicuous lover of music, I have never seen you at one of their programs. Frankly, some are a lot better than others. Enclosed find two tickets and a copy of this year's program. I hope you will come, and if you do I promise not to bother you. If you can't make it, feel free to give the tickets to someone else. And of course, you understand that this is simply a gracious gesture to a serious music lover and in no way signals a change in my attitude towards your paper. I call it professionalism: being friendly with someone I'm not always friendly with. Please come soon - or send the Mrs. if you can't make it - but whoever comes I hope that you/they have a good time. <br />
</i><br />
<br />
I doubt I will receive even the courtesy of a reply. I had a Quarterpounder with fries at the mall <i>McDonald's</i>, overall the place was pretty quiet today. I then walked across the street to the <i>Fleet</i> branch and was told that construction of the new vaults are underway. Walking back across Boston Road, I ran into Mario Anzalotti and we greeted each other warmly. He said nothing about the elections, but we decided to cross the road together as there was quite a bit of traffic. While in the Acres, I happened upon the new Sabis School and drove around it. It's on an immense chunk of land, two stories in yellow brick with a large playing field. <br />
<br />
When I got back, I walked the <i>Boston Herald</i> down to the Penniman's. It seems I never see either one of them these days. The mail today brought newspaper clippings from Nader the Hatter, as well as nice letters from T. Regina and Gutowski. Last spring, I corrected all the errors in the WNEC Campus Ministry brouchure and got no thank you. Now I see they have a new brochure out with all the errors corrected, but they didn't even even send me a copy. I happened to get one by chance when I was on campus briefly the other day.<br />
<br />
Tonight I called Eamon and he told me he had just spoken to Walter Sullivan, who is in charge of shipping at <i>Absorbine Jr.</i> and is close to Tyler Young. He told Eamon that the new plant in East Longmeadow is coming along, but the deal to sell their downtown plant fell through because the soil underneath is heavily polluted. Eamon says who's to say that the Youngs didn't do any dumping of their own? Walter Sullivan told Eamon, "I think the Mafia guys are going to wind up buying it as well as the Exeter Block and make it into a parking lot." I told Eamon I wish they could have saved the Exeter. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 24, 2000</b></center><br />
Gas is $1.53 at the Watershops Pond Dairy Mart.<br />
<br />
<i>ABC News</i> says there has been up to fifteen inches of snow in parts of Wyoming and Colorado. They also had a story about a Wayne Miller of Chicago who took some of the first photos after the bombing of Hiroshima. Northampton Mayor M. Clare Higgins rocked out in leather pants and shades as Joey Ramone at <i>Transperformance X: Look Punk at Look Park</i>. Backing the Mayor on vocals was City Councilor William H. Dwight whose banter and body piercing - a huge safety pin through his head - amused the crowd. <br />
<br />
Noon on <i>TV22</i> they didn't run the stock numbers. <i>WFCR</i> says the prices at their Final Vinyl sale will be $2 for records and $4 for compact discs. Maryann Reardon works for Fleet Bank. Jack Hess once sold <i>Cat's Paw</i> 5,000 postcards at a dollar apiece. I bought most of them and currently have 80,000 cards from all over. I recently bought a card of the tree shaded lane up to <i>Mountainview House</i> in Whitefield, N.H. which I've never seen before. <br />
<br />
Today was the Open House down to Reeds Landing and they had a tent set up in the Duggan parking lot. There were maybe twenty cars in the lot. At <i>Louis & Clark</i> I got two portions of the Sunday paper out of the trash. I really gave Trinity Church the works this morning with my appearance. A conspicuous gay presence in the Methodist Church is needed to straighten, I mean kink them out. It started sprinkling on the way to the church. When I arrived, Mark Goad ran into me in the hallway and thanked me for the pictures. He said his wife is down South. Goad's sermon was on Wisdom, so I'll loan him Gutterman's. The church was well filled. It was raining on the way home, and I spotted Tom Burton coming out of the driveway at WNEC when I came by at 11:50am. <br />
<br />
I take a vitamin pill and an aspirin occasionally, but not everyday. Tonight I dined on microwaved potatoes, the last of the succotash and two hotdogs. While Mother was dying, a lot of things got let go and I've finally finished filing them. Nader the Hatter does not like to leave a paper trail or receive any publicity. When he writes to me he does so on old newsprint, thinking it will not be saved. Alas, he does not know the lengths I go to preserve records. At one time the Quad wanted to honor the Hatter for all the work he did as a volunteer at the library, but he said no way. I tried to get him to publicize his hat collection, but nothing doing. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 26, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and 57 degrees at 7:30am. <br />
<br />
Despite stuffing the ballot box, S. Milosovic has been forced into a run-off. If he loses he can be extradited for war crimes. Good. I agree that Joe Lieberman should not be running for Senate and Vice President at the same time, otherwise, I like him. <i>WFCR</i> said this morning, "Shoppers care less about discounts and more about their own time." Tell that to <i>Hampden Bank</i>. <i>Poetry.com</i> is going ahead with the publication of my poem <i>Cocksuckers First Love Sonnet</i>.<br />
<br />
<i>Smith & Wesson</i> was in the news for making a new kind of blinking light for police cruisers. Their spokesman said on <i>TV22</i> that they are a "public safety manufacturing company" with a lot of non-gun products and they are moving into other areas "where we can enhance the strength of our brand." Diane M. Dunkerly is the Chairman of The Springfield Boys and Girls Club. State Insurance Commissioner Linda Ruthardt has been appointed receiver for <i>New England Fidelity Insurance</i>. The Wilbraham Public Library has a reading of bedtime stories at 6pm Mondays. <br />
<br />
I worked on my Pulitzer Prize nomination for the <i>Valley Advocate</i> today. The mail brought a birthday card for me from <i>Burger King</i>, whose kid's club I joined. <i>Newsweek</i> is still coming although my subscription expired on August 13th. <i>U.S. New and World Report</i> keeps sending me advertising. I have done very few jigsaw puzzles since Mother died. I just don't have the enthusiasm for them now that we can't do them together anymore. But last night I did one with 250 pieces of a vine covered cottage by a river. <br />
<br />
Left at 8:30am. Took the car to Bobby at <i>Lyndale Garage</i> on Warehouse Street and had the light done in a few minutes. The price came ten bucks under the estimate at $115.75, which I put on my <i>Visa</i> card. Bobby is a very friendly fellow. They have nice letters from people stuck on their bulletin board, including a letter from a fellow apologizing for trying to break into the place. There was an East Longmeadow police car there (<i>Ford LTD</i>). Then I waited around to get my car inspected but they said they couldn't inspect it without a Mass plate on the front end and told me my tires are under inflated. <br />
<br />
So I drove over to to Trinity to leave the Wisdom book for Rev. Goad with the lady in the inner office. Then to <i>Welker's</i> who said I could have all the air I wanted for free, so I set it for 32 pounds and waited for the bell to stop ringing. Then out to <i>Balise</i> in Wilbraham and the parts guy Michael Pelletier took me right on time and screwed on the front plates.<br />
<br />
When I got back to <i>Lyndale Garage</i> there was a line with me at number five. They are Inspection Station #1695. The lady who does the work is chubby, long-haired, agile, jovial and she told me she is a registered nurse. She worked as a nurse for 18 years and still has her license, but likes garage work better, even in the winter with the front and back doors open. She said she can't stand heat but can handle cold. When they finally got to me she drove the car in and punched all the buttons on the machine without inspecting much and I was out in 10 minutes. Coming home on Boston Road, a woman in a black jeep heaved her cigarette butt out the window and I honked. <br />
<br />
Dined tonight on a melon and two cheese sandwiches. Mrs. Peter Meltzer called to remind me of the Tuesday Morning Music Club meeting next Tuesday. We had a nice chat and she told me she is 82. About 5pm I called Mary Alice Stusick to tell her about the double harp in the <i>Red Baron</i> sale. She was very gracious, though seemed a tad slow about getting the information down. She told me she had been to some harp convention where a Chinese woman had a double harp. Next I called Eamon and told him about finding Larry McDermott's snotty letter of September 13, 1992. Eamon said he discovered that what in our city is called the Springfield-Hartford Partnership is called in Connecticut the Hartford-Springfield Partnership.<br />
<br />
<center><b>September 27, 2000</b></center><br />
An article in the <i>The Economist</i> says that the smartest students are the least likely to go into teaching. Wesley Village is in Shelton, Connecticut. Bells are excellent objects to collect and they often sell for less than they should. When I was at <i>Savers</i> the other day, the young girl at the checkout said about my purple mohawk, "I like your hair." I replied, "I got sick of being like everybody else." She said, "That's the way to be."<br />
<br />
<i>The Union-News</i> has a story on b7 about the Mullins Center in Amherst being this year's venue for the <i>Fifth Annual J.Crew Warehouse Sale</i> from now until Saturday. What the story doesn't tell is that the earliest of those sales was in an abandoned space in the <i>Springdale Mall</i>. Once again, a commercial event has abandoned Springfield. UMass is probably a much better place for it, but it is interesting how the Mullins Center is systematically stealing events that used to occur in Springfield. The paper also says P. Picknelly has been granted an extension to submit his plans to renovate the old Union Station. Will he ante up in time before somebody else is given a chance to develop it? <br />
<br />
<i>TV40</i> had a story saying that one fourth of the teachers teaching math and science in the Springfield schools lack even a college minor in the field they are teaching. Carol Rushby was in the paper complaining about all the late night noise in the Entertainment District. She especially complained about the <i>Mars Club</i> by Stearns Square. The owner of the <i>Mars Club</i> says he paid a lot for his license and needs noise and excitement to attract business. <br />
<br />
There seemed to be a lot of smoke coming out of my exhaust pipe this morning, but it soon stopped and I saw no more of it for the rest of the day. The oil and anti-freeze were both checked a few days ago, so everything should be fine. I went downtown and parked in the <i>Northgate Plaza</i> parking lot because it's free. I saw Minna, the wife of the liquor store owner, and I asked her if the closing of the <i>Union Market</i> has affected business. She said "it hasn't had much impact at all" and I wished her well. <br />
<br />
I crossed over to the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> to leave a letter for Larry McDermott and read today's paper from their counter copy. A woman came up and asked if I wanted to buy a copy of the paper, so I said, "I'm reading the counter copy, that's alright, isn't it?" She reluctantly replied yes. Then over to the Main Post Office, where I sent some of my Pulitzer material to Tom Vannah. The <i>PARAMOUNT</i> sign has been taken down and workers are putting an imitation brick sidewalk under the marquis. The northern end of Main below the Arch is all dug up, it's ridiculous how they pave streets and then dig them up again. I stopped at the Chamber of Commerce and then dropped off reading material for Charlie Ryan. <br />
<br />
I stopped at <i>Edwards Books</i> and the boss lady Janet told me that she asked Peter Picknelly if he wanted to do a book signing event at her store. He said yes but nothing was ever arranged. She also told me that the autographed copies of Barry Moser's Bible book that she used to sell are now selling for $1,500 on the internet. I dropped off a note at Marshall Moriarty's law office and it's too bad he has those fancy leather sofas but his bookcases sag. <br />
<br />
Over at <i>Hampden Bank</i> they still have a sign reading, "<i>Hampden Insurance Agency</i> represents the products of <i>New England Fidelity</i>." There should be strict banking and insurance laws which make it improper to advertise products after they are no longer available. So once again, <i>Hampden</i> doesn't care if they mislead their customers about what they have to offer. That sign should have come down the minute they found out that <i>New England Fidelity</i> had gone under. <br />
<br />
I left some material for Hurwitz and then to City Hall to leave something for Mayor Albano. I brought some stuff to Atty. Berman and we had a nice chat. He showed me some of his scale collection, including one designed to hold eggs and another with vials for weighing milk. I told Berman that I always thought bankruptcy law was boring, but he said he finds it gratifying to help people out of a financial mess and he feels he performs a real service to the community. Next, over to State and found the new Bar Advocacy Office. I went into 55 State and the entire lobby has Ciplon Pastel Green tiles, which is a Vermont marble. <br />
<br />
Ordinarily, on my way back to the car I would have stopped for a baloney grinder, but <i>Subway</i> no longer has the cheap ones. And did I mention that <i>McDonald's</i> now rations how much condiments you get with each order? If you want more you have to pay. Photocopies are also going up everywhere from five to seven cents each. We are in an inflationary period, but nobody dares to say it. <br />
<br />
I went to <i>Kentucky Fried Chicken</i> and paid $7.99 for ten legs and thighs. As I arrived home, the mailman was just turning around in Jeffrey from Ballard as I came around the block around 11:10am. I got a nice note from Maureen Vincent Beck, but no communication from all the other people who owe me mail. Mrs. Staniski called and said she hurt her ankle going down the cellar stairs but it feels alright now. I called the <i>Valley Advocate</i> to determine when they're moving and the receptionist told me the week of the 9th of October. I told her they should print a picture of the old mill next week. She said she doesn't like that they're moving because she loves the place they are now. She also told me she has worked for the <i>Advocate</i> for 13 years. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 28, 2000</b></center><br />
Medical charities are a racket designed to appeal to sentimental jerks. Former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau of Canada has died at 80 of prostate cancer. <i>The Publick House Historic Inn</i> in Sturbridge is holding its Oktoberfest Beer Dinner on October 13th. <i>Friendly's</i> stock is down to 3.62, which may be an all time low. The Springfield Cultural Council consists of twelve citizens and artists appointed by the Mayor of Springfield. The TV show <i>The Survivor</i> features Richard Hatch, who is queer but a tough guy, not a sissypansy. <br />
<br />
In June 1973, Mother found a wallet with $36 dollars in it of Canadian money. Today I was behind a white panel truck with the Basketball Hall of Fame logo on the back and the Springfield Public Schools listed below it as "Teammates in Education." They also have basketball banners up downtown, sort of ugly I think, too many balls in a field of sickish blue-green. Not enough style to them. The mail today brought copies of <i>Scientific American</i>, <i>U.S. News and World Report</i> and <i>The Economist</i>, which has an article on military weapons of the future that I will eventually give to Lucius. <br />
<br />
<i>WFCR</i> played a selection by Copeland which I recall playing with Richard S. Holevinia at Buckingham years ago. Music stays with you even more than literature. My main achievement today was mowing the lawn. While I was mowing, Lucius' next door neighbor in the sporty little car waved to me, so I must still be in good graces down there. I saw a chipmunk scampering into the bridal wreath hedge. I drove out around 2pm, made copies, put out the mail, got veggies at <i>Angelo's</i>, two pies and a white lemon cake at <i>Freihoffer's</i> and withdrew $50 from <i>Bank of Western Mass</i>. I see the Boston Road business group has posters up asking for contributions for the holiday lights they intend to put up. <br />
<br />
I dined tonight on chicken and <i>Rice-a-Roni Angel Hair Pasta</i>, one of my favorite dishes. Spoke to Eamon, who told me I should take a picture of the sign at <i>Hampden Bank</i> still advertising <i>New England Fidelity</i>. His latest phone editorial reminds people of all the businesses like <i>L.L. Bean</i> that Mayor Albano once claimed were coming to Springfield but never did. We hung up because it was time to watch the news. After the news, I called Atty. Berman's office and left with his receptionist the address of the <i>Lawbook Exchange</i> and <i>Meyer Boswell Books</i>. Then I called Janet at <i>Edwards Books</i> and gave her the address of <i>Oak Knoll</i>. Interestingly, she immediately recognized my voice. What is it about my voice that everyone recognizes? <br />
<br />
The new <i>Valley Advocate</i> is out with David Starr's letter:<br />
<br />
<i>I am amused that the Advocate on September 14 suggested that I have a lifetime tenure as President of the Springfield Newspapers because I married into the Newhouse family, which owns the Union-News and Sunday Republican ("26 Pols You Should Know"). Wrong on two counts: I don't have lifetime tenure, and I didn't marry into the Newhouse family.<br />
<br />
I married Peggy, my college sweetheart, because she was pretty, perky and smarter than I am. Her mother and father were florists, which explains her skill as a gardener and a flower arranger. But even if she's not a newspaper owning Newhouse, she recognizes factual errors in a newspaper when she sees them. <br />
<br />
David Starr<br />
President, Springfield Newspapers.</i> <br />
<br />
Tom Vannah replied:<br />
<br />
<i>Thank you, Mr. Starr, for this letter - your first ever response to our reporting and countless requests for information and comment from you over the years. We're sorry for our error, and acknowledge that your correction now leaves us without any way to explain your remarkable run at the Springfield Newspapers.</i> <br />
<br />
Tom wasn't as polite in his response to Starr as I would hope, but Vannah has his reasons for treating Starr as he does. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 29, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny, beautiful fall day, 47 degrees at 10:30am.<br />
<br />
Boredom is the number one problem in the world. <br />
<br />
<i>Nightline</i> on <i>ABC</i> featured the Sierra Leone killing photos. There were smiles on the the faces of the killers. Killing is fun! Teachers are going on strike in Philadelphia, watch the locals ape this. In St. Paul, Minnesota they made 101 Snoopy the dog statues to decorate downtown. They will auction them off to create a scholarship in honor of Charles M. Schultz. Starting bid is $12,000 per statue. A conference on tourism is being held in Holyoke. <br />
<br />
The flowers are dead except for the mums. The zinnias were a real disappointment this year, but the marigolds did fine. I had three tomato plants from which I got seven tomatoes. <i>The Union-News Extra</i> flyer arrived this morning with a circular from the <i>A&P Super Food Mart</i>. Had <i>Wheaties</i> and orange juice for breakfast. I spent the morning writing letters, including one I sent to WNEC's Caprio at his home. I listened to Howie Carr this afternoon as he attacked the state's college presidents as political hacks.<br />
<br />
I was going to drive downtown to photograph the <i>Hampden Bank</i> sign as Eamon suggested, but decided instead to go to <i>Louis & Clark</i> and put out the mail. I noticed that a missing cat poster has appeared on the corner of Birchland. The mail today brought a short and sweet letter from Marshall Moriarty thanking me for the help I've been giving to his campaign. Mrs. Staniski called and said she didn't bring her plants in on time and they got nipped by the frost. I told her she should have asked me to bring them in. I also told her she could make driving easier for herself by always backing into a parking spot so she can just drive out. She liked that idea. <br />
<br />
<i>TV40</i> interviewed some girls from Connecticut at the <i>Big E</i> who were asked by Tom Bevacqua to rate the fair from 1 to 10. They said "12" instantly. The news also had a public health person saying that free pneumonia shots will be offered to "persons over 50" at the end of October. It will be a labor bonanza for nurses. The news also reported that 700 middle and high school students are skipping school each day and over a thousand students enrolled late for the start of the school year. <br />
<br />
The word is that <i>Friendly's</i> will have a shop in the food court of the new Basketball Hall of Fame, but will <i>Friendly's</i> even exist by then? Eamon called and said he is writing a letter of reply to David Starr's letter in the <i>Valley Advocate</i>. I suggested that his letter work in the titles of the books that have been written criticizing the Newhouse media empire. <br />
<br />
<center><b>September 30, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny, clear and 45 degrees at 8am. <br />
<br />
Jeffrey D. Marshall is Curator of Manuscripts for the University of Vermont. Shannon Richard is Director of Marketing for <i>Evergreen Woods</i> in North Branford, Connecticut. <i>Ray Stone Pontiac Buick</i> was in Westfield in 1976. <br />
<br />
I drove out shortly after nine to a tag sale at 116 Birchland, a painted, white brick house on the intersection of Ballard. It was a small sale with ladies presiding over several tables. I saw Mr. Turner there but didn't speak because I don't really know him although I hope to. I have never interviewed him about the history of the street and I should because he is getting on in years. Lucius was there, and said he is headed down to Florida, he doesn't know for how long. He has a daughter who is a hospital administrator there. She has been living in Florida for 15 years but no longer likes it and is moving soon to Hanover, New Hampshire. <br />
<br />
I was very cheerfully greeted by Lillian Habin of South Branch Parkway, who was selling large picture frames she suggested I might put my posters in. At first I stared in wonderment at her, then recognized her as a former <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i> employee, but couldn't quite place her. She said she worked in Business Supplies but sometimes worked in the Gift Department. We chatted about the loss of <i>Johnson's</i>, and we agreed that there is no current bookstore that is as good as Johnson's was. I left without buying anything but promised to return shortly to give her a copy of the Johnson's Bookstore Funeral poem. I went home and when I returned I read segments of the poem aloud for her and gave her an inscribed copy. She expressed genuine thanks for it and put it in her car so it wouldn't get lost.<br />
<br />
From there I drove over towards Eamon's way to attend the tag sale for the Homeless Cat Project at 68 Drexel Street off Carew. When I arrived I was amazed to find an enormous sale in a two car garage at the back of the lot that was filled to the roof with stuff. People were passing out flyers about homeless cats and opposing greyhound racing. I bought a milk crate to help in sorting out Mother's books. Then down on Carew itself there was a small clothing tag sale that had a doll size Harley uniform for $8. I bought if for my beloved Sweet Pea, who now has his own leather jacket and pants. As I passed Brunton Triangle there were 19 men (no women) waving Thank You signs for C. Asselin. It should be noted that Asselin didn't just beat Rep. Keough, he beat him by a wide margin. As Eamon suggested, nothing beats going door to door and meeting people as Asselin did. <br />
<br />
Finally, I drove downtown and parked at Stearns Square where the <i>Georgian Cafeteria</i> used to be, now just another parking lot though admittedly with a pretty iron fence around it. Lots of remodeling going on at the new nightclubs, they look real nice. On the corner is a place called <i>Cherry Spirits</i> and I took their advertising flyer for proofreading. The back of the <i>Mardi Gras</i> is getting a tasteful facelift with an elaborate green and white awning describing themselves as "A Gentleman's Club." Hurumph. On Chestnut Street a black run barber shop facing the Tarbell-Watters building had several customers. I went in and asked the owner if I could have the <i>Harambee 2000</i> poster in his window and he agreed. <i>The Hot Club</i> is right on Stearns Square, but there are so many other clubs around there it is hard to remember their names. In the window of <i>Feinstein Leather</i> is a sign saying they moved September 26th to Mill Street. <br />
<br />
My principle objective today was to photograph the obsolete signs promoting the defunct <i>New England Fidelity</i> still on display in the <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> main office window. This I did mid-morning after having first photographed the digitized date on the <i>Monarch/Tower Square</i> overpass for notarization purposes. I did this because if the September 30th date comes first on the film, then obviously the pictures of the obsolete sign in the <i>Hampden Bank</i> window were made later and Tom Burton can't say the sign was not up when I said it was. I took several pictures, and while there was a serious reflection problem with the window, I trust that enough came out to establish my claim. On the way home, I saw Minister Y. Muhammad in front of his temple located in the old <i>First National</i>. The bushes of Wesley Church are growing to block the old black power mural on their side. That isn't nice. <br />
<br />
I received a thank you note today from Rev. Edwin Atlee Garrett. Eamon called tonight and said David Starr's letter to the <i>Valley Advocate</i> represents an unusual opportunity to launch a major attack on Starr. He said that along with his own signed letter to the paper he is going to send several fake letters using false names. He urged me to do the same and I told him I would send one using Mother's maiden name. As soon as Eamon hung up I immediately did so and will mail it tomorrow. <br />
<br />
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-76903572039668916422015-02-23T17:32:00.013-05:002024-03-18T14:16:36.749-04:00October 2000<br />
<center><b>October 2, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Sunny and mild, lovely day, 62 degrees at 1pm. </p><p>In this life we want facts, sir, nothing but facts!<br />
<br />
A bunch of new saints have been cannonized, including Catherine Drexel of the USA. Sainthood is utter nonsense. Doubltless they were wonderful people, but they had no magic powers. The Olympics ended today. Sen. Brian Lees was on TV commenting about the upcoming presidential debate, saying that George Bush "needs to sound intelligent." That's it? </p><p>Today was the day of the Boston TV Party, with people throwing TVs into the ocean to protest the exclusion of third party candidates from the debates. Wayne McCary of the <i>Big E</i> was on <i>TV22</i> yesterday saying the Exposition had an all time high attendance for one day with nearly 150,000. There was a parade yesterday in Northampton. U. Francis Florian is the Chairman of <i>New England Fidelity</i>. Elaine M. Bristol is the Marketing Director for <i>Essex Meadows</i> in Connecticut. <br />
<br />
This afternoon I fixed the rotted trim on the top of bedroom window. Mother was always going to have somebody fix it, then after she died I intended to do it but never got around to it until now. I went out and put caulk around the cracks and seams and at last the job is done. The caulking I used was <i>GE Silicone II</i>, which is what Tony Maggi recommended. </p><p>Rachel called from the American Cancer Society of Massachusetts. I asked her where she was calling from and she said Covington, West Virginia. I told her all these fund drives for medical research are a rip-off, since all they do is subsidize the fat salaries of doctors. At that point Rachel said she had "another call to make" and hung up, but not before I strongly implied that I'd like to hear no more from her organization.<br />
<br />
I haven't received my Wilbraham tax bill. There is a chipmunk hole behind the Birchland corner of the garage, and I hear them in the eaves all the time. They use them as decks and balconies from which to look out over the place and each generation does this. I came across an old metal boy's lunch box I bought at a tag sale somewhere with illustrations of U.S. astronauts on it. Inside there is a label reading, "David Dionisi, 103 Duggan Circle, Springfield, Ma." <br />
<br />
When I went out, I found my Moriarty for Governor's Council sign stripped from its pole and lying in the gutter in front of the black raspberries. The pole I found lying in front of Nichols. I called Marshall and got him directly instead of his voicemail and told him I'll keep his sign in protective custody for a few days and the put it back out. Moriarty was friendly, almost jovial, but said nothing about the <i>Valley Advocate</i> memo I sent him. Then I drove over to <i>Angelo's Fruit Mart</i> and bought grapes, bananas and a melon. I stopped at the Boston Road <i>McDonald's</i> but they had no free newspapers lying around. I got hotcakes without sausages, asked for two extra syrups and got them at no extra charge. The only <i>McDonald's</i> that has charged me for additional syrup is the one at the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> food court. The staff at Boston Road is mostly white compared to the mostly black staff at Allen Street. <br />
<br />
From there I crossed the street to <i>Big Y</i> and got soup and milk on special. In the parking lot I saw a bumpersticker reading, "Sheet Metal Workers Just Bang Away." I headed over to Aunt Maria's to spy on her. I drove past her house three times and ascertained that there were two vehicles on the property, a small, ivory colored van and Aunt Maria's blue Ford. No vehicles over at Joe's and the grass was mowed. There was a single sunflower standing in the flower garden. I went to <i>Stop&Shop</i> and then to the post office before coming by Aunt Maria's for one last drive-by. I then went to the <i>Country Buffet</i>, where I was delighted to discover that they were serving liver and onions, which hasn't been on their regular menu in years. But the salad bar had no cottage cheese and not much fruit. I got a lime colored computer poster from a light pole in front of the <i>Country Buffet</i>. When I got back I found a box from Mrs. Staniski with a birthday card, eight brownies and some reading material. <br />
<br />
Tonight I dined on a <i>Hungry Man Pot Roast Dinner</i>. Eamon called and told me that he only gets $400 per month in Social Security, but collects $2000 per month ovrerall. He wondered whether there will be a <i>Friendly's</i> in the food court of the new Basketball Hall of Fame, saying there definitely won't be an <i>L.L. Bean</i>. Eamon said it is not generally known that Priestly Blake owned <i>Polar Bear Ice Cream Sandwiches</i>. Eamon claims that Springfield has one of the highest tax rates in the state, which drives out business and jobs. He also admitted that the letters he writes to publications are often too long and therefore never get published. Eamon recalled there was a Dr. Baker who worked in Research at the Department of Education who used to say to him after receiving a long memo, "Sully, you're on your soap box again!"<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>October 3, 2000</b></center><br />
57 degrees at 9:50am. Gas is $1.53 at Watershops. <br />
<br />
Today is my 59th birthday. When my Father had his 59th birthday he had a son lately graduated from Harvard who was teaching at a college. I, of course, have nothing like that. <i>WFCR</i> celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Boston Symphony Orchestra Hall by performing Beethoven's <i>Missa Solemnis</i>, the first work ever performed there. In Rutland, Vermont they are working on an ordinance that would enable the ticketing of any car whose blaring radio could be heard at a distance of fifty feet. Sarah Mancinelli is an Assistant Vice President of <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i>. C.S. Browning was the Treasurer for the Town of Ludlow in 1918. <br />
<br />
Matt Groening has a new book <i>The Simpson's Guide to Springfield: A Travel Guide to America's Favorite Cartoon City</i>. I recall how the Art League used to exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, but they tossed them out so they now exhibit at First Church. H. Howard Lynch was one of my favorite teachers at Classical. His wife Muriel (Streeter) was the archivist at the <i>Fire & Marine Insurance Company</i>. Muriel Lynch tried to get into the Daughters of the American Revolution, but couldn't establish a genetic line to a Revolutionary War figure. <br />
<br />
I went out about 9:30 to make copies, but first I left a <i>Herald</i> at the Penniman's and a <i>Hamilton</i> catalog to Mr. Lucius. I then drove down to Massachusetts Avenue and parked in order to attend the Tuesday Morning Music Club concert at AIC. I was parked behind a car with a bumpersticker reading, "Caution: Driver Singing." I found the concert highly competent but boring. Cookies and coffee were served after the concert. I thanked each of the artists afterward, especially Peter Demos, who has been a good sport about doing a concert each fall and Long who is a real perfectionist. I showed Jerry Lesniak the <i>Red Baron</i> catalog with the double harp in it. He said he has been to <i>Red Baron</i> auctions in the past and said they are festive, three day affairs with roast pig and fine liqueurs to get everyone in the mood for bidding. <br />
<br />
I told the President of the club that although the concert was technically perfect, it was boring. I also told him I was disappointed that the performers did not receive a standing ovation at the end, because Demos and Westfield State have been good friends to the Tuesday Morning Music Club and deserve special respect. I also checked out the AIC art exhibit, which was indeed special. The galleries at AIC have too often been empty or just had Paige's stuff, but this was actual material from an AIC art class taught by Doyle the Twig Painter. I pulled down several posters around campus, but with purple hair and a biker jacket I couldn't overdo it.<br />
<br />
From there I drove into the city, and the new black barber shop that gave me the Black Harambee poster at 158 Chestnut Street facing the Tarbell-Watters building is called the <i>Masterpiece Barber Shop</i>. For its black clientele it is like <i>Tony's</i> is for Italians. It has four barber chairs and had customers in each one. I gathered seven posters downtown, then went up to STCC and got more. When I got home I called <i>People's Pawn</i> at 746-5600 and the woman who answered said that whenever they have auctions they advertise them in the paper, but I haven't seen one in some time. Then I called Mrs. Staniski, who told me she is reading <i>Pilgrim's Progress</i>. I told her I would loan her my illustrated copy if I can find it. <br />
<br />
Dined tonight on <i>Progresso Beef and Barley Soup</i> with fruit juice and apple pie. Eamon called and said that Tom Vannah from the <i>Advocate</i> called and thanked him for the letter he sent. He then asked if Eamon knew Francis Lynch or George Martin, the pseudonyms Eamon used on two fake letters he sent. Vannah made no mention of my fake letter as Blanche Gleason. Vannah said he was trying to call Lynch and Martin but couldn't track them down, but Eamon denied all knowledge. Eamon said he is convinced that Vannah has better inside access to the corruption probe than Larry McDermott at the <i>Union-News</i>.<br />
<br />
Eamon also told me that he got a call today from Deputy Spellacy, who although retired is still in the loop. He told Eamon that there is a big investigation into the Albano Administration involving some rigged bids. Dennis Murphy and Valerie Barsom are also being targeted. Eamon claims that everyone is saying that Murphy and Barsom are romantically involved, even though Murphy is married. According to Eamon, the state police are also looking into missing money and drug evidence in the District Attorney's office. Eamon's spies are telling him that Tony Hourihan, owner of <i>TJ Hourihan's</i> on Worthington Street is suspected of illegal gambling and was seen Saturday night in a car with John Mace, who once set a fire in the District Attorney's office in order to conceal evidence of corruption. Eamon can't figure out how Mace got out of jail so soon. <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 4, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and 56 degrees at 8am.<br />
<br />
I listened to the presidential debate last night on <i>WFCR</i>. Ralph Nader was denied admission even though he had a valid ticket provided by a student. Mike Jacobs and Nadine Kagan run the <i>Matrix Gallery</i> in Vally Stream, New York. Charles P. Milne, granite and marble memorial dealer, was located at 371 Bay Street in 1917. The Ludlow Cemetery Commission and Board of Selectmen were located at 488 Chapin Street in 1922. A granite quarry in Northampton has been ordered closed, I didn't know there was one. The famous bookseller, teacher John Gately is a UMass graduate whose office at STCC is in Building 13. Educator H. Howard Lynch taught at Classical High School in Springfield from 1940 to 1977, with leaves of absences to serve as an instructor at Springfield College and the Harvard Engineering School. He lived at 861 Center Street in Ludlow. <br />
<br />
A number of postcards that are only worth a few bucks have none the less required me to spend years to find them. Always remember this about old postcards, sometimes what's on the edges of the picture is more historically important than what's in the middle of the picture, such as long lost buildings. I called Karen Powell and told her about the investigation into the missing funds and evidence from the District Attorney's Office. She told me she in monitoring the corruption investigations through some friends in Boston. She couldn't talk long because she was off to a library meeting tonight, but she promised she would write a letter to the Pulitizer Committee to urge that the <i>Valley Advocate</i> receive a Pulitzer prize. Unknown called at 10:49am and at 1:50pm but was not answered. <br />
<br />
Went out at 9:15am and made copies at <i>CopyCat</i> after putting out the mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. The guy at <i>CopyCat</i> said that a student at WNEC made the "Neither for President" signs that are up all around the vicinity of the college. Arrived at the Boston Road <i>Big Y</i> at 9:50am and bought three hams for just under $30. Out of <i>Big Y</i> at 10:15am and dropped off some reading material at Mrs. Staniski's. She looks good but still has to go see her primary physician up on Liberty Street. Next I stopped at <i>Redbrick Books</i> and bought Howe on Tanglewood and Toth on the Indian statues. The prices were rather high despite my 10% senior discount. I also saw that <i>Forest Park Antiques</i> is not open yet, but there is an "Opening Soon" sign in the window. I bought a blue and white teddy bear tea set at <i>Fancy That</i>. I then stopped at Springfield College and left the <i>Valley Advocate</i> for R.B. Flynn the President. I also gathered posters around campus. <br />
<br />
Next I drove to <i>Eastfield Mall</i> and dined at <i>Orange Julius</i>, where I had chips and a hotdog with mustard and onions for just $1.99 with a coupon! Even at that price they are still probably making a dollar profit on each order. <i>Western Mass Electric</i> was peddling modern lightbulbs that last for five years. When I got home at 1:55pm the mailman was just arriving and we remarked on a unique cloud formation in the sky that resembled whipped cream. I took three pictures and will give copies to the postman. When I drove past Fred Whitney's I saw he only has one sign up, <i>Keep the Promise: Vote Yes on 4</i>. Not even a Moriarty sign? Chatted with Eamon this evening about how Charlie Treiber is now selling insurance. He also said that ex-rep Dennis Murphy is no longer with <i>Berkshire Power</i>, having left about a month ago, and is now calling himself a consultant. Eamon believes he probably left with a nice golden parachute. Murphy is also building himself a fancy $600,000 home in East Longmeadow. We then discussed how the Westfield courthouse is owned by Peter Picknelly, who leases it to the state. <br />
<br />
Eamon then told me that he spoke with Tom Vannah today, who told Eamon that the <i>Advocate</i> has received ten letters so far, all of them to some extent critical of David Starr. He told Eamon he would like to print them all, but can't verify the ones from Francis Lynch, George Martin, Mildred Parker, Jim Howell and Margaret J. Thompson. Again, there was no mention of my fake letter written as Blanche Gleason. Vannah said the letters all came in different envelopes and on different paper, but they all have the same flag stamps. Vannah told Eamon he's afraid that Starr may have people writing in so that if they print them their hoax can then be exposed and the <i>Advocate</i> embarrassed. He said it is too bad because "they are all great letters." Eamon told me that at one point Vannah said he is thinking of contacting me because "Attorney Miller knows everyone" and I may be able to help him identify the letter writers. It will be interesting to see if Vannah can unmask Eamon and I as the real culprits. <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 6, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast and 58 degrees at 8am.<br />
<br />
Dr. Theodore "Unabomber" Kazynski is listed in the <i>Harvard Alumni Directory</i> as "Address Unknown." Who are they kidding? A 53% stake in the Boston Red Sox is now for sale for around $700 million. Insurance Commissioner Linda L. Ruthardt has determined that <i>New England Fidelity</i> is insolvent with debts of $2.6 million. I thought <i>Hampden Savings</i> was the sucker left holding the bag but it was <i>SIS</i>. <i>The Deacon Brothers Monument Company</i> was located at 495 State Street in 1922. Ida H. Streeter lived on Bethel Street in Springfield in 1922. Muriel Lynch was the Chairperson of the Ludlow Historical Commission in 1922. Richard Barnes lived on Putnam Avenue in Greenwich, Connecticut in 1952. <br />
<br />
There are many things a kid can learn from taking up postcard collecting: Philately, geography, history, languages, numbers, watermarks, organization, bargaining, selling. The other day I went by Mary Alice Stusick's house and her husband was just pulling out in a beat up blue car. The property itself is a mess with litter all over the lawn. Mary Alice, who was brought up in an environment of rigid tidiness, has opted for a messy adulthood. It can be understood. <br />
<br />
The leaves are starting to come down, but not much color. My front corner tree is usually a beautiful peachy color, but it's still mostly green. Yesterday I got a Girl Scout tag sale poster at <i>Stop&Shop</i>. I also got a <i>Union-News</i> out of the trashcan in front of <i>Louis & Clark</i>. Some newscarrier regularly jettisons his extra copies there. I was up last night from 1:30 to 5am and baked a canned ham. I also added milk and potatoes to wax beans so dinner for the next few days is ready. <br />
<br />
In the mail today I got a humorous birthday card from Ann Staniski-Flentje. It shows Moses parting the waves of a swimming pool. I also received a three leaf mailing from <i>The Judge's Chambers</i>. A new law increases the prize limit for Bingo games to $3,000. <i>TV22</i> described this as "a boost to charities." <i>Bravo</i>. the arts paper, has announced that it is merging with the <i>Springfield Journal</i>. This could make the <i>Journal</i> a formidable competitor with the <i>Valley Advocate</i> and <i>The Reminder</i>. It is probably <i>The Reminder</i> that is most at risk because they have never had comprehensive entertainment listings. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and read me the obituary from some <i>Monarch</i> bigshot, but I've never heard of him. Must have been someone Father had little or no contact with. I told Eamon about how I remember years ago <i>Monarch</i> opened an office in Vermont, it may even have been Springfield, Vermont, and Father was offered the job of being boss up there. I recall we went up and looked at the brick building it was going to be in, but Mother kept stressing how one of her girlfriends permitted herself to be sent to California and never returned. Father declined and eventually retired from the Massachusetts office at a ripe old age. Eamon said he is thinking of calling the <i>Advocate</i> and confessing to Vannah the whole phony letter scam. I said don't do that, because it is a test of Tom Vannah's investigative skills whether he can track the letters back to us. <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 7, 2000</b></center><br />
Slightly cool fall day. <br />
<br />
Billy Bulger is coming to Wilbraham but not to Springfield. <i>The Pond Ridge at Ashlar Village Assisted Living Center</i> is located in Wilmington, Connecticut. <i>Arbor at Hop Brook</i> is in Manchester, Connecticut. I'll probably spend this weekend reading my new books, working on my papers and writing a letter to Nader the Hatter. Tonight I dined on ham and beans, onions and a day old Boston Creme pie with three cherries on whipped cream marked down to $7 from $15.99. <br />
<br />
I was up at seven and put lavender color in my hair after shaving where there should be no hair. Then I went down to the tag sale at Trinity Lutheran Church on Wilbraham Road. I got a <i>Hotel Kimball</i> dinner plate for $9, plus four books, two ornamental eggs and five silver plated goblets from Spain. The <i>Kimball</i> plate is a real treasure and the books were good ones. Young Kosiol was there, but I haven't seen his father recently. Lots of people stared at my purple hair, mostly older folks of respectable inclination, but nobody said anything. Out of there about 9:30. <br />
<br />
The mail brought the <i>Herald</i> from Vermont, plus <i>Undiscovered Italy</i> which is a veritable picture tour of the Italian countryside, and an invitation to a wine tasting and three course dinner at <i>Storrowtown</i> for <i>Fleet One</i> premium customers. They must be trying to make up for not paying 8% interest anymore. I'll probably go to see what it's like, but I'll dress and act however I like because I don't care if I'm never invited again. Recently I visited a tag sale on Lumae and bought a Liberty Bell <i>Avon</i> bottle and three books. The books have the name Alesin Barbaro written in them. <br />
<br />
Mr. Allard drove by as I was going out today at 12:45pm. Seeing my hair, he stopped and backed up, then asked me how to get a patent on something. I said they're pretty expensive to get and I'm not licensed to handle them. He shook his head when I said they're expensive, but I told him the least he should do is write down his invention describing it in the most detailed way and have it notarized. That was all the help I could give him. I noticed there was a <i>U-Save</i> rental truck and a lot of cars down to Bradley's. Is he moving out? I stopped to give a <i>Boston Herald</i> to Mrs. Penniman, who was sitting outside, which is somewhat unusual. She laughed at my purple hair and high queer costume. She said her husband is still at home but goes to daycare three times a week to give her a break. <br />
<br />
From there I headed out to the Wilbraham Public Library to see the Jeff Kern art show. Kern has won many awards for his paintings and gives painting lessons at his Wilbraham studio. Not many people at the opening and the works on display were disappointing considering what he's done in the past. None of them I would describe as major paintings, a lot of still lifes, lesser landscapes, some in pastel. I told Kern that I think some of the institutional art he's done for banks, etc. has been just great and I compared him to Joseph Sweeney which flattered him. He said he just did a mural of the Pioneer Valley for somebody's house. He signed one of his handouts for me, and told me that he photographed the unusual cloud formations the other day. I guess a lot of people did. At one point I noticed a Library Code of Behavior on the bulletin board, so I asked the librarian if I could have a copy. At first she didn't know what I was talking about, so I pointed to it and told her, "You should know what's hanging up in your own library." She made me a copy and that was that, but as I left I told her I was going home to study the code so I can figure out what I can get away with. <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 8, 2000</b></center><p>
Sunny, clear.<br />
<br />
Refuse to lose! - John Calipari at UMass. </p><p>I've studied just about everything at one time or another except psychology because of the disrepute in which I've always held it as a non-science. Logic, on the other hand, is extremely scientific and mathematical. <br />
<br />
Lawrence A. Lemoine lives at 131 Birchland Avenue, a little house on the corner of Birchland and Ballard right next to Lucius. I think his wife Dianne works at <i>Mass Mutual</i>. Larry Lemoine is a friendly fellow with a nice little house. Renee J. Bernasconi is Director of Marketing at <i>Seabury Life Care Retirement Community</i> in Bloomfield, Connecticut. <br />
<br />
I sat up late last night writing Nader the Hatter a four page letter. The Hatter is currently living in Adventura, Florida and his sister Kathy LaRose lives on 16 Telbar Stret in Springfield. I drove out at 9:35, and dined on a sausage McMuffin for $1.04 at the Allen Street <i>McDonald's</i>. There were plenty of free newspapers lying around. Then I drove to the Allen Street branch of <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> and photographed the sign in the front window saying they are selling <i>New England Fidelity Insurance</i> with a picture of a fist clutching money. Next I went over to <i>Food Mart</i> and checked out the specials. From there I went to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres and bought $10 worth of gas at $1.56 per gallon. <br />
<br />
At <i>Louis & Clark</i> I mailed my letters to Nader the Hatter and his sister. I don't think that Burton was at WNEC when I drove by, but who knows? The mileage on my car is now 99,258, so I'll have to watch to be sure I don't miss the 100,000 turnover. From <i>Louis & Clark</i> I went hunting for street literature in Mason Square, but found nothing worth taking. I then decided to drive over to see if <i>New England Fidelity</i> was still being advertised at the <i>Hampden</i> branch in Longmeadow. It was not. I noted that there is a big iron gate across the entrance to King Phillips Stockade. There is a silly though good looking guardhouse there and at Picknelly Field. Coming down Sumner Avenue, a sporty car zoomed through the red light by <i>Friendly's</i>. I really honked at him as he went by, a middle-aged white guy. <br />
<br />
Coming up Allen I spotted an Open House sign for 88 Mayflower Road. It turns out that is the home of Fred Berard, the house builder. They built a lot of the small but well built houses along Island Pond Road. However, the Berard residence is a Longmeadow worthy ultra-modern split level mansion. Mayflower is a narrow road about 300 feet long, with the house on a rise with a field sloping down. At the far end of the house is a built-in pool with a shed that may be used as a dressing room. The house has a long porch along the swimming pool side, the feel of the house is much like that of the Gill home in Longmeadow. There was a lovely antique <i>Tiffany</i> lamp in the living room window overlooking the back lawn. Of course there was a fireplace. Old Mr. Berard himself was there, stocky and using a cane, but getting around okay. I complemented him on having such a nice house and I am glad to have had the chance to see this significant Springfield residence. <br />
<br />
There is an article in the paper today saying how Community Development Director Thomas J. Haberlin has said that the due date for The Cecil Group's master plan/economic development report has been put off until sometime around Thanksgiving. It was originally commissioned in March 1999. The name of Peter Picknelly's planned hotel for the 31 Elm Street building is The Royal Court, a boutique style hotel modeled after those in New York and Boston. Are they coming up with anything that's original? Eamon called and said he gets something in the mail from Nader the Hatter every four or five days. He said someone from <i>Storrowtown</i> called his phone editorial today, they have never called before. Eamon claims that the latest Quadrangle trustees include one from Berlin, Connecticut. I told Eamon about the Berard Open House and he was very interested, saying that Berard was a big political supporter of Rose and Francis Coughlin. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>October 10, 2000</b></center><p>
44 degrees and cloudy at 7:30am. <br />
<br />
Columbus Day was yesterday. Sunday night we had a record low of 25 degrees, the former low having been 28 degrees in 1953. That might have been the year I had the little snow fort in front of our house on Crest Street. I turned on the furnace for the first time today, did some picking up and a load of wash. The stock market was open and <i>Friendly's</i> is down to an all time low of 3.5. <i>Northeast Utilities</i> is also falling. <br />
</p><p>The Connecticut Valley Historical Museum is presumptuously named because it covers primarily Springfield. <i>WFCR</i> had a story about how Hartford and Springfield Have been approached regarding creating a Heavy Metal Hall of Fame similar to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Mayor Albano was on saying he invited the developers to come talk about their proposal. There was also a story on <i>WFCR</i> saying that 90% of law firms offer part time work, but fewer than 4% of lawyers are working part time because, in fact, law firms want the body, soul and every waking hour out of their lawyers.<br />
<br />
The mail brought a Wilbraham tax bill on green colored paper and with the Zip Code wrong. The mail also brought an invoice from <i>American Heritage Invention and Technology</i> with a hole ripped in the envelope by the postal machinery. Nobody can get anything right, right? According to my phone ID Anne D. Rooney called and said she'd like to make a noontime reservation. I said, "I'm sorry, we are completely committed for today" and she replied, "Oh, are you really? Thank you." She must have thought she was calling <i>Storrowtown</i>. Unknown called at 1:44pm but when I picked up there was no voice on the other end. <br />
<br />
Once perpendicular to the ground, my mailbox now leans decidedly south. Why? This morning I had bacon and eggs with <i>Ocean Spray Cranberry-Raspberry Juice</i>. I heard that this year there was a bumper crop of cranberries in Massachusetts. Drove out and found today's paper in the trashcan outside <i>Louis & Clark</i>. I withdrew $1500 from the <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> and deposited $1400 of it in the <i>Fleet</i> in the Acres. Went to <i>Walgreens</i> and bought some <i>Tussy Creme Deodorant</i>. I arrived home at 3:35pm, and for supper I had <i>Swanson's Fish and Chips</i>. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he spoke to Nader the Hatter for about five minutes today. Eamon claims that the corruption probe is looking into the relationship between Murphy, Barsom and Ardolino and the granting of liquor licenses. He says Raipher Pelligrino is also a target. Eamon told me that he called Rose Marie Coughlin, a friend of builder Fred Berard, and told her what I told him about the Open House. She told Eamon that Fred is old and not feeling well. Coughlin said his son B.J. has been living in the mansion and that the son was recently divorced after having a baby with another woman. <br />
<br />
This info prompted Eamon to call and talk to Fred Berard himself. He told Eamon that his son B.J. has gone through a lot of money and Berard has been supporting his son, his girlfriend and the baby. The old man set his son up in a cigar business somewhere, but things are not going well and the son has caused his father a lot of anguish. Berard invited Eamon to come look at the Mayflower Road house but Eamon declined, saying that the house is far too big for him. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>October 11, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Temperature 46 degrees at 4:25am, clear sky with stars twinkling, raspberry sky in the east.</p><p>When I applied for the job at the Quad that Joe Carvallo now has, I made it clear that the first order of business under my administration would be to conduct an inventory and accounting of all the Association's collections. Obviously that was not wanted. <br />
<br />
The Palestinians and the Jews are at it again, with two Israel cops lynched and 100 Palestinians killed. Also, an American battleship has been rammed by a little boat filled with explosives, probably the work of a suicide terrorist. <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> has a commercial showing people seated around a table. Tom Burton is shown with a beaming smile, then a black lady says something. It's the first commercial I can remember <i>Hampden</i> having in a long time. <br />
<br />
I was so busy today that I couldn't observe a lot of my rituals. My basic achievement was writing checks to cover the bills and sending out 30 pieces of mail, mostly letters of various sorts. I made some copies at <i>CopyCat</i> this morning, after leaving some magazines for the Cohn's on their doorknob. The guys at <i>CopyCat</i> said they are having a disagreement with their landlord over a flickering overhead lighting fixture. They say the landlord should pay to have it fixed, he says it's their responsibility. </p><p>I was unable to find a <i>Valley Advocate</i> anyplace, which was frustrating since Eamon and I want to see if they will print the phony letters we sent them attacking Starr. I even stopped into the <i>Goodwill</i>, but nothing. Their book department has been shrunken somewhat. They had a sale on souvenir plates they acquired from some recently deceased old lady's collection, a dollar for the smaller ones and $1.50 for the large. Patty was there and in good spirits, she said that originally there had been a lot more plates. She also said she is still having foot problems. <br />
<br />
From there I went to the <i>McDonald's</i> on Allen and since breakfast was over, I had a double cheeseburger and fries for a bit over two dollars. Next I headed to the <i>Goodwill</i> at the X, expecting to find a big pile of <i>Advocates</i> and then bringing them up to Eamon, but nothing. I fell asleep in one of their chairs for almost an hour, then woke up and checked out their book section, ultimately buying two choice legal items. I noticed that there were boxes by the back door with records in them, perhaps they are going to have a record sale. I wonder if those are the remnants from the Final Vinyl sale?<br />
<br />
I decided to head downtown to mail my letters at the main post office. Then over to my credit union to deposit $483.89 with Elaine. Got a <i>Union-News</i> across the street at the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> building. I strolled down Main and saw that there is a new sidewalk in front of the <i>Paramount</i>. Of the people downtown, very few were white. I left an envelope at the Info Center for R. Denver, and saw sitting in the little pizza restaurant in the SIS mall that Peter Picknelly was holding court with some men in suits holding architectural portfolios. <br />
<br />
The mail brought a postcard of the <i>Best Western Black Swan Inn</i> in Lee from Mrs. Staniski, saying that she and her daughter Ann stayed there overnight. The postcard was badly frayed at one end by the postal machinery. <i>Sentry Insurance</i> agent Nathaniel E. North, a chubby man in a white shirt and tie, no coat, arrived today to sell me house insurance. He asked a few questions but did not ask to tour the house, we simply sat there in the kitchen. He said he is frequently in Springfield so I urged him to check out <i>Ruby Tuesday</i>. I gave him a check and saw him out the door. <br />
<br />
Right after North left, the telephone rang and it was Eamon all in a rage! He has the latest <i>Advocate</i> and they didn't print any of his letters, not even the one that he wrote in his own name. They also didn't print the letter I wrote using Mother's maiden name, Blanche Gleason. Apparently Vannah saw through our ruse. The only letter about Starr they printed was one from former City Councilor Mitch Ogulewicz. Eamon threatened to sever all ties to the <i>Advocate</i>, shouting "Fuck them!" He said it is an insult to be so totally rejected "after all I've done for them over the years!" Eamon recalled how he used to give lots of information to former <i>Advocate</i> reporter Gary Nielson, who went on to work at the <i>Anchorage Daily News</i> and ultimately won a Pulitzer Prize. Here is the letter from Ogulewicz, a good reply considering it was Ogulewicz who years ago was taunted by Starr who told him that if Mitch ever got hurt as the result of Starr's actions, he wanted Mitch to know it was "nothing personal." The letter was titled "Starr Retort:"<br />
<br />
<i>I was intrigued by the letter published in the September 26th Valley Advocate from semi-retired Springfield Newspapers Publisher David Starr. Mr. Starr is a man who over the years has been accused by the Advocate of virtually everything but murder, and yet he has never seen fit to respond to his critics except in this recent matter involving his wife's maiden name. Does the fact that he was compelled to correct this trivial inaccuracy, but suggested no other comments needing correction, mean that everything else the Advocate has ever written about him is true? <br />
<br />
Mitchell J. Ogulewicz<br />
Springfield.</i> <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>October 13, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Sunny and 53 degrees at 10am.</p><p>Part of my <i>Grand Milleriam Thesis</i>, about which I have been harping for over a decade, is that Springfield needs a richer intellectual culture. <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i> closed in part because there were not enough eggheads around to buy their books. Springfield is not a city of intellectual heavies. <br />
<br />
My latest book <i>The Reports of Sir Edward Coke in Verse</i> is the most conspicuous early volume of legal poetry, reaching back to the longstanding tradition of legal maxims. Years ago, Ben Jones hired me to inventory the <i>Monarch</i> archives (Father was Chief Underwriter there when he retired after 42 years) and I accepted payment in several pieces of <i>Fire & Marine</i> memorabilia. I have the ornamental wall calendar, an antique poster and a print. <i>The CopyCat Print Shop</i> is having a contest for who can make the best Holiday card with first prize being a $100 <i>American Express</i> Gift Certificate. The rules specify that the card cannot be religious. <br />
<br />
When I was downtown the other day, I went to City Hall and paid the water bill. When I went by <i>Subway</i> at 3:45pm they had no customers. At <i>Monarch Place</i> I left a memo with Frank Dunn to deliver to Peter Picknelly. Something is going into the first floor of the Morgan Square building. There are new stores on either side of the 1597 entrance. Opposite the old <i>Enterprise</i> (now <i>Asylum</i>) we have <i>Young Beauty Supply</i> on the corner of Worthington, then the law office of Michael J. Cruz beside <i>Cruz-Ortiz Professional Services</i> and then <i>Alex Jewelers</i>.<br />
<br />
My geraniums are in full bloom right now. My tomatoes, the smaller ones, are reddening up, but the others are stalled at green. On <i>WFCR</i> they noted that this is the 10th anniversary of the death of Leonard Bernstein, also noting that no one has really come along of sufficient stature to replace him. There was a tag sale over to the Coburn's and things were pretty pricy. I saw a wide winged chair that was fairly worn selling for $75 that they would be lucky to get $10 for.<br />
<br />
I found out that Merton M. Sealts died in June. Professor Sealts was a very fine gentleman because he was old fashioned and modern at the same time. He did everything according to form, but knew where things were at and respected the opinions of people younger than him. Mother was superstitious about Friday the 13th. I spent today going through the material in a drawer of one of Mother's chests. It consisted of about 500 letters and cards from the 1990's. A lot of things were from Mother's best friend Mrs. Staniski, with some interesting stamps on some of them, including one of the Supreme Court building. Saving only the most useful material, I discarded 75% of it. In all it took about six hours, minus the time I spent checking the mail and walking around the Coburn tag sale. <br />
<br />
I often go to bed at 7pm and then wake up around 11:30pm to do work. Today I came across a copy of Peter Negroni's masterpiece <i>Creating High Achieving Schools: A Proposal with a Supporting Action Plan</i>. Eamon called and said he hasn't seen the new <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> commercial. We both agreed that their sudden advertising blitz means they must be in trouble. Eamon said his paper didn't get delivered today, so he had to go out and buy one. He said Harry Marsh down the street got no paper either. The stock market was up today but <i>Friendly's</i> continues to fall. Currently <i>Friendly's</i> is having a sale on kid's meals for $2.99, but one share of <i>Friendly's</i> stock is selling for 2.93, less than a kid's meal. <br />
<br />
Dined this evening on <i>Stouffer's Lasagna</i> and peas. <i>TV22</i> news showed Rich Tettemer introducing the dignitaries at the Hall of Fame enshrinement. They also had Frank Faulkner on talking about the naval terrorist attack, but it was poorly edited. Electronic media serve sloppiness and inaccuracy very well. This morning I got a voiceless call from Unknown. Considering that there is a new <i>Bernie's</i> going up at the <i>Ingleside Mall</i> and an expansion of the <i>Big Y</i> in Longmeadow, it looks like both stores in the Acres may be doomed. We are slowly seeing the collapse of 16 Acres center. You could see it coming when the Acres proved unable to support a <i>McDonald's</i>. </p><p>Today I came upon an old press release dated October 12, 1995 from former Mayor Bob Markel in which he endorsed Charles V. Ryan for mayor and also attacked Starr and Company:</p><p><i>Springfield has only one newspaper, and the Publisher and Editor of that newspaper have abdicated the traditional role of watchdog and are now part of the action. Today, the offices of the Springfield Union-News are places where politicians and the Publisher and Editor get together to make deals, where important decisions are made on important political and economic issues of the day. </i></p><p><i>Having served as mayor for four years, I am well aware of the pressure to yield power and control over critical decisions to David Starr, the Publisher of the Union-News. I am also aware of the consequences for saying no. It is a simple system of reward and punishment, often cleverly disguised but very real.</i> <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>October 14, 2000</b></center><br />
56 degrees at 9:50am. <br />
<br />
I'd say with a hundred Palestinians killed in the last couple of weeks, and only two or three dead Jews, that the Palestinians are right when they say that Israel is the aggressor. Thirty-nine victims are still in the hospital from the naval terrorist attack. Teddy Roosevelt was shot at on this day in 1912, but was saved when his glasses case deflected the bullet. Linda Nardi was the Pharmacist at <i>Walgreens</i> on Wilbraham Road in 1995. I noticed recently that the Presbyterians are constructing an addition on the back of their little church.<br />
<br />
<i>TV22</i> news at six showed the groundbreaking for the new Basketball Hall of Fame. Mayor Albano was on claiming that "This Hall of Fame will be the best in the world, providing great economic advantages to Western Mass." The local unions are mad that the construction jobs are only 85% union, they want it all! <i>The Landry-Lyons</i> real estate office in the Acres has closed. The building that housed the <i>Heritage/Community/Fleet</i> bank appears to be abandoned. I fear that even the Acres' <i>Friendly's</i> may be endangered. If they close <i>Bernie's</i> because they're expanding at Ingleside, and if they close the Acres <i>Big Y</i> because it's too small, that would be a disaster.<br />
<br />
I'm currently using <i>Manic Power</i> purple hair coloring. I went out at 8:15am to the tag sale at the Church in the Acres. It was a good enough sale, I bought seven books by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen that had Church in the Acres stamped in them. From there I went to the 16 Acres <i>Big Y</i> and bought eight <i>Stouffer's</i> dinners with dollar off coupons. I stopped by Marshall Moriarty's house but nobody was home. When I got back I saw eighteen cars parked in the street for the second day of the Coburn's tag sale. While I was there I saw only one person buying a single book. I did get to talk to young Koziol, who said he likes to go to tag sales because he can get things cheap and why pay store prices? Many people say, "Why pay more?" but tag sale shoppers say, "Why pay store?" The Coburn's tag sale ended at 4:15pm. <br />
<br />
Dined on a <i>Hardy Man Dish Fried Chicken Dinner</i> today. This evening I listened to the 100th anniversary of Boston Symphony Hall concert on <i>TV57</i> in the parlor on the color TV, which I have seldom used since Mother died. Leonard Bernstein was very conspicuously honored, which is good because he never got an honorary degree from Harvard. I called Aunt Maria's number and Maria herself answered, but quickly handed the phone over to Bonnie when she recognized my voice. I told Bonnie that they should tune into the concert and she said okay. As I look back, Aunt Maria never learned the discipline of work. She rarely cleaned house, and Uncle George didn't want her fooling with his machinery because he knew she would muck things up. Aunt Maria did mow the lawn and do the farming, but she was never into housekeeping. <br />
<br />
<i>Milton Bradley</i>, in business since 1860, is now a division of <i>Hasbro Games</i>. <i>A&P</i> is now <i>Food Mart</i>, everybody is changing their names! Eamon called and said he went to the <i>99 Restaurant</i> at Liberty Plaza and it was packed. He recalled that the <i>Vanilla Tree</i> on Lyman Street was a bar he used to spend a lot of time at. They had black hookers who used to frequent there, which he liked. <i>The Vanilla Tree</i> was run by John Gamellis, whose best friend was Judge George Bregannis. <br />
<br />
Eamon's current phone editorial denounces Springfield's 37 municipal departments as an absurdly excessive number. Eamon said he heard that a disgruntled employee at the <i>Hu Ke Lau</i> was putting dog and cat food in their recipes. It was discovered when someone noticed the discarded cans. Eamon said that the <i>Ding Ho</i> on Ferry Street was a Chinese restaurant he used to frequent, until the Board of Health discovered that the kitchen was full of cockroaches. Eamon said he once caught a glimpse of the kitchen and the Chinese workers were all sitting and playing cards. There were a couple of good bakeries Eamon used to like nearby, he exclaimed that it is amazing all the places in Springfield that have gone out of business. <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 15, 2000</b></center><br />
President Clinton was on talking about the summit in Egypt and kept stressing "our historic ties to Israel." The Palestinians want an investigation into how the latest violence started, but Clinton wants to get the peace process back on track and forget about how it all started. I do feel we should be more even handed towards the Arabs. The Jews should have been given Bavaria or Yorkshire, and not so much of Palestine. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's ox nor his ass nor his real estate, it's just as simple as that. <br />
<br />
<i>The William G. Carellas Insurance Agency</i> is located on Union Street in West Springfield. They advise, "Select and consult an independent insurance agent or broker as you would your doctor or lawyer." The leaves are pretty much at peak color around here. Did I mention that that I saw a kid on a motorized scooter zooming past the 16 Acres <i>Friendly's</i> the other day? A James J. Clancy called here, wrong number. Eamon called and said that the <i>Valley Advocate</i> got scooped by the <i>Union-News</i> in a front page story on the various Grand Juries meeting here, with characterizations of the people involved but no names.<br />
<br />
I drove out shortly after noon and got gas for $1.55 a gallon at the <i>Citgo</i> on Allen, but had to wait because the door was locked with a sign indicating they were changing shifts. From there I went to the <i>Food Mart/A&P</i> and bought four cans of <i>DAK</i> luncheon meat for $1.29 each, which I like better than <i>Spam</i>. But when I got home, I realized they had charged me $1.59 for each can. I went back and went up to customer service and after looking me over real good (I was dressed in solid black with freshly purple hair) they said store policy entitled me to the first can for free. I told them I live five miles away and I want all the cans for free. They called the manager Bob Farrell and soon they were handing me seven dollar bills and when I said that was too much, Farrell said keep the change. So I got a real deal on the luncheon meat. <br />
<br />
From there I went out to Wilbraham-Monson Academy for Glen R. Clark's <i>Political Memories and Memorabilia Show</i>. His collection spans the presidential election of William McKinley in 1896 to Bill Clinton. Only 36 people attended, despite students getting extra credit if they did. For refreshments small cupcakes were served. Clark is a young looking fellow in his late thirties. He said he was the Executive Assistant to Paul Caron for eighteen months and has ties to Richie Neal. It was hard to hear without a PA system, but since I sat in the front row I got most of it. Clark had a double row of fifty presidential candidate posters lined up on the back wall. There were also eight tables covered with bumperstickers, campaign buttons and political souvenir plates. <br />
<br />
Clark cheerfully warned me to be careful because the plates are easily busted, and I said not as easily as a drug dealer! Clark praised his Technical High School teacher Michael Peacham for getting him interested in collecting political memorabilia at the age of seventeen. He said he knows Jack Hess and said his favorite poster is his one of FDR. He had nothing from Wavy Gravy's Nobody for President campaigns and no Jesse Jackson posters. He did have one from Shirley Chisholm's campaign. At one point Clark made mention of JFK's speech in Court Square in 1960. <br />
<br />
I was introduced to Don Nicholson, who for 17 years has been the head of the Academy's History Department. He said he is a graduate of Keene State. I also had a nice chat with the town archivist Coralie M. Gray of Stony Hill Road. She said she is also the archivist for the Episcopal Diocese. Gray told me she has town Indian artifacts in her house and maybe other stuff. She also informed me that Wilbraham would like to acquire all the Chicopee Riverfront land for parks and bikeways. She said her son is a special-ed teacher at Wilbraham-Monson Academy and told me that her son has dyslexia himself. At one point she described John Lovejoy as "abrasive." Gray claimed to have seen my article on the Springfield library's foolish book discarding. After I left I just had time to swing downtown to catch the <i>Pipe Spectacular Show</i> at First Church, starring organist Joyce Jones. The playing was excellent, but Jones did some gimmicky pieces like the bumblebee thing at the end. I noted while downtown that the local Gore-Lieberman headquarters is in where the <i>Five Cent Savings/Heritage Bank</i> was. Home at 6:13pm. <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 16, 2000</b></center><br />
Heavily overcast and 59 degrees at 7am.<br />
<br />
President Clinton was on the radio announcing a ceasefire, but I don't believe for a moment it will work for the long term. A Jewish spokesman on <i>TV57</i> said that Israel wants to "focus on the future rather than the past" regarding the Palestinian's call for a fact finding about how 100 Palestinians were killed. These are the same Jews who would say "Never Forget" what's been done to the Jews, but who certainly don't want anyone to remember what was done to the Palestinians. The whole situation in the Mideast is tragic.<br />
<br />
Ralph Nader says George W. Bush is the worse of the two major presidential candidates, accusing him of being a front for the big corporations. Nader says Bush is "a corporation disguised as a human being running for president." Nader characterizes Gore vs. Bush as the bad vs. the worst. He claims that the only difference between Bush and Gore is "the velocity with which their knees hit the floor when a corporation or special interest asks for something." I love <i>WSPR</i> because you get the news condensed into just ten minutes. The latest issue of <i>BusinessWeek</i> has a feature article titled "Why Service Stinks: Companies know just how good a customer you are, and unless you're a high roller, they would rather lose you than fix your problem."<br />
<br />
Communist Gus Hall died last Friday. At Boston University there are calls to require the faculty to be in class or in their offices eight hours a day, four days a week. The students deserve something for the $34,000 a year tuition and there should be strict performance reviews for tenured, big shot professors. Clifton J. Noble is a noted area composer for choir, brass and organ. <i>Woronoco</i> stock was up to 12.75 today, but they were buying back some of their own stock. How long will that last? Deborah Frasco was a Client Representative for <i>Palmer-Goodell Insurance Agency</i> on Roosevelt Avenue in 1993. At 2:23pm I received a voiceless call from Unknown. Eamon called and said he is no longer having trouble getting his newspaper delivered. <br />
<br />
Dined on stuffed peppers with zita and <i>Ragu</i> sauce tonight. <i>Food Mart's</i> motto is "We're Fresh Obsessed." My little tomatoes are ripening well, although the larger ones are just starting to ripen. I saw a grey cat walking along the back fence this morning and I ran out and chased him away before he could catch any of my chipmunks. The tree colors are great this year on Birchland Avenue. Colleen's enormous Maple in her front yard is yellow-green, but the tree by the picture window in my dining room is yellow-orange. The tree in front of Salvon's is still green, it is always a late dropper. I went out at 9:35am to make copies and saw that at <i>Louis & Clark</i> there was a pile of Sixteen Acres Civic Association newsletters by the pile of <i>Valley Advocates</i>. At <i>CopyCat</i> the problem lighting fixture is still flickering. <br />
<br />
Then I drove into the city to Springfield Technical Community College and parked by Building 13. John F. Gately II the bookseller is in room 210, the first office on the right on the central corridor. The offices for professors in Building 13 are immense. There are pictures of John Brown, Emily Dickinson and others by the door. Gately was in, a tall, thin man in a sportcoat in his early forties. Gately remembered me and was friendly. He said the <i>Antiquarian Book Fair</i> will be at STCC in November. He told me he has worked with Guy McLain from the Quandrangle in the past and found him "very difficult to deal with." He also denounced the Forbes Library in Northampton for selling nearly all the books they had that were of any value. I said that it was strange that someone with his credentials has never been asked to lecture at the Quad. Gately shrugged and said that except for the recent article in the paper, no in Springfield would know he is a book expert. He says he doesn't use the internet much looking for books because he prefers to interact directly with dealers. Our meeting ended pleasantly and I promised to stop by again sometime. <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 17, 2000</b></center><p><br />
There is an island in the middle of Massachusetts Avenue and it ends maybe fifty feet short of Wilbraham Road. In that area there is a grate that says <i>UELCO</i>, meaning <i>United Electric Light Company</i>. There a manhole nearby that also says <i>UELCO</i>. Today I went to <i>CopyCat</i> and got four reproductions of Father at this party for 25 years with <i>Monarch</i>. He is shown with Vanderbrouk and the other honorees, who all received gold Omega watches. </p><p><br />
<br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cp0vf-a5gUPBq8Y75frFuuISRIrwng0CMctnlIRQRGqr9e4u9UFqUosU-nLldAxMapnke0VDgHAUSPczB9MsyC0rkDkgOKQxJR72BOHgjKN3h-yJaI48R-0DBAV0B1ccz2we-Hvwwn0l/s1600/mdad.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cp0vf-a5gUPBq8Y75frFuuISRIrwng0CMctnlIRQRGqr9e4u9UFqUosU-nLldAxMapnke0VDgHAUSPczB9MsyC0rkDkgOKQxJR72BOHgjKN3h-yJaI48R-0DBAV0B1ccz2we-Hvwwn0l/s400/mdad.JPG" /></a></div><center><i>Alvar Nyman, Frank S. Vanderbrouk, Gordon Grady and John W. Miller, May 1954.</i></center><center><i> </i></center><br />
Today I went down to the Quadrangle and the parking lot was full, including the diocese parking lot and all the spaces in the street. The attendant in the parking shed said there was a meeting of docents today. The Quad renovations have gone beyond digging up water pipes and installing drainage. They are now installing pink granite tiles and the price must be enormous! The area where the DAR tree was has been completely dug up and replaced by a concrete surface. I was able to carry off a thin sliver of one of the granite tiles that had been cut off to fit around one of the light fixtures. <br />
<br />
In the city library, I looked up Eunomous and they have the 1774 first edition. I filled out the pink call-up slip for Pre-1956 NUC and gave it to a young woman who seemed confused. "You know what the Pre-1956 NUC is, don't you?" I asked. She replied, "No, but I'm new." I said "Everyone who's been to library school knows what NUC is." An older woman came over and took her down to the stacks and they brought up the book together. There was nobody in Rice Hall except for nine kids on computers, one with an orange FUGITIVE t-shirt on. The Gutenberg exhibit is gone, and the glass cases it was in are empty. Reggie Wilson was there and waved so I walked over and shook his hand and congratulated him on his promotion. He invited me to visit him at his new job at the Mason Square Branch sometime. I went down to the Periodicals Room and copied the article Eamon told me about concerning the various Grand Juries meeting in Springfield. <br />
<br />
I then went to the AIC library where I looked over the jobs section of the <i>Chronicle of Higher Education</i>. They have relocated their freebie rack to the back of the Periodicals Room. On my way home, I swung by the Boston Road <i>Big Y</i> and bought stuffed peppers, two for $4. I stopped by Marshall Moriarty's house twice over the weekend, but neither he nor his wife were home. He has a Bush/Cheney sign on his lawn and a "Keep the Promise" tax cut sign but no sign for his own Governor's Council campaign. <i>The Reminder</i> didn't come today so I picked it up at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. <br />
<br />
Back on Birchland, I dropped off a <i>Boston Herald</i> at the Penniman's. I also dropped off the <i>Aramco</i> book and some other things with Mrs. Cohn. She is always very friendly and thanked me for the <i>Newsweek</i> about the Middle East. I called <i>Storrowtown</i> in West Springfield today to reserve a seat at the <i>Fleet Bank</i> gourmet dinner. I spoke with Jean who said the event was "booked up." I thought that was a pretty tacky reply. <i>Fleet Bank</i> has made me plenty mad, as everybody being unreliable cuts enormously into the time I have to be creative and productive. <br />
<br />
Received a voiceless Unknown call at 7:42pm. Eamon's latest phone answering machine editorial says he hopes the corruption probe will bring the wrong doers at City Hall to justice "but don't hold your breath." Eamon called tonight and said he has been up in East Otis for a few days. Eamon also told me that he has heard nothing from Tom Vannah lately. <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 18, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Overcast and 49 degrees at 7:15am.<br />
<br />
Always do business with a local bank. Al Gore has announced that he supports affirmative action, so I may as well write-in Jesse Jackson. Donald W. Murray works for the Lawyer's Service Center in Dedham, <i>Hadley Printing Company</i> was located on Canal Street in Holyoke. Massachusetts.</p><p> I took a little trip at 9:15am over to <i>Angelo's</i>. It was lightly misting as I drove over, and they didn't have much to offer. I did get an immense parcel of broccoli and two melons for under $2. I was surprised to run into Mrs. Staniski there. She said her nose operation will be November 8th, and they are going to remove the tip and replace it with flesh from her cheek. She also said her daughter Ann will be in town for a few days, plus she asked me if I would put up a storm window for her the next time I come over. She claimed she was at <i>Angelo's</i> so early because she wanted to avoid the rain, but Mrs. S. is a natural early bird. <br />
<br />
<i>Old Storrowtown Tavern</i> is located in a village of 19th century buildings in West Springfield. I got the day off to a good start by calling <i>Storrowtown</i> one last time and spoke to a man named Fred, who told me "unfortunately we can't take the reservation." So I decided to call Regional President Richard Zilewicz at his home in Longmeadow. When he answered I asked, are you the man connected with <i>Fleet Bank</i>, and he said yes. I identified myself and gave a capsule summary of my story after reminding him "you've had dealings with me before." I said I have a reputation for being irascible and whenever I encounter unprofessionalism I always let the people in charge know. <br />
<br />
I stated that it is wrong for the bank to expect me to spend my time and pennies to make a call for an event that was booked up. I told him I have about $90,000 in your bank and "I don't want to come to your stinking party!" Then I repeated my name and address very loudly and hung up in his ear. This incident makes me wonder about the <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> </p><p>Investor Seminar with economic consultant Richard G. Dederick at the <i>Yankee Pedlar</i>. Dederick served as Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs during the Reagan Administration. Will they have enough room for everybody? Later I called Karen Powell and asked her if she got an invitation to the <i>Fleet</i> event and she said yes but she threw it directly into the trash. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he spoke with someone who went to the Basketball Hall of Fame exhibition game and was told that whoever did the national anthem was absolutely awful. The press claimed that 6,300 people attended, but Eamon's friend said they were lucky if they had 4,300, as there were "lots of empty seats all over the place." When Albano didn't show up at the Basketball Hall of Fame they sent somebody to go looking for him and they found Albano drinking at the <i>Sheraton</i>. </p><p>Eamon has seen Marshall Moriarty's Governor's Council ads featuring his wife and thinks they are good, but insists "he isn't going to win." Eamon thinks the fact that Charlie Ryan's wife Joan is an Elms graduate is the reason that Barbara Garvey has such influence with the Ryan's. Eamon believes Charlie "doesn't have the balls" to oppose his wife and Garvey on issues involving Elms College. <br />
<br />
Eamon feels that at the rate things are going the mob is going to be running everything throughout the Entertainment District. According to Eamon, the mob is upset that the corruption probe may interfere with their access to City Hall. He said the mob swindled Tommy McNamara out of the <i>Tic Toc Lounge</i> and put him in a new place in the South End with Victor Bruno's name on the liquor license. Eamon says that Anthony Ardolino and his brother Chester the cop are no longer operating out of City Hall. Eamon says he would like to know what Anthony Ardolino intends to do next. <br />
<br />
Rumors are rampant that Albano may not run again because of the corruption probe. Some are suggesting that Melinda Phelps, the wife of Frank Faulkner, is thinking of running for mayor. They have two kids, both girls, and live at the end of Cunningham in a massive colonial with pillars. They also own a place with five or six rooms in County Kerry, Ireland. He said Frank Faulkner has a reputation for being "wild" with a girlfriend on the side. Eamon claims that Faulkner is "a nut, a screwball who drinks too much." Eamon told me that the FBI is using code names for the key players in their correspondence about the corruption probe. Anthony Ardolino is The Bishop, Chester Ardolino is The Altarboy, Dennis Murphy is The Truant Officer and Mayor Albano is Purseboy. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>October 19, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny, 51 degrees at 8:30am. <br />
<br />
George Bush's mother Barbara is out campaigning for him, a lot of people think she's neat. Mrs. Bush says the same issues are important to both men and women. The Bush campaign is distributing a 24 page color booklet setting forth his positions on a variety of issues. The average Social Security check is $845 per month. Sen. John McCain was in the area supporting Rep. John Olver's opponent for congress. McCain said on <i>TV22</i> that "Arizona is so dry the trees chase the dogs." Nancy Dell is the registered dietician who appears regularly on <i>TV22</i>. The 99th annual meeting of The Maine Mayflower Society will be held November 18th in Portland. Suanne W. Muehlner is Director of Libraries at Colby College in Maine. <br />
<br />
District Attorney Bennett and Chief Meara were supposed to speak at Kiley last night, but there was nothing about it in the paper, leading me to suspect that the event was a dud. <i>Smith & Wesson</i>, which once employed 1800, is currently down to 600. <i>Enamelon</i> toothpaste is in Chapter 11. Michael Waring is Superintendent of the Southwick Public Schools and is not allowing the Boy Scouts to distribute literature in the schools because of their anti-gay attitudes. Robert Miller, a teacher at Warner School, is the target of a $2.4 million child molestation suit that may have to be paid by the city. Today is the deadline to register to vote. The Exeter Building on the corner of Worthington and Chestnut is still standing. <br />
<br />
A chipmunk has nibbled a hole in one of my tomatoes, so I'll let him have the whole thing. I drove out at 12:35 to Linden Towers to get a pneumonia shot. I parked easily in the street and the place appears to be inhabited mostly by minorities. It is well maintained, tidy and clean. Even the benches at Linden are freshly painted with pretty flowers planted all around outside. The people administering the shots did an awful lot of talking and not much shooting, but I got mine in due course. The nurse said I could get a booster at age 65, but theoretically it should last for life. A Mrs. Prevost handled the paperwork and Pat Bankman gave me the shot. The social worker for Linden Towers was a cute, proper young woman with her fingernails bitten way down, further than I've ever seen nails bitten. She advised me to go to the Southwest Medical Center if I needed free care, which is something to remember. I said bye to her in a very friendly way. I wonder if what she really needs is to be treated sexually like a pig. Something is probably missing in her life, would a good fuck cure it? When I left it was raining. <br />
<br />
My ears were ringing this morning. I left Mrs. Berselli a voicemail but she never called back. Allison from <i>Restaurant Business Magazine</i> called looking for David McGern at <i>Storrowtown Tavern</i>. I demanded she send me a free subscription for bothering me with her wrong number, and when she replied that I should speak with her manager Greg Bell I hung up. Eamon called and said he wants to replace Cuadra as his doctor. He also recalled that when <i>Florshein</i> shoes was in <i>Baystate West</i> the owner told him that <i>Baystate West</i> was their worst performing store. Eamon's friend Kayman the tailor told him that "the worst business decision I ever made was moving to <i>Baystate West</i>." He said he wished he had gone to Northampton instead. <br />
<br />
Eamon says the state is investigating more than 100 consultants being paid by the Department of Education. Eamon said he has had several conservations with Matthew Doherty, who told him that people in payroll told him that there are about 700 consultants on the Dept. of Ed payroll. I told Eamon that gee, maybe I should become a consultant. He told me I should contact Department head David Driscoll in Malden. Eamon claims that if Driscoll is not in his office, I should call around to the bars in downtown Malden, which is where Eamon hears Driscoll spends most of his time. <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 21, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny, beautiful, 46 degrees at 9am. Gas across from <i>Angelo's</i> is $1.53 per gallon. <br />
<br />
<i>Wall Street Week</i> is in its 30th year and will have a special party on November 30th to which the Mayor of West Hartford will be attending. There is also the 25th anniversary of the <i>MacNeil-Lehrer Report</i>. MacNeil was interviewed for about twenty minutes, telling about the history of the show, listing everyone who was involved in the show's creation in a major way, including someone named Jim Wesley. MacNeil retired five years ago but remains active. This is Volleyball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Day in Holyoke. <i>Keystone Plumbing</i> at 555 Cottage Street is now closed. <br />
<br />
I called Aunt Maria's and Shirley Whittier answered on the first ring. I told her my reason for calling was to tell her that <i>Big Y</i> is offering Maine lobsters at $5.99 per pound this week, and reminded her how Aunt Maria likes lobster. Shirley told me that she was recently in Ohio and also visited her mother up in Randolph, Vermont. She said Aunt Maria's blue <i>Ford</i> is still roadworthy and is parked in the garage. Shirley said that Aunt Maria's overall attitude is improving. Ruth visits and Aunt Maria sees Edith at church along with Doris and others. <br />
<br />
I drove out about 10:30am and got the <i>Valley Advocate</i> and a bag of oranges at Angelo's. The facade of the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> sign cornice is now a lovely hunter green, it must have been painted in the last couple days. I then left off a roll of mystery film at <i>Walmart</i>. I spent the rest of the afternoon until 4:15pm cleaning out the back blackberry patch, which has been invaded by sweet pea bushes. The hedge is a massive headache, really. Salvon was out mowing his lawn and so was Coburn. I asked Coburn if his recent tag sale was worth the trouble and he paused and admitted it was a lot of work but at least he cleaned out his cellar. Barry Simpson was over to Colleen's and there was a green <i>Ford</i> hatchback parked over to Nichols. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he has just finished a book on Patton. He said he loves Patton and would have liked to have served under him. Personally, I see much wisdom in General Patton and we should have had someone like him in charge of the Vietnam War. Eamon said he got a voicemail message today from Patti Smith urging him to call her at the <i>TV22</i> direct line 377-1169. When he called it was answered by Mark Wiernasz who said Patti was out. Mark said he hadn't heard whether or not Anthony Ardolino is still in Mayor Albano's office. He also told Eamon that the phones at <i>TV22</i> have extra security so that their number doesn't show up on phone ID technology. Eamon told me he chatted briefly with Tom Vannah this week, but no mention was made by him of the fake letters controversy.<br />
<br />
Eamon asked me for directions to the Berard place so he could check it out. Eamon explained that he has always had trouble with directions and that I am lucky to have such a good concept of spatial relations. Eamon called back later and said he just got back from visiting Fred Berard, who is 85 and has shingles. The house was a mess with dirty laundry everywhere, the bed not made, and a kid running around. They went down to the cellar, which smelled musty and had water on the floor. Eamon was told that the house was built on a swamp that had formerly been a "conservation area." The place was a pigpen as far as Eamon was concerned. Berard told Eamon that he started in the construction business after World War II and built over 1,000 houses, including many in that neighborhood. He served on the City Planning Board for over 17 years and the Building Commission for 20 years. He told Eamon that he once gave $250 to Albano's mayoral campaign but it didn't help when he tried to get jobs for people, complaining that Albano hired instead "dummies who didn't know a rafter from a nail." <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 22, 2000</b></center><br />
Blue sky, 52 degrees and rather breezy. <br />
<br />
Nader the Hatter sent me a note thanking me for my long letter. Nader also sent me a Ralph Nader for President clipping and urged me to support him for President. David Starr has never thanked me for sending him tickets to the Tuesday Morning Music Club. I am sending Professor Moriarty at Elms <i>From Downtrodden to Dangerous</i> by Kenneth Pomeranz and an old woodcut of Irish laborers that says on it that "Irish bodies were different from 'American' ones and ideally suited for physical labor." Jesse Sobel is the new female reporter on <i>TV22</i>. Dr. Jim Butler is the Pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church on Wilbraham Road.<br />
<br />
I left this morning at 9:45 and went to <i>McDonald's</i> on Allen Street and had an Egg McMuffin while I read the paper. Then to <i>Food Mart</i> for some trash bags, but then ended up buying everything but the trash bags! <i>Food Mart</i> is really undercutting <i>Big Y</i> on the specials. Then I went to an Open House at 1503 South Branch Parkway. It has a fireplace in the living room and the current owners are moving to a larger house because they have kids. There are nice old cabinets in the kitchen but there were dirty baseboards and other signs that the cleaning was cosmetic. The joke is they want $97,500 for it but the house is definitely worth no more than $70,000. Unknown rang four times at 6:03pm. Dined this evening on a tossed salad from <i>Angelo's</i> and a <i>Red Baron Deep Dish Pizza</i>. It is nothing like <i>Pizzeria Uno</i>, a real rip-off and I will complain.<br />
<br />
When I was a child I had a little green wooden wheelbarrow with decals on the side. As Mother's death becomes increasingly remote, her collections of stuff are being gradually cleared out. In a drawer today I found a list of needed home improvements Mother made shortly before she died. Fixing the driveway wasn't on it, but I'm glad I did it. When I was in Rice Hall at the library the other day, I picked up a notice of a book sale at the Pine Point branch on the 21st but ended up missing it because I didn't look at the notice until today. Why didn't the Friends of the Library send me a notice? I predict they are ultimately going to disband the Friends of the Library and start steering people into Quadrangle memberships. Perhaps the Friends of the Library is purposely choosing uninteresting topics for their meetings in order to discourage attendance. <br />
<br />
That reminded me that I wanted to call Mary Sheila McElwaine on Meredith Street and get some biographical information on her. She told me she has a Masters degree from the University of Washington at Seattle in Social Work. Her Bachelor's was in English in 1963 and she is currently trying to get her 17 year old son into a good college. McElwaine informed me that Joe Carvalho has a Masters in history from the University of Virginia and a certificate from the Harvard Business School. I gather she dislikes Fran Gagnon because McElwaine complained that Gagnon is always bragging about courses she has taken at Harvard. She also told me she knows some things about me from talking with the Powell's and Belle Rita Novak, who told her that I was "very well brought up and always send thank you notes." So I have been talked over! We discussed the book sale and she said that Janet Edwards "was ripshit over what she found had been tossed in the dumpster after the library book sale." She wanted to complain but "you have to be careful what you say" if you want to stay in the Quad's good graces. She said that "after the big firings of 1995" everyone at the Quad has been afraid to be critical. <br />
<br />
The latest <i>Valley Advocate</i> has a great piece by Vannah in his <i>Between the Lines</i> column attacking the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i>:<br />
<br />
<center><b>Union Activity</b> by Tom Vannah</center><br />
Every few months I get a call from the <i>Springfield Union-News</i>. <br />
<br />
The really amazing thing is, I rarely answer the phone between 6:30 and 8pm - the prime time for telemarketers. But when I do, it seems to always be someone asking me if I'd like to get the newspaper delivered. The woman soliciting my business is always very cordial. She listens patiently as I explain that I'm already a regular and loyal reader of the Springfield Newspapers. <br />
<br />
"That's great," she'll say politely. "But our records indicate that you're not having the paper delivered to your home. We can do that and right now we have a special...." <br />
<br />
That's where I cut her off. With great pride, I tell her that I, too, am in the newspaper racket, and that I get the <i>Union-News</i> at work. We all read it, I enthuse. And not just the <i>Union-News</i>. We love newspapers. We read the <i>Daily Hampshire Gazette</i> and the <i>Greenfield Recorder</i>. We read the <i>Holyoke Sun</i> and some of the other small weeklies. And, of course, the Boston papers. And then we read all sorts of newspapers from around the country, most of which are now available on line. But we especially get a kick out of the <i>Union-News</i>. In fact, I can't imagine what life would be like without it. <br />
<br />
After we hang up, I always feel a pang of guilt that I didn't accept her offer. I know I often criticize the <i>Union-News</i> and the <i>Sunday Republican</i>. And I think that, probably to a greater degree than most daily newspapers of its size, the Springfield paper has a lot of problems. But still, the <i>Union-News</i> is an institution in this region. It's the main daily around here, and I'm one who believes that everyone should read a daily newspaper. As much as I'd like to see the <i>Union-News</i> clean up its act, I'm sad to see it falling on hard times. And if my buying a subscription would help it rejuvenate itself, maybe I'd better get out my checkbook. <br />
<br />
I think a lot of readers have the same love/hate relationship with the <i>Union-News</i> that I have. Smart readers don't rely on just one paper to tell them the whole truth about anything, but whenever I talk to people about the <i>Union-News</i>, I'm taken by the level of skepticism I encounter. The bigwigs at the paper, Publisher Larry McDermott and President David Starr, have earned a reputation for using their paper in less than forthright ways to meddle in civic affairs, and readers, in turn, probably have a jaundiced view of almost everything they read in its news pages. Still, if you want to keep up with local issues, you have to read the <i>Union-News</i>. <br />
<br />
And that's the heartbreaker. In a market filled with interested, often well educated people who love to read newspapers, why can't the <i>Union-News</i> put out a better paper? Maybe it's just a matter of bad karma, but the <i>Union-News</i> seems destined to be second rate...Given the <i>Union-News'</i> tendency to gloss over the Valley's worst social and economic problems in its day to day reporting, it's no shock that it's having trouble dealing with its own fiscal problems. As a loyal reader, I can only wish it would start taking a different approach. <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 23, 2000</b></center><br />
Clear sky with stars, 47 degrees at 2am.<br />
<br />
<i>WFCR</i> says that in five years the majority of households will be without children. People think that because you don't have children, you don't have anything important to do. <i>G.E.</i> is taking over <i>Honeywell</i>, having bid more than <i>United Technologies</i> of Connecticut. <i>Xerox</i> may file for Chapter 11. How things change! Robert Miller is the Party Chair for the Vermont Progressive Party. Vermont for all Vermonters! <i>T.M. Custom Concrete and Masonry</i> was on Talmadge Drive in Springfield in 1996. <i>Indian Orchard Plumbing and Heating Supply</i> was on Main Street in Indian Orchard in 1998. The Pine Point Library is located at 204 Boston Road. <br />
<br />
Tonight was the day of the big wine and cheese gourmet dinner party <i>Fleet Bank</i> invited me to, but then didn't let me come to. I called Mrs. Penniman and had a good time telling her all about my troubles with <i>Fleet</i>. She said she also received an invitation, but threw it away. She continued by saying that "there is nothing good I can say about Fleet" but all her direct deposits ended up there and it is too much trouble to change them. Mrs. Penniman described <i>Fleet</i> as "not very efficient" and said she used to like <i>Valley Bank</i>. The mail came today at 2:30pm by the usual Saturday substitute, and included a whopping IRS refund on Mother's estate tax of $1,130.57, which included $50.53 in interest. <i>The WMass Law Tribune</i> also came today with a story about how WNEC Law School will host a conference on the Supreme Court on October 21st. So the conference was all over by the time time the announcement of it had arrived. I called the Law School Faculty Office and spoke to Carmen and explained the problem. I asked her to forward my complaint to whoever was in charge of the conference and she said that would be Arthur Wolfe. I bid her adieu and that was that. <br />
<br />
Michaelann Bewsee was on the news standing in front of the police station Sunday evening demonstrating against police brutality. UMass students were among those participating. There was no mention of the Black Fight Back Day, but I think that was the observance. At one point Nick Morganelli the weatherman was shown standing with the spire of First Church and a part of the Richardson Courthouse in the background as he said "looking towards City Hall." Later he did in fact have a City Hall shot. Eamon called today but I missed him because I was down to <i>CopyCat</i> printers. <i>Olde Tyme Food</i> in East Longmeadow also called while I was out. During the news a Cathy Stapleton called from Ohio on behalf of the American Heart Association, telling me that heart problems kill someone every 33 seconds. She asked if I would volunteer to mail their literature to everyone on my street. I asked her what 16 homes time postage is and she immediately replied $5.28. I told her that expense doesn't include my time, and then I explained to her about how little I think of medical fund drives. I then read her the riot act, telling her explicitly to take me off their list and never call again! <br />
<br />
I was out tying up branches this afternoon when a white school bus van turned onto Birchland Avenue at such a rate of speed that an eastbound car honked at it loudly. I got four bundles of branches and one bag of garden waste. The bag ripped, they simply don't have the tensile strength of the bags I've bought in previous years and I will complain. I tried to call Joe Carvalho today, but only got his secretary, the sweet sounding Valerie. She was very polite and remembered who I am. I reminded her that David Starr isn't going to live forever, and he is creating ill will towards the Quadrangle that will be difficult to overcome even after Starr is gone. I told her that I thought the way Sheila McElwaine was treated was unprofessional and that although I have been a frequent critic of the libraries, I have always attacked the institution, not the librarians. I also told her to tell Carvalho that I don't think much of all the publicity he's been getting lately. She suggested I take my complaints to the Friends of the Library President Cathy Joyal, but when I asked for her number she replied "I can't give that to you." <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 24, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Cloudy, 48 degrees at 7:30am. <br />
<br />
Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones is 64 today. Some judge has ruled that tattoos are an art and protected by the First Amendment, thereby legalizing tattooing in Massachusetts.<i> American Eagle Outfitters</i> at the <i>Holyoke Mall</i> is hiring. This year's Winchester Square Reunion at the John Boyle O'Reilly Club was held in honor of Walter "Tux" Sullivan, Matty Ryan, Ray Tulles and Dan Crowley. The Buckingham Junior High School Reunion tickets are available from Carole Johnson, Elaine Scott, Ruth Malone or David Montgomery. </p><p><i>The Springfield Newspapers</i> occasionally publish the salaries of major
companies, but they never tell us the salaries of Dave Starr, Larry
McDermott or Wayne Phaneuf. They should also tell us the salaries of
those who work in public television such Deborah Onslow. <br />
<br />
Even if the <i>Cecil Group</i> economic report comes out before Thanksgiving as promised, it will still be a year overdue. Linda J. Petrella is the Springfield City Planner. WNEC Economics Professor Michael Meeropol spoke in the Brooks Room of the Wilbraham Library on <i>Alan Greenspan is Not my Hero - A Dissenter's View</i> on October 18th. Meeropol read from his book <i>Surrender: How the Clinton Administration Completed the Reagan Revolution</i> and discussed the upcoming elections. <br />
<br />
Did a lot today with a lot of details, some of which may get away. Dined on another <i>Red Baron</i> little pizza with some vegetable soup and a salad. In the evening I had a ham and cheese <i>Hot Pocket</i>. Drove to the city about 9:30am and parked at the <i>Telephone Worker's Credit Union</i>, depositing Mother's estate tax refund with Dede Rodriguez. Then I put out a lot of mail at the Main Post Office, after which I went over to the <i>Peter Pan</i> bus terminal, but there were long lines at both the men's room and <i>McDonald's</i>. The bushes in their Garden Court are growing and their Halloween decorations are up.<br />
<br />
I stopped at the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> building where there was no counter copy. I asked for one, and she asked me if I wanted to buy a copy of the paper. I replied no, I just want to look at the counter copy. She said the counter copy is supposed to be for people who want to buy advertising. After some foot dragging she got one and wrote "counter copy" on it. I didn't make a fuss, but in due time I will. The problem is I don't go in there often enough to pursue the issue. Outside, I ran into Scott Santaniello in his<i> Union-News</i> workman's uniform and he gave me a big smile. I swung by City Hall to pay my taxes, but on the way there I stopped at <i>Antiques on Boland Way</i>, which was having a 25% off sale so I bought a lovely bell with German poetry on it for $18. <br />
<br />
I ended up using the toilet at <i>Tower/Baystate</i> where there was no congestion at all. I left some stuff at <i>Edwards Books</i>, where Janet offered to validate my parking. I went through the <i>Sheraton</i>, passing through the lobby where Security Officer 4270 approached me. He said that there is a trespass order against me, to which I replied that I know Picknelly does not want me going up to his floor, but I didn't know the trespass order extended to the entire building. He was friendly enough and I left quietly. There were only three people in <i>Pizzeria Uno</i> at 12:05pm. At the corner of Main and Worthington a large white <i>Waybest Chicken</i> truck honked loudly at some Latino girls walking by, thereby so disturbing me that I plan to complain. <br />
<br />
I went to <i>Fleet Bank</i> where I was immediately waited on by Earleen D. Gadreault. She said the boss wasn't in, but soon Assistant Branch Manager Carol E. Quinlivan appeared at her desk. She remembered me, but called me Mr. Wesley, which I politely corrected. I told her that the way the bank treated me over their dinner was unprofessional and uncivil because they didn't have enough seats for everyone invited. I added that I have had nothing but difficulties with <i>Fleet</i> since the merger with <i>Bank of Boston</i>. I was surprised when she agreed with me and offered a $50 gift check as compensation "if that will satisfy you." I accepted, thanked her and departed. <br />
<br />
When I got home, Mrs. Staniski called and said she is calling a plumber because she has a clogged drain. I asked her when she wanted me to come over and put up her storm window but she said she and Ann already did that last weekend. Mrs. S. said her doctor is a new woman at 125 Liberty "who has yet to learn the niceties of dealing with old people." She told me she had to have a blood test and EKG. <br />
<br />
I called Eamon and he has been up to East Otis over the weekend. He said he was talking with a friend, an Italian who was brought up in Springfield but who now only visits Springfield once a month or so. He told Eamon he thinks the summer concerts downtown are good, but there is still no place to shop. Eamon asked him what he thought of Albano's Entertainment District and he responded confidently and without pause, "Oh, that's just a money laundering operation." He told Eamon that all the major Entertainment District businesses are either "directly or indirectly" owned by the mob, claiming that the amount of actual trade they do is irrelevant, since their primary purpose is to simply launder the illegally made money from mob scams. The friend told Eamon that he is friends with West Springfield IRS agent McGrath, who told him that the <i>Mardi Gras</i> is one of the worst tax offenders, with even the strippers cheating by using phony names and not reporting their income. He also repeated that Tommy McNamara, called Tommy Mac, has Victor Bruno on his <i>TicToc</i> liquor license, although McNamara isn't doing very well since they moved him off of Worthington into the South End. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>October 25, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and 61 degrees at noon. <br />
<br />
Talk is cheap. <br />
<br />
<i>AT&T</i> is breaking into four companies, a better word would be disintegrating. <i>TV22</i> says the <i>Mohegan Sun</i> casino in Connecticut is expanding again. Robert J. Brink is the Executive Director of the Social Law Library in Boston. <br />
<br />
I had pizza from <i>Tony's</i> in Pine Point for lunch today. I found a broken beer bottle (Bud) under my dumpster, all the trash went first thing this morning. Mrs. Staniski dropped off on the gate two <i>Harvard Gazettes</i> from Ann and the Al Gore book. I always tell her there is never a rush about returning things. Walked the Bethel paper down to Mrs. Penniman's and she told me that the man across the street at 65 Birchland is legally blind and is originally from Vermont. She says he is unable to work, but babysits his little kids. At 9:20am I called Jill the receptionist at <i>Waybest Chicken</i> in South Windsor, Connecticut. She connected me with one of the owners Jack Gordon and I told him about the horn honking incident at the corner of Main and Worthington at 11:55am yesterday and the resultant ringing in my ears. He agreed their trucks "make a loud sound" and said he would speak to the driver. I left my name and our parting was pleasant. <br />
<br />
Then I called <i>New England Fidelity</i> and asked them if they have been placed in liquidation. Someone named Melissa said "You'll have to call the Mass Department of Insurance about that." I asked for their number and she said, "I don't have it, you can get that from Information." I hung up, as they were as surly as you can get without being openly impolite. Someone from <i>First Securities</i> called saying I should hire them "because of our expertise in high tech stocks." I told him my broker is <i>A.G. Edwards</i> and I have no interest in high tech stocks. He seemed amazed, exclaiming, "You have no interest in high tech stocks?" then hung up. Finally, someone named John called asking, "Is this <i>Storrowtown</i>?" I suggested he consult a phone book. <br />
<br />
Put two more ripened tomatoes in the refrigerator. I was raking the lawn for part of the afternoon, hauling four tarps of leaves out to the treebelt. Taking up leaves has been pretty easy this year because the weather was mild and the leaves were dry, so dragging the tarp was easy. In the mail today I received an Albano bumpersticker with an announcement that he is running for re-election for mayor. Eamon has a wonderful new editorial today that hits on all the issues: <br />
<br />
<i>Springfield's dull in the extreme downtown lacks the diversity and density of people and places to make it work economically. A healthy mix of retail stores, fine restaurants, free parking, employee shoppers, tourists and conventioneers is missing. Some tacky bars and a few strip joints in a so-called Entertainment District run by wise guys as a money laundering operation creates an unhealthy environment attracting vagrants, bums, prostitutes and the kind of people not conducive to attracting businesses to a dead downtown.</i><br />
<br />
I called Eamon and left a message saying this is one of the best telephone answering machine editorials he's ever done. <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 26, 2000</b></center><br />
66 degrees in the breezeway at 7:30pm. <br />
<br />
<i>Ocean Spray</i> the cranberry juice makers claim there is an oversupply of cranberries. So why don't they reduce the price? Ms. Gloria Steinhem is in the area addressing the Woman's Fund. Former WNEC President Beverly Miller lives at 3 Brookside Road in Wilbraham, a barn red colonial with a breezeway and a two car garage on the corner of Wilbraham Road about a block beyond Owen Flynt's place. <br />
<br />
I drove out to the Wilbraham Town Offices and Dottie said T.P. Sullivan the Tax Collector is not in today, but Janet Costa was very helpful. She said that everybody has thirty days from when they receive their tax bill to pay. I paid my bill and congratulated her on her professionalism. I left Wilbraham at 9:35am and drove into downtown Springfield. First I stopped by the old <i>Heritage</i> in the Acres and they still have a sign up about safety deposit boxes. Out back cement blocks are going up on the old hardware store site. <br />
<br />
As I came down Wilbraham Road, a little white Honda Civic sped by me, 1158 EV, going 40mph in a 35mph zone. There was a red light at Breckwood, which brought them to a stop, so I tooted my horn as if to ask where did all that speeding get you? The light changed and they zoomed on, until they were stopped again by the light at Watershops/Alden. I tooted again. When I tooted a third time after we were stopped at Roosevelt Avenue, I finally got their attention. A bunch of young guys in baseball caps stuck their heads out the windows so I waved and shouted, "Why all the rush?" They were stopped once again at Mason Square, but I didn't toot and they finally turned in at the Mason Square <i>McDonald's</i>. <br />
<br />
When I arrived downtown I went to the Post Office and picked up an enormous catalog for <i>Office Depot</i>, which has cheaper prices on typewriter ribbons than I get from <i>Reliable</i>. I spent no time fooling around downtown and drove right back to shop at <i>Angelo's Fruits and Vegetables</i>. However, on Boston Road I came upon the cutest little parade, an authentic happening with signs and pennants and wonderfully dressed people. I pulled into Barber Street and got out my camera, soon discovering that this was the Massachusetts Interfaith Prison Pilgrimage and it was being led by none other than Michaelann Bewsee. I asked her to stop and took a couple of pictures. I think she was thrilled that I showed up and photographed her from the way she giggled. I took pictures of all the others and a tall man in tan gave me their brochure. As they trodded on I got back into my car and parked at Our Lady of Sacred Heart and crossed the street to <i>Angleo's</i>. <br />
<br />
From there I drove to <i>Walmart</i> to leave off my camera film, which they said will be ready by Saturday. I got home before noon and caught the news. They said that 10 percent of the schools in Massachusetts have no libraries, whereas all the schools in Vermont have them. Lorraine Plasse was on saying that the books at Brookings School are old and outdated. There was also a story saying that ARISE has abandoned its lawsuit for ward representation, but they will continue to campaign for City Council candidates who support the concept. Bewsee must be sad about that, but the hike today in the fresh air must have lifted her spirits. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he is going to watch the World Series. He has bought an alligator watch strap from Willie Switzer for $50, which cost $200 dollars when he saw one just like it in Boston. Eamon says he hasn't received the results of his prostate screening, saying he'd just as soon not since they will probably want to sell him further testing. Eamon claims that he has to take five medications a day "otherwise I'd be dead." He also suggested that I read a good article in the latest <i>Chronicle of Higher Education</i> by the Dean of Columbia University on the future of education. <br />
<br />
Eamon told me that when he was in Otis he went to Shaw Pond with the Whitcomb family. He also said that Patti Smith of <i>TV22</i> called today and informed him that she is a Columbia graduate. Eamon advised her to stop by the License Commission and look at the names on the licenses to see who is really running the so-called Entertainment District. He also talked to her about the need for term limits and at one point she agreed with him that the political coverage of the Springfield Newspapers is inadequate. <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 27, 2000</b></center><br />
55 degrees and overcast at 10am.<br />
<br />
The news says that 143 were killed in the last few days of violence called the Palestinian Days of Rage. The latest presidential poll for Massachusetts says 52% of Mass voters plan to vote for V.P. Gore, 28% want Governor Bush and only 8% want Nader. Ralph Nader is suing the commission that organized the presidential debate in Boston, which refused to let him in even though he had a ticket. Nader complained he wasn't even allowed to watch the debate from a side auditorium at the University of Massachusetts Boston campus. <i>Associates First Capital</i>, a <i>Sears</i> spin-off I have always considered jackasses, has merged with <i>Citicorp</i>. The Springfield Homeowners Fair will be November 18th at the High School of Science and Technology. It is sponsored by Mayor Albano, <i>Banknorth</i> and <i>Hampden Savings</i>. Peter Picknelly lives in a Tudor style home at 330 Park Drive in Springfield. <br />
<br />
I forgot to mention that yesterday when I came by <i>Fleet Bank</i> in the Acres, where the old <i>Heritage/Shawmut</i> was, there were four kids with skateboards edging the curbs and terraces around the building. While I was watching the news today, I heard a rapping on the breezeway door and it was Ken Mills, the leaf man. He's about 22, tanned, thin and doesn't have a business card. Mills lives at 19 Edendale Street between Page Boulevard and Carew. He is of Italian, French and English ancestry and is married with three kids. He suggested that for $40 he will take away all my leaves and I agreed. He asked if I have any old furniture or antiques I want to sell, he said he's not a dealer but wants stuff for himself. <br />
<br />
Spoke briefly today with Richard E. Onofrey Jr. about the <i>Massachusetts Fire Assurance Company</i> merger of 1927 and their archives. We discussed my CLU Journal article, naturally. Next I called David Montgomery of 67 Tallyho about the Buckingham Reunion this weekend. He said it is a three day event costing $55, with t-shirts extra. He said the Quadrangle put together some historical material for them, but he had never heard of my booklet on the history of Buckingham Junior High School. I told him how the Mason Square branch had a copy, but threw it out. He said he's heard that "they've thrown out a lot of things they shouldn't have." The weekend consists of a Friday night fish fry at the <i>Waterfront</i>, cocktails and dinner at the <i>Oakes</i> on Saturday, and jazz on Sunday at the <i>Nights of Columbus</i> on Page Boulevard. <br />
<br />
I then called Arlene Mackey, the church secretary at Wesley United Methodist Church. She said their centenary banquet will be on November 18th. She says she thinks they will accept a restricted $100 gift, but said I should contact the minister Rev. Corella Brown. I recalled how Mrs. Staniski was Dorothy Smith's assistant and attending Irwin Evans furneral. We also discussed a number of things, including the burning of the original church and the many pictures I took of its demolition. I voiced my opinion that the demolition of the original church was unnecessary. I told her about how I was there when the beautiful stained glass windows were placed in a moving truck to be used in a pizza parlor in Seattle. I suggested to her that the church archives should be donated to the Quadrangle. Our conversation ended with my telling her how my parents were one of a handful who stayed after the congregation turned black, but they felt compelled to leave when the church was torn down.<br />
<br />
Voiceless called at 3:33pm. Eamon called and said he went down to his tailor this morning and "downtown was as dead as a doornail." His tailor told him his rent is $2,000 per month and that he gets most of his business from stock brokers and lawyers. However, he said that overall business is slow. In fact, Eamon said that no customers came into the shop while he was there. According to the tailor, some merchants are getting very substantial tax breaks to be downtown, such as the antique shop and art gallery. He said <i>Dunkin Donuts</i> in <i>Tower Square</i> did good business for a while when it first opened, but it died out. Eamon informed me that the immense space in the old <i>Valley Bank</i> is still empty with a sign saying to contact the <i>Fleet Bank</i> Real Estate Department if you want to rent. <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 29, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and 44 degrees at 8am. <br />
<br />
First day of Eastern Standard time, the clocks being set back yesterday. Suffolk University is having a two day conference on bullying. Studies find that women bosses do more bullying than men, and women bully female employees more than men. So women are the worst bullies and they bully other women more than men. <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> is starting a first time homebuyer's club. It's been several weeks since I've seen a <i>Hampden Bank</i> TV commercial. I recently noted that <i>Westbank</i> now has signs in the same shade of black and orange as <i>Hampden</i>. I wonder if they both hired the same ad agency. For breakfast today I went over to the <i>McDonald's</i> on Allen Street and had a sausage McMuffin and read the paper. <br />
<br />
Went to the <i>Antique Fair</i> at the <i>Expo</i> today, and on my way to the sale I noticed that over the driveway between Muhammad's Mosque and the old <i>Monarch</i> print shop is a sign that reads Unity Mall. At the fair I bought a large Swiss cowbell for $35 from Jake Jakiel of <i>Victorian Times Antiques</i>. I also bought several lots of postcards and 15 stereo images at two dollars apiece. I now have 200 choice stereo pictures bought inexpensively in bits and pieces over a decade. The viewer I bought for only $75. Susan Smith the book dealer wasn't there, and the <i>Matrix Gallery</i> guy told me he's in chemotherapy. Robert T. Brown the ephemeris thanked me for the copy I gave him of <i>Aunt Jennie's Poems</i>, saying it's "very well done." I bought nothing from him this time. At <i>Spice of Life</i> I bought an Estev Organ No. 444949 for $175. I left the Industrial Arts building via the side door and arrived home at 11:50 with some light snow falling. As I went into the house I spotted Kelly walking her dog. <br />
<br />
I forgot to mention that on the way back I swung by the Open House at 95 Patricia Circle. It's a colonial where they have rebuilt almost everything until really it is a brand new house in an old shell. Even the lawn has been reseeded with new shrubs. Still, I feel the house was overpriced. The real estate agent was Carrie Fisher, and I told her she doesn't look as good on her business card as she does in real life. When I got home I cleaned the organ up and stamped my name in it and played it. The sound is simply beautiful. I'm glad I went to the <i>Antique Show</i> this year. I called both Eamon and Mrs. Staniski and played it for them over the phone. I then called Aunt Maria and Shirley picked up after one ring. She said my Aunt spent the morning listening to <i>Fantasia</i>. Shirley described Aunt Maria's condition as "stable" I played the organ for Shirley and she said it sounded good and the price seemed reasonable, although she admitted that she doesn't know anything about antiques. She asked if it was snowing in Springfield like in Agawam and I said yes. Finally, I called and left a message with Bewsee at ARISE saying that I have ten pictures of the march for prisoners and she may have them for a thank you note. <br />
<br />
I hope Vince and Claudia Robillard aren't selling their shop, as they have sold me many things over the years and we have done kindnesses for each other. Dined tonight on a <i>Hearty Man Roast Beef Dinner</i> with a tossed salad that included the second of my little tomatoes. I turned on the furnace this evening, it's been off for a long time but when the thermometer starts slipping below freezing at night it's time to turn it on. Eamon called and said that Rich Tettemer's assistant at <i>TV22</i> has been named Director of Sports for Western New England College. Eamon also heard from Baystate Hospital that his prostate is somewhat enlarged and the results have been sent to the Vets Administration in Holyoke. <br />
<br />
<center><b>October 31, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast and 41 degrees at 7:30am. <br />
<br />
They had 13 inches of snow yesterday in Allagash, Maine and 6 inches in some places in Vermont. A commentator on <i>TV57</i> said that Sen. Joe Lieberman "has lost all the things about him that were attractive, such as his independence and integrity." That is sad. 180,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. <i>Dowboro House Antiques</i> is in Lochmere, New Hampshire. <i>Falcetti Music</i> has stores in Springfield, Chicopee and Pittsfield. The Community Music School of Springfield and <i>Yamaha Corporation of America</i> are having a special piano sale. I see that the Springfield Conservatory of Music is now located at the former <i>Arthur Johnson</i> photo studio on Sumner Avenue. I'll have to stop in there sometime. <br />
<br />
The parking lot and the Greenleaf athletic field next to the 16 Acres Library is all dug up. The State Street hill by the Armory was beautifully paved this summer, but now they have dug a trench in the new pavement from the vacant lot by Commerce up to Federal/Hancock. The mail brought a <i>Sentry Insurance</i> policy bill for $9 and my semiannual statement from <i>A.G. Edwards</i>. I also received a very diplomatic letter from Moriarty at Elms saying, "Sorry I can't respond to all your correspondence, but I read them with interest." That will do. I got a postcard from Paul Fussell with a couple of errors whited out. He may be an old man and unable to do more. <br />
<br />
Someone rang seven times at 3:48pm. Leonard Collamore's phone was constantly busy between 4:30 and 7pm, but I finally got through and he actually sounded grateful when I told him of the <i>Oak Knoll Catalog</i> offering of Henry Vignaud on <i>Columbus and Toscanelli</i> (1929) for $15. I myself bought the Goodspeed biography from the catalog for $35. I called <i>Barnes and Noble</i> and the man said that Sealt's <i>Closing the Door</i> is being published by <i>Vantage</i>, a vanity house, and no word on when it will be out. I then called <i>Friendly's</i> and got Marty Chagon in Human Resources She handled the call very professionally and I was pleasant. I said that I am a stockholder and with the stock values having fallen so low, I think they should sell out at once to <i>Ruby Tuesday</i> and be done with it. I said the President and Secretary of <i>Friendly's</i> should dine at a <i>Ruby Tuesday</i> and not to miss the bargain salad bar with any entree. She replied, "Thank you for calling." <br />
<br />
I chatted with Mrs. Penniman about my new organ. She said her husband is not doing well and has been in bed for the last few days. She also said her daughter was up from New York for the weekend so she missed the antique sale. The news said that the Election Commission has hired extra help to send out absentee ballots, and one of the new hires was Brian Santaniello! Also on the news, Sy Becker had a story about a Greenfield charity that helps old ladies called The George Davenport Generosity Fund. <br />
<br />
Much of today was spent removing materials from the 1999 and 2000 MLA programs and mounting them on bibliographical noteslips. I also worked on my papers in the basement. I have moved Little Red Riding Hood to Father's bed and placed tulips against Mother's headboard. I am going to place the print <i>Old Time English Merrymaking</i> in the parlor on the sofa. The dealer said the frame has the original glass. For lunch I had oranges, broccoli and a cheese sandwich. I have one last little tomato that is ripening. For supper, I had <i>Tony's Pine Point Pizza</i> and a can of <i>Progresso Pea Soup</i>. <br />
<br />
There is something fishy about the recent activities of Peter Picknelly. Eamon called and said he is almost always in bed by 9pm. He also recalled how his mother had three sisters, one whose house was full of bric-a-brac. One of Eamon's sisters claims to know for sure that minorities in Holyoke bring their kids to East Springfield to go trick or treating. He also said he spoke to F. Berard on Sunday and Fred is lowering the price on his big place by $20,000 to $200,000, but Eamon thinks it is only worth $175,000. <br />
<br />
Eamon believes that organized crime has been big in Springfield for at least 40 years. He recalled the time that he ran into Skyball and Baba Scibelli when he was out with Norm Vester and they told Norm, "Take care of that little guy" referring to Eamon. Eamon recently spoke with Tony Ravosa, who said he used to see Dennis Murphy in his bar with Melinda Phelps. How many girlfriends does Murphy have? If Melinda is married to Frank Faulkner, then who was the male who answered the phone when I called a couple of times last summer while Faulkner was in Ireland?<br />
<br />
A friend at the courthouse told Eamon that Dennis Murphy voluntarily went to the FBI at the start of the corruption investigation and was wearing a wire for two months. According to Eamon's friend, on it Murphy captured evidence of A. Ardolino making a bribe. Eamon believes Murphy went to the FBI first because he felt it would be to his benefit in "saving his own ass." The FBI is mad because Murphy refused to wear a wire at a meeting with Soco Catjakis and Mayor Albano. Eamon told me that some cop told him that Murphy is suspected of taking a $35,000 bribe and Valerie Barson is somehow involved. He claims that Murphy has hired a Boston lawyer to help him deal with the FBI. Eamon regrets no longer being able to get all the information he wants anytime from Brian McLaughlin of the FBI, now retired. Eamon complained once again that the local TV stations too often just report what is in the paper and don't develop their own stories. He finally hung up because the news was coming on. Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-14382581569762239282014-12-17T16:45:00.018-05:002024-03-12T16:36:18.907-04:00November 2000<br />
<center><b>November 1, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Sunny, 44 degrees at 7:55am. </p><p>Dr. Seuss gets all the attention, but few know that George Bancroft wrote the second volume of his <i>History of the United States</i> in Springfield. Our city has had many writers of distinction. Rather than turning the Quadrangle over to Dr. Seuss exclusively, they should give him one lavish monument that also acknowledges in some way authors like Bancroft, Timothy Leary, Josiah Holland and all the rest. <br />
<br />
The 200th Annivesary of the White House is today. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is now openly calling himself a Democratic Socialist instead of an Independent. Former Republican Sen. Robert Stafford is calling for "civility" saying that all the Vermont legislature did when approving civil unions for gays "was to honor love between two people." <i>Baystate Gas</i> has been granted a 24% rate hike on its 220,000 customers because "the wholesale price of gas has nearly doubled." The movie industry has added about 10,000 new screens since the mid-1990's. <i>Dowboro House Antiques</i> is in Lochmere, New Hampshire. <br />
<br />
<i>The Springfield Newspapers</i> are trying to attract paper carriers with ads asking, "Having Trouble Making Ends Meet?" The evening news had shots of third party candidate Ralph Nader at an enormous gathering on Library Mall in Madison with the Memorial Library and Historical Society in the background. I went out this morning at 9:30 and dropped off magazines at the Cohn's. He was seated at the kitchen table and she was standing and counting out pills. The Cohn's have installed grab bars on their entryway to facilitate getting in and out. I think she has more difficulty than he does. Both were cheerful and pleasant as always.<br />
<br />
I went to the <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> where Maggi waited on me. I told her that my hatchway has never leaked where her husband fixed it and that pleased her. Maggi told me that the <i>Light Up Boston Road</i> campaign was being run out of the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>. I decided to stop at the Mall, where I got to know Ciro, an elderly barber who runs the <i>Eastfield Barber Shop</i>. He said he's been at the Mall 30 years, 25 over by <i>Sears</i> and five where he is now. He said in the hippie days business was bad, but now times are much better. He claims he only does about three hours of work in an eight hour day. Anyway, I gave him $10 to point up my Mohawk and he did it much more nicely than the Sixteen Acres barber. <br />
<br />
From there I dined on two burgers and fries at <i>McDonald's</i> and noted that the Mall is starting to decorate for Christmas. Their Christmas posters were made by <i>DeForest Associates of Wilbraham</i>. I left <i>Eastfield</i> at 11:20 and proceeded to ARISE where M. Bewsee was delighted by the photos I gave her. From there I headed to the Hungry Hill <i>Stop&Shop</i> and drove past Eamon's on the way. He has taken his lawn furniture in for the season but has raked no leaves. I was amazed to see that some Hungry Hill residents still have Asselin for State Rep signs proudly on display. Stopped at <i>Savers</i> and got two books, then over to <i>Stop&Shop</i> to buy the bargains. On the way back I dropped off some magazines at Mrs. Staniski's back entryway. Home by 2:15pm. <br />
<br />
The FBI has concluded that Springfield cops do not discriminate or use racial profiling against blacks, but Mayor Albano says "perception is reality." Albano was on television saying that the corruption probe "doesn't involve any city employees at all," but he looked pretty uncomfortable saying it. Eamon called and said his phone has been ringing off the hook from his tape about the corruption scandals and Dennis Murphy refusing to testify against Albano, although he heard that Murphy may be fingering other people. Eamon hopes that the Feds will get Soco Catjakis, whom Eamon says has been involved in crooked real estate and other deals for years. Soco's son was involved in the <i>Dollar Store</i> scandal involving Roger Slate. One anonymous caller insisted that Dr. Negroni received a secret $350,000 buy out of his contract, while another anonymous caller said that Negroni intends to run for the State Legislature in New York.<br />
</p><center><b>November 2, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Sunny and 45 degrees at 7am. Gas $1.57 at Breckwood <i>Sunnoco</i>. <br />
<br />
The Boston Road Business Association is sponsoring the holiday lights along Boston Road. Mr. Cohn left me two copies of <i>Biblical Archeology</i> in a <i>Chronicle</i> bag. I also found a <i>Moriarty for Governor's Council</i> leaflet stuck in the clasp of my mailbox. I received a campaign mailing from him yesterday. Eamon left off a copy of <i>American Rifleman</i> with an article about <i>Smith&Wesson</i>. I weighed myself this morning and I weigh 195 pounds. <br />
<br />
I decided to skip the South Church tag sale. While getting gas today, the black lady on duty laughed loudly at my purple hair and said it "made my day." She asked why I dyed it purple and I said that the new millennium is a time for changes. She agreed. Went to the <i>Commerce 2000</i> event today and arrived at Westover at 9:45am. In all it was a nice event, but there are changes every year and generally I would say they had less to offer than in the past. This year there was no lobster bisque or roast beef on a bun. There were two booths passing out free popcorn, but I was surprised that <i>Taylor Rental</i> had none this year. I asked them why and they said they rented their popcorn machines to the ones currently giving it away. <br />
<br />
<i>CopyCat</i> was passing out jelly beans in cups as freebies, a rather silly promo. I spoke with the Accountant from <i>Moriarty and Primack</i> in the <i>Bank of Boston</i> building and he told me he charges $90 per hour although you can find others who charge less. He said we once met at Mattoon Street which caused me to recall that he had been with the theater group, so we chatted about that. The Rotary and Kiwanis Club were seated at the same table, the Rotary person told me that they have over 700 members. Picknelly's restored antique bus was there, but I saw no one taking pictures of it. <br />
<br />
I saw no signs of the <i>Westover Development Corporation</i>, nor the shapely blonde who was at the <i>Community Chest</i> booth last year. What became of her? I was also surprised to see no <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> booth nor anyone from <i>BusinessWest</i>. I was also disappointed that there were no piles of free phone books. STCC was there, but not Elms. WNEC and AIC was present, but no BeeGee airplane. Several people greeted me as Attorney Miller, but of course I had my name tag on. There were no clowns walking around, unless you count me with my purple hair.<br />
<br />
<i>Stop&Shop</i> had free grocery bags and the restrooms had handicapped people working as attendants. The only law firm there was <i>Skoler, Abbott and Pressor</i>, represented by a young woman named Jo-ann Davis. I chatted with her briefly about my interest in legal poetry. I also spoke with Michael Harrington, a branch manager for <i>Sovereign Bank</i> in Westfield, who said he recalled seeing me interviewed by Tom Devine on <i>TV40</i>. He said I gave the impression in that interview of being someone who speaks rationally instead of passionately. </p><p><br />
Francerea Maltese of the <i>O'Connell Development Group</i> in Holyoke promised to send me some material about her company. Pioneer Valley Christian School was there passing out literature. I told them I was opposed to all private schools because it removes from the public schools an important pool of students. The lady was left speechless and said nothing. My friend Jeff the Framer was there and I told him I saw his coupon on <i>The Reminder</i>. Buendo of <i>The Reminder</i> was there and greeted me cordially despite my telling him that I like the <i>Valley Advocate</i> better than his paper. Jack O'Neil was there and looked unhealthily thin. The Mayor of Chicopee was chatting with Mayor Ford of Northampton, and both said hi to me. I also spoke with Joyce Palazzi, manager of the <i>Fleet</i> branch in Chicopee. No sign of Hampden Savings.</p><p>
<br />
In the afternoon I did some wash and mowed the lawn. I called <i>The Fort today</i> and asked the woman who answered whether there were any seats left for Joe Napolitan's talk tomorrow to the Valley Press Club. She asked for my name so I hung up, apparently seats are reserved based on who you are. On the noon news Albano was on saying once again that the corruption probe doesn't involve "any public employees whatsoever" and predicted that the probe will soon be closed. Eamon called and wondered why the top people in the legislature were never suspicious of Dennis Murphy. Eamon says his caller ID shows that his phone editorial today got four calls from the <i>LaFiorintino Bakery</i>, two calls form Ralph Santaniello, the discharged police employee. Eamon said Rep. Ben Swan also called, and lots of calls from people with Italian names.<br />
</p><center><b>November 3, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Sunny, calm, 46 degrees at 7:15am. </p><p>I'm a conservative. I think Clinton is a bum. I support the Palestinian Liberation Front in their desire to have their land back. I'm also a liberal. I support women's lib, gay liberation, I am pro-choice. I thought Bob Dole was a bum for not addressing NAACP. Labels are dangerous. I'm entitled to my views. <br />
<br />
<i>A.G. Edwards</i> is one of the oldest investment firms in the United States, founded in 1887. The book I bought at <i>Savers</i> the other day <i>Street Gangs Yesterday and Today</i> by James Haskins (1975) has a grubby High School of Commerce bookplate in it. The book has the classic picture of Brando in <i>The Wild One</i> on page 91. <br />
<br />
I am still owed thank you notes from <i>Edwards Bookstore</i>, Sheila McElwaine the library critic and Michaelann Bewsee of ARISE. Not doing too well on thankyous. I also still have not received my book on canings in Singapore, although I did get a nice letter from Gutterman. I also have heard nothing about getting a Buckingham Jr. High t-shirt. </p><p>This evening, Louis Rukeyser's <i>Wall Street Week</i> broadcast their 30th Anniversary program from Carnegie Hall, but I missed it. On the news I did see Ann Hamilton from the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, who I recall spoke so candidly at the Renaissance Group gathering. She was on claiming how Greenfield is booming and they are installing elevators in some of their old buildings. <br />
<br />
Did a load of wash yesterday and the dishes are all done. A few minutes after four yesterday afternoon Prof. Bradley came along in a black blazer trimmed with orange on his way to teach a class at WNEC. Back at the time of McCreech's funeral, I noticed that Our Lady of Sacred Heart looked rather bedraggled on the outside. Now it has either new or cleaned shingles and yesterday workmen were painting the ivory trim on the front of the place. The stucco walls are also clean, the tower has been spruced up and the cross looks like it as been gilded again. How did all this happen without me noticing it? <br />
<br />
So I drove out today at 9:05am to the Trinity Church tag sale and was fourth in line. Melinda McIntosh was first in line and we had a good chat. She asked about the library sale at the Pine Point branch last month and I told her I missed it. The Kosiol's were there and informed me that the South Church sale was a real dud. Young Koziol told me that the Catholic Church has been getting a lot more strict lately. He also told me that Mrs. Gula used to send clippings whenever Bob accomplished something such as a piano recital. They visited Middletown (56 Sears) with some regularity and he remembered all the bric-a-brac on the shelves by the kitchen and said he used to wonder how Mrs. Gula kept them clean. He also recalled how they had a nook like in a diner.<br />
<br />
The Trinity sale was okay, but they didn't have many books. I did get copies of the autobiographies of Nancy Reagan and Eleanor Roosevelt. From there I went to check out the remnants from the South Church sale, and there was little left. I did buy a Wellesley College picture book and <i>The National Geographic Images of the World</i>. Next I swung by Eamon's and dropped off some material, including a <i>Baystate Gas</i> bill he inadvertently gave me along with some magazines. He still hasn't raked his leaves. While I was in the area I decided to stop at the <i>Kentucky Fried Chicken</i> on Liberty and got a variety bucket for $8.99, which did not seem like a deal. Many of the tables needed to be wiped off and one had soda spilled on it. I mentioned they should be wiped clean and the Latino woman running the place nodded but did nothing to remedy the situation. On the way back I stopped off at <i>Angelo's</i> for a few things and got home at 11:45am. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said his leaf man came today at 2:45pm. Eamon complained that there was another erroneous article in the paper about Springfield's bond rating, which according to a phone call he made to <i>Moody's</i> is at Baa3, which is just above junk bond rating, something the paper did not make clear. Eamon said his caller ID showed that his cousin, former Mayor William C. Sullivan, called his answering machine editorial three times recently. He said Sullivan would be interested in his latest editorials, because Catjakis and Neal were aides to Sullivan and Dennis Murphy was an aide to Catjakis. Eamon says he always gets a lot of calls from barrooms, perhaps from those people who don't want to be identified by his caller ID. He says he is also getting a lot of calls from people with Italian names such as Tranghese and Santaniello. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>November 4, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and calm, 52 degrees at 8am. <br />
<br />
George W. Bush is in the news for being arrested 25 years ago for driving while intoxicated in Kennebunkport. The case was leaked by a pro-Gore lawyer and there is much ado about whether it was right for the Democrats to hold onto the information until just before the election. Whatever the case, I remain ashamed of young Bush. In Brockton, Mass a judge has ruled that a 15 year old boy who was barred from school for wearing girl's clothing, including padded bras, wigs and high heels, can return to class. The local news voice on <i>WFCR</i> is a bass whose overtones are hard for me to hear. <br />
<br />
I have been reading so much since Mother died that I sometimes develop eye strain. The mail brought a sweet note from Susann Muehlner of Colby Library, asking whether I had read Ann Tracey's book on cannibalism. This exchange raises all kinds of questions, but I will say no more. Also got a letter from <i>Fleet Bank</i> about their new safety deposit boxes and a flyer from <i>The Judge's Chambers</i>. I dined this evening on franks and beans with fruit juice. <br />
<br />
I am preparing my essay on the Wesley Methodist Church Centennial Celebration. I hope to have a first draft done by Monday. I will send copies to the Bishop, to Goad and to Atty. Berman. I later called Mrs. Staniski to wish her well and she said that her daughter Ann is coming over today. I told her about the sale at Trinity, and she recalled how she stayed with Ann at <i>The Colony</i> in Kennebunkport, Maine in 1998. Mrs. Staniski said she doesn't remember the picture that hung in the dining hall of Wesley that was located beneath Fellowship Hall. It was a plain basement room, painted green with folding chairs and iron pillars. It had a picture hanging in it that I believe was of Anna S. Danforth. Mrs. Staniski said A. Danforth was the leader of the Wesley Church Ladies Club years ago. Dorothy Smith was the Office Manager. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he has received mailings from Caidre at Elms but hasn't renewed his membership. He then recounted how his friend George David used to work for a brokerage house and made money on the side doing drop-offs for the mob. He'd get a call, sometimes in the wee hours of the night, to meet in some coffee shop where someone would give him some money, which he would then deposit in a special bank account in a local bank, he thinks it was at the <i>Springfield Institution for Savings</i>. Eamon complained that his brother Ray the Fire Chief was an intelligent fellow, but he also drank whiskey and did nothing about his high blood pressure. Eamon blamed "stupid Dr. Mudry" for Ray's death because the Doctor liked to talk with his brother about golf more than about addressing his medical needs. <br />
<br />
Eamon then reminisced about how former Mayor Tommy O'Connor had been a star student, and was class president in high school and at Amherst College. He was also president of some prestigious legal group at Georgetown. O'Connor studied Greek as well as Latin and used to write notes with little bits of Latin in them. But Eamon feels that O'Connor sometimes lacked commonsense. He also smoked two packs of cigarettes per day and loved Johnny Walker Red. O'Connor used to buy <i>Fords</i> with a V-8 engine and had special racing tires on his cars. O'Connor thought nothing of driving 80mph on the highway, where he was never stopped because of his official government license plates. <br />
<br />
Eamon's new editorial condemns the "dumbed down Irish of Hungry Hill" for sending mediocrities like Dennis Murphy to Boston. His caller ID shows that Dennis Murphy himself has called his phone editorials three times recently, with lots of calls also coming from <i>The Tavern Restaurant</i>, <i>Sweet Life Foods</i> and the County Courthouse. Eamon claims that the rumors that Murphy wore a wire for the FBI are not true. He also heard that the FBI has sent more agents to investigate Springfield. The probe involving Murphy is operating out of a RICO Federal Task Force in Worcester. The Feds suspect that Murphy has been being paid off by Michael Armitage of <i>Berkshire Power,</i> and that is how Murphy got his fancy new house. They are also looking into a possibly phoney trucking company put together by Murphy and Valerie Barsom to cash in on the Big Dig. I asked Eamon what he thought of Michael Armitage and he laughed and said he didn't really know him but observed, "I don't have to eat the whole egg to know it's rotten."<br />
<br />
<center><b>November 5, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast all day, 53 degrees at 1:30pm.<br />
<br />
<i>The Valley Advocate</i> has endorsed Ralph Nader for President. Sally Field is 54. The Boston Road branch of <i>Fleet Bank</i> is located at 1724 Boston Road in Springfield. Maureen Turner of the <i>Advocate</i> once asked me whether I ever throw anything away, but the truth is I save just the best examples of the things I collect. <br />
<br />
This morning I swung by Mrs. Staniski's to give her a <i>Reader's Digest</i> joke book and when I got there she was just returning with some books and Halloween candy. She said that later she would go to church. From there I headed to the Boston Road <i>McDonald's</i> and had a 99 cent Egg McMuffin and read the paper, after which I went to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres to make copies. While there I picked up a copy of <i>Experience Travel</i> with Carol Leary on the cover. When I left it was sprinkling out, but only briefly. Once I got home, I hung the butterfly shaped crystal light catcher in the picture window with fishing line. It was Mrs. Staniski's last gift to Mother and it makes lots of nice little rainbows all over the place. I also hung the Mt. Rainier painting over the sofa.<br />
<br />
Next I called Aunt Maria's place and noted as I did so that out the window a lot of birds were gathering in the trees over to Mrs. Allard's. Shirley answered the phone. She is starting to be nicer to me, as obviously her opinion of me had previously been poisoned by things that others had told her about me. Shirley said everything is fine with Aunt Maria, who she said was watching skating on TV. I told her that I am sorry that I was born too late for rollerblades. Aunt Maria didn't go to church this morning because they were "running late" but they rarely miss it. We closed by agreeing that this will probably be a hard winter. <br />
<br />
Evelyn Auchter, the widow of Bob Auchter, called at 2:38pm from Raymond Drive in Wilbraham. She said there were originally five Auchter brothers, but two died young. She told me that her husband died of breast cancer that had been diagnosed too late. One brother she said now lives in Texas and the other is a lawyer in Glastonbury. She claimed that she hasn't heard from John R. and his wife in nearly six months, but the last she heard they had sold their place in Monson and moved to Palmer. <br />
<br />
While reading <i>Experience Travel</i> I noticed that it was riddled with grammar errors, so I called them at 565-6626 and John T. Shea answered. He told me he has a published novelist proofreading for him and I told him I would send him a corrected copy that he can "wave in the face of the published novelist if that novelist insists there are no errors." <i>Reeds Landing</i> is asking to be declared a charity so that it will be exempt from paying a $400,000 property tax. What a joke, then all the other retirement facilities would want the same. <i>Reeds Landing</i> is the high citadel of the local WASP aristocrats in their old age. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 6, 2000</b></center><br />
44 degrees at 8am. Gas is $1.53 at Watershops Pond. <br />
<br />
Bush is leading in the polls, but Gore still has a chance. 150 Pleasant Street in Easthampton is offering artist's lofts for $350 per month. I took the front page of the <i>Valley Advocate</i> with their Ralph Nader endorsement on the cover and stapled it to the telephone pole on Birchland Avenue. <br />
<br />
Went out today at 9:15 to the <i>Big Y</i> in the Acres. At the Wilbraham Road edge of the lot were parked four city street sweepers and an orange cab city dump truck #37269. I went into the <i>Bank of Boston</i> now <i>Fleet</i> and cashed my <i>Woronoco</i> check and got a $100 bank check for my Centennial donation to Wesley Methodist Church. When I got back to the car, the street sweepers were gone. From there I drove into Mason Square via Alden and saw that Fred Whitney has Bush for President and Yes on Question 3 signs on his lawn. The northeastern corner of King and Eastern Avenue has a fire hydrant painted with a red, white and blue flag motif that looks pretty good. <br />
<br />
I drove down Hancock and back up State to Wesley Church, where a large blue car was parked with a steering wheel lock on it. I rang the bell and Secretary Arlene Mackie answered the door, short, chubby and impeccably professional. She was jovial, but I suspect she must be sad, lonely and depressed in her situation. I gave her my Centennial essay and check and she gave me a receipt. She also gave me the leaflets for the Centennial Celebration on the week of November 12-17 featuring The Reverend Dr. H. Ward Greer. The motto of the Centennial is "A time to remember and move on, as faith and hope are born again." I was also informed that the Wesley Christmas party will be held at the <i>Westover Club</i> located at the Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee on December 16th. McTye Blackwell is in charge. The Wesley office is about the same as it has ever been. <br />
<br />
However, they had no posters or a Sunday program kicking around. They had a small bulletin board display set up for the Centennial, showing a picture of the old Wesley building and its organ with lilies all around it, plus an old Wesley Church program with an image of the entire church complex. That is their entire historical display, all held up with tacks thru them and no color images. I told Mackie that I was giving the essay to the Goads and she smiled and called them "the youngsters." As I left, I noticed some posters along State Street, so I parked at <i>Walgreens</i> and as I was gathering a poster in front of Rep. Ben Swan's office I decided to go inside. There were all kinds of free periodicals Swan gets from interest groups such as the building trades, higher education, economic development, the Watershed Council, ecology projects and lots of stuff I've never seen elsewhere. The black man at the desk was friendly and said I could take whatever I wanted. <br />
<br />
Next, I drove over to Trinity Methodist where Barb Huber was on duty and she was very polite. She said the ministers were out at meetings. I also gave Huber some reading material for Mrs. Goad and noted that they should return my books some time, but no rush. I also advised her that their photograph of H. Hughes Wagner in the stairwell by the window is getting hit by direct sunlight that is fading the colors and that if they don't relocate it in ten years it will look hideous. I told her I don't feel it would be appropriate for Wagner to be the subject of a stained glass window and she smiled and said "there are a lot of people who agree with you on that." She gave me the Bishop's address and I told her, "I pick fights with everybody." She replied, "It's not fighting if you're right."<br />
<br />
I continued downtown to the <i>Telephone Worker's Credit Union</i> to deposit some paltry dividend checks. From there I walked down Main Street, where a cherry picker was putting up holiday lights similar to <i>Bright Nights</i> on the front of the <i>Peter Pan Bus Station</i>. The <i>PARAMOUNT</i> sign has been replaced by <i>HIPPODROME</i>. <i>The Johnson Bookstore Building</i> now has an art display in both front windows by Donald Blanton's <i>Distinctive Art Studio</i>. The old <i>Five Cents Savings Bank</i> is the Democratic Party campaign headquarters this year. I walked in and they had signs and leaflets all around. By the desk I noticed three message folders. One said "Soco's Messages" which was obviously for Catjakis. Another said "Don Dowd Messages" whom Eamon told me is "an ass-kisser for Senator Kennedy" who lives on Hale Street in West Springfield. The third was for Kevin Kennedy, whom Eamon described in a derogatory tone as an aide to Richie Neal. On the desk was also a list of polling places and that was it. When I left, across the street at the corner of Court Square was a tall, young fellow with a Nader sign. I waved to him and he waved back. <br />
<br />
When I came by the Federal Building there were ten demonstrators from the Hampden County Chapter of Mass Against the Death Penalty protesting against the use of the death penalty in the Kristen H. Gilbert case. I recognized Michaelann Bewsee and I came up to her saying, "Well, look who's here!" She smiled ebulliently and we exchanged pleasantries. I came through <i>Baystate West</i> and the tailor had a back in five minutes sign on his door. I called to the attention of Security Guard 2110 that the tile outside <i>Russell's Photo</i> in the main entrance way was elevated a quarter of an inch and someone might trip on it. He asked if I had fallen and I said no, but somebody might. His parting words were "I'll call Engineering." From downtown I went over to West Springfield to the <i>Home Town Buffet</i> for liver and onions. Riverdale Drive is dug up, but the traffic was flowing. The noontime business was good but not packed. On the way home I noticed that <i>Cafe Lebanon</i> on State is now the <i>Bamboo Garden Chinese Restaurant</i>. When I got home, I saw that my Moriarty for Governor's Council sign had disappeared. Maybe kids walking from Duggan had swiped it. Kelly had 27 bags of leaves by the curb. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and complained that he never hears from the Knights of Columbus. He told me his City Hall sources tell him that Anthony Ardolino has cleaned out his desk and is no longer working in the Mayor's office. Rumors abound that Ardolino ran an informal dating service for local politicians, and Eamon believes that the corruption scandals in the city would get more attention if there was a sexual angle. Eamon said that his caller ID showed that Dennis Murphy called his phone editorial four times yesterday and three times today. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 7, 2000</b></center><br />
Cloudy, calm, 44 degrees at 9am.<br />
<br />
The news had a story on a person speaking at WNEC who calls themself The Fun Nun and who says that laughter is good for you because it releases hormones that are good for your health. What would Sokol think of that? Tonight on <i>TV22</i> they had a long segment on the Seuss statues. I noticed driving on Chestnut recently that the vacant lot where there was once an urn between the Museum of Fine Arts and the old <i>WSPR</i> building now has an immense hole with some round foundation in the middle. Susan Davison, the VP for marketing and development, was on TV saying that when Dr. Seuss came to Springfield over 14 years ago, the idea was raised of making sculptures in bronze. "Raised the idea" is very ambiguous as it doesn't make clear who had the idea, Dr. Seuss or someone else. Anyway, the sculptures are due to arrive in about a year and a half.<br />
<br />
This year at <i>Commerce 2000</i> I left virtually no cards behind because I consider doing so a waste of good business cards. I called the complaint number for <i>Kentucky Fried Chicken</i> today and spoke with Linda in Atlanta about my experience at the Liberty Street <i>KFC</i> and how it is inferior to the one on Riverdale in West Springfield. I told them how Liberty had a sign in the window advertising 10 legs and thighs for $7.99, but they weren't offering the special inside. The West Springfield <i>KFC</i> told me they don't even have that special. I also told how the tables were all dirty at Liberty and even when I told them politely about it when they had no customers, they did nothing to remedy the situation. <br />
<br />
I took off the doorknobs into the living room and gave them a good cleaning, the first I suspect since we moved in. I sent a copy of my Wesley Centennial essay to Bishop S. W. Hassinger with a note that said in part, <i>"Your predecessor was a good man, but in attending his appearances at Trinity, East Longmeadow, Florence and Ludlow, I heard the same sermon with the same anti-Catholic joke three times. If you are a Bishop, people will travel some distance to hear you and you can't use the same stuff over and over again."</i> I also called <i>Red Baron Pizza</i> and told them that their deep dish pizza is mostly crust. They didn't ask who was calling. Next I called Claudia R. at <i>Cat's Paw</i>, who said she got the pictures I sent her. She said they are planning on selling their shop because the antique business is increasingly moving online and told me they have been in business for 14 years. I also called George Guizonis at <i>A.G. Edwards</i> to complain that the recent statement they sent me was confusing. Unknown called at 4:14pm. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and told me that Steve Burke the fireman passed the bar exam and is sending a blistering letter to WNEC Law School complaining that they wouldn't admit him because they considered him unlikely to succeed, forcing him to log about 35,000 extra miles commuting to the law school in Boston that did accept him. There is a wonderful letter in <i>The Reminder</i> this week from Verne McArthur of the Coalition for Children's Library Hours about how Joe Carvalho from the Quad contacted Terry Regina and told her to discipline Duggan teacher Melinda A. Pellerin for urging students to become active in campaigning for more library hours. The letter says Carvalho's conduct "shows a serious disregard for free speech and education in a Democratic society."<br />
<br />
I received an angry note in the mail today from the Rev. Cordella J. Brown of Wesley Church, returning the $100 check I sent them for their Centennial and dismissing my essay as "a diatribe." It read <i>"Atty Miller, Enclosed is your check! Your essay shows NO RESPECT for us and our intelligence. We have done quite well assembling and disseminating to our congregation Wesley's history. Your diatribe is insulting! We are not receiving endowment funds for the Centennial. - Rev. Cordella Brown."</i> Charming. She is obviously unfit to be a Methodist minister, the first that I have encountered locally. <br />
<br />
Today was Election Day and I was the 753rd person to vote at 2:40pm. When I got back I left a <i>Boston Herald</i> in the Penniman's doorway and a bag of this and that at the Cohn's. I saw a white cat over at Kelly's. Someone called today urging me to vote and was identified on my machine as James Parent, whom I think I recognize as an educator from West Springfield. I told him I already voted 17 times and hung up. I spent the evening reading newspapers and watching the election results, which when I went to bed were inconclusive. Dennis Murphy was on <i>TV40</i> repeatedly, giving his interpretation of the returns. I wonder if Eamon saw that?<br />
<br />
<center><b>November 8, 2000</b></center><br />
A mild day, 44 degrees at 7:50am. <br />
<br />
The presidential election is a big mess. Ralph Nader is denying responsibility for costing Gore the election. Nader got 6% of the vote in Massachusetts and 3% nationwide. Bush is trailing in the popular vote so if he wins it will be through the Electoral College. Whoever wins will have no mandate for anything. A recent survey says that what voters want most is politicians they can trust. George Stephanopolis on TV said that Florida is all in the same time zone, but the panhandle is Central Time. Marshall Moriarty lost his race pretty big but was on TV in front of the Civic Center as a Republican Party spokesperson. <br />
<br />
<i>The Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House</i> in Holyoke is having a Real Millennium Celebration on December 31 featuring DJ Brian Fowler. The Melha Shriners are on Longhill Street in Springfield. Sunday's paper had an ad by the paper saying, "<i>The Union-News</i> is your source for complete local and national results from the first election of the century." But of course we do not have complete results from the presidential race, so I called down to the paper and got Joan and told her that their advertisement was misleading and how could I get a refund? She politely dismissed me without seeing my point. <br />
<br />
I saw an advertisement on TV for <i>Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan and Blakeslee</i> for insurance claims. Watercolorist Rose M. Simon of Longmeadow, who died last month, was the snob who went up to Mother at a Symphony Meeting some years ago and said, "I'm Rose Simon and whoooo are you?" Probably Mother was overly sensitive, but they did not make her feel welcome. Ms. Simon occasionally wrote letters to the newspaper and maybe ten years ago I sent a letter to her home telling her how she had hurt Mother's feelings but not to bother to reply. <br />
<br />
I went to bed around one and was up at 4:30am. I drove out this morning to the <i>Mobil</i> in the Acres and Alex said he can do my car on Friday, suggesting I may need new transmission fluid. When I got back, I called the secretary Arlene Mackie at Wesley and told her that Rev. Brown is mad at me, but I am proud of my essay and sent the same thing to the Bishop. I told her that Wesley Church will hear no more from me, and I speak for a number of people who are still alive. I stressed to Mackie, however, that I consider her to be a nice lady and God bless you and hung up. Later, Unknown called and I did not answer. <br />
<br />
I opened the breezeway after the noon stock market report and found my <i>Oak Knoll</i> book shipment on the doormat. The mail brought an invitation from Mayor Albano to the 22nd Tip Off Classic at $125 per ticket. Eamon called and he got a number of calls from prominent people today, according to his Caller ID. He received calls from Brian Lees, <i>Western Union</i>, Michael del Negro, <i>The Civic Pub</i>, Tony Ravosa, <i>The Spirit Shop</i>, John O'Neil, <i>Stephen's Discount</i>, <i>The Key Program</i>, Lillian Santaniello, Deezer Sullivan, Roger Barrett, Phillips at MCDI, Dennis Murphy and Brian Santaniello. He also said that he received a late night call from a public official who spies for him, saying that Dennis Murphy and Valerie Barsom are involved with a shady trucking company that bills the Big Dig $500 per hour for services that may be non-existent. The source told Eamon it is unlikely that Murphy and Barsom will be indicted as it would be too expensive to take the case to trial. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 9, 2000</b><br /></center><p>
Sunny, calm and 45 degrees this morning.</p><p>In my youth I recall hearing stories of how in the old days the Polish and Irish boys up in Chicopee used to rumble in the parks. <br /></p><p>Once upon a time Springfield was a publishing center, but nobody has made an effort to study that aspect of our past. Fifteen years ago I proposed we compile a bibliography of Springfield imprints, but nobody was interested. I own three printing presses, a flat bed, a table top and a treadle type. </p><p>Springfield may have been a publishing center, but I don't know of a single antique printing press that has survived. I recall that at one time there was a Benjamin Franklin type press and a Colombian press with an eagle on it as well as a couple of Acorn presses owned by local shops. </p><p>I urged the Quadrangle to acquire them for display in the Pynchon building, and I also spoke to <i>Storrowtown</i>. Nothing was done and the places that owned them went out of business and their antique presses have disappeared. <br />
<br />
Last night on <i>TV57's Lehrer Report</i>, Marvin Kalb was on and said that the way the media handled the election returns by projecting the winner in some states too soon "was a very large mistake." Mark Shields was on with him and said that Bush "seemed sublimely confident last night" until the awarding of Florida to him was retracted. Senator Arlen Spector of Pennsylvania intends to introduce a Constitutional amendment to dump the Electoral College saying, "The majority vote should prevail."</p><p>I blame the Clinton scandals for Gore's weak showing. Although Clinton was not removed from office, the impeachment trial damaged the Democrats. What would be nice is an announcement from George W. that he wants to be remembered for doing the noble thing, and since Gore won the popular vote he is stepping aside for him. Ho ho ho. <br />
<br />
The price of tickets to <i>Disneyland</i> has been raised to $49. The <i>Masslive.com</i> offices are on West Street in Northampton. Their motto is, "Where WMass lives on the web!" <i>The Publick House Historic Inn and Country Motor Lodge</i> charges $36 for their Hyland Orchard Dinner. For lunch today I had chicken soup and two grilled cheese sandwiches. Drove out at quarter to two solely to put the mail out at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. While there, I ran into retired cop Bobby Brown and we exchanged pleasantries. <i>WFCR</i> is in the midst of their seasonal fundraising drive and are boasting that they adhere to the "old fashioned journalistic values of substance, context and in-depth analysis."<br />
<br />
Established in 1841, Springfield Cemetery was one of the first non-profit, non-sectarian cemeteries in Western Mass. It is located on Maple Street and James Mooney is the General Manager. I remember the spring following Mother's death I went on a tour of Springfield Cemetery and we stopped at the crematorium (it is a tad messy with boxes of medallions in the back) but on the whole it remains a lovely Richardsonian-Romanesque Edwardian space. I had a good chat with the workers and asked them if it is ever possible to be present for a cremation. Although I had been denied access to Mother's cremation, the workers said that many Orientals like to be present and frequently are. I wrote to Springfield Cemetery about it, but never received a reply. <br />
<br />
I called Mrs. Staniski and she sounded unusually chipper. She told me she just got back from the doctor and feels quite good. She said Ann will be visiting on Saturday and thanked me for calling. Someone named Carolyn from <i>Walmart</i> called looking for <i>Storrowtown Tavern</i>. I chatted with her about legal poetry. That wrong number reminded me to call <i>Time Design</i>, where Anna connected me to the answering machine of Tony Bastos and I left word saying I've had too many calls for <i>Storrowtown</i> from them and I don't want anymore! I missed a call from Andrew P. Tieman. Unknown called at 12:24pm. I picked up and said, "If you want to be unknown to me, then I shall be unknown to you!" Silence on the other end so I hung up.<br />
</p><center><b>November 10, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Overcast and 52 degrees at 8:15am.</p><p>I write things down so that I can forget them. <br />
<br />
At this point, I hope Gore gets to be president. Bush was on TV today, over-confident and with too much make-up on. I do, however, support the Republcan's demand that recounts be held in other close states such as Iowa and Wisconsin. It wouldn't surprise me if out of this mess we learn that the accuracy of election results in general are questionable. <br />
<br />
A Massachusetts judge ruled yesterday that tattooing is an art form protected by the Constitution. A judge has also ordered the liquidation of <i>New England Fidelity</i>, according to today's business page in the <i>Union-News</i>. There is also a story about how poor Tommy Burton lost the bid to buy a <i>Fleet Bank</i> building being auctioned off. It looks like the <i>United Cooperative Bank</i> in the Acres is moving into the old <i>Heritage/Community/Shawmut/Fleet</i> building - isn't it ridiculous all the names that bank has had! <br />
<br />
I decided to forgo the first day of the St. Cecelia tag sale today and took the car down to <i>Mobil</i> and left it with Alex. It doesn't seem they have the business they used to, but they are no longer an inspection station. Alex will give the car a road test and be done with it by the end of the day. He drove me home, road testing the car he had in the bay, and I picked up the <i>Union-News Extra</i> that was under my mailbox in a purple bag. <br />
<br />
I don't like the new <i>A&P Food Mart</i> circular that came in the paper. It has pictures of too much stuff, I refuse to read it all. Each item is presented equally by a picture in a square box with a price. I'm not going to read through all that garbage. I decided I would call somebody about it and I know their regional office is somewhere on Cooley where the pet shop was. I looked in the phone book but couldn't find it, so decided to call a <i>Food Mart</i> store. I dialed 796-3600 and got a tape saying I should "call back during normal business hours, Monday thru Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm." This was at 9:17am!<br />
<br />
That answering machine was impertinent to me because it told me to call back during regular business hours and I was calling at the right time. I tried another store, the one on Belmont, and got Nancy and she had all the answers. She even agreed with my complaint about the circular. She told me the main office is at 419 Cooley Street in Springfield and the person I should talk to is Dianne Ryan. I congratulated Nancy on the excellent help she had given me. However, when I called I was told that Dianne Ryan is out today and was connected instead to Debbie O'Malley. <br />
<br />
I gave O'Malley my name, address and phone number and reminded her that she was getting paid to deal with me, not I for dealing with her. Then I told her what a fine help Nancy had been. I said the new circular is very pretty, but because every food item is represented uniformly, I simply don't have time to read over all those offers every week. I said I preferred the old circulars that had only forty or fifty items, rather than a book of several hundred. We had a pleasant conversation, but the whole endeavor took up a full hour of my time. At the end she said she would send me a gift certificate and then thanked me for calling. <br />
<br />
Next I called Ann Staniski at her mother's and we had a nice chat. I played for her over the phone my new antique <i>Estey</i> organ. She told me that the organ she plays at the Lutheran Church down in Boston is an old <i>Estey</i>, and that she has a wonderful choir to direct. The church is located just six minutes from where she lives. I reminded her that her mom's birthday is December 11th. Joe Zajac Jr. from the Masons called and wanted to get together to talk about membership, but I said it would be better for them to send me their literature first. He was calling from the Chicopee Lodge of Masons. Unknown rang once at 3:11pm.<br />
<br />
At 3:54 Alex at <i>16 Acres Mobil</i> called and said he fixed the transmission and break soles for $102.89. The car now seems to work fine. After leaving <i>Mobil</i> I stopped at the card shop and the guy told me they've been there nine years. He told me R. Crumb puts out a book of comix every year and that someone in Easthampton is still involved in the <i>Kitchen Sink Press</i>. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and told me that someone who was being interrogated in the corruption probe refused to speak until threatened with jail. We talked a bit about the wonderful article in the <i>Valley Advocate</i> this week about Mike Armitage, showing how ex-City Councilor Raipher Pellegrino is now involved with Armitage and the Brunos. Eamon recalled how Judge Pellegrino was a nobody like Frank Freedman, and only got his job because he was in Lander's law office. <br /></p><center><b>November 11, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Veteran's Day. Overcast all day, 50 degrees at 8:10am. Gas in Wilbraham is $1.55.</p><p>I am a grammarian and I have the greatest fun with government documents, correcting the English in them. <br />
<br />
It has been determined that Oregon went for Gore and Bush won narrowly in New Mexico. This whole election mess is absurd, but may do some good if it results in elections being held more professionally. It is ironic how we are having an election crisis considering how often Jimmy Carter has gone to countries to determine the fairness of their elections. Now the microscope is on us! Last night Mark Shields called George W. Bush "presumptuous and arrogant." I'll go along with that, off with his head! <br />
<br />
The other day Eamon noted how Toots Nardi, brother of Willy and Uncle of Alphonse, was in the obituaries recently. <i>The Best Western Sovereign Hotel</i> is on Riverdale Street in West Springfield. Paul McDonough called wanting <i>Storrowtown</i>, said he was sorry. Debra Ehnstrom is the Admissions Councilor for the Sea Education Association in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. There was a single clump of red clover growing beside my driveway this summer. <br />
<br />
I went to the second day of the St. Cecilia tag sale and did well on books. From there I drove out to my land in Wilbraham. The ranch house down next to Boston Road no longer has a for sale sign on it and the Larson house on Plumtree has a SOLD on their <i>Lortie Realty</i> sign. On the way to Fernbank I recalled how back when my parents were alive we would dig for mosses for a terrarium this time of year. The Maynard Road hill really is a mess. The buildings at Fernbank are secure, however, the little camp right on the edge of the river has open windows. The place next door had a blue car in front and a deep green truck as well. Next to the garden shack was a little black car and a cream colored car was parked besides a rowboat that was turned over for the winter. The place is starting to look like a used car lot. <br />
<br />
From Fernbank I headed back to the city, where I got a sausage McMuffin at the <i>McDonald's</i> by <i>Stop&Shop</i>. Then I went to <i>Food Mart</i> where the 16 Acres Civic Association was having a food drive. There were clowns bending balloons. I told the person running the food drive how I sent some pictures to Chief Meara from her appearance at the Association, but never got a thank you note. In a cynical tone he said that Paula Meara never sends thank you notes. <i>Food Mart</i> is having a sale on luncheon meat at $1.29 per pound instead of $1.59.<br />
<br />
No mail today because it's a holiday. When I got home, I sang Happy Veteran's Day to Eamon's answering machine and then put a pumpkin pie in the oven. Eamon has been changing his answering machine editorials more often lately. His latest raised questions about whether Mayor Albano has used campaign money to fix up his house. Eamon further criticized Albano for having Frankie Keough as "his key advisor." He also asks why corruption investigations in Springfield always originate from outside agencies instead of from District Attorney William Bennett.<br />
<br />
</p><center><b>November 12, 2000</b></center><br />
An absolutely beautiful day. 60 degrees at 3pm.<br />
<br />
The evening news says that Al Gore has a 218,000 popular vote lead over Bush. Chad is the name for the piece of paper that is punched out of a voting card. I think it is wonderful how this election mess is giving the Florida poll workers a lot of unexpected overtime. <i>NBC News</i> says that more than 200 Palestinians have been killed by Israel in the last 45 days. Why should the Palestinians do anything but fight on? <i>Don's Plumbing and Heating</i> was located in West Springfield in 1996. <br />
<br />
I went out today from 9:45am to 12:45pm, three hours on the button. I stopped to have an egg McMuffin at the Allen Street <i>McDonald's</i>, then drove around the poor section of Winchester/Mason Square for some time. My goal was to find the black Masonic Temple so I rode around the Square noticing things. About 11:15am there were 48 cars in the Wesley Church parking lot. Meantime, St. John's Congregational Church was packed, there were signs at either side of Union Street that the street is closed to all but eastbound one-way traffic on Sunday from 8 to 2. Cars were parked all along the church side of the street, and across Hancock another parking lot with a guy in a security guard uniform was waving cars into the lot. <br />
<br />
Alden Baptist Church looks beautiful with the church bricks cleaned and the windows restored. Not as mobbed as St. John's, but with lots of cars in the parking lot across the street. I went over to the old <i>Friendly's</i>, now long boarded up, and pulled down some posters. It is covered with them. Throughout the neighborhood there was brand new "affordable" housing, even some the church may own on Pendleton. Between Orleans, Tyler and Quincy is a large vacant lot where I dimly remember there being a brick factory building. In the back of the Tyler portion of this large, empty lot are two small units of government housing. <br />
<br />
The old Paul Mason house at 175 Quincy still looks good, and directly across the street is a cute little cottage painted brown. Needs work, but a gem that deserves to be restored. A great variety of houses, some may go back to 1830 and certainly to 1850. There is restoration going on at 87 Quincy, and 22 Quincy is a very old house, perhaps originally a farmhouse. There are two cute 1880ish brick houses behind the Christian Science Church on Lillian Street, both in need of restoration. There is a fabulously restored hip Victorian at 59 Stebbens on the corner of Union, with a plainer Victorian at 53 Stebbens. Around the corner at 560 Union the tower needs restoration. <br />
<br />
The Wesley Methodist sexton's house at the edge of Wesley Park is just as it was when Mr. Jones and the Bixby's lived there, but with black shutters and new front steps. There are churches all over the place, most of them in buildings that have much more character than the modern Wesley Church, such as the Freedom House of God at 563 Union Street. I finally found the black Masons building at 257 Tyler Street, called Lodge No. 5, opposite a three story house with no trespassing signs where white people were working in the yard. <br />
<br />
From there I went to <i>Angelo's</i> and bought some nice things. Then I went to an open house at 81 Jonquil and I swear it is the same place where there was a miniature golf course out back and where I once attended a fabulous tag sale. The brokerlady told me that the current seller is moving to Wilbraham. It has a fully renovated attic, a half-basement playroom, finished and carpeted, a screened porch but strangely, no garage. The asking price is $119,514. On the way back I noticed that someone has put up Found Dog signs all along Wilbraham Road near WNEC. <br />
<br />
I had <i>Progresso Lentil Soup</i> for lunch with lots of fruit throughout the day, then spent the afternoon writing to the Masons. I have an idea for a book which would begin with my letter to Paul Fulssel and then other key essays which when combined would constitute my autobiography. The news tonight showed scenes from a party the <i>Springfield Journal</i> put on to celebrate their merger with the <i>Bravo</i> arts publication. They also showed the art show at the Mill in Indian Orchard. The paper says the announcement of a developer for Union Station is imminent. We shall see. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 14, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast and calm, 46 degrees at 7am.<br />
<br />
I was sick of hearing about the election, and now I am sick of hearing about the recount. Polls show that the secular and experience oriented voted for Gore, while those who are religious and value honesty and leadership voted for Bush. On <i>WFCR</i> a guy from the Manhattan Institute said that Gore would have won easily if not for Monicagate. He defended Clinton saying, "Adultery is not an impeachable offense." President Clinton is going to visit Vietnam and other Asian places, getting in all the travel he can before he has to quit. The president of the Philippines has been impeached for taking bribes from gambling interests. In April 1996 I sent a letter to Robert Whitelaw about the mineral collection at the Quadrangle, but he never responded. <i>Jim Ferris Electrical Co.</i> was located in Springfield in 1997.<br />
<br />
November is getting on. The price of a postage stamp will go up to 34 cents January 7th, postcards will remain at 20 cents. I cooked up a dish of hamburg and spaghetti today, one of Mother's favorite meals. <i>WFCR</i> has announced that the way they are being charged for their programming by <i>NPR</i> has changed, they are now charged by the size of their audience rather than how much money they raise. Jerry Franklin of <i>CPTV</i> is appearing in a fundraising ad, shown sitting in an office with clutter all around, pretending to be just a little guy like you and me, when in fact he gets an enormous salary. The <i>Pellegrini etc.</i> law office is advertising that they are "the only firm that can handle big cases." That sounds like a lie.<br />
<br />
Went out at 1:45pm today and made copies at <i>CopyCat</i>. They showed me a program they are printing for the Wesley Church Centennial which has a picture of the new church but not the old. I mailed a letter to Nader the Hatter at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. I also mailed Dickie Drysdale a copy of a letter I sent to <i>The Reminder</i> years ago, praising them for printing the school honor rolls. Afterwards I drove to <i>Fleet Bank</i> in the Acres to cash a $100 check, before going across to the Acres <i>Big Y</i>, where I ran into Mr. Anzalotti. He said he decided to give up being a poll worker after 50 years, saying it is too hard for him to get out of bed that early in the morning. Anzolotti said he never dreamed he'd see a mess like the 2000 presidential election. I headed over to <i>Burger King</i> and got a medium order of fries with a coupon. The girl worker that is always so friendly immediately said hi to me and asked where I've been. I told her that since Mother died I haven't been going out as much. She said she hasn't been as active lately either, which she said is too bad because she is getting fat. My order number at <i>Burger King</i> was #72 at 3pm. Out front an ultra modern <i>Dunkin Donuts</i> has been completed, I'll have to check it out soon. <br />
<br />
When I got back, I left a <i>Boston Herald</i> at the Penniman's. Once inside my house I saw that Unknown had called four times. I called Shirley and told her to tell Aunt Maria that Irene C. Stafford has died. Then I called Mother's best friend, Mrs. Staniski, and she told me that the doctor took out her stitches yesterday, but she made no mention of my essay on Wesley Church. <i>ABC News</i> showed Judge John Miller of Broward County, Florida, who is in charge of the recount. He has long white hair like Timothy Collins from the Springfield Teacher's Union. There was also a story on the local news about how the Commerce Department says that retail sales are down, but they interviewed a woman who owns a clothing store in Northampton and she said business is up at her store and throughout downtown Northampton. <br />
<br />
Evidence of Springfield's decline can be subtle. <i>WFCR</i> had an ad on today mentioning driving to work and referred to "your trip into Hartford." Notice they did not say "your trip into Springfield." Eamon called and told me that he is getting a lot of calls to his phone editorials these days. He said F. Keough called three times yesterday. A Lil Santaniello is also calling a lot. Eamon thinks the local crooks are afraid of what he appears to know. Eamon feels certain that Tom Vannah of the <i>Valley Advocate</i> has a "direct line" into the corruption probe, and he is encouraging Vannah to leak information to him. Eamon said that Vannah told him that Anthony Ardolino is making a pile of money off the <i>Civic Pub</i>. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 15, 2000</b></center><br />
Thin, high clouds, sunny, 49 degrees at 9:30am.<br />
<br />
Someday I shall die and it's nothing to get excited about. <br />
<br />
Thanksgiving is early this year. The paper says the number of people who came to the Open Pantry last month increased by 600 despite talk that the economy is improving. The article said that the 16 Acres Civic Association collected over a thousand pounds of food at their food drive at <i>Food Mart</i> last week. Since Mother died I have slowly been disposing of her bag collection, but there are still hundreds in the basement. <br />
<br />
The big news today is the merger of <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> and <i>United Cooperative Bank</i>. They said on <i>TV22</i> that the merger has been talked about for two months. I wonder if the collapse of <i>New England Fidelity</i> had anything to do with this? It is being called the union of two equals and Ray Labbie will preside over it all until he retires at the end of the year, at which point Tom Burton will become president. The headquarters will be in downtown Springfield. <i>United Cooperative</i> has 154 employees and none will be cut. <i>Hampden</i> has 74 employees. I wonder if a public comments hearing will be part of the approval process? <br />
<br />
I have a major publication coming out in a few weeks. I am presently engaged in a retrospective reading of my correspondence for the last decade. It fills about 20 archive boxes. I am making good progress reviewing the papers. 80,000 noteslips comprise my database in law and literature. Some of them are notes I took, but a great many are things from Hamilton lists, book catalogs, professional society journals and other things of legal significance. Databases are built of many tiny grains of information.<br />
<br />
I mailed out my bills at the <i>Breckwood Shops</i>, then drove over to see Mrs. Staniski, who looks chipper. I cut the bushes behind her garage for her. I used the ladder and when I finished she was grateful. Mrs. Staniski said she had mentioned the need to cut the bushes to her daughter Carol, but she said Carol seldom comes over. Once again, she never said a word about the Wesley Centennial essay I sent her. She gave me a pile of magazines from Ann. After I left there, I went to <i>Sipersteins</i> for a gallon of <i>Elmer's Glueall</i> for $12.95. The bottle was so dusty, I asked If I could have a discount since it had obviously been on the shelf for quite a while. He let me have it for $11.44 plus 57 cents tax for a total of $12.01. I gave him $13 and he gave me a dollar back. I went to the car, got a penny and gave it to him.<br />
<br />
From there I went to <i>Redbrick Bookstore</i> to get copies of <i>Hungry Hill</i> magazine. The cover has a picture of Al Gore, Melinda Phelps and Richard Neal, standing together with Melinda in the middle. It also has a second article by Moriarty of Elms on the history of the college. Obviously Moriarty and the editor Faulkner are thicker than thieves. <i>Redbrick</i> was having a sale, so I bought Lawler's <i>Columbus and Magellan</i> and a 1956 A.I.C. Yearbook with pictures in it of Spoerl, Whitelaw, Bowen and others in it. Next I swung by Eamon's, and while passing <i>Smith & Wesson</i> I saw that there were not many cars in the parking lot. There was no sign of life at Eamon's except for the dog barking inside, so I left my bag of reading material on his back doorknob. <br />
<br />
From Eamon's, I decided to to drive up Springfield Street to the Faulkner residence at 192. That is the address listed for both Faulkner and <i>Hungry Hill</i> magazine. It is a large 1900ish house with East Longmeadow brownstone blocks supporting the porch. There is a carriage house out back. Very swanky. <i>The 1946 City Directory</i> says it belonged to Joseph P. Moriarty, a lawyer whose office was at 31 Elm Street. Later I asked Eamon if he knew who Joseph Moriarty was and he said he was the cousin of Thomas Moriarty, the District Attorney years ago. He said Joseph's specialty in law was real estate transactions. I drove around downtown for a bit. The tattoo parlor the <i>Viper's Nest</i> appears empty, and the Exeter Building is still standing. It would be a shame to destroy it, but the old factory behind it probably should come down. The new facade of Santaniello's <i>Mardi Gras</i> is all finished and looks real snazzy. <br />
<br />
On my way back I went to the <i>Bank of Western Mass</i> and withdrew $900, then took it over to <i>United Cooperative</i> at 1954 Wilbraham Road and opened a 3 year CD with Donna Nolan in the precise amount Burton refunded me when he threw me out of his bank - $1,024.05. Nolan told me they will be moving into the <i>Community</i>/<i>Shawmut</i>/<i>Fleet</i> building and will be offering safety deposit banks. When I left the bank it was sprinkling. I looked around back where the hardware store was and there is now five doors, maybe they expect to have five shops in them. I still haven't been in the new <i>Dunkin Donuts</i>. When I got home, I discovered that Unknown had called five times. I called Mrs. Berselli, but she said for me to call again as she was just leaving to see her hematologist Dr. Steinberg. <br />
<br />
Although I don't maintain a law office and never bill anybody for anything, I give basic free copyright advice to everybody in sight, even though another lawyer would charge at least $100 or so. Among those who have followed my copyright advice are the Modern Language Association, the New England Historic Genealogical Association and the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. In law we call this pro bono, I call it simply doing good. The subject of the Irish are almost the last of my interests. However, in 1996 I sent a letter to the Holyoke St. Patrick's Day Committee telling them what kind of copyright notice to put at the end of their TV programming. I always watch the St. Patty's Day Mass to see if I can catch the Bishop saying nasty things about WASPS and casting aspersions on Yankee hospitality and sweat shops. Bishop Marshall never did so, which is why I like him, and Richard Neal is impeccably polite to Protestant gatherings, even as he cranks out all the political benefits he can by attacking WASPS before Irish audiences. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 17, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Red sky at dawn, sunny and 52 degrees at 2pm.<br />
<br />
George W. Bush is making an ass of himself and the Republican Secretary of State in Florida has disallowed additional time for recounts. The election continues to be a mess, both candidates are depressing and this just rubs it in. WNEC Law Professors Wolfe, Miller and a fatter, more jovial Harpas were on the local news talking about the election. Art Wolf said the election mess is actually for the good in the long run because it will result in reforms in the way elections are conducted. I have said the exact same thing. </p><p>Bill Clinton is the first President to visit Vietnam. Arguably it is an insult to all the suckers who died there. In 1992 Dr. Negroni said he had completed four chapters of a book he said would be entitled <i>Transforming America's Public Schools: America's Last Hope</i>. I decided to call the School Department and ask them about it. Ms. Shea told me "he never completed that project."<br />
<br />
<i>Turley Publications</i> of Palmer launched <i>Senior Life</i> in 1994. Wesley Church now has a centennial banner across the front. In going through my papers today, I came upon a May 1992 letter from R.E.L. Strider thanking me for information about several things, including the "strange kind of hassle about the order of DeMolay and our friend Jim Johnson." The August <i>Colby Alumnus</i> magazine with Bill Cosby on the cover had a full page feature on Jimmy on page 68. The best find of all was the first portion of Father's autobiography written on yellow-lined paper. <br />
<br />
Before going out today, I called Dianne Wilson, Labbe's secretary, and warned her that I would call Labbe about Burton after Thanksgiving. I then called Tom Burton's secretary and warned her that I would soon be calling Mr. Labbe "about what I think of your bank and the way I was treated". "Okay," she said, "I'll give him the message." </p><p>I drove out mid-morning to get the newspaper with the <i>Hampden</i>/<i>United</i> merger in it, then over to <i>CopyCat</i> to make copies. They kindly gave me a copy of the program from the Wesley Centennial they printed. It completely glosses over the issues surrounding the fire and the tearing down of the old church. There is no mention of Trinity or the Goads, although the Mackies are conspicuous. I had shown an interest last spring in helping with the centennial but nobody contacted me, so few people with ties to the old church are mentioned. At least now I don't have to go searching for a program.<br />
<br />
When I got back home Eamon called and said he is done with my book and will put it out on his porch for me to pick up. He said he spoke to Vannah at the <i>Advocate</i>, who told him they are sitting on a mountain of stuff and that Mike Armitage will be on next week's cover. So I drove out again, this time to Eamon's, who has a turkey flag out now, and picked up my book <i>The Coming Anarchy</i> and left a thin bag of reading material for him. I then drove down Carew and over to West Springfield to check out the <i>United Cooperative</i> headquarters. <br />
<br />
Elm Street is a lovely business district with no parking meters. I parked in the lot at <i>CVS</i> and saw that <i>United Cooperative Bank</i> has a lovely building. <i>Hampden's</i> ivory with rust trim, pictures covered with plexiglass and orange insurance signs make Burton a sort of ugly banker. By contrast, <i>United Cooperative</i> has a forest green carpet, ivory paneling on the walls and tasteful schlock artwork of West Springfield scenes presented behind non-glare glass. The three best paintings were by Dianne I. Cote - <i>Park Street Common</i>, <i>Bear Hole Reservoir</i> and <i>Mittineague Park</i>. There is a spiral staircase going upstairs that reminds me of Ludlow. I got a copy of their latest statement, then told Kelly and another woman that I think the merger is a mistake. <br />
<br />
When I got back to the city, I parked by the Baptist Church and headed down to the place in the Tarbell-Watters building where Eamon gets his copies made. They charge five cents per copy, with color copies for a dollar. Eamon's friend is a friendly guy and accommodating. From there I walked down Worthington Street, where I noticed about five new bars although the <i>Viper's Nes</i>t tattoo parlor is gone, replaced by a fortune teller. I stopped by <i>Mailboxes</i> in <i>Baystate West</i> and they were charging copies at two cents each. The owner admitted to me that at two cents per copy they were barely breaking even. For $40 I could get a thousand copies of my letterhead, enough to last me about one year. When I left I counted 33 people in the City Block area and there was very little traffic on Main Street. Walking past <i>Hampden Bank</i> I saw few customers inside. Suddenly I was surprised to see Tom Burton himself coming out the door in a tweed jacket and marching to the car I had always suspected was his. I got back home at 1:15pm and saw that in the mail Mrs. Staniski had sent me a thank you note for cutting the bushes around her garage. While I was out, Unknown called at 1:02pm. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>November 18, 2000</b></center><br />
Bush's lead over Gore in Florida has grown to 927 votes. Since Gore got the most votes nationwide, I feel he should be President. Fair is fair. Paula F. Mark was the Instructional Service Librarian for the UMass Library in 1993. Robert J. Gula and Roberto Crespi were my two best buddies at Colby, both now deceased. Gula died in 1989 at age 47 and Crespi died in 1993 at age 50. I dropped out of the University of Wisconsin PHD program after some people in the English Department didn't like some of the things I'd done. <br />
<br />
I had <i>Creme of Wheat</i> and an orange for breakfast. Going through my papers today, I found a March 1990 letter from Barbara A. Patterson of the USPS stating that "Metered mail must bear the date of entry when it is submitted to the post office." Interestingly, I had received that year two offending pieces of mail, one from <i>Baybank Valley</i> and another from the Board of Bar Overseers. I also came across a postcard from Joe Carvalho thanking me for sending him a copy of <i>The Pilgrim Society News</i> saying, "I was not aware of that particular publication." <br />
<br />
Drove out at 9:15am and there were snow flurries when I got to the <i>Big Y</i> parking lot in the Acres. In the <i>Big Y</i> I bought a pecan pie for $2.50. I saw that working as a bagger at <i>Big Y</i> was Mrs. Tomoe, the lady who used to handle the Ashland crosswalk. She said she has worked at <i>Big Y</i> for four years and her kids have all grown up and got married. From there I checked out the new <i>Dunkin Donuts</i>, which had no unique features. Then I drove over to <i>Pride</i> and made copies, after which I headed over to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> to get a $10 haircut. From there I drove towards the city and followed the signs to Union Congregational Church, which was holding a fair today. There were a lot of cars parked outside, more than I expected. I had never been in that church before, although Craig Bradley went there. Its cornerstone says it was built in 1931. Those were hard times. The top floor has Sunday School rooms, the lower is the sanctuary. The basement has a large hall with a kitchen in back with large stainless steel refrigerators. The linoleum tiles on the basement floor are very worn. They had a lot of drawings to take a chance on and people selling homemade Christmas schlock in booths. I bought nothing. In all it is a very standard Congregational Church with white pews and mahogany trim. <br />
<br />
Next I headed to the Homebuyer's Fair at the old <i>Monarch</i> Building at 1250 State, now a high school. I parked by the steam plant as no one else was parked over there. They were offering classes on dealing with a broker, how to de-lead a home and getting a mortgage. The school library was open so I walked in and it looks pretty good. The counseling office has banners hanging up from a lot of colleges including Harvard, Yale and Brandeis. The cafeteria is still where the old <i>Monarch</i> dining hall was and MCDI students were serving brownies, danish, cornmeal muffins, cookies and milk. There was a variety of lending agencies and sellers there, including the City of Springfield Inspector's Office and a booth for the Quadrangle right inside the door. <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> had a large booth where the receptionist's station was located in the <i>Monarch</i> days. I said nothing as I took the <i>Hampden Bank</i> literature and neither did they. I spoke to the guy in home inspections and he said that inspectors don't test for lead unless asked to. The School Department was passing out candy along with their literature.<br />
<br />
On my way back I drove down Crest Street and saw old Secundo Guidi at 37, his fancy white car in front of the house. He told me that Billy Beldon is in a nursing home in Westfield and can't walk without a walker. A relative from Agawam has been looking after the house for him. When I got home I called Belle Rita Novak, who told me she was in the middle of preparing a party for her Farmer's Market friends. She said the market at the X is doing "very well" and I told her I thought she was doing a wonderful job and she thanked me for the compliment. I told her about the concerts coming up at First Church and wished her a Happy Thanksgiving. J.P. Barchielle called and said in a matronly voice, "Is this <i>Storrowtown?</i> Oh, sorry." I called Fred Whitney who said he was "outside working all afternoon." Whitney said he liked my idea of nominating the <i>Valley Advocate</i> for a Pulitzer Prize. He also told me that Marshall Moriarty told him there is something shady going on with Murphy and Valerie Barsom, but that he didn't know what it was. Atty. Moriarty also told him, "There have always been questions about Murphy's integrity." We mutually wished each other Happy Thanksgiving. <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said he is thinking of withdrawing his money from <i>United Cooperative Bank</i> because he got an unsatisfactory response to a problem he had from both Briggs and Labbe. His latest Daylight News Service phone editorials have been getting steady calls from Dennis Murphy, Raipher Pellegrino, Dom Sarno and Brian Santaniello. Eamon called Dean of the Council Santaniello "an inept career politician" and a "turncoat Democrat gone Republican" who has "a do-nothing no-show job with the state." Eamon said that yesterday he got three calls from John "Jake" Nettis, a mobster and alleged hitman who is married to Rita Santaniello, whom he thinks is a cousin of Brian. Eamon told me that Joe Calabresi told him that Nettis was responsible for at least 20 murders, despite having been general manager of <i>Dreikorn's Bakery</i> before going to prison for a time. Seeing his number on his caller ID, Eamon decided to call Nettis at his home on Morris Street. His wife answered, and upon hearing who was calling repeated Eamon's name out loud, then quickly said her husband wasn't home. But Eamon said he could hear Nettis shouting in the background, "Tell him I didn't do nothin'!"<br />
<br />
<center><b>November 20, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Red sun at daybreak, 37 degrees at 7:10am.</p><p>Someday I would like to teach a course entitled, <i>Classical Neo-Latin and Renaissance Pastoral Visions and the Spirit of Renewal in Bryant, Longfellow and Modern Life</i>. It would be a wonderful course, but I doubt it will ever happen. <br />
<br />
TV's Larry King has a new book out <i>Anything Goes! What I've Learned From Pundits, Politicians and Presidents</i>. Anything goes is about right! Julia Childs has been awarded the French Legion of Honor. Ann Buendo, co-founder of <i>The Reminder</i> who died last month at age 67, lived in East Longmeadow and was a member of the High School of Commerce Class of 1950. She is buried in the Gate of Heaven cemetery in Springfield. Last night <i>TV22</i> reported that students at the New Leadership Charter School are teaching kids in grade 6 through 8 Latin. It showed the students celebrating a Roman holiday dressed in togas. Good. In 1990 I became a Founding Friend of the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. <i>Cafe on the Quadrangle</i> is open Wednesday to Sunday - 11:30am to 4pm. <br />
<br />
I went out about 10:15am and had breakfast at the <i>McDonald's</i> on Allen Street. I read the paper there, which listed all the big salaries the city pays. Brian McCook is well up there, but as a negotiator, not a lawyer. Next I went to <i>Food Mart</i>, where I bought two bricks of <i>Cracker Barrel</i> cheese. Then I went to Wesley Church to check out how many cars were in the parking lot for the Centennial celebration. I counted 60 cars in all. As I drove past the Nation of Islam mosque, I recalled how my parents used to park there when it used to be a <i>First National</i> and we used to walk through a gate in the fence. This was before Wesley Church had a parking lot. <br />
<br />
So after circling Wesley Church three times, I went to <i>Angelo's</i> and got cantaloupe, bananas, yams and oranges, all on special. They didn't have any of the traditional acorn squash Mother liked, so I have no squash on hand, but plenty of everything else. I then got a 99 cent Whopper with a coupon at the <i>Burger King</i> in the Acres. I was customer 96 and was waited on by Mrs. Brown. While I was there, a fire broke out at the <i>Goodwill</i> and all the ladies who work there came over to drink coffee and watch out the window until the firemen let them go back in the store. They said it was a minor electrical fire. I dropped off a<i> Herald</i> at the Penniman's when I got back. I brought Sweet Pea the bunny and Honey Pot the bear up from the sofa down cellar and put them on the sofa in the living room. I'm still sorting papers from the last decade at the dining room table. Unknown rang five times, but I didn't answer. <br />
<br />
Richard Neal was on <i>WFCR</i> this morning asking people to support the station. They called him "Sir" every chance they got. Neal said that "democracy is noisy" and said he likes WFCR's "substantive reporting" which he said "is sorely lacking in many quarters today." </p><p>Eamon called, and I told him about two books in <i>Hamilton</i>, an Irish dictionary and a history of Irish politics in Boston. He asked me to order them both for him at once. Eamon said that there has been a culture of corruption in Springfield "since time immemorial." He says Albano, Meara and Bennett are "all in the same boat" in agreeing not to make trouble for the political crooks. Eamon's spies tell him that Congressman Neal spends a lot of time in the congressional gym playing basketball. He also plays sometimes at the Y in Springfield in games consisting of whoever just walks in and wants to play. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>November 21, 2000</b></center><br />
Lovely morning, 45 degrees at 7:30am. <br />
<br />
The Florida Supreme Court has extended the recount in Florida to November 26, thus giving hope to Gore. New election terms in the media these days are dingle chad, pregnant chad and hanging chad. Eamon's High School buddy Deputy Chief Daniel W. Spellacy had his retirement party earlier this year at the <i>Storrowtown Tavern</i> in West Springfield. The comic <i>Doonsbury</i> is by Garry Trudeau. Buffalo, New York has gotten 25 inches of snow in 24 hours. Terry Lee Gordon is the Marketing Director for the <i>Orchard Valley Senior Living Community</i> in Wilbraham. <br />
<br />
My right knee is better than a few weeks back. Use a body part and it gets better, sit and mope and it gets worse. Completed many chores today, including raking up two bags of silver maple leaves from the tree belt and putting them with Kelly's bags from her garden cleanup. This is also recycle week. Today I wrote my memo to Rev. Cordella Brown regarding her return of my $100 centennial celebration contribution. I went out this morning at 9:20am and got some gas at the Breckwood <i>Sunoco</i>. I was told by the woman working that someone else came in the other day with a two-sided haircut like mine. <br />
<br />
From there I headed to Trinity Church, where I ran into Mrs. Goad in the second floor hallway. I mentioned the books I lent her and she said she will get them together for me soon. She had a big smile and wished me a Happy Thanksgiving. I left a sealed envelope with Huber and was out of Trinity at 9:55am. Then over to Wesley Church in the Square, where Mackie's car sat alone in the lot with a lock on her steering wheel. She came to the door promptly and I gave her a sealed envelope for Rev. Brown. When I wished her a Happy Thanksgiving she looked almost surprised saying, "Oh! Alright, thank you." I didn't go in nor asked her for a centennial celebration booklet. <br />
<br />
Leaving Wesley at 10:09am, I headed over to the Tuesday Morning Music Club concert at AIC. The concert featured the Westwind Quintet with John Van Buskirk on piano, doing pieces by Beethoven and Ludwig Thuille. The clarinetist was Peter Demos, the Chairman of the Music Department at Westfield State College. Overall, the concert was okay, but the musical selections were boring. I chatted with Mary Alice Stusick, who said that her father and his older brother built the Stusick Block in Indian Orchard as young men. The older brother planned to go to Harvard to major in architecture, but he died from ptomaine poisoning when he drank some bad water. She said the building is too old and the tenants are a real problem. She said after the concert ended she is going over to try to collect overdue rents. Mary Alice would sell the Stusick Block if she could, and recently she had to pay off a $50,000 tax lien. <i>CVS</i> expressed interest in buying the building, tearing it down and putting up a new store, but nothing came of it. For a time we nibbled cookies together and remembered what fun we had when we were in the Young People's Symphony together. I also urged her to arrange to have her family archives turned over to the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum after her death. <br />
<br />
Later I spoke with the President of the Tuesday Morning Music Club and suggested that they have more concerts open to the public. I asked her whether Fran Gagnon is working on the research for their club history. She said Gagnon "has no connection to the club" and they aren't thinking of asking her to help. She asked what I thought about having Noble work on it and I said that's fine. Their next concert will be held December 5th at the First Congregational Church in Westfield. After the concert I went to see Mrs. Staniski and gave her a Wesley Church booklet and some postcards of Mason Square that included a few of <i>Mass Mutual</i>. This caused her to recall how she had worked for <i>Mass Mutual</i> for seven years in the Renewal Department. <br />
<br />
From Mrs. S. I drove up to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> where I got two freebies, a miniature flashlight and a swiss army knife. <i>The Eastfield Mall</i> is just starting to put up their holiday decorations. A black woman named Kim gave me $5 to take a survey. She said she is a high school graduate, and when she heard I was a lawyer asked if I could help avoid a 14 day eviction notice. I told her my specialty was copyright law not real estate, so I couldn't help her. I asked, "How did a nice girl like you end up with an eviction notice?" She said the landlord doesn't like her boyfriend. While at the mall I mailed a copy of my Wesley Church centennial essay to the Catholic Bishop. I dined this evening on a very good <i>Green Giant Green Bean Casserole</i> I bought on special at <i>Stop&Shop</i>. Nader the Hatter called and said his father is in Florida with him and likes it. He said his brother's wife's breast cancer is not going well and she is running out of options. Nader said he is not expecting to be returning to the valley anytime soon, although he is still renting space in the old <i>Indian Orchard Mill</i>. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 22, 2000</b></center><br />
Clear sky with stars last night, 34 degrees at 7:30am.<br />
<br />
<i>Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan & Blakesley</i> must need business. They are giving away free turkeys at the <i>Springfield Plaza</i> on Liberty Street to anyone dealing with the Massachusetts Worker's Compensation bureaucracy. Unknown called but was voiceless when I answered. I shouted, "Don't call again!" <br />
<br />
Went out around 9:50am and dropped off some material about John Silber at Eamon's. Today I drove up to the <i>Holyoke Mall</i> at Ingleside. There were cumulus clouds against a blue sky as I drove up, the snow that was predicted never materialized. I arrived at Ingleside at 10:30 on the button by the clock on the corner of the soon to be open new <i>Bernie's</i> diagonally across the way from <i>Barnes & Noble</i>. The clock thermometer also gives centigrade so it flashed 33 degrees and then 1 degree c. I parked in my usual place, L-41 to be precise. <br />
<br />
<i>The Holyoke Mall</i> itself is boring, too much youth clothing and all of it overpriced. The prices in <i>Lord & Taylor</i> are absurd. They had men's work boots with steel rivet reinforcement, but no steel toe. Looks over function. <i>Abercrombie & Fitch</i> was selling jeans that look already worn out. Their catalog, which used to be pretty groovy, has run out of ideas. There were people doing consumer surveys standing around, but no one approached me even when I walked past them twice. <br />
<br />
<i>Filene's</i> was my main destination, because yesterday at the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> I saw a particularly beautiful platter that usually sells for $150 on sale for $100. The platter had a special floral border around it and I asked if they had a tureen with the same floral trim but they had none. They offered to call their store at Ingleside to see if they had one, but I told them I would go up myself today, and that is what I did. The Ingleside <i>Filene's</i> had a larger display of platters, but no tureens with the pretty design on them. A clerk named Linda J. Schultz waited on me promptly and said she has worked for <i>Filene's</i> for four years. I said I would like a tureen to serve eggnog or a casserole, but I thought the ones they had on display were ugly and I had no desire to own them. I told her that each store should get at least one of each item in their catalog, if for no other reason than so the clerks will know what it looks like in case somebody shows an interest like I did. <br />
<br />
The photo machine at Ingleside was out of film, and I didn't go downstairs or check out the shoes, although I should have. There was a store that sold collectibles, but it was full of junk like stuffed beanies, a small case of autographed baseballs, coin holder albums and silver dollars. Nothing of much interest and their prices were high. As it turned out, I bought absolutely nothing at the <i>Holyoke Mall</i>. When I got home, I wrote a poem:<br />
<br />
<center><b>Nonworth and Worth</b><br />
<br />
People are shit. <br />
Talk is cheap. <br />
A book is a deposition<br />
signed, sealed and delivered!</center><br />
Eamon called later in the day, all excited about the <i>Valley Advocate</i> article on M. Armitage, but when I went out to get a copy there were none at either the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> or at the <i>Newsstand</i> in the Acres. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 23, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and 41 degrees on the breezeway at 2:30pm.<br />
<br />
In the nationwide popular vote, Gore is ahead of Bush by 328,696, but a Mathematician on TV said the difference is so small the election is the same as if a coin was tossed. Who are we to monitor elections in other countries? The intent of our democratic system is that everyone has a vote, but this election mess has uncovered that the things we do to deprive people of their vote is appalling. <i>WFCR</i> is celebrating the Centennial of Aaron Copeland. Copeland's music is lovely, but I have never really been acquainted with it. When I drove around Wesley Church the day of their Centennial Celebration, I saw no vans from the television stations, nothing on the news, nor did I see anything in the newspaper. <br />
<br />
Neil R. Stout was the Editor of of the Vermont Historical Society in 1994. The Words and Pictures Museum of Fine Sequential Art in Northampton closed in 1999. It was founded by Teenage Ninja Turtle co-creator Kevin Eastman and the Museum Director was Fiona Russell. It was located on Main Street at the site of the former <i>Beardsley's Restaurant</i>. <br />
<br />
Today is Thanksgiving Day - Father was born on this day in 1906. Eamon told me he was going to his sister's for Thanksgiving "although I'd rather not." He said he will take his sister a bottle of <i>Bushmill's Whiskey</i>, although he personally considers <i>Tully Moore's Dew</i> to be the best, a liqueur which I'd never heard of. I told him the only brand I'm familiar with is <i>Irish Mist</i>. Eamon said the place to get <i>Tully Moore's Dew</i> is <i>Town & Country</i>. <br />
<br />
I went out at 10am, but <i>Louis & Clark</i> were closed. However, <i>F.I.T.</i> (Females in Training) was open and there were at least twenty cars outside. From there I drove up to the Acres <i>Newsstand</i> and got three papers, including the <i>Valley Advocate</i>. I noticed there is a <i>DeWolfe</i> sign in front of the DeRiso home, I guess <i>Lortie</i>, which never had an Open House, apparently couldn't sell it and lost the listing contract. <br />
<br />
I called Aunt Maria and Shirley Whittier-Huang picked up on the first ring. She said they had just gotten home from the Community Dinner at the Congregational Church and Aunt Maria had "a wonderful time" although they didn't know anyone at the dinner. Shirley described Aunt Maria as being "in quite good shape, but forgetful, as we all are." She told me she asked Aunt Maria if she wanted to come to my house on Thanksgiving but she said no. I asked Shirley whether she had seen this week's <i>Valley Advocate</i>, but she didn't even seem to know what the <i>Advocate</i> was. I told her their reporters are my friends and they did an excellent article about Armitage and the Agawam power plant controversy. Before hanging up, Shirley proposed returning my books tomorrow but I told her to call first. <br />
<br />
I decided that with Shirley possibly coming tomorrow, I should go see the film <i>Men of Honor</i>, starring Robert De Niro and Cuba Gooding, this afternoon. So I left here around 3pm and bought my ticket for $5.50 at 3:20pm. While waiting for the film to start at 4pm, I watched kids playing video games until 3:50pm. I asked an usher why they don't have a clock in front, and he said originally they were supposed to have a clock over the archway, but "Mr. Lowe wouldn't permit it and nobody disagrees with Mr. Lowe." I ended up liking <i>Men of Honor</i> for a variety of reasons. It delivered what I wanted to see, namely diving equipment in use. Better still, it offered a glimpse of the basic training in diving the Navy gives. There were three quasi-legal hearing scenes. <i>Men of Honor</i> is by far one of the best films I've seen at the <i>Eastfield Lowe's Theater</i>. <br />
<br />
Only when I got home did I have Thanksgiving, consisting of a <i>Hungry Man Turkey Dinner</i>, boiled onions, boiled turnip and microwaved yams. I didn't cook up a pie. The turnip didn't taste bad, but it didn't have the best flavor. Turnips are the most unpredictable and temperamental of vegetables. Other veggies you know what you can count on. Never with a turnip. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 25, 2000</b></center><br />
26 degrees on the breezeway at 7:30am.<br />
<br />
<i>TV22</i> had a clever phrase about the holiday, "Yesterday was the feast, today it's the freezer." <i>WFCR</i> says that prisons are one of the biggest growth industries. The answer is to legalize drugs to reduce crime. <i>Reed's Landing</i> in Springfield is essentially a housing complex for the wealthy and doesn't deserve property tax exemption as a charity says John Lynch, a lawyer for the Springfield Board of Assessors. The motto of <i>Fleet Mortgage</i> is "Ready When You Are." <i>United Cooperative Bank</i> claims, "Our Mortgage Magic Continues." <i>Wilson's</i> is selling leather jackets with laces on the side of the waist for $149. <br />
<br />
I first became comfortable with being a leatherman by reading what would be called dirty magazines. I now feel such behavior is perfectly normal and healthy, and that it is the uptight, puritanical ways that are unhealthy and abnormal. In anticipation of Shirley Huang coming today, I shaved my head and put a fresh coat of purple on my hair. I also affixed my miniature Swiss cowbell to the ring in my standard bondage collar. However, I never heard a word from Shirley and she never came. The mail brought a nice letter from John R. Auchter thanking me for my essay on Wesley Church I sent him. I wonder if Judy Spear ever married? She was a philosophy major at Colby and came from money. <br />
<br />
A Kurt Ghidoni called from 827-0056 and said, "Sorry, wrong number." Tim Lewis called and asked most assertively for John but I hung up on him when he refused to say where he was calling from. I got a questionnaire today from a group called American Immigration Control. I wrote on it, "With a resume such as I have I am much solicited for consulting on various matters and my basic fee for questionnaires such as this is $100. It's a pretty neat little racket, isn't it? Upon receipt of the $100 I'll send you my answers." One of the questions was "Will you support American Immigration Control's fight to change policies which encourage unchecked immigration but discourage those immigrants from learning our language and fitting into our culture?" I checked yes with the note, "I'll be happy to join your staff at $85,000 per year." Unlike most surveys, it did not come with a postpaid envelope, so I mailed it back to them postage due. <br />
<br />
I looked at the latest edition of the <i>School Handbook</i> for Springfield, and while much improved, it is still conspicuously flawed throughout. There is no substitute for being regularly involved in writing for developing good English. I pushed the vac around and did a load of wash. Dined today on roast beef hash, turnip and Green Giant veggies. I drove down to <i>Bookends</i> and parked on Dwight. I then walked around checking out some of the downtown restaurants. <i>Auntie Em's</i> on Worthington is small and nice, but nothing special, just a little gay bar. <i>Art-e-Pasta</i> is really special, but their prices are high. Their design is artsy all right, a mixture of art deco, art nouveau, oriental pillars, bright colors and a touch of stained glass. It looks good. I walked down the street to <i>Just Friends</i>, which is undergoing minor renovations. There were about ten people of both sexes at the bar, and they were quite surprised when I gave a dollar for the use of their toilet, but I don't often buy a drink there so I felt they deserved something. <br />
<br />
Eamon called, and I asked him whether I could send the <i>Valley Advocate</i> some of his memos to me and he said yes because, "There's nothing I've ever written that I'm ashamed of." Eamon said he was surprised and delighted over the <i>Advocate</i> article about Armitage and corruption in Agawam, but he said the tone of the article was too reserved and "lacked the flow of rhetoric" that would have enhanced its impact. Eamon claims that mobsters often use bagmen to drop off money for politicians because they don't want there to be any evidence of direct contact. He said there is much corruption in Springfield and we need a mayoral administration that is "based on legality and a larger public purpose." Eamon noted that the <i>Union-News</i> said that 60,000 attended the balloon parade. He insists that 10,000 is more like it. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 27, 2000</b></center><br />
36 degrees at noon on both thermometers.<br />
<br />
The State of Florida has declared Bush the winner by 537 votes. Of course lots of Gore votes were not counted under one pretext or another. Florida Governor Jeb Bush should be very embarrassed and if his brother George W. does become President, his only mandate will be to listen very carefully to the other side. The case is now going to the Supreme Court and let's hope they have the integrity to uphold the one man, one vote principle and have all the ballots counted. Barbara P. Zalkan, former manager of <i>Harvey's Women's Clothing Store</i> in East Longmeadow and the wife of <i>Springfield Newspaper</i> reporter Arthur Zalkan, has died at age 58. <i>WFCR</i> says the black bear population in the valley is rising. They also had a recast of the Aaron Copeland concert from the Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress. Copeland was born November 14, 1900. <br />
<br />
Postage for postcards is now 21 cents. A half gallon of milk at <i>Food Mart</i> is now $1.69. My article <i>Problem Librarians Make Problems for Humanists</i> was re-printed by <i>Neal-Shuman Publishers</i> in 1991. I called Dr. Mullan and got Lima (as in beans) and she said this year's flu shot has not come in yet. I also called Pearsall in Wilbraham to remind him that for tax purposes I want to sign the transfer of the Wilbraham land by December 31st. I have gussied up my costume a notch by snapping a bondage cuff just above my boots so my pants blouse out a bit. With my black jacket zipped up it looks quite slick and of course queer and threatening. <br />
<br />
It was not raining at all as I drove out at 11:05am or so. I made copies at <i>CopyCat</i>, which has upped their price to ten cents per copy. There always seems to be a mob waiting for copies when I come in, so maybe they are trying to get rid of excess business. From now on I'll be doing more copying in the Acres. I also mailed photocopies of Father's account of his childhood in Bethel to Jeffrey Marshall, the archivist at the University of Vermont. In addition, I sent transcripts of some of Eamon's phone editorials to Vannah at the <i>Advocate</i>. I swung by Wesley Church and counted 16 cars in the parking lot as I continue to monitor what size congregation they have left down there. Finally, I went to the Acres <i>Burger King</i> for the 99 cent Whopper they're offering every Monday this month. On my way back I went to the <i>Mailboxes</i> at <i>Five Town Mall</i> and they still have a five cent per copy rate. <br />
<br />
Eamon called at 10:11 and we chatted until 10:50am. He alerted me that half the business page today is devoted to <i>Hampden's</i> Tom Burton. Eamon talked a bit about his friend Clayton B. Fitzgerald, who figured out a way to make fertilizer from <i>WMECO's</i> flyash. The paper today also has a call for Pynchon Award nominations. I told Eamon about the scenes of discrimination against blacks by the Navy in the movie <i>Men of Honor</i>. Eamon said that whenever he saw blacks being mistreated in the Navy he spoke up and complained about it, and I believe he did. He said he "hated to see the mean jokes some whites played on the poor blacks."<br />
<br />
Yesterday I went to <i>Stop&Shop</i> and stopped in at <i>East Coast Marketplace</i>. Who should be there wearing a scuffed brown leather bomber jacket but City Councilor Brian Santaniello! For once he wanted to talk, perhaps because Albano has told him I have been sending the mayor memos and wanted to convey to Albano what I thought about some things. He came up to me and said, "Well hello, aren't you the Attorney Miller who opposed the baseball stadium?" I told him that I had nothing against the stadium, but I was opposed to the shabby way the city was treating the merchants at <i>Northgate</i>. He asked where I thought a stadium should go, and I said maybe by the Hall of Fame. I also complained about the endless <i>Cecil Report</i> delays and the lack of a developer for Union Station. Santaniello asked me what I thought about the presidential election mess, and I said that although I am a Republican, I wouldn't mind if Gore won because Bush Jr. is such a jerk. He let out a big laugh, because of course Santaniello is really a Democrat and only switched parties in hopes that he could get something from the Republican governor. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 28, 2000</b></center><p><br />
43 degrees and the sun is out at 8am. <br />
<br />
Gary Hart is 64 today. <i>WFCR</i> says that worldwide 21 million people have died of AIDS and 36 million are presently infected. <i>Sovereign Bank</i> is laying off 500 and <i>Milton Bradley</i> is shifting jobs overseas. WNEC has established a Legislative Institute run by Arthur Wolfe. The American Philological Association transferred their headquarters from Fordham University to Holy Cross College in Worcester in 1990. There was a story in today's paper on the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. <br />
<br />
I had a stuffy nose last night and took a Coricidin. I called <i>Punderson Oil</i> and spoke with Lynn who said that the price is $1.52, with a two cent per gallon senior discount for a price of $1.50 per gallon. I ordered 150 gallons and she said that will cost $225 so I told her I would leave the check in the mailbox. David Montgomery called today (listed as a telephone installer in the 1986 directory) and said he has Buckingham Junior High t-shirts for ten dollars and would drop one off. I gave him directions and he promptly arrived. I gave him $15, saying the extra $5 was for home delivery. The t-shirt is blue with white printing and the school building is shown with the logo "I Attended the Forth Reunion - Oct. 28, 2000." I invited him in but he said he had a couple more shirts to deliver. He told me he would like to talk to me about the history of the school sometime, and I said he is cordially invited anytime, just call in advance. I don't know what will ultimately happen, but he got me the shirt and I am grateful. Montgomery is a tall black man who wears a black leather jacket. <br />
<br />
When I drove out today, I dropped off some reading material with a chipper Mr. Cohn. I then drove 13.1 miles up to South Hadley, noting as I passed Our Lady of Sacred Heart Church on Boston Road that my odometer read exactly 99,800. When I arrived, I parked directly in front of the <i>Odyssey Bookshop</i> and brought in a box of about 20-25 nice books. They offered me the elevator to take the books upstairs, but I said I could use the exercise. The cheerful little man up there asked if I wanted to be paid in cash or books. I replied that I don't want them to go out of business, so I'll take books. He gave me credit for $54 and I told him, "You're a very nice man." I took my time looking around and finally bought seven books. I had arrived there at 10:15 and left at 10:45am. <br />
<br />
Returning to the city, I went to my credit union and deposited checks for $143.38. I took a walk down Main Street and saw men working on the sign in front of the <i>Paramount Theater</i> which said "Opening in December" but no date. I left off an antiques magazine with Attorney Berman's receptionist, telling her that I will send him my review of the <i>Cecil Report</i> if it ever comes out. I walked through <i>Westfield Bank</i>, which was nicely decorated but there was only one teller on duty and no customers. The art display is still in the window of the old <i>Johnson's Bookstore</i>, and I took a poster promoting the Forest Park Home Tour in December, but I will not be going this year. I walked over to the WNEC room in <i>Tower Square</i> and they have relocated to a single, small office. <br />
<br />
From downtown, I drove out to the antique shops by White and Sumner. We have a good group of antique stores at Sumner and White, as well as in Indian Orchard. There were a couple down on Bridge and Worthington, but they are long gone. </p><p>The man in <i>Fancy That</i> said he heard that the <i>Cat's Paw</i> is for sale. They always have new things in <i>Fancy That</i>, but I bought nothing. There were chairs in front of <i>Myer's</i> so I went in, the man and woman working there both called my neck bell "cool." From there I dined at the Boston Road <i>McDonald's</i> on their 99 cent nuggets. They give very little chicken for that, and I was dismayed that they charged for extra sauce. At least ketchup is still free. <br />
<br />
Mayor Albano has announced a "facade program" to spruce up the North End. <i>Friendly's</i> stock has hit an all time low of 1.87. Eamon called and said he got a renewal notice from the Elms Irish Center but he doesn't plan to renew. We also discussed the fading of <i>Friendly's</i> stock. Eamon suggested that Priestly Blake or <i>Ben & Jerry's</i> should buy out <i>Friendly's</i> and then restore their restaurants to what they used to be. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>November 29, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and 47 degrees at 5pm.<br />
<br />
Books are better than diamonds because with diamonds all you can do is play with them with tweezers and keep them in a bag, but books you can read and enjoy forever. The restoration of the spire on top of Memorial Hall at Harvard was paid for by the Massachusetts Historical Commission, The Victorian Society in America (New England Chapter) and the Boston Society of Architects. Janie Gibson is Director of Member Services at <i>Summerwood at University Park</i> in West Hartford, Connecticut. <br />
<br />
My principal objective today was to get a flu shot at Wachogue Congressional Church on the corner of Arvilla and Roosevelt Avenue, but I was turned away. First I put out the check for the oilman. When I drove out the mailman was just going by at his usual 10:30am time. I cashed a <i>Ludlow</i> check at <i>Fleet</i> in the Acres. Then to <i>Staples</i> on Boston Road where I bought a new felt stamp pad. From there I went to <i>Ruby Tuesday</i>, where I ordered the unlimited salad from Cheryl. I ate lots of ham and cottage cheese, pasta and other good things like peaches, pineapple, various kinds of melon and a big chunk of chocolate pudding. I got up and walked around and counted 107 customers there not counting staff. A very diverse clientele, kids and elderly ladies, businessmen and construction workers, all there, all agree, it's the best.<br />
<br />
Then over to Wachogue where there were cars parked all around with a line extending out the door. As I got in line I discovered that the line also extended down the corridor. When my turn came, they said they were focusing on their target population of those over 65. I should have lied about my age, but I left. From there I dropped off some reading material at Eamon's, then over to Mrs. Staniski's who said she was frustrated and in pain from a bad tooth, but the soonest her dentist could see her was tomorrow at noon. I offered her a <i>Tylenol</i> with codeine but she refused. She told me I shouldn't have wasted my time sending my Wesley Church essay to Rev. Brown, and instead should have sent it to the Bishop. I told her that I already did send it and the Bishop has not responded. Mrs. S. gave me some cookies and told me that later today she will walk down the street and give some cookies to a man in his 90's who is all alone. As I left I wiped some bird lime off her car, which was in the driveway. <br />
<br />
When I got home at 12:45pm, I dropped off the <i>Boston Herald</i> at the Penniman's and stuck their <i>Reminder</i> in their door. Then I called <i>Friendly's</i> and got Marty who connected me with the President's voicemail. I identified myself and told him there were 107 customers at lunch today at <i>Ruby Tuesday</i>. I also told him that <i>Boston Chicken</i> is too expensive and I can do better at <i>Stop&Shop</i>. I told him that the record of <i>Friendly's</i> under his leadership has nothing to recommend it and that they may as well sell <i>Friendly's</i> to someone who will restore the chain to what it was before they ruined the brand with their high prices and poor service. I said if he won't resign then he should at least take a pay cut and then I hung up.<br />
<br />
<i>TV22</i> is reporting that there has been a slowdown in the national economy. They had Russ Denver on being interviewed by Ellen Cheng saying that things are fine around here. <i>Florence Savings Bank</i> had an ad saying that it is opening a branch in Amherst and that their goal is to turn their profits "back to the community and the customers." Where have I heard that bullshit before? <br />
<br />
Eamon called and said that ex-rep Fred Whitney has been calling his phone editorials regularly. He recalled how Michael Joseph used to the attorney for <i>Big Y</i>, but he is no longer practicing law and is raising horses down in Granby, Connecticut. He was also an attorney for <i>Yankee Candle</i> before it went public, and when it did he personally made $10 million. According to Eamon, the decline in the quality of Springfield's public schools began around 1966, when new, liberal theories of education began to dominate. Eamon said he had a chat with Tom Vannah of the <i>Valley Advocate</i> today, who told him that the deadline for submitting articles to the <i>Advocate</i> is Tuesday. Vannah also said that the latest round of Grand Jury proceedings ended two weeks ago. Eamon told me he urged Vannah to send someone to photograph Dennis Murphy's fancy new house in East Longmeadow. <br />
<br />
<center><b>November 30, 2001</b></center><br />
Calm, 42 degrees at noon.<br />
<br />
<i>TV22</i> said that some aggression is good for the health because it releases chemicals that are good for the immune system. I've heard the same thing said about laughter. Perhaps any kind of strong emotional response is good for the health. The Connecticut Council on Problem Gamblers has issued a study saying that many people with gambling addictions come from families with a history of gambling problems. <i>The Hampden Insurance Agency</i> is a subsidiary of <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i>. Robert John Gula received his Masters Degree from Harvard in 1964. Richard J. Tarrant was Chairman of the Department of Classics at Harvard in 1990.<br />
<br />
I have turned around the dining room table so my typewriter is on the window side and I have a stool I am sitting on. There is more room for the plants and everything is more efficiently arranged. I see in the paper they are currently accepting nominations for The William Pynchon Award. The prestigious prize, named after the founder of Springfield, was first presented in 1915. Winners have included automotive pioneers Charles Duryea and George Hendee, aviatrix Maude Tait, writer Thomas Burgess, businessman Peter L. Picknelly and historical preservationist Francis M. Gagnon. Nominations should be mailed to Nancy Urbschat at <i>TSM Design</i> at 293 Bridge Street in Springfield. <br />
<br />
I am currently reading Holly Stiel's <i>Ultimate Service: The Complete Handbook for the World of the Concierge</i> (1994). It was snowing when I got up at 7:30, coming down in big flakes Mother used to call "sugar snow." The first thing I did was call Mrs. Staniski. She said her dentist appointment was at 10am and she wanted to know if it was slippery out. I went outside and checked and reported back that the temperature was in the mid-30's with a small amount of slush in the streets. She said she thought she could make it okay. I told her not to let the dentist make her wait because she is an old lady in pain who needs expedited care. <br />
<br />
I called Donna at the <i>Canadian Law Book Company</i> in Ontario and she agreed to send me their current catalog. Then I called Mullan's office and Patience said they have no flu shots yet and suggested I call back next week or the week after. I asked, "Is it that bad?" and she replied, "Yes it is." Next I called <i>AAA</i> in West Springfield and a very professional Debbie said that Mary-Lu Irvine is out because she had an operation. I told her what a wonderful woman Mary-Lu is and asked if I could speak to her supervisor. Debbie said that would be Carlo Papageorge, but he was also out. She promised to have him call me on Monday to answer my questions comparing <i>AAA</i> insurance with <i>Hampden Savings</i>. The President of <i>AAA</i> is Francis J. Maloney. Finally, I called <i>United Cooperative</i> and Kathy of Customer Service at 1954 Wilbraham Road said that she wasn't sure whether people who open new accounts get a formal welcoming letter or not. <br />
<br />
The regular mailman came by at 1:20pm and thanked me for the pictures of clouds I gave him. I called Aunt Maria's and Shirley answered on the second ring - often it's the first - and I said I'm coming over for my books. She profusely apologized for not coming over Saturday, saying that they decided on the spur of the moment to drive up to Vermont to see her mother. She also told me that Ruth came over yesterday and didn't take all the rhubarb. I told her to just wrap my books and put them by the front doorstep. <br />
<br />
So I set out, first buying gas at the Breckwood <i>Sunoco</i> for $1.52 per gallon. There were no new <i>Valley Advocates</i> at <i>Louis & Clark</i>, even though it was Thursday afternoon. Then I drove over to West Springfield to drop off some reading material at Eamon's, who wasn't home and had his snowman flag up. I drove by <i>New England Fidelity</i> and their sign was gone, leaving the <i>Insurance Center of New England</i> sign the only one remaining. I stopped at the West Springfield branch of <i>Hampden Savings</i>, but they had no insurance brochures and a teller told me I would have to come tomorrow to talk to Nathan if I wanted insurance. <br />
<br />
At last I headed to Aunt Maria's, whose car is still parked by the back door. The grounds have not been cleaned up, with Catalpa leaves all around and the bamboo and flower gardens not cut down. Shirley was standing by the driveway as I got out of my car. She invited me to look at Aunt Maria through the living room window, after first making sure Aunt Maria was not looking. Aunt Maria was sitting watching television and appeared to have a nice hair-do although she looks much thinner than formerly. Shirley says she weighs only 120 pounds. The Maxfield Parrish pictures and the oak desk are still in the living room. On the porch is a cot which must be where Debbie sleeps, the green glass lamp that was there must have had to be removed to place the cot there. <br />
<br />
I left at 3:15pm and headed to downtown Springfield, where I parked by Apremont and walked down the hill. I made some copies at the <i>Tower Square Mailboxes</i> and then chatted with Janet Edwards, who was friendly. She complained about the city's parking policies downtown and the negative effect it has had on business and declared, "They just don't get it!" She was amazed when I told her how <i>Odyssey</i> had given me $55 for my used books. Before I left <i>Baystate/Tower</i> I bought a real cream puff at <i>Gus & Paul's</i> for $1.75 and ate it there. Alvin Paige was chatting with a woman and he smiled when he noticed me. The signage on the old <i>SIS</i> building is all changed and the Christmas lights are up on both <i>Monarch Place</i> and <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i>. Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-71653455680470818142014-11-03T18:40:00.004-05:002024-02-16T13:52:20.551-05:00December 2000<br />
<center><b>December 1, 2000</b></center><br />
Clouds with some sun, 37 degrees at 8am. Gas is $1.50 at Alden and Wilbraham.<br />
<br />
A good lawyer is someone who can take the simplest thing and transform it into an incredible mess. <br />
<br />
Saddam Hussein has cut off all sales of oil to the United States. Good for Saddam. The news said that 60 million homes now have a personal computer. Jane Swift is expecting twins. South Congregational Church is celebrating World AIDS Day. <i>TV22</i> had a story about indoor rock climbing at the <i>Northampton Athletic Club</i>. I'm too old for that sort of thing, but it sounds like it would be fun. A new ad for <i>First Bank</i> claims to give customers "the respect and service you deserve everyday." Tell that to <i>Hampden</i>. <br />
<br />
Slept exceptionally well last night in two four hour stretches. The Frederick Historical Piano Collection was established by Patricia and Michael Frederick, who have filled their colonial house in Ashburnham, Massachusetts with old pianos, including a couple of grand pianos from Europe and the last piano Brahms played on. Ashburnham is over by Worcester near the New Hampshire border. The Brahms piano was played in a benefit concert at Smith College recently.<br />
<br />
All the supermarkets are having sales on ham. Today I had a tossed salad, on top of which I put my last little tomato. It was somewhat wilted, Mother would have definitely thrown it away. It turned out to be a tasty little tomato. I called Mrs. Staniski today and she is much improved. She had to see a surgeon to have the tooth removed and he told her she should have been insistent when she made her appointment at the dentist Monday. I agreed, and told her "Sunday school doesn't apply to real life." She laughed. I also called cousin Shirley and told her she can come visit me anytime and she can bring Aunt Maria, except of course Aunt Maria would never come. Shirley said that she hopes that I don't think that she is standing between my Aunt and me, that Aunt Maria is quite firm in her refusal to see me. <br />
<br />
At 11:30 I drove to the ARISE headquarters. When I got there, Timothy was friendly enough and said Michaelann was at an AIDS meeting and wouldn't be back until four. I gave him some memos I wrote which he placed on Michaelann's desk. He said they are moving to a new location at 41 Rifle Street, so they are packing and throwing a lot of stuff away. It is a property the city has taken for back taxes, and they are moving because the <i>Goodwill</i> is forcing them out. They had no old copies of their newsletter, but he said they are all archived at the Quadrangle. A nice stew was cooking on the stove in the corner. Their present place is an L-shaped area with several offices along the side of the building and a hallway down that wall, and at the back a wide open space and a printing area behind the offices, then a large table in the middle and a couple of desks along the inside wall, computer terminals atop two of the desks which had card games on the screens. The door leading out back is by the printing area and there is a small kitchenette in the remote back corner. They have posters on the walls and a rack of literature as well as bookshelves. <br />
<br />
When I got home, the mail was already here, which included the <i>Commonwealth Library Commission Report</i> and the <i>Heidelberg Press</i> catalog. This afternoon I called a few printers to find out what kind of presses they have. <i>A.L. Fredette</i>, who was in Nader the Hatter's old building with the lovely freight elevator up to Springfield Central, said "they kicked me out" and they are now up in Holyoke where they have a <i>Heidelberg</i> and an old <i>Chandler & Price</i>. The Northampton <i>CopyCat</i> has a <i>Heidelberg</i>, as does <i>Marcus</i> and <i>Bassette</i>. So it appears that <i>Heidelberg</i> is the industry standard. <br />
<br />
Black leather jackets are the uniform of troublemakers. Eamon told me he spoke with Tom Vannah of the <i>Valley Advocate</i> recently, who told him that their deadline is Tuesday and by Tuesday evening they start releasing their stories online, where they quickly begin getting a lot of hits. I called Karen Powell and she said she is mad at Russell Denver because he always tries to shift the tax burden from the businesses to the homeowner. She also said that she is not a fan of ARISE and has nothing to do with them. Karen had to hang up because she was watching the coverage of the Bush vs. Gore Supreme Court case. <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 3, 2000</b></center><p><br />
35 degrees on the breezeway at 7:30am. Gas is $1.49 at both stations at Alden and Wilbraham Road.</p><p>Someone should make a list of all the vacant walls in the <i>Sheraton</i>. I am unhappy with the current murals in the <i>Sheraton</i> with respect to subject matter, style and confidence of delineation. They need something more imaginative and contemporary in design. <br />
<br />
On <i>CPTV24</i> they had a lovely <i>Taste of Chanukah</i> program from the hall of the New England Conservatory in Boston. It featured Jewish music with dancing. The music was overall more fast-paced and joyful than Christian pieces. The host Theodore Magill doesn't look like a Jew. Very interesting and very good, the first time I recall seeing the Jews have a show at Christmas. </p><p>18 Pineview was the first house my parents considered buying when they started thinking about moving to the Acres. It is an L-shaped ranch, smaller than what they bought on Birchland but with a lot of nice trees around it. The owners of those first homes have put additions on them so they are larger now than they were when first purchased from Boyer. <br />
<br />
Put out the mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i> in the Breckwood Shops, and dined on an Egg McMuffin at the Allen Street <i>McDonald's</i>, where I also read the morning paper. Just as predicted by K. Powell, on page A-15 there was an article about Denver and the Chamber of Commerce calling for a shift of the tax burden from businesses to homeowners. </p><p>Then over to Springfield College to do my poster gathering routine. I noticed that my odometer hit 99,900 about two minutes past Watershops Pond. When I was going along Alden enroute to the college, a young couple asked me how to get to Camp Massasoit. Then later at the intersection of Eastern and Alden, a man asked where the college was, so I gave direction to two people this morning. I was able to get a nice gang territorial sticker on a light pole in front of Babson Library. Then over to A.I.C. to get the freebies offered at the Shea Library.<br />
<br />
Drove past Wesley Church and there were 30 cars in the parking lot at 11:05am. Down to Third Baptist the parking lot was packed. Unfortunately, there was not a poster in sight along the entire State Street corridor. Coming home, I decided to drive down Rifle Street to see where ARISE might be moving, but I couldn't see anything that looks appropriate. So I zoomed out Allen to Plumtree and was going to get milk at the 16 Acres <i>Big Y</i>, but spotted people removing the safety deposit boxes from the former <i>Community/Heritage/Shawmut/Fleet Bank</i> building. I parked at <i>Friendly's</i>, which was doing good business with customers stopping by on their way home from church. <br />
<br />
There were two cop cars parked by the bank entrance, cruisers 128 and 132. There was also a cop standing outside, Officer 417. Inside they were rolling out the safety deposit boxes on dollies and using a lift to place them in a van. The cop said they were inventorying each box which would then be taken to the Boston Road branch. At one point cruiser 18 came along and chatted with the cop.<i> The United Coop Bank</i> digital thermometer said 38 degrees. I took a photo from the far end of the bank showing all the boxes lined up. From there I stopped at <i>Sixteen Acres Gardens</i>, which has all their Christmas decorations up. They had a nice little Xmas tree for $27, but I took only their free 2001 calendar with their name on it and bought nothing. Across the street it looked like they were trucking dirt in to fill in the gully. I spoke to one of the workmen who told me that years ago Wally Hubbard of the DPW wanted to build houses there but was discouraged by the amount of landfill required. <br />
<br />
When I got home I called the Powells to talk with them about the article on Russ Denver and taxes, but Bob Powell answered and said he hadn't seen the paper. He told me he and Karen will check it out. Bob also said that Tom Devine and his father have flown down to Houston, Texas to visit relatives. Dined on <i>Swanson's Fish and Chips</i> for supper. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>December 5, 2000</b></center><br />
34 degrees at 12:30pm.<br />
<br />
The presidential election is more of a mess than ever. Poet Gwendolyn Brooks, who they said never went to a doctor, has died in Chicago of cancer at age 83. The news says that our electric bills will go up 8% in January because of higher energy costs. I am now reading <i>Apollodorus</i>, translated by none other than Sir James G. Frazer! David A. Penney was an Executive with the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams in 1990. I'm considering donating my signed Calvin Coolidge etching, which is unique and worth around $15,000, to the University of Vermont. <br />
<br />
Sent Moriarty at Elms College Philip Freeman's <i>Ireland and the Classical World</i> and copies of the Kennedy gift documents. I called Trinity Church and spoke to the always professional Huber and told him to get together the books I've lent them over the past year and I'll pick them up later in the week. I then called the Unitarian Universalist Church and asked whether anyone has ever made postcards of their current building. The woman who answered said no, the only postcards she was ever aware of were of their old church on State Street. The electrical power went off at 10:23am. I called Mrs. Allard and she said that her power was also off and she was using her fireplace and a propane heater. The power came back on shortly afterward. <br />
<br />
Called Dr. Mullan and Patience says they have no flu shots yet and she doesn't know when they will arrive. The little bug light refractor Mrs. Staniski gave me is wonderful, there are three rainbows reflected on this paper as I write this line. Drove out today at 2:30pm and made copies at <i>Pride</i>, then went to <i>Fleet</i> on Boston Road where there was only one teller on duty, a tall blond woman. As I was leaving a little man came in with a box of poinsettias to be used for decoration purposes. I put out my mail at the Wilbraham Post Office, then went to <i>CVS</i> at the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> where I got a can of <i>Progresso Vegetable Soup</i> for free with a coupon. I briefly looked at dishware in <i>Filene's</i>. <br />
<br />
I went over to <i>Natural Foods</i> and got a bottle of prostate support pills for $37.99 and a pound of pumpkin seeds. When I got home I began typing wearing my head harness and doing quite well, I think. I want to increase the use of the head harness until it feels comfortable and natural. I have started to wear the bondage helmet to bed at night. The harness feels good so it cannot be bad, the helmet keeps my head warm and the light out. Since it feels good, it cannot be bad. I have to get away from the notion that things are bad because they are said to be bad. I am serious about experimenting with the bondage lifestyle and am learning to enjoy it. I took out the trash last night at 12:05am. The sky was starry and Barry Simpson was just getting home. I think Bradley has a new wife, the old one was fat and the new one is a white haired lady. The Coburns have very fancy Christmas decorations up. <br />
<br />
Eamon called tonight and said he has to be careful about talking about the things he is learning about the corruption probe and that he can only release information on a "need to know basis." He said he is reluctant to share what he knows even with the <i>Valley Advocate</i>, although he said the most recent issue of the <i>Advocate</i> is a good one. Eamon told me that he hears rumors that T. Regina will be the new School Superintendent, which if true he says is a shame because A. Southworth should get it but is being blocked because she is not an Albano supporter. This morning Eamon was talking with Al Kozak of <i>The Cafe Manhattan</i> on Bridge Street. Kozak said that he dislikes the critical comments the <i>Valley Advocate</i> makes about the Entertainment District because he thinks it makes people hesitant to come downtown. Kozak told Eamon that Mike Armitage sometimes comes into his place and is a big spender. Kozak's daughter works as a waitress and Armitage once gave her a $300 tip! <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 6, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and 34 degrees at noon.<br />
<br />
Prices of <i>IBM</i> laptops are tumbling. <i>WFCR</i> says that bookmobile service is being cut back in Florence and other places because funding has been cut by the state. Had a <i>Hungry Man Beef Pot Pie</i> with turnips for lunch. It's best to eat the big meal at noon so you can work it off the rest of the day. Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery is in Bloomfied, Connecticut. <br />
<br />
I belong to many organizations including the American Philological Association. Several years ago Harvard University Press offered t-shirts to people who bought from their English Literature catalog. I received one and it was hideous! It looked like something designed by a lady in a retirement home for Methodist Sunday School teachers. Now they are offering Loeb Library book bags. <br />
<br />
I called Dr. Mastafavi, the urologist I visited last spring, and spoke to his receptionist Margaret. I asked if the doctor would recommend what he considers to be the best prostate pills and she said she'll leave my folder on his desk and he'll get back to me. I told her I am currently taking <i>Solaray Saw Palmetto</i> once a day. Tried to call <i>The Hippodrome</i>, but their answering machine message just plays over and over and you never get an operator. Unknown called and I wasn't around. A woman with a baby voice called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. A man named Frank Morse called from West Virginia, sounded like a black man, calling for Audience Study Inc. and wanting to interview any females in the house between 18 and 24. I said the residents here are all gay men. <br />
<br />
The mail brought a publication <i>For Women Only</i> from the Harvard Woman's Health Watch. I sent it back marked, "No, I am male!" This morning I dropped off the <i>Boston Herald</i> at the Penniman's. A man was raking leaves at 101 Birchland. At 56 Birchland there was white van with a sign in red lettering on it saying "DEVINE/ Wall Covering and Painting/ Interior/Exterior Powerwashing/ Free Estimates/ Roger Devine/ 525-6933." I believe that's one of Tom Devine's cousins. Drove to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres looking for the new <i>Valley Advocate</i>, but it wasn't out yet. Then I went over to the Wilbraham Post Office where I sent out the mail. I sent a letter to President Anthony S. Caprio at WNEC, correcting his English on his latest mailing. I suppose he'll figure it's okay not to answer a crank letter, but I'm not the crank. He needs to hire someone with superior English skills, as I believe his field is French. I would give his English only a C-plus. <br />
<br />
The Inspector General says the Board of Sabis International School made a number of payments in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for which no adequate records were kept. Michael Glickman was the principal then, but that was not mentioned. <i>The Union-News</i> has a Ken Ross story "Historical survey targets Liberty Heights" featuring Francis Gagnon. Peter Goonan also has an article entitled "Springfield sets a summit on school truancy." They would never admit it, but the person responsible for stirring up that issue is Eamon T. O'Sullivan. Eamon has been talking to the <i>Valley Advocate</i>, giving them the names of all the political people he recognizes as being tied to the local mob. He would say no more about it, and refused to give me the list of names. <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 7, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny and 34 degrees at 11:30am.<br />
<br />
Excellence hurts. <br />
<br />
The whole presidential election mess in Florida is thoroughly disgusting. It's clear Florida has sophisticated legal measures for making sure that minority votes won't get counted. Now they've been caught with their pants down and are fighting tooth and nail. I notice that there is a black sitting on the Florida court, Justice Peggy Quince, and the Chief Justice is Charles T. Wells. <i>The Publick House Historic Inn and Country Motor Lodge</i> in Sturbridge is having their Holiday Beer Dinner December 14th. <br />
<br />
Mother used to have plastic all over the place which I hated but it was her home. Now I am getting revenge on Mother by removing plastic whenever I can. I like <i>Vlasic</i> pickles, I didn't know they were owned by <i>Swanson</i>. Sometimes when I get a <i>Chicken Pot Pie</i> I find pieces of the crust rattling around in the box. Is that their fault or mine? Certain types of products sometimes seem all the same, like toilet paper and bottled water and biodegradable trash bags. However, <i>Big Y</i> trash bags rip very easily and lack the tensile strength other bags do. I'm convinced that not all trash bags are created equal. <br />
<br />
I plan to banish bacon, cheese, eggs and candy from my diet. Increasingly, it is becoming hard to come up with things that I can eat. Dr. Mastafavi called and said all the prostate pill brands are the same, just don't get the ones with testosterone or other additives in them. I called the Valley Opportunity Council and asked them to send me information on insurance. Someone called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i> and my identifier said it was someone from the Springfield Library. I recognized the voice as being Joe Carvalho's secretary, but when I asked who is this she hung up. I think she may have recognized my voice and didn't want to acknowledge that she had misdialed.<br />
<br />
I called St. Michael's in Pine Point and they said they'll have brochures about their mausoleum in January. When I asked about the prices, they connected me to Joe Kostek, the Director of Cemeteries. He said they are going to start marketing the mausoleum on January 15th and will charge $6,500 per vault. Conventional in-ground burial at St. Michael's costs $2,200. The mausoleum will also be used for a chapel and for burial services on rainy days. He said to get back in touch with him or Lynn Cary in January for a copy of the brochure. <br />
<br />
Mrs. Staniski's Christmas card came today so I gave her a call. Next week is her birthday and she said her daughter Carol is planning on spending the day with her. Her other daughter Ann will be coming on the weekend. Mrs. Staniski asked if I could get her a copy of the Wesley Church 100th Anniversary program for her in order to send a copy of it to Mrs. Smith's daughter. She said Eleanor Wilcox, who lives at Reeds Landing, told her that Marion Ruggles attended the services, Mrs. Staniski said she herself would have attended but no one invited her.<br />
<br />
Debbie Onslow of <i>WGBY57</i> has aged so much I hardly recognize her. The jewelry shop <i>Carat and Under</i> has reopened in part of the old downtown block where Ravosa had nis offices. Peter Picknelly appeared on camera saying he intends to revitalize the entire area. The news also showed an assembly held at Central High to honor the kids who have raised their GPA by one point. <br />
<br />
Barbara Huber called from Trinity and cheerfully said I could come get my books anytime. I said I'll try to come by soon, and told her to take a good look at the big red book because she'll never see it again. I thanked her for calling. I then called Leonard Collamore; he recognized me immediately from my voice and was exceptionally polite. He said he doesn't get the <i>Oak Knoll</i> catalog so I told him about it. I also told him about <i>Forest Park Antiques</i> and he said he'll stop by there. A Frank Morissey called from 747-9247 and asked for <i>Storrowtown</i>. When I said he had the wrong number he just hung up. I called him back and said, "Mr. Morissey, you forgot one thing." <br />
<br />
"What's that?" <br />
<br />
"You failed to say you were sorry you bothered me," and then I quickly hung up on him!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CL1tqu-mqi1m2a8PZQpGk52QT_2xH6lABRRvdCfCldbz5_A_n8sVa3EgozHa0amGGfLLs27Fj-E515o_ku6sX1gnV8VJTqp6IJ6bf51PhWINM1ynfGbtyXBHsqCu_Ku8ol7vC2_GTX_e/s1600/wesleyspfld.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CL1tqu-mqi1m2a8PZQpGk52QT_2xH6lABRRvdCfCldbz5_A_n8sVa3EgozHa0amGGfLLs27Fj-E515o_ku6sX1gnV8VJTqp6IJ6bf51PhWINM1ynfGbtyXBHsqCu_Ku8ol7vC2_GTX_e/s400/wesleyspfld.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<center><b>Springfield Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church North Centennial Presentation Memorandum</b></center><br />
To the Rev. Corella Brown and Colleagues, Wesley UM Church, 741 State, Springfield 01109<br />
<br />
Congratulations to your church upon its Centennial and best wishes to you for the future. <br />
<br />
Enclosed is my money order for $100 which I send as a gift on this occasion, subject to the following conditions and restrictions - the money is not to be spent but to be added to your permanent invested endowment funds and I am to receive a written thank you letter for the gift. You can think of this as a pretty paltry gift, but it is more than you are likely to get from the many constituents your church once had who are still living but who will not be touching base. <br />
<br />
Some people say "never forget" but it is the order of nature that forgetfulness occur. Dead soldiers tell no tells, and the survivors grow feeble of mind as well as body and drop off so that new life and hope and love may emerge for their moment where "rarely reason guides" but only the Sun. When my father John W. Miller came to Springfield from Bethel, Vermont in the late 1920's he brought with him a letter of reference from his dad, the Rev. J. Wesley Miller, to Rev. Rice of Wesley Church, and Wesley became Father's church, although he and Mother were married by Grandfather in Bethel. <br />
<br />
I was baptized by the Rev. John Hoon and reared in Wesley Church. The Parish House was new, though of fundamentally wooden construction. As a youngster, the main building seemed curious, old and special. I sang in the Junior Choir under a sweet, timid little lady named Doris Copley, an unmarried woman who lived with her more assertive sister Averill. I sang in the Chapel Choir under Madeline C. Hunt, an Oberlin alumna in organ and a crack typing teacher at Commerce. She lived with the other crack typing teacher at Commerce, Miss Walker, on Massachusetts Avenue. Once a year she hosted a tea party for the choir members, in addition she provided rides on snowy days for the five choir members who lived most distant from the church. I was slightly active in the youth groups and still have a Sunday School class picture from way back. <br />
<br />
Each Christmas the Sanctuary was filled with pots of red flowers all around the altar, and at Easter the flowers were white. The congregation was so large that the immense sliding doors into Fellowship Hall were slid back. The apex of Wesley in the old days was a winter series Leslie Johnson staged called the University of Life which came with Sunday evening dinner, featuring cultural lectures on various things. I remember the Masonic pin Leslie sported on his lapel, and also the long parade of Masons who formed outside the church each Masonic Sunday in the spring and paraded in to a special section of the sanctuary where they sat as a body. <br />
<br />
Sometimes my parents took me to other Methodist churches - to Trinity where the ushers wore spats, to South Church where Gilkey was noted for his children's sermonettes, and once to the Church of the Unity where an immense bowl of peonies sat on the white altar in gleaming beauty. As preparation for church membership Johnson did a passable job over a series of Saturday mornings making us memorize the books of the Bible in the correct order. In due course I acquired a Bible inscribed to me by him, a hymnal with my name stamped on the cover and a veritable rainbow of choir ribbons for six years of service. After I went away to Colby, Winifred Herman faithfully sent a copy of "The Upper Room" each month for some time. <br />
<br />
Change is the Law of Life and changes were stirring. My parents wanted me to join the junior Masonic Order of DeMolay because the kids of all the other men where Father worked belonged. I was somewhat uncomfortable because I thought the group encouraged a hatred of Catholics. But what really got me was all the brothers were white. I asked why we couldn't initiate Paul Mason, and Russ "Dad" Parker, who worked as a roofer and lived in the cheap section of Longmeadow, growled "Would you want your sister dancing with one?" I sent a letter to Methodist headquarters asking why we couldn't have black members, using my address as feature staffer for the <i>Classical Recorder</i> so my parents wouldn't find out I was causing trouble. I received a letter saying that the matter would have to be discussed in private. I have that letter to this day. <br />
<br />
I began to feel that the training I had received at Wesley was suspiciously hypocritical. I recall my 12th grade Sunday School teacher reciting the jingle, "Once a minority/gaining a majority/seizing authority/hates a minority!" I think he was thinking of the Irish, but it is a jingle of universal application. After graduating from Colby, I returned to Springfield and made a speech at Christmas demanding equality for blacks which infuriated Dad Parker and he handed my DeMolay application back to me saying he knew "they would never approve it." The Springfield chapter of DeMolay has since gone out of existence, and the nearest one is a Brownstone Chapter in East Longmeadow. <br />
<br />
Wesley Church was a racist church. Religion has done more to promote hatred and misery than any other force on the face of the globe. I'm referring not just to Methodism but to all religions. At Wesley the racism was subdued and Johnson sometimes preached against racism. But when black folks started to come to Wesley in large numbers, with services increasingly becoming interrupted by a "glory hallelujah" or two, the white folks started leaving. Many deserted to South Church, more hardcore Methodists migrated to Trinity. Today Liberty is the only really Methodist Church in the city. <br />
<br />
Soon I went to grad school at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where I made my famous collection of 60's posters that is now located in the Manuscripts Division of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. On holidays I returned to Springfield and attended Wesley, persuading my parents to continue. My parents had brought me up to have no special feelings against blacks, or Irishmen or Jews (my violin teacher was Maurice Freedman). We did not desert Wesley Church, we stayed, until eventually Wesley Church kicked me out. <br />
<br />
Shortly after the church's 75th anniversary, the main church was damaged in a fire. The organ burned, the freshly painted sanctuary had smoke damage and the carpeting was ruined. Fellowship Hall and the back Sunday School complex were unscathed as was the dining room with the portrait of Anna Danforth on the wall. The firemen who saved the building did an admirable job. My parents informed me that if the building were demolished they would leave. The church increasingly appeared to be headed nowhere, and little money was donated to restore the church. <br />
<br />
Methodism is slipping and Methodism has failed. Methodism has slipped away slowly but surely, so the disastrous fire at Wesley came in the context of a fading Methodist church. It would have been gracious if our neighbors at Trinity had offered appreciation and encouragement for saving at least part of the old Wesley structure. Methodists lost their pride in there distinctive contributions to church architecture, and so Wesley was demolished. When the demolition began, I appeared on the Wesley Church lot and took progress photos of the demolition, resulting in over 100 color photos. They show that Wesley Methodist Church did not burn down. There was a fire in it, but the destruction was the will of the congregation. I should have gotten some friends and chained myself to the bulldozer. <br />
<br />
Following the demolition, I corresponded with Leslie Johnson, and over the years I have visited Wesley at widely spaced intervals and walked around to see how things are. The church archives are in disarray and should be donated to the Quadrangle. When Leslie Johnson died I was alarmed to learn that Wesley did not send a representative to the funeral. I obtained a copy of his Worcester obituary and sent it to the church and never had the courtesy of a thankyou note. There is no use crying over spilled milk, but Wesley Church was the finest church in Winchester Square. The structure today looks like a chapel attached to a chapel. <br />
<br />
I have always considered the demolition of Wesley Methodist, without even saving the tower, as a kind of architectural racism. The current black congregation would be proud today to sit in what was Wesley Church with its lovely windows and its organ up front and a black pastor at the altar. I should be proud to come there sometimes. A church is God's House, it is a special place, and if that place is in fact not special, you will never have people in it. The final insult came when I was booted out of Wesley Church. I attended the dedication of the new church, but a week before I received a notice that I had to renew my vows to the church, having taken vows earlier when under the duress of youth and not having made any contributions in recent years, so they said I had become "a burden" to the church. I promised that I would never again be a burden to the church and by quitting I shall not be. <br />
<br />
I am yours, with congratulations on your Centennial, <br />
<br />
John Wesley Miller III, Esq. <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 8, 2000</b></center><br />
WFCR said it was 18 degrees at 8:30am. No breeze.<br />
<br />
Thoughts create destiny. <br />
<br />
<i>NPR</i> had a piece about President Clinton's trip to Nebraska, where no President has visited since 1939. A Meagan Dunn who lives near Lincoln said that Nebraskans don't want outsiders to come to their state, and said "the reason we're such good neighbors is because we have no neighbors." I think there is a profound truth in that, over population creates problems as there are more people bumping into each other. Swarthmore is dumping football. I can easily finish a book in an hour or two, then I am anxious to start another book. <br />
<br />
Today I worked on alphabetizing the catalog cards for the books I've purchased in the last decade. For lunch I had <i>Campbell's Broccoli Soup</i> and a piece of pizza. When I went out the garage door this morning I noticed that my dumpster was missing. There were no tracks in the snow. I departed at 9:30am and went directly to Trinity Church to pick up the books I lent them. In front of Trinity there is a two-sided lawn sign, one side says <i>Trintiy Summer Day Camp</i> and the other side says <i>Trinity Pre-School and Kindergarten</i>. Huber was friendly and told me that Mrs. Goad delivers her sermons from notes and never prints them. I told Huber that I thought the Goads have done a wonderful job at Trinity. I asked if they had any copies of the church paper kicking around but no. I made no fuss. As I left I noticed that the printer next to Huber's desk is a <i>Toshiba</i>.<br />
<br />
I buzzed from Trinity out to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres and made two copies of my Wesley Church essay for Mrs. Staniski. While there I picked up the new <i>Valley Advocate</i>. I put out the mail by placing it in the mailbox outside <i>Goodwill</i>. Included was my cancellation of my subscription to <i>Newsweek</i> for having too many health and religion features and not enough world news. Inside the <i>Goodwill</i> I saw a nice lamp I recognized as something selling for top dollar in one of the fancy catalogs I get. Patty let me have it for a mere $15, but it's a fair swap considering all the things of Mother's I've donated to them. I arrived at <i>Angelo's</i> about 11am and bought some fruit, although the price of tomatoes was too high so I bought none.<br />
<br />
When I got home I saw that <i>Jam's Bar & Grill</i> on Pasco Road had called from 796-1637. I dialed the number and no one answered, probably it was someone calling <i>Storrowtown</i> from a pay phone in the bar. On <i>TV24</i> tonight I watched the Suzie Orman program <i>The Courage to be Rich</i>. <i>Caffeine's</i> downtown is presenting a charity art show featuring artists Robert Valenti, Bruce Guindon, Angry Johnny and others. Business sponsors include <i>V-Mag</i> and <i>Executive Business Solutions</i>. The Event Coordinator is Terrence Davenport. <br />
<br />
I am a 40 year member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants. I received a letter in the mail from Laurie Cassidy, the Ombudsman for Greater Springfield Senior Services, acknowledging my "dissatisfaction with the <i>Ring East Nursing Home</i> over issues surrounding your mother's care." At 2:23pm Robert Giaquinto of 56 Birchland called and said he has an extra dumpster in front of his house and noticed mine is gone. So I went down there, and sure enough it was mine so I rolled it back to my house. Someone named Rita called about a <i>Fairfield Resort</i> vacation package and I snapped, "I don't go on vacations!" and hung up the phone in her ear. <br />
<br />
The trick is to get your things into as many files as possible so that hopefully they will survive someplace. On <i>TV22</i> Barry Krieger had Dick Messier on camera lamenting how someone stole the lighted reindeer from the Sixteen Acres triangle in front of the church. I notice I hear less frequently from Eamon these days. He has mentioned that he's been busy with many responsibilities, but never said what. Perhaps he's decided to dump me on account of the porn video that I sent him, but that's hard to believe. He may have also disliked what I said about him in my letter to Tom Vannah. He has retreated in the past and perhaps he is retreating now. <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 10, 2000</b></center><br />
Sun coming out, 23 degrees at 8am. <br />
<br />
The Supreme Court has ordered a halt to the counting of ballots by a 5-4 vote. Shame on the Republicans for their unending efforts to disqualify thousands of votes in Florida. This is about counting ballots, ALL of them! <i>Fleet Mortgage</i> is located at <i>Monarch Place</i>, Springfield. Gary Kaczmarczyk works for <i>First Eastern Mortgage Corporation</i> in West Springfield. Joseph Zajac lives on Granby Road in Chicopee. A film about the Italian community around Mt. Carmel has been produced by an Italian lady from Greenfield and the cable endowment. <br />
<br />
Sunny in the morning, overcast in the afternoon. On <i>TV24</i> I listened to Andrea Bocelli sing, he's the replacement for Pavarotti. I listened to it with my head helmet on while eating a can of pineapples. I drove out at 10:10 and brought the <i>Boston Herald</i> down to the Penniman's. Then I had an Egg McMuffin at <i>McDonald's</i> on Allen Street. They new have cash register technology with little cups into which your change rolls down. I remember the cash register at the <i>Meridian Restaurant</i> in the basement of <i>Forbes & Wallace</i> had such a device. Then down to <i>Food Mart</i>, where I used a $3 gift certificate to save even more on the specials. I went to check out a house for sale at 853 Allen Street. It looks nice from the outside, but inside it was all banged up. <br />
<br />
I went downtown looking for ephemera from Albano's birthday party at the <i>Paramount/Hippodrome</i>, but found nothing. Wesley Church had 37 cars in their parking lot. I did note that the original <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> building at 1665 Main Street has a 1918 cornerstone. On the way home I stopped at <i>Angelo's Fruits and Vegetables</i>, but bought nothing. Also went to the <i>East Coast Marketplace</i> and bought four generic all purpose cards at 99 cents each, plain and dignified. When I got home, I cooked up a <i>Stouffer's Lasagna</i> with some <i>Green Giant Mixed Vegetables</i> that I bought on special a few days ago. Later in the day, I cooked up a <i>Sara Lee Blueberry Pie</i>. <br />
<br />
Heard nothing from Eamon. My primary achievement today was successfully editing Mother's pricetag collection. I call it the Blanche Ethel Wilson Miller Pricetag Gallery. It is a virtual museum of price tags! Mother often wrote on the back of the tag or register tape what she bought and the date. Mother was extremely thrifty. She saved everything, but nothing she had was junk (unlike Aunt Maria) because Mother took good care of everything she owned. Mother saved all her price tags and cash register tapes in a box in her closet. They are mostly from the 1960's and 70's, but someplace in the attic there are more. Mother had a genius for preserving things.<br />
<br />
I went over all the tapes and tags and threw out all but one well imprinted example of each design and style from each store. Almost all the tags were from merchandise that had been marked down. <i>J.M. Fields</i> in particular would mark things down bit by bit until they sold. <i>Topps</i> on Boston Road and <i>Woolworth</i> downtown were other such stores. Most of the tags are from stores that no longer exist, though in their day they seemed like institutions that would last forever. <i>Bradlees</i> and <i>Ames</i> are still around, but <i>Grants</i> and <i>Caldors</i> collapsed suddenly. Nothing lasts. <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 12, 2000</b></center><br />
Overcast, misty, 34 degrees at 8am. Gas is $1.53 at the <i>Cumberland Farms</i> across from <i>Angelo's</i>. <br />
<br />
The first high speed train between Boston and Washington began running today. <i>Yankee Candle</i> is concerning itself with educating buyers in candle safety. The Chicopee Lodge was instituted in 1848. Jeffrey Marshall is the Archivist for the University of Vermont. Angie Liebel is a Mortgage Consultant for <i>People's Bank</i>. Jennifer Granger is a Sales Consultant for <i>New England Fidelity Insurance</i>. <i>Banknorth Mortgage</i> is a division of <i>First Massachusetts Bank</i>. I am a member of the <i>Spam</i> Fan Club, which charges $15 per year membership dues.<br />
<br />
There are pine cones on the ground all over the street and my driveway. Roy Scott was having a terrible time this morning on the radio, at one point saying that someone "didn't know who the Beatles was." That should have been "were" not was! Yesterday <i>Fleet Bank</i> gave me a white and raspberry card giving me a dollar off at <i>Bright Nights</i>. I added it to my postcard collection, as I will not be going to Forest Park's overpriced light show, even at a dollar off. <br />
<br />
Called Dr. Mullan today and Patience told me they may be getting their flu shots in on Wednesday. Next I called Guizonis at <i>Edwards</i> but he was out. Nader the Hatter called yesterday and said he wants me to send my book of legal jokes to a woman friend of his he considers to be too serious. I sent it inscribed, saying that "these are all the legal jokes you will ever need." By writing something substantial, it increases the book's value. Nader, of course, covered the $75 book and shipping cost. Finally, I called Mrs. Staniski, and she said her water faucet is not working in her bathroom and the plumber is coming this afternoon. She said she had a nice birthday. <br />
<br />
Sometime today my odometer turned over to 00,000. It read 99,996.7 when I left at 9:35am. I sent out the mail by putting it in the mailbox outside <i>Louis & Clark</i>. I mailed the gas and water bill payments as well as letters telling the Red Cross and Salvation Army to stop sending fundraising letters to Mother. Then I drove over to my old neighborhood and drove around. The little cottage behind Maher's, once Corcoran, has been fixed up and is now for sale. The enormous oak tree at Mrs. Jones is still there at 36 Highland. Albro was at 22 Highland and it is still one of the best houses over there. Douglas Schenck was at 38 Lakeside. <br />
<br />
Next I drove down to Winchester/Mason Square and got some literature at the Martin Luther King Center. As I was leaving, State Rep. Benjamin Swan was just arriving in a white car and he waved. This was about 10:25. I paused at ARISE and they said they will be moving out by the 17th. Their dumpster is loaded, but Michaelann said there is still much to discard or move to their new place. On the way back I swung by <i>Angelo's</i>, where Salvatore Anzalotti agreed with me that poll workers are badly underpaid for all the headaches they have to put up with. From there I continued up Boston Road to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, where they were passing out free mugs and bags of pretzels.<br />
<br />
The power went off from 11:02 until 11:52am. I had lasagna and a tossed salad for lunch. The weather throughout the day was dramatic and atmospheric. The other day when going through Mother's cash register tape collection, I noticed that a lot of tapes say "thank you" on them, but <i>Walmart's</i> do not. So I called the Boston Road <i>Walmart</i> and got James Bowen, who thought it would be a nice idea to say thank you on their cash register tapes and he will bring it up with the higher ups. Bowen sounded black. A man called at 2:47pm and asked for information about the party on the 23rd for ex-Congressman Boland. I told him I didn't know what he was talking about, that I am a Republican who would never hold a party for Boland and hung up. Of course they must have been trying to reach <i>Storrowtown</i>. <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 13, 2000</b></center><br />
28 degrees at 8am, sunny, clear blue sky. Gas at <i>Pride</i> in the Acres is $1.49 per gallon. <br />
<br />
The Supreme Court has effectively made George W. Bush the President. Somebody on TV said that the Republican counties in Florida have optical scanner voting machines, while poor Democratic counties have obsolete, worn out voting machinery. That's how George Bush won. <i>WFCR</i> played Beethoven today as part of their series on him. Glenna Nowell was Director of the Gardiner Public Library in Maine in 1994. Kristen Ambrose of Wilbraham delivers my <i>Reminder</i>. <br />
<br />
Drove out at 9:35am and dropped off a bag at Cohn's. He was watching out the window as I hauled his dumpster out of the street and brought in his recycling boxes. I arrived at Dr. Mullan's office at 10:16am and sat listening to Beethoven on the car radio for a few minutes before going in. There was not much business in the doctor's office, but the nurse made me wait awhile before she gave me my flu shot. It cost $16 and I paid by check. The phlebotanist Beth Ann was wearing raspberry scrubs and told me she lives on the corner of Balboa and Embassy and is 30 years old. <br />
<br />
From there, I went to the <i>Telephone Worker's Credit Union</i>, where I asked Dolores P. Rodrigues about insurance. She led me to an office in the far backside corner, where I chatted with Cynthia Farmer who offered me a 10% discount on car insurance. On the way out, I noticed we passed MacDonald's glassed in office, which he has never invited me in anytime I have come to see him. From the Credit Union, I walked up Main toward <i>Tower Square</i>. In the trash can in front of the <i>Peter Pan Bus Terminal</i>, I found 15 copies of yesterday's paper, despite my formal complaints that the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> are not being recycled. I bought creme puffs and a chocolate Santa for Mrs. Staniski at <i>Gus & Paul's</i> for less than $10. I left downtown and went to see Mrs. Staniski, bringing her books, magazines and goodies for her birthday. She gave me some <i>Harvard Gazettes</i> from Ann and said that Carol brought over a big bag of bird seed earlier. <br />
<br />
On my way back, I was waiting at a red light by St. Michael's Cemetery when a black car with a black driver 205 PIY coasted through the intersection like the light was green. I honked loudly as he sped away. Doyle the Twig Painter has a lavishly decorated tree in his front window where his artwork is usually displayed. <i>Gateway Hardware</i> had about 8 or 10 cars parked at the side of the store. I continued up Boston Road to the <i>Big Y</i>, where I have been buying <i>Stouffer's</i> dinners on sale all week, although they only let you buy five each day. On the way home, I noted how the intersection of Breckwood Circle and Grayson was repaved recently, but they should have straightened out the street because it is hard to see who is coming and the new paving encourages speeding. Of course, straightening the road would have been expensive. <br />
<br />
Jeanne Webster of Agawam has sent me a letter saying "nothing has been done as yet about the plans for the hundredth anniversary of the Tuesday Morning Music Club" in 2002. She noted that "Florence Center wrote a history of the Club" for its 75th anniversary "so it can simply be added to as needed." Later, I called <i>Valley Opportunity</i> and got Sheila Reitz RN, and she thinks eligibility for <i>MassHealth</i> is income based and not based on assets. She said I should call the Division of Medical Assistance to see what free services I may be able to get from a hospital or clinic. <br />
<br />
Roy Scott was blabbing away on <i>TV57</i> last night. Eamon and I have not been communicating much lately. Is he cutting me off? The mail brought a check from <i>Bank of Boston</i>, now <i>Fleet</i>, and something from Robert Arieti from the City Council Office, featuring Tim Rooke, who probably wants to be mayor someday. The mail also brought this impeccably polite note from WNEC's President, "Dear Atty. Miller, I enjoyed your annotation. You are fully correct, including the use of shall/will. Language is great to examine. I regret that I did not see the final version of that piece. Thank you, Anthony Caprio." <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 14, 2000</b></center><br />
Lovely all day, cummulus clouds lacing the sky. 27 degrees at 2:15pm.<br />
<br />
Albert Gore has made his concession speech saying "while I strongly disagree with the Supreme Court's decision, I accept it." It's amazing how far George W. Bush has gotten in life with the poor grades he got in college. On the <i>Lehrer News Hour</i>, David Brooks of the <i>Weekly Standard</i> said that Bush's victory speech was not as good as Gore's concession speech. David Broder of the <i>Washington Post</i> explained that "the Bush men do not feel comfortable talking in lofty terms about historic moments." On TV last night, Senator Brian Lees predicted that "Bush will do well partly because expectations are so low." <br />
<br />
Western New England College is conducting their Faculty and Staff Annual Giving Campaign. In 1999, Judith A. Matt, President of Spirit of Springfield, put together items for a New Millennium Time Capsule, and asked citizens to "write down any thoughts you may have as a lasting treasure of our times." This morning <i>WFCR</i> was playing the Beethoven sections of <i>Creatures of Prometheus</i>. Dined today on <i>Stouffer's Fillet of Fish</i> and fruit. The most significant thing about my Springfield poster collection is not just what's in it, but what's not. You can see what groups didn't think Springfield was worth wasting a poster on. <br />
<br />
I drove out at 2pm and cashed a check at <i>Fleet</i> with Andrea Dixon. I pointed out that none of the pens on their counter worked and she replied, "We already know." Then I headed to East Longmeadow to the <i>GNC</i> store there to buy some prostate pills. I wished a Merry Christmas to the clerk, an Indian woman named Deena, and she said she is Hindu, but added "we celebrate Christmas as a matter of goodwill." I bought a load of stuff, then headed over to the East Longmeadow <i>Big Y</i>. Their <i>Big Y</i> is really fancy inside, with much more variety and more festively decorated than the Boston Road so-called World Class Market. They have nice merchandise that the Boston Road store simply does not carry. These little touches tell the story of Springfield's inferior status. From East Longmeadow I went to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres and filled my tank with gas, spending $20 on the button. <br />
<br />
Of all the department stores that were in business in the 60's and 70's, <i>Bradlees</i> is about all that is left. When going through Mother's collection of price tags and cash register tapes the other day, I put aside some of the better samples from <i>Bradlees</i> and had them with me in the car. I proceeded to <i>Bradlees</i> by the hardware store and a friendly young Assistant Manager named Bailey, petite and alert, was waiting on two customers. I waited until she was finished with them and then showed her the <i>Bradlees</i> tapes and tags from Mother's collection, comparing them with one from <i>Forbes & Wallace</i>. <br />
<br />
She looked at them with delight and when I suggested they give me a $50 gift certificate for them she said she would buy them and call it a "miscellaneous expense." Suddenly from somewhere a man named Ken Morehouse appeared and announced that he was the store manager, and although he would like to buy them, he could not authorize their purchase. The Assistant Manager looked disappointed, but there was nothing she could do. I said I understood, then ripped the tapes and tags in half right in front of them, carefully read the manager's name badge, and left. <br />
<br />
Nader the Hatter sent me a note in the mail with some clippings from the <i>Miami Herald</i> about the presidential election mess. He complemented me by saying "like you, non income producing ventures have long been my priority and I find the competition is positively exhilarating!" He also boasted that he came upon a book at a church tag sale in Florida that was autographed by former First Lady Betty Ford and inscribed to a Broward County Democratic Committeeman. He claimed he bought it for 50 cents!<br />
<br />
<i>Friendly's</i> is advertising that you can have a Jubilee Roll sundae for "99 cents with any meal." Does that include breakfast? I decided to find out. I called the <i>Friendly's</i> on lower Sumner Avenue and got Roberta who said, "No, just with lunch and supper." Next I called the <i>Eastfield Mall Friendly's</i> and got Jan and asked her if I could get a 99 cent Jubilee Roll sundae with my breakfast. She instantly replied, "No, I don't think so." I asked, "Is breakfast not a meal?" She decided to get her boss Judy, who insisted that no, I could not. I insisted, "If I were in your store and had pancakes and bacon and eggs and you refused me, I'd start screaming!" She then said she would probably let me have it because they like to satisfy their customers. I concluded, "Have you ever dined at <i>Ruby Tuesday</i>? If you have, you'll never dine at <i>Friendly's</i> again." Quite remarkably she replied, "I know." <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 16, 2000</b></center><br />
Everything is ice covered and sparkling, 30 degrees at 8am.<br />
<br />
They live twice who enjoy both the past and present. - Marcus Martial <br />
<br />
We hear more on the news, day by day, about Israel than any other foreign country. Why? The Bush Administration has received 25,000 resumes for 6,000 jobs. Jay Leno last night: "As long as the Supreme Court is fixed, you don't have to fix the voting!" There is a Rep. George Miller serving in Congress from California. Pamela P. Swain is the Assistant Executive Director of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, a national center for family and local history. The address of the East Longmeadow <i>Big Y</i> is 441 North Main Street. Eric Swensen is the Manager. <i>The Flower Box</i> is located at 596 Carew Street. <br />
<br />
Today is the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. The Springfield Preservation Trust conducts Historic Homes Tours of houses in Forest Park. <i>The Lil Chipmunks Daycare</i> is in Wilbraham. <i>The Escape Night Club</i> is on Pine Avenue in Chicopee. TV weatherman Adam Strempko slipped and said <i>TV24</i> before quickly correcting himself to <i>TV22</i>. Today it was all Beethoven on <i>WFCR</i>. There are wonderful expansive, visionary spaces in Beethoven's work sometimes, but much of it is boring. I prefer Handel, Hayden and Mozart, sorry. Beethoven's 230th birthday is Saturday. <br />
<br />
There are grounds to question the judgement of Tom Burton on matters of decor, such as the ivory with rust brown trim in the branches and all the prints covered with wavy plexiglass. I called the <i>Hampden</i> branch in West Springfield, and asked about insurance. Ann Toto told me, "No, we don't sell it anymore." I also called the Allen Street branch and spoke to the manager Carolyn Hodge. She was friendly but said, "I don't have anything to do with insurance." Mid-afternoon Dr. Mullan's nurse Michelle called and said my PSA was 4.9 and that the doctor "would really like you to see a urologist." She gave me the name of Dr. Leonard H. Shaker and when I asked about his reputation she replied, "He's very good."<br />
<br />
I called Pearsall in Wilbraham, but his secretary Fran said he was gone for the day. Stephen Collins wrote me on how to nominate Mo Turner for the Lovejoy Award, basically to "honor and preserve the memory of Elijah Parish Lovejoy, America's first martyr to Freedom of the Press and a Colby graduate (1826) who died bravely rather than forsake his editorial principles." I also received a response from Rev. Maria L. Coleman in regards to my essay on Wesley Methodist Church. She said that Bishop Susan Hassinger asked her to respond: <br />
<br />
<i>Dear Atty. Miller, <br />
<br />
Thank you for your reflection on Wesley Church's past and your rationale for your response to Wesley Church's Centennial Anniversary Celebration. You also included specific information on your personal background and accomplishments and your connection to Wesley Church. All these were helpful. An accurate recording and sharing of history is important lest we repeat its mistakes. It allows us to honor and celebrate the past, even as we learn from it and move into the future. Each of us stands in a particular place in relation to the reality of history. Dialogue form several perspectives can help us all truly see. Thank you for your continued interest in Wesley Church.</i> <br />
<br />
She sounds like a Methodist Sunday School teacher. Got the morning paper at <i>Walgreens</i> in the Acres, then out to <i>Eastfield Mall</i> where I walked around. Jerry Marchand was very nicely playing <i>Silent Night</i> on his Celtic harp in the food court by a table with his disks and tapes for sale. He is a lab assistant for Mt. Holyoke College in geology and runs the <i>Rock n' Bone Mineral Shop</i> in Westhampton. Later I went across to <i>Stop&Shop</i> to buy the specials - sooner or later everything is available on special. Then to <i>McDonald's</i> by <i>Stop&Shop</i> for a 99 cent double-cheeseburger. One of the side doors was locked, so I complained to a young guy named Matt in a blue shirt that it was "pretty late in the morning not to have both doors unlocked." <br />
<br />
One of the goals of this diary is to reflect what life was like at Five Birchland Avenue. Dinner this evening was a can of <i>Progresso Beef Barley Soup</i> and a microwaved potato. Nine people were busted in the Springfield area for mob activity. I spoke to Eamon very briefly about it, and he said he has no inside information about it, but thinks the <i>Valley Advocate</i> will have all the details. I told him the <i>Advocate</i> doesn't usually pay a lot of attention to the local mob. Today I went to the Tax Meeting at Central High. I arrived at one o'clock and counted 56 cars in the lot. As I walked in I held the door for Councilors Bud Williams and Dominic Sarno. <br />
<br />
Don Flannery was there, nicely dressed in a topcoat and business suit advocating for a plan to adjust the salaries of politicians and city workers. I gave Flannery Eamon's number. Ex-Officer Bob Brown of Maebeth was there. Most of those in attendance were old and the speakers were inarticulate. Russ Denver was standing in the back. There were 52 in attendance including me, and only five were black. No Powells, no Tom Devine. It was a dull affair so I left early, but on the way home I saw a Grand Reopening sign on the Acres <i>Dunkin Donuts</i>. They gave me a free spill-proof coffee mug of a higher quality than I've seen elsewhere. Home at 1:55pm. <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 18, 2000</b></center><p><br />
Overcast, mist on the windows, everything wet. 55 degrees at 4:45pm. <br />
<br />
Reporter Emily Harris said that sales tax revenue is falling, which is usually a good indicator that a recession may be coming. Today the electors in the Electoral College meet in the state capitols. The flu season peaks in December and a fewer than normal number of flu shots have been given. <i>WMECO</i> is requesting a 15% rate hike, I thought deregulation was supposed to lower prices? Blake and his group still own 10% of <i>Friendly's</i> stock. <i>Aetna</i> is laying off 2500. <i>WFCR</i> played Handel's <i>Messiah</i> at 9:15am. There was wonderful music on <i>WFCR</i> all day. <br />
<br />
I am a descendant of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins, pilgrims who came over on the Mayflower. In 1989 I made a contribution to the Vergillian Society in honor of Robert John Gula. </p><p>When I went to bed at 9:15 last night, rain was coming down with flashes of lightning. I work better on cloudy days when normal people are depressed. Seeing others happily playing in the sunshine depresses me. My phone ID said Takvor Melikian called so I called back and he said sorry, he was trying to call his paperboy. Perhaps the Caron kid has a paper route. I finally finished alphabetizing all the cards for the books I bought in the 1990's. It required two large file card drawers. <br />
<br />
Parked on the other side of the street this morning was a sporty little red Chrysler LeBaron convertible. Dropped off some stuff at the Cohn's, then I drove out to the Wilbraham Town Office and left a copy of my land deed with Pearsall's Secretary Fran, an older, stocky woman. Then Pearsall himself appeared and asked me if I absolutely had to have the land transfer done by the end of the year, and I said no, but I would like to have the land off my hands by the February tax payment. He said that's "doable" a favorite term of his. He said the problem is getting the Town Council to act as they are currently involved in several major projects. As I left I picked up a <i>Reminder</i> in the free paper section of the Town Hall lobby. <br />
<br />
Next, I briefly went to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> where they gave me a free Santa candle with a coupon, then to <i>Ruby Tuesday</i> for the salad bar for $5.97. When I got back, I found that Irving Cohn had left a bag of magazines by my garage door. Today's mail brought a copy of the <i>Elms College Annual Report</i>, which lists all the Cairde members. I counted 501 including myself, although they still list Eamon who has not renewed and Robert Pazini who is deceased. Kathleen T. Flynn is listed, as is Thomas Hunt. It's as though they are trying to get the longest list they can justify printing. I also received a letter from the Pilgrim Society. <br />
<br />
Someone named Wesley Wayne Miller, once named best all around student and a three sport athlete, has been accused of killing a cheerleader who declined to date him. Dined tonight on a bag of <i>Birdseye Mixed Veggies</i> and a <i>Stouffer's Chicken a la King</i> dinner. I wrote some of my Christmas cards this afternoon. Jack Briggs was on <i>TV22</i> tonight in a paneled office with a poinsettia behind him, talking about how falling interest rates make this a good time to buy a home. Briggs always comes across as talking down to his audience. </p><p>There is a group of rather mediocre people in the local Democratic machine who always seem to get jobs in economic development positions. <br />
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</p><center><b>December 19, 2000</b></center><br />
Sun dancing in and out, 31 degrees at 7:30am. Gas is $1.46 by Watershops Pond. <br />
<br />
Last night <i>Antiques Roadshow</i> reran a show from Hartford I'd never seen before. There seems to be less Christmas programming on Public TV this year. They did have a Jewish music program that had Theodore Bickel in it. The chubby faced little old man doing the singing was none other than Springfield's Morton Shames, whom I have not seen in recent years. I'm sorry that the University of Wisconsin's <i>Inside the Academy</i> is apparently no longer publishing. The newsletter was a channel, among many, from which Madison gossip leaked to me here many miles away, and so I miss it. I'll have to write to Gail Kohl and find out what's happening. <br />
<br />
Dropped off a bag of magazines at the Cohn's, then to <i>Louis & Clark</i> to buy stamps and drop my mail in their outside box. Then down to ARISE and Michaelann Bewsee was there. The back area seemed cleaned out, but the main area was the same as always. Their new address is 94 Rifle and they have to be all moved in by the end of the month. When I left I drove down to Rifle Street and their new place is a lot more modern, but doesn't seem to be as large.<br />
<br />
Next I went to <i>Angelo's</i> and got fruit and salad, the <i>Cumberland Farms</i> across the street was selling gas for $1.53 per gallon. <i>Frank's</i> is the garden store next to the Boston Road <i>Big Y</i> for the past dozen years or so and appears to be closing. They have a big banner out front saying "Everything Must Go" so are they going? Further up Boston Road <i>Mr. Tux</i> is boarded up with a sign reading "Closed Due to Car Accident - Reopening January 2001." <br />
<br />
I then continued on to the <i>Eastfield Mall</i>, where the parking lot was packed everywhere except outside the theater, which is pretty good trade in the morning on a weekday. I got some prostate pills at <i>GNC</i> and was waited on by a woman whose nametag read ARAX. I said that is an unusual name, and she replied that her full name is Arex Charkoudian. She told me they have a lot of trouble with people coming in, opening the pill bottles and stealing medication out of them and then placing the bottle back on the shelf. <br />
<br />
As I was leaving the mall, I was in front of <i>Penny's</i> when a forest green <i>Buick</i> 3095 LE driven by a black man came speeding down the outside lane and almost hit me. I went across the street to <i>Stop&Shop</i> for the specials, then came back home where I saw that the lawn of the old Petzold place is not picked up with pine cones all over and the whole property is a pigpen. Later I called <i>Friendly's</i> and got Lance in Stockholder Relations, who told me that Priestly Blake and The Helen Blake Trust are buying up stock "for investment purposes." I told him I hope the Blakes become more powerful since the new owners have the wrong vision of what <i>Friendly's</i> should be. He thanked me for my comments and wished me a Merry Christmas. <br />
<br />
<i>Hampden Bank</i> has never been as competitive as they made out to be, with their puffing up and wrong headedness they have caused a serious default on the <i>Hampden</i> good name. The December 14th edition of the <i>Springfield Journal</i> has on page 8 a quarter page Merry Christmas ad from Mayor Albano. No such thing appeared in <i>The Reminder</i>. I am awaiting a response from Peter E. Heinrichs to a blistering letter I sent him, shaming his church for aiding and abetting the collapse of Wesley Church by accepting members who were fleeing Wesley Church because they thought that too many blacks were moving into the Square. <br />
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<center><b>December 21, 2000</b></center><br />
Sunny, 25 degrees this morning.<br />
<br />
The Boy Scouts is a quasi-military organization that encourages the notion that war is fun.<br />
<br />
Jane Fonda is 63 today. The news says Massachusetts has closed half their hospitals - Ludlow was one - and now they are complaining there isn't enough hospital beds to meet demand. <i>Spaulding</i> announced it will furlough 100 employees after Christmas. Today in my files I came across a letter written in 1948 from Sidney B. Smith, Director of the University of Vermont Library, to Mr. D. Feigenbaum of Boston. Last year <i>Eastfield Mall</i> gave away tall candles at Christmastime, this year they are giving away much shorter ones. <br />
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Yesterday I endured a most unpleasant period where I was very ill. I had a feast on a chicken I bought at <i>Stop&Shop</i> after eating too much at <i>Ruby Tuesday's</i>. I also had a grapefruit from <i>Angelo's</i> that may have been spoiled. In any case, I had a terrible case of diarrhea which kept me up all night. I was weak all day yesterday, but eventually did get some sleep. I spent most of yesterday in the chase lounge and didn't start to revive until last night. I did nothing yesterday and so have little to record except I did get a Christmas card from Mary Alice Stusick and her husband Gary Plant. Unknown called three times.<br />
<br />
I spent part of this morning reading about the library of environmentalist George Perkins Marsh. His collection reminded me of the Forbes Library in Northampton in its prime, when it had lots of foreign stuff and all the major authors, although not a complete set of the English poets. Then this afternoon I went out to pick up the new <i>Valley Advocate</i>, then went over to see Mark at <i>Print 2000</i> off Boston Road to order a thousand business cards for $35. I asked Mark if he was married and he replied, "No, are you?" I informed him I was not, but added, "I'm not a handsome young fellow like you." Mark wears a butch haircut and I've sometimes wondered if he is gay. I asked about the chalk drawing on their blackboard and he said it's been there for seven years. <br />
<br />
At <i>Stop&Shop</i> the other day I passed Cerrone's sister, Addie Falk, and as usual we exchanged felicitations but did not talk. Mrs. Staniski called today and told me that after choir rehearsal tonight Ann is coming to pick her up and take her to Arlington for the weekend. Ann will bring her back on Tuesday and then drive on to New York. Someone called Alan Erwine called and wanted to sell me something, but when I asked where he was calling from he hung up in a hurry. Tonight I dined on a <i>Swanson Pot Roast Dinner</i> and tossed salad with bleu cheese dressing. <br />
<br />
<i>TV22</i> had a story about <i>Hampden Savings Bank</i> offering elder home protection tips. Tom Burton keeps coming up with one gimmick after another. I received a waffling letter from Peter Heinrich today in which he pretended not to understand my accusation that he aided and abetted the racially motivated white flight from Wesley Church. At least I got a drawing of South Congregational Church by Charles B. Hayward on the card Heinrich sent, which closed with a cheerful, "Would be happy to see you at South Church on Sunday morning!" He's clueless.<br />
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<center><b>December 23, 2000</b></center><p><br />
A lovely afternoon, 36 degrees at 2:30am. <br />
<br />
President Clinton pardoned 59 people today as a holiday gesture. <i>Bradlees</i>, with 35 stores in Massachusetts, is reported in the news to be near financial collapse. On <i>TV22</i>, John Donnellan, who used to work at <i>Steiger's</i>, then UMass and is now the Dean of Business at Holyoke Community College, was on commenting on the current retail market and the effects of <i>Bradlees</i> going under. <i>The Springfield Newspapers</i> is seeking newspaper deliverers with a sentimental ad showing a boy with a teddy bear. The problem is the wages are low and the paper is heavy with inserts.</p><p>Springfield's North End used to have a nice row of large and small businesses in brick buildings, but they knocked it all down, including the Franklin Hardware (whose floors sagged from carrying merchandise because they sold everything) and John Brown's house. </p><p>These losses were irreversible, because once a building is gone it is gone for good. Thurston Munson had ideas for revitalizing Springfield that were more sophisticated than just knocking things down, but nobody listened to him. <br />
<br />
In 1989 I wrote to Monsignor Thrasher, Bishop Wiseman of Christ Church, Gustave Peterson of First Church and Rev. Heinrichs of South Church urging them to register their historic paintings with the Smithsonian to ensure their long term preservation, but received no reply from any of them. I still respect Robert Thrasher for his efforts to save Precious Blood, the old church in Holyoke. Camden New Jersey Mayor Milton Milan was convicted yesterday of making mob payoffs, laundering drug money and stealing campaign funds. A cautionary tale for Mayor Albano and his buddies?<br />
<br />
Chatted with Edith Michaud today. We exchanged holiday greetings and I asked her about Aunt Maria. She said my Aunt's appearance has deteriorated to the point where she looks like another woman, but when she sees Edith "her eyes light up and she is so happy to see me." She said she will bring Aunt Maria a plate of Christmas cookies as she does every year. Edith said Aunt Maria has endured a lot in recent years, starting with having her ability to drive taken away and the death of Mother, whom she believes was murdered by me. Edith claims those kinds of troubles "pile up on you." She urged me to forgive Aunt Maria for rejecting me "considering how awful she's been feeling" the last few years. <br />
<br />
Next I called Ruth Johnson who always carefully chooses what she says for fear of saying what maybe she shouldn't be saying. She told me Edith visits Aunt Maria regularly. I said to Ruth that she shouldn't take seriously Aunt Maria's claims that I am a drug dealer and a physical threat to her. Ruth replied that she never mentions my name for fear of making Aunt Maria mad. I asked her if she thinks Shirley has poisoned Aunt Maria against me because she feels she was cheated out of her share of the family land in Vermont. Suddenly Ruth said she couldn't talk anymore because "I have company at the door." It was obvious Ruth did not want to talk to me at all, but perhaps she will say more in the future. <br />
<br />
I always water the plants on Saturday morning. I put a <i>Sara Lee Apple Pie</i> in the oven at 8:50am. I'm writing more letters, there are so many things to to sort and straighten out. The little <i>Chrysler LeBaron</i> sportscar, which I bet belongs to Abernathy's daughter, was parked on Birchland again. I drove out at 10:30am and the mailman was just coming down the street with some junk mail for Mother from <i>Westbank</i>. I drove to <i>Eastfield Mall</i> and got a free candle and a copy of the <i>Union-News</i>. I walked around <i>Penny's</i> for a bit and then came home. <br />
<br />
While I was going over my 1989 business papers, Nader the Hatter called and told me that his dad has died. His father went to the beach the same day he died, which came on suddenly. His doctors had feared something was wrong, but Old Man Nader refused to submit to testing. Nader says he is sad he and his father never had much time to spend together. Unlike his father and son, Old Man Nader had no interest in the hat business. Before moving to Florida, Abraham C. Nader had lived on Telbar Street in Springfield and was a mechanical engineer for <i>Hamilton Standard</i>. He was also the former owner of <i>Stewart Engraving</i> in Springfield. His wife Marie died last year. Nader said he just got off the phone with Eamon, and I told him how I feel that Eamon and I are falling out of touch, and told him I have not even received a Christmas card from Eamon this year. Nader said he is busy fussing with all the funeral arrangements and financial considerations, but he promised to stop by for a long chat, perhaps next week. <br />
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</p><center><b>December 25, 2000</b></center><br />
Christmas Day. 26 degrees at 10am.<br />
<br />
It was a slow Christmas. <br />
<br />
They played Mozart's Cello Concerto on <i>WFCR</i> this morning. <i>The Pioneer Valley Automobile Club Insurance Agency</i> is located at the <i>Five Town Plaza</i> on Cooley Street. David Montgomery lives at 67 Tallyho Drive in Springfield. Linda Benjaminsen was head of Circulation at the Framingham Public Library in 1986. Josie Wrangham was Adult Services Librarian at the Sommerville Public Library in 1986. The sidewalk around the Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke was used for a chalk drawing contest in 1988. William J. Ziobro was Secretary/Treasurer of the American Philological Association at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester in 1992. I minored in Latin at Colby and I love Roman poetry, romantic, agricultural and mythological writing. <br />
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The Titanic Historical Society erected a bronze tablet on the tombstone in Springfield of a person who went down with the Titanic, and there is a quote from Milton on the tablet. The trouble is the quote isn't from Milton! With all the English Professors in this city of second rate colleges, not a one spotted the error, although pictures of the tablet appeared in the media. Neither did any of the pompous, swell-headed local historical bigshots. These so-called local history authorities are the same people who eagerly discarded valuable books at the City Library. <br />
<br />
The day before Christmas I did some running around and noticed that the orange insurance sign is gone from the <i>Hampden</i> branch on Allen Street. I paused at <i>McDonald's</i>, but there was nobody there and no newspapers lying around. Then down to <i>Food Mart</i> and bought some cran-raspberry juice. I glanced through one of the their copies of the <i>Union-News</i> and found nothing worth buying it for. I then went to <i>Pride</i> which was closing at 7pm for Christmas Eve and made copies and bought some <i>Wise Potato Chips</i>. <br />
<br />
My new dietary supplement pills allow me to sleep from midnight to 6am without going to the bathroom. Before, I could never sleep more than three hours. This morning I drove around checking the attendance at nearby churches. The Church of the Acres parking lot was absolutely packed. The Presbyterian lot was also full, more than I can recall ever seeing before, with an old white school bus parked at one end. Down on Hancock the St. John's Congregational lot was full as usual with cars also parked on Hancock back to Monroe. In all there were more than a hundred cars. The Wesley Church Christmas Service drew 48 cars to their lot. <br />
<br />
When I got back the Christmas edition of <i>The Reminder</i> was hanging in a bag from my mailbox. Lots of cars were parked over to the Coburns. I spent some time playing hymns on my organ. Christmas is music. For Christmas dinner I had squash, baked potato and a hamburg and spaghetti casserole. The news is full of the anniversary of the killing of Holyoke Police Officer John A. DiNapoli. His fiancee was Carol Bevan-Bogart, who was the Public Relations head at <i>Monarch Life</i> towards the end. <br />
<br />
As I go through my old papers, I am finding some interesting, even wonderful things that I had completely forgotten about. I was sorting through my 1986 correspondence this morning and turned up a letter from the <i>Globe Bookstore</i> thanking me for sending them a copy of <i>Aunt Jennie's Poems</i>, as well as a note from Standish Henning saying his health was declining. I also unearthed a December 1986 letter from David Starr explaining why he did not respond at first to a letter I sent him critical of the way the library was discarding their books. <br />
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<i>Dear Mr. Miller - I did not respond to your letter because I think your comments about our newspaper are entirely uncalled for. What goes on at the Quad is open to the public, just as it is open to you. You have the right to your opinion, of course, but you should not say that the newspapers are covering something up. Your feelings about the Quadrangle are personal. You're entitled to those opinions, but I don't think you should be suggesting that there is any chicanery. What people save and what people throw away can be debated without that kind of unnecessary allusion. - Cordially, David Starr.</i><br />
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I always act in the spirit of trying to help people out, some send thank you notes, some do not, but I have done my job. Good manners require that mail be answered and it is easy to do it. Doing good can be a lot of work, but the more work people make for me, the more archival records I have reflecting on them and their ways. Rather than thank me and nominating me for a Pynchon Medal for blowing the whistle on the book discarding, David Starr gave me a sermon. In this city where the respected people are naughty and stupid, I'd rather be thought of as bad because I'm certainly not like them.<br />
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<center><b>December 27, 2000</b></center><br />
Raw, cold day, 25 degrees at 8am. Gas $1.46 at <i>Citgo</i> on the corner of Alden.<br />
<br />
I correct EVERYBODY!<br />
<br />
<i>Bradlees</i> has declared Chapter 11 and is closing 105 stores while firing 10,000 employees. Donald R. Chase is President and CEO of <i>Westbank</i>. Nathan Hassan was the producer of <i>Masterpiece Theater</i> at <i>WGBH</i> in Boston in 1985. I am a descendant of Benjamin Cooley, the founder of Longmeadow. In 1992, the Cooley Family Association was planning their annual family gathering in Longmeadow, and although I don't belong to the Association, I wrote them saying I was interested in attending. I heard nothing until six months later, when the event was long over, and a snooty lady wrote me saying she was sorry but my letter had slipped between the cushions of her couch and so not answered in time. <br />
<br />
Was out at 12:30pm and drove over to the X where I parked in front of the old <i>Schemerhorn's Fish Market</i> and went to the calling hour for Nader the Hatter's father at Hafey Chapel. Mr. Aldrich of <i>Byron's</i> was inside and greeted me professionally. I wrote in the guestbook that Abraham C. Nader "had a wonderful sense of humor and was very proud of his family." There were no missal or remembrance cards. The Hatter was standing with the LaRoses by the wooden casket. I greeted them all, explaining that I came early so I could leave early. Nader and I chatted briefly, he was dressed in a flared pin-stripe suit with his head shaven. The Hatter said he appreciated my coming because he knows I don't generally attend such events. <br />
<br />
After I left, I went to the Forest Park Post Office and mailed a few things, including a letter to Eskowitz telling him Sealtz has died. Then into the <i>The Clock Mill</i> where the old man was on duty. He said he charges $45 for a housecall, and that nobody in town does <i>Atmos</i> clocks "you have to go to New York." He had a pile of wooden organ pipes for $3 each, so I took the smallest one marked "D" since I have never had an organ pipe. On the way back I stopped at the <i>Eastfield Mall</i> where the parking lot around the cinema was packed. There were lots of people inside and I bought a $1.99 roast beef grinder at <i>Subway</i>. When I got home, the mail came with a note from John Rixon saying he will visit soon. A Christmas card arrived from Mrs. Staniski. I also got a check for $25 from the settlement of the Nasdaq Market Makers Anti-Trust Litigation regarding <i>Yankee Energy Systems</i>. I can't believe it! <br />
<br />
I got no Xmas card this year from Minahan, none from Annie's people in New Hampshire, no DuPont, nothing from the Bethel Millers. Mrs. Penniman might have sent me a card considering all the <i>Boston Heralds</i> I give her. No card from Eamon. I called Heather Haskell at the museums, but her Secretary Lydia Lockwood said she is away until January. Diane Ferero called asking, "Is this Louie at <i>Storrowtown</i>? I am trying to book a party." Bob with <i>First Republic</i> in New York called and I told him I am working with the District Attorney investigating dishonest securities marketers. He hung up. <br />
<br />
Dined this morning on corn flakes and orange juice. For supper I had a <i>Stouffer's Veal Parm and Spaghetti</i> entree with apple pie. I suspect Frank Faulkner and his friends have bad attitudes. I once tried to give him some copyright advice, but he thought I was just a Protestant bugging him over legal technicalities. Well, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. I am now working on a box of papers from the 1980's and finding many interesting things as well as tossing away a good bit. David Starr and I have never gotten along because of our disagreements over the Quadrangle, but I did get a friendly note from him in 1987 thanking me for some advice I gave the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i> on copyright matters. <br />
<br />
I also came across a 1988 letter I wrote to then Mayor R. Neal about sending him a copy of the <i>Harvard Crimson</i> from the day JFK was shot that was passed out in Harvard Square on the day of the tragedy. It is extremely rare and my copy of the <i>Crimson</i> eventually ended up in the Kennedy Library. Eamon has always claimed to have written a lot of the editorials aired by Bill Putnam when he owned <i>TV22</i>. I came across one with a <i>TV22</i> letterhead about incompetence and corruption at the State Department of Education that aired in March 1984. I recall how Eamon once told me how he went over to the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum, where the Putman family papers are kept, and was shocked to find that a lot of the editorials were missing. Could this be one of the lost ones?<br />
<br />
<center><b>December 28, 2000</b></center><br />
Snow flurries and 26 degrees at 11:25am.<br />
<br />
<i>Montgomery Ward</i> of Chicago is going out of business. <i>Mongomery Ward</i> was founded in 1872 and has 250 stores. They pioneered the phrase, "Satisfaction Guaranteed." Robert H. Scott was Vice President for Administration at Harvard University in 1984. In 1987 Mother was awarded a certificate from <i>World of Poetry</i> for her poem <i>Shoot Me Dead in the Head</i>. It is a nice looking certificate and I'm glad I kept it. I see that there is such a thing as The National Association of Professional Organizers, a group whose services Aunt Maria would have benefited from. <br />
<br />
English Professor John Sweeney was a good hippie and doubtless a splendid companion for sleepy John Sutherland. John Hale Sutherland was the editor of the <i>Colby Library Quarterly</i> and taught 18th Century Literature and several other courses. I took them all. The class readings were good, but the level of insight and critical imagination were nothing compared to Benbow's classes. However, unlike Benbow, Sutherland never tried to be a one man show. Sutherland was from UPenn and very competent, but nevertheless no Benbow nor Eileen Curran nor John Iorie and hence called Sleepy John and didn't attract as many students. <br />
<br />
Had <i>Creme of Wheat</i> and a tangerine for breakfast. Sitting here at the dining room table with the window behind me makes it possible for me to work without using any electricity at all. My beloved dolls Sweet Pea and Honeypot are on the couch, all set up with blankets. Going through my papers today I found a 1940 share of stock from the <i>Western Mass Electric Company</i>, another from <i>Community Savings Bank</i> and a worthless 1968 share of <i>Monarch</i> stock. My parents were so proud of the thrift they had shown in acquiring thousands of shares of <i>Monarch</i> stock and it all went down the tubes. Fortunately, I sold some shares in 1985 at a good price and used it to buy some rare law books and get myself started in legal antiquity. I also found a youthful photo of Nader the Hatter that appeared in the paper in 1985. <br />
<br />
Went to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres and started making copies when a woman came in and said that if I were a gentleman I'd let her make hers first. I said I was only making nine copies and she could wait, so she sat there and pouted. Dressed the way I do I'm surprised she thought I was a gentleman. I went over to the <i>Goodwill</i>, where a feeble elderly woman pulled up her <i>Dodge</i> in front and asked me where you donate clothing. So I actually was a gentleman and carried two large boxes of clothes from her car and into the store. While there I bought a wonderful <i>2001 Guide of Ireland</i>, used but in mint condition. In the mailbox outside the <i>Goodwill</i> I put letters to Carvalho, Rev. Coleman and Goad. <br />
<br />
I keep getting junk mail from people peddling newsletters telling how to get rich. Does anybody ever read this stuff? I remember for a while on Crest Street Father used to get mailings from the Rosicrucians in California and Mother arranged for him not to see them anymore, locking them in a cedar chest in a bundle, and Father never missed them. You don't always miss things you simply see no more of. I called the Wilbraham Town Clerk and was told that the Town Counsel is Michael T. Hassett who is at 1383 Main Street. <i>The Union-News</i> is starting to write negative things about Anthony Ardolino, all stuff earlier reported in the <i>Valley Advocate</i>, but of course they give them no credit. <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 29, 2000</b></center><br />
Mild, 33 degrees at 4:15pm. <br />
<br />
A judge has granted T. McVeigh his wish for an early execution date. Being dead is more comfortable than doing time. If a prisoner wants to live forever on appeals then fine, they may actually be innocent, but if they want to die, let them. Robin M. Carlaw was a curatorial associate at the Harvard University Library in 1984. The Rev. Robert W. Thrasher was Vice Chancellor for the Diocese of Springfield in 1985. Thomas M. Costello was President of the Springfield Library and Museum Association in 1986. Deborah Kelley-Millburn was a Reference Librarian for Harvard College Library in 1986. <br />
<br />
The museum in New Britain is doing a photography show done by Beatle Paul McCartney's wife Linda McCartney. <i>Bunnicula</i> by Deborah Howe is a book about how Chester the Cat is convinced that the family's new pet bunny is really a vampire. The message of the gospel is love, and I esteem any religion which produces good, loving people. I also disesteem those who feel their goodness entitles them to commit hateful acts. <i>Monarch Capital Corporation</i> President Gordon N. Oakes announced a plan to recapitalize the company in 1985. Its Board of Directors voted to eliminate the dividend on its common stock and then repurchase up to one million shares of outstanding stock. <br />
<br />
My Father was hard of hearing and was often confused with John Haynes Miller the actuary and the Rev. John Homer Miller. My Mother, who was born to a poor Vermont father and spent her formative years in a Rhode Island orphanage, always had an inferiority complex. Mother never forgot the time that someone, thinking she was one of the more prominent Mrs. Millers, invited her to a special meeting of lady fundraisers at the Symphony office. Mother called them insisting that they must have the wrong person, but the lady on the phone insisted she should come. Mother went to some trouble getting herself ready to go in hopes of making a good impression, wearing her light blue dress with white polka dots. She thought the ladies wanted to make friends with her.<br />
<br />
When she got there, there were ten or fifteen ladies sitting in a row of chairs with Rose Simon up front. Blanche Gamel, whose daughter Mary Kay I went to school with (later we met again in grad school) was over to one side of the room. As Ms. Simon addressed the group, Mother felt that Simon was staring at her as she spoke. Finally she conferred with Blanche Gamel and said, "We'd like everyone to sign their name." She then brought the notebook over to Mother and then looked at Mother's name after she signed it. Simon looked at Mother and said, "How did you happen to come?" If Rose Simon had asked that question of me, I would have asked her right back and told her that she was being impertinent. But Mother was demolished, replying, "Somebody told me I should come." Then she quietly left. <br />
<br />
<i>WFCR</i> is doing ASCAP's 25 most performed pieces of the 20th Century. The mail came at 1:20pm and contained a lavish Christmas card from Rudy and Dory Szuch and also a refund for <i>The History of Caning in Singapore</i>. Then I drove out and made some copies at <i>CopyCat</i>. There's a new manager named Rick who said the prior manager is now up in Greenfield or Deerfield. Then I headed downtown and was followed by cop car 81 around two corners and he never used his signal lights. While I deposited a check at the credit union, making a deposit at one of the windows was a heavy woman in a blue dress with a paisley scarf. What style! Is she Nancy Litz? Whoever she was, she made a striking image. Then I headed to <i>Angelo's Fruits and Vegetables</i> and got some things, wishing Angelo a Happy New Year on my way out. I went to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres and parked on the side by <i>Burger King</i> and after making copies came home. <br />
<br />
President Anthony Caprio has a house on Wagon Drive in Wilbraham worth $323,000. Springfield officials have acknowledged that the city's population will likely fall under 150,000, a level that could alter its eligibility for certain urban grants. I love learning but hate politics, which is why I skipped getting my PhD. My statement in the <i>PMLA</i> (Publication of the Modern Language Association of America) is out. I mentioned how I corresponded with Jasper Neel about professional ethics in 1978, published <i>The Cappy Miller Report</i>, disciplined two professors in legal actions and have disciplined others by direct complaints. I have been a teacher of teachers. <br />
<br />
<center><b>December 30, 2000</b></center><br />
25 degrees and overcast at 8am.<br />
<br />
Byron R. White was a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1984. Toni House was Public Information Officer for the U.S. Supreme Court in 1984. <br />
<br />
Dined on <i>Total</i> and had a banana for breakfast this morning. I went to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres and copied a couple of things. I peeked at the paper, only rarely do I buy it, as most days there is nothing in the <i>Union-News</i> worth shelling out 50 cents for. Then back to the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> to put out the mail, which included <i>Who's Who</i> nomination forms for Claudia Koppelman (little as she has done for me) and Tom Vannah. Then over to Mrs. Staniski's, where I left several things in a bag on her back doorknob. As I passed through the intersection of Boston Road and St. Michael's Cemetery, the light remained green for Boston Road but never seemed to change for the side streets, so with no cars coming I drove through anyway. I went to the Boston Road <i>McDonald's</i> where there wasn't much business and then came home. <br />
<br />
By 9:30am a fine snow was falling and by 9:55am it was falling quite briskly. I spent most of today reading the <i>PMLA</i> Millennium issue. My contribution is near the end, so many people will probably never read my piece. My essay places me at the cutting edge of literary studies with interest in street literature now rising. I found nothing particularly interesting about other people's essays. It is a lovely issue, but most contributors addressed the essay questions less concisely than I did. However, the Millennium issue is indeed something special. I applaud the splendid Millennium issue as a wonderful contemporary antiquarian publication and I am flattered that they elected to include my little piece. <br />
<br />
I called Shirley and she said she hasn't sent out her Christmas cards yet either. She said that Aunt Maria is fine, and they went to a candlelight service on Christmas and intend to go see <i>Bright Nights</i> at Forest Park. We also discussed the political situation in Springfield in some detail. Shirley seemed unusually interested in talking and listening today. By 4:05pm the evergreens were weighted down with snow. By this time Birchland Avenue had already been plowed once. The plow left plenty of snow at the end of my driveway, but it was not hard packed so it was okay. By 7pm the snow had stopped and looking out the window I'd say we got five inches. For supper I had <i>Stouffer's Swedish Meatballs </i>and cake. <i>The Cecil Report</i> on the future of the City of Springfield is overdue once again. <br />
<br />
I got a whopping tax bill from the city today, with my house assessed at $111,400. I called Mrs. Allard to see if she got her tax bill, but she claimed it hasn't arrived yet. Next I called Karen Powell, who told me that she confronted Tim Rooke at the tax meeting at Central High, but that must have been after I left. She told Councilor Rooke that the city was "just juggling numbers" to make people's bills go up. Her house assessment went up $3,000 this year, less that the $10,000 it went up last year. She said the newspaper's coverage of all the chicanery at City Hall is very inadequate, as could be expected. Karen agreed with me that the <i>Valley Advocate</i> deserves a Pulitzer Prize for the work they've done on the Albano Administration this year. She said she hasn't heard any rumors about me, which I said is surprising because they are so well planted. Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145198281502158951.post-73387204452015828822014-09-25T17:56:00.005-04:002023-12-15T14:35:24.379-05:00January 2001<center><b>January 2, 2001</b></center><br />
Sunny, clear, 26 degrees on the breezeway at 8am.<br />
<br />
I came across my original antique paper obituary of Dr. Samuel G. Buckingham. Is the former Buckingham Jr. High Indian painting <i>The End of the Trail</i> still hanging in the School Board room? The Blackstone School of Law was still in business in 1980. Ruth Ekberg died in 1982 at age 92. My parent's dear friend Dr. Howard N. Simpson suffered a gas blast at his home at 795 Stony Hill Road in 1982. Larry Gormally's <i>History of Sixteen Acres</i> was published in March 1983. Donald S. Holland was a Registered Patent Attorney in Springfield in 1986. <i>Agway Energy Products</i> was located at 627 Cottage Street in 1992. <br />
<br />
Mrs. Staniski called to wish me a Happy New Year. She told me that she still corresponds with the Rev. J. Alton Templin, the former Assistant Pastor of Wesley Church in the square. However, he told her nothing about the plans to celebrate the church's centennial. She is disgusted that no one invited her. Neither was Lois Johnson invited, even though she was a pastor's wife, although she now lives in Worcester. Lloyd Barton saw something in the paper and told Charlotte Bridgman, who then called Lois' daughter Ruth. Mrs. Staniski heard that Evelyn Meacham was there with Dynia Woodward and Marion Ruggles. "You'd think they would have called me," Mrs. Staniski complained, adding that she is so mad that she is sorry the church was rebuilt after it burned. <br />
<br />
I watched the 112th Rose Bowl Parade yesterday with Tom Brokow as Grand Marshall with the theme "The Fabric of America." On <i>NBC</i> the hosts were black weatherman Al Roker and Nancy O'Dell. On <i>ABC</i> it was Robin Roberts (her fifth year) and Richard Kind. The floats I recall as the best were Tom and Huck in <i>Rotary International's</i> "Recognizing Tomorrow's Leaders" and "Recovering the Wetlands" by the Wetlands Recovery Project. <i>Dr. Pepper's</i> "Home Sweet Home" featured the Old Woman in the Shoe, and The American Homebuilder's Association had a Swiss Family Robinson tree house with a water slide while <i>FTD's</i> "Wings of Glory" had especially well done birds. <br />
<br />
Nick Morganelli is a serious and professional weatherman. The weathermen enhance their supposed importance by making as much ado about snow storms as possible. Looking at the shows in the TV guide that comes with the paper, I don't see anything I'd pay $30 a month to watch on cable TV. I have dumped all of Mother's return address labels. I called <i>Barnes & Noble</i> and talked to Mary, who said they have none of my books for sale. When I went out this morning the street had been plowed very well. I went down to the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> and mailed from <i>Louis & Clark</i> stuff to Carvalho, Szuch and Gutterman. While at the counter of <i>Louis & Clark</i> I noticed a price list and realized that a pack of cigarettes costs $4.00 a pack and $35 a carton. That's serious money! When I got home, I found going through some old papers a recommendation for law school written for me in 1978 by William T. Lenehan, Chairman of the Department of English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison:<br />
<br />
<i>Mr. J. Wesley Miller was employed as a teaching assistant in the English Department of the University of Wisconsin-Madison from September 1970 through May 1973. During this period, he not only carried out his teaching duties with above-satisfactory effectiveness (according to reports of faculty visitors) but also progressed well as a graduate student in our Ph.D. program. Since 1973, he has pursued a number of scholarly goals, including the collection, analysis, and cataloging of a very interesting collection of "street art." I have no doubt of Mr. Miller's ability to do successful work in law school if that is his goal. My reservation about Mr. Miller is that his records do not indicate much progress toward the doctorate since 1973. I have no knowledge of the real causes of this interruption of progress, but it is a fact that disturbs me a bit.</i> <br />
<br />
Actually, he was angry because I left! <br />
<br />
New Year's Eve I had a snifter of <i>Chambard</i> which I bought with the proceeds from the beer cans I pick up here and there. For supper today I had a tossed salad and <i>Stouffer's Chicken ala King</i>. There hasn't been a peep in the paper about the release of the Cecil Economic Development Plan. They said they would have their report ready by Thanksgiving. Maybe they are waiting for the baseball stadium report to come in. I called Eamon this morning at 9:15am and left a Happy New Year's message. His current phone editorial says that Mayor Albano's facade grants to underworld figures speaks for itself. <br />
<br />
<center><b>January 3, 2001</b></center><br />
Sunny, clear but only 16 degrees at 8:15am. <br />
<br />
Electronic and wireless media do much to bring about the coming Age of Anarchy as the world's poor learn what they are missing out on. Five College Radio had an <i>NPR</i> story about how the U.S. led embargo of Iraq has ruined their economy but they still cherish the arts with 25 art galleries in Baghdad. I learn a lot from <i>NPR</i>, even though most of the time they are playing Classical music. This morning someone was playing Mozart on the harpsichord. Suzanne DeHeart was Editor of <i>The Inquirer and Mirror</i> in Nantucket in 1981. Leslie Litoff worked at WNEC in 1981. <br />
<br />
John Adams founded the Library of Suffolk County, Massachusetts, the oldest law library in the country. Arthur Curley was the Director and Librarian at the Boston Public Library in 1988. I have prepared the material on the history of the <i>Monarch Credit Union</i> for <i>TWCU</i> President Paul MacDonald. I left this morning at 11:15 and put out the mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i>, then zoomed downtown in order to leave the historic items for MacDonald with Betty J. Evans the receptionist. I parked on Taylor and walked into the city. The Exeter Building is still standing but is stripped. I paused briefly at <i>Antiques on Boland Way</i> before going to the Assessor's Office at City Hall to look up some of the real estate values on Birchland Avenue. The value of my house is pretty high, punishment for all the work I've done keeping it up. I got some posters on Worthington Street but none deeper downtown. Afterwards I drove to the North End <i>McDonald's</i> for a double cheeseburger and fries. I am trying not to eat big meals. <br />
<br />
I spoke on the phone with Mrs. Barbara Berselli of 165 Birchland Avenue today about her history on our street. According to her, the land that eventually became Birchland Avenue was originally owned by the family of the famous baby doctor Sanderson, the same Dr. Sanderson that delivered me. She told me she graduated from the High School of Commerce in 1943. They first moved to Birchland Avenue in 1948, when the street was filled with "majestic and beautiful" white birches that were eventually killed off as more houses were built. I mentioned how there used to be white birches on the corner of my property. She said she started taking care of her mother in 1980 until she died in 1995. She also looked after her husband's mother for a time.<br />
<br />
Mrs. Berselli said that Jeffrey Road is named after her son Jeffrey, whom they named after Jeffrey Amherst. Her husband is Melchior Berselli and his father came direct from Italy and used to run the three level garage on the corner of Chestnut and Harrison, still standing today but abandoned and filled with litter, located next to what used to be the Sheraton Hotel but which now has a different name. Her husband graduated from Tech, then attended Amherst College for three semesters before going into the Air Force. He was discharged early because of a bad ear, then attended A.I.C. but did not graduate. Finally she told me that she had to hang up because today is her day to see Dr. Steinberg, her hematologist. She described her move to Birchland Avenue as "a wonderful pioneering experience" and insisted that "there have always been quality people on the street."<br />
<br />
Jeffrey Katz was Assistant Director of the Springfield City Library under James H. Fish. Katz was the clown behind the disastrous book weeding program, then they gave him a big poetry prize on his way out. Disgusting. Nader the Hatter called from LaRose and said he doesn't have a car. I said I would drop off some stuff for him tomorrow. Nader said his sister told him that there is a woman who works in the office at Sci-Tech who keeps her own hours, coming and going as she pleases, and nobody knows what she does. His sister told Nader that all over the school system there are people working with no known job description. I told him how I haven't heard much from Eamon lately, and Nader said Eamon is not mad at me, although he is sometimes turned off by my "ultra-liberal thoughts and mode of dress." I replied that I am never going to change, but it is still worthwhile for Eamon and I to stay in touch and exchange information. <br />
<br />
<center><b>January 4, 2001</b></center><br />
Overcast, 24 degrees at 7:30am. <br />
<br />
Capitalism gives everybody a chance to blow their wad. <br />
<br />
Buffalo, New York has hit 100 inches of snow as of today. Who would want to live in Buffalo? <i>Sears</i> has announced that they had a terrible Christmas and will have to close 89 stores. I've said for years that <i>Sears</i> sells unexciting stuff and everything is overpriced. Longmeadow's <i>Bliss Pharmacy</i> owner Al Levine has announced that he has sold out to <i>CVS</i>, according to a story on <i>TV40</i> by Alison Maloni. <i>Big Y</i> claims they were surprised, they expected to have the pharmacy in their new store. Mercy Hospital is now affiliated with the Lahey Clinic and will be renamed the Mercy Medical Center. Thomas Murray Costello began his position as the President of the Springfield Library and Museums Association in 1985. <br />
<br />
Went out at 10:30am and put out the mail at <i>Louis & Clark</i>. I sent Atty. E. Berman two tax envelopes. There was a fabulous cartoon figure of Alan Greenspan as Superman on the cover of the <i>New York Daily News</i>, so I bought a copy for Irving Cohn. Then I dropped off a box for Nader the Hatter on the front steps of LaRose's new white colonial at 16 Telbar Street. Then over to the Boston Road <i>Big Y</i> for a half gallon of milk. From there I headed over to Mark Brunell's <i>Print 2000</i> at 625 Boston Road and picked up my business cards for $36.75. Brunell appeared to be working in the shop all alone. I wonder if I got my full 2000 cards, maybe I'll count them sometime. I have carefully removed the two cards that were taped to each of the boxes. Ain't I cheap? <br />
<br />
I dropped off the copy of the Greenspan <i>NYDaily News</i> cartoon and Cohn said, "This isn't exactly my favorite newspaper," but he enjoyed the cartoon of Greenspan. When I got home I called the Bookstore Building and Peter Johnson has a tape on wishing everyone a Happy New Year. Tonight I dined on <i>Stouffer's Creamed Beef on Potato</i> and half an onion microwaved. <br />
<br />
<i>George Magazine</i>, JFK Jr.'s baby, is in danger of going out of business due to insufficient advertising. <i>WFCR</i> had a feature today about the failure of many internet companies. It seems that few people are clicking on internet ads and even fewer are buying. <i>TV40</i> apologized for being off the air for an hour around noon. Their transmitter was hit by lightning. Dave Madsen was a guest today on <i>Rock 102</i>, talking about his career in broadcasting. <br />
<br />
<center><b>January 5, 2001</b></center><br />
Calm, 17 degrees with a grey sky at 7:30am.<br />
<br />
I am typing with my old glasses and head harness on, training to function as a slave. My new glasses from <i>Walmart</i> are too thick and heavy, but my old ones are just right to fit underneath the head harness. I think the harness would be improved if there were something like a football helmet chin-piece that make it even more restrictive. Because bondage is taboo, it is a field in which a great deal of research can be done. <br />
<br />
<i>WFCR</i> says that the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform bill is making progress, even though President Bush opposes it. I certainly hope it passes and Bush is embarrassed. The newsman on <i>WFCR</i> this morning kept mispronouncing the name of Governor Cellucci. Critics are whining that a Certificate of Completion for kids who flunk MCAS is "a ticket to nowhere" but it's better than nothing at all. I feel strongly that the real problem is inferior teachers. The State Department of Education was located on New Chardon Street in Boston in 1980. Rose Mary Donahue was Staff Assistant to Dean Donald J. White at Boston College in 1981. Dr. Michael Sherman was the Vermont Historical Society Director in 1985. The stock market is way down, although <i>Friendly's</i> stock is up slightly. <br />
<br />
Steve Ryan from <i>DeWolfe's Real Estate</i> came by at 8:56 for his 9:00 appointment to appraise my house. He walked around the outside of the house and noted some peeling paint and said my 15 year old roof is about half way through its lifespan. He came in and looked around, saying that overall the place is pretty clean. The furnace is good. In the end he said my home is worth about $95,000 and departed at 9:45. I drove out at 10:50 and dropped off some <i>Reader's Digests</i> with a cheerful Irving Cohn. He told me that one of the advantages I have in life is that I "don't have a wife," although he himself has a good one. She is always in the kitchen and today there was a tin of freshly baked buns cooling on the counter. Then to <i>Angelo's</i> where I spent $3.56 on fruit and veggies, then on to <i>Big Y</i> for fish and chips. When I got back I called Shirley H. and she said Aunt Maria was asleep in her bedroom, but that tonight she intends to take her to see Bright Nights in Forest Park. I called Eamon and left a message saying that I haven't heard much from him lately. Perhaps he is adopting a less phone-centered lifestyle. <br />
<br />
Received a note from Gene Berman saying that his bookplate was done by Marian Warren, an art professor at Smith College who also did an absolutely marvelous pen and ink drawing of Einstein that he also has. She did it many years ago at a young age. Attorney Berman took over the enormous <i>Kamberg-Berman</i> firm that was once in the Court Square Building, located on the second floor on the courthouse side. They then moved into <i>Monarch Place</i> and used to pass out fancy postcards of the building. I've often suspected that they got cheap rent there as a part of representing <i>Monarch</i> in their bankruptcy case, but I don't know that for sure. Now they are on the 15th floor of the <i>Bank of Boston</i> now <i>Sovereign Building</i>. <br />
<br />
I think the firm is somewhat smaller than it used to be, with Phil Hendel the big bankruptcy lawyer having moved out. Kamberg and Berman have always been associated with scales and balances imagery, so I sent them one of Kamberg's bookplates I came across and now Berman has sent me his with a wise old owl contemplating a scale. Berman was the author of a text on debt collecting that he used when he taught at WNEC Law, and we became further acquainted when he served as Secretary to the so-called "Renaissance Group" headed by Peter Picknelly. I attended once in my motorcycle jacket and was taken to one side by Picknelly and warned, "We're trying to get something serious done here." The Renaissance Group came to nothing anyway, but I sometimes maintain the fiction it still exists and I am the only member still struggling to spark a renaissance in Springfield. <br />
<br />
Relations between myself and Picknelly then soured even worse because I opposed the first casino drive and then the baseball stadium at Northgate Plaza. He knows how I used to pretend that I was a supporter so I could get inside information to feed to the opposition. I also publicly questioned the character of some of the people around Picknelly, after my old friend John R. Auchter told me that many shady characters are among Picknelly's private friends. I also enraged Picknelly by telling Tom Vannah in 1995 about how I saw Picknelly standing in the side office during the then City Councilor Mike Albano's announcement that he was running for mayor, hiding out of view of the general public, yet still able to peek unseen at the event. Vannah then exposed Picknelly's secret presence in the <i>Valley Advocate</i>, and somehow Picknelly discovered that I was his source.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrqX1Xh7ShEecvLIvGwr4TyIf2qLrzlTe6i407nPIWSk08Ew4LPEQcqnh-bFBWI7h9H-g70Y4EafCId3yOIjp02i9d80DCenf2BDB0kl0OYG6oX1GPCfs3j2s7HSRxEt-oeTVYwOiSKU-/s1600/pikmon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrqX1Xh7ShEecvLIvGwr4TyIf2qLrzlTe6i407nPIWSk08Ew4LPEQcqnh-bFBWI7h9H-g70Y4EafCId3yOIjp02i9d80DCenf2BDB0kl0OYG6oX1GPCfs3j2s7HSRxEt-oeTVYwOiSKU-/s400/pikmon.jpg" /></a></div><center><i>Peter L. Picknelly in front of Monarch Place</i></center><br />
<center><b>January 7, 2001</b></center><br />
Cumulus cloud cover, breezy, 34 degrees at 10:30am. <br />
<br />
Today, Congress ratified Bush's election, but two congressmen from Florida are objecting. Good for them. Governor Cellucci is visiting Bush in Texas. The shattered remains of an antique bell that used to call Southern Vermont workers to the mills has been recovered from a Massachusetts scrapyard. Dolly Curletti is Marketing Director for <i>Kimball Farms Lifecare Community</i> in Lenox, Massachusetts. The motto of <i>DeWolfe Real Estate Company</i> is "One stop and you're home." The <i>DeWolfe</i> sign is gone in front of the DeRiso home. <br />
<br />
The Springfield Library and Museums Association was established in 1857. I once wrote in the <i>Cappy Miller Report</i> that academics should uphold standards and not worry so much about productivity and jobs. Before they start teaching Latin and Greek, it would be nice if they would first learn English. Today I called John S. Coulton, the legal counsel for <i>Monarch</i>, and Joann Peterson got me his secretary Dorothy Mikalean, with whom I had a pleasant conversation. I asked her how the company is doing and she replied "plodding along." I asked if there was any chance of it coming out of receivership and she replied, "I don't think so." I brought up the matter of the centennial and she said she doesn't think anyone has even thought about it. I told her about Father's manuscripts and she said the 25 Year Club still exists and for more information I should contact Jean Jones of Ludlow at 583-6549. <br />
<br />
So I called Jean Jones at her Bluebird Circle address and we had a nice chat. She said the 25 Year Club still meets and she'll get me a membership list. I told her I haven't been very successful as a lawyer because I won't do the heavy duty lying and cheating that you have to do to be a successful lawyer. She surprised me by replying, "That's right, you have to." Jones said she likes retirement but enjoyed working more and wishes she were still working at <i>Monarch</i>. She also recalled hearing Father talk about his camp in Wilbraham. <br />
<br />
Swinging by Wesley Church this morning, I counted 43 cars in the parking lot. Then I drove downtown trying to find Mother's 1926 address of 241 North Main, but urban renewal has altered the numbers and buildings were destroyed to accommodate the growth of Baystate Medical Center. I saw that <i>Young's Beauty Supply</i> is now where <i>K-Man Taylor</i> was on the first floor of the <i>Five Cents Bank</i> building. Dined tonight on <i>Stouffer's Vegetable Chicken Pasta Bake</i> with lemon cake. I called Shirley and she said she took Aunt Maria to see Bright Nights. She said they were "wonderful" and that Aunt Maria enjoyed them. Good. <br />
<br />
I am compiling a chronology of my dealings with Wilbraham and John M. Pearsall. It will be interesting to see how many letters I receive congratulating me on my PMLA article. Joe Carvalho at the Quad sent me a note today saying that Dr. Martin Kaufman had many severe health problems and ultimately had to undergo several brain tumor surgeries. He is now at age 60 in a nursing home. A shame, he was always reliable, and I wonder if Carvalho fully appreciated that. On the other hand, I found Kaufman to be argumentative at times. The news said that Springfield Health Commissioner Helen Caulton wants a needle exchange program in Springfield because the city has 1,700 cases of AIDS, the 11th highest in the nation. <br />
<br />
<center><b>January 9, 2001</b></center><br />
Overcast and 32 degrees at 11:30am.<br />
<br />
E. Pendleton James was Director of Presidential Personnel for Ronald Reagan in 1980. <i>Tontine Press</i> was in East Bernard, Vermont in 1980. Phillip Areeda was a Professor of Law at Harvard Law School in 1981. John L. Sheperd was President of the American Bar Association in 1984. I was admitted to practice as an attorney in Massachusetts on June 19, 1984 by Clerk John E. Powers. I am a life member of the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Maine. Jeanette M. English was the wife of dear old Dr. Walter H. English, a former member of the Springfield School Committee. Jeanette English died in 1986 at age 75. In 1992 I sent the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York three books on Springfield - <i>Springfield Old and New</i> (1936), <i>Picturesque Hampden County</i> (1892) and The History of Springfield (1899). <br />
<br />
Springfield ranks third behind Boston and Worcester for pollution and poor air quality in the state. An ad on television says that 50% of credit reports have errors on them. That gives the credit agencies an F for accuracy. The FTC is supposed to protect the public and they could start by investigating these credit agencies. Former Gov. Edwards of Louisiana, at 73, is getting ten years in prison and a $200,000 fine for 17 counts of extortion and corruption in connection with the granting of riverboat gambling licenses. What does this say about the gambling industry? <br />
<br />
At 9:55, I drove out to the Acres and made copies at <i>Pride</i>. I only buy the Springfield paper these days if I know there is a story in it that matters. Then I continued on to Wilbraham Town Hall, where I dropped off some material with Martha at the Building Inspectors Office. Then down to the Assessors Office, where Diane was there with Mr. Silva. I looked at the old maps hanging there, and was surprised to see that the name Carlin was written on my land between Maynard and King Drive. Actually, Carlin only owned the land on the other side across the road from Bushey. <br />
<br />
I asked Diane to have Pearsall's secretary come see me. Instead, I was told that Pearsall himself was coming. I showed him the map and the error. "Do you really want my land?" I asked, to which Pearsall nodded. "Well, I want you to have it," I said, "but this error must be corrected at once." I also said that Mr. Carlin must have special friends in Town Hall to have his name put on my land! Pearsall said, "I'll get right on it" and immediately erased Carlin and wrote in Miller. Everyone smiled. On the way out, I took a Wilbraham United Players poster. <br />
<br />
When I got home, I called and had a chat with Bonnie, who is filling in for Shirley who is up at Winifred's. I talked about how Fernbank has been donated to the Town of Wilbraham but told her that Aunt Maria has not been informed yet. I had a short chat with Bonnie who has always been tight-lipped and she told me she went to college for one year. Then I called Raymond W. Gendron, but his paralegal Chris said he is on medical leave until the end of January. Next, I called the Audubon Society and asked for their booklet <i>Twelve Ways to Protect Land in Massachusetts</i>. I called Atty. Berman and told him about two antique abacuses for sale at <i>Antiques on Boland Way</i>. Finally, I called ex-rep Whitney, but he had no time to talk. He did say his Presbyterian Church is adding three Sunday School classrooms. I received the mail from the hand of the mailman at 1:10pm. Tonight I dined on a <i>Swanson Stuffed Baked Turkey</i> Dinner with grapefruit. <br />
<br />
Joe Kennedy was in town and was shown on TV delivering oil with Mike Albano. Eamon's latest phone editorial opposes needle exchange and mentions how Springfield is number 11 in AIDS cases. He also recited his usual list of Springfield's failings. The Cecil Economic Development Report is now long overdue. It has been postponed so many times that the date it was first due has been long forgotten. I do recall that the <i>Union-News</i> editorialized that it would be a "Christmas present for Springfield" but Christmas is long gone. There are always new ideas on the horizon, maybe they want to include an aquarium or a children's museum. There is going to be nothing that's truly worth $200,000 in the report, and there will be nothing about free parking downtown and no announcement of a downtown supermarket. I predict the report will be released in the late summer so that it can have the maximum positive impact on Albano's re-election campaign. Having accomplished virtually nothing in the past six years, Albano will once again run on castles in the sky. <br />
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<center><b>January 10, 2001</b></center><br />
Sunny and clear, 10 degrees at 8:06am.<br />
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Times are changing and I am on the side of change.<br />
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Giuseppe Verdi was an Italian Romantic composer primarily known for his operas. Verdi died in 1901 so this is the centennial year of his death. For supper I dined on <i>Stouffer's Homestyle Salisbury Steak</i> and a tossed salad. Somebody with a baby voice called today looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. I also got a wrong number from somebody named Jack from Connecticut. <br />
<br />
There was an inch of snow on the driveway this morning, but it melted off in the sun. We are in the midst of a cold snap, but it may be warmer in the days ahead. Today I typed fifteen pages of poetry, mostly XXX leather gay porn, pretty filthy stuff but I think some of it has a bit of merit. J. Pearsall called and said he had a draft of the deed, so I drove out to Town Hall and told him it is largely satisfactory and I approved of it. Pearsall actually said, "I wish everyone was as cooperative as you are." I did suggest that they mention the long residence at Fernbank of Lizzy the Model T. Then I drove over to <i>Balise Ford</i> and spoke with Bill Filault, who said he is open to the possibility of taking Lizzy for restoration. He told me that the people at <i>Oaks Farm</i> are his in-laws, so he is native to Wilbraham in some sense. <br />
<br />
Next I stopped at <i>Pride</i> in the Acres to make copies. I walked over to the <i>Goodwill</i>, where cruiser 18 was parked outside. There was a young officer inside sitting drinking coffee and talking with the tall lady that runs the used book department. When I got back, on the noon news we were hit with the bombshell that the <i>Hampden/United Co-op</i> merger is off! Jack Briggs said that <i>United</i> lost interest when they realized how many people they would have to lay off. He told Jerry Gretzinger on <i>TV40</i> that "it was in the best interests of customers and staff" to remain independent. Gretzinger also interviewed Tom Burton, who said that the merger "might be resurrected sometime in the future." <br />
<br />
When the merger was first announced, it was Burton who was all over the media, but the failure of the merger has been mostly handled by Briggs. He said that <i>United</i> has 10 branches and 176 employees, while <i>Hampden Savings</i> has four branches and 74 employees. Briggs spoke of what was good for "the employees, customers and city." I guess that's his version of "God, country and Colby." Burton said that integration would have been a problem because "there are differences in products as well as staff." I'll have to be sure to get tomorrow's paper. <br />
<br />
Eamon called at 8:17 this morning on his way out to get breakfast. He said he's not mad at me over my extreme sexual and political views, and that the books I returned to him were in undamaged condition. He said he went to the Nader wake to sign the book, but not to the funeral. Eamon is not sure if he will go to Ireland this year, although I told him he should. It was a short but friendly chat. <i>TV22</i> is having a big retirement party for John Quill, Mark Merek and Holly Low, the last two being people never seen on the air but who worked in production. It will be at the <i>Chateau Provost</i> in Chicopee, but at $35 per ticket I won't be going. The $750 million convention center in Boston is $100 million over budget. They had Hurwitz on TV talking like a broken record about how the Springfield Civic Center is "the economic engine that is going to move Springfield and the entire Pioneer Valley forward over the next decade." I'll believe it when I see it. <br />
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<center><b>January 12, 2001</b></center><p>
Overcast, 25 degrees at 8am.<br />
<br />
Thomas P. Sullivan is a Collector of Taxes for the Town of Wilbraham. The Springfield Public Schools is having a poetry slam at Commerce. In 1982, I appeared in the 18th edition of <i>Who's Who in the East</i>. In 1984, The Colby College Museum had an exhibition titled <i>Portraits of New England Places</i> which included the oil painting <i>A View of Springfield Massachusetts</i>, painted in 1845 by Thomas Chambers. The exhibition focused on identifiable cities, towns, scenes, buildings and landmarks of locales throughout New England from the 18th century to the present. Bill Currier worked in the Governor's Office on Dwight Street in 1985. </p><p><i>Baystate West</i> drained tenants out of lots of downtown buildings, leaving them economically nonviable. Springfield's economic development people often fail to do their homework. They are not afraid whether or not their projects are a flop, because the pay and retirement benefits will be good anyhow. <br />
<br />
I went to <i>Louis & Clark</i> to get the new <i>Valley Advocate</i> and send some stuff to Ryan and Gallagher. Then I went and bought veggies at <i>Angelo's</i>, where I bought an eggplant and asked Angelo how to cook it. He said put it in a pan with a little oil and bake it. As I left I used five dimes to get the newspaper out of their paperbox. </p><p>Then I drove out to <i>Cat's Paw</i> where they had just received an immense collection of liquor memorabilia consisting of fancy bottles and signs of all sorts. I bought a 1960's paisley print that is turning brown, but I love paisley. I was glad to see that Vince R. is in good shape, that Westfield ephemera dealer was also there buying books. Finally, I went to <i>Stop&Shop</i>, where I bought half a pre-cooked chicken for only $2.50. <br />
<br />
A wrong number came from Ralph Little looking for 782-4196. Mrs. Meltzer called to remind me of the Tuesday Morning Music Club meeting. She sounds like an old lady now, we chatted about pianos. I called Stuart Hurwitz at the Civic Center and he listened very politely as I talked about the failure of the <i>Hampden/United</i> merger. Hurwitz said he's just an incorporater at <i>Hampden</i> and it is the board that works with Burton. He said he has always had a good personal financial relationship with the bank. He did agree that ivory with rust brown trim looks strange as <i>Hampden's</i> official colors. Hurwitz said he respects my opinions but of course doesn't always agree with them. <br />
<br />
Julian Freedman, an accountant who is the son of Maurice Freedman the violinist and a stepson of Mrs. Candib, the widow of the <i>King's Department Store</i> magnate, has died in New Jersey at the age of 64. I called G. McLain at the Quad and got his voicemail, leaving him a message alerting him to the Julian Freedman obituary and suggesting he put it in their file on Maurice Freedman. I reminded him that he was going to reorganize their collection of material relating to Freedman and to get a photograph of his tombstone with a violin on it. I concluded, "I don't forget when you promise to do things." <br />
<br />
Then I called <i>United Co-operative Bank</i> and got Labbe's secretary. I told her that I always suspend hostilities until after the holidays, but I will now resume sending them memos. I asked her who is second in command at the bank, suggesting to her that it might be Jack Briggs, but she said that although Briggs is a senior executive, the official second in command is Chief Financial Officer F.X. Lynch. I wonder if part of the reason the <i>Hampden/United</i> merger didn't go through is because Lynch wants to be a bank president and didn't want to play second fiddle to Burton. I can't blame him for wanting to protect himself from Tom Burton the carpetbagger. I dined on <i>Progresso</i> soup and a tossed salad this evening. Eamon's phone editorial says that Six Flags is introducing a new ride. It's called <i>Banking With Hampden</i>. <br />
<br />
</p><center><b>January 14, 2001</b></center><br />
Absolutely beautiful sunrise, 23 degrees at 7:05am.<br />
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Today's rock music is awful. Where is Jimi Hendrix when we need him? <br />
<br />
I wonder if watching sunrises is how color mixing theory was developed? Large earthquake in El Salvador. Dr. Judith A. Pamaley is President of the University of Vermont. The Insurance Library Association of Boston is on State Street in Boston. The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Ladies Auxiliary will meet at the Chapel of the Acres Church on Wilbraham Road this month. The Springfield Tennis Opportunity Program advocates for free tennis lessons for all youth. I was in <i>Who's Who in the East</i> in 1987. <br />
<br />
Had waffles for breakfast with syrup and grapefruit. <i>WFCR</i> was playing Beethoven today. Went to put the mail out at <i>Louis & Clark</i> and was waited on by Cindy. She was wearing black tights and a heavy, body long sweater. Included in the mail I sent out were letters to President Caprio and Donald Dunn. Alas, Cindy said the mail truck had just left. As I was leaving, a black guy pointed at my leather jacket, which is finally getting scuffed up and looks like its been around a bit, and declared, "Hey, I like that jacket!" Went to <i>Pride</i> in the Acres to make copies, then bought the paper because I saw a headline about Pellegrino suing the city. <br />
<br />
I swung by Mrs. Staniski's with some reading material. She gave me some gingerbread cookies and said that her daughter Ann is in Arizona being entertained by cousins. Mrs. Staniski has always had the same green linoleum tiles on the floor and they look as good as new. She said her husband put the tiles down on a day when she took the Brownies troop on a trip to Northampton on a train. Mrs. Staniski is a real clean living lady. <br />
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I'm currently reading Hester's <i>Encyclopedia of Ethics and Values</i>. There was no mail today at 1:10pm, which is most unusual, but it finally came at 1:45 and included a card from Dorothy Mozley and a letter from Judy Spear. Barry Moser was on TV telling how he grew up in Tennessee as a racist Protestant. He didn't say Methodist, but that's what he was. Sarah Creighton, his bookbinder, calls herself a perfectionist saying, "The binding should invite you to open the book." <br />
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The tax rate in Springfield is down, but most people will still pay more because valuations are up. For supper I had a <i>Swanson Yankee Potroast Dinner</i> and green tea. After Mother died, I actually found some maple syrup dated 1937 that was left over from her Father. There were several jars, I dumped them out because they simply had to go. I remember seeing those jars on Crest Street on the bookcase underneath the cellar stairs. I haven't thought of the 37 Crest Street cellar for years. The walls were of field stone and water sometimes seeped in despite Father having reinforced the walls with plaster and cement. Former President Reagan has fallen at home and requires hip surgery. Dr. Timothy Johnson, the ABC medical expert, said that 25% of the elderly who have hip surgery die within the next year. Mother is one of those statistics. <br />
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<center><b>January 15, 2001</b></center><br />
Martin Luther King Day. Fluffy snow at 7:30am.<br />
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I love quiet so much. <br />
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This would have been MLK's 72nd birthday. Who needs war? How often have I asked that? Deborah P. Clifford was President of the Vermont Historical Society in 1984. The Department of Education had an office on Massasoit Street in West Springfield in 1984. Father's beloved dolls Floppy and Ambrose were placed in the casket with him before he was buried in 1985. Lee A. Iacocoa was Chairman of the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation in 1986. I just finished reading <i>Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Art Materials</i>, which was very good on the latest developments. <br />
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62% of Massachusetts prisoners go back to jail within three years. Homosexual activists are demanding the right to kiss in public, saying if straights can kiss in public, why not gays? <i>TV22</i> is doing a promotion with <i>Big Y</i> called <i>The Great Supermarket Slide With the Falcons</i>. It shows people running on the hockey rink with carriages full of groceries. For lunch today I had a box of <i>Green Giant Baby Brussels Sprouts</i> with butter. I bought it on special as I do everything. They weren't bad although I cooked them too long, as Mother trained me to overcook everything. <br />
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I have heard nothing from Nader the Hatter about the $20 check and card I sent. No mail and lots of people owe me letters. I recently came across the wonderful letter I received in 1986 from J. Kevin Graffagnino:<br />
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<i>Dear Mr. Miller, I have received your latest Looney Tunes communication, dated June 11. Please do not write to me again. Your letters and memos range from the ludicrous to the pathetic, and I would prefer not to receive any more of them. Thank you.</i><br />
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Next to Ray Browne, Mr. Graffagnino has flunked the pompous ass test more successfully than any of my other targets. I called <i>Community Feed</i> and the guy said they sold their oil business over a year ago to <i>East Longmeadow Discount Oil</i>, which is run by one of the Punderson's sons. I called them and got Mary who said their oil is $1.28 so I ordered 125 gallons for $160. This was at 10:03 and the snow had stopped and never resumed. I went to <i>Copy Cat</i> and made copies, then to <i>Louis & Clark</i> to mail two letters to Vermont. <br />
<br />
I have been doing some research on Eamon T. O'Sullivan, who has not been calling here much lately although he is still friendly when we do chat. I've been calling Eamon at all hours and hanging up as soon as I realize that the phone is not busy. It used to be impossible to get through some days because he was always on the phone, but now it is rarely busy. His routine used to be to read the paper first thing in the morning, then call around trying to get background info on people and events that interest him. My research shows that Eamon has not been on the phone anywhere near as much as he used to. The question is why? Did he conclude that he has been wasting too much time on the phone and is changing his lifestyle?<br />
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<center><b>January 16, 2001</b></center><br />
Overcast, misty, 33 degrees at 7:30am.<br />
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The texture of life is always changing. <br />
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President Clinton has received the Charlemagne Award for working for peace and unity in Europe. Bomber Timothy McVeigh is scheduled to be executed on May 16th. There is an exhibit called <i>Photos of Home</i> by Patrick Lang at the Forbes Library in Northampton. I haven't heard that name in years. Stephen T. Buehl was Executive Assistant to Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California Rose Elizabeth Bird in 1984. Joseph Carvalho, Supervisor of the Local History and Genealogy Department, gave a talk in 1984 at the Quadrangle on the role of posters in inspiring patriotism during World War I. <br />
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I came across this news clipping from 1984: <i>A Springfield retiree has been ordered to pay $240 restitution to the city's public library and perform community service for the theft of 96 books over a two year period. Springfield District Court Judge Phillip Contant issued the restitution order Friday and called for the service work to be done at the Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen by John Quigley, 65, of 371 Dickinson Street.</i> <br />
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Yesterday by the <i>Breckwood Shops</i> a young black woman with ice skates over her shoulder and a little kid with white skates were walking towards Breckwood Pond. I asked her if the pond was frozen and she said yes, the temperature lately has rarely gone above freezing. Then on the way back I saw a kid on a scooter speeding by the intersection of Birchland and Wilbraham Road towards Duggan Middle School. He was going fast despite the icy weather, I wonder how he keeps his scooter from being stolen when he gets to school? I cooked up a <i>Sara Lee Pumpkin Pie</i> last night. They are bigger than the <i>Mrs. Smith</i> brand pies, serving eight slices instead of six. <br />
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Spent time reading Clausewitz by the window to save on electricity. Mike from <i>Orek Vacuum Cleaners</i> called and tried to interest me in their power broom for $89.95. He failed. Nader the Hatter called while I was in the midst of dining on my <i>Swanson Stuffed Baked Turkey Dinner</i>. Nader said he is getting over his cold, and said he spoke with Eamon who told him he felt he was coming down with something. We agreed to go out to lunch before he leaves to go back to Florida. I also promised to show him the stained glass windows at Hillcrest Cemetery. <br />
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Mayor Albano gave his State of the City Address today. <i>TV40</i> interviewed Albano in front of Symphony Hall on his way to delivering the address. He declared that Springfield is "on the way to becoming a great city." They showed Albano in the Mahogany Room (not the auditorium) talking about how Springfield "is beginning the journey to a better future." He claimed there are "construction cranes all over the city, working on projects like the public safety complex, new schools, Federal courthouse, Union Station, Civic Center and the Dr. Seuss statues" and called the new construction "unprecedented in the city's history." Albano described the city's finances as on "a solid footing" but said that "fiscal prudence will be needed to reduce the city's debt and improve our bond rating." We shall see. Hurwitz was also shown repeating his line about the Civic Center being "the engine that is going to move the city and all of Western Mass forward." Maybe he thinks if he says that often enough, someone will actually believe it. <br />
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<center><b>January 18, 2001</b></center><br />
A lovely winter's day, 37 degrees at 7:30am. Gas is $1.44 at the Breckwood <i>A+ Minimart Sunoco</i>.<br />
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If little boys play with dolls they turn out to be gay, sez yours truly. <br />
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The news says consumer confidence is the lowest it's been since 1990. There was a small earthquake in New York City, the last one was in 1992. There is a Centennial banner in front of Wesley Church. David L. Yas is the Publisher of <i>Massachusetts Lawyer's Weekly</i>. Leonard Shaker is a doctor at Pioneer Valley Urology. I can't believe that Professor Paul Eschols omitted Mary Ellen Waller from <i>The Literature of Vermont</i> (1984). I wrote to him complaining but never received a reply. Ann Russell was the Director of the Northeast Document Conservation Center in Andover, Massachusetts in 1986. Jesse Jackson has publicly apologized for fathering a baby with one of his employees. Everybody does it, it's called fucking. It is inherent in the human critter. <br />
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<i>Nightline</i> was about a recent CIA report that overpopulation may lead to scarcity and terrorism by 2015. The last issue of <i>The Realist</i> magazine is out, it was founded in 1958 to "communicate without compromise." The Editor Paul Krassner has a wonderful resume of troublemaking. <i>WFCR</i> had a satirical piece where they played the <i>Antique Roadshow</i> theme music and then said "time to introduce and appraise our next antique, Alan Greenspan!" Very funny, and I'm a Greenspan fan. <i>Lunt Silversmith</i> of Greenfield, hoping for spin off business from <i>Yankee Candle</i>, opened a showroom and restaurant by there a while ago but now they are going out of business. The restaurant is closing immediately and the <i>Design Center</i> in March. That's too bad. <br />
<br />
Did a load of wash and the dishes. The mail brought belated New Year's wishes from Melinda McIntosh, who works in the Reference Department at the UMass library. A <i>Belmont Oil</i> truck was parked in front of the Allards today. I dropped off the <i>Boston Herald</i> at the Penniman's and took in their blue recycling box. Then swung by the Cohn's with some magazines, and as I was leaving I ran into a very polite and articulate black Jehovah's Witness walking down the street. We talked pleasantly for several minutes, he said he used to be a Baptist, but became disgusted by the hypocrisy of the traditional religions. He said he likes the Jehovah Witnesses because they rely on the Bible as the sole source of religious wisdom. From there I went and made copies at <i>CopyCat</i>, then looked at the morning paper at <i>Louis & Clark</i> but didn't see anything in it to make it worth buying. <br />
<br />
I stopped in briefly at the <i>Coin Exchange</i>, where they had a Springfield Civil War Memorial Medal for $35. I already have one, but bought another because they're so rare. Next I drove out to <i>Charter One</i>, formerly <i>Ludlow Bank</i>, because yesterday I received a statement that they had charged my account five dollars for a lack of activity on the $50 I had in it. So I closed the account. In the bank was a little boy with his dad and the kid had a hat on with eight points and a tassel on each one. It was wonderful. His dad said it's nice to be young and be able to wear things like that. I replied that I wear whatever I want and I'm nearly 60! <br />
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<center><b>January 19, 2001</b></center><br />
Snowing lightly and 33 degrees at 8:30am.<br />
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I got up late because I was up after midnight. <i>WFCR</i> was playing Mozart's <i>Piano Concerto No. 19</i> this morning. The New England Methodist Conference now has an address in Lawrence, Mass. They must not be in the condo at 566 Commonwealth Avenue anymore. Edmund B. Sullivan was the Curator of the DeWitt-Hartford Collection at the University of Hartford in 1980. President Clinton has agreed to have his law license suspended for five years and pay a $25,000 fine for lying in the Monica Lewinsky case. In other words, he was being just as deceitful as the Republicans said he was. <br />
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NIMBY is an abbreviation of "Not In My Backyard," like the Yuppie that wants to use electricity but doesn't want a new power plant built near them. That's what happened in California, they knew they needed more power plants but every attempt to build them was blocked by NIMBY activists. Now they are suffering from power shortages and paying outrageous prices for electricity. Dave Madsen had a story on TV40 about Bruce Landon telling Falcons fans that the current ticket season base of 1,700 is well below the 6,000 season tickets they need to sell. <br />
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Quadster Guy McLain never returned my call from the other day when I left a message criticizing him for neglecting the Maurice Freedman archives and not photographing his tombstone as promised. Today I came upon a Letter to the Editor from 1985 written by the President of the Friends of the Library President and former librarian Helen C. Boyle, rejoicing in the help she received from John Francis Speight and James Controvich in carrying out the disastrous 1985 book sell-off that caused the library to lose many major volumes from its collection. Nader the Hatter called and said he would give me copies of <i>Sky Mall</i>, a luxury magazine for airline passengers and some <i>Miami Herald</i> articles on the presidential election vote counting. <br />
<br />
First class letters are increasingly hard to get out of people. I called the <i>Hampden Bank</i> branch in West Springfield and spoke to a woman with a heavy accent, asking her if they intend to resume selling insurance. She said they are thinking of it but haven't decided. I called <i>Charter One</i> and got Barbara Sullivan, whom I asked about the five dollars they had taken from my account for an inactivity fee. I argued that it wasn't right and she kept insisting otherwise. Finally, I told her that I felt I was wasting my time talking to her and she replied that it was I who was wasting her time and "I'd appreciate it if you don't call us again!" Then she banged down the phone. Next I called Mr. McDonald at the <i>Telephone Worker's Credit Union</i> and he said he will run a notice acknowledging the gift of Father's manuscript on the history of the <i>Monarch Employee's Credit Union</i> in next month's newsletter. He sounded a bit put-off by my calling. Then I called down to City Hall at the Assessor's Office and was told that there are "only two assessors right now" Richard Allen and Margaret Lynch. <br />
<br />
I called my neighbor Mrs. Berselli and we discussed the history of Birchland Avenue. She recalled how they had a couple of block parties in the early years, with fifty or sixty people coming from all over the neighborhood for hotdogs and hamburgers. She said that about 35 years ago they had a neighborhood party at the Springfield Country Club at Christmastime. One year the woods caught fire and it came right up to the back of the houses on Ballard Avenue. "All the neighbors helped to put it out," she said. Mrs. Berselli also told me that the whole neighborhood would take up a collection whenever someone died to send flowers and food "to show that people really cared, things were like that then." She also described the "majestic" birch trees that once stood in the area, but which were destroyed as more houses were built. I told her I would call her again in a few months to see what else she may recall of the earliest days of Birchland Avenue. <br />
<br />
I dined this evening on a <i>Swanson Fish and Chips Dinner</i>, which I bought on sale for $1.50. I remember when they were 89 cents. I watched a little of the annual auction on <i>TV57</i>, and Sally Fuller and Susan Tilton Pecora were hosting when I tuned in at 8:25pm. Debbie Onslow was on later, wearing a wig and looking like she is recovering from an illness. Gloria Russell of Wilbraham, an art critic for the <i>Springfield Newspapers</i>, was also on. I left a message on Eamon's answering machine reminding him that communication is a two-way street and that I am not going to change the way I dress so get used to it! I'm determined to stay in tough with Eamon despite his current silence.<br />
<br />
<center><b>January 20, 2001</b></center><br />
35 degrees at 8:30am. About an inch of snow fell overnight.<br />
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<i>ABC News</i> is reporting that President Clinton has pardoned 70's radical Patty Hearst (good) as well as his brother Roger for a minor drug conviction. He also pardoned Susan McDougal but not Webster Hubbell. Nothing for Michael Milken, Leonard Peltier or John Pollard the Jewish spy. Sir William Blackstone lived from 1723 to 1780. The comic <i>Rose is Rose</i> is drawn by Pat Brady. Last night I watched the <i>57 Auction</i> until I went to bed at 7pm, these days I go to bed early. Debbie Onslow was hosting with critic Gloria Russell. Later they were joined by Sally Fuller. They seldom auction antiques anymore and the art is not the sort of things people are looking for. <i>Michelson Gallery</i> used to always donate a Moser print, but not this year. The floral arrangements this year were fabulous. <br />
<br />
I recall Attorney Gene Berman telling me once that he regretted selling a lot of his books saying, "I very much wish I didn't sell my books because books are more valuable than money." The mail came late with my statements from <i>Fleet</i> and <i>Bank of Boston</i>. No postcard from Dr. Shaker. Do I get a 20 cent discount on my next appointment? I called down to <i>Edwards Books</i> at <i>Tower Square</i> and cancelled my order for Rich Clark's <i>Pressure Point Fighting</i>, explaining that with all the snow I don't care to come downtown. At 5:28pm PRIVATE called, a woman asking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. <br />
<br />
Mother used to keep her recipes on cards she collected that came in boxes of <i>Nabisco Shredded Wheat</i> in 1981. Dined on a <i>Smart Ones Fiesta Chicken Dinner</i> with sprouts. When I went out to shovel this morning I noticed tracks in the snow where someone with big feet came up to the garage door. Left the house about 9am and went over to <i>Louis & Clark</i> for copies of the <i>New York Times</i> and the <i>Springfield Union-News</i> and to send out the mail. I swung over to the <i>Big Y</i> on Boston Road to buy some groceries on special, then over to <i>Pride</i> to make some copies. I popped into the <i>Goodwill</i> and bought the <i>Esquire Party Book</i>, wonderfully designed and illustrated by Seymour Chwast. It was in mint condition except for a few bent page corners. Inside the book I found an old receipt from <i>Barnes & Noble</i> indicating that it was originally purchased October 9, 1999. <br />
<br />
Then I came home and watched the inauguration while working. Mrs. Bush read at Constitution Hall in honor of 18 authors because as a former librarian she will make libraries her theme while her husband is in office. Constitution Hall is of course the D.A.R. so all the right buttons are being pushed. Mrs. Bush will be the first First Lady to wear red at the inauguration. Of course it is being held in Washington D.C. although it was noted that D.C. voted against Bush with 83% supporting Gore. They showed demonstrators with signs saying things like "Jail to the Thief" and "I Didn't Vote for Your Daddy Either" and "Al Got Screwed." One demonstrator carried a large sign simply stating "NO!" At times it looked like there were more people there to protest than to root for the President. <br />
<br />
Bush was sworn in more or less at noon. The themes of Bush's inauguration speech were civility, courage, compassion, responsibility, character and other bullshit. He spoke about being "responsible citizens building communities of sacrifice and a nation of character." The speech ended at 12:19pm and was well written and adequately delivered. A respectable inauguration but it is a disgrace that the winner of the popular vote is not taking office and we must never forget the racists who manipulated the vote in Florida. How long do you think it will be before Bush completely forgets that he was not elected by the majority of the voters? The local news showed a demonstration today in Northampton against Bush. They also showed Michaelann Bewsee leading a demonstration of 30 demonstrators in Springfield with a coffin symbolizing the death of democracy. Bewsee was interviewed and said we need "to revive the spirit of Shay's Rebellion."<br />
<br />
<center><b>January 22, 2001</b></center><br />
28 degrees and snowing at 7:15am. Got four inches total.<br />
<br />
Never take people for granted - so few people know this. <br />
<br />
<i>Beetle Bailey</i> is drawn by Mort Walker. January 27th is the 100th anniversary of Verdi's death. <i>WFCR</i> this morning said Massachusetts is 45th in the nation when it comes to charitable giving. Vermont does better, being rated 27th. The Union Station in Washington D.C. is partially built with white granite from Bethel, Vermont. Grandfather Miller died in 1934, before I was even born. Marjorie and Douglas Hall were book sellers I used to see around the tag sale circuit in the 1970's. George S. Mumford was Dean of Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts in 1981. Richard M. Howland and Janet M. Sheppard were attorneys in Amherst in 1984. <br />
<br />
Years ago, my French Professor McBride, who was doubtless gay, predicted that I would never get married. His house was full of French antiques, but some valuable pieces were lost when his ex-wife smashed some of them in a rage. So many times in my research it has been pure luck that I found something. R.J. Blewitt's <i>The Court of Chancery</i> (1827) has an epigraph of six lines of iambic pentameter attributed to Lord Byron. I don't know the works of Byron like I know Milton and I don't have a Byron concordance. So I ran down cellar and took out my <i>Odyssey</i> edition of Byron and it turned up in the first passage I started perusing. So several hours that I might have spent searching for it were saved. I believe that R.J. Blewitt was the best author of legal poems in the fifty year period from 1775 to 1825.<br />
<br />
Francis Gagnon is speaking at the Indian Orchard Library tonight on the history of Indian Orchard. Nader the Hatter once told me that when he built some rooms in his basement he escaped having it added to his taxes by not finishing the floors. I believe Tom Devine once told me the same thing, although he later put down floors made from wood supplied by Jay Libardi from scrap from <i>Eastern Container</i>. I called Pearsall at Wilbraham Town Hall and he told me the selectmen will be taking up the land transfer of Fernbank at their meeting tonight. I asked if the deed included the transfer of all fauna on the property, and Pearsall joked that fauna can't be conveyed and we don't want to get sued by a chipmunk. I then called the Selectboard Office and spoke to Pamela, who said the meeting will start at 7pm. <br />
<br />
Today I cooked up a <i>Sara Le</i>e cherry pie. Tonight I had <i>Big Y</i> pork and beans. Unknown called at 8:08am and asked for <i>Storrowtown</i>. I cried, "Madam, do you have any idea of how many of these calls I get?" She meekly replied, "I'm sorry," and hung up. This afternoon I went to <i>Louis & Clark</i> to put out the mail. There was a fat man wearing a Harvard t-shirt shopping with his son and I asked him if he wanted his son to go to Harvard and he said no. I simply thanked him and said no more. I sent a piece about the Blarney Stone to Moriarty at Elms. I also sent a copy of <i>Aunt Jennie's Poems</i> to Holden Wilson, Governor General of the Society of Colonial Wars. To the University of Vermont I sent an angry letter for their cold refusal of the land I offered them. "Incivility" is a term invented by the establishment to dismiss people who have caught them with their pants down. Time is money and boy have they wasted mine! I hope their attorney sends me a letter telling me not to write again, I collect them!<br />
<br />
<center><b>January 23, 2001</b></center><br />
19 degrees at 7:30am. Second anniversary of Mother's death.<br />
<br />
<i>J.C. Penny</i> is closing a lot of their underperforming stores. American International College was founded in 1885. I have registered with the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation that Grandfather Miller came to America from Roxham, Canada. Philip M. Anderson worked in the Education Department of Brown University in Rhode Island in 1984. Susan Monroe Nugent was Editor of <i>The Leaflet</i> at Keene State College in 1984. Alvin Paige was Artist-in-Residence and Director of the Sprague-Griswold Arts Center in 1987. <br />
<br />
This morning I filled out the my tax abatement application for Five Birchland Avenue, then drove to <i>Fleet Bank</i> to withdraw $1,500 from the interest on my CD, then dropped the letters to Gallagher and Escholz in the <i>Parker Drug</i> mailbox. I made some copies at <i>Pride</i>, then over to <i>Goodwill</i>, where Patty was there and told me her foot seems much improved. While there, I bought an oil painting of three green headed ducks flying above tall marsh grass for $13.<br />
<br />
Next I went to St. Michael's Cemetery in Pine Point and inquired about their new mausoleum. I noticed that the two women in the St. Michael's office had their computer terminals set for the card game Solitaire. It reminded me how I once saw a person playing a card game on the computer terminal at ARISE. So people get paid these days to play cards on their computers? The St. Michael's ladies had no brochures, but they did have a spiral bound scrapbook of plastic sleeves with pictures, charts and information on the mausoleum. They went over all of it with me, and said that the most expensive crypts were those closest to the Bishop's. When I left, I went straight to Hillcrest Cemetery, where I told Karen everything. Karen thanked me warmly as she should, then told me that she has been working at Hillcrest since 1983. <br />
<br />
When I got back I called Aunt Maria and caretaker Shirley Whittier Huang answered, saying she was just back from Vermont. I told her about giving Fernbank to Wilbraham and she responded positively but in a cynical and sarcastic tone. I asked her how Aunt Maria was doing and she said fine. I told her how I have heard almost nothing from my relatives in recent years, and she said they are probably under the impression that I don't want to hear from them. <br />
<br />
Tried several times throughout the day to get Pearsall, but his phone was always busy. Finally, at 2:18pm Pearsall called from Wilbraham Town Hall and told me that the selectmen accepted the land last night. He said a letter of acknowledgement is being typed by his secretary and I'll be given a copy of the minutes of the meeting. I thanked him for his good offices and he agreed that it is clear that parkland is the best use of the property. Pearsall suggested it would be nice to have a bikepath all along the river and he promised to "take good care" of Fernbank. I told him I would come by tomorrow for the final signing of papers, and that I would be accompanied by Honey Pot and Sweet Pea, although I did not say who they are. <br />
<br />
The latest <i>Reminder</i> was here first thing in the morning. <i>The Union News</i> today had a business story about how <i>Woronoco's</i> profits are up 28%, but <i>Friendly's</i> stock is sinking again. The mail brought a friendly letter from Jablonski enclosing a full color copy of the old profile of myself in the <i>Valley Advocate</i>, which he discovered by chance on the internet. I wrote a thank you letter pointing out to him that I have been published five times in <i>The Journal of College English</i>, twice in <i>PLMA</i> and in many other places including the <i>International Leatherman</i>, although not in the nude. <br />
<br />
<center><b>January 24, 2001</b></center><br />
Fair and 23 degrees at 7:35am.<br />
<br />
I am sometimes difficult to deal with, but my complaints are always legitimate. <br />
<br />
An NPR story says enrollment of women in religious orders is down by two-thirds. On the news, Hurwitz was saying that the Springfield Civic Center intends to have a drug-free rave for 2,500 kids. The Society of Colonial Wars in Massachusetts is located on Tremont Street in Boston. Paul C. Montefusco is a Sales Associate at <i>Keenan and Molta</i>. Kathy Esser worked for <i>Landmark Realtors</i> in 1999. Laurie Ely-Bongiorni was a realtor with <i>Landry, Lyons, Stearns and Verrall</i> in 1999. Harvey Clay, the tall, muscular, bright smiling, highly articulate, impeccably dressed, cheerful, do-gooding and self-promoting black man who ran the <i>Lincoln-Mercury</i> out on Boston Road has left the area. He did all the right things and should have won a Pynchon Medal. The new <i>Lincoln-Mercury</i> ads say that a Dan Plante is running the place and offering "the same wonderful service and more."<br />
<br />
As a lawyer well acquainted with copyright law, I am especially sensitive to unreturned manuscripts because it is a way of committing intellectual theft. Accordingly, whenever I send a manuscript, I always include some errors and omit some key paragraphs. Once the article is accepted, these omissions can be straightened out. Until then, the manuscripts I submit are lined with traps for the dishonest. It's too bad it has to be this way, but that is how my intellectual property involving expensive historical research is protected. I can handle top drawer professional relationships and I can handle unprofessional ones, although it can be more than some people can take. Professionalism is the standard, and nothing less will do.<br />
<br />
I wrote to the city's Assessors Richard Allen and Margaret Lynch and invited them to compare my property with 1523 Wilbraham Road, 15 Ventura Drive, 38 Falston, 33 Puritan Circle and 55 Embassy Road. I was a licensed real estate broker in Wisconsin and here in Massachusetts during my graduate school days. I still visit all the houses for sale within ten blocks of here and have a pretty good idea of what things are going for. My house looks ritzy from the outside, but it was a low-end house when constructed, more like something on Boyer Street or Breckwood Boulevard. Just because I'm a lawyer doesn't mean I have money coming out of my ears. Instead of focusing on money, I'm engaged in antiquarian legal research and have been a generous donor of my time to Springfield related projects. <br />
<br />
Today I officially deeded away Fernbank to the Town of Wilbraham. On my way there I traveled non-stop thru three green lights at Sixteen Acres, Tinkham Road and Stony Hill Road right to the Wilbraham Town Offices where I arrived at 8:58am. I brought the Fernbank sign Father had made many years ago, in green script on white, which lately has been hanging in the cellar over my old typewriter. In a large <i>L.L. Bean</i> bookbag, I brought my beloved dolls Sweet Pea and Honey Pot, four goblets, a bottle of Bristol Creme and an instant camera. Honey Pot had his flag and both dolls wore bow ties. I also brought along a tin of brownies I baked last night, a copy of <i>Aunt Jennie's Poems</i> inscribed to Pearsall and an old picture of my Father's beloved dolls Floppy and Ambrose sitting on the hood of Lizzie the Model T on the occasion of the <i>Ford</i> surpassing the 100,000 mileage mark. <br />
<br />
I was wearing the fool's cap with four bells on the tips that I got at Eastfield Mall. Pearsall was already there and I gave him the poetry book and showed him the Floppy and Ambrose picture, which he recognized as being taken on Maynard Road. The lady from across the hall, Pamela Beall, came over and introduced herself as she gave me a copy of the minutes of the selectboard meeting from the night before. I signed the transfer and Beall notorized it, then I exclaimed, "Let's take some pictures!" I took out the dolls and set them in front of the Fernbank sign and a woman from an adjacent office was called in to take several photos of Pearsall, Beall, Honey Pot, Sweet Pea and myself decked out in my tinkling fools cap. <br />
<br />
I took out the brownies and said that they were for the entire staff to enjoy after I left. I then pulled out the liquor, but Pearsall said he couldn't have any because of medication he was taking. Beall also declined, saying that it was too early for a drink, so we all chatted for a bit. Pearsall said, "This must be a bittersweet moment for you." I replied that yes it was, but I also admitted that in a way I was glad to be rid of the property, which had become a bundle of headaches due to liability on the decaying buildings, ecological regulations, litter, vandalism and other problems. I didn't mention that I was also glad not to have to pay a thousand dollars in taxes every year on land that had become useless to me. Beall departed, saying I was "a most interesting person" and remarked, "I appreciate your sense of ceremony." Pearsall shook my hand and called me "a most agreeable person to work with." I told him that I could name a few dozen people who would disagree with that. I urged them both to contact me before they demolish the buildings at Fernbank so that I can come photograph it. <br />
<br />
When I left Town Hall at 9:20am, I drove out to Fernbank and parked in front of Riley's before walking up the hill. With the snow on the roof of the buildings they were accented in a scenic way that made them look almost as they had in my youth. Suddenly it occurred to me that this was my first time arriving at Fernbank with my family not the legal owners. I stood for several moments surveying the scene and contemplating how much this land had meant to Mother and Father, and I felt their absence most acutely. I walked back to the car, wiping the tears from my cheeks with my black handkerchief, then drove down Maynard around to Boston Road and back home. <br />
<br />
<center><b>January 25, 2001</b></center><br />
Beautiful, sunny afternoon, 35 degrees at 3:30am. Gas is $1.42 a gallon at Watershops Pond.<br />
<br />
Nothing is taught or learned correctly without an example. <br />
<br />
Greenspan says the economy is slowing down. The news says lots of people are moving to Franklin County. Arthur R. Gaudio is replacing Donald Dunn as Dean of WNEC Law, Dunn has been with WNEC in one capacity or other since 1973. Gaudio is an old man who looks like Bishop Dupre. Violinist Faye R. Shapiro, one of the founders of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, died in 1984 at the age of 70. <br />
<br />
The mail brought a card today from Mrs. Staniski remembering the anniversary of Mother's death. I called Mrs. Staniski to thank her and told her about my signing away the land in Wilbraham and she said she thinks it was the right thing to do. A black woman named Darlene Wilson called for the Republican Party and she told me how Tom Delay claims that the Democrats are planning to obstruct the agenda of President Bush as he tries to lower the price of prescription drugs and strengthen the military. She then asked (I knew this was coming) whether I would give $75 or $100 to fight the liberal onslaught. I told her I can't spare the money and wished her a good evening. <br />
<br />
I then called Nader the Hatter and told him about Fernbank and Lizzy the 1935 Model T. He said to restore Lizzy would cost around $25,000 and most collectors would prefer to spend the money restoring some other, more classic model. I explained to the Hatter that in Vermont Yankee shitkicker culture the horse is a member of the family, and when that culture gets transplanted to the city the auto becomes a family member, thus the long preservation of Lizzy. Nader said he couldn't talk long because he was helping his sister make supper. The other day I drove down Birchland and back down Jeffrey in my head harness to see if I could drive in a head harness. I had no difficulty but took it off when I got to the main road. <br />
<br />
I cashed a check at <i>Fleet</i> Springdale/Eastfield just before 10am and went over to the Boston Road <i>McDonald's</i> for a sausage McMuffin. The sidewalk was shoveled but the door was locked. From there I drove directly to Whately for the <i>Antiquarian Book Center</i> sale, only to find they weren't open yet. <i>Troubadour</i>, the shop down the road, was open so I went in there. Run by Bob Willig, they have fabulous academic stock for sale at academic prices. Willig said he has bought out two Miltonists in the past year, and said that Eugene Hill is a good customer who takes all the Malone things he gets in. I bought three legal items, including two <i>Theatrum Orbis Terrarum</i> reprints of early legal writings. I saw but didn't buy a book on the criminal underworld and saw that Lucky Luciano looked just like Peter Picknelly and another picture showed a pall bearer that looked like a young Mayor Albano. <br />
<br />
When I left <i>Troubadour</i> the parking lot at the <i>Antiquarian Book Center</i> was full of cars despite their having expanded their lot to include spaces not only in front of the school but also the field to the left. I was dressed high queer with my handcuff bracelets and leather bondage collar with bell and dogtag. I spent $268.26 on 20 volumes, my favorite item being Lewis Gaston Leary on <i>Andorra: The Hidden Republic</i> (1912) in mint condition. I recall telling President Beverly Miller that being banned from WNEC was like being banished from Andorra. I also bought James Weldon Johnson's <i>Black Manhattan</i>, a Professor Commanger's copy of Frances Hawes on <i>Henry Brougham</i> (1957) and D.A. Mahony's <i>The Prisoner of State</i> (1863) autographed by George W. Wilson, whose own incarceration is described in pages 371-84. Smith apologized for not sending me any notice about the sale and said she is sure I'm in their database. She was in a good mood and said she is originally from the New Haven area, an unusually forthcoming personal admission from her. <br />
<br />
On my way home coming up State Street I noticed that the roof of the one story 100 State next to Saia at 106 has collapsed. On the way down Wilbraham Road I was behind a <i>Mercedes</i> with an Albano sticker on it. A woman named McCarthy called looking for <i>Storrowtown</i>. Dined on a can of <i>Campbell's Chunky Beef With Wild Rice Soup</i>. Watched the nightly news, Dan Elias sometimes uses bad English, but Barry Kreiger usually gets it right. <i>TV22</i> says Springfield has the highest infant mortality rate in the state. Eamon's latest phone message says the <i>Leeds Relocation Company Consultant Report</i> rates Springfield as one of the worst places to live or do business. He says the city "has no competitive edge." <br />
<br />
<center><b>January 27, 2001</b></center><br />
Sunny, clear, 24 degrees at 8am. Gas at <i>Pride</i> in the Acres is $1.39. <br />
<br />
There is now a Vermont Alliance of Country Stores hoping for a membership of 75 or so to get cheaper prices through bulk purchasing. <i>Friendly's</i> stock continues to slide. At 9:20 <i>WSPR</i> played Mozart's Concerto 26. The Foundation for Anglican Tradition were publishers of <i>The Seabury Journal</i> in 1986. <br />
<br />
Out at 10:05 and drove over to <i>Spag's</i> to buy a scrapbook, but they were all sold out, so I went over to the <i>Walmart</i> on Boston Road and bought one of theirs. When I got home, I used the scrapbook to assemble my nomination of the <i>Valley Advocate</i> for a Pulitzer Prize. The scrapbook is green and I cut out some <i>Valley Advocate</i> mastheads and pasted them on the outside. Then I drove out to show it to the Powell's, but only a barking Simon was home. I went over to Marshall Moriarty's, but only Mrs. Moriarty was home, wearing a SABIS t-shirt, so I showed it to her. Then I spotted Bobby Brown and his wife sitting outside at the end of Maebeth eating Chinese food. They both liked the nomination scrapbook and were most cordial, urging me to stop by again sometime. <br />
<br />
I went home and put the finishing touches on the nomination, then went over to <i>CopyCat</i> and made copies of it and showed it to the new guy. Then I walked over to <i>Louis & Clark</i> and mailed it to the Pulitzer Prize Committee with the help of Cindy. I also mailed a note to Tom Vannah telling him how I sent the nomination with the $50 fee and that I specifically mentioned himself, Maureen Turner and Stephanie Kraft. Then I crossed Breckwood to <i>Dunkin Donuts</i>, where I got a cheese and onion bagel with a coupon. When I got home, the mailman was just arriving. The mail brought a few interesting things, including a biopsy quote from the doctor and an invitation from Elms for the lecture on John Boyle O'Reilly on April Fool's Day. I also got a fundraising flyer saying that Albano is raising money by selling campaign roses at $39.99 for a dozen packaged with "a bow, baby's breath and greens." <br />
<br />
Had a <i>Swanson Fish and Chips</i> with cherry cobbler for dinner. I'm currently reading Arnold's <i>Great Public Schools</i> (1890) which I bought in Whately for a bargain priced $12.50. Up in the attic I found an old package of a dozen rolls of <i>Soft Weave Toilet Paper</i> with a no-expiration coupon inside. I haven't seen such a coupon in years, in the early days all coupons had no expiration date. An entertainment analyst on the <i>Louis Ruckeyser's Business Journal</i> Friday night said of the movie industry, "There are too many screens out there." That's what I've been saying for years about the theaters in Springfield. On the <i>TV40</i> news they said <i>The Limited</i> is closing at the <i>Holyoke Mall</i> and they had on John Donnellan, Director of Business at Holyoke Community College, who said that the <i>J.C. Penny</i> in Enfield is also closing. <br />
<br />
<center><b>January 29, 2001</b></center><br />
31 degrees and sunny at 7am. <br />
<br />
Pinochet of Chile is now under house arrest. He should be put into a meat grinder. Alaska pays the highest teacher salaries in the nation. General William Westmoreland graduated 112th out of his class of 276 cadets at West Point. <i>TV22</i> says that Franklin County has the fastest growing teen pregnancy rate in the state. John J. Peterson is Senior Vice President at <i>Paine-Webber</i> in <i>Monarch Place</i>. Janet A. Nolan was Director of the Providence Preservation Society in Rhode Island in 1985. <i>Isaiah Thomas Books and Prints</i> was located on Main Street in Worcester in 1986. <br />
<br />
When I got up I turned on the TV first thing and the news was on <i>TV30</i> and the <i>Teletubbies</i> were on <i>TV57</i>. The news said there was an implosion conducted at 60 Washington Street in Hartford which drew an audience of thousands to watch the building transformed into a 20 foot high pile of rubble. It was built 35 years ago and there will be a parking lot there "until we can erect a new building that will last another 30 years." Does that mean that Monarch Place will be torn down in a few decades? The Mayor of Hartford was shown saying that it was "one of those 1950's and '60's buildings with no historic significance whatsoever." <br />
<br />
It would be fun to make a Blair Witch type movie about Lizzie the Model T Ford. Went to <i>Louis & Clark</i> and sent Gainor Davis a letter along with one to Glenn Clark of the Wilbraham police. I mailed a note to Tom Vannah giving him the details on their Pulitzer Prize nomination, and also sent notices on the <i>Valley Advocate</i> Pulitzer nomination to the Powells, Charlie Ryan, Springfield College, Caprio at WNEC, Mrs. Crossetti, Lewis-Caulton, Belle-Rita Novak, Michaelann Bewsee and Marshall Moriarty. Then I went to <i>McDonald's</i> for a sausage and cheese McMuffin, which was a ripoff at $1.29, but I read the paper with the <i>Economic Outlook</i> section in it for free, so that made up for it. Out of <i>McDonald's</i> at 11:15am and down to Wesley United Methodist Church, where there was an unusually large attendance of 50 cars in their parking lot. <br />
<br />
Next I came back down Boston Road to the <i>Big Y</i>, where I bought milk and frozen pizza. Back home, the sun was shining through the dining room window, lighting the pages of <i>The Poems of William Barnes</i> (1893) while I wearing my hoodie and reading. I called the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and asked about getting tickets to the Evan Dobelle speech, and Jeanie said Carol Collins will send me the info. The rest of the afternoon I spent cleaning in the attic. I brought down a big box of coat hangers and other stuff to bring to the <i>Goodwill</i>. Also, I cleared out five boxes of shower curtains that Mother saved, some of which had deteriorated to uselessness. I also found a lot of equally deteriorated <i>Poly-Foam Hanger Covers</i> and assorted knick-knacks from Crest Street. Mother put many things away in boxes and then never looked at them again. It reminded me that the <i>Fairfield Mall</i> is closing Wednesday. <i>Two Guys</i> used to have a store up there, and when Mother couldn't find what she wanted, she would go there for some more shoes, shower curtains, whatever!<br />
<br />
Among the other things I came across in the attic, I found some handsome carved figures that Crespi sent me from Venezuela, and a Christmas themed block print I made in Mr. Issac Padfield's art class at Buckingham Jr. High. I also came upon a kidney shaped ashtray I made at Buckingham, which is simply hideous. Written in pencil on the bottom is "Made in School June 1954." To relieve future art bidders the agony of deciding what it is worth, I am throwing the ashtray directly into the trash where it will never be seen again. I will keep the stool and lamps I made at Buckingham as they look half decent. <br />
<br />
For supper I had <i>Progresso Vegetable Soup</i> and sausage patties. <i>TV40</i> says there was a fire today at the <i>Friendly's</i> on Sumner Avenue, but there wasn't much damage. The fire was caused by someone lighting a roll of toilet paper on fire in the men's restroom. Holyoke Mayor Mike Sullivan is considering a multimillion dollar sports complex, which would be bound to hurt the new Basketball Hall of Fame. Eamon's latest answering machine editorial condemns Phillips' MCDI for "fiscal and personnel mismanagement." Who does the auditing for MCDI? Alas, most of my communication with Eamon these days is unsubstantial. Eamon also blasts Hurwitz for his comments about the Civic Center being "the engine of economic growth" and he predicts the remodeled Civic Center will be as big a flop as the old one. This is the first time I recall Eamon referring to Hurwitz in his messages. <br />
<br />
<center><b>January 31, 2001</b></center><br />
Cloudy and 35 degrees at 8am.<br />
<br />
<i>WFCR</i> reported this morning that the Fed says the housing market has softened and consumer confidence has fallen. Robert Whitelaw was a member of the Colby Class of 1963. In 1973, I had an article published in <i>The PhD in English and Foreign Languages: A Conference Report</i>. Carol W. Kinsley was Director of Public Relations for the Public Schools of Springfield in 1986. Jean A. Franck was Computer Coordinator for Alumni at Colby College in 1986. Ann Russell worked for the Northeast Document Conservation Center in Andover in 1986. <br />
<br />
Nicholas Lowry of <i>Swann Galleries</i> was on <i>Antique Roadshow</i> quoting circus posters from the 1950's as worth several hundred dollars. Rudi Franchi of <i>Nostalgia Factory</i> in Boston was also on. <i>The New Haven Register</i> flashes their number for home delivery on TV24, so I called and got Ronnie who said that home delivery is not available in Springfield and that the number is only for Connecticut residents. Beth Carroll reported on <i>TV40</i> that a Sudbury Church had graffiti and swastikas sprayed on it. They are treating it as a hate crime. <br />
<br />
This morning Pearsall called from Wilbraham Town Hall and asked me for my Social Security number. I said that's pretty private and asked why. He said their lawyer found a bankruptcy against a J. Wesley Miller in Worcester. I gave him my number and he said immediately that it is a different J. Wesley Miller. I told him there are a surprising number of people named J. Wesley Miller around, and told him about the J. Wesley Miller Club. Pearsall promised to "keep confidential" my SS number and also informed me that the deed for the Fernbank land transfer will be recorded on February 1st. <br />
<br />
I pushed around the vacuum in the basement this morning and then read the <i>Union-News</i>. They ran a list of the names of everyone who had a letter to the editor printed last year. Later, I sifted through some files and threw away old newspaper clippings of articles I had used to write <i>The Cappy Miller Report</i>. I also came across a listing of recent hotel prices for the <i>Comfort Inn</i>, <i>Days Inn</i>, <i>Marriott</i> and <i>Sheraton</i> in Dallas, Texas. The Springfield versions of those hotels charge a lot more, even though it is clear that Dallas has a lot more to offer travelers than Springfield. In fact, even West Springfield has more to offer in shopping and other "attractions" than downtown Springfield. <br />
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It was snowing when I drove out today to make copies at <i>Pride</i> in 16 Acres. <i>Fleet Bank</i> now has a <i>United Cooperative</i> banner on its front promoting a new branch to come to that location. Then to <i>Bradlees</i>, which was mostly cleaned out, but with about 20 people in line at the single cash register. <i>Bradlees</i> was the most civil of the local department stores and their merchandise more tasteful. <i>The Fairfield Mall</i> will be demolished and a <i>Home Depot</i> erected there. Then over to the <i>CVS</i> at Eastfield Mall, where I got some prostate pills. I saw a bus driver there I had known in the 1980's, who has aged considerably and was buying some vitamins. I then went to the Eastfield Post Office and was waited on by Linda as I mailed some info on the <i>Valley Advocate</i> Pulitzer nomination to Lovejoy. <br />
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Unknown called at 11:13am. Nader the Hatter called at 12:14pm and said he had a book for me so he was going to swing by on his way to visit his cousin. He arrived shortly after in a bright blue car. I gave him a bag of reading material, and he told me that he is uncertain when he will return to Florida, it depends on Nardi's projects. Alphonse's divorce trial is next month. The book he brought me is really of little interest to me, Richard Quevedeaux's <i>The New Charismatics</i> (1976). Nader told me that Eamon is not mad at me, but Eamon did tell Nader that he is disappointed that someone as brilliant as me doesn't have an appropriate job. Nader said he asked Eamon, "Well, what about you?" Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10900475514170268904noreply@blogger.com0