Cousins
Tour Ware, MA
It
was at least a year and a half ago when I suggested to my cousins Carole and
Claire that I would love to take a tour of the Ware, MA of my childhood. It
wasn’t until this summer when cousin Art, and his wife Mary Lou, came up from
Florida that the tour actually happened. I have to credit Art for making it
happen. All of my efforts were for naught.Thursday, August 15th, was
cousin Claire’s birthday and it was chosen as the day three of cousins would
join Claire and her sister, Shirley, tour the Ware, MA of our childhood.
Our
parents were all born and brought up in Ware as were cousins Claire and
Shirley. The rest of us, Art, his sister Carole, and I, spent a lot of time
visiting as children. Art’s wife, ML, came along for the ride and she was a
good sport, since all the places we visited and the stories we told were
foreign to her.
At
the end of the tour, we dined at Theresa’s Restaurant capped off with the most
delicious cake with fruit filling for Claire’s birthday.
I
had hoped to post before and after pictures for several of the sites, but I
cannot find the “before” picture of Mt. Carmel church. I tore this place apart
looking for them. Nothing. I’m really heart broken about that. It was such a
beautiful church.
Speaking
of churches, Mt. Carmel was the French church. All Saints was (and still is)
the Irish church. There is a Polish church (St. Mary). As a kid I always
thought it was strange that Ware had a church for each language speaking parts
of its population. My rural, farming town (in CT) didn’t even have one church
until 1941 and everyone who was Catholic went to it.
Missing
picture aside, for me, it was the most wonderful day, to be with my cousins
sharing stories of our childhood. As with most families, we had some colorful
characters, and some not so colorful. That’s family, and I love them all!
Following
are the best of the pictures I took that day with narrative. The date on the
photos is off by one day…it should be 08/15/13.
The top photo is Sherwin St. today. Claire and Shirley used to live here. The bottom photo was taken in probably 1940 or '41. It shows my family car, my mother, my brother Paul, Claire, Shirley and me.
The front of the house on Dale Street where Clare and Shirley lived on the second floor and my cousins Gloria and Yvette lived on the third. This is the house I remember most.
This doesn't look like a store any more. It was just down the hill from the house on Dale St. where we would be sent for milk, bread and candy (if we had been good).
This empty lot is where Mt. Carmel (French Church) used to be. How sad that it had to be torn down.
A movie theater, the Casino, used to be in this space. We saw a few movies here. We could walk to the theater from Dale St.
This parking lot is where our Grandfather owned the Royal Hotel and Cafe. The Cafe was originally down on Main St. and he moved it to a hotel on Parker St (that he bought) and the two became one. The Phoenix Cafe took over the spot on Main St., but that had nothing to do with Pepere (pronounced Pepay).
This the Hotel Royal and Cafe after a snow storm.
The Royal Cafe parade float.
The alter at All Saints church (the Irish church)
The windows above the alter at All Saints are by Tiffany.
Quabin Res. This is the water supply for Boston. Claire and Shirley's father (my Uncle Jeff) and his brother, my Uncle Kaiser both worked on this. The 5 MA towns of Enfield, Dana, North Dana, Greenwich, and Prescott had to be abandoned to accommodate the water.
I don't remember this bridge, but Claire wanted to show it to us. It was recently rebuilt and it spans the Ware River. The Gilbertville Covered
Bridge, built in 1887, carries Bridge Street over the Ware River between the
Towns of Hardwick and Ware. Hardwick is in Worcester County and Ware is in
Hampshire County. The bridge you see has been recently rebuilt. It only took eight
years to make the new bridge happen.
The actual origin of the name, Ware, is thought to be derived from
a translation of the Native American word "Nenameseck," meaning
fishing weir (pronounced Ware). The weirs were used to capture salmon that were
once abundant in New England waterways.
Starting with the picture above, was the most emotional for me. This is what my grandparent's house looks like now. Claire arranged for us to tour the home and when I went upstairs, I was upset because I couldn't find the room I had slept in as a small child. The upstairs has been changed quite a bit.
This is the side of the house next to the driveway.
These trees hide the place where most family photos were taken when our parents were kids.
Note the cellar hatchway and the bay window. You will see them in the picture of our grandparents.
Our grandparents house after a snow storm. Look at the "gingerbread" detailing on the peak.
My mother, age 15
Our grandparents. Notice the hatchway and the bay window.
Happy Birthday, Claire...with Shirley looking on.
Apparently Art was questioning what Carole was saying. Is that what big brothers do?
Here's the whole group. Carole, Claire, Art, Shirley, Me, Mary Lou
As we parted, I read this poem to my cousins:
Next Generation
The last of our parents is gone.
The High Priests and Priestesses
of our youth are no longer here
to guide our footsteps
with stern or gentle words,
or soothe us with strong arms
or ample bosoms.
And so my cousins,
we proceed—
their memory echoing in our
hearts.
Where they were, we are now.
Are you up to the task?
Beverly
R. Titus
08/09/11
