Bytes from the Bean by Joe Manning 1-21-9912:00AM / Thursday, January 21, 1999
My routine is always the same. I am awake at 4:30 AM and in my car by 5:15. With my bottle of Nantucket Nectars Iced Tea and my favorite CD ("Revival" by Gillian Welch), I head up Route 8, cross the CT/MASS line by 6:00, and watch the sky brighten over the quiet rural villages of Otis, Becket, and Washington. Gillian's modern Appalachian-style folk songs provide the perfect soundtrack for this peaceful drive. When I reach Hinsdale, I take a quick detour past Gloria's Place, a perfect small-town diner that glows warmly near the railroad tracks. If I hit it just right, a Conrail freight will pass through unnoticed by anyone but the loyal breakfast crowd in their hunting caps and plaid shirts. In Cheshire, I tune in to WNAW and get the news and weather. I never fail to feel a chill of excitement when I drive over the Hadley Overpass and get my first glimpse of the clock tower and the steeples. In a few minutes, I'll be sitting by the window at The Bean sipping coffee with Tony and Carl and Bob and Marsha, sharing their wonderful memories.
Cafe
Sometimes this town seems to hide behind its history
Morning conversations in the cafe
circle 'round the table
always coming back to
dates on cornerstones
old photos in newspapers
and the Flood of '27
"The Transcript is missing out by not putting names of people in thepaper. When Jim Cleary and I were on the Hoosac Tunnel CentennialCommittee, we used to spend an hour and a half writing up the meetingfor The Transcript. Next day, everyone on the committee would get thepaper so they could find out what they said."
-Tony Talarico Â
"People today don't realize how tough the times used to be. We never hadany money. A friend of mine back then, when he'd get down to his lastnickel, he'd buy a cigar"
-Tony Talarico Â
There's a terrific program over at the Greylock School run by Kathy Gwozdz. The kids learn about diversity. I visited Mrs. Mendel's third grade class this morning at their invitation. They are communicating with a class in Poland and recently received a book from them about their town. I brought in a copy of "Steeples" and autographed it so they can send it to Poland. I talked to the kids about how their ancestors came from mostly European countries and Canada. They told me their last names, and we guessed which nationality that might signify. We also talked about North Adams. I was wearing my MASS MoCA sweatshirt, and I asked the kids if they knew what MASS MoCA was. One hand went up right away, and the boy said, "It's that thing on your shirt." Â Â
We listened to part of my oral history tape of Venice Partenope, and they marveled at how she was one of twelve children and that she has lived in her house since she was born (95 years). The kids were wonderful. I can't wait to go back.
Later, I interviewed Tony Accetta. His grandfather, Patrick Accetta, opened Pat's Lunch on Bank Street back in the 1940's. It was right across from The Transcript. Tony's father (also Tony) took it over in the 1960's and then had to move it to State Street due to urban renewal.
Does anyone have memories of Pat's or Tony's when it was on Bank Street? I'd love to hear from you. See contact information above.
See you at the Bean,
Joe Manning
Visit Joe's website at: www.sevensteeples.com.
Email Joe at: manningfamily@rcn.com. |
