Re-Entering the Neighborhood After Retirement
By Virginia Gregory (Norfolk Road)
My husband and I moved to Norfolk Road in 1960 with two small children. Three more children were added in the next few years. Our turn-of-the-century Victorian house at 62 Norfolk Road was perfect for raising a large family, lots of nooks and crannies, places like “cubby-holes” in the attic eaves to hide and pretend. None of our neighbors had a pool for summer fun, but the lawn sprinkler provided endless hours of cool delight for the children. Later we joined the brand new Winchester Swim Club so that children would have swim lessons. Dot Stein and Pat Erickson often carpooled with me.
There were 42 children on the one block of Norfolk Road, and the mothers would let the children play at large. My husband and I owned the extra plot of land next to our house, and many of the Norfolk Road children would congregate there after school until I would decide to “suggest they go up the hill and play in the Meade’s, yard or the Linsky’s yard, or with the Bryants or Burtons.”
The children walked to the local grammar school, Parmenter School on Irving Street, and returned home for lunch. The big decision the children had to make in the morning was whether to walk “up hill” or “down hill.” It wasn’t until 1973 that school lunches were introduced. When that happened I found that the day was long, and I returned to work in a part-time capacity at Boston University (9:00-2:00, four days a week with the summers off). I would leave BU promptly at 2:00 p.m., drive my VW bus home and be there with an apron on to greet the children arriving from Parmenter School. That was in 1973, and most of us mothers were at home.
The “Murphy boys” lived on Norfolk Road. The Murphy boys were well into their 70s and had lived on Norfolk Road with their mother for their lifetime. Dan Murphy knew every tree on Norfolk Road and would share his knowledge. He would also tell tales of how he and friends rode the street car to Revere Beach in the summer.
When our three boys were old enough to cross the street, they were encouraged to “go to the Boys Club” after school. Brud Faulkner would look after them as a father would, and we knew we could count on their safety. The girls were not as yet welcome in the Boys Club at that time, so they would join Brownies (with Jo Levin) or Campfire Girls (with Lee Brooks). Jane Howard was the “mother par excelleance” who made grape jelly, showed the girls how to weave wool on her third floor loom, and taught them to be good citizens.
A big lifetime event was to get your own library card as soon as you were able to write your name. Trips to Robbins Children’s Library were frequent, and you would always find not only books to read, but friends as well.
Now that I’m retired, I’m finding the joy of remembering and reliving the same activities. I find that the sun still shines through the windows. The sight of the golden leaves giving a warm glow to the house brings back many memories. One of the treats I’m presently enjoying is watching the backyard birds feed at my feeder during the day. Another joy is seeing the mailman deliver the mail up and down Norfolk Road.
Before retiring, I would hurriedly ask a friend “How are you?” and not have time to listen because I’d be dashing off. It’s now a delicious treat to be able to spend some time listening and visiting over a cup of coffee. The sense of time is stretched out, time to browse in the library and the food store, instead of hurrying to get the articles on my list for supper. One of my biggest joys is to be available to my school-aged grandchildren, attending their daytime school activities – e.g., a concert, or assembly, or simply walking them to school.
Many things have changed (for the better) over the years. Menotomy Rocks Park was always special but even more so today. The park is a lovely place to take a midday walk and watch the changing wildlife. The park is the same but better. The trails are so improved. I remember when Bernice Jones organized the first Arlington Vita Trail through the hills. One would have to stop every 20 yards of so to do the prescribed bit of fitness challenge.
Arlington is so much the better these days. True, we have to remember to lock our doors, and our cars, but that’s a small bit of responsibility needed for safety. Many of the neighbors are still in the same houses and happy to stop and chat. A few friends have downsized and bought condos, but stayed in Arlington!
About twenty years ago, Deirdre Wadsworth, Sue Burton, and I decided to have regular suppers with the mothers of our children’s school pals (now all grown, married and living in their own neighborhoods). These are the mothers of children who attended the Parmenter School on Irving Street. We meet for supper at Shanghai Village every three to four months and share our lives.
When we first met some twenty years ago, we were all at similar stages in our lives. We would talk about college entrance requirements. Then later we shared news of our own outside work experiences. Then the time came when we’d talk of graduations, and marriages. That’s when the photos would come out and be passed around the table. The grandchildren arrived and we had more pictures. Eventually talk became focused on our travels or taking classes ourselves. Resources were shared. Soon I noticed that one by one the mothers were retiring from work and into other activities.
It always amazes me that the list of those coming to the suppers grew and grew. We all have that one distinctive tie to the old Parmenter School. Our children are now on their own, living all over the United States and Europe. When the children visit, they ask about their old classmates and we have current news for them. They are amazed that all of the mothers they knew are still friends. If anyone reading this article wishes to be on the “call list” for the next Parmenter Mothers Supper please let Deirdre, Sue, or me know. All are welcome.
Tags: history, The Leaping Issue 15(1), town, youth