MEMOIRS OF SCHOOL STREET VILLAGE

Thanks so much for the great response to this blog!
A special thank you to those who have passed it on to others. We are heading quickly to amazing page visits to this blog! Welcome to folks from all over the country and other countries as well, including Lisbon!!

The "Village", as it was called, is located in the northwest corner of the city of Taunton, Massachusetts U.S.A. It covers about 1 square mile with the center being School Street. A large portion of the Village population was Portuguese when I was growing up.

This blog covers a lot of the history of the Village, much to do with my years as a child there: 1940 through the late 1950's. I do have many wonderful photos and information prior to that that and will share those as well. Always looking for MORE PHOTOS AND MORE STORIES TO TELL.

If you would like to send photos or share a memory of growing up in the Village
e-mail me at spinoart@comcast.net
feel free to comment on the posts. Directions are on the right side of the blog posts. Jump in, the water is fine and it is easy!!!


I will be posting photographs but not identifying individuals unless I have permission or they are a matter of public record. It you wish to give me permission, please let me know.

I am looking for any and all photos of the Village...

Please note: the way blogs work is that the latest post is first. It you would like to start from the beginning of the blog, check out the post labels on the right of the blog and go from there. Thanks.


Thursday, March 7, 2013

THOSE GOOD OLD RADIO DAYS

When we were young and traveling somewhere in the car with my parents, especially at night,  I remember those old radio shows that kept us children quiet as mice.  How about the The Shadow "with Lamont Cranston for one!! 
The dark of the night....wow, our imaginations went into overdrive.


That was the key, wasn't it?  Imagination in overdrive.  Your mind filled in the scenes, the people, the action. Talk about interactive!  Radio played a big part in our lives, especially before TV became more affordable and common.  It was in the background of our lives.

Think back...your Mom is in the kitchen.  You are perhaps coloring at the kitchen table, you know; the one with silver strapping around the edges. Your Mom is listening to a romantic soap opera: The Romance of Helen Trent.  Helen Trent, the orphan.  Why does that stick in my mind as if it were yesterday?  If you listen to this - even for a bit....wow! I had forgotten the theme music...





The era of commercial radio began in 1920, becoming more popular in the late 20's. In an interview I read of my Grandmother Isobel in 1927 she spoke of it as a "talking box." The radio was of vital importance during WWII with FDR's famous fireside chats which helped 
to calm a worried country at war.

The demise of radio popularity apparently ended on Sept. 30, 1962 
with the final episode of Suspense.

Here is a list which your ears will recall: mine did.

The Jack Benny Program----    1932- 1955
Lights Out ...........................     1934-1947
Our Miss Brooks..................     1949-1957
Red Ryder.............................    1941-1949
The Romance of Helen Trent-  1933-1960
Stella Dallas............................  1937-1955
Amos and Andy......................  1926-1960   longest running
The Shadow............................  1932-1955
Suspense.................................. 1942-1962
Aldrich Family.........................  1939-1953
Buck Rogers............................  1932-1947
Burns and Allen.......................  1932-1950
Edgar Bergan and
   Charlie McCarthy..................  1937-1956
Fibber McGee and Molly.........  1935-1956


Who can forget the radio programs commercials like: I'm Buster Brown, I live in a shoe. That's
my dog Tide, look for him in there too."  Also, taking directions for getting your secret decoder ring; when it came it said....drink OVALTINE !  A kids first experience at getting ripped off!

...or  the Salty Brine no-school announcements: for years I thought that Foster-Glocester
was one word, one place!  As in   There's no school today in Fosterglocester...

I felt as if I had lost an old friend when, after a long radio career, Salty passed away.



I have discovered a radio station on my computer with storytellers.  I like to listen to it while I am doing my stationary bike exercises.  It is wonderful to get lost in listening.....like I did as a child, 
like we all did.

2 comments:

  1. Arlene Gouveia writes:
    Sandy, loved your post on old time radio. I remember rushing home from Fuller School to listen to Kate Smith,Helen Trent and our gal Sunday, and then I'd rush back before the bell rang. I remember The Shadow on Sunday sponsored by Anthracite Coal. The beginning music was so depressing especially on boring SUnday afternoon. Sunday night was wonderful with Jack Benny sponsored by Jello followed by Fred Allen and all those wonderful characters. I still remember all those wonderful people on Jack Benny's show on Saturday morning at 11:00 it was "let's Pretend" sponsored by Buster Brown Shoes. The show dramatized fairy tales. However my favorite was Lux radio show on Monday.

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