June-2012-Newsletter

Lee Historical Society

Newsletter

Vol. 9, No. 6

June 2012

Lee Historical Society, Inc.

Crossway Tower

P. O. Box 170

Lee, MA 01238

Visit us: www.leehistoricsociety.homestead.com

The June meeting of the Lee Historical Society will be held on Thursday, June 14, 2012 in the Hyde Meeting Room at

Crossway Tower. This will be an important business meeting for all Officers, Board and Committee Members and all interested society members. There are many items that need to be discussed and voted on such as the planning of the Pot Luck Supper to be

held at the Annual Meeting in October, the Craft Fair in the Park in early August, the Annual Raffle, and other important society

items.

CONDOLENCES:

Condolences and thoughts go out to the family of Robert G. Neaman, a society member who passed away in early May. Bob was a man who loved his time in Lee, owning the old Swift farm on Golden Hill. Bob was a retired guidance counselor, who lived in Mamaroneck, NY and owned RGN Photo Services and photographed many great pictures of the Lee area.

THE LEE LIBRARY NEEDS OUR HELP:

At our May meeting the society members discussed and voted to support the Lee Library Association in their attempt to

raise $2500.00 for the purchase of a dehumidifier for the Library basement. The Library Association had planned to apply

for a dehumidifier but found out that the application would not cover a dehumidifier. Article 36 on the May 10th Lee Town was

passed to appropriate the Lee Library the sum of $50,000 to replace the building air conditioning unit, which was the cause

of the Library being closed down for several days last summer. The annual budget that was allotted to the Library is not

sufficient to allow them to keep their certification for next year. They have applied for a waiver that will extend their certification.

They are about $3000 short on the certification but this money must be allotted by the taxpayers, so they hope that next year’s budget will allow certification. The dehumidifier will control the moisture in the basement area that in turn will keep the books, historical

papers and other items in a safe atmosphere. As a historical society we feel it is very important to support the Lee Library in

this endeavor.

We ask anyone who would like to contribute to this worthy cause, to please send in their contributions to the Lee Library

Association, 100 Main Street, Lee, MA 01238. Please signify on your contribution that it is for the “Dehumidifier Fund”.

Thank you!

THE MAY PROGRAM MEETING:

After our business meeting had concluded, the Program Meeting started with long time Lee EMT, Neil Merwin explaining

to the audience about how the Lee Ambulance Squad began back in 1968. Neil was one of the founding fathers of the group

and still serves today. He told the group about the first time that he was called on to drive the ambulance. The client reached

the hospital safely but it was quite an adventure as Neil didn’t know where all the flashing lights and the siren were located in

the ambulance. He answered many questions dealing with the squad and ended the meeting as a typical EMT, by giving out

safety tips and advice. Thanks Neil and all of the Lee Ambulance Squad!

2012 Scholarship winner:

The winner of this year’s Lee Historical Society annual scholarship is Oscar Courchaine, son of Freda Grim and Daniel

Courchaine of 120 Bradley Street. Oscar plans to study computer science and political science in college. His major will be

political science and his long range plans are to attend a law school and then on to a political career. He will intern in the

Lenox office of Representative “Smitty” Pignatelli for the summer. Oscar states that as many of his peers keep track of sports

scores and records, he keeps track of primary results and debate evaluations. He feels that the humanities are a stimulating

field that will occupy his interest for the rest of his life. We wish him the best of luck!

Recollections X

By U. S. Navy Retired Commander Vic Mottarella,

A native of Lee

(Continued from May – 2012)

Recommendation for Trial by General Court Martial

A couple of days later Frank and I found ourselves in serious trouble. A communiqué had been wired from the Commandant

of the First Naval District to the Admiral at Quonset Point. LTJG George Sidenberg and LT. “Bud” Bowler” of VF-31 were also

involved since they had buzzed Bennington College on the day preceding our flight. Bowler was a Naval Academy graduate.

I suppose he should have known better! When Frank and I appeared over the college on the following day a member of the

Civil Aeronautics Board and the president of the college had gotten together to investigate the activities that occurred on the

previous day. We could not have picked a worse day for our demonstration. They were laying for us. When we appeared

overhead they were outside on the campus. They copied the aircraft side numbers. The college president had also copied

the plane numbers on the previous day. We learned later that the woman president had been the highest ranked Wave

Officer during WW-II so she knew how to communicate with senior naval authorities. She contacted the Commandant of the

First Naval District in Boston. From there the news went down through the chain of command. As soon as Commander

Hatcher received the news he recommended all four of us for trial by General Court Martial.

As mentioned before Commander Hatcher did not seem to be liked or respected by most and his decision in this matter did not

earn him any more esteem. He directed the VF-31 and VF-32 commanding officers to assign someone to investigate and

gather evidence of the event from the Bennington campus. For our squadron Lt. Bob Hoppe was picked. Commander

Hatcher personally directed that each of the investigators bring back evidence sufficient to convict in a court martial. The

officers involved were to follow up with a trip to Bennington to search out the details. Lieutenant Hoppe detested what he had

to do and tried to get conflicting evidence as to how high we had flown over the school. One of the observers was a former

Army Artillery officer. He was prepared to testify that by using triangulation with a certain tree at a specified distance from

where he was standing we had flown over the college at an altitude of at least one thousand feet. Some of the girls weren’t

much help because they supposedly were looking down on us from second or third story windows.

Preparation for trial carried on for about three weeks. It was the talk of the air station and I was on pins and needles. Almost all

on the base thought it was overkill. Even the squadron wives became involved. The husbands of a few of these wives were

senior officers and most of them thought a General Court Marshall was excessive for a type of stunt that most of them had

performed when they were young. In the meantime Frank and I decided we had to line up our defense. We approached Naval

Jurisprudence Officers who were teaching Naval Law at the nearby Newport Naval Station. They were available to defend us if

he trial actually took place. We could not have found anyone more qualified. Some senior officers who we knew could not

believe that we had been recommended for a General Court Martial for doing what most fighter pilots either had done or would

liked to have done. Commander Hatcher directed that all four of us be grounded. This meant we could not fly Bearcats but Lt. Commander Willems (our new Commanding Officer) found a way for us to get some flight time. He allowed us to fly as the

second pilot in an SNJ Texan Trainer. It wasn’t much fun to fly in a trainer but it was better than staying on the ground. It also allowed us to take our minds off the big trouble we were in.

About a month after the incident all four of us received a personal letter from the Commander of the Air Force, Atlantic Fleet

(Admiral Felix Stump) stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. This Admiral was the senior commander of all aviation activities on shore

as well as all the carriers with homeports on the Atlantic Coast. The letter was quite brief. It gave us the choice of accepting

a letter of reprimand or going ahead with the court martial. Since we might have been convicted in a court martial we all elected the letter of reprimand. It was obvious to all that Commander Hatcher had been overruled in his zeal to conduct a general court

martial. Frank and I were so overjoyed to have avoided a court martial that we decided to put on a big party for all four

squadrons of the air group. We were almost sure that some senior officers on the air station had intervened and gone to bat

for us. We also felt the wives had played a major role in lessening the punishment for our wayward ventures. Frank and I

decided to invite all air group officers and their wives for a bash at the officer’s club to help us celebrate. We also invited

certain other senior officers on the air station. Commander Hatcher was specifically left off the invitation list. Our commanding

officer immediately lifted the ban on our flying Bearcats for which we were most gratified.

Some After Thoughts

After the above two incidents I was determined to stay out of trouble. I learned my lesson and after almost three years in the

squadron my tour of sea duty was nearing an end. The entire time in the squadron was considered sea duty even though part of the time was spent ashore. It was almost ironic that I never got into trouble when buzzing the hometown on so many occasions. In

fact, I can remember one of the hometown police telling me that I did not get very low on one of the more recent excursions. In

both of the above incidents I was not the instigator. In one case I simply carried out the instructions of the Executive Officer

and in the other case I went along with the wishes of my friend who was the most straight laced and respected junior officer in

the squadron. From that point on, while assigned to this fighter squadron, I never strayed from what was assigned on the flight schedule. I really felt quite guilty that I had caused so much trouble for our new Commanding Officer who was really a good

leader and a great guy. (Continued to the July-12 issue)

The Original Lee Friendly Ice Cream

There comes a time in the life of a teenager where the meager weekly allowance of $0.75 does not cut it. Some additional

hores around the house or occasional baby-sitting would help fill the coffers but the needs were many and the wallet was

usually empty. The endless wish list included ribbons and headbands from the 5 & 10, which were inexpensive but different

colors raised the ante, a cherry coke at the soda fountain in Pease’s Drug Store was only a nickel but the Tangee lipstick came to $0.35. A movie ticket on the weekend, a jelly donut and a chocolate milk at Pollards, the latest Seventeen, penny candy and Wonder

Woman comic books at Leahy’s News……well, it all added up to more than the traffic could bare. These articles of consumer

temptation were not included on my mother’s list of “essential items”, so it became obvious to me that I needed to find my first

real job.

As luck would have it, my father was completing some electrical work at the original Friendly Ice Cream in Lee, then located

at the end of Housatonic Street, next to what is now the entrance to the Massachusetts Turnpike. Herb Trim was the manager

and had mentioned to him about the difficulty he was having in finding part time help. My dad suggested hiring me, as I was

desperately searching for a job and the idea took off. The first hurdle was for Herb to convince the management in Springfield

to consider me. Up until that date, only males could be employed by Friendlys. The owners commiserated and finally agreed

to give it a try. They designed a uniform and I was formally hired as the very first female to be employed by Friendly Ice Cream.

A young guy named Charlie was Assistant Manager at that time, and he monitored the crew I worked with who were boys from

my high school class….John Cinella, Tippy Powers and Junior Simone. Altogether, we made an impressive team and had a

great time together.

I was so excited to start and waited for my uniform to arrive. Back then it was yellow cotton with a checkered collar, cuffs and matching apron. The store was small; just ten stools at the counter on each side of the center console where the ice cream

coolers and cash register were located just as you came in the door. No booths or drive-in windows then….just the basics. I

usually took orders and worked the ice cream detail; John was on the grill while Tippy and Junior worked the back. The

Massachusetts Turnpike was under construction that year so we had plenty of customers all day for cones, takeout sand-

wiches and the famous Awful Awful. Business was always brisk and I would go home at the end of my shift covered with ice

cream stains of every flavor and the scooping-elbow syndrome, The menu was small but the quality was first class. We had

our regulars every day from the 10 A. M. coffee breakers through the lunch crowd followed by the after school snackers and

later in the evening, the gang coming in after the ball games. Plus we had a steady stream of the construction crew working on

the new highway. (Note: being the only girl at the counter was an introduction to an entirely new phase of the dating game for

me at the tender age of sixteen. Naturally, any potential suitor had to first get through my father. The majority of the Mass Pike

guys were college guys, so the answer, much to my dismay, was usually a very firm “No”.)

Our weekly pay came in cash in small brown envelopes and even though I had to put some of my earnings in the bank, it

was truly a godsend. No longer did I have to count the pennies. For an opportunity to be employed for the first time with

Friendlys as it used to be, I was thrilled. The everyday dealings with customers, the camaraderie of sharing this job with my

school friends as fellow workers and solving the problem of my empty wallet turned into an unforgettable experience. Another

one of the special memories from my infamous Wonder Years.

Christina Canon Craighead

In the May issue, I asked if anyone had ever heard Greenwater Pond referred to as Lake Passumpsic. John Costello, who

lived at Greenwater Pond with his family for many years, replied that he was aware that it was known by that name. He also

sent me two photos, one of the Passumpsic Club, a social club, which shows many people sitting and standing on two large,

upper and lower, porches of a large club building. The second photo was taken from a hill across Route 20 that shows the

pond and the location of the club. From the photo, it seems that the Passumpsic Club once stood where the middle of the Massachusetts Turnpike now runs. The club was located next to the “Huckleberry Line” (November 2004 Issue), a trolley line

that transported people from Lee to Huntington. John states that his mother told him that as a girl, she would hear the patrons

“hooting and hollering across the lake. John’s mother, Elsie Broga, was recently shown in a photo of the students of the 1914

class of the East Lee School. She later became Elsie Costello and the teacher at this same schoolhouse for many years. John

now resides in Bradenton, FL, but will be returning to Lee later this year for the 50th reunion of the Lee High School Class of

1962 of which he was the President.

I have also received an email from David Stanley of Austin, Texas, who is a direct descendant of Samuel Stanley, one of the

early dwellers of Dodgetown. Mr. Stanley has researched and found that his ancestor purchased 114 acres in that area in

1779.The 1790 census shows that there were 11 people living at the home. Mr. Stanley has sent three pages of information on his ancestor for the society.

The new mugs with the replica of the Congregational Church should arrive by the 15th.

The Lee Historical Society has the following items for sale. Any one of these would make a great gift for an out of town friend

or relative.

(1.)

Picture Packet – Six, 8” x 10” colored prints of “Old Lee” for $8.00 each or 3 packets for $20.00, plus $2.50 if they

need to be shipped.

(2.)

Refrigerator magnets – (approx. 2” x 3”). Three are of old street scenes from the early 1900’s and one is an “Entering

Lee” replica sign. They are $3.00 each or buy all four for $10.00 with no shipping charges.

(3.)

Cookbook – “Boiling Water” – a 400 recipe cookbook, put together by the ladies of the society for $10.00, plus $3.50

if shipped.

(4.)

“Historical Lee” – a tribute to the late Betty Dennis. A seventy-three page book containing the articles that Betty wrote

between April 1971 and August 1977 that appeared in the Penny Saver. Price is $8.00, plus $2.50 if shipped.

(5.)

“Third Strike”- a book, the last of three written by Ralph W. Smith that was published in 1984. It contains stories of

people and tales of earlier days in Lee. The price is $10.00, plus $2.50 if shipped.

(6.)

Commemorative Mugs;

(a.)

A 2008, #1 in our series, mug with a replica of Memorial Hall embossed on the side.

(b.)

A 2009, #2 in our series, mug with a replica of Central Fire Station embossed on the side.

(c.)

A 2010, #3 in our series, mug with a replica of the Lee Library embossed on the side.

(d.)

A 2011, #4 in our series, mug with a replica of the Hyde School embossed on the side.

These mugs can be purchased for $8.00 each plus $3.00 shipping or two mugs for $15.00 and $5.50 shipping, three mugs

for $22.00 and $6.50 shipping or all four mugs for $25.00 and $7.50 shipping.

Please send me (amount) ______________of (item/items) __________________________

Enclosed is my check for (no cash please)______________________________________

Name_____________________________________________________________________

Address___________________________________________________________________

City_________________________State_______________Zip________________________

Mail to:

Lee Historical Society

P. O. Box 170

Lee, MA 01238

The Newsletter of the Lee Historical Society is published monthly by our non-profit organization, Our society’s mission is to

foster a greater knowledge and appreciation of the history of the Town of Lee through research, lectures, and exhibits, and

of the acquisition and preservation of material and sites. The overall object and purpose of our society shall be exclusively

educational and charitable consistent with 501 (C) (3).

Officers of the Lee Historical Society for the year

President – Stephen Cozzaglio – 413-243-3204 or scozzaglio@roadrunner.com

Vice- President – Gary W. Allen – 413-2543-2140 or garywallen@earthlink.net

Treasurer – Mal Eckert – 413-243-1797 or MalEckert@msn.com

Secretary – Bambi Johndrow – 413-243-2845 or disdeer62@netzero.net

Board of Directors of the Lee Historical Society

Mary Morrissey

Maria Hopkins

Peg Biron

Matt MacNayr

JoAnn Zarnoch

Marion Leach

Robert Kelly

Ethel Noonan

Annette Perilli

Dolores Eckert

Brenda Liebenow

Society Historian – Charlotte Davis

Newsletter Editor – Mal Eckert

Please support our “Business Members” that support us.

The following is a list of the area businesses that are current members of the Lee Historical Society for 2012. If you would

like your business listed here, fill out the membership application on the back page and send in the dues of $25.00.

Bartini Roofing Company

Ben’s Shop

Charles Flint Antiques

290 Pleasant Street

68 Main Street

52 Housatonic Street

Lee, MA 01238

Lenox, MA 01240

413-243-0570

413-243-0242

413-637-1634

Karen Keenan Gifts & Home

Quality Plus Custodial

Locker Room Sports Pub

69 Main Street

260 Chestnut Street

232 Main Street

Lee, MA 01238

413-243-2689

413-243-2197

413-243-2662

Frank Consolati Ins. Agency

Paperdilly, Inc.

Dresser Hull Company

71 Main Street

74 Main Street

60 Railroad Street

Lee, MA 01238

413-243-0105

413-243-1928

413-243-1400

Robert M. Kelly, Paperhanging

Kelly Funeral Home

The Jonathon Foote 1778 House

South Prospect Street

3 Main Street

1 East Street

Lee, MA 01238

413-243-3489

413-243-0204

413-243-4545

Monk’s Professional Barber Shop

Lee Bank

Devonfield Inn

91 Main Street

75 Park Street

85 Stockbridge Road

Lee, MA 01238

413-243-3341

413-243-0117

413-243-3298

Hunter & Graziano P. C

Terrace Hair Studio

Wilcox Plumbing & Heating

10 Park Place

135 Housatonic Street

P. O. Box 561

Lee, MA 01238

413-243-0789

413-243-1799

413-243-2494

Deely & Deely, Attorneys

Matt Liebenow Jr., Trucking

218 Main Street

P. O. Box 72

Lee, MA 01238

413-243-2720

413-347-7048

Check out TownOfLee.Com for information about Lee, where to eat, places to stay, shopping, etc.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________ How about becoming a member to help support our Society?

Do you have an out of town friend or relative that might enjoy our newsletters? Sign him/her up as a member.

Student Membership - $5.00

Senior Membership (one person over the age of 65) - $5.00

Business Membership - $25.00

Individual Membership (one person under the age of 65) - $10.00

Family Membership (All members of one family living at home) - $15.00

Please circle one:

Student Senior Individual Family Business/Corporate

Name_______________________________________________________________________

Mail to:

Address_____________________________________________________________________

Lee Historical Society

City____________________________State__________________Zip____________________

P. O. Box 170

Telephone____________________Email___________________________________________

Lee, MA 01238

Is this a renewal membership?__________

Would you be interested in serving on a committee? __________

Or helping out at one of our fundraisers? ____________________