Lee Historical Society
Newsletter
Vol. 6, No. 6
June 2009
Lee Historical Society, Inc.
P. O. Box 170
Lee, MA 01238
www.leehistoricsociety.homestead.com
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When friends, neighbors or relatives move, downsize, or just clean house, PLEASE, ask them to think of the LEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY before they discard any old books, pictures, postcards, letters or memorabilia of the TOWN OF LEE. We are also interested in obtaining old Lee High School yearbooks and Town Reports.
The May Meeting was held on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at the Senior Center in Crossways Village. Committee reports were read and accepted.
The Society voted to select a committee that will establish rules and guidelines for an annual scholarship to be given to a graduating Lee High School senior starting in 2010.
It was decided to order our second in a series of Commemorative Mugs. This year the mug will feature a replica of the Central Fire Station.
It was decided that we will try to film all of our future Program Meetings.
We will have a booth in the Town Park on July 25th along with many other vendors who will participate in a craft fair hosted by the Congregational Church. We are looking for members to help at this booth where we will be selling picture packets, mugs, cookbooks, “Historical Lee” books, magnets, and looking for new members. We will have copies of the book, “Third Strike”, by R. W. Smith for $15.00. Mr. Smith wrote this book, published in 1984, about life in the earlier days of Lee, which was the last in a series of three that he wrote.
The Fundraising Committee will meet and entertain ideas on fund raising events and for our Annual “Monthly Calendar Raffle” to be held in the fall.
If anyone would be interested in serving on one of our committees, please let us know, we can use help in one way or another on all committees.
Our 2009 membership stands at 103 members. We thank these members for their membership fees which help support our Program Meetings, exhibits and other activities of the Society.
The June Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at the Senior Center at Crossways Village. A short business meeting will start at 6: 30 p.m. and be followed at 7:00 p.m. by a Program Meeting entitled “History of the Morgan House” which will be presented by Drew Loring, son of the present Morgan House owners, Jim and Pam Loring.
STOP OFF at the Lee Post Office and enjoy the display of pictures, old newspaper articles and military memorabilia put together by Vice-President Myron Hood and Lee Postmaster, Ann Clark to recognize the veterans that have served our country.
There are some impressive items in this display including the Michael Whalen and James Burt memorabilia. There is a picture and medal that belonged to Victor J. Pezzotini, United States Navy, who died in the service of our country. Below is a short story about Victor written by his niece, society member Laurie McDarby. Thanks Laurie for sharing this story.
Victor James Pezzotini was the son of Angelo and Elizabeth Pezzotini. He was survived by a brother, Anthony, and sisters, Rose (Breor) and Marguerite (Zanetti-Santolin). He was a graduate of Lee High School, and was employed as a chauffeur for the Smith Paper Company, up until the time of his enlistment. He enlisted in the United States Navy in September, 1942. He received his basic training at Newport, Rhode Island Naval Training Station and was then assigned to a gunnery school in Little Creek, Virginia. After his graduation from this school he was assigned to the United States Merchant fleet as a Naval Gunner, and had received the rating of Petty Officer. Merchant ships were armed with a mix of 5 inch, 3 inch guns as well as machine guns for self-defense. The collective power of the guns aboard merchant ships in a convoy helped to defend against enemy air attacks, but the biggest menace was from submarines. Merchant ships suffered heavy losses to U-boats during the first half of the war, and Merchant Marine sailors and the Naval Armed Guard suffered heavy losses of life.
Victor returned home for a brief visit in December, 1942. He was assigned to serve on the SS West Portal, his first duty. The West Portal was a small ocean going cargo ship of 5,376 tons with a crew of 77. In early 1943, she sailed in convoy SC-118 consisting of 61 ships and 8 escorts, from New York to Halifax, Nova Scotia, then on to Iceland. The ship was carrying a cargo of clothing, food, trucks, mail and 135 Army, Marine, and Navy personal.
On February 5, 1943 the convoy was attacked by 20 German U-boats (3 of which were sunk) southwest of Iceland. The U-413 torpedoed and sunk the West Portal with the loss of all the crew and Armed Guards.
Victor James Pezzotini is listed on the Tablets of Missing in Action or Buried at sea at the Cambridge American Cemetery in England.
Thoughts and Prayers:
The thoughts and prayers of the Society go out to the Cysz family, longtime members of the Society, who lost “Tess”, age 30, to complications related to diabetics on May 24th.
Our friends over at Chesterwood are having a special event happening on June 12th.
Mr. Richard Moe, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will speak on “Preservation for the 21st Century” at a luncheon at Chesterwood on June 12th.
Mr. Moe will be speaking about the environmental and economic issues that can be addressed by preserving, rather than destroying or replacing historic buildings and town centers. This is a timely topic for many towns and organizations in Berkshire County.
Seating is limited and there is a $50.00 per person charge for this special event. Pre-paid reservations must be received by June 6th. Please call Janet Cathcart, Director of Development and Marketing at 413-298-3579 x215 for any event questions or for reservation information.
Our friends up at the Lenox Historical Society opened up a summer exhibit on “The History of the Lenox Fire Department” that is celebrating their 100th anniversary. This exhibit is at the Academy at 65 Main Street in Lenox, so if you have free time. Check it out.
Recollections VI
By U. S. Navy Retired Commander Vic Mottarella,
A native of Lee
(Continued from the May – 09 issue)
Unusual Attitudes
Another challenge the instructors put us through while at Cuddihy was recovery from unusual attitudes. The instructor would have us go under the hood and then put the plane in several very unusual attitudes such as straight up, straight down, in a steep bank, upside down or a combination of two of the aforementioned. It was almost like riding a bucking bull without being able to see what was going on. To complicate things even more the instructor would cut off some of the instruments to put the cadet on what they called partial panel. When the instructor was satisfied that he had done his best to fool the cadet he would say – “Okay, you’ve got it”. The airplane could be in a climb or could be going straight down. It could be upside down or in a violent skid. We learned to judge whether or not we were in a dive by listening to the noises. If the noise was getting louder you knew the plane was losing altitude and gaining airspeed. If the noises were getting progressively quieter you knew the plane was climbing and losing airspeed. The first requirement was to level the wings and the second was to stabilize the rate of decent or climb. I had a lot less problem with this phase than I had had with the Charlie Pattern. The only real problem I had was occasionally getting vertigo (called spatial disorientation) coupled with some nausea. A case of vertigo would make you feel like the plane (and you) were in a completely different attitude than what instruments were telling you. It was stressed to us time after time to believe the instruments and not what your senses were telling you. The purpose of having the cadet recover from any type of unusual attitude was to ensure he could recover, in the event he should at some future time, find himself in violent weather where he might temporarily lose control of the aircraft. Through the years I encountered numerous cases of vertigo while flying on instruments but none was worse than an event that happened in 1969. At that time I was 44 years old and nearing the end of my Naval flying career. I took off on an instrument flight in an A4 Douglas Skyhawk at dusk from Vandenberg Air Force Base. After flying for about two and a half hours and covering a circuit of about 1050 nautical miles I proceeded to set up for a landing at the Miramar Naval Air Station at San Diego. The weather was nasty with very turbulent air and the plane was being bounced all over the place. I started my descent from 25,000 feet and encountered the worst case of vertigo ever. My senses told me that I was in a 40 degree right bank – I remembered what I had been taught even though it was extremely uncomfortable and I had to force myself to believe the instruments. I was picked up by the GCA unit (Ground Control Approach Radar team) while at 4000 feet and did not break out below the overcast until I was at an altitude of 300 feet. The visibility was less than one quarter of a mile. It was great to be back on the ground.
The Low Pressure Chamber
The final training we had at Cuddihy was a demonstration in the low pressure chamber. The chamber was used to introduce cadets to the effects of flying at high altitude where the presence of oxygen is greatly reduced. Several people were involved in operating the chamber including a medical doctor. The only thing missing in the demonstration was a change in temperature that one would experience when actually flying at 35,000 feet. One can expect temperatures of minus 50 degrees below zero when flying at that altitude. I don’t recall any change in temperature during my low pressure chamber experience. Before reducing the pressure in the chamber the doctor gave us a long briefing concerning what we would experience if we lacked breathing sufficient oxygen. He mentioned that a gradual loss of oxygen could make the pilot feel like he was in a state of ecstasy from which he could easily pass into dreamland. He also mentioned that a loss of oxygen might cause bluing of the fingernails. All cadets present were furnished with a properly functioning oxygen mask. He asked for a volunteer to demonstrate the effects on mental capacity if an oxygen mask was not worn in an oxygen reduced atmosphere. I volunteered. He gave me a pad and pencil and asked me to write down the numbers he would recite as he gradually reduced pressure in the chamber. After the test I noticed that my writing was normal until we reached the simulated altitude of 16,000 feet at which point it gradually turned to a scribble and finally became unreadable. I finally passed out at which point (I was told) the doctor put an oxygen mask on me and I recovered. That was the end of our training at that station. I flew my final flight at Cuddihy on June 30, 1945 at which time I had flown a total of 149.9 hours. Not mentioned previously was the fact that the German surrender occurred on May 8th while I was undergoing flight training at Cuddihy. At the time we all thought it would take at least another year to defeat the Japanese so our training pressed on with vigor.
(Continued to the July - 09 issue)
Request:
Who remembers the Collins General Store in South Lee? If anyone can recall being in the store, what it looked like inside, or has any stories they can share about it, please let Society member, Chris Collins know as he hopes to do a documentary on the history of his family’s store.
Originally located on Main Street in the late 1870’s, it was moved and reopened in South Lee in the 1890’s by John T. Collins. His son, Carl C. Collins, continued to operate the general store until October of 1958.
Today, the old store building which is across the street from the South Lee Fire Station and St. Francis Church houses the Housatonic Valley Association. In its day the Collins store sold basic items such as newspapers, crackers, soda and candy, bread and general dry goods.
If anyone has any old memories that they are willing to share, recollections about shopping there or have any artifacts related to the store such as newspaper clippings, store receipts, photos, old movie clips, etc., please let Chris know.
He can be reached at 413-243-8023 or chriscollins1@roadrunner.com and I’m sure that he would appreciate any help he could receive.
The latest update on the First Congregational Church steeple is a little disappointing. The early reports were that the company that is doing the repairs had scheduled the top of the steeple to be in place by the end of May but so far we are still short 35 feet of steeple. Hopefully it will be in place soon and we must realize that not too many things are completed on schedule.
Warmer weather and visitors traveling into and through the town are upon us so make sure you take an extra look before crossing the streets, as everyone does not stop for the pedestrians. Some of the visitors do not care where they park or who may be in their way, so please be careful and safe and have a very enjoyable summer season.
Please support our “Business Members” that support us.
Bartini Roofing Company
Ben’s ShopCharles Flint Antiques
Ben’s ShopCharles Flint Antiques290 Pleasant Street68 Main Street52 Housatonic Street
68 Main Street52 Housatonic StreetLee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238Lenox, MA 01240
Lee, MA 01238Lenox, MA 01240Greylock Federal UnionQuality PlusL. V. Toole Insurance Agency
Quality PlusL. V. Toole Insurance Agency47 Main Street260 Chestnut Street195 Main Street
260 Chestnut Street195 Main StreetLee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238
Lee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238Sullivan Station RestaurantPaperdilly, Inc.Dresser Hull Company
Paperdilly, Inc.Dresser Hull CompanyRailroad Street74 Main Street60 Railroad Street
74 Main Street60 Railroad StreetLee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238
Lee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238Robert M. Kelly, PaperhangingKelly Funeral HomeThe Jonathon Foote 1778 House
Kelly Funeral HomeThe Jonathon Foote 1778 HouseSouth Prospect Street3 Main Street1 East Street
3 Main Street1 East StreetLee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238
Lee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238Our Meetings
The monthly meetings of the Lee Historical Society are held on the second Thursday of the month, unless otherwise advertised at the Senior Center at the Crossways Village on High Street in Lee. Some Program
Meetings may take place on the site of the subject matter of the meeting. We will try to advertise all meetings at various places in town. We will also try to advertise the meetings in the local media and on local TV stations. Our Program Meetings are free and open to the public and people are encouraged to attend. We will try to post and advertise our speakers as soon as they are confirmed.
Our Mission Statement
The purposes of the Lee Historical Society are to promote and foster a greater knowledge and appreciation of the unique history of the Town of Lee to friends, students and citizens through research, lectures, exhibits, acquisitions and preservation of the historical material and sites.
Officers of the Lee Historical Society for the year of 2009
President – Gary W. Allen – 413-243-2140 or garywallen@earthlink.net
Vice- President – Myron Hood – 413-243-2470 or MYRONSCALL@verizon.net
Treasurer – Mal Eckert – 413-243-1797 or MalEckert@msn.com
Secretary – Mary Hood – 413-243-2470 or mehflowers@msn.com
Board of Directors of the Lee Historical Society
Ethel Noonan/2009Marion Leach/2010Mary Morrissey/2011
Marion Leach/2010Mary Morrissey/2011James DiMario/2009Danna Snow/2010Peg Biron/2011
Danna Snow/2010Peg Biron/2011Mary McGinnis/2009William Clarke/2010Josh Hall/2011
William Clarke/2010Josh Hall/2011Matt Macnayr/2011Immediate-Past President and Board Member – Stephen Cozzaglio
Society Historian – Charlotte Davis
Newsletter Editor – Mal Eckert
It is never too late to have a happy childhood; however the second one is up to you and no one else.
Become a member or enroll an out of town friend or relative to a gift membership. Maybe you or a friend would like one of our cookbooks, picture packets or refrigerator magnets of “Old Lee”, our tribute to Betty Dennis, “Historical Lee” or one of our 2008 commemorative mugs with the image of Memorial Hall on it.
Student Membership - $5.00Senior Membership (one person over the age of 65) - $5.00
Senior Membership (one person over the age of 65) - $5.00Business Membership - $25.00Individual Membership (one person under the age of 65) - $10.00
Individual Membership (one person under the age of 65) - $10.00Family Membership (All members of one family living at home) - $15.00
Please circle one:Student Senior Individual Family Business/Corporate
Student Senior Individual Family Business/CorporateName_______________________________________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________________________________
City____________________________State__________________Zip____________________
Telephone____________________Email___________________________________________
Is this a renewal membership?__________
Would you be interested in serving on a committee?__________
Or helping out at one of our fundraisers?____________________
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(1.)Picture Packet – Six, 8” x 10” colored pictures of “Old Lee” for $10.00 or 3 for $25.00
Picture Packet – Six, 8” x 10” colored pictures of “Old Lee” for $10.00 or 3 for $25.00 plus $2.50 if shipped.
(2.)Refrigerator Magnets – (approx. 2” x 3”) Street scenes of early Lee for $3.00 each or a set of 3 different scenes for $7.50. No shipping charges.
Refrigerator Magnets – (approx. 2” x 3”) Street scenes of early Lee for $3.00 each or a set of 3 different scenes for $7.50. No shipping charges.(3.)Cookbook “Boiling Water” – A 400 recipe cookbook, put together by the ladies of the Society for a price of $10.00, plus $3. 50 if shipped.
Cookbook “Boiling Water” – A 400 recipe cookbook, put together by the ladies of the Society for a price of $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 written between April 1971 and August 1977 that appeared in the Penny Saver - $10.00 plus $2.50 if shipped.
“Historical Lee” – A tribute to the late Betty Dennis. A seventy-three page book containing the articles written between April 1971 and August 1977 that appeared in the Penny Saver - $10.00 plus $2.50 if shipped. (5.) A 2008 Commemorative Mug, first in a series, with an image of Memorial Hall for $10.00, plus
$3.00 if shipped.
Please send me (amount)____________of (item)__________________________________
Enclosed is my check for (No cash please) ______________________________________
Name___________________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________
City_____________________State___________Zip______________________________
LEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
P. O. BOX 170
LEE, MA 01238
