Great descriptive article that captured the exciting time that a kid from the city experiences when given the opportunity to spend a vacation at the beach. It’s amazing that the experience you had mirrored what I had when three families with nine kids rented a house on Angel Rd. in Narragansett for a whole two weeks. It was great we liked one another because living in close quarters was challenging at best. But for us kids it was heaven. We spent all day at the beach doing all you and your cousins did , and even looked forward to trip to Cronin’s at night for ice cream, a frozen Charleston Chew or some other special treat.
Again, thanks for the memories. It was a different but very special time.
Thanks, Paul. Great notes and recollections. Yikes! Three families, nine kids. Simone Signoret wrote a book, "Nostalgia Isn't What It Used To Be." I'd say she was wrong.
Such nostalgia in this piece with vivid descriptions that just take you back in time…….the Noxema, frozen Charleston Chew and that beautiful feeling of going to bed knowing tomorrow would be just as much fun! Thanks Ed.
Did you and Al know each other summers at Scarborough and do anything together. Al had my kids each choose a crab to bring home to the cottage and have crab races.
Loved your story because I lived it myself almost on the same street. Wonderful summers. Still in Narragansett enjoying the beach and the days near Pt Judith..
Excellent article. This brought back wonderful memories of our week every summer to Lake Winnipesaukee in Alton Bay, NH. Our parents rented the same cottage right on the lake. I remember getting out of the car when we arrived, and the smell of the pine trees, the crystal clear water and the view of the Mount Washington boat passing by. The outdoor shower was one of the greatest things ever to us. We didn’t get the Charleston Chews, however our dad would take us into the little town where we all got one of those big Lili pops that looked like a swirl of color that no kid could finish. My sister and I took our brother back to the cottage in 2009 to show it to him. He was younger than us, and didn’t remember quite all of the memories that we did. When my brother Bill was a little boy, he always had a little Lili pop in his mouth, when we showed him the cottage, him and I sat on the stairs. My sister took our picture in the exact spot where we sat in 1959. That is a picture I will treasure for the rest of my days.
So very reminiscent of my summers on Prudence Island. I could probably show that beach photo to my siblings and have them believe it is a picture of us; the resemblance to my mother is striking. Thanks again, Roger
Love your story, Ed! My Aunt Mary and Uncle Frank had a modest beach house at Narrow River with
2 bedrooms and the same knotty pine. We had our own beach house on Cape Cod but we always found time to go to theirs. Its still there, right across the street from the river. I have many wonderful
Wonderful description, I join Paul Pisano in praising this remenisence. We too shared a house on Angell Road in the 1950's with my Aunt and three cousins. A tiny cottage which is still there today, the Dads only came on the weekend, other cousins visited during the week, bringing tons of food and lots of fun.
Great shared memories Ed. Long days at Sand Hill Cove followed by the long trek home sweetened by 5 cent Charlestown Chews and 5 cent each clam cakes from the clam shack at the roads end! Nothing better!! Tom
Ed, what a beautiful summer and all the experiences you had, just beautiful! got a chuckle about your uncle's snoring.
Summer came as school was winding down and it was time to put the books to rest and enjoy the days with your friends. I had the pleasure to spend a week with my cousins in Warren on Water Street were my grandmother and aunt resided and my mother grew up when the family migrated from Italy. We would walk to Warren beach swinging towels walking by Blount's seafood and on to the sand for days of fun. Summer was the best part of school-ha ha.
This was fun to write. Thank you all for the positive comments that you left in so many places
Great descriptive article that captured the exciting time that a kid from the city experiences when given the opportunity to spend a vacation at the beach. It’s amazing that the experience you had mirrored what I had when three families with nine kids rented a house on Angel Rd. in Narragansett for a whole two weeks. It was great we liked one another because living in close quarters was challenging at best. But for us kids it was heaven. We spent all day at the beach doing all you and your cousins did , and even looked forward to trip to Cronin’s at night for ice cream, a frozen Charleston Chew or some other special treat.
Again, thanks for the memories. It was a different but very special time.
Paul
Thanks, Paul. Great notes and recollections. Yikes! Three families, nine kids. Simone Signoret wrote a book, "Nostalgia Isn't What It Used To Be." I'd say she was wrong.
Such nostalgia in this piece with vivid descriptions that just take you back in time…….the Noxema, frozen Charleston Chew and that beautiful feeling of going to bed knowing tomorrow would be just as much fun! Thanks Ed.
Thank you, Melina
Class let's learn about "Descriptive Writing" WOW! Haven't had a frozen Charleston Chew in like 40 years...
Go for it, Christian. Though I admit that I've moved on to frozen Snickers.
Did you and Al know each other summers at Scarborough and do anything together. Al had my kids each choose a crab to bring home to the cottage and have crab races.
Yes, Al and I shared many of those memories and, Marilyn. But not crab races. Funny
Loved your story because I lived it myself almost on the same street. Wonderful summers. Still in Narragansett enjoying the beach and the days near Pt Judith..
Lovely
Excellent article. This brought back wonderful memories of our week every summer to Lake Winnipesaukee in Alton Bay, NH. Our parents rented the same cottage right on the lake. I remember getting out of the car when we arrived, and the smell of the pine trees, the crystal clear water and the view of the Mount Washington boat passing by. The outdoor shower was one of the greatest things ever to us. We didn’t get the Charleston Chews, however our dad would take us into the little town where we all got one of those big Lili pops that looked like a swirl of color that no kid could finish. My sister and I took our brother back to the cottage in 2009 to show it to him. He was younger than us, and didn’t remember quite all of the memories that we did. When my brother Bill was a little boy, he always had a little Lili pop in his mouth, when we showed him the cottage, him and I sat on the stairs. My sister took our picture in the exact spot where we sat in 1959. That is a picture I will treasure for the rest of my days.
Beautiful description of lovely days. Thanks for sharing this, Colleen.
Absolutely terrific! Our trips were to northern Wisconsin and fresh water lakes - same great times fishing, swimming and taking naps. Thanks, Ed.
Thank you, Ed. Naps were good then, and even better now.
So very reminiscent of my summers on Prudence Island. I could probably show that beach photo to my siblings and have them believe it is a picture of us; the resemblance to my mother is striking. Thanks again, Roger
Thanks, Roger. I am pleased, again, to have rekindled memories of happy days.
Happy 4th
Love your story, Ed! My Aunt Mary and Uncle Frank had a modest beach house at Narrow River with
2 bedrooms and the same knotty pine. We had our own beach house on Cape Cod but we always found time to go to theirs. Its still there, right across the street from the river. I have many wonderful
memories of them and that little house!
Lovely spot. I know the area, Tom
Just beautiful, Doc!
Thanks, Dante. Such fun days. Happy 4th!
Ed, no matter where one grew up, as youngersters back in the day, summers were all the same; never long enough. Such good memories. JC Yuill
Did you read Peter's comment that summers were the best part of school. Funny. Almost.
Wonderful description, I join Paul Pisano in praising this remenisence. We too shared a house on Angell Road in the 1950's with my Aunt and three cousins. A tiny cottage which is still there today, the Dads only came on the weekend, other cousins visited during the week, bringing tons of food and lots of fun.
Perfect. The joys of summer and fun.
Great shared memories Ed. Long days at Sand Hill Cove followed by the long trek home sweetened by 5 cent Charlestown Chews and 5 cent each clam cakes from the clam shack at the roads end! Nothing better!! Tom
You bet, Tom. How about outdoor movies at Adam's Store. Eaten by mosquitos
Ed, what a beautiful summer and all the experiences you had, just beautiful! got a chuckle about your uncle's snoring.
Summer came as school was winding down and it was time to put the books to rest and enjoy the days with your friends. I had the pleasure to spend a week with my cousins in Warren on Water Street were my grandmother and aunt resided and my mother grew up when the family migrated from Italy. We would walk to Warren beach swinging towels walking by Blount's seafood and on to the sand for days of fun. Summer was the best part of school-ha ha.
I love your comment, Peter, "Summer was the best part of school"
I remember that I was eager to return to school at one point late in the summer. Yes, believe it. Even after the essay I wrote.
Ed, of course, there is always a curve and I'm sure you were at the top.
Well. . .
You earned it! Never lost touch with the common man and I say that's important in life.
Sure is
Thanks, Ed, for the lovely description of what at our current ages seems like an idyllic past! Brought back some of my own memories. Don
Idyllic it was, Don. Thanks for your note. Happy 4th