Well-known local Andover storyteller, Susan Lenoe, photograph by Richard Graber
Liza Minelli, captured by Lawrence Journal photographer, Dana Cahoon, discussing her false eyelashes versus those belonging to Cher.
Carl Velecca, a letter he wrote from prison about the offensive nature of the Watergate criminals.
Through the course of some amateur research on Lawrence at mid century I have come across a gem of a publication, The Lawrence Journal. I'm not really sure about the genesis of the Journal, but I gather that it was the created through the joint efforts of writers Andrew Coburn and Jack Wark. The reporters wrote about current events and it appears they had some freedom to expound on the Buckley political machine. The photography, whether by a Dana Cahoon or Andover legend Richard Graber, is captivating.
What interests me most about The Lawrence Journal is that it is the perfect snapshot of a city in transition. The old guard was slowly being replaced by new immigrants and this paper beautifully celebrates both groups. The personal interest stories are what first brought my attention to the paper as this is where Andrew Coburn's Gilligan's and Fallon's World first appeared.
(That's Malden Mills in the background...taken from proposed bike trail)
Excellent article in Sunday's Boston Globe about how certain American cities rebounded in the 1990s by making life for inhabitants more fun. Lawrence, Lowell and Haverhill all share the Merrimack River, a logical source for fun or at the very least, scenic vistas. Here's a snippet from the article:
Social scientists had long studied the growth of cities, but in the 1990s they started to notice something puzzling: Cities like Seattle and Austin were booming as new-economy hubs for no apparent reason other than the fact that the people responsible for the greatest innovations in high technology had chosen to live in places that were bike-friendly, had good music scenes, and allowed them to show up to business lunches in jeans.
I am enclosing for you perusal some pictures for a proposed bike/walk trail from Methuen to Lawrence and you can read more about it at MethuenRailTrail.org. Joyce Godsey has been spearheading a valiant effort to get an old rail bed converted to a bike path and I salute her. These pictures were taken this summer by Joyce and you can see more via her blog.
(Picture totally unrelated to blog posting, but it's a great picture of Lawrence, no? Picture comes from Keith's blog at Retroplanet)
I came across this short story by Andrew Coburn last night, Fallon's World and I think Lawrence is so lucky to be celebrated by Mr. Coburn. I wrote about Andrew Coburn here back in the summer when I was reading his novel about Lawrence, Goldilocks and his other short story about Gilligan's, a famous bar in Lawrence.
I have only read one of his novels so far, Goldilocks, and I have to say it was very dark, very gloomy, however accurate. But equally as real are his short snapshots of a different time in Lawrence...I so love this new-to-me one called Fallon's World. This story proves that even a seasoned career crime reporter such as Coburn has a sentimental heart.
Christmas can be a very overwhelming. Multiple layers of over-consumption, bad music, the advent of airblown lawn-decor - all of this can leave one feeling alienated and alone. During the early days at the helm of my family, I figured if I'm going to get any pleasure from this holiday, I'm doing it my way. Making Christmas mine was the key to enjoying, no, make that surviving this time of year. Putting Christmas In Jail on the turntable is guaranteed to get everyone in the mood for a little holiday cheer. Another good choice, the Stax collection It's Christmas Time Again. My best-friend-growing-up's mother was kind enough to give me their old silver tree about 20 years ago. Initially I felt guilty, depriving my children of the scent of a real tree but they seem to enjoy the annual assemblage of the dusty old aluminum tree. Be careful with the vintage color wheels, they melt and are fire hazards.
Nothing says Christmas like a Darth Vader Christopher Radko ornament. I'm not a Star Wars fan, but I kinda have a soft spot for this ornament. Below is one of my favorite ornaments. It's a bunch of broken hardware from Mo Krinsky's junk yard, cleaned and strung together with ribbon. A good friend put it together for me, right after they tore Krinsky's down. Krinky's junkyard was smack dab in the middle of downtown Andover. Right before Mo Krinsky passed away we had a family Christmas picture taken there, the twins were babies and we propped them up on old radiators.
Shell shops in Florida are happy to sell gaudily painted starfish or shellaced blowfish as Christmas ornaments. Unlike the many mid century modernistas who blog about all-things-decor, I do not share a deep love of Mr. Charley Harper. Many of his prints are just too cutsie for me, (think Precious Moments for a different demographic) but I think this cardinal ornament represents the best of Harper-style:
Every year I read the kids these two Christmas books. They're corny and I always cry.
When Ivy finally hooks up with Holly on Christmas morning I am sobbing and heaving. Here's a reader's review (Erika Sorocco) from Amazon:
THE STORY OF IVY & HOLLY is possibly one of the most touching children's tales I have read during the Christmas holidays. Yet it seems like something I have read before; and, judging by the fact that it has been a tale told for years, I probably have. Rumer Godden has created a wonderful holiday tale that stands the test of time. The beautiful flow of words found within this book have the power to warm anyone's heart, while the classic illustrations by Barbara Cooney bring the story, and the characters to life. Ivy is an irresistible character, whose faith in a family is remarkable, while the way that she cares for herself gives her an air of maturity. Her love for Holly, the holiday doll in the window of Mr. Blossom's toy shop, really makes the reader see just how much a toy can be cherished by someone who has so little. Godden has done a marvelous job of making each character of the tale hold their own, and bring an unlikely magic to the story; interacting wonderfully with one another, and putting a smile on the lips of everyone who reads this enchanting story. A charming holiday tale to be cherished for years to come.
Erika Sorocco
Another favorite: A review on Amazon:
A charming, old-fashioned story of poverty's hardships dispelled in time for Christmas, set in Britain soon after WW II. Tilly and her widowed mother share a rundown apartment, supported by the mother's sewing. When her mother falls ill, Tilly cares for her with the help of a kind doctor; then, when a leaky roof ruins an unfinished wedding dress of expensive satin, she bravely elects to confide in the bride-to be, though she has previously felt uncomfortable in the well-to-do Kendalls' home. Miss Kendall and her family respond generously, not only providing a hamper of goodies and funds for new satin but also insisting that the stingy landlord make much-needed repairs. Meanwhile, Tilly's friend downstairs - a nice old lady who has trunks full of treasures from better times - has given her some treasured ornaments that help make Christmas complete. The sentimentality here is effectively tempered by the brisk, economical telling. Littlewood adds frequent crosshatched vignettes, in the manner of Ardizzone, plus a dozen sweetly evocative full-page paintings. Without the verve of Rumer Godden's stories, but with similar appeal: a pleasing holiday heartwarmer. (Kirkus Reviews)
One thing I'm missing and I will continue to hunt for: Several years ago, the then-editor of the Lawrence Eagle Tribune, Dan Warner, wrote an essay on why it's important to remember children in need this time of year. I don't want to ruin it for you, I will try my best to find it but since the Trib isn't indexed online and the collective memory of the place is long gone, it may take awhile. Mr. Warner, a tough and crusty ol' newsman from what I've heard, was an orphan and never forgot the pain of "want" as a poor child. He wrote this incredibly touching remembrance of disappointment and asked every reader to think of some poor child who doesn't "have" this time of year. It certainly galvanized me into giving and I think they should consider re-printing it every year.
Bella Beads, 89 Main Street in Olde Andover Village surprised me yesterday. I had twenty minutes to kill between an appointment and after school pick up and wandered in the store. I was given a directive by Teenager to look for long, inexpensive silver-type chains which could be used for the display of charms...not only did I find Bella Beads had them, they had a "customizable" selection at a variety of price points. I was done in no time. While there, I browsed the selection of shiny-pretty bling:
The owner told me a hot seller this holiday season are the Martini earrings, priced at a reasonable $35, however,
This was my favorite, a necklace that can be personalized by length and imprinted charm-tags. The one above has names of children, but the proprietor told me that she's even done a Shakespearean verse on a larger tag for one customer. Your imagination is your limit.
Some other pretty available from Bella Beads:
You may know Shaban's in Andover as a place to get clothing expertly altered, or as a place to buy a special outfit, but by the cash register Shaban always keeps a stack of lively Turkish scarves with hand embroidered trim. My pictures don't do them justice, and at $25 to $35 each (depending on the intricacy of embroidery), they make a great gift.
Shaban's is across the street from the CVS parking lot at 28 Chestnut Street, Andover. I had to buy a dress for a black tie function and I ended up ordering the wrong size online. The dress was fully lined and had a lot of business around the hem, a nightmare of a job...Shaban spent the better part of a day on the dress and it fits perfectly.
I know the malls are giving stuff away, but with out-of-control stampedes and falling roofs (Atrium at Chestnut Hill), staying local this holiday season is a comfort.
Edwin Santana, pumped after a great fight with Orlando Canizales, that's Mel Peabody in the background. Tropicana Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 25, 1997
In his next fight against former bantamweight king, Orlando Canizales, Santana proved to everyone but the three ringside judges that he could become world champion dropping a disputed decision. The obstacle however, wasn't enough to sideswipe Santana's drive.
Orlando Canizales, taking it pretty hard from Edwin Santana
Sometimes, doncha just wanna know someone's story? I recently posted on a visiting wrestler to the Lawrence area in 1950, Gogo Deslys. At the time of my earlier post, I'd found a picture of a young woman called Gogo Deslys on ebay and was waiting to see if the resemblance was strong. Well, I just got my State Express/Ardath cigarette card (I'm guessing from 1930s, I'm still checking) from a winning bid on ebay and sure enough, young Gogo's bio on the card states that she's French Canadian, so our Gogo the wrestler, circa 1950, was once Gogo the ingenue...and former USC law student????
From the back of Gogo's card:
This following pictures are from the Lowell Sun dated February 26, 1950:
Gogo is listed as being from Montreal Gogo is in the black
I guess it got pretty ugly before she won
I like to think Gogo had a lot of fun with her wrestling career, it certainly provided a level of freedom that, as an entertainer, I imagine she'd grown use to having. I certainly would enjoy having a beer with her, hearing stories of her life on the road...even if that road led to Billerica.
It's local, it's live and in Lawrence, upholding a tradition of pugilism that spans 100 years. There will be boxing this coming Friday night in Lawtown...just a few photos from the archives:
From left to right: Mel Peabody, heart and soul of the Lawrence Boxing Club, world class boxing trainer (also trained female wrestler Chyna as a boxer...who knew?), Steve Smoger, famous referee, and Edwin "Lightening" Santana, world famous Lawrence featherweight. Sorry, but I don't know who the gentleman in the back is...
Just some local boys from Lawrence during their boxing heydays.
Below is Mel Peabody inside the Lawrence Boxing Club on Haverhill Street, Lawrence, MA. I meant no disrespect in bringing up the Chyna reference, Mel is a very well known and highly respected trainer and Lawrence is so very lucky to have him. He cares about his fighters, I've even seen him ask about their homework. I mentioned his name to a prominent boxing historian and I swear there was a hush.
(special note to Creative Upholstery in Lawrence: Let's talk about these chairs!)
Went to NYC for the weekend and had Saturday free. I haven't stepped foot in ABC Carpet and Home on over 20 years but I've seen lots of references to their multi-level emporium over the years. Sparkly, shiny, pricey...and friendly. I didn't take pictures of the huge selection of Cisco Brothers sofas and chairs, but trust that ABC carries the full line, probably the only place to do so on the east coast. Cisco produces "sustainable" and "green" furniture which can be customized down to the inch, a huge advantage in a place like NYC where every inch counts. I first heard about Cisco through Rachel Hazelton in Middleton, MA...My house was built in the 1960s and much of the new upholstered goods are too big for my smaller rooms. I have used the assistance of designers ever so sparingly, I'm just not that flush, but here was a case where I ended up saving money by going with a designer. Ms. Hazelton gave me a range of other fabrics to choose from as I wasn't really thrilled with the Cisco selection and she apparently gave me a great price for my two sofas...I didn't realize how great till I spoke with the designers at the Cisco section at ABC. So, kudos to Rachel Hazelton for offering a cutting-edge product to the greater Middleton populace at competitive pricing.
Check out this simple chair tricked out in a bold, tribal print
The rest of the pictures are showing the bold use of acrylic (more glamorously referred to as Lucite) furniture...Merrimack Valley has its own purveyor of acrylic furniture, the former Lawrence-based Akko line is now made in Dorchester and is rep'ed out of New Hamshire: Acrylic Decor
Mixing of acrylic with traditional Baby ghost chair...also known as the LouLou chair
Vintage acrylic furniture at ABC...I visited a charity shop over on 17th Street and they had a few vintage acrylic coffee tables for prices in the low hundreds, and their overall condition was very good.
The Mademoiselle chair by PhillippeStarck...if I could, I would
Other than a few carefully chosen pieces of upholstery, most of my stuff comes from charity or junk stores. Vintage stores are good sources too, but are a level above in terms of pricing. One other tip I've learned recently: a lot of area upholsterers have pieces that clients have left behind, worthy of refinishing.
Well-known local Andover storyteller, Susan Lenoe, photograph by Richard Graber
Liza Minelli, captured by Lawrence Journal photographer, Dana Cahoon, discussing her false eyelashes versus those belonging to Cher.
Carl Velecca, a letter he wrote from prison about the offensive nature of the Watergate criminals.
