It was a regular Summer day in Brewster,
though something was different.
Dad still went to work and Mom DID take us to Tonetta lake
Dad still went to work and Mom DID take us to Tonetta lake
for some afternoon swimming. Normally it
would be back home, around 4:30 and maybe a chicken or two on
the rotiserrie, then supper and some play outside, while Grandpa
or Dad mowed the lawn....
Only This evening would be Far more exciting, since we had been promised by Mom & Dad that we would be piling into the station wagon and heading to Electrozone Field...that evening
It was the week of the annual Brewster FireMans Carnival !!! The sounds the sights the aromas , the friends and Family would all be a part of the nights activities..
There was always so much to see and do, rides to enjoy, The ferris wheel, the scrambler, the kiddie cars.... Uncle Bob, Uncle Richie and all the Volunteers were manning the various booths, some cooking sausages and hot dogs, Some helping out with the arcade games and everyone milling about in a Happy atmosphere...
Only This evening would be Far more exciting, since we had been promised by Mom & Dad that we would be piling into the station wagon and heading to Electrozone Field...that evening
It was the week of the annual Brewster FireMans Carnival !!! The sounds the sights the aromas , the friends and Family would all be a part of the nights activities..
There was always so much to see and do, rides to enjoy, The ferris wheel, the scrambler, the kiddie cars.... Uncle Bob, Uncle Richie and all the Volunteers were manning the various booths, some cooking sausages and hot dogs, Some helping out with the arcade games and everyone milling about in a Happy atmosphere...
We always enjoyed the booths which
featured games of chance and games of skill and the click click
click of the spinning wheel, was a sound only experienced Once a
year...
People would line up along the front counter of the booth, where a long strip of plastic was laid, containing numbered squares which corresponded to the numbered sections of 4 foot diameter wheel which the Carnival man would spin,,,,,, every few minutes. " Place your bets" he'd call out. "Pick a Number, ANY number,,," " Who feels lucky tonight"?? hahaha Well we kids all felt lucky enough just to BE there, and with a cotton candy stick in hand, it was childs version of Utopia.... We had gone on some rides,,,and walked around, Saw our cousins and Uncle Joe & Aunt Marion and generally had fun...Dad had a big smile on his face, as he enjoyed seeing his children so excited. He led us over to a booth which had the Spinning Wheel and Soooo many prizes, set up on the shelves for those lucky enough to Win... As kids, we did not wager, but The Grown-Ups were very much Placing their bets....All the while, a merry go round piped out its calliope sounds. and the BBQ tent was abbuzz with chatter and happy customers. Then came the time when we sidled Up to stand behind the adults who were lined up along the counter... When the wheel would stop, the barker would call out the number and someone would cheer !!! and while that lucky winner was choosing a prize, others would dig into their pockets for another 25 cent piece and optimistically "place it on a square"..
At one point Aunt Marion who is always a good sport, and enthusiatic participant, found a place near the middle of the wagering counter. and placed her quarter.... Whiiirrrrr went the wheel !! click click click was the sound... and sloooowwwllyyy the wheel came to a stop !!! We kids watched from behind and saw Aunt Marion Smile and raise her hand !!! Hurray !!!! Hurray !!! She had Won.... and she already had been doing well and accumulating winners' tokens.. and so while we kids wondered if she might choose a sun hat, or some gardening tools or the electric can opener,,, instead She pointed High on the shelf to a Sparkling new " Two -Wheeler " which seemed so far above anyones reach !!! Wow !! " Hey,,,, Look ! Aunt Marion Won a Bike " !! we chattered to each other, excitedly ... hahahha laughed Louie and Jimmy... " that's way tooo small for her " we declared in a silly and amused way.... The Man struggled and nearly dropped the prize but with some help , it came out of the booth and across the counter and was lowered to the ground in front of our smiling Aunt. !!! " She took it by the handle Bars and steered over to Peter John, as he is the Oldest and therefore the Representative for " we five" and as we each Gasped,, in Unision , Aunt Marion announced,, " This Bicycle is for all of you ---(us)--- Kids !!!! "
Wow !!! Christmas had Come in July !!!! In a purely Generous and Kind Fashion, Our dear Aunt had presented us with a dream come true !! a shiney new 2 wheeler, with a kickstand and handle bars perfectly sized for little kids... The smiles on everyones faces, young and old simply LIT Up the area... People cheered.. many clapped, and our Mom beamed,, as she hugged her thoughtful Sister.. we all clammored to express our thanks and Pete took the Bicycle by the handles and paraded it around the carnival grounds whith a huge smile .!!! Since it was crowded , No one rode the bike just then but we all took turns touching it and walking it around and marveling at what just happened.... Soon thereafter 5 weary but Happy children piled into the wood-grained station wagon along with The most amazing prize at the Entire carnival.... Aunt Marion had given us so much More than a Two Wheeler that night .. She gave us Love and generosity and most important, set an example of thoughfulness and unexpected Joy,,,which has impacted each of our lives, in the 50 years since that magical evening.. The bike is long gone i'm afraid having been ridden and Ridden Up the driveway. down the driveway, down the front sidewalk and speedily down the small hill below the kitchen window , to Tear off with the rider furiously pumping the pedals as he hit the lawn between " our house and Grandmas house"
We learned how to " spin Out " by using the coaster brake, we learned how to "stay up on two wheels" we learned balance and control... But mostly we learned how to Share and we learned that it is quite easy to make others happy and create the surprise of surprises !!
Thanks Aunt Marion.... for all that, and for always having Your Wonderful Spirit and Humor and Enthusiasm and for never failing to Set the Example... Much love,,, Then, Now , and into the Future.
James Joseph :-)
People would line up along the front counter of the booth, where a long strip of plastic was laid, containing numbered squares which corresponded to the numbered sections of 4 foot diameter wheel which the Carnival man would spin,,,,,, every few minutes. " Place your bets" he'd call out. "Pick a Number, ANY number,,," " Who feels lucky tonight"?? hahaha Well we kids all felt lucky enough just to BE there, and with a cotton candy stick in hand, it was childs version of Utopia.... We had gone on some rides,,,and walked around, Saw our cousins and Uncle Joe & Aunt Marion and generally had fun...Dad had a big smile on his face, as he enjoyed seeing his children so excited. He led us over to a booth which had the Spinning Wheel and Soooo many prizes, set up on the shelves for those lucky enough to Win... As kids, we did not wager, but The Grown-Ups were very much Placing their bets....All the while, a merry go round piped out its calliope sounds. and the BBQ tent was abbuzz with chatter and happy customers. Then came the time when we sidled Up to stand behind the adults who were lined up along the counter... When the wheel would stop, the barker would call out the number and someone would cheer !!! and while that lucky winner was choosing a prize, others would dig into their pockets for another 25 cent piece and optimistically "place it on a square"..
At one point Aunt Marion who is always a good sport, and enthusiatic participant, found a place near the middle of the wagering counter. and placed her quarter.... Whiiirrrrr went the wheel !! click click click was the sound... and sloooowwwllyyy the wheel came to a stop !!! We kids watched from behind and saw Aunt Marion Smile and raise her hand !!! Hurray !!!! Hurray !!! She had Won.... and she already had been doing well and accumulating winners' tokens.. and so while we kids wondered if she might choose a sun hat, or some gardening tools or the electric can opener,,, instead She pointed High on the shelf to a Sparkling new " Two -Wheeler " which seemed so far above anyones reach !!! Wow !! " Hey,,,, Look ! Aunt Marion Won a Bike " !! we chattered to each other, excitedly ... hahahha laughed Louie and Jimmy... " that's way tooo small for her " we declared in a silly and amused way.... The Man struggled and nearly dropped the prize but with some help , it came out of the booth and across the counter and was lowered to the ground in front of our smiling Aunt. !!! " She took it by the handle Bars and steered over to Peter John, as he is the Oldest and therefore the Representative for " we five" and as we each Gasped,, in Unision , Aunt Marion announced,, " This Bicycle is for all of you ---(us)--- Kids !!!! "
Wow !!! Christmas had Come in July !!!! In a purely Generous and Kind Fashion, Our dear Aunt had presented us with a dream come true !! a shiney new 2 wheeler, with a kickstand and handle bars perfectly sized for little kids... The smiles on everyones faces, young and old simply LIT Up the area... People cheered.. many clapped, and our Mom beamed,, as she hugged her thoughtful Sister.. we all clammored to express our thanks and Pete took the Bicycle by the handles and paraded it around the carnival grounds whith a huge smile .!!! Since it was crowded , No one rode the bike just then but we all took turns touching it and walking it around and marveling at what just happened.... Soon thereafter 5 weary but Happy children piled into the wood-grained station wagon along with The most amazing prize at the Entire carnival.... Aunt Marion had given us so much More than a Two Wheeler that night .. She gave us Love and generosity and most important, set an example of thoughfulness and unexpected Joy,,,which has impacted each of our lives, in the 50 years since that magical evening.. The bike is long gone i'm afraid having been ridden and Ridden Up the driveway. down the driveway, down the front sidewalk and speedily down the small hill below the kitchen window , to Tear off with the rider furiously pumping the pedals as he hit the lawn between " our house and Grandmas house"
We learned how to " spin Out " by using the coaster brake, we learned how to "stay up on two wheels" we learned balance and control... But mostly we learned how to Share and we learned that it is quite easy to make others happy and create the surprise of surprises !!
Thanks Aunt Marion.... for all that, and for always having Your Wonderful Spirit and Humor and Enthusiasm and for never failing to Set the Example... Much love,,, Then, Now , and into the Future.
James Joseph :-)
My tribute was about Uncle Joe seen here at our wedding,
and how we built the fortified floor to the Italian American Club almost half a century ago, on which we all gathered.
From the wedding, Aunt Marion with Tom and Joanne
A repeat for Best emails, but again, Aunt Marion with us at Tom and Sam's wedding.
"Card Shark" was on Roger's list, as attested by fellow players Dee and Edith. (Per Jo's FB)
From Jim's post later with Mary, Ginny & John and Mary & Skye with Aunt Lorraine & Uncle Justin. Doris near John.