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Weekly Update

6/12/2021

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​Happy Saturday greetings!  A gentle rain has been falling since last night, and the freshly cut lawn and trimmed hedges will get the full benefit of being well-watered in the next few days.  That means, of course, that the mower and clippers will soon be put back to work!


A few weeks ago, I was able to meet with students from the Queset Brook Outdoor Cooperative, a homeschool program that meets at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Lincoln Street, where students learned some of the legends and lore of Easton.  This past Monday and Tuesday morning, I took our show on the road to the second grade students at Moreau Hall, where they saw artifacts, photos, and heard stories from Easton's history.  We met outdoors in a socially distanced and comfortable setting. It has been good to get back in touch with some of our young people after not being able to do so for a year.  Arielle Nathanson assisted with both talks, and shared a few "interesting" food recipes from an 1875 cookbook.  Note that this took place before lunch both days!

During the week we were given two bottles from one of our local druggists, Ernie Spooner (1868-1951).  Spooner, whose father Elijah ran a tin store at 10 Center Street, North Easton, worked as a young man for druggist George G. Withington, whose store was located across from the tin shop at what was once 11 Center Street.  Studying under Withington, Spooner learned the trade (I assume he may have had some formal schooling, but I do not know where.)  Upon Withington's retirement, Spooner took over the business and ran it for many years.

The two bottles featured here date to the early 1900's, probably no later than 1920.  One bottle contained a medicine known as "tincture of lobelia."  Lobelia, a flowering herb, could be used to treat ADHD, depression, asthma, drug addiction, and different respiratory disorders.  When used too much or at the wrong dosage, one could suffer severe side effects and even be poisoned by it.  The second bottle contained something we all know about - citronella oil.  The label on the bottle actually states its use for mosquitos.  This product, so common today, was once a prescription remedy.  Thanks to William Rose for donating these two bottles.

I hope you all have a good weekend, and until next week, stay well!

Frank
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    Curator: Frank Meninno

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Hello! June closes with a beautiful weekend of sun and warm, summer temperatures. This weekend would be terrific for sunning on the beach, working in the yard, cooking out, or taking in a ball game.

Sixty-five years ago that is exactly what was going on at Frothingham Park. In the summer of 1957, someone took a photo of a baseball game being played at Frothingham. The photo is taken from the hill near the Sheridan Street gate, and overlooks the outfield towards home plate. Though the photo is printed in black and white, one can easily see why playing ball at Frothingham Park is such a special experience! The field is well manicured, the basepaths smooth, the infield and outfield grass short and sturdy. Dozens of people are watching from the concrete stands. Others find the shade of the beautiful trees is the best place to watch from. Since the trees are well leafed out, I think this might be a summer game, perhaps our beloved Easton Huskies. How many of us have trekked to the Park to watch the Huskies, or our Oliver Ames High School teams, or Little League teams play? Even better, how many of us played in any of those games? With its beautiful baseball field, shade trees, natural beauty, and welcoming water fountain, Frothingham Park has no equal when it comes to a great place for sports. Today the Park is still a wonderful place to play in, or watch a baseball game. This photo, taken from approximately the same location as the 1957 photo, looks over that same green outfield towards the area of home plate. The field itself, aptly named for the late Robert "Buddy" Wooster who took such great care of the field, the park, and played games there, is as nicely kept as ever. The trees have matured since that 1957 photo was taken, providing even more beauty and shade. Driving by one can still catch a good ballgame, and certainly catch memories of heroics of years past. Does anyone remember Ken MacAfee hitting a ball onto Sheridan Street, over the iron fence? That must have been a truly Ruthian blast! Today the Park provides a safe playspace for young people, basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts, a track and paths for walking. A new pavilion adds a nice piece to an already inviting area. How many people packed a picnic lunch and escaped to the shady places at the Park to escape the summer heat? The Park is many things to many people, and a true treasure to our town since its establishment in 1930 as a gift from Mrs. Mary Ames Frothingham in memory of her late husband, Congressman Louis A. Frothingham. By the way, Mr. Frothingham was an excellent athlete and one of the best baseball players ever at Harvard. During the Great Depression, the Park was an anchor for so many. During this past pandemic, the Park once again proved its importance to so many people as a place to play, a place to relax, and a center of our community. Until next week, stay well,
Frank
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  • Home
    • Our Story
    • Curators Corner
    • Tours
  • Discover
  • Gallery
    • Richardson Buildings
    • Records
    • Maps
    • Ames Mansions
    • Event Photos
  • Research
    • Cemetery Records Collection
    • Crimes and Disasters Collection
    • Easton Churches Collection
    • Easton Ledger Collection
    • Easton's Neighborhoods
    • Folklore Collection
    • Frank Seymour Hersey Papers
    • George Warren Andrews Collection
    • Hayward Family Collection
    • Morse Family Collection
    • Randall Genealogical Papers
    • TECCOE Collection
    • Unity Church Collection
    • William L. Chaffin Papers
    • Links
    • Newsletters
  • Find Us
  • Books
  • Novelty Items
  • Prints and Maps
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Membership
  • Weekly Update
  • Weekly Update