The Tonawanda News
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Labor Day.
Wasn’t it just last week that the summer furniture came out, the new flowers were planted, the old deaf dog able to get around more easily?
Now it’s time to put the furniture away, pull out the annuals that died in the drought and help the dog up the stairs.
I don’t know about you, but for our family, the summer was full of fun events: a wedding, visits from long-lost relatives, a few parties and discussions of the same old politics.
Now it’ll be school buses, kids walking in the streets, bikes swerving around as fall and winter get ready to settle in.
So enjoy these wonderful cooler fall days, we deserve every one.
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Speaking of the end of summer, aren’t you saddened every time you drive by those new trees planted on Main Street near the City Line in Tonawanda that, due to lack of water, have died and look worse than if there were no trees there at all?
North Tonawanda’s not to be excused either, as the city allowed the saplings in Gratwick-Riverside Park to wither and die and then didn’t even bother to remove them. Why either city doesn’t contact the state forester, whose office is in Buffalo, and ask for help in selecting the best trees for such deplorable conditions, I will never understand.
Be that as it may, let’s pray that both cities remediate the areas and keep them from becoming even worse eyesores.
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Someone mailed an article from the Sept. 11, 1956 Tonawanda News which featured a drawing of what Veterans Park in Tonawanda would look like if a new master plan offered at that time was followed.
The plan showed new entrances, a picnic grove, amphitheater, toboggan slide, open meadow, baseball and softball diamonds and an archery field.
The closing paragraph in the article noted: “City officials are cautioning residents not to expect the dream park to come true today, tomorrow or the next day. The parks program is a far-sighted one that will not fully mature for many years. The master plan offers only a target for parks development.”
However, looking at Veterans Park today, even though the master plan was not followed completely, shows that city officials did keep an eye on its development and along with Niawanda Park, have given residents wonderful recreation areas — and the trees are alive.
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A while ago, Connie Powers of North Tonawanda sent a letter (written in beautiful script) reminiscing about her four-block walk to Central School in Tonawanda in the late 1940s.
“Carl Merritt, a tall friendly principal, was always there to great me. I love my teachers. ... Merle Elles said I sharpened my pencils too much and (said) I was always looking out the window. ... Also my truant officer, Ingerbord Golde.”
Connie also recalled the Ton-Teen dances, “never got a dance,” and the Crystal Beach boat days.
She remembered her mother sewing by hand a beautiful yellow chiffon dress with a black velvet belt that she was still sewing and fitting on Connie’s graduation day.
“I loved the Central School store on Morgan Street. I can still smell the candy and bubble gum,” she added.
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What a shock to read of the untimely death of Lou Rademacher. Years ago, she started her own “mission work” to help Sister Flavia, a Sister of Social Service, in Buffalo and urged, cajoled and pleaded with friends to help. My husband and I (and the kids) were drawn into the collecting, delivering, sorting and donating, which Lou always managed to make a lot of fun. At our house, she was known simply as “Sister Flavia,” which always drew a hardy laugh from her. She made sure the Christmas gifts were wrapped (in newsprint paper) in the former St. Ann’s School in Buffalo. She also provided Easter candy and goodies which were handed out to inner city kids. Through it all, she raised 10 wonderful children. Even though they lived nearby, Lou insisted on given the kids nicknames so it was impossible to tell who was who. She was an active and devoted member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, and along with her late husband, Ken, made the world a whole lot better. Condolences to the family.
Contact community editor
Barbara Tucker at 693-1000,
ext. 110 or e-mail barbara.tucker@
tonawanda-news.com
