Summer Time 30 yrs ago article

Summer Time and the Living is Easyby Janine Leffler
Before the booming age of technology with cell phones and ipods, summer was a relaxing time for Milford residents. I talked to long time Milford residents Polly Cote and Louise Carey about what summer was like for them sixty years ago. They recalled their childhood summertime memories. For Carey her favorite summer vacation spot as a child was The White Mountains. As school came to a close for the summer, the things Carey looked forward to the most was “not going to school and going barefoot.” For Cote her favorite summer memory as a child was “The year we went to Upstate New York. The whole family went. It was a lot of fun.” When asked to compare childhood then and childhood now Cote went on to comment about how kids nowadays have more fun. “There’s a lot more to do in Milford such as activities at the Boys and Girls Club and Keyes Field. There are more work opportunities as well.” Both women recollected fond memories of spending time with their families on Fourth of July such as fireworks, barbecues and picnics.

While on vacation for the Fourth of July holiday, I talked to my grandparents about what they remember about their childhood summers. One of the things that my grandfather most enjoyed was going to Woods Island in East Boston. Woods Island was a park with a beach which was walking distance from his house. (It is now part of Logan Airport.) My grandmother remembers taking a bus with her cousins to go to Salisbury and Revere Beaches when she was around 10 years old. My grandfather remembers playing handball and baseball as well as swimming. My grandfather noted that one of the main differences between summer then and summer today is that there is less personal contact between kids now. This may be due the fact that that kids communicate through instant messaging and other technologies. My grandfather also noted that another general difference between summer then and now is that back long ago summer was a lot less structured. Kids would round up neighborhood friends and play a game stick ball or football, whereas now, parents send their kids to summer and sports camps where the activities are structured. .

For a 21st century girl like me some of my fondest summer memories are Fourth of July family gatherings in Hull, Massachusetts, playing sports games and relaxing at the beach. A favorite summer pastime of mine is going to local theatrical performances. I always enjoyed going to see a show or two at the American Stage Festival. I still go to the Milford Drive-In to go to see a movie on a hot summer evening. For days when I can’t beat the heat I enjoy going to the local pool club in my town to go for a quick dip.

What I gathered from my interviews is that the spirit of summer has not changed.. Technology may be advancing, but that doesn’t stop kids from getting out, going to the beach, and enjoying the company of family and friends throughout the summer months, just as kids did many years ago.








Two weeks off because of a summer camp job at the Boys and Girls Club. Next full update will be sometime around July 24/25.

Hope everyone had a good 4th of July Holiday