Something's in the air

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

Do you remember those old buses that had the padded comfortable seats and smothered us with the plumes of exhaust smoke? They were the ones we took home from the high school – well, they were eventually replaced by the buses with the hard plastic seats that were like sitting on a rock. The smell of bus exhaust always reminded me of going to Somerville High School.

Can you remember when each house’s backyard had a garbage bucket with a lid that was sunk into the ground? (I hope you’re not eating right now). The special stinky swill truck came and the guy with the gloves and boots hoisted it onto his shoulder and dumped it. He always left a trail of spillage and a stench that I can still recall. I was glad to see them go. The smell of swill always reminds me of the old days of playing in the backyard. The company that made those containers used to be right down off Morrison Avenue - I can almost see the name in my mind. Some yards still have those now defunct receptacles in their yards as a reminder of odors past.

The smell of newspaper print and cigarette smoke on a Sunday morning let me know that dad was up. A half hour later, the smell of Old Spice and cigarette smoke told me that dad was out of the bathroom. At around noon, the odor of pot roast and cigarette smoke told me that it was almost time to eat. Then the sound of a Schlitz can opening and the smell of cigarette smoke meant that dad was in his chair - with his feet on the hassock. Remember those old hassocks we all had? Eventually they would rip and that hay-like stuffing would come out and they would end up covered with duct tape.

Freshly popped popcorn reminds me of being a kid (and of J.M Fields). My poor sister lifted the lid of the popper while it was still popping and a kernel jettisoned out and hit her cheek - I can still hear her blood-curdling scream, and the smell of Bactine later on.

Ah the smells of times gone by. How about walking into the A & P? Fresh ground coffee reminds me of that store with the concrete floor. Even at the Alice Cooper concert last year, the smell of pot was in the air - that smell reminded me of all the stuff I had long forgotten. Come to think of it, after the 80s and early 90s, I’m surprised my nose still works at all.

Christmas has some unique smells like pine and bayberry and overused plastic – but the smell of fire and smoke always reminds me of Christmas. The reason for that is because my mother used to get some of our gifts at the Bargain Center in Davis Square and a lot of their merchandise came from stores that had fires. Often the packages were even covered with soot. Some of my favorite gifts were - Arsonist GI Joe, Mr. Fried Potato Head and Very Hot Wheels. I think my sister had the Engine 7 Fire-house Barbie.

Only a few of our gifts came from the “Bargie”, but the smell of smoke to this day brings back those memories. It was tragic, yet ironic, that a fire itself eventually took out the store that sold fire-sale items.

Today I still have some favorite smells - I love standing on my back porch and catching a whiff of the barbecue cooking at Redbones. Walking into Dunkie’s has a pleasant smell. And laugh if you will, but I still love the smell of Brut cologne. It reminds me of playing in the disco band at The Surrey Room.

You can email Jimmy with comments directly at jimmydel@rcn.com

Comments

[Ron Newman]

Always fun to read your columns, Jimmy. Where were the Bargain Center and the A&P ?

[Election]

Yes, a lot of snow is in the air.

[Stephanie]

Thanks for reminiscing Jimmy! I think everyone had a hassock with hay and duct tape :) My grandfather used to come home, his cup of tea would be ready for him. He would sit in his naughahyde 'leather' chair with his feet on the hassock watching Mash or the news. He'd always tell one of us kids to get up to change the channel, usually to 56 or 38. Remember those vice-grip knobs???

[Mike Bonanno]

I remember getting the invite to those sunday dinners.

[Frank Bucca]

F.J. Jones was the maker of in-ground garbage cans. They were located on Clifton Steeet, or Newberne Street-[forget which]- both close to each other, and parallel to each other, off of Morrison Avenue. Ran down to and ended at the old B&M [freight[ railroad tracks...now the bike path.

The garbage collectors owned pig farms up in Wilmington, and probably elsewhere. They used the swill for feeding their pigs.

The Davis Square A&P was located om Summer Street, across from the Winter Hill Savings Bank.

The Bargain Center was just west of the Rosebud, same side of the street.

The Surrey Room was an belated add-on to the Rosebud. I played fast-pitch softball-[Somerville rec-league]--Rosebud was our sponsor in the 60's.
The Surrey Room had live bands and dancing.
Now a restaurant.

I went to Bingham Grammar School on Lowell Streetin the 1930's-[now apartment buildings occupy the site]- we had a custodian named Mr. Del Ponte.
Also was a teacher in the system named Miss Del Ponte.
Both related?? to you, Jimmy?

Yep--I'm old as dirt...graduated Somerville High 1949;... Korean War Vet.
My wife graduated SHS 1950..met her there.
Married 54 years.
Still live in Somerville.

FJB

[Ron Newman]

> The Davis Square A&P was located on Summer Street, across from the Winter Hill Savings Bank.

What's now in that location is an industrial-looking building that still says "Dole Publishing" near the top, although the Dole newspapers moved out a decade or more ago. Was the A&P torn down to put this up, or did the A&P used to occupy this building?

[JD]

Hey Frank B ...The custodian was my Grandfather. I dont know about any miss Del Ponte. Thanks for the comments !!! Jimmy

[Frank Bucca]

Ron....
Basically the same building As the A&P it use to have one entrance/exit fronting Summer Street.

The building hasd been reconfigured over the years allowing for additional entities-[Dole/ Somerville Journal for one]- all with their their own entrances/exits.

In other words, the basic building was "cut-up."

Frank

Jimmy..
What I remember most about your Grandfather.
He had a fabulous sense of humor....always kidding the kids and teachers.