The Far (out) East

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.)

As I was driving to Taco Bell on Saturday (because my son wanted a nutritious meal), I noticed the “ Welcome to East Somerville ” sign as we crossed McGrath Highway. It brought back a lot of my own East Somerville memories and gave me a chance to use some of The Somerville News weblog information - most are first hand experiences, but some details have been donated “bloggily.” Let's start by tossing back a couple.

Casey's, Coleman's and Morriarty's are places many of us have visited down east.

Miller's Market was on Pearl and Cross and Tip Tops was at the corner of Pearl and Walnut. J and S had great subs at Cross and Ellsworth and Mitrano's was between Delaware and Pearl Street. There was a store called “Aggies” at the corner of Pearl and Franklin Street that school kids used to grab snacks at before school.

Izzy's sold penny candy and we all went to some sort of festivity at Post 388.

Harris Park, Perkins Park, Florence Park, Cobble Hill and of course Glen Park were popular hang outs back in the day.

I can say from experience that the intersection of Pearl Street and McGrath Highway is a nightmare - back in the early 1970's, I was in a car that was broad-sided by a clown who ran a red light. If we weren't in that 1959 Ford “tank”, who knows what might have happened.

FYI, you cannot get a facial, pedicure or mud wrap at Khoury's State Spa. It is not a spa as in health spa; however, you can get some good grub and a cold drink. Say hi to Mickey and Eddie for me, please. Mr. Khoury, their dad, was a great guy. I remember playing in the band “The Echoes” at Khoury's - where it was a tradition for a gentleman named “Sparrow” to end the night by singing God Bless America. Some of The Echoes big songs back then were “Separate Ways” by Journey and “Every Breath You Take” by The Police. They also featured country and western music down there - I remember a waitress named Alice at Khoury's. I'll never forget the night she said to me: “Jimmy, I don't like the way you sing but you always smell great.” I probably wore Brut or English Leather…maybe even British Sterling. It was back then that I met Susan Barry and all her brothers. I still see Sue around the 'Ville and we share memories of those good old days. Check out Khoury's Thursday night Road Races.

Class day at Northeastern Junior High School in 1977 was a day I'll never forget - I did a couple of numbers with the rocking “K Kiley Band.” The members were Kevin Kiley, Jerry Antonelli, Jay (Jeffrey) Wilcox, Jimmy Lauria and Phil DiRusso. Jimmy Beebee, known as “Raballic”, Frankie Powers, Mark “Chubba” McGinnis and Kenny Robertson were on the road crew - it was quite the rock n'roll production featuring many KISS tunes. There was a smoke and light show and at least two guitars were smashed to bits on stage. The faculty was not happy, but the kids of East Somerville got one heck of a show.

The Broadway Movie Theatre at the end of Franklin Street was in operation from 1915 to 1982 - movies shown at the historic theatre covered a span from The Tramp with Charlie Chaplin to Raiders of the Lost Ark with Harrison Ford.

You used to be able to buy worms and fishing tackle from a guy on Lower Broadway who was a couple of doors up from the theater - he may have actually been in the same building as the theatre.

My cousin Fred Caruso and his family still live on Flint Street.

The East Somerville Community School was where The Somerville Players presented their production of “Here's Somerville” in 1977 - the acoustics in that auditorium were among the best in the state. Maybe when the repairs from the fire are finished there will be a “Here's Somerville” 2007 (actually, I'm working on it as you read this).

Here is a little piece of advice a reader passed on to us - regarding East Somerville - whatever you do, don't ride your bike on the sidewalk on Pearl Street between McGrath Highway and Jasper Street - if you do, don't be surprised if some guy named Salvatore yells at you. “Eastville”, “JAR” and Jeffrey Wilcox all contributed to this article.

Please e-mail your comments to Jimmy at: jimmydel@rcn.com

Comments

[Mike Bonanno]

I remember East Sommerville very well, my dad would tell me how he would ski at Glen Park. My Aunts and Uncles and my Dad grew up on Flint Street. My aunt Ada work at the theatre on Broadway for a long time. I went to the old Somerville Trade School on Cross and Bonair Street.

[Frank Bucca]

I go back a little further than most of you guys and gals....having graduated SHS 1949. if you were from East Somerville...in fact any part of Somerville, and you "DARED"--[take that literally]-- to venture into Charlestown back in the 50'Ss & 60's, you probably were there to see a great floor show at the "Shamrock Village" on Main Street--[often-times Irish entertainment]-- pop a few and be entertained or dance to a live combo at The "Alibi Club" on Main Street; or Denny Kanes "Polka Dot Lounge" next to the old potato sheds---[where trains from the potato fields of Maine unloaded their "spuds" for the Boston Market]- a ice-skating rink was later built where the "Polka Dot" once stood.
And Sully's Tavern is still there on Main.

If you had a friend or relative doing "hard time"..you could visit him at The Charlestown State Prison....where the Bunker Hill Community College now stands.
That facility also housed the Electric Chair...last used there before the death penalty was repealed.

That prison was relocated to Walpole.

[Danny Hayes]

Jim ever see "scared kids". A local band that rocked the 80's. Also where is Jerry Anto these days? Him and his bothers were funny guys. Didnt Jerry Anto help out with some background stuff with J Geils and the legendary Jim Plunkett (another Eastie icon)!!

[Jimmy]

There are so many stories out there!!I didnt know Plunkett was from East Som. ( or I had a senior moment) I will do an article on him in the future. He must have tons of tales about Studleys,and Blarney Stone ...etc Thanks...and ,,Yes I heard of Scared Kids, and Jerry is in LA with his wife and kids, He is a great guy,and we grew up with his family. Our dads were pals. Muzzy forever !!!

[Betty F. Gavel]

I really enjoyed reading about Somerville as it was in the l970's. The things mentioned (some of them) were there when I was a kid, many many years ago.

Miller's Market used to be Kerner's Drug Store. The First National used to be next door. The Hanscom School was up the street. We used to coast down Glen Street in the winter and I vividly remember one child coasting right under a car that was driving on the street that crossed Glen Street. Amazingly, the child was not hurt.

I lived on Pearl Street between McGrath Highway and Cross St. We went to Viano's Theater all the time on Broadway. The better theater was the Capitol Theater at Winter Hill where you got two feature films, the news, a funny picture and a serial PLUS a stage show for ten cents.

My son went with my father each Saturday to deliver Russ' Doughnuts to the Tip Top Market.

I am trying to find out why they tore down the Northeastern Jr. High School and if there are any copies of early years of the Nor'Easter magazine available.

[Danny Hayes]

The city went to "community" schools and the N'Eastern, Southern and Western were phased out. Now in a turn the City wants "neighborhood" schools. Go figure.... Jim Plunkett I think grew up on Franklin street near Pearl.

[Tank McNamara]

Memories! Gerry Anto is living out on the west coast still in the music industry. Who was better than our friend Sparrow belting out God Bless America at Khoury's then off to a late night snack at Dragon Villa when Sparrow wouldn't let anyone pay. Don't forget Sparrow was also coach of the legendary Somerville Rec Flag Football team Khoury's State Spa that won a few league championships. Khoury's was the original bar "where everyone knows your name" well before "Cheers". Mike Bowler was our Sam Malone!

[Sara]

Rainbow Spa, Tonys Foodland, Broadway Cafe, Apollo Cake, White Castle/Arthur Treachers Fish and Chips...

[tom connolly]

more memories: the aves, the old dirt road, Cy's spa, Eddie's coffee shop next to the show, night basketball at post 388,one armed Dick down at Glen Park, great times with great folks...
Tom Connolly from the Aves

[jean cossette]

hi tom do u have a sister name mary if u do we used to live across the street from u i also live on the aves wisconsin ave and we had a family name connely live a cross the street my brother whent to school with mary . thank u jean

[rastellini number 5]

here's somerville....the public enemy number featured a slide montage produced by smap (somerville media action project) founded by rastellini number 3 and featured pictures of rastellini number 4 in various gangster poses.

is there any video of here's somerville anywhere?

[david eldred]

thanks for bringing back those east somerville memories, i worked at tony's foodland and remember the rainbow spa(steve) ,the broadway show,(sticky floors) foss park pool and air conditioned patsy's bakery afterwards .

Editor's Note (JN): The (new) Somerville News website is up - you can comment on stories over there. http://www.thesomervillenews.com

[rick]

Iremember the brosdway theatre 99 cents watched
Amityville horror there, northeastern was a very different junior high, and trade was just a new northeastern. used to like going to J and S for subs man what happened. at least Leone's is still around can people still buy at joe izzy's there was cold beer there

[Patricia (Pacheco) Quinn]

I lived in Somerville for 28 years, all those stories bring up so many memories. Jim Plunkett use the hand with my brother Frank Pacheco(deceased). Can't believe he's still there.

[Michele (Slason) Kaltsas]

Thank you for bringing me down memory lane. I've been thinking of the old days and miss them TERRIBLY. I actually helped with the stage backgrounds in "Here's Somerville" and the slide show that played behind the players. I remember how "choked up" I became when it all came together so beautifully opening night. How proud I am for being part of such a "wonderful time and place" God, I miss those days!

[Jim]

Who can forget Grover's Pharmacy, Ming Toy and sparks in Davis square, Harry's Hardware, Rexall Drug, which was Primo's which is now closed on Broadway. Temple Food Store on Temple street, Ten Hills Cafe and Barts on Mystic Ave. Kemp's nuts on Walnut street. Kohler and Kerry's pub at the end of cross street. Ray's discount on the corner of summer street. Jack in the box! The one place I can't seem to remember the name of was the store across from Aggie's place in East Somerville on the corner of Pearl and Franklin street? Anyone remember?

[Kevin]

Don't forget "Mack's" on Pearl Street, now a yellow apartment building diagonally across from the old Tip Top (Pearl Street Market).

What was the name of the bicycle repair shop that became Mudville Pottery on the corner of Pearl St. and McGrath Hwy? (across from "Ronnie's Amoco")