Monday, May 09, 2005

A way of life destroyed

The article in today's Hartford Courant (May 9, 2005) was read with a great deal of interest and it got me to my computer to Google Cave Hill Camp, which lead me to your website. Instead of working in the garden, I spent about 2 hours browsing your articles about the old summer resorts, looking at the old postcard pictures of Moodus as it once was and reading the history of what happened to "downtown."

I grew up in the village of East Haddam - but remember Moodus with much fondness - and every time I pass through that area now on my way to visit my parents' graves at St. Bridget's Cemetery, I have a pang of regret for what once was.

I no longer live in East Haddam - but remember well what used to be downtown Moodus. My uncle, Tommy Sipples, was the owner of Tommy's Barber Shop. I remember how every teenager wanted to have a job as a soda jerk at Bill's. Everyone knew Sam Pear and exchanged local news at Ray McMullen's Drug Store or just on the "street." It is so sad that all of that is gone and all that Moodus has is that horrible strip mall. More than buildings were lost -- the sense of community and a way of life in a small town was also destroyed

Yes, there were problems in the center that needed to be addressed but what happened to Moodus is so sad, especially when you see what has happened in Chester, which was even more run down.

I plan to download your articles so that I can save them for my children to read and just to reread and remember what once was. I especially love the pictures from the old post cards -- it is a walk down memory lane for me.

The article in today's Courant just barely touched on what was a major industry in town. It never mentioned Banner Lodge - where oddly enough, my son as a teenager worked in the kitchen for two summers. I remember Ceil Banner from when she was my fifth grade teacher at Nathan Hale.

We locals would complain every summer about the influx of cars as the New Yorkers invaded our town. But I think those that still live in East Haddam/Moodus have lost something that can never be regained. I only hope the people that still live in town think of this when they complain about the Goodspeed Opera House. It is the one link to the past that the town has that is also providing it with a place in the present -- and hopefully the future. To quote: "Don't kill the goose that lays the golden egg." While Essex and Chester grow and prosper, East Haddam is trying to kill its one chance. We are supposed to learn from history. Unfortunately, that is not always true.

--Dorothy DeGiorgi

  I am pleased to announce that the new local history website EastHaddamStories.org is now live. It is a project of the East Haddam Historic...