I grew up in Moodus on Sillimanville Road. I periodically visit your website and have been meaning to write to you to say thanks for writing the history of Moodus, the way it really was -- the good, the bad and the ugly. Upon reading all the stories and articles over the years I realize I truly grew up at the wrong time to be in Moodus. I grew up at the end of the Summer Resort heyday, and watched it all slide downhill from there.
I remember the Soda Shop, and I remember getting groceries from Uncle Albert (Pear) as I used to call him. I went to Synagogue when it was on North Moodus road, my Bar Mitzvah was there. I worked for a short time as Pistol Pete's sidekick up at Banner Lodge. I remember the Weiner Resort, Banner Lodge, Grand View, Klar Crest, all of them.... and I saw each, one by one, close and wither away.
I remember the old downtown, I was old enough to ride my bicycle there stopping for a soda at Weinstein's and then heading on down to Neptune Avenue to meet up with John Bielot. I remember the town being leveled too. Just one day it wasn't there anymore.
I even remember getting fresh eggs from Simon's farm and being shown how to "candle" eggs. I remember Jack Banner getting so annoyed because Pistol Pete and I couldn't seem to catch who was putting the row boat into the pool at night.
Yes, memories of Moodus are mixed for me. I had some
fun, but even at a young age I could see and recognize the town being destroyed,
the history being lost. I remember the arson fires at Wieners and also at the place next door to
Debowsky's house. My dad had his first heart attack while up on our
roof with a hose putting out the embers from the two fires that were landing on
our house. I think one of the Bungalows across the street also
burned (forget the names of the family that owned them).
I
graduated High School in 1976, did some college in Hartford and joined the Navy
leaving Moodus in 1977. I never looked back. Well, I say never, but
I visited once or twice and I came back to bury my parents in late 2000 and
early 2001. It's seems like only the cemeteries can be used as landmarks
anymore as people don't tend to build or pave over them.... yet.
I
do have hopes that the children of those who moved into the area in the 80's
and later, to the new Moodus, create new memories -- ones of growth
and building up, and maybe adding to the history of the area. From
what I saw in 2001, they pretty much have a clean slate to work with.
--Miles-Kevin Baron
4 comments:
That's a wonderful story. Congratulations. My parents also met at Banner Lodge. The year was 1947, Labor Day. They have now been married 65 years (wedding day: May 23, 1948). I'm sitting here with them now reminiscing about the time they met and about Banner Lodge. A wonderful place for many reasons - matchmaking certainly among them! From Lynne Wasley - daughter of Joe and Teddy (Thelma) Wasley.
Congratulations to you both! My parents also met at Banner Lodge - Labor Day, 1947 - they married the following May - 5/23/48, and celebrated their 65th anniversary this past May!! Here's to Banner Lodge!
I cannot thank you enough for this post. I spent two weeks vacationing at Weiner's in the summer of 1967. I had a crush on Mickey, who paid me no mind. Both he and Bobby were very nice. I don't remember meeting their siblings; I had no idea their parents had passed away, or don't recall such. I well remember the tomato fight with another guest named Jerilyn, and also meeting a lovely girl my age named Janet. There was a barn nearby where stories were told and probably a hoedown. I remember a hay ride and wishing well at the front of the property. I returned around 1976-77 to find a trace of the place and found that well. I also had to stop at Banner Lodge to make sure we were in the right pew, so to speak. Nothing is the same any longer. Even Cedar Lake a number of miles away is now part of a development. Again, thank you sooo very much for your posting.
Miles, my name is Art Standish and I worked with Jim Shea at the time. We built an office in the porch for your mother to do taxes. I was just married and I remember telling your parents that I hoped I would have a son just like you.
We also did a lot of word at Weiner's, Grandview, and just about all of the resorts in Moodus.
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