Growing up Eldred Pa.

Papa’s World – A look at early years to now!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Way before I was born –

The roaring twenties of my hometown –

ELDRED, PA.

Here is Main Street –

Some of these buildings were still there when I was young.

Some had new store Fronts while others looked as these do.

It has always, I think, had that small-town feel.

I believe this might be even earlier.

Perhaps sometime in the 1800s?

This looks to be late 30s?

Or even 40s?

I recognize many of these stores!

An early picture of Scotty’s Eldred softball team.

Many of these men I knew growing up.

My best friend Bob – his father is lower right side.

I would assume this to be late 40s to mid 50s?

This was in the 1880s –

Our little town experienced yearly spring floods –

Into the summertime.

The Alleghany River ran in the upper center right of this picture.

Heavy rains and snowmelt seemed to always cause flooding.

The Eldred grade and high school!

First grade through twelfth grade.

I went to my first four years here-

And we combined school districts –

With Eldred- Duke Center and Rixford.

A new elementary school was built right across the street from the ball field.

I went to fifth and sixth grade and then was bused 7 or 8 miles to –

The Otto-Eldred High School in the seventh grade.

The old school – built sometime in the 1800s-

Being torn down.

My brother Roger –

Second bottom row from the right-

On the Eldred H.S. basketball team.

I knew many of these guys growing up.

My father – Bob- second from left –

Part owner of the Western Auto-

A supervisor for the South Penn Oil Company.

On the school board, when uniting the three school districts along with the township.

Here is the picture of when in Buffalo –

The Eldred team won the championship!

The Eldred fire department, as I knew it growing up,

I lived just up the street on the opposite side.

There was and still is –

A ten o’clock curfew –

The siren would sound every night, and you had to be home and off the streets!

My Junior year of H.S.

I am second row –

Third from right –

Number 65.

My senior year – I was in a car accident-

And spent 51 days in the hospital.

Not knowing if I would ever walk again.

My older sister, Donna, and her husband, Bill.

She worked for the town.

Bill was the Police chief when I was growing up!

And later became Mayor.

Today, this little town of Eldred, Pa.

It is home to a huge WWII museum.

All in this picture is the building.

Many tour buses make a stop here.

They come from all over the country to see the exhibits!

It is a marvel and a bucket list to see!

I have a lot to smile about!

Growing up here –

I would not trade.

This was home to me for 30 years.

Sherry and I – July 2024 – celebrating our 75th birthday on the beach with our families.

Growing old and aging as healthily as we can.

www.https://sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

PAPA’S WORLD – A LOOK BACK AT THE EARLY YEARS OF WHERE I GREW UP – ELDRED, PA.

Papa’s World – Great memories in long ago times.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Gone but always remembered!

My brother-in-law Bill.

A veteran of the Korean War –

He married my sister Donna, whom you see here.

She was 15 years older than I.

Bill played first base for my father on the town team in Eldred.

I remember going with my dad-

To the games when he managed the team.

Bill would go on to be the Police Chief for our town and later the Mayor.

One time, he was near Boston at a truck stop –

He was approached by a man –

And crew members for a radio station.

It turned out to be Larry King –

And as a long-haul truck driver –

He also told them he was the Chief of Police for our town.

Bill had a recording of that interview, which he played for me one time.

My sister helped raise me when I was born, as both my mother and father worked.

Along with my mother’s mother, who lived with us.

They lived in Eldred all their married lives.

I have so many memories of both of them.

GREAT MEMORIES FROM LONG AGO!

A little humor to start your day!

Daughter and mother – Sarah and Debby!

She is now in her first year of college.

The last of the three granddaughters to attend college.

She is very striking and tall.

In high school, she worked, and in her senior year,

She worked two jobs!

My thoughts –

She will go far!

She is super artistic –

And very funny.

SARAH – GREAT MEMORIES FROM LONG AGO!

MY GOOD THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!

Papa and Maddy on Saint Patrick’s Day in North Myrtle Beach!

She graduated several years ago from college.

And is working as an Environmental Scientist –

For a large nationwide Environmental firm.

She has moved out of her parents’ house and is on her own.

She is the oldest granddaughter.

A MEMORY FROM LONG AGO!

LIFE IS SHORT – WE GIVE THANKS FOR OUR JOURNEY TOGETHER!

THIS IS PAPA’S WORLD!

TAKEN IN 2024!

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HERE IS THE WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION AND RESEARCH-

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IF YOU WISH MORE INFO OR NEED TO CORRESPOND-

SHERRY’S EMAIL AND PHONE NUMBER ARE THERE!

From both of us, thank you for reading this blog!

Papa’s World – A look at the past!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Although we did not have a wooden screen door-

We had a porch where we could sit and watch the world go by on our main street house.

Our little town is called Eldred.

Had a main highway for a main street, and it went right by my front bedroom.

Often at night –

I would fall asleep with the window opened and one of those sliding screens in place.

The traffic would slow down after dark –

But it still was the main way to come-

From NYS to PA. and beyond.

My mother, after she was older –

And lost her second husband to heart problems-

My own father died of cancer when I was nineteen –

She would sit on that porch every day in good weather.

Folks would drive by and honk their horns –

And yell a “HELLO MARY” as they went by after rolling down their car windows!

That front porch –

I had countless times of sleeping out with friends –

I had an old Korean War sleeping bag that belonged to my brother-in-law Bill.

It was not warm and had no padding!

Pa., back there was cool in the evenings-

A dense fog would roll up and over the railroad tracks from the Alleghany River!

The grass was always wet in the mornings,

And the sleeping bag was damp with moisture.

We had and still do a 10 o’clock curfew –

All kids off the streets.

Part of sleeping out was raiding the many gardens all over town.

Eating apples from the trees.

Upon the hill, across the street from our house-

Was a hill covered in blueberries!

Summertimes – we would take broken down large cardboard boxes and slide down that hill!

That porch has held its secret for countless years of the conversations that were said there.

Now today –

A new front porch of our own.

A place I go to sit and wave or greet neighbors going by.

No screen door – no childhood memories here.

No curfew – no sleeping out at night.

Still, a bedroom for guests sits right there.

Now we have Deer alerts with motion detectors.

They go off when the deer approach the flowers.

They also go off if it is windy or if someone is walking by on the road in the dark. LOL

This front porch is what I wanted when we selected the model for our home.

I guess it might reflect back to my youth.

All those years ago –

And now today aging to our 80s.

Both were raised in small towns with COUNTRY all around.

For me, today is having that place where I am comfortable-

Waving and saying hello to those passing by.

FRONT PORCHES have a way of doing that to me.

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD-

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

FOR TWENTY-PLUS YEARS –

AGING AS HEALTHY AS WE CAN INTO OUR SENIOR YEARS!

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Papa’s World – The many folks of the past- Eldred!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Good day – this blog is my memories-

Growing up in Eldred. Pa.

As a young lad,

I had roller skates before I had a bike!

It was a chore to skate the sidewalk down to Slavins’ auto store and furniture store.

The sidewalks were uneven!

That was as far as I was allowed to go!

Today, this building is the WWII museum.

And to the right and behind it –

Slavin’s auto garage and furniture store.

Back in my youth, this was Frisbee’s insurance building –

And Penn Electric is in the back.

They parked their trucks –

In the lot in the rear.

Today, all that has changed- the two buildings are now connected-

And are in the museum!

I could not skate to the insurance office.

And almost directly across from the insurance office-

Was the Eldred Fire Hall!

I was not allowed to cross Main Street and skate on that side either!

But growing up in such a small town – 800 to 1000 residents-

I knew many of the men and women,

And they knew my parents.

I knew most of these men growing up –

On the far right, bottom row-

Was my buddy Bob – his father Lyle!

This was “SCOTTY’S” softball team.

“SCOTTY’S” was one of the bars in town and a hangout for the men of Eldred, along with Slavin’s!

The Gold Eagle is another one.

I grew up knowing Lyle because of Bob,

And he, in turn, knew my parents.

We would eat and sleep at each other’s houses!

In my Junior year, we started riding to school with Lyle-

And take the bus back home, six or eight miles away.

My father -“FITZ”- second from left –

The tall man in the middle- Don – who was related to Bob-

Had the insurance office and building.

Eddie – second from the right – is to Lyle’s right in the softball picture.

So you can see how small the town was and all the connections.

Here is a picture of the ELDRED HIGH SCHOOL basketball team –

Before the merger with OTTO Township to form OTTO-ELDRED.

Which comprised ELDRED- DUKE CENTER and RIXFORD.

My older brother Roger is second from the right!

He graduated from EHS in 1957.

I knew more than half of these older boys while I was growing up-

And the coach, Joe,

He was my Little League coach and teacher at the school.

Many would be at our house!

Today – my buddy BOB – his wife Pam –

Our neighbor Diane and Sherry, and I.

We still get together after all these years!

Bob and my varsity high school football team when we were juniors!

I am second row, third from right –

Number 65 and Bobby are to my right –

I believe number 83.

He started at end-wide receiver and safety on defense.

I started at left guard and linebacker on defense.

The JV and Freshman are not in this picture.

Memories in pictures of long ago in little ELDRED, Pa.-

And OTTO-ELDRED HIGH SCHOOL!

Papa- Pam – Bob and Sherry.

Thanks for reading my blog –

Papa’s World –

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For over TWENTY YEARS-

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Papa’s World – Pictures of the place I grew up- the early years of ELDRED!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Back in the late teens?

A parade to honor a WWI veteran killed in action.

This is Main Street looking South.

The false fronts of stores –

Some remained as I was growing up in the 50s and 60s!

The big building at the top right was a hotel –

I never saw that as I was growing up

And was a brick Chevy dealership called Burrs-

Where I worked the summer between my Junior and senior years!

That also has been demolished, and a bank is there today.

An early view of the ball park and town.

I assume this to be the late 1800s or early 1900s.

Many of these buildings were gone by the time I was born in 1949!

The ballpark was way different when I was growing up!

A chain mail fence and a road ran alongside the first baseline.

Tall telephone poles with lights surrounded the field, and it was groomed to perfection.

The diamond itself was set back toward the right?

The outfield – we would meet and play tackle football.

There were tennis courts and a basketball court.

The park behind the home plate had restrooms and swings –

a small merry-go-round and a large covered pavilion-

slide and huge old maple trees.

A creek called Barden Brook ran down the side of the field to the Alleghany River.

Later, the Army Corps of Engineers made it underground because of the annual flooding!

Every Spring, it seemed we had water on Main Street.

Here are pictures from 1889!

In 1972, Hurricane Agnes dropped so much rain-

That up to 12 to 15 feet of water submerged MAIN STREET!

It was after that, years later –

The Army Corps of Engineers developed a dike system –

And I believe it solved the flooding problem.

Here is the busy main street of Eldred, Pa.

I grew up here much later than this picture.

Many businesses had moved to other locations by then.

This is looking toward South Main Street,

And those trees were still there as I was growing up!

The Gustafsons’ drug store had moved to the left-

And that building became Todd’s Ford dealership

We had Ford, Chevy, and Dodge car dealerships in town when I was growing up.

This was the fire department as I grew up.

I could see it from the sidewalk in front of my home.

It was here that I took the hunter safety course upstairs!

We had a 10 o’clock curfew –

The fire siren would blow then every night-

And I believe it to be that way now.

All kids had to be off the streets when the siren blew.

We would sleep outside overnight-

And the worst we ever did was raid gardens after curfew.

I hope you enjoy this blog –

My next blog will also be on Eldred, Pa.

Thanks for reading-

PAPA’S World

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

For over twenty years – AGING AS HEALTHY AS WE CAN!

http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

Papa’s World – More moments in TIME!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Here is a view of Eldred. Pa. in the 1900s.

In the middle, the upper is a white church that I bought and made into apartments in the 80s.

In the middle of the picture to the right –

Is the baseball field without the tall telephone pole lights,

Or the basketball and tennis courts.

To the left,

The middle is the area where the elementary school was built –

I attended the fifth and sixth grades.

Beyond the mountains in the upper middle is NYS!

I lived just a couple of houses down on the left side of the white church.

Left center is a large brown building known as Walker’s Machine Shop.

A path ran on the other side through tall pine trees –

and came out into the backyard of my grade-high school buddy, Bobby!

The hill to the right I called BLUEBERRY HILL, and would take cardboard-

And slide down the hill.

It changed from this to what I remembered growing up!

But here is a look back in time before I was born!

A much earlier view of Eldred, Pa., from a different angle.

The Alleghany River runs through the flat land with trees –

And flows North into NYS until it finally turns South-

To Pittsburgh, Pa.

Twice in my early years –

I canoed down that river –

Once with a group that was called THE EXPLOYERS-

An organization beyond the Boy Scouts!

And a second time with our church youth group.

Growing up, it seemed every Spring brought a flood from that river.

Then after the ’72 flood-

Improved flood protection was put in by the Army Corps of Engineers.

I believe this solved the flooding problem.

Growing up, this was the school, grades 1 through 12.

I went four years here, and my last class was on the bottom floor-

I think the set of windows to the left – fourth grade.

I walked from the North end of town to here.

A mile, perhaps?

The HS kids were on the upper floors.

Many fond memories in this building.

Recess was out front, playing in the huge yard with large trees.

The Oak Hill Cemetery was beyond this building on the other side.

And I can remember riding sleds in the snow down that hill.

These are MORE MOMENTS IN TIME FOR ME!

Thanks for reading-

PAPA’S WORLD-

My site: livinglifedoingitmyway. blog

Staying and aging HEALTHY!

http://www.sfitzsimmons.juiceplus.com

Papa’s World – Over 3/4 of a Century!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

It is hard to believe it went by that fast!

It seems only yesterday I stood here in this picture – 6-25-1982 – 33 years old!

And now today I am 76 years old!

Here is my grade school – High School friend – Bobby –

Both are now 76 years Young!

Still staying in touch for all those years!

We grew up together in a little town in NWPA – called Eldred!

Sleeping out – under the stars – playing sports-

on our porch and in the yard in the back of the house.

No ground cloth – just sleeping bags –

Mine was a hand-me-down from my brother-in-law Bill!

It was his olive green Korean War one!

I really do not know how they stayed warm in those!

It was just a wool blanket inside a canvas bag!

Two of my oldest friends – on the left – Dottie and Jimmy – whom I have known since they graduated from H.S. in little Eldred, Pa.

I was at their wedding and they were at Sherry and my wedding!

My wife Sherry on our honeymoon in the Dominican Republic –

We have been side by side since the day we were married and a year and one-half before that!

We have traveled the world – raised two sets of children –

We have sold and bought SIX HOUSES in that time –

and three of them we had built!

We had a combined 79 1/2 years of service with one company –

American Olean Tile – Dal Tile –

And at retirement had gone through FOUR acquisitions

The final one is MOHAWK!

We both transferred from Olean in 1999!

To Northern Va. – Alexandria for me and Dulles for her.

In the end – she went from being an SSC manager – gathering numerous awards along the way –

to an outside sales rep for NVA and parts of WVA!

In 2020 – both of us being retired – the pandemic hit and the 401K went South!

But – what was a surprise –

The values of our RETIREMENT HOME FOR LIFE –

Increased so much –

We decided to sell and move to a warmer climate.

Sunset Beach, N.C., and in the distance Ocean Isle Beach. N.C.

Golf – sand – ocean and warm weather in the Carolinas!

We were eight miles to the border of N.C. and S.C.

We left behind families – both in Pa. and NVA.

But we moved forty miles from our dear friends Buck and Cindy –

who was for years our next-door neighbors in Portville, N.Y. –

In Pleasant Acres Drive!

They had moved South a few years before we did to the Wilmington- Leland, N.C.

We often Ed visited them and decided we liked it in this general area.

Today – we often get together to golf – dinner and trips!

We have traveled the World with them!

We have made new friends in our neighborhood –

Here is Diane along with her husband Steve –

are from WNY –

and still to this day spend summers at their cottage house at Rushford Lake –

A few miles from where we lived in Portville, N.Y.

Today – they live but three doors up from us in Cameron Woods Community!

For almost nineteen years we have run an internet business from our home base-

Juice Plus – Fruits – Vegetables – Berries and Omegas in powdered and liquid form –

In capsules with over 40 scientific researches done-

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Not only have I never missed a day –

at 76 years old – and having tests conducted every four to six months-

I am convinced of what the research proves –

That I will take this for the rest of my life.

And what it has done for our economy –

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from our own website in our home!

A big thank you for reading my blog on what is today year number 76 in my life.

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I owe my health to Sherry –

who is an SSC with the company.

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PAPA’S WORLD –

my blog: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Penny – my first dog.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

She was brown and black – a mutt – but she was my mutt!

She was not a house dog – why I do not know – from my first memory of her –

she was on a chain in the back yard with her own dog house – full of hay and straw.

The chain was about twenty feet long so she had a wide area to run around in.

The dog house sat by the corner of the very old red barn next to the railroad tracks.

My father had at one time dug out the foundation to jack it up and put supports under it.

He had found a very old sword in the ground – still in its sheath and that was all pitted and rusted away.

We guessed it had fallen off a train and was maybe the Spanish American War or Civil War.

Penny was the only dog we had as I was growing up – funny – I do not remember her passing on.

But I do remember her always wagging her whole body when I came down to see her.

She was never loose as they said she would run and would not obey –

they were afraid she would get hit by a car on the main street in front of the house.

I never had another dog while living at home but my sister who lived next door did.

Pedro was my favorite – small – blonde – and he was a house dog.

I had dogs after that when I was on my own.

After I left and my dad passed away my mom got a very little dog named Sparky.

He was a house dog and very small.

But penny was the first dog I remembered – I liked her –

Thanks for reading Papa’s World.

PAPA’S WORLD – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Eldred – where everyone knew your name.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Sherry and Pam – Bobby’s wife –

And Bobby was my buddy growing up.

I was born on 5-7-1949 –

and he was born that same year.

We played sports together-

we stayed at each other’s home.

It was a time of youthful experiences-

and I regret none of it!

Sleeping out – roaming the streets after curfew-

When a bit older –

sneaking a beer up on the hill.

Much later – there were four of us –

Jon – Freddy – Bobby and me.

Jon had a small car –

it was I think an NSU PRINZ or something like that.

Up the brooks, we would go –

“COLT 45 QUARTS!”

Also the hollows and Indian Creek.

Those are special memories.

Papa – Bob and Pam.

We did not smoke –

had a couple beers but was not in any trouble –

mostly away from everyone.

Sports – and a man called Bud –

a father of one of our buddies – Mike –

Formed a group called THE EXPLORERS –

sort of a step beyond the Boy Scouts.

We took canoe trips down the Alleghany River-

Went to a Steelers game in Pittsburg, Pa.

We organized the first public dances at the Boros Tennis Courts.

The money we earned paid for our camping trips –

and other trips we went on.

At one time we had around twenty members.

Growing up in a small town –

everyone knew your name and parents.

And I can remember “PARTY LINES”!

That was a long time ago!

This was the era of black and white TVs.

And you got three channels –

ABC – CBS and NBC!

And you got up off the couch to change the channel!

A time of TV antennas.

My father came home one day –

and said we would have COLOR TV!

And he put this clear plastic thing on the screen –

it was a band of green across the bottom-

A band of light blue across the top –

and a band of red-yellow in the middle!

That was our colored TV! LOL

Seeing the World when I was young –

I thought ELDRED was it!

The youthful eyes of innocence.

My parents would take us to the OLEAN MOOSE on Friday nights!

My mother was Catholic-

and NO MEAT on Fridays.

We would go to the Olean Moose for their BEER BATTERED FISH FRYS!

And – if we had been on good behavior –

they would let us walk to the movie theater-

to see a movie;

I remember seeing OLD YELLER there!

Growing up when young on the streets of Eldred Pa.

The dinner – Slavin’s Bar and Grill – Scotties and the Gold Eagle.

So many memories to be told in another blog.

1800’s dirt main street in my hometown of Eldred, Pa.

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD!

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Growing up in a little town.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

The sun came into the front bedroom window on North Main Street – Eldred, Pa.

It was my room now –

before that –

my older brother had that room –

and I shared the side bedroom with my younger brother.

My parents had a large rear bedroom.

It also had a single bed and a crib –

back in the right hand corner-

where my brother would sleep until he was three.

Right outside that front bedroom was the sidewalk –

then the curve and main street.

There were a few times I would be awakened –

The sound of a car crash right outside my window.

A drunk driver would run into the cars parked on that main street!

I could look out through the screen –

you know those single screens you place in a window-

And I could see the crashed car-

and then the police.

In the summer when it was hot –

I would raise the window and take out the screen –

Climb out onto the front porch roof and sit there –

Looking up at the stars-

and watching cars come past the house.

When that sunlight came through the window –

it would wake me up – early!

I almost remember-

that is why I wake up early each day – even now.

Also the sound of birds –

often times there would be fog with sunlight coming through.

We had a side yard and a backyard with a big old red farm barn.

At one time on the way back past –

it was a working farm barn.

Underneath were stalls for cows –

and I remember an old black sleigh-

this was the type to be drawn by horses over the snow.

I have no idea why it was there.

There was a set of stairs that went up overhead –

must at one time have been a hayloft.

My older brother and his friends put a basketball hoop up there.

I do not remember them playing up there-

as he was ten years older than me.

But – I do remember all of them being in our cellar –

they had a club down there –

in the back room.

My father and brother had drawn Disney caricatures on the wall –

I wonder if they still are there?

I also remember them having me put on boxing gloves-

so heavy –

I had a hard time keeping my arms up.

They would put their hands up –

and I would try to hit them.

I must have been around five or six at that time.

I was so skinny –

my mom made sure I did not take my shirt off.

You could count every rib and bone –

and blue veins on the chest and front.

She said people would say she wasn’t feeding me!!!

Eldred, Pa. with the main street –

I was raised in this picture on the upper left side where the houses are.

The main street ran in front of the house-

It is still there-

and my Great niece still lives there!

And the railroad tracks behind the house-

where the old red farm barn was.

The far hills are the Alleghany mountains –

and the Alleghany River ran to the left of the railroad tracks.

What you see in the far distance is NYS –

and Portville and Olean are maybe ten miles away.

The hill to the right –

I spent many a night sleeping out there –

and we would take cardboard boxes from Slavin’s furniture –

open them up and slide down the hill on them!

Until the fourth grade –

I had to walk that main street to South Main Street –

which you can not see in this picture –

To what was then the High School –

Grades One through Twelve.

I believe it to be almost a mile walk.

Also out of the picture frame was a bridge –

that passed over Barden Brook Creek.

I had just gotten Davey Crockett Coon Skin cap with a squirrel’s tail.

I was not tall enough to see over the railing –

so I took my cap off –

set it on top of the cement railing –

and poked my head through the opening to look down.

Well – that was a big mistake –

because when I stuck my head through –

My ears unfolded and I was stuck.

I embarrassed my brother –

and they had to call the fire department.

Here I was –

stuck with my head through the opening and my –

DAVEY CROCKETT COONSKIN CAP WITH A SQUIRREL TAIL SITTING ABOVE MY HEAD!

I have so many memories of growing up

in a small town in NWPA!

This is but a little that I have shared.

Thank you for reading PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – GROWING UP IN A LITTLE TOWN!

Papa’s World – My early years in Eldred, Pa.

/ Tom / 2 Comments

My mother was Pa. Dutch-Irish Catholic – My father was Irish Prostatant –

My mother had ten brothers and sisters – my father had two brothers and a sister.

My mother’s mother married an Irishman – named Aiken – last name – David’s first name.

On my father’s side – the story went that five brothers came over from Ireland – County Tyrone –

it seems once here they split up and never saw one another again.

That was in the 1800’s.

I had an older sister by 15 years and an older brother by 10 years.

Then a sister who died at birth was 5 years older than me.

My younger brother came a little over 4 years after me.

My sister – lived next door to our house and had three children – the oldest was a couple year younger than my little brother.

I am on the left – my niece in the middle( Terri) and my brother Mike.

All three of us grew up together-

By the time I was ten years old – both my sister and older brother had moved on –

Eldred was a small town – 800 to 1000 people –

It seemed I knew just about everyone.

The main street was prone to flooding in the Springs –

It was cool at night – just a fan sometimes or open windows with screens.

It was lush and green but there could be the dog days of August!

My early life was filled with riding my bike – skating on the sidewalks – playing with neighborhood kids.

Smoking corn silk!

Spending hours at the ballpark – throwing apples – sliding down the hill on cardboard –

Going to work with my father – he was a supervisor for South-Penn – Pennsoil.

Playing baseball or football at the park.

Trust came in be home before the street lights came on.

My grandma lived with us – I remember sitting on her lap on the front porch –

Seeing a neighborhood boy walking on the sidewalk across the street on his way to school.

He was two years older than me – and I asked her when it would be my turn to walk to school!

My early years were spent in that small town – not knowing much about the world beyond those

town limits – except when we would go for the Friday night fish fry at the Moose Club in Olean, N.Y.

Sometimes even a movie at the theater down the street from that Club.

“OLD YELLOWER” comes to mind.

Playing “JACKS” on our front porch with neighbor children and discussing –

“Grandpa on Lassie died” – real life.

Those were my early years and so much more I remember – another time and another place.

I worked for 48 1/2 years – all except one of those years for the same company.

Today I am far removed from that area and town –

although my two sons still live in that area.

I have a couple of great nieces and their children still there and a niece still there.

Everyone in my immediate family is now gone.

But I have memories of those early years and it seems I can still see those streets I roamed in my mind.

Now in my senior years – my memories are still bright and I write them down in case they dim.

That little town of Eldred, Pa. still holds a special place in my heart –

someday I shall return – instead of walking the streets, I shall drive.

Visit the graves and see the ballpark – gaze at the house I grew up in – my great nieces live there now which means that house has been in my family now for over 80 years.

Thanks for reading my little memory of my early years – with my wife – who also grew up some 40 miles from there in a little town of Swedish descent called Mount Jewett, PA.

Visit my blog on my ongoing memoir of our family lives.

PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – YEARS of MEMORIES – not in our minds – but PICTURES!

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Cassidy and Taylor – when they lived with us between houses!

I think back to those times –

and how much gratitude we have to have been able to share

times like this are a picture –

and priceless memory!

They were always dressing up in costumes – playing house –

To see them once again brings a tug to my heart!

Ella and Maddy –

Oh, how they have grown and prospered.

Today Ella is 21 and Maddy is soon to be 24!

The BIG sister is now the LITTLE sister as Ella is 5’10”!

One more year of college for her-

and she will be teaching PHYS ED to young children!

Maddy is a Scientist-Geologist for a major environmental nationwide firm!

Here again are memories in a picture.

The main street where I grew up as a child –

middle of the picture toward the top –

a flag is waving and a green shingled roof is visible –

that was my home –

and today it still is in the family as my great-niece lives there –

85 years in my family!

A small town in NWPA –

on the NYS border called Eldred.

Many fond memories of that street and after H.S. –

I rented an apartment above the Western Auto–

next to the Post Office-

with the two flags on the left side of this picture for over five years!

Here again, are memories in a picture!

The day we were married 42-plus years ago on June 25th. 1982!

Seems this was only yesterday-

yet here we are all these years later.

Our life has taken us from WNY – to NVA – to S.C. – to now N.C.-

in those 42-plus years.

Living our retirement in Cameron Woods Community in OIB, N.C.

Today we are a destination point for our families –

for some it is a very long 14-hour or more drive –

for others, it is 6.5 to 7.5 hours.

But that makes for new pictures and new memories to be preserved!

Sarah – left front –

with the other granddaughters – now almost 18 years old –

funny and very helpful –

always lending a hand –

always a smile –

and sharing my interest in all things Paranormal!

The little girl here is all grown up and like Ella – is almost 5’10” tall!

Sarah – a beautiful young lady now –

full of spirit and loves classic rock songs –

A PICTURE OF MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES!

Thanks for reading my site: PAPA’S WORLD – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – YEARS OF MEMORIES – NOT IN OUR MINDS – BUT IN PICTURES!

Papa’s World – in this little town – Eldred Pa. – is a big WWII museum – tours stop all the time.

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Main Street – just above the white truck to the left – is a brick-red building – with a huge Army Tank coming out the side – this is the ELDRED WWII MUSEUM!

When I was growing up – this was Fisbees Insurance and the Electric Company in the Cellar –

and right next to it was Slavin’s Furniture store and gas station.

I would roller skate down to the bays and Jack would sometimes buy me a glass coke out of the machine that stood there between the bays.

I do not remember his last name – but he was a really nice man and lived in Bullis Mills.

We also would come down here and ask for old cardboard boxes –

they all had a heavy layer of wax on them and were perfect for grass riding down the hill opposite of our front porch.

WWII MUSEUM

Today – both buildings are joined and form this fantastic museum – dedicated to WWII

and the munitions plant that made explosives for the war.

It has a full-size ARMY TANK that looks like it is busting right out the wall of the side of the building!

My stepfather – John Soules – who was decorated FIVE times with Purple Hearts and Bronze Stars

Once gave me a revolver he was given permission to bring back to the states

He had all the signed documents from the government –

Before he passed away – he asked for it back so he could donate it here!

A few years ago – I walked down and asked to see it once again.

They had it in a safe – and was told it was worth 30 to 40 thousand dollars!

He took that handheld automatic machine pistol off a NAZI OFFICER he had captured who was dressed as a civilian trying to escape.

I was told this pistol was not from WWII but from WWI and was very rare –

one of the first automatic machine guns ever manufactured by the Germans for WWI!

I got to once again hold it!

A reenactment of women working at the munitions plant outside Eldred during WWII is part of the museum.

As you walk through you come upon room after room of scenes such as this.

This MUSEUM is like something you would find in Washinton DC. yet it is here in the very small town

of ELDRED PA. in the mountains of the ALLEGHANY FOREST in WPA!

I do not know the full story of why it is here – but I do know before the PANDEMIC

regular busloads of people would stop every day.

It sits on North Main Street right across from the old fire hall.

A must-see!

Thanks for reading PAPA’SWORLD

Memories of my life growing up in a small town in NWPA called ELDRED!

WHERE EVERYONE KNEW YOUR NAME – the ’50’s ’60’s and ’70’s.

MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD

MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com

Papa’s World – When little – riding my bike – Eldred, Pa.

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Here is the birds-eye view of the town I grew up in – Little Eldred, Pa. in the enchanted mountains –

Of NWPA – along the Alleghany River.

In the far distance is the border of NYS and NWPA!

When early in my life –

I learned to ride my Red Flyer – from the Western Auto – on these streets.

Before that – I would roller skate to the Slavin’s garage/furniture store!

Here is that garage today – turned into one of the finest small-town WWII museums you will find!

Back in my early days – the bays of the garage – on the second bay in front of the brick wall –

sat a coke machine.

Jack – who worked there – sometimes bought me a glass of Coke pop from that machine!

My parents would never let me skate beyond this garage – and I would race back and forth –

from my North Main Street home – all the way up to the Eldred sawmill –

which made Louisville Slugger Baseball bats!

This above was the Frisbee Insurance office – Don owned it and would send me a birthday card

every year as it was his birthday also.

In the back was the Penn Electric office where a parking area for their trucks to fix electric lines.

This has all become connected to the furniture store and is part of the WWII museum-

and on the side toward the town – a full-size Army Tank from WWII – bursts through the wall.

Many tour buses make this a must-stop – bringing our little town on the map!

I spent my entire youth here- until I was thirty years old before moving on.

Riding my bike daily to the ballpark – thinking back now – I wonder what happened to that bike?

It was and still is a small – Mayberry type town –

You know everyone and they know you!

Up Barden Brook just outside town – is where the entire family I grew up with is buried.

Just past the first tombstones on the right – my father mother and younger brother now rest.

Along with my mother’s sister and her family.

On the left side is my older brother – his wife – my sister – her husband and two of their children.

Their third child and my niece still live in their house –

and my great niece –

her son now is in the service

and she lives in the house I grew up in.

My other great niece-

and her family lives in Portville.

My two sons still live in the area and nearby.

I also have aunts – uncles, and cousins who are buried here,

and a sister I never knew –

who died at birth five years before me-

is somewhere at the top of the cemetery buried.

It was never talked about

and I found out through my brother before he passed away.

I was raised a couple houses before that tall pine tree at the top of the picture and after H.S. –

I rented an apartment in the tall brick building next to the post office where the flag flies –

above the Western Auto for five years.

This is the main street of Eldred, Pa. where I roamed as a child.

SMALL TOWN USA – I skated and rode a bike here in my early youth.

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – LIVINGLIFEDOINGITMYWAY.BLOG – WHEN LITTLE – RIDING MY BIKE – ELDRED, PA.

Papa’s World – Old – Older and now Senior!

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Growing OLD – seems only yesterday I was sitting on my grandma’s lap on the front porch –

in a little town in NWPA!

I was watching a neighborhood boy – he was in first grade –

and he was walking to school!

“Grandma – when will I be OLD enough to go to school”?

Now – looking back to that memory – I still can see him walking –

and me sitting in her lap –

I would recommend this to be some 71 years ago!

I was four years old.

That is my first memory of my grandma.

She was my mother’s mother

and she came to live with us.
Mike was either not born yet or was a newborn.

Her bedroom was at the top of the stairs –

straight ahead to the side of the house.

Later – this would become my younger brother and my room –

we slept in the same bed until my brother went away to college.

She had this picture of Jesus on the wall –

I still see it in my mind – she was Catholic –

Her mother was Pa. Dutch – but her husband was Irish Catholic.

He passed before I was born –

but I have his name for my middle name – DAVID!

He was a big man – 6’3″ – they had 11 kids.

My mom was second from the youngest.

During the Depression –

he would walk to neighbor’s houses

with produce from the farm to help

them out –

sacks of flour – whatever he could spare.

A KIND AND GENEROUS MAN WAS HE!

One day he was hoisting a hog up to the rafters in the barn –

he had a heart attack and passed away.

Leaving my grandma with all these kids – the older ones were gone –

the oldest – ROY –

had served in WWI.

I wish I had more early memories of my grandma.

She passed away at 85 years old.

I was around 10 years old and she had moved to my aunt Alice’s house.

My younger brother and I became too much for her!

It was like oil and water or a cat and dog with us.

If I could go back in time to make changes –

I would change this – he died way too young.

Now – I am older – a SENIOR in the twilight of life.

I have seen many storms –

I never had to serve in the military –

for various medical and child reasons.

But – I did start working at 16 years old

and continued straight for 48 1/2 years –

47 1/2 of those years for American Olean Tile Co. / Dal Tile Co.

When I retired – we had become part of MOHAWK.

I went through FIVE mergers – National Gypsum – Private – Dal-Tile – Armstrong and Mohawk.

Today we live on the border of N.C. and S.C. – living in the dream life we always wanted.

I think back to that day on North Main Street in little Eldred, Pa.

Sitting with my grandma –

wishing I could once again talk to her.

If only I could remember more –

but I have these memories as I pass into the night of being OLD – OLDER – SENIOR!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD: my site: livinglifedoingitmyway. blog

Papa’s World – Raised in a little town – Eldred, Pa.

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In a valley with a river – The Alleghany – railroad tracks and a main road – sits a little town –

800 to 1000 souls. Been around for a couple hundred years.

The main street is perhaps a mile long – with side streets and one that goes away and through the hills

known as Barden Brook- you can go for miles on that road into the hills and countryside.

Situated maybe 4 or 5 miles to the NYS border and over the hill fourteen miles away in Bradford-

home to Pennsoil-Kendall and nearby Quakerstate.

Here the oil boom in the 1800s fueled the rich along with oil derricks.
To the NW beyond the NYS lines are Portville Olean and Alleghany.

Here below is an early picture of my hometown in the 1800s – ELDRED, PA.

Dirt street on the main street and up on the far left – many years after this picture was taken and the streets were paved – is where I was raised.

The house is not in this picture but many buildings here I remember and some are still there!

The trees up there were huge as I was growing up!

The wooden sidewalks were replaced with concrete and I would rollerskate on them.

Growing up on North Main Street – we had a lot of kids there back then and would play –

KICK THE CAN! I knew them all and we would walk to school at the other end of the main street.

We had a bowling alley – a Theater – a grocery store – a gas station – a ballpark with lights –

and tennis and basketball courts.

A barbershop – a tastee-freeze, A doctor and a dentist’s office as well as the Odd Fellows.

A fire department – a H.S. and elementary combined.

A furniture store and several other stores that sold clothes and other things.

A drugstore and bank and many bars and a diner!

You knew everyone and they knew you!

We had a ten o’clock curfew – I think it is still that way today!

We would sled ride on the hills in winter – and in summer pick blueberries.

Sleeping outside on porches – playing tackle football at the park –

watching the baseball teams play and the Town Team.

I think it was like Mayberry and Stand By Me all wrapped up in one!

Today – a lot of that way of life is gone along with the stores – bowling alleys – theaters –

There still is a bank – and an elementary school and the ballpark is still there.

What is now there is a WWII museum – a huge one that tour buses come to see!

This is but a small fraction of what it is today – a tank bursting out the wall of the original building-

Beyond this are multiple areas and buildings – all hosing WWII artifacts and history –

This little town is big in the eyes of this museum.

Worth a trip to just tour it!

This was “MY TOWN” growing up!

Small town – small population – but BIG in what is offered here in the WWII Museum!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – OLD TIMES – memories – pictures!

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A little humor to start the day off! LOL

Papa – Sherry – Pam and Bobby – my best friend from grade school – High School –

We have known each other for years and years –

Now – once a year they come to a campground a couple miles from our home –

And spend a week or two –

We explored the area and played golf – which a long time ago we also played.

I always have a lot of memories growing up in Eldred, Pa.

And so does he – which makes this all the more memorable!

Pam and Sherry have hit it off – that makes for more memories!

Papa – Terri and Mike – my niece and brother.

They too – are gone now – way too young – but I have so many happy memories growing up with them!

My sister lived right next door and I grew up with her children. Rick and Kelly.

Today – Kelly lives in that house and my great-great niece – Brandi – lives in the home I grew up in!

The family has been in that home for 80-plus years!

LITTLE TOWN USA – Eldred, Pa. Northwestern Pa. next to WNY border!

This is how Sherry and I live our lives – trying to be helpful and giving –

Creating lasting memories for family and friends!

Sherry’s mother – Barb ( GIGI ) a beautiful lady – she stayed the winters with us –

Always loved going back to Mount Jewett in the summer for the Swedish Festival –

Barb’s mother came from Sweden – and Mount Jewett, Pa. was founded by the Swedes!

The festival is a grand four-day event held each year with a parade – carnival –

games – contests – music, and a game of chance at the Firehall along with chicken BBQ!

Vendors line the street – food can be purchased at different locations and a little

Swedish coffee shop serves great homemade breakfast – lunch and dinner –

and all kinds of pastries!

Barb was named Queen one year!

Papa – Sherry – Elaine and Steve – our long-time friends from back in Portville, N.Y. where we lived.

We played volleyball for years together – golfed and raised our families together!

They still come to visit both in NVA and in N.C.

We have known them since the mid 80’s.

FRIENDS AND MEMORIES – always will be!

Papa – Sherry – Cindy and Buck – we were neighbors since 1988 in Portville, N.Y. but knew them from before.

Today – we have since moved and once again have ended up 33 miles from them in N.C.

Today – once or twice a month – we get together and golf – we also go to live shows –

dinners or events.

MEMORIES OF TIMES GONE PAST – AND NEW MEMORIES OF TIMES TO COME – FRIENDSHIPS!

Sherry – on our honeymoon in June – 1982 – in the Dominican Republic – a long time ago!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

We spent a week at this resort – first time out of the country for both of us –

A lot of funny stories while here but those are for another time.

PAPA’S WORLD – OLD TIMES – MEMORIES AND PICTURES!

Papas World – the angels of my life – looking down.

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I am the only one left now –

First was my brother Mike who left us way too early –

I do not have many pictures of him – but I have his image –

for as long as I live in my mind.

Curly headed little red head – always smiling –

giggling – I can still hear him.

And what a golfer he became –

the first one to hit that ball 300 yards or more.

On the old number one at Smethport Pa.

The one that runs along the highway – I was with him when he did it.

He drove past the green and into the yard behind the green!

That had to be 350 yards and a little grade uphill!

He was mostly a par golfer and had he been able to putt –

Well Gene Fazio once told me –

“IF I HAD HIS LONG GAME AND MY SHORT GAME – I”D TURN PRO”!

Gene was one of the finest golfers in our area and there were a lot of them.

My sister Donna – me – my brother in law Bill – my brother Roger and our mother Mary

One by one they passed away – first Donna –

my sister who was 15 years older than me-

Who rasied me until she she was married to Bill and moved out.

She was the most kind and considerate person I have ever known.

She always could see both sides and I never heard her say a cross word.

Bill – was second to go – a Korean War vet – a truck driver and Police chief

A Mayor and a wise brother in law – always funny –

he had nicknames for almost all the kids

but he simply called me Tommy or Tom.

We were more friends than brother in laws-

Then it was my Mom – who outlived all her friends –

two children and all her brothers and sisters – cousins –

She was almost 98 years old when she passed.

She was small – always a smile – and very kind.

She was a true baker – she could bake without following a recipe.

Cakes – Pies Homemade bread and rolls –

she did it all and everyone in town knew her.

She would sit on her front porch and they would honk

and holler “HELLO MARY”!

People would pull over and stop and come over and talk with her.

She was Mary – the kind lady – but she also was tough as nails.

She ruled the roost so to speak.

I always listened to her – I did not want to hurt her.

Roger

The last to pass in this picture was my brother Roger –

who as I grew up was my idol.

He was ten years older – but in the last ten years of his life

we became very close.

He always lived far away and I lived for any information from him

I would ask my Mom – “DID YOU HEAR FROM ROGER”?

He too played golf – although not as well as Mike –

he was always a little over Par – but always under 40.

He was very smart – having been named “WHO’S WHO”

while in college.

He was a ladies man – he knew how to be a gentlemen –

he was “IT” when it came to the ladies.

Now I am the last – my dad passed from cancer when I was just 19.

I have my two sons –

My sons Troy and Shawn

I have a niece Kelli and another Jen –

I have two great nieces and they have children.

And I have two grandsons from Shawn.

Ryan and Dylan

And I have my soulmate – Sherry – my wife.

Our extended family here whom I love dearly.

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

“THE ANGELS OF MY LIFE – LOOKING DOWN ON ME”!

Papa’s World – Who am I?

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Papa – my niece Terri and my younger brother Mike.

I was born across the border in Olean, N.Y. at the Saint Francis Hospital –

To an Irish Catholic mother –

Mary (Aiken) Fitzsimmons and an Irish Protestant father Clarence (Bob) Fitzsimmons.

As you can tell – there were many dynamics in my family.

I had one sister – Donna – who was 15 years older than me –

A sister who died at birth –

and a brother – Roger – who was 10 years older than me.

Then there was me for over four years and then Mike came along.

We lived in Pa. – on the main street in a very small town called Eldred.

My father was a supervisor in the oil fields for South Penn-Pennzoil.

My mother retired from Alcas – which today is known as CUTCO –

A world leader in the manufacture of KNIVES.

My sister married and lived next door to my parent’s house – and my brother-in-law-

Bill – was both Mayor – Police Chief and drove a semi-tractor trailer for Ethan Allen.

Growing up I always had a dream of one day living on or near a beach!

Today – we have realized that dream – living in N.C. in OIB – Cameron Woods Community!

My mother Mary – my father passed away at age 59 from cancer – he was a heavy smoker –

my mother was almost 98 when she passed on.

Our home on North Main Street in Eldred – was a beacon to all my friends –

my two brothers’ friends and my sister’s friends.

Even after we had left and moved away – Mary had an open door to any and all of them.

I grew up there – when a senior was in a car accident not knowing if I would walk again –

I got married at 17 with my first son on the way in a wheelchair.

After I graduated from H.S. – with a child – no college for me – I had a family to support –

I started work at AMERICAN OLEAN TILE CO. – in Olean, N.Y.

For the next 32 years – I had another son – divorced – work many jobs in the plant –

and remarried to Sherry on 6-5-1982!

Above is our wedding picture we lived just outside Portville, N.Y. in the country.

We combined two families – her two girls and on weekends my two sons.

On our wedding day in 1982 – the boys had gone home. Debby holding her cousin and Tammy with her arms around her cousin.

We stayed in the Portville area until 1999 – when we both transferred within the company –

Sherry also worked for AOTC – which became DAL-TILE –

Our close friends Elaine and Steve during those years in Portville, N.Y. – to this day.

We golfed – played competitive Volleyball – took vacations together and raised families.

My two sons – Troy and Shawn – still live back in Pa. not far from where I grew up.

They have been down to N.C. and hoping they come back although it is a 16b hour drive!

1982 – our wedding day – growing up in Pa. and N.Y.S. –

beautiful in the spring – Summer and Fall – brutal in the Winter

as I am not a snow-cold and ice person.

We both retired from AOTC-DAL TILE – ARMSTRONG – MOHAWK –

With a combined 79 1/2 years!

Sherry and Papa – living our dreams at the beach –

Thank you for reading and as always HGD! My Site: PAPA’S WORLD: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – WHO AM I? SENIOR LIVING TO THE PLUS – ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Papa’s World – Thoughts – younger years!

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My mother’s name was Mary – she was Irish Catholic – my father’s name was –

Clarence -Russell – Everyone called him Bob.

I grew up on North Main Street in a little town called Eldred – in Pa. near the NYS border.

Bradford, Pa. was 14 miles as was Olean, N.Y.

Bradford was known for OIL – Pennsoil – Kendall –

Olean for Saint Bonaventure – BONNIES BASETBALL!

My father introduced me to those years of BONAS basketball – sitting at the kitchen table –

with a small radio – a sheet of lined white paper – and he would write the names of each basketball starter

for Saint Bonaventure down and those of subs.

It was the age of ROCK and ROLL – for my brother – turned collar – slicked back hair.

He was ten years older.

I would sit with my dad, listening as he did and watching him put down an X for a score.

At the foul line, it was a ZERO, and if made a line on a slant drawn through it!

I must say I went with him when he bowled – yes our small town had a bowling alley!

He taught me how to keep score often saying –

“ADD TEN – THEN SUBTRACT 3 IN YOUR HEAD TO GET THE CORRECT SCORE”

depending on what number you were using to add and subtract.

My dad, you did not cross the line but was also very dedicated to his family.

It was sitting with him during those games at our kitchen table –

in the mid to late 50s- that I became a BONNIE fan.

Then – we would drive down the street to the local watering hole – “SLAVINS”!

A bar- grill and all the men would meet there as RUSS was a huge BONNIE fan.

He had a radio for the bar and everyone leaned in to listen while sipping beer.

Our seats were just by the entrance as the bar top bends around so your back was toward the door.

That went on for several years and then he somehow got a hold of one season ticket at the OLD OLEAN ARMORY!

Now this place was crowded and tickets were so hard to come by

hundreds of fans around the whole court so that you could touch the players sitting on the bench or throwing the ball in !

IN OTHER WORDS – A LOUD PIT OF SCREAMING LOYAL BONAS HOMETOWN FANS!

I had to stay home with the radio at the kitchen table and that is when I took up keeping the scores with Xs and O’S with slanted lines.

He wanted to take me but there were no tickets.

Later in life – after the RILEY CENTER was built on campus – I got my own tickets.

Later – before we moved to NVA – Sherry and I had season tickets along with

a golf membership across from the University at their golf course.

To this day I follow the “BONNIES” – checking news stories – recruiting and transfers –

I no longer keep score – but I remember my times with my dad –

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

AND MARY – SHE RULED THE HOUSE – IRISH CATHOLIC – my dad – IRISH PROTESTANT-

That my friends is a whole other blog to come! LOL

Papa’s World – Golfing Sea Trails with childhood buddy!

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We had planned this since last year – when they came to a campground near us – we would play golf!

Bob and I lived in the same town growing up – grade school – Jr. High and then High School!

We both graduated from Otto-Eldred H.S.

Grade school – Eldred Elementary School – we went here for fifth and sixth grade!

Our first four grades were spent here in the old grades 1 through 12 High School!

Otto-Eldred H.S. where we played sports – and graduated in 1967 – a very long time ago!

We had stayed in contact through class reunions and then the past five or six years –

when they decided to tour the country in their RV.

Since then they have stopped and at times stayed with us or in a campground!

Sharing many old memories and creating new ones –

Best buddies for all these years!

Bob about to hit the green – we played a scramble – for two old duffers who can not putt-

we left about 5 strokes in putting on the first nine – we managed a 41!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – GOLFING SEA TRAILS WITH CHILDHOOD BUDDY! MEMORIES PAST AND PRESENT!

Papa’s World – Family – my sons – Troy and Shawn!

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This is the view from the front lawn and sidewalk of where I grew up in Eldred, PA. – North Main Street!

Both of my sons still live near here – my great-niece lives in the home I was raised in and my sister’s house next door is where my sister lived – now my niece lives there.

I have one niece who lives in Portville, N.Y. and most of the remaining family I grew up with are now gone.

My oldest son Troy is on the left – and my youngest son Shawn is on the right.

They both came down last summer but was a 16 to 18-hour drive!

With work and other commitments – it is hard for them to get away.

Troy builds houses from the ground up and Shawn has his own Energy Auditing and insulation business with the state government for housing for the elderly.

Shawn is a ranked nine-ball player and finished 33rd in the World competition.

The team he plays on finished first in the World competition in Las Vegas.

Troy has competed in the Easy Rider motorcycle competition.

This is my vision of Troy when he gets old! LOL

My sons family’s when they visited last summer.

Very proud of these two – if it was not so far away they would be here more often –

both still reside in NWPA in the Alleghany Mtns.

We combined two sets of children back in 1982 – her two daughters and my two sons.

FAMILY – MY SONS – TROY AND SHAWN – PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Main street – Eldred, Pa. 12 feet of flood water !

Papa’s World – My schools growing up in Eldred, Pa.

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This is the school I attended until fourth grade in a little town just South of the New York State border

in Eldred, PA. In the midst of the Alleghany Mountains and the Alleghany River.

It was a small town – perhaps 1000 people – most I knew and most knew me.

This at that time was grade 1 thru 12 – made of wood constructed sometime in the 1800’s I believe.

The windows in the front first floor where I attended first grade – and those trees were huge when I was there.

It was then that three towns and the township combined to form the Otto-Eldred school district –

a new elementary school was built and I attended fifth and sixth grade there.

The new elementary school – right across from the ballpark – tennis courts and playgrounds,

I rode my bike to every day during the summer.

The school is still there to this day – 60-plus years later and looks much as it does here.

Here is the town as it looked during the Hurricane of 1972 which became known in our area as the FLOOD OF ’72!

Twelve feet of water on the main street – we were trapped in the area for almost two weeks as no way in or out.

The little town is also known for its WWII museum – and has bus tours – put it on your bucket list as something to see out of the way in a little town where everyone knows your name.

Otto-Eldred High School – located in Duke Center some 7 or 8 miles away.

Today – the population is way down – we had over 100 kids when I graduated in our senior class of 1967.

Today I believe there is far less than that in the senior class.

But my four years here are full of memories – childhood friends some of whom I still see and are in contact with.

Thank you for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

IN THE ALLEGHANY MOUNTAINS in the valley sits a little town called Eldred, Pa.

MY SCHOOLS GROWING UP IN ELDRED, PA. PAOA’S WORLD livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – FROM THEN TO NOW!

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My very early years were growing up in a little town in NWPA known as Eldred.

Not big – about 800 to 1000 in a good year!

My youth was spent roller skating – playing Kick the Can with neighborhood kids.

Throwing apples at the train cars as they sped past.

Smoking corn silk in a corncob pipe.

Playing in the sawdust hill up the street and sleeping out on the front porch in an old army bag of my brothers-in-law.

I had to walk from our home on North Main Street all the way across town to South Main Street and the High School – grades 1 through 12!

Often I would walk the tracks until the creek and then along the sidewalk.

One day – I was wearing my Davy Crockett Coon Skin hat – I stopped and put it on the bridge railing and then stuck my head through to look down at the water.

And there I was stuck!

My ears popped out and I could not pull my head back through.

Needless to say, the fire department came to the rescue – embarrassing my older brother by ten years who was in H.S. then.

Pictured here is the OLD HIGH SCHOOL where I attended until the end of grade four!

They built a brand new Elementary school for grades K thru 6 –

And combined three communities – Eldred – Duke Center and Rixford and Eldred Township.

The front windows were first grade – taught by Mrs. Shields.

It was a grand old building – I think built in the late 1800s.

In the winter we would sled ride down the hill to the right which also was a large cemetery.

Eldred, Pa. was before the movie “STAND BY ME”!

What you saw in that movie was exactly as it was in our little town where everyone knew your name –

and if you did anything wrong – your parents knew all about it before you got home!

Today – we live in the South – near the border of N.C. and S.C. – by the beaches!

My childhood memories have followed me here along with contact with friends I grew up with.

I do not get back there often – staying in touch with the few relatives I have left.

My family I grew up with are all gone and are in the cemetery up in Barden Brook.

We are 12 to 15 hours away – a long drive and no close airport other than Buffalo which still requires over a two-hour drive and a rental car.

Sherry – Papa – Pam – wife of my childhood buddy – grade school until graduation – Bobby!

We had many adventures that I can not put on here and today see each other about once a year.

We played sports together all those years – and now we have memories we talk about!

We are seniors in our sunset years yet living life to the plus – they RVing and us living our dream of the Salt Life.

My other best buddy along with Bobby – Jimmy – played years and years of softball and now golf!

Staying in touch – sharing good times in the NOW of my life!

Jimmy is also from that same little town!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

The “THEN” of the start of our life together – 6-25-1982!

The “NOW” of our life together – on the ICW off OIB in N.C. living life to the plus one day at a time!

PAPA’S WORLD – FROM THEN TO NOW!

Our life over the years – FAMILY!

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An early picture of me holding my niece and my little brother – both have passed away – in fact – all my close family except two nieces and two great nieces are gone that I grew up with.
A early picture in the ’50’s of my older brother Roger on the basketball team. He also has passed on.

My early childhood was spent in a little town in NWPA called Eldred.

Near the NYS border and just across the mountain from Bradford-

home of Kendall – Penns oil – Quaker State and the South Penn oil fields.

My older brother Roger and myself in The Villages shortly before he passed away.

Growing up here was like the movie “STAND BY ME”

I had friends like that – and road my bike everywhere!

Curfew for me was
BE HOME BEFORE THE STREET LIGHTS COME ON”!

My brother in law Bill and my sister Donna – both gone but not forgotten. Bill was once interviewed by Larry King – he was a truck driver but also the Chief of Police and later Mayor – Mr. King found that to be a interesting story!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!

SHERRY AND PAPA!

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Papa’s World – In my youth – Lassie – Lincoln logs – growing up in the ’50s!

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Good day everyone – thanks for reading!

My brother and I got for Christmas one year – stuffed Lassie dogs!

This dog went to bed with me every night – my comfort stuffed toy.

I know for a while before that – I had a blanket – strange how I remember that.

That was back when my grandma took care of me during the day as both my mom and dad worked.

Here is what the Lassie of my brother looked like.

Mike’s Lassie was a lighter color and mine was darker.

His also was not as curly as mine.

I do not remember any names we called them other than LASSIE!

This is what my Lassie looked like – darker and curly!

We did not fight over who’s was who – as we both knew.

After Mike was out of the crib in my parent’s room –

he moved into my room and we shared a double bed –

My older brother was still home and my grandma went to live with my aunt.

I had her old room.

Lassie became an important part of my life for years that I remember.

I often wonder as the grandkids came along

and they had their favorite stuffed animal –

what became of the two Lassies.

I know they were still there long after we had moved on to our own lives.

I had a Lincoln Log set just like this one.

This was my favorite toy – I would sit for hours in the living room in front of the gas furnace –

with these logs spread out – building a fort

and using the little log connectors as a cowboy or Indian.

That was when Hop Along Cassidy was on TV and Roy Rogers.

And of course all the Westerns – Indians attacking wagon trains or forts.

The Lincoln Log set.

Many a winter day I spent on the floor playing –

Mike never played with them –

He was four years younger and had his own toys.

The TV was also there – an old black and white – and one of the first shows I remember was –

COMMANDER TOM

This was a Buffalo show – as most of our programing came from there.

Romper Room – I Love Lucy and The Three Stooges.

The Red Skelton Show and the Ed Sullivan show.

And wrestling – Diamond Jim Brady – Fritz Von Eric – The Gallagher Brothers

Haystack Muldune – The Claw that you grabbed someone’s stomach and squeezed!

Rocketship 7 and Dave Thomas out of Buffalo N.Y.

My next blog will continue growing up in the ’50s.

PAPA’S WORLD

Thanks for reading – HGD!

MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD

MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com

NEXT BLOG: GROWING UP IN THE ’50s

Papa’s World – Happy times in North Carolina with friends.

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The six of us have been friends for about forty-plus years. Living as neighbors to Cindy and Buck and Jim and Dottie grew up in the same little town in NWPA called Eldred in the Alleghany mountains as I did.

Jim – Sherry and I all worked for Dal-Tile – (American Olean Tile) in Olean, N.Y.

And of course, being and working in WNY – we all were Buffalo Bills fans – and we watch them whenever we can by going to

Buffalo Bills sports bars in our areas.

Cindy and Buck live 30 miles from us and we get together often to play a round of golf – have dinner and just enjoy our friendships.

Papa – Dottie – Cindy – Sherry – Buck and Jim – Dottie and Jim live in Va. Beach and in the coming years will build on a piece of property in Northern North Carolina.

They will be about three-plus hours from us when they retire.

Sherry – Cindy – Dottie – Forty-plus years of being friends. When we all get together – it comes down to Gals vs. Guys in a golf scramble.

The last time we gave them two strokes – they missed a four-foot putt on the last hole for the WIN!

So we tied 37 to 37!

Sherry and Cindy – both into walking miles and miles – I try to keep up!

Thanks for reading Papa’s World – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Playing golf at Magnolia Greens in Leland, N.C. where Buck and Cindy live. Living life one day at a time!

Sherry – Sunset Beach, N.C. PAPA’S WORLD – HAPPY TIMES in NORTH CAROLINA WITH FRIENDS!

Papa’s World – CONGRATS JIMMY “B” – RETIRED!

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“JIMMY and PAPA” friends since 1977 – best buddies – friends – the same little town in NWPA!!!

Jimmy and I have played softball together – volleyball – golf – corporate cup competitions – family vacations – for years and years.

Friendships usually do not last that long – but this one is still ongoing – and he retired from the same company I did yesterday!

Dottie – Sherry – Cindy – Buck – Jimmy and Papa – friends all these years – neighbors – three of us worked for the same company – now all retired except Dottie who has a little over a year to go.

These friends go all the way back to 1980 – through thick and thin – NWPA and WNY – still going strong!

New years eve together for years and years – Cindy – Sherry, and Jim – starting off the end one year and the new one coming in.

Jimmy has been there since Sherry and I were married in 1982 – many vacations together with families – many times visiting each other – and soon – golfing together more often when Dottie retires.

A day on the ICW with all our friends and neighbors from back in WNY! Mike and Carol John joined us for a few days!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – A tribute to one of my best friends – JIMMY BROWN – the best is yet to come!

PAPA’S WORLD – CONGRATS ” JIMMY B. ” RETIRED!!!!

Papa’s World – attending school in Eldred Pa. – little community in the Alleghany mountains!

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One thing I learned

My very first memory of school – sitting on my grandma’s lap on the front porch –

“Grandma – when can I go to school”? I asked.

We had just watched a neighborhood boy walk past on the other side of the road –

His name was Denny and I later found out he was two years older than me!

So – I am thinking I was about four years old and I can still see him in my mind and me asking her.

The old Eldred school

I attended this old school until the fourth grade!

It was at that time – we merged with Duke Center – Rixford and Eldred to form OTTO-ELDRED.

At this time a brand new elementary school had been built right across the street from the ballpark!

I would not have to walk a mile to school in the mornings!

But – I remember that old school and my teachers and the classrooms.

The very first class was in the front and face the main street and I had Mrs. Shields.

We started off spelling the normal way – sounding out the words –

but soon after – we switched to the new way – MEMORY!

That went on for a couple years but it left me and others I know – very poor spellers.

The Alleghany River
The floodwaters of 1972

Across the main street and the railroad tracks – lays what we called THE FLATS!

And just beyond that the Alleghany River!

It seemed growing up part of life in the Spring were floods!

In 1954 or 1955 or thereabouts –

I was told not to go near the water flooded on the main street – I was maybe 6 years old.

But – I had made a raft and was sailing it on the main street – standing up and poling my way around

in about two feet of floodwater.

Unbeknown to me – a photographer from the local Bradford Era Newspaper – took my picture!

I was caught – standing on my homemade raft – poling my way around the main street –

ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE BRADFORD ERA!

But – I also shared that front page later in life with my dad!

He made a bet on the heavyweight champion of the world fight and picked

FLOYD PATTERSON – the bet – the loser would wheelbarrow the winner down Mainstreet

To Slavin’s Bar – my dad won and made that same newspaper front page being pushed by HERKY!

A WWII bomber pilot who had been shot down and made it to the allies’ lines!

The brand new Eldred Elementary School

This sits right across from the ballpark and tennis courts –

I was the first class in there in the fifth grade – Miss Cawley!

Mr. Harrington was my sixth-grade teacher and Principle!

Many games of RED ROVER RED ROVER please send ???? over!

Was played right there on that circle drive in front of the doors.

Later in life – I walked my youngest son down to those front doors and inside to enroll him in Kindergarten – and standing in the lobby with all those parents he reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a bunch of dirt and worms!

He had stopped on our walk and without me knowing – stuffed his pocket with dirt and worms!

THAT I shall always remember!

OTTO – ELDRED H.S.

We were bussed every day from the seventh grade on seven miles to school in Duke Center, Pa.

Three communities combined to have one single H.S. but each community had its own

grade schools and one township grade school.

We had to find our own way home after sports practices if we did not ride the bus.

My good buddy and I – later in H.S. road with his dad to school.

We had a science teacher called CB SAWYER – who had his own music system in his lab.

He would play up to date 45 records of music between classes all day long.

His favorite back then was PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS – “GLAD ALL OVER”

and it was everywhere in the hallways – piped through the loudspeaker system!

OTTO-ELDRED H.S.

I have always said someday I would like to go back and rewalk those halls to that blast of music!

It was across from here I watched a fight between two seniors – and I was one of a hundred people!

I still see it in my mind and they were about three years older than us.

Their names were Ron and Jim!

My senior picture

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com

My yearbook the year we graduated – June – 1967

Papa’s World – Childhood in a little town in NWPA – what it is like growing up in ELDRED!

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A small town – I knew almost everyone!
My brother-in-law Bill on the left – was the town cop – and later the mayor – many memories of him and me!

He was a very funny man and watched over me and my buddies!

State troopers were at his house at all times as he was friends with several of them.

He would let us know and made sure we were on our best behavior.

He had nicknames for everyone and he called my younger brother “JUICE”!

My younger brother Mike ( JUICE ) – always doing something – a great golfer – miss him.

He broke both arms at different times and they were crooked – but could he play golf and hit that ball!

He was a 300-yard driver back in the ’70s!

He had a one-stroke handicap –

he knocked his front tooth out by twirling a dog leash until it came around his head

and smacked that tooth!

He was riding my bike – he was too small for it and his foot slipped and he had a rupture –

He played football and basketball and went onto college and kicked field goals.

He was always doing something!

Sitting on my front porch – looking up and across the street – sat this church.

It was part of my playground growing up – but I had to be extra careful –

always look both ways before crossing the main street!

I had neighborhood friends on both sides of that North Main Street.

There were a lot of kids when I was growing up there.

A lot of memories sitting on the lawn in front of the church –

a lot of KICK THE CAN game and HIDE and SEEK were done there!

Tastee Freeze – is still there today!

We would walk some two miles to this place – they had the best soft ice cream!

We also would go and buy their burgers and fries!

Today – whenever I visit back home – we pass it and the memories after all those years come back!

The ELDRED TASTEE FREEZE – often think I should stop for old times!

Growing up in Eldred!

Growing up – I rode my bike everywhere – to the park to play baseball or football – the tennis courts and the dances that were held there –

The Town Team men’s baseball team and my dad as manager.

The carnivals in the park –

The parades and celebrations – the crowds of people and sleeping out and roaming the streets.

ELDRED was a small town where everybody knew your name!

ELDRED – SMALL TOWN USA

Thanks for reading – PAPA’S WORLD – my life as a young person – in a small town.

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Papa’s World – My world growing up and living in a little town in Pa. called Eldred!

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Northwestern Pa.

In the midst of the Alleghany hills – amongst the green and lush valleys – sits a little community-

Population – around 800 souls – and back then – I knew almost every one of them!

Eldred Pa.

The town sits on the Alleghany river which eventually flowed into Pittsburg – but – it flowed North first!

Yes – it left Pa. and flowed into NYS before flowing once again South through Pa.

It ends up in Pittsburg some three-plus hours away.

We would be considered the snow belt – some 80 miles south of Lake Erie and Buffalo N.Y.

I helped a friend of mine growing up with his paper route – his name was Brent – and we hung out.

He bought a go-cart with his money and he would let me ride on it.

He was two years older than I and eventually married my cousin.

Funny how that worked out – he graduated and I lost track of him.

The town nestled in the hills.

I would ride my bike everywhere – I had to be home each night for dinner and before the street

lights came on. Every night at 10 o’clock sharp – the siren from the firehouse would blow-

You could hear it all over the town – that was “CURFEW” for the streets –

I think no one under 18 could be out and about!

My first friend I can remember is the girl next door – her name was Sharon – and she had a big brother whom everyone called Sonny “KING” – and he dressed in a black leather motorcycle jacket and slicked his hair back like Elvis!

Sharon and I were like brother and sister – we would watch Lassie together – play on the front porch –

sneak a corncob pipe and gather silk from the corn and smoke –

puff it – in the big red barn behind the house.

We would walk to school together – and our route always was behind the main street along the tracks.

Behind the Eldred Garage and then on the tracks themselves.

Just before the creek – Lynches lived and behind their house was a tree –

like a little island raised up on a piece of land.

We would sit there and play our Kazoo’s together –

“THREE BLIND MICE”

That was all I knew how to play! LOL

She moved away and my sister and her husband moved in right next door!

Bill Luce – on the left – my brother-in-law.

Over his shoulder is the greenhouse I grew up in – my bedroom was the two windows on the second floor –

after my older brother Roger left for college.

Every morning I would wake up to the birds singing in the tree outside that window –

the Sunlight would come streaming in –

There was the main street – highway right out front –

and I would sleep and hear the sound of cars – trucks rolling by –

and then – the accidents that happen right there –

crashes would hit the cars parked there.

Some – I sept right through – others – would jolt me right out of bed.

That curb was where my best friend and I were sitting one early morning after midnight –

he was sleeping over and my parents had gone somewhere –

we got into the hootch under the sink.

My sister came out and grilled us –

“ARE YOU GUYS DRUNK”?

No I said and right at that time a car came

and the lights showed right on my friend – and he got sick –

and threw up all over the place!

” HE IS,” I said! LOL,

my sister always laughed at that and would tell the story many times over and over!

My friend and drinking buddy – lower right-hand corner!

We have reconnected about fifteen years ago at a class reunion –

he spent about a week here last October –

and we played golf once again – after some 55 years have gone by since we last played together!

My brother Roger and Sherry – a few years before he passed away – gone but not forgotten.

He was my hero growing up – ten years older than I –

named WHOS WHO in American colleges

OFFICERS TRAINING SCHOOL and a Lt. in the navy.

His bedroom became mine – when he came back I would sleep on the floor.

Thanks for reading Papa’s World – to be continued in livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – to my son – Happy birthday Troy!

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Third row down – third picture – 3rd. grade – my eldest son Troy Fitzsimmons!

Blong hair – holding my hand as we walked up the street –

every morning for those early years –

I would take him and go to my parents house –

just him and me to see his grandma.

Troy – a few years ago at my youngest sons wedding
Troy – a plaque – for his best friend – who passed away there in a four wheeler accident

Troy has always had a heart of gold – never married –

but raised children not his own.

Today they all call him – still keep in touch with him.

He is a very special man!

He can construct and build anything – a house from the ground up!

Outdoors man – hunter – kind – gentle –

and a beard – a full beard!

A man you want on your side

covering your back

but also a man who would give the shirt off his very own back!

He has heart and soul!
Today with his lady friend – Andrea – they make a wonderful pair.
A die hard Steelers fan

Wishing you my son – a happy birthday – the little guy with blond hair no more – a man all grown up – proud – my son.

” I see before me a man – a child – a son – that I cherish”

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!

Papa and Son

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Papas World – a special kind of friend – my hero.

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When you are growing up – at least in my case – you look up to someone.

That person to me was my older brother – by ten years.

My sister was 15 years older – and I really do not remember –

much of her being home – although she took care of me

those first three years of my life along with my grandma

as both my parents were working.

I was sort of the second coming of the family –

and then almost four years later – my younger brother Mike.

But the thing I remember is my older brother Roger.

He was “COOL” as they said back then –

and quite the ladies man – his nickname I later found out –

across the upper portion of his H.S. varsity jacket –

was ” Anyface” !

I was told many a story about him from his friends

and I would hang out on the fringes – when they were all around.

He had a club in our basement – in the backroom –

and he had drawn pictures of Disney cartoons on the wall

and painted them – Chip and Dale – Mickey Mouse – Donald Duck.

And they were really lifelike.

I do not know why and I think they are still there.

He would put boxing gloves on me –

and I would wail away at him or his friends

they – the gloves – were bigger than me

back then I was skinny – so much so –

my Mom would not let me take my shirt off

as she said people would think she was starving me!

Somewhere – he is looking down – that smile on his face-

When he went away to college – I moved into his front of the house room.

This was Rogers room I would think – and I was excited

for he was MY HERO!

I would ask Mom – did you get a letter? Is he going to call?

Will he be coming home?

I could not wait to see him.

And that continued even after I grew up and moved on.

I would always ask those questions of her.

When he did come back home – it was a occasion.

A celebration – dinners – laughing and story telling.

And then – the last twelve years of his life –

once again we became close – very close.

We talked at least once a week and we would go and see him.

Once he came here – and a couple times back home in Eldred Pa.

When my mom and sister were still alive.

He was my Hero in early life and continued to the day he passed.

Roger
age 75
my friend and hero

I regret that we could not spend more time together

he wanted us to move to Florida and live with him.

But – life gets in the way.

I feel good because the last four years of his life

we spent 9 weeks each Winter with him

In The Villages – Florida – doing some golf -sipping some brews –

laughing and remembering –

those were the best of times I shall always cherish

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

My brother was my hero growing up

and to the day he was gone – still was

and today I think of him often

Hero’s are rare – once in a lifetime

I was fortunate to have had him.

Thank you Roger for all the good times.

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – into our lives – FRIENDS!

/ Tom / 4 Comments
Our volleyball team after I quit playing softball – Back row – next to me – Steve and in front of him next to Sherry – Elaine. This couple are some of our oldest friends – and we still stay in touch today.

We are blessed in that we have so many dear friends.

Some – for me – go back to childhood.

Sherry – Papa – PJ – and Bob!

We have been friends since first grade – Bob and I.

We played sports together – stayed at one anothers homes.

Ran the streets after dark – drank a few beers together

and still – to this day – meet up and share old memories.

They will stop in on their way back home to N.H. in May.

HUGS TO P.J. and Bob.

Fred and Lynda – Sherry!

Freddie and I go back to 7th. grade

Playing sports together – card games – there were four of us that paled around

Freddie – Bobby and Jon ( deceased)

Lynda and Fred are the oldest couple still together as our friends.

Sherry – Buck – Cindy and Papa.

We have traveled the World together –

Spain – Gibraltar – Morocco – Canada – and numerous states on the East coast and the West coast

and in between.

Always planning new adventures.

Friends as neighbors since 1987!

Papa Jim Sherry Dottie – they have been married 40 years – and I knew them both before that – Jimmy and I played softball together for two teams in the late ’70’s!

Jim – Dottie and I all grew up in the same town in Pa. called Eldred.

Jim -Sherry and I all worked together in Olean N.Y.

It has been a long and rewarding friendship all these years.

When all the kids were young – we would vacation together at the beach.

Carol and Mike John, neighbors for 12 1/2 years in WNY!

We were neighbors and they were Buck and Cindy’s friends.

We lived beside them for 12 1/2 years

We would race our ride mowers up and down the street! LOL

We would play jokes on each other.

It was a great time in our lives and the McBrides and us left the hood

shortly after they left and moved South.

The John’s own a painting corp that travels the USA

painting various structures and energy companies pipe lines.

We will spend a long weekend with them at the lake house in WNY!

The Browns and McBrides also.

Jo Paul Peterson and Sherry

Jo graduated one year behind me

Paul graduated with Sherry from Smethport.

We got to know one another through reunions

and have traveled to their home in Phoenix and them to ours before the pandemic.

We have maintained that friendship for the last ten years or so.

Here we are at the WALL in DC.

Reflections of the soul I call this.

Gerhard and Jennie – our son in laws parents

For the last 14 years or more – we have bonded with his parents.

Always visiting them when we lived in NVA.

They have come down to visit us in North Myrtle Beach.

In laws and friends – FAMILY!

Our little group get together to golf.

There are times we try to bring us all together to golf.

Wish it would happen more often.

But when it does – it is fun and guys vs. gals!

If we are not on our game – they will beat us! LOL

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!

Sherry’s FAMILY & FRIENDS of Juice Plus. Her network marketing business – http://www.sf.juiceplus.com SSC QMND

My site : PAPA’S WORLD My blog: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog My Email fitztdf@aol.com

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Thank you – HGD!

Papas World – Growing up in a little town – my family.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

We did not know that we did not have much!

We never talked about it – we had a black and white TV.

We had numerous cars – first one I remember was when we

brought my baby brother home from the hospital in 1954?

It was a green color and I remember being in the back seat

The upholstery was a fuzzy feeling

and Mom was in the front with Mike and dad driving.


We had the old rotary phone on the wall by the steps to the celler.

Back at that time – it was a “PARTY LINE”!

And you called the operator and gave her I think three numbers.

Then it changed and we got our own number

to which I still know to this day!

And next door my sister lived and I know that number today!

I remember riding with my father and little brother

Across the state line to NY State and to Portville

some maybe 8 miles away.

To a place called “WILSON’S FRUIT STAND”!

It was a treat for us as we always got something

maybe a apple or orange

And my dad always bought a case of Carling’s Black Label

once a week!

Mom and dad drank beer –

There was a group of friends

The Framptons up the street – the West’s out on the South of town

The Howells also on the South of town.

The Petruzzi’s – ( sp ) who was my dads best friend Elmer and Angie.

The Marones – they all bowled together – played cards

and went for vacations to fish in the far North of Canada.

That was before I was old enough to go

and then my little brother came along

But I saw the pictures – my older brother – not my sister –

I do not know why she did not go?

But – my brother was friends with Ron and his father and mother

Elmer and Angie and they remained friends until he passed away

four years ago.

We have our friends today just as they did.

We never had a color TV until 1968 – after I was gone.

I actually had roller skates for a long time before

I got my first bike – a Western Flyer

Then I was off to the park and all points of the town.

My mom was small – maybe 5’2″

and my dad just shy of 6’0

Back then that was tall.

But she ruled the roost so to speak.

We did not have much – no spending money as kids.

My older brother worked and my sister baby sit.

But – I did not know what I did not know.

My memories are good ones.

I remember the very first time I heard

” I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND”

It was the H.S. cafe and a childhood friend

from when I was perhaps 10 or 11

came into the cafe singing this song as he got in line.

But that is another story for another time

We did not have much in growing up

But I retained a load of memories rich in thought!

Thank you for reading Papa’ World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – my life – memories – for my family.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

All my life I have chosen to listen – to observe –

and take it all in – trying to see all sides.

My sister was a master at this!

My older brother often would listen

then in a very thoughtful way – comment.

I have tried to emulate both.

My mother Mary

Small in stature she was – but ruled with a iron will!

She was almost 98 years old when she passed away.

She had outlived her husband and second husband –

One of my brothers and my sister and brother in law

whom both lived right next door and took care of her.

She was a excellent cook as was my dad.

She was known for her baking bread – rolls and pies

all over town.

Often sending them to the doctor or other people in town.

My father every Friday night – we were Catholic –

No meat – would fry at the table on a electric grill –

Salmon patties – pan cakes and his favorite –

oyster soup! ( NOT MINE)

My father was a hunter – fisherman – sportsman.

He also graduated from High School in his Sophomore year

But My grandfather – who taught school for over 50 years

made him take his junior and senior years over again.

Saying he was too young to continue on!

They instilled in me what you read here.

I was like a second family to come along.

My sister was 15 years older and my brother 10 years old

when I was born.

Then along came my younger brother some 4 1/2 years later.

My dad passed at age 59.

But what I remember was that she was quiet – smiling –

but he always listened to her

and I most certainly did also.

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World -when I was young – growing up Eldred

/ Tom / 1 Comment

My childhood was spent in the early years

on the side yard – backyard

and some close neighborhood yards.

There were Four apple trees

spaced out in those yards.

Two were crab apples

And two the most tasty Yellow Apples!

GOOD MORNING!

The crab apples were good for throwing –

many a train box car I pitched them at.

But those Yellow apples –

Just to sit down and eat – and gather for my Mom

to make one of her apple pies!

There were honey bees all over the ones on the ground.

And both trees stood side by side in a neighbors yard.

Behind old Mr. Dennings house ( might have been Dennis)

And the other in the Winsor’s back yard.

We played kick the can in those backyards –

four plus yards in total.

This was on North main street in Eldred Pa.

The railroad track bordered the one side-

The other side had the houses then the sidewalk and the main street!

We played early morning to dusk –

we had a lot of kids from North Main Street.

Both sides of the street.

Anyone time there would be 7 to 15 kids.

Both boys and girls.

We had a two story farm barn in our back yard.

My brother and his friends made a basketball court upstairs.

Just one basket – or might have been two?

But it had wood planks for the floor.

My dad has fish heads nailed to the front

from all the Pike and Walleye he caught in Canada.

We ran about all the time

I really do not remember anyone watching us like we do today with kids.

We hit the house to eat and then we were outside.

Winter and Summer.

I can remembering gathering corn silk

and putting it into a pipe

There was a window on that second floor of that old barn

And I would try to light it – it was not dry! LOL

Once I got my bike
then I was at the park all day!

I never realy got into smoking until I was maybe 22!

And then – I did not inhale!

It was a staus thing I think –

The guys I worked second shift with smoked and chewed!

I only would smoke at work and a little bit at home.

And a pack would last me a couple days!

I quit when we got married – I think I was 32!

I would walk those tracks downtown and to the swinging bridge.

It was on the other side of the tracks just beyond

The Whitehawk Beef Company’

It spanned a small creek – Barden Brook – that flowed into the river.

It was held up by steel cables

and we would get on it and start jumping up and down

It would bounce and then you sort of caused it to sway

back and forth.

Hence we called it the Swinging Bridge.

This is but a short part of my childhood

one I think back to.

One that has a lot of great memories and people.

Sherry and Tom

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

Where friends meet the family!

livinglifedoingitmyway.blog