Bristol Tramps Celebrating 50 Years Together In September

By Bob Montgomery, The Bristol Press

August 19, 2021

The 50th anniversary of the Bristol Tramps annual dinner will be held on Sept. 10, 2021, at the Aqua Turf Club. Tickets are still available. Contact any other Tramps Committee member as the deadline is drawing closer.

They are Maryellen Holden, Kathleen Archibald, Ryan Broderick, Chris D’Amato, Donna Papazian, John Lodovico, Beth Lafferty, Bob Montgomery, Carolyn Ziogas, Lance Chase, Dave Greenleaf, Tony Carrier, Frank Owsianko, Dan Valerio, Gary Fleming, Byron Pierce, Joe Tavera, Mickie Letendre, Lance Pepper, Sean Moore or Larry McDonnell.

Corner Grocery Stores

Monday’s “Primetime” column was a remembrance of corner grocery stores and it was originally sent to me anonymously. However, Bernice Aldieri informed me the other day that she wrote the piece. Anyway, I’ve received some comments on the topic

Mike Bogaziz sent me an email informing me there was a fellow by the name of Tommy who drove in his area of Jacobs Street and I’m sure elsewhere in a traveling blue school bus that he operated as a mini store. Mike recalls buying ice cream from the man when he was in the neighborhood, maybe once or twice a week. Does anyone know Tommy’s last name?

Sixth Street Notables

Judi Mielniczuk sent me an email saying that her father, Edward, and brothers, Joseph, Chester and William, and a sister grew up on Sixth Street. She added that also growing up there was Sam Shular, who would eventually run Shular’s Market on the corner of Holden and Sixth streets. Another notable raised on Sixth was Congressman Bernard Grabowski.

Frederick Reimer

Frederick writes:

“On Federal Hill, Rock’s and Modern Frug were two places. I went often during recess and lunchtime at Patterson School. Many good memories.

“After we moved to Jerome Avenue, I often went to Sam Myerson’s drug store for a cold root beer after playing ball at the many places where we were able to get a game together. These drug stores were the early blueprints for today’s more modern, more corporate CVS and Walgreens.”

Tim Gamache

Tim told me that Sam Shuler talked him into being a lector at St. Matthew’s Church. Sam told him he had the voice for it

“Great memories of Sam,” Tim writes.

Tom Peterson

Tom would be sent to Joe Brown’s at the top of Mellon Street on Prospect Street during World War II when his family needed something. He usually took a bag of paper bags with him, because during the war there weren’t many available.

“My reward was penny candy,” Tom writes.

There was also Valentine’s on Harrison Street, where he would go for hamburger meat. He’s not sure of what the payment was, but recalls eating some of the way back home. “Great days,” he writes.

Tom Keddy

Tom recalls the Washington Superette on West Washington Street. During the school year the doors opened around 8:25 in the morning for kids going to school to purchase recess snacks.

Contact Bob Montgomery at bmontgomery@bristolpress.com or by calling 860-583-5132