Archived Topics
Sledding
Posted By: rd <artattic@crosslink.net>
Date: Wednesday, 5 December 2001, at 5:22 p.m.
Back in the 40's and maybe early 50's the city use to allow the kids to sled on Summit St from Bellevue all the way to Jackson St. At Jackson St they had huge sand area to keep from running into Jackson St. Sledding at night and Sat's was great!!
Posted By: Ernie Gesner <egesner@aol.com>
Date: Thursday, 6 December 2001, at 8:25 a.m.
In Response To: Sledding (rd)
RD There was a lot of sledding on Windham St. during the 40s from Prospect St. to just above Main St. I don't know if it was sanctioned by the City or not but Jackie Connell was always the fastest of all the sledders to sled there.
1 post missing
Posted By: rd <lancva@crosslink.net>
Date: Thursday, 6 December 2001, at 1:48 p.m.
In Response To: Re: Sledding (Ernie Gesner)
I use to live next door to the Lutheran Church on the corner of Oak and Summit--so I was out there a lot during the winter. Some of the guys in the neighborhood at the time were Arnold Hanna; Jim Murray; Bob Bergeron; Mike & Maurice Shea; Larry & Bill Buckley. Don't know if you knew any of them?
Posted By: Ron D
Date: Thursday, 6 December 2001, at 5:43 p.m.
In Response To: Re: Sledding (rd)
There is a steep hill between the two little league fields at the Legion Fields. I remember that it could be a little tought getting back up.
Posted By: William Brainard <wbrainard@juno.com>
Date: Thursday, 6 December 2001, at 11:04 p.m.
In Response To: Sledding (rd)
Shortly before he died, my father wrote about sledding in South Coventry Village in the 1930s. It appeared in the Dec. 1993 issue of the Coventry Historical Society's newsletter, "Signpost", edited by the late Dorothy Wilmot. The sledders gathered on top of Manning Hill (now Rt. 31) east of St. Mary's Church. He said the ride was superb because the state trucks hadn't been out to sand and it was trecherously icy. With speeds of 40-50 mph, the sledders rounded Carmen Hill where the suture factory is. Whizzing past Booth Dimock Library, the sledding party ended their trek down near Depot Road, a good three miles from their beginning.
Posted By: a
Date: Friday, 7 December 2001, at 8:36 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Sledding (William Brainard)
WASN'T THERE ALSO BOXCAR RACING ON HIGH OR WINDHAM STREETS AT ONE OF THE HOLIDAYS OR ONE RACE IN THE SUMMER?
Posted By: Robert Thompson <THOMPSON.ROBERT@TUCSON.VA.GOV>
Date: Friday, 7 December 2001, at 10:12 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Sledding (a)
I remember sledding on Jackson St mostly from the corner of Union & Jackson St. One event still stands in my mine. A friend & myself were sliding in front of Blair's store on Jackson St one night & we hit a patch that was dry. My friend fell off his sled & acting like he was dead. Mrs. Blair & her one daughter came running out & they had me convinced that I had killed my friend. Several hours later they told me he was dead. They were just trying to teach me a leason. They made their point we me, I was scared out my mind, almost had an accident with my pants. That's how bad they made be feel. Didn't see much of friend after that, I do remember his first name was James. We lost track of one another half we graduated from Natchaugh(?) school. My former teachers would kill me if they could see that I can't even spell the name of my school.
Posted By: Scorpio <Scorpio@threadcity.com>
Date: Friday, 7 December 2001, at 1:51 p.m.
In Response To: Re: Sledding (a)
It was "Soap Box Derby Day" on the Windham Street Hill. It initially, but not always, coincided with the Memorial Day Holiday if I remember correctly. It became a local stand-alone event if my memory serves me as I expect it should! But, that was long ago.
Posted By: Ernie Gesner <egesner@aol.com>
Date: Wednesday, 19 December 2001, at 6:27 p.m.
In Response To: Re: Sledding (Scorpio)
Does the City still flood one of the baseball diamonds at Recreation Park during the winter? It was a great place to skate.
Posted By: rd <lancva@crosslink.net>
Date: Thursday, 20 December 2001, at 12:26 p.m.
In Response To: Re: Sledding (Ernie Gesner)
Don't know but I do remember skating there at night. A friend of mine fell in where the water drained on the far side. We use to skate on Columbia Lake once in while. Remember one time we held a army blanket between us and almost sailed across the lake.
Posted By: Ilene Sirovich Ordower <ilene44@bellsouth.net>
Date: Saturday, 26 January 2002, at 10:07 p.m.
In Response To: Re: Sledding (Ernie Gesner)
One of the happiest memories of my life was ice-skating at Recreation Park in the 50's. That was just great. With that little shack with a pot belly stove in it to warm up. Will never forget that.