To Me, Poles Are ‘Fancy People’
Walking Back into My Childhood In preparation for the PBS, “Our Town” focus on West Warwick, to be aired in the fall, West Warwick native and author, Colleen Kelly Mellor, writes of her memories of childhood, growing up in this town, in the 40’s through early 60’s… To Me, Poles Are ‘Fancy People’ From the…
My Personal Invitation to You
My stories are ones that will echo your own memories—all the more if you were raised in a milltown in Rhode Island. If you weren’t one of those fortunate ones (I say with a wink), perhaps my stories will reflect your experiences of being raised in the 40’s through early 60’s. This past Saturday,…
Father Augustine F. Burns
In the 50‘s and 60’s, parish priests held powerful sway. And none was more powerful than St. Mary’s Pastor—Father Augustine F. Burns. Rotund and rubicund, with a bulbous nose, Father took to the pulpit, each Sunday, to pound the lectern, enjoining parishioners to ‘give more’ to the church, suggesting their souls might be at risk….
The Sewers (Garment Makers)
“Ouch!” I’d hear as the needle hit their finger. It was the only human sound I heard from that section of the Oresman Bros. Christmas Factory, muffled as it was by the whirr of sewing machines. The sewer stopped, bandaged up, and went on. There was no more focused individuals in the mill than the…
West Warwick-ites—Please, Get Me Names….
Hello West Warwick-ites! I am excited to take part in PBS’s “Our Town” segment, about our hometown—West Warwick. As a writer, I intend to shine a spotlight on exceptional people, sort of like CNN Heroes–those who have achieved in high profile careers, like judges?…movie stars?…entrepreneurs?..or people who’ve met incredible challenges in life. Or they’re just…
Dance Night at West Warwick Jr. High
With Brylcream-slicked hair and Mom-pressed shirts, the boys stood against the auditorium wall, as if they were about to be shot by a firing squad. In a metaphorical way, they were. Soldiers each, they were about to embark on the most damnable mission of their young lives…crossing the wide oak floor, to ask one of…
