1954, Darien, CT
One day on Walmsley, when I had been out, I came in to hear an unusual scurrying in the new left bedroom. When I went up to check, Doug and Dan, age about 8 and 6 looked guiltily and when I asked what was up, they sheepishly produced a collection of miniature cars. When I heard their explanation we packed the cars in a box and marched over to Stolers. Bill met me at the door and I explained what had happened. He immediately took over – scolded the boys about their home and parents and required them to sort through Sunday papers to make it up. And I left it up to them to honor their sentence. And so they did so well that when they had finished their sentences – they were hired for quite some time.
Lisbeth Leonard
Southbury, CT 2011
Peggy Ann
At about the start of the 19th Century, the Creelmans emigrated from Canada to Southern Minnesota. The sister of my grandfather settled in Florida where she bought some property. In 1920, since she was a maiden lady with no children, she decided to sell some of the property and buy an expensive mechanical doll to give to Betty Jean, Ray and Christy Skipton’s 5 year old daughter.
The doll was about the size of a 2 year old with the mechanism hidden in the body of the doll with four cylindrical records, a windup crank on the outside of the doll and a speaker hidden in the chest. We named her Peggy Ann. One of the records I remember the words were:
“Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my sould to keep
If I should die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take
God bless Momma, Papa and me. AmmmmMen”
In 1929 we moved from Minnesota to VA, MD, CT and finishing at Walmsley Road and hollow Tree Ridge Road, Darien. When all the children had gone off to college, the doll resided in an upstairs bedroom in a long discarded crib. When the great-grandchildren were not impressed with it and its record player had fallen into disrepair, I decided to part with it. The means and distribution I can’t remember. But the long cherished memory of childhood died. SO BE IT!
Lisbeth Leonard
Southbury, CT 2011
3 Dreams Fulfilled
Many years ago in casual conversation with my eldest granddaughter, I mentioned that tho I had lived 40 years quite near to NYC, I had had 3 dreams I had never been able to consummate. Tho I had been to NC many times beginning in high school when I took a one day trip with the Girl Reserves beginning at 11:00pm Saturday and back home Sunday 11:30 – sleeping when we able on the train both ways. The trip included an elevated train ride from Liberty Station to “Little Church Around the Corner” 29th Street and 5th Ave. where we celebrated service. Then a walk to Empire State Building and a visit to observation tower. The many rides thru NYC via Riverside Drive and upper Broadway, Grant’s Tomb and Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. Lunch at “Susan Palmer’s Tea Room” on W. 49th Street. “Magic Key” broadcast at NBC at Rockefeller Center. Much window shopping – “Special Treat” at Schraff’s – more walking to 42nd and 7th Ave. where we took the ferry to Jersey City – Supper on train – long train ride home.
Also made later trips to the museums, opera, Broadway shows and high tea at the World Trade Center at Windows On The World with my English cousin.
So you can see I did everything except my dreams.
One Day fairly recently I had a phone call from Allison to be ready for the “Trip”.
First
after the requisite trip by train from Darien to NYC.
Then a carriage ride thru Central Park to the clip clop of horses hooves.
A beautiful luncheon with all the trimmings at Tavern On The Green (which no longer exists).
Lastly
we walked the Brooklyn Bridge all the way, resting at welcome benches along the way and under the watchful eye of Allison for her 85 year old Grandmother.
Who says dreams never come true?
Lisbeth Leonerd
Southbury, CT 2011
