The Longmeadow News Remembered

The first issue (Vol.1/ No. 1) of the Longmeadow News was published on August 20, 1969 and the last issue was published on February 20, 2020- a legacy of 50+ years of publication.

Vol.  1, No. 1- August 20, 1969

The Longmeadow News was first published in East Longmeadow, MA and then moved to Westfield, MA.  The community newspaper initially focused upon the "News of the Longmeadows" including both Longmeadow and East Longmeadow but later moved to primarily report the community news for the town of Longmeadow.

With the arrival of the Internet in the late 1990's and social media including Facebook shortly thereafter, the fortunes of this weekly newspaper slowly diminished while still fulfilling its mission of reporting local news.  Wedding/ birth announcements, obituaries, local event coverage, community calendar, letters to the editor, etc. were only a portion of the content that could be found in each weekly edition.  Local advertisers and mail subscriptions provided a revenue source to pay for its publication and the salaries of a few dedicated reporters.

Here are few of the business ads that appeared in the early editions of the Longmeadow News- all of which are no longer in business.

Storrs Library has initiated a project with Digital Commonwealth/ Boston Public Library to digitally scan the 50+ years of the Longmeadow News.  The project is still underway but when it is completed, people will be able to conduct online full text searches to find articles of local interest.

Our family was a 35+ year mail subscriber of the Longmeadow News and we welcomed each issue as a source of what was happening in our town.  We miss the many articles, letters to the editor and other features made possible by dedicated reporters including most recently Dale Oleksak, Hope Tremblay, Jeff Hanouille and Chris Maza.

~Guest column written by Jim Moran

Jackson V. Scholz- A Member of 3 Olympic Teams

Jackson "Jack" Scholz
Courtesy of University of Missouri
"Mizzou Magazine"

In the 1920's Longmeadow, MA and Springfield, MA area residents followed the accomplishments of the Olympic athlete Jackson "Jack" V. Scholz.  He had been a Track star at the University of Missouri graduating in 1920.  That same year his parents had relocated to Springfield, MA from the state of Missouri.  His father, Dr. Samuel B. Scholz, Jr., began his new position as the Medical Director of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. in Springfield.  At first, his parents lived at The Oaks Hotel in the city.  A year later in 1921 they purchased a home at 37 Hopkins Place in Longmeadow, MA. 

Jackson Scholz became well known throughout the United States, because he was a member of the 1920 Olympic Track Team that competed in Antwerp, Belgium.  He had been a "sprint king" while running and excelling in Track at the University of Missouri where he had also earned his degree in Journalism.  His next accomplishment was joining the Olympic Track Team after graduating from college.  At the 1920 Olympics Jackson Scholz and his three sprinter teammates ran the 4 person 400 meter relay- winning a Gold Medal.  At the Olympics that August they also broke the World Record that was set for this event in 1912.  The Longmeadow/ Springfield area residents were very proud of this young man!

(Click to enlarge)

1920 Olympics
400 Meter Relay Team
Arizona daily orb
Sept. 23, 1920

Jackson went on and competed in the 1924 Olympics.

Source: Springfield Republican
Jun 22, 1924

This young man earned a Gold Medal in the 200 meter event in France.  He also won a Silver Medal in the 100 meter event at the Olympics that year.  Longmeadow, the Springfield area and the United States followed his accomplishments.

When coming back to this area to visit his parents, Jackson donated his time and his talent to other sprinters on the Springfield College Varsity Track Team. He would attend their practices and give pointers to the young athletes.

In 1926 his parents moved to 73 Farmington Avenue.  He was the guest speaker at the Longmeadow Men's Club dinner meeting in February of 1928 where members of the club brought their sons to the "Father and Son" event.  It was held at the Longmeadow Community House.  That year in 1928 he once again earned a place on the United States Olympic Team. 

Source:  Springfield Union
October 30, 1986

Jackson V. Scholz competed in the finals in three different Olympics.  They were 1920, 1924 and 1928.  

His parents, Dr. and Mrs. Scholz, Jr., moved from this area in the early 1930's when Dr. Scholz became the Medical Director of the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company.  It had been an exciting time for Longmeadow/ Springfield area residents to have the opportunity to meet and to know the Olympic Track star.  

While training for the Olympics, Jackson also wrote short stories.  He had earned his degree in Journalism, so this talented sprinter continued writing after his Olympic career ended.   He authored many books for young readers.  Some of his many books included Batter Up and  Fielder From  Nowhere that were stories about baseball.  End Zone was a story about football.               

The 1981 Academy Award winning movie "Chariots of Fire" was set during the 1924 Olympics.  The actor Brad Davis portrayed Jackson V. Scholz in this movie.     

Sources:  Springfield Republican- Dec 25, 1920; Oct 20, 1921; Oct 22, 1921; May 8, 1934; "Mizzou Magazine"- May 22, 2020 and Boston Herald- Aug 23, 1920.

~Written by Judy Moran          

Longmeadow Begins New 20th c. Mail Deliveries

Cornelius J. Shine
Longmeadow, MA Mail Carrier
courtesy of Longmeadow Historical Society

The first week in July of 1915 brought a change in mail delivery to residents of Longmeadow, MA!  In fact the change began on July 1, 1915.  Cornelius J. Shine, the dedicated mail carrier for the town of Longmeadow for thirteen years, had used a horse and cart while making his deliveries.  That all changed that summer in 1915.  He was given an annual allowance from the Government to buy and to operate a car that would be used to deliver mail.  The allowance was in addition to his regular salary. It was believed that 2 to 2 and 1/2 hours would be saved on delivery service. This new method of delivering the mail later became known as the "motor truck division". 

The Longmeadow community had grown since Mr. Shine began delivering the mail in 1902. New streets were located off of Longmeadow Street. A mail carrier was needed to walk down the densely populated streets to deliver the mail to every house. Before 1915 Mr. Shine had an assistant to help cover his mail delivery route. 

Starting July 1, 1915 the 5 passenger automobile that was used for delivering the mail had two passengers, Mr. Shine and his assistant. The motorized vehicle was also loaded with mail and parcel post.  

This system worked very well- as long as the weather co-operated. Cornelius Shine and his family were Longmeadow residents in 1915, living at the corner of Longmeadow Street and Lawnwood Avenue. The December 1915 Blizzard halted transportation, food deliveries and mail service everywhere on the East Coast. The trolleys did not run. It was reported in the Dec. 14, 1915 issue of the Springfield Daily News that the Longmeadow mail carrier was snowed in and did not report for work that day. In order to deliver the mail two substitute mailmen from Springfield used a sleigh and made the Longmeadow deliveries.

Mail service had arrived to the 20th century and used motorized vehicles, but sometimes "Mother Nature" interrupted the flow.             

Sources:  Springfield Republican- June 23, 1915; June 30, 1915; Oct 2, 1935; Springfield Daily News- Dec. 14, 1915; Springfield Union- July 1, 1915 and 1915 Longmeadow Street Directory. 

~Written by Judy Moran 

Memorial Day- May 30, 1922

The Memorial Boulder
Location: Longmeadow, MA Town Green
(click photo to enlarge)

Memorial Day, May 30, 1922, was a very special day!  The Memorial Boulder located on the Town Green in Longmeadow, MA was unveiled and dedicated during the morning ceremony.  The 16 ton granite boulder had been donated to Longmeadow by Mrs. Joseph Wesson with the aid of her son-in-law Flynt Lincoln.  The origin of this large boulder was the Wesson Estate in Palmer, MA.  A bronze plaque on the boulder displayed the names of Longmeadow, MA residents who had served in all wars up to and including WWI.  For more information click here to visit last year's post.

Following a parade earlier that morning, the ceremony on Longmeadow's Town Green was very well attended by town residents, residents of surrounding communities and distinguished guests.  Area American Legion Posts were invited and attended.  During the ceremony the chairman of the Board of Selectman, John G. Maxfield, accepted the Memorial Boulder for the town.  It was unveiled by two children- Thomas Francis Cordis and Sallie Wesson.  There were many special speeches that day.  Maj.Gen. Clarence R. Edwards was the invited special guest who gave the dedication speech. He had been the commander of the 26th (Yankee) Division in France in the "World war" (WWI).

In his speech Maj.Gen. Edwards spoke of the bravery of the men who had served to protect their lands and their families.  He was proud that he was related to one of these men.  That individual was Lieutenant Nathaniel Burt (1711- 1755).  Lieutenant Burt had lost his life at Lake George on Sept. 8, 1755.  His name is the first name inscribed on the Memorial Boulder's bronze plaque.  Following the dedication ceremony on the Town Green everyone walked over to the Longmeadow Cemetery on Williams Street.   There, Maj.Gen. Edwards proudly placed a wreath of white carnations and pink snapdragons on the grave of his maternal ancestor.  

Following this, a procession through the cemetery was led by members of Longmeadow's Albert T. Wood American Legion Post and members of the Longmeadow Historical Society, so other deceased war Veterans could be honored and all of the graves of war Veterans could be decorated.  Attendees walked back to the Town Green for the historical address given by Rev. Henry Lincoln Bailey, former Minister of The First Church in Longmeadow.  

May 30, 1922 was a day that Longmeadow residents and area guests would remember for so many years to come.  Today is the 100th anniversary of that date!  The day the Memorial Boulder on the Longmeadow Town Green was dedicated!

Additional interesting information: Lieutenant Nathaniel Burt's widow, Sarah Chapin Burt was the second wife of Rev. Stephen Williams, Longmeadow's first Minister of The First Church.      

Sources:  Proceedings at the Centennial Celebration- published 1884, Springfield Republican- May 28, 1922 and May 31, 1922 and Through the Lens Longmeadow Into the New Century 1890- 1920 by Judy and Jim Moran.

~Written by Judy Moran                       

Old House on the Green

Courtesy of
Longmeadow Historical Society

Mother's Day has been celebrated for many years in our country!  In our beautiful town of Longmeadow, MA there was a restaurant located on the Town Green where families could enjoy a special dinner on the special day set aside to honor mothers.  The Old House on the Green was located at 797 Longmeadow Street.  George E. and Margaret Adams had purchased the house at this address in 1921 and moved with their family from Springfield, MA.  The house had been built for Justin Colton, ca. 1833 (perhaps earlier).  Justin Colton's granddaughter, Miss Elsie Hatstat and other heirs sold this home to Mr. and Mrs. Adams.

797 Longmeadow Street in 1909
from the Emerson Collection
Longmeadow Historical Society

On October 11, 1940 Mr. and Mrs. Adams opened their home to visitors during specific hours and the next day guests with reservations could enjoy dinner at their establishment.  For many years organizations from surrounding areas enjoyed luncheons and dinners here.  The private home located at 797 Longmeadow Street became a guest house and a tea room.  The name was the Old House on the Green.

Bridal showers, wedding receptions, anniversary parties and annual banquets were celebrated at this charming destination.  Advertisements appeared in our local newspapers.

Source:  Springfield Republican
Sept. 16, 1945

In 1953 advertisements for Mother's Day reservations were found in the Springfield Union newspaper.
                

Source:  Springfield Union
May 3, 1953

The 1950 U.S. Federal Census lists this business that Mr. and Mrs. Adams owned as a "Tea Room".   An undated Luncheon and an undated Dinner menu can be viewed.

(Click to enlarge.)
Menu- undated
Courtesy of Longmeadow Historical Society

In October of 1958 Mr. and Mrs. Adams celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.  During that month and that year they also closed their destination restaurant.  Over the years the Old House on the Green had become a treasured dining experience for so many guests.  That dining destination became a wonderful memory for so many people in our area.

Some additional background information- George Adams did have insight into running a restaurant.  In 1899 his father Leroy Adams and his uncle Edward C. Crosby had purchased the Brooks House in Brattleboro, Vermont.  The Brooks House was well known in the Brattleboro area.  Leroy Adams sold his share of this establishment in 1907 and then spent part of his time in Springfield, MA.  He became the president of The Springfield Flour and Grain Company located on Liberty Street in Springfield, MA.  His son George E. Adams was the secretary and the treasurer of the company.

Sources:  1909 Springfield, MA City Directory; 1920 U.S. Federal Census; 1950 U.S. Federal Census; Springfield Republican-  Feb. 5, 1910; Oct. 31, 1921; Oct. 11, 1940; Springfield Union- Nov. 9, 1958 and Massachusetts Historical Commission- 797 Longmeadow Street written by Peter Santos. 

~Judy Moran

Meadowview Greenhouses

Meadowview Greenhouses
Rear 734 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA
Source: Springfield Republican
April 2, 1939

Flowers have been enjoyed on Easter Sunday for decades.  Easter Lilies and Potted Plants decorate homes and churches.  Perhaps not so much these current days, but many years ago women and girls happily and proudly wore an Easter Corsage pinned to their coat, jacket, blouse or dress.  It added that extra touch of beauty to their "Easter outfit".

The flowers were purchased from a florist.  Here in Longmeadow, MA there was a local florist.  Meadowview Greenhouses was located at the rear of 734 Longmeadow Street.  An advertisement in the Springfield Republican for this business was printed on April 2, 1939.  It was one week before Easter Sunday.  Easter Sunday that year was on April 7, 1939.  Mary Ida Young Denault was the owner of this business.

Source:
Report of the Planning Board
1939 Longmeadow, MA Town Report

In 1939 Mrs. Mary Ida Young Denault had been granted special permission by the Longmeadow Town Planning Board to construct a greenhouse on her property.  We recognize this address of 734 Longmeadow Street as the location of the beautiful Wolcott-Brewer-Young Mansion on the Longmeadow Town Green.     

~Written by Judy Moran         

Ninety Years Ago

Photo of St. Mary's Church
July 1976
Source: Seed Sown on Good Ground
A History of St. Mary's Parish
Longmeadow, Massachusetts
by Sister Mary H. Murray, S.S.J., Ph.D. 

The newly built St. Mary's Catholic Church was located on the corner of Longmeadow Street and Bliss Road. On December 31, 1931 parishioners were getting ready to attend the first Mass that would be celebrated.  It was Midnight Mass.  

On this day ninety years ago today, the first wedding in this Gothic style church took place.  The date was April 4, 1932.  Elias Andrew Baudin and Ethel Betty Miller were married by the Pastor,  Rev. John J. Rogers. 

Source:  Springfield Republican
April 6, 1932

There were other marriages that took place that year in St. Mary's Church.  Theresa Guidette lived on Maple Road in Longmeadow.  She and Francis Cuglietti of Thompsonville, CT were married on June 25, 1932. 

Source:  Springfield Republican
June 22, 1932

That year, a few months apart two sisters married their spouses.  Both young women were born in Ireland and had immigrated to the United States.  Beven Sears married Joseph E. Dwyer of Boston, MA on August 3, 1932.  

Source: Springfield Republican
Aug. 3, 1932

Her sister Anna Ita Sears married Francis M. Kennedy of Springfield, MA on November 10 that same year.  

 
Source: Springfield Republican
Nov. 9, 1932

 
Both times after each sister was married the newly married couple and their guests traveled to Springfield, MA for a wedding breakfast/ reception.  The receptions took place at the Hotel Clinton.  Before their marriages both young women made their home with their brother-in-law and their sister Mr. and Mrs. John (Nora Sears) Landers on Colton Place.          

1932 was the first year that marriages were celebrated in this new beautiful Catholic Church and these are just a few of them.  Since that date so many more couples have been married at this location at the corner of Longmeadow Street and Bliss Road.

Additional Sources: 1932 Longmeadow, Massachusetts Town Report- Marriage Records, Springfield Republican- April 6, 1932, June 22, 1932, Aug 03, 1932 and Nov 09, 1932. 

~Judy Moran