BACK WHEN                         

    I saw the boy of yesterday                           
    Gone these many years                          
    As I reach the 80th candle                           
    I find that boy is me.   
        Chute   

    The memories of a boy are not lost, just locked away until some unexpected event unlocks the portion
    of the brain where each adventure is stored, and presents a vivid picture, with a clarity, as though it
    happened yesterday.       

    White City, a grouping of thirty-nine white houses built on one very large hill, was to a young boy, our
    town. We would go to the Community House in Hopedale for Saturday morning movies, and watch
    Our Gang with Spanky & Alfalfa. The 30s were trying times for parents, but for kids they were the days
    of Cowboys and Indians, Tarzan, the Bowery Boys and other heroes to emulate.

    Fishing for horned pout on Hopedale Pond with an eight foot bamboo pole was a fun time. Rearing
    back on the pole you could sling that fish fifteen feet into the air and then crash it soundly to the
    ground. Great sport!      Fonzie Calzolaio and I were late arrivals to Park Street School one morning,
    and upon hearing the second bell, decided we didn't need school that day. Unfortunately a neighbor
    called the police and the truants were escorted to the town hall, where to our surprise we were led by
    the collars to the basement, and to our horror were shoved against the bars of a jail cell. Chief Malloy
    jerked us back shouting "Look out for the RAT!" Although I didn't see it I am sure it was as big as a
    rabbit.           

    One of our fun games was "King of the Hill". Usually won by the biggest kid, but a good battle made
    the bruises worthwhile. In 1937 while playing this game one of the kids pointed toward Milford and
    shouted for us to look. Heading in our direction was a large airship that turned left when it reached
    Route 140. This long, cigar shaped vehicle, was then headed south to its tragic final landing in New
    Jersey.            

    Thanks for bringing back those wonderful adventure filled days.  Shuffling along on "paper ice" would
    cause the thin ice to dip down and form cracks while still sustaining us. This game was played on our
    favorite frog ponds, of which there were four. When it was time to head home Ken Negrotti decided on
    one last shuffle across. We heard a shout for help and turned to see him up to his neck in ice cold
    water. Dino Bracci ran back and helped out, while the rest of us unashamedly had a good laugh.           

    So much more. Memories are the treasures that keep us going. Working a milk route with Kenny
    Evers, the 38 Hurricane, the snow storm that kept us out of school for a week.  

    Thanks again,       
             John Chute

                       
Hermina Chicanowicz Marcus's  White City Memories               Memories Menu          

                 
South Hopedale Menu              Bright Oak Club and Italian Club               Draper Menu      

                         New Houses (2004) in the White City area                                           
HOME   

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John Chute

White City Memories

    White City was the name of the section of small Draper houses built on the south
    side of Route 16 near the Mendon town line. During the Draper years, all of the
    houses were painted white.The two pictures above were taken on June 27, 1923.

    Google Earth 2013 view of White City. (Hill Street and Cross Street.) Houses
    to the right of where it says Mendon Street were built c. 2004  - 2006.

    From the 1982 USGS topo. That's why the
    newer streets and houses aren't there.