Market at 10th and Parade Streets

When we were kids we always went grocery shopping with mom and dad on Friday evenings. It was a popular time to shop as the store was always crowded. I remember that the floor in the store was just bare concrete, and that it wasn't level. As soon as we arrived at the store mom would tell Tommy and me to go and pick out our cereal. This took a fair amount of time as we had to look at the back of the boxes to see what would be interesting to look at when we ate breakfast. When we made our selection we'd find mom and put our cereal in the cart. Then it was time to wander around the isles and play. I don't remember what we played, but we didn't get too rambunctious as no one ever said anything to us. At that time the store was known as Loblaw.

One time I remember mom giving the man in the meat department a can of cooking grease that she had saved. I think people did this during WWII.

I remember mom saying that when she was a kid that she and Johnny would take their wagon and go to the same market with their mother. In those days it was known as the Parade Street Market. It was made up of many stalls operated by different people. I think that they sold meat, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables, bread, etc. - everything except packaged items.

Here's a coincidence. This picture of the market was taken 53 years ago today - May 29, 1956. I remember when it was taken. They were going to start demolishing the building the next day, but my dad had a problem with his camera or didn't have any film. Being historically minded he wanted to photograph the building. Mom suggested that he use my Brownie. He reluctantly agreed and we went up to 10th and Parade after supper. As you can see it's not very sharp.

Knight of Saint Patrick

Dad was bestowed the distinction of KNIGHT OF ST. PATRICK on March 17, 1982. This honor was in rightful recognition of his service to God, church, and the community.

Click on the images to enlarge.

1956 Thanksgiving snowstorm

No matter how many snowstorms Erie has had over the years, none of them seem to measure up to the 1956 Thanksgiving storm. I remember that on Thanksgiving morning we started to notice the surprise snowstorm outside. The Wednesday newspaper had said that 'Erie was due for flurries, rain and snow squalls, and a wet Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving Day's paper said that 'High winds and low temperature under an overcast sky promised dismal conditions for those who venture outside'. I really don't remember too much about that Thanksgiving, except that we seemed cozy in the house and there was a snowstorm outside.

By sometime Friday, after 36 hours of snowing, there was two feet of snow on the ground. The mayor declared a state of emergency and called out the Pennsylvania National Guard Army, which was across the street from our house. Many of the Army trucks and a couple of the tanks were put into use for emergencies around the city, and to make paths through the streets. I remember that evening there was a knock at the door. It was Johnny! Boy were we surprised, as he lived up on Charlotte Street. It seems like he said that he hitched a ride on one of the Army vehicles. Anyway, after a short visit he left. I thought at the time, boy what an adventure and wished I could go with him.

On Saturday morning the city was starting to dig out. Late that morning my dad, Tommy and I went for a walk up town, to see what we could see. My dad took his camera, but I don't think that he took any pictures. Therefore, the accompanying picture is from a similar snowstorm that occurred on December 12, 1944.

St Patrick's School, Erie, PA

During Lent at St Pat's the kids were given a little cardboard box about the size of an individual serving cereal box. It was our 'miter box', and during Lent our mission was to fill it with coins - pennies, nickles, dimes, quarters, and possibly fifty-cent pieces. At the end of Lent we brought our miter boxes to school, and the nun and some of the kids counted the money. I think that for each $25 the class collected, we could buy a 'pagan baby'. The class also got to name the 'pagan baby'. Each student would write a name on a slip of paper and put it in a box. I remember one year Pat and I got the idea that we should get a 'good' name. We came up with Casper, and got a few of the other boys to also submit Casper. As the names were pulled from the box, they were announced and totaled. Casper got a chuckle the first time it was read. At the end, Casper was the winning name. The nun tried to get us to select another name, but the class united, and Casper it was.

A few notes:
St. Patrick's Day was always a 'no school' day, as was St. Joseph's Day (March 19).
It seems that we also had March 18th off (why go to school for 1 day?).
Whatever we gave up for Lent we were allowed to have on St. Patrick's Day.
Sr. Marie Sylvia was the principal.

My Teachers:
1st grade - Sr. Mercedes
2nd grade - Miss Burgoyne
3rd grade - Sr. Genevieve
4th grade - Sr. Mary Edmund
5th grade - Sr. Teresita
6th grade - Sr. Leonie
7th grade - Sr. Leonie
8th grade - Sr. Genevieve

The Class: