Big E - New England's Six-State Fair

 

 

This is the last week of the Big E - the Eastern States Exposition - New England's six-state fair held in West Springfield, Massachusetts. 

 



 

 

Don't miss the heart-pounding excitement of racing piglets.  Keep your casinos, this is where the real action is.

Talk on ANN BLYTH: ACTRESS. SINGER. STAR. - Holyoke, Massachusetts

Tonight, Tuesday, September 22nd at 6:30 p.m., I'll be speaking at the Holyoke Public Library, 250 Chestnut Street, Holyoke, Mass., as part of their Conversations with Local Authors series.  I'll be discussing my book Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star., and will bring along some film memorabilia for display.  I'll also have a selection of my other books for sale and signing.

Revolution versus Rebellion - my talk at the Edward Bellamy Homestead

My upcoming talks and book signings...

Tomorrow night, Wednesday, September 16th, at 7:00 p.m., I'll be speaking at the Chicopee Historical Society meeting on "Revolution vs. Rebellion" -- a look at how manufacturing change society during the Civil War years and brought about a social and commercial revolution.  The meeting is open to the public at the Bellamy Homestead, 91-93 Court Street, Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts.  The site is the home of nineteenth century author and social visionary Edward Bellamy, and is a National Historic Landmark.

On this occasion, a room in the Bellamy Homestead to display historical items is to be dedicated and named for my late sister, Ann Lynch Beebe, longtime treasurer of the Chicopee Historical Society.

On Saturday, September 19th, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., I'll be  signing a variety of my books along with other local authors at the Springfield City Library, 220 State Street, Springfield, Mass., as part of their autumn Author Fair.  

On Tuesday, September 22nd at 6:30 p.m., I'll be speaking at the Holyoke Public Library, 250 Chestnut Street, Holyoke, Mass., as part of their Conversations with Local Authors series.  I'll be discussing my book Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star., and will bring along some film memorabilia for display.  I'll also have a selection of my other books for sale and signing.

Department Store Shopping

Topps.  
J.M. Fields.
Zayre  (above pictured the one in Agawam, Mass.).
W.T. Grant.
Two Guys.
...etc.  You remember them, the discount department stores where we headed for back to school shopping (or Christmas, or for the first record albums we ever purchased).

Here's the W. T. Grant's in New Bedford, Mass.:

We had our grand stores in New England of course, G. Fox of Hartford, Steiger's and Forbes & Wallace in Springfield, Mass., Filenes, Jordan Marsh -- we've mentioned them before.  But today a brief glance at those less-than-swank, but beloved, discount chains that came with us to suburbia and most of which are gone.  

All of these regional and national chains had their roots in New England, except for Two Guys, which was started in New Jersey. J. M. Fields began in Salem, Mass.; Grant's in Lynn, Mass.; Zayre in Hyannis; and Topps in Hartford, Connecticut.  Another Connecticut chain that spread across the country was the Robert Hall store. 

Here's a commercial featuring the great Les Paul and Mary Ford:

Never again would we be so thrilled by a package of filler paper, or believe the words "bargains galore."

Never again so mesmerized by a blinking neon sign:

70th Anniversary of the End of WWII - Dan Gabel's Big Band -Newton, Massachusetts

Celebrate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II on Saturday, September 12th with a special gala, featuring a very special Big Band - Dan Gabel and the Abeltones!

Here from The Greater Boston Vintage Society Facebook page:

Indoor, 8pm--Then head inside for the amazing Dan Gabel and the Abletones ...Authentic Big Band featuring vocalist Elise Roth! This extremely talented band will have you swinging your heart out in no time! Along with the music there will be performances, a high output Lindy Hop contest with prizes, and a genuine 1940’s Army projector playing wartime newsreel films!

Get your tickets in advance! At only $25, this all-ages show is going to sell out fast! Tickets will be $35 at the door if there are any left. Special bonus: Members of GBVS who are in military service or Veterans get in for FREE!!! (must bring proof of service) Free appetizers and snacks will be available for the outdoor portion of the event! Snacks and drinks will be sold inside. There’s plenty of parking, and the hall is right on the T (Green Line-Newton Centre)! See you in 1945!

Bishop Mackenzie Center
1337 Centre St. Newton, MA

For more on Dan Gabel and his Abeltones, have a look at his website for upcoming appearances.