This column will mark our final swing down the list of yesteryear's advertisers in the 1964 Attleboro Policemen's Ball held at the King Philip ballroom in Wrentham, at least on a temporary basis. We do have recollections from other places and other years for your reading pleasure which also should see print.
Without further delay, here is the list of bygone businesses which many of us still fondly remember 50 years later...
Nolan's Spa; H. L. Capron Firestone stores; Bobby's Restaurant Inc.; Jacques Package Store; Rome Restaurant; Wild's Restaurant, South Attleboro; Howard H. Sweet & Son Inc.; Holman Insurance Agency Inc.; Guyot Brothers Co. Inc.; Ro-Jack's Fruitland, South Attleboro; Fuller Box Co., North Attleboro: Attleboro Branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch #441, Carmine L. Roca, Pres.; Maynard O. Witherell, attorney-at-law; Davey Realty; Gus' Grille; Kelley & Tatarian, Real Estate-Insurance; Leo V. Tellier, Stone Setting & Engraving; Astin Engraving; June's Country Shop Inc., Bishop Street; Thomas H. Densmore, 5 Union St.; Devine's Milk Laboratories Inc.; Log Cabin Music Studio, Plainville; Ryan & Sons Gob Shop; Bates & Klinke Inc. Jewelers; Brook Manor Inc., 116 Elm St., North Attleboro; Henry H. Lewis Co. Inc., 53 County St.
Also, W. E. Richards Co., 191 North Main St.; Lane's Laundry, Chartley; Compton Overhead Doors, North Attleboro; Fuller Memorial Sanitarium, South Attleboro; Michael A. Vigorito, Men's & Boys' Wear, North Attleboro; Masse Block Co., County Street, South Attleboro; K. M. Brogan, Realtor-Farm Broker-Appraiser, South Attleboro; Tri-Boro Finance Co., 98 Park St.; Robin Hollow Cafe, Cumberland; American Legion Post #20; Dr. Edward L. Fontneau , 107 Dean St.; The Camera Shop, 51 Park St.; Tony's Cleansers - Rotenberg the Tailor, 78 Park St.; Swanson Construction Co., 110 Berwick Road; Jake Kaplan; Jack & Harry's Auto Stores; State Line General Scrap Co. Inc., South Attleboro; Gerald P. Rosenthal, D. D. S.; Attleboro Bowladrome Inc., 182 East St.; Midway Lunch; Eastern Supply Co.; The Bancroft Cafe, 46 South Main St.; Huck's Diner, 6 Union St.; Howard C. Bristow, Electrical Contractor; Laura's Guest House, 392 North Main St.; Nap's Maintenance Service, 29 Ellendale Road, South Attleboro' Edward F. Casey, attorney-at-law, 181 Park St.; Charles Tailor Shop, Raymond E Corbett, Prop., 7 Dunham St.; M. Pascale Trucking, Inc. South Attleboro; William R. Dunlap Inc., Maintenance Contractors, 48 Eddy St.; Wray C. Conro, Realtor, 8 North Main St.
Also, Cumberland Farms dairy stores, Johnson and Weston Sheet Metal Inc, 105 Olive St.; Morrocco Brothers - Auto and Truck Parts.; Plastic Craft Novelty Co. Inc., 12 Dunham St.; New England Linen Supply, Towels-Coats-Aprons, Pawtucket; Nolan's Flowers, 18 South Washington St., North Attleboro; Herbert J. McLaughlin, attorney-at-law, 165 Park St.; Marathon Co., Brook Street; C. Ray Randall Mfg., Attleboro Falls; Attleboro Printing & Embossing Co. Inc., 54 Union St.; Mr. Roberts, Hair Stylist, 494 Pleasant St.; Pleasant Manor Nursing Home, 193-195 Pleasant St.; Crown Auto and Truck Sales, Rehoboth; The Millstone Inc., Mount Hope Street, North Attleboro; John E. Lepper Inc., 105 Maple St.; Donald B. Rae, D. D. S.; 150 Emory St., Bradford W. Lawrence, M.D., 27 South Main St.; A.C. Burt Electrical Co. Inc., 79 Bank St.; Hearthstone House Motor Inn, Route 44, Seekonk; F.E.I. Night Club, Valley Falls, R.I.; Paul Goldman Inc.; John N. Schneider Contractors & Builders, 16 Horton St.; Johnny's Lounge & Bar Inc., 13 Academy St. (where a considerably younger nostalgia columnist tended the bar for several years); Manny's Tavern, 43 Pine St.; Carey Brothers, 50 Maynard St.; Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Attleboro Lodge #1014; The New Joy Hing Chinese and American Restaurant, 481 Pleasant St.; Patrick J. Duffy Funeral Service, 20 Peck St.; Frank T. Zarek, Building Contractor; and Mucker's Delivery Service, 22 Clifton St., Attleboro Falls.
As previously stated, we've taken a pretty good run at recalling those merchants we patronized a half-century ago, and next week we'll launch into something new. I hope that reading the list of advertisers back then inspired some enjoyable recollections for many of you out there.
Closing thoughts
In last week's column, I related a recent meeting with Bob "Bloomer" Glode, of the Holman Street tribe. The evening that it saw print, I received an always-welcome phone call from old pal "East End Eddie," the personable court magistrate for the Wrentham District Court, Eddie Doherty, who reminded me that young Mr. Glode had a nickname which predated "Bloomer"- "Rags." Eddie even remembered the background story for how that nickname was bestowed on young Robert, revolving around a lost quarter picked up from the sidewalk.
Unfortunately, in my haste to wish all the Glode boys well, I'm afraid I overlooked my all-time favorite in that crew, that being their fantastic, utterly irrepressible mother, Alice Glode, who is part Energizer Bunny and part Terminator, all wrapped up in one absolutely delightful character, a lady from our old neighborhood that I have always respected and admired (even through the many times she was restraining me from strangling Bobby for some richly-deserved offense or other). Wish you all the best, Mrs. G., I'll bet you can still get that glove down on a worm burner to short!
I've heard a little groundswell of talk lately, and what's being said is how great Attleboro Police Officer Scott Killough is looking these days. He must have really dedicated himself to a program, which must have involved nothing less than a whole lot of hard work and sacrifice. A tip of the Irish scaly cap on a job very well done, Scott.
Please be good to one another and try to help a brother or sister each day during these increasingly desperate times. Peace.
Thomas McAvoy's commentaries appear in this space on Tuesdays.