Greetings readers. Glad to have you aboard again. I don't know how long you've been reading my column, but it's been running for two years.
It got started when I sent a letter to the editor with some local history for the opinion page. Before long, I received a call from The Citizen asking if I would write a column about the old days on a regular basis. I agreed to do so, and soon my letter appeared as the first column.
Since it was submitted as a letter, it wasn't as long as the columns that followed. Here it is again - the column that got the ball rolling.
“I get my hair cut at a shop on Columbus Street and whenever I do, I park near a building that brings back memories of years ago. In those days, it housed Alfieri Hall, a multi-purpose facility that catered to Auburn's Italian community. When I was a teenager, my father would take me there to see Italian theatrical performances by professional companies.
“Alfieri Hall was named for Count Vittorio Alfieri, a famous Italian dramatist and poet of the 18th century. Alfieri believed in a free society, and his writings advanced the cause of Italian independence. He even wrote and published five odes, which celebrated the achievement of American independence.
“Another bit of local history: Columbus Street was originally South Division Street. The name was changed to Columbus Street in 1927 at the request of residents of the street, most of whom were Italian immigrants or of Italian descent.
“This was the section of South Division Street from Genesee Street to Clark Street. The section south of Genesee Street had been renamed Dunning Avenue 12 years earlier, in 1915.
“The residents of that part of South Division Street wanted a better name for the street and petitioned the city council to change it. The city complied by renaming it Dunning Avenue for the family that had originally owned the land, beginning with Silas Dunning more than 200 years ago.
“There's certainly much that has contributed to Auburn's rich history.”
That concluded column number one. Some of you probably remember reading it, and some of you may have read every column since, which made my effort worthwhile.
My column is written for most part from personal experience and that is why so many of the older folks enjoy reading it. It brings back memories, which mean so much in today's world.
However, I'm going to do more research from now on so that I can go further back in local history. Of course, I will also still write about the era that I remember because I know that all local history is of interest to residents.
I would also like to include in my column some interesting past experiences of others. I know that everyone has experiences that they would like to share, so I would appreciate hearing from some of you. Any local history that you know about would also be welcome.
Well, the month of May has arrived and soon so will Memorial Day. When I was a youngster, my father would take me to the lake parks on Memorial Day. We would take the bus and get off at St. Joseph's Cemetery so that we could first visit my grandfather's grave. We would then walk the remaining short distance to the parks where we would spend an enjoyable afternoon. In those days, the two parks on Owasco Lake were called Enna Jettick Park and Island Park.
I guess that about does it for this time. I look forward to having you with me again next time.
Enjoy the weather and the season.
Carmelo Signorelli is an Auburn resident who enjoys reminiscing about the good ol' days
Since it was submitted as a letter, it wasn't as long as the columns that followed. Here it is again - the column that got the ball rolling.
“I get my hair cut at a shop on Columbus Street and whenever I do, I park near a building that brings back memories of years ago. In those days, it housed Alfieri Hall, a multi-purpose facility that catered to Auburn's Italian community. When I was a teenager, my father would take me there to see Italian theatrical performances by professional companies.
“Alfieri Hall was named for Count Vittorio Alfieri, a famous Italian dramatist and poet of the 18th century. Alfieri believed in a free society, and his writings advanced the cause of Italian independence. He even wrote and published five odes, which celebrated the achievement of American independence.
“Another bit of local history: Columbus Street was originally South Division Street. The name was changed to Columbus Street in 1927 at the request of residents of the street, most of whom were Italian immigrants or of Italian descent.
“This was the section of South Division Street from Genesee Street to Clark Street. The section south of Genesee Street had been renamed Dunning Avenue 12 years earlier, in 1915.
“The residents of that part of South Division Street wanted a better name for the street and petitioned the city council to change it. The city complied by renaming it Dunning Avenue for the family that had originally owned the land, beginning with Silas Dunning more than 200 years ago.
“There's certainly much that has contributed to Auburn's rich history.”
That concluded column number one. Some of you probably remember reading it, and some of you may have read every column since, which made my effort worthwhile.
My column is written for most part from personal experience and that is why so many of the older folks enjoy reading it. It brings back memories, which mean so much in today's world.
However, I'm going to do more research from now on so that I can go further back in local history. Of course, I will also still write about the era that I remember because I know that all local history is of interest to residents.
I would also like to include in my column some interesting past experiences of others. I know that everyone has experiences that they would like to share, so I would appreciate hearing from some of you. Any local history that you know about would also be welcome.
Well, the month of May has arrived and soon so will Memorial Day. When I was a youngster, my father would take me to the lake parks on Memorial Day. We would take the bus and get off at St. Joseph's Cemetery so that we could first visit my grandfather's grave. We would then walk the remaining short distance to the parks where we would spend an enjoyable afternoon. In those days, the two parks on Owasco Lake were called Enna Jettick Park and Island Park.
I guess that about does it for this time. I look forward to having you with me again next time.
Enjoy the weather and the season.
Carmelo Signorelli is an Auburn resident who enjoys reminiscing about the good ol' days
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cm wrote on May 18, 2008 9:08 AM:
When I was 9(1970) living at Genesee Garden Apt. I woke up in the middle of night to go to the bathroom-as I was going I saw 2 large black shoes in the doorway. I was an APD officer.
(nowadays he would be labeled a pervert)
He told me not to worry but my mom and dad had gone to the hospital for her to give birth to another sister. He was BABYSITTING until someone could be reached to stay with us.
(he was there until dad returned several hours later)
I adored my new baby sisiter--it was like having a new doll.I would put her in her carriage and we would walk from the APTS to downtown everyday that summer(she was 3 months old) this was a rest/get other housechores done time to aid my mom.
I would show her off daily to the ladies at The Big Store/Yorks/Nolans/Grants, were we would stop for a milkshake.
I at 9 with a 3 month old, would be gone for atleast 3 hrs!
This day and age if child welfare didnt get us some pervert would!!
How times change! "