AS SUMMER TURNS TO FALL – 1954
VILLAGE HAPPENINGS FROM 70 YEARS AGO ~ Submitted by Anita M. Mance, Historian, September 2024
In looking through our old East Rochester Herald newspapers, I happened to find an interesting series of articles from late summer, early fall of 1954. The stories brought back many memories.
For many years summer recreation centered around our village parks and outdoor pool. In particular, there were many activities offered in Edmund Lyon Park. Children could make potholders, make things out of boondoggle, paint plaster of Paris plaques, and take part in contests in costume, dog, doll, and hat shows. The August 20th issue of the paper described highlights of the annual costume show. Prizes (ribbons and candy bars) had been given for the prettiest, funniest, most unusual, best cowgirl and cowboy, best clown, most original, and best foreign costumes. The summer season at the playground would end August 20th with a picnic when the highlight of the day was the selection of a playground king and queen to rule over the day’s festivities.
The August 27th issue described the moving of a home from where the new interchange cloverleaf was being built to link the eastern thruway connection with Fairport Road. The stucco home, built in 1930, was moved from near Harwood Lane to the corner of Washington Street and Fairport Road. There, Frank Cilento’s family would live. The two hour move on a huge trailer was assisted by RG & E line crews who were on hand to cut wires wherever progress was impeded.
The September 3rd issue focused on the beginning of the school year. A detailed listing of the 71 teachers for grades K-12 was included. In 1954, the two school buildings on East Avenue (elementary and junior/senior high) were our whole district. Student enrollment was about 1700. The Board of Education was going to hold a faculty reception on Sept. 7th, with classes starting on Wednesday the 8th; kindergarten would begin on the 9th. St. Jerome’s school was adding a class for third grade. The classes were still meeting in the CYA building. In 1955, classes would move to the new school building next door.
The September 10th issue had several articles of interest. One honored three little girls (Jane Thomas, Marcia Ramph, and Donna Jean Rosen). The girls had gone door to door in their neighborhood to collect money for the polio emergency fund drive. They collected $20.00. The polio epidemic was a very real fear during the 1950s.
The issue also contained a full report from Sherman Reed, Swimming Pool Director and physical education teacher. The summer season had lasted from June 26-September 6th (Labor Day). When the Kate Gleason Memorial Pool had opened in 1954, it was one of the first outdoor community pools in the area. Throughout the 1950s and 60s the pool was packed seven days a week. Attendance for the summer of 1954 was 34,525. Swimming class enrollment was 271. Mr. Reed was pleased to announce that there had been no serious accidents or injuries. Lifeguards included: John Kuhn, John VanOrman, Mary Miller, Ralph Beany, Don O’Brien, and Daryl McElwain. The 6th annual water show which had been held on August 16 included water ballets, swimming races, and diving competitions for the crowds to enjoy.
The September 10th issue also announced the opening of the new football field on Harris field. New green sod would be in place for the games. Football games would be held on Saturday afternoons. Up until that time, games had been played at Eyer Park. There, games had been played at night since the park had a lighted field. It was the first high school field in Monroe County to have lights. In 1952, village voters had approved the purchase of the Harris field property for the construction of athletic fields and for land for future school buildings. While the finishing touches were being made at the new field, football practices would be held in Edmund Lyon Park. The fall sports season was under way.
The attached photo from the 1955 Gagashoan shows members and coaches from the Fall 1954 Varsity football team: Assistant Coach, Mr. Dianetti, Coach, Mr. Bouchard; players – Dave Cooney, Pete Basciani, Tony Pacilio, Dick Prince, and Doug Lane.