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Arlington, MA, then and
now
In Arlington, MA (circa 1970s and 1980s),
there was also a big distinction made between the three parts
of Arlington. You were either from the East, the Center
or the Heights and only occasionally did they intersect.
Your family either had money (Center and Heights) or didn't (the
East). It was every East Arlington parents' nightmare to
have to pick up your child at a friend's house in the heights.
From Dow Ave to Mass Ave was like another world, especially at
night. More than once, an East Arlington parent was lost
for what seemed like hours trying to get out of that maze of
streets. Forget Morningside. If you got caught up
there, it was almost easier to park and wait for the sunrise
then try to get from Mass Ave to Rt. 3 landmarks.
East Arlington was simple. You needed medication, you went
to Maida Pharmacy. Wanted pizza, you made an Olympic Pizza run.
You begged your parents for some money so you could go to the
5 and 10 store. Diary Twist or Friendlys were the spots
of choice for summer night ice cream runs and Rocko's was it
for penny (or cent) candy. For 6 months every day
after school, my siblings and I would stop by and look in the
window of the Audiosonics store to see our console television
just sitting there patiently waiting for parts we were told.
It was like a big homecoming party when that tv finally made
its way home. One of the best hangouts was the Capital.
One movie. That was it! Oh those red chairs were
to die for. We groups of kids were spread out all over
the place. Spitballs and paper airplanes flying all over
the theatre. That was the only real place in town the rival
"innocent" gangs were caught together. Hanging
out at Waldo Park and the cemetery were the in place for those
living between Mass Ave and Broadway.
Nowadays, East Arlington (EA) is just another extension of Cambridge.
Most likely those who would give their eye teeth to live in their
beloved Cambridge but just can't afford it realized the
proximity of EA and the better property valuation for the buck.
Gone are St. Jerome's and Immaculate Conception churches that
helped to define what part of the street you lived on.
Crosby, Hardy and Thomson gang (7 to 10 year olds) were legend
and you couldn't wait to get to the Junior High East so you could
finally meet your nemesis (who more times than not, ended up
becoming one of your best friends from junior high all the way
through high school!). Sidewalks now roll up at 8:00 p.m. instead
of 6:00 and you don't hear parents yelling out the windows now
for "Patty or Buddy, or Richard" to get home because
the streetlights just came on. Now, Crissy, Susie, Ashley,
Britney are all at organized activities with their parents shuttling
them to and fro. The Arlington parents of today know all
to well every border of Arlington. I think I would be hard-pressed
to find a young Arlington parent that didn't know every corner
of Arlington.
In the end, there's always good and bad in all forms of change.
p.s. I almost fell over not long ago when more than one
person new to this area referred to Davis Square in Somerville
as "the Paris of the US" WHAT? !!! You're
joking! Yet another instance how different and new perceptions
have become the new reality.
Regina Pontes
Founder and CEO
PhilRich Corp
http://www.endzonepad.com/
http://www.affordableartgalleria.com/
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Memories of
Arlington, Mass.
Arlington
Massachusetts' restaurant renaissance
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