What's New in Cambridge (Apr-2008)?

To the alumni of Cambridge central School ...

When you come to Cambridge for the reunion this summer the first thing that you'll notice is the new Rite Aid on the corner by the traffic light. I decided to take a photo of the construction and send it along to the CCS Indians' website. However as I looked around the village, I thought of other changes from when I was a kid in the 1950's and 60's.

So, for all of those who remember Cambridge circa 1968, here are some of the changes you'll see when you come back to Cambridge.

Ken Gottry, '68

ken@gottry.com

Furforo's Shoe Repair

Remember the smell of leather as you entered his shoe shop in back? Remember how you towered over Mr. Furfuro, but how he seemed to always dominate and control the situation. You don't get that feeling going into DWS in the mall.

If you're considering moving back to Cambridge, consider Furfuro's old house on East Main Street across from the Embury Methodist Church. It's been restored and is ready for a new owner. The eyebrow windows were loving restored by a local resident.

Jack Weller's Restaurant

Jack moved his restaurant around a lot during the 1950's and 60's. I remember eating there on Friday nights before heading to school for a basketball game. I also remember stopping in on Saturday morning to get Jack's Doughnuts on my way to a Jr High basketball game. Hmm, notice a pattern here with Jack's, me, and basketball?

Jack Weller's old restaurant is now a bicycle shop. Stop in and chat with Dieter Drake. Be ready to hear all about the Tour of the Battenkill, a bicycle race held on 19-Apr. I've heard that this has become the largest one-day bicycle event in North America.

Rite Aid

I know, I know. Only Johnny-Come-Lately's call this the Rite Aid corner. Back in the 1950's it was the corner where the Grange Hall and Howard's Esso station where located. Farther up East Main you'd find Estramonte's Restaurant and the original King Bakery.

Then 'Progress' hit Cambridge and these landmarks of Cambridge's past were torn down to make way for the A&P. Some of you probably remember the A&P when it was where Dieter's bike shop is now; others remember when it was moved into the old Victory Theatre across from the current Post Office.

Many remember the owners of the A&P owned Black Hole Hollow Farm. You had to pass the Bryce mansion on your way to Sprague's Springs to do some studying, or at least that's what you told your parents.

Oh yes, this was also the corner where Mike Baratto would sit in his family popcorn wagon. You'd chat with Mike as you were waiting for a ride to the lake (ah, the days when hitchhiking was safe).

Hinge Tube

I never knew much about this place but it's now being turned into apartments. So if you're looking for a place when you're back in Cambridge, check it out.

It's located just south of the traffic light on South Park Street. That’s Marjory Ridler's brown house on the right. It's across the street from Stewarts.

I recently read a humorous email about How You Know You Grew Up in a Small Town. One of the comments was that you could give directions from the traffic light.

King Bakery

I vaguely remember when Jim and Sally King started their bakery on Upper East Main across from the East End Meat Market. My vivid memories are of King Bakery across from Joe's Barber Shop and Dan McInerney's furniture store.

The Common Sense Farm has converted the old bakery into Common Grounds Cafe and Bakery. The cookies are healthier than Jim's chocolate chip cookies but I sure miss chatting with Jeri Burch as she waited on you.

The next time you're in Cambridge, plan a visit to the West End on Saturday or Sunday morning. Skip King continues the family tradition. He purchased an old Freihofer wagon and sells doughnuts and pies from his front lawn. He lives across from the Ackley & Ross Funeral Home.

Dan McInerney's Furniture Store

Across the street from King Bakery was McInerney's furniture store. The furniture store is being restored as part of the Freight Yard Restoration Project. I've include a photo of when this was the Cambridge Garage

Joe's Barber Shop

Next to McInerney's furniture store was Joe Vitello's barber shop. It's now a video store.

Bill's Barber Shop

Bill Robertson's barber shop was in the west side of this building next to the tracks. There was a beauty shop in the east side but I don't remember its name. Now, this is called the Pink Building another landmark which helps when giving directions e.g. the Hotel is just past the Pink Building.

That's all for now. Maybe next time I'll venture across the RR tracks to a place called the West End.