BIRD NOTE: Jan Hamilton tells us she had three herons in her
backyard – on Bedford Street! Jan phoned us to see if anyone else
had any of these exotic visitors, noting that they all appeared to
be young birds.
Usually, we think of herons as long-legged sea birds but Bedford
Street, of course, is a long way away not just from the ocean but
any body of water. The closest might be the “shores of Lake Tuna,”
Jan suggested.
Jan was wondering what these birds eat and, honestly, we have no
idea. Still, the birds appeared to be healthy-looking despite their
unusual surroundings.
“They look so funny out there,” said Jan, who’s more accustomed
to cardinals, robins etc.
Maybe they are Case knife collectors?
ABOUT 40 & 8: Jim Belardia of Bradford stopped by to tell us
a funny story about that 40 & 8 engine that was featured for
so many years in parades down Main Street.
Immediately after his late uncle Thomas Camera married his aunt
Chris on Aug. 22, 1959, at St. Bernard Church, they were greeted
outside by the 40& engine. His uncle had been a member of the
40&8 and served at one time as commander.
Everyone climbed aboard and “flamed the Main” after the
wedding.
Before they began their excursion, they left off the signature
“boom” from the engine.
“Monsignor Wiersvinski thought the boiler had exploded!” Jim
tells us.
Meanwhile, we also heard from John Cummiskey of Bradford on the
original purpose of the 40 & 8s and their useage even into
World War II:
“In April 1943, I arrived by ship at Arzew, port of Oran, North
Africa. We sailed out of Pier 17, New York City. Our ship was a
converted Swedish liner with 4,000 troops. In a few days, our 982
HD Signal Co. was sent a good number of miles away to Eucalyptus,
near the city of Algiers, one-half of the company convoy by 40
& 8’s – the other half in 2 1/2-ton trucks. The 40 & 8
transportation was much better,” John tells us.
ON PATROL: “Since we are still on the subject of patroIs I was a
patrol boy for the 2nd ward school. My corner was West Corydon and
South Avenue,” writes Stephen De Casper of Marietta, Ga. More on
this subject in an upcoming column.
