Comments on We want your questions and ideas!

Matt Hines commented on 'We want your questions and ideas!'

2008-07-10T01:59:35Z

This is wonderful reading, especially for a former Swan Boat captain. In an ironic twist in fate, though not a hugely surprising one based on the small-worldliness of Boston, the recently retired CEO at the software company I'm currently working at was none other than Paul Paget Jr., son of the longtime owner who was still in charge when I worked there.

Carol Hines Gleason commented on 'We want your questions and ideas!'

2008-07-09T04:10:32Z

About the swan boats: The beginning of a lifetime love affair. I think I went many times over the years with my mother and my siblings. At another time in my life, it was an annual summer trip for the Gleason clan, sometimes joined by Aunt Anna. It goes without saying that more than once I joined my grandchildren; the Giordanos, or the "Cal" Gleasons when they were in Boston. (By then Matt Hines was peddling the boat!)An equally important part of the trip was feeding the pigeons from the boat,or chasing them later, on land. ALL of my brothers and sisters must recall going to Schrafft's on West St. for ice cream, and then the great ride on the train to Green Street Station in J.P., and taking the Centre St. bus, via "the monument", to Weld Street, from whence we trecked up "the hill" to Bellaire Road. Another time I'd like to report on Schraft's and the part theat played in our lives.

There are two specific trips to The Public Garden that I'd like to tell about. The best ever was my first time: I think I was alone with my mother;possibly Mary or Peggy were there. As we crossed Charles street to approach the gate to the Public Garden, there was a man sitting on a chair playing an accordian, and he had a monkey on his shoulder. The monkey jumped down as we neared them, and held out a tin cup. My mother explained that "this is a Hurdy Gurdy Man", and she gave me a nickel to put in the cup. It was just one of those marvelous recollections: the music, the monkey,the man's smile that remains with me to this day... probably the reasion the place is one of my all time instituions to visit with children.
If you can forgive this rambling, Id like to tell you another tale more quickly. It seems that Leo and Ann Marie were teenagers and my mother told them they could take me to the Swan boats.(I was probably pestering her), and they needed something to do on a lazy hazy summer day. SOOOOO, we did the usual ride around the pond, peanuts in hand, fed the ducks to my delight, and then my big brother and sister had an idea.They would rent a rowboat, which was part of the scene at that time: AND I was to sit on the side of the pond and watch. They knew I was too young to risk taking along, should they have problem. So I merrily sat on the lawn and watched. Don't ask me how this happened. Maybe I was wading; maybe I just decided to walk in the grass. But when their time was up, they turned in the boat, walked over to meet me ,and it was immediately noted that one of my shoes was gone! Panic set in for them. I just shrugged my shoulders. It turned out it was in the water, and soaking wet. The dilemma for Leo and Ann Marie was not just how to dry it so I could walk home, but to be sure my mother would NEVER find out what had happened. You see, from the start of their adventure, I had ben sworn to secrecy and I had vowed to them NEVER to tell my mother about the boat ride. I don't think I ever did squeal, because I knew it would be a MAJOR family crisis. Ann marie and I still chuckle about that event.

I hope I didn't ramble too long. However, whoever asked the question really struck a very happy note for one member of the clan. Aunt Carol Gleason

Peter Gleason commented on 'We want your questions and ideas!'

2008-07-08T03:11:26Z

Is anyone up for playing golf on the morning of the reunion? I thought if we could get a couple of even foursomes and have a little friendly family competition it might be fun. Otherwise, I am up for playing at around 0700 at Green Harbor, which is nearby, if anone is interested. We should be done before noon.

mary hines commented on 'We want your questions and ideas!'

2008-05-31T16:41:07Z

Liz, I received this as a forward from Mary Blute. I'm still not on David's list.
I do have some corrections to the captions identifying the Hines family members in the picture given. I also have some photos to contribute.

But I've been unable to access the links given for specific committee responsibilities probably because I'm dealing with a forward message, though my unfamiliarity with Apple could be playing a role.

In any case, will you please add my e-mail address to your committees' lists so that I can participate?

Thanks,

Mary

Liz Hines Kelleher commented on 'We want your questions and ideas!'

2008-05-12T20:55:36Z

This is an example of Liz using the Comments area to ask a question. I wonder how many states we might get party-goers from?