I
am very pleased to feature a guest contributor to this week's column.
Many folks have commented that I don't write enough about other parts
of the city and seem to concentrate mostly on the Davis Square area.
That's only because that's where my memories are! But now, feel free to
open your own memory floodgates and send me your valuable opinions and
memories. And now, I would like to introduce Susan Fontano for your
reading enjoyment…

The City is celebrating it's recent victory
of being "crowned" All-America City 2009! Many of us have been living
that wonderful sense of Somerville Pride all our life.

I'm a lifelong Somervillian, working on 60+ years. Third generation; preceded by my grandmother and mother.

I
have several friends whom we've been together since kindergarten days
at the Prescott School. We went on to Northeastern Junior High (first
time we were allowed to cross McGrath Highway) and then off to
Somerville High School.

I must mention that back then we didn't
have the special school buses – we just jumped onto the regular T
buses. Crowding in the bus, with the morning commuters, was something
else. They didn't know what hit them. We really took over = it was a
blast. Hooking up with your friends and talking all the way up Highland
Avenue, without skipping a beat. They have all physically moved away.
The construction of Route 93 unfortunately pushed some of them out, and
for others, life challenges and opportunities required moving.

We were all teenagers – school during the day and Eddie's Coke Shop after school – with weekends at the Broadway Show.

For the most part our parents worked, so we were pretty independent, and looking back, street smart.

Broadway
was our playground. We'd patronize all the stores – I guess in
retrospect it was our version of the "mall." Everything we needed we
could get on Broadway. School supplies, Rainbow Spa or the 5 & 10.
Clothes for a "special" event, Tucks.

Then there was Tony's
Foodland, where our family did their food shopping, complimented by
Kennedy's & Lil' Tony's for specialty items. The Broadway fish
market had the best seafood, but especially the french fries. We would
leave the show during intermission and go get big bags of fries piping
hot for less than 20 cents – what am I saying – the ticket for a double
feature was 25 cents! The memories keep coming, some happy, some
bittersweet.

Throughout the year, we really try to get together.
Be it a SHS class reunion (we never miss), weddings, birthdays, and yes
– funerals. We always make time for one another. I usually like to host
a Saturday night in August. We start off at the Mt. Vernon Restaurant
for twin lobsters then back to my house. We settle in onto the back
porch, put on some music with some coffee and pastries from Patsy's –
and reminisce all night long. Those nights, out in the back yard of
Somerville under the stars are probably some of the most cherished for
me. I'm speaking for myself, but I'm sure my friends would agree, we
are the luckiest. Growing up in Somerville gave us the foundation we
needed for life.

These people are like no other – their
appreciation for friends and family, their values, scruples, character,
self pride, and yes, Somerville Pride – shine through as much today as
it did 45+ years ago.

Today, Broadway has changed, but it's
still the same. A "place" for kids, mothers and fathers to go for
supplies, food and fun. We still have at the corner of our streets, a
cobbler (shoe repair), a specialty variety store, Amigo's delicious
award winning eateries for when we don't feel like cooking, ice cream
parlor, library, banks, clothing stores. I guess it's still the "mall"
on Broadway as when I grew up. Sure the surnames are different and the
names of the businesses have changed, but not that Somerville spirit.
Especially East Somerville – although we appreciate and cherish all we
have, we are continually working for an even better Somerville. Through
every day citizens, civic groups, East Somerville Main Streets, Mayor
Curtatone, Alderman Roche, School Committeewoman Bastardi, Police
Captain Devereaux, Police Officer Styles – we all work together to
improve the "quality of life" for all businesses and residents. Come
share our world in East Somerville!

Orsola Susan Fontano