A Christmas Gift from the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair

Posted on December 25, 2007 by Steve

This year, my sisters and I agreed to limit our Christmas gifts to each other to $25.

Not a problem. Christmas shopping would be a bit more selective, that’s all, I thought.

My younger sister certainly outdid herself, though. When she asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I suggested that she select one of the “Images of America” books, the local history books published by Arcadia Publishing.

The one she selected was the book for the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair.

New York Worlds Fair Book

SOURCE: Cotter, Bill, and Bill Young. 2004. The 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. Images of America. Charleston, SC: Arcadia. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 Dec 2007.

The reason she selected this book was that my sisters and I all remember the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair, not that we attended the fair, but that my father bought each of us a souvenir glass from the fair.

And that was the second part of my sister’s Christmas gift to me. She found the three glasses tucked away in the attic of the house in which we grew up and included them as part of my Christmas gift.

Three Glasses from the New York Worlds Fair

SOURCE: Three 1964-1965 World’s Fair Glasses. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 Dec 2007.

The three glasses show different scenes from the fair, each of which is described on the back of the glasses. From left to right:

HALL OF SCIENCE

This is a permanent structure built by the city of New York. It is designed to show educational groups the practical application of scientific techniques. The exhibit will demonstrate not only the laws of natural science, the application of these laws by industry to the needs of mankind.

NEW YORK STATE EXHIBIT

The high point of the fair, Twelve Concrete Towers and Three Observation Towers of the New York State Pavilion provide viewing platforms with a sweeping vista of the fair-grounds and show the attractions, culture, and activities of New York State to best advantage.

PORT AUTHORITY BUILDING

The Port of New York Authority Building will feature the fair’s own restaurant and private terrace club. A big attraction is the Round-the-World Bar offering refreshments from 80 nations. Helicopters will transport visitors to and from the heart of New York and the city’s airports to the roof-top heliport.

She didn’t spend much, but my sister certainly gave me a memorable Christmas gift!

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Firm of Meleski & Niedzialkoski in 1924

Posted on December 24, 2007 by Steve

My grandmother’s half-brother, Joseph Meleski was listed in the Worcester, Massachusetts Directory in 1924. In addition to Joseph and his children Harry, Francis, and Helen, there are listed several other Meleskis, including a Walter Meleski who was in business with my grandfather Kostanty Niedzialkowski in a grocery store known as Meleski & Niedzialkoski.

Worcester, Massachusetts Directory 1924 Entry for Joseph Meleski & Walter Meleski

Worcester, Massachusetts Directory 1924 Entry for Joseph Meleski & Walter Meleski

SOURCE: Massachusetts City Directories, Worcester 1924, page 527, Joseph Meleski & Walter Meleski; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 December 2007); citing Worcester directory 1924 containing a general directory of the citizens, a business directory, and the city and county registers,
with map. LXXXI. 1924. Worcester, MA: Sampson & Murdock Co.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Worcester, Massachusetts Directory 1924 Entry for Joseph Meleski & Walter Meleski. The records state the following:

  • Francis J Meleski was an engineer who resided at 130 Endicott;
  • Harry J Meleski was a lawyer at 507 Main, Room 1011, who resided at 130 Endicott;
  • Helen Meleski was a student who resided at 130 Endicott;
  • John Meleski was a wireworker who resided at 112 Ward;
  • Joseph Meleski was a cement finisher who resided at 130 Endicott;
  • Walter Meleski was a member of the firm Meleski & Niedzialkoski located at 194 Prescott, also was a grocer at his own store at 53 Ward, and resided at 112 Ward;
  • Witold P Meleski resided at 952 Pleasant;
  • Meleski & Niedzialkoski was owned by Walter Meleski and Konstanty Niedzialkoski who were grocers at 194 Prescott.

This entry clears up the owners of my grandfather’s grocery store. I don’t know who Walter Meleski was, but he was living with John Meleski at 112 Ward. Except for Witold P Meleski, all the other Meleskis are related to my grandmother, Helen Chmielewski (Chmielewski was shortened to Meleski).

Joseph Meleski is my grandmother’s half-brother. Francis J, Harry J, and Helen Meleski are three of Joseph’s five children.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Posted on December 23, 2007 by Steve

I asked my father and sisters what we did for Christmas Eve when we were young but, oddly enough, none of us remembered the same things.

While my family can’t really agree how we spent Christmas Eve when we were young, I remember that we did have a few Christmas Eve rituals.

  • We almost always spent the day at home.
  • There were preparations for Santa’s arrival. A plate of cookies and a glass of milk, and even sometimes a few carrots for the reindeer.
  • There were preparations for Christmas Day. My mother would start Christmas dinner, at least whatever she could do in advance . Christmas dinner was either ham or turkey (my preference was turkey).
  • If snow fell on Christmas Eve, we would shovel the walk, brush the snow off the car, and sweep off the porches.
  • And, when we were old enough to attend Midnight Mass, we would get dressed in our best clothes and head off to church.

Written for the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories – Day 24.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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Kostanty Niedzialkowski in the 1924 Worcester Directory

Posted on December 23, 2007 by Steve

My grandfather, Kostanty Niedzialkowski was listed in the Worcester, Massachusetts Directory in 1924.

Worcester, Massachusetts Directory 1924 Entry for Kostanty Niedzialkowski

Worcester, Massachusetts Directory 1924 Entry for Kostanty Niedzialkowski

SOURCE: Massachusetts City Directories, Worcester 1924, page 527, Kostanty Niedzialkoski; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 December 2007); citing Worcester directory 1924 containing a general directory of the citizens, a business directory, and the city and county registers, with map. LXXXI. 1924. Worcester, MA: Sampson & Murdock Co.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Worcester, Massachusetts Directory 1924 Entry for Kostanty Niedzialkowski. The brief record states the following:

Konstanty Niedzialkoski was a grocer for Neleski and Niedzialkoski who worked and lived at 194 Prescott.

This is the first time I’ve found evidence for the name of my grandfather’s grocery store. I’m a bit suspicious of the name Neleski – I suspect the correct name of the store was Meleski and Niedzialkoski because my grandmother’s maiden name was Meleski.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Ghost of Christmas Past

Posted on December 22, 2007 by Steve

I found today’s topic for the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories, Â Christmas Sweetheart Memories, a bit difficult to write.

I’ll just say that this gift from a sweetheart of long ago tends to dig up thoughts of the Ghost of Christmas Past.

Dakin Bear

Written for the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories – Day 23.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged | 2 Comments

Kostanty Niedzialkowski in the 1922 Worcester Directory

Posted on December 22, 2007 by Steve

My grandfather, Kostanty Niedzialkowski was listed in the Worcester, Massachusetts Directory in 1922.

Worcester, Massachusetts Directory 1922 Entry for Kostanty Niedzialkowski

Worcester, Massachusetts Directory 1922 Entry for Kostanty Niedzialkowski

SOURCE: Massachusetts City Directories, Worcester 1922, page 480, Kostanty Niedzialkoski; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 01 December 2007); citing Worcester directory 1922 containing a general directory of the citizens, a business directory, and the city and county registers, with map. LXXIX. 1922. Worcester, MA: Sampson & Murdock Co.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Worcester, Massachusetts Directory 1922 Entry for Kostanty Niedzialkowski. The brief record states the following:

  • K Niedzialkoski was a grocer who worked and lived at 194 Prescott.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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Christmas Snow

Posted on December 21, 2007 by Steve

Living in Albany, New York, I always wished for a White Christmas.

In 1966, though, chances of that happening were looking a bit bleak. We hadn’t received more than a dusting of snow until 3.5 inches fell on December 14. But, even that didn’t last. On December 17 and 18, temperatures crept into the 40s, and all the snow melted.

Finally, Christmas Eve arrived. With it came snow.

My sisters and I were ecstatic. We would have a White Christmas after all!

On Christmas Eve, 13 inches of snow fell at our house . Several times during evening, my older sister and I went out with Dad to shovel the snow from the sidewalks and brush the accumulation off the car . Our younger sister helped Mom sweep the snow from the porches and stairs.

The snow continued through the night, and another 5.3 inches fell on Christmas Day. We woke to a wonderful, largely unspoiled blanket of snow on Christmas morning. A full foot and a half of Christmas snow!

We wiped away the delicate patterns of frost on the windows and gazed at the winter scene outside. Every branch of every tree was covered with snow, and each fencepost was topped with a clean, white cap.

We went outside to once again clear the snow from the walks and from the car. The snow muted the sounds around us. Even the snowplows on Allen Street seemed to move quietly as they worked to clear the snow.

From time to time a mound of snow, its weight too ponderous to support itself, would fall from a branch and fall with a plop! onto the ground below.

Winter birds hopped through the new snow, leaving delicate tracks behind them as they wandered about on their never-ending quest to find something to eat. In the garden, bright red rose hips peeked out here and there from their white cocoon.

Back inside, in the warmth of the house, we gathered by the Christmas tree. Mom turned on the radio and the sounds of carols filled the house. We opened our gifts, reveling in our own joys and those of the rest of the family, and we marveled at the beauty of Christmas.

Written for the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories – Day 22.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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Frank Niedzialkoski in the 1918 Directory of Sterling, Massachusetts

Posted on December 21, 2007 by Steve

My grandfather’s uncle, Frank Niedzialkoski was listed in the Sterling, Massachusetts Directory in 1918.

Sterling, Massachusetts Directory 1918 Entry for Frank Niedzialkoski

Sterling, Massachusetts Directory 1918 Entry for Frank Niedzialkoski

SOURCE: Massachusetts City Directories, Sterling1918, page 567, Frank Neidzialhoski; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 December 2007); citing Directory to the inhabitants of Sterling, Mass. Also giving telephone numbers and tax assessments. 1918. Salem, Mass: The Salem Press Company.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Sterling, Massachusetts Directory 1918 Entry for Frank Niedzialkoski. The brief record states the following:

  • Frank Niedzialhoski.

There’s not much to this record except the evidence that Frank Niedzialkoski was living in Sterling, Massachusetts in about 1918. As usual, the surname is misspelled. This time, the “i” and “e” are transposed and the first “k” is written as “h”.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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A Child's Favorite Christmas Songs

Posted on December 20, 2007 by Steve

“All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” was written by Donald Yetter Gardner in 1944.

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth,
My two front teeth, see my two front teeth.
Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth,
Then I could wish you “Merry Christmas.”

“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”, written by Tommie Connor in 1952.

I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus,
Underneath the mistletoe last night.
She didn’t see me creep
Down the stairs to have a peep.
She thought that I was tucked up in my bedroom fast asleep.

These songs were two of my favorites when I was young. During the Christmas holidays, our house was always filled with music, either from the radio or from the phonograph. One of the biggest thrills for our family was when my parents bought a stereo Hi-Fi, upon which we could stack many record albums, and let them play automatically in succession for hours. When the “A” sides of the albums had all played, we could just turn the stack over and listen to the “B” sides.

In 1958, “The Chipmunk Song” was written. Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. wrote the song and performed the voices of David Seville and all three chipmunks, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore.

Christmas, Christmas time is near,
Time for toys and time for cheer,
We’ve been good, but we can’t last,
Hurry Christmas, hurry fast.

My father had purchased the album “Christmas with the Chipmunks” and my family listened to the album over and over. My sister discovered that, if she used her finger to slow the turntable, she could clearly tell that the voices of the chipmunks were the same as the voice of David Seville, speeded up.

When I was in fourth grade, I bought my first “Peanuts” book, and over the next couple of years I bought several others . By 1967, when The Royal Guardsmen recorded “Snoopy’s Christmas”, my whole family was familiar with the tales of Snoopy and the Red Baron.

Was the night before Christmas, 40 below,
When Snoopy went up in search of his foe.
He spied the Red Baron, fiercely they fought,
With ice on his wings, Snoopy knew he was caught.

My family owned a number of other Christmas recordings and we listened to all the standards . Today, Christmas songs bring back special memories of my youth, when absolutely nothing could compare with the excitement and joy of Christmas.

Written for the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories – Day 21.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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Frank Niedzialkosky in the 1913 Worcester Directory

Posted on December 20, 2007 by Steve

My grandfather’s uncle, Frank Niedzialkosky was listed in the Worcester City Directory in 1913.

Worcester Directory 1913 Entry for Frank Niedzialkosky

Worcester Directory 1913 Entry for Frank Niedzialkosky

SOURCE: Massachusetts City Directories, Worcester 1913, page 533, Frank Niedzialkosky; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 December 2007); citing Worcester directory 1913 containing a general directory of the citizens, a business directory, and the city and county registers, with map. LXX. 1913. Worcester, Mass: Drew Allis Co.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Worcester Directory 1913 Entry for Frank Niedzialkosky. The brief record states the following:

  • Frank Niedziatkosky was a moulder at 95 Gold who resided at 18 Huntington avenue.

The spelling of the surname, Niedziatkosky, is in error. The “t” should be an “ł”.

Previously, Frank Niedzialkosky worked as a moulder at 100 Prescott. In 1913, he worked as a moulder at 95 Gold. I’m still not certain what a moulder does and don’t know the company for which he worked, either at 100 Prescott or 95 Gold.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

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