Two days after we (The Carey’s) moved to Reading in August 2015, we got a welcome card in our mailbox from two of the little girls, Chloe and Sam, (our daughter Marlie’s age) who live down the street. You’ll notice they drew a map of the street to show where each house is so Marlie would know where to find them. We now have the card-drawing framed in our parlor.
Joseph Halloran is "the cute little boy squatting in the front row, sixth from the left. Joe is wearing a navy blue (assuming) sailor suit."
Photographed by Alan Armitage, 276 Summer Ave., Reading, Mass. REA. 0789-M
All of us have been waiting to get out and be part of Spring, especially with the long year behind us. This touch of snow in April delayed us a bit, but Spring is never delayed.
It was hard to be a high school senior during the pandemic and to miss out on many memorable traditions. But some new ones started, like decorating the front doors of members of the senior class and putting up lawn signs at Town Hall to celebrate the graduating class. It was great to drive around and see the doors all over time. Here's the one my family made for me.
During the pandemic these beautiful and inspiring messages appeared all over shop windows in Reading thanks to the #LetteringforLoveProject. by Reading artist Antea Amoroso. This message was in the window at Cupcake City.
We might have had mixed feelings about setting up temporary work spaces in back rooms but our pets liked having us around. Here's my new Executive Assistant, Mr. Schveezelton, eagerly awaiting a chance to Zoom-bomb my next meeting and, of course, knocking off for lunch.
Vaccines brought us all hope. Once people aged 12 and up could receive them, we had hope that the 2021-2022 school year would be pretty much back to normal, after a year of studying over Zoom in our bedrooms.
A neighbor, Valerie DiRocco Ross, had a family of foxes in her yard at the beginning of the pandemic. She would text me when they were out and let me hang out on her deck taking photos while she and her family made cloth masks and surgical caps for first responders. We also got to know each other by having conversations through her shut sliding door. It was wonderful to make a new friend, to see all that she and her daughters did for first responders, and to feel hope in watching the cycles of nature.
I was challenged to create a piece of art a day. It is hard for me to draw or paint fast, but here are a few of the results. The Tiger, Dog, and Deer are pencil; the apple is watercolor and acrylic, and the reimaged book cover is collage.
Since the start of the pandemic, I take daily walks or bike rides around Reading. This picture is of a summer evening sunset with incredible clouds and colors that I witnessed on one of my walks.
This is a photo of my 8-year-old daughter on a very cold windy day in April feeding a chickadee in Topsfield at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. My 3 children and their friends were all holding out their hands filled with bird seed with such patience in hopes that a bird would land to eat. It was magical to watch countless little birds land in their hands to steal a sunflower seed. This photo captures how important the connection with nature has been for our family during this
year. We found such joy taking our new dog on new walks and hikes in ALL kinds of weather, where we discovered wildlife, from turtles to possums; found heart rocks and wishing rocks; collected pinecones or walking sticks; identified trees, including beech trees where there was evidence that black bears had visited them; found waterfalls or beautiful mountain streams; or discovered evidence that humans once lived there in the form of old foundations, walls, or chimneys. It was outside, in nature, where we felt comfortable convening with other masked friends and family, and where we made new friends (yes, we even
made new friends!). And it was in nature where we found peace, comfort, and joy, and released some of the anxiety that this year brought. We have always loved the outdoors, but this year has renewed our connection with the natural world in a way that we know will continue after we have returned to a new normal.
As the science and the guidelines changed through the early months of the pandemic, the Reading Public Library first asked folks to hang on to their books, then announced "THE BIG RETURN" in June 2020. We received almost 8,000 items on one day.
The Reading Public Library staff were inventive and engaged in the community throughout 2020 and 2021. During lockdown, we offered curbside pickup of library materials.
Every year me and my three best friends from college meet to catch up and relive old times. This year we had to do it virtually. It was still a good time!
This photo was taken at the beginning of the pandemic on a family hike at Mattera Cabin, a place that we frequented as a family throughout the pandemic.
During the pandemic, since my other activities were canceled, I took on a new hobby of baking. I made everything from cakes to pies to pudding. However, my absolute favorite sweet treats to make and enjoy are chocolate chip cookies. They are ooey, gooey and delicious, and always remind me of the comfort of family. Without making cookies every single day, I have no idea how I could have gotten through all of the new and unknown we have faced in the past year.
Mom wanted to hike the Flume for so long but hockey, cheer, figure skating and work always prevailed. The pandemic allowed us the free time to finally get to it!
This fresh from the oven lasagna is on its way to brighten the day of someone local, courtesy of Lasagna Love. Lasagna Love is a nationwide kindness movement started in the early days of the pandemic.
This is a picture of my three children looking at signs and messages hung by the Barrows teachers & staff. This particular photo shows messages in the library windows left by Ms. Pappa & Ms. Hill.
Michael Tezak, MJ Warner and Anne Tezak. In this photo they are at the top of killington mountain. This marks the beginning of Covid. The day before we were put into lock down.
We usually celebrate Thanksgiving with extended family at my cousin's great big house so that all 40+ of us fit. Since it wasn't safe to travel to Pittsburgh this year, we celebrated at home, just the 3 of us. We wanted to get into the spirit, but couldn't justify a whole turkey for so few of us so...we improvised.
These prayer banners were handmade by members of the First Congregational Church of Reading and waved in the wind in front of our church, featuring sentiments of hope and love.
Like many parts of the country, Reading held a peaceful protest against police brutality and a Rally for Racial Justice program to call out the death of George Floyd and so many others. As a white person, I reflected on my place at this Rally and in social justice work. I work to acknowledge the privileges my skin color affords me. Though the Rally wasn't a source of "peace" during the pandemic, it brought some tiny relieft to be doing SOMETHING. So to remind myself, my t-shirt can only be read by looking in the mirror, as a way to remind MYSELF, "Understanding White Privilege is an Ongoing Process. Keep Studying."
I'm sure I'm not the only person to have taken this photo. The Reading Town Forest was one of my favorite place, even before quarantine, but it was somehow even more magical in 2020. Having an beautiful, "safe" place to be out of the house meant a lot.
Like so many of my friends, I really missed seeing my stylist for my monthly haircut once the salons closed down, but I decided this was the perfect time to grow out my natural gray hair. The New Yorker even did a story about it. (Mead, Rebecca. "The Unexpected Beauty of COVID Hair." New Yorker, 4 June 2021.) Even though mine is still a "work in progress," I was thrilled to see Stacey at Blush again and love the new 'do she gave me!
In January 2021 driving by Sturges Park, I thought what a great way for families to go outside and get fresh air and enjoy ice skating during this difficult time.
What a difference a year makes! On a beautiful hot summer evening, we attended our Grandkids (Twins) Graduation from R.M.H.S. A new beginning for all of us to celebrate.
Because of the pandemic, I found being on my hands and knees with my buddies, bees, worms, baby toads, birds and, not to forget, my flowers - a very good escape from what was happening in this crazy world.
Limpy was a wild turkey who "lived" in a nest on Prescott Street near the Fire Station. He frequented our Commuter Rail station in his daily travels. Unfortunately, Limpy lost his life
in an automobile accident.
We live on a corner and have lots of "little people" passers by. This gives me justification to fairy-up the garden, despite my teenage daughter having outgrown it. Last summer allowed for ample garden-fussing time, as well as interactions with the little neighbors who we'd normally miss while away at work.
On March 27, 2021, Passover fell for the second time during the pandemic. Our extended family still could not gather all together in person so we went hybrid. We adapted and shared a 'google doc' Haggadah, dropped off Passover specialties, and gathered in families. The vaccinated grandparents were able to join us at our Seder Table. We all gathered via zoom, praying that next year, we will all meet around the Seder Table in person.
This is a photo of Grammy Barbara for whom Grammy Barbara's Team is dedicated. Leukemia stole her on September 2, 2007 after an agonizing 3 month battle. No pandemic was going to deny us the opportunity to fundraise and add to her legacy of protecting others from the cruel disease that took her. Ed Snow, her loving husband of 54 years is by her side in this picture.
Last year, the Leukemia Lymphoma Foundation's Light the Night Walk had to happen virtually due to the continuing pandemic. These pictures are of my dad and me celebrating alongside our monitor which broadcast the fundraising results with Grammy Barbara's Team announced as top fundraiser for the North Shore. Grammy Barbara was our beloved mom and grandmother. We have been walking to fundraise since her death in September 2007. This year we couldn't walk in person, so we walked virtually...
In the early days of the COVID shutdown, my family spent a lot more time than we had before going to the Reading Town Forest and exploring the paths and trails. My two boys, Phineas and Rory, absolutely love the long boardwalk in the middle of the forest.
Although this photo is dated May 2021--toward the end of the pandemic but before full restrictions were lifted in Massachusetts--my daily two hours of Kundalini Yoga practice were a huge part of what sustained my equilibrium during the entire course of the pandemic. Breathwork, music, yoga, and meditation helped me stay simultaneously grounded and elevated through four and a half months of furlough and other challenging personal, family, and global circumstances.
Even though I returned to work in August after four and a half months on furlough because of COVID-19, our family still carved out time through the autumn days of 2020 to walk in the Reading Town Forest, which we had come to know so well--better, in fact, in these pandemic months than during our previous thirty-five years living in Reading. So, if there were any silver linings to the pandemic, getting to appreciate our town's forest more deeply was one.
Though we still wore masks and social distanced, it did feel normal to continue our annual summer pilgrimage to Maine to visit with family and take in the beauty of favorite childhood coastal haunts.
Our family spent many hours in the Reading Town Forest during 2020. It was a real touchstone for us to get out of the house together and enjoy nature. We often expressed our appreciation for the town leaders who set aside this unique tract of land and to those who maintain its trails, boardwalks, signage, and other unobtrusive amenities that make it so walkable. This photo was taken from one of the boardwalks. It is of the fragrant Clethra plant, also called Summersweet. Indeed, each bush was humming with bees and other pollinators.
Since our favorite Gloucester beaches were closed to nonresidents because of the pandemic, we joined Trustees of the Reservations and throughout spring and summer enjoyed the glorious wide expanses of sand, sea, and sky at Crane Beach. You can see in the photo that people were observing required spacing between parties. Almost everyone wore masks when unable to social distance, and people were quite civil toward each other. Not only did our beach outings give our family a sense of peace but also of community: we're all in this together.
Six days after Easter 2020 it snowed. This is what our backyard forsythia looked like. Thankfully the forsythia bush, the early rhododendron in full bloom, and other beautiful spring flowers bounced back, once again giving us hope--as well as admiration at their persistence and stamina.
We and our relatives from Maine to Pennsylvania photo-blitzed each other with pictures of spring flowers and buds on Easter 2020, finding comfort in the fact that nature was bursting forth, just like always, even if we were unable to be with loved ones in person. At that point, we knew so little about the pandemic, what the world faced in the weeks and months ahead, and what if anything could be done to stop the virus. This is one of those photos, of an early rhododendron in our backyard.
Nothing says spring and renewal like a daffodil. Daffodils and narcissus had been coming up in our yard for years (ever since we planted bulbs for a Reading Memorial High School marching band fundraiser) and will likely do so for many years to come, pandemic or no pandemic. This picture was taken on Easter Sunday 2020.
The Reading Town Forest was one of our family's go-to places during the pandemic. This early April 2020 photo shows a tangle of snakes squirming in the warming sun. Scenes like this reminded me that although humans were frightened of the unknown virus sweeping across continents, many creatures were unaware, unaffected, and going about their business as they have for centuries or millennia.
My husband took this photo in early April 2020, less than two weeks after the bookstore where I work shut its doors because of statewide pandemic regulations. Our family frequently took walks along Spot Pond during the pandemic. We found it comforting to tread familiar paths and see bit by bit the stirrings of spring and to enjoy sunlight sparkling on the surface of the water.
These frost feathers formed on the frozen surface of the Aberjona River, where it passes through the Maillet Conservation Area in the middle of Reading. I came across them on one of my early-morning walks, which I started during the pandemic.
My niece had a pandemic baby on June 10, 2020. She went to all of her doctor's appointments alone once the lockdown hit. When it came time for her c-section, my nephew was allowed in for the birth. Once he left the hospital he wasn't allowed back in. He left the hospital that night because they had a three year old at home. It was a very emotional and lonely time for everyone involved.
This is a photo of the wedding day of Michael Thurnauer and Hannah Shefsky. After having to cancel their wedding plans in Evanston, Chicago because of the Coronavirus Pandemic, they planned a very sweet wedding on the front steps of Michael's Thurnauer's Family home in Reading.
With just a few family and friends present but with others present through the technology of Zoom, (notice the multiple cell phones placed to record and share the ceremony) beautiful heartfelt readings, wishes, love, vows and congratulations were shared.
I made this quilted banner to hang on my front door on Belmont Street in the early days of the pandemic, to encourage both my neighbors and myself to stay hopeful and resolute.It hung there for many months!
We discovered paint pens, during quarantine. We used them to decorate a bunch of things including a whole bunch of "conversation rocks." I found it very cathartic to paint these flower rocks and had a whole bouquet by the time the weather warmed up. I had thought to put them in my garden, but then, as I started going for walks more frequently and enjoying the incredible flower gardens my neighbors were cultivating, I had the idea to show my appreciation with a guerilla flower rock placement campaign. I suppose the secret will be out now for any neighbors who see this post, but it was so nice to have a small way to say thank you. What's also thrilling is that many of my flower rocks are still where I placed them, almost a year later! :)
Reading Firefighters were awarded state firefighter citations by Massachusetts Fire Marshall Peter Ostroskey for their work in putting out a very dangerous fire in the early morning hours at a High Street apartment complex in February of last year. The pandemic forced a delay in public recognition of their courageous efforts in saving lives and quelling the fire.
In this photo, Joan and Joe Kingston drive slowly down the road along with a parade of others in celebration of First Congregational Church of Reading congregation member, Merilyn Russell.
Volunteers at First Church of Reading organized a food drive outside the church! People were invited to drop off food for the community at tables on the lawn.
This past year has highlighted how vital love and connection are to human beings. When we were no longer able to hug our parents and loved ones, see our friends, or get within six feet of our neighbors, my dog became my lifeline. I know it might seem silly, but having his companionship while I work alone from my home all day has eased the pain of isolation that I, and so many others, are feeling. I will always look back on this time, knowing Cooper helped me through!
On June 4th 2020 hundreds of residents gathered at Reading Town Common to peacefully protest the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police.
Reading citizens along with concerned citizens of other communities parade for raising awareness that we are all equal and must redouble our efforts to improve race equality, especially people of color.
During the pandemic, I spent a lot of time in a family cottage; it was someplace I could go for a change of scenery and from where I could "work from home" while my office was closed. A pair of bluebirds took up residence in the yard and raised two broods; it was a delight to watch them take food to the nest then bring their fledglings to the feeder. I stopped by one day in the winter and saw that they had overwintered in my yard, and I was able to snap this shot of them. Bluebirds are a symbol of happiness. Watching these carry on also reminded me that we will return to normalcy, or adapt better to our "new normal."
We have at least one annual holiday party every year and were so sad to have to cancel in 2020. We did our best to dress up the characters who live in the house year-round in the ways that our guests normally might have...
Volunteers gathered for the Olde Redding Express - an annual faire that was adapted this year to be Covid safe. The outdoor express faire had a number of parts that people could participate in from ordering a meal to take home to purchasing different goodies. Here volunteers organize flowers for people to pick up as they come by.
Betsy and Jim stand behind the check out table at the pandemic adapted Annual Olde Redding Faire. This event is usually a large Faire throughout the entire church for the entire community to enjoy. In 2020 it became a smaller outdoor market where people could stop by for a moment to say hello socially distanced.
I brought little Tessa the Maltese (right) home from just outside Reading, Pennsylvania five days before the Mass. lockdown. I'd found her older sister Teddie (left) five months earlier, and wanted her to have a sibling, so got her actual sister (same parents.). Tess was born at just the right time and grew throughout the lockdown, making every day joyful, despite Covid. These little girls, and my older pug, were my constant companions who gave me routine, laughter, love and joy while handling the online teaching, fear for family, friends and our community, and isolation. Because of the pandemic I was able to be home with my puppies for most of their puppyhood. They are spoiled rotten and loved beyond belief, though we are still working on Tessa's socialization issues! I will never forget how much joy Tess and Teddie gave me during this difficult year, and treasure these pups every day. This photo is not excellent quality, but really shows their personalities, relationship and lovable natures.
Contributor's brother took the picture of the memorial obelisk. In May (28th?) of 2011 some of the descendants of Rev. Samuel Whiting got together at the Western Burying Ground in Lynn to celebrate the 375th anniversary of the arrival of Rev. Whiting in the Lynn area. At the time (1636), the area was known as Saugust - but they changed the name to Lynn in honor of Rev. Whiting, because he had come from Kings Lynn in Norfolk, England. Attendees of the 2011 gathering included descendants, members of the Lynn Historical Commission, as well as the first church in Lynn, now the First Church of Christ in Lynn, Congregational. The territory that is now Reading was part of Lynn, so some of the original European residents of Reading in 1639 would have known Rev. Whiting.
4 West Street MobilGas rebuilt in 1962 behind the original. At this time Hanson family house moved to 26 South Street ,which became 26 Border Road. Jay Leno bought his first car here in 1964 at age 14, a 1934 Ford Truck.
4 West Street prior to lube pit being covered by moving garage over it, a small office building moved closer to house, and connecting showroom between garage and office.
Photographer unknown, but almost certainly with contributor's camera (etc.). Carolyn Whiting [contributor] and Louis Ventola with Sweetie in the window. From Fall of 1993. Sweetie was Carolyn Whiting's brother's cat until Carolyn adopted her. The foundation of the house was probably built in 1917 (the water service line went in in 1917, and first appears in the town street list in 1917 as being on Park Street). Originally the house had no number on Park Street, but would become 7 Park Street. They then changed the name of the street, and the house address became 7 Chestnut Road. Between 1936 and 1937, they renumbered many of the houses in Reading, and this house became 17 Chestnut Road. As far as the contributor (Carolyn) knows, the house in the photograph was built in 1947, and so is a bit older than the contributor herself. Carolyn bought the house in January 1985. Carolyn changed the color of the trim from gray to purple and orchid. She painted the trim not knowing that Reading would be using the same colors (purple and white) to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the town. Louis came into Carolyn's life in 1992 and died of cancer in 2003.
Team photo at the Boston Garden following the championship game. Back row: Erica Sanchez, trainer; Dave Huster, asst. coach; Mark Doherty, asst. coach, Charlie Driscoll, asst. coach; Jason Penkethman, manager Players: Ryan Tierney, Nick MacDonald, Eric McNeill, Geno D'Avolio, John-Michael Leach, Tyler Silvey, Brian McCabe, Brett Sweeney, Jon Kaine, Garrett Collins, Michael Shea, Michael Lozzi, Rob Toczylowski, Quinian Junta, Patrick Kiley, Travis Busch, Sean McGoldrick, Ryan Arsenault, Brett Lepore, Bill Cataldo, Devin Albert, Jeff Wyer, Matt Stratton
Hot Spot on Haven Street served as party headquarters for the Millennium Party. Hot Spot was owned by Anna "Ace" Foulds, and closed in June 2012. It was in business for 19 years.
Souvenier button for Millennium Party December 31, 1999. Button sold as a souvenier for the Millennium Party it was also used as a fundraiser and used as an dmittance button to all downtown events.
Birch Meadow Kindergarten Class of 1997 / 1998 who were bused to a Barrows School portable classroom for the year, due to lack of space at Birch Meadow school. It was a difficult year for parents and kids.
One of the last times the RMHS band marched to the football field over the crest of Oakland Road. It was always a thrill to see them come up over the hill, as you would hear them before you would see them. After the high school renovation they no longer used this route.
Photo courtesy of Everett A. Blodgett
Ruth Manning 3rd row, 1st left (sitting), Alice Barrows (?) teacher
From the Stembridge family, Ruth Manning married Stanley Stembridge
"The First Congregational Church of Reading was founded in 1770. The present edifice was built in 1910 and stands on the site of the old Bethesda Church which was built in 1849 and destroyed by fire in 1909."
"This typical 17th century salt box is the town's oldest house. During the Revolutionary War British prisoners were housed here among them Sir Archibald Campbell. The house is now headquarters of the Reading Antiquarian Society."
From handwritten card accompanying postcard: "The houses in the foreground are on the corner of Summer Avenue and King Street. The open space behind the homes on the far side of Summer Avenue is now the site of Walter S. Parker Middle School."; Frank Parker E.A. Carpenter
"The door leading to the inside of Sailor Tom's home designed with nautical hardware ship's lights on either side. Come aboard and pay us a visit. Tom and Polly"
"Surrounded by a sea of rhododendrons and mountain laurel. Home consists of seven rooms: length overall 80 feet with a 15-foot beam. Route 28 Reading, Mass. You are welcome pay us a visit. Tom and Polly"
"Drop anchor at Sailor Tom's. Route 28 Reading, MAss-12 miles north of Boston. Food you like at prices you like to pay. Glad you came folks. Hope you will come again. Thanks a million. Sailor Tom. For reservations call Reading 2-7026."
Accompanying collector's note reads "A picture of the Reading town team in 1909. The manager 5th from left was George Horrocks. Next to him Timothy Cullinane. Second from him Fred Day. In the front row in the middle is Len Nichols."
"If a postcard was made up of the rifle range for a stationer in Wakefield it was captioned as located in Wakefield regardless of its being in Reading." From a note from postcard collector.