Items · Reading Public Library, Reading, Mass.

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.

Clethra blooming in the Reading Town Forest

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.

Crane Beach, Ipswich

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.

Forsythia in snow

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.

Easter hope

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.

Resplendent daffodil

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.

Slithering snakes in spring sunlight

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.

Pandemic promise and peace at Spot Pond

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.

Frost feathers on the Aberjona

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 sweet Gabriel

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.

Stop the spread

Everyone doing their part to stop the spread.

Michael and Hannah's wedding day

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.

"Hang in there!"

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!

Garden appreciation rocks

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! :)

Firefighter award winners

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.

Fiona and pups

Our guinea pig Fiona gave birth to four healthy pups on March 13. This picture captures her with her babies.

Merilyn's 100th birthday parade!

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.

Drive-by food drive

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.

Cooper

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!

Climate control campaigners

Reading citizens supporting legislation to reduce the impact of global warming

Black Lives Matter

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.

Black Lives Matter

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.

Rhapsody in blue

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."

2-Dimensional guests

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...

Peace

While living in quarantine.... getting out into nature and taking nourishment with family. Enjoying the peace of the woods brings hope!!

Olde Redding Express

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.

Ye Olde Redding Express

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.

Covid girls

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.

Reverend Samuel Whiting obelisk

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 looking towards Reading 2019

Current view of 4 West street, showing the 93 overpass, note the Towle house no longer exists. Towle house was from the 1700's?

4 West Street "new station"

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 1956

4 West Street prior to Route 93 bridge, house is attached to station

4 West Street 1946

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.

Sweetie in the window

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.

Going for ice cream in the 1950s

The Birmingham siblings (4 of 7 pictured here) going out for ice cream.

Birmingham family birthday party in the 1950s

Birmingham family and friends in their backyard in Reading

Birmingham family photo

King Street - this is a casual everyday family photo taken by Jeanne's mother, Virginia.

Rios family

Easter Sunday at St. Athanasius

Rios family

Town Forest walk

Learning to skate

Eileen Barrett teaching Alexander to skate Mill Street, Ipswich River

2008 MIAA Div 1A Super 8 champions - RMHS boys Ice hockey 2007-2008

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

Time zone map

The Millennium Party began at 5 AM on December 31, 1999, and ran for 24 hours. As each time zone reached the New Year, that part of the map lit up.

Hot Spot on Haven Street

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.

Millennium party program

Program for a town-wide party run at the end of the century. It was an offshoot of the 350th anniversary of the town 6 years earlier.

Souvenier button for millennium party December 31, 1999

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.

Millennium tent on the Common

A big tent on the common for the millennium party. This was the center of the celebration. The crowd watching the performances before midnight

1999 /2000 New Year's confetti at Old South

Midnight celebration on the Common as eastern time zone hit midnight we set off confetti to celebrate the new year.

Daily Times Chronicle news coverage 1/1/2000

This is a composite photo of the newspaper's coverage of the Millenium

Millenium party Old South Church

The party was fantastic, this photo shows the Clock Tower at Old South Church

Millenium party ice sculpture

Party on the town common - ice sculptures were found around downtown - this may have been near the electric box on the common.

Future voters want you to vote yes for Reading

"Francis Drive Five" outside of Killam School reminding eligible voters to vote Yes For Reading for town-wide schools.

Reading375 tavern at the tavern

Larry Meuse and Peter Maguire (as the historical figure Dr. John Brooks) at Parker Tavern

Larry Meuse in third grade I got to help build the school.

I [contributor] got to spend a week with him because I spent more time looking out the window than at a book.

Joshua Eaton School Mrs. Murphy

Classroom Picture

Miss McDonald's Kindergarten Class

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.

RMHS Band pre-renovation

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.