A Time Remembered At The End Of A String
By Reno Litterio

The other morning, as I came by a window display, my memory tape began running and I saw myself in the backyard of my mother’s house, with a couple of pals, working feverishly on the project at hand.

What activated my mind tape was a colorful display of kites. Oh, how I wished I had then what’s available now in high tech design and material for making kites.

Back in the early 40’s we had nothing but old newspaper, very thin branches from some small tree, flour and water for glue for making our own kites.

The idea of getting something to fly at 100 to 300 feet and your were in complete control at the end of a string, was mind stretching.

My friends and I would find an empty field, and hoped the wind would be strong enough to lift that free spirit off the ground.

Back in April, the Blue Hill Observatory held an open house. The flyer read, “Enjoy the amazing view, fascinating history and fun activities at the oldest continuously operating weather observatory in the country. Activities included rooftop viewing, weather demonstrations, kite making and kite flying, weather exhibits, lectures and displays. Where do you think you would have found me, more than sixty years later on Saturday, April 29, 2006?

Still at the end of a string.

About The Author
Reno J. Litterio is the previous Editor and Publisher of The Constellation Newsletter. Litterio was the co-founder of the Ward 4 Senior Citizens Social Group in Quincy in 1992 and is now chairman and Director of the group. You can reach Mr. Litterio at renowarior@aol.com.