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Brief Encounters
By
Reno Litterio |
 On
Easter Sunday afternoon, we visited one of my favorite
locations in Milton, the Blue Hill Observation Tower.
Parking on the north end of The Big Blue, we hiked through
the trails and service road. The sun’s rays were warm and
inviting, with the wind at our back, with a little effort,
the Big Blue was finally conquered. The winding steps inside
the tower were a snap to the top. I looked out at the
vastness before me in all its bleak and winter hues. I
inhaled the fresh air, paused and let my thoughts take me
back to the years when we were all active in this area. The
ski slope still covered with snow and ice and not assessable
by foot, we chose to retrace our steps to the base below. As
we drove home I notice construction and other improvements
in the area.
We passed Brooks Farm and stopped to look at the maple trees
being tapped for their liquid sap, which will be processed
for syrup. The long rows of maples on either side of the
paved road with pails attached to the spigots; was a rare
visual. Maple syrup lovers in New England will be in for a
shock when they check out the prices this year. The
Department of Agriculture gives the reason in high fuel cost
and supplies. New Hampshire is selling syrup at $45 per
gallon as well as Maine and Vermont, the top producers of
maple syrup.
Houghton’s Pond came next, although still gated and not open
to the public, the cars in the parking area told us hiking
trails are always open and in use. This year the mounted
police will again patrol this area; now that funds have been
secured.
Stopping at Granite Links, I can’t get enough of the
panoramic view and The Boston skyline in the distance. The
$15 million club house is a 5 star attraction, built on top
of a quarry, including two restaurants, function rooms, a
golf shop and a display of photographs which show the
beginning of construction to the completion of the project.
Nine holes sit in Milton and the other 18 in Quincy,
including a driving range.
I stopped at the Granite Workers Memorial Park early in
April and saw, what this year’s long severe winter has done.
There isn’t one area of the park that hasn’t been touched by
the winter months. Let’s hope that our volunteers this year
will come together and start to bring this park alive. Your
contributions, more than ever, will help. All our funding
comes from private donations. Make checks payable to Granite
Workers Memorial Fund and mail to Stephen Cantelli, 65 West
Street, West Quincy, MA 02169. Please join us this summer
for our concert in the park. The date will be announced in
the near future.
Awake and look around. Come out of your winter mind
set and observe your surroundings. Get with Nature’s spring
rhythm as it awakens from the warmth of the sun. The
dormant creatures beneath the earth stir and emerge from
their winter hibernation.
Ruth Harcovitz, soprano, “Boston’s Julie Andrews” will be
appearing in her program, BROADWAY CALVACADE, a review of
American Musical Theatre from the early days up until more
recent times, including everyone’s favorite show tunes.
Featured throughout the presentation are stories about the
composers. Ms. Harcovitz, who is in constant demand
throughout the country for her charm and beautiful voice,
has appeared as a soloist with orchestras, in Summer stock
and in resorts and recently returned from a successful
singing tour in Florida. The performance will take place on
Wednesday, May 21 at 2:30 pm at the Ward IV Center for
Seniors Social Group, 100 Brooks Ave., South Quincy. For
further information, email Director, Reno J. Litterio,
renowarior@aol.com.
This program is sponsored by a grant from the Quincy Art
Council, a local agency of Massachusetts Cultural Council, a
state agency, and the River Bay Club. |
About The Author
Reno J. Litterio is the cofounder 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.
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