Posted by Bob Conner
on 7/15/2009, 9:29 am
Summer recalls to mind some of the simple joys we experienced on Summer streets.
It was always a thrill to see the Sanitation Dept. street washing trucks come down the block, with the blasts of water emitting from both sides. We would run along the sidewalk trying to keep ahead of the watery blasts. Watching the truck refill at a hydrant held our attention too.
Then there was going along Fresh Pond Rd. with a bamboo pole and chewing gum. The object of the exercise was to look down sidewalk gratings for money. Gum affixed to the pole would stick to the coin and the pole would be deftly pulled up. Once we had a dime it was off to the candy store for a 5 cent bottle of Mission Soda and a salt pretzel. A feast fit for a king.
Watching the roof tarring of the 3 story houses also provided entertainment. To see the fire breathing goliath of a tar heater in the street and the men hauling tar paper and buckets of hot tar up to the roof with a tripod and pulley was free entertainment.
Once a year the Sewer Dept. would show up on 68th Rd. with a clam bucket truck and a dump truck. They would remove the sewer covers and clean the sewer debris with the motorized bucket. Dripping with filthy water and assorted debris, it would be swung over to the dump truck and released. Sitting on the brown stone stoops provided arena seats for us little kids.
Arrival, in late Summer, of the coal delivery trucks was always fun to watch. Dietz Coal Co. still used the old chain drive AC Macks. Coal would be filled into wooden barrels from the truck and manhandled through the front gate to be noisily poured down a hatch into cellar bunkers. Late Summer was when people started to get their coal in for the Winter.
Lastly, coming to mind, was watching the brick cleaning companies erect scaffolds on the face of the buildings and clean the bricks with steam. Down in the street was the steam generator, chugging and hissing. The scaffolds always looked so rickety.
Simple pleasures for gentler days.
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