Sunday – so many “Sunday stories” to tell———–

My Dad was in the automobile business before WW11. He owned 3 or 4 of the major gas and car service stations in New Haven, CT. I went back to New Haven a few years ago and did research on the sites of his service stations; it was then that I realized that they were all situated at major real estate locations in New Haven.

Oh, how I wish that we had that real estate now! But cars were his business—not real estate.

He would leave the house very early in the morning and come home late at night. Mom and I had already had supper. She always waited up for him, and depending upon how late it was, there was a hearty supper, or scrambled eggs, for him. At “his” place, at the kitchen table.

I remember: In the winter when it was very cold, he would come home, wash up, take off his dirty clothes and put his feet up on the radiator near the kitchen table to warm-up while eating.

My Dad’s ritual of washing up: SCAT sand soap, using the kitchen sink. Scrubbing and scrubbing the oil, tire, and car dirt off of his hands. I loved the smell of SCAT. I can still see the yellow can with the black print. I think that there was also a picture of an animal on it???? If I can find a picture of the can, I will post it. (no luck)

But, this is supposed to be about Sunday.

Most of the time he did not work on Sunday. Or, if he did, he came home around noon time. In time for company—–or my special time alone with Mom and Dad: “Taking a drive on a Sunday afternoon”.

We drove to the country. Woodbridge*, CT. We stopped to visit farms, look at the cows, shop for produce at the Farm Stands, talk and enjoy each other and nature. On our way home, we listened to The Shadow** on the radio. Lamont Cranston and his constant companion, Margo Lane; enjoying breakfast and discussing some mystery. (now I wonder, why breakfast? had she stayed the night?)

Home: Supper: Bath: to Bed. Ready for school on Monday. So Happy!!!! It was a wonderful day with my favorite people. Feeling very loved and secure.

I am so frustrated. I have a great picture of me standing on the running board of the Pierce Arrow (car in the large picture), and I can’t find it. I will try to describe it to you:

I am about 6-8 years old. Standing on the running board of the car, on the driver’s side. My father is in the driver’s seat, leaning out, just over my head. I guess my Mom took the photo.
I am wearing: navy, brass buttoned, double breasted sailor coat; white silk dress; white gloves; white, lace ruffeled socks; black, patent leather, “Mary Jane” shoes; a large brimmed, straw, navy colored, hat with a band of long streamers hanging down my back; I have very straight hair, with a “Buster Brown” haircut.
Keep in mind—-we were out for a drive, on a Sunday afternoon, to see the country side and the cows.

* Woodbridge, CT. This was farmland when I was growing up. Today, it is expensive residential real estate. Woodbridge Country Club, established in 1946, was the result of several Jewish businessmen getting together, (my Dad being one of them) and sponsoring, and supporting, a place for a Jewish family to join a Country Club; play golf, dine, entertain, swim, etc. The existing Clubs in New Haven, at that time, did not allow Jews to join. Needless to say–only Jewish membership at Woodbridge, to start with.

**The Shadow– One of the most popular radio shows in history. The show went on the air in August of 1930. “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” The opening lines of the “Detective Story” program captivated listeners and are instantly recognizable even today. Originally the narrator of the series of macabre tales, the eerie voice known as The Shadow became so popular to listeners that “Detective Story” was soon renamed “The Shadow,” and the narrator became the star of the old-time mystery radio series, which ran until 1954.