As spring arrives and we venture out into our communities again, I’m happy to announce new work at New England Memories: A memoir essay titled “Adams Street, Springfield, MA” by first-time contributor Robert S. McCarthy The poem, “Lake Host” from first-time contributor Brenna Manuel Thank you to Robert and Brenna for sharing their work! PleaseContinue reading “New essay & poem at New England Memories”
Author Archives: Linda J Thomas
Adams Street, Springfield, MA
by Robert S. McCarthy I figured Adams Street and the South End were just fond memories. I was mistaken. Adams Street in the primarily Italian South End runs northeast three city blocks from Main Street to Ashmun Street. Joe Morello, later the drummer for The Dave Brubeck Quarter, was raised there, but I remember itContinue reading “Adams Street, Springfield, MA”
Brenna Manuel
Brenna Manuel’s childhood education began with reading Dick, Jane and Sally and ended with watching riots in Detroit. In 1971, she packed a large box and headed to the Northwest to see the Noguchi sculpture on the college campus. Her focus on academics waned, and she began visiting Indian reservations and canning beets. Nine yearsContinue reading “Brenna Manuel”
Lake Host
by Brenna Manuel “You know bass fishermen…,” he goes on. He cranes his angled cheek up to look one eye closed my way. His torso bends forward straight to make perfect “L” to outboard motor with blades that glisten sharply in the sun. He pauses, sputters, “Best engines…,” he goes on. My brows go up-Continue reading “Lake Host”
Robert S. McCarthy
Robert S. McCarthy was raised in western Massachusetts and lived there for most of his life except for time in military service and graduate school. In the 1970s, he began freelance writing, initially writing video scripts and later articles for regional magazines. During the ensuing years, he also worked in house for regional manufacturers andContinue reading “Robert S. McCarthy”
New prose & poetry at New England Memories
I’m pleased to welcome Leslie Vogel and Linda Warren to the list of contributors to New England Memories with Leslie’s essay “Climbing Mount Monadnock” and Linda’s poem “Great Blue Heron on the Swift River.” Also, Elaine Reardon has added to her work at the site with two poems: “Winter Sounds” and “Easter Cherog.” As I writeContinue reading “New prose & poetry at New England Memories”
Easter Cherog
by Elaine Reardon Sleep and stillness cling to my eyes. Morning light trickles through pine branches into the kitchen where yeast has raised soft pillows of cherog dough overnight. I slide the fragrance of warm yeast into the waiting oven. I kept the fire going last night to coddle the dough, to be kind toContinue reading “Easter Cherog”
Winter Sounds
by Elaine Reardon We’ve gotten used to sounds deep in a winter night, a sharp ping of the wood stove reaching some cooler temperature, muffled tumbles of a smoldering log, the creak of floorboards as if someone walked quietly. Downstairs the refrigerator hums, the water heater readjusts. What is shifting inside this house I wonder,Continue reading “Winter Sounds”
New England Memories 