The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-27
Tall Tower
Topics
Good Evening.
By THE MAN IN THE TOWER

Good Evening.
An Eighth Air Force Bomber Station, England -.
Staff Sergeant Arthur M lava, FL year old Waterbury,
Connecticut radio operator and aerial gunner on an
Eighth Air Force BIZ Flying Fortress, has been
awarded the Air Medal for "meritOriOus achievement
during bombing attacks Naz military and indus
trial installations and in cooperation with Allied
ground forces The award was presented by Colonel
Charles b. DOughar of Wilkes Barre Pa. commanding
officer of the oath Bomb Group Sgt lava is the son OF
Mr. and Mrs. Frank lava of Waterbury, Connecticut.
He a student before entering the Army Air Forces
One of the more important benefits of the week
staged Tuesday afternoon of this week in the upper
Willow Street section The event, inpromptu boxing
match took place in the commodious backyard OF Mr..
and Mrs John Delaney, Fleming street wnere were
sports FANS eight of them girls to witness spirited
match between Messrs Gordon Ecker and Arthur Balfe,
fifth grade pupils of ST. MargaretS School, Willow Street
The match which planned hurriedly was for the
benefit of the blind veterans at Old Farms Convaescent
Hospital in Avon, Conn Alfred Finn Jr., and John B.
Delaney J referees after the customary rounds excite
ment at high pitch, made the momentous decision-a
draw considerable sum was realized from the match
The ConvaleScent Hospital at Avon by the way,
the subject of of the major articles in the April
81 issue of the Saturday Evening Post. Admission to
the boxing grounds five cents and these proceeds will
go to swell the swimming pool fund at the Avon home
The Town Crer Tells . The senior class of Itch
field High school presenting for their class play
this year dramatizatiOn of the life of Stephen Foster
American song writer the title of which is weep No
More. Potato planting in ArOOstOOk County,
Maine, has already begun on the higher sunny slopes
The Cheshire, Wallingford nearby fertile lands
presenting early bIossomtime where the heavy
frOsts have not nipped things in the bud. Over to
Terryville they are planning new memorial building
to honor the soldiers in this war; and also athletic
field is planned on the Clark property The Pressure
Isle Star Herald says The 1945 edition of Fishing
in Maine OUT that disappearing fast in
that with early spring predcted and the Mars
Hill correspondent gives out that just he finished
his April 10 column a June bug came in the open win
dow, forced beachhead ON my bald crown, and held
On harder than any Jap did Two lima. I'm
prophet, but it looks to me like long hot summer
ahead when June bugs get around in Aprp' Every
thing is early this year. says farmer SOuthbury
way; acs out early fruit tree blossoms and darned
those pesky worms nests aren't early, too.
Yester-Years is. . Memories of old-time families, of
the north end revised during the past week the
death of Fred Baker, member of the school depart
ment, former superintendent of the WPA crew, which
erected the Municipal Stadium and veteran of World
War In his youth "Fritze Baker of the most
colorfu athletes of the north end AS matter of fact
all his brothers and he is survived by six Of them,
splendid athletes They identified with various
teams the older Baker boys being star football players,
members of the old Orents to mention but aggre-
cation that left it's imprint for sports fans to read and
enthuse We feel that Louis Thibodeau
principal OF the Crosby High School and very capable
quarterback in his day, could write interesting
history of this team In those days the Bakers, the
Andersons, the Roberts, Loughlins and OLoughlins,
Backas Marselas, Egans the Hayes headed the spot
light parade in athletic activities "Ftzie" played with
several teams Also including the North End Ponies when
"Nate" Malone the star pitcher. Yes sir, the Old
Burnt Hill produced many fine families and splendid
athletes and the of Baker belongs rightly among
to pull aside the curtains that the past and
to indulge in happy memories of halcyon days that
belong to the youth of the north end of yeStery
Souvenirs Something to remember them by
and it will be unusual remembrance which will be
presented this week end to the families of Cap Thomas
Kane of 80 Cole Street and Lieutenant Betty CestarO
Smith of 4O5 Lakewood Road They will be heard
tomorrow evening at 1880 o'clock Station VITO
in special broadcast recorded at Teheran where
they stationed with the u S. Arny's Persian Gulf
command The management of VITO has informed
the Tower that parts of the recordings with the voice of
Captain Kane and Lieutenant Smith will be presented
to their families for keepsakes if they have photos
of their loved ones in the service they will have
their "vOices" and renewed hopes of seeing the inmit
able Originals" soon. And while writing of keep
Sakes, here's of possible interest named
'TOm'. During Wednesdays downpOur a gray-haired
lady stepped into the Tower and produced letter
which she had evidently protected well against the
elements. She explained that she had found it in
front of Crosby High School East Main Street
from it's wording judged had been sent by chap in
the service named mike. The mssive was addressed
to STom" apparently couple of Smiling Irishmen"
but regardless if TOm wants Mikes" letter he will
find it waiting for him at the Tower We thanked the
lady who brought here for being cOnsiderate
tom" and "Mike' and for thinking of the Tower in
hopes of making contact with the the letter.
NJ AT TATUC'H
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