Cycling Group
New Ipswich Historical Society
Taylor Road?
(Left to Right) Ralph Taylor, Will Coleman George Sargent, Unknown, Melam Whiting, Unknown Boy, Mary & Kate Bucknam, Albert Howe, Berkley Laralu, Charlie Wilson. Photo by Leon R. Willard. NIHS catalog no. 92.605.
On this day - November 2, 1897
William Jurian Kaula diary - no diary entry
On this day - November 2, 1908
James Roger diary entry - Busy Day
2nd (Monday)
Hard front. Clear and cool but molder wind W. to S.W. David on roads down town. Hamish and I fixed the Hall for the Election tomorrow. Hamish went to Greenville in afternoon with G Sargent’s horse and took turnips to Robbin’s and cranberries and corn for Berkley. Brought grain, laundry &c. I emptied the Preston fountain in Cemetery. Mr. Ely told Hamish to close up Club. David, Hamish, Mr. Peacock and F. Shirland going to Greenville tonight where the Republicans and Democrats are each holding rallies and torchlight processions. The New Ipswich band to be there also.
On this day - November 2, 2020
Interview with Ollie Niemi. Part of our oral history project. Learning about our past through interviews with long time residents. Sadly Covid made this a lot more difficult, but the project continues. Do you have a story to tell? Let us know.
Thanks for posting the photos of my cousin Ollie and my friend Carl. You asked for stories. Here's one. When I was approximately 5 I heard my mother tell a friend that she lived in Franklin NH for a month learning how to make men's socks. I never asked her anything about it. I thought there was a school there for that purpose. Not so. Turns out Phil C. Thayer, who was a dairy farmer in the 30's, bought the Allen-A Company with Walter's financial backing, and sent of crew of young ladies to Franklin to learn the trade. Walter at the time had a lumber and hardware business and it may have been in Greenville. Also employed at Franklin was Lionel Blais who later relocated to New Ipswich (he is buried with other family members in Franklin). I suspect the that the hardware store in Greenville had a vacant 2nd floor and this is where Phil started his new venture. Lionel was the mechanic who repaired and redesigned the machines (he has patents in his name). Jason Blais, his son, and I were friends. Jason had a 'deuce coup' in 1959 (like the one in American Graffiti) that he and his father built, It was the first time I had ever ridden over 90mph, we did not get to 100 because his father designed it with a top speed of 95 which we verified. My mother had the highest praise for Lionel mechanical abilities. She was part of Phil's first crew. When Tricnit sent sample socks to Best & Taylor or J C Penny for review Phil asked that they be the ones that were made by my mother (so she said in bragging about her job). Hazel Cotzin would know, she worked with my mother.
PS: I had a 49 Ford in 1959 that wouldn't do more than 75.
They dressed up pretty fancy for bike riding. I don't know how that woman could pedal a bicycle in that dress. No padded spandex pants back then.