Happy 100 Years
New Ipswich Historical Society
The Wapack Trail (1923 - 2023)
Lunch and water break on a very hot day on June 1, 2013. A guided hike led by the Friends of the Wapack.
From Drovers to Trail Blazers - TODAY!!
The Story of the Creation of the Wapack Trail
Presenter Larry Anderson
Saturday, June 24, 2023 - 1:30 p.m.
New Ipswich Congregational Church
(156 Main Street)
HILMA STARK REMINISCES:
HENRY HJALMER born Nov. 26, 1919
I was five years old when your Uncle Hank made his appearance in this world. I remember being rushed off with my older sisters to attend school for the day. I felt royally cheated when I came home to discover what had taken place at home and the reason for my being bounced to school that day. I would rather have been home for the exciting event. When Hank was about six months old, I was pushing him back and forth in our old-fashioned carriage that had been in the family for each baby, when over it went, and poor Hank landed in a heap on the floor.
Needless to say, Mother got all shook up and I received the worst scolding of my life. We were sure that was the end of Hank. I was too frightened to stop and see if Hank had survived the fall, but took off down the road to the house of a kindly neighbor (Mrs. Aho) which was about a mile away. I ran all the way and up a long hill until my throat was all raw from the strain. Mrs. Aho did not ask any questions, or if she did, I was in too much of a shock to tell her what had happened. She tied a soft flannel cloth around my throat and went upstairs for some scraps of cloth which she expertly fashioned into a rag doll. She comforted me for hours until I felt well enough to return home, but I don’t remember if anyone came after me or if I finally got the courage to crawl home. When I got there, Mother told me she was sorry she had been so upset over the incident and said that Hank was none the worst for his unscheduled flight. No wonder he was always interested in UFO’s, Astronauts, and Missiles
Reminisces from Hilma Stark (b. 1917) who grew up in New Ipswich. She was sister to the late Elmer Stark who lived at the family place on Fox Farm Road (uncle of Sharon Anderson Rosenfelder). (probably recorded in the late 1970’s)
James Roger diary entry
24th June 1912
Fair and warm; wind west. David at Spoffords’ in forenoon and Lonie & him whitewashing, etc. at Mrs. Ethel Parker’s in afternoon. I took some pills last night and castor oil and was sick and out of sorts all day. Newcombs sent call to Brookline, Mass. this afternoon. May got p.c. from B.T. [possibly Beatrice Traver b. 1876 daughter of James Sr.'s daughter Marion] and we got letter from Hamish & invitation from Jennie (possibly Jeanie) Mair to Graduating exercises.