The Crackerbox

New Ipswich Historical Society

The Crackerbox

LINDA DICKER MONTAGUE RECALLS THE FINNISH-AMERICAN DANCING FEET OF NEW IPSWICH, NH

Post courtesy of Patti Kankaanpaa

My Mom, Lily Maki, grew up on her family farm on Wilson Hill Road in New Ipswich. My Dad, Arthur Dicker, grew up in Fitchburg, MA. They met on a double blind date with Doris Halfpenny, younger sister of Geraldine Keurulainen, and John Jakala, also of Fitchburg.

My mother attended Appleton Academy. My father had been in the same class with John at Fitchburg High but they were unacquainted at that time. Of course, their class included 460 +/- students, so who knew? John and Dad finally met in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Dad though embraced country living after marrying and moving to New Ipswich. He became a prolific gardener and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

But before my parents even met, the Cracker Box had been established as a gathering place for those New Ipswich Finns who allowed dancing. Located on Poor Farm Road, it was about an eighth of a mile below the Upper Pratt Pond entrance. The hall enjoyed great popularity, providing an amiable social setting where our ethnic group could freely speak their language, enjoy their music, and just have good entertainment in a comfortable setting.

My maternal Mummu, Emma Maki, recited her original poetry there and sang. It was a place where my Mom learned to dance and to serve customers. As a teenager, she ran the concession stand, selling hotdogs, soft drinks, and coffee. Live music, played on the accordion and/or piano, kept patrons tapping their toes to the rhythms. Many other couples would be vigorously dancing the polka or the more sedate schottische. Mom got to be accomplished at both steps. Her feet could really move when I, much later, observed her dancing.

After the Cracker Box's glory days declined, it became a private home. At what point the hall and its organizers discontinued the venture remains a mystery to me. My only memory of a family living there was when attending Central School and Appleton Academy. The Goodney family made the building their home at one point. George was in my class and brother Ernie was a few years younger.

However, I am aware that many New Ipswich Finns had never set foot in the Cracker Box or even heard of the polka or schottische. Dance among certain congregations was discouraged or forbidden. 

A classmate recently reminded me of what happened when those of us from more liberal Finnish-American families attended the prom one year at Appleton Academy. We lined up by couples outside the beautifully decorated gymnasium to promenade inside. We felt anticipation because later in the evening we’d see which couple would be honored. Then we’d all be photographed and later go out to dinner in small groups. 

As we stood outdoors in formation dressed in our finery—girls in evening dresses with corsages, boys in tuxes with boutonnières—some of our Apostolic Lutheran peers arrived in their cars, keeping a respectul distance. The girls among them called and waved to greet us. This now seems sad because it would have been fun to have them there. But we understood why they couldn’t attend.

James Roger diary entries (Catching Up)

1st October 1912 Tuesday

Fair forenoon and cool and cloudy, then rain with thunder in afternoon. David completed the wagon of coal and chored around. I was in bed all day with piles.

2nd Wednesday

Fair and cool. David went to Greenville for grain in afternoon, then put guideboard at Four Corners in afternoon, also put in wood at Newcomb’s. Dr. Jones called at noon, gave me some lotion and some medicine.

3rd Thursday

Fair and cool, wind west to south west. David lit the church fire in the morning and lifted potatoes during the day. I dusted the vestry for sewing circle and lay around all day. John Preston came today. He is going to board at Miss Taylor’s and sleep at Lowe’s.

4th October 1912 Friday

Fair and cool westerly wind. David went to depot with apples from Myron Taylor in forenoon. Brought chair to paint from Mrs. Lena Preston. He picked the Hubbardston apples in afternoon. I picked up the fallen apples and fixed the hen house doors. John Barnett picking his apples at Gordon’s. He brought me some “suppositories” for piles. Mr. Heald’s man called to pay for the chicken hatchery.

5th Saturday

Fair and mild wind west to northeast. The foliage on the trees very bright and beautiful. David went to Greenville with trunks from Mrs. Newcomb in forenoon. He took down apples from Barnett’s from Gordon’s. I picked two broilers and swept church etc. Got letter from Alice and P.C. from Hamish.

6th October 1912 Sunday

Very fine day with west wind. Mr. Lord preached from text in 1 st Sam. 15-23.”Ye have rejoiced the Lord and the Lord has rejoiced thee” and a very dyspeptic and strongly worded sermon with some injudicious remarks. Especially saying “There was not a man or woman in New Ipswich but was evil spoken of”. S.S. after, 11 seniors, 4 juniors, collection 25c. E Sargents quarterly 4c total 29c. Evening service at 7pm good attendance. I had a short talk with Mr. Lord about his remarks in his sermon which he was protested was perfectly true and illustrated by saying that someone said the suit of Mr. Ingerson of Ashby against the town of New Ipswich would never had been brought but for the instigation of Deacon Roger. John Preston and David looking over his orchard.

7th October 1912 Monday

Fair and very warm wind westerly. David at Newcomb’s in forenoon. Also lifting potatoes. I went to mail in afternoon with Mr. Lord. Met Mr. Hyman the lawyer for Mr. Ingerson on the road, also Mr. James Davis who has come for a day or so to look after his garden. Helped lift some potatoes in afternoon. Got letter from Hamish. Paid telephone.

8th Tuesday

Quite cold this morning, but warmed up in afternoon. Wind northwest to west. David finished lifting potatoes and took some coal to Lena Preston and shifted some roses etc. at Mr. Gordon’s. We brought in the potatoes in afternoon. Several of the committee members at church this afternoon getting ready for Children’s Fair tomorrow. The school children also up practicing. David got letter from Mrs. Spofford.

9th October 1912

Cloudy but fair and cool, wind southwest. Children’s Fair Day. Large attendance and a great many strangers. Also a good number of donated articles. I went to dinner, but not to exercises nor auction sale. David choring around picking apples etc. Also took Mr. Newcomb to depot for noon train. Got letter from Hamish and postcard last night from Berkley from Bridport Vermont. Jessie called up on the telephone at noon.

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