Lee Historical Society
Newsletter
Vol. 6, No. 5
May 2009
Lee Historical Society, Inc.
P. O. Box 170
Lee, MA 01238
www.leehistoricsociety.homestead.com
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When friends, neighbors or relatives move, downsize, or just clean house, PLEASE, ask them to think of the LEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY before they discard any old books, pictures, postcards, letters or memorabilia of the TOWN OF LEE. We are also interested in obtaining old Lee High School yearbooks and Town Reports.
The April Meeting was held on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at the Senior Center in Crossways Village. Committee reports were read and accepted. The Society voted to donate $500.00 to the Steeple Fund.
The Program Meeting entitled “An Evening with Abe Lincoln” was presented by Vice-President Myron Hood, who portrayed President Lincoln. The program included stories of Abe’s young years on the prairie, his reflections on the Civil War and his Presidency. Thanks Myron!
The May Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at the Senior Center at Crossways Village. This will be strictly a business meeting for Board Members, Officers and any interested society members. This business meeting will start at 6: 30 p.m.
The June Meeting will be a Program Meeting entitled “History of the Morgan House” and will be presented by Drew Loring, son of the present Morgan House owners, Jim and Pam Loring.
Update on the Congregational Church Steeple:
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, William Galvin has awarded the First Congregational Church $40,000 in emergency state funding to proceed with needed repairs to the church steeple. Church members, townspeople and local businesses have all rallied around the project with moral and financial support. The steeple is viewed as a “beacon” for travelers exiting the Massachusetts Turnpike at the Lee exit. Since January 1st over $18,000 has been donated for the repair, most of which came in after March 18th when the top 35 feet of the steeple was removed by a 250 ft. crane.
A little modern history:
Lt. Col. Michael R. Jones, son of Richard and Dolores Salice Jones of 555 Marble Street, who is presently 19th Operations Group deputy commander at Little Rock Air Force Base was presented the Bronze Star Medal at a April 3rd ceremony.
The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person, who while serving in any capacity in or with the military of the United States after December 6, 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement.
Lt. Col. Jones was cited for distinguishing himself by meritorious achievement as commander, 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing while engaged in ground combat against an enemy of the United States at Balad Air Base, Iraq, from September 28, 2007 to February 5, 2008.
During this period of time, Lt. Col. Jones’ exceptional leadership of 17 C-130 aircrews directly contributed to the success of intra-theater airlift supporting the Global War on Terrorism, the Air Force said. His squadron flew 3, 812 flying hours and 2596 combat sorties, airlifting over 26, 460 passengers and 3,837 tons of cargo in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lt. Col. Jones’ Total Force vision was instrumental in the first combat employment of a C-130 active duty association squadron, seamlessly blending airmen from four active duty and three Air National Guard units into a single cohesive combat airlift force.
In another combat first, Lt. Col. Jones led the initial employment of the C-130 Large Aircraft Infrared Counter Measures System, including the crafting of innovative operations and tactics training programs, which greatly enhanced mobility aircraft survivability in an unpredictable medium-threat combat environment. Furthermore, he orchestrated a force structure move of 35 personnel and two C-130 aircraft to Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, fulfilling the United States Air Forces Central Commander’s vision for theatre airlift the Air Force stated.
The Prez Sez:
Is it really going to be summer? My wife and I have been out raking and planting and it’s beginning to look like we will have flowers after all. It’s always interesting to see what comes back from last year and what the new plants we try will turn into.
Perhaps this summer will be the one where our existing members start something new and a few new members start something interesting. We have summer parades and Founders Day to look forward to. It would so nice to add other Society activities that bring more of us together to celebrate Lee’s history.
The thing I noticed lately was how sad the town looks. It used to be that driving down the hill from Summer Street to Main Street that you could see the spire of the Congregational Church rising over the center of town. Today there was just this abbreviated version of the tower and it just wasn’t the same.
The society has been able to play at least a small part in the efforts to save this landmark. When the church applies for grants, it helps if other organizations support their requests. We have been happy to do this for them.
We’ve discussed other ways that the Society might help. If you have some ideas, please share them with your favorite Board member, That church spire rising over the town is certainly a great symbol of the rich history of Lee.
If you have any questions on the Society, or items you would like to have discussed, please let me know. GaryWAllen@Earthlink.net, or Gary W. Allen, 250 Summer Street, Lee, MA 01238. Telephone 413-243-2140.
Gary
I want to wish the best to our friend and society member Vic Mottarella, who is feeling under the weather.
Recollections VI
By U. S. Navy Retired Commander Vic Mottarella,
A native of Lee
(Continued from the April – 09 issue)
Instruments
The next phase of training, and for me the most difficult while at Cuddihy, was my introduction to instrument flying. We never practiced in real instrument weather – we flew from the back cockpit while the instructor occupied the front cockpit. (We called it the front seat). The cadet in the back seat was sealed off from the outside world by a canvas canopy so the only thing he could see was the instrument panel about two feet in front of him. We were taught to fly the airplane very smoothly and precision turns had to be made at the standard rate of three degrees per second and at a specified angle of bank so that it would take exactly one minute to reverse and course and two minutes to make a complete circle. Rates of climb and descent also had to be made at the standard rate of five hundred feet per minute. Throttle adjustments were necessary to keep the airspeed within specified limits. Besides the numerous gauges, gadgets and knobs necessary for flying the airplane we had to become familiar with a score of new instruments associated with blind flying such as the rate of turn indicator, the rate of climb indicator, the gyro horizon and the gyro compass. The gyro compass was adjusted to correspond with the compass heading but it had to be reset frequently because of precession of the gyro. Each of the aforementioned had to be coordinated with the second hand on the clock as well as the altimeter, air speed indicator and power settings for various precision maneuvers. To keep the aircraft on proper course, bank angle and rate of turn it was necessary to continuously scan across all the instruments while at the same time keep checking the second hand on the clock. One of the toughest procedures we were required to perform was what the Navy called the Charlie Pattern. This consisted essentially of a square with each side of the square consuming exactly two minutes. Since an airplane cannot make a ninety degree turn the corners of the square were made by executing standard rate turns either right or left. The sides of the square were normally cardinal headings of north, west south and east with duration of two minutes per side. One of the sides required level flight while the other three required either climbing or descending at the standard rate of 500 feet per minute. Continuous standard rate changes in altitude (either up or down) had to be made both while on a straight course or while making the turns at the four corners. Instrument flying seemed to be my nemesis and this was true for others. Numerous cadets washed out during this phase of training and this is where I received my first down check in the Navy, which meant that I had to fly two up checks with two different instructors. I vividly recall two Ensigns who had the reputation of being down check pilots. They were Ensign Grant and Ensign Funk. Grant was a tall slim individual while Funk was quite short. I presume they were unhappy about being assigned as instructors instead of being sent out to the fleet to help defeat the Japanese. I was scheduled with my check with Grant when I learned that he had flunked his two previous students on their check ride. I did not break the sequence. I later memorized the requirements of the Charlie Pattern after studying for hours. My intense prayers were apparently answered. After a period of approximately four days I flew my check rides to the satisfaction of the two check pilots. In addition to actually flying we did a lot of instrument training in what was called the Link Trainer. The instrument panel on this pneumatically powered was similar to the one in the airplane except that this equipment did not leave the building in which it was housed. The device had all the controls of a real airplane and all movements were recorded on grid paper so you could be critiqued on any errors. As I recall the Link Trainers were supervised by enlisted Waves who helped in training the cadets in instruments. The Waves stayed outside the trainer and monitored the ink trace on the graph paper. Although the Link Trainer had the same controls and instruments of a real airplane it just wasn’t the same and several of us found ourselves getting into a spin due to getting too slow or because of over controlling.
Low Frequency Radio Ranges
Another phase of instrument training at Cuddihy involved low frequency radio ranges. Back in those days, when inclement weather prevailed, pilots found their way from city to city by flying the beam. Low frequency radio ranges, which were located all over the country, would put out a beam in four directions from a point on the ground, resembling a cross but they never were at a 90 degree angle to each other. If you flew on the right side of the beam inbound to the radio station you would hear the coded letter “N” or (dah dit). If you were on the other side of the beam you would hear an “A” or (dit dah). If you were right on the beam you would hear a steady hum. The instructor would have us pull the canvas curtain over our heads so we could only see the instrument panel and then he would tune in one of the radio ranges. We never knew ahead of time the identification of the station or its location. The ultimate goal was to have us fly the airplane directly over the transmitting station. First we had to identify what station it was by the three coded letters being sent out. We then turned the radio volume down so that we could barely hear the transmission. We continued on the same heading. If the volume got louder we knew we were in the general direction of the station. If the volume faded completely we would make a turn in the opposite direction until we could clearly discern whether we were getting an “A” or an “N”. We had the beam patterns of each of the Southern Texas radio stations on our knee board so after hearing the identifying letters we selected the appropriate sheet for the particular radio range. We continued flying in the same direction until we intercepted a beam and either picked up an “A” or an “N” after crossing the beam. Once we had crossed the beam we made a 90 degree turn to the right. If we did not intercept the beam again we would get either an “A” or an “N” from which we would determine where we were in reference to the station. If we intercepted the beam again we knew we were where we were based on the beam patterns on our knee board sheet. In either case we were able to determine where we were in reference to the transmitting station and ride the beam inbond to put us directly over the station. Radio ranges were the primary means of navigation during that time period by both military and commercial pilots.
(Continued to the June - 09 issue)
An Invitation:
Society Member, George O’ Neill, a former Lee resident and now living in Sebastian, Florida is the curator of the six room Sebastian Area Historical Museum located next to City Hall in Sebastian. Mr. O’ Neill invites any Society Member and people from the Lee area who happen to be in his area to stop in for a special personal tour of the museum.
Did you know that in early times that bread was divided according to status? Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and the guests go the top, or “upper crust”.
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content sometimes caused the lead to leach into the food, causing lead poisoning death, This happened most often with tomatoes, so for many years tomatoes were considered poisonous.
Please support our
Officers of the Lee Historical Society for 2009
Officers of the Lee Historical Society for 2009“Business Members” Gary Allen – President - 413-243-2140 or garywallen@earthlink.net
Gary Allen – President - 413-243-2140 or garywallen@earthlink.netwho support us. Myron Hood – Vice President – 413-243-2470 or MYRONSCALL@verizon.net
Myron Hood – Vice President – 413-243-2470 or MYRONSCALL@verizon.net Mary Hood – Secretary – 413-243-2470 or mehflowers@msn.com
B & B Landscaping Mal Eckert – Treasurer – 413-243-1797 or MalEckert@msn.com
Mal Eckert – Treasurer – 413-243-1797 or MalEckert@msn.comand Excavation
475 Pleasant StreetBoard of directors of the Lee Historical Society
Board of directors of the Lee Historical SocietyLee, MA 01238 Ethel Noon/2009 Marion Leach/2010 Mary Morrissey/2011 James Di Mario/009 Danna Snow/2010 Peg Biron/2011
Ethel Noon/2009 Marion Leach/2010 Mary Morrissey/2011 James Di Mario/009 Danna Snow/2010 Peg Biron/2011 Bartini Roofing Co. Mary McGinnis/2009 William Clarke/2010 Josh Hall/2011
290 Pleasant Street Matt Macnayr/2011
Matt Macnayr/2011Lee, MA 01238Immediate Past President & Board of Director – Stephen Cozzaglio
Immediate Past President & Board of Director – Stephen CozzaglioSociety Historian – Charlotte DavisBen’s Shop Newsletter Editor – Mal Eckert
Newsletter Editor – Mal Eckert68 Main Street
Lee, MA 01238
The purposes of the Lee Historical Society are to promote and fosterCharles Flint Antiques a greater knowledge and appreciation of the unique history of the Town
a greater knowledge and appreciation of the unique history of the Town 52 Housatonic Streetof Lee to friends, students and citizens through research, lectures,
of Lee to friends, students and citizens through research, lectures, Lenox, MA 01240 exhibits, acquisitions and preservation of the historical material and
exhibits, acquisitions and preservation of the historical material and sites for future generations. We also offer assistance to those in pursuitCountry Curtains of local historical information.
of local historical information.Route 102
Lee, MA 01238The funding that the Lee Historical Society receives is strictly from
The funding that the Lee Historical Society receives is strictly from membership dues, donations and other private sources. There is noDevonfield Inn financial support received by the Lee Historical Society from the Town
financial support received by the Lee Historical Society from the Town85 Stockbridge Road of Lee or any governmental source or agency. The Lee Historical
of Lee or any governmental source or agency. The Lee HistoricalLee, MA 01238Society is listed as a non-profit corporation in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, classified as a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization
Society is listed as a non-profit corporation in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, classified as a 501 (c) (3) charitable organizationDresser Hull Company under the United States Revenue Service Code.
under the United States Revenue Service Code.60 Railroad Street
Lee, MA 01238
Greylock Federal Credit UnionOur Meetings
Our Meetings47 Main StreetMeetings of the Lee Historical Society will take place on the second
Meetings of the Lee Historical Society will take place on the second Lee, MA 012138 Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Business meetings will be held in the old courtroom at Memorial Hall on Main Street in Lee. Some of
Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Business meetings will be held in the old courtroom at Memorial Hall on Main Street in Lee. Some of Program Meetings may take place on the site of the subject matter ofQuality Plus the meeting. We will try to advertise all meetings in various places in
the meeting. We will try to advertise all meetings in various places in260 Chestnut St. town. We will also try to advertise in the local media and on local TV
town. We will also try to advertise in the local media and on local TVLee, MA 01238 stations. Our Program Meetings are free and open to the public
and people are encouraged to attend. The schedule will be updated as more speakers and locations are confirmed.Kelly Funeral Home
3 Main Street
Lee, Ma 01238
L. V. Toole Insurance AgencyPaperdilly, Inc
Paperdilly, Inc195 Main Street74 Main Street
74 Main StreetLee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238
Lee, MA 01238Lee BankThe Jonathan Foote 1778 House
The Jonathan Foote 1778 House75 Park Street1 East Street
1 East StreetLee, MA 01238Lee, MA 01238
Lee, MA 01238Sullivan Station Restaurant
Railroad Street
Lee, MA 01238
Robert M. Kelly Paperhanging
South Prospect Street
Lee, MA 01238
Become a member or enroll an out of town friend or relative to a gift membership. Maybe you or a friend would like one of our cookbooks, picture packets or refrigerator magnets of “Old Lee”, our tribute to Betty Dennis, “Historical Lee” or one of our 2008 commemorative mugs with the image of Memorial Hall on it.
Student Membership - $5.00Senior Membership (one person over the age of 65) - $5.00
Senior Membership (one person over the age of 65) - $5.00Business Membership - $25.00Individual Membership (one person under the age of 65) - $10.00
Individual Membership (one person under the age of 65) - $10.00Family Membership (All members of one family living at home) - $15.00
Please circle one:Student Senior Individual Family Business/Corporate
Student Senior Individual Family Business/CorporateName_______________________________________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________________________________
City____________________________State__________________Zip____________________
Telephone____________________Email___________________________________________
Is this a renewal membership?__________
Would you be interested in serving on a committee?__________
Or helping out at one of our fundraisers?____________________
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(1.)Picture Packet – Six, 8” x 10” colored pictures of “Old Lee” for $10.00 or 3 for $25.00
Picture Packet – Six, 8” x 10” colored pictures of “Old Lee” for $10.00 or 3 for $25.00 plus $2.50 if shipped.
(2.)Refrigerator Magnets – (approx. 2” x 3”) Street scenes of early Lee for $3.00 each or a set of 3 different scenes for $7.50. No shipping charges.
Refrigerator Magnets – (approx. 2” x 3”) Street scenes of early Lee for $3.00 each or a set of 3 different scenes for $7.50. No shipping charges.(3.)Cookbook “Boiling Water” – A 400 recipe cookbook, put together by the ladies of the Society for a price of $10.00, plus $3. 50 if shipped.
Cookbook “Boiling Water” – A 400 recipe cookbook, put together by the ladies of the Society for a price of $10.00, plus $3. 50 if shipped.(4.)“Historical Lee” – A tribute to the late Betty Dennis. A seventy-three page book containing the articles written between April 1971 and August 1977 that appeared in the Penny Saver - $10.00 plus $2.50 if shipped.
“Historical Lee” – A tribute to the late Betty Dennis. A seventy-three page book containing the articles written between April 1971 and August 1977 that appeared in the Penny Saver - $10.00 plus $2.50 if shipped. (5.) A 2008 Commemorative Mug, first in a series, with an image of Memorial Hall for $10.00, plus
$3.00 if shipped.
Please send me (amount)____________of (item)__________________________________
Enclosed is my check for (No cash please) ______________________________________
Name___________________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________
City_____________________State___________Zip______________________________
LEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
P. O. BOX 170
LEE, MA 01238
