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In the summertime when the weather is hot

By DON CANNEY - Telegraph Columnist | Jul 25, 2020

The quirky 1970 Mungo Jerry classic, “In the Summertime” says it best: “We’re always happy, Life’s for livin’ yeah, that’s our philosophy…” That song puts us back into a simpler time when summer was indeed for living and having fun.

Any one of us who hails from this era may have just been dismissed from school for the summer, or better yet, graduated and looking forward to bigger and better things in college, or that first job. Or perhaps graduated from college and looking to start that next chapter in our lives.

Maybe you simply hung out with friends, went to Hampton Beach or Benson’s Wild Animal Farm with family, took in Greeley Park or sat on the stoop and watched life pass by. For the those unfamiliar with the term, the “stoop” was essentially the front stairs used to access an apartment or tenement house. You would often see neighbors, friends, total strangers, or the occasional beat cop pass by, all with the same goal of trying to beat the heat.

My family was often in no hurry to retreat into the “house” (aka apartment) as we knew the temperature would be stifling, with typically just a table fan for relief. We eventually moved up to a 20″ box fan that was electrically reversable, unheard of in the day, then to the ultimate, a window air conditioner! But that took several years and was not even close to central air.

As kids in those pre video game days, we used our imaginations to stay occupied in the heat, playing baseball, softball, or basketball, finding a shade tree, or simply hanging out together. My friends and I would often choose the Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot on Main Street as a landing spot, back when they touted 52 varieties. We affectionately referred to it as, “The Perch.” No idea why. It’s not that there was any higher ground from which to observe the goings on. But everyone knew where to go when we agreed to meet there.

Besides Fudgsicles, Popsicles and Hoodsies from the ice cream truck, the ultimate cooldown might be a Mr. Misty Freeze from Dairy Queen on Broad Street. I can remember sucking on that straw so fast and experiencing the ultimate brain freeze. There may not have been much up there to freeze, but it was still painful. Butch’s, Hayward’s and Blake’s were also great choices for ice cream.

Remember when downtown Nashua had summer sidewalk sales? Most of the merchants would set aside a week or so to put their wares outside with big markdowns, in hopes of attracting crowds and drumming up business. There were some fantastic bargains but also leftovers that probably couldn’t sell in a flea market. Oftentimes, it was more of a celebration and summer event than a sale. JJ Newbury’s, WT Grant’s, Enterprise Stores, FW Woolworth’s, Sears Roebuck et al, participated.

I can remember when just going for a car ride was another option for beating the summer heat. Open all the windows and enjoy the hot blast as it hit you in the face. It didn’t make a lot of sense, but it was fun. For those of us with limited transportation, taking a bike ride sometimes served the same purpose.

When we couldn’t get to the beach, a pool or the local swimming hole, we’d don the swim trunks and get out the garden hose. It was simple, yet effective and just as much fun. Or, if you knew someone with a lawn sprinkler, all the better! But there weren’t many of those in the inner city. And how about the rare times the water company flushed the hydrants? That was like winning the lottery, although in hindsight probably not the most sanitary situation.

This summer will be a very different one for many of us. Choosing to stay safe and closer to home or taking a staycation, some families are opting to install a pool, be it large or small, or A/C to beat the heat. Whatever way you choose to do it, bear in mind: “We’re always happy, Life’s for livin’ yeah, that’s our philosophy…” Stay cool and stay safe!

Don Canney is a freelance writer and professional voice artist. He was born and raised in downtown Nashua with great interest in Nashua history circa 1950-1970. He now resides in Litchfield.

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