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I do not remember then, for two reasons, one I wasn't born then and two I have only been in Norwich a few years but I enjoy hearing about the local history of Norwich and imagining when. Thanks for posting this and if you want to keep blogging about this subject, I'll read it.

I live on Crandall St. Plus I knew the Crandall's that moved to Sidney, they too were relatives.

Had several kids on Crandall St. that I use to play with. Two families of Eggelstons. Steve and I hung out a lot together. Spent many a day hiking the hills and playing up at the quarry. Also, the school bus, Poolers, went down Crandall St. Can you imagine a brown bus with a silver top. This was before yellow was the norm. I also knew a family named Sheldon. I believe the father was a teacher at the High School.

Reminisce of times gone by are especially of joy when it comes to "the hill". Those days were special.... We were surrounded by Love and grew up with special people that taught us to respect ourselves and to respect others...Pappy was the senior member of my generation and was always my hero....I can still feel the warmth when my mind wanders to that special place at a special time...

I no longer live in Norwich but was born there and lived there until after a stint in the US Army. I lived on Wheeler Ave for many years and can relate to this blog. At one time I delivered the Evening Sun to home along W. Main, Randall Ave, Fairview Ave, Wheeler Ave, Crandal St and beyond. I knew almost everyone on the hill by their first names. As a kid we used to play at the quarry all the time. We used to go through the quarry to the High School Conservation Ponds where we did a lot of fishing. We also spent much of our summer at the swimming pool when it was in the Canasawacta Creek. Yes indeed, those were the good old days. You could wander off for the entire day and your parents did not worry about where you were or who you were with.
After my time in the Army I spent about four years at Circulaton Manager of the Evening Sun. My career in the newspaper business lasted for over 30 years. Most of those years were spent in NYS. However, we ended up living in the South where you don't have to shovel sunshine. We do miss the area and return as often as we can.

I had friends on Wheeler Ave. I use to hang out at the Quinns place. Carl, Bill and Vernon were good people and we had a lot of fun together. Smitty lived across the street. I'm wondering if this could be you? You are right about playing up in the hills all day. Would not have to worry about predators and such. I am also in the South winters, but we come up in summer.

The name was Guinn. And yes I'm part of that Smith bunch as is rt3nor. The guinns actually owned much of the hill at one time. Wheeler Ave. used to end right at there house. I can remember when they tore down the old barn and extended the street out to where it is now. Before that they put in the large water tank to increase pressure for the city. Not many of the Smiths and Guinns around the Norwich area any more. I understand that the oldest son is now living back in the old homested. Merry Christmas to you and come on down where it is warm.

Small world.....Guinn is right. I knew better. Spent many a night helping Bill do the chores at the old barn. The street ended there as you stated. Old man Guinn gave me a glass of water one time, was really white lightning. Wow. He was from Tenn. and made their own booze. Don Smith was whom I was referring to. Hung out a lot together. I am down here. East coast of Florida....Palm Bay. Have a great Holiday.

Don is in Binghamton these days. Brother Dick is the only one still in Norwich. I was one of the twins. We too helped Bill a lot on the farm. We put a lot of hay in the barn over the summer. I'm in the Charlotte area myself. We get back North from time to time but not between November and April. Wouldn't trade these parts for anything. Peace.

Pappy Dear ;I sadly fear that i too also remember a lot of the things you blog on.I'm at a loss to who you are -I would like to converse with you on the phone.Would yu e mail me your name and tel # please.rjh29@frontiernet.net