February 15, 2016 No. 294 The Blizzard of '78 Hopedale in February "Gabby" Hartnett - Hall of Fame baseball player from Mendon's other "granddaughter town," Millville. Additions to pages on hope1842 during the past two weeks include: Fire Department history (Barn at 114 Mendon Street razed, 1938. For a few years after Hopedale separated from Milford, it was used as a fire station.) Cumberland Farms (Conditions for approval set by ZBA in 1983.) Deaths
Smoking among men is most emphatically their own business and not ours. Smoking among boys is primarily the business of their parents, and yet it concerns the schools also. It would be difficult to prove that a pipe or cigar seriously injures a man who does not form the habit until he arrives at full physical size, strength and development. It is certain that smoking does injure growing boys physically, morally and mentally. F.G. Atwell, Hopedale Superintendent of Schools, 1915 The drive to raise $1350 in Hopedale for the purchase of an ambulance to be shipped to England is to be closed on Saturday, but the committee announces the necessary money has already been subscribed and J. Mason Washburn, treasurer of the committee, has sent a check for this amount to Mr. Prows in Boston. Milford Daily News, November 21, 1940 <><><><><><><><><><> The Blizzard of '78 Beginning on February 7, 1978, and continuing for the next several days, the Milford Daily News printed many articles about the famous blizzard. Here are some paragraphs from a few of them. For much more, see the newspaper clippings and photos further down on this page. At mid-morning in Milford there were three businesses open - two restaurants and a bar. Johnny Jacks, The Soda Shoppe, and the Co-Mac Cafe. Some residents parked their snowmobiles outside the restaurants and went in for coffee, while others went into the bar for a good stiff drink. February 7, 1978 "We put out the word on the radio station to have residents on East Main Street and Route 140 put on their porch lights to let motorist know they could get help," said Milford selectman Marie Parente. "We've had all kinds of reports of people taking stranded motorists into their homes. One man on East Main Street told us he had 25 people in his house." February 7, 1978 Because of the emergency, cars were not permitted to travel on main and side-streets in the 15- town region. There were literally dozens of snowmobiles out in the Milford area. It was expected that few copies of the Milford Daily News would be delivered because of the wild storm. However, a 16-page storm edition of the News was being printed. The newspaper has not missed an edition in its 90-year history. February 7, 1978 The Milford Police Department reported people stranded throughout the town, including a busload of travelers who were not evacuated from the bus until early this morning. Shelter was provided in private homes, the National Guard armory, Central Elementary School, and other locations. Johnny Jacks Restaurant in downtown Milford stayed open all night to provide food and coffee, and the Big D supermarket on Route 140 opened early this morning to provide food for those at the Civil Defense shelter in Central School. February 7, 1978 Although there was no mail delivery here yesterday (February 7) the Hopedale post office was open for business as usual. The Town Hall Spa was open almost around the clock to provide food to personnel of the police and highway departments who worked through long hours attempting to keep the town accessible for emergencies. Late yesterday afternoon, Rico's opened with a path plowed from the street to the front door to provide foot access to groceries. Tuesday evening Draper News Agency was open and owner Ben Garland made coffee available throughout the night to those emergency workers who needed a warm beverage to enable them to continue their work. February 8, 1978 Retired police chief W. Chester Sanborn was taken to Milford Hospital yesterday following a snowblower accident. He was admitted to the hospital and will be there for three or four days. Dr. John O'Brien is treating him for traumatic amputation of the first flange of the second and third fingers of his right hand. February 8, 1978 Richard T. More, chairman of the Hopedale Board of Selectmen yesterday (February 7) on behalf of the board commended the highway department for its efforts in opening roads throughout the town during the storm. He also commended the police, fire and Civil Defense personnel for their work in transporting emergency personnel to their vital positions at Milford Hospital, nursing homes, and others who serve the public in times of emergency. Moore also commended Americo Calarese, owner of Rico's Inc., who offered to afford those people in need of emergency food supplies to obtain them. Some food was delivered to residents inundated in their homes via snowmobile. February 8, 1978 Some 140 employees have been stranded at Waters Corporation in Milford for two days, and may be there for another day. The marooned men and women fashioned beds out of foam rubber packaging material, and food was provided by Michael's Food Service, the company caterer. February 8, 1978 The roof of the Value King in Milford has completely collapsed and the front wall of windows is leaning into the building. The adjoining wall of the K Mart building is buckling. February 8, 1978 C. Victor Pepper, Hopedale Civil Defense director, reported that the local CD unit was mobilized at about 7 PM Monday, after notification from the center at Framingham of the severity of the intensifying storm. Pepper was assisted in coordinating the local CD efforts by assistant CD director William Burrill. Among those donating their services and their snowmobiles were David Durgin, Norman J. Harris, Jay Johnson and Angelo Zappella. February 8, 1978
stranded there for three days. Mrs. Antonio Gomez said on Thursday they just got "cabin fever" and started walking. The women walked all the way from Southboro down Route 495 and finally made it home. February 11, 1978 A Freedom Street resident reported that while shoveling out her car, she spotted a sleek brown and white horse galloping down the street with a young man on its back. Attached to the saddle was a large white plastic bag. The woman said she asked him if the bag contained mail, anticipating the arrival of an emergency version of the Pony Express. The rider then revealed the contents of the sack - several cans of beer. He had been doing his shopping on horseback. February 11, 1978 More weather disasters - Flood, 1955, Draper Corp. Flood in Spindleville, 1955 More on the 1955 flood Other floods The Hurricane of '38 Worcester Tornado The Winter of 2015 Ice Storm, 1921 Disasters and Tragedies Menu Ezine Menu HOME . |
Thanks to John Longo for this photo. |
The following memories of the blizzard were sent by Bill Redden. The "Back Road" that he mentions was the service road behind the houses on the Bancroft Park inner circle. Thanks for reminding me of the 4 days of shut down & power loss during the blizzard of 1978. On top of the 6 plus hour drive home from Needham, It also called to mind our neighborhood “Back Road” snow removal party. In those days there were only 2 snow blowers in the neighborhood, mine & Arthur Bell’s. With the 2 blowers, lots of shovelers, a case of beer on one snowbank & a bottle of whiskey on the other, & lots of labor, we eventually opened a passage to the street. The neighborhood camaraderie during that period was truly remarkable! Bill |