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    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

    A group of eight Milford women who worked at the Data General plant in Southboro were
    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   

                                  
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.
Inman Street

Thanks to John Longo for this photo.


           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   
   
.

    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