What does this have to do with Medford, you ask? Well, it brought to mind
that when I was a child, growing up in Medford, a "compost" pickup man came to our house once a week, but, at the time, he was called the garbage man. I can still see the spot where the pail, with its step-on-to-open lid, was buried in the ground.
That thought, in turn, reminded me of all the workmen who walked or drove through our neighborhoods on a regular basis, providing foods and services to homemakers without their having to leave the house. Some would park and walk door-to-door while others walked passed your door or slowly drove down the street, only stopping when signaled by someone standing at the front door.
Do you remember any of these hard working, underappreciated workers?
Some of them are still stomping through our neighborhoods today, but many of them have been replaced due to innovations and changes in our daily way of living. And, of course, there are some today who were not around at all in those days, but for now, these are the door-to-door salespeople in our neighborhoods in the 1950's that I remember. Can you recall any others?
The Avon Lady
The Bread Man
The Coal Man
The Egg Man
The Electric Man
The Fruit and Vegetable Man
The Fuller Brush Man
The Garbage Man
The Ice Cream Man
The Ice Man
The Knife Sharpening Man
The Laundry Man
The Mailman
The Milk Man
The Oil Man
The Trash Man
God bless them, every one.
(c) Copyright 20016 Malvena Baxter. All Rights Reserved.
Free Google Images: mailman, ice cream man clip art
(c) Copyright 20016 Malvena Baxter. All Rights Reserved.
Free Google Images: mailman, ice cream man clip art
So interesting! We didn't have all those delivery people. We did have a farmhouse down the street where we got eggs. I do remember George Matthews, our Amway salesman, who was always so polite. And of course Dad, who was a bread man. I guess between watching my father and interacting with Mr. Matthews, I did learn good work habits and a proper attitude about providing service to customers. It is interesting to look back and see your roots.
ReplyDeleteI remember these people always being friendly and outgoing. They provided important services, and many are still as important today. My Uncle Ralph delivered milk to homes on the South Shore during the summers when his school was on vacation, and my Uncle Manny delivered our laundry to the house every Saturday for many years. Sweet memories.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful memories and so well written. My Grandfather was the Bread Man, and was dearly beloved by his customers. My Dad worked on the Ice Wagon as a teenager. Our Milk Man and our Mail Man were part of our family. I miss the camaraderie and sense of community of those days.
ReplyDeleteGreat memories, B.C.Sandy. When the milkman left the bottles of milk early on winter mornings, sometimes the crystals of frozen cream pushed the paper top right off the bottles!
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