Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

How do Somerville people cope with a heat wave? I asked them and here’s what they said.

“It used to be bus then hitch a ride to the Mystic Lakes. Then a window fan or two in the “parlor”!

“Foss Park, then home with one AC unit in the parlor. We’d cover the room with a sheet to keep the cold air in!”

“It was never this hot in the 80s. Or the 90s. Or the 2000s. We used to get by with big box fans in our windows because there would be just a few days over 90 in early August but the rest of the time it was manageable. We finally gave up and bought an AC during the 2-week July heat wave.”

“Not to mention that thunderstorms were few and far between and were just thunderstorms. Nowadays, there isn’t a normal thunderstorm ever. They all turn into nasty storms, microbursts or tornadoes.”

We used to hit Foss Park and Dilboy pools or go to Sandy Beach down The Mystics in the old days. We’d also go to Breakheart reservation. Of course, there was always the plastic backyard pool to dip your feet in. I also remember my dad squirting us with the hose on hot day.

The city offered some cooling stations which was a good deal.

Being retired I just sit in front of the TV with the A/C blasting. I use Insta Cart and Amazon so I don’t really have to leave the house. Stay cool Somerville.