Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

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Easter used to mean two things. Candy and new clothes. We would pack the family into dad’s ‘63 Chevy and drive to Anderson Little clothes store in Wellington, Medford, to pick out the itchiest, most uncomfortable suit there was. The shirt and tie came from Sears. Those clip-on ties were so much easier than making a knot. The suit felt like it was made out of a burlap potato sack.

But if that was the tradeoff to receiving piles of chocolate eggs, chocolate rabbits, jelly beans (I used to throw away the black ones) and toys, so be it. Of course a solid chocolate bunny was better than a hollow one, but we still ate them. At least they didn’t make my brother and I wear those little woolen caps once we were about 6 years old or so.

Progress was slow but sure. We had to go to Central Square to buy me the most hideous shoes ever created. Because my feet are the flattest I have ever seen, I had to wear a shoe with a “Thomas Heel.” It was just wider on the inside of the shoe and not visible. But there were only two styles … crappy brown and ugly black. Thankfully, I talked my parents out of them after two excruciating years.

I was surprised at the wide array of candy that was always in our Easter baskets because of my parents’ commitment to regular dentist visits. Nevertheless, we got all the top candies of the day. Mary Janes, Mint Juleps, Squirrel Nut, candy cigarettes, Bazooka bubble gum, and those dreaded Peeps. Yes, I have always hated Peeps. They have become very popular lately, coming in many shapes and colors, but to me there’s only one word for Peeps and that is…yuck! We would also get toys in our baskets like a squirt gun, those bolo paddle ball things, jacks, or a yo-yo (Duncan Imperial, hopefully!). Did you ever step on one of those little metal jacks things?

Easter was especially fun for me and my cousins because of our uncles. We had an Uncle Chick and an Uncle Bunny. One of the biggest things I miss about Easter as a kid was … Easter vacation!

Coloring eggs was always a fun but messy activity with the dye and the vinegar. (P.S. Heinz now owns the Paas company, so John Kerry gets an Easter kickback since he married a Heinz!)

My sister always had white or black patent leather shoes. Along with the shoes came the bonnet (sometimes with fake flowers on it), a beautiful Easter dress, a little pocketbook, and white gloves. But the nuns frowned on girls wearing patent leather shoes to school. Something about the boys and the reflection (email me and I’ll explain it to you). God help us! Between that and having to leave room for the Holy Ghost when we danced, those nuns were a laugh a minute!

Our parents would shop at Bradlees, JM Fields, Zayre, Gilchrists, Kresge’s, The Children’s shop, Gorin’s, Parke Snow and the five-and-dime stores for Easter paraphernalia. The Bargain Center in Davis Square sold smoke damaged Easter stuff. There was nothing like a pink fuzzy bunny with the scent of smoke and a dark black scorch mark on its paw! And remember how that colored fake grass used to get everywhere?

As we got older, we grew to miss the personal aspects of Easter, like visiting our grandparents. I miss my brother and sister and all the fun we had on Easter morning. I also miss hiding plastic eggs filled with money for my kids. I did it for so long and then all of a sudden, it stopped. Another sign that my kids were growing up. After many years, I still find one someplace in the house.

This year, I will still have my fill of jellybeans and some chocolate. And although my kids are older, I’ll still throw together some candy and fun items for them. Even though I don’t get that excited about Easter anymore, I still look forward to Easter vacation. I get a vacation from waking up two teenagers, making lunches (or paying for a school lunch) and driving them back and forth to school! Happy Easter!