Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

The nicer weather reminds me of the family car trips we took as kids. Dad had lots of cars but the first one I remember was his blue ‘53 Chevy.

The vehicles back then were heavy duty steel machines. I can still hear the solid sound of those big doors closing. American craftsmanship at its finest.

The only plastic in Dad’s rolling fortress was the St. Christopher’s statue on the dashboard.

Our father’s cars were huge, and spacious behemoths from Detroit! The back seat was like a living room. Remember climbing over the seat to get from the front to the back or sitting on dad’s lap while he was driving? The steering wheel was as big as the tires!

I vividly remember my dad driving, and my sister and I standing up on the front seat right next to him. We could hardly see over the dashboard or through windshield.

Part of the standard equipment for the 1953 Chevrolet and other cars of that era was the … Extendo-Arm feature. That was when dad’s arm came reaching out of nowhere every time the car stopped, or if there was impending danger up ahead. Dad’s arm created a protective block to keep his precious tiny toddlers intact. Not really a safe practice by any means, but dad’s Extendo-Arm never failed.

As the weather improved, the wicker picnic basket and aluminum drink cooler came out. Mom packed baloney and cheese sandwiches in Reynolds Wrap, filled the cooler with Zarex or Hawaiian Punch and off we went.

One of my family’s favorite outing destinations was Norumbega Park in the Auburndale section of Newton. They featured pedal boats, picnic groves, a zoo, amusement rides, and penny arcades. Everything a family could ask for. It was also the site of the Totem Pole Ballroom where all the hot big bands played in the 40’s and 50’s. I remember many family picnics at Norumbega Park. It’s now the site of a Marriott Hotel, but there is still water and woods on the grounds.

Dad eventually picked up a 1962 Rambler station wagon, smaller but still solid. That car brought us to the Meadow Glen and Wellington Drive- Ins. We always went in our pajamas. I never remembered the ride home though. Dad and mom had to carry us into the house.

When my baby brother was old enough to stand up and join my sister and I on the front seat, dad had to upgrade to the Deluxe model super-duper Extendo-Arm!

Those days of cruising to fun places with mom and dad and the family in his big tanks have a very special place in my heart. I’d give anything to feel the security of my fathers’ strong arm today.

Even in these days of advanced automobile safety, I’ve inherited Extendo-Arm. Anytime I have to stop short and there’s someone in the passenger seat, out comes the arm. A passed down trait I guess.

Although there were no seatbelts or air bags in the early days of family cruising, we did have a version of AAA, sort of. Arm Always Alert.