What Were Winters Like When You Were Younger?
At Wellington at Hershey’s Mill, we asked our residents what winters were like when they were younger. Here’s what they had to say:
Anne Hagendorf: Anne remembers walking home in the snow for lunch from the private Catholic school she attended in Philadelphia. Her mom was home like most mothers back then to make her lunch. There were often snowball fights among the children along the walk and if a boy hit you with one that usually meant he liked you!
Fred Hagendorf: Fred recalls the first (and only) time he ever went skiing, at Camelback Mountain in the Poconos. He used the short skis that were recommended at the rental shop and although he enjoyed the time that he was upright, the only way he could stop himself was by falling. He did have fun, but he never attempted skiing again.
Nancy Halladay: Nancy lived very close to her school, about a block away, so walking home for lunch was a piece of cake. Some children had to walk close to 2 miles to and from school, yes, even in the snow! Her lunch was always ready for her when she got home. Nancy has lived in West Chester most of her life, she recalls about 60 years ago during a terrible snowstorm the borough had to clear paths for people just to walk on the sidewalks.
Nick Halladay: Nick grew up in Nesquehoning, Pa. He and other children would spend summers gathering coal from the coal bins to use in the winter to heat the home. In the colder months of winter, the family would gather in the kitchen because it was the warmest place in the house. Nick also recalls how the Catholic
Church would play Christmas music on January 7th in honor of the eastern orthodox Christmas holiday. Nick’s family still visits the beautiful church in the town where he grew up.
Wellington at Hershey’s Mill is located at 1361 Boot Road, West Chester, PA 19380. Reach them at 484-466-8641 or WellingtonRetirement. com.