Growing Up On Main Street

About the Book

A resident of Danbury all her life and a lifetime with one company. Born at 385 Main Street, Danbury in 1931. The days when Jack-o-lanterns and burning of leaves were popular. Helped her parents sell as many as 500 Christmas Trees outside her parents store and home in the freezing winter snows. Lila would help her father make wreaths from the trimmings of the trees. The income was a great bonus for Christmas gifts. She also worked in her parents’ (Mike and Jenny) grocery store adjacent to their home. Attended St. Joseph’s School for 8 years and a member of the Church choir. Attended Danbury High School graduating in 1949 with honors. After graduation, Lila wanted to attend Green Mountain College up north but in those days going away from a home as a single girl was not well accepted by the parents. Her teachers from High School prompted her to take the test at the College in Danbury called “Normal College” in those days, but because the school did not offer business subjects it was difficult to pass the test e.g. Shakespeare and Algebra, and she failed. The IQ tests were great to pass but when it came to subjects she did not take, it was impossible. Disappointed as she was and just out of high school in 1949, one of her friends told her about Barden. In October, 1949, she walked into the lobby of The Barden Corporation, manufacturers of Precision Ball Bearings. The company was closed because of inventory. In those days, Barden closed its books October 31, a fiscal year. She was lucky to be greeted by Mr. Tomlinson, Vice President-General Manager, who asked her what she was looking for? She told him that she just graduated from Danbury High School after having taken the Commercial Course in Business (Shorthand and Typing) and was looking for an office position. Mr. Tomlinson answered: “I think I know just the job you would be qualified for” and he called someone, made an appointment for Lila, and within a day, she was hired for the Quality Control Department. This started her lifetime at Barden as the Steno Clerk to the Quality Manager and Chief Inspector. Her first project was to start the files for the Quality Control Department. Lila, while working at Barden, signed up for the Civilian Defense Auxiliary Police Force School which opened for enrollment in Danbury in 1950. Lila joined the school and finished training working out of the War Memorial on South Street and Danbury Police Station (making bullets out of powder and lead casings), nights and weekends. Her main duty was traffic duty on Main and White Streets dressed in full grey and black uniform and after many sessions in target practice on White Turkey Road, she was allowed to carry a 38 loaded pistol. She also worked the traffic signal lights on north Main and White Streets. During the floods of 55 and 56 she worked with Rescue teams doing traffic duty and any rescue missions. In the early 1950’s, she won the Connecticut State Championship “nail driving contest” at Cappellaro’s Grove competing with 50 other women (driving spikes in 4x4’s). She worked for Pinkerton Police at the Danbury Fair in the 70’s and 80’s for a total of 10 years, on blustery windy days, doing traffic and parking duty for the Fair Grounds entranceway. More than a hobby, Lila worked painting with oils, pencil, charcoal, water colors. Won first prize blue ribbon (judges were professional artists from New York) for an English scene with stagecoach and horses. She painted over 300 paintings in her lifetime. Presently writing a book, similar to Irma Bambeck’s, called “Growing up on Main Street”. She hopes to get the book published after retirement in the year 2000. She loves to write poetry, famous for her hand-drawn greeting cards she would send to her friends. In her lifetime at Barden from the age of 18 to present (going on 51 years), she worked for the Quality/Engineering Department as secretary, administrative assistant for 29 years, as Office

About the Author

Lila retired March 3, 2000 after 51 years and who knows what, publish this book, write poetry, draw, gardening, or work part time. Everything depends on how life treats her after retirement, but according to Lila what is really welcomed is good health and reach at least 90 with a sane mind. “Do 90 year olds climb ladders?”