You Know You're from Holliston if ...
It was in 1954 that French born historian Jacques Barzun wrote “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America, had better learn baseball.” These days on a more local note, it might be said that “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of Holliston, had better read “You know you’re from Holliston if…”
“You know you’re from Holliston if…” is a new Facebook page which is bringing past and present Hollistonians together to discuss a favorite topic; our little town. The creation of former resident Susan McDonald Tabone, the page has become a diverse forum of happy memories shared by current residents and those privileged to have once lived here.
For Susan, the reason for starting the page was simple. “I started this page to bring friends together again, and to just have fun,” indicates the 1981 Holliston High School graduate, adding that “I never dreamed it would be where it is today.” For many, where it is today is among a core of online sites that are visited on a daily basis.
One former resident taking these daily jaunts down memory lane is Greg Dore. Greg lived in Holliston from 1964 to 1989, having graduated from Keefe Tech in 1982. Greg is a frequent site commentator, and from it has learned about the farm he grew up on. He likes that “You can discuss and post pictures of a simple little town that you grew up in, and where a lot of people knew you.” He also enjoys seeing old town photos, particularly one in which he spotted an old Holliston Oil truck, a company for which he once worked.
(above photo) Rita Maguire on Central Street in the 50's
Caroll Damigella has been a Holliston resident since 1963, having graduated from the “old” High School on Woodland Street in 1968. “I have no idea who got me onto this Facebook page. One day I just started getting the posts,” she relates. “I think it is the greatest thing on Facebook.”
“I now make sure that I check Facebook daily just to see all the memories that get posted,” adds Caroll. “I wish there were more people from the 60’s on the site. The memories that have been refreshed are just incredible. Some bring laughter and others bring tears but one thing is for sure and that is Holliston was an absolutely wonderful place to grow up in.”
Norma Kittredge would agree with Caroll. Norma now lives in New Hampshire, but the 1965 HHS grad, having learned of the page from a friend, loves the stories about the businesses that were in town before she moved here in 1960. “I love the nostalgic feel of the page and the way it allows us to look back on the best years of our lives, when we didn’t have a care in the world”, she indicates. “It’s so much fun connecting with old friends and meeting a lot of new ones of all ages. The one thing we all have in common is Holliston and our deep rooted feelings of growing up in a great town.”
Numbering almost 2000 members, recent site postings have included discussions on subjects as diverse as The Village Pub, local rock band Flower Power and popular semi-celebrity Bobby Hart. A posting on former HHS teacher/actor Gerry Vichi drew 106 comments while a photo of the Mudville dam elicited 52.
Caroll Damigella speaks for many when she wishes a “big thank you to the person who created this page.” But Susan McDonald Tabone is not looking for thanks, stating that “The most amazing thing this group has given me is memories I have lost or forgotten. I hope it stays alive forever.”
I was brought up in Mudville from 1941 until 1980, then i moved down to the Cape. I have lot's of memories of the town and the people. The town has grown a lot since i left. Most of my class are still around, But it was great growing up there. Al
Alan Wehr | 2012-10-20 11:05:20
Being a teenager in the Seventies, Hollliston was the greatest place to grow up!
James A. Markmann | 2012-10-18 14:34:30
Thanks Ed. That worked.
Facebook Dummy | 2012-09-28 22:20:23
Flower Power...our mothers made the orange nauru jackets for us...cool moms...Gary Betti missing from the photo. Long live Holliston memories! Mark Matzell
Mark Matzell | 2012-09-28 19:47:40
Don't shoot the messenger on the grammer, but it is actually "You know your from Holliston if". It is there, but just realize the word "your" is used.
Ed Daniels | 2012-09-28 16:21:56
I tried "You know you grew up in Holliston if..." and that worked.
David Bastille | 2012-09-28 16:12:16
No "Holliston Resident". It's not on FB. I tried. It doesn't come up. So how do we get it??
Sarah | 2012-09-28 13:41:02
Easy to find it on Facebook, Reed...just type in "You know you're From Holliston if..." in the search box!! Really, no big deal!!
Hollisdent Resident, Past and Present | 2012-09-28 11:32:42
Great article, John. Sounds like a great Facebook page, but for some reason I can not access it.
Facebook Dummy | 2012-09-28 10:59:52
Thanks for the great article John. Hopefully it will encourage more people to join our group. It's so much fun to take that walk down memory lane, and I would like to thank Susan for having a great idea and running with it.
Norma Kittredge | 2012-09-28 10:37:32
why no website link to post? kinda weak You know.
Reed | 2012-09-28 09:27:19
Fun article, John!! Holliston, a WONDERFUL place to grow up - a WONDERFUL place to raise your own family, too!! p.s. Holliston High School Class of 1977 35th Reunion -Pinecrest Golf Club - Saturday, October 6th!!!....Informal get-together for ALL HHS classes from "that era" - Friday Night, October 5th at Casey's!!
Daisy | 2012-09-28 09:16:25
I read the story thank you for including me in it. Although I am in Rhode Island now and I was Born in Dorchester mass And moved to Holliston Shortly after I was born, I will always consider Holliston my Home town, It is where I grew up made some Great friends and where taught my values in life family and moral, along with Respect from other's I had Great adult Role models, and Friends, I want to thank them all for Entering my life and being my friend.
Gregory R Dore | 2012-09-28 08:07:02
Thanks Bobby, from an ex-Mudville-ite.
Mike Blaney | 2012-09-28 07:13:50