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Subject: [NFLD-LAB] Barrels (off topic)
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2003 11:45:08 EST


I am wondering if there are any people out there, who remember back into the
forties or before, when Newfoundlanders living in the states, sent barrels
filled with clothes, to their families down "home".It was a ritual in Lynn,
Mass, when I was growing up, that my Aunts and Uncles, Cousins etc would save all
their used clothes throughout the year and send it all down "home" in a
barrel. They would sew the clothes up, make sure it was clean and sometimes
intermingle non-perishable food into these barrels. I think it was my Father who
supplied the two or three barrels that would be shipped full to Nfld. He bought
them from the G.E. in Lynn where he worked and they cost him about a quarter
each. Sometime in early November, my folks and others, would gather at one of
the homes in Lynn and pack the barrel for shipping. Whoever was "hosting" this
event would feed the crew while the women ironed and folded the clothes and
packed it neatly.The men would seal up the barrels, put them in a small truck,
and take them to the railroad station to ship. This shipment was distributed to
all those in need, whether they were family or not. It's funny, after all
these years in between, around the first of November, I remember not only the
good time the family had packing the barrels but the thank you notes that came
from all those who benefited from these barrels.Usually those barrels arrived
at their destination a few days before Christmas so it was a real treat to
many. Didn't mean to be so long winded with this, but I am hoping some of you out
there remember anything about the "barrels" and if so please write me. I'm
saving this kind of thing to pass on to my kids etc. You can write me directly or
via the list, whatever.
Frank Strugnell, Derry, N.H. USA.

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