As we approach class reunion season, many of us are mindful of the memories we have of living in a small, safe town where “everyone knows your name” and you could stop at any house from the four corners to the Post Office and feel welcomed.
Life in Morton, New York, consisted of activities at the fire hall including the huge Christmas Party and the carnival in mid-August and gatherings at the Morton Baptist Church. We could walk to B.Y.F. on Sunday nights and choir practice at Skutt’s house on Wednesday afternoons. Little League games were played on the Fireman’s Field with the dads doing the umping.
When the noon whistle blew, the women from the Morton Canning Company (that made Morton Dill Pickles) would walk home for lunch still wearing their aprons. In the afternoon, some of us would sit on the front porch and listen to the radio (WBBF) and read. After dark, Kevin and Danny and a bunch of the guys would play capture the flag and kick the can until they had to be home.
Many of our dads were volunteer firemen and served the community faithfully and several of our stay-at-home mothers returned to teaching or nursing after their kids started school.
A former pastor in Morton said he knew he was home when his car felt the bump of the railroad tracks south of town. When he asked why some of the townspeople often “forgot” to use their turn signal, he was told it was because everyone knew where you lived and where you were going.
Area residents who have lived in Morton are invited to get together with others who lived there on Saturday afternoon, August 10 from 1 to 4 p.m.
There will be a tent on the north lawn of the Morton Baptist Church. Bring a snack to share and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Bring lawn chairs and any old photos to share. To RSVP, please call: Kevin Noon 585-964-8958, Audrey Dobbins 585-659-8421 or Sandy Strasenburgh 585-659-2527.
