THURSDAY, FEB. 14 TELEGRAM & GAZETTE 2002
So I've Heard Column
It must happen to others: Old recollections pop into my mind from time to time, usually when something happens.
I was reading Philomena A. (Hoenig) Morse's obituary
The Morse-Kennedy connection welled from my psyche because Mrs. Kennedy was the guest of honor Sept. 30, 1958-- confirmed through research--at a Democratic Women on Wheels gathering in the Colonial Club Restaurant. Mrs. Morse and her husband, Eudore "Ted" Morse, ran the business.
Sen. Kennedy was in town to open Webster Democratic Town Committee headquarters. Mr. Kennedy's likely 1960 presidential bid was gaining momentum, and he came to Webster at the behest of town resident John J. McNally Jr., one of his first presidential campaign aides.
Mr. McNally and others held a luncheon in an anteroom to the Colonial for Sen. and Mrs. Kennedy and a number of Worcester County politicians. The future First Lady felt faint after arriving at the restaurant and Mrs. Morse assured her comfort in a private setting. It was a flu-like symptom or something of the kind.
Mrs. Kennedy's distress was relatively short lived. She was at her husband's side 30 or so minutes later, when about 200 members and guests of Democratic Women on Wheels greeted them in the restaurant's main dining room.
The gathering was a Jacqueline thing, a coffee hour with the group tied to then state Sen. Joseph F. Gibney's district. The future president escorted the guest of honor, spoke briefly, and went on to the Democrat campaign office in the Maanexit
There's an aside to this part of the story. Democrat offices were in a vacant storefront, a stairwell away from to the hotel lobby, bar, and barber shop. A young Julian P. Kaczynski, now barbering from a shop behind Sandi's Restaurant on Main Street, was on duty. Sen. Kennedy found his way to the tonsorial parlor, and Mr. Kaczynski gave the future President of the United States a haircut.
While recall probably came to me because the personalities were famous, the Colonial part was typical of Mrs. Morse and her husband. It's a quality that continues through the Morse generations now managing the business. The restaurant became successful because "Ted" and his beloved Philomena were never too busy to help patrons, regardless of status.
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News Item: Selectman Robert Stawiecki says the Webster Board of Health has issued an order that everyone purchasing cigarettes in the town be carded.
My proclamation:
Let it be known, that anyone who has gray hair, little hair, no hair, blue hair, or a hair piece;
And, anyone who has facial wrinkles, crow's marks,
Forehead furrows, neck creases, vein like markings, or liver spots;
And, any person requiring a hearing device, dentures, spectacles, eye visors, canes, walkers, braces, or arch supports;
And, everyone who has trouble remembering his or her telephone number, home address, or spouse;
Now let it be declared: These people are exempt from annoying ID requests, free to purchase cigarettes, or even a six-pack of beer, without showing his or her AARP membership card.
Praise be to Senior Power!
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Long time friend Everett K. Olds, the retired Webster School Department custodian, dabbles in press-ons for t-shirts, jackets, and caps.
Mr. Olds, once owner of a bicycle sales and repairs business, said last Thursday
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