To the Editor:

I am sitting on a strong granite bench near the War Memorial on the Oval. It is a glorious May day. My mother is on the next bench enjoying the hum of traffic and the sweet sunny air. She has lived in Milford her whole life – 88 years to date.

Her father, Santo Mannino, worked for the town Water Works and shoveling in the winter. He only registered his old Model T in the fall when he went to gather laurel for wreath-making. (They got $36 for three dozen wreaths from a Boston customer.) The whole family made wreaths from early November until just before Christmas.

My mother’s mother, Sebastiana Mannino, known as Annie, worked in the mill behind the Red Arrow Diner weaving linen and canvas. Now my mother, Anne Zahn, lives at the mill in Lindsay Landing Senior Apartments.

My mother attended Milford schools, worked as a reporter for The Cabinet during the World War II years, met her husband, the late Bud Zahn, at the (now) Riverhouse Cafe, and danced on Saturday nights in the Town Hall. My parents raised their family here. Later, she worked for 20 years in the Wadleigh Memorial Library and was part of the Milford Historical Society. She helped start the Keyes Art Group.

Every single time that we walk or drive around the Oval She remarks, “I love the Oval! Milford is a wonderful town! I hope people are glad to live here. I have traveled to many countries but I like it here the best . I am so lucky to live in Milford. I even sat on Santa Claus’ lap here.”

When the Veteran’s Day parade came she stood here by the Memorial. I could see her remembering the end of WWII.

In 88 years, how many times did she walk across this town center? Now, when we walk she loves to read the bricks and say out loud all that she knows.

The town is like a mother, giving all of us who grew up here a center, strength and joy.

I always tell my own daughter, “If you ever feel lost or depressed, don’t know where home is, come to Milford and sit up in the bandstand on the Oval. This is where your ancestors walked and worked for many, many years.”

MELODY ZAHN
RUSSELL

Hancock,
formerly of Milford