Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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Norumbega ('Belonging to Norway') -- The Site of Vinland?. My father (and mother) loved to go fishing, So he took us all (mother, John, Susan, and me), To the Charles River (named after Charles I in 1614-- Charles was only a prince then, but explorer, John Smith Had expectations for the lad--who later lost his head-- And then came the wicked Cromwell and thereafter, The exiled , enlightened son, Charles II.) (This is why the new British king is Charles III !) Lots of history where I grew up-- I shall attempt to control my being an historiaphile! At any rate, we often fished near a 40 foot fieldstone tower, Built (1889) to pay homage to the supposed Vinland-- A Viking fort and settlement (1000 AD) started by Leif Erikson. As children (and once as a returning adult) we, now I, Often climbed the spiral staircase. The Tower still quietly stands surrounded by comforting trees. The fishing usually produced a sunfish or bluegill--occasionally a catfish. Our family also enjoyed, at other times, Norumbega Park's amusements across the river. Later, in High School (Newtonville), I took classical double bass lessons At the Newton Music School in one of the eleven 'Newtons'. Our 'final exam' was the School's public outreach, Performing Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor, op. 16. This was my first public performance with a large audience And it was played in the very famous Totem Pole Ballroom at the Park. (The Park itself survived from 1897 to 1963--the Ballroom, from 1930 to 1963.) This Ballroom was to come twice again in my life, When my first love Seta Derhohannesian, a senior, Invited me to the Newton High prom, Followed by Susan White, who accompanied me for my second senior prom. Years later, for my 50th High School reunion, I returned to the Park, But now (2008), I stayed in the Radisson Hotel now on the beloved Park's site. The hotel's position was near the two bear cages I remember from childhood. That year, while there, I looked up Seta and spent some lovely innocent time with her. We talked birds, as she was just starting some serious birdwatching-- I remember , hearing for the first time, in my hometown, Newton, A Cardinal's vocalization--they have shifted north resulting from the Climate Crisis! The Park was a focal point--not planned-- throughout my life. It was called one of the many 'trolley parks' from the 1890's, Where many parks were created for business at the end of a trolley line. This Park at that time, and little known to me, had been declared New England's finest amusement park--including the Totem Pole Ballroom Which heard the music of Miller and Dorsey echoing through its walls. I truly have lived a life surrounded by wonderful history, Which has obviously nurtured my mental ontogeny! Frank Maurer 3 September 2024 1630 Hours.