Framingham Views

Framingham was all about entertainment, in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.  The Carousel Tent theatre on Old Connecticut Path had musical shows every week. Here’s the back page advertising the lineup for the summer of 1960.

Prices look reasonable, remembering that movies at night were about $1.50 back then. The Sea and Surf advertised on the back of some issues.  

And inside, a small ad for the Monticello  

We notice that Tony Bennett was also in town. No wonder Ken’s Steak House earned a reputation, as performers always needed someplace good to get a steak. Here’s the front cover of the 1960 Carousel Program for those who are interested in nostalgia.  

I wonder why we don’t have entertainment going on anywhere today? Were the performers too expensive to book? Did the audiences stop going out at night? Whatever the reason, MetroWest lost it’s bit of glamour when these places closed.

Back in the day, and not not many years ago, there were places to go for something to eat late at night, and after a show. Farley’s Diner was one of those places. Westbound on Route 9 just before Framingham Center, this is how it looked in a rarely seen Kodachrome postcard.

There’s a parking lot there now.

Here’s another view of Shoppers World, taken the day before it opened.

This postcard view is one of several published by Fitts Photo Shop. I’ve seen only 2 other views, but have a feeling there were more in the series. I wonder whatever happened to them?

From the Sun Chronicle Newspaper

Friday, April 6, 2007 1:15 AM EDT

FOXBORO - The school committee Thursday night unanimously appointed a new superintendent: Foxboro native Christopher Martes.

Then, Martes was hugged by resident Doris Marceau. “I’ve known him since 1955,” Marceau said. “I’ve known him since he was a toddler.”

After interviewing him for about an hour, school officials voted to open contract talks with Martes, who has been Framingham’s superintendent since 2003.

The Foxboro post was advertised with a salary of $150,000, commensurate with experience, with a full compensation package and fringe benefits negotiable.

Martes, 53, was the lone candidate for the job recommended from 14 applicants screened by a search committee.

“I am thrilled that you want to appoint me as superintendent, and I can’t wait to get started,” he said.Martes is Foxboro’s first new superintendent in nearly a decade. The last superintendent, Kathleen I. Tyrell, was in her ninth year, and had four years left on her contract when she abruptly resigned 10 days into the school year. She accepted a $175,000 buyout from a divided school committee.

Last week, she was named superintendent in Hull.

The school committee unanimously appointed Jan Norton, the former assistant superintendent, to finish the school year. Norton applied for the permanent post. However, she withdrew, school board Chairwoman Martha Slattery said. Martes and Norton will meet to discuss the transition, Slattery said.

Although Martes lives in Easton, Foxboro is familiar territory. His career began as a fifth-grade teacher at the Lewis School - where he taught Marceau’s son, John Manning - from 1975 to 1982. He then served as interim principal of Foxboro’s Burrell Elementary School from 1982 to 1983. Since then, he has been a principal in two districts, a school personnel director, superintendent in Medfield and Framingham and executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.

“I’ve always had a special place in my heart for this community. It really has given me a lot,” Martes said.

I’m looking forward to the Arcade project. Now if only there were a movie theatre nearby. Actually there could be one that looked like this:

Dusk, in front of what was the Salvation Army.

When Shoppers World opened, the spot across from what was then the Main entrance to the Cinema was occupied by a bar called the Carousel.
It was to change hands in 1965, and became a restaurant called the Roundup.
The Roundup Restaurant became the spot where Cinema crew took their “break”. It had wide booths, lots of wood and western decor, and great hamburgers, steaks, and french fries.
The Roundup’s official opening was on November 9, 1965 and was memorable because it was the night of the famous east coast blackout. Over 500 people were served sizzling steaks by candlelight, lanterns, and oil lamps, hurredly pressed into service because not only the general public had been invited, but also the press, town officials, and Roundup executive staff.
Since then, the Roundup continued to be a popular lunch and dinner spot, possibly the best restaurant in the Mall in the years before Joan and Ed’s Deli opened. The food was grilled in front of the line of patrons, served cafeteria style. All the staff were dressed in western costume, right down to the 10 gallon hats.
The Manager of the Restaurant in 1967 was Michael Ojerholm. His Assistant was Paul O’Hanlon, with staff Veronica (Ronnie) Kenney, Christine (Tina) Kenney, Claire Morrisey, Debbie Goss, and a Cinema Usher who was often seen cooking the steaks, Lynn Anderson.
The Roundup was a franchise, with plans to open on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston and Canton. I don’t know what happened, but it closed in the early 1970’s and the restaurant at Shoppers World became a Papa Ginos.

Here’s the Roundup Crew in 1967. And here’s what the place looked like inside.