Thursday, September 10th, 2026. 10:44 PM.
Woonsocket’s Sweet Memories Historic Square
Sweet Memories Square
Still trying to find a name for the street corner in Woonsocket, Rhode Island that has no name, yet – after all these many years in the Life of Woonsocket’s History and Her People.
International Telephone and Telegraph Wiring was there – where Gateway Commons is now. I remember my dad always stopped the car at the bottom of Elm Street – at Sweet Memories Square – and I would look at that big brick building through the car window – and read a big sign above the first floor that said something about telegraph and telephone and wiring.
Woonsocket Fire Department was across the street – where Woonsocket Housing Authority Main Office is now.
Social Street School was there – where many children of Woonsocket made many memories of school days and friends and teachers and playing in the schoolyard there.
Maybe this beautiful and heart-touching song could be the theme song for Woonsocket’s Sweet Memories Square.
And maybe someday Woonsocket will have an annual square dance there — to celebrate the Life of Woonsocket and Her Great History.
Makes me cry . . . sweetly . . .
MEMORIES – (ELVIS PRESLEY / Lyrics)
MEMORIES – (ELVIS PRESLEY / Lyrics)
Gagne Shoe Store was just a short way down the street toward Social Corner.
And the door to the second-floor Social Branch of Harris Public Library was right beside Gagne’s Shoe Store. As I opened the door to climb the bare wood stairs to the second floor – I always looked down and noticed a pair of shoes in Mister Gagne’s Store.
And Yvonne’s Photo was, maybe, right after Gagne’s Shoe Store – going toward Social Corner.
And Pineault Hardware Store was across the street. It is now the location of Lee’s Convenience Store. When I was very young, my grandmother would be at the trash barrels in our backyard on Sweet Avenue pushing down the trash in the barrels with an old wooden picket fence stick – and she would be telling me things – such as things she bought at Pinault Hardware Store – things for working in her garden – or things for taking care of her property – at 74-76 Sweet Avenue – where we all lived in her 3-story tenement house in the 1950s and ‘60s. She also told me about loafing from work and her arthritis and Mister Cavanaugh, her supervisor; and Beaupre’s Pharmacy.
Dora Depot
Me mere Wilbur
TILL THE END OF TIME – Earl Grant (Lyrics)
TILL THE END OF TIME – Earl Grant (Lyrics)
Al Martino-Mary In The Morning with lyrics
Al Martino-Mary In The Morning with lyrics
I’ll Never Find Another You
Yesterday, When I Was Young
Mom bought me a bright red Perry Como button-down sweater – which I wore to school in first grade. I remember standing in front of the natural gas-powered stove early in the morning while buttoning that sweater. It was cold – even indoors.
And I Love You So – Perry Como | CGI Music Video
And I Love You So – Perry Como | CGI Music Video
Imagining a Square Dance Evening at Sweet Memory Square Woonsocket
And the M.C. asks if anyone has a sweet memory to share of being in this neighborhood . . .
And he asks the folks at the dance:
Did anyone go to Social Street School . . . ?
Did anyone work at Woonoscket Fire Department ?
Did anyone work at International Telephone & Telegraph Wiring Company ?
Did anyone work at Rose Craft ?
Did anyone work at Bancroft Racket ?
Did anyone work at Woonsocket Housing Authority ?
Did anyone work at Gagne Shoe Store ?
Did anyone go to the Social Branch Library ?
Who remembers Miss McDonald, the librarian of the Social Branch of the Harris Public Library ? [I do].
Did anyone work at or shop at Social Department Store ?
Did anyone work at or shop at Pinault Hardware Store ?
Did anyone work at or shop at Yvonne’s Photo Shop ? I did.
Did anyone live in this neighborhood ?
Did anyone buy a car at Jay Motors ? My dad did.
Did anyone go to the restaurant – where Missy’s is now ?
When I lived at Sadwin Apartments – 183 Elm Street – for 15 years – I would walk down Elm Street and buy fish & chips at that restaurant – before it became Missy’s Family Restaurant.
My mom and dad got married in the chapel of St. Ann’s Convent on the second floor – on June 19th, 1948. Many years later it became Sadwin Apartments. On the last day of 1992 my brother Jason helped me move into a one-room apartment on the 3rd-floor front – facing Elm Street – apartment 305.
Did anyone live on Brook Street ?
Did anyone live on Elm Street ?
Did anyone live on East School Street ?
Does anyone remember Belisle’s Bakery on Rathbun Street ?
Does anyone remember Brunetti’s Bakery on Elbow Street ?
Does anyone remember The Quality Lunch on Cumberland Street ?
Does anyone remember Gaulin Travel and Insurance Agency on Cumberland Street ?
Does anyone remember Marquette Credit Union on Cumberland Street ? The entrance was at the back of the building. I got my first car loan with Marquette Creditt Union – and went there once a month to pay-off the loan.
Does anyone remember St. Ann’s Gymnasium ?
Does anyone remember Mailloux’s Furniture Store on Clinton Street ?
Does anyone remember Valley’s Restaurant on Clinton Street ?
Does anyone remember Aragao’s Pub on Clinton Street ?
Does anyone remember Doctor Houle and Doctor Hall Optometry Office on Clinton Street?
I saw my classmate from St. Charles School in that office once – Thomas Whalen.
TRY TO REMEMBER – (Lyrics)
TRY TO REMEMBER – (Lyrics) – YouTube
The Twelfth of Never – Lyrics – Johnny Mathis
The Twelfth of Never – Lyrics – Johnny Mathis
The Twelfth of Never Square . . .
Maybe that’s the name for Woonsocket’s Historic Corner
FIRST OF MAY (Lyrics) – THE BEE GEES
FIRST OF MAY (Lyrics) – THE BEE GEES
Bee Gees – How Can You Mend A Broken Heart (Lyrics)
Bee Gees – How Can You Mend A Broken Heart (Lyrics) – YouTube
Revelation 21-22 NIV
Revelation 21-22 NIV – A New Heaven and a New Earth – Then I – Bible Gateway
And Can It Be – Stuart Townend [with lyrics]
And Can It Be – Stuart Townend [with lyrics]
All To Jesus I Surrender by Robin Mark Lyrics
All To Jesus I Surrender by Robin Mark Lyrics
As the deer pants for the water – Robin Mark
As the deer pants for the water – Robin Mark
Here is love, vast as the ocean – Robin Mark
Here is love, vast as the ocean – Robin Mark
Christ’s Corner
The Heavenly Father’s Son
The Solid Rock – from The Hymns Project (Lyric Video)
The Solid Rock – from The Hymns Project (Lyric Video)
People who are surprised by the inclusion of hymns in this post don’t understand the truth that all Creation was created by and is presently sustained by His Living Word.
Hebrews 1 NIV
Hebrews 1 NIV – God’s Final Word: His Son – In the – Bible Gateway
Salvation
1212 words above this line
Mark's Imaginings 