What stands out most, in memory, was the fun times around the kitchen table, especially on week ends where we played so many games with our friends from school. The table that dated back to the 1800's had dropped leaves at both ends that were let up and down by squeezing together two big iron clamps. It comfortably seated the family and, often when company came, several extra leaves would be added In those years it was the custom for the family to sit down at regular hours and eat meals together. A hot dinner was always served at noon. During the fishing season mother would cook a hot meal for father and his fisherman helper in the evening, while she prepared different food for us to eat. We soon found our move to the village had many advantages. We could walk home from school for dinner, and only carry a lunch during cold and rainy weather. We had the advantage of been able to go to the stores and to make many new friends. We were barely settled in our new home, when an elderly man with a white beard came looking for mother. We soon found out it was her long lost Uncle Ben who had not been heard of in over forty years and was presumed dead. Uncle Ben, who spent his lost years in Boston, became well known among the people of the village. In exercising the horses he would pick up anyone walking and drive them to their destination. Soon people of all ages were calling him Uncle Ben. His love for children involved him in the games we played around the kitchen table. He would tell us many stories of what he referred to as the "good old days", when he was a boy growing up on the family farm at . 61