Norwood September 2018

WE
September 2018 Norwood Local Town Pages www.localtownpages.com Page 9
The First Time
By R. Christopher Cook
Do you remember last fall, when a certain few NFL players were aggravating
and upsetting us all? They were refusing to stand for our National Anthem.
Some of them actually taking a knee to demonstrate their distaste for our country.
Some kind of a demonstration to say black lives matter. These prima
donnas, with their multimillion dollar contracts to play a professional sport,
thought they were teaching us a lesson: when they couldn’t play a game without
a playbook and plenty of practice. Well, usually I refrain from writing any kind
of political commentary; however this makes me want to speak up. I know as
well as most Americans do that black lives matter, so do white lives and red lives
and brown and yellow ones too; if you believe in Martians and Leprechauns,
then green lives matter too. They all matter. This is a very small planet and we
all have to learn to get along. If these men actually had any point at all they sure
chose the wrong forum to put it forward. What were they thinking?
Did you ever wonder about the first time? The first time they played our
National Anthem before a sporting event. I wondered how this tradition began.
After doing a little research, here is what I learned. It started one hundred years
ago in a place called Fenway Park in Boston. The event was the fourth game
of the 1918 World Series, between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs.
Now it is true a few days earlier, when the first three games of the series were
played in Chicago, they played the National Anthem during the seventh inning
stretch, but Boston one upped them by moving the song to the pre game activities,
and it’s been like that ever since. The Red Sox won the series 4-2 but it was
the last time they would in that century.
Some other interesting facts about the 1918 fall classic were that Woodrow
Wilson was president at the time and World War I was raging. The government
had started drafting major leaguers to go to war and had ordered baseball owners
to end the regular season by Labor Day, so it was the only time in history
that the entire World Series was played in September.
Fred Thomas, who played third base for the Red Sox, was already in the US
Navy, but since his commanding officer was not only a baseball fan but a true
fanatic, he allowed Fred to go on furlough so he could play in the games. Perhaps
it was Fred’s reaction to hearing the first few notes of the “Star-Spangled
Banner” that really excited the crowd. Upon hearing the tune he immediately
turned to face the flag, stood at attention and snapped a military salute. His
example brought the roaring crowds to their feet and thunderous applause.
It was the last time Babe Ruth wore a Red Sox uniform in a post season
game. And of course, his performance was not only outstanding and memorable,
but another one for the record books. He pitched sixteen consecutive
scoreless innings, another remarkable feat from a remarkable man.
Perhaps the most interesting and funny part of the story is that baseball
and the American public knew years before the Government that the “Star-
Spangled Banner” was our National Anthem. It was thirteen years later in
1931 that Congress finally declared it so. Maybe that is why we call Baseball
America’s Game.
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Westwood’s University Station Opening This Month
WIll include several new stores, restaurants, and more
ahead with the approval. At the
It’s been years in the making,
time, some local representatives
but despite some major roadblocks
and delays, University
Wegmans an advantage over
were concerned about giving
Station in Westwood is fina ly
Roche Bros. Both Wegmans and
opening for business in March.
Roche Bros were eventually able
And with it come some big
to secure beer and wine licenses
name stores the area has been
in the spring of 2012. Westwood
waiting for, including Target (set
Special Town Meeting approved
to open March 4, see related story
the long-awaited project back in
on page 13) and Wegmans, both
May, 2013. Developers broke
of which wi l anchor the complex.
University Station, when
later.
ground on the project six months
fully complete, is expected to
University Station is being
include approximately 550,000
developed by New England Development,
along with Eastern
square feet of retail and restaurant
space, along with residential
Real Estate and National Development.
apartments and more.
University Station officia ly
“We look forward to welcoming
local and area residents to
opens for business in March as
we l as 16 businesses, including: sity Station, isn’t just going to be by Epoch, a memory care facility;
both also expected to open the project was put on hold due Douglass Karp, president of New
time in the making. In 2007, this new shopping destination,”
Target, Marsha ls/HomeGoods, a new shopping destination, it’s
Nordstrom Rack, Sports Authority,
PetSmart, Michaels, ULTA use development wi l feature projected to open in late spring In 2008, Wegmans was held up formal statement. “University
also a community. The mixed-
this year. Gables Residential is to planning and financial issues. England Development said in a
Beauty, Kay Jewelers, Starbucks, a blend of retail stores, restaurants,
recreation and residential Development officials.
representative ca led for a home addition to Westwood and brings
2015, according to New England from coming in after a local state Station wi l be an exciting new
Smashburger, Famous Footwear,
Fidelity Investments, Dress Barn, housing. The initial residential Additiona ly, University Station
is expected to have up to license for Wegmans at what was restaurants, housing and more.”
rule petition to approve the liquor together a mix of popular stores,
David’s Bridal, Panera Bread, component of the project wi l
and Charming Charlies. include Gables residential, which 350,000 square feet of office then known as Westwood Station.
This happened just as the
Situated on 120 acres, Univer-
wi l feature 350 luxury apartment
units, as well as Bridges The project has been a long legislature was ready to
space available.
move
Rendition of Future University Station
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continued on page 2
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