The Wolf is baring its teeth!!

Monday night when Dad arrived home from work Jerry reports a call that afternoon "Please tell Mr. Finnigan to call Agent Brown at Parkside 1200."  The hair on the back of Dad's neck stands straight out!  After a sleepless night, Dad arrives at work the next morning and calls Agent Brown.  Social Services will conduct an investigation of the Finnigan family to determine if they believe the family care being provided meets their standards.  They will be contacting the neighbors, school teachers, friends, local merchants and others who are in contact with the family.  The results of the investigation will be presented to the county welfare Commissioner.

Charlie calls his good friend Judge Doyle and reports his conversation with Agent Brown.  Judge Doyle advises Charlie to stay calm, be courteous and helpful while the investigation proceeds.  He also assures Charlie that he will make sure this does not become a "witch hunt".  Charlie is much relieved by his friend's advise.  It also reminded him of what his Dad had said many time... "Never, ever give up... It's not over until it's over"

Sunday night's dinner are always special, this one was one of the best.  The older boys prepare the dinner, the children set the table and after Dad says a short prayer, it's everyone for themselves. The dinner was one of Mom's favorites, roast beef with lots of mashed potatoes and thick gravy, vegetables, salad and of coarse a special dessert,  chocolate cake and ice cream. What could be sweeter?  Marie was almost certainly in the dining room.

Buffalo Winters

Winters of the past in Buffalo can be brutal with 2' of snow almost daily and winds from Canada passing over Lake Erie bringing 4 - 6' .  Snow piled up against the side of the house a story high covering the back door.  Care was taken in opening the back door to push the wall of snow away before it filled the back hall.  The boys were out shoveling the driveway at daybreak from the Garage in the back yard 4 or 5 car lengths to the street.  Roycroft boulevard usually got plowed later in the day. 

Dad never used chains and the big heavy Buick did pretty well in snow.  The boys were up early to remove the snow pile on the driveway and Dad backed the Buick into the street. With the boys pushing the back bumper and wheels spinning and dirt flying, the boys pushed and shoved the Buick to Wherle Drive four houses away which is always plowed early.  The boys had to be careful their wet gloves didn't freeze to the bumper or the gloves would be going to work with Dad who dropped Kathleen at Sacred Heart Academy on his way.

Christ the King School and Amherst Central High were each about a mile walk for the boys with no buses at that time. Head winds on Wherle Drive could make the walk a real challenge, leaning way forward into the wind with snow beating on their faces.  School cancellations were seldom made, this was just part of the winter routine.

After school, assuming snow on the streets, the boys wait at the corner of Main and Harlem road to hitch a ride to Wherle drive. They don't ride inside but rather skating along holding on to the rear bumper.  While the car was stopped waiting for the light to turn green, the boys (one or two) dropped down and grabbed the rear bumper.  With the car traveling at a fairly slow speed along the snow covered street the boys have a fun ride and could simply let go whenever they chose unless they hit a dry spot or man hole cover which gives them a good tumble.