In the desert area
of California, there is an Oasis. It is
called "Palm Springs". It is
known throughout this country and the
world as a rich man's playground. A place
that is reserved for the affluent in the
business world and the stars of the movie
industry. Where the pressure to compete
is temporarily relaxed and a few days of
rest are enjoyed. East Boston also had an
Oasis.  It was not as luxurious as
Palm Springs but it served the same
purpose. It was called Wood Island Park,
but was generally known as "La
Montangella" (the little mountain).
There were no reservations needed,
neither were there any restriction as to
your station in life. Your personal
financial status was of no concern to
anyone. Everyone was welcome to come,
enjoy and relax in God's little green
acres. My family, along with others of
East Boston, were there Sunday after
Sunday all summer long. I sometimes think
a plaque should have been placed at the
entrance of the park reading, "Give
me your tired, your poor, your huddled
masses yearning to breathe in the
invigorating air of freedom from the
daily worries of life."  No matter how early we
arrived, some families would be already
there setting up camp for a day of
swimming, baseball and bocci for those
athletically inclined. The older women
would just talk and relax, being there
for them was a tonic, an elixir, a
rejuvenator after a week of cooking,
washing and ironing.
"La
Montagnella" is gone, sacrificed on
the alter of questionable progress. Gone
also it seems to me are the carefree days
of families, meeting and sharing each
other's food, probelms and burdens of
life. Gone also is the friendliness,  comraderie and brotherhood.
Today, the modern day philosophy is to
take care of "Numero Uno,"
excluding all others. I will never forget
a part of East Boston called "La
Montagnella", where a group of
families became as if by magic, One Big
Family. It was a place where no person
thought of himself or herself as
"Numero Uno" but rather as a
brother or sister in the human family of
the world.
©Anthony Manconi.
All rights reserved. Reprinted with
permission of the author.
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