Kenneth Olivieri
Current name: Ken Olivieri
Age when this tile was made: 11
Where did you live when you made this tile?Irving St.
Where do you live now?Tewksbury, Ma
Do you consider Somerville your hometown? Yes
What is your earliest Somerville memory?I have many great memories: I remember putting pennies on the tracks in Davis Sq. and watching the trains run over them; going to Tony's for groceries; the Irving St. Indians baseball team; playing in the sand at the Powderhouse School and being careful to look for broken glass; field day at Tuft's park; climbing the rock at Powder House Park; Angelina's for subs; the barber shop on College Ave; staying out until the street ligts came on; the postage stamp back yards; The Venice; the crazy guy on Irving St.. And why was the ice cream truck driving around in the winter???
How would you describe Somerville in the 1980s?Somerville in the 80's was a family town. No one moved; families grew up in their houses and everyone on the street was like family. Kids could play in the streets and not be afraid.
How would you describe Somerville today?Somerville is the new Cambridge. It will never be like the "good ol' days". Too many yuppies!!
How has Somerville changed?Somerville has changed for the worse. The price of property forced most kids who grew up there out to the suburbs.
I remember making the tiles like it was yesterday. I was thrilled to know that it was going into the train station. Now I take my kids there to see the tile and they get excited. It was really a great experience.
