Encyclopedia of Me ~ U is for ...

Uncasville!

Where? That's the place where I spent most of my growing-up years.  Technically a small village incorporated into the town of Montville in southeastern Connecticut, most of my memories of childhood and teen years revolve around this small New England burg.

After my birth in nearby New London, at an age too young for me to remember, my parents moved us to Uncasville, into a small house on Maple Avenue. It had light green painted cedar shakes for siding, an upstairs, downstairs, and a basement, along with a hill on one side that was great for sledding. The fields and woods behind the house seemed to stretch for miles when we would go exploring as kids, though when I looked there in later years, they had shrunk to a much smaller size. I attended Palmer Memorial Elementary School, St. John's Jr. High School, and St. Bernard's High School there.

There were four of us siblings in the family. Our parents taught us about God, respect for Him, and being decent people. And they had great love for us. These foundations were later used by the Lord to draw me to Him. In the picture on the right, that's my dad and me standing in front of 195 Maple Avenue on a cold February day in 1980--the weekend I proposed to Deb in the living room of that house.

In the mid-90s, Uncasville had the dubious distinction of becoming home to the Mohegan Sun, owned and operated by the Mohegan Tribal Nations, one of the largest gambling casinos in the world. From what my sister tells me, the effects on the area are not altogether positive.

My dad is now retired (he worked many years for General Dynamics Electric Boat division, a major economic influence in the region). He lives in nearby Quaker Hill, not far from where he grew up himself.

Soon we'll be taking a trip up to Uncasville to spend a few days with my dad and siblings and family. We haven't made that trip for a few years, so it will be enjoyable to be around them again.

~ Tom

Comments

[Jamie Carin]

Ohhh you were just a "short" swim from my home on Long Island! Unfortunately Long Island (at least Nassau County and MOST of Suffolk) are no where near as delightful and quaint sounding as your town!

I always liked to imagine what Long Island was like before it was turned into crazy suburbia after the War. I always imagine it a lot like Prince Edward Island from Anne of Green Gables. I think it must have been beautiful there.

I live in NJ now (a state I truly dislike) and pine for my days as a NYer :)

[Tammy]

Just when you think you know lots about your family,I learn something new!!

Enjoy your trip.I hope the New England weathter will be mild for your visit.

[Bet]

Love that pic. Look how young and skinny you were! :)

[Lydia]

Hi Girotti family!

How neat to read about your roots in Uncasville, Mr. Girotti. I am finally trying to catch up on reading a few blogs and doing a little blogging myself.

Hannah, thank you for your sweet comment on my blog. Psalm 119 is a wonderful passage and one I need to study more in depth. Thanks for sharing what you have been meditating on recently.

Mrs. Girotti, I received your precious letter some months back and even typed out a response letter back to you but never got it sent in the mail! My sincerest apologies for my slothfulness and disregard. I truly appreciate your dear friendship and encouraging words. I will try to get that letter sent soon. :)

We have been blessed to read of your home church's forming and the blog content for the new church. My dad has enjoyed interacting with you via e-mail about such matters, Mr. Girotti. May God use it for His glory and to equip the saints for faithful service to Him.

God's richest blessings be upon you all.
In Christ's love, Lydia H.

[Kristi]

Hope you have a safe trip and a great time with your family.

~Kristi

[Toots]

Hey Tom,
It's funny how you chose to talk about the old house at this time. I found out recently that it's for sale. The selling price is $214,900, it's appreciated a tad since Mom and Dad bought it for $12,500. I was talking with a friend of mine about how we could go around in a circle through the rooms, and that we have home movies of Easter "parades" through the house. Too bad the lottery won't cooperate with me, or I'd buy it. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. I arranged to work on Saturday instead of Friday, so I'll have more time with you. Have a safe trip if I don't talk to you before then. Love, Toots

[Leslie]

What a great blog entry! Thanks for sharing Tom!

[Kathie]

Mike is from Ellington, CT, about 18 miles NE of Hartford. His Dad was the mayor for two terms. It was an ideal town, a little like Mayberry. Now the cornfields are buried under condos. I always enjoyed riding through the countryside counting the covered bridges. Have a safe, enjoyable trip. Your mountain will be a welcome sight when you come home!