GOSHEN — For 35 years, Anthony “Tommy” Thomas owned and operated The Lunch Box in Williamsburg. From 1968 to 2003, the popular restaurant was a mainstay in town, where people came to have a meal, enjoy a cup of coffee, meet up with friends and catch up on the latest news about town.
Over the years, the small establishment had been the place for birthdays, class reunions, and business deals. It was visited by mayors; members of Congress; players for the New England Patriots; and a 70-member, all-women’s motorcycle club; and it often served those who were hungry and down on their luck.
This former Hilltown institution is the foundation upon which Thomas has written his memoir, “The Lunch Box: The Crossroads of Williamsburg.”
“Back when I closed the Lunch Box, people said, ‘you should really write a book about it,’” Thomas said. “As I thought about it, I realized the story was much bigger than the history of the Lunch Box, because it was really such a large part of my life, so it became my memoir.”
As well as being a restaurant owner, Thomas was extremely active in his native town of Goshen, serving on the Select Board for many years as well as the board of health, the fire department and the historical committee, and as town moderator.
Now 81, Thomas stirs his life story into events and happenings at his family-run restaurant, peppering the pages with historical information on Williamsburg and some of the surrounding towns.
Writing in a stop and start fashion as he had the time, Thomas said the book took a total of 10 years to complete.
“I had a lot of stories to go through and there are still many that didn’t make it into the book,” he said.
Longtime residents will certainly recognize the names of people as they pop up in the casual, conversational style of his book.
“I have heard from a few people that they saw themselves in the book,” Thomas said, adding that he has received no negative feedback on bringing some of their stories to the public.
He also tried to incorporate a bit of a spiritual tone into the book.
“I don’t think you can get to be my age without thinking that someone has helped me with making the choices that I did,” Thomas said.
“The Lunch Box” is currently available at the Williamsburg Pharmacy and the Williamsburg Christmas Place for $17.95.
Thomas, a graduate of Northampton High School who maintains deep connections in Northampton, said that he hopes to sell the book in venues there as well.
WORTHINGTON — This June, the town of Worthington will celebrate its 250th anniversary, and plans are already underway to make this a memorable event.
The 250th anniversary committee was officially formed in October, according to the committee chairman Tom Wisnauckas. $20,000 has been set aside by the town to fund the big event.
“We hope to do some fundraisers as well, so we don’t have to spend all of the $20,000,” Wisnauckas said.
The official anniversary is June 30, on which there will be a big parade and a kick-off dance. Wisnauckas said that over a four-day period, groups like the Hilltown Artisan Guild, the Worthington Rod and Gun Club, the RH Conwell School and musical groups will put on events, and there will also be tours of the town’s historic homes and possibly even a beard-growing contest.
“Right now there are about 10 of us, but we will be looking for people to join various subgroups,” Wisnauckas said.
For more information on how to get involved, call Tom Wisnauckas at 238-0296.
CUMMINGTON — On Dec. 16-17 and Dec. 22-23, from 4-8 p.m., the William Cullen Bryant Homestead in Cummington will host tours of the historic home decked in the Christmas style of a bygone era.
Each weekend will offer something a little different, including carolers in the parlor, animated readings of Christmas tales and visits from Father Christmas.
Visitors can stop in to the gift shop, which will feature items crafted by local artists. A selection of holiday treats will be available, and Notchview Christmas trees will also be for sale at the house.
Entrance fee is $5 for members and $10 for non-members.
For more information please call 200-7262 or email acaluori@thetrustees.org.
Ideas for this column on life in the Hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at fryan.gazette@gmail.com.