I enjoyed reading Dan Shine’s “Historian’s Corner” series on Silver’s Drug Shop (which finalizes today. Ed.) and its family. Not only were the longtime loyal “Silver’s Belles” considered an extended part of their family, but Ed Silver also employed many local high schoolers and young people in part-time positions to start our employment careers and learn professional work ethics. Ed carried a small spiral pad and pencil in his pharmacy jacket pocket for person in-store interview and notes. If we were fortunate, we received a personal call back to report for work. Time slots were correlated to school schedules, and many of us lived close enough to walk to and from work. Even shortened holiday work schedules were convenient not to interfere with our holiday and still service patrons in the Silver’s tradition.
Ed told me after he hired me at age 17 and a high school senior that he really preferred to hire juniors. I remember Lionel Rapanault and Bob Carter from Notre Dame, who worked the soda fountain. Ed let us know that he didn’t have to scoop ice cream to know how many scoops were in a gallon. I remember young pharmacy counter-worker Gerald Blume, who went onto become a New York City attorney, and 19-year-old Joanne, who died suddenly in an auto accident.
In the mid-1970s I received an unexpected call from Ed Silver with an opportunity to manage his family’s local commercial real estate properties. With no experience, I learned quickly and proudly managed their properties for more than 30 years. To this day, Ed Silver remains my special West Haven Rotary friend I am grateful to know.
Roberta DeFonce
This Fourth of July, Americans everywhere will toast to our nation’s 241st birthday. Fireworks will light the night sky as friends, families, and communities gather together to celebrate our independence.
While summer holidays are a great chance to enjoy a cold beer in the summer sun, always remember to celebrate responsibly. This Independence Day weekend, let’s give America the best birthday gift we can by always planning ahead for a safe ride home and helping keep our roads safe for all.
Over the past 35 years, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesaler partners have invested more than $1 billion in the United States to promote alcohol responsibility and help prevent drunk driving.
These holiday weekends, and every weekend, remember that drunk driving is 100 percent preventable when we all do our part. Get a ride. Call a cab. Take a train. Whatever you do, care enough to get home safely. Have a fun and safe holiday!
Tony Lota
Alcohol Awareness Coordinator
Dichello Distributors, Inc.