March 17 - St. Patrick's Day

Jan Palson

17 Mar 2026 — 3 min read

1942 Guinness Ad with Rarebit recipe. Newspapers.com

Ok, rarebit looks really good. Especially with Guinness. War continues to rage so St. Patrick's Day might be a bit more low-key. There will be a parade because this is Boston - I can share that tomorrow. In the meantime, Massachusetts Governor Saltonstall has decreed a 40mph speed limit for all highways in order to save gas. Pretty hefty fine of up to a year in jail and max $500. Gas rationing is in effect. In addition - no bald tires. Keep scrolling for more on tires, Dedham, and the lottery.

Tires

Here's how serious they are about tires - everyone who got a tire from March 10 - March 17 is listed in the newspaper. Even recaps and retreads are tracked. The following is just partial list but you get the idea - you better really need a new tire if you want to get one. This will absolutely affect Audrey and Joe. I guess Audrey more since she's the one driving.

Dedham Hospital

Regarding the story of the Dedham Hospital - a $250,000 home in 1942 is a palatial mansion. Donated for the duration of the war as an emergency hospital, this home belongs to H. Wendell Endicott, a retired shoe manufacturer and head of the Boston Opera Association. By the way, you can get a lovely 6 room home in Dedham for $4950 with 3 bedrooms, bath, hot water and sun porch. Here's the pic from page 4:

Lottery

This lottery probably doesn't mean anything to Joe. He's already in - just enjoying (hopefully) some time before April 1 - draft day. 9,000,000 more folks joining the war effort. He might have been involved in the previous lottery. Apparently, the Globe has a speedy system to order numbers drawn.

Comics

Just to lighten things up -

More to come. Please subscribe. It all officially starts on April 1, 1942.

Love to the Irish and cheers to St. Patrick!

April 24, 1942 - Dear Audrey

Oh well, we’re in the Army now. It's a swell day and the weather is warming up. It's starting to turn green. No relaxing, no enjoying anything until after evening chow and mornings are made for marching. Having a band makes marching in step easier.

April 23, 1942 - Dear Audrey

These new recruits are in for a big surprise. Dad's sisters and ma came to visit with his neighbors probably to get an idea of what it's like since more and more young men are drafted. Like from his own neighborhood. Yes, they are getting serious.

April 22, 1942 - Dear Audrey

It’s a good day for an inspection... The sun is finally shining and he's miles away dreaming until... there's another inspection to keep him on his toes. The real focus is on that list for 24-hour passes. In the meantime, there's a lot

April 21, 1942 - Dear Audrey

...if they want for me to clean my rifle, I shouldn't kick. Per the previous letter, if you were betting on her having no willpower and going up to see him, you win. Sunday was Patriots' Day so of course Mom would want to go. Sounds like