WWII Clamdigger -
July 1944

Bits from Bayley Beach

More news on Our Beach. Fourth of July saw it gaily decorated with flags usually flown at the Community Beach on Water Meet Day (Labor Day). The pavilion was draped and flags were hung from either end to the shower fixtures. We also boast of a sign at the entrance to the beach (where the old Roton Point gates were) which proclaims the beach to be private for residents of the Sixth Taxing district and admission by card. Another identical sign is at the junction of the two roads (ours and New Canaan). On the back of the life guard's chair is a sign giving the time of high tide and low tide, and the temperature of the water. On the pavilion over the doors to the lockers is a swell clock, the gifts of the Lauders. Now, here's the big item. We have a direct connection with the outside world. Yep, there's a telephone in the pavilion – as Pete Merrill describes it – the nickel kind. Slowly but surely these small improvements are being added. However, the major ones won't come along until you boys are here to have a say in them.

“Adamless Eves” Again

It has become quite the fashion to name the bath houses at the beach. The most intriguing name to come to light so far – "Adamless Eves" – is purloined from a poem in the March issue of the "Clamdigger," if you can remember that far back. You suspect in may belong to some of the staff? Yep, you're right! Es, Flo, Jane, Grace, Dot and Twinnie hang their suits there.

Idea of the Month

After reading the latest issue of the Clamdigger, Bob Pettus says he never realized that Rowayton had so much talent along the literary lines – says Bob, guess it’s ‘cause it is such a swell town. Bob suggests that we save a copy of each Clamdigger and all the correspondence and have them bound into a book form after the war. The Library is planning to do this for us and copies of the Clamdigger are put in the Library each month. Bob also suggests that after the “Diggers” are bound to have them as a memorial to the Rowayton boys that are no longer with us. What are your opinions Boys? We think it's a grand idea so how about dropping us a line stating your ideas on the subject?

Some fifty years later, Bob Pettus, and his wife Flo, prepared a spiral bound edition of the collected "Clamdiggers." Copies can be ordered at the hardware store, or directly from the Historical Society for $25.00. Our address is: P.O. Box 106, Rowayton, CT 06853 [Ed.]