11/20/2024
DOWN BUCKET
WINTER 2024 OKO’s V. F. A. Inc.
To promote harmony, establish order, secure success and continue that friendly feeling
with each other that has existed for many years.
Season's Greetings!
Yes, we are still here…
I realize it’s been a VERY long time since we’ve put out a newsletter, so you may have wondered whatever happened to the Oko's. If you live in town, you have likely noticed the fresh paint on the building and the landscaping still going on out front. Oko's Hall sits at the very entrance to Marblehead's Historic District and a few groups have taken an interest sprucing up the place. The hall was formerly occupied as a firehouse for the Washington Ladder Company, which was the first Marblehead fire apparatus to be authorized horses. Known in fire lore as the Marblehead Sail Company, they occupied the building from 1840 until 1890. Hence, our modern fire chief has overseen the fresh paint and window/doors rehab. (Don't blame us, or him for the color. I'm told the former building inspector picked it despite my leaving a 5-gallon pail of the correct colored stain. You'll get used to it.)
The little plot of grass and weeds out front was dug up and replaced with plantings, a drip system, and a brick parking patio for the handtub's display by the wonderful ladies of the Cottage Gardeners of Marblehead and Swampscott. There is also a plan to replace our old pole and chain fencing with something nicer in iron. Joel Martin's bench remains a central fixture, as tradition is at our core. The ladies also came to the July muster in Newbury to see what the Oko's are all about. Their hard work and interest is much appreciated as we continue to improve the building.
Please plan to visit the hall during Christmas Walk 2024. As we have for decades, we will once again roll the Okommakamesit through town as a part of the parade on December 7th and then open the museum to guests. We still have a few “Whip-Down Buck-Up for Air" shirts available for sale and maybe can revive our cannon volley with Glover's Regiment!
Still Crazy
While we realize this can't go on forever, we muster addicts just don't know how to quit. For the past three years, a core group of us have been keeping the tradition alive and hauling the machine to at least three musters a year. We remain the oldest continually active engine and association in the league. We haven’t done well as our tiny group on social security can’t do much more that get it to the muster, set her up, and pray for some help to pump it. We do seem to manage to stay out of last place, but haven’t come home with a trophy in many, many moons. The engine looks great and pumps well, but the sport demands bodies, young and willing. We can’t seem to find them anywhere, and we've been looking for over 20 years! There’s always hope for young blood to discover the sport. Just this season, the T.W. Lane of Mystic, CT went from fighting us for 5th or a 6th place to winning the championship on the back of a hometown muster and some renewed interest. As I said, we can't continue more than another year or two without some younger folks. Personally, I was amazed how much heavier everything got in just one year! Also, there is the sad reality that comes with living on a fixed income, which brings us to:
Dues and Donations
We haven't collected or kept track of dues for a few years now. You are getting this letter because you are either a Life Member or you were paid up last time we checked the mailing list. In either case, we desperately need your financial assistance! We have been able to continue due mainly from a large donation from one very generous individual. We literally ran two years on that money. New trailer tires, insurance on the tub and collection, security, electric and water bills all have drained the accounts to near bottom. If you care about keeping this 130-year-old Marblehead tradition alive, please consider a donation of any amount you can spare. No damaged dogs, no disabled children, no promised cure for cancer, just daft old townie men pi***ng in the wind for over a century, and hoping to continue doing it with your help. Oko's VFA; PO Box 136: Marblehead, MA 01945
Membership Application/Renewal Form
I, ________________________________________________________ wish to apply for/ renew Membership
with The Oko’s Veteran Fireman’s Association.
Street ____________________________________________________________________________
City/Town ___________________________________________________State______________Zip ___________________
Phone ( _____ ) ___________________________Age _______ Email ____________________________________________
Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date______ ________________
Membership fee $10.00 per year (fee enclosed) ______________
Donation (total enclosed _______________
Museum
While our mustering days may be numbered, the town's new interest in the building is a hopeful sign that the hall may become the Marblehead fire museum. There is talk about the Gerry 5 being displayed in our old firehouse on the Washington St side for public viewing. The Gerry 5 VFA would maintain control of their handtub, but it would be on display rather than sitting in their basement. Perhaps some of their memorabilia could be merged with ours along with any currently held by the fire department. Should any of you reading this have Marblehead fire related items, please consider donating or permanently loaning them for display. Contact us at PO Box 136. Marblehead history should stay in town. Too much has already been lost to auctions.
Hope to see you on December 7th! ALL THE BEST! To you and yours.
