Murdock Muse
July 2011, Part 2

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Dotty at home Gallery photo

DOTTY FEATURED IN NEWSPAPER Bob Murdock (Ed. note - The following was written by a reporter for the Gardner News, in June, 2011. - - RDM) Dorothy “Dottie” Murdock Salminen has worn many hats, serving her town in a variety of capacities including town clerk and dispatcher, all while raising her family. Now retired and a resident of Hubbardston House, the woman once named Citizen of the Year remains active in her community while concentrating on writing a book for her family. Born in Gardner, she lived here until age 11, when her father moved the family to what would become their homestead in Hubbardston. Growing up one of eight children, she graduated from Athol High School in 1947, her first job during high school being at W.T. Grant’s downtown. Soon after high school, she married Sulo Salminen and began to raise a family of six children. No stranger to physical work, Dottie said she always found a way to earn extra money for the family, some quite labor-intensive. One year, she planted a whole field of strawberries to sell to supplement the family income. She later was a stitcher for doll carriages for Kujala’s in Hubbardston before the birth of her two youngest children. Of the period when her father-in-law and husband built a large chicken house and sold eggs to the Fitchburg Farmers’ Cooperative, she said, “They had 2,000 chickens and I hated every one of them. I complained a bit but did it anyway. I even carried water in large pails. I wouldn’t go back there for anything.” Another chore she was not fond of was driving an open pickup truck to the Rutland Veterans’ Hospital to get the empty egg crates, strapping them onto the truck, bringing them home, dumping them out, preparing them for use again and bringing them to Fitchburg. “I probably spent more in gas than what I earned,” she said. At one time, she also was a part time worker at the Hubbardston Farmers’ Cooperative. Becoming a dispatcher for the Hubbardston police and fire departments, Dottie worked at first from her home before moving to the office in the center of town. She was relieved occasionally from the 24-hour shift by the police chief’s wife, who had a similar set up in order take over if necessary. It was after Dottie became secretary to the police department and the town select board that she was talked into running for the office of town clerk, serving for three years. “I gave a speech and won,” she said. “When I was town clerk, I got to know where everybody lives.” She was on dispatch duty on June 22, 1981, the day a tornado touched down in Hubbardston. Later categorized as an F3, the storm destroyed several properties and took down many trees. She recalls fielding a high volume of calls from residents and out-of-towners. “The only other person in the building was the librarian upstairs, so I put her to work,” she said. “TV stations and the radio station called. One of my aunts in a nursing home in Boston said she heard my voice on the radio. There was one woman police officer and other men part timers who all were called out, also the fire department.” During her years as dispatcher, she answered other memorable calls, one of which happened to be for a fire in her own home. “When my mother lived with us and my husband was at home, he started a fire in the stove which developed into a chimney fire. I couldn’t leave to go home because I was the only one there to dispatch,” she said. After her oldest children were married, she sold her house and moved into the homestead, purchasing it from her mother. In 1982, she left her dispatch duties to work in the office of Curtis Lumber Co. Selling the homestead to a daughter, she moved into an apartment above the office, remaining there for 10 years until her retirement, when she moved to her current residence. Her Citizen of the Year recognition in 1998 was for dedicated service to the senior citizens of Hubbardston, where she was the Golden Age Club secretary, treasurer and held the office of president for two terms over the years. She was an active member of the Hubbardston Congregational Church and attended the Federated Church. “I was always busy,” she said. “One of my projects was making Christmas decorations and demonstrating them around for sale. I probably paid more for my materials than I made.” She learned chair caning in classes sponsored by the Worcester County Extension Service in town, and is a volunteer teaching that skill to others in a club house developed from a former brooder house at the farm. Following rug braiding classes at Mount Wachusett Community College, she teaches the twice monthly classes at the senior center, also as a volunteer. These days Dottie is involved deeply in a labor of love she began three months ago, working on a book for her family. She said she picks it here and there when she thinks of something. “I plan to have 21 copies so my children, grandchildren and siblings will have copies,” she said. “I know nothing about my mother and father’s childhoods and I don’t want my kids to be like that. I want my kids to know who I am.” Her inspiration came from a great gift which she cherishes. “It’s a piece of paper my great-grandmother gave me with my name and her name on it and a verse which she wanted me to learn. Now my great-grandchildren will see it, too,” she said. Included in her book will be excerpts from a number of diaries she kept for many years. Still physically active, she tends a little garden of flowers and vegetables in a shared plot at her residence and finds time to lend a hand to her children with their gardens. Dottie is the mother of six — Wanda, Sally, Teddie Joan, Viki, Randy and Penny — some of whom live in the area. She has 15 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and two great-greats. The family is close and holds get-togethers, including an annual gathering for them all. She embraces the age of electronic communication, contrary to the thinking of some retirees who shun it. “Thank God for computers to keep me in touch with my siblings and children,” she said.

August 28, 1945 to April 4, 2011

R.I.P. BILL MOORE Bob Murdock Bill Moore was a beloved member of Christ the King Episcopal Church in Woodlawn, MD, where Nancy and I were parishioners for over 20 years. Besides singing in the choir and occasionally doing lay reading, he was an editor of CTK's website and also CTK's main link with our sister parish in Tokyo, Japan. A memorial service was held at the church on Sunday, August 28, 2011. Jean Ogawa came all the way from Japan to represent Tokyo All Saints church. Colleen McKay, who lives near the church, also attended. She represented Nancy and Bob Murdock of Ironwood, Michigan.

Marker seen in Pittsburg Gallery photo

TRIP REPORT Polly Joubert I attached a file (picture) I took up in Pittsburg, NH on our three day get away. We stayed in a nice little cabin in Pittsburg which is right next to the Canadian border. Other than the weather being iffy we had a nice time. We were on our way out to the Lake Francis State Park when I spotted this stone marker. We had planned to take a half day on the First Ct Lake fishing from a small motor boat but the weather kept being nasty. We opted for searching out lakes and ponds way off the beaten path. We spent some time on Moose alley trying to spot a moose but no luck there either. I was lucky enough to spot a mother deer with two little ones running into the woods but could not get a shot with my camera. They were beautiful but too fast!!! On Tuesday night we decided to go out for pizza at the Buck Rub Pizza Pub. We got there a little after 5 pm and were the only ones in there until it started thundering, lightning and pouring. You wouldn't believe the people that began to come in out of the rain. It appeared they may have been traveling and stopped at the first place that had lights on. It did stop raining after a while and we decided to run for it in case it decided to pour again. As we left the sun started shining and a beautiful rainbow appeared over the lake. Stan got a good picture of it and we got another once we were back at the cabin. It was a nice change for a few days as it sometimes gets boring not working. I understand Hat Lady has been there to see you a couple of times. Were you able to get out and around and show her the town? How are your tomatoes coming along? Mine are getting big but no ripe ones yet. I have eaten 2 cukes and we had a very small summer squash cut up in the spaghetti sauce last night. I'm hoping to get out tomorrow morning to the Farmers Market in Concord to get some veggies. We have one in Tilton on Wednesday afternoons at the Tanger Outlet Mall parking lot and i'll try to remember to go there also. Rennie and Dianna work for a farmer who raises beef etc that he sells there. Dianna sets up in Warner at their Farmers Market and Rennie does the same in Contoocook. For their efforts he pays them in merchandise. We had some of the ground beef (not something that will interest you) but it was delicious cooked on the grill at Rennie's.

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