Cranbrook Kitchen Sink

One account is that Dom was the first boy my mother ever kissed (which is interesting, given her own mother’s view toward Catholics back when).

As a young boy, I enjoyed a ride in the fire truck during a 1959 fair held at Cranbrook; it was hosted by the Junior League, I’m told. Dom was the driver. (I’m still wanting a photo of the Ferris wheel that had been erected between the Art Academy and Jonah).

One autumn morning I had to take my first Cranbrook bus ride. I was surprised to be greeted by name by the driver (Wally, a Vettraino inlaw). Only much later did I learn that bit of history, and that he had once been George Booth’s chauffeur. (I wish I had known that bit of info then so as to interview Wally.)

About ’72, one summer I had the privilege of working alongside Nick Vettraino as a groundskeeper; Dom and John were my bosses. That was the year Nick let the grass grow tall in the Valley so he could mow a huge peace sign (such were the times). Those few weeks gave me a unique campus perspective that no other family member has.

Around ’88, I reconnected with Dom and the fire truck at a Booth family reunion. It was then that I learned that he and John had built the truck themselves, from a chassis they had ordered from Ford. I was impressed by both their engineering prowess and fiscal management. One regret is that I didn’t ever get to drive the truck in the Leland 4th of July parade when Dom and I both lived in the Traverse City area.

I have nothing but fond remembrances of both Dom and Wally, such were there always friendly dispositions (John I didn’t know as well).

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