Covering Covers

Hello Naugatuckians. 

I’ll be blogging about the borough using my Arcadia Publishing book, Images of America: Naugatuck Revisited.  This will be my second blog from here in Naugablogginland.  I’ll start with cover of the book… a logical place
to begin.

Arcadia covers don’t just happen.  Arcadia authors are asked to submit a group of possible cover images; ten, I believe.  The cover image will also appear in the body of the book.  Like all of the book’s images, they must be copyright-free, or, if copyrighted, permission must have been granted by the copyright owner.  The cover possibilities are supposed to be historic, visually attractive, interesting and representative of the municipality.

I had full access to the Naugatuck Historical Society
Museum’s image collection during the months it took to research and write Naugatuck Revisited.  I don’t remember the other images from our collection I had submitted for consideration, but I can tell you that the cover the folks at Arcadia chose was my favorite.  Arcadia book covers most often feature scenes, panoramic vistas and/or groups of people.  It’s an added plus if the cover image
showcases a recognizable, famous resident of the municipality and kids are
desirable to include.  The front cover of Naugatuck Revisited hit a home run
with legendary Naugatuck resident Frank “Spec” Shea, in his New York Yankee
uniform, with ten Naugatuck Little League All-Stars and two coaches.  Plus, Naugatuck’s name appears completely or partially on nine of the team’s uniforms.  (It turns out there is a remarkable coincidental placement of the name Naugatuck as a “crown” around “Spec” Shea’s head.  Strangely, I’ve been looking at that cover image off and on since 2004 when the book was published.  Tonight,
while writing this blog, was the first time I ever noticed it.)

I had wanted to list the names of all of the people pictured on the front cover, but this blog is ending up long enough to be another book.  I suggest you turn to page 39 of Naugatuck Revisited to read the names.  And, you may be able to help me out with a future edition of this blog.  There are some unidentified folks in the photo.  Naugatuck Patch readers may know their names.  I’d also like to update Naugatuckians with information regarding the people in the picture.  I know some are deceased, some still live in Naugatuck and some have moved away.  Let me know any information you may have through Naugatuck Patch or through the Naugatuck Historical Society Museum or by calling me.  I’ll share the information
in a future blog.

Whew!  Lucky me. 
Now I’ve got to type this tome.

The past is our present to the future,

Ron Gagliardi