I went to the island the summer of 1999 as a 16 year old planning to do more landscaping, as I had done the two years prior. But I arrived early in the summer and Mike Mazzone came knocking on our door and asked me to join the truck crew. Growing up on the island, obviously as a little kid you look up to those guys driving the cool pick-up trucks all over Squirrel. So it was a no brainer to join the crew.
I worked four years, 1999 until 2002, working my way up to number one guy the final year.
I started under Mike and Mason Gillespie. I was a lowly number four that year and had Chris Wichowski also as my senior. I remember one really fun weekend where those three and Chris Danforth went to Woodstock and I took over the full time truck duties with Matthew Gillespie, who was the "post office lady" at the time. Just the two of us for three days, it was a blast!
In the later years of my distinguished trucking career, I worked with Zach Hastings and Ned Hole. On rare occasions we would hire Dana Randlett, but he had a good thing going at the tennis courts.
Late night trucking was always an adventure. You are trying to sneak home, but the trucks are always in some state of disrepair and often louder than a motor boat going full tilt. Not to mention the roads are a disaster and 5mph is about the max speed.
...except up by the field. Coming down the hill from the Barrett's house, in massive summer rain storms you would take the truck to full speed (maybe a mighty 25mph) and create enormous waves through the puddles in the road.
In the later years the biggest challenge is the work load. In the first few years, we had a crew of 4. So to then take on the task seven days a week, early mornings, late nights, long days, and four months to the season made for a draining summer.
There isn't much work needed in order to recruit for the job. Just like my entry to the job, It was a position I had always looked up to and dreamed of as a little boy on the island. I can't picture the truck guy position being outsourced. The recruiting process is hardly necessary.
Oh wow, what was happening on the island? We had a great crew of kids my age. The Tea Shop was always a hopping place and working for them for the free lunch made for a daily highlight. Matthew Gillespie was in the post office and that made for entertaining daily visits -- especially around 11am when The Price is Right is on his 4" black and white TV. Dana was down at the tennis courts, Grant Ballantyne was working for Rob, and his mom Pat was always turning out cookies, brownies, and baked goods. You're the king of the world when you're a teenage head truck guy on Squirrel Island!
I worked four years, 1999 until 2002, working my way up to number one guy the final year.
I started under Mike and Mason Gillespie. I was a lowly number four that year and had Chris Wichowski also as my senior. I remember one really fun weekend where those three and Chris Danforth went to Woodstock and I took over the full time truck duties with Matthew Gillespie, who was the "post office lady" at the time. Just the two of us for three days, it was a blast!
In the later years of my distinguished trucking career, I worked with Zach Hastings and Ned Hole. On rare occasions we would hire Dana Randlett, but he had a good thing going at the tennis courts.
Late night trucking was always an adventure. You are trying to sneak home, but the trucks are always in some state of disrepair and often louder than a motor boat going full tilt. Not to mention the roads are a disaster and 5mph is about the max speed.
...except up by the field. Coming down the hill from the Barrett's house, in massive summer rain storms you would take the truck to full speed (maybe a mighty 25mph) and create enormous waves through the puddles in the road.
In the later years the biggest challenge is the work load. In the first few years, we had a crew of 4. So to then take on the task seven days a week, early mornings, late nights, long days, and four months to the season made for a draining summer.
There isn't much work needed in order to recruit for the job. Just like my entry to the job, It was a position I had always looked up to and dreamed of as a little boy on the island. I can't picture the truck guy position being outsourced. The recruiting process is hardly necessary.
Oh wow, what was happening on the island? We had a great crew of kids my age. The Tea Shop was always a hopping place and working for them for the free lunch made for a daily highlight. Matthew Gillespie was in the post office and that made for entertaining daily visits -- especially around 11am when The Price is Right is on his 4" black and white TV. Dana was down at the tennis courts, Grant Ballantyne was working for Rob, and his mom Pat was always turning out cookies, brownies, and baked goods. You're the king of the world when you're a teenage head truck guy on Squirrel Island!