Leaving Fardimlee, we passed a sign for Dell Upton. We discussed the name for several miles but were unable to agree on the origins of the hamlet’s appellation. Hoping a visit to the hamlet, might offer insights to the etymology of the name, we turned back. Despite its history as a refuge for Native Americans during King George’s War there seemed to be no connection to the migration from west to east. The theory that touted travel by canoe along the ice cap held no water.
Delving into its present-day reputation as a hub of research, where scientists and lab assistants spend hours, days, and months pouring over computer generated formulae with hopes of discovering a cure for Intolerance, led nowhere. So far, any success they’ve enjoyed has been limited to a cure for Impatience with Spring Odors, in particular, the smell of fresh cow manure spread generously over the meadows.
To no avail, an attempt was made several years ago to generate a salve capable of healing nail cracks. The product, failing to affect that condition whatsoever, did prove worthwhile in mitigating fish odors. And much to the surprise and amazement of the research team’s leader, the unctuous salve proved a benefit in facilitating the replacing of axle bearings in older model—pre 1946— Plymouths. Although patents pend, locals feel there is little hope that the product will prove the gold mine promised by the company’s founder, Ben-Ray Donn. Donn, having frittered away the millions he received as seed money from the town, left for the Florida Keys, years prior. As is visible in the accompanying image, Dell Upton’s fields are slowly reverting to original states although old timers argue: Green fields in autumn are more a consequence of leaks in the drums used to bury the excess radium applied to sun dials and wind chimes for night viewing. We left Dell Upton not knowing how much radium we might have ingested but whenever we stopped at a cross roads, and my aunt blinked, drivers approaching in the opposite lanes waved heartily to thank us.
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