In the late 1920's and 1930's, Katherine's father, Steve Doblosky contracted with the school district to transport about 30 children to Huntington School. At the end of the school year, the running gear was removed and the carry-all was replaced with a wagon for use around the farm. The carry-all itself was used as a storage shed until school resumed in the fall. Phil Jones remembers walking about a mile from his home to catch a ride the rest of the way to school in the back of the carry-all. As one of the older children, he helped boost the smaller ones up the high steps into the back of the vehicle.

Steve Doblosky

Pete and Alex Rogowski cleared trees and brush from around the deteriorating carry-all. Then it was raised, braced, and secured to a 16 foot skid to be carefully loaded onto Danny Garcia's truck and moved to Leo's barn. With the carry-all safely in his workshop, the farm wagon and the original running gear donated by Hugo Provenzano, and lumber milled and donated by Phil Jones, the restoration could begin.

Leo's project caught the imagination of several others who volunteered to help. Bob Trabka moved the rough lumber to his woodworking shop where he cut, planed, and sized it for use in the carry-all. Anthony Blankley of Quid Upholstery Shop installed the roofing material and is sewing side curtains for future installation in the carry-all. Lou Fray reproduced and welded hardware that was broken or missing.

Leo's foresight and persistance are appreciated and the team deserves thanks for donating their time, talents, and materials to their joint project of restoring the carry-all that once carried a generation of children.

Donations to the Shelton Historical Society (a 501 [c] 3 organization) will be gratefully accepted for use in building a shelter for the carry-all. Please mark checks accordingly.