FUGITIVES FROM THE 60'S: RIORDAN'S BAKERY, MERCERVILLE

FOLLOWING IS AN EMAIL EXCHANGE BETWEEN "JEANETTE, " WHO WAS A MEMBER OF THE RIORDAN FAMILY, WHO OPERATED THAT GREAT BAKERY ON ROUTE 33 IN MERCERVILLE BACK IN THE 1960's. IF ANYONE OTHER THAN I REMEMBER THAT BAKERY WITH STORIES OR PHOTOS, PLEASE SUBMIT THEM TO ME SO I CAN CONTACT JEANETTE, OR POST YOUR INFO IN MY GUEST BOOK AND IT WILL BE PLACED HERE.
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TO JEANETTE:

THANK YOU FOR THE EMAIL REQUESTING INFO ON RIORDAN'S BAKERY. HOW I LOVED THAT PLACE! BACK IN THE 1960'S I WENT THERE AT LEAST 2 OR 3 TIMES A WEEK ON MY COMMUTE FROM HAMILTON TO NEW BRUNSWICK. THE ONLY THING I BOUGHT FROM RIORDAN'S WERE THOSE INCREDIBLY WONDERFUL ENGLISH SCONES. (WITHOUT RAISINS!) THEY WERE AVAILABLE WITH OR WITHOUT RAISINS. SADLY, THEY CLOSED UP SHOP VERY QUIETLY AND WERE GONE. I AM SORRY TO SAY THAT I HAVE NO INFORMATION ON YOUR FAMILY'S BAKERY. THEY OPERATED A GREAT SHOP, AND THEIR DONUTS WOULD PUT DUNKIN DONUTS TO SHAME. ( I DON'T RECALL WHETHER THEY MADE THE DONUTS OR NOT, BUT THEY WERE MUCH LIKE THE OLD FASHIONED PRIOR'S DONUTS.)IF I SHOULD COME ACROSS ANYTHING IN MY HISTORY "MINING," I WILL CERTAINLY CONTACT YOU. THANKS FOR VISITING MY WEBSITE. I HOPE YOU COME BACK OFTEN. (I WILL ALSO ASK IF ANY OF MY WEB VISITORS HAVE ANY INFO ON THE SHOP.)

A FURTHER EMAIL REGARDING RIORDAN'S RECEIVED MARCH 3:

FROM JEANETTE:

Mr. Glover,

Thank you sooo very much for your email and sharing your memories of the bakery with me! You don't know how happy it made me when I read it! It was great to hear memories from a stranger. I already printed your email out to put in my children's baby books, just a little something that will mean a lot to them in the future (kinda keep the past alive). I really do appreciate you posting it on your web page, thank you! Oh and my mother loved the scones as well which I just found out the other day, never would have known that if you hadn't mentioned it! As for the donuts I know they definitely where made on site, the one story I did get from my father years ago was how he always got in trouble for filling the cream donuts with too much cream! (I probably would have done the same thing) My mom and dad both worked at her fathers bakery, I always wondered what things would be like if it was never sold and still in the family (I'd probably be on a diet!) but like they say everything happens for a reason. Therefore, I am very happy I got in touch with you, thanks for everything! Talk to you again soon.

Jeannette

1914: Preparing for Billy Sunday's Arrival

There will be articles posted on Billy Sunday's visit to Trenton back in the "teens." He amassed incredibly large crowds at each and every tent service. Stay tuned for future posts.

1914: The Yardville-Groveville Memorial Day Parade

It's an historical institution! These two communities have been parading on Memorial Day for many many years. I haven't yet uncovered the first year, but I'm sure the date will be found in one of my many volumes of yesterday's news. Stay tuned.

1944: Lakeside Park 4H Club

What a great bird feeder! I have been feeding birds for many years, and have added a number of real rarities to my "life list." These youngsters were obviously qualified craftsmen.

1914: The Old Municipal Colony

In reading this interesting and little known fact relating to the area now occupied by the Mercer County Geriratic Center on Hamilton Avenue and Klocker Road, I reached the conclusion that the facility was either for troubled youth or non intellectuals who were more suited to careers as farmers and laborers.

1914: EDDIE PULLEN'S MERCER "CIGAR CAR"

Throughout my many years of mining for local historical material, the Mercer Automobile Company was always listed as being in Trenton, New Jersey, with nary a hint that Hamilton Township was their home. As you read the caption in the above article, please replace "Trenton built" with "Hamilton built!"

1918 (Ca 1918) So. Broad St. Paving

Fresh on the heels of posting the preceding post on the old White Horse Turnpike, I came across this photo from an un-dated news article. On the reverse side, there are references to WWI; hence the suspicion that this is a WWI era road re-surfacing project. I have no idea just where on So. Broad these photos were taken.

1896: Agitating for a Paved So. Broad Street

In the 1800's, today's So. Broad Street was known as the White Horse Turnpike. It was operated by an organization which was very derelict in maintaining the thoroughfare. Many stories tell of farmers coming from Southern New Jersey getting their wagons mired in the mud. The problem lasted for years. At that time, it was a toll road. One known toll gate was in the area of today's South Broad and Lalor Street.

1914: LIQUOR STILL A "NO NO" IN THE SQUARE

Throughout the many years I have been following local Hamilton History, the temperance movement was extremely active in Hamilton Square. Rev. Howell from the First Presbyterian Church was a real watch dog for the town, constantly going after gambling and the sometimes sordid characters who brought their bad habits to town. The Hamilton Square M.E. Church was also seen as a community watchdog, constantly eying those who chose to ignore the Sunday "Blue Laws."

1930: GROVEVILLE LADIES ENJOYING A WPA PROGRAM

THEY CALLED IT THE WPA LIESURE TIME PROGRAM. IT WAS ONLY A FEW MONTHS EARLIER THAT THE STOCK MARKET CRASHED AND AMERICA WAS IN THE DEPTHS OF WHAT WAS KNOWN AS "THE GREAT DEPRESSION." SCENES LIKE THE ABOVE GRAPHIC WERE COMMON AS COMMUNITIES ALL OVER AMERICA.

1930: Olden Avenue Extended from Princeton Avenue

I'm sure I'm not the only one who knew that North Olden Avenue Extension wasn't in existance prior to 1930.

1914: CHAMBERSBURG COMMUNITY NEWS MAY 13

1914: WILBUR AND BROMLEY COMMUNITY NEWS MAY 14

THE SMALL PIECE ABOVE RELATES TO PETER DOLAN, PROPRIETOR OF THE HAMILTON HOTEL IN BROMLEY. IT WAS LOCATED AT EAST STATE STREET AND WHITEHEAD ROAD, AND PROBABLY WAS ESTABLISHED IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE THE MANY OVERNIGHT VISITORS TO THE NEW JERSEY INTERSTATE FAIR, WHICH WAS JUST DOWN THE ROAD ON EAST STATE STREET IN HAMILTON.

1914: THE YOUNG YAEDE PERFORMERS

WHEN I UNCOVERED THIS INTERESTING PHOTO OF THE TWO YOUNG "YAEDY" PERFORMERS, IT OCCURRED TO ME THAT PERHAPS THEY WERE RELATED TO MY FRIEND HAROLD YAEDE, WHO WAS KIND ENOUGH TO GIVE ME A NUMBER OF WONDERFUL GRAPHICS FROM THE LAKESIDE PARK/GROPP'S LAKE AREA. I ASKED HAROLD IF THESE "YAEDY'S" COULD BE RELATED AND HE VERIFIED THAT INDEED THEY WERE.

1914: BEFORE AMERICA'S SOCIAL FABRIC WAS TORN

THE POWERS THAT BE AT THE BROAD STREET PROMISE TO REPLACE THE RISQUE CONTENT OF THEIR VAUDEVILLE AND BURLESQUE PROGRAMS WITH MATERIAL RATED "G." HOW REFRESHING!

1914: SOUTH TRENTON COMMUNITY NEWS APRIL 16

1914: OBIT CAPTAIN CHARLES SEAMAN: CIVIL WAR VETERAN

1914: CHAMBERSBURG COMMUNITY NEWS APRIL 22

INTERESTING HAPPENINGS IN "THE BURG" DURING SPRING OF 1914.

1914: ST. BASIL'S ROUMANIAN GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH TO EXPAND

1914: PENNINGTON-HOPEWELL NEWS

FROM THE "SUBURBAN NEWS" SECTION OF YESTERYEAR NEWSPAPERS COMES THIS INTERESTING STORY OF EDWARD BEAKES, THE LIBERATION OF PHEASANTS, CLEAN UP DAY, ETC. THERE WILL BE MORE PENNINGTON, HOPEWELL, AND SURROUNDING NEWS BITS AND PIECES AS I FIND THEM.

1914: E. TRENTON HEIGHTS THEN, CORNELL HEIGHTS NOW

HOW I LOVE THESE REAL ESTATE ADS THE CHRONICLE THE GENESIS OF MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. HERE'S CORNELL HEIGHTS, A COMMUNITY THAT IS APPROACHING 94 YEARS.

1914: THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE STORY!

THE OBVIOUS QUESTION:
WHERE IS THAT SPRING IN THIS YEAR OF 2008?

1914: SIDEWALKS FOR THE VILLAGE OF PENNINGTON

PENNINGTON HAS ALWAYS BEEN A TOWN THAT IS ON MY LIST OF NICE PLACES TO LIVE. DURING THE YEARS THAT THE GLOVER BOYS WORKED FOR FRED AND EDNA KUSER, WE MADE FREQUENT TRIPS TO THAT BUCOLIC TOWN TO VISIT MAYOR BILL HOWE, FATHER OF EDNA KUSER. MAYOR WILLIAM HOWE WAS VERY ACTIVE IN LOCAL CIVIC EVENTS. ONE OF HIS PROJECTS WAS THE PLANTING OF TREES ALL ALONG TODAY'S ROUTE 31 FROM PENNINGTON TO EWING.

1914: FILTH? YOU SHOULD SEE US NOW!

WAS COMMON SENSE APPLIED TO INTERPRETING THE FIRST AMENDMENT IN THE EARLY PART OF THE 20TH CENTURY? IT SURE LOOKS THAT WAY. MAJORITY RULED!

1908: THE CROSSWICKS CREEK BRIDGE

I WORKED ON THIS ENGRAVING FOR QUITE A WHILE, TRYING TO REMOVE ALL THE "NOISE" WHICH IS IN INHERENT CHARACTERISTIC OF EARLY 20TH CENTURY OFFSET PHOTO REPRODUCTION. THIS IS THE BEST I COULD DO.

1914: WILBUR AND BROMLEY HAPPENINGS

THESE WEEKLY FEATURES ARE AN INTERESTING GLIMPSE INTO LIFE IN THE WILBUR AND BROMLEY AREA. BROMLEY WAS BEGINNING TO DEVELOP INTO A VIABLE AND VERY DESIRABLE COMMUNITY DURING THIS ERA.

1914: PATRICK MCMANUS, LOCAL CIVIL WAR VETERAN

TODAY, THE POPULATION OF WORLD WAR II VETERANS IS RAPIDLY DIMINISHING. IT WAS THE SAME SITUATION BACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 20TH CENTURY AS THE CIVIL WAR VETERANS PASSED ON. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ARTICLES IN THE COLLECTION ON VETERANS WHO HAD DISTINGUISHED CIVIL WAR RECORDS. AS THEY ARE UNCOVERED, THEY WILL BE POSTED FOR THOSE RESEARCHERS WHO ARE SEEKING INFORMATION FOR GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL REASONS.

1914: THEY WANTED TO RENAME IT "BROADWAY"

A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO, I WROTE A COLUMN ON THE WIDENING OF SOUTH BROAD STREET BEGINNING FROM THE INTERSECTION OF LIBERTY AND SO. BROAD STREET. THAT WIDENING IS EVIDENT TODAY. HOMEOWNERS ALL ALONG THE ROAD FROM THE CITY LINE TO WHITE HORSE GAVE UP FRONTAGE ON THEIR PROPERTY SO THAT THE THOROGHFARE COULD BE WIDENED AND ENHANCED.

1914: HERE COMES THE SHAD FISHING SEASON!

WE HEAR A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THE POLLUTION OF MOTHER EARTH. THIS ARTICLE IS INTERESTING IN THAT MR. FRANK HILL RECALLS THE DELAWARE RIVER FISH POPULATION WHEN IT WAS TEEMING WITH FISH; LONG BEFORE INDUSTRIES ALONG THE DELAWARE RIVER BEGAN POLLUTING THE ONCE BEAUTIFUL DELAWARE. THIS IS AN INTERESTING VIEW OF THE SOUTH TRENTON RIVERFRONT.

A REDUNDANT TIP FROM TOM TO NEWCOMERS

ATTN: NEWCOMERS TO MY SITE(s):

TO ENLARGE A GRAPHIC, CLICK ON IT. TO SAVE THE GRAPHIC TO YOUR COMPUTER,

RIGHT CLICK, AND CHOOSE "SAVE IMAGE AS."

ENJOY, AND Y'ALL COME BACK SOON, 'YA HEAR?

GRAPHICS TOO SMALL? CHANGE TO 800 X 600. HERE'S HOW

ARE YOUR EYES HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE SIZE
OF THE POSTS ON MY SITE(s)? CHANGE THE SCREEN RESOLUTION!

HERE'S THE VERY SIMPLE ADJUSTMENT:

GO TO "START," SLIDE OVER TO THE "CONTROL PANEL,"
AND CLICK, THEN CLICK ON "DISPLAY, " THEN CHOOSE "SETTINGS,"

YOU ARE ROBABLY SET AT 1024 X 768. CHANGE THAT BY SLIDING THE MARKER TO THE LEFT TO 800 X 600.

CLICK "APPLY." YOUR SCREEN WILL MOMENTARILY
GO BLACK AND IMMEDIATELY COME BACK WITH THE NEW AND
LARGER CHARACTERS. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE NEW SETTING,
JUST REVERSE THE PROCESS AND SLIDE BACK TO 1024 X 768.

DON'T BE INTIMIDATED BY THIS ADJUSTMENT. IT IS EASILY REVERSIBLE
BY SIMPLY REPEATING THE ABOVE PROCESS AND SLIDING BACK TO YOUR ORIGINAL SETTINGS.

1975: Extract from "Old Nottingham"

To celebrate America's Bicentennial back in 1975 and 76, many cities, towns and villages published material of local historical interest. Such was the case with the extract above.

1891: JERSEY'S 9TH REGIMENT CIVIL WAR

It's an admittedly tedious task, but slowly but surely, new material on Hamilton's Camp Olden is being uncovered. Hopefully, a very elusive map of the camp will come to light. I have been searching for more than 40 years, and intend to continue.

I RECENTLY RECEIVED A GUESTBOOK ENTRY FROM FELLOW "TULIP TIME" LEAD BEVERLY COWELL DAPOLITO. BEVERLY WAS A CHARMING YOUNG LADY WHO PROBABLY DOESN'T REMEMBER HOW SHE AND I SANG A DUET ON STAGE AT HHS IN OUR SOPHOMORE YEAR. WE SANG A SONG CALLED, "THE THINGS WE DID LAST SUMMER."
(BEV, I STILL SING THAT SONG TODAY ON MY NUMEROUS
LOCAL SENIOR CITIZEN GUEST APPEARANCES).
BEVERLY WAS ONE OF THE MANY HAMILTON HHS '51 YOUNG LADIES I REMEMBER TO THIS VERY DAY. BEV, IF YOU ARE READING THIS, AND IN FACT ANYONE WHO VISITS MY WEBSITE, PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO THAT I CAN ACKNOWLDEGE YOUR VISIT. AND PLEASE COME BACK OFTEN!

(UNLESS YOU PREFER ANONYMITY)

1869: SOUTH TRENTON WALNUT TREES!

WOULD I EVER LOVE TO SEE WHAT THE SOUTH TRENTON AREA LOOKED BACK WHEN THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED! THE "RIVERFRONT" CHARACTER OF THAT AREA HOLDS A SPECIAL FASCINATION FOR ME: RIVERBOATS, FERRIES, THE CRACKER FACTORY, AND LET'S NOT FORGET THE MANY MERCHANTS THAT PEOPLED THE CENTRE STREET-LAMBERTON STREET AREA.

1908: ST. PATRICK'S DAY 100 YEARS AGO

AS YOU CAN SEE AS YOU READ THE ACCOMPANYING
"GAZETTE" ARTICLE, ST. PATRICK'S DAY WAS MUCH THE SAME AS IT IS HERE IN THE 21ST CENTURY....PERHAPS IT WAS A BIT MORE SPIRITUAL OR RELIGIOUS IN NATURE, BUT THE PARADE WAS STILL THERE!

1950: JIM THOMANN AND JIM BRENNAN

BOTH OF THESE GENTLEMEN, THE LATE JIMMY BRENNAN AND JIM THOMANN WERE ONE YEAR AHEAD OF ME AT HHS. THEY ARE NO LONGER WITH US, BUT I REMEMBER THEM WELL. GENTLEMEN FROM THE WORD
"GO."
THE PHOTO OF JIM THOMANN WITH THE LOVELY YOUNG LADY IS FROM THE 1950 SENIOR BALL.

1881: JOHN WOOLFE'S "SOCIABLE"

THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING BIT OF HAMILTON HISTORY. THE "SOCIABLE" REFERRED TO WAS HELD AT THE FORMER RESIDENCE OF C.V. MEAD, FOUNDER OF MERCER RUBBER CO. HIS ESTATE WAS LOCATED WITHIN THE AREA SURROUNDED BY HAMILTON AVENUE ON THE SOUTH AND NOTTINGHAM WAY ON THE NORTH. (YOU WILL RECALL THAT THESE TWO STREETS INTERSECT AT A POINT. THE MEAD(E) ESTATE WAS LOCATED EQUIDISTANT BETWEEN THE TWO ROADS, A BIT TO THE SOUTH OF TODAY'S REPUBLICAN HEADQUARTERS (THE OLD BARTON F. FRANCIS CHRYSLER-PLYMOUTH DEALER).

1938: WILLARD GRIMM : NOTED HAMILTONIAN

WILLARD GRIMM WAS A VERY ACTIVE HAMILTON CITIZEN BACK IN THE 30'S AND 40'S. HIS CAREER INCLUDED YEARS AS OUR MUNICIPAL JUDGE. HIS SON, WEBSTER "WEBB" GRIMM IS AN OLD FRIEND OF THE GLOVER FAMILY. WEBB AND MY BROTHER LEN WERE LEADERS OF A BOYS' CLUB KNOWN AS THE "LYNX" CLUB BACK IN THE 1930'S.

TAKE A TIP FROM TOM!

ARE YOUR EYES HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE SIZE
OF THE POSTS ON MY SITE(s)? CHANGE THE SCREEN RESOLUTION!

GO TO "START," CHOOSE "CONTROL PANEL,"
CLICK ON "DISPLAY, "CHOOSE "SETTINGS,"
SLIDE THE MARKER TO THE LEFT TO 800 X 600.
CLICK OK AND YOUR SCREEN WILL MOMENTARILY
GO BLACK AND IMMEDIATELY COME BACK WITH THE NEW AND
LARGER CHARACTERS. AND GRAPHICS. CLICK "APPLY."

DON'T BE INTIMIDATED BY THIS
ADJUSTMENT. IT IS EASILY REVERSIBLE
BY SIMPLY REPEATING THE ABOVE PROCESS
AND SLIDING BACK TO YOUR ORIGINAL SETTINGS.

TAKE A TIP FROM TOM!

ARE YOUR EYES HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE SIZE
OF THE POSTS ON MY SITE(s)? CHANGE THE SCREEN RESOLUTION!

GO TO "START," CHOOSE "CONTROL PANEL,"
CLICK ON "DISPLAY, "CHOOSE "SETTINGS,"
SLIDE THE MARKER TO THE LEFT TO 800 X 600.
CLICK OK AND YOUR SCREEN WILL MOMENTARILY
GO BLACK AND IMMEDIATELY COME BACK WITH THE NEW AND
LARGER CHARACTERS. AND GRAPHICS. CLICK "APPLY."

DON'T BE INTIMIDATED BY THIS
ADJUSTMENT. IT IS EASILY REVERSIBLE
BY SIMPLY REPEATING THE ABOVE PROCESS
AND SLIDING BACK TO YOUR ORIGINAL SETTINGS.

TAKE A TIP FROM TOM!

ARE YOUR EYES HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE SIZE
OF THE POSTS ON MY SITE(s)? CHANGE THE SCREEN RESOLUTION!

GO TO "START," CHOOSE "CONTROL PANEL,"
CLICK ON "DISPLAY, "CHOOSE "SETTINGS,"
SLIDE THE MARKER TO THE LEFT TO 800 X 600.
CLICK OK AND YOUR SCREEN WILL MOMENTARILY
GO BLACK AND IMMEDIATELY COME BACK WITH THE NEW AND
LARGER CHARACTERS. AND GRAPHICS. CLICK "APPLY."

DON'T BE INTIMIDATED BY THIS
ADJUSTMENT. IT IS EASILY REVERSIBLE
BY SIMPLY REPEATING THE ABOVE PROCESS
AND SLIDING BACK TO YOUR ORIGINAL SETTINGS.

TAKE A TIP FROM TOM!

ARE YOUR EYES HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE SIZE
OF THE POSTS ON MY SITE(s)? CHANGE THE SCREEN RESOLUTION!

GO TO "START," CHOOSE "CONTROL PANEL,"
CLICK ON "DISPLAY, "CHOOSE "SETTINGS,"
SLIDE THE MARKER TO THE LEFT TO 800 X 600.
CLICK OK AND YOUR SCREEN WILL MOMENTARILY
GO BLACK AND IMMEDIATELY COME BACK WITH THE NEW AND
LARGER CHARACTERS. AND GRAPHICS. CLICK "APPLY."

DON'T BE INTIMIDATED BY THIS
ADJUSTMENT. IT IS EASILY REVERSIBLE
BY SIMPLY REPEATING THE ABOVE PROCESS
AND SLIDING BACK TO YOUR ORIGINAL SETTINGS.

TAKE A TIP FROM TOM!

ARE YOUR EYES HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE SIZE
OF THE POSTS ON MY SITE(s)? CHANGE THE SCREEN RESOLUTION!

GO TO "START," CHOOSE "CONTROL PANEL,"
CLICK ON "DISPLAY, "CHOOSE "SETTINGS,"
SLIDE THE MARKER TO THE LEFT TO 800 X 600.
CLICK OK AND YOUR SCREEN WILL MOMENTARILY
GO BLACK AND IMMEDIATELY COME BACK WITH THE NEW AND
LARGER CHARACTERS. AND GRAPHICS. CLICK "APPLY."

DON'T BE INTIMIDATED BY THIS
ADJUSTMENT. IT IS EASILY REVERSIBLE
BY SIMPLY REPEATING THE ABOVE PROCESS
AND SLIDING BACK TO YOUR ORIGINAL SETTINGS.

TAKE A TIP FROM TOM!

ARE YOUR EYES HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE SIZE
OF THE POSTS ON MY SITE(s)? CHANGE THE SCREEN RESOLUTION!

GO TO "START," CHOOSE "CONTROL PANEL,"
CLICK ON "DISPLAY, "CHOOSE "SETTINGS,"
SLIDE THE MARKER TO THE LEFT TO 800 X 600.
CLICK OK AND YOUR SCREEN WILL MOMENTARILY
GO BLACK AND IMMEDIATELY COME BACK WITH THE NEW AND
LARGER CHARACTERS. AND GRAPHICS. CLICK "APPLY."

DON'T BE INTIMIDATED BY THIS
ADJUSTMENT. IT IS EASILY REVERSIBLE
BY SIMPLY REPEATING THE ABOVE PROCESS
AND SLIDING BACK TO YOUR ORIGINAL SETTINGS.

TAKE A TIP FROM TOM!

ARE YOUR EYES HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE SIZE
OF THE POSTS ON MY SITE(s)? CHANGE THE SCREEN RESOLUTION!

GO TO "START," CHOOSE "CONTROL PANEL,"
CLICK ON "DISPLAY, "CHOOSE "SETTINGS,"
SLIDE THE MARKER TO THE LEFT TO 800 X 600.
CLICK OK AND YOUR SCREEN WILL MOMENTARILY
GO BLACK AND IMMEDIATELY COME BACK WITH THE NEW AND
LARGER CHARACTERS. AND GRAPHICS. CLICK "APPLY."

DON'T BE INTIMIDATED BY THIS
ADJUSTMENT. IT IS EASILY REVERSIBLE
BY SIMPLY REPEATING THE ABOVE PROCESS
AND SLIDING BACK TO YOUR ORIGINAL SETTINGS.

1988: WAS IT REALLY 20 YEARS AGO?

AS I PILE ON THE YEARS, ONE VERITY IS BEING TRANSMITTED LOUD AND CLEAR INTO MY AGING PSYCHE: TIME FLIES....TEMPUS FUGITS! I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT IT HAS BEEN 20 YEARS SINCE THE ABOVE ARTICLE APPEARED IN THE MERCER MESSENGER. THE MATHESIUS ADMINISTRATION WAS VERY INTERESTED IN LOCAL HISTORY, AS WERE MY FORMER BOSSES, JACK LACY AND WAYNE DAVIS. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THOSE TWO GENTLEMEN, MY SUCCESSFUL "THE WAY WE WERE" COLUMN WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN. AND "THE WAY WE WERE?" IT'S BEEN 27 YEARS...ALL I CAN SAY IS, "WOW!"

NEWCOMERS: BE SURE TO CHECK THE ARCHIVES

AS OF TODAY, FEBRUARY 21, THERE ARE OVER 1,700 POSTS ON THIS SITE. NEWCOMERS MAY NOT KNOW THAT THERE ARE "ARCHIVES" OVER TO THE LEFT OF THIS PAGE, LISTING THE MANY POSTS I HAVE PLACED ON THIS SITE SINCE ITS INCEPTION BACK IN NOVEMBER OF 2005. CHECK IT OUT....AND AS USUAL, THANKS FOR VISITING...Y'ALL COM BACK SOON!

1942: THANKS TO LORRAINE FEEHAN MAY

THIS GRAPHIC WAS STORED IN MY VERTICAL FILES AND COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN UNTIL LORRAINE EMAILED ME REGARDING THE GRAPHIC. SHE REMINDED ME THAT SHE IDENTIFIED THE CLASS. SHE DID, AND I FAILED TO POST THIS FILE. INSTEAD, I POSTED ANOTHER CLASS OF '42 GRAPHIC WITHOUT THE IDENTIFICATION. THANKS, FOR THE HEADS UP, LORRANE.

1955: HHS SOPHOMORES VICTIMS OF "LIPSTICK HAZING"

THE GUEST BOOK

PLEASE...IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE

WITH THE GROWING NUMBER OF "HITS" ON MY SITE, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD TAKE A MINUTE TO SIGN MY GUEST BOOK IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY DONE SO. MULTIPLE COMMENTS ON A SPECIFIC POST ARE WELCOME. IF YOU REQUIRE ANONYMITY, BE ASSURED THAT YOUR REQUEST WILL BE RESPECTED. ON THE OTHER HAND, IF YOU HAVE NO PROBLEM IDENTIFYING YOURSELF, ANY REMINISCENCES YOU MIGHT HAVE FROM YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD YEARS WOULD BE A WELCOME ADDITION TO OUR SITE. ONCE AGAIN, ANY POSTS YOU MIGHT OFFER WOULD BE ANONYMOUS IF YOU REQUEST IT.

THE GUEST BOOK HAS FOUND LOST FRIENDS OR
NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE VISITED THE SITE.

IF YOUR POST REQUIRES A RESPONSE,
BE SURE IN INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

1947: The Way We Were

The lovely lady in this 1947 Camay ad is the epitome of the typical young lady of the mid-20th century. Poised, innocent, and quite lovely without resorting to sexy "cheesecake" images. How things have changed!

1943: THE GRUMMAN AVENGER

From Ternstedt Division of General Motors, manufacturing GM auto hardware, to Eastern Aircraft during WWII, "GM" was a very important part of Trenton industrial history. Unfortunately, the old factory has been demolished, to be replaced by a huge vacant lot.

1930: Rev. Alphonse Palombi

This reverend gentleman was an institution at Trenton's St. Joachim Church. Father Palombi came from a family that was and is very prominent in the Trenton-Mercer County area. As you read the names of the members of the committee referred to in the article, you will find many familiar surnames from the Chambersburg area.

1925: Trenton's City Hall, Circa 1920's

This wonderful old building has always held an inexplainable fascination for me. Perhaps it's the mansard roof and clock tower, or perhaps the magnificent historical heritage found within its walls. Back in the 19th century this building served as the mayor's office, as well as other offices and commercial ventures.

1945: General Plating Co.

I drove by this spot on a daily basis back in the early 1950's as I delivered power transmission equipment to the American Steel and Wire plant on Hamilton Avenue. Today the building is abandoned and gradually falling apart. Still another Trenton landmark that went out of business.

1950: THE PLYMOUTH: NOW EXTINCT

HOW WELL I REMEMBER THAT AUTOMOTIVE FOURSOME BACK IN THE 40'S AND 50'S: PLYMOUTH, DODGE DESOTO AND CHRYSLER! ONE OF THE SADDEST EVENTS OF THE CENTURY WAS AMERICA'S AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING DECLINE. I REMEMBER BACK IN 1949 OR SO, WHEN SIMCA, OPEL, DATSUN, AND OTHER FOREIGN AUTOS BEGAN TO COME IN TO AMERICA. I DIDN'T KNOW IT THEN, BUT IT WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR HUDSON, NASH, KAISER-FRAZER, AND PACKARD. THE GAS PRICES CAN'T BE SEEN IN THIS PHOTO, BUT I WOULD GUESTIMATE THAT IF THEY WERE, YOU WOULD SEE THAT IT WAS 19.9 PER GALLON! HOW DO I KNOW? THAT WAS THE ERA WHEN I WAS OF "CRUSING" AGE. YOU DO REMEMBER CRUISING, DON'T YOU?

THIS BEAUTIFUL PHOTO OF THE 49 PLYMOUTH CAME TO ME COURTESY OF BOB BALLANTINE, A NEW FOUND HAM RADIO FRIEND WHO RECALLED THIS VEHICLE FROM HIS YOUNGER YEARS AS A TRENTON AREA RESIDENT. THANKS BOB!

This correction from visitor Ray Paszkiewicz:
Hi Tom, I left some comments in your Automobilia section of your blog. Specifically, the Kaiser Frazer piece and the Graham Hollywood piece. I am very interested in automobile subjects, as related to Trenton, NJ, as well as automobiles in general. I have made some comments in Mack's Truck blog as well. I am Ray Paszkiewicz, also known as rayfromvillapark.

PS Tim Kuser and I go back many years. One last thing, I did not comment on, the 1949 Plymouth, last subject in the Automobilia section, is actually a 1950 model. I grew up in Trenton and have many fond memories and stories, but I am saddened by what has happened to the town.

THANK YOU, RAY!

1967: Steinert H.S. Queen of the Senior Ball

FROM THE 1967 STEINERT YEARBOOK, "CRESSET 67"

The word is wholesome...........
a word that is bordering on extinction in today's society.

2008: LET THE SEASON BEGIN!

I HOPE TO SEE MANY OF MY WEB VIEWERS AT THIS PROGRAM WHICH IS THE FIRST OF NUMEROUS MUSIC/NOSTALGIA PROGRAMS I WILL BE PRESENTING THIS YEAR AT KUSER MANSION. THIS ONE WILL CENTER ON THE ROMANTIC LOVE SONGS WE ALL SWOONED AND DANCED TO, WITH AN OCCASIONAL NOVELTY SONG. MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

2008: LET THE SEASON BEGIN!

I HOPE TO SEE MANY OF MY WEB VIEWERS AT THIS PROGRAM WHICH IS THE FIRST OF NUMEROUS MUSIC/NOSTALGIA PROGRAMS I WILL BE PRESENTING THIS YEAR AT KUSER MANSION. THIS ONE WILL CENTER ON THE ROMANTIC LOVE SONGS WE ALL SWOONED AND DANCED TO, WITH AN OCCASIONAL NOVELTY SONG. MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

2008: LET THE SEASON BEGIN!

I HOPE TO SEE MANY OF MY WEB VIEWERS AT THIS PROGRAM WHICH IS THE FIRST OF NUMEROUS MUSIC/NOSTALGIA PROGRAMS I WILL BE PRESENTING THIS YEAR AT KUSER MANSION. THIS ONE WILL CENTER ON THE ROMANTIC LOVE SONGS WE ALL SWOONED AND DANCED TO, WITH AN OCCASIONAL NOVELTY SONG. MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

2008: LET THE SEASON BEGIN!

I HOPE TO SEE MANY OF MY WEB VIEWERS AT THIS PROGRAM WHICH IS THE FIRST OF NUMEROUS MUSIC/NOSTALGIA PROGRAMS I WILL BE PRESENTING THIS YEAR AT KUSER MANSION. THIS ONE WILL CENTER ON THE ROMANTIC LOVE SONGS WE ALL SWOONED AND DANCED TO, WITH AN OCCASIONAL NOVELTY SONG. MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

2008: LET THE SEASON BEGIN!

I HOPE TO SEE MANY OF MY WEB VIEWERS AT THIS PROGRAM WHICH IS THE FIRST OF NUMEROUS MUSIC/NOSTALGIA PROGRAMS I WILL BE PRESENTING THIS YEAR AT KUSER MANSION. THIS ONE WILL CENTER ON THE ROMANTIC LOVE SONGS WE ALL SWOONED AND DANCED TO, WITH AN OCCASIONAL NOVELTY SONG. MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.