1940': THE PLAAG'S GROVE OF MY YOUTH

The Times has a large circulation with many readers. Recently, I wrote a "Sentimental Journey" column relating to my experiences at Plaag's Grove when I was a boy. There will be more Plaag's Grove articles in the near future. I have received MANY emails and verbal queries as to the location of Plaag's Grove, as many of the younger generation were not aware that it existed. The photo above shows the entrance with the ticket booth in the foreground. It was unchanged during the 1940's. The photo below was taken by my best buddy, Don Slabicki back in the 40's. It was taken from the second floor of his 914 Sylvan Avenue home. I have personalized it with identifying labels.

1944: PLAAG'S GROVE-A SUMMER RESORT

http://www.nj.com/columns/times/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/1275111959130920.xml&coll=5

The link above will bring you to my latest column for this last week in May. Click on that link and come back to the year 1944 with me and my buddy Don Slabicki as we make a nostalgic visit to the past. The photo is from Ms. Linda Wortelmann Taylor, a relative of the Plaag family. The photo is dated 1935, but that little ticket booth in the photo was just as it was during the years I write about in the column. The column tells of one of those many ethnic picnics my buddy Don Slabicki and I, and countless other neighborhood kids made to that grand old picnic ground that once reposed within the area of Sylvan, Edwin and Atkins Avenues in Hamilton Township. Come back with Don and me to a summer Sunday Polish picnic at Plaag's Grove; you're gonna have a great time!

2009: THIS WAS PLAAG'S GROVE

Many people have asked me about the location of Trenton's late, great, summer picnic ground, Plaag's Grove. This "BING" bird's eye view of the area bounded by Sylvan, Atkins, and Edwin Avenue shows the area which was the site of Plaag's Grove. The back yards of the homes on Newkirk Avenue included the 4th boundary line. As can be seen in the photo, the area has been developed and become a pretty residential area.

FROM A MEMBER OF THE "PLAAG'S GROVE" ERA

I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING EMAIL FROM "PEGGY," WHO LIVED A FEW BLOCKS FROM MY HARTLEY AVENUE HOME, AND A BLOCK AWAY FROM PLAAG'S GROVE. I HAVE MANY HAPPY MEMORIES OF THE TIME I SPENT THERE WITH THEIR WEEKEND OUTINGS, AND OUR DAILY SANDLOT BASEBALL GAMES. THANKS VERY MUCH FOR THE EMAIL, PEGGY, AND YES, I TRY TO UPDATE THIS WEBSITE DAILY. INCIDENTALLY, AND COMPLETELY COINCIDENTALLY, MY "SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY" COLUMN IN TODAY'S (AUGUST 24) TRENTON TIMES COLUMN IS CENTERED ON PLAAG'S GROVE. THERE WILL BE MORE COLUMNS IN THE FUTURE. IF YOU ARE NOT A TIMES SUBSCRIBER, YOU CAN PROBABLY FIND THE COLUMN WHEN IT IS POSTED. GO TO GOOGLE, USE THE KEYWORDS TOM GLOVER HAMILTON TRENTON. THERE WILL BE QUITE A FEW REFERENCES TO THIS WEBSITESITE, BUT BURIED IN THERE YOU WILL FIND THE COLUMN. THANKS AGAIN FOR WRITING. IT'S EMAILS SUCH AS YOURS THAT MAKE ALL THE EFFORT WORTHWHILE.

=====================*******========================

PEGGY WRITES:

Hello Mr. Glover

This is Peggy. I have written to you a few times in the past few months.

I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that I really enjoy your Hamilton Yearbook. I have been on it a few times. The last time I was on it I found a little write up about the Plaag Family who lived on Cedar Lane and Plaag's Grove on Atkins Ave. Boy, we sure do live in a small world.

My sister mentioned Plaag's Grove to me about a month ago and said she remembered our grandfather playing in Fritz's Band at Plaag's Grove now and then. His name was Michael Czajkowski. So, I went on your website and was surprised to find the wedding write up for Plaag's daughter and about Plaag's Grove with pictures. I couldn't believe it! What was even more interesting was that in the beginning of 1960 my family moved to Cedar Lane near Newkirk and Kuser Farm and the Plaag's lived on the other end near S. Olden Avenue. I am sure they didn't live there when we moved in the neighborhood but it was interesting to know they lived so close to us and that Plaag's Grove was just a street over from us. It definitely is a small world isn't it.

Thank you again for your Hamilton Yearbook. Hope this message wasn't too long.

Have a good day. Peggy

PS Do you update the Hamilton Yearbook from time to time?

1918: THE PLAAG FAMILY

THE PLAAG FAMILY NAME GOES BACK TO THE VERY EARLIEST YEARS IN THE AREA OF THE CEDAR LANE AND SYLVAN AVENUE. THE FAMILY WAS VERY ACTIVE IN GERMAN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY, LENDING THEIR TALENTS TO THE LIEDERKRANZ SOCIETY AND OTHER LOCAL ETHNIC ACTIVITIES. PLAAG'S GROVE WAS ALSO ONE OF THE FAMILY COMMUNITY ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THE NAME OF "GUS" HEINTZ WILL ALSO BE FAMILIAR TO OLD TIME RESIDENTS OF THE "COLONIAL PARK" AREA OF HAMILTON. THE ORIGINAL PLAAG HOMESTEAD STILL STANDS, LOCATED ON CEDAR LANE BEHIND TODAY'S QUIK CHEK STORE.