1939: REMEMBERING THE "SOAP BOX DERBY"

The kids in our neighborhood never had the financial ability to build a derby racer. We did however opt for a little vehicle that was known as a "chuggy." A trip over to the dumps on Paterson Avenue in Hamilton would find us looking on the huge pile of garbage for a discarded baby carriage or any other portable vehicle that had 4 wheels. We usually came up with 4 baby carriage wheels. Then it was back to Don Slabicki's cellar where there were tools that allowed us to nail the real axle to a good wide piece of scrap lumber. Then to the front we nailed the axle to a 2 x 4 of the proper length, drilled a hole in it and with 3 washers separating the 2 x4 and the scrap lumber board, we bolted the thing on, giving us a built in power steering axle.A rope tied to each end of the steering 2 x4 and the driver holding the looped rope, gave us a chuggy that saw many hours rolling down the hills of Hartley or Sylvan Avenue, and of course the hill at Kuser Farm which we used for sledding in the winter and chuggying in the warmer months. Once we got a reliable racer, it was then that we gave it a basket with two soup cans for headlights and a piece of 1/2 inch wire mesh for a grill.

This is just one of the many graphics that Google nuked when I imported Picasa. I have just been going through the lost graphics and am very very very gradually restoring them. I have copied and pasted the numerous comments that were posted when this post appeared a few years ago. I have also "nuked" the original with that dreaded black triangle with the exclamation in the center.

As regular followers and visitors to this blog are well aware, "Local History With A Personal Touch" is proudly printed on the regular home page graphic when one clicks on www.glover320.blogspot.com. Even though it isn't on my current Kuser Park summer program, it will return when I change back to my regular home page graphics. Our own Ralph Lucarella is a card-carrying member of "The Greatest Generation" who all of us love and respect. Ralph has added immeasurably to the history listed on this blog with his retrospective looks back to his younger years as a local boy growing up in what was and still can be the greatest city in New Jersey.

"Lucarella Snares City Twilight 1st Half Batting Title With .500!"

Go Get 'em, Ralph!

4 comments:

Ralph Lucarella said...

WELL, THANKS A LOT TOM FOR YOUR KIND WORDS AND ALL YOUR EFFORTS TO REPORT THE MANY DIFFERENCES YOU AND I AND MANY OTHERS OF OUR GENERATION ENDURED IN THIS AREA OF OURS IN THE EARLY YEARS. WE CAME THROUGH IT ALL PRETTY GOOD AND STILL ABLE TO HOPE FOR THE BEST FOR ALL OUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES IN THIS PART OF THE U.S.A. REGARDS.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Mack said...

YEAAAAA RALPH !!!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

JoeZ said...

ATTA BOY RALPHIE BABY.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Ralph Lucarella said...

....THANKS FELLAS, YOU GUYS WERE JUST GETTING READY TO TAKE ON THE TOUGH JOB OF FACING YHE PROBLEMS IN VILLA PARK AND FRANKLIN PARK WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON. THANKS AGAIN.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

1950: WHERE'S ROCKY DINATALE?

1949 and 1950 would have been the years that Don Slabicki, Ernie Plaag and I were very interested in stock car racing. All those featured in the photos were well known to us, but our hero, Rocky DiNatale wasn't among the chosen. We spent hours over at Rocky's auto shop on Edwin and Olden Avenues watching as those stock car experts built, repaired, and readied their stock cars for races all over the central Jersey area. Above is the centerfold from a 16 page souvenir booklet of the 3rd annual banquet and jamboree at Trenton's Hotel Hildebrecht on December 9, 1950. It was published by the American Stock Car Racing Association.

1949 nd 1976: MARTY DEVLIN, SPORTSMAN EXTRAORDINAIRE

GRAPHIC MISSING
Some guys were just like Robert Redford in that great movie, "THE NATURAL." Trenton area sports legends are, and will be part of the Hamilton Library's Local History Collection. Fred Kuser was "Mr. Tennis" back in the day, Eddie Moylan, my wife Judy's cousin Bob Boyd, and the gentleman who is a feature in the 2 articles above. In computing we call it "multi-tasking;" in the sports world it's "multi-talented."

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TOM....MULTI-TALENTED IS GREAT FOR MARTY DEVLIN AND IT ALSO APPLIES TO MY BROTHER "CHUCK". THEY BOTH PLAYED TOGETHER FOR 3 YEARS ON THE SCHROTHS AND TRENTON HIGH TEAMS. MARTY WENT ON TO BECOME QUITE A TENNIS ADVOCATE WHILE CHUCK WENT ON TO BECOME A HEART SPECIALIST AFTER AN AUTO ACCIDENT CUT SHORT HIS BASEBALL CAREER. THE TRAFFIC DIFFERENCE IS CHUCK PASSED AWAY AT 56 YEARS WHILE MARTY STILL CARRIED ON. MAY GOD BLESS THEM BOTH AND WE'LL REMEMBER THEM ALWAYS.

Sunday, January 01, 2012

Michael said...

Happy New Year Tom; from the MIKE Kuzma, It was I not Mike McNicholl who sent you the note on Felix Nowicki! Started celebrating a little early eh?

I attended Trenton High for just one year with Marty Devlin and Chuck Luccarella. I git to know them both through Andy Greener, another member of the famous 48 Schroth team that took it all in Legion Ball. I got to know Andy while we were both in Jr.4, and I followed him as Goal Keeper for Dave Weisberg's outstanding THS soccer team.
All of the fellows who played on the Schroths in those days were well mannered, outstanding atheletes. Jake Miller would have it no other way.
Marty's brother John was a classmate of mine at THS, and through the years, I interacted with Marty. He began tennis, as an outlet and soon rose to the top nationally due to his being amberdextirous.
All his shots were forehand killer's!!!
You also mentioned one of the all time nice guys I evere met; Bob Boyd. Bob was the consumate gentleman, with the patience of a saint. I met Bob through Edgar Levy who was my tennis partner ( actually he carried me in every match) a close friend and competitor of Bob's. Bob was so kind. He relieved me of the pressure of teaching my girlfriend ( now my wife of neary 50 years) Joan how to play tennis.
What a wonderful guy and so many good memories of him.

If you talk to Fr. Dennis, tell him my nephew Johnny Zuccarelli may be taking the plunge. We can co celebrate the ceremony! LOL

To understand, check my website
www.thecivilservant.com


Happy New year to all.

Mike KUZMA

Sunday, January 01, 2012

Tom Glover said...

SORRY I SWITCHED "MIKES," MIKE. WHEN THOSE COMMENTS COME IN WITH ONLY A SINGLE NAME, I AUTOMATICALLY PLACED FELIX IN THE BURG, AND AS YOU CORRECTLY POINT OUT, CREDITED THE INCORRECT MIKE.
ED LEVY WAS A REGULAR VISITOR TO THE KUSER FARM CLAY COURT. HE GAVE ME AND MY FRIEND DON SLABICKI UNLIMITED PASSES TO THE GREENWOOD THEATER. BOB BOYD WAS INDEED ALL CLASS. VERY QUIET AND SOFT SPOKEN, BUT A HUMBLE AND VERY TALENTED MAN.
TOM

Monday, January 02, 2012

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...I WOULD LIKE TO THANK VERY MUCH TO MIKE KUZMA AND YOU TOM, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS HOW MUCH WE ALL THOUGHT OF THE YOUNG FELLOWS OF THE 1948 ERA. MIKE MENTIONED ANDY GREENER ALONG WITH MARTY DEVLIN AND MY BROTHER CHUCK LUCARELLA. THEY WERE AMONG THOSE THAT PLAYED ON THE SCHROTHS AND SCHOOL TEAMS. WHAT THEY ACCOMPISHED LATTER MAKES IT SOUND LIKE THOSE DAYS HELPED THEM TO GO ON TO GREATER HEIGHTS. FOR ONE, MY BROTHER CHUCK, AGAINST ALL ODDS, MADE IT THROUGH MEDICAL SCHOOL TO BECOME A HEART SPECIALIST. HE LEARNED TO PLAY THE BASS FIDDLE AT COLLEGE IN ORDER TO EARN A FEW DOLLARS ALONG WITH WORKING IN THE MESS HALL. WHAT I'M TRYING TO EXPRESS IS YOU MUST HAVE A GROUP OF FRIENDS WHO GO BEYOUND THE REGULAR ROUTINE TO SUCCEED. THANKS AGAIN MIKE, YOUR COUSIN CHET KUZMA, IS ALSO INCLUDED.

Monday, January 02, 2012

1934: THE TRENTON EAGLES - INDEPENDENT TRENTON FOOTBALL TEAM

These formidable jocks are ready to take on any challengers as they pose for the team photo of the Trenton Eagles football team. I'm sure Ralph Zucarella will be able to add some color to this post where there is a "Chick" Zucarella whose name I assume was incorrectly entered instead of "Chuck." Help me out here, Ralph.Anyone who saw the recent movie "Leather Heads" will relate to this photo. Three members of the team are wearing their leather football helmets.

Lawrence Guest said...

If it's who I think it is this is a relative of mine and his name was indeed chick. At least they called him Uncle Chick. he was my paternal grandmothers uncle I belive.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM....THAT CHUCK WAS NOT MY BROTHER, AND OF COURSE IT'S ZUCARELLA, NOT LUCARELLA. I WAS VERY FAMILAR WITH THE EAGLES FOOTBALL TEAM DURING MY YOUNGER YEARS. WE WORKED WITH JIMMY PETRUSSIO AT THE POST OFFICE, WHO WAS ONE OF THE EAGLES STARS ALONG WITH LARRY MANGINE'S BROTHER AND MANY OTHERS. SAMMY CORTI, ANOTHER FRIEND, WAS ALSO VERY ACTIVE WITH THE TEAM. THEY WERE MOSTLY FROM NORTH TRENTON AND DID VERY WELL. BEST REGARDS.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

RALPH: A THOUSAND APOLOGIES FOR TANGLING YOUR NAME BY ADDING A "Z" INSTEAD OF THE "L!" JUST ANOTHER OF MY ALL TOO REQUENT SENIOR MOMENTS,.

TOM GLOVER

1931: TRENTON ARENA BOXING PROGRAM

The graphic above has been re-formatted, placing the actual program events adjacent to each other as opposed to the original which placed them on opposite pages. Many locals recall the old Trenton Arena as a shining example of Trenton's boxing and wrestling matches, auto shows, and other community events. The arena burned down, as I recall in the 1960's. Should I be incorrect as to the date of the fire, please correct me so that the record can be set straight.

JoeZ said...

Tom: That's what one can call a complete program. We have boxing, wrestling, political ads, restaurants,cleaner, furniture and liquor. I enjoy reading all those ads. Thanks.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Ralph Lucarella said...

...I RECALL A WRESTLER, I BELIEVE HIS NAME WAS LEWANDOWSKI FROM TRENTON, WHO WAS PRETTY GOOD. WE HAD MANY GOOD BOXERS BUT NOT MANY WRESLTERS. THAT AD FROM JAHOS BROS, MY FATHER HAD SUITS TAILORED THERE. WE ALL WONDERED HOW HE COULD AFFORD TAILOR MADE SUITS ON HIS SALARY. HIS THEORY WAS BUY THE BEST, IN THE LONG RUN IT WOULD LAST LONGER AND BE THE CHEAPEST. HE FELT THAT WAY IN MOST OF THE THINGS HE BOUGHT. MY FATHER HAD A LOT OF CLASS BUT COULDN'T DO THE RIGHT THING AT WORK. HE DIDN'T WEAR A MASK WHILE WORKING WITH CLAY AND THAT KILLED HIM AT THE EARLY AGE OF 52, MAY GOD BLESS HIM.

MACK SAID:

Love seeing that Salamandra Ad in the 1930s. I walked past Salamandra at that location many quiet mornings on the way to deliver the Trentonian in the 1970s:)

1939: HAMILTON TOWNSHIP'S LINCOLN SPEEDWAY

I would wager that I am one of the very few who knew about the Lincoln Speedway which was once located on Klockner Road, adjacent to the Municipal Hospital, today's Geriatric Center, which would place it at or very near the present site of Nottingham High School. I have no idea of the exact location of the track....how far from the Hamilton Avenue side, etc. Once again, three isolated files come together above: a broadside, a program, and an article relating to the early beginnings of the 1/5th mile dirt track. Fascinating!

1937: HERE ARE TRENTON'S BEST IN BASKETBALL 1937

The Rossi name in Trenton-Chambersburg is legendary. I leave it to my faithful visitor and buddy Ralph Lucarella to fill us in on additional info on those stars whose photos appear in the above graphic.

1916: BASKETBALL RULES TRENTON EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

As can be seen in the graphic above, Ben Kuser was also quite active on the local sports scene. He was instrumental in selling of the land surrounding the old Fashion Stud Farm in Bromley, and also for the neighborhood in Bromley which today has streets named Adella, Victor and Rosalia.

1945: BOCCI: AN ITALIAN CLASSIC

There is a group of avid Bocci players who gather at the Bocci court at Kuser Farm. Bocci is a sport that requires substantial skill and is a real treat for those of us who are not adept at the sport. Above is the schedule for the Trenton Bocci League, 1945.

1940: LARRY MANGINE CHALLENGES FRED COCHRANE

There have been a number of requests from the older generation for files relating to various local sports figures, ie Cobine, Williams, etc.) Each time I find a specific photo article which will reproduce in a clear graphic, I will be sure to include it. Here's "Chambersburg Leather Pusher" Larry Mangine, all set to go toe to toe with Freddie Cochrane.

IF EVER THERE WAS TRUTH IN THAT OLD SAYING, "BEEN THERE-DONE THAT," IT REALLY APPLIES TO MR. RALPH LUCARELLA, WHOSE VINTAGE EXPERIENCE AND HIS INCREDIBLE MEMORY IS ADDING SO MUCH TO THIS BLOG. HERE'S ANOTHER OF RALPH'S MEMORIES FROM THE PAST:

Ralph Lucarella said...

Well Tom, I got to know Larry Mangine in the late 30s. We worked along with others at the 112th Field Artillery in Lawrenceville. It was called the NYA project. We worked 8 days a month for $18 and it was some help in those depression years. A group of guys from the Burg, including Larry and I, did a lot of physical work that kept us in good shape. We spoke a lot about fighting and he mentioned how his mother feared everytime he got into the ring. I think that was a big factor in his efforts to make prize fighting a carear. I will say you would not want to know a nicer man than Larry Mangine. Best regards.

1970: PAT PAVERS AND THEIR BOWLING TEAMS

Thanks to Mrs. Jackie Tuozzolo for a sizable collection of bowling photos which were taken during the 1970's when "Pat Pavers" was actively involved on the local bowling scene. Mrs. Tuozzolo is moving from the area, and thankfully, had the foresight to preserve a collection of Pat Paver memorabilia which will be added to the "BUSINESSES-FACTORIES HAMILTON", and "SPORTS, Misc." folder in the local history collection.
===========================

THIS FROM RALPH LUCARELLA:

Hi Tom; I'd like to add some nice comments about "Pat Pavers". Pete Tuozzolo was a big help to us when we built the Hamilton Bowling Lanes on Route 33 in 1955. He not only help us with our parking lot problems but in many ways with our bowling leagues. He was a true friend of all the bowling lane proprietors and we miss him and his bowling buddies. Best regards.

1938: TRENTON VS. CONSHOHOCKEN

From the "SPORTS, MISCELLANEOUS" folder, this interesting National Basketball League game to be played at the Trenton High gym.

THIS FROM RALPH LUCARELLA:

Hi Tom: Angelo(Ace)Tramontana and Mario Rossi along with Meyer Bloom, Nick Frascella, Paul Ricotta and Bob Page made up the Trenton High team of the early 30s. I remember George Glasco as an early professional in basketball along with Rusty Sanders and Al Cooper. They played at the Trenton Moose Hall On State St. when I was a puppy. It's great to recall those days, thanks a lot.

Regards.

1917: YARDVILLE'S CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL TEAM

It would be a rare event if there were not at least one "Gropp" family member in an old Yardville photo. The Gropp family have been among the most prominent and respected members of the ccommunity. Note that the sixth individual seated on the first row, right, is un-identified.

1946: TRENTON HIGH FOOTBALL CANDIDATES

Here's the candidates who are vying for varsity spots on the Trenton High 1946 football season. There are numerous familiar names in the listing of candidates.

1978: YOUTH LEAGUE SOCCER CHAMPS

Once again, my thanks go out to my dear friend and fellow historian, Alan Wildblood who wrote regarding my caption on the above photo. I erroneously attributed this team of young ladies to the Nottingham North Stars High School team. Thankfully, Alan remembered the local soccer star Lisa Gmitter played for the Steinert High School Spartans. On closer inspection, I note the "H" letters on the team, and assume that "H" refers to Hamilton. The writer of the text under the photo referred to " the Nottingham fields," which is possibly, but not necessarily Nottingham High School fields. Perhaps a future visitor who is familar with the Central Jersey Youth Soccer League can provide some insight.

Thanks again, Alan, and please continue to keep me honest.
I really appreciate the corrections. It would be completely
inappropriate to present historically inaccurate information.

1946: The Fightin' Phillies

My long time friend and most ardent Phillies fan I know, Fred Schulz is probably still walking on air with the rconsidering the recent good news that the Phillies had won the 2008 World Championship.

1977: Steinert N.J. Youth Soccer Assn. Champions

Once again, the Spartan Green walks off with another sports championship. These young men are now grown up young men; tempus does indeed fugut!

1986: HAMILTON LITTLE LADS TOURNAMENT

Nottingham seems to be perennial champions in one form of baseball series or another. Here's the Nottingham team, champions in the Hamilton Little Lads tournament.

1947: TIMES BOWLING CHAMPIONS