1934: ELEPHANT vs. DONKEY:

This is an interesting article that is strangely apropos in our current political situation. What's that saying about history repeating intself?

1938: THE TRENTON SENATORS

In only a few weeks, we will hear that annual announcement that all of us baseball lovers long to hear: "Catchers will begin reporting to spring training this week." I can hardly wait. I was not a baseball person back when the Trenton Senators were the local Trenton team. I came on the scene in the 1940's when Bus Saidt and Bill Hildebrand manned the WBUD microphones and did the home and away play by play of the Trenton Giants Insterstate League team. I was an avid fan! I remember the station breaks: "WBUD, 1490 on your dial, Morrisville Pennsylvania. This broadcast is sponsored by Stan Coney Rebuilt Engines, Morrisville Pennsylvania." Let me see....Wilbur Jackson, Maurice "Moe" Cunningham, Don Robertson, Pete Pavlik, Paul LaPalme, Manager Tommy Heath...Wow! Pleasant memories never die!

THIS FROM RALPH LUCARELLA: (Thanks, Ralph.)

Hi Tom: 1938 was about the time I was pretty active in baseball. It was two years after I played with the Schroths and I played in just about every league in the city except the Central Jersey League. That league was semi-pro and drew crowds at Wetzel Field to watch the Trenton Cadets play. Jiggs Corrado and Lusansky played in that league before joining the Senators. Other local players who latter played pro ball were Charlie Budd, Mintsey Mansak, Mike Masterpoli and Sam Masserini and a few others. I got to the point when I was playing most of the week and on weekends. Most of my buddies were out having a ball and I was on the porch waiting to get picked up. Once I found a girlfriend, I eased up playing and went to work at the post office. I ended up playing fast pitch soft ball in the Industrial League. You mentioned Bus Saidt in your statement. I would like to add a worthy tribute to him. He was my teamate on the 1936 Schroths and one of my best friends. He went on to become an outstanding sports announcer and we met when the 1948 Schroths were in the American Legion World Series in Indianapolis. He covered the game back to Trenton and really got excited when my brother Chuck stole home.

Best regards.

1938: St. Joachim students present "Mary of Magdala"

Once again, a number of very familiar "Burg" names in the graphic above. I would bet that there are a number of old time residents who know one or two of those in the photo.

1030: AMPHIBIAN AIRCRAFT AT MERCER AIRPORT

Until a knowledgeable aircraft historian comes along to correct me, I am going out on a limb and speculate that the Keystone seaplanes in the illustration were the predecessor of the now defunct Fleetwing Aircraft Company in Bristol, Pennsylvania.

1930: IMMACULATE CONCEPTION BOYS' BASKETBALL SQUAD

They hadn't yet become known as "Trenton Catholic," but these Catholic kids from Immaculate and Trenton Catholic fielded teams in all sports that proved to be difficult adversaries for us Protestant boys from
Trenton High and Hamilton High School.

EMAIL FROM "OMAD:"

Tom, at last I see a pic of my uncle, June Carr (John E. Carr, Jr.) He went on to become a basketball star at Rider many years ago. Unfortunately, he came down with TB and was hospitalized at Donneley Hospital on Hamilton Ave in the late 1930s. When he finally got out he moved in with my family in the apartment over our restaurant on Hamilton near Chambers. He continued to live with us for many years after we moved from there and up near Pennington and with the help of old friends, got a good job with the Trenton Recreation Dept. He stayed friendly with many of the sports names I see on your website and Joe Schnorbus, one of Trenton's finest policemen.

RALPH LUCARELLA RESPONDS:

Hi John Carr. I sure remember your uncle, June Carr. He was quite an athlete and I could never understand why a boy would be named June. He played during the years of Joe Shelley and other big stars at Immaculate, latter to become Trenton Catholic. Mickey Lake was also one of my favorite coaches.

Best regards
Ralph Lucarella

OMAD RESPONDS:

As you can see, Ralph, Uncle June was always called that because his father was John E. Carr, Sr., and the June was short for Junior. His mom and dad passed away when he was young. My grandmother, Anna Carr Sherman, who was June's dad's sister, adopted him with my grandfather. My family owned Sherman's Restaurant at 541 Hamilton, in the middle of the block, near St Francis Hospital. It was a shame that TB struck June down in the middle of his college career. He seemed destined to go on to bigger things in basketball.

ADDITIONAL COMMENT FROM RALPH LUCARELLA:

Hi Tom: I would also like to add that I remember Roland Perferi and Larry Zasso in that Photo. Perferi went on to become a Trenton Police officer for many years and Larry along with his brother Eddie Zasso were two outstanding players. I often wondered what became of Junie Carr and I'm sorry to learn about his misfortune. Regards

1930: THE NEW READING RAILWAY STATION IN WEST TRENTON

I have made a number of trips to New York over the years, always departing from the Greenwood Avenue station. I had never experienced the Reading station in West Trenton. Undoubtedly, a number of visitors to this site have boarded a train from the station shown in the graphic.

1944: PERSING THE BARBER TELLS OF BARBERING IN THE OLKDEN DAYS

Here's an interesting look at the life of a veteran tonsorial artist, barber Frank Persing, Things were really tough on those who chose that profession in years gone by. When I was a boy, the Barber's union mandated that barbers take off on Wednesdays. Is my recollection correct, or was it another day?