1946: RUSLING HOSE 65th ANNIVERSARY

Here's the Times' coverage of the anniversary celebration of Hamilton's legendary Rusling Hose Volunteer Fire Company as it celebrated 50 years of service to Broad Street Park area residents of Hamilton. This is a duplicate post which I have re-posted as the fire company celebrates a milestone 65th anniversary.

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM...RUSLING HOSE WAS JUST ONE OF THE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES IN HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. I OFTEN WONDERED WHY THEY HAD A POLICE DEPT. AND NOT A FIRE DEPT. THE VOLUNTEER COMPANIES WERE OUTSTANDING AND THAT MAY BE THE REASON WHY. BEST REGARDS.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Jim C said...

Hi Tom. Your heading and comment for this article is a bit confusing. You state that Rusling Hose Company celebrates its 65th anniversary in 2011. In fact, the Company is celebrating its 115th anniversary in 2011 having been organized in 1896.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

HI JIM:

I GUESS THE CONFUSION LIES IN THE HEADING "1946 - 2011;" RUSLING HOSE 65TH ANNIVERSARY. AS YOU CAN SEE, I WAS PARAPHRASING THE ARTICLE WHICH TELLS OF THE 1896 GENESIS OF THE ORGANIZATION. I JUST ASSUMED THAT MOST VISITORS WOULD SEE THE DATE 1946 AND REALIZE THAT THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY WAS CELEBRATED DURING THE YEAR 1946. I HAVE CHANGED THE POST FROM 2011 - 1946..." TO JUST PLAIN "1946."

1946: TITUSVILLE GRANGE 163

Back when we were "rural!" How many changes I have seen in my 78 years in the Mercer County area! Hamilton Township was a farm studded rural community surrounded by the villages of Mercerville, Hamilton Square, Groveville, Yardville, Deutzville and Bromley. As time went on, developers purchased those old farms, built whole new communities and the vast open farmland I knew as a boy are long gone. Through all the years and even though some of the glass-encrusted buildings are occupying many acres, the Lambertville-Hopewell-Pennington area has managed to maintain that old fashioned rural bucolic ambiance that we all love so much.

1946: TOM SAWYER CONTEST AT THE STACY THEATER

Back in the pre-television era, local motion picture theaters were doing a brisk and lively business. Weekly giveaways of glassware, kitchen utensils and other attractive premiums were the norm. The graphic above illustrates the Stacy theater management's attempt to lure Trenton area citizens into their East State Street theater.

1946: GEORGE C. GREEN, LAMBERTVILLE

RAY PASZKIEWICZ: PER YOUR REQUEST, HERE'S AN ENLARGED COPY OF THE ARTICLE THAT WAS TOO SMALL TO READ. SORRY FOR THE GOOF, THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP. I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW ILLEGIBLE THE ARTICLE WAS.

Had he known the artist Norman Rockwell, George Green could well have been the

subject of one Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post covers. As I remember him, he was usually outfitted in an old fashioned pair of overalls, and was rightly proud of his 1904 curved dash Oldsmobile "one lunger." Back in the 1960's I had the pleasure of meeting that affable gentleman, and he loved to tell the stories of the many trips he took on his antique and beautiful original Oldsmobile. Any of my generation who were into antique automobiles will tell of their encounters with George. Even his garage in Lambertville fit into the antiquarian category.

1944: CADWALADER DEACONS BEAT BROAD STREET PARK

From the "SPORTS-MISCELLANEOUS" folder in the Local History Collection, this article give a play by play of football game between Broad Street Park and the Cadwalader Deacons.

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM...I NEVER PLAYED FOOTBALL IN MY YOUNGER DAYS AND LATTER WISHED I HAD. FOOTBALL WAS A BODY CONTACT SPORT AND I NEVER HAD THE EQUIPMENT OR DESIRE TO PLAY. NOW, WITH MY BROTHER CHUCK WHO PLAYED FOOTBALL WITH TRENTON HIGH, IT GAVE HIM THE GUTS FOR BODY CONTACT. THAT HAPPENED WHEN HE STOLE HOME IN THE AMERICAN LEGION FINAL AT INDIANAPOLIS IN 1948 WITH THE SCHROTHS, BEST REGARDS.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

1914: MILL HILL'S NATIONAL HOTEL

Not to be confused with the National Hotel that was once located on West Hanover Street between No. Broad and Warren Streets, the Mill Hill National Hotel was located on a spot presently occupied by the Mercer County Court House. The "MILL HILL" digital folder is growing like the proverbial "Topsy." with nearly 100 PDF and JPG files.

1982: MAURY PERILLI, PROPHET!

My dear friend Maury Perilli, humble man that he is, scoffs when I suggest he is a political prophet. During his time as a writer of "View From Here" in the Mercer Messenger, Maury has proven to be an uncanny seer into the future. The above article, written almost 20 years ago, points out the still existing problem of funding the Social Security program as it continues to descend into a financial disaster. Nineteen years later, politicians of all political affiliation have done nothing to alleviate the problem. The subject of reforming social security has been called the "third rail of politics" and indeed it is. Unfortunately, our elected officials are worried more about being re-elected than forming a bipartisan commission to solve the problem once and for all.

2011: WE GET LETTERS. THANK YOU!

It is really nice to know that many of the posts on this blog are touching visitors in so many different, positive ways. Anyone who remembers the 50's when Perry Como had that delightful variety hour on TV will remember the segment where the Como chorus sang, "Letters, we get letters, we get stacks and stacks of letters...Dear Perry..."

We also get stacks and stacks of letters. Here are a only a few. More will be published ummm, to borrow the title of one of my sing along songs, "AS TIME GOES BY!"

**********

Thanks Tom Glover, for the Hamilton/Trenton area historical postings.

Excited to search for pictures of places !

#626 10/7/2011, 08:34:45, PDT Donna

#625 10/6/2011, 11:02:50, PDT Tami Scully Savino

Hello, I am Lou Kocsak's granddaughter. I wanted to thank you for your post regarding his camera shop, Lou's home movies. How very nice to read. Thank you again, Tami Scully Savino

#624 10/1/2011, 17:28:00, PDT Judy

I attended Mercerville School in the late 50's-mid 60's (K-6) I was wondering if there are any class pictures ?

#623 9/30/2011, 02:13:57, PDT Jerry Mangine

I'd like to thank you for your website. My father Tommy Mangine played for the Trenton Eagles and now I have a picture of him in uniform.

#622 9/27/2011, 15:37:11, PDT Warren Rue

#621 9/27/2011, 12:33:51, PDT Karen EAGLE Moman: Please, do you realize you have some WWII pictures on this site that has a 50 star American Flag? Please, get this corrected. Look at a 48 star flag (as flew over our country in WWII) and look at the 50 star flag. The stars are placed in a different manner. I keep seeing this all over the web. It is disgraceful. Our citizens fought an died for that 48 star flag and someone is out there putting a 50 star flag on WWII posters and letters.SHAMEFUL

For Karen Eagle Moman #621: Get over your indignation. If you follow this man's website than there is NO WAY you could ever call him or his material, "shameful" or his presentations, disgraceful. If Tom made a mistake, then that is what it is, a mistake. He is one of the most respectful and patriotic men that I know. Shame on you for your e-mail.

Warren Rue

(TOM REPLIES: NO MISTAKES WERE MADE. THE AMERICAN FLAG IS THE AMERICAN FLAG WHETHER 13 STARS, 48, 49, 50, 51 52....)

#620 9/24/2011, 06:37:41, PDT Lakeside Girl

Also, the home page graphic does not extend across the entire screen. The images would be larger and easier to see!

Thanks!

(CHANGE YOUR MONITOR RESOLUTION TO 800 X 600 TO GET FULL SCREEN)

#619 9/24/2011, 06:35:00, PDT Lakeside Girl

Tom, Love your new home page, but one problem. The caption at the top of the picture, second from the left, can't be seen. Yellow lettering on the light sky is hard to read. Thanks!

#618 9/20/2011, 18:24:16, PDT Wally Lane

While working on my family's genealogy, I found "family lore" that states: 'Henry Burem (Boerum) was born in 1758 at Half Way House, Mercer Co., NJ'. I surmise that is was a stop over point on the road through Mercer County, but am unable to find any definitive detail. Can you shed any light on its location and or other detail?

#617 9/20/2011, 12:37:09, PDT Frank Smith

Born in Mercerville, Hamilton Twp 1946 and I enjoy reflecting on a better life back in the olde days of NJ

#616 9/19/2011, 14:06:38, PDT Robert Wilson

I LOVE THE GOOD OLD DAYS

#615 9/19/2011, 13:23:26, PDT John Szeker, HHS '50

Tom - just looking in and reviewing some great, old places in Trenton and Hamilton Twp (HHS) that I used to hang out in and had great fun with my old HHS buddies. Thanks for keeping the site current.

#614 9/17/2011, 07:37:00, PDT Lakeside Girl

Congrats to Mr. Klek for designing your new homepage graphic, but I loved the old one!

#613 9/15/2011, 14:53:54, PDT Noel Goeke

About Clay Street picture.

John & Robert were before me but i knew their families well. Picture looks like late 1930s.

About 12 homes on Clay Street were torn down to make way for the freeway. Lewis Street was also cut off at the same time with homes torn down also.I remember walking across the RR bridge on my way to THS before it was closed. Clay Street was a grand old neighborhood.

Noel Goeke

View next page - 1 2 3 4 5 > - View all pages

1937: BEFORE JOEY CHITWOOD AND "LUCKY LUCY" THERE WAS A LUCKY TETER

Only we over 70's oldsters will recall "Lucky Teter." He was a household word back during the many Septembers he appeared at the New Jersey State Fair. I was only a little toddler when I went to the fair so I can't really say I remember seeing him. However, as I grew up, so did a guy named Joey Chitwood who did most of the same daring stunts as his predecessor. Perhaps my favorite was the beautiful "Lucky Lucy" DiNatale. She and her lovely ladies brought a certain class to the art of daredevil driving. I can still see a lovely Lucy DiNatale, her jet black hail shimmering in the breeze. All of us neighborhood guys hung out at Rocky DiNatale's "Rocky's Auto Service" on Edwin and South Olden Avenue. I remember Rocy and Lucy's two beautiful children, Janice and Ronnie.

omad said...

I'm laughing out loud right now. My middle grandson was driving me down the Garden State Pkwy the other day and I asked him to slow down and said "who do you think you are, Lucky Teeter?". He said "WHO?" with a really puzzled look. For the next few miles I told him about the Fair and the excitement the drivers generated. He is a real "car" guy and enjoyed the conversation.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

1946: THE HARTLEY TOY MFG. CO.

Plastic and all the other miracle compounds hadn't quite entered the American market right after WWII. My father and his brother, both experienced potters from Olde England, decided to go into the manufacture of doll furniture. My uncle Bill was a master mold maker and he crafted a little set of living room furniture consisting of a sofa, two chairs and other long forgotten accessories. After the plaster was mixed and poured into molds, the finished product had to be trimmed around the mold marks, and then taken into a room where an air compressor sprayed a velvety "flock" on each piece. For a while back there, it looked like the little enterprise was going to take off. However, times they were a-changing, and with the advent of plastic which was much lighter and easier to manufacture, the venture fell flat.

1992: BRING BACK THE GOOD OLD DAYS!

ABOVE: 2010 ADVERTISEMENT FOR TOM GLOVER'S SUMMER
SING-ALONG PROGRAMS

The announcement that the Summer concerts at Kuser Farm Park were to begin for the summer of 1992 proved just how troubled our economy has been over the past 10 years or so. Tom Glover's replacement programs over the past 7 years are sadly lacking the professional performances we had back in the day. My friend Dick Chimes, Benny Snyder, the Lamplighters and other professionals are sorely missed. The gentleman from the Trenton Brass Quintet commented to me a few years ago that my "canned" music was anything but professional. I certainly don't need to be reminded of that fact, but hey, it sure beats no summer music at all!

Harold wrote:
If the Trenton Brass Quintet has such a problem with your brand of entertainment, maybe they should volunteer to stop by and perform free of charge.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY, HAROLD.

TOM GLOVER

1992: FROM THE "ADVERTISING" FOLDER

Here's a blast from the past: A centerfold was published in the Mercer Messenger heralding the annual Hamilton West homecoming game. The entire center fold was too large to include in a posts, so I segregated all the ads which bordered the two pages and condensed them into one graphic. There are many very interesting ads in the graphic. Del Rio, Patterson Chevrolet, TKR cable, the Hamilton Restaurant, and others are no longer in business.

1948: REMEMBERING DUCK ISLAND

DUCK ISLAND: When I was a young man, the only news articles on Duck Island that I recall related to the many murders and rapes that occurred on that Sycamore lined area of Lamberton Street in South Trenton. I remember it was a "lovers' lane" where young couples parked their car and did what single young couples sometimes did. Unfortunately, many of those "lovers" ended up in the morgue. The area was completely different during daylight hours. Indeed, it was on the Sycamore lined road that I took my motor vehicle test back in the early 1950's.

However, Duck Island has in interesting history as you will see as you read the article above. I had heard about the tobacco farming that once took place on that isolated area of South Trenton. During Prohibition it was also a popular source of horse radish which was a popular speakeasy condiment to those who ate and drank at those illicit and illegal venues.

Anonymous said...

The geology of that landscape is quite amazing. That, and all the land along the main line of the railroad was once part of the Millstone watershed. Duck Island area is where the Millstone entered the Delaware back when the earth was a bit younger. Then there was a drop and the Millstone became a part of the Raritan watershed. It is a pity that the highway has changed it so much. I remember the canal that ran along in the woods by the power plant. You could always find an interesting abandoned car someone pushed in. Last I saw was an MG.

Ed Millerick

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

2011: SORRY I HAVE BEEN A BI T INACTIVE BUT......

You have undoubtedly wondered where my normal posts have been over the past few days. I have a valid excuse. Starting last Thursday, after looking at the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra, I opted for an all wheel drive white Suburu. The car in the photo is stock photo, but it is identical to the photo. The paperwork and running around involved in the purchase of a car is a challenging task. The Columbus Day holiday resulted in delays that were finally finalized this afternoon, so I am back on track. The car I bought? A dream to drive and I understand it is a real joy to drive in heavier snow which I am sure will be with us during the lifetime of the car. One of the main reasons I decided on the Suburu was in googling various searches, I learned that 90% of all Suburu all wheel drive cars sold in the past 10 years are still on the road. That is an impressive statistic.

JoeZ said...

TOM: CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW WHEELS, MAY YOU HAVE SAFE AND GREAT TRIPS.
ENJOY.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Sally Logan Gilman said...

Hi Tom: Happy Motoring -- enjoy your new ride. Regards

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Hi Tom: Happy Motoring -- enjoy your new ride. Regards

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM....WE SURE HAVE THE SAME IDEAS ON CARS. WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2009 SUBARU AND ARE VERY PLEASED WITH IT. WE HAVE BEEN COMPLIMENTED BY MANY OTHERS ABOUT THE CAR. IT IS A TOP MODEL PREVIOUSLY OWNED AS A FLEET CAR FROM MERCHANTVILLE N.J. ALL THE REVIEWS WE NOTICED RECOMMEND THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND THE GAS MILEAGE. IT'S GOT 17,000 MILES AND WE BOUGHT IT FOR ABOUT HALF THE PRICE WHEN IT WAS NEW. BEST REGARDS AND GOOD LUCK WITH THE CAR.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Anonymous said...

I can remember driving by Nitti's Subaru on Route 33 back in 1971 and wondering who was going to buy that tiny little thing? And they bought and bought but and secretly, I always wanted "A Brat" with the open back.

You will love AWD in winter. Congrats!

Ed Millerick

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Mack said...

Welcome back Tom:))

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Michael said...

Got worried Tom, thought somothing might be wrong. Best of luck with your new "Ride"

Mike Kuzma

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

1991: LOIS BRAENDER; JUST ANOTHER OUTSTANDING KUSER PRINCIPAL

This charming lady was the Principal back in the 1980's when I was selected to be the Kuser alumnus who represented all Kuser "Kats" from past years. Doctor Braender was a classy Principal and fit in beautifully with Kuser School's roster of outstanding Principals. The last I heard, Doctor Braender was Assistant Superintendent of the Hamilton Township School system.

PAPA'S TOMATO PIES - ANOTHER TRENTON TOMATO PIE RESTAURANT

I don't profess to be an expert in the culinary arts. I do profess to know what I prefer when it comes to a tomato pie or a pizza. In my untrained mind, there is a ton of difference. For me the ideal tomato pie is a pleasant blend of whole tomatoes with a just right amount of cheese. On the other hand, a pizza is another delicious delicacy with much more cheese, tomato sauce as opposed to whole tomatoes, and seldom enough tomato to offset the abundance of cheese.
Personally for me it's all a matter of taste.....and logistics. I would probably be just as regular a customer at Papa's or DeLorenzo Hudson Street, or Joey's were it not for the fact that a trip to Ricky D's is only a matter of a hop skip and a jump from my Atlantic Avenue home to Hamilton Avenue. Over the years, I have had Papa's tomato pies and agree that there are still other local "pizzerias" that serve the locally famous "Trenton Tomato Pie." My taste for DeLorenzo's and their delectable pies goes way way back to my teen years when we could walk to Hamilton Avenue and take a seat in my favorite tomato pie restaurant. I remember how awe struck I was when I saw the walls filled with photos of all the countless DeLorenzo Hamilton Avenue celebrities who dined at that legendary Trenton restaurant. Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Vic Damone, and too many others to bring to my aging gray matter. Bottom line: I am a true devotee of the Trenton Tomato Pie.

***********
As an aside, for my birthday last week, my daughter gave me a very large bag of an apparent Burlington County Italian specialty known as a
"Panzarotti;" a delightful deep fried delicacy stuffed with all the makings of a tomato pie. The company who makes them is in Cherry Hill and they ship them all over the area. The Cherry Hill version is deep fried, not baked as seen in the graphic below.

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM...I'M GONNA REPEAT WHAT I'VE SAID MANY TIMES. IN THE 20 AND 30'S PAPA'S ON BUTLER STREET WAS THE BEST. TOMATOE PIES IN THOSE DAYS WERE MOSTLY ALL CHEESE, NOT LIKE TODAY. I THINK THE ONLY TOPPING ADDED WAS ANCHOVIES. BUT CAN YOU IMAGINE A LARGE PIE FOR 25 CENTS. GOD BLESS THE OLDEN DAYS.

Thursday, October 06, 2011

Mack said...

Great post Tom:)))

Thursday, October 06, 2011

Anonymous said...

Some places used to have a stand run by the women of the church and they would dish out individual size deep fried "tomato pie" that was a little bit of heaven. The last time I had this was at the Saint James (the other, little burg), in high school.
I guess the secret of a good pie aside from the crust, lies in a good home made sauce and a fine quality cheese. One take time and the other probably is too expensive these days. The Casianni sisters always had a few huge pots bubbling on the stove at their place across from the Brunswick Theater.

Ed Millerick

Thursday, October 06, 2011

1975: LEGENDARY ITALIAN COOKING!

I spent two and a half years in Italy when I did my 3 year Army Security Agency assignment during the mid 1950's. Talk about a fox in a chicken coop! I was already a fan of the Italian cuisine long before I reached draft age. During my time in Italy, I spent more time eating in the local Italian restaurants than I did at the PX where Italian food was only an occasional treat. I have always been a lover of all sorts of pasta dishes. Back in the 1940's when we played sandlot baseball over in Plaag's Grove, my fellow Yankee fan and buddy the late Alex Bencivengo would bring over a slice of one of Mom Bencivengo's home made "ah-beetz" as Alex referred to them. The operating word: HEAVENLY! Turn me loose on many Fridays and you will find me ordering a tomato pie from Ricky DeLorenzo's true old fashioned "pizza" restaurant on Hamilton Avenue. The charming graphics above show the dedication to the art of cooking that is so typical of the Italians in our midst.

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM....ITALIAN COOKING MAY BE ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I'M STILL AROUND AT MY AGE. DURING THE DEPRESSION YEARS MY MOM COOKED MANY VEGATABLE MEALS AND OTHER DINNERS THAT WERE HEALTHY. MY WIFE LEARNED ALL THAT WHILE WE LIVED WITH MY PARENTS. BEST REGARDS.

Thursday, October 06, 2011

1975: MRS. FORMIDONI REMEMBERS HER EARLY YEARS LIVING IN CHAMBERSBURG

What a fascinating extract! I have managed to salvage part of the ever so short article which has been pieced together from a very worn Trenton Times article. I am currently searching for the other part of this article which is in a collection of miscellaneous clippings relating to Chambersburg. Stay tuned!

*****OCTOBER IS ITALIAN AMERICAN MONTH*****

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM....I CAN RECALL THE CHAMBERS FARM WELL AND ALL THE MANY THINGS THAT HAPPENED THERE IN THE EARLY YEARS. I ALSO KNEW THE FAMILY WHO HAD THE STORE ON THE CORNER OF BUTLER AND SO. CLINTON IN THE 30'S. THEIR NAME WAS AMODIO AND MAY HAVE HAD THE STORE AFTER THE PEOPLE YOU MENTION. ALICE AMODIO WAS AN EARLY GIRL FRIEND OF MINE AND WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE CHAMBERS FIELD WAS A VERY LARGE OPEN SPACE AND THE PEOPLE OF CHAMBERSBURG USED IT FOR MANY OCCASIONS. BEST REGARDS

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Mack said...

Amodios also had a store on E Franklin in Hamilton right near the Trenton border

Thursday, October 06, 2011

1887: CHAMBERSBURG; THE EARLY YEARS

I have a HUGE number (and growing each and every day) of files in the "AMERICAN-ITALIAN"* AND "CHAMBERSBURG" folders. With the lack of activity at the Kuser Mansion, I am currently working on obtaining time in the meeting rooms in order to share local history programs with lectures and on screen presentations. One of the programs of which I am quite proud is an on-screen presentation entitled,

"CHAMBERSBURG; a thumbnail sketch of the Italian experience....."
With the unfortunate societal changes and the exodus of many old line Chambersburg families, the history of that great old borough has, and will be the subject of many more folders dealing with "the Burg," and the Italians who made it what it was.

*****OCTOBER IS ITALIAN AMERICAN MONTH*****

1980: WE CALLED IT "IPB;" ITALIAN PEOPLES BAKERY

It took quite a bit of "Photo Shopping" to enhance this ad from the October 1970 Trenton Times celebration of Italian-American History Month. With the drastic and unfortunate shift that has occurred and continues to occur in Trenton's historic Chambersburg section, it is nice to know that this legendary bakery is still holding forth at its Butler Street location. For me personally, one of the heavenly delights is a 12 or 13 inch loaf of IPB's Italian bread with real "Land O Lakes" butter heavily smeared on 3/4 inch slices....then, a heaping dish of spaghetti and meatballs and we get just a touch of Heaven on earth. YUM!

Mack said...

Also referred to as "peoples" as per our habit of shortening things.
Just as Hudson Beer Gardens often referred to as "The Hudson" :)

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM...I GO WAY BACK WITH THE BAKERY AND REMEMBER HOW EVERYONE IN THE BURG DEPENDED ON THEM DURING THE TOUGH DEPRESSION YEARS. WE ATE A LOT OF BREAD IN THOSE DAYS, WITH EVERYTHING TO FILL UP. ANOTHER GREAT CHAMBERSBURG PROVIDER. GOD BLESS THEM.

Tuesday, October 04, 2011