CNBNEWS.NET

Chuckles

MAKE ME LAUGH

How many men does it take to make pop popcorn?

Three. One to hold the pan and two others to act macho and shake the stove

Here Kitty, Kitty

Brooklawn Cat Saga Continues

By Linda Boker-Angelo

NEWS Correspondent

  Brooklawn’s saga of the cats continued last week as resident cat rescuer Jennifer Smith once more appealed to Borough Council at the October council meeting  to allow her to continue running her feline foster home.

  Despite an hour and a half of commentary by cat activists, who came from as far away as National Park and Marlton to support Smith, nothing was settled as the issue was brought to a close by Mayor John Soubasis.

  During the heated, though polite, discussion, Soubasis and Borough Council were blasted by the group, which felt that Smith should be commended for the service that she is providing.

  Smith’s problems started in July, when an anonymous complaint prompted the town Board of Health to notify Smith that she was in violation of a pet-limit ordinance, which allows a maximum of three animals per household.

  A member of Furrever Friends, a small, non-profit animal rescue organization that operates out of the homes of volunteers, Smith had 10 cats in her Haakon Road home, including her own two pets, at the time of the complaint.

  Smith and several Friends members have requested that she be given a special permit to continue her animal rescue work or that the ordinance be changed to allow for pet fosters.

  Last month, after considerable discussion, Council decided to uphold the ordinance. However, Council members suggested that Smith apply to the Borough Planning Board for a land use variance and site plan approval so that she can obtain a permit to run a kennel, which would allow her to continue housing the animals. Smith would need the Planning Board’s approval to use her home, which is zoned as residential property, for a “commercial” venture.

  The governing body had agreed to hold off on enforcing the ordinance until after the Planning Board meeting on October 11. Smith said she decided not to apply for the variance, due to the cost involved and her doubt that she would be approved. She said the money she would be using to apply would be money that she could use for the care of her foster cats.

  Smith was not cited or fined, even though she neither applied for the variance nor complied with the ordinance.

  Friends member Joyce Moyer, of Gloucester City, said that the $185 application fee could pay for the spay/neuter of four cats. Moyer said the group could not justify spending the money on an application they felt would probably be denied.

  Councilman Jerry Granstrom, a member of the Planning and Zoning Board, said he was insulted that the group felt Smith’s application would not be given fair consideration.

  Friends supporters suggested that Council waive the fee for Smith. Although Council members seemed to have mixed opinions on the request, Soubasis said the governing body would discuss the matter.

Currently, Smith is still caring for her feline charges, in violation of the ordinance.

  In other business, Granstrom swore in new Police Officer William Welsh.

  Council also accepted the resignation of Public Works employee Matthew Sullivan and approved the EMS applications of Sarah Duer and Donna Duer.

  Councilwoman Theresa Branella announced that Halloween trick or treating will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on October 31. Borough hayrides are planned for Friday, October 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. From 6 to 7 p.m. residents will be treated to plain hayrides. Haunted hayrides will be offered from 7 to 9 p.m.

  Council will hold their next meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, November 20 at the Borough Hall.

 

 

ClearysNotebook endorses James Ticket

Commentary:

The Time Has Come For Change

By William E. Cleary Publisher Emeritus

If you have been reading the Gloucester City News or ClearysNotebook in recent weeks I have pointed out what I felt are numerous problems with our City.  If you need a reminder, go to the left hand column and look at the articles I have written. Listed under Bills Point of View. 

 

Each November the faces of the “Professional Politicians” in Gloucester City may change but the rhetoric remains the same.  For an example the drumbeat continues for revitalizing our riverfront, which was first proposed in 1984.

Here we are two decades later we are still waiting for the grandeur proposals to become a reality.

The “professional politicians” have had their chance.  It is time to give someone else a turn.

Consequently, I believe the “James Ticket” consisting of Bill James for Mayor, Nicholas Marchese Jr., for 2^nd Ward Councilman and Jay Brophy, for 3^rd Ward Councilman are the best choice to lead our community in a new direction.

They are qualified, enthusiastic and each man processes that rare attribute of charisma.  Over their adult lives, they showed their love for Gloucester City by volunteering for numerous organizations.  They are not politicians.  As such, they owe allegiance to no political machine.

They have grown up in our town and know from experience what needs to be done to reverse the downward spiral.

  All three are registered Democrats who like the rest of us have grown tired of the same old “political spin”.  They have stepped up to the plate and are running as Independents.  They have promised they won’t rubber stamp every ordinance/resolution that comes up just because the “Party Boss” says this is what you must do.

You will have to agree it would be nice just occasionally to hear an opposing view from a member of City Council.  I know for myself it would be a welcome breath of fresh air to what we have witnessed over so many years.  Those in charge say they hash it out in caucus.  Well I find that hard to believe that those differences of opinion are never carried over to the regular council meeting.

Don’t let this opportunity slip by.  There are fewer and fewer true Gloucesterite’ s that see a wrong and are willing to fight to change it.  I, like you, want to see less talk and more action. 

In my 40 years of reporting on Gloucester City, I have never endorsed a local candidate for office.  Not once.

That is until now. 

I believe so strongly in these three individuals I refused to stay silent. 

Thus, I urge you to join with me and vote on November 7^th for the “James Ticket” Column 4 on the ballot.

(Note: the opinions expressed are those of the author.  Moreover, these views do not represent the opinion of the Gloucester City News.)

Jenai Gonzales Queen; Kelly Cerrone, runner-up

Gloucester High Homecoming Game; Salem 34, Lions 26

The Gloucester City High School Homecoming game was played today, Monday at home between the Lions and Salem.  The game was originally planned for Saturday but because of inclement weather, it was postponed. The final  score , Salem 34, GHS 26.

The Homecoming Court Finalists were Kelly Cerrone, Kaitlin Collins, Jenai Gonzales, Bernadette Malone, and Mae McHugh. 

Chosen as Queen was Jenai Gonzales and runner up was Kelly Cerrone.

Semi-finalist for the Court: Jessica Baehr, Regina Bucher, Kaitlynn Champion Aysha Giles, Lauren Ross, Kathyrn Seternus, Erika Wadsworth.

Escorts for the Homecoming Court: John Aman, Steven Barcklow, Michael Ciccaglione, Mitchell Conroy, Matthew DiNardo, Theodore Hahn, Christopher Kraft, Kyle Kramer, Cory Labbree, Michael Matkowski, James Nelson, Daniel Reader.

Junior Class Princess and her Court: Kristen Herda, Princess, Kristin Marchese, Princess, Brittny Boulden 1^st runner up, Tara Curran.The Court: Alexandria McColligan, Tiffaney Stileler Chelsea Thomson, Leanna Wiley

Junior Class Escorts: Ethan Casey, vice president of Class of 2008.  Cody Gorman, treasurer of Class of 2008

Sophomore Class Princess, Erin MacAdams.  Jean Marie Wiley, 1^st runner up.  The Court: Marisa Cooper Denise Huntsinger, Jillian Stafford, and Shannon Thomas.

Sophomore Class Escorts: Gavin Carpenter, Treasurer of Class of 2009 and Josh Tomlin, Representative of Class of 2009 Homecoming Committee.

Freshman Class Princess Casey Higginbotham, and Melanie Carpenter, 1^st runner up.  The Court: Shelby Casey, Grace Cooney, Alyssa Cooper, and Courtney Dolson.

Freshman Class Escorts: Ian Laluk, President of Class of 2010 and Kevin Stewart, Secretary Class of 2010.

Special Guest: Homecoming Queen 2005, Brittany Boldizar.

Why Are You Running For Mayor?

James Give Details For Seeking Office

William James candidate for Gloucester City Mayor in the November 7 election further explains his reasons for seeking the city's highest office. His statement reads as follows:

" It’s time to put the cards on the table. After months of door knocking, sign fabrication, sign and T-shirts acquisitions and distribution, and introductory pamphlet distribution, the issues must be put to the people and it is my responsibility as a mayoral candidate to do so. As the Independent candidate for mayor in column 4 of the upcoming general election, I will first explain my reasons for running for public office.

Being a lifelong resident of this community for what is now 50 years, as well as working the streets and community of Gloucester City for 26 years, moving through the ranks of the Police Department from Patrolman, to Detective, to Sergeant, to Lieutenant and finally retiring as Deputy Chief of Police and being involved in the community through the Gloucester City Police Athletic League, girls softball, little league baseball, midget football, girls and boys basketball, The Sportsman Athletic Club, The Knights of Columbus, The Son’s of American Legion, and the Camden County Emerald Society as well as bag piping for our local high school football team and numerous state, county and city related tragedies and family related tragedies, I’ve been around to witness a lot of change.

I’ve seen politicians and political parties come and go. I’ve seen plans for development come and go. I’ve seen neighborhoods that existed and thrived for many years slowly deteriorate and disappear. I’ve seen businesses and business opportunities come and go and I’ve seen friends and neighbors, who originally chose to reside here because of its close-knit hometown feel, also come and go.

Yes, over the years there have been a lot of changes. A lot of which I’m not content to say I’m happy with.

This idea of running for political office did not come to me overnight. The idea came to me through a principal identified in political venues as Natural Evolution.

Simply put, the principal says that after an individual has, for many years, been deeply involved in a community where he or she resides, as is the case with all three of the Independent candidates, there comes a time when such individuals are approached by family, friends, associates, business persons, past present and future political office holders, school officials and community oriented social clubs and organizations and are asked to run for political office. After careful consideration of whether or not, you as an individual can make a difference and whether or not, you as an individual can make a difference and whether or not you see the need to change, you make up your mind to run for political office.

I see the need for change and I think that I, Nick Marchese and Jay Brophy can and will make a difference.

Over the past years, I’ve seen a community that is losing its hometown feel and appearance. I see and hear of deteriorating neighborhoods, I see vacant and closed storefronts, and I see the streets, and street corners and porches abound with individuals who have no respect for the people around them or conscious care about their own behavior.

The time has come, ladies and gentlemen, to stand up to “the machine,” of a select group of people, who have controlled your lives for far too long. The time has come to “hold the high ground” and stop the decline, to “fight the good fight,” and to give Gloucester City government back to the people.

This town belongs to each and every one of us, and this year, each and every vote can and will make a difference, in both the up and coming election and the future of our community. The opposition will tell you, and I’ve already heard it said, that even if the Independent team is elected, that we will not be able to make any changes.

I say nonsense. Because if it is true, than our political opposition would be willing to let any idea that would save taxpayers’ money and or improve the quality of life within our community, fall upon deaf ears, just because it was introduced by myself or my running mates, then their minds are smaller and more narrow then I’ve previously thought and yes, “It is time for a change.”

It’s time to change whom represents you in City government, and this year, unlike elections of the past, you are given the opportunity to do so. The Independent candidates are not politicians and we are not affiliated with the Democrat or Republican parties of the present or the Independent party of the past. We are three regular guys who are apolitical and unlike politicians our efforts and dedication to community are not lauded in the newspaper.

We prefer to work hard under the radar, avoid of praise, knowing in our hearts that we’re making Gloucester City a better place to grow up as a child and to hopefully encourage that child, to mature as a responsible citizen and stay here and raise a family of their own.

It’s time to change the way the City government has communicated with you. The Independent team is a proponent of supporting and informing the City News of all major and current developments within the community.

We are a strong proponent for more informative use of Channel 19 and for bringing Council meetings back to Channel 19 so everyone can see what actions City government is taking in your behalf. We are not, however, a proponent on the wasteful use of taxpayers monies to generate and distribute “politically tainted election year” mailers that we approximate to cost close to $2,000 quarterly and over $8,000 annually.

We think that money could be better spent bring business and job availabilities into town which was and is the original and singular intent of UEZ monies. If in fact it is true that the city pledges (now) to communicate to you what’s going on in our town, then maybe you can explain to me why it is that since the Independent team announced their candidacy in the City News on June 8 of this year, there have been only two crime reports in the past 18 issues of the weekly edition of the newspaper.

I don’t know about the community as a whole, but me personally, I’d like to know if a pattern of burglaries existed in my neighborhood. I’d like to know if 30 bicycles were stolen from town last month. I’d like to know if police responded to a call and arrested an armed and wanted suspect at gunpoint or that the police finally arrested the guy you suspected of selling drugs in you neighborhood, and that he was successfully prosecuted.

We should at the very least be informed of such situations for the purpose of public safety and to just as importantly understand the dedication and efforts of our police officers in providing us with a safe community.

It is time to change the way we deal with out of town and absentee landlords. The rental business in this town is a multi million dollar a year business; with in a lot of cases, little or no concern for previously established, safe neighborhoods. Last year the City collected 1,920 rental fees and this number has almost doubled since 2001. The availability of Section 8 rentals within the community is perpetuating the community’s reliance on an overly generous welfare system, in some cases 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th generation dependence and this is making it unaffordable for the working man to rent at a fair rate.

Section 8 rentals are advertised at between $1,000 and $1,300 a month plus utilities for a three-bedroom residence, while the non-section 8 rentals for similar properties go for between $700 and $800 plus utilities. We in the Independent party realize that legally we cannot stop these investors from making Section 8 homes available, but we do pledge to hold them accountable for the actions of their tenants and the failure to upkeep their properties.

What we have to, as a City, is aggressively encourage, promote and assist in home ownership and make every attempt to lawfully slow the ever increasing numbers of rental properties in the community and to encourage the zoning and planning boards to discontinue the practice of allowing the conversion of single family properties into duplexes and duplexes into triplexes. What we should be doing is encouraging the need to turn these properties back into single-family homes through tax incentives.

The Independent team believes we have reached the point where we are well above the normal standards as it relates to the availability of affordable housing within a community and to continue to standby without addressing this situation in an aggressive manner will surely be detrimental to our neighborhoods of the future.

You don’t have to look far to the north of our community to see what the affects of the proliferation of welfare and Section 8 as it relates to the housing issues can have on a community. The Fairview section of Camden City is a prime and unmistakable example of the failure of government to act. We say too little has been done in this regard and that our oppositions’ election year effort, are too late to fool even the uninformed voter.

As I have already mentioned in many forums throughout this campaign, Shared Services and consolidated purchases of equipment and supplies are going to be necessary agreements to forge between neighboring small municipalities. The State of New Jersey is making it quite clear that a failure to embrace these concepts and aggressively pursue these types of agreements will directly affect future considerations related to state aid.

Our municipality has already experienced the effectiveness and the financial benefits of one such agreement.

The Gloucester City, Brooklawn, Bellmawr, Mount Ephraim, and Runnemede Police Departments, staffed, trained and equipped a critical response team to address high risk entries and hostage/barricade subject situations that occur in the five, individually governed municipalities. The benefits related to public safety and the reduced financial hardships related to both, sustaining the unit and in the event of a necessary response, are immeasurable.

We have to find ways to incorporate this concept with neighboring Highway Departments, Water and/Sewage Departments and Fire and EMS Services to keep our monies within the municipalities instead of relying on and paying expensive outside contractors.

I am confident in the abilities of our present workforce and I believe that by making consolidated purchases of equipment necessary to address whatever foreseeable emergency task that may face us and to provide whatever training is necessary to certify our personnel in the handling of such situations, we will become more self-sufficient and less reliant on the uncontrollable expenses that are replaced on the taxpayers by outside contractors.

We have to step out of the mindset that has our community reactive to situations that occur and instead become more proactive. We have to strive to look into the future and work on our preparedness to, with the help of our surrounding neighboring communities, become more and more self-sufficient.

With a lot of issues that still need to be addressed which we have identified through talking with the citizenry during the course of our campaign, I will close with the following statement. Each and everyone of us, as citizens of Gloucester City, has the inherent responsibility to stand up and fight for our hometown when we feel our needs and wishes are not being met.

A government for the people provides the citizenry and business community with the resources and services that are required for them to flourish in a community that is safe, non-intimidating and full of opportunities.

There comes a time in political arenas when change is necessary, and that time is when the interests of the party supersede the good of the people it represents.

Do me just one favor before you go to the voting booth on November 7^th and take a ride around town, and open your eyes and if you like what you see, vote for them.

If you don’t like what you see, vote Column 4 Independent. Vote James, Marchese and Brophy.

William P. James,

Independent Candidate for Mayor

Read more: http://www.typepad.com/site/blogs/6a00d8341bf7d953ef00d8345158b569e2/compose/preview/post#ixzz0vOKjWVge

How Much Did City Pay For Run Down Building?

Bill's Point of View

Gloucester City Buys Dooley’s Bar; Cost To Taxpayers Not Released

On October 12, Gloucester City purchased the former Dooley’s Bar at Broadway and Cumberland Streets as part of their ongoing efforts to enhance economic development along Broadway.  However  the amount the City paid for the former tavern is not known. It was listed with a realtor for several years. The asking  price was $600,000

“The redevelopment of the former Dooley’s Bar at this central location in the City will have ripple effects on economic development along Broadway for many blocks,” announced Mayor Thomas “Tut” Kilcourse.

  The former Dooley’s Bar site has been the subject of housing code enforcement actions and Municipal Court fines on a regular basis for the past eighteen (18) months.  The City had taken numerous actions to force the owners to make the site suitable for new businesses, however as it became clear the owners were content to pay Municipal Court fines and not make the investment necessary to improve the property, the City began negotiations to acquire the property, which took place on October 12.  Then, on October 16, the City signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Reel Fresh Seafood, currently located in Bellmawr, NJ, to negotiate for the construction and opening of a seafood restaurant at the location.

“The continuing redevelopment of non-productive sites in the City is our citizen’s best form of tax relief,” stated Council Finance Chairman Patrick Keating.  “Creating new ratables and bringing new revenues into the City will ease the tax burden on all of our citizens and continue to improve Gloucester City’s quality of life.”

The City intends to develop the entirety of the site in addition to the intersection in a manner first laid out in the City’s Master Plan in 1995.  The plan details the creation of a public plaza including a restaurant with outdoor seating, new retail space along Broadway and residential housing above the business locations.              

“The City has recently evaluated the structures and unfortunately it has been determined that they are not salvagable due to their ongoing decay,” reported Councilman Ray Coxe.  “However the City is in full support of recreating the plaza to resemble its historic nature, which in time will add great value to the economic upswing of the Broadway corridor.”               

The mayor said the City has had several meetings with Reel Fresh and is now working with them to further the details of this plan for their expansion/opening .

Once again though there was no  mention of what costs the taxpayers would have to assume in helping Reel Fresh move here.

Saint Marys

St Mary Parish
Monmouth & Atlantic Sts
426 Monmouth St
Gloucester City, NJ 08030
Phone: (856) 456-0052 Fax: (856) 456-1837

Mass Schedule Weekend:	Sat: 5 p.m. Sun: 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 a.m.
Weekday:	Mon thru Fri: 7, 9 a.m. Sat: 9 a.m.
Holy Day & Vigil:	(call)
Confessions:	Sat: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Devotions:	Novena, Mon: 7:30 p.m.

parish web site. 

Rutgers rated 15th

AP TOP 25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL

(as of October 30)

1. Ohio St.
2. Michigan
3. West Virginia
4. Texas
5. Louisville
6. Auburn
7. Florida
8. Tennessee
9. Southern Cal
10. California
11. Notre Dame
12. Arkansas
13. LSU
14. Boise St.
15. Rutgers
16. Boston College
17. Wisconsin
18. Oklahoma
19. Clemson
20. Georgia Tech
21. Texas A&M
22. Wake Forest
23. Virginia Tech
24. Oregon
25. Washington St.

Rutgers 8-0

Mistakes sink Huskies

NEILL OSTROUT 

The Connecticut Post

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The UConn football team may have discovered a running back, settled on a quarterback, and awoken a powerful defense, but none of it was enough to secure a much-needed victory.

Aided by one defensive touchdown and another from its special teams, 15th-ranked Rutgers beat UConn 24-13 before an announced crowd of 41,077 Sunday night at Rutgers Stadium.

UConn's Donald Brown, a redshirt freshman running back from nearby Atlantic Highlands, ran for 199 yards on 28 carries, including a 65-yard touchdown run on the second play of the second half that got UConn on the scoreboard and into high gear.

Brown's rushing total was the most by a UConn back since Chris Bellamy ran for 212 against Kent State on Oct. 18, 2003, and the most by a UConn freshman since Tory Taylor ran for 256 against Boston University on Nov. 4, 1995.

Starting in place of an injured Terry Caulley, who was in uniform but did not play due to an ankle sprain, Brown may have earned himself a great deal more playing time as the season winds down.

"He might be the frontrunner for next week," UConn coach Randy Edsall said, "Not next year."

As expected, D.J. Hernandez replaced Matt Bonislawski as UConn's quarterback and produced mixed results. He was 8-for-17 for 67 yards, with one fumble and an interception with 2:40 left in the game that sealed his team's fate.

UConn (3-5, 0-3) is now 0-9 in its brief Division I-A history against ranked opponents

Chuckles

MAKE ME LAUGH! A burglar broke into a home and was looking around. He heard a soft voice say, "Jesus is watching you". Thinking it was just his imagination, he continued his search. Again the voice said "Jesus is watching you". He turned his flashlight around and saw a parrot in a cage. He asked the parrot if he was the one talking and the parrot said, "yes." He asked the parrot what his name was and the parrot said, "Moses." The burglar asked, "what kind of people would name a parrot Moses?" The parrot said, "the same kind of people who would name their pit bull Jesus".

Murderer faces 19 years in prison

Westville Man Pleads Guilty To Murder

A Westville man pleaded guilty October 24 to killing a 33-year-old man two years ago inside the victims home, according to the Camden county Prosecutors Office.

Edward L. Wilson 44, of Florence Avenue, faces 19 years in state prison under a plea agreement negotiated by Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Chatten.

Wilson pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter, admitting that he beat the victim Hopeton Hudson, over the head at Hudson’s home on Alabama Road in the Fairview section of Camden during the early morning of August 1, 2004.

Hudson family had been away that weekend and discovered the body when they returned later that day.  Hudson suffered multiple blows to the face, head and body as well as stab wounds to the chest. 

Wilson had been staying at a friend’s home in the neighborhood and was acquainted with the victim officials said.  Household electronic equipment was missing from the victims’ home and was found later at the home where Wilson had been staying. 

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 15

Holy Maternity, Audubon

Holy Maternity Parish
431 W Nicholson Rd 
Audubon, NJ 08106
Phone: (856) 547-0444 Fax: (856) 547-0045
A Parish of The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden NJ

Mass schedule

Sat: 5 p.m.
Sun: 8:30, 11 a.m.
Weekday: Mon thru Fri: 8 a.m.
Holy day & Vigil: 8 a.m.; 7 p.m. Vigil: 7 p.m.
Confessions: Sat: 4 p.m.

parish web site

St. Gregory, Magnolia

St Gregory Parish
Whitehorse Pike & Evesham Rd 
340 E Evesham Ave
Magnolia, NJ 08049
Phone: (856) 784-4090 Fax: (856) 784-6371
A Parish of The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden NJ

pastor rev. brian o'neill

Mass schedule

Sat: 4:30 p.m.
Sun: 8, 10 a.m.; 12 noon
Weekday: Mon thru Sat: 8 a.m.
Holy day & Vigil: 8, 9 a.m.; 6:30 p.m. Vigil: 6:30 p.m.
Confessions: Sat: 3:45 to 4:20 p.m. 1st Fri: 7:30 to 8 a.m.

RELIGIOUS ED: 856-784-1440

SCHOOL INFO: 856-784-0372

parish web site

Annunciation, Bellmawr

Annunciation Parish
601 W Browning Rd 
Bellmawr, NJ 08031
Phone: (856) 931-6307 Fax: (856) 931-0155
A Parish of The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden NJ

Mass Schedule:

Sat: 5 p.m.
Sun: 8:30, 10 a.m.
Weekday: Mon: 6:30 p.m. Tue thru Fri: 7:15 a.m. Tue thru Fri: 8 a.m. (June to Sept.)
Holy day & Vigil: 7:15 a.m. Vigil: 7 p.m.
Confessions: Sat: 4 p.m.
Devotions: Rosary, Mon: 7 p.m.

RELIGIOUS ED: (856) 931-8590

SCHOOL INFO: (856) 931-0122 CONVENT: 603 W Browning Rd --- (856) 931-7192

parish web site

St. Anne, Westville

St Anne Parish 
213 Woodbine Ave 
Westville, NJ 08093
Phone: (856) 456-4136 Fax: (856) 456-7502
A Parish of The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden NJ

<>

Mass schedule

Sat: 4 p.m. Sun: 8, 10:30 a.m. Weekday: Mon thru Fri: 7:45 a.m. (Chapel) Sat: 8:30 a.m. (Chapel) Holy day & Vigil: 7:45 a.m.; 7 p.m. Vigil: 7 p.m. Confessions: Sat: 3 to 3:45 p.m.

RELIGIOUS ED: 856-456-4136 SCHOOL: St Matthew Regional School, National Park ---- (609) 853-7711 parish link

Meandering With John Corcoran

DRAWING HIS LAST BEER? - Friends gathered  at Ferry's Seafood Restaurant, Gloucester City, last Thursday to toast Joe Walton, a well known mixologist who offi­cially retired at the end of the day.

Over the course of his 38 year career, Walton has worked in a number of local pubs and taverns in the area. The 66 year old Walton started in the trade in 1951 serv­ing drinks at Brook's Tavern in Brooklawn. Walton also worked in that bar when it was known as Jimmy Penrose's Towne Tavern.

Although he has only two years at Ferry's,he was employed for over 16 years at Guiseppe's Restaurant in Mt. Ephraim. Joe was also a part owner of the Red Mill Tavern in Gloucester City for a short time and spent several years at the Reading Tavern (now the Doll House) also in Gloucester City Socialable with a good sense of humor, wherever he worked he attracted a clientele with the same characteris­tics.

Jim Ferry, his last employer said, "Everyone knows Joe and he knew everyone by their first name. To his cred­it, he could work a 40 foot bar without forgetting what the patron was drinking at the other end. He'll certainly be missed...but if anyone deserves a long and healthy retirement it's Joe Walton." (reprinted from the City News 1/4/90

Obit (Wirtz)

Yvonne Wirtz, Past owner of Freedom Hair Care Salon

Yvonne P.  Wirtz of Gloucester City passed away on October 27, 2006, (nee Johns) of at the age of 63.
Mrs. Wirtz was the former owner of the Freedom Hair Care Salons of Mt. Ephraim, Blackwood, and Marlton.  She will be missed by her family and loved ones. 

She was the beloved wife of David E. Wirtz, Sr. and devoted daughter of Warren Johns and the late Valentina (nee Rappa).  She was the loving mother of Jon-Paul Gullo, Dawn Lynn Currie-Scott, Russell John Currie and step children David E. Wirtz, Jr., Michael S. Wirtz and Cindy Arrigo. She is also survived by her 9 dear grandchildren, her brothers Arthur and Charles Longion and sister Delores McCarter. 

Relatives and friends are invited to meet on Monday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Etherington Funeral Home, 700 Powell St. in Gloucester City.

Mrs. Wirtz's Funeral Service will be held at 8:00 pm. Interment will be private at the request of her family. 
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions to assist with expenses c/o the Funeral Home

Obit (Rodgers)

James Rodgers former dispatcher for City Police Department

James E.  Rodgers of Gloucester City passed away on October 28, 2006, at age 82.
Mr. Rodgers was a lifelong parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Gloucester.  He was a Navy Vet of WW II and former member of Townsend C. Young VFW Post 3620.  Mr. Rodgers was a former Cub Scout Leader in Gloucester and member of the Old-timers String Band.  He was also a former employee of RCA for 26 years and served as Dispatcher for the Gloucester City Police Dept. for many years

Beloved husband of Teresa A. Rodgers (nee Casey). Loving father of James T. and wife Emily, Joseph, and wife Patricia, Jeffrey and Gerald and his wife Theresa.  He was the devoted grandfather of 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.  He was also the dear brother of Regina McParland, Veronica Neunhauser, Florence Underwood, and Theresa Boyle.
.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet Tuesday morning from 9:00 to 10:30 am at the Etherington Creran Funeral Home, 700 Powell St., Gloucester City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 am at St. Mary's Church, 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City. Interment to follow New St. Mary's Cemetery, Bellmawr. There will be no evening viewing.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations in Mr. Rodgers name be made to CARE Alternatives Hospice, 70 Jackson Drive, Suite 200, Cranford, NJ 07016.

Chuckles

MAKE ME LAUGH!

A man and a friend are playing golf one day at their local golf course. One of the guys is about to chip onto the green when he sees a long funeral procession on the road next to the course. He stops in mid-swing, takes off his golf cap, closes his eyes, and bows down in prayer.

His friend says: "Wow, that is the most thoughtful and touching thing I have ever seen. You truly are a kind man."

The man then replies: "Yeah, well we were married 35 years."

City Fire Dept.

Gloucester City Fire Dept Fight Blaze In National Park

(Firehouse.com) A National Park NJ ( Gloucester County ) couple barely escaped with their lives when a fast moving fire engulfed their home on October 25th. Shortly after noon Gloucester County NJ 911 Center was receiving numerous calls for a working house fire at the corner of 3rd and New Jersey Avenue.

A Multi-District Task Force assignment was dispatched an the National Park, Woodbury and Westville Fire Companies. The first officer on the scene was Unit 701, Westville Chief Chuck Murtaugh reported that he had a one and a half story, wood frame dwelling heavily involved and would be using all hands and to dispatch a Fast Team assignment from Gloucester City ( Camden County ).

National Park Engine 811 was first in on location dropping a supply line from the hydrant that was a half of a block down the street, and preceded to the front of the building. They went into Service with a Blitz Gun attack with their Deck Gun. Westville and Woodbury Units were hooking up and going into Service with hand lines.

Special Calls were placed for additional Fire Units from Gloucester County and Camden County. The home owners, one who was sleeping in a hospital bed on the first floor and her husband who was on the second floor were able to escape the smoke and fire filled dwelling minutes before the fire had engulfed the entire structure.

Over sixty fire fighters battled the blaze for over an hour with an exterior attack before the fire was placed Under Control. The fire is under investigation by the Gloucester County Fire Marshal's office. Photos by Bob Bartosz

Obit (Abbott)

Lawrence Abbott Services On Monday

Lawrence J. ‘Sparky’ Abbott passed away on October 18, 2006. Age 75. Of Philadelphia, PA, formerly of Camden.

Loving father of Lawrence Abbott of Gloucester City and Frank Abbott of Doylestown, PA. Dear Brother of Joseph Abbott of Haddon Township, Edna May Salvatore of Cherry Hill and Anna Ranalli of Cherry Hill. Beloved grandfather of 14 and great-grandfather of 1.

Lawrence proudly served our country during the Korean Conflict in the U.S. Army.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend his viewing on Monday morning from 9 am to 10 am at the McCann-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, (at Brown Street) Gloucester City.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 am at Saint Mary’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City. Cremation will be private at the request of the family. There will be no evening viewing. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Lawrence J. Abbott.

Mom

By Mazie Elizabeth Tucker Cleary

November 15, 1978

W

hen I was growing up I remember parties we had at one another’s homes. For refreshments we would have lemonade and homemade cake. We would play games such as spin the bottle, post office, dance to the music of a Victoria  records or sing and play a player piano. That is if no own could play the piano.

When just a kid some of our games were lay sheepie lay, blind man’s bluff, London Bridges falling down, Go in and out the windows, kick the ricket, prisoner’s base, jacks. The boys would play marbles and the girls would jump rope.  Also we would roller skate up and down the sidewalks and sometimes in the streets. We didn’t have Television so we made our own fun. Summer time we had picnics, went canoeing or took rides on the lake in rowboats.

My Mother would stretch lace curtains for people and charge for doing it and my brother, sister and I would have to deliver them for her. She had quite a few curtain stretchers around the house at the time.

Growing up we lived at 841 Cumberland Street, Gloucester City, and had chickens, rabbits, big apple tree in the yard, and a couple of peach trees.  Our yard ran all the way back to the street behind us (Somerset Street). It was L shaped; in back of the four houses that were on Cumberland Street at that time.

My grandfather and father had a garden and raised all our vegetables. We got all the eggs we needed from our chickens, and sometimes we would have one of the chickens for Sunday dinner.

In our back yard, we didn’t have a pool like everyone seems to have today. But we had a rope swing hanging from the apple tree, and a hammock, and if the weather was very hot the firemen would open the fire hydrants for the kids to play in from the neighborhood.

Every spring and fall the housewives would houseclean, take up the winter rugs and put down the summer rugs; they would hang the rugs out on clothes line and beat them with a rug beater, usually made of wire with a handle.  Then they would roll up the rug or carpet and put it away in the attic until fall and put it down in the winter. The summer rugs were made of a sort of matting.

We didn’t have central heating but a coal range in the big kitchen and another coal stove in the dining room. Most living rooms (we called them parlors then) were closed off in the winter either by a door or heavy drapes.

Kids then liked to watch the coal man deliver coal to the neighbor’s house. We would look out the window and watch it go down a chute into the cellar.

M

y father worked in Philadelphia and took the train from Gloucester to Camden, where he boarded the ferry boat that would take him to Delaware Street in Philadelphia. In the winter there was a fire in the big potbelly stove in the railroad station in Gloucester City to keep the people warm who where waiting for the train.  The ferryboat cost three or five cents. Once in Philadelphia he would walk up the hill to an insurance company on Walnut Street where he worked. A workweek then was five and half days, which include Saturday until 1 p.m.

My mother use to make most of our clothes, and she also would sew for people in the neighborhood.

My grandfather died in 1922 and he never knew what a radio was. My father died in 1932, he knew a radio and loved it, but he never saw a television set.  These are things we take for granted today.

I remember the ragman; he would come around in a horse drawn wagon calling out. And people would sell their papers and old rags to him.  He would weigh them with a scale he had on the wagon and pay you a few cents.

Also a man would go along the street hollering clothes props, they were wooden and the housewife would come out to buy them. The same would go for the man who sharpen knives. Or as some called him the scissor grinder. He would have a stone wheel on a stand to do the job and work it with a foot pedal.  If you had an umbrella that was broken men would come around your neighborhood and repair them right on your front step. There was also a man that would come to your neighborhood selling fish. These men would push carts or drive horse and wagons, and some would drive trucks.

Sounds like we had a lot of men running around the neighborhood hollering but they didn’t come that often.

At the time we did have a lot of poor knocking on our doors in the morning wanting a cup of coffee or a few cents for a drink. We never seemed to be afraid to open our door to anyone who needed help unlike today. I guess they were what you would call hobos.

I remember we would go on excursions trains from Gloucester railroad station to Atlantic City or Wildwood for a $1 a person for the day (that was round trip). They had bathhouses at the shore and you could rent a bathing suit if you didn’t have one. People were covered up pretty well on the beach especially the women. They wore stockings, bathing hats and even rubber slippers.

I attended Gloucester public schools and in 1928 I graduated with a high school diploma from Gloucester High School located where the Mary Ethel Costello grammar school is today on Cumberland Street.

I met my future husband George F.  Cleary on a tennis court at the Gloucester City Park on King Street. George and I were married on November 3, 1932. We had three children, Dolores, George and Billy. All of them have since married and now we have 12 grandchildren.

W

e purchased the Gloucester City News on January 1, 1950. Six months later we open up Cleary’s Office Supplies Store. I did all the bookwork for the businesses along with typing the news articles and waiting on customers. Both businesses were located at 423 Hudson Street. In July 1951 we moved into a storefront rental property at 242 North Broadway, Gloucester City. We operated the Office Supplies Store there and moved our newspaper office to our home on East Brown Street, as there wasn’t enough room for both of them at the rental property.

Around July 1954 we moved the office supplies store along with our newspaper office to a rental property at 110 South Broadway, across from the Gloucester Post Office. We also began an agency for Western Union. All three businesses kept us quite busy as you can imagine.

We eventually had to sell the Office Supplies business because we just couldn’t handle it all.  We then moved the newspaper office and the Western Union agency to 106 ½ South Broadway. We stayed there until March 1958 at which time we moved into a second floor office on top of Publishers Printing Plant, 5^th and Jersey Avenue. George and I purchased $6,000 worth of stock of Publishers Inc. George was named treasurer of the plant and Publishers printed the Gloucester City News along with several other weekly newspapers.

George along with Hughie McCaughey, another one of the owners of Publishers Inc., formed a partnership and purchased the Camden County Record newspaper on October 18, 1965 for $2,200. Their first issue was the following week.

Post Script

Mazie passed away in 1995. She died from complications caused by Alzheimer’s disease.

Rams

Clearview 13, Gloucester Catholic 7

(Friday October 27)Justin Betterson scored on a 17-yard run in the first quarter and Del Thomas kicked two field goals as Clearview held off Gloucester Catholic, 13-7, in a Royal Division game.

The Pioneers improved to 7-0 for the first time in school history.

Thomas kicked a 37-yard field goal in the opening quarter and a 34-yarder in the fourth.

The Rams' only points came on quarterback Ray McKenney's 1-yard TD run in the second quarter.

Rams (sports)

St. Joseph beats Gloucester Cath.

Published: Atlantic City Press Thursday, October 26, 2006

The St. Joseph High School girls volleyball team edged host Gloucester Catholic 2-1 in an Olympic Conference Liberty Division match Wedesday.

The Wildcats (17-2) earned the win with scores of 25-11 and 25-12 in the first and third matches. Gloucester took the second match 25-15.

GHS Homecoming Dance

Gloucester City High School

Homecoming Dance was held Friday night, October 27

The complete photo album of 130 pictures can be found in the left column. Feel free to copy any one of the photos and or e-mail them to your family and friends. There is no charge.

Obit (Armstrong)

Mrs. Jane Armstrong, Services Monday; Member

Of the Mt.Ephraim Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary

Jane S. Armstrong (nee Zimmer), died on October 26, 2006, of South Carolina. A former resident of Mt. Ephraim and Runnemede, she was 89.  Beloved wife of the late John J., Sr., mother of John J., Jr. (Beverly) and Lois J. Bergin (Joseph). Also survived by four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. 
Mrs. Armstrong was a former member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Mt. Ephraim Fire Dept. #2.  She also helped with the Mt. Ephraim Police Youth Band. 
There will be a viewing from 10 am to 12 noon Monday at Gardner Funeral Home, 126 S. Black Horse Pike, Runnemede.

  Funeral Service 12 noon at the funeral home. Interment New St. Mary's Cemetery, Bellmawr. Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to Condolences@GardnerFuneralHome.com

Chuckles

Make Me Laugh

Why did the blonde die in a helicopter crash?

She got cold and turned off the fan

Obit (Celani)

Ben Celani, World War II Veteran, Services Monday

Urbano J ‘Ben’ Celani, of Gloucester City died on October 25, 2006. He was 84.
Formerly of (Cranberry Run) Buena and South Philadelphia, PA. He is the husband of 22 years to Theresa (nee Bernardo) and the late Betty (nee Gough). Father of Anna M. White (Thomas) of Secane, PA, Sandra Hamilton and husband Charles of Gloucester City and stepfather of Eletta Gawin (Tom) of Clayton. Dear Brother of Florence Mestichelli of Philadelphia. Also, survived by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ben was born in Philadelphia and lived in South Philadelphia. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Viewing on Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the McCann Healey Funeral Home, 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 am at Saint Mary's R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City.
Interment with military honors, Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery, Estelle Manor. There will be no evening viewing.
Family requests that memorial donations be made in Urbano's memory to the American Cancer Society: 1851 Old Cuthbert Road, Cherry Hill.

Obit (Agar)

Russ Agar, WWII Vet, Former City Post Office Employee

Russell J. Agar of Washington Twp., passed away on October 21, 2006 at the age of 90. He is the husband of the late Evva L. (Wilhelm) father of Carol A. Funk, (George D.) of Washington Twp., NJ and Dr. John R. Agar, Jr. (Beatrice A.) of Newtown Square, PA.  His brother Edward B. Agar, grandchildren Janice Ray (James), Steven Funk, Rebekah Agar, and Sarah Agar, and great grandchildren Aidan Ray and Sadie Ray also survive him.
  Mr. Agar was born November 25, 1915, one of nine children of Edward and Catherine Agar (Morozzi).  He graduated from Gloucester City High School during the Depression and initially found work as a truck driver.  In 1938, he enlisted in the United States Navy, and retired after 20 years of service as a hospital corpsman, having served during both World War II and the Korean Conflict.  After an additional 16 years with the United States Postal Service, he ended his career as Superintendent of the Mails with the Gloucester City Post Office, for a total of 36 years of service to the federal government.
  During World War II, he sailed to French Morocco on the USS West Point (the SS America outfitted as a troop ship), and was assigned to Fleet Air Wing 15 near Casablanca.  In Africa, he flew 8-10 hour antisubmarine patrols and air-sea rescue missions over the Atlantic Ocean in PBY's (Flying Boats).  During his Naval career, he sailed throughout the Caribbean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea.  He went through the Panama Canal 3 times, crossed the equator multiple times, and sailed to ports on both coasts of the United States and in Brazil, Columbia, Cuba, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Albania, Sicily, Malta, Crete and many other smaller countries and islands.  His last assignment was with the Fourth Naval District Medical Staff Headquarters in Philadelphia, PA.  When he retired from the Navy, he held rank of Warrant Officer. 
  Mr. Agar was a resident of NJ most of his life, living primarily in Gloucester City or Brooklawn, and was a longtime member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension where he served on the Vestry.
  Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday from 10 am to 11 am at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 110 Sussex St., and Gloucester City.  A Mass of Resurrection and Burial Office will follow at 11 am.  There is no evening viewing.  Interment will be private at the request of the family.
  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations in his name be made to: John Russell Agar Nursing Scholarship, DCCC Educational Foundation, Delaware County Community College, 901 South Media Line Road, Media, PA 19063-1094.

  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the ETHERINGTON-CRERAN FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City,

Search continues

Searchers fail to turn up body of bridge jumper

Thursday, October 26, 2006

(Gloucester County Times)GLOUCESTER CITY Marine patrols from the Delaware River Port Authority and the state police searched the Delaware River for a third day without success Wednesday for the body of a person who jumped from the Walt Whitman Bridge.

Authorities were searching for the body of George Palladino, a 15-year-old Deptford High School student