| Author |
Message |
    
Goodolddays
| | Posted on Thursday, March 8, 2001 - 1:16 pm: |     |
For thetruh07040: the 2nd drug store on Springfield Avenue was Matter's Drug Store, owned & operated by Charlie Matter. He, like his drug store are now gone. Having moved into town in 1962, the corner of Springfield & Boyden had 2 gas stations, both catty corner to each other...Brownies' Texaco and and Esso station (name escapes me right now), a lunchenette and of course Fire House #2. Unfortunately..A QuickChek,
Burger King etc. changing things forever. So that is why those types of business establishements will never be any other place but on Springfield Ave. By the way, the Italian food location at Springfield & Rutgers which failed had risen from the former Gary's, with the family giving it another try...but saddly lost. Sometimes the most obvious, hiding in plain site so to speak, is one of the primary reasons for Maplewood to still be holding on. Where would it all be this very day if the dedicated & loyal members of the police, fire & public works departments were of a different caliber, less caring human beings? We never seem to hear very much about them, even when discussions take place regarding ..Big Plans,
Renovationg, Revitalizing, Rejuvenating, Improving. The next time a chance presents itself to speak with one of them, ask them how they feel about things. For example, Springfield Avenue. Since the parking on both sides is permitted, how frequently do they (police, fire, public works) use the road to respond to calls? Another question could be: In the past decades, how has your manpower and ability to serve (or not serve) the community changed? It has always annoyed me that very little is heard or discussed regarding these areas of concern. Could it be that these 3 vital services, working 7/24 are in the back of the book labeled...TO BE TOLERATED. As a question posted earlier, why over these many decades has the overall number of personnel diminished, while the population has increased? These are the people that are helping to hold the very threats together.By the way Kestrel, I find it terrific that you can trace family back to the 1840's.
I'm sure then you would know where the Habor section was located. |
Shaws
| | Posted on Thursday, March 8, 2001 - 3:04 pm: | |
Kestrel- Thank you for your very interesting information about the history of the Hilton section. It sounds like a diverse neighborhood and we will continue to look at houses there. Thanks for the boundaries! P.S. Are you a birdwatcher?
Nohero- It does seem to us, a middle class white family, that the Hilton section is an "entry point" for Maplewood. While the West side of town is immediately the most appealing when driving through town, it is too big a stretch for us financially. I still have trouble accepting that any house other than a "mansion" can be priced at half a million dollars! It really blows my mind. Unfortunately, we weren't ready to buy a few years ago when houses were more affordable. It is quite depressing, really, to see what $300,000 can get you. I've had visions of Victorians with wrap around porches all my life, having grown up in Nyack, NY where they were a dime a dozen. Hah! That dream has been blown to smithereens.
I hope we can find something in Maplewood. |
Ken
| | Posted on Thursday, March 8, 2001 - 5:13 pm: | |
GoodOldDays-
Good to see that you're back. Missed you on the chat side.
Wasn't the Esso Jack Miller's?
KEA849 |
Kestrel
| | Posted on Thursday, March 8, 2001 - 6:41 pm: | |
Shaws: re:Birdwatcher? - see http://members.aol.com/jayzee58/birdingclass.html
As to your search for an affordable house in Maplewood, I too hope you will find one. I don't know what your requirements are, but there happens to be a house for sale right here on my block on Franklin Ave.
Nohero: Your comments and points about the Hilton Section are basically correct. I was going to add some of these points in my posting, but didn't because my post was already too long! It's hard for me to keep from writing what would turn out to be a book when I get on the subject of Maplewood.
Goodolddays: Being that I work for the Township, in the DPW, I have many thoughts and feelings about some of the things you bring up, i.e., contending with increased population and services (especially!) with steadily dwindling manpower and ever tightening budgetary restraints in these areas. Alas, this too is a subject that is much too vast for me to attempt to write about here. But I will say that there are some extraordinarily talented, dedicated and hardworking people in the Police and Fire Dep't.s, the DPW, the Libraries, Recreation Dep't., The After School Program and within Town Hall as well. On behalf of them, I thank you for your recognition. |
Thetruth07040
| | Posted on Thursday, March 8, 2001 - 9:43 pm: | |
Does anyone remember the "Little House" Luncheonette? It's now a two story Tarot and Palm reader business. How about another little candy store/luncheonette called Bare's (sp?) Den? Anybody here who used to ice skate in Maplecrest..sit by the fire burning in that old 50 gal drum? Fishing for crawfish in the Memorial Park pond? Does anyone know why Burnet Ave is spelled Burnett in Maplewood and Burnet in Union?
I really do love this town. It's what has kept me here for so many years and what brought me back 15 years ago. I suppose sometimes I get frustrated and vent. Forgive me. I will continue though to fight to keep this place special. I will do what I can to keep it from becoming too influenced by "the Irvington factor"
Shaw: you could do much worse than to move into this neighborhood. The house next door to me sold recently and so far my new neighbors are wonderful...in fact, a fellow musician.
As for our public servants, yes for the most part they do a wonderful job. There have been a few bad apples in the past few years. Fortunately, they are gone.
This thread had proven to be quite interesting and enlightening. |
Goodolddays
| | Posted on Thursday, March 8, 2001 - 11:51 pm: | |
Ken...yes, that was Jack Miller's place..thanks, I just couldn't think of it earlier. And greetings to KEA849.....ditto on the old chat side. I understand our talented Webmaster is trying to put something together to fill that gap.
Anyone out there tonight remember Tony's Barber Shop...he used to be in the group of buildings with Dial n' Drive across from Maplecrest Park. To this day he (Tony) is still a good friend. He has his shop in Toms River now for at least 20 years. Still talks about all his great Maplewood
memories.We also had Jimmy Freda"s - Maplewood Barber Shop,a few doors down from the Sage Diner. It was unfortunate that he passed away.
Kestrel.....how very interesting hearing that you worked for the town at the DPW. Having done so you can relate to my reflections. |
Nakaille
| | Posted on Friday, March 9, 2001 - 3:08 am: | |
Kestrel: Great ad/link for birding! Did you set up the site yourself? Simple, and simply beautiful! Kudos, kiddo!
Bacata |
Kestrel
| | Posted on Friday, March 9, 2001 - 12:20 pm: | |
Yes - thank you. My birding class web-page also had a sound track I'd recorded of bird-song by a river, but unfortunately it no longer works and I can't get it going. I will make a new page for next fall's classes |
Thetruth07040
| | Posted on Friday, March 9, 2001 - 4:36 pm: | |
I'd love to know how we got from the condition in Irvington to birding. Seems the contributors here have ADD! |
Kestrel
| | Posted on Friday, March 9, 2001 - 5:43 pm: | |
Thetruth: From Irvington Factor to > Springfield Ave to >Hilton Section. At that point I answered "Shaws" ?'s about Hilton Section Boundries and whether or not it was safe. > When "shaws" replied he/she asked if I was a birder among other things. > In reply I posted the URL to my SOMA Adult School birding class website, among other things > etc. etc. Sorry. It seems to be the nature of this message board; i.e., MARCO!....POLO!
Now, as to the FISH in Memorial Park Pond, I think.... |
Thetruth07040
| | Posted on Friday, March 9, 2001 - 11:26 pm: | |
Ah.. I have a few more memories of Springfield Ave....Toyland...Ray Coryell's Bicycle Shop, Mengers (was that the name?), Gene Thayler's Drum Studio...things keep coming back in bits and pieces...
Yes, we used to catch crawfish in the pond at Memorial Park! |
Goodolddays
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2001 - 12:44 pm: | |
Thetruth07040..and so many great memories they are. One of the nicer things about growing older, we can look back. Although my wife and I only moved into town shortly after being married back in 1962, I visited Maplewood a a young kid in the late 40's. My father had a good friend on the police department way back than and he would visit him frequently, Johnny Hess. Years later I ran into his grandson (John Hess), he was working at Boyden Friendly (Boyden/Jacoby)Service Station.
Can remember how green the lawn was at the Ward Homestead on the Boyden Avenue side before the community pool was put in. Thetruth07040..I'll bet you have memories of Olympic Park. In it's hay day, that was one great place to be, especially as a young kid. Watching it slowly being torn down to make room for an industrial site years later was difficult to except. We visited Disney in Florida in 1985,and got a funny feeling seeing the old Olympic Park merry-go-round
Oh well, so much for our past. |
Nakaille
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2001 - 3:57 pm: | |
I remember Olympic Park! But I lived in Springfield, not Maplewood, at the time. (And I remember Palisades Park, too.) I had no idea the merry-go-round ended up at Disney. Have to check it out if we ever get there.
Bacata |
Harold
| | Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2001 - 10:58 am: | |
Why did Olympic Park close? |
Harold
| | Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2001 - 11:10 am: | |
Thetruth07040, be happy you're not living at that apartment building now..it's so vermin infested the Fire Dept. has been called there many times on false alarms due to "heavy infestation" of "critters" in the fire sensors. |
Thetruth07040
| | Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2001 - 12:32 pm: | |
Thanks for the news about my old apartment. Those who question the fact that Springfield Ave is going to the dogs may be right. Perhaps it's going to the roaches. Do you think any apartments in The Village have that problem?
To Goodolddays:
Yes I remember Olympic Park well. I went nearly every day in the summertime. I lived close enough that at night I could hear the voices and the sound of the Caterpillar (ride) and the whir of the rollercoaster and Wild Mouse. Yes, indeed, the Merry-go-round has been reconditioned and in in the Magic Kingdom of DisneyWorld. Every time I go there, I visit it and pay my respects and let my mind wander to a different time.
There are a number of reasons that the park closed, not the least of which was an influx of juvenile delinquents from out of town who started fights. There were a couple of knifings and locals stopped going. Sound familiar? |
Goodolddays
| | Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2001 - 1:08 pm: | |
Harold, The truth07040 and everyone else who makes all these great exchanges possible. I just visited the site of Kathy Leventhal...Maplewood Postcards...a new addition to the post card collections. What can be said....just thank goodness that someone has saved & collected such wonderful reflections of the past. I had forgotten the "Ricalton" was the original name given to the Maplewood Junior HS..now known as
MMS. This prompted me to dig out the 1776-1976 copy of Maplewood, Past & Present. Also the book on the History of Olympic Park. Find myself traveling back in time to the days of that great amusement park..the crazy mirrors at the entrance,
the band stand, Joe Basile & his band..."Bubbles"
the female singer (former high wire artist), penny arcade...and of course the "Jack Rabbit", that old wooden framed roller coaster. Does anyone recall the Whip? The man who ran the Whip ride would call into a mega-phone "Have your tickets ready if you want to ride again"? His last name was Ringling (nick name RINK)..that was my Uncle Rink. And Harold..why did it close? As our friend Thetruth07040 tried to say in a round-a-bout way "influx of juvenile delinquents from out of town". After 2 seasons of muggings, rapes and all that comes with negative changes from outside sources, the family that owned the park had no choice.....a sad day for everyone and generations to come. Did you know that a majority of Olympic Park was in Maplewood? So, along with the rides, circus, pool (largest outdoor pool in the world) and roller skating rink was gone forever. Could it have stayed open alittle longer?
..let me say this....not to long after it became just a memory....the Newark riots broke out. |
Thetruth07040
| | Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2001 - 6:53 pm: | |
Goodolddays: Yes, I remember the Whip well. And snowcones, and the little motorboats and the guy who guessed your weight. It was a remarkable part of history and to think that it was literally in our back yard is even more amazing to me. I am happy that I had that experience. How many kids get to grow up next door to a great amusement park? I must admit that I used to sneak in from the brook along Jacoby St! The book Smile about Olympic Park is a wonderful one.
Since this tread started with the issue of Irvington, I feel a need to point something out. we have all focused on Springfield Ave and its condition. Have any of you been on Styvusent Ave lately..particularly the stretch between Mill Road and Stanley Terrace? It is looking a lot like Irvington. Please realize that this is yet another border of Maplewood. |
Goodolddays
| | Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2001 - 9:34 pm: | |
Thetruth07040...yes, that section of Irvington that rests on Maplewood's border has taken on a life and look of it's own, unfortunately lacking curb appeal. By the way, if you used to sneak in from Jacoby Street, you must have lived near by.
Clocked 38 years just a block away and being so close we recieved season pass's to Oylmpic Park.
..getting back on track and the Irvington Issue, areas that border Maplewood, including Irvington Avenue, Franklin Place, Chacellor Avenue etc. are and still remain a last frontier. Not so long ago
the area of Irvington Avenue nearest Parker Avenue
where the Shop Rite used to be was being call "Fort Apache". Let me share something very interesting with you. In 1999 had the privilege of attending the Annual Maple Leaf Award Brunch at the Woman's Club and being a presenter, had the chance of speaking with 2 very very senior women,Maplewoodians who remember what the town looked like back in 1928. When I happened to mention a long-on going PSE&G gas main leak at Springfield Avenue & Prospect Street, they both admitted that in all the years they have enjoyed living in Maplewood, they collectively had never had reason to travel to that particular part of town...hadn't a clue of where or what it looked like. Amazing, don't you think? To them,Maplewood existed mainly between Valley Street (Town Hall area) and west of Wyoming Avenue (bless there hearts). I recall once hearing this question:
..............If Irvington was on fire, would Mill-burn?.....Maple-wood.
Can anything be done now to keep the flames away? |
Thetruth07040
| | Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2001 - 11:34 pm: | |
Interesting ending question, goodolddays. Yes indeed, I grew up only a few blocks from Jacoby. As I said previously, I used to lie in my bed on summer evenings and listen to the sounds of Olympic Park.
Your story of the two old women not even knowing where Springfield Ave was is sad but ever so true I'm sure. Say what you like, fellow Maplewoodians, people from that side of town have not cared much for this side....for years and years. I hear all of the discussions about how we must stop all the talk of there being two sides, and I just think...I'll stop when it stops being true. How about if this 4th of July, the town celebration is held in Dehart Park instead of Memorial Park. Wouldn't Dicken's Village look nice surrounding the Hilton Library for a change? A 24hr convenience store would be quite an asset to Maplewood Ave., no? Maybe the police officer in Maplewood village could split time and walk Springfield Ave a few days a week. |
Goodolddays
| | Posted on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 11:48 am: | |
Thetruth07040..B R A V O..the idea of having the July 4th celebration at DeHart Park has merit. It's to bad the Soccer Dome that former Mayor Ryan mentioned isn't a reality (at the far end of Rutgers Street - you know, the step-child side of town). In the real world that will never happen, as tradition has the last word. Even suggested assests to Maplewood Center..they sound good, but sadly, will never take place. |
Ffof
| | Posted on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 3:38 pm: | |
The soccer dome's not a reality because...? |
Thetruth07040
| | Posted on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 4:00 pm: | |
The Soccer dome is right up there with a few of life's other great promises.."the check's in the mail"..."we're going to redevelop Springfield Ave"....
You are ever sooo right Goodolddays. I've been here for nearly 40 years and nothing's changed, political lip service and overly optimistic, unrealistic well meaning sadly dilusional do-gooders notwithstanding. |
Tom
| | Posted on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 5:34 pm: | |
What a great idea, having fourth of july in DeHart. Such a big open space could hold a really nice fireworks display! |
Octofoil
| | Posted on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 5:43 pm: | |
Wow! Has DeHart been added to? If not, I don't think its big enough for the 4th of July festivities! Nice thought, though! |
Thetruth07040
| | Posted on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 6:36 pm: | |
Ok..how about this: perhaps we could continue to have the fireworks in Memorial but have the Circus and some other activities in Dehart. Actually, Maplecrest is probably big enough to host the fireworks?
What's the holdup now? |
Octofoil
| | Posted on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 6:50 pm: | |
Maplecrest might be large enough. But, if not, since Maplecrest and Dehart are so close together, how about the circus in one and the fireworks in the other? Would folks walking back and forth, kids crossing Springfield be a hazard? Not with some extra police on hand, as they always are at memorial. |
Harold
| | Posted on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 9:02 pm: | |
Town festivities on this side of town?????
Never happen. [Almost forgot...small happening last year at the Hilton Library on the Ave. ...]. |
Thetruth07040
| | Posted on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 9:39 pm: | |
This might just be the test for whether or not this town really cares about this side. I'd love to hear the mayor's explanation for why this can't happen.
Can you possible imagine the folks from Ridgewood and above bringing their families to Dehart for the Circus or to Maplecrest for the fireworks?
Assuming that they actually start the renovation of Springfield Ave this Spring, wouldn't July 4th be a perfect time to show it off to the residents from the West?
How about giving the businesses on the Ave an opportunity for the customers that the Village has each year at that time?
I think it warrants a thread all of its own. |
Cfa
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2001 - 7:07 am: | |
Thetruth07040...you speak of the people from the westside like we're royalty or aliens. What's up with that? You say "can you possible imagine the folks from Ridgewood and above bringing their families to Dehart for the Circus or to Maplecrest for the fireworks"? Why wouldn't we if the space was sufficient and it was easily accessible to all. You also want everyone to give the business on Springfield an "opportunity." The only opportunity I see there is to get your nails done before going to the circus.
You also talk about the renovation of Springfield Ave in the spring and wouldn't 4th of July be a perfect time to show it off to us "westsiders". Do you think we never travel Springfield? Get you head out of the sand. |
Ffof
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2001 - 9:12 am: | |
Thank you Cfa. Not to mention, how many of us have kids who play on town t-ball, baseball and softball teams. We've been going to DeHart and Maplecrest for years.
Thetruth - The town caring about "your" side? The two above mentioned parks are beautiful and well taken care of, or haven't you noticed... |
Thetruth07040
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2001 - 12:49 pm: | |
Ok..I must be dreaming. So when we have the 4th Celebration over here, you and the kids will stop by my house for a burger? |
Marie
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2001 - 3:35 pm: | |
Months ago at one of the TC meetings where the SA project was being discussed, one of the shopowners from SA mentioned that he had asked the TC to supply him with a garbage can to place outside his store - that the garbage he had to pick up every morning from his sidewalk got from bad to worse and while he put in many, many requests the garbage can never materialized. His comments had me wondering why the TC couldn't deal with the SA dilemma in a more immediate and less costly way. Wouldn't it be possible to make SA more attractive to potential shoppers by following some common sense strategies - by giving the existing shopowners what they immediately need in order to run successful businesses like: garbage cans, more police presence, enforcing storefront" aesthetic"
guidelines, making it less attratcve to tarot card readers and adult book stores ( this is probably illegal, but there must be some way around this?)
When I first moved to Maplewood and drove down SA my first thought was that it was depressed looking and really unnattractive - my second thought was that it could be so much more inviting and appealing if they picked up some of the garbage, and didn't allow hand-painted signs on the storefronts.
I have spoken to longtime residents of Maplewood who all tell me the same thing concerning SA - that is that the businesses on SA were mainly supported by the immediate neighborhoods around
SA. When the racial makeup of the neighborhood changed, so did the businesses - in order to attract the kinds of businesses that will bring meaningful commerce back to SA a new residential
base of apartments, condos, etc. would have to move into that part of the community to maintain these new businesses.
I wonder what kind of impact that would have on
our already overcrowded school system.
The shopowners I have spoken to seem to be most skeptical about the parking/traffic problems associated with the SA devleopment. They don't see the proposed one lane traffic as any kind of solution to the parking dilemma - they see it as a certain death sentence to their busineses nightmare traffic where no shops because they can't get out of their cars!
While I currently already shop on Springfield AVe. (the Hobby Shop, Puppyu Love, wyman Ford and DiPietros)
I would shop more often if the look of the avenue changed and by that I don't mean a 10,000 million dollar bonded facelift, but perhaps a new coat of paint here and there and a little less garbage would make it all that more appealing to me.
Since the original thread here was the Irvington Factor I'm curious about what kind of relationship Maplewood now has with Irvington? Is is a proactive or adversarial one? Is Irvington interested in what Maplewood has planned and are they willing to come along for the ride?
The way the whole Springfield Avenue "thing" has been explained to me is that springfield Avenue was basically supported by the immediate neighborhoods that surround it. When the racial makeup of these neighborhoods changed, so did the businesses.
If stores like Staples, Starbucks etc. were to come to SA where would they be located? The existing commercial properties seem to be too small to accomodate these kinds of businesses. I also heard it suggested that new residential properties such as apartments or condos would need to be built in order to sustain these businesses as well - what kind of impact would that have on our already overcrowded school system? Finally the parking issue according to the business owners I have spoken to - has yet to be successfully solved.
SA is already a precarious stretch now that it has been turned into one lane. |
Thetruth07040
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2001 - 4:41 pm: | |
Marie,
Your questions are well founded. More than 8 years ago I was writing letters to the News Record asking why we couldn't get garbage cans on SA and yet there was one every ten feet in the Village. Ultimately, they did put a few..in my opinion, too few. This thread discussed a walking police officer. That would go a long way toward making people feel safer. I also cannot understand why building codes can't be enforced regarding store signage.
My wife and I both work and we eat out or get take out at least three nights a week. I would love to be able to just walk up to SA on some evenings for that. In fact, I'd love to be able to have a nice meal and walk along the Ave and windowshop as we head home. Why must I go the the Village or Millburn or South orange Center for a cappuccino? I think that even the newer "racial makeup" likes a nice espresso now and then. I appreciate having Rite-Aid there, but have e you been inside lately? Looks like a junk store. There is a wonderful video store on the ave with a guy who can fix nearly any electronic device. Does anyone on the other side of town know it's there..or don't their VCRs and stereos ever break?
The Adult Store is out of business, I understand (the owner was allegedly jailed for tax evasion). What will become of that site. It was an eyesore when it was open. Will it be left to deteriorate now that it is somewhat abandoned?
Parking remains a problem and has to be addressed. I would hope that the Redevelopment Committee has a plan. If we are going to spend large sums of money and that has not been resolved then I can understand the shop owners lack of enthusiasm about the program. |
|
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page