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Messages - prospectgirl

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Hackensack History / Re: The "A Stroll Down Main Street" exhibit
« on: May 26, 2010, 12:25:46 AM »
wow, great pic of Packards!  does anyone remember when Main St became a one way? In the pic with McCrory's it had the traffic moving south. And when did McCrory's become Woolworths?

Awesome Packard's Christmas memories... just plain awesome... I concur!!!  From my memory, I  certainly remember Woolworth's standing a few doors down from Central Avenue and across the street from a big clock on the corner opposite where the #82 used to drop off its riders from Main Street in Bogota. To my best recollection, Woolworth's had been long-standing at the end of Main by Central.

I do seem to recall a smaller variety store though, not unlike today's dollar-type stores, situated toward the direction of South Hackensack in my younger teenager years. However, I thought that Mc Crory's was located elsewhere and do not recall that Woolworth's replaced it at any later time.

 Does anyone else remember that Lamston's, another variety store, was on the North end of Main Street (toward the direction of Fairmount), perhaps past Passaic Street (?), but not far from the corner where a big sporting store stood [the one where I bought both roller skates and ice skates each year. I cannot remember its name. I know that Lamston's stood  somewhere nearby it on the side of the street opposite from Sears and Roebuck...

 Moreover, testing my memory further, I am stretching to remember if that afore-mentioned sport shoe place had been the place that also carried the soft-bottomed ballet shoes my mom bought me, which came in many colors. Throughout those years though, I more clearly recall a very small,  boutique-like specialty store, near the center of Main(in the vicinity of Johnson's Library and Singer's)where I would purchase my tap shoes and then later the beloved first ballet toe slippers when I finally attained toe dancer level. Oh, how thrilling to buy those pink slippers with their long silken wraps of ribbons, a young dancer's dream.

As a young child, I remember taking lessons somewhere on or near Main Street and later danced at a studio out of town (toward the direction of Maywood)... Would anyone remember names? I think that a girl named Patty Campbell attended dance classes there, too ( in Hackensack).  Patty attended Holy Angels Academy, not HTS, although she lived on Maple Avenue on the same side of the street as the convent, a few houses before reaching the railroad tracks.  Can anyone clarify or confirm any of these musings???? Locations or names of stores?....

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We haven't heard from prospectgirl in a while, glad you're back.

To find your friends, try the old standby, facebook.

Good Morning Just Watching!... (and others who may be watching)
Thank you for the friendly shout-out...I wanted to send you a message instead of a post, but for the life of me, I cannot figure out this newer format...
Not computer savvy, sorry... Actually, I realized this morning that I have been referring to my childhood home as the current Camelot location, as I previously thought I remembered that my mother (now deceased) had shown me that structure.  Indeed, on my last visit  to Jersey, twenty years ago, I drove down Prospect Avenue stunned by the changes, yet I can no longer clearly recall which building stood on the site of the old mansion. So, now I am quite unsure. Earlier, I did try to untangle my uncertainty on Google maps. Hopeless!
Might you still remember that you once replied to me with the addresses on Prospect? Our home was the third home from the corner of Central Avenue...the property spanned from # 253 to 257...Do you know which structure stands there now?
If you would be so kind to help, any information would be greatly appreciated....    :) Prospect Girl  :)

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Dear Warren... Thank you for your reply and for the photo link!

I attended HTS from late '49 on through until its closing and the subsequent move across from the church...Our principal was Sister Claire, while Sister Juliana was her top "administrator", so to speak.... I loved the school and without the foundation provided there, I could not have risen as I did within the academic community. Still serving my own community, I always try to imitate the selflessness and kindness shown by my teachers. I must report, however, my brothers did not claim similar experiences of their days at HTS ;) as they possessed somewhat more rambunctious natures, whereas I of course posed as the perfect, docile, quiet and studious young girl... ;D (he he). Hmmm, no Lane mini-chests in those years, lucky you!

As for my childhood home, it sat directly across from the large white mansion you referenced in your post (ours on the property that now holds the Camelot structure). Actually, in 1958, my younger sister (then age 2) accidentally bumped into  the  hand brake on our shiny new white Ford station wagon. Before anyone else could be seated, the vehicle careened down our very steep, sharply curved driveway, miraculously slipped through a narrow passage between two massive curbside trees,  flew across Prospect Avenue, and jumped the opposite curb. My sister and the car ended up embedded in those lovely lush shrubs, the sturdy hedge you remember. That event began a closer, more neighborly connection between my mom and the nice  lady who owned the house and the afore-referenced black Packard. One further note for those who keep an interest in the Fort Lee film industry...That old white mansion setting was filmed often. My mom would call us all home to watch the comings and goings of the great vans and film crews as they spent days shooting film on the site of that beautiful old mansion. Does anyone else know anything more on that subject? If so, maybe a new thread could reap much delight and interest.

 My parents purchased our home in early 1947-48, but our family did not occupy the old Blickweed mansion until after it had been updated with modern electrical wiring and other standard 1950's style conveniences, such as an electric second furnace that sat behind the still functioning gigantic original old coal furnace in the basement. The home's exterior was also renovated, yet retained the distinctive elements of its charming nineteenth century architecture. Moreover, great care was taken to preserve many extraordinary details and features in the elegance of its old world interior, which included on the two main floors several enormous wood-burning fireplaces that commanded lavish attention. Oh, please excuse my wanderings...

Warren, several months back, I posted a reply to Top Of The Hill as follows...

"Our home was [located] on the property that the Camelot behemoth now covers....Gone are our gardens and the gorgeous beech trees I climbed, fearlessly I might add. Perchance, did you ever come to join in the sledding down the hill by the white-pillared southern mansion on the corner of Central across from our property? When it snowed the servants from that home would monitor our safety all day long. Kids came from far and wide... Hmmm....quite the childhood I had there.... sometimes I miss it so much, but then I look at the posts and realize how very much is long gone, or so changed".... 

Hope these musings bring warm memories to those who might wonder about the children who lived on The Prospect of Old...

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Hi Mr. Leafe...

The high school was located in the basement of HTS. As I remember it, there existed two entry points, which I remember from civil defense drills. One entrance was to the immediate left of the cafeteria sales tables, and  just beyond the girls' and boys' restrooms stood a portentous set of double doors. Somberly, we would file through, two abreast in total calm and silence. Younger students were handed off one- by- one to a high school student, who on command from Sister Claire was ordered to duck with the child under one of many large wooden desks. There we remained in dead quiet in an attempt to shelter ourselves from the impending threat of nuclear doom- so frightening. Ironically, those fearful images are wildly mixed with other pleasant ones. Indeed, just recalling the setting evokes the memory of the tantalizing lunchroom smells of hot dogs on soft buns and cold tuna sandwiches rising aloft to our classrooms as our lunchtime neared! 

BTW...Another jolt from the past prompts me to ask, weren't we all confirmed by the magnificent Monsignor Burke? 

Your contributions are priceless to me...thank you...

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Hackensack History / Jack's Cleaners
« on: May 18, 2010, 05:56:27 AM »
Does anyone remember this store on the street below Main Street? I believe it was located next to the old Acme grocery... next building down from the entrance of Acme's parking lot... circa late 40's...early 50's... Also, did anyone know Maddie, a very small-statured person who worked checkout at Acme, a special lady who lived on River Road in Bogota?   Indeed...she had a big  heart and a big voice... :angel:

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Thank you once more, Mr. Leafe....

BTW...would anyone know of a young man named Roger Foran who lived on the left side of Prospect -near Passaic St. [across from the old....(something) Arms apartments]. Also, I remember a young man named Donny Spellman from further down the street (after crossing Passaic) that practically faced, just a bit beyond Anderson, that little jut of land. I still remember hot summer evenings when they would race their bikes around that point. Does that little island still exist,across from the church?  Indeed, there was a little side street near the jutting grass going back toward Passaic that led to the outlet, where there stood a little small gas station on the corner just above Bob's Candy Store. I imagine that shop must be long gone. Oh my goodness-(he he he)- :laugh: I have suddenly remembered that Danny Esposito lived right down the street from the candy store. Oh surely, someone must still remember the Esposito's grocery and delivery truck. It was nearly as ubiquitous as the Good Humor Man's. 

More comments to follow..must get on the road...

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Thank you Mr. Leafe...

You are so right, the young Schaberg girl is named Helen, and she is indeed a nurse. I last caught a glimpse of her at her father's Anderson Street office in the early '70s. Could you remind me of the name of the side street there?

Thank you for the nice piece on Robert Holmes (of Catalpa Avenue in my day). It brought both sad surprise and a smile of delight to remember his humor so vividly... I will contact Mr. Kelly to learn more. I see that you were following several years behind my class, so I am not sure of the info on Frances, Kathleen and Vincent if they are part of  your own class, which you stated.

BTW... I do  remember that Mary Ann Hyer was the best runner in my class and that she was a very tall young girl....

For someone like me, so far away from my hometown roots, your kind reply and regular postings are much appreciated.

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Prospect  girl searching for classmate, Janice Bellochio...anyone know her?

Also seeking Frank Schaberg and his younger sister....(Kathleen?)

Still seeking Bonnie France,  and Dominic Pisano....

Sandra Tumac, Mary Ann Hyer, and Robert Holmes (Teaneck)... Would anyone know how to find a roster from Sister Rita's first grade class in 1950?
Also two girls named Frances and Kathleen (also from  Teaneck) and a boy named Vincent...

just hoping...

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Hackensack Discussion / Re: Baldwin Park/Cricket
« on: March 20, 2009, 05:22:20 AM »

                              Where exactly is Baldwin Park? Did it exist in the 1950's?

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Hackensack Discussion / Re: 1951 Crossing Guards
« on: February 01, 2009, 11:12:37 PM »
My mother had a good friendship with a Hackensack Police person named Bea France. She was a crossing guard on Passaic Street close to the corner nearest the railroad tracks that run over to the fire-destroyed Anderson Street depot. Bea lived up the hill a bit from that intersection on the right side of Passaic Street, if you were walking up the hill from downtown.Unfortunately, I do not remember the name of the other street on that intersection. Bea's daughter was named Bonnie France and she was a bit younger than I am. Bonnie went to Holy Trinity as did I, and I can picture their home very well to this day, inside and out. I may be completely wrong, but if my memory serves me well, Bonnie's parents were divorced, something nearly unheard of in the early fifties.I remember the tall, thin woman in the photos and am thinking the reason I recognize her is that she may very well be Bea France. The woman in the group photo (2nd from right) looks most familiar of all.  Does anyone else remember the family?

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                                         How quickly the new phoenix rises!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        sad,sad, sad...oh, so sad to lose such a cherished place and its treasure...   


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Hackensack History / On a lighter note...food nostalgia
« on: January 10, 2009, 11:57:22 PM »
On a lighter note...
I found these three remarks posted on a comment chain online, although these are not my own comments, each touches my own sweet memories. I wanted to share them, but I do not know how to create a link to there, so I thought maybe some board readers might want to add some  personal notes on "food" nostalgia on this thread...

Here are three I am sharing that were part of Hackensack's past....

 
#1

I turned 60 this year and spent my childhood years in Bergen County, New Jersey during the 1950s and '60s. There were several ice cream trucks that came around in summer, including the Good Humor man. Those little white trucks had bells mounted above the windshields which the driver operated by pulling a string. None of today's annoying music blasting over loudspeakers! The ice cream bars were kept in freezers in the back of the truck and the driver opened these really thick doors and had to reach way in to get your Popsicle or chocolate-covered vanilla ice cream bar. (All 10 cents.) There were hardly any chain "fast food" places unless you counted Dairy Queens, which in those days had only soft ice cream, served at walk-up windows. My friends and I went to a soda fountain in either a drug store or Mom and Pop candy store to get Cokes for either 5 or 10 cents, made by squirting Coke syrup into a paper, cone-shaped cup held by a stainless steel holder, then they would fill the cup with seltzer and stir it up with a spoon. We kids earned our spending money by bringing soda bottles back to the sore for a 2-cent deposit on small bottles and 10 cents on the large. If we were lucky enough to find a quart-sized beer bottle, we could return it to the liquor store for 10 cents! Ice cream sodas and milk shakes were 25 cents and a malted was 30 cents. They would give you the stainless steel mixer cup and it would fill a standard sized Coca Cola glass about three times. Ice cream cones were ten cents.
The local lunch counters cooked their hamburgers on the grill but sometimes my grandfather would take me to a highway place called Sandy's Charcoal Hearth for a really good char-broiled burger. Naturally, after tasting these, I was completely unimpressed with the McDonald's variety, which I first tried around 1965 when fast food places started invading Bergen County, much to the chagrin of the older residents who appreciated much better food — and service.

#2

They had a chain called Dugan's "Bakers for the Home" in the NY metro area and their trucks would visit your neighborhood two or three times a week. They carried Entenmann's-quality baked goods. Milk men? Of course! We had a metal milk box and the milk man would bring us four quarts of milk every other day. (Five kids in the family.) My Mom also bought more milk during her weekly shopping trip, which sold for around 25 cents a quart.

#3

I was lucky living in Hackensack, New Jersey up until 1958 because we were within walking distance of what many people consider to be one of the finest bakeries on Earth. The B&W (Boehringer & Weimer) bakery. Their specialty was the real New Jersey-style crumb cakes, where the cake is about an inch high and the crumbs on top are thicker than the cake! They also sold very good 7-layer and Neapolitan cakes with butter cream icing so rich it tasted like chocolate or vanilla flavored butter! Their brownies, with chocolate icing and walnuts, were only 8 cents apiece!


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Hackensack History / Re: Hackensack: Three Centuries of Prosperity
« on: January 10, 2009, 11:44:19 PM »
Dear Editor,

My day was saddened when I found that yet another fire has claimed a part of Hackensack's treasure. I am among those who have felt a strong desire to voice a need for some sort of historical commission (such as the one that Teaneck enjoys- with oral interviews of people like the late George Scudder). Had he not left a legacy of his own initiative, we would all be the poorer. In the case of Mr. Scudder, and now with the destruction of yet another part of Hackensack’s history, the effort to preserve structures as well as memoirs, anecdotes and factual documents of our collective memories presses on me once again. The lack of a commission of such a kind brings to my mind the outworn cliché that we (those of Hackensack's past and present) are yet “a day late, a dollar short” in each of the two cases. How I would love to hear the recorded voice of Mr. Scudder, for each generation carries its own special cadence in rhetoric, style and usage.
 
Mr. Editor, your commitment here is deeply regarded by me. I hope you will continue to heartily pursue whatever little fragments and threads of history that are still remaining, particularly of the years just after the two wars. Postwar Hackensack was both pastoral and urban, a reminder not only suggested here by me, but also one that  your dear sister recently voiced so eloquently.

My personal thanks once again.

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Hackensack History / Holy Trinity School 1950's
« on: January 10, 2009, 05:02:46 AM »
Does anyone remember any of the names of the Sisters of Charity who taught at HTS throughout the 1950's.
I remember Sister Rita...1st grade; Sister Elizabeth...2nd grade (who was transferred somewhere else mid- 50's, but don't remember where she went or who replaced her); Sister Joseph...3rd grade; and a woman who was not a nun who taught 4th grade; Sister Vincent 5th?; Sister ( Agnes?) 6th?; Sister Claire (mother superior?)7th?;Sister Juliana 8th? Anyone out there with a clearer memory or access to actual data such as an old year book? Has anyone else on the board attended during that period, or remember someone else who did?

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Hackensack Discussion / Re: Ode to Hackensack (Seriously)
« on: January 05, 2009, 06:58:49 AM »
Editor...
Would you happen to know where to find Susan Norton? How did you first find her ? Have you ever have any other postings from her?
Her posting prompted me to join and yesterday I noticed a new member who had been inspired to join in the same way that I was. Does the "board" have a way to keep contact with Susan Norton???

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