CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY
HEARD ON THE AVENUE & STASH BY GOSH
Paul Zachary & Stan Bednarczyk's Columns about life and events in Whitman
Park
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For many years Camden mailman Stan Bednarczyk reported on the everyday goings-on and community events in Whitman Park for a weekly newspaper, the Camden County Record, which was based in Gloucester City. Stan had a regular column "Stas By Gosh". Stan has also had articles published in the Courier-Post and the Polish American Journal. He currently lives in Haddon Heights, New Jersey, and is currently writing an account of his life and times in Camden. Born in Philadelphia and raised in Camden, the late Paul Zachary, church historian of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, also had wrote for the Camden County Record. His column, was called "Heard on the Avenue" - the Avenue in question of course being Mount Ephraim Avenue- and reported in great detail many of the social events of the neighborhood. Mr. Zachary, whose career in local journalism dated back to the 1930s, also wrote and produced a history for St. Joseph's Church commemorating its 75th anniversary in 1967. Paul Zachary passed away in 1992 in his 85th year. |
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| Camden County Record - July 10, 1969 |
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HEARD ON THE AVENUE If anything, smile at Becky Dombrowski the next time for originality. Before the Easter holidays inquisitive friends were jestingly informed the "pinkie" was a result from a fall off a bar stool. Recipients of birthday cards from the Dombrowskis are now reminded with a card picturing a mouse on a bar stool while holding up a wine glass, "You know what happens!" * * * Firecracker time is birthday time for Mrs. Frances Prosinski, Mrs., Genevieve Lang and Chase Street's Blll Tanski. There are probably others, but theirs was the loudest. * * * A change in meeting dates for the St. Joseph's High School Fathers' Club was announced by Edwin Raiczyk, president, after a telephone conversation with Father Leo V. Rea, newly appointed principal at the school. Fathers with students attending the school, including the new freshmen class, are invited to attend the next meeting Monday, July 21, at8p.m. in the cafeteria at Mt. Ephraim Avenue and Dayton Street. Raiczyk said it is Father Rea's wish to be present along with Bill Sherlock, the new Bison football coach. The meeting was originally scheduled for the 14th. * * * Joe Olejniczak found the gimmick that got him a quick medical discharge from West Jersey Hospital where he was confined for a few days for observation. According to a friend his doctor agreed with the nurse there's nothing wrong with a guy who'll hide a Playboy magazine under his pillow. So Joe got the heave hot quicker'n he expected. * * * An appeal for manpower has been sounded by the Whitman Park Youth Organization for the expected crowds that will witness the final selection of the area team that will represent District 14 in the Little League World's Series games at Williamsport, Pennsylvania. For the first time in WPYO history, the local organization will serve as host for the championship playoffs. Although the schedule sounds rather complicated, the series will begin on July 14 in a game between Gloucester and Fairview which will be played in Audubon and the winner wlll play WPYO on July 16 in Stratford. In between, on the 15th WPYO wlll host two games with Centervllle and 12th Ward which should attract more than 1,000 fans to the Davis and Copewood Street's field. And this is where the manpower shortage comes in. A work day to put the playing fields into shape is scheduled for the 13th at 10 a.m. That is where community pride and spirit is needed very badly. Many hands will make the task easier and the area' residents are urged in an ardent appeal to join in the "get ready project." Parents of boys participating in the WPYO community sports program, their friends, neighbors and local sportsmen are invited to help and show the guest suburbanites a true community spirit exists here. As a memo check: July 13, 10 a.m. Davis and Copewood Streets. In the event the WPYO all-stars are involved in the championship game later, the contest will be decided at the Haddon Heights Little League field. *** The Rosary Society of St. Joseph's Church is sponsoring a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, Pa., on Sunday, July 27. Additional information on bus reservations and tickets may be obtained by contacting trip chairman Mrs. Elizabeth Koszewski; 365-1688. * * * Walt Piatek, PACC's activity publicist, arrived home from a Tennessee vacation over the weekend, worrying about having nothing to report. He didn't catch any Mississippi catfish during the hiatus from work but managed to enjoy an announcement in the Nashville Times that Gert's House features "Kielbasa with sauerkraut." While in Nashville they stayed With Mrs. Piatek's sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Throneberry. Piatek commented that some of the better fish catches he witnessed were at the nearby lakes formed by the Tennessee valley system of dams. He said, "They looked much fatter than those caught by our local fishing clubs on offshore trips." The lone complaint voiced by Walt concerned the excessive heat. "Even a trip to the high Smoky Tennessee Mountain National Park didn't cool off the desire to be back at the PACC to enjoy the new air-condltioning installment there." A rabid Phillies' fan, Piatek thought it, was strange that the Phillies went on a nine game winning streak while he was away. George Spahn and Chick Biegalski suggested he should go away for a permanent vacation and perhaps the Allen-less Phils would win the National League pennant. *** The usually voluble Joey Powell has a secret he refuses to divulge in the naming of a librarian to, replace Zygmunt Dziemianowicz. who until his his untimely death took care of the 3,000 plus tomes on the library shelves. "I’ve got the guy," he said. "If you wanna know who he is come to the next club meeting." |
| Camden County Record - December 31, 1970 |
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HEARD ON THE AVENUE Looking ahead to the new year activities listed for St. Joseph's Church parishioners and friends, a half dozen are already scheduled with four coming In January. The Holy Name Society's annual family communion breakfast will be held on the 10th with corporate communion at the 9 o'clock mass and the morning repast in the lower hall. The High School Fathers' Club will stage their annual "Booster Social" on the 16th in the cafeteria up the hill, where on the 24th the school's PTA will hold an old fashioned card party. The BVM Sodality will serve a spaghetti supper on the 31st at 10th and Liberty Streets. St. Lucia's Choir once again have a firm hold for a social gathering on the Saturday before the Lenten Season begins with a repeat performance on Feb. 20 of last year's successful "Beef 'n' Beer Nite." The Grammar School PTA's dinner and fashion show date is March 4 at the Hawaiian Cottage. * * * Fun, food, dancing and singing will be the New Year's Eve fare at the Polish Army Veterans' Post 121 and Ladies' Auxiliary celebration in the home at 1306 Mt. Ephraim Avenue. Members are invited to bring along guests for the last day of the year formalities that will begin at 8 p.m. * * * Ladies' hair stylist Mary McDonald wishes to extend with her New Year wishes to area friends and customers her thanks to all for the cards, flowers, phone ca1ls to her mother, Mrs. Virginia McDonald, that brightened her recent stay at West Jersey Hospital. Also the nursing staff, doctors and other personnel on 4-D at the Northern Division. * * * "Alka Seltzer's" 10-day disappearance act before the Christmas holidays created a stir around La Victoria Cafe, where disturbed "Manny," the night clerk behind the taps, said she was probably in Ohio or at Winnie's Grove, where "Wladek" said she was either at Pooch's or Chaney's. Alka popped out unexpectedly Christmas Eve with the answer that floored everyone - she was at home "knitting booties!" ' * * * The Holy Rosary Society's annual "Oplatkowa Kolacja" (Christmas Wafer Supper) will be held Sunday, Jan. 17, at 4 p.m. in the grade school lower hall, 10th and Liberty Streets. Mrs. Elizabeth Koszewski is chairman. She may be' contacted for ticket purchases at $3.50 per person. Call 365-1688. *
* * Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians won't be at the Club Honey Dew New Year's Eve and yet the Oaklyn Polka Casino's reservations for that night have been all taken. Instead Guy and his famous band will be on TV while The Four Guys and a Doll will provide the musical spark behind the gaiety at the South Jersey club on the, White Horse Pike. The Blue Bell Four will be there Sunday from 4 to 9:30 p.m., but check Jan. 10 for a "Hobo Night" when the bell-ringer finals will also be held with first prize a week's admission to the Kaminski Polka Festival in June worth $22.50. In any event, large parties wishing reservations should call 854-6798. * * * The PACC Friday night polka socials will resume Jan. 8 with Joe Jaworski's Metro Tones furnishing the music for the late evening entertainment, when there is no admission or cover charge and the beer 'mugs cold and frothy. Athletic chairman Charley Effen was almost ready to press the pool tournament buzzer when someone reminded him of the holiday season. Effen's been busy with the umpires' association, a club director besides being in charge of the club's athletic activities. In the busy whirl he forgot about Christmas and the Post Office rush where Frank (Pan) Hass, the tourney overseer, is up to his ears in work. The tournament was postponed for a couple of weeks so this should allow any late comer still time to enter for the winter-long competition. All that is needed is name, address, phone number on any piece of blank paper, which should then be deposited in the box at the club's bulletin board. The position of club steward is still open for applications with the pending retirement of Frank (Junior) Lawrenz. Members interested should contact Lenny Drozd for further particulars. The job is open to any member with the proper qualifications. * * * We wish all our readers a happy New Year, brimming with good health and lots of New Jersey State Lottery winners in Whitman Park. Also that in the coming days George Riegert and our "Czarnina Kid" meet and decide who makes the best and biggest batches of Polish duck soup. And that all our fishermen catch some baby whales to top the 375-pound sunfish Pete Kokocha caught ages ago but he still blubbers about it. Up the hill "Crank Franky" breaks into a big smile, and among other things, Frank Zaremba and Stanley Adamski keep their fish and hunt confessions on a credibility level, and the PAWCC hula dancers shake, wriggle and roll like nobody's business at the next Harvest Ball. |
| Camden County Record - November 25, 1976 |
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HEARD ON THE AVENUE The annual Christmas dinner meeting of Unia Polek, Group No. 5, will take place Friday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m., at the Polish American Citizens' Club, Camden. Dinner reservation service is being provided by Mrs. Regina Brodzik (966-1089), and Mrs. Stephanie Bernatowicz (966-3310). Members who plan to share in the Yule repast are urged to cooperate with the committee. ••• Senator-Mayor Angelo Errichetti . with Daniel Ciechanowski, Stanley Mojta and a few State political bigwigs strolling the boards in Atlantic City at 2 a.m. while attending the League of Municipalities Convention held at the seaside resort last week. That's one way -of walking off late dinner calories, especially in a smog-free atmosphere. ••• The Polish- Auxiliary to the West Jersey Hospital will hold its annual Christmas party Friday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m., at the Polish American Citizens' Club with Mrs. George Helm as chairman. Members have been alerted that all reservations must be made by Nov. 27 of this week. Mrs. Helm may be called at 429-1524. A pollyanna in the three dollar range will be one of the highlights, participation is optional. Members may bring along a guest, but by reservation only. •••• "Kooz" and his earthly wares have been relocated in an exclusive East-Camden area. Here's how he described his latest moving operation: ~ "It's a nice place but the landlord asks too much for his rent." "Really," remarked Tommy Tanski, Rab's Cafe draughtman. "Yep," replied our slightly - miffed hero. "Last week he asked for it four times." ••• St. Rita's Group 139, Polish Beneficial Association, is sponsoring its annual Senior Citizens Ladies Christmas dinner Sunday, Dec. 12 in the St. Joseph's parish lower hall, 10th and Liberty Streets. An invitation is extended for attendance to all ladies in the 60 and plus age range. Please call either 963-2370 for 964-1601 for reservations. ••• Foremost among the many festive Yuletide season's gatherings is the annual retirees' dinner and social conducted by the St. Joseph's Church Holy Name Society. The event this year will take place Sunday, Dec. 5, at 3 p.m. in the old grade school cafeteria, 10th and Liberty Streets. President Frank Jaworski reports 47 retired men of the South Camden parish have registered with the committee in charge of arrangements. Family members of retired fathers are asked to cooperate with the committee by contacting Jaworski at 964-0189. In some cases, Jaworski added, the lack of transportation service could be the reason for staying at home. Membership in the society is not compulsory, Jaworski said. All retired men of the parish are invited to share in the day's pleasure without costing a penny. Walter Wielechowski's name was the only addition to last week's listing although there is at least more than 20 retired men who have never joined in the gettogether for some unknown reason. Jaworski may be called at 964-0189. •••• Auto seat cover man Ben Marko will carry on at least temporarily the business he shared with his brother Eddie on Kaighn ave. The day before Eddie passed away at West Jersey Hospital as a heart victim, Ben showed him the little item reporting his illness. Eddie grinned and said, "Hey, how about that.” •••• A bachelor surprise party contrived by Joe Feeley's soonto-be brothers-in-law and a few friends was last week's fun howler at the Polish American Citizens' Club Friday night polka social. Joe was strapped at the ankle with a heavy iron ball and chain throughout the evening. The chain gang for floor fun included Joe Feeley, Sr., James Feeley, Frank Jaworski, Joe Jaworski, Sr., Joe Jaworski, leaderman of the Metro Tones, who'll do the music for Friday's social; Dave Grebe, Larry Schmidt, and Walter Serovich. Sideliners enjoying the chain reaction were Sophie and Fred Picini, Ange and Jack Leonardi (belated birthday), Mary and Gary Rea (wedding anniversary), Mary and Chippy Cipollini, who didn't miss a dance. After a brief absence, Joseph Jaroszewski was welcomed back with Anna Mroczkowski, Helen Kaszubowski, Palmyra's Helen Rambeau, and Anna Swiacki. City council president Daniel Ciechanowski with his wife Leona were hosts of Barbara and Walter Berreski. Theresa and Ted Piatek with the John Quigleys of Turnersville enjoyed most of all the dance of Stanley Kendzior with lightfooted Joey Powell. They're the PACC's whirling dervishes. Henry Polanski, chairman of the PACC New Year's Eve party got most of his action pushing, with his co-chairman Icy Olszewski, tickets for the last day of the year event. They're tabbed at $12.50 per person, and they showed eager listeners that twice that amount would be $25.00 per couple. It was all so elementary for them. However, a call to either one at 966-6662 could clear up some doubt on how many couples are already committed. Polanski and Olszewski both aver accommodations are limited, hence tickets are also limited. That plus the fact that St. Joseph's parish council earlier announced cancellation due to the excessive cost of providing live music on New Year's Eve. Here the PACC mathematicians used subtraction to show this means one less place to go and this undoubtedly indicates an early sellout. Think it over, they concluded. ••• A jolly crowd in the 180 count attended the 19th annual Whitman Park Fishing Clubs Association awards dinner and social last Saturday at the Polish American Citizens' Club. Stella's Fishing Club was declared officially as the 1976 champions with The Fishin' Poles taking the runner-up trophy. Four members of the Stella crew also took individual honors symbolized with appropriate trophies. Joe Deleski caught the most fish in three tourney sanctioned sea trips; Bob Palese took two prizes for the highweight bluefish and a tautog tie with teammate Bob Auletto, while Joe Galiano's weakfish was a stunning five-plus pounder he clubbed (according to unofficial reports, of course) with a beer can he was holding when the weakie jumped into the boat. Willie Newkirk, Big Reels Fishing Club, took two individual awards for the heftiest porgy and flounder. The Fishin'Poles' Walt Drapinski won the seabass prize. Eddie (Springy) Trzebuniak will remain in office as president for the ensuing year with Anthony (Tony) Matusiak, vice president, and Edward Baldyga, secretary-treasurer. Springy announced the association's charter will be open for several new clubs invited to participate in the 20th tournament in 1977. Special events celebrants among the guests included a birthday songfest for Joe Fox, who chug-a-lugged a full pitcher of beer (this you had to see to believe. So believe the guy did it) while the singers just gasped out the last notes. Mae and Eddie Baldyga received congratulatory wishes on their 28th wedding anniversary. They were married at St. Joseph1s on a Saturday with Fr. Lawrence Faber officiating. Many out-of-town guests were impressed with the club's facilities. They hope to return next year for the 20th anniversary celebration. The PACC Fishing Club should reenter the association for membership after withdrawing for an independent status a few years ago. The St. Joseph's Holy Name Society has a lot of fishing buffs and should also apply for admission to enjoy a competitive summer fishing season. |
| Camden County Record - November 25, 1976 |
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STAS BY GOSH Winter is coming! Winter is coming! And so are all the forecasts. The consensus of opinion is that we're in for a cold snowy winter and even the Farmer's Almanac concurs. It's the Almanac's prediction that Groundhog Day through the first day of Spring will be especially cold and snowy. Not that I doubt the Farmer, or even his Almanac but 1 recently went out on my own to interview a group of particular kind of weather prognosticators. No, not weathermen but the special breed of working men. The guys who earn their paychecks working outdoors, in all kinds of weather condition. The thinking behind this venture was that perhaps these respecters of Mother Nature could enlighten mea bit about winter time. And now, before I could say Old Man Winter, all sorts of winter predicting devices came blowing into my notebook. First, there was Bob Wolozen, a truck driver for Bartie's Oil Service. His estimate of this coming winter being a mild one with only three inches of snow was somewhat surprising; But even more surprising was how this prediction came about. Turns out that Bob is a keen observer of spiders and their web making abilities. According to him the webs this fall were weak and poorly constructed, thereby signifying a mild winter with little snow. Camden fireman Ron Gorski gets his winter clues from what he calls "the foolproof fog forecast". The belief here is that somehow the fogs of Autumn coincide with the amount of winter snow. There weren't too many foggy mornings so Ron estimates about a foot of snow with the winter being on the cold side. Likeable Whitman Park letter carrier Frankie Gable has. a winter predicting theory that has to do with pine tree needles. He advises that a larger than usual amount of needles were dropped by the trees this year and this is nature's way of predicting for about two feet of snow. The temperature; however, will be in the average seasonal range. George York, Fairview's hard working milkman is also a squirrel man. George studies these tree dwelling rodent's food gathering habits and this year they have been working overtime storing nuts for what he says will be a very cold winter with no less than ten inches of snow. And finally, the most astonishing weather predicting philosophy came from Camden Police officer Joe Kowalski who I met on a street in one of South Jersey's most fashionable suburbs. When I asked him about the severity of the coming winter he immediately pointed· to the expensive homes nearby, all with fireplaces, and quickly went into his "Injun Joe" routine. He said "Bad winter, much snow. Maybe forty inches." "But how do you know?" I asked "White man make big firewood pile." |
| Camden County Record - March 20, 1980 |
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HEARD ON THE AVENUE Inclement weather postponed St. Joseph's Holy Name Society's meeting last week until tonight when the group will gather at 8 p.m., in the Senior Center. A series of telephone relays initiated by John Filipek, president, and other officers to members who attend the meetings regularly served well as a last minute alert to stay at home. The thoughtfulness was commendatory and appreciated. While the Phillies are working out the winter kinks in Florida, Filipek is busy with reminders that he has 50 reservations for the Houston Astros game at the Vet for May 23rd. The Friday night game will start at8:05. The round trip bus transportation will start and return to 10th and Liberty Streets. ••• Two teams will represent T & A Cafe in softball competition this year. The "Red" team, managed by Franco Schultz and Richie (Rocky) Prorok, is entered in the Ron Ryba Slo-Pitch League, while Robbie Schultz will manage the "Blue' club in the Andy Mitchell Slo-Pitch League. Bad weather conditions cancelled the Red team's meeting last Thursday until this Saturday ••• Bernie Goydish and his orchestra will provide the music entertainment at the 4th annual ball of the South Jersey Polka Dots, Saturday at the Polish American Citizens' Club, Warsaw and Lowell Streets, South Camden. If the weatherman's long-range prediction "clear and bright" holds up for Saturday night, cochairladies Marie Kuligowski and Jean Youst are doing a little prognosticating on their own by adding a good crowd will be on hand to enjoy the music of Bernie Goydish. The musical talents of Bernie Goydish are well-known statewide. He is one of the promoters of the annual polka extravaganza at Wildwood-Bythe-Sea, and he is the stage program chairman for the Polish Festival that will be held June 1 at the Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel, N. J. Polka Dots' ticket committee, headed by Betty Polanski, still has a few on hand at $4.00 in advance. Ticket buyers at the door will pay $4.50 as the admission donation. Mrs. Polanski may be called at 933-1195; Mrs. Youst, 346-0573,· and Jennie Hagen at 662-1570. ••• An important adjunct to the annual "Polka Ball" designed to raise funds for the Polish Auxiliary to the West Jersey Hospital is the program book. The charity event depends a lot on the book which contains business advertising and a listing of friends as patrons. Mrs. Wanda Ornaf is program book chairman for the polka ball's 40th renewal this year on Saturday, April 26, at the Polish American Citizens' Club, South Camden. Mrs. George Helm is in charge of patrons' listings. Information on advertising can be made through Mrs. Ornaf by calling 428-9670. Friends wishing to be listed as supporting patrons should contact Mrs. Helm at 429-1524. The copy deadline for printing preparations is tentatively set for April 1. Although invitations have been already sent by mail, additional invitations may be obtained by calling invitations chairman Mrs. Ann Duda at 966-4385 or cochairman Mrs. Josephine Jaworski, 964-0189. Mrs. Lorraine Smurlo (931-9431) is in charge of table reservations. ••• The installation of three groups of officers at the Polish Army Veterans was not only unusual in itself but also the speakers were found interesting. Seated were officers of the Vets, the Auxiliary and Friends of the Vets. The membership present beamed when Bruno Skrzynski, the principle speaker as the national Commander from New York, stated that from all the Polish Army Veterans' Posts which he visited, Camden's Post 121 is the most beautiful. He said he was amazed at the reconstruction of a former movie theater and furniture store into an excellent fraternal facility. Guest speaker Bruno Wilinski agreed that only through unity of purpose such an establishment could be created and remain progressive and prosperous by being united. Father Edward Drabik, pastor of Christ of the Resurrection Church, made a big hit by being a bi-lingual master of ceremonies. There was no question both sides, those who speak only Polish and others only English, got the message. Other guests present included Camden City Councilman Daniel Ciechanowski, John Kwoka and Walter Kwoka of the Polish American Congress, Francis Williams for Leonard Drozd of the Polish American Citizens' Club, Betty Polanski and Jean Youst of the South Jersey Polka Dots. Special awards and certificates earned recognition as contributions for the betterment of the organizations went to Bruno Wilinski, Wanda Dabrowski and Eddie Matwiejewicz, who said he was overwhelmed by the honor. He has been the spark behind all the social activity at the Post 121 headquarters in recent years, He especially singled out Joe Pierzynskito's share in his honors 'as "an old buddy who is celebrating his birthday tonight." Activity at the Vets will be low key during the Easter holidays so that the membership can enjoy family festivities. The next "Cabaret Night" on April 12 will feature the Polka Shamrocks. ••• The old one, two punch didn't even faze the St. Joseph's Senior Center membership several days ago when their two top officials needed hospital attention. They just rolled with the punch when they learned Joe Busch, president, and Josephine Danielski, vice president, needed hospital attention. Both are reported as coming along fine. Joe's sitting up now after a bout in surgery, while Josephine is much refreshed after suffering from exhaustion. ••• Shure an' begorrah! The Pol-Irish St. Patty's Day party at the Polish American Citizens' Club last Sunday didn't need any prodding by a shillelagh to enjoy a barrel of fun. Although there was lots and lots of Kelly green around. most important was green that was saved by a package concocted by Lenny Drozd and George Plocharski. The sellout crowd was particularly grateful to head chef Stan Nowak and his kitchen helpers, Joan Nowak, Lorraine Drozd, Dolores Plocharski and Helen (Casey) Jaroszewski. Add Frank (Punk) Williams for table arrangements and Henry (Icy) Olszewski with Dottie Olszewski at the door. Club steward John Skotnicki had as his behind-the-bar associates none other than Joe (Groggy) Sacilowski and Ritchie Chrostek, all of whom did a remarkable job during the 4-hour open bar for swizzle sticks and frothy suds. The PACC entertainment committee also wishes to thank Ziggy.Napiorkowski of. Nashville East for the generous door prizes, and others for donations of cakes. Compliments were showered on Chuck Pendrak's Polka Pals Chuck, accordion, plus seven instruments, and Steve Stukowski, drums, were especially delightful. By command of the guests they played overtime for one hour. It was a St. Patty's Day party that will be long remembered, especially by all the Joes, Josephines, Patricks and Patricias who were asked to stand up for a -bow in the spotlight. Ideas are popping in Lenny Drozd's mind and his staffers. Soon there'll be another announcement for a Sunday social when a suitable date is agreed upon, and an indoor picnic, that Lenny said would be a real novelty for enjoyment of all who attend. The idea is a mere sputtering sparkle at present. There's still a lot of shaping up to do before PACC's softball team will be ready for a championship fling in league competition. Once the season starts, the PACCers will play their night games on Wednesdays at the WPYO athletic fields, alternating with Victory Cafe for 6:15 p.m. and 8 p.m. games the same day. The softballers have picked May 4 for their social at the club which they hope will help defray some of the costs involved with equipment and other necessities now zooming out of sight by inflation. If this keeps up, Manager Icy Olszewski said, "We might have to take a barrel of worthless paper money just to exhange it for a ball." Details of the social will be announced as the planning continues to develop. ••• Advertising copy and seasonal greetings for the April 3 Easter edition is deadline for Saturday, March 29. Secretaries of various organizations or individuals wishing to extend joyous Easter wishes to their area friends are asked to make note of the copy deadline. ••• It's no use shopping around because it'll cost you more than a dime in gas money, but if you're a “McMuffin and Coffee" fan for breakfast the Big Mac on Mt. Ephraim Avenue will charge you $1.51, while the same outfit under a different management on the Black Horse Pike in the Clover Shopping Center it's $1.41. Maybe at last Camden has become more affluent than Washington Township. |
| Camden County Record - March 20, 1980 |
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STAS BY GOSH I was sitting at the table listening to the music, sipping good Irish whiskey and having a real St Patty's party good time when they started playing "When Irish Eyes I Are Smiling," And just that quickly my mood changed, From one of genial lightheartedness to one of bitter sweet, sentimental remembrance. Of course I knew it was going to happen, it always does. Every time I hear that old Irish standard at this time of the year my mind starts hopscotching back to my early youth. Back to many years ago and my first taste of Cupid and the arrows he shoots at unsuspecting beings. It happened at St Joe grammar school in Whitman Park and it was my very first love encounter. She was pretty, she was easy to talk to and she was as Irish as they come. Her name was Kelly. I can't remember the very first time we met but after being in her company a few times I had no choice in the matter. The love bug bit me and good. But communicating was a problem right from, the beginning. So was acting manly. I mean how can a grammar school kid be macho when he can't even leave his seat without permission? Or go to the bathroom without raising his hand? But that didn't stop me from dreaming and rehearsing in my mind what I would say if I ever got a chance to be alone with her. And sure enough, my chance finally came, We were alone and guess what? I froze up. Not only that but I certainly could have also used that twenty four hour deodorant Anyway, after some small talk she put her hand on my shoulder, edged closer and looked directly into my eyes. She didn't say anything, stared deeply into them. That's when I realized what beautiful, smiling eyes she had and why "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" will forever remind me of Kelly. However what happened next really made my heart jump and had the goose bumps running up and down my love stricken spine, She began to whisper, you know... those sweet little nothings into my ears. I responded like any red blooded American grammar school kid would, I repeated them back to her. It was absolute bliss. And then the dreamy mood was broken. The whispers stopped abruptly. In a commanding voice she told me to take off my shoes and step on the scale where she weighed me and measured my height. Then she marked my chart and told me to put my shoes back on. It was over, that fast! Love would have to wait another year for its conquest. I remember her standing by the opened door in her spotless white uniform, those Irish eyes forever smiling, telling me to be a good little boy' and return right back to class and to send down the next student for the health check up. Then .and there I wanted to tell her that I would marry her right in her nurses's office if she would have me, but once again I froze up. Instead I said, "Yes Miss Kelly", and off I went to await another year. Of course Miss Kelly is the former school nurse who for so many years served so lovingly at St Joseph's Grammar School in South Camden. Her many friends will be happy to know she is living .in a comfortable and well deserved retirement in the Fairview section of Camden. I met her recently by the St Joan of Arc rectory and yes, those Irish eyes are still smiling as brilliantly as ever. After some small talk I wanted to ask her to whisper those sweet little nothings into my ear one more time, for old times sake, but you guessed it I froze up! |
| Camden County Record - March 5, 1981 |
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STAS BY GOSH I'm not a native son of Fairview, not even a first cousin, but because of working in the town a good many years I do consider myself within its family circle. And I do recognize some of the benefits of living in this unique town within ,the city. That's probably why I become a bit upset when outsiders, people who just don't know, belittle Fairview so unjustly. But let's not have a distant family member like myself defend the town, let's have a true native son, somebody that is a lifetime member, somebody like Glenn Reigel explain his views. You talk to Glenn for just a few minutes and right away you realize that he has his head screwed on pretty well. The guy is twenty seven years old in age and maybe seventy two years old in smarts. Glenn and his pretty wife Pat, along with their two lively pre-school sons, Glenn junior and Daniel, make up the ideal Fairview family. The kind that perhaps the future of Fairview might just be depending on. Ask Glenn junior the question of what his father does and immediate words of pride and admiration shoot forth. "My daddy is a Jersey state trooper with a badge and a gun." Ask Glenn senior the question of why he bought a home and settled in Fairview and the same kind of pride and admiration surfaces. "This town is my home" is his quick response. "I grew up here and want my children to do the same." He then goes on to explain with great candor the many advantages of "The Village." He points out that Fairview seems like a good place to live during this economic crunch that the eighties are forcing on all of us. The houses are built well. They're brick, compact, mostly that in these times of runaway fuel prices are less expensive to heat and are much cheaper to maintain compared to the larger, more expensive houses of the surrounding suburbs. The obvious points of convenience come up next. Schools, churches, bus lines, banks, shopping, doctors, the library, the post-office are all close by. In the event of a crucial gas shortage or even a crippling snowstorm everything is within proximate walking distance. Then, and most importantly to Glenn, is the immeasurable dimension of close family life. No once a week family car trip is needed for Glenn junior or brother Daniel to visit grandmother "Me-Me" or grandfather, "Pop, Pop" because they live just around the block, well within easy "drop in anytime" range. This relationship, a long disregarded advantage of family life, has suddenly been rediscovered by psychologists to be of utmost value to grandparents and grandchildren alike. There are, of course, problems in town but what place in this day and age is truly without them? Hopefully, Glenn points out, the strong community spirit, the active social life, and the solid sports programs will continue to battle these problems. And, as his children grow older, he hopes to be right there in the midst of it all, growing and learning with them. So if you happen to see a New Jersey state trooper in town, look just below his head, there, exactly by his shoulders. If his head is screwed on just right you'' know its native son Glenn Reigel, living in Fairview and loving it! |
| Camden County Record - September 19, 1985 |
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HEARD ON THE AVENUE Reservations are no longer available at St. Joseph's rectory for today's visit to greet Jozef Cardinal Glemp at Doylestown, Pa., and attend Mass the Primate of Poland will celebrate at 5:30 p.m. in the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. One bus will leave here at 2:30 p.m. with time to eat some food and attend a reception after the shrine services. A few bus reservations are still on hand for the diocesan biennial pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington on Saturday, Oct. 5. The cost per passenger is $10.00. Please call the rectory, 963-1285. At the Holy Name Society meeting last week, Fr. Bucia announced to the men that the parish Halloween Party will take place on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 3 to 7 p.m, in the lower hall. Our Gang Orchestra will furnish the music for dancing. Tickets will go on sale soon, at the rectory and at the Senior Center. *** St. Joseph's parishioners will participate in this year's Pulaski Day Parade on Sunday, Oct. 6, in Philadelphia. Like in every year, participants will include delegates of the Polish American Congress, Polish American Citizens' Club, American Legion Post 74, Polish Army Veterans Post 121 and Auxiliary,. Children of the" Polish Language and Cultural School, church societies and Union of Polish Women in America besides insurance fraternals and others. * * * The Senior Center's first meeting after the summer vacation days have passed will be held Thursday, Sept. 26, at 1 p.m. in the lower parish hall. Guest speaker will be Outreach Worker Evelyn A. Fuller from the Office On Aging. Her subject will be to acquaint those present with the many services the agency is offering to senior citizens. After adjournment a toast will be given to more than 100 members whose birthdays were observed during July and August along with the 34 September-born, including Stella Bartoszek, Walter Bryszewski, Eva Barowsky, Rose Chorzelewski, Alexander Dziatkiewicz, Helen Gardygajlo, Wanda Hamilton, Clara Hubert, Helen Jankowski. Also Mary Kazmierski, Edward Kozloski, John Kwroicki, Blanche Kulesa, Stella Kenney, Matthew Malesinski, Helen Maronski, Laura Molick Bronislawa Neimczura, Frances Pacosa, Mary Podlaski, Chester Przywara, Frances Rozanski, CeceIia Sacilowski, Alexander Sochacki, Wanda Szczech, Vi Wdzieczkowski, Ted Jalkiewicz Anna Wiencek, Mary Wisniewski and Helen Zadworny. Three teams of the Center's 6team, mixed bowling league won four points without a loss in the season's opening week. Clean slates are held by Plums, Nectarines and Bananas, while on the 0-4 side are Cherries, Peaches and Apples. Two Peach rollers toppled the most pins in a single game and 3-game series, Stan Dyjak with 179 for one, and Joe Duda 475 for three. On the women's side, Mary Gore, Plums, had both highs, 162 and 437. For this season's kegling, the pin toppers opted for names belonging to fruits: Plums, Nectarines, Bananas, Cherries, Peaches, and Apples. Cherries: Vince Zaleski, Ann Stasiewicz, Joe Schultz and Andy Bretschneider. Nectarines: Josephine Jaworski, Eddie Wdowiarz, Jules Konieczka and Stanley Zglinicki. Bananas: Laura Snitowski, Helen Zglinicki, Frank Vogt and Frank Filipek. Apples: Mary Joyce, Henry Soltys, Dorothy Kuzniasz and Hedy Olesiewicz. Peaches: Helen Zadworny, Al Sochacki, Stan Dyjak and Joe Duda. Plums: Paul Ackerle, Mary Gore, Blanche Kulesa and Edmund Vogt. *** The Rosary' Society's next gathering will be a communion breakfast on Sunday, Oct. 6, with the induction of new members immediately following the 8 o'clock morning Mass. Members are asked to wear their meals and the inductees are requested to gather in the church vestibule before the services begin. Though it is still a few weeks away, Ceil Bush, president, wishes to announce the Society's Christmas social is scheduled for Nov. 10th. "This will be our big one for the year” she said while urging the membership to start now in making preparations with their gifted talents. She promised more newsy notes as plans are developed. About the recent Autumn Leaves social, Mrs. Bush reported an enjoyable day of entertainment for those who, attended. Many thanks to Father Bucia for his thoughtfulness with air-conditioning for keeping all comfortable on a hot and sultry day. Actually, many said they hated to leave when the affair was over. Many took home lovely gifts as prize winners. The attendance was wonderful, considering that many are still away vacationing. * * * All parishioners with area friends and members of the Sacred Heart Society are welcome to enjoy an afternoon social this" Sunday starting at one o’clock in the parish hall. President Helen Maronski is asking each guest to bring one dollar and a modest gift. *** A sudden weather change made things outside Post 121 much on the cooler side in the fading days of this summer last Saturday. But not so on the inside of the Polish Army Veterans fun headquarters. It didn't take too long to warm up to the razzledazzle beat served by Walt Seternu's Tempos. There's always something that can be classed as being among the highlights of every cabaret night social at Post 121 conducted by and for the Polish Army Vets' entertainment committee. Saturday's spotlight flashed brilliantly on toe Tempos and then picking up the bash held for Barbara Arnold's birthday celebration. Also in' the picture were wedding anniversary celebrants Gene and Marie Biondo and Ted and Francine Sawicki. Many words of appreciation were directed by the committee to Mary Kuras, who· journeyed here from Toms River to delight everyone with her delicious food preparations, especially the sandwiches which soothed the avid appetites of all guests. Eddie Matwiejewicz reports he and his party were overwhelmed the next day when they joined the huge throng at the Little Servant Sisters' Country Fair, held for the benefit of the Immaculate Conception Novitiate in Cherry Hill. This year's 17th annual fair was bigger and better than ever. Terrific! is the best word Eddie said he can use to describe the event. Well, the big. day has finally arrived: Saturday's dance for the benefit of the Polish Language and Cultural School. If as yet you have not purchased a ticket, you may still do so at the door this Saturday. "Piast" will furnish the music for dancing from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. The donation is five dollars per person. The next cabaret night social at Post 121 will be held Saturday, Oct. 12, in the clubroom with Walt Seternu's Tempos furnishing the music for dancing from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. And as usual, affairs held in the clubroom are without admission charge for members in good standing and their guests. Therefore, if you happen to be in this area that day with nothing of great importance otherwise to arrest your attention, gather your group of merrymakers and then come here for a few hours and we'll have a real ball, Betcha you'll come back again and again. All reports from behind the scenes at the Polish American Citizens' Club indicates the Sunday, Sept. 29, indoor picnic will be a real humdinger. President Leonard Drozd and Chief Chef Stas Nowak with all members of the entertainment committee agree everything's coming along fine, however, like always, there is always a need for more volunteer help for servicing and for donations of various sorts. As an example, Nowak said last year there was plenty of sauerkraut donations, but somehow or other the huge amount fell short. Galabkis (pigs in a blanket), the chief chef he'll accept all galabkis in any amount with open arms. If anyone cares to cook even a dozen or two, just bring them to the club. The guests will find the proper way to dispose of them with cheerfulness. Other donations welcome will be home-baked cakes, paczki or bottled spirits, and monetary gifts are always welcome. But most welcome above all will be the presence of all members, their families and area friends to spend together an afternoon to early evening of merriment with pleasure. There will be plenty of good food, good music for dancing as well as good refreshments and all we will need is your good support. Applicants for the dart league picked up a bit last week but several more are needed to make the coming tourney another competitive success. Don't wait too long to sign up. Early registration will match up the teams more equally. The weekly Monday matches will start on Sept. 30. The entire PACC membership extends its warmest congratulations to the championship winning softball team. President Leonard Drozd with all the officers and active members are very proud of the young ball players' accomplishments in the Camden County Slow-Pitch League. Athletic Director Mark Nowak and John Drozd, coach, and the entire team was cited with praise for a season that showed 19 wins and only three losses in regular season play, and seven wins against two losses in championship playoff games. Ty Cobb's hit record broken by Cincinnati's Pete Rose wasn't the only historical baseball event last week. At the Vet Stadium in Philadelphia, Jim Doyle made once-in-a-lifetime family history when he caught a hot line drive from the bat of Hubie Brooks, the Expos' talented shortstop. Besides
yours truly, Woodlynne's Jim cheering section included friends Betty
Rhinebold, Thelma Krueger, Zeke Zachary and John (Bear) Cerasi. Shortly
thereafter, the two avid ladv baseball fans left their seats to make a
"trade-in." They returned slurping bright red snowballs. Laughter broke out among the fans seated in the 314 section. One fan remarked, "It's a good thing none of the Phillies' dumb 'gang of six' was around or the trade-in partners would have come back with a throw-in to make a giftdeal, a ball player like Ryne Sandberg to the Chicago Cubs or Mark Davis to the San Francisco Giants." By the way, Jim Doyle is the T & A Tide Anglers' secretary and trip arranger. The club leaves for a fish junket next Saturday on the 70-foot Captain Bill out of Barnegat Light Bay. Several openings are available due to previous commitments and the vacancies are on hand firstcome, first-served for area friends who'd like to bring back from the seaside a sack of late summer flukes. Jim may be called at 365-4449 for further particulars. If first contact is not made, leave message with phone number for a convenient call back. The fish trip will be the fourth this season for the local. fishing club. Two weeks ago a merged arrangement with Ed Schemanski's Poles produced 436 summer flukes besides many undersized throwbacks. |
| Camden County Record - September 19, 1985 |
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STASH BY GOSH Do you think it's easy? Do you think it's not difficult? Even humiliating? I mean this blabbing I'm about to make concerning taking the summer off from Stash by Gosh in it. Sure, I know, you probably didn't even notice I was gone. But let me tell you something. Whether you like it or not I'm putting this imposition on you, this burden of having to hear my confession about the last few months of my life. Actually, you can blame it all on Sister Mary from St. Joe's Grammar School in South Camden. Years ago, you remember how the first thing. she would ask everyone when they returned to school was: "And what did you do during the summer?" , Well, old habits are hard to break (no pun intended). And Sister, if you must know, what I did most of all during the summer, in the street vernacular of the everyday teen-ager, was Pig-Out. Like in food and drink. Or should the drink come first and then the food? No matter. The evidence is all there with the addition of that spare tire around my middle. So, if you will kindly bear with me I'll just kneel down right here on my confessional, "The Camden County Record", make the sign of Food & Drink and begin with: Bless me readers for I have gorged, it has been three weeks (Labor Day) since my last pig-out and mid-June since my last column. Now wait, let me start at the beginning, the very first greasing of the pan, as it were... The summer began innocently enough for me. I spent an enjoyable Sunday polka afternoon in June at the Polish American Citizens Club. Drinking pitchers of Miller Lite and stuffing myself with delicious roast beef and meat ball sandwiches with a sheer delight. But you know something, I think that's when all my problems began. I mean that happy, friendly atmosphere that those people are noted for, all the carefree drinking and eating and dancing, all that "the devil with tomorrow" attitude somehow rubbed off on me and set the mood for the rest of the hot season. I noticed a devilish change came over me a few days later at one of those "all you can eat" sea food buffets at Harrah's, the other Atlantic City. Mild mannered Stash By Gosh suddenly changed into a ruthless, repulsive chow hound. Just like mild mannered Lon Chaney used to change into that. ruthless, repulsive Wolfman. Some demons are turned loose by full moons, other by buffet tables. Any doubts of my evil transformation were blown away right in the restaurant when my wife pretended she didn't know me. Several weeks later I went blueberry picking and I suddenly felt that same, strange feeling. I couldn't help myself. Can you imagine coming home with twenty two pounds of blueberries? Enough to last the whole, frozen winter, right? Forget it. They're all gone. Do you have any idea as to how many blueberry pancakes I've devoured? Or the gallons of vanilla ice cream with that rich, homemade blueberry sauce poured over it? And you, Martha Kozlowski, should be ashamed of yourself! Getting me hooked on your heavenly Blueberry Buckle recipe that's found in the St. Joe Parish Cook Book. No wonder the blueberries are all gone. ' From then on I was on a roll. My man Moose and I began sneaking to secret places. To Kaminski's in Cherry Hill for seafood and frozen mugs of Budweiser; to Max's in Gloucester for loads of mussels and more mugs of Michelob on tap; to the Spread Eagle in Mt. Ephraim for hot sausage sandwiches and more Budweiser. Shall I say we indulged? That's not counting all the crabs we caught at Beaver Dam over the summer and to exact taste bud specifications - beer - On and on. A Huge breakfast at the peach Festival in Cooper River Park, gigantic hot dogs with sauerkraut and more beer from the Budweiser truck at the State Fair at Garden State, soft pretzels and still more beer at the Vet while watching the Phillies. Oh the woe of it. Then it happened. I took a good look in the mirror and realized the definite resemblance to Humphrey Pennyworth. And no wonder, elbow bending and hiccupping was really the only exercise I was getting. Immediately I decided to take up macho, barefoot jogging. In m own home, of course. And that's where the accident occurred. My dog and I were just completing the fourth lap around the dining room table when, I suppose from fatigue, I swung out dangerously wide around the far turn of the table and sure enough, I caught my left foot on the leg of the deacon's bench. Right away I knew my macho, barefoot, jogging career had ended. To best describe the tragedy I must revert to that sophisticated piece of literature that will live forever: "This little piggie went to market, This little piggie stayed home, This little piggie had roast beef, , This little piggie had none. And this little piggie cried all the way to the podiatrist, Dr. Mazer's office, because it broke its little Piggin-Out toe." MEA CULPA - MEA ,CULP A - MEA GULP A STASH BY GOSH BEDNARCZYK. |
| Polish American Jounal |
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THAT
LUCKY OLD SUN Fast Eddie knew he was in trouble and had to think of something real fast. Sister Mary's assignment had been a poem to be composed by each student and the grade would certainly have a bearing on the coming report card. Now it was time to hand in his poem- and he had absolutely nothing, because he had put absolutely nothing into his assignment. Frantically he searched his mind for something, anything, but he was drawing blanks. Suddenly it came to him and he began writing down verse, almost faster than it came shooting through his brain. After all, he wasn't called "Fast Eddie" for nothing. Without hesitation he scribbled: Up
in the morning out on the job, Encouraged by his plagiarizing genius, he continued: Show
me that river, take me across He entitled it, naturally, 'That Lucky Old Sun." Sister Mary was not only impressed with Fast Eddie's poetic prowess but taken aback by such heart-wrenching verse. So much so that she read it with much feeling to the amused class. What she couldn't comprehend was all the snickering was taking place. Some days lapsed before she discovered that the poem she so admired was actually the entire, word for word lyrics of the pop singer Frankie Laine's current smash hit recording of the "That Lucky Old Sun." Consequently, when the rays of "That Lucky Old Sun" had finally burst through with its sunbeams of truth, penetrating Sister Mary's fog of vulnerability there were nothing but storm clouds in Fast Eddie's horizon. Being made a fool of was not exactly in the good sister's weather forecast. Especially since the incident took on a life of its own and was sprinkled about the school like water on Dyngus Day. And even now, more than fifty years later, the event is still reviewed and sanctioned as one of the best unofficial hall-of-fame pranks of St. Joe's High Scholl of Camden, New Jersey. SCHOOL SHENANIGANS seem to have enduring longevity. Regretfully some of the good sisters of old are not only remembered for being gullible or lacking worldliness but for being mean and dishing out undeserved physical discipline that would now, according to today's culture border on criminal abuse. And to be truthful some of those accusations were not without merit. However, somewhere down the path of credibility so much of the sacrifice and dedication of these educators of not only-the-basics ABC's but of life's lasting morality have been lost or abandoned. How sad to be categorized in such offensive films as "Sister Mary Ignatius" or laughed at with the degrading contents of exaggerated and ridiculed teaching efforts of "The Late Night Catechism" and "Nunsense". They deserve better, these underpaid, overdressed, and under-appreciated servants of The Almighty. In the difficult world that was to follow, how well they prepared us (we know-who we are) to face up to our obligations, and not shun our responsibilities or crosses. To carry out the duties of life not in spite of, as much of the Hollywood propaganda will have you believe, but because of their instilled values. How much better the country has been because of their heartfelt vocations. As for Fast Eddie, a fifty year review of his life will tell you he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War and because of the endless toil those Felician Sisters of the Lodi, New Jersey force fed the Polish language into the students of St. Joe Grammar School, Fast Eddie had the good fortune to become a Polish language translator for the U.S. Army in Europe. After the service, he married, was employed in a career newspaper position that allowed him to raise and marry off all five children. One other exclamation point of his life should be mentioned. That of the special tenderness and care that he bestowed upon his recently deceased 97-year-old mother who in the final years of her life suffered from a severe case of Alzheimers. Despite the arguing of many, 70-year-old Eddie, his wife and family, with the fortitude of Job, insisted on having her remain at his home until he could close her eyes with the love and dignity deserving a precious mother. Indeed,:after everything was said and done, Fast Eddie turned out to be the real "Lucky Old Sun." |
| Camden Courier-Post - June 25, 2000 | ||||
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Camden
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Camden Courier-Post * August 13 & 14, 2018 |
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Stanley J. Bednarczyk |
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| Another St. Joseph's Church web-page |
