This project revives a Jersey City based newsletter from the late '50s/early '60s, and is dedicated to John White, Bobby Rey and Badd Ladd - holding a spot at the bar for us at that big Joe Crine's in the sky.
My earliest recollections of a specialty Ice Cream shop in the early 1940s was Tompkin's which was a seasonal store on Jackson Ave. It was on a corner a few blocks north of Sacred Heart Church and it sold only ice cream and only when the weather was warm. Soon after my mom brought me to Meyer's on the corner of Westside and Communipaw where I fell in love with a treat called a Malted Milk Shake. The local candy stores sold Dixie Cups and Mello Rolls but even as kid I knew the difference between the commercial ice cream treats and the Ice Cream you could get at one of these elaborate Ice Cream Parlors.
Most of the Ice Cream parlors were run by German immigrants and from what I have been able to learn they came from the same area of Germany. Larry Tormey told in a previous issue how during the war the economic pressure on Germans here caused one of these soda fountains on Westside Ave to change over to a florist where I was confused by the few times we stopped in there for ice cream served from a soda fountain covered with vases and floral arrangements.
These ornate soda fountains were usually near movie theaters and they had booths in the back where you could sit and have a treat before or after a movie. I recall that the Fulton Theater had a soda parlor on either side.
One Easter when World War 2 was just over, my mom had another treat for me - she didn't tell me what it was but we walked on Westside Ave to Schluer's soda parlor where I was overwhelmed by glass show cases full of huge chocolate eggs and bunnies of all shapes and sizes. Apparently what ever went into chocolate bunnies was needed to make atomic bombs but when rationing was relaxed these German ice cream makers went back in business as chocolate makers extraordinaire. That Easter I received an assortment of these candy treats including a huge egg and a bunny that was almost as large. And forget the size - this chocolate was something special - it was addictive ….. I have never had any chocolate that good before or since that day. I really did eat too much and ended with a tummy ache but it was worth it.
Later in life I even learned to be a soda jerk and worked in several local ice cream parlors as well as luncheonettes around the country.
When these Ice cream parlors were near schools they became naturals as after school hangout spots because the booths in the back were idle between the lunch and dinner hour.
This issue revisits these ice cream parlors and chocolate makers, as our readers recall their school hangouts and others have helped us out by researching this little piece of Americana to find out more about the people who operated these shops. (As I write this I am dipping into the large box of Brummer's chocolates stashed in my desk drawer - the box notes "Candy Makers Since 1904".)
I was invited by Dr.Elnardo Webster to attend the initial induction of the MAAC Basketball Honor Roll which was held on March 2, 2012 at the Naismith Hall of Fame in conjunction with the 2012 MAAC Basketball Championship which was being played at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Dr. Webster retired in 2012 as Superintendant of Schools in Roselle, NJ and currently serves as a Consultant in the eductional field as well as being on the Board of Trustees for his alma mater, St.Peter's College. Each member institution of the MAAC selected one male and one female of its' basketball alumni as part of the initial induction class for the Basketball Honor Roll; Elnardo was selected as the initial male honoree of St.Peter's and the full list of the initial inductees is shown ion the link below:
It was Tuesday, March 13th the beginning of March madness as the first two games of the first four were to take place at UD arena in Dayton, OH. I could feel the excitement in the air as I entered the arena and was getting ready to work concessions with my teammates from Team In Training (TNT). As the doors opened the entrance of the arena began to flood with hungry anxious fans. You could tell that people were also very excited the President Obama and David Cameron, the Prime Minister of England, were going to be in attendance. Security was on high alert with police officers at all of the entrances and exits, and what looked like a small army of secret service frequently patrolling the building.
The first game to take place was between the Western Kentucky Hilltopers and the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils. I didn't really get to see much of the game but I did get a break from my seven hour shift at the concession stand to look out in the crowd and get a glimpse of the President Obama. It was very exciting to get a chance to see an NCAA tournament game. I thought it was pretty cool to see him in person and that he was just kickin back and enjoying the game. Even though I wasn't able to watch a lot of the game as I was tending various duties such as taking people's food orders and serving hot dogs, popcorn and other refreshments, there was a roar that would emanate from the 8500 fans in attendance telling me that the game was close. I could definitely feel the pain of the Mississippi Valley State fans as their team gave up their strong lead to lose the game.
In February, I became a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training (TNT) whose mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Over the next four months, I will dedicate my mind and my body to help raise money to find a cure for these terrible diseases. I have been training rigorously with my TEAM members and on June 3rd, 2012 I will run the Rock & Roll Marathon in San Diego. I will be running in honor of a survivor of one of these diseases: Maya.
Maya is 8 years old and was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia last April. Throughout my training, I will wear a wrist band with my hero's name on it which will be a constant reminder that no matter how hard I think 26.2 miles will be, it doesn't even come close to the race my hero has run against cancer.I won't be able to train for this event alone, and I would be honored if you would help me. Financial support will not only help save the lives of those afflicted with blood-related cancers, but also make their lives more comfortable and manageable while they are fighting - and winning against - the disease. Consider also that many of the strides that are made toward curing blood-related cancers translate into making a difference in fighting all types of cancers. Finally, if you know someone who has been afflicted with a blood-related cancer, I would love to run in his or her honor, or in their memory, as well. Please let me know their name(s) and I will be sure to put their name on my race day shirt.
I am have my own web page set up for my fundraising and people are able to donate online.
Brain Hanlon contacted the JJ when he arrived in Houston to let us know that N Carolina's Kendall Marshal would be announced as the Cousy Award winner. Brian who makes many other statues besides the Cousy Award also said he had a booth this year for the Final Four exhibition hall and besides that he would be attending all the parties and press conferences related to the Cousy Award and the Hoop Hall of Fame announcements.
A few ex-Jersey Cityites were accepted into the freshman class of Maguire University at this years Final Four in New Orleans. Maguire University isn't really a school of higher learning. Rather, it was founded by a group of high school basketball coaches at Maguires Pub in Chicago in 1963 for the express purpose of securing free Final Four tickets from the NCAA. It worked great for two years, even resulting in a contact from the Air Force Academy for a game, until an article in the Chicago Tribune revealed the scam. Nonetheless, the tradition continued and this year was the 50th anniversary of Maguires participation in what they call the "Final Five". The team nickname is the "Jollymen" and the team motto is "We play hurt", a reference to the hangovers some of the "students" accrue. This year over 100 students, faculty, and alumni were in attendence supporting the local economy. We had a great time meeting fellow "students" from all over the US and are looking forward to continuing our studies next year in Atlanta.
Chicagoland native and Hoop Junkies stalwart, John Boyle took home the March Madness gold and had a competitive second entry to boot. He also recruited first time participant and second place finisher, Geoff Pearl. John was able to get his two young sons interested in bracketology this year, helping cement another generation. Well done, Johnny Lightning!
When I tell people that Roch and I are married 50 years, they don't know whether I should be congratulated or pitied. Roch is full of surprises; I just found out that he is starting salsa dancing lessons on Tuesday nites.BTW, on the day of our 50th wedding celebration he wore his original wedding shoes (Adler's Elevators, cracks and all.) Why the Adlers? He lied about his height when I met him and said that he was 5' 10" with shoes on. He couldn't believe that people measured their height without shoes.
On May 5, 2012, 50 years to the day of our original wedding, we celebrated and renewed our vows at St. Raymond Church, with our grandchildren in the "wedding" party, and our children and Godchildren participating in the ceremony. A reception for 100 guests followed at Maestro's, the same venue where our original wedding reception was held.
Last year I went to the famous St. Joseph’s day at Rob’s uncle’s house. There was a lot of Italian food, which was very good, and we went for a nice walk and did our burning of the prayers thing. Overall it was a lot of fun so when Rob invited me to come again this year I said for sure, and I made plans and booked my flight home for the Sunday so I could go to St. Joseph’s over the weekend before flying home for spring break.
Then, St. Joseph’s got cancelled (or the date changed) so we decided I’d stay with Rob’s family until my flight on Sunday. Rob and I took the train to NJ and went straight to the pizza party part of the pub tour before even going home, and the pizza was good. Then we toured around NY city the next day and went to a museum and learned about the development of Central Park and then walked around Central Park a little. We got back and went and played basketball with Rob’s friends. That was Saturday night and then Sunday morning Rob's parents made a really good breakfast and then I had to get to my flight. It was brief overall but we made good use of our time and it was a nice stay.
The legitimate news media is finding more and more that our Jedsey gang makes for good copy. Here we review some recent news articles which show some familiar figures. If you happen to see any like these in your local papers please send them along and share them with the rest of us.
* * = view photo related to this item in attached link below
Readers were asked to look at the photo below and come up with an actual caption or a phony caption that would be good enough to fool others. Try your luck at picking out who came the closest.
Tales from Irv’s Luncheonette
A Lovely place to Hide
When crippling pain reminds me,
my time to live is short,
And I become sorely depressed,
at this end of life thought,
I often travel back in time,
thru the caverns of my mind,
To a yesterday of quiet joy,
where friends and I entwined,
I can still recall in winter,
walking in the snow and sleet,
Seeing Irv’s light in the window,
Illuminating the street,
As the Fairmount avenue winds,
pass through my clothes,
I trudge on toward the light,
lugging my bag full of woes,
And as the door swings open,
I feel a great blast of heat,
While inside my friends sit,
in booths with red vinyl seats,
Then as I softly slip inside,
where memories of old reside,
I feel the warmth of yesterday,
surround me on every side,
Behind the counter stands Irv,
affixed with Impish grin,
Saying hi Bobby it’s been a while,
where have you been,
I wave and turn to the booths,
I see old friends over there,
Jimmy, Billy, Vinny and Jay,
Jackie, Jerry and Claire,
I shake hands with all the guys,
the girls give me a kiss,
I am overwhelmed with joy,
bursting with an inner bliss,
So there we sit fondly reminiscing,
about days of old,
Until we all have our chance,
our stories all are told,
After which a sullen silence,
slowly envelopes the room,
Accompanied by a thick gray fog,
a harbinger of gloom,
People are beginning to leave,
Irv has dimmed the lights,
He then sweeps and wipes,
and wishes us all a goodnight.
Finding myself alone in my car,
in my bank parking lot,
I sit there pensively wondering,
have I passed out or not,
No matter what the case may be,
I feel beautiful inside,
Knowing that in my mind,
I found a lovely place to hide,
....................Written by; Bob McCallionJust hearing the name "Meyer's" conjures a mix of memories as varied as booths filled with friends sharing a plate of French fries (or potato chips when you didn't have enough money to buy the fries!), to picking up an ice cream cake to celebrate a family birthday, to the sounds coming from the juke box, to the faces of high school friends as well as those of Jane, Sonny, Frank, Ethel and Sally … I feel so fortunate to have had that experience!!
In the typically myopic world-view of a teen-ager, I remember little of Meyer's that didn't revolve around me and my friends and family. I'm sure there were others who had a special relationship with the luncheonette, but I think we honestly believed it existed for "us". Those of us who came from high schools all over Jersey City to have a place to gather and talk and complain about homework and talk some more - mostly about boys - and fall in love and get your heart broken and fall in love again. In short, it gave us a safe haven to begin to hone the social skills we all needed to navigate adulthood.
Of course, that understanding comes only with hindsight and maturity. During the time I was in high school I thought I was merely "hanging out with friends" at Meyer's - and I was, but it was so much more. I only hope that my children were able to find such an experience in their lives that will make them want to revisit a very special place 50 years later - just to be warmed by the memories and bolstered by the friendships that span the years. It doesn't matter whether or not you have seen a friend from Meyer's since the year you graduated from high school - we are all still friends in the best sense of the word…How fortunate I feel, indeed!!
The idea of a Meyer's Luncheonette Reunion had been suggested by many for a few years but it took off and became a reality when I met some St. Dominic classmates for dinner and went to a restaurant in Madison called Ile Mondo Vecchio. My classmate, Maryann Green had married Charlie McCabe who had stayed friends with Joe Carr over the years. Ironically, Joe (whom I had not seen in probably 25 years) was having dinner with a client at the restaurant that evening and the first thing we talked about was "Meyer's" and then what it might take to have a reunion.
It was just before Christmas and we agreed that right after the New Year - the planning would commence. It took over four months to accomplish what we did. We formed a committee and began to reach out to our old friends. Without the advantage of the current internet social network, we relied on our high school year books and, in some cases, made a phone call to the old address listed and found that the parents of our friends were still living there and they were more than happy to help us out.
We then had to decide where the event would be held. One suggestion was the Hi- Hat in Bayonne. I nixed that idea saying that the Meyer's Reunion could not be held in Bayonne - it had to be in Jersey City! ! Rosie Radigan's was the choice which was great because they were closed on Saturday - so we had the entire place to ourselves from 6:00p - ?? (I think it was around 4am when all left)
The idea was hatched to find Sonny and Jane Meyer and see if they would be interested in attending the reunion. Joe tracked them down at their home in Florida and they were as enthusiastic as we were and what a treat to have them there as our honored guests. At such an event , we knew that a sheet cake for dessert was a necessity. I went to a bakery in Lyndhurst and ordered a cake with the inscription, "Meyer's Luncheonette Reunion May 23, 1992". When I arrived to pick it up that Saturday morning, the sheet cake had been decorated with the façade of a typical soda parlor of the 50's - 60's - doorway in the middle - and on the glass panes on each side the words - "Coca Cola, Counter Service, Fountain Service and Daily Specials." I asked who had done the incredible work and no one was sure who the baker was who had prepared the cake during the night time hours. We will never know who the mystery baker was, but whoever he was - he knew "Meyer's".
In looking at the photographs from May 1992 it is evident that it was one special evening. Smiles abound, friendships rekindled, loose ends tied up - an all around great time. Sadly, there are faces in those photographs of some of our friends who have left us all too soon. I remember fondly - Johnny Watson, Frank Witt, Sal LaRosa, Butchie Llazeza, Michele Doyle Llaneza, Cubby Lynch, Marian Witt, and from Reunion #2 in 1997 - Susan Mai, Charlie Catrillo and Jimmy Wallace,
The letter on U. S. Embassy stationery was written by Bill Torpey (aka Colonel William T. Torpey (retired) - he was stationed at the embassy in Dublin, Ireland in 1997 as the Defense Attache to Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith. He has agreed to let me share it and, once again, he has captured the essence of a wonderful time.
The newspaper articles help to retell the story of the reunion. We made the front page of The Jersey Journal that Saturday. The story about me smoking is true - the waitress was Ethel - I thank her everyday for making me put out that cigarette - never lit up another one! Also, the person banned from Meyer's who had to "keep the outside cool" was Bobby Veal, who as I recall, had simply bumped into Sonny's mother by mistake. However, in 1992, Sonny and Jane gave him a reprieve and said that if they were to have the luncheonette again, he was "since unbanned". The article in The BergenRecord was a challenge to their staff to write a positive story about Hudson County and especially Jersey City. The Bergen Record always has a way of putting a negative spin on any story about the area and we wanted them to publish a real human interest story and they did - third page, but they did it.
And, the menu - well I think it speaks for itself.
One of the fondest memories of high school was having lunch at Thodes. In our Junior and Senior years a group of us spent our lunch time eating at Thodes instead of going to Lincoln's cafeteria. We could bring our own lunch, buy a coke or something to drink and had many laughs chatting with our classmates. Molly (owner or waitress) kept tabs on us and was very gracious in waiting on us. When we were Seniors we graduated to the larger table in the back of the ice cream parlor where we could all sit together and enjoy the camaraderie of our classmates.
Going down memory lane to the '50s there was nothing better than hanging out at Thode's Ice Cream Parlor. Located on Monticello Ave just south of Brinkerhoff, Thode's was a haven for Lincoln High School students. It was like and oasis in those days where we thought the "In Crowd" went after school.
You went to Thode's to "BS" about life in general, school events or just to let off some steam. Nothing was better than listening to '50s music on the juke box and indulging in Malted Milks and Ice Cream Sodas.
Many good friendships and romances were nurtured and everyone got along. No booze - No drugs - just plain fun …………… Oh to have those years back.
I use to work at Soul's Ice Cream parlor on Central Ave between Congress St. and South Ave.I worked there in 1954 and 1955. It was a very busy place and a great hangout for all the high school kids. On friday and Saturday nights it got so crowded they had to lock the doors and let some in as others left. The next block down was Meyer's Ice Cream parlor. They were good also, but Soul's was the best. Every night around 10 pm Moe Haber would come in selling the NY News and NY Mirror.
The La was where the girls were : from St. Al's Academy one block south and St Dom's 3 blocks north. Lots of Prep guys drawn there because of them, too, including me and Johnny Mac and our crew and Dave and Eddie Finn, younger brothers of JC Jack Miller's Hall of Famer, Jack Finn.
Presided over by grouchy owner Mr Gill and Mrs Wiscarz, mom of my late classmate, Tom, and Mrs Tracy, mom of SPC buddy Billy, who recently passed. - May they and the La Rest in Peace.
One of the best La stories took place when a group of us were sitting back by the phone booth behind the juke box and some one crawled under the booth next to the juke box and with a knife opened the door that contained the coin collector and from that day on we had free music and food and drinks until Mr Gill figured out that some one was raiding his juke box, and put a pad lock on it.
All good things come to a end. I think Mary Tracy blamed Jed which was funny because he was under a lifetime ban and had not been around the La in months.
The above two (2) photos were taken in the mid 1950's, inside and outside of a popular hangout at that time, it was Merrill's Ice Cream Parlor located on Newark Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey.
Most of the guys and girls in the above photos lived downtown Jersey City. Although, I did not hang out with them, I knew most of them from the neighborhood.
The guy standing near the pole name is Nicholas Barbato. His aunt was Nancy Barbato, she was Frank Sinatra's first wife.(photo below) She lived downtown Jersey City and Frank lived in Hoboken, New Jersey when he first started dating Nancy.
Westfield, New Jersey is reminiscent of the old time shopping areas in Jersey City at the time that each neighborhood had its own shopping area with rows of stores, all with in walking distance of your home. As a resident of Jersey City you could venture out of the confines of the neighborhood in which you lived, hop on a bus and visit the shopping areas not so close to home. Among some favorite shopping areas were Central Avenue, Bergen Avenue, Jackson Avenue, Journal Square and Bergen Square. If you were from Jersey City, you had your favorite area or favorite shops in anyone of the mentioned areas. Particularly, I remember Press Women's Apparel on Jackson Avenue, Wenton Shoes on Bergen, and Cara Carson's at Journal Square.
Each neighborhood had a Sweet Shoppe and Ice Cream Parlor many of which were high school hang outs. Muellers on Jackson Avenue, the La on the Boulevard and Bummer's on Grand Street and many other locations.
In the early 1900, arriving in the US from Germany with his wife Catherine, Fredrick Burmmer opened Brummer's Confectionery. The shop offered homemade ice-cream and candy. The business met with success, catering to the neighborhood residents as well as commuters to NYC. As they grew, a luncheonette was added to their successful business. The Brummer Family also grew and Frederick and Catherine lived to see the second generation of Brummers Fred Jr. and Charles Brummer join the family business. The third generation Bob & George now continue family tradition in two locations Vermilion Ohio and Westfield, New Jersey. The Jersey City store closed in 1989.
As you enter into the Westfield store you immediately realize that you have entered a special place. The soda parlor is a thing of the past but the handmade chocolate and candies are fashioned using old family recipes. All senses would agree. Dark, light, white, bittersweet specialty chocolate, carefully placed row upon row in cases reminds one just how hard it would be to make choices. Fruit, caramel, coconut, nut and many other filled confections does not make it easier. How nice it would be to have one of each and then more of your very favorites. Offering other difficult decisions are colorful displays of unique packaged candies that suggest holiday and special occasion gifts.
The staff are always helpful, patient and courteous waiting on customers who if no other time have difficulty making decisions need guidance in choice of the best selection. Needless to say, once inside Brummer's and what ever age you are, the feeling of a kid in a candy store returns as a great big and sweet memory.!
My dad's store (Schluer's Confectionery and Luncheonette) was one of the old soda parlors on West Side Avenue. Because it was not located near any Jersey City high schools, it did not become high school "hangout." Also, my dad's was one of two stores in the city that did not have a juke box. I recall that he was known for his homemade ice cream and homemade assorted chocolate candy with extra emphasis on his Easter chocolates. He primarily had walk-in customers from the neighborhood. In addition, he had a sandwich luncheon side to the business that was prepared by my mother. Lunch customers included local businessmen and teachers from the nearby elementary schools--P.S. 33 and P.S. 24.
As one entered the store, there was a long ice cream counter on the left with high, round turn stools. There were large mirrors on the walls. Opposite the counter were two large candy display cases. In the rear parlor section of the store were booths and tables (and more mirrors on the walls). All in all, I guess my dad's store was a true homemade confectionery with a luncheonette.
I haven't thought this much about my family's store in a very long time---brought back many heart warming memories. Sometime in the future I think you should do a report on all the Italian restaurants/food in Jersey City and nearby over the years. I think you, Gabe Nazziola and other readers could come up with some wonderful memories.
I was a Greenville resident from 1950 until my enlistment into the Air Force in Feb. 1959. My parents owned the ice cream parlor on Jackson (now MKL Drive) and Warner Avenues and called Bernies' Confectionary. Dad (Bernie) used to make his own ice cream in the basement where he had a 1/2 ton chiller and ice cream machine along with coolers that held a dozen 5-8 gallon ice cream containers. He generally made his own ice creams twice a week. My parents worked hard in this business, Mom (Hedda) would make a luncheon special and they had a very active clientele for their lunch trade. Every day was something special, i.e., meatloaf, fresh ham, turkey, etc and of course on Fridays, egg salads, shrimp salad, clam chowder, and many grilled cheeses in those days. Mom would also make a shrimp creole that was soo good.
They vacationed while holding the business in Pt Pleasant each year for one or two weeks. The number of weeks depended upon how successful their Easter business was. In January of each year customers would order specially made Easter baskets that my mother and one or two of her friends helped create in that damp basement under the store. In most years, they would make at least 350 baskets in varied sizes, some with chocolates and some with stuffed animals (for infants) and each with handmade flowers attached to the handles, these were indeed creations that were sought by patrons from other areas of the city and Bayonne as well as Greenville. A good Easter meant two weeks "at the shore".
Bernies' was a no nonsense business and was populated each evening by a full house of ex Snyder football players and many, many highschoolers who were there because of the football alumni. A normal night would see that most of the 8 booths and 4 tables were taken and filled. On the counter was a wonderful assortment of men who came for coffee and conversation from a close vicinity to the store. By 10pm, the students had to vacate the premises if the next day was a school day, 10:30pm if the weekend. Parents of these students had often stated that "they did not worry about thieir child if they were in Bernies'". Who could say that today?
They continued this business until their retirement in 1975 and then moved to a small village just outside Woodstock, NY. Here they found the solitude and good life without the hustle and flourished Bernie took up gardening and had an amazing, well cared for garden until he was 95. In 2007, after several medical issues and with Bernie showing signs of dementia, Hedda made arrangements for the two of them to be admitted to the Golden Hill Health Care facility in Kingston, NY and they moved in that August. Unfortunately, Hedda's heart gave out and she passed away at the age of 94 in November. Bernie continues strong and though his short term memory has left him, he enjoys himself with penny poker twice a week and Bingo, several times every week. He is now 102 and ambulates himself with the aide of a walker throughout the facility. I visit with my Dad every week and take him out for a drive to the Hudson River where we watch water traffic and he is reminded of his birthplace in Bremerhaven, Germany and the Vasar River which empties into the North Sea. He still has his wit, something that customers always enjoyed about him. And, he continues to seek out the children who visit their grandparents at the facility and gives them pennies and other small coins. He was this type of individual at the store, as well.
Meyer's was always located at 749 Bergen Avenue, between Montgomery St. and Fairmont Avenue. It's telephone # was DE 3-9601. Founded by Louise and Rudy Meyer, it made it's own ice cream and candy for many years. When Rudy died and left Louise a widow with a young son, also Rudy but known as "Sonny", they switched to selling Dolly Madison Ice Cream until after WWW ll . In the mid 50's they remodeled and "Sonny", out of the Army Air Corps and his young bride Jane, resumed making "homemade" Ice Cream.
Their 3 sons are still in the candy making business: Bob has 2 stores in Brick and Don has one in Lanoka Harbor. They now brand as "Van Holten" Chocolates. Youngest brother Scott has Meyer's House of Sweets in Madeira Brach FL Dduring the summer, Don and his Mom, Jane, hold forth on the north end of the Seaside Boardwalk with a terrific candy and fudge store!
There is life after Bergen Avenue; Meyer's tradition lives!
Making screen savers and prints from local calendars has proved to be a big success over the past years This year each JJ issue will feature screen savers/prints from three different sources - the Minuteman Press calendar this year shows the work of local artist Frank Hanavan. We will also be using some scenes from the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy calendar which has a theme of Mysterious Jersey City - photos by Leon Yost. Our third source will be taken from Dan Beard's albums of beautiful local photographs. This issue features a scene from the Mysterious Jersey City calendar which depicts how the existing homes on Belmont Ave had to be cleared to make the upper part of Westside (later Lincoln) Park. Kevin Crane's research showed that this section of Belmont was unpaved and a disater area to use during a rain storm but it was basically the direct road to the Jersey City team's baseball games because before Westside Park was built in 1906 the old Eastern League ball park was located where the big fountain is today in Lincoln Park. - - These scenes are great for cutting out and framing or you can right click on the picture and use it for your computer screen background.
Ryan Dunn’s Crossroads Country Music Show Monday, June 4 & 11, 8PM Catch Allstar Show: RC Smith Wednesday, June 13, 8PM Catch Allstar Show: Jeff Norris Wednesday, June 20, 8PM The Bronx Wanderers Monday, June 25, 8PM Shut Up, Sit Down and Eat! With Vincent Pastore Wednesday, June 27, 8PM Long Live the Beatles: Monday, July 21963 - 1966 Ed Sullivan Years, 6PM1967 - 1970 Psychedelic Years, 8PM Firecracker Funnies with Geno Bisconte Wednesday, July 4th, 10PM Michael Amante “America’s Tenor”Monday, July 9th, 8PM Ben Bailey, “Cash Cab”Wednesday, July 11th, 8PM Joe Piscopo & His Big Band Monday, July 15th, 8PM Robert Klein Wednesday, July 18th, 8PM Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling Wednesday, July 25th, 8PM Judy Gold’s “My Life as a Sitcom”Monday, July 30th, 8PM Mike Marino w Jeff “Fat Rat” Pirrami Wednesday, August 1st, 8PM Ted Levy’s “Mr Bojangles”Monday, August 6th, 8PM David BrennerWednesday, August 8th, 8PM Legendary NJ Rock Band (TBA)(=Monday, August 13th, 8PM Josh BlueWednesday, August 15th, 8PM Pat Cooper with Geno Valente Monday, August 20th, 8PM John and Bucky Pizzarelli Wednesday, August 22, 6pm and 8pm Uncle Floyd with Adam Kerr and 101.5’s Steve Trevelise Wednesday, August 29th, 8PM Tommy Emmanuel Sunday, September 16, 2PM and 8PM Monday, September 17, 8PM Tuesday, September 18, 8PM John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band Saturdaym, September 29th, 8PM CHOWDERFEST WEEKEND
Upcoming shows Saturday May 26th. 8:00 P.M. at La Cantina Restaurant, 116 3rd. Ave,. Neptune City, Saturday June 30th, 8:00 P.M. at La Cantina Restaurant, 116 3rd. Ave.,Neptune City, Saturday July 21st. 8:00 P.M. at La Cantina Restaurant, 116 3rd. Ave., Neptune City.
June 4, The Players Totally Laid Back, Really Comfy, Open Mic Nite Hosted by Brute Force, 16 Gramercy Park So., 8PM http://www.theplayersnyc.org/Events.html ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ June 9-10 BRUTE FORCE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE Big June Gig-Super MegaShow Brute Force will be signing autographs and performing at the SUPER MEGASHOW & COMIC FEST www.supermegashow.com When? Saturday June 9, 2012, show at night, autographs 12 pm-5pm Sunday June 10, autographs 12-5pm Where? Hanover Marriott 1401 Route 10 East, Whippany, NJ 07981 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ June 14...Freddy's in Brooklyn, 10pm, http://freddysbar.com/events/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ June 30 BRUTE FORCE, at the BAM Film Festival, June 30, in All City Shorts, here... http://bam.org/view.aspx?pid=4399
The Jedsey.com section is the biggest change in the JJ's format because this section will function independently of each individual issue. With the new server there is no limit on storage and this section will not have to be appended to each issue. Instead it will be a dynamic page of its own and will have sections that never have to be changed such as archives of previous issues and email addresses and websites of all of your old and new friends. Additionally, this is a place you can go to look for the latest schedules for upcoming events and the newest news flashes that missed the latest issue now posted on line. Take a minute to get familiar with all the sections of this independent website by clicking on the link below and then visiting each tab at jedesy.com. In future months we will talk more about the type of information that you can expect to find in each section.
The newest additions and changes for our online network of readers are included here. Add these address changes to your e-mail listings, and send a note to an old friend today. We will direct link to your websites as they come on line, and there are also websites of local interest included here. Save any or all of these sites in your favorite places. - - Please resend your email address if it recently changed and/or you did not get recent email notices regarding this new issue - all addressed were dropped from our list if they bounced when the notice was sent out. - for some servers like Earthlink, you must put the JJ on your "friends" list so that our email alerts can get past the server's spam blocking software -
This month's FEATURED WEBSITE is one that you will want to save - The Jersey City Cultural affairs calendar of events - including festivals, free concerts, movies and art events.
- - The best search engine for finding the JJ is Yahoo (search on the words "jedsey journal"), also there are still some who do not recognize that the JOURNAL does not get mailed to you - it is always at the same spot until it is replaced by the new issue at that same spot and now you will always find the latest issue at the new easy to remember address of jedsey journal.com (the address never changes so keep it saved in your cache of favorite places). AND if you missed any issues you will be able to find them in the archives stored on jedsey.com , so those are the two addresses you will ever need to remember. NEW ARCHIVED ISSUES HAVE BEEN ADDED RECENTLY.
- - Finally, for those of you who want to save these issues for you collection use the following instructions: 1- open the on line issue of the current JEDSEY JOURNAL - (make sure it is completely downloaded) 2- click on "file" and then click on "save" and then select a folder to keep each issue in - create a file name to index the issue and make sure it is saved in an html type format and then you will be able to open and read each issue long after it is replaced on line. One last hint- the JJ is formatted for 8 1/2" wide paper, so if you are reading it on your PC screen you will get the best presentation by clicking the window button and narrowing your window screen to resemble an 8 1/2 x 11" sheet of paper.
JUNE (Summer Preview) - due out - -Jun 15 - - - ID THE PHOTO - - BEST OF JEDSEY JOURNAL ARCHIVES - - JCNJ REDUX ,,, - THE WAY WE WERE,, - - - WHERE ARE THEY NOW - - - AND MUCH MORE -