Old Chester, PA: Guest Book entries January 2002
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The DeJohn Sisters didn't know it at the time, but they inspired the Bonnie Sisters ("Cry Baby") to seek a recording career. After hearing the DeJohn's "No More" on radio the music bug struck the Bonnie's. On February 12, 1955, the DeJohn Sisters' ("My Baby Don't Love Me) No More" soared to the #6 position on Billboards Pop 100 chart. Dux and Julie DeGiovanni wrote the song with brother, Leo; the Giovanni's changed their surname to DeJohn for professional reasons.... Dux and Julie became fascinated with singing while working at Sears & Roebuck, shunning careers at their parents dry cleaning business. Instead, they wanted to sing, become rich, and emulate the success of fellow Chester natives, the Four Aces. .. Andrew Hamilton All-Music Guide.
Apparently you can still buy this album... Complete DeJohn Sisters DeJohn Sisters Genre: Vocals Label: Collectables® Records Item Number: COL6663 Item UPC: 090431666326 Release Date: January 30, 2001 Number of Discs: 1 Available on Audio CD - Status: Available Your Price: $12.25 Retail Price: $14.97 You Save: $2.72 (18%) Description: Vocalists in the tradition of the Andrews Sisters, The DeJohn Sisters hailed from Chester, Pennsylvania, and followed the Four Aces, another Chester group, to stardom. This compilation includes all their work for Columbia/Epic in the mid-‘50s, and is the only CD available by the DeJohn’s available in the USA. Among the treasures included are “The Angel Passed By”, as well as their best-known song “”My Baby Don’t Love Me No More”.
For Chester Music Buffs:
came across a old piece of sheet music. the song is "(my baby don't love me) NO MORE..copyright 1954. the cover has the beautiful faces of Julie DeJohn and Dux DeJohn. The song was not only recorder by the DeJOHN sisters on Epic record No. 5-9085 but they wrote the lyrics. The music was by Leo J. DeJOHN. The sheet music only cost 50 cents back then.
I think they were from the St. Anthonys section of town.
Well now we going on about that fantastic hoagie shop at 9th and Keystone Road - and it has to be known (and I can't believe this) that it has been over 50 years since I lived there, and it's hard to remember exactly, but this I would swear to: I don't think there is anyway those two different business could have merged into one because they were on different parts of that slope. It was not one building with two levels. It's almost as though that slope was dug out on the opposite side to make space for that hoagie shop.
Oh me, at my age, I could be wrong, but I really don't think so. Will somebody out there drive by that location and let us know. Keystone Road from 9th St. swerved to the right with homes higher up, and directly on the left was the slope with the two stores I mentioned. My cousin Hugh still lives in Chester, and if we don't get an answer, I'll ask him to take a little trip over there. I'm really curious again - this Board just gets me curiouser and curiouser about so many things. The correct spelling of Stotters, escaped me years ago, so sorry about that.
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Well I was just thinking about a drugstore called Bomberger's in Chester. I know that when I was small, my grandfather got this horrible liquid stuff for his diabetes and my grandmother got these little squares of something for her arthritus. they never went to the dr. just there. Does anyone else know about Bombergers. Any one out there that was in the Goodwill Firehouse minstrels? It was quite a few years ago.
Pattie, as Joe Rollo says I must have spelled it Stoddards, when it should be Stotters. I don't know where I got that. That was Christmas , the way it should be. I loved the way it was back then. I remember every little thing my mother did to make it seem so real .We didn't get a ton of stuff just enough to make you love every minute of the day.In fact at my age it seems so real and I mean even the Easter Bunny
It sounds like the hoagie shop several people are referring to at 9th and Keystone was located in what eventually became Vesuvio's. I heard that it was once two separate stores but when Vesuvio's took over they had both the top and bottom portions of the building.
Patti, Check me on this, but I think you are calling the Stotter's Dept. store:Stoddard's.
TOM - Lou Warfel tells me that one of his sons and a friend of his son are the ones who opened up "Taste of Philadelphia" here in Phoenix. It was in an exclusive shopping center in one of the best parts of town - it was quite nice inside with booths, etc. and was packed at lunch time. But, I don't know the friend's last name. They even carried scrapple and TastyKakes. His son and his friend sold it a few years ago, and I guess the new owners let it fail. Let's face it, you got to be from Chester in order to sell the real thing. And, I just can't imagine the majority of people preferring a McDonald's, etc. junk food instead of a hoagie. Beats the living hell out of me. Lou just lost his wife a few weeks ago and we are waiting for him to get back into this site again. He can answer the question of the name of his son's buddy for you.
The hoagie shop I am referring to was part of Buckman Village and it faced on 9th Street on the south side of a slope - a drug store was definitely on the north side of the slope, but the way they sat, the drug store was higher - so I am assuming the hoagie shop was under the drug store - odd arrangement though now that I think of it. But we got our hoagies on the south and ice cream sundaes on the north - loved them both. Someone here said the hoagie shop I refer to was called "May's" - and I believe them. And, as I recall, the hoagie shop was tiny (I mean how much room can there be under a drug store)- no room for a pool table, and across the street was the ever popular beer garden - and no car wash close by - few cars to wash - they would have gone broke. I am talking about 1940 to 1950. And, Florence, you did it again - mentioned another store I completely forgot - Stoddards - good old Stoddards - loved it.
Just wanted to let all of you know that Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church, 3rd and Harwick is still a very active parish. I am very involved with the parish. We have celebrated our 90th anniversary several years ago, and since I was the Chairperson, I felt that it was the best anniversay the church has ever had. We still make pierogies and I am now a proud owner of a Eastern Europeon Cafe, which has all those Ukrainian dishes from pierogies, stuffed cabbage smoked Kiebasa and homemade sauerkraut, Halusky, fresh cheese crepes. You can find the Cafe at Booth's Corner farmers market in bethel. Our phone # is 610-485-1006. Hope to hear from you soon!!!
R.C. I do know about it. My husband and myself did a little flea marketing. I t was somewhat profitable for a while. Fosteria Ware is quite collectible. We have collected a lot of books trying to find out about things.I am more interested in dolls. Although I don't have too many.I remember when it was the day after Thanksgiving, and our Mother would get my sister and I and go downtown to Stoddards to see Santa Claus. It was quite a big event. It was great for kids Then Mother would lay away the toys she heard us ask Santa for.At one time per yr. I had a Shirley Temple,Sonia Henie,Gloria jean and etc.
To Patti: Do you remember the name of the people who owned that hoagie store in Pheonix? I had some friends that moved there years ago they're last name was Rossi. I use to hang at Mays Hoagie shop and play pool. I knew everybody that worked there and if they knew you they made you a gggggreat sandwich. It was next to the carwash and connected to Rubes Bar, if that is the place you are thinking of it was across from Bell Apparel, but it was not under a drug store. :)
CHS '62. Just found the site today. It's great. Thanks
TO RC: Yes, I am familiar with Fosteria Ware and those pieces you have are probably worth a lot more today. I am not familiar with Darr's (I've always been bad on the names of places anyway), but I did know Jimmie Grace. I am very sorry to hear about the loss of his leg, very sorry. And thanks to the other person who gave me the name of that little hoagie shop - May's - and your agreement that they were the best. Until this past summer, here in Phoenix, we had "A Taste of Philadelphia" which was an authentic Philadelphia hoagie shop and the people who started it were from Chester. Unfortunately, they closed and now I'll probably never have another real hoagie - or scrapple. Miss them both. Boo-Hoo.
To Pattie @ Florence: I do remembe Cooley Lilley's. I still have two shower gifts that came from there. they're a vase and nested ashtrays made of glass and I think the glass was called "Fostoria Ware". Do either of you remember that? Does anyone remember "Darr's" drug store at Third and Highland Also "Peter's" market on Highland around sixth? Jimmie Grace lost his leg there in a freak accident. So many memories!!
May's hoagie shop was at 9th and Keystone. They had the best baby hoagie in the world for 50 cents.
im: What a great flash back into time. When you mentioned your Dads funeral home for a moment I could see it. I know this is a stretch, but what group of our class did you go to the prom with. It seems to me that a remember the group I went with went in a big car. I did say it was a stretch. My Dad couldn't take us because he was down with malaria and I do remember a big car. Now who had big cars in those days. Only a undertaker. do you keep in touch with anyone from way back then or are you like the rest of us that life moved on during the busy years and now that we have time to look back we are. I do not remember the American Store on Reaney Street, but remember a pawn shop down that way. The reason I remember that was one of the kids in our class was going to sell there accordion there during one lunch break. It never happened but that introduced me to the pawn shop and what it was. although I play the accordion it was not me. I think everyone played the accordion back then.
Did we have the prom in our gym. or at CHS using their decoratated facility.
White Swan Cleaners. Yes that was the name. They had a truck that if I remember had a blue background with a white swan painted on and they would come around twice aweek for pickups and drop-offs. I think I remember the son was about my age working in there. I don't think he went to Dewey but I do believe his name was John.
To Florence. No, I don't think I knew her. Or, I don't remember.
To UW, No there was an American Store on third street between Yarnall&Reaney. More toward Yarnall. It was on the south side of Third. Almost right agross the street from my Dads funeral home.
Here's a definition and description of scarlet fever: http://my.webmd.com/content/asset/miller_keane_29691
Pattie I am thinking germs fly in the air or lay somewhere till someone touches them.Germs seem to lay on the top of the water anywhere.They could be on magazines,newspapers, library books. market handles, seats, anywhere.Park benches, even in the grass. I guess I did miss a lot of things because i am such a slow starter.
I don't know if those epidemics were confined to only part of the city or not. But the only place I swam (besides the YWCA) was Deshong Park and as I mentioned in an earlier post, after the second time I NEVER went back because it was so scummy - I hate to say this but there was human waste there. I can't imagine how those diseases hit so many children - not adults and where and how did we get them - the swimming holes seemed to make sense to me, and adults were not in those swimming places. Bud, as a baby, an older sibling might have had it and you caught it from them.
And Bud, thanks for the tip on my address book. I've done that and the problem is now solved. This bulletin board is so helpful.
And Florence, I absolutely loved Cooley Lilley's - so many beautiful things in there. Unfortunately, couldn't afford any until I grew up - now I have too many. one of my classmates from Rez married Fred Lilley. Besides Rogers and Weinbergs, Cooley Lilley's was my favorite store. Glad you mentioned that.
Does anyone know the name of the hoagie shop that was at the foot of Keystone Road and 9th, I believe. It was under the drug store which faced either Keystone or Pine Lane. The hoagie shop faced on 9th street - I believe they were on some type of a slope. For a quarter, I had the best sandwich in the world, I thought.
I believe it was called White Swan Cleaners and yes it was at 3ed and Wilson. They had the best water fountain when we'd get thirsty we'd run in and get a drink and if we had money we'd go across the street and get a snow cone.
By the way, I also had a cheesesteak at Phil and Jims. Talk about some good food, have'nt had one that good in quite a few years.
By the way, I also had a cheesesteak at Phil and Jims. Talk about some good food, have'nt had one that good in quite a few years.
Just decided to take a trip down memory lane yesterday and drive through Chester. I was really surprised, it was not as bad as I thought it would be. Sure, there are some buildings that have to be torn down, and some of the younger men who hang out have to get jobs, but the town itself is really clean. Sooner or later some developer is going to come in and buy alot of land for rebuilding, if has'nt happened already.
In reference to the blissard of 66. I got a new flexible flyer for christmas that year, but there was only one catch. I was 9 years old and the sled was in the trunk of my neighbors car. So my mother told me there was a present in the trunk and if I wanted it I would have to go out and get it. The snow was up to my under arms. It took me what seemed like forever to get to the car and then dig the trunk out and that was about 10 at night, but I finally got my sled. The next day I was on the hill next to the community building in McCafferty Villaged, but the snow was to deep to use a flexible fly so we used trash can lids until it was packed down.
In reference to the Bufano's store and garage. Al Bufano and family are still local in Eddystone. He is either the son or grandson. I know his son Joe Bufano. I was at the minit matic carwash on Providence Rd. a couple of weeks ago and they have a bunch of old pictures on the wall. One I recognized was of Bufano's garage, so I ask Joe about it and he said it was either his grandfather or great grandfathers.
To: UW Was the Swan Cleaners on the corner of 3rd and Wilson?
Sorry about not signing in. One last memory for the day.
Do you remember the gym suits the girls wore at Dewey. Ugly...
Jim:
Not the American Store at 3rd and Highland. We were not allowed to go down that far. I don't think it was Johnny Kachubuns (sorry John can't remember how to spell your last name) bakery/candy store on third street or the ceramic factory next to Walter K's funeral home. The great thing about it tho was that after Halloween we had to go clean up the windows and the gals on the team usually did that - while the guys stood around holding the ladder where it was necessary. When I see windows painted these days I do remember the fun times we had.
Did Dewey have a school song? I know our colors were Blue and Gold.
Pattie, I was too young to go swimming anywhere, the only place I had been was down to Woodland Beach with my Grandparents.
To Jim. Her last name was Smalley
Pattie: To get your address book back the way you want it, bring up Outlook Express, click on "View" and select "sort by" and then click on "ascending". Also, my mother told me I had Diptheria when I was a baby, I was a baby in 1927 so I had not done any swimming then. Starting around 1937 or so I was swimming at Deshong Park, Chester Park, Irvings, "Coffee" in Ridley Creek and Leiper's Quarry and any other place where I could find water. I don't recall any sickness from any of them.
Bud - Yuma, AZ
To UW, On that painting, was it that grocery store named, "The American Store" located on third street just east and on the south side of third street??
To UW, yes, I remember the "Swan Cleaners" but, I forget where it was. I also remember Billy Lou Barnes. To Florence, What is Donna Jean's last name?
Five views of Chester. It's a drawing. It's a map. It's a bird's eye view. If I could figure out how I'd go back in there and do some more editing but I can't.
http://members.fortunecity.com/harveysmartin/ChesterPhotos/id6.html
I left Chester in 1949 to come to California. My husband, Dick Ronan, represented Southco, a subsidiary of South Chester Tube Co. My father, Michael Goder, was night watchman at the mill for may years. During my Chester years I lived on W. 7th St and latger on Keystone Rd in Buckman Village. I was a member of Resurrection Parish and graduated from Resurrection School and Immaculate Heart Business School. Hope to hear from anyone who might remembver me and my family
PS to my last post. I am serviced by Outlook Express and I sometimes wonder if these problems are caused by a competitor of Outlook. They are smart enough to do it and anything is possible in this money-grabbing world.
FLORENCE - you mentioned you had scarlet fever. Perhaps you were not participating in the board when I brought up the subject of that scarlet fever and diptheria epidemic in the mid-30's. I almost died from it and many children did. I asked readers who may have also had one of those diseases if they remembered swimming in any particular creek or public park pool, because I really think that's where those diseases started. Where did you swim, if you did, and do you remember the sanitation of that pool? Really interested in knowing.
As for these darn viruses, about 3-4 months ago, I picked up the Trojan virus and my computer has not been the same since. As a matter of fact, I took Bill's advice and put !001 at the top of my address list. I deleted a lot of material and installed the Norton Virus detector. Norton advised me it was the Trojan virus and because it was unable to delete it, I had it "quarenteed". My computer is a mess, and the strange thing is that !001 now appears at the bottom of my address book - somehow it was reversed alphabetically and I find that very interesting and annoying.
I plan to purchase a new computer but with these destructive viruses, it's a worry. Any idea how that list was reversed alphabetically? Appreciate any help. My computer is almost 5 years old.
another Chester business just came to mind. Pen-Del Real Estate They may have been in the Wolf building. I believe Mr. Feinberg was the owner, Mrs. Coombs, the Goldsteins.
Thanks Ed for the Worm alert. Although some of us virus scan even our Email daily, sometimes we forget to update our program to the most current. Recently put ZoneAlarm on my work computers plus I have an automatic daily update service, but sometimes things still get thru.
Is Joe related to you?
Edr is correct. Here's a site that tells about it: http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/myparty.shtml
New E-Mail Worm ALERT!!
I just found out there is a new e-mail worm out called My Party. Be on the lookout for any e-mail with the subject: new photos from my party. The e-mail will have a file attachment called: www.myparty.yahoo.com. DO NOT open the attachment, go to the website and read about this new worm from Asia. I received three e-mail containing this worm today from someone I did not recognize and decided to go to the web site before opening the attached file.
I can remember in the late 30's and early 40's that we were quarintined in the house for Scarlet fever. No one could come in our home. My Grandfather would bring a ladder and put it up to my bedroom window and bring me my favorite ice cream, coffee. I see everything so clearly sometimes. Any one remember Cooley Lillies? I t was a gift shop not far from the Newstand.Are we not the lucky ones to have and still do, Freedom to express ourselve's. Where else but here. I can remember my Grandmother preparing for Thanksgiving dinner. After i have thought about it , she probably did not sleep for a week. Boiling the Pumpkin.sifting it and making all her crust, with crisco I might add, and mixing it all together. She must have made 20 pies. And of course she had to make a big plumb pudding. If you know what that was, it was a lot of work. And then to cook the perfect turkey dinner, it was amazing.The kitchen she had to work in was very modest. One stove, one of those very wanted cabinets and a tiny small sink with a very small drainboard. To me she was the best cook ever.
Could anyone tell me if they know the start up date for Daltons Bakery? I have 1864 in my records but was wondering if anyone knew for sure.
Thanks,
Tina
Well, some days are like that.
Thanks for the picture of Ethel Waters, John. I guess I'll never be a webmaster...I got a message from Tripod this morning saying I self-destructed my homepage last night. I was trying to upload some pictures from this pictorial map of Chester as it looked in 1885. It's like a birds eye view drawing. If you click on the image you get a larger map and then if you Zoom in all the way and choose window size 640 x 480...you can then use your cursor to click on the map and you get an enlarged image. http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/gmd:@FILREQ(@field(SUBJ+@band(United+States--Pennsylvania--Chester+))+@FIELD(COLLID+citymap))
oops that was "were the"
JM: I was hoping you would remember. I do remember it being south of Dewey on third street. jim do you remember SWAN cleaners? We the owners if you do the Slawicks? Keep well.
To UW, Sorry, haven't visit this site in awhile. Yes, I remember painting that window, but, can't remember what store that was. Do you remember?
The blizzard of 66 was pretty intense. Some people could not get some of their presents until late Christmas day because of the snow. The thing I remember the most about was a song called "The Eggplant that ate Chicago" played on the radio alot. Also I remember sledding down the comunity building hill at Mac Cafferty Village durin the blizzard. We had a blizzard and Chicago was getting attacked by an eggplant. I guess we got the better of the plagues. Oh yeah, and I got a bike too.
Sorry folks, forgot to identify myself on that last post.
MARGIE - Your mother had to work and my mother had to work, however, John is correct in his assessment that there were few working mothers in the 30's and 40's. When I lived in Buckman Village, the mothers of all my classmates were homemakers - and the other mothers in my family did not work. But, I'm sure the fact our Moms worked helped to make us self-sufficient and responsible people. Fortunately, my beloved father never lost touch with me and when I moved to NJ it was to be with him and his new family. My mother did remarry and was a stay-at-home mother to my younger sister. But in those days, many members of the same family lived together so there was always the wonderful support of a grandparent, aunt or uncle, which I also had - hope you did too; always somebody to "put us in our place" if we needed it. Not so today, and it's very, very sad.
Also, Chester was such a tight-knit community in the 1930's that everytime I decided I was going to "run away from home" - between the ages of 5 and 8 - the local patrolman (a police officer walking his beat - I forget what they called them) would take me by the hand and take me home. "Now Patsy, where do you think you're going this time." I think the police at that time knew everyone's name and habits and they were respected and greatly admired. You didn't fool around with a policeman.
And John, you talk about the table always set for the next meal with a cover over everything - my exact memories too of my Aunt Ruie (real name "Zeruiah") - so that must have been what the ladies did in those days. And, the dark wood staircases - never forget them. Fell all the way down the one leading to the front door and still have the scars on my legs. AND, standing on the side of that staircase is where I had my tantrum regarding that "orphanage" - with my parents standing right there beside me. So, yes, I certainly do remember those staircases.
Pattie,I am pretty sure it was still an orphanage in the 40's I can remember the faces of one of the girls, also her name.Perhaps your mom had explained what it was and it upset you to that their were children without a mom or dad. Go Eagles Go. Entertained us for quite a while. It brought my family together several times, My husband said, when the orphanage closed, Hannum the painter moved in.
4 views of Chester from 1885
http://harveysmartin.tripod.com/harveysphotoalbum/
I just want to add that I'm sure it was an orphanage in the 1930's - don't know about later years.
To Bill Locke: I may have asked you this before, if so, excuse me for asking you again. Are you any relation to Mona Locke - she was a classmate of mine in CHS?
And, Dan, you solved another mystery for me - I knew there was something unusual about the setting Jake's was in - it seemed to me that it was positioned oddly on the corner - and the "alley" comes back to me now. In some ways, to me as a small child, it was somewhat ominous in its setting. Thank you Dan.
I am pretty sure that place was an orphanage and I think I know how it affected me. It was a traumatic event that I couldn't quite put all pieces of the puzzle together, but I think I know now. If Florence went to school with some of those girls, perhaps she can tell us whatever she might rememeber. Thanks to everyone who helped.
Sorry about the Eagles - especially to my cousin Hugh, he was really rooting for them.
Watched Eagles game Sun & were very proud of them. We are at our condo in Naples, FL was hoping for a win to be in competition w/ neighbors from Boston. Sorry I mispelled word "sleigh" on previous email
Watched Eagles game Sun & were very proud of them. We are at our condo in Naples, FL was hoping for a win to be in competition w/ neighbors from Boston. Sorry I mispelled word "sleigh" on previous email
In 1957 my family moved from England to Chester then Eddystone where my brother and I attended school. My name then was Ann Towers and my brother's is John. We would like to track down anyone who went to school with us at Eddystone Elementary and then High from 1957 - 1962. Some of the names that John remembers are Bobby Mills who lived opposite us in Lexington Ave, Eddystone and George Albaugh, who lived in the next street. Can anyone help?
If there is anyone out there from the Chester High School, class of 1940 - do you remember Stella Pierce? She married Bill Jackson.
Hi John,
It may not have been a "DAYCARE" as we know it today but your comment about mothers not working is only correct for the two family household. Yes, even in the 60's, there was the "SINGLE MOM", which my mother was at the time. She had to work... she was a waitress at the time. She worked and raised me alone for private reasons but trust me, I went there. My cuz ( I liked that Bill!!!) can vouch for me!! :)
Sorry about the Eagles... :(
Margie
My aunt mamie lived directly across the street from the chester from the Chester day nursery, [Picture] I don't think it was a day care as we know it today because I don't remember many mothers working at that time.I'll always remember my aunts house for two reasons,one was she always had the dinner table set with the plates turned overand secondly there was a staircase that went from the kitchen to upstairs and also from the living room to upstairsand I guess there was a third because when we slept there the train ran directly behind the house.What made me think about the staircase is I was doing a virtual tour of some Toll bros. houses and they had the staircase from the kitchen to the living room so I guess everything gets recycled.
THE BLIZZARD WAS 1966 I HAD JUST GOT BACK FROM VIETNAM A WEEK BEFORE I REMEMBER PUSHING OUR FORD FALCON AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES OUT OF THE DRIFTS DELIVERING CHRISTMAS GIFTS,ALSO MY CUZ MARGIE BEAT ME TO THE PUNCH (I THINK THATS THE NAME OF A SONG)ANYWHO THERE WAS AN ORPHANAGE ON 5TH STREET ACROSS FROM MARGIE'S APT.THERE WAS A GIRL THAT LIVED THERE THAT USED TO GO TO SMEDLEY HER NAME WAS MARCEL,USED TO HANG WITH LEE BLACK ,I REMEMBER HER DAD WAS ON THE ROAD ALOT SO SHE STAYED THERE.I USED TO CARRY HER BOOKS HOME BEFORE I MET MY WIFE.ANYWAY WE USE TO CALL IT THE ORPHANAGE CAN'T REMEMBER THE RIGHT NAME.I REMEMBER THE CANDY STORE ON 8TH STREET JUST OFF EDGEMONT BY THE ALLEY YOU COULD TAKE TO 7TH STREET OR CUT THRU THE FIVE AND DIME.REMEMBER GOING INTO THE BUILDING ACROSS FROM ST MICHEALS THEY AN ELEVATOR WE WOULD ALWAYS RIDE IT EVERY TIME WE PASSED IT. WELL ONE TIME I REMEMBER IT WAS MISCHIEF NIGHT WE WERE WALKING BY THE BUILDING WAS SUPPOSEDLY CLOSED WE TRIED THE DOOR AND IT OPENED WE WENT IN AND RODE THE ELEVATOR WHEN WE GOT BACK TO THE GROUND FLOOR WERE WE IN FOR SURPRISE STANDING THERE TO GREET US WAS NONE OTHER THAN THE WHITE GLOVED COP EDDIE MAY BOY DID WE HAVE SOME EXPLAINING TO DO.ANYWAY HE LET US GO AFTER HE BOPPED EACH OF US ON THE HEAD.AT LEAST HE DIDNT TELL OUR PARENTS.WELL IM DONE RAMBLING FOR NOW.TOUGH LOSS FOR THE EAGLES WE'LL DO IT NEXT YEAR FOR SURE
One hell of a game. Thank you EAGLES for a great season.It was a step forward. See ya'll next year.
TO UPER,THIS SITE IS ABOUT CHESTER,NOT ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS ,PLEASE TAKE IT ELSEWHERE!
HELLO "CHESTER COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD" FOUND YOUR WEB SITE TODAY, PASSED IT ON TO MY BROTHER - LAW: JOHN C. WOOD, MY SISTER DONNA KAY GRAHAM WOOD. JOHN ( JACK) IS FROM BROOKHAVEN, MY FAMILY LIVED IN ASTON. I REMEMBER EARNING MY GIRL SCOUT SKATING BADGE FROM THE ROLLER RINK, SHOPPING AT SEARS IN CHESTER, THE BUILDING OF "I-95", a club from sun valley working on the crozer mansion as a project. my husband gerald w. sands worked at palo goodyear tire co. on keystone rd. mr. joe palo, jim palo,it is /was next to the ford dealership. our marrige anouncement was in the daily times newspaper, i, graduated from sun valley high school, as did my sister, husband, brother in law sun valley high school graduations were usually held in the sun center building. media court house is where the marriage licences are from.
The BIG snow was 1966, Mrs. Birkofer died that week & we had a lot relatives from mid-west stranded @ our house. It was a beautiful snow for that time of year, made a lot of children believe Santa came in a seigh with Christmas toys.
HARVEY! Thanks for the link to the "flying saucers".. did you go to it Terry? Are you trying to say you are younger or older than me? haha... anyway, thanks Harvey! that was a great site!!
Also, I should clarify that the candy shop was there in the mid to late 60's... the one that was a cigar shop/penny candy store. So was it still Jake's?
Finally, the Orphaniage, Day Care center you are all talking about? I can tell you that in the mid 1960's it was a PRESCHOOL!!! I know this because I lived in an apt. across the street from this magnificent victorian building and was sent there for preschool. I was TERRIFIED so it really stuck in my head. I was sooo scared as we walked up the steps. When I got there, I didn't want my mother to leave but the lady showed me this BEAUTIFUL play kitchen area with plates and glasses! I WAS IN HEAVEN! (I didn't have many toys growing up) I loved playing there and I remember that I made "meatloaf" for everyone that day! :)
I also had one bad memory of that place. It was the first time I remember LYING. :) We were told we had to eat all of our lunch or we would not get dessert. Well, my mother didn't cook meat much for me so when the chicken was served, I was thinking... "how can I eat the skin on the chicken??" (Somehone, I knew I didn't have to eat the bones!) So, when no one was looking, I took the skin and trhew it beneath the table. When we were leaving the table, they would check underneath to make sure it was clean. The teacher asked who put the chicken skin under the table. I remember looking so shocked that a child would do that and kept saying, it wasn't me!!!!
I can't remember if I got dessert, or got caught but that is what I remember....
THe victorian building was still there in 1997 as I was visiting relatives in Reading, Pa. and we drove through. I was taking aphotography class at the time and I made black and white photos of places I lived in Chester as they are now. I lived in many different apts. growing up and almost everyone was GONE. So I have lots of pictures of me standing in empty lots. I had a picture taken of me in front of the Preschool, which now had a fence up around it. I took this series of pictures to my photo class and the teacher commented that the photo of me in front of the victorian building was the only one where my facial expression showed that I was happy about a memory there. It was really wild that she could read that in my face! (It was pretty much a close up and you could only see the fence and that it was a building, but not what kind of building)...
I have posted too much today! Sorry.. thanks for letting me ramble once again!!
Margie
Everything is relative. In 1954, the minimum wage for employees engaged in interstate commerce was $1.00 an hour. A nickel Hershey bar or Pepsi was not bought with today's nickel, if you look only at today's minimum wage. A Plymouth in the early 1940s (pre-WWII) cost $900, and so on. Our 25 cents weekly allowance got us to a movie, a comic book, and some candy.
Everything is relative. In 1954, the minimum wage for employees engaged in interstate commerce was $1.00 and hour. A nickel Hershey bar or Pepsi was not bought with today's nickel, if you look only at today's minimum wage. A Plymouth in the early 1940s (pre-WWII) cost $900, and so on. Our 25 cents weekly allowance got us to a movie, a comic book, and some candy.
His Eye is on the Sparrow
http://www.intac.com/~gbogatko/eyeon/hiseyeon.html
Pattie--Jake's was a small store with a counter on the right and and wall mounted shelves on the left. It was located at the corner of 8th & Deshong( a one lane alley between 7th and 8th Sts. If you were to go to the area where Larkin School was it is now one big vacant lot with only a KFC fronting on 9th St. I left the area in 1965 but I do return occasionally to refresh my memories. Most of my neighborhood has been literally demolished. The last time I was there all of 5th St from Morton Ave to Welch St had no buildings on the railroad side and only The Chester Day Nursery, Headley's Warehouse, and one other small business on the other side of the St. 3rd & 4th St in that same area have no residences. They were demolished to build a highway. It takes some reminders I find on this site to tweek my memory of things that used to be.
Thank you folks for the responses about the "home" or "orphanage" or whatever it was. Nothing helps yet, but please don't give up.
As for the late, great Ethel Waters - I do not remember where I purchased it, but I have the video tape of "Cabin the Sky" and it can be purchased, I am sure through Amazon.com. They have, it seems, everything at really affordable prices. In that movie, she also sang one of my most favorite songs "Happiness is Just a Thing Called Joe". Remember? I just loved Ms. Waters - I think everyone did - and she was also a standout in "Member of the Wedding" with Julie Harris many years ago. Yes, I am also proud that her roots were in Chester. Didn't know about Loretta Young though - would like to hear more about that.
While giving a little more thought to that "home", the name Mrs. Walter Buckley does sound somewhat familiar. Can't place her but would like to know more about her.
About the snow storm on christmas eve,I don't remember one in 64,but I know there was one in 66 because thats the year we moved to Garden city and my oldest daughter was born that year.As I recall it was a beautiful day and about 2pm it started snowing and thundering & lightening.My wife was due at any time and we were afraid it may be that night.I have been reading all the postings about the penny candies,and was just the other day telling someone at work about the milk chocolate grade A.What people get for .65 now we got for a nickel.I remember Jakes behind Larkin school,we stopped in there every day after school.I saw on here that someone had worked in Hills store on Barclay St,living in Eyre Park that was our hangout to play the pinball machine.
Re: Ethel Waters
I have a picture of Ethel Waters taken during her visit to Chester which was in June 1972. The picture is courtesy of Martha Wood. I'll try to get it posted in the next day or two.
I believe that the occasion for her visit then was the dedication of the park in her honor.
Stay tuned ... I'll put a note on the "What's New" page when I get it posted.
-Also -
Re: The "home" or "orphanage":
I believe that the "Chester Day Nursery" operated by Mrs. Anne McCray Buckley (Mrs. Walter Buckley) was in an old home at around that location.
John
If you really want to reminisce on all the candy we used to eat when we were younger try this website.
http:\\www.candywarehouse.com
How many of you all 'member the "Blizzard of '64" that hit on Christmas Eve? Whew!!! what a night to be delivering "The Chester Times" and "The Evening Bulletin" which by the way printed the morning and afternoon editions this way we could get the updates and the early baseball scores of the Phillies games.
I recall my mother saying that when Ethel Waters visited Chester she was in a purple Cadillac. That may have been 1930s or 1940s when Ms. Waters was really "big time."
Harvey, thankyou very much. Paul you may be right. I know that a couple of the girls went to Smedley when I did.
PATTIE.. To the best of my knowledge,the facility you're talking about at 4th.& Madison was the Childrens Aid Center. Children who were taken from their parents were sheltered there.
Hey guys - missed you - my son is visiting for a few days, but I told him I had to go "check the board" - see what other trouble I have or can start (he-he).
"Jakes" - I have tried in vain to remember that name and that's the little candy store close to where I lived at 9th & Madison, right? Very small, as I recall and a bit gloomy? Is that right, Dan? They frequently gave me candy free (I must have just been a darling little girl - don't you think (he-he). I might not have been darling, but I know I was a nice little girl (my grandmother would have swatted me otherwise).
At any rate, Florence, I am very interested in any memories you have about that orphanage - because I vaguely remember - like a child having nightmares - something about an orphanage. There is one early memory I have that has never been explained to me. It comes to me at the most unusual time and I see it in my mind's eye and I see and hear myself crying. I have never asked anyone, nor have I even told anyone about that memory, now it comes back to me again. I would very much like to know what you remember. This is very interesting. I was not adopted. I know that - I'm a mirror image of my mother and too much like my father for it to be otherwise. And, my Dad always referred to me as his "first born" - and many other factors involved, but I was not adopted. But there is something about an orphanage that has always haunted me. Perhaps some other reader knows or has information about that orphanage. There has to be some records somewhere if it existed. John has no idea the service he is performing to we "old Chesterites" by keeping this board alive. Thanks again, John.
I am really looking forward to any information I can get about the above.
It's a beautiful day here in Phoenix. It's been as cold as Chester all month and we expect cold again next week - but it's a welcome relief from the hot summer months.
Thanks again Dan. I'm going to show my son and have him listen to the wonderful music Harvey has been emailing to me. He is going to be amazed.
Pattie Your welcome. I didn't find Margie's cigar store but thinking about it did remind me of Larkin School, Jake's, and allot more memories of the neighborhood. Florence is asking about a orphanage at 4th& Madison. I lived at 5th & Madison from 1947 to 1959 and don't think there was an orphanage there,. There was The Chester Day Nursery in that block and a Ukrainian Chuch. Maybe the orphanage was there earlier.
Florence, I once had a record of Ethel Waters singing Cabin in the Sky...she visited Chester in the 70's. You can hear her here.
http://www.redhotjazz.com/waters.html
Harvey, I remember Nehi and Birley's orange:I Wish:Remeber Ethel Water's a great singer from Chester, she was in "Cabin In The Sky", and Lorretta Young, she was also from Chester.I remember going to bowling alley's with my Grandfather. I can still smell the hamburgers from the grill in there. He always bought me one. I think the bowling alley was called The Armory at 5th and Crosby, Penn Rec at 5th and penn, Chester Rec at 9th and Welsh. Also I remember some very nice girls that I went to school with from an orphanage around 4th and Madison. Maybe Pat knows about it. I loved our life in the city.
UW THANKS FOR BRINGING UP TURKISH TAFFY IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST ALSO YOU CAN GET THAT LICORACE IN A SMALL COAL BUCKET AT THE CANDY STORE IN BOOTHS CORNER.
I remember the "Lucky Strike Green has Gone to War" commercials and all you could buy was brands like Spurs and Rameses but you could buy them for a penny a piece. Also remember when Green River was one of the available whiskey around. And I remember when Sunshine and Health was the only magazine that had pictures of nude people.
How about NEHI, Bireleys and Gruber's sodas
DAN - I think you just gave me the name of that store behind Larkin School - Jakes. Was it run by two brothers? Years after I moved from there and was just visiting home as an adult, I went in there and asked the one brother if he remembered me, and he did, I couldn't believe it. He said, "You're Patsy - used to come in here all the time." Last time he saw me I was just 9 or 10. They were a real friendly and neighborhood store - were nice to everyone. Thanks for that, Dan.
Margie The store across 8th St from Larkin School was Jake's. I used to stop there before taking my Safety post at the corner of 8th & Crosby in 1947. I changed corners to 9th & Edgmont the next year. Also had to trek there from 5th & Madison for groceries( usually " on the book").
I can't wait to see what new messages you all have written in. Everyone brings back memories, although mine are a little further back than most of your's. Harvey,that trolley that ran from Chester to Media through Parkside and Rockdale was painted orange. The same Co. had a line from Media to Darby. We usd to call them the "toonerville". Florence, I remember that murder in Crozer Park. It was near the Finish Monument. It was a terrible thing and made even more so because thay wre local fellows from the WestEnd who everybody knew, knew of, knew a familly member. or knew somebody that did. Now, for a lighter subject (sweeter too) I always bought green leaves with my penny. They were a little bigger then (that was before a pound of cooffee was 13ounces), you got five for a penny, and if you sucked them they lasted a really long time.
Margie, no, I really can't say I remember "flying saucers," but here are some more penny candies I do remember: non pareils, Bazooka gum, Double Bubble gum, Mary Janes, Goldenberg's peanut chews, jaw breakers, candy cigarettes (when we "exhaled" some of the sugared dust, didn't we feel like "cool cats" - LOL), and that dreadful penny-a-square "chocolate fudge." It's a wonder any of us have teeth today!
Another shot at Flying Saucers
http://oryans.com/satelitewafers.html
Flying Saucers
http://www.atthecandyshop.co.uk/showprod.php3
WOW!!!! thanks everyone for the grade A response! Another memory found! Ok, Terry, do you remember the flying saucers? they had little candies inside of this disk thingy, like thin cardboard..haha..
I used to buy my penny candy at this store that was a cigar shop kind of behind Larkin. I also bough cotton candy in a bag there!
I also would buy now and laters and sunflower seeds at some little store when I walked to 5/6th grade. I can't remember the name of the school. :( It was kind of near Wiedner... past Smedley.
The coal candy is made in the Anthracite coal region of PA. the candy store is called: Mootz Candies on S. Centre Street. They are on line. But if your going up to the 35th Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival this week let me know, I might see you there.
Harv: Great pictures. Said it was beer country but only tasted the stuff once in my life. Love that Cola tho.
Pepsi Cola Hits the spot Twelve full ounces, that's a lot Twice as much for a nickel too Pepsi Cola is the drink for you nickel, nickel, nickel.......
Dave Shrposhire did work at PEPSI Wilmington
http://www.coalregion.com/pictures.htm
Port Clinton, slowing down to 35 miles an hour in that one span of 61. Further north into Pottsville. Beer country...
Hi all!!!!! I remember the grade A penny candy.That was good candy then.There ws a lot of corner candy stores in those days. I also remember Moes. I'm an east girl. I remember Phil's meat market. Went to Morton School.Pete and Jimmy's hoagie shop. Happy water ice truck.All those flavors......mmmmmmmmm.Plaski's playground. The arts and crafts we did there.
To. U. W.
CHS Flagtwirlers 1951-1954, to name a few: Dorrie Rodgers, Marilyn Link, Joan Guzek, Wanda Eddy, Sandra Bunker,Iris Howett. I was raised at 4th and Highland and marrried Julian Messick (4th and Ward). I am in full agreement with the good old days and to treat the alcoholics with respect! They never hurt any of us.
is that candy store in port clinton? they have a lot of good stuff! it is on rt. 61.
Turkish Taffy. the white bar with a powdered substance covering it that when it was cold you could crack it into small pieces or just letting it get softened and pulling it like salt water taffy. As for the black licorice in the coal chunk form. There is a candy store in the coal mine region of PA that sells it in a little coal bucket. It is soooo good. Just like when most of us were kids. How about rock candy. If anyone is interested in the address I can call there and see if they have mail order or post the address.
Halloween painting of windows..What a great memory. I remember the picture I submitted (we had to show Mr. M. at Dewey what we planned to do) I was sure it would win the contest for best painted window. WRONG...but it was fun and it got us out of classes. Never gave up a chance to bump a class. Even played hookie. Jim M. do you remember that one that we all painted. The store that had that huge glass window. It was a skelton playing the piano and other spooks standing around singing horror songs. It was fun..Thanks for the memory..........
Terry --- How about those red wax "lips" and wax "teeth." The list of penny candies from "the old days" is bringing back memories!
Margie. Yes they were squares of chocolate. I love all the old penny candy. Even the old gum ball machines. A nickle coke. The little fire engines with candy in them, oh so many things. I often wonder how many wonderful songs have been written in my time, how many stars were made, how many singers. How many events, like going to the moon,president's assasinated,dancers ,artists,bands and so on
Margie, no, you're not crazy. I distinctly remember going to the corner candy store and buying Grade A. It was a thin square of chocolate, similar to a square from a Hershey bar. I also remember buying Squirrel Nut Zippers (or something like that), flat rainbow-colored strips made with coconut (can't remember the exact name), chocolate babies, rootbeer barrels, red and black licorice, spearmint leaves, jellied orange slices, those awful paper straws that were filled with colored sugar, wax "soda bottles" that contained sickly sweet sugared water, and those candy "dots" that were stuck on a white strip of paper. The corner store also sold "punks" -- 1 cent for a skinny one and 5 cents for the fat ones. When lit, they were supposed to ward off mosquitos.
Florence,
you mentioned a candy named GRADE A... I barely remember something about that.. was it chocolate? That name would creep into my memory every now and again and I wasn't sure what it was I was remembering!! I think it was some kind of chocolate??? Am I nuts? DON'T ANSWER THAT! :)
What about Martha Washington's candy store and the Yellow Bowl? I remember ice skating at Chester Park, only problem, I could never get off my anklesI know that when I was about 10, some awful thing happened in Crozer park. I think the reason I remember is that one of the young men who was involved was married to a friend of my Mothers. It was bad.
Now Harvey, maybe he was getting ready to hit you up for a few bucks. he-he. Well, tell us, how did you make out? Sorry, my friend, don't mean to put you on the spot. I remember, I remember, by Jove, I've got it. The car seats weren't as comfortable then as they are today, were they. And, oh my goodness, some of them even recline. I hope the younger generations appreciate what we old folks have made possible for them.
Well how about the two fella's that took care of the railroad gate's at 12th&Walnut sts.. I know one of them was named Shep. Remember when the fire houses had their minstrals and country and western dances. I remember the hallowe'en parades and also PMC's. I remember the garages and gasoline station at about 12th and edgmont ave. . I know that I was christened at St.Pauls at 9th and Madison, that my Godfather didn't show up, so my dad went out on the corner and grabbed the policeman on the corner and asked him to stand for me.He did.I also remember bBirney's birch paper. I don't know if I told anyone this story. My dad told if I were going downtown, to stop and pick up a Needler. I thought it was some kind of needle he wanted to send to a friend overseas, so I went into Speares at the back counter and told them what I wanted. I guess you know, I didn't get it.
Pattie, Is that why he had that simple grin on his face?
DAN - Why was that Snookie's "last visit" in 1952? What happened?
Harvey - I think your nephew was referring to your financial state.
shrop( chs 73) . how about squires hoagie shop, collars and cuffs, the old security guard that use to chase us at deshong park, football on sundays at chester park, and the sledding there,chester east lil league, st james dances, and the football game chester vs st james on thanksgiving day. and skatting at the big c(the great lepord). all the great memories. this isagreat website.
I was remembering Burn's candy store at the corner of 15th&Walnut, right across from Martin School. You could go in there and get penny candy such as, potato,orange slice, watermellon slice, a grade A, Little tin with spoon and candy in the tin, I know their is more, but right now I can't think, a sour pickle for a nickle, it didn't take too much or cost an arm and a leg. Pat, if we have another reunion, and we are still here I will go.I think I might have the vapors in my mind.I have enjoyed being in touch with you,it's funny when you get older you can say almost anything you want to, but when I was younger I hardly said anything. I hope you keep writing, because you do it very well.
To FLORENCE: If I still lived back in PA, I would come and "visit with you a spell" (now that we're senior citizens, that's how we're supposed to talk), because you come across as just very gentle and sweet-natured, and that's how I remember you from school too. I would trade my crusty ways for your gentleness any time - and your memory is outstanding. So your traits are much more admirable than mine. I really hope both of us make our 55th CHS reunion - we'll have a lot fun gossiping - that is if we don't get the "vapors" (that's what ladies our age get, you know - the "vapors"). I haven't had one yet, but I'm looking forward to it - just another experience in life, so I too can say "Is That All There is?"
I was gonna sign this "Luv", but I was afraid it might be misunderstood by some jerk. Anyway, always liked you, and still do. Congratulations on your having such a fine family. I had only one son and one loving grandson. Grandchildren are such a joy. As the saying goes, "If I knew grandchildren could be so much fun, I would have had them first."
Back in the days when I was dating my future wife, like in '49 to '52, she lived on Chelton Rd in Parkside and I would catch the #77 bus at Elbon Rd to go home to Media. A nice little guy named Bill was the driver. Everybody liked Bill. I had a car some of this time but it wasn't very dependable so I didn't use it when I went out with Jean. My nephew asked me, "How did you make out?" I told him things were different in those days.
TO NAMELESS: Pidipat is just a sweet old lady surviving the best that she can and looking forward to the day when she doesn't have to respond to sniveling cowards like you.
Bill Locke: Great website ( Lost in the Fifties)!! Thanks for posting it!
Ahh, Pattie, You've got True Grit!
Harvey-In the 60's Bufano's shop became Carmen's Hoagie Shop when Carmen Mingione moved from 7th & Crosby.
Jacko-Snookie made his final visit to the CHS basketball lockerroom in 1952.
Dan CHS54
Charlie:
Was just a kid whose father was one that worked many a picket line after he came back from WWII to get good working conditions for the kids coming behind them. I can remember taking pictures of my Dad freezing at fence lines. HAPPY RETIREMENT.
EDRZ: the email with all the flagtwirlers names didn't come from any of them. The writer did note that they forgot afew last names and possibly afew altogether. How are you and Irene doing?
Pidipat is a drag queen????
Harvey - I don't know what made you think of dance routines when we're having a very serious discussion here about some guy using my old nickname and running around old Chester making passes at other people having the same fixtures he had when he knew damn well that even some tools are designated "male" or "female". They were straighter than he was - literally speaking. However, one of my favorite dance routines was when John Wayne shot at the feet of the bad guys.
THIS IS GOOD TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE http://www.mamarocks.com/lost_in_the_fifties.htm
Snookie was also the manager or ball boy for good old.. CHS before he went trolling for sea food
Andy & Al Bufano's Barber Shop
http://www.oldchesterpa.com/bufano_barber_shop.htm
Pat, you were talking to Frank Vaul the other day, you know I remember him from Smedley Jr. High.and Chester High.He is a very nice fellow. It so happens that my husband worked at Boeing as so many people have.He was maintenance painter for some years, my daughter and her husband work there and also my second son. I have 3 sons and one daughter.They are very good to us.We had a pretty good relationship, no money but happy.
Shirley, Joy is my sister and she indeed married Russ.Nancy was our cousin. Pat, you are such a great writer.I get just as mixed up writing as I do talking. I was remembering Hallowe'en in our our time. We always had a great time. We sure didn't have to worry about the people that gave us candy, etc.We always were ready for that night. Does anyone remember the garage right accross from the Goodwill Fire House On 15th and Providence, by name of Murph Bufano and a few blocks up was Al Bufano" barber shop. They were members of the firehouse.
From here on, I am "Pattie" - no more "Pat" - so that readers know I am a FEMALE - and proud of it. I have always enjoyed being female and I even resent when I get junk mail addressed to Mr. Pat McFadden - hate it. Don't misunderstand - I love the opposite sex; otherwise I couldn't be so female, and my birth certificate confirms it. I guess I'm going on about this because one of my male classmates at Rez nicknamed me "Snookie" - he was only 13 or 14 at the time, and he liked me because he was always hanging around and he took me to my first prom - so I never took the name to mean a "drag queen". He had several older brothers and he could have heard that name from them. Don't know. But, Paul, you mean to tell me there was only one gay fellow named "Snookie" or did that name apply to anyone male who was gay? If only one guy - oh my goodness!!
So, now that's said - I want to thank Paul for explaining the meanings of a few of Skyjumpers "phrases" - thanks. What I really enjoy about this board is that sooner or later, a question will be answered. Dan M was kind enough to email me last night with his answers to my questions which are identical to yours - and I thank you both.
This is a very active board today and I'm wondering why. Is there something different said or what? At any rate, controversy always is exciting and that's what makes the board interesting. Let's see now - what else can we instigate? Any suggestions? Don't ask about my lovelife because that is too controversial. Come on now - what do we discuss next? I suggest the supernatural in old Chester. Let's help out Chakera Nix with his/her haunted house.
U. W. by the tone of one of your replies it sounds like you must be a union member. What union do you belong to. I just retired in Nov., before that I was a member of Millwrights Local #1906.
Harvey Martin, Just a fast question for you. Did you have a relative named Joan who married a Clayt Hartranft????The Hartranft I know lived in Media. Just curious???
TO Pat McFadden.... Well it looks like "Skyjumper" is not going to enlighten you about"Snooky" or "trolling for seafood",so I will. Snooky was probably the most well known gay person in the whole City. The term "gay" wasn't used at that time. He was called a queer or a fag. He was very openly gay and very effeminate. He relished the attention he was given at all times. In 1958 I worked with him at the Ford plant in Chester. With all the joking and fooling around that was done by him and his co-workers,it's a wonder any cars were built. In later years I think he lived in Green Ridge. Trolling for seafood meant that he would go out and try to pick up one of the many sailors that were in the City. Yes,Chester had it's "seedy" areas,but so do most Cities. I don't recall anyone ever saying here that Chester was anything other than what it was. It really was a working mans City. We had,I believe,an excellent educational system, a good Police and Fire Dept.reasonably good parks and most everything we needed. Hope this enlightens you a little!
Well then, UW, thank you for confirming the conditions I spoke about for those men back 25-35-45 years ago. They were dreadful and would have been almost unbearable. It did take fortitude and strengh of will to continue working there. What motivated them? Love of their family is what motivated them and also a self-satisfaction of being able to do that job (I guarantee few women and a lot of men could have done what those men did and still do). Do you agree? So, they should never, ever be criticized (and you didn't criticize - I'm just mentioning this) for having a drink one too many or indulging in an out-of-marriage sexual adventure - and I don't mean gang-rape - God forbid.
So, then we get to another subject of "ladies of the evening". They too fulfilled a role. And think about the "uniforms" they had to put up with!! Eh-Gads - cheap, cheap, cheap - when I'm sure they would have preferred beautiful garments and respectable gentlemen to take them to a "Puttin' on the Ritz" spot. In that film, LETB (Last Exit to Brooklyn) Tralala (the star and prostitute) found a great deal of pride in her military officer and the way he treated her and the fact that he had money and bought her things.
So, because "necessity is the mother of invention" - needed factors come into play and this includes the actions of human beings. We all have a role to play in this life and a great many of us are forced to play minor roles that we resent because we know we have untapped talents, but yet those roles must be filled. Some of us, with only one-liners, screw up drastically - but that's life. The line was: "Hark, I hear the bell" - instead, it came out: "What the hell was that noise?" So, I am not shocked by anything I hear about those days, nor do I condemn - I am merely extremely interested because these are my roots!!!!
So, I think we agree that "Skyjumper" is absolutely correct in how he perceives "old Chester". But he was strong enough and appalled enough by what he witnessed to rise above that and become the intelligent, and I hope not bitter, person he is today. He didn't fall victim to it - he saw it, recognized it for what it was, and refused to be taken in by it. So I admire him as I admire sooooooo many other people from Chester who pulled themselves up by their bootstraps and contributed beautifully and importantly to this country.
So every action has a reaction and I, for one, would like to hear more about those post-war days.
Pat McFadden ("Moonrider, Moonbeam, Stardust" - whatever - I like all those names.)
Florence No, I lived next. door to the Cunninghams, about three houses up from the Cowans. I remember Nancy and Joy or Joyce Smalley I think Joyce married Russ MacLean. Russ use to play baseball with the Smedley A.C. Nancy Smalley lived nest door to a little candy store, it was on the corner of 16th & Walnut. We lived on the other side 2nd house from the corner.
Rt 77 trolley in Brookhaven http://davesrailpix.railfan.net/phila/htm/bvph253.htm
TO: Harvey Martin and U.W. My Father was a trolley operator for 19 years for the Southern Penn. On Edgemont ave at 13th and 14th Sts.(Ithink).The last few as a bus driver. Remember when that bus barn burned down and was rebuilt. Someone may remember the year. Also, my grandfather was employed in Philly at the Brill Works, later to become A.C.F. Brill where they built trolley cars and in more recent years Budliners. My Gf was a cabinet maker and built the wooden seats and caned them.
Hi Wanda, Last I heard, you were living in Prospect Park. Just want to say, Hi. This is the correct e-mail address
Hi, Wanda Eddy, last I heard you were living in Prospect Park. Just want to say HI.
Dear Chakera - Maybe it's haunted because you have a ouija board. Or, you might try asking the ouija board to help you communicate with those ghosts. Maybe they can fill us in on some of the history of Chester and also tell us of their "happy" memories of life in old Chester. Or, the turning on and off of electrical units indicates that someone from beyond the grave who was very close to you is trying to communicate with you. Anyone close to you pass away within the past year or so? Otherwise, sprinkle the house with holy water and demand they get the hell out of there.
No, Fred, I worked at the Media Post Office for 38 years...and never shot anybody.
Guess Edgemont Ave I mean Avenue of the States wasn't wide enough to fit them all in Chester
Harvey Martin, Did you ever work at Sun Oil Co in Marcus Hook,Pa? I knew a Harvey Martin worked In the Instrument dept. Thank you & have a good day
I am researching the name STASIUNAS. My Mother's maiden name. Her parents immigrated to Chester where she was born. I have found some info about Mother's family,but would apprecialte any added data. If you know of anyone with the name STASIUNAS please have them e-mail me. Thanks.
my house tv,s and lights turn off and on.i think my house is haunted.i have a ouija board
One of my favorite dance routines was Ray Bolger doing "Once in Love with Amy" in Where's Charley?
Harvey - your last post just cracked me up. I adore your sense of humor.
Dear Skyjumper - You're groping in the dark with some of your responses to my last post to you. You are assuming things that are just not so. First, I am a she, not a he; second, I lived at 7th and Madison until the age of 10, then we moved to Buckman Village until age 18 when I moved to NJ. Anyone who lived in Buckman Village at that time, can tell you what a charming and safe area that was. I was raised by one parent, no siblings until my mother remarried and I had a baby sister when I was 16, and my mother had a very hard time making ends meet, so college was out of the question for me. Actually, I had another career I wanted and did pursue, and college was not an issue re that career.
I did identify myself in that post as "Moonrider" (you called me "Moonbeam" but hey, that's pretty too). And, the only reason I made up that pseudonym was to communicate - maybe on the same level - with you, and it was fun.
Most importantly, I had no and have no intention of offending you, criticizing you or saying you are wrong. If you will read that post again, you will realize that I was just very surprised that things like that took place in Chester and I even asked you to explain the meaning of some of the terminology you used. So, please don't take imaginary offense where none exists. In fact, I would like to hear more of what went on. Truth is important regarding the history of any city and I have a need to know. What you post on this board is just as important and interesting as any other. So, don't be mad - I respect and appreciate what you have to say.
Pat (Moonrider - cute name, don't you think?)
Speaking of parades...the K.K.K. marched through Parkside...I guess they were afraid to go into Chester.
My husband was one of those veterans that came back from the world war 2, and yes he did drink a little too much. He flew quite a few missions as a ball turret gunner, he doesn't drink that much for a long time. When he was younger, he was in CCC's in Montana. His name is George W. Knott.Anyone else out there from the CCC's. He was with the eighth air force. Anyone else around from those times.
Shirley
I am the oldest Smalley, but my memory is losing a little.I knew a Shirley MacNeal, but I thought she lived at 16th&Prov.Could you be related to the Simmers family?
Review of "Last Exit to Brooklyn"
http://www.j-j-l.com/reviews/ReviewLastExit.html
Skyjumper: You are right. Life in Chester never was all sweet-smelling roses, no matter in which part of the city you lived, BUT there were many good things too and that's what we prefer to remember. Walking to the Smedley Friday night dances fronm Sun Village ;going to the movies downtown or at the MAC; watching the adets from PMC march to church on Sunday mornings, being in the Haolloween parade;finding you friends & family members Holloween paintings on the store windows ;CHS basketball games;Thanksgiving Day football;etc.etc.etc. Hopefully you have some fond memories?
I did not think refering a movie would get a response .I wonder what part of Chester moonbeam is from probably ,Ridley Park,Crum lynn or mabe even Swarthmore?I wish no ill will but I hope when he comes home tonight his mother runs from under the porch and bites him. PS College is fine and so are the memories of growing up in Chester.(Sin city on the Delaware)as Stag magazine refered to it in the 50s. I lovsd the town warts and all.
The seedy side of Chester is not all I remember.I Have many fond memories of the place,but Sound of music"it wasnt.Last exit in Brooklyn"is about the area in Brooklyn close to the navy yard just like Chester '45to about 1955.Not all of Brooklyn was like that and neither was Chester. I swam in Lieper quarry,tasted honey suckel and Brandywine icecream Zangaris,Stackys,Bireneys root beer and caught wiffs of Ranger Joe on hot summer days.Went to the foot of Higland ave to watch all of the war ships return from the war.my fater was a CD volunteer I remember him well in his arm band and WW1 helmet painted white and telling us to watch out the windows for enemy planes.(I hope moonbeam does not consider this child abuse) How many of you out there remember the"doggie diamond man?" He came around on his horse and wagon just like the huckster,rag man, and milk/bread man.
Hi, Walt & U.W. I was just talking to a friend, Frank Moran, who tells me he used to drive the 37 between the years of '45 and '58. He has a lot of funny stories about accidents that happened on that run. He said he hit everything except an airplane and if they had ran the tracks a little closer to the airport he's sure he could have got one.
Pat: Welders still wear protective gear with tempered glass depending on the job they are doing. Clothing to protect the eyes & skin still is a necessity because of the flashes that occur. It was the WWII generation that worked to Unionize and make conditions better. For welders, steamfitters etc. These mem were not afraid to be hauled off to jail for their beliefs. They laid the base for the brotherhoods that were to become Locals of today. It was a family entrance back then --brothers, sons, cousins, etc. It was a good thing at that time. Workers needed change and protection from the poor working conditions. They formed apprenticeship programs where you would learn the trade and be good at it. Then it was a hands on form of teaching. You were either cut of for the work or not. It was never an easy job. It was hard work. It is not a easy job today -it is still hard work. Often dangerous. Very dangerous. You could see the dangers in the 9/11 cleanup. These ironworkers have the same fortitude that their predecessors had.
Back in the day the union organizers were the working man not the suits.
Finding young people to go into the trades today is difficult, whether it be Union or Non-union. We have many foreigners coming into all phases of the trade work force today (not unlike our fathers, grandfathers time when employers had to look outside the country for labor based workers) It is a time where the need has to be filled and the only ones that seem to want to do these jobs are from outside the USA>
NOW thats a topic for another time.
Florence - when I wrote in one of my previous postings about my uncles working in the "depths of hell", the movie "How Green Was my Valley" was in my mind's eye. Remember how the men of the family in that movie came home all covered with soot and dirt, and God knows what else? That's how my uncles came home. My own generation has no idea what awful conditions our g-fathers, fathers and uncles worked in. It was deplorable. Not only that, they could not take a break of any type, unless that whistle blew (maybe to go potty, not sure). And if they were 2 minutes late getting back from lunch, they were given written warnings, and those warnings were a part of their personnel file. This is true - I know because I worked about two weeks in the personnel department there. No phones, no visitors, few holidays, no IRA's - just dark, noisy, depressing conditions and terribly hot in summer - and imagine - they wore a steel face covering with a clear glass (I assume it was glass) where the eyes were supposed to be (looked like the big face masks worn by the English knights in combat - but not as attractive). Do you know how HOT those face coverings must have been when it was already hot in the summer? A true hell hole in my opinion. No wonder they had to have their "nips", make more babies and raise hell. To keep their sanity and cheerful ways is a marvel in itself and a credit to the women in their lives who had to pacify them.
Today, we are indeed a privileged generation and it was these hard working ancestors who made it so.
This site brings back a lot of memories. Coppicks Pool, Village Green, and a creek out by Shoemaker Hill. I lived at l6th and Walnut across the street from the Smalley`s. It was a nice place to live but I understand the whole block is gone. Went thru Chester by Deshong Park and all the graffity on the building was sad. Such a beautiful building, I`m glad the art was saved.
Hi John. Do you remember me? I had a crush on you when I was something like 15 years old. You hung around with a guy named Mike. How are you?
great site
Harv:
That was a great link. Missed that one. The picture was just as many of us remembered. Thanks Walt for reminding us how a nickel token got us to many places. I do know that they had a line marker as you stepped up into the bus/trolley that would determine if a child would ride free or have to pay. Under a particular age kids rode free. I know my mom had to argue many a driver that I was not as old as that line was suppose to determine. I couldn't help that I was big for a 4 year old.
Received an email with names of flag twirlers "54 grads. Iris Howett, Wanda Eddy, Sandy Bunker, Joan Guzek, Marilyn Link, Dori & Nancy Rodgers, Carley & Marie
Jim M: Did I mention BillyLou Barnes before?
By the way did anyone ever go Ice-Skating? Where? I seem to remember going skating on one of the frozen creeks. We made a day of it, with sledding and skating. Probably Deshong Park. Can remember someone having a fire going where they sold hot cocoa. What a treat. Made with real cocoa and lots of sugar. Then if you brought your own marshmellos you were able to roast them. The more they charred the better.
Does anyone ever wonder how we drove in cars that had no A/C.
Your site brings back a lot of fond memories and stirs up the cobwebs.
#37
http://davesrailpix.railfan.net/phila/htm/bvph050.htm
Pat You are right I also love the singing of Jan Pierce. I remember at Smedley Jr.High school dances, the last dance they played was Stardust written by Hoagy Carmichael. I t is also a great song, I bet we could go on and on. My mother drug us to dancing school every week. I never could ddance like my younger sister. I just saw a movie with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, about kids putting on a show. Those kids could sing and dance.I have so many songs that I love. I was thinking today and sometimes I can almost hear the voices of kids I went to school with. It is amazing.Our old pals like Roy Rogers and Gene Autry and Hopalong Cassidy and Dale Evans.How about Perry Como, one song I remember is More Than You Know.Richard Haymes.Gene Kelley,Donald O'connor,Debbie Reynolds,Fred Astaire,Ginger Robert's. Do you remember How Green Was MY Valley? John Wayne was my hero. I could go on and on ------
And Florence - you are right - so many wonderful female and male singers now gone. One of my favorite movies with Judy Garland is "Meet Me In St. Louis". Many times, I will forgo watching any old movies of this type, but when I really get into one of them, Meet Me in St. Louis" is an absolutely uplifting and wonderful musical. Look at Margaret O'Brien in this film - her darling, sweet acting does not exist any longer - compared to today's kids on film; she is a standout, as of course is Shirley Temple. We have to admit, we lived in the best of times when it came to entertainment. Now everything is violence, hatred, etc. - don't have to tell you. And, the family itself warms your heart - even if we never had a family like this, when viewing this movie - we become a part of it. That's what fantasy is all about, and by god, it works. I found myself outside on the pavement, swinging on a Stop sign, singing "The Boy Next Door" (but when he came out - oh, mine gad, such a face, you wouldn't believe) the last time I saw that movie on TV. "With his high-topped collar, and his high topped shoes (I think), he was just the . . . of men (Harvey, where are you now that I need you) . . . . oh, I just adore the boy next door, affections for him can't display . . .etc. etc."
Getting back to singers. See how I get carried away - I meant to only write one or two lines - and this is it: I called a local record shop here a few years ago to see if they had Rosemary Clooney's latest audio cassette (she swings better now than she did when she was told what to sing by the producers). The clerk asked how to spell that? I wondered if I were still alive and the world was gone when she asked that. Now (Rosie just underwent surgery for lung cancer) the media refers to her as "George Clooney's aunt." Maybe it's just me - but listen up MEDIA - there are still thousands of us around who remember Rosie's talent and singing accomplishments and we're not dead yet. But, I am just as guilty of this, because when words of praise are given about a group called "Mesquito Bite" or "Clam Juice" - I have no idea, nor do I care about the groups they are talking about. And, at the risk of offending some people who say Elvis was "the greatest singer ever born" - listen to Jan Peerce sing "Bluebird of Happiness". Don't insult my intelligence. There is a difference, youngsters, there is a great BIG difference.
Sorry folks - words are in me and won't let me rest until they're released.
To skyjumper, I was a 52 chs grad.I remember WWII.We all went to the YMCA to the USO dances.Met a lot of nice people,Navy men and all,even wrote to them.We had a lot of fun in Chester in those days,(movies,dances,and skating) I was from the West end and we walked to Dewey every day,Never saw the things you talk about,but I guess every town has all of these things. We knew of them. I even went to Andys wnen I 22 with my mother and father and husband. All in fun then.And by the way I am not a college grad.
PTC 37
http://davesrailpix.railfan.net/phila/htm/phil205.htm
Hello Skyjumper - I enjoyed your response to my posting, because honestly, I never did witness any of the events you refer to. And, seriously, I would like to know what a "Snookie" is - really. I am not familiar with the bars or the terms you mentioned because I was only 14 when WWII ended and I moved to NJ when I was 18 (1950) but lived there during the same few years you mentioned. And, what is "trolling for seafood". Never heard these terms - except for Snookie, but that was just a nickname, never knew it had a meaning.
The only violence I ever witnessed was one time when I lived in downtown Chester, I did see a man thrown through the front plate glass window of a saloon, and later when I lived in Buckman Village one of the young men there threw his brother through the front window of their home. And, believe me that had all the neighbors out and completely shocked at such "goings-on". So, I just thought that throwing people through plate glass windows was what you did when you were pissed off. What'd I know. I never could lift anyone that high to do that. And oh, my mother threw a glass ashtray at me one time.
I accept what you say about the seedy side of Chester. The men in that town worked as hard as coal miners and some in the same work environment as a mine. (I know because in 1979 I visited the depths of hell where two of my uncles spent their days welding to support their families. It was dark, dirty, noisy and scary to me.) And, if they wanted or needed a drink or several, they deserved it. At least, few owned cars, so they stumbled home safely without wiping out some innocent person - they might have socked them, but they didn't kill them. Now, I sound like I'm condoning alcoholism - not so, defending our hard-working ancesters. And, if we abused our servicemen, then I truly am ashamed.
I strongly suggest that readers here rent that movie - "Last Exit to Brooklyn" and post your comments here - PLEASE - positive or negative. Oh, and I never went to college - just graduated high school.
To Florence: Thank you for your kind words. Instead of writing a novel, I would really enjoy doing a column. As you've probably noticed I have so much to say - one-liner's present a real problem for me.
Pat McFadden (aka "Moonrider")
The following sites may have the car you are looking for. If not it is interesting reading.
http://www.sptc.spb.ru/projects.htm
http://www.ectma.org/collection.html
Looking for a photo of the PTC #37 trolley which ran from City Hall Phila to Chester, 3rd and Market. It was a double ended car, and when it reached Chester, the motorman had to take the driving tools to the other end of the car return trip to Phila. I don't remember the fare from Essington to Chester. The ride thru the swamp from Essington to Southwest Phila. was an experience.
Chester did have a side that many of us were protected from. but what town didn't.
Many kids were spared this just because of the location of town they lived.
I remember walking to Dewey School, past the musical bar with my friends and marveled at the bright red lipstick that was worn by these "showgirls" and the fancy dresses WOW. My Mom never dressed that way. And yes I remember "Snookie" and the Chester Ferry Joke. I didn't know they were men for years. And why would I....I was only a kid. But when I found out, they sure did look different. That was just part of growing up.
I also remember The bar at 3rd and Highland and loving when the ladies would walk out the side door of the "beer garden" and refresh their face over the grits along the sidewalk. Sometimes their change would drop out and-- ever the adventuresome kid that I happen to be -- would get a long stick with chewed gum on the end and go to each one fishing for money. The neighborhood drunks, yes they w