Author: John McCormick

As anyone who has driven along Cedar Avenue can attest, the grandstand that since 1930 had witnessed so many rites of passage for generations of Riverton residents, it was simply there one day and gone the next.

For anyone not aware of the years of work and planning by those who wanted to have the former grandstand either renovated or replaced, please read the account of Burlington County Times reporter, Kristen Coppock. She gives some particulars on this new project and explains why, for some, the old grandstand may continue to hold a nostalgic tug. Read her article here.

For Carl McDermott, it wasn’t just the grandstand structure made of cinderblock and steel; the grandstand became a symbol, an icon, for the many memories that he associates with that grandstand and Memorial Park and home. Carl writes:

Riverton Grandstand
 Many memories watching ball games. Had a candy store under grandstand – ate most of the profit. During the summer we would camp out over night and sleep on grandstand benches. Saw grandstand built… Saw it torn down. In the thirtys many activities were done in the grandstand by children under the supervision of a paid teacher in the summer months. One lady and one man teacher, during the months July and August – they were very talented and nice. We made bows and arrows and many other projects. The grandstand was in full use from 1929 to 1941, then came Pearl Harbor. My brothers Bill and Paul and myself Carl and many if not all are friends were drafted in1942  into the service. Army, Navy, marines and coast guard. Eighteen of us were drafted Oct 3rd 1942 from Riverton and Palmyra. We were sent to Fort Dix and all eighteen were shipped to Miami Beach to the Army Air Corp for basic training… All eighteen came home.
Carl T. McDermott
 Note.  My daughter’s family and Laverty family and myself painted the entire Grandstand around 1979 green for the Irish.

So understand when you hear that someone misses that familiar sight even though, at the end, the seats were unusable and parts of the concrete blocks looked like Swiss cheese.

The groundbreaking for the new grandstand is  8:45 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2013. The proposed plans may well satisfy those looking for a familiar silhouette as they pass Memorial Park and be able to again provide safe, clean, and accessible bleacher seating, restrooms, and storage. You might have to admit that the new architectural drawing sure looks like the old grandstand.

Give it time and that will become a part of Riverton history and people’s memories, perhaps just as indelible as my friend, Carl’s.

How sharp is your memory? Please leave a comment or send us a photo of you “back in the day” at Riverton Memorial Park, whether that day was last year, last decade, or 1930.

If you would like to refresh your memory about the history of Riverton Memorial Park, we cannot improve upon the marvelous article that Town Historian Betty B. Hahle wrote for the 1996 July Fourth Program. – John McCormick, Gaslight News editor

P.S. If anyone got a photo of the demolition of the old grandstand, please send us a scan.

We were saddened to hear that after a long illness Anne Knight Ruff (known by all as “Bay”) passed away on March 19 at the age of 92.

Her cousin, Elsie Showell Waters, extends an invitation to attend a Memorial Service on Saturday, April 6, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at Westfield Friends Meeting, 2201 Riverton Road at Route 130, in Cinnaminson, NJ 08077.

Westfield Friends School Headmaster, Mr. William Probsting reports that friends and family who have been the recipients of many of Ms. Ruff’s works of art may bring them to display during the service.

Regular visitors here have already seen one example; our masthead banner is a photo of one of Bay’s marvelous folk art style paintings on wood; this one, I believe she salvaged from a door.

This links to our page in which we acknowledge Ms. Ruff’s generosity for allowing us the use of her art to welcome readers to our website.

William Probsting wrote the marvelous profile of Anne Knight Ruff that appeared in the 2002 Riverton July Fourth Program when the town honored her as the Parade Marshal.

At age 81, she authored a book of stories about growing up in Riverton that grew out of the weekly gatherings of the Friday Ladies, a group she was invited to join.

Read more details about Anne Knight Ruff’s life and how the book came to be in this 2002 New York Times interview by Jill P. Capuzzo: “IN PERSON; A Born Storyteller, She Took Her Time”

We invite comments and the submission of photographs of anything pertinent to Bay’s life, writing, and art, and many other interests. Contact us if you need assistance. – John McCormick, Gaslight News editor

Somebody stopped by with a basketful of eye-candy for our viewers – five vintage postcard images of Camden, Moorestown, and Riverton.

I guess it depends on your definition of eye-candy, but for us history sorts at rivertonhistory.com these are a welcome treat.

And it is nice to have someone with which to share these goodies.

The first one comes courtesy of Ed Gilmore, HSR Board member and a frequent contributor to the archives. I have an image of this scene I scanned from one of Betty Hahle’s postcards, but the card was almost ripped in half and I painstakingly did some photo restoration on it.

However, this 1915 postmarked card of the Porch Club is in very good condition. The writer tells Jenny in Tuckahoe that “We took a walk by this place this morning and have been out in the Auto 3 times it is lovely and a very pretty place.” The Porch Club, founded in 1890, had only just built their new clubhouse in 1909.

The next one is a very familiar scene to collectors of Moorestown postcards. Forks of Road is one of the most popular subjects for picture postcards.  Just when I thought my friend Harlan had every variation on this theme, he surprised me with this recent acquisition, a 1907 Moorestown post card – Forks of the Road – King’s Highway, or Haddonfield Road, and Camden Avenue.

Harlan Radford is another frequent flier here who has generously shared many scans of his vintage postcard collection to help build this virtual image archive.

This marvelous real photo postcard of Camden, NJ shows that an early 20^th century Bailey Street neighborhood certainly had its own version of a Glorious Fourth.  Medford photographer Wm. B. Cooper produced the postcard, postmarked in Camden on July 8, 1909.

Occasionally when the eBay power bidders are on a break I get lucky and win an auction bid. Such was the case with this next pair that I won within the same month.

Collecting scenes of Main Street in Riverton is like eating potato chips. You can’t just quit with one. We already display several on our images page, but I was delighted to see this “new” card with an April 6, 1908 postmark come up for auction.

Palmyra photographer Howard E. Powell captured this tree-lined view that he captioned, “Main St., Riverton, N.J.” The message, “Arrived home safe,” assures Mr. Langham, the Hammonton recipient, that “F” is alright.

The last one in this basket is a real photo postcard view of the riverbank postmarked July 13, 1906. The card writer tells “Tex, dear” in Houston that “…This is the divine place.”

We have to agree.

Please, be on the lookout for more “new” vintage images of the area that you can help us share with others, and add a comment if you know more about a topic.

– John McCormick, Gaslight News editor

Whither spring? Punxsutawney Phil announced on Twitter February 2 that spring would arrive soon.  Well, it kinda did with some teasing spells of 60 degree highs a couple of weeks ago, but then spring got snatched away again when we woke up to this “wintry mix” on March 25.

Those poor droopy daffodils on Cedar Lane must be so confused.

The first official spring forecast from Gobbler’s knob was made on February 2, 1887. Since then, the Punxsutawney Groundhog has announced his weather prediction around the world each year through newspaper, radio and television coverage, as well as being recorded in the Congressional Record. Now he even has a website and has a Facebook page.

But this year it seems every one is piling on Punxsutawney Phil for getting it wrong. NBC News reports that the Butler County Prosecuting attorney filed court papers this week indicting the world-famous groundhog for “misrepresentation of early spring.”

Those deluded narcissuses probably thought it was safe for them to start developing after having waited all through their winter dormancy being sustained off the stored food reserves in their bulbs.

Gradually, the soil’s moisture and increasing warmth triggered the hardy monocots to push up above the ground those first tentative shoots two weeks ago.

They thought it was safe to develop foliage and blooms.  See what it got them.

I will view future Groundhog Day predictions with skepticism and I am definitely hoping that we can place more store in the Easter Bunny.

I heard he will soon deliver a basket of eye-candy for history lovers in the form of several rare real-photo vintage postcard images for Riverton, Moorestown, and Camden.

Sorry, for being a bit dormant myself.  – John McCormick, Gaslight News editor

If you have ever wondered about the value of an old painting, sampler, hooked rug, vase, set of dishes, sterling flatware/hollowware, oil lamp, mantle clock, cut glass pitcher, early tops, tree ornaments, quilt, needlework,  valentines, family bible—the list goes endlessly on—come to the Riverton Antique and Collectible Fair co-sponsored by the Historical Society of Riverton and Riverview Estates.

Veteran Personal Property Appraiser, Ronald Shaffer, ISA will be present to evaluate heirlooms and offer a Verbal Opinion of Value. Be prepared for his witty and informed banter as he speaks about each piece.

Please note — so you will not be disappointed — Mr. Shaffer claims no general knowledge of firearms, swords, jewelry or modern day collectibles.

Furniture items are always welcomed — if they easily transportable by the owner.  Photographs of items, too large to carry, are acceptable as long as they are clear, true views with sufficient detail.

Information shared by Mr. Shaffer is not intended as a certified appraisal but merely his opinion of the  history and value of an antique or collectible. We invite those needing a certified appraisal to arrange an appointment with Mr. Shaffer following the Antique and Collectible Fair.

At our last Fair participants were delighted to learn about Americana and decorative works of art including a collectible American silver water pitcher, silver table articles, flatware and tea service, earthenware, salt-glazed stoneware & porcelains, an enameled cameo glass vase, a signed 19th century color lithograph,  vintage model trains, an appliquéd quilt, carved and painted wood toys, military collectibles, a poplar slat-back armchair, burl wood bowl, and more.

Call Gerald Weaber at 856-786-6961 to reserve your seat for this popular event. Please leave your phone number and the number of items on which you wish to receive an opinion.

Our host, Riverview Estates, will have refreshments for sale.

Free parking is available on Lippincott Avenue adjacent to the entrance of Riverview Estates on 303 Bank Avenue. Click here for directions.

Well-known Philadelphia antiques expert, Mr. Ronald E. Shaffer, ISA, a graduate of the Philadelphia Museum College of Art, is President of Exemplars, Inc. of Philadelphia. Schaffer has been appraising antiques for many years and is a member of the International Society of Appraisers, an ethical appraisal organization which requires demonstrated expertise and ongoing training.

Mr. Shaffer has extensive experience in personal property appraising with particular specialties in American, English and continental furniture, glassware, china, paintings, silver, needlework, as well as hooked rugs, quilts, samplers and such textiles.

The author of numerous articles about antiques, he is a frequent speaker on the subject of Fakes, Frauds & Flimflams. He is in demand by historical societies and civic groups for numerous Heirloom Discovery events such as this. He is a docent at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a position requiring on-going intensive study.

You are certain to be informed and entertained by Mr. Shaffer as he speaks about his profession and offers his opinions of value for items brought to the event.  See you on Saturday. – John McCormick, Gaslight News editor

“I wish I’d taken that.”  When Mrs. Pat Solin included this photo in an email to me, that is exactly what I thought. 

Photographer Dick Paladino tells us, “On the afternoon of December 10th, I took my daily drive along Bank Street and was smitten by the ‘other-worldly’ sight of the yacht club, ‘floating’ in the fog.  I immediately rushed home to get my camera, with the hope that I’d return in time to capture the image.”

If you have a photograph, new or old, that has captivated you, please allow us to display it here.

But, I digress.

See the PowerPoint about the past issues of two Riverton and two Palmyra newspapers that are now available

Pat’s main reason for emailing me was to follow up on the meeting of the Board of the Riverton Free Library Association of the night before where I made a Show and Tell presentation explaining  how the Newspaper Digitalization Project developed and some of what is in it.

It was basically my Thank You note to the RFLA in the form of a PowerPoint for my new toy – the digitalized files of the old newspapers. I wanted to communicate to our benefactors what a treasure-house of information they have made available to the public and to explain that the project just completed weeks ago actually started in the 1980s.

Here is the 23MB PowerPoint about the Newspaper Digitalization Project that I showed to the RFLA group Monday evening, Jan. 28. 2013.

You can view the slide show with Microsoft’s PowerPoint program or the free Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer. As always, please advise if you find any errors or omissions. If you have a question or can add any facts or reminisces about anything you see in the slides please leave a comment.  And please let us know what you find of interest in the newspaper files. – John McCormick, Gaslight News editor

Click here for a membership form that you can print out and mail in. Contact us at rivertonhistory@usa.com if you have a question. 

If you read this from a distance and are not able to attend meetings, you may still partner in achieving our education and preservation goals with the favor of sending a donation to help fund the cost of operations or by earmarking an amount for one of the Society’s special projects.

I finished the layout for an eight page expanded issue of the Gaslight News and 51 copies into our usual run of 230 copies our second-hand laser printer broke down,  I think for the last time.

That used printer that I paid $100 for in 2009, sure doesn’t owe us anything, but paying retail prices for the type of homemade color editions that I had been cranking out of my own desktop publishing house just isn’t sustainable.

So I pared down the newsletter to four pages after I found out that getting the eight page issue printed in all color would cost over $500. A commercial print service will provide a downsized half color/half black+white issue. Look for it in the mail possibly by late next week.

Meanwhile, here is the digital version of the four-page January 2013 issue of the Gaslight News. A slip  for your use in paying 2013 membership dues will be sent with the newsletter as soon I can get it out.

Posted here is notice of the January 31 HSR meeting (NOT Jan.24 as posted before) at the New Leaf. Costumed historical interpreter Alisa Dupuy presents, “A Young Queen Victoria.” Admission $10. Seating is limited. Please reserve your seat by calling President Gerald Weaber at 856-786-6961, or contact him at  rivertonhistory@usa.com.

Here is a re-cap of the November presentation, “Christmas Past” by Jane Peters Estes. It did not make it into the scaled down issue.

Readers who have investigated the historical newspaper files: what newsbits, images, or information did you find that intrigues you? – John McCormick, Gaslight News editor

Alisa DuPuy, the creative first-person historical interpreter with the remarkably authentic gorgeous gowns returns to the HSR in the guise of Queen Victoria Thursday, January 31, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. $10 admission.

The longest reigning British monarch whose name defined an era will visit the New Leaf Tearoom at 606 Main Street to enjoy tea and dessert with us as she dishes about the inside stories of her family, her life at court, and her romance with Albert with whom she had nine children.

After an assassination attempt this “Grandmother of Europe” once quipped, “It is worth being shot at to see how much one is loved.”

Regular attendees of such performances are well-familiar with the historical interpreter’s convention of staying in character and referring to the past in the present tense while employing inventive dramatic techniques and often encouraging audience interaction.

The New Leaf’s genteel decor is a fitting  setting for this special visitation of Her Highness that includes tea and light refreshments served on the Tearoom’s beautiful china .

$10 per person. Seating is limited for this reserved seating event with Queen Victoria . Please call  Gerald Weaber at 856-786-6961, or contact him at  rivertonhistory@usa.com .

Find out more about Ms. DuPuy’s repertoire of real and fictional characters and see some amazing gowns and dresses from time periods spanning the 18th through 20th centuries at historicalteas.com. – John McCormick, Gaslight News editor