Visitors Nostalgia & Memories

(Archive #52: April 1, 2008 to April 30, 2008 entries)

RAY.....I did not know any of the Remedio girl's..I Knew a few of the Remedio boys ......very nice family ,all hard working people...anytime you went into the sub shop the father was working making sandwiches
JOE " BUBBLES " PASQUALE <JNPASQUALE@COMCAST.NET>
WILMINGTON, DE USA - Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 22:11:22 (EDT)

Wayne, your Dad's farm is now part of Route 1. As far as Pathmark, they are going to have coupons that you can use for a pair of running shoes or a discount on a bodyguard to walk you home.
Bill <mcgonigal9@verizon.net>
Townsend, DE USA - Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 18:59:23 (EDT)

Bill, I sure hope that new Pathmark is going to offer a delivery service to help get your groceries safely to your condo. I see by your address you live down near my fathers old dairy farm. It was on 13 and ran the length between Fieldsboro and Pine Tree. Are you part of the McGonigals that at one time made their home in the forty acres? A lady named Patricia McGonigal from there was in my wedding. Wherever it was, I see you've also had to make the choice, like most of the rest of us, to leave our wonderful old city and head for safer ground.
Wayne <twntydasys@aol.com>
New Castle, DE USA - Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 17:42:08 (EDT)

I was just reading about the influenza epidemic of 1918-19 and burials at Cathedral Cemetery. When I worked there in the early 1960's that area was refurbished to make it easier to maintain, look better, and be safer. Sod was lifted, fill added to smooth and level the area, and finally the sod relaid. Over the years the ground had sunken and gotten very uneaven and after a real good rain it was dangerous to walk through because the grass roots were all that held up the surface. The slit-trench was near the back corner, more or less parrallel to the fence, and quite long (I would say more than 40 ft). There were very few markers and even fewer headstones (all of which were located, removed, and then replaced after the rennavation)in the area.
mike mullins <mpmul@frontiernet.net>
wallkill, ny USA - Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 17:33:44 (EDT)

Your right Bubbles. She married Terry Patton. However I know nothing about her or her Family, I just knew as everyone on the Department that Terry married into the Family. I have seen Terry once or twice in the 28 years I've been retired from the Department and the last time was at a wedding anniversary party for Jimmy and Pat Patton quite a few years ago.
Ray Jubb <golfopera@comcast.net>
Wilmington, De. USA - Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 16:29:43 (EDT)

As a child growing up just outside Wilmington during the sixties, I recall sitting at the top of Talley Road watching the smoke from chemical plant fires down along the Delaware River waterfront or along the Brandywine and Christina River around Seventh Street. Does anyone recall these big explosions and fires during the 1940's thru the 70's? What plants were they and where were they located?
Larry <lj106@comcast.net>
Newark, De USA - Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 12:08:04 (EDT)

Wayne: as for buying groceries when living in one of the S. Market street condos, they're building a Pathmark, just a block or so south. That's why the city gave up Howard street. It's to be part of the parking lot.
Bill <mcgonigal9@verizon.net>
Townsend, de USA - Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 10:56:48 (EDT)

Patsy's subs were great, and you had your choice of either a hard or soft roll.
Jerry T. <sandybeach1@mchsi.com>
Dagsboro, De. USA - Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 08:47:04 (EDT)

I came across this site lately if anyone is interested,,,History of Hoagies, Submarine Sandwiches, Po' Boys Sandwiches, Dagwood Sandwiches, & Italian Sandwiches,,,,http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/HoagieSubmarinePoBoy.htm
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 07:30:29 (EDT)

April 29 "1957 The first cars rolled off the assembly line at Newark's Chrysler Plant. Until then, the plant had made only military tanks."
Connie <nospam>
Wilmington, DE USA - Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 07:27:02 (EDT)

Patsy's (REMEDIO) Sub Shop did have good subs........I THINK THE FREE WAY FORCED HIM OUT OF BUSINESS..RAY MAY KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS...HIS DAUGHTER MARRIED "GOOGIE"PATTON'S BROTHER WHO WAS ON THE POLICE FORCE WITH RAY
JOE"BUBBLES" PASQUALE <JNPASQUALE@COMCAST.NET>
WILMINGTON, DE USA - Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 23:15:13 (EDT)

Wayne, I can't understand people considering living down there on the river near the Market Street Bridge either. But believe it or not they sell as fast as the city can throw other people out "Public Domain". I have lived in the City all my life which is almost 74 years and I see a trend. I think the next slum area is going to be the Bear area. If you read this RAG of a paper every day as I do you can see that the crime rate has gone up considerably in the Bear area. This I believe is because the criminal element is migrating in that direction. I think that some day Wilmington will be a cluster of large Condos and Town Homes for the middle and upper class only. I don't think that I'll be around to see it, and that's not a bad thing the way things are going.
Ray Jubb <golfopera@aol.com>
Wilmington, De. USA - Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 22:20:57 (EDT)

Does anyone remember Patsy's Sub Shop, on 4th St,betweenAdams & Jackson, prior to the I-95 freeway going thru town?If you remember, did he move somewhere else, or just close up shop? Nobody made them better than Patsy. Folks west of the Mississippi have no idea how to make a submarine sandwich. They all want to know if one wants mayo or mustard on it, and look at you sideways if you ask for oil and vinegar...
Ruth "Buz" Peoples <whimsywoman@fastmail.fm>
Sequim, WA USA - Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 21:21:17 (EDT)

Unfortunately, any time something is written, planned or executed, for our once beautiful city, a simple phrase comes to mind: "Too Little, Too Late". I went to a Blue Rocks game Sunday. Afterward, I couldn't get out of the city quick enough for my liking. As I passed the new high rise condos where Warner had their cement Company I wondered, who is crazy enough to buy one of these? You would have to be absolutely nuts to even consider making a purchase like that. Where would you buy groceries? How do you get them into your home safely? They're killing people on Fifth Street, just six blocks away for Walmart bags. What's going to happen if they want an afternoon snack while you're unloading your food? I'm sorry, but all that is left of the Wilmington that we speak of is an old memory. It is a dead city that unfortunately will never live again, except in these writings.
Wayne <twntydasys@aol.com>
New CAstle, DE USA - Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 18:36:20 (EDT)

HARRY THE WEB MASTER, YOUR RIGHT , I THOUGHT THE PHOTO. OF MARKET ST. LOOKED NORMAL. AND YOU MENTIONED THE MALL . THAT WAS A SMART MOVE , GETTING THAT DAMM EYE SORE TORN DOWN , SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN BUILT. WAS A HAVEN FOR MUGGERS, DRUNKS AND PERVERTS.
RALPH PRYOR <REPJFK@AOL.COM>
TARPON SPRINGS, FL USA - Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 17:39:09 (EDT)

one more thing concerning the "bomb proof" buildings, the wooden side of the building was usually facing a river or side of a mountain so that flying debris would not hurt anyone.
oldeschool55 <oldeschool55@yahoo.com>
wilmington, de USA - Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 15:41:28 (EDT)

concerning the buildings with 3 stone walls and 1 wood wall - the reason for this was so that if an explosion occured the wooden wall would blow out and away from the building rather than destroying the entire structure. this was and is common practice in any dangerous work place ,they are called "bomb proof" rooms or buildings.
oldeschool55 <oldeschool55@yahoo.com>
wilmington, de USA - Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 11:10:30 (EDT)

I remember my Aunt Emily Blackwell telling stories about the Powder Mills. Several members of the Peoples' family worked there in the early 1900's. Stones walls were on three sides and the final wall was wood. This allowed for the quick rebuilding of the mill after an explosion. Aunt Emily's father was killed by an explosion. I had a friend who lived at Chicken Alley (houses were still there in the 70's). I usually drove thru the Carpenter Estate to get to her house, on the east side of the Brandywine, across the narrow bridge. Since I have not returned to this area for some time, I'd love to know if the houses, at Chicken Alley, are still standing, or if they have been torn down in the name of progress.
Ruth "Buz" Peoples <whimsywoman@fastmail.fm>
Sequim, WA USA - Monday, April 28, 2008 at 21:43:05 (EDT)

HI BRUCE, I HELPED CLOSE I MASSAGE PARLOUR IN WILMINGTON, DE . AND OF COURSE IT WAS REALLY A PARLOUR OF -------WILL SAY , SIN ! THE SIN PARLOUR,S YOUR TALKING ABOUT WERE GOING STRONG LIKE YOU SAID BRUCE. IN FACT ON PENNY HILL THERE WAS ONE.---ACROSS FROM THE DEL. STATE POLICE STATION. AND YOUR RIGHT THEY WERE HIT ALL WITHIN A FEW DAYS. SURE THE STATE POLICE WERE MAKING SURE THEY HAD ENOUGH EVIDANCE . I REMEMBER KIDDING MY COUSIN LT. FRANK KLAIR OF THE D.S.P. TOLD HIM WE WOULD HAVE HAD THEM CLOSED THE FIRST WEEK. BUT SOME TIMES IT (THE RAID )DEPEND,S ON LUCK.
RALPH PRYOR <REPJFK@AOL.COM>
TARPON SPRINGS, FL USA - Monday, April 28, 2008 at 19:26:18 (EDT)

While doing research at Cathedral cemetery i learned that many victims of the 1918 Flu epidemic were buried in a mass grave in the SE Corner of the cemetery. If you look there are a few markers from Sept/Oct 1918 in that area, but no marker for the mass grave. There is a large notation in the burial log in the diocese records that show the burials.
Keith Sylwestrzuk <Keithswizz@comcast.net>
Claymont, DE USA - Monday, April 28, 2008 at 17:29:33 (EDT)

Speaking of the Powder Mills and Henry Clay Village. My Grandfather Mike Farren was a Powder Mill Worker. He started to work at the age of 15.He died at the age of 72,in 1949 He grew up in a house just across the "Crick" from where Hagley Museum is now. The foundation is still there. Because he worked during the Centenial year, He received a higher pay $48.00 I can't remember if that was a month,or a week. My Mother Ella Fitzharris told us about the explosions and how the bodies were blown across the Crick near her house. She was 7 years old,and remembers watching the men pick up the dead bodies,and put them in burlap bags,to be carried away. A bit much for a 7 year old to witness. There is a book called Black Powder,White Lace by Margaret M. Mulrooney Nineteenth-Century America.My Mother is Quoted in this book. I lived at 166 Brecks Lane,from the time I was 7 until I left to get married at 21 years of age.This house,now painted red,was a double house. It now is one large house,just across from Brecks Mill in Henry Clay Village.
Kay Burton ,Wells <breckslnkid12@yahoo.com>
Pike Creek, DE USA - Monday, April 28, 2008 at 15:23:21 (EDT)

Ralph Pryor or one of our other policeman I have a question that the Web Master might not like, but I'll keep it clean. Back in the 1970's there were a number of massage parlors in NC County, that were obviously something else. They appeared to operate without any problems - I remember one being close to a furniture store in Tri State Mall. What happened that they all got closed down around the same time? Did someone forget to make a pay off?
Bruce <private>
Sugar Land, TX USA - Monday, April 28, 2008 at 13:47:36 (EDT)

Speaking of old stories about the powder mills...i was told stories from my aunt & my mother that when they were small about the explos. at the mills, my grandmother use to go in the woods behind the house when their was explos. & pick up fingers & bury them so her children would not see these body parts...i've heard these stories many times...up till the time that they both passed away ( 83 & 99yrs.old they were both scared of thunder & lighting...because of the explos. at the mills.. the loud noise meant that some one got hurt or killed....they lived at henry clay across from the mill....the house is still their
JOE "BUBBLES" PASQUALE <JNPASQUALE@COMCAST.NET>
WILMINGTON, DE USA - Monday, April 28, 2008 at 11:15:10 (EDT)

DRUFO...Tom B. is correct about Squirrel Run, it was located on the grounds of the area that is now the Hagley Museum in Greenville. Literally, "Squirrel Run" was the name of one of the small tributaries that flowed into the Brandywine River, but it also referred to a particular cluster of DuPont employee housing along the tributary of the same name. Some of the other groups of employee housing were "Pancake Run," "Flea Park" and "Chicken Alley." The general area was also sometimes referred to as "Henry Clay" or "Henry Clay Village." The Squirrel Run homes were demolished long ago and that area is now grown over and/or part of private residences. My family lived at Squirrel Run for many years while working in the powder mills along the Brandywine. I've heard many stories about the old days at Squirrel Run.
Frank Rosaio <fjrosaio74@yahoo.com>
Worcester, MA USA - Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 19:05:02 (EDT)

DIXIE...(VIVIAN)..Is my first cousin.. No one has seen or heard from her for years ...I think she moved down south many years ago.
JOE"BUBBLES" PASQUALE <JNPASQUALE@COMCAST.NET>
WILMINGTON, DE USA - Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 22:30:09 (EDT)

Oh, wow! My mom went to school with a girl named DIXIE Tamone was your mom's name(pronounced Ta MOE nie)? any realation?
T heKid <private>
Wilm, DE USA - Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 21:51:32 (EDT)

PAT !.....My mother also was born in that area..."UP THE CRICK (CREEK) Last name was TAMONE ( TUTTOILMONDO )I believed we talked about this before
JOE "BUBBLES"PASQUALE <JNPASQUALE@COMCAST.NET>
WILMINGTON, DE USA - Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 14:42:32 (EDT)

My mother was born in Henry Clay, DE in 1900. Her father, John Mulherin, drove a lorry for the duPont powder mills. I believe duPont provided company housing in Henry Clay for its Irish immigrant workers. There is an interesting book about early duPont written, I believe, in the 60's or 70's, called "Behind the Nylon Curtain". I believe the author was a disgruntled former employee whose name I do not recall.
Pat LeVan <levan1706@bellsouth.net>
Port St. Lucie, FL USA - Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 14:22:40 (EDT)

DRUFO: found this for Shawtown,old new castle, around, Washington St. to 9th St, 9th St. to South St.
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 12:48:00 (EDT)

DRUFO:1, Squirrel Run: seems it is/was located on or where the hagley museum is now, a phrase in Quaker Greggs William’s 200 acres were located "at the confluence of Brandywine Creek and Squirrel Run." "Today, that property is the site of the Hagley Museum." 2, Quarry at 11th and Scott: It "Was" on 11th and Scott st. 3, Quarry on bancroft parkway: no reference 4, Henry Clay (village?): Located at Rising Sun La. and Kennett Pike,also known as See Also:Breck's Mill Area 5, Shaw town: no reference found 6,11th street bridge:Located at 11th and Spruce st.
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 10:55:34 (EDT)

i am telling you...i was a kid when they found coffins...my grandfather Pietro Pesce dug a 13 foot wine celler at our house on bancroft and found bones...(p.s.bubbles my dad gets a kick that we talk on here)...I need some help...please explain to me where these places are/where... 1. Squirl Run 2. a qurry at 11th and scott street 3. a quarry on bancroft parkway 4. henry clay (village?) 5. shaw town 6. 11th street bridge I am doing some Italian American research and understand that these where major pockets of italian people in and around wilm.
drufo <drufo1@verizon.net>
wilm, de USA - Friday, April 25, 2008 at 22:39:30 (EDT)

At the corner of lancaster ave & bancroft pkwy. when they started to build house's up bancroft pkwy. that's when they dug up a lot of graves....it was a colored -(black) graveyard
JOE "BUBBLES" PASQUALE <jnpasquale@comcast.net>
wilmington, de USA - Friday, April 25, 2008 at 20:34:35 (EDT)

In the early 1970's when the bank at 2nd and Union Sts. was going to do some remodeling to the old A&P supermarket next store in order to make it their precious metal site, they found coffins during the excavation. Maybe they were from the influenza.
Mel <fitz207@earthlink.net>
Wilmington, DE USA - Friday, April 25, 2008 at 14:59:39 (EDT)

Delaware first reported cases on September 27th. Between October 4th and October 14th, there were 389 deaths from influenza registered in the state. Because state officials were often overwhelmed by the pandemic, they often underestimated the number of deaths. It is likely that the actual number of those who died in Delaware during this period was probably much higher. On October 14th, the PHS noted that new cases of influenza in Wilmington and Delaware were increasing at a slower rate than previously. On October 25th, state officials told the PHS that “the situation in Delaware continues to improve day by day. Fewer cases are reported each day and the new cases seem to be of a milder type. Hospital cases have been reduced one-half. It is stated that the improvement began on October 13th.” c1910, The interior of W.B. Danforth Drugs in Wilmington, Delaware. Medicine was in high demand during the pandemic, and numerous claims of ‘cures’ for influenza began to spread. None, however, proved effective. [Credit: The Library of Congress] During the height of the pandemic, the quarantine station at Ready Island (Port Penn) was made into an influenza hospital. State officials in Delaware were so overwhelmed that they tried to send cases to Philadelphia hospitals. These cases were refused as Philadelphia itself was overwhelmed. Liberty parties across the state were canceled. Newspapers reported a shortage of caskets. At the University of Delaware, Alumni Hall, one of the oldest buildings on the campus, became a temporary infirmary. On October 3, 1918, the Delaware State Board of Health met in an emergency session and ordered most of the state shut down to stem the death doll from influenza. Their order read, in part, “Whereas: A very serious epidemic of influenza is now raging in the state of Delaware...to protect the health of the entire citizenship of Delaware...all schools, theatres, all churches, all motion picture houses, all dance halls, all carnivals, fairs and bazaars, all billiard rooms and pool rooms, all bowling alleys in the entire State of Delaware shall be closed and kept closed until further notice.” This order was lifted on October 27th. Influenza remained prevalent throughout the state during the winter and spring of 1919. By the summer, the disease began to disappear from the state.
drufo <drufo1@verizon.net>
wilm, de USA - Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 23:35:58 (EDT)

Joan Ragan Minner - It's ironic. I go on this from time to time and when I saw mention of Kaz's I had to write back. I am one the Krauss' in Elsmere. My day was a great friend of Kaz and hung out at the liqour store all the time. Anyway, the ironic part is, I was looking for my wine opener the other day. Of course couldn't find it, but I did find one from Kaz's store. I still have it after all of these years. What a fun, fun guy.
Linda Clark <lac1053@comcast.net>
Wilmington, DE USA - Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 15:29:04 (EDT)

My question was "Does anyone know if people were buried under Union street during the 1918-1919 Influenza"
Joe "Bubbles" Pasquale <jnpasquale@comcast.net>
wilmington, de USA - Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 10:01:46 (EDT)

Regarding the flu of 1918-19 - it's believed that the next generation's Parkinson's problems were due to that flu's effect on pregnant moms.
Larry Roszkowiak <larry.roszkowiak@ucsf.edu>
San Francisco, CA - Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 23:34:16 (EDT)

A while ago, I looked at the Wilmington papers for the period of the epidemic. Some stories were terrible. A man recruited neighborhood children to help bury his wife. Not enough gravediggers. In Newport, I believe, a couple died the same night leaving their small children alone. Coffins were in short supply, but one article mentioned that a shipment from Philadelphia was promised shortly. The death lists were very long.
Bill <mcgonigal9@verizon.net>
Townsend, De USA - Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 22:11:56 (EDT)

Joe Pasquale: Yes, I remember my mother telling me why both MY Grandfather and and Grandmother on her side were not with us. My grandmother died quickly of the flu in 1918. My grandfather was so lost without her he became a heavy drinker and died in a single car accident while driving drunk shortly after her death. It was the first such fatal accident in Florida's history. Not a great claim to fame! They left five orphans.
Al Minne <alminne@msn.com>
Temecula, ca USA - Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 21:13:40 (EDT)

THIS MESSAGE FOR OLD TIMERS.....DOES ANYONE REMEMBER STORIES ABOUT THE INFLUENZA OF 1918-1919.....ABOUT THE DEATH TOLL..WHEN I WAS YOUNG MY MOTHER TOLD ME STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE DYING LEFT & RIGHT & THAT THEY WERE DYING SO FAST THAT THEY COULD NOT KEEP UP WITH BURYING THEM...AND THAT THEY BURIED A LOT OF PEOPLE UNDER UNION STREET WHEN IT WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION....MAY BE RAY JUBB OR FRANNY RIZZO HEARD SOME STORIES ....
joe "bubbles" pasquale <jnpasquale@comcast.net>
wilmington, de USA - Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 20:37:26 (EDT)

To Ruth Peoples,Did you ever work at the Wil.General hospital?
Frannie <MsFrannie@webtv.net>
Wilmington, De USA - Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 18:47:09 (EDT)

The Land That Made Me, Me ____ Because it is so long and hard to read, I placed the poem on its own page: The Land That Made Me, Me, Webmaster
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 17:10:48 (EDT)

JERRY TOMCZYK - Your April 5 message is correct. Grandfather Frank Ragan owned Ragan's Bakery until his death in 1954. And yes Kaz and his family lived on Elm Street, we lived at 906 until the 1-95 project took our house. Uncle Zenny and family lived up on Beech Street above Broom.
Joan Ragan Minner <joanminner@comcast.net>
wilmington, de USA - Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 13:58:02 (EDT)

04/08/02 Who wrote the archive for this date? Did you attend Harlan? If so, which years? Mrs. Nichols was MY fourth grade teacher, and was very patient, when I had trouble learning long-division (after being absent with chicken pox, during the crucial first lessons)...Miss Devore was MY gym teacher too, Mrs. Culver, third grade, and Miss Sharpless taught my sixth grade class. I was there, at the "Frolic", the year the poor dart-the-balloon guy got hit in his arm by one of the dart-throwers. I think Elmer Truitt, from Milltown Rd. supplied the ponies for the pony rides. I didn't get to move on to P.S. duPont, as my family moved to Faulkland Rd. (And that's a whole other ball of... memories)
Ruth "Buz" Peoples <whimsywoman@fastmail.fm>
Sequim, WA USA - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 19:56:56 (EDT)

Delmer Nicholson: Thank you for your reply to my question about Schwartz's Soda Shop on Hillcrest Ave. I lived on Brandywine Blvd. in the early 50's and remember the lemon phosphates, from the fountain. I was wondering if anyone knows if the store is still there. Different subject: The river at Lenape Park was the Brandywine. And the folks wondering about the Wurlitzer Band Organ: You may find an answer in back issues of "The Carousel Magazine". I do know the mechanism is now in Lahaska, PA., at an antique Mall, purchased by a woman determined to save it... Anyone remember Carol Murphy or Dale Katz, from Harlan School? Miss Dekine was my music teacher also. I sang in the chorus, and remember the beautiful voice of Joan Lefler. Bart Milano, a 6th grade teacher was my first cousin's husband. He passed away a year ago after going on to create the Central Penn Business College near Harrisburg...
Ruth Peoples <whimsywoman@fastmail.fm>
Sequim, WA USA - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 18:58:12 (EDT)

HAY TOM MABY WE SHOULD LET THE INDIANS TAKE THE COUNTY BACK AND RUN IT THEY WERE( DOING A GOOD JOB UNTILL THE WHITE MAN TRIED TO SHOW THEM HOW TO DO IT. ( JUST THINK HUNT AND FISH AND THE WOMAN DID ALL THE WORK ) AND WE THOUGHT WE COULD IMPROVE ON THAT.
DAVE CAUFFMAN <CAUFFMANDS@AOL.COM>
HOCKESSIN , DE USA - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 18:46:41 (EDT)

The next time you hear a politician use the word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about whether you want the 'politicians' spending your tax money. Accounts Receivable Tax Building Permit Tax CDL License Tax Cigarette Tax Corporate Income Tax Dog License Tax Federal Income Tax Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA) Fishing License Tax Food License Tax Fuel Perm it Tax Gasoline Tax Hunting License Tax Inheritance Tax Inventory Tax IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax), IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax), Liquor Tax, Luxury Tax, Marriage License Tax, Medicare Tax, Property Tax, Real Estate Tax, Service charge taxes, Social Security Tax, Road Usage Tax (Truckers), Sales Taxes, Recreational Vehicle Tax, School Tax, State Income Tax, State Unemployment Tax (SUTA), Telephone Federal Excise Tax, Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax, Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax, Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax, Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax, Telephone State and Local Tax, Telephone Usage Charge Tax, Utility Tax, Vehicle License Registration Tax, Vehicle Sales Tax, Watercraft Registration Tax, Well Permit Tax, Workers Compensation Tax. Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids. What happened? Can you spell 'politicians!'
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 16:54:25 (EDT)

How many millions of dollars (taxpayers and private investors) and how many times, will it take before the politicians and do gooders finally realize there is NO HOPE for Wilmington. It is a lost cause. Haven't these people ever heard of beating a dead horse? The drug situation gets worse by the day not better, and until you resolve that problem you will never have Wilmington or any other city back. They should take the money they're wasting, and open up a free drug store, for all the druggies and crack heads. Open it up out on South Market Street down by Garashes Lane and the old dump. They can the do their drugs and stagger off in a stupor and die right there on the dump site where they all belong. Maybe after about five to ten years you can then start to thinking once again about revitalization of downtown Wilmington. Until then, you won't see most residents of the State of Delaware anywhere near the place. For everyone out there who disagrees with my comments I'll bet there are a hundred people who agree with me. If it weren't for the businesses located there, Wilmington would be a ghost town during the day as well as night. Don't believe the saying "Build it and they will come."
Wayne <twntydasys@aol.com>
New Castle, DE USA - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 15:20:47 (EDT)

Yes Bruce, what you were referring to was a resurgence of downtown Wikmington in the early to mid 1980's. I invested with a partner and ran a business briefly on Market Street. After five the place was a ghosttown. Many attribute it to the civil unrest that took place there in the late sixties. Mayor Maloney and the Frawley and McLaughlin administrations did their best to revitalize the city but it actually is on the way to become a sister city to Chester, Pa. As for police presence, if the same happened to you today you would be on video camera and the police may arrive depending on priority issues.
Tony <private>
Margate, NJ USA - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 08:51:03 (EDT)

I see from the NJ that a restaurant on Market St., 821, is closing and once again the so called resurgence of downtown has taken a hit. When I lived in De, over 25 years ago, the same was going on on Market Street. There was a restaurant on Market St. that was trying to cater to the Yuppies at the time. I forget the name of the restaurant, but I think it was close to 8th and Market. I parked my car on 8th right off of Market and was in the restaurant for about 20 minutes when I was paged to come to the front where a policeman was waiting for me to tell me that my car had been broken into and the police watched it since they were having a sting operation due to all of the car break ins close to this restaurant. It was my last time to go down town after dark. I remember the police protection was always heavy if there was an event at the Grand or a play at the Hotel. It's a shame that the city still is full of people with no regard for the law or each other. Put a fence around the city and let the savages destroy each other. Nothing will change as long as there are no family units and drugs and money are the kings for these uneducated low lifes. Sorry for the rant, but I am tired of the good people in Wilm. being outnumbered by these animals.
Bruce <private>
Sugar Land, TX USA - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 08:05:16 (EDT)

April 21 "1947 The first car, a Pontiac, was produced at the newly constructed General Motors plant at Boxwood Road in Wilmington."
Connie <nospam>
Wilmington, DE USA - Monday, April 21, 2008 at 08:48:37 (EDT)

Marty NO BUT I KNEW THEM BOTH WELL FRAN
Francis Rizzo <frannyrizzo @aol.com>
wilm, de USA - Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 16:37:35 (EDT)

franny rizzo: Were you on the Wilm High football team with Joe Dellose and Al Trib?
marty l <private>
Deerfield Beach, Fl USA - Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 12:45:55 (EDT)

This is for Ralph and The Kid thanks for the kind words for Ray yes buddy did have the patent on the barrels and Bill your last name rings a bell but caint place it Fran
francis rizzo <frannyrizzo@aol.com>
wilm , de USA - Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 19:12:27 (EDT)

Thanks, Francis. I never pass that block that I don't think of Rizzo's.
Bill <mcgonigal9@verizon.net>
Townsend, de USA - Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 17:10:35 (EDT)

FRANCIS RIZZO, MY FRIEND YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WERE A PART OF WILMINGTON HISTORY, AND I KNOW YOUR CHILDREN , GRAND CHILDREN AND GREAT GRAND CHILDREN ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU .
RALPH PRYOR <REPJFK@AOL.COM>
TARPON SPRINGS, FL USA - Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 13:15:58 (EDT)

F. Rizzo : Didn't your Brother Buddy develop and have a patent on what we all now see as Orange and White plastic barrels on our highways?
Ray Jubb <golfopera@comcast.net>
Wilmington, De. USA - Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 11:00:24 (EDT)

TO RAYAND BILL YES IAM FROM THE SAME FAMILY BO BUDDY AND CHAPPY WERE MY BROTHERS ALSO HAD JOE RUDY VINCENT AND ALBERT. BILL MY DAD HAD THE BOTTLING SHOP FROM 1911 TO 1954 WHEN HE DIED ALBERT AND BUDDY HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS AND WERE GOING TO GIVE UP BUDDY WENT ON TO DEL. AND MIT,ALBERT GOT MARRIED TOOK A JOB WITH FRAIMS DAIRY WE HAD 13 BOTTLERS IN WILM AT ONE I WAS THE LAST TO GO IT WAS HARD TO KEEP UP WITH THE CHANGES SCREW CAPS,PLASTIC, THROW AWAY BOTTLES 6PK 8PK SELF PALATIZING SHRINK WRAP.I HATED TO GO BUT LOOKING BACK I WOULD HAVE HAD TO GO ANYWAY. THE MAIN REASON I LEFT I WAS IN THAT URBAN RENEWAL TOOK THE PROPERTY BY EMMMINIT DOMAIN I WAS IN COURT FOR 3 YEARS FIGHTING IT THEY WANTED TO MOVE ME AT MY AGE THEN I DID NOT THINK THAT WAS I GOOD IDEA.AS I LOK BACK IN ALL CAME OUT FOR THE GOOD I WAS WITH THE OPERATING ENGINEERS UNION BEFORE WAS ABLE GET BACK IN AND RETIRED FROM THERE. IN GOOD HEALTH 88 YRS WONDERFUL WIFE 82 3CHILDREN 7 GR CHILDREN HAD GOOD LIFE HOPE THIS IS NOT BORING FOR OTHERS TO READ
francis rizzo <frannyrizzo>
wilm, de USA - Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 10:40:55 (EDT)

Ray, I know what you mean about women who raise children without the help of a man. My Mother was divorced when I was too young to remember, and she worked, (many times two jobs) to raise me. She also had the sense about her to make me her only child. I didn't see my Dad after he remarried. I'm sure many a Father in that position can relate. He did however, continue to pay support. That's not to say there weren't any rough times. Once she was sick for a week and with no money coming in, I scrounged around and came across a commemorative coin she had. I found a collector and sold it to buy food. We made it, but only because of her determination. She never looked for a handout from the government even though she worked and paid taxes. At times I wore my cousins hand me down clothes (and they didn't have a designers label on them). They were clean, that's all that mattered. It takes a solid background, a good work ethic, determination, and perseverance to make in this world, but if you apply yourself instead of just laying back and saying, they'll take care of me, you can make it, and do very well for yourself. It's America, the land of opportunity. Why do you think all these people want to come here and WORK?
Wayne <twntydasys@aol.com>
New Castle, DE USA - Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 10:33:28 (EDT)

Does anyone know what ever happened to Abe and Jack Lewis who owned the Liquor Store on Market just a few houses up from Vandever Avenue? Summers they sat in front of their shop and chatted with passers by.
Connie <nospam>
Wilmington, DE USA - Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 09:28:06 (EDT)

Ray Jubb: Sorry. Rose Aprile Conaway died on May 27, 2001, not 2007.
Bill <mcgonigal9@verizon.net>
Townsend, de USA - Friday, April 18, 2008 at 23:44:53 (EDT)

Ray Jubb: Rose Aprile was married to Wm. H. Conaway, who once owned Conaway Liquors on E. 4th. She died on May 27, 2007. Her husband, Bill [Bill's Liquor store], died in July of 2005. They were married for 58 years. He eventually retired from the Memorial Bridge. He served in WWII and was awarded a purple heart and bronze star by Gen. Patton. According to the obituaries, April still lives in the Wilmington area. Both obits are on delawareonline.com.
Bill <mcgonigal9@verizon.net>
Townsend, De USA - Friday, April 18, 2008 at 23:40:21 (EDT)

Wayne I agree with what your saying however, I think the first thing they must learn is that "FAMILY" means a MOTHER a FATHER and then children. Not Mother and then a child and another child and another and on and on. There are many women I understand that have children out of wedlock and do a fantastic job raising their children, they just don't live in Wilmington.
Ray Jubb <golfopera@comcast.net>
Wilmington, De USA - Friday, April 18, 2008 at 23:13:05 (EDT)

Francis Rizzo : I lived at Read and Jackson Streets and went to St. Paul's with Buddy Rizzo from Front & Adams and I also new BoBo and Chappy and Chappy Rizzo.
Ray Jubb <golfopera@comcast.net>
Wilmington, De. USA - Friday, April 18, 2008 at 22:26:09 (EDT)

Francis Rizzo: was it your family that had the soda bottling company? If so, why not share some of that history?
Bill <mcgonigal9@verizon.net>
Townsend, De USA - Friday, April 18, 2008 at 19:17:51 (EDT)

Wayne, re: Free Drugs and the Street. My sentiments exactly. But HOW?
Bob Wilson Jr <wilso127@yahoo.com>
Beaufort, SC USA - Friday, April 18, 2008 at 18:32:02 (EDT)

NO RALPH WENT TO #3, #4 BAYARD WILM HIGH I'LL BE 89 OCT SO I GO WAY I WAS BORN AND RAISED AT FRONT AND ADAMS WE HAD A BIG FAMILY 8 BOYS AND 2 GIRLS YOU HAD TO KNOW ONE OF US.I SURE DO LIKE TO READ THESE POSTINGS I HAVE BEEN READIND THEM FOR FOR OR FIVE YEARS I CAN PUT SHOES IN ALL THE NAMES PLACES THAT ARE MENTIONED AS FOR THE PERSON WHO MENTINED BOBBY LEVINE HE BECAME A REAL ESTATE SALESMAN AND HIS WIFE WENT TO WORK FOR THE BRDY SCHOOL BOARD. ALSO RAY GOT IT RIGHT WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO WILM.
FRANCIS RIZZO <FRANNYRIZZO@AOL.COM>
WILM, DE USA - Friday, April 18, 2008 at 18:20:41 (EDT)

Ray, Did you read a little further down in that same article and see how the good citizens of Wilmington are blaming the situation on the lack of job training programs within the city. It went on to say the only way to fix the city's problems is by improving peoples economic conditions. I am of the opinion that these lazy bums wouldn't work no matter what job skills they were taught. Some of the people in Wilmington have been on public assistance for so many generations, that they wouldn't consider working as an alternative. Until you change that mentality and take away the opportunity for a kid to make more money running drugs than he can actually working you will never improve the situation. Let's look at this realistically, if you can make a thousand dollars a week standing on a corner and hanging out with your cronies, versus going to some place of business and having to be a responsible person, taking directions from a boss, and actually performing some kind of labor forty hours a week, for three hundred bucks which are you going to choose? Can you blame these people. Then they get into turf wars, and guess how that ends. All the job training in the world isn't going to change those economic truths. Add to that the fact that there is NO work ethic and hasn't been for generations, what do you expect? The real answer is to give the drugs away. Take away the profit, and the dealers won't have anything to fight about. They're going to do drugs anyway, why have people beating up little old ladies and robbing stores to get money to buy drugs. Let them kill themselves by overdosing, that's what's going to happen anyway. At least this way it is not the burden on society that it is now. Maybe then we would get our cities back.
Wayne <twntydasys@aol.com>
New Castle, DE USA - Friday, April 18, 2008 at 17:25:56 (EDT)

HI FRANCIS RIZZO , I WAS NOT ON THE FORCE AT THE TIME OF THAT RAID AT 3RD. KING ST. ,(WENT ON IN 1956 )WHERE THE INFORMER WAS BEATEN , BUT REMEMBER READING ABOUT IT IN THE LOCAL PAPER . FRANCIS , IN THE WORDS OF GILBERT AND SULLIVAN WHO WROTE MANY A OPERETTA, A POLICEMENS LOT , IS NOT A HAPPY ONE ! IN OTHER WORDS , THEY ARE DAMMED IF THEY DO ,AND DAMMED IF THEY DONT. . BY THE WAY FRANCIS , DID YOU GO TO LORE SCHOOL ? YOUR NAME RINGS A BELL .
RALPH PRYOR <REPJFK@AOL.COM>
TARPON SPRINGS, FL USA - Friday, April 18, 2008 at 16:59:09 (EDT)

To all those old Wilmingtonians who have moved from our fair City and now live in far away places: We here in Wilmington had great headlines to read this week. "Wilmington records it's 11th murder in four Months". NOW all the Politicians are screaming for the Mayor and Police Chief to get tougher on the hoodlums and drug dealers on our Streets. The funny thing is I know from experience as do the Mayor and Chief, that as soon as the Police start getting tougher on the scumbags and one of them is hurt, the same Politicians who are calling for tougher standards will be the same Politicians that will be crying for the Chief's head and screaming "Police Brutality". I would not have Chief Szczerba"s job for all the tea in China. I know the Chief, He was a rookie when I left the Department and a finer man could not be found for the job, he is a dedicated professional and I'm sorry to say has to put up with some real jackasses for Politicians in this City.
Ray Jubb <golfopera@comcast.net>
Wilmington, De. USA - Friday, April 18, 2008 at 16:36:06 (EDT)

Wayne, your posts make me think we are in the same age group and from the same neighborhood. I was on 9th St near Madison and the Chocolate Shop. Sold newspapers on the corner of ninth and Jefferson for a nickel in 1953. I sometimes put together enough of those nickels to buy a slice from the original Serpe's on Madison for a quarter. The only place you could get a real Sicilian pizza.
Ray Zelano <RZelano@aol.com>
New Castle, De USA - Friday, April 18, 2008 at 14:53:39 (EDT)

Ralph or Ray WHERE EITHER OF YOU ON THE FORCE WHEN THERE WAS TO BE A RAID AT A CLUB OVER BIG BENS SHOE STORE 3RD AND KING ST THERE WAS AN INFORMER WHO WAS TO GET IN THE CLUB AND OPEN A SECOND STORY WINDOW FOR THE POLICE TO GET IN FOR A RAID BUT THE CLUB ALSO HAD AN INFORMER THEY GOT THE GUY BEAT HIM UP AND PUT HIM OUT. A NOTHER RAID OF A JIONT ON TATNALL ST BETWEEN 8TH AND 9TH THE PLACE WAS PRETTY SECURE BUT THAT HAD A GUY FROM VICE TO ACT LIKE A TELEPHONE EMPLOYEE HE WENT AROUND BACK OF BUILDING CLIMB A LATTER PUT ON A CRASH HELMET DOVE THRU 2ND STORY WINDOW ''GOT THERE MAN '
francis rizzo <frannyrizzo>
wilm, de USA - Friday, April 18, 2008 at 14:22:42 (EDT)

Bruce there were stores all over east side west side s. wilm browntown also there were fellows that walk the streets taking numbers,ther was afellow who worked at GM WHO HAD A BOOK OF OVER 200 DOLLARS A DAY AT 5% PLUS 10% IF YOU HIT MOSTLY ALL SHOP HAD WRITERS. AS FOR Ralph DO DID YOU KNOW HARRY TOWERS? Who became a warden back in the 40's he tried to clean the city up?
francis rizzo <frannyrizzo@aol'com>
wilm , de USA - Friday, April 18, 2008 at 13:14:48 (EDT)

For RALPH PRYOR IVE GOT TO AGREE WITH YOUR STORY ON BOOKIES, THEY ALL RESPECTED THE POLICE AND VICE SQUAD I REMEMBER when one bookie died, there were alot of police who attented the funeral.You left out a good few Joe Donahue, Paul Tidwell, Marty Krasnick Paul DiEleuterio, The raids were like games between the two, but they all got locked one time other, but there were no hard feelings,after police retired some become friends
francis rizzo <frannyrizzo@aol.com>
wilm, de USA - Friday, April 18, 2008 at 11:14:17 (EDT)

Conaway Liquors - 317 E. 4th St.
Bill <mcgonigal9@verizon.net>
Townsend, de USA - Friday, April 18, 2008 at 11:10:04 (EDT)

April 18 "1954 The Wilmington's Sunday Star newspaper ceased operations after 73 years." I remember their roto-comics - they were on shiny paper instead of news print and were in a magazine size format instead of newspaper size. Missed them when they stopped.
Connie <nospam>
Wilmington, DE USA - Friday, April 18, 2008 at 08:36:58 (EDT)

IN REGARDS TO PETE APRIL AND BRUNO PEPE,JOE DONLIN, BULL COLUMBO AND ALL THE REST OF THE NUMBER WRITTERS AND BOOKIES. FIRST OF ALL , I NEVER MET A BOOKIE OR NUMBER WRITTER I DID NOT LIKE ! ----- DONT GET ME WRONG I WAS A VICE COP ,AND ARRESTED MANY OF THE GAMBLERS IN THE CITY THAT WAS ONCE THE GREAT CITY OF WILMINGTON, DE. WE WOULD ARREST THESE MEN, MOSTLY MEN ,THEY NEVER CRIED OR TRYED TO SPIT IN YOUR FACE ETC..THEY WOULD SAY ----YOU GOT ME. TWO ARREST BACK IN THE LATE 50,S I REMEMBER SO WELL. IN THE 300 BLOCK OF EAST 4TH. ST. WAS A BOOKIE JOINT . YOU WALK IN , GO TO THE JUKE BOX ,PRESS A SELECTION, A VOICE WOULD COME FROM THE JUKE BOX ----WHAT RACE , AND WHAT TRACK AND HOW MUCH ? WE BUSTED THIS JOINT . AND IT MADE THE PAPERS IN OTHER STATES , AND ALSO A DETECTIVE MAGAZINE. ANOTHER BOOKIE AND NUMBERS JOINT , WHICH BY THE WAY WAS IN THE EAST 4TH. ST. AREA .WHEN WE HIT IT , THEY FLUSHED THE BET SLIPS AND NUMBERS DOWN THE TOLIET IN PING PONG BALLS. A INFORMER HAD TOLD US ----THAT IF THEY WERE HIT BY THE VICE SQUAD, THAT WOULD BE THERE WAY OF GETTING RID OF THE EVIDANCE. WE WERE IN THE SEWER WITH A CRAB NET , BROKE THE PIPE CONECTED TO THERE TOLIET WITH THE HELP OF A STREET AND SEWER MAN , -----NO HIS NAME WAS NOT EDD NORTON ! WELL ANY WAY WE GOT THE EVIDANCE ,AND GOT THEM ! SOME OF THE OFFICERS ON THE RAIDING PARTY I BELIEVE, WERE PAUL COHEN, JERRY MACKEY, PATROLMAN JESTER, AND SGT, CALLAHAN. AND I. LIKE I SAID , IT WAS IN THE LATE 50,S .BUT I AM PRETTY SURE ABOUT THE OFFICERS THAT WERE THERE WERE SO MANY CRAZY RAIDS , IT WAS NOT ALL FUN BELIEVE ME. LIKE EATING YOUR LUNCH ( A SUB) AND A BEER ----WE WERE ALLOWED TO DRINK ( VICE SQUAD ) IN A HOUSE THAT WAS CONDEMNED BY THE BOARD OF HEALTH. AND WHILE WE WERE EATING OUR LUNCH , IN THE NEXT ROOM WAS THE REMAINS OF A LARGE DOG. IT WAS NOT ALL PEACHES AND CREAM, BUT I WOULD NOT TRADE THOSE DAYS FOR A OFFICE JOB AT DUPONTS, ETC..
RALPH PRYOR <REPJFK@AOL.COM>
TARPON SPRINGS, FL USA - Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 23:37:14 (EDT)

Pat, Pete April's daughter was Conway. I can't remember her first name but when I walked the beat down the East side Pete had a numbers/horse parlor on 4th Street between Walnut Street and Poplar Street, North side of the Street. His daughter married a guy named Conway and they opened a Liquor store in the same block and had a daughter herself that she named April Conway.
Ray Jubb <golfopera@comcast.net>
Wilmington, De. USA - Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 18:56:28 (EDT)

When I worked at Wilm. Finishing Co. in the early 70's there was a guy who you could play the numbers with. I was told that he made more money with the numbers than his job. I'm sure there are still places around Wilm where you could place a bet.
Bruce <private>
Sugar Land, TX USA - Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 13:23:04 (EDT)

What was Pete April's daughter's name?
Pat LeVan <levan1706@bellsouth.net>
Port St. Lucie, FL USA - Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 13:11:39 (EDT)

i remember a smoke filled room with a large chalk board 2 doors down from the union street news on union stree. I was too small to know what was going on..and only later did i put 1 and 1 together...i also remember old men with pug dogs and cigars ...wierd
drufo <drufo@verizon.net>
wilm, de USA - Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 12:50:32 (EDT)

you could also roll the dice or bet a horse or play a number at a couple of corner joints on lincoln street back in the day
oldeschool55 <oldeschool55@yahoo.com>
wilmington, de USA - Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 12:47:08 (EDT)

RAY ! Yes i seen the obit. about Pete's daughter Iknew pete well, RAY about the local crap joints, they are a thing of the past
JOE "BUBBLES" PASQUALE <jnpasquale@comcast.net>
wilmington, de USA - Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 23:50:38 (EDT)

To "Joe Bubbles" I won't bust your "Bubble" on the Crap joints question, but did you happen to take notice this past week in the obits that Pete Aprils daughter passed away. I ask you this because if you know about the gambling joints, you must have known Pete April, yes or no.
Ray Jubb <golfopera@comcast.net>
Wilmington, De. USA - Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 22:27:21 (EDT)

Tony: You need to go to Serpe's, they are now the only ones left that Sell good Italian Bread. Also Mr Serpe (my uncle) worked for DiFonzo's when they first opened before he opened his bakery on madison Street back in the 50'S.
Jerry Lank <transworldtsl@delaware.usa.com>
Marco Island, FL USA - Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 22:15:59 (EDT)

Phyllis: The Olliver's owned the Dearhead Hotdog Recipe and before they sold it they had offered it to me thru a friend of mine Carl Hill and I turned it down. I don't know whether or not the Oliveres are stil in Wilmington but I knew Louie who used to come in my Store on Concord Ave.
Jerry Lank <transworldtsl@delaware.usa.com>
Marco Island, Fl USA - Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 21:56:17 (EDT)

Has anyone seen the DELDOT live traffic cam site?, pretty cool to ck the congestion live!,,, http://www.deldot.gov/public.ejs?command=PublicLocatableMap
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 16:03:26 (EDT)

The Kirkwood Library is now closed. A new library is being built on the same site. We will keep you posted on the progress of the new Kirkwood Library. Demolition of the old building took place on March 20, 2008. Thanks to all our patrons for your support and patience. Below and to the left are architects' renderings of the new library. We plan to post photos here of the new building as it takes shape. heres the link,,,,http://www.nccde.org/kirkwood/home/webpage1.asp
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 14:34:25 (EDT)

I've probably missed it in the papers, but in the way of info. what is happening to the public library on the Kirkwood Highway? (on the way to Newark). It has been torn down just recently. That library didn't seem old enough to be demolished. It is always crowded when you go in - did they need a bigger/better place?
Phyllis B. <pboyd 52@comcast.net>
Wilm., DE USA - Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 13:48:46 (EDT)

I remember The Park Theatre well. On Saturdays friends and I would sit in the front row and watch the same Tom Mix, Gene Autrey, Roy Rogers or UFO flick. You couldn't get into too much trouble there because, as I recall, there was no balcony! The previews were nearly as good as the movies because they always had a news section with vivid depictions of our boys in Korea and what they were going through in Seoul, The Chosan Reservoir etc. The TV news didn't do that back then.
jim rambo <rammymex@yahoo.com>
ajijic, jalisco Mexico - Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 10:28:47 (EDT)

DRUFO - same thing happened to the Strand Theatre near 25th and Market and to Enright's Candy Kitchen, 22nd and Market. They were both made into 'churches'.
Connie <nospam>
Wilmington, DE USA - Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 09:08:04 (EDT)

I graduated from St.Thomas in 1966. Never went to the Park Movie Theatre.
Art <private>
newark, de USA - Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 09:03:21 (EDT)

The entire St. Thomas School walked over to the Park Theater to watch the 10 COmmandments. I got out of St. Thomas in June of '62 so it was before that. I think we paid 10 cents each. Regular childrens was 25 cents. We'd walk over from Colonial Heights on Saturday morning with 5 cents to buy some spanish peanuts at Hoys 5 and dime to take to the Park Theater to watch the latest thrilling release.
Fred Best <fred.best@usa.dupont.com>
Wilmington, DE USA - Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 08:52:43 (EDT)

After the unfortunate split of the great comedy team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, caught Jerry's debut film the "delicate delinquent" at the Park in 1967.
marty <private>
Deerfield Beach, Fl USA - Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 08:45:23 (EDT)

My brother and sister went to St.Anthonys grade school around 1970-71 Mary and Peter.
Art <private>
newark, de USA - Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 08:15:38 (EDT)

I remember the park theater...but not while in operation..It had become a church and remained a place of worship until the early 90s when it was torn down...my brother larry says he remembers seeing godzila movies there on sat.
drufo <drufo1@verizon.net>
wilm, de USA - Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 07:30:22 (EDT)

I can't spell worth a darn, but hey, if we can't figure out a few incorrectly spelled words at our age, shame on us! I like a saying I saw on a bumper sticker: Wouldn't It Be Nice If Life Had a Pause and Rewind Button?"
TheKid <private>
Wilm, DE USA - Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 20:44:21 (EDT)

ART - according to the pull down menu, the Park at the 300 block of Union closed in 1967.
Connie <nospam>
Wilmington, DE USA - Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 17:40:09 (EDT)

HI BRUCE, IN REGARDS TO THE 9TH. CLAYTON ST. RESERVOIR. ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO . I WAS IN DEL TO VISIT FAMILY AND FRIENDS. WANTED TO SEE THE OLD NEIGHBORHOOD . A FRIEND AND I WALKED TO THE PARK GUARDS HOUSE OBSERVED THE DOOR HAD BEEN BADLY DAMAGED . THERE WAS FILTH WRITTEN IN PAINT ALL OVER THE WALLS AND SAID DOOR. THE FAMOUS THREE STORY TOWER WAS NO LONGER THERE. THIS WAS IN MID. NOV. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO ONE WALKING IN THE AREA. . MY FRIEND AND I REMEMBERED THE GOOD TIMES ON THE RESERVOIR, PLAYING FOOTBALL, SLEDDING. GOING IN SIDE TO TALK TO PRESS KENNEDY THE PARK GUARD. NOW IT WAS LIKE A CEMETARY ! WAS NOTHING LEFT BUT THE GHOST OF THINGS ! (AS TAKEN FROM A FAMOUS POEM )ON MY NEXT VISIT TO WILMINGTON, WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THE BAD GUY,S WALL HAD BEEN ERECTED . ABOUT A 12 FT. FENCE . WAS TOLD BY ONE OF THE OLD NEIGHBORS WHO STILL LIVED ON THE BLOCK , THAT DOPE PUSHERS AND SEX PERVERTS HAD TAKEN OVER THE RESERVOIR. AND THATS WHY THE FENCE WAS INSTALLED. I GUESS IT WAS THE EASY WAY OUT FOR THE MAYOR AND THE POLICE CHIEF. DONT START LOCKING UP THE PUSHERS AND PERVERTS WHO BOTHERED THE CHILDREN , JUST TURN A BEAUTIFUL PARK INTO A GRAVE YARD. BUT IN THE WINTER MONTHS------THOSE SNOW FILLED HILLS ,ARE GOING TO WASTE. YOU THINK THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THAT AREA WOULD HAVE YELLED OUT IN ANGER . A GOOD TIME , WOULD HAVE BEEN DURING ELECTION MONTH. . OH , MY . THOSE KIDS DONT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE MISSING. AND YOU HAVE TO BLAME IT ALL ON -----THE CITY MAYOR AND HIS PUPPET POLICE CHIEF.
RALPH PRYOR <REPJFK@AOL.COM>
TARPON SPRINGS, FL USA - Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 17:38:44 (EDT)

Anybody remember the Park movie theatre on 4th & Union St.?
Art <private>
newark, de USA - Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 16:30:29 (EDT)

Thank you, Bob Wilson, for the compliment. I, too, lived in the 9th Ward, on 37th street just a few houses down from the Playground at Harlan School. I remember sitting on the curb across the street from the school and watching the first swing set installed on the playground there. There was a time when I could remember the order that the equipment was installed: the slides and the merry-go-round and the jungle jim (there were two of them) and all the rest. Now all of that equipment has been removed. I remember my friends from that time: Herbie Mittleman and Jimmy Snowden and Brian Colburn, Darwin Palmer and Billy Missimer, Butch McCulley and Tommy Haldas, all boys who also went to Harlan School. There were others of course. Phyllis B. was wondering what had become of the beautiful counters from Bobby Levine's drug store on Vandever Ave. and Jerry wondered what had happened to that old oil truck that his friends would play around parked on top of the hill at Franklin and Oak. I've wondered, too, about what has become of all that playground equipment, metal shined and polished to a dull gleam from years of overalls and dresses and little hands, sliding and swinging and holding on for "dear life." Scientists tell us that all of the "stuff" that this world is made of originated from old stars that have burned out, scattering their elements that then coalesce into what we see now as the material universe. Somehow I'm comforted by the thought that all of that stuff that we wonder about: the playground equipment at Harlan and the old oil truck, and even Bobby Levine's drugstore counters, began their journey--long before being fashioned into the things of this earth--as star dust. And that in the infinite time that lies ahead they may well be recycled again and again, into stars and the dust from those stars and the elements of some other earth-like planet and then, finally, after that unimaginably long journey, we may be delighted by these things again when we discover them fashioned into the beautiful soda-fountain counter at Bobby Levine's Drug Store, a gleaming new oil truck, and a sliding board that will be burnished anew by our playground filled with children.
Danny Stat <daniel@statnekov.com>
Salt Spring Island, B.C. Canada - Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 16:25:02 (EDT)

Connie, I worked at Diamond and Yellow Cab Co. filling the cabs with gas and washing them. I made a whopping $1.10/hr. What a job. Mon-Thursday 8:00 to 4:00 Friday/Sat. Midnight to 8:00AM and Sunday 4:00PM to Midnight. And I had enough money to get by for a 19 year old.
Bruce <private>
Sugar Land, TX USA - Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 14:07:10 (EDT)

To Danny Stat - Re: you comment below to Phyllis B...absolutely eloquent and my sentiments exactly. But my dislike is talking on the telephone (although Phyllis recently shamed me into calling and speaking at length after 50-plus years to my old 9th Ward friend Don Walker in Maple Ridge, BC, Canada...which was one of the great half-hours of my recent life) and/or writing longhasnd or typed letters that need to be put into an envelope, addressed, stamped, and mailed. That"s why I love email, the Internet, and reading and posting on this Wilmington Nostalgia site.
Bob Wilson Jr <wilso127@yahoo.com>
Beaufort, SC USA - Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 10:21:30 (EDT)

Phyllis B.: I think the memories are a delicious (and sometimes not so) aftertaste of our well-lived lives. No need to stop time (or even find a way to give pause to it), although sometimes when I feel time rushing by, seeemingly so fast, I feel a pang of existential anxiety; the pang that perhaps many of us also feel when we are deeply conscious of how quickly the time of our lives pass by. Now I relish every moment with my children (grown or nearly-so) and my siblings, and I make whatever efforts I can to cross paths with them. The real key to life that I've discovered, Phyllis, is to be as present as I can in every moment. This seems so simple when I read or write it out, but just being fully present, giving our total presence to every phone call and the intereactions with others that cross our path is, what I've discovered to be, the key to living my life fully. As my friend Laura likes to tell me: "Now go and enjoy the day!"
Danny Stat <daniel@statnekov.com>
Salt Spring Island, B.C. Canada - Monday, April 14, 2008 at 17:10:43 (EDT)

Sellers Park is still there, N.market and edgemoor rd
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Monday, April 14, 2008 at 17:02:49 (EDT)

Maybe we've done this subject before, but I'm not sure. Where was Sellers Estate or Sellers Park?. I can't find anything on any of the pull-down menus. If it is gone, what is there today in place of it?
Phyllis B. <P.Boyd52 @comcast.net>
Wilm., DE USA - Monday, April 14, 2008 at 16:54:52 (EDT)

Anybody out there from St.Lizzy 1970?
Bob <private>
newark, de USA - Monday, April 14, 2008 at 16:05:58 (EDT)

it was 1967
oldeschool55 <oldeschool55@yahoo.com>
wilmington, de USA - Monday, April 14, 2008 at 12:30:45 (EDT)

Ralph, What's going on at the Clayton St. reservoir? I've been away from Wilm. for awhile and your posts about perverts makes me wonder what is going on there. Sorry to hear another place for kids to play has disappeared. Thanks.
Bruce <Private>
Sugar Land, TX USA - Monday, April 14, 2008 at 08:48:26 (EDT)

P{hyllis B.T: yes at times we all do, seems I was born with a natural affinity for drums, started at 6 myself! Uncle got me a Spike Jones toy set on my 6th birthday!
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 20:39:17 (EDT)

Tom - I probably have the same window as you. It's the click that doesn't go through. This must happen to several others, as often posts are printed twice in order. As far as your getting it right the first time, that was good! We all get something right the first time. The first time I sat at a piano (age 6) I knew I had it right. Bass clef, treble clef, sharps, flats and naturals all came easy to me. The actual lessons came next. Not bragging, nor were you, just letting you know we all get something right the first time.
P{hyllis B.T <pboyd 52@comcast.net>
Wilm., DEkT USA - Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 20:32:02 (EDT)

Don't you just hate it when your addition posts twice. It would be nice if the Webmaster got rid of the second one as soon as possible. I think this is the fault of the computer, not letting you know whether your orig. query has taken. You think it hasn't and you push the clicker again.
Phyllis B. <pboyd52@ comcast.net>
Wilm., DE USA - Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 18:42:11 (EDT)

Yes, Danny Stat, in a way it would be wonderful for time to stand still or somehow we could bottle a precise moment and let it out now and then for a pleasant remembrance. Were times really that exciting, or was it because we were so darned young? I remember being 11 or 12 and sitting at a soda fountain in Bobby Levine's drug store at Vandever Ave. and Church and ordering a cherry phosphate or a chocolate coke. Whatever happened to those wondrous counters? I remember the combined smell of beer on tap, wine and cigarettes (peanut shells on the wooden floors) at Mickey Shaughnessey's night club in Wildwood. Heady stuff for a 16 yr. old girl, who shouldn't even have been there. Was I really having the time of my life? It seemed like it then. Funnily enough, those things seem to have fallen apart sliding seamlessly by as I went in a moment from 1950 to 2008. Just as Phillip Roth said.
Phyllis B <pboyd52@ccomcast.net>
Wilm., DE USA - Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 18:24:17 (EDT)

Does anyone remember the old, abandoned oil truck(without the cab)on top of the hill on Franklin and Oak Sts.? We used to climb up on it and play. This was in the 50's. Now, I think, there are townhouses or condos there.
Jerry T. <sandybeach1@mchsi.com>
Dagsboro, De. USA - Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 17:30:47 (EDT)

We all have ice cream memories that speak to the most carefree times in our lives. I remember that some of the corner grocery stores used to sell little dixie cups that you got with a wooden paddle for a spoon. There were pictures of cowboys and movie stars on the inside of the cardboard lid of the cup. I sort of remember a very thin piece of paper (that you had to peel back to fully see the picture)which protected the picture on the inside of the lid from being damaged by the ice cream. By the time we had walked home, the lid and its picture along with the wooden spoon and the empty cup had found their way into some trash can along the way. I think I'll go out and get some ice cream for tonight; Ben and Jerry's "Cherry Garcia" is a recent favorite.
Danny Stat <daniel@statnekov.com>
Salt Spring Island, BC Canada - Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 16:39:49 (EDT)

HI MARY, MY POOR SPELLING IS A CURSE ON ME. WHY I DONT GO INTO MY LITTLE DICTIONARY MORE OFTEN I DONT KNOW.BUT WHAT EVER WAY YOU SPELL IT ----PERVERT OR PERFERT . I STILL SAY . TAKE THAT HORRIBLE FENCE DOWN AT THE CLAYTON ST. RESERVOIR. ( spelled that right ) AND TURN THE WIM. VICE SQUAD LOOSE ON THOSE SCUM BAGS . LET THE CHILDREN HAVE SOME FUN SLEDDING ETC. . MARY . IF I MAKE YOU LAUGH WITH MY POOR SPELLING . THEN YOU HAVE MADE ME HAPPY. GOD BLESS.
RALPH PRYOR <REPJFK@AOL.COM>
TARPON SPRINGS, FL USA - Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 15:41:04 (EDT)

Wayne: Yes, I remember Jimmy's up on Washington St. You're absolutely right when you say nothing, (not even Breyers) could compare to it. I used to walk up there from my home on Montgomery St.and watch them make it!!
Orv <obursler@comcast.net>
Lincoln, DE USA - Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 14:22:13 (EDT)

How many of you from Madison Street, and the nearby vicinity, remember the ice cream parlor up on Washington Street? It was between fourth and fifth and called Jimmy's Home Made ice cream. Now for those of you who never tasted it, there was a place to get ice cream. I think it went out of business some time in the early to mid fifties. I guess the people retired. It put all others to shame. No big commercial brand (even Bryer's) could compare. But unfortunately, that to is just a memory.
Wayne <twntydasys@aol.com>
New Castle, DE USA - Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 10:41:35 (EDT)

Phyllis B, I remember the New Garden Cafe very well. Although too young to frequent the place my mother worked there as a waitress from somewhere in the mid fifties. I don't remember when she left but it must have been around the end of the decade. She and another lady who had worked together at Hajoca at fourth and Church worked there together. There was a band who played there on a regular basis and we had a copy of a recording they had made. The one side was called Dustin the Banjo, I don't recall the title of the flip side.
Wayne <twntydasys@aol.com>
New CAstle, DE USA - Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 10:33:01 (EDT)

Ralph...could that be PERVERTS that you are referring to? PERFERTS are something completely different!!! LOL! You can tell that Ralph never went to Conrad!!!! Just kidding Ralph, you always make me smile :)
Mary <MareBear@greeks.com>
Wilmington, De USA - Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 07:57:51 (EDT)

I thought the Deerhead was on Shipley Street, either between 5th and 6th or between 6th and 7th. Is my memory failing me or was there another location on 6th street that I just didn't know about. I'm sure we're talking about the same place; there couldn't have been more than one hot dog store with that name in the area, or was there a 2nd location downtown? Anybody else read what the author, Philip Roth said yesterday when he was being honored at Columbia University? The 75 year-old author's comment seems to fit in with this web site. Here's a quote from the Times article: "At the end of the panel discussions, Mr. Roth, looking fit in a dark gray suit and burgundy tie, walked up to the podium as the audience stood and applauded. “Seventy-five; how sudden,” he said, and touching on a persistent theme in his novels, added: “Time runs out at a terrifying speed. It seems that it was just 1943.”
Danny Stat <daniel@statnekov.com>
Salt Spring Island, BC Canada - Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 02:29:46 (EDT)

PHYLLIS...........The dear head on sixth street was where the old barber shop was ..the first building on the on the left a few houses up from papa's grocery store
JOE "BUBBLES" PASQUALE <jnpasquale@comcast.net>
wilmington, de USA - Friday, April 11, 2008 at 23:15:21 (EDT)

PHYLLIS: Did you catch the good news that Schlitz is coming back? Great Beer!!
Al Minne <alminne@verizon .com>
Temecula, CA USA - Friday, April 11, 2008 at 23:04:27 (EDT)

Bill MC G/Or Anybody: You nailed the DEFIANCE AA Club locations, how about the DURNEY POST location before Lancaster Ave? How about the other 4 original teams in The Buss Zebley Midget League Baseball at CANBY PARK? DEFIANCE, DURNEY POST, etc. PS Phils just won 5-3.
Steve K <priv>
wilm, de USA - Friday, April 11, 2008 at 21:34:10 (EDT)

Bob Wilson - I think "Bubbles" Pasquale named it - I think it was the Acme Club at 5th or 6th & Shipley. It's funny isn't it, how a dreary, almost dumpy spot can catch on for no earthly reason at all. We've all seen it happen. Another thing - are we saying on this website that there was once a Deerhead establishment next to Papa's Market on W. 6th St. What years? I must have been drinking too much Schlitz during that era. I do remember Tonik's, also W. 6th St. I believe.
Phyllis B. <pboyd52@ comcast.net>
Wilm.DE, DE USA - Friday, April 11, 2008 at 21:21:16 (EDT)

HEY OLDESCHOOL155 , SURE DO REMEMBER PALMERS MARKET AT 10 TH. CLAYTON ST. MR. PALMER AND HIS WIFE WERE REAL GOOD PEOPLE. MY FOLKS HAD A CHARGE THERE . I CAN REMEMBER GETTING MY MOTHER A MOTHERS DAY CAKE THERE . AND TELLING MR. PALMER CHARGE IT. MY POOR DAD ! BUT NEITHER ONE OF MY FOLKS REALLY GOT MAD AT ME OR MY KID BROTHER BILL GOR CHARGING THINGS AT THE PALMER MKT. I GUESS ONE REASON WE DID NOE ABUSE THE PRIVILEGE. IN REGARDS TO MIKE THE BARBER, MIKE GAVE ME MY FIRST HAIR CUT , AND CUT MY HAIR RIGHT UP TO THE TIME HE RETIRED. CAT THINK OF THE YOUG GUY WHO TOOK OVER THE SHOP. HE WAS A OFFICER IN THE NATIONAL GUARD ?, GREW UP IN THE AREA . AND DAN , HE COULD MAKE A GOOD SUB. I HAVE TO LAUGH AT THE PEOPLE WHO CALL THERE SANDWICH A SUB DOWN HERE IN FLORIDA, THEY ASK YOU MAYO OR MUSTARD ! ! NOW THATS A CRIME ----AND A SLAP IN TJHE FACE TO ALL THE ITALIAN SUB SHOP OWNERS IN DELAWARE ~ SO AS YOU CAN SEE,IT,S HARD TO FIND A GOOD SUB SHOP DOWN HERE . BUT THERE ARE A FEW . JUST HAVE TO LOOK. GETTING BACK TO PALMERS MARKET , THE LAST TIME I WAS IN WILMINGTON, I TOOK A WALK UP CLAYTON ST. WITH ANOTHER OLD NEIGHBORHOOD FRIEND . AND IT WAS SAD TO SEE THE OLD CORNR STORE MKT. BOARDED UP. AND THE RESERVOIR FENCED IN WITH A 12 FOOT FENCE . THE CHILDREN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD CANT ENJOY SLEDDING ON THE OLD BANKS LIKE WE DID. JUST BECAUSE OF DOPE PUSHERS AND SEX PERFERTS !BUT OLDESCHOOL155 WE STILL HAVE OUR MEMORIES. AND MAYBE SOME DAY. THE CHIEF OF POLICE WILL TEAR DOWN THE FENCE , AND TURN THE VICE SQUAD LOOSE UP THERE!
RALPH PRYOR <REPJFK@AOL.COM>
TARPON SPRINGS, FL USA - Friday, April 11, 2008 at 19:30:34 (EDT)

Phyllis Boyd, I remember being led by a group of Wilmington friends into that after-hours upstairs drinking spot on Shipley Street once, back in 1958, after a fraternity reunion dinner in Wilmington. It was exactly as you describe it, but I'm darned if I can remember the name of it. Maybe Ralph P. will remember. I think that might have been a bit before Rambo's time...
Bob Wilson Jr <wilso127@yahoo.com>
Beaufort, SC USA - Friday, April 11, 2008 at 18:58:11 (EDT)

palmers market was cool cause that was where all the Padua girls would hang out and smoke...very hot lol
drufo <drufo1@verizon.net>
wilm, de USA - Friday, April 11, 2008 at 17:34:56 (EDT)

Sam's Subs on the corner across from the back of the YMCA (I think this was the northwest corner of 12th and Washington Streets) made a great Tuna Sub. Just across Washington Street from Sams was a tailer shop with bolts of cloth displayed in the window. The old Italian tailer who was the proprietor there(Anyone here remember his name?) sold custom-made suits. I remember buying a suit from him: it was the best article of clothing I ever owned. A few doors down Delaware Avenue from the Kozy Corner at 10th and Washington Streets was an old-fashioned ice cream and candy store presided over by two old ladies. This was in 1953. I think the two women were sisters. They also sold comic books; this was before the comic book code was enacted. There was a smell in that store of candy and ice cream and well-worn, polished wooden floors that I wish I could experience again. Even then, it was the smell from another era, an innocent time when that which was most scary (at least for this little boy) was found only in one of those comic books. Wouldn't it be wonderful if life had remained the same for all of the children who followed?
Danny Stat <daniel@statnekov.com>
Salt Spring Island, BC Canada - Friday, April 11, 2008 at 17:24:54 (EDT)

hey ralph, then you must surely remember palmers market and johnny bianco's and mike the barber (right next to ceda's children store)????? and dan's sub shop???
oldeschool55 <oldeschool55@yahoo.com>
wilmington, de USA - Friday, April 11, 2008 at 13:26:42 (EDT)

PHYLLIS......Been to 5th.& church...club #14...acme club ..blue hen club.....Now who besides Ray Jubb & Ralph Pryor remembers the two gambling joints ( crap games ) in town......many-many yrs. ago
JOE "BUBBLES" PASQUALE <jnpasquale@comcast.net>
wilmington, delaware USA - Friday, April 11, 2008 at 10:27:19 (EDT)

April 11 "1957 Salesianum School moved from its old location at 8th and West Streets to its new one in Wilmington on North Broom Street." For some reason I thought it was earlier than this.
Connie <nospam>
Wilmington, DE USA - Friday, April 11, 2008 at 07:53:30 (EDT)

Pat, Ibach's, at 14th & Scott is now Kid Shelleen's. It is probably as popular as ever. Ibach's was THE drinking place to go during the 40's and 50's. Full of soldiers & sailors in the 40's. Somehow or other I never made it there. The club I mentioned was an almost dreary spot 'round 5th & either Shipley or Orange Sts. It was only a good spot to go late at night, because it seemed to stay open forever. My favorite spot to go at night was a place called The New Garden Cafe at 5th & Church. What a swell place - always live music. Bet nobody on this site will remember it.
Phyllis B. <pboyd 52@comcast.net>
Wilm., DE USA - Friday, April 11, 2008 at 00:47:46 (EDT)

Does anyone know what became of the music teacher at Harlan School? I think her name was Miss Dekind or Dekine? I always looked forward to that class which was held in a special room with a little stage at the front of the room.
Danny Stat <daniel@statnekov.com>
Salt Spring Island, BC Canada - Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 23:20:33 (EDT)

MOST BAND DIRECTORS BELIEVE THAT MARCHES DO NOT SHOW CASE THE BAND, AS ANY BAND CAN PLAY MARCHES AND AS FAR ASI AM CONCERNED THAT IS A BUNCH OF BULL
DAVE CAUFFMAN <CAUFFMANDS@AOL.COM>
HOCKESSIN, DE USA - Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 22:06:18 (EDT)

One thing Bob Veazey mentioned about the Delaware band. I think its great but its like many bands they should play more marching songs. Also I will always think when I hear the Star Bangle Banner played I want to hear it played in a march tempo not like some soul song. It was written to inspire. I do not get inspired when I hear it sung the way it is now days. There I will get down off my soap box now :)
Budo <budmar53atpoolesite.com>
WIlm, DE USA - Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 17:22:19 (EDT)

I'll be a U.of D. football fan forever. That doesn't mean that I accept the University's shabby treatment of fans, in general. Women, now paying $25 for a seat, cannot find a seat in the womens' room at halftime. (the line is outrageous) And all that cash for a parking spot. Administration should take a clue from other colleges, including Rhode Island, where fans park FREE of charge. One can't even leave the stadium for a drink at halftime anymore. A few kids' behavior was used as the excuse to force the purchase of refreshments "in house". It makes true Blue Hens blue.
jim rambo <rammymex@yahoo.com>
ajijic, jalisco Mexico - Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 17:04:51 (EDT)

HI STEVE K. BOY , YOU BROUGHT BACK SOME BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES. I WOULD TRY AND GET TO THE VIP PARKING AT THE U. OF DEL HOME GAMES AT ABOUT 10.30 A.M.TO GET A GOOD SPOT FOR ALL THOSE IN OUR PARTY TRY TO SAVE AT LEAST FOUR CAR SPACES . YES STEVE WE HAD SOME GOOD FOOD AT THE GAMES ,THANKS TO STELLA. AND WE HAD SO GREAT FUN CHEERING THE BLUE HENS ON TO VICTORY. AND I DO REMEMBER YOU STEVE , AND YOUR WONDERFUL WIFE . AS YOU KNOW , BILL PASSED ON THREE YEARS AGO. GLAD THAT I WILL HAVE THOSE OLD MEMORIES OF BILL AND I AT THOSE GAMES. STAY WELL.
RALPH PRYOR <REPJFK@AOL.COM>
TARPON SPRINGS , FL USA - Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 17:04:47 (EDT)

HI BOB VEAZEY, WOW ! ---AND I MEAN WOW ! $250.00 FOR V I P PARKING AT THE U DEL HOME GAMES .BOB,MY LATE WIFE STELLA AND I MOVED TO FLORIDA IN JULY 1980. WOULD FLY UP FOR ONE OR TWO HOME GAMES FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS . NOTHING SEEMED TO CHANGE . GAVE MY NIECE AND HER HUSBAND MY SEATS ON THE DEL. 40 YRD. LINE OR RATHER HAD THEM TRANSFERED TO HER. BOB I LOVED DEL FOOTBALL AS MUCH AS I LOVED W.H.S FOOTBALL , BUT I WOULD HAVE TO THINK TWICE ABOUT SHELLING OUT THAT MUCH MONEY. BUT THANKS BOB FOR INFORMING ME OF THE DRASTIC HIKE IN TICKETS AND V I P PARKING. I AM LUCKY IN A SMALL WAY . I TUNE INTO THE BLUE HEN GAMES ON MY COMPUTER ! I GUESS EVERY THING GOES UP IN PRICE SOONER OR LATTER..AGAIN BOB, THANK,S
RALPH PRYOR <REPJFK@AOL.COM>
TARPON SPRINGS, FL USA - Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 16:47:56 (EDT)

Phyllis B., would the club you mentioned be named Ibach's (pronounced eyebox)? I was never in it, but I remember my dad and older cousins talking about it.
Pat LeVan <levan1706@bellsouth.net>
Port St. Lucie, FL USA - Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 16:38:55 (EDT)

HI OLD SCHOOL 155, I LIVED ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE RESERVOIR AT 907 N. CLAYTON ST. I CAN REMEMBER CALLING MY OLD BUUDY ON THE PHONE , BOB MCDANIEL, HE LIVE AT 10TH. CLAYTON . WE WOULD MEET UP ON THE TOP HILL. SLED DOWN THAT ONE AND THE A SMALLER HILL. ON A WEEK END, THERE WOULD BE ABOUT 30 KID,S SLEDDING ON THE HILLS OF CLAYTON ST RESERVOIR. IF THE MOON WAS FULL. WE WOULD STAY UP THERE TILL ABOUT 10.00 P.M.. OR TILL OUR PARENTS CALLED US HOME. THEY WERE PART OF MY GOLDEN YEARS ! --- I MISS THEM SO.
RALPH PRYOR <REPJFK@AOL.COM>
TARPON SPRINGS , FL USA - Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 16:27:48 (EDT)

Defiance AA started out at 221 N. Jackson St. Later it moved to Browntown and has recently relocated to Boxwood Road across from Conrad. They used to sponsor all sorts of sports teams. There were also boxing matches and jitterbug contests in the back yard, pre-40s, I think.
Bill <mcgonigal9@verizon.net>
Townsend, de USA - Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 15:24:33 (EDT)

When I spoke of the Hotel Olivere a post or two ago, I didn't mention its location. Believe it was at 7th & Shipley. Deerhead being about a block away. There was another club around 5th & Shipley - pretty dour looking. You went upstairs where the rooms were all cut up like continuing boxes. Wish I could remember the name of it. The thing I remember was you could sit there, if you had a drink, until 3 A.M. and they had a good jukebox. Anybody remember when Teresa Brewer was in her heyday?
Phyllis B. <pboyd52@ comcast.net>
Wilm., DE USA - Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 14:36:38 (EDT)

does anybody here remember sledding down the resovoir hills at 9th and clayton????? how about the tower at the top of the resovoir, supposedly the top of the tower was the highest point in wilmington at the time, we used to climb over the locked fence and climb to the top and just sit up there for hours. simpler times i guess. oldeschool
oldeschool55 <oldeschool55@yahoo.com>
wilmington, de USA - Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 13:51:04 (EDT)

For Ralph Pryor: Times have really changed at UD Football! Seats for home games are now $25.00 per person per game for seats between the 40 yard lines. Parking in the Gold Lot is now $150.00 for the season (that’s $25.00 per game!). VIP parking, that is with your reserved spot with name on a curb bumper, is something like $250.00 for the season, and you have to be a member of “Delaware Diamonds”, which means you have donated at least $1,000.00 a year to the UD Athletic Fund. In a note included with the season ticket order form, UD is saying that starting in 2009, all season ticket applications and Gold parking will “tied to a priority system”. Will being a season ticket holder for 30 years or so count? Or does one also have to fork over another $1,000.00? Oh yes, you cannot park where you want – they direct you to the next available spot, and no saving a place for friends. As a musician you would love the UD Band. I was a member of the band when it started in Fall of 1946. Was Concert Master after Louie Deprisco from WHS left-boy was he good! Director Heidi Sarver has done great job, but I don’t like some of the music they play. (“Malaguena” or something.) For me, a band should play Sousa. They only play “Stars and Stripes” about once a season. They should get the message since everybody cheers when they do play it. They also played a version of “1812 Overture”, which everybody thinks is an American patriotic piece. Never mind that it celebrates the Russian defeat of Napoleon at Moscow! Oh well, guess I am getting old.
Bob Veazey <bobbyvz@comcast.net>
Wilmington, DE USA - Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 11:47:28 (EDT)

Wayne & Jim Batty: After the New Century Club, the WILM dances moved to the Y. They hadn't been there very long when a fight broke out between Shawtown & Becker's Corner. That was the end of the WILM Saturday dances. As far as Mitch Thomas is concerned, I remember seeing Wilbert Harrison and Lloyd Price. Mitch was a super nice guy.
Swifty <williamwswift@aol.com>
Middletown, DE USA - Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 09:37:03 (EDT)

The Post House served Taylor's Pork Roll. Nothing more than a bolagna cut thick and fried. I know it can still be bought at most deli's today in Phila. and the Jersey shore.
Billy Day <billy.day1@verizon.net>
Wilmington, De USA - Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 09:11:08 (EDT)

I think they offered something called "Tyler's Pork Roll" at the Post House; only place I knew of to get it. Never could get the hang of eating scrapple, though, unless it was cooked "to death," and then transmogrified with ketchup, but the Tyler's Pork Roll was at least palatable. No substitute for a Deer's Head Hot Dog or a scrumptious steak sandwich from Jan's down on the Gov. Printz. Does anyone know where Jan's got their rolls? Serpie's Bakery maybe?
Danny Stat <daniel@statnekov.com>
Salt Spring Island, BC Canada - Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 01:25:17 (EDT)

DRUFO: Share that recepe!!! Depending on when you worked there you may have served some up for me already. It was my favorite dish at the Post House! By the way my exchange was Colonial and I remember when we did not have any exchanges our number was 24477 and it went to CO-24477.
Al Minne <alminne@verizon .com>
Temecula, CA USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 22:28:26 (EDT)

My first job was as a dish washer at the union street Post House...guy named al owned it then...he lived 3 blocks away and would walk to and from work with a brown paper bag full of money and recipts. he was a nice guy...he would pay you on monday so you didnt blow your cash over the week end. I still make French toast for the wife and kids using the old recepe that is still in my head...I could share it if any one would like it.
drufo <drufo1@verizon.net>
wilm, de USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 22:07:43 (EDT)

RE: post house, this at the bottom of the link posted by Connie,,,The Post House is located at 105 N Union St in Wilmington, Delaware and is cash only.
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 19:32:14 (EDT)

For Steve K: Thank you for the reunion contact information. I will look him up. I read Buddy B's obit back in January of 2002. He and AL were both nice guys. I enjoy reading your memories about Hedgeville Keep them coming TAke care George
George <george091639@msn.com>
Ocean View, DE USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 17:50:10 (EDT)

Webmaster-----It!s good to see the Nostalgia page resume, where it should be. But I have to add my two cents. Not all the people here are from downtown Wilmington, and resided in the city. Some, just visited, mostly on weekends,if we could afford bus fare. Now, most, if not 80% + , reside outside the city, and remenisce about where, and who they grew up with. We have come full circle. Jokingly, you have bear, with some of us. We are forgetful.... Keep the memories going. This way, we will never forget our town.
Browny <brownys828@yahoo.com>
Wilmington, DE USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 17:32:40 (EDT)

Bruce: VALLEY GARDEN PARK is still nicely maintained. It has had its share of car break-ins over the past few years, but that should change now that a 360 degree security camera is operational in the parking lot.The camera is monitored in Wilm, and I am sure it provides some interesting viewing. You would think that lovers, cheating spouses, and yo- yos smoking hemp would look up and see they are on camera.
Steve K <priv>
wilm , de USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 16:30:42 (EDT)

George: I also logged in a few years on the PARK b-ball court, but my time was more mid 60's. Buddy B. and the late Al Buny (with his blue or brown mesh shoes and back to the basket ) were still playing then. The PARK RENUNION last year was word of mouth organized by Stan Kozicki( he was with Wilm City Parks and I think he just moved up the ladder to some other dept).Stan still lives on S.Broom and is in Phone Book thats where I would contact him. ( he said to spread the word in the flier he sent to me). Not sure if this is going to be yearly thing, but If I hear any updates I can post on the events site here.
Sreve K <priv>
wilm, de USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 16:14:30 (EDT)

Re: Old Wilmington - 1)Robert McKelvey, you have a way with words. Your posts are always well written. 2)My older sister took me to a fight one time (in the 50's or 60's?) to a place called the Defiance Club. I can't remember where this was. ????. 3)Olde School, unless the Post House at Lanc. Ave. & Union closed in the last 2-3 days, your location of all three of them was right. Ellis Stehl owns all three. 4)Someone asked about the Hotel Olivere - it was approx. a block from the Deerhead. Had a good piano bar, a wonderful pianist (whose name I cannot recall) and a ballroom/type room downstairs called The Rathskellar. This, too, was the fifties and early sixties. You could walk that area (I did many times) with no fear.
Phyllis B. <pboyd 52@comcast.net>
Wilm., DE USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 16:08:47 (EDT)

Ralph Pryor:I had the pleasure of being part of your Blue Lot U OF D tailgate crew for a few years in the 70's.Myself and my wife were part of your brother Bills bank group. Stella really did prepare some great food.I think your motto at the time was FIRST TO ARRIVE, LAST TO LEAVE. I know we were marked late a few times when we did not arrive before 10:30 am. Anybody remember when the U of D beat Temple at the VET ? The Phillie Phantic(Dave Raymond )was the Delaware punter.
Steve K <private>
wilm, de USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 15:43:22 (EDT)

Spent alot of time in canby park. The pool with high dive,the bridge down in the woods. Not to mention all the softball games I played there. I had my short semi-pro stint in canby park.Also a few intimate female friends,those were the days.You could walk anywhere anytime and not be bothered.
Art <private>
newark, de USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 15:17:05 (EDT)

For some reason the end of my comment was left out........it said...Help me out Swifty. I also used to stop by St Lizzies dances & it was funny watching the nuns walking around telling some that they were dancing too close.
Jim Batty <travelcompany@att.net>
Wilmington, DE USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 13:38:25 (EDT)

Hi Wayne--you mentioned the dances at WILM or KingWILM, with Ty Finch/aka Dean Tyler. I used to go there all of the time from the beginning, & after they got to big for the studio--they moved over to the New Century Club on Delaware Avenue. Ty used to call me Norman Nutsy on the air. Swifty & I used to be together often. We also used to go to the Wilmington Armory to some of the concerts that Mitch Thomas (a very prominent black DJ back then)from WILM used to have. I don't really remember to many of the acts but maybe Fats Domino & The Coasters
Jim Batty <travelcompany@att.net>
Wilmington, DE USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 13:36:19 (EDT)

Spent a lot of time at West End Park in the years '60-64.Great group of guys and girls there.Seems like there were about 50-60 regulars.One "gang" in the Wilmington area actually thoght we were a " gang " like them. Does anyone remember a Hank Sitko from Browntown who used to frequent the park ? Seems like he disappeared after a while. How about a Jackie Azzanesi from the Canby Park area ? STEVE K: my buddy Bill Kaper's dad,Tony,from 303 S. Jackson was origially from Pittston and coal mined before comong to Wilmington. He worked at G.M. I remember Bill's cousins Stanley from Pittston and Sarina from Shamokin coming to visit. Used to hang out on Porter at one time with Connie and Ray Markowski and Mike Zarembicki.
Jerry T. <sandybeach1@mchsi.com>
Dagsboro, De. USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 13:35:34 (EDT)

Old School - I checked the NC Co property records and the site on Lancaster Ave is now a car dealership. They paid $170,000 for the property and their taxes are just short of $5,000 a year!
Connie <nospam>
Wilmington, DE USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 13:11:57 (EDT)

connie, i believe all of the post houses are still in operation except the pennsylvania site. oldeschool55
oldeschool55 <oldeschool55@yahoo.com>
wilmington, de USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 12:43:41 (EDT)

For Steve K: I logged in some years at West End/Delamore. Most of my time was spent on the old basket ball courts (closer to Franklin Street. Originally, there were wooden back boards,later replaced by a metal mesh type. Played with and against Buddy Brainard, Al Bunzack, Mike "Fichetti, Bill Beeder etc. Woul be in mid to late fifties. How does one get on the mailing list for the next reunion. Take care George
George <george091639@msn.com>
ocean View, DE USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 11:36:36 (EDT)

Connie: I heard that DiNardo's moved to Philadephia years ago. The place was always packed back in the 60's, 70's era.
Nick B. <private>
San Diego, CA USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 11:29:41 (EDT)

I remember seeing firemen training and testing the pumpers at the foot of Adams Street and S. Park Drive back in the early 40's. They would be in the area where the millstone is located, near the footbridge. I believe they drew water from the race. Some of the fire engines were pretty old magnificent machines. We would be treated to the sight of these beautiful red pumpers as we walked home from #24 school. The large trucks painted red and with all the fancy gold scrolling and the big bright gleaming brass bells were a treat to behold for a small kid.
Robert J. McKelvey <windsorme2@verizon.net>
Cape May, N.J. USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 11:17:38 (EDT)

POST HOUSE as of 1974 - 105 N Union, 43rd and Market (the one we went to), 145 E Main, 1722 Pennsylvania Ave.
Connie <nospam>
Wilmington, DE USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 10:34:21 (EDT)

Stevie K: Will be out of town beginning the 11th until the 23rd. I'll hear from you then.
Bruce Esdale <BEsdale48@comcast.net>
Newark, DE USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 09:28:06 (EDT)

yes I remember dinardos on lincoln st, in the summer the smell of crabs hit you as soon as you drove down lincoln st!!! i also remember the deerhead on 6th st, right next to peter pappas market!!! and yes finally, i also remember the post house on pennsylvania avenue, best cheeseburgers in town at the time!!!!!!
oldeschool55 <oldeschool55@yahoo.com>
wilmington, de USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 09:15:03 (EDT)

RE ST MARKS - OOPS! It was St Matthews. Coming off Boxwood Road onto MD Ave the church would be on the right and the little mall almost straight ahead on the other side of the road.
Connie <nospam>
Wilmington, DE USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 08:52:40 (EDT)

Does anyone remember this restaurant - "2002 DiNardo's, a longtime favorite Italian Wilmington restaurant was sold at auction for $10,000. First opened in 1938 on Lincoln St., it had been closed because of bankruptcy since December 1998."
Connie <nospam>
Wilmington, DE USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 08:47:30 (EDT)

To Tom and Oldeschool55: I got in to the Chicago concert for free. I was the equipment manager for their opening act, Bill Russell, a folk singer from Conrad High. My being his equipment manager was our little scam (how much equipment does a folk singer need...I carried his guitar and had to be ready with a string if he broke one). Bill used to play at the Side Door Coffee House, the Brown House, the Rockford Park concerts, and all the other hippie venues around New Castle. I also got to see Vanila Fudge play at Mt. Pleasant for free after winning tickets on WILM's Susan Yellow and the Yellow Underground radio show. I still talk to people who have a hard time fathoming that Chicago, Vanila Fudge and the likes would play a high school.
Gary Seward <lgtat2@bellatlantic.net>
Dover, DE USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 08:08:04 (EDT)

I remember the DEER HEAD at 6th street in the 70s Today they are 1...Cannery 2....MAryland Ave....3.in the new shopping center across from the christiana hospital ( in the corner of the strip mall). They no longer seen to all be owened by the same people...like the Post house, was originally owned by one guy who then sold them off to others...speacking of post house remember the one on PA ave? across from the Rustler steak house ( now grottos pizza)
drufo <drufo1@verizon.net>
wilm, de USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 07:55:36 (EDT)

STEVE K:: That's the gang.__I've been with them for 48 years!
Webmaster <web-master@oldwilmington.net>
Wilmington/Perryville, DE/MD USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 04:58:41 (EDT)

Joe Barbezzi was a heavy weight (or near-so, anyway) while Ronnie Branch was a much lighter fighter; maybe welterweight. I can't imagine that the two would ever have been matched against each other. I trained with Branch for awhile with "Doodles" Lew Lum, a classy fighter from the Sugar Ray Robinson era, and I'd see Barbezzi at the YMCA from time to time when John D. Kelly from the Logan House would give all of us "boys" the "benefit" of his well-earned ring wisdom. Boy, could that Barbezzi hit the heavy bag! Branch wasn't any slouch, either. Doodles taught us a neat combination of fast, repetitive left hooks that he'd learned from Robinson. I wish I'd taught that to my own sons, but my youngest is a black belt in Tai Kwan Do and along with his brother thinks boxing is a crude, outdated sport. I'm sure that the secret of the Deer Head Hot Dog was in the sauce (I remember some onions in a tomato sauce.). Does anyone know if the ones they're making now on Maryland Ave. taste the same? And where was the Hotel Olivere? Somehow that erstwhile hot dog establishment is linked in my mind with the location of that hotel; maybe they were on the same block.....
Danny Stat <daniel@statnekov.com>
Salt Spring Island, B.C. Canada - Wednesday, April 09, 2008 at 02:13:18 (EDT)

Joan, For me "The Deerhead" will always be the one that was downtown. I cherish the memory of that woman at the grill, sweating and dabbing talcum powder on her chest while she asked you for your dog order.
jim rambo <rammymex@yahoo.com>
ajijic, jalisco Mexico - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 23:19:16 (EDT)

BRUCE E,: In response to your post my intent is not torture anyone let me explain(bear with me Joan I promise to have some nostalgia for the board). I am a " cracker" by birth (coal cracker that is) and had participated on a similar forum that turned to mush in my home town area of Brady/Ranshaw/Shamokin in Pennsylvania. I think the Webmaster here has things under control and mush wont happen. So thats the reason why somewhat defensive about E- mail address, last name etc. As for nostalgia anybody out there have a parent relative, friend, neighbor that came to Wilm. in 40's, 50's, when the coal mines were closing down to seek a better life? Perhaps they worked At Dravo Shipyard , Pusey And Jones Graver Tank, G.M. or Chrysler etc.. Many of the men who came to work stayed in boarding houses in the Hedgeville ,Browntown areas and returned to PA on weekends, and some stayed as my father did to make Wilmington their new hometown. P.S. Bruce I will E- Mail you , we can do lunch ? (on Me)
SteveK <private>
wilm , de USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 21:36:50 (EDT)

is the deerhead still at the cannery, which is by the jackson inn and dupont rd.?
joan <usa>
wilm, de USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 20:43:20 (EDT)

POrter, ENdicott, OLympia, WYman and SYcomore for a few...
Webmaster <web-master@oldwilmington.net>
Wilmington/Perryville, DE/MD USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 18:43:37 (EDT)

Who can recall their old phone number exchanges?...OLYmpia was mine
DRUFO <drufo1@verizon.net>
w, DE USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 18:21:20 (EDT)

conniie...St mATHEWS IS SOUTH OF THE dEAR hEAD...AND sT eLIZABETH IS nORTH "UP" MARYLAND AVE. i WORK AT A NEARBY HIGH SCHOOL, AND HAD LUNCH THERE JUST TODAY IRONICALLY
DRUFO <drufo1@verizon.net>
wilmington, DE USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 18:18:27 (EDT)

hmmmm, isnt St Marks on PIKE CREEK ROAD? or did they move to Maryland ave?
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 17:56:13 (EDT)

Drove out Maryland Avenue today for the first time in several decades and it really looks different. Someone mentioned DEERHEAD HOT DOGS some time ago - there's a Deerhead Hotdog store on Maryland Ave just down from St Mark's school. It's in a little mall that's between St Mark's and Wilmington.
Connie <nospam>
Wilmington, DE USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 17:35:28 (EDT)

HI STEVE K. IN REGARDS TO U OF DEL FOOT BALL GAMES. THE HOME GAMES WE ALWAYS TRYED TO GET TO THE V.I.P. PARKING LOT THREE HOURS BEFORE KICK OFF, BELIEVE PARKING (BACK THEN ) WAS $5.00 A GAME, YOU PAID FOR PARKING THE SAME TIME YOU PAID FOR YOUR RESERVED SEASON TICKETS. MY LATE WIFE STELLA WOULD ALWAYS HAVE A WARM MEAL PREPAIRED FOR ALL AFTER THE GAME . PLUS PLENTY OF FOOD BEFORE THE GAME. AND OTHER GUY,S WIFES DID THERE SHARE ALSO. AT THE AWAY GAMES . ,WILLIAM AND MARY, IN VA, BUCKNELL , GETTYSBURG,PA,AND STORES , CT----WE HAD A BALL, WOULD TAKE TWO TO THREE VEHICLES. AND THE STATES THAT WERE PRETTY FAR AWAY LIKE CT . VA ETC.. WE WOULD HAVE MOTEL RESERVATIONS AND STAY OVER NIGHT, WE ALWAYS HAD A GREAT TIME , AND IT SEEMS THAT BACK IN THOSE DAYS WE HARDLY EVER LOST. GREAT MEMORIES STEVE ! AND THERE WAS A GOOD SHOWING OF DEL FANS. 100,S OF DEL FANS. I REMEMBER ONE GAME UP IN MASS. WE PLAYED BOSTON COLLEGE , WE HAD MORE FANS FROM DEL THEN BOSTON DID IN THE STANDS . AND WE ALWAYS TAIL GATED AT THE AWAY GAMES ALSO STEVE.
RALPH PRYOR <REPJFK@AOL.COM>
TARPON SPRINGS , FL USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 17:24:09 (EDT)

re: oldschool, yes after thinking about it Mt Pleasant popped in my head, thanks!
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 17:04:57 (EDT)

tom, i'll bet you saw chicago at mt pleasent high school, they had a radio station back then and they used to bring in up and coming bands that wer'nt major stars yet but were promoting an album or 2. I saw jackson brown and linda ronsdatin a double bill at mt pleasent for about 3 dollars. thay each played their own set of songs but they used the same backing band - the original lineup of whatwas to become the eagles. probably around 1971,1972 or so. for a finale linda and jackson took the stage together with the eagles playing backup and they did a rocking version of johnny b goode!!!!!!!!
oldeschool55 <oldeschool55@yahoo.com>
wilmington, de USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 16:43:12 (EDT)

In addition to the armory, there were a lot of name bands and individuals who used to show up and play at the NCO Club out on the Air Base in the late fifties. I only went a couple of times and can't remember specifically who had played there, but do know they were popular recording artists. I did see Paul and Paula at the armory once on a Saturday afternoon. Ray Morris and I were so close we could have touched her. We also used to go up to WILM Radio Station after school and watch Ty Finch AKA Dean Tyler put on his show. There were a good number of artists that would stop in while promoting their records going to station after station. I met Brook Benton and Charlie Gracie among others there. That was a one on one thing right in the broadcasting booth. Swifty, I'm sure you remember some of those days, and the dances they held on Saturday afternoons at the station. I think that was the first place I ever met you, back in the late fifties
Wayne <twntydasys@aol.com>
New Castle, DE USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 16:15:16 (EDT)

I went to a Chicago concert in 1969, but forget what school it was, the first album songs.
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 16:00:30 (EDT)

Isaw the Beach Boys at the armory as well, but we didn't go in, we watched from a wall across the street at the st anthony's rectory. it was the summer and with no air conditioning the armory had all of their very large windows open, we could see the band on stage and heard them very well. I also remember J Geils band playing the Armory in the very early 70's
oldeschool55 <oldeschool55@yahoo.com>
wilmington, de USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 15:42:20 (EDT)

webmaster: WOW! tell her I said hello! been many years ago, thanks!
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 14:47:26 (EDT)

TOM:: She is my wife's younger sister.__They lived two houses up from Broom Street at 1404...
Webmaster <web-master@oldwilmington.net>
Wilmington/Perryville, DE/MD USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 14:29:53 (EDT)

I saw the tag team match of Toro Tanaka and Mr. Fuji against two unknowns at Fournier Hall in the late 60's. Ralph Tribuani's nephew, Dino Taviano( Ottaviano)at that time, announced the match. In a pre-arranged scenario, Tanaka and Fuji dropped Dino to the mat. I heard that Ronnie Branch was supposed to fight one of our locals, Joe Barbizzi(sp.) from Richardson Park. I don't remember if this ever came to fruition. As an added note, I enjoy reading all posts because they give an insight into not only our physical community(places, objects) back then , but also the people(us and others), how we were back then and how we are now.It's so enjoyable to read everyone's post. Everyone is not me , however, and that's fine. So, OLDESCHOOL55,let dead dogs die.That was your 3rd post on the subject.
Jerry Tomczyk <sandybeach1@mchsi.com>
Dagsboro, De. USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 14:18:28 (EDT)

I saw the Beach Boys (Glen Campbell played bass since Brian Wilson was having a meltdown), Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Freddie and the Dreamers and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels at the Armory, all in the early 60's. Anybody recall any other concerts?
Bruce <private>
Sugar Land, TX USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 14:03:35 (EDT)

drufo, I recall the pro wrestling matches at St Anthony's Fournier Hall. Boxing promoter Ralph Tribuani held several there along with boxing matches featuring Ronnie Branch and other local fighters in the 60's and 70's. Lou Albano, Gorilla Monsoon, Professor Toru Tanaka, and sadly, even former heavyweight champion Joe Louis, once refereed a pro wrestling match there. Joe had to resort to that due to his problems with the American government regarding back taxes. Kind of reminded me of that old movie with Anthony Quinn and Jackie Gleason "requiem for a heavyweight"
Nick B. <private>
San Diego, CA USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 11:24:22 (EDT)

Drufo, I remember the Thursday lunches that the local women used to have in the basement at Fournier Hall. That was Italian! I also recall boxing matches upstairs that were mediocre, at best. Argentina Rocca appeared, as did Gorgeous George, at the old Wilmington Ball Park wrestling matches.
jim rambo <rammymex@yahoo.com>
ajijic, jalisco Mexico - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 10:49:06 (EDT)

hmmm, I knew a Roseanne K, lived on lancaster ave, just above Broom
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 10:40:02 (EDT)

STEVE K:: I did miss your last name in one of your postings.__Anyway, my wife ia a KLOSIEWICZ.__She has a cousin, Steve.__Her father Sig was the scout master of BSA Troop #7 in the mid-50s and and was also active in the Pulaski Legion.__Now, his son, Tom is active.__He told me they are looking for a new building to move to - the location now on Linden Street is bad, especially for parking.
Webmaster <web-master@oldwilmington.net>
Wilmington/Perryville, DE/MD USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 10:33:29 (EDT)

steve, thank you for understanding that we are just talking in jest in here. i think the whole idea is to have fun no matter what the subject is. i would love to know who you knew from st anthony's, one or two posts on a subject is not bad at all, i think its when a subject goes on and on (like we have all done) that it becomes boring to the majority. enough said, i too remember wrestling at fournier hall, they used to let us in after the matches started and we would watch from the balcony up top where they stored gym equipment.
oldeschool55 <oldeschool55@yahoo.com>
wilmington, de USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 10:07:58 (EDT)

My brother graduated from St E in 77, and I was a little later...Does anyone remember PRO WRESTLING at Fournier Hall. I saw Jimmy "Superf;y Snuka" almost hit the lights on a leap from the top turnbuckle...I also remember Andre the Giant there among others
drufo <drufo1@verizon.net>
wilm, del USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 09:48:57 (EDT)

Stevie K: they missed your last name, Konetski, in the recent post. Why torture the poor people? Although I am from the Little Italy/Woodlawn Flats section (where the Webmaster formerly lived), I knew a great bunch of people from the section you grew up in. As for the other team the 60' Eagles football team played at Fournier Hall, I believe it was the old semi-pro team, the Wilmington Jets. I attended a few of their games with my grandfather, George Esdale.
Bruce Esdale <BEsdale48@comcast.net>
Newark, DE USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 09:47:19 (EDT)

STEVE K:: You may be related to my wife.__Others have asked: What is your last name or at least the first two letters?
Webmaster <web-master@oldwilmington.net>
Wilmington/Perryville, DE/MD USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 09:11:35 (EDT)

RE Bruce, the parks still there, and if you go here,,,http://maps.live.com/ you can zoom down to a birds eye view and rotate thru different views.
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 09:10:24 (EDT)

Anybody remember Valley Gardens Park that was down the road from Hoopes resouvoir? It was a hippy hang out in the late 60's early 70's. Is it still there? It was a well maintained park, but I remember the police making frequent patrols looking for clouds of smoke. Tom - I don't post my eamil address since I post from a work computer and don't want to chance getting spam or a virus. If you need to contact someone that doesn't give their email address the Web Master can help you.
Bruce <private>
Sugar Land, TX USA - Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 08:42:13 (EDT)

Dear Joan and Oldeschool cc. webmaster Thank you both for letting me know that I was not being nostalgic enough . I am a newbie to your site , and I will take your advice and contact Jerry T and Tom Brejwa directly , and share with them the memories of growing up in a great neighborhood ,attending one of the best parochial schools ever,and using scouts, band ,sports etc. that helped prepare the three of us to go on and serve our country in the armed services. Oldschool/In reply to one of your recent posts I do have some friends that went to St. Anthonys in the 1960's, but not sure if it would be nostalgic enough to reply. Also do you still go to St. lizzies dances? (my turn to LOL) To Joan /Oldschool/ Anybody (I hope the following qualifies as nostalgia)(still LOL- please dont take me to serious) Do you have any memories of visiting Hoopes Dam in the 50's and early 60's when it was open to the public? How about the huge bears that used to do tricks for peanuts at the old Wilm ZOO? How about the great rabbit ehhibit (must have been 30 different species in cages) at the same zoo? Anybody remember when the 1960 championship Phila. Eagles played an ehibition basketball game at Fournier Hall( Sonny Jurgenson, Tommy McDonald, Pete Retzlaff, etc. ). Anybody remember the other team? (I don't)
Steve K <private>
wilm, de USA - Monday, April 07, 2008 at 22:49:40 (EDT)

Bruce from Sugarland (and anyone else who's interested): I was a Cub Scout back in the late 40's - Den 4, Pack 6, operating out of St. John's Church on Market Street at the foot of Concord Ave. I graduated to Boy Scouts in the same home base: Troop 26 in the very early 50's. Several summers at Camp Rodney. Managed to attain the rank of Life Scout, but I became a girl scout before I could get that coveted Eagle rank...
Bill Fisher <whfisheratearthlink.net>
Westminster, CA USA - Monday, April 07, 2008 at 19:55:09 (EDT)

My only Service was 4 years in the U.S.A.F with 19 months in the P.I and TDY to Viet Nam
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Monday, April 07, 2008 at 18:02:04 (EDT)

Jerry and Steve - I was in a Cub Scout pack, but was kicked out due to my attitude. Anybody else have any information about their service in the Boy Scouts?
Bruce <private>
Sugar Land, TX USA - Monday, April 07, 2008 at 16:50:09 (EDT)

STEVE K: maybe it was part your low profile and my memory. I didn't make it to the Jamboree, but did attend the 50th Anniversary Camporee on the Hercules property in 1960. I was sick and couldn't make the first summer camp at Lone Pine, but did make the next two at the Shawnee campsite.
Jerry T. <sandybeach1@mchsi.co>
Dagsboro, De. USA - Monday, April 07, 2008 at 16:44:46 (EDT)

The pictures of the riot were interesting as my father was a city officer retiring in 1971.
Art <private>
newark, de USA - Monday, April 07, 2008 at 16:32:45 (EDT)

Anybody from St.Elizabeth 1970 on the site?
Art <private>
newark, de USA - Monday, April 07, 2008 at 16:30:58 (EDT)

Web Master, Thanks for the 1968 riot pictures. Was there anty property or injuries outside of the city - suburbs? I remember hearing a rumor that there were armed guards on some of the stores outside of the city. Probably just a rumor.
Bruce <private>
Sugar Land, TX USA - Monday, April 07, 2008 at 15:33:48 (EDT)

thank you Joan! I felt like any minute someone was going to come in and hand me my eagle badge!!!!!! and I don't even know what an eagle badge is. did your father own ragans????
oldeschool55 <oldeschool55@yahoo.com>
wilmington, de USA - Monday, April 07, 2008 at 13:52:40 (EDT)

Jerry & Steve, let's move on with this scout thing on oldwilmington.net, get each others e-mail and do your memories on your own , sorry, don't mean to sound pushy but, this is NOT nostagia for everyone.
Joan <USA>
wilm, de USA - Monday, April 07, 2008 at 13:23:39 (EDT)

JERRY : I dont think I went on the hike you mentioned, however went to Camp Rodney( Lone Pine winter and summer camps). Do you remember going to Boy Scout Jamboree at the old Brandywine Raceway ? It was held in the infield circled by the track. I remember being at Camp Rodney when Tom Maloney ,the late mayor of Wilm ,was one of the camp counslers.Even at that age (he was probably 19 or 20 years old)one could tell he was going somewhere. Jerry I must have kept a low profile in my youth, I was Joe Ragans Asst.Patrol Leader (Flaming Arrow) before I became Asst. Senior Patrol Leader.
Steve Konetski <private>
wilm , de USA - Monday, April 07, 2008 at 11:55:28 (EDT)

STEVE K: the spelling may have been Wasielewski. I remember Bill Brzoska taking all or part of the Troop on a hike through Alapocas woods. We met at his house, right across the street from Schelich's bakery. Were you on that hike? I was in the FLAMING ARROW patrol at that time with Joe Ragan as Patrol Leader. Still stumped. Fess up !
Jerry Tomczyk <sandybeach1@mchsi.com>
Dagsboro, De. USA - Monday, April 07, 2008 at 08:34:01 (EDT)

JERRY T: I know every one of the people you mentioned in your last post.You did real well with all the spelling except Eddie W. does not look quite right. When Leonard S. was Hawk Patrol Leader I believe I was the Asst. Senior Patrol Leader (the Senior Patrol Leader was Mike Szymanski, and before him Bill Brozska). If I remember correctly Troop 7 was one of the largest in the state at that time. Jerry I'll give you another day to remember me, and when you can't then I will fess up. Steve K
SteveK <private>
wilm , de USA - Sunday, April 06, 2008 at 21:08:20 (EDT)

Bruce: Your math comment was pretty funny. Actually math was one of my better subjects (except for algebra, trig, and calculus).I have seen Art Madric,Stevie Mahon, and Tony Latina a few times over the years, and "country" is no longer with us. Art M has done real well in the community with his track coaching. I saw Art and a couple other DEVILS (Mike Brown-65, Fran Berry, Pete Grandell Sr, Coach Ed Malin and some others at the 2005 Beef & Beer, held at the NCCIS club . Thats the old Knights of Columbus hall where S Rodney meets Maryland ave. Actually that is how I found this site when Joe Hamill and Rich Stewert(class of 65) contacted me to attend that function.
SteveK <Private>
WILM , DE USA - Sunday, April 06, 2008 at 20:25:23 (EDT)

Steve K: No problem about the off-year. If I remember correctly, math wasn't your strong suit :) As I was saying, Newark had a formidable team that year ('65) as well. For Newark, they had Lou Strengari at QB and a great running back tandem in Dick Fulton and Dick Kelley (of UD fame). We had Steve Mahon at QB with Dino Medori, Art Madric and Jim "Country" Lotharp at RBs. Yep, the Gold Ballroom food certainly was not as good as you said at the Wilmington Touchdown Club function.
Bruce Esdale <BEsdale48@comcast.net>
Newark, DE USA - Sunday, April 06, 2008 at 17:24:20 (EDT)

STEVE K: I feel that I should know you, but can't place you. Is your last name Kosek, Kaczmarczyk or Klosiewicz ? You should have known these guys : Ben Buzin, across the street from you and also in Troop 7, the Wilczynski brothers around the corner on Van Buren, Eddie Waszelewski across the street from them, Leonard Strycharz( Hawk Patrol Leader at one time ) one block up from you on Maple and Jerry Macuk, I think across the street from you.
Jerry Tomczyk <sandybeach1@mchsi.com>
Dagsboro, De. USA - Sunday, April 06, 2008 at 15:54:32 (EDT)

JERRY T: IT was gold fish in window of Eagle Dye Works, and they were big (perhaps 6 - 8 inches at least thats what I remember). I think I am a year older than you and yes did live in Hedgeville, went to St Hedwigs, in scouts Troop 7 and played on Pulaski Legion Midget League Baseball Team. I lived on Maple in the house that you said in previous post was your "old girl friends" (after she moved). I also remember saving money ( about a dollar at that time to buy model airplane kits) at Szats Store. And later(when I thought I was supposed to smoke) it was Luckies Cigs 2 for a nickle.
SteveK <Private>
WILM, DE USA - Sunday, April 06, 2008 at 14:41:32 (EDT)

BRUCE: I was off a year, your graduating class 66 would would make 65 team co-champs of Blue Hen Conf. My senior year we were 6-3 was 1964 team. I do remember going to Hotel Du Pont three years in a row to have lunch with THE WILMINGTON TOUCHDOWN CLUB.( winner of P.S.- WHS game went every year.) I think it was the gold ballroom.I dont remember lunch being all that great but enjoyed missing most of the school day. Thanks WILM TOUCHDOWN CLUB.
SteveK <Private>
WILM , De USA - Sunday, April 06, 2008 at 14:16:38 (EDT)

Unfortunately, 1968 was the end of Wilmington - as we knew it!
Blackie <confidential>
Marco Island, Fl USA - Sunday, April 06, 2008 at 12:10:21 (EDT)

Webmaster: Thanks for the photos of the 68 riots. A very sad time for Wilmington & the nation. I was in the guards at the time and was called out. My unit was stationed at Bayard Jr. High. For some reason, after a couple of days we were released. Some of my buddies were kept for months. It didn't seem fair, but to be honest, I didn't argue.
Swifty <williamwswift@aol.com>
Middletown, DE USA - Sunday, April 06, 2008 at 09:51:50 (EDT)

STEVE K : I remember going to EAGLE DYE WORKS, but my memory is vague. It would have to have been either goldfish or turtles. Never became an Explorer, just a Scout. Did you live in or around Hedgeville ? Does anyone remember the size of their grade school classes? When I went to St. Hedwig's we had 2 classes of each grade, Kindergarten through 8th grade with 50-52 kids in each class. I don't know how the nuns kept their sanity,especially with our class.
Jerry Tomczyk <sandybeach1@mchsi.com>
Dagsboro, De. USA - Sunday, April 06, 2008 at 07:53:19 (EDT)

Steve K: Not as many as I would like including you. You played end and had good hands but we weren't exactly a passing team because we had a lot of great runners. That was some team in '65 Newark had that tied with us.
Bruce Esdale <BEsdale48@comcast.net>
Newark, DE USA - Sunday, April 06, 2008 at 07:30:58 (EDT)

The 1968 riots:: Riot Photo #1 Riot Photo #2 Riot Photo #3 Riot Photo #4
Webmaster <web-master@oldwilmington.net>
Wilmington/Perryville, DE/MD USA - Sunday, April 06, 2008 at 05:25:54 (EDT)

To Ralph Pryor: What time did you have to arrive at the BLUE LOT for UofD football games in the mid 70's before you were considered late? Did you enjoy the away games like W&M in Williamsburg? To Jerry T: What was alive in the window of EAGLE DYE WORKS?( hint also at COOL SPRING PARK). Were you ever an Explorer Scout at Post 7 ? To Tom B:Who where your retail neighbors near S. Jackson St. in the 50's( bar,newsstands/magazines,sporting (fishing supplies),gas station, sno- balls liquor store,Hedgeville AC?) To Bruce"Boo"Esdale: Congrats on your 1966 BLUE HEN CONF. Co-Champ Football Team Go RED DEVILS!! DO you keep in touch with any of your teammates? Steve K WHS 65
Steve K <Private>
Wilm, De USA - Saturday, April 05, 2008 at 19:18:33 (EST)

JOANIE RAGAN: David and Denise are my cousins.Their older brother Walt was in St. Hedwig's and graduated in '62 with your cousin Zenny and myself. In that time the nuns used to ask the boys to help out bringing the seasonal flowers up from the basement of the Church to the altars and the girls and the nuns used to properly place them. JOANIE: didn't your grandfather have the bakery on Maryland Ave. before your Dad and uncle Zenon, and at one time live on Elm St. ?
Jerry Tomczyk <sandybeach1@mchsi.com>
Dagsboro, De. USA - Saturday, April 05, 2008 at 19:04:55 (EST)

This guy may be related to the people who ran the DeFonzo bakery. If so, maybe he could give you details - Re/Max Sunvest Realty-Michael DiFonzo P.O. Box 9655, Wilmington, DE 19809 Phone: (302) 764-0100
Connie <nospam>
Wilmington, DE USA - Saturday, April 05, 2008 at 09:40:06 (EST)

The mention of Friday night dances at the Elsmere Fire Hall certainly brings back a lot of memories. It was part of a string of dances that many of us attended during the week. Wednesday nights was started off at the New Century Club on Delaware Avenue. Fridays, we hit the floors at Elsmere. There, the crowd from the Little Italy/Woodlawn section dominated. People like myself, my sisters, Gwen and Nadine, Bill Black, John Ludwig, Turk McDaniel, John and Sam Candeloro, Carlo Dellose, C-Joe DiMatteo and others of that era attended many a Friday night during our high school years. Afterwards, it was up to McDonalds, Ginos or the Charcoal Pit at either Maryland Ave. or Concord Pike for eats. I remember a cop lurking around somewhere in back of the Elsmere building but was never able to get a glimpse of him. I do remember Stan Green starting out as an Elsmere policeman. Saturdays, there was always a dance somewhere. There was Claymont Fire Hall, Wilmington Manor Lions Club, Fournier Hall or forays to Chez Vous or Wagners in Philly. In the summer, there was the Steel Pier in AC or the ballroom in Wildwood. Jerry Blavat used to DJ a number of these dances and some us were fortunate enough to hoof it on his show in the 60s. To do it, one had to be a very good dancer because some of the Philly people had some serious happy feet moves. Paul Bell DJ'ed quite a few dances including at Silverbrook Methodist Church on Lancaster Avenue when we were in junior high. When I can, I try to attend some of the Oldies dances hosted by Blavat.
Bruce Esdale <BEsdale48@comcast.net>
Newark, DE USA - Saturday, April 05, 2008 at 06:23:24 (EST)

What ever happened to DiFonzo's bakery on Union Street? Went there when I returned to town recently and the new bakery is not comparable to DiFonzo's. Guess you all will have to come to Atlantic City to get good Italian bread now.
Tony <tbj3@aol.com>
Atlantic City, DE USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 19:09:11 (EST)

I believe the "steak shop" you are thinking of in Chester was "Stackey's"
Bill <wchamerica@hotmail.com>
Ocala, Fl USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 18:36:17 (EST)

In ref: Jerry Blavatt's place in Margate---yes it's still operational. It opens every year from Memorial Day to Labor Day & I believe only Fri, Sat & Sun. Blavatt still is on the air at 92.1 (a great oldies station), every night from 5 to 7, Mon thru Fri. He plays the best music if you can stand his constant chatter.
Jim Batty <travelcompany@att.net>
Wilmington, DE USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 17:19:06 (EST)

have you guys listened to Bocelli?, Wife loves Him!
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, de USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 17:13:33 (EST)

RAY:: Great tenor - he is comparable to Mario in The Student Prince...
Webmaster <web-master@oldwilmington.net>
Wilmington/Perryville, DE/MD USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 17:03:35 (EST)

Is the farmer's market on King street still operating? If not, does anyone know when it stopped. As a kid that was one of my favorite places to shop with Mom. I can still see the continous awnings that must have gone on for 6 or 7 blocks and the great selection of quality food. In the summer the walk was always wet from the melting ice and felt good on bare feet!
Al Minne <alminne@msn.com>
Temecula, CA USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 16:59:29 (EST)

JOE NIAGRA was my favorite. I taped a part of one of his broadcasts and years later played it on my car tapedeck. A young pre-teen said, Wow! What station is that! I told him it was a Phla DJ from a decade or more ago and he was more than a little disappointed.
Connie <nospam>
Wilmington, DE USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 16:40:48 (EST)

Jim Henderson owned the Atlantic station on Maryland ave.,but his repair business grew so large that he needed more bays to work on cars. Atlantic would not(or could not) add additional repair bays. He then moved to the Esso station accross from the firehouse in Newport and ran both stations for awhile. This was in 1959-1965. Jim was my neighbor in Cooper Farm and I worked at both stations on weekends/summer and after school(Conrad). I helped Jim build a few Drag cars over the years and we spent many a weekend making the rounds of Vineland/York/Vargo/and I think Cecil county was just opening. Jim left the gas station business and bought an 18 wheeler and was an indep. trucker. I understand he moved to Md. and passed away a few years ago. He was a good guy!
wayne g <waynegrobner@comcast.net>
dunwoody, ga USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 15:47:17 (EST)

Jonas Kaufmann : I queried pandora nothing found, their looking into it.
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 15:25:22 (EST)

There is a very interesting story that includes Jerry Blavatt at this website.http://www.hangnailphillips.com/legends.htm. Just page down and read the story about The Fabulous Pharaohs. He was not my generation's dj of choice. Ours were Grady and Hurst and of course Dick Clark.
Ray Zelano <RZelano@aol.com>
New Castle, De USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 14:32:43 (EST)

I agree with everyone who doesn't mind memories from outside of Wilm. But I do enjoy Ray Jubb's posts about his experiences as a policeman in Wilm. I'm sure he has seen the things that none of us want to know about, and I'm sure today it is worse than back in his day. What a thankless job. In Houston they can't get enough people to join the force since they are always blamed for the actions and the mistreatment of the poor criminals. I hope everyone on the site has a great and safe week-end!
Bruce <private>
Sugar Land, TX USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 13:27:28 (EST)

no, not a st lizzies grad, i just attended alot of their dances
oldeschool55 <oldeschool55@yahoo.com>
wilmington, de USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 13:24:46 (EST)

oldschool did you graduate from St.E's?
Art <private>
newark, de USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 13:13:27 (EST)

Jerry T. If I saw your face I'm sure I think I would know you. Being a bit younger I may not have known your name. I graduated St. Hedwigs Grade School in 1968 with other Tomczyk's, Denise and David. DO any of you remember cleaning the church when you were in St. Hedwigs grade school? Specifically the brass doors leading to the alter.
Joanie Ragan <joanminner@comcast.net>
wilmington, DE` USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 12:46:12 (EST)

Had a few of Tom's sandwiches but the best by far was a little Italian place on 3rd St in Chester where my father used to stop on the way to the ballgame in Philadelphia back in the fifties. Cannot remember the name of the place but a lot of people from Wilmington used to travel there.
Marty <ml@aol.com>
Deerfield Beach, Fl USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 12:43:05 (EST)

Since we're talking about dances, how many of you remember the Friday night dances at Elsmere Fire Co.? We went every Friday night and then went to Gino's in Prices Corner for burgers/fries/soda (all for less than $1)! Anyone remember the name of the State Trooper who used to sit in the parking lot to make sure we weren't loitering? I think his name was George. We used to buy a couple orders of fries and one sode and pass it around.
Susan Reusch <monte96_24@msn.com>
Newark, DE USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 12:22:59 (EST)

Going back several posts: I remember Lenape Park well. Once, when there with my brother Al in the 50's, I picked up a live .22 short from in front of the shooting gallery. When I brought it to my brother's attention on the way back home,he stopped the car and threw it into the Brandywine. Darn! Lost my souvenir. I remember the pool ,and then later in the 70's, on a trip there with my wife and kids, the pool was converted to bumper-boat riding. Also remember in my Freshman year at the U.of D. in '66, going to the McDonald's in Newark and buying 2 hamburgers, fries and a soda, and getting change back from a dollar. Good memories !
Jerry Tomczyk <sandybeach1@mchsi.com>
Dagsboro, De. USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 12:17:38 (EST)

I think it is great that we can finally include more memories from the surrounding areas since many of the city dwellers moved to the suburbs at various times. It brings many more people into the conversation. First car, a 1951 Ford convertible. It was a real girl catcher at the Greenhill drive-in restaurant and also the DanDee drive-in restaurant. Worked for GM during the 60s and had a 30 minute lunch break. We would place our orders from Tom's sub shop or the Lehigh sub shop (best steak sandwiches). We would go there, the order would be waiting, and we could get back and eat them, all within that 30 minute period.
Ray Zelano <RZelano@aol.com>
New Castle, De USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 12:13:45 (EST)

i met my first true love at a st lizzies dance, i even remember the song that i first slow danced with her - it was "color my world" by chicago. those were good times. and speaking of jerry blavat, was anyone ever in his club over in margate??? i don't know if he still has it but it was a great place to go and have a good time , he used to broadcast live from there on saturday nights in the 70's nice guy - he used to come around and talk to the different people and even sometimes would buy you a drink.
oldeschool55 <oldeschool55>
wilmington, de USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 11:55:10 (EST)

Anybody else remember the St. Elizabeth dances of the 60's?
Art <private>
newark, de USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 11:36:38 (EST)

I to Lynne remember lizzy dances. Went to the dances around 1966,67. Graduating from Sallies in was nice to have some female friends form St.Lizzy. I went to a beef n beer last Feb 07 at the Pal Center in Hockessin. And Jerry Blavat was there and he played all the line dances and we saw some fimilar faces. It was great.
Art <private>
Newark, De usa - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 10:54:39 (EST)

Heard,but don't know if it's true or not ,that in the 40's the golf courses in Sussex County played opera on the radio for their clientele. Ooops, I may be out of our parameters.
Jerry Tomczyk <sandybeach1@mchsi.com>
Dagsboro, De. USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 08:57:04 (EST)

Ray Jubb: Despite the bricks hurled your way, we still love you. As you often stated, Wilmington is not the same city it used to be. People who used to live there have gravitated away from it but the memories remain. I agree about the rules. It reminds me about that old saw where you can take the people out of Wilmington but you can't take Wilmington out of the people.
Bruce Esdale <BEsdale48@comcast.net>
Newark, DE USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 07:06:43 (EST)

Tom’s Sub Shop, at 113 N. James Street, across from the Wilm. Trust Bank, had a roll cutter where he took a sub roll from a bin and placed it in chute and the roll would zip through it to be sliced. My LAST time to go there was when I worked at the DuPont Development Dep’t. site (1964 to 1970) on Water Street in Newport. Tom reached into the bin for a roll and a cat jumped out!
Webmaster <web-master@oldwilmington.net>
Wilmington/Perryville, DE/MD USA - Friday, April 04, 2008 at 03:42:05 (EST)

Jim Henderson owned both Atlantic stations in Newport. The one over on Maryland Ave near the old Greenhill Drive in, and the one on the old road that ran through Newport where the 141 underpass is now. I don't remember him having anything to do with the Esso station there, but he could well have. I was under the impression however that the highway people told the sub shop that was next to the Esso Station that area was going to be used for an on ramp to the new 141. This was not Tom's, I don't remember the name of this sub shop. After selling, it turns out Exxon wound up getting the entire property (across from the firehouse) and the on ramp was rerouted to its new position, off eastbound Maryland Ave. Good ole boy Delaware pollitics at work?
Wayne <twntydasys@aol.com>
New Castle, DE USA - Thursday, April 03, 2008 at 21:27:36 (EST)

AL: I beg to differ with you on that one! Our Webmaster says:_____"Anyone who lived in the Wilmington, Delaware and New Castle County area during the middle decades of the 20th Century will remember the neighborhoods, the corner stores, the movie theaters, the businesses where our parents shopped and worked, the schools and the hustle & bustle of Market Street. Join us for a nostalgic visit to that time."
TheKid <private>
Wilm, DE USA - Thursday, April 03, 2008 at 19:14:21 (EST)

THANKS TOM for the Pandora link. WOW.. Been listening all day to oldies doowop. So far, only about 4 repeats, but some real great picks. So when are they going to tell us we have to pay to continue listening?? There was talk of Lenape Park & I wanted to just throw in the Haunted House. Does anyone remember at the end you sat on this bench which then dropped open onto a big belt that you rode down to the exit? Re: 1st cars--mine was a 1955 Chev Impala convertible, cherry & ivory. Wouldn't mind having that one back now.
Jim Batty <travelcompany@att.net>
Wilmington, DE USA - Thursday, April 03, 2008 at 16:18:47 (EST)

JIM: Do you remember the gloves that glowed in the dark??
Al Minne <alminne@msn.com>
Temecula, CA USA - Thursday, April 03, 2008 at 14:49:50 (EST)

Joan Ragan Minner: you won't remember me, but I remember you and your family living on Elm when you were a toddler.I lived around the corner at 302 S. Jackson and graduated from St. Hedwig's grade school in '62 with your cousin Zenny. As mentioned in a previous post, your Dad Kaz and his brother Zenon were two great guys.Knew them when they had the bakery and then, the tavern on Chestnut and Van Buren.I last ran into your Dad at the American Legion on Lancaster Ave. in the '70's. Great memories.
Jerry Tomczyk <sandybeach1@mchsi.com>
Dagsboro, De. USA - Thursday, April 03, 2008 at 14:26:03 (EST)

A Strates Show Story: A friend and I snuck under a tent at the Strates Show at Prices Corner and came up next to where the "girls" were dressing for their strip show. It was in a remodeled railroad car. Suddenly, a black man, who seemed the size of a giant, grabbed us both by the back of the collar asking, "What choose boys doin'?" He bought our story about a "mistake" being made and then, still by the collar, dragged us up to the front row of the strip show! The entire adult audience laughed at us but we stayed and enjoyed the show, as fourteen year olds would, anyhow.
jim rambo <rammymex@yahoo.com>
ajijic, jalisco Mexico - Thursday, April 03, 2008 at 14:06:26 (EST)

I worked at the Prices Corner Gino's in 1966. Worked for Bill Mehar and Herman Wilde. I worked 10 hours on Sat & Sun for $1/hr and made approximately a half ton of french fries each weekend. Grease galore. I also delivered auto parts in Newport and recall Ralph Jarrad's station (Atlantic?) and Colonial Esso ran by a guy named Henderson. Also would hit Tom's subshop for sandwiches to take to the Drive-in movies on (I think) Maryland Avenue.
Larry Roszkowiak <larry.roszkowiak@ucsf.edu>
San Francisco, CA USA - Thursday, April 03, 2008 at 13:59:22 (EST)

Hi Lynn I was also born in 1954 and grew up in Oak Hill. Remember when the Strates Shows used to come to Prices Corner? They used to set up right where the shopping center is now. Once the shopping center was built they used to set up behind the shopping center where the Acme was. Then, after that, they moved out to Hares Corner. My teen years were spent hanging out at the shopping center and the Jack In The Box across from it. There was an unwritten rule that the hippies and bikers hung out at the Jack In The Box and the strappies (jocks) hung out at the Ginos across the street. I spent many a night in that parking lot. I met my first wife while hanging on the corner between the Woolworths and Sears. She asked me to be her boyfriend for 15 minutes to scare off another old boyfriend and those 15 minutes turned into about 7 years. When I was real young I used to love to go up to the shopping center on Sunday mornings (the entire shopping center was closed on Sunday) and ride my bike from the corner where the WSFS Bank was down the hill to the Penneys. I think i probably used to get up to 35 or 40 mph doing that.
Gary Seward <lgtat2@bellatlantic.net>
Dover, DE USA - Thursday, April 03, 2008 at 12:12:56 (EST)

While in the De Air National Guard, I had the occasion one Saturday around noon to visit the infamous Tom's in Newport. Living up to it's reputation, the place was packed. I had placed my order and asked if I could use the restroom. The direction was pointed out. Upon entering I saw a guy sitting in a stall peeling onions. I didn't even finish what I had gone in to do. I just turned around and left. It was my last trip to Tom's until it became a flea market around 1980.
Wayne <twntydasys@aol.com>
New Castle, DE USA - Thursday, April 03, 2008 at 11:30:38 (EST)

lynne, i too remember lizzies dances, friday nights!!! it was all you thought about as you finally entered high school- finally going to "lizzies ddances on friday nights!!!! i grew up in the little italy section of wilmington and we used to walk down to the dances. i also remember sallies dances right after the football games - right??? it looks like we grew up in the same era.
oldeschool55 <oldeschool55@yahoo.com>
wilmington, de USA - Thursday, April 03, 2008 at 07:31:41 (EST)

How about some memories from the Newport Prices Corner area ? I was born in 1954. Grew up in Gordy Estates. Tom's Sub Shop, Richardson Variety store, The old Nichols funeral home with the big scary blue lite clock, Saturday morning bowling leagues @ Pleasant Hill Lanes ( 25 cents/game )Walking to the new Prices Corner Shopping Center. Had friends that lived in Glenville, the playground was " the parking place ". Driving my best friends families Corvair ! Going to Sallies & St Elizabeth dances. Life was simple & oh so sweet !
Lynn <Irish0107@gmail.com>
Newark, DE USA - Thursday, April 03, 2008 at 06:54:38 (EST)

FOR ALL: I found this site for those that like music from any era or style, I typed in Frank Sinatra, then Big Bands, has a whole variety of that type, worth a try!,,,,,,http://www.pandora.com/
Tom Brejwa <brejwa@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, De USA - Wednesday, April 02, 2008 at 14:21:19 (EST)

First time I ever came across a Carousel with the brass ring attachment was at the one just off the lagoon in Asbury Park NJ, back in 1947. It took a few turns before I had the courage to reach up and out to grab a ring on my finger, mainly because I am left-handed and the ring thingy was on the right as the carousel spun counter-clockwise. Once I got the hang of it, though, I did manage to hook one or two of the brassies from among all the steelies.
Bob Wilson Jr <wilso127@yahoo.com>
Beaufort, SC USA - Wednesday, April 02, 2008 at 08:55:16 (EST)

About the WS & D fire - See Photo
Webmaster <web-master@oldwilmington.net>
Wilmington/Perryville, DE/MD USA - Wednesday, April 02, 2008 at 08:42:14 (EST)

From the Delaware Archives - this day in Delaware history - April 2 "1950 On Palm Sunday Wilmington Sash and Door Co. lumber yard burned and killed one, and injured 18 others. Included in the $1 million damages were 6 other businesses and 18 homes."
Connie <nospam>
Wilmington, DE USA - Wednesday, April 02, 2008 at 08:20:16 (EST)

I grabbed a few iron rings but quit fearing I'd leave a finger in the machine.
Larry Roszkowiak <larry.roszkowiak@ucsf.edu>
San Francisco, CA USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 23:11:49 (EST)

PAT: I was a fellow wimp when it came the rings. However I soon learned you needed only to stand a little bit past the ring arm and catch the rings knocked loose. Sooner or later you'd catch a brass ring. The strange thing was that I was obviousley more interested in getting the ring than riding the carosel!
Al Minne <alminne@verizon.net>
Temecula, CA USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 22:16:38 (EST)

PAT: your post about the brass ring was so amusing, the way you worded it I couldn't stop laughing, because I remember having that same feeling.
joyce hartnett <buttercup316@comcast.net>
Wilmington, DE USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 20:33:58 (EST)

RE: Cousin Lee. I remember hearing Cousin Lee and his hillbilly band (as we called it in those days) on WDEL at about 7:30 in the morning. It must have been in the late 1930s or early '40s. It was pretty corny, particularly the way he spent most of the show promoting his upcoming gigs. He was a pretty good promoter.
Joe Mosbrook <joe.mosbrook@multiverse.com>
Cleveland, OH - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 20:01:02 (EST)

Joan, you didn't live at 906 Elm St. Wasn't it 1906? I thought you lived above Broom St?
Terri Lueck <LilSis923@comcast.net>
Hugo, MN USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 19:27:51 (EST)

The dreaded brass ring! At the age of 73, I can finally confess that I was such a wimp that I was terrified to try to grab it. I was sure if I hooked my finger through it that I would be pulled from the "horsie" I was riding and flung off the Merry-Go-Round. Did anyone else feel this way?
Pat LeVan <levan1706@bellsouth.net>
Port St. Lucie, FL USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 19:27:07 (EST)

When I was in early high school (Mt. Pleasant, on Duncan Rd), I worked summers in Ocean City, NJ. My first couple of summers I was the "ring boy" on the merry-go-round at Gillian's Fun Deck, on the boardwalk at Plymouth Place. We had many visitors to that deck that were of the female persuasion, and I got pretty good at timing the brass ring to appear just where I wanted it to go. Naturally, I tried to "hit" one of those young ladies. There were always those little problems, though, like the rings getting stuck in the chute, or somebody who either missed their ring or was able to catch more than one at a time, so it was a hit-or-miss situation more often than not. Catching more than one ring at a time was a skill not too many people had, but the guys who worked at the deck had plenty of opportunity to practice; I got to the point where I could get as many as 4 in one pass. Those were really great days...
Bill Fisher <whfisheratearthlink.net>
Westminster, CA USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 19:12:04 (EST)

Phyllis B:: I think it is called "The Brandywine Creek"...
Webmaster <web-master@oldwilmington.net>
Wilmington/Perryville, DE/MD USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 17:56:06 (EST)

DID NOT COUSIN LEE HAVE A RADIO SHOW IN WILMINGTON ?WAS IT ON W A M S OR W I L M ?
DAVE CAUFFMAN <CAUFFMANDS@AOL.COM>
HOCKESSIN, DE USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 16:48:44 (EST)

Webmaster: I completely forgot about the colors. I have the brass one and did not know that, if you had it, there was a free ride . Yes, we were supposed to put them all back in the basket but I took it, as a souvenir, when I was much older because I knew the park, particularly the merry-go-round, was supposed to close down (before it was rebuilt and reopened). Thanks for directing me to the Lenape drop-down menu. I loved to go to the swimming pool. They used to broadcast the Phillies on the weekends and I can still hear By Saam's deep voice coming from those over-sized loudspeakers. Can still taste those home-made ice cream sandwiches from the snack bar in that white building pictured.
Bruce Esdale <BEsdale48@comcast.net>
Newark, DE USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 15:54:48 (EST)

anybody here attend st anthony's grade school anytime in the sixties????
oldeschool55 <oldeschool55@yahoo.com>
wilmington, de USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 15:09:01 (EST)

Re: Enchanting Lenape Park. Loved that place. What about those bumper cars. Looking in back of your car to see who was butting into you. What about Cousin Lee. Remember him? He sang and had a good country band on Saturday and Sunday nights. You could sit on a blanket on the grass (if you didn't have a chair) and listen to him for hours. Was that river we canoed in called the Lenape River?
Phyllis B. <pboyd 52@comcast.net>
Wilm., DE USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 14:41:54 (EST)

Joan! Yes, I am!!!! How the heck are you???? How long has it been? 30+ years???? Wow....
Terri Lueck <LilSis923@comcast.net>
Hugo, MN USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 13:16:48 (EST)

Looking back on Elm Street in the 50's & 60's does anyone remember the excitement of the coal truck delivering coal for our heaters? My dad (Kaz)used to send me or one of my sisters to Pennypinchers to buy his by cigars (no ID needed). Also, we used to sled down Linden Street!! I have seen so many names of neighbors. You may remember me as Joanie Ragan from 906 Elm Street. Hey LilSis923 are you the Terri Brejwa who graduated St. Hedwig's HS in 1972??
Joan Ragan Minner <joanminner@comcast.net>
Wilmington, DE USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 12:49:02 (EST)

I kept one of the iron rings from Lenape, too. It disappered. Re the shooting gallery - I remember the smell.
Connie <nospam>
Wilmington, DE USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 12:41:20 (EST)

On the Lenape Park merry-go-round wasn't everyone supposed to toss the rings in a basket at the end of the ride?
Larry Roszkowiak <larry.roszkowiak@ucsf.edu>
San Francisco, CA USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 10:43:32 (EST)

Bruce, they had one brass ring in each load, the otheres were steel.__If you were the lucky one to get it, you got a free ride.__I have one of each ring.__Check out the Lenape photos on this site HERE
Webmaster <web-master@oldwilmington.net>
Wilmington/Perryville, DE/MD USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 10:18:47 (EST)

Ruth, I remember the soda shop on Hillcrest Ave. that you referred to. It was Les Downing's in the 40's before Mr. Schwartz had it. I remember mostly the milk shakes I used to get after delivering Sunday papers in the area.
Delmer Nicholson <Barnicho@msn.com>
Cincinnati, OH USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 09:44:25 (EST)

Regarding Lenape Park, the merry-go-round held a fascination of sorts for me because of the solitary device attached outside the machine. It held the brass metal rings that, every time the ride rotated to that spot, one could reach out and grab them. When I first saw it at a very early age, I tried every which way to grab those rings to no avail. Once I got older, it was a big deal to be able to see how many I could get. I still have one of those rings. The shooting gallery, with its sharp cracks of the .22-calibre rifles used then, was another interest that held my attention as did the canoe rides.
Bruce Esdale <BEsdale48@comcast.net>
Newark, DE USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 08:39:11 (EST)

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