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| Ah Yes, I Remember it Well When we are young, a memory is recent news, but as the decades pass, this faded news becomes a real memory and then recent history. As the years pass, we tend to gather these thoughts or memories of life’s events. Their value may be measured perhaps as character building or a developing wisdom; some may be just a sentimental episode. Thanks to our Teachers and various text writers, we learn our memory is capable of recording even more. from our earliest recall, we continue a never ending accumulation of material, both good and bad, which we use throughout our life time. This ability to recall develops rapidly from the time we start school, seemingly without end. What would we be without a memory? Example: Who could forget the fact that Sharptown was once known as Blessington and the back road from Deepwater to Carney's Point was called Skunks Misery. Then there was Thompson's Bridge, now Alloway, And Walnut Grove now Riverview Park . Berkeley Creek was the name Fenwick gave Oldmans Creek., Pole Tavern was Champey's Corner, Elmer was known as Ticktown or Pittstown and Woodstown was Woodsboro, Auburn was Sculltown, Bout Town was a Dutch settlement in south Penns Grove and everyone Remembers Pennsville was Craven's Ferry. Though somewhat fragmented, my memory of those early school years reminds me of the teachers who gave so much, their patience and of course report cards. Learning to read with the “Dick and Jane” and “Alice and Jerry” books. Sounding out the words “Puff the cat” and “Spot the dog”. Activities such as the sand table, coloring, pasting and finger painting filled the day. Not to leave out recess under the teacher’s watch full eye. Sea-Saws, swings, sliding boards and the forbidden coal pile. Then there was Dip pens, ink wells, blotters, flash cards, clapping erasers, hall monitors, Casey and the safety patrol, assembly and school plays. All of which offer a multitude of individual stories. On a Saturday in the late 1940’s the thing to do was to go to the Broad Theater for a movie. With a clean pair of Levi‘s, you would hop on your bike and head up town. The bike was left on the sidewalk, (no lock was needed.) If you were lucky, there would be a girl friend that you met inside the theater, with the hope of holding her hand during a string of cartoons, a serial, and a good old western with maybe Hop-along Cassidy, Gene Autry or Roy Rogers. Other features you might see were; Abbott and Costello, Three Stooges. Not to forget Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. In the early 50’s, a great place to go was the Du Pont Y.M.C.A. Student membership was $1.00 and for a locker, it was $.25 extra. This membership entitled you to join a “Y” club. There were many choices, some for boys and some for girls. The club meetings were on Wednesday nights from 7:00 to 8:00. followed by a dance from 8:00 to 9:00. Also, every Friday night, there was a dance from 8:00 to 11:00. Records were played by Miss Sianni and Mrs. Saletra. A teacher was always on the door, rubber stamp in hand. After the dance, there was a dash for the Sweet Shop. All the High School dances including the Junior Prom and Senior Dance were held at either the Y.M.C.A. or the High School Gymnasium. Remembering Our Teachers Mrs. Ulich, Mrs. Dowling, Ms. Jean Warner, Ms. Stecker, Mrs. Ester Featherer, Mrs. Minton, Mrs. Masten, Mrs. Hurff, Mrs. Ann Sianni, Ms. Sally Featherer, Mrs. Isabella Hewitt, Mr. Roger C. Williams, Mrs. Evelyn M. Leonard, Ms. Edna D. Shoemaker, Mrs. Doris M. Smith, Mrs. Mabel O. Zimmermann, Ms. Stella C. Wainwright ,Ms. Charlotta W. Hall, Ms. Helen S. Smith, Ms. Daisy F. Holman, Mrs. Phillis E. Clunn, Mrs. Mary Marley, Mr. Julian W. LeVine, Ms. Powers, Ms. Howe, Mrs. Hazel Sentman, Mrs. Anna Locason ,Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Stepler, Mrs. Fenton, Ms. McHenry, Ms. Molari, Mr. Robert McCreary, Miss Ethel Peterson, Mr. Lester Davidson, Mrs. Virginia Davidson, Mr. Donald Haines, Miss Janice O'Connel, Miss Patricia Connell, Mr. Josef Parker, Miss. Audrey Cooper, Mrs. Anna Zappulla, Miss Margaret Conner, Mrs. Helen T. Allen, Mr. Rudolph Baric, Mr. Edward Richie, Mr. Colman Burns, Mr. A. W. Boone, Miss Marian B. Heaps, Miss Joan Higgins, Mr. F.O. Thompson, Mr. Lawrence Antonik Mr. William Ellis, Mr. Charles Lutz, Mr. Thomas Robinson, Mrs. Mary Saletra, Miss Daisy McCartney, Mr. Melvin Sparks, Mr. J. Samuel Pleviak, Mrs. Betty M. Dilks, Miss Josephine Sommovigo, Mr. Lawrence D. Fish, Mr. John J. Bischoff, Mr. Rudolph Pittelli, Mrs. Claudine Bischoff, Miss Frances J. Benner, Mr. James Devonshire, Miss Frances M. Scholer, Ms. Helen Clancy, Mr. Mosher, Mr. Ogden, Mrs. M. Magee, Mrs. Katherine Gaventa, Mr. Henry Newman, Mrs. Hendrickson, Mrs. Naomi Kellmyer, Mrs. King, Mrs. Stadler, Mrs.Sadler Re-Hi teachers I remember--Kate Gaventa, Miss Schuck who later married Lester Davidson, Curley Ogden, Bill Ellis, Mr. Mosher, Maggie Magee. CP teachers--Jenny Smith, Mrs. Featherer, Miss Wainwright, Miss (Mrs.?) Shoemaker and Helen Clancy “Y” dances in the new YMCA. Had to drink some beer to get up the nerve to dance. I don't remember dances in the old “Y”, but I do remember the tiny little library in the old “Y”. Was a good place to meet your girlfriend. As a little kid I went with my parents on the Wilson Line to Philly where I was afraid to lean back in my seat along the side of the car on the elevated for fear it would tip the car over. The PG ferry and the PV ferry had the best hot dogs I have ever tasted to this day. Some of the memories listed here were selected from PGH e-mail Submit your anonymous recollections |
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| Memory Lane |
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| Everyone remembers when Penns Grove made it's own money |
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| War time movie programs from the Broad and The Grove Theaters Penns Grove NJ |
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| Names like Roy, Burt, George, Bobby and Kenny come to mind when I look at this 1950 picture of the Penns Grove High School Band, but it also brings some other things to mind… Like night football games at the “Y” field when guys like Mott, Moose, Art, Willie, Ellio and many more gave us a lesson on how the game was played, then there were Victory Parades Not to mention Memorial Day with its finally at the West Main St Pier ceremony and wreath laying at Riverview Cemetery. Note the uniforms. Members bought their own white sweaters and slacks. The moth eaten capes were red with a white lining, one corner snapped to the collar exposing a red “P” that was positioned on the white lining. These hand-me downs were from another time. |
| The Sweet Shop,. Penns Grove's number one place to be after a game or school event. It was located on South Broad Street between the Peoples Bank and the Broad Theater |
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| Gone But Not Forgotten How about; Lead tinsel on the Christmas tree D U Z does everything Bowling at the “Y” "Pepsi-Cola hit’s the spot, twelve full ounces that’s a lot" The “Y” dances and the Penns Grove step Wide belts, Pony tails, plastic collars, sweaters with buttons down the back, long skirts. Levi’s with cuffs and penny loafers Getting dressed up Hop-scotch, Block parties Wood screens, unlocked doors Continental kits and sun visors Party lines and telephone operators Steam locomotives Cruising Penns Grove before there was a light at Broad & Main Christmas trees on sale at Broad and Main corner The Penns Grove High School Strike that made it into the pages of LOOK Magazine The Fair and carnivals at the “Y” field Re-Hi night football games 5 cent sodas and 10 cent bag of popcorn from the vending machine at the Broad. Circus and carnivals on the field at Virginia Ave and Regional Drive Andy’s Night Club next to The Maple Lanes Bowling ally "You’ll wonder where the yellow went, When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent" |
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| Aboard the Wilson LIne for daytime transportation or "Moonlight Dance Cruise" "A pleasure lost in time" |
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| Carney's Point 8th Grade Class 1944 |