All Around Pennsauken

By Bob Wagner, AAP Columnist

Every so often an opportunity comes along to fill this space with blatantly self serving advertising. This is one of those times.

The Harvest Festival, held on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 12 to 4 p.m., is being held at the new sports complex off of Westfield Ave., behind the MPWC offices, across the street from B. Tait’s shiny new construction company, otherwise known as the former Carlin’s Market for you old timers.

Of all the stuff to see, hear, and buy, three things stand out in my personal field of vision. First, I will be at the booth for The Friends of The Library, autographing copies of my book of tall tales, exaggerations, and outright lies: “The Blue Parakeet is Asleep Under the Pancakes.” All proceeds go to The Friends, for their many library projects. Books are $ 5. Folks may buck the line if they bring funnel cakes, pipe tobacco, or semi-adult beverages for my personal consumption.

Secondly, my friend Jones will be on hand with guitar and banjo, as we attempt to generate interest in a Pennsauken area old-time music society. With a little luck, we can agree on a place to play, share music and old stories, and meet players who want to get together on a regular basis. Dulcimers will not be encouraged, but will be tolerated, if they bring semi-adult beverages. No drummers need apply. Go see Tillinghast at the Sewerage Authority booth. He encourages drummers.

Thirdly, but never last, is the Pennsauken Surf Club’s booth. Learn about surf fishing, see some equipment used, meet folks to go fishing with, and buy some locally made hooks, line, and sinkers used by the people who fish from shore. My dad and some guys from town started the club way back in the Sixties, while I was getting my degree in mayhem at the University of Saigon. I still fish with the club, but don’t participate in mayhem anymore. Meet some nice people, and maybe buy some gear for yourself, or a significant other. Or get some for me, and use it to cut the long lines for an autographed copy at the Friends’ booth.

There will be lots of other neat stuff to see, eat, buy and hear. It should be a fine fall weekend, parking and entrance is free, and you and the kids will have plenty to do, after you visit the Friends of the Library booth, and the Pennsauken Surf Club’s layout.

I will attempt to park the grey VW right at the booth, so folks will know where we are. But I’m not sure about the grass on the fields. Maybe I’ll just bring the scooter, or Jones fancy red ‘40 Ford.

Come on out and join us, and see what’s up in Pennsauken in the fall. It’s never boring.