Category Archives: Columns
Her Baby He’ll Be: Remembering Jonathon
By Judith Kristen, AAP Columnist
He was born on a beautiful spring morning on March 21, 1970. The skies were picture perfect and a soft wind ruffled the trees and the scent of the newly formed flowers greeted him as I held him next to the open hospital window.
The Beginning Of 50 Years Of Historical Work In Pennsauken
By Robert Fisher-Hughes, AAP Columnist and Amateur Historian
“Where I lie down worn out other men will stand, young and fresh. By the steps that I have cut they will climb; by the stairs that I have built they will mount. They will never know the name of the man who made them. At the clumsy work they will laugh… but they will mount, and on my work; they will climb, and by my stair!”
– Olive Schreiner
This passage from an allegory about the pursuit of truth, written in 1890 by a South African woman, was informally adopted as a credo by the first members of the Pennsauken Historical Society, as an expression of their faith that the generations that succeeded them in the community would continue the work of our local history. It also expressed their belief that their work, imperfect as it would be, would benefit those who came after to carry it on. For them, the most important thing was to get the work begun, and cut new stairs for others to go higher.
Throwback Thursday: Saying Goodbye To A Very Good Boy
It’s a horrible day for a pet “parent” when they lose one of their furry “kids.” Today is the two-year anniversary of Spot, beloved dog of AAP editor, Frank Sinatra, moving on to the Rainbow Bridge. Here’s the story that ran in the August 2013 issue. If you’ve just recently lost a pet, know someone who has, or still has a soft spot for a beloved animal companion from years ago, this is for you.
By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
It was in October when they found the tumor in Spot’s lung, coming across it by shear dumb luck. The surgery saved his life, but in actuality, we just bought him some extra time. In April, we began to see the writing on the wall. And by June 4, on the day we all said goodbye to our beloved dog, the doctors said it was a miracle he lasted as long as he did, a true testament to his dedication to the family he loved.
Mama’s Homemade Cookies Holds Grand Opening On May 16
Mama’s Homemade Cookies makes its Pennsauken debut on Saturday, May 16. The business, which started in 1997, features made-from-scratch cookies that are battered and never frozen. In addition to “love” as the main ingredient, Mama’s Homemade Cookies never include additives or preservatives.
Mama’s Homemade Cookies is located at 2591 Haddonfield Rd., right by the Wyndham Rd. traffic light. Hours for the shop’s grand opening on May 16 are from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pennsauken Mayor Rick Taylor will be on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 12:00 p.m.
For more information, visit Mama’s Homemade Cookies on Facebook.
Byting The Bullet And Logging Into Facebook
By Bob Wagner, AAP Columnist
I finally broke down and turned on Facebook on the house computer. I call it the house computer because it lives upstairs and is anchored to my house by plugs and wires (lots and lots of wires), a printer, and some big glowing box down on the floor. My bride’s “Facebook machine” is the size of a magazine. She hasn’t put it down since Christmas two years back, except for church and Woman’s Club meetings. And now I know why!
We Were Where We Ate: Pennsauken Eateries Past
By Robert Fisher-Hughes, AAP Columnist and Amateur Historian
Restaurant and hospitality businesses have gone through as many evolutions over time as any other enterprises, suiting the needs of the historic communities they serve. Changes in transportation, communication, household technology and germinating ethnic and cultural diversity in the population contribute to this evolution, as do specific historic events such as Prohibition and its repeal. Changing tastes in food and advancing understanding of diet and nutrition also help determine both menus and the economic success of dining establishments. Add to these influences the atmospheric and entertainment dimensions of a night out, and the public accommodations of the past become an interesting way to trace our historic timeline.
Honoring Our Loving And Dedicated Caregivers
By Judith Kristen, AAP Columnist
The mothers of all of us, above and beyond biology, whether we realize it or not, are service workers.
In these harried times, there are so many things we rely on others to do for us. We send our children to day care, and many must leave their young ones in the hands and hearts of others from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. We’re too pooped to pop after work; that makes for a quick call for pizza, cheese steaks, or Chinese food. We go on vacation and someone has to walk and feed our animals… you get the idea.
Singing The Postal Blues Not Once, But Three Times
By Bob Wagner, AAP Columnist
My trusty loose leaf notebook has been lying here open and blank, for days, daring me to write the April column. So far, I have three pages of drawings of walking sticks, a phone number for the post office consumer affairs division, and a butter stain from a wayward bagel.
All my writing starts with a white loose leaf binder. Then, after the words are arranged on the pages, I slowly hunt and peck onto my old, tired computer. When finished, I hit “Save As,” and pray it actually works. I always hit print, just in case it doesn’t, or I bump the wrong button, and it all disappears into computer hell. Each and every time I am successful, I am slightly amazed. When the paper acknowledges receipt, with an e-mail, I relax for another month. Today will be no different.
Except today I will be doing something distasteful. And I will be asking for the readers help ratting out the Post Office.
Properly Disposing Of E-Waste, Community Clean-ups
By Joe Scavuzzo, Director, Department of Public Works
Finally bought that sleek, space-saving flat-screen TV you’ve had your eye on? Like many of our neighbors going through this transition from tube to flat, you’re ready to ask the strongest person you know to help wrestle the awkward and monster-sized tube TV out of your home. STOP! DO NOT PUT THE TV AT THE CURB! Waste Management, your trash collector, WILL NOT take that TVs or other electronics.
