Joe Fratto Remembers The Burg

Joe Fratto Remembers The Burg

Joe Wrote:

How many of you remember Peronis restaurant on the corner of
Chambers and Roebling? Many days were spent there with the
original Old York Country Club group....naming: Sheiky Peroni,
Dickie Miele, Floyd Buzzi, Dr. Vince Pollaro, Frankie Cariello,
Mikey and Nick Russo, Rafey Campo, Fred Campo, Hook Forconi,
Sonny Avelino, Nicole, Joe Piscione just to name a few that
I still remember. We had a great group....travel all over to
play golf every Wed. and then in Feb. we set out to the south
either Orlando or Callaway Gardens in Georgia. The Old York
Gang was the best...never any fights amongst us or serious
arguments. For a group as such this was a milestone. My days
in the music business with Phil Allen as our agent from WBUD
were rememberable. Joe Russel and the Manhattans was the group
with George Quinty, myself, Gerry Rondinelli, Italian Charlie
and our piano player Mickey Fucello and at times Joe Vizzini.
Memories that I will always remember.


Thank you for this Joe, its great:)
God Bless The Old Burg

Trenton High, A Rear View

Trenton High, A Rear View
These Trenton High Students are J-ROTC members:)
There is a nice view of part of the rear of Trenton
High in the background.
Trenton High Forever.
Don't Tear Down Trenton High.

Masonic Baseball All Stars, Trenton 1935

Masonic Baseball All Stars, Trenton 1935
An All Star Game was Played by the Masons Baseball Players
in Trenton NJ on October 12, 1935. The National League
defeated the American League 7 to 5.
This says W. Clifford Case was "Grand Tall Cedar", whatever
that means:)

Contes Saloon Liberty Street and South Clinton Avenue, The Burg

Contes Saloon Liberty Street and South Clinton Avenue, The Burg.
1401 South Clinton Avenue
Even if you never went in the place you drove past it often
for many of the Burg folks.
This was once The Old Spot Cafe in the 1950s and 1960s
(Owners Stephen J and Anne B Witnowski). Edmund Witkowski
also worked there.
In the 1920s this was John B Leikam's Cafe.
In the 1900s this was George Beck's Confectionary.

Immaculate Conception School Class of 1974

Immaculate Conception School Class of 1974
Immaculate was our Family Church from the early 1970s
onward. However we did not attend the school except for
religious instruction. What a beautiful Church as well
as School Building Immaculate Had:)

Random Burg Notes For Today

Random Burg Notes For Today

Domenico Leonardi was born in Scheggino, Perugia, Italy,
he lived in Trenton since 1949. He was owner of Triangle
Drive-In, Chambersburg, working 20 years before retirement.
He was a member of St. Joachim's Roman Catholic Church,
Roman Society and Italian American Sportsman Club.

Jean I. (Carney) Firlan was born in Trenton, she was a
lifelong area resident. Jean was retired from Circle F
Industries, and worked for many years at the Hudson
Beer Garden in Trenton.

Dr. A. Albert Carabelli was born in Trenton, he was a
lifelong area resident. Dr. Carabelli was affiliated
with St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton, nearly 24
years and Hamilton Hospital for 20 years. He taught
at St. Louis University, Hahnemann University, in
Trenton hospitals and Robert Wood Johnson Medical
School. His honors include the Seymour Philo Award
for Teaching Attending and the 1989 Mercer County Home
Health Agency's Doctor of the Year award. He was a
member and former vice president of Trenton Museum
Society.

A View of Columbus Park From The Front of Nick Tomasulo's

A View of Columbus Park From The Front of Nick Tomasulo's
Old Office, The Burg. It was such a beautiful summer afternoon
when I took this picture. The Burg posed well that day:)

1142 Genesee Street, Franklin Park.

1142 Genesee Street, Franklin Park.
Once upon a time this was Peter Seavey's Grocery
Store:)

From The Mercer County Italian Festival Site: Burg Memories: Maurice T. Perilli

From The Mercer County Italian Festival Site: Burg Memories:
Maurice T. Perilli


Growing Up Italian in Chambersburg - by: Maurice T. Perilli
Chairman, Roma Bank

To all who called Chambersburg home, I ask: “Remember (Santino)
Venanzi’s Grocery Store?” I was born upstairs! October 29, 1918.
The second of the five children who shared in the lives of
Armando Perilli and Agnes Vannozzi Perilli. Remember (Rose and
Alex) Trionfetti’s Restaurant? My little brother Gus would go to
the back door and - for 25 cents - Mrs. Trionfetti would send
him home with a kettle of soup that fed the whole family!
I have vivid memories of being an eight-year-old Italian
American headed into The Great Depression. I remember the day
our family purchased a property at 547 Chestnut Avenue. The first
floor housed my father’s printing business, “20th Century
Publishing Company.” The second and third stories became our
living quarters. (As times got tougher, we rented a home at 569
Chestnut Avenue for $35 a month.) Over the years, my brother
Bill worked for Coca Cola, my sister Louise enrolled at St.
Francis School of Nursing, my sister Florence held a state
government job and my youngest brother Gus did well in school
while helping with the household chores.
Other people and places to remember? Playing ball on Davis
Alley with used gloves and bats donated by Goo Goo Radice,
The Agabiti Club, Pete Tonti’s first “minute steak” sandwich
shop on Anderson Street...and, sadly, World War II, where Bill,
a Marine, was lost in the Pacific, and where I served in the
Coast Guard with former state senator Sido Ridolfi, who later
encouraged me to run for office.

Blue Summer Sky Over Home Avenue, South Trenton

Blue Summer Sky Over Home Avenue, South Trenton
This is part of the 400 block. This picture is
from a few years ago:)

A Fond Rememberance of Daniel J Granaldi Sr by Reldel

A Fond Rememberance of Daniel J Granaldi Sr by Reldel

Reldel said...
Seeing the name Daniel J Granaldi credited for this picture
(a previous post), reminds me of perhaps his father, Daniel J
Granaldi who worked at The Trentonian as night distribution
manager back in the 1970's. Dan was responsible for seeing
that the papers got delivered to the carriers and stores on
time each morning.
He supervised the drivers and "stuffers" who put the inserts
in the newspapers. He was a great old school Chambersburg guy.
He never minced words and worked like crazy each night to get
the job done on time.
I worked on days in Circulation and we would get called in
when there was a "bad" night and papers were late. Usually if
you were need you would get called by Dan at perhaps 4AM. This
one night the phone rang at 1AM and Dan said "Hey get some sleep
I'm going to need you in a bit". I have laughed for years at
getting awakened from sleep to be told to get some sleep.
Never happened, I stayed awake the rest of the night until
I got the second call from Dan. Dan was a great Chambersburg
resident I will always remember and miss.

UPDATE: Daniel Granaldi Jr. wrote:

Thanks Mike.
Thank the individual that wrote the post.
My father worked for the Trentonian for close to 35 years.
He loved his job.He retired in 1977. I also worked part time
in the early 60's has a stuffer. I was in high school.
(Trenton Catholic). My Dad past away in 1981 he was 68.
Thanks again
Dan Granaldi Jr.

Trenton Giants 1950

Trenton Giants 1950
The Beautiful Ladies were here as part of a Fur Promotion.
Baseball and Fur!

UPDATE: Ray adds

rayfromvillapark said...
Mack, The second player from the right is Hall of Fame center
fielder Willie Mays. My uncle Mike brought me to the old Dunn
Field at the Brunswick Circle to see him play during the 1950
season. Little did we know how great of a player he would
become with the NY Giants. 660 career home runs.
rayfromvillapark

359 Hamilton Avenue, The Burg

359 Hamilton Avenue, The Burg
Once upon a time this was the Office of Doctor Gaetano
Mazzanti, according to my records.
There were some cool ole homes on Hamilton Avenue:)

Immaculate Conception School ,Second Grade Class of 1951

Immaculate Conception School ,Second Grade Class of 1951
Thank You for this Daniel J. Granaldi:)

From The Mercer County Italian Festival Site: Burg Memories: Pete Lupinacci

From The Mercer County Italian Festival Site: Burg Memories:
Pete Lupinacci

Fond Memories - by: Pete Lupinacci
Hometown: Pedivigliano vicino Cosenza, Italy

I was brought to this country from Italy at the ripe old age
of 3 months. It's needless to say I don't recall a thing
about the trip but man, do I remember growing up in my
adopted Chambersburg. My father, mother, sister and I lived
in a humble little row house on Mott Street. I can recall it's
entire length being tree lined and littered with stores and
restaurants including Dimucci's Food Market, Tammaro's Fruit
and Produce, Ike's Luncheonette, the Hudson Beer Garden and
the ClinMott Tavern. It was a wonderful time and place to be
a child. My grandfather would take me to Columbus Park as an
infant to watch him and his stogie smoking friends play
multiple rounds of bocce. There were kids everywhere and
although we weren't blessed with endless supplies of toys or
sports equipment we always managed to have fun whether that
meant wiffle ball and football at Immaculate Conception/St.
Joachims or basketball and hard ball at Columbus. It was truly
the proverbial "Life of Riley" and I didn't even know it. I'm
wondering how many people can relate to my fondest memories.
One was the collection of change from the front of Immaculate
Conception church on Saturday afternoons after the wedding
masses ended and the other was waking up to the tantalizing
aroma of meat, garlic and onion wafting through the house on
a Sunday morning. A simple life during simple times. What I
wouldn't give to experience that all over again.

Just Another Burg Street Scene under a blue sky:)

Just Another Burg Street Scene under a blue sky:)

90,000 Hits Thank You All

90,000 Hits Thank You All.
What a great place we all grew up in. I miss the old
neighborhood more than I can say. How lucky we all were
to live there or be a part of it all. Thank you all
for walking down Memory Lane with me. I have greatly
enjoyed all of your company. Please keep sharing your
memories and photos and tell all of your ole friends from
the area about this site. God Bless The Old Burg:)

201 Fulton Street, The Burg

201 Fulton Street, The Burg.
Once upon a time this was the Fulton Meat Market:)

590 Smith Street, South Trenton.

590 Smith Street, South Trenton.
Once upon a time this was Saint Stanislaus School:)

209 Lalor Street, South Trenton

209 Lalor Street, South Trenton
Once upon a time this was The Arena Restaurant, Owner
Ragos Constantinos, according to my records:)

Cummings Avenue Meets Division Street, The Burg

Cummings Avenue Meets Division Street, The Burg
I do not remember what this white building was in
my Burg day:)

UPDATE: Brando adds:

The little white building was a sporting goods store.
They supplied the uniforms for many school and public
teams (little league, etc.). I think this was called
Sports World.

A Familiar Burg Bannister

A Familiar Burg Bannister
I have been in and out of many Burg homes through the
years and have seen this bannister style in quite a
few. Its nice as is. Its also nice with some garland
and Christmas Cards on it in the Holiday Season:)

Centre Street in the 1950s, South Trenton.

Centre Street in the 1950s, South Trenton.
I love all the cool cars in older pictures of
the area:)

Music I Listen To When Doing The Burg Blog

Music I Listen To When Doing The Burg Blog
Just thought I'd post this for folks who might be interested:)

When doing this blog I will often listen to music to bring out
the mood of nostalgia and appreciation of the ole Burg.
Frank Sinatra of course. Dean Martin , a Given. Lou Monte,
Louis Prima, Etc. Much of the music will be of my Burg Era,
Popular Music from the 1970s and 1980s..as everyone loves the
music that was popular in their era.

Here are the lyrics to a song from my Burg Era around 1981.

"Time" by The Allan Parsons Project

Time, flowing like a river
Time, beckoning me
Who knows when we shall meet again
If ever
But time
Keeps flowing like a river
To the sea

Goodbye my love, Maybe for forever
Goodbye my love, The tide waits for me
Who knows when we shall meet again
If ever
But time
Keeps flowing like a river (on and on)
To the sea, to the sea

Till it's gone forever
Gone forever
Gone forevermore

Goodbye my friends, Maybe forever
Goodbye my friends, The stars wait for me
Who knows where we shall meet again
If ever
But time
Keeps flowing like a river (on and on)
To the sea, to the sea

Till it's gone forever
Gone forever
Gone forevermore

I love how those words often apply to street scenes I post on
the blog. These were the streets we grew up on. There were good
days and bad. There are people we knew and miss. If everything
went on forever we might not appreciate it as we do.
God Bless The Old Burg:)

501 Division Street, The Burg

501 Division Street, The Burg
Triangle Ice Cream in my Burg Day. I am told it was a
gas station before that. One of so many places I miss
from back then. What great Ice Cream this place had:)

201 Mott Street, The Burg.

201 Mott Street, The Burg.
Once upon a time this was Tammaro & Morello Fruit
and Produce. Owners: Louis Tammaro & Mrs Rose Morello:)

Random Burg Notes Yet Again

Random Burg Notes Yet Again.

Teresina Rago came to America from Italy in 1913 at the age of 17.
She has spent the rest of her life in Chambersburg. She has
enjoyed a reputation as an exceptional seamstress and dressmaker.
Self- taught , she used her skills to sew for five generations
of people, and continued sewing until she was well into her 90s.
In the 1930s, her talents were recognized and utilized by the
Luscombe Airplane Co. of West Trenton. Working with engineers,
she designed a fabric pattern for an airplane wing, and for
many years after, she continued to make fabric wing covers for
Luscombe. In the 1940s and 1950s, she helped the Trenton High
School Sports Nite girls design their costumes, and sewed
many costumes for the night.

Bessie Lilian Hunt was born in Trenton, she was a lifelong
area resident Miss Hunt was a school teacher for Trenton
Junior 4 where she taught Latin and English literature for
more than 30 years.

Edward Hirsch was born in Trenton, he was a lifelong area
resident. He taught mathematics and science with Washington
School and Junior 4 .Mr. Hirsch was a Navy veteran of WW2.

Ethel C. Gaddis was born in Trenton, she was a long time
resident before moving to Absecon for two and a half years.
She attended Trenton Normal School for two years. She was
a teacher at Franklin School of Trenton for over 40 years.

Orlando "Chick" Carucci was born and raised in Chambersburg ,
Chick was a lifelong Trenton resident. He was well known as
"The Singing Barber" and owner/ proprietor of Chick's Barber
Shop for 50 years. A U.S. Army Veteran of World War II, he
attended Medic School, M.R.T.C. in Abilene, TX and graduated
with the rank of sergeant. He served 30 months overseas in
the South Atlantic Theater, 200th Station Hospital in Recife,
Brazil. While stationed in Brazil, he entertained many of
the sick and wounded with his magnificent tenor singing voice.
A member of the Notre Dame Glee Club for 30 years, Chick was
a featured soloist at many shows and concerts, most notably
at the World's Fair in 1964. He also sang at numerous Veterans'
Hospitals, nursing homes, PTA events and was a soloist for
the Resurrection Choir of Holy Angels Parish. Chick was very
active in civic affairs and was a member of the Fulton
Soldiers and Sailors Club, the Grand Dad Club and a parishioner
of Holy Angels.

The Lincoln Theatre, Downtown Trenton

The Lincoln Theatre, Downtown Trenton
25 North Warren Street
This is before my time but for folks who remember it,
enjoy:)

UPDATE: My Dad Ed MacNicoll adds:

Ed MacNicoll said...
I remember this street well, on the left side is the Lincoln
Theater where Bolton Holmes would play the organ before the
movies. Just up the street was the paper stand where late at
night folks would come pick up their racing papers in order
to place bets the next day at Garden State, right next to that
was one of my favorite "The Texas Wiener Restaurant. They made
the best, folks would buy 5 or six at a time. Then the American
Restaurant. Across from that on the corner was the Hang out for
all the girls that went to Cathedral High School.
Please note folks... The next place on N Warren Street, is
Saint Mary's Cathedral: THIS IS THE CHURCH THAT THIS COMING
SEPTEMBER 50 YEARS AGO, I MARRIED MY BEAUTIFUL BRIDE. MIKE'S
MOM --JULIE.

Yes, Yes, I do remember N. Warren Street

901 Division Street, The Burg.

901 Division Street, The Burg.
This is an interesting building I often passed
by long ago. Never noticed what it was used for.
This is the corner of Division Street and
South Clinton Avenue.
UPDATE: Barb and JoeZ say this was Palmer-Trout
Office Supply for a while:)
UPDATE #2 : Bill Barber and Ralph Lucarella say
it was once Urknn & Kohn Department Store:)

Joseph "Babe" Persico

TRENTON _ Joseph ''Babe'' Persico, of Hamilton, was a
lifelong Trenton-area resident who became a familiar figure
to passengers during his 49 years of driving for Yellow Cab.
Mr. Persico was born in Chambersburg , attended Trenton's
Carroll Robbins and Centennial schools, beginning work at
the age of 13 in the Stokes Rubber Co. of Trenton. Before
turning to taxi driving, he worked in the Pennsylvania
Railroad car shops, at Thorn's Cracker Bakery and was also
a truck driver. An avid boxing fan, Mr. Persico fought 10
professional fights as a bantam and featherweight under the
name Willie Fleming between 1918-20. He also served as a
second for three boxers, welterweights Paulie Walker and
Willie Wiggins, and bantamweight Lou DeAngelo, all of
Trenton.
In his youth, he played shortstop with the Trenton Yanks
and was captain of the team in 1919.
In 1926, when taxi cabs still featured open areas over the
drivers, he began working for Yellow Cab Co. on East Front
Street and later at the Clinton Street Station, chauffeuring
passengers who included Albert Einstein, Lou Gehrig and Babe
Ruth. He retired in 1975, having received an award from the
Teamsters Union for his safe driving record.

The Capitol Roller Skating Rink Club 1956

The Capitol Roller Skating Rink Club 1956
Capitol Roller Skating Rink, Lalor Street, South Trenton
Do my readers know any of the folks in this picture?

A DeLorenzo's (Hamilton Avenue) Tomato Pie

A Delorenzo's (Hamilton Avenue) Tomato Pie.
DeLorenzo's Tomato Pies, 1007 Hamilton Avenue, Villa Park

Diane Rossi Wrote:

Just drove past Trenton High School, my alma mater, and then
enjoyed the most delicious pizza at DeLorenzo's. If you've
never been there, you don't know what you're missing.
You just have to try it. Doesn't this look good. It's
truly amazing!!!

Thank You for the Picture Diane:)

Notes About The Cigar Factory On Grand Street, The Burg

Notes About The Cigar Factory On Grand Street, The Burg

From Ellarsie Museum:

Many people have forgotten - or never knew - that Trenton was
a major producer of premium cigars, handrolled from Cuba's
finest tobacco leaves by female workers in factories that
flourished in Trenton for much of the 20th century.
In 1955, there were 3,000 people rolling cigars in Trenton.
Cigar rollers were respected craftsmen, and their wage could
support a family.
A Cuban cigar refers to where the tobacco leaves were grown,
not where the cigar was rolled. One of the biggest clients of
Trenton rolled cigars was former British Prime Minister
Winston Churchill, who preferred a particular type of Trenton
cigar that came to be known as "Churchills." Just having the
Churchill account could keep a factory in business.
As one of his valets, Roy Howells, wrote in his book, Simply
Churchill, "It took me a little while to get used to the fact
that in two days his Cuban cigar consumption was the equivalent
of my weekly salary."
During the Depression, many were in bread lines. In Trenton,
the cigar industry was on a roll. Workers were paid by the leaf
or by the hour - 10 cents an hour - considered a good wage at
that time.
Strippers, the workers who tore the central vein from each
tobacco leaf, were paid by the leaf. Selectors who selected and
sorted leaves according to their color, quality and size, were
paid by the hour. Bales of tobacco were stored in the basement
while cigars were rolled on the second floor.Machine-rolled
cigars didn't come into the mix until the 1950s although hand
rolled cigars are considered by aficionados to be superior.

587 Chestnut Avenue, The Burg.

587 Chestnut Avenue, The Burg.
Once upon a time this was Bella Auto Electric Repair.
Owner: John B Bella:)

Pencil Points

Pencil Points

Penne Pasta in other parts of the world. In the Trenton area these
are of course, Pencil Points.
This is a picture of Pencil Points from Legendary Rossi's Bar &
Grill, 501 Morris Avenue,The Burg:)

1222 Hamilton Avenue, Villa Park

1222 Hamilton Avenue, Villa Park
Once upon a time this was "Hamilton Villa" according to
a Frank Pinto flyer I have. Frank Pinto is a well known
area musician:)

A Note For SteveB & Carlo From Dominick Azzaro About Dominick Pica's Tomato Pies, The Burg

A Note For SteveB & Carlo From Dominick Azzaro About Dominick
Pica's Tomato Pies, The Burg

Dominick Azzaro Wrote:

Dominick Azzaro has left a new comment on your post "Steve B and
Carlo Remember Dominick Pica's Tomato ...":

Hi Steve and Carlo. My name is Dominck Azzaro. I found your "blog"
interesting. You may remember my father Mike Azzaro, working for
Mr Pica. In fact I am named after Dominick Pica; also Fanny, his
wife was my God Mother. Fanny's maiden name was Papa. She was sister
to Mr. Papa of Papa's Tomato Pies. Abie is my uncle and I still make
pies on Sundays for Abie's son, Nicky, my cousin. My brother also
has Via Roma 2 in Allentown NJ.
In fact you guys may have seen me inside Pica's when I was a very
little kid. I was often in there with my father and Dominick and
Fanny. Yes how we all long for the old days. My uncle Leo still
lives in the family house on Mott Street. Anyway, that is my story.
Hope to hear from you and get your thoughts.

Regards,
D. Azzaro

Note : Dominick Pica's Tomato Pies was located on 461 Whittaker
Avenue and was Schuster's Tomato Pies in my Burg day:)

A Sacred Heart Church Item From 1973

A Sacred Heart Church Item From 1973
My Granddad Urban Zorichak died in 1973 and they said a
mass for him over at Sacred Heart. I found this in some
family papers. What a beautiful church this is:)

Russ Ayers Hotdogs

Russ Ayers Hotdogs.
This is not known to me but for all you Burg area folks who
remember, here it is. I found this on the web but do not know
who wrote it. Here it is:

Let me say this - I have sampled hot dgs from famous "shacks"
coast to coast - This is the best ! Russ passed away several
years ago - He was half the fun - He sold dogs from this cart
that his father bought him "used" in 1949 - He literally pushed
the cart into the capitol city of trenton for a few years -
finally bought land and built the building around the cart !
This hot dog cart is still going strong over 50 years later !
When russ was around, he would yodel, tell you his opinion on
politicians, and he kept track of how many hot dogs he sold
each year and converted the statistic into a mileage chart !
Arond 1980, he sold dogs that would stretch (end to end) to
Manhattan & back !!!! In the 70's when Coke asked for a nickel
more per soda, he got rid of them ! Russ' longevity exceeded
probably 10 different hot dog and bun companies plus Trenton's
own KERNS soda !!! Until the 80's when russ mellowed a bit,
you couldn't get catsup for the dogs ! "Catsup is for Burgers,
Mustard is for Hot Dogs " If Russ were alive today, would he
serve Green Catsup ? The new owners are nice people - and try
to keep as much RUSS-LORE and tradition going ! Simply the best
hot dogs in AMERICA ! I have had THOUSANDS since I was
4 - ish... (40 Years ago..)

507-511 South Clinton Avenue, The Burg.

507-511 South Clinton Avenue, The Burg.
M & D Liquor Store & Tavern in the 1950s as it is now.
Owner in the 1950s & 1960s : Frank DiGiuseppe according
to my records. According to a few websites I saw, this
is still owned by the DiGiuseppe family:)

Tom Glover adds:

Tom Glover said...
HI MACK:
THAT BUILDING ON THE CORNER WAS WHERE ROMA BANK FIRST
OPENED FOR BUSINESS IN THE 1920'S.

Thank You Tom:)

Capitol Arena AKA Capitol Roller Skating Rink, Lalor Street, South Trenton

Capitol Arena AKA Capitol Roller Skating Rink, Lalor
Street, South Trenton. This is a picture from the
1950s. Thanks SJBill:)

SJ Bill adds:
The 0verhead spotlight that illuminated the entrance was blue.

It was great to get into this place and hear the music and see
the sights. I was a crappy roller skater, but fully enjoyed
the sights and sounds of the building.

This place was really a wonderful part of S. Trenton.

141 Fulton Street, The Burg.

141 Fulton Street, The Burg.
Once upon a time this was the Tyler Social Club:)

Doctor. Joseph D. Brenna

Dr. Joseph D. Brenna, surgeon at St. Francis.
Office located at 448 Hamilton Avenue, The Burg.
Born in Chambersburg , he was a lifelong Trenton area resident.
He was a World War II veteran and served in the Army Medical
Corps as a captain from 1945 until 1947.
Dr. Brenna graduated from Trenton Central High School, received
a bachelor's degree in biology from Duke University in 1941 and
received a doctor of medicine degree from Duke University in
1944 through an accelerated wartime study program.
Dr. Brenna served his first internship at Orange Memorial
Hospital, West Orange, from 1944-1945, and was a resident in
surgery at St. Francis Medical Center from 1947 to 1953. He
attended the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of
Medicine from 1952 to 1953 and was a surgical resident at
Western Pa. Hospital, Pittsburgh, from 1953 to 1955.

He was a general practitioner in Trenton for four years
until 1952, when he began his practice in general surgery.
He was an attending surgeon at St. Francis Medical Center
and was engaged in the practice of surgery in Trenton for
37 years until his retirement in 1989.
He was director of surgery at St. Francis Medical Center
from 1968 to 1970 and served as president of the hospital's
medical staff from 1987 to 1988. He was a surgical consultant
to the New Jersey Department of Corrections from 1963 to 1978.
Following his retirement from surgical practice, he was medical
director for the New Brunswick-based Aetna Health Plans, from
1990 through 1994.
Dr. Brenna was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons,
a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and an associate
clinical professor of surgery at Hahnemann Medical College.

824 Adeline Street, The Burg

824 Adeline Street, The Burg
The corner of Liberty Street and Adeline Street
The Ukranian Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.
This was the place my Grandma Mary Zorichak would
play bingo on Tuesday nights before we would go
get her around 9:30-10:00 PM and then she would get
us stuff from Zip's Steak House:)

945 Liberty Street, The Burg.

945 Liberty Street, The Burg.
Once upon a time this was Peps Steak House.
I remember my Grandma would go to the Ukrainian Church on
Adeline Street on Tuesdays for Bingo and when she came
back she would buy us Pizza Rolls from Peps:)
Peps Cheesesteaks were delicious. They knew how to do
onions:)

1934 Trenton School Picture, What School was This?

1934 Trenton School Picture, What School was This?
Thank you for sending me this picture Elizabeth:)
I am sure one of my readers will be able to tell me
what school this was.

A List of Optometrists/Opticians in the Burg area in the 1950s

A List of Optometrists/Opticians in the Burg area in the 1950s
A list of Optometrists/Opticians in the Burg area in
the 1950s:

Marcus Optical Lab 1100 South Broad, Fred Meyers 1025
South Broad, Mario Constantini 468 Hamilton, Jonas Deitz
689 South Broad, Maurice Koslow 859 South Broad, Joseph
Petranto 316 Hamilton, John Rutkowski 727 Hamilton,
Harvey & Isodore Wilson 685 South Broad Street, Robert
Zielinski 715 Monmouth.
I found one addition name in the 1960s:
William Frascella 535 South Olden:)

Sacred Heart Church, Centre Street, South Trenton

Sacred Heart Church, Centre Street, South Trenton
A Beautiful Church:)

Washington Street in Winter, The Burg

Washington Street in Winter, The Burg
This was taken from the corner of Emory Avenue and
Washington Street. This was taken a few days ago:)

Gino Formaroli & Mike Brandolino on The Immaculate Carnival and The Old Burg

Gino Formaroli & Mike Brandolino on The Immaculate Carnival and
The Old Burg

Gino said:

I have Tons of great memories from those days, from 1973 thru
about 1982 My Mom was in charge of the food, it started in
February ever year with planning meetings, and then hands on
prep 2-3 weeks before the actual Carnival, and usually a
month after, packing everything away til next year.
The first memory to touch on was the early part of June,
when the construction crew started putting it all together,
unlike most event's that rented trailers for the "games and
Wheels' Our Pastor father Tim decided it would be best to build
our own, so we'd save the rental cost each year, so in turn the
Carnival started taking shape about 4 weeks ahead of time each
year..the best part of the Memory is that we students knew each
spring that when the carnival was starting to go up, the School
year was about to end. Maybe your Parents worked there each year
tell us what they did, or maybe about your first kiss on top of
the ferris wheel, or anything else that comes to mind.
As much as Harry Kalas was the voice of the Phillie's, Mr. Falchi
was the voice of the Carnival, You'd be able to hear him all over
the neighborhood, talking up the games, or rides, or telling you
the current value of the 50/50..... A term Exclusive to the
carnival, "Boils Barometer" The podium of lights over carnival
control(alternating orange and yellow) that posted the current
50/50 value, I don't know who "coined" the term, but it was
unique.

Mike Brandolino said

When I try to condense all my Immaculate Carnival memories
into one succinct and enlightened description, I just can't
do it. however, it all comes down to one thing, that i know
we all share. it is a great feeling that we get knowing that
we grew up in a great, almost self-contained, community with
good values and ...it's own unique culture. the carnivals and
feast of lights demonstrated the value of our tight-knit
community. unfortunately, the burg we all knew and love
no longer exists.

Please check out Gino's Facebook Group called:

Immaculate Conception Parish Carnival

Where you will see these quotes plus much more.

South Broad Street in Late Fall, The Burg

South Broad Street in Late Fall, The Burg
Wow I love this one:)
As a popular song from my Burg Days said:
"Time Passages, Years go falling in the fading light
Oh Time Passages, Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight".
(Al Stewart, Time Passages, 1978)

525 South Broad Street, The Burg

525 South Broad Street, The Burg
Once upon a time this was Meyer Temkin Store Fixtures
according to my records.

Hamilton Avenue in Winter, The Burg

Hamilton Avenue in Winter, The Burg
This is of course the block closest to Trenton High.
Storkys, Mannino's, The Hamilton Sweet Shop, Eddies
Donuts and the Firehouse are all well remembered by
me from long ago. Within close walking distance also
were The Casino AKA Tony Goes, Barberos Bakery, and
Nappys Pizza:)

1428 Liberty Street, Villa Park.

1428 Liberty Street, Villa Park.
A better picture of Sams Barber Shop.
Owner Sam Cerenzia.
This was part of my second Trentonian Paper Route back
in the middle 1970s. Sam was a good guy:)

More Burg Notes

More Burg Notes

Anthony J. ''Zock'' Chiacchio was manager for many years of
the Buffstone Inn, Hamilton, and the 19th Hole Golf Range,
Ewing. He previously owned Hanover Cleaners and was associated
for many years with the Hudson Gardens Restaurant, Trenton, which
was founded by his parents.He served in the Army as a military
policeman and corporal during World War II. He was a member of
Kent AA.

The generosity and goodwill of Victor Opalski, 82, former owner
of Trenton's well-known Burg Dairy Bar, who finds joy in baking
cookies and has given away an estimated 20,000 of them in the past
four years, to visitors to his home, to friends at church, to
relatives by mail and to strangers wherever he goes.

Is there a high school in New Jersey that has produced more
Olympians than Trenton High ?, It has eight: Al ''Judge''
Cooper (soccer 1928), Pete Pietras (soccer, 1936), George
''Shorty'' Nemchik (soccer, 1936), Jules Chmielewski (soccer,
1936), Gail Peters (swimming, 1952), Sammy Goss (boxing, 1968),
Wenda Vereen (track, 1984) and Terrance Cauthen (boxing, 1996).

SJ Bill Describes An Item From Jimmie's Camera Shop

SJ Bill Describes An Item From Jimmie's Camera Shop

SJ Wrote:

Mack,

My folks always took a lot of movies when we went on trips.
I recently received our old 8mm home movies after my Mom passed
away. Here’s one box with Jimmie Delorenzo’s tape still on it.
He used that stuff all over to seal print envelopes and movie
film boxes. The box still has our old South Clinton Avenue address
on it, and from the label, it was processed in 1962 or 1963.

SJBill

Thank You for this SJ, its cool:)

Roebling Avenue in Winter, The Burg

Roebling Avenue in Winter, The Burg
This picture was taken today. Click it and fill your
screen with Roebling Avenue:)))

A Shoutout to Al Bucci's Son

Al Bucci's Son made a comment about Al's Luncheonette which I
had mislabed. He wrote:

As Al's son and worked many years I have to tell you.
This is not a photo of our place. It was always named
Al's Sandwich Shop (Not sanwich bar) You have the address
correct but not the photo.

The address I had on it was 565 Lamberton Street, South Trenton.
The corner of Lamberton Street and Federal Street.
The name came from my city directory.

I have corrected the item and reverted it back to "Where is this?"
and the story of Al's Luncheonette remains a mystery.

Now back to Al's Sandwich Shop and the Bucci Family..

I currently do not have a picture of 565 Lamberton Street..

Please tell us about Al's Sandwich Shop Mr Bucci!
What kind of sandwiches did you make? How long was the
store run by your family? Was your Dad from Italy? Did
he work at Roebling or another place before owning the store?
Its a small world and my Mom's family lived only a few
blocks from this...do the names Albert or Pat (Patricia) or
Urban "Sonny" or Julianne (My Mom), Mary or Urban
Zorichak ring a bell?

A Room With A View, The Burg.

A Room With A View, The Burg.
824 Liberty Street. Our Home in The Burg:)
A view from a time long gone . A view I will always miss.
We put Christmas lights in this window. Our cat might be
found in this window among the plants at times.
You could see Liberty Deli across the street, Dinger Brothers
Iron Works, Joe Antinoro's Barber Shop, Peps Steak House....
You might see snow or leaves falling or trees swaying in
the wind of a summer storm. You could see down Brown Street.
This blog makes no claim that the Burg was ever perfect
but it was a nice place and all of who lived there know
that.

131 Fulton Street, The Burg.

131 Fulton Street, The Burg.
Once upon a time this was Colonial Dairy.
Owner: Andrew Tonti.

Barbara Petty Remembers South Broad Street

Barbara Petty Remembers South Broad Street

Barb P said...
Mike, your dads office was 1095, this was a laundry
mat when I was at 1072, next door to the right was a
5 & 10, then Cappuano' Fruit Stand (later Marazzos)
then Mazzaros Meat Market (later Chico's Harley
Davidson) and last on the corner of Broad and Harding
was Cheap Johns Bargain Store (later Cumberland Farms
with a parking lot). To the left was Osowitz Hardware
(later a trophy store), next to that was Castranovas
Beauty Supply and there were 2 sets of Semi's before
Mechanics Bank (later National State Bank). Let's not
forget the Working Mans Store and Siegels Pharmacy at
Broad and Liberty. Jakes Lunchonette, Chambersburg
Hospital (later The Professional Building, now Dr
Kotsopey) at Broad and Anderson and Priors Donuts, at
Liberty and Clinton. I'm amazing myself that I remember
all of these places.

712 South Broad Street, The Burg

712 South Broad Street, The Burg
Once upon a time this was The Glass Bar (Owner Michael
Kopec) in the 1950s. In the 1960s this was Matty's Bar
and I cannot find who owned it then:)