Fred Kalm & Norm Cramer win amateur contest at the Community Theater - 3/21/49

Today we have "America's Most Talented" winning the TV ratings. Back in the late 1940's the Community Theater in Tuckerton was holding amateur talent contests to increase their attendance figures. New Gretna talent usually participated and sometimes won.

Tuckerton Beacon - April 21, 1949.

It's not surprising that two New Gretna boys, Fred Kalm and Norm Cramer, came away with first place. Through the years they often played as a team and were noted in the area for their talent.

Norm Cramer on electric guitar and Fred Kalm on banjo entertain the crowd in the 1964 New Gretna PTA minstrel show, Farmer Style. (Photo courtesy of Harrison Cunningham.)

Projects from the Holiday Celebration

Sorry I forgot to show the rest of the photo cube photos and other fun projects we all did at my Holiday Celebration earlier this month. I saw this idea for this cute photo cube through a blog called Paper Jewels by Julie Griffith. This lady has alot of talent so if you want to be inspired, go check out her blog HERE! If you are interested in making your own cool cube, here is Julie's video tutorial HERE. Have fun!

Here's a view of the inside. I used it to hold all of the cards I received this holiday, most fit perfect!

I might have shown this project already, but what the heck, let's do it again! We also made a tin of tags. This tin held 12 tags (6 of each design) and they were very simple tags. The idea for the inserts came from Nichole Heady's blog called Capture the Moment - love her style and her blog! You can check out the instructions to make the inserts HERE. There are many more wonderful templates on her blog to download!

Here's a peek inside the tin. You can see the dividers and how it works. So neat!

I let the ladies make as many of these cute little ornaments or package embellishments using my Starbucks Mocha Frapuccino covers.Thanks for dropping in and sharing a part of your busy day with me!! More soon!

Sharing the recipes...

By request, here are recipes for the blondie brownies and the snickers cookies that I put in my treat boxes this christmas. The first recipe is from this awesome cookbook (local book) that I got from my friend who typed the recipes and organized the whole thing to raise funds for the Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus. Can you believe that they sold over 6,000 of these books?? Anyway, her children used to be in the chorus, in fact, that year, their group was the group that sang on the soundtrack for the movie Lilo and Stitch! Anyway, I am sharing a shot of the cover of the cookbook as the drawings of the 3 children character was drawn by yours truly. I used to hand paint t-shirts for about ten years as a business but finally gave up when I discovered stamping and scrapping! Here's the recipe for Kamehameha Schools' Haole Brownies (blondie brownies - no chocolate but just as yummy!)
2 1/2 sticks butter (10 oz)
2 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
7 medium eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 level Tablespoons double-acting baking powder
1 1/2 cups chopped macadamia nuts (or nuts of your choice)
Cream together butter, sugars and salt. Add eggs and vanilla extract and mix until creamy. Add flour and baking powder. Use a countertop electric mixer to mix on low for 30 seconds or use a wooden spoon to incorporate. (A hand-held mixer may not be powerful enough for this heavy batter). My own personal note: my hand mixer works just fine!
Scrape down sides of bowl and add nuts. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes of by spoon for 4 minutes. Spray two 13X9X2 inch pans with 2 seconds each using non-stick cooking spray.
Divide mixture evenly into pans. Place pans on the bottom oven rack and bake for 35 minutes at 400 degrees. My own personal note: my oven must be hot because the brownies are done in just 25 minutes. Be sure you check on the brownies when you start to smell the wonderful aroma because it will burn! I've burnt a pan and was super bummed!!
Cool completely before cutting and enjoy!! This recipe makes 2 pans so it is alot!!

The second recipe is for SNICKERS COOKIES and I found the recipe on cooks.com My sister made this last year and Nolan loved it so much, he asked me to make them this year. Candy isn't cheap anymore, so if it works better to buy the full size bars and cut them, it might cost less than the bag of minis.
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
1 (16 oz.) pkg. snickers bars, miniature size or full size bars, cut into pieces
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
3 cups flour
2 eggs, beaten
Cream together sugar, brown sugar, butter and peanut butter. Add vanilla and eggs; mix. Add dry ingredients. Roll dough into balls and flatten. Add a mini snickers square in the middle of dough and gently wrap dough around candy. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 300 degrees for 12 - 18 minutes or until golden brown. The cookies come out pretty large. Cool on rack and store in air tight container (these are soft cookies).
Enjoy! Happy baking!

Santa Snowman card

I just love snowmen so I hope you don't mind that I share one more cute holiday card that I made. Got this stamp from Little C's online store and isn't it a cutie?? It's called Santa Snowman. So easy to color, I just love the simplicity of it! Oh! BTW, I hope you're not sick of seeing holiday cards. I'm still working on sending my special cards out to bloggers! Life is busy and I know you all know what I mean!!
Stamp something tonight!! xoxo

Yesterday's Humor - Jokes from 1945

Humor is a subjective thing. What is funny to one person is, often, not funny to another. I believe that the same thing can be said for humor throughout the decades. What was funny a few decades ago may be stale and corney to us today. Except, maybe, for Henny Youngman. He's timeless.

Below are a few jokes from the humor column of the May 31, 1945 Tuckerton Beacon. The columnist identifies himself or herself only as "The Observer". You tell me. Does "The Observer" stack up with Leno and Letterman?

Pete S.

Wrapping it up simple!

Panic! Running out of time, I needed to make 12 boxes to hold my blondie brownies and snickers cookies in. I thought about using the XL box with tab Sizzix die, well, that was my original plan, but with time so short, I decided to "cheat" a little and buy these kraft boxes from GBC. They were $11 for 25 boxes, which I felt was well worth the money when one is short on time to cut out and glue the diecut boxes together! If you know me, I can't just give a plain box so here is what I came up with! I used some leftover strips of DSP from the Holiday Treasures pack (SU) and some chocolate colored organdy ribbon. The large scallop circle is a Sizzix die and the images are from Little Dreamer Designs. They are the cutest!! Check out their site here! What do you think?? I loved the way they turned out!

Here's a side view of the box. Since the DSP didn't go completely around the box, I hid the ends under the circle.

I hope you are having a non-stressed week!

Lincoln Mott meets the Cisco Kid

Tuckerton seems like the place to meet and greet celebrities. Somehow, they never seem to make it into New Gretna. We had an Elvis sighting at the Stewart's Root Beer Stand at the head of Tuckerton Creek on Sunday, December 14th, and now an academy award winning movie star stops in West Tuckerton for a hot dog on his way to the New York World's Fair.

Any one out there remember going to the movies to see the Cisco Kid? As a kid, I remember seeing the Cisco Kid on our black and white 10 inch Dumont TV in the early 1950's. The Cisco Kid was played by Duncan Rinaldo and Pancho by Leo Carrillo at that time. I remember that, at the end of every show, they would say "Oh, Cisco" and "Oh, Pancho" as they rode off into the sunset.

Duncan Rinaldo as the Cisco Kid and Leo Carrillo as his side kick, Pancho, on TV in the early 1950's.

Pete S.

Happy Holidays from Mochiko

I wanted to include Mochiko in our Christmas card this year, but had such a hard time designing my card as it was, so here are the photos I took of her with some holiday decorations...as you can see from her expression, I think I bugged the heck out of her...

Look at the eye...after this snowman shot, I put a cute Hawaiian santa by her and she bit his head. Poor guy!

My last shot...I didn't realize til later that my reflection is in the ball...do I look crazy or what?

I'll have to share my story about my family Christmas card with you in another post. Nothing like a little excitement when you're already running behind!

The Blog's 2008 Holiday Home Decorating Award

As you drive around New Gretna during the holiday season, it seems that more and more homes are being decorated each year. The competition is almost reaching a fever pitch as houses are festooned with intricate arrays of lights and yards are crammed with a variety of displays often reaching towering heights. Each year the madness grows as preparations often begin before Thanksgiving. As night approaches you can hear the increased humming of the electric meters spinning faster and faster to keep up with the bright lights and the air blowers straining to keep multicolored nylon figures erect. Oh yes, the Griswalds would be proud!

The Township has sponsored a holiday decorating contest with a ballot box placed in the Post Office for residents to cast their vote for their favorite display. It's the democratic process at work. I haven't heard if a winner has been announced yet, so I decided to have a "Bass River History Blog Holiday Decorating Contest" and crown our own winner. And that winner is  .   .   .

.   .   .   the South Maple Avenue home of Tiny and Betty Jean Keufer.

(December 23, 2008 photo by Pete Stemmer.)

I don't have a complete history of the house. I do know that Helen Sears Carty's grandparents, Chalkley C. Sears, Jr. and Ellen Cramer, lived in the house, probably from the late 1880's through the mid 1930's. They were married in July 3, 1887. Chalkley met his Maker in 1935, followed by Ellen in 1938. Both are buried in Miller Cemetery in New Gretna.

Chalkley and Ellen Sears on the front porch and their son, Eugene, on the front lawn of the Sears families South Maple Avenue home. Eugene Sears is Helen Sears Carty's father. The street at that time was known as Eel Street. (Photo courtesy of Helen Sears Carty.)

After Ellen's death the house ended up in the ownership of her brother, John Franklin Cramer, Jr., affectionalely known simply as Captain John. He was captain of the New Jersey State Fish and Game boat.

Captain John, standing center with outstretched arms in the front yard of the Sears-Cramer house. (Photo courtesy of William and Betty Jean Mathis Keufer.)

I am uncertain about the ownership of the house from the death of Captain John on February 25, 1930 until the present owners, Tiny and Betty Jean Keufer. Perhaps someone out there in cyberspace can fill in some of the missing details?

Pete S.

Giftcard holders using a CD case

I know I said that I would post the rest of the raks, but I since I'm not done editing those photos yet, I thought I'd share this with you today.

A couple of weeks ago, we had a terrible stormy day. I had taken off from work to get some holiday stuff done and I was glad that I didn't have to wait at that bus stop that morning! The winds were howling like hurricane winds and the rain came down constantly in sheets!! I sent my son to school, only to have them get turned around and sent home. Anyway, here's what I did that day. I colored all of these images for these CD giftcard holders I made for my co-worker, Alice and my niece, Jodi. They asked if I could make some GC holders for them and of course, I would have to choose to make these. I made a total of 23 of them, so 3 were for me to use :) Oh, did I mention that we had no electricity for the most of the day and I colored these images by lantern? I was desperate and couldnt waste the day, right!? Gotta keep on that holiday schedule!!

This first holder is my absolute favorite. I shared with this with Michelle. I love this stamp! I bought it last year and never had the chance to use it!

Surfing snowman from the SU set called Shellebrate! I used the CB folder for the background, thought it came out nice.

Had to use this cute monkey from Dandelion Designs! Her holiday collection was to die for! I bought alot of them!! Can't wait to see your Valentine collection, Jean!!

Love Mr. Sock Monkey!! I finally got the accessories!! DSP is also by SU called Holiday Treasures. I had to use a Tilda stamp. This holder was given to Taelyn (Joy's daughter).

Another Dandelion Designs stamp! Love this image!

This image is from Close to My Heart. I got this last year and love the images from this set!!Here are the measurements for the cardstock if you'd like to try to make some of these. The CD cases are very inexpensive. I bought mine from Fisher Hawaii for only .37 each and for a case of 50 cases, it was $17 something.

Cardstock for the front 4 3/4" X 5" Decorate with image of your choice.

Cardstock for the back 4 5/8" X 5 3/8"

I used mini glue dots to hold the back CS down and slid the front CS under those little tabs already in the case. Put some adhesive on the inside of the front cover to hold the ribbon down and tie in front. The ribbon holds the CS in place. You can cut a mini envelope to serve as a pocket to hold a gift card or just use a mini glue dot to hold the card in place. You can also write a sentiment on the inside cover. Easy! Have fun!

Christmas raks - thank you so much!

I can't believe that I've been away from blogging for so long!! I've missed blogging and chatting with all of you, but I'd be on for hours (you all know what I mean!) if I went on to just peek! And can you believe that I'm still behind! LOL!! I am so impressed by you ladies who still found the time to post during the busy Christmas rush!
I finally was able to download the many photos that I took over the holidays and now I want to share my awesome raks with you! Thank you to everyone who blessed me with such wonderful raks and cards! This post will be a little long since there were so many raks to share. Hope you don't mind. And by the way, I'm still working on "holiday" cards since the holidays are NOT over yet!! I really want to send them out, so if you get them late, pardon my tardiness - your cards are being sent on Hawaiian time :)
This first awesome rak is from Joy. Joy is like a sister to me and dear to my family as well. She learned how to make these awesome trees from her boss, Frieda. This tree has a snowman at the top and then cute little desserts all around the tree. Can you believe that they are erasers??? Cute, yeah? Thank you sooo much Joy!! I love it! It's still at my desk :) Early into the holidays, I received this awesome rak from my friend Risa, all the way from Michigan!! Thanks so much Risa! I just loved everything!!

Here's one of the two cards she enclosed in the box too. Love this Tilda!

Another card from Risa. Isn't this image so cute?! It's from Whipper Snapper Designs. Love the card! Risa, I hope you are feeling better!!

Another rak from Joy. She and I went shopping one lunch hour at Price Busters and when I saw these glass jars, I just had to buy some. I used rub-ons on the one I gave to her but of course, she had to put Miss Hello Kitty on the one she made for me!! I just love it! Thanks Joy, you spoil me!!

Inside the jar, she put beautiful ribbons!!

Love this Snowman Soup from Michelle! I just love the presentation of this in the tin. Super cute!!

Another rak from Michelle. You ladies are all so generous!! Thank you Michelle! I just LOVED my snowman ornament from Cinnamon Girl and I can't wait to use the soap! Your wrapping is perfect!! And thank you for making the yummy cream cheese dessert!

A rak from Denise. This gift bag was filled with all kinds of goodies and I just love this cute kitty ornament! It's on my tree denise! Thank you!!! You are most generous!

Lisa Salazar and Carole L. brought me this cute gift. Inside this cute box was a cute and dainty bracelet...I just love it!! (Sorry, didn't get a pic of it to post!) Sorry you weren't able to make it Lisa! We missed you! Thanks Carole for the yummy desserts too! You were too kind to let me keep the plates!

Cute bag from Kelly H. Thanks Kelly! I love the pin & brownie recipe and the Starbucks GC too!! Love that tag! I wonder where you got that from??

Thanks Kristy for the handsoap. You guys know that I love that stuff! Also for the See's Candy GC too! How'd you guys know I love sweets?!

Mmmm, hot cocoa from Lynnelle and a Jamba GC too!! I was too late to look for these cute tins filled with hot cocoa (from Costco!) Lynnelle wrapped brown wired ribbon around it, so perfect!! Thank you Lynnelle!!

An awesome coffee basket from Lynn L. I just love it! Thank you for being so thoughtful!!

The last rak on this post is from Liann M. Liann is an island girl, now living in California (formerly from Japan too!). Thanks Liann! I just love all of this Hello Kitty!!! Your card is awesome!!!

I have a few more raks to share, but gotta edit the photos first. So if you didn't see your rak here, don't worry! It's coming! That will be another day. THANK YOU all for thinking of me. I am so blessed with friends like you and I treasure all of these raks. Happy Holidays to you all...

Big hugs to you!

Carol Kauflin's 5th Birthday Party

Christmas reminds us of the importance of birthdays in our lives. One of my favorite features in the Local News Columns of the old Tuckerton Beacons is the frequent mention of birthday parties. The following is an example of a well attended New Gretna birthday party held on May 22, 1952. By the way, Carol Kauffln (now Nicklow) and her husband, Ron, live in the South Maple Avenue home where the birthday party took place.

The two young boys below attended the party. See if you can guess who they are. 

Rickie Steele (l) and Jimmy McAnney attended Carol Kauflin's 5th birthday party. (Photo courtesy of Margaret Cramer McAnney.)

Pete S.