Wedding Card

Here's the card I made for the wedding. I had a bunch of leftover DSP from the favors, so I used it in my card. This is one of my favorite bride and groom images (Stampendous) because there is so little coloring to do. I used the last of my favorite organdy ribbon that I got from Flora Dec - I haven't been able to find it again!! Flowers are from the SU Pretties kit. I sponged Tempting Turquoise over it to give it a tint and added the finishing touch with the pearl. Here's the inside.
Happy Thursday to you all. Have a wonderful day!

Double Shaker class - Saturday, May 16

Hello friends! I'm catching up on all of my announcements! Lots to share and not enough time to post!
Since I posted my double shaker card projects and the tutorial, I have been getting lots of emails asking me if I'm planning on doing a class. Since this month's class is postponed to the end of the month, I will be offering a class to learn how to make the double shaker card! This class will happen on Saturday, May 16 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at my home. I doubt it if we will take that long to do this, it's really not as bad as you think (to make this project!) I told a few peeps that the class was going to be on May 9th, but I had to order the thick fun foam and it won't be here til next week which won't give me enough time to do the kits. Because of this little road block, I had to move the class to the following week, Saturday, May 16th. The fee for this class will be $10 and will include everything (including the colored image) you need to make the double shaker! It's gonna be fun! If you are interested in attending this fun class, please reply to this post. I will have 10 spaces for this class, so let me know asap.
Here are a few of the samples that I recently made:

Once you receive confirmation from me that you have a space for this class, I will give you the list of tools you will need to bring to this class. I can't wait to share this fun project with you!!

New Gretna I.Q. Test Answers

Last Sunday, April 26th, we published a New Gretna I.Q. Test. Below are the answers for those of you who took the test. Remember, 15 or more correct answers entitles you to join the New Gretna Menza Club. As far as I know, only Donald Maxwell and Bob Mathis qualify to be members, as of this morning. Donald got all 17 correct and Bob got 16 out of 17 correct, only missing the last question. Great job guys! Please let me know if anyone else out there got 15 or more correct, so that I can acknowledge your membership in the New Gretna Menza Club. Maybe we'll have membership cards printed.

The answers posted below were largely taken from Bob Mathis' email. Thanks for saving me a lot of typing, Bob.

New Gretna I.Q. Question Answers


1. What did Harry Kid have in common with the Great John Mathis? Last name of both is Mathis.


2. Who were the Gray brothers? Bill and Frank. They had an oyster and clam business.


Frank (1896-1986), left, and Bill Gray (1897-1954) as youngsters.


3. Which of the clammers was noted for his gigantic hands? Delbert Robbins


Del Robbins (1893-1967). Big hands and big boots!


4. Who on the list owned and operated a saw mill? Milton Kauflin



Mutt Kauflin (1911-1987) had a saw mill on Eel Street.


5. Who was "Keever"? Edward Allen.  Father of Woodrow, Leslie and others.


Edward Keever Allen (1875-1965) cutting his birthday cake.


6. Who on the list captained an America's Cup winning Yacht that was, at times, anchored off Allen's Dock area? Can you name the yacht? Tom Mathis and the Yacht Columbia.


7. Who was "Rue"? LaRue Mizelle.  He captained Chet Allen's boat the "Evelyn".


Rue Mizelle


8. Who captained the "Saphire Lady"? Otto and Fred Kalm. It was built by Otto.


Otto Kalm (1899-1989) built and captained the "Saphire Lady."


The "Saphire Lady" was also captained by Otto's son, Fred.


9. Who on the list was related to the famous VanSant ship building family? (Hint: He was a good ship builder, also, when you could get him to work. He was known to march to the beat of a different drummer.).  Joe Cramer


Joe Cramer (1906-1976)


10. Who was nicknamed "Sach"? Hillary Robbins


A young "Sach" Robbins (1896-1952).


11. Helen Carty presently lives on Route 9 across from the Speedy Deli. Her uncle, who lived in that house before her, is on the list? Who is he? Washie Allen


Caleb Washington "Washie" Allen (1882-1960)


12. Who later operated the marina at Cape Horn? Ferron Lamson


Ferron Lamson (1905-1977)


13. Who on the list was an oyster watchman? Washie Allen and Otto Kalm.


14. Who lived on New York Road, in Mathistown, just a stones throw from Munion Field Road? Ben Chew (1868-1947)


Ben Chews Rt 9 house is no longer there.

Who can name its last resident?


15. Who lived on Allentown Road, across the street from the New Gretna School? Jess Loveland


Jesse Loveland (1859-1952)


16. Who on the list was born in New Gretna, became a New Jersey State Senator, and was the New Jersey Secretary of State from 1931 to 1940? Tom Mathis


17. What was Charles Henry's last name? Allen


Charles Henry Allen (1854-1937)


As I stated in the "Comments" section of the April 26th I.Q. Test Blog post, Donald Maxwell pointed out an error in my construction of questions #6 and #16. This comment is posted below.

Don also held my feet to the fire by pointing out that I was mistaken with questions #6 and #16. The name on Chet's gas list is the same as my answer to those questions, but it is not the same person. It's a case where two men had the same name, a common occurrence in New Gretna families. I'll be posting the answers to the questions and an explanation of my mistaken identity in questions # 6 and # 16 in a few days. 

Seems that there was more than one Tom Mathis. I assumed that the "Tom Mathis" on Chet's list was the more famous of the two but, after reflection on Donald's comments in our telephone conversation, I have to agree with him. Interestingly, they were both born in New Gretna in the same year.

Thomas A. Mathis, known affectionately as Captain Tom, the son of Alfred and Abigail Loveland Mathis, was born in New Gretna on June 7, 1869 and later moved to Tuckerton and Toms River. He captained the America's Cup winner Columbia and later became a New Jersey State Senator and New Jersey Secretary of State. He died on May 18, 1958. Who can tell me where he is buried?


According to Donald Maxwell, this is the New Gretna childhood home of Captain Tom. Identify the location of the home and its present owner and receive a bonus New Gretna I.Q. Test point. Hint: It's in Frogtown. (April 27, 2009 photo by Pete Stemmer.)

Thomas S. Mathis, who Donald Maxwell believes is on Chet Allen's gas list, is the son of Elizabeth White and DeWitt Clinton Mathis, Sr. He was born March 1, 1869 and died September 18, 1951. He and his wife, Ida Deacon, are buried in Miller Cemetery in New Gretna.

Well, that's just about it for our New Gretna I.Q. Test review. Hope you did well.

Pete S



Wedding favors

Super short post today...just wanted to share with you the 110 wedding favors I finished for this past weekend's wedding. I used the SU matchbox die and butterfly. Thanks to my sister, Cheryl, for cutting all of the boxes for me. FYI, if you bought this die, you might have to use a shim to get the score lines deep enough to see! Also, thanks Dad for making all of the butterflies for me!!
Here's a pic of the finished boxes!
Paper for the boxes are Bazzill. Kiwi kiss for the butterfly and we used foil tissue per the request of the bride for the butterfly too!
Happy Wednesday! Shaker box class announcement tomorrow!! Thanks for visiting today!

New Gretna Snowflakes

A few weeks ago I stopped by the Bass River Elementary School Library after school and was pleased to see a group of enthuiastic Girl Scouts working on various craft projects. They invited me to sit with them and talk for a while. What a delightful group of girls.

As I was driving home, my mind wandered to a group of girls 4-H photos that Phyllis Briggs had sent to me a few years ago. They called themselves the Snowflakes. I turned on the trusty computer when I got home and quickly found the photos. I know many of those girls, today. Of course they, like I, are a wee bit older now. Some are mothers and some even grandmothers. Where does the time go? Perhaps some of you out in the Blog-o-Sphere know some of them too.

I asked Phyllis Briggs to write something about the Snowflakes for the Blog. I thought I would share her comments and some of her Snowflake photos. They sure do bring back memories of a much simplier time. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

     The New Gretna Snowflakes 4-H Club started in 1970 under the guidance of June Eichinger and Phyllis Briggs. We asked the Atlantic County 4-H headquarters in Egg Harbor City if New Gretna could join since Burlington County didn't have any 4-H clubs nearby. We were warmly welcomed into the Atlantic County 4-H; this was the beginning of many exciting experiences for New Gretna's young teens.
     The 12 to 14 year old girls learned to knit, sew, model, cook, make root beer soda and twirl a baton.


Snowflakes modeling nightgowns that they sewed. (l-r): Mandy Mickens, Debbie Eichinger, Cherie Gross, Pam Adams, Joan Cramer & Connie Sue Briggs. (1974 photo courtesy of Phyllis Briggs.)

Snowflakes wearing their hand made kerchiefs. They look like little Russian peasant girls. Makes me want to hum a tune from "Fiddler on the Roof."  (l-r):Cindy Wunsch, Maureen Potter, Kim Zeritt, Connie Sue Briggs & Vicki Wetmore. I wonder if any of the girls still have their kerchief? It would be neat to see them model it, today. (Photo courtesy of Phyllis Briggs.)
     May 31, 1971 the New Gretna Snowflakes 4-H Baton Group won a 2nd place trophy in Tuckerton's annual Memorial Day parade. Strutting and twirling along Rt 9 the girls looked crisp wearing short green and white stripe 4-H uniforms each had sewn. The group competed in the August 1971 Egg Harbor 4-H Fair twirling competition. Many awards were won for their clever Fair Booth entries in the yearly 4-H Fair.


The Snowflakes march in the 1971 Tuckerton Memorial Day Parade. They won a 2nd place trophy that day. I wonder if someone still has that trophy today?(r-l): Mary Longo, Cindy Wunsch, Connie Sue Briggs, Maureen Potter, Vickie Wetmore, Melinda Allen, Debbie Ayres, Kim Zeritt & Debbie Eichinger. (Photo courtesy of Phyllis Briggs.)

     The girls participated in many events held in the Egg Harbor 4-H auditorium and at the 4-H Fairs including square  dancing, talent contests, sewing competitions, pumpkin decorating contests, Favorite Foods Show and attending 4-H camp in Stokes State Forest.


The Snowflakes do some high stepping at the 1971 Egg Harbor 4H Fair. (l-r) Kim Zeritt, Cindy Wunsch, Connie Sue Briggs & Maureen Potter. (Photo courtesy of Phyllis Briggs.)

     Two events the club did locally was a trash pickup at Fir Bridge and a bike ride to Crowley Landing.
     These were four years of fun and learning, a time in their lives the girls will always remember.


A group of Snowflakes work on a paper mache project for the 1971 4-H Fair. (l-r): Susan Allen, Kim Zeritt, Vicki Wetmore, Connie Sue Briggs, Maureen Potter & Cindy Wunsch. I wonder if more paste got on the girls than on the projects. (Photo courtesy of Phyllis Briggs.)
     New Gretna Snowflakes 4-H Club members were: Pam Adams, Melinda Allen, Susan Allen, Cherie Gross, Debbie Ayres, Connie Sue Briggs, Joan Cramer, Debbie Eichinger, Mary Longo, Mandy Mickens, Maureen Potter, Vickie Wetmore, Debbie Wilson, Cindy Wunsch, and Kim Zeritt.
Phyllis Briggs

Snowflakes enjoying a warm summer day, in 1971, on the Bass River. Whose dock do you suppose they're sitting on? (l-r): Cindy Wunsch, Maureen Potter, Connie Sue Briggs, Vicki Wetmore, Susan Allen & Kim Zeritt. (Photo courtesy of Phyllis Briggs.)

I wonder if we have a 4-H club in our area today and, if so, do they do the same things that the Snowflakes did back in the early 1970's?

Pete S


PS- Not to be out done, the New Gretna boys also had a 4-H Club. Unfortunately I only have one photo and don't know much about their group experiences. Perhaps, someone out there who was a member could fill me in and provide additional photos.


The 4H Bass River Roughnecks on a June 17, 1968 trip to the Stokes State Forest 4H Camp. (l-r): Doug Cramer, Greg Cramer, Benny Adams, Gary Petzak & Teddy Briggs. (Photo courtesy of Phyllis Briggs.)

New dates for May class - Pop up scrapbook

Aloha friends! I can't believe how quick time flies and how I lost track of the time while working on the wedding favors. I failed to inform you about my pop up scrapbook class for the month of May! Unfortunately, the scheduled May 2 and 3 class will be postponed. The new dates for the class will be on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday May 24. We will continue with the June class (Birthday Bash) on June 6 and 7.
I am working on the sample for the pop up scrapbook and will post a sneak peek soon.
Please email me if you are interested in attending May's class. The class is limited to 10 people per class. Instruction for this class is FREE, but you will need to purchase the Simply Scrappin' kit called 2 Sweet item number 113943 $19.95. Once you RSVP for this class and get acknowledgement from me that you have a seat for this class, I am asking that you order your kit through my SU website www.alohagirl.stampinup.net Your kit will be sent directly to you! You will bring the Simply Scrappin' kit and your tool kit to the class. I look foward to sharing this fun project with you!!

One card swap signup for May!

Aloha friends! It's that time again to sign up for the one card swap! If you want to participate in the one card swap for the month of May, please leave a comment on this post. If you are a returning player, then you do not need to email me with your mailing address and email address. If this is your first time participating in this fun swap, please send me a private email with your mailing address and email address. DO NOT POST YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION ON THIS COMMENT SECTION. This information is important for me to have asap so I can match you up with a partner to swap. The responses have all been positive and I thank you all for making it a fun swap! I look forward to coordinating this one card swap for you in May!! SOME INFORMATION IF YOU ARE A NEW PLAYER: You will make one special card to send to your partner. Only send the card, no goodies, treats, raks, this is a one card swap! No limit on the companies and products used for your card. You should send your card to your partner no later than May 20th. Be considerate when sending to Canada and foreign countries as it will take a little longer to get there. As a courtesy, if you are running late, please email your partner to let them know, okay? Hey!, we all have busy lives!
This is a fun swap and if something comes up and you cannot fulfill your obligation, please email me so that I can send your partner a card :) SIGN UP FOR THIS MONTH'S ONE CARD SWAP WILL CLOSE ON MONDAY, MAY 4TH!! Thanks for your support and I look forward to alot of players!! Mahalo!

How's Your New Gretna I.Q.?


The other day at our Men's Breakfast, Jim McAnney gave me some old papers from Allen's Dock when it was owned and operated by Chet Allen. Two items that I was particularly interested in were a sign advertising the price of gas and a small scrap of cardboard that Chet used to keep track of who bought gas. Evidently Chet used scraps of paper for much of his record keeping rather than formal account books. Unfortunately, there were no dates on either of these items, but I suspect they were likely from the 1930's. Maybe someone out there can help pin point the dates.


This card board sign was probably placed in the window near the gas pump. (Sign courtesy of James McAnney.)

Ruby McAnney, Jim's dad, pumping gas at Allen's Dock. Ruby worked for Chet and took over ownership and operation of the business after Chet passed away in 1966. (Photo courtesy of Margaret Cramer McAnney.)

The following record of gas purchases gives us a good idea as to who Chet's regular customers were. They were all baymen, clammers and party boat captains. Most, if not all, kept their boats at Allen's Dock.



Looking through the names on Chet's list, I got to thinking how much a part of New Gretna's history these men represent. I decided to put together a list of questions, sort of a New Gretna I.Q. test, to see how well the Blog Readers know their New Gretna history. Send your answers to the Blog for scoring. You can email them to me or place them in the comments section below. Just type the question number and the anwser. Let's see who is first with a 100 % score. Who knows, I might even come up with a trophy. Any disputes will be settled by Professor James McAnney.

New Gretna I.Q. Test questions

1. What did Harry Kid have in common with the Great John Mathis?
2. Who were the Gray brothers?
3. Which of the clammers was noted for his gigantic hands?
4. Who on the list owned and operated a saw mill?
5. Who was "Keever"?
6. Who on the list captained an America's Cup winning Yacht that was, at times, anchored off Allen's Dock area? Can you name the yacht?
7. Who was "Rue"?
8. Who captained the "Saphire Lady"?
9. Who on the list was related to the famous VanSant ship building family? (Hint: He was a good ship builder, also, when you could get him to work. He was know to march to the beat of a different drummer.)
10. Who was nicknamed "Sach"?
11. Helen Carty presently lives on Route 9 across from the Speedy Deli. Her uncle, who lived in that house before her, is on the list? Who is he?
12. Who later operated the marina at Cape Horn?
13. Who on the list was an oyster watchman?
14. Who lived on New York Road, in Mathistown, just a stones throw from Munion Field Road?
15. Who lived on Allentown Road, across the street from the New Gretna School?
16. Who on the list was born in New Gretna, became a New Jersey State Senator, and was the New Jersey Secretary of State from 1931 to 1940?
17. What was Charles Henry's last name?
 
I'll be posting the answers in a few days. Anyone getting 15 or more correct is eligible for the New Gretna Menza Club. Maybe we can all meet at Allen's Dock!

Pete S


PS- Want to learn more about Allen's Dock? Check out Jim McAnney's article, "Boyhood Memories of Allen's Doc" in the latest Bass River Gazette issue by clicking on the link below.


Get Well Wishes for Mike

Just wanted to do a short post tonight. I was suffering from blog withdrawals! haha! I've been missing all of you and couldn't wait for this moment to do a post!! The reason why I was MIA was because I was working like a busy bee finishing up those wedding favors for tomorrow's wedding! My supervisor is getting married and my gift to her are the 110 favors. I'll be posting a pic of that this weekend.
I wanted to share a get well card I made for my friend Mike who suffered a major booboo while working on his surfboard. He had to go to the ER after his thumb got infected. Poor guy, they cut open his thumb to release the pressure that was building. Here's the get well card I made for Mike...I love the Pun Fun stamp set (by SU). I never used this whale before :) it's so cute!!
Here's a pic of Mike surfing...he can't wait to get back in the water...get well soon buddy!

Supplies:
Stamp set: Pun Fun
Paper: Pacific point, kiwi kiss, brilliant blue, DSP - basic gray scraps
Accessories: dew drops, 5/8" chocolate grosgrain ribbon
I missed you all so much! The good news is that I spent tonight blurfing and making comments, yay!! Something way over due that I've been wanting to do. Another thing is that I updated my blog...I'm so stoked that my ISLAND GIRL blog section has grown so much!! Way to go aloha sisters!! We are not short of aloha here, people...go check out these girls! I'll see you all tomorrow! And I thought it was going to be a "short" post...who was I kidding???? hahaha!

NOW AND THEN- The Lafayette Gerew Store

We tend to think that the things we see around us don't change much. The truth is that they do but, often, the changes happen so slowly that we tend not to notice. Such is the case with the old Lafayette Gerew store on Hammonton Road, the subject of today's NOW AND THEN Blog commentary.

Today there is little evidence that the large, yellow sided house that huggs Hammonton Road was originally a store servicing the Frogtown area of Bass River Township.


The old Lafayette Gerew store on Hammonton Road is now a private home. (November 9, 2005 photo by Pete Stemmer.)

In the early 1900's, this building was a store belonging to Lafayette Gerew who was listed as a sea caption in the 1900 census. That census shows Lafayette as the head of the household with six children - Ira (16), Lewis (13), Walter (11), Harold (6), Owen (5), and Beatrice (3). Lafayette's first wife, Ellen Hickman, who he married in 1883, had passed away on January 10, 1900. The 1910 census shows that he was married a second time to Matilda [Gaskill] in 1903. Matilda died in 1919. Both wives are buried, with Lafayette, in the family plot in Hillside Cemetery, not far from the family store.



Lafayette Gerew and his second wife, Miltilda Gaskill. (Photo courtesy of Lucy Wood Lehneis.)

Lafayette fell ill in the mid 1920's and his daughter, Beatrice and her husband, Tom Wood, moved in with Lafayette to take care of him. Lafayette died January 12, 1928, at age 68. The Wood family took over running the family store for a short time.


The Lafayette Gerew store, circa early 1930's with the Tom Wood family and some friends on the porch. The sign on the right reads "Thomas Wood - Standard Gasoline." The lettering on the truck at the left reads "Fred Hess & Son - Photographers." It was common for photographers to travel from town to town taking family and scenic photos that were often made into post cards. Fred Hess or his son likely took this photo. (Photo courtesy of Lucy Wood Lehneis.)


Tom (1) and Beatrice (2) Wood and their children Betty (3), Lucy (4), and Tom (4) moved in with Lafayette to help with the store when Lafayette's health started to fail. Two unidentified friends (6) and (7) are also in the photo. (Photo courtesy of Lucy Wood Lehneis.)


(l-r)- Ira Gerew, Sr. (Beatrice's brother); Beatrice Gerew Wood; Betty Wood Kmetz (Beatrice's daughter); Mary Gerew; Ella Gerew (Ira's wife); and Jesse Thomas Wood, Sr. (Photo courtesy of Lucy Wood Leheis.)

The 1930 census shows the Wood family living on Hamonton Road at the Old Lafayette Gerew store with Tom listed as "Jesse Thomas Wood", a "carpenter", and Beatrice as a "Proprietress." This can be somewhat confusing, as Tom never went by his first name, Jesse. The census indicates that Beatrice ran the store while Tom worked outside the home as a carpenter. I don't know how long they operated the store. Perhaps some "old timer" out there can enlighten me as to when the store changed hands.

The store was eventually sold to the Schroeders and then to the Louis Sears family, but those are stories for another time.

Pete S

PS- For more information on the Lafayette Gerew family see John Allen's article "The French Connection: The Allen and Gerew Families" on page 8 of Issue #12, June, 2002, of the Bass River Gazette. You can read it by clicking on the link below and going to page 8.

The New Gretna "Two Fors"

I was reading the local restaurants ads in the newspaper the other day and noticed that many were advertising "two for" dinners, two for the price of one. I guess it's a way of encouraging business in today's slow economy.

That brought to mind our own New Gretna "Two Fors", Murray and Jean Harris. They both received college diplomas at Rutgers University at the same ceremony held on June 6, 1962. You could call it a "Two For" degree day, a very unusual event for a husband and wife, which earns the Harrises the Blog's 15 MINUTES OF FAME AWARD. Congratulations, guys!




Tuckerton Beacon - June 14, 1962

The Harrises are also mentioned in the "Peaches and a Plane Crash in the Pines" story on the Wednesday, December 10, 2008 edition of the Blog. You can read it by clicking on the link below.



I hope Murray and Jean can find a place on their mantle for the 15 MINUTES OF FAME AWARD. I plan on delivering it to them when they return from wintering in Arizona.

Pete S
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