Bet With Boyfriend
I was curious to find out about two things that are currently in Edgewater. The first being, the green parrots that are nesting at the end of where Route 5 and River Road meet. What type of birds are they and how did they appear? The second being, the American flag that is in Veterans Field - is it true that it is the largest flag on the East Coast? Your reply may win me a bet with my boyfriend. Thanks.
Name Withheld, Fort Lee
3/12/02
Fort Lee Film Commission Web Site Debuts
The Fort Lee Film Commission celebrates the first anniversary of its birth with the debut of its web site at www.fortleefilm.org. This fact-filled site offers not only a history of the studios in Fort Lee and noted actors and productions, but includes a calendar of exciting events and film festivals, a section devoted to bringing filmmakers to Fort Lee, and a message board. Please visit this site, attend our events, and volunteer for work with the FLFC. Please contact Fort Lee Councilman Tom Meyers/FLFC Liaison, 201-592-3663; 201-592-3785; 201-585-8740.
Councilman Tom Meyers, Fort Lee
Borough Hall, 309 Main Street, Fort Lee, NJ 07024
2/20/02
“Very Happy”
To say the least, I'm very happy to find you online. My family moved into one of the first attached homes on Edgewater Place. In 1953, I started kindergarten at EVG, then George Washington, and back to EVG for junior high. My childhood memories are many and diversified, from skinny dipping off the old 125th Street ferry docks (River Road & Dempsey Ave.) to 2 or 3 of us climbing into an old barrel and rolling it down Oxen Hill. I am sure I will visit your site often.
Bill Wells
7/30/01
Silent Film Industry
My grandparents used to live in Edgewater many years ago. They used to tell me that in the early 1900's, silent movies were made in Edgewater near the Palisades and River Road. I was little at the time and it didn't make an impression on me, but now that I'm older, I am curious about it.
My grandparents are long gone now. I'm wondering if you could please furnish me with any information about the silent movie industry or any organizations that I might need to contact to learn more about it.
Roy Erikson, South Carolina
2/12/01
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Borough of Fort Lee recently created the Fort Lee Film Commission, which in addition to dealing with present-day filming in Fort Lee is also very active in preserving the history of the early film industry along the Palisades. You can visit the Commission online at www.fortleefilm.org.
Historical Diaries
I have diaries from 1906-1926 written by Gertrude Schomp, whose husband, my great-grandfather, was a fireman in Englewood, New Jersey. These are my great-grandparents. What a treasure these are to me and what a new perspective I have from reading 20 years of my ancestors' daily lives. I am reliving with them their ups and downs through her writing. There is a great article to be written here.
I was inspired by your history editorials. Your newspaper as these diaries will someday give a new perspective to people when they too compare the past to their future. I believe there is a great chunk of our children's ancestry we have not shared with them. I would like to have that opportunity someday as you do.
Keep up the good work.
Jeannine Middleton, Lantana, FL
11/19/00
River Road Traffic
The traffic is at an all-time high along River Road. During rush hour a five-minute drive to my home has turned to as much as 50 minutes from the ferry. Are there any plans to add a lane in the congested areas?
Mary Hinton, Edgewater
9/7/00
Loud Fire Siren
It is prehistoric, not to mention annoying, that Edgewater still uses the loud and obnoxious siren as an emergency signal. Anyone woken by the siren at 2 in the morning will surely agree.
With all the new developments in the area that bring in revenue and the technology that is available today, I wonder why Edgewater still uses ancient signaling devices. I am sure it is not due to lack of funds. As a new father, it upsets me to see my son rudely awakened by the siren.
I would like to see changes in Edgewater and the first thing I would like to see go is that blasted siren.
Jake Lee, Edgewater
9/1/00
Greetings from Texas
Howdy, Folks! Congratulations to the Edgewater Beacon. I lived in Edgewater, in the family’s apartment house, at 1518 River Road, from 1942 to 1969. Our phone number was Cliffside 6-0399W! I was a member of Boy Scout Troop 66; Cub Pack 5 and the Tigers, Little League Team. I have many fond and warm memories of good friends from Edgewater. I attended George Washington School; Eleanor Van Gelder; Dwight Morrow High School and the University of Richmond.
In 1964, I was a reporter for the Record. In ’65 I was a reporter and editor for the Hudson Dispatch and wrote press releases for Mac Meehan’s successful run for Edgewater mayor. At 24, I was a reporter, editor and newscaster for United Press International in Chicago and in New York.
Currently, I lead a very different life in Austin, Texas. I am a carpenter. Sometimes, I work in movies, building scenery or props, set dressing or stagehanding for touring Broadway shows. I am writing a book and screenplay about my amazing experiences and spiritual journey that took me to the Village, Woodstock, Haight-Ashbury, on an incredible, 16,000-mile schoolbus caravan, to co-founding a bold experiment in community and lifestyle in rural Tennessee...The Farm. Our community created our own Peace Corps called, Plenty International. As a Plenty volunteer, I spent a year in Guatemala, working with Mayan Indians; building schools, clinics and houses, after the devastating earthquake of 1976. We also built a clinic for Mother Teresa.
It has been quite a journey. I am blessed with good health, continuing love of life, a 16-year-old daughter and a 25-year-old son. Though I am deep in the heart of Texas, I still have Edgewater deep in my heart, and I would love to hear from old friends at melvyn@freewwweb.com or by phone: 512 272-8704. And, if there are any publishers or literary agents out there, who think I have a good book or movie here...let’s talk.
Health and Happiness to everyone,
Peace and Love,
Melvyn Stiriss, Austin, TX
2/29/00
Edgewater: A Place We Can All Call Home
Love this newsletter!
I was browsing around trying to find out if Edgewater has a hard water problem and how to fix it when I saw the “Beacon”. I grew up a world traveler, following my parents around Asia and the Middle East, wherever the assignment took them. We finally settled down in Queens and I received my High School and College education in New York City. Somehow, something was still missing. Your editorial [2/22/00, “Edgewater, Now and Then”] hits the mark.
I, too, want to be able to look back and reminisce about being a “river rat”. Unfortunately, those times have passed and I am but a “condo dweller”. But there’s hope. Maybe Edgewater could be that place I can call home with my new wife where my future kids can grow and look back and say they grew up in a magical place. A place where all of us can call home. A place of peace and friendly people. A place that found the perfect balance between open space and condo living. A unique place where we can take a water taxi from port to port. One that takes advantage of our special terrain and yet nurtures it.
The layout of this web site is well thought out. I hope to see more on local events. I’ve always wanted to find out about what’s happening around town. But the schedule we all hold in this rat race just makes it impossible. The Edgewater Beacon is the perfect venue.
Thanks, and I’m looking forward to more insights. Good luck!
Hsu-Wei Shueh
Edgewater
2/24/00
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