Three friends had a good friend named Joe and he was, naturally, an eternal optimist. At every bad situation he would always say \’\’It could have been worse.\’\’ His friends hated that quality about him, so they came up with a story so horrible that not even Joe could come up with a bright side. So the next day, only two of his friends showed up for a golf date. Joe asked, \’\’Where\’s Gary?\’\’ And one of his friends said, \’\’Didn\’t you hear? Yesterday, Gary found his wife in bed with another man, shot them both, and then turned the gun on himself.\’\’ Joe says,\’\’Well it could have been worse.\’\’ Both his friends said, \’\’How in hell could it be worse? Your best friend just killed himself!\’\’ Joe says, \’\’If it had happened two days ago, I\’d be dead now!

If you have topic that you feel deserves to be highlighted as a \”Letter to the Editor\” on ClearysNotebook write your remarks in a Word document or in your email.

Send to [email protected]. In the subject line write Letter to the Editor.

Helen Hambleton, formerly of Gloucester City, Succumbs at age 81

Helen Louise Hambleton (nee Anderson) died March 1, 2007 in Elkton, Md. following a lengthy illness.
She was 81. Born in Gloucester City, NJ, she resided in Haddon Township, NJ for 50 years before recently moving to Elkton, MD.

Mrs. Hambleton was devoted to her family and worked for years with her husband in the family real estate and insurance business in Gloucester City. She graduated from Gloucester High in 1943 where she served as her class Vice-President and captained the Cheerleader squad.

Survived by her daughter of Clarence and Helen Anderson, and sister of the late William Anderson, she is survived by her beloved husband, William F. Hambleton of Elkton; daughter Gail L. Jeral and husband Gary ; son Mark D. Hambleton and wife Lisa of Hillsborough NC; sister Joan M. Pierce of Gloucester City, NJ; six grandchildren, Shannon Noon and husband Michael of Oaklyn NJ, Jessica Magee of Phila., Pa., Shawn Jeral of Woodbury, NJ, Rebecca, Jennifer and Christopher Hambleton, all of Hillsborough NC; and one great-grandchild, Ella Gail Noon.

Funeral arrangements are private. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice in the memory of Helen L. Hambleton.

DAVIS, VALENTINA P.
(nee Vasylenko) of Bellmawr, suddenly on March 3, 2007. Aged 54 years.
Valentina emigrated from the Ukraine in 1992 and served as an aide to people suffering from Alzheimer\’s Disease.
She will be remembered as a loving and devoted homemaker and caring friend.
She is the beloved wife of 12 years to Richard D., devoted mother of Iryna Vasylenko and loving grandmother of Klavdiya Vasylenko.
Viewing 10 AM and Funeral Service 11 AM Wednesday in the McGUINNESS FUNERAL HOME, 34 Hunter St., Woodbury. Entombment Arlington Cemetery Mausoleum, Pennsauken.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice in Valentina\’s name.
Tributes and memories may be shared at: www.mcgfuneral.com

The Gloucester City Streets Department has begun work on removing a section of the Fort Nassau playground on Johnson Blvd. The city held a number of meetings to discuss the condition of the playground which was pictured on ClearysNotebook in September 2006. The caption posted in September read,

\”The playground at the Johnson Blvd Jogging Field was constructed in April 1999 using donations from the business community along with the hard work of over 100 volunteers. It took four days to build and when completed it was a site to behold. Just seven years later the Fort is showing wear and neglect. \’

According to a recent news release from Mayor and Council the City plans are,

\”Instead of removing the entire playground as originally stated due to decaying, vandalism and problems at the location, the City has decided to let approximately 50% of the playground remain while adding the new metal prefabricated apparatus in its same location. The City is also looking into a video surveillance system with cameras to record the daily activities at this location. This will hopefully reduce the number of incidents as well as help our police force better control the area. We think this is a great compromise. We thank the participation of the original committee who help evaluate this situation. A work party will still be needed by the committee and local citizens to help restore the existing structure; i.e. staining, new signs, etc. This shows true cooperation between the City and the citizens. 

Monmouth Street Shopping District Growing-Gloucester City Food Market, 529 Monmouth Street recently opened their doors for business.

ClearysNotebook urges the public to patronize the businesses in their community by Shopping Local First!

P.S. I am sad to report Pennies from Heaven has closed.

O\’TOOLE

Hilda C.

On March 3, 2007. (nee Peters) Age 90. Of Sewell, Formerly of Gloucester City. Loving wife of the late Francis O\’Toole. Devoted mother of Ralph L. Everwine, Sr. of Gloucester City. Beloved grandmother of Ralph L. Everwine, Jr. (Reita), Stacey Einstein-Jennings (Frank), Stephanie Paul (Alan) and Jennifer Myers (Larry). Dear Great-grandmother of Josh (Heather), Ben, Matt, Erik, Anthony, Mallory, Wyatt, Taylor and Lauren. Cherised great-grandmother of Jacob. Hilda was a resident of Gloucester City for over 50 years. She loved to play bingo, travel to the Atlantic City Casinos and go on deep-sea fishing trips. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her visitation on Friday afternoon from 1:30 to 2 pm at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, (at Brown Street) Gloucester City. Baptist Service 2 pm at the funeral home officiated by Dr. Jim Doster of Lighthouse Baptist Church. Cremation will be private at the request of the family. There will be no evening visitation. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Hilda C. O\’Toole.

LAIGAIE, BETH
On March 2, 2007 (nee Boyle) of National Park formerly of Gloucester City, NJ, age 65 years.
Beloved wife of Richard T. Laigaie. She is the loving mother of Renee Laigaie and Denise Jeffers, and devoted grandmother of Stephanie, Tyler, Zachary, Dylan, Alexa,and Reilly. She was the dear sister of Diana Franchi and William Boyle, Jr.
Beth spent many years as an office manager, but most of all loved caring for and spending time with her family.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet Wednesday morning from 9:00 to 10:30AM at the ETHERINGTON-CRERAN FUNERAL HOME 700 Powell Street, Gloucester City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00am at St. Mary\’s Church 426 Monmouth St., Gloucester City. Interment to follow Woodbury Memorial Park, W. Deptford, NJ. There will be no evening viewing.