I have been so preoccupied with other stories I missed the great news about ClearysNotebook hitting the milestone of 50,000 visitors earlier today.

The blog was started in August just as a lark. My knowledge of computers is limited while my familiarity about operating a Blog was zero. But I thought what the heck I would give it a try.

I never dreamed the popularity of the site would grow as fast as it did. The success of the site is owed to all of you. Your encouraging words have kept me going.

Looking at the other stats I noticed the site has logged 2, 373 posts in that period of time and 592 people wrote in to post a comment. Plus there are over 1000 photos available for viewing.

In the beginning ClearysNotebook was receiving on average 500 visitors a week. But soon after the numbers started to increase and increase. Now on a daily basis the number of visitors average between 500 and 600 a day. While the number of page views on a daily basis is 1100.

My goal is to have that number of daily visitors reach a 1000 a day. I plan to make some more improvements such as adding videos to view (just need to learn how to do it).

Thank you again for your support. If you see any area where I can improve give me yell.

Bill

By Bill Cleary

Gloucester City is one of 40 communities to be named by Philadelphia Magazine as A Community to Watch. The March magazine article, written by Michael Callahan, looked at hundreds of towns both in the Philadelphia region and in the South Jersey area before picking the next hot neighborhoods.

Some of the guidelines Callahan used to choose the elite 40 towns, included such things as the proximity to center City Philadelphia, big shifts in population and wealth revitalized downtown.

Timothy Haas, Philly Magazine online editor was asked what stood out about Gloucester City. Why did Philly Magazine predict Gloucester City\’s name will go up in lights in the next 10 years? Why was it chosen as A Community to Watch?

 Haas said, \”The idea wasn\’t that each of the 40 communities matched each of the trends; just at least one of them. Gloucester City fits within trend #3 as a town with good bones — its walk able, it\’s on the water, it has solid housing stock, and is of course very close to the bridge to Philly. \” 

Besides Gloucester City the other communities named as A Community to Watch in Camden County were Collingswood, Haddon Township and Merchantville.

The Gloucester County communities chosen were Glassboro, Mullica Hill, Pitman and Swedesboro.

The Burlington County communities, Bordentown City, Burlington City, Palmyra, and Riverton.

Haas said, \”we have highlighted towns and neighborhoods we predict will see big popularity gains (and hence price gains) in the next five to 10 years, or least be pretty solid bets. 

For example, in Gloucester City there were 216 homes sold in 2006 with a median price of $119,950, the one year price shift was 22 percent, the three-year price shift was 68 percent. The magazine predicts in 10-years the value of homes in Gloucester City will increase by 50 percent. The non-rush drive time to Center City Philadelphia, 15 minutes.

There were 201 homes sold in Collingswood in 2006 with a median price of $228,000. The one-year price shift increase by 4 percent; the three-year price shift, 41 percent. In 10-years the value of homes will increase by 112 percent. The non-rush drive time to Center City, 15 minutes.

Haddon Township, 201 homes sold in 2006 with a median price of $243,000. One-year price, 2 percent; the three-year price shift, 34 percent. In 10-years the value of homes will increase by 71 percent. The non-rush drive time to Center City, 17 minutes.

 

sTORY Written by Home News Tribune Online 04/30/07
STAFF REPORT

Notre Dame broke a 4-4 tie with two runs in the ninth inning to defeat the Rutgers baseball team, 6-4, in a see-saw battle in front of a Bainton Field record crowd of 1,024 on Sunday.

The loss dropped Rutgers (25-16, 13-5 in the Big East) out of first place in the Big East standings for the first time in more than a month, a game behind league leader St. John\’s and into a tie with Louisville.

Tied at 4-4, Notre Dame\’s Danny Dressman led off the ninth with a slow bouncer between the pitcher\’s mound and first base for a single and Jeremy Barnes hit a ball to the wall in center field for an RBI triple before scoring on a sacrifice fly to give the Irish (24-19, 8-9 in Big East) a 6-4 lead.

The Scarlet Knights threatened in the bottom of the ninth, putting two of the first three batters on with a Todd Frazier walk and a Ryan Hill single, and moved both into scoring position on a double steal with two outs. Notre Dame lefty reliever Sam Elam came in to face the lefty Tom Edwards and struck out the Scarlet Knight to give Notre Dame the victory.

With the score knotted at 2-2 in the top of the sixth, the Irish put a pair of runners on, but pitcher Casey Gaynor got Matt Weglarz to hit grounder to third base, where Tim Querns picked it up, stepped on third and fired the ball to second baseman Mike Bionde for the force at second and Bionde completed a triple play when he threw to first baseman Tom Edwards to get Weglarz.

Gaynor ended the day with five strikeouts and allowed four runs on five hits in a strong 7.2 innings. Chris Lillis (2-2) was charged with the loss, giving up two runs on two hits and a strikeout in 1.1 innings of relief.

PRINCETON SPLITS: Needing a sweep of the four-game series at Cornell to tie Penn for the Ivy League\’s Gehrig Division title, Princeton University\’s baseball team lost the final game of the weekend, 5-4 in 12 innings on Sunday to be eliminated from title contention.

The Tigers won the opener 7-5.

Ted Morris from Universal Field Services (UFS) said I would receive $28,000 in installments over three and one-half years after the state forced me to move to make room for the new middle school. I had lived at 507 Jersey Ave.

I have lived here in Gloucester City all my life. I moved to another home. My landlord and Mr. Morris discussed my lease and agreements. I moved December 10, 2004.

The state sent me a check for $7,800 that I gave to my landlord for rental assistance. The next year, on December 10, I called Ted Morris and I was told that he no longer works there and Elaine Hathaway took over my case.

I asked her for my check and she said she did deposit the check into my landlord\’s checking account. On December 10, 2006, I called about my money and they discharged Elaine. Leslie Pachanco took over my case.

My landlord called and said he never received money from UFS this year. I called and called and all I have gotten is the run around. Now my landlord has filed for eviction. I have to go to court on April 26. I need help, my children go to school here, and I cannot afford to lose my home.

The state still owes me $7,800 for this year and $4,600 for the next year.

Michael Burke and Family, Gloucester City

The meeting of the Gloucester City Breakfast Club was held Saturday, April 28 at the Train Station. Guests were Tom \”ChooChoo\” Murphy, Bill \”Wibby\” Yeager, Walt Hall. Members present, Bill and George Cleary, Harry and Jim Blymer, Jim Coppola, Joe DiGiacomo, John Hindsley, Joe Miller, Chalie Pitzo, Ron Villanova, Jack Persichette, Ron Raube, Harry Walker.

Winner of the 50-50 Coppola. By the way he was in charge of the numbers bucket; not to say there was anything wrong but….. !

The Club meets the fourth Saturday of each month at the Train Station, 9:30 PM. All are welcome. Next meeting Saturday, May 26th. The organization was formed in May 2006 by Chalie Pitzo. Chalie is out of the hospital and is able to walk with the assistance of a cane. He like to thank everyone for their prayers and cards.
See the Album

A lifelong resident of Gloucester City, NJ, age 80, passed away with his family by his bedside on April 26, at the home of his sister and brother in law Edna and Rich Geiser. Survived by his daughter Mary Jane (George) Muncey, grandchildren John Black and Melissa (Colin) Law, and great granchildren Nicole Black and Cameron and Avery Law. Walter was the son of the late Charles P. and Catherine Smith, Sr. Dear brother of Margaret (Tom Schoell) Hargesheimer, Edna (Rich) Geiser, both of Gloucester City, John (Lorraine) Smith and James Smith both of Westville. His God Son Mike Hargesheimer, special friends Kenny and Chrissy Martin of Cape May, and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews also survive him. He was predeceased by his siblings Catherine McCormick, Lena, George, Harry and Charles Smith, Jr.

In his younger days Walter enjoyed roller skating with his sister Lena and going to the casinos with his brother in law Rich. A proud Army Veteran of WWII, Walter was a member of the Townsend C. Young VFW Post #3620, and The American Legion Post #135 of Gloucester City.

Relatives and friends are invited to meet on Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 PM and again on Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the Etherington-Creran Funeral Home, 700 Powell St., Gloucester City, NJ. Walter\’s funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM. Interment Woodbury Memorial Park, West Deptford, NJ.

 

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ-The Gloucester City Pond Gang poses for a photo taken in the 1950\’s at Martins Lake, Brown Street and Sparks Avenue.

The \”Rough & Ready\” guys are (bottom) from left, Jungle Murphy, Pete Coppola, Bob Grub, Beaver, Butch Shaffer, Jake Burkardt, Bill \”Wiby\” Yeager, Frank \”Reds\” Grandizio, Jim Clements, Stanley Schellcroft.

Do you have a photo to share? Send it to [email protected]

After becoming Chairman of the City\’s Democrat Organization last month, my first order of business was to issue a letter to all registered Democrats in Gloucester City seeking individuals who would be interested in running for either City Council or the City\’s Democrat Committee. The letter appeared in the GCN and a number of people answered the call. I held discussions with the current members of the Democrat Executive Board, as well as the Independent Mayor and Council. The purpose of these discussions was to ensure that the Democrat Party put forth the best candidates for Gloucester City. As a result, I am pleased to say that the Democrat organization is putting forth a united slate of candidates for Gloucester City\’s future.

Before I address this year\’s candidates, I first want to address those individuals who will not be seeking reelection this year. Democrat County Committee members not seeking reelection include: Roseanne Michel, Paul Kormann, Margaret Barr, Jim Rauchut, Jean Kaye and Patrick Keating. These fine individuals have been the backbone of Democrat campaigns for a number of years. They have promoted Democrat values and worked diligently for every Democrat candidate on the ballot. Their service has not only been appreciated by me, but by the entire organization. Their tireless work will not be forgotten, and it is my hope that they will be able to pass some of their experience on to those individuals who will be running this year.

City Council members not seeking reelection include Anthony \’Rocky\’ Kormann, Elsie Loebell and Jean Kaye. Rocky has served the residents of the 1^st Ward for a number of years with honor and dignity. He has worked to ensure their interests, as well as the interests of all City residents, were met. Elsie replaced my grandfather on City Council, and I still recall stuffing envelopes in her living room. As the senior member of council, she has served on all most all committees and has truly been a voice for the residents of the 2^nd Ward. Jean has led the fight on the housing committee to ensure our City\’s housing stock is held to the highest standard. She has been a tireless worker for the residents of the 3^rd Ward and she has always been accessible to their needs. Rocky, Elsie and Jean, I thank each of you for your years of service to Gloucester City and the Democrat Organization.

As was mentioned in last week\’s GCN the endorsed Democrat council candidates for 2007 include: John Hutchinson – 1^st Ward; Bruce Parry – 2^nd Ward; and Kellie Ferry – 3^rd Ward. These individuals have been involved with various organizations for a number of years and I believe that they will continue the tireless work of their predecessors on City Council. The 2007 Democrat Committee candidates include: 1^st Ward – AnnaMarie Smith, Carol Stafford, Patrick Hagan and Robert Saunders; 2^nd Ward – Bernadette Flinn, Vanessa Courant, Raymond W. Coxe and Frank Wunsch; and 3™ Ward – Mary DeFoney, Helen \”Lynn\” Bucher, Daniel Cosner and Sean Murphy. Again, these fine individuals are not new to Gloucester City. They will continue promoting Democrat values as well as Democrat candidates. They will be there to be YOUR liaison to your respective council persons.

On a personal note, last week\’s GCN article stated that \”.. .the newcomers of the City Democrat organization have won out,\” and \”.. .the New Organization.\” These statements are truly false and it is a disservice to have these statements printed in the City News. The only winners are the residents of Gloucester City. They will have individuals who are willing to work tirelessly on their behalf to continue economic development, improving our infrastructure, working with our Board of Education and striving to take Gloucester City to that next level. There is no new organization, and an apology should go all too all current and past members of the Gloucester City Democrat Club. Each month the Club advertises its meeting and in the advertisement it states to \”.. .bring a friend,\” so while we may have new members joining, which is a good thing, I can assure you, there is NO new organization.

Raymond W. Coxe Chairman

On April 27, 2007. (nee Batten) Age 70. Of Gloucester City. Loving wife of 47 years to Benjamin F. King, Jr. Devoted mother of Benjamin F. King, III (Maura) of Glassboro, Jeanne Snyder (Richard) of Gloucester Heights, Michael T. King (Kathy) of Cherry Hill and Carol Dera (Edward) of East Greenwich Township. Beloved grandmother of Brandon, Jeffrey, Nicholas, Benjamin, Emily, Jill, Laura, Alex, Mark and Bailey.

Margaret was born, raised and lived her entire 70 years in Gloucester City. She was a graduate of Gloucester Catholic High School Class of 1954 and was involved with a lunch group of her classmates to the present day. Margaret was a lifelong and devoted parishioner of Saint Mary\’s R.C. Church in Gloucester City.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her viewing on Tuesday Evening from 6 to 8 pm and Wednesday morning from 10 am to 11 am at Saint Mary\’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 am in the church.

Interment New Saint Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr. There will be no viewing at the funeral home. Family requests that memorial donations in lieu of flowers be made in Margaret\’s memory to the American Cancer Society: 1851 Old Cuthbert Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 or to the Dominican Sisters of Hope: 820 Hudson Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Please write in the memo of the check Margaret Ellen King. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Margaret Ellen King.