Then they built the new Gloucester Diner ( I think it was in the early 50’s) one block north of the old Diner on Broadway between Market and Joy Streets (where the liquor store stands today).

It was a great improvement. All the young people in Gloucester, who had cars, went there at night. The food was pretty good.

After the dances (usually on Friday nights) Park dance, Gloucester High and Gloucester Catholic everybody would go to the diner to eat and occasionally get into a good fight. After the last call in the bars, 2 o’clock in the morning, people would all stop in for the bacon and eggs. And on the weekends the sailors came over from Philly and they would get into a fight with the Gloucester guys.

There are many more stories about the diner, that I can’t think of right now but I will tell you my story.

It was the summer of 1954 and I had just turned 17 years old. I was racing Lowell Hubbs on Lane Avenue. A Gloucester City policeman, Pete Sherman, followed us with his lights out. He pulled me over and gave me a reckless driving ticket. I lost my license for 60 days. Lowell Hubbs was the lucky one. He got away scott free.

After I lost my license I would walk down to the Gloucester diner in the evenings to catch a ride with someone. On one particular Saturday night I was supposed to meet Frank Boden and a kid from Westville named Ozzie ( I don’t remember his last name). On my way down to the diner I stopped at St. Mary’s church and went to confession. By the time I got to the diner Frank and Ozzie had already left and there was no one else around. I was mad and walked home.

The next morning, I was washing my father’s car for something to do. My uncle, Tom Yeager, came over and asked if I knew what happened to Frank Bowden the night before. My uncle Tom was a neighbor of Frank’s. I told him I was supposed to go out with him, but missed him. My uncle told me that Frank and Ozzie had a head on collision at Delsea Drive and Olive Street in Westville.

They were racing another kid from Gloucester. The kid who was the other driver in the crash was Ludd Juergen from Woodbury.

I went to visit Ludd in the hospital and I told him who the guys were in the other car and that the accident was not his fault.

Both Frank and Ozzie were killed instantly.

I won’t go into any more detail other than there were other places we hung out around town:

1) Powell’s luncheonette on Broadway in Gloucester

2) Ann’s Sweet Shop in Gloucester Heights on Nicholson Road

3) Security Restaurant in Gloucester Heights on Route 130

4) Thelma’s on Route 130 across from Gloucester Auto Body

5) Del Val Diner on Route 130 where King of Pizza is now

6) Dan’s corner, Route 130 and Browning Road across from

Ponzio’s

7) Ship Diner on the Brooklawn circle

8) Murphy House on the other Brooklawn circle

9) Weber’s Root Beer, on Route 130 Brooklawn is still there

today

There were other places where the kids hung out but these are the ones that I remember.

Note: Bill Wibby Yeager is a former resident of Gloucester City who now resides in Delaware. He is active member of the Breakfast Club

Related: Breakfast Club

You have no idea how good I feel right now. Pass this on to those whom you think might be in need of inner peace…

Submitted by Cathy Gottert

Category Chuckles

3. Roll Call:

5. Resolutions

R275 Resolution of Condolence – Richard Geiser

R276 Resolution of Condolence – William Brown

R279 Authorizing Handicapped Parking Spaces: Removing 220 N. King Street

R280 Authorizing Endorsement of Treatment Works Approval Application

O22 Amending Chapter 87 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the City Code of the City of Gloucester City

O23 Regulating Fences

for second reading and public hearing this evening:

O19 Amending Chapter 66A of the Code of Gloucester City Entitled Public Facilities User Fees 

7. Old Business/New Business:

a) Bills paid from Sept. 26^th to Oct. 15, 2008 $ 829,331.91

Bills approved on Oct. 23, 2008 $ 375,291.28

__________________

Total amount being approved $ 1,204,623.19

The Governing Body has approved the following rules governing the procedures of the Open (General) Public Forum: Any citizen or taxpayer wishing to address the Governing Body may do so after approaching the rail, stating his or her name and address and being recognized by the chair. Said citizen or taxpayer will then be permitted to address the Governing Body for five minutes. After all persons wishing to address the Governing Body have had the opportunity, persons may approach the rail for a second and final five-minute interval during this session.

9. Adjournment:

Related: Tips and Snippets

Category: City of Gloucester City

Category: Gloucester City

Complying with NJASA\’s Full Disclosure Initiative

The combination of Mr. Joseph G. Rafferty\’s education and experience makes him well suited to move education forward in the Mt. Ephraim School District. As the Chief Education Officer, Mr. Joseph G. Rafferty is responsible for the overall direction of the school district, including the instruction and safety of school children, the upkeep and expansion of facilities, and the recruitment and retention of the best teachers and staff.

For more information on the NJASA, visit http://njasa.net.