Thursday, September 04, 2025
UPDATED/CORRECTED
William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (September 3, 2025)(Cleary’s Notebook)–Last year, on my birthday, I embarked on a dream adventure to witness the majestic bull elk in their natural habitat. Nestled within the lush, wooded expanse of the Appalachian Mountains in Pennsylvania, I was exhilarated to spot not just one, but three colossal bulls accompanied by their herd of ten cows. They stood in a picturesque field so close that I could almost extend my hand to touch their majestic antlers! My companions for this unforgettable four-day excursion were my good friends Bob Bevan, Marty Sherry, and Bill Tourtual. With an elk population of approximately 1,400 roaming across a sprawling 35,000 square miles, the likelihood of an encounter is incredibly slim, making this sighting even more remarkable. The sheer size and beauty of these animals left a lasting impression on me. At that moment, we were deep in Potter County, a six-hour drive from our hometown of Gloucester City.
CLEARY’S NOTEBOOK PHOTO CREDIT
This year, our group is heading to the Pocono Mountains. This trip will offer us a wonderful opportunity to rekindle our childhood friendships, reminisce about the antics of our younger days in Gloucester City, and marvel at the transformation of the forest as the leaves change to various colors.
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You might think this sounds like a mundane trip, but reflecting on my previous adventures leads me to believe it will be anything but.
I recall the exhilarating experience of paragliding off the Wildwood coast with my wife, Connie. The ocean below us was astonishingly clear, revealing a breathtaking underwater world where hundreds of sharks and stingrays glided gracefully in a shimmering dance, just yards from the people swimming nearby. Another memorable escapade was our flight in the Snoopy Blimp, where we soared around the iconic Billy Penn statue perched atop Philadelphia City Hall. The butterflies in my stomach were palpable as we sat nervously in the glider, anticipating the moment when the aircraft would ascend into the sky, lifting us over the lush hills and forests that enveloped New Hope and Lambertville. When the plane finally released the tow cable, an enchanting silence enveloped us, interrupted only by the soft rustle of the wind. Below, the sun illuminated the brilliant fall foliage, creating a dazzling tapestry of colors that enhanced the beauty of the moment.
Our adventures also took us to Alaska, where we enjoyed an exhilarating flight in a pontoon plane that bounced along the serene waters, offering us breathtaking views of the stunning blue glaciers that dominate the landscape.
Some of my favorite memories include sitting in the press box at Veterans Stadium in 1980, captivated as the Phillies beat the Kansas City Royals in six games and clinched the World Series. I also remember attending a historic press conference with President Jimmy Carter in 1979 at the Gloucester City Knights of Columbus Hall. One of the most surreal moments was sharing a brief, yet memorable conversation with a young Donald Trump while riding silently in an empty elevator at the Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City.
One of my memorable adventures was a white-water rafting trip with Bevan, Ron Henefer, Marty Sherry, and Gary Marcucci. The prime time for rafting in our area is during April and May when the rivers swell with rushing spring waters and the temperature is still invigoratingly cold. The trip’s cost didn’t cover rentals for wetsuits, insulated socks, or rubber boots, which are essential for staying warm and dry. During that inaugural adventure, Marty took an unexpected plunge from the raft after it hit something underwater. He found himself caught in a swirling whirlpool. The churning waters dragged him beneath the surface, and for several heart-stopping seconds, we could only hold our breath as he vanished from sight. Then, like a cork bobbing up, he would emerge, gasping for precious air. At around 6’3″ and weighing close to 200 pounds, Marty is an imposing figure, yet in that moment, he looked utterly frightened. Ron, full of banter, yelled, “Stop fooling around, Mart!” He added, “Grab the cooler, Mart!” after it tumbled into the water when we hit a submerged rock. Marty shouted back with a flurry of expletives, desperate to keep his head above water.
The guide accompanying us in a kayak threw a rope to Marty and successfully pulled him from the whirlpool’s grip. Later, we couldn’t help but laugh at Ron’s suggestion to save the cooler. Miraculously, we found it lodged against a downed tree near the shoreline, but without the guide’s swift action, the day could have ended in tragedy for Marty.
In the 10-man raft depicted above, the adventurous crew includes (from front to back): an unknown face, Tom Tavener, the ever-enthusiastic Charlie Pacifico, the seasoned White Water Willie, another unknown adventurer, Larry Duke, the spirited Gerry Nakorka, the daring Wayne Riddell, the mayor of Gloucester City that year, Bob Bevan, and our knowledgeable guide navigating the waters. That winter, a blanket of heavy snow enveloped the landscape, leading to swollen water levels at the Francis E. Walter Dam, which overflowed with a rush of power. As a result, the dam remained open longer than usual, releasing torrents of churning water. The sky was shrouded in a thick layer of clouds, with strong winds whipping around us, creating an atmosphere of exhilarating uncertainty. Given these conditions, if you were to tumble into the frigid embrace of the water, the biting cold would seep through even the thickest wetsuit, leaving you shivering in its wake.
The following year, I organized another April rafting adventure on the Lehigh River using the name White Water Willie. At the time, I had no idea that this trip would be so dangerous. Despite it being spring, we faced cold temperatures that day. Plus, the skies were overcast, and there was a strong wind. Hidden rocks and fallen trees beneath the surface made it nearly impossible to navigate, resulting in several members of our group, which numbered 65, being tossed out of their six-man raft into the wild rapids.
The owner of the rafting company placed me and several others in a larger 10 to 12-man raft with an experienced guide. We were the last raft in our group, and as we paddled around a bend, we spotted a familiar face clinging desperately to a skinny, bent-over tree — it was Gary Marcucci! He and his companions had capsized and were struggling in the turbulent waters. Our guide yelled for him to jump into our raft, but understandably, he hesitated until the very last moment. When he finally made the leap, he landed in the raft, soaked and shaken but unharmed. I’ll never forget Charlie Pacifico’s playful jibe, teasing Gary, “You were always Mr. Cool in my book, but today you looked more like a drenched squirrel!”
Miraculously, everyone in our group made it back safely, each of us with stories to share. It was these moments of adventure and camaraderie that made those experiences not just memorable but meaningful. As life continues to unfold, I can’t wait to see what other wonders await us in the years ahead!
Miraculously, everyone in our group made it back safely, each of us with stories to share. It was these moments of adventure and camaraderie that made those experiences not just memorable, but meaningful. As life continues to unfold, I can’t wait to see what other wonders await us in the years ahead!
White water rapids are graded by levels of difficulty, according to Western River.com
- Class I Rapids – Moving Water Over Shallow Riverbed
- Class II Rapids – Waves that Make Fun Splashes
- Class III Rapids – Fun Waves with Thrill Factor, Requiring Some Technical Skill
- Class IV Rapids – Whitewater with Obstacles and More Technical Skills
- Class V Rapids – Rapids with major Obstacles That are Difficult to Avoid
- Class VI Rapids – Unnavigable Whitewater Rapids
The white water guides that day said afterwards that our trip should have been canceled based on the difficulty in navigating the water. They said the rapids that day were between Class III and Class V.
BALD EAGLES LIVING IN GLOUCESTER CITY
While taking Sweetie for a walk in the old industrial area of the city, I had the incredible fortune of spotting three American bald eagles perched majestically in a tree. It was 6:45 AM; there was no one else in the area. It felt like such a special gift from God, filling my heart with awe and wonder as I soaked in the beauty of these incredible creatures. Sweetie, our two-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever whom we recently adopted, seemed to share in my excitement. As we got closer, one eagle suddenly flew off in the opposite direction that we were walking, while the other two flew over our heads.
CLEARY’S NOTEBOOK PHOTO CREDIT
Recently, two young American Bald Eagles were spotted perched on a tall graffiti-tagged tower in the former industrial area of Gloucester City. Additionally, a jogger we spoke with who was running in the same section of the City said he had seen three mature bald eagles perched in the trees as he traveled nearby. “I believe that there are even more,” said the man who didn’t want to be identified.
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The following day, as we walked along Market Street near the Cedar Grove Cemetery, we were fortunate to see two more eagles. It was early in the day, and the sun was just rising. The older eagle, with its striking white feathered head and tail, was chasing the younger eagle, which was still cloaked in mottled brown feathers. We were so captivated by their graceful movements that we couldn’t bring ourselves to pull out our phone camera; we simply wanted to relish the moment.
In my 80 years living in Gloucester City, I had never encountered bald eagles in our hometown. Despite my many adventures as an outdoor enthusiast and a hunter exploring the stunning landscapes of the Pine Barrens and the Delaware Water Gap, I can’t recall ever spotting these magnificent birds in New Jersey. This experience felt truly extraordinary. It’s a reminder of how many opportunities there still are to discover the wonders of the world around us, even later in life.
The transformation of the American bald eagle over several years is nothing short of extraordinary. Juvenile eagles are mostly brown with mottled white patches, and it takes about five years for them to develop their iconic adult plumage.
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An enlarged photo of the 10-man raft is shown below
Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2025 at 10:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Comments
Gary Devine said…
Bill, I remember somebody rented a bus for a Gloucester City rafting trip on the Lehigh River.
We all paid for the bus and a keg of beer for the ride home. Our raft was Glenn Williams, Mark Williams, Luke Williams, Steve Williams, Dave Devine, Joe Devine and I. Whenever there was a calm spot in the River we would attack other rafts in our groups.
We all used our paddle to splash and soak the other rafters. The water was freezing cold during the month of April. Other rafts in our group paddle away from us.
When we got back to Gloucester there was beer remaining in the keg. We set the keg up in front of Gloucester liquors. We all drank in public right out on Broadway. Mayor Bevan was with us and the police car waved to us and drove by.
I had a colorful 8 by 10 photo of everybody on our raft. It was hanging up in our third floor hallway outside of my bedroom. Every time you climbed up those steps the photo was directly in front of you.
Great Memories!
Reply Wednesday, September 03, 2025 at 11:49 PM
CNBNewsnet said…
Thanks for sharing your memories, Gary.
How did seven of you fit into a six man raft? Those guys that made up your crew were big men.
Reply Thursday, September 04, 2025 at 08:26 AM
Gary Devine said…
Bill, we had another Gloucester City guy in our eight man raft but I can not remember who it was. I only remember the family members my brothers and cousins.