Matt's Hod Dogs - Matt Chesbro, Tom Briggs

Griffin family pose, on Red Mill Rd, by Red Mill

Gerald Ingalls, at Ingalside

rowing on Greenville Pond, Elsie Roe & Cunningham across pond

Robert Archer painting (see text)

The Examiner Dec 1932 article

A superb Columbus Day weekend of weather had graced the Greenville area—the kind that is etched into the mists of memory of delightful mid-Octobers. The only complaint? The lack of rain this past month—a minor whine that most of us can dismiss for now.

A congenial crowd of about 20-25 came out for October’s show: Evelyn Jennings, Stephanie Ingalls, Carolyn Savery, Shirley & Orrin Stevens, Pat & Dave Elsbree, Lew Knott, Mary Heisinger, Anita & Bob Helms (first time), Judy & David Rundell, Marie & Bob Shaw, Christine Mickelsen, Tracy Boomhower and dad Richard Ferriolo, Rachel Ceasar, Dave Tschinkel, Ron Golden, Bette Welter, Don Teator, and a couple more who may have slipped through the fingers of my consciousness.

October is a timely month to unveil the new calendar and, to add some perspective and suspense, we presented a “Look Back” intro. Stephanie allowed me to talk her into selecting her favorite two pages of each of the first nineteen calendars, which then comprised the slide program.
          So, as we showed the cover and the two favorites, I narrated, Stephanie added a note or two, and the audience asked questions. It was a wonderful opportunity to view slices of Greenville’s history and a chance to congratulate ourselves for amassing a photographic archive that was not available twenty five years ago.
          For the record, Stephanie picked:
1991: classes of 1929 GFA, King Hill haying
1992: Vanderbilt theater interior, 1888 Blizzard on Main Str
1993: Red Mill log pile, moving of Rundell house
1994: Matt’s hot dog stand, aerial of 1993 Greenville
1995: GCS scaffolding/construction, farm machinery show on 4 corners
1996: GFA students, Willowbrook schoolhouse
1997: Freehold creek-stone road, Toot Vaughn on Main Street
1998: John I & store in 1969, Freehold Church
1999: gazebo construction, dredging of pond
2000: Episcopal Church, Sherrill House
2001: Simpson/Panzarino house on Red Mill Rd, Griffin family pose in ladder
2002: first car in Greenville, stone arch culvert into pond
2003: Freehold bridge replacement, Stanley Ingalls by town roller
2004: Gerald Ingalls & tractor, Greenville basketball team circa 1930
2005: Pioneer office, Norton Hill cattle drive on Main Street
2009: Alberta Lodge, Merritt & Ruth Elliott wedding
2010: rowboat on pond, Greenville Center
2012: Country Estates aerial, Main Street winter
2014: Red Mill Dam, Powell Store
            Thank you, Stephanie, for worthy selections. Included in this newsletter are some of Stephanie’s selections.
(no calendars: 2006-2008, 2011, 2013)

 We then perused the 2015 Calendar page by page, and I fielded questions as they arose. When we turned to the inside back cover, we took time to recognize our honorees—Pat & Dave Elsbree, and then Richard Ferriolo, all of whom were present. (Each time we do this, I cannot help but think of the quality and character of so many people who have called the Greenville area home.)
          (Based on the feedback, or lack thereof, the 2016 Recognition is done. And following tradition, I will keep the recipient(s) a surprise until spring-time, unless public opinion wishes otherwise. I will put out an appeal next summer to start a new list.)
          The calendars are available for sale—$9 each. They will be available at Kelly’s, GNH, Tops, and the Library; if you can think of more good sites, let me know. And if you wish to sell some on your own, wonderful; call me to arrange to get copies. (Reduced prices are available at the November meeting or by arranging a pick-up at the “Freehold Distribution Center” (my house [ha]).
          Purchase by mail is possible. Let me know by phone, email, or mail (Don Teator, 3979 Rt 67, Freehold, 12431). Make sure I have a mailing address. Payment, if not cash, can be by check: Greenville Local History Group (same address). Cost: $9 each for first three; $8 each after that.
          It should be noted that the cost of the calendar was mostly covered before we started. About half came from Russell Lewis’s Eagle Scout project fund-raising. After historical marker expenses were paid, those responsible made the decision to donate the remainder to the GLHG. And I thought this contribution would best be memorialized in the production of the calendar.
          The other half came from the memorial contributions when my mother passed away, and nearly a dozen people contributed. So, my mother’s interest in local history comes full circle with a calendar made possible by so many thoughtful contributors.

A procedural highlight of the evening was the Group’s first use of the overhead projector, necessitating a door-facing orientation, a change for us. ...

A thank you goes to Stephanie and Christine for refreshments again. Appreciated, as always. And thank you, Stephanie, for the clean-up afterward.

Other notes:
          The GLHG has/had helped lend support to Russell Lewis’s Eagle Scout project. The Court of Honor Ceremony was held October 5 in a fitting ceremony, and I spoke in my/our behalf. The family appreciates our support.
          The November 10 program will feature Walter Ingalls reminiscing of life from his early days—of people, places, events that have changed or disappeared, ranging from hometown (Norton Hill) to areas close-by. If you have subjects for Walter to address, email or call me and I will work it into the agenda. Walter agreed to this program only if I would act as lion-tamer, steering us to the next topic whenever needed. I agreed, knowing this should be another classic local history program.
          In the September newsletter, I made mention of a GCS dedication article, but ran out of room to include it. So, here is one of GCS’s milestones from the Dec 29, 1932, The Examiner. Thank you, Lew.
          On this 19^th past, Deb and I went to listen to Larry Tompkins talk about his new book, Out Windham Way, a history of the town with a ton of photographs. For those interested in Windham, it is a worthy addition to your local history library.
          Just before press time, I got a call about a Robert Archer painting, the photograph copy of which is included in this newsletter. The person in possession of it would like to know more about and possibly sell it; it measures 16” x 20”, and in frame almost 24” x 28”. If anyone knows anything about it or about a possible market for such an item, let me know.
          A reminder: After looking at the Yearbook collection, we are still missing the GCS yearbooks of 1984, 1992, and 1993. If you can find one for the files, you will hear me cheering. In fact, if you would like to trade one for a calendar, I could make that happen.
          The puzzle of Jackass Hollow seems to be solved. It is located, as I thought, on some back road between Gayhead and Earlton. More specifically, Jackass Hollow is near the intersection of Rudolph Weir and Harold Meyer Roads, in the area of Deyo Rd. Thank you, Ted Hilscher and Kathie Williams, for the leads. A reference to this obscure corner of the county can be found on Facebook.
          I have some ideas for next year’s programs but am always looking for more input. So far, the leading contenders are: Main Street Greenville; cemeteries; more of the general stores; an interview (got a person in mind?); and…. send me some ideas. .....

Take care,
Don