|
Howard R0senof (66)
I published my second book, Engineering, Your Career, available online (Link to "Engineering Your Career") and through bookstores. The book is based on my experience as a student, an employed engineer, an engineering consultant, a corporate manager and an entrepreneur. It provides career and educational guidance for engineers and those thinking about becoming engineers. I address such questions as whether engineering is in fact a profession or more like a trade. I worked mostly on control systems for heavy industry, focusing on AI-based systems in the latter part of my career. Howard
Gary Prager (1/61) adds to his previous comments on the “Weequahic lifestyle:”
I read with interest Brenda Allen O' Niell's (64) comments, especially about my father. Dad was one of the largest PM (Port Murray) distributors in Newark, Irvington, Union and parts of Hillside. As a result of his large customer base, he knew many, many of his customers on a personal basis. In fact, one of our neighbors suggested my father run for mayor.
Brenda's post reminded me of something I've often mused about in a more circumspect format. Several of the small business owners of the South Ward/Weequahic Section owned operations serving the area. Because of the tight knit nature of the residents (many of the inhabitants were 1st or 2nd generation immigrants living in the area and of a common ethnicity), residents developed a modified "barter" system. That is, my father had a large milk distributorship. In return, many of his customers would provide services to our family. Our egg and butter were delivered by Milton Jacks. His family was a customer of my father's. Ditto for Fisher Brother's Dry Cleaners (of Bradley Beach fame, I think?). Our dentist, Dr Alan Abrams was also a customer. And so it goes; or went years ago. As this unique barter system developed, it created an upwardly mobile group where many people could relocate from the Prince Street area to the developing Weequahic/Clinton Hill sections.
Alluding to my original post mentioning the “Weequahic lifestyle,” if anyone ventured a degree of introspection relating to the reference, they'd see that many of the subsequent posts described their youth as living in the bordering Weequahic sections. Those little isolated few blocks (Leo Place, Millington Avenue, Vernon Avenue, Nairin Place, and the environs), presented a middle-class lifestyle a bit different than the Weequahic neighborhood. In fact, many of the comments I've recently seen were posted by residents of the bordering neighborhoods describing their experiences. Of course, that changed a bit when we got our driver’s licenses and frequented Lyons Lanes, Bergen Street on Saturdays and outside those few blocks.
I hope this reminiscence recalls the nostalgia some of we alums remember. The salient feature of my original post was not to exhibit a "class struggle" between habitats. But, rather, to show how that unique corner of Newark evolved into an extremely productive operation producing a plethora of notable, successful, and famous personalities All due, in large part, to the modified barter system and sense of "we're all in it together." Although the demographics may have changed, the one constant that will always endure is the all-encompassing word, “WEEQUAHIC!” Gary
Thoughts of W-Then:
Philip Lustig (46)
My bid to fame is that Philip Roth and I were at WHS together, he, one class behind and his brother Sandy a contemporary, We graduated the same year. Also, we both lived on Leslie Street, the Roth’s at 385 and me at 153. Philip was a great writer and a step away from being a Nobel prize winner, but died too early.
After my 60 years as a freelance photographer, around the world four times on assignment, visiting 88 countries, returning as Director of Photography at the Fingerhut Corp, and thirty years with the Franklin Mint, my third career was as a Short Story writer and poet, I credit osmosis on Leslie Street floating down from his home as a gift from Philip, Our same name, being more fate, as well. It’s been a great ride that 'ain’t over yet.’ Regards to all.
Marc Tarabour (6/63)
Leave it to Weequahic’ s historian Jeff Golden, my classmate, to solve the “Gazebo” in Weequahic Park story, thanks Jeff, you are amazing.
To Fred “Derf” Goldman (6/62), my feelings living on the Hawthorne Avenue side are exactly as you remember them. I believe the biggest differences were friends living in homes from Bergen to the park and from Chancellor to the Hillside line. That section to me was the defining difference to the economic disparity. The best part is it never hampered relationships that I have to this day and will cherish forever.
One more thing Fred, your peers not smoking etc. makes me jealous. My peers and I started smoking (it was cool) at 12. You were very fortunate to have friends who helped you avoid those unhealthy choices. Marc
Neil Frederick (56)
That pocket park on Runyon and Elizabeth Avenues was called Schlyfer Park. Neil
| 
