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Jeff Golden (6/63) says, “yes, you can go home:”
Over the summer, a friend had some court business in Newark last week. We planned to get together a few days earlier to plan his presentation. I thought he was going to get a hotel room somewhere around Newark, but he surprised me and got an Air BnB instead. I asked where is it. He said, "It’s in a town called Hillside. next town from Newark." Where in Hillside was my response. The address given was on Leslie Street. Turns out its 2 blocks from where I lived in Newark from age 8 in 1952 until I got married in 1967. So, I found myself living for 4 days in the old hood with two out-of-town strangers who had no preconceived ideas about Newark.
Keep in mind this guy came in to join me from California, his father from Texas. They know nothing about Newark and had no preconceived ideas about Newark. It’s hard to explain to strangers that Newark has two different histories; one up until 1967, and another from 1967 on.
I occasionally go back sightseeing in the old neighborhood. I don't mind driving through, or even walking, during daylight, but I don't think I would want to walk down some of the side streets at night. Now, here I was living there.
What were our accommodations like? The house is brand new. Zillow says the worth is $750 thousand. On Leslie Street, a half block from the Newark line! There is some other new construction nearby, but all of the houses in the area, both old and new, look very well cared for.
I-78 is now a defining landmark in Newark. I explained to my hosts that I-78 wasn't there when I lived in the neighborhood, I don't know where it goes, I've been away for a long time, and, regardless of what Google Maps is telling you, I'm going to go the way I know from before I-78 was built. So, driving into Newark for dinner in Ironbound, or to go to the courthouse, we would drive down to Elizabeth Avenue, and then downtown.
Everything in Newark looked pretty good, Keer, Chancellor, Elizabeth Avenues, and lower Clinton Avenue. Everything was in early-summer bloom in Weequahic Park. The roads were well maintained. Lots of new construction going on downtown.
I found it hard to not look for and point out landmarks to the out-of-towners like Weequahic High School, Chancellor Avenue School. But it’s difficult when you try to explain "this used to be here" or "this building used to be that." One whole side of Fabyan Place, where houses, the parking lot for Valley Fair, and the Fabyan Swim Club used to be, is now I-78 highway. We went past my until-age-8 home on Grumman Avenue. Over the years it deteriorated, then was fixed up, then deteriorated again, and now is fixed up again even better, and is one of the nicest looking houses on the block. Still, it was an enjoyable four days in Newark reconnecting with the old hood. Jeff
Tony Handler (57) shares his personal story with fellow Weequahic alumni with the hope that it gives some inspiration to cancer patients:
The purpose of sharing my personal story is not to initiate in our weekly Weequahic newsletter a discussion on cancer treatments or the benefit of exercise and self-discipline guides. The newsletter is not the forum for such discussions. Rather I share to give hope to other Weequahic graduates and with whom they choose to share my story.
In 1984, at age 45 years old, I was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer. After surgery, I was told I had two years to live. I did not like that prospect, so I decided to figure out a way to fight it. While recovering in the hospital, I saw the Ironman Triathlon on TV (it is a 2.5-mile swim, a 112-mile bike, and a 26.2-mile run). I was so impressed that I determined the triathlon was the way I will fight the prognosis.
I set 4 goals for myself when I got out of the hospital. First, to get in shape and do an Ironman Triathlon in my 60's. I completed one at 61 and then another at 62. Second, to do 300 shorter distance Triathlons
In 2021, I did #300 and decided that I will continue doing them until this old body says, "ENOUGH ALREADY.'' But in May I completed #327, so I have increased this goal to 350.
The third goal was to do a 1/2 Ironman (1.5-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13-mile run) for each birthday in my 70's. I completed all 9, 70-79. The fourth goal was to celebrate each new age with an age bike ride for each birthday in my 70s and 80s. I have completed the 70s’ rides, and the first four of the 80's. In May I rode 84 miles to celebrate my 84th.
I truly believe that all the above craziness (exercise) has helped me survive the six different types of cancer (pancreatic, prostate, basil cell, squamous cell, melanoma/3 times, and liver). I am still being treated for liver cancer with a monthly injection for the last 23 years.
In addition to all the exercise (training and racing) and having goals to keep me going, I am blessed to have great support from my family, especially from Narda my wonderful wife of 64 years.
It also helped to have many great doctors that got me through the 21 surgeries/procedures. So, if you are blessed (like I have been) to be able to exercise, hopefully you are able to do some, even if it’s only a short walk around the block. Remember: "DON'T EVER GIVE UP. THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE" Tony
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