Chapter 3: Riffs Of Nostalgia

Our “Camelot”

I affectionately refer to early childhood as our “Camelot.”

It was a pleasant blur of playing, visiting relatives in the Newark area, going to drive-in movies, family parties at our house, day trips to Keansburg, Johnson Park, and Turtleback Zoo, and going down the shore at Long Branch, where family owns property.

We’d grab a hot dog at Max’s on the boardwalk, and go on the rides at the amusement pier, “Kids’ World” (which unfortunately burned down in 1987. A gas leak was the determined cause).

When the Haunted Mansion was built in the late ’70s, you could hear the ominous music for blocks.

There were also jaunts to Keansburg and Asbury Park to go on the kiddie rides, and other fun things.

musicnotes-tiny“Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves” by Cher

Cher – Gypsies Tramps & Thieves

As Steve became more of a playmate and less of a baby lump, we began inventing games and songs to pass the time.

My favorite car was our silver with black vinyl hardtop 1966 Cadillac Sedan DeVille. I loved going everywhere in it, and preferred it to our sporty 1964 Thunderbird (a powerhouse in its own right).

1966 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1966 Cadillac Sedan DeVille, pretty close to what we had. Ours was silver with black top and interior.
A gorgeous car
A gorgeous car

Miami Or Bust

We took that car down to Miami Beach the summer of ’71, and my brother spent the week with Grandmommy and Papa. Mom, Dad and I had a wonderful time on that trip. We stayed at the famed Fontainebleau Hotel.

fontainebleau

Most of my memories from that trip come from the movies of the beach, pool, aquarium, and other sights along the way. They captured a delightful time for me.

I remember a photo of Mom pointing to a door to a room that was said to have been Frank Sinatra’s favorite suite.

From the June 7, 2012 Huffington Post (penned by Levi Forte, known by some as “The Battling Bellman”, a former professional boxer and an employee of the Fontainebleau Miami Beach):

“In its heyday, the Fontainebleau was the place to be. Movie stars and musicians occupied every corner of the hotel. Muhammad Ali stayed here and I worked directly with Frank Sinatra whenever he visited. Years after our fight, I ran into Mr. Foreman, who was staying at the Fontainebleau with his youngest son. He proclaimed once again he would never give me that rematch.”

I do recall getting carsick once on that trip. We were eating at a diner and I must have looked green because Dad picked me up QB-style and tried to hustle out the door before I blew. Well … at least he tried. They dropped a generous tip on the table and left.

Before dinner at Miami's Fontainebleau
Before dinner at Miami’s Fontainebleau. The outfit, which Mom made to match hers, is also pictured at the top of this page.

Mom later told me that I was so well-behaved at dinner on that trip, other patrons approached to compliment us on it.

She always trained me to “act like a lady” when we were out, and to mind my manners, and I did.

Mom and Dad also brought me to Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular, featuring the Rockettes, while Steven was with relatives. I was old enough to really enjoy some of these special day trips.

Other excursions included Ringling Brothers’ 100th Anniversary at Madison Square Garden in May 1970 via the “Penn Central” line at that time.

As a family, we went down the shore to Mr. Scuorzo’s bungalow around Barnegat a few times. I have a specific memory of getting into our pajamas for the ride home in the Caddy Sedan DeVille. Last Night I Didn’t Get to Sleep At All by The 5th Dimension was playing on the car stereo.

We visited the kiddie rides at Keansburg and Asbury Park many times.

musicnotes-tiny“Proud Mary” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Proud Mary

Nostalgic music from early childhood includes Aretha Franklin’s Until You Come Back To Me, Al Wilson’s Show and Tell, Billy Preston’s Nothing from Nothing, Carole King’s It’s Too Late/I Feel The Earth Move, Chicago’s 25 or 6-to-4, Freda Payne’s Band of Gold, Carly Simon’s You’re So Vain, Gilbert O’ Sullivan’s Alone Again, Naturally, Ringo Starr’s Photograph, Jackson 5’s Never Can Say Goodbye, and pretty much anything Carpenters or Bread.

A Nostalgic Soundtrack Through Television

TV also provided an aural backdrop to my early years. The ethereal, symphonic-with-a Hollywood-flourish station movie promo snippets included ABC Sunday Night Movie / Movie of the Week, ABC 4:30 Movie, WOR Saturday Movie (the latter used well into the ’80s) among countless others.

These were  the strains of popular TV and movie themes as we went about our lives. These movie bumpers are so reminiscent of what it was like just being alive in the ’70s; especially as a kid. They had a certain flair that can’t be described.


The original composition for “WOR Saturday Movie” by Neil Richardson remains a favorite of mine.

The string-heavy, percussive John Williams-esque intro for New York’s ABC 6 PM “Eyewitness News” sounded as its evening anchor began the broadcast: “I’m Roger Grimsby … hear now the news.”

The mellow, playful Mary Tyler Moore and hip, folksy Welcome Back Kotter intros were an accompaniment to our after-school hours. The whistling NBC Mystery Movie theme resonated downstairs as we said our prayers before bed, as well as the edgy Sanford and Son and quaint (from Television City in Hollywood!) All in the Family.

For many years, the jazzy riffs of Doc Severinsen’s band sounded late at night. Mom settled in for some Pepsi and Wise Potato Chips, for her date with Johnny Carson, her refuge in clever comedy to top off a long day. Once tucked in for the night, I knew better than to get out of bed for anything less than profuse bleeding, barfing or the smell of smoke.

Papa, Dad and Grandmommy at Presto's Tavern
Papa, Dad and Grandmommy at Presto’s Tavern, where Mom and Dad spent many early days of courtship

Mom taught us our prayers, the Apostles’ Creed, John 3:16, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Doxology and many other songs. She had me sing and recite these things at age 3, captured on audio tape.

She also read stories before bed. I recall sitting with Steven in his crib while she read from the Uncle Wiggily series.

One summer evening in late June 1972, I was in bed and it was after dark. Mom and Dad were under the eave outside in front, talking with a visitor. Standing on my bed, I could see clear out to the Sayreville area above the trees where a huge fire appeared to be roaring.

musicnotes-tiny“Until You Come Back To Me” by Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin – Until You Come Back To Me

I eventually found out that an industrial plant, Hercules had gone up, there were fatalities and people were evacuated for miles. It amounted to just a fearsome flaming glow where we were. The Gary Glitter song Rock and Roll (Part One) always reminded me of that view and how scary it seemed.

Starting Kindergarten

By the spring of 1971, it was time to register the next class of students to enter school. My birthday was after the October 31 cutoff, but Mom had me tested for early admission. I apparently aced the Comprehension and Skills exams with ease.

Nana with us, at our house one Easter
Nana with us, at our house one Easter. I was holding Fluffy, my new Easter bunny. Steven held his, named “Furry”.

I entered AM kindergarten that September, part of East Brunswick’s graduating class of 1984. At a little over 4½, I was definitely ready for school.

Miss Meyers, my teacher, kept me occupied because I went through the workbook exercises very quickly, and I also discovered a new talent: DRAWING. So … there began many years of doodling, and an interest in art. Mickey Mouse was my primary subject.

My kindergarten school portrait
My kindergarten school portrait

I also began Sunday school at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Cranbury Road that year. My teacher, Miss Larsen, later told me of my wanting to baptize a baby during church one Sunday.

I’d seen it done and thought I could do it as well as Reverend Miller. Imagine my consternation at being unable to realize this ambition.

Another time, we were learning about how God created the light. I repeatedly insisted that Thomas Edison, not God, created the light! I was not to be contradicted. (Thankfully, I have since gained the wisdom acknowledging God’s rightful place in the history of Creation.)

When I came home after kindergarten each day, Mom would have a nourishing lunch ready for me, and we would spend the afternoon doing fun and educational things. This included trips to the Library, errands, perhaps a walk up to Somerset Farms convenience store or Jim Gall the butcher. Strolls were pleasant as Mom pointed out different birds or trees (there was a Mimosa tree along the way), and sing as I walked and she wheeled Steven.

We would also visit one of Mom’s friends, Mrs. Burnham in South River. I recall touching Mrs. Burnham’s hot iron once after being explicitly warned. I was scolded and knew I had it coming, and the burn hurt for a couple of days following.

musicnotes-tiny“It Don’t Come Easy” by Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr – It Don’t Come Easy

With the Sears Santa
With the Sears Santa

Sometimes we drove up to East Orange to see our dentist, Dr. Bisgeier.

He’d treated Mom over the years, and was now nurturing my Crest smile with fluoride treatments. I’d peruse the latest Highlights for Children magazine for Goofus and Gallant cartoons.  After each visit, I left with a plastic ring, chosen from the rows of faux-baubles lined up neatly in a foam rubber tray.

I'm now "this tall"
I’m now “this tall”

I also remember the child-friendly waiting room at our pediatrician, Dr. Ondash’s office on Ryders Lane. It had picture books and a pretty fish tank.

Around that time, Mom bought a membership to the East Brunswick Community Pool (aka Dallenbach’s), on Dunhams Corner Road (now Crystal Springs Family Aquatic Center).

Back then, it was no more than a picturesque sandy beach by a lake, with a snack bar, cabanas and play equipment for kids. For years, Mom took us there to spend many a sultry summer day.

Franklin

I had a favorite stuffed toy named Franklin. He was a bunny I got for Easter one year, and I carried him everywhere. Whenever I made him “talk”, it came out as a “hmmm hmmmm” noise through my nose. I guess he never truly verbalized his thoughts, but the noise eventually drove Mom up the wall. Franklin disappeared one day and I never knew why.

I understand now that Mom didn’t do this to be cruel, but Franklin and I must’ve been a source of considerable irritation.

musicnotes-tiny“Give me Love” by George Harrison

George Harrison – Give Me Love

Music from the time includes Give Me Love by George Harrison, Beach Baby by First Class, Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple, Daniel by Elton John, Summer Breeze by Seals & Crofts, Another Day by Paul McCartney, and Everything I Own and Guitar Man by Bread.

To Grandmommy’s House We Go

Grandmommy and me at Romano's in Long Branch, NJ
Grandmommy and me at Romano’s in Long Branch, NJ

We also visited Grandmommy in New Castle, Delaware for several extended stays. Grandmommy and Papa had originally lived in West Orange. Papa worked for Chicago Bridge & Iron and was transferred a couple of times. First, they lived in Argentina.

Eventually, they moved to New Castle, and by the time I was born, they’d already been there a couple of years. One time, on the trip down, Steven threw up on his red corduroy coat on the way down, and I was envious that night when he got to have tapioca but I didn’t!

Grandmommy also had a wonderful hill in the back of her brick house, and I perfected rolling down it when I was a toddler. Steve eventually learned how, and we would do this for hours. I always loved going over the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

Whenever I hear Proud Mary by Creedence Clearwater Revival and Mama Told me Not to Come by Three Dog Night, I am reminded of  visiting Grandmommy and Papa at their pretty brick Shadwell Court ranch with the hill in back.

Grandmommy would make bologna and cheese sandwiches with buttermilk for lunch.

Grandmommy's house in New Castle
Grandmommy’s house in New Castle

I actually grew to like buttermilk, as well as Dannon yogurt (the fruit on the bottom kind). We also spent a lot of time in her basement, where the organ was, playing with toys.

I remember one time I went with Grandmommy in her red Chrysler to a convenience store for milk, and we were sitting outside looking at the signs in the store window. Like Mom always did, she quizzed me: “What does that sign say?” The sign read Try It: You’ll Like It.

Fisher-Price ring tossThe Fisher-Price ring toss doubled as a “record player.” Steven and I would drop a ring and sing a phrase from a popular song at the time. “Badder than ol’ King Kong …” (from Bad Bad Leroy Brown) was one of the songs.

musicnotes-tiny“It’s Too Late” by Carole King

Carole King – It’s Too Late

One time, we finished a carton of milk and I wanted to use it for some kind of craft. Grandmommy was going to wash it out, but I insisted it would be just fine as it was.

Wisely, she relented and the next morning it was aromatically apparent that the carton should have been rinsed as she’d said.

Day tripping in Delaware
Day tripping in Delaware

Another time, she brought me to visit a friend of hers who had a pet gerbil. I declared that it was a mouse, and no one could convince me otherwise. Stubborn little bugger was I.

When Mom was teaching me not to swallow toothpaste at three years old, she warned me not to do it, lest I lose my hair like Papa. At a subsequent visit to Delaware, I remembered Mom’s statement and exclaimed to Papa, “You swallowed your toothpaste??”  Mom had some ‘splainin’ to do.

On one occasion, Steven and I both ended up with poison ivy and Mom put us in the tub followed by a generous slathering of pink lotion. It must have been after one of our many little day trips in Delaware.

Chapter Four: Going To School With the Big Kids

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