Havana

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August 31, 2022

It is really rather silly, but the name of the next port city where the Countess docked is Havana, because it’s adjacent to an island earlier settlers thought had the shape of Cuba and so named that island; with this city so close, they thought it should be Havana.

It doesn’t look anything like the capital city of the island off Florida. It’s farmland with lush fields, lots of corn and soybeans, and friendly people. It is also near New Salem, another charming little town in Illinois where Abraham Lincoln lived for six years long before he even thought of becoming President. The enterprising folks in that community lasted a short time, then the town was abandoned and left to pasture. In the 1930s and 40s the CCC, Civilian Conservation Corps, created a village with 23 furnished stores, shops, homes, tradesman’s shops, a tavern, school and even saw and first mills to recreate the town where Lincoln lived.

It was more reason to appreciate the diligence, creativity, hard work and pride our New Jersey State Parks and our Monmouth County Parks systems pour into the magnificent parks we enjoy in the Garden State. Not that this was not interesting and great to visit, but it lacked the pride and attention of its people

This was a very nice presentation of the many offered by the Countess along the way with the museum filled with lots of interesting items from Lincoln’s day, stories of his youth, and the people he knew, and charming period dressed docents in some of the homes to give more details of each. But the reconstructed Village is in need of more upkeep, more funding, and the state doesn’t even provide a gift shop as an easy fund raising idea. Stopping to speak with some state workers on the road, they said “nobody wants to come here” meaning volunteers to keep the Village alive are hard to find. A sad commentary for Illinois pride in its past.

It was different getting off the Countess in Havana, however where a lovely couple, knowing of the cruise ship’s arrival, set up a table at the dock displaying honey, honeycombs, and so much more about bees and honey from their Imperial Valley Honey farm. They also featured their award winning wildflower honey offering spoonfuls to willing guests and promising its taste was “to infinity and BEEyond,” which it was. Even Mayor Brenda Stadsholt showed up in the morning to welcome guests to her town. While New Jersey honey is among the best you can learn more about this Illinois variety at imperialvalleyhoney@gmail.com.

The Village was a charming stop that included an archaeology walk and the gift-shop absent museum, visitor center and amphitheater, and walking through rows of houses, each property names for the families who lived there in an earlier era, together with stories about Lincoln and where he cast his first vote, lost his first election, the only popular election he ever lost, and where he purchased a store with William Berry. He also served as postmaster in the town before being elected to the state House of Representatives and earning his license to practice law.

But it was also a day to take some time to enjoy some of the events aboard the Countess, and take in one of the power point presentations by Ted Mueller, the Riverlorian aboard the Countess. Serious about his work and teeming with historic knowledge and fascinating tales about the Illinois river, how it as formed, what problems it faces, how ships can get through and so much more, Ted provided daily river stories with pride and accuracy, and always waited around to answer any questions from passengers who wanted to learn just a little bit more. He also invited guests to visit the ship’s chart room and chart their own routes along the river in the many charts and maps laid out on tables and open for inspection to all who wanted to visit the room just below the Pilot House.

Ted also accompanied the smaller groups that got to visit the Pilot House on the Countess, the top deck quarters of the pilot, not the Captain, the officer who actually runs the ship. On the first day of visits, the young and very experienced pilot was surprised to see guests in his pilot house, but greeted them with joy and so much knowledge about the river and all its intricacies. A graduate of the Maritime Institute in New York, he was more than affable in spite of always having to keep his ear to the radio and his eye on the river even while docked. Lower water levels and muddy bottoms are a problem on the Illinois as on the Mississippi.

And in the evening, there was always more entertainment before a late dinner. The ship offers a Riverbill with the backgrounds and talents of the Countess Ensemble featuring the husband wife team of Clark Roberts and Melissa Roberts joined with a very talented Doronte Evans, a Georgian who first learned to sing in church where his father was a Bishop then earned a degree in arts and traveled around the country and internationally during a more than two decade career. The trio were spectacular individually as well as in pairs or threes, offering everything from jazz to country in nightly surprises, and backed by world class musicians on drums, bass, piano and woodwinds.several of them.

For those of us who love literature, figures in literature, and stories we’ve read from childhood, a “visit” from Mark Twain was yet another highlight. Though the Countess did not make it to Hannibal…and that’s another chapter in this Countess story….Mark Twain came to the Countess, not once but twice, delighting us with his homespun talents of how he created Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, and on whom he patterned all his fictional characters in real life.

Late evenings, after dinners offering too much variety and too many dishes of too many delicious foods, there’s always another cocktail or nightcap in the Grand Lounge and dancing and making new friends listening to more of the talents of the talented and tireless Entertainment Team of the American Queen Countess.

River Cruise: Peoria

By

Muriel J. Smith

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August 31, 2022

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The joke dating back to Groucho Marx has always been, among comedians: “Have you ever played Peoria?” and the response is “Oh yes, I spent four years there …one night!”

But the truth of the matter is this thriving city along the banks of the Illinois River, and a stopping point for the American Queen Countess sternwheeler that plies that river, has a variety of excitement, entertainment, education and history. It might also one day be recognized as the hometown of an American Saint, Fulton J. Sheen.

After leaving Ottawa outside Chicago on the Illinois River and heading to Hannibal, Missouri on the Mississippi River, the Countess took the 65 miles or so leisurely, giving cruise-goers the opportunity to enjoy some activities on board in the main lounge, card room or library. There were sessions so guests would be familiar with what Peoria has to offer if they were planning visits on one of the Countess’s Hop On Hop Off buses. Such sessions, given by Shore Excursions Manager Judy LaMance, give cruise goers the opportunity to see what each stop has to offer, so they can plan what they want to see and how long they want to visit any particular site at each upcoming stopping point. For others, there is always the entertainment of the onboard professionals of music and song, some word or trivia games in which to compete, , even a visit to the Pilot House to meet the highly educated pilot running the boat. Of course there were also two very capable bartenders, Liz in the River Grille and Anthony in the Grand Bar ready to pour your favorite libations, and a Perks room always open if you wanted to stop for some ice cream or other desserts.

But back to the City of the Day. Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois and is named for the European settlers who came here with French explorer Henri de Tonti in the 17^th century. Its claims to fame include being the original national headquarters of the giant Caterpillar company and there’s still a museum there that keeps you in mind of the past; It’s also the hometown of Betty Friedan, opera tenor Jerry Hadley, and scores more popular names from the 40s and 50s. It’s also home to the largest four-mile foot race in the world, the Steamboat Classic, which draws runners from all over the world.

For those interested in saints and cathedrals, it’s also the home of the late Fulton J. Sheen.

Sheen was a catholic priest best known for his “Life is Worth Living” television show of the 1950s that won an Emmy Award and beat out Milton Berle, aired at the same 8 p.m. hour Tuesday nights in weekly popularity. He grew up in the town and was an altar boy at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, where his remains now rest after a several year feud b between the family who wanted his body brought back home and the Archdiocese of New York which wanted him at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He went to the catholic boys school of the diocese, Spalding, still standing but no longer a boy’s school, , later St. Viator College in nearly Bourbonnais, then St. Paul’s Seminary in St. Paul. Minnesota. He came back to his childhood church for his ordination and his tomb is below a painting of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the patroness of Peoria in one of the cathedral’s chapels. Once the National Director of the Propagation of the Faith, later a participant in Vatican Council II, and then Bishop of Rochester Diocese in New York, Sheen also wrote more than 60 books and scores of other papers and lessons. Currently on the road to being canonized as a Saint of the catholic church, the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation at www.ArchbishopSheenCause.org supplies information on its progress and how others can help.

The cathedral itself is the primary church for Central Illinois and the seat of the Peoria Diocese. The original building was built in 1851 and grew to 2000 members within 20 years, but was replaced in 1889 and renovated in 1933, with new marble altars and stained glass windows added during a renovation that also included a makeover of one chapel within the building. It was renovated and increased again in the 50s and once more in the 80s, with upkeep of the 21^st century maintaining it not only as an active church by a living museum of church history.

The Sheen Foundation has a museum and gift shop a block away, which is maintained by the Sisters of St. Francis, who hand create many of the art works, towels, kitchen aides and other unique items which sales help finance the cause of the Foundation and the Bishop Sheen dedication to missions.

The city also boasts an outstanding riverside museum which is diverse enough to hold the interest of every visitor and resident, with its Dome planetarium and night show of the sky, as well laser shows and the latest NASA discoveries. While the Countess was docked, the Museum was also featuring a traveling exhibit of art and sculpture showing art and sculptures from the 180s to 2020, and featuring artists who delve in nostalgia, such as Currier & Ives, to the abstract to feminism. You don’t have to like it all, but it’s fascinating to see how art has changed through the ages and how art sees the changes in culture and ideas.

The city, like Freehold in Monmouth County, also has contests inviting sculptures to create their own works in steel or metal for public displays in the shopping area and later sale, many to the adjacent shop owners. While unique and certainly diversified, the street exhibits don’t come close in color or creativity to the horse display which just opened in Freehold, accenting the history of the equine industry in Monmouth County.

Cruising into Ottawa

By

Muriel J. Smith

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August 30, 2022

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The Countess sternwheeler….well, partially anyway, we had to be supported by a barge traveling just behind, but that’s another story…..was scheduled to be in Ottawa, Illinois from the time we boarded and settled in our staterooms until 1 o’clock the next day. That meant the ship’s cruise Director and its shore excursions manager had both been planning hours chock full of activities, adventures, and simply quiet stay-on-the-boat plans for all of us.

American Queen Cruise lines adds buses that travel along the riverside to be ready at each point we stop, to enable guests to travel around the towns, see what they like and have the assurance they can hop off the bus wherever they stop, then hop on at scheduled times later, giving the choice of what to see or do and the time to do it to each individual passenger.

Being a New Jerseyan, and more importantly, a New Jerseyan from Highlands, seeing the memorial to the Radium Girls was a must.

Just as in Orange, NJ, there was a factory in Ottawa in the 1930s where girls were paid to paint the dials on wristwatches so the military in particular, could see the dials in the dark. The paint made the dials glow, and became a fashion fad. The girls at the factory were instructed to lick the tips of their brushes to keep the numbers neat. Nobody told them, in fact so many insisted otherwise, that the radium they were ingesting in the process was doing horrific things to their bodies, breaking their bones and eventually killing them. After long years, many court actions and finally admission, some of the girls were compensated in money but ruined for life and early deaths.

The memorial to these girls, most of them in their late teens or early 20s, sits on a corner of a busy street in Ottawa. But there is a peace around it as pedestrians walking past seem to stop and bow, or perhaps say a prayer while motorists appear to slow a bit and nod their heads.

A simple, life size monument in brown, with the single Radium Girl holding a paint brush in one hand and a dying tulip in the other, depicts the tragedy of the factories.

Why would a Highlands traveler be so interested in this? The late Rose Penta, who with her husband, the late Highlands Councilman Luke Penta, owned Clearwater Pool, a popular Route 36 swim club well known for its Bruce concert and Joe McCarthy a few years later when it was owned by another former mayor, Dick Stryker. But Rose lost not only her mother but four aunts, all of whom were Radium Girls. British author Kate Moore came to Highlands a few years ago to meet with Rose and complete her award winning book, The Radium Girls.

That visit aside, there was so much else to see, do, and learn at this little city at the confluence of the Illinois and Fox rivers. Its very name, Ottawa, means trade and barges traveling Lake Michigan to the Mississippi were common along the waterway.

Ottawa was also the site of the first debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas when the pair were vying for their step into national politics. The debate drew thousands to Washington Square in the heart of the city, and statues, memorials, and plaques telling the story of the debate are a pleasant walk through. Across the street from the park, tours through the Reddick Mansion with its period dressed docents explaining the times, the people, and the furnishings and architecture of the period are all included in the excursion, and of course a gift shop is included as well. The mansion was built in 1855 and includes 22 rooms, too much to walk through and appreciate, but a fine example of Italianate exteriors and interior pre-Civil War wealth.

But the Mansion has a fascinating history, first as one of the most ornate pre-Civil war homes in the state whose owner was on the speakers’ platform with Douglas during the debate…the Reddicks were not Lincoln fans, then serving as the town library for another 90 years as per Mr. Reddick’s will, next as a museum saved by the Reddick Mansion Association at the end of the 20^th and beginning of the 21 century, and to its present state when the Association just finished a 1.4 million restoration of the exterior and made the building more visitor friendly.

The town, in spite of its natural beauty, friendly people, active and unique shops and markets along its main street, seems to also hold a lot of sadness and grief. Besides the Radium factory, which was really housed in a former high school, it had also been a prime sand and glass center for more than a century. It was Ottawa sand, on board for experimental purposes, that was aboard the ill-fated Columbia space shuttle.

Lessons in history completed for the day, back on the bus to the boat and an evening filled with games, music, entertainment, food and drink, making new friends and learning about the various parts of the country from whence they came, from New Jersey to California from Florida to Minnesota.

Leaving in late afternoon, we were schedule to arrive in Peoria by 8 the following morning, for a full day of activities and events and the promise of more fascinating paces to visit.

Betty Lou Connell

By

Muriel J. Smith

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August 30, 2022

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When one of their own has had a setback or is in need of some help or assistance, the Atlantic Highlands residents have shown they’re well up to the task and eager to press onward.

So as a result, nonagenarian Betty Lou Connell is still secure in her home on Wesley avenue, the very house in which she was born. But she still faces the threat of losing it because of insufficient funds to keep up with with current inflationary costs and figures.

You might say Betty Lou has had a tough life all her adult years. She had finished St. Agnes grammar school, was popular and smart and a graduate of Red Bank Catholic High, then headed for a career in modeling.

That’s when she met Wiliam F.X Connell, a dashing, handsome young man who stole her heart. Not once but twice. And Betty Lou Matthews, daughter of John and Betty Matthews, became Mrs. William F.X. Connell.

Life was great for a few years, indeed wonderful enough so the couple had five children, three sons and two daughters within a seven year period.

But Bill had his own problems with addictions. There came the day when he kissed Betty Lou goodbye in the morning, indicated he’d be home from his teaching job at lunchtime as usual, then never showed.

Bill Connell up and abandoned Betty Lou and their five children, then ages 5 through 12.

But years later, they reunited, Betty Lou eager and willing to forgive Bill’s transgressions and the family started up again.

That, too, worked for a while, but Bill simply couldn’t measure up, given his own problems. He disappeared again.

Later in life, his grown daughters, Maureen Akerlund and Donna Soleau, who now lives in Florida, caught up with him and did have the chance to reunite and share their love of him before he died in a nursing home in Florida. His sons had caught up with him at another time when he was in California. A close knit family that understood hard times and difficult illnesses.

Betty Lou in the meantime, had raised those kids by herself and had worked a plethora of jobs to do it and support herself. There were the years she was Frank Outwater’s secretary at Mater Dei High School, the times she worked at Dick Stryker’s Bayshore Pharmacy, or for each of two beloved town doctors, Dr. DeRobbio and Dr. Commentucci. She was beloved by all the little ones at the Little House, Riverview Hospital’s Day Care Center where she was a care giver. There were the 1960s and 70s, difficult times for everyone.

Betty Lou’s mom died, Betty Lou moved back into the family home on Wesley Avenue to care for her dad, and dad and daughter frequented all the local flea markets supplementing the family income.

And the list goes on.

There were more tragedies in Bety Lou’s life, Her three sons, John, who was tragically electrocuted, Walter, and Billy, have all died within 15 years of each other.

But now time passes as does youth and energy, and now at 91, Betty Lou, still living in the same house, but with a reverse mortgage that requires regular payments, and those funds already run amok in current inflationary times, was about to lose it through foreclosure.

Until her daughters and friends stepped in, started a Fund Me page and managed to dodge the bullet for another month or so.

But it won’t be long before the next payment is due, then the one after that. So Betty Lou Connell, who has helped so many people over so any decades, Betty Lou who has been a laughing, friendly, outgoing personality that charms everyone she meets, could use a little more help from some friends.

If you are a friend of Betty Lou’s, or simply someone who wants to help a person in need, visit GofundMe.com, click on Betty Lou Connell, read her story, and help this Atlantic Highlands native remain in her own home.

Regionalization: AH Stabs Highlands in the Back

By

Muriel J. Smith

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August 29, 2022

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Last week’s special meeting of the Highlands Mayor and Council was a refreshing and long overdue step in the right direction as residents of these small communities all try to learn whether regionalization from Pre-K-12 including Sea Bright is really a good idea.

With all the meetings, all the talk, all the behind the scenes maneuvering, all the public discussions, I still have not heard why getting a bundle of cash from Sea Bright, saving money through consolidation of some services and providing more educational avenues for students is anything but a sensational idea.

For Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, it should have been done when Henry Hudson Regional was first built. However, the sheer cooperation efforts it took between the two towns to get together on at least part of their educational process was probably about all anyone could manage more than half a century ago.

But Mayor Carolyn Broullon kind of set everyone straight at last week’s meeting, and then encouraged each of the council members to express their own views. They lost no time doing that, and within five minutes, anyone listening to the meeting, present for the meeting or hearing a recording afterwards could tell something that has been kept a dirty little secret.

For the newcomers to these boroughs who think it’s preposterous to think there is no rivalry between the towns, wake up and admit the truth. Years ago, one was a clammers town, the other a summer resort for New York wealthy. Even in the 20^th century, the Atlantic Highlands kids getting on the bus to parochial schools mocked the Highlands kids already seated. Fights like the Hatfields and McCoys between families continued between the two towns, perhaps people never understanding the reason but knowing it existed. And it passed on to their kids and their kids after that. Maybe that is the one bad result of families loving their own towns so much they marry and come back there to settle down for another generation.

But last week, Mayor Broullon opened admitted that according to law, tradition, habit or something else, she probably should have stated her discussion in executive session. But she did not. And she explained why she did not. “This needs to be discussed,” she began.

Then the Mayor launched into the sordid history of the latest events.. She talked about the many players, the bundle of money, the ups, downs, and waysides of discussion. She talked about three weeks of trying to strike an agreement on money sharing and the ultimate resolution all three towns agreed on and passed. She even talked about how much money attorneys are making on all these talks and meetings.

Then she dropped the next bomb on her residents. She explained that not only had Atlantic Highlands passed yet another resolution setting up some startling new proposals on cost sharing, but they even said in the resolution that Highlands had already agreed to it. Mayor Broullon wanted her residents to know Highlands was not even made aware of a new resolution, let alone had read it and agreed to it. But that’s what Atlantic Highlands said. And did.

The Mayor said the new position this latest action put Highlands in “is not easily digestible.”

At the mayor’s invitation, Councilman Don Melnyk was the next to opinionate. Now here’s a councilman who decided it was more proper to recuse himself from voting because his wife is on a school board, unlike in a similar position in Atlantic Highlands where a board member quit her elected position so her husband could vote as a councilman.

But Mr. Melnyk lashed out, quite forcefully and properly representing his constituents when it comes to taxes, to protest that their town was “being dictated to by Atlantic Highlands.” He said they had “no idea “ their neighbor was going to be pulling a last minute switch, charged them with trying to extort more money. He even reminded everybody listening something that nobody ever brings up or appreciates: it’s Highlands that provides the police, the road maintenance, and all the other ‘incidentals’ that are not covered by school funds but rather by local taxation from other accounts, costs their neighbors do not share. He was masterful in his presentation.

Then Councilwoman Jo-Anne Olszewski had her say, and everyone apparently listened very closely to her, given her expertise in a large city school district, her experience in education, and her love for the town. She explained the neighboring town had put Highlands over a barrel. We have a deadline to meet, she said, yet we only heard about this last minute change two hours before. If we don’t approve what some have called extortion, it would be Highlands who would get blamed for not getting the question to the people to let them decide. Admittedly, approving it takes thousands of dollars from Highlands in the new deal, but Atlantic Highlands did not leave their neighbors with much choice, she explained.

Councilman Karen Chelak agreed and admitted that “it sounds like Atlantic Highlands is holding us hostage. She also opined that it’s another case of Atlantic Highlands “looking down on Highlands.”

Councilman Leo Cervantes couldn’t agree more, adding his own few words in agreement and telling his fellow borough leaders “you said it all.”

Through the discussions, the adjectives and nouns describing the neighboring town were plentiful: “acting in bad faith, playing politics, extortion, sneaky, outrageous, objectionable, playing the clock, and more.

In the end, it was Councilwoman Olszewski, the teacher, who said she would “hold her nose” and offer the resolution, rather than kill the idea of letting the people vote for what they want.

And so it was approved unanimously by a council who truly wants to keep its taxpayers and residents informed about regionalization. This borough wants to give the voters the opportunity to make their own choice on whether it’s good for them.

That is why after hearing all of the unknown actions Highlands had only learned about a couple of hours earlier involving the Atlantic Highlands Council and their special attorney….and I still do not know why those taxpayers had to pay yet another attorney for this last minute under cover change….it was overwhelming and disturbingly disappointing and unbelievable to me to hear the Atlantic Highlands Councilwoman appear at the Highlands meeting and not even mention she’s the one who offered the resolution to take those thousands of dollars from Highlands

Christmas Legends of the Bayshore: Harry Duncan

By

Muriel J. Smith

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August 28, 2022

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With the opening of another school year, it might be a time to reflect on a legend about a crossing guard for decades in Highlands, Harry Duncan, a First Aid volunteer so active he was known as Mr. First Aid, and a crossing guard on Route 36 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School where he was every student’s best friend. The legend is one from my book “Christmas Legends of the Bayshore” available on this site.

“Come on Johnny, eat your dinner!” The ten year old’s mom said to her son at the dinner table. “Not hungry, mom, could I go up to my room?” “Not until you’ve finished,” his mom said a bit sharply, “What’s the matter with you? You love meat loaf!”

“Yeah, but I just don’t feel like eating,” Johnny said, taking little bites with his fork and mashing the rest around so it looked like he ate more. “I just want to go up to bed.”

His mom sighed, agreed to let him be excused, and began clearing the plates. Clearly, something was wrong with Johnny, she thought.

But when the next morning, Johnny was eager to get up and go to school, his mom thought whatever it was that bothered him was all better. So she went about her day with no worries.

That afternoon, it was the same thing. Johnny came home, ran up to his room, and didn’t even ask if he could go out and play before doing his homework. At dinner, he again passed up the meal, and even turned down chocolate pudding with whipped cream.

“ Johnny,” his mom said, “you have to tell me what’s the matter. This isn’t like you to not want to go out and play , or not to eat. What’s wrong.”

Johnny squirmed and didn’t want to say what was the matter. He was afraid he would cry if he told her. And Johnny knew ten year old boys did not cry. But he was also worried for his mom. He knew she’d be calling school and asking what happened, or taking him to the doctor. So Johnny swallowed hard, forced himself not to cry, and said, “It’s Mr. Duncan.”

“Mr. Duncan? “ she asked. “Do you mean Harry, the crossing guard? What did he do? What happened?”

Johnny could feel the tears welling up and was afraid to talk. But his mom was getting agitated, so he blurted out, “Mr. Duncan wasn’t there yesterday or this morning or this afternoon!” he cried, then rushed away from his mom and up to his room, slamming the door behind him.

Johnny’s mother relaxed. She knew now what the matter was. Mr. Duncan, the crossing guard, was Harry, the First Aid volunteer to all the adults. But to every kid who crossed the highway in front of the catholic church, to every kid going to either the catholic or public school in Highlands, Harry was the Mr.

Duncan that started every kid’s day with a smile. He was the Mr. Duncan who praised the math paper a little boy showed him with a star on it, or the Mr. Duncan who held the little girl’s hand when she was crossing the street behind everyone else. Mr. Duncan was the man who praised every Pop Warner football player, who admired every cheerleader’s newest pompoms, who lamented over every poor grade or bruised elbow. To the kids, Mr. Duncan was more than the crossing guard. He was the best friend in the world, better even than their pet dog!

Johnny’s mom knew she had to make a phone call before going up to see Johnny. When she finished, she smiled, and walked up to Johnny’s room, knocking on the door.

“Hi,” she said, “ I just want to tell you. I was just talking to Mrs. Duncan on the phone. Mr. Duncan had a cold over the weekend, he went to the doctor yesterday. Dr. Senz checked him out and told him to stay home another day, but that tomorrow, he could go back to work. Just thought you’d like to know.”

“Wow! Thanks Mom, Is he going to be okay?” Johnny asked, and she smiled at how quickly he had transformed himself into a happy kid again.

“He’s gong to be fine,” she said, “and I told him you were asking for him and he said for sure he’d see you tomorrow.”

“That’s great, Mom. I still have my Student of the Month certificate in my pocket, so I’ll be sure to show him tomorrow. I know he’ll be happy to see it and he’ll slap me on the back and say, ‘nice work.’ That’s great!”

And Johnny smiled a giant smile. “Is it ok if I got out for a while? Jimmy and Bobby will want to know Mr. Duncan will be there in the morning. They have something to tell him, too.”

By Train & Boat

By

Muriel J. Smith

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August 27, 2022

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If there ever comes a time you doubt the beauty, variety in nature, and magnificence of this country, take AMTRAK further than simply along the Northeast Corridor. And if you ever want to see how those folks who live in the middle of the country get along being so far from the ocean, take a cruise on any of our big rivers. While I barely got into the Mississippi on this trip, the Illinois river offers more charm and beauty that I anticipated.

Better than just a train or a boat, do both and you’ll also find some pretty amazing people, some great employees of big companies who can’t do enough for their customers, and some orators…they call them Riverloreans… who know so much about the natural environment and can explain it in such a friendly, easy way so everyone can understand.

I did both this month, taking Amtrak to Chicago, then boarding the American Queen Countess for a five day cruise down the Illinois River.

Was it fun? You bet!.

Did it keep me happy? Deliriously!

Where there any disappointments? Of course there were, including one major one. But we all survived and can look forward to visiting Hannibal Missouri on another cruise in the future.

There are two Amtrak routes between New Jersey and Chicago and I opted to take the shorter, more direct train, the Cardinal, on my way out, and the longer, make a connection or two trains, the Capitol Limited and Pennsylvanian, back home after the cruise. That part of the trip actually included three trains, since I needed the Texas Eagle to get me from Alton, Illinois to Chicago and the Capitol Limited before boarding the Pennsylvanian in Pittsburgh for the final leg to Newark. But it’s all worth it and the opportunity to see so many little nooks and crannies as well as huge metropolitan areas like Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Indianapolis from the comfort of large comfortable seats with enough room to stretch out and relax is rather wonderful .

Of course the more expensive and more private way of traveling to Chicago on Amtrak is with a roomette or bedroom, but there have been so many changes and diminished perks for that higher priced ticket, I’m not certain it’s a bargain anymore. Certainly not worth the extra money.

Besides, sitting in those comfortable seats, possibly with a seatmate who shares similar interests or presents new ideas, adds one more level of unexpected pleasure to any trip.

Going to Chicago on the Cardinal is a moving video of magnificent mountains of the Blue Ridge and Allegheny chains, charming valleys such as the Shenandoah and others, and window side seats to the white waters of West Virginia. They say, and it’s true, on the Cardinal you see parts of nature and its beauty that you can’t see anywhere else, and that includes the white waters of West Virginia and the lush riverside grounds. Getting a nighttime view of charming towns like Ashland and Maysville along the Ohio river, or the skyline of Indianapolis are only possible if you’re awake during the night. The Cardinal, if running on time is a 27 hour trip from Newark that reaches Chicago at 10 a.m. the day after you board.

Do the trains always run on time? Of course not, but they try. Amtrak only owns the track along the Northeast Corridor, so traveling on other railroad’s property means having to accept a siding and a delay occasionally to let freight trains pass.

Certainly for daylight views, the Cardinal is the better choice. The Capitol Limited doesn’t leave Chicago until after 6 in the evening, arriving in Pittsburgh at 5 a.m. the following morning. Then there’s an hour or so wait in a train station that offers nothing except very helpful and pleasant employees for the Pennsylvanian and the final leg of the trip nine hours later in Newark. Add to that the four hours on the Texas Eagle from Alton to get to Chicago for the Capitol Limited, it’s a three-train, two day trip well worth if for charm and beauty if you can spare the time. It’s about 25 hours on the train, but wait times between trains can add another seven or eight hours.

The Café cars on Amtrak are terrific, with hard working staff that try to keep everybody happy. There’s a large variety of sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, dinner meals, and side treats, to say nothing of all the beverage choices, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The $7.50 hamburger with melted cheese, lettuce and tomato goes well with that $15 bottle of pinot grigio that fills a glass more than twice.

So for land travel, Amtrak has it all; fast travel, beautiful scenery, nice people, relaxing atmosphere, reasonable prices, and the opportunity to share conversations with folks you’ll probably never see again.

Ah, but then there is the Countess, American Queen’s way of letting guests see the beauty and charm of communities along the Illinois river, be entertained 20 hours a day, learn few things about what happens when the Mississippi is too shallow for a paddle boat steamer, eat far too much food too delicious to turn down, and be pampered royally by happy staff members.

NEXT: Decks, verandas, staterooms and fewer than 200 guests!

Things that Make Me Happy … Being Pampered

By

Muriel J. Smith

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August 27, 2022

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Having just returned from a terrific almost two weeks of seeing parts of the country by train and paddle wheel boat, there are lots of things that have made me happy recently, and I’ll be writing about some of them, and some of the great people I’ve met along the way that make me so happy to get to know, learn from, and appreciate.

Whoever heard of a waitress/dishwasher/bartender/hard working cruise ship employee who gives a gift to the customer rather than expecting anything from the customer? That’s Liz on the American Queen Countess.

Who ever heard of a bartender who, a day after he first meets you, sees you approaching and by the time you reach him at the bar already has a glass of pinot grigio already chilled, poured and waiting for you, simply because he remembers each of his new guests and is sharp enough to know their liquid enjoyment habits? That’s Anthony on the Countess. Or Renee, the wonderful and very attractive housekeeper who not only keeps your stateroom fastidiously clean but also knows how to help you solve little glitches with your cell phone?

Indeed, they and so many more have made me happy this past week.

But back at home, I love continuing to see all the programs, events, and other great things happening in Freehold. Their Saturday bike tours are the best, covering portions of the Henry Hudson Trail. In typical Freehold Borough fashion, all their events and happenings in that borough are easily available on their communications forum at www.freeholdboroughnj.gov/resident-communications.html. Be sure to stroll through Freehold’s main street and see those spectacular colorful horses. Magnificent.

And then there’s Mayor Broullon in Highlands who is delightful and honest in her insistence that there’s been too much secrecy and truth stretching with regards to regionalization and publicly said so at that borough’s last meeting. She and that council have worked hard on the regionalization question and think all the residents should know what’s going on. (Not so happy with the borough’s less than enthusiastic release of information on that $10 million plus boro hall, but that’s another story, and I’m confident I’ll be able to report on that soon.)

Certainly is nice to get away and relax, learn new things and meet new people. But that only makes coming home more special, more fun, and more appreciative of the wonderful place we have right here in the Bayshore of Monmouth County.

Regionalization: A Letter to Council-Woman Lori Hohenleitner

By

Muriel J. Smith

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August 27, 2022

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Lori:

As a person, I think you’re pretty terrific! Friendly, warm, personable, smart, neighborly, very intelligent, and always willing to help someone. I admire all of these qualities together with our friendship and joint understanding that politically we don’t share a lot of the same resolutions to the same problems.

But as an old lady who has been around politics, Highlands and Atlantic Highlands for a few decades, and has seen lots of politicians come and go through the years, let me give you a little advice….as a friend.

Councilwoman: You can’t have it both ways!

And….too much to hope for from any politician….be honest with everyone, no matter what happens to you!

By way of background, because comparatively speaking, you haven’t been around here very long, I’ve never been a politician…

I served on the Highlands School Board at a time when nobody else wanted to.

My husband was a Highlands Councilman at a different time when parties agreed or disagreed, but friendships never wavered….ah, the good old days.

But listening to the recordings of the Atlantic Highlands Council meeting when YOU MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE REGIONALIZATION QUESTION that is taking away funds from Highlands then listening to the Highlands Council meeting you attended when you tearfully, choking back more tears … said you were “Heartbroken” and sorry some people feel “They’ve had a fast one pulled” was just too much for me to overlook.

Lori, as that nice, friendly person, why didn’t you tell the Highlands folks you not only made the motion, but you went so far as to correct typos in it that wouldn’t have made a whit of difference either way?

Why didn’t you tell them that while those 3 insignificant typos (which would have been cleaned up anyway) were so important to be noticed, but when it came to the cannabis issue in your own town last month, you not only overlooked but proceeded to approve the minutes where you overlooked an all-important fact about its introduction? As well as a few other things, all of which forced that ordinance to be postponed and cost the taxpayers even more wasted money?

You told the Highlands folks “we’re working on our relationship….” Kinda like a marriage….” But why didn’t you tell them you and the rest of your council or at least the folks you hired said the NEW Resolution you voted on that would take funds from Highlands was already agreed upon by Highlands?

You know full well that wasn’t so, and how could it be? You only voted on those changes and got the news to Highlands after you had done it a couple of hours before their meeting.

Why didn’t you tell them you introduced and voted to pass a resolution YOU said Highlands already agreed to, knowing that was a lie.

That seems like a lie, Lori, yes, even more than a political misstatement.

Another little hint for you here. As a widow who was deliriously happy as a wife for 51 years and four days, the way you’re working on a relationship with Highlands is certainly not “kinda like a marriage.” Happily married couples do not lie to each other. But perhaps honesty isn’t necessary in some marriages, I don’t know.

You said you came to the Highlands Council meeting so you could “Look you in the eye” and tell the Highlands folks “how deeply I care.” And do you know what? Those nice Highlands people applauded you for being there, talking, choking back tears, and telling parts of your story but never the whole truth.

And that, Councilwoman, seems cowardly, deceiving, and not the works of a very nice person.

The Girl’s Cafe

By

Muriel J. Smith

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August 27, 2022

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For all the Faithful followers and those who really want to be, we’re all going to have to wait until Wednesday before The Girl’s Cafe is open once again. Both Vera and Cathy are feeling so much better but don’t want to take any chances with their beloved customers, so they won’t be open this weekend but will definitely be back on the job , with Charley and the rest of the clan who do such a magnificent job at this famed Highlands eat ery, on Wednesday. They’re going to have to stay open even later if they want to accept all the prayers, accolades, best wishes and simple joy of seeing them all back for breakfast and lunch Wednesday Aug. 31. What a way to end the month and begin another!!!!!

Veni Vidi Scripto

Veni Vidi Scripto

Veni Vidi Scripto

Veni Vidi Scripto

Havana

River Cruise: Peoria

Cruising into Ottawa

Betty Lou Connell

Regionalization: AH Stabs Highlands in the Back

Christmas Legends of the Bayshore: Harry Duncan

By Train & Boat

Things that Make Me Happy … Being Pampered

Regionalization: A Letter to Council-Woman Lori Hohenleitner

The Girl’s Cafe

Veni Vidi Scripto

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