September 2003 Newsletter

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Phillipsburg Railroad Historians, Inc.
PO Box 5104, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865

SEPTEMBER 2003 NEWSLETTER VOLUME XIII NUMBER 9

Entertainment this month features:
To-Be-Announced

Early Fall greetings to our readers and friends as we herald the approach of a yet another round of holidays. It seems that time knows no restraint as we go about our chores trying to stay ahead. I have always felt that summer is somewhat of an elusive period, hard to grasp for any length of time, and quick to retreat to many months of cold and dark. Even the birds are smart enough to head south and leave us flat.

The monthly membership meeting will be held on Wednesday night September 24 at 7:30pm at the Alpha United Presbyterian Church. Members and friends are welcome to enjoy the entertainment which will follow the business portion of the meeting. The refreshments are being brought to you by Tom Marzuoli and Bob Shandor.

PERSONNEL
President Paul Carpenito has announced the appointment of Bill Pensyl as Director to fill that position due to the death of Ed Meyers. Bill is experienced in this capacity as he has served the organization in the past. We also wish continuing recovery to Vice President Jim Mack who has been ill as of late. The membership also extends best wishes for Rick Glosser's son Nicky, who was seriously injured by a hit and run motorist. We have received reports that he is slowly improving, but has a long rehabilitation ahead.

JULY 2003 WORK HOURS REPORT by JOHN WARD
In the busy month of July, on-site work included track, Centerville & Southwestern, museum/store, deck, trolley, flanger, caboose, painting, grounds care, and clean-up work, along with July 13 Open House activities and Olde Towne Festival, totaling 358 hours. Off-site hours including administrative and bookwork and attendance at related activities, registered 33 hours, for a cumulative monthly total of 391. Year to date volunteer hours for 2003 were 1304 and 3/4, as of 7/31.

Tuesday work sessions remain the domain of a dedicated group of hard working volunteers that have chipped away at the projects that have needed much attention. Switch work continues as well as continued cleaning of the museum building. Recent work includes grass cutting of the property and track surfacing work on the Centerville & Southwestern. A salute goes out to the men that give of their spare time each week faithfully. These men include Lou Badolato, Charlie Bowlby, John Boner, Earle Brotzman, Budd Sauselein, Pete Delikat, Glenn Terminelli, Paul Carpenito, Steve Winter, Matt Winter, Tom Scharpf, Frank Sattler, Rich Frantz, Pat Graham, Dave Beck, Ed Beers, Rick Glosser, Keith Muldowney, and Jim Mack. The Centerville & Southwestern ticket office painting project is complete. The structure will be dedicated to Henry Becker at a future date. Future projects include emergency repairs to the wall under the coal pockets. The Town has been unable financially to provide materials for the erosion problem, and we must now take on this repair as it threatens the operation of the Centerville & Southwestern.

The outcome of the arson case with regard to the fire set in our caboose is still pending with various hearings taking place in their proper judicial order. The juveniles are being tried individually. We will give you the final outcome once the cases are all heard and completed. The Directors have discussed our lack of experience in retaining an attorney and the lack of internal funds to undertake such protection. We will initiate a legal fund once this arson case is settled by the courts.

Our oral history series has been given a boost with the latest release, an interview with Norm Cole Sr. and Tony Gallagher, themselves expanding on a colorful and exciting career with the railroads. This fine product was possible due to the hard work of Rick Glosser and Pete Blaess, with Pete creating a video of professional quality. Expect more of the same in the future as more candidates turn up in our quest to help write the story of railroad history. Members can help us by giving us leads as to who we may contact for potential interviews.

The Warren County Cultural and Heritage Commission has mailed us the second installment of our grant, the $100.00 balance which we have received. We are very grateful for all the support they have given in the past. In other grant news, The Warren County Municipal and Charitable Conservancy Trust Fund has accepted our initial application for the PRRH Museum Stabilization and Rehabilitation. Our step 1 meeting with their commissioners included a video prepared by Pete Blaess, outlining our activities as an organization and the critical need for immediate repair work to the building. Paul and Meg Carpenito and Steve Winter were in attendance to watch the video presented to the panel and Paul was questioned as to the scope and nature of our group's mission and to answer questions and accept feedback with regard to what PRRH must do next to be considered. We are in critical need of more history describing our museum building's background.

We have received donations from those who were friends of Ed Meyers and his family graciously requested these monies be given to PRRH in loving memory of Ed's ties to railroading and our organization. To date, the following families have sent checks:
Richard and Georgeann Wambold of Phillipsburg NJ.
Mr. and Mrs. John Ward of Easton PA.
Benjamin and Elsie Orrell of Maggie Valley NC.
Donald and Margaret Schwartzhoff of Alpharetta GA.
Glenn Terminelli of Phillipsburg NJ. ( member )
Robert and Evelyn Bennington of Livingston NJ. ( members )
Bruce and Barbara Blake of Pinellas Park FL.
To all of you, we express our sincere thanks for your kindness and assure you Ed Meyers will be properly memorialized at our Museum.

I look forward, as always, to speaking with you at the meeting or Open House. Not only a group of railroad enthusiasts, we are family and have established great friendships despite distance and time that get in the way. Our cohesiveness as a group has not gone unnoticed.

~ Paul M. Carpenito ~

PHILLIPSBURG RAILROAD HISTORIANS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 21 - Sunday Open House at the PRRH Museum 1Oam to 4pm
SEPTEMBER 24 - Wednesday night membership meeting 7:30pm
SEPTEMBER 28 - Dieruff High School Allentown train show 1Oam to 4pm

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