Evocative history lesson. While I read, it occurred to me that a significant portion of the readership probably has no idea what a “penny-saver” is. I knew intuitively, although I don’t think that is what we called them where I was from (and I haven’t remembered, either).
Also, Frederick Small hosted 500 guests in 1939. Excluding weddings—because, BORING—I wonder what the largest by-invitation party would be (thrown/paid for, not worked at) across the readership? I’ve probably never gotten above 50 people, and that was a jam-packed, standing-room-only apartment party, not a multi-part affair with sports, sit-down dinner and other entertainments. Of course, most of us aren’t rich people with sprawling estate grounds to enlist, but there must be a middle ground, even in this age.
Ha! You’re right - the penny-saver papers ran on ads and classifieds and had some stories, but they were mostly about community activities and things…and given out free at the entrances/exits of supermarkets and store like that.
As far as the 500 people at the party were concerned, Smalls was a pretty amazingly congenial fellow. He kept in touch (I heard) with the community and everyone in the town were always invited to the estate for bowling, sailing and other activities, and I’m sure they made up about half of the 500 guests.
The wealthy should bring back the habit of building bowling alleys in their basements. It seems to have been a fairly common thing in the early 20th century.
Nice recollection of yesteryear Jersey shore community (we’re on Barnaget Peninsula to the north, where there are similarities to your LBI narrative), and yet another fine example of The Mix seeming to never miss a beat! I’ll add the Newark Evening News to your list, and fondly remember my neighborhood paperboy on bicycle days … tho, reading about Mr. Small’s career path, perhaps those formative years would have been better spent learning shorthand lol
I’ve never been to LBI but I spent 25 years on Shelter Island, the island sheltered by the north and south forks of Long Island. Your wonderful detailed description of going to the yard sales/garage sales /tag sales, etc. put me right back onto Shelter Island which had no nuns but a Catholic retreat which did have outdoor stations of the cross - and a building that looked just like the one remaining Small Point building. What an amazing storm for a March 5- Ash Wednesday. A perfect tale for this March 5 and yes… ten years ago when we sold our house on Shelter Island, it was already becoming a place we no longer recognized. Wow. Your amazing memories brought me back to Shelter island and our version of Mr Small. Thank you Mary Kate!
Thanks, Julie, there are quite a few stories in this story, but with the sale of the Maris Stella, the fact that it is actually a “March 5, Ash Wednesday” and my relationship with the island reduced to hanging on by a few threads, it seemed the right day for it. Especially since Robert has been traveling for weeks and has deadlines. I’ll miss so much about Long Beach Island, but most of what I’ll miss doesn’t exist anymore. ❤️ Thanks for your comment, it means a lot.
Evocative history lesson. While I read, it occurred to me that a significant portion of the readership probably has no idea what a “penny-saver” is. I knew intuitively, although I don’t think that is what we called them where I was from (and I haven’t remembered, either).
Also, Frederick Small hosted 500 guests in 1939. Excluding weddings—because, BORING—I wonder what the largest by-invitation party would be (thrown/paid for, not worked at) across the readership? I’ve probably never gotten above 50 people, and that was a jam-packed, standing-room-only apartment party, not a multi-part affair with sports, sit-down dinner and other entertainments. Of course, most of us aren’t rich people with sprawling estate grounds to enlist, but there must be a middle ground, even in this age.
Ha! You’re right - the penny-saver papers ran on ads and classifieds and had some stories, but they were mostly about community activities and things…and given out free at the entrances/exits of supermarkets and store like that.
As far as the 500 people at the party were concerned, Smalls was a pretty amazingly congenial fellow. He kept in touch (I heard) with the community and everyone in the town were always invited to the estate for bowling, sailing and other activities, and I’m sure they made up about half of the 500 guests.
The wealthy should bring back the habit of building bowling alleys in their basements. It seems to have been a fairly common thing in the early 20th century.
Fabulous story. Love the font on those plates!
It's a good font.
Thanks, Lizzy!
Nice recollection of yesteryear Jersey shore community (we’re on Barnaget Peninsula to the north, where there are similarities to your LBI narrative), and yet another fine example of The Mix seeming to never miss a beat! I’ll add the Newark Evening News to your list, and fondly remember my neighborhood paperboy on bicycle days … tho, reading about Mr. Small’s career path, perhaps those formative years would have been better spent learning shorthand lol
Yes! I forgot the Newark paper. The best part for me was on Sundays when no fewer than at least 4 papers had comics -and they were not all the same.
oh, the Sunday comics were the best!
I just love the elegant mixing of threads in this story - such a great read!
Thank you for reading it!
I’ve never been to LBI but I spent 25 years on Shelter Island, the island sheltered by the north and south forks of Long Island. Your wonderful detailed description of going to the yard sales/garage sales /tag sales, etc. put me right back onto Shelter Island which had no nuns but a Catholic retreat which did have outdoor stations of the cross - and a building that looked just like the one remaining Small Point building. What an amazing storm for a March 5- Ash Wednesday. A perfect tale for this March 5 and yes… ten years ago when we sold our house on Shelter Island, it was already becoming a place we no longer recognized. Wow. Your amazing memories brought me back to Shelter island and our version of Mr Small. Thank you Mary Kate!
We were so lucky to have these times.
Oh yes! So good when we were very young and just as good as we got older !
Fascinating story, but a bit sad to contemplate what has been lost, including all those local newspapers.
The loss of local journalism across the nation has been a critical blow to the health of our democracy. That sort of news coverage is irreplaceable.
The papers of my youth:
The Star Ledger
The Courier News
The Home News
The Messenger Gazette
The Atlantic City Press
The Asbury Park Press
The Trenton Times
The Hunterdon Democrat
My dad bought them all. And they are all gone, I’m sure I could think of more.
I know, right? They’re all gone, except the Sandpaper, of course.
What an interesting lesson. So many evocative images, I want to hear more! Enjoy giving life to the plates. 🌊
They are my favorite plates to eat on.
What an interesting rabbit hole, Mary Kate!
Thanks, Julie, there are quite a few stories in this story, but with the sale of the Maris Stella, the fact that it is actually a “March 5, Ash Wednesday” and my relationship with the island reduced to hanging on by a few threads, it seemed the right day for it. Especially since Robert has been traveling for weeks and has deadlines. I’ll miss so much about Long Beach Island, but most of what I’ll miss doesn’t exist anymore. ❤️ Thanks for your comment, it means a lot.
I’ve only known Long Beach Island for a decade and already most of what I liked about it has disappeared.