Thanks to all of you who sent in e-mails responding to the blog entry last week on Tony Siegle. One of the first notes I got was from Tony’s sister, Carol, who let me know that “around those parts I am better known as Sugie.” Yet another Trentonian with a nickname. I love it. She didn’t explain how she got the moniker but undoubtedly it was related to some episode in her youth. I can’t wait to hear.
Carol let me know that while I neglected to mention her in the article, that her brother “has achieved so much and I am very proud of him.” She went on to point out that “The one member of the family, also from Trenton, that was not mentioned in the article was me.” I apologize. Not being a local, I can’t know everything. While Tony made sure that I knew of his exploits on the baseball diamond at West End Little League, Carol has an accomplishment for which she revels in. “My claim to fame in Trenton: Black Team Captain 1963, victorious for the first time in many years. It was a proud day that March 1963 when the entire student body gathered at the flag pole, in front of the school, and watched the black school flag being raised. Aah, those were the days.”
In the previous blog, I included an e-mail received from Mitch Ginsburg that dealt with the Boy Scouts. It was a string that was started by Norm Denard. Ron Warren picked up on that line and added this.
“There were two recent blogs about Boy Scout troops, the most recent from Mitch Ginsburg, and I would like to add a few comments. In the 1950’s and 1960’s, there was an active Boy Scout organization in Trenton, Scout Troop 160 sponsored by the Knights of Pythias. Although largely Jewish, non-Jewish members were welcomed and active participants. The troop was led by Hank Cohen (later Cargan) who devoted a great deal of time and energy to the program. Hank was an auto mechanic who had a shop on S. Warren St. (H&M Auto Electric) which he ran with his brother Mort. Hank was a charismatic figure who was well respected by the members of the group. Troop 160 met every Tuesday evening at Adath Israel Synagogue then located on Bellevue Ave. A product of this activity was the formation of the Tallis and Tephilin Club also led by Hank who had a deep interest in Judaism. Hank had limited formal education but read extensively. The group met for Shacharit services every Sunday AM followed by a teaching session and then by a very popular lox and bagel breakfast sponsored by the Adath Men’s Club. As mentioned by Mitch, Harry Ginsburg played an important and supportive role in these activities.”
An interesting aside from Rabbi Daniel Grossman at Adath Israel in Lawrenceville. He grew up in Northeast Philadelphia. At his synagogue, only Boy Scouts were allowed to read from the Torah.
Ron also added some background to the Tony Siegle story. Tony’s family ran Siegle Brothers and Ron’s father was also in the wholesale paper business...
As an addendum to the article on Tony Siegle, I would like to comment on the Jewish-owned wholesale paper distributors in Trenton. In addition to Siegle Bros., there was Harold Anshen Co. located on Ferry St. and owned by Harold and Rose Anshen, and Louis Kupersmit Co., located on Center St., run by “Louie” and his brother Max. My father, Dave Warren, worked for the Anshen’s and eventually became a partner in the business. Lou Kupersmit’s son Marvin and I were neighbors on Edgewood Ave and went through school together at Cadwallader, Jr. Three and Trenton High. Marvin is a radiologist currently residing in Fla.”
Also in the last blog, I asked for more information on the Kosher Butchers that were located in Trenton during the Golden Age. I received an e-mail from Myron Hafetz, whose Grandfather Father and Uncle ran Hafetz’s. In my next entry, I’ll take a stab (sorry) at some of the information I’ve been able to gather on the meat markets in the area. I’ve already spoken with Edie Gordon, of Hafitz’s --(they are related)...more next time. Keep those e-mails coming.
Thanks,
Ed
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