Helen Pike:
Telling America's Stories

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Hi Helen,
I am looking for a specific post card from Sea Isle City, NJ from the early to mid '90s. It has my grandmother and a few other relatives in front of the Spinnaker towers. Do you have any suggestions where I could look to find this postcard?
Heather

Hi,
I'm doing genealogy research on the Thomas P. McKenna family, originally from Dungiven, North Ireland and wondered if you have any information, current contact information or old photos of the family. Thanks for any help you can give.

Dear Helen,
I am in a bind - I need to buy a copy of the first and second West Long Branch books for work I am doing at WLB Borough Hall, but the earlier title is available for $100.!!! Do you know where I can find a reasonably priced copy????
Kind Regards, candace Mitchell cbmitchell2@verizon.net

Hi Helen!
Do you have any idea of the significance of the name "Cornwall" to the town of Highlands, New Jersey (07732)? There is a street, and subsequently a park, by this name in the center of town, just off Bay Avenue.
Great site!
Maureen Gribbroek

Hi Maureen.
Thanks for the compliment!
Great question. Parks and streets typically honor those folks who've made significant civic contributions to a town at some point in its development.
Let me know if anyone in Borough Hall [Planning Department may be a good start] helps you out so we can post the answer here.
BTW: Did you know Highlands was once named Parkertown?
Helen, September 6, 2009
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Hello Helen, love your articles!

It's enlightening to learn about Edmund Wilson by way of Dorothy Parker and The New Yorker by way of your online post. You are the purveyor of little-known Jerseyana gems. Any chance of hearing your recital of Dotty’s poem on the podcast?

Singapore celebrates its Independence Day today (Aug 9), and so are you! Happy Birthday Helen! And many happy returns!

From Raf and your fanbase in Singapore.
We look forward to see you in Asia soon! :-)

Right back at you, Raf and crew!
Great idea about podcasting "One Perfect Rose", the Dorothy Parker poem I read at this year's Dottie celebration in Long Branch, her birth city. Stay tuned as I master MacBookPro! Helen
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Anybody remember the mobile crime exhibit? It was a converted bus which housed the states electric chair. It was usually parked at the north end of the casino during the mid to late 70's early 80's.

I worked on the Boardwalk the summer of 1975 and then had an internship downtown at the Asbury Park Press in the summer of '76. For a city that once used a dumpster as a mobile swimming pool for the West Side's children, a converted bus featuring an electric chair as crime-deterrent propoganda could be plausible. But I'll have to do some research to find anything definitive.
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Hi, I love your books. One thing I have not been able to find out is, where did the Knights of Columbus building used to be in Asbury Park? My late grandparents were caretakers there, probably in the 1930s, and they lived on the premises with my mother, also deceased, and their other children. I sent an email to the Asbury Park K of C Council of Asbury Park, now located in Neptune City, but have not heard back from them. Thank you for any help. Mary Palmer

Mary,

In 1922 the Knights of Columbus of Asbury Park met at Winckler's Hall, 715 Mattison Avenue (between Bond and Main Street, north side).
By 1954 the Asbury Park Council was meeting at 1017 Main Street (between Second and Third avenues, west side.)
That's the best I can do for you. Let me know if that was helpful. Helen

PS: I'm glad you like my books! I have a new one that traces how certain industries evolved over 300 years in New Jersey. The photography is gorgeous!

And, there's a nifty timeline. It's a great resource for elementary school children for when they study New Jersey history. Check it out!
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Hey Professor! It's Radwa Ali from Media Systems. Nice site! I didn't realize you were such a celebrity :) Dunno if you have my contact info, but I'll leave it with you just in case. Heck, if you need a guinea pig or anything for any of your classes, just give me a call! darcy2nd@eden.rutgers.edu. See you around!

Radwa, It was good to see you at SCILS. Even better was getting caught up with your plans to graduate early and seamlessly move into Rutgers' highly praised MILS program! Keep up the good work, and keep writing ~ it's a talent you have! Prof. Pike

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Helen, I enjoyed the article "Robert Pike's Journey Home" and absolutely agree with your suggestions for Long Branch to explore the history of the town.

What better way to keep that history alive and increase tourist potential.

That is exactly what my town of Poteau, Oklahoma has done and is continuing to do. Donna Deaton

Thanks, Donna!
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Helen, It's Alana. Met you at my salon. Great Web page. I am very impressed. Please drop me a line. Crimson918@optonline.net

Stay tuned, Alana! There's more in the pipeline.
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Hey prof. Pike, it's Ashley Strain from your Spring 2007 Development of Mass Media Class. I came upon your page when searching for prof. Solomon on the SCILS directory to harass him for a special permission number. I could always tell by the material you lectured in class that you had a profound love for New Jersey but I never would have thought it to have been so deeply rooted in your career. All of your accomplishments listed on your page are really inspiring! I hope you're enjoying your summer...just don't work too hard!

Hi Ashley, Nice to read your feedback. Are we ready to resume RU? P2
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Kitty Messner's place was in West Long Branch, not Long Branch.

It absolutely was! Where was it written otherwise? Helen
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I have a Scrip Certificate for Fractional Share of Seacoast Trust Company, Asbury Park, N.J., dated October 15, 1934, signed by Frank F. Allen. Is this of any historical value to anyone???? pjnink@aol.com Phyllis

Phyllis, Collectors of bank ephemera may be interested in Depression-era scrip issued by the Seacoast Trust Company. If the Asbury Park Public Library already doesn't have an example of scrip, it may be interested. Helen, May 12, 2008

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Our company is becoming involved in the restoration of the Sunset Veterans fountain. I was wondering if you have any info on it. We are trying to be as authentic as possible. We are trying to find out what color the lights were in particular.Any info you can forward would be greatly appreciated Thank You Mary Ann Old School Service

Hi Mary Ann,

Information on the original installation of the fountain in Sunset Lake Park in Asbury Park is difficult to come by.

In their meeting notes, did the veterans make mention of the project? Its public commemoration? A reference to the contractor? Receipt?

Even a year would enable you to go to the microfilm archives at the Asbury Park Public Library on First Avenue at Grand and read through the back issues of the "Asbury Park Press" to see if the event was covered.

Another way to try and find out a clue is to determine who, on the veterans' membership roster, might have been in a business that could have donated a fountain, such as a landscaping or monument-design firm. Then, see if there are any business records available.

Joe Lopez, a veteran, or Tommy Taylor, his partner, at Francioni, Taylor and Lopez Funeral Home in Neptune also might have a lead for you to pursue.

Welcome to the world of historical research!

Keep me posted!

Helen, April 3, 2008