By: Merle Citron
Lambertville Mayor David Del Vecchio and I recently stopped to chat.
His life, like everyone else’s, has changed since Sept. 11.
"Problems that used to seem significant," he said, "are now put into a different perspective. I think that people seem to be more aware of each other."
Dave told me a group of locals are working to put together a unity event for Oct. 14.
"It involves the clergy, firemen, police, emergency response people and local folks," he said.
Dave also told me Lambertvillians Pat Pittore, Spring Pittore and Tex Huggins worked at ground zero as did Chuck Chamberlain of Swan Street, who has been there twice. A couple of Lambertville fire companies and members of the Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance and Rescue Squad went to Liberty Park to help. Lambertville’s got a lot of heart, and when there’s trouble, we’re there.
Sue Barnabie and Cindy Sternfeld live on North Franklin Street.
According to Sue, "All the flowers and vegetables that you see in the front of our house are there because of Cindy. She’s the green thumb around here."
Everything, including Cindy’s tomatoes, are grown in buckets or pots and sit on the concrete. It is obvious these gals have a penchant for encouraging growth. Cindy and Sue both teach at the Katzenbach School for the Deaf in Trenton.
"My seniors are working to raise funds for the families of the World Trade Center victims," Cindy told me, adding, "By the way, don’t miss seeing our enormous peace flag now hanging in the front of our house."
I promised her I’d stop by and check it out. I did, and it’s great!
Last Sunday, Deborah Maher, Titusville opera singer, voice teacher and artist, sang "America the Beautiful" at the Trenton Arena.
She took down the house.
Donna Lind and her husband, Jon Dennison, live on South Union Street with their three daughters, Allison, Rebecca and Victoria.
"I was born and raised in Lambertville," Donna told me, "and it was great fun growing up with Alice Lind as my mom. She taught me about hard work and how you have to start at the beginning and work your way up. She is a great mom."
Jon is a chef at the California Grill Restaurant in Flemington. He often doesn’t get home from work until 10 p.m. Even though Donna gets up at 5 a.m., she cooks dinner for Jon, when he gets home.
"My day is about 15 hours long," she said.
Alice can be proud of Donna. She really is a hard worker.
Talking about hard workers, if you would like to see more of Diana Meskill, you’ve got to move quickly.
She now works part-time at the Pennington Market. She also sells real estate for Lelie. She swims every day, and in her spare time, she’s on her bike up and down the towpath. And that’s only the half of it!
Brian Keyes and his wife, Lisa, live in New Hope.
Lisa does painting restoration work. Brian is a New Hope lawyer, who truly enjoys the opportunity to be instrumental in a legal situation where all parties feel comfortable with the outcome.
"I like what I do," Brian told me, "and I really feel good when I’m able to help all parties to feel satisfied."
Brian has lived in this area all of his life.
"I was born and raised in New Hope," he said. "I went to New Hope-Solebury High School, and I have a lot of fond memories of those days. I knew Bonnie Eick when she was Bonnie Brown. She’s a good looking woman now, but she was gorgeous then!" Whoa.
"I’ve had it!" Grace Croteau yelled, her frustration bubbling over.
"Ever since my 15-year-old VCR died, I don’t know how to work my new one. I could work the old one just fine. I’m not a stupid person, but now I have to call Don Jordan every time I want to tape a program from the TV. What’s worse is that every time there’s a power outage, I have to call Don to come over and reprogram my VCR again. Elaine Daniels can’t work her VCR either, and she relies on him, too. Lucky for Don, Doris Brandes, who also doesn’t know how to work her VCR, relies on her daughter."
Michelle Mignogna is someone who isn’t afraid of hard work.
She and Jon Beamer own a home in Pipersville. Michelle has worked at Duck Soup restaurant in New Hope for the past three years, and she now intends to also open her own cleaning business.
"I love working at Duck Soup," she told me. "Carla and Lino Fuentes, the owners, are wonderful people. Even though Carla is going through tough times, she’s one of the strongest people I know."
Michelle said Duck Soup has built its reputation over the past 17 years.
"Carla knows how to make everybody feel at home," Michelle smiled. "It’s like a big family here. Carla makes everybody feel special. She even knows how they like their food. The same folks show up every morning, like Joe Crilley, Lee Mendelson, John Larsen, Jack Rosen, Shawn Miller, Barry Fedderoff, to name a few."
It’s obvious Carla and Lino are not afraid of hard work, either. They certainly do have their hands full.
Not only does the business keep them running, but so does their 2-year-old granddaughter, Carly. Their daughter, Michelle, just left for Westchester State College where she will study music. Jamie, their 15-year-old son, is still at home.
In order to avoid complete exhaustion, Carla and Lino recently locked their doors and took a much-needed vacation in the Netherlands and Belgium. Needless to say, they loved every minute of it.
Sorry to hear that Alexis Campbell, current president of Artsbridge, and her husband, Bill, who have only been here for two years, are soon moving back to the West Coast.
"Bill got a different job," Alexis told me. "I’m sad to leave but we do have many good friends waiting for us when we get back."
Good luck to both of you and thanks for all your hard work with Artsbridge, Alexis.
Lou Toboz and Ron Walker of Coryell Street never cease to be amazed at the friendliness of people in Lambertville.
Lou told me about a young couple named Linda and Steve, who were in transition so they stayed for a month at the Apple Inn on York Street. The couple then got married.
"After three conversations with Linda and Steve, we were invited to their lovely wedding reception. This is truly what makes Lambertville so special," Lou marveled.
And there you have it folks, a little chit and a little chat.
