The 29-degree weather didn’t keep visitors away from the Jamesburg Carriage Ride on Dec. 9.
The Jamesburg Presbyterian Church held old-fashioned carriage rides pulled by Belgian horses Dec. 9, featuring 15-minute narrated tours of culturally significant town buildings and streets. Above: Christina Miller, 7, of Jamesburg, pets one of the horses. Proceeds went to Deacon’s Food Pantry. JEFF GRANIT staff The 15-minute tour was narrated by the knowledgeable Elliot Stroul, president of the Jamesburg Revitalization Coalition.
The tour began and ended at the Jamesburg Presbyterian Church. It highlighted the town’s culturally significant buildings and streets, giving a history of how they originated and the people who contributed to the success of some of the town businesses.
The horse-drawn carriage ride was pulled by Rusty and Cola, Belgian draft horses provided by Greyhorse Carriage Co.
Elaine and Kevin McMinn, owners of the company, have been assisting Jamesburg for several years for this special occasion. The McMinns enjoy the event, Elaine McMinn said.
As Rusty and Cola trotted through the cold, Stroul began to tell stories of the town’s namesake, James Buckelew, and his home, also known as the Lakeview Mansion, that is under construction to be reopened possibly next year. It will serve as a museum once again and include some new findings that Stroul pointed out on the tour.S
troul talked briefly about the homestead of Abraham Davison, located on the corner of Front Street and Gatzmer. Next on the tour was the Elks Lodge that was once the Star Theatre, where a movie would cost 20 cents in the early 1900s — 17 cents plus a 3-cent tax, Stroul said.
Frankie Hayes was mentioned on the tour; he was a famous baseball player in the 1930s who was born and raised in Jamesburg. According to Stroul, he held a record for catching for 312 consecutive games and hitting four doubles in one game.
Hayes played for Philadelphia, Cleveland, Chicago and Boston during his career.
Stroul found one of Hayes’ gloves, which will be displayed in the Buckelew House after its restoration.
The Hogan family of Jamesburg were just a few of the riders throughout the evening who enjoyed hearing the tales of the town and interesting historical trivia.
“It was really nice,” Tim Hogan said.
Tim, his wife Erica, and their three children, Taylor, John and Nick, were firsttimers on the carriage ride event but they are no strangers to Jamesburg as they have all lived there most of their lives.
“This town has a lot of history,” Tim Hogan said.
Nick, who also enjoyed the ride, said he enjoyed the history but was proud to know most of what they heard thanks to his father Tim, who has taught him a great deal about the town in which they live.
After their ride, visitors and riders were invited to enjoy hot chocolate from Stroul Entertainment Group, smoked-tomato bisque soup and mulled cider from Fiddleheads restaurant, roasted chestnuts from Sweet William and Tyme Florist and Gift Shop, and cookies from PNC Bank Jamesburg, all served in the warm and cozy environment of the church. The local Boy Scout troop was also there selling popcorn and distributing preordered poinsettias.
Proceeds from the ride go to Deacon’s Food Pantry for groceries to be distributed to hundreds of families in the area, Stroul said.
A cookbook was also created with the help of sponsors and advertisers to help the Food Pantry. Volunteers assist Stroul with his efforts to keep the food pantry stocked, sell the cookbook and to help with distributions, which usually take place on the third Saturday of every month.