By Jenine Clancy, Special Writer
MONROE — Classic Cars lined the municipal plaza parking lot, as residents from the township and the surrounding areas were transported back to a time when the New Jersey Turnpike was in its infancy.
The Cars and Coffee event, headed by Library Director Irene Goldberg and Director of Public Works Wayne Horbatt, celebrated 350 years of New Jersey History by showing off vintage cars that would have been driving on the turnpike during that period.
Some cars included a 1952 Bentley, 1940 Ford and 1933 Cadillac.
Mr. Horbatt said all the cars displayed were models produced up until the 1960’s.
"One of the reasons Monroe developed was because the turnpike," Ms. Goldberg said. "When the turnpike opened in 1952, people came out of the city, mostly to retire. This (area) was all farms. We feel the turnpike has had a major impact on Monroe."
Ms. Goldberg said the Monroe Township Library received a grant from the state titled "Center of the Book," which encourages literature.
This year, the purpose of the grant was to focus on 350 years of New Jersey History.
Ms. Goldberg said because of the turnpike’s impact on the town, and Mr. Horbatt’s passion for classic cars, they were able to make the event happen.
"This is the culmination. We did movies about places along the turnpike, we did all kinds of displays at the library, we did lectures about the history of the turnpike and this is the end result," Ms. Goldberg said. "There have been books written on beginnings of the turnpike, specifically from Angus Gillespie, who is a professor at Rutgers."
Mr. Gillespie’s book titled Looking for America "represents America’s ideas and values" according to a description on his official Amazon page.
"It’s more or less how we lived in our youth," Mr. Horbatt said. "A lot of these older people, seeing these cars today, grew up late 40’s early 50’s. Now they have reached retirement age and are able to put these cars together. It’s a good clean hobby."
Coffee and donuts were served as 1950’s era "Sock Hop" music played in the background.
"I think there are some great cars here," said Jackson resident Ray Wetstein, 48, who was showing off his red, 1968 Chrysler Newport. "It’s just a good time for people to come out and share what they own. I have been remodeling cars since I was a kid, so this is a great event."
"This brings back a lot of memories, "said William Tallman who is a resident of the 55-plus community Concordia in Monroe. "I can relate to a lot of these cars I see here, I remember seeing these as a kid."
Married couple Leo and Gloria Pado, both 70, came from Allentown and were very blunt with how they got into remodeling cars.
"We bought it that way!" Mr. Pado said with a laugh, next to his red, 1937 Ford.
"It’s a beautiful crowd and we are enjoying it, we have met a lot of nice people and its a great day to talk about a shared passion," Mrs. Pado said.
Ms. Goldberg said they hope to have the event next year, even if without a grant from the state.
"We want to continue this for many more years," she said.

