Ron Albanese
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On the article Was the Fotomat Hut in Caldwell Worth Saving? (Poll)
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On the article Was the Fotomat Hut in Caldwell Worth Saving? (Poll)
Ron Albanese
8:57 am on Wednesday, March 27, 2013
ReplyHey, Gregory - YES! It's not a huge thing to get hung up on, but the whole area was totally established as being "Uptown" for multiple generations. The folks involved with trying to revitalize the Bloomfield Avenue area (and I completely back them and appreciate the efforts!) made an oversight in calling it "Downtown" - it doesn't even work geographically (ha ha)! I feel it sends a mixed message: "that was then, this is now." Or: "we wanna be like other towns."
Caldwell is not Westfield, etc. and it's cool in its own way - let's celebrate the best the of the past, and build on it.
And, speaking of which, I still miss the Fotomat building, but yeah - to best utilize that lot, I suppose it had to go.
Hey, Caldwell trivia people: is this the first construction done Up/Downtown done in like, decades? I think so!
Good discussion!
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On the article Was the Fotomat Hut in Caldwell Worth Saving? (Poll)
Ron Albanese
8:51 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013
ReplyI say it was an icon ... the Fotomat booths are true Americana, and moreover, this "uptown" example (the area was called that for decades until it became "downtown") actually did serve a purpose from time to time highlighting various local institutions' efforts and the like - I recall Girl Scouts' artwork hanging in/on it, a notice about an upcoming town event, etc. So, it was utilized a bit, but enough to stop a business from razing it? I'm not sure.
Then again, much like the "Flintstone Bank" at the corner of Central and Bloomfield, structures like this add character to the area.
I personally would have sought a way to keep it, and infuse it into a remodel or something. I also liked the lot around it, which added space to that corner and that part of up/down-town as well.
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On the article Peeler Marks 40 Years Working in Auto Repair Business
Ron Albanese
8:27 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013
ReplyNice story ... I love seeing this kind of stuff in the Patch!
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On the article Hoboken Christmas Tree Lighting A Reprieve From Sandy Stress
Ron Albanese
3:32 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
ReplyGreat event, cool pix!
Signed, your favorite "large elf"
Ron
(POLKA DOT!/Elvis The Elf) -
On the article Santa Ditches Sleigh, Rides Into Montville on Fire Truck
Ron Albanese
10:03 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
ReplyNice pix and clip! The Montville lighting is always a blast ... just a nice community event with kids, parents, town workers (D.P.W.), and the high school kids!
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On the article Photos: Verona Kicks off the Holiday Season With Annual Fair in the Square
Ron Albanese
5:26 pm on Sunday, December 2, 2012
ReplyGreat photos that really encapsulate the event! 2012 was the 16th annual F.I.T.S, and I have been at half of them - this year was truly the best yet. The attractions, food, all the vendors with a variety of wares ... and, the KIDS! Just fun stuff.
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On the article Two Weeks Later, Hoboken Celebrates Halloween
Ron Albanese
9:19 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
ReplyCool pix! This year was awesome - great kids 'n' costumes!
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On the article Our Lady of the Lake Celebrates Oktoberfest
Ron Albanese
11:50 am on Monday, October 15, 2012
ReplyBoth Kinder-and Oktoberfest - from both a performer and attendee's perspective were lots of fun ... and super-supportive of Our Lady of The Lake!
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On the article Our Lady of the Lake Preps for Third Annual Oktoberfest
Ron Albanese
2:32 pm on Friday, October 12, 2012
ReplyRon Albanese/POLKA DOT! and THE POLKA DOT PALS! will be in concert at KINDERFEST (Friday night!) at 7:20 through 9 p.m. Come on out and be a part of the show!
Ron Albanese
2:14 pm on Wednesday, March 27, 2013
CJ: Awesome! "Uptown" lives! I too was a little thrown by the scale of the new building; it's a little beyond the scale of others in the area, and being on the corner will serve to make that particular corridor seem "tighter" on Bloomfield ... as for parking, yeah, I guess Park will be more filled up!