November 24 - Small Business Saturday

Small business day is tomorrow, November 24th. Several years ago, American Express promoted the idea that people should support the retailers in their local community. 

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/Shop-Small/?pkw=small+business&pmt=p&pcrid=15844209894

I thought it would be interesting for you to know that one of the oldest continuous stores in our community is the Scarsdale Ford on Central Avenue. They have been in their current location since 1975. 

The world has changed since that time and many places of business have come and gone. In 1975, E.J. Korvette's, a discount department store, was located across the street from Scarsdale Ford, where the ShopRite store on Central Avenue currently resides. 

Growing up my father's parents told him that E.J. Korvette's got it's name from the owners who shortened  the acronym, " Eight Jewish Korean Veterans. This rumor was proven false because the department chain was actually started in 1948, two years before the Korean War.

Remember to shop locally this Saturday and support the stores that help our community.

Art Work or Historic Relic ?

In my last post, I wrote about the railroad engine wheel that was used by the Greenville Fire Department to signal volunteers to come to the fire house.

Last week I went with my parents when they went to vote. Their polling place is at the Greenville Fire Department. The entrance to the polling place is behind the fire house. Directly in front of the entrance is the engine wheel which I wrote about. The brass plaque is all worn away. Not many people would know what it is or why it is there. My parents always thought it was a piece of art. Now, like you, they know the history behind this piece of art work hanging behind the Greenville Fire Department.

The Edgemont Fire Department

The Greenville Fire Department is located at 711 Central Park Ave, across the street from the A&P. The volunteer arm of this fire department was formed in 1913,  making this the oldest volunteer organization in our area.

In 1913, fire calls were received at the Greenville Hotel, which was located on the northwest corner of Central Avenue and Underhill Road. ( for more information on the Greenville Hotel, go to my blog from June 28th, 2012.)  When a fire call was received, an alarm was sounded by striking a hammer on an old railroad engine wheel. Volunteers ran or rode their horses to the hotel, grabbed their equipment and hurried to the fire. In the above picture, you can see the engine wheel that was used on the left side of the photograph.

Below is a picture of the fire department in its present location in 1950.

Here's how the expanded building looks today.

The Haves and Have Nots

Sandy made landfall in the Northeast five days ago. It has changed many peoples lives. After it was safe to leave the house, I was going to post some photos of the destruction it has caused in our community. After looking at the photos, I felt the losses our neighbors suffered were too hurtful for others to see. 

The effects of Sandy grows stronger every day. On that first day, the story of the haves and have nots was quite evident. There was a division between those with electricity, food, cable, internet and hot showers and those who sat in the dark with coats on, freezing in their own homes. This time the haves and have nots was not a reflection of the foundations of our social order. 

Now on the fourth day after Sandy, there's another story of the haves and have nots. What the have nots want is gasoline for their cars and generators. This new development is beginning to turn scary.

Here's the Hess gas station on Central Avenue and Mount Joy. There's now 124 cars on the line to get gas. Drivers,at least for now, are patiently waiting for up to three hours. The line for this station makes a giant U shape around Central Avenue. With two police officers supervising, the line made its way from the Hess station up Mount Joy to Fort Hill Road.

It turned on Fort Hill Road heading towards Scarsdale Farm Road.

It then snaked its way down Fort Hill Road until it reached Ardsley Road.

 

It then turned on Fort Hill Road and headed down Ardsley Road all the way back to Central Avenue by the Scarsdale Ford dealership.