Tuesday, August 21, 2012

MUNICIPALS: "I" IS FOR IRVINGTON



 "I" is for Irvington,  in my Municipal Collection.

The first thought I had when writing this post was: "What is Irvington doing here?" There must be a million people living there.

Population just doesn't make a place a City.  Even though the record shows a population of 53,000, this place is incorporated as Township, not a City.

With this community clearly identified as a Township I made the count of badges in my display to see where it sits in alphabetical order. It is number 19. It sits in the 3rd row.

The sad news here is, I'll never get a piece for every municipality in New Jersey. There are over 500. I can't even name half of them.

When I grew up in Newark the family estate  (35' x100' lot) was in an area that bordered on three other communities. I could walk to any of them in less then five minutes. Irvington was the closest. I walked there often. 

I went to Church in Irvington. The girls I dated were from Irvington. I got married at Sanford Heights Church in Irvington. God that was 45 years ago. I even lived in Irvington for a couple of years. God,  I have of roots in this township.

During my career I often had jobs there. Sometimes my memories as a kid crossed with a job assignment as an adult. The boy in me remembered Olympic Park. It was a well known amusement park. It had a nice pool, a huge wooden roller coaster, and nice area where bands played. My dad, a Newark Cop, moonlighted by playing clarinet with Captain Joe Basile's Band on Sunday's. Dad had enough seniority that he got quite a few Sundays off.


One of my work assignment took me into Olympic Park. I got in free!  This time the park closed was closed. The pool was empty, the roller coaster was silent, and the band was gone. A Detective from Irvington and I spent a few hours checking out attractions finding only memories. Even though we could not find this dumb kid, we established a good working friendship. When we talked there were usually three subjects that came up. First was Olympic Park, Second was my Badge Collection, and Last was something to do with the Job.

Harry eventually made a nice donation to my collection. In fact he had three pieces for me. All I had to do was get him some information. I was so motivated I made this trade 'face to face' in less than an hour.  It was just better to do it that way. Of the items he donated to my collection none were from Irvington. What I care about today, as you have ascertained, is the memories, and to have this fine badge to in my collection.

It is a design used by many municipalities. This one is stamped, on the top panel, "IRVINGTON," while the second panel reads "Police."  In the number box is the number "90." It's simple, It's traditional, and  It's a keeper.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

ORLANDO'S "VACATION CAPITAL" POLICE SHOW SET FOR SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

 

 

The following notice was submitted to us to share with collectors.

The Orlando Police Collectors Show has been a great event in the past and promises to be dynamite this year. I know I plan to bring a few cases of items I have from Newark, NJ, including the fabulous Newark Police Chancemen Badge that I added to my collection a few months ago. I will also bring the above pictured "City" collection from New Jersey.

See the official notice below:

*******


VACATION CAPITAL
POLICE COLLECTORS SHOW
ORLANDO, FLORIDA

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

ROSEN PLAZA HOTEL
9700 INTERNATIONAL DRIVE

CENTRALLY LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE TOURIST DISTRICT. CLOSE TO UNVIVERSAL STUDIOS, SEA WORLD, WALT DISNEY WORLD AND TWO WORLD CLASS FACTORY OUTLET MALLS.
 EASY ACCESS FROM THE ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, INTERSTATE 4, AND THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE.

100 TABLES ARE AVAILABLE AT $25.00 EACH
SET UP BEGINS AT 730 AM****SHOW OPENS AT 900 AM

A SPECIAL ROOM RATE OF $69.00 IS AVAILBE FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS. CALL 1-800-627-8258  FOR HOTEL RESERVATIONS.   PLEASE MENTION THE “OCSO VACATION CAPITAL POLICE SHOW” BY NAME.
 FREE ON-SITE PARKING FOR ATTENDEES & GUESTS
Awards will be presented for Best Badge, Best Patch and Best Overall Displays.  Admission is $2.00

               FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
DOUG SARUBBI at sarubb@aol.com OR CALL
DAY: 407-351-9368  NIGHT: 407-297-1232
Co-Hosts: Ron Bartholome and John Holmes
Please confirm reservations by mailing payment to:
Doug Sarubbi, 4023 Salmon Dr, Orlando, Fl. 32835

Monday, August 6, 2012

MUNICIPALS: "H" IS FOR HILLSIDE




This is number (18) eighteen in sequence. I thought it was going to be easy to just count them, but a double here and there strained my brain.

In the Municipal Collection this s another "H". It is for Hillside, NJ This is a nice name for a little town that borders lovely Newark, N.J.


As a kid I learned quick that n trains had a factory and store in this area. I actually worked my tail off in school to earn a train set one year. It was an "0-27" gauge, and I made it fit inside and slightly elevated over my original (and wow would i like it back) "O" gauge set.


Lionel is gone now from Hillside, as am I. Miles and light years. That means I won't be getting "my" train set back.

I also remember Phil Rizzuto lived here. I believe the Yankee shortstop stayed in this town even after retiring as a sportscaster. Holly Cow. I could have told him how to get on US 22 and head for the Garden State Parkway to get out of town.

I obtained this police badge back in the 80's along with a couple of Fire Badges. Most of the fire badges have been sold or traded. The above #48 I still have, but it is not part of a display.

The Captain Badge is included in the displays I still maintain. It is a heavy badge with gold tone finish. The NJ State Seal was placed on it prior to plating. It is smaller then a dime. I think technically we call it dinky in size.

There are two panels that come standard with this design. On this badge the two panels are stamped: Hillside, and Police. On the bottom is a plate over the number box with the rank Captain done in reverse stamped blue enamel.

Well I do like this piece, as I do with all that make up the display pictured above. They all help keep my mind working on all those memories. Just maybe I'll get my train set back.