ORLANDO POLICE COLLECTORS SHOW

We just received this letter from the sponsor regarding the show on September 14. It will be at the Rosen Plaza Hotel. 

Look for our post dated July 12 for all the details. We will re-post it in August. 
  
We join the sponsors and hope to see you all there. Now read Doug Sarubb' letter below:

  Hope to see you at the 2013 Orlando Police Collectors Show. Orlando is always a great show. Meet old friends and make new friends. Make your plans to attend now. Great room rates are still available. See the attached flyer for details. Free parking for hotel and show guest.  Please pass along the flyer and tell your friends.

Thanks For Your Support.    

See You There.  Doug

MUNICIPALS: "W" IS FOR WAYNE TOWNSHIP

MUNICIPALS: "W" IS FOR WAYNE TOWNSHIP

This "W" is for Wayne Township in my Municipal Collection. It is the 38th badge, by municipality, in alphabetical order.

This is another New Jersey community  that in part thrives simply because of geography. It is twenty miles, using a car today, from the middle of Manhattan. My daughter, who lives at the New York end of the miles calculation, would probably love to run a marathon to Wayne.

When I grew up, a century ago, I often visited my Uncles who lived in and or near here. One had a nice house on what was called Packanack Lake. Very few people seemed to be living here back then. I did not see the Indians as the were gone. Today there are over 50,000 residents.

My second Uncle lived near the Pequannock, Pompton and Passaic Rivers all near Wayne Township. They were fun to use with a canoe or small outboard. Swimming and fishing were excellent.

Missing today from this area is the "Paquettahhnuake (try spell check on that) Indians." 

That name has its'  roots in: "a clearance of land and getting it ready for harvest." I think the Indians would be surprised at the planting of  Willowbrook Mall in a major area of this Township. It is known as a premier US  shopping location, and it puts Wayne Twnp. definitely on the map.

Every now and then the community makes the news when the Indians get their revenge by flooding those rivers as shown below.



This picture, from 2011,  is from North Jersey Com.

I don't know if the local police use canoes, or small outboards, to patrol the township during these never ending storms that seem to happen every other year. I am sure the Police did a fine job keeping their heads above water.

The badges shown above are a matching set which makes them more interesting for me to have and display. They are no longer in use. The badge has an eagle on top of the traditional shape that I have frequently said I like. They have been in my collection over 25 years and I am quite proud of them on display.

In the two panels are the words: Wayne Township and Police. There is a State Seal at center point. In the number box is a 12. Below the number box are the State's initials "N.J."

As usual I can view this item and enjoy   memories of my youth.  My parents thought I was a wild Indian back then. They were probably right, but I thought I was really a good kid, because I could spell "Paquettahhnuake."  Yeah Right.



  

BADGE SHOW - SEP 14 2013 - ROSEN PLAZA HOTEL

FLORIDA BADGE SHOW

ORLANDO

SEP 14, 2013

ROSEN HOTEL

MUNICIPALS: "W" IS FOR WASHINGTON

Wow !  I am closing in on the end of the alphabet. This badge represents "W" for Washington Township in my Municipal Collection.

In alpha-municipal order this is number 37.

When I lived in New Jersey I almost purchased a home here, but the wife said it was too rural. I told her I saw another home a quarter of a mile just down the trail. Oh yes, She was right. We would not live on top of Montana Mt. It even sounded like we were out West in the Rockies.

There was a "Town" that I thought was nice. It had everything.  It wasn't far - maybe five miles down Brass Castle Rd. When I thought of winter snows, I knew that short distance would be a nightmare if one (not me) was going to make a run to the store for a quart of milk.

What was interesting about the "Town" was  it wasn't a Town. It was a Borough.  Now if I bought that house I would have  really lived in the "Township" that completely surrounds the Borough. I would have  shopped in the Borough, and worked just over the mountain in some cornfield. There were a lot of cornfields in the late 1960's  in this area. It was easy to get lost.

On top of the confusion that might exist when looking in this area of Warren County there are a couple more communities in New Jersey with the same name. However they are located in different counties and are smaller.

I focused on this Washington Township simply because I  knew the area and because this is the largest in terms of geography. It is 20+ square miles. There are roughly 15,000 people living here, and there used to be a lot of deer too. I liked to hunt in the area when much younger.

Now the badge I have reads:  TWP of WASHINGTON. This is on the top panel of the traditional shape old Jersey badges that I collect.

On the second panel is the word: POLICE. Both panels have recessed black enamel filled letters.

In the center of the badge is a State Seal. It is stamped from the rear into the badge surface. This is common for this type of badge.

At the bottom is the number box. It contains the number 134. I am puzzled about this number as this department has never had that many employees serving on the police force at one time. The current number is less than thirty.

Even with my question about the number I see this as a very nice badge. There is a possibility that it comes from one of the other Washington's.   I'll probably never know the answer to that. I do know it is in very good condition and that it is a nice fit in my collection. I am pleased to have it, and the memory of that house on Montana Mountain. 

APPRECIATED CONTRIBUTION

It is not Newark. It is not New Jersey. It is one heck of a nice badge.

This was acquired several months ago. The owner was very much aware of my collection   (I made him look at it all for thirty minutes straight) and he quickly promised to donate his for the display.

He presented it to me at a lunch we attend so there are around fifty witnesses that know it is now mine. I promise to treat it with respect. I have it under glass next to one from Boston.

While my interest is Jersey I like those that are gifts from places beyond NJ, especially when a lot of friendship comes with the donation. 

MUNICIPALS: "V" IS FOR VERONA

MUNICIPALS: "V" IS FOR VERONA

This is number 36, and "V" for Verona. Specifically it is the 36th distinct community in my Municipal Collection in alphabetical order.

Verona is a small suburban community in Essex County, NJ. It is maybe ten miles from Newark having three communities in between. It is a nice place to live.

The County has a park in the town which is quite nice.You used to be able to rent  little boats  and spend some time on the water. It was a good Park to pull in and grab your lunch.

Just across from the Park is/was a diner. It was owned by the parents of singer Connie Francis. I never had lunch with her. That is my loss, as she certainly was a popular person back in the day.

Her brother, George Franconero, was the victim of a hit in 1981. At the time he was cooperating with Federal Authorities in an organized crime probe. He was also involved in a Bank that went under in my town (Borough to be precise).

The  shooting had a serious impact on the singer. She retreated from public appearances, and took a step out of the limelight. Reportedly she left the area and moved to Florida staying off the radar for years. 

Back home in Verona there are a few people less then 14,000 calling the Township home. I wonder if they even know the name Connie Francis. In terms of land area we are talking about less than three square miles.

The antique badge shown here is from a collector in New England. It came my way a couple of years ago, and I am very glad to have it.

It is what I call the "Traditional Shape" badge that I desire in my collection of New Jersey Municipal items. This one is the two panel shell. In the panels are the words: Verona Police.  

At the bottom of the nickle plated badge is a number box with the number 25 affixed to it in large numerals.

In the center of the shield is a State Seal that was stamped from the rear. Next to it are two letters: "N" and "J."

Certainly this is a good fit in my Municipal Collection. I have it with all the others in a huge display case that contains my keepers, and of course  some fine memories.

MUNICIPALS: "T" IS FOR TETERBORO

MUNICIPALS: "T" IS FOR TETERBORO

This is number 35 in alpha-community order.

This is "T" for the Municipality of Teterboro. It is in Bergen County and is one of the smallest communities in the State. The actual number is under one hundred. Serious questions exist as to why this place exists as a legal incorporated community, but it is there and on the map. 

An investment banker purchased the land in the early 1900's in order to build a race track. His name was Walter Teter. The community put this name on the books in the 1940's.

I know nothing about the race track, but do know that there is an airport that also carries the name Teterboro. You may have heard it too. It is  used by those small big money corporate jets that we frequently read about. It is one of the Country's busiest airports believe it or not.That is based on take offs and landings. It is also the home of the National Aviation Museum.

The airport is the third busiest location for bird/plane collisions also in the country. I guess that would keep the police busy, except Teterboro no longer has a Police Department. Police protection is on a contract basis from neighboring communities. 

The badge pictured above appears to be from 1930' - 40's. It is the traditional design  that is the target of my collection, and from an agency that no longer exists.  

A State Seal is stamped into the badge from the rear. There are two panels that read: Teterboro  and Police. In the number box is a "3".To the left and right of the seal are the letters "N" and "J".  I think Those letters make it official.

Official or not this is a nice badge that has found a home in my collection. I enjoy looking at it almost everyday and letting it bring back memories of the area. It is another keeper for sure.