****** Email addresses published on this page, as well as the
Guestbook Archives page, are altered to discouraaged and/or thwart spammers and
listservers from obtaining those addresses. All address domains ( the part after the
"@") contain "removethis." . Clicking on the email link should direct
the email properly. If you are manually adding an address from this page into your Address
Book, you will need to remove the text "removethis."
Below are some of our past Guestbook entries. In the big
move of 1999-2000, some Guestbook entry archives were lost.
Contributors
- Earl "The Man" Wayne Ryker Fort Myers, FL
- Tim Franchuk
- Mike Franchuk Griswold, CT
- Bob Reif Altos, CA
- Joe Tansey Durham, NC
- Pete Capiak Tabernacle, NJ
- Dave Higbee Stratford, NJ
- Melissa (loumis) Stratford, NJ
- David Braddock Honululu, Hawaii
- Bill Platt Stockbridge,Ga.
- Chris DeAngelo Garland, TX
- Jeff Kistler Pittsburgh, PA
- Joe Prissel Stratford, NJ
- Barbara Duda Stratford, NJ
- Hilda Lang Stratford, NJ
- Pat Williams San Diego, CA
- Jim Silverdale, WA
- Al Pratico Jacksonville, Fla
- Assorted Entries
- Hi All... It sure is good to see a web page on Stratford. I bought my
first home there on Cornell Ave. in 1950 and then moved to the Spotts home at 303 Vassar
Ave., just across the street from Jack Joyce, your former Police Chief. Raised five
children there who all graduated from Sterling HS. Son, Dale, graduated from the first
full four year class at Sterling and quarterbacked the football team to their first
undefeated season. Son, Kenneth, later played on the team that won the State Championship
at Atlantic City. He kicked the deciding extra point. Ken now is employed by Stratford
public works dept. and has four children all active in Stratford sports. I was a charter
member of the Stratford Father & Sons organization when we built the first town ball
field on Vassar Ave (then a dirt road). We shopped at Mrs Stripoli's Quaker Store for over
twenty years, (please don't tear it down). Stratford was always a great place to raise
children and was the primary reason I moved there from my Camden birthplace. I retired
from the military and moved to Fla in 1979. If there is anyone online who remembers me, I
would be delighted to hear from you. Earl Wayne Ryker
- I want to thank you for your reply to my previous entry to your Guest
Book. I was glad to see your update on 4 June 98. Since I found your page on the Web I go
to it at least once a week looking for news of my former home town of thirty years. I
particularly enjoyed the newspaper clip on Tony
Murullas barber shop, along with a few of the old-timers names that I recognized. I
wonder if Tony still has the police scanner operating all day in the shop. His dad used to
cut my hair when I first moved to Stratford. Glad to see the update on the residents
efforts to preserve the Quaker Store. It would please Mrs Stripoli I'm sure. By your reply
I see you are connected with the town's baseball. Do you know my grandaughter Stacy Ryker,
now a junior at Sterling HS? She is the best fastball softball pitcher to ever play on
Stratford's fields. As a charter member of the Father & Sons organization I procured
the lumber and Bob Spotts donated the cinder block for the first grandstand built when we
dedicated Haggerty field. We built the stands with members labor and every hole in the
blocks was filled with beer cans. I often wondered what they thought when they took those
old original stands down. Thanks for allowing me to reminisce for awhile and keep up the
great work. Earl Wayne Ryker
- Hi All... It sure is good to see a web page on Stratford. I bought my
first home there on Cornell Ave. in 1950 and then moved to the Spotts home at 303 Vassar
Ave., just across the street from Jack Joyce, your former Police Chief. Raised five
children there who all graduated from Sterling HS. Son, Dale, graduated from the first
full four year class at Sterling and quarterbacked the football team to their first
undefeated season. Son, Kenneth, later played on the team that won the State Championship
at Atlantic City. He kicked the deciding extra point. Ken now is employed by Stratford
public works dept. and has four children all active in Stratford sports. I was a charter
member of the Stratford Father & Sons organization when we built the first town ball
field on Vassar Ave (then a dirt road). We shopped at Mrs Stripoli's Quaker Store for over
twenty years, (please don't tear it down). Stratford was always a great place to raise
children and was the primary reason I moved there from my Camden birthplace. I retired
from the military and moved to Fla in 1979. If there is anyone online who remembers me, I
would be delighted to hear from you. Earl Wayne Ryker
My name is Tim Franchuk. I am the son of Mike Franchuk, Sr.. Someone left a
message about him on here in the past. I would like to say that I am very proud of what my
father did for Stratford in the 1960s. He was one of the founders and champions of the
Father and Sons and was dedicated to the youth athletic programs. My Mother was very
involved in the Women aux. Does anyone remember them and could we share some memories
together? Thanks to them, Stratford has a long tradition of parent-child and community
bond.....Tim
I lived in Stratford in the mid 60's - 70s. I remember the Quaker store, Nate's
store..where we got ice cream and....does anyone remember "WOLF'S cigar and candy
store" ? We lived on Harvard Ave. We use to go sledding on Rex's (spelling) Farm hill in the winter time....had a blast!
Thanx for the site and i wish anyone who remembers this will e-mail me....tfranchuk@removethis.aol.com
................Tim
Can't believe I found this site... out of site!!! If Anyone knows
if Sterling High Class of '74 is going to have a 25th (oh god!) reunion in 1999, please
let me know! I've now been in California for 19 years and *STILL* don't miss the
mosquitos!!!!!!!! The comments in the guest book are wonderful. I was born in Stratford in
1955 and of course Tony gave me my first haircut! Whoever reads this and stops in there
please say hello to everyone. thanks......... Bob Reif
- Do you think that you might add a swim club section to your page any time
soon.What a great place that was when I was growing up.My father was a former
president.The funny thing was he could'nt swim!I really enjoy your page it brings back
some amazing memories.I went to school with Ken Kelly at St. Luke's and Sterling .Does he
still reside in Stratford?I noticed in one of your pictures that the military academy is
now a ymca.My folks would threaten my brother and I with enrollment if we did'nt get good
grades and behave ourselves.I would feel shivers up my spine everytime we would drive past
it.I'm not sure I could go there even NOW.I'm looking forward to your official page.I hope
more people sign the guest book.Thanks so much for the great work you've done here.You
have created a link to my home town that I will visit often. sincerley,Joe Tansey
- Thanks for including the local news on your web site.It's great to have a
link to my home town.My family moved away from Stratford in 1976 and I have always missed
the town and the people who live there.Keep up the great work! Joseph Tansey jtansey@removethis.hotmail.com Durham, NC
- Hi to any old friends still living in stratford! joe tansey-durham north carolina jtansey@removethis.hotmail.com
- Old Resident of Stratford. Grew up there. Know most of
the older families. Lived at 105 Harvard Ave. Went to
Sterling 1964-65. Anyone associated with this Website from that time era? Good idea by
somebody to establish a Website. Keep up the great work.
- Lived in Stratford from 1958 to 1972. Attended Sterling HS from 1965 to 1969.
Lived at 105 Harvard Ave. Consulting Engineer working on
Nuclear Power Plants around the country. Currently at the Millstone Station in
Waterford, Connecticut. Know most of the names and places on this website. I use to
walk down the street to go to the Quaker Store back when you could close your eyes and
walk across the White Horse Pike there
was so little traffic. Mrs. Stippoli use to allow my mom to buy groceries on credit until
she had enough money to pay. She was such a sweet woman. She really cared about the people
she served. I really hate to see her children want to demolish the building. Thank God for
the historic protestors in town. I remember sledding on Rexan's (spelling) farm before it
became a shopping center. I grew up during the greatest expansion of the Father and Son
Association. My dad was the groundskeeper for the Haggarty Field when it was called
Stratford Field. I would help him rake the infield and cut the grass before the really big
games. I grew up with so many of the kids whose mothers and fathers developed the athletic
programs in Stratford, the Mancini's, the Humes', the Lyon's, the Miller's, Whorls,
Jone's, the Mohan's, the Picchotti's, the McGee's, Frank Maressa who wrote the sports
section for the Stratford News,the Sherman's, the Lowden's, and of course my dad Mike
Franchuk SR. who put so much of his time into the Stratford Father & Son Association.
I wish I could give all the families who worked so hard for the kids during the 50s and
60s the credit they deserve. They were great growing years for kids in Stratford. I knew
the original owner of Nate's Pharmacy (I understand his son now owns it. I sure do miss
the hand made soda's his dad use to make especially the chocolate sodas) and Wolf's store,
I got into trouble with Jack Joyce and his police force, My brother operated Charlie's
when it was a hippie hangout and made the regional news for being disruptive. I remember
the great Fourth of July Parades and the All-Star Baseball games which were played
afterward. I attended Princeton School
and Warwick Elementary, and of course Sterling HS. I can't believe that Mr Dobbs still has his red cadillac
that he drove during the 60s in his front yard of the farm. It's hard to believe so many
years have past. If anyone knows the whereabouts of fellow classmates from the Sterling
Class of '69 please email me. I returned to Stratford last year for the first time in over
20 years. Man did that bring back some memories.
Just wanted to say I enjoyed reading all the email from residents who
lived in Stratford back in the 60's and 70's.. I have very fond memories
of this town. I went to St. Lukes School (1st thru 8th). Anyone
remember going to Holy Rosary first? Remember the wooden nickels you
would get from Nate's on the 4th of July field days? And oohh the
chocolate sodas...(was just telling my son about one of those the other
day!) Graduated from St. Lukes in 1970, then Sterling in 1974. Looked
on the Terra Server link and found our old
house...Parkview Road. I
drive back to our old place once in while to see how much they've
changed it. Not living too far away...in Tabernacle. I missed the 25
year reunion of Sterling's Class of 1974..was it fun? Would love to
hear from some classmates. send an email to: pppsm@removethis.netscape.net
Great Job On The Updated Web Page!!...Very Informative. Hi to everyone from
Sterling Class of "85" !
Back to Top
Hey Joe! Good job on the website!! Maybe there should be a link for the kids who
went to St. Gregory's in the late 60's and early 70's! Does anybody know whatever happened
to Mrs. Monek? Take care - see you on the baseball fields!! Melissa
Hello I used to live in Stratford and went to school at Parkview, Yellin and
Sterling. Used to live on Oak Drive. Just wanted to say hello to my old friends that I
grew up with. I've been living in Hawaii since 1985.
Hello Stratford, Moved from town in 1979,been back a few times.This website
really brings back some great memories.Would like to hear from former classmates,St.Lukes
Class of 74,Sterling Class of 78. Bill Platt
Most folks in Texas think I'm just a crazy yankee but I still miss my hometown
of Statford, NJ. I have'nt been there since 1987! From what I gather there have been alot
of changes. I'm actually work on a plan to return "Home" through my present
employer which has offices in Paulsboro, close enough for me. One final note...As they say
down here in Texas...y'all have a big ol' time
Thank you for your site. I was looking for imformation concerning the old
"Stratford Military Academy." I there anywhere I can go to get information? Do
you have some contacts? I would appreciate any help.
Thank you so much.
Jeff Kistler
Great that Stratford has its own site. Anything that can bring community
together is a great help.
I just found this site. My family lived in Stratford from 1965 to 1977. My
sister and I both went to St Luke's and Sterling HS. Kathy graduated in 1977. I attended
Sterling from 1979 to 1977 before moving to Michigan. I am now in Highlands Ranch,
Colorado and my sister Kathy lives in Livonia, Michigan.
Would love to hear from people I went to school with!!
Barbara (Sczepanski) Duda
Live in Stratford. My daughter found this sight. All our children graduated from
Sterling, Debbie, Len, and John. We had Lang's Bakery in the shopping center on Warwick
Rd. This sight is a great idea. Hilda
Just found your web site and read every message posted there. I lived in
Stratford from around 1943 to August 1949. Lived at 10 Columbia Ave. At the time, there
were only nine houses on that street. Attended the elementary school on Princeton Ave. Best memories are of the town's
fourth of July celebrations. I can remember it as if it were yesterday - but it was 50
years ago! Wish all kids could experience what it was like to live in a small, caring town
like Stratford was then. As I recall, the population was 900! Can you believe it? I DO
remember Stripoli's store (and Sam's Diner). Editor's
note: According to the latest (1990) U.S. census, the population of Stratford is: 7217.
According to the "official" Stratford website, "Stratford has a
population of 7614 residing in 2099 homes."
Hi, Joe - My name is Pat Williams and I'm a former resident of Stratford (a very
LONG time ago). I lived their as a child at 10 Columbia Avenue, and moved away in August
1949. I've been in touch via e-mail with Earl Reiker, who's also a
former resident. I was wondering what the population of Stratford is now. When I lived
there it was around 900. Also, I'd like the address of Stratfords website. I found it by
accident but I didn't save it and it's no longer in my history file. Thanks a lot. Pat
Williams, e-mail: ubilam55@removethis.hotmail.com
- To the Webmaster, I have followed for a number of years and have been continually
impressed with the refinement and improvement of this volunteer community service. All of
the residents of Stratford and the greater extended community with interests past and
present are very fortunate to have such a citizen among them providing this service! I
SALUTE YOU WEBMAN!!!! Jim
- Whoever designed this page is obviously a genious. Incredible Web Master
skills combined with an accute sense of his communities needs, the author of this page
definitely shows potential to be a future Nobel Lauriate!
Editor's Note: Big Fan Jim is my brother, the right-honorable
Lieutenant Colonel J.J. Emerson, USMC in Washington. What a guy! And, I must say, someone
who I am very proud of and who I look up to. Semper Fi, bro.
Just by luck I found this page. It brings back alot of memories. I grew up in
Somerdale at the end of Browning Rd, so I played baseball more in Stratford then in
Somerdale. I and my parents shopped at the Quaker store and Mrs Strippoli often gave us
free sodas as my mother shopped. I am glad people are fighting to keep that building
preserved. I too attended Sterling from 64-68, and played baseball with alot of the kids
whose parents were responsible for Stratford's F&S Assoc, like Tony Mancini, whose Dad
I believe had the field named after him. This page was a
pleasure to view. Whoever built this site, thank you. Al Pratico
- Hi, I just wanted to say that it's a shame that the "official" Stratford site can't hold a
candle to your page! You would think that being an "official" page it would have
some class and not just a background and text. Talk about Yuck! I've put pages together in
my sleep that look better than that. Keep up the great work! I'm proud to say that as a
resident, your page is my official town page. Take care, Michael hamman@removethis.snip.net
- I grew up in Stratford, the old pictures bring back alot of memories of holidays
and school.. nice job realrn1954@removethis.aol.com
- I went to Yellin and Princeton Schools and graduated from Sterling in 1972. I
still live in the area (Audubon). Anyone who grew up with me send me some email so I know
what youre all up to Debbie (Lang) Schoch realrn1954@removethis.aol.com
- I think stratford is a really nice town and community. i have only lived in it
for 7 yrs, but everything is great, the school i attended was ST LUKES SCHOOL and that was
located in stratford, and i have really nice neighbors, and everything is just great. GO
STRATFORD. THANX FOR HAVING THIS PAGE ...Nicky Estrella sorayalee@removethis.aol.com
- I used to live in Stratford NJ, but then I had to move to Penn. I miss NJ and all
my friends! Mare - m712@removethis.hotmail.com
- Great to see this site. I lived in Stratford until 1990 then move to Richmond. I
lived on Wellington Ave. then bought a home on Colby Ave. I attended Princeton, Parkview,
Yellin, and Sterling. It's a great town but we all can't stay in one place. I hope the
site remains for a long time. mmazzo@removethis.ap.org
Richmond, VA
- Am looking for some very old and dear friends from the Stratford Academy days --
mid to late 60s -- anyone remember that place??? E-mail me at thankavet@removethis.angelfire.com
Lindenwold, NJ
- Found this site by accident. It's nice to see my home town on the web
map. Ed Farmer, Yellin School, Class of '75, Sterling HS class of '79 (Boy, that sounds
like it was a very long time ago!) edfiii@removethis.aol.com
Mt. Laurel, NJ
- I'm so glad to see that we are on-line! I'm also a Stratford
resident-this is a convenient way to find out local news. The pictures were also a great
addition. My family is originally from Philadelphia so we missed a lot of "historic
Stratford" information. Thanks for the insight. Jennifer stk4478@removethis.loki.stockton.edu
Stratford, NJ
- Just moved into the area. nice page. will check back later. Cliff Gulliver cliffyg@removethis.jersey.net
- Thanks for developing the great web page. It was great looking at what's
happening in my home town. I moved out of the Stratford area in 1976 but still have many
fond memories of the good old days in Stratford. I remember shopping in the Quaker Store
when I attended the Princeton Ave. school from 1953 to 1957. Keep up the good work. Bruce
Yellin Frenchtown, N.J. blyellin@removethis.sprintmail.com
- I just found this site and saw that there are plans to demolish the
quaker store. I hope this never happens! Some of my most vivid memories as a child , were
going in to Mrs. Stripoli's with my Uncle Jerry and getting Cokes out of the old drink
cooler. And watching Mrs. Stripoli get things off the top shelf with that extended grabber
thing she had! I moved out of Stratford in 1990 when I married, and moved to Alabama in
1992 but I still try to keep up with my home town. I sincerely hope that this demolition
will not happen. One of the last Landmarks in Stratford must be preserved. What's next,
Weber's? Mancini Field? Jeff Longmire, Jacksons Gap, AL. sectec@removethis.hotmail.com
- I was cruising around, trying to find a site for the Society to Preserve
Mediocrity (based in Stratford) when I found this site. What a great idea! My family moved
to Stratford in 1959 - to Longwood Dr. We were one of the first families on the street. I
remember the houses on Buttonwood Rd being built. The first Sterling football teams
practiced up the street at what is now the parking lot for the shopping center. They
burned down some buildings to make way for it. I had my first haircut at Tony's too (I
guess everybody did) and we went to the Quaker Store often. My father was on the borough
council for a while and also the school board. I was in the first class at the new
Parkview school (6th grade) with Mr. Dailey, who is now at Yellin School. I was class of
'72 at SHS. My sisters - Pat, Carol and Laurie were classes '65, '66 and '75. My brother
was '68. I better stop reminiscing and get back to work! Don Lewis, Highland Park, NJ dojos@removethis.aol.com
- I grew up in Magnolia, have not been home in 10 years. Your web page
brings back alot of cool memories. Steve Hammell postman@removethis.decaturnet.com Decatur, IN
- Nice web site! Keep up the good work! brdason@removethis.aol.com
- Hey, great job. I just found this today and am
glad to ease my homesick-for-Longwood-Drive- blues here (although I will be home at the
end of the week). My web page is http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Campus/4060,
if anybody wants to check it out. I was wondering, do you have anything about the
Stratford Public Library on here? Stratford resident attending Western Maryland College,
Westminster, MD mkm001@removethis.wmdc.edu
- Hey Joe cool Idea. Some more info on Chestnut Avenue Rd. construction
however late this may be. They did not finish trhe job. They left out several residence
out, leaving them without curbs and sidewalks. This is not the first time. Drive down the
road sometime one angry resident posted a sign although the message is not clear. They are
clearly mad. Stratford NJ tktome09@removethis.aol.com
- Nice site. I really enjoyed reading about the downed school budget. I
voted but I didn't know the outcome. Maybe the news and, well, the rest of the site could
be updated more often. Nice work!, Maybe you'll become "official" one day.
Kevin, Stratford, NJ kevinspc@removethis.erols.com
- Hey Joe, Page is getting better...Thanks for linking me up..Oh, our
Sterling HS address will be changing in the next couple days. I'm in the process of moving
it to another server. What fun. I'll try to get some more info. for you to use on the
page. Ryan Smith Webmaster Sterling High School rsmith@removethis.snip.net
- Yo! Im From Stratford. Kerry SK8GR8121@removethis.aol.com
- I think that you have done an empressinve job, keep up the good work. I
am trying to locate twins from around your area, their names are Cathleen and Charmane
Martin. Would appreciate any help....Herb... herb@removethis.by4now.com
Editor's Reply: I guess the prudent question to ask is: Why are
you looking for twins, Herb??
Herb's Reply: I knew these twins years ago and lost contact with them. I thought your site
might be a good place to leave my e-mail address in the hopes that they, or someone they
know, might pass on the information to them. Herb.
- Great job!!Thank you for taking the time to put our town online.Steve
Davis Stratford resident.
- Now that I have found this site, I'll be sure to contribute what I can.
Look for upcoming events sponsored by the Stratford Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary. My e-mail
address is rchoyle@removethis.erols.com.
- It's great to see Stratford represented on the Web!
I grew up in Stratford and lived in and around the area until two years ago, when I moved
to Knoxville, TN. I hope to see some familiar names here in the guestbook in the near
future. Thanks, John Becker (see a follow-up from a
friend)
- I would just like to say hi. I am from Stratford. I left in 1972 and have
only been back once. I hope it is still a really nice town. Why isn't Sterling HS listed
as a school in the area. Thank you, Carol Johnston (MacNeill) Houston, TX
Editor's Reply: Yes, it's still pretty nice. Sorry about leaving Sterling's info out.
I'll get it in soon. Update
24-Sept...Sterling info is in, plus a link! Update 2/2000...The link is actually out now
but, I'll get it back. Update 3/2000...the link is
back for good!
- 07 May 1997 Time: 01:03:34 Note: This was our first ever guestbook
entry!
Hey... why don't you add some URL's to Stratford residents that have web pages. Check out
my page at:
http://www.concentric.net/~Pshafer. Note: this page isn't there anymore.
P.S. Why isn't this the official page yet??? P.P.S Who keeps this site up??
thanx Philip Shafer
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Revised: March 27, 2008.
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