The Hammonton Gazette 09/24/14 Edition | Page 6

Page 6 • Wednesday, September 24, 2014 • The Hammonton Gazette The Hammonton Gazette “The Paper of Record” Gabriel J. Donio, Publisher Gina rullo, Editor-in-Chief Dan russoman, Sports Editor Benny Mendez, Staff Artist Marysusan Hoffman, Paul J. Macrie iv, Michael Hozik, Donna Brown, Joseph Bruno, Lauren Bucci, Lauren crescenzo, Zack Brown, Staff The Hammonton Gazette is located at 233 Bellevue ave. to reach a staff member, call 704-1940 or fax at 704-1938. the mailing address is P.o. Box 1228, Hammonton, nJ 08037. eDitoriaLs The Hammonton Gazette is published Wednesdays, by The Hammonton Gazette, Inc. Copyright © 2014. All rights reserved. ISSN 1093-6181 ronald reagan’s gift In the more than a quarter-century since the end of his presidency in 1989, and the decade since his death in 2004, the legacy of President Ronald Reagan has only appreciated in value. He is routinely near the top of the list of favorite presidents, and his outstanding communication skills (he was an actor), his efforts to end the Cold War with the Soviet Union and guide the American economy out of a recession have been cited as reasons for his popularity. Reagan’s gift to Hammonton — one that keeps on giving as history increases his stature in America and around the world — was a speech he gave at the intersection of Bellevue and Central Avenues on September 19, 1984. The town, the nation and the world were vastly different 30 years ago. Downtown Hammonton was actually nearing a low point by the mid-1980s, but it still provided an outstanding backdrop for Reagan’s speech on a brilliantly blue-skied September afternoon. The nation was just starting to rebound economically, and the world was still caught in the grasp of a Cold War between two superpowers — the United States and Russia. On a day when Hammonton became the epicenter of American politics for a moment, its small-town sounds and looks provided the right atmosphere for an address by a president who was at the zenith of his popularity. Reagan had survived an assassination attempt, and was leading the nation with optimism and pride. He had many critics, but because of his ability to reach across the aisle and compromise, even political adversaries like Speaker of the House of Representatives Tip O’Neill found it difficult to harbor ill will against him for long in 1984. The crowd in Hammonton was massive on September 19, 1984, numbering more than 30,000 people. They were crammed between Horton Street, just beyond the massive stage that stretched across Bellevue Avenue, and they stood body-to-body all the way back to Egg Harbor Road. Reagan’s address that day was a straightforward campaign stump speech, punctuated with local references (He spoke of the town as “The Blueberry Capital of the World” and singled out “the Hammonton Blue Devils and St. Joseph Wildcats” and “the Hammonton Blue Devils Marching Band” for example). After 30 years, the man and his message to the town, the nation and the world has only grown in historical importance, as has his visit to Hammonton. We close this editorial with a quote from the speech Reagan gave just steps from where the Reagan Rock (dedicated in 1988) commemorates this great moment in the history of Hammonton. “Americans like you — and your mothers and fathers and their parents — here in Hammonton I know that means many proud Italians and hardworking farmers who want to keep those farms in your family. All of you have given the ideas, the muscle, the moral courage and yes, the spiritual strength that built the greatest, freest nation the world has ever known. “You didn’t come here seeking streets paved with gold. You didn’t come asking for welfare or special treatment. You came for freedom and opportunity. And we see that spirit in the faces of Hammonton: two people who you recently honored on their 50th wedding anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mazza, and a woman who’s still a picture of youthful vitality, Mrs. Mamie DeMarco, who recently celebrated her 89th birthday. “And we see that spirit, also, when tragedies bring forth the nobility and kindness of our people, pulling us together, giving us strength to go on, to keep living for tomorrow. Those moments show us America’s great because — as a French philosopher said many years ago — America is good. “I think there’s a new feeling of patriotism in our land, a recognition that by any standard America is a decent and generous place, a force for good in the world. And I don’t know about you, but I’m a little tired of hearing people running her down. “We’ve come through some tough times, but we’ve come through them together — all of us, from every race, every religion and ethnic background. And we’re going forward with values that have never failed us when we lived up to them — dignity of work, love of family and neighborhood, faith in God, belief in peace through strength, and a commitment to protect the freedom which is our legacy as Americans. “All that we’ve done and all that we mean to do is to make this country freer still. America’s future rests in a thousand dreams inside your hearts,” Reagan said when he spoke here in 1984. President Ronald Reagan’s Hammonton Address remains a great gift to us, one that continues to give our town pride three decades later, and keeps the dreams in our hearts alive. PersPective/Pastor’s corner Summer has ended and winter is beginning to give us her cold shoulder. The only way I can really handle winter is the hope of summer coming again in all her warm embraces. I can only take the shivers for so long. In our home, there is a divide over the subject. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage lives for winter and I live for summer. How two people who can be so opposite and still live together harmoniously is one of the mysteries of matrimonial bliss. I endure her complaining about how hot it is during the summer and she somehow endures my shivering throughout the winter. And boy, do I shiver. I am not so sure what it is about winter that is so fascinating for her. Maybe it is because she gets to wear more clothing than she can during the summer. Or, maybe she just likes the cold. That is not exactly true because once I gave her a cold shoulder and I have been paying for that ever since. She does have that cold stare when I am in trouble, but that comes during the summer as well as the rest of the year. Maybe she likes winter because in the middle of winter is Christmas. If anybody loves Christmas, it is my wife. She begins her Christmas planning in January and knows exactly what she is going to buy throughout the year. I think it has something to do with when things go on sale or something like that. Personally, and do not let this get back to her, I think it is just an excuse to go shopping. I will not say she is a shopaholic, but give her a coupon and she is off to the mall. You did not hear it from me. Also during the winter season is Thanksgiving where my wife outdoes herself in making Thanksgiving dinner for all the family. She makes enough for an army and out of deep respect for her, I eat like an army. Actually, I eat until I hear that little whisper from the other end of the table, “Don’t you think you have had enough?” What she does not understand is, when I am eating I am not thinking. As for me, I enjoy summer and all the laziness associated with summertime. All those lazy, crazy days of summer were designed for people just like me. When it comes to lazy and crazy, I am the expert. I can remember years ago when I was doing something and my wife thought it was a little out of line, she would say, “Are you acting crazy?” She does not say that anymore because she has concluded, and rightly so, that I am not an actor. If I were acting, she is sure I would get an Oscar. However, something about summer makes a person slow down a little bit and not be in such a hurry. One of my excuses is that it is too hot to do anything today. I love that excuse because my wife always agrees. I cannot use that excuse in winter for obvious reasons. According to her, an activity will warm me up. I have never warmed up to that idea. I like summer because there are so many fun opportunities to get together with family. Every summer we go and spend a week with my son and his family, which is one of the highlight s of the summer. I only have one week out of the year to spoil his children so I try to make the best of it. If I had the ability to manipulate seasons, I would make sure that 11 months out of the year it would be summer. I would have to give one month to my wife for winter, but I would only give her one month. That is about all I can handle. Summer is a time to enjoy the nature God has created. It is wonderful to see green grass and green leaves on the trees and watching blossoms turn into full-fledged flowers. What could be better than sitting on the back porch with a tall glass of iced lemonade watching the sunset? I love hearing the crickets in full concert and that only happens during the summer. Here in Florida we have little frogs that think they are crickets and chime in adding their voice to the evening music. Did I mention picnics? What would summer be without a picnic? In my mind, a picnic is an excuse to overindulge in the fine art of stuffing yourself. The picnic is a little different so that somebody cannot query me with, “Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” The “food whisperer” is not allowed at picnics. After all, at a church picnic it is imperative that I sample every dish brought to the picnic. I do not want to leave anybody out on this. The picnic is the time to let down your hair, if you have any, and just enjoy food and fellowship. It amazes me how fast time flies when you are not paying attention. King Solomon understood this when he wrote, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). One man’s winter is another man’s summer and the joy of life is learning to appreciate what you may not really like. the rev. James L. snyder ocala, Fla. The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at [phone] or email [email protected] or website www.jamessnyderministries.com. The Hammonton Gazette welcomes letters to the editor that are no more than 800 words long. All letters must include the name of the author and an address and telephone number for verification. Letters should be mailed to The Hammonton Gazette, Editorial Page, P.O. Box 1228, Hammonton, NJ 08037. Letters also will be accepted via fax. The fax number is 704-1938.  Or by email to [email protected]. Deadline for all submissions is 2 p.m. Monday. The Hammonton Gazette reserves the right to edit any submissions. The opinions expressed in letters, perspectives or in guest columns do not necessarily reflect those of The Hammonton Gazette.  The Gazette is not responsible for factual errors in letters, perspectives or in guest columns. The Gazette retains the right to refuse any submission or advertisement.