www.FrankfordGazette.com Vol. VIII, Issue 12—July/August 2018 Peter J. Dawson—Frankford Gazette Contributer By Bob Smiley Nancy (nee O'Connor) Doughty, “Mom! Dad! We’re going to go and Melissa (O'Connor) Siegel play at ‘The Lot’!” And then we Peter J. Dawson, long time con- and grand-children Jacob Siegel, would go down there and manu- tributor to the Frankford Gazette, Rebecca Siegel, Andrea Doughty facture bows and arrows and passed away on June 30th, after a and Bernard Dawson, and 4 build forts and set-off homemade long illness. brothers and 4 sisters and 18 explosives in holes (to ensure nieces and nephews. that shrapnel shot upwards, not sideways). We weren’t very safe. The following is one of his most But, we survived. popular stories from 2011. There was a lot of World War II army surplus in Philly in those days. Dennis and Daniel The Terrifying Railroad Grassi, who used to live up on Staple Machine Guns Large Street, would show up with an astonishing array of gen- Peter J. Dawson uine surplus weaponry (all ren- dered inoperable before sale) — M-1 rifles, Browning Automatic Pete lived in Mullica Hill, New One of the centers of kid activity Pete as a student at St. Rifles with bipod legs to support Jersey but grew up in Frankford in Frankford in the 1960s was Martin’s the barrel, a bazooka, hand gre- on Wakeling Street. He attended “The Lot,” the tract of ground nades and, on one occasion, a St. Martin’s grade school and between Rutland Street, Foulkrod Thompson machine gun with the Father Judge High School and Street, Castor Avenue and Harri- ragweed you ever encountered, circular ammo container. then went on the graduate from son Street. Back then, a railroad punctuated by chouchun trees, St. Joseph’s University and Tem- track ran along the top of the that invasive tropical looking Everyone wanted to hold the ple Law School. embankment on the Castor Ave- species with woody stems from Thompson. Nowadays, someone nue side of “The Lot”, from a China, Ailanthus altissima, seen carrying such items in public in You may have known him per- small bridge at the Castor Ave- growing everywhere in urban our terrorism-sensitive society sonally or only met him through nue/Harrison Street corner to a areas these days, which we called could not avoid arrest. Back then, his stories that we published over small bridge spanning Foulkrod “bow-and-arrow trees” because the owners of such an “arsenal” the years. He wrote about grow- Street between Castor and Rut- that is what we used to make out were the envy of every kid in ing up in Frankford during the land. In that era, small freight of them. Frankford. We would show up at 50s and 60s and he recorded that trains still used the track to carry “The Lot” with our Army surplus era in a unique way, capturing goods in box cars down to what We walked trails and tunnels weaponry, try to talk the Grassi the look and feel and smells and was left of industrial activity through the ragweed forest which boys into a trade for the day, and even the accents he encountered. down in the Kensington and Al- took us to interesting piles of stage wars. A few of us would legheny area. debris dumped in the weeds by always reluctantly consent to He had both a devotion to his contractors, and to the “forts” we being Nazis. Catholic Faith and yet an open In the early 1960s, the tennis dug into the ground and covered- mind about everything that you courts you see there today did not over with contractor debris. We loved climbing the embank- rarely find in one individual. I exist. Instead, along Harrison met him at first when he was on ment up to the railroad tracks. Street, there was just a large open On the other side of “The Lot” Before hang gliding became an the Frankford Ghost Tour. He field where we used to play touch was the large, neat organic gar- was one of those people I en- American “thing”, we tried like or tackle football. den of hardworking Old Man the dickens to achieve flight from joyed talking to because you Schepis, and beyond that “The could never anticipate what he the top of that embankment, with Between the open field and the Garages,” the complex of rented homemade fixed wings and giant was going to come up with. He railroad embankment was the brick garages fronting on Rutland had an unfettered mind that is the kites. One of us kids — one of section known as “The Weeds”, Street near Foulkrod, whose the guys from St. Martin’s mark of true genius. the real center of our collective walls can be seen to be collaps- School on Oxford Circle, I don’t juvenile attention. The area ing inward today. remember exactly who — broke Pete is survived by his wife, called “The Weeds” was com- Rise' (nee Sobel), sons Joshua his leg in one of the crash land- prised of a vast, dense forest of We used to don our sneakers, and and his wife Elaine, Reid, and the tallest, greenest-smelling Jeremy Dawson, step daughters yell to our parents on Saturdays, (Continued on page 2)

The Frankford Gazette - July/August 2018 Page 2 Every Day in Frankford

Frankford resident, Esterlina Fernandez (56), mother to five children and grand mother to eighteen, exercises during a Zumba class at the Frankford Pause Park on a hot Summer's day. Credit: Chris Baker Evens https://www.chrisbakerevens.com/

(Continued from page 1) was a big thing in those days The rumor was that railroad into the weeds next to the had nothing at all to do with the personnel had a kind of “license tracks while a freight train ings. We never achieved flight. very real danger being run over to staple,” and would cover us passed, and then came back But we were happy. by a freight train. It was be- with painful staples, legally, at without being stapled, he was a cause of a rumor going around the drop of a hat. hero for weeks. The biggest thrill of all was among the kids that railroad stupidity multiplied by a hun- trains along that freight line Once I was over at Grassi’s Finally, I did it, and I repeated dred — hiding in the weeds were manned with cruel with Den and Dan and I heard the story of my bravado to along the railroad tracks, as “railroad police” armed with Mrs. Grassi warn her sons friends while some of them close as possible to the railroad frightening “staple machine about the railroad police with stared at me open-mouthed. trains thundering by a few feet guns” that could shoot out sta- their staple guns. Aghast, I And I guess that used-up my away, without being seen. ples in a machine-gun-like thought, “So! It’s true!” allotted 15 minutes of fame. fashion at kids caught playing The reason why getting close to near the trains. When first one kid and then the train without being seen another courageously crawled

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IT’S ONLY A TEST

If you didn't know life is a test,

just work real hard and do your very best.

So when God calls you home,

and you have taken your last breath,

and you know you've done God's will,

You have passed the test.

So work real hard and do your very best.

Because in the end.

IT'S ONLY A TEST

BY LENNY JAYNES

By Grace Alone Frankford Church Second Baptist Church of Frankford 1300 Dyre Street Rev. Darrell R. Bradsbery, Pastor 1801 Meadow Street Sundays at 9 a.m. For more information call 610-283-2969 www.bgachurch.org

About the Frankford Gazette

Keep the Faith in Frankford publishes the Frankford Gazette. This is a print edition of some of the articles available online. We cover the Frankford neighborhood in . Go to www.frankfordgazette.com to get full details.

Editor: Bob Smiley; Associate Editor: Pat Smiley, Veterans Affairs: Richard W. Johnson, IT Director: Jim Smiley, Printing by Health Partners Plans.

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Distribution locations: Frankford CDC - 4667 Paul St., S&A Dry Cleaner - 4935 Frankford Ave., Rep. Dawkin's Office - 4667 Paul Street, PA Auto Insurance Outlet - 4901 Frankford Ave., Lee Brothers Deli - Harrison St. & Frankford Ave., Lowi’s Market - 4801 Frankford Ave., Peter Bressi N.E. Senior Center - 4744-46 Frankford Ave, Taha Barber Shop - 4665 Frankford Ave., Meadow House - 4649 Paul Street, Frankford Library - 4634 Frankford Ave, , Frankford Friends School, Northwood Academy Charter School, Marshall School, Gambrel Recreation Center, McIlvain Recreation Center, Simpson Recreation Center, Boys and Girls Club, Great Awakenings Café - 1466 East Cheltenham Ave. Campbell AME Church 1657 Kinsey St., St. Marks Church 4442 Frankford Ave., 2nd Baptist Church 1801 Meadow St., All Star Kids Learning Factory 4654 Frankford Ave., Sen. Tartaglione Office 1061 Bridge St., American Legion POST 224 2006 Orthodox St. www.FrankfordGazette.com The Frankford Gazette - July/August 2018 Page 5

By Richard W. Johnson

Frankford at the Battle of Gettysburg Frankford residents Volunteers Com- served in every major pany D on May 28, 1861. He was wounded in battle on July battle during the Civil 3rd and died of his wounds on War. We mark the July 8, 1863. He is buried in 155th anniversary of the Gettysburg National Cemetery, Battle of Gettysburg in section A, grave, 40. He was July. survived by his father Jacob, mother Hester, sisters Eliza, These are the names of the Mary, Rachel and Elizabeth Frankford men who died in the and brothers Joseph and Wil- battle and one who was taken liam. prisoner only to later die as a prisoner of war. Samuel C. Rodgers was born about 1832 in Pennsylvania and Joseph Johnson was born was a car driver when mustered about 1838 and was a carpenter into the 114th Regiment Penn- when he was mustered into the sylvania volunteers – Company 121st Pennsylvania volunteers K on August 14, 1862. Private – Company I on August 13, Rodgers died in Gettysburg on 1862. Private Johnson was tak- July 13, 1863. He was survived en prisoner at Gettysburg on by his wife Sarah and sons Wil- July 1, 1863, and died in An- liam (8), Samuel (6) and Allen napolis, Maryland. (4).

Peter McNally was born about William Reynolds was born 1838 in Scotland and was a about 1812 in New Jersey. By shoemaker when he was mus- 1860 he and his family had tered into the 121st Pennsylva- moved to Frankford where he nia Volunteers, Company I on worked in one of the mills. He August 20, 1862. He died at was mustered into the 26th Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. He Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- was survived by his father Rob- teers – Company I on May 31, ert and mother Mary. 1861. He was wounded at Get- tysburg, July 2, 1863, and taken prisoner. He died on November Robert Rae was born about 9, 1864, of “starvation and bru- 1826 in Pennsylvania and was Soldiers National Monument at Gettysburg tal treatment while a prisoner of working as a Mason when he National Cemetery war at Salisbury, N. C.”. He was mustered into the 121st was survived by his wife Su- Pennsylvania Volunteers, Com- san, daughter Sarah and son pany I on August 18, 1862. He Jonathan. died at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. He was survived by his wife Anna, daughters Catherine Never forget. and Lah and son Charles. July 8, 1862. He died at Gettys- Robert Lesher was born in burg on July 3, 1863. He was Pennsylvania about 1839 and James Butcher was born about 1839 and was a wheelwright survived by his father Thomas lived on Frankford Avenue P. and mother Caroline. He is near Cedar Hill Cemetery. He living at 216 Frankford Avenue buried in the Gettysburg Na- was working as a carpenter when he was mustered into the tional Cemetery – Pennsylvania when he was mustered into the 28th regiment Pennsylvania volunteers – Company D on Plot, Section D, Site #53. California Regiment, 71st www.FrankfordGazette.com The Frankford Gazette - July/August 2018 Page 6 Frankford NAC Zoning Meeting July 12th

By Christine DeJesus ING ABOVE IN AN EXIST- The Frankford NAC Zoning ING STRUCTURE. – Variance group met on July 12 to dis- for a social club to include live cuss 3 cases. entertainment maximum of 49 people. They have an active 1369 Sellers Street– “House of permit for a social club/ hookah W.I.N.”. PERMIT FOR THE lounge. The applicant has ERECTION OF A REAR AD- withdrawn the application. DITION TO AN EXISTING ATTACHED STRUCTURE. 5520 Harbison Avenue – STRUCTURE FOR USE AS A PERMIT FOR THE EREC- GROUP LIVING. SIZE AND TION OF A ROOF DECK OF 4341 East Wingohocking Street LOCATION AS SHOWN PER AN EXISTING STRUCTURE; APPLICATION/PLAN. – FOR THE ERECTION OF There are seeking a special ONE(1) ACCESSORY FREE- APPROVED. SIZE AND LO- variance to put a rear addition STANDING MECHANICAL CATION AS SHOWN IN THE on the back of the property and MOTION SIGN ( AREA OF APPLICATION. This is the using it for group living. The SIGN 28.8 SF)( FOR THE former ST. Bart’s School Con- board carefully went over their TENANT ONLY) ( HARBI- vent building. There was no plans and made some sugges- 1369 Sellers Street SON AVE FRONTAGE); FOR community opposition to the tions. The applicant will THE CREATION OF THIRTY application. modify the plans and return -FOUR(34) ACCESSORY to the NAC at a fu- SURFACE PARKING SPAC- The next meeting of the Frank- ture meeting. ES INCLUDING WITH TWO ford NAC Zoning group will be (ASSEMBLY AND ENTER- (2) ACCESSIBLE SPACES held on August 9th at 7 PM at a 4341 East Wingohocking TAINMENT) (NO ACTIVI- ALL ACCESSORY TO EX- location to be announced. Street– SPECIAL EXCEP- TIES AS DEFINED IN 14-603 ISTING BUSINESS AND TION FOR A SOCIAL CLUB (13) OF PHILADELPHIA PROFESSIONAL OFFICES TO INCLUDE LIVE ENTER- ZONING CODE) ON 1ST AND SINGLE ROOM RESI- TAINMENT MAXIMUM FLOOR WITH EXISTING DENCE AS PREVIOUSLY FORTY-NINE (49) PEOPLE SINGLE FAMILY DWELL- Frankford Farmers Market

Every Saturday July 21st to August 10th

1300 Dyre Street—10 AM to 11 AM Free Farm Fresh Produce

To qualify you must

• Receive free or reduced school lunch

• Receive Public Assistance

• Receive SSI/SSD Register on site or pre-register by calling 215-288-9800

By Grace Alone and Frankford Memorial UMC

With America’s Grow a Row

www.FrankfordGazette.com The Frankford Gazette - July/August 2018 Page 7 Coming Up in Frankford Community Stakeholders Meeting - Friends of Overington Park - Tue, Summer Programming at Frankford Library Wed, August 1, 6pm, Campbell AME August 7, 7pm, Friends Meeting Church 1657 Kinsey Street - The focus House, 1500 Orthodox Street -The of the meeting will be to develop an group maintains and supports Overing- School Age action plan around the issue of illegally ton Park at Orthodox and Leiper Lectura bilingüe de cuentos infantiles parked cars on private property and or Streets. This park has been resurrected Spanish/English Bilingual Storytime on the streets. This meeting was orga- and now hosts events almost every For children and their parents. Read by Librarian – Mr. Pagán. nized as a result of the discussion at the month of the year but it can't do it Monday and Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. PSA 1 meeting last month. Several without your active participation. New residents came out to complain about members needed. Join us the first Tues- July 23 and 25 local car garages who are fixing cars on day of the month. We meet In the Park the street and parking numerous aban- from May to September. Frankford’s Wednesday Movie of the Month doned cars on residential blocks. This Monday and Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. issue seems to be concentrated in the July 2 - Coco, July 18- Ferdinand blocks bounded by Worth and Tacka- Neighborhood Advisory Committee wanna between Orthodox and Kinsey Meeting - Thu, August 9, 7pm. Loca- Block Building Parties street. However, I know that there are tion to be announced Block Party!? some outliers that have had chronic complaints from their neighbors. In Food Truck Friday - Fri, August 10, Wooden Block Party in the library. response to that meeting, Frankford 12pm – 3pm, 4600 Block of Paul Street Monday and Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. CDC has asked Councilwoman June 25 and 27 Sanchez, L&I, the 15th District, and the Frankford Day - Saturday, Aug 11, PPD’s Neighborhood Services Unit to 2018, Gambrel Playground, 1900 Frankford Lego Playtime come out and meet with neighbors to Wakeling Street - Bring your own stuff Come build something at the library. discuss a strategy around getting some and have some adult fun. hope to see Mondays & Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m. of these cars off the street. everyone there.so here’s a big thank- July 30, August 1 you 67kings from me for stepping up to Frankford Civic Association Meeting the plate. - Thu, August 2, 7pm, St Mark's Teens and Adults Church Frankford, 4442 Frankford Teen Thursdays Avenue Keystone First Frankford Fitness June 14, 21, 28; July 12, 19, 26; August 2 Series - Sat, August 11, 10:30am – Thursdays at 3pm 11:30am, Frankford Pause Park, 4600 Grand Army of the Republic Muse- block of Paul Street - Beginners Yoga Come have fun doing various activities and games. Snacks provided. um Open House - Sun, August 5, Teens Only 12:00pm – 3:30pm, 4278 Griscom Street - Presentation at 1:30 PM: Northwood Civic Association Meet- Email Basics ing - Tue, August 21, 7pm, Simpson. Utilize our new laptops for extended time. National Night Out Kick Off Rally - Recreation Center, 1010 Arrott Street, June 12, 19, 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Mon, August 6, 6:00pm – 8:30pm, Tuesdays @12p-1p Target Shopping Center 7400 Bustleton 15th Police District PSA1 Meeting - Avenue - Na- Thu, August 23, 7pm, Jefferson Frank- tional Night Out Kick-Off Rally Event. ford Hospital, 4900 Frankford Avenue Resume Help Come out and enjoy FREE music, fun, Utilize our new laptops for extended time. entertainment, refreshments, infor- June 314, 21, 28; July 5, 12, 19, 26; August 2 mation tables, and giveaways regarding Food Truck Friday - Fri, August 24, Thursdays @12p-1p crime prevention and safe communities 12pm – 3pm, 4600 Block of Paul where you live and work. Street LaBae Daniels

Annual Block Party and Community Branch Manager & Adult/Teen Librarian 15th Police District National Night Day - Sat, August 25, 10am – 6pm, Frankford Neighborhood Library Out Event - Tue, August 7, 5:00pm – 4500 block of Worth Street - resources/ 4634 Frankford Avenue 8:30pm, Lincoln High School Parking giveaways Phone: 215-685-1473Email: [email protected] Lot 3201 Ryan Avenue

Services at Padre Pio Prayer Center St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Northeast Baptist Church Chapel corner of Griscom and Church Sts. 4442 Frankford Ave. Mass 730 AM Tues, Wed, Thurs Mass: 700 PM Monday and Wednesday 8:30AM SIMPLE AND 4744 Tackawanna Street Mass: Saturday 800 AM (Spanish) SHORT WORSHIP Chapel open for private prayer Monday Sunday Morning Bible Study: 9:00am Service at 11:00 AM Sunday through Friday from 7 to 9 PM 10:00AM Main WORSHIP SERVICE

St. James Lutheran Church Services at 5185 Castor Ave. Faith Assembly of God Philadelphia, PA 19124 Campbell AME Church 215-743-1828 1926 Margaret St 1657 Kinsey Street www.StJamesPhilly.com Church Office: 215-288-2748 Sunday Worship Service: 10:00am Sunday 11 A.M. and 6:30 P.M. th th Wednesday 7:00 P.M. Email: [email protected] Friday Night Youth Ministry (4 to 12 Friday 7:30 P.M. Grade): 6:30pm – 8:30pm

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