SP's John's Meat Market Is Prime Location for New Reality TV Show

Page 26 Thursday, September 14, 2006 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION History, Nostalgia and Tradition Found on Wychwood Home Shelf By MARYLOU MORANO Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times SP’s John’s Meat Market is Prime WESTFIELD – A piece of Westfield memorabilia placed on a closet shelf and forgotten for almost 70 years will soon take its place as Location for New Reality TV Show part of the town’s living history. By LINDA B. CONDRILLO Nearly 10 years ago, as he was Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and the Times readying his parents’ Kimball Turn home for sale to settle their estate, SCOTCH PLAINS — When John’s former resident George Pakenham Meat Market was chosen as one of the came upon the original brochure used backdrops to shoot T.V. Land’s up- by The Wychwood Corporation to coming reality show “I Pity The Fool,” sell Wychwood properties. it wasn’t just for its fine selection of t- The brochure, which was undated, is bone steaks and nostalgic setting. believed to have been produced around Pity the Fool Productions’ Director 1938, as Mr. Pakenham’s grandpar- Francis Gasparini told The Westfield ents, Edward and Marguerite Estelle Leader and The Times, “We chose the Strubel, purchased the home in 1939. store not just for the way it looks, but for “They were the first residents of Vince (Losavio), the owner, and his that particular house in that it was a staff.” construction site prior to purchase,” The pilot, which is currently in Mr. Pakenham explained. Michael J Pollack for The Westfield Leader and The Times production, will be a reality-based In the early 1950s, the home was sold MAP QUEST...Nearly 10 years after finding the original brochure used by The series starring Mr. T, who is most to Mr. Pakenham’s parents, George A.J. Wychwood Corporation to sell Wychwood properties , former Westfield resident notably known for his classic role as David Samsky for The Westfield Leader and The Times and Estelle Pakenham, and the home George Pakenham, collaborated with a map artist and had it restored. Sgt. Bosco “B.A.” Baracus in the late MR. T BONE...Vinnie Losavio, co-owner of John’s Meat Market, presents Mr. T remained in the family until 1996. artist/illustrator Russell Charpentier. document, and I’m passionate about 1980’s hit television program “The A with a butcher’s coat and writes ‘Mr. T, the best!’ on his chest, as Vincent Losavio The document’s discovery awed “It was a wonderful combination of giving it life so that it can be seen by Team.” Jr. and Danny MCnumara look on. Mr. Pakenham, who realized early on luck to know him, find the brochure and all Westfield residents,” he said. Taping on location last Saturday in cessor, Governor Christine Todd there were so many people who had lost the value of such a historic document. then be able to use his talents,” said Mr. Our modern-day approach to hous- downtown Scotch Plains, Mr. Losavio, Whitman, after visiting the store on everything as a result of the hurricane. “I felt as if I had discovered a piece Pakenham. ing has given Mr. Pakenham a sense co-owner of John’s Meat Market, told the occasion of its golden anniver- Coming to Scotch Plains was a treat of artistic history,” he said. Their collaboration has resulted in of urgency to complete the project. the newspaper, “The scouts called sary celebration in 1989. for Mr. T, who grew up in Chicago. He The brochure, two versions of the “There is a trend to knock down houses three times and kept saying we love Mr. Losavio noted, “Last year, we told the newspaper, “This is great. I which according to restoration. The in Wychwood and build larger, more your store, it’s so original and we’ve even had the distinction of being named like being in these communities. People Mr. Pakenham was first is a 26 X 24 modernistic homes. Perhaps this artistic have found nothing else like it.” on the New York Times’ turkey hotline.” get excited; I get excited. I’m a people quite “muddy and inch reproduction work will arouse a sense of nostalgia and One of the producers noted, from Before taping the show, Mr. Losavio person and love the opportunity to dog-eared,” adver- suitable to grace tradition for the wonder of Wychwood, the moment they stepped in the door, could barely contain his excitement, meet them.” Folks gathered around, tises Wychwood as the walls of many for what it was and what it is,” he said. the decision to use the store was “an often attributing the great success of the and teens could be overheard calling having a “lovely a Westfield home. immediate yes.” store to his beloved father, about whom up friends from their cell phones to tell countryside, The second ver- Lockward to Read It seems television people and the he said, “My father worked for more of their happenstance. friendly avenues, sion is a “limited State of New Jersey have a lot in than 60 years, but he never once said he Mr. T also informed the crowd what homes and edition” custom- In Fanwood Tonight common – John’s has recently been was going to work. He always said he little folks know about his nickname– people…” made, museum- FANWOOD – The Carriage House selected as one of the finalists in the was ‘going to the store.’ I think he’s The T actually stands for “tender” and “Choice plots are priced as low as quality Giclee art print, which will Poetry Series will resume its monthly state’s 14th annual New Jersey Fam- doing something up there from heaven he’s “only tough when he has to be” $2500” and presented as “extraordi- contain miniature line drawings of reading schedule tonight, Thursday, Sep- ily Business Awards – the only state- to put the store on the map.” but “tender when he needs to be”– narily low for such high-class prop- individual Wychwood homes. tember 14, at 8 p.m. in the Patricia Kuran wide effort to specifically honor fam- It also seems that Mr. T has a lot in which is obviously most of the time. erty,” reads the brochure, which also Both versions will be available at Arts Center, on Watson Road, adjacent ily-owned companies for their role common with the philosophy behind According to his make-up artist, Ja contained two distinctive maps. Juxtapose Gallery in Westfield. to Fanwood Borough Hall. The featured in the economy and in the commu- John’s Meat Market. Signing a deal Nina Lee, who accompanies Mr. T on After considering for many years The restoration is an extension of reader will be Diane Lockward. nity. with T.V. Land, Mr. T will act as a his shoots wherever they’re taping, how best to honor his discovery of Mr. Pakenham’s love of his former Ms. Lockward is the author of “Eve’s One step inside and it’s true- little “motivational guru” doling out ad- “He’s an inspiration, and has a huge this historic document, Mr. Pakenham Wychwood neighborhood in particu- Red Dress” (Wind Publications, 2003) has changed since Mr. Losavio’s fa- vice, helping people in difficult situ- heart. He’s a very grounded indi- decided to restore it, and he joined lar, and the Town of Westfield overall. and a chapbook, “Against Perfection” ther, the late John Losavio, opened ations to improve their personal and vidual, deeply rooted. I look forward forces with his long time friend, map “I feel privileged to have found the (Poets Forum Press, 1998). A second the store’s doors in 1939. Every avail- professional lives. Mr. T will use his to coming to work because I know I full-length collection, “What Feeds Us,” able inch of wall space is covered own varied life experience as the ba- am going to learn something new.” is forthcoming from Wind Publications with photos, plaques and commen- sis for his strategy to help others. And what did Mr. T think about HOME & GARDEN TRENDS in 2006. dations dating back almost as long. Upon entering the store, Mr. T shook John’s Meat Market? “Vinnie has a Among various honors, Ms. A handwritten poem on a lined sheet hands with Mr. Losavio and said, “I am lot of wisdom and style. And he knows Lockward was the recipient of a 2003 of notepad paper penned by Mr. glad to be in your establishment.” Mr. a lot about meat.” True to form, an Order In The Entry Poetry Fellowship from the New Jersey Losavio’s mother, the late Anne Losavio, Losavio remarked that he just wished his enthusiastic Mr. T, standing on the State Arts Council Arts and has re- entitled, “You Tell on Yourself,” takes father was alive to meet him, to which sidewalk of Park Avenue proclaimed, By CHRISTIE STORMS Westfield resident Ann Marie ceived awards from North American its rightful place of honor alongside the Mr. T replied, “God bless his heart.” “I pity the fool who doesn’t buy meat Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Ryan, a professional organizer, of- Review, Louisiana Literature, the dozens of resolutions and other procla- Noticeably absent of his trademark from John’s Meat Market!” Isn’t it amazing how rapidly little fered practical solutions. She recently Newburyport Art Association and the mations of excellence and dedication to gold chains, Mr. T met with fans and Filming resumed on Sunday, where things can pile up around your home on established A Neat Space, a local St.

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