Cleary’s Notebook publishes a wide variety of articles, primarily focusing on news, sports, commentary, and politics for Gloucester City and the surrounding areas of South Jersey and Philadelphia. Based on recent posts, here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Local news and community events
Updates on local projects and infrastructure, such as road improvements and park renovations.
Announcements and coverage of community events like Gloucester Day and various concerts.
Reports on local sports news and high school events, particularly Gloucester Catholic High School and Gloucester High sports.
Obituaries and tributes to community members.
“Cheers and Jeers” columns, which highlight positive and negative aspects of the community.
Pet-related stories, such as introducing new family dogs.
Public safety and crime reports
News about local police investigations, arrests, and crime advisories.
Reports on incidents like shootings and other crimes in Gloucester City and the surrounding areas.
Discussions on crime statistics and police department policies.
This past September, I was walking our new dog, Sweetie, in the old industrial area of the city, and we had the incredible fortune of spotting four American bald eagles perched majestically in two trees. As we got closer to their location, two of the mature eagles flew over our heads. At the same time, the other two took off in the opposite direction. We were in awe at their beauty. It felt like such a special gift from nature, filling our hearts with awe and wonder as we soaked in the beauty of these incredible creatures. Sweetie, our two-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever whom we recently adopted, seemed to share in our excitement.
The photo shows my brother George and his first wife, Barb with the twins. I hadn’t seen Barb in decades, and when I learned that she and her daughter, Barb (when she was younger, she was called Bobbie, were in a nursing home, Connie and I decided to visit them. We took Peyton, our trained therapy dog, with us. She was an immediate star with the patients in the home. Young Barb was 53 and had ALS. In the photo, she is the baby on the right. When we arrived, we found them both sitting in the day room. Young Barb looked at me and asked her mom, “Do you know who this is, Mom?” After a few minutes of contemplating, Barb looked at me and said, “Billy!” She had Alzheimer’s disease. Like you, I am very familiar with that illness; my mom had it, and now my sister, Dolores, is affected by it too.
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (CNBNEWS)–Today, at St. Mary’s Church, I looked at all of you. I was struck by the powerful lyrics of a Darius Rucker song that capture our family’s essence. I’ve included a verse from that song along with the link below—make time to listen. (photo courtesy of St. Mary’s Facebook)
It won’t be like this for long
One day soon, that girl is gonna be
All grown up and gone
Yeah, this phase is gonna fly by
So, he’s tryin to hold on
Cause it won’t be like this for long
It won’t be like this for long.
, Preform by Darius Rucker
Reflecting on this song brought vivid memories of each of your births—Kelly Ann, Connie Lynn, and Billy. Your bright blonde hair and radiant smiles were undeniable gifts from heaven. Yes, you tested our patience at times, but the joy you brought into our lives far outweighed any challenges. Your mother and I felt young and vibrant, and I wouldn’t trade those days for anything. Watching you grow into a strong woman and a remarkable man fills me with pride, especially as you now bless us with wonderful grandchildren who are continuing this legacy of love.
Sitting in church this past Sunday, I reminisced about my time as a young altar boy, serving alongside the priest while my father sat in his customary spot, lost in prayer. Those moments reminded me of my life journey, from childhood to the present, and how swiftly the years have flown by.
You deserve to know about the simplicity of your mom’s and my upbringing. Life back then was straightforward, and we often took our good fortune for granted. I am genuinely concerned about the challenges you face today. Growing up in today’s world is undoubtedly difficult, and I want you all to understand that you have my unwavering support.
I often think of my parents and the time I would have loved to spend with them. Watching them age was painful, as they became almost childlike in their needs. Many nights, I cried in silence, wishing for their peace. I miss my brother and the invaluable conversations we shared.
Now, I fully grasp my father’s tears while listening to music in his final days. He was likely reflecting on his own life, as I do now.
I stand firm in saying that I have been blessed with a wonderful life, and a significant part of that comes from each of you. My only regret is not expressing my love for you more often—I know your mother would feel the same way.
You each make me proud in your own unique way, and I want you to know that we could not ask for a better family.
Lacey, the black Labrador, and Erica, the yellow Labrador. Friends from the first day they met at the Seeing Eye Campus.
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ—We have been very fortunate to own many excellent Labrador retrievers for over 60 years of marriage. Three of our eight Labdores were therapy dogs. Today, Peyton holds down that title. Before her, the two pictured, Lacey and Erica, performed those duties. Seeing the faces of senior citizens and hospital patients brighten when we walk into their room with our dog is very rewarding.
The shipping container business located in Gloucester City has demolished the warehouses at its marina at the foot of Monmouth Street and is beginning to tear down some of the old buildings near the entrance to the facility at King and Essex Streets. The additional vacant land will likely allow Holt to store more shipping containers.
According to an AI search, several proposed bills in the New Jersey legislature would authorize municipalities to impose taxes on the storage of empty shipping containers within their boundaries. Here’s a breakdown of what these proposed bills entail:
The shipping container business located in Gloucester City has demolished the warehouses at its marina at the foot of Monmouth Street and is beginning to tear down some of the old buildings near the entrance to the facility at King and Essex Streets. The additional vacant land will likely allow Holt to store more shipping containers.
According to an AI search, several proposed bills in the New Jersey legislature would authorize municipalities to impose taxes on the storage of empty shipping containers within their boundaries. Here’s a breakdown of what these proposed bills entail:
The shipping container business located in Gloucester City has demolished the warehouses at its marina at the foot of Monmouth Street and is beginning to tear down some of the old buildings near the entrance to the facility at King and Essex Streets. The additional vacant land will likely allow Holt to store more shipping containers.
According to an AI search, several proposed bills in the New Jersey legislature would authorize municipalities to impose taxes on the storage of empty shipping containers within their boundaries. Here’s a breakdown of what these proposed bills entail:
The shipping container business located in Gloucester City has demolished the warehouses at its marina at the foot of Monmouth Street and is beginning to tear down some of the old buildings near the entrance to the facility at King and Essex Streets. The additional vacant land will likely allow Holt to store more shipping containers.
According to an AI search, several proposed bills in the New Jersey legislature would authorize municipalities to impose taxes on the storage of empty shipping containers within their boundaries. Here’s a breakdown of what these proposed bills entail:
DON’T MESS WITH MOTHER NATURE – The contractor for the New Jersey Department of Transportation is taking an innovative approach to address the flooding issue at Brooklawn’s east and west traffic circles by constructing retaining walls. However, as indicated by the arrows in the photo, it seems that water is still making its way onto New Broadway. I suggest considering a six or eight-foot-high retaining wall, which could also provide opportunities for advertising space—just a joke, of course! In all the times we’ve seen various contractors attempt to stop the flooding, this is the first instance where we have witnessed the erection of retaining walls.
