Tribute from Dave Cowell

Alice Gibson at the Inaugural Ball for the Grover Cleveland Birthplace. Photo by Janet Markman

One of our brightest lights has gone out.

Development and Program Chairperson Alice Gibson died yesterday from the Covid-19 virus. Alice chaired all the fundraising events for the Grover Cleveland Birthplace, raised all the money we needed to fund our agreement with the State to build the Visitor Center and staged the major historic reenactments–the wedding, the inauguration, the ground breaking–and annual meetings, plays, scripts, even parades.
Her commitment to the project was also her joy. She was the first to respond to the notice that the bidding process was renewed a week ago saying simply, “I want to be in Trenton when the bids are opened.”
We are not alone in all the groups mourning her loss. The Montclair Symphony Orchestra, the cultural arts communities, the Junior Women’s Clubs,the UWWE, the NJPAC, and Councils on the Arts. She participated, donated, led and she spoke for them all.
Alice loved projects with vision perhaps because she had vision. She made life more interesting
and richer for us all. Her enthusiasm was infectious and inspiring to us all.
Gordon has been taken home by their son.
Our condolences to Gordon, Donna, Gordon Jr., and their families.
Best, stay well and safe yourselves. Dave Cowell, President

Tribute from Sharon Farrell

The U.S. flag at the front of the house, and the entrance door to the Birthplace have been draped in mourning colors to honor Alice. Photo by Janet Markman

To make a donation in Alice Gibson’s honor – please note in “Add Special Instructions to Seller” space  – “For Alice Gibson”

Submitted by Sharon Farrell

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47 year old Grover Cleveland

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18 year old Grover Cleveland

OPEN SPACES AT STATE PARKS AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS AVAILABLE FOR PASSIVE RECREATION; ENCLOSED FACILITIES, CAMPGROUNDS AT STATE PARKS, FORESTS AND RECREATION AREAS CLOSED

On behalf of the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Association (GCBMA), I am sorry to report that due to this Coronavirus outbreak, The Ragged Road to Abolition, for the time being, been cancelled.

To Download the above information –  Click Here

On behalf of the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Association (GCBMA), I am sorry to report that due to this Coronavirus outbreak, all scheduled events for “President Grover Cleveland Week” have, for the time being, been cancelled.

To Download the Schedule – Click Here

More Information on Escape Room and how to make reservations

The Mayor and Caldwell Council proclaim in perpetuity the week of March 18, 2019 as Grover Cleveland Week in the Borough of Caldwell. Scan of original by Bob Markman

The Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Association Presents

“President Grover Cleveland Week” Schedule of Events

March 16 – 22, 2020

Monday, March 16, 2020 – 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm:

Official announcement about The State of New Jersey’s “Grover Cleveland Week” at the

Roseland Public Library, 20 Roseland Ave., Roseland, NJ 07068

www.RoselandPublicLibrary.org

Open to the public – light refreshments

7:30 pm – Library Director Jan Overton welcomes everyone

7:45 pm – Assemblyman John McKeon recapping the Joint Resolution (AJR79) officially making the week of March 18th “President Grover Cleveland Week” throughout the State of New Jersey.

8:00 pm – Presentation by noted historian Louis Picone, “The Importance of Being Grover Cleveland”

Tuesday, March 17, 2020 – 6:00 pm:

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration recognizing President Grover Cleveland at

The Cloverleaf Tavern, 395 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell, NJ 07006 (973)226-9812

Special beer and menu items named after our 22 & 24^th President, Grover Cleveland.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020 Grover Cleveland’s Birthday Events:

4:30 pm – Special Birthday Ceremony led by Sharon Farrell, Caretaker of the

Grover Cleveland Birthplace, 207 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell, NJ 07006 (973) 226-0001

Representatives from houses of worship, historical societies, and service organizations including: Essex Masonic Lodge, Caldwell Women’s Club, Knights of Columbus, University Women of West Essex, DAR, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and local schools.

5:30 pm – 8:00pm – Caldwell Library Reception & Special Speaker Presentation, open to the public.

Caldwell Public Library, 268 Bloomfield Ave. Caldwell, NJ 07006   www.caldwellpl.org

5:30 pm – “Meet and Greet” – Socialize with light refreshments.

6:30 pm – Special Talk about President Cleveland and his friendship with Mark Twain by Speaker acting curator of the Mark Twain House, Hartford, CT, Ms. Mallory Howard.

Thursday, March 19, 2020 – 7:00 pm: Trivia Night – Led by Caldwell Caldwell Councilman Jonathan Lace at

Rockin’ Joe’s Café, 339 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell, NJ 07006  (973) 226 1116

Saturday, March 21, 2020 – 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm:  “Escape Room” with Paul Maloney

The Grover Cleveland Birthplace, 207 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell, NJ 07006 (973) 226-0001

Times will be at 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, and 7:00 pm.  Tickets are just $10 per person, and will be sold in advance.

  * For the latest information about these exciting events please visit www.presidentcleveland.org 

CARTOON by Thomas Nast, UNCLE SAM’S THANKSGIVING DINNER: 1869. Nast, a Republican, became a staunch supporter of Democrat Grover Cleveland during the 1884 election. Nast is credited with creating the iconic images of the donkey and the elephant that would come to represent the two major parties.

READ MORE: Notice at the top, center of the cartoon, the small banner draped over the portrait of President Ulysess S. Grant with the words, “15^th Amendment,” and in the table’s centerpiece, “Self Governance” and “Universal Suffrage.”  This scene was the artist’s, and the magazine’s, endorsement of the 15^th amendment which had been undergoing vigorous debate, with removals and revisions in Congress throughout the year. It would finally pass the following February of 1870, during Grant’s presidency. https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/amendment/amendment-xv   In 1884, Despite Thomas Nast’s party affiliation as a Republican, he found he could not conscientiously vote for, or support, Cleveland’s opponent, James Blaine, who Nast saw as a thoroughly corrupt leader. Throughout the 1884 election year Nast drew scathing cartoons of the Republican candidate portrayed as a thief and conversely, published glowing cartoons portraying Grover Cleveland as a heroic non-partisan reformer. In the words of the artist’s grandson, Thomas Nast St. Hill, “it was generally conceded that Nast’s support won Cleveland the small margin by which he was elected. In this his last national political campaign, Nast had, in fact, ‘made a president.'”

A locomotive going too fast, fires going out of control, stories about a world famous hotel, and an individual being pushed in a wheelbarrow for winning a bet are just a few of the stories which will be told at the Halloween Ghost Walk presented by the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Association on Friday October 25^th.  (Raindate will be Saturday October 26^th.)    Tours will start at the Grover Cleveland Birthplace, 207 Bloomfield Avenue at 5:00 and will continue every half hour into the early evening. The walks will travel west on Bloomfield Avenue and will make stops at the First Presbyterian Church and many historical storefronts.  The final stop will be at the well-known Cloverleaf Tavern.  Tickets are $15.00 each and will be available at the Grover Cleveland Birthplace and the West Caldwell Public Library after October 1^st. Each tour will be one hour in length.  (Tickets must be obtained before the event and will not be sold on October 25^th.)
Tour guides will include members of the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Association, local historians, and local educators.  The walk will be a great way for participants to learn about Grover Cleveland and the Grover Cleveland Birthplace, and Caldwell, Essex County, and New Jersey History.  For additional details, please contact Paul Maloney at EssexNewsMaloney@aol.com or call the Grover Cleveland Birthplace at 973-226-0001.

Once again the Fourth of July Ice Cream Social at the Grover Cleveland Birthplace will feature an Historic Cookie Bake-off. This year’s cookie is the Lavender Cookie in honor of our cookie loving native son, President Grover Cleveland. Start looking through family recipes, old cookbooks or historical food sites to find your own Lavender Cookie recipe

Lavender Cookie Bake-off Rules:

• Entries must be from scratch. No mixes permitted;
• Only one entry per person;
• By entering this contest, you give permission to the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Association to use your recipe for distribution and, if not under copyright, publication;
• No entry fee;
• Entries must include 2 dozen cookies: one for judging and one for sale. Please use disposable plate and cover;
• Entries must include entry form (inside) and a copy of the recipe, typed or written legibly;
• Entries cannot require refrigeration;
• Judging criteria: Most Attractive Cookie: 50% for Appearance, 30% for Taste, 20% for Use of Traditional Ingredients; All other categories: 80% for Taste; 20% for Use of Traditional Ingredients. Avoid 20^th/21^st century ingredients such as Baking Powder, vegetable shortening, margarine, etc.;
• Decision of Judges will be final (Judges are volunteers);
• Entry must be received by 1:00 pm, July 4, 2019 at the Grover Cleveland Birthplace, 207 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell, NJ. Winner need not be present;
• Entries must be cookies and can be a shaped, rolled, or dropped. Items such as breads, cupcakes, etc. won’t be accepted.

2019 Ice Cream Social –  Lavender Cookie Bake-off – entry form

Name:           __________________________________________________________________________________

Address:          __________________________________________________________________________________

Phone:       __________________________ Email:          _______________________________________________

Any personal history of your recipe you would like to share:  _________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Download Rules and Entry form  – Click Here