VINELAND, NJ

Fr

MARCH 2000

d
n
a
l
e
n
i
V
c
i
r
o
iends of Hist

Volume 3, Issue 1 (Spring)

THE MILLENNIUM COMMISSION

to feel that it is a county At
parade
being
Vineland.
the end
of held
1999inthe
Freeholders of Cumberland
County created a Millennium Commission to officially involve the County in millennium activities of a
historical and cultural nature. The Millennium Commission set as its first task the articulation of its purpose and decided that it wanted to HONOR THE
PAST, IMAGINE THE FUTURE, AND FOSTER
PRIDE IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Frank De Maio, M.D.
The Millennium Commission feels that to honor the
Chair, Cumberland County
Millennium Commission past it must pay homage to the original Americans

and the immigrant groups that came to this area,

cleared the land, built the homes, and raised the families that have resulted in that
which we see about us today.
The Commission also feels that the various groups, businesses, and ethnic organizations should not only be encouraged to demonstrate their heritage but also show
their present accomplishments. This will demonstrate their pride in what they are
currently doing which will also honor their heritage and show others the pride that
we have in our county.
Finally, the Commission would like to see some concrete expression of what the
citizens envision for the future of Cumberland and what they feel is obtainable for
the future. We especially hope to involve the youth of the county in this aspect of
our activities, as the future does belong to them!
Any organization or group that has carried out cultural activities in the past and
intends to do so during the year 2000 will be eligible to receive publicity and help
in the coordination of that activity if they indicate that the activity will pay tribute
to the new millennium and they would like to consider that activity as part of our
county millennium activities. Their event will be publicized in the newsletter of
the Cumberland County Cultural and Heritage Commission. The Millennium
Commission is especially interested in fostering the attitude that all such events
be considered a part of county activities and not just of a local nature. For example, when Vineland has its Christmas parades, we would like the county citizens

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Page one: Historic Article

Page two: Article Continued
Page three: Medical Museum
Easter Recipe
Page four: Cartoon
Thank You

News Flash
The big event of the year
is coming up soon. We
are talking of Founders
Day.
Even though the real
birthday of Vineland is
August 8, 1861, we celebrate the day in May so
that the students of Vineland can participate.
Again this year we will
hold the event at the
Landis Middle School.
We will have an antique
car show in front of the
school, 20 tents filled
with Vinelanders talking
about history, Civil War
Reenactors, and many
other events. Read the
local newspaper for details.
1 Saturday,
Save the Date!!!
May 13, 2000at the
Landis Middle School
from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Page 2

(Continued from Page 1)

Address:
Friends of Historic
Vineland
The people from other towns in the area would hopefully look upon them as their
C/O F. De Maio, M.D.
events being held in Vineland. The Commission would help with publicity or in any
1047 Almond St.
Vineland, NJ 08360 other way it could.
Officers:
President
Frank De Maio, M.D.

The Millennium Commission is also planning a major event that will take place on Saturday, October 21 on the grounds of the Cumberland County College. The College has
graciously offered their facilities, including their beautiful theater, for the event. There
Vice President:
will be some preliminary events on Friday evening, but the main event will be on SatLinda Schimmel
urday. The event will feature three distinct time periods--the past, the present, and the
Secretary Treasurer future. We are asking all groups that are interested in participating to make known to
Rosanne Hughes
us their desire to do so. This would include as many ethnic groups as possible that can
explain their heritage by way of displays, dances, music and so forth. This should inNewsLetter By:
clude Civil War Reenactors, clubs, and ethnic societies among others. We also encourMrs. J. Oli vio
Dr. F. De Maio
age these groups to show what they are doing at the present time. For example, busiMrs. R. Hughes
nesses can show what they sell or manufacture, farming groups can show their proMrs. T. Kuhnreich
duce, ethnic groups can show how they are keeping alive the culture of their nation of
origin, and philanthropic groups can show what activities they sponsor. Finally, we encourage groups to
produce displays or activities that would give us a picture of what they imagine would be the future of the
county. Again, we hope that the youth of the county will be very active in this part of the program.
The calendar of events in the Cultural Newsletter comes out four times a year. Hence, it is essential that
the Commission receive notice at a very early date on any activity from groups that would like us to
help them with their plans. Also, if you are interested in being a part of the October event, please call
Kim Wood, executive director of the Millennium Commission, at 856 453 2177 and she will explain
things in detail and save a spot for you. In addition, if you would like to discuss the event further, Dr.
Frank De Maio is available and can be reached at 691 7111.

Dues are now due!!

We hope you enjoy reading our news letter and hope you support our activities. To do all of
this, we depend on income from our members. We will have many activities this year, especially during Founders Day, and need money to pay for it. So, could you please get your dues
in early this year to help??
Also, all paying their dues will be given a T shirt of good quality that has the Friends logo on
it. Also, you will become entitled to the same discounts offered to members of the Chamber of
Commerce as a gift for joining. Those who become sponsors (cost $50) will also be sent a pack
of 25 postcards of old Vineland as our way of thanking you. They are great little cards.
As always, you have a historic calendar sent to you at the end of the year!! All of this is our
way of saying Thank You for your help.
2

Page 3

A PROGRESS NOTE ON OUR NEW MEDICAL MUSEUM

The South Jersey Hospital System continues to move along in its plans to have a medical museum. We
now have a large storage area for medical artifacts next to the Bridgeton division of SJHS. All of the antique
items that had been stored in the various hospitals are being moved there. We will be setting up shelves,
placing the material on them, and then putting a description of the material in a database for easy retrieval of
material for future displays.
We also have display cases in Bridgeton, Millville and Newcomb branches of the SJHS and are setting up
medical displays.
We are actively collecting artifacts and really wish that individuals donate items for us to archive. Remember, one mans junk is another mans treasure! Do you have something in your attic that grandma thought
was the latest of medical wonders, but now is junk? Do some of you old nurses have a nursing cap that you
will never wear again?? How about an old enema bag??? Chances are, future generations will be fascinated
to see those items. Dont throw them away. Give them to us and let us make it a part of the history of south
Jersey medicine. Our rule isif it is big enough to see without a microscope or light enough for two strong
men to carry up a flight of stairs, we want it!! Also, please give us a brief history of who owned it and how it
was used (except for the enema bag)!

Recipe for the season: Pescado en Escabeche

Maria Perez tells us that this is one of the main meals served on Holy Thursday and Holy Friday during
the Easter holiday by most Spanish Catholics. It serves 10.
Ingredients: 4 lbs. of fresh cod fish sliced 1 inch thick; 4 teaspoons of salt, 3/4 cup of vegetable oil.
Sauce: 2 1/2 cups of olive oil, 1 cup of vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1 oz of whole black pepper, 3 bay
leaves, 4 crushed garlic cloves, 4 large Spanish sliced onions, 2 1/2 cups of olive oil.
Procedure: Wash and salt the fish and let it sit 1/2 hour. In a 3 liter bowel, mix the olive oil, vinegar,
salt, pepper, bay leaves and garlic. Simmer this in a low heat for 20 minutes. Then add the onions and
simmer for 10 more minutes. Turn off the heat and let the sauce cool.
Fry the cod fish in low heat for 8 minutes, turning the slices of cod while frying so they do not stick and
the fish does not become hard. After the fish is fried, put it in a large, dry glass bowl with a lid. Pour the
sauce over the fish to cover the fish completely.
Leave the bowl with the covered fish in the refrigerator for 24 hours to make sure all the ingredients are
absorbed. Then, on the happy day, serve this, still cold!
If you are interested in other aspects of Puerto Rican history and culture, call for an appointment to visit
the Puerto Rican Festival Cultural Library, 121 N. Main Rd, Vineland. Tours are by appointment only on
Saturday. Call coordinator Sonia Lorenzana at (856) 825 7374.
3

PAGE 4

Board Members of the Friends Announced

At the February meeting of the Friends, the Board Members of the organization were announced. They are as follows: Antonio Mennone, Carol Paterson, De Campanella, Dr.
Frank DeMaio, Janice Olivio, Jeannette Fisler, John Makos, Kevin Kirchner, Linda
Schimmel, Maria Perez, Mary Ribaudo, MaryAnn Kirchner, Matthew Jordan, Mayor Anthony Campanella, Nina Orlando, Pearl Giordano, Peter Di Stefano, Robert Trivellini, and
Rosanne Hughes.
These people are all faithful, and hard working members of the Friends that have spent
hours bringing alive the illustrious history of Vineland to their community. They deserve a
lot of praise and thanks. If you know any of them, why dont you give them a big show of
appreciation!! Thanks!

TO BE A MEMBER OF THE FRIENDS

BENEFACTOR.$100
SPONSOR.. $50
FAMILY... $35
INDIVIDUAL $30
STUDENT.$ 5
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO THE FRIENDS OF HISTORIC VINELAND

FRIENDS OF HISTORIC VINELAND HAS NO

CONNECTION WITH THE VINELAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY OR ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION
I decided to stay home so I can go to the Founders Day celebration. You go on and visit your
mother!!!
NAME _________________________________________

SAVE THE DAY

Founders Day celebration will be
May 13 at the Landis Middle
School. It will be a blast. See
you there!!!

ADDRESS ______________________________________
CITY, STATE, ZIP _______________________________
PHONE (HOME) ______________ (WORK) ______________
MAIL TO: FRIENDS OF HISTORIC VINELAND
C/O FRANK DE MAIO, MD
1047 ALMOND ST.
VINELAND, NJ 08360
4