MedfordNJ.com 2005 Archives

New Deli Opens on Main Street.

Dec 12, 2004 (Medford, NJ): Finally... Bain's Deli opened Dec. 3 on Main Street next to the Community Center... and we're loving it.

Frank, the owner & operator, hired some of our favorite kids in the neighborhood too. Eat-in (7 tables), take-out, or delivery. We can get used to watching ESPN or NFL on the plasma screen TV while picking up our halftime sandwiches (try the beef brisket). But beware, Frank is a closet Giants fan, which is the only bad thing about Bain's Deli. Bain's is also open @ 6am weekdays, 7am Sat/Sun. Phone: (609-654-5533)

Low Interest Loans for Historic Homes & Businesses Introduced

Nov. 20, 2004 (Medford, NJ): A new initiative to help residents qualify for 5% interest loans has been introduced by Cornerstone Bank. The program was introduced recently at a press conference at Cornerstone Bank, Stokes & Himmelein Roads, Medford. Low interest loans, up to $300,000, will be offered to improve the facade of homes and businesses, especially in the historic districts.

 

Ingelsby Resigns Medford Council

Dec 3, 2004 (Medford, NJ): Medford Township Councilperson Pola Galie Ingelsby has resigned from Council effective Dec. 31, 2004 citing an inability to meet the time demands of her elected position. Ingelsby, who changed her political affiliation to Independent from Republican in the past year, would have been facing intense opposition from her all-Republican Council colleagues if she had decided to run for re-election in the coming year.

 

Soprano's Star House Hunting in Medford

Nov. 25, 2004 (Medford, NJ): One ofthe stars of the popular HBO series "The Soprano's" is reported to be house hunting in Medford. John Ventimiglia, who plays Chef Artie Bucco, is part owner of Soprano's Pizza on Stokes Road. We know he will right in among the real-life mobsters who call Medford home. Perhaps he can pick up John Stanfa's old home which has been on the market.

 

Cafe Noelle Restaurant Sold

Nov. 8, 2004 (Medford, NJ): Popular Main Street restaurant Cafe Noelle was sold last week, according to the former owners. Complete details were not immediately available.

 

Make Way for "Snake Way"

Nov. 1, 2004 (Medford, NJ): No, we're not talking about politicians. A settlement has been reached in the snake saga that will clear the way for the completion of the Sanctuary and Georgia O'Keefe Way in Evesham. The settlement among developer Iva Samost, residents, and the Pinelands will result in the payment by developers to the Pinelands to built enclosed culverts for the snakes to pass below the road. Can you imagine: "Snakes, this way!

 

President Bush Campaigns in Area

October 18, 2004 (Medford, NJ): On the heels of VP Cheyney's visit last week, President George W. Bush makes a stop in Evesham today. Tickets to the event were passed out to Republican's in Medford. I guess we'll see them all on the news tonite.

 

Cannibal Carrot Wins 2004 Scarecrow Festival

October 13, 2004 (Medford, NJ): The OTR Girls from Medford Lakes were awarded the first prize blue ribbon in their category at this year's HMVA Scarecrow Festival.

The event, held October 9, on Main Street in Medford was the Halloween kickoff event for Medford. The Halloween Parade is scheduled for Saturday, October 30, in Medford.

At first glance, I thought the eight-foot-tall carrot was a lot of work for the Scarecrow Festival. And it was. But on of the OTR Girls confessed that their entry was originally created and used for the Medford Lakes Canoe Carnival.

They modified "carrot" and gave it a second life in the annual Main Street contest.

 

Medford Knock-Downs Continue

October 7, 2004 (Medford, NJ): Two older and dilapidated houses on (Oliphant's) Mill Street in Medford Village were razed in the past two weeks. The properties were owned by John Cave or Cave Holdings and were torn down to make room for a new housing development on Mill Street.

Cave already has township approvals for the development of a dozen new homes to be built opposite Medford Memorial middle school. Pictured at Right: Earlier in the summer, the first knockdown in recent Medford history occured at South Main Street and Mill Street, perhaps signalling a change in fortune for South Main Street, south of the Main Street bridge.

 

MedfordNJ.com Unveils Improved Site Interface & Features

October 4, 2004 (Medford, NJ): An improved navigation interface and new features have been introduced at MedfordNJ.com, announced Publisher Tim Kearns. "We wanted to make it easier on all pages of the site to access more of the vast number of pages that make up MedfordNJ.com", said Kearns. "People don't realize how large the site is. Now it's easier to access."

 

Largest Housing Development in Medford History Approved by Council

September 30, 2004 (Medford, NJ): By a vote of 4-0 (Ms. Ingelsby was not present for the vote), the largest housing development in Medford history was given the green light. The only up-side of this deal is that only 529 homes will be built and not 1206 homes as originally planned. I'm not sure if that qualifies as a success. Rain & Dam Failures Flood Medford, Medford Lakes.

July 13, 2004 (Medford, NJ): Overnight rains totalling 10 inches in some parts of Medford led to at least five lake dam failures throught the area last night in Medford and Medford Lakes. Many homes flooded and up to 500 families in the surrounding areas were evacuated overnight. No injuries have been reported as of this morning. By noon, roads closed overnight, namely Rt. 70, Stokes Rd., Jackson, and most Medford Lakes roads, were beginning to reopen as flood waters receded. Governor McGreevy, who toured the area by helicopter, declared Burlington County a disaster area.

 

Medford, County To Save Farms with Wetlands.

July 10, 2004 (Medford, NJ): 364 acres of land that includes a substantial percentage of wetlands and land not suitable for development is being negotiated for purchase here in Medford. Documents reviewed by MedfordNJ.com indicate that almost 20% of one of the farms is wetlands. Putting the Open Space Preservation program on its head, one would ask why Medford Council is trying to "save" open space that is not in danger of being developed anyway.

Medford Historic House Knock-Down Takes 50 Minutes.

June 30, 2004 (Medford, NJ): In less than an hour, the former historic home on Main Street near the corner of Main and Mill Streets proved no match for the wrecking ball.

The Main Street (address unknown) home, deteriorated by termites and post beetles and dilapidated due to a lack of maintenance, appears on the 1876 hand-drawn map of Medford Village homes. It had been condemned. A new home is being built by Pagliuso Builders. As of this morning no buyer has stepped up to purchase the $429,000 (price unconfirmed) colonial style home that will be built on the lot. "Approvals have been received," said Frank Pagliuso, "from Pinelands, Medford Historic Review Board and Zoning."

Frank, brother Anthony and their father were on-hand for the demolition. The architectural rendering of the home shows a three story home with plenty of windows and detatched garage. It's our opinion that the new home will be a beautiful addition to South Main Street across the creek bridge, an area that has a Jeckyl & Hyde personality.

Medford Council Approves Route 70 Rezoning.

June 22, 2004 (Medford, NJ): Medford Council at it's June 22 meeting voted to rezone Route 70 as a measure to curb development of Big Box stores like the proposed Home Depot store. The lone dissenting vote was cast by Pola Galie-Inglesby (how's that Flying W van handle Pola?) on the basis of her interest in waiting for the recent Route 70 subcommittee findings. Is it back to the drawing board for The Home Depot?

 

MedfordNJ.com Introduces the Online Medford General Store

June 10, 2004 (Medford, NJ): Looking for Products and Services that are designed for the Medford, NJ resident? MedfordNJ.com has unveiled a new online shopping cart system that offers a range of gifts and historic property services like handpainted Historic House Plaques and customized Deed History reports. "We wanted to offer the best of the existing Medford products and offer some new ones for the homeowner," said Publisher and Editor Tim Kearns.

The Medford General Store displays pictures and product descriptions, allows for viewers to order and pay by credit card. "We've already had orders from current and past Medford residents," said Kearns, "and we anticipate adding new original arts and crafts items as Medford area artisans contact us to be included."

 

BCIT Refuses to Release Medford Cafe Documents

May 17, 2004 (Medford, NJ): BCIT officials have declined to release documents requested by MedfordNJ.com relating to the agreement between the district and Stagecoach Partners LLC, the operators of the cafe at Main and Union Streets in Medford. MedfordNJ.com filed the request April 22, 2004 as part of research for on any contracts or agreements between BCIT and the cafe.

The cafe is joinly owned by two Medford Councilpersons, Lisa Post and Pola Inglesby, and others. A cafe employee had confirmed in March that BCIT had entered into agreement with the cafe owners but did not disclose any details of the agreement. The request was filed with BCIT under the Open Public Records Act using the official form provided by BCIT.

 

7-Eleven to Greet You Entering Medford.

April 20, 2004 (Medford, NJ): In a move that will more likely rattle Medford residents than Evesham residents, a new Seven Eleven grocery store has been approved by Evesham Township for the corner of Rt. 70 and Medford-Evesboro Road, according to a 7-11 franchisee who wished to remain anonymous. Medford residents will probably know this intersection better as the first intersection as you enter Medford travelling east on Route 70 from Marlton to Medford.