Maplewood Trivia archived

I recently read (on the internet so it must be true) that the carousel at WDW Magic Kingdom was originally stationed in Maplewood before being taken to Orlando several years ago. Is that true?

Are there any other local legends that the readers of MOL can tell me- I find this fascinating.

here are a few more
- the golf tee was invented in maplewood
- the town was named for a may pole event that used to take place every year
- it is said, according to local legend, that the Maplewood Pool used to serve tilapia

Any more?

3 people drowned in the lake when 2 ski boats collided.

Yes on the carousel at Walt Disney World. I've seen the plaque on it describing that it came from the old Olympic Park (which was south of Springfield Avenue, on the border with Irvington).

The other three are yes, no, and yes-perhaps-again.

Alfred Kinsey graduated from Columbia High School in 1912. Write your own jokes relating this fact to his lifelong study of sex.

If you ride that carousel, there is one horse that is specifically noted as having come from Maplewood. (The people who run the ride know which one.)

Have to suspect that, while the original carousel may have once been in Maplewood, the one currently in use—except for that horse—is something different.

I have heard (also on the internet) that ultimate frisbee started in Maplewood.

One of the Disney Word tour guides, upon hearing we're from Maplewood, NJ, proceeded to inform us that their carousel is from our town. We told him we already knew that.
:smile:

Posted By: jasper1664I have heard (also on the internet) that ultimate frisbee started in Maplewood.

This is definitely true. I've seen this in many places - most recently about a year or so ago in Real Simple magazine.

When Freeman's ran the concession stand, The Maplewood Pool served tilapia.

Posted By: sbenois3 people drowned in the lake when 2 ski boats collided.

You know, that's one of those things where you'll always remember where you were when you heard the news ... I heard the planned memorial is on hold because of all the budget cuts ...

I was surfing not more than 200 feet away when it happend. I'm still suffering PTSD. That's why I spend so much time on MOL.

Can I ask what you guys are talking about with the lake thing???

Posted By: TigerLillyCan I ask what you guys are talking about with the lake thing???

{Awkward silence}

:sad:

If we tell you about the lake, will you promise not to ask about the giant roving eyeball?

Yes, it will be hard, but I realize that the giant roving eyeball story....you'll just have to take to your grave...

Oh, no the giant roving eyeball is public knowledge. I'm just tired and don't want to get into it tonight. Long story. Maybe someone else can explain.

:rolling:

Posted By: nanIf we tell you about the lake, will you promise not to ask about the giant roving eyeball?

Why the hell would you bring up the GRE?! Why ...

My favorite is that Helen Stratemeyer Adams ( pen name Carolyn Keene) the "author" of the Nancy Drew series lived in Maplewood. When I was in elementary school I was addicted to Nancy Drew and read every book I could get my hands on. At the time I lived in Italy ( my dad was an army officer stationed there) and it amazes me that I wound up living half a world away in the town where the books were created!! Who would have guessed. I have often wondered if when the books described Nancy's life in high school, they were describing life at Columbia High School !!

Does anyone remember the Monkees - and their hit song Pleasant Valley Sunday.

The writers of that song were Carol King and her husband - and at the time they lived in West Orange. The name Pleasant Valley Sunday was taken from - you guessed it Pleasant Valley Way.

Also Mark Rudd the creator of the 60s ultra radical group SDS - Students for a Democratic Society went to Columbia High School. He lived in South Orange. I think he also lead the demonstrations at Columbia University and wound up in federal prison for a few decades for bombing something.

Going waaay back - did you know that Ridgewood road was once an Indian trail. I used to live on Ridgewood Road and used to look out my window and know that Indians once walked there. It became a road in colonial times and there are still 6 or 7 homes on Ridgewood that date from before the revolutionary war.

Ridgewood Road used to be called Grub Street in the pre-revolutionary period.

In the early 1900's it was proposed that Maplecrest Park be used as a cemetary but the Township Committee vetoed the plan because the land was too wet.

Mark Rudd spoke at Columbia High a few years ago. It was his first time back in the building since the 1960s and he said he was kind of creeped out to be back. It was an interesting talk and it was also attended by his mother who was still kind of pissed off at him.

nan, I find the comment about his mother rather funny. We purchased our house from his mother in 2001 (she and her husband built the house in 1970) and we got the same impression from her as you did. When Mark resurfaced from the Weather underground he did so at our house. Apparently the press were waiting out front and he drove his car into the side garage and closed the door.

Yeah, but she was glad to have him back, although both parents had been put through hell. He seemed genuinely remorseful about that and lots of other things too. He seemed so grateful to be living a normal, mundane life.

I was very impressed with him as someone who has learned and grown from his experiences in a good way. Who know though, it might be all BS. I'm easily fooled by the romance of 60's radicalism.

For me, there was no romance of 60's radicalism. Fort Knox, Kentucky 1969. I had just finished Basic training and was assigned to Ft Knox. Was involved in the beginning of an anti war GI coffeehouse. We were fire bombed at night while 5 people were living upstairs (including myself and a 1 year old child of friends). And it was 40 years ago this year!

Posted By: nanI'm easily fooled by the romance of 60's radicalism.

Yeah, great. The "romance"? Please.

Bunch of people taking a crap in the University President's office and declaring themselves in charge. Very admirable.

Posted By: wedjetFor me, there was no romance of 60's radicalism. Fort Knox, Kentucky 1969. I had just finished Basic training and was assigned to Ft Knox. Was involved in the beginning of an anti war GI coffeehouse. We were fire bombed at night while 5 people were living upstairs (including myself and a 1 year old child of friends). And it was 40 years ago this year!

More please.

Posted By: dogbertBunch of people taking a crap in the University President's office and declaring themselves in charge. Very admirable.

But you don't find that romantic??? :rolling:

A famous 1950s science fiction writer once lived in my house.
My neighbors keep telling me his name every few years.
I keep forgetting.

so.
Who knows of a science fiction writer from the Jefferson area?