Lots of U.S. 1 readers along Route 27 in Kingston will recall our
delivery person who covered that route up until a few short years ago.
Diane Fernandes often delivered the papers in the company of her dog,
a large white – and always friendly – standard poodle.
When Diane could not cover her route for one reason or another – a
bout with colon cancer here, some hip surgery there, another bout with
a different form of cancer later on – many people along the route
would ask for her. “She will be back,” we promised, and she always was
– thoroughly enjoying the chance to get out of her house in
Lambertville one day a week. But the last time was tougher and Diane
did not return to her delivery route, though she did continue to come
to our office to help with the monthly billing process.
Diane Fernandes, we are sorry to report, died on August 15 at the age
of 77. We should all be as energetic and as uncomplaining as she.
Last Week’s Cover
Careful readers may have wondered why, in last week’s edition, the
captions on page two did not match the photos on the front cover, and
why the cover was dated August 11 when the inside pages were all
clearly marked August 16. The explanation: A last-minute design change
– a central character in lots of publishing disasters.
In our haste, we also misspelled a word and printed the wrong caption
information on page two. Mea culpa, or nostra culpa: We have all taken
an oath: No last minute cover changes, unless they are warranted by
the news.
To the Editor:
Bath House Saved
Actions by Friends of the Trenton Bath House and the recent diligent
reporting in the media have forced a happy ending to the saga of the
Trenton Bath House. U.S. 1 made an important contribution last year by
running one of the first stories to note that the Bath House would be
for sale and by covering a small exhibition that highlighted ways in
which the Bath House could be adapted to future use (“The Little Bath
House That Could,” June 25, 2005).
Mercer County planner Donna Lewis has now confirmed that the county
will use Green Acres money to buy the property and put historic
preservation and conservation easements in place. Ewing Township,
which will own the main JCC building, will operate the Bath House and
pool as a community recreation site. Four acres at the far back of the
JCC property will be sold independently by the current owners.
This is an ideal solution that reflects well on the efforts of many
people. The architecture and preservation communities actively voiced
their concerns. The press played a critical role in making the public
aware that the Bath House might have closed permanently on September 5
if there had not been a quick sale. County officials, too, deserve
praise for diligently pursuing a complicated transaction and for
having the vision to see that the Bath House will add to the historic
and cultural resources of the county. This is a “win-win” conclusion.
Susan G. Solomon Ph.D.
Curatorial Resources & Research
