Christmas is just around the corner. Tis the season to be jolly! At least that's the way it is suppose to be. Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned over the holiday season. Just ask Frank Cramer, the proprietor of Cramer's Luncheonette, whose efforts to bring Santa to the children of New Greta went awry as chronicled in the following Tuckerton Beacon article. Unfortunately, the news clipping is undated, but the incident probably occurred sometime in the 1940s. It shows that Murphy's law, "Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong!", also applies to Santa.
Pete S
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| Frank Cramer |
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Frank Cramer was the proprietor of Cramer's Grille on the north-east
corner of present day Rt. 9 and North Maple Avenue.
(Postcard courtesy of Charles Richmond, Jr.)
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PS- I'm wondering if Don Maxwell or Clif Brown recall the incident.
Pete: This incident brings a total blank. I suggest it might haven been in the mid "30's. Have yourself a Merry Christmas and let someone else play Santa Claus.
ReplyDeleteBest Regards - Clif Brown
Clif,
ReplyDeleteFrank and Rejessa Cramer built their New Gretna restaurant in late 1933 or early 1934, so it is possible that Frank's flaming Santa beard occurred in the mid 1930s per your suggestion. Maybe Don Maxwell will weigh in on the issue.
Pete S
Clif,
ReplyDeleteI decided to do a little detective work. The Beacon article stated that December 24th was a Saturday evening. I checked out calendars from 1934 through 1950 to see in what years December 24th falls on a Saturday evening. That occurs only in 1938 and 1949, so the Santa incident had to occur in one of those years. I know Frank Cramer owned the restaurant in 1938 but am unsure if Frank owned the restaurant in 1949. Perhaps someone can help me regarding the 1949 ownership question. Right now, 1938 looks like a promising year regarding the ignited Santa beard.
Pete S
Pete: A suggestion - The Cramer's daughter is married to Bill Kapler a former resident of Tuckerton and his email is (Email address removed by Blog Administrator). Perhaps she could shed light on this incident and other related issues. Think about it, you might save yourself some work, and get a new blog reader.
ReplyDeleteRegards, Clif Brown
I remember my dad, Walter Mathis, talking about this incident.
ReplyDeleteBob Mathis
Pete; Remember Dad's accident very well, even though I was very young--1938. He sold the restaurant about 1940 to a Mr. Yerkes. After his death Jane Yerkes sold but I don't know to whom. Have some pictures but not here-will ask my son if he has any but will search when we go back to SC in May. Don Maxwell lived next door. Thanks for your story-Joan Cramer Guenther Kapler
ReplyDeleteJoan,
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you. I'm looking forward to getting some photos from you when you get back to South Carolina.
Following are some notes that I put together regarding the history of Cramer's Grille which later became known as the Rustic Inn.
The first building on the northeast corner of Route 9 and Maple Avenues was a restaurant built by the Lamson brothers, Ashton and Joseph B., in August of 1899. (Note: Joseph B. built the New Gretna House on the opposite corner in 1884.) Ashton ran a successful restaurant and meat market out of the building, until a fire destroyed the building in April, 1931. In late 1933 and early 1934, Frank and Rejessa Cramer built what was locally known as the Brick Restaurant. It got the name from the brick facade. George and Jane Yike was the next owners, buying the business in 1940. Chris and Bertha Ostergod (not sure of spelling) were the next owners. I have been told that they named the business the Rustic Inn, as they were from Germany and wanted to give the place a rustic atmosphere reminiscent of the Black Forest in Germany. Doug and Helen Hancock were the next owners; followed by Frieda Loveland Shediker; followed by her daughter and son-in-law, Betty and Edward Kowalski; and, finally, Howard and Veronica Hudson. Mr. Hudson died in 1973 and the business was run by Mrs. Hudson who was the last owner. When she became sick, the place was closed. She passed away in 2001, and the building has been boarded up since then.
Pete S
Murphy's Law strikes again!
ReplyDeleteA few comments ago I concluded the Santa's beard incident must have occurred in 1938 as that was the only date in the 1930s where December 24th fell on a Saturday. Well, I was mistaken! Eagle eyed Shirley Whealton just emailed me that she found the "Santa's Beard" article in the December 29, 1932 Tuckerton Beacon. Thanks, Shirley! I really slipped up in my detective work. Sorry about that!
Pete S