Sights of the City

In the 1970s, citizens and institutions donated funds for tree plantings along Park and Watchung avenues and some other streets downtown. As you can see here, it's time for some new trees. This plaque is in memory of Katherine and A. Lodewyk de Leeuw, "who loved trees."

Scaffolding is being erected at City Hall, in preparation for exterior repairs with state historic preservation funding.

This huge thing on a flatbed showed up at Lot 7, but left after my neighbor protested having the truck's engine running right under her window. Then I spotted it in front of City Hall Thursday. It's a product of Detroit Diesel.

In the next block, the Stillwell Farms produce stand is very popular, especially with seniors and participants in the federal Women, Infants and Children nutrition program, who get vouchers for free fruits and vegetables. It will be open on Mondays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Thanksgiving.

PSE&G workers and a network of lines contrast with the historic Grace Episcopal Church. A transformer blew, resulting in the telltale blinking clocks on radios and microwaves. Comcast customers had to wait for a service man to re-start their computers.

The loop on foot around East Seventh, Park, East Front and Watchung back to East Seventh always turns up some interesting sights.

--Bernice Paglia