"I was born in 1944, the daughter of Florence Scardefield and Stanley Chapman.
I began my life in the Scardefield house at 36 Point Street while my Dad served in World War II. He fought in Europe, France, Germany and Austria under General Patton's army. He did not see me until I was 15 months old and always told everyone that when he got off the ship in France, the Red Cross informed him of my birth. He served 5 years, 8 months and 19 days. He also carried a dog, Sandy, with him throughout the time served in his duffel bag. Don't know how he got away with it and no one in his battalion ever told on him. Sandy was their mascot. Sad, though, after returning to Ft. Dix, NJ, Sandy disappeared and was never found.
While my uncle Henry Scardefield and my father served in WWII, their wives lived with my grandparents, Henry and Lena Halenar Scardefield at the Point Street house. I do not recall any of that time. Their son, John, served in the Navy at that time. Henry and Lena Halenar began their journey to New Hamburg during the early 1900s. I'm glad Lena (Magdalena) took that ship over the ocean to begin a new life in America in 1911. She and Henry met in New York City. Both worked as domestics, married and moved to New Hamburg, first renting the basement in the Nevins/Haynes house, then bought 36 Point Street. Steven, Stacy and Gale Scardefield now own this home, which is rented.
During 1947, "Bucky" and Florence bought their home on Division Street for $4,000. My earliest recall is around five years of age, playing with my only friend on the street, Lester Sinsabaugh. My brother John was born in 1947. My parents bought their home from Minnie Lawson, sister to Jenny Lawson, who rented the house across the street (Marylou's).
There were a lot of kids in our neighborhood and we spent many hours playing on Point Street; games such as hop scotch, jump rope, pogo stick, gutter ball, ring-o-levy-o and soft ball. The neighborhood parenting rule was, "when the street lights go on, everyone goes home." I was Queen of the Pogo Stick. Loved it.
Years passed, graduation, jobs, marriage to Roy Hornbeck and purchase of our home on the corner of Main and Point Street. We bought this house from Julie and Samuel Shay, brother and sister. Our three children, Edward, Roy Jr., and Meredith, grew up in and loved New Hamburg. There were 36 children on Point Street at one time with the Hughes' having 12 and the Bradleys, 9. Many friendships were made and are still strong today.
My family is four generations New Hamburg. I am the last to remain after everyone moved on or passed away. I came home after living in Florida with Roy for 17 years and plan on remaining. My family had strong ties with the Ruf family for the four generations. It continues today. I also have ties with many residents from my life here. New Hamburg has always been one big family- a community of small families all concerned about each other. Some families' offspring married others within New Hamburg. Someone on one side of town married another person on the other side of town, or down the street. For instance:
1. Lester Sinsabaugh to Nancy Manfredo
2. Jack Perusse to Patty Becker
3. Karen Hess to Charlie Sinsabaugh
4. Pat Gallagher to Michelle Galli
5. Teresa Perusse to Donald Ruf (same side of town)
6. Teresa Ruf to Donald Croke
7. Donald Croke to Helen Scholl (same side of town, down the street; before he married Teresa)
8. Ed Ludwig to Rhondi Perusse
9. Carl Tasnady to Mary Jo O'Connor
I remember the old fire house days when they would have summer bazaars and parades. Point Street was closed off and there were spinning wheel games. I would sit on my grandmother's porch and watch with the wheels ticking in the brightly lit area. We also had a nice beach area at the yacht club that no longer exists. Every day, the moms would all come down the street after lunch with kids in tow to go swimming and hang out. Ivory soap was a big hit because it floated in the water.
There was a dock that went out to one wooden raft that we would swim to and jump off. Not many boaters back in those days. The yacht club was never locked and the membership almost vanished.
I remember the milk man delivering milk in glass bottles, with cream on top, a man, 'Charlie's Meat Wagon,' selling meat and chicken from a freezer truck, the Fuller Brush salesman, and in the summer, Mr. Wickes would drive from house to house with his wagon selling the best New Hamburg grown corn on the cob.
Generations come and go. Neighbors come and go. Activities in our neighborhood were good. Men played horseshoes while women took care of the kids and gossiped. A ball-n-chain bowling group developed through relationships at the firehouse, and friends were made from the 'D' dock crowd at White's Marina, many from New Hamburg and surrounding townships. New Hamburg is the perfect place to live. It has everything for peace of mind, safety and community spirit. Old and new residents blend very well. Between St. Nicholas Church,the Yacht Club, firehouse, and White's Marina, everyone has a choice of community, kindness and neighborly friendship. Now we have the newly formed historical group.
These are my recollections of New Hamburg. You have to live here to love it, and this can't be explained to those who don't."
