Seventy years ago, the way to get news with moving images was by watching a newsreel at your neighborhood theater.

And these days, we take TV and the Internet for granted for their ability to bring world or local news to our desktops in an instant.

But back in the late 1930s, when YouTube was not yet even the stuff of science fiction, grocer and amateur cinematographer Nelson Stoudt was ahead of his time, capturing the news of his neighborhood in Montgomeryville with his movie camera.

Stoudt photographed everything from car wrecks at Five Points intersection (somewhat busy even back then) and barn fires, to school graduations and weddings.

He turned these images into silent newsreels, each 15 to 30 minutes in length, complete with titles and homemade graphics. They were made between 1935 and 1939.

Sometimes he took moving portraits of local dignitaries, like members of the election board working at the Montgomery Township Consolidated School (now a fabric outlet on Bethlehem Pike), or a Pennsylvania State Police officer modeling a new uniform in front of Nelson's grocery store, which stood at the northeast corner of Five Points.

Other clips depict farmers harvesting hay where the Water Tower Square shopping center now stands, houses under construction, an antique car race in Souderton, and images of a five-legged cow owned by Montgomeryville farmer Morris Walters.

A copy of the films came to the Lansdale Historical Society from Harriet (Heckler) Fridey, who was a neighbor who grew up in a farmhouse on Upper State Road, and now resides at the Dock Woods community in Towamencin.

Harriet's extended family owned much of the farmland in that area, and she remembers Stoudt filming her wedding at Montgomery Square Methodist Church, which was recently demolished to make way for a bank.

"He was a news cameraman, that's what he was," Harriet said.

She is not sure if or how the movies were shown.

"After he died, his wife (Vega Carlson Stoudt) wanted to keep all that information so she put that news on to video," she said.

We will be bringing you more of these newsreels in upcoming weeks here at TheReporterOnline.com and right here in the Remember When blog.

By: Dan Sokil

After 60 years, the numbers tell one story: seven vehicles, 35 or so active members, 78 calls responded to last year and 72 the year before.

But talk to members of the North Penn Goodwill Service and they'll tell you another story, about how their members have worked day and night for 60 years now, helping make life just a little easier for firefighters and fire victims across the area.

"Basically we're an emergency canteen unit, and we primarily service Montgomery, Bucks, Lehigh, Chester and Berks counties, so we get around," said Goodwill President Joseph Rausch.

What they do when they get around is very similar to what a group of Souderton firefighters did on that first night in March 1949: Help workers at the scenes of emergencies and the victims.

"We have three primary canteens and two shelter trucks, which have restrooms on them, and facilities to wash your hands, and are heated so people can sit inside and get out of the cold, rain, snow or whatever," Rausch said.


"The canteens are basically all set up the same. They're used for serving our food: we have microwaves, refrigerators, grills, stoves, hot coffee urns, they're basically set up just like a kitchen," he said.

On that first chilly night in 1949, a group of firefighters responded to a fire call along Route 113 near Harleysville, and started talking afterward about the need for a canteen service to help out on those cold nights, according to a Goodwill history provided by group Secretary Abram Diehl.

"Our first call was answered on July 15, 1949, even though the canteen unit had not received their license tag," the history relates.

"On that call, the unit was driven by Chief Paul Hunsberger (of the) Souderton Police Department, so that no problems would be encountered. This first unit was admittedly quite spartan — during the winter, water froze on the floor inside the bus and members thought they should wear ice skates to facilitate serving," reads the history.





The current fleet is a far cry from that first unit, a school bus built in 1934 and leased from Hagey's Transportation Services.

Today the Goodwill fleet numbers seven vehicles: four canteen trucks, two shelters and a 2006 GMC van, all of which see plenty of use.

"We're not a crew that has to get out of the door right away, because it takes some time to load the trucks up, to get all of the stuff we need out of the freezers, and to get loaded up and ready to go usually takes about 30 to 40 minutes on a call," Rausch said.

"Most of our members go out on bigger calls, and they can be there

anywhere from six hours to two days long. For the big Conshohocken fire last year, we had people down there for almost a week," he said.

The first major call the Goodwill company dealt with happened in 1955, providing canteen service to police, firefighters and rescue workers helping to dig out from flooding from Upper Black Eddy to Croyden along the Delaware River.

"We used to have full uniforms that we even wore on calls. In some of the old pictures they have white coveralls on, it's a full regular uniform like something police officers would wear, but we don't do that anymore," Diehl said.

The second major test for North Penn Goodwill came in 1972, when the Schuylkill River overflowed its banks and Goodwill workers helped out 24 hours a day for 10 days in the Pottstown area.

"One of my biggest calls was for a (June 1982) K-Mart fire down in Levittown. We were there for almost a week, and when we're at a site that long we leave the trucks there and just shuttle manpower back and forth, because once the canteens are committed, they're committed," Rausch said.

All Goodwill members are volunteers, and many are also members of local fire companies; for instance, Rausch serves the Telford Fire Company.


"I got involved when I heard about it from another firefighter. We were out on a barn fire one night in below-zero temperatures and Goodwill was there," he remembered.

"I really liked the hot coffee and egg sandwiches, and said, 'I can help those guys,' so that's how I got started back in 1980," Rausch said.

No big celebrations are planned to celebrate the 60th anniversary, just the same hard work they do year after year: Goodwill responded to 78 calls in 2008, 72 in 2007, 94 in 2006, 116 in 2005 and 83 in 2004.

"The first and third Monday of every month are our work nights, where people come store things and make sure our supplies are all ready, and our regular meetings are on the last Thursday of every month," Diehl said.

Volunteer members are always appreciated, as are donations of food or hours spent working at Goodwill's warehouse, located at 120 East Church Street in Souderton.

"We're getting to be kind of an older group, which wasn't always the case, so we could certainly use some younger or even middle-aged members, but anybody who's willing to volunteer is welcome," Diehl said.

For more information, call (215) 723-9579.

Remember the old "Our Gang" series? Well, today's photo is reminiscent of that time.

And here is what was submitted with the photo from Robert "Bobby" Davis of Towamencin:

"The following narrative about the photo is from Robert K. Davis, as told to him by his sister Marie:

"In the late 1930s, our gang decided to have a circus. The reason was that our friend, Sonny Robbins, had a dog that had puppies. These would be the circus animals.

"Bobby remembers making a sign saying, 'Circus the safternoon (note the childhood English) and hung it on a tree next to the driveway at the street at our home on 610 E. Hancock Street, Lansdale (formerly Pennbrook). My mom made lemonade and we sold it for pennies a cup.

"The friends pictured are, from left, Billy Campman, Leonard Frederick, Marie Davis, Teddy Bigoney, Bobby Davis, Jack Dougherty, Sonny Robbins and Melissa Bigoney. These were the days when we played outside all day, as you can see by our clothes!

"It is believed that Teddy Bigoney was the ringmaster, as evidenced by his turban, and the others were the 'animal handlers.'

"The photo was taken at our home on our clay tennis court. The tennis court had two backstops made of chicken wire and cedar posts at each end of the court. One of the many posts is visible on the left of the photo behind the gang.

"Teddy, Bobby and Jack are holding the puppies and Sonny has his dog. Carefree fun days!

"The status of the persons in the photo — Leonard, Marie, Bobby, Sonny and Melissa are presumed to be around, but the status of the others is unknown.

"Please send by mail any updates or corrections to Robert K. Davis, 549 Dock Dr., Lansdale PA 19446"

So there you have it. Perhaps you were part of this "circus" or know the people who were.

If so, Mr. Davis would love to hear from you.

VIDEO: Last day at old Souderton Area HS


By: Tony Di Domizio

SOUDERTON — Once upon a time, in 1931, Ike Feingold walked into a brand new Souderton High School.

On Wednesday morning, Feingold, who, at 93, is the oldest living alumni, was there for a bittersweet ever-after as he closed and locked the doors to the 78-year-old landmark forever.

"The only thing I have, at my age, is memories," Feingold said. "It's been 76 years since I've been back here. I never thought I'd live this long to see it."

Feingold, who graduated in 1933, was not alone in the historic goodbye. He was joined in the closing ceremony by Bill Maza, who, at 94, is the oldest living former Souderton Area High School teacher, and biology teacher Tony Cipriano, the longest tenured faculty member of the district, spending 43 years of service all at Souderton Area.

Together, all three took huge, gold-painted keys and "locked" the high school one last time.

Feingold was a quarterback for

the high school's football team, on top of his other honors as a guard on the basketball team, captain of the tennis team and captain of the affirmative debating team, where they debated whether or not the U.S. should officially recognize Russia.

His fondest memory is when the football team became the first to beat Lansdale High School in 1943.

"Afterward, we changed and put new clothes on, and the people of Souderton put us in their cars and we drove through Lansdale, blowing the horn," he said.

After high school, Feingold was drafted into the Army in 1942. He spent four years as part of a transportation division in London.

Wednesday brought back a lot of memories for Feingold. He said the day wasn't a sad one, as students are moving to a better high school, something that he called rewarding.

In his day, there were 38 in the graduating class. He was blown away when told Souderton Area recently graduated 493.

"I can't envision being in a class like that today," he said. "When we were in school, we were all poor and we adjusted accordingly. The class was close-knit."

Maza started teaching at Souderton in 1946. "It's the greatest place I ever was in," he said.

The former industrial arts teacher led his students in the building of the stadium. They installed the seats. They dug the ditches and holes for contractors. They put up the scoreboard.

"It's a sad, sad day, and yet a glorious day," Maza said. "I never dreamed that I would be here. This is a hallowed place, a hallowed place."

Souderton Area High School Principal Sam Varano opened the short closing ceremony, focusing on the thought that there's a lot to be said for an old building with old memories.

"Today ends an era of a building," Verano said. "To paraphrase Dr. Seuss: Don't be sad it's over; be glad it happened. 41 North School Lane is no more."

There has been a great culture created at the school, based on the fond memories that will live on, Verano said. "I wish everyone the best of luck as we move to the new building," he said.

If the high school walls could talk, they would say many things. Then again, he said, one may not want to know everything the walls would say.

"If they could talk," he said, "they would be proud of the community here. It's just a different feel being in Souderton. This place had a lot of meaning to a lot of people. It will never be the same."

Sophomores and juniors who took their final steps out those doors minutes earlier looked on from the grassy front yard.

They applauded the closing, each cheer a support of the memories locked inside.

"It's all going to be new," junior Laura Berry said. "We're going to be seniors and it's going to be hard to remember we're in charge, but we'll be just as lost as everyone else."

The big thing she'll miss about the school is "The Knuckle." That's the place in the school where all the hallways meet, where the old 1930s building and "new" 1959 structure were joined and, coincidentally, where all the students would meet as a crowd.

Each and every sophomore and junior standing there watching history unfold Wednesday also anticipated being the next Ike Feingold, walking into a brand new Souderton Area High School in Franconia in September.

"When I got here, I entered the school and thought, 'Aw, man, this is it, never again.' I'm going to start a new chapter in a different school," said junior Carlos Rodas. "I am going to miss it. There's a bunch of history here, and I'm glad to be a part of it."

The final open house at Souderton Area High School has been held.

The final commencement at the facility on School Lane has been held.

And, on Wednesday, the official closing ceremony — which, please take note, is NOT open to the public — will be held.

So we thought we would share a few photos that were featured in the Souderton Area Joint High School dedication book, from November 1959.

Photographer Russ Moser, a longtime Souderton mainstay, was thanked in that book for the photos, and we extend our thanks again today.

In one photo, buses pass under the bridge that used to connect the original building, at the right, to the "new" building that opened in 1959.


In another photo, a few students stop at their lockers in the hallway of the "new" high school.


And in the third photo, students gather in a German class at the school.



The district will say goodbye to the school on Wednesday, as the student body gathers in front of the main entrance for an aerial photo.

As part of the closing ceremony, the oldest living alumnus, Ike Feingold, Class of 1933, and oldest living former faculty member Bill Maza, who began teaching at Souderton in 1946, are scheduled to lock the main entrance doors for one final time.

Although the public cannot attend this ceremony, be sure to look for coverage of it in The Reporter.




Then, in the fall, the doors to the new school on Lower Road in Franconia Township will open.

Perhaps some readers have other photos they'd like to share of "dear old SHS."

If so, we'd love to share them with you.

VIDEO: Last party at old SAHS

Our Gal Sal turns up from time to time in photos here at Remember When.

Here’s another one of Sally Starr, who is no doubt fondly remembered by many who grew up in the Philly area.

This photo was submitted by Pam Fanto of Lansdale, who writes:

“Recently I’ve been fortunate enough to get to know 79-year-old Phyllis Ludwig. She and I both share a great fondness for Sally Starr.

“Phyllis shared this photo of her late husband, Lin Ludwig, who was a Montgomeryville Mart security guard. This photo was taken in 1969 and Mr. Ludwig is to Sally’s left side holding, I believe, a stack of Sally’s photos to be signed.

“Some history Phyllis has shared with me is that the other guard in the photo is Jack. Also, Lin Ludwig’s son operated the shoe repair store at The Mart, Steve’s Shoe Repair, and Lin’s grandson also was a cobbler and now is a mason — Reds Ludwig.

“I think it would be fun for anybody in the photo to acknowledge who they are.”

OK, there’s the challenge. Do you see yourself in this photo snapped at The Mart in 1969?

Between people’s affection for Sally Starr — and Popeye and Clutch Cargo — and the good old days at The Mart, this photo is bound to have lots of fans.

Anyone want to fess up?

Ah, June. It’s the traditional month for weddings.

And so Ellis Kriebel of Harleysville thought it would be appropriate — and fun — to share a wedding photo of long ago with our readers.


And to suggest that, perhaps, others in the area have wedding photos that they would like to share as well.

Kriebel notes the following about the pair posing for this wedding snapshot:

“Irwin S. Kriebel married Debra Heebner on Nov. 28, 1908, at the Heebner residence located adjacent to Heebner Park in Worcester.

“For many years they resided at 609 Derstine Avenue in Lansdale. They were the parents of Gerald H. Kriebel, who was the principal at the Hatfield High School for many years. They were the grandparents of Lucy, wife of Dr. R. Lawrence Derstine of Harleysville.

“Irwin at one time was a motorman-conductor for the Inland Traction Co. He lost a leg in a trolley accident in the car barn located on Second Street in Souderton.”

So there, in a nutshell, is the story of this married couple.

Anyone else care to share?