2025 SPONSORS
Thanks to everyone who braved the weird weather for our Halloween show. It's usually breezy at Aviation Plaza, but the wind was constant with occasional gusts. It was a challenge to hold on to your hats, let alone put up decorations!
Back on 7/21/23, I procured, by barter, an antique piece that is a one of a kind piece of art by a talented metal worker and welder--who can be called an artist in steel. I don't know the artist's name, but I know the piece was created in 1969 or 1970. This could be called a giant statue of a camera held by a large anchor. The creation is 8.5' high and over 5' wide; weighing 500 lbs. A crane was used to put this item in the bed of my 1996 Ford F50 Super Cab Long Bed Pick-up. This work of art was made to sit at the top of the mast on a boat (not a sailing boat with masts to hold sails). This boat had only one mast made for holding the statue at about 30 feet above the deck.
Once upon a time (1970 to 1986) there was a boat that traveled the Hudson docking at New York City, sometimes docking at other cities to the north, always for a month visit. This boat was THE FLOATING FOUNDATION OF PHOTOGRAPHY. It could be called a floating museum or art gallery for photography, and sometimes a school. The founder, Maggie Sherwood, was one of the pioneers of the movement to get art galleries to accept photography. This movement, which started in the late 1960's, was a success more than expected. By 1972 there were two dozen photography galleries in NYC alone. I visited most of those including the Floating Foundation as a young photographer trying to find my way. It taught me to always keep an eye open for art photos, even though I most do commercial work. I think that the artist eye I have developed has helped my commercial photography too.
Maggie Sherwood passed of cancer in 1984. Her small staff at the Foundation tried to keep going, but they had to walk away in 1986, and the boat was abandoned at a commercial boat yard in Staten Island. What's left of the boat is still there where I noticed the mast with the big camera and anchor reaching for the sky. I knew what I was looking at because I had visited the Floating Foundation 50 years ago. The owner of the boat yard and I came to an agreement, with no money involved, on 11/23/22; and I took this treasure home on 7/21/23. Those who know me at the Monday cruise nights in Linden, see me in my black 1969 Triumph T6. Since 7/24/23, I was bringing my pick-up truck with the cargo from Staten Island to see how people would react to it....and they sure did! I came back five more times and at least 100 people wanted to see it, to learn what it is, and about its history. For me, this was six fun evenings! It was fun to talk to everyone. I will not be bringing the same this year, by then I will figure out how to remove the cargo from the truck!
Allen with his 1965
Chevelle
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Allen Woodcock and the Legendary Car Club with their Halloween Themed Display from Allen's house to Aviation Plaza.
GHC FAN BELT TOSS
Another TV was donated by the Mannuzza family at the end of the 2024 Cruise Season.
Nelson Ramos of the Legendary Car Club was the lucky winner.
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2025 SUPER SPONSORS
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Garry Capaldo is shown accepting the 5 ft. trophy from Fred Wolf and Ray Poleski of Lead East.
Mark and Patti Mannuzza and family, along with Gary Mannuzza of the Koenig Group, LLC, CPAs, sponsored the second Cadillac night of the 2024 season. The event is in memory of Mark's father Nino Mannuzza (and also in memory of Joseph Rodriguez).
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Jacob won the Best in Show Child's Costume
sponsored by the Galloping Hill Cruisers
Most Unique Vehicle was sponsored by Lead East.
The vehicle is a 1929 Essex Rat Rod.
Photos and story by Owen Kanzler
The 2023 fan belt toss winner is Darren Lesinski....shown here with Tom Paterson. Darren's company, TotalEnergies Marketing & Services, U.S.A.,Linden, NJ is a Super Sponsor of our Monday cruise nights.
Our first-ever championship fan belt toss winner is Neil Franks....shown here with GHC member Tom Paterson. The fan belt toss, run by Tom Paterson, became a very popular event each week.
Photos from Halloween 2024
Lee and Gaye won best costumes
sponsored by the Galloping Hill Cruisers
George Scott, Rahway, NJ
Espo's Powder Coating, Staten Island, NY
Colonial Muffler & Brakes, Scotch Plains, NJ
Die Cast Crazy (Jimmy Fitz)
Hudson Community Enterprises (John Cox)
In Memory of Leonard & Carole Wasserman (Dr. Richard A.
Wasserman, LTC (R)
In Memory of Mickey Easse (Charles & Karen Infantino)
J. Belford Tire & Auto Service, Garwood, NJ
Ledgewood Auto Body & Repair, Ledgewood, NJ
Luongo Construction, Union, NJ
Marano & Sons Auto Sales, Inc., Garwood, NJ
Old Bridge Elks Lodge #2229
Raritan River Region Cadillac & LaSalle Club
Schobel Associates Accounting, Mountainside, NJ
Springfield Fire Department FMBA Local #57
Tri-State Restoration & Sales, Inc., Marlboro, NJ
Croce Builders (In Memory of Jimmy Mooney)
Bagels & Beans, Union, NJ
BGT Automotive, Rahway, NJ
Bill Braga, Lincoln Park, NJ
C+C Towing & Auto Repairs, Fords, NJ
Ed Dinapoli, North Brunswick, NJ
Edesio Mandelli, Hillsborough, NJ
Fast Eddie's, Shallotte, NC
First Independent Auto Repair, Roselle Park, NJ
Fleet Appraisal of Cranford, NJ
Garwood Lanes, Garwood, NJ
In Memory of Harold & Marsha (Frank & Carol Dietl)
In Memory of Mickey & Sue Easse (Frank & Carol Dietl)
In Memory of Mickey Easse (from a caring friend)
In~N~Out Dog Wash & More, Garwood & Colonia, NJ
John's Meat Market, Scotch Plains, NJ
Madison & Lex, Old Bridge, NJ
McIntyre Lawnmower & Locksmith Shop, Westfield NJ
Northstar Industrial Supply, LLC, Warren, NJ
Perrotti Bros. Valero, Roselle, NJ
Robert Musto, Woodbridge, NJ
Village Realty, Inc., Clark, NJ
William T. Rogers, West Orange, NJ
Bigg Daddy Caddy, Union, NJ
Eric G. Sickels, West Falls, NY
In Memory of Mickey Easse (Tom Petrusko)
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The winner of the flat screen TV was Eddie Torres, a dedicated Monday night participant. Eddie is shown here with Mark and Patti Mannuzza.
Halloween 2024
The 2024 Fan Belt Toss champion is Craig Seigle of Staten Island, NY. Craig beat out 15 other weekly winners to win the coveted title of "Fan Belt Toss Champion".
Rob's Service Center, Colonia, NJ
Rob's Towing, Colonia, NJ
Infantino Disposal Service, LLC, Westfield, NJ
Joe Mooney & Family, Springfield, NJ
Timmy's Auto Repairs, Roselle NJ
Accurate Auto & Fleet Services, Cranford, NJ
C.E.S. Towing & Recovery, Roselle, NJ
Diane Portugal, Carteret, NJ
Galluzzo Brothers Carting, Inc., Newark, NJ
In Memory of Nino (Mark & Patti Mannuzza & Family)
In Memory of Joseph Rodriguez (Mark & Patti Mannuzza & Family)
Paul's Garage, Union, NJ
The Koenig Group, LLC (CPAs), Clark, NJ
Total Energies Marketing & Services, U.S., Linden, NJ
U4Guys (Hot Rods & Harleys), Rahway, NJ
Union Elks Lodge #1583 Special Children's Committee
Union Risk Services, Union, NJ
Village Automotive Services, Union, NJ
Walt & Linda Zensky, Piscataway, NJ
AJN Compware, Bloomfield, NJ
All American Auto Body, Elizabeth, NJ
Al Papetti, Colts Neck, NJ
Andrew & Grace Russo (In Memory of Carl DeStefano, Jr.)
Andrew & Grace Russo (In Memory of Alley Boy)
B&Z Opticians, Livingston, NJ
Costello-Koyen Funeral Homes, Inc., Woodbridge, NJ
Digital to Dealer Direct, Pine Brook, NJ
EKB Kitchen & Bath Remodelers, Scotch Plains, NJ
Fabio's Bistro, Fanwood, NJ
"Friends of the Galloping Hill Cruisers"
George Church, Inc., Fanwood, NJ (In Memory of
Stephen C. Church 1955-2025)
In Memory of All Deceased GHC Members (Bob & Janet Barkoff & Family)
In Memory of Mickey Easse (Gregory & June Roser)
Kennedy Landscaping, Rahway, NJ
Martin Jewelers, Cranford, NJ
Park Glass Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ
At the June 24 cruise night, a special trophy was awarded in Memory of Loretta Giacomiazzio who passed away suddenly in 2023.
Joe Giacomiazzio (second from right), Loretta's son along with his sister and father, awarded the special pink trophy to Andrew and Grace Russo.
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You never know what you'll see on a Monday night @
Aviation Plaza.