grew up in Forked River and hung out with Tommy Gillie. I live in PA now and have a place on LBI.

say hi to all

I live in Delaware now but was raised in Forked River, N.J.

Merce Your Book is the best read it twice. You captured the wonderful feel of days gone bye. Say hello to Arlene if she remembers me My husband and Gean Downes scalloped together in Forked River and his dad and brothers were from Barnegat and worked the bay all their lives. It was a hard life with 7 mouths to feed but those days were special no tourist and great people from Forked River. We loved the albert brothers camp in Waretown and went all the time on sat nights until the out of towners messed it up. My husband learned to hunt with all the oldtimers in waretown and barnegat. God Bless you and your family, Keep in touch. Sincerly Lucille

Cousin Merce

Whiting, NJ

Ridgway Holler is beautiful!!!

MSPOMI

FROM FACEBOOK

GREW UP IN FORKED RIVER

SAW YOU MANY TIMES IN MY YOUNGER YEARS AT ALBERT HALL...
MY BROTHER IS JOHN EVERNHAM , NOW LIVING IN CALIFORNIA.. I AM NOW LIVING IN TOMS RIVER AND STILL FREQUENT THE ALBERT HALL ON SATURDAY NIGHTS.. OLD HABITS ARE HARD TO BRAKE...

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Forked River,N.J.

Hi Merce,Good to hear from You

Waretown

Hello Hello- well old folks it aint so bad here ya know-went for a walk to the bay yesterday with warm strong wind comin off the ocean the dog afraid of the waves- the laughing gulls are back as brother Tom predicted-=the Coon that lives in the old hollow maple comes out everyday to steal the cat food-so far three birds have flown into the house with the windows open- I walk in the woods and have no fear-its unusual for me to see someone-the bay is beautiful and clean went out and got soaked last weekend but its only spring initiation-soon it will be warm and ill be the first to jump in the lagoon!! i see hawks flying in the land behind the house every day and the eagles are back in the woods by the cove-someone saw one grab a seagull for dinner!! A few crabs so far in oyster creek-water still not warm enough- i wish this stalled front would "**** or get off the pot" when it does summer is gonna hit us fierce and strong-so there's some piney ramblings from the prodigal piney returned Piney Power!!!!!!!!!!!! love ya lots and lots and i will get those old bones of yours home someday soon!!!!!!!!!!!!448

Was looking for Merce Ridgeway

Waretown, NJ

Good to find you, Mr. Ridgeway. I'm a big fan of the Pinehawker songs and even play a few on my banjo. Enjoyed your book about the bay, although I didn't see the story of how my husband, Paul Bender (he was young, tall, blonde and shaggy), towed you back to the dock when you needed it...heh, heh.

East Brunswick, Nj

My father built a "shack" on Cedar Run Dock Rd in !935. I spent the summers from 1954 til 1962 digging clams (scratch raking) in the area. When I read the Bayman (great book) years ago, I was amazed to learn that the group of boats I & my friend saw for several years was the Ridgway family. Merce tells a story about Norman Larsen Jr. relocating clams. I sold my clams to Norman's father. I have also seen Merce and his band several times at the NJ Folk Festival. Our family still owns the "shack" and unlike Merce still enjoy living in Jersey. Would enjoy hearing from Merce or a family member.

talked to Merce

Nestorville WV

I met Merce at the Veterans Hospital on December 17, 2009. He and wife Arlene were so gracious to me and talked some about his music. I have made arrangements to send them some of my music to listen to and, hopefully, enjoy.