NewProvidenceNJ

of New Providence, NJ

We are retired old men eating out. We meet once a week (Wednesday) for lunch. We have approximately 25 members. We range in age from mid 50's to late 80's. We rotate the responsibility for picking the place to meet and eat and to collect from each of us the amount of money to cover the cost of the lunch. So far, the highest number attending a luncheon is 21 and the highest cost to date for each of us is $17. We keep getting closer to matching or breaking that record cost due to inflation. The group was started by two gentlemen, Harold Samelson and Lou Wise (Lou has since passed away) but Harold (about 86) is still with us and attends just about all meetings. We only have one rule: If it's your turn to pick the place to meet, it's your call. Period.

If you would like to contact our group e-mail Neil for more information.

The history of New Providence can be first traced back to 1664 when James, Duke of York and brother to King Charles II, purchased the land from Native Americans. Its first settlers were a Puritan colony that came to the area in 1720. The abundance of large flocks of wild turkeys led to the initial name for the area of "Turkey". By 1737, the Presbyterian Church was formed and was the center of life in the small settlement. In 1759, a crowded church balcony collapsed. It was considered a miracle that no one was seriously injured in the disaster. The miracle was soon referred to as a divine act of "providence." The small town thereafter became known as "New Providence" and included present-day Summit and Berkeley Heights.