Dear Editor:
Hello Hoboken. I am from Vineland, a town in South Jersey which most of you probably can’t find on a map. Recently, the mayor of my town decided to travel to your city to commission Carlo’s Bakery to create the official cake for Vineland’s 150th birthday celebration. Since he has so outrageously snubbed Vineland’s own bakeries in favor of yours, I felt compelled to tell you a little about my town. Vineland didn’t just grow out of a settlement, like most towns did. In 1861, months after our country began its great Civil War, Vineland was created by a young man with a vision of a realistic utopia. He worked hard to turn a South Jersey wilderness into an internationally-recognized community. In just a few years, Vineland became a small mecca of diversity in religion, industry, science and thought. The accomplishments and individuals of Vineland worthy of sharing with the world are too numerous for this letter, but here are a few. The next time you play skeeball or ride the ferris wheel, thank us. The next time you enjoy a cold glass of Welch’s grape juice or a slice of angel food cake or preserves from a Mason jar, thank us. Vineland was home to the creators of all these inventions. We Vinelanders are proud of our heritage, but we are also proud of what we have and who we are today, because it’s what we will pass on to our children and grandchildren. Since our mayor seems to have no care for our input or desires, and since we cannot change what he has done, we welcome you to attend our celebration of the 150th anniversary of our wonderful town. You are now a part of our history and you should know what an honor that is.
Kate Nolan