Friday the 13th usually stirs anxieties in many people. It is also known as Triskaidekaphobia or fear of Friday the 13th. I tossed in this big word to show that I am an 8th grade graduate. It certainly did not affect the overflowing crowd which attended the ceremony honoring George J. Otlowski, Sr. in naming the Raritan Bay Mental Health Center with his name. His son, George J. Otlowski, Jr. shown in the front page story removing the green curtain above the sign designating his name.

We were especially touched when George, Jr., in his fine acceptance speech spoke of his father’s vision and motivation in his start during the Great Depression with his accomplishments in the education, political and mental fields. We knew him and were inspired by him! He was an eager beaver! We sensed he was going places when he was running a publishing and printing business. Shades of Benjamin Franklin who started the same way. George, Sr. motivated by his visions made great strides in the above named fields! For which he is rightly honored!

Speaking for myself I am a beneficiary of the mental health center. My occasional bouts of the blues were escalated into depression. As an airline crew member we transported 219 troops each way from the USA to Vietnam and back. My heart went out to the young men, many of whom were not coming back alive but in body bags. This depressed me to the point where I had to seek help at the center. Competent counselors aided me to cope.

By the way years ago I had a hunch about George, Sr.’s house number at 541 Kennedy Street. I told Butch who ran the pool room on Penn Street to play this number every day for a dime a day. Sho’ Nuff! A few weeks later it came out. I received $50 minus the credit charge. I felt richer then I do now!

All in all the Otlowski renaming of this mental health center was a great demonstration of a diverse community uniting the honor its great native son. Even the politicians spoke eloquently with sincere feelings. It was refreshing to hear them speaking without usual campaign blather. Which the wise guys on Hall Avenue used to refer to in much earthier and prosaic terms.

Thank you for your courtesies.

Very truly yours,
Peter Book, a.k.a. Pedro Libro