Regarding the letter written by James H. VanSciver that appeared in the July 14 edition in which he writes of the future of the old Love Creek bridge and his memories of not only the bridge, but also the small cinder block store and marina, I share many of those same memories since the property was once home to my family (Greener) before Jim’s family lived there. As a teenager, I spent many hours working for my parents in the store, where I would meet my future husband of 50 years. In the early ’60s, an article appeared in the local newspaper with a photo of my parents standing in front of the store with the bridge visible in the background. My four younger brothers also spent their days playing on and under the old bridge. It was a special childhood, rich in a unique way, creating memories that we would look back on years later and smile as we recalled fun times and lasting friendships that were made. The bridge somehow always played a part. We were too young at the time to realize how fortunate we were, and how the memory of those experiences would last a lifetime. The house and store were removed years ago to make way for the current bridge, but I was thrilled when it was decided to leave the old one standing. For those of us fortunate enough to have lived there and the countless others who still use it for crabbing, it isn’t just a means to get from one side of Love Creek to the other. It’s so much more than just an old bridge. It’s a reminder of a way of life that used to be and is quickly disappearing.
I now live nearby and, like Jim, I am reminded of those special days and the people growing up on Love Creek every time I cross it. Since that time, many others have made their own memories there. I recently met someone who was married on the bridge, and there are many others with stories to tell. I think I can safely say that a lot of hearts will be broken should we lose yet another Sussex County treasure.