Rose holds nutcracker soldier that reminds her of a 1930s play in which she appeared. Photo source: Walter Boright, 2019
WHAT, WHERE, AND WHEN IN OLD KENILWORTH – Christmases past
Rose Muravsky (nee Lugara) will be 93 years old on “Little Christmas” day, January 6, 2020. Probably the oldest woman currently living in Kenilworth who was born here, she remembers many Christmases. She is one of seven children of Antonio and Francesca Lugara who came to Kenilworth from Italy in 1913. They set up a fruit and vegetable store at 488 Washington Ave. which operated until about 1950. That building was their home as well.
Rose observing one of her 92 previous Christmases.
Photo source: Family, ca. 1950s
Little Rose recalled that during the Depression her family attended St. Michael’s Catholic church in Cranford as there was no Catholic church in Kenilworth at that time. She told why they did not attend Christmas Mass there “as it was too cold to make the long walk down Orange Ave. to Cranford. Many families were hard pressed financially. On Christmas Day we received loose candy, which we enjoyed. There were no real presents nor stockings filled with treats. They were tough times.” Rose noted that when St. Theresa’s Chapel opened in the 1940s the family attended Christmas Eve Mass there. “It was a very religious day; not commercial.”
Rose smilingly remembered portraying a soldier in the “March of the Wooden Soldiers” play at Harding School. “We walked with stiff arms and stiff legs across the school stage.”
Rose wed Michael Muravsky in 1948 during a snow storm. They later purchased a home at 143 N. 17th St. and had six children. Rose stated, “First we had a little, artificial table top tree, and then we had a real tree decorated with heavy tinsel and big colored lights bulbs. There were presents for all. It was a joyous time.”
In 1963 Rose and family moved to N. 18th St. and a new tradition started. “We had a tall, artificial silver tree decorated with blue ornaments and some white lights.” Daughter Debbie proudly mentioned her mother’s holiday cooking. “It was a festive, family time as Mom, a great Italian cook, made the best gravy, pasta, lasagna, meatballs, and sausage for all.”
Rose enjoys days sharing with others memories of growing up in Kenilworth. Especially to her six children, three grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Research provided by Walter E. Boright, Ed. D., historian, and Historic Signs, Inc. with special thanks to Debra Muravsky Reddington. Persons with inquiries about this or other aspects of Kenilworth history may contact Dr. Boright at drbori@aol.com or 908-256-5200.
Rose standing in front of her parents’
snow store, 488 Washingotn Ave.
Photo Source: Family, ca. 1939
Rose’s house, 143 N. 17th Dr. covered with ice after a winter storm. Photo source: Family 1960
