Comments for Gingerbread Castle Digital Library

Comment on Tell Your Story! by Gingerbreadlibrarian

Gingerbreadlibrarian — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 22:53:04 +0000

Thank you for posting. I will post your response now. I am happy you remember the Castle.

Comment on Tell Your Story! by Kate Hill

Kate Hill — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 03:11:53 +0000

In 1965 our family and a few others from our church went up to the Gingerbread Castle together. I remember walking up the stone stairs inside the castle that overlooked the witch and her cauldron. The guide told us, “If you touch the wall, you will turn to stone”. Of course one of the older boys thought that was stupid and went to touch the wall when his younger sister cried out, “No Brian, don’t touch the wall! Don’t touch the wall!” and she started to sob. I think Brian’s dad gave him a little whack and told him not to scare his sister like that! Then we rode home in the way back of the station wagon. Almost 50 years later, “Touch the wall and turn to stone” is still a family catch-phrase!

Comment on Tell Your Story! by Gingerbreadlibrarian

Gingerbreadlibrarian — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 01:36:10 +0000

It is wonderful that you still remember this magical place. Thank you for posting.

Comment on Tell Your Story! by Anne Ross

Anne Ross — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 23:36:42 +0000

Here in our enchanted forest, Hansel and I have found this castle, made out of real gingerbread. You can see from here, that they are real cookies, real candies and even real icing on the peak! It’s been over fifty years since I was Gretel, but some things you never forget. Great times and great friends. Judy, Ginny, Yolanda, Skip and Chubby….we did have fun!

Comment on Unanswered Questions and Unfinished Business by Gingerbreadlibrarian

Gingerbreadlibrarian — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 10:51:50 +0000

Tim, I have an article that appeared in the paper this past weekend June 2012, I will send you a copy to share with your family.

Comment on Unanswered Questions and Unfinished Business by Tim

Tim — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 00:33:50 +0000

It is sad to hear that the castle’s future is so uncertain and that it is abandon. I recently read an article about it being in the hands of a developer. I have always wanted to see it in person, just never made it to NJ. Fred H Bennett was my great grandfather. I have a book of his photos, letters, press releases, etc. from the castle if it may be interest. Let me know

Comment on Hamburg’s First Library by Audrey Kimble

Audrey Kimble — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:27:20 +0000

Mrs. Holfeld you were my librarian the entire time K-8 at Hamburg. I remember being younger and listening to the books on cassette and reading time!

Comment on Tell Your Story! by isis0813

isis0813 — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:04:27 +0000

I lived next to the mill for a year when my kids were small. We would play in the yard. I would look up at the mill and could swear I could see shadows walking in front of the Windows! I always thought it was cool! Another time I was walking to Hamburg school. Walking past the Gingerbread Castle, I heard children’s laughter. I saw a small child run across the road!

Comment on Gingerbread Genealogy by Kathy Holley Dehnel

Kathy Holley Dehnel — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:29:55 +0000

My mother, Shirley Kimble Holley had been a Gretel when she was a young girl as was my daughter Kristen Dehnel Doherty. When Joe D’Figlia reopened the castle, I was hired to design and sew the dresses for Bo Peep and The Story Teller.

Comment on Tell Your Story! by Kathy Holley Dehnel

Kathy Holley Dehnel — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:16:40 +0000

My mother was a Gretel at the Castle when she was a young girl as was my daughter when Joe D’Figlia reopened it. I was pleased to see the post from Lee Jaworski telling how she made the costumes for Hansel and Gretel. I always wondered who did them because I was also hired to do some costumes at the time. I made the dresses for Bo Peep and the Story Teller who sat in the giant chair. They were a challenge because there would be one of each dress and they had to fit several different girls so I devised a method of adjusting the sized using ribbons that would be strung through them. My father always chuckled about being the only Hamburg resident who had never toured the castle in spite of the fact that he worked at Plastoid for many years.