Mr. Hagerty’s Gift

In Pitman, New Jersey there is a twentyacre square the locals call ‘The Grove’. Divided into pie-shaped wedges, prior to the dawn of automobiles, the Grove has passageways only accessible on foot or by horse and buggy. On one pie-wedge lives a man named Mr. Hagerty who has given joy to children for nearly forty years.

When he was a child, his mom and dad would set up decorations immediately following Thanksgiving dinner. Later, upon missing this tradition, he set up his own manger scene. Now, Frank Hagerty, Jr., with the aid of his brother Bill Hagerty, presents a walk-through holiday display that lines the sidewalks of the Grove, spanning across six properties. He creates the scenes himself, building motors and mechanics into the puppets and dolls to make them move.

“It’s a nice little destination! It brings people into town and the kids just love it,” says Renee Chebotarev, who lives says Renee Chebotarev, who lives in town and works at the post in town and works at the post office. “Every year, more houses office. “Every year, more houses start getting involved. It’s a lot start getting involved. It’s a lot of fun.” She pointed out that it’s something everyone can do. “You just put some snacks in your pocket and go down there and spend an hour or two with your kids, and you don’t have to spend any money. There’s very few things like that out there now.”

Lisa Tomlinson, a local crossing guard, lived in town until three years ago. She grew up with it, took her children to it and now travels forty minutes with her grandson to see it. “I meet up with my daughter and her two kids…we make a family tradition of it.”

Like many residents, the Hagerty scenes are engraved in her mind. “…nutcrackers, mice and a snoring Santa Claus…an endless village with a river…a candy land with lollipops and a train…skating penguins, one has a pole that moves in and out of a fishing hole…carolers, fountains…” Her favorite is the big shed.

This is also Mr. Hagerty’s favorite, as it was the first. It houses big snowmen and miniature elves and is flanked by largerthan-life toy soldiers. In the beginning, there were ten pieces, now they number about four hundred.

“It’s always been for the children,” Frank Hagerty says. “I incorporate all the kids’ favorites.” And, he’s never missed a year.

Some of the popular themes he references are Alvin and the Chipmunks, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the Wizard of Oz and

please see HAGERTY, page 10