OUT OF BODY (AND MECHANICAL) EXPERIENCES
Stop in the Name of Jon! by THOMAS GRECO, PUBLISHER A few weeks ago, I was driving home from the Windmill (my favorite hot dog place) on the Garden State Parkway when something caught my eye. I think I must have been “halfway there” because I looked to my left and saw Jon Bon Jovi’s name and a guitar in neon lights on a building where there would normally be a rest stop. I figured he was doing a benefit concert for one of his charities (or his favorite politicians) and kept on driving. I forgot about it until the next Friday. Once again, I was “halfway there” when I saw a sign that said “Jon Bon Jovi Service Area.” WTF? This time I had to see for myself. I pulled off onto the long ramp and wouldn’t you know it, there it was: the Jon Bon Jovi Service Area! Initially, I wondered what he ever did to get a rest stop named after him? But then I thought, wait a minute, is this really a good thing? Then again, let’s face it, people have been dumping on Bon Jovi for close to 40 years now. Why not make it official? Most of the other rest stops in the state are named after people who have passed. There’s even one named for Frank Sinatra. Can you imagine what his reaction would have been if he were alive?
10 | New Jersey Automotive | February 2022
“You want to name a house of toilets after me? Fuggedaboutit!” It made me think of some of the other Jerseyans they probably approached before they went to Jon Bon Jovi. “Hello, is this Bruce Springsteen?” “Sure is.” “Boss, we’d like to name a Parkway rest stop after you…” “Stevie, you got me. Funniest joke ever.” Click. “Hello, is this Mr. Frankie Valli?” “Yes, it is.” “Mr. Valli, we are huge fans; we’d like to name a Parkway rest stop after you…” “Uh, Let’s Hang On…” Click. “Hello, is this Joe Pesci?” “Yes, it is.” “Mr Pesci, we loved you in Goodfellas so much that we’d like to name a Parkway rest stop after you…”
