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Community Corner

Scotch Plains-Fanwood Commuter Chronicles

A woman takes the train back to the city for an appointment and fun.

In 2009, the Fanwood Train Station celebrated its 135th year in the community. As the oldest station in Union County, it has seen a lot of travelers come through during its time. In honor of this, Scotch Plains-Fanwood Patch has decided to highlight the station and its service by occasionally interviewing commuters about themselves and their train usage. 

Deb Lehman

Waiting for the 8:14 AM train to Newark/New York

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Where are you from?

I live in Fanwood.

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How long have you lived in Fanwood?

11 years

Do you have a family here?

I have two children, age 12 and 16.

What do you do?

I am a writer. I write about health and parenting. There is plenty of fodder there. Plus I identify with the issues that bothered me as a kid, but I think it's harder today. I didn't have the internet. I have written for some local publications, but right now I am working on a YA novel about cyber bullying. Facebook helps people communicate on certain levels, but it can be abused, and it is. All this stuff fascinates me. My own book is loosely based on the Megan Meier suicide, which was in 2006. In my case I wanted to write about how two friends, former BFF's, can turn on each other. Neither one is innocent. One starts being mean and turns on her former friend.  Then the other one wants revenge and it can spiral out of control. It is scary. I think this is a very timely, critical issue.  [Ms. Lehman shared several stories from recent local and national news to illustrate this point. She also told stories of her children's experiences in school]. Teenage suicide on its own is an issue, but cyber bullying takes it to a whole new level.

Where are you going today?

I am going to Manhattan for a Bright Smile dental appointment. It makes my teeth whiter. I go to the city every three months. I love my dentist. I used to live in Manhattan and I am from New York City originally. I replaced all of my other people one by one, but the dentist, I tried here and I wasn't happy. It gives me an excuse to be back to the city every few months for my cleaning.

Are you doing other things in the city today?

I always love to walk down 5th Avenue.  That's the real treat for me. I miss that. I've been here now 11 years and I've got the city in my blood. I like to go to museums, a movie, eat lunch somewhere and just be in Manhattan.  It's a thrill for me.

Why do you choose to take the train for these excursions?

I would never drive that far and the bus makes me sick. So it's the train.

Have you ever had any strange experiences taking the train?

Oh yes, but that was my own fault.  I made the mistake of veering off the schedule. I was at Penn Station and I thought "oh I'll just take the next train" and I get off at Penn Station. I think it's Penn Station, Newark, but it turns out to be Broad Street. It was a totally different part of Newark. It was the wrong train, and I freaked out because I found myself in an area I didn't want to be alone in and I didn't know there were two Newarks. That was horrifying. Otherwise I'm a big fan of trains. I think it's a good way to ride. I don't get headaches. I like to read my book. I always have a book with me.  I grew up in Manhattan so I took subways when I was 13 years old already, so I'm used to it.

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