Maxi’s Taxi, Interviews of People You've Probably Never Heard Of

A story I made twelve years ago in pursuit of a dream.

In the ‘70s when I was a kid hanging on Barberie Avenue, there was a little house close by that was always full of Summer people.  That was the Huvane house, which was really a just a bungalow at the time.  It always seemed crowded, boisterous, and welcoming, as if the Huvanes would embrace you or anybody who walked in the doorway into their huge Irish clan, headed by Jeannie and Martin.  Marty is now 92 and lives in the house year round.  He meets celebrities through his sons in the movie industry, and he still remembers every fight he ever had.  

Superstorm Sandy tore at the heart of downtown Highlands just before Halloween in 2012...Maxi's Taxi revisits five of her victims, including the Canary Man on Bay Avenue and the Artist in Leonardo.

Kevin Smith, native son of Highlands, New Jersey, will always be a filmmaker to me, but he is also the predominate perspicacious entrepreneur raconteur of our generation.  When I went to one of his 37 podcasts, "Highlands: A Peephole History", I was looking for stories of the hometown we share...but what I found was the story of a comic store, the Secret Stash, and the thirty four year friendship that shaped the “Stash".  (To be clear, this episode is completely distilled/stolen from a couple of re-edited “Peephole” episodes.  They can be found at SModcast.com.  You'll have to cough up 5 beans, but you get a lot for your loot).   Rated R, er, Double R.  

Brett Thomson talks about her neighborhood acorn fights and playing in the woods overlooking the ocean, venturing off the hill to hang out downtown with the “bad” boys, dating Dave Maxson, and helping her Mom leave Highlands forever.

Linda Giovia (McKellar) and I reminisce about all of our teachers, from the ageless Mrs. O’Neill to Ms. Watson/Willemsa, Mr. Cadmus, Mrs. Espey and our mayor/teacher, Jimmy White.  Secrets are divulged and bickering breaks out as old rivalries are revealed.   (Rated PG-13 for Cursing) 

John Nanney was a guy who brought joy with him to every party.   Maxi’s Taxi shares some stories of John to remember him on his 61st birthday.

This episode is with David Maxson, my little brother.  We’ll be talking about clams, clamming, and clammers. Join us as we reach all the way back to the ‘70s and ‘80s and reminisce about old timers like Dicky and Joe White, Mickey Johnson, and Harry Parker. We’ll also be talking about mischief with the likes of the Franklin boys and the indomitable Buddy McCluskey.  Rated “R”.      

 Episode 3 is with Dick Maxson, Sr. who at 80 years old is still very active and sharp minded.  We talk about his flowers, his brushes, and one of his beloved vans catching fire after a night of “clubbing” in the “honky tonk” town of Keansburg New Jersey.  This interview is rated “G” for general audiences, with no profanity or adult subject matter.  

Rickey Abair died on December 3, 2019.  He was a song and dance man from the time he could talk, and boy, could he talk.  In episode 2 he continues to talk about growing up in a family of 13 in the small town of Highlands, New Jersey.  He talks about clothing exchanges, how his Mom managed to feed 13 people, his teachers at Henry Hudson High School, and how playing Santa Claus was handed down from Father to Son. (Rated “R”, restricted.  Profanity and adult subject.)

Rickey Abair died on December 3, 2019.  He was a song and dance man from the time he could talk, and boy, could he talk.  In episode 1 he talks about growing up in a family of 13 in the small town of Highlands, New Jersey.  He talks about Gravelly Point, the other kids in the neighborhood, suicide hill, jumping off the old bridge, and singing as a kid on the porch of Connor’s Hotel.  (Rated “R”, restricted.  Profanity and adult subject.)