The Greenwood Forest Volunteer Fire Company twirling team, organized in 1960, was led by Patricia Schmidt as head majorette and Janice Kramer and Joan Wiley as assistants. (File photo by Ann Genader) Looking Back: Championship twirling team When a twirling team sponsored by the Greenwood Forest Volunteer Fire Company was organized in 1960, little did anyone imagine... Columns 08 Oct 2025 | 11:22
Boys watch and wait their turn while a classmate gets a swim lesson at a pool in the basement of the Idylease building. (File photos by Ann Genader) Looking Back: Idylease pool A great deal of constant community involvement was visible when Dr. Arthur Zampella operated a nursing home and medical office... Columns 08 Oct 2025 | 11:17
Trout packed in plastic containers are loaded into a helicopter at Greenwood Lake Airport in West Milford in 1960 to be dropped into West Pond on state park property by the New Jersey Conservation Department. (File photo by Ann Genader) Looking back: 1960 pond stocking Fishermen had plenty to be happy about in May 1960 when the New Jersey Conservation Department stocked West Pond with 1,000... Columns 24 Sep 2025 | 01:48
Students in Patrick Porcaro’s sixth-grade class at Marshall Hill School in 1980, in front row from left, are Warren Stephens, Billy Francis, Tyler Harrington, John Geiger and Brett Touw. In middle row, from left, are Beth Ackroyd, Nichole Alfieri, Angie Hartym, Jeanne Tregidgo, Jean Akers and Kristine Cardaci. In back row, from left, are Glen Walsh, Chris Turner, Rebecca Reinle, Debbie Cutts, Roseanne Labita, Mark Pueschel, Anthony McArthur, Mark Corbett, John Puliafico and Brian Gallagher. (Photo provided) Looking back: 1980s blackout Some merchants did business by natural light and people at church services worshiped by candlelight Sunday Dec. 4, 1983.... Columns 17 Sep 2025 | 02:41
Members of the 1949 graduation class at their outdoor ceremony in front of Hillcrest School. (Photo provided) Looking back: Hillcrest School graduation in 1949 The members of the 1949 eighth-grade graduation class at Hillcrest School, born about 1936, were about 13 years old when... Columns 10 Sep 2025 | 12:06
The first eighth-grade graduation class at Hillcrest School in 1947 with teacher Mariam Brauer Cudney. (Photo provided) Looking back: First Hillcrest School graduation With the construction of the Hillcrest consolidated school on Macopin Road in 1946, students from throughout West Milford... Columns 03 Sep 2025 | 11:37
The West Milford Village building at 1468 Union Valley Road, built in 1930 to serve as Mechanics Hall, later became the first firehouse of West Milford Fire Company No. 1. The officer in this 1940s photo is John F. Moeller, father of John H. Moeller, who became the police chief. (Photo provided) Looking back: Fire companies The West Milford Fire Company No. 1 was incorporated on June 3, 1944, by attorney Louis Wallisch, the first president of... Columns 25 Aug 2025 | 09:39
Nuns at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Hewitt address parish women at a meeting in the parochial school in the 1960s. (File photo by Ann Genader) Looking back: Parochial schools An announcement that Our Lady Queen of Peace School would close June 23, 2010, after 50 years of providing parochial school... Columns 13 Aug 2025 | 01:55
Members of the Italian American Club of West Milford at their first social function at the Beach Cliff Hotel in Upper Greenwood Lake in 1966. The cake has flags of the United States and Italy. Seated, from left, are Joseph Oddo, club president; Henry Cantaluppi; and Anthony Tucci. Standing, from left, are John Errico, James LaGreco, James Morreale, John Grecco and Frank Licursi. (File photo by Ann Genader) Looking back: After the mines closed In 1720, when George Kanouse arrived in America from Holland, people from Europe were finding their way to the area that... Columns 05 Aug 2025 | 08:28
Volunteers with the West Milford First Aid Squad, shown in 1959, assisted young victims in the many weekend accidents in the days when the drinking age was 21 in New Jersey and 18 in New York. (File photo by Ann Genader) Looking back: Border drinking dangers Too often in the 1950s and ’60s, police had the gruesome task of notifying parents about the serious injury or death of their... Columns 30 Jul 2025 | 11:41
Guests attend a 1950s meeting of the West Milford Historical Society. Seated, from left, are Robert MacLaury, newsman Howard Ball and Leslie Post. Ken Hirsch stands at right. (File photo by Ann Genader) Looking back: History group nearing 70 It soon will be 70 years since eight people, curious about their ancestors and how they lived, met around a dining room table... Columns 23 Jul 2025 | 02:56
Decorated caps of members of the Vernon Township High School Class of 2025 at graduation June 19. (Photo by Cody Williams) Where we’ll go from here Here are excerpts from speeches given by local valedictorians and salutatorians at recent graduation ceremonies. Skylar Sandage,... Columns 18 Jul 2025 | 10:57
Miss GOP and Miss Princess of the Lakes contestants pose during a West Milford Republican Organization event at Green Valley Park in 1959. (File photo by Ann Genader) Looking back: Beauty contests of ’50s, ’60s In the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s, women’s roles were changing, largely because of their work experiences during two world wars.... Columns 16 Jul 2025 | 11:49
Lakeside Village is a recently built townhouse complex at 165 Lakeside Road, Hewitt. The property previously held a motel and restaurant built in 1959. (Photo courtesy of Michael D’Agostino) Looking back: Bingler and Mason motels The original Bingler’s Motel and Restaurant at 165 Lakeside Road, Hewitt, was built, owned and operated by the late August... Columns 10 Jul 2025 | 03:31
Mayor Maria Harkey cuts the ceremonial ribbon to open the Wyckoff Bakery in West Milford in 2000. With the mayor are Ashley Leskanic, Cheryl Dyak, Amanda Miller, Lauren Muglia in a bunny costume and Frank Accurso, the owner. (File photo by Ann Genader) Looking back: Bakery store memories Bakery businesses have come and gone throughout the years in West Milford, leaving memories of delicious baked goods with... Columns 09 Jul 2025 | 08:26
