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
Annie Bown, the first female special police officer in West Milford, is second from left in this early 1950 photo. Some of the other officers shown are Richard Struble, Bill Perry, Vincent Meyer, Pat Squitieri, Jim Gray and Len Spano. (File photo by Ann Genader) Looking back: 1st female special police officer The Rev. Jed O’Connor, a former Franciscan priest in the Catholic Diocese of Paterson in the 1980s, was one of the last people... Columns 09 Jul 2025 | 08:27
Ethel Tintle Kochka and her husband, George, on their wedding day at St. Joseph Church, Echo Lake, in the late 1920s or early 1930s. Her sisters serving as the bride’s attendants are Irene, standing; Cecelia, seated; and Marie, by a basket of flowers. (Photo provided) Looking back: Tintles were early Echo Lake settlers When 50 families came to the United States to work in the iron mines of Ringwood and Charlotteburg, John Peter Tintle Jr.... Columns 09 Jul 2025 | 08:28
Some Rhinesmith children were born in this house in Stonetown in the late 1800s. The photo was taken in 1949 by Harry Rhinesmith, who was born there in 1892. (Photo provided) Looking back: Rhinesmiths lived at Stonetown The late Mary Maud Rhinesmith Fredericks (1888-1980) is an example of strong women who faced obstacles while living in a... Columns 11 Jun 2025 | 12:08
Visitors look at home heating products displayed by Mayor Wilbur Fredericks at the Community Fire Company of Newfoundland and Oak Ridge Country Fair, which ran annually from 1950 to 1994. (File photo by Ann Genader) Looking back: Mayor Fredericks and the fair Businessmen looked to the annual Community Fire Company of Newfoundland and Oak Ridge Country Fair as a prime source for... Columns 04 Jun 2025 | 11:00
Interior of a Morris County iron mine, 1859. (Photo courtesy of Ron Dupont) Sussex County History Today: Route 80 blues This week, this column was written by my friend Vernon historian Ron Dupont. Sinkholes on Route 80 in Wharton have caused... Columns 24 May 2025 | 11:19
Members of the Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department march in a parade along Route 23 in Newfoundland en route to the 1962 country fair, organized by the Community Fire Company of Newfoundland and Oak Ridge Fire Company No. 1. (File photo by Ann Genader) Looking back: Newfoundland Fair For 44 years, the Community Fire Company of Newfoundland and Oak Ridge Fire Company No. 1 organized an old-fashioned country... Columns 28 May 2025 | 11:20
John F. Mathews (1871-1934) of the Apshawa section of West Milford, with three of the five children born to him and the late Martha Gormley Mathews (1882-1958). From left are Verina Agnes, Anna Elizabeth and Albert Vincent. They are in front of the family farmhouse on Weaver Road about 1905. (Photo provided) Looking back: Mathews family history The surname of an area family sometimes is spelled with two tt’s while others use just one. Ancestors of the Mathews family... Columns 21 May 2025 | 12:24
Kathleen Mazza with her third-grade class at Marshall Hill School in 1985. (File photo) Looking back: West Milford in 1985 West Milford had administrative changes in 1985, with Township Manager Jack Terry, Recreation Director Gary Webb and Treasurer... Columns 14 May 2025 | 11:27
West Milford Police Chief John Moeller, left, and Capt. Jack Ryan check the teletype machine at Police Headquarters. which was in the balcony of the current West Milford Museum, in the early 1950s. (File photo by Ann Genader) Looking back: Early police communications In the 1930s, the New Jersey State Police’s Statewide Police Teletype System was developed to provide instant communications... Columns 07 May 2025 | 11:42
