Happy 345th Birthday, New Jersey!

"On June 24, 1664 the name " New Jersey " first appeared, as the name given by the British royal government for a brand new colony established between the Hudson River, the Delaware River, and the Atlantic Ocean. In March 1664 King Charles II of England granted his brother James, Duke of York lands in the New World including Maine, Long Island and territory between the Connecticut and Delaware Rivers. On June 24, 1664, James presented a valuable portion of this land to John Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret in recognition of their loyalty to the crown during the English Civil War. Described by one of the Duke's followers as some of the "most improvabelest land" held by James, this new proprietary colony was called Nova Caesaria or New Jersey." courtesy NJ Dept. of State website
Montague Elementary School students create a time capsule & present their student-composed 4 volume set: Montague's History: Through Our Eyes.



L-R are shown - front row: A. Batko, historian; Students from grades 4-6 who submittend the winning entries; Asst. Principal, Mrs. R. Kalish.
back row: MARCH members: Ed Ibold, Sharon Orce, and Donna & Bob Gibson; Township committemen: Charles Teufert (deputy mayor) and Mayor Joseph Barbagallo
[photo courtesy of K. Goyette]

On May 29th, during a final school program dedicated to observing the township's 250th anniversary during the current school term, students saw what items were being placed into their time capsule to be unveiled in 2059 - on Montague's 300th!

Among the items included were school memorabilia, a Powerpoint presentation highlighting life at Montague Elementary, their own 4 volume set about Montague's History, and winning entries from a school-based contest for students in grades 4 to 6 who submitted poems and letters speaking about the future or written to the students of 2059.

Copies of the 4 book set were also presented during the assembly to the Township, to MARCH, and to Montague School and the children of Montague's future. These books and the time capsule were funded by the Montague Education Association, Pride in Education funding.

Making the news!

The local media have been giving Montague widespread coverage of both the town's 250th and the likewise named book.

The NJ Herald and the Pike County Dispatch offered reports of the celebration and offered positive press .. with photos from the kick-off remaining viewable at the NJ Herald's website. Jennie Sweetman highlighted our 250th {error: the "new" school housed K-6} and previewed the book in her History section. Ken Baumel covered the anniversary observance and editor, Chris Jones, of the Dispatch gave a personal review of the book.

Richard Jones and Alicia Batko were featured, discussing MARCH and the 250th, in a Mugs Media segment shown on Channel 10 for Service Electric TV customers - based out of Sparta, NJ.

The Milford Journal graciously accomodated a piece submitted at their request for the June issue, which hit the presses early so it could be ready before the Milford Music Festival held June 6th.

Chris Farlekas, longtime reporter hailing from Port Jervis, interviewed the township historian and the Port Jervis Gazette placed those reflections accompanied by selected photos from the book's front-page.

Two book signings are scheduled - on Sat., June 20th. The first will occur at the primary location for M.A.R.C.H. - the c.1790 Foster-Armstrong House from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, and the second will be just across the river at Mill Run Booksellers from 2-4 pm.