Consider joining M.A.R.C.H. as a member as part of a New Year's resolution! 

 Help the township's historical society protect and preserve the last vestiges of this valley's rich history.

      Two hundred thirty five years have passed since Gen. Horatio Gates arrived with four regiments from the Nothern Department into this corner of NJ. He led a column of six hundred men along Old Mine Road, who spent the night in the village of Montague on  Dec. 11th, 1776. They were attempting to unite with Gen. Washington for his famed crossing of the Delaware River into Trenton, but were delayed by a winter storm which detained them in the hamlet of Walpack [as recorded in the diary of Gates' Chaplain, David Avery].

Montague Post Office's 30th year!

Originally from 1815 through 1823, the Montague P.O. was known as "Brick House" - referencing the building, and also the village center in which it sat. Montague continued operating a class 4 post office until February 29, 1908. A class 4 designation reflected a rural locale, and designated how the postmaster was appointed and the amount of business being transacted. Change came in 1908-  when the Postmaster General felt that, as a result of rural free delivery and our small population, the town would be better serviced from Port Jervis, N.Y.

Thomas V. Cole had been the township's last and longest serving postmaster, holding the position for 34 years from 1874 until 1908. He was connected with the Martin Cole Store which opened in 1870, and ran it at that time. It is likely that was why the store is recalled as having been an adjunct location for postal matters after the official Montague P.O. was discontinued.


2011 marks 30 years since the existing location at the Clove Road Mini-Mall opened on Jan. 24, 1981 as Montague's contracted post office [CPO], with its local deliveries routed through Branchville, NJ. It was a change that took 20 years. The Port Jervis, NY address being used by township residents had caused greater issues with mail order sales and state income taxes, insurance policies, driver's license applications, etc. With the help of Rep. James Courter, the matter was resolved. Former R.D. addresses via Port Jervis, NY 12771 were then renamed as RFD routes of Montague, NJ 07827.

The CPO opened with 60 lock boxes  - all rented within a month. Helen (Zitone) Gassmann ran the office for three years as its first contracting officer. Postal lockboxes, once located by the old gatehouse for mail delivery to residents of the Current High Point Country Club, { then called Canyon Ridge} were moved into the CPO lobby in 1982. Renovations, to further expand the post office's space to its current size, occured in 1984.
The present Distribution Window Clerk, John Newcomer, has served full time since 1993.



Montague's population census totals:

1930 = 581;  1940 = 621;  1950 = 602;  1960 = 879;  1970 = 1,131; 
1980 = 2,066;    1990 = 2,832;    2000 = 3,412;    2010 = 3,837

Col. Anthony Kuser was interested in wild life and natural history. He thus acquired a large estate on Kittatiny Mountain, including High Point, 1805 feet high, highest point in New Jersey, and Lake Marcia, the state's highest lake, and maintained it as a wild life sanctuary. In 1922 he turned it all over to the state, which then placed it under  the care of the High Point State Park Commission, with Wayne Dumont as chairman. It was extensively developed with state appropriations.

 Col. Kuser gave funds for the erection of a perpetually lighted war memorial tower, to the soldiers and sailors of New Jersey who gave their lives in the various wars of the Nation, on the summit of High Point. 

 

Source of data: Scenic and historic America, Volumes 1-2 

                      by American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society

All Hallow's Eve - Harvest Fest

Halloween, known in the Netherlands as All Hallows Eve or "vooravond van Allerheiligen", was initially brought to North America with Irish and British colonists. It was not widely observed until the larger influx of European immigrants in the 19th century [late 1800's] and trick or treating was not recognized as commonplace until the early 1900's. In Ireland, however, Halloween remains much more a harvest festival.

Sussex County Heritage Tour this weekend

The Foster-Armstrong House will be one of a number of locations opening up for tours this Sat. and Sun., Oct. 15th and 16th, as part of a county-wide effort to celebrate the county's rich history - in conjunction with the truly unique traveling exhibition being hosted at the Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council in Newton, NJ. The ca. 1790 house will open between 1 and 4pm and on Sunday only, a banjo minstrel will offer up some musical tunes and tales.

At SCAHC, the exhibit entitled "New Harmonies" lets anyone stopping in try playing the spoons, a rub board, or a diddley bow. Discover what old tyme country, polka, blues, gospel, klezmer, folk, zydeco and hip-hop have in common ....  and hear samples of many of these. The exhibit has been touring the nation, and Sussex County is currently hosting it at SCAHC, 133 Spring Street until Oct. 30th.

Did you know there is a Constitution Day -
when our Constitution of the United States 
marked its 224th birthday?!

On Sept. 17th 1787, the draft of the Constitution was signed and formed the foundation upon which the United States of America organized its government. This link tells the story of its creation.

9/11: Ten Years Later

It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since that tragic morning of September 11, 2001. While a full decade has passed, the memories of that day remain seared in our hearts and minds. Many of us will never forget where we were and how we felt when we first heard the news. And many of us will never forget the friends and family whose lives were cut short that day.

As we gather together today to mark the ten year anniversary of September 11, let us honor and remember the many legacies left behind on that fateful morning. Let us honor and remember the heroism displayed by the first responders who ran into the burning buildings; let us honor and remember the search and rescue teams that scoured the debris of ground zero for survivors; and let us honor and remember the brave men and women of our armed forces that have brought justice to the enemy.

To say September 11 was a defining moment for our country would be an incredible understatement. After September 11, we learned that the forces that unite us are far stronger than those which seek to divide us. They say that the true test of a people’s strength is how they rise to confront a challenge when it arrives. Following the attacks of September 11, Americans of all stripes united together as one behind a common purpose. In our country’s greatest hour of darkness, the resiliency of the American spirit shined brighter than ever before and our nation grew stronger.

Every time we feel we have reached our limit, we are reminded that our potential knows no end. Today, our problems are more focused on the state of our economy and our country’s finances. While we face many challenges on the road to recovery, we can still move forward with the same determination that inspired us a mere decade ago. I have always held the utmost faith in the will of the American people. September 11 awakened us to the worst of humanity, but brought out the best in all of us.

My thoughts and prayers are with all those who mourn the loss of loved ones on this day. May God bless their memory and may God bless the United States of America.

Sincerely,

U.S. Congressman Scott Garrett

Public Hearing August 17, 2011 at the Montague Municipal Building

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Green Acres Program  - Notice of Public Hearings on Proposed Conveyance
(Lease) of State-owned Lands in High Point State Park (Montague Township, Sussex County), Long Pond Ironworks State Park (West Milford Township and
Ringwood Borough, Passaic County) and Ringwood State Park (Ringwood  Borough, Passaic County and Mahwah Township, Bergen County).
Take notice that in accordance with N.J.S.A. 13:1D-51 through 58, the State of New Jersey, Department or Environmental Protection ("NDJEP" or Department"), Green Acres Program, will hold three public hearings to seek comments on a proposed 25-year conveyance (lease) to Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company ("Tennessee") of certain State-owned lands, described more specifically below, in High Point State Park (Montague Township, Sussex County), Long Pond Ironworks State Park (West Milford Township and  Ringwood Borough, Passaic County), and Ringwood State Park (Ringwood Borough, Passaic County and Mahwah Township, Bergen County).
 
One only needs to go to nearby Vernon, NJ to see what's ahead in terms of clearcut deforestation, earth removal and  truck traffic. Similar projects raise concerns in residential areas.

Photo: Courtesy  Congressman Garrett's office

Montague resident picked as Senior of the Year 

The county award announced at Thursday's Senior Day at the NJ State Fair, hosted by the Division of Senior Services, went to Louis Avenatti of Montague.


Avenatti is an active member of the Montague Senior Club, volunteers as an income tax filer for seniors, and has organized seniors to assist with the Sussex County Food Pantry. He was nominated as Sr. volunteer of the Year by the township committee.


"He is tireless in his pursuit of programs, speakers and activities that will offer valuable information, advice or entertainment to our seniors", said Lorraine Hentz, Sussex County Division of Senior Services director.

Also nominated on the county level, hailing from Montague was Joseph Lashendock Jr.

BEAR info -
To report a nuisance black bear, call the DEP's 24-hour, toll-free hotline:  1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337).

If a bear is seen around your neighborhood, it is important to immediately discourage repeat visits. What you can do is determine if there is anything attracting it in your neighborhood that will cause the bear to return.  If you have unsecured garbage, pet food, barbecue grills, or other food items available in your yard, you should secure those items as soon as possible.
A nuisance bear is one that looks for handouts, hangs around because it thinks food is available, or becomes aggressive, etc.  More information about bears is available on this NJ website.

Due to a shortage of acorns this year, bears will be looking for alternative food sources and have already been more active trying to access them. If a bear lingers near your house for an extended time, despite loud noises being made -  report it before it causes damage. 

 
Did you know  - Montague almost had a railroad track running through town!

The Evening Gazette,  July 24, 1873  (page 1)

112 years ago......

"The Reformed' church at Montague, N. J., which has recently been rebuilt, was dedicated to the worship of God on the 18th of July. Rev. J. L. Stillwell a former pastor, presided and delivered a brief address. Rev. T. H. MacKenzie preached an impressive sermon from I. Tim. iii. 15, after which the venerable S. W. Mills, D.D., led in the dedicatory prayer. The other ministers who took part in the exercises were Revs. Thomas Kichols, D.D., W. A Mackenzie, T. D. Harris and Charles H. Whittaker." -  as reported on page 193 of the August 3rd, 1899 issue  The Christian Work: illustrated family newspaper, Vol. 67.

The current building is the third structure for this congregation. The Minisink Dutch Reformed congregation dates to 1737.

Congratulations Miss Montague 2011  

Haley Jacob has been crowned Miss Montague and will represent our township at the Sussex County Fair. 

Congratulations also go to the Royal Court:

Junior Miss Montague  - Paige Lynn Conklin

Little Miss Montague  - Alexys Mitchell

Little Mr. Montague    - Owen T. Kelly

This year's pageant was sponsored by the Montague Vol. Fire Dept.

Reflections on the significance of Independence Day...

{Shared with Permission} 

We celebrate today our nation's birth. And, as with all birthdays, this day naturally leads us to recall our nation's beginnings.

We gratefully call to mind those courageous people who brought this nation into existence. We easily recall such names as George Washington, Commander of the armies of the colonies. We think back to Paul Revere, and the lanterns in the Old North Church tower; the Minutemen of Lexington and Concord; John Paul Jones, Admiral of the American Fleet; Patrick Henry, with his famous words in the Virginia Statehouse: "Give me liberty or give me death." Nathan Hale, who acted on these words with his own last pronouncement: "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country." Thomas Jefferson, who penned the words of the Declaration of Independence.



All of these individuals and events were inspired by the single dream, a single hope of freedom and liberty. What does 'liberty' mean anyway? What is meant by 'true freedom?'

Those forefathers in 1776 founded this nation as a bold experiment in opposition to what they had experienced up till then. They were tired of living under conditions where the whims and motives of a king would determine your future. They felt that conditions could be much better if everyone were treated equally, under laws which all agreed to follow. It would be written laws, first the Articles of Confederation, then the Constitution, under which disputes and conduct would be judged--not by a ruler who could be swayed by his own self-interest. George Washington, when he was inaugurated as the first President in 1789, expressly called for a simple ceremony, without the trappings of royalty, or any hints of a royal coronation. No, the first term of the first presidency would set a new course, where freedom and liberty would be guarded by laws.


So it is very important to stop and reflect upon .. what is freedom, what is liberty? Is it the right to do anything you want, how you want? ... I don't think that is what the founders had in mind. That instead is 'license,' and unfortunately we see all around us the effects of people who confuse 'liberty' with 'license.' From throwing your litter anywhere, to disturbing the peace with blasting music, to using public office to steal public funds, 'license' is really a disrespect for others. It is putting yourself and your interests first, with total disregard for the rights and sensitivities of others. I don't think that our fore-fathers fought, died, and risked everything so that we could race our cars down the highways.


True freedom respects others as equals, and asks the question: how can I pursue life, liberty and happiness, without disregarding the next person's right to do the same. True liberty means living as a social being, with responsibilities towards others and towards the country we inhabit. In fact there can be no true freedom, no true liberty .. without responsibility. And that may be where our society seems to be breaking down. All people want their freedoms, but too many, it seems, don't accept their responsibilities.


The Church makes a great contribution to our nation by its insistence that we are all responsible to the Lord, and to each other, For all the talk about separation of Church and State, the State would have fallen apart long ago, if the Churches hadn't stressed that ideal of moral responsibility, And to the degree that people heed this message, only to that degree can our nation flourish. Only to that degree will citizens look beyond their own immediate interests ... to the common good.


May we pray today that the Lord be allowed to play a greater role in our nation's life. As our fore-fathers called upon God to witness their actions 235 years ago, and called upon the Lord to guide the young nation's future, so must we. May we pray that our elected leaders may listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and to the voice of their conscience, in making the decisions which affect all of us. And may all citizens take seriously the need to be vigilant and to take initiative in ensuring that the freedoms we enjoy will be protected. May all citizens work towards the day where everyone is treated fairly and equally, where there is true 'liberty and justice for all.'

God Bless America!

 Memorial Day.......

more than an unofficial start to the anticipated summer season, a long weekend filled with BBQ's, etc.  -           let us not forget to stop and recall those who gave their lives, so that we could

live ours in FREEDOM.

Postcard Image(s) courtesy VintageHolidayCrafts.com



The annual Memorial Day Service will be held 

May 30th at 10 am

at the Montague Municipal Building.



El Paso Corp. files Northeast Upgrade proposal with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Information and current documents can be accessed though the electronic library - FERC Documents.

Spring is busting out all over....


April showers have not stopped a flurry of activities, as folks gladly shake off  cabin fever after what seemed to be a never ending Winter season.

Students got a change of pace this week with Spring break; area churches have services observing Holy Week and Easter Sunday; the annual Easter Egg hunt is being hosted by the Minisink Reformed Church.
The Montague Vol Fire Dept., the Recreation Dept. and the High Point Country Club Community Corp. are all combining efforts to support this community event. Come to the Minisink Reformed Church Pavilion on Clove Rd. for breakfast beinning at 9AM on April 23rd. The Easter Bunny will make an appearance, and the egg hunt will follow at 11AM.


Trailblazers Camp is inviting folks to visit their site between mile markers 4 and 5 at 210 Deckertown Turnpike (CR 650) from 12 - 4PM for their annual Earth Day and Open House Event. With games, tours, Earth Day activities and a BBQ, there will be something for everyone. For those with green fingers, help our resident botanist plant the TBC garden. There will be tours of our beautiful property with the assistant director, Martin, who will a tell you all about our program and the environment the children inhabit over the summer. 
Take a boat or a canoe out on the lake and get a lesson in boating and fishing with Program director, James. There will be a sign up area for Sleep Away and Day Camp this summer.
Please send them an email to info@trailblazers.org if you plan to attend.

M.A.R.C.H., Montague's Historical Society, is meeting Thurs. evening April 30th at 7PM at the Foster-Armstrong site. Come out if have an interest or curiousity about the area's rich heritage. The group could use help in getting both its sites spruced up and painted, and staffed for summer tours.

M.A.R.C.H. can now be found on Facebook!

                                                                        

                                                                        
The Montague Grange, located on River Rd. between Millville & Weider Rd.'s, is having an Open House. You can visit their building and see what they are all about on Sat. April 30th from 1-4:30 PM. 
Free Giveaways and Door Prizes!                                            

Buds are bursting out all over ... maybe Spring is finally here ?!

Did you know "Phenology" is the study of nature's changes?
Take the kids outside - notice what's new.

Amidst these signs of color, pink surveyors flags have been seen around town.  Some mark two alternative routes for the planned Northeast Upgrade to the Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP).
Read a NJSpotlight post about this issue.
The Northeast Upgrade is the connecting link in the "300 Line Project".
The existing Right of Way, which was acquired c. 1955, predated the creation of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and the Holiday Lake community, now known as High Point Country Club, which it traverses.  TGP also crosses High Point State Park.

B.E.A.R. Learning Fair

“B.E.A.R.” stands for Better Education for All Residents.

The event is being held at the Montague Township Elementary School located at 475 U.S. Highway 206 on Saturday, April 2nd, from 9 AM to 12 Noon. The desire of the planners is that the community will take part with demonstrations and/or classes for adults and/or children. Among the local groups participating with exhibits or presentations:
Boy Scouts; Girl Scouts; Pre-schools and Day care from the area; YMCA; Trailblazers; Montague Education Association; PTA Voter Registration; Montague Volunteer Fire Department; Montague Grange; M.A.R.C.H. - Montague Township's Historical Society.

Spring.... it's time to chase Old Man Winter away!

Last week's brief reprieve to sweater weather was cruelly followed by more snow days and chilly winter-like days. Flocks of robins were spotted..and crocuses are blooming, with tulips and hyacinths pushing their leaves and buds up from the cold ground... so it's just a matter of time.

Celebrate Nature Coffee House
The Friends of High Point State Park welcome spring and recognize Earth Day with their 2nd Annual Celebrate Nature Coffee House on Saturday, April 16, 2011, 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm.
Lineup of great musicians:  Hard Luck, featuring Ray Sikora, Brian McArdle, and Michel Beliveau, entertain with some amazing harmonies. Joe Rocco rocks High Point State Park at 1:30 pm.Tim Blohm takes the stage with some classic rock and country at 2:30 pm. Walkabout Clearwater Chorus, founded by Pete Seeger in 1984 as a musical arm of the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, will immerse everyone in folk music from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
Please visit http://www.friendshighpointstatepark.blogspot.com/ for information.

Can Spring be far behind...??

With the return of Red-winged blackbirds and geese flying in.. weeping willows turn golden, and trees starting to bud.. and bulbs start to push up their greenery from what [ only last week ] was frozen & snow covered ground.
It's closer than we realize.

Change through or as a result of growth = last 3 census' showed Montague Township population at 2,832 in 1990, at 3,412 in 2000, and at last count in 2010 at 3,847!

While more showers may come - they will spare us the March 6th deluge and a resulting flood watch on the Delaware River while it crested at 19.27 feet, the evening of March 7th, 2011.

Such snow melts enhanced by rains caused the Spring freshes which ran the river rafters downstream in olden days.

Little League history.. for Montague!

For the longest time that most younger families recall, Montague has had the opportunity for its young people to play under baseball leagues from our section of Sussex County, or in the Tri-State Area.

However... as of 2011 - Montague Township is now chartered to have its very own Little League and its players will proudly sport "MONTAGUE" shirts!

Learning to appreciate what surrounds us... !

Montague Township abuts the Wild and Scenic Delaware River and lies to the north of the famous Water Gap. Montague links to that land feature via the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation area, which also covers adjacent PA.


DISCOVERING DELAWARE WATER GAP, A Field Book for Young Naturalists can help us value what is here and better understand the unique qualities of this part of NJ.

Possible snowstorm[s] ahead..

so cuddle up with a good book,
or [as long as we don't lose electricity] you might access the 1881 copy of James P. Snell's History of Warren and Sussex County via the "Read Online" option and have fun learning about life and people from our county's past.

PS: Daylight is starting to last longer.. think Spring!

Welcoming 2011 on 1/1/11! News:

Township Committee reorganized and re-elected Joseph Barbagallo as mayor for 2011, George Zitone - Deputy Mayor.

A representative of the EL PASO Corp., overseeing the Tennessee Gas Pipeline's Northeast upgrade, will be in attendance at the first regularly scheduled township meeting to update residents on the status of their project . There is pending a proposal for a new loop to be created through part of the township. It would veer off from the existing Right of Way (ROW) that crosses High Point State Park and enters the High Point Country Club. It would cross Clove Rd. about a 1/4 mile north of the mini-mall and continue to head NW - crossing River Rd. in the vicinity of New Mashipacong Road and cross Mashipacong Island into PA. The existing ROW crosses Clove Rd. by the Township offices and DPW, but may not be reused.

Friends of High Point Park announce 2011 events:

. **Yoga on the Mountain to be set at a future time (Apr-Nov) * Winter Festival Saturday, Jan. 29 12-3 (1/30 snow date) * Friends Meeting March 5th 1:00 * Explorations at HPSP (Family photo fun) Saturday, March 26 10-3 (rain date 3/ 27) * Celebrate Nature Coffee House Saturday, April 16th 1:00-4:00 * Get Out and Read in the Park: Story time Walk Saturday April 30 1-3 (rain date Sunday May 1st) * Car Show May 14th 12-4 (rain date May15th) * Kilby Taylor Concert June 25th 6-8pm * Friends Meeting 1:00 July 16th * Patrick Fitzsimmons Concert 6-8pm July 16th * Bait and Boat Festival Saturday September 10th 1- 7:30 pm * Bike Hike @ Saw Mill Oct 15 and 16th * Open Hearth Saturday, Oct. 29th 11:00-3:00

* Friends Meetings held: Mar 5th 1:00 , July 16th 1:00 Nov. 12th (lunch at 12:00/ meeting at 1:00)