"The History and Demise of the Tocks Island Dam Project:.."

People wonder why History is important.
It is only in looking back, that we can plan forward. Part of the process of making valid decisions is reviewing how things came to be, how certain occurrences caused ripple effects.
The northwest corner of NJ has witnessed changes, many of which were affected by what was happening on a broader scale. Starting with the changing bounds of East and West Jersey, and the NY-NJ Boundary Dispute, this area always seems to have been experiencing some sort of flux. Clicking the map in the link: showing the 1768 Jeffreys Map of New York and New Jersey will leave a student of geography puzzled. Zoom in to view the disputed boundaries over time.

Early on, many roadways converged and crossed the Delaware River - leading further inland. Later the D&H Canal and the Erie Railroad were instituted beyond the state's boundary. Businesses shifted to be closer to the transportation routes, and the surrounding region became primarily rural and agricultural following the Civil War. People came to stay at area hotels, boarding homes, and to visit the new High Point State Park. The Erie RR would help sustain the region's overall level of prosperity til the 1970's.

After 1950, the opposing ends of Montague were greatly altered and affected by the new bridge to Milford destroying the original town center, and by the addition of Interstate 84 - with the Tocks Island Dam permanently impacting the western, and more populated, section of town. These three greatly changed the face of Montague.
The initial Tenn Gas Pipeline project had cut across town in the 1950's, but as farms struggled to survive, developers began to acquire and subdivide the large sparsely populated tracts. Holiday Lake was one such project, which evolved as the most densely populated section of the township. The current TGP Northeast upgrade follows the original route, but also impacts another segment of town. The greatest portion of land now belongs to the State and Federal government, and together with the Nature Conservancy and the NJ Land Trust, own close to 70% of township land.

 Cub Scout Pack returning 

The Montague Vol. Fire Dept has offered to help charter the return of a Cub Scout program to Montague. In the late 1980's and 1990's, Cub Scout Pack 98 was an active Cub Scout group in town. Most of the local Boy Scouts continue to belong to Troop 180 which meets in Branchville.
Anyone interested in more information or to join - call 973-222-1013.
Montague Best-In-Show Winners 

 Local 4-H club participants, Kristen Snyder and Lauren Batko, were awarded the Silver Plate award for their "Best In Show" entries under the Arts and Crafts and the Nature categories during the Sussex County Farm & Horse Show at the NJ State Fair.
              



(L-R) Kristen, of the Shelton’s Shooters club, sewed a Mad Hatter style hat as her entry for Fabric Craft; Lauren, of the Horsewise club, submitted a winning floral arrangement.
to Montague resident, Joe Lashendock Jr.,  during Senior Day events at the fair.


As reported in the NJ HERALD on Aug. 9th by ERIC OBERNAUER :
 "Since moving to Sussex County 23 years ago, Lashendock's story has been one of continued service as a food pantry volunteer and as an active member of the county's Senior Services Advisory Council and Transit Citizens Advisory Committee."
"From organizing food drives to help feed the hungry, to helping non-profit organizations in fundraising efforts, to working on committees to improve the quality of life for seniors and Sussex County residents, Joe wholeheartedly and humbly lives to make life better for all," said Senior Services Director Lorraine Hentz. "His most endearing quality is his insatiable desire to come to the aid of anyone at any time without hesitation." 

County Route 521 - River Rd. in Montague Township has been 
reopened to through traffic from Route 206 through to Maple Ave. in Port Jervis, NY.
Will Miss Montague be chosen
the Queen of the Fair?

 In compiling a list of former Miss Montague's, it was discovered the town had young women from the township chosen in the past.

 As seen in an old fair booklet created by the Sussex County Farm & Horse Show:

NJ State Fair and Sussex County Farm & Horse Show starts on Friday Aug. 2nd and runs until Sunday Aug. 11th.
Military Veterans are admitted FREE with applicable ID at the gate. 
Sussex County Resident Deal - any day with applicable ID at the gate: Adult $8;  Child $5 [6 - 12 yrs.];  Senior $5 [60+]. 
Same price range during Early Bird Special: 
 Monday - Thursday, August 5th - 8th, entry between 10 AM - 12 PM.

Senior's Day Thursday, Aug. 8th 
Special Senior rate $4 [60+] at the gate.

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