Vrolijk Kerstmis 


The unknown history behind
O HOLY NIGHT!

In 1847 a commissioner of wine in France, Mr. Placide Cappeau, was asked by his parish priest to write a poem for the Christmas Eve service.  On a hard carriage ride to Paris, the gentleman imagined himself a witness to the birth of Christ.  The wonder of that glorious moment flowed through his pen, and he gave us the poem "Cantique de Noel" ("Song of Christmas).  Cappeau had the words, but now he needed the music to lift souls heavenward in song.  

He asked his friend, Adolphe Charles Adams.  It was an unusual request.  Adams was a trained classical musician, but he was of the Jewish faith.  Nevertheless, he good naturedly received his friend's request and began at once to compose an original tune for the poem.  It was a perfect match and the song was performed for the congregation on Christmas Eve.  The French people loved the carol, but later after Cappeau left the church for the philosophy of socialism, and after it was discovered that the composer was not of the Christian faith, the church leadership banned the song from its liturgy throughout France.

However, the French people would not let the song die and continued to embrace it--even if they had to sing it outside the official approval of the church.  Ten years later, an American abolitionist, John Sullivan Dwight, heard the carol and loved its vibrant message of hope---especially the verse that says "Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, and in His name all oppression shall cease."  His English translation quickly became popular in the North during the American Civil War.   

Legend has it that the French Catholic Church finally received the song back into its worship services after an encounter between French and German troops during the Franco-Prussian War.  During a lull in fighting, a French soldier began singing "Cantique de Noel."  The Germans were so moved that they responded by singing one of Luther's hymns.  The "songfest" encouraged the soldiers to honor a truce for 24 hours on Christmas.

The end of this story involves the beginning of modern technology--the invention of the radio.  On Christmas Eve, 1906, Reginald Fessenden (a former colleague of Thomas Edison) was experimenting with a microphone and the telegraph.  Fessenden began reading the story of the birth of Jesus from Luke chapter 2.  Around the world, wireless operators on ships and at newspaper desks began to hear a man's voice come out of their machines.  It was the first radio broadcast of a man's voice. . . .and it was the Gospel of Christ.  But it doesn't end there.
Fessenden then picked up a violin and began to play a tune.  You guessed it. . . . . "O Holy Night." 

The song written by a wine merchant, set to music by a Jewish composer, banned by church leaders, kept alive by the French, adopted by American abolitionists,  sung by troops in the trenches, and at last broadcast to the whole world by invisible radio waves.  The first song ever played over the radio:  "O Holy Night."  

Fall on your knees.  O hear the angel voices.  O night divine.  The night when Christ was born.  O night divine. 
Courtesy  - A Moment in History by Jeff Sanders
 Newspaper items - from long ago!

Port Jervis
Christmas, the post office will be open from 7 a. m. to 12 noon. Carriers will make one delivery at 7 a. m. except in the business district where a delivery will be made after the arrival of the paper train. Collections from all boxes will be made during deliveries. The postal savings and money order departments will be closed. No carrier window service will be given, this will allow the carriers more time for deliveries and it is believed they will accomplish more than they would by coming back to the office All mails will be made up and despatched the same as usual. Service on the rural delivery route will be the same as usual.
Four extra carriers with horses and sleighs will deliver Christmas packages in the morning
EVENING GAZETTE             DECEMBER 23, 1915.    


  HYMENEAL 
 KERR - SHAY
 Mr. Frank Kerr, of upper Montague, N. J., and Miss Lizzie V. Shay were united in marriage at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, at the home of the bride's parents, Erie conductor and Mrs. Ephriam Shay, of Tri-States. The ceremony was performed in the presence of a small company of friends, by Rev. T. H. Mackenzie, after which refreshments were served. The happy couple left town on train 2 for a wedding tour to New York, after which they will reside in Montague. They are both excellent young people, and their many friends will be pleased to extend congratulations. The bride was attired in a tailor made gown.
THE EVENING GAZETTE                  DECEMBER 15, 1904. 

Cole - Shay.
  MONTAGUE, Dec. 10.
A very pretty home wedding took place last evening at 6:30 at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Shay, near Centreville, where, in the presence of one hundred invited guests, their daughter Sylvia was united in marriage to Mr. Clarence Cole, son of Mr. Geo. N. Cole of Montague. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. C. W. Demming of the Hainesvllle M. E. Church. After the usual congratulations all present partook of a splendid supper prepared for the occasion. The bride was dressed and looked lovely in a blue sea foam cloth dress, trimmed with velvet to match ; the groom in the customary dress suit. The presents were numerous and well selected, but your correspondent is unable to mention them, although I noticed several envelopes with green paper inside. Among those in attendance outside of Sandyston township were :~Mr. and Mrs. Ephram Shay of Port Jervis ; Mrs. Peter Rundle and son of Mongaup ; Mr. John Swartwout and family and Mrs. B. A. Westbrook of Branchville; Mr, and Mrs. Benj. Kyte of Milford; Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Rundle, Mrs. Betsey Bennett, Mrs. Hannah Shay, Mr. and Mrs. Electus Shimer, Mr. and Mrs. Corey Bell, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. N. Cole, Mrs. Alice Van Auken and Mr. H. Ludwig and family of Montague. May their married life be long and happy is the wish of their many friends. H. L.
 TRI-STATES UNION       DEC. 1895


The elegant sleighing that we have enjoyed for several weeks, gives joy to the cardiac system of the juvenile coaster, and to some of a larger growth it is not particularly disagreeable to take a glide down the steep ascents that surround Carpenters Point. These beautiful moonlight nights are taken advantage of, and the hills are plentifully sprinkled with men, women and children, who make the air resound with their halloas. This is innocent sport and healthful, but care should be taken not to interfere with public travel. A team belonging to Isaac Clawson of Logtown, was run into Thursday night, and a runaway ensued. It therefore behooves the people who coast to keep their eyes open.
EVENING GAZETTE         JANUARY 11, 1884

 December 19th, 1776 - Thomas Paine published his first "American Crisis" essay, which began with these words: " These are the times that try men's souls...". 

 No. 1 of this series was written during Washington's retreat across New Jersey. By Washington's orders, it was read to his dispirited and suffering soldiers. These are words that should be remembered across New Jersey and the nation, for those very struggling soldiers fighting for independence never gave up. 
Courtesy -The History Girl
https://www.facebook.com/njantiques
Having difficulty reading this ? 

In the older font styles, "s" looked like "f"  -   so try again keeping that in mind.
Ask some present-day students if they can read someone's handwritten signature or a document recorded in script, such as the original copy of the Declaration of Independence, or hand-written letters.    Many cannot.
Did you know Santa didn't always wear a red suit!
Courtesy West Jersey History Facebook post.
 Last weekend to experience 
Holiday festivities locally!




What may this coming Winter bring us?

Imagine having the conditions related in the 
Jan. 6, 1877  THE EVENING GAZETTE:

VERY DEEP SNOW—TRAVEL SUSPENDED. 

The snow is reported four feet deep on the level in the upper townships, and in many places the roads are so badly blockaded that many people are unable to get any distance from home. Between Milford and Port Jervis there are two roads branching off from the main road—one leading to the farm of Henry Hall, the other to the farm of Soveryne Van Noy, along the banks of the Delaware river. Both of these roads are drifted so full that those blocked in have been unable to get out since Friday. The new road leading from James Rose's to the Delaware bridge is also drifted full, being above the fences in many places, and unless the snow goes off there will be no further travel over this road this winter.
Drivers remain alert!

Today hunters may be out spotting deer and spoof a few today, as well as through the active shotgun and black-powder seasons. 

The shotgun hunting season officially opens tomorrow 
-- meaning a shot at a buck or a bear is legal
 30 minutes before the 7:11 a.m. sunrise starting Monday, Dec. 7th.
THE EVENING GAZETTE—PORT JERVIS, N. Y., 
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1881

THE LATE ISAAC BONNELL


Our esteemed Montague correspondent
and historian, B. A. W., writes an able article
on the death of the Hon. Isaac Bonnell
of that town , whose death occurred on
the 26th of last month , from which we
make the  following excerpts:
The deceased had enjoyed throughout a
long and not uneventual life a degree of
physical and mental vigor accorded to but
few, and even up to the middle of the present
month , from all outward indications,he
had some years of life in store.
Upon election day he drove his own horse and
carriage down to the Brick House to the
polls as usual, the rain of that day offering
no obstacle to his resolute will, and also
upon the following day attending a church
meeting in the old Minisink church. After
this he complained of an indisposition resulting
from a cold, yet he continued around
overseeing his business upon the farm up to 
about a week ago, since which time he
was from necessity confined to his room. 

The parents of deceased were Captain
Jame s Bonnell, a Continental officer, who
served in this valley during the war of Independance,
and Elizabeth Shimer, daughter of Captain
Abraham Shimer of Montague.
Isaac was the third son born of this
union, during the temporary residence of
his parents at Dingmans, Pike county, Pa.

Owing to the very limited pecuniary
means of his parents, the subject of this
sketch was when young thrown wholly
upon his own unaided resources. And it
is through this circumstance , united to his
inherent energy and indomitable will, that
we must trace the growth of that self-reliance
which in his mature years laid the
foundation of his fortune.

After working at such odd jobs as he
could get among the neighboring farmers
during his more youthful years, we find
him in the spring of 1809, at the age of 19
years, indentured to one Jesse Reynolds to
learn the trade of a mill-wright. From
this date forward his career was one of
success. Reynolds was an accomplished
mechanic ; for years he had served under
Julius Foster, and for some time had been
his trusted foreman, and now had succeeded
to the business and good will of his
former employer, who had retired from
the business. Our apprentice soon had the
ear of his master, and his years of apprenticeship
were among the happiest of his
life. The first job of work, done in the
spring of 1809, was for the Belknaps of
Newburgh, N. Y. The hands all walked
from the Brick House to Newburgh, carrying
their tools upon their backs, but theboss,
 Reynolds, who kept a saddle horse, as was 
the custom of the times, for his individual use.

During the succeeding 30 years, first as
an apprentice, then as a journeyman , and
next as contractor, and finally as proprietor,
through all the graduations of the business,
our subject advances. Sometimes
working as far down the Delaware as Easton,
and anon over along the easterly
branches of the Susquehanna and up 
Slocum Hollow, sometimes in Sussex county,
nearer home , but principally in Sullivan
county, N. Y., and further north along the
headwaters of the branches that discharge
their waters in the Delaware river.

The occupation of a practical mill-wright
necessarily brought the subject of our
sketch into close relationship with the 
businessmen and capitalists of the country at
that early date, and upon the revival of
business succeeding the depression incident
to the war of 1812, found him in a position
fit to avail himself of his opportunities.

There were at this time large tracts of
valuable timber lands lying upon both
sides of the Delaware river and in the
market at a nominal price, and which only
needed developing to make them productive.
He seized upon this opportunity and
by making several judicious purchases in
Sullivan county, N. Y., he was enabled to
realize by a resale of his lumber property
enough ready capital to satisfy his ambition
in that direction. Resolved to retire
from the lumber business he purchased
several farms near home and gave his sole
attention to farming during the remainder
of his days.

In his retirement he entered into politics,
and among the offices which he has honorably
filled were seats in both houses of our
State Legislature, each for the term of
three years. He has ever taken a prominent 
part in matters of public interest, and
though far from being without faults, (it has
 been his misfortune often to be misunderstood)
he yet had many counterbalancing
virtues, and I trust it would be well
for many of our public men were they
equally well assured that their foibles
would be as soon forgiven and forgotten,
and the meritorious act only find remembrance.
 B. A. W
Excerpted  from 
 by Alma Calder. 

(A delightful tale of rural life in the 19th-century.)
Click title above to read online.

&

shared for Thanksgiving Day: 


" For friends and for friendship, for health and for home,

We thank thee Our Father, wherever we roam. 

We thank thee for hunger, which gives food a zest;

We thank thee for labor and bless thee for rest.


"The lakes and the rivers have blessings in store, 

The field and the forest will each day yield more. 

Give strength, we beseech thee, give wisdom and power, 

To aid in each duty and gladden each hour.


" We thank thee for pleasures, for freedom from sin, 

For love that makes us with the whole world akin;

We bless thee for guiding us safely this day ;

We trust thee to-night, and we trust thee alway."


Courtesy -  123thanksgiving.com





Come out & play a derivative of an Italian game 
of Lo Giuoco del Lotto d'Italia from the 1530's,
  later played as Lotto, and then as BEANO!

The Montague Grange will hold a bingo fundraiser & bake sale 
today [11/13] at the Montague Elementary School.
Doors to the event open at 5:30 p.m. Calling begins at 6:30 p.m.

The event, is open only to those 18 and over - being a lottery game, 
and has a $10 entry fee for which each participant
 will receive two bingo boards for 15 rounds of play.
Refreshments and prizes included.

Montague Church Window memorializes  a WW2 casualty



                                                 Private John J. Kasyan
Born: 1925 
Branch of Service: US Army  142 INF   36th DIV. 
Date of Death: November 10, 1944

                                            Wars or Conflicts: World War II
                                               Buried: Plot B Row 26 Grave 5
                                             Epinal American Cemetery
                                          Epinal, France

Awards

     Purple Heart    

Among the dedicated stained glass windows located in 
St. James the Greater Church and being researched, it was found that one 
is dedicated to Pvt. John J. Kasyan.
It was discovered that he and his family lived in Jersey City, NJ. On locating a relative via Ancestry.com, is seems the family may have known the first Pastor assigned to St. James, Rev. Francis Warlikowski. Pvt. Kasyan's sister, Anna, is noted as having been the organist at the time of the church's dedication.
Thus, his grieving mother most likely had arranged to have her young son memorialized, while the church was being constructed, during Father Warlikowski's tenure. Her son was about 19 when he lost his life - having enlisted after completing 3 years of high school.    

 

Courtesy of  http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/
History of Veteran's Day

This date is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day 
in other parts of the world, falling on November 11th, 
the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I 
(often referred to simply as The Great War).





Nov 11, 1985 - President Ronald Reagan
 offering his prayer at a Veterans Day memorial service:


Hear and see the video


"....a few moments ago I placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and as I stepped back and stood during the moment of silence that followed, I said a small prayer. And it occurred to me that each of my predecessors has had a similar moment, and I wondered if our prayers weren't very much the same, if not identical.

We celebrate Veterans Day on the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I, the armistice that began on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. And I wonder, in fact, if all Americans' prayers aren't the same as those I mentioned a moment ago. The timing of this holiday is quite deliberate in terms of historical fact but somehow it always seems quite fitting to me that this day comes deep in autumn when the colors are muted and the days seem to invite contemplation.

We are gathered at the National Cemetery, which provides a final resting place for the heroes who have defended our country since the Civil War. This amphitheater, this place for speeches, is more central to this cemetery than it first might seem apparent, for all we can ever do for our heroes is remember them and remember what they did -- and memories are transmitted through words.

Sometime back I received in the name of our country the bodies of four marines who had died while on active duty. I said then that there is a special sadness that accompanies the death of a serviceman, for we're never quite good enough to them-not really; we can't be, because what they gave us is beyond our powers to repay. And so, when a serviceman dies, it's a tear in the fabric, a break in the whole, and all we can do is remember.

It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country, in defense of us, in wars far away. The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as something like the Founding Fathers, grave and gray haired. But most of them were boys when they died, and they gave up two lives -- the one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything for our country, for us. And all we can do is remember.

There's always someone who is remembering for us. No matter what time of year it is or what time of day, there are always people who come to this cemetery, leave a flag or a flower or a little rock on a headstone. And they stop and bow their heads and communicate what they wished to communicate. They say, "Hello, Johnny," or "Hello, Bob. We still think of you. You're still with us. We never got over you, and we pray for you still, and we'll see you again. We'll all meet again." In a way, they represent us, these relatives and friends, and they speak for us as they walk among the headstones and remember. It's not so hard to summon memory, but it's hard to recapture meaning.

And the living have a responsibility to remember the conditions that led to the wars in which our heroes died. Perhaps we can start by remembering this: that all of those who died for us and our country were, in one way or another, victims of a peace process that failed; victims of a decision to forget certain things; to forget, for instance, that the surest way to keep a peace going is to stay strong. Weakness, after all, is a temptation -- it tempts the pugnacious to assert themselves -- but strength is a declaration that cannot be misunderstood. Strength is a condition that declares actions have consequences. Strength is a prudent warning to the belligerent that aggression need not go unanswered.

Peace fails when we forget what we stand for. It fails when we forget that our Republic is based on firm principles, principles that have real meaning, that with them, we are the last, best hope of man on Earth; without them, we're little more than the crust of a continent. Peace also fails when we forget to bring to the bargaining table God’s first intellectual gift to man: common sense. Common sense gives us a realistic knowledge of human beings and how they think, how they live in the world, what motivates them. Common sense tells us that man has magic in him, but also clay. Common sense can tell the difference between right and wrong. Common sense forgives error, but it always recognizes it to be error first.

We endanger the peace and confuse all issues when we obscure the truth; when we refuse to name an act for what it is; when we refuse to see the obvious and seek safety in Almighty. Peace is only maintained and won by those who have clear eyes and brave minds. Peace is imperiled when we forget to try for agreements and settlements and treaties; when we forget to hold out our hands and strive; when we forget that God gave us talents to use in securing the ends He desires. Peace fails when we forget that agreements, once made, cannot be broken without a price.

Each new day carries within it the potential for breakthroughs, for progress. Each new day bursts with possibilities. And so, hope is realistic and despair a pointless little sin. And peace fails when we forget to pray to the source of all peace and life and happiness. I think sometimes of General Matthew Ridgeway, who, the night before D-day, tossed sleepless on his cot and talked to the Lord and listened for the promise that God made to Joshua: “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

We're surrounded today by the dead of our wars. We owe them a debt we can never repay. All we can do is remember them and what they did and why they had to be brave for us. All we can do is try to see that other young men never have to join them. Today, as never before, we must pledge to remember the things that will continue the peace. Today, as never before, we must pray for God's help in broadening and deepening the peace we enjoy. Let us pray for freedom and justice and a more stable world. And let us make a compact today with the dead, a promise in the words for which General Ridgeway listened, “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

In memory of those who gave the last full measure of devotion, may our efforts to achieve lasting peace gain strength. And through whatever coincidence or accident of timing, I tell you that a week from now when I am some thousands of miles away, believe me, the memory and the importance of this day will be in the forefront of my mind and in my heart.

Thank you. God bless you all, and God bless America."

Text courtesy: http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/speakers/1985remarks.asp
Nov. 10th - 240th Birthday of the Marine Corps

Courtesy Marine Corps League 450
Corps' 239th Birthday video
At 3:50 -  timeline lists all actions our military have been involved with.


On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress, while meeting in Philadelphia, passed a resolution stating that "two Battalions of Marines be raised" 
for service as landing forces with the fleet. 

This resolution established the Continental Marines and marks the birth date of the United States Marine Corps. The serving on land and at sea, these first Marines distinguished themselves in a number of important operations, 
including their first amphibious raid into the Bahamas in March 1776.

The U.S. Marine Corps began as a way to augment naval forces in the Revolutionary War. Their recruiting headquarters was located in the Tun Tavern on Water Street in Philadelphia, which is since considered to be the birthplace of the Marines.

The Treaty of Paris in April 1783 brought the Revolutionary War to an end and as the last Naval ships were sold, the Continental Navy and Marines went out of existence.

Following the Revolutionary War, increasing conflict with France led to the formal re-establishment of the Marine Corps on 11 July 1798. Marines returned to action in the 
quasi-war with France. They landed in Santo Domingo and took part in many operations against 
Barbary pirates along the "Shores of Tripoli".

Since then, Marines have participated in all the wars of the United States,
 and in most cases have been the first service members to fight. 

The motto of the service is Semper Fidelis. It means "Always Faithful" in Latin.

One of Montague's own sons received many valor awards in WW1 

- was born and raised on Clove Rd. and joined the Marines.
COLE, JAMES E.

Private, U.S. Marine Corps
[Shown on right]

Courtesy  - Ancestry.com

75th Company, 6th Machine-Gun Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F.

Date of Action: November 10, 1918    
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James E. Cole, Private, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 75th Company, 6th Machine-Gun Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action near Beaumont, France, on November 10, 1918. Private Cole was painfully wounded in the foot by a bursting shell which killed or wounded all the members of his gun crew, but, as soon as he had obtained first aid treatment, he immediately returned to his comrades and worked all night under heavy shell fire at carrying the wounded to the dressing station.
General Orders No. 32, W.D., 1919          Born: at Montague, New Jersey

Other Award: Navy Cross (Same Action)


After returning home, he became a dairy farmer. Later in life, he relocated 
to Port Jervis, NY. There he was elected and served as the Mayor of Port Jervis 1952-55.





Courtesy
http://www.cardigansandcravats.com/blog/2014/10/29/happy-vintage-halloween

As reported in the
HERALD STATESMAN, YONKERS. NY, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1969:

Halloween, celebrated on the night of Oct. 31, has its origins in Roman Catholicism and pagan Druidism. It takes its name from All Saints' Day because Oct. 31 was called All Hallows' Eve, "eve of all the holy ones' day."

All Saints' Day. a holy day honoring all Christian saints and especially those who do not have days named for them, will bo observed on Saturday, Nov. 1. All Saints' Day was first celebrated on May 13, 610. as the Feast of All Holy Martyrs when Emperor Phocas gave the ancient Roman temple of the Pantheon to Pope Boniface IV as a church.

Gradually the feast was extended to commemorate all saints in addition to those who have given their lives for their faith.

Modern Halloween festivities derive from the Christian feast day and the old Druid autumn festival, Samhan (pronounced SAHwin) or summer's end.

The Druids, an order of priests in ancient Gaul and Britain, celebrated by feasting on the foods grown during the summer.

The custom of using leaves, pumpkins and cornstalks as Halloween decorations comes from the Druids. This ancient order also believed that on Halloween ghosts, spirits, witches and elves came to harm people. They thought that cats, whom they considered sacred. were once human beings which  had boon changed as punishment for evil deeds. 

The present-day use of witches, ghosts and cats at Halloween stems from these beliefs. So, if you still fool like venturing out on Halloween, remember the words of Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley and take care
   "An' the Gobble-uns 'at gits you 
ef you don't watch out!"   
 [ from his poem titled: "The Elf Child" - later renamed "Little Orphant Annie"]


The origins of trick or treating and dressing up in costume stem from 16th century 
Ireland, Scotland and Wales where people would go door-to-door in costume 
asking for food in exchange for a poem or song. 

The phrase trick-or-treat was first used in 1927 in America , 
when these traditions were brought over to America by immigrants.



Reminder  -  "FALL back!" 
watches and clocks set back tonight .. we gain an hour of sleep!
Thankfully cell phones and computers do so on their own now.

It's a good time to be sure all battery powered smoke and CO2 alarms work.

Baseball is at least 170 years old,
and the first game written of was played in NJ!

The first competitive game was played in 1845 at Elysian Fields in Hoboken.


As per excerpts of a 1990 NY Times account at: 
 http://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/04/nyregion/cooperstown-hoboken-try-new-york-city.html

The discovery was made by Edward L. Widmer, a Harvard student, who was doing research for his doctoral dissertation at the New-York Historical Society on Central Park West.
'Time-Honored Game'

In a copy of The New York Morning News, Mr. Widmer found an account of a game on Oct. 21, 1845, between the New York Ball Club and a team from Brooklyn. Like the 1846 game credited by historians as the first, the earlier game was played at the Elysian Fields, then a bucolic area easily reachable by ferry from Manhattan [[in Hoboken], which was already suffering from overdevelopment.

And the newspaper account of the 1845 game suggests that there had been even earlier contests. ''A friendly match of the time-honored game of Base was played yesterday at the Elysian Fields, Hoboken,'' the article said.

New York won, 24 to 4, aided by a grand slam, or in the vocabulary of the time, ''four aces'' off a single hit.

John Bowman, a co-author of ''Diamonds in the Rough: The Untold History of Baseball,'' said, ''This looks like the first box score and first published newspaper account of a game.''

When Gov. Jim Florio proclaimed ''Baseball Day'' on the previously held June 19th date, based on 1846, he related: ''The truth is that baseball was born here in Hoboken.'' 

Baseball developed from the 18th-century English boys' game of rounders, Dr. Voigt said. Rounders was played in America by soldiers at Valley Forge during the American Revolution. But various regions, including Massachusetts, New York and Philadelphia, initially had their own informal variations of the game, and it was only in the mid-1840's in New York that teams specially organized to play baseball sprang up, formulating a set of rules similar to the modern game.

Check out the newly redone website 
for the 
Click the link above



Courtesy of the Office of Public Affairs -
US Dept.of Veterans Affairs

Montague Township will hold its annual Veteran's Day Service 
on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 11:00AM 
at the grounds at the Montague Township Building, 277 Clove Road, Montague.
 The service will be conducted by the township's
 Boy Scout Troop 98, Cub Scout Pack 98, 
and Girl Scout Troop 70840. 
This will be held rain or shine. 

 MARCH - Montague’s historical society has prepared a photo exhibit 
of veterans from Montague, which will be displayed that day. 
Courtesy Tri-States Railway Preservation Society


Many from Montague worked on, or in support of, the Erie Railroad 
in Port Jervis - some provided railroad ties. 

From the May, 1927 Issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Courtesy Erie Railroad Obituaries



Jacob Ramage died on March 5 (1927) at his home in Montague township, N.J.,
aged nearly 87 years. As a young man he served in the Civil war
and was wounded at Salem Church, Va. After the war he engaged in farming
and later entered the employ of the Erie Railroad
and for over twenty years was conductor of a freight train.

Mr. Ramage was survived by a widow and one daughter
and also three brothers and one sister.
He was the oldest member of the Odd Fellows' lodge at Port Jervis,
which organization he joined in 1871.
His home was on Clove Road, just north of the mini-mall. 
He had served with Company K, Fifteenth Regiment 
and had been wounded at White Oak. He is buried in Laurel Grove cemetery.
If you heard volleys of gunshots this morning before sunrise, it's opening day of

                                                                                                                                NJ's Waterfowl / Migratory Bird  hunting season for the Northern region.


Drivers - be alert for bicyclists 
on the Black Bear Century route!

http://neptunespearsports.com/black-bear-century-ride.html#About

Their varied 88, 98, and 107 routes definitely go on River Rd. to New Mashipacong 
& some continue to Old Mashipacong Rd., 
and return over Clove Rd., Red Hill Rd. and New Rd.  

Stay alert!


        A printable map& listing, brochures, and an interactive GIS map are posted at the SCAHC website.



Courtesy http://1863schoolhouse.org/Events.html


Deerpark Museum Open House 
 Celebrating 325 years

Sunday, September 27th , 2015 @ 11 to 4 p.m.

Lenape Indian Display / Frank Salvati
Antique Tools & Colonial Hand Crafts
Outdoor Wood-fire Baking
Cooking & Medicinal Herb Lore
Broome Street Fife & Drum at Noon
Dedication of National register Plaque
Children's Petting Zoo
"Deerest Dearpark" Deer & Artwork
Tri- State Veteran Memorial Information
Vietnam War Commemoration
Refreshments

1863 Huguenot Schoolhouse Neversink Valley Grange, Grange Rd. Huguenot, New York


also today
Courtesy   www.facebook.com/PortJervisNYcom

Courtesy  www.scahc.org/





"Gravestone Art and Symbolism"
A presentation tomorrow 9/12 at the Sussex-Wantage Branch
 of the Sussex County Library System, 66 Route 639, Wantage, NJ, 07461.

 Phone#   973 875 3940     www.sussexcountylibrary.org

by  wiseowlworkshops.com   for Adults and Focused Teens


Early New England burial grounds were the first public art galleries in the New World. Even today, many of these tranquil sites display the remarkable artistic, cultural and religious changes of this region. Old gravestones or markers often explained how entire families lived and died.

This presentation will cover the progression and interpretation of early symbols or icons, from those seen in family burial plots to the more elaborate ones seen in the “rural” and lawn park cemeteries of the Victorian era and, later still, in the Memorial Parks of the 20th Century. 

 Modern examples of memorialization and symbolism will be included, as will the changing techniques and skills required by the early slate and sandstone carvers, contrasting with today's techniques such as laser etching. It includes some stories of people that these stones commemorate. Covers the progression and interpretation of early symbolism, from family burial plots to the elaborate rural cemeteries of the Victorian era, through to the Memorial Parks of the 20th Century. 

 The 1 hour presentation will conclude with an opportunity for questions and a photographic tour of some local cemeteries.
Now open through Aug. 9th


Courtesy   www.njstatefair.org/fair
One of Montague's own is recognized as a founder of 
the Fair
 that started in 1940
March 11, 1940 MIddletown Times Herald

 Stanley B. Roberts was well-known for his dairy farm, which stretched from SR- 31 [now Route 206] down to the intersection of Rubin Hill Rd and River Rd. 
His farmland was claimed for the Tocks Island project, but both houses survive.

 He and his family is memorialized on the Tree visible at the lobby 
of the Fairground's Administration building.


2015
Montague Grange's display look's great, as usual, 
in the Richards building [#47] 

Please take a look at Montague Township's within the County Building [#52]. 
 People's Choice votes are being taken for the displays there til Tues.

Fair Map is viewable at  
http://www.njstatefair.org/fair/pocket_calendar_map2.1.pdf


Reminders:

Military Vets get in for free every day - bring applicable ID

Sussex County residents:



                                                          60+ proof of age req'd
Senior’s Day
Thursday, August 6    Seniors $4    [60+] at the gate

Last Blast
Sunday, August 9        Adult $8     Child / Senior FREE at the gate

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