The Battle of the Bulge (1944-45)


Yesterday marked the 75th Anniversary of 
the Battle of the Bulge in WW2.


Only one veteran participated, 95-year-old George Arnstein, 
who braved the weather. 


"My outfit was part of the counterattack," he recalled. 
"We kept going. We crossed from Luxembourg into Germany and then went all the way across Germany eastward until we met the Red Army, which was coming westward. It was a meeting, as I like to put it, deep in the heart of Saxony. Then it was over."
Excerpted from https://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/

With each passing year, fewer survivors of WW2 remain.

"Yielding to the inalterable process of aging, the men and women who fought and won the great conflict are now in their late 80s and 90s. They are dying quickly—according to US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, 389,292 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are alive in 2019."
in NJ, -  slightly more than 11,000 remain.
THE PASSING OF THE WWII GENERATION

THANKSGIVING DAY - 1919 

BY THE PRESIDENT
 OF THE 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
- A PROCLAMATION 

     The season of the year has again arrived when the people of the United States are accustomed to unite in giving thanks to Almighty God for the blessings which He has conferred upon our country during the twelve months that have passed. A year ago our people poured out their hearts in praise and thanksgiving that through divine aid the right was victorious and peace had come to the nations which had so courageously struggled in defense of human liberty and justice. Now that the stern task is ended and the fruits of achievement are ours, we look forward with confidence to the dawn on an era where the sacrifices of the nations will find recompense in a world at peace.
       But to attain the consummation of the great work to which the American people devoted their manhood and the vast resources of their country they should, as they give thanks to God, reconsecrate themselves to those principles of right which triumphed through His merciful goodness. Our gratitude can find no more perfect expression than to bulwark with loyalty and patriotism those principles for which the free peoples of the earth fought and died.             During the past year we have had much to make us grateful. In spite of the confusion in our economic life resulting from the war we have prospered. Our harvests have been plentiful, and of our abundance we have been able to render succor to less favored nations. Our democracy remains unshaken in a world torn with political and social unrest. Our traditional ideals are still our guides in the path of progress and civilization.
      These great blessings, vouchsafed to us, for which we devoutly give thanks, should arouse us to a fuller sense of our duty to ourselves and to mankind to see to it that nothing that we may do shall mar the completeness of the victory which we helped to win. No selfish purpose animated us in becoming participants in the world war, and with a like spirit of unselfishness we should strive to aid by our example and by our cooperation in realizing the enduring welfare of all peoples and in bringing into being a world ruled by friendship and good will.
       Wherefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America, hereby designate Thursday, the twenty-seventh day of November next, for observance as a day of thanksgiving and prayer by my fellow-countrymen, inviting them to cease on that day from their ordinary tasks and to unite in their homes and in their several places of worship in ascribing praise and thanksgiving to God the Author of all blessings and the Master of our destinies.
        In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
           Done in the District of Columbia this 5th day of November in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and nineteen, and of the independence of the United States the one hundred and forty-fourth.

WOODROW WILSON

 www.pilgrimhall.org/pdf/
TG_Presidential_Thanksgiving_Proclamations_1910_1919.pdf
Thanksgiving day is nearly upon us

Anyone daring enough to try a recipe from 1772?

For Receipts on how to Boil a Turkey, make Stuffing  or Sauce 
to a Boiled Turkey  - see pages 18 - 19

FYI
"William and Mary Morris wrote in their column 
Words, Wit, and Wisdom in 1970,
‘Throughout New England and in rural areas in many other parts of the country, you will still hear receipt more often than recipe.’ "
   
 VETERAN'S  DAY

Veterans Day is intended to thank all those who 
honorably served in the military – in war time or peace time.


The theme for the 2019 Veterans Day Poster is: “Service”

"Veterans contribute to American society in many ways; not just during their time in active duty. Throughout our history, military service members have put on their uniforms to protect the values and liberties that this nation was built on. But that doesn’t stop once the uniform comes off and their time in active duty has ended. Veterans take the lessons they have learned and the experiences they’ve gained and continue their service to our nation by strengthening our communities. They become our nation’s leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs. Veterans are the most active volunteers working to improve communities across our country. Service goes beyond the uniform. This Veteran’s Day, we honor the men and women who have worn their uniform who continue to serve our country."


Veterans Day Facts Infographic
Infographic and  excerpts from MilitaryBenefits.info.

Veterans Day is observed every year on November 11th. 
It evolved from Armistice Day, which was
 proclaimed in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson. 
Armistice is when warring parties agree to stop fighting; 
Armistice Day 
recognized the end of World War 1 
when hostilities ceased 
on November 11th, 2018 at 11 A.M 
(11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month).


The Port Jervis Union on November 11th, 1919
published 


National Park Service Releases Draft Visitor Use Management Plan for Public Review and Comment


Draft VUM Plan Update posted on www.Facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS:

 Due to a power outage at the NPS Denver Data Center, which hosts the Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website, PEPC will NOT be accessible from 6 pm on Friday 11/1 until 2 pm on Sunday 11/3. We apologize for the inconvenience

Comments can also be mailed to DEWA VUM Plan Team, 1978 River Road, Bushkill, PA, 18325. 
Comments will be accepted until December 6, 2019.

BUSHKILL, PA- The National Park Service announced today that the draft Visitor Use Management Plan (VUM Plan) for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River is now available for public review and comment until December 6, 2019. The VUM Plan was developed with input from the public and park stakeholders and is designed to maximize the park’s ability to provide recreational access and improve visitor experiences while protecting the parks’ natural and cultural resources.

During the development of the draft plan, the NPS sought public feedback and input during two rounds of public meetings and public comment periods. “We are now asking our visitors, local residents, stakeholders, elected officials, and other interested parties to take one more look at the draft VUM Plan and the informational materials that we have provided and tell us what you think,” said Superintendent Sula Jacobs. “Public involvement is essential to a successful planning effort. Our team really wants and needs to hear your thoughts and ideas in order to make this a useful plan. Your input helps ensure the park provides enhanced recreational access and improved experiences for our visitors, while also protecting the special places our visitors enjoy.”

How to Participate
The draft VUM Plan is available for a 60-day public review and comment period that closes on December 6, 2019.  All comments must be received by this date.

Review documents and comment online.  

The draft VUM Plan, a project newsletter, and all materials from the open house meetings will be available for review and written comments may be submitted at

 https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=220&projectID=55912&documentID=99017. 


Send us a letter. 
 Comments may be submitted by mail to Superintendent Sula Jacobs, ATTN: VUM Planning Team, 1978 River Road, Bushkill, PA, 18324.
For those without internet access, hard copies of the draft VUM Plan may be obtained by calling (570) 426-2418. Emailed comments or comments made on social media will not be accepted.

Goals of the draft VUM Plan
The National Park Service seeks to identify ways to achieve the following goals and objectives through the development and implementation of the draft VUM Plan: 
  • Minimize impacts to the park’s natural and cultural resources and visitor experiences caused by visitor use;
  • Enhance opportunities for the park’s key visitor experiences;
  • Assess the appropriateness of current and new/evolving visitor opportunities while considering visitor safety and resource protection; 
  • Align public expectations for use with availability of resources or infrastructure;
  • Increase understanding of existing and emerging visitor interests, use characteristics, patterns, and trends; 
  • Manage visitor demand and expectations throughout the park; 
  • Identify and evaluate and various visitor use management strategies; and
  • Project financial requirements and economic strategies to pay for each proposed action.

Proposed Actions
The draft VUM Plan details numerous proposed actions that the park would take as funds are available or to generate additional revenue.  These proposed actions include but are not limited to the following: 
  • Transition from the current practice of charging an amenity fee at 6 discrete areas to charging an entrance fee for all park users; the majority of the funds collected would remain in the park for use on deferred maintenance projects and to pay for the implementation of the strategies identified in the VUM Plan.  Entrance passes would cost $25/car, $20/motorcycle, and $15/person for a 7-day pass; annual passes would be available for $45. 
  • Add up to 20 new river campsites, improve facilities at existing campsites, and implement a reservation and fee system for river campsite use; campsites would cost $16 per night;
  • Explore the possibility of developing a new river access on the New Jersey side of the park;
  • Develop picnic sites that can accommodate large groups; implement a permit/reservation system to regulate use levels; and enhance and improve current picnic facilities;
  • Improve the trail system by linking trail networks, enhancing accessibility, and diversifying experiences;
  • Provide or improve universal access at key locations throughout the park to offer a range of recreational opportunities for a variety of users;
  • Modernize delivery and strategically locate education and interpretation services including a mobile visitor center and increased partnerships.

Why COLUMBUS Day came to be....


For many Italian Americans, Columbus Day has long been their day to celebrate Italian heritage and the contributions of Italian Americans to the United States. It was adopted at a time when Italians were being vilified and faced both religious and ethnic discrimination.

{BTW it is observed by various countries in the Americas as Día de la Raza, in Italy, Spain, and various Little Italys around the world.}

It was made a national holiday in 1934 to honor a man who, ironically, never set foot in the United States - as Columbus actually anchored in the Bahamas. The first commemoration came in 1892, when President Benjamin Harrison proclaimed a one-time national celebration - one year after a mass lynching of 11 Italian Americans by a mob in New Orleans. Italian Americans then held onto that day as a way to mainstream and humanize themselves in the face of rampant discrimination.

For many Italian Americans, Columbus Day isn't mostly about the individual but about what the day represents: a people searching for safety and acceptance in their new home.

National Italian American Foundation, John M. Viola, wrote in a 2017 New York Times editorial, "The 'tearing down of history' does not change that history. In the wake of the cultural conflict that has ripped us apart over these months, I wonder if we as a country can't find better ways to utilize our history to eradicate racism instead of inciting it. Can't the monuments and holidays born of our past be reimagined to represent new values for our future?"

He went on to write, "We believe Christopher Columbus represents the values of discovery and risk that are at the heart of the American dream, and that it is our job as the community most closely associated with his legacy to be at the forefront of a sensitive and engaging path forward, toward a solution that considers all sides."
Adaptation of https://www.npr.org/ article re:   Columbus Day Or Indigenous Peoples' Day?

If you missed Sat.'s conference at SCCC 
- here's a chance to get updated information.

Remain alert -  ticks will be active in damp weather.



Eighteenth anniversary of 9/11

Many under the age of twenty are unaware 
of the impact of all that happened on that day. 
Those of us who lived though it will never forget
 where we were, when the first news
 of a plane hitting one of the iconic 
Twin Towers in NYC reached us.



History Channel video:
A timeline of the attacks on the World Trade Center 
in New York City on September 11, 2001.




Made By Messina

                               September 11th, 2001 
          First Responders Tribute
"This was not easy to make, and
 it's not easy to watch, 
but ...
when this horrific attack happened, 
New York City turned to the first responders 
as they fled towards the nightmarish scene.

To all the hero's that day, 
I made this video as a thank you. 
Uniform or no uniform. 

As the events of September 11th 
unfolded on our country 
the world lost a lot of innocent lives. 

These tragedies caused New York City to come together, this country to come together 
and the world to come together. 

To The Survivors & To The Fallen 
We Will Never Forget."
A bit of history about LABOR DAY

1956 postage stamp

How Labor Day Originated 
In the spring of 1880, General Secretary P. J. McGuire, of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, first originated the observance of a distinct and now holiday- with parade and picnic - to be known as "Labor Day." He broached the idea to several labor men and then to the Central Labor union of New York, and got them to adopt it. The first Monday in September, 1882, was agreed upon as the day for the first public observance of '' Labor Day." 
The first attempt was deemed to be so successful by the Central Labor union that it decided to celebrate the first Monday in September every year as labor's holiday. The plan was then indorsed by the annual convention of the American Federation of Labor, and by the general assembly of the Knights of Labor. The idea met with favor in other cities and states, and the labor organizations in them observed the day in various ways - by parades, festivals, excursions, or meetings, and have continued to do so. - Carpenter.

from THE EVENING GAZETTE
 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1889

Labor Day Parade, Union Square, New York, 1887.
Image ID: G91F182_026F
Read more background info at

Photo by Daniel Freel/ New Jersey Herald with permission


Miss Montague, Lucy Colvin, 
has been chosen 
as the 
2019 Queen of the Fair.


FYI
It is known that in 1977, Sandy Mann, 
and 1978, Kimberly Rome -
two other Miss Montague's,
were crowned as Queen of the Fair.

In 2009, Rachel Thompson, was a 1st Runner up, 
and in 2017, Brooke Johnson, received 
the People's Choice award.
 Congratulations to 
Miss Montague 
& 
this year's Royalty!


 Miss Montague - Lucy Colvin
 

Jr. Miss Montague -  Samantha Domke

Little Miss Montague -  Samantha Amelung

Little Mister Montague -  Dean Schneider



                    

                   Courtesy of the Montague Twp. Recreation
& Kaitlin Frato Facebook Posts

TICKs aren't only thing to look out for!

 Be on the lookout & avoid these plants that can give severe skin reactions. 

 The Giant Hogweed, Wild Parsnip and Cow Parsnip are three you really don't want to mess with.


Wild parsnip is the easiest to ID as its flowers are yellow. 
It is growing up this way!


“Chemical compounds in the sap produced by both the Wild Parsnip and Giant Hogweed invasive plants are extremely dangerous to humans. Skin that comes into contact with the sap becomes extremely sensitive to sunlight, resulting in a painful burn that produces severe blisters and scarring. Sap in the eyes can cause blindness. Contact with the broken stem, leaves or seeds causes exposure to the dangerous sap. Often the irritation will be streaked or splattered, indicating the manner in which the plant's juices came into contact with your skin. “

“Affected areas can remain discolored and sensitive to sunlight for up to two years, similar to but not as severe as contact with giant hogweed. “

“If your skin has come into contact with Wild Parsnip sap from the juices of its stem or leaves, WASH the area immediately and thoroughly with soap and water and AVOID ALL SUNLIGHT for 48 hours to lessen the severity of the reaction. FLUSH eyes with water and avoid sunlight if you think you may have gotten the sap in your eye. Remember, the sap contains phototoxins, which are activated by UV light exposure to cause severe burns. It is wise to seek medical attention if you have had exposure to this plant's harmful sap. “

Excerpted from:
https://www.adirondack.net/invasives-harmful-plants/wild-parsnip/ 
 http://nyis.info/invasive_species/wild-parsnip/


"Flush the skin with large amounts of water without rubbing. Then use soap on the skin to remove residue. Do not rub with a washcloth, which could force the burning chemicals deeper into the skin. Use cold water to wash away the chemical residue, both humidity and warmth will open the pores of the skin and spread absorption. Similarly, remaining outside in the humidity and sweating will increase absorption." 

Excerpted from

"If sap gets into the eyes, it can cause temporary or permanent blindness in humans and pets."

Excerpted from:

Wild Parsnip is also Poisonous to Livestock


See pages 3 & 4 in this NJ Dept. of Agriculture brochure 
in order to be able to identify all of them.
Tick info is at   https://www.pikepa.org/tick.html 
Watch this video

Remove ticks properly & promptly.








Today we mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day

Photo by Gloria Holt
                           Courtesy www.usar.army.mil


The prayer FDR read that day over national broadcast radio



Corp. Irvine R De Remer died in France later in 1944 and his remains were moved and reburied at Saint Avold, Cemetery, Saint Avold, France   at grave number: C 21 45

He was known to many as "Sonny" and had attended school at Matamoras, PA.

His parents bought their farm on River Rd.in Montague, once called "Millbrook Farm", and ran it as a boarding house for locals and summer visitors, with the help of his G. I. insurance according to what his nephew understood. 

His parents, Irvine Sr. and Bertha, acquired the property in 1945, though they may have first moved to town in 1942. They lost it to the Tocks Island acquisitions, and it still stands on the left side of Shimer's Brook. 
A Courtesy Graphic photo

 The day was established by Congress in 1971 as an official federal holiday, named Memorial Day.
It was originally called Decoration Day, and started as a day set aside to visit and to 
decorate the graves of fallen soldiers.
It is a day of remembrance for all those who have died in service of the United States of America.

 Since it is a day for more than Special Sales & BBQ's,
please attend the Memorial Day Service 
by the Montague Municipal Building on Monday, May 27th, at 11 am.

   Image and info courtesy of 
JBSA Photo Gallery



Shared from the
The True Meaning of Memorial Day FB page


@CDCgov Twitter  4 May 2018 :


 
Ticks can be the size of a poppy seed. 
Can you spot all 5 ticks in this photo? 

Learn how to prevent tick bites. http://bit.ly/2rjox6U 
Bad enough ticks are out and active now,
 but now there's a new "Kissing Bug" 
and it's heading north. 

 See video at https://cbsloc.al/2PUgqcC

If you do come across one of these kissing bugs,  Dr. Vivian Bellofatto of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. says don’t touch it with bare hands. 
Put on some gloves or grab some tweezers. 
Put the bug in a plastic bag and bring it to a local health department for identification.

CDC image
https://cnycentral.com/news/local/health-officials-warn-of-deadly-kissing-bug-04-26-2019
A bite by this type of bug carrying the parasite can lead to chagas disease. The first sign is often swelling around the bite, followed by fever and exhaustion that can last for weeks. Years later the infection can lead to a more chronic disease.

Already spotted in the states of 
Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Read about it at this site.

However, the transmission of the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite from a bug to a human is not easy. The parasite that causes the disease is in the bug feces. The bug generally poops on or near a person while it is feeding on her blood, usually when the person is sleeping. Transmission of the parasite happens when poop is accidentally rubbed into the bite wound or into a mucous membrane (for example, the eye or mouth), and the parasite enters the body.  
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/gen_info/vectors/index.html

Best not to rub or scratch if bit - wash area first .
Courtesy CDC.gov





Be on the lookout for TICKS!
   Some can be the size of a poppy seed so remain alert.

The wet year and milder winter may lead to a greater surge of ticks and tick-borne diseases .

Watch this 2 minute clip from the CDC about 
Ticks, Fleas, Mosquitoes causing more illnesses.

Tips on avoiding a tick bite

Keep grass short and underbrush thinned and cleared of leaves at your home. 

When hiking, stay in the center of the trail. Avoid walking into any tall grass or bushes.

Wear long pants and long sleeves if you have to enter a forest or heavily wooded area.

Wear light-colored clothes to help you spot ticks easily.

Tuck pants into socks to keep ticks from getting under your clothes.

Apply EPA-registered insect repellent on your skin, clothing, boots and camping gear when outdoors to prevent ticks from getting on your body.                                                                                      

Use repellant that has 20 to 30 percent DEET on both your skin and on top of your clothes.

Check your body for ticks.  Check yourself, kids, and pets after going outside to these areas, especially your armpit area and hair. 

Ticks prefer damp and dark places.

Shower within 2 hours of being outdoors. 

If you find a tick, carefully remove it as close to the skin and it's mouth with fine-pointed tweezers. 
Grasp by mouth parts and pull steadily outward. 
Don't use petroleum jelly, chemicals or anything hot  as these may only make an infected tick more likely to transmit germs into you. 

The soonest a tick is removed, the less likely it is to transmit any disease.

Here are images of the varied ticks that bite humans and another of the varied infections they are known to transmit, beyond Lyme.

And be the on the lookout for the newst tick now surfacing in NJ -  the  Asian longhorned tick.


Good resources :
Facebook: TickEncounter Resource Center

https://tickencounter.org/PDF/PowassanVirus_TERC.pdf

 Support our local 
Montague Grange, No. 140, P.O.H. 
The organization incorporated
 in 1905 on March 24th.
It will mark being a part 
of our township's heritage
for 114 years!





LAFAYETTE - The National Society of the 
Daughters of the American Revolution’s Chinkchewunska Chapter presented a half-dozen awards, including one historic honor, to those committed to the history and conservation of Sussex County at its 24th annual awards luncheon Saturday at the Lafayette House.

  Here is the link to the story: 


 Courtesy: www.facebook.com/walpackhistory/
 History Award recipient, Alicia Batko, 
expressing "...her deep gratitude towards all those, 
without whose encouragement over the years,
 would not have brought me to this day".

{ Mrs. Batko currently assists at the Minisink Valley Historical Society and serves on their Board. She is a member of MARCH, of the Sussex County Historical Society, and is with
the Walpack Historical Society - which also received an award, as well participates in the National Park Service Volunteers in Parks (VIP) program. }   



Curious how St. Valentine's Day originated? 

[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons


St. Valentine's Day -- The old story in all lands
Published in: Harper's Weekly, Volume XII, 22 February 1868, p. 124.
 Drawn by Winslow Homer.

Sat., March 02, 2019 will mark the 24th Annual 
Chinkchewunska Community Service Awards luncheon.

The Daughters of the American Revolution
Chinkchewunska Chapter presents many prestigious awards
to local individuals and/or groups.

Show your support of the award winners by purchasing a ticket to  the event! 
Public is Invited to attend the DAR 24th Annual Awards Luncheon at Noon at the Lafayette House.

Click here to see their Facebook post and a related article
with information on how to reserve / obtain tickets,
which are available in advance only and by Feb. 23rd.
February = 
  last full month of the Winter season!
Check out this countdown to Spring!!!

 Let's hope that Punxsutawney Phil, who did not see his shadow and is thus "predicting" an early spring for us all, is right this time!
Did You Know? 

On February 4 1789, the Electoral College unanimously elected George Washington as the first U.S. president.

 Montague's historic Foster-Armstrong House is dated as being built circa 1790. It's witnessed a lot of history & the evolution of the township!

 "The Old Farmer's Almanac" was started in 1792. 
Click on this link to find out more about February,some fun facts and info.

 Since 1976, as designated by President Gerald Ford, the United States has celebrated the achievements of African-Americans during February as Black History Month.

 Little is known of our state's earlier black residents or of their Black history overall.
           10 LITTLE KNOWN BLACK HISTORY FACTS

Often such info is stumbled upon while researching.
One man, Jacob Scott, is noted as having been born here. He served as a Private in the 8th Regiment Colored Infantry during the Civil War.
  
National Archives and Records Administration image


Blacks who served in the Civil War from Sussex County 
- as compiled by JC Rights for the Sons of Sussex.

    Remain safe though this deep freeze.



Frostbite happens when the skin and tissue right below the skin's surface freeze and can occur in just a few minutes on exposed skin, especially on fingers, toes, ears and the nose during extreme cold events.

The National Weather Service has a Wind Chill Advisory for our immediate area until 1pm tomorrow, Mon. 1/21, and warns:

THE VERY COLD WIND CHILLS COULD CAUSE FROSTBITE ON EXPOSED SKIN IN AS LITTLE 
AS 30 MINUTES.
Courtesy https://www.weather.gov/safety/winter

Click: What You Need To Do Before It Gets Ridiculously Cold
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)