Miss Montague 2012

Alexandra Lynn Frost

&

Young Miss, Little Miss & Little Mr.

 Daisy Lugo, Sara Holcomb, and Davian A. Southard

Miss Montague's sister, Samantha Frost, was this year's runner-up.

She will compete should Miss Montague be unable to participate

in Sussex County's Queen of the Fair pageant in August.

The Miss Montague 2012 Pageant was hosted at the High Point Country Club and the event itself was sponsored by the Montague Township Volunteer Fire Dept.

Fire Chief Jesse Brace crowned each finalist and the awards were presented by MVFD Pres., Kevin Kelly.

Summer will soon be upon us...

The Montague Association for the Restoration of Community History, Montague's historical society, which formed in 1979 during the Tocks Island Dam era  to preserve the remnants of the Town's heritage - will open two sites administered by the organization under agreements with the Dept. of the Interior and within the Delaware Water Gap National Rectreation Area each Sunday, June 24th through Aug. 26th, from 1-4 p.m.

The ca. 1790 Foster-Armstrong House [FAH] is on CR 521 at 320 River Road, about 1 mile north of the Milford/Montague Bridge, in Montague, N.J. It is on the National Register of Historic Sites.  
The Nelden-Roberts Stonehouse [NRS] is at 501 Rt. 206 North, about 1 mile south of the Montague-Milford Bridge, and listed  on the State Historic Register of N.J.

No charge for admission at either site - donations toward maintenance of the sites welcomed.

Special Exhibitors being featured:

June 24, Sunday, 1-4; FAH: “Mother Goose’s Chickens” -  Mini-farm presentation by Sharon Orce, along with live chickens and geese.

July 1, Sunday, 1 - 4, FAH; “Nature Photography and Local Anecdotes”. Keith Utter will display some of his award-winning photographs of scenery, wildlife and local Sussex County history.

July 8, Sunday, 1 – 4, FAH; Basket weaving display and ‘how to’ by Barbara Meyer and friends.  Watch as they make it look easy to weave varied decorative and useful baskets! Many handmade examples on display.

July 15, Sunday, 1 – 4;  FAH: Exhibit of Nature Photography and song by Karen Stevenson. Karen will display her great photography and greet you with music in the keeping room at the Foster-Armstrong House.
        at NRS: The Minisink Garden Club members will share info about the traditional herb garden theymaintain at the Nelden- Roberts Stonehouse.

July 22, Sunday, 1 – 4, FAH: Chair caning demonstration by Richard Jones. Get answers to questions about chair seat repairs and see varied caning examples on display.

July 29, Sunday, 1-4, FAH:  Covered Bridge Display by Bill Coughlin on the porch and room on 2nd floor – showing his recreated to scale models from around the U.S., along with  Model Trains displayed by the Sussex County Railroad – who can share info about Sussex County’s own early railroads. 

August 5, Sunday, 1 – 4; FAH: Montague Q & A with town historian, Alicia Batko.  Come with any questions you have about the town’s history or its places. She will share her knowledge about Montague and display local Tri-State postcards and local items. Acquire the Montague book, published by Arcadia as a way to generate support for M.A.R.C.H. – and have it personalized by the author.

August, 12, Sunday, 1 – 4; FAH:  Baskets, books and the music of the Lenape and other Indian tribes by Beth Jones.  See her personal collection, as well as M.A.R.C.H.’s, of Indian artifacts and learn their stories.

August 19, Sunday, 1 – 4; FAH: Lost Art Lacers.  Come watch the ladies demonstrate how the lovely, detailed lace pieces are still made by hand. 

August 26, Sunday, 1-4; FAH:  Quilting exhibit and ‘how to’ by Sylvia (Greening) Lau.  See how hand quilting is done. View sample quilts displayed and M.A.R.C.H.’s own vintage quilt collection.

   Memorial Day Observance  

USMC veteran Robert Benson and US Army veteran Douglas Dalrymple salute the flag after placing a wreath at Montague Township's Veteran's memorial.

Our local Girl Scouts, along with Pioneer Scouts, presented the colors at the annual ceremony held by the town hall - under the overall direction of a leader, Mrs. Rhodi Teufert. Pastor Forleo of the Minisink Reformed Church offered the invocation and read  "We Remember Them". Mayor George Zitone spoke to the solemn meaning of this day. Rev. Varga of St. James RC Church gave the final benediction. All the veterans in attendance were recognized, and an empty chair was shaded during the ceremony, to remind all of us of those who have passed on.

  The observance of this day was first held on May 30th, 1868 by the proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, as the first major observance to honor those who died "in defense of their country during the late rebellion". It was initially known as "Decoration Day", when the gravesites of both Union and Confederate soldiers were decorated with wreaths or the planting of flowers. That event was held yearly on May 30th until Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday in 1971, and noted that the holiday would be marked on the last Monday in May.

As in 2011-2015 our country is marking the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, it would be proper to stop and visit our township's own cemetery adjoining the Minisink Reformed Church - where many local Civil War veterans are laid to rest, along with veterans from later conflicts. Instead of wreaths or flowers now set upon their graves, freshly placed American flags mark their final resting places.


Amended Public Domain Postcard


Montague's heritage involved the bravery of those who protected this early frontier during the French and Indian and the Revolutionary Wars - before we were even the "United States of America".  Many of those veterans lay buried in small, often forgotten, plots scattered about our countryside. Few had engraved tombstones.. as often only simple field-stones, some of which have since toppled over, mark their graves.

To hear how men in the 18th century would have dressed .. come to a program being offered by the Montague Assoc. for the Restoration of Community History [MARCH]. The society will host a presentation by Fred Schofer on Thurs. evening, May 31st at 7pm. Mr. Schofer is a volunteer and interpretive guide of living history at Millbrook Village and will appear as a "military scout" of that period.
The program will be held at the Foster-Armstrong House, 320 River Rd. / CR 521 in Montague and is open to all!

Time to think of planting - Flowers, Gardens....

Local old-time residents abide by May 15th - or even Memorial day as the earliest to safely plant or set out sensitive flowers or vegetables due to the fluctuating temps. Temperature spikes in April and early May can often be followed by unexpected frosts or freezes.

Anyone who'd like to learn more - there's a local garden club which has been in existence for many years. Its members are willing to talk about their experiences and share their time tested experiences.

MINISINK GARDEN CLUB MEETING - 5/10

 

The May meeting of the Minisink Garden Club of Montague, N.J. will be held on May 10th at 1:30 P.M. in the Fellowship HAll of the Minisink Reformed Church at 346 River Road in Montague, N.J. -within 1/2 mile north of the Milfrd-Montague Bridge. 

A Horticulturist from Grey Towers will give a talk on pruning at this meeting.  Attendees are invited to bring their own pruning tools for a hands on experience in learning the techniques of pruning. 

 

Visitors are welcome to learn about pruning and are invited to become

members.

 

The challenge plant for the year will be made available to members.

The Montague Grange is located along River Road / CR 521

- between Weider and Millville Roads.