Pilates at the Kinnelon Library

Pilates at Kinnelon Library

Introductory Pilates with Dee Schneider

 6 sessions

January 10 – February 14 @9.30am

  

 Please call Kinnelon Library to sign up: 973 838 1321

~Ted

What Was Your Kinnelon Treehouse Like?

HOF in his tree house

My earlier article titled Treehouse Thoughts - Inspired by OLM's 50th Anniversary Picnic has generated great emails about favorite trees, climbing adventures and tree houses. Thank you!

Special kudos go to Herb Fisher for finding this photo of his treehouse from when he was a kid and for sharing the following:


Hey CB,

This is the only picture I have and it was taken by Emily (Mom). Did we climb trees?.......silly question! Most the time it was.... who dared to climb the highest, or the tallest tree we could find.

Not sure how old I am in this picture....maybe 10. No custom/factory made STUFF for us back then....  We gathered scrap wood from all the houses being built, also cut down small trees (with hand saws, I have a scar on my right thumb when I sawed off the thumbnail), using trunks for floor bracing and railings. 

In this picture, the Tower would be about 250 yards up the Mountain from my left shoulder.

All of us were "Lean and Mean" growing up in the 50s and 60s in Smoke Rise. No fatties would survive. No cable TV, no internet, no video games... just Imagination and Effort. Unlike today's society.

Heck, just walking up and down Mountain Road four or five times a week beats the heck out of all the exercise machines today.

HOF Jr.

As a kid in the mid 60s in McLean, Virginia, I remember using rocks to hammer rusty nails into what must have been the wood crate used to ship our belongings from overseas. That's what I created my fort with. Despite not being in the trees, it was impregnable! No pirate, bandit or parent could get by and surprise us.

What was your tree house like? What were your adventures?

Shannachie, David MacCaffrey, Tells Tales at Kinnelon Library

Happy New Year 2012!

I bring you news about one of the first Kinnelon Library events of the year: Traditional Irish Storytelling on Sunday, January 15th, 2012 at 3pm.

The event title itself - "David MacCaffrey, The Shannachie of Glendunbunn Ballybegg" - is enough to give you a taste of what's ahead... especially when you realize that Shannachie is the Gaelic word for storyteller.

David Emerson, from History on the Hoof, brings to life the character of David MacCaffrey, the storyteller of Glendunbunn Ballybegg.

More specifically,

"The wit and wisdom, humor and horror, hubris and humanity of a people are found in their traditional stories. Compelling storyteller David Emerson retells (and embroiders) the colorful and ancient tales of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Cornwall in a presentation that will "warm, tickle, or chill the heart."

From the History of the Hoof website, I learned that David Emerson played George Washington in New Jersey Network's "Ten Crucial Days" and appeared as Sergeant Matthew Smith in Light A Candle Films' "Battle of Bunker Hill" (2009) [note chap in the green coat and the striped waistcoat with the New England dialect].

Don't wait to sign up for this entertaining storytelling event. Please call the Kinnelon Library at 973 838 1321.

Note: The program is funded by the Horizons Speakers Bureau of the NJ Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities

Ramstein Beer Video

In case you did not see this fantastic 6:19 minute video about our very own Ramstein Beer in Butler, NJ, here it is.



You can also view the video directly on  Vimeo by clicking on Ramstein from Jason Koontz.

Here is the brief description of the video with credits:

Ramstein is a German-style Wheat Beer and Lager Brewery in Bulter, NJ. They make an array of all natural beers. This video explores what it means to be a micro-brewery and what it can offer to its local population.

Directed & Cinematography - TIGHE KELLNER & JASON KOONTZ
Sound - ADAM KOONTZ
Edit - JASON KOONTZ
Music - QUENTIN FIELDING, 1,2,3
Produced - ANDREW GOULIAN

In case the video makes you want to pay Ramstein a visit, here is the latest news re: What's On Tap!

Golden Lager, Winter Wheat Doppelbock, and Classic Dunkelweiss

Enjoy!

Didja Know? Smoke Rise Christmas Celebrations

Here is Cornie Hubner's "Christmas Celebrations" from his Smoke Rise Didja Know? series.

Christmas Celebrations

The 1947 Christmas Season Celebration for the two resident Club families was magnanimously provided by bountiful Mother Nature with a three-foot mantle of unblemished crystals that covered the land and turned every tree into an original decorated masterpiece glistening in the sunshine. Relatives, friends and soon to be residents traveled poorly plowed State Highways and untouched Country Roads to reach an unexpected five miles of perfectly cleared roads that led oto the occupied homes and the several buildings under construction.

It was truly a winter wonderland, a dazzling Christmas Card vista that had delighted the Kinneys and their friends almost exclusively (except for the few brave poachers) for many years. The view from the Cottage on the Lake brought a miniature Switzerland to their doorsteps. Indoors a huge, beautiful Christmas Tree, surrounded by stacks of colorful packages provided the Lord of the Manor with a regal setting for the distribution of gifts for the family, friends and members of the staff.

The Franciscan Monastery in Butler provided the Celebrant for the Mass offered in St. Hubert's Chapel on the island when the ice was thick enough to offer safe passage for the worshipers. It was heated by a huge wood burning stove and a fireplace in whose flickering light the gem-like interior presented a  picture of medieval splendor matched only by the private chapels of European Nobility.

(At this point you should be reminded that concentrated effort by dedicated members, implementing the restoration plans long dormant, is needed to restore this one of a kind jewel or at least save it from its continuing deterioration. Tom Kline, a former Smoke Rise resident, has devoted time and money for many years in a losing battle to "hold the line." He, now living at No. 3 Sabeys Beach Road, Kinnelon, 492-2620, would be very happy to explain his plans and welcome your assistance. See "Didja Know" December 15, 1985.)

By Christmas 1949, some 35 hardy pioneer families were located in comfortable homes on over ten miles of gravel roads. One of the early members recalled his first, never to be forgotten, leadership of a group of carolers whose limited talents were offset by its enthusiasm.  His gradually freezing fingers produced the music that covered the off key voices and achieved a genuine welcome in home after home. The exhausted well wassailed songsters made a last scheduled visit, to enjoy a reviving repast, little realizing they had established a prototype for the Christmases to follow.

No, not from Smoke Rise. Rather, the
Rockefeller Center Tree in NYC

The Inn provided the limited area in what is now the Meeting Room for the first formal New Year's Eve Ball with dinner in the area now occupied by the Reception and Cloakroom at the all inclusive cost of fifteeen dollars per couple. By the end of 1950 it was realized that the facilities were inadequate and a roof was built over the patio to join the Inn to the Cow Barn. This previous home of the prize brown Swiss herd, with a low ceiling and many iron pipe supports for the haymow above, after almost fifty years of disuse, became the White Room, in time for the 1951 formal New Year's Party.

Used for Club Meetings it transformed into a place of Worship for the growing Community Church every Sunday, when the organ, vestments and hymnals miraculously made their appearance. It sometimes required the frenzied efforts of the parish to remove evidence of the previous night's party and ride the air of the aroma of the liquid refreshments served. This continued until 1956, when the Church built on three acres donated by the Company was consecrated.

From the beginning, J. Alden Talbot, then also president of the American Ballet Theatre, encouraged the formation of the Clubs now functioning. He sponsored the formal Christmas Tea, at which his invited hostesses "poured" using their own silver services that they were proud to display. Interest was created by his guests that at one time included the entire Sadler Wells Ballet, Russian Nobility, and opera stars. The many teas that followed culminated each year at the Women's Club, Garden Club Tea where the Greeting Fund distribution started in 1966. That year the Fire Department and Tri-boro first divided the approximately $1,800 raised. Twenty years later, $30,000 was shared by thirteen charities with about $7,000 each to the original recipients.

Cocktail dances and the New Year's Eve Formal, with well known orchestras (a Lester Lanin Society Unit at one time) were being oversubscribed. By 1960, the full course dinner was priced at $4.50 (including a shrimp cocktail) and the full treatment $10.00 included breakfast.  By 1973, the White Room and the two rooms in the Inn were needed for over 200 at the cost that had risen to $20.00.

The Season was always inaugurated by Mr. Talbot with the lighting of the Christmas Tree at the Inn. Events for the children that featured Santa Claus, Cotillions for High School students and formal dances for College kids began in '57.  The following year an Outdoor Decoration Contest added a new activity to the growing schedule. All Club functions transferred to the Community Church in '77 and formal dances were held at the Rockaway River Golf Club until '81 with gala opening of our present facilities.

Following the period from 1924 when social activities ceased, until the Smoke Rise Club started in 1957, the last forty years have been a period of phenomenal growth and increasingly rewarding activities as evidenced by the thirteen active Social, Religious, Educational and Athletic Clubs now available for the benefit of the more than 800 families of its members.

Merry Christmas & Happy, Healthy New Year 2012!

Kinnelon Christmas Concert 2011: Our Lady of the Magnificat Golden Jubilee

After hearing for several years how wonderful the Our Lady of the Magnificat Christmas Concert is, Emma and I were finally able to experience it firsthand on December 18, 2011. It was more than wonderful!

This was the 28th year of the annual Christmas Concert and the OLM 'Golden Jubilee' concert featured not only the Christmas Festival Orchestra of New Jersey conducted by Karen Pinoci, but also Our Lady of the Magnificat's Choir led by Michael Pierce, OLM Church Music Minister and Choir Director.

The evening's program consisted of:

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - F. Mendelssohn/T. Rickets
Concerto Grosso in G Minor, Op. 6, No. 8 - A. Corelli
Advent Joy - Th Jarman/G. Weissel

From The Messiah - G.F. Handel - with Caroline Tarnowski, soprano

• ** And the Glory of the Lord
• ** Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive
• ** O, Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion

Silent Night, Holy Night - F. Gruber/M. Hayes
Do You Hear What I Hear? - N. Regney/G. Shayne

O Holy Night - A. Adam/C. Deny - with Kevin Yapaola, tenor

Waltz of the Flowers, from The Nutcracker - P.I. Tchaikovsky
March of the Three Kings - G. Bizet
Parade of the Wooden Soldiers - L. Jessel
"Sleigh Ride" - W. A. Mozart
Sleigh Ride - L. Anderson
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - H. Martin/R. Blane
Winter Wonderland - F. Bernard/D. Smith
White Christmas - I. Berlin/R. Bennet

The Bells of Christmas - arr. B. Krogstad

• ** Ding Dong! Merrily on High!
• ** The Bell Carol
• ** Silver Bells
• ** I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
• ** Jingle Bells

I captured a few of the pieces on video.

[Subscribers, click on Christmas Concert: Corelli to view the video on YouTube.]

 [Subscribers, please click on Christmas Concert: Messiah to view the video on YouTube.]
This next video is the most beautiful interpretation of O Holy Night that I have ever heard. Performed by Kinnelon's own Kevin Yapaola of Triphobia fame.

[Subscribers, please click on Christmas Concert: O Holy Night to view the video on YouTube.]

These videos barely do justice to this Christmas concert. However, I hope they give you enough of a taste to  consider attending next year.

If you attended, which were your favorite pieces?

I wish you and yours marvelous Holidays, a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

The Smoke Rise Club Car Badge

There's more! The articles about Smoke Rise Relic: Car Badge and The Smoke Rise East Gate encouraged Rob Infante to send me the Smoke Rise Club car badge picture above and the message below:

Hello. I saw your piece about the old Smoke Rise car badges and thought you might like another pic of one.  My folks moved there in 1973, and somewhere along the way picked it up.  It was in the car for a while, then, when it started to get tatty, was mounted.

Best Regards
Rob Infante

I followed up with Rob and asked him a few questions: whether his parents still lived in Smoke Rise and whether he grew up there, too.  He responded:

I moved away after high school, so was gone by '86.  My folks stayed there until about '99, at which point they bought a townhouse in Montville.  We were on Sugar Hill Road, so I pretty much grew up around Splitrock Reservoir.  I'm down in Mountain Lakes now, but still enjoy riding my mountain bike up through that way.  Lots of memories.

Regards
Rob

Thank you, Rob! I really appreciate your sharing this photo and look forward to connecting in person. Any chance you might ride your bike in the 2012 Brake The Hunger Cycle Tour?