3 Smoke Rise Beach Rules Worth Respecting

It's officially beach season around Kinnelon and I'm reminded [after a day spent at the beach] that I've wanted to post about Beach Rules. Although I'll specifically address Smoke Rise Beach Rules, I'm willing to bet that my comments are just as relevant to other Kinnelon lake beaches such as Fayson Lakes, Lake Reality, Lake Rickabear...

By the way, the Beach Guidelines in their entirety with 11 individual points and two pages of detailed rules are published every year in the Smoke Rise Summer Recreation Booklet. It doesn't hurt to read them once a year.

In this post, I intend to specifically focus on 3 rules and why I personally believe that these rules are worth respecting.  I am not writing in any official capacity other than as a resident, a beach-goer, and a parent.

These are the three beach rules I'd like to explore - and rant about - in more detail.

+ Eating and drinking are prohibited on the sand...
+ Glass containers are prohibited at the beach...
+ Guests must be accompanied by the Smoke Rise resident they are visiting...

Eating and drinking on the Smoke Rise Beach

This is my biggest pet peeve. Eating and drinking on the beach are prohibited and yet I see beach goers doing it. Why? Even pools have this rule. We're fortunate at Smoke Rise Beach that a solution - the grassy picnic area - is within just a few feet of the beach. So why not encourage kids and visitors to respect the rule and consume food/drink on the grass?

At a lakeside beach, though, the rule matters even more than at a pool because of animals - as in Kinnelon Critter File animals. Animals are attracted to food.  Food on the beach in the sand means animals - geese, bear, raccoons, etc. - come check things out and make their own mess.

Personally, I don't like having to dodge goose grease to get to the water's edge. And I certainly don't like stepping on sand-covered fruit pieces or french-fries, or stabbing my foot on a plastic fork - which I have done. Do you?

Glass containers on the Smoke Rise Beach

When you think of all of the cool plastic containers available, why would anyone make use of glass ones? Forget wine glasses or champagne flutes, use plastic! Use plastic water bottles, plastic goblets, etc. And, unless you are drinking water, stay on the grass with your consumables.

I have personally witnessed and heard of injuries incurred from walking on broken glass in the sand.  It's not pleasant.  We're all better off with the glassware banished.

Beach guests must be accompanied by Smoke Rise resident

As a kid, I wasn't allowed to casually visit a community pool without being invited in and accompanied by a member.  Same goes for the Smoke Rise Beach.

Interestingly, this is the first year I remember hearing the Beach staff remind us to have guests sign in at the Beach office.

Ok. Enough with the rant. Let me know what you think about Smoke Rise Beach rules.

And, then, go enjoy the kayaks, canoes and paddle boats and life around the lake.

Smoke Rise Retired Men's Club Dines at 94th Bomb Group Restaurant

Were you aware of the Smoke Rise Retired Men's Club? Herb O. Fisher Jr., who contributed The Early Days of Smoke Rise, forwarded me a copy of the following article detailing the club's outing to the 94th Bomb Group restaurant at the Essex County Airport.

"Members dine military-style"

Suburban Trends
March 6, 1988

Kinnelon -- The weekly luncheon group of retired executives of Smoke Rise went military recently at the 94th Bomb Group military theme restaurant, at the Essex County Airport in Fairfield, formerly Caldwell Wright Airport.

The group ate in the Mess Hall at the restaurant, which is decorated throughout with memorabilia and pictures of the pilots and support personnel of that famous 94th Bomb Group of World War II.

Major Hal Kowal of Smoke Rise flew 25 missions as a pilot with the 94th Bomb Group and assisted in the dedication ceremonies of the facility on Dec. 16, 1985.

The Smoke Rise executives have met for many years at the North Gate each Thursday at 12:30pm.

At these meetings, the member with a birthday closest to the meeting day must buy a round of drinks for the occasion. At this recent meeting, John Zimmer and Herb Fisher celebrated their big days.

Each of these World War-type restaurants, located in 25 major airports around the country, is a $2 million French Farm house. They are typical of the type of legendary surroundings Capt. Eddie Rickenbacher and the pilots of that era departed from for aerial combat.

David Tallichet, president of Specialty Restaurants Corporation, Anaheim, Calif., is in the process of re-dedicating most of the 94th Aero Squadron facilities by honoring and recognizing World War II fighter and bomber groups.

Herb Fisher, a member of the Smoke Rise group, is assistant to Tallichet and is handling the promotion and press for him in the rededication ceremonies of these restaurants around the country.

Tallichet operates an additional 50 restaurants with such names as The Castaways, Rusty Pelican, Baby Dows Matchless Mines and the Shanghai Reds, one of which is located on the Hudson River in Weehawken.

All retired men of Smoke Rise are welcome to meet and join the group every Thursday at 12:30pm at the North Gate.  There are no dues and no requirements.

Photo Caption:
The Retiring Type -- Members of the Smoke Rise Retirement Men's Club pose for a photo after a luncheon at the 94th Bomb Group Restaurant recently.  Standing left to right in the back row are Bill Luthy, Phil Richtenscheidt, Henry Lange, John LaPlante, Bill Schaefer and Herman Knuppel.  Front row left to right are Herb Fisher, Bob Gaiser, John Zimmer, Les Gill, John Sperger, Henry Knuppel, Fred Seebinger and Charlie Dangelmajer.  Missing from photo is Merrill Little.

Merrill Little Photo.

After reading the article, I asked Herb a question.

CB:  Herb, what is the connection between French farm houses and airplanes? What is the significance?

HOF:  This is my understanding of the connection between French farm houses and airports/airplanes. The 94th Aero Squadron was actually formed somewhere here in Texas back in 1916 or so. Very beginnings of an Air Force. The 94th was shipped over to France in maybe 1917 to help the French fight the Germans in the air/WWI.

You might have heard the name Eddie Rickenbacker. He was one of several Aces from the USA to serve in France. Instead of using airports which were easily spotted targets from the air, airstrips were actually mowed fields on the French countryside. Airplanes could be parked under trees, or hidden in barnes or covered with hay. Much more difficult to spot. So, farm houses were commandeered as headquarters, bunkhouses, brothels, "watering holes/gin mills" and Operations Centers. I suspect several of the nicer ones would remind you of the original Smoke Rise Inn.

Have you ever been to the 94th at Essex County Airport? Is it still there? Back in the late 40s and 50s that airport was called Caldwell Wright. It was home for the Curtiss Wright propellor division. Curtiss props were on many military and commercial aircraft. My dad did numerous test flights with various types of propellors over a period of four or 5 years at that airport....but that's another story.

Thank you, Herb! 

Have you been to the 94th Bomb Group Restaurant at Essex County Airport?

Ramstein Beer Open House, Tour and Tasting this Saturday, June 12

Here is reminder for this weekend’s Ramstein Beer Open House and Tour, this Saturday, June 12.

There will be one tour and tasting session at 2pm.

There will be a special treat - for the first time ever - Maibock Eisbock for samples and purchase. Also available will be the Ramstein Double Platinum Blonde, Ramstein Unfiltered Amber Lager, and Ramstein Golden Lager.

Growlers will be available in 1 Liter as well as 2 Liter.

I am very partial to the Golden Lager, which is the best lighter lager I have ever had, and the Ramstein Unfiltered Amber is one of my all-time favorites.

And SR Fresh Hot Sauce will be there with the Fresh Cayenne-Cherry, Habanero Gold, and XXXXTra Hot Habanero Hot Sauce. Come try them!

Also for the first time we will have a small amount of Ripe Red Fresno-Jalapeno Hot Sauce. Sweet and Hot.

As usual, there will be a tour and explanation of the brewing process by Greg Zaccardi, the owner. [See previous post with videos for a primer.]

See you there!

Ted and Christine and Emma

In Their Footsteps With Richard Townsend

Have you been following "In Their Footsteps," the fascinating series by Richard Townsend now in NorthJersey.com [previously in Argus/Suburban Trends]? It details the history of the early settlers to these parts of NJ, often accompanied by awe-inspiring photos and postcards.  The timeframe of his series pre-dates the world I'm getting a glimpse of through Cornie Hubner's Didja Know? series and Tom Kline's historic research of Kinnelon, St. Hubert's Chapel, Smoke Rise and Fayson Lakes.  It helps put our area into perspective.

I was so intrigued with the series, I decided to contact Rich Townsend in early 2009. He graciously spoke with me at length about his passion for local history and genealogy. I had hoped to include a few more details, but have decided to share this with you rather than wait longer...

CB:  Rich, what is your background?
I was born in Paterson, NJ; that's where the closest hospital was. I grew up in Bloomingdale, attended school in Bloomingdale, then Butler High School, and William Patterson College. I've lived here all my life and feel a special connection to this part of New Jersey as this is the land of my ancestors -- going back to the 1600s when they established themselves here.

I've always been interested in history, but studying it seemed too dry. Instead, I conquered math and established a computer business. I retired from that business and now teach at the Passaic County Community College. That gives me time to pursue my love of local history and continue filling in the gaps as I track the area's and my family's historic connections.

I contributed to the Butler Museum Book of Butler and the Wanaque Borough History.

CB: What about genealogy?
My interest in genealogy started in a daydream at William Paterson. You see, the motto of my family crest reads: "Faith confers to each generation the same intrinsic qualities." I consider myself the keeper of the family tales.

CB: How did the series get started?
I have a historic postcard collection - as did my Dad. I put them into a PowerPoint and showed the presentation to a senior center in Bloomingdale. Then, I did the same in Wanaque last spring. Suburban Trends was there and asked me to write more. The first article was published on 7/27/08 and was about the early settlers and the Peach Tree Indian War.

CB: How did you get started documenting our local history?
I got started in 1991. It was my Dad's birthday. We were in his house in Boonton - the house where he grew up - and got to talking about the family. I didn't didn't know who these people were nor how I was related to them. After dinner, I persuaded my Dad to document it all and tell the story of the Townsends.

I started tracking the information in Excel, but quickly realized that I needed other software given the complexity of the relationships. I found genealogy share-ware from a public bulletin board and used it to document the first few hundred people.

I've been filling it in piece by piece. There are endless family tales about VanOrdens, Tice, Marion, and other fore grandparents. I found Bernice Perry in Newfoundland, a cousin with whom I shared research. I share credit with Roger Crum and Tom Riley, two teachers.

It's a matter of filling in the gaps. I've been on a quest since then. [Note: the day I spoke with Rich, he had just returned from a visit with a woman in Port Jervis to exchange information about interconnected genealogies.]

CB: You mentioned a book?
Yes. The area's early pioneer years aren't documented. I'm looking to do a book focusing on the 1600s to 1800s and the history of the early settlers of Pompton Township and their migrations to five towns: West Milford, Pompton Lakes, Bloomingdale, Wanaque and Ringwood. Essentially, taking the content from In Their Footsteps and putting it into book form, with additional photos and explanation.

For example, I've created a timeline showing the migrations of the various families, major events of the times [e.g., the great comet, etc.], to bring to life the history of the area. I also have maps. Did you know that by the 1700s, only 2000+ Indians were left? And, by the mid 1800s, those left were gone.

CB: What's so special about this area?
Bloomingdale's was the center of Pompton Township. In the mid 1800s, the town was separated by marshland and mountains. Union Avenue connected the two. The two were vibrant economically with forges, an academy, a mercantile exchange. It was also a stopping point for tourists traveling from Patterson to Sussex. Many homes were turned into hotels [e.g., the Wyckham, the Chandler]. There were five hotels within one mile of the center of Bloomingdale.

The iron industry employed many people. It took 500 people to run an iron forge. Our area was ideal for iron as it had all 5 requirements: water, ore, trees, transportation [railroads and -later- canals in which the Ryersons were involved], and flux [from Sussex limestone]. The iron industry collapsed by the mid 1860s: too many tariffs, the depletion of trees, competition from the Great Lakes... [see Boonton NJ History], leading to an influx of small mills [paper, rubber, cork...]. 

CB: Fascinating!  Thank you, Rich!  

Please be sure to follow Rich as he continues with "In Their Footsteps."

By the way, Rich mentioned that the WPA, through the Federal Writers' Project, created the WPA Guide to the States. The The WPA Guide to 1930s New Jersey (American Guide Series) includes tour #9A which started in Riverdale, NJ. If you've experienced the tour, would you let me know?

MCPC's Randolph Township NJ Hike

In March, the Morris County Park Commission [MCPC] hike-a-park-a-month hike took us through Randolph Township, NJ...

31 of us gathered at 9am on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at the Randolph Town Hall located at 502 Millbrook Avenue where we found ample parking and great facilities. We lucked out with the weather: bright blue skies and sunshine.

And crunchy snow underfoot. Hard to believe, right, now that we are in deep summer-like weather?

That snow, though, made this hike challenging for even the most experienced hikers! I'm so grateful that Emma was away on sleepover....

Nonetheless, we thoroughly enjoyed the 5.7 mile trek and the great survival stories we've been exchanging since.

Pictured above are Randolph Township Mayor Jay Alpert and Manager John Lovell who welcomed us to the Township and wished us well on our hike.

Here is Tom Edmunds' summary of the highlights:

"Janet put some final touches on a custom route for us and we trekked through Randolph Township’s trail system adjacent to MCPC James Andrew Park and the rolling Randolph hills. After a few send-off words from Township Mayor Jay Alpert and Manager John Lovell we marched on into a surprising amount of snow right from the start. Crampons and hiking sticks/ski poles turned out to be invaluable."

Randolph Township has an extensive trail system that, as Tom explained to me, supports the town infrastructure. Students can walk or bike to schools and emergency vehicles can get through.

Notice from the photos the width of several of the trails

Here is a link to the Randolph NJ Trails map.

I mentioned that the going for this hike was surprisingly rough. In fact, several of us compared the conditions to walking in wet sand with a heavy pack... I'm eager to experience the trail in gentler conditions, without that challenging crusty snow cover that wouldn't support our adult weight. :-)

Apart from that, the trails took us alongside lovely waterways and by several bucolic lunch spots.

Our hike took us from Town Hall along the edge of Freedom Park, through Brundage Park, to the new Cohn Farm area and by the Highest Point in Randolph at 1130 feet. Tom offered us the opportunity to take a slight detour to reach that point of interest. We passed.

Here below you see Janet McMillan sharing perspective on the hike.

Thanks, Tom, Janet and Russ, for once again putting together a memorable hike! Here are the details on the trail we took through Randolph NJ.

Randolph Township MCPC Hike

Map your trip with EveryTrail

If you take this hike, do let me know what you think.

Happy Hiking!

Happy Kinnelon Memorial Day!

Memorial Day in Kinnelon and throughout the country is a day to remember and give thanks to every serviceman and woman, as well as their families, for the incredible gift of service to our country that each has contributed.

According to NJ.com, here is the plan for the 2010 Memorial Day activities for Kinnelon and Butler:

Butler and Kinnelon will team with neighboring Bloomingdale for a parade at 9 a.m. Monday. Starting on Van Dam Avenue in Bloomingdale, the parade will travel to Hamburg Turnpike and Sloan Park, where a service will take place. The parade will continue to Main Street in Butler and on to Butler Park for services at the monuments. Then, it will proceed to the Kinnelon Municipal Building for observances. Call (973) 838-5401, ext. 1.

If you take part in the ceremony and care to share with us your perspective, you would be most welcome.

Meanwhile, I found these wonderful photos from the 2005 Kinnelon Memorial Day. I also encourage you to read Memorial Day: Our chance to remember and give thanks to put this day into perspective.

Happy Memorial Day 2010! We remember and thank you who have served our country from the bottom of our hearts.