Frank Golick, an 18-year-old Scout with Troop 2010 in Hard-wick, has been awarded his Eagle Scout rank by the Boy Scouts of America Minsi Trails Council. Eagle Scout is the highest rank attain-able in the Boy Scouting program. Fewer than five percent

of Boy Scouts nation-wide attain this illustri-ous rank. Frank stands among outstanding citizens who have become Eagle Scouts; among them is President Gerald R. Ford, Jr., astronaut Neil A. Arm-strong, cinematographer Steven Spielberg and the head of the FBI, William Session, as well as "Dirty Jobs" TV host Mike Rowe.Frank's Eagle Scout

project was to design, plan, raise money for and recruit volunteers to build a very school-spirited "Patriot Pride" ticket booth that is proudly displayed at North Warren Regional High School. In prepar-ing for this project, Frank sought out the support of local BSA Troops, the Blairstown Township Committee, North Warren Regional Board of Education, as well as local businesses

By Robert HalberstadtA crowd of 700 to 900

attendees were expected at the 125th anniversary celebration of the Blair-stown Hose Company. The rain that fell on Saturday, August 23rd kept most of them away, but 300 to 400 did show and they were not disap-pointed. Fire companies from

Warren, Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon Coun-

and organizations. Success of a project

like this relies on hard work, dedication, responsibility, commu-nication and good leadership. Friends, family and the commu-nity have embraced

Frank and recognized him for his efforts. Frank will continue to give back to this com-munity he calls "home", hoping to make to make a difference in someone's life. Frank will be awarded

and recognized in aCourt of Honorceremony on Saturday,November 1st, from2pm to 6pm at TheMohican Fire Hall onMohican Road in Blair-stown. Frank is the son of

Jeffrey and Kelly Golick of Blairstown. He begancub scouts as a Tiger and worked his way toWebelos, earning the prestigious Arrow ofLight award, followedby his adventures in boy scouts, earning his EagleScout award. Frank is an Ordeal

member of the Order ofthe Arrow Witauchso-man Lodge. He is currently an AssistantScoutmaster in Troop2010. Frank is a senior at

North Warren RegionalHigh School and plansto attend Warren CountyCommunity College andpursue a career in dieselmechanics. Golick is a committed varsityfootball player and wrestler for the NorthWarren Patriots. Boy Scout Troop 2010

meets weekly on Monday nights at theHardwick MunicipalBuilding on SpringValley Road from 7pmto 8:30pm. The troop

ties, along with Pennsyl-vania entered their vehicles for trophy judg-ing.Food, games and free

gifts kept the visitors busy. The rain was an unwelcome guest, but it did not dampen the sprits of those that attended the event. Its not often you hear

of a 125th anniversary. But Blairstown Hose Company No. 1

celebrated this mile-stone on August 23rd.In order to protect the

community and reduce the insurance rates in the built-up area of the town in 1889, a group of businessmen gathered in the home of Dr. Amanda Schubert, a dentist on Douglas Street, to discuss the matter. Millionaires Walter Wilson and John I. Blair donated land and a

building on CarhardtStreet and what is now Route 94 to house thefire company.Mrs. Emma Strickland

Pettingrell, donated thefirst bell that was paid for from her earnings as a music teacher. The bellwas placed in the belfry of the firehouse tower with a rope that hungdown to a box with aglass front. If the alarm

The annual Blair-stown Town Wide Yard Sale sponsored by the Blair Woman's Club is being held on September 20th and 21st. This year the sale has been expanded to include nearby neigh-boring areas. Applica-tions may be found in the lobbies of the Blair-stown Post Office, Cath-erine Dickson Hoffman Library and Blairstown Town Hall. Applications may also be emailed to pwoelfle@embarqmail.com. For more informa-tion, call 908-459-4129. Maps will be on sale at RE/MAX Ridge on Main Street in Blair-stown on September 19th and 20th. Signs for the sale will be distrib-uted at RE/MAX Ridge, as well. All proceeds go toward community charitable giving, schol-arships and military support.Calling all North

Warren Regional Marching Band

Alumni: this year marks the 30th anni-versary of NWR Marching Band and they would love to recognize the alumni at the Home Show that will take place on September 27th. If you or someone you know is a Marching Band Alumni and would like to attend, email north warrenmarchingbandh omeshow@yahoo.com. Reserve a table now

for the Yard Sale Alla-muchy Community Day, which will be held October 18th at the firehouse from 10am to 4pm. The sale is spon-sored by Panther Valley Ecumenical Church. To reserve a table, call 908-269-5818 as soon as possible, as tables are limited and will be sold on a first-come first-served basis.If theres one thing

Boy Scouts know, its that the best part of earning a badge is the experience. And with

badges ranging from backpacking to robotics, there are tons of cool experiences to be had. So if your son is looking for real adventure, get him involved with Boy Scouts of America. Youll see firsthand how o n c e - i n - a - l i f e t i m e opportunities can lead to a lifetime of success. Join NJ Boy Scout Troop 153; with mem-bers from Knowlton, Blairstown, Frelinghuy-sen, White and surrounding areas. For more information, contact Committee Chair Laurie Meivogel at njbsatroop153@ gmail.com, ScoutMaster Jeff Armstrong at 973-214-0217, or Recruit-ment Chair Bob Provencher at bob@ provencher.org; or visit www.facebook.com/njbsatroop153.The North Warren

Recreation Group is welcoming outdoor enthusiasts that enjoy things such as hiking, bike riding, canoeing, hunting, local fishing, deep sea fishing trips, golfing, archery and gun

target shooting, and wildlife sightseeing. Hosting two activities a month will be the goal of the group. Email Matthew at muconn47 @centurylink.net. Happy belated birth-

day to Sandra Muller, who celebrated on September 1st.Happy birthday

wishes are sent to Louise Edgcomb, September 3rd; Bill Sprague, September 4th; Elisa Yeagle, September 6th; Robert Bastedo, September 8th; and Cody Janco-vic, September 8th. Say Happy Birth-

day to your loved ones in The PRESS! Send us their names and birthdays and well print them here for free! You can also send a photo and birthday wish for a small fee.

We love hearingfrom you!

Send your birthdays, anniversaries and other info to: The

PRESS, 1 Broadway, Bangor, PA 18013

thepressmail@gmail.comLike us on Facebook!

Renowned folk-rock duo Aztec Two-Step will perform their own "fan favorites," as well as selections from their Simon and Garfunkel Songbook and The Everly Brothers, September 13th at The Historic Blairstown Theatre, located at 30 Main St. in Blairstown. Tickets are $28 each for the 8:30pm show. Doors open at 8pm. For tickets, visit thehbt.com. Bursting on the scene in

1972 with their critically acclaimed self-titled debut on Elektra Records, Aztec Two-Steps first album and three subsequent albums for RCA Records were staples of progres-sive FM and college radio, and helped usher the music of the 1960s into the '70s and beyond. Since then, Rex Fowler and Neal Shulman have spent a lifetime making music together as the folk-rock duo that takes its name from a poem by beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Richard Cuccaro,

publisher of the esteemed NYC music magazine Acoustic Live! states, Aztec Two-Step is possibly the best

acoustic duo in the world today while Variety stated, ''...the right sound at the right time... beauti-ful acoustic guitar playing and questioning lyrics... songs performed with forceful vocals and near perfect instrumental harmonies.'' Recording and touring

non-stop since the early 70s, Rex and Neal have accumulated forty-plus years of awards, acco-lades and TV and radio appearances that include the David Letterman Show, World Caf Live, and the King Biscuit Flour Hour, and have graced countless stages including those of Carn-egie Hall and Lincoln Center. In 1987, the duo's Living In America received the New York Music Award for Best Folk Album and was named in Billboards year-end critics poll, and in 1999 they were the subject of No Hit Wonder, a documentary that aired on PBS.In 2005, they released a

career-defining Days Of Horses CD to rave reviews. Up until this point Fowler had been the primary songwriter of the duo, but here, five of the albums eleven

songs, including their baby boomer anthemic Better These Days, were penned by Neal Shulman. The title track Days of Horses, written by Rex Fowler, was used as the opening and closing music in the 2012 documentary Sell-ing Cars in America. Of this CD release, the Boston Globe said, Fans of the duos harmony-driven tunes and easygoing acoustic guitar riffs will recognize

their James Taylor-meets-Simon and Garfunkel sound. Whats new is the mood. This album sits back on its haunches as Rex Fowler and Neal Shulman look back wistfully at Ameri-can pop culture and their own ride through it. In 2007, the duos song

The Persecution and Restoration of Dean Moriarty (On The Road), initially released on their debut album, was included in Rhino Records Forever Changing-The Golden Age of Elektra Records 1963-1973, the story of this landmark record label and the music that defined an era. The song,

according to Jack Kerouacs biographer Dennis McNally, was the first recorded about Kerouacs iconic novel On The Road. Also in 2007, Real Simple maga-zine named the duo's self-titled debut as one of the top five classic folk albums, joining works by superstars Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Tom Rush and Phil Ochs.The duos 2008 live

recording Time It Was - The Simon & Garfunkel Songbook (Red Engine Records), features narra-tion by the late legendary Deejay and music histo-rian Pete Fornatale, who provided commentary and insights based on his

interviews with his pals Paul and Artie. Rex and Neals 1972 Elektra debut often reviewed them as having the east coast sensibility, intel-lectual lyricism, and ethereal harmonies of Simon & Garfunkel, so to many in their field, it wasnt surprising that they would choose to interpret and perform the timeless songs and harmonies of their legendary predecessors.Finally, in 2012, to

commemorate their 40th Anniversary year, Rex and Neal released their 10th studio album Cause & Effect (Red Engine Records). It is a collection of 16 socially significant songs, produced by Paul Guzzone, who also produced their Days of Horses CD, and features their long-time bassist Fred Holman. The album is a combina-tion of re-worked previ-ously recorded songs and newly mined material. Defined by intelligent

songwriting, dazzling acoustic lead guitar & inspiring two-part harmonies, Aztec Two-Step continues to be one of acoustic music's most respected and enduring acts, forty-plus years after Fowler and Shul-man serendipitously met at an open mic at a Boston coffeehouse.For more information,

visit aztectwostep.com.

Astronomy Club Meet-ing: Sept. 5th, 8pm. North West Jersey Ama-teur Astronomers. FMI, visit www.nwjaa.org.

Blairstown Commit-teeman Paul Avery Available: Sept. 6th, 11:30am-1pm. Blair-stown Town Hall. In an effort to develop new lines of communication for Blairstown citizens, Committeeman Paul Avery will again be available to meet w/ residents. Future oppor-tunities will be published in Commu-nity Events.

2014 Twp. Community Green Fest Sept. 7th, 1pm-4pm. Fairview Lake YMCA Camp, 1035 Fairview Lake Rd., Stillwater. Rain or Shine. Hosted by Stillwater Twp. Green Team, in partnership w/ Fairview Lake YMCA to showcase hands-on educational activities, vendor displays, wildlife show, Gemini 2 singing, a Recycled Art Show to encourage residents to create art from trash/

Blairstown, Knowlton& Hope

A & P, Alpine Meats, Animal Mansion, Ash Plumbing, Asian Combat Arts, A-Tech, Auto, Blair Tile, Blair Tire & Auto, Blairstown Chiroprac-tic, Blairstown, Country Florist, Blairstown Municipal Building, Blairstown Eye Associates, Blue Ridge Lumber, Buckwood, Building Specialties, Burgdorff, BuzzWorks, Caffe Nelle Cucine, Cannon Country Real Estate, Columbia Post Office, Custom Colonial, Dale's Market, David Krawski Dentist, DogHouse, Dominick Pizza, Dr. Magalio: Dentist, Ellias Restaurant, First Hope Bank, Fitness Empire, Fountain Mall Laundromat, Frank's Pizza, Gallery 23, Geo's Pizza, Gourmet Gallery, Grand Rental Station, Hair Company, Hairs 2 You, Historic Blairstown Theatre, Hope Deli, Hope Haircutters, JD Liquors, John Deere, Kozimors Upholstery, Knowl-ton Municipal Building, Lakeland Bank, Lebduska Accounting, Marksboro Deli, Mark D. Nelke: DMD, Medical Associate, Mediter-ranean Diner, Napa, Nature's Harvest, New HoHo, North Warren Farm & Garden, North Warren Pharmacy, North Warren Truck Repair, Old Stillwater General Store, Pizza Express, PNC Bank, Post Office (Both Locations), Post Time Pub, R. Keiling, Race's Farm Market, Radio Shack, Remax, Shell Gas Station, Skyland Bank, Smitty's, Sunrise, Nutrition Center, Sun Velocity, Sunoco, The Auto Shop, The Inn at Millrace Pond, Tile Warehouse, Tractor Supply, Tramontin Harley-Davidson, US Gas, Voulas Hairway to Heaven, Village Green, Warren County Library, Wells Fargo, Wilbur's Country Store, Wine & Spirits, Woman to Woman

BelvidereA & P, Al's Pizza, ACI Truck

Stop, Bagel Smith, Bel-Pike Lanes, Belvidere Diner, Belvidere Spa, Clucas Farm,Curves, Dee Doo's, Dr.Amannda Richline, Food Mart, Four Sisters Winery, H&R Block, Hearth Shop, Hickory Mortgage, Little Johns Pizza, Mediterranean Riverside Designs, Riverton Hotel & Restaurant, Rosal Jewelers, Short Stop, Skee's Busy Bee, Skoogy's, Steckel's Shell, Station, Thisilldous, Uncle Buck's Diner, US Gas, VincentHaircuttery & Plus, Zack's, Zeeks

WashingtonA & P, Bagelsmith, Fliegauff Jewelers, Home Instead Senior Care, Kaffe Kaprys, Lost Ladies, Mediterranean Bistro, MWC Racing, Pride-N-Groom, Quick Check,Rossi, Second Time Around, Shopper Stop, Silver Stars Bagel, Smith Dodge,Stanley's Pizza, TownMarket, Washington Diner,Washington Shoe

NewtonA&G Pizza, Back in Motion, BMW Dealership, Charm, Co. Seat, Dunkin Donuts,Hampton Diner, Ho Hos, HobbyTown, Holiday Inn,Home Furniture, Warehouse, Kathy's Restaurant, Newton News Stand, Optical Center, PB&J, Quick Check, Shop Rite, Skylands Sport Shop, Springboard Shoppe,Superior Shower Doors, The Chatter Box, VW-Audi Dealership, Weis

HackettstownA & P, Bachs Home Health-care, Cozy Corner, Golden Skillet, Hacktettstown Free public Library, HackettstownGuns & Ammo, Hackett-stown Sandwich Shoppe, Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, Mama's Pizza/Cafe Baci, O'Neill's Jewelers. Prickley Pear, Quick Check #2, RiverstarDiner, Tranquility GeneralStore, Valley Bagel, Weis, Willow Caf

ColumbiaAyers, Roses Cafe

recycled materials w/ a prize for creativity in use of recycled materi-als. Celebrate & support Stillwaters commit-ment to going green. For vendor/ submission forms & updates, visit stillwatertownshipnj.com.

Free Employment Readiness Training Orientation: Sept. 11th or 18th, 10am. Provided by NORWES-CAP Career & Life Transitions Center for Women. FMI or to regis-ter, call 908-835-2624. Pre-registration is required.

Meat Loaf Supper: Sept. 13th, 4pm-7pm. Broadway UMC, 2233 Rt. 57, Broadway. FMI, call 908-689-6951.

Team Home Instead Yard Sale, Bake Sale, Hot Dog & Popcorn Sale Fundraiser: Sept. 14th, 10am-2pm. 127 Belvidere Ave., Wash-ington. Rain or shine. Proceeds benefit the Home Instead Team at the 12th Annual Joan Knechel Memorial Walk

October 19th at River Park, Hackettstown.

Free Learn to Twirl Intro Class: Sept. 15th, 16th & 18th. Northeast Brach of Warren Co. Library, Rt. 46, Hackett-stown. Wear shorts, tank tops, sneakers & hair up. Have fun while learning basic Baton Twirling skills in this intro class provided by a United States Twirling Associa-tion (USTA) Certified Instructor. Batons will be available. Teens 13 & older, 3:30-4:30pm; Tots 5-8, 4:30-5:30pm & Tweens 9-12, 5:30-6:30pm.

Blair Woman's Club Meeting: Sept. 16th, noon. The Inn at Mill-race Pond, Hope. There will be guests from other clubs & a speaker from the state organization. FMI, call Elaine Ander-son at 908-459-4435.

Two Free Square Dance Lessons: Sept. 16th & 23rd, 7:30pm-9:30pm. Halsted St. Middle School cafeteria, 59 Halsted St., Newton.

Provided by the Kittatinny Rangers Square Dance Club. All ages welcome. Partners not necessary. FMI, call Connie at 973-383-9456 or Marjie at 973-250-4244.

Blairstown Senior Bus Trip: Oct. 15th. Oktog-berfest at Woodloch Pines, Hawley, PA. Sign up Sept. 18th, 1pm at Blairstown Town Hall. FMI, call Mickey at 908-362-8919.

Chicken BBQ Take-Out Dinner: Sept. 20th, 4pm-6pm. Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church. Limited tickets, available through Sept. 15th. To order, call 973-383-5364.

Country Western Dance, featuring band Tied To The Trax: Sept. 20th, 7pm. Historical Vass Farm-stead, 97 Stillwater Rd. Hosted by Hardwick Twp. Historical Society. Refreshments will be available. FMI, call 908-362-8496 or 908-362-5928.

Hello fellow readers, On August 7th, I proudly

announced Happy First Tomato! Excited chipmunks didnt get the first bite, the fate of all my tomato attempts in years past. Don't laugh... I displayed my single bounty for a few days on the windowsill before I indulged in its amazing flavor. Since then no other

tomato has come to ripen thanks to the rock wall residents who have left the remains of three or more each morning, as if to say, Thats what you get for coveting the one ripe tomato we left for you. Truth is if they ate the whole darn thing I'd be less upset, the slaughter somewhat hidden, and at least the food would not be wasted. Cal from East Strouds-

burg reminded me of a preemptive approach. He asked if he picked toma-toes green and ripened them inside would they be just as good as vine ripened ones. Yes indeed! Tomatoes are one of the

only vegetables (actually theyre a fruit), that can be picked before completely ripened. In fact, they may be better as it prevents splitting or bruising and allows control over the ripening process.Tomatoes cannot ripen

unless they reach their full size, known as the mature green stage. If picked before they are less flavorful, meaning they taste like cardboard, such as those normally bought off-season at the super-market. Theres a fine line when

picking tomatoes at the mature green stage and picking too early. The best way to tell is to sacri-fice one just when it turns a lighter green to see if there is a gel-like substance inside. At this stage two growth hormones change and cause the production of ethylene gas, which in turn ages the cells result-ing in ripening. Place your tomatoes out

of direct sunlight and in seven to 10 days, theyll reach peak ripeness. Or if you wish to ripen faster, wrap in newsprint or a brown paper bag, which will contain the ethylene gas. Store tomatoes at 55 to 70 degrees (cooler if you wish to slow the ripening) and check regularly for ripeness. Enjoy the bounty before the assailants or the first heavy frost snags them; and at the same time avoid skin cracks, green shoulders and stretch marks (lucky tomato). Garden dilemmas? askmarystone.com

(NAPSI)Reality TV shows, online webcasts and YouTube videos have encouraged many people to try the do-it-yourself (DIY) route when it comes to tackling less-complicated home renovations or fixes. Often, there are advan-tages to DIY projects, such as financial savings, learning new skills, environmental benefits and more.Sometimes, however,

safety can seem an after-thought when it comes to DIY. Bear in mind, accidents can happen to anyonewhether youre cleaning the gutters, installing new floors or rearranging heavy furni-ture.In fact, of the more than

50 million DIY home improvement projects that will take place this year, one in five of the participating homeown-ers will experience an injury, according to the Home Safety Council. These accidents can add up: The Healthcare Lead-ership Council found that without health insurance, the average cost to treat a

broken leg is more than $10,000.This can be a problem

considering a recent survey of employees, commissioned by Aflac, found that 49 percent of employees have less than $1,000 on hand to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses.When participating in a

DIY project, consider the following safety tips to help reduce your risk of becoming injured and facing medical bills you cant afford.1. Always follow

instructions: Before starting any project, carefully read the instruc-tion manual of any appli-ance or tool youll be using.2. Forgo fashion:

Always wear protective clothing, including safety goggles, gloves and a dust mask, when working with potentially hazardous materials. Avoid jewelry and loose clothing while using power tools.3. Keep a first-aid kit

handy: Choose a first-aid kit thats easy to carry, latches securely and can be opened quickly.

4. Never leave a project unattended: Never leave tools or materials unsu-pervised during a DIY project. Unattended power tools or a bucket of paint on your ladder can be a disaster in the making.5. Know when to hire a

pro: Although you may save money with a DIY project, taking matters into your own hands may do more harm than good. Small jobs can be simple but many tasks are better left to the experts.6. Add a layer of protec-

tion: Consider adding a

supplemental accident insurance plan to help you stay ahead of medi-cal bills and out-of-pocket costs that can accumulate with an emergency. To learn more about the benefits of an accident insurance policy, visit www.aflac. com/accaident.Protecting yourself at

all times is important, especially when the cost of an accident could put you in a deep financial hole. You can be safe-all while getting your hands dirty and tackling new projects.

William Baumgartner owner and operator of Imagine Computers, is back in Blairstown. William had his long standing computer business on Main Street and in the Blairstown area for almost 15 years. He is now back on Main Street and happy to see so many familiar faces again. Imagine Computers, a

Christian based business, offers many services, such as com-puter repair on all makes and models, including Macs!If you have data that

needs to be recovered and you've been told it's impossible, bring it to Imagine Computers. William has over 25 years experience in the computer technology field. Other services include networking, virus removal, website design, transfers, fixing slow systems, set up and installations, technical support and free consul-tations.William is also an

expert in fixing your old or torn photos that may mean a lot to you. No matter what age or condition, he can make your photo look beauti-ful again.Another service he

offers is private com-

North Warren Boy Scouts of America Troop 2010 attended summer camp at Hawk Mountain Scout Reser-vation in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania July 20th through 26th. Eight boys attended with two leaders. The hardworking

scouts earned a total of 67 merit badges, includ-ing Rifle, Woodcarving, Shotgun, Textiles, Wilderness Survival and many, many more. One scout participated in the COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience) Program. All Scouts participated in the POLAR BEAR SWIM each morning. For the fourth year in a row, Troop 2010 won the Clean-Camp Award. A fantastic time was had by all. Even the new leaders had an opportu-nity to complete CPR/ First aid requirments for training.Aside from earning

merit badges and

awards, everyone had a great time, brought home a lifetime of memories, learned many new skills through the merit badge programs and enjoyed the outdoors, including camping, boating, fishing, playing games and working together as a team. BSA provides a variety

of youth development and camping programs that promote good char-acter, leadership and life skills. Their adult volunteer leaders are working toward teach-ing young people the values and skills they need to succeed in life. The Troop is open to

boys 11 through 18 years old in the North Warren area. They are comprised of residents from Hope, Blairstown

and Hardwick. Every-one is welcome. The Troop meets

Monday nights at the Hardwick Municipal Building on Spring Valley Road from 7pm to 8:30pm. For more information, email Troop2010NJ@gmail.com, call Golick at 908- 362-0171 or Demkow-icz at 908-362-8454. Troop 2010 camps

once a month, earns merit badges, and always has fun while learning skills. Future trips include mining diamonds in Herkimer, NY and Washington D.C. The Troop is proudly chartered by the Hardwick Historical Society. Any time is a great

time to join Scouts! Stop by and see what theyre all about.

puter classes, so call today to schedule a class to learn whatever you need to know on your computer. Imagine Computers is

now located at 17 Main Street where Book Nest used to be. He is right down the street from Nature's Harvest. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 9am to 6pm and Saturday, 10am to 2pm. If you can't make it during regular business hours, please feel free to call William for an appointment at 908-362-3000. Emergency services are also avail-able.For more information

on Imagine Computers, log on to www.imagine computers.org.

William is known forbeing an honest business man and cares abouthelping you solve yourtechnical problems. Heis also a member of the Blairstown Business Association.If you would like to

donate a computer you are no longer using and it's six years old or less, Imagine Computersrefurbishes computersfor area residents whoare in need. If you are in need of assistance,please call ImagineComputers to see if theymay be able to help you.Imagine Computers

would like to extend a warm welcome to allarea residents and theylook forward to working with you again soon.

Hundreds of children and their families turned out for the 12th annual Back-to-School Fair at Project Self-Sufficiency recently. Information sessions gave parents tips on anger manage-ment and instructed families about detecting and preventing child sexual assault. Mean-while, children got free haircuts, played games and received back packs brimming with free school supplies. Representatives from

local social service organizations were on hand to discuss topics ranging from healthcare to household safety to literacy. Agency staff members and volunteers handed out school supplies, played games, organized crafts and provided dinner and snacks.Project Self-

Sufficiency is proud to offer the Back-to-School Fair to our participants again this year, said Claire Willetts, Program Coor-dinator at Project Self-Sufficiency. The help-ful information and services available to families at this event prepare both children and their parents for a successful school year. We are grateful to all of the social service agen-

cies, businesses and volunteers who took time to lend a helping hand to local families in need.Project Self-

Sufficiency Program Coordinator Melissa Bischoff offered a presentation about the Enough Abuse campaign to participat-ing families. Parents were educated about the nature and scope of child sexual abuse and learned about tools necessary for the protec-tion of children. In a separate session, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Kris Imbrie discussed the impor-tance of managing anger and offered parents tips for positive communica-tion. Participating social

service organizations included Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services; Care Plus New Jersey, Inc., Childrens Mobile Response/Family Inter-vention Services; Divi-sion of Child Protection and Permanency; Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Inter-

vention Services; Family Partners of Morris and Sussex Counties; Ginnies House; Legal Services of Northwest New Jersey; Literacy New Jersey; Moms Quit Connection; National Alliance on Mental Illness; Neighborhood Health Services Corpo-ration; Newton Medical Center Health Educa-tion; NORWESCAP; Parent Interactions with Schools and Teachers; Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ; Planned Parenthood; Summit Oaks Hospital; Sunrise House; Sussex County Division of Social Services; Sussex County Public Health Nursing; Sussex County Special Child Health Services; Sussex County YMCA and others. Employees from Trans

Options will be on hand to fit and distribute 135 bike helmets to partici-pating children. The non-profit transporta-tion agency will raffle off brand new bikes

equipped with trainingwheels to two luckychildren from the LittleSprouts Early LearningCenter.Hair stylists Roseanne

Francavilla, DebiZingone, ChristinaCorsello, ReneePyskaty, along withstylists from area salonsvolunteered their time tooffer free haircuts tostudents. Two giftcertificates for freehaircuts were supplied,as well. The stylists who

volunteer to cut hair atthe Back-to-School faireach year are to be com-mended for theirgraciousness, patienceand enthusiasm, saidProject Self-SufficiencyExecutive DirectorDeborah Berry-Toon.The children lookbeautiful, and theparents are delightedbecause the service isfree and available totheir families each yearat the fair.Project Self-

Sufficiency is a privatenon-profit community-based organization dedi-cated to improving thelives of low-incomefamilies. The agencyhas served more than20,000 families, includ-ing more than 30,000children, since its incep-tion in 1986. ProjectSelf- Sufficiencysmission is to provide abroad spectrum ofservices enabling low-income families toimprove their lives andthe lives of theirchildren. For more information,

call 973-940-3500, orvisit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

The Orton-Gillingham program provided by The Reading Teacher is a phonics-based program, systematic, sequential and rule-based. It was designed for dyslexic readers, but can also be used in many other cases. The Reading

Teacher, Ann Marie Schwartz, is a local, fully-certified teacher and private tutor. She has taken the full course of instruction at Fairleigh Dickinson University, which quali-fies her as a beginner-

adult instructor. I have been to many

parent meetings and have heard many parents tell how hard their child has to work and how they have searched to find answers, Ann Marie said. I am avail-able after school or on weekends, by appoint-ment. For more information

about The Reading Teacher, see her ad in the business directory on page 13, contact Ann Marie at 908-459-5424, or annmarieschwartz@ gmail.com.

The Blair Womans Club is pleased to announce the recipients of their annual scholar-ships for 2014. Lisa Wilbur and Kathleen Dispoto have each received a $1,500 schol-arship to be used to defray tuition costs. Lisa will be attending

Centenary College where she will be a Liberal Arts/Education Major with a concentra-tion in Special Educa-

tion. Kathleen will be

attending The College of New Jersey as a Pre-Law Major with plans to pursue a career as a prosecutor. The Blair Womans

Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month in the Catherine Dick-son Hofman Library at 12:30pm with a guest speaker. For more infor-mation, call Bobbi at 908-362-8918.

In the years leading up to 1889, Blairstown's citizens were the main defense against fires in the village of Blair-stown. The majority of the buildings were wood frame and would ignite easily. Water would be carried in buckets by residents from the Paulins Kill or Blair Creek to do what they could to extinguish the fires. As a result fire insurance rates in town were quite costly. In August 1889, town

leaders met to discuss the establishment and needs of a volunteer fire company. By October 8th, 1889, The Blair-stown Hose Company was established. Walter Wilson donated the land at the end of Meadow Pathway (now Carhart Sreet). John I. Blair (87 years old at the time) was responsible for donating two major needs: the pipework to carry water to various hydrants throughout the village and the erection of a firehouse. In late October 1889,

the fire company had raised money to purchase five hundred feet of hose at $125, two nozzles and a trumpet. By June of 1890 the firehouse was complete. A festival was held at that location to celebrate with the community and to continue fundraising efforts. The furnishings of the new quarters and new suits were yet to be purchased. Donations of a dozen lanterns and two axes were reported at this time. The first bell

was donated about 1891 from earnings by music teacher Emma King. January 7, 1892,

marked the first call to action when the shed of the Blairstown Hotel caught fire. This fire was quickly extin-guished with a few buckets of water. How-ever, it reassured local residents of the quick response that the hose company could provide (reported to be five minutes). In the 125 years since

the Blairstown Hose Company No. 1 has been established, it has

gone on to successfully fight many serious fires in the village and the township. Our sincere gratitude to the bravery and dedication of the volunteers who have protected our commu-nity. Additional information

regarding the first 100 years of service of BHC No. 1 can be found on The PRESS News Online Facebook page.Blairstown Historic

Preservation Commit-tee, Celebrating Blairstown's 175th Anniversary. 1839 - 2014.

The Water Gap Singers, now under the direction of Mr. Joseph Mello, will begin rehearsals for their Christmas Concert on September 8th at the Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd, located at 168 Rt. 94 in Blair-stown. Rehearsals will be every Monday evening from 7pm to 9pm. New members are welcome for all voice parts. No audition is required; only the ability to match pitches.The concert will

include a variety of Christmas anthems, motets are carols from a variety of musical styles. Also, Vivaldis Gloria will be performed. This Gloria is perhaps the most well-known of Christmas pieces after Handels Messiah. The hauntingly chromatic and soulful Et in Terra Pax and powerful double fugue Cum Sancto Spiritu sections are always memorable.The Water Gap Singers

new director, Mr. Joseph Mello, is well-known throughout the United States, but particularly in NJ. Mr. Mello has been the Director of Music at Christ Episcopal Church in Newton since 1979. He has performed as a baritone soloist through-out the NJ/NY metro-politan area. Also, Mr. Mello was the choral director of Kittatinny Regional High School in Newton, NJ for 36 years, retiring in 2011. His choirs have performed widely on the east coast from Florida to Canada; in California, and were featured on the NBC Today Show.

The First Presbyterian Church of Blairstown will welcome guests Kelly Planer and the Perks during a special Rally Day family worship service at 10am on Sunday, September 7th. Community mem-bers of all ages are welcome to attend and enjoy the groups alt-bluegrass, American roots music with a gospel influence. Featuring Planers

vocals, Dave Coin's sly banjo and Dave Imhof's solid bass, Kelly Planer and the Perks is known for its eclectic mix rang-ing from covers by The Beatles and Nirvana, to traditional bluegrass. The bands shows are full of unmistakable

Mr. Mello has been the recipient of the NJ Governors Recognition Award, the Governors Award for Arts in Education Distinguished Leadership and the Governors Award for Master Music Teacher, having been named NJs Master Music Teacher in 2010. He also was awarded the Yale Distin-guished Music Educator Award by the Yale University School of Music. Currently, he is serving on the Eastern Division Conference planning committee of the American Choral Directors Association. The singers warmly welcome Mr. Mellos leadership and talents upon the recent retire-ment of Water Gap Sing-ers founder and director, John Arnedt.For more information,

call Jim at 973-927-9555 or 973-229-6049 or visit watergapsingers. org.

serves youth from the area ages 11 through 18 year round. Any time is a good time to join scouts.Since the first Boy

Scout earned his Eagle award in 1912, the distinction has been earned by more than two million men. Require-ments include earning at least 21 merit badges

style and fun. First Church Rally Day

is a long-standing tradi-tion marking the start of fall and the impending kick-off of the Sunday School year. Classes will begin the following week, on September 14th. The churchs educational programs, for children in preschool through sixth grade, typically take place at the same time as the regular 10am service. Family Worship, during which Sunday School students attend worship instead of their regular classes, occurs approxi-mately every six weeks. These special services are geared to an inter-generational audience. First Church also offers

nursery care (birth to age three), confirmation class (7th and 8th grade)and a senior high youth group. The First Presbyterian

Church is located at 1Main Street in Blair-stown. Distinguished byits tall white steeple, thechurch has a history ofministering to those within the community and abroad. Its foodpantry, located in the church Outreach Center at 35 Main Street, is open every third Satur-day. For more information

on the September 7thservice, First Presbyte-rian Church youth programs or ministries, contact the church officeat 908-362-5254.

and demonstratingideals of service and leadership, including organizing and leadingan extensive serviceproject. BSA provides a variety

of youth developmentand camping programsthat promote good char-acter, leadership and lifeskills. Their adult volunteer leaders areworking in conjunction with their organizations to teach young peoplethe values and behaviors they need to succeed in life.

Psychiatric Emergency Screener Dejaye Botkin, MA, LPC, NCC, will give a presentation for the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Sussex on Thursday, September 4th, at 7pm, on how to utilize psychiatric screening and evalua-tion services when a loved one is experienc-ing a mental health crisis. The public is welcome to attend free of charge. Questions from the audience will be encouraged.

Ms. Botkin is a certi-fied mental health screener and a licensed professional counselor with a private practice in family counseling and mediation. She is also an adjunct professor at Centenary College.The presentation,

sponsored by NAMI, will be held at Bridge-way Rehabilitative Services, 93 Stickles Pond Road, Newton. For more information or directions, call 973-214-0632.

For the second straight year the Warren County Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Warren County Depart-ment of Human Resources Division of Aging and Disability Services, are teaming up to host the 2nd Annual Business and Senior Expo. This years event, open

to the public, is sched-uled for Saturday Sept. 27 from 10am to 2pm at Warren County Techni-cal School. The school is located on Rt. 57 in Franklin Township, next to Warren County Com-munity College. There is no charge to attend. Gold sponsors for the

expo as of mid-August are Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, ShopRite of

Greenwich Township, and St. Lukes Hospital, Phillipsburg Campus, and Silver Sponsor, Compassionate Care. Dozens of vendors are

expected to be on hand, offering information about various businesses and senior programs from around the county, and nearby. Among the programs and informa-tion to be provided will be pleasure cruises, fall prevention, and Medi-care. There will also be health screenings and a special emphasis on services for caregivers. Plus, much more! There are still openings

for vendors and spon-sorship opportunities. For further information visit www.warrencounty chamber.com or call 908-835-9200.

By Michael Nelms, The Yellow Frame Presbyte-rian ChurchI had never heard of a

dappled willow until I ended up at Tranquility Farms on a Spring day seven or eight years ago. I am not a Master Gardener. I am not even a gardener. Often I am not sure what constitutes a weed versus a flower. And what I plant usually depends on what I happen to find at what-ever place I am. I bought a small shed as a club-house for my son. I wanted to plant some things around the club-house, so I went to Tran-quility Farms that day looking at some buckets of trees and bushes. When I saw the dappled willow I thought to myself, Oh, thats pretty, and I really, really like the name: dappled willow. So, based on this very un-scientific, non-masterful approach to gardening, I bought two. This particular kind of un-scientific approach has often led to plants that do not survive, as I have been known to buy plants that need full sun and then, since the labels do not interest me beyond whether or not I like the name, I end up planting it in the shade. However, as bad golfers are fond of saying when they occasionally hit a really good shot, Even blind squirrels occasion-ally find a nut. The dappled willows I just happened upon have done very well, despite my approach to plant selection. And not only do I still really love the name, dappled willow, I really do enjoy their color and growth from spring to late fall.

Their blotches, or dapples, of white and red on their green apetalous flowers and their arching, hanging branches bring me real joy.So, with thoughts of

the end of summer upon

me, as I passed the dappled willows on my way back to the house yesterday, I imagined it would not be long before the deciduous death of autumn would render my beautiful dappled willows bare

and bleak, expunged of all enchantment. Sometimes it is only

when we are about to lose something that we want to get to know it more. So, after entering the house, I went to the computer to research the

origin of dappled willows. I discovered they originate from Korea, Japan, and China. My fondness of the dappled willow deepened knowing this. It gives me a feeling of

connection with coun-tries half the wide-world away. It somehow adds to my sense of connec-tion to this wide, wild worlda living earth of which I am only a microscopic part; and yet, feeling microscopic is, somehow, not a bad feeling at all. It is not the feeling of being vulner-able to something larger and more powerful, rather, somehow a feeling of being a part of something Life-Giving, something that can grow a dappled willow in Korea as well Fredon, New Jersey.It is a wild, wide world,

and I think part of my enjoyment of dappled willows is also the wild-ness of their growth. I

suppose some peoplekeep them meticulously trimmed, but I enjoy their untrimmed wild-ness and the luxuriant shade they provide when growing so unen-cumbered. If you sit on the dirt underneath alarge, wild dappled willow in the middle of hot summer day, you will experience cool-ness. Underneath such wild,

uncontrolled growth, with my gluteus maxi-mus planted on earths dirt floor, I have experi-enced a calm, coolcathedral with a chorus of wind-blown petalspraising the Giver of all Life. And now, armed with a deeper knowl-edge, I can also imagine the same chorus singingin Korea, Japan, and China and to the ends of the world, imaginebeing part of something so wide, so wild, and so wonderful, that only mysilence can do it justice.