Roxbury Rocks making the rescheduled Wreaths Across America a success

First the community and local business showed they will never forget veterans by sponsoring a wreath for every veteran grave in the cemeteries on Main St. Then weather forced us to change plans, cancelling the Saturday remembrance ceremony and rescheduling the wreath laying. Despite only a few hours’ notice the cemetery staff and 35 volunteers came out on Friday to lay over 400 wreaths. Ferro Monte Chapter DAR and Presbyterian Church member Sue Anderson opened Fellowship Hall providing hot chocolate and coffee to the very cold volunteers.

Sunday afternoon eager volunteers were waiting for the staff to lay the remaining wreaths in the First Presbyterian Church and United Methodist Church cemeteries. The group then moved to Main Street, where NJDAR State Librarian Heather Smith and VFW Post 2833 Commander John Lehnert presided over a shortened memorial service. The ceremonial wreaths were posted by PFC Will Doran and local scouts.

In a moment befitting the season, Trisha Passannante who after closing up Bryan’s Luncheonette for the day drove by as we were posting the military wreaths. She spontaneously reopened the luncheonette to provide hot chocolate and cookies to all the participants!

Thank you so much to all of you who have shown your support of Roxbury Wreaths Across America by sponsoring wreaths. We would like to say a special thanks to our corporate sponsor Towne Auto Restoration for providing 100 wreaths and our business sponsor Jim Salerno Buick GMC for providing 50 wreaths. We want to acknowledge those sponsors who have donated 10 or more wreaths: 

Roxbury Rotary                                                     Scotty’s Trees
Ronetco Supermarkets                                           Caivano Family
Steven Alford                                                        Shaun Hamman      
W.Kodak Jewelers                                                 Mike Salvatore
Hearth & Home                                            IHOP Kenvil
Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home               McDonough Family
Fullerton Landscaping                                            Moretrench
Senator Bucco & Assemblyman Bucco         Arentowicz Family
Delsea Termite and Pest Control                             Lawler Railing
DeFillippo Family                                                 Jean Acken    
MJM Contracting Services                                    JackSon Services
Towne Auto Restoration                                          Jim Salerno Buick GMC
         Roxbury Area Chamber of Commerce

The Ferro Monte Chapter, NSDAR wants to thank all those who gave of their time and talents to make this event a success, especially the following groups, businesses and individuals:

First Presbyterian Church                               United Methodist Church
Roxbury Township DPW                               ADP Florham Park
VFW Post #2833                                               VFW Auxiliary Post #2833 
Roxbury Township Police                               Leo Coakley
Gail Corbett                                                          Carol Grobels  
Girl Scout Troops                                               Boy Scout Troops 
Brownie Troops                                               Cub Scout Troops
Ronetco Supermarkets                                        Bryans Luncheonette
TAPinto Roxbury        
  

#SayTheirNames #WAA2016

After a short break to celebrate the holiday we will begin planning for Roxbury Wreaths Across America 2017. So save the date December 16, 2017!

Some of My Products are on Sale at Zazzle!

Show your DAR spirit with this super soft shirt. http://www.zazzle.com/235749161626064732?cmpn=emc_en-us_ShareYourPromoProduct_Inky_shareBlogger&rf=238509818004170471&pm=ZSEASONSENDS

One of my most popular products, a DAR business card
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A sale is always good, so buy ahead for 2017 Turkey Day http://www.zazzle.com/235722998991911658?cmpn=emc_en-us_ShareYourPromoProduct_Inky_shareBlogger&rf=238509818004170471&pm=ZSEASONSENDS

Count your sheep before sleep. I love warm milk before bed on a cold winter's night. http://www.zazzle.com/168830248750536696?cmpn=emc_en-us_ShareYourPromoProduct_Inky_shareBlogger&rf=238509818004170471&pm=ZSEASONSENDS

The holiday season is a time for connecting with family, and to start planning your next family reunion. Get a head start by designing your family's reunion shirt. http://www.zazzle.com/235223029631575456?cmpn=emc_en-us_ShareYourPromoProduct_Inky_shareBlogger&rf=238509818004170471&pm=ZSEASONSENDS

Celebrating the Foundation of the United States of America ~ DAR Promotes Constitution Week

The Ferro Monte Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) is celebrating Constitution Week. Mayor Rilee read the Council’s proclamation at the September 6th Roxbury Town Council meeting. Ferro Monte chapter members gave out Preamble to the Constitution bookmarks and pocket Constitutions at Suckasunny Day. The First Presbyterian Church of Succasunna joined churches across the country ringing church bells at 4pm on Saturday the 17th to commemorate the signing of the Constitution. 

Ferro Monte Chapter Regent Kim Armstrong and Constitution Week Chair Sue Anderson will be attending the naturalization ceremony at Washington's Headquarters in the Morristown National Park on Thursday September 22nd. Sue Anderson and Melvina Annis created a Constitution Week and 225th Anniversary of the Ratification of the Bill of Rights display that can be viewed in the lobby of the Roxbury Township Public Library throughout the month of September.

Two Documents of Paramount Importance to American History

The Declaration of Independence, which forged our national identity, and the United States Constitution, which set forth the framework for the federal government that is still in use today. Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has been the foremost advocate for the awareness, promotion and celebration of Constitution Week. This annual observance provides innumerable opportunities for educational initiatives and community outreach, two mission areas of crucial importance to the Society’s work.

Establishing Constitution Week

The DAR initiated the observance in 1955, when the organization petitioned the U.S. Congress to dedicate September 17-23 of each year to the commemoration of Constitution Week. Congress adopted the resolution, and on August 2, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into Public Law #915. The celebration’s goals are threefold: to encourage the study to the historical events that led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787; to inform people that the Constitution is the basis of American’s great heritage and the foundation of our way of life; and to emphasize U.S. citizens’ responsibility to protect, defend, and preserve the Constitution.

The NSDAR is a volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, historic preservation, and better education for children via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service and more. Membership is open to any woman 18 year or older who can prove lineal descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American Independence. For additional information or a DAR application email: FerroMonteDAR@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page.

Review: Privy to the Dead

Privy to the Dead by Sheila Connolly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fiction and real life meet. In Sheila Connolly Privy to the Dead, construction at the Pennsylvania Antiquarian Society uncover an old privy. What is found in the centuries old toilet leads the society staff to solve mysteries both current and historic. In real life the building of the new Revolutionary War Museum construction has uncovered a number of old privies that date back to the revolution. I wonder how many of those relics will find a home in the new museum.
http://www.history.com/news/historic-...


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Review: Fundraising the Dead

Fundraising the Dead by Sheila Connolly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sheila Connolly has created a series I just love. Based in Philly, Nell works in the nonprofit world at a historical museum, hello Cathy! Board member Marty Terwilliger, who is related to almost everyone in town, is the best friend a fundraiser can have. The museum staff is dedicated and interestingly quirky. The collections in the museum can provide fodder for many a story. The FBI connection is an interesting twist to the typical cozy format. I am thrilled to see the series is now available on Audible.

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Charting My Migration Pedigree

The 2nd biggest hobby in America latest craze that is popping up all over Facebook, is migration pedigrees. What the heck is that? It's a different way to view your family tree; rather than seeing mom, dad and grandpa, it charts of where family came from. 

My chart is pretty boring; as I've said in my classes, my family, most prior to my 2nd great grands, came into the port of Philadelphia migrated to "western" Pennsylvania and never left. Wanting a some more color, I decided to chart my mom and dad.

Well mom's chart doesn't add much color but at least there is a new state. Her 2nd great grandpa (my 3rd gg) was born in Maryland.

Dad's chart on the other hand not only adds color but surprises and mystery. Dad's Campbell family immigrated to Pennsylvania. The family spent a few years in Virginia after the Civil War where dad's grandpa ACJC was born, before moving back to Pennsylvania. 

I was told by my parents that our heritage was English, Scotch, Dutch and Welsh. England is accounted for up there on my chart with my 2nd great grandfather Hudson. Check off Welsh, there is 2nd great grandma Woodward from Monmouthshire on dad's chart. Ireland, at first glance that doesn't fit into the family "story". Upon closer inspection the "Irish" were Forbes hence really Scots-Irish. Next up German, hmm nothing in the family story from my parents; in fact grandma seemed to forget about her German grandma's lineage when dad was applying to the Naval Academy. Grandma's sister Great Aunt Betty revealer of family secrets clued me into the German connection during a European vacation. Oh, so for the "Dutch" we have to go back to a crazy story from mm's side of the family in the 1600s. 

Lastly is my brick wall, the Armstrongs. While ultimately I know the line goes back to Scotland as all Armstrongs trace back to a warrior in the 1200s. For now however, I'm stuck in Pennsylvania searching for the correct John Armstrong circa 1830s who could be from PA, NJ or England.

Have some fun and create your own migration pedigree chart. 

Review: Yellow Brick War

Yellow Brick War by Danielle Paige
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Danielle Paige has knocked it out of the park again! Book 3 continues the battle between Dorothy and Amy, two Kansas girls in the land of Oz. Amy's trip back to Kansas brings home how much she has grown during her time in Oz. Her new found maturity and strength is needed as she battles Dorothy, the "good" witch and her vice principal.

Yellow Brick War has lots of twists, turns and dimensions; who knew I'd be rooting for Madison? I have thoroughly enjoyed the series thus far and look forward to the next installment.

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Women of Character, Courage and Commitment: Carolyn Haywood

Carolyn Haywood, was a popular author and illustrator of children's books who is best known for her ''Betsy'' and ''Eddie'' series.

Born in Philadelphia and she studied to be a teacher before turning to art and to writing. Miss Haywood's writing career began in 1939 with B' is for Betsy, she published 47 more books before her death in 1990. Her picture books and novels used humor in dealing with day-to-day school and family matters. New York Times reviewer, Phyllis Fenner, wrote “Carolyn Haywood makes the everyday doings of children exciting and funny, entering into them from a child's level. That is sheer genius and can't be done by calculation.”

After a prolific writing career, with illustrations, portraits, and murals to boot, Haywood’s stamp is all over Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania. The Elementary School in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, even has a “Carolyn Haywood Corner” in its school library full of Betsy, Eddie, Penny books and my favorite Away Went the Balloons.

The book jacket explains “This ingenious book is about a very special holiday: Balloon Day that is celebrated at Blue Bell School each May. The pupils release balloons with a tag asking the finder to send a message back to the owner. The school is real; the holiday takes place”. In 1970-1971 when I was in 3rd grade, Ms Haywood, who was already my favorite author, came to my school, to write a book about my favorite event! I was over the moon! I didn’t get to meet her, but my parents did. In fact, there is a scene in the book centered around the parents blowing up the balloons with big helium tanks, a task that in the real world my mom chaired. To my young mind, I was like my parents are in the book!!

Away Went the Balloons was a nominee for Children’s Book of the Year in Germany

Babbie Nalle of Chestnut Hill recounting her children’s relationship with their neighbor said “At a very young age, she started them thinking that reading was great fun.” Through her works, that is exactly what Carolyn Haywood did for me as well.

Review: The Fifth Assassin

The Fifth Assassin by Brad Meltzer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Fifth Assassin is the second book in Brad Metzler's Culper Ring series. I highly recommend reading the series in order starting with The Inner Circle. Archivist Beecher White and the Culper Ring continue their mission to protect the presidency of the United States. For fans of AMC's TURN, it is a kick to know the spy ring has survived and is still active.

In this installment we meet another one of Beecher's childhood friends, Marshall Lusk, wondering is he now a friend or foe. The author switches from present day to childhood throughout the book telling parallel stories. Towards the end of the book this jumping around gets distracting. The murders of the priests storyline is tied up at the end of the book. The ongoing struggle between Beecher and the President and why the residents and actions of a small town in Wisconsin 20-30 years ago play such a pivotal role in that struggle is still a mystery. I'm looking forward to reading The President's Shadow to find out.


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Celebrate Women of Character, Courage and Commitment: Ferro Monte Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution Salute Women’s History Month

American women are leaders securing their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity which create a fair and just society for all. Daughters are vibrant, active women who are passionate about community service, preserving history, educating children, as well as honoring and supporting those who serve our nation. Members share and celebrate the women who inspire us at Roxbury Township Free Public Library 103 Main St, Succasunna, NJ on March 12 at 10:15am.

Honor those who inspired you by sharing their story 

Ferro-Monte Chapter meetings are held on the 2nd Saturday of the month from October - May. Prospective members are always welcome. If you have an interest in learning about your family tree, we can help you; maybe we can even find a Patriot among your leaves. For information the Ferro Monte Chapter: like us at Facebook.com/FerroMonteChapterNSDAR, visit our website ferromontedar.org or email NJDARFerroMonte@aol.com. 

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for our nation's children. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 165,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit DAR.org.

One Big Sale Benefiting Roxbury Social Services

Looking for a bargain and do something for your community too? Great things are for sale including clothes, toys, books, movies, baby, children’s items and more.

Come visit the Roxbury Senior Center
72 Eyland Ave @ Horseshoe Lake

March 12^th 9am – 5 pm

All proceeds benefit RoxburySocial Services

Looking to help out more?

Donate any kind of breakfast food!

Review: Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President

Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Prior to reading Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President, James Garfield was just a name on the list of Presidents. A man born in poverty he became a educator, father, lawyer, Civil War General, Congressman and President.

Although he only served a few brief months, his death helped change medical world as we know it. It is often said necessity is the mother of invention. Alexander Graham Bell's early versions of metal detectors was an effort to help find the bullet lodged in President Garfield. Dr Lister's antiseptic surgery finally gained respect and acceptance after the autopsy on the President. It showed the massive infection that finally killed him came from his doctors inserting unsterilized fingers and instruments into the wound.

A proponent of black suffrage President Garfield appealed to southerners with the belief that the way to repair the south was through education and supporting southern commercial and industrial interests. Following the assassination attempt and the agonizing months until his death allowed the country to connect in a way it hadn't found in decades. President Garfield's brief presidency helped finally unite the country.

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