Area January 13, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 11 In keeping with their confreres all over the world, The Salesian Society of priests and brothers at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey recently celebrated the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Salesian congregation by Saint John Bosco (Don Bosco) on Dec. 18, 1859, with a dinner and recommitment prayer service. With more than 200 students, faculty, and family members in attendance, the Saleisans, who administer Don Bosco Prep, rededicated their commitment to serving the young and the poor. The Salesians are the third largest religious order in the world. Students and faculty members joined together for an informal dinner and entertainment in the cafeteria, wherein students played guitars and sang, and faculty members joined in. The students followed with a skit, wherein one student played the part of Saint John Bosco and several took the roles of his original students and priests in a re- Don Bosco Prep Salesians celebrate 150th Anniversary enactment of the founding of The Salesian Society in Turin, Italy, and its educational mission. In witnessing his experience at the school, one student proclaimed, “I want to thank all of the Salesians at Don Bosco Prep for helping me to mold my faith to what it is now.” Another student witnessed, “Oh sure, kids can say that they came to Don Bosco Prep because it’s an athletic powerhouse or an academic stronghold, but the core of this school is the Salesian presence and influence on all that we do here.” A recent graduate of the school spoke about having discovered his vocation to join the Salesians, which he said was nurtured when “the Salesians helped me to look at this in a spiritual way.” Several current students and recent graduates are contemplating vocations to join the Salesian congregation. Since its inception, Don Bosco Prep has generated over 150 vocations from its student body. This includes priesthood, religious life, and ordained ministries. The students then gave gifts to each of the priests, which included handwritten letters expressing their gratitude for the inspiration and guidance they had received from each Salesian. (continued on page 20) John Koster story nominated for award Glen Rock author John Koster has been nominated for the 2009 Western Writers of America Spur Award for his story “Squaring Custer’s Triangle,” published in the June 2009 edition of Wild West magazine. The story examines all the aspects of the legendary relationship between General George Armstrong Custer and his wife Elizabeth Custer, who emerged from her husband’s death at the Little Big Horn in 1876 to become a best-selling author and international lecturer, and Monasetah, a young Cheyenne woman whom Custer had captured in 1868.Some accounts claim that Custer fathered a child with Monasetah, while others claim that the entire story is fictitious. Koster reviewed all primary-source accounts and employed his own firsthand knowledge of Plains Indian life and culture to offer a suggested version of what happened that left some readers applauding and others stunned. “Squaring Custer’s Triangle” was the cover story of the national magazine and has been used in subscription literature ever since it appeared. The story included suggestions from Professor Louise Barnett, who teaches American Studies at Rutgers University, and Jeffry Wert. Both Barnett and Wert have written (continued on page 27) �������������������������������� ��������������� ������������ ����������� � Shoes & Sneakers Not all sizes or styles All Sales Final • No Coupons No Refunds or Exchanges on Sales Items �������������������������������������������������� ����������������� Annual Selected Children’s, Men’s & Women’s The cover of the June 2009 Wild West magazine. ��� Serving Cocktails, & Espresso o Cappuccin State Line Diner - Restaurant 375 State Highway 17 North, Mahwah • 201-529-3353 Open 24 Hours, 7 Days • Join Us For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner The Best Got Better! �������������������� ��������������������� Join Us Fo Breakfast, r Lunch & Dinner Please Join Us In Celebrating Our 34th Anniversary Free Cheesecake & Free Soup 31 with any Dinner Purchase, 5pm - 9pm, January 12 - January www.statelinediner.com FREE Balloons & Lollipops for children Complimentary Gift for Adults 1-13-10 Joan/Janine