Villadom Times Weekly Local Newspaper

Ho-Ho-Kus March 17, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 11 Plan to memorialize race track progresses apace by Jennifer Crusco Ho-Ho-Kus resident Nancy Pianfetti recently reported that her plans to memorialize the borough’s old race track are progressing apace. As of last week, she had obtained signatures from the three homeowners on whose properties new signs will be placed. “I also located some inexpensive aluminum signs,” Pianfetti said, explaining that she was able to find a company that produces signs that will cost approximately $1,100 each. She added that she still plans to work with a local Boy Scout to create one of the three signs, and will contact the local troop in the near future. Fundraising for this project, Pianfetti said, will include an effort at her neighborhood’s block party on Labor Day weekend, and a Casino Night at the Ho-Ho-Kus Community Church. In January, the Ho-Ho-Kus Council gave Pianfetti its unofficial approval for the Arbor Drive resident to proceed with her plans to raise funds for the three signs that will mark the location of the old race track, which operated in the borough from the 1870s through 1938. Acknowledging that Race Track Road is a county thoroughfare, the resident said her plans call for the installation of two signs at Arbor Drive and another at Bernard Place. Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Historian John Hanlon, who appeared with Pianfetti at the January council session, noted that the verbiage for the signs would have to be approved, and said the borough engineer would have to oversee the installation. Pianfetti had originally envisioned a wood sign that would be created by a Boy Scout yet to be named, and two cast metal signs. The cast metal signs, however, would have cost approximately three to five times more than the aluminum signs she is now contemplating. In the fall of 2009, Pianfetti circulated a petition and collected signatures of residents who also support the cause to commemorate the old track, which gave Race Track Road its name. The Pianfettis have lived in the grandstand area of the former race track since 1976. The borough’s race track, which became a state landmark, had been a 23-acre farm owned by Samuel Banta. The property was developed as a track in the 1870s. Over the years, the track was used by for county fairs, and for horse, motorcycle, and car races. In the 1890s, the property was used by the North Jersey Agricultural and Driving Association, which built the grandstand and improved the half-mile track. The first plane to make a local air mail delivery left from the track in Ho-Ho-Kus and ultimately delivered mail to the Ridgewood YMCA property on Oak Street. Pilot Joseph Richter reportedly made the trip in August 1912, according to “Background of Ho-Ho-Kus History.” Auto races were held on the site between 1919 and 1938. The borough council closed the track in 1938 after a July 4 accident that claimed a child’s life and injured 12 others. The property was developed for its current residential use in 1950-51. The Worth-Pinkham Memorial Library in Ho-Ho-Kus provides a delivery service for the elderly, homebound, or sick. A resident will be delivering books to borough residents on the first or third Thursday afternoon of each month. Books will be delivered after 2 p.m. Residents can decide which day they would like delivery. To receive books at home, call the library on the Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday before delivery. A librarian will take name, address, phone number and book requests. Participants must have a current library card. The staff will assist residents in applying for one. Service for homebound or sick available Book requests will be filled as best as possible with the understanding that new and popular books may not be available when first requested. Delivery is one Thursday per month only. Requests must be made during library hours. Messages left on the answering machine will not be filled. There will be no late fees for overdue books with this service. Call (201) 445-8078. Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. The Worth Pinkham Memorial Library is located at 91 Warren Avenue. �� by Usui and Tibetan Reiki Master Nancy L. Pianfetti ��  HIDDEN CLOSET 29 th Anniversary Sale �� 15 N. Spruce & Carol Sts. Ramsey 201-818-4880 (Next to Walgreens) 2-24-10 Joan/Janine VanderSterre2x2(2-24-10) 2 x 2” Advertise in the �� YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER �� 201-652-0744 ��