Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • June 9, 2010 Mahwah Local historian cited for ‘Ramapough Chronicles’ by Frank J. McMahon The Bergen County Historic Preservation Advisory Board recently presented Mahwah historian Carol W. Greene with a commendation award in the category of historic preservation education in honor of her recently published book, “Ramapough Chronicles: A 300 Year History of Mahwah New Jersey and Its Surrounds.” The 2010 Bergen County Historic Preservation Commendation Awards ceremony was held at the First Dutch Reformed Church in Hackensack, also known as the “Church on the Green.” It marked the 31st celebration of National Preservation Month by Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney, the Bergen County Historic Preservation Advisory Board, and the Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs. According to Carol Messer, director of the Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs, the Bergen County awards carry out the mission of the National Trust for Historic Preservation to raise awareness about the power historic preservation has to protect and enhance homes, neighborhoods, and communities. “Every spring, the Bergen County Historic Preservation Advisory Board and the Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs invite people and organizations in Bergen County to nominate worthy individuals and projects in the field of historic preservation,” Messer advised. “The nominations are then reviewed by the Historic Preservation Advisory Board for appropriateness for the categories cited and the award recipients are chosen.” A synopsis of Greene’s book that was prepared by the Bergen County Historic Preservation Advisory Board describes how she spent 26 years in researching and creating the book, which began as a history of the 1798 Ramapo Reformed Church in Mahwah and grew into an 850 page chronicle that covers 300 years of the development of this area of Bergen County. Greene’s book also interprets the Ramapo Reformed Church’s collection of rare documents, which are the records of a community that span 200 years. Those documents include New Jersey Proprietor information, a one-of-a-kind building ledger containing 18th century building techniques, school records, merchant’s receipts from the 1790s to the 1920s, and other public and religious topics. Greene explained that her book puts that collection into the public domain as a contribution of the church to the township. In her book, Greene describes how, since the 1700s, Ramapo Valley Road, Island Road, Franklin Turnpike, the Erie Railroad and the New Jersey Rapid Transit Company interurban trolley, Route 17, Interstate 287 and the I-87 New York State Thruway, have made Mahwah a “crossroads,” and are part of the dynamic story of the development of Bergen and Rockland counties. The book is described as “reader friendly” and “a comprehensive reference of valuable historical information on every aspect of life in early Mahwah and the lower New York State counties that border Bergen County.” It contains 1,600 illustrations of maps, early 18th and 19th century documents, engravings, drawings, and photographs. It also contains an alphabetical and thematic index with chronological dating, and architectural information on historical structures and sites. The Bergen County Historic Sites Survey of historical buildings and sites in the 70 municipalities in the county was researched by the staff of the Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs and the information in the book serves as a critical historic preservation resource. Greene has been a historic preservationist and regional (continued on page 31) Helpful Hints Helpful Hints from ome “Before transplanting a potted plant into the ground, water it well. This will help reduce stress to the plant and also helps the soil stick around the roots.” Pat Says... Now Open! 396 Franklin Ave Wyckoff, NJ 201-891-5500 Across from Aldo’s Restaurant 27 Franklin Tpk, Waldwick Open Sundays 9-3 201-652-5666 Wyckoff Cycle LLC Lynn’s Pet Care Going on vacation? Away for the weekend? Work long hours away from home? We’ll care for your pets when you can’t. Please call 201-493-8442 Lynnspetcare18@Yahoo.com We Repair ALL Bicycle Brands Bikes for the Whole Family and the Pros ������ ���� By participating in this very special supplement to The Villadom TIMES, you’ll get the selective exposure you need in 56,300 households in your market area. FEATURING: Swim Lessons • Sports Classes • Day Camps Group Exercise • Dance Fitness • Boot Camp Parent/Child Classes • Adult & Family Swims Youth Basketball League • Parties Backyard Pool Swim Lessons Publication Date: Wednesday, June 23 Advertising Deadline: Wednesday, June 16 Call today to place your advertisement: 201-652-0744 6-2-10 karen/janine