June 22, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 23 Photographic journey now open at Hermitage Park Windmill Local residents join armed services Midland Park resident Devin Michele Leishman has been commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant, Army Nurse Corps on May 21 when she graduated from Wilkes Barre University, ROTC in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. She also received her bachelor’s degree in nursing. Leishman, who was a member of Royal Warrior Battalion, is the daughter of Michele and Kenneth Leishman. Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice Erik T. Mandle, son of Charlene R. Stedtler of Midland Park and Jack Mandle of Fort Lee, has graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May. During the eight-week training program, Mandle completed a rigorous training curriculum consisting of academics and practical instruction, including instruction on the Coast Guard’s core values: honor, respect and devotion to duty. Mandle will be assigned to the USCG cutter The Campbell out of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He is a 2010 graduate of Midland Park High School. Be a Reading Star Midland Park children are invited to become Reading Stars this summer. The Midland Park Public Education Foundation, the Friends of the Midland Park Library, and Highland and Godwin schools have teamed up with the Midland Park Public Library to offer a summer reading program to encourage youngsters to spend time reading, and receive recognition while doing so. Readers should visit the library at 250 Godwin Avenue, and sign up for the program in the children’s room, following the instructions for completing the 10 steps toward reader fame. When the activities are completed, Star Readers will be given a special sign to display on their front lawn to announce their star status to the neighborhood. Students will also receive special recognition when they return to school in September. For details, call the library at (201) 444-2390 or visit during regular library hours. MPCE offers day trips The Midland Park Continuing Education program is offering a variety of day trips summer. Programs and trips are open to adults from Midland Park and surrounding communities. A trip to Mount Airy Casino and Resort is planned for July 26. The cost for the day trip is $45 per person and includes $35 in slot play. The bus will depart from Midland Park High School at 10 a.m. and return at 7:30 p.m. On July 23, a Brooklyn & Manhattan Twilight Tour will include Chelsea Piers, and the High Line and Fulton Ferry parks. Dinner at Old Fulton Restaurant is included. The bus will leave the high school at 8:30 a.m. and return at 6 p.m. The cost is $89 per person. “Spend the Day in the Poconos” on Wednesday, July 27. Attendees will visit the town of Milford, the Columns Museum, and Grey Towers. The cost of the trip is $69 per person. The bus will leave Midland Park High School at 8:30 a.m. and return at 6 p.m. Head out to the ballgame on Aug. 10 when the Yankees play the Angels. Seating is on the grandstand level in Section 409. The bus will depart the high school at 4:30 p.m. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Cost to attend the game is $49 per person. To register for these events, call the Midland Park Community Education office at (201) 444-2030 or visit mpcedu. com. Volunteer position available The Midland Park Zoning Board currently has one open seat. Residents who are interested on serving on the board may send a letter of intent or their resume to: Borough Clerk/Administrator Adeline M. Hanna, Borough of Midland Park, 280 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park, NJ 07432. Summer camp registration begins Midland Park Summer Camp mail in registration is now under way. Midland Park residency is not required. Forms are available at http://www.mpnj.com/mp_rec.asp, at the DePhillips Community Center, and at borough hall, 280 Godwin Avenue. The camp program, which is open to children entering grades one through eight, is filled with activities and theme weeks. Camp will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 27 through Aug. 5. A once-a-week extended day option until 3 p.m. is available. The cost per week is $65 for the first child, $50 for the second child, and $40 for the third child. There is a $155 a week maximum per family. Space is limited; early registration is advised. Registrations will be taken in the order in which they are received. Registrations should be mailed to Midland Park Recreation, DePhillips Community Center, 50 Dairy Street, Midland Park, NJ 07432 or brought to the recreation center weekdays from 9 to 4. Midland Park alumni sought The Midland Park High School Alumni Group is seeking to located alumni of the graduating classes from the ‘70s and ‘80s for a reunion set for the weekend of June 25. The website mypantherpride.com has been set up for alumni to register and find information on the upcoming reunion. For more details, contact Marybeth Sullivan Reid at mbsreid@aol.com. Visitors to the Hermitage Museum view the ‘Images of Yesteryear’ exhibit. The Hermitage Museum, located at 335 North Franklin Turnpike in Ho-Ho-Kus, recently launched “Images of Yesteryear: A Photographic Journey,” which will run through Sunday, Oct. 2. The exhibit features the work of Master Photographer Jeffrey Steccato. The Midland Park resident is the 2010 National Award Recipient and owner of Haviland Photography in Ho-Ho-Kus. “Images of Yesteryear” features over three dozen original works by Steccato. These include contemporary photographs that appear more like hand-painted oils on canvas, including images of The Hermitage, ghost towns from the Old West, and American barns. Using modern digital technology, Steccato applies the techniques he acquired from many years of old fashioned dark room experience to enrich his photographic images with applied highlights and added depth and dimension to each scene. “Throughout my 30-year career as a professional photographer, I have strived to create images that have a perfect balance through light and composition, and evoke true emotion,” Steccato said. His long-time mentor, Theodore Z. Haviland, operated the photography studio in Ho-Ho-Kus for over 60 years. When Haviland retired in 1997, he sold his business to Steccato, who still operates in the original location at 22 Sheridan Avenue. A selection of artifacts from the Haviland Photography Studio, including an assortment of pre-digital cameras, studio set up equipment (scenic backdrops, lighting, posing stool, etc.), and an enlarger are part of the “Images of Yesteryear” exhibit. A special section of the exhibit showcases “Ho-Ho-Kus: Then and Now,” in which Steccato presents one dozen historical views from the community alongside photographs taken from the same vantage point today. Many of these photographs depict architectural features that are normally out of sight to most passersby. Steccato began studying photography in high school, while working with local newspapers to cover school sports. In 1982, he became the apprentice of Haviland. Steccato achieved success with State and National print competitions, including several distinguished “Courts of Honor,” “Judges Choice,” and “Kodak Gallery” awards. His work has appeared on magazine covers and calendars, and has been displayed in the Professional Photographers Association’s coveted “Loan Collection” several times. In 2000, Steccato achieved his master’s degree in photography, the highest honor bestowed by the Professional Photographers Association, which ranks him among the top three percent of photographers nationwide. In April 2010, Steccato received the Professional Photographers National Award for his contribution to photography. Admission to the exhibition Images of Yesteryear: A Photographic Journey is included with regular admission to the Hermitage Museum: $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $4 for children ages five through 12. Museum members and children age five and younger are admitted free of charge.