Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • March 30, 2011 Ho-Ho-Kus Association seeks permission to meet at train station by Jennifer Crusco Two Ho-Ho-Kus Historical Association vice presidents have asked the Ho-Ho-Kus Council to consider the association’s request to hold meetings in the Ho-Ho-Kus train station waiting room. Kevin Pianfetti and Stanley Kober appeared at last week’s council session and offered to answer questions regarding the association’s request. According to Kober’s March 8 letter to Mayor Thomas Randall and the Ho-HoKus Council, the non-profit group is pursuing a “simple lease” and would be willing to pay a nominal, annual fee of In 1911, our spirits soared, too. One hundred years ago, as the Wright Brothers’ dreams of soaring in a glider finally were achieved, 14 deacons from the Reformed tradition in Bergen and Passaic counties envisioned a way to lift the human spirit. They made a commitment to build a hospital for the mentally ill which would provide physical, mental, and spiritual care based on Christian principles. From a small 17-bed psychiatric hospital in a farmhouse, Christian Health Care Center (CHCC) has grown today to include a broad spectrum of mental-health and elder-care services with 12 expansive buildings on 78 acres in Wyckoff and Hawthorne, with a satellite location in Wayne. To learn all of the ways CHCC is continuing to lift the spirits of thousands of community residents, visit us at chccnj.org. $1 per year to use the space. That letter also indicates that the association would get insurance and name the borough on the rider. During last week’s meeting, Mayor Randall noted that the borough generally tries to accommodate local groups at borough hall. However, Pianfetti explained that the association is seeking the ambiance of the train station, which is a historical structure. Councilman John Mongelli, who had been involved in an earlier informal discussion of this request with Kober, said, “I was under the impression at the work session that this request was from the VFW. I was mistaken,” he clarified. Kober is active in multiple local groups, and is currently commander of VFW Post 192. Councilman Phil Rorty asked if the train station’s bathroom facilities would be adequate for the group’s use. The vice presidents said the facilities would be fine. Rorty also asked if the group would sweep up, and received assurance that members would clean up after themselves. Randall said Borough Attorney David Bole should review the request to ensure the proper steps were being taken. Kober asked if the association would have an answer next month. He said the group meets on the first Wednesday of each month, and would like to begin using the train station soon. Mayor Randall and Councilman Kevin Crossley said the issue would be discussed at the council’s April work session. Pianfetti and his wife, Nancy, who is the Ho-Ho-Kus Historical Association’s current president, have been working to gain approval for signs commemorating the race track that was in operation in the borough until the late 1930s. The Pianfettis reside on Arbor Drive in what was once the track’s grandstand. During its history, the track was used for races featuring horse, motorcycles, and cars. According to “Background of Ho-Ho-Kus History,” the track was developed in the 1870s and became a New Jersey landmark. The 23-acre property started as farmland owned by Samuel Banta. The track was used until 1938, and was developed for residential use in 1950-51. During the 1890s, the track was used by the North Jersey Agricultural and Driving Association. This organization constructed the grandstand, and improved the half-mile track, which was used for racing and for county fairs. During its existence, the track was also used for an event known as the French Remount. Horses and mules assembled from across the nation were brought in by train to Nagle’s Coal Yard, herded down Franklin Turnpike, and stabled at the race track. Men from the French Army would then visit Ho-Ho-Kus to purchase the animals. Sam Nagle purchased the track in the early 1900s for a sum of approximately $15,000. In 1914-15, movie actors Mae Marsh and Crane Wilbur came to the track to film “Polly of the Circus.” The first automobile race was held at the track circa 1919. John Kochman improved the track for car racing in 1934. In 1938, the borough council closed the track following a July 4 racing accident that claimed the life of a child and left 12 others injured. The Villadom TIMES Welcomes Your Press Releases & Photos Email to: editorial@villadom.com. Or mail to: PO Box 96, Midland Park, NJ 07432 (only quality photo prints can be used) Press releases & photos must be received by WEDNESDAY prior to publication. Digital photos must be JPEG files with a resolution of at least 300 dpi. Christian Health Care Center 301 Sicomac Avenue | Wyckoff, New Jersey 07481 | 201.848.5200 | www.chccnj.org Elder-care Services: Heritage Manor Nursing Home | Southgate | The Longview Assisted Living Residence Hillcrest Residence | Evergreen Court | Christian Health Care Adult Day Services of Wayne and Wyckoff Mental-health Services: Ramapo Ridge Psychiatric Hospital | Christian Health Care Counseling Center Ramapo Ridge Partial Program | Pathways YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSPAPER 003167.WrightBrosAd.6.75x10.5.indd 1 3/21/11 6:22 PM