Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • February 6, 2013 F O CUS on ALLENDALE Businesses mpressively located on 2.8 acres near the center of town is a 22-room Colonial Revival Mansion. The stately John Fell House was the residence of a Founding Father, a Civil War colonel and the sight of a Sunday school that led to the first church in Allendale. The property also includes a Gothic Revival Barn, exceptional wetlands and a stand of old-growth trees. Nestled on a hill overlooking the Celery Farm Nature Preserve, the John Fell House is an Allendale treasure fortunately saved from demolition and on the road to being restored. The house is named after Revolutionary War hero John Fell, who led the local resistance against the British. He was arrested at the house and imprisoned in New York City, where he kept a historically important secret diary documenting the British Army’s horrific John Fell House treatment of American prisoners of war. The Fell House was a “witness site” on the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route -- the route that George Washington and the Continental Army and their French allies took for hundreds of miles through the colonies to a victory at Yorktown to end the Revolutionary War. The home has had several subsequent owners including John H. Thompson, John G. Ackerman, the Stephen Cable family and the Joseph B. Taylor family, who enlarged it to its current Colonial Revival style. The Fell House is owned and operated by the Concerned Citizens of Allendale a 501(c)3 non-profit group, which saved the home from being demolished and the property from being converted to townhouses. Grants from Bergen County Open Space and New Jersey Green Acres were obtained to partially purchase the home. Current Board members of the house are Pat Finn, Joanne Hart, Mike Limatola, Susanne Lovisolo, Theresa Salameno, Cathy Schwartz and Amy Wilczynski. The house hosts various community events, school and organizational outings, an annual holiday open house and a tea room. The organization has also developed several history programs that inform the public and students about the history of the John Fell House, including reenactments of Fell’s arrest at the house. During every open house, docents are on hand to inform visitors of the timeline of John Fell’s participation in New Jersey’s history. Come and share the history at the John Fell House. Website: www.fellhouse.org. I The John Fell House Villadom TIMES Sales Representative Michele Bonacorte ast month, Villadom TIMES welcomed Michele Bonacorte, the newspaper’s newest sales representative. Michele’s extensive territory includes Allendale, Ho-Ho-Kus, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, and Waldwick. Although Michele is new on the job, she understands hometown businesses. She explains, “My mother owned a boutique in Hasbrouck Heights for 20 years, so I’ve experienced the owneroperated lifestyle.” She added, “I shop locally anyway, but now I get to meet even more people in my neighborhood. I see myself as a liaison between the business community and the newspaper.” Michele is a graduate of Montclair State University, where she received a BA in fine art; which fostered her portrait photography business. She later received an MA in communications from Montclair. She and her husband have two sons and reside in Waldwick. The family previously lived in Allendale. Michele describes herself as a civic-minded person who believes “it takes a village.” At her son’s school (Crescent School in Waldwick), she runs the Pumpkin Fair and the Plant Michele Bonacorte Sale. Commenting on her experience at Villadom TIMES over the past month, Michele says she appreciates the warm atmosphere within the office. “I like the fact that this is the last independently owned newspaper in our area,” she adds. “It’s about as hometown as you can get – and it works. This paper has heart!” To contact Michele, call (201) 652-0744 or e-mail Michele@villadom.com. L ohsler’s Allendale Nursery & Florist, established in 1913, is an institution in Allendale. A fifth generation of the Rohsler family is now actively involved in the operation of the family business, which was voted the “Best Nursery in Bergen” by (201) Magazine readers for the last five years in a row. The nursery’s roots began in Garfield in 1913, where founder Herman George Rohsler, an Austrian immigrant, started growing ornamental plants for the landscape. Around 1925 he purchased the 16-acre Tremain family property at 100 Franklin Turnpike, which straddles Allendale and Saddle River, and opened the Allendale nursery and horse farm, running both nurseries until selling the Garfield location in 1940. Herman Albert Rohsler and Marion “Lin” LinwoodRohsler took over the nursery in 1955 and are responsible for transforming it into what it is today. Since their retirement, the nursery and florist are managed by their children, Robyn Rohsler Ortiz, Mark Rohsler and Bruce Rohsler. Part of the business’ popularity can be attributed to the knowledgeable, friendly and patient service the Rohsler staff provides. The sales force is well trained and experienced - many employees hold professional degrees in their field - and all are eager to offer advice in their area of expertise. Rohsler’s nursery is known for its unusual ornamental trees and shrubs. It offers its customers premium quality plants and trees, fresh flowers, garden decor, expert horticultural advice and an unparalleled selection. Many of the plants, including poinsettias, hydrangeas, annuals and perennials, such as geraniums, impatiens, peonies, mums, vegetables and herbs, are homegrown in their own greenhouses and fields. Additionally, as an authorized member of the David Austin Roses Premier Partnership Program, Rohsler’s conveniently offers premium quality roses grown in the USA. Rohsler’s has in stock and on display a wide range of Rohsler’s Allendale Nursery & Florist: Celebrating its 100th anniversary R rohsler Pictured from left: Mark Rohsler, Robyn Rohsler Ortiz and Bruce Rohsler. choices for gracious outdoor living and entertaining, from teak and cast aluminum furniture and the finest quality garden accents to copper fire pits and much more. Rohsler’s also prides itself on its long-standing landscape design and construction service, featuring installation of ponds and water features as well as hardscapes, including walks, walls and patios. Grounds maintenance service is also available. The water gardening department carries numerous koi and fancy goldfish, aquatic plants and water lilies. Traditional water supplies and products such as pumps and filtration systems are also available. Rohsler’s Florist, a full service florist, offers a large variety of fresh cut flowers, bouquets and arrangements for pick up or delivery for all special occasions. Within the floral department, the creative designers of Wedding Flowers by Robyn capture timeless elegance from traditional to contemporary weddings, destination weddings and other celebrations. Their personalized party service includes unique invitations, stationery, and favors for all your event needs. Please stop by and experience for yourself why Rohsler’s Allendale Nursery & Florist was voted “Best of Bergen” for five consecutive years, and Come See How Affordable Quality Can Be. Rohsler’s Allendale Nursery & Florist is located at 100 Franklin Turnpike, Allendale, New Jersey. Call 201 3273156 or visit www.rohslers.com or www.weddingflowersbyrobyn.com or like us on Facebook.