Society Trustee Bob Breitenbach of Hillsdale cuts the ribbon on June 24 dedicating the new outhouse he built and donated to the Society.  This non-operational wonder is located on the back lawn of the museum as is visible from the street when you drive by. Take a gander!  It will be used as an educational tool when teaching school children and young adults about hygiene in days gone by.  As chairman of the Society’s House & Grounds Committee Bob oversees the care and safety of our beloved museum building. Looking on are Wolfgang, Keeauna and Tatiana Whalen of Ridgewood.

FIREPROOFING HISTORY-  Park Ridge Fire Official John Hansen is seen demonstrating the proper procedures to be used when handling a portable fire extinguisher for Pascack Historical Society Trustees, left to right, Helen Whalen, James Sealy and Katharine Randall.  Last week, Hansen instructed the 21 –member Society board about emergency steps to be taken in the event of a museum fire, including exit strategies for visitors and themselves.  He described three different types of fire sources and explained how each one must be handled differently by fire professionals.
Volunteers and docents at the Society’s 1873 Museum building, 19 Ridge Ave, Park Ridge, receive fire safety skills as part of their regular training program.
The museum is open Wednesday from 10-noon and Sundays 1-4 p.m. Free admission.

CORPORATE MEMBERSHIPS ARE GROWING. Seen here is John Johl, one of our latest businessmen to jump on board our flagship. Martin O. Seitz, left, co-chairmen of our Corporate Board, gives new member John Johl of Johl Insurance , 99 Center Avenue in Westwood, an official Society welcome tote bag. Looking on is Johl vice-president Sandra Ewen. ( If Marty looks familiar- he is the manager of Becker's Funeral Home in Westwood)

ANSWERED PRAYERS- We put out a clarion call request for some vintage lamps for our Victorian parlor and Father Tom Norton of River Vale surprised Society Trustee Eunice Kesper with a set of gorgeous Victorian Hurricane lamps. They will soon be seen in the parlor room. Many thanks to Father Tom, who is the Catholic chaplain at Pascack Valley Hospital.

Our GIFT SHOP is booming. John O'Sullivan of the Township of Washington, browses through some of our inventory. Our store is open during regular visiting hours. Wednesdays from 10 AM until noon and Sundays from 1 PM until 4 PM.

Abbie Martin of Westwood works hard on her clay pot.

We took our “ History Highway” program on the road and visited the Dellridge Care Center in Paramus. Were we surprised to find 107-year old Helen Blauvelt, who wanted to wear a bonnet we brought, living there as a resident. Miss Blauvelt taught school in Westwood for many years and is remembered fondly by thousands of her students.  Society Trustee Carol Riccardo is on left.

Our Corporate Advisory Board chairmen, River Vale dentist Dr. Ed Feins, and Martin O. Seitz, manager of Westwood’s Becker’s Funeral Home, have been very busy recruiting new corporate members this month. We welcome O’Sullivan Electrical Contractors of the Township of Washington, Oberg & Lindquist from Westwood, Johl Insurance from Westwood and River Vale’s gourmet food market Echo-Whestone to our fold.  Their support of our community effort will enable us to continue the delivery of free services to thousands of children and adults annually.

Our gift shop has been very busy.  We think our selection of one-of-a-kind items and very reasonable prices is what brings people back time after time.
We have china, glassware, vintage jewelry, vintage and first edition books, map reproductions, artwork, homemade soaps, postcards, etc. Stop by during regular museum hours and check us out.

Reenactor Trish Chambers wowed her audience when she spoke about “The Roles  of Women During the Civil War” at a recent Society function.  Nine-year-old Grace Martin of Westwood and her mother Society Vice President Jackie Martin smile for the camera.