Tag: Chester Township
This Week in Chester History
In 1981, the Combe Fill South landfill ceased operation after more than 30 years of community frustration, concern, and court involvement. Members of West Morris HALT (Help Avoid a Landfill Tragedy) and residents in the area were on the scene as gates were closed and locked for good. Despite the celebration, however, those living near the landfill continued to drink bottled water due to leachate contamination.
This Week in Chester History
On Friday, Oct. 29, 1993 about 100 area residents put on their spookiest costumes for the Publick House’s annual children’s Halloween costume contest. Costumes ranged from Disney characters to Hannibal Lechter, and pumpkins and free hayrides were provided prior to the event by Alstede Farms. First place went to cousins Daniel and Morgan who dressed as an organ grinder and monkey, respectively.
Dennis Samuel, Publick House general manager at the time, said he originated the idea of the costume contest when he and his wife realized trick-or-treating was not always safe for kids. While the Publick House no longer hosts a Halloween costume contest, many towns host trunk-or-treats and parades to celebrate the joy of children (and their craft-savvy families).
This Week in Chester History
In 1991, Old Chester Road resident James Dean had a ghost vanish from his front yard. According to the police report, a small vehicle stopped in front of his house on Saturday night. The driver got out and took the three foot plywood ghost before driving away in the dark. Patrolman Stephen Beyer investigated.
This Week in Chester History
In 1979, Rutgers University offered Willowwood Arboretum to the Morris County Parks Commission on grounds that it was neither used by a great number of students nor did the institution possess the funds necessary to undertake more extensive research and maintenance programed planned for the facility. The 130 acre preserve, located in Chester and Bedminster Townships on Longview Road, was originally the property of Henry and Robert Tubbs, who purchased the land in 1908.
This Week in Chester History
In July 1988, the Chester Library’s “Kanga Committee” sponsored a mini-regatta at Chubb Pond where about 25 children sailed toy boats they made exclusively for the event. Kanga Committee member and event co-coordinator Pamela Jones was quoted saying, “We had everything from a boat the size of a walnut shell to a three-foot-catamaran.” She also said she first thought of holding the regatta after re-reading “Stuart Little” by E.B. White. Winners were presented with a gift certificate to Encore Books.
Source: The Observer-Tribune
This Week in Chester History
In 2001, the Recreation Commission of Chester Township presented the 63rd Army Band in concert on July 10th at Chubb Park. The program ranged from Broadway hits to marching band music of Sousa and a tribute to all branches of the Armed forces. The soloists and musicians are all members of the Army Reserve.
Source: Observer-Tribune
This Week in Chester History
In 1984, the Observer-Tribune announced the annual Turtle Races at Chubb Park where a band concert and fireworks display would also be held. According to the article, the “10th running of the turtles attracted both amateur and professional reptiles to the arena.”
This Week in Chester History
In 1996, an audience member at a Chester Borough Council meeting asked about merging the Chesters into a single municipality. This prompted the Borough to form a committee to study the question, while Mayor Kenneth Caro of Chester Township claimed it would not be beneficial to the township and had already been investigated in 1989.
Source: Observer-Tribune
This Week in Chester History
“After enduring millions of years of obscurity, that hardy species of reptile known as the turtle has finally found its place in the limelight,” begins the Observer-Tribune in 1975. The article announced the First Annual International Turtle Racing Championships to be held July 6th at the Welkind Neurological Hospital in Chester Township as the race site. Fee for entry was just 25 cents.
This Week in Chester History
In 1996, the Observer-Tribune profiled Chester resident Ted Buyinski, who appeared on the TV show “Jeopardy” and won a vacation to Jamaica and local fame. When asked by Alex Trebek where he was from, he responded “Chester Township.” Buyinski was edged out of the championship by $2.
