1. Kick-off – “Celebrating the Century”
Town Photo – #1 of 3 – click on photo for full view. More photos below. (photo by Peter Sorantin)
CELEBRATING THE CENTURY
Briarcliff Park & The Community Church
A Mountain Lakes Celebration as it was in 1911…
Families and neighbors gathered at snow covered Briarcliff Park and the Community Church and enjoyed activities reminiscent of the kinds of outdoor winter fun that the early pioneers of the Borough enjoyed back in 1911 at its founding. Old-fashioned children’s games from Craftsman Farms, a horse-drawn hayride, a birthday cake baking contest, socializing with neighbors around a warm fire while listening to the vocal harmonies of the barbershop quartet “Steppin’ Out!” were just some of the activities that Lakers enjoyed. There were even some who braved the 20 degree weather and were ice-skating. For photos from the event, click on the slideshow.
We’d love to have more photos. If you took any on Sunday, you can add them to: http://www.flickr.com/groups/ml100/ – thank you.
Happy Birthday Cake Contest
The cake contest had fabulously creative and delicious entrants. (if you didn’t get your ribbon or are missing a tray or corn-cobs, please e-mail ml100.mtnlakes.org)
In the under 18 year old category for Taste, third place went to Erica Luzzi and Alexa Gittle, second place to Talya Feldman and the first place blue ribbon went to Julia Bay. In the under 18 year old category for Appearance, third place went to Julia Bay, second place to the Hahns kids, and the first place blue ribbon went to Deryn Carter.
In the over 18 year old category for Taste, third place went to Elaine Boyle, second place to the neighborhood “Prestigious Hill Section,” and the first place blue ribbon went to Dana Stokes. In the over 18 year old category for Appearance, third place went to the neighborhood “Prestigious Hill Section,” second place to Elaine Boyle and the first place blue ribbon went to Nancy Bigelsen.
We also have this amazing chocolate fondant cake in the shape of Hapgood house thanks to chef Michael Schmidt at the Mountain Lakes Market. This is not just a general Hapgood, but a very specific one. We had lots of guesses, and the answer is: the cake is a replica of the Hapgood house at 68 Lake Drive. The revealing crack in the stucco, must have helped Donalee Brown and Charlie Gormally correctly identify the house. Congratulations!
Neighborhoods
Displays from each of Mountain Lakes 22 neighborhoods were set up inside the Community Church where residents voted for the best neighborhood nickname, mascot and flag. “The Prestigious Hill Section” was the first place winner. For more about the neighborhoods, go the Neighborhood Map and the Neighborhood Challenges. For a list of neighborhoods names, mascots and liaisons go to The Neighborhoods.
Centennial Chair Stephanie Hoopes Halpin and Mayor Charles Gormally
Celebrating the Centennial – Welcoming Remarks
Mayor Charlie Gormally – This is the kick-off for a whole year of celebration. We have a lot to celebrate today – and throughout 2011 – 100 years of being a unique community. Today we focus on Mountain Lakes in the very beginning. Knowing where you come from – the roots of your community – helps you better understand and appreciate who you are.
Back in 1911, the Mtn Lakes we know today was only a twinkle in the new residents’ eye. The lake behind us was barely more than a swamp, this was a dirt road, there was no town government (we weren’t even a Boro back then) and the first church had not yet been built. But Herbert Hapgood’s vision of a special community was firmly planted, his craftsman style homes were beginning to dot the landscape, and the first residents arriving.
Our celebration today gives us a chance to re-live the early days of Mountain Lakes. In this fast paced video age, its good to know that we can still enjoy simple outdoor activities and visiting with our friends and neighbors. I hope you all will enjoy what has been special about our town for 100!
In a few minutes we will officially open the Centennial Year with a ceremonial ribbon cutting – and ring in the new year with a bell that has been an essential part of Mountain Lakes from the beginning. Given to the Mountain Lakes church (as the Community Church was then known) by the residents of the town in 1914, it has been used to announce many town events including church services, fires and most proudly the woman’s right to vote.
Now I’d like to hand the mike over to our Centennial Chair, Stephanie Hoopes Halpin, fashionably dressed for 1911.
Centennial Chair Stephanie Hoopes Halpin
Thank you Mayor – love your hat – and thank you Mountain Lakes! On behalf of the Centennial Steering Committee I would like to welcome you all the ML Centennial Kick-off. This is a great turn-out of families to remember the beginning of our town; in fact, many more than the 40 or so families who moved here in the first year. When you hear about the conditions, you wonder, why did they come? The founding families braved rough conditions, including no mail delivery, inadequate electricity, murky tap water, rutted muddy roads, and unreliable trolley service.
1. The founding families in Mountain Lakes were keen to move out of the increasingly crowded and dirty cities, and raise their children in fresh air and natural beauty.
2. It was also an era of prosperity in America that built a growing middle class – one that had a sense of confidence and adventure as they became more successful. Mountain Lakes provided a perfect challenge for these families
3. especially those who sought the Arts & Crafts ideals of simplicity, utility, functionality and honesty. Mountain Lakes also offered a community where the family was the central unit and inspiration could be gained from nature.
Executives, business owners, engineers, musicians and writers moved their families to Mountain Lakes in the 1910s and into Hapgood houses that were the ideal craftsman homes – ones that invited rest, comfort, the outdoors and family togetherness.
Soon after moving in, the pioneers of Mountain Lakes started putting into practice an ideal way of life: fishing, canoeing, ice-skating, coasting, automobiling (for fun), creating and listening to music, staging dramatic productions and above all, forming club after club. Improvements to the town followed.
Today a wide range of talented professionals move their families to Mountain Lakes for the same lifestyle – but with mail delivery, paved roads and reliable utilities.
To learn more about life in the Arts & Crafts era, Craftsman Farms is inviting all Lakers to ML Day at Craftsman Farms, Sunday February 6th – with free tours, activities for kids and a cake reception with Centennial book signing.
I’d like to recognize the Kick-off event chair, Nancy Bigelsen, and the Kick-off committee: Cindy Shaw, Elaine Boyle, Jennifer Smith, Lucy Luc, Gretchen Hudson and Jane Hayward. And thank them for having the wonderful pioneer spirit and vision to plan an outdoor event in January – and pull it off. Three cheers – hip-hip-hooray; hip-hip-hooray; hip-hip-hooray.
The “Celebrating the Century” kick-off event committee
There are many people behind the scenes who made today possible – chief Tovo and the Police Department, Fire Chief Mulanney and the fire department (and ice-rescue squad), and DPW Head Mark Prusina and the hard working, snow shoveling DPW team.
We also have a great group of volunteers here today – the backbone of Mountain Lakes – the reason we can have great events like this is because there are people willing to pitch in, even at the last minute. THANK YOU! These volunteers include the neighborhood liaisons. I hope you have visited the neighborhood tables and voted for the best name and mascot, admired the flags, sign-up with your neighborhood, and started planning your challenges. The Best Name and Mascot will be announced during the set-up for the Town photo at 2:30pm – sharp. So if you haven’t voted yet, be sure to stop by the neighborhood tables and vote for your favorite – there are some great choices.
Looking ahead, the next Centennial event is The Birthday Gala hosted by the Town Club on Saturday March 12th at the Mountain Lakes Club. With an orchestra, fancy dress and more birthday cake! we will celebrate in 1920s style. I’d like to point out that dressing up is fun – encourage you to start thinking about your flapper dresses, long beads, feather boas and cigarette holders. Tickets are available at the Town Club table in Community Church, and invitations will be in the mail next week.
Also in the Church is a fabulous display from the Historic Preservation Committee as well as the beautiful Centennial logo merchandise.
Town Photo - #2 of 3 - click on photo for full view. (photo by Peter Sorantin)
Town Photo - #3 of 3 - click on photo for full view. (photo by Peter Sorantin)
Themocracy
WOW – GREAT idea!
I, along with my family would love to be there!
Plan on being there in October for reunion. Hope to make a few more, 4th would be great.
I would love to be there but it’s a fair hike from where I live in Nova Scotia. Hopefully will get to Mtn. Lakes sometime during the celebration year.
As a former resident of Mountain Lakes I am a bit confused. If I am not mistaken, Mountain Lakes was incorporated in 1924. Prior to that, the area known as Mountain Lakes was actually Hanover Township. I was at the 50th anniversary in 1974. By my calculations that makes Mountain Lakes 87 years old.
That’s an amazing turnout. What especially struck me as I scanned the faces was the diversity. Fifty years (since I moved way far away from NJ) sure has changed the ‘face’ of ML. Love it.
Love seeing my hometown celebrated! I grew up in Mt Lakes in the 40′s & 50′s. Fullerton & Elizabeth Webster bought their home at 91 Morris Avenue in 1927. There’s not a better town to bring up children! Thank you for all your work for this great celebration
What fun, what a proud bunch we are!
Mountain Lakes was incorporated in 1924. It was settled in 1911 when the first family, the Lawrence W. Luellens, moved into 46 Dartmouth Road on March 17, 1911.