FESS PARKER

I recently read that the actor Fess Parker passed. This saddened me as part of my childhood slipped away with this knowledge. If you don't know, Fess Parker was the "king of the wild frontier". He was the actor discovered by Walt Disney to portray Davey Crockett in the TV series of the same name. He was my childhood hero as he was to most of the children of my generation. After the Crockett series was over, he moved on to portraying Daniel Boone in the 1960's. He was in a few movies, but really his name was made by playing two frontier heroes.
It was because of Crockett and Boone that I have one more memory which they play a part in.

When my son Myles was a little boy, I took him for a hike in Vernon. It was to be a little father-son bonding time. We left Mommy at home with his baby sister and set out. It was a beautiful Spring Day, warm and clear. We walked into the forest across the way and joined the trail that led into the meadow beyond.
I told Myles we would be on the trail like Davey Crockett. He already had on his coonskin cap (not real) and we walked along. I showed him how to read the trail. We looked for moss on the North side of the trees. We looked for landmarks like big rocks. I pointed out the Red Tail Hawk perched in the tree overhead. we looked at the deer tracks in the soft dirt. Then we came out into the high grass of the meadow. I lifted Myles up so he could look all around...great!

Now it was Myles turn to show me the way out. We retraced our steps climbing over the downed trees that fell across the trail. We passed by a small side trail that a landmark told Myles was the wrong way. We moved further back on the trail. Then we came to a three way split. It was not visible on the way in, so it was a true test.

Myles looked left, right, and center, he paused. He picked a stick and hit the nearest tree. He dropped the stick. He closed one eye and pointed at each trail again and again till his finger stopped at the center trail. He turned to me and said this one Daddy. He was right!
He walked along happy and proud. I asked him, how did he figure it out? What trail clue did he use? I did what Mommy told me...we stopped.

What did Mommy tell you? Mommy said if I get confused, to use my pointer finger and go enny minny miney mo. My heart sunk. It was still a great day.

GLENWOOD

Now a private home, this building was the Glenwood General Store owned by Daniel Bailey. Bailey was a captain in the Civil War for the New Jersey volunteers. When he returned, he became a mover and shaker in town. He had the family farm, and started the general store above and the grist mill pictured below.

The grist mill is now a bed and breakfast with a beautiful waterfall behind.

Bailey had numerous ventures which helped Glenwood and Vernon grow.

The beautiful Apple Valley Inn. Built in 1831 and is also at the 517 and 565 intersection.

The barns at the corner of 517 and 565 in Glenwood. When it's apple picking season, you start here.

Now it's the Pochuck deli, but it was built as the North Vernon Methodist church in 1863.

Glewood is still a gorgeous community and very country.

VIEWS OF VERNON

The Llama here is one of Vernon's residents. There are farm animals all over town and the kids love to stop and look. Watch out, Llamas can be nasty.

Spring is the time to see new calves. That's some of the ski runs on the mountain in the back left.

Hay rolls in the open meadows on a beautiful Spring Day!

Above is the town center of Vernon with the East mountains in view to show the valley.

NORDIC HOUSE

I recently read the Jan Baker article in the Advertiser about the Nordic house Coffee Shop on Rt. 94 by Fergusen's Funeral Home. So I stopped in and had some coffee...WOW! Delicious!

The article was about the township allowing or rather, not allowing low tech sandwich boards as advertising.
I can appreciate that the township doesn't want a lot of clutter on Rt. 94, but there are a lot of small businesses along the roadway that need our support.

The Nordic Shop has great coffee, smoothies, treats and a nice atmosphere. While I am late to this discussion, I hope my letter to the town council will encourage them to reconsider their position on denying sandwich boards. As the author of ezhistory.com, I have driven all over the country and seen small business districts like ours.

You can look at Rt. 66 and see what works and doesn't . There are alot of low tech and fun logos all over that Vernon can try as well under township control. Regardless of what they decide on, they should try something to encourage and support the small business in town.

VERNON, NJ

GOLD!



It's not in the hills around Vernon, although it once was in small quantities. Canistear Mine had small traces.



The real treasure is the families that live here. All sports are available on beautiful fields.

Hiking trails through preserves to see Red Tail Hawks and all the other species. Deer and Bears are around, so you have to be carefull.

Still, when you walk out your front door and see the seasons change, there is no other place than Vernon.

It's a great town for families.

CANNONBALL HOUSE

The Cannonball House in Springfield NJ.

The British and Hessian Armies attacked from Elizabethtown West towards Hobart Gap. The goal was Morristown and the supplies kept there and any small part of the Continental Army in camp.

The Militia rose up and General Nathanial Greene led them to resist the attack and turn back the British. Not before the town of Springfield was burned down. Washington returned here to see this surviving house and three others. They were spared because the British used them as hospitals.

General Washington stayed here for a few days to be sure the British would not return.

When the house was repaired, a cannonball was discovered in the rafters. The projectile and the house are part of the Springfield Historical Society.

DE WINT HOUSE

Washington visited Tappan New York 4 times through the war.





8/8/- 8/23/1780.


9/28/- 10/6/1780.


5/4/- 5/8/1783.


11/11/-11/13.1783.








The restaurant above was a tavern at the time of Benedict Arnold
and was where British Officer Major John Andre was held prior to his execution.





Below is the marker for the gallows where Major John Andre' was executed for spying and his participation in the Benedict Arnold affair.




























The DeWint House today as it is maintained by the Masons.
Washington met with British Officers and officials prior to the surrender of NYC at the DeWint House. Over a banquet, the terms were stuck for the British withdrawl.
To the Masons credit, the House is now dedicated to Masons that were on both sides. I think George would have liked that.


Above and below is the John De Windt house. A modest farm house where General Washington made his headquarters.