| Happy 250th Birthday Wantage Township! |
| Wantage Township
celebrated it's 250th birthday on May 22 at the Wantage School. Numerous
dignataries stopped by to wish our town "Happy Birthday".
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| Mayor Bill DeBoer opened
the celebration with remarks of welcome and led everyone in reciting
the Pledge of Allegiance.
Amanda Stillings then led the group in the singing
of our National Anthem.
Mayor DeBoer also read a letter from President George Bush and
a proclimation from New Jersey Governor James McGreevy.
Deputy Mayor Jeff Parrott read a resolution of congratulations
from the Legislature.
Committeeman Parker Space read a letter of congratulations from
the governing body of Wantage, England. |
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High Point Regional High School Superintendent
John Hannum presented a history of the high school. The school was
competed on September 12, 1966. The first addition was built in
1975, and the second addition, totaling 220,000 square feet, was
completed in 1991. In 1975, 78 acres were purchased for athletic
fields.
The high school today has 1331 students and 131 professional
staff.
Sussex Middle School Principal Joe Mulford shared
a little Wantage school history. The first private school in our
community was established in 1828. The first public school was opened
in 1829. The first school budget was $500 — for the year!
The first teacher was paid $1 per student!
During the 1800's, there were 18 one-room schoolhouses
in Wantage. |
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United States Congressman E. Scott
Garrett attended the anniversary celebration also. Mr. Garrett is
a Wantage resident.
Another Wantage resident attending was Charlie Kuperus,
New Jersey's Secretary of Agriculture.
It was pointed out that some pretty powerful politicians
hail from Wantage!
Sussex County Freeholder Hal Wirths, a Wantage resident
for over 30 years, was on hand also, with running mate JoAnne DeAngeli
—who, somehow, does not reside in Wantage! |
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| There are three schools in the Sussex-Wantage
district; the Clifton E. Lawrence School for grades k-2, the Wangage
School for grades 3–5, and the Sussex Middle School, grades
6–8
Singers from the three schools performed their school
songs.
Kathleen Little, mayor of Sussex, congratulated her
town's neighbor on its milestone.
Historian Jennie Sweetsman stopped by to wish our
historical town a "Happy Birthday."
Miss Wantage 2004, Georgeann Belcher, and Miss New
Jersey Teen USA Rachael Carrollo were on hand to present flowers
to those residents who have resided in Wantage the longest. The
two young women also congratulated the town on its anniversary. |
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Former Wantage Mayors
were recognized for their service to our community. Twenty men served
as mayor over the past 50 years:
S. Harold Hough – 1954, 1957
Everette B. Ayers – 1955
Jack Prout – 1956
Warren D. Haggerty – 1958, 1959, 1960
George C. Clark – 1961
Harold D. Rome– 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1970, 1973,
1976, 1980. 1983.
Gerald P Elston – 1965, 1969
Harold L Haggerty – 1967
Donald J DeKorte – 1968
Ronald Howell – 1971. 1974, 1977, 1982
John D Cowling – 1972
Fred Hough – 1975, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1984. 1985, 1987,
1988, 1996
Richard Dunn – 1986, 1989
Douglas Ricker – 1990, 1994
Jim Jablonski – 1991, 1992, 1993
John Nuss – 1995, 1997, 1999
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Paul Grau – 1998,
2001
Richard Sytsema – 2000, 2002
Jeffrey Parrott – 2003
William DeBoer – 2004
Former Mayor Richard Dunn shared his memories of Wantage Township.
A fifth generation resident, he remembered the dirt roads of our
commuity. The first piece of equipment owned by the township was
a grader, used on those dirt roads.
Mr. Dunn surprised the township by donating that original grater
to Wantage. It will be reconditioned and be placed in front of the
Municipal Building. |
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The winners of the Anniversary
contest were announced during the celebration.
The Official Motto was the Arnold Family.
The Anniversary Logo contest was a collaboration by Maria Nasca
and Alan McLaughlin.
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