USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > Ridgewood > Ridgewood, Bergen County, New Jersey, past and present > Part 17
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The club was organized with ten active members. The following officers were elected for the first year:
President
G. U. WHITE,
Vice-President
F. R. POWLEY,
Secretary-Treasurer F. F. KNOTHE,
Librarian
WILBUR MORRIS,
Chairman Music Committee G. R. YOUNG.
The elub chose as conductor, Mr. Dewitt Clinton, Jr., who on Octo- ber 5, 1914, was succeeded by the present conductor, Wilbur A. Luyster. In the spring of 1910, Mr. Bevier Smith was selected as accompanist. Two private invitation eoneerts were given in May and June of 1910. The active membership had then grown to fifteen.
In October, 1910, the elub began its second season by planning to give two publie concerts each season. An associate membership was established. No tickets were sold for the eoneerts, but aetive and asso- eiate members received and distributed them as invitations to the eon- cert. This practice has been maintained through the seven seasons of the club's successful history.
The active members consist of 22 tenors and 23 bassos. There is an associate membership of 140.
The Cecilia Society
The Cecilia Society, composed of women of Ridgewood, was organ- ized in November, 1912. Its original offieers were :
President MRS. J. PURCELL,
Recording Secretary MRS. WILFRED KURTII.
Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer MRS. HERMAN FRITZ,
Librarian MRS. E. E. ALLEY,
Assistant Librarian
MRS. C. F. OSGOOD,
Chairman of Arrangements
MRS. W. H. HADDON.
Musical Director MRS. ELIZABETH D. LEONARD.
The object of this society is to encourage the study of music, par- tieularly choral and instrumental music, the study and diseussion of musical literature and the expounding of such literature by its members
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and various distinguished musical artists. The society has a member- ship of 200.
WELFARE ASSOCIATIONS
The people of Ridgewood have always taken an active interest in civic matters and the general welfare of the community and its citizens. As proof of this concern, there have developed within the past twenty years, eight organizations which are now doing effective work.
Village Improvement Association
The Village Improvement Association was organized by the women of the Village on November 4, 1897, for the purpose of improving and beautifying the Village. The first officers were:
President MRS. DE L. BERIER.
First Vice-President
MRS. ALLEN MACNAUGHTON,
Second Vice-President
MRS. I. E. HUTTON,
Recording Secretary MISS HOUSTON.
Corresponding Secretary
.MISS CARRIGAN,
Treasurer
MRS. G. U. WILITE.
Among the several committees were such as-Children's Auxiliary, Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Animals, Street, Sanitary, Hu- mane, Railroad, Penny Savings Bank, Park, Library and Preservation of Natural Beauties. As shown elsewhere in this book, the results of the association's efforts are prominent among the achievements of Ridge- wood's citizens.
In 1904 the various committees were disbanded because several ob- jects had been attained as, for instance, the street cleaning and the systematie removal of garbage. The Library Committee continued its work. The Village Trustees allowed the association $300 a year for the support of the Library and the Commissioners have continued this appropriation.
The Village Improvement Association was incorporated in January, 1916, its only activity being the operation of the Public Library.
The Ridgewood Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The Ridgewood Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was organized in 1899 with a membership of less than twenty men and women. Cases of cruelty were then tried in Hackensack. The meet- ings were at first held at the home of Mrs. George N. Oekford, but later a room in the Library Building was secured and was kept open for several hours each day for the purpose of receiving complaints.
The original officers were :
President MRS. C. C. HARRISON, MRS. GEORGE N. OCKFORD,
First Vice-President
Second Vice-President MISS BERTHA MILLS,
Third Vice-President MISS F. G. VIETOR,
Secretary
MRS. F. J. WALTON,
Treasurer
MRS. J. CARSHAW,
Veterinarian DR. HOLDENBY.
On account of death and the change of residence of several members, the society at one time became inactive, but was finally reorganized
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and its charter returned. Membership and activities increased so that now cases are tried in Ridgewood and the Village has turned over to the society the care of all animals.
During the presidency of Mrs. H. A. Bonynge, a drinking fountain was erected at the intersection of Spring and Maple Avenues and a shelter in the town yard was built for housing animals.
At present the society is caring for between 200 and 300 animals a year, besides handling numerous complaints. The society is also working hard, with the assistance of the Semi-Centennial Committee, to raise funds for a handsome granite combination drinking fountain, designed by Mr. H. E. Paddon, to be erected in the Plaza.
Woman's Auxiliary to the Young Men's Christian Association
The Woman's Auxiliary to the Young Men's Christian Association was formed for the purpose of assisting the Y. M. C. A. and its work for young men. It was organized on October 14, 1902, with the fol- lowing officers :
President MRS. R. M. WINANS.
First Vice-President MIRS. I. E. HUTTON,
Second Vice-President MRS. C. V. R. BERDAN,
Secretary
MRS. A. P. CROUTER.
Treasurer MRS. F. K. MATTHEWS.
The membership consists of 220 mothers and women of the Village.
Social Service Association
The Social Service Association, originally called the Relief Society of Ridgewood, was formed as the result of the co-operation of Mrs. II. HI. Palmer, Mrs. S. D. Graydon and Mr. F. F. Knothe. Mrs. Palmer had been active in relieving suffering in Midland Park and Wortendyke and Mrs. Graydon had been caring for needy families in the Village. While doing this work they conferred with Mr. Knothe, who asked several men to join him in providing a nurse to investigate and relieve conditions in Ridgewood. The result was that the Village Improve- ment Association called a meeting of representatives of all churches and organizations in Ridgewood and the Relief Society was formed on February 24, 1909.
As the constitution states, the objects were :
1. To foster harmonious co-operation among the various religious and benevolent organizations of Ridgewood and vicinity and to avoid the overlapping of relief work.
2. To investigate all applications for relief, to dispense adequate relief for suitable cases and to procure work for needy persons.
3. To repress mendicaney.
4. To promote the general welfare of the poor by social and sanitary reform and the inculcation of habits of providence and self-de- pendence.
Every department of the society's work is completely severed from all questions of religious belief, polities, and nationality.
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The first officers were :
President MRS. F. F. KNOTHE,
First Vice-President . MRS. DE L. BERIER.
Second Vice-President MRS. R. WORTENDYKE,
Secretary
MRS. R. W. HAWES.
Treasurer MRS. A. C. BROOKES.
In 1912, the work of the society warranted the help of a trained social worker for part time, and the Board of Education engaged the same worker for part time as school nurse. Later each organization secured a worker of its own.
On May 6, 1913, the Relief Society was incorporated under the name of Social Service Association.
In May, 1916, there were 429 members.
Village Christmas Tree Association
The first Village Christmas Tree was held at the home of Mrs. A. E. Tolkamp on East Ridgewood Avenne, Christmas, 1909, at which time she and her daughter, Mrs. W. H. Haddon, having conceived the idea, provided gifts for a few worthy children, about ten in number. A like celebration was held the following year, the number of children inereasing to about twenty. In 1911 the number having grown too great to be accommodated at their home, a number of ladies were inter- ested and Prospect Hall was secured for the festivities.
The following year the entire matter was assumed by the Village Christmas Tree Association of Ridgewood, which had been formed with the following officers :
President Vice-President
MRS. E. T. WHITE. MRS. D. A. GARBER,
Secretary-Treasurer MRS. E. S. BROWER.
The association now consists of about 35 members, embracing every church and section of Ridgewood.
The recipients, now numbering about 200 children, are barred by neither creed nor color. The work is carried on entirely through the generosity of the Ridgewood people and the energy and tireless work of the members of the association.
Upper Ridgewood Association
In 1910 when a number of newcomers settled in Upper Ridgewood, they, together with a few old residents in the neighborhood, organized what is now the Upper Ridgewood Association to which every resident of Upper Ridgewood and Wastena Park is eligible. The object of the association was to improve that new residential section of Ridgewood. Meetings were held with frequency whenever the wants of the com- munity demanded them and everyone contributed his efforts for the general welfare.
The first officers of the association were:
President
LOUIS CHIABLE,
Vice-President ('HARLES FAIRCIHILD,
Secretary-Treasurer
JOHN KOLMAR.
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Federated Men's Club
The Federated Men's Club of the churches of Ridgewood was or- ganized September 27, 1910, by the following delegates :- Rev. C. P. Pearson, C. S. Chapman, G. W. Martin, L. Wardell, A. E. Tolkamp, W. J. Dowling, J. W. Boylston, W. C. Zabriskie, Dr. W. T. Whitney, T. J. Foster, Rev. C. O. Wright and G. A. Schaible.
The following officers were elected :
President T. J. FOSTER, HADLEY FORD,
Vice-President
Secretary Treasurer
H. S. VINCENT, C. F. BROACH.
This organization has a long list of good deeds accomplished to its credit, some of which include practical attempts to better the con- dition of the colored population of our Village, and advocating the use of school buildings for civic, social, and educational purposes after school hours.
The organization has also been instrumental in establishing and maintaining a camp for boys from the slums of New York where they can have at least two weeks of life in the open. Mr. C. S. Chapman labored faithfully and efficiently for three years as chairman of the committee who had this camp in charge and Mr. W. U. Green has had charge of it for two years and greatly enlarged the work which has the support of all the people of Ridgewood.
This organization has ever been ready to lend a helping hand to those in distress and has labored diligently to curtail the liquor traffic evil, to foster the Big Brother movement, to complete a card index of the religious standing of the people of our town-and, in fact, have tried to do what they could to make our town a better place to live in.
The Ridgewood Chapter of the American National Red Cross
During 1898 the Village Improvement Association undertook to conduct during the summer Red Cross work and provided many arti- cles for the sick and wounded, but it was not until August 16, 1916, that a Ridgewood Chapter of this national institution was organized through the efforts of the Ridgewood Branch of the National Security League.
The original officers were :
President
MR. J. H. DUNNING.
Ticc-President MRS. C. H. EDDY.
Secretary MIRS. T. J. FOSTER.
Treasurer MIR. W. H. HENDRICKSON.
The officers, with the following, constituted the Executive Commit- tee :- Mrs. J. L. Averill, Mrs. H. C. Christianson, Mrs. W. D. Ferres, Mr. W. E. Remington, and Mr. G. N. Orcutt.
During the summer of 1916, the Surgical Dressing Committee, under Mrs. J. L. Averill, made 915 yards of gauze and muslin and 23 pounds of cotton into bandages.
There are 21 active members, 1 sustaining member and 1 life member. PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The remarkable result of this chapter in in-
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ercasing its membership in the carly part of the year 1917 to over 2,000, or 28 per cent. of the population of the Village, placed Ridgewood as holding the record for the most successful campaign for Red Cross members over held in any city or town in the United States.
SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS
To indicate the interest the people of Ridgewood have in the sehools and welfare of their children in their educational pursuits, mention may be made of the parents' and teachers' associations which co-operate with the schools. The faet is noteworthy that this co-operation results in better work on the part of the student and a greater understanding on the part of the parents and teachers.
Alumni Association of the Ridgewood High School, Ridgewood, N. J.
Although interest in an Alumni Association was first aroused in 1902, it was not until June, 1911, that such an association was organ- ized. At that time Everett Shutts was elected President, Edgar Wand- less, Vice-President and Secretary, and Miss Grace E. Jones, Treasurer.
At a re-organization meeting held in September, 1916, a constitution and incorporation papers were accepted and a Board of Trustees was elected.
On December 28, 1916, the association was duly incorporated and a Board of Trustees was chosen. Membership in the association con- sists of :
1. Regular graduates of the Ridgewood High School.
2. Students who have left high school after having completed at least two years' study and who make application for membership to the association secretary.
3. Honorary members who may be elected by a two-thirds vote of the active members of the association.
4. Members of the High School Faculty and Board of Education who are honorary members as long as they are actively connected with the high school.
The general purpose of the association is to promote and stimulate an active interest in and among the members in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the alumni and the high school body gen- crally. The definite aim is to establish a scholarship for that member of the senior elass of the Ridgewood High School who, in the opinion of the committee, deserves it most and who has fulfilled certain condi- tions specified by the Alumni Association.
Kenilworth Parents, and Teachers' Association
The Kenilworth Parents, and Teachers' Association was organized on February 12, 1912. At that time the following were elected officers:
President
MR. E. O. GROVER,
Vice-President MRS. G. H. NICKERSON,
Secretary MRS. D. W. BOYD,
Treasurer MR. C. WOODWORTH.
The object of the association is to provide facilities for bringing the
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teachers and parents into a closer relationship, to secure more perfect co-operation in advancing the moral, intellectual and physical welfare of the pupils and in furthering the cause of education in the commun- ity. The association has a membership of 67.
Monroe Home and School Association
The Monroe Home and School Association was organized in Novem- ber, 1915, when the following officers were elected :
.J. J. GLYNN, DANIEL R. BACON,
President Vice-President Secretary-Treasurer MISS ELIZABETH STURGESS.
The association has grown to a membership of 170 and has as its object the co-operation of the parents with the teachers and the school for the welfare of the children.
Citizens' High School Association
On December 15, 1915, a committee of 150 citizens was organized at the high school and was known as the Citizens' High School Com- mittee. The following officers were elected :
Chairman Secretary Treasurer HARVEY E. WHITNEY,
GEORGE M. SCHINZEL, .EUGENE A. SKEHAN,
and the following Executive Committee: O. B. Surpless, Frederick Pfeifer, T. J. Foster, Charles H. Woodman, Clarence Stewart, R. T. Wilson, W. J. Klug, Harold F. Dana, George H. Nickerson, Thomas P. Connor, C. D. Ireland and B. D. Forster.
Subsequently the committee resolved itself into a permanent or- ganization and the present membership of more than 450 consists of the parents of all high school pupils and all residents over eighteen years of age who desire to join. There are no dues.
The objects of the association are to bring before the people of Ridgewood the needs of the public school system in general and the needs of the high school in particular and to form a medium by which the teachers may be brought in contact with the parents of the pupils for their mutual understanding and benefit.
ANTI-LIQUOR ORGANIZATIONS Local Option League
In 1914, certain men of Ridgewood learned to their great astonish- ment that all states excepting New Jersey and Pennsylvania had passed local option legislation, by which the people through majority home rule could control the lieensing of the saloon. This knowledge pro- voked inquiry as to whether this condition was the will of the people of New Jersey or whether it was the result of the vote having been scientifically controlled against them.
In that year a petition signed by 2,000 voters of Bergen County was presented by a delegation of Ridgewood men to their assemblymen, praying for their affirmative vote on a Local Option Bill about to come
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up in the Assembly. Each of the three Bergen County assemblymen replied that he would vote as his constituents wanted him to. As not one of them recorded his vote in favor of the bill, it became apparent that the people would have to make their will known before the pri- maries and election, rather than to waste time and effort in attempting to do so afterward.
The subject then became a matter of votes, the all-potent factor in polities. Ridgewood citizens forthwith organized the Bergen County Local Option League- Ridgewood Branch, with the usual officers, an executive committee of 17 and a general committee of 100. The fore- most citizens of the Village lined up behind the movement. The matter was carried into other sections of the county and similar leagues were organized in several municipalities, with working committees and units in still other sections. The response everywhere to the movement was immediate and aggressive.
In due time, representatives of all the leagues were brought together at a meeting in Ridgewood and a central organization known as the Bergen County Local Option League was formed and shortly afterward incorporated.
Woman's Christian Temperance Union
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized in Ridge- wood in May, 1915, with the following original officers:
President MRS. FRANK H. VALENTINE,
Recording Secretary
MRS. HENRY W. BAYLIS,
Corresponding Secretary
MRS. F. L. BAILEY.
Treasurer
DR. LYNDA E. H. STAFF, MIRS. WILLIAM L. PLATT,
MRS. FRANK H. WHITE,
MRS. HERBERT RAWSON,
Vice-Presidents
MRS. CHARLES G. WELTI.
MRS. B. F. DECKER, MRS. J. H. WARD.
The organization has for its purpose the abolition of the liquor traf- fic and its kindred evils by means of church organizations, public senti- ment, suffrage, literature, education and training in public schools, and the press.
There are at present 49 active members, three honorary members and three well-wishers.
THE RIDGEWOOD MEDICAL SOCIETY
The Ridgewood Medical Society was organized in the fall of 1911 and incorporated under the Laws of the State of New Jersey. Its object, as set forth in the constitution, is "to advance medical science, promote friendly relations among its members, to educate and protect the public in preventive medicine and hygiene, and to safeguard the material in- terests of the profession.
"Every legally registered physician residing and practicing in Ber- gen County and who is of good moral and professional standing shall be eligible for membership in the society.
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"Regular meetings shall be held on the third Wednesday in each and every month at 8:45 P.M. at such place as from time to time may be determined by the society."
From its inception the society has been a success, and its value to the profession and to the community has been noticeable. At each meeting some interesting scientific topic has been discussed, many times by men from neighboring towns and cities who have presented papers and lectures, this being followed by light refreshments and general round table talk and social intercourse.
Under the able administration of its officers, the first President being Dr. W. L. Vroom; Secretary, Dr. W. C. Craig; and Treasurer, Dr. George M. Ockford; and on through successive administrations, the society has grown and developed, its membership including all the physicians in Ridgewood, Ho-Ho-Kus, Waldwick, Allendale, Midland Park, and Wyckoff.
ORGANIZATIONS FOR YOUNG MEN
Although Ridgewood is not a place where evil flaunts itself, it, nevertheless, takes the precaution of protecting its young men. The two most excellent institutions of their kind in the country have branches in Ridgewood. The Young Men's Christian Association and the Boy Scouts of America are indeed organizations of which to be proud.
The Young Men's Christian Association
The Young Men's Christian Association, having as its objective, the spiritual, social, mental, and physical welfare of men and boys, takes up its work where everything else leaves off and utilizes leisure hours, unemployed time, and idle hands. Its work is mostly accom- plished in the afternoons and evenings when the schools and business places are closed.
The Ridgewood Association is wielding a wonderful influence not only in our own village and county, but also throughout the whole state and is one of its strongest organizations.
It was founded in 1902 with a few members. Judge Cornelius Doremus served as its first President during 1902 and 1903, and until 1906 the association occupied space in the Old Town Hall (Opera House).
The Association has grown steadily, until it has attained, during the past four years, to the position of first rank in the State of New Jersey, in proportion to population, having at the present time 569 members, 254 of whom are between the ages of 12 and 18 years, known as juniors and intermediates.
The most notable advancement has been in the Religious Depart- ment and fully 80 per cent., of the boy membership, is enrolled in the Bible study classes. Of the 73 members taking the international Bible examination in 1916-17, all passed with an average of 95 per cent. and 13 passed with 100 per cent. This remarkable showing places our
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Aljian Studio
Ridgewood Y. M. C. A.
RIDGEWOOD, BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
association as first in New Jersey and seventh in the United States in Bible study.
The present building, erected on Oak Street in 1906, is 65 by 90 feet and with the athletic field occupying a space 225 by 500 feet lends to the various activities and serves to produce effective work in all departments. The total property investment is $32,500 free of all debt.
The Jewell system of purifying the 20,000 gallons of water every 24 hours is a great attraction the year round and is in constant use, as it insures an absolutely clear swimming pool for the members and their friends. Aside from this great attraction are two bowling alleys where unusually high scores are rolled, the gymnasium of liberal di- mensions, the pool and billiard tables, the chess and checker boards. the reading room with 37 weekly and monthly magazines, and the new library with a few hundred volumes.
The athletic field has a most excellent baseball diamond, two tennis courts, and an eight-lap traek, where the games of many of the organi- zations in town are held. This increases the usefulness of the Y. M. C. A. and makes it a community affair.
Early in May of each year the baseball team takes up the summer activities and with its weekly attraction presents most excellent enter- tainment to the people of Ridgewood and vicinity. Fully 5,000 attended the games during the 1916 season. The Y. M. C. A. team is strictly amateur, but plays the strongest semi-professional teams. Its best year was 1916, when it won 15 games, tied one, and lost four.
Boy Scouts of America
A branch of the Boy Scouts of America was organized in Ridgewood in 1910. The original officers were :
President Vice-President F. F. KNOTHE,
R. L. ROE,
Secretary-Treasurer
G. A. SCHAIBLE,
Commissioner
.E. B. LILLY.
Through the kindness of the Young Men's Christian Association the scout work was started in their building. As the membership in- creased more room was needed and in May, 1916, the Boy Scout organ- ization moved to its present headquarters in the basement of the Re- formed Church, the use of which was kindly granted by the consistory. Through the generosity of their many friends, the scouts were enabled to secure proper equipment to carry on the splendid work in a much larger way.
The 70 scouts composing the organization are divided into three troops, each under the leadership of a capable scout master. Each scout is graded according to his accomplishments as tenderfoot, second class, and first class scouts.
The object of the organization is to develop the boys morally, men- tally, and physically. The adherence by the boys to the scout oath and scout law are ways in which the objective is attained.
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