SOUTH ORANGE –South Orange's bravest rededicated the 1925 fire house on Saturday, June 12, serving as a formal end to a decade's worth of work.

Members of the South Orange Fire Department - with assistance from village and state historical officials, Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson) and other dignitaries - were in attendance at the fire headquarters at 56 Sloan St.

"I'm proud to be the Congressman for our first responders," said Pascrell. "We particularly found out what we need - and don't need - after Sept. 11."

Most of the 110 audience members stayed to see three of SOFD's apparatuses blessed - and get tours of what will make the township landmark stand for what supporters hope will be another 85 years.

EAST ORANGE - Greater Cornerstone Baptist Church intends to expand its Ampere community services by remodeling a corner building two doors south of its 235-237 North 18th St. sanctuary.

"We have just bought 231 North 18th on the corner," announced Pastor Niles R. Wilson during the church's inaugural motorcycle blessing service May 1. "Our next step is to work in the financing. We intend to turn it into a new ark for youth and the community."

WEST ORANGE - "Mother" was already seated before dawn to greet the sunrise and visitors May 11 - like she has done the last 65 Mother's Days.

It is not known, however, whether "Mother" was visited Sunday while others tended to their mothers in the neighborhood just east of the 50 block of Watchung Avenue. It is likely that her anticipated relatives from early days have long gone away.

"Mother" is a statue placed before the Freiday family mausoleum in Rosedale Cemetery. The slightly larger-than-life bronze is seated before what would be the Freiday crypt's front entrance. Instead of a door, there are a pair of engraved vases and the following legend overhead: "Life's greatest happiness lies in loving service."

 

 

ORANGE – The Orange Free Public Library will be closed until at least June 1 for lead paint and possible asbestos remediation.

The Orange Health Department closed the library building at 348 Main St. on May 1 and four signs warning of lead contamination now adorn the library's front door and 109-year-old columns. Two rows of red danger tape across the library's Main Street entrance stairs provide an additional disincentive to access the two after-hours book drops.