The Old Hamburg Turnpike. (File photo by Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: The old turnpike This is a story about a favorite historical hike. I love this route, which you might want to undertake yourself on a nice... Columns 04 Mar 2024 | 07:27
Mike Ferrera, right, with his basketball guys, from left, Eric, Jim Jim and Big Gary in 2016. (Photo provided) Sussex County History Today: 1981 NBA Draft This is the final installment of Mike Ferrara’s fantastic basketball career: Senior year 1981 has just ended. This nine-year... Columns 15 Jan 2024 | 08:14
Sussex County History Today: Christmas message from long ago Always an avid fan of history, I frequently ply the internet for new insights. I recently made an amazing discovery and hailed... Columns 15 Dec 2023 | 01:27
Sussex County History Today: Playoffs, upcoming NBA draft Let’s continue with the story of a Sussex County basketball legend in Michael Ferrara’s own words: 1980-81: ECAC playoffs... Columns 10 Dec 2023 | 05:40
Sussex County History Today: Taking on Vermont, Niagara It is my pleasure to leave the floor open to the Sussex County basketball star Mike Ferrara, describing his success on the... Columns 24 Nov 2023 | 09:08
From left, Michael Ferrara, Shaquille O’Neal and Jim Moore in 2015. (Photos provided) Sussex County History Today: Great Alaska Shootout I am pleased to provide another chapter in the continuing story of the career of one of Sussex County’s top athletes, the... Columns 12 Nov 2023 | 05:42
The Ogdensburg Historical Society opened the old Fire Department building to the public on Sussex County Heritage Weekend. (Photo by Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: Heritage Weekend trip An event that I look forward to each October is the Sussex County Heritage Weekend. This is the time when the historical... Columns 23 Oct 2023 | 12:23
The Forum on Democracy’s American Dream essay contest The Forum on Democracy is a group of former government leaders, professors, cultural anthropologists, researchers and other... Columns 31 Jul 2023 | 04:00
Sussex County historian Bill Truran, left, poses with fourth-graders taught by Holly Romahn, second from left, at Hardyston Elementary School. The class wrote letters to legislators, urging that Franklinite be named New Jersey’s official mineral. (Photo provided) Sussex County History Today: Franklinite is now official Sussex County is the owner of a great accomplishment. What one might consider a towering achievement is that two of our Sussex... Columns 24 Jul 2023 | 12:28
Will Brown became a farmer in Warwick after a Wall Street career that included 10 years as chief economist at J.P. Morgan. Provided photos. Slow pivot: The surprisingly gradual art of reinvention Will Brown’s sprawling grass-fed beef farm in Warwick, N.Y., is just 50 miles northwest of Manhattan, but a galaxy away from... Columns 06 Aug 2023 | 09:23
The Declaration of Independence Note: The following text is a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document... Columns 19 Jun 2023 | 12:16
Local miners gathered last weekend for Miners Day at the Franklin Mineral Museum. (Photo provided by Tema Hecht) Sussex County History Today: Miners The history of Sussex County has been built through the lives and labors of many individuals along with their relatives -... Home 15 Jun 2023 | 08:59
Bill Truran sits on Santa’s lap at Sears in Newton in 1951. ( Photo courtesy of Bill Truran, Sussex County Historian) Sussex County History Today: The Season Immediately on the heels of Thanksgiving comes the Christmas season, more lately referred to as “the holiday season” to include... Columns 09 Dec 2022 | 02:22
Christmas Tree It is not easy being a Christmas tree, In our life, we face much adversity. Our forest home cremated by fierce wildfires, And... Columns 08 Dec 2022 | 01:32
The Franklin Vo-Tech football team in 1921, as they trained to work in the mine and mill. Players shown (many with grandchildren remaining in our county): Principal Roselle, Garris, Leo Osborne, Harry Stormes, Alva Davies, Coach Art “Linkey” Donlley, Roby Mindlin, George Kasisky, Silvio “Lightning” Lusardi, Pete Ora, Bob Romoynes, “Pat” Joe Morris, Ted Estelle, Andrew Revey, and Max Mindlin. A Thanksgiving Day One of the most revered days on the calendar is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving in the USA has been designated as taking place... Columns 18 Nov 2022 | 02:46