Schools, Twp., Historical Society Gear Up For Kick Off

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School leaders picked the perfect day to return all students back to the classrooms as March 22 has always been a special day in Mt. Olive.

As students and teachers, who choose to do so, report back as a traditional school day next Monday, the township will be ringing in 150 years since its founding. To help celebrate in the Centennial, the school district has been asked to kick off the celebration.

Teachers, students and historians are happy to be included and are enthusiastic for taking part in such a milestone, right alongside their township counterparts. 

“It's a tremendous opportunity for our school district and students to acknowledge our township's rich history, community pride, incredible partnerships and recognize Mount Olive Township's incredible growth and development of one of the best communities in the state of New Jersey and northeastern United States,” says Kevin Stansberry, director of Secondary Schools and Global Education, and MOTSD representative to the Mt. Olive Township 150th Anniversary Committee.

“This is a tremendous and powerful opportunity for our families, community leaders, local businesses and organizations,” he says. “Our educational system is proudly at the core of this ceremonious event.”

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

“March 22, 1871, Mount Olive Township was formed through the separating of 32 square-miles of land from Roxbury Township,” explains Mt. Olive Twp. Mayor Rob Greenbaum, noting why it is important to celebrate.
“One-hundred fifty years is a significant milestone,” he says. “Understanding where we’ve come from helps to build and share a community’s collective memory. We learn, value and develop empathy as we identify with what has gone before, shapes today and prepares us for tomorrow. Proud of what this town has become.”

Greenbaum explains his pride for the town.
“Sense of community,” says Greenbaum who has served as mayor for the past 10 years and member of the Mt. Olive Twp. Council for 10 years prior. “What makes me proud to be mayor of Mount Olive is the people that live in town. How much they care for one another, how [they] support each other in good times and bad.”

It is not so often that Mt. Olive makes such a big deal of the townships’ founding. The last to do was 50 years ago.
“In 1971, the Centennial was celebrated with events and a committee published the Mt. Olive Township Historical Journal,” he explains.

“Mt. Olive has much to be proud of and to continue striving together as a community,” continues the mayor. “We are celebrating Mt. Olive: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow all year long through many different venues and opportunities.”
Looking at the future, Greenbaum notes there may be some growth but nothing too extravagant.

He says, “80% of the town is in the Highlands Preservation Area. As such, most of the town will look pretty much the same as it does now, with some redevelopment.”
Schools Asked To Get Involved

“It was a natural extension of the celebration,” says Stansberry. “The 150th Anniversary Committee Chairperson, Mrs. Jill Daggon, reached out to our superintendent of schools requesting the MOTSD's representation for this milestone event.

“Jill Daggon has assembled an amazing committee of volunteers that have provided incredible programming to generate community pride and to celebrate the magnificent trajectory of Mt. Olive Township!” the long-time school leader continues. “It has been a pleasure to be a part of this celebration.”

According to Stansberry, the 150th Anniversary Committee has been meeting since last February 2020.

“I am sure that there were numerous conversations prior to 2020,” he says.

The school district’s involvement kicks in just in time for a year-long celebration.

“Our students K-12 are providing a series of congratulatory messages, artwork, musical and choral performances, videos, interviews, historical perspectives, and personalized responses to why they love Mt. Olive,” says Stansberry. “There are several multimedia presentations that will be released for the Opening Day Ceremonies scheduled for March 22nd.  The 150th Anniversary celebration will continue throughout the spring and summer months.”

Virtual Participation 

Because of COVID, “The Opening Ceremonies are all virtual,” says Stansberry. “Links will be available on the MOHS website, Mt. Olive Township website, and MOTV YouTube Channel.”

With two dozen years working in the Mt. Olive School District, Stansberry is happy to take the reins on the school front. 

“It has been an honor and a privilege to work for the students, parents, and the entire Mt. Olive Learning Community!” says Stansberry, former principal of Mt. Olive High School for 17 years and director of athletics prior to that. “I am so proud of the accomplishments of our students, staff, high school and the entire district.  We have been so fortunate to have such a supportive and engaged partnership with the families, businesses, service providers and residents of the community.”

Historian Stays Connected to MOSD

Noreen Risko, a member of the 150th Anniversary Committee and a former educator/supervisor in the MOSD, has been instrumental in the school district’s role in the celebration.

With a link to Mt. Olive dating back to her childhood, Risko’s stories and recollections provide an invaluable source of historic information about the town.

“My connection to Mt. Olive began as a child when my family vacationed at Budd Lake,” says Risko. “Yes, I recall riding the Merry Go Round and attending the little St. Jude Church.  My brother Michael D. Toohey and his wife Nancy built a beautiful home in Budd Lake. I was more like a big sister to my nephews Michael and Bryan and nieces Donna and Stephanie. My brother was an avid fisherman and took me out in his boat on Budd Lake many times.  “I taught social studies in Roxbury and met my husband John at his father’s retirement dinner,” she continues. “John’s father was the retiring superintendent of Roxbury.  John’s military service as a Seabee had us moving all over. I taught in California, Bermuda and Mississippi.  John decided the constant moving took its toll on our family life. He was missing too many special moments with his girls.  We headed back to New Jersey and Mr. Chester M. Stephens offered me an opportunity to teach social studies at Mt. Olive. We lived in Netcong and when we expected our third child, needed more room, and made our home in Green Township."

A retired Mt. Olive educator and administrator, Risko taught social studies at the middle and high school level as well as serving as the social studies supervisor.

“I served as the principal of Summer School for many years and concluded my tenure with the Mt. Olive School District as the director of Community School Programs.”

Risko is a true historian with a passion for enlightening students with the township’s past. 

“The New Jersey Historical Society sponsored a student history program entitled The Jerseymen,” she explains. “I had advised a group while in Roxbury and Mt. Olive already had a Jerseymen History Club for many years.  In fact, when Roxbury was not able to provide transportation to the state-wide events, Mt. Olive graciously gave the Roxbury students a ride.  The State Historical Society sponsored a program entitled Adopt a Building.  My students were excited.  They took up the challenge to seek out a building in Mt. Olive to Adopt.  The Seward House, the Old Mill on the corner of 206 and Flanders-Netcong Road, and the Mt. Olive Academy were among the possibilities.  The Mt. Olive Academy was selected.  We met first with Rev. Lyons the pastor of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church.  He explained we would need permission from the Salmon Family Association. Permission granted.  Mt. Olive High School Jerseymen researched, interviewed people who attended the one room schoolhouse. Presented all their findings to a committee at the State Level and were rewarded with accolades.  Students raised money and with the help of volunteers from the high school staff including Mr. John Risko put a new roof on the building in 1982.

“Over the years the Jerseymen cut the grass, picked up debris, and raked leaves at the schoolhouse,” describes Risko. “Eventually, a miracle, the Salmon Association deeded the property to the Township of Mt. Olive for historic preservation.  The goal has been and still is restore the schoolhouse.  Make it resemble what it was prior to 1926 when it ceased serving as a one room schoolhouse. All eight one room schoolhouses converged to the Budd Lake School on Route 46.”

Risko was excited to be included in the township’s anniversary festivities.

“Mrs. Bobbi Reed, whose children were a big part of the Jerseymen, forwarded the message she had received from the mayor about the upcoming celebration,” describes Risko. “I discovered that Jill Daggon [from Mt. Olive Recreation] was chairing the committee.  Jill and I worked together on so many levels over my 30 plus years in Mt. Olive.

“I offered to see if I could help,” says Risko.  “Historic Preservation is essential. The 150th Anniversary is the perfect time to have all residents reflect on the rich Yesterday of Mt. Olive, be aware of Mt. Olive’s greatness Today and where Mt. Olive is heading Tomorrow.

“The students are Mt. Olive’s Today and Tomorrow,” says Risko. “Everyone needs to know our Yesterday in order to understand our Today and help make Tomorrow as rich and vibrant as Yesterday.  Starting with the one room school house setting, Mt. Olive Schools have always exceled in academics, sports, and a caring, welcoming environment. 150th is an opportunity to bring all the entities of the community of Mt. Olive together.

“Mt. Olive is a wonderful place to live, work, pray, play and learn together to enjoy our civil liberties, Together,” says Risko.  “The demographics have changed since 1871 but the heart of Mt. Olive, Budd Lake is still a well spring of hope for all.”

A few years ago, Risko was approached by the Mt. Olive Middle School Gifted & Talented teacher to bring some of the township history to light.

“Ann Greszczak, the Gifted and Talented instructor at the Middle School reached out to me three years ago and asked if I would give her students a tour of Budd Lake,” says Risko. “I immediately made myself available.  For as long as I can remember, the Jerseymen offered a bus tour to fourth grade students to learn about Mt. Olive. The sixth-grade students were so anxious to learn everything.  The visual tour was added too, by the assistance of the research librarian who shared, with the students, valuable artifacts stored in the Heritage Room.  The students put together a slide show for a Morris County Living Voices program.  Like the Jerseymen of the 1980’s, Mt. Olive Middle School students were given accolades. Their slide show will be showcased for the 150th along with the following years student work.”

Like other educators, Risko is pleased MOSD was included in the township’s centennial.

“The best way to understand the complexity of our nation and world is to start at home,” says Risko.   

“It is essential that the Mt. Olive School District be featured as part of the 150th celebration,” adds Risko. “The schools are an intricate part of the community of Mt. Olive. Mt. Olive Schools have always provided students with a solid basic education. Mt. Olive has led the way with innovative instructional programs such as but not limited to Robotics, Television Production, ROTC, Performing and Visual Arts.  Mt. Olive Schools address every student from outstanding special education programs to the most rigorous advanced placement classes in all subject areas as well as physical education and sports programs that address individual personal fitness to state ranking sports in all categories.”

MOMS Participates

In early fall of 2020, Risko approached Greszczak requesting that her students participate in the township’s anniversary.

“I am just offering my student's slide show presentation: 1.  The History of Mt Olive. 2. Honoring our Veterans and the All Veterans Memorial. 3.  The Mt. Olive Police Department,” explains Greszczak. “The presentation we are working on now, The History of the Mt. Olive Schools, will be complete by the end of the year.”

Referring to Risko as a “great historian,” Greszczak says “she was instrumental in providing my kids information for their History of Budd Lake presentation.  In fact she took the kids on a historical all day school bus tour of Budd Lake.  So super interesting!  The kids loved it.”

For the kickoff, Greszczak says “All of my 6th, 7th and 8th grade GT classes will be participating. My GT students who are now freshman will also have their work included. All will be participating in some capacity, approximately 130 total.”

Greszczak provides a deeper understanding into what her students will be presenting.

“My students have created presentations called Living Voices,” she explains. “This means that the information they gathered will be through a “living voice,” not the internet or a book.  All through interviews. The information is gathered by my 6th grade students, and organized in a slide show which include video clips from speakers (interviewed). It also included pictures supplied to us from the various living sources.

“In the past the presentations included “The History of Budd Lake;” “Honoring our Veterans;” “The History of the MO Police Department;” and the one we are currently working on “The History of the Mt. Olive Schools.” 

She says “The History of Budd Lake and the Honoring our Veterans presentations are finished and are currently on the website.  The MOPD is in the process of being finalized.  We are starting the History of the MO Schools.  It will be finished by end of May.”

Greszczak’s students have been working on these projects for a few years now. They are happy they can share all of that information during this milestone celebration.

Project’s Beginnings

“This actually started out as a project for the Morris County Historical Society and was sponsored by the Consortium for Gifted and Talented Programs,” Greszczak explains about the Living Voices Project. “Any topic relating to the school could be picked for the project.  The first year, the students picked “The History of Budd Lake” and were amazed by the rich history of Mt. Olive.  Noreen Risko agreed to give my students a tour (school bus ride) of Budd Lake and pointed out all the historical buildings/facts, including the One Room schoolhouse and the first Police Headquarters.  

“The second year the students voted to honor our Veterans and that is when we became involved in the All Veterans Memorial under the leadership of Charlie Uhrmann,” founder of the AVM, she continues. “The students began volunteering at the Memorial and became involved in the Blessing Boxes  (2020) and the Backpacks for Veterans (2019).

“The Living Voices Project just snowballed from there,” says Greszczak. “The more the students became involved, the more they wanted to become involved. I ask my 6th graders to pick the topic and do the interview and presentation and that seems to spark their involvement in the project into 7th and 8th grade.”

Who You Know Takes You Far

“Noreen knew that my students were involved in the Living Voices presentation and asked if the committee could showcase their work on the 150th Anniversary Website,” says Greszczak. “We were honored to be asked.  On a side note, I thought it was great for the students to see their work as important and a valuable contribution to Mt. Olive.”

The students have learned many lessons through their involvement in Greszczak’s projects and have gained greater insight into the town in which they live. 

“Interviewing members of our community has been an eye-opening experience for my students,” says Greszczak. “Not only did they learn valuable lessons regarding interviewing techniques and synthesizing information and creating a product for the public, they came to enjoy speaking and listening to people from different ages and backgrounds in the community.  They realized that MO has a rich history and “older” people have much to share.  They found out that MO is more than just a place they live…. it’s a place where people work together for the greater good and to make a difference. 

“Many of the speakers left students with valuable advice such as ‘Do the right thing,’ even when no one is looking; or The people of Budd Lake is what makes it a great place to live.

“One student added: There is so much history in people’s experience more than you can even imagine.  It’s so incredible what people have done and the information should be shared.”

She says, “Living voices is our way of sharing that information.”

The project has also fostered volunteerism amongst the students.

“Because the students were 6th graders when they completed the project, they were able to “grow” into the project topic and volunteer their time during their 7th & 8th grade years, she says. “Hopefully that spirit of volunteerism will continue throughout their life.”

Anyone can research for information, but to gather those details from living voices provides a fresh perspective, thus providing a value add to the township’s reflection of the town.

“Because the information gathered is “live” and voices recorded, ordinary people are given a chance to be heard,” says Greszczak. “Their experiences and memories are shared and preserved for generations to come.”

MOSD – A Piece To The Puzzle

This is a town celebration, not a school district celebration, some may say, so why is it important for the kids to get involved?

“Mt Olive should be more than just a place to live,” says Greszczak. “Whether a student has lived here their whole life or just moved here, students should know the history of the town.  That’s what makes a town a community...people sharing their memories from the past and contributing to the future.  Hopefully by becoming involved in the celebration, the kids will see the importance of becoming involved in the town and carry that forward with them as they get older.”

Greszczak and her students are proud to be included in the centennial of Mt. Olive.

"It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of this and have the students work featured on the website,” she says. 

"I'm thrilled that I get to participate in this experience as it is a monumental milestone in our town’s history,” says eighth grader Isha Mishra. “I’m honored that the committee wants our input on things down to the tiniest detail. It’s truly a surreal experience!”

The 14-year old says she spent many hours helping to write the slideshow with the rest of her GT class. “I participated in a project back in sixth grade where we took real-life experiences from veterans and presented them to the general public,” explains Mishra. “Since it’s a chronicle of history that we are lucky to be able to hear from people, we wanted to ensure that these stories were spread. There were such intricate narratives and experiences that were kept in the dark. It was like looking into a storybook. Our presentation represents each person that we heard from and what they did to serve our country.”

For the information, she says “As the title suggests, we used the actual voice of veterans. Some of them we interviewed in class; others we interviewed on a facetime call with a selected member of our class. We did not consult any books, articles, etc. Hearing first-hand from someone who has been through a similar experience is an incredible experience.” 

In his second boarding mission as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, a Budd Lake native was instrumental in a recent seizure of weapons and weapon components from two stateless dhows in the Indian Ocean.

Lt. Connor Patrick Maguire, a 2011 graduate of Mt. Olive High School, was on duty as an officer of the deck (OOD) on the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) during a two-day maritime security operation in international waters of the coast of Somalia. The illicit cargo was discovered on Feb. 11-12 by Churchill’s Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team and embarked joint service Advanced Interdiction Team (AIT).

Maguire’s role in helping to provide safety and security to the United States has made navy leaders, and family-members, proud of his heroic efforts.  

“We are proud of the combined efforts of the AIT and Churchill crew members for executing dynamic and demanding boardings,” said Lt. Travis Dopp, assistant AIT Leader aboard Churchill, in a press release from the U.S. Navy Office of Information. “We are proud to have a positive impact on the safety and security of coalition forces by interdicting shipments of lethal aid.”

The cache of weapons consisted of thousands of AK-47 assault rifles, light machine guns, heavy sniper rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and crew served weapons. Other weapon components included barrels, stocks, optical scopes and weapon systems, as stated in the press release.

Churchill located the dhows and provided more than 40 hours of watch and security for the ship and its boarding teams throughout the two-day operation, the U.S. Navy reports. The seizure of illicit weapons was conducted as part of the U.S. Navy’s regular maritime security operations in the region. These routine patrols are performed to ensure the free flow of commerce for legitimate traffic and to disrupt the transport of illicit cargo that often funds terrorism and unlawful activity.
“This joint team [Army, Navy and Coast Guard] on board Churchill came together to successfully execute this operation over the course of two days in the Indian Ocean,” said Cdr. Timothy Shanley, commanding officer of Churchill. “These operations prevent nefarious actors from illegally spreading their lethal aid.”

Winston S. Churchill departed Norfolk, Virginia, Aug. 10 for a regularly scheduled deployment to maintain maritime security and ensure the freedom of navigation in critical waterways, as it states in the press release.

Water Lover and Decendent of Military Veterans Attracts Maguire to the Sea 

With a long line of ancestry who served in the military before him, 27-year old Maguire had his eyes set for the sea since his teen years.

“Since he was in the 7th grade Connor had always wanted to be an officer in the U.S. Navy,” says his father Glenn Maguire of Budd Lake, an assistant vice president of Database Administration Chubb Insurance.

“Our family has a lengthy history of serving this country from its founding,” says Maguire. “Recent family tree investigation by his grandfather, Richard J. Maguire of Rockaway, uncovered four ancestors who served in the American War of Independence.  His grandfather served in the U.S. Air Force, and various relatives have served in all branches of the U.S. military.  His great Uncles Jack Maguire was an officer in the USMC in WWII and Korea, and Harold Helmstetter received a Silver and Bronze Star in action in North Africa in WWII.

“These family stories inspired Connor to serve his country,” explains Maguire. “We believe his love of the water, many summers at the Jersey shore, visits to Navy Museums in Groton, Connecticut, battleship cove in Fall River, Mass. And the USS New Jersey and many years on swim teams contributed to his decision to go into the U.S. Navy. Connor along with his grandfather, father, and brother, Trevor Maguire were recently inducted into the Sons of the American Revolution.”

Anchored In Mt. Olive

Born and raised in Mt. Olive, Lt. Connor Maguire was an honor student and captain of the Mt. Olive High School Swim team.

This June will be 29 years since his family moved to Budd Lake from Dover in 1992, says his father.

“Mayor Licitra appointed me with others to study the viability of old Municipal Building (formerly known as the Budd Lake Casino) as a landmark or recommend it being torn down,” recalls Maguire. “It was heart wrenching given the history and what it meant to long-time residents, but it had fallen into such disrepair it was not feasible.  I was grateful to serve the town in even this minor capacity.  My wife, Dawn has been a long-term teacher’s aide in the Mt. Olive School district and had been a pre-school teacher in Mt. Olive prior.”

The town of Budd Lake is “the only one he knew prior to going off to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, followed by his first duty station in Norfolk, Va.,” Maguire says of his son.

The middle child out of three siblings, “Connor graduated from MOHS as a member of the class of 2011.  He had started his education at Sandshore School in Budd Lake, and the Mt. Olive Middle School.”

His accolades and involvements are many.

Like his older brother Trevor Maguire- a 2007 MOHS graduate and MOHS swim team captain- Connor Maguire served as a four-year captain of the MOHS swim team under Coach Brian Devins.

He was also a member of the MOHS track and field team throwing discus, javelin, and shotput for Coach John Breheney; a member of the National Honor Society, and World Language Honor Society; and president of MOTARS (Mount Olive Teenage Republicans) his senior year, describes his dad.

Throughout high school he worked on Habitat for Humanity building projects in Morristown and was a lifeguard at the Hackettstown pool, he continues. During summers he was a member of the Flanders Valley Swim Team (the Pirates) from the time he was in the fifth grade through high school graduation.

When he was in elementary and middle school, he was a member of various school bands – playing the clarinet and saxophone, and was also in school plays. He was a member of National Junior Honor Society. He had been in two theater productions for the Roche players as Charlie Bates in Oliver Twist and Winthrop in the Music Man.

His younger sister, Erin Maguire, is a senior at MOHS and is active in the MOHS Unified Sports team, earning a Varsity letter throwing the shotput for the unified team.

Military Bound

“After high school, he went to Purdue University on an NROTC scholarship, and received his commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy upon his college graduation,” on Dec. 15, 2015, explains his dad.

“He had been singularly focused on getting an appointment to the USNA,” says Maguire.  “He received a nomination by former Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen.  At the same time Connor applied for a NROTC scholarship as a secondary option. When the Obama administration cut appointments to each of the five service academies to pay for the Global War on Terror, Connor although disappointed executed his plan-b.  He had been accepted to the Corp of Cadets at Virginia Tech, Norwich University, and Purdue University.  He decided upon Purdue University (my Alma Mater) after visiting with the CO of the Navy ROTC Battalion who impressed Connor more than his visit with the recruitment officer for the Corp of Cadets at Virginia Tech.”

As a lieutenant, Connor Maguire is currently serving on deployment in the Indian Ocean, says his dad.  

His “current job is DCA (Disaster Control Assistant) in the Engineering section aboard the USS Churchill,” says Maguire. “He is also on the VBSS (Visit, Board, Search & Seizure) team acting as either the boarding officer or the liaison officer depending upon the operation.  He is also OOD (Officer of the Deck) certified which means he can stand watch on the bridge of the ship and is tasked with certain duties and responsibilities when the senior officers are not on the bridge.”

OOD Plays Role In Weapon’s Seizure

As the liaison officer with the VBSS boarding parties – “he coordinated the operation from the bridge of the USS Churchill, as he was on duty as OOD,” says Maguire. “He was in radio contact with the boarding party and coordinated helicopter and secondary RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) support.  He was part of the post operation action to catalog and inventory the weapons seized.  His CO wanted to send him over during the boarding to coordinate from the dhows, but realized that would mean Connor could not perform his OOD duties.”

This seizure of weapons is an important operation to recognize as “this was a major cache of illicit weapons that could be destined for terrorist operations possibly against the U.S. and our Allies aboard or even here in the U.S.,” says Maguire.

“This is the second boarding operation while Connor was on deployment,” he notes. “In October of 2020 the same VBSS team participated in a sea rescue of a stranded Iranian fishing vessel (coincidentally also a dhow) and provided food, water and called in the Coast Guard when the dhow battery did not match anything aboard the USS Churchill.  During that operation, Connor was also OOD, and called in the VBSS team (again as liaison officer) this time calling in aircraft and communicating with 5th Fleet Command Center.”

His dad explains, “In his role as VBSS Liaison officer in both operations – he is overseeing the operation and making decisions and coordinating support services with other Navy resources.

“He has received numerous recommendations from former CO’s including his time aboard the USS Normandy for early command for proficiency as a junior officer.  While he was on the USS Normandy (a guided missile cruiser) he earned his Surface Warfare designation as a Lt. JG,” he adds.

Reflecting on the role his son has played, and all of his successes so far, Maguire is one proud dad.

“This is a moment of pride and honor, but when we first learned we were concerned for his safety,” says Maguire. “As VBSS boarding officer, the first person over-the-side and up-the-ladder would have been the boarding officer – which means grave danger had the dhow been manned with people who were willing to engage in a fire fight.  In some ways we were relieved that he was serving as VBSS Liaison officer in both operations.  There was a moment when we were choked up with overwhelming pride.

“We hope that following a summer of riots and protests, and a sense by others that service does not matter, people can see our son’s service as something to take great pride in as a community,” says Maguire. “This became an epiphany moment for us that our son had become the man we always hoped he would, and we had fulfilled our role as parents to give him all the love and lessons to succeed as a man.”

Military Family

“Connor is the only member of his immediate and extended family on active duty,” says Maguire. “He has various relatives who have previously served in many branches of the military.” 

They include: Grandfather, Richard Maguire – U.S. Air Force; Great Uncle Jack Maguire, Major USMC -WWII; Great-great Uncle Harold Helmstetter – WWII; Great-great Aunt – Ann Ballerino – WAC – WWII; Great Aunt Virginia Mansfield – USMC; Great Uncle Walter Maguire, Army Air Corp; Great Uncle Ed Maguire U.S. Navy; Cousin Ed Maguire Jr. – U.S. Navy; cousin Colin Mansfield (USMA class of 2014) Captain (retired) U.S. Army; Great-great Uncle Phil Ballerino – U.S. Air Force;  Great-great Uncle Nick Ballerino – U.S. Navy- WWII; Great-great Uncle John Dooley (KIA) U.S. Navy – WWII; Great-great Uncle Dominic Dubois – U.S. Navy WWII; Great-great Uncle John Dubois U.S. Army WWII.

Adding his son’s name to that list has brought “Immense pride from me that he followed his dreams (although he started wanting to be in Navy EOD or a Navy Seal over surface warfare officer) and he is serving his country with distinction,” says Maguire. “Personally, I have realized even in writing these answers, that Connor has exceeded my own contributions to this great country – my bad knees excluded me from military service. The son has surpassed his father. Dawn is also very proud of him, but is always praying for his safety.  She knows this is his life’s dream, but that does not mean as a mom she cannot have reservations – especially when he actively pursed becoming a Navy Seal. (She later became more concerned about him trying for EOD (explosive ordinance disposal) when she learned that it was even more dangerous than Seal duty and EOD goes into action ahead of the Seals.)

Even after his deployment ends, Maguire’s son plans to keep serving in the military.

“Connor is planning a career in the Navy,” says Maguire. “While he received degrees from Purdue in computer science, political science and military science, Connor has mentioned a desire to continue serving his country in a law enforcement role such as Secret Service, FBI, DEA or ATF after he retires from the U.S. Navy.”

Reflecting on the choices his son has made thus far, Maguire is confident in his son’s journey.

“We believe that God has a hand in everything, and that sometimes his reasons are not always immediately evident,” says Maguire.  “Such is the case for Connor and his journey. His life-long dream of the USNA was taken away by the Obama Administration but God opened another door…. Connor is married to the former Samantha Schultz of Mishawaka, Indiana.  Connor met Samantha in his senior year at Purdue when they both had to take a replacement Poli-Sci class to replace a cancelled class.  Their relationship took a serious turn when Connor had to remain on the Purdue campus following his graduation as he waited his orders to report to Norfolk.  This rest as they say is a very happy history!”

Like the Mt. Olive Middle School Living Voices Project, there is nothing more credible than stories told from the individuals who lived during a certain time period.

Historical societies exist in many towns; they collect and gather information from various sources including archives, written works if they exist, and they apply for grants to preserve historic buildings. One can read books about the Holocaust, slavery, or of women before they had the right to vote, but to interview a survivor or a victim brings chills right to the bone.

Information is archived in encyclopedias and books, and today's websites and Wikipedia, but getting information right from the source, speaking to people who were there, provides so much authenticity and there is nothing more credible than that.

When gathering information about Mt. Olive, I did go to the Historical Society and I was surprised when there was no history written up, prepared and handed to me for reference. Those involved in the 150th celebration were swamped in preparing slides and doing their part to make this centennial great. I suppose anyone can google for historic information about Mt. Olive, so instead, I decided to provide my own reflection of the area I have known for most of my life.

When learning that Mt. Olive used to be part of Roxbury, I realized that I can provide my own recollections of the area as I am from Roxbury, not from 150 years ago, but a good half century ago.

For those who do not know, on March 22, 1871, Mt. Olive separated from Roxbury Township, taking its name from Benjamin Olive, an early entrepreneur known for establishing the Waterloo Village community, according to a historical paper written by Noreen Risko, local historian and former educator in Mt. Olive and Roxbury schools.

As a Roxbury native, I bring a different view to the Mt. Olive area I knew as an outsider looking in.

Roxbury was always more built up than Mt. Olive. Roxbury had a movie theater, bowling alley, a McDonalds, Burger King, Roy Rogers (which is where Wendy’s is now), Pizza Hut, Dunkin Donuts and the best homemade ice-cream place; two strip malls I could ride my bike to and Horseshoe Lake where we would spend our summers.

Growing up, I recall busy Rt. 46 in Budd Lake. I was always scared to drive on it as the roads seemed narrow and cluttered with cars.

Route 206 had the Ames store; my mom would take me and my siblings there for the best bargains. Flanders Crossing did not exist; it was just a huge cornfield with Temple Hatikva right across the way. There were no stores at the International Trade Center, just did not exist. No Toll Brother Homes, no Turkey Brook Park, no Flanders Park, no middle school nor beautiful library building. The school district building was not there as it is today. The Mt. Olive High School was just a portion of what it is now.

When I was a student at Roxbury High School, Mt. Olive and Roxbury were huge rivals in wrestling and football. The gyms and stadiums were packed.

I remember driving on a country road with my girlfriends, being spooked while  looking for the Hookerman, a legendary story about a railroad worker who lost his arm in a train accident on Budd Lake tracks.  Roller-skating at the strip mall where Market Tavern in Flanders now stands, then getting pizza next door was one of our favorite weekend events. Driving through Cloverhill where many of our friends lived was another past-time.

I attended aerobic classes at the Flanders Racquetball club and went swimming at the Flanders Solar Club next door when my friend invited me. I remember shopping at the Cherokee Trading Post for country boots and the Ye Olde Mill Shoppe at the corner of Flanders-Netcong Rd. and Rt. 206 in Flanders for scented candles.

I recall an area that was not diverse by any means, in neither Roxbury nor Mt. Olive.

As a resident of Mt. Olive for the past 25 years, I have seen many changes and a lot of growth. From housing developments, public parks, schools, businesses, restaurants, stores and the diversity in people, the area in my opinion has expanded in so many ways. There is so much more to offer compared to when I lived in the next town. Mt. Olive now has its own McDonalds, its own Dunkin Donuts, Wendys, grocery stores and shopping areas.

Many people have moved away, new people have come in. Residents who were new to town became local politicians, school teachers, built memorials, expanded the sports teams and programs and built turf fields and bubbles.

Looking toward to the future, my hopes for the area may mirror some of yours. While Mt. Olive may only have 20 percent left to build on, I would like to see some expansion. A movie theater would be nice; a lake area with a boardwalk as projected; more restaurants; an indoor recreation center with basketball court and soccer field and workout room for adults and kids when they can’t have access to their school gyms or bubble; another catering hall for events for some variety.

When it comes to politics, leadership should represent a more equal mix as far as gender, race and beliefs. As far as diversity, the people have migrated here… Just need to be more inclusive of all races and cultures when it comes to education and role models in the town and the schools.

It’s good to dream, make goals and strive for bigger and better, while maintaining our historic structures, protecting our sensitive land and reserving the natural habitat from when the town was founded. That is what our ancestors did and look at Mt. Olive now!    

Cheers to 150 years Mt. Olive. Let the events begin!

Mt. Olive Township is a community with a rich history. Lenni Lenape Indians settled around Budd Lake calling it whispering or talking waters. The lake is spring fed and the largest natural lake in New Jersey and the source of South Branch of the Raritan River. The bog, which developed from poor drainage, provides valuable information about the climate and vegetation of the past. The lake served as a source for ice prior to refrigeration. Ice making was an early industry in addition to farming and mining. The early settlers such as John Budd, Richard Stephens, Peter Garbut, Francis Breck, and John Reading were politically active in England which led to a land grant or the ability to negotiate land from the Indians and William Penn.

On March 22, 1871, Mt. Olive separated from Roxbury Township taking its name from Benjamin Olive, an early entrepreneur who established the community at Waterloo Village. Waterloo was part of Mt. Olive until Sussex County was formed using the Musconetcong River as a boundary line. The primary occupations of the early settlers were farming, mining, fishing and ice making.

The earliest school was founded by James Heaton, a miner who donated an acre of land in 1768 for church and school purposes. Mt. Olive had eight one-room schoolhouses until 1926 when the Budd Lake School was built.

The first municipal building was originally the site of John G. Budd’s Cider Mill and Distillery. It was 30 x 50 feet and contained most of the municipal services such as police, town clerk, custodian of schools, treasurer, post office, health and building inspector, tax office, and road department. In 1921, it was torn down and replaced with a two-story structure (the present country store). The township continued to grow, and by 1941, it purchased the former casino which served the community until 1998.

Budd Lake was the place to come for a vacation. The community around the lake was filled with hotels, guest houses and summer rentals. Budd’s Pavilion consisted of a boathouse, large hall, bath houses, ice cream parlor, movie house and bowling alleys. Everyone talked and raved about the famous merry-go-round at Budd Lake.

The village of Flanders was a bustling center of mills, tanneries, mines, a plaster factory and a creamery. The village is a historic landmark.

Mt. Olive’s population expanded and grew rapidly as state highways 46 and 206 made the community more accessible. Mt. Olive began to mirror the rest of New Jersey between 1955 and 1970. Farms were sold and housing and apartment complexes were built. The completion of Interstate 80 and 287 made Mt. Olive more accessible and desirable. The economic recession of the eighties slowed the growth down, but the strong economy of the nineties saw a more rapid growth to the community. Summer homes were converted to year-round homes. Three large apartment complexes, senior housing and developments of larger private homes contributed to growth of Mt. Olive Township.

The community of Mt. Olive has always had civic-minded people who respond to the needs of the community. Volunteer fire and rescue units can trace their history back to the earliest settlements. Groups formed to meet community needs such as a Budd Lake Civic Association that ensures the safety of the lake for skating in winter and removing debris, broken bottles, and rocks from along the lakefront in the spring. During the early eighties, an active group prevented the expansion of a dump. Steps were taken to properly close the landfill. During the nineties a group actively worked to preserve Budd Lake. Organizations such as Masons, Eastern Star, Knights of Columbus, Italian American Club, Scouts, Lions, Rotary, Kiwanis, and Chamber of Commerce have contributed greatly to the Mt. Olive community.

Today, Mt. Olive is a twenty-first century community. Our municipal organizations are second to none. We have dedicated elected officials who diligently work to make Mt. Olive a wonderful community in northwestern Morris County. We have a proactive police force that protects and serves the community. Senior citizens are provided with programs, and every neighborhood has an opportunity to form a neighborhood watch program. Volunteer fire and rescue units are properly trained and respond to all our community needs including training with lifeguards for water rescue. The Health Department provides outstanding services for animal control, sanitation and educational programs. They provide baby clinics, cancer screening, flu shots and keep vital statistics records. They protect and ensure the safety of our community by testing water in our lakes and inspect restaurants and stores.

Mt. Olive cares and provides senior citizens with a multitude of services. Seniors enjoy baci or movies at the Senior Center, currently closed because of COVID restrictions. Seniors enjoy educational opportunities through the township library and or Community School. Unlike other areas, seniors remain and are attracted to Mt. Olive Township. A vast array of recreational programs have been provided for all ages year round. Swimming, skating, arts, crafts, basketball, soccer, public parks, a Splash Pad and much more.

Mt. Olive is diverse in its many places of worship, types of homes, and places to work and shop. As Mt. Olive grows, it retains its nurturing, welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Mt. Olive is a wonderful place to live, work, play, shop, and worship.

Thank you Noreen Risko for sharing the history of Mt. Olive with local readers of Mt. Olive Online. Risko is a member of the 150th Mt. Olive Twp. Anniversary Committee, historian and retired educator and administrator.