“Mother Nature Expresses Her Wrath”

Once again Mother Nature has shown just who the boss is when it comes to scheduling events. This is the second time, that I can remember, that Millbrook days had to be canceled due to a tropical storm. The first one was Ivan the Terrible several years ago.  There was considerable damage to the Village and many areas of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The damage to the Village was the lost of two bridges and damage to the houses that had flooded basements. There was also some destruction due to the swiftly moving water as it past through Millbrook leaving behind debris and erosion and roadways to be repaired. The National Park Service took control after the storm and immediately began to evaluate the damage and develop a plan to repair the damage caused by Ivan and the flood of water produced by the swollen streams and small brooks throughout the park.  Our own Van Campen Brook, just a peaceful slow moving babbling brook, became a powerful turbulent rush of water emulating the mighty Colorado River. Pictured below to the left is a photo showing the destruction of the old concrete highway bridge in 2004 when a visit from Ivan showed his destructive power.
The photo to the right above is of the same general area where the new bridge was installed to replace the old bridge lost to Ivan in September of 2004. As you can see the new bridge has been damaged and a study will be done to see just what will be the next approach to have a safe and secure means to cross the brook to visit the gristmill. Now should you multiply the damage that occurred in this 10 acre corner of the Park by 67 thousand acres you might just begin to understand the enormity of the damage that Hurricane Irene has bestowed upon the entire park. I am certain that as soon as the Headquarters’ staff is assured that it is safe for volunteers and visitors to travel through the park we will be informed so we can begin to help the NPS return Millbrook back to normal.  

Certificate of Appreciation 

It happened in a line of Traffic.

Can you imagine taking a ride on a beautiful fall day and finding yourself in a line of traffic and having a uniformed park ranger approach your car and ask, “Are you here for Millbrook Days?”  Not knowing what Millbrook Days were all about, the couple decided to stay and find out. How fortunate that decision was for our village.

 Arnis Buza, Arnie to us, was born and spent his early days in Latvia. During WW II his family fled Latvia to Germany via Poland, and at war’s end they found themselves in a German camp. Unable to return to their native Latvia the family immigrated to the United States. Arnie’s parents, both educators, now fell back on skills they had developed through their hobbies of carpentry and sewing to secure jobs in their new homeland.  Meanwhile, Arnie graduated from Middletown High School and continued his education at Rutgers University majoring in economics; later he returned and earned his MBA degree. Arnie met the love of his life, Rosemarie at a high school graduation party, and just before his senior year at Rutgers they married. Since graduation Arnie and Rosemarie have lived and worked in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and finally New Jersey. They have raised four sons and traveled extensively around the United States as well as the globe. One memorable trip was back to his birth place in Latvia. While there he showed his grown family the roads he once walked, the school where his father was the principal and his mother a teacher, and spoke to folks who had known his parents many years ago.

Since his retirement Arnie has contributed many hours to Millbrook Village. Having picked up master carpentry skills from his dad, Arnie is one of Millbrook  Village's assets. He contributed many hours of hard labor in building the new covered bridge. Arnie has worked alongside Steve Wenzel researching and building gears for the mill, Today they are continuing to fabricate parts for the mill in hopes that one day it will once again be able to demonstrate the grinding of corn "the old Fashion way" Arnie's other talents include carving, shaker box making, barrel making and the making of Windsor Chairs. Arnie not only developed the Millbrook Village web site but continues to maintain and update it by adding features that make it easier to surf and at the same time keep you informed as to what's happening in Millbrook.

Rosemarie and Arnie are both very talented people and they are an outstanding asset to the Millbrook Village Society.

When they take their winter break the village is very quiet without them. We do keep in touch with them just so they don't forget to come back. Arnie's travels have taken him far, Latvia, Germany, England and the United States, he and Rosemarie have seen all 52 states and then some.

I am glad that eleven years ago Arnie and Rosemarie found themselves in a traffic jam that eventually brought them to Millbrook Village and to become members of the Society. Your talents and loyalty are most greatly appreciated.

 
 


Welcome to The Walpack Inn- Site for the MVS Annual Dinner

Our Chefs have Prepared the Following for Tonight’s Dinner Party

The Walpack Inn Salad Bar Homemade Brown Bread and Butter

             Entrees

Prime Rib Au Jus Boneless prime ribs of beef slow roasted, hand carved and drizzled with a natural au JUs.

Grilled Vegetable Ravioli Hexagon shaped ravioli filled with grilled vegetables and a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, fontina and pecorino romano cheeses. Served with our homemade tomato basil sauce.

Baked Half Chicken Free range half chicken lightly seasoned then oven roasted. Tender and juicy.

Jail Island Salmon Bay of Fundy Atlantic Salmon Filet broiled and served on a bed of fresh baby spinach. Lightly drizzled with citrus butter.

Entrees served with choice of baked potato, sweet potato, wild rice or red skin garlic mashed potatoes

Dessert HotApple Crisp

The menu for the Walpack Inn on the previous page is what you will see if you decide to attend the Millbrook Village Society’s Annual Dinner

Make your Checks payable to: Millbrook Village Society, In the memo line write your choice of  Entree's ( One chicken, fish etc.. )

Mail to   : Fred Schofer c/o Annual Dinner 154 Beaver Run Road, Lafayette,N.J. 07848   MUST BE RECEIVED   “NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER  FIRST 2011 ”

Any reservations received late will be returned to sender.

Fred’s Phone Number

                                                    973-875-3461

DIRECTIONS TO THE WALPACK INN

 

From I80W—Exit 34B (45 minutes to hour to the Inn):

Rt. 80 West to exit 34B, 15 North, to 206 North. Drive North on 206 for 8 miles. You will see the Walpack Inn sign on your left. Turn left at the sign onto Rt. 560 (Fratelli's Restaurant is on the corner). Proceed on Rt. 560 approximately 1-½ miles to the blinking light (in front of Layton General Store). Go through the blinking light onto Rt. 640 (do not turn right at the blinker). Proceed on Rt. 640 for 1 mile to the stop sign and turn right on to Rt. 615. Proceed on Rt. 615 (NPS 615) for 4 ½ miles to the Walpack Inn on your left. 

 

From Pennsylvania via Dingmans Ferry Bridge (15 minutes to the Inn):

Take 209 North to Dingmans Ferry and turn right onto 739 South. Cross the Dingmans Ferry Bridge. Make the very first right (it is an awkward turn and rises) on to Old Mine Road. Continue on Old Mine Road towards Peter's Valley. In Peter's Valley go across the intersection and bear right onto Rt. 615 (yellow lined road). There is a sign that states that 615 ends, but actually it becomes National Park Service 615 (NPS) since you are entering the Delaware National Recreation Park at that point. The Inn is 4 ½ miles on the left. 

 

From Milford, PA:

Cross the Delaware River Bridge to NJ and take 206 South for 2.5 miles. Make a right onto Hainesville Road (Rt. 645). There is an old red farm stand building there. Stay on Hainesville Road for 3.6 miles to the stop sign. Turn right onto CR-560. Proceed .10 miles to Layton following the directions above from the Layton General Store. 

Because of the uncertainty of the Park status the events

For the Millbrook Village are canceled

Until clarification by the NPS

Please check the web-site for any changes.