A stone arch bridge in Sussex County. (Photo courtesy of Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: Turning rails to trails During the past 20 years, I have been an enthusiastic advocate for turning our abandoned rail lines into trails. I had the... Columns 22 Apr 2024 | 08:16
The Silver Lake YMCA Scouts camp. (Photos courtesy of Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: The Old Turnpike, Part 2 A few weeks ago, I told of a hiking trail I’ve known my whole life that is out of the way and little used. It used to be... Columns 11 Apr 2024 | 02:40
FI1 Earl Hornyak holds a trout that he caught on opening day, Saturday, April 5. He and his friend Bill Repasy took a difficult path through dense shrubbery to get to an exceptional location with huge trout. (Photo by Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: ‘Fishin’ Blues’ I’m blending current events, Sussex County history and my personal history as well. As March is ripped from my wall calendar... Columns 07 Apr 2024 | 03:43
Sussex County History Today: RevolutionNJ proclamation We in Sussex County are preparing for a great event in the history of the United States. That will be the 250th celebration... Columns 31 Mar 2024 | 12:14
TR1 The Franklin High School Class of 1964 poses in front of the U.S. Capitol in November 1963. (Photos provided) Sussex County History Today: As the caisson rolled by Pearl Harbor. 9/11. The Challenger disaster. The JFK assassination. In our lives, we have had profound shared moments. Many... Columns 24 Mar 2024 | 03:12
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