Guide Me Home to Chatham, NJ

In the Spring of 1907, three of America’s richest families – Rockefeller, Hartley, and Dodge – were united in the marriage of Ethel Geraldine Rockefeller and Marcellus Hartley Dodge. He was 27, and she was 26. The ceremony took place at the Rockefeller Mansion on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, and was attended by the bride’s uncle- John D. Rockefeller.

The couple eventually moved to Madison, NJ, where they purchased a brick mansion built in 1893. Madison at that time was a land of green pastures, horses and fox hunts, and was one of the wealthiest of the nation’s communities. They named their new home Giralda Farms (which was taken from St. Giraldo, the Spanish patron saint of orphans), and would grow to include 550 acres.

While Marcellus was pursuing business interests, Geraldine gradually developed Giralda Farms into a reflection of her interest and activities. After the death of their only child – Hartley Dodge, Jr. in 1930 from a car accident in Europe, Mrs. Dodge began to transform her property into an animal shelter for her beloved dogs. At least 10-12 dogs were always in a circle around her, even while in the house.

In 1939, she created St. Hubert’s Giralda, a privately endowed animal shelter and education center. It was not until 1958 that the shelter began to operate on a full schedule. Mrs. Dodge had also established the Morris and Essex Kennel Club, and had achieved international fame as a dog breeder and show judge. Dog shows were held on the estate, and were staffed by hundreds, and included over 60 judges.

Today, St. Hubert’s Giralda is still going strong. The organization continues as a “non-profit animal welfare organization dedicated to alleviating the suffering and neglect of companion animals, and providing services that support the human-animal bond, and foster an environment in which people respect all living creatures.”

There are two locations in the area:

• 575 Woodland Rd, Madison, NJ (Phone: 973-377-2295)
• 3201 Route 22 East, North Branch, NJ (Phone: 908-526-3330)

Pet adoptions take place 7 days a week - 12-4 PM

Posted by:  Cynthia Edgar

There are four distinct areas along Loantaka Brook which create the Loantaka Reservation – part of the Morris County Park System. The Reservation includes Seaton Hackney Stables, South Street Recreation Area in Morristown, Loantaka Brook Park at Kitchell Road in Convent Station, and the Loantaka Way trail access area in Chatham Township.

The area encompasses more than 570 acres, and is adjacent to one of the more populated urbanized areas of the country. There are nearly 5 miles of trails in the park which provide biking, walking, jogging, hiking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing.

The Loantaka Reservation provides 3 ball fields for softball and baseball. The South Street Recreation Area has a group shelter, large parking lot, and a Joint-Use Exercise Cluster which is accessible to all. Picnic facilities are available for rental.
 

Currently, efforts to preserve the Loantaka Moraine, wetlands, and other sensitive areas adjacent to the Reservation are under way. Applications to the Green Acres Program and the Morris County Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund are being submitted to fund this project. These parcels will form a greenway to protect Loantaka Brook, and to connect the Great Swamp National Refuge with the Reservation.

Posted by:  Cynthia Edgar

Homeowners undertake home improvements to either improve their home’s resale value, or their own enjoyment of their house. The best home improvements are those that deliver on both objectives.

Americans will spend nearly $141 billion on remodeling in the first half of this year, according to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. If you are among the many homeowners opting to renovate, rather than move, you may be wondering what renovations are likely to give you the best balance of enhanced resale value (return on investment) and immediate enjoyment.

One of the most popular rooms to renovate is the kitchen, where most families spend the bulk of their time. According to Remodeling Magazine, a minor kitchen remodel costing approximately $21,000 will return about 78 percent of its value on resale. A larger kitchen renovation, costing approximately $58,000, will recoup about $41,200, or 72 percent, depending on your demographic. Consult a Realtor, or a local appraiser to analyze your specific home.

There are many different options (and price points) available today in terms of cabinets, counters, appliances, backsplashes, flooring, lighting, etc. – something to fit everyone’s budget! The kitchen is the heart of the home, and a major factor in determining the re-sale value of a home.

Posted by:  Cynthia Edgar

There is no crystal ball that can tell the future of interest rates in the United States, specifically home mortgage interest rates. Some experts make compelling arguments that interest rates are on the cusp of rocketing upward. Others believe they will remain historically low for the foreseeable future.

According to Jim McKenna of Atlantic Home Loans, Inc., “Predicting the direction of interest rates from one day to the next is an impossible task. There are too many variables in the world today that have an impact on how Wall Street traders view the marketplace.From the sovereign debt crisis in Europe, to the natural disasters in Japan, to the political unrest spreading across North Africa and the Middle East, it’s impossible to predict how these events might impact our economy, and therefore impact mortgage interest rates.Mortgages are, after all, government backed bonds. These bonds lose value in the face of rising inflation.”

Phil DeMuth, an investment advisor, and author of The Little Book of Alternative Investments, says it’s a great time to buy a house! “Housing prices are where they were back in 2002 and you’ve got mortgage rates at 5% now on a 30-year mortgage. If you can put the 20% down and qualify for a good mortgage, this is an excellent time to buy a house! It’s tough to forecast interest rates, but I see the current situation as a win-win for the potential home buyer.”

According to the analysts of Moody’s Analytics, “Houses are more affordable now than they have been in decades, and in some areas, prices are listed below the valuation level prior to the housing bubble which peaked in early 2007.”

Jim McKenna can be reached at 973-271-2240/ jmckenna@atlantichomeloans.com
Cindy Edgar can be reached at 973-224-1135/cindyedgar.com

Posted by:  Cynthia Edgar

Chatham Recreation offers a wide variety of activities for children and adults.

Fall - Soccer, football, flag football, field hockey, and cheerleading.

Winter -  Basketball, traveling basketball, skiing, wrestling, ice hockey (independently sponsored), men’s basketball and women’s volleyball.

Spring -  Baseball, softball, T-ball, lacrosse, traveling-soccer (independently sponsored) and golf.

Summer -  Traveling baseball, and softball, men’s and women’s softball, tennis, and a variety of sports camps and youth activities.

Chatham Borough Recreation Areas

Shepard Kollock Park -  Located off Parrott Mill Road. Covered picnic area, plus an all purpose field, baseball, softball, boat launch to the Passaic River, and playground area.

Memorial Park -  Located off North Passaic Avenue. Baseball, softball, basketball, playground area, picnic tables, Chatham Municipal Pool (badges are sold only at the pool during posted pool hours.)

Garden Park -  Located off Main Street adjacent to the Middle School. Tennis practice boards, six tennis courts, basketball and playground area.

Lum Avenue Fields - Located off Lum Avenue and adjacent to the Chatham Train Station.

Baseball, softball, and all purpose fields

Stanley Park -  Located off River Road adjacent to the Passaic River. Picnic area with grill.

Detailed Recreation Brochures are available at the Chatham Borough Municipal Building at 54 Fairmount Avenue. For additional information, please go to www.chathamrecreation.org, or call: 973-635-7066.

Posted by:  Cynthia Edgar

Chatham, New Jersey has its very own theatre, where live productions of Broadway plays (and original works) are performed each season by the Chatham Community Players.

Many local residents participate in the productions. The Players began in 1922 at the Parish House of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chatham. Their first production was “the Finger of God,” followed by the balcony scene from “Romeo and Juliet.” In 1930, the Players moved to the Lum Avenue School. Props and scenery were stored in a barn on Fairmount Avenue, until it burned down in 1948.

In the early 1960’s, the Players moved again to Chatham High School, and stored props and scenery at the Chatham Women’s Club on the corner of Washington Avenue and Main Street. Finally, in 1967, they purchased the American Legion Hall on North Passaic Avenue, where they are located today. They completely renovated the space, and opened their doors for great community theater!

The original mission of the Chatham Community Players was to “produce high quality theater for a diverse audience, while elevating the standard of excellence, and providing a creative outlet with educational opportunities and outreach programs.” Today, the Players consist of five different groups: The Chatham Players Mainstage, Fantasy Theater, Jersey Voices, Outreach, and the Joint Theater (Intern) Program.

Funding for the Chatham Community Players has been made possible in part by funds from the Arts Council of Morris Area through the New Jersey Council on the Arts.

Posted by:  Cynthia Edgar

Chatham Borough, New Jersey is “going green” with its first “Community Garden” on Division Avenue. Marcy Wecker, the chairwoman of the Chatham Land Conservancy and Preservation Committee said the garden would be a low-cost , self-sustaining enterprise for the Borough, serving local resident gardeners whose backyards are too small, shady, or deer-filled to be tilled. 

The new garden consists of 20 10-foot-by-20 foot plots, and there are four nearby water spigots, and a municipal parking lot close by.

Earlier this spring, Pete Coviello of Coviello Landscapers, brought 10 truck loads of compost to the Community Garden, and created the plots.

Mayor V. Nelson Vaughan said “I hope it will be over-subscribed!”

Posted by:  Cynthia Edgar

Bernardsville Office
163 Morristown Rd
Bernardsville, NJ 07924

Phone: 908-766-6500 x 228
Mobile: 973-224-1135
Email: cedgar@turpinrealtors.com

View Cynthia's Listings

Known for her upbeat nature and positive attitude, Cindy brings a wealth of experience to the Turpin team. Between her working knowledge of the area, and her artistic eye, she is a natural fit for helping families find their ideal home, and selling their existing property. Always able to see the potential in a home, she appreciates the unique history of the Somerset Hills, as well as the incredible variety of architectural styles available throughout the region. Cindy has her finger-on-the-pulse in the communities of Summit, Chatham, and Madison, and is always discovering new opportunities. Commuters from these towns appreciate the convenience and flexibility of direct train service to Manhattan, adding to their enduring appeal.

After living in Manhattan for many years, she and her husband Clarke wanted a different quality of life to raise their family. They longed for a classic town and country lifestyle: easy access to the city on a commuter train, along with the peaceful setting of an established community. Chatham, where they have lived since 1990, proved to be the perfect solution for them.

As a buyer for a major retail store in New York City since 1982, Cindy used her vision, innovation and imagination every day. Cindy also did interior design work for several clients in this area. She was drawn to Turpin based on the company's commitment to integrity and high level of professional service, qualities which also reflect the way she conducts her own business.

Cindy attended the University of Delaware, graduating with a BS in marketing and fashion merchandising. She also studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons School of Design, both in New York City.

She is an active member of her community, serving on the board of the Chatham Parent-Teacher Organization. She also served on Chatham Borough's Zoning Board, the Chatham Historical Society, The Noe Pond Club and Corpus Christi Church. She is currently a board member of the Garden Club of Madison, and a member of the Junior League of Morristown.

Married with three school-age children, Cindy enjoys gardening, tennis, paddle tennis, and yoga. She has a longtime interest in antiques and architecture.

Cindy invites your call, e-mail, or visit to the Bernardsville office.