THE NUTLEY CIVIC CELEBRATIONS, INC.

ANN A. TROY

TOWN wide celebrations as early as 1906 are recorded in the minutes of the Woman’s Public School Auxiliary. The most extensive program was that of the “Safe and Sane Fourth of July Committee.”

When the Woman’s Public School Auxiliary voted in 1916 to become the Civic Department of the newly formed Woman’s Club of Nutley, this group continued to carry on the Independence Day program. Listed as members of this Committee are Mrs. William Longfelder, Mrs. R. J. M. Chase, Mrs. Charles B. Van Dewater and Mrs. George B. Douglas.

Through the years following World War I, the American Legion cooperated with a Mayor’s Committee and the Woman’s Club group.

With the interest growing each year, other organizations offered to cooperate. In this way the Civic Celebrations Committee took form.

On the 12th day of May, 1934, a group made up of Walter F. Reinheimer, Robert Quinlan, John R. Bray, Morris F. Wood, Louis J. Burns, Ralph Hollenbeck and John T. Hancock applied to the New Jersey Legislature for papers of incorporation under the name of Nutley Civic Celebrations Inc.

The objects and purposes of the corporation were stated as follows: The conduct, management and general supervision of such civic celebrations in the Town of Nutley, County of Essex, and State of New Jersey, shall not be held under the immediate direction of the municipality supported by public moneys raised by taxation. The number of trustees of this corporation shall be seven.

Since 1934 the group has been made up of representatives of various town organizations; the program has expanded due to requests of interested groups. The activities represented are the July Fourth all day program at Park Oval, the Christmas Kiddie program carried out with the cooperation of the Nutley Fire and Police Departments, the Easter Egg Hunt which takes place in Memorial Park near Vreeland Avenue. This activity is made more attractive due to the generosity of the town merchants who help supply the prizes.

All activities are financed by the voluntary contributions of Nutley townspeople.

The officers and members of the Board of Directors for 1960- 1961 are: President, Elmer Lawrence; Vice President, Carl Ohlson; Treasurer, Robert O’Loughlin; Secretary, Helene Matt; others are Frank Ciardi, William Pratt and Ann Troy. General Chairmen of activities is Walter Etling.