Sparta Historical Society meets to discuss Highlands preservation and honor young essayist

Sparta - The March meeting of the Sparta Historical Society was held at the Sparta Ambulance building, with a theme centering around the preservation of the N.J. Highlands Region. Sophie Salinardo, a fourth-grade student from Sparta, who was recently acknowledged in Trenton by Gov. Jon S. Corzine, read her award-winning essay on what New Jersey can do for children to the group. She told of the treasures she found in her neighborhood and her state, and the importance of preserving them. Some of these treasures were the forests, the animals, birds and the water. In particular, she wrote about a bird she saw in a tree on her way to school one day. The next day the tree had been cut down ...she wondered where that bird had gone. She asked the governor to preserve the treasures of nature for all children of New Jersey. Wilma Frey, of the N.J. Conservation Foundation and the Highlands Coalition, gave a slide presentation titled, “Treasures at Risk,” which featured the Highlands Region. An environmental advocate for over 35 years, Frey expressed the dynamics that put future quality of life at risk: critical loss of forests and open space, destruction of important wildlife habitats, and pollution of ground and surface drinking water sources. She stressed that this loss would also impact recreational, historic and scenic resources. Frey received master’s degrees in both landscape architecture and public administration from Harvard University. She has worked with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, the Wilderness Society, Grand Canyon Trust and other groups. Her photographs appear in many conservation publications. She resides in Tewksbury in Hunterdon County. The Sparta Historical Society will particpate in “History Days” this spring at Sussex County Community College. Preparations are also under way for participation in the Memorial Day Parade and Sparta Day. The society has begun renovations at the Van Kirk House on Route 517, which is being used as a history and education center by the group. The next meeting of the society, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on May 11 at the Sparta Ambulance building, will feature a program on Abraham Lincoln by Reverend Dr. Thomas Litteer. For information about the society and its activities call 973-729-0644 or 973-729-5153.