Frank Terry was one interesting man!  He was born in Scotch Plains and chose to live in his home town most of his life after being 1 of the 10% in his World War II Company who came home after serving in military bombing missions.  He always loved animals as did his wife Lou(ise).  They loved Palomino horses and in order to pay for the farm they purchased for their prized horses, they started pony rides.  Then they started taking in injured animals from zoos and other people and thus was born The Terry Lou Zoo.

Pete Terry is also a local, interesting man who grew up friends with Frank.  Despite the shared last name, they are not related.   On Tuesday evening, February 23rd Pete will share remembrances of his colorful friend Frank at the monthly meeting of the Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood.  Come hear about the tiger that got loose in the parking lot during the Memorial Day Parade.  Learn why the Terry Lou Zoo had so many American Bison in the 60’s and 70’s.  Many other stories will be told so come to the meeting to get an appreciation for this local character and his wife.

The meeting is free and open to everyone.  Refreshments and fellowship will follow the program.  The meeting starts at 8:00PM on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016. The meeting is held at the Scotch Hills Country Club located at Plainfield Avenue and Jerusalem Road in Scotch Plains.

For more information about this meeting, contact Connie Klock at 908-232-9489 or write to us.

The Osborn Cannonball House Museum 1840 East Front Street in Scotch Plains, NJ will be open on Sunday, December 6, 2014 from 2-4pm.

Featured is our Victorian Christmas tree and 1800’s winter clothing display.

This will be the last open house of the Museum for 2016.  It will be closed for the winter and reopen the first Sunday in March 2016.

Cancelled at the last moment in September but brought back by popular demand, local historian Marie Leppert will be the presentor at the monthly meeting of the Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood on Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 at the Scotch Hills Country Club beginning at 8:00PM.  She will discuss some of the notable people, from the Colonial era to the present day, who were born or lived in Scotch Plains or Fanwood.

Born in Scotch Plains, Mrs. Leppert attended Douglas College in New Jersey.  She returned to her hometown where she and her husband, John, raised their family. She has worked locally as a district elementary school teacher and most recently in the family DeFrancesco Realty Office in Fanwood. Mrs. Leppert has always been an active volunteer with such organization as the Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood, the Scotch Plains Republican Club, the College Club of Fanwood-Scotch Plains and the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Alumni Association.  She was chosen as the Scotch Plains 2015 Female Volunteer of the Year.

In addition to speaking about local history and her community, Mrs. Leppert has written local historical walking tours, a Docent’s Guide for the Scotch Plains’ Osborn Cannonball House Museum, a children’s “History in Hats” skit and information for various websites, news releases and projects.

At this Thanksgiving time of year, this is a perfect topic:  to note and to be thankful for the many people who have contributed to our communities in different, amazing and special ways.  The meeting is free and open to everyone.  Refreshments and fellowship will follow the program.  The meeting starts at 8:00PM on Tuesday, November 24th..  The meeting is held at the Scotch Hills Country Club located at Plainfield Avenue and Jerusalem Road in Scotch Plains.

For more information about this event, contact Connie Klock at 908-232-9489.