Bonnie Brae : 100 Year History

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This draft of the commemorative Bonnie Brae centennial book is dedicated to the small but severely dedicated committee who have spent so much time and energy interpreting and sharing the rich history of Bonnie Brae.

Major Contributions by

Maureen Hunt

David Fox

George Seymour

Arthur Knowlton

Lee Davis

Curated and Designed by

Miasha Vicino

This book is a work in progress and all feedback is greatly appreciated.

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Contents

Forward: The Story of the Piper

1910’s: The Beginning

1920’s: A New Home

1930’s: Ever Expanding

1940’s: War Times

1950’s: Commitment and Changes

1960’s: Half a Century

1970’s: A Shift in Treatment

1980’s: Troubled Times

1990’s: A Fresh Start

2000’s: Powerful Changes

2010’s: 100 Years Later

100 Years: A Timeline

100 People: Immeasurable Service to Bonnie Brae

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1923: First known image of Bonnie Brae farm.

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ForwardThe Story of The Piper

As told by Art Knowlton

In our time it was Bonnie Brae Farm for Boys. For us, ‘The Farm”. Our logo was The Piper. Sitting on his toadstool in silhouette playing his pipe with Art Nouveau wrought iron scroll-work around him. Bonnie Brae was originally founded as a home for boys who didn’t have a stable home environment. Most of us were from families that had fallen on hard times and couldn’t provide a home for us. We had Orphans, Wards of the State, Kids from the street and some boys sent by the courts. For all of us it was a better, safer and more stable place to be. None of us wanted to go there and very few wanted to leave. Some of us arrived at eight years old and stayed until we graduated high school. For some of us it was a year or two. For all of us BB was a refuge. At Bonnie Brae we lived stable disciplined lives. Everybody had a job to do and went to school. We got paid for our work so we had spending money. We learned how to live in the world from Staff and from our peers. Whatever we thought of each other on The Farm when

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off The Farm we were a brotherhood. We belonged and belonging is perhaps the most important thing to teenage boys. We came to identify ourselves as Bonnie Brae Boys and 60 years later a lot of us still do. In the 1950’s the world was modern and modernizing. To an eleven year old the Piper with his toadstool and scroll-work was clearly dated. Art Nouveau Scroll-work was definitely old fashioned. The Piper didn’t mean a lot to most of us then. We didn’t have logo gear to wear. Mostly he sat over our sign on Valley Road and over a fireplace in one of the cottages. I have no Idea when The Piper first adorned our sign or, for that matter, when he was put aside. I do know that for hundreds and hundreds of us – the Alums of Bonnie Brae Farm for Boys – the sight of the Piper reminds us of where we came from and perhaps the best of what made us who we are today.

1955 Art outside of St Paul’s cottage

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Judge Harry V. Osborne

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1910’sThe Beginning

Bonnie Brae Farm for Boys was founded by Harry V. Osborne, a Judge from Essex County Court. He continually saw young men from destitute circumstances, in need of both care and love, passing through his courtroom. These young men had very few resources available to them outside of the State Home for Boys, and Judge Osborne saw no choice but to create a place for them so they would not slip through the cracks of society and fall into delinquency. Judge Osborne had been a leader in the development of social welfare in New Jersey. He served as President of the Family Service Bureau of Newark, was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Vineland Training School and was a member of the Board of Social Service of the Diocese of Newark. With Judge William B. Martin, he had been responsible for the establishment of the Essex County Parental School, later serving as President of its Board of Trustees. The Parental School offered shelter to children awaiting court action as opposed to being jailed as had been the common practice.

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Concerned over the lack of facilities for the care and treatment of boys with family and emotional problems, Judge Osborne set about to build a privately supported institution where such boys would be helped to develop into good citizens. Among those early associated with this enterprise were Mrs. Stephen V.B. Brewster, Mr. John T. Coit, The Hon. And Mrs. Everett Colby, Mrs. Sidney Colgate, The Hon. Edward Duffield, Canon Augustine Elmendorf, Mr. Robert L. Fleming, Mrs. Walton J. Graft, Rev. Charles E. Hutchinson, Mr. A.B. Leach, Mr. Fredrik Fisher Meyer, Mrs. A.J. Sidford, Bishop Edwin S. Lines, Bishop Wilson R. Stearly, Mr. Richard Stevens, and Mrs. Joseph h Voorhees. Although the project was non-sectarian and statewide in its service, a relationship with the Episcopal Diocese of Newark was established to provide a degree of security for the new experiment. Over the years this tie with the Diocese gradually came to an end. Always, however, Bonnie Brae secured its financial support from the general public and served boys of all faiths.

The Robert Treat Hotel in 1918, where $10,000 was raised in one day.

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Introductionto

The 2016 Centennail Pinterest Site

This picture, taken during Bonnie Brae’s 75th celebration, shows Judge Harry V. Osborne enjoying some time with a few of the younger boys, and was published by the Bernardsville News as part of a full spread on Thursday, October 17, 1991. The original picture is much larger and wider, and captioned “Founding Father.”

The picture above is a fitting tribute to Judge Osborne, as well as an ideal way to introduce this Pinterest website devoted to Bonnie Brae’s 100 year history and major accomplishments. From humble beginnings in Livingston, NJ which provided a home for 14 boys to today, Bonnie Brae’s mission has been to serve boys in need. Consequently, a long sequential line of boys arrived and later left to make positive contributions to their communities and Nation. That timeline, that story, cannot be told in one document by any one person or group of people because information and knowledge are distributed, widely in this case. Therefore, anyone with useful information during any of the Brae’s decades is invited to submit it with details as additions to this site.

Moreover, the Bonnie Brae mission could not have been accomplished without the hearts and minds and labor of many many dedicated staff and sponsors. Their work, especially those who contributed repeatedly, often with little or no recognition, deserves notice at this time.

The Centennial Celebration is scheduled for May 20 – 21, 2016 at Bonnie Brae.

Please send your inquiries or contributions to:

Bonnie Brae Centennial Committee, P.O. Box 825, Liberty Corner, NJ 07938-0825 Ph 908-647-4700

Bonnie Brae Alumni, P.O. Box 461719, Escondido, CA 92046-1719 Ph: 760-738-6257

Internet:

Bonnie Brae: http://www.bonnie-brae.org/

Alumni: http://bonniebraealumni.org/

In 1916, Bonnie Brae Farm for Boys officially opened its doors with 14 boys on a small farm in Livingston, NJ. The property had been called “Bonnie Brae” by its owner. The name soon became identified with the young institution and when the original farm became too small, the name was carried along to the new site in Millington. The Farm was supported by private donations, many of which came from friends and associates of Judge Osborne. In 1918, Judge Osborne spoke at the Robert Treat Hotel as did Canon Elmendorf, who contrasted the lives of boys on the Farm with their home environment, and raised $10,000 in one day for the “Bonnie Brae Farm for Homeless Boys.”

1947 Judge Osborne serves Bonnie Brae boys cake.

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Spotlight: The Women’s Auxiliary

Shortly after the Bonnie Brae Farm Board of Directors was formed in 1915, Judge Osborne asked Mrs. Walton J. Graft to form a commit-tee to decorate the dining room. This Dining Room Committee, as it was to become known, accomplished innumerable tasks and events, such as painting, making curtains, and raising funds. In 1955 the group reformed and became known as the Bonnie Brae Auxiliary. Mrs. Edward F. James, Mrs. Arthur W. Herrmann, and Mrs. Frank L. Sundstrom wrote their constitution. “The objective of the Auxiliary was to supply as many services to the Farm as possible, such as: volunteers to transport children to doctors and clinics; to plan and execute trips and outings, especially for those boys who have no visitors; educational field trips; programs to develop talents, arts, crafts, and music; library; decorations and upkeep of cottages.” These unsung heroines contributed substantially to each Bonnie Brae boy for more than six decades.

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1920’sA New Home

The original Livingston Farm became too small and a 209 acre property in Millington was purchased for $29,000 with a goal of one day housing 200 boys. The new site consisted of a large rambling farmhouse, a smaller farmhouse and several odd buildings. There were quarters for 30 boys and several staff. Friends of Bonnie Brae brought out old furniture and clothing and did much of the maintenance and farming with the help of the boys themselves.Infirmary built (funded as gift by Grace Church of Orange) Judge Osborne talked his fellow members of the Newark Kiwanis Club into five years of minstrel shows so that Kiwanis Cottage might be built in 1924. To accommodate the farm’s growing population, many of Judge Osborne’s friends contributed funds and Osborne Cottage was built. That same year, the Dining Hall was erected with the help of funds raised by a special committee, sponsored by Mrs. Stephen V.B. Brewster and which eventually became the Dining Room Committee.

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In 1923, it was decided by a group of Morristown women to hold a Bridge benefit – what would be the first of many over the years and what became the primary group activity Bonnie Brae used for financial support. Benefits were held in Far Hills, Summit, Bernardsville, Newark and Maplewood. The Camp opened in 1925 when the urgent need for free camping facilities was brought to the attention of Bonnie Brae. Because cabins were too expensive, open tents were used the first few years. However, there is a story told that when Mrs. William B. Reilly was visiting a thunderstorm struck, dramatically calling attention to the need for wooden cabins In the midst of all this building, a disastrous fire destroyed the original farmhouse and made further construction an immediate

Boys working and playing on the land at Millington

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necessity. At this point Edwin Gould came forward with funds for Gould Cottage. 1927 brought the construction of the Administration Building, given by George C. Graves of South Orange. Paul’s Cottage, which followed in 1928, was given by Mrs. John A. Roebling and her son Siegfried in memory of a younger son, Paul Roebling.

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Before the fire.

After the fire.

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The boys stand in front of the new Administrative building built in 1927.

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1930’sEver Expanding

In 1931 and 1932, cabins were built for the camp as a gift from Mrs. William B. Reilly and Edwin Gould, followed by a recreation hall and craft shop. In 1932, the Camp Infirmary was donated by the Dining Room Committee and a year later the Nature Lodge was given by the Rotary Club of the Oranges. The Mabel Brewster outdoor chapel was given in 1935 by Mrs. Stephen V. B. Brewster. And the Dining Room Committee built the camp swimming pool. Women continued to make great contributions to Bonnie Brae. The first Bridge benefit held at The Farm was in October of 1934. Women from many communities came and played at card tables while residents acted as waiters and parked cars. Each year displayed a different theme. Some staff dressed for the occasion, as did some boys, who looked forward to typically generous tips. The Dining Room Committee Bridge parties were so financially successful that its members were able to furnish the dining hall as well as the other cottages.

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In addition to Bridge, women made personal contributions. In 1934, Mrs. Frederik Firsher Meyer donated the gym for the school in memory of her husband.

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Spotlight: Farm Work

Several years following the initial founding of Bonnie Brae, , Judge

Osborne purchased a larger farm in Bernards Township, New Jersey.

This working farm provided young boys with employable skills as well as

a safe and therapeutic environment for personal and social development

(also cited In the Beginning Section).

During the 1950’s, the Farm contained one horse, about 35 milk-

ing cows, 30 sheep, a small herd of black Angus, pigs, and chickens, all

of which required daily tending and were used for food. Although the

Farm employed full time resident and non-resident workers, many of the

tasks, such as collecting eggs, milking the cows twice daily and feeding

them from two huge silos (Here some boys are feeding the cows - click

on the picture for a much larger image), feeding the pigs, sheep, etc. fell

to the older boys. Everyone worked according to his ability. Each sum-

mer the freshly cut and baled hay, and then straw, had to be loaded onto

a flatbed truck for storage in the barn, which tended to keep the boys

both well tanned and in excellent physical shape.

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1935 The swimming pool was added to the Bonnie Brae grounds

Bonnie Brae Camp takes in 100 boys at a time in the summer.

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1940’sWar Times

The war brought about changes. Gas was rationed so the Bridge Club hosted their parties in their homes and sent the funds to Bonnie Brae instead of coming to campus. On campus a change in leadership occurred. Mrs. Berresford was the Superintendent in the early 1940’s and long-time staff member Charles Group became the director in 1941. The first Boy Scout Troop on campus was formed, and Troop 55 went on for many years, representing the best interests of Bonnie Brae boys while exposing them to other troops both on the Bonnie Brae campus and at Lake Hopatcong. One of the greatest memories of alumni from this era was their memory of the Blue Bus. The Blue Bus looked like an ordinary bus, but residents believed it to be the fastest bus in the county, and on occasion, Walt Parks, the bus driver, would “floor it” to speak past another school bus on one of the narrow two country roads to or from Basking Ridge or Bernardsville while passengers cheered him on.

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When the war ended, the original Dining Room Committee, led by Mrs. Graft, Mrs. Arthur Herrmann and Mrs. Frank Sundstrom wanted to raise awareness of Bonnie Brae’s cause. Mrs. Sunstrom chaired a committee which planned a conference of social workers and volunteers called “Today’s Volunteers in Tomorrow’s World” which took place at the Essex House in Newark. The committee that ran this event evolved into the new Bridge Committee. The committee aslo funded the camp pond enlargement. In 1949 the Sea Scouts were created. Meetings were held in the old gym in an area cordoned off with ropes, to represent the bow of a ship. Boys “boarded” by saluting “the Skipper,” and the colors. The group, led by the Skipper, took canoe trips near the Delaware Water Gap. Some Scouts also took a cruise from the Raritan River to Mystic Connecticut, learning the basics of navigation, ship handling, cooking and cleanliness. The group even got to spend a night at the US Coast Guard Station across the river from the USNA.

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Spotlight: Directors

In the early 1940’s Mrs. Berresford was the Superintendent, fol-

lowed by Mr. Fraser. Long time staff member Charles Group became

Director in 1941, but had little control. Warren W. Watters assumed

leadership in 1953 with the proviso that he could remove boys for seri-

ous discipline behavior, and shortly thereafter Bonnie Brae became more

hospitable.

A few years later, Fred Persiko (1956-67) brought innovation and

harmony to the staff, and he was followed by Mr. Loftis. In 1970 Robert

E. Kneebone was the Director. Other names include Peter Kurtz, Ron-

ald Rutkowski, Ruth Walsh, and more recently Dr. Susan G. Roth. The

current CEO is William M. Powers, MHA, MPA

49Artwork from George Geisler’s memoirs

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1950’sCommitment and Changes

The ‘50’s were marked with much change and growth at Bonnie Brae. In 1952 Judge Osborne passed away and his son, Harry Jr., stepped in to fill Judge Osborne’s role. In early 1953, the growth of the nearby community threatened to take away the much prized rural setting. Under the leadership of Mr. Arthur Buttenheim, arrangements were made to purchase 156 acres of adjoining land. Property values had risen and $75,000 was the agreed upon price. During the early 1950’s The Dining Room Committee was reorganized as the Bonnie Brae Auxiliary. The Annual Benefit Bridge Party and Fashion Show became their major activities, but the Auxiliary also served as the primary volunteers for Bonnie Brae. The women took turns driving boys to doctors and clinics, did the decorating and furnishing of the cottages, kept up the Lounge Library, and sponsored Christmas parties, dances and a variety of activities and projects to benefit the boys.

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Additionally, the Auxiliary established “The Birthday Fund” to give each boy a dollar and a card on his birthday as well as a “Christmas Fund” to provide each young man with $5 at the holidays. In 1956, Auxiliary member, Ruth Carrey formed The Matinee Theater Group, which is still in existence today. In 1954 Dr. Walton J. Graft began providing free dental service for the boys at Bonnie Brae and organized a group of dentists who volunteered to care for the boys. A room in the Meyer Memorial School Building served as the dental clinic and was equipped with modern instruments donated by Dr. Graft and then by his colleagues in his memory in 1958. In total, 16 dentists and two orthodontists volunteered their time at Bonnie Brae. Through Dr. Grafts additional efforts, the filtration system in the Camp Swimming Pool was installed in 1956.

Bonnie Brae’s Boy Scout troop 55

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“There were no girls on BB, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t on our minds. Dances, both at Bonnie Brae or at local schools were popular with the older boys, and thus the record player got lots of use. In the mid to late 1950s some of us practiced the jitterbug dance with friends because it was taught nowhere else. Here is a picture of a dance in Pauls or Metcalf on Valentine’s Day, 1958. It is surprising today how many boy girl friendships survived 30, 40, or more years despite not having seen each other since way back when.” -Bonnie Brae Alumni website

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In 1953, The Turrell Fund aided in renovating all of the cottages. House mothers were replaced by cottage parent couples. Some crowding of boys was eased by reducing cottage capacity from 20 to 16 or 17 boys. This made for a total population change from 80 to 67 youngsters. In 1955 as a memorial to Herbert and Margaret Turrell, a new Administration Building with a spacious lounge, offices and staff quarters was opened. In 1956 Metcalf-Hayden Cottage, planned to serve the oldest boys, was opened with funds given to her family in memory of Mrs. Maude B. Metcalf and by the Charles Hayden Foundation. Capacity went back to 83 boys. In the late ‘50’s Warren W. Watters arrived at Bonnie Brae with a background in social work and administration. He made many changes and is a lot of changes credited for not tolerating bullying and poor behavior. Under his direction boys are released for acting out and being aggressive, making it a much safer and nicer environment for the boys to live in. During this time period an on-grounds academic program was also initiated, the first consulting psychiatrist was hired, registered nursing services were offered 24 hours a day, and a Treatment Team approach began to take hold.

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Mr. Herb Graham, Bonnie Brae Director of Farming. Here with his son, Curtis in 1951 preparing metal pipe stands for a raised rabbit hutch at his home in Liberty Corner. He was the ultimate handyman both at BB and home. His daughter says they, “had an Aviary of birds that he sold for extra money. and bee hives for the honey for extra money. My father built all the bird cages that were in the back yard. We also had chickens, for the eggs. We had a little mini farm right in our back yard.”-George Edw. Seymour, Bonnie Brae Centennial Committee

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BB Director, Warren W. Watters and Social

Worker Mrs. Geraldine Day about 1955.

-George Edw. Seymour, Bonnie Brae Centennial Committee

Spotlight: Administration and Staff

Over the years, numerous staff position changes occurred. Mrs.

Day and Mrs. Frolich served as caring social workers. Leo Elias mastered

the skill of giving unconditionally. Bill Gundle, served as handy man,

and must have earned his place in heaven putting up with some of the

boys after WWII. “Pop” Taylor (responsible for grounds) and Herb Gra-

ham (Farm Manager), whose innovations in machinery earned everyone’s

respect. Later Mr. Hydock and Mr. Kingsman managed the farming. Stan

Grabarczk and Bob Wagner also worked in the Farm Department. Walt

Parks managed the buildings, and his wife worked at the nearby VA hos-

pital. Mr. Ackens also helped on occasion, (his wife Frances taught math

at Oak Street School). Sometimes boys returned as staff, and Ike Keay

and Bob West are great examples.

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Mr. and Mrs. Benscoter house parents of Osborne Cottage during the 1950s.-George Edw. Seymour, Bonnie Brae Centennial Committee

Spotlight: House Parents

The following Bonnie Brae staff members served as House Parents

-the Acken’s, Mrs. Adams, the Barbers and the Benscoter’s, Mrs.Brad-

ley, Doug and June Dickinson, Nike Dodd, Mrs. Dunlap, Mr. and Mrs.

Enoss, Mrs. Ford, the Greens, The Grimes, Mrs. Heinberger, Bob and

Kay Hickethier, the Hydock’s and the Lameroux’s, Motts, Muellers, Or-

landis, Pearce’s, Philpotts, Rhodas, Mrs. Segine, Bob Seracino, the Sliker’s,

Strong’s, and Gregg Whiteside. Each of the cottages was supervised by

live-in house-parents, in addition to one relief house parent who rotated

among the cottages for vacations and time off .

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“Inspired by a childhood filled with fairies where “magical things happened,” sisters Lib Schley and Mayor Watts Hitchcock opened The Magic Shop in 1947, they “began with the idea of finding and creating toys that expressed the joy and wonder of a child’s world,” said Mayor Watts Hitchcock... for more than 65 years The Magic Shop has operated for the

benefit of Bonnie Brae.”

BonnieBrae.org “The Magic Shop”, courtesy of The Magic Shop

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1960’sHalf a Century

With the renovation of the Directors Cottage, Bonnie Brae added a sixth residence for boys and enrollment soared to 100. Campus wide improvements continued. In 1962, Mr. William G. Wright, Jr. made the Recreation Pavilion possible, restored the Brewster Outdoor Chapel and improved the lavatory facilities. The Meyer Memorial School Building was improved, and in 1963 the campus received the gift of the Reeve Schley Skating Rink, an outdoor hadtopped facility for skating, basketball and other games. The Auxiliary continued to be the primary driver of volunteerism and fundraising for the organization during this decade. Mrs. George E. Vreeland established the first scholarship fund for higher education in 1961. Under this program, eligible boys could be awarded $500, and the first recipient was accepted to the Indiana Institute of Technology. The Auxiliary set up medical programs to drive boys to doctor and dentist visits, which also gave them one on one time to get to know the boys. Many of the boys would be penniless when they arrived at Bonnie Brae

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and it would take them over a week to earn enough wages to go to the Canteen, so The Auxiliary funded a program to gives each boy a card with $1 upon arrival. This allowed new boys to immediately be part of the crowd and buy a candy with new friends. They began “poetry contests” as well as instituted a “smile contest” to reward boys who would smile the most during dinner outings. During this time, Fred Persiko served as Executive Director and, in addition to being credited for bringing innovation and harmony to the staff, focused on the clinical and therapeutic approach to treatment. In his words, “We are attempting to help boys who have a wide variety of problems, all of which have imposed handicaps on their behavior, ability to concentrate, concepts of adults and authority, tolerances, relations with each other, viewpoints towards the community at large and overall motivation of formulation of goals. They are no longer the purely dependent, but rather they are the confused, embittered, distrustful, disorganized, ill-equipped, often resource less youngsters, rootless and

Bonnie Brae Womens Auxiliary celebrate their 10th anniversary in 1965.

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Bonnie Brae Boys who won a trip to NYC in 1963. Director Fred Persiko is second from the right.-George Edw. Seymour, Bonnie Brae Centennial Committee

unstable, unable to see into their own futures any signs of hope or of self-worth. It is our job to make men of them….Bonnie Brae is a place where new techniques can be tried and some time-savers found….Our role must be that of the pioneer in method and thought. We take this responsibility most conscientiously.” Programmatically the boys enjoyed several exciting extra-curricular activities, one of which was the “Flight of Learning” in which they spent the semester learning about planes and flight. Upon completion, several of the boys were actually able to fly in a plane for the first time. Additionally, the ‘60’s saw the continuation of the annual trip to Washington DC sponsored by the Irvington Rotary Club in which select students were able to travel to our nations’ capital to learn more about our history.

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1965 Fred Persiko goes over details while boys learn

1965 Boys in class and relaxing in the lounge

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Each Cottage had house parents. This is

Mr. and Mrs. Benscoter house parents of

Osborne Cottage during the 1950s.

-George Edw. Seymour

Published: May 8, 1966Copyright © The New York Times



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1970’sA Shift in Treatment

The 1970’s marked an era of rapid and major change at Bonnie Brae as its funding shifted from largely private to largely public. The “farm” was now a “residential treatment center” and equipped with a fully accredited school. Boys could no longer work on the farm or attend the local public schools. Bonnie Brae treated and cared for boys in-residence as well as provided an Outpatient Treatment Center for youth from surrounding communities who needed psychological testing, psychotherapy, vocational rehabilitation and career guidance. A new Admissions Intake Cottage was opened and housed an “intensive care unit” for boys upon arrival. Additionally, Bonnie Brae shed all of their religious affiliations during this time period. In 1971, Executive Director Robert Kneebone set up 4 new programs on campus: the Group Home Project - for boys 15-17 years old who would reside on campus; the School Program - For boys who ccould return home to families each night; The Volunteer Program; and the Woodcraft Shop

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In 1976, under Executive Director, Ruth Walsh and Steven Fishbein, Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Bonnie Brae launched a new program called “Education for Survival” which focused on combining vocational training, on the job experience, job seeking skills, academic instruction and psycho social adjustment. With donations from the private sector, the campus created and equipped several specific “work site” areas to prepare youth for entry-level jobs in: carpentry; automotive maintenance; food service; and general maintenance work.

The local V.A. practices emergency drills with Bonnie Brae Boys

79Bonnie Brae Camp Newsletter from the 1970’s

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1980’sTroubled Times

The early ‘80’s represented a fairly dark period in Bonnie Brae’s history and was marred by several scandals: the Executive Director was charged with child cruelty; a house couple was charged with embezzlement; and a staff member was charged with trading drugs. The scandals caused a loss of funding and Bonnie Brae was forced to sell 277 acres of land as a means of financing a new residential treatment center as well as establishing an endowment. However, despite this, Bonnie Brae endured, survived and began to thrive again. The 1980’s gave birth to many “firsts” in Bonnie Brae’s history: the first Outward Bound trip; first Scottish Games: first Tartan Ball; first computer and business courses offered; and first Ropes Course on campus. Executive Director, Susan Roth, was hired in the late 1980’s and was credited with greatly improving Bonnie Brae’s financial position. The Outward Bound program became a cornerstone offering and was a demanding 28 day excursion conducted seasonally in either the

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rugged and challenging environment of Maine’s mountain wilderness or northern Florida’s primitive and remote Okanokee National Wildlife Refuge. Participants were challenged mentally and physically to do things they never thought possible. They acquired skills through backpacking, canoeing, rock climbing and ropes course activities which built physical and mental stamina while offering the first opportunity for self discovery, problem solving, decision making and personal growth.

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1990’sA Fresh Start

After the numerous scandals of the 80’s, the 90’s were a time for the organization and the boys of Bonnie Brae to rebuild and reinvent themselves. The mid 90’s marked the person of lowest enrollment, with just 54 boys. In the 1990’s most funding came from public agencies. While the school had an operating budget of $6 million, 80% or tuition expenses were granted by public funding. To raise money, Bonnie Brae had to adapt with creative ideas to draw in more private funding that had been lost since the 1980’s. The first ever golf classic was held in 1993 and raised $20,000. While financially times were hard, the successes of treatment and educational goals were ever growing. By the mid 90’s, the average stay of a Bonnie Brae boy was 18 months. By the end of their stay, 80% of boys had achieved their treatment goals. Bonnie Brae has a long history of using psychiatric medications as part of treatment strategies where appropriate.

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In the mid 1960’s the first major wave of psychiatric medication treatment was being explored, and in 1995 about 70% of boys were on medications as part of their treatment. Reconnecting boys to the land became a focus of the 1990’s for both educational and therapeutic purposes. The boys participated in events like filling the pond with trout at the start of fishing season, and taking trips to Lake George in 1999. The continuation of Outward bound trips to Canada continued to prove wildly valuable for the boys. In a Bonnie Brae Piper article, a teacher recalls the boys not using swear words the entire trip.

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1995 Scottish Games

1996 Scottish Games

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Flashback: while a long tradition of hanging out at The Butt (the smoking skack) ended long before, Bonnie Brae campus became smoke-free in 1998.

Spotlight: Alumni Association

Established in 1999, (Jim Murray< President; George Seymour,

Historian and Webmaster) the Bonnie Brae Alumni Association orga-nized its first reunion in 2000. Three Alumni found each other on the Internet and decided it was time to get back together again after more than 45 years. George Seymour [`52-`57], Jim Murray [`47-`54] and Rich Murray [`47-`54] built web pages, corresponded mostly by e-mail, contacted the current officials at Bonnie Brae, made arrangements, and tracked down old friends and other alumni.

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Alumni success story: 1999 Bonnie Brae Piper

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2000’sPowerful Changes

The 2000’ s was a highly active time in Bonnie Brae’ s history. The energized Board of Trustees led a Capital Campaign which raised over 4 million dollars. The most successful campaign in Bonnie Brae’ s history, “Building the Future...One Boy at a Time”, provided for a new Vocational training facility, Health Office and Primary/Middle School for Bonnie Brae’ s main campus. Additionally, a new event took shape and the “ponies played” in the first ever Polo Classic at Fieldview Farm in Pittstown. One of the most impactful changes in this decade was the hiring of CEO Bill Powers in 2002. Bringing more than 26 years of experience in caring for children who have endured trauma, Bill was ready for the challenges of Bonnie Brae. Early in the decade he expanded the capacity from 53 to 80 residents. Mid-decade he continued this growth trajectory, expanding to serve 97 young men, with the re-opening of Metcalf Cottage and Bonnie Brae’ s first transitional home in New Brunswick.

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Bill changed the culture by creating a strength-based approach to care and treatment. He broke down the invisible wall surrounding Bonnie Brae by adding programming such as the Bonnie Brae Ambassadors and Bonnie Brae Knights, which brought residents into the community. Bill also worked alongside the residents in helping other non-profits in the surrounding communities; Habitat for Humanity; Bridges Outreach; Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Run; and the American Diabetes Association. Perhaps the biggest story of this decade was the “Cinderella Story” of the Bonnie Brae Knights Drum Corps. marching in President Obama’ s 2009 Inaugural Parade. A firestorm of publicity descended upon the campus, when the story of 12 young Bonnie Brae men who embodied the hope and the change that this new President promised stepped into the limelight in their new uniforms and played their hearts out.

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Spotlight: Buildings, Construction, and Land

The 1920’s up to 1955 (a span of 35 years) represented a prolific period

of time for building and other construction projects.

Residential cottages. Between 1924 and 1955, there were five cottag-

es built on the Bonnie Brae campus- Kiwanis, Osborne, Gould, Paul’s,

and Metcalf-Hayden. Various sources of private funds were used to com-

plete these cottages and each was named after their benefactor.

All but Kiwanis, the first cottage, displayed an attractive Tudor exte-

rior, and all were two-storied with a basement. Each lower floor consist-

ed of a large living room, with TV, couch(s), a play or recreation/study

room, a locker room, and a large bathroom with multiple sinks, com-

modes, and showers. Upstairs, four or five bedrooms each contained

from four to six steel beds. Nothing accessible to the boys was locked,

and thus an honor system and trust was implemented. Each house-par-

ent had access to mini-apartment rooms both upstairs and downstairs,

including a small kitchen where they often fixed snacks .

Other construction projects. In addition to the residential cottag-

es, the following facilities were built: infirmary, dining hall and school

building, camp cabins, main campus swimming pool, gymnasium for the

school, and the summer camp outdoor chapel.

Construction projects during the 1950’s and beyond. Camp infirma-

ry, new dining hall, new administration building, camp recreation pavil-

lion, outdoor chapel restored, improvements in camp lavatory facilities,

and new gymnasium facilities.

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Shown is an early photo of Kiwanis Cottage. On April 28, 1977 twenty-two clubs came together to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of Newark, NJ--the first service club in NJ. The name Kiwanis is taken from an Indian saying meaning “We make ourselves known,” and their motto is “We Build.” Among other things, they spent $18,000 building Kiwanis Cottage at Bonnie Brae, its first cottage in the 1924-24 time frame. Click image for the NY Times report.-Newark Kiwanis Club, New York Times

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“This is a rare image of Osborne Cottage showing boys in the front windows looking at a car that may describe the era. The lack of brush and trees indicates that the cottage was recently built.”

-George Edw. Seymour, Bonnie Brae Centennial Committee

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2010’s100 Years Later

A visitor to campus in can expect to see young men busy in the hightech Bonnie Brae Book Narrative TV/computer center, students learning culinary skills in the commercial style kitchen, as well as studying sustainability in the classroom. Bonnie Brae students are also encouraged to play instruments, join a sports team, play chess and tryout for the spring play or talent showcase. As Brae Builders building 34 homes with Habitat for Humanity , Knights Drummers playing in community parades and events;Volunteers feeding the homeless with Bridges and providing water for participants of Tunnels to Towers ;Ambassadors for tours and Sustainability presentations In 2013 Bonnie Brae opened our second Community Based Transitional Living Home, for 7 boys in Bound Brook, NJ 2015 opened our first community based transitional living home in Bridgewater, NJ for young men 1821 – thus expanding our continuum of care We serve

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a little over 100 boys at a time, about 94 on our main campus situated on 100 acres in Liberty Corner; 8 at our Community Based Transitional Living Home in New Brunswick; 7 at our Community Based Transitional Living Home in Bound Brook; and 5 at our new Transitional Living Home in Bridgewater. The average stay is 12-18 months.

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100 yearsA Timeline

Bonnie Brae Board of Directors established.

Women’s Auxiliary. Shortly after the Bonnie Brae Farm Board of Directors was formed in 1915, Judge Osborne asked Mrs. Walton J. Graft to form a committee to decorate the dining room. This Dining Room Committee, as it was to become known, accomplished innumerable tasks and events, such as painting, making curtains, and raising funds.

Judge Osborne initially rented a small farm in Livingston, New Jersey from a Scotsman who had named it Bonnie Brae.

Additional funding ($10,000) was raised by Judge Osborne following a presentation about Bonnie Brae

1915

1916

1918

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at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, New Jersey.

The Women’s Auxiliary plans picnics, outdoor events (sledding and potato sack races).

1920-1921-With more boys being referred for help, Judge Osborne purchased a much larger farm (209 acres at a cost of $29,000) in Millington (Bernards Township), New Jersey. On May 1st, 1921, 14 boys from Livingston moved in and worked the farm and gardens. The working farm provided young boys with employable skills as well as a safe and therapeutic environment for personal and social development

-Boys walked to school in near-by Liberty Corner.

-The Women’s Auxiliary held its first Bridge game fundraiser (boys dressed nicely and acted as waiters- sometimes making sizable tips).

-Kiwanis cottage built with funds from the Kiwanis Club of Newark.

-Summer camp cabins built with funds donated by Mrs William B Reilly.

-Osborne cottage built with funds from friends of the Osbornes.

-Administration building and Gould cottage built.

1919

1920

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

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-Paul’s cottage, school building, dining hall, Roebling cottage built.

-Additional summer camp cabins built- funded by Mrs. William B. Reilly.

- Herb Graham was hired by Bonnie Brae to oversee the Poultry Department.

-Main campus swimming pool built.

- Care of the dairy herd was added to Herb Graham’s responsibilities, and eventually he was made supervisor over all farming departments (personal communication, G. S. Berresford).

-Harry V. Osborne completed a thesis on Childhood Delinquency

-Mrs.Frederick Fischer Meyer donated to the gym for the school in memory of her husband.

Bridge parties raised funds for the dining hall on campus.

-Mabel Brewster Outdoor Chapel funded by Mrs. Stephen VB Brewster.

-Dining Hall Committee built camp swimming pool.

1928

1930

1931

1933

1934

1935

1938

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1939-early 1940’s Mrs. Berresford served as Dean of Bonnie Brae. Mr. Fraser followed Mrs. Berresford as Superintendent.

-During the war years, parties had to be held at ladies homes & money sent to Bonnie Brae (due to gas rationing).

-Red hay barn burned down.

- Long time staff member Charles Group became Director.

- The last graduating class from Bonnie Brae Elementary School continued their education in the public school system.

-Dining Hall Committee funded Camp pond enlargement.

- The Dining Committee holds the Conference for Professional social workers and volunteers (Today’s Volunteers in Tomorrow’s world held in Newark. to share ideas).

-Sea scouts created.

- First Boy Scout sent to Bermuda retreat (funding provided by the Women’s Auxiliary).

- Camp infirmary donated by Dining Hall Committee.

1940s

1941

1948

1949

1951

1952

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1952 to February, 1953 The scarlet fever epidemic. Residents were quarantined in Paul’s Cottage. Boys that never showed any symptoms of the disease were fortunate. However, for each case that occurred, there was a quarantine period of about three weeks. For those that were sick, they left the quarantined group, recovered from the disease, and did not return to the group until the entire episode was over. Those who never contracted the disease missed their formal schooling during the 5 months of quarantine.

- Warren Watters assumed the position as Director.

-Charles Hayden foundation funded giant new dining hall.

- Dr. Walton Graft organized a group of dentists/volunteers to offer free dental care to Bonnie Brae (at one point there was 16 dentists and 2 orthodontists).

One hundred fifty-six more acres acquired- bringing the total acreage to 377.

-New administration building opened in memory of Herbert and Margaret Turell.

- The Dining Room Committee reformed and became known as the Bonnie Brae Auxiliary. Mrs. Edward F. James, Mrs. Arthur W. Herrmann, and Mrs. Frank L. Sundstrom wrote their constitution. “The objective of the Auxiliary was to supply as many services to

1953

1954

1955

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the Farm as possible, such as: volunteers to transport children to doctors and clinics; to plan and execute trips and outings, especially for those boys who have no visitors; educational field trips; programs to develop talents, arts, crafts, and music; library; decorations and upkeep of cottages.” These unsung heroines contributed substantially to each Bonnie Brae boy for more than six decades.

1956-1967 Fred Persiko, Director.

-Matinee group founded by Ruth Carrey of the Women’s Auxiliary.

- Birthday fund was established by the Women’s Auxiliary to give each boy a dollar and a card on his birthday. The Women’s Auxiliary also had a program which gave new boys a card with $1 upon arrival .This allowed new boys to buy candy and mix with other boys and make new friends.

- A boy requested a $390 loan to buy drums so he could join an orchestra and play at the Worlds Fair. His loan request was converted into a gift from the Women’s Auxiliary.

-Metcalf-Hayden cottage opened (capacity for boys can grow to 83).

Another cottage (Metcalf) built in 1955. Additional details describing the amenities in the two new cottages are available.

1956

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-Mrs Hermann assumed responsibility for the Women’s Auxiliary and established the first fine Arts and Crafts group.

- Filtration system for pool funded by Dr. Graft.

-Pop Taylor retired.

-Bridge Party themed “The Gay Nineties”. Social activities.

- Bernards Township Board of Education passed a resolution requesting $500 tuition per yr/student affecting about 40 Bonnie Brae boys.

-Bridge Benefit (Aloha Hawaii) attracts 1200 visitors on the first day, 1600 on the second day.

- Herb Graham retired.

- First scholarship for higher education was established by Mrs. George Vreeland of the Auxiliary. Eligible boys could be awarded $500.

-Recreation pavillion built, Brewster outdoor chapel restored, camp lavatory facilities improved- funding provided by Mr. William G. Wright.

- Improvements made to Meyer Memorial School and Reeve Schley Rink. Green hay barn burned down.

1957

1958

1959

1960

1961

1962

1963

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- Director’s cottage converted into housing for boys.

-The auxiliary scholarship fund helped its first candidate accepted to Indiana Institute of Technology.

-Director Persiko requested new gym facilities.

- Flight of Learning-boys spent the semester learning about planes and flight. At the end of the course were able to fly in a plane for the first time. The plane took them over the farm.

- George Tate inducted into Ridge High School Basketball hall of Fame.

- Mr. Loftis, Director.

- Robert Kneebone, and other Directors-Peter Kurtz, Ronald Rutkowski, Ruth Walsh, Dr. Susan G. Roth.

- Fishing trip on the Raritan River with Police on “Sea Pigeon” helped boys and police build trust and bond.

-First vocational programming started under Ruth Walsh; training program also extended to girls. A summer intern program was initiated with the cooperation of the Veterans Administration. Boys worked at various jobs which included anything from office work to cleaning duties. Outpatient treatment center. New admissions intake cottage with intensive

1964

1965

1966

1967

1970s

1976

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care opened.

-Bicentennial cottage burned down.

-Flora Hewett became responsible for the matinee group- through the1990s they would see 5 Broadway shows each year.

- Only 15% of boys required psychiatric medication

- First outward bound trip.

- First computer and business courses were introduced in vocational training program.

- First Tartan Ball.

-First Scottish Games were held.

- First ever golf classic raised $20,000.

- Bonnie Brae becomes entirely smoke free.

- First interscholastic volley ball team was established.

- Piper article on boys filling the pond with trout at the start of the season for fishing-bonding and connecting with the land.

- Lake George, New York summer trip or Canada? Df?) - the boys “hadn’t used a swear word all week” (Bonnie Brae Piper).

1978

1980s

1982

1984

1986

1987

1993

1997

1998

1999

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1999- Alumni Association founded, spear-headed by Alumnus George Seymour and other dedicated Alumni.

- The Bonnie Brae Alumni Association organized its first reunion. Three Alumni found each other on the Internet and decided it was time to get back together again after more than 45 years. George Seymour [`52-`57], Jim Murray [`47-`54] and Rich Murray [`47-`54] built web pages, corresponded mostly by e-mail, contacted the current officials at Bonnie Brae, made arrangements, and tracked down old friends and other alumni.

-Capital campaign raised $4.5 million to construct 3 new buildings.

-William Powers was named CEO.

- First polo classic.

-Roebling cottage re-opened with expanded capacity from 64-80 boys, on the site where Gould Cottage stood (Brooklyn Bridge article).2004- Alumni Reunion 2004, George Seymour, Moderator. On an October Saturday morning at 7:30 we reassembled once again at Bonnie Brae in the old Dining Hall. In all, 24 alumni, many wives, and two daughters (those of George Seymour and James Thompson) attended one or both events. Unlike the previous reunion in 2000, a few guys were at BB in the

2000

2001

2004

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1960s, and one was from 1979.”

-Knight’s Drum Corps plays at historic President Obama’s first Inaugural Parade.

-Young men learned high-tech skills at the Bonnie Brae TV computer center on campus. Also, students learned culinary skills in the commercial style kitchen as well as studying sustainability in the classroom.

-Bonnie Brae students are encouraged to play instruments, join a sports team, play chess, and try out for the spring play or talent showcase.

-Approximately 30 Alumni and family members attended- moderated by Alumnus Padric Hayes.

-The first community based transitional living home (CBTLH) is opened in Bridgewater NJ for young men 18-21thus expanding the continuum of care.

-The second CBLTH is opened for 7 boys in Bound Brook, NJ.

- Bonnie Brae celebrates 100 years of service of 10,000 boys and 10,000 families.

2009

2010

2011

2013

2015

2016

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100 peopleImmeasurable Service to Bonnie Brae

Betty Anne Osborne

Judge Osborne

Judge Osborne II

Ted Osborne

Elsa Osborne

Roebling Family

Turrell Family

Fred Persiko

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Mr. Ike KeayIzat Keay has the rare distinction of having been both a boy at BB (1941 – 1950), and then returning as a staff member (6/53 - 9/56). He led the Scouts, supported all kinds of sports, and served as a spiritual leader. Ike was recommended by many alumni. Later in life he served as the Director of a home for prisoner’s children in Tennessee.

Mrs. Geraldine DayMrs. Geraldine Day served as the BB Social Worker for decades and likely was the first contact parents, guardians, and boys had with BB. Many alumni mentioned her and commented favorably.

Mr. Herb GrahamMr. Herb Graham (Farm Manager): “Some alumni recall talking to him about jobs in the field of Agriculture. Many were amazed by his ability to improvise in an effort to accomplish a given task. Things like making a hay bale conveyor belt out of cut up old bed rails, etc. An alumnus choice for a post-Doctoral career in the field of Agriculture was influenced by opportunities he had to work with Herb Graham, who retired in 1960.

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Mrs. Lenda PersikoMrs. Persiko is an alumni honoree as identified on the link below. Throughout her long tenure as the Director’s wife she worked tirelessly for the BB boys, for needed improvements in living conditions at Bonnie Brae, and for the camp.

Mrs. Dottie HerrmannMrs. Arthur W. “Dottie” Herrmann is identified in the link below. She has been an enduring supporter of BB including serving as a charter member of the BB Auxiliary as mentioned in the New York Times, Sunday, Oct. 17, 1965.

Mr. Walt ParksHe and his wife lived at BB for decades and he repaired, sanded, and painted or stained every building exterior, including that huge Camp Dining Hall at least three times. Many alumni learned how to paint from Walt, and a few became professional painters.

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Dr. Walton GraftInitiated dental services at BB in 1954, and all the boys benefitted. George Edw. Seymour was the first “dental assistant,” autoclaving the instruments, etc. The BB Director wrote that he was, “one of the Farm’s best friends...we see more of him than...most Board members” and he visited at least once a week.

Mr. & Mrs. Douglas DickensonJune and Doug Dickinson (House Parents) arrived at Bonnie Brae in 1953 and brought with them their own youth – enabling them to deal with the circumstances one might expect when surrounded by adoles-cence. Doug was popular and served as an excellent role model.

Mr. Robert LeslieIn 1937 Bob was demonstrating leadership by serving as the House Captain in Kiwanis Cottage, the place where the youngest and thus the most vulnerable boys lived. He served as a role model for many boys at Bonnie Brae, continued his interest in the alumni, and remained lifelong friends with several alumni until passing a few years ago.

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Chiefie WeefieChiefie worked at the BB Camp every summer for 21 years and delighted tens of thousands of disadvantaged boys from various New Jersey cities with his costume and engaging stories.

George K. GeislerMrs. Arthur W. “Dottie” Herrmann is identified in the link below. She has been an enduring supporter of BB including serving as a charter member of the BB Auxiliary as mentioned in the New York Times, Sun-day, Oct. 17, 1965.

Mr. Bill GundelEveryone knew and respected “Bill’s Shop” down by the cow barn. We do not know his BB time frame but he was there in 1937 and when I left in 1957. His work ethic inspired many boys, and he could and did fix anything. One boy mentioned that his job was to carry a bucket of coal early morning to the Shop to fuel the potbellied stove warming the shop in winter. The boys who worked with Bill were fortunate.

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Mr. Stan GrabarezykEarly on and for many years Stan was the number one Farmhand at BB who lived nearby with his wife and two daughters. His farming and life skills were rare and endured in many boys after they left BB. Someone said he served as a surrogate dad.

Mr. Robert “Bob” WestBob lived at BB from 1937 until 1945, and then later returned as a staff member (1963 – 1966) becoming Assistant Director. Few had his dedica-tion and insight into disadvantaged boys. Bob was recognized by Bonnie Brae in 2006 for his long association with Bonnie Brae and his enduring

Irwin Abramson

Bob AdamsJack of all trades among childcare staff. Worked overnight shift and in our first community home in New Brunswick

Cliff Baker/Jane BakerServed on the Board for many years. Jane was involved in the Auxiliary

Albert BoothFormer President & Treasurer of the Board

Vanita BraverBonnie Brae Staff: Began in the Recreational Program and expanded the program

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Rasheeda BrownJack of all trades among childcare staff. Worked overnight shift and in our first community home in New Brunswick

Robert & Marion Schamann Brozowski FndtnKey Influential Donors

Madeline BurkeLong time Receptionisht and “Voice” of Bonnie Brae for many years. A fixture at the front desk

Don BushBoard of Trustee member and helped to chair the Capital Campaign in the ‘90’s

Charles L. ChapinChaired leadership gifts for cap campaign.

Kim Coates32 Years as Director of Food Services

Donna CraneOngtime Director of Education. Humanized the work, making boys people, not consumers. Geared toward “success” for the boys.

Dr. Elliot & Mrs. Spence Decker

Dave ConnollyServed on the Board

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Louis DiGiovanniCurrrent Board of Trustees President

RM Ellis Foundation

Phil ErricoCurrent Residential Director. Started as a member of the Childcare Staff, went on to become Executive Director of a Morris County Shelter. Torch-bearer of ABC and Expedition trips to Canada and Lake George.

Cliff EvansBuys gifts to leave under the tree for Christmas morning for the boys who cannot go home for Christmas

Thomas FarrowFarrow Cottage named in honor of the Farrows. Has planned gift for Bonnie Brae

David FischerThree time employee whose specialty is “Mileu Therapy”. First to bridge gap between residential and therapeutic.

Peter FlemingFormer President of the board

Russell Fosbinder

Suzanne Engel

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Latarisha FountainRecreation Director. Moved program from being gym based to inte-grating kids to outside programs and beyond the walls of Bonnie Brae. Longtime face of the summer program.

Emma GenijovichWorked at the school. Author - Family Therapy.

Bill EngelPresident of Union Foundation, E.J. Grassmann Trust and Hyde and Watson Foundation; all of whom have been influential and impactful donors in Bonnie Brae’s history

Harold GriffinWorked over 30 years on the Overnight Staff

Tim HartAmazing story of overcoming challenges to become successful

Rick HeroldLongtime Board member. Turned many people on to the work and helped to develop and promote a heallthy Planned Giving Program

Flora Hewett Member of the Auxiliary of Bonnie Brae

Patricia HilgendorffWorked for over 30 years in the Educational Department and as a liaison to all child study teams.

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Merle HoaglandFirst official Director of Nurshing, contirubuted to getting the 1st Joint Commission accreditation

Hyde & Watson Foundation

Lew Jarrett

Rich JuntillaServed as President of the Board of Trustees

Gov. TomTartan Ball Honoree

Kathy KellerEstablished the agreement with Morristown Memorial Hospital as a Behavior Consultant

Dillard (of FM Kirby) and Bill ByrneLong time donors and supporters of Bonnie Brae. We have records of letters sent from Fred Kirby to Judge Osborne.

Frank KisselPresident of PG Bank, was President of the Board

Betty Wold Johnson

Reed Kean

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Nancy Larsen

Malcolm MacphersonFounder of Tartan Classic

Margaret McCarthyAssistant Education Director. Helped the school integrate electronic systems records.

Mr. F. M. Kirby

Bill Knox

Gil Lai

Kathy LewisFor 20 years has served as the Director of Quality Assurance and Im-provement. Instituted data collections analysis and has been critical to Joint Commission Accreditation

Peter T. LillardAs a Board member, he connected us to several foundations who gave significant gifts. In his career at the bank he promoted Bonnie Brae in Planned Giving.

Dave Mazzo

Malcolm McNab

Malcolm Mead

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Tom Melvin“Coach” Was the first to bring interscholastic sports opportunities to Bonnie Brae. Built the Brae Vision Program

Al Merck

Charles Merton

Jay Monroe During Bonnie Brae’s first phone-a-than on 1993, Jay matched all pledges

Joseph MuddSaid Bonnie Brae “gave him his son back”

Bob PetermanWorked in Residentail and School Operations in the ‘80’s

Hugo PfaltzFormer Bonnie Brae Board of Trustees president

Bill PowersBonnie Brae CEO since 2004.

Sandy Millspaugh

Ord Foundation

George Mullen

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Reeves Foundation

Thomas SavageWife honored at 2008-09 Tartan Ball. Daisy was on the Board

Margret SchantzPresident of the Board; is a Countess

Steve Parker

Walt Parks

Peapack Gladstone Bank

William RandolphSubstance Abuse Counselor, Civil Rights movement. Developed Drum Corps

Jamie RauCurrent Clinical Director for 20 years.

Eleanor Reiner Foundation

Georgie SchleyServed as President of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Capi-tal Campaign which raised $4 million to build a new Vocational Building, Recreational Building and Health Office.

Arnold A. Schwartz Foundation

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George SeymourGeorge Seymour went to work at National Gypsum (Millington) after BHS and prior to joining the Navy, where he was sent to San Diego. Among other things at Bonnie Brae, he recalls vividly heaving bales of straw five high on that flatbed truck, across “endless fields,” in the sear-ing summer heat, for ten cents an hour extra credit. His three children, and three of his nine grandchildren have visited BB during recent re-unions. He is credited for organizing the alumni association, moderating reunions, managing the alumni website, and uncovering much of Bonnie Brae’s rich history.

Eileen SudlerDonates funds for many years for boys of Roebling 2 Cottage who cannot go home over Christmas break to go to the Poconos for a mini-vacation

John Ben Snow Memorial Trust

Penny Treadwell

Starr Family

The Tyler Foundation

Michael & Margaret Nicolais

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Susan Van HoutenThrough her work with foundations, steered critical funds toward our Van Houten House at Bound Brook

Doug Schoenberger of Verizon FoundationFunded Smart Boards in our school

Union Foundation/Bill Engel

Ernie ZihDivision of Youth and Families Licensing Person who helped us in the early years resolve licensing conflicts

Ann ZouvelekisCurrent CEO, responsible for keeping Bonnie Brae fiscally sound through an era of stagnant state funding

Governor Whitman

Bonnie Brae : 100 Year History

Documents

Transcript of Bonnie Brae : 100 Year History