On Saturday May 27, 2017 at twelve o’clock noon, a special dedication will be made for the Tree Monument –perhaps the most “Unusual Tree” in the state of New Jersey. Located in Saw Mill Park in Richland Village a mighty white oak tree stood for 235 years (approx. 1780-2015) next to a Saw Mill that led the way for the once mighty railroads to crisscross here in Richland, Buena Vista Township. When time took the life of this tree, it still had 125 ft. wing span.

Our community searched for ideas to allow this otherwise dead tree to live on. The idea of a Tree Monument was born with the guidance of Mayor Chuck Chiarello and the Township Committee in honor of the 150th Anniversary of Buena Vista Township. It would be a tree that depicted the Township’s history and yet transformed into a contemporary piece of art. With the help of local tree surgeon Gary Heitz and a talented chainsaw artist by the name of Brian Ackley the Tree Monument was born. After almost a year of planning, the tree will be unveiled at the 3rd Annual Richland Village Festival which also serves as an official Sesquicentennial Event for the Township’s 150th Birthday.

A 600 year-old giant white oak tree recently died in a church cemetery in Basking Ridge, NJ. That tree was cut down except for the stump where a memorial stone will be placed and some of the wood will be used to build furniture to furnish the church it sat next to and the Township Hall in Basking Ridge.
The concept of our Tree Monument was to allow the tree to remain standing and be a lasting memorial for its days of glory.

Over $20,000 was raised from the community to complete the project which included the trimming, carving, paving, fencing, , and planting of seven young white oak trees.

We humbly ask for your presence at the dedication to celebrate the life of this new Tree Monument which depicts almost 40 different carvings that show the past and modern history of what we call home, Buena Vista Township.

Saw Mill Park is just over an acre in size and features a children’s play train, a real Pennsylvania Railroad Steel Caboose from the 1930’s, a gazebo, a Veteran’s and a 9-11 Memorial along with benches. The tree is lit at night and has already attracted hundreds of visitors during the construction phase. Visitors may also stop in to the Patcong Valley Model Railroad Building Lobby and see an original painting of the Saw Mill that once stood on this site and a white oak tree that stood nearby. The painting was done by a family member of the early settlers in Richland Village in the late 1800’s.

Come help us celebrate at 12 Noon Saturday, May 27, 2017. Small samples of the original tree will be given to those in attendance and a special commemorative puzzle will be given to the first 150 people who show up for the dedication (Limit one per family). A special puzzle designed by the Missing Piece Puzzle Company and Photographer Dave Griffin both who are based in Richland Village, will be given away. It resembles a post card, see below.

The ceremony is part of a larger day of family activities including a 100 Vendor Toy Show, Huge Car Show, Classic Car Parade, Train Rides on the Cape May Sea Shore Lines, Live Music featuring three bands, fun things for the children, over 16 food vendors and over 40 other vendors/crafters and much more!

The Buena Historical Society invites you to a presentation on local meat markets on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 7:30pm at the Buena Vista Township Municipal Building, located at 890 Harding Highway, Buena.

Presentations by Larry Bertacchi whose grandfather Mario began & sons Paul & George took over in the late 40’s and Charlie Tarquinio whose grandfather Lou began & son Biagio “Buzzie” took over.

Program to include photo and artifacts display.

Refreshments & coffee will be served.  Any questions, please contact Debra Casazza at 856-466-4654.

On Thursday, April 6. Buena Regional High School was given a treat as twelve senior boys competed for the Title of Mr. Buena 2017.

The show provided laughter and excitement as the Disney Theme was well known amongst the crowd and made for easy audience involvement.

The contestants competed in Casual Wear, Talent, Formal Wear along with Question and Answer. The pageant showed tremendous school spirit and great team effort in a wonderful production.

The winner was Mr. July Will Murphy and his court 1^st Runner Up Mr. October Adriance Adderley and 2^nd Runner Up Jake Maxwell.

The final touches are coming together for the 150th Sesquicentennial Celebration and Birthday Party!

On Saturday, May 27^th from 10 – 7PM Buena Vista Township will celebrate 150 years of history at Saw Mill Park in Richland! At 12 Noon, a special dedication of our Tree Monument will be presented in front of all. The Chainsaw Carved Tree Monument features over 30 Carvings depicting the Town’s History.

Crafters, Vendors and Merchants of all kinds will be in the park all day. Food trucks of every different variety will line Main Avenue with the smells of smoked barbecue filling the air from The First Baptist Church of Richland Men’s Fellowship.

The Annual Toy Show with over 100 Vendors will be the talk of the town in front of It’s a Toy Store on Route 40.

The South Jersey Mustang Club will have its Car Show with hundreds of cars on display accompanied by Stewarts Root beer and their very own traveling LIVE radio show from WVLT 92.1 Lite in Vineland. There will also be a classic car parade featuring these cars, starting at 9:30am down Cedar Avenue to Saw Mill Park in Richland.

Musical Entertainment will be played throughout the festival all day featuring Ten Eddy Drive 11am-1pm, Pour Mouth Henry 1:30pm to 3:30pm and Jazz Band Eddie Morgan’s Jazz Trio REKD 4 Jazz 4pm-6pm!

Fun for the whole family with Two Bounce Houses, a Rock Wall and Bubble Balls for the kids.

Adult Beverages from the Tombstone Grill Beer Wagon!

A fifty/fifty will take place later in the day giving one lucky winner some Memorial Day Cash! Come Celebrate our Towns 150^th Birthday with us and be a part of History!

For more information, contact Kristie Knapp in the Mayor’s Office at 856-697-2100 Ext. 8.

The Buena Historical Society would like to invite you to their upcoming community program “East Vineland Night” beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at the Buena Vista Township Hall, 890 Harding Highway, Buena.  There will be refreshments and great homemade desserts and more!

Please call Debra Casazza at 856-466-4654 with any questions.

Its Run4Ricky time again, June 10th! The 14th Annual event being a 5K, walk, and Kids Fun Run for kids 12 and under. This year’s event will include as always, the All you can Eat BBQ – Family Fun Day with your race registration fee!! Come over to Michael Debbi Park after the Run for great food, Basket Auction, A1 Entertainment, face painting, inflatable obstacle course, and a lot of fun!

The Foundation is again seeking Sponsors, donations, BBQ contributions, and baskets for our Basket Auction. Anyone wishing to donate their time or Talent, is also greatly appreciated!

We welcome everyone’s involvement. Hope you all will join the family and community in making this another great day by participating and supporting this event and the students at Buena Regional High School.

Your generosity is appreciated! This event supports the Ricky Wilcox Memorial Scholarships awarded each year in June.  We were happy to award The Ricky Wilcox Memorial Scholarships totaling $14,500.00 on June 2 ,2016 at Senior Awards night. Thanks to everyone that has made these scholarships possible for these students!

Contact Kristie Knapp in the Mayor’s Office at 856-697-2100 Ext 8 for more information on how to donate. Register on line, mail in or day of event at www.run4ricky.org.