ABOUT SOME PEOPLE (continued)
Garrett Holdrum: Was a nice, grandfatherly type person always nice to kids. Probably knew more about River Vale and the surrounding area than anyone.

Nelson Roberge, Sr.: To the best of my knowledge was our first 'real' police chief. Had the appearance of being a stern fellow, but in reality was just the opposite. Was real nice to the young fellows in town, like myself, who needed direction once in awhile.

Nelson Roberge, Jr.: Followed his father as police chief. Was a good fellow and a good chief. Well liked and well respected by anyone in town that I ever came in contact with.

Charles Blakeney: I have often thought of the many River Vale men that took an interest in the youth of the town and would spend time talking to us or making us feel like people rather than just another annoyance. Charlie was probably number one in this category. He took the job of scoutmaster and spent about two or three years doing this. He spent many, many hours at this task and I'm sure using up time that he really didn't have to spare. Charlie, and several others from town, were great role models for the local young people in River Vale.

William "Bo" Blauvelt: Had the 4 corners gas station for years. Would go out of his way to help any young person with a problem if at all possible. He was a good friend.

The Artz Family: Lived on Rivervale Road between New Street and the Blakeney property. The Artz?s owned all the property in this tract of land, which went all the way down to the Hackensack River where it formed a nice, well-protected meadow. At times our horses would be kept in that meadow. We would go there and climb up on the back of the big, slow moving, draft horse and think that we were going to ride him. The horse would calmly walk into the river, which was about 4 feet deep, and rollover and we would jump for our dear lives. The Artz's had a big white house about 100 feet off Rivervale Road and two or three barns behind the house and always kept in good repair as were the barns.

My aunt was one of the Artz family so the whole place was pretty much open grounds to me. My uncle farmed this place from Rivervale Road down to about where River Road is now.