Current and former volunteers of the Chatham Township Fire Department gathered Saturday morning to witness the opening of the Southern Boulevard Fire Station. Gary Sagendorf, the president of the fire department, shared stories and anecdotes from throughout the years. A crowd favorite was John Groff, a former volunteer whose "disciplined approach to budgeting and financial management" helped to pay for the building of the River Road Fire Station in 1993. Groff, 100, joined the department when he was 65, and Sagendord told those gathered, that he drove himself up for the dedication from …

The Abbotts were crowned kings of the Environmental Protection Agency's water conservation contest between two Chatham Township families Monday. As part of the EPA's "We're for Water" cross-country campaign, the Abbotts and Johnsons were picked to participate in a contest to see which could conserve the most water over the course of a week. It ended Monday with a series of mini-competitions between the two families of five. Each family's water usage was recorded beginning on July 24 and was compared to a previous week over the summer during which the families were not competing (they were not…

Honors and AP biology teacher Margaret O'Hara had no idea she would receive the Distinguished Teacher Award at Chatham High School's graduation Tuesday. But her students knew she deserved it. "She's brilliant," said Valerie Slaughter after the ceremony. Slaughter had O'Hara as a teacher. "She's really smart. She could answer any question." O'Hara came up to the stage during graduation to accept her award after co-Principal Michael LaSusa called her name. She called it "one of the most wonderful feelings." "I'm thrilled and I'm honored," she said. Graduates also said they have a unique bond …

For five high school seniors whose art is being featured at Nicholas F. Rizzo Fine Arts in Chatham during June, it feels good to feel distinguished. Chatham High School's Rebecca Mah, Summit High School's Garrett Benisch, Millburn High School's Anna Goldstein, Madison High School's Olivia Moore and New Providence High School's Elmar Fujita each were selected by their respective high schools for scholarships from Rizzo Fine Arts. The students' art is also being featured in the Rizzo Fine Arts gallery throughout the month, and an opening reception was held Tuesday to mark the occasion. "It's …