Marian Bredin and Robert Plenge clearly made their marks in their hometown of Washington. But both of them, in different ways, made their marks well beyond Washington as well.
Bredin is among five outstanding individuals representing various backgrounds and accomplishments who will be inducted into the County Hall of Fame when the 9th Annual Hall dinner takes place at Hawk Pointe Golf Club in Washington Township. The event is presented annually by the WCCC Foundation as a fundraiser for students in need. The permanent Hall is located on the WCCC main campus on Route 57 in Washington Township. In addition to Bredin, Drs. Marc Abo and James Goodwin, those to be inducted include the Rev. Dr. Frank L. Fowler III, and educator/motivational speaker Billy Staples, and Plenge, who will be inducted posthumously. The event is annually presented by the Warren County Community College Foundation. The “Hall” is located at the WCCC Washington campus.
Bredin opened Good Impressions in 1977 in Hackettstown serving local businesses with offset printing and copying needs. It later expanded to Washington and added services such as design, mailing, full color digital printing, and large format posters and banners. Good Impressions has a strong niche in newsletters. Bredin is the editor and publisher of two community newsletters—The Messenger—Hackettstown and Washington editions. For many years they printed Commentary, the newsletter of the Hackettstown Area Chamber of Commerce, and later the county chamber. In addition, they have produced The Panther, official newsletter of Panther Valley Property Owners Association for more than 25 years.
Bredin is clearly one of Warren County’s leading business leaders, in addition to her great work with many non-profit organizations over the years.
Over the years she has belonged to many business organizations including three chambers of commerce, the National Association of Quick Printers, and Washington Business Improvement District, serving also on their Boards and as an officer. She was named Business Person of the Year by the Washington BID, the Hackettstown Area Chamber, and the Warren County Chamber and Quick Printer of the Year by the National Association of Quick Printers.
Bredin has belonged to the Hackettstown Rotary Club since 1985, serving a year as Secretary and for a number of years as Chair of the Scholarship Committee and participated in many community service projects such as food drives and cleanups at Camp Merryheart.
With her husband George she enjoy vacations in warmer climates. They have made several visits to the British Virgin Islands where they have chartered a sailboat with friends and spent the week with George as captain visiting warm, friendly places, each with its own unique beach bar. They have also made many visits to Aruba, which is far enough south to be out of hurricane territory.
Plenge, longtime resident of Washington, passed away on October 15, 2012 but his legacy truly lives on.
He graduated from Belleville High School and attended the Air Corp College program at Winthrop College while serving in the US Army during World War II. After leaving the Army he joined the family business, Plenge Farm in Belleville, later moving to Asbury, NJ. They were vegetable farmers supplying top quality produce to city grocers. In 1959 Robert invested in a new bowling alley in Washington, Oakwood Lanes. He grew Oakwood Lanes from 16 to 26 lanes, then incorporated a full service restaurant, Sports Scene. Oakwood Lanes remains one of the region’s top family attractions.
“He wanted to have a place where people could enjoy themselves in a clean, wholesome atmosphere,” says his son, Rob Plenge, Jr. “When he first opened the motto was to ‘live life in the fun lane!'”
Indeed, nearly 40 years later there still is life in the fun lane at Oakwood Lanes, where Robert worked everyday practically to the end. “He was always good to his employees, many of whom have been with us for years,” notes his son, who still runs the family business. “He had that ability to attract and keep employees. He had a great relationship with people, employees, customers and anyone else he came in contact with.”
Plenge, a longtime member of the Rotary Club in Washington, was active in fostering youth sports in Washington throughout his life, and not just with introducing and teaching countless boys and girls in bowling.
“When he saw an opportunity he jumped right in,” said Rob, Jr. Whether it was a project for the Rotary, or otherwise, such as helping to put sod on the Warren Hills football field, or outfitting the Washington Township Cubs (now called the Panthers) midget football team with new uniforms, the elder Plenge made sure the job got done. These attributes continue with as a Plenge family tradition as Rob, Jr., also does his part in the community.
The event is open to the public. Tables may be reserved. Proceeds from the event benefit students in need, as well as special programs at the college.
The establishment of the Warren County Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Warren County Community College Foundation, creates a forum for honoring Warren County’s finest in an array of fields. The Hall of Fame itself is set up at Warren County Community College, where the public is invited to see it. For tickets to the recognition dinner, sponsorship opportunities, journal ads, and any other information, please call 908-835-2334 or email samir@warren.edu.
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