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No. 19 Vol. 11
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A Hobby Turned Into A Passion for Hall of Famer Czigler
hat started as a beer brewing hobby in his family’s basement turned into a passion that ultimately has turned into a hugely successful craft beer business for Matthew Czigler. That passion and success has led to Czigler being chosen as one of this year’s inductees into the Warren County Hall of Fame. The annual Hall of Fame event, presented by the Warren Community College Foundation, will take place at Hawk Pointe Golf Club in Washington Township on Saturday Nov. 11. In addition to Czigler, this year’s inductees include: Dr. Frank Gilly, Susan Sloan, Michael Lavery, and Jim Kelsey. Also chosen posthumously was Harry Brown and Tiffani Warren. Czigler’s dream of opening a brewery that would double as a community-connector came to fruition in 2016 with the opening of Czig Meister Brewing Company in Hackettstown at the former Knechel Ford showroom. Besides offering an array of tasty beers made in-house, Czigler wanted to have an establishment where people could gather. “I wanted the brewery to be a place in town where family and friends could relax in a fun atmosphere,” he says. “I wanted it to be different than a bar.” The brewery has become that place, and much more. And all roads of this success story are led by the leadership of Czigler. Under his guidance Czig Meister has been recognized as one of the best in New Jersey and in fact, has won numerous awards for its selection of beers. The State of New Jersey has also recognized the business - and Czigler - by the Small Business Development Centers of New Jersey
for its entrepreneurial efforts. Czig Meister has become a major staple of Downtown Hackettstown and draws tens of thousands of visitors to the brewery every year. How Czigler got to this point in time starts with college where he was a Triple Major in Science: Microbiology, Biochemistry, Molecular/Cellular Biology. His first job after graduation was for Collagen Matrix, a Biotech Firm – where he worked in research and development for dental implant innovations. Soon enough, he felt the urge of beer, once a hobby, now something more. He returned to school to study brewing at the prestigious Siebel Institute in Chicago and their sister school Doemans Academy in Munich German, where he graduated first in his class and received a degree in Brewing Science. His first job in brewing was at the Adirondack Pub and Brewery in Lake George, NY. where he was the Assistant Brewer. His second job in brewing was at Kane Brewing Company in Ocean, NJ. where he was the Head Brewer. With the help of his parents, he opened Czig Meister Brewing Company where he brews many different styles of beers: ales, lagers, sours, and hard seltzers. Czig Meister is a community focused business. It works with local charities through sponsorship, giving taps, and festivals. Some of the local charities that Czig Meister has strong ties to are Foodshed Alliance, Arc of Warren County, and DASACC.As a member of the Hackettstown BID he works on many town wide festivals. He is also a longtime member - and board of trustee - of the Mount Olive Area Chamber of
Commerce. The Hall of Fame event is open to the public and includes musical entertainment by the 3 Lelicas. For advance information on sponsorships or tickets,https://conta. cc/3EZmiMe, or email samir@warren.edu.
A Thanksgiving Story
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By Richard Mabey Jr. here are moments in a person’s life that leave an incredible, indelible mark upon one’s heart and mind. A moment that so deeply moves a person’s heart that it is ingrained deep within the fibers and chambers of the human heart. Such a moment came to my life in the early morning of the Thanksgiving of 1968. I was 15 years old and in my sophomore year at Boonton High School. This was to be the first Thanksgiving without the blessing of the presence of my grandfather, Watson Mabey. For the good Lord had called him Home to Heaven’s Gate, in May of that year. It had been a particularly tough time for my dear father. Dad and Grandpa had worked together for years, at their small trucking company, based in Paterson. There was a sullen ache deep within my father’s heart. Dad missed his father all so very much. I remember the Thanksgiving Morning of 1968, like it was yesterday. My father was unusually quiet. There was an unspoken sadness in the Mabey Homestead. Grandma, Mom and my sister Patti had already begun making apple and pumpkin pies. Dad had just put the turkey in the oven.
There was a long-standing tradition in our family. On Thanksgiving Morning, Dad would securely placed the turkey in the oven. Then, Grandpa, Dad and I would walk the forest path to the old Morris Canal. Specifically to the foundation of the historic Mabey Homestead that was located along the canal path, just a few yards east of the start of the hill from where Incline Plane Ten East once proudly hailed. I remember this all so well, as soon as Dad closed the door of the oven, he looked over to me and quietly said, “Richie, let’s you and I take a walk down to the old canal.” In a solemn voice, with a touch of enthusiasm, I said, “sure thing Dad.” “Better put your winter coat on Richie, it’s kind of cold out this morning,” Dad said to me as he put on his brown corduroy coat. “Good idea Dad! I was going to wear my light jacket. I better get my winter coat out of the closet,” I replied to my father. Dad was quiet for the first few minutes after we entered the forest path at the end of Mabey Lane. A buck with a most amazing set of antlers ran across the wooded path.
Dad and I.
The deer’s quick pace brought a half-smile to my father’s saddened face. “Those deer can really run,” Dad said with a bit of a song in his voice. “I haven’t seen a deer in these woods for quite a while,” continued on page 4