<h2><!--block-->Roger and Kathy Lane: From New Milford to Wyckoff Leadership</h2><div><!--block-->Penny Hoeppner and Michelle Burgess both agree that their happy memories of their childhood, Wyckoff's great school system and having their parents, Kathy and Roger Lane, in town were the key factors in wanting to raise their own children in their hometown.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"My sister and her family live practically across the street and having our parents in town and part of their grandchildren's lives is so special," said Penny.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->In 1991, Roger and Kathy moved to Wyckoff, from their mutual childhood hometown of New Milford, and enrolled their daughters at Sicomac elementary school.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"We moved here because of the reputation of the school system," they said .<br><br></div><div><!--block-->While living in New Milford, Roger became interested in politics.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"My grandfather was a district ward chairman of the Democrat party in New York City and my mother was also interested in politics," explains Roger.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Roger is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University and remembers a 45-minute presentation he made in a class defending Richard Nixon.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I admired his foreign policy," said Roger.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->He joined the New Milford Republican Club and was the youngest person elected as its president.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Roger was elected as a councilman in 1979 and as mayor in 1986.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->When the Lanes moved to Wyckoff, Roger thought he would take a break from civic duties.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I received a phone call from Steve Boswell and he encouraged me to run for a seat on the Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education," said Roger.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->One of the highlights serving on the Board of Education was the honor and tradition of being able to present his daughters their high school diplomas at graduation.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Today, Roger serves on the Township Committee and is the Wyckoff mayor for 2026.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I haven't confirmed this fact but I may be the only mayor in New Jersey who has served in that position in two different towns," said Roger. "I am so happy to serve as mayor during Wyckoff's Centennial. I am extremely blessed to have so many volunteers helping to make our centennial celebration a success."<br><br></div><div><!--block-->In addition to countless hours performing civic duties, Roger and Kathy are involved at Wyckoff Reformed Church where Kathy serves as a Deacon.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I am on the Wyckoff Reformed Church Nursery School board," said Roger. "Four of my five grandchildren all attended nursery school there."<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Kathy serves on the board of trustees at the Wyckoff Free Public Library board and says she has no political ambitions of her own, instead, preferring a supporting role.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I have stuffed and stamped lots of envelopes and attended many events," laughs Kathy.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Some of these events included meeting Presidents including Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Richard Nixon as well as Tom Kean and Arnold Schwarzenegger.<br><br><span data-trix-cursor-target="left" data-trix-serialize="false"></span><figure contenteditable="false" data-trix-attachment="{"content":"<figure class=\"rte-inserted-image\" data-img-size=\"large\" data-img-align=\"center\" style=\"max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;\"><img src=\"https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/ae111918-e471-4872-b0e1-20cc98a0cf61/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/\" alt=\"5 - 7784069 - Lane and Reagan.jpeg-ae111918-e471-4872-b0e1-20cc98a0cf61\" data-media-id=\"6a5b46c499bab2df15c7366d\" data-component-role=\"\"></figure>"}" data-trix-content-type="undefined" data-trix-id="74545" class="attachment attachment--content"><figure class="rte-inserted-image" style="max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img src="https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/ae111918-e471-4872-b0e1-20cc98a0cf61/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/"></figure><figcaption class="attachment__caption"></figcaption></figure><span data-trix-cursor-target="right" data-trix-serialize="false"></span><br><br></div><h2><!--block-->A Lifetime Together: From Childhood Friends to Partners in Service</h2><div><!--block-->Kathy and Roger's partnership goes back longer than their 47-years of marriage.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Roger, an only child, spent lots a time during his childhood at the Belthoff house.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I was friends with two of Kathy's brothers and remember being at their house playing stick ball and being introduced to their siblings," said Roger.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->The parade of siblings totaled 11 children<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"The last one I met was Kathy and I recognized her as a girl I had noticed in town," said Roger.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->In high school, Roger began dating Kathy. He was a senior and she was a freshman.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"Her mother was surprised that Kathy wanted to date "our Roger," laughs Roger..<br><br></div><div><!--block-->The couple dated eight years and were married a month after Kathy graduated college.<br><span data-trix-cursor-target="left" data-trix-serialize="false"></span><figure contenteditable="false" data-trix-attachment="{"content":"<figure class=\"rte-inserted-image\" data-img-size=\"large\" data-img-align=\"center\" style=\"max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;\"><img src=\"https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/650f7684-7ef3-415f-aef1-0f221cf18285/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/\" alt=\"4 - 7775528 - Lane family kathy and Roger.jpg-650f7684-7ef3-415f-aef1-0f221cf18285\" data-media-id=\"6a5b46e1134c3cc8c4cccbfe\" data-component-role=\"\"></figure>"}" data-trix-content-type="undefined" data-trix-id="74713" class="attachment attachment--content"><figure class="rte-inserted-image" style="max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img src="https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/650f7684-7ef3-415f-aef1-0f221cf18285/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/"></figure><figcaption class="attachment__caption"></figcaption></figure><span data-trix-cursor-target="right" data-trix-serialize="false"></span><br><br></div><div><!--block-->Roger's career in the telecommunications industry provided the couple with opportunities to travel throughout the country.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I had a bad experience flying and did not fly for 20 years and took lots of Amtrak trains," said Roger. "It was a trip to Bermuda for my in-laws anniversary that got me back on a plane."<br><br></div><div><!--block-->One memorable trip was to Portland, Oregon where they had tickets to see Eric Clapton perform. They ended-up staying in the same hotel as Clapton and met the rock and roll legend in the lobby and spoke at great length.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Another memorable experience was when Kathy attended Yankees female fantasy camp with her sisters.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"We put on a uniform, played baseball and had so much fun," said Kathy<br><br></div><div><!--block-->The Lanes are self-proclaimed wine lovers and have enjoyed a trip to Napa Valley.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Their love of wine inspired them to make and bottle their own wine at Make Wine With Friends.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"Our label is Lane Vineyards and it includes bottled in Wallington, NJ," laughs Roger.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->When not spending time with their family or volunteering their time in the community, the Lanes can be found in their backyard.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I love gardening and Roger takes care of the lawn," said Kathy. "Roger is so meticulous he cuts the lawn with a scissor."<br><br><span data-trix-cursor-target="left" data-trix-serialize="false"></span><figure contenteditable="false" data-trix-attachment="{"content":"<figure class=\"rte-inserted-image\" data-img-size=\"large\" data-img-align=\"center\" style=\"max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;\"><img src=\"https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/7e08b1a4-b557-4692-8a16-b30c3a10f9de/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/\" alt=\"3 - 7775530 - Lane Family Burgess Family.jpg-7e08b1a4-b557-4692-8a16-b30c3a10f9de\" data-media-id=\"6a5b473ff2da6edb3b514e22\" data-component-role=\"\"></figure>"}" data-trix-content-type="undefined" data-trix-id="74901" class="attachment attachment--content"><figure class="rte-inserted-image" style="max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img src="https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/7e08b1a4-b557-4692-8a16-b30c3a10f9de/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/"></figure><figcaption class="attachment__caption"></figcaption></figure><span data-trix-cursor-target="right" data-trix-serialize="false"></span></div><h2><!--block-->Michelle and Devin Burgess</h2><div><!--block-->After Michelle graduated Ramapo High School in 2000, she headed to Marist College to study fashion design.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Her roommate invited a friend to campus who brought along some of his friends, including Devin, from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy also known as Kings Point.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I remember calling my mom and sister and telling them I met the guy I am going to marry," recalls Michelle. "Oh, and he is from Texas and in the military."<br><br></div><div><!--block-->The couple began dating and married in 2008.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->After graduation, Devin served for 8 years in the naval reserves and began his 20 year career at Starr Insurance. His job took the couple to Chicago, Katy, TX and then back to the East Coast.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"When he was transferred I knew we wanted to live in the towns on the Route 208 corridor," said Michelle. "If we could find and afford a home in Wyckoff that's where we really wanted to be."<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Michelle and Devin moved to the Coolidge neighborhood in time for their daughter Lily to begin kindergarten.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"We met a group of five families and we are all still friends," said Michelle.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->In September, Lily will be a junior at Rampo High School and son, Kyle will be an eighth grader at Eisenhower Middle School. The family has a 3-year old English Bulldog named Teddy.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->When not juggling the family's schedule, Michelle works as a travel agent specializing in Disney vacations.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->The family has enjoyed trips to the Magic Kingdom as well as the annual July 4th celebration with Devin's family in Texas.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->At home, there is always a birthday to celebrate and a holiday meal to plan.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"Penny and I now host Thanksgiving but my mom still shows up with the side dishes," said Michelle. "We have 21 first cousins and I literally have an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of each family and the names of their children."<br><br><span data-trix-cursor-target="left" data-trix-serialize="false"></span><figure contenteditable="false" data-trix-attachment="{"content":"<figure class=\"rte-inserted-image\" data-img-size=\"large\" data-img-align=\"center\" style=\"max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;\"><img src=\"https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/82f1bef8-6b09-48db-9d84-0e17166e83f2/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/\" alt=\"2 - 7775529 - Lane Family Hoeppner Family.jpg-82f1bef8-6b09-48db-9d84-0e17166e83f2\" data-media-id=\"6a5b470567963528cacf9998\" data-component-role=\"\"></figure>"}" data-trix-content-type="undefined" data-trix-id="75159" class="attachment attachment--content"><figure class="rte-inserted-image" style="max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img src="https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/82f1bef8-6b09-48db-9d84-0e17166e83f2/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/"></figure><figcaption class="attachment__caption"></figcaption></figure><span data-trix-cursor-target="right" data-trix-serialize="false"></span></div><h2><!--block-->Penny and Matt Hoeppner</h2><div><!--block-->After Penny graduated Ramapo High School in 1999, she attended the University of Connecticut.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->She met Matt during her freshman year at a party but over the years lost touch.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I was 24-years-old and living in Hoboken when I received a random AOL instant message (AIM) from Matt and we reconnected," said Penny.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Matt was studying to be a physicians assistant at the time.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->During his second year, his degree required moving around the country doing his medical rotations.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"We spent much of that year apart, but we found ways to be together, whenever we could. During his Colorado rotation, we took a two-week cross-country road trip, and we always joke that if you can happily survive two weeks in a car together, you know you've found the right person," said Penny.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->The couple were married in 2014. They bought a home in Smoke Rise and lived there for 6 1/2 year before Wyckoff called them home.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Matt has worked his entire career at Holy Name Medical Center with his first 12-years in the Emergency Department, including during the pandemic.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I moved out of the house and into a hotel for almost a month to protect Penny and our children," said Matt. "I was working 12-14 hour shifts."<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Penny was alone, working remote from home for BASF, while taking care of their children, twins Brynn and Chase and daughter Reagan.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"Once the kids could enter preschool we enrolled them at WRCNS and I was driving back and forth to my family in Wyckoff," said Penny. "Matt jokes that there is a magnet that pulls you back to Wyckoff."<br><br></div><div><!--block-->The Hoeppners bought a house in the Coolidge neighborhood. The twins will start 4th grade at Coolidge and Reagan is entering 2nd grade at Sicomac school.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"My mother was a school teacher and helps the children with their academics," said Penny. "Both my mom and dad help take care of our kids. We are so lucky that they are such an important part of their lives."<br><br><span data-trix-cursor-target="left" data-trix-serialize="false"></span><figure contenteditable="false" data-trix-attachment="{"content":"<figure class=\"rte-inserted-image\" data-img-size=\"large\" data-img-align=\"center\" style=\"max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;\"><img src=\"https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/5d7d0024-c2d9-4c51-a7ec-4584865f39e1/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/\" alt=\"6 - 7784068 - Lane Family Disney trip.JPG-5d7d0024-c2d9-4c51-a7ec-4584865f39e1\" data-media-id=\"6a5b46bcbeb7b2b98603772e\" data-component-role=\"\"></figure>"}" data-trix-content-type="undefined" data-trix-id="75998" class="attachment attachment--content"><figure class="rte-inserted-image" style="max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img src="https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/5d7d0024-c2d9-4c51-a7ec-4584865f39e1/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/"></figure><figcaption class="attachment__caption"></figcaption></figure><span data-trix-cursor-target="right" data-trix-serialize="false"></span><br><br></div><div><!--block-->The Lane family help comes in handy for the all-year sports and activity schedule including Torpedoes soccer, baseball and football.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->In order to have a more balanced work/family life, Matt now works for Pfisterer Orthopedics in Teaneck. Penny still works for BASF Corp leading the talent management.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Weekends are all about quality time with the people they love most - gathering with friends and their kids, making memories as their kids grow up to together.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->The family enjoys spending time with relatives in Long Beach Island in the summer and skiing in the winter.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"We have also taken many trips to Disney World," said Penny.<br><br></div>
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