Inspired NJ Magazine Sussex/Warren County volume 1 issue 2 by Inspired NJ Magazine

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Community Calendar Page 24

PARTY WITH A PURPOSE

20 Reasons to Play Outside

19 12

May/June 2014

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rganic gardening is not only a healthier option when it comes to growing your own fruits and veggies, it’s actually fun. Nothing is more exciting than watching a head of lettuce grow you planted yourself from seed or pulling up jumbo sized carrots that matured under your own watch. It’s also nice to know exactly where your food is coming from and that your produce has been grown chemical free. There are numerous organic pesticides available to help ward off any little pests that may make their way into your garden. Neem Oil is a popular choice among gardeners, for example.

May 15th is the last frost date for those of us living in Northern New Jersey. This means that plants started indoors can now be planted in the ground and seeds can be directly sowed. The exception to the rule are cold-tolerant plants,such as cabbage and lettuce, which can be started in the ground prior to the last frost date. Plants that can be started from seed outdoors in May include Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, sweet potato, and carrots. In June cucumbers, corn, tomatoes and melons can be added to your garden. VeggieHarvest.com has an excellent chart that is easy to follow and allows visitors to select specific fruits and vegetables from within their own hardiness zone. Zones are based on the average annual minimum temperature that a region is likely to experience. The scale is divided into 10 degree increments. In the U.S. there are 13 zones. Knowing which zone you live in will help you select plants that are most suitable for your specific location.

CONTACT US Write: INSPIRED NJ Magazine PO Box 8 Andover, NJ 07821 Email: Jenny@INSPIREDNJ.com Our Website: www.INSPIREDNJ.com

INSPIRED is published bimonthly. All rights reserved. All ad designs and logo work created by INSPIRED may not be used elsewhere without consent. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher and/or author. We reserve the right to deny advertising to those we feel do not fit within our magazine. While all reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of the material in this magazine and to ensure the accuracy of its content, no warranty is given as to its correctness and accordingly, we will not be held responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any loss or damage that is caused or alleged to have been caused in connection with the use of, or reliance on, any content in this magazine. The views of the authors are presented for information and entertainment purposes only and may not reflect the views of INSPIRED. Additionally, we assume no responsibility for information, products, services or statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. We welcome reader comments and content submissions. Submitted content may be edited for size. We are not responsible for typographical errors.

ON THE COVER: Flowers and card for Mother’s Day. Photo by: J. Deuel

from the

Time To Get Busy!

ay and June are shaping up to become very busy months for my family. There seems to be a lot to celebrate. There’s Cinco de Mayo,Teacher Appreciation Day, the last frost date, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day and the first day of summer. Not to mention graduation ceremonies! That’s a lot to pack into eight short weeks!

In this issue in celebration of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, we’ve featured treats and meals that are easy for kids to make (with adult supervision, of course) and absolutely delicious! It always amazes me how creative kids can be in the kitchen. I’ve watched as my own kids have pulled out the blender, rummaged through the refrigerator, and with a little of this, and a little of that, created yummy smoothies. I’ve also witness creations that were a little scary. But, you have to give them their props. At least they’ve tried something new. I’ve discovered that getting kids to try new things can be incredibly difficult. “I don’t like that” is the typical response in our house when a new food makes its way onto the dinner table. I’ll be the first to admit that there are times when I’m secretly saying the same thing, but that’s our little secret. I’ve also discovered that the more our kids are involved in the dinner process (picking out a recipe, shopping for ingredients and cooking) the more likely they are to try different types of foods and unique recipes. Or when traditional foods are prepared in non-traditional ways (such as carrot fries instead of french fries) which makes it more appealing to the younger crowd and adds a fresh healthy twist on old favorites for adults. As I’m sitting here writing, my daughter has popped her head out from around the corner. “What’s for dinner? Is it something I like?” Honestly, probably not. I didn’t have time to think about what to make for dinner and now I just can’t find the motivation to be creative. I’ve been busy all day. That reminds me, I should probably read Finding Your Motivation again.

Jenny Deuel Owner/Publisher

May/June 2014

INSPIRED•5

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Finding Making the decision to start living a healthier lifestyle is the easy part. Finding the motivation to follow through can be difficult. e’ve all been there. You promise yourself, “Tomorrow is the day!” but two weeks later you find wilted lettuce in the bottom of the refrigerator and your new sneakers are still in the box. It’s happened to everyone. You start out with good intentions, but for some reason you just can’t muster the motivation to follow through with your plan. May/June 2014 .

Motivation is the process that initiates, guides and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. It’s what separates the people that get up an hour early each morning to exercise before work and those that sleep an hour passed their alarm. Becoming overwhelmed by choices, getting derailed by the fear of failure, becoming bored, or not seeing the results you INSPIRED•7

FINDING YOUR MOTIVATION

want to see quickly enough are all factors that can rob you of your motivation. The good news is that you have the ability to influence your levels of motivation. This means you can set yourself up for success by creating an environment that will keep your motivation super-charged.

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” he first step for creating a motivational environment is setting goals. The first goal you set should be long range goals; ultimately what you hope to achieve when it’s all said and done. The next set of goals should be realistic short range goals that you will need to accomplish to achieve your long range goal. For example, if your long range goal is to participate in a 5k, a short range goal may be to walk for 30 minutes, twice a week, for three weeks. As you start achieving your short range goals, you’ll discover increased confidence in your ability to reach your long range goal. Be careful though. Setting goals that are too lofty will increase the likelihood that you’ll procrastinate, so don’t self-sabotage by becoming too ambitious, too soon. Once you’ve set long and short range goals, it’s time to start changing your mindset. Believe in yourself. The power of positive thinking is one of the most powerful motivational tools you have. Do you want to lose ten pounds? Visualize success and let the power of positive thinking go to work for you. According to a study published in the Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, continued positive thinking not only increases self-esteem, but it causes a ripple effect that improves overall health. Now that you have the correct mindset, find a goal buddy. It’s easy to skip a day at the gym when you’re alone. Having a goal buddy holds you accountable to 8•INSPIRED

someone else and increases the likelihood that you’ll stick to your plan. Goal buddies can make otherwise routine workouts more fun, help by challenging you to reach new levels, provide encouragement by celebrating successes and become a source of motivation when times get tough. Next, remind yourself why you set your goal in the first place by writing it down. Place these reminders where you’ll see them throughout the day. Be specific. If you want to become more active so you can participate in a two day hike with your son, . Constantly seeing the reminders will help keep you focused on your goal and help maintain high levels of motivation. Finally, ! You’ve set your goals and created a positive, encouraging environment; now it’s time to set reward milestones. Setting your reward milestones to correspond to accomplished short range goals will help remind you that all of your sacrifices and hard work were worth effort. Maintaining high levels of motivation is the key to successfully achieving any goal. Rewards are another tool you can use to maintain your motivational drive. Schedule a massage, buy that new outfit, or take your goal buddy out to dinner to celebrate your success. Just make sure to save the best rewards for last.

“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” ~Jimmy Johnson

Now you have the tools to to help maintain your levels of motivation, there is one last thing to remember: And motivation is essentially a habit, after all. Experts often say it takes 66 days to form a new habit. So, don’t get discouraged if you hit a few bumps in the road along the way. Eventually, your new routines will start to replace your old habits and the goals you set will be within your reach! May/June 2014

JACKIE C. FOLEY DESIGNS

CUSTOM WORKS OF ART FOR THE HOME AND BUSINESSES

Jackie C. Foley Designs Wind Gap, PA

www.jcfoleydesigns.webs.com jacky15_78@hotmail.com Phone: (908) 285-0230

FROM THE KITCHEN -

Photos by JENNY DEUEL

other’s Day and Father’s Day provide great opportunities for little chefs to show off their culinary skills. Sweet for mom and hearty for dad, these easy to make recipes are sure to make the day extra special. Making this cool, refreshing bananaberry blender for mom couldn’t be any easier. Just ask 13-year-old Amber. Amber’s recipe is the perfect option for a Mother’s Day treat the entire family can enjoy. Serve it with breakfast or freeze a batch and serve it up as a frosty dessert. Create your own unique flavors by adding fruits such as pineapple, blueberries, blackberries, or watermelon to the bananaberry base.

HONEY-WATER BANANABERRY BLENDER

Difficulty Level: Easy Prep Time: 10 min Servings: 4

Add honey to cup of warm spring water. Stir until the honey dissolves. Pour into blender. Next, cut the stems off of strawberries, cut the berries in half, and add to blender. Peel the bananas and break into quarters and add to blender. Finally, add ice to blender. Blend for approximately 1 minute or until all of the ingredients are thoroughly blended. Pour into glass and serve. Add whole strawberries for garnish. Enjoy! † Children should not cook unsupervised. Kids, have your parents help with all cutting. 10•INSPIRED

May/June 2014

FROM THE KITCHEN

ananaberry Blenders are a sweet treat for mom, but for dad only a hearty healthy lunch will do. This recipe is for the junior chef willing to take on a more complex meal. ith her own personal twist on a burger and fries, this healthy option is sure to please even the pickiest of dads on Father’s Day. The sweetness of the ginger pineapple chicken and saltiness of the carrot fries are the perfect combination.

BAKED CARROT FRIES

GINGER PINEAPPLE CHICKEN

Difficulty Level: Medium Servings: 4 Total Prep Time: 30 min Total Cook Time: 30 min Baked Carrot Fries - Peel carrots. Cut tops off and cut each carrot in half lengthwise. Cut each half in half lengthwise. Take all four pieces and cut in half crosswise. This will make 8 sticks. Repeat until all of the carrots are cut. Next, place all of the carrots in a mixing bowl. Add sugar, olive oil, rosemary and salt and pepper to taste. Toss until sticks are coated. Place coated sticks on a foil lined cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 min at 425°. Ginger Pineapple Chicken - In a mixing bowl combine soy sauce, olive oil, and honey. With a grater, grate ginger root. Add to bowl and mix. Pour ½ of the marinade in a separate cup. In mixing bowl add chicken breasts. Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for 15 minutes to marinade. Remove chicken from refrigerator and place on a foil lined cookie sheet. Bake chicken at 350º for 30 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. Once cooked place pineapple ring over chicken breast, spoon remaining marinade over pineapple and chicken and return to over for 5 minutes. Remove from over and serve on your choice of roll with carrot fries on the side. Delicious! May/June 2014

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20 REASONS WHY PLAYING OUTDOORS MAKES CHILDREN SMARTER By STACEY LOSCALZO § Photos by JENNY DEUEL

Playing outside is not only fun, it’s a necessity. uthor and clinical psychologist Kay Redfield Jamison writes, “Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.” It is through unstructured, open-ended creative play that children learn the ways of the world. While playing outside, children explore with all their senses, they witness new life, they create imaginary worlds and they negotiate with each other to create a playful environment. Outdoor play is a multi-sensory activity. While outdoors, children will see, hear, smell and touch things unavailable to them when they play inside. They use their brains in unique ways as they come to understand these new stimuli. Playing outside brings together informal play and formal learning. Children can incorporate concepts they have learned at school in a hands-on way while outdoors. For example, seeing and touching the roots of a tree will bring to life the lesson their teacher taught about how plants get their nutrients. Playing outdoors stimulates creativity. Robin Moore, an expert in the design of play and learning environments, says, “Natural spaces and materials stimulate children’s limitless imagination and serve as the medium of inventiveness and creativity.” Rocks, stones and dirt present limitless opportunities for play that can be expressed differently every time a child steps outside. Playing outdoors is open-ended. There is no instruction manual for outdoor play. Children make the rules and in doing so use their imagination, creativity, intelligence and negotiation skills in a unique way. Playing in nature reduces anxiety. Time spent outside physiologically reduces anxiety. Children bring an open mind and a more relaxed outlook back inside when they are in more traditional learning environments. 12•INSPIRED

May/June2014 2014 May/June

20 REASONS WHY PLAYING OUTDOORS MAKES CHILDREN SMARTER

Outdoor play increases attention span. Time spent in unstructured play outdoors is a natural attention builder. Often children who have difficulty with pen and paper tasks or sitting still for long periods of times are significantly more successful after time spent outside. Outdoor play is imaginative. Because there are no labels, no pre-conceived ideas and no rules, children must create the world around them. In this type of play, children use their imagination in ways they don’t when playing inside. Being in nature develops respect for other living things. Children develop empathy, the ability to consider other people’s feeling, by interacting with creatures in nature. Watching a tiny bug, a blue bird or a squirrel scurrying up a tree gives children the ability to learn and grow from others. Outdoor play promotes problem solving. As children navigate a world in which they make the rules, they must learn to understand what works and what doesn’t, what lines of thinking bring success and failure, how to know when to keep trying and when to stop. Playing outside promotes leadership skills. In an environment where children create the fun, natural leaders will arise. One child may excel at explaining how to play the game, while another may enjoy setting up the physical challenge of an outdoor obstacle course. All types of leadership skills are needed and encouraged. Outdoor play widens vocabulary. While playing outdoors, children may see an acorn, a chipmunk and cumulous clouds. As they encounter new things, their vocabulary will expand in ways it never could indoors. Playing outside improves listening skills. As children negotiate the rules of an invented game, they must listen closely to one another, ask questions for clarification and attend to the details of explanations in ways they don’t have to when playing familiar games. Being in nature improves communication skills. Unclear about the rules in an invented game? Not sure how to climb the tree or create the fairy house? Children must learn to question and clarify for understanding while simultaneously making themselves understood. May/June 2014

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20 REASONS WHY PLAYING OUTDOORS MAKES CHILDREN SMARTER

Outdoor play encourages cooperative play. In a setting where there aren’t clear winners and losers, children work together to meet a goal. Perhaps they complete a self-made obstacle course or create a house for a chipmunk. Together they compromise and work together to meet a desired outcome. Time in nature helps children to notice patterns. The natural world is full of patterns. The petals on flowers, the veins of a leaf, the bark on a tree are all patterns. Pattern building is a crucial early math skill. Playing outdoors helps children to notice similarities and differences. The ability to sort items and notice the similarities and differences in them is yet another skill crucial to mathematical success. Time outdoors affords many opportunities for sorting. Time spent outdoors improves children’s immune systems. Healthy children are stronger learners. As children spend more and more time outdoors, their immune systems improve, decreasing time out of school for illness. Outdoor play increases children’s physical activity level. Children who play outdoors are less likely to be obese and more likely to be active learners. Children who move and play when out of school are ready for the attention often needed for classroom learning. Time spent outdoors increases persistence. Outdoor games often require persistence. Children must try and try again if their experiment fails. If the branch doesn’t reach all the way across the stream or the bark doesn’t cover their fairy house, they must keep trying until they are successful.

FUN ACTIVITIES THAT ENCOURAGE OUTDOOR PLAY CREATE A NATURAL SCAVENGER HUNT. Create a list that challenges your child to explore and learn. Add specific leaves and flowers, such as: Find 1 Maple Leaf, 2 Dandelions and 3 Acorns. WATCH THE CLOUDS. Call out all of the shapes you see or challenge each other to find specific shapes that resemble animals or objects. DESIGN AND BUILD YOUR OWN FORT. It can be a simple lean-to shelter or teepee, or elaborate with four walls and a roof. Whatever you build try finding all of the materials you need in your own backyard. MAKE MUD PIES. If you’re not afraid to get dirty, mix water and dirt. Viola! You’re ready to become a mud pie baker. Do let mud pies limit your creations, though. Try cupcakes, mud balls, or how about mud soup? Be creative. What else can you think of to “bake”?

Outdoor play is fun. Children who are happy are successful learners. Children are naturally happy when they are moving, playing and creating outside. This joy opens them up for experimenting, learning and growing.

14•INSPIRED

May/June 2014

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THE ART OF PHENOLOGY By ERIC OLSEN § Photos By JENNY DEUEL

Regular visits to your favorite parks, ponds, and secret hideaways heighten your awareness to changes in the local plant and animal life. Recording these changes during shifting weather and seasonal changes is the study of Phenology. s the sun gets higher in the sky, our days get a little longer and winter starts going into hibernation, I start watching for cues from nature that tell me that warmer days are ahead. In our fast paced lives, paying attention to the gradual seasonal changes has helped me make sure that I am consciously aware of the passage of time. People used to do this when they were getting ready for planting their fields and harvesting. They used to track time watching the stars, the moons, and the amount of light in a day. Now we have clocks, computers and televisions to tell us everything we need to know, but I still like to figure things out for myself. So, I like to study a funny thing called phenology. This is the study of how the biological world times natural events. Plants and animals have life cycle events that seemingly occur like clockwork every year. Flowers bloom, birds and fish migrate, the leaves of deciduous trees change color and fall off and some mammals, such as bears and groundhogs, hibernate throughout the winter. If you’re also interested in tracking time by watching the natural world awake and burst into life, there 16•INSPIRED

are so many parks and quiet hideaways to suit your interests. I’ve discovered some great places here in Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey where you can see, hear and smell some of these changes—and I certainly encourage you to find your own places. Here are few of my favorite things to see (and do) by month and places to go to do them.

May ake your children out for trout season on the many streams in our area like the Flatbrook in Sandyston, the Paulins Kill in Lafayette and the Pequest River in Green. Or, head out to the Delaware for some shad fishing. Take a ride by any pond at night (and stop) for the welcoming call of spring from the wood frogs and spring peepers. Make sure you watch the road on a rainy spring night for salamanders making their way to their breeding holes. Two of the best spots to observe these phenomena are Allamuchy State Park and the Bear Creek Preserve in Warren County. If you enjoy a leisurely stroll, bring a wildflower book over to Kittatiny Valley State Park in Andover to see spring ephemerals (or flowers that bloom before the tree canopy fully develop their leaves). May/June 2014

THE ART OF PHENOLOGY

May - Early June

PHENOLOGY WHEELS

hese are the months to grab the binoculars and drive out to the Delaware Water Gap, Stokes State Forest in Sandyston, and High Point State Park in Montague to get a glimpse at our migrating songbirds. They are in full breeding colors and are worth the trip and worth the energy to learn how to identify. Old Mine Road is one of the most amazing places to visit during this time of year.

Phenology wheels are circular journals that chronicle the life cycles of behaviors of animals and plants as they change due to the weather conditions and seasonal changes.

June his is month to watch for dragon and damselflies hatching from our streams, rivers and lakes. They come in many sizes and colors and are spectacular hunters. Some of the best places to witness good diversity of these insects are in the Flatbrook and along the Delaware. Take a visit to Kittatinny Valley State Park or White Lake Natural Resource Area in Hardwick Twp, Warren County this time of year for a wonderful display of butterflies. Wander around the fields and meadows for early summer wildflowers and enjoy watching the butterflies come in to nectar. You may have to do some exploring and searching to find some of these things, but that is part of the fun. These are just a few of the many amazing seasonal phenomena that are occurring in front of our eyes, if you just take the time to take a peek.

May/June 2014

TIM ES OBS ER

AY LE : D , MONT TIONS OV H E VA

EAR ,Y IME RT

A small secret sits in the middle of Sussex County in the Paulins Kill Wildlife Management Area. This can be accessed on Route 94 in Lafayette Township. Located right outside the town of Newton, this property is a large wetland expanse that was once owned by the Scotts Company. It is now owned by the State of NJ and is a great place for wading birds.

PICTURE OR SYMBOL OF OBSERVATION SPOT

Creating your own journal is an easy and fun way to record your natural surroundings. 1. Find a spot where you can start observing the natural world around you. This spot will become the center of your wheel. To represent this spot you can choose a photo, draw a picture, or select a theme. 2. Determine the timeframe for your observations. Will it be daily, monthly, yearly? Your timeframe will become the outermost circle of the wheel. 3. Next, start critically thinking. What do you see? What could it mean? For example, you observe a group of tulips growing in the yard. You notice that they have just bloomed and it is a sunny day. The next day itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s raining. You look at the tulips again and this time the petals are closed. Write down your findings. This information will create the second ring of the wheel. INSPIREDâ&#x20AC;˘17

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Kids Rock! Kids Rock! features children who are committed to giving back to their community through volunteerism, fundraising, and social service projects.

Photos Provided Courtesy of Christina Elsayed

Invitations - Check. Balloons - Check. Cake - Check. Community minded - Check. For some children birthday parties provide the perfect opportunity to party with a purpose.

growing trend among birthday boys and girls is forgoing gifts for themselves in favor of party guest making contributions to the birthday host’s favorite charity. From cat and dog food for shelter animals, to books and blankets for children in need, these altruistic kids are changing the way traditional birthday parties are celebrated. When Bodhi Elsayed of Andover, NJ started planning his 5th birthday party, he knew he wanted animals as the theme, he knew he wanted it to be fun, and he knew he wanted the party to be something the other kids would never forget. His parents, Amir and Christina, jumped onboard and began planning what they hoped would be a party to remember. “This was his first 'big boy' party where we invited the whole kindergarten class and it was the first party of the school year.” Christina said. To keep with the animal theme the Elsayed’s decided to have a traveling zoo come to their home.

May/June 2014

Bodhi was thrilled. The only thing left to do was send out the invitations. Realizing Bodhi already had plenty of toys; however, the thought of receiving gifts from his classmates seemed excessive. So, Christina and Amir suggested an alternative to gifts. They suggested a party with a purpose. Rather than receiving gifts, his guests would make a small donation to the charity of his choice. The decision was Bodhi’s to make. Together they discussed their options. If Bodhi could help raise funds for animals in need, he was all for it. His parents researched various organizations and selected two animal shelters, Father John’s Animal Shelter in Lafayette, NJ and Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, NY to be the beneficiaries of Bodhi’s party with a purpose. With the organizations selected, the invitations were mailed out giving the guests a choice of which organization they would like to support.

INSPIRED•19

YOU’RE INVITED: NO GIFTS PLEASE

Before too long, it was party time. Guests bearing donations, such as doggie treats, began arriving one by one. Once inside, the party goers were entertained by a ferret, guinea pig, fennec fox, sugar glider, chinchilla and wallaby! They feasted on mini pizzas, veggie chicken nuggets, and birthday cake. Following the party, Bodhi gathered the generous donations designated for Father John’s and personally delivered them to the shelter. Those supporting Farm Sanctuary provided monetary donations that Bodhi mailed to the organization. “It made me really happy to help all of the animals. Leopards are my favorite animal, but I love all the animals.” He beamed. When asked if he would like to host another party with a purpose Bodhi was quick to answer, “Yes. I think I would because I liked helping the animals. I liked having the animals at my house. The kangaroo was my favorite.” His parents agreed, “His grandparents were a little worried he would be upset about not getting any gifts, but he didn't even miss them! Bodhi was happy with himself. But, there weren’t any kangaroos. “ Christina added.

or parents considering a party with a purpose there are a few points to consider. First, it’s important for the birthday boy or girl to understand the concept of giving. A child that doesn’t fully understand the concept may feel resentful or slighted when they realize that guests are not bringing gifts specifically for them.

20•INSPIRED

It’s also important to make sure that the birthday child has a connection to the charity selected. If the charity selected is a cause that child is not familiar with, or is a cause in which the child has no vested interest, the meaning may be lost. For Bodhi, his connection to animals played a significant part in his decision making process. Having just become vegetarian, causes related to animals are close to his heart. Christina offers additional advice for parents of children considering a party with a cause, “I would suggest that parents be very clear in the invitation that the donations come to the party so that the birthday child can take pride in delivering their gifts directly to the organization.” By all accounts Bodhi’s party was a huge success. His guests had a terrific time interacting with unique animals, money was raised for a cause close to his heart, and he experienced “the best party ever!”.....even if there weren’t any kangaroos. For more information regarding the organizations Bodhi raised funds for visit: Father John’s Animal Shelter 50 Father John’s Lane Lafayette, NJ 07848 (973) 300-5909 www.fatherjohnsanimalhouse.org Farm Sanctuary 3150 Aikens Road Watkins Glen, NY 14891 www.farmsanctuary.org

May/June 2014

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Community Spotlight Through the never-ending love of family and friends, The Tanya Goss Memorial Fund was created to honor Tanya’s life. Today, the Fund not only honors Tanya’s memory, but provides 200 children with cancer a reason to smile.

n February 2003, Tanya Goss was diagnosed with Epithelioid Sarcoma, an extremely rare soft tissue cancer, at the tender age of 27. Her family immediately mobilized support and created a dart tournament to be held in November of that same year to help Tanya offset her medical expenses. Sadly, Tanya passed away just weeks before the tournament took place. The family, however, decided to move forward with the event in her honor. Collectively, they decided the proceeds would benefit the local chapter of The American Cancer Society.

daughter, Valerie. Their mission is to provide support for the comprehensive health care of children with cancer and blood disorders. The Valerie Fund Children’s Centers currently make up the largest network of healthcare facilities in New Jersey for children with cancer and blood disorders.

Over the past 25 years, The Valerie Fund has operated Camp Happy Times. Located in Wayne County, Pennsylvania this camp is specially equipped to provide 200 children aged 5-21, who have cancer or have had cancer, the opportunity to attend a free week of overnight camp while continuing to receive 24 hour medical care. Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of the camp is that many of the counselors are former campers, who have returned to encourage TANYA GOSS February 9, 1976 - November 5, 2003 current campers to stay positive.

Witnessing the outpouring of love and support from the entire community, her cousins Lisa GossMantone and Kimberly GossCenizal, along with their friend Jenn Gaul, founded the Tanya Goss Memorial Fund. Desiring a greater personal connection and impact with the funds they would raise, the women began to research local organizations. Inspired by something Tanya’s dad said, “"We can't cure cancer with our donations, but maybe we can make a few kids smile along the way", they found the perfect organization in The Valerie Fund - Camp Happy Times.

The Valerie Fund was established in 1976 by Ed and Sue Goldstein in memory of their nine-year-old 22•INSPIRED

To help support The Valerie Fund - Camp Happy Times, The Tanya Goss Memorial Fund participates in two annual events. The first event is the annual Tanya Goss Memorial Dart Fundraiser. This event directly benefits Camp Happy Times. On Saturday, May 10th, the ninth annual fundraiser will be taking place at Netcong May/June 2014

THE TANYA GOSS MEMORIAL FUND

Sports Club in Netcong, New Jersey. You don’t have to play darts to attend. There is a 50/50, door prizes, food, and cash bar.

inside.” Because of Lisa, Kim, and Jenn, Tanya’s light will continue shine.

The second fundraiser is The Valerie Fund 5K Walk June 14th, where walkers/runners can participate on Team Tanya Goss Memorial Fund. “We were lucky enough to be welcomed into the Camp Happy Times family with open arms. So, now we walk in memory of her beautiful, big heart, that loved to walk and donate to every great cause!” Lisa and Kim added.

For more information please visit:

You can show your support by walking or making a donation to their team. All funds raised through the 5K directly benefit The Valerie Fund.

The Tanya Goss Memorial Dart Fundraiser Saturday, May 10, 2014. 1:00pm Netcong Sports Club 6 Railroad Ave., Netcong, NJ 07867 (973) 347-9832 https://www.facebook.com/events/140932788265208 8/?ref=br_tf

The yearly efforts of Lisa, Kim, and Jenn have resulted in a yearly average donation of $3000 for Camp Happy Times. Additionally, the team raised $700 in 2013 for the 5K Walk and sponsored event shirts at $500. This year they hope to be able to exceed their previous totals.

The Valerie Fund Walk:Team Tanya Goss Memorial Fund June, 14, 2014 8:30am Verona Park Verona, NJ, 07044 www.thevaleriefund.org/Walk2014/team.php?team= 270

Author Cassandra Clare once said“Whatever you are physically...male or female, strong or weak, ill or healthy--all those things matter less than what your heart contains. All those other things, they are the glass that contains the lamp, but you are the light

To learn more about Epithelioid Sarcoma visit The National Center for Biotechnology Information at: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2924131/

"We can't cure cancer with our donations, but maybe we can make a few kids smile along the way". 3

May/June 2014

1. Justus Deleshaw, Kimberly Goss-Cenizal, Edyta Wolak-Olic, Lisa Goss-Mantone at the 2013 Valerie Fund Walk 2. The trunk of Team Froggy's racecar at the finish of Camp Happy Times 30th birthday celebration. 3. Lisa GossMantone and Team Tanya Goss Memorial Fund at the 2012 Valerie Fund Walk.

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community May S

199 Goodale Road, Andover (973) 786-6445 10 am - 11 am. $5 adults and children ages 12 and up. Pre-registration required. Discover the natural history, edibility, and folklore of the spring beauties in bloom around the visitor center. Indoor presentation will take place in the event of inclement weather.

70 West Mountain Road, Sparta (973) 579-6465 4 pm. The New Sussex Symphony 2013 - 2014 Season Mozart DonGiovanni Overture Beethoven Symphony No. 8 Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto Evelyn Estavav, Violin

199 Goodale Road, Andover 973-786-6445

11am - 12 pm. Fee-$5 adults. Preregistration required. Discover the many plants people consider “weeds” that have culinary and medicinal uses.

333 State Park Road, Great Meadows (908) 459-4366 8 pm– 10:30 pm. An astronomy presentation begins at 8 PM in the lecture hall regardless of the weather and is followed by stargazing on the observatory's telescopes until 10:30 PM, weather permitting. A donation of at least $2 per person is suggested.

199 Goodale Road, Andover 973-786-6445 4 pm. - 5pm No Fee. Pre-registration required. For Children 5 and under. Share some time with your little one in the Great Outdoors and this naturalist-guided, 1-mile hike. Babies must be carried in a front or back-pack. No strollers or older siblings please.

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6 Railroad Ave., Netcong (973) 347-9832 1 pm. Signups begin at 1, tournament begins at 2. Proceeds benefit Camp Happy Times. Food, cash bar, 50/50, door prizes.

715 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown (908) 979-0900 8 pm - 10 pm. $17.00 for adults, $15.00 for seniors and students, $10 for children under 12, and $5 for Centenary Students with ID. Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 908-979-0900 or visiting us online at centenarystageco.org.

37 Plains Road, Augusta (973) 948 5500 11 am. Individual goal $100. Ask your family & friends to sponsor you to help you raise money for the walk. Bring your family and friends to this fun event! Located at the Fairgrounds in beautiful Sussex County NJ. The walk will be approximately two miles long. We will have lots of fun activities, games and raffles. There will also be complimentary food and drinks and live music!.

37 Plains Road, Augusta (973) 948 5500 9 am - 4 pm. Show your love for the fair by helping to make the grounds beautiful. Preserv, improve and enhance the area with us during this two day event Support your community.

E. Washington Ave., Washington (908) 689-4800 5 pm - 8 pm. Free to public. Artwalk, Antique Trail, Entertainment, & More.

May/June 2014

community June

37 Plains Road, Augusta (973) 948-5500 (May 30 - June 1) Louisiana and New Orleans Style Music, Food and Camping Festival. Tickets - $35 fifteen to adult.

1053 Waterloo Road, Stanhope May 29 - June 1. Fireworks, rides, games, food and entertainment. Check website for specific times and events. www.smsitalianfest.com

Moore Street, Hackettstown (908)850-5004 10 am - 2 pm. Street market with numerous vendors including home decorating, soap, jewelry, bags, fresh produce, plants and so much more.

199 Goodale Road, Andover 973-786-6445 8 am 5K Registration. $30 registration fee for 5K. Kids Cho Cho Run $5 fee. 9 am -12 pm Wellness Event. Celebrate National Trails Day with a 5K Trail Run through beautiful Kittatinny Valley State Park in Andover host by the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce. General public can celebrate health awareness and fitness with free health screenings, complimentary samples, educational opportunities and activities for the entire family.

May/June 2014

15 Wits End Road, Hardyston (973) 209-9622 6 pm - 9:30 pm. Members/Nonmembers: $15 for one child, $10 each additional sibling. Enjoy a night out while your child(ren) have a night out. Kids ages 4 to 12 will enjoy friends, games, crafts, fun in the pool and much more! Pizza will be available at $2.00 a slice. www.sussexcountyymca.org

Bloomfield & Lakeside Ave, Verona 973-761-0422 5k - 7 am. Registration fee $25. Race begins at 8:30 am. Walk - 8:30 am. Registration fee $25. The Valerie Fund relies on the dollars raised to help the children who live in our community. The Walk and 5K Run will support our mission to provide comprehensive health care for children with cancer and blood disorders. Every step you walk or run and every dollar you raise helps at The Valerie Fund Centers.

471 W Shore Trail, Sparta 973-726-6218 10 am for golf. 5 pm - 8 pm for Hors D’oeuvres, dinner, auction, door prizes, raffles and more. Help find cures for brain disorders, brain cancer, MS, Alzheimer’s Disease, stroke, TBI, Parkinson’s Disease, PTSD, addiction, Autism, Epilepsy.

E. Washington Ave., Washington (908) 689-4800

5 pm - 8 pm. Free to public. Artwalk, Antique Trail, Entertainment, & More. 783 County Route 519,Belvidere 908-475-3671 12 pm - 4 pm $35 per person plus tax and gratuity. Ages 10 and under $20 per person plus tax and gratuity. Celebrate Father’s Day in grand style at Four Sisters Winery as we pay tribute to all dads during our annual Father’s Day Pig Roast. Over 20 wines will also be available for tasting. Event takes place under party tent, so there’s no need to worry about the weather.

15 Wits End Road, Hardyston (973) 209-9622

6:30 – 8:30 pm. $15/ family Come together at the Y to have a good time. Participate in a variety of fun activities, including pool games, arts and crafts, family fitness and refreshments. www.sussexcountyymca.org

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final

Sunday, May 11

FATHER’S DAY

Sunday, June 15 ith Mother’s Day and Father’s Day quickly approaching, now is the time to start thinking about a unique alternative to the traditional card. Cards are great, don’t get me wrong. I love all of the homemade cards my children have made for me over the years. But cards, once opened, quickly make their way to one of two places: 1) The weird stack of old cards that have been saved for decades now dusty, crumbling and never to be read again or 2) the mantle place for a week and then the trash when the giver of said card is not at home. On the other hand, when just the right book is received it can quickly become a treasured possession, read over and over. Make it extra special by adding an inscription to the front endpaper of the book. Include the date, your name, and occasion. This way every time the book is opened it tells it’s own story of giving.

For MOM

For DAD

Sentimental, hysterical, and downright inappropriate, mom’s of all ages are sure to find these books bring a smile to their faces.

Forget the tie this year. These heartwarming, funny, and insightful books are sure to make your dad feel appreciated and loved.

by Dan Geldman

and John Gregory

by Meg Meeker by Meg Meeker by Steve Farrar

Power of Moms

by The by Ken Denmead

by Avital Norman Nathman and Christy Turlington Burns

by Kent

Nerburn by Bill Cosby

by Erma Bombeck by Jen of People I Want to Punch in the Throat

by Michael Lewis

*When selecting a book, take the recipients personality and personal preferences into consideration to help ensure an appropriate selection.

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May/June 2014

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