Cedar Grove February 2023

By Richard Mabey Jr.

Author’s Note: I do my absolute, honest best to write stories that are true and endearing to the human heart. This story is very precious to me, in that it is the story of the love that brought my paternal grandparents together.

From September of 1965 till the late Summer of 1966, my feet never touched the ground as I battled a most serious case of Rheumatic Fever. Like clockwork, my grandparents, Watson and Bertha Mabey would come to visit me in my bedroom every Tuesday and Thursday. It is during these endearing visits with my grandparents that Grandpa told me many, many stories of his youth and of his remembrances of life along the old Morris Canal. This very story was one of those true-life tales that Grandpa told me, all those years ago.

My grandfather was a very shy man. However, the good Lord graced him with the gift of story telling. Grandpa had this uncanny talent to use his voice flexion, to animate his hands, and to use his facial expressions to hold me spellbound as he spun his yarns of a time, long since past.

One of Grandpa’s favorite stories to tell was about the Valentine’s Day of 1915. Grandpa was 21 years old and Grandma was 18. It is a story unto itself, but Grandma’s parents, David and Catherine Storms, moved to Beavertown, just across the street from the old Mabey Homestead, in 1914. Grandpa was friendly with the Storms family. And,

A Valentine’s Day Story

on the Valentine’s Day of 1915, Grandpa finally got the nerve to as Grandma for a date.

From Grandma’s point of view, I had learned that Grandma’s father did not fully approve of Watson taking his daughter for a date. You see, Grandpa rode his Indian motorcycle across Route 202 and knocked on the door of the Storms Homestead and asked to see Bertha. According to Grandma, it was her father who answered the door and when he saw Grandpa’s motorcycle in the back driveway, he was very concerned about Watson being too wild and reckless for his beloved daughter.

Grandpa often told me, with a big smile on his face, how he remembered sitting on the bench just outside the backdoor of the old Storms Homestead. “I remember your Grandma and her father had a bit of a discussion whether or not your Grandma was going to be allowed to go for a motorcycle ride with me,” Grandpa would tell me. Then Grandma would interrupt Grandpa and say to me, “but I finally convinced Pop to let me take that motorcycle ride with your Grandpa!”

In May of 1916, my grandfather got the courage to ask his beloved Bertha to marry him. She said yes. They got married the very next month. Together my grandparents had nine children, 15 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 16 great great grandchildren.

In memory, I return to those wonderful and magical times of watching and listening

to Grandpa tell his stories of the remembrances of his life as a young man. I do my best to be true to bring his stories back to life, to honor the beloved patriarch. I loved my grandfather all so very much. In many

ways, he taught me a lot about the fine art of storytelling. I dearly miss him. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@hotmail. com.

An endearing photograph, from 1915, of my Grandma and Grandpa, Watson and Bertha Mabey, on Grandpa’s Indian motorcycle.

Reading

Fifth grade students in Ms. Hawkins’ ELA classes at Beatrice Gilmore School in Woodland Park practiced reading for stamina while enjoying a cup of cocoa by a virtual fire.

Can you catch the gingerbread man? Ms. O’Donnell’s fifth grade STEM students at Beatrice Gilmore School in Woodland Park designed imaginative traps to catch their gingerbread man.

How Do You Treat a Broken Toe?

Courtesy Matthew F. Wachtler, DPM

How do you treat a broken toe? This question is very common and usually simple to answer, however not always.

Usually, when someone has a broken toe, the first thing that needs to be done is to make sure it is, in fact, broken. This can be done with an X-ray.

Simply assuming it is NOT broken, when in fact it is, can result in delayed healing, deformity as well as long term swelling and pain.

Therefore, the most important way to treat a broken toe, is to find out

IF it is broken in the first place. A simple x-ray can help determine if the toe is broken.

Next, if the toe is in a good position and the fracture is not displaced, the toe should be immobilized with buddy tape and a stiff soled shoe should be worn.

If the toe is misaligned however or if the fracture

is displaced, it may need to be corrected and pinned surgically. While this is infrequent, it does occur. Call our office if you think you may have broken your toe. It is much easier to treat earlier rather than later. Cedar Grove Foot & Ankle Specialists, 882 Pompton Ave , Suite B1, Cedar Grove.

Elite Spine and Sports Care’s approach is based on the functional model and the dynamic use of manual medicine into physical therapy and rehabilitation . Offering Physical Therapy, Acupuncture, Chiropractic Care, Massage Therapy, Deep Tissue Laser Therapy, Pre-Operation and Post-Operation rehabilitation & more! Elite Spine is the leading northern New Jersey Physical Therapy center with over 120 5-star reviews on Google!

No Prescription Needed Courtesy Transportation Available

On Jan. 1, Woodland Park’s Borough Council saluted three outgoing members and welcomed three newcomers.

The Borough said “thank you” to outgoing council members Gary Holloway, Rita Pascrell, and Joseph Spinelli as all three retire from their posts. Holloway has served the Borough for 12 years. Pascrell and Spinelli both served for 21 years.

Mayor Keith Kazmark embarked on a journey together 21 years ago with Pascrell and Spinelli in running for the Council.

“The Borough will forever be indebted to these three public servants,” he said. “You do this because you want to help. You do this because you want to make a difference.”

The three outgoing council members helped oversee a 15-year road resurfacing plan, the McBride Streetscape project, the installation of the first turf field and revamping of Zaccaria Park, and the revamping of the recycling center, among their many accomplishments.

Kazmark then swore in the newly elected trio of newcomers to the Council – Michael Sica, Christine Tiseo, and Sam Yodice Jr. In selecting the candidates, the precursor

Woodland Park Council Reorg

was that they have to care, Kazmark noted. “Beyond that, you need to look at what they represent,” he said. “I don’t think we could have found a better group to follow out outgoing council members.”

Councilman Sica serves as president of the Four Seasons at Great Notch Homeowners’ Association, having served for five years. Most recently, he helped to manage a $1.2 million capital improvement project at the FSGN Clubhouse. He also serves on the Passaic Valley Regional Flood Control Board and is a member of the Office of Emergency Management.

Sica and his wife Marilyn raised their family in Teaneck before moving to Woodland Park in 2015. They have three adult children, one granddaughter, and one great-granddaughter.

Councilwoman Tiseo served as president of the Woodland Park Board of Education in 2022, where she worked to expand tuition-free Pre-K, install air conditioning in every classroom, and launch the Education Foundation.

A resident for 15 years, Tiseo and her husband Jason have two children, Izzy, a student at PVHS, and Patty, who attends Memorial School.

Councilman Yodice is a nine-year member of the Passaic Valley Board of Education, most recently serving as President. In 2021, he guided the search for a new Superintendent of Schools, oversaw many facility upgrades at the school, and spearheaded the new turf athletic field,

lighting, and track project on the main field at PV.

A life-long resident, he and his wife Danielle, have two daughters, Ella, who attends Charles Olbon School, and Olivia, who attends School 1.

Graston Technique

Courtesy Dr. Gabriel Hannawi, DC Chiropractic Physician

What Is the Graston Technique?

Graston

Technique is a distinctive type of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization that is offered by Elite Spine & Sports Care of Totowa. It is a surgery-free and medication-free form of treating pain. Graston Technique is administered by a professional licensed practitioner. With the use of special instruments and combined with Physical Therapy, this treatment form can shorten healing time and expand the range of motion

that has been restricted by various conditions. Graston Technique allows therapists to address pain relief in our Totowa facility.

Conditions That Can

Be Treated with Graston Technique

Graston Technique can be implemented for pain relief in patients suffering:

Neck Pain

Wrist Pain

Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow

Back Pain

Knee Pain and more…………

See The Latest in Pain Relief Treatment

At Elite Spine & Sports Care of Totowa we are always

looking for ways to treat pain and discomfort for our patients. If you are suffering pain and limited mobility as the result of a build-up of scar tissue, we offer many pain relieving treatments for Passaic County patients. Give Elite Spine & Sports Care of Totowa a call at 862239-1768 and let our staff inform you of the various treatments available to you. These would include Graston Technique, which is an innovative pain relief therapy.

Elite Spine and Sports Care Of Totowa, 349-351 Union Boulevard, Totowa, 862-239-1768.

Memorial Jazz Band

Memorial Middle School in Woodland Park has launched a new after-school program: 6th Grade Jazz Band. The group meets once a week after school with Music Director Mr. Schaefer. In jazz band, students will learn how to play different styles of music including rock, blues, swing, and Latin jazz.

Even a Small Sore on a Diabetic Foot Can be a Big Problem

Courtesy Dr. Anant Joshi

Diabetes can often lead to decreased blood flow to the feet. Without the right amount of blood, a sore may not heal as well.

Diabetes also often leads to decreased feeling in the feet. A sore on the bottom of the foot can easily go unnoticed because of numbness.

This is why people with diabetes should inspect the bottom of their feet every day.

Diabetes also often causes the immune system to function less than optimally. This means the body isn’t as good at healing a sore or an infection. Not having a good enough immune system along with poor circulation and sensation means people with diabetes must think of

every sore as a potentially serious problem.

The steps to take with a sore are keeping it clean, using an antibiotic cream, applying gauze to protect it from rubbing, and immediately scheduling an appointment.

Of course, figuring out the cause of the sore--such as the possibility of shoes not fitting properly--is extremely important.

Preventing an infection is first priority. If you or a loved one has diabetes, simply being aware of how risky it is to have something

as simple as a small sore is the first step to avoiding a major complication.

We specialize in keeping the feet of our patients with diabetes as healthy as possible. Preventing amputations starts with early intervention of any skin or nail concern in a person with diabetes.

We are here to serve you. Please let us know how we can serve you best. Advanced Foot Care of NJ, 1031 McBride Ave Suite D105 Woodland Park, 973256-0002.

Opioids Don’t Have to be the Answer for Pain Relief

Courtesy Dr. Raffaele Lagonigro, PT

Discover How Physical Therapy can Ease Your Pain the Natural Way

It is no secret that opioids are the main driver of the widespread drug crisis in America. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 130 people die from opioid overdoses every day here in the U.S.That’s why if you are living with chronic pain, it is understandable that you may feel frustrated and confused about your choices.

At our physical therapy practice, we stand with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other professional organizations that recommend physical therapy and other alternatives to prescription opioids as the first lines for chronic pain management.

Many people simply do not realize how effective physical therapy can be in alleviating even the most stubborn pain symptoms—all without the need for drugs or invasive procedures. It has been proven that physical therapy can help you govern your pain without drugs, giving you a chance to break away from the risks that come with pain management drugs.

Discover for yourself exactly how physical therapy can help you feel (and function) better than ever before. Contact us today to learn more!

Did you know that opioid medications…

Are associated with an increased risk of uncomfortable

withdrawal symptoms and depression

Only hide symptoms of pain—they don’t address the underlying causes, which makes opioids less cost-effective over time

Can be highly addictive

5 reasons why physical therapy could be the risk-free solution you’ve been looking for

Physical therapy addresses the body as a whole. When you see a physical therapist for pain relief, you’re not going to just get one type of treatment. You’ll receive multiple services that complement each other and enhance their overall effectiveness. The result? A cost-effective and comprehensive healing journey for you!

Physical therapy enhances your overall wellbeing. Unlike many other healthcare providers who are limited on time, physical therapists have a lot of face-to-face interaction with their patients and can take the time to get to know their goals, demands, and preferences. This ensures that patients are engaged in their plans of care, educated about their health condition, and equipped with home exercises, stretches, and other lifestyle modifications needed to optimize results. Physical therapy is an active experience that puts you back in the driver’s seat of your own health.

Physical therapy works to get your body moving comfortably. Research tells us that exercise is one of the best ways to manage chronic pain. But if a person is in so much pain they can barely get out of bed, how are they supposed to start exercising more? Enter physical therapy. Your physical therapist can manage your condition and other contributing factors (like range of motion limitations, tissue tension, weakness, and incoordination) that make exercise

difficult. By helping you get more exercise—and showing you which exercises are best for you, as well as how to do them correctly—a physical therapist also helps you reduce the risk of other chronic diseases.

All physical therapy methods and modalities are noninvasive, drug-free, and safe. Practitioners of physical therapy utilize tools like diathermy, dry needling, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and other techniques to reduce pain, muscle spasms, inflammation, and more. The risk of side effects with these modalities is minimal to none, and unlike drugs they won’t pose the risk of dependency or withdrawal. They simply enhance your body’s natural selfhealing capability (instead of just “masking” the pain). Through extensive training, a physical therapist can ensure these techniques are applied with the correct dosage (intensity, location, type, duration, and frequency) for optimal outcomes.

Physical therapy promotes the healing process to ease pain and tension. A physical therapist is trained in techniques like joint mobilizations and manipulations, massage, myofascial release, Active Release Techniques, and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation. These can trigger physical and physiological changes in the body’s connective tissues, central nervous system, lymphatic system, and more. These techniques have been proven to relieve pain and elicit healing responses that can keep pain from coming back. Get started with physical therapy today

Whatever may be causing your chronic pain, physical therapy can help. Contact Aim Orthopedics today to schedule an appointment at our physical therapy clinic.

AIM Orthopedics, 44 Main St, Little Falls, 973-860-0550.

Fighting the Flu: 3 Tips to Protect Your Health

When most people hear about vaccines these days, the first thing that comes to mind is COVID-19. However, vaccines also help prevent other serious illnesses like the flu, especially for those at higher risk.

According to the American Heart Association, people with underlying risk factors like heart disease, stroke, obesity and diabetes are at high risk of serious flu complications. During the 2018-19 flu season, more than 93% of adults hospitalized for the flu reported at least one underlying medical condition that placed them at high-risk for complications, based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Even so, a survey on behalf of the American Heart Association found 3 in 5 U.S. adults may delay or skip the flu shot this year, despite warnings from health experts the influenza season could be severe after a mild 2020-21 flu season.

“Unfortunately, the flu is back,” said Donald Lloyd-Jones, M.D., Sc.M., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association. “We’re seeing cases in communities across the country. If you’ve delayed your flu shot, it’s not too late to get one for the current flu season, which usually lasts until late spring. Getting it as soon as possible offers the most protection for you and your loved ones.”

Knowledge Gap

A lack of information may contribute to decisions to skip or delay the flu shot. The survey identified a significant knowledge gap, with an overwhelming majority (94%) of adults in the United States incorrectly answering at least

one of eight questions about the shot. Younger generations were less informed than their older counterparts, but across all age groups, more than half of U.S. adults answered at least two questions incorrectly.

Despite the knowledge gap, some common misconceptions may be fading. Among all respondents, 73% know you can’t get the flu from the flu shot and 88% know you can get a COVID-19 vaccine and the flu shot at the same time.

Flu and Heart Health

There is a strong correlation between the flu and cardiovascular diseases like heart disease and stroke. Among adults hospitalized with flu during recent flu seasons, heart disease was one of the most common chronic conditions. According to the CDC, about half of adults hospitalized with flu have heart disease. In addition, research published in “The New England Journal of Medicine” showed those who are not vaccinated against the flu are six times more likely to have a heart attack within a week of infection.

Preventing the Flu

Take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu this season with these tips from the American Heart Association:

Get your flu shot. Most experts recommend getting your shot early in the season, but it’s not too late to benefit from the protection. The flu shot is available to anyone at least 6 months old. While getting the shot isn’t a guarantee you won’t get the flu, it reduces the chances of contracting a severe case.

Wash germs away. Washing hands frequently and thoroughly helps reduce the spread of germs, including those

that cause viruses like the flu. Also make a point to avoid touching your face, since your nose and mouth are natural entry points for germs.

Seek medical attention. If you get sick, seeing a doctor can bring relief and help shorten your illness. If the flu is detected early enough, you may be able to take an oral antiviral treatment that reduces the length and severity of your symptoms.

Learn more about protecting your heart health and preventing the flu at heart.org/flu. (Family Features)

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

By Tina Pappas

The Little Falls Police Department (LFPD) officially has a new Chief of Police. Bryan Prall was sworn in by Mayor James Damiano prior to the Jan. 3 Township Council reorganization meeting, with his family by his side. Cpl. John Moncato was also promoted to rank of sergeant detective.

Little Falls Police Promotes Bryan Prall to Chief of Police, Promotes One Officer

Prall was formerly the Deputy Chief of Police, who has held the position since Dec. 2021. A native of Little Falls, he was previously with the U.S. Marine Corps before becoming a police officer with the LFPD in 2006.

Damiano commended Prall as a leader who wants those around him to succeed with him through

What our patients are saying...

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Very friendly staff! Dr J was referred to me by a coworker and I was just as pleased with his bedside manner and professionalism. He explained all my options and I didn’t feel pushed to make a quick decision.

Arielle - HHHHH

First of all, booking an appointment was so easy! I submitted a request online and got a phone call not even 10 minutes later from Ebony to confirm an appointment. Dr. Joshi, the ladies at the front desk, the x-ray technician and all of the staff I encountered were very busy yet remained friendly. They are also very professional and clean. I am so satisfied with my visit that I am trying to get my family to book an appointment there.

Police Chief Bryan Prall is pictured being sworn in by Mayor James Damiano during a ceremony on Jan. 3.

Police Chief Bryan Prall is flanked by members of the Little Falls Police Department.

Cpl. John Moncato is pictured being sworn in by Mayor James Damiano during a ceremony on Jan. 3. continued on page 19

Little Falls Police Promotions...

continued from page 18

“servant leadership.”

“He believes in leading by example and that it’s his job to be sure that his subordinates succeed, not by telling them how to succeed but by showing them how to succeed,” Damiano said, adding that Prall insisted on shining the boots of every single member of the LFPD the day after he was promoted to Deputy Chief. “It was his expectation that every single member of this department will show up to work every day with their boots looking like they did when he finished shining them that day. That is servant leadership. My definition of leadership is to motivate others by doing and showing, not by saying and challenge the status quo. Leadership of the Little Falls Police Department is Chief Bryan Prall.”

Damiano also spoke of Prall’s selfless nature when Prall asked to share the evening with Sgt. Detective John Moncato

“He is the type of leader who doesn’t want to succeed by himself,” added Damiano. “He wants those around him to succeed with him.”

Prall thanked Damiano, the Township Council, his family, including his friends and colleagues for their support throughout his career.

“A police officer’s sacrifice to this profession is never done alone, and we must never forget that the families of the officers are the unsung heroes,” Prall said.

Prall also wanted to emphasize his two commitments

to Little Falls, with his first commitment being to the community and his second commitment towards the men and women of the Little Falls Police Department. He symbolized both commitments by receiving two star pins.

“My first commitment is to ensure that we in the LFPD are true to our roots our core values and our mission statement when it comes to taking care and serving our community,” he explained. “Community will be represented by one of the stars that I’ll wear every day, either on my uniform or on the badge that I carry.”

Prall also said his predecessor, Chief Steven Post, had a positive influence on his career and the tradition of the pin marks that a person who wears that rank wears it with distinction and then passes it on.

“That’s the tradition of the pin,” Prall added. “I’m going to have Mayor Damiano attach this pin on me so every time that I look down on one of these two stars I’ll know that one of them is for the community of Little Falls.”

Prall then spoke of the second pin which signifies his commitment to the sworn officers for public safety and civilian employees, represented by the second star.

“Senior Officer Captain Jason Presing and Junior Officer Antonio Piedrabuena will pin the second star of my job,” he explained. “It is a privilege to have the greatest responsibility of directing others’ actions in achieving mutual goals and achieving our mission. Our successes or failures are never attributed to any one person, rather they are shared across all levels of our chain of command. Our

goal is to help our community and provide assistance at every opportunity.”

Prall then introduced Moncato and spoke of his background of 21 years of law enforcement experience prior to his turn to be sworn in.

Moncato joined the LFPD in 2001 as a public safety telecommunicator. He attended the Passaic County Police Academy in 2004. He graduated in 2005 and was assigned to the LFPD’s patrol division. In 2012, he was assigned to the Investigative Division where he served until July 2016. He served as a junior detective as a narcotics officer, where after 12 years of service he was given the title of corporal. He was then reassigned to the patrol division from 2016 until 2021.

“He was our department’s traffic officer,” Prall said of Moncato. “He’s a radar instructor, and he’s currently our senior detective. I can think of no better individual to be promoted with at the same time than John Moncato.”

We accept

Little Falls Swears In Reelected Councilman Vancheri and Two Newcomers to Township Council

By Tina Pappas

The Township of Little Falls held a swearing-in ceremony for reelected Councilman Christopher Vancheri, along with newcomers Councilman Michael Murphy and Councilwoman Jayna Patel prior to the reorganization meeting on Jan. 3 in town hall council chambers.

Mayor James Damiano welcomed attendees, comprised of residents, elected officials and dignitaries. Damiano spoke of Vancheri as someone who stops at nothing to ensure the job gets done, prior to being sworn in by Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly.

“If there’s ever a task that needs to be completed, and you want to make sure it gets done quickly without ever needing to check up on it - you give it to Councilman Vancheri,” said Damiano. “He will stop at nothing to ensure the job gets done and will make sure it gets done for the betterment of the residents of Little Falls. He has the biggest heart and will give you the shirt off his back. I’m honored to have him on this council.”

Vancheri thanked the residents of Little Falls, Mayor Damiano, his fellow council members and dignitaries in attendance. He also thanked his family and friends and

Assemblyman Wimberly. He said he looked forward to continuing to work for another four years because there’s still work to be done in the Township.

“I love this town and I love working for the people,” he said. “If there’s something I can do to fix it, I’ll do it, and If I can’t, I’ll find someone to do it because it’s not about politics, it’s about taking care of the 14,000 residents. Without them, I wouldn’t be here for another four years. If you know me in the last six years as a councilman, I’m never satisfied and am always looking to do more.”

Vancheri also congratulated his new colleagues, Murphy and Patel, and welcomed them to the council team. He commended incumbent Councilwoman Christine Hablitz for doing a great job for the town and called Council President Anthony Sgobba “the rock of the council.” He also touted former council members Al Kahwaty and Tanya Seber for leaving an indelible mark on the council.

“We’ll honor what you started, so we’ll keep moving ahead,” Vancheri said.

Vancheri also commended Damiano for his leadership since taking office as Mayor.

“He’s a great resource and a great person

to work with,” he added. “He does love this town, and he grew up in this town. He does a lot and know that he’s always accessible. Please feel free to ask him anything because he will answer it. We’re all here for the same reason, we’re here for the residents. Looking forward to working with the two of you.”

Damiano then introduced Patel and congratulated her on her election prior to

being sworn in by Judge Darren Del Sardo during the ceremony.

“I’ve known Jayna since she was a firstgrader. We went through grade school together, and we graduated from high school together,” he said. “Working with Jayna will be no foreign task and I’m certain that we will all work together for the betterment of the residents of Little Falls.”

continued on page 22

Pictured is reelected Little Falls Councilman Christopher Vancheri with his family after being sworn in for another four years on the Township Council. Photos courtesy of the Township of Little Falls

Little Falls Township Council...

continued from page 20

Patel thanked her family for their support and guidance as well as those in attendance who have supporter her.

“Without your support and drive that I have seen I wouldn’t have been motivated to step outside my comfort zone to campaign and now take office,” she explained.

She also thanked the residents of Little Falls, emphasizing she has known Damiano for a long time.

“As Mayor James Damiano said, we’ve known each other forever and this should be easy to continue to do what is necessary for the good of Little Falls,” Patel added.

Damiano also introduced Murphy prior to being sworn in by Senator Kristen Corrado. He congratulated him on being

elected and recalled the time their families were neighbors as they were growing up in Little Falls.

“Most people don’t know this, but I met Mike when he was a year old when our families moved in as neighbors,” he said. “And we grew up that way for 15 years until I moved out and got my own place. So to say I’ve known Mike for some time and that we’ve grown up together, is a true and legitimate understatement.”

Murphy thanked everyone in attendance, including those who he said helped him through their guidance and leadership. He also thanked his family, friends and the residents for voting for him.

‘It’s truly an honor to be here and I’m really lucky,” he

said. “Hopefully, I can do a good job.”

Damiano also said serving as mayor is one of the greatest professional honors of his entire life, where he is motivated “not by the politics, but what is right for the people of the town.” He then referred to a poster that hangs outside his office door, which states the words of Gandhi.

“Be the change you want to see in the world,” he said. “These are the words that I often times try to live by. But I can’t help but think it’s the first responders who embody this more than anybody. It’s the first responders who run towards danger to make a change, and I want to thank them for what they do every day.”

Little Falls Councilman Michael Murphy is sworn in by Senator Kristin Corrado on Jan. 3.

Little Falls Councilwoman Jayna Patel is sworn in by Judge Darren Del Sardo on Jan. 3.

Caring for Your Nutrition When Caregiving

Family caregivers of people with illnesses, injuries or disabilities sometimes spend more time thinking about those they care for than themselves. It’s important to remember that self-care is essential to providing good care to others and must include eating well.

Healthy eating can be especially challenging for caregivers who often have limited time to shop and cook. Fast food, snacks and comfort meals are tempting but usually lack healthy amounts of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

In addition to preventing low energy, muscle loss, illnesses and unplanned weight change, a healthy diet may help reduce the stress and fatigue that can come with caring for a loved one.

These tips from the Administration for Community Living can help caregivers take steps toward better nutrition without adding to already full to-do lists: Drink healthy beverages at each meal and 2-3 times between meals. Water, milk, juice (to replace missing fruits and vegetables) or non-sweetened drinks are all better-for-you options.

Get enough protein, a key nutrient that helps build and repair tissues. Consider these ideas for increasing your protein intake: (Family Features)

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Is Your Child a Sensory Seeker or a Sensory Avoider?

Courtesy Carissa Jannicelli Pampanin, MS, OTR/L Director of Occupational Therapy and Deanna Jannicelli Corby, MS, CCC-SLP Director of Speech and Language Pathology

Children with sensory processing difficulties (SPD) will often exhibit a flight or fight response, aka a “meltdown.” Meltdowns occur more frequently in children with SPD, as they have a hard time regulating their emotions due to the way they process sensory inputs.

Below is a list of activities and suggestions that affect sensory processing. The list is broken into two components.

Try the calming activities if your child seems to be having a hard time regulating their body and emotions.

The list of things to avoid can help identify and avoid these tasks.

Calming Sensory Diet Activities

1. Consider the environment and demands beforehand, prepare your child before presenting them to new experiences.

2. Notice if the environment is too overstimulating.

3. Provide soft and cuddly spots to hang out

4. Provide deep pressure by playing games; pillow fights, trampoline, wrestling, etc

5. Oral motor stimulation usually has a very calming effect; provide drinks with straws, water bottles, gum, hard/crunchy foods

Avoid in a Sensory Diet

1. Sudden and intense demands without any transitional cues.

2. Tickling or unexpected touch

3. Too much input i.e. too much spinning, swinging, jumping this will often cause overstimulation and cause an adverse reaction.

4. Never introducing new experiences is

also problematic.

5. Experiences where the child has already expressed fear, slowly transition to these activities.

Carissa Jannicelli Pampanin, MS, OTR/L, SIPT is an occupational therapist at the Pediatric Therapy Center of NJ in

Cedar Grove, with specialties in sensory integration and early intervention services for children.

Pediatric Therapy Center of New Jersey., 912 Pompton Avenue, Suite B1, Canfield Office Park, Cedar Grove, 973-680-1971.

Carissa Jannicelli Pampanin Deanna Jannicelli Corby

New Jersey’s National Guard Militia Museum is a Draw for All Ages

By Steve Sears

New Jersey’s National Guard Militia Museum has two locations. The main location is in Sea Girt, and the second is in Lawrenceville.

The museum is an offshoot of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Staff Sgt. Andrew Walker is the Director/Curator of the 501 c 3 non-profit organization that (courtesy of the museum website), “supports the collections, exhibitions and educational programs of the museum through volunteerism, advocacy, and fundraising.”

Walker, who is in Sea Girt (LTC (Ret) William Kale is Volunteer Co-Curator in Lawrenceville), is an informative, eager guide. He has a wealth of knowledge of military history. When you visit the Sea Girt location which is located a shell’s toss from the beach, you can visit display cases and see artifacts throughout the one-room facility. The museum details the Garden State’s Militia and National Guard history starting with the Dutch and Swedish, who arrived in the late 15th century, up through the Revolutionary War to the Civil War, World Wars I and II, to the present day. “We’re basically tracing the citizen soldier really since New Jersey’s inception,” Walker says. “There are different players at that point. We do trace our lineage and our heritage through the British colonization, but we do

recognize the other nations that were called on in New Jersey at the time.”

Founded in 1980, the National Guard Militia Museum was the fourth state National Guard Museum at that time. Rapid growth and expansion encouraged the opening of the Lawrenceville Museum in 1998. Walker says, “We do rely on private donations mostly, so you’re able to reach out to us and inquire about whether or not we want a certain artifact.” Uniforms, medals, several types of equipment, and handwritten notes relating to New Jersey militia can be viewed here, as well as federal artifacts. One especially fascinating aspect of the museum is that, with so much emphasis placed on New Jersey’s role in the American Revolution – and rightly so - the museum also has a deep focus on our state’s involvement in the Civil War. Copies of articles, diaries, letters, memoirs, newspaper clippings, and regimental histories are part of one of the largest collections of New Jersey related Civil War research material in the United States.

“National Guardsmen are, and still are viewed, as citizen soldiers,” Walker explains. “Civilians during peace, and then soldiers during war. That is really what the militia is: citizens leaving their normal, everyday lives and being called into service. That is the National Guard - you are just supposed to protect your state and your country, and so that’s where citizen soldier comes from.”

The museum relies heavily on in-person visits, and if you enter the doors in Sea Girt, you will see displayed an 18th century powder horn, the oldest artifact on-site, and the 28’, 4,000 pound “Intelligent Whale.”

Built in 1864, the submarine, mammal-like vessel was tested in the Long Island Sound, but the Navy was not interested in using it. There are also quite a few replications of period militia uniforms.

Walker has tried to bring into the museum a narrative, downhome connection, and resident historian Joseph Bilby has delivered. “He crafted all of our narratives, and it really makes sure that it’s pointing to those human connections, those kind of personal stories

on those citizen soldiers from New Jersey.”

The museum’s Oral History Program is run by Assistant Curator, Ms. Carol Fowler, who has over 20 years of interviews that need to be summarized from audio logs. Volunteers and especially interns value the effort. “It’s a great learning tool for them to see all the work that goes into keeping history,” Walker says.

The Sea Girt location is located at 100 Camp Drive, and the Lawrenceville museum is at Lawrenceville Armory, 151 Eggert Crossing Road. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Visit www. njmilitiamuseum.org for more information.

Centuries of guarding New Jersey (courtesy if the National Guard Militia Museum)

The Underlining Message Behind Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera

By Tommy Hughes

When was the first time, through the art of fiction, an individual genuinely felt that one good scare?

When was the first moment where they felt a cold shiver of fear running through their body, causing them to crawl up into a ball on the floor?

In the case of an operatic soprano, it was her mysterious angel of music. A guide toward glory. The unseen genius.

After 35 years, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s: The Phantom of the Opera will close it’s record run at Broadway’s Majestic Theater on April 16th, 2023. A timeless classic that not only set the bar high for musical storytelling, but also set the bar for theatrical productions as a whole. As was the Winter Garden Theatre with the original run of Cats, the Majestic Theater has evolved to Broadway what Augusta National Course has become to the sport of golf. An equivalence of what Williamsport, Pennsylvania has become to the sport of baseball. What the Rose Bowl is to NCAA Division I football, and what the city of Indianapolis is to open-wheel automobile racing.

While New York City will move on and keep going, the

closing of this record run is something no one thought they would ever see. The musical has become a staple for the city. A timeless classic, the musical has spanned the globe having evolved into a phenomenon. Relatable, the power within emotionally connects viewers in mannerisms reminiscent of what led them toward their love for a particular craft.

The gifts of the title character engulfed in a tragic love story by a path of fantasy.

An evolution, it is a story that began through the writings of a journalist. Upon retirement, the journalist took inspiration through in-depth investigation of the Paris Opera House, and it’s basement cell that housed prisoners of the Paris Commune. Gaston Leroux. His inspiration told a story of both fear and irrelevance. A horror story of underlying meaning. Fear, not due to the story or subject matter, nor because of the closed-minded onlooker and their reaction to the title character. A fear of the individual taking the next step forward due to internal fear placed in them by society. Shamed into solitude. Shunned by the multitude.

Irrelevance, because the story serves as a reminder that talent is profound irregardless of what one looks like. While

the story’s main theme is surrounded by romance, it’s underlining focus is a title character and their gift of music. It was a gift discovered on their own. The music, there. The passion, undeniable. They had no way of sharing this gift with the world until they heard the voice of Christine Daaé. A voice imagined by the Gods. A reason and platform to share his gift with the world.

And a gift the world received.

When the final curtain falls inside the Majestic Theatre on April 16th, the chapter may fade, but the story will live on. An ending that may be scary. Fear of the unknown.

Yet, if the title character’s fear is felt, it is a fearful wonderment of what will happen next. An individual cannot simply hop aboard César and set a course for Coney Island. Though, if the individual’s gift lives within them, they will find further inspiration to make their song take flight.

The power of the music of the night.

The Phantom of the Opera runs until April 16th, 2023 at the Majestic Theatre on 44th Street in New York City. Tickets Available through: mtc.telecharge.com

Accounts Vary on Valentine’s Day Origins

Valentine’s Day is a bright light in the middle of the winter . Come February 14, sweethearts celebrate their love and affection for one another on this day devoted to happy couples.

The origin of Valentine’s Day has generated much speculation over the years. Most early accounts do not point to heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolates. Rather, a few distinctive tales may paint the picture of early Valentine’s Day, and they have nothing to do with stuffed animals or romantic dinners.

Roman festival

One of the earliest records of the term Valentine’s Day is traced to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was a fertility festival. This annual event held on February 15 included animal sacrifices and priests called the Luperci who would take pieces of animal hide and touch it to the foreheads of women in the hopes it would make them more fertile. Fortunately for the squeamish (and the sacrificial animals), Pope Gelasius I ended Lupercalia and replaced it with St. Valentine’s Day by the end of the fifth century.

Two or three St. Valentines?

Most people attribute the origins of Valentine’s Day to the holiday’s namesake, St. Valentine. But it seems that Valentine was the surname of a few different

individuals. According to History.com, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus. One Valentine was a priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius II, who decided that single men made better soldiers than those with families or wives.

Claudius outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine disagreed with the decree and would perform marriages in secret. Others believe it was St. Valentine of Terni, a bishop beheaded by Claudius II outside of Rome, who was the true namesake.

Yet another Valentine may have been jailed and fell in love with a jailer’s daughter while in prison. He purportedly wrote to her, beginning the first Valentine card or letter tradition. Other stories say the imprisoned Valentine actually was writing to a blind woman he purportedly healed, and signed the note “from your Valentine.”

It is hard to know who is who in regard to the name Valentine, as the stories and the people behind them are used interchangeably. Some historians believe they actually are the same person rather than several Valentines, while others insist there were multiple martyred individuals.

However you slice it, the defiant actions of one or more people named “Valentine” set the course for centuries of romance to follow.

Bucket List Travels: The World’s Wildest Horse Race

Morristown resident Paul Partridge has been building a travel bucket list for years. Now he’s diving in – near and far –and shares his adventures in this column.

The Palio di Siena is an insane horse race that’s been held since the Middle Ages and continues today. Here’s a view from inside the ropes.

by Paul Partridge

Ten wild-eyed stallions are sprinting straight at us. The rumble of their hooves and violent power of their strides augurs a frightening determination. Hours earlier these horses were blessed at church, and it looks like they may need it. There’s a hairpin turn ahead and surely there’s no way all can make it through without incident.

Welcome to the Palio

I’ve been lucky enough to attend the World Series, the U.S. Open, the Indianapolis 500, the America’s Cup, Army vs. Navy, and the Tall Ships parading down the Hudson during the Statue of Liberty’s Centennial celebration.

Nothing compares to the spectacle, the pageantry, and the pandemonium unleashed by a bareback horse race involving three death-defying laps around the Piazza del Campo in Siena Italy.

All that’s delightful and charming about Italy is on display – food, wine, art, architecture, fashion, passion, it’s all here – compressed into a single, unforgettable day.

Neighbor vs. Neighbor

Siena is divided into 17 neighborhood districts or wards called Contrade. Each contrada has its own colors and flag, and takes the name of a spirit animal or object. For example, Leone (lion), Lupa (she-wolf) and Drago (dragon).

The rivalry between neighborhoods is fierce. The greatest outcome is for your contrada to win. The second-best outcome is for your rival neighborhood to lose.

Some contrade have resorted to bribery to get their horses to perform better, while others have employed drugs. Jockeys have been kidnapped, seduced, and threatened. Heavy objects have been placed under saddles to slow down competing horses.

The preparations that take place leading up to race day are enormous. Think Halloween, Mardi Gras, and the Rose Bowl parade, rolled into one. The festivities culminate with the pre-race dinner.

My family is invited to dinner with the Aquila (eagle) contrada. The setting, in the shadow of the Duomo, is so spectacular I get goosebumps. It feels as if we’re dining

at Hogwarts.

Up at the main dais, the jockey is serenaded by hymns, chants, children’s poems and vino-fortified toasts. Some vestal virgins may have been offered but I can’t be sure from my seat. Our jockey seems surprisingly subdued, as if hoping for the fete to end.

Perhaps he’s not confident in his steed because horses are not chosen; they’re assigned by lottery. Or maybe he’s recalling the unfortunate history of Aquila, as Eagle holds the record for fewest race victories. Or he could be contemplating the plight of previous riders – heroes turned goats following inglorious defeat. For a Palio jockey, adoration can turn to contempt –or worse – in under 90 seconds.

Race Day

For three days prior to race day, a watchman has been sleeping with Eagle’s stallion to guard against tampering. This morning he’s walked to the Duomo and blessed by the local priest.

Piazza del Campo starts to fill around 3 pm. The festivities officially begin when the Italian cavalry enter the square. Impressively, majestically, they parade in, salute the dignitaries, and then lead a series of charges, swords drawn. Half mesmerizing, half terrifying, it jolts the crowd to attention.

Next comes the parade, a two-hour feast for the eyes featuring archers, horsemen, flag wavers, drummers, trumpeters, noblemen (and women) – all dressed in Medieval and Renaissance era costumes. Every neighborhood is represented.

By 7 pm it’s race time. An entire Shakespearian play takes place in the leadup to the start. Nine horses are chosen randomly to enter the starting line. They take their position rather casually, Italian style. There are no gates; only a singular rope holds the ensemble (loosely) in place. It’s more like a moving scrum of unruly kindergarteners then a starting line.

The Puppet Master

The 10th horse, called the Rincorsa, stands alone, surveying the scene. He can enter when its jockey so decides. In this way he’s the puppet master, because the race begins only when the Rincorsa

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Bucket List Travels...

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crosses the starting line.

The dance between the Rincorsa and the other horses is called the Mossa. There’s lots of banging and bumping and fidgeting. Jockeys are tense. Horses twitch and snort. The crowd, 40,000 strong, crescendos into a fevered roar – shouting, gesturing, imploring, cursing (and that’s the women).

Then, a moment of calm, a second of quiet. All eyes turn to the Rincorsa.

Suddenly a horse rears, squealing and kicking. The other mounts scatter. Race organizers scramble to get the horses calmed and realigned. This happens several more times. Mossa can take two minutes or over an hour. Seven centuries of grudges and paybacks play out in the scrum activities.

Secret Backroom Deals

Heads of the contrade make secret backroom deals, so if their horse is the Rincorsa, they might be rewarded if they enter when their horse is in a good position, or their enemy is in a bad position. The jockeys also make deals, so you don’t know if they are trying to win or just block another rider. Perhaps this explains why the Sienese name for jockeys

is assassini (assassins).

Without warning the Rincorsa bolts across the starting line and a cannon fires to signal the race is on. Our Aquila jockey hasn’t recovered from last night and is late off the line.

The racetrack is not a perfect oval. Walls jut out at crazy, dangerous angles, especially in Turn 2 where we’re sitting. The walls are padded to protect the horses, but that doesn’t prevent collisions.

Jockeys are sometimes separated from their mounts (remember, they’re riding bareback). A riderless horse is not disqualified. The first horse to cross the finish line – with or without a jockey –wins.

The lead changes constantly – and suddenly. Which fuels the excitement. And the delirium of the crowd. One minute your horse is at the back of the pack. Two breaths later, he’s charging to the lead.

Going into the final lap, it looks to be a two-horse race between Nicchio (Seashell) and Oca (Goose). Meanwhile the Eagle has landed, crashing in Turn 2 and never finishing the race.

The crowd is on its feet. It’s a photo finish. The winner is . . .

Goose! The Oca neighborhood faithful

rush onto the racetrack, flags waving, tears of joy overflowing. They hug and kiss the jockey and hoist him onto their shoulders,

singing songs of joy. The winning horse is marched into church and down the aisle for a blessing.

Guy J. Santangelo (1917-2008)

Charles A. Santangelo (1953-1993) Jodie Santangelo

Emily A. Santangelo, Mgr.

Palio jockeys race bareback just as they have since 1656.

Here They Go Again... Late-breaking IRS change

In a last minute about face, the IRS is rolling back the requirement for thirdparty payment providers to issue 1099-Ks for anyone receiving payments over $600 in 2022. They are moving the reporting requirement back to $20,000 in activity and 200 or more transactions as they transition to the lower threshold in 2023.

Why the change

The bottom line? The IRS is not ready to figure out how to automate the auditing of those under-reporting their income from things like Ebay, Esty and Amazon sales or from sales of tickets and other goods through payment systems like Venmo and Ticketmaster.

What does not change

While this last-minute change may keep you from receiving a 1099-K this year, don’t count on it. Many providers are already geared up to send them out and will probably do so, since the IRS reprieve in reporting is temporary. So keep your eyes open for these forms throughout January and early February.

While the IRS informational return

reporting is temporarily changing, what is not changing is your requirement to report this income. So if you have activities that provide income to you, including your side hustle buying and selling event tickets, that activity is reportable on your tax return. Stay tuned

In further developments, Congress is up to their old tricks in changing the rules at the end of the year. Preliminary review, of the yet unsigned bill, indicates the major changes will impact 2023 and beyond. So stay tuned, future tax tips will lay out the basic tax law changes and how you can take advantage of them.

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The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.

Hellen Keller

Variables That Elevate Risk for MS

Multiple sclerosis cases are on the rise. According to the MS International Federation, the estimated number of people with MS globally increased from 2.3 million in 2013 to 2.8 million in 2020.

As diagnoses rise across the globe, it can be useful for people from all walks of life to learn the various risk factors for MS, which affects the brain and spinal cord and causes various symptoms, including vision loss, fatigue and impaired coordination. Though the National Multiple Sclerosis Society notes that the cause of MS is not known, the organization reports that several factors are believed contribute to the overall risk.

• Geographic gradient: Epidemiologists, who study disease patterns in large groups of people, know that MS occurs more frequently in areas that are farther from the equator. Though the reason behind that remains a mystery, studies have shown that people born in areas considered high risk for MS who move or migrate to areas with lower risks for the disease before the age of 15 assume the risk of their new area. The NMSS says this suggests that exposure to some environmental agent prior to puberty may predispose a person to develop MS later in life.

• Vitamin D: The NMSS reports that low vitamin D levels in the blood have

been identified as a risk factor for MS. In fact, because the sun is a natural source of vitamin D, some researchers feel that exposure to sunlight could explain the geographic component of MS risk. Individuals who live closer to the equator are exposed to greater amounts of sunlight year-round than others, which increases their levels of naturally-produced vitamin D.

• Smoking: Studies have indicated that smoking is another factor related to an increased risk for MS. The NMSS also indicates that smoking is associated with more severe disease and a more rapid progression of it. Recognition of this link is significant, but it’s equally important that current smokers know that stopping smoking — either before or after the onset of MS — is linked to a slower progression of disability.

• Obesity: The NMSS reports that obesity in childhood and adolescence, particularly in girls, also increases the risk of MS later in life. Young adults should know that a similar link has been found between MS and obesity in early adulthood. MS diagnoses are on the rise. Recognition of the variables that can contribute to such a diagnosis can help people better understand their risk.

Match Your Winter Skin Care Routine with Your Active Lifestyle

Winter weather can pose some unique challenges to your skin, especially if you’re trying to maintain an active workout routine. Exposure to the elements while exercising outdoors can have a harsh impact on the skin. On the other hand, the humidity and constant running of heaters can also wreak havoc if the weather forces you to work out indoors.

“The winter season can be a challenge for those trying to maintain their workout regimens, especially this year when many people are staying closer to home,” said Dr. Jeanine Downie, board-certified dermatologist and Medline Remedy consultant. “An outdoor workout is a great way to get some fresh air and burn calories, but it’s also important to nourish your skin before and after you’ve completed your workout.”

Just like establishing a good winter workout routine, there are some things you can do to keep your skin in shape all winter long. Use sunscreen any time you venture outdoors and dress for whatever elements you may be facing. Be sure to remove wet clothes, which can create friction and skin irritation, immediately

after returning inside. Limit the length of hot showers, which can also dry out skin, and use a quality moisturizer, especially after exposure to harsh weather.

Learn more about winter skin care at remedyderm.com

Long-Lasting Moisture

When you spend time working out outdoors, your body’s natural hydration is more prone to evaporating. That, in turn, can lead to dry skin. Whether you’re battling rough skin or simply want to help keep your skin hydrated, a clinically tested lotion can help maintain the skin’s natural defenses. After spending time outside and every time you wash your hands or bathe, help retain moisture for up to 24 hours with an option like Remedy Dermatology Series Body Lotion, which includes safflower oleosomes for lasting moisturization with natural oils. Its smooth, rich formula absorbs quickly, leaving skin feeling soft with no greasy or oily residue.

Enriched Skin Nutrition

Repeated exposure to the winter elements can take a toll, leading to dry, cracked and dehydrated skin. A quality lotion that matches your skin type can help. Formulated by skin care specialists for dry,

dehydrated skin, Remedy Dermatology Hand & Body Moisturizing Cream contains soothing antioxidants and vitamins that support skin nutrition. The fragrance-free, hypoallergenic cream goes on rich and thick but still absorbs readily into the skin

to help it stay hydrated. The proprietary botanical blend of humectants, manuka honey, natural oil emollients, ceramides and botanical nutrition is also free of 80 of the most common allergens that contribute to skin sensitivity. (Family Features)

Photo courtesy of Getty Images