No. 19 Vol. 8
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Denville Art Teacher and Her Students Take to the Playground to Create Mural
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By Steve Sears ue Sylvester, in her 6th year as an art teacher at Denville’s Riverview Elementary School, was formerly a corporate graphic designer. Then she headed to Montclair State University to get her certification to teach what she loves. “Here I am,” she says happily, “and it’s all good.” And, Sylvester, who says she’s “always creating,” encourages the same in her students, and Riverview’s graduating 5th grade class recently created something pretty profound. Sylvester, a College of New Jersey graduate, explains. “My Principal, Tina Theodoropoulos, had approached me and said, ‘Sue, I would love to have a mural done, because this past pandemic year was so challenging, but also just to show we have all dared greatly.’” Coincidentally, a few years back Theodoropoulos had required reading of author Brene Brown’s book, Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. “Making yourself vulnerable, putting yourself out there, kind of like taking the leap out of your own comfort box and doing something really fantastic, which we all we’re very proud of surviving this pandemic,” says Sylvester. “And, in general, how we dare greatly into the future.” The colorfully created mural – an aloft rocket ship powered by flames and surrounded by yellow stars and the words “Dare Greatly” - is on display on the playground itself at the Riverview Annex property. Sylvester’s son, Stephen, an aerial drone photographer, also used his talent to get a super shot of the work. “I have never been approached about a project of this size and dimension,” says Sylvester. “In fact, I dared greatly on this, and I told the students that. I never did a blacktop mural, let alone something of that scale. It’s rather large and it took a lot of effort and a lot of planning. This wasn’t like, ‘Okay, let me just whip this up.’ I want to say that they (the students) were almost the ‘Founding Fathers’ of possible projects to come in the future.” It was decided that the mural project would be a farewell project for the 5th grade, something they could reflect on as they headed to middle school and their future. Sylvester coordinated it with the 5th grade staff and students, she sketched and laid it out for them, and did some Home Depot color shopping. “They (the students) literally sat down and they kind of did shift work; they kind of worked themselves in and out so every student had an opportunity to paint.”
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If you are thinking about selling your home, finding out it’s value is the place to start. Sylvester went in at mural conclusion and added a few details, but she praises the great effort. “For the most part they did a beautiful job. They just had such excitement in their minds. One little boy he said to me, ‘Ms. Sylvester, when I come back when I’m 90, I’m going to look at that and say, ‘I painted that star.’ It was a really great project to be part of.” Due to the types of materials and paint used, the mural won’t disappear anywhere anytime soon. Future students will enjoy and be inspired by it. “I might have to probably touch it up here and there over the years,” says Sylvester, “but for the most part, it will kind of stick around for a while.” The mural can be seen at the Riverview Elementary School Annex located at St. Mary’s Place in Denville.
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Denville Resident Uses Love of Poetry to Help Others
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By Steve Sears 1-year-old Denville resident, Tohm Bakelas, has always loved poetry, and writing in general. Glamorous, though? Nah. Real life and deep down, tough experiences? Sure. “The biggest influence I’d say for me was finding (poet) Charles Bukowski,” he says. “You know, he doesn’t rhyme. He just says it how it is and there’s just a real grit to it that I think is unmatched.” It’s that same grit that he sees in the writers he publishes for Between Shadows Press, a small press publication started in January 2021. “They (the writers) are really just getting down and dirty and they’re writing what they think, what they feel, and it’s not always pretty. That’s what I like.” Bakelas, who was born and raised in Denville, started his press with a good heart and as a means of reciprocating his received good fortune. “Just as a means to put out my friends’ work, as well as my own work. I’ve been writing poetry and have been
published probably consistently since about 2018, so this is sort of my way to give back.” From the age of 14 to 27, Bakelas was consistently in punk rock bands. “I sang for Four Fingers, who did a United States tour and multiple weekend tours out of state, as well as all over the Garden State. And then I most recently sang for Permanent Tension and we just played in state.” Being in both those bands influenced his poetry and what he does with his small press. “As it was with the bands, as it is now with poetry, it’s not about making money, it’s about getting something that I believe in out.” Thus far, Between Shadows Press has published 46 chapbooks, 2 broadsides (a poem printed on a single sheet), and a journal. “These are people with regular jobs,” he says of the writers, “and nobody that I’m aware of that I’ve published to date is from the academia world. It’s all just local people: bartenders or people with families, social workers like myself, just people working jobs and that’s it. Nobody’s looking
to make it big, they’re just wanting to get some words out there.” And for Bakelas, who has taken part in readings in Montclair and Somerville and publishes international as well as domestic writers, there is give and take. “I guess maybe finding the time to print everybody’s work while also focusing on my own creativity is sometimes a challenge,” he says. You sense in his voice it’s a good dilemma. Ultimately for Bakelas, it’s a love for the written word and actually the act of writing which gives him his drive. Currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Bakelas also realizes that, as life goes on, everyone gets older, responsibilities change, and people have families. “The bands eventually died,” says the Rutgers University grad in retrospect, “and it was just sort of like an easy transition. Going from writing lyrics to the poetry just made sense. You’ve got to write with your heart, mind and soul, and if somebody relates to it, I think in a way that’s a victory. Even with bands and I’d say the
Tohm Bakelas. Photo courtesy of Tohm Bakelas.
same with poetry, I don’t write for anybody but myself, and if somebody can find some sort of peace in it or relatability, then I, in a way, have won. I’ve accomplished something that I didn’t expect.” For more information about Bakelas and his own writing, visit www. tohmbakelaspoetry.wordpress.com. The website for Between Shadows Press is www. betweenshadowspress.bigcartel.com.
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Denville Man Celebrates 100th Birthday on the Fourth of July
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By Steve Sears for a long time. It was a short romance and alter Mutz of Denville, who has then they got married.” The couple was wed lived in the township for over at Saint Leo’s Church in Irvington on April 20, 50 years, celebrated his 100th 1947. birthday on July 4th. Mutz recalls his early days in Denville. “It Mutz is a United States Marine veteran, was kind of a rural area,” he says, he and his having served in World War II. Initially wife finding the community welcoming after deployed to Bermuda for three years, he they moved there in 1957 from Maplewood. then served in the Pacific Theater with the They had already started a family, Casse at Marines 7th Division and later in Okinawa that time 14-months-old. and China. After the war, Mutz joined the United On Friday, July 2, Mayor Thomas Andes States Army reserves and served full-time visited Mutz at his home and presented him in the National Guard. After 38 years in the with an official proclamation “in recognition latter, he retired at age 57, but still remained of his Service to our Country, character, work active in town. When Denville had a civil ethic, love for his family and in celebration defense unit, Mutz helped out the police of his 100th birthday,” and that the next department, and he also worked for Steve’s three days be proclaimed “Walter K. Mutz Men’s Shop in town as well as Tommy Dean Weekend.” The party on Independence Day Home for Services Inc. took place at his granddaughter’s home, And then there’s his family. “He had a lot Mutz celebrating hitting the century mark of grandchildren,” says Casse, “so they were with 60 people which included family and always involved with their grandchildren, Walter Mutz celebrates birthday #100 surrounded by his family friends. whether it was babysitting or sports or “It was a great weekend,” says Judy whatever, so they were always involved with Casse, Mutz’s daughter. them.” In addition to Casse and her four Helen Mutz, Walter’s wife of 72 years, who served in the United States Navy during World siblings, Mutz has 16 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. War II, passed away in December of 2019. “We’re very fortunate,” says Casse. “I’m 65 years old and I have older siblings, and we’re “They met at a dance,” Casse says. “At a dance after the war was over.” very fortunate that we have our father still around for all these years. It’s a testament to what “Oh yeah,” says Mutz, recollecting the time he first laid eyes on Helen Catherine Chapman. a good life he’s had. And my mother was 96 when she passed away, so they both had a very “It was just a regular dance.” And when asked if it was love at first sight, he responds, “No,” wonderful life together.” with a laugh. As he now has moved into his 101st year, Mutz’s wish is for one thing. “Good luck.” “There must have been something,” says Judy, also with a chuckle. “And they didn’t court
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The 200 Club of Morris County Supports First Responders Through Membership Events!
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By Janet Rapisardi he 200 Club of Morris County President Jim Rizzo announces the success of the Club’s first 2021 New Member’s Welcome Event supporting Morris County EMS, Fire, Police and New Jersey State Police active-duty members and their families. The event was hosted by Jersey Girl Brewing Co. in Mt. Olive, owned by Board member and owner Chuck Aaron. Board members and supporters welcomed 45 members including several retired Chiefs of Police. President Rizzo stated that this premier event will be followed by three special 200 Club Member Welcoming events this year. The lively evening including a Brewery Tour at the 10,000 square foot Brew House where all members enjoyed specialty craft beers generously provided by Chuck Aaron along with abundant appetizers and light fare, courtesy of Enzo’s Ristorante & Pizzeria of Mt. Olive. As an event-planning destination, Jersey Girls Brewery provided the perfect venue for the evening’s event, boasting a Sample Room with high top
tables and an outdoor Beer Garden. President Rizzo mentioned that special thanks for the successful evening was due to well-deserved efforts of Event Chairperson V.P. Rob D’Emideo, Membership Committee Chair V.P. Joe Jannerone, Chairman of the Board Bill Lockwood and current Board and club members. The Mission of the 200 Club of Morris County is to provide financial support to the grieving families of our public safety heroes who lose their lives in the line of duty and scholarship funding for qualified dependents. To date, the Club has disbursed more than $5 million. Join us today! Membership is an excellent way to connect with local business leaders and engage with fellow Club members while supporting Morris County’s best! Be our +1; You can make a difference! Call 973-6307933 or info@200clubofmorriscounty.com and use code 06JRJR21. When signing as a New Member on a New Member welcome evening event; Enjoy the Welcome event, on us!
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Denville PAL Hockey Celebrates 50 Years
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By Steve Sears n 1971, Denville resident Joseph McGavin needed to do something. The father of 7 had four sons who played hockey daily in the winter, and his backyard became a rink with 60 kids skating all day long, and he got tired of clearing the ice. As a result, McGavin founded what eventually became Denville Blue Knights PAL Hockey, a non-profit, youth hockey organization serving Denville, Boonton, Mountain Lakes, Montville, Parsippany and neighboring towns that are minus a youth hockey program. Open to boys and girls ages 4 to 14 years, it teaches skill and enjoyment of the game, but also encourages sportsmanship as well. “It started as the Indian Lake Hockey team; they played one game that first year at the pee wee level against Lake Telemark,” McGavin, who was actively involved with the program until 1989, recalls. “Then it became the Colonial Hockey League (now the New Jersey Colonials travel team – they bought the rights to the name), and then Denville Youth Hockey was born.” Bill Ryden, in his third season as President of the Denville Blue Knights PAL Hockey, explains its platform. “As far as the philosophy of the program,” he says,
“at the end of the day it’s to get the kids to understand teamwork, and then respect – respect for their teammates and respect for the game – and to understand that it’s not always about winning and losing.” Also, a key component to the program which was instituted towards the end of last season is, “You win or you learn.” “Every time you go out there,” adds Ryden, “you’re learning something, and if you lose but learn from a mistake, then you’ve really won.” The Denville Blue Knights PAL Hockey offers something different perhaps than what other communities may offer. They have a goalie coach for their young goaltenders. “That position tends to get overlooked by a lot of the coaches,” says Ryden, whose son is a goalie. “They don’t even they don’t understand the position, or the goaltender gets put into drills as a prop for your shooters, and their growth - their youth growth - doesn’t really get achieved. What they need is different than what the players need. But at the same time, we try to incorporate them in.” Another benefit of the program is not only for the kids, but for the local high schools. McGavin explains. “It is a feeder to the high school program, and Morris County has some of the most competitive
The 1976 Denville Blue Knights PAL Hockey Bantam team. Photo courtesy of Denville Blue Knights PAL Hockey
high school hockey in the state. Morris Knolls has one of the strongest public school hockey programs in the state and the kids need to be ready to play at that level. Playing together from a young age helps with the comradery.” He then adds proudly, “My grandson Andrew won 2 state championships at Morris Knolls.”
The Blue Knights play in the Morris County Youth Hockey League, which is governed by USA Hockey. The program offers four levels: Mites (beginners), Squirts (ages 9 – 10), Peewees (11 -12), and Bantams (13 – 14). For more information about Denville PAL Hockey, www.denvillepalhockey.com.
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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • August 2021 • Page 9
Is It Difficult For Your Child To Concentrate? Do you notice your child may have difficulty sitting still, trouble focusing and following directions ? If so, have you ever thought of chiropractic care before?
Denville Rotary Clubs Answer the Urgent Call for Blood Donors
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s the New York Blood Center (NYBC) says, stepping on a Lego brick with your bare foot hurts, doesn’t it? So does hitting your thumb with a hammer! A lot of things hurt, but donating blood to save lives isn’t one of them. This year, a rise in the number of trauma cases, organ transplants, and elective surgeries that require blood products has depleted inventories, so the need for blood donors is great. For over 11 years, The Denville Rotary Club and the Denville Sunrise Rotary Club have sponsored monthly blood drives with NYBC. Thanks to the generous donors from Denville and surrounding towns, 2021 is proving to be an especially successful year for the clubs. Through July of this year, the two Rotary
clubs have combined to collect 400 units of blood, saving 1,200 lives, which surpasses 2019 and even 2020, during the height of the pandemic. The last blood drive on July 14 netted 53 units of blood, so if they can maintain the current pace for the rest of this year, the clubs will exceed last year’s volume by 6%. According to NYBC, in a geographical area with almost 300 active blood drives, Denville’s two Rotary clubs rank #8 in the number of donations received. The next NYBC Rotary-sponsored blood drive is August 25, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Denville Municipal Building, 1 St. Mary’s Place. If you would like to donate, please call 800-933-2566. Just one donation can save up to 3 lives.
What’s happening in your school or organization? Celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, graduation? Have a human interest story or something you would like to share? Email us at editor@mylifepublications.com
Nervous system imbalance has to due with the neurons miss firing in the frontal cortex region of the brain which deals with organization and focusing. The back of the brain is referred to as the basal ganglia and when there is a “short circuiting” or it becomes over stimulated it causes the person to be impulsivity and inattentive. Incorporation of chiropractic care can help the cortex and basal ganglia regions of the brain to balance the signals and allow a person to be able to sit still, focus and follow directions better. You haven’t tried everything until you tried chiropractic.
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Temple Beth Am is an Affordable Choice Two years ago Temple Beth Am embarked on a new model for our congregation. We wanted one which would help to better meet the needs of our congregants and those unaffiliated Jews in the area. We realized that temple dues and religious school costs can be obstacle for many. We decided to adjust our dues and to provide free temple membership to those families with children in religious school. This significantly reduced the cost to some families by over 70%. In addition, as a result of COVID, we had reduced our temple dues by an additional 50%. We decided to continue the 50% dues reduction for one additional year through June 30, 2022. Dues and Religious School fees for the upcoming year July 2021 through June 2022 Dues $325 per person (50% reduction) Children under the age of 24 are free. Religious School Fees • First child grades 3- 7 $1,250 (Includes free temple dues) • Second child grades 3-7 $1,000 (Includes free temple dues) • Pre K through grades 2 $180 • Torah Tots – once per month – no charge, registration required • Confirmation class - $625 ($475 if there is another child in religious school) For more information, please call our office at 973-887-0046 Check out our blog TBA2-0.org for more information about Temple Beth Am. There are no strangers at Temple Beth Am, only friends you have yet to meet.
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I Remember Dad:
Remembrances of the God and Country Award
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By Richard Mabey Jr. uthor’s Note: My dad and the late Reverend Fred Herwaldt, of the First Reformed Church of Lincoln Park, worked together as a team, to provide a wholesome, educational, quality year-long program for Boy Scouts to earn the God and Country Award. Most people think that when my dad stepped down from his 28-year service as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 170 in 1994, that he had totally retired from volunteer service in scouting. Nothing could be further from the truth. Dad was 66 years old when he retired as Scoutmaster of good old Troop 170. He had already had a heart attack. It was becoming more and more difficult for him to put a full pack on his back and lead the boys on a hike on the Appalachian Trail. It became more and more difficult for him to camp out. But my father wasn’t about to give up on his ministry to serve others. My dad firmly believed that it was better to shape a boy to become a moral gentleman than to rehabilitate a wayward man. And thus, in 1994 my dad began serving as an Advisor for the Boy Scouts of America’s Protestant religious award, God and Country, through the First Reformed Church of Lincoln Park. Dad worked closely with the late Reverend Fred Herwaldt, in leading the yearlong classes in order for the scouts to earn the God and Country Award. Dad served as an Advisor for the God and Country Award from 1994 till 2000. During this time, Dad touched
the hearts and minds of many boys, guiding them to follow the golden light of truth, to follow a moral compass, and to love the Lord. The God and Country Award is a combination of scholastic study of the Holy Bible interweaved with very practical ways for a boy to apply the teachings of the Bible to serve his family, church, and community. I often reflect on how many boys’ lives my father touched through his 36-year service as a volunteer Scout Leader. For Dad had served two years as Committeeman in Troop 170, from 1964 to 1966. He served 28 years as Scoutmaster of Troop 170, from 1966 to 1994. And, Dad served six years as an Advisor for the God and Country Award. At the end of the year-long classes, Dad and Reverend Herwarldt would lead the boys on a day-long hike on the Appalachian Trail, starting at High Point, New Jersey and ending in eastern Pennsylvania. I had the high honor to also lead the scouts on this adventurous hike, each year. One of the highlights, of this annual sojourn, was that we would all stop along the trail and cook lunch. After lunch, Dad and Reverend Herwaldt would lead the scouts in an informal church service beneath the oaks, the maples, and the evergreens. The boys would sit on logs and rocks, just a few yards off from the trail. It was such always such a meaningful and heart-moving little time. Both, Dad and Reverend Herwaldt, have since passed away. I miss them both, all so very much. Few people know of the many hours that these two gentlemen put into having
A photo of my dad (right hand side) and Reverend Fred Herwaldt. This picture was taken in the early Summer of 1995, after the annual God and Country Award Ceremony. The scouts were always presented their well-earned God and Country Award, during a church service at the First Reformed Church of Lincoln Park.
a very successful God and Country Award program. For all their selfless hard work, I am so very grateful. For truly, they touched the lives of so very many boys. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@hotmail.com. Please put on the subject line: My Life Publications.
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Danceworks Is Getting Ready for Season 29!
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he 2020-2021 season at Danceworks was unlike any other year. But dancers had a great time in class and were able to finish their season strong with an unforgettable outdoor recital. Classes at Danceworks ran in a hybrid fashion all year long. Since the studio capacity was limited to 25% from July 2020 through February 2021, students who wished to come to the studio for class followed a rotating schedule taking class on alternate weeks virtually from home. The studio implemented stateof-the-art technology to ensure that all
students would have the same experience whether it was their week in the studio or they preferred to be at home. Large monitors were installed in each dance room so that the instructors would have a great view of their students. The stations were hard-wired to the internet for optimal performance. The instructors wore body mics and the music for class was sent directly through a mixer into the computer so that the dancers would not experience background noise and could hear their continued on page 12
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Welcome home to this sparling ranch. Beautiful corner lot with private fenced in back yard. Lots of parking in driveway and plus a oversized 2 car garage offering plenty of space for all the extras not to mentioned the high ceilings within. Lovely paver walk way to front door. Hardwood flooring through out , modern and spacious eat in kitchen features granite counter tops, skylight, recessed lighting, soft close cabinet doors and more! Formal dining area. 4 bedrooms with 2 on each side. 2 full baths. Walk in closets. Sliders to new Trex decking also feature built in blinds! Enjoy the 4 season room with lots of windows for natural lighting, wood stove and walk out to back yard perfect for entertaining or relaxing! Large shed. Full basement. Central air. Ceiling fans. Just minutes to all major highways & bus
Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp.
$354,900
“One of a Kind 3 BR Col. Home” which has an Artistic Influence which can be appreciated throughout the home. Feat. inc. inviting foyer, w/ beaut. leaded glass french doors to Liv.Rm, Formal Dining Rm. or Fam Rm. w/leaded glass door to rear deck, Updated Kit. cabinets have quartz ctr.tops, lg pantry. Updated full bath on first floor w/glass enclosed shower, modern vanity. Second level w/ 3 BR’s, full bathroom & walk-up attic. other feat: roof 2017, refinished bsmt w/french drains, vinyl privacy fence, lg rocking chair porch, wlk-up attic, private back yard, 2 car garage, storage shed
Roxbury Twp.
$432,500
Perfectly situated in the heart of Succusunna is this 3BR, 2.5 Ba Expanded Ranch w/lg deck overlooking beautiful park-like level yard. Features of home incl. inviting LR and DR w/vaulted ceilings, Eat-In Country Kit. w/dinette area also vaulted ceiling, Large Master Bedroom Suite with plenty of closet area. Updated Master Bathroom with whirlpool tub, glass enclosed corner shower, tile flooring. other features are: C/A,Whole House Generac Brand Generator, 2 Car Garage, Lg. Storage shed in rear yard also an attached storage shed to garage, full basement, propane tanks for generator only. Home is close to houses of worship, shopping, major hwys. Rts, 10,46,80, 287
©2021 CENTURY 21 REAL ESTATE LLC. CENTURY 21® is a trademark licensed to Century 21 Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. | Equal Housing Opportunity. Each office is independently owned and operated. All information deemed relible but not guaranteed. Prices subject to change. If your poperty is currently listed with a real estate broker please disregard this offer.
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Danceworks...
continued from page 11 teacher clearly. Virtual students were included in class discussions and were able to get feedback and ask questions just as if they were physically in the room. The studio followed many new Covid protocols including having all of the dancers and staff wear masks at all times. Dancers remained distanced in the dance rooms and classes were modified so that each student had their own space. Danceworks also sanitized each dance room between every single class using hospital-grade and environmentally friendly disinfectant in a low-volume sprayer. Additionally, a covidapproved iWave air scrubber was installed in the building’s ventilation and the air is continually cleaned twenty-four hours a day. Other adjustments included barre covers for ballet students that were sanitized after each use, hand sanitizer in every room, and health checks at the door for all students and staff. Danceworks is proud to share that the new procedures kept the studio covidfree all season. Despite a few students being affected elsewhere, there was no spread in the studio and Danceworks did not have to shut down due to exposure at any time. By March the studio’s capacity was able to increase per Governor Murphy and more students were allowed to come in and
dance together in the studio. The dancers began to prepare for their end-of-year performance “On Broadway”, and were able to work in slightly larger groups. The instructors worked hard to make sure the transition from dancing with some dancers in the room and some dancers on Zoom to dancing all together at dress rehearsal went smoothly. After a full dress rehearsal in the studio’s parking lot, the dancers enjoyed an outdoor recital in a beautiful Greek theater on June 6th. As Danceworks winds up their summer session, they are enjoying many new dancers back in the studio. Fall 2021 will be a great time as the dancers get back to dancing together weekly. Danceworks will keep all of the new cleaning and maintenance procedures in place as they take steps to get back to normal operations. Zoom will still be available for students who need it occasionally, but they are looking forward to having full in-person classes once again. Danceworks offers classes in tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary and modern and there are options for ages 2-adult. Alumni have gone on to enjoy college dance programs and careers in the field. Danceworks has been operating in Denville since 1993. Owner and Director, Christine
Kohler is certified by Associated Dance Teachers of New Jersey and Dance Masters of America. Students at Danceworks enjoy high-quality dance education from professional instructors in a supportive
and non-competitive environment. If you would like to join Danceworks for their 29th season, please contact them at info@ danceworksdenville.com or visit their website at DanceworksDenville.com.
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It Happened in Our Town: A Small-Town Cop and a Big Town Bust: A Story of Denville During World War II
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by Peter Zablocki orld War II witnessed some of the biggest sacrifices ever made by our nation’s citizenry, our states, and our towns. As the small town sent their young men and women to fight in arguably the greatest conflict the world had ever seen, Denville was not much different. Those that remained found themselves strapped down with food and gas shortages, rationing, and scrap drives. Yet, even in the darkest of times, there were still individuals willing to break the law. What they did not account for was a small-town cop who just would not let it go. The Denville Police Department was established on September 2, 1936. At the time, it consisted of a Chief of Police and one Patrolman. In nine short years, the department had grown to the Chief, Harry Jenkins, and three patrolmen; Sam Gill, Jack Kelly, and Arthur Strathman. Interestingly, it was not for another nearly ten years before they had a dedicated building with a holding cell. At the time of the events described here, the department often worked out of the Chief’s home. According to an editorial in the Denville paper from February 22, 1945, small-town police officers at the time were often viewed as “hick cops” by cartoonists and the media alike. Often laughed at for keeping busy with their routine guarding of school children, listening to complaints about dogs and neighbors, and other “dull” duties such as traffic duty for weddings and funerals; they were the laughing stock for the big-time city detectives with their “…interesting sinfulness upon which [they] fed.” The notorious group responsible for thousands of dollars’ worth of robberies in and around New Jersey’s big cities, seemed to evade the police at every turn. “But then they pulled off just one little job in a ‘hick town’ of Denville, and look what happened…” boasted the editor of
the Denville Herald. The main newspaper for the Morris County town, incorporated merely thirty years prior, went on to explain how a small town police chief, one of only four police officers employed by the town, went after the criminals with “patience, determination, and intelligence.” What bigcity detectives with their Philip Marloweesque outfits and Sam Spade’s cool attitude could not accomplish for months, Chief Jenkins of the Denville Police Department took three days to crack. In turn, the local hero uncovered a ring numbering 15 men and women and subsequently solved a series of wartime theft and robbery cold cases throughout the Garden State. ----------------------Perhaps there was a reason why a truck normally parked inside a locked-up garage with others like it at the Essex News Company in Newark, NJ was left outside, yet Morris Hochhouser could care less. This was exactly what he needed for a small job with a big payoff. The location of the theft as well as the plan, had been drawn up earlier in the week during one of his runs as a delivery driver for a local distillery. The Lysaght’s Liquor Store on Main Street in Denville, NJ was a no-brainer. After making his delivery in the small town a week prior, Morris informed his accomplices of the quaint little spot with a Police force of barely four men, with one on sick leave. In comparison to the greater heists in Linden and Newark – both of New Jersey, where the group stole thousands of dollars in cigarettes and liquor; this was going to be a nice side job. Heck, the police in Newark were still scratching their heads after Morris’ group robbed jewelry stores of thousands of dollars of merchandise. Morris was a little late when he finally parked the stolen truck directly in front of Denville’s United Cigar Store on Broadway, the town’s road parallel to Main Street. He did not anticipate the truck to give him as much trouble as it had to try to hotwire it.
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The young man exited the stolen vehicle and walked between the buildings towards Main Street and Lysaght’s Store. On his way, he passed Dorothy Raleigh sitting in the passenger seat of a parked Buick sedan. The girl smiled at him, and he smiled back. Perfect, he thought to himself after looking in the back seat of the car. August Kaleta
had removed the car’s back seat as he was told; just in case they were able to locate the liquor store’s safe. A small town, a small store, a small safe. No use trying to crack the safe; why not just take the whole thing with them. It was a late Sunday night in February, continued on page 15
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It Happened in Our Town... continued from page 14 the town, still adhering to blackout war restrictions, was pitch black. Still, it was a good idea to have Dorothy keep a lookout, just in case. Upon approaching the store and putting out his cigarette on the defunct light pole, Morris saw that August and Thor were already inside picking out their loot. It was time. Turning around almost as fast as he arrived at the sidewalk, he walked past the Buick and back to his truck. There was no time for a smile on the second passing. After bringing the truck around the back, Morris and his gang loaded it as fast as they could, selecting only the nationally recognized and advertised brands of liquor, and leaving the local brews behind. At one-point Dorothy thought she saw someone walking towards the car at the end of the street, but before she could get out and warn the men, the shadow had disappeared. It must have been the nerves. Dorothy and August were barely 3 miles away from Denville, driving east bound on Route 6, (today State Route 46), when they noticed the stolen truck they were following veer off to the side and slowly come to a stop in Parsippany; just a few minutes away from the scene of the crime. The truck was overheating. Morris was starting to get the idea as to why the truck was left outside the garage at the Essex News Co. Shortly after
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stopping at a nearby house and asking a local for some water to fill the radiator, his worst fears came to fruition. By the time they reached Livingston, still a ways off from their designated holdout in Newark, the truck had quit altogether. Forced to get it off the road, the foursome hitched the heavy truck to the Buick sedan and towed it a block away to a side street. Leaving the loaded truck behind, Morris knew that time was now of the essence. They needed to figure out how to get the loot back to their holdout and simply abandon the stolen vehicle. By the time the four of them reached Newark, it was decided that Morris would report to work at his delivery service company a bit earlier, and backtrack quickly to meet the other three in Livingston where they would transfer the stolen goods into the work truck and then quickly stash them before he started his shift. Returning to Newark after completing their plan, they stowed the cases in August’s one-car garage. Morris once again smiled at Dorothy as he drove away for his morning shift at the National Biscuit Company. All was well. ----------------------Chief Harry Jenkins began his seemingly helpless search Monday morning as a phone call from the owner of the liquor store woke him up before his customary 6:00 a.m. cup of coffee. There wasn’t much to go on. He
told the owner that he would stop by as soon as he did his rounds around town. On his drive, in the only police car the town had commissioned, the Chief began to ponder the approach he would take. This was a small town, someone had to have seen something. He wasn’t wrong. By the afternoon, he had already learned that an Essex County News truck was seen around the town center the night of the crime. How could someone think of doing something so wrong to others in the time of war; weren’t they all in it together? It wasn’t even about the stolen property, but the fact that it happened in such a small town – his town. And on the busiest street to boot. Blackout was no excuse. After sending out a bulletin, Harry took a drive to the Essex News Co. garage where he was told that the truck in question had been in poor condition and hence left outdoors; from where it was stolen. By the time he returned to Denville, a message awaited him; the truck had been found abandoned in Livingston. At this point, it seemed like this was going to be another cold case. The connection to other thefts and burglaries never crossed his mind. His only concern was for his town and for its people who were already stressed awaiting the news of their children fighting overseas, with the newspapers reporting that same day of two more deaths of local boys overseas. There was no reason for the people of Denville
to feel unsafe in their own homes. From the Livingston report, Jenkins learned that the stolen truck had a rope tied to its front bumper and would not start. It was obvious that the loot had to be transferred to another vehicle of similar size. He would keep that knowledge in his back pocket; for now. Back at his home for lunch, his wife made him his second cup of coffee and filled him in on the news of their boy, Harry Jenkins continued on page 16
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It Happened in Our Town... continued from page 15 Jr., who had just completed his training and was shipped to fight the Axis across the ocean. Jenkins was not listening, he had one conviction circling in his mind. The criminal knew exactly how to get in and what to look for; being very selective in the process. Whoever was responsible, they had to have been in that storeroom recently to know the specific cases’ inventory and location. He could hear his wife’s displeasure loud and clear, even in her silence, as he excused himself and left through the front door. After getting the list he needed from the burglarized store owner, the Chief set out to visit the offices of the twenty different brewery, distillery, and delivery services that had been delivered to the store in the past two weeks. With each company employing anywhere between two to ten workers, Jenkins made sure he checked on every single one of them. By Wednesday, his search had finally brought him to two suspects, one of whom was a driver who worked for the National Biscuit Company in Newark. What drew Jenkins to the twenty-something-year-old was the fact that he had come to the garage for his truck on Monday at 3:30 a.m., but did not report with it to the plant across the street until 5:30 a.m. Where did one Morris
Hochhauser go with that truck for the two hours? The Chief was determined to find out. Upon further inquiry, he learned from the statements taken by the Livingston PD of a man seen wearing a [blue] windbreaker and a chauffeur cap near the broken-down Essex News Co. truck in the morning hours between Sunday and Monday. After picking up Morris after his shift had ended on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the National Biscuit Company, the Chief hardly needed an introduction as the company’s manager pointed out the young man in the blue windbreaker and a chauffeur cap. Before transferring the young man to the Newark Police Department for questioning that afternoon, Jenkins left one more message for the Livingston Police Department. As he arrived at the station, he excused himself to make a quick call, leaving the suspect in the hands of the Newark detectives. The questioning did not take too long before the young man’s story began to unravel. After placing Morris at the Denville store a week prior to the break-in through a delivery slip from the National Biscuit Company and providing evidence from the statement of a passerby who saw someone with Morris’ description and clothing near the stolen vehicle in Livingston, the Chief notified the young man that he just received
a confirmation that a National Biscuit Company truck matching the number that he signed out at 3:30 a.m. Monday morning was seen in Livingston around 4:00 a.m. After conferring with the company manager, Jenkins had learned that National Biscuit had no routes in or near that vicinity and there was no reason for that truck to be there. The interrogation lasted into the morning hours of Thursday until Morris finally conceded and confessed. Jenkins woke up on Thursday at 6:00 a.m. and made himself his cup of coffee. For the past three days, he had spent most of his time digging up information in Newark, Jersey City, Bayonne, Little Falls, and Livingston, with shorter visits to some other towns. He was tired. But he was not tired enough to see the store owner first thing in the morning to let him know that his stolen goods had been recovered. After giving up his three accomplices, Morris led the police to the safehouse in Newark, where other stolen goods were found besides those belonging to Lysaght’s Liquor Store. Chief Jenkins awaited the four to be brought back to Denville for arraignment on charges of burglary. By the time that happened, eleven more joined the initial four, as they attempted to make deals with the police by giving up their other co-conspirators. In the
process, Jenkins involuntary uncovered a criminal ring and solved a series of robberies and thefts that had baffled the police departments of Newark, Linden, Jersey City, and Bayonne. “I was just plugging,” proclaimed the Chief after being asked to comment on the letter published in the local paper by Charles E. Lysaght of Lysaght Liquors, praising the good fortune of the small town having such a great Chief. He then thanked the reporter and stepped back into the middle of the street to stop traffic for the nearby children leaving the Main Street School House. Such was the life of a small-town police officer. The war was not yet over and might not be over for a while yet, but the people of Denville could sleep feeling safe knowing that their grand police department of three and a half men was there to protect them. Whoever said that a small-town policeman’s life was dull compared to the big city detectives probably had not met Harry Jenkins, Chief of the Denville Police Department, and his crew. ----------------------Peter Zablocki is a local historian, VicePresident of the Denville Historical Society, and author of the upcoming Denville in World War II, available from The History Press/Arcadia Publishing
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Are You Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired? Exploring Another Treatment Option for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
hronic fatigue immunodeficiency syndrome (CFIS) also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a disabling and poorly understood illness that is becoming more widespread in Western countries. CFIS is a term used to describe a myriad of neurological, neuromuscular, and immunological abnormalities. The initial onset of CFIS consists of flu-like symptoms including fever, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, chills and extreme fatigue. The chronic manifestations of CFIS always include disabling fatigue but can also include muscle and joint pain, sleep disorders, headaches, hypo- or hypersensitivities, cognitive disorders, depression, malaise, anxiety, irritability, confusion, weight fluctuations, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, muscle fatigue, worsening PMS, visual disturbances, tachycardia, paresthesias, dry eyes, dry mouth, night sweats, skin rashes and decreased sexual desire. The etiology of CFIS is still unknown, but the suspected cause is a viral infection. Some researchers believe that CFIS is actually a neurological response to a viral infection. Since there are no absolute markers or lab tests to confirm the illness, chronic fatigue immunodeficiency syndrome is often diagnosed by symptoms alone and by process of elimination.
For the same reasons, western medicine has no treatment for chronic fatigue. Instead, doctors prescribe individual medications to deal with each of the associated symptoms. As with any illness, traditional Chinese medicine treats the individual on a case- bycase basis. A diagnosis is made based on the individual’s symptoms as well as their tongue and pulse presentations. The patient’s tongue is inspected and 6 pulses are felt on each wrist in order for the Acupuncturist/ Chinese Medical Practitioner to determine the diagnosis. Since chronic fatigue manifests differently in each person, this method of diagnosing is superior. The treatment plan is then formulated based on the individual’s diagnosis. As you can see in the chart- one Acupuncture treatment plan will address all of the individual’s symptoms as well as the illness as a whole. This is known as a root and branch treatment. Addressing the root cause of the chronic fatigue is addressing the illness as a whole while treating the branch aims to relieve all of the symptoms associated with the illness. A single Chinese herbal formula can also be prescribed to treat both the root and branch of the chronic fatigue syndrome. For more information about Acupuncture and Chronic Fatigue Immunodeficiency Syndrome, call Kearstin R. Tripi, L.Ac at Mt. Olive Acupuncture & Wellness 973-527-7978.
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Recalling Hurricane Irene’s Visit to Denville Ten Years Later
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By Steve Sears erhaps the words Township of Denville Mayor, Tom Andes, are the most apropos. “We expected it to be bad, but we didn’t expect it to be that bad,” says the thenCouncilman. On Saturday, August 27, 2011, Hurricane Irene passed through Denville, pelting it with 9 ½ inches of rain, on departure leaving the community in shambles. “There was a lot of loss from the hurricane,” says Chief of Police, Frank Perna, who in 2011 was a road sergeant. “You know, some of those people (residents) were used to it a little bit, but this was major loss. A lot of the houses collapsed on Riverside Drive. There were some major issues, a lot of businesses downtown that never came back.” Fire Department Chief, James Crothers, held the same role back in 2011. “It only happened one time before and that was in ’79. ’79 was not a hurricane; it was a January storm. We had a lot of snow and everything. That was the last time the town got flooded the way it did. It (Hurricane Irene) took me right back to when I was only in a couple of years, and it took me right back to that because we spent weeks in the
center of town pumping out basements and everything else for that one. I mean, I never thought we’d ever have something like that happening again, and then 2011 rolls around, and 2011 was actually worse than ‘79.” “I remember clearly that Saint Clare’s Denville was an island,” says Jan Bednar, currently Chief Nursing Officer at Saint Clare’s Hospital on Pocono Road. “We became so badly flooded that we literally had no access to Denville, and those of us that were here in Denville at the time, me being one, never left for three days because you could not get out of it.” Charlie Kerr was the hospital’s Chief of Security and headed as well the Emergency Preparedness at the facility. “We are always preparing, and in this particular case, with this hurricane and the forecast and the destruction caused in the other areas, we basically activated our command center early,” he explains. The leadership team for the hospital gathered, and all areas of services – operating room to outpatient, visitation, staffing levels, food and deliveries, and more – were discussed. “We basically conducted an inventory of all that stuff to make sure that we had enough at least to get us through the next 96 to 120
Pocono Road outside of Saint Clare’s Hospital under water.
hours.” As Perna recalls, the rivers overflowed. “We had a problem in town with flooding for a long, long time. If we got severe thunderstorms, we would get streets that would flood right along the river; the Rockaway River runs through us. Then it (the rain) stopped for a little bit, and then the hurricane came. It really hit us hard.
So, when I got in, the center was flooded. It was all flooded; the center was pretty high. Broadway and Bloomfield, First Avenue and Second Avenue - our downtown area had two to three feet of water up to the stores. So the whole downtown area was bad, and then there were certain other sections of town that people were cut off continued on page 20
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Recalling Hurricane Irene... continued from page 18 from. Because of the flooding, mandatory evacuations had to happen.” “There’s only so much you can do in the very beginning, besides take people out of their houses, evacuations, and just trying to keep people safe,” says Crothers. “That’s our first priority, and as fire chief, I had to make sure we had boats and everything ready. When we arrived late Saturday night and early Sunday morning, we started evacuating.” After the water receded two days later, clean up and pump outs began. “That became a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week job for us. And now, we’re all volunteers; we had guys taking off work. Basically, for the first week, I think I saw my family maybe for a couple of hours - that was it.” Saint Clare’s Hospital, located in a flood zone, had a lot of experience with adverse weather. “We’re very accustomed to it,” says Kerr, “except the only difference was this was an extreme. We were literally an island. We were inaccessible for a couple days.” Some staffers were moved to the Boonton and Dover locations to work, and the lots of these other facilities as well as local churches were used for employee
parking. Kerr also adds, “We’re fortunate that we have a great working relationship with our local and county OEM. They played a major support to us because the one thing - and I appreciate their services - was they always prioritized the hospital for obvious reasons.” Picatinny Arsenal was also a huge help, providing amphibian vehicles that were able to transport hospital employees as well as supplies into the facility. “And I do remember a woman - it was during the storm - who was going outside to bungee down her patio furniture, and the bungee cord gave way and it hit her in the eye, and she lost her eye,” says Bednar. “And I remember they brought her in. Being a trauma of the eye, we didn’t have the capability here to deal with it. We could not get an ophthalmologist to get into the building, and we needed to get her to Newark. And I remember that the Picatinny Arsenal vehicle came and took her for us.” Cars near Saint Clare’s sustained water damage and had to be towed, and a lot of the debris from upstream carried onto the parking lots and property. “It was really just a cleanup - it was a major cleanup of the mud that carried over into our parking
lots,” remembers Kerr. He then chuckles and continues, “The funniest thing, though, to see was that the traffic lights continued to work. There was three or four feet of rain on Pocono Road, and yet the traffic lights were still working, which I thought was very interesting.” What Andes recalls most of all was the way the town came together. ”Volunteers were helping people clean up their stores. People came to town hall and started asking us, ‘What can I do to help?’” “This really speaks to Denville and what Denville is all about,” says township Business Administrator, Steve Ward, who had just entered his second year in his role. “For every one telephone call we got from someone who needed assistance, we had to have been getting 10 or 12 from people who wanted to offer assistance.” When Ward arrived at the municipal building the Monday morning after the hurricane, bags of dropped off clothing and supplies greeted him. He and Andes then put their heads together and tried to devise ways to raise money for volunteers and residents. “We started asking people to donate gift cards where people can get some basic supplies, clothing, food, that
sort of thing,” says Ward. Within a week, over $50,000 in gift cards for the community were donated and eventually distributed. Later that week, a public meeting was held to detail current status and ramifications from the hurricane, and to invite the residents to fundraise. “We told the public you have free rein. Whatever ideas you have to raise money, we will support and assist and facilitate that as best we can.” Over the next month, almost $500,000 of money was raised through volunteer and fundraising efforts locally. “Absolutely remarkable!” exclaims Ward, who then adds, “I can’t say enough about how our police department, our fire and first aid squad, and our DPW performed an amazing job and stepped up to the challenge, and how our Office of Emergency Management, just under arguably the worst circumstances, did a fabulous job doing what they could.” “The community was amazing,” says Kerr. “Everybody had pulled together. And that’s the one thing I would tell you about Saint Clare’s and the Denville community is that, when this stuff happens, everybody pulls together.”
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Attract More Birds to Your Backyard
W
ith all the constraints people lived through in 2020, many turned to their own backyards - nature, in particular - for hope, solace, wonder and even entertainment. Despite the worldwide crisis, nature’s normalcy remained intact; flowers continued to bloom, bees continued to pollinate and birds continued to fly and forage food. Feeding birds can be enjoyable for any age group and provide stress relief for all who partake. A University of Exeter study, focused on nature’s impact on humans in suburban and urban areas, found lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress were associated with the number of birds people saw during afternoons at home. The benefits of birdwatching come from seeing lots of birds - quantity not “quality” - the study found. People “felt relaxed and connected to nature when they watched birds in their gardens,” researchers said. These feelings increased with the level of bird feeding in the yard. For millions working and schooling from home, this stress reduction was an unintended bonus. Data from 2020 shows sales of bird feed, feeders, nesting boxes and bird houses spiked as interest in backyard birds soared while people spent more time at home. Interest in birding isn’t slowing down.
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Using the right feeders and high-quality feed can enhance your backyard and entice more birds, bringing stress relief and enjoyment. For more information on attracting birds to your backyard, visit coleswildbird.com. (Family Features)
Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • August 2021 • Page 23
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with Saint Clare’s
Let’s Talk Bariatrics with Saint Clare’s Health
N
By Steve Sears early half of all Americans are obese, defined as a body mass index of 30 or more, and morbid obesity has played a significant role in the most severe cases of those inflicted with Covid-19, as well as causing a multitude of severe health issues. The proportion of Americans who are obese or overweight has grown dramatically in recent years. Closer to home, roughly one in four New Jerseyans, both adult men and women, are struggling with obesity. Saint Clare’s Health was the first in Morris County to be designated a Center of Excellence by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and that includes adolescents. Saint Clare’s Hospital offers a comprehensive approach to address significant weight loss challenges. Their program is designed for long-term weight loss and includes free informational seminars and nutritional counseling. According to Dr. Aram Jawed, a bariatric surgeon at Saint Clare’s Health, “The studies released from New York in April, 2020 for the top risk factors of patients with COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation and ending up in the ICU, indicated that age was the number one risk factor. The number two risk factor was actually Morbid Obesity.” Dr. Jawed explained, “I don’t think most people realize that. People thought a significant risk factor was heart disease or pulmonary disease or smokers or other issues that caused the most severe cases in patients with COVID-19. It actually wasn’t. If you’re obese with a body mass index above 35, your immunity is hampered by the fact that you have this constant inflammatory response in your body.” Dr. Jawed, who is currently writing a book, selected bariatrics as his field of study and practice because bariatric surgery is the only surgery that can heal more than 16 health issues in the human body, ranging from heart disease and diabetes to infertility. “I can name a few, just from head to toe. Just from the head on down, you can think of so many.” Count migraine headaches, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, decreased libido/erectile dysfunction, swollen hands and feet, and much more that are affected by obesity. “The good news is that losing a significant amount of weight can actually
reverse a number of comorbidities!” Significant weight loss resulting from bariatric surgery positively affects every system in the body. In addition to longevity, the overall quality of life is significantly improved. Self-esteem, mobility, and relationship and social interactions. The three most common Bariatric procedures, FDA approved insurance procedures in order of popularity, are the Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy; the Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass; and Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding. Dr. Jawed explains the three in brief. “The adjustable gastric band is not a hormonal procedure, it’s not changing your anatomy at all, so it’s not going to really affect or change your metabolism or the hunger hormone. It’s truly the least effective of the three. But if you are someone with a much lower BMI who doesn’t have medical problems that wants weight loss that’s better than just diet and exercise, then that may be a good procedure.” “The next option is a gastric bypass, and that has really stood the test of time. That’s the gold standard procedure. This is a great procedure for uncontrolled diabetics, as well as very high BMI patients because you don’t want the body to absorb so much sugar and carbs,” Dr. Jawed continues. “Then, the most popular option is the sleeve gastrectomy. We’re removing a portion of the stomach. That’s the most distensible organ in your body, and it contains many of the hunger hormones and the stretch receptors that encourage you to fill your stomach to capacity. And so, when
we take that portion out, you’re left with the stomach in the shape of a banana, and that stomach does not stretch anymore. You are basically tricking your body into believing that a much smaller amount of food is more than you need for your meal.” For those who fear there may be risks with Bariatric surgery, Dr. Jawed says the risks of continuing in a current obese lifestyle are worse. “I always say to my patients that the risk of you continuing with this lifestyle, and what your medical problems are, that risk is a lot scarier than the 45-minute to one-hour procedure. The risks of Bariatric surgery have been proven to be less than the risks of general surgery. We’re talking risks that are less than 1%.” The key advantage to Saint Clare’s bariatric program is the hospital’s multidisciplinary approach. “It’s almost a one stop shop,” says Dr. Jawed. “We have a registered dietitian, registered nurses, and a bariatric coordinator to help our patients achieve their goal. We have our own dedicated bariatrics team. Additionally, there is a psychological aspect
to this, which we address with the support groups that are offered to patients free of charge every month. During the pandemic, we’ve been conducting virtual support groups that have proven very helpful. We also have Facebook groups as well, and we have in-person or online support groups. We want you to be successful, and we will be with you every step of the way!” Saint Clare’s Health has a dedicated, skilled nursing floor for Bariatrics with private rooms equipped with bariatric beds, seating, and other amenities for safe, comfortable and dignified care. “It’s almost like a boutique hospital for Bariatric surgery,” Jawed proudly states.” Our integrative team is comprised of experts that understand both the mental and physical effect of obesity, and we work with our patients on a solution that best fits their needs.” Saint Clare’s Health is located at 25 Pocono Road in Denville. For more information on Bariatrics, visit www.stclares.com, or call 973-989-3047 for a Free seminar.
Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • August 2021 • Page 25
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A History of St. Francis:
From Job Allen’s Iron Works, to John Heyward Glover’s Summer Home – from Slavery, to One of Baseball’s Founding Father – from Protectory to Sanitarium to Senior Living
T
by Vito L. Bianco he recent announcement of the sale of St. Francis, its pending closure, and probable demolition has shocked and alarmed the greater Denville community. The potential destruction and loss of this iconic facility, will be the most dramatic alteration to Denville’s beaucollic landscape since the burning of the Wayside Inn in 1953. Few Denville properties can boast such historic significance as St. Francis. Its origins date to the very founding of Denville itself, culminating with the establishment of St. Francis in 1895, which it has been ever since. For decades beginning in 1974, thousands of Denville residents answered the call of the Sisters of St. Francis to assist in raising funds at the annual Harvest Festival for St. Clare’s Hospital, which they once owned. Selfless volunteers happily endured many months of planning, manned the food tents, concessions, and keyosks, directed traffic, sold raffle tickets, and then cleaned it up only to begin the whole process all over again for the next year. What must those people be feeling today? The Denville Historical Society has spent the past 50 years trying to save what’s left of our historic places. To our credit, we’ve had a number of successes, but also, regretably, many losses. Afterall, we’re just 17 volunteers with limited resources. Often, our Township government and the public have been very supportive. Never has there been a greater need for all Denville interests to ban together and stop this potential assualt on our heritage. Together we must Save St. Francis! The story of St. Francis in Denville begins in 1895, when the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother acquire the once grand manor house built by John Heyward Glover (1789-1832) in the early part of the 19th century. And yet, the property’s history and significance to Denville goes back more than 165 years before St. Francis, when Dutch trappers, English farmers, and Quakers lived side-byside with the native Lenape in this place by a “den of wild animals,” this place we now know as Denville. This is the first in a series on the history of the St. Francis propety and its cultural importantance to Denville. Colonel John Heyward Glover was born on Fontainbleau Plantation, near Walterboro, Colleton County, South Carolina, on February 15, 1789, into one of that states oldest and most prominent southern families. His father was Captain
John Heyward Glover
Wilson Glover (1758-1822); his mother, Margaret Heyward (1752-1832). In fact, his distinguished ancestry is said to trace back to the Emperor Charlemagne. The early Glovers were large landowners and owned fabulous homes in Charleston, and Walterboro, S.C. though the plantation houses are all gone. According to family records, Wilson and Margaret Heyward Glover maintained residences at Wrightsfield, Old House, and Fickton Plations in “Indian Land” or Beaufort District, S.C. as well as a home in Charleston. Wilson willed his Charleston property to his wife and “the remainder of [his] estate real and personal property to [his] son, John Heyward Glover.” The HaywardGlovers were referred to as the “Swamp Glovers,” and their Fontainbleau Plantation as “Swamp Plantation.” It is believed that Fontainbleu was given to Wilson Glover by his father, Col. Joseph Glover, as he deeded land to three of his sons during his lifetime. We do know that Wilson Glover was living there at the time his son, John Heyward Glover was born. Little is known of the specifics of John Heyward Glover’s early life other than he grew up among the privileged class of South Carolina Plantation owners. A planter by profession, he served honorably during the war of 1812. It seems likely that his military service led him to New York, where, in 1813, the twenty-four year-old Glover “formed a somewhat romantic marriage with a young lady…,whose wealth was in her unblemished name and great personal continued on page 27
The Glover Mansion in Denville, N.J. as seen circa 1895. It was built about 1817-18 for the Glover family. It would become St. Francis in 1895.
Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • August 2021 • Page 27
History of St. Francis... continued from page 26 attractions.” His fifteen-year-old bride was Eliza Vincent who was born in New York City on April 4, 1798, the descendant of French Huguenots. After his marriage Col. Glover placed Eliza at school where she might have the advantages of education, and he meanwhile purchased several hundred acres at Denville. While it is not specifically known how the Glovers came to learn about this property in Denville one source suggests that Morris County, New Jersey, was a very good agricultural district, and became one of the chosen locations, and soon began to be settled by Glovers and numerous other families. The bulk of the property he purchased was once the site of the Job Allen Iron Works dating to around 1730. This was the oldest iron works on the Rockaway River. In 1748 there is a return of land to Jacob Ford Jr., covering the waterpower which includes “Job Allen’s iron works.” Ford’s home in Morristown would serve as George Washington’s Headquarters in the winter of 1779-80. According to an Allen family descendant, the Job Allen Farm upon which he settled and which came to bear the Allen name passed by inherited succession from Job Allen, Sr. (1709-67) to Job Allen, Jr. (175098), and from him, to Job Allen III. However, while Job Allen, Sr. established a forge on the site, c. 1730, it is not certain that he actually resided on the Denville property. Another early Denville settler Martin Hiler, assisted Job Allen, or ran the forge for Allen. At the time of the senior Allen’s
Eliza Vincent Glover (1798 - 1859)_ portrait by Vogt c. 1830
death in 1767, letters of administration were granted on his estate to Jacob Ford Jr. At some point thereafter, the Allen Jr. was the owner of the farm. Allen, Jr., like Jacob Ford, Jr., served in the Revolutionary War. Job Allen, Jr.’s farm would fall on hard times after his death. There is a deed for this 240-acre farm dated March 17, 1800, by the Morris County Sheriff to Thomas Osborn, on an execution against Mary Allen as administratrix of Job Allen, Jr., who died in 1798. Job Allen III recorded a power of attorney in 1814, appointing Jacob Allen of Newark his attorney to pay his mother, Mary Allen, the interest of $700 during her lifetime.
What’s happening in your school or organization? Celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, graduation? Have a human interest story or something you would like to share? Email us at editor@mylifepublications.com
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An Eerie, Haunting August Story
B
By Richard Mabey Jr. ack in the far etched memories of the deepest caverns of heart and mind lies another time, another place. For myself and my endearing neighborhood friends, a most deep and powerful truth was granted unto us, at such an early time in life. For it was in late August of 1967, that the good Lord showed me all I had to be thankful for, all I had to be utmost grateful for. It was an endearing spiritual lesson, unfolded before my very eyes, that to this very day, still looms a most eerie and haunting quality in the deepest chords of my very heart. To say that we were all neighborhood friends, does not quite define it. For the four of us were more like brothers. For in truth, we shared a spiritual closeness that even most brothers are not quite acquainted with. It was the romantic era, the days of innocence, the summer of all for one and one for all. We would play baseball in the old back field, at the end of Mabey Lane, for hours and hours. We rode our bicycles down Main Street, for the mile-long ride, just to buy a bottle of Dad’s Root Beer and a Snickers bar at
Moe’s Sweet Shop. We camped out in each other’s backyards. We explored Hook Mountain, just south of Route 202. We fell in love with the same neighborhood girls. We walked the wooded path to the old Morris Canal. We cut the palms of our hands and pressed them together to become blood brothers of the wind, the earth, the moon and the sun. But it was in late August of 1967, that a sacred moment of truth came to us all, from which our lives would never quite be the same. My cousin Edward, lived right next to me in the carriage house along Mabey Lane. Sadly, it no longer remains. George Yost lived right across the street from me, along historic Route 202. And, Joey lived to the left-hand side of George. We were all relatively close in age, we were all filled with a love for life, a sense of adventure, and our hearts were filled with all of the longing, desire, and exhilaration to experience all that life could grant us. And now it was late August, the magical time of Summer would soon fade from us, and we would have to face the drudgery of classrooms, teachers, white chalk on blackboards, homework, and the bullies of
The old neighborhood boys, from a reunion photo taken during the Fall of 2004. We were all like brothers to one another. From left to right are Edward Mabey, yours truly, George Yost, and Joseph Manicone.
the schoolyard. But for now, this moment, we still had the few remaining days of late August to cherish and bask in, beneath the sweltering sun. Jose Hernandez was a part of the larger
circle of our neighborhood gang. He was one of a good dozen boys, to whom the core four were friends with, but to whom we never let be known the sacred, secret continued on page 29
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IT HAPPENED IN OUR TOWN:
eld Beacon Hill, Josiah Hall, and the Battle of Springfi women and children –
J
By Peter Zablocki osiah Hall stood motionless, darkness around him. From atop Beacon Mountain he could see for miles. He knew this land. The hills, the plains, and the farms with homes resembling dark specs on an otherwise flawless canvas. It was the night of June 23rd, 1780, and around him was his hometown, Denville. He strained his eyes but did not see what he was looking for. News of a battle waging in nearby Springfield had arrived in the town that morning. Below the hill upon which Mr. Hall and his compatriots labored, many locals anxiously awaited his signal. As Josiah looked towards distant Springfield, he was startled by an excited dispatch rider galloping his horse up the hill towards him. And then he saw it himself. A dull red glare lighting the sky in the distance. He instantly ordered the prepared stack of brush in the shape of a pyramid to be set ablaze. As young men hurried around him throwing wet leaves on the fire to facilitate bigger smoke, Mr. Hall resumed his watch. Only the presence of two fires meant victory, and to his dismay, Josiah was still merely seeing one. “Morris County’s proudest boast is that no redcoat ever stepped on her soil ex-
cept as a prisoner of war,” said one-time Supreme Court Justice, Mahlon Pitney. That does not mean that the British never tried. In fact, the inhabitants of this area had a good reason to worry. In Denville Township alone, there were four known forges before the Revolutionary War, one each at Shongum, Ninkey Pond, Cold-Rain and Franklin, all on the Den Brook. Most of the iron ore also came from nearby Mine Hill and Rockaway’s Hibernia. This supply of iron essential for cannon balls, together with the powder plants at Chatham and Mt. Tabor, were all very tempting for the British. As such, and because of the lack of proper means of communication,
even were transported to a place designed to hide them safely until the threat had passed. The “Hog Rock,” or “Hog Pen” was located near “Rockaway Valley,” with many kids still finding corn cobs, dishes, and pieces of iron in the area nearly two centuries later. Once moved to the secret location, the people and animals would stay there for several days until a dispatcher would arrive with the news that it was safe to return. The Beacon Mountain (today “Hill”) managed throughout the war by Captain Josiah Hall – a Denville resident and the Colonists devised a plan an officer in the American in which they used the old Revolution – was selected Native American system of as one of the 23 beacons for fire and smoke beacons to its easy visibility. This was transmit information. When regardless of it not being British forces advanced the tallest peak in the vicintowards the area, twen- ity. ty-three mountain peaks Josiah’s men lit the beawould light up one by one con and waited, staring at all across the state in warn- the sole light coming from ing. Their smoke and fire a distant mountain. Then a would be seen for miles. second glimmer grew and On that June night, the flamed on the peak. A big were Denville of citizens smile lit up Mr. Hall’s face. frightened. It was well He did not need to give the known that the British and order to light the second Hessian forces advanc- beacon, his assistants were ing towards them through already at it. Down below, Springfield were quick to many people exhaled. Their steal, plunder, and burn homes would be safe after wherever they went af- all. But it was not time to ter the conclusion of each celebrate just yet. The fires battle. Following an estab- at Beacon Hill grew bigger lished protocol, Denville’s continued on page 11 hogs, sheep, cows – and
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Haunting... continued from page 28 handshake of the core four. We were always kind and cordial to the rest of the neighborhood boys, but we instinctively knew that the brotherhood of the core four, could be watered down by being extended out to too many others. We knew very little about Jose. None of us knew him from school. Jose carried with him, a certain mystical, mysterious quality that for the most part, remained unspoken. When we played baseball at the backfield at the end of Mabey Lane, Jose would come running from the path in the northern woods and just join in with us. Jose never had his own baseball glove, so he would borrow one of ours, when it was our team’s turn to be at bat. Jose spoke broken English. He taught us some words in Spanish. We all assumed that he lived in Towaco, across the canal, across the railroad tracks. We all figured that he lived in the apartments that once abounded at the end of Bellows Lane. There was a certain unspoken rule of kiddom of the 1960’s that you just didn’t ask a fellow kid, a thousand and one questions. It came upon us in the early morning of late August 1967. Jose told us that his mom was cooking chicken enchiladas for lunch. Jose told us that he had told his mom all about his wonderful friends, who lived in Lincoln Park. Jose always referred to us as his “friends who lived in Lincoln Park.” It’s the main reason that we assumed that
he lived in the apartments at the end of Bellows Lane. At any rate, Jose told us that his mom had invited us all to have lunch with him and his mom. We were all elated. None of us had ever had enchiladas before. In fact, we had no idea what they were! So, without further ado that morning, we chose up sides for yet another baseball game. We played ball until the town whistle blew, announcing that high noon had arrived. And, then Jose, led us down the wooded path to the old Morris Canal. When we reached the canal, Jose led us to make a left along the canal path, heading west, to the border of Towaco and Lincoln Park. There in the midst of the woods along the canal, just to the west of the remains of Incline Plane Ten East, was the sighting that would change our lives. Jose led us to a village of sorts. This forested village was a clearing filled with tents and make-shift wooden shacks. Despite all of our adventurous sojourns to the old Morris Canal, we had never walked this far to the west. Most of the time we walk the path to the easterly direction to end up on Beaverbrook Road. Jose led us to his wooden shack. It was a small, woodframed home, that seemed to have been built in less than a day. Outside, Jose’s mom was cooking the chicken for the enchiladas in a big, black, cast-iron skillet above an open flame. The heavy skillet rested upon four cinder blocks, all strategically placed to balance the big skillet. There were old folding chairs abounding in the area.
Two old card tables served as the dining room table. Jose’s mother spoke little English. But enough so that we could understand her. And, when we could not grasp what she was saying, Jose would be her interpreter. The four of us sat at the two chipped and worn card tables, with Jose and his mom. Jose and his mom explained that Jose’s dad was a migrant farm worker, working at one of the local farms. After lunch, we all most properly thanked Jose’s mother for making lunch for us. Then Jose explained that he had to help his mom clean up, but that he would be up to play ball with us later on. We all left the little encampment. We then walked the easterly canal path to the point where we would head up through the forest path, to our open field. We all said very little, as we walked the forest path. The sorrow in our hearts, loomed like the haunting aura of clouds passing by a full moon. We were never to be the same again. We all held an unspoken tide of compassion for Jose, from that time on. In September of 1967, I started my freshman year at Boonton High School. Eddie, Joey, and George were all soon to complete their days of attending middle school. We never formally said goodbye to Jose. He just seemed to fade from our lives, before the first snowfall came upon us that winter. None of us were ever to see Jose again. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@hotmail.com. Please put on the subject line: My Life Publications.
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NorthwestNJ@HomeTeam.com NJ Home Insp Lic# 24GI00161600 • Radon Lic# MET13750
22 Aldersgate Cir., Budd Lake, NJ 07828
www.HomeTeam-NorthwestNJ.com
355 Eisenhower Pkwy.• Livingston 855-994-7365 • www.ZwirenTitle.com
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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • August 2021 • Page 31
Denville SeafooD Celebrating Our 69th Year!
Fresh Seafood Market • Fresh Fish Daily From The Fulton Fish Market In NY Family Operated Since 1951
Denville Seafood Better Than A Shore Thing!
Inside & Outside Dining is Available
Come See Why We Were Voted The BEST! FISH MARKET OPEN! Fresh Fish Daily! Take Out Available! Daily Record
MORRIS COUNTY
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973-627-2987
61 Broadway • Denville Store Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:00-8:00 Closed Sun. & Mon. • Cooking From 11:30 Until Closing
www.denvilleseafood.com
344 Route 46 West Denville, NJ 07834 Cell: 201-412-9155 Bus: 973-957-0255
MARY K. SHEERAN Cell: 201-412-9155 mary@sheeranrealestate.com
GENEVIEVE SHEERAN Cell: 973-879-7531
JOHN P. SHEERAN Cell: 973-229-8670
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