Denville December 2020

No. 18 Vol. 12

www.mypaperonline.com

Was Santa Claus Invented in Morristown?

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By Henry M. Holden he image of Santa Claus is iconic. He strikes a portly figure, with a fluffy, white-as-snow beard, red coat with a white faux fur collar and cuffs, white fur-cuffed trousers, a red hat with white-fur trim, white gloves, and black belt and boots, carrying a bag of gifts for all good children. His jolly delivery makes young and old find a warm spot in their heart for this legend. And he is fondly remembered through the illustrations of Thomas Nast.

Thomas Nast (1840-1902) and his family moved from Germany to Elmhurst, N.Y. when Nast was six years old.

Nast was not a good student in the normal sense of the word, spending much of his time doodling. When his parents put him in art school when he was thirteen, he flourished almost overnight.

The original drawing, Santa was an elfish-looking figure wearing a brown fur suit with stars on it. Nast’s Santa grew in size and shape and the suit evolved into the ensemble that resembles the image of the jolly St. Nick that is ubiquitous today.

The first image of Santa Claus appeared in the 1862 Christmas issue of Harper’s Weekly, a political magazine of the day. By this time Nast was already known for his political caricatures.

The image was not the iconic and beloved figure we know, but a likeness of Nast in a Union encampment giving gifts to the Union soldiers, basically saying they were the good soldiers, and Confederate soldiers were the enemy, and would not get any gifts.

The Santa Claus idea had existed before Nast’s first illustration in 1862. Nast drew a picture of Santa Claus, inspired by a poem composed forty years earlier by Clement Moore who had written, “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” better known as “The Night Before Christmas.” Moore had created the poem for the amusement of his six small grandchildren. But his wife had recorded the poem in the family Bible; and later made its way into print. Nast apparently read the poem and drew Santa Claus, with sleigh and reindeer, much as Moore had described him. Nast also modeled some of his early depictions of Santa after his own image, so, a lot of his early Santa Claus images

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resembled Nast.

Nast provided Harper’s Weekly with annual Christmas drawings until 1886. It was during this time that the iconic image we know today evolved.

Nast, a long-time Morristown resident, and Clement Moore, American professor of Biblical languages were responsible for creating the Victorian image of Santa Claus that we still know and use today. They gave the world a new image of St. Nicholas, one that would live in the hearts of children for generations to come.

Nast’s Christmas themed work allowed him to use the continued on page 4

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An Angel of Hope in Denville

Santa Claus Invented... continued from front page

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or quite some time now, I’ve been working on ways to encourage people during these hard times. At the Christian Drama School of New Jersey, we try to “feel into” and “act out” what Jesus would say and do in any given situation. Many of our families come from different religious backgrounds and political beliefs, so I was trying to imagine what Jesus would say and do to bring people together on Election Day 2020. Since Jesus said a great many things about how to love everyone, I decided to simply make two signs that said “LOVE” and

“EVERYONE.” When I went to get paint, I saw Home Depot’s magnificent Christmas angel on display, and I knew she needed to be the messenger on my lawn. I named the angel Hope. I draped Hope in purple fabric to symbolize both political sides coming together, and I bought an American flag mask for her face. Jesus said we put love into action when we feed the hungry, quench the thirsty, clothe the naked, help the sick, visit the prisoner, and welcome the stranger.

“Love everyone,” that’s the message of Hope.

Morristown neighborhood in which he lived and its backdrop of spires on the town’s churches, to drawings views of the town frequently in his Christmas drawings. In the latter part of the 19th century, there were no less than seven churches within a few blocks of Nast’s Morristown home, and most of them still exist.

Nast and his family lived in a house on Macculloch Ave, (Villa Fontana) across from the Macculloch Hall and Museum (which today holds a large collection of Nast’s work). The house still stands but is under private ownership.

This side of Nast’s work is significantly different from the world of political cartoons he is most famous

Santa has evolved into the iconic figure that children love. (Credit Henry M. Holden)

for. Nast is most remembered for his cartoons that took down, “Boss” William M. Tweed, and the Tammany Hall Democratic party’s political machine in New York City, in 1871.

Tweed was arrested,

broke out of jail, fled to Cuba and Spain, before being extradited and dying in a New York City jail, in 1878.

Nast is often considered to be the “Father of the American Cartoon”.

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State Women’s Club Celebrating 126 Years of Service

he New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs is celebrating its 126th anniversary on November 17, 2020. Founded in 1894, the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC (NJSFWC), and its member clubs, which include clubs in Hackettstown, Rockaway, Roxbury, Hopatcong and Long Valley, have continued to make a difference in the lives of others, even through these challenging times.

Pictured from left, Barbara McCloskey, NJSFWC 2nd Vice President and Nancy Levy, Highlands District Vice President. Both long term members of the Woman’s Club of the Denville-Rockaway area.

Over 6,300 women serve in clubs throughout the state, continuing to welcome new members each month at meetings and events, including community service projects and fundraising for those in need.

‘As member of this organization for over 30 years, I am proud to be able to say that I have had the opportunity to be part of an organization that has made a difference in so many people’s lives’, stated Barbara McCloskey, from Rockaway.

The NJFSWC has a proud history. Besides being the founders of the New Jersey College for Women in 1918 (now Douglass Residential College),the efforts of the NJSFWC led to the formation of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. The Federation had a hand in the establishment of many public libraries in the state. They also received widespread recognition for its letter writing campaign to legislators, which helped secure passage in 2004 of

the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act to protect water quality for more than one half of NJ’s population.

While this year’s celebrations will be mostly virtual, the member’s pride in the impact the NJSFWC has made over these last 126 years shows in all they do for others today.

The member clubs of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC (NJSFWC) have been busy supporting Operation Chillout, based in Long Valley and New Jersey’s oldest (and only) all-volunteer mobile outreach for homeless veterans, and the 2020-2022 NJSFWC Special State Project. Many past organizations have benefitted with support from the NJSFWC, raising millions of dollars for projects over the years.

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs, (GFWC) which the Federation is a member of, is an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service, with members in all 50 states and more than a dozen countries.

GFWC is credited with turning the tide in favor of the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906 (an effort initiated by a New Jersey clubwoman, Alice Leakey of Cranford) and founding 75% of the public libraries in the country in the 1930’s.

By becoming a member of this dynamic organization, women have become part of great contributions, achievements, and successes in our State and Nation! For more information about the NJSFWC, visit www.njsfwc.org.

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Local Writer Shares Special Connection to President Jimmy Carter

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By Megan Roche or then 33-year-old Bloomfield resident Steve Sears, the computer operator was slowly finding that his work was no longer fulfilling to him. Always having an interest in writing, Sears submitted many of his poems for consideration for publishing.

That’s when all sorts of rejection letters came.

Stopping by a bookstore after a long day at work, Sears found former President Jimmy Carter’s book of poems, Always a Reckoning and Other Poems, and picked it up. A fan of what he read, Sears penned the former president a letter, thanking him for keeping poetry alive while in the White House. After attaching some of his own poetry, Steve put the letter in an envelope, placed the stamp, and off it went to the Carter Center in Atlanta, GA. Fast forward about a month to March 1995, an envelope from the Carter Center arrived in Bloomfield.

“I got the first page of my letter back. Both the second page of my letter, nor my poems were included in the response. The first page of my letter had a very kind note from him thanking me for writing to him, showing his appreciation for my liking his poems, and a PS that he liked mine,” Sears recalled.

This was no official correspondence though. Sears received a personal, handwritten letter from the former president.

“What’s unique about the letter is that he just handwrote a response on the first page of my letter. There was no official letter sent from the Carter Center on official letterhead.

There wasn’t anything really presidential about it at all. It was like he was writing to a friend. I remember telling my mom, and my

mom said, ‘that sounds just like him.’ He was just so down to earth and that and the document itself is something I value to this day,” Sears said.

That was the humble beginnings of where Steve Sears started his freelance writing career.

The letter still draws inspiration for Sears; it sits right next to his writing desk in his basement in a frame. Now 58 years old, Sears has made the freelance writing career lifestyle work for him. Looking back on his longevity in the freelance world, Sears passed along some advice to others who are looking to start their own freelance careers.

“Don’t let your career kill you and wear you down to the point where you don’t enjoy it anymore. You have to do something that you enjoy. No matter what you select, there are always going to be drawbacks, hard days, and peaks and valleys. But, you need to find out where the joy lies for you,” Sears said.

That letter from President Carter came in 1995, and this year marks the 25th anniversary of Sears receiving the reply. Sears plans on sending a follow up letter to the Carter Center with a photo of the original letter, just to thank the former President for providing some inspiration for a very new writer.

“A lot of people don’t know this, but when you write a letter to the White House, the interns respond to the letters. Our Presidents and Vice Presidents rarely see the correspondence that is sent to them, except in rare cases. This letter was very important to me, it was a huge source of encouragement, and it fueled my thirst for continuing on this writing journey.”

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IT HAPPENED IN OUR TOWN:

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Forged in Fire: The Story of Denville’s Wayside Inn

he Denville fire whistle sounded at 6:29 A.M. It was a chilly Monday, January 18, 1953 and Denville’s historic landmark was on fire… again.

Denville’ Wayside Inn, once located on the corner of Main Street and Bloomfield Avenue was a sight to behold. Before there was a Denville Dairy, it was the Wayside Inn and the Denville Hotel before it, that served as an impetus for folks making the trek to the quaint town. The hotel and restaurant’s 75-foot-high windmill and water storage tank made up the town center’s highest vantage point, seen from miles away. It was the sight of the resort-like-hotel that greeted all those entering the town. It was also the sight of it burning that drew those same folks to the scene on that cold Monday morning. A moment, which many still remember as the day that an integral piece of Denville was lost forever.

Denville’ first hotel proper was established around 1811. It was known at the time as the Denville House and stood in the place eventually inhabited by the Wayside Inn on Main Street. Before it, the site is be-

lieved to have been occupied by a pre-Revolutionary hostel built in 1769. Evidence points to it already being referred to as the Denville House at the time of the war when it was known for miles as a place for refreshment and rest. Here the weary traveler could find protection from the elements for himself and his horses and partake of hospitality from the men who in those early days were ideal hotel proprietors with a firm handshake for each guest and a cheerful fire in the fireplace. According to newspaper accounts from 1930s, it was believed that when George Washington and his staff passed through Denville on their way to visit Hessian prisoners in Hibernia and Mt. Hope, Washington stopped for lunch at the old Denville House.

After its renovation in 1880s, the hotel benefitted from a building addition and gained more grandeur and luxury. It also gained a new name, The Denville Hotel.

It was on the porch of this resort where we now see a picture of President Grover Cleveland relaxing under his top hat in the 1890s [the hotel ledger with his signature is

currently on display at the Denville Museum]. Yet just as it was coming into prominence, the building mysteriously caught fire and burned down on October 20, 1902. It

was out of its ashes that the folks in Denville rebuild “the most impressive new hotel” for hundreds of miles – the Wayside Inn. It continued on page 11

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Forged in Fire... continued from page 10 was named after an Inn in Massachusetts made famous by Longfellow in his “Tales of a Wayside Inn.” The building, exchanging owners and being remodeled numerous times since then, became the town’s center for gatherings of all kinds – dinners, lunches, dances, meet-

ings, and even weddings and townhall conferences. By the 1930’s it could even boast of having its kitchen presided over by Baron Franz von Wurl, former chef to the King of Saxony. The interior of the building had its final redesign following World War II in 1946. It was noted by the press at time to have been “one of the most beautiful eat-

ing places in Morris County.” In fact, one would be hard pressed conducting research about the town of Denville from 1902 until the 1950s without coming across some reference to the Wayside Inn. In time the building became synonymous with the town of Denville. Consequently, it was this which made it that much more shocking when the building once again caught fire.

The fire was reported by Michael Novak, a Public Service bus driver who turned in the alarm from the Denville Restaurant.

Eight of its employees were in the building at the time the fire broke out. William Wiggins, the head waiter told the Denville Herald that a dishwasher noticed the fire originating from the kitchens. Luckily, nobody was seriously injured. By the time all managed to get out of the building shortly after 7:00 A.M., flames had already burst through the roof of the two and a half story, 100 square foot building. Fire trucks battled the fire as the two inn owners, Fred and Alan Henn, worked with the firemen, removing what little there was not ruined. By the time the building was considered safe enough to enter, the basement was completely filled with water, and much of the structure above completely destroyed.

The Herald reported hundreds of people lined up on Main Street to watch the

firemen at work and many more could be seen silhouetted in the early morning light on the bridge where Route 46 overpasses Route 53. Parents allowed kids to stay home from school as they brought them downtown to see a part of Denville’s history go up in flames. People joined the firemen trying to save the town’s most famous business and symbol, yet the flames got the best of them. Nobody knew if the restaurant would be fixed, yet many suspected that it would simply be too expensive to do so, especially with the type of damage it sustained. The newspapers dubbed it the “biggest and costliest fire in Denville’s history.” When it was all done, the Wayside Inn, a historic township landmark – and what was known to have been one of the oldest Morris County taverns – was reduced to nothing but a foundation and the first floor exterior walls.

Today, many without knowing, walk past the bank which now occupies the space where the town’s most famous building once stood. Yet, there are still those among us who will never forget it. Where were you on the day that a piece of Denville died?

Peter Zablocki is a local historian and vice-president of the Denville Historical Society. He is also a co-host of a weekly podcast, “History Teachers Talking.”

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New Jersey’s Smallest College Prepares Students for a World of Good

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By Steve Sears enville’s Assumption College for Sisters is New Jersey’s smallest college with just 53 students.

Out of those three floors comes a world of good, “world” an apropos word here. 20 of the 53 young ladies here come from foreign lands to study.

A 2-year liberal arts college, Assumption College for Sisters prepares its students to afterwards attend a 4-year college to finish off their degree. Curriculum is offered in Humanities, Natural Science and Mathematics, Social Science, and Theology and Philosophy. There are 18 adjunct professors at the school, 3 religious and 15 lay people. “Very highly qualified,” says Sister Joseph Spring, SCC, President of Assumption College for Sisters, of the faculty. “We also have a wonderful Board of Trustees.”

The school was founded in 1953, became its own entity in 1961, but its beginning truly dates back to the mid1800s. “That’s when my community was founded, the Sisters of Christian Charity,” says Sister Joseph. “Our foundress (Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt) was kind of unlike any other religious congregation. She not only wanted the sister to be spiritually prepared for their ministry, but also educationally prepared. So, we like to think we go back to that; that in 1849 she knew nothing of Assumption College for Sisters, but that was her dream.”

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World of Good...

continued from page 12 her tutelage is a Sister from South Vietnam (all students names are withheld from the article). “I am so blessed to study at Assumption College for Sisters, which has prepared me both spiritually and professionally to spread the love of God through sound education. The environment at ACS introduces me to diversity in the world where God has connected me to many Sisters from different communities and cultures.”

She has enjoyed every moment of her time in Denville. “It has allowed me to get involved in new challenges, language, and culture, and I have noticed my time at ACS has also had a positive effect on my personal development as well. My great challenge is language. I know that learning English needs practice. I always encourage myself by being aware of this motto: “No pain no gain”. My struggle to learn English has improved me. My troubles in communication have strengthened me. And my failures in learning new thoughts and ideas have impelled me to persevere. With the help and the guidance of my instructors and tutors, my English, as for other courses, has been improved step by step.”

The school, which was originally located in Mendham and has been in Denville since 2016, has been welcoming international

students since the late 1990s. All attend the school with full scholarships. “The numbers were dwindling because we just took in Sisters from our religious community,” says Sister Joseph, who has been with the school for 11 years. “After Vatican Council II, our numbers dropped dramatically.” Salesian and Franciscan Sisters were then invited to study at the college, and also at that point, the school was beginning to get requests from Sisters in developing nations.

Early in the morning, the students awaken and say prayers, and then walk or drive a mile to Saint Mary’s Parish for Mass. Classes begin at 9:00, lunch is at 11:45, and following afternoon classes and study, it’s time for 5:30 prayers in the chapel, followed by supper. After that, there may be study, or some of the Sisters walk the track at neighboring Morris Catholic High School.

A student from East Africa states, “I am enjoying the beauty of America which is brought about by the different seasons; for example the fall season, the changing of the leaves to different and beautiful colors followed by the falling of all the leaves. I also enjoy the snow since in our country we don’t experience it. I enjoy my studies because the teachers are very ready to make sure that we understand. They offer help if need be.”

“It’s nice,” says Sister Joseph, “and Denville’s a nice town. We have felt very welcome.”

“Being at ACS is to me an opportunity to enjoy my lifetime,” says an El Salvadorian Sister. “I am very happy and grateful to the college for giving me the opportunity to improve my studies. I am really enjoying my

studies because they help me to grow in my academic knowledge....I have the opportunity to enjoy the environment around the college by taking a walk or to walk to the Church.”

Assumption College for Sisters is located at 200 A Morris Avenue. Visit acs350.org for more information.

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A Christmas Story

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By Richard Mabey Jr. he Christmas of 1973 was so very dear and precious to my heart. I was to learn the important spiritual lesson to never give up on a goal, even in the midst of trials and tribulations. I was 20 years old and my cousin, Howard Palmer, was 19. We both were born in early September, our birthdays were just a few days apart. So that was just one of the common bonds that welded our spirit of brotherhood to each other.

Howard suffered from Muscular Dystrophy. From about the time he was five years old, he was confined to a wheelchair. We were close cousins, in all so many ways we were closer than a lot of brothers are. Howard was a very intelligent boy. He was an incredibly talented artist.

He developed his own unique style in both oil paints and water colors. His forte was landscapes. But, he also had a great talent for painting portraits.

In mid-December of 1973, Howard came down with pneumonia. It was a most sad thing. When he went into the hospital, I cried. When my mom told me the news that Howard was in the hospital, I took a walk in the woods behind my house, to the towpath of the old Morris Canal.

I sat upon the foundation of my great grandfather’s old icehouse and I cried my eyes out. I knew that the odds were that Howard was not going to pull through.

Evening came and that night, I cried myself to sleep.

Howard was always like a brother to me. During the summer time, I would hop onto my bicycle and ride the ribbon

of road of old Route 202, down to Howard’s house. We both lived on Route 202, about a mile apart. Howard lived in Montville, I lived in Lincoln Park.

We would sit at the kitchen table and I would write stories and Howard would draw and paint. I would arrive early morning to Howard’s house. I would help Aunt Bert, Howard’s mom, get Howard up from bed and into his wheelchair. Howard and I used to listen to Cousin Brucie play the hits on the old WABC-AM radio station, as we fulfilled our artistic and creative destinies upon that humble kitchen table.

Aunt Bert would be stirring soup at her stove, with home-made bread in the oven. Aunt Bert would make soup from scratch that would put canned soup to shame.

At lunch time, I had the high honor of cutting the warm bread into thick slices. Howard loved to sop up the soup with his buttered bread.

When I saw Howard in the hospital, he was working on a painting for his dear mother. It was to be a surprise. It was early morning and there was Howard sitting up in his hospital bed, with his little bottle of oil paints spread all about his bed. It was a most heart-warming scene.

Howard was fully aware that his time on this earth was coming to a close. The good Lord blessed Howard with a private room, in the hospital. Howard and I talked and talked and talked about the hereafter, during my many times of visiting him in the hospital. While we talked, Howard would keep on working on his painting for his mom.

A rare photo of Cousin Howard (left-hand side of photo) in his classroom.

Howard told me that his blessed angel had come to visit him several times, since he was first admitted in the hospital. He spoke of his dreams of visiting with our relcontinued on page 17

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A Christmas Story... continued from page 16 atives who had passed on. There was an ethereal calm in Howard’s voice. A kind of acceptance that he knew he was soon to leave this earthly existence and cross over to Heaven’s Gate.

Howard did finish his painting for his mom. It was a beautiful painting of a garden, with a white bench in its midst, a tall maple tree, and an angel in the sky. Truly, it was one of the most beautiful paintings I have ever seen in my entire life.

Christmas arrived. I had the high honor of being present, in Howard’s hospital room, when Howard gave his painting to his mom. I had brought the Christmas wrapping paper for Howard to wrap it with, the day before.

Aunt Bert cried when she opened her son’s heart-felt gift. We all cried. Grandma Kemmerer was there. Grandpa had passed away just two years ago. But, I felt Grand-

pa’s presence in spirit. My mom and dad and sister, Patti, were also there. Howard’s dad and his two brothers and his sister were also present.

Howard’s words were very simple. He looked at each and every one of us and simply said, “don’t cry. Please don’t cry.

I’m soon going to be going Home to be with the Lord.”

In early January of 1974, Cousin Howard peacefully passed away.

My cousin Howard was a most courageous young man. I still miss him very much. I still deeply mourn his passing. His kind words still gently echo in my heart, “please don’t cry. I’m soon going to be going Home to be with the Lord.”

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer.

He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@ hotmail.com. Please place the wording “My Life Weekly” in the subject line.

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Page 18 • December 2020 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Roots & Wings: A Strong Arm of Care for the Formerly Fostered

S

By Steve Sears haun Evans, newly appointed Executive Director of Roots & Wings, has works of art on display at his desk.

Evans, an Iona University graduate who majored in social work, is here for a reason. He lost his mom at the age of 7, and his dad got cancer when Evans was 13. With his dad in and out of the hospital, Evans became what he calls a “latch key kid.” “You come by yourself and there’s no one there. That was kind of tough. You’re really on your own. I went through having to learn on my own. There was no parent there.”

“I was living in an apartment in Queens (New York City) by myself.”

It turned him on to social work and led him to work for The Center for Urban Community Services, which he loved. Clients would move in in their 40s, 50s, or 60s, once they felt they couldn’t live on the streets anymore. It got Evans to thinking what a shame it was that they couldn’t get to the clients or form an intervention at a younger age. After 15 years, he moved to the suburbs, and Roots & Wings. The job post spoke to him.

Tameer has benefitted from Roots & Wings.

“Since starting the program I’m finally learning skills to better manage my time which is really helping me with school! Housing stability is the biggest benefit by far. I can relax now because I know where I’ll lay my head at night. I no longer have to worry about finding a safe place to sleep at night which is a huge relief.”

Roots & Wings started out in 1999 as an all-volunteer organization. Irene DeGrandpre, a CASA volunteer and New Jersey Hero honoree, was the founder. The intent was to provide an intensive, life-changing program focusing on education and the development of critically necessary life skills, and establishing a residential program to support young people ages 18 – 23 who are transitioning from foster care to independent life.

“We still have a large volunteer base of about 200 people, and we have a mentor group – they’re volunteers but they’re highly trained to mentor our young people as well, and we have about 6 full-time staff members right now, and about 21 clients in the RISE program, and then the FLY program, which is the school based program, that normally would be going into schools to do support groups, we’ve actually now adapted it using a critical time intervention model which I learned about in New York City that

is meant to take people as they age out of foster care and wrap them with social services in the community of their choice.”

Roots & Wings will take young people from any New Jersey county, but currently only has apartments for clients in both Morris and Union counties.

Jazz is a newer Roots and Wings client. “I am excelling in improving my mental health, being able to take care of it has always been a struggle for me, but it has definitely gotten better while being in the program.” Jazz has also benefitted having the opportunity to not have to worry about housing while working and going to school. “My path has made me aware of my mistakes but also MUCH more aware of my successes. I’m less inclined to be hard on myself when I do something wrong and am able to appreciate when I’ve done something right, which is a big step for me.”

“The individuals,” says Evans, “are amazing.”

Evans hopes to establish congregate housing. He explains. “What I would like to do, and one of the most im-

portant things we can do going forward, is – right now we have scattered sites housing (apartments of varying size in different buildings). What I’d like to do is when our clients age out of foster care, the first year in our program is to have a building that has 8 to 12 units, in a nice building, and have our offices very close by.” After a year of being near staff 24/7 learning and negotiating life and interpersonal skills, the individual can graduate to scattered sites so they can practice and live what they learned prior to moving out.

Finally, Willie is doing well school and starting his own business. “I benefitted from R&W in many aspects of my life, from them helping me save, supporting me in school, and mentoring me to become more confident in myself.

My future is looking bright if I may say so, I’m about to be a first-generation college graduate in December, and I own my own clothing business.” He then describes his outlook on life. “I believe that there’s beauty in the ugliness, happiness in the success, and that you’ll never be happy until you love yourself.”

Roots & Wings is located at 75 Bloomfield Avenue (Suite 303) in Denville. Visit rootsandwingsnj.org.

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • December 2020 • Page 19

Page 20 • December 2020 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

L

Denville Five Year Old Spreading Kindness

By Megan Roche uciano Tarantino is your typical five year old. He loves going to the playground, playing with his little sister, and going to Kindergarten. When his mom and grandmother were getting ready to go out recently, Luciano quickly put together an idea.

As mom and grandmother were preparing to head to Pink Witches Night Out, Luciano was curious why they were going.

Luciano’s grandmother explained that Pink Witches Night Out was an event in Denville where people came together to raise money to support women going through breast cancer treatment. As his mom and grandmother were heading out the door, Luciano ran upstairs.

“He ran upstairs and was searching for any money that he could find. He came back down and told me that he wanted me to give them his money and that he wanted to make these people feel better,” Tiffany shared.

When he came back down to the door, Luciano handed his mom a handful of money. He told his mom that he wanted to give it to the people who were sick who needed it more than he did.

He bolted up the stairs once again, in search of a piggy bank so that the donations that were being made could be kept safe.

Luciano’s mom Tiffany had a moment of pride, tears welling up in her eyes.

“It hit home for him. He’s a typical 5 year old rambunctious boy, but something inside of him changed. It was such a touching moment because it was so pure and innocent. Everything was from his heart and he was very adamant about it. I’m so proud of my baby for wanting to give to others,” Tiffany said.

Pink Witches Night Out took place on October 22 in Downtown Denville. The event helped raise funds for Cancer Hope Network and was sponsored by Saint Clare’s Hospital.

The five-year-old has continued to ask his mom, Tifffany, and dad, Christopher, about more ways he can help people in town. As we head closer to the Christmas season, the two are planning on helping Luciano understand what giving back means.

“He wants to cook and deliver food to people who are sick. I don’t even have the words to describe how proud I am of him.

He has a huge heart and he always has.

This has kind of been a moment where I can step back and he understands the importance of doing things and giving to others. As a mom, it’s all you can ask for,” Tiffany said.

And how is Luciano feeling about all of this? He’s extremely grateful that he’s had the opportunity to help others.

“I wanted to make people feel happy and better by showing kindness. I don’t want anybody to be sick.”

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • December 2020 • Page 21

R

The Various Advantages to Shopping Locally

esidents of a given town or city are often encouraged to support local businesses by looking to these firms to fill their needs. Small businesses are not just integral parts of communities, employing millions across the country, they also are operations that fund the very communities they service.

Efforts to promote shopping local appear to be working. According to the Commonwealth Financial Group, over the last several years there has been a shift in consumer purchasing behavior marked by a preference among consumers to support locally owned shops and stores over big-box retailers and even online shopping.

The following are some key reasons why shopping locally not only benefits small business owners, but also the communities they call home and the customers they serve.

• More money stays in the community: According to the American Independent Business Alliance, for every $100 spent at a local business, $68 remains in the community. Conversely, only 43 percent of every $100 spent at a chain retailer stays in the community.

• Job creation: The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies says local business-

es create the majority of economic growth.

They employ millions of Americans by creating roughly two-thirds of private sector jobs.

Local business owners also tend to hire people who represent the demographics of the communities where the business is located, which may include historically underserved populations.

• Diversity of products: Local stores tend to diversify their products and services to meet the needs of the local communities, whereas chain stores often stock their shelves based on national demands.

• Personalized service: A small business owner may be more inclined to go to great lengths to make customers happy because the long-term success of the business depends on customers becoming repeat customers.

• Personal connection: Knowing the people behind a business facilitates a connection not easily achieved with other companies.

Customers may celebrate when a favorite business succeeds and look to spread the word about that business because they feel like they played a positive role in its success.

Shopping locally has gained momentum and is fueled by the many advantages to supporting local businesses.

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Page 22 • December 2020 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Pandemic Prompts Denville Brothers to Create Inspirational Keychains

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By Jillian Risberg fter months in lockdown, Brayden and Bennett Astorino created inspirational keychains with a touch of the beach to lift people’s spirits.

“Happy messages,” Brayden, 11, says. “Messages that would make your day.”

Their grandparents have a house in Lavalette, according to Christina Astorino, the boy’s mother.

“So they’ve been collecting sea glass for years,” she says.

The brothers placed 10 of their handmade sea glass keychains in random locations downtown for people to find and enjoy.

“In places where people could really notice them; like railing bars, we hung them in trees, we put ‘em on benches — there’s this park where Mary has her hands out and we put them in her hand,” Brayden says.

According to Christina, the boys were first prompted to do their part when Riverview Elementary School was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Character.

“They had come up in the spring with this empathy project,” she says. “Certain kids made cards and certain kids made posters, they did sidewalk drawings all throughout their neighborhood.”

The Black Lives Matter march was also taking place

during this time period.

“We wanted people to be able to find things while they were marching that would make them happy,” says Christina.

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One of the keychains made it across the river to the Big Apple.

“And it was a New York business, they donated in our continued on page 23

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • December 2020 • Page 23

Inspirational Keychains... continued from page 22 name to one of our fundraisers,” the mom of three says.

In turn Brayden and Bennett, 8, picked two organizations that they wanted to donate money to for their sales, according to Christina.

“Bennett picked Feeding America and Brayden picked the Conscious Kid,” says Christina.

The brothers have an altruistic spirit — picking keychain charms with positive, hopeful messages like: ‘inspire,’ ‘enough’ and ‘brave.’

They also make artistic necklaces.

Brayden’s dad is a contractor so Christina says during quarantine he supervised the 11-year-old with the power tools and taught him how to drill his own sea glass.

“It started out with me threading the wiring all around the sea glass, then went to drilling at the top of the sea glass, we put a little hook, the necklace part through — we would do a charm or like a little picture,” he says.

Before long, Brayden was really into it.

“My friend came over and I made a necklace and he asked to buy one,” the 11-year-old says. “I said $10 and he gave me $10. The next day my friend’s whole family came over and they bought two necklaces. I was really happy with what I had already made and I said to myself, ‘this could be a good business.’”

It all started when Brayden was just six or seven-years-

old, he got a sea glass making kit and on a nice day set it up on a table outside.

So it was only fitting to name their jewelry business ‘Beach & Bay.’ “For Bennett and Brayden,” he says.

Brayden says the best part of this is seeing the look on recipient’s faces and the whole endeavor seemed really kind, so they kept it up.

That meant drilling plenty of sea glass to make more pieces for their trips down the shore.

“We would sell them up at the boardwalk, the gazebo,” he says. “As (people) are walking up to the beach — ‘cause we’re right nextdoor, they would buy them and it was really nice.”

The boys believe in making a difference.

And Christina couldn’t be prouder of her sons.

“It’s a sense not only of watching them accomplish something but pride,” she says. “The fact that they both were able to pick an organization they were even familiar with, that they knew would give back —- to their community or other kids who may not be in the same situation as them — and provide a little bit of excitement and hope during a time when things were really stressful and chaotic.”

She echoed Brayden’s sentiments of how cool it was to

see the looks on people’s faces or in their (social media) posts when they found or purchased an item.

“From that we got some special order for kids who were dealing with different autoimmune issues or diseases,” says Christina. “We would make personalized messages for them on their keychains. To see everything come full circle is really awesome.”

She’s impressed with not only all the young entrepreneurship flourishing but the kindness and understanding.

“Their cousin (12) who also lives in town started a bracelet company at the same time,” the mom of three says. “It’s a thing that’s kind of gone through the family and it’s really good to see this generation of a bunch of little kids reining everyone in — down to age five.”

This has turned into Brayden’s passion project.

“We have a lot of sea glass so we’re gonna have to use it up and I think it’s a good way to use it,” he says.

They may even do another Holiday Hideaway, dropping a new batch of keychains in fun places around town — when people find them their inspiring message awaits.

“The fact that Brayden and Bennett were excited to give back is what makes me the most happy,” says Christina.

To see more, check out the brother’s Instagram handle at @2beachbay

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Page 24 • December 2020 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

NJStarz Carley Shimkus Hometown: Long Valley, NJ

F

By Steve Sears ox News Headlines 24/7 reporter on Sirius XM Channel 115, Carley Shimkus, is 5’ 10” tall, the perfect size to be a model.

And she welcomed after high school a very brief entry into the field, she appearing on billboards in Times Square and near Giants Stadium as the Party City “Gothic Angel.”

“It was a lot of fun,” she laughs. “I think it’s pretty funny, and I will be forever grateful to Party City for hiring me.”

Speaking of being grateful, modeling’s loss is thankfully a gain for television news. Shimkus has been with Fox News since her senior year in college and wouldn’t have it any other way. “I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else but Fox News. Let’s leave it at that. If they’ll have me, they’ll be stuck with me,” she affirms.

The popular news channel may not be aware, but they’ve been stuck with her since her childhood. She explains. “Early on, when I was getting ready for school, my parents would always have Fox & Friends on in the background, and when I was eating breakfast, I was watching Fox & Friends.” She “saw” herself one day on that very screen, the person others would be watching deliver the news. “That’s why I wanted to do what I’m doing today.”

Shimkus hails from Long Valley, New Jersey, land of farms and serenity, a contrast to her current Gotham life in New York City, but a perfect mirror for her sunny personality. “It was a perfect childhood,” says Shimkus, who turned 34 on November 7. “At the time – and I think this is pretty common for kids, they don’t necessarily appreciate their surroundings because it’s just so normal to them – growing up in a rural area was just something that was totally normal to me. My parents’ house is on about 100 acres of historic land, and it’s protected land. It’s just one of those things when I grew up and I moved to the city, and then I went back to my parents’ house, I was so appreciative of the area I grew up in because it’s just gorgeous. You know, there’s sort of a negative perception to New Jersey – the (New Jersey) Turnpike and the more crowded areas – but it’s called the Garden State for a reason, and that reason is Long Valley. It’s gorgeous, and I have such a special place in my heart for Morris County.”

Carley’s father, Edward, is a chemist, and her mother, Zulma, a former flight attendant. “I’ve had so much help in my life, and the first two people who come to mind are my parents. They’re your heroes when you’re little, they’re the only people you know, and aside from God and him being such a big part of my life, they’re my shoulders to cry on. I would also give a big ole shout out to my grandma, who is 95 years old. She is amazing and one of the most funny, loving people I’ve ever met.”

Carley has one sister, Margot, an artist. “I think she’s beautiful. We have a great relationship. She’s the older sister. And she’s going to hate me for pointing this out, but I’m about 6 inches taller than her,” she says, laughing again. She then adds, “Obviously, growing up you look up to your older sibling, and I absolutely did. She is such a talented artist, and talented in so many ways…the smarter of the two sisters. She’s just such a great person.”

And then there’s her husband of 5 years, Peter Buchignani. “I look forward to Friday’s like it’s Christmas every single week, and Sundays are the tough days when you’ve got to fly back,” says Shimkus, describing her long-distance marriage to Buchignani, whom she met on her 23rd birthday. He works in Chicago, she in New York City. “He moved to Chicago in 2013, so we have been long distance for 7 years, and we’ve been together for 10, and we’ve been married for 5. Our whole marriage has been between New York and Chicago. We’re both very career minded people right now, and because my career is here and his is there, we make it work. We try to see each other every weekend, and because of this pandemic we didn’t see each other for three months (between March and Memorial Day). You have to make sacrifices like that, but that was sort of the national mood: everybody doing their part and staying at home. Honestly, I give him all the credit.

He is such an agreeable person; he goes the extra mile to make sure we get to see each other every weekend. I would say it’s about a 70/30 split, with him doing a majority of the travel to here. One day it won’t be like that anymore. It’s always exciting to see each other.”

Shimkus attended West Morris Central High School on the Chester and Long Valley township lines. “Academically it’s a great school,” she says, and the sporting events aren’t bad, either. “There’s nothing like a West Morris and Mendham football game. I still remember those nights and looking forward to them. There’s so much football pride at West Morris, and Lacrosse pride, and sports pride in general, so it was so much fun. Being there was a lot of fun, and going to West Morris really prepared you for college, and it eventually prepared you for the real world.”

Shimkus, who was also a Student Council member, relives briefly also participating in a fun “Bagel Rebellion.”

“Okay, yes, the ‘Bagel Rebellion.’ We had free bagels for Senior Day, and it got cut short, and everybody just walked out of school, and went to the football field. My mom was volunteering that day, so I personally was like, ‘Oh my gosh, do I go with my mom? Do I go with my friends?’ And it was this big moral dilemma for me. Being 17 years old, I went with my friends. It was squared away, and I think looking back the teachers knew that we were all graduating, and it was sort of like a fun last hurrah.”

“The ‘Bagel Rebellion’ will go down in the class of 2005 history.”

Shimkus, who loved the subject of English in high school, and also had a great interest in politics, attended Quinnipiac University, graduating in 2009 with a B.A. in broadcast journalism, and interning during her senior year for Fox News in Washington D.C. “They really put me to work in such a positive way and taught me a lot about TV,” she recalls. She was taken on a tour of Capitol Hill and Congress, and the station also allowed her to pitch ideas which found their way to live air. It was a morale booster. “You’re learning and you’re young – and I’m still learning – and so for Fox to take an interest so seriously is a really great thing for young minds in this industry.” continued on page 25

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • December 2020 • Page 25

NJ Starz: Carley Shimkus... continued from page 24 After college, she was a news producer at Fox News, and in 2012, was named associate producer with the Fox Business Network, working for Don Imus and the “Imus in the Morning� show. “Imus gave me so much,� she says fondly of the popular radio Hall of Famer. “He gave me my first shot. I remember when I first got hired as his assistant. He ended up becoming sort of like a grandfatherly figure in my life. He gave me a chance; he put me on the air. That doesn’t really happen in New York very often; you have to go to a smaller market first.� “All in all, he was somebody who I owe so much to.�

Shimkus now has been at Fox for her entire career. She states, “I feel so blessed to have the career that Fox News has afforded me.�

Shimkus, like most, agrees: 2020 has been a unique year. “It really does feel like we’re living through history right now.

When you think about the layers of things that have happened on top of each other, with the global coronavirus pandemic, leading into social justice protests, leading into the recent hurricane that we experienced.

When you think about it, President (Donald) Trump was impeached last year into

this year, and that feels like 100 years ago.

So, it’s an unbelievable time to be alive, and it’s am unbelievable time to be looking at it from a news perspective where things are changing every single day. And at the same time things are changing, things have kind of slowed down. Things have been canceled, and people are more grounded and staying at home and doing things virtually.

I think that a lot of the things we’re seeing unfold right now are going to affect the course of history.�

Carley Shimkus relies on her faith daily. “If you see me as sort of a sure-footed person,� she says, “it’s not because of me.

It’s because of God and my faith.� A prayer journal individual, she doesn’t know where she’d be in life if she couldn’t pray about her concerns or fall back on her faith. “The church I went to was Our Lady of the Mountain, and that was a huge part of my upbringing. There was a Peer Ministry program that I spent a lot of time being a part of, and we did a lot of cool things both in and out of the community.� She employs her faith during her on-air work at Fox News. “Whenever I do a segment, and I’ve worked very hard on it, I always pray, ‘I hope that this goes the best possible way.’ Without that, I don’t know where I would be.�

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Page 26 • December 2020 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Skip the Holi-daze

M

How to Spend Added Time Making Memories

aking time to reconnect with loved ones is a wish topping many lists this holiday season, so set aside the chaos and commit to doing more this year. More of what you truly enjoy, that is.

These time-saving holiday hacks from the Chinet® brand can help curb your time commitments so you can focus on personal connections and celebrating good cheer with loved ones instead.

Spread out prep time. If you’re busy putting the final touches on a meal as guests begin to arrive, you’ll miss out on the excitement as the party begins. Rely on tricks to spread your meal preparation out over the days before your event, such as making sides and casseroles ahead of time and freezing them so all you have to do on the big day is pop them in the oven.

Mashed potatoes are a notorious last-minute time suck, so make them early in the day and keep them warm in a slow cooker.

Just add a bit of cream and stir periodically to keep them soft and fluffy.

Simplify cleanup. After enjoying a meal surrounded by loved ones, there’s no reason to halt the conversation while you slip away to bring order back to the kitchen.

Cover dishes and put perishables away then return to your guests for the quality time you deserve. If you use disposable tableware, there’s even less to worry about later. For example, Chinet Classic White products make cleanup easy so you can spend more time with friends, family and guests. The plates and bowls are strong enough to serve the heaviest, messiest meals with style then you can simply toss them when you’re done.

Shop local for shortcuts. Local businesses are feeling the crunch of 2020 in a big way, but you can give them a boost while doing yourself a time-saving favor. Pick up a pie or specialty dessert from a local bakery. Inquire about family-size sides from the family restaurants in your community.

Also remember to check with school-age children you know, as many seasonal fundraisers offer pre-made holiday desserts and other treats you can share with guests with minimal effort.

Get out of the house. If you’ve spent too much time this year looking at your own surroundings, getting away from it all

may lift your spirits while saving the hours you’d pour into getting your home ready for entertaining. Community groups with their own facilities often have space available to rent, and these spaces are typically large enough to maintain social distancing requirements and are subject to rigorous cleaning protocols. Alternately, if you’re keeping the guest list small, renting a vacation home offers the opportunity to turn the seasonal celebration into a short road trip for added memories and joy. With some simple decorations, you can create a fun atmosphere for your holiday event and skip the headaches of hosting at home.

Go short and sweet. If the idea of a fullfledged dinner event is stretching you too thin, look for festive ways to scale back.

For example, a dessert-only party lets you gather with loved ones and keep the focus on the company rather than the food. Plan themed stations with different styles of desserts and consider asking family members to help stock each station with their own favorite treats. Add a touch of style by placing a stack of Chinet Cut Crystal dessert plates at each station so guests can sample all their favorites while they mingle. The collection also includes cups and stemless wine glasses ideal for a beverage table or single servings of desserts like mousse or parfaits.

Find more ways to manage your time this holiday season at MyChinet.com.

Celebrate Like It’s 2020 After a whirlwind of a year, this holiday season promises to be a little different than those of years past. Instead of lamenting what won’t be the same, treat this year as an opportunity to deck the halls in a whole new way.

Invite technology to the party. With group gatherings and travel restrictions likely to continue in many parts of the country through the holiday season, there’s a good chance you may not be able to gather with everyone you’d like. However, the pandemic has shown how simple it can be to use technology to stay connected. Go ahead and schedule a virtual party or make time to jump on a video chat during your celebration to include those who can’t be there in person. To help add a touch of normalcy to the festivities, continued on page 27

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • December 2020 • Page 27

Skip the Holi-daze... continued from page 26 consider packaging and sending small boxes of party essentials in advance to each person who’ll join the virtual party.

Make giving a group effort. Helping those in need is a tradition many people honor around the holidays, but this year your giving is likely to be especially impactful. When you join efforts with family or friends, your contributions can go even further, and it’s a way to bond over your shared experience. Consider volunteering as a group at a food pantry, adopting a family or two together or finding another local cause that could use some extra help and count your blessings while you enjoy the extra time together.

Simplify gift-giving. As families grow, the gift lists get longer. However, especially in a year like this, not many wallets have expanded to keep up with the pace. Forgo the time and money required to buy for everyone in the family and start a new tradition by drawing names and instead of buying smaller items for a lot of people, put a little more toward a single item your recipient truly wants or needs. (Family Features)

Page 28 • December 2020 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

W

Holiday Presents for Every Person (and pet) on Your Holiday List

ith a variety of personalities and interests likely on your holiday shopping list, finding the perfect gift for everyone can be a daunting task.

Rather than spending countless hours browsing online or walking up and down store aisles, consider this array of gift ideas that can put you on the path toward successful shopping during a holiday season sure to be unlike any before it.

With more people spending time at home, gifts that can keep the house clean, showcase team spirit or provide a simple way to pass the time can be hits. Of course, you can also ship a tasty meal directly to a loved one’s door or give that four-legged family member an extra special treat.

Find more holiday gift-giving inspiration at eLivingtoday.com.

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • December 2020 • Page 29

I

What to Look for in an Infant Day Care

t can be challenging to raise a baby even in the best of times, but many parents need additional support for the education and care of their young children amid the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, both parents work in nearly two-thirds of families with children. The number of working single parents is even higher.

However, as long as teachers and staff follow rigorous health and safety practices, day care centers are among the safest places for children right now.

“More than ever before, families are struggling with balancing the need to return to consistent routines with concerns about the possible health risks to their children,” said Dr. Elanna Yalow, chief academic officer of KinderCare Learning Centers. “Our rigorous safety protocols give families confidence they can count on our programs when traditional support systems may not be available.”

Although the decision to place your baby in someone else’s care can be difficult, the benefits of day care can be significant, especially for children who start a program as babies. Consider these important factors when choosing an infant day care.

Exceeding Recommended Guidelines Parents will want to make sure their

day care center follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics and local health department guidelines. These include masks and social distancing, restricted access to classrooms, consistent grouping of children, health screenings upon entry, handwashing throughout the day and frequent cleaning and sanitizing. In addition to knowing the steps teachers and staff are taking to keep children safe, ask about staff training and the checks and balances the center has in place to make sure written polices translate into best practices in classrooms.

Teachers Who See Each Baby as an Individual Responsive, caring teachers tend to each baby’s specific needs. From the moment you meet them, they’ll ask what your baby enjoys, what comforts him or her, what milestones your baby is working on and so forth.

The best teachers see each baby as a unique person and work to meet your child wherever he or she is, whether that’s watching for signs of tiredness and holding him or her or responding to your baby’s babbling and coos as signs of early language development.

Strong Communication Trusting someone else to look after your bundle of joy is a tremendous leap of faith for many parents, particularly as safety-con-

scious providers are limiting access to their classrooms and parents may not be able to go any further than the front door. That leap is easier if you know you’ll receive updates about your child throughout the day. Whether you want videos and photos, phone calls or texts, or short notes about the things your child is doing while you’re at work, talk with your potential provider about how often you want updates and what kind of information is most meaningful to you. While it’s natural to feel a twinge of nervousness when you

get a phone call from your child’s day care, you should also be contacted with good news and friendly reminders.

For many parents, the most important thing is that their baby is safe, happy and flourishing in a loving, caring and engaging environment. Once they find this, they can rest assured they made the best decision for their family. Find more information and tips to find the right center at kindercare.com.

(Family Features)

Page 30 • December 2020 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • December 2020 • Page 31

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