Denville Life August 2019

Vol. 2 • No. 8 • August 2019

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F

Denville Community Gardeners Find Common Ground Communing with Nature

By Jillian Risberg ellowship, community — they’re a group of dedicated gardeners doing their part to help the planet and carry on a gardening legacy right here in Denville.

The Denville Community Gardens all started back in 1972 with 17 members and a piece of land that environmentalist, Lorraine Caruso talked the town into letting them use.

Now they are at capacity with 110 families.

“If I had another 15/20 plots I could probably easily assign them to people,” says Bob Grant, the Denville garden administrator. As the years have gone by the gardens have kind of grown organically in that the 17 people were able to carve out virtually as much land as they wanted.”

They started off hauling water by the bucket from the river.

“Then eventually a guy named Dennis Mahoney, who was the administrator of the garden (at the time) got some volunteers and they put in a water system and we pump water out of the river,” the gardener says.

It goes through a complicated system of piping so everybody with a reasonably sized hose can reach a faucet and water their gardens.

“The two things you need for a garden are water and land,” Grant says. “The gardeners were able to supply that. A couple of years ago we expanded the water system and put in seven or eight new

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double facets to make it easier for people to get to the water.”

According to Grant, they have a diverse community of gardeners.

“They grow some epic crops, we have an abundance of tomatoes and corn, which wasn’t popular 10 years ago, is getting more popular. Corn is tough to grow.”

There’s also several different kinds of lettuce; jalapeños, bell peppers, banana peppers, all different varieties of peppers and beans - green beans, pole beans, lima beans.

“I may be the only one in the gardens that grows lima beans, but I really love fresh limas, which may sound a little bit odd,” Grant says. “But then again I’m a community gardener so I’ve got a right to be little bit odd.”

Over the years there have been a few challenges.

“In 2011 we had Hurricane Irene, which flooded out the lower two-thirds of the garden,” Grant says. “We managed to rescue a pump

and lawn mower before the waters came up high enough.

We didn’t lose anything in particular but there was a lot of damage done with that much water on the gardens.”

The demographic of the community gardener tends to be older.

“We have a number of retired people but they're the ones with the most time,” he says. “We also have some young families with kids. As far as the type of people, it ranges all over the lot. We have craftsman and building trades people, professionals, lawyers — at least three maybe four PHDs in various disciplines, a retired urologist.”

According to Grant, the common thread among all these gardeners with different backgrounds is controlling their food source.

“We have banned herbicides because there’s strong evidence that it’s carcinogenic, we don’t want roundup use,” he says. “We discourage the use of pesticides but sometimes potato beetles get to the point where they’re gonna destroy your entire crop so we allow limited use of that

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“There’s nothing more satisfying than to slice up a plate of tomatoes in front of your friends and family,” Grant says, adding he loves the part where he gets to tell them that he grew ‘em. but we urge people to be very careful.”

And the garden administrator says they try to keep the whole atmosphere friendly and cooperative.

“It’s a pretty nice place to be really,” he says. “I believe we are the lowest priced community garden in the state. We charge $10 a season. I want to have enough money to replace the pump if we need to and pay ancillary expenses as they arise.”

There’s never a bad day at the garden.

For John Huebner, volunteering there for the past 10 years has been grounding.

“It’s very satisfying, gives you a strong sense of connection with nature,” Huebner says. “But also you’re surrounded with other gardeners and the culture of the gardeners from what I’ve seen are very free with their knowledge. They’re always happy to help you benefit from their experience without being pushy.”

He grows many flowers in his vegetable garden.

“I also grow beets, zucchini, a lot of garlic every year because that breaks up the growing season. I have about a third of the garden given over to garlic,” says the Cedar Lake resident. “It’s about 150 heads.

“Mostly I give it away; I love garlic but not that much.”

This allows him to forget about that third in the spring and have something to work with in July when everything else is established and producing.

“Now I have a fresh patch that I can plant out with other things,” he says.

And the model maker doesn’t have to deal with the whole May/ June gardening craziness.

The farmed five-acre site next to the Denville Public Library has 15x20 plots.

For most people the goal is to grow their own crops. It’s happening in cities all over - community gardens are converting unused spaces into amazing green places.

“There’s nothing more satisfying than to slice up a plate of tomatoes in front of your friends and family,” Grant says, adding he loves the part where he gets to tell them that he grew ‘em.

Huebner echoes that sentiment, as several longtime gardeners have told him the joy of gardening is giving it away.

“It’s true; it’s deeply satisfying to grow something and then give people the bounty, so to speak,” he says.

But you’ve got to be willing to put in the time and effort. Grant says a common trait among the gardeners is commitment.

“You see the same people there at the same time every day,” he says. “The secret is to not let it get so far ahead of you that you’ve got three or four days of hard work to catch up.”

And it’s not the easiest hobby in the world, according to Grant.

“Particularly in the late spring, early summer right around

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now,” he says. “You get days of rain and can’t get to the garden. And then you come back and the weeds have sprouted all over the place so you gotta keep up with the weeds, watch out for the potato beetles and bean beetles.”

Grant grows beefsteak, Big Boy and other tomatoes every year, then takes a dozen of them to his house in Maine.

“I’ll put them in an open box, which I carry on the ferry boat over to the island just to show off,” the gardener says. “Maine doesn’t grow the kind of tomatoes that New Jersey does.”

Some local groups are getting to enjoy the fruits of the garden.

“We have given a plot to the Denville Library Children's book section,” Grant says. “The supervisor of children’s books supervises this garden and they’re doing a good job.”

And an Eagle Scout project included installing eight raised beds to accommodate those with disabilities and bending issues so they are also able to garden.

“I don’t know of any other community garden that’s got that so we’re doing some unusual things,” Grant says.

According to the gardener, everyone supplies their own and some even have grow lights in the basement to get a head start on tomato seedlings, beans and more.

“One guy grew corn which he just transplanted,” Grant says. “A lot of people buy part of their crop from the local nurseries and plant the rest of it from seed.”

The water is on a timer so they don’t want to keep the pump on all day, every day.

“We’ve got a switch up in the bulletin board which allows individ-

ual gardeners to turn the water on if it’s not on when they get there,” the administrator says.

The gardeners can choose peak hours that work best for them — 6 to 8 in the morning, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to dusk.

“That’s plenty of time for people with varying schedules,” Grant says.

He’s been a garden administrator for 10 years, a gardener for 25 — and he always comes back for more.

“My favorite time at the garden is when I got a couple of chairs and a table set up under a tree about a third of the way down the driveway and people come along and we chat for a bit,” Grant says. “Just getting to know a wide swath of people in the community.”

Others often walk through and say they never knew this (the garden) existed.

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“Cause it’s not real visible on Diamond Spring Road,” the administrator says. “Yet it’s not Denville’s best kept secret because I get a lot of requests for plots that I can’t fill.”

Paul Dean and his wife were motivated to get involved with the garden because their property in Lake Arrowhead is bathed in shade, not conducive to growing much of anything.

“We’re just overwhelmed with giant oak trees,” Dean says. “We’ve been in Denville for 29 years and when we first moved here we tried a couple of times but we didn’t get enough sun so I put in to get a plot over there.”

They don’t have one of the largest gardens but through the years have donated many tomatoes, green beans and assorted vegetables

to St. Peter’s Orphanage in town.

“We (still) have enough for ourselves, matter of fact at times we have too much,” Dean says. “We give our neighbors some of the lettuce and arugula that we grow, and then our daughter gets a bunch and we freeze a bunch.”

They also grow lima beans, black beans, peppers and all kinds of herbs.

As retirees, he says they have more time now to dedicate to the garden and enjoy getting outside.

“To soak in some sun and take care of the stuff that we’re growing and seeing it come to fruition,” Dean says. “It’s just a fun thing to do.”

Denville Life • August 2019 • Page 11

Denville Kiwanis: Service with a Smile

W

By: Kimberly Redmond ith the Denville Kiwanis, you’re guaranteed service with a smile.

For more than 70 years, the club has been committed to making a difference in the lives of some of Denville’s youngest residents through volunteer service projects, community events, programs and fundraising initiatives.

“We’re not a large group, but we show up and we bring our hands – and our hearts,” said Jennifer Green, President of the Denville Kiwanis.

“The focus of activity is on hands-on service projects and about being a good person where you live,” Green said. “It’s

about doing good or offering what you can for the common good.”

One of the oldest clubs in Denville, the organization received their charter in July 1946 and now has about 10 active members, who ages range from residents in their 30s to those who are in their late 70s, said Green.

“The main reason people join is because they care about doing projects that benefit Denville and the surrounding area,” she said.

“It’s about changing the world – one child and one community at a time,” Green said.

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That could mean anything from working with Denville Social Services to deliver Thanksgiving meals before Turkey Day to partnering with the Denville Police Department to put on an annual bike safety rodeo for kids to serving up flapjacks at a Father’s Day Pancake Breakfast.

“Our whole focus is on quality of life for children. The community projects we do are about fostering a place where our kids can thrive. Even if we’re not doing something specific for children, we’re focused on a place or helping quality of life so kids can grow up into kind and generous people,” Green said.

Over the last year, the Denville Kiwanis took on 20 projects, which were a mix of volunteer services, fundraising events and financial gifts, Green said.

The majority involved service-oriented work the group could do, she said.

“Our club made a conscious choice in the past year to focus more on hands-on service projects where our members can give their time, rather than stress too much about always raising money,” Green said.

A few places you may have seen club members recently: ringing Salvation Army bells during the holiday season, delivering food for the Market Street Mission, running a craft table at Pride in the Park and helping with registration at the Denville Triathlon.

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Donations have been made over the past year to Denville Baseball, a local Boy Scout Eagle Project, the Joey Bella Tricky Tray dinner and Kiwanis local youth clubs in schools.

“Like many service clubs, we are trying new approaches to raising funds so that we can continue funding our current donations and we would love to be able to award scholarships again to high school students graduating from one of our sponsored Key Clubs,” Green said. “This year, we started a wonderful partnership with VFW Post 2519 in Denville to co-sponsor the St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner fundraiser. That’s an example of how we are reaching out to work with other groups for the benefit of all.”

Another large part of what they do involve trying to make a good impression on children.

In addition to community-wide

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efforts, Denville Kiwanis are involved in local schools, where they sponsor seven youth clubs for students between the ages of six and 18.

Currently, there’s Riverview Kiwanis Kids, Lakeview Kiwanis Kids, Valleyview Builders Club, Morris Catholic High School Key Club, Morris Hills High School Key Club, Morris Knolls High School and Morris County School of Technology Key Club. They also sponsor the Atkion Club, which is for adults living with disabilities.

Throughout the school year, the sponsored youth groups work on finding service projects and activities that they can take on that benefit the community.

Additionally, the Denville Kiwanis work with each youth group to band together on major service projects and fundraisers. Just a few of those initiatives include: the annual fish & chips dinner fundraiser, the Denville Kiwanis shoe box recycling project and various food pantry needs.

Green joined the group about two years ago, after purchasing a house in Denville.

After transferring from Georgia to New Jersey for work, she and her husband were still newcomers to the area, so Green read up about her new community.

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“I’d heard about it being a service-minded town and I’ve been blown away by the generosity I’ve seen,” she said. “In Denville, people really pull together and rally when something needs to be done. It impressed me so much and I wanted to be able to contribute and participate, too.”

“Service clubs are like the glue of a community,” Green said. “We fill gaps and hold up the community over the years.

Whether it’s the Kiwanis, the Rotary, the Women’s Club or another group, I’d love for everyone to find a service club that appeals to them and join. It’s so worth it.”

Kiwanis International was founded more than 100 years ago in Detroit, Mich. as a business networking organization but eventually changed its focus to community service.

The organization’s primary mission is molding good kids into good adults. It offers programs that teach leadership skills, the importance of community and offers services like after-school tutoring.

In fact, the name Kiwanis comes from a Native American phrase, “Nunc Kee-wanis,” which means “We trade” or “We trade our talents.”

It’s also one of the few organizations that offer membership to almost all age groups – from students to adults. Combined, there are 600,000 members in 8,000 chapters in 96 countries,

according to Kiwanis International.

Annually, Kiwanis International sponsors around 150,000 projects that cover a wide spectrum of services, raise over $100 million for their communities and devote more than 6 million hours to volunteering.

Members of Kiwanis chapters also try to make an impact beyond their community’s borders by contributing to the Children’s Fund, which is money used to help youth nationally and internationally in the event of a disaster.

Local clubs also participate in Kiwanis International’s Global Campaign for Children, The Eliminate Project: Kiwanis Eliminating Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus.

“We welcome everyone. And we show up to help and serve where we can make a difference,” Green said.

Anyone interested in learning more about the group can email denvillekiwanis@gmail.com, visit www.Facebook.com/ denvillekiwanis or log onto www.denvillekiwanis.com. The group also has a newly-launched Instagram handle (@DenvilleKiwanis).

Meetings are held 6:30 p.m. on Monday at Mancino’s Pizza & Italian Cuisine, 490 East Main Street (Rt. 53), Denville. Newcomers and visitors are welcome.

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Councilman Gary Borowiec: All for Ward Four

By: Melissa A. Kay elebrating his 25th year as a proud resident of Denville, Ward 4 Councilman Gary Borowiec (currently serving his second consecutive year in the position) is honored to not only live there, but to devote his passion for the close-knit community by serving its constituents. Borowiec, age 53, has lived in Morris County for his entire life, raised in nearby Pequannock Township.

A Toast To The Town Borowiec gleefully expresses what makes Denville Township so special to him and why he and his wife of 23 years chose to raise their now college-age son and daughter here. “Denville offers such a wide variety of attractions, from its beautiful lakes to a great historic downtown, along with terrific restaurants and quality shopping experiences - for example, downtown, Route 10, and Route 53. Plus, the town has a fantastic school system. Yet my favorite part of Denville is the ‘small town’ feeling, as well as the ongoing community involvement of its residents.” With such evident and outspoken love for where he lives, it is only a natural fit that Borowiec strives to “help the town continue on its prosperous path,” as he puts

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it. “Overall,” he explains, “I want to keep Denville not only as the ‘hub,’ but as the ‘premiere’ place to live in Morris County.”

By the way things are going, Borowiec’s hopes will indeed become reality. And his 25 years as a Denville resident may just double…or more.

As Borowiec puts his positive plans in motion, overcoming certain obstacles such as “understanding the continuously-changing rules of COAH (the Council on Affordable Housing),” may be a hiccup, even a hurdle, but they will in no way slow down or sidetrack Borowiec from keeping his firm commitment to his duties to Denville and his desires to move forward to make the community better than it has ever been.

A Bit About Gary Borowiec - His Background, His Business, And More Borowiec earned his BS in Business Management from New Jersey’s Ramapo College. He has been working as a Financial Advisor since 1989. Borowiec shares, “Today, I am proud to own the financial planning firm of Madison & Main Advisors, which is located on Main Street in Madison. While I hold many professional designations, I specialize in tax efficient savings programs where I help my clients build retirement income plans for their secure retirements. I hope to use my background in finance as a sounding board to help us maintain fiscal responsibility (in Denville). Over the years, I have had the opportunity to serve on several town committees and sports organizations, and since I have always enjoyed building a collaborative team environment, being on the town council has allowed me to do more of the same.” It is this sort of caring and cooperation that makes Borowiec such a tuned-in Councilman, always providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere of sharing and understanding in the effort to achieve the numerous goals that will ultimately benefit Denville and its people. While Denville is important to Borowiec personally, it is his friendly professionalism that gets the job done, and done well.

It Takes A Village His important position as Councilman requires a great deal of community involvement with the various volunteer groups which Borowiec serves on, as well as a strong and steadfast commitment to maintain constant communication with his Ward 4 neighbors. “I take the time to listen to any issues they may have, and then I will discuss these concerns with the members in town hall,” Borowiec explains. When people know their voices are heard and something is being done about it, it creates a sense of unity. Borowiec is the go-to guy for needs both big and small, and his trustworthy nature gives Denville’s community peace of mind that will take matters seriously and swiftly bring them to the attention to those who have the authority to make a difference.

Borowiec is especially pleased with his admirable achievements

in having a helping hand in expanding and enhancing local sports fields, improving area parks, and creating future hiking and biking trails in the region. He notes, “I grew up a three-sport athlete and played football while I was in college. When my two children were younger, I had the privilege of coaching several sports teams in town, as well as serving as the Denville Blue Angels President for a number of years. I have always believed that sports can teach children—and adults—invaluable life lessons, from learning how to cope with the ups and downs within a season to celebrating the small and big wins that can be achieved when a team works together toward a common goal. And I truly feel that teamwork is an essential part of success, whether it is in sports, business, or in town administration.” As Councilman, relying on teamwork is essential. Luckily, Borowiec has a history filled with the understanding that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Yes,

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he goes above and beyond for the community, but realizes he is not the only one who can keep things running smoothly or make changes for the better for Denville. With this sort of mentality, the residents can find a friend as well as a force in Borowiec.

Successful teamwork is a two-way street, and Borowiec acknowledges the notion of partnership wholeheartedly.

A Close Community A longtime love for the Denville community is not something only Borowiec possesses. He is truly touched by how the local residents “come together for the good of the community.” His most pleasant surprise? “Many of our neighbors volunteer on most of the town committees, and the work these groups do throughout the year is absolutely amazing.” It is certainly nice to see people come together for common causes, especially when they genuinely want to do it. It is a true testament to the township and those who call Denville their home. With a leader like Borowiec overseeing Denville’s Ward 4 with such grace and grit, the happiness level of the community’s members will only go up. He

is as involved as ever in his second year as Ward 4 Councilman, and the buck does not stop here. As wonderful as things are now, there are always new milestones to meet and future ones to generate. After 25 years in Denville, Borowiec can cap off a quarter century with a well-deserved pat on the back. Surely his friends, family, and neighbors feel the same way.

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For Morris County Real Estate Team, Community Involvement is Key

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By Anya Bochman he Peer Home Selling Team of Denville, which works under the umbrella of Weichert Realtors, is a team of experienced Morris County real estate agents who pledge to help their clients buy and sell homes comfortably and profitably. With an office consisting of six agents, the firm is led by brokers/associates Lane Peer and her son, Bill Peer.

The company began with Lane, who was an original Weichert realtor. Bill followed in his mother’s footsteps in 2000, becoming a certified fulltime broker and associate after a career in sales management.

“I have always been interested in owning and selling property, though I have to credit [Lane] with my success,” Bill said.

“Thank you!” Lane replied with a laugh.

Lane reminisced that as a boy, Bill was always building things; she had assumed he would grow up to be in some way involved with either building or property management, so his success in the real estate field seems fitting.

For her part, Lane has over 34 years of marketing and sales experience in the real estate industry, with a number of accolades from both Weichert associations and New Jersey Realtors.

“My goal is to have happy, smiling people at the closing table who are glad that I was their realtor,” Lane states on the company Web site.

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members. Bill credits the success of his firm to the diverse skills that the agents bring to the table.

“It’s an interesting business, because you can bring agents in as often as you want,” Bill said. “But we’re selective and as a result we’re like a family where everyone on the team brings something unique based on their personality.”

As part of the company’s professional guarantees, Peer Home assures the client that they will be shown all the properties in the area that meet their criteria. The agents will then guide the client through the entire home buying process, from finding homes to look at to getting the best financing. The realtor will help ensure that the customer doesn’t pay too much for their new home and avoids costly mistakes. Finally, the firm will answer all of the client’s questions about the local market area, including schools, neighborhoods and the local economy.

The latter is something that the team excels at, as all of the Peer Home agents are longtime residents of Denville and have an extensive history of community involvement, from coaching Little League to helping out with the township Beautification Committee.

Jennifer Hyatt, Sales Associate, joined the company four years ago when she met Bill while he was helping her friends with a property. Hyatt had some insights which Bill thought would make her a “natural” agent; after considering the career change for some time, she came aboard.

Hyatt moved to Denville 17 years ago and her two children are in the township’s school system. She recalls always being “obFREE, Please

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Photos courtesy/Jennifer Hyatt sessed” with following the market and looking at property listings, even prior to her meeting with Bill. She found his enthusiasm “contagious, exciting, fun,” which helped solidify her decision to join the team.

“My client’s and customer’s satisfaction shall always come first,” Hyatt states on the Peer Home Web site. “I pledge to utilize my strong work ethic, attention to detail and honesty

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Page 24 • August 2019 • Denville Life

obtained from my customer service experience to guarantee your success.”

An important facet of customer satisfaction is the bond that is formed between the client and the real estate agent during the process of buying or selling a home. As the Peer Home team describes it, the personal investment in what is often a lifechanging decision for the client contributes to better outcomes on the part of the agent.

“It’s a good feeling to be able to help people start a new life,” Hyatt said. “Whether you’re buying or selling, you’re helping someone make a big life change, and you become very close with them in the process.”

“It’s the most satisfying job I’ve ever had,” added Lane. “There’s a real emotional experience for most people that you’re helping.”

What allows the Peer Home company to stay knowledgeable about industry developments and trends is its intimate knowledge of the Morris County real estate market, a skill that comes both from experience and personal involvement in the Denville community. With all the agents actively involved in charity work and town events, the Peer Home team is acutely aware of customer needs – whether buying or selling their home.

Hyatt, who is a member of the Denville Rotary Club, the town’s Beautification Committee and its Meals on Wheels program, cites Peer Home’s sponsorship of such staple town events as the Denville Rotary Street Festival as crucial to its involvement and knowledge of the community.

“We are all residents here and we take pride in the town, which makes us very effective,” Hyatt remarked.

Commitment to customer satisfaction is part of the profession-

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alism that the Peer Home team prides itself on.

“Our philosophy is that the best thing for the customer is the best thing for us,” said Lane. “And our team is so cohesive; they are truly nice people who bring goodness and ingenuity to [Peer Home].”

It’s clear that aside from the actual Peer mother and son, the team truly views itself as a family. Whether discussing an agent’s worrying health problems and subsequent recovery, or commenting that Zaccardo (who was not present for the interview) is an agent that “sparkles,” Peer Home makes clear the value it places on each member’s contribution.

Another aspect that distinguishes Peer Home is its collective experience. Each agent at the company has spent years working in the real estate market and collected multiple accreditations from top realtor groups and institutions. Bill Peer, for one, has the distinction of being named amongst the top 50 "Realtors on the Rise" for the entire United States in 2005 by Real Estate Magazine.

Still, the resounding message on the team’s success seems to be its familiarity with the Morris County real estate market, as well as its personal involvement in it. As Peer Home does business with both Morris County and all the counties adjoining it, knowledge of the community is paramount.

“We know the Morris County real estate market inside and out.

We live and work here, and keep ourselves abreast of industry and market trends to better serve you,” the company promises in its mission statement.

For more information on the Peer Home Selling Group vist www.peerhomesellingteam.com

Denville School Supply Drive Underway

chool may have just ended but Denville Social Services is already planning our annual Back to School Supply Drive for 2019. Many local families find it difficult to afford school supplies and we have over 100 children ranging from grades K-12 who need our help.

Every child deserves to start the school year off right and having the proper school supplies makes a tremendous impact – helping keep kids focused and learning at school. This where our community can help nurture tomorrow’s leaders, entrepreneurs, and inventors!

The drive will last from July 31st to August 21st. Please consider purchasing items from the list below and bringing them to the drop off sites listed. Many thanks to the local businesses who’ve agreed to participate!

If you would like to do a collection in your neighborhood, company, church or social group you can use the suggested list or feel free to contact Denville’s Social Service Coordinator, Stephen Dublanica at 973-625 8300 ext 269 or socialservices@denvillenj.org.

School Supplies Needed • Backpacks, varying ages and genders • Pink Erasers/Eraser Caps • Lunch boxes and totes (Great need!) • Colored Pencils • 3-Ring Binders (.5’ & 1”) • Crayons • 3-Ring Binders (1.5’ & 2”) • Highlighters • Pocket Folders (with fasteners) • Markers

• Pocket Folders (with 3 holes) • Thin Dry Erase Markers (Black) • 7 Pocket, poly accordion folder • Pencil Boxes & Pouches • Single-Subject Notebooks • Fiskar Scissors (safety & regular) • Multi-Subject Notebooks • Pencil Sharpeners • Post-It Notes 3x3” • Rulers • Index Cards 3x5” • Calculators • Marble Composition Books • Glue Sticks • Pens (various colors) • Smocks (for ages 5-8) • Pencils (No.2) • Headphones/earbuds, with case Denville Drop Off Sites: Provident Bank, Denville Hardware, St. Clare’s Hospital, Deville Dairy, Flowers by Candle-Light, Anchor Ace Hardware, Denville Community Chiropractic, Denville Library, Denville Township Hall.

Denville Life • August 2019 • Page 25

Page 26 • August 2019 • Denville Life

NJStarz Stephane Wrembel Hometown: Maplewood, NJ

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By: Mike Cobb tephane Wrembel is widely regarded as a world expert on gypsy jazz guitar and Django Reinhardt. He is perhaps best known for “Bistro Fada,” the theme song from the 2011 Woody Allen Oscar-nominated movie, Midnight In Paris.

Born in Fontainebleau, the home of Impressionism and Django Reinhardt, he began studying classical piano at the age of four, discovered Pink Floyd in his teens, and was smitten by the music of Django soon after. To gain experience with “Sinti style” guitar, he spent extensive hours playing in gypsy camps in rural France.

In 2000, he enrolled in Berklee College of Music in Boston, from which he graduated Summa Cum Laude, and moved to New York City in 2003. Looking for gigs, he called “every single restaurant and club in New York.” His persistence paid off, and he is now recognized as the local authority on Django’s style, and one of the finest guitarists in the world. He currently lives in New Jersey and runs Django A Go Go, a music festival and camp for people passionate about gypsy jazz and Django Reinhardt’s style.

Influences Music was always an important part of Wrembel’s life. His mother insisted that he get a musical education “whether he liked it or not.” He grew up on the pop music of the 1970s & 80’s, though he is a fan in particular of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour. About Gilmour’s style Wrembel says, “I don’t really have the words to describe it, but for me when he plays, it makes me vibrate. But I like all kinds of music. You like a band because there is something that resonates within you. For me music is an irrational experience; it’s the feeling that’s most important.”

Later, Wrembel discovered jazz, world music, and soon Django Rheinhardt. Growing up in Paris, the spirit of Django loomed large. “In Fontainebleau, there was a strong presence of him in the background. I went to the Django Festival, bought my first Django record, and just felt that I had to do it.”

Gypsies But learning Django’s unique playing style required more than just listening. Wrembel immersed himself in the music by living amongst Sinti gypsies outside of Paris.

About that experience Wrembel says, “In the camps, you play all day long, nonstop. You don’t learn technical things. The culture doesn’t use names for things; they just practice melody. By playing

Photos Courtesy of Stephane Wrembel

constantly you become entranced. The music just comes by itself.

This is the way I learned. It was a completely oral tradition with them showing me, just playing for hours and hours. You soak it in, and the information becomes part of you.”

A much-maligned ethnic group, he found kinship as well as great learning amongst the Sinti. Wrembel states, “The Gypsies have a very different culture than western culture. There are many misconceptions about them. We don’t understand them because we’re trapped within our own worlds, which is unavoidable. But the fact that I really wanted to play it made it easy to access.”

Many believe that to play gypsy music, you have to be gypsy.

Wrembel says, “There is some truth that if you’re not Sinti, there’s always going to be something missing because you’re not expressing your Sinti identity. Maybe if you marry in you can assimilate somewhat, but most likely you’re going to get their style integrated into your style. For us as non Gypsies, you get to go into that world, but you can’t express what’s not your identity. It’s better to learn from them and expand. Just be what you are.”

The history of gypsy music and culture is fascinating and complex. Legend has it that gypsies originated in India and were driven out centuries ago. Most went west, eventually splitting paths north or south of the Mediterreanean sea. The 1994 documentary Latcho Drom by Tony Gatlif is an excellent crash course. The film has no narration, but is highly effective in telling the story via incredible cinematography and fantastic music.

Today gypsy music and culture are well known throughout the world. Spanish Flamenco is typified by percussive guitar, hand clapping called “palmas”, castanets, dance, and mournful singing, for example.

“In France the Sintis are unique because of Django. The “Roma” have Romanian style (typified by fiddle and brass). But this is a very simplified explanation,” admits Wrembel.

What Makes Django Unique As to what makes Django’s particular style unique, Wrembel expounds, “You have the French music waltzes, which was primarily accordion music, the Sinti influence, which has Roma roots, and there is of course the influence of Debussy and Ravel, who are known as the modern or romantic composers. And then you have jazz, which arrived to Paris in the 20’s, so all of that colors his music.

But Django is special because he did things that no-one else

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Denville Life • August 2019 • Page 27

in the history of music has done.

You have Django festivals all over the world. Other composers will be featured in programs, but it’s strange to have so much focus on one guy. It’s irrational. There was something about him, I don’t know what it is. It can be played at Carnegie Hall, in a small club, or around a campfire. It’s danceable, listenable, there is composition, virtuosity, there is everything in it. It’s a very strange crossover of things. I like to say that Django might be the first real world musician.”

When Wrembel played India and Korea “People were crying.”

As to why, he says, “This is where it becomes irrational. The more you try to put names to it, the less you can describe it. But there is something that is so human. It’s part of being joyful, it’s like being with friends. You know sometimes you’re in a moment that’s magical. You hold it for a moment because you know it’s going to disappear. If you try to analyze it, you lose the magic of it.”

In terms of what Django invented musically and stylistically in his playing, he adds, “No-one has understood it yet. No-one uses his rhythms or solos. You can reproduce it, but you cannot pretend you’re him. There is something in his playing that no-one has found yet.”

Recording Wrembel has taken his knowledge and passion for Django’s music to record four studio records and one live album in a series called The Django Experiment. About this project he states, “I don’t want to be a cover band. We do his sound but with other influences as well. The Django Experiment was born in the studio, and this is something I want to do every year.”

These excellent albums are available on Wrembel’s website through his label Water Is Life, and a portion of the profits go to water conservation projects around the world. “I gave a lot to Water For People, which is a great organization. At some of our shows we have donation boxes, and the money goes to them. There are other great causes, but I chose one. You have to pick your battles.”

Working with Woody Allen Regarding his work with Woody Allen, Wrembel remembers, “It was very quick. He asked, and I did it. You prepare for years so that when something like this comes, you are ready. To compose and record Bistro Fada took me three hours from start to finish.

He called me at nine and at noon they had it. And they kept the original version. The only guidelines they gave me was wanting a Parisian waltz. In a way it was vague and in a way precise because they knew I’d know what they were talking about.”

Performing Wrembel is also known for organizing concerts at venues like Carnegie Hall with some of the world’s greatest guitarists like Al Di Meola, who is both an inspiration and a contemporary. He has also performed with bluegrass guitarist Larry Keel and mandolin master David Grisman. As to the connection between Sinti and Americana,

Wrembel says, “The arrangements and instrumentation are different, but the feeling is similar. I went to a bluegrass festival where people were jamming around a fire under the moon, and it was a similar sensation to gypsy camps.”

When asked how audiences throughout the world react differently, Wrembel says, “In France people are very polite and quiet, which can be disturbing because I don’t know if they like it or not. In America it’s the opposite. People are louder and shout things when you’re playing, a question or something. But they all love music. We’re all human beings. We do a human being thing for other humans.

It’s like eating. If you eat a good bucket of French Fries or a crepe, you’re going to like it whether you’re French, American, Indian, etc.”

Teaching Cycling back to the importance of music education, Wrembel teaches at Django A GoGo, a music camp based in Maplewood that focuses mainly on the musical style of Django Reinhardt. Students learn in intimate small group settings and workshops. The camp is limited to 30 students with three groups of 10 students and has classes on rhythm and improvisation with guest teachers and a concert in the evening.

Teaching is important to Wrembel. He says, “It’s a big part of my life, and I’ve been doing it for over 20 years. The Buddha said that ‘teaching is a miracle.’ I like that. Someone teaches you something and you change; and then you teach someone and they change. I think it’s an act of love and freedom to teach and be taught. The idea behind the camp is to bring the greatest players in the world so that students can be transformed in a miraculous way.”

Living in the USA Compared to France Wrembel says, “The US has a lot of freedom. It’s a very liberal country by French standards; it’s very open.

There’s not much of a social structure, there’s a lot of space for the individual. And people are trying to figure out how to put rules to this. In France it’s the opposite; the state comes first. In the US, you have more freedom but also more responsibility, whereas in Europe you have more protection, for example from the socialized systems, but it’s very sleepy and takes a long time to get things done. I don't say one is better than the other; they’re two different places.”

The Final Word As to the future Wrembel says, “I believe the best thing you can do is to do what you love best. I don’t have any plans. I’ve found my group and my voice and I just plan to keep composing. You bring some light and some love into this world and that’s all you can do.

I believe in bringing a positive action to this world. A free act of love.”

To find out more about Wrembel and hear his music, go to www.stephanewrembel.com.

Page 28 • August 2019 • Denville Life

Homeless Vet Outreach Group Looks Forward to Vets Summer Fest 2019

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By Anya Bochman

ith the news cycle currently dominated by Democratic primary candidates, it’s impossible not to hear at least several plans and promises for helping the American veteran population. Yet it’s an issue that often doesn’t get enough attention, or at the very least is fraught with public misconceptions. For instance, according to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, 555 veterans experienced homelessness on any given day in 2018 in New Jersey. But Ray Chimileski, of Long Valley, founder and executive director of Operation Chillout (OCO), figures the true number is actually greater.

“Recently, we’ve had more requests for help [from homeless veterans] than ever,” Chimileski said. “It’s certainly not something you’d read about in the papers.”

Chimileski, who has background in domestic counter intelligence, explains this rise in homelessness in several ways. For one, the original generation of Vietnam vets that his organization helped at its inception is aging and requiring ever more care, such as placement in nursing homes. The younger veterans of wars in the Middle East are getting diagnosed with ailments such as PTSD quicker, but not necessarily receiving the proper aid they need following the diagnosis.

As a result, there is a generational shift in younger veterans who are in need and have never experienced homelessness before. And unlike some of the older Vietnam veterans who have unfortunately gotten accustomed to chronic homelessness and developed certain survival skills, these younger men and women are truly out of their depth.

“A vet who has nowhere to go but is currently in a hospital for PTSD or injury is still homeless, but those numbers are often not counted,” Chimileski said.

Chimileski founded OCO on December 21, 2000 with several friends, after encountering a group of homeless Vietnam veterans living in the open under a railroad trestle in northern New Jersey.

When asked how they could be of help, Chimileski’s group was told, simply, “It’s cold.” Immediately recognizing the need, the incipient OCO took it upon itself to collect warm clothing and other survival supplies.

From there, the organization grew, becoming a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2011. Its mission is hinged upon recognizing the inherent worth of every homeless person and providing emergency supplies and survival gear to the most vulnerable members of the community without regard to religious affiliation, ethnic heritage or state of life.

The all-volunteer outreach organization is dedicated to ending the crisis of homelessness for veterans throughout New Jersey and parts of North East Pennsylvania by promoting awareness of the multifaceted nature of poverty; advocating for sustainable solutions and programs serving the needs of the poor, addicted, abused and homeless; organizing for peace and economic justice

to address systemic inequities challenging impoverished communities; and engaging in direct compassionate action including the collection, dissemination and delivery of supplies to homeless people and the agencies that provide for their temporary care.

One of the tasks before the OCO is seeking out veterans on the streets, many of whom now face acute Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as well as other chronic illnesses, and are a group represented heavily amongst the general homeless population.

Anthony DeStefano, who was a Major in the U.S. Army and had served for 24 years, is OCO’s Homeless Veterans Outreach Coordinator. His primary task is finding the homeless veterans in need, and providing appropriate help – whether through clothing donation or transport to medical facilities and housing.

Combat PTSD is something DeStefano, of Hackettstown, is intimately familiar with, as he acquired the condition while serving in Iraq and was officially diagnosed with it following his honorable discharge from the military in 2006.

“I met [Chimileski] in 2007 shortly after I was discharged and was suffering from PTSD,” DeStefano said of his original involvement with OCO. “I needed something for catharsis and to turn my life around.”

A crucial aspect of OCO that both DeStefano and Chimileski depend on is the annual Vets Summer Fest, which is the or-

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Denville Life • August 2019 • Page 29

ganization’s largest fundraiser. Held this year on Saturday, Aug. 10, the festival provides OCO with funding that enables it to undertake its seasonal outreach campaigns. For instance, in 2018, OCO provided 35,000 bottles of water and 25,000 backpacks to the homeless veteran population.

Such supplies are more crucial than the public may initially understand. As a sobering example, Chimileski recalled an incident ten years ago when a homeless vet died after drinking water from the Hackensack River during the summer, a tragedy that could have been avoided if he had access to clean drinking water.

“We get five new calls a day on our rapid response helpline from homeless veterans in the summer,” Chimileski said. “If all the people we have helped so far stood together holding hands, they would form a line 21 miles long.”

Another initiative that OCO has recently taken up is tiny homes for homeless vets. Many veterans face challenges returning from military service - finding a decent job, making a living wage, reintegrating back to civilian life, navigating the maze of support service providers, as well as physical and emotional stress. Many veterans cannot sustain incomes needed for their own homes or apartments, lapsing into homelessness. OCO’s Tiny Home program offers an affordable, healthy and respectful alternative to shelters, halfway houses and unsafe community living arrangements.

In lieu of full state support for veteran housing, these energy-efficient domiciles are a true step towards independent living.

The recent recipient of such a home is a young vet who Chimileski described as having overcome addiction and gotten “his head on straight.”

“This is the population we serve, and we wish them a lot of luck,” Chimileski said, while pointing out that contrary to public perception, most vets who struggle with substance abuse do so as a result of accidental addiction to opiate pain killers following legitimate treatment.

“It’s a myth that [homeless veterans] take drugs,” Chimileski said. “Most end up where they are due to economic and psychological reasons.”

The essence of OCO is rapid response – it has a helpline equipped to handle emergency requests for help. Though Chimileski explained that the organization’s focus is on immediate problems which differentiates it from groups that offer case management over time, it’s impossible for those involved – an all-volunteer staff – not to notice certain trends. For this reason, OCO has molded itself to certain ideals.

“Our philosophy is early intervention,” Chimileski stated. “Today we still see Vietnam vets who have been on the streets for decades and at this point, will never not be homeless. So we try to intervene early with the younger generation of veterans.”

The Vets Summer Fest makes much of this intervention and support possible. “[Chimileski] calls it a picnic, but it’s a really great festival,” DeStefano said. “There are live bands, tents and food vendors.”

Starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10 at Vasa Park in Budd Lake, the festival is open to the public, with all proceeds benefiting the veterans helped by OCO. There is no admission fee, a situation that the organizers feel comfortable with given enduring public generosity.

“We used to have a sliding scale idea, but we got rid of that once we realized that attendees are even more generous than we anticipated,” Chimileski commented. “People just donate towards the cause, and it helps us for months and months with funding for hotels, phonelines and outreach events.”

The festival opens at 11 a.m., with what DeStefano described as a “major tribute” to veterans commencing at noon. Attendees can expect a guest speaker, pipes and drums performing patriotic music, and the Honor Guard from the Morris County Sheriff’s Department singing the national anthem. The opening ceremony will wrap up with a rendition of “Taps.”

The musical acts performing at this year’s Vets Summer Fest include Dana Fuchs, an acclaimed American singer and songwriter known for a mix of Southern rock, soul, roots and blues. Two of Fuch’s albums, Bliss Avenue and Songs from the Road reached the Top 10 of the Blues Album Chart of Billboard magazine. Fuchs will take the stage at 3 p.m., after an opening act by local favorites Atlanta Café Band. DeStefano’s own classical rock band, B-Sides, will round out the music portion of the event at 5:30 p.m.

In addition to the musical entertainment, there will also be a motorcycle run, car show, bike run, food, beer and wine, and some 60 vendors. Family-friendly events for the children in attendance are also on the bill for the festival.

“It’s going to be really good,” DeStefano said. “And the money raised from this event goes a long way in helping us continue our cause.”

The turnout for last year’s Vets Summer Fest was approximately 2,000 people. According to DeStefano, an average of 1,500 attendees is a typical turnout. The festival is sponsored by Millington Bank, Transwestern, Navitend, WRNJ, WXPN and Joe Hirsh Productions.

Chimileski attributes OCO’s ongoing success to a nonpartisan focus on helping homeless veterans.

“We keep ourselves non-political and all volunteers are welcome – not just vets,” Chimileski stated. “Every form of help is important as it all goes to the men and women who are still on the streets. And everyone has something that they can do to help.”

Page 30 • August 2019 • Denville Life

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Honor History and Its Lessons

he reasons for understanding the past are plentiful. Historical knowledge may illuminate the moments that shaped a loved one’s life or simply satisfy a curiosity about events and people that occupied a different place in time. A look into yesteryear can help make sense of the world today or even foreshadow happenings well into the future.

Whatever the basis for your interest in looking back in time, there are many ways you can honor and develop a deeper understanding of history. It’s just a matter of finding the method that fits your interests best.

Visit a museum or historical monument. These locations are rife with information, and often artifacts, that bring the past to life. You can find museums for all types of topics and interests, some with broad information about an event or subject and others that tell a story from a particular vantage point. Monuments offer a similar glimpse at the past, but they generally serve as physical markers of a particular place or event. This means you can stand exactly where the nation’s forefathers stood as they fought for liberation from British soldiers or take in the same sights as the pioneers who ventured west along a wagon trail.

Explore written accounts of history. Historical books lend a diverse perspective on history, from factual accounts of times and places to personal narratives that let you experience exceptional moments through the eyes of someone who was there. For example, “Sacred Duty: A Soldier’s Tour at Arlington National Cemetery” from publisher Harper Collins paints an inspiring portrait of Arlington National Cemetery’s elite Old Guard unit, as well as telling the story of U.S. Senator Tom Cotton’s time as a platoon leader there. America’s oldest active-duty regiment, dating back to 1784, The Old Guard conducts daily military honor funerals on the 624 rolling acres of Arlington. Readers have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the honor and the challenges of duty at the nation’s most sacred shrine. Learn more or order online at HarperCollins.com.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Let elders tell their tales. Though much of recent history is heavily documented, there’s no comparison to hearing first-hand how a person felt and thought as those historical moments unfolded. War stories, memories of childhood, tales from the first time driving a car – these are all experiences that looked very different a generation or two ago. Use special occasions and family gatherings to encourage the elders in your life to tell their stories and make notes or record those memories to cherish years into the future.

Research your family tree. No history is as personally relevant as your family tree.

Your ancestors hold the answers to exactly why you look like you do, and maybe even why you act certain ways. Online services make it easy to begin piecing together relations that date back generations.

Visit a cemetery. You may think of a trip to a cemetery as purely a chance to pay your respects to the departed. While visiting grave sites of loved ones you’ve lost and leaving flowers or other trinkets are common practices, you can also learn a great deal from a cemetery. Looking for surnames you recognize may alert you to members of your family tree you never knew or seeing dates etched in the stones may help you piece together bits of family history.

Digging into the past may be entertaining, insightful, inspiring or all of the above. You may be surprised by all you can uncover once you get started. (Family Features)

Denville Life • August 2019 • Page 31

Ease Kids Back into School with Confidence

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here’s nothing like a major milestone in a child’s life to test a parent’s confidence. Big changes like a new school or classroom can be trying for kids and adults alike, but tackling the transition a little at a time can make it easier on everyone.

Most parents agree that being confident is important, but only about 1 in 3 parents feels confident on a typical day, according to KinderCare’s Parent Confidence Report. However, experts say your own feelings can impact youngsters.

Whether your child is making a big change like stepping up from pre-K into kindergarten or entering a new grade in the same building, there’s likely to be some trepidation. However, each child is different, which means reactions to change can vary.

Some kids show up ready and raring to go, eager to explore and meet new friends, while others can be a little clingy, tearful or even refuse to look at the teacher or take a step through the door.

If you think your child might have trouble making the transition, consider these strategies from the experts at KinderCare to help ease both of you into a more comfortable place and build confidence for a successful school year.

Set up classroom visits before school starts. Sometimes fear comes from the unknown. By visiting ahead of time and seeing firsthand, your child can become familiar with the layout of the classroom, meet the teachers and know what to expect, which can help alleviate some of the anxiety and jitters.

Talk with your child’s teacher about the transition. Your child’s teacher should be your partner, so be open and honest from the start. Talk about how your child handles change, what causes stress or what behaviors the teacher

might expect. Don’t be afraid to call and ask for updates on your child to see how things are going. Set up regular check-ins over the next few weeks to talk about any additional support your child may need.

Avoid sneaking away from your child at drop-off. Talk about what will happen ahead of time and create a consistent and predictable drop-off ritual, such as two high-fives, a hug and a wave from the window, to ensure your child feels secure and safe. Continue this routine every day to help your child get used to the classroom environment and make sure the process is a quick, happy one. While you’re typically welcome in most classrooms, lingering too long can make it harder on your child once you do leave.

Be enthusiastic. Just like laughter, excitement is contagious. Rather than focus on nerves or uncertainty, share your own memories from school including how you felt at the beginning of a new school year and the excitement of learning and meeting new friends, which can help your child get hyped up, too.

Set up a work station at home. Creating a designated space at home for your little learner to do homework, read, write, draw and complete art projects can help set him or her up to develop good study habits. Stock this station with colored paper, crayons and markers, pencils, glue sticks, scissors, books, stickers and other necessary tools, and leave room for stowing a backpack. Encourage your child to spend time working on educational endeavors in the space each night.

View the full Parent Confidence Report and find more advice to help ease your child’s way into the school year at KinderCare.com.

(Family Features)

Page 32 • August 2019 • Denville Life

Giving Homes a Face Lift:

Magnolia Home Remodeling Group Does it All

A By, Dawn M Chiossi

home is much more than a house. It is much more than four walls, a foundation, and rooms. Much more than just a place to eat and flop down for the night, homes are often an extension of the people who live in them. At their best, homes can be a place for family dinners, a place to bingewatch favorite shows, a hub for sociability, or just a comforting oasis away from the world.

Homes are an investment, literally and figuratively. It is often said that people do not own their homes--their homes own them. Even though the saying is often uttered off the cuff, there is a nugget of truth in it.

The best homes give off good vibes.

Everyone strives to make their home be a place of comfort, a place that is both restful and pretty. They aim to make their home a place where they can enjoy their solitude as well as the company of others.

It is a fact that, invariably with time, homes will deteriorate. As every homeowner knows, there will be wear and tear on them; they will need improvements, renovations, and refurbishments. In time, people may decide to do a home makeover, or even make improvements to sell it. In all of these instances, their homes will need a kind of face lift.

When this happens, people need to put their house and home into the hands of trusted professionals to rejuvenate it for whatever purpose they need.

Magnolia Home Remodeling Group is just such a business.

Founded in 1995, Magnolia Home Remodeling Group is a New Jersey Home Remodeling & Home Improvement Contractor. Located at 1640 Vauxhall Rd in Union Township, these hard workers seek to help their customers make their home its best. Whether customers would like their homes to go the nip and tuck route, or

seek to have a showstopper of a home, Magnolia Homes strives to make them as pretty as a magnolia and several times as strong.

Serving areas in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren counties, Magnolia Home can do it all. They specialize in both interior and exterior remodeling in the New Jersey area.

With over 25 years of industry experience, they are a licensed New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor. This family owned business was founded by brothers-in-law and partners, Vic Fiore and Chris Fontana.

For this close-knit staff, family pride and reputation is everything. At Magnolia Home Remodeling Group, they take pride in their work as well as their business.

Fully insured and licensed, Magnolia Home Remodeling is a full-service business. They specialize in installing vinyl siding, roofing, and windows, as well as kitchen, bathroom, and basement remodeling. They also offer porch remodeling, decks, masonry, patios, additions, levels and more.

Additionally, they offer a variety of affordable product choices to fit any budget. They facilitate affordable, no-hassle financing to help their customers. They also offer custom options to cap off the look of the home to make it unique to homeowners.

Offering the best in customer service, Magnolia Home seeks to make their customers feel comfortable and satisfied with their progress throughout the home projects. They stress communication, workmanship, professionalism and so much more.

According to Fiore, “We describe this business as family owned and operated. I chose to work in this industry because I enjoy working with people. Every home project is so different that it makes every day new and exciting,” he says.

The same sentiment is echoed by Fontana, “I didn’t want to be stuck behind a desk all day, I wanted to work with people. They have their own personalities and the work is different every day.”

It’s all paramount at Magnolia Home. They ask that all homeowners be present at the consultation so everyone is on the same page, and will have confidence in Magnolia and the job they are doing with their home.

1

Denville Life • August 2019 • Page 33

“We give the personal touch to each job,” Fontana says, “We sit down with everyone so that nothing gets lost in translation. We are always available for our customers.”

Knowing that a home improvement job can be scary for their clients, Fontana explains that they strive to make their customer’s experience a positive one.

“That includes taking pride in the level of workmanship and transparency, having a real relationship with the customers and making sure that the customers have trust in the project,” he tells.

“The customers in turn, appreciate what we do.”

For the owners of this family contracting business, having respect, professionalism, and consistency is key. Not only for their customers, but to build a stellar reputation as well. For them, it is all in the details. Even something as simple as cleaning up when the job is finished creates a positive and lasting impression on homeowners.

With consistent five-star ratings, Magnolia Home Remodeling Group has even been named a Super Service Award Winner for several years running from Angie’s List.

They have many repeat customers as well. The reason for that lies in their customer service and desire to make homeowners happy. When a question needs answering, or someone has a concern, it is guaranteed that they will speak to an owner.

“I’d use them again,” is something people say over and over again.

Magnolia Home Remodeling Group fervently believes in giving back to the community as well. The company was even featured on TV’s George to the Rescue on April 27th, when they lent more than a hand to Union County’s Munt Family.

The family suffered a terrible tragedy on Thanksgiving in 2017 when husband and father, 46-year-old Alex Munt passed away suddenly from a heart attack.

The community quickly rallied around the family doing all they

could to help, and that included George to the Rescue and Magnolia Home Remodeling Group. They jumped right in to help the family with their home improvements by giving the house a total makeover.

Magnolia Home not only donated construction supplies and labor for the project, they were the lead contractor as well.

“We are proud to be able to do this,” Fontana enthuses. “To take the worry and the risk out of a job for our clients. It is an honor.”

Fontana mentions they have also worked on projects for the Make A Wish Foundation and in South Jersey helping a disabled child. They also work on a regular basis with police, firemen, and first responders to use their talents and skills to make their lives a little better.

That’s what it’s all about for the owners of Magnolia Home.

Perhaps nothing demonstrates this more than a memory Fontana shares. “There was a widow whose husband had just recently passed. Her house needed work, and her money was understandably tight. She had been suspicious and hesitant to work with us at first because she’d had a bad experience with another contractor.”

Undaunted, Magnolia Home Remodeling set out to help.

“We worked with her,” Fontana explains. “Starting out, she had been very affected by her previous experience. We understood that, took everything into consideration, and went above and beyond to change it for her.”

Check them out on Yelp, Angie’s List, Better Business Bureau, or their list of references.

Taking pride in their family and business reputation, Magnolia Home Remodeling Group puts their heart in customer’s homes.

Giving homes the face lift they deserve; they make homes as beautiful as their name implies.

For further information, details, or a free estimate, call 855624-6655 or visit www.magnoliahomeremodeling.com.

Page 34 • August 2019 • Denville Life

E

How Much Exercise Does a Person Need?

xercise is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Exercise helps people maintain healthy weights, improves mood, reduces the risk for various health ailments, and much more. But how much exercise is necessary for optimal health? Research indicates that the answer to that question depends on the person and his or individual health goals.

According to David Bassett, Jr., PhD, a professor of exercise physiology at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, having a clear set of exercise goals can help a person determine just how much exercise he or she needs, particularly if a person is exercising to control his or her weight or reduce his or her stress.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends

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that most healthy adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination thereof, every week. Try to engage in strength training for all major muscle groups at least two times per week. The Mayo Clinic says a general goal for most people is to aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day.

Health experts say that this exercise needn’t all occur at once, either.

If a 30-minute walk is not possible, split that up into a few 10-minute walks throughout the day. Any activity is better than doing nothing at all.

For those with specific fitness goals, it could be wise to speak with a trainer or a doctor about which types of exercises (and durations) are effective. Physicians may be able to map out a fitness plan that works.

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Denville Life • August 2019 • Page 35

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