Denville Life March 2024

Morris Knolls Hockey Coach Tim Kepler Gets Win #100

By Steve Sears

Career win #100 did not come easy for Morris Knolls ice hockey head coach, Tim Kepler, but come it did.

On Friday, January 12 at Monmouth Junction’s ProSkate Ice Arena in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, Golden Eagles leading scorer, junior forward Jake McCloud, scored four goals, including an overtime game winner, as he and his team defeated the state’s 15th ranked squad, the Hillsborough High School Raiders, 10 – 9. McCloud also assisted on two other goals, giving him a total of six points for the game, and garnering Kepler his century mark triumph.

Kepler said of the victory, “This milestone of 100 wins, whatever you want to call it, definitely does not happen without the players and their dedication that comes to our program, along with the unwavering support, dedication, and time that my assistant coaches put into our program.”

Kepler, 48, who is also a Lieutenant with the Rockaway Township Police Department, is in his 19th season coaching at Morris Knolls. He was an assistant for former head coach, Walt Keiper, for 11 years, coached the junior varsity club for nine of those seasons, and he took over as head coach prior to the 2016 – 17 season. Kepler also played hockey at

Morris Knolls in the early 1990s, and then went on to play at Randolph’s County College of Morris for CCM Hall of Fame head coach, Edward Nelson.

Heading into the 2023 –24 season, Kepler’s Golden Eagles have been successful, sporting a record of 95 – 52 – 19 the past seven seasons, and his teams snared 2019 and 2020 New Jersey Public A titles. The latter was as coach of the Morris KnollsMorris Hills Coop team, which he still coaches.

“It was great,” Kepler says of being Keiper’s assistant. “We kind of grew up together, but he is a little bit older than me, but I grew up playing with his brothers. He actually coached me when I played rec hockey when I was younger. I guess the best way to say it is he is like an older brother and mentor for me. His passion and dedication to the program, along with a couple of other

assistant coaches that have been here a long time, have helped this program become what it is.”

As win #100 approached for Kepler, he never thought about it. He focused on something more important. He said, “It is about the kids, it is about the players. We have had a little bit of a struggle this year, which we are not used to - our players are not used to it, our coaches are not used to it. There are struggles every season, but we usually find a way to right the ship, get on somewhat of a winning streak. This year we have not won more than one game in a row, and we are playing most of the top teams in the state.”

Against the Raiders, the Golden Eagles were trailing 5 – 1 in the second period but were not deterred. Kepler said, “We are never out of it. With some of the players that we have, we do not ever feel like we are

out of a game. To start the second period, they scored a shorthanded goal, and then we scored the next five or six in a row.” The teams then traded goals to force a 9 – 9 tie and head to overtime, when McCloud netted the game winner.

“It was just an unbelievable experience for our players,” Kepler said of his milestone win. “We have tried to build that culture of responsibility, accountability, and maturity. It is our job as mentors and coaches to help our players grow up and learn life lessons, and hopefully contribute to society once they finish. There is no better way to do that than playing sports, in my opinion. You are part of a team, learn how to work together and problem solve, and sometimes your working together leads to failure – and then that failure usually leads you to some type of success.”

Head coach Tim Kepler (center) surrounded by his Morris Knolls hockey team after his 100th career victory

Our 9 Red Shirt dancers and their teams of Blue Shirt dancers and Orange Shirt dancers raised a total of $19,508.71

Please help us! We have high hopes of beating our highest record of Dance Marathon funds raised – which was $22,451.48 on 01/10/2020 (before COVID hit us) . We are hoping to raise $25,000. It’s not too late to donate. As promised, half of the Dance Marathon funds raised are being donated to the Heart for People Foundation. Also, Eve Nazarian is our Read to Roof 2023 winner! Eve read 4 books and raised $276 to help build a roof

on a school in Uganda, happening now! Christian Drama School needs money too! During the fall of 2023, we have been unable to donate to the Morris Plains Presbyterian Church for the generous use of their facility to do “The Drummer.” BUT NOW WE CAN!!! HURRAY! The Morris Plains church staff and members are very kind, loving, supportive, and patient. I think they love us to bits! Do you remember the previous Marathon 2022 – when we danced the last hour outside in the freezing cold? We said farewell to 22 years in the Parish House with no place to go. But now we have a new home in Morris Plains!

Celebrating Women’s History Month: A Tribute to Women’s Contributions Throughout the Ages

Women’s History Month is a time to honor and celebrate the countless achievements and contributions of women throughout history. This annual observance, which takes place in March, serves as a reminder of the remarkable women who have shaped our world and inspired future generations.

The origins of Women’s History Month can be traced back to the early 20th century when International Women’s Day was first observed in 1909. Inspired by labor movements and activism, this day aimed to highlight the social, economic, and political achievements of women. Over the years, the observance of International Women’s Day spread globally, gaining momentum and recognition.

In the United States, the push for a designated month to honor women’s history gained traction in the 1970s during the height of the feminist movement. In 1978, a school district in Sonoma, California, organized a week-long celebration of women’s contributions, which soon spread to other communities across the country. Encouraged by this grassroots movement, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of

March 8th as National Women’s History Week in 1980.

The momentum continued to build, and in 1987, Congress passed a resolution designating March as Women’s History Month. Since then, Women’s History Month has been a time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women in all fields, including politics, science, literature, art, and beyond.

Throughout history, women have made significant strides in the face of adversity and discrimination. From trailblazers like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who fought tirelessly for women’s suffrage, to Rosa Parks, whose refusal to give up her seat on a segregated bus sparked the Civil Rights Movement, women have been at the forefront of social change.

In science and technology, women have also left an indelible mark. Figures like Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and Ada Lovelace, the world’s first computer programmer, shattered glass ceilings and paved the way for future generations of women in STEM fields.

Literature and the arts have also been enriched by the contributions of women. From the poetry of Emily Dickinson

and Maya Angelou to the novels of Jane Austen and Toni Morrison, women writers have captivated audiences and challenged societal norms with their words.

In recent decades, Women’s History Month has expanded to recognize the achievements of women from diverse backgrounds, including women of color, LGBTQ+ women, and women with disabilities. This inclusive approach reflects the intersectional nature of feminism and acknowledges the unique challenges faced by different groups of women.

Today, Women’s History Month is celebrated with events and activities that highlight the achievements of women past and present. From panel discussions and lectures to art exhibitions and film screenings, there are countless opportunities to learn about and honor the contributions of women in all aspects of society.

As we commemorate Women’s History Month, let us not only celebrate the achievements of the past but also recommit ourselves to the ongoing fight for gender equality. By honoring the past and uplifting the voices of women today, we can create a more equitable and just future for all.

By Richard Mabey Jr.

IWhen You Get A Bad Medical Report

came into this world with a congenital heart defect, known as a Myocardial Bridge. Simply put, a Myocardial Bridge is a medical condition in which an artery of the heart interweaves and tunnels through the spindles of the heart muscles. Thus, every time the heart contracts, it squeezes the blood vessel, resulting in cutting off the blood supply to that area of the heart.

On top of all of this, I recently had an MRI of my heart and a heart catheterization. The bottom line is that my Cardiologist found a second aneurysm near my heart. The first is at the base of my Ascending Aorta, the second aneurysm is located at the base of my Brachiocephalic Artery. My Cardiologist gave it to me straight. Based on the rate of growth of my aneurysms and the factors of my Myocardial Bridges, my Cardiologist told me that she estimated I have about two years to live. That was tough to hear.

I admit that I was sad to hear that news. And, yes, for a couple of days, I was feeling sorry for myself. But then I woke up from a deep sleep, I walked over to my bedroom window and opened up my curtain and blinds. I saw the glistening morning sun, a couple of squirrels climbing up and down the Live Oak in my front yard, and took in the sight of a couple of birds perched upon the edge of my front yard birdbath. Once again, I saw the joy and splendor and wonder of the beauty of God’s creation.

Life is tough. At times it gets really tough. And then at

times it gets so tough, we’re tempted to fall into sadness, even depression. But that is just the time when we need to pull up our boot straps, take a good hard look in the mirror and dig deep to rediscover the joy and splendor of being alive. Even in the midst of getting the bad news of having a serious health condition, we’ve got to fight, tooth and nail, to stay positive.

This article will, no doubt, be read by hundreds of people. Yet, I know deep in my heart and soul, that I am writing this column for one specific person. Odds are that I’ve never met this person. I don’t know their name. I don’t know what they look like. But I do know this. After praying and praying about it, God directed me to write these words.

Hold dear to each and every precious day. Time is more valuable than all the gold in Fort Knox. Love the dear ones in your life. Tell them you love them. Find a purpose, a means to uplift others. Even if it’s just sharing a smile to a passerby in a grocery store. Forgive all those who have hurt you. Love one another.

Read the spiritual writings of your faith. Pray. Meditate on God’s beauty in nature. Be kind to animals. Speak gently to children. Encourage someone who is struggling in life. Write a poem, don’t worry about making it rhyme. Donate a few dollars to a worthwhile charity. Love one another.

As long as your heart is beating, and your breathing air into your lungs, you can make a positive mark upon

Yours truly, complete with the old school tie and sports coat.

another person’s life. For love is the key that unlocks miracles. Simply put, love one another.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He hosts a YouTube Channel titled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard most recently published a book of poetry and short stories. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@ hotmail.com.

Denville Township School District Secures Real Estate Options to Prepare for Possible Enrollment

Taking into consideration both current enrollment, as well as future projections, the Denville Township Board of Education took two key steps this winter designed to provide space options for the growing student population.

The first initiative adds an addendum to the existing lease agreement between the Denville BOE and the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. Since 2019, the former St. Mary’s School building has served as the Riverview Annex. Fourth and Fifth grade students, who would historically have attended Riverview Elementary School, have been attending classes across the street, in the Riverview Annex. The 2019 introduction of the Annex has helped the district manage class sizes and deflect potential overcrowding in the Riverview Elementary School.

The lease addendum, which covers five years, takes effect July 1, 2024, and runs through June 30, 2029. The addendum provides an option for the Denville BOE to utilize the building’s four 2nd floor classrooms, in the future, if needed. Additionally, the parish agrees to supervise and fund the acquisition of a much-needed new roof. Following the installation of the roof, which is estimated to cost $600,000, the BOE will reimburse the cost of the roof using capital reserves. The district will then be reimbursed 65% of those funds through rent reductions that will begin in year two of the lease and will continue through year five.

“Since the town and school population is predicted to increase over the next few years this lease extension will continue to provide needed space in the elementary schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Steven A. Forte. “Use of the parish building as the Riverview Annex, will continue to allow the district to effectively manage growth in enrollment at a very reasonable cost.”

Managing growing enrollment has been an ongoing focus of the Denville Township School District’s Board of Education since 2019. Implementing the Riverview Annex, along with adopting a 2011 policy that allows for a flex zone within the Denville Township School District, has helped the district to maintain consistent class sizes across both

Riverview and Lakeview Elementary Schools.

The flex zone, officially known as “District Policy 5120: Assignment of Students,” allows for an incoming student to be assigned to either Riverview or Lakeview Elementary in order to “balance class sizes and/or to provide individual students with specific programs.”

“The addendum to the Annex lease, in conjunction with the use of the flex zone, will continue to provide the district with flexibility,” Won James Kim, President of the Denville Township Board of Education explained. “These two factors give us room to grow, while maintaining class sizes across both elementary schools.”

The Denville BOE also made an acquisition this winter of an additional 3-acre parcel that abuts an existing district property of just over 25-acres.

“This is yet another example of how effectively Denville Township and Denville Schools work together,” said Denville Township Mayor Thomas W. Andes.

Andes explained that, over the past 30 years, Denville Township has secured over 1,300 acres of open space.

“We have protected 17% of the land in Denville,” Andes said.

Andes added that Jane Garvey is the Open Space Coordinator for Denville Township, and noted that when 46 Nicole Drive came on the market, Garvey brought the 3-acre parcel to his attention.

“This was a team effort,” Andes said. “I thought it was an exciting opportunity for the BOE. They have a big job. This 3-acre property, combined with the parcel they already own, could provide more latitude on what they can do with the 25-acres if it is needed in the future.”

The Denville BOE closed on the 46 Nicole Drive property on January 3, 2024, using $600,000 in capital reserve funds. The parcel was obtained at $199,000 less than the asking price.

“This parcel adds land that is suitable for a school, not wetlands, to the district’s existing property,” Forte said. “Additionally, the road frontage is very important to add to our current acreage in the same location.”

“These measures give us flexibility going into the future,” Kim added in regards to the Annex Addendum and the purchase of 46 Nicole Drive. “Taking these steps now provides us with more options while we continue to evaluate school space needs for the future.”

At the December 11, 2023, meeting, the Denville Township BOE viewed an enrollment presentation made by the Denville Space Considerations Ad Hoc Committee, which was headed by Kim.

The “Demographic Study for the Denville Township School District, January 2022,” compiled by Dr. Richard Grip of Statistical Forecasting, LLC, indicates that, based on

2023/24 enrollments and current BOE policy, the district could take on 555 additional students by the 2026/27 school year.

Among the recommendations made by the Space Considerations Committee, it was suggested that an enrollment “Monitoring System” be implemented at each BOE meeting, in order to keep an eye on enrollment as compared to the 2022 demographic study.

The Denville Township School District is a Pre-K to grade 8 district with 1,705 students, 200 faculty members, and 350 employees total. The district has two elementary schools, Riverview and Lakeview, and one middle school, Valleyview.

Mary Edwards Walker the Only Female Medal of Honor Winner

By Henry M. Holden

Mary Edwards Walker (18321919) challenged the practices of her day. Born and raised on a farm in Oswego, New York, Walker became one of a handful of female physicians in the country.

Despite the mockery and destain from her contemporaries she continued to break customs and wore men’s clothing rather than corsets and large petticoats and dresses. She believed they were unhygienic and caused health issues.

Walker lectured and campaigned for woman’s suffrage, and for prohibition, and against tobacco, and alcohol.

From the outset of the Civil War, Walker volunteered her services as a physician. Despite opposition from army commanders and

field surgeons, Walker served as a surgeon at Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Chickamauga, and other bloody theaters of the war. She attended to the wounded soldiers and civilians on both sides of the conflict. At the time, women physicians were considered unfit for military service.

Captured by Confederates near Chattanooga in 1864, she served four months in a Southern prison near Richmond where she nursed wounded prisoners of war.

Walker was a skilled surgeon, and graduated in 1855, from Syracuse Medical College. She was an abolitionist, prohibitionist. and prisoner of war. She was captured and arrested as a spy for the Union Forces by Confederate troops after crossing enemy lines to help a Confederate doctor perform an amputation on

a civilian. She remained a prisoner of war for four months until August 12 when she was released in a prisoner exchange.

. She frequently crossed battle lines to treat civilians, and this led to her capture by Confederate troops in 1864. She was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1865 by President Andrew Johnson.

Before her capture, Walker wrote to the department of war, and requested to act as a spy in the conflict; she was rejected, but later was employed as a civilian surgeon by the army of the Cumberland, becoming the first female surgeon to work for the US Army surgeon general.

Walker’s Medal of Honor was withdrawn following a 1917 review of Army Medal of Honor awards. In their review it recommended that the medal be restricted to

enlisted personnel.

There is no higher accolade awarded in the United States Armed Forces than the Medal of Honor.

In 1917, Congress passed an Act detailing the requirements for qualification for the Medal. The Medal of Honor recipient must be enlisted personnel. And involved in actual combat with an enemy. This review resulted in over 900 names being deleted from the Medal of Honor roll.. Dr. Mary Edwards was one of those names.

In 1977 President Jimmy Carter, reinstated Dr. Walker’s Medal of Honor; Walker was only one of six people who had their medals restored.

Although married, there is no evidence that she had children. She divorced her husband on the grounds of his infidelity.

After the war, Dr. Walker became a writer, lecturer, and advocated in support of women’s rights. At the time, it was illegal for women to wear men’s clothing. She was arrested many times for wearing men’s clothes, but never stopped insisting on her right to wear the clothing she felt was appropriate.

Dr. Walker tried to vote in 1871 but was turned away. She became a leading member of the early suffrage movement, arguing that women already had a

constitutional right to vote. Dr. Walker never stopped pushing for women’s rights.

In the exact words of the Congressional Resolution on 12 July 1862 “the award is for gallantry, and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing force or while serving with a friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict

It is awarded to only American military personnel for incredible acts of valor and selfishness..

In a presidential review of the Medal of Honor In 197,

after reviewing her record of valor, President Jimmy Carter said that although a civilian at the time of her valor she was restored to the Medal of Honor Roll in 1977.

After a long illness, Walker died at home on February 21, 1919, at the age of eighty-six. She was buried at Rural Cemetery in Oswego, New York, in a plain funeral, with an American flag draped over her casket, and wearing a black suit instead of a dress. Her death, in 1919, came one year before the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guaranteed women the right to vote.

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker dressed in men’s clothing, and wearing her Medal of Honor. (Photo Public Domain)

Particle hopefully will provide the reader with lots of interesting tidbits regarding this technology.

Most dental offices now utilize digital xrays, although traditionally developed xrays still exist. While both methods still require exposure to ionizing radiation, the pathways by which the image is developed varies. Traditional films require about a 7 minute chemical process through a developer, fixer, and wash. Digital films require just a few seconds using a plate that is sensitive to the radiation generated by the xray machine.

While both methods utilize radiation,

how much is the patient being exposed to? There are two items to address: one is the comparison of radiation from traditional films to digital sensors, and the other is the amount of radiation from dental xrays to the amount you are exposed to in normal, everyday living.

Digital x-rays expose an individual to 80% to 90% less radiation than traditional x-rays. What a fantastic technology to help protect our patients! The second part of this equation helps to put any amount of dental radiation into perspective. Once a year most patients will get four “bitewing” checkup films at their dentist. If these films are not digital, that is about 0.038mSv (mSv stands for millisevert: a measurement of radiation). If they are digital, that number drops to about 0.02mSv. Compare that to 3.0mSv, which is the amount of natural radiation a person in the U.S. is exposed to annually, or 0.04mSv, which is the amount of radiation you are exposed to on a cross-country 7-hour flight in the U.S. In other words, the amount of dental radiation you are exposed to in a dental office is very minimal.

There are some patients who still refuse dental xrays due to concerns about radiation exposure. This is their right. However, just understand your dentist will be unable to detect issues such as cavities between teeth or infections around the roots. The

ability to detect periodontal (gum) disease is also compromised. Certain cancers or bone diseases are also detected on films: this opportunity will be missed. Refusal of dental x-rays is not a smart move in your overall health.

New Patient Special

Dentists also follow a rule called ALARA: this stands for As Low As Reasonable Achievable.” This means we make efforts to limit your exposure to radiation that does not have a direct benefit to you. We do this by considering if the xray would even have a benefit to you, the amount of time regarding the exposure, the distance of that exposure, and shielding (lead aprons around your chest and thyroid).

Regarding lead shields, there are new opinions from radiologists and medical physicists the need for shields doesn’t exist anymore. Between the use of digital xrays with 80% to 90% less radiation, and decreased scatter of the radiation beams from collimation, protective lead aprons simply aren’t necessary. Time will tell where this topic goes.

Some offices utilize CBCT, which stands for Cone Beam Computerized Tomography: this is an in-office CT scanner. A CT scanner is a type of x-ray machine. I wouldn’t be able to function without this machine due to the amount of dental implant and regenerative procedures we perform. This unit provides

us with a 3-D image of a person’s jaws. We are able to evaluate if there is enough bone to accept dental implants, and we can import this data with surface scans of a person’s teeth to design computer-generated guides for highly accurate implant placement. Again, not all offices have CBCT scanners and they don’t necessarily need them: our hands would be tied without it.

Dental x-rays: an important tool to any dental office, and an important tool for the benefit of our patient’s care. Need to know more? Please inquire!

About the author: Dr. Ira Goldberg is a distinguished dentist within the community. He has been providing both general dentistry & implant dentistry services for 28 years. He is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, and a Scholar of the Dawson Academy of Comprehensive Dentistry. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology / Implant Dentistry, a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. He performs all phases of implant dentistry at his office in Succasunna, NJ. He lectures to dentists in the field of implantology. For a free consultation, including a free 3-D scan (if necessary), please call his office at 973-328-1225 or visit his website at www. MorrisCountyDentist.com

Ira Goldberg, DDS, FAGD, DICOI

Ira Goldberg, DDS, FAGD, DICOI

Rabbi Mark Biller To Spotlight

Rav KookIn Series Called ‘Living A Soulful Life’

Rabbi Mark Biller will delve into the thought and philosophy of Rav Kook, a towering figure in Jewish life, in a three-part series, via Zoom, called “Living a Soulful Life.” The series, which is free and open to the public, will take place on Thursdays, March 14 (“Midnight Writer”), March 21 (“Everything Is Sacred”), and March 28 (“Every Moment Counts”), all at 1 p.m.

Our Jewish World is co-chaired by Ilene Dorf Manahan and Melanie Levitan, both of Morristown.

Rav Kook was Chief Rabbi of Israel during the British Mandate years (in the first part of the 20th century). He is considered the father of religious Zionism, and is a mystic, whose beautiful and profound writings still inspire.

“A realist who dealt with the politicians of the early State of Israel, Rav Kook saw a positive life force in all creatures and beings,” Rabbi Biller notes. “His goal was to foster positive understanding between Jews of all religious levels of practice, to teach a deep appreciation of nature and our place in it, and to bring conscious awareness for all to every moment.”

Rav Kook awakened every midnight to add entries to his personal diary. He reflected on life and wrote free-flowing prose about his spiritual beliefs— writings that were meant to remain private. Many years after his passing, the diaries were translated and published, so now we can gain direct access to his deepest unedited thoughts.

The series presenter observes, “For Rav Kook, Torah study is a doorway to finding the sacred in everything, and the goal of a religious life is to feel and find a sense of unity with all life. No matter how fraught the world seems, for Rav Kook each moment can hold the potential for

connection and goodness.”

Rabbi Biller brings a wide perspective to his teaching and patience for all the questions we may have. He specializes in the art of storytelling, and counseling Jews of all ritual levels looking to find meaning in both modern life and rich Jewish traditions. The spiritual leader of synagogues in his native Canada, as well as in Alabama, Arkansas, New York and New Jersey, the rabbi received rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Preregistration is required for the series. To register, email iadpr@aol. com. One registration will cover all three sessions.

with Saint Clare’s Kidney Stones Are No Gems

By Mark J. Bonamo

Kidney stones can be one of the most uniquely and acutely painful health issues people can experience. Dr. Gregg Zimmerman, Medical Director of Robotic Surgery and Urologic Oncologist at Saint Clare’s Health, has spent years demystifying kidney stones and advising on methods to best treat them.

“Kidney stones are very common, and anyone who’s had a stone knows how painful they can be. They can also be dangerous. If they’re not treated in an appropriate amount of

time, someone can become infected and even septic,” Dr. Zimmerman said. “But they are very treatable, and can even be preventable.”

A common misconception is that kidney stones and gallstones are one and the same. According to Dr. Zimmerman, a major difference is that while the pain associated with gallstones ebb and flow, kidney stones pain can be unrelenting.

“Typically, kidney stone pain starts in your back and then radiates around to your abdomen and groin. You can get blood in

your urine, which is very upsetting to patients,” Dr. Zimmerman said. “As the kidney stone travels down the ureter and gets closer to the bladder, you can experience urinary symptoms that include increased urinary urgency and frequency.”

There are many different types of kidney stones. The most common stones are known as calcium oxalate stones, which account for approximately 70 to 80 percent of all stones and are easily seen on X-rays. Other types of stones include uric acid stones, cystine stones, and struvite

Kidz World Pediatric

stones, which are caused by recurrent urinary tract infections

Dr. Zimmerman noted that while kidney stones can affect anyone, they are more likely to affect men, with 11 percent of men experiencing a stone in their lifetime, as compared to 6 percent of women.

“If you’ve had a kidney stone, there’s a 50 percent chance you will develop another kidney stone in your lifetime,” Dr. Zimmerman stated. “There are a number of factors can cause kidney stones, such as dehydration, anatomical abnormalities that cause poor drainage from kidney, inflammatory bowel disease, as well as any problem that causes high calcium, oxalate or uric acid levels in the urine. Gout, gastric surgery, and vitamin deficiencies can also contribute to stone

formation.”

Some obvious symptoms that are considered in the diagnostic process include pain, fever, nausea/vomiting, blood in the urine, and urinary symptoms. A thorough patient medical history, as well as precise testing, can also be critical when making a diagnosis.

“A careful medical history is important if you have the suspicion that a stone may be present. At that point, we typically will conduct lab tests, looking for an elevated white blood cell count that points to inflammation or infection, altered kidney function or signs of UTI,” Dr. Zimmerman explained.

“If we think a kidney stone is likely, we’ll order imaging studies, such as a CAT scan of the abdomen and pelvis, which can tell if a stone is present, along with its

position and size.”

Treatment for kidney stones can include giving the stone a chance to pass naturally. However, if the stone is larger, other options come into consideration.

“When it comes to stone management, we always try treat in a minimally invasive manner without incisions. In some cases,

continued on page 11

The dental group kids LOVE and their parents trust!

Dr. Gregg Zimmerman Medical Director of Robotic Surgery and Urologic Oncologist

Kidney Stones...

continued from page 10

we use a small scope to look up the ureter, find the stone, break it up with a laser, and gently remove the pieces,” Dr. Zimmerman explains. “We also utilize extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, where sound waves are used to break the stones into tiny fragments. A less common procedure called percutaneous nephrolithotomy, is typically reserved for very large stones that fill the kidney.”

A healthy degree of preventive medicine and self-care can help reduce the risk of developing kidney stones.

“Drinking more water, particularly with lemon in it, is an easy and safe way to keep kidney stones at bay. Lemons contains citrate that can naturally prevent stones from forming,” Dr. Zimmerman shares. “Less salt and animal protein in your diet also help with stone prevention and are beneficial for overall health. If you have recurrent stones, we can order a 24-hour urine analysis. This test tells us about potential abnormalities in your diet and metabolism that contribute to the creation of kidney stones. With this information, physicians can make personalized dietary recommendations, prescribe helpful medication, and supplements.”

The sudden onset of severe kidney stone pain makes it even more important that Saint Clare’s Health is around the corner geographically, as well as ahead of the curve technologically.

“Kidney stones can be very, very painful. The waiting times at a local hospital, such as Saint Clare’s Health are often shorter than at other larger hospitals. This means we can diagnose you quicker and treat you faster,” Dr. Zimmerman said. “At Saint Clare’s Health, we’re always looking to find the latest and greatest in terms of technology. We have the latest scopes. We have the latest lasers. And we’re always looking for what’s going to help patients get better quicker.”

“In the meantime, fight kidney stones by staying hydrated. When you go out to dinner or lunch, ask server for a tall glass of water, put lemon in it, and drink it down,” Dr. Zimmerman added. “I also advise people to put a bottle of water on their nightstand and when they wake up in the morning, take two big swigs that get you hydrated early in the day. You’ll thank me later.”

For more information visit SaintClares. com.

Women’s History Book Shines a Light on the Stories Lost

to Patriarchy

If history is written by those in power, then there are countless unsung heroes among the women who lived it. For too long, women who have served as leaders, champions of justice, and pioneers in their fields have been relegated to footnotes in our textbooks. Dr. Jackie Casper Agostini writes this powerful, transformative volume to rectify those errors, shining a light on these social movers. Women like Mary Harris, Ida B. Wells, and Isabella Baumfree (known to most as Sojourner Truth) are some of the most prominent forces behind not only the feminist movement but also many of the rights we all hold in society, regardless of gender. Shining a Light on (Her)Story paints a vivid picture of how conventions were defied to bring us the world we know.

The book is a powerful statement on the dangers of patriarchy, championing the importance of women crafting their own visions for the future. Featuring historical accounts of the lives of powerhouse social contributors like Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Alice Paul, Agostini’s work is a treasure trove of forgotten stories. In addition, the book functions as Agostini’s personal memoir as she explores her own relationship with America’s historical narrative. Readers of any gender will find

nuggets of wisdom to glean from this title. Women in particular will find it empowering, inspiring, and revelatory as stories of the past point toward a future built on solidarity. Shining a Light on (Her)Story is available for purchase online at Amazon. com and Barnes and Noble.com

By Henry M. Holden

There is a small town, Troy, Ohio, that celebrates an occasion that put it on the world map of the grocery trade.

On June 26, 1974, when the first item marked with the Universal Product Code (U PC) was scanned at the checkout of Troy’s Marsh Supermarket.

It was a ceremonial occasion and involved a little bit of setup. The night before, Marsh employees had moved in to put barcodes on hundreds of items in the store: while the National Cash Register installed their scanners and computers.

The first “shopper” was Clyde Dawson, who was head of research and development for Marsh Supermarket. Legend has it that Dawson dipped into his shopping basket and pulled out a pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit chewing gum. Dawson explained later that this was not a lucky dip.

“I had chosen it because nobody had been sure that a bar code could be printed on something as small as a pack of chewing gum.”

Finally, there was a solution to the problem of slow checkout lines and inventory control. But it would take years for its successful implementation.

On October 20, 1949, Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver filed their patent application for the «Classifying Apparatus and Method,” describing their invention as “article classification...through the medium of identifying patterns.” The first patent for a barcode type product (US Patent #2,612,994) was issued to the inventors on October 7, 1952. The invention was based on Morse code.

It was Morse code that gave Woodland the idea. Woodland had learned Morse code when he was in the Boy Scouts. As he was sitting in a beach chair and pondering the checkout dilemma, Morse came into his head:

“I remember I was thinking about dots and dashes when I poked my four fingers into the sand and, for whatever reason—I didn’t know—I pulled my hand toward me and I had four lines. I said ‘Golly! Now I have four lines and they could be wide lines and narrow lines, instead of dots and dashes. Then, only seconds later, I took my four fingers—they were still in the sand—and I swept them round into a circle.” However, it took twenty years before this invention became commercially successful.

An early use of one type of barcode in an industrial context was sponsored by the Association of American Railroads in the late 1960s. Developed by General Telephone and Electronics (GTE). It was called KarTrak ACI (Automatic Car Identification). This program involved placing colored stripes in various combinations. to the sides of railroad rolling stock. Two plates were used per car, one on each side, with the arrangement of

The Universal Barcode

the colored stripes with encoded information such as ownership, type of equipment, and identification number. The plates were read by a trackside scanner located at the entrance to a classification yard, while the car was moving past. The project was abandoned after about ten years because the system proved unreliable after long-term use.

Barcodes finally became commercially successful when they were used to automate supermarket checkout systems, a task for which they have become almost universal. The Uniform Grocery Product Code Council had chosen, in 1973, a barcode design developed by George Laurer. Laurer’s barcode, with vertical bars, printed better than the circular barcode developed by Woodland and Silver. Their use has spread to many other tasks that are generically referred to as automatic identification and data capture (AIDC).

In June 1974, the Marsh supermarket in Troy used a scanner made by Photographic Sciences Corporation to scan the Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode on a pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum.

Woodland said it sounded like a fairy tale: “I had gotten the inspiration for what became the barcode while sitting on Miami Beach. What I was after was a code of some kind that could be printed on groceries and scanned so that supermarket checkout queues could move more quickly, and stocktaking would be simplified.”

That such a technology was needed was not Woodland’s idea: it came from an anxious supermarket manager who had asked a dean at Drexel Institute of Technology, in Philadelphia, to come up with a way of getting shoppers through his store more quickly. The delays and the regular stocktaking were costing him profits. The dean shrugged him off, but a junior postgraduate, Bernard Silver, overheard the conversation and was interested. He mentioned it to Woodland, who had graduated from Drexel in 1947. Woodland decided to take on the challenge.

In 1948, Silver joined together with fellow graduate student Joseph Woodland to work on a solution.

Woodland’s first idea was to use ultraviolet light sensitive ink. The team built a working prototype but decided that the system was too unstable and expensive. They went back to the drawing board.

With the barcode it was soon realized that there would have to be some sort of industry standard.

So confident was Woodland that he would come up with a solution to the supermarket dilemma left graduate school in the winter of 1948 to live in an apartment owned by his grandfather in Miami Beach. He had cashed in some stocks to tide him over. It was in January 1949 that Woodland had his ah ha, moment. Though the brilliance of its

QR codes, a specific type of 2D barcode, have recently] become very popular due to the growth in smartphone ownership.

simplicity and its far-reaching consequences for modern existence were not recognized until many years later.

Back in Philadelphia, Woodland and Silver decided to see if they could get a working system going with the technology at hand. Although the patent illustrates the basic concept, there is only limited anecdotal evidence about what Woodland and Silver built.

A crude prototype in Woodland’s own home used a powerful 500watt incandescent bulb. An oscilloscope was used to “read” the code; the whole thing was too big. Allegedly, it worked, up to a point. But an objective evaluation judged it would take 20 years.

The first patent for a barcode type product (US Patent #2,612,994) was issued to the inventors on October 7, 1952. The invention was based on Morse code.

Bar codes became commercially successful when the scanning technology came up to speed, and were used to automate supermarket checkout systems, a task for which they have become almost universal. The Uniform Grocery Product Code Council had chosen, in 1973, the bar code design developed by George Laurer. Laurer’s barcode, with vertical bars, printed better than the circular barcode developed by Woodland and Silver. Their use has spread to many other tasks that are generically referred to as automatic identification and data capture (AIDC).

Today the barcode business is booming throughout industries and by 2023, virtually all products sold contain bar codes.

By Jeff Garrett

INJ Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame Enters 52nd Year as One of State’s Most Enriching Places

f flying peaks your curiosity and you have an interest for all things air with a slice of history, a stroll on the campus of the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum in New Jersey many be just the tonic as warmer weather approaches.

Located at 400 Fred Wehran Drive in Teterboro, the Museum showcases helicopters and airplanes along with displaying the career highlights and attributes of some of New Jersey and the country’s greatest contributors to Aviation since flying began.

One interactive exhibit is apart of the institutions “Fundamentals of Flight” interactive aerodynamics exhibit

allowing guests to do more than just view historical aircraft. Another exhibit offered showcases the rocket which propelled the famous X-15 to previously unheard of, recordbreaking speeds and heights, as America’s first hovercraft.

Inside the museum, smaller almost model airplanes are displayed along with key parts and figures from planes from different military eras. Space equipment is also on display as well as important artifacts, pictures and photographs and a library which has well over 3.800 volumes with video.

There’s something there for pilots on an interactive level no less. The hall of fame and museum showcases an FAA-approved Gleim Virtual Cockpit BATD Flight Simulator where pilots in-training can log hours for their Private Pilot Certificate and stay current on the latest pilot innovations.

Now in its 52nd year, having opened in 1972, over 200 inductees have a spot in the Hall of Fame in Teterboro.

These include pioneers of Aviation such as Amelia Earhart, who was the first woman to fly over the Atlantic Ocean using a Teterboro-built Fokker Trimotor. Another inductees is Charles Lindbergh who made a successful transatlantic flight in the Spirit of St. Louis, an aircraft powered with a motor tuned at Teterboro.

The Mission of the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey is, “to provide an enriching experience to all visitors about New Jersey’s role in achieving innovative air accomplishments.”

The Museum offers membership at Solo, Companion and Crew Membership levels while having a Corporate

Membership level as well. The Museum is a constant source of curiosity and wonderment for children too and is open from 10:30am until 4pm, Wednesdays through Saturdays.

For more information on the Museum and HOF, logon to www.njahof.org , email info@njhof.org or call 201-2886344.

By Richard Mabey Jr.

MI Remember Dad: A Most Precious Moment In Time

y father went Home to be with the Lord on the twelfth of May of 2006.

The days, weeks and months that followed were a time of deep mourning. I was blessed to have a close bond with my father. We had hiked week-long sojourns of the Appalachian Trail, many times as scout leaders of Boy Scout Troop 170. When I was in middle school and then into high school, Dad and I shared a canoe on six separate week-long adventures canoeing down the Delaware River. We had gone on countless campouts together, with the scouts, over a time-span that covered several decades. Now, Dad was gone from life, in this physical existence.

I found solace and comfort in fishing. I had a most unique fishing technique. I would use a dobber and a sink weight, but never tied a hook to the end of my fishing line. I would throw my line out to the middle of the pond and watch the dobber float and gently move up and down. Then I would sit upon the earth and read. I mostly read Thomas Wolfe’s novel, Look Homeward, Angel.

At the time, I was living in the little hamlet of Saint Thomas in Central Pennsylvania, just west of Chambersburg. I had found his

wonderful lake to fish in, along the Lincoln Highway (Route 30) in the nearby town of Fort Loudon.

It was in the middle of June of 2006, a little over a month from when my Dad’s soul left his physical body, that I experienced a moment in time that brought great comfort to my heart. I know what I experienced was true. Nobody could ever convince me otherwise.

As I sat upon the earth, near the shore of that pond, I heard my father calling me. Dad’s voice was coming forth from the forest that bordered the lake. I put down my book that I was reading and looked behind me. There standing at the edge of the woods, was my father. He waved to me. I waved back to him. He smiled at me.

His spectre stood just a few yards from me. I stood up in awe of my father’s ghostly presence. He held his right hand up, his palm facing me. I heard him gently say, “I love you son.” And then, he simply vanished. A stillness filled my heart center. The pain of my mourning was gently soothed.

I know that there are religions that will argue that things like this are not sound. But I know what I know. I know what I experienced that afternoon, beside the still waters of that graceful pond, was real.

Yours truly fishing at the pond in Fort Loudon, Pennsylvania.

I know it with every fiber and sinew of my heart, mind and soul.

Can the power of God be put into a box? Can the strength of love ever really be limited? Do miracles still happen in our modern times? There are no easy answers to these questions. I know, deep in my heart of hearts, that my father reached out to me from the Heavenly Worlds on that sunny afternoon in the midst of the Summer of 2006.

Love your family members. Be kind to one another. Be especially kind to the homeless. Give food to a stray cat. Adopt a dog from a shelter. Simply put, love one another. Tomorrow knows no guarantees. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He hosts a YouTube Channel titled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard most recently published a book of poetry and short stories. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@ hotmail.com.

200 Club of Morris County Announces 2024 Meritorious and Valor Award Recipients

The 200 Club of Morris County announces their 2024 Meritorious and Valor Awards recipients. The awards recognize outstanding service of first responders. Those whose lives are placed in danger receive the Valor Award. An act of Valor is an extraordinary event in which a person put his or her own safety aside. It is an act of extraordinary courage, which went beyond the call of duty. Very often, one’s life is at risk.

Those who perform above and beyond the call of duty, but whose life is not actually in danger, receive a Meritorious Award. Meritorious awards recognize individuals whose professional or volunteer activity rises above the expected norm for their profession.

Each January, Valor and Meritorious candidate recommendations are presented to The 200 Club of Morris County by our Public Safety VIP Liaisons: President of the Morris County Police Chiefs Association; Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police; President of the Morris County Alliance of Active Fire Chiefs; President of the Morris County EMS Alliance; Director of the Morris County Office of Emergency Management.

This year’s 22 local heroes are from the following towns and services in Morris County: Police departments: Boonton, Denville, Morristown, Mountain Lakes, Pequannock, Roxbury, Washington Township, Wharton. Fire departments:

Boonton, Roxbury Co. 1. EMS: Roxbury, Saint Clare’s Health System, Morris County Sheriff ’s Emergency Response Team (SERT).

A celebration takes place each April at which honorees are recognized by 200 Club members, their family and friends, members of the business community, as well as public safety officials from police, fire, emergency medical services and the New Jersey State Police.

This year’s 50th anniversary event will be held April 25 at Birchwood Manor in Whippany, NJ. The gala-style awards celebration event hosts over four hundred attendees. More than 700 dedicated first responders have been honored since 1972 and can be viewed here: https://www.200clubofmorriscounty.com/ valor-meritorious-awards

Show your support through a sponsorship, celebratory ad, and tickets! Come enjoy an evening of tribute to these women and men to celebrate their service for others.

What is The 200 Club? For over 50 years, the non-profit organization has provided emotional and financial support to Morris County’s first responders and their families. Over 5 million dollars has been distributed by our organization including death benefits for families of the fallen and over 725 scholarships to high school seniors. Questions? Contact Club Administrator Lori Richmond at 973-630-7933 or admin@200clubofmorriscounty.com.

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By Henry. M. Holden

QHarriet Quimby – First Licensed Female Aviator in U.S.

uimby was the first woman licensed as a pilot in the United States (1911); first woman to pilot (solo) an airplane (1912) across the English Channel, and the first woman to make a night flight (1911).

Harriet Quimby was born in Coldwater, Michigan, 0n May 11, 1875., She moved with her family to California in 1887.

In 1903, Harriet Quimby moved to New York to work for Leslie’s Illustrated Weekly, a popular newspaper. There, she was the drama critic, writing reviews of plays and the new medium, moving pictures.

She also served as a photojournalist, and one of the first women to use a camera to support her journalism. She traveled to Europe, Mexico, Cuba, and Egypt for Leslie’s Illustrated Weekly. She also wrote articles, advising women on their careers, and on household tips.

Harriet Quimby epitomized the independent woman of her day, living on her own, working at a career, and driving her own automobile.

In October 1910, Quimby went to the Belmont Park International Aviation Tournament on Long Island, to write a story. She befriended Matilde Moisant and her brother, John Moisant. Along with his brother, Alfred, John ran a flying school. Quimby was bitten by the flying bug. She began her flying lessons. Harriet dressed in disguise as a man, to hide her identity and become the first licensed female pilot thus gaining a one up on the almost exclusive fraternity of male journalists. The press discovered Quimby’s lessons and began following her progress.

On August 1, 1911, Harriet Quimby passed her pilot’s test and was awarded license #37 from Aero Club of America, part of the International Aeronautic Federation. Quimby was the second woman in the world to be licensed; the Baroness de la Roche had been awarded a license in

France.

“Once I had my license,” said Quimby, “I’ve realized that I could share aviation with my readers. I wrote in the first person because my readers could feel closer to the events in the cockpit. I called some of my adventures “How A Woman Learns to Fly” and ‘The Dangers of Flying,” and “How to Avoid Them.”

After earning her pilot’s license, Harriet Quimby began touring as an exhibition pilot in the United States and Mexico.

At that time, women used adapted versions of men’s clothing.

While wide hats were in fashion, they were not practical in an open cockpit airplane. For most American women emerging from the Victorian era, pants were unacceptable and immodest. Some women attempted to compensate with trousers with buttons on the inside that converted the garment into a skirt. Most women found this uncomfortable, awkward, and sometimes dangerous. Eventually a flying outfit emerged that was acceptable. “It may seem remarkable,” Quimby said “When I begin to fly I could not find a regular aviator’s outfit for me in New York.

“Finally, my tailor helped me design a style that was extraordinary for the era, one piece outfit with full knickers reaching below the knee and high-top black kid boots.

The outfit had matched gauntlet style driving gloves and a long leather coat for cold weather flying.

In late 1911, Harriet Quimby decided to become the first woman to fly across the English Channel. Another woman Miss Trehawke-Davis flew across as a passenger.

The record for the first woman pilot remained for Quimby to achieve, but feared someone would beat her to it. So, she sailed secretly in March 1912, for England. She borrowed a 70-hp Bleriot monoplane from Louis Bleriot, who was

the first person to fly across the Channel in 1909.

On Sunday, April 14, Quimby was ready. She had never flown a 70-hp plane and wondered about its control. She was used to flying a 30-hp plane. The weather is perfect: She could see Calais, 22 miles across channel and everyone urged her to take off immediately and take advantage of the weather.

However, it was Sunday. She refused to fly on a Sunday for any reason. The following day there was heavy rain, and her ground crew sat all day in a cramped room waiting for the weather to clear.

On April 16, 1912, the weather had cleared of the rain but there was a substantial fog along her planned route.

Quimby decided to go for it. Her route

Quimby’s tailor helped her design a style that was extraordinary for the era, one piece outfit with full knickers reaching below the knee and high-top black kid boots. (photo credit: public domain).

was approximately the same route that Bleriot has flown -- but in reverse. She took off from Dover at dawn. The fogovercast skies forced her to rely solely on a compass which one of her pilot-friends had just showed her how to use for a bearing.

About an hour later, she landed in France near Calais, 30-miles from her planned landing spot. In doing so she, becoming the first woman to fly solo across the English Channel.

But fame did not catch up to her accomplishment. The Steamship Titanic had hit an iceberg on April 16, and had sunk with over 1,000 lives lost.

When the press “noticed” her accomplishment they were not pleased. Because the Titanic sank the newspaper coverage of Harriet Quimby›s record-setting flight received little acclamation in the United States and Britain. Any coverage was sparse and buried deep within the papers.

The editorial page of the New York Times on April 18, 1912, took a narrow view. The editorial was no doubt influenced by the paper’s lack of support for women’s suffrage movement that was in bloom in spring of 1912.

A reporter said, “Just a few months ago the same flight was one of the most daring and everywhere a remarkable accomplishment by man. Since then, the passage has been repeated by men, and now with them there is no glory. The flight is hardly anything more than proof of ordinary, professional competency.”

The Times continued, and in a condescending warning, said “The Feminists should be somewhat cautious about

exalting Miss Quimby’s exploit. They should not call it a great achievement lest by doing so they invite the dreadful and humiliating qualification ‘great for a woman.”

The smell of the sour grapes still lingered by the time Harriet arrived back in New York on May 12. She received no hero’s welcome and there was no ticker tape parade. It was a matter of timing. Only a week earlier 15,000 women and 619 brave men marched in support of women’s suffrage. The male leaders of the city had not yet recovered from this demonstration of feminine assertiveness. They weren’t ready to admit that there were female eagles, let alone honor them.

Harriet was not a woman who would like some anonymous editors to have the last word. “I wish I could express my views and ideas,” said Quimby. “It’s not a fad, I did not want to be the first American woman to fly just to make myself conspicuous. I just want to be the first, that’s all, and I am honestly delighted that I have written so much about other people, you can imagine how much I enjoy sitting back and reading about myself for once. I think that is excusable in me.”

Harriet Quimby returned to exhibition flying. On July 1, 1912, she had agreed to fly at the Third Annual Boston Aviation Meet. She took off, with William Willard, organizer of the event, as a passenger, and circled the Boston Lighthouse.

Suddenly, in view of hundreds of spectators, the twoseat plane, flying at 1,500 feet, lurched. Willard fell out and plunged to his death in the mudflats below. Moments later, the plane nosed down and Harriet Quimby also fell from the plane and was killed.

The editor added a preface to Miss Quimby’s now posthumous article, “In her tragic death, there is a note of pathos in the enthusiasm, energy, and prophecy for women in her article.

The New York Times, also commented on her tragic death. This Quimby woman is now the fifth woman in the world to die in an airplane accident. They were students and with the loss of Quimby it is five too many. The sport is not one for which women are physically qualified. As a rule, they lack the strength, and presence of mind, and the courage of aviators.

More than 110 years later, time has vindicated Harriet Quimby. Her spirits, at the time were angered by the negative and condescending editorials. If she were here today, she would smile, and rejoice, and say, “see, I told you so.”

Looking back, it is obvious that the cause of the accident and fatalities was due to Willard suddenly shifting his weight, disturbing the center of gravity and, Willard and Quimby failed to wear their seat belts.

All though Harriet Quimby’s career as a pilot lasted only 11 months, she was nevertheless a heroine and role model for generations to follow -- even inspiring Amelia Earhart.

As a late but somewhat redeeming gesture, on April 27, 1991, the U.S. Post Office issued a 50-cent air mail stamp in her honor. At the time, Harriet Quimby was a third female aviator to be honored on a postage stamp; Amelia Earhart (1963), and Blanch Scott (1980) and were the other two.

Harriet Quimby is buried at Kensico Cemetery, in Valhalla, New York.

By Steve Sears

WCommunities Rally Around Stephanie Sorrentino

hen former Hackettstown resident and Hackettstown High School student, Stephanie (Cucinella) Sorrentino, was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer on May 11, 2023, the universe neglected to consider that you do not mess with a tiger.

A Hackettstown Tiger, that is – and their friends.

Mount Olive-Hopatcong-Hackettstown head hockey coach, Ryan Tatarka, and Sorrentino have been friends since they were five years old, and when he knew his lifelong friend and classmate needed help, he sprang into action, as did others.

Tatarka said, “We’ve stayed in touch throughout the years. I knew that she was a teacher in Millburn. I heard about her diagnosis through the grapevine and social media over the summer after she had gotten married. I thought immediately we should do something as a program. We have the platform to be able to do the right thing here.”

Sorrentino, 30, had already benefitted by goodness courtesy of a special volleyball game between Hackettstown High School and Millburn high School on October 6, 2023, so Tatarka contacted the Millburn

High School athletic director about an open date in the MOHOHA hockey schedule and asked if the school’s team would be interested in a January 27 benefit game at Richard J. Codey Arena in West Orange.

All were on board.

Sorrentino, her husband John, and many family members attended the late January contest. She said, “When the game started, we had a little pregame ceremony again, and it was just awesome to be able to share our story to all the fans that came out for both teams, some of which were my old students, and some of my current colleagues were there.”

And Sorrentino the evening of the 27th was happy to report that, after a recent procedure, a pathology report had declared her cancer free. She said, “It has just been nice to see the outpouring of love. It was really nice to be able to share that I was cancer free with the two communities that came together to help out.”

And there is a PSA, an important message, that Sorrentino wants to get out. She said, “We did catch this early. Life gets so busy, and day to day you are not really thinking about stuff like this. But prioritizing your health and making sure that you do get to the doctor and are doing self-checks

Stephanie and John Sorrentino (credit: Mordy Photo)

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Ingredients:

1 pound large shrimp (16 to 20) cleaned and deveined

1 cup diced tomatoes

¼ stick butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

Preparation:

2 tablespoons sherry or red wine

2 tablespoons fresh basil (torn into small pieces)

1 tablespoon minced garlic Salt and pepper to taste

Rinse shrimp and set aside. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over low heat. When the butter is melted. Add the garlic and tomatoes and cook for about 3 minutes. Increase the heat to medium, add the shrimp, sherry, salt and pepper. Stir and cover for 3 minutes. Add the basil, stir and cover for 2 more minutes until the shrimp are rm. Serve over pasta.

Serves 2 to 4