East Hanover/Florham Park December 2022

EAST HANOVER FLORHAM PARK East Hanover/Florham Park’s Hometown

Hurricane Ian Victims Aided By SUP BRO and Entire Community

BY STEVE SEARS STAFF WRITER

EAST HANOVER - In mid-November, a Frisard’s Trucking tractor trailer from Louisiana carted donations of supplies from the community of East Hanover and beyond down to Lee County, Florida to aid Hurricane Ian victims.

A send off event was held on November 12, 2022 at Lurker Park. Chatham’s DeFalco’s Instant Towing supplied two tow trucks and hung a large American flag above the scene.

“We collected for people who had lost everything. They had nothing,” says Joe DiParisi, East Hanover resident and one of the founders of SUP BRO Inc., a 501c3 non-profit. The group was initially founded in 2019 to aid families of fallen first responders in New Jersey, but has extended its reach beyond the Garden State.

A group of New Jersey and Pennsylvania police officers in 2018 cycled alongside Law Enforcement United and attended the National Police Week event in Washington DC. During the trip, they vis-

ited a tent city, a large flea market for police vendors, where DiParisi and his fellow cyclists spoke with some of the vendors, discussed among themselves a t-shirt idea to raise future funds, and then the idea of a non-profit came to mind. Initially for PBA 132 (of New Providence), during the next year they raised $10,000 with some great help.

First, Skin Deep Salon of New Providence on March 24, 2019 held an all-day event which raised $5,000, and all of the proceeds that day they gave to PBA 132. Then, DiParisi and his fellow cyclists returned again to Washington, DC the following month during National Police Week, set up their own tent, and raised another $5,000 in the sale of t-shirts. They immediately gave $5,000 to the New Jersey State Police for the widow of officer Frank Williams, who had died in a car accident, and the other $5,000 was donated for the late Melvin Santiago of the Jersey City Police Department, whose mom created the Detective Melvin Santiago

Foundation in her son’s name.

After these two initial donations were made, SUP BRO Inc. was officially founded. To date, the non-profit has raised over $20,000.

On Saturday, September 12, 2020, as a follow up to the above, the group held an event at Lurker Park for Hurricane Laura victims that mirrored the one recently held on November 12. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., community residents dropped off a variety of food and other items to be sent to Louisiana. It was a great stepping stone to the Hurricane Ian aid event, where the entire community of East Hanover, the East Hanover police and fire departments, and the Morris County and East Hanover Offices of Emergency Management, got involved again and came through in a big way.

“The community is by far what makes this happen,” DiParisi says. “The township of East Hanover has been nothing but just willing and able to do everything and anything they can to help the cause as soon as they heard about it.

It’s been really humbling to say the least. Small tragedies occur all the time that we deal with at work, and it’s a good feeling when large tragedies strike and a community comes together to help out strangers in need. The Township of East Hanover has been easy and a pleasure to work with. Anything that was needed was provided without hesitation, from the Mayor and Council, Chief (Christopher) Cannizzo of the EHPD, Chief (Carmine) Davino of the EHFD, and the Recreation Department and (Superintendent) DJ Salvante,

East Hanover’s KIM CIG Launches Electrifying Next-Level Handbags

BY JILLIAN RISBERG STAFF WRITER

EAST ANOVER PARK - Kimberly Cignarella is living her best life — the fierce founder and creative director of her eponymous new fashion line, ‘the bag that will *glow* your mind’ took her bright idea and lit it up for everyone to see.

“This has been the most rewarding and challenging journey of my career. When the world ‘shut down’ at the height of the pandemic, I decided to turn the darkness into a bright opportunity,” says Cignarella, adding that her handbags are for those who want to make an impact and celebrate their individuality — aspire to be leaders and inspire others to walk fiercely and confidently.

According to the designer, when you wear a KIM CIG™ handbag, it makes a bold daytime statement and eye-catching glowing statement at night; you are noticed and expect curiosity.

“These bags are for trend-

setters,” the designer says the self-assurance will flow and you will receive endless compliments. “To wear a KIM CIG™ handbag is a remarkable experience.”

Every designer dreams of having their own brand. As a wife, mother and entrepreneur this makes Cignarella proud of the woman she has become.

She loves the lessons it has taught her, to show her children how important it is to follow your dreams — and with hard work you can achieve anything you put your heart and mind to.

“My boys, Hudson & Ashton (and third son on the way) inspire me and I hope I inspire them,” says the entrepreneur.

“The pandemic showed me how important it is to be present for my family and start my own business; it would be worth it to spend more time with my husband and our children.”

And the stars seemed to align when the KIM CIG™ founder began designing her products, inspired by her first

design mentor, her grandmother (who went blind 22

and mostly the generous residents and our overly generous sponsors, DeFalco’s Towing, Aerus Electrolux, and Art by Elle.”

The tractor trailer containing the much-needed donations arrived at the Lee County Sheriff’s Department in Florida on Monday, November 14. “They have also been great to work with,” DiParisi says of the Lee County Sheriff’s department. As for Frisard’s Trucking, DiParisi adds, “He’s a big supporter of National Police Week. He has a dedicated truck that actually

has four officer’s names put on it every year. I met him a few years ago and stayed in contact since, and he makes this whole thing happen. He doesn’t charge us anything. He sends the truck over to us and he drove it down to Florida.”

SUP BRO Inc. is made possible through donations, which can be made through their website with simple monetary donations, and also the purchase of SUP BRO t-shirts and other merchandise. Visit www.supbro.org for more information.

Rotary’s Annual Visit to Distribute Free Dictionaries

FLORHAM PARK -

dents eager to learn how to find words and use the Table of Contents and where they could learn the Longest Word, Planets, Sign Language, and much more. For example,

PLEASE SEE ROTARY, PAGE 2

Member of Mid-Atlantic Community Papers • Association of Community Publichers AUDITED BY CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL (CVC), ST. LOUIS, MO.

SUP BRO Inc. members at a National Police Week event (courtesy of Joe DiParisi)

Kimberly Cignarella in KIM CIG™ Light Up Diamond Tote

On Friday, November 18, the Florham Park Rotary made its annual visit to distribute free dictionaries to all the Third Graders at Brooklake Elementary School. The Rotarians were greeted by 90 stu-

Pictured is of the newest Florham Park Rotarian, Rakesh Agrawal, who happily joined in teaching the Third Graders on Friday.

they learned that the NJ state flower is the violet.

The students were encouraged to bring their dictionaries home and get into the habit (the word of the day) of reading them often. Per Rotarian Bob Feid who has coordinated this project for more than 20 years - “Yes, there is Google, but there continues to be something special about having one’s own dictionary in your hands to explore”.

Afterwards, Brooklake School Principal Kerri Waibel sent the following note:

“Thank you to all of the Rotarians who visited this morning to present our third graders with dictionaries. The children were engaged in the information shared and enjoyed the challenging activities as they learned how to use this useful tool. It was inspiring to see how engaged the students were in learning about their dictionaries. Many of them passed by me at dismissal with their books open sharing information!

We appreciate the Florham Park Rotary’s continuation of

this generous and much appreciated tradition at Brooklake School and look forward to seeing you again next year!”

This year was the first time in which the Florham Park Rotary sought assistance from local businesses. Past President George Gregor contacted several and extended a big Thank You to the various local businesses who donated to the Dictionary Project this year:

Apex Tigers, Pets Supplies Plus, Chatham Cleaners, Eddie’s Barber Shop, Edmund M. Kramer Photographers, Florham Park Diner, Florham Park Skating Rink, Leonardis Family, Community Service Station, Baba’s Bakery & Café, and Lucy’s Gifts.

Per Rotary Sergeant-AtArms Peter Nicolas, “the donations by these businesses helped support the project for this year. As a focus of the Florham Park club is supporting Florham Park students in all grades, the donations by the 11 businesses above also contribute to other such Rotary projects.”

The Florham Park Rotary brings together men and wom-

Handbags...

FROM

years ago) but always instilled in her that nothing can dim the light that shines within.

To bring the creative director’s vision to fruition took hard work, perseverance and research.

She had plenty of experience in the designing, sketching, sourcing and production areas; but since this type of product never existed before Cignarella had to work on the technology aspect to invent the actual product.

A labor of love, the designer is proud of the beautiful and functional finished product she calls wearable art.

Her bags have people talking. She had to create something unlike anything already in the crowded handbag market.

“To take the risk I had one shot which meant I had to arm myself with an idea, vision, a product,” Cignarella says when the ‘light’ went off in her mind she knew it was impactful. “The simple idea of a high-end handbag that lights up and charges your cell phone (which I never saw before) is all I needed to spark the cre-

ative and design process I brought to life.”

The luxury LED light up handbags are handcrafted with transparent acrylic and accented with high polished electro-plated hardware, according to Cignarella.

Each handbag contains LED glow technology complete with on/off button, port to charge your handbag, and USB port to charge any personal device… perfect since we are always on our cell phones. A privacy pouch with antibacterial fabric is included if you choose to conceal your personal belongings, and clean and shine it with the microfiber cloth.

Get to know the KIM CIG™ line of illuminated acrylic totes/clutches: The Diamond Collection is available in Crystal Clear/Black Tote and Crystal Clear/Gold Clutch and soon will be available in Neon Pink and Neon Green.

The flat acrylic tote and clutch is available in Crystal/Gold, Black/Black, Neon Green/ Gold and Neon Pink/Gold.

“I wanted to get people excited again. My luxury LED light up acrylic handbags were

en of all walks of life who join together for projects that benefit humanity both locally and around the world, and have a good time doing it. Like all of Rotary International, Florham Park Rotary is an inclusive

the perfect way to symbolize what KIM CIG™ represents; with confidence, individuality and positive self-image,” the designer says through KIM CIG™ she strives to empower and give light to others by glowing herself.

“I put the spotlight on those who want to be seen. I am dedicated to offer fashion-forward individuals cutting-edge designs so they stand out.”

Raised to believe that standing out was in and forge her own path, Cignarella tapped into her passion for fashion — the way she expressed her own self-confidence.

She spent the past 11 years as a ready-to-wear New York City designer for top brands, including Nicole Miller and Laundry by Shelli Segal, designing at Avenue schooled her in important career lessons: accentuate versus what to conceal to flatter various body shapes and create confidence. At Zar Apparel, she did private label designs.

Once she realized her fashion designer dreams — the creative director wanted to empower others through those designs, as fashion had always

organization that provides humanitarian services and welcomes members regardless of race, creed, color, ethnicity, sexual orientation or national origin.

Breakfast meetings are held

provided her that outlet.

She hopes her illuminating creation is everything for those who happily own one.

“Confidence and feeling great from standing out,” says Cignarella, of her fantastic

every Friday morning from 7:47am - 8:50am. The meetings are hybrid, ie, attendance is in person at the Florham Park Diner and via Zoom.

Visits by local residents and businesses are welcome.

new KIM CIG™ handbags, she is thrilled to share the unique designs so others may radiate their light.

“I drop a new collection for the holidays and the spring collection drops in March of

To learn more about Florham Park Rotary, please check the website (www.florhamparkrotary.com) or call Membership Chairman President George Gregor at 917-848098.

2023. There is much beauty right now in my life and I can’t wait to share it all with the world.”

For more information, visit www.kimcig.com

Pictured in the first photo are the Rotarians Peter Nicolas, David Richmond, George Gregor, Mayor Mark Taylor, Simone Campbell (club President), Damion Bernard (President elect), Brooklake Elementary School Principal Kerri Waibel, and newest Rotary member Rakesh Agrawal, with five happy Third Graders in the front row.

FLORHAM PARK - There’s nothing quite like as a child dreaming of a career, living that career, and then harkening back to it in a way in a young adult novel.

An Aerospace engineer and current Director of Mission Operations for the Blue Origin lunar program in Virginia, Paul Brower, has done just that. His first novel, “NewStar One,” was published on September 10, 2022.

He reached back into his past for the fictional work. “I always thought through my childhood, ‘I want to be an astronaut. Why don’t they let kids go into space?’ says Brower.

“I’ve always had that idea in my head. I’d done a little bit, especially with NASA outreach, of bringing the excitement of space to students and to young people. I was inspired by some fictional stories that inspired other youth to think about going into space, so I thought adding or having a story where a fictional teenager has an opportunity to fly to space might be really inspiring.”

“I first got interested in Space probably in middle school,” says Brower, who wrote his novel on and off over

five years. “I watched the movie, Space Camp, I kind of was into science fiction, and I started getting more interested.”

Brower then discovered the actual Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, and his parents sent him and his best friend down there for a week. “That really got me hooked,” recalls Brower.

While in school, he also had some fine educators who encouraged him. “I was at Ridgedale Middle School, and I had some great science teachers there, and then went to Hanover Park High School,” explains Brower. “I started taking all the Advanced Placement math and science classes I could, so I took AP Physics and AP Chemistry. I actually started an after-school science club with a chemistry teacher at the time who helped me, and we did some supplementary, extra experiments, just some fun things. All that got me just really, really interested in it, and so after I graduated from Hanover Park, I knew I wanted to be in Aerospace.”

Brower’s next stop was Purdue University and an Aerospace Engineering degree. While there, he got into the NASA Internship Program,

and attended a Zero-G Experience flight class, where the students worked with the professor doing some experiments as part of a NASA Student Outreach Program. Brower got to go down to Houston and flew on their “Vomit Comet,” the Zero-G trainer aircraft used to train astronauts to do experiments on. Brower then went on to work for NASA for over 20 years.

From the early sessions of writing “NewStar One” until completed draft, the first-time author had some good encouragement. “I had a friend who had worked with some agents and was kind of in the literary business, and she gave me a lot of good feedback,” says Brower. “I kind of went back on certain things and rewrote parts, so there’s a lot of process to editing and revising and getting the story to where I wanted it to be.” He also had to pick bits of time to write whenever he could. “It was pretty sporadic because my job can be pretty busy, and it kind of comes in waves. Sometimes on missions, I’m really busy and I’m just gone for weeks and weeks. I did a lot of it actually when my kids were young and they were going to sleep, and they

needed someone to sort of sit outside their room or sit with them while they were falling asleep. I would sit there sometimes with a laptop and write.”

The “NewStar One” protagonist, 16-year-old Alex Stone, is named after Brower’s oldest son. “I told the kids as I wrote a book, I’d give them each a character named after them. The character is not based after my son in any way, but the name is,” says Brower. Second child, Eliana, is in “consultation” with her dad about his second work, this one to take place in the offshore world with the protagonist’s name being…you guessed it, Eliana. “I do a little bit of sailing, and I’ve been taking her, and she’s really gotten into sailing and really enjoys being out on the water.” The second offering, however, will take place not on the water, but perhaps in an undersea colony.

No doubt Brower and his wife Sonia’s third child, Brayden, is waiting in the wings for his chance.

“NewStar One”, for which Brower did a recent presentation and book signing at the Florham Park Public Library, can be purchased at both Amazon and BN.com. “NewStar One”

Big Red Santa Brings Happiness to All

BY STEVE SEARS STAFF WRITER

AREA - For Bob Smith, it may have started in 2009, but you can tell during discussion with him that he’s had the Santa Claus goodness within him all along.

Just ask Emily.

Although in his words he was terrified when he first dressed up as the Big Red Santa and the event was a success, it was best defined by little Emi-

ly, who the next day visited the event organizer and thanked them for bringing a real Santa Claus. “And it was because I was nice and I had a real beard,” Smith says. It mattered not to Emily that the red Santa suit Smith wore was older, that his beard was short, or whether it was sprinkled with baby powder. What mattered was Smith’s kindness to her, which Emily

returned the following year, she showing up with a gift for the Big Red Santa.

“I think 90% of Santas find their way into the role by someone asking them to fill in for somebody that can’t make it,” Smith says. “I think 100% of the people who get that question are kind of reluctant to do that because they’ve never done it before.”

Smith wasn’t reluctant when first asked thirteen years ago. He filled the role, but was concerned his voice wouldn’t be correct or he’d say something wrong. The request came from a group called Rainbows for All Children, a nationwide group which meets with and supports children who had a parent pass away during the year and are grieving. Smith recalls the instructions he received at that time. ‘They said, ‘We’ve got all the toys, we’ve got the bag. Just show up, everything’s tagged, call up the kids, take the picture, and off you go.’” The group had available a Santa Claus suit from K-Mart, and Smith took care of the rest. “I had this very short George Clooney beard,” he says. “It really wasn’t quite right, and I peppered it with some baby powder, because I was not going to wear a previously used polyester beard. Then I threw on a white turtleneck to cover the lack of beard.”

After his first appearance, Smith returned the suit and thought nothing more about dressing up as Santa Claus –until the following September, when he was asked by Rainbows for All Children to do it again. This time, not only was the child called up, but Smith also asked the parent who had lost a spouse to head forward as well. Smith explains. “I would say, ‘What would you like for Christmas?’ and ‘How have you been?’ I realized it’s about the family.”

During his first eight years

as Santa Claus, Smith would do just a gig or two per year. In addition to the Rainbows event, he would get calls to do Breakfast with Santa get-togethers. As he started to get more requests for appearances, he then began to buttress his Santa skills. “For the first eight years, I had no idea that there were Santa Claus organizations,” Smith says.

“There are Santa Claus groups that will help you hone your skills in terms that if you’re going to see 200 kids in a day, one or two of them are going to be on the autism spectrum. How do you handle that? How do you deal with sensitivity in terms of questions? If somebody asks, ‘Can you bring grandma back?’ There’s that part of it, the part in the chair, which we call ‘Chair Time.’ And then there’s also the

business side of it.”

For the record, Smith now dons a custom-made Santa Claus suit, and his appearances aren’t limited just to the Christmas season. During this past summer, he had three Christmas in July gigs. Also, it took about six or seven years to convince Mrs. Claus (Smith’s wife, Pam) to make appearances with him.

“The Knights of Columbus, every time they saw her, they said, ‘You’re coming to the Breakfast with Santa, too?’ and she would say, ‘No, no, no.’ I just bought her the dress, and once she had the dress, she was okay with it, and said it was a lot of fun. And Mrs. Claus is an integral part of the Santa experience.”

For more information about the Big Red Santa, visit www. bigredsanta.com.

book cover (Courtesy of Paul Brower)

The Big Red Santa and Mrs. Claus (courtesy of Bob Smith)

WHIPPANY - A smooth one-

hour ride was provided by Whippany Railway Museum presenter Mike Dodge as he took passengers (attendees) through more than 100 years of railway history.

Sponsored by The Historical Society of Florham Park, the presentation made its scheduled 7:00pm stop at the Ahkoury Room, Florham Park Library on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.

The Whippany Railway Museum opened to the public in 1965. During the onehour presentation Mike shared

Whippany Railway Museum Presentation

stories of the Museum’s hard work and commitment to preserving the heritage of railroads in New Jersey and in the Morris County region. There are many historic railcars and exhibits on view, including one of the oldest steam locomotives in America – the Southern Railway No. 385, built in 1907.

Located just 10-15 minutes from Florham Park, the Museum is at the intersection of Route 10 West and Whippany Road in Whippany. It is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit Operating Heritage Railroad staffed

by volunteers. Tremendous positive support and donations from the public, and proceeds from train rides and the gift shop sales allow the museum to have a quality operation.

Peter Nicolas, The Historical Society of Florham Park vice president recommended a visit, as just last August he attended his grandson’s birthday/pizza party on the grounds there with 25 adults and their 15 youngsters. “Everyone had a most enjoyable and educational experience as we explored the Steam Engine, one of the cabooses, and the

Board of Education Recognized

FLORHAM PARK - At the September 29th Board of Education meeting during Dr. Caponegro’s Superintendent’s report, Dr. Caponegro stated that it appears the district is entering the end of pandemic restrictions as it relates to the schools. Therefore, he would like to take this opportunity to not just recognize the entire Board of Education for their support and leadership during these past 3 years of the pandemic, but to specifically recognize the 3 BOE presidents

who served in the presidency role during this time. Mr. Nick Ritrivi, Dr. Yvonne Cali, and Mr. Brian Perillo. Dr. Caponegro stated, “What we all faced was unprecedented, without a roadmap, and these three individuals were up at nights and weekends, discussing with me ideas, procedures, and protocols. So much time is spent behind the scenes.

For that, as we enter the end of the pandemic, I would like to publicly thank them for their leadership and support of

our school community.” Dr. Caponegro went on to also thank the administration, staff, students, parents and school community for their efforts during this time. “Our success during these last 3 years was a team effort, as the Florham Park School District championed in-person instruction and keeping our schools and classrooms open, while maintaining a healthy environment for both staff and students.”

ice-bunker refrigerator car (built in 1930). In the meantime we watched the G scale trains make their trips outdoors around 700 feet of track.”

While the museum closes annually for the winter season, it will reopen in late March. Several special Holiday train rides will be offered on select Sundays in the Spring and Autumn. They average about 45 minutes roundtrip. Check the website for dates and more details: https://www.whippanyrailwaymuseum.net/

The next free presentations offered by The Historical Society of Florham Park will be this March and April 2023 at the Akhoury Room in the Florham Park Library -

“The Real Housewives of New Jersey” will be on March 14 to discuss early American women and their “kitchen gardens” and that will be followed on April 11 with another popular presenter Joel Farkas on “George Washington and Morristown New Jersey, Perfect Together”.

The Historical Society of Florham Park was founded in the 1930s to save and preserve the Little Red Schoolhouse. The former schoolhouse on the

corner of Columbia Turnpike and Ridgedale Avenue was converted into a museum and is the symbol of Florham Park.

To learn more about it, check https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Little_Red_Schoolhouse_

(Florham_Park,_New_Jersey)

or to learn more about The Historical Society of Florham Park contact Rich and Christine Davidson at RDavidsonFP@gmail.com.

Dr. Barry A. Kaplan

Dr.

(Left to right - Mr. Nick Ritrivi, Dr. Yvonne Cali, Mr. Brian Perillo, Dr. Steven Caponegro)

A Remembrance of the Real Santa of Main Street

AREA - There are people who touch our hearts and lives, to whom we will not truly appreciate their kindness till years and years have passed. Such is the case of my remembrance of the Real Santa Claus of Main Street.

It was a long standing tradition, of the Mabey clan, to spend Christmas Day at the old Mabey Homestead. From the day I was born till I was

six years old, my parents and I lived in Clifton. Every Christmas Day, we would sojourn westward on Route 46 to the little hamlet of Lincoln Park, where my great grandmother, Dora Mabey lived.

I remember we would arrive at the old Mabey Homestead, early in the morning. I was a shy and sensitive child, so the abounding number of relatives that would congregate at the

old farmhouse, would seem all so overwhelming to me.

I don’t know at what age I had any degree of conscious remembrance of the dear, kind, elderly man who was the Real Santa of Main Street. I remember him fondly as a very kind man with a gentle spirit. He would knock on the door of the old Mabey Homestead, sometime during the late morning on Christmas Day, all dressed

in his Santa Claus gear.

My dad was the fifth of nine children, so on Christmas Day the Mabey Homestead abounded with children, my many cousins. Santa would arrive with a big burlap bag strung over his shoulder, with a gift for each and every one of my cousins, my sister and myself. I remember the gifts were not expensive at all. Some were actually handmade toys. While

some had a clue of having been passed down from another child, who had outgrown the little toy car or doll.

My mom and dad, my sister Patti and I moved into the old Mabey Homestead in the early Autumn of 1959, shortly after Great Grandma Mabey went Home to be with the Lord. I was six years old that Christmas. I remember wondering if the real Santa would still be knocking on the door on Christmas Day. To my happy surprise, the real Santa did come by to visit us, with presents for my sister and I.

I never learned the name of the Real Santa of Main Street. My grandfather, Watson Mabey, one time told me that he thought that he lived in this little house at the end of Clover Lane. When I was about 10 years old, I walked down Clover Lane, stood at the front yard of that little home and wanted to knock on the front door and see if that was in fact, the home of the real Santa. Sadly and regretfully, I didn’t get the courage to knock on the door. That little home was torn down many years ago, to make room for a larger, modern home.

My Aunt Vi once told me that she thought that the Real Santa of Main Street lived in a little home in Towaco, just past the Lincoln Park border. I don’t think anybody really knew who this kind hearted soul was. It’s one of the greatest mysteries of my childhood.

The Christmas of 1961, when I was eight years old and in the third grade, was the last time that the Real Santa of Main Street ever came to visit us on Christmas Day. I once asked my father if he knew who this gentleman was. He endorsed Grandpa Mabey’s theory.

In deep fondness, I remember the Real Santa of Main Street. I think about him from time to time. My intuition tells me that he was not a wealthy man at all. I think he was actually quite poor. Somehow and someway, he accumulated toys for children in the neighborhood. Most of the toys he gave to us, were handmade. He was truly the real Santa Claus of my childhood.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@hotmail. com.

From 1953, a photo of the Real Santa Claus of Main Street. Yours truly sitting upon the lap of Santa, with my mom and dad.

Treatments for Healthier Lungs

MARK J. BONAMO STAFF WRITER

AREA - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the world. This translates to 1 in 16 people you know will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime.

Lung cancer kills almost three times as many women as breast cancer and three times as many men as prostate cancer.

According to Dr. Bassel Noumi, an interventional pulmonary specialist at Saint Clare’s Health, the two major risk factors for lung cancer are smoking and radon gas exposure. “Take the first step to protect your lungs by stopping smoking, checking the radon level in your house, and if you are a smoker or smoked in the past, talk to your physician about lung cancer screening,” he stated.

“The health of the lungs became the center of public attention, particularly after COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Noumi said. “If a patient has issues with their breathing or their lungs, a primary care physician refers the patient to a pulmonologist, who specializes in the diseases of the lungs. If further evaluation and biopsies are needed, the patient can then be referred to an interventional pulmonologist who can perform delicate procedures on the lung to help identifying the causes for a lung tumor, nodule, shortness of breath, or wheezing.”

Saint Clare’s Health takes pride in being a place that is both around the corner for patients seeking exceptional care close to home, and ahead of the curve offering state-ofthe-art technology. Dr. Noumi noted the services available at Saint Clare’s for pulmonary medicine delivers on both.

“We, at Saint Clare’s Health, have advanced bronchoscopic equipment with the latest techniques in obtaining biopsies of the lung nodules, tumors, and mediastinal masses, such as navigational bronchoscopy and the endobronchial ultrasound. We also have a very advanced pulmonary function laboratory, where we can perform breathing tests that will compare the function of the lungs between the patient and healthy subjects. This will help guide the pulmonologist in knowing exactly what is the reason for the pa-

tient’s complaint,” Dr. Noumi said. “We also have a fast pulmonary rehabilitation program where we can rehabilitate our patients with pulmonary diseases and get them moving and feeling better and try to get better control over their health as soon as possible.”

Dr. Noumi also points out that the low-dose CT scan program at Saint Clare’s Health provides a valuable tool for early detection of lung cancer.

“A low-dose CT scan is a modified CT scan of the lungs that exposes the patient to the lowest possible radiation dose.” Dr. Noumi said. “The scan functions as a screening test where the physician can identify lung nodules, then track them overtime to see whether they progress into a malignancy. In other words, it’s a way toward early detection of lung cancer, which saves lives.”

Dr. Noumi also highlighted the use of the endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), a minimally invasive, but highly effective procedure used to diagnose lung cancer, infections, and other diseases causing enlarged lymph nodes in the chest.

“An endobronchial ultrasound is a modified bronchoscopy that has an ultrasonic probe at the tip of the bronchoscope. It is especially ef-

fective because the probe can go through the tumor itself and collect a sample from the exact intended location,” Dr. Noumi said. “A navigational bronchoscopy is another advanced technique where we extract a map from the CT scan of the individual patient, then are able to target any lesions. Both endobronchial ultrasound and navigational bronchoscopy are minimally invasive for the patient.”

At Saint Clare’s Health patients have come to know and trust the compassionate care they will receive by clinically advanced physicians using advanced technology, all close to home.

Sleep apnea is another significant health issue that pulmonologists, such as Dr. Noumi can address. Sleep apnea is a type of sleep-related breathing disorder characterized by abnormal breathing patterns during sleep.

Dr. Noumi highlighted how the medical team at Saint Clare’s Health addresses this health issue in a private sleep lab, which is in many ways the gold standard in making a sleep apnea diagnosis.

The patient arrives at the hospital and undergoes a polysomnogram. During a polysomnogram, the patient rests in a high-tech sleep lab that looks like a comfortable hotel

room. A technician in a nearby room records brain activity and selected information from the patient’s body. Together, this data reveals a detailed picture of unique sleep patterns - including how much time is spent in light and deep stages, whether the patient is receiving enough oxygen, how often the patient awakens (even slightly), and whether sleep is disrupted by factors such as arm and leg movements.

“In lab sleep studies are preferred for patients who are above the age of 65 or who have chronic heart or lung disease,” Dr. Noumi said. “Younger patients who do not have any chronic medical problems or who can’t really take a day off from their work can start with the home sleep study.”

Once the patient has their diagnosis, the pulmonologist may then recommend a rehabilitation program.

“At Saint Clare’s Health pulmonary rehab center, there is a special gym with an exercise program tailored specifically to the patients with chronic lung diseases. The exercise program focuses on certain muscle groups that we know will improve the patient’s respiratory function, and that has proven to be a very effective method in preventing readmission to the

“At Saint Clare’s Health, a patient will undergo the most advanced testing offered anywhere to properly diagnosis the health issue. State-of- theart treatments, including surgical ones, can be offered by

the best-in-class pulmonology team to prolong and improve life for their patients,” states Dr. Noumi.

For more information, please visit saintclares.com/ lungs or call 973-989-3550.

Dr. Bassel Noumi, an interventional pulmonary specialist at Saint Clare’s Health hospital,” Dr. Noumi said.

HANOVER PARK - The principal, Thomas Callanan, of Hanover Park High School has announced that Kabir Arora, Holden Kim, and Viren Shah have been named Commended Students in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, will be presented by the principal to these scholastically talented seniors.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2023 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000

Commended Students in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program

students who entered the 2023 competition by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

“Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”

Morris County’s Own Rob Asaro - Funny, Fearless and Found Himself

BY BY JILLIAN RISBERG STAFF WRITER

AREA - An unlikely pair travel cross-country in Rob Asaro’s new play Lost Again, inspired by the playwright and Parsippany native’s own adventures on the road as a stand up comic. Most recently it had its limited run at The Tank in New York City.

Lost Again is about two mismatched strangers paired up by a mutual friend: Ilona Young, a type-A, knowit-all travel blogger on a cross-country assignment and Casey Calvino, a jaded comedian on a tour of the US. Their story is one of identity, pain, adventure, friendship, moving on and moving forward. Each act takes place in a city or town, en-route from New York to Los Angeles. The story is part misadventure, part self-discovery and part buddy dramedy.

Viewers are sure to take something away from Asaro’s wild comic adventure.

“They feel a little understood — it’s very specific feelings,” the funny man says this project deals a lot with regret, also what matters and the meaning of things. “I hope people walk away like, ‘I feel that way too, it feels good that someone expressed some of these ideas,’ but also if they’re laughing and having a good time. I’m a comedian so… I want people to enjoy themselves.”

Asaro hopes Lost Again, which he wrote after adapting it from his 10-episode series — can have life beyond the play.

“You live it; like when you’re doing this,” he says that’s all there is. “I’m obsessed with it.”

The script was a finalist at the Austin Film Festival pitch

competition in 2021.

“I write these projects and fall in love — some you’re with for a long time, go back or adapt in a certain way,” says the comedian. “You become invested. Not just write it and hope somebody says yes,” Asaro says he wants it to live in some capacity.

Hence his desire to produce, act and write his own work: whether it be a web series, play or pilot, and get it to Netflix or HBO.

“I never just wanted to act and never just wanted to write. It was about being able to do both,“ Asaro says it’s tough to navigate when you’re a hyphenated sort of talent. “Many show business folks only want to see you one way: just an actor, a comedian, a writer.”

So the funny man keeps going — hoping to grow and get better to surprise his friends and colleagues who know him.

“If I can surprise them that means I am (evolving) because they know my style,” he says it takes tons of devotion. “It’s hard to have a normal life when you do this sort of thing.”

He shared that show business can be tricky and there can be attitudes, egos and a sinister undercurrent in certain ways. His advice to young people starting out: stay away from the element that doesn’t make you feel good or you don’t trust. Instead, surround yourself with plenty of good, talented people.

And patience is important.

“Be where you are,” says Asaro. “You can’t rush the process. It takes a while to develop not only your comedic voice but what interests you to write about.”

According to the comedian,

he wasn’t a sophisticated child but had a keen understanding of comedy. He says one can learn to be funny if you immerse yourself in it and find your voice.

At three or four his mom took him to the mall, where he pretended to be a dancing mannequin and that connected him with his first agent — who sent him on a cereal casting call.

“Mom brought snacks for me and they told her there were no snacks in the office. After that she wouldn’t bring me in because of the snack policy,” Asaro says. “The joke growing up was always, ‘I didn’t get to be a messed up child actor because my mother wasn’t allowed to bring in a baggie of Chex Mix.’”

Seinfeld was an early influence, he adored Norm McDonald… and the early Simpsons were amazing.

At 14-years-old, Asaro asked his dad to use vacation money to take a standup class. And the rest is history.

“He took me into the city once a week for the class,” the funny man says when it concluded he went to Stand Up NY on the Upper West Side.

“Did my set there; I was 14 performing when everybody else was in their late 20s,” says the comedian. “It was an interesting experience.”

Asaro has toured the country performing and is the founder of the nationally known Emerson College comedy troupe: Chocolate Cake City that’s still there 20 years later. He relocated to Los Angeles right out of college, studied with Second City, and returned to NYC in 2006.

The funny man grew up in Parsippany.

“It’s a different mentality, different energy, different speed, a different sense of humor,” Asaro says of the area and NYC, that shaped him significantly.

From there for years he tried to make short films; do standup, sketch comedy and improv, web series, one-man shows.

While sets involving topical humor are not the comedian’s thing, “I like comedy that comes from within” — he admits the 24-hour (in your face) news cycle was hard to ignore.

And he says it feels nice to be out there again in the city, working through and living the creative and rehearsal process.

“Being in those spaces… with people who are jazzed to be there and excited about the

work,” says the funny man, adding that Zoom never felt real.

His dream is to make Lost Again as a series and constantly produce work. He adapted another piece, Light at the Diner (various vignettes), to perhaps do on stage — about a bunch of people who enter a diner on a weekday night and their different experiences.

“I would love to have a pro-

duction company one day and be able to produce this work, employ all my friends, collaborators and people I find funny who should be working all the time,” Asaro says. “I would like to be successful where I could give people that I feel deserve it (amazing, wonderful talents) a platform.”

For more information, visit www.robasaroshow.com

Kabir Arora (Right) and Viren Shah (left) Holden Kim

Cedar Knolls Man in Retirement Finds Mission in Education and History

BY STEVE SEARS STAFF WRITER

KNOLLS - Since his 2017 retirement, Cedar Knolls resident Michael Czuchnicki has authored a few books and, as of early November, has produced almost 170 YouTube videos about history and more subjects with always an additional lesson to be learned at the end of each one. He explains his background, and how it fed into what he does currently. “My life has been projects that have multiple parts, and as for my education, I went to Stevens Institute of Technology, which is an engineering school, and they never talked about that Stevens was the place where the first American railroad was tested on the field that I played

on,” Czuchnicki says. “Stevens came up with the idea that engineers were becoming too narrow, and so they said, ‘Let’s invent the type of engineer who knows a little bit of this, a little bit of that. I thought that made a great deal of sense. When you do something, you really need to know a little bit of this and a little bit of that: a little bit of financial matters, a little psychology, a little bit of management, and ‘How does it work?”

The former engineer is founder of the “Be More Better” series which currently has seen to publication two books, Stuff to Know and Use and More Stuff to Know and Use. Books three and four are in the works. The series of books and

videos does exactly what he states in the prior paragraph: they give you a little bit of this, a little bit of that. “I try to tell little stories that you will not forget because they are interesting,” Czuchnicki says. “And then having put that in your head so that you can’t forget it, I then happen to leave behind something which might actually be useful for you.”

Czuchnicki’s videos are no longer than 10 minutes, sometimes as short as five or six minutes, because he realizes people’s attention spans in the current, immediate digital age we live in may not extend beyond. His videos indeed do focus on history, but some on finance, profiles, and more.

Czuchnicki even peppers his videos with his own personal tales (watch his video about Moscow when he comes face to face with a Russian soldier) and riddles to get you thinking. “Every video tries to give you a thing that might be interesting, and then leave behind something that is of value,” he states. “And if people then actually share it with other people, what I’ve done is achieved something called synergy. I am trying deliberately in my retirement to leave behind something that will improve the world and make that more powerful. I’m not political. I am not religious. I am merely saying here’s an interesting thing and, by the way, maybe this little thing will actually make your life better. Now share it.”

Czuchnicki has got a good number of subscribers who view his videos, and many take the knowledge or fun be-

yond their computer screens. “Believe it or not, the videos are actually used in a Moscow high school to teach English,” he says. “I periodically used to Skype into the classroom, which meant I had to get up at three in the morning to teach or talk to the students. The riddles have gotten to the point where people I know are sharing them with each other.”

One interesting fact about Czuchnicki’s videos is that they have a “But” at just about the early or midway spot, when he’ll stop and emphasize a key element or point. He calls it a ritual, and he knows now that people are awaiting it. Czuchnicki likes to keep you thinking. “99% of them,” he says with a laugh about the number of videos where he says the word “but.” “For whatever reason, it occurred to me that it was funny to do it that way.” It may halt the video for

a moment, but the viewer’s attention span is further ignited. With regard to his videos, Czuchnicki says he is not an entertainer (that may be, but his presentations are entertaining) or a social media expert, but he is being “instinctual,” giving his viewers something fun to think about. He’s educating others in a fun way, but is also getting an education himself. “All the time,” he says, mentioning that he also for the last several years has spoken to groups. “The next one I’m going to be doing is about Queen Victoria, and I knew nothing about Queen Victoria. Nothing. But…but!...it’s just unbelievable the stuff that I’m learning. Every time I learn something I say, ‘Wow!”

For more information about the books and videos in the Be More Better series, visit www. bemorebetterbooks.com.

CCM Athletics Presented with Champions of Character Award

AREA - The Athletic Department at County College of Morris (CCM) – from student/ athletes and coaches to administration and staff – recently gained additional confirmation of their success with a Champions of Character Award from the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XIX.

The award recognizes outstanding results in the character development of student/athletes and coaches by embracing the five core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship. Additionally, the award recognizes institutions that demonstrate outstanding involvement

in the community, which results in positive character development through sport.

“It is such an honor to have our student/athletes, their coaches and the staff who support them recognized with this prestigious award,” says Jack Sullivan, director of Athletics at CCM. “The college places a very high emphasis on developing and supporting athletics who succeed both on and off the field, and we’re pleased to have Region XIX recognize those efforts.”

While the Titans have won many honors and championships over the years, this is the first time CCM Athletics has been recognized with this

award.

To learn more about Athletics at CCM, go to www.ccm. edu/athletics/

Adventure Aquarium Celebrates 30 Years of “Edutainment”

BY STEVE SEARS STAFF WRITER

AREA - Melissa Patterson, Guest Experience and Events Manager for New Jersey’s Adventure Aquarium, coins what goes on at the facility perfectly.

“I like “edutainment”: entertainment that is educational. The entertainment and education really go hand in hand,” Patterson says. “Our main goal is always going to be to educate our visitors about the animals here and about the ocean, and why it’s important to care about these animals, care about the ocean, and to care about waterways and conservation, and caring for species, like our sea turtles and our sharks and our penguins. But, by adding that entertainment side of things into the mix, that’s how we really create those unforgettable experiences for the visitors, and that’s what keeps them engaged and keeps them excited.”

Patterson provides a brief history. “Adventure Aquarium was opened by the state as part of a plan to revitalize the Camden waterfront and drawing revenue to the city and to the area, and really revitalize western New Jersey and the Delaware River waterfront, especially on the New Jersey side. We opened officially as the New Jersey State Aquarium on February 29, 1992.” In September of 2004, the State Aquarium closed for expansion, and by the time it reopened in May 2005, it had almost doubled in size, and was renamed Adventure Aquarium. Current parent company, Herschend Family Entertainment, acquired Adventure Aquarium in November of 2007.

Since its opening, Adventure Aquarium has not only been a huge cornerstone of both Camden County and the city of Camden, but even the Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey areas as well. “We really have the support from Camden and from the community to thank for that,” Patterson says. “We would be nothing without our community, and we really pride ourselves on supporting the community and being out in Camden and trying to make a difference, and trying to have a positive impact on the residents. Because without them, what would we be?”

More than 700,000 visitors enter the doors every year. A large majority of those visitors are families with children,

many of them living within 50 miles of Camden or residing in the Philadelphia area. “We really are definitely open to all ages; I think there’s really something for everyone to find here,” Patterson says. “We like to say that ‘We bring families closer together,’ and that’s whatever family means to you. Of course, there’s the traditional definition of family, but our school groups can be families, or groups of friends can be families. We have couples that have started their relationship here by going on a first date, then getting engaged here and getting married here, and then they bring their kids. It’s really, really rewarding to see our guests who come here because they’re all so different from each other. But they can all find something, for sure.” Including business and corporate professionals, who utilize Adventure Aquarium for a unique team building experience. “Our Group Sales office is very, very busy,” says Patterson. “We love our groups here; they make up a big chunk of our visitor popula-

tion. It really is very varied on who comes in the door. I think a lot of people think just of children and families and schools, but we really do welcome everyone.”

One reason Adventure Aquarium is so popular is what Patterson calls “marquee” animals. “We love our sharks here,” she says. “We have the largest collection of sharks in the Northeast, and some of those sharks have been here from when we first opened. But our hippos, especially; we’re the only aquarium in the world that exhibits hippos. And something that’s really special about that exhibit is you see them underwater. When you go to zoos or safaris, you can see them in the water, but it’s not very often that you get that underwater view of them. We have two green sea turtles and a loggerhead sea turtle, and then our penguins are our next most popular exhibit. We have two different species of warm weather penguins; you can see our African penguins, and then we have our Australian

little blue penguins which are the smallest species of penguins in the world.”

Adventure Aquarium is always looking to present different things, including live mermaids that have made appearances the past few years. They will return again by popular demand

in 2023, and a special, still-being-discussed pumpkin themed series is planned for next autumn.

Adventure Aquarium is located at 1 Riverside Drive in Camden. Visit www.adventureaquarium.com for more information.

Adventure Aquarium (credit: Adventure Aquarium Marketing Department)

Adventure Aquarium’s very popular underwater hippos (credit: Adventure Aquarium Marketing Department)

Morris County Launches Interactive Story Map to Celebrate 20 Years of Historic Preservation Trust Fund

AREA - Morris County is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund by launching an interactive, online story map of all historic sites found in the county, specifi-

Obituary

cally offering background information, photos, video and geographic data on all sites that benefited from county historic preservation grants.

“We hope this story map can make the public more aware

Fred L. Vaccaro

Fred L. Vaccaro, 70, of East Hanover, passed away at his home on October 31, 2022.

Fred was born in Newark. A graduate of Essex Catholic and Rutgers, he raised his family in West Caldwell and moved to East Hanover in 2005. Fred was always the life of the party. He loved dancing, karaoke, cruising and keeping up with all his grandsons’ activities. His favorite pastime though was cruising to various ports of entry with his bride of 50 years. He also was a proud Knight of Columbus and active in his parish Saint Rose of Lima. Affectionately known as Poppy, he was adored by his daughters and all that knew him.

Beloved husband of 50 years to Geralyn T. Vaccaro. Devoted father of Natalee Bartlett, her husband William, Bethany Swift, her husband Richard, Christianne Meyerowitz and her husband Jeffrey. Cherished grandfather of Christopher, Thomas Frederick and William

Bartlett, and Connor Swift.

Visitation was held at the Leonardis Memorial Home, Inc., 210 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park on November 3 from 4-8pm. A funeral was held on November 4 at St. Rose of Lima Church in East Hanover at 10am. Entombment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fred’s name to the East Hanover Knights of Columbus Council 6504, PO Box 424, East Hanover, NJ 07936.

of the many historic treasures that are in our midst, and also acknowledge the strong support the Commissioners have shown toward historic preservation that contribute to the high quality of life here in Morris County,” said Ray Chang, Historic Preservation Program Coordinator for the Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation.

The story map was created by the Office of Planning and Preservation to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the grant program.

The Historic Preservation Trust Fund was established by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners after voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum on Nov. 5, 2002, to allow a portion of the Morris County Open Space & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund to be used for historic preservation.

“This has been an exceptionally successful and well

received program, with nearly $46 million being committed to assist in the preservation, protection and restoration of 122 historic properties since the first grant was issued in 2003,” said Commissioner Stephen Shaw, the board liaison to the county Office of Planning and Preservation.

“Almost everywhere you go in Morris County, you can point to a place, a building or a monument that represents a specific era in our history, from the days Native Americans lived here and Europeans began to settle in, to the American Revolution, the industrial revolution and beyond. Morris County has a wealth of sites and structures embodying the American story, and our trust fund has helped to preserve that,” he added.

The story map is based in part on digital mapping data provided by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Geographic Information System, as well as

data on historical properties compiled by the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office. A legend is provided identifying various levels of historical determinations afforded different sites.

However, the story map dives deepest into Morris County historic sites, specifically the 122 sites afforded grants through the Historic Preservation Trust Fund over the past 20 years. Using the GIS mapping, visitors may navigate to all 122 Morris County sites easily and view photos, background information and, where available, videos and audio presentations that provide a fuller understanding the sites’ significance.

The videos can be watched on YouTube with captions for better accessibility.

The Historic Preservation Trust Fund considers grants for the acquisition, stabilization, rehabilitation, restoration or preservation of historic resources by municipalities,

qualified non-profits and the county. Many sites have received multiple grants over the years for various stages of preservation, from planning to actual construction.

Applications are reviewed by the volunteer members of the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund Review Board, and the board ultimately recommends each year to the County Commissioners what projects should be provided grants and the amount of each grant.

The new story map introduces visitors to the 11-member review board.

Historic resources must be listed or certified as eligible for listing on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places, to be eligible for the program.

The map is available to view at www.storymaps.arcgis.com/ stories/e6da96eb190a4c8e94bab06dcd1b8e7e

A New Year’s Day Story

BY RICHARD MABEY JR. GUEST WRITER

AREA - Can love be limited?

Is it possible that God’s blessings can reach beyond our limited human understanding of time and space? Are the flames of sibling love, between two sisters, able to transition to a world beyond this world that we humanly know? Is it possible, that love is the greatest force in the universe?

On November 11, 2019, my mom, Janet Kemmerer Mabey, had heart surgery to replace her Aortic Valve. After the surgery, my sister Patti and I were elated that Mom still had a few years left upon this earth, before it would be her

time to be called Home to be with the Lord. But by the first of December, it became painfully obvious that Mom’s time upon this earth, was coming to a close.

It was in early December of 2019 that Mom’s general practitioner, told my sister and I that it was time to set up for Hospice home visitations. It was a deeply sad time.

My mother was great stickler for cleanliness. But, I confess that with the influx of nurses and home care professionals, it was tough to keep Mom’s bedroom as neat as a pin. In December, when there were no Hospice personnel at our home, I would read Mom excerpts from the Holy Bible. Mom would then gently fall asleep. But even as Mom would sleep, ever so peacefully, I would continue to read the Bible to Mom.

I remember that it was in the second week of December, that I was reading Mom her Bible, Mom fell asleep. I continued to read the Bible to her.

Mom suddenly awoke and begin talking about her plans to have a New Year’s Day party. It was a long standing tradition of the old Mabey Homestead, as far back as I can remember, that New Year’s Day was a time of open house and homecooked food for the old family farmhouse.

When Mom awoke, she spoke as if we were still living at the old Mabey Homestead, rather than the reality of now living in our Florida home. And, one of the things Mom spoke about that afternoon,

was that she was looking forward to seeing her sister Alice on New Year’s Day. Mom began telling me what needed to be done to prepare for the big New Year’s Party.

As Mom would tell me that I needed to clean all the baseboards, vacuum the rugs, Mom would look me in the eyes and say, “oh Richard, I can’t wait to see my sister Alice again.”

I remember this went on for a good half-hour, then Mom drifted off to peaceful sleep.

I stayed at Mom’s side. Even though Mom was sleeping, I read her some passages from the Book of John. About an hour later, Mom woke up again and told me immense details of the New Year’s Day Party that we had just had.

Mom recalled the memory of the dream that she just had, complete with the most tiny details of the splendid party that she had just been a part of.

Then, Mom looked at me and simply said, “Richard, it

was so good to see my sister Alice again. It was all just so good.” Then Mom closed her eyes and once again drifted off to sleep.

On the night of the twenty-third of December of 2019, my beloved mother went Home to be with the Lord. It was a sad moment in time. Looking back now, three years later, I still remember how real Mom’s dream was to her.

Could it be that on some level it was all so very real? That on some Heavenly plain, Mom did see her sister Alice Kemmerer Knothe in spirit, that was as real as anything on this physical plain.

I am not a theologian by profession. I do know this though. God is a source of immense love and compassion. The rest is left to the beliefs of my dear readers.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@ hotmail.com.

Mom and Aunt Alice, in 1996.

Elijah Lee

Maynor Lopez Castro

Sindy Chavez Tabora

Yessica Ramos Arevalo

BY STEVE SEARS STAFF WRITER

Marcasiano, a fashion and costume designer, grew up in East Hanover, New Jersey and attended Cobblestone (now Central) Elementary School, East Hanover Middle School, and finally Hanover Park High School. “Back then East Hanover was still pretty rural,” Marcasiano says. “We used to actually walk on what became Route 10, and River Road was quite quiet. And where I grew up, across the street was a dairy farm; our neighbors were from one of the farming families. It had very much more of a country kind of a feeling to it, and we wound up doing a lot of those kinds of activities.” Her parents, Anna and Frank, were both born and raised in Jersey City. “They met in Jersey City, and then they moved to East Hanover and bought a very old farmhouse on River Road, and kind of lived their dream of renovating the house on their own.”

Marcasiano graduated from Hanover Park High School a year early, attended Montclair State University for two years, and then moved to New York City to attend Parsons School of Design. After graduating from Parsons in 1977, she founded her own design company. “I started making my own collection,” she says, “and I immediately got a big order from Bloomingdale’s. I was 22

going on 23. Bloomingdale’s was really the hotspot for fashion. They were very famous for all the designers they promoted and their window designs, and when I had my first window display at Bloomingdale’s, it was really, really something.”

Marcasiano was part of a handful of young designers at that time who decided to do their own thing rather than work for a big company. For her it worked out. She says, “A lot of us were based in SoHo, and as a group, we got a lot of attention, a lot of press, and that put us on the map at the very early stages of our careers.”

Marcasiano herself started getting coverage in major magazines like Vogue, and won a number of fashion awards in quick succession. She credits her parents for their help and support in those early days.

“I grew up in a very nurturing household, and my parents were very nurturing of my talent,” Marcasiano says. “When I did decide after graduating from Parsons that I wanted to start producing my own collection, my parents helped me. My mom came to work with me, and she was a huge part of the success of my business, as was my dad before he passed. We were really a family business with a young designer at the helm.”

Marcasiano was introduced to the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. by New York Fashion Week founder, Ellen Lambert. “She was the grand lady of New York fashion,” Marcasiano says. “I remember she discovered me when I was just starting out and

would include me in fashion shows and different things.”

One day Lambert called and told Marcasiano about the Council of Fashion Designers of America, which was quite small but included some huge players on the fashion gridiron: Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Bill Blass, Donna Karen among them. Lambert told Marcasiano she wanted her to be a member, and encouraged her to also come to the group’s luncheon.

“I remember this luncheon at a very fancy restaurant uptown, and I felt like the little kid that had somehow snuck into the room. But I was very taken and influenced by listening to these designers and what the organization was doing. I was very happy to be a part of that for many years.”

Marcasiano looks back at her career as a fashion designer and her focus on her current work with costume design, and explains the benefit of both. “Fashion is not a collaborative art,” she says. “It’s a pretty pictorial art that’s got its upsides and the downsides. You have to be the one to come up with it all, and then you take either all the applause or the rejection of the sales. It’s all on you, but of course your team is helping you. But working in costume, it’s much more collaborative because you’re talking to the director, you’re talking to the actors, you’re talking to the lighting designer. There’s a lot more people involved in the decision making. Sometimes I miss that autonomy, but on the other hand, there’s a lot of fun to working as a group.”

In 2007, Marcasiano found-

ed the “Made with Love Project.” She explains its genesis and purpose. “I went to Brazil to do costumes for a dance company, and then while I was there, I met a lot of the community where the people lived, and I met a lot of the people’s mothers,” Marcasiano says. “They were all incredible craftspeople and they were doing beautiful things, and I noticed that they had a very local look to them. And I was thinking, ‘How can I help them sell their crafts internationally?’ And then I thought that I could bring some of my design ideas to them and they can produce them, and then I could sell them and use the proceeds to support local charities. That’s how the “Made with Love Project” was born, and then I expanded it to West Africa and Haiti, and right now it’s mostly involved with projects in West Africa.” Also, Marcasiano is involved in other organizations, too. She also produces and curates films in New York City for a number of organizations, including Cinema Tropical, for who she serves as Director of Strategic Partnerships, and also works with the youth theater group IMPACT Repertory Theater Performance Company in Harlem as a Director of Development.

In Spring of 2019 Marcasiano received her Masters Degree from the New York University Gallatin School of Individualized Study. “I graduated from Parsons in ‘77 and I studied art. I’ve always been a good student, but I was focused on the creative side of things. When I started getting involved

with nonprofit work, I wanted to learn more about the field and I wanted to be able to bring more to what I was doing.” She applied to NYU and her thesis was based on the type of nonprofit projects that she was involved with. And heading back to school itself? “It was incredibly hard to go back into an academic situation. And because it was so hard, it was unbelievably rewarding, and in some ways it was one of the most rewarding things that I’ve done in my life.”

Marcasiano and her husband, photographer and artist, Ralph Gibson, have been together for over 40 years. “We both travel a lot for our work,” Marcasiano says, “and we try to travel together to the same places when we can. Working side by side together has been it’s great, to have both of us working creatively but in different fields.”

Marcasiano occasionally takes a step away from her career and indulges in cooking. “Like a lot of people during the pandemic, I got into cook-

ing,” she says. “I come from a long line of good Italian cooks, hanging out in the kitchen with my grandmother and my mother, although I didn’t do much cooking myself.” When she and Gibson were in Paris for her September birthday, both decided that she would attend the Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School in Paris for a couple of days and take classes. “It was unbelievable,” Marcasiano states excitedly. “Almost as much fun as getting my Master’s Degree. We were working in a professional kitchen as a team, and it’s really like it is in the movies, where you have to say, ‘Yes, Chef” and be on time, get your dish, keep it going, and I realized that I really loved it. Other than cooking at home, I don’t know what I want to do with that, but I want to go back and take more classes, and it’s something that might be part of my future.”

To learn more about Mary Jane Marcasiano and her work, visit www.maryjanemarcasiano.com.

Mary Jane Marcasiano as a young designer (credit: Ralph Gibson)

Appetizers are many people’s favorite part of a meal.

From dips and finger foods to little treats and fried pieces of perfection, there is a wide array of considerations for a premeal snack.

Some appetizers are much more appropriate at certain events. For example, buffalo chicken wings are best enjoyed on game days, salads are normally served at showers and vegetable trays are a typical Thanksgiving Day classic.

However, there are recipes that are too easy to make and too satisfying not to serve at almost every festivity you and your family attend. This Easy

An Appetizer Worth the (Short) Wait

Crab Rangoon shines above the rest for many reasons, but the main point of this heavenly sample is it’s easy to make and bake.

This appetizer is placed in the oven until it’s golden brown, topped with little green scallions with a creamy filling all packaged in a crispy outer layer.

Plus, the cream cheese is mixed with luscious amounts of crab meat. This is a seafood lover’s dream. Actually, it’s any appetizer lover’s dream.

To make this mouthwatering recipe, you only need a handful of ingredients and a few kitchen tools.

The little bites of perfection come out of the oven steaming hot, waiting to be topped with more crunchy, fresh scallions. Once they have cooled for a few moments, they are ready to be devoured.

This bite-size, savory snack will be all the rage at family dinners and parties with the kids alike. They fit perfectly in the palms of hands and within a few bites, they are gone and your loved ones are asking for seconds.

Find more appetizer recipes that are simple and made to impress at Culinary.net

Easy Crab Rangoon Servings: 12

Celebrate the Holidays with Special Centerpieces

Few things bring family and friends together quite like the holidays, and serving up an elegant, seasonal meal centered around a mouthwatering main dish is a recipe for creating lasting memories with the ones you love.

Forging a fabulous holiday experience for the special people in your life starts with choosing a flavorful, tender cut of meat to serve as the centerpiece of the meal. Hand-cut by expert butchers, an option like Spiral-Sliced Ham from Omaha Steaks can serve as the focal point of a memorable holiday dinner. Flash frozen to capture freshness and flavor, you can select a standout cut of meat from the comfort of your home and have it delivered directly to your door in time to put together a tender, juicy main course.

Find more holiday recipe

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 80 minutes

Servings: 10-12 Ham:

1 Omaha Steaks Spiral-Sliced Ham (8 pounds) Glaze:

1 cup cherry fruit spread 3/4 cup dark spiced rum 3/4 cup cola

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

To make ham: Thaw frozen ham in refrigerator 24-48 hours.

Remove from refrigerator and let ham come to room temperature, about 30-45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 325 F. Remove ham from foil and film. Return ham to foil wrapping and place in oven-safe roasting pan. Roll foil down leaving 2 inches of foil around bottom of ham.

Place roasting pan with ham in oven on lower rack and heat uncovered 60-75 minutes, until ham starts to brown. While ham cooks, make glaze.

To make glaze: In medium saucepot, whisk fruit spread, rum, cola, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard and salt until well incorporated. Bring to boil then reduce heat to medium. Simmer over medium heat 10 minutes then remove from heat. Cool to room temperature.

During last 15 minutes of cooking, glaze ham every 5 minutes. (Family Features)

Nonstick cooking spray

12 wonton wrappers

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

4 ounces lump crabmeat

1 scallion, sliced thin, green and white parts separated

1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

1 teaspoon soy sauce

Heat oven to 350 F.

Spray muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. Press wonton wrappers into muffin cups. Lightly spray wrappers with nonstick cooking spray and bake until lightly browned, 6-9 minutes. Let cool slightly.

In medium bowl, beat cream

cheese until smooth. Combine with crabmeat, scallion whites, ginger and soy sauce. Fill each wonton wrapper with filling. Bake until filling is heated through, 6-8 minutes.

Sprinkle with scallion greens. Serve warm. (Culinary. net)

Put a Zesty Spin on Weeknight Meals

Dinner in many households means foolproof recipes that families can count on, but those can become bland and boring. Finding new ways to put a twist on meals throughout the week adds fun to time spent in the kitchen while bringing new flavor to the table.

To help reinvigorate traditional weeknight dinners, chef Bobby Flay and Hidden Valley Ranch created the three-part Hidden Valley Ranch Night! series to debut dishes that bring bold flavor to traditional meals, such as these recipes for Ranch Crusted Burgers with Avocado Ranch Sauce and Ranch Seasoned Chicken and Mushroom Quesadillas with Tomato Salsa and Sour Cream. The series will provide a spin on weeknight staples to showcase the simplicity, versatility and zesty flavor of ranch seasoning when used to create family-friendly dinners any night of the week.

Find more information, including series episodes and additional recipes, at hidden-

valley.com/ranch-night Ranch Crusted Burgers with Avocado Ranch Sauce

Servings: 4 Avocado Ranch Sauce:

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup sour cream

1 tablespoon well-shaken buttermilk

1/2 teaspoon Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

3 green onions, thinly sliced

2 avocados, peeled, pitted and diced

Ranch Spice Crusted Burger:

1 1/2 tsps Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning

1 teaspoon paprika kosher salt freshly ground pepper

1 1/2 pounds ground chuck (80% lean)

2 tablespoons canola oil

8 slices American cheese

1/4cup water

4 brioche buns, split in half Avocado Ranch Sauce

To make avocado ranch sauce: In bowl, whisk mayon-

naise, sour cream, buttermilk, ranch seasoning, salt and pepper until smooth. Fold in green onions and diced avocados; set aside.

To make burgers: In small bowl, whisk ranch seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper.

Heat large cast-iron pan or griddle over high heat. Divide meat into four 6-ounce patties and make deep depression in centers with thumb. Season each with spice rub on one side.

Add canola oil to pan and heat until shimmering. Place on burgers in pan, spice side down, and cook until golden brown and lightly charred, 4 minutes. Turn burgers over and cook 4 minutes, or until they reach desired doneness.

Top each burger with two slices cheese. Add water to pan and cover tightly with lid 10 seconds, or until the cheese is melted.

Place burgers on bottom buns and top each with avocado ranch sauce and top buns.

inspiration at OmahaSteaks. com/blog/recipes Rum and Cola Holiday Ham Recipe courtesy of Omaha Steaks Executive Chef David Rose

Prevention is Key Helps Educate Public on Substance Abuse Relief

doesn’t

abuser could be an elderly individual, a youth, or an adult struggling with life who found “relief” in a drug or alcohol.

For those who want to move from abuse to recovery, there’s help: the non-profit organization Prevention is Key (PIK).

Located in several counties, its Development Director, Laura Jennings Pitt of Pompton Lakes, explained, “Our bottom-line goal is to create a stigma free community. …we offer programs that will help individuals at all stages of recovery to find their way back to a meaningful life, and so, we don’t require abstinence of our participants but… we strive to meet them where they are.” But, PIK is not just for those with an addiction; it offers help to family and friends who are trying to support them in recovery. Also, it has prevention education programs. PIK offers its free services through its brick-and-mortar CARES (Center for Addiction Recovery Education and Success) centers, its mobile units, and its 24-hour hot line. Recently, Pitt talked a little about her role and gave an overview of PIK’s services.

Pitt is the organization’s first Development Director. Prior to her, everyone in the organization seemed to take some part in handling fundraising and it’s just become too big of a task for it to be managed in that way. “They needed to implement a centralized strategy led by someone who’s got the skills and the vision to deliver on the promises of the development department and that’s what brought me here to this organization,” explained Pitt.

In addressing PIK’s offerings, Pitt noted that there are five physical CARES locations: one in Essex County (Newark), two in Morris County (Dover and Rockaway), and two in Burlington County (Burlington County and Burlington City). “They’re a place where you can come and be part of a community that makes you feel welcomed. They’re really helpful for individuals who are just getting started in their recovery journey because they give them a place to go [where they] can be away from substances and around people who are encouraging and supportive and positive and just want to be there for them [when they need us],” shared Pitt. There’s peer support for both those in recovery and the people supporting them, where someone coming to the center is matched with someone with a similar background who’s gone through recovery or has supported someone going through recovery.

The centers offer a variety of meetings (NA, AA, etc.) plus various educational offerings which include Narcan training in recognizing an overdose and administering Narcan. Administering Narcan to someone who is overdosing can reverse the effects of an overdose and save their life.

Pitt shared that there’s a monthly recovery recognition breakfast at the Rockaway location where individuals who are in or exploring the idea of recovery can meet with each other as well as network with some of the providers PIK works with. The breakfast includes speakers who talk about the different services that are available and then there’s a story of recovery. The breakfast takes place the second Monday of every month.

PIK also has mobile recovery units such as HOPE 1

for Morris County plus mobile units in Essex and Passaic counties. Through these units, connection is made with those homeless individuals struggling with substance abuse. “The way that we get the word out about where the mobile recovery units are going to be is in partnership with the sheriff’s offices, and those locations are publicized so we strive to make those units accessible to the communities,” shared Pitt. Building trust is the first step. Those struggling with addiction may not immediately ask to see a social worker or mental health professional or seek treatment for recovery. The mobile units give out homeless care packages, which are assembled at PIK’s general locations. What’s in the packages may vary but they contain things like food, personal hygiene items, toiletries and clean underwear. The unit will give rides to a place a homeless person might want to go to get a meal or shower or take the person to an appointment and then return the person to where they feel safe. It is through interactions like this that the trust is built so that the connection is there when the individual is ready to take the first step to recovery.

Jennings noted that in Passaic County, part of a care package is fentanyl test strips. Using these strips, a person can check for the presence of fentanyl in other substances such as heroin. This is part of “harm reduction”. Fentanyl is deadlier than other substances and Pitt noted that it can kill a person on the spot. PIK realizes people receiving its packages can still be abusing. Checking for fentanyl’s presence could keep a person from

killing themselves by taking something laced with it. The idea is that the abuser will live longer with a chance of recovery in their future.

Besides the mobile unit and CARE centers, PIK has a 24hour telephone recovery support line. “…if you don’t find our mobile recovery unit and you can’t come to our physical center. you can call us anytime,” said Pitt. She noted that it is not only for people who are struggling with substance use but also anyone who’s affected by it. The hotline number is 973-625-1143.

PIK offers events during the year addressing education, recovery, and fundraising. Its website lists what’s upcoming, ways to volunteer, and also includes a “shop” area where people can buy items to encourage those in recovery

or as a way to support PIK by buying a gift for someone.

While, as its website notes, PIK ”relies on many trusted relationships with private foundations and government agencies to sustain and advance its mission”, fundraising is needed. According to its website, “There are over 27,000 individuals with a diagnosed SUD in the communities served by Prevention is Key, plus many others who struggle with problematic and chaotic use without any official diagnosis.” The funds PIK raises helps it to provide its services. An example of a fundraiser was the online #PIKYourWhy on social media for Giving Tuesday in November. The organization encouraged supporters, friends, peers, and loved ones to post why PIK is important to them

with a button for people to click to donate. Also, people can donate at any time to the organization by going to a tab on its website: preventioniskey.org/donate

Pitt shared about a special fundraiser in the upcoming year. Looking ahead, on May 24, 2023, there will be a

Road to Recovery event at the Windlass in Lake Hopatcong. There will be a sunset cruise, a tricky tray, and a speaker who has used PIK’s services and is in long term recovery.

For more information on PIK, people can call 973-6251143 or visit it online at preventioniskey.org

Barbara Freda Marketing Sales Associate 973-769-5310 cell barbara@mylifepublications.com Call,

Those in the mobile unites reach out to substances abusers by building trust and creating a stigma free environment.

Robert Wood Johnson, the son and nephew of the co-founders of Johnson & Johnson (J&J), built J&J into a global, diversified healthcare company. Born in 1893 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Johnson served as J&J’s chairman of the board from 1938-1963.

Under Johnson’s direction, J&J opened new sales and manufacturing plants in Brazil, Argen tina, India, and other locations worldwide. He expanded the company’s product lines beyond first aid kits and baby powder and, under his leadership, J&J entered the pharmaceutical in dustry, becoming one of the world’s largest drug manufacturers.

Johnson’s corporate philosophy, embodied in the J&J Credo, which outlined the company’s values, emerged as a new model for other com panies to follow. The Credo emphasized J&J’s corporate social responsibility: first to its cus tomers, followed by its workers, management, community, and lastly its stockholders.

Robert Wood Johnson believed strongly in public service. He had earned the title of “the General” during World War II when he served as a brigadier general in charge of the New York Ordnance District. He resigned that post when President Roosevelt appointed him vice chair man of the War Production Board and chairman of the Smaller War Plants Corporation.

A prolific writer, he authored four books and numerous articles on a range of subjects such as military preparedness and business-labor rela tions.

Johnson contended that full industrial produc tion, combined with engaged, satisfied employ ees, safeguarded capitalism against potential Communists threats at-home and abroad. Unlike other business leaders of the time, he believed in

the rights of the worker. He advocated for high er wages, improved working conditions, and job training skills for working-class Americans.

Johnson also promoted health care issues such as patient care in the hospital setting. He pushed for improved nursing education as one means to enhance the quality of care, and believed that hospital administrators needed specialized train ing. His work with Malcolm Thomas MacEach ern, MD, then president of the American College of Surgeons, led to the founding, at Northwest ern University, of one of the first schools of hos pital administration.

Throughout his lifetime, Johnson demon strated compassion and concern for the poor and indigent. In December 1936, he founded the Johnson New Brunswick Foundation. The philanthropy’s first grant involved a donation of 130 acres of land in Highland Park to the County of Middlesex for use as a public park. In 1952, his foundation – newly named the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) – expanded its do main beyond New Brunswick to include all of New Jersey.

Johnson died on January 30, 1968, and be queathed his company stock to RWJF. It took three years to probate his estate. By that point the foundation had a net worth of more than $1.2 billion, making it the second largest foundation in the country. Today, RWJF, worth more than $10 billion, is the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted solely to the public’s health. Its grant making serves as a living tribute to the General.

The Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the Robert Wood Johnson University Hos pital, both New Jersey-based institutions, also testify to Johnson’s lasting impact on health care in New Jersey.

them out at https://njhalloffame.org/ and donate at https://njhalloffame.org/donate/.

Mary Gindhart Herbert Roebling

29, 1905 – October 25, 1994) was an Amer ican banker, businesswoman, and philan thropist. She was the first woman to serve as president of a major US bank. Mary Gindhart was born in West Collingswood, New Jersey on July 29, 1905. Mary’s parents were Isaac Dare Gindhart Jr. and Mary (Simon) Gindhart, and was the eldest of four children. Mary’s father Isaac was the president of the Keystone & Eastern Telephone Company, and mother was a singer and pianist. She attended public schools in Moorestown and Haddonfield. She married musician Arthur Herbert in her teens (15), in 1920, and had a daughter, Eliz abeth, in 1921 . Arthur died in 1922. She then worked in Philadelphia at an investment house while taking night classes in business adminis tration and merchandising at the University of Pennsylvania. Her second husband, was Hugh Graham. They married in 1923. She divorced Graham and married Siegfried Roebling in 1932 (a son of John A. Roebling II. Siegfried died in 1936 and left her Trenton Trust stock. She took his seat on a Trenton Trust Company board. She was elected president of the board on January 21, 1937, and became the first woman to serve as president of a major American commercial bank. She served as either president or chair of

Over the years Mary was requested to serve in various public service capacities including Citizen’s Advisory Committee on Armed Forc es Installations, Atlantic Congress for NATO, White House Congress on Refugee Programs, International Chamber of Commerce’s 17th Congress, and Citizens Advisory Council to the Committee on the Status of Women. Through several administrations, Roebling served as a ci vilian aide to the Secretary of the Army. She was made president of the new Army War College Foundation in 1978. That year she also found ed Women’s Bank N.A. in Denver, the nation’s first chartered bank established by women, and chaired its board until 1983. From 1958 to 1962, she was governor of the American Stock Ex change. She was their first woman governor.

In a 1965 speech, Mrs. Roebling said: “As a woman who for years has competed in the busi ness world, I would be the first to agree that the American woman has almost unbelievable eco nomic power, but American women, like women of all civilized nations, do not use the influence their economic power gives them.”

She died on October 25, 1994, of renal failure at her home in Trenton, NJ.

Born and bred in New Jersey, he is a leg endary jazz guitarist who has collaborated with

some of the greatest musicians, including Les Paul, Stephane Grappelli, and Benny Goodman.

(July

the board until 1972 when the bank merged with National State. She then chaired the combined banks until 1984.

Mary Roebling

Gen. Robert Wood Johnson II Enterprise | New Brunswick | Highland Park | Raritan (1893 – 1968)

John ‘Bucky’ Pizzarelli