EAST HANOVER FLORHAM PARK
BY STEVE SEARS STAFF WRITER
HANOVER PARK - It is often said that good things happen in threes. Nowhere this fall was that proven truer than at Hanover Park High School as Joe Filippone, Anthony DiMaiolo, and Phil Iossa - members of the 1990 Hanover Park Hornets state sectional champion football team - watched sons Joey, PJ, and Frank make a little history with a sectional title of their own.
And the question as to which team was better, 1990 or 2024?
PJ’s response was quick. “2024.”
His dad described a discussion the two had. “It started as soon as they won that day. He does not realize that we watched him play, but he never watched us play - just saw highlights. He has never seen us in an entire game.” He paused, then said, “It is going to be fun for years arguing this, but it is a good thing. It is a good problem.”
When Phil Iossa, a 1990 defensive tackle for the Hornets, and son Frank, an offensive and defensive lineman for this
year’s sectional title winner, discuss the same topic, Frank said, “It is still up in the air.” And just as Phil and his teammates wanted a sectional title in 1990, he also wanted one for his son.
He said, “I always say, ‘We were the first, but we didn’t want to be the last.’ We cannot believe that it took 34 years for it to happen, and it was ironic that it was our kids are on the field doing it. That is the magical part about it.”
Joe Filippone said, “The high school has been to the sectional final four times in our history, and three of them have included my family. I wanted it for him (Joey) so bad and for these boys. I was on pins and needles for weeks leading up to this final game.”
~~~~~ Anthony DiMaiolo, a right guard for the Hornets back in 1990, used to block for Joe Filippone.
This and past seasons, they always sat next to each other during every one of their son’s games.
Anthony said, “We have seen so many good teams go by, and I am thinking, ‘Is this (a sectional title) really going to happen with our sons?’ It was like an emotional day for us, to be honest.” His son, a wide receiver and linebacker, said of the week
leading up to the November evening in Glen Rock, “I am never the type of guy to say we can destroy a team. I am always the passive one, saying, ‘We have to respect them, you have to make sure we play right. Anything can happen.’ But that week, I was saying. ‘There’s no way we lose this.’”
Mrs. Bennett Follows the Army
FLORHAM PARK - The Historical Society of Florham Park, in acknowledgement of Women’s Month, announces the scheduled March 11, 2025 program of “Mrs. Bennett Follows the Army“.
Learn about life as a woman who followed Washington’ Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Wives, daughters, mothers, and single women followed their men on long marches and through cold and hungry conditions. Many had children with them. They worked as laundresses, cooks, and nurses. And, yes, some were prostitutes.
Spend some time with Mrs. Bennett and hear about life in camp, on the march, and during skirmishes and battles. Hear what Washington thought of the camp followers. Learn about the soldiers themselves and why they stayed in the army regardless of the hardships they faced.
Additional information: Contrary to popular belief, few of the women who followed Washington’s Continental Army throughout the Revolutionary War were prostitutes. Most were wives or attached single women. Others were daughters, and a few were mothers. All of them followed their soldier because it wasn’t safe to remain in their home or they could not bear to be left behind. Although General Washington was frustrated by the presence of these women and their children, he recognized their importance to the soldiers. If he sent them away, the soldiers they were fol-
lowing would desert to protect them. So the women remained and were given jobs to do to earn their rations.
These women marched the same long marches, suffered the same short rations, and lived in the same rough camps as the soldiers. They had to be as tough as the soldiers themselves. It wasn’t just women following the army. Their children came with them, regardless of age. Some women even bore children while “in the army”. It was a hard life.
The Historical Society of Florham Park is very happy that the program will be presented by Pat Wells. Ms. Wells is the vice president of the Chatham Township Historical Society, and an amateur historian, researcher and speaker. Recall that she delivered two popular presentations for Florham Park and area residents. One was in 2022 when she delivered “A History of the White House” and another was in November 2023 - “Stories of the Mayflower: What Were They Thinking?”.
Everyone is welcome to attend this March 11 free program sponsored by The Historical Society of Florham Park at the Florham Park Library. Refreshments available at 6:30pm sponsored by Delaney at the Green, with the program scheduled from 7:00-8:00pm. About The Historical Society of Florham Park
As this presentation is being offered in National Women’s Month, it is appropriate to men-
Winner from January’s “Find Hank the Hornet Mascot” Contest
Joseph Taylor; Florham Park, Michele Truppo-Dalia; East Hanover, Lori Hill; Florham Park. The ads that “Hank the Hornet” were in: Magnoli, Kids World Pediatric Dentistry, Junkin Irishman, American Sons, Bergen Debate Team and Ideal Air. Thanks to everyone who enter and congratulations to our winners!
tion that The Historical Society of Florham Park was founded by a group of women 80 years ago in 1935. They banded together to save and preserve the Little Red Schoolhouse and the history of the borough. Located on the corner of Columbia Turnpike and Ridgedale Avenue the former schoolhouse (built in 1866) was converted into a museum. It is the symbol of Florham Park. Since then, virtually all the artifacts in the museum were donated or loaned to and are the responsibility of the Historical Society. The Historical Society is a 501c3 non-profit organization.
Many know the Historical Society from the informative free presentations such as this offered for all residents. Many are familiar with books sponsored by the Historical Society such as SAGA OF A CROSSROADS (per John T. Cunningham, “a first-rate history, … one of the best local histories
every written in New Jersey”.”) and FONDLY FROM FLORHAM (as written by a girl growing up in Florham Park more than 100 years ago (19171921). Both are now also available digitally on the Florham Park Library website or hard copies can be purchased from the Historical Society. Still more know the Historical Society of Florham Park from the decades of providing tours of the Little Red Schoolhouse. The Historical Society looks forward to once again offering tours in the museum again soon on the first Sunday of each month. Or to learn more about The Historical Society of Florham Park visit it Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ groups/875453746446134/permalink/1603054383686063 or contact Peter Nicolas at pnicolas@optimum.net or call at 973520-8654.
A Trio of Dads and Sons Celebrate Sectional Football Titles for Hanover Park High School
A conversation ensued prior to the DiMaiolo family departing for the game.
Anthony said, “This is a funny story. I walked up to PJ, just me being a dad, and said, ‘Just so you know, this game does not define you as a man.
Whatever happens at the end of this day does not define you as a man.’ He turns, looks at me, and says, ‘There is no way you’re going to have a title and I’m not.”
PJ added, “And I told him PLEASE SEE TRIO OF DADS & SONS, PAGE 2
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center Presentation Free to the Public at Florham Park Diner
FLORHAM PARK - February is American Heart Month, a time when all people are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health. The Florham Park Rotary is hosting “GET YOUR HEART INTO IT”, a free short Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center presentation. It will be held on February 21 at the Florham Park Diner.
This program will discuss facts regarding cardiovascular disease, conditions, and medications. The presenter discusses complementary vs. Alternative medicine, vitamins, and their risks and benefits. In addition to these topics, health conditions such as Hypertension, cholesterol levels, conditions requiring blood thinning agents, thrombosis, and blood pressure readings will be discussed along with the risks that hypertension plays on your heart.
Helene DeCapua, B.S.P.H.,CVT, NCMA, NCPT | Community Coordinator, Community Health & Outreach has coordinated several of these programs with the Florham Park Rotary.
“These 30-minute informative programs, in the comfortable setting of the Florham Park Diner’s backroom, begin at 8:10am and are completed by 8:40am. Guests should plan to
arrive between 7:45-8:00am so we may welcome them, treat them to a coffee and a muffin, and thus be ready to start and end on time so everyone can be back home or at work by 9:00am.” explains Peter Nicolas, Florham Park Rotary Sergeant-At-Arms.
“Our club in Florham Park is one of 40,000 worldwide Rotary clubs, each being a nonpolitical and non sectarian organization open to all people. While our specific club focuses on programs that benefit students in Florham Park, we also support other initiatives, including health for adults. It’s all about addressing community needs”, per Damion Bernard, club president. To learn more and consider joining, guests are welcome to attend any weekly Rotary breakfast meeting at the Florham Park Diner at 182 Ridgedale Ave. Meetings are 7:47 to 8:50 a.m. every Friday. For additional information visit the website at www.FlorhamParkRotary.org, check Florham Park Community TV (Channels 21 for Cablevision and 35 for Verizon), or write info@florhamparkrotary.org or call Membership Chair George Gregor at 917-848-0982.
Frank and Phil Iossa (credit: Lauren Iossa)
Joe and Joey Filippone (courtesy of the Filippone family)
PJ and Anthony DiMaiolo (courtesy of the DiMaiolo family)
New Jersey Women’s Clubs Have a Successful Year; Celebrating 130 years of Volunteer Service in 2024
AREA - As 2024 comes to a
close, the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs (NJSFWC) would like you to take a moment to think about what clubwomen from across the state have accomplished. Approximately 6,000 clubwomen in individual clubs, located all across New Jersey have made a huge difference in their communities, volunteering thousands of hours on a variety of projects, fundraising for those in need and making
many in-kind and monetary donations.
Clubwomen across the state filled 2,700 holiday stockings for distribution by Operation Jersey Cares to our military and veterans.
This project began in 2009 and over 29,000 stockings have been filled and donated.
NJSFWC held another successful Girls Career Institute (GCI).
Clubs continue to support this wonderful program for ju-
nior high school girls, which began in 1947 and continues to grow, giving these young ladies the opportunity to participate in a mini-college experience on the Douglass residential campus, learning about potential careers choices and attending lectures and workshops.
All delegates are funded by local clubs.
In January of 2024, we continued our yearly Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. This statewide event began in
Did You Know?
AREA - Veterinarians and rescue organizations repeatedly stress the significance of having pets spayed or neutered. This process, which is a relatively minor procedure with an excellent recovery rate, renders the animals sterile so that they cannot reproduce. Many animal shelters will not even allow people to adopt pets before the dogs and cats have undergone the spay or neuter surgery. Prospective pet owners may wonder just why spaying and neutering is so important. Here are a few reasons.
• Increased longevity: A study that focused on Banfield Pet Hospitals’ database of 2.2
million dogs and 460,000 cats found that, compared to animals which were not neutered or spayed, neutered male dogs lived 18 percent longer and spayed female dogs lived 23 percent longer, while spayed female cats in the study lived 39 percent longer and neutered male cats lived 62 percent longer.
• Curbs unwanted behaviors: Unaltered dogs and cats may roam to find mates, meow or bark, mark territory, and engage in other unwanted behaviors.
• Prevents litters: Undesired litters of puppies or kittens leads to overpopulation
that can result in these animals being placed in shelters or humanely euthanized.
• May prevent cancers: Spaying or neutering can reduce the risk for certain cancers in animals, such as reproductive system cancer or pyometra. Undergoing the spaying and neutering process increases the liklihood that pets can live longer lives, and also helps reduce medical treatment costs.
There are several reasons to neuter and spay pets. Furthermore, it may be possible to find a low- or no-cost spay and neuter clinic to handle the procedure.
Trio of Dads and Sons...
this was the last few hours of him being the only sectional championship team...until we win.”
As the final gun sounded, PJ and Joey Filippone hugged, and the tears fell. “We were both crying as the seconds ticked down and the clock hit zero,” PJ recalled.
~~~~~ Joey Filippone’s older brother, Michael, had given him an envelope.
Joey said, “I was just resting for the game, and he gave it to me and said, ‘Just open this on the bus.’”
Older brother had a message for the younger: take care of business.
Michael in 2021 sought along with his Hanover Park High School football teammates to win a sectional title, just as his dad had done in 1990. However, the Caldwell Chiefs stood in their path, and the result was a 44 – 14 defeat.
Joey, a running back and linebacker, read the note on the bus. He said, “It (the note) was about how much this means to us, and that he did not do it, and he just wanted me to do it, and do it for the family. It just means so much to our family.”
The 2024 Hornets outscored opponents 351 – 107 and held the opposition to seven points or less in seven games, and defeated the host Glen Rock Panthers, 24 –3, for the North 2 Group 2 sectional title. It was the team’s first sec-
tional title after a 34-year drought. Joey’s dad was a running back and safety on the last Hornets team which won a North 2 Group 2 sectional title in 1990, a 51-14 trouncing over the Abraham Clark High School Rams of Roselle.
This year’s team finished with 10 wins and two losses, while the 1990 team went undefeated with 11 wins. That fall, their opponents scored seven points or less in seven of 11 games
Yes, a few unique parallels, including this: Michael Filippone in 2021 was voted John Chirrona Offensive Player of the Year, and this season Joey was named Pete Piccirillo Defensive Player of the Year, both voted on by the Morris County Football Coaches Association. Joe, who along with Anthony, Phil, and the rest of the 1990 team will be enshrined in the Hanover Park Regional High School District Hall of Fame in March, relived the final seconds of the Glen Rock contest.
He said, “When the clock was ticking down, I started walking down the stands and toward the field. I wanted to go out there and get to Joey, give him a huge hug. Mikey beat me to it. I saw Joey hugging Mikey, and I just ran up and I jumped on them both. And we were, the three of us, in a circle hugging. I just remember saying to him, ‘You did it! You guys did it!’ We all had tears in
our eyes at that point.” ~~~~~
Frank Iossa said of approaching the sectional title game, “I was more excited than feeling pressure. it was always one game at a time. No matter whether it was a playoff game or it was a regular season game, we always knew that our focus was the team that were playing. We never looked ahead, and we never looked in the past. We definitely did not feel pressure in a family atmosphere, and that is what we all were, just a big family.”
Phil said, “What these kids all bring together is unity. They go on the field the same way they come off.”
After the victory over Glen Rock, the Hornets would lose an 8 –7 heartbreaker to Shabazz in the next round of the state playoffs.
Was it a bittersweet end to a great season?
“Not even a little bit,” Frank said. “The one that we wanted, the sectional title, was there and we got it. Everything else was a bonus after that.”
Phil remembered asking his son one day early in the season, “What do you want out of this season?”
His son recalled his response. “I wanted states (a sectional title), and I also wanted matching rings with this guy,” he said, referring to his dad.
Joey Filippone, PJ DiMaiolo, and Frankie Iossa, like their dads, now have both.
2007 and clubs have supported a variety of non-profit organizations over the years, such as Domestic Violence Shelters, Veterans homes and Embrella, to name a few.
In January of 2025, clubs across the state will be supporting the Center for Family Services
These projects and so many more do not happen without people and places to plan, organize, to educate, to coach and to inspire.
We are proud to have a Headquarters building, on the Douglass Residential campus at Rutgers University, where members can meet, and work with an office staff to make it all happen.
As our 130th year comes to a close in 2024, our federation looks back at the commitment and investment our foremothers have made to our organization, and thank our members, in 175 clubs across the state of New Jersey for what they have
accomplished for our local communities, non-profits and families in need. With our rich and powerful history, may we continue to experience power in numbers and know what can be accomplished in an organization of determined and dedicated women. For additional information and to locate a club near you, visit njsfwc.org.
BY STEVE SEARS STAFF WRITER
HANOVER PARK - It had
been 34 seasons since the Hanover Park High School Hornets football team had won a sectional state title.
The club came close in 2021, but the Caldwell Chiefs that fall ended the dream with a 44 – 14 victory in the final round of the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 1, Group 2 tournament.
However, you felt, perhaps even knew, this year’s team was destined to end the over three decades drought. After an undefeated SFC – American White Conference season, the Hornets rolled over Newton, Ramsey, and Glen Rock to win the North Jersey Section 2 Group 2 title.
Head coach, Dan Fulton, said, “We had some really nice games against some really good opponents. We kept them out of the end zone pretty consistently. I think we could have played with most of the teams in the county. With the type of kids we had, we really could have run with anybody.”
Glen Rock, who hosted
For Hanover Park High School Football, a Well-Deserved
the sectional title game on November 15, 2024, entered the game with the same 9 –1 record as the Hornets, but the visitors prevailed with a 24 – 3 road win.
Joey Tantawi, a senior Hornets captain and wide receiver who this fall had 34 receptions for 463 yards and 9 touchdowns, said of the title contest, “We had a great week of practice - we practiced as we were the underdogs since were traveling, - and there was not one point in the game I thought we were nervous about the game or anything. I think every cylinder of the team - special teams, defense, offense - all played amazing.”
Fellow captain and senior quarterback, Joey Borrello, completed 14 of 19 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns against Glen Rock.
Borrello said, “There was just an unreal feeling, competing in a sectional title game. There is nothing better, and to come out on top is even better.”
The Hornets struck first
Sectional Title
The North Jersey Section 2 Group 2
on their opening possession, when Borrello hit junior wide receiver, Jack Kovacs, with a 57-yard scoring strike.
Borrello said, “There was a big momentum swing right before that. We had a blocked punt which was huge, and
then the touchdown right after that.”
The Hornets were in control throughout. And while he lauded his offensive unit which generated 311 total yards, Fulton also credits his defense that did not let Glen Rock cross
midfield until the third quarter.
He said, “We were a special defense. This is one of the best I have ever had, and they just did a really good job. The previous game, we played a tough Ramsey team (a 34 – 6 win) who averaged 30 plus points a game, and we held those two teams (Ramsey and Glen Rock) to nine points combined. That is pretty impressive, and it is a pretty tough thing to do at this level.”
The Hornets finished with an overall 10 – 2 record.
Florham Park Rotary Scholarship Applications Available
FLORHAM PARK - It’s that time of year again and the Florham Park Rotary has sent Scholarship Applications to several local high schools. They include Hanover Park High, Morris County Tech, Seton Hall Prep, Oratory Prep, Newark Academy, Pingry, Morristown Beard, and other local high schools. Advised Scholarship Chair Betty O’Brien, “Over the past few years we have received excellent applications from each of these High Schools”. To be considered, students should speak with their Counselors, must be Seniors with a record of volunteer/community involvement, live in Florham Park (known as a “Community of Volunteers”), and are applying to attend an accredited college or technical school. Completed Scholarship Applications are due by April 4. The Florham Park Rotary was happy to host a 2024 Scholarship recipient, Mia Cicarelli, and her Mom, Gina at the weekly Friday morning meeting at the Florham Park Diner on Friday, January 20. It was an opportunity to hear how Mia is doing in her first semester. Last year’s Hanover Park High Student Government Association president, she has continued her involvement in student government as she attends Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. She was elected as the Student
Government vice president for the Class of 2028, and is also a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, where she serves as the fraternity education chairman. Cicarelli is in the Thomas Moore honors program at Sacred Heart. She is pursuing a double major in media and theater arts, and plans to follow that with a one-year graduate program in film and television production. About Rotary
The Florham Park Rotary is one of 40,000 clubs in 200 countries worldwide, each dedicated to humanitarian services, high ethical standards, and goodwill and peace around the world. Rotary International is a nonpolitical
and nonsectarian organization open to all people, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, or political preference.
To learn more and consider joining, guests are welcome to attend a weekly Rotary breakfast meeting at the Florham Park Diner at 182 Ridgedale Ave. Meetings are 7:47am to 8:50am every Friday. For additional information about the Florham Park Rotary visit their website at www.FlorhamParkRotary.org, check Florham Park Community TV (Channels 21 for Cablevision and 35 for Verizon), or write info@ florhamparkrotary.org or call Membership Chair George Gregor at 917-848-0982.
Say ‘I Love You’ with Valentine’s Day Gifts
AREA - February 14th, better known as Valentine’s Day, provides a beacon of light in the middle of winter. Each February, stores and homes are decked out in red and pink hearts, and florists wait in the wings to prepare sweet-smelling bouquets for the bevy of buyers eager to bring bountiful blooms into their living spaces.
Gift-giving is an integral component of Valentine’s Day. That means the search may be on to find items that will give voice to feelings of love and affection in tangible ways. These gifts are perfect for any-
one on your list.
• Fragrance: Although purchasing fragrances can be tricky, if your special someone provides hints of a scent or brand they prefer, it can make buying perfume or cologne easier. However, there’s also the option of going with trends. Market experts believe vanilla is set to be a stand-out aroma in 2024, and aromatherapy and feel-good fragrances are trending this year.
• Cozy clothes: Snuggling together in front of the fire may be an appealing prospect for lovebirds. Cozy gifts can include matching loungewear
or pajama sets, or ultra-soft sweatpants and hoodies for chasing away the chill.
• Personalized prints: Companies offer custom song lyric posters or framed artwork so that a special song, whether it was heard during a first date or danced to during a couple’s wedding, can be memorialized. Other personalized prints can include images of the sky on a key date to commemorate a special moment in time.
• Jewelry offerings: Jewelry is a go-to Valentine’s Day gift. Vogue says that there’s a strong likelihood that boho jewelry trends are making a
comeback this year. Pendants, beads and multi-strand necklaces are sure to be a musthave look.
• Travel treats: Couples who love to travel can gift travel-related items to their special someone. A high-end brand of luggage, tickets to a cruise or another destination, or an excursion upgrade on a planned getaway may fit the bill.
• Gourmet eats: Foodies often find enjoyment sampling the fare at top-notch restaurants. While Valentine’s Day tends to be quite busy at most restaurants, a gift of a night out for dinner at another time may be the way to tug on the heartstrings while nurturing the palate.
Valentine’s Day is here before people know it, so it is key to have gift ideas at the ready.
champion Hanover Park High School Hornets (credit: Nick Martinelli)
Following the Rotary breakfast meeting, Mia Cicarelli received the gift of a Florham Park Rotary Club banner from Scholarship Chair Betty O’Brien and Scholarship committman Peter Nicolas Past President Simone Campbell.
What Is Mavacamten? And What Makes It So Controversial?
BY RICHARD MABEY, JR.
WRITER
AREA - Mavacamten is a relatively new pharmaceutical prescription drug that is used to treat Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Its brand name is known as Camzyos. What makes this prescription drug so controversial, is basically its price. One month’s supply of 30 oral tablets, is priced at a little over $8,600.00. I can imagine Andy and Opie trying to figure out how much that comes to for a year’s supply. And, Barney shouts from the backroom of the Courthouse, “that comes to $93,200!” And then Andy’s eyes open widely, while Opie says, “wow, Pa! That’s a lot of money, ain’t it?” And then Andy shakes his head, up and down, and says to his little son, “yes, son, it sure
is!”
To get a basic understanding of just how Mavacamten works, in helping to relieve the symptoms of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), we need to take a quick look at what causes HCM. HCM is caused by a genetic mutation, mostly of the MY-H7 Gene. Basically, one in 500 people have HCM.
I have HCM and I can tell you that it’s no Sunday picnic. I was first diagnosed about a year and a half ago. Sadly, in this past year, I have felt myself going downhill quite a bit. Even to walk around the block, which is about a quarter of a mile in length, I now get winded and sometimes experience severe chest pains. I have
done extensive research on this pharmaceutical prescription drug. I have talked to quite a few Cardiologists and Pharmacists about Mavacamten. Their common bond of seeing the drawback of Mavacamten, is that it is very expensive.
In this little article, it’s not my purpose to debate whether or not the high cost of Mavacamten is justified. I know that a lot of research money went into developing this prescription drug. My purpose, in writing this article, is to get the word out about Mavacamten. Presently, my Cardiologist is working on a way for me to be able to take this prescription tablet, at a more reasonable price.
The scientific explanation
of what happens to the Left Ventricle of the heart in HCM, sounds like a conversation between Dr. Spock and Captain Kirk. Or better yet, like the four lads of “The Big Bang Theory” talking in their living room. So, here’s a basic outlook.
HCM is a condition in which the heart muscle fibers become thickened. This results in the heart not being able to pump blood effectively. Essentially, the heart muscles harden and are not able to pump out blood effectively. HCM can also have a damaging effect upon the heart’s electrical system. Sudden death, from exertion, is not uncommon for people with HCM.
lot of patients in a day’s time. And, I know that she really doesn’t have the time to read the dozen or so medical journals that she gets every month, from cover to cover.
Online
With
Now, back to Mavacamten. This prescription drug targets the heart muscles, anatomically known at Sarcomeres. Mavacamten inhibits the excessive production of Myosin. This is a protein that contracts muscles. So, in inhibiting Myosin production in the heart, the heart slows down, during its contraction stage.
I know this is a most basic outlook of how Mavacamten works. But, from everything that I have read and in talking to Cardiologists and Pharmacists, Mavacamten is generally preferred over Beta-Blockers. Again, it’s not my purpose to get into a debate over which prescription drug is more effective for HCM, but rather just to get the word out about Mavacamten.
I share this, with great respect. I was very surprised that my General Practitioner knew very little about Mavacamten, when I first started asking her about it. In defense of my Primary Doctor, she does see a
Odds are that someone you know has HCM. They may be an acquaintance from work, a fellow member of your religious group, a neighbor, a relative, or an old friend. The bottom line about HCM is that there really is no complete cure. Yes, various pharmaceutical prescriptions can treat the symptoms. And yes, Pacemakers and Defibrillators can treat HCM symptoms. But the harsh, cold truth, is that HCM is a progressive disease of the heart, that eventually hardens that heart’s muscles to the point where the patient gets a stroke or suddenly dies. Mavacamten may be the missing piece of puzzle, to provide outstanding help to someone with HCM.
Based upon all the heart tests and procedures that I have had endured, in the past year and a half, I’ve had four Cardiologists tell me that I will probably pass away in my sleep, relatively soon. One of my Cardiologists, told me that, based upon all the data
from my heart procedures, that I have about two years to live. My present Cardiologist told me that my symptoms will worsen, relatively soon. He told me that if I avoid strenuous activity, avoid caffeine, get eight hours of sleep each night, and eat very healthy, it could be another four or five years before my symptoms become overwhelmingly debilitating. I know I am saved by Christ and that I am going to Heaven, so I don’t worry about it. But, I do want to get the word out about lesser known treatments for HCM. And, since Mavacamten is relatively new (it was approved by the FDA in April of 2022) I do want to get the word out about it. Life is not always fair. But no matter what is happening in your life, be it losing your job, or the loss of a dear loved one, or getting a bad medical report, please know this. God loves you, more than you will ever know. And, a miracle may soon be knocking on your door. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has had two books published. He hosts a YouTube Channel titled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@gmail.com.
The complex chemical formula for Mavacamten.
This Be Thy Kindness, Never To Be Forgotten
BY RICHARD MABEY, JR.
AREA - My uncle, Peter Knothe, was one of the kindest individuals whom I have ever known. He and my father had a very close friendship. They loved and greatly respected each other. Uncle Pete was more of a brother to Dad, than he was a brother-in-law. They both married daughters of Edmund and Lydia Kemmerer. They both had this very unique sense of humor. When Dad was in the hospital, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Uncle Pete came out to visit Dad a lot. Dad was fighting pancreatic cancer. I remember, as we all would gather around Dad’s hospital bed, Uncle Pete would say a most thoughtful and reverent prayer. Uncle Pete had a meter, a style, a certain voice tone in his prayers that rang with earnest sincerity. They were both World War II veterans. They understood the horrors of war that they
had seen, first hand. They both knew, deep in their hearts, that there is no glory to war. They were both fiercely patriotic men. Interestingly enough, both of these good men returned home from the war, married and raised their family in their respective family homesteads.
My father went Home to be with the Lord in May of 2006. Uncle Pete did not miss a beat, in becoming the adopted father to my sister and I. A debt that I can only recognize and never repay.
Uncle Pete’s daughter, Linda (Knothe) Intili is a very artistic soul. Linda creates beautiful grave covers, which are sold at the family Christmas Tree stand every year. Every year, since the Christmas of 2006, Linda has created and designed a most wonderful grave cover for Dad. And, never charged my sister and I for
them. During the Christmas season, Uncle Pete and Aunt Alice would put that masterpiece grave cover onto Dad’s grave site.
On Veterans’ Day, Uncle Pete would place a flag next to Dad’s grave. One Easter season, Uncle Pete placed a plastic bunny rabbit and a lily flower in front of Dad’s headstone. Dad loved to chomp on the ears of a candy Easter Bunny. The humorous outlook between Dad and Uncle Pete had lived on, even after Dad went Home to be with the Lord.
Uncle Pete went Home to be with the Lord in April of 2018. He lived to be 96 years old. I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t think of dear old Uncle Pete. He was a very kind, giving man. Uncle Pete worked as a Finishing Carpenter, specializing in building bowling allies. He worked nights and weekends of the family
farm. He served as a Volunteer Fire Fighter in Randolph for many years. For many years, he served as the Treasurer of the Jeptha Masonic Lodge in Rockaway. He was a long-term Deacon in his church. For many years, he served as a volunteer for the Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills. He was a long-term member of the Randolph VFW and the Randolph Historical Society.
In light of all his many worthwhile accomplishments, I dearly remember Uncle Pete as the kind gentleman who honored my father, even after Dad passed away. There are no words. I so dearly miss my beloved uncle.
Love your family. Forgive, forgive, forgive and then forgive again. Burn all grudges. Tell your loved ones that you love them. For none of us have a guarantee that we will see tomorrow’s rising sun.
Valentine’s Day: From Ancient Origins to Modern Celebrations
mation.
The story of Valentine’s Day begins in ancient Rome, where a festival called Lupercalia was celebrated from February 13 to 15. This pagan festival was
AREA - Valentine’s Day, celebrated annually on February 14, is a day dedicated to love, affection, and the exchange of heartfelt gestures. Its origins, however, are rooted in ancient traditions and historical events that have evolved significantly over centuries. Today, the holiday is marked by a blend of romantic, cultural, and commercial customs that vary across the globe. The Origins of Valentine’s Day
dedicated to fertility and purification, featuring rituals that included the pairing of couples through a lottery system. While Lupercalia was far from the romanticized version of Valentine’s Day we know today, its timing and focus on relationships laid the groundwork for the holiday’s eventual transfor-
Local Writer Recalls Special Connection to Jimmy Carter
AREA - Before he was a writer for My Life Publications, a young Steve Sears had taken an interest in writing poetry.
“In the early to mid 1990s, I had developed an interest in poetry. In fact, one of my first professional published works were poems and reviews of poetry chapbooks.
An editor of a poetry magazine that I was fond of suggested supporting poets by buying their works, and Jimmy Carter had recently published a hardcover book of poems. I bought the book in read it, and loved his writings. After that, I thought I would write him a letter and did so, applauding his efforts while also sharing some of my poems,” Sears said.
After sending that letter to the former President, Sears didn’t think much of it. One day, a letter from the Carter Center in Atlanta showed up on his doorstep. Assuming it would be just a typed formal reply, Sears was surprised when he found a personal, hand written thank you note from Carter himself.
“The response I received was in an official Carter Center envelope, so when I removed the contents I figured it would be an official letter type written. What President Carter had done instead was taken the first page of my handwritten letter to him and written a return note on top. Needless to say, I loved the return note, and the first thing I did was call my mom to let her know,” Sears recalls.
The note reads: cc Steven, Thanks for your very nice letter. I’m glad you liked the poems. Jimmy C. PS: I also like yours. His mother, who was not
a very political woman, had always liked Carter. Sears remembers her often telling him that she always thought Carter was down to earth and a kind man.
That letter served as a great source of inspiration for the then young writer.
“First of all, it is a unique correspondent with a United States President. Not many people can say they have something so special. Second, that note encouraged me to continue my young writing career at that time, which had included op-eds to a local newspaper and the previously mentioned publications in the poetry magazines. It is a very special thing to me,” Sears said.
For the Sears family, the love of books helped lead them to establishing a family library. The Dewey Decimal-coded library still houses Carter’s poetry book. Right near the library, in a frame sits Carter’s letter back to Steve.
“For years the letter sat next to my writing desk in a frame, but now it is behind my desk in that same frame. I often look at it when I turn to get something out of my inbox or reach for a writer’s book for information and inspiration,” Sears says.
When news of Carter’s passing made its way to front pages around the world, Sears was struck with sadness. However, he knows how truly special it was that even just for a brief moment, Jimmy Carter knew who he was. As Sears reflected on his passing, he’s grateful for that little letter.
“I will always have this wonderful reminder near my writing
desk of what a wonderful hu-
The connection to Saint Valentine comes from a more Christianized interpretation of the day. Historical records suggest that there were multiple martyrs named Valentine in early Christianity, but one figure stands out. Saint Valentine of Rome, believed to have lived during the third century, was martyred for performing marriages for Christian couples in secret, defying Emperor Claudius II’s ban on such unions. Claudius had prohibited marriages to ensure young men would join his army without attachments. Valentine’s acts of defiance made him a symbol of love and devotion, and he was later canonized by the Church.
In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius I established February 14 as Saint Valentine’s Day, effectively replacing the pagan Lupercalia festival with a Christian feast. Over the centuries, the day’s association with romantic love grew, particularly during the Middle Ages. The poet Geoffrey Chaucer is often credited with linking Valentine’s Day to courtly love in his 14th-century poem, “Parliament of Fowls.” Modern-Day Celebrations Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in diverse ways across the world, with each culture adding its unique twist. The common thread is the expression of love and affection, though the methods and scale of celebration vary.
In many Western countries, Valentine’s Day is a significant cultural event. Couples exchange cards, flowers, chocolates, and gifts as tokens of their
love. Red roses, a symbol of passion, are particularly popular. Romantic dinners and weekend getaways are common ways for partners to celebrate the day together. Single individuals often embrace the holiday as well, celebrating self-love or organizing gatherings with friends.
In Japan, Valentine’s Day has taken on a unique commercial and cultural angle. Women traditionally give chocolates to men, categorized as “giri-choco” (obligation chocolate) for colleagues or acquaintances and “honmei-choco” (true feeling chocolate) for romantic interests. A reciprocal celebration, White Day, occurs on March 14, when men return the favor with gifts for women.
In Finland and Estonia, February 14 is known as “Friend’s Day” (Ystävänpäivä), emphasizing platonic relationships rather than romantic ones. Friends exchange cards and small gifts, highlighting the broader scope of love and appreciation.
In some countries, Valentine’s Day is observed with grand public displays of affection. For example, in the Philippines, mass weddings are a popular tradition, with hundreds of couples tying the knot in government-sponsored ceremonies. This creates a festive atmosphere and provides an opportunity for couples to celebrate their love in a communal setting.
However, Valentine’s Day is not universally embraced. Some cultures and communities regard it as overly commercialized or incompatible with local
traditions and values. In certain countries, the holiday is banned or discouraged due to religious or cultural reasons, with alternative celebrations taking its place. The Evolution of a Global Phenomenon The modern celebration of Valentine’s Day is deeply intertwined with commercialization. Retailers capitalize on the holiday by promoting themed products, from greeting cards to luxury goods. The tradition of gift-giving has expanded to include personalized items, experiential gifts, and even digital expressions of affection through social media and messaging apps.
Despite its commercialization, Valentine’s Day remains a meaningful occasion for many people. It serves as a reminder to express love and appreciation, whether through grand gestures or simple acts of kindness. While the ways of celebrating may differ, the essence of the holiday—a celebration of love in its many forms—remains timeless.
Conclusion Valentine’s Day has a rich and complex history that spans centuries and cultures. From its origins in ancient Rome to its transformation into a global celebration of love, the holiday continues to evolve. Whether celebrated with a romantic partner, friends, or family, Valentine’s Day offers an opportunity to cherish the connections that bring joy and meaning to our lives.
Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has had two books published. He hosts a YouTube Channel titled, “Rich-
ard Mabey Presents.” He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@ gmail.com.
Dear old Uncle Pete standing beside my Dad’s grave site.
Steve Sears still has the book of Jimmy Carter’s poetry and a very special letter from Carter about his own poetry writings BY MEGAN ROCHE STAFF WRITER
man being he was, and how we both shared a love of writing.”
BY HENRY M. HOLDEN STAFF WRITER
AREA - Before there were paved highways in America, Native Americans created footpaths to connect villages and create hunting and trade avenues. One ancient trail stretched 200 miles from Port Jervis, New York, along the course of the Delaware River through the lower inlet and the Atlantic Ocean. The path united the clans and villages of the Lenni Lenape Native American nation that once governed the entire river watershed in today’s New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Early European colonists referred to this prehistoric pathway as the “Minsi Trail.”
The Indigenous populations of New Jersey were exposed to a foreign culture following the European settlement along the Hudson River by the Dutch, and the Delaware River by the Swedes. These people knew themselves as the Lenni Lenape which meant “original men” although this author has seen other translations in the eastern Algonquin language. They were cousins through the Delaware group, and had a strong alliance with the Iroquois Confederation in the western part of New Jersey.
The population of the Lenni Lenape when the first Europeans arrived in New Jersey was estimated to be about 2,000. But later, when the Tribe relinquished all claims in 1758 at the treaty of Easton, it was estimated that their numbers had been reduced to half the original number.
What Ever Happened to the Lenni Lenape?
The Lenni Lenape was made subject to the Confederation whose warriors, degraded the Lenni Lenape warriors by calling them “women.”
Christopher Columbus mistakenly discovered the western hemisphere during his voyage to locate a Western Trade, route to India. He incorrectly called the Aboriginal people; Indians and the word became. a Pejorative for all native peoples. Like most tribes, Lenape communities were weakened by newly introduced diseases originating in Europe, such as smallpox but also cholera, influenza, dysentery, and recurrent violent racial conflict with Europeans.
Minsi Trail is prehistoric.
Native American artifacts have been found along the rivers and streams. The local Lenni Lenape probably used the sheltered valleys to provide trail corridors for food resources.
In the northwest area of the preserve, just above where India and the Burnett Brooks join to become the North Branch of the Raritan River. According to Native American tradition, the Lenni Lenape (“Men among Men”) tribe traveled the trail from Delaware River headwaters in upstate New York to the saltwater river mouth for more than 10,000 years. The trail passes through the Delaware Water Gap where a 1,460-foothigh Mount Minsi is named for the Munsee (“people of the stony country”), the northerly group of the Lenape’s Wolf clan. The Munsee, perhaps
because they lived so close to hostile Iroquois warriors in New York, were more warlike than the peaceful Turtle and Turkey clans to the south known as pacifists. The trail and its branches connected the clans and their villages with an estimated several thousand by 1600.
Lenape women and children performed more domestic-type jobs, while the Lenape men were responsible for hunting and fishing, tool making, and building shelters.
The Lenni Lenape people lived completely from what their environment provided. Women made rugs and mats on which to sit and made baskets for storing and carrying food. Clay pots were used for cooking while clamshells and gourds were used as serving bowls. Gathering and processing the area’s nuts, berries, and underground edible roots also fell to the Lenape women.
Lenape men were required to hunt deer, bear, and small game for meat. They also fished the local streams for trout, bass and, other fish. Men crafted the tools needed for hunting; bow and arrow were the most common tools for hunting land animals while fishhooks were made from animal bone. The fur from mammals served as clothing and bedding, and the feathers from large birds such as duck and geese provided down for insulation.
Both male and female tended to the agricultural needs of the village. Following the end of the frost, the Lenape would plant seeds that had been saved since the previous autumn’s harvest. Corn, beans, and squash were the typical cultivated foods.
Because there is no written record left by the Lenni Lenape, archaeologists and historians are needed to decipher the lifestyle of the native people. The only written descriptions of the Lenape come from European settlers.
Historian Charles Philhower identified and described the Lenape as three regional groups known as the Unami (south) nonelection (central) and the Minsi (north) which were distinguish by their respective turkey, turtle, and wolf tribal totems. Each clan was further divided into individual units living in villages.
Three Minsi villages were situated in Randolph Township near the intersection of Granny’s Brook (Dover) and the Morris Canal at Dover, near Shongum and near Mt. Freedom at Calais.
Three clans made up the
Lenni Lenape nation: Wolf; Turtle, and Turkey. Often, the Lenape have been referred to as the “Delaware” because they lived along the Delaware River. The Wolf Clan occupied the land in what is now Monroe County (Pa). This Clan was referred to as the Munsee or Minsi, the name of their spoken dialect of the Algonquin language. Their area stretched northward along the Delaware River from the point where the Lehigh River meets the Delaware in what is now Easton, New Jersey. The members of the Wolf Clan were known as “People of the Stony Country”
The Turtle Clan occupied land south of the Lehigh-Delaware union, reaching into Philadelphia and were referred to as “People Down the River.” The Turkey Clan lived the furthest south, occupying current-day Wilmington, Delaware. They were called the “People Who Live Near the Ocean.” The three clans were all sects of the Algonquin Tribe and generally lived peacefully with each other. The Lenape, however, did conflict with other warring nations, including the Iroquois and the Cherokee.
They were considered savages, because they had no written language to record for posterity, the living moment. They also had little regard for sanitation.
They practiced a religion, unlike Christianity or Judaism that the settlers had never seen. Their religion promised a material existence after life more rewarding than the present and they sustained their lives through symbols, mysticism and superstition.
They survived by hunting deer and other flesh borne animals and fished, gathered berries, and cultivating vegetables.
The fact that Lenni Lenape
lived in small clans influenced their culture and economic development. This close to nature, the group reinforced its customs, and living conditions and were intimidated by the Europeans.
A remarkable effort was required by everyone to gather food sources necessary for tribal survival from the natural abundance that surround them.
The Lenape kinship system had matrilineal clans. That is, children belong to their mother’s clan, from which they gain social status and identity.
The mother’s eldest brother was more significant as a mentor to the male children than was their father, who was generally of another clan. Hereditary leadership passed through the maternal line, and women elders could remove leaders of whom they disapproved.
Agricultural land was managed by women and allotted according to the subsistence needs of their extended families. Families were matrilocal; newlywed couples would live with the bride’s parents.
The English “rewarded” the Lenni Lenape for their friendship and loyalty by requiring a treaty from the tribes, signed at Easton, in 1758. The treaty was another example of the white man taking advantage of the native population.
The treaty released all remaining land in New Jersey near the “drowned” lands along the Sussex County to the Board of Proprietors. Then most of the three tribes officially joined the Mohicans and moved into western Pennsylvania and then west to Indian territory and Wisconsin.
Those who remained in New Jersey were remanded to the first Indian reservation, at Brotherton, now known as Indian Hills. The reservation was established by friendly Quakers concerned with the welfare of the Minsi. In 1832, New Jersey State Legislature appropriated $2,000 as a final payment to the remaining Lenape for all rights to land in New Jersey. In the 21st century, most Lenape now reside in Oklahoma, with some communities living also in Wisconsin, Ontario, and in their traditional homelands.
During the decades of the 18th century, most Lenape was pushed out of their homeland by expanding European colonies. Their disastrous situation was exacerbated by losses from intertribal conflicts.
Strategies to Manage and Tame Stress
AREA - Stress is a part of life.
In small doses, stress can have a positive effect. But when stress is chronic, it can take its toll on the body and mind.
Stress can make people irritable and cause them to lash out at others. Stress also can contribute to high blood pressure and adversely affect sleep. When confronting chronic stress, individuals may have to take action to find relief. These stress-busting strategies can help.
• Engage in physical activity. The Mayo Clinic says any form of exercise can help relieve stress. Physical activity boosts chemicals in the brain and endorphins that help a person feel good. Exercise also can refocus attention so a person is not preoccupied with a stressful thought or situation.
• Listen to music. Music can be calming and serve as a dis-
traction from stressful feelings. Simply listening to music can be a quick fix for a stressful situation and a bad mood.
• Review your lifestyle. It’s easy to take on too much, but doing so can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, says the Mental Health Foundation. Prioritizing some things over others and delegating when possible can tame stress.
• Practice mindfulness. Breathing and mindfulness exercises can be practiced anywhere. Research has shown that mindfulness can reduce the effects of stress and anxiety. Deep breathing and being in a quiet moment when stress peaks may help to reduce stress.
• Step away for a few minutes. If possible, step away from a stressful situation, whether it is a difficult project at work or a loud room with a
lot of activity going on. Many people find commuting stressful. Changing the route to one that avoids busy roads, even if it takes a bit longer to get from point A to point B, might help.
• Talk it out. Sometimes connecting with others and sharing experiences can help to relieve stress. Keeping feelings in and fixating on a situation may exacerbate feelings of stress. Social situations that encourage talking and laughing can lighten a person’s mental load, says the Mayo Clinic.
• Don’t turn to substances. Alcohol and drugs may temporarily relieve stress, but this approach can lead to addiction and even worsen the physical and mental toll stress takes on the body.
Stress is a part of life, but finding ways to manage chronic stress is vital to long-term health.
This illustration shows a Lenape family inside their barkhouse. A fire for cooking and to provide warmth is burning in a pit in the center of the floor.
BY HENRY M. HOLDEN STAFF
The Lure of Chocolate
symbolic meanings such as love, passion, care, and a happy life. It is a simple gift that surprises us. Forest Gump even said, “Momma always said life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Every February 14, St. Valentine’s Day, chocolate lovers are drawn to the object of their desire. A box of chocolates is a customary gift on Valentine’s Day, and only the most puritanical among us could spurn this devilish offering.
The confectionery industry is indeed a significant player in the U.S. economy, providing jobs and supporting various related industries. It’s fascinating how something as delightful as candy can have such a substantial impact on employment and economic activity.
Here is the delicious sweet truth! According to the National Confectioners Association, Manufacturers of chocolate, candy, gum and mints directly employ nearly 58,000 people across the United States with almost 700,000 jobs supported in related industries, including agriculture, retail, transportation and more. Altogether, the confectionery industry contributes more than $37 billion in retail sales to the U.S. economy each year and has at least one manufacturing facility in each of the fifty United States. Almost $1.8 billion in sales, mostly chocolate kisses and hearts are made each February 14. It is third in sales with only Easter and Christmas beating it out. If you were to merge all the candy companies into one devoted to the sale of Valentine’s Day candy alone, it would carry
a Fortune 500 ranking. More than 70 million Hershey kisses chocolates are produced each day at the companies three factories. For the Valentine’s Day demand, the Hershey company produces more than 8,000,000 pounds of kisses which at about 95 kisses per pound comes out to more than 750, million individual candies.
How did the love affair with chocolate begin? Chocolate is a food made from roasted and ground cocoa beans that can be a liquid, solid, or paste, or on its own as a flavoring in other foods. The cacao tree has been used as a source of food for at least 5,300 years, starting with the Mayo-Chinchipe culture (present-day Ecuador.) Later, Mesoamerican civilizations consumed cacao beverages and introduced it to Europe in the 16th century.
In the 1540s, an Aztec document containing a list of price equivalents designated the value of a tomato as one cacao bean, and an avocado was worth three. A “good turkey hen” was worth 100 “full” or 120 “shrunken” cacao beans. Since there are only about 60 cocoa beans in one cocoa pod, this was a great sum of money. In 1569, the new chocolate drink got its seal of approval from Pope Pius V, who proposed that people can drink chocolate on Fridays (and during Lent) and it would not break the fast, which was a normal thing to do at the time. This possibly happened because the Pope didn’t like chocolate and didn’t care if people consumed it or not.
Back in the 16th centurygold, silver, and precious stones were not the only loot that traveled back across the Atlantic as the Americas opened to European exploitation. One unforgettable treasure was a little brown bean that some natives of the warmer regions of the New World swore by: From the bean they made a bitter but
palatable drink known in the Nahuatl tongue of the Aztec of Mexico as cacahuatl.
On Good Friday, in 1528, things were about to change in Mexico. A fleet of Spanish ships appeared off the coast of Mexico. Hernando Cortés disembarked his entire army of 500 helmeted, armor-clad men, with weapons that belched fire and thunder and hurled invisible and deadly missiles.
Emperor Montezuma II, was both amazed and almost paralyzed with fear. He believed the Aztec legend that the white conquistador had embodied the god of air, Quetzahcoatl and was returning to earth to claim his throne. Montezuma’s hesitation to neutralize this handful of Spanish adventurers was to lead to his downfall and the incredible conquest of his powerful empire. As Montezuma dawdled indecisively, Cortéz began his march toward the capital, today’s Mexico City. Instead of leading his vast army into a precise campaign to overwhelm the few hundred invaders, Montezuma dispatched messengers to Cortés with gold, silver, and other treasures.
Satisfying the gods with such gifts and sometimes even human sacrifices was common in the Aztec culture. Montezuma hoped that the celestial invaders could be bought off and would go away. Cortés, however, fooled the Aztecs and simply accepted the emperor’s bribes, demanded more, and then continued his march.
The emperor’s ransom also included cacao beans. Montezuma considered cacahuatl an nectar from the gods; and too good for the common people. Indeed, the Aztecs, Mayans, and Toltecs before him valued chocolate so highly that they used the cacao beans as currency: caches of the beans were among the artifacts recovered from the grave sites of these civilizations.
Serving cacahuatl to the Spanish conquerors in great
golden goblets, Montezuma also revealed to Cortés that it had a secret ingredient; he confided that he drank chocolate by the potful because it enhanced his sexual powers. For all its regal importance, however, Montezuma’s cacahuatl was not sweet, and the Spaniards did not find it to their taste. To make the concoction more agreeable, Cortés and his countrymen later sweetened it with sugar . Cortés sent his newfound treasure back to King Carlos V of Spain, explaining its benefits more delicately than Montezuma had: “It is the divine drink that builds up resistance and fights fatigue.”
This delightful plunder entranced the nobility: They became so possessive of it that they kept its existence a secret from outsiders for nearly 100 years. Spanish monks eventually spilled the beans-so-tospeak and the secret was out. It was not long before chocolate gained acclaim throughout Europe as a delicious, health-giving food. Even when the rest of Europe discovered chocolate, it remained for many years the prerogative of the wealthy and influential.
Around 1657, chocolate spread across the English Channel to Britain. And by 1765, chocolate completed the circle from New World to Old and back again, Today we credit Thomas Jefferson with opening the first chocolate factory, in Massachusetts Bay. In 1828, a Dutchman named Van Houton discovered how to press the fat cocoa butter-out of chocolate. This was a breakthrough in chocolate’s development, and it yielded some important byproducts as well: Cocoa butter is now used in soaps, cosmetics, and suntan oils. Van Houton also discovered hot cocoa when he mixed the powder that remained after he had pressed out the fat with water. In 1850, he added sugar and cocoa butter paste to ground beans, cre-
ating a sweet form of the substance. Twenty-five years later, the Swiss developed the first version of milk chocolate, and Henry Nestle improved on it by using condensed milk.
But the man who really made America fall in love with chocolate was Milton Hershey, who developed the old Valentine standby, Hershey’s Kisses.
Today, a city has been virtually built on one Kiss at a time. Hershey, Pennsylvania is home: to the world’s largest chocolate factory. It covers more than 18 acres. Hershey started out in 1900 with a caramel factory in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He sold it in 1903 for $1 million and built a chocolate factory in the middle of a cornfield.
In his laboratory, Hershey developed his own process for making chocolate using fresh whole milk. As his product caught on and he proceeded to build a city of homes and schools around his factory.
Milton Hershey did what Henry Ford did for the automobile: Hershey developed the machinery that made mass-produced chocolate, and suddenly the sweet confection was affordable to everyone.
One manufacturer of dark chocolate, Ghirardelli, has added sixty percent cacao to its chocolate to two-inch squares.
Other variations of the small square snacks include white chocolate sugar cookies, and milk chocolate caramel.
Dark chocolate contains several compounds that possess
antioxidant properties such as flavonoids and polyphenols. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and prevent oxidation stress. This stress contributes to the natural aging process. Some scientists, over time, believe the effects of oxidation stress may also contribute to the development of variety of diseases such as, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer. Regularly eating dark chocolate may help reduce a person’s likelihood of developing heart disease. Some of the compounds in dark chocolate, specifically flavonoids affect two major risk factors heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Flavonoids in dark chocolate stimulate nitric oxide production in the body. Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to dilate for wider use, which improves blood flow and may lower blood pressure. While the taste alone is reason enough to give chocolate on Valentine’s Day, there is another attribute you might want to consider: The candy may make the recipient more romantic. Montezuma wasn’t too far off the mark. An analysis of chocolate shows it contains small amounts of phenylethylamine, a chemical produced naturally in the brain, that some scientists believe increases when people fall in love. Chocolate as an aphrodisiac? Try some and you be the judge https://www.thehersheycompany.com.
BY DANA JACKSON
Q:I’m really enjoying the show “Silo” -- so much so that I went back and read the books that the show is based on in between seasons. Who is the actress who plays Juliette? -- K.I.
A: Swedish actress Rebecca Ferguson stars as engineer-turned-sheriff Juliette Nichols in the dystopian drama “Silo,” which recently finished its second season on Apple TV+. It’s based on a series of novels by author Hugh Howey. “Silo” has been renewed for a third season with Ferguson returning. If she looks familiar, it’s because she’s co-starred in several hit films, most notably the recent “Mission: Impossible” sequels with Tom Cruise as well as “Dune: Part One” and “Part Two” with Timoth√©e Chalamet.
Ferguson honed her acting skills on a Swedish soap opera as a teen before eventu-
BY DEMI TAVERAS
“Queer” (R) -- Former James Bond portrayer Daniel Craig took up quite an interesting role in this period romantic drama from director Luca Guadagnino (“Challengers”).
Based on the novella by William S. Burroughs, the film takes place in 1950s Mexico City and follows American expatriate William Lee (Craig). While bar hopping one day, Lee comes across a young man named Eugene (Drew Starkey) and instantly becomes infatuated with him. The quiet Eugene attempts to reciprocate Lee’s actions but only gives up so much of himself at a time when homophobia runs rampant throughout society. Out now to rent, “Queer” makes viewers feel like they happened upon a
ally branching out into American productions. Cruise took note of her performance in the STARZ miniseries “The White Queen,” resulting in her being cast in “Mission: Impossible -- Rogue Nation.” Her talent eventually led to her snagging roles opposite Michael Fassbender in “The Snowman,” Hugh Jackman in “The Greatest Showman,” and Chris Hemsworth in “Men in Black: International.”
Her future is bright. Next up for her is the untitled “Peaky Blinders” film with Cillian Murphy and the untitled Katheryn-Bigelow-directed White House thriller with Idris Elba.
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Q:What ever happened to The Weeknd after his show on HBO was canceled? Is he just going to concentrate on singing now? -- K.K.
A:Abel Tesfaye, also known
few diary entries about a man’s greatest love affair. (VUDU)
“Kinds of Kindness” (R) -Emma Stone (“Poor Things”) and Jesse Plemons (“Civil War”) lead this movie with three separate winding tales that will leave you at a bit of a loss, to be frank, not necessarily in a good or bad way. The first story centers around an employee named Robert Fletcher who lives his life exactly how his boss tells him to, including his meals, his house, and his relationship. It explores what happens to Robert when his boss suddenly refuses to dictate his life anymore. The second story’s plot seems straight out of a “Black Mirror” episode, with a police officer convinced that his wife has been replaced
as The Weeknd, hasn’t quit acting, but it would be understandable if he got discouraged after his series “The Idol” was canceled by HBO after one season. Prior to this, he had a setback on stage where he had to cut his live concert in Los Angeles short after losing his voice. He says now in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that the voice loss was mental, a result of all the stress around filming “The Idol” while also touring. He’s ready to bounce back not only with a new album but with another starring role. His sixth studio album “Hurry Up Tomorrow” will be released on Jan. 26, and a film of the same name will be released on May 16. Billed as a “musically driven psychological thriller,” the film not only stars The Weeknd but also Barry Keoghan (“Saltburn”) and Jenna Ortega (“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”).
by a clone. The third and final story tells a tale about sex cult members who are looking for a woman with the ability to reawaken the dead. All of these stories are loosely connected, but it’ll take some sleuthing to figure out exactly how. Out now. (Hulu)
“Small Things Like These” (PG-13) -- Oscar winner Cillian Murphy (“Oppenheimer”) stars in this historical drama taking place in Ireland during Christmas 1985. He plays coal merchant Bill Furlong, who spends his days laboring and his nights at home with his wife and five daughters. Tortured by memories of his childhood, Bill often keeps to himself and rarely falls out of line with his routine. But one day, as he sets off
***
Q: I thought Bill Maher was going to quit his TV show if President Trump was reelected, but it looks like it’s coming back soon. Did he change his mind? -- M.M.
A:Bill Maher’s weekly HBO talk show “Real Time” returned this January for its 23rd season, but he has no plans to quit. Nina Rosenstein from HBO Programming, Late Night and Specials told Deadline that Maher was “joking around,” and his first love will always be “Real Time.”
Where you won’t find Maher anytime soon is on the road. He’s confirmed that he’s done touring as a stand-up comedian and that, after 40 years, he needs a break from it. However, as far as “Real Time” goes, HBO will have to drag him off for him to quit.
Send me your questions at
for work early, he encounters a pregnant teenage girl who is locked in the coal shed of the local convent. His discovery of her subsequently leads to his planning to free her from the abusive nuns, and in turn, he is able to confront the ghosts of his past. This short 98-minute film is out now to rent. (Amazon Prime Video)
“Prime Target” (TV-MA) -Leo Woodall (“One Day”) has clinched his second main role after getting his big break in the second season of “The White Lotus” as Jack. In this thriller miniseries, he stars as Edward, a brilliant mathematics student whose work will eventually enable him to access every computer in the world. Obviously, an invention such as this would
be disastrous in the wrong hands, and the wrong hands are hard at work to make sure that Edward’s work doesn’t come to fruition. Luckily, NSA agent Taylah Sanders (Quintessa Swindell) has been tasked with watching over Edward, and if
they put their two minds together, they’ll be able to figure out who’s sabotaging the project. The show premieres Jan. 22. (Apple TV+) (c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Rebecca Ferguson as Juliette Nichols in “Silo.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of Apple TV+.
Quintessa Swindell, left, and Leo Woodall star in “Prime Target.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of Apple TV+.
Randolph-based Interfaith Furnishings Closes Doors, Donates Remaining Funds to Maplewood-based Organization
BY MEGAN ROCHE STAFF WRITER
effort of faith communities in Morris County. The charity picked up furniture donations from those who could give – and provided the furniture to those in need living in Morris County.
The group would warehouse furniture and eventually deliver it to candidates referred by social service agencies. With no government fund-
BY RICHARD MABEY, JR.
GUEST WRITER
ing, Interfaith Furnishings had proven for a duration of time to be a homegrown success story, thanks in part to donations from local individuals and organizations.
Interfaith Furnishings aided families also affected by Hurricane Katrina. An interdenominational charity, Interfaith Furnishings was one of a select few organizations providing furniture to families – at no charge – who were in a new residence after being homeless, battered, formerly ill or jobless, and who lacked the ability to furnish their housing as they began again.
The group was also recognized by former President Barack Obama as part of his faith-based initiatives partnership.
Mary Jo Welch, one of the
early founders of Interfaith Furnishings, recalls the joy of seeing clients receive furniture.
“The biggest joy in all of this was putting people in housing. They could get a house, but they couldn’t get help with furniture. To see people who are now set up to live comfortably with all the things they needed was so special and such a blessing,” Welch said.
While Welch is sad to see the Morris County doors close, she knows that folks are in good hands with The Warehouse NJ team.
“Our volunteer goodness and our mission endures — by extension — with Executive Director Kim Sleeman and The Warehouse NJ’s fellow volunteers who help furnish someone else’s new apartment or home. Never doubt that a small group
of individuals can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. To all who contributed to our noble cause, brave on through and namaste to you,” Welch says.
Sleeman added, “The Warehouse NJ’s mission is aligned with Interfaith Furnishings and we are honored and committed to continuing this important work to support our neighbors in need.”
Founded in 2019, The Warehouse NJ (a 501c3) supports individuals and families as they transition into permanent housing following a time of crisis such as homelessness, abuse, natural disaster, or political asylum.
Since 2019, TWNJ has been “helping to create a new beginning” for these individuals and families by transforming their new housing into a home with furniture and basic household items. TWNJ clients are referred by over 50 NJ-based social service agencies. TWNJ has completed over 1,680 moves in the last 5 years. To learn more about The Warehouse NJ, visit www. thewarehousenj.org
On Eagle’s Wings, Chapter 2: The Goddess
AREA - This is the second condensed chapter of the book that I am presently writing, about my journey to earn scouting’s highest rank, Eagle Scout. This is a true story. Each and every one of us hold a destiny, a purpose, a certain knowingness of our purpose in life. It may be buried deep within the fiber and sinew of the chambers of the heart, but from time to time, God reveals glimpses of the purpose of which He gave the precious gift of life to us. And, in line with that perspective, there are people who come into our lives, be-
yond coincidence, who become a wonderful friend and guide to help us in our pursuit of our Divine purpose in life.
In early September of 1969, I had just turned 16 and was beginning my junior year at Boonton High School. That Saturday morning, when I walked
into the foyer of the Paterson YMCA, all alone, I had no idea I was about to meet a person who would dramatically change my life for the better. Mom had driven me to the big city YMCA, for the purpose of my beginning to take swimming lessons at their indoor pool. A fire burnt in my heart, to earn the Swimming Merit Badge, to
become an Eagle Scout. I remember I was all so nervous. I walked the long hallways to the room where the indoor pool was located. I remember it like it was yesterday.
I opened the door to the pool room, and there sat this very beautiful young woman, on a chair beside the pool. When I entered the room, this beautiful goddess came over to greet me and introduce herself. Lisa smiled as she shook my hand and introduced herself. Lisa was to be my swimming teacher. Amazingly, the other two boys, who were scheduled for her swimming class never showed up. Lisa had just begun her junior year at Paterson State College (now known as William Paterson University). She had long brown hair. Simply put, I fell in love with her, the moment I first saw her. I remember that Lisa was incredibly patient with me. She taught me the proper arm and leg movements needed to become a good swimmer. She had a most gentle voice, but at the same time, held a certain degree of authority when she spoke. Every Saturday morning, for three months, we would meet at the indoor swimming pool at the Paterson YMCA. Lisa was so unlike the girls I knew at school. She had a certain inner confidence, compassion flowed through her veins and an abounding kindness abided in her heart. I think that Lisa saw something in me. She was fully aware of the flame that burnt in my heart, to become a good swimmer. I remember Lisa once told me that I was the best swimming student that she had ever taught. Not that I was a great swimmer, that was far from the case, but rather that I was so very sincere and earnest in my quest to become a good swimmer.
About a month into our swimming lessons, my heart broke when Lisa’s boyfriend came into the pool room, to pick up Lisa. Lisa scolded him for interrupting her class with me. He sulked as he departed the pool room. I confess, I actually felt sorry for her puppy dog boyfriend. For as kind as Lisa could be, she could also be all so very stern. In early December of 1969, I convinced Lisa to sign up to become an official Swimming Merit Badge Counselor. Lisa proudly signed the paperwork for my Swimming Merit Badge. It was a moment that was all so near and dear to my heart. From time to time, I think of Lisa. I pray she is alive and well. One of my deepest regrets is that I did not invite Lisa to my Eagle Scout Dinner. It was just one of those things. I don’t think I would have earned scouting’s highest rank, without Lisa’s helping hand. I am convinced, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God brought Lisa in my life to help me along my rocky road to become an Eagle Scout. But now, after earning the Swimming Merit Badge, a new challenge awaited me. And that big challenge was to earn the difficult Lifesaving Merit Badge.
Lisa, if you’re reading this story, thank you for all your help.
To be continued....Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He
Mary Jo Welch, center, who helped establish Interfaith Furnishings, poses with members of The Warehouse NJ.
