East Hanover/Florham Park Oct 24 by My Life Publications..Maljon LLC

EAST HANOVER FLORHAM PARK

BY MEGAN ROCHE STAFF WRITER

FLORHAM PARK - The girls

of the Florham Park Roller Rink competitive team capped off an incredible season by bringing home some hardware from the United States National Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska over the summer.

For any new skater coming into the sport, the sport is broken down into different disciplines. Figures, which is comprised of tracing circles, Freestyle, which entails jumps and spins, and Dance, which is comprised of compulsory dances, style dances, and free dances.

“Most skaters will start by coming out of our learn to skate programs on the weekends. That really is just a giant talent pool. We see kids who have ability and who have some interest and we kind of pluck them out of there. They will then transition into private

lessons and most of the time, they will start with ﬁgures. Figures are really the foundation, it gives them a lot of knowledge and teaches them stability on the skates,” Coach Scott Bartell, Florham Park Roller Rink coach, shared.

For the ladies of the Florham Park rink: Iris, Giovanna, Lydia, Courtney, and Shrinidi begin their competitive season in November. However, they train and work on routines long before that debut competition.

“This sport takes a while to progress in. It’s not an overnight thing, most skaters cannot put skates on in September and be going to Nationals in July. It takes a few years to get up to that level,” Bartell said.

The week-long competition in Lincoln, Nebraska brings together skaters from around the nation to compete for various titles. There are different

rounds of competitions and elimination rounds before skaters find out if they have advanced to the final rounds of their specific competitions.

At Nationals, Shrinidi won the title in the Juvenile B Girls Figures, Lydia placed third in the World Skate Jr. Ladies Free Skating and the World Skate Jr. Ladies Figures, Iris placed second in the Elementary A Girls Figures and third in the Elementary A Girls Figures/Loops Combined, Courtney placed second in the World Skate Sr. Ladies Figures, and Giovanna ﬁnished fourth as a ﬁnalist in Primary Girls Figures.

For Bartell, who actually competed himself as a youngster, he’s happy to see the sport making a comeback.

“COVID really helped us because roller skating was an activity that people could participate in while respecting so-

Home Care, Patient Advocacy Visit at Florham Park Rotary

FLORHAM PARK - Most studies show that many Seniors would prefer to live in their homes when possible. Having friends and family in a familiar neighborhood is important.

Middle-aged adult families (the sandwich generation) are often in a balancing act of seeking to care for both their aging parents and their own children. Kristen Jankowski and her husband Robert created OneCare Harmony Home Health Care to help people who want to remain in their homes. Kristen grew up in Florham Park, and has lived here for 40+ years. She understands first hand the physical, mental, and emotional challenges when caring for a loved one. She holds the Certified Dementia Practitioner designation. OneCareHarmony Home Health Care is a locally-owned business committed to serving patients and families in our specific area. Their motto of “our actions speak louder than words” speaks to their personalized detailed approach to caring for the citizens in our community.

Presenting at the Florham Park Rotary meeting on September 13 at the Florham Park Diner, Jankowski described how she and her boutique home care ﬁrm are very involved in the entire process, very hands on, and communicative with families. She explained the vetting of home health aides, and patient advocacy, what it is, and how it can help.

Kristen Jankowski was joined in the presentation by Lisa Berry Burke, a Board Certiﬁed Patient Advocate who has 20 years of personal and professional experience, guiding clients and families in ﬁnding answers to the many challenges

when working through the medical system. This includes advocating for her patients when working with doctors, doctor’s ofﬁces, and rehab facilities, as well as managing the intricacies of long term care.

They emphasized the “4 C’s” of advocacy = Collaborate, Connect, Communicate and Compassion.

Working with OneCare Harmony can be via “Companion Care” or “Home Care” with Health Aids who are certiﬁed and licensed. Home Care includes bathing, dressing, toileting, exercise, food prep/menu management, etc. While Companion Care is cognitive stimulation, social interaction, emotional support, and more.

When asked by Florham Park Rotary club president, Damion Bernard how people learn about the OneCare Harmony’s services, Kristen replied that many new clients are from word of mouth. People have questions!

Contact Kristen and Lisa at 973-714-0443 or email info@ onecareharmony.com or check www.onecareharmony. com to learn more.

To learn more about the local Florham Park Rotary, guests are welcome to join a weekly Rotary breakfast meeting at the Florham Park Diner at 182 Ridgedale Ave. Meetings are 7:47 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. every Friday.

More ways to learn more about the Florham Park Rotary are to visit www.FlorhamParkRotary.org, check Florham Park Community TV (Channels 21 for Cablevision and 35 for Verizon), or call or write Membership Chair George Gregor at ggregor@ﬂorhamparkrotary. org or 917-848-0982.

cial distancing measures. It’s always been a cyclical sport, it has really up years and really down years. It’s really popular in other countries, but you come to the United States and people don’t even know that this sport exists. It’s not televised, it’s not in the Olympics, but it’s hugely competitive around the world,” Bartell said.

Thanks to their performances at Nationals, Lydia and Courtney have also qualiﬁed to the World Figure Cup as members of Team USA Roller Skating. The two traveled to Italy to compete internationally and were fortunate enough to be coached by Bartell on the international stage.

To learn more about all the programs that the Florham Park Roller Rink offers, visit www.myrink.com

Florham Park Roller Rink: The Home of National Champions

The Historical Society of Florham Park Presents “Presidential Visits to NJ: A History”

FLORHAM PARK - On October 8, the Florham Park Library will present Presidential Visits to New Jersey: A History 7pm, with refreshments at 6:30pm, in the Akhoury Room. This event is ponsored by Delaney at the Green.

New Jersey’s past is full of memorable Presidential visitsand home to some lesser-known ones. Some, like Abraham Lincoln in 1861, came to garner support. Others, like N.J. Governor Woodrow Wilson in 1912, remained and rode that support to the White House. And still, others, like James Garﬁeld in 1881, came to die. Visits from Teddy Roosevelt and FDR, to more recently Obama, Trump and Biden, transcend politics to show the historical signiﬁcance of not just the great men, but also that of the Garden State. Come and learn about heated elections, political events, and critical moments of Presidents in New Jersey. Sponsored by the Historical Society of Florham Park and offered free to the public - all ages from Middle School, High School, and through Seniors are encouraged to attend.

THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF FLORHAM PARK is very happy to have Peter Zablocki presenting his 4th program for us. Zablocki was born in Poland and emigrated to the United States as a young child. His curiosity about any-

Winner from September’s “Find Hank the Hornet Mascot” Contest

AREA - The winners from September’s “Find Hank the Hornet Mascot” are Ellen Dommermuth; East Hanover, Mary Carille; East Hanover, Daniel Popoloski; Florham Park and Mohun Raj Sauba; Florham Park. The ads that “Hank the Hornet” were in: Kam Man Supermarket, Coccia Christine Nagy, Window Works, 200 Club, Rainbow Travel and Minuteman.

Thanks to everyone who enter and congratulations to our winners!

thing history led him to earning an M.A. in American History. Zablocki became an educator, teaching college-level Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses in American History, European History, Military History, and Research. He is an author of numerous non-ﬁction books, a few of which he has presented here in Florham Park in the past few years. He has won NJSAA’s award for New Jersey Non-Fiction Book of the Year in 2021. He and his family live in Denville, NJ. For more information, please visit: www.peterzablocki.com.

Hanover Park High School Presents “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”

HANOVR PARK - Get ready for a magical autumn at Hanover Park High School! We’re thrilled to announce our students will be bringing the wizarding world to life this fall in the highly-anticipated high school version of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” With rights released just this year, the Hanover Park High School theatre program is ecstatic to be among the ﬁrst schools to bring this spellbinding tale to the stage. Stay tuned for more exciting updates and save the dates: October 24 & 25 at 7:30pm.

Iris, Giovanna, Lydia, Courtney, and Shrinidi of Florham Park Roller Rink earned various medals at the 2024 United States National Championships (courtesy of Florham Park Roller Skating Club)

Kristen Jankowski, Lisa Berry Burke, Rotarian George Gregor.

Art Exhibition Comes to Zufall Health in Essex County

AREA - Artists sometimes show off their work at a museum or at an arts and crafts show in the park, but in this case, they are showcasing their work at a local healthcare facility.

The artwork is part of an exhibit called “New Beginnings” at Zufall Health in West Orange.

“New Beginnings” celebrates both an opportunity for sick patients to get well and start life afresh and for staffers at Zufall Health to start assisting their patients in a new building in town. Zufall Health moved from its Northﬁeld Avenue location to a newly built facility on Mount Pleasant Avenue earlier this year. The exhibit will feature works by 37 artists, and pieces include and acrylic paintings, photography.

“Art can transform your thinking, change your mood, and it can inspire you. Those are things we’d love to give our patients and give our staff who experience the stress of caregiving,” said Zufall Health President and CEO Frances Palm.

“New Beginnings” is the ﬁrst exhibit on display in West Orange. It is part of Zufall Health’s Arts in Health program, which started 10 years ago at the company’s headquarters location in Dover. The Arts in Health program seeks out artists for exhibits that take place at Zufall Health’s various locations, with each exhibit donning a theme related to healing and transformation, according to Palm. The goal, she said, is to use art to motivate the patients and staff to relieve anxiety as patients are being treated.

Amanda Barron, communications coordinator at Zufall Health and curator for “New Beginnings,” said she chose a variety of works for the exhibit based on their uniqueness

and how well they relate to the theme.

“We chose pictures of sunrises and sunsets, but we also chose works that focused on more unique takes of the theme such as decomposition, Barron said.

She described one painting of a vegetable garden breaking down. The artist used acrylic paint and real-life pieces of compost from a vegetable garden to tell a story about transformation.

Other artists told stories about the “New Beginnings” theme through abstract concepts like shapes and lines, portraits and people, and landscapes.

“I use a combination of nature and nurture in my photography,” said Princeton area artist Hegine Nazarian.

Nazarian has three photographs featured in “New Beginnings,” including one of a beach scene in Asbury Park that captures sunlight moving through the sky throughout the day. Seagulls are sitting on one side of the sand in the photograph, and children are running in the sand with their parents to the right of them.

“The seagulls thought they had peace and quiet, but they didn’t,” joked Nazarian, noting that one of the children came over to run around near the seagulls.

“It’s nice to have a look at someone else’s art,” said Newark resident Faelynn Black who heard about the exhibit because she works in West Orange.

Black hopes to see work by her friend, who is a local artist, in a future exhibit at one of Zufall Health’s facilities.

“New Beginnings” not only brings art to Zufall Health, but it is also a way to bring art to West Orange, a community that already has an artsy vibe.

“There are so many of talented people that live in this area,” said Patricia Mitrano, chair of the West Orange Arts Council. “The exhibit is a great opportunity to promote how art can help you with your health and well-being.”

The West Orange Arts Council works with various community organizations, including Zufall Health, to promote any art exhibitions they may have.

Susan McCartney, mayor of West Orange, said the exhibit is an extension of what Zufall Health does for the community.

Zufall Health has held various events at its new West Orange location, McCartney said, including a health fair last month that attracted 600 people in addition to the current art exhibit.

Zufall Health is a non-proﬁt community health center that provides healthcare to people of all ages regardless of income or insurance status. It accepts private health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. Medical, dental, behavioral health, and supportive services are among the services the center provides.

Zufall Health ﬁrst opened in Dover in 1990 as a oneday-a-week clinic, where the Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs is currently located. It has grown over the years and offers discounted 340B drug pricing and delivery services. Zufall Health has locations in Morris, Essex, Middlesex, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, and Somerset Counties.

Zufall Health Board Member and daughter of Zufall Health Founders Robert and Kathryn Zufall, Margaret Zufall-Roberts (Peg) has watched the health center grow from its ﬁrst location in Dover to having many locations throughout New Jersey.

Florham Park Rotary 4th Annual Halloween Dog Parade and Costume Contest

FLORHAM PARK- It’s time to start searching for, or making your annual Halloween costume - for your dog! The Florham Park Rotary 4th Annual Halloween Dog Parade and Costume Contest is set for October 19, 2024. This fun event will be held at the Florham Park Gazebo and Borough Lawn from 1-4 p.m. It’s hosted by the Florham Park Rotary with Pets Supplies Plus of Florham Park providing support once again. As many as 60 dogs dressed in costume have competed in the 6 categories, teamed with their owners. Categories include Cutest, Scariest, Most Creative, Funniest, and Best Overall. With family, friends and neighbors, 150-200 onlookers have enjoyed the event annually. All are welcome to this fun community event whether they have dogs or not.

The number of Florham Park Rotary awards have increased from four to ﬁve to six the past three years thanks to the suc-

cess of this scholarship fundraiser. Florham Park Seniors in local high schools demonstrating their commitment to volunteerism in Florham Park and local communities can submit applications through their High School counselors. Students should plan to contact their school counselors this January. Dog Registration fee is $25 (in advance) or $30 at the Event. Advance tickets may

be purchased at the Florham Park Diner or via the QR Code. 50/50 Rafﬂe Tickets for $10 each will also be available at the event. Attendance is free so come and enjoy the parade, people- and dog-watching, and see the fun costumes worn by contestants!

Questions? Phone 917-8480982 or Email info@ﬂorhamparkrotary.org.

Peg Zufall has also been one of the people responsible for selecting the artworks over the years that are featured in exhibits at the different Zufall locations. She credits former CEO Eva Turbiner with her work on the Arts in Health program and helping Zufall Health expand in general.

Over the years, Peg Zufall said, art has been featured by both professional artists and amateurs and work has ranged from abstract art to paintings and photography. Some of the staff members even do art.

“It’s fun to see their creativity in different areas, said Bill Shuler, a member of the Board of Director at Zufall Health. In the West Orange location, the artwork is on display for patrons of the facility until Jan. 6, 2025. Some of the artworks are for sale and proceeds will go to the artists. Sometimes the artists will donate the proceeds to an organization of their choice.

West Orange Mayor Susan McCartney, left, and Zufall Health President and CEO Frances L. Palm, right, speak during an opening reception for the “New Beginnings,” art exhibition on Sept. 12, at the Zufall Health facility at 49 Mount Pleasant Avenue in West Orange.

New Jersey Paralympian Recounts Special Paris Games Experience

AREA - Catarina Guimaraes remembers competing for the ﬁrst time on the track. She was 12 years old and was facing competitors much older than her with just two months of training under her belt. She smoked the competition and won against seven other males.

“I just remember thinking ‘I can do that again’,” Guimaraes said. Leaving behind taekwondo, a sport she competed in for 10 years, Guimaraes chose to focus on track and ﬁeld fulltime. In 2019 at the ParaPan American Games, Guimaraes walked away with a bronze medal in the 400m dash.

“From that point on, I decided that I was going to work so that the next time I competed, it wasn’t a bronze, but a gold or a silver,” Guimaraes said.

To qualify for the Paris Paralympics, Guimaraes had to meet a certain set of standards according to her classiﬁcation status. While competing at the Paralympic Trials, Guimaraes

points from her finish became a percentage of those standards. At the end of the Trials, everyone’s name gets added to a list and the top 24 females and top 26 men advance and become official Paralympians. “I think what made the Paralympics so special was that I really had to dig deep to become a Paralympian. I just kept telling myself that I wanted to be a Paralympian. While I won my very first track meet I ever competed in, I wasn’t naturally gifted in track the way that a lot of the national team athletes are.

Being a Paralympian was like everything that I had been working towards the past ﬁve years, all the literal blood, sweat, and tears, the ups, the downs, the being overlooked, the feeling out of place, the joining club teams and racing against 14 year olds and getting my butt kicked…all of that came down to me being able to call myself a Paralympian,” Guimaraes said. When she arrived in Paris this past summer, Guimaraes

was trying to soak in every moment.

“I remember arriving for my ﬁrst world championships and feeling like an imposter. I didn’t feel like I was supposed to be there, let alone good enough to be there. For the Paralympics, I didn’t feel that way at all. As I was walking around the village, I saw my competitors, I saw other athletes, I saw previous world record holders and medalists, and I really felt like I belonged and was ready to compete at the elite level,” Guimaraes said.

When she stepped on the track for the ﬁrst time in Paris, Guimaraes recalled looking up into the stands for the ﬁrst time.

“I remember looking up into the stands and thinking ‘that’s a lot of people’. I just remember thinking that I wanted to put on a show for everyone watching the race. I wanted to be entertaining. Yes, I was there to win, but I was also there to entertain at the same time. There’s nothing like getting a crowd to clap for you, there is nothing like

Pumpkin & Apple Picking Ready for the Taking

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER

AREA -

As the leaves turn and the air gets crisp, pumpkin and apple picking season is ripe. Like the haystacks that pile up for that fall harvest, so do the area farms that are packed with family-friendly activities, fresh cider donuts or a perfect backdrop for fall photos.

Other family outings can involve spooky trips, harvest festivals and farmers markets. Here are some of the local hotspots to visit this fall to meet those diverse interests.

1. Ort Farms, Long Valley

A local favorite for years, Ort Farms delivers more than just pumpkins. Visitors can hop on hayrides, explore a corn maze, visit the farm animals or enjoy farm-fresh produce. Their newly expanded farm store is packed with homemade pies, apple cider, crafts, homemade granola, and, of course, those irresistible cider donuts. It’s the perfect stop for a full day of family fun!

2. Alstede Farms, Chester Alstede Farms is known for its large selection of pumpkins and autumn activities. Beyond pumpkin picking, families can enjoy apple picking, sunﬂower mazes, and live entertainment on weekends. Make sure to try their fresh-pressed apple cider and homemade ice cream. Check out its website to Experience the Magic of Autumn at Harvest Moon Nights for nighttime corn maze and hayrides, food, live music, ironbound hard cider, and more

3. Riamede Farm, Chester

For a more traditional, lowkey experience, Riamede Farm is the place to be. This charming farm offers a quieter atmosphere with a wide variety of pumpkins, gourds and an abundances of apples to pick. It’s the perfect spot for families who want to focus on choosing their best fall produce minus spooky frills and thrills. Known as an

old-fashioned apple farm, it is New Jersey’s oldest with vintage apple trees nestled on 68 acres of orchards.

4. Stony Hill Farms, Chester If you’re looking for a full fall experience, Stony Hill Farms is a must-visit. In addition to pumpkins, they offer an 11-acre corn maze, a maze fun park for kids and hayrides. Their bakery is also top-notch, offering homemade pies, cookies and more seasonal goodies.

5. West End Farmers Market, Hackettstown

West End Farmers Market is the perfect local spot on Sunday mornings for fresh produce from local farms, pumpkins, and fall decorations to bring the season’s spirit to your home. Check out at least 25 awesome vendors and a wide variety of local produce, meats, baked goods, coffee, prepared food, jewelry, self-care products and so much more!

6. Donaldson Farms, Hackettstown

Enjoy this farm market and family fun seasonally stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables, raw honey, fresh baked pies and goods. Pick your own raspberries and apples and enjoy fall harvest weekends with favorite activities like hayrides to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch, nine-acre corn maze, pony rides, hayrides and more.

7. Ashley Farms, Flanders

This fourth-generation family farm specializes in home grown turkeys, sweet corn, tomatoes and other fresh vegetables. Apple pies, home-baked treats, apple cider donuts and fresh apple cider are hard to resist. While not a full-blown pumpkin patch, pumpkins are grown and sold at all different sizes. For décor, check out its fall decorations, gourds, cornstalks and colorful hardy mums.

8. Sun High Orchards, Randolph - Sun High Orchards offers a charming apple-picking

experience with a smaller, less crowded feel. In addition to their apple orchards, the farm has a petting zoo, pumpkin picking, hayrides and a market featuring homemade pies, jams, and freshly baked breads.

9. Open House at The Stickley Museum, Morris Plains

On October 26, from noon to 4 p.m., visitors are invited for free to visit the historic log house at the Stickley Museum. The house will be decorated with period appropriate Halloween decorations. Family friendly for all ages.

10. Waterloo Village, Stanhope Waterloo Village is a beautifully preserved 19th-century canal town, and during October, it can be a hub for a spooky tour and history walk. Visitors can explore old buildings rumored to be haunted and eerie happenings from the past.

Tips for Visiting Farms and Pumpkin Patches

Check website or call ahead to make sure the farm or site is open.

Go early: Avoid the afternoon crowds by arriving early. This will give more time to explore without feeling rushed.

Bring a wagon: Pumpkin patches can be large, and little legs can get tired quickly. A wagon is perfect for carrying both pumpkins and small children.

Pack snacks and water: Even though many farms offer food, it’s always a good idea to bring snacks and drinks to keep everyone happy and hydrated.

Dress appropriately: Fall weather can be unpredictable. Layer up, wear comfortable shoes and bring along a pair of boots since pumpkin patches can be muddy.

Let the kids choose: While the great big pumpkin has been identiﬁed, let the kids pick their own smaller ones to make them feel more involved in the fun!

getting a whole stadium cheering for you,” Guimaraes said.

While she didn’t place, Guimaraes returned home to New Jersey with no regrets.

“I know that I didn’t choke under the pressure. The reason why I didn’t win wasn’t because I didn’t perform to my capabilities, it was simply because everyone else had an even better day. Even though I gave it my best, my personal best wasn’t enough to beat my competitors and that’s okay,” Guimaraes said.

Though she has Cerebral Palsy, Guimaraes doesn’t let anything stop her. She hopes that those who want to be where she is one day continue to love their sport.

“No matter what sport you are doing, make sure you are having fun, make sure that you

are ﬁnding joy in your sport, and just do your best. Some of my worst performances were when I was stressed out and concerned about beating someone or running a certain time,”

What to Know about Breast Lumps

Breast cancer is a cause for concern for millions of women. Each year about 264,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Canadian Cancer Society indicates around 28,600 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Globally, data from the World Health Organization indicates roughly 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020.

One of the more notable symptoms of breast cancer is the presence of a lump in the breast. Though not all lumps are malignant, it’s important that women learn about breast anatomy and lumps as part of their preventive health care routines.

Mount Sinai says that breast lumps can occur at any age in both men and women. Hormonal changes can cause breast enlargement and lumps during puberty, and boys and girls may

even be born with lumps from the estrogen received from their mothers.

It is important to note that the vast majority of breast lumps are benign. The National Institutes of Health says 60 to 80 percent of all breast lumps are non-cancerous. The most common causes of breast lumps are ﬁbroadenomas and ﬁbrocystic changes. Fibroademomas are small, smooth, moveable, painless round lumps that usually affect women who are at an age to have children, indicates the Merck Manual. They are non-cancerous and feel rubbery.

Fibrocystic changes are painful, lumpy breasts. This benign condition does not increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer. Symptoms often are worse right before one’s menstrual period, and then improve after the period begins.

Additional factors can contribute to the formation of lumps. Breast cysts are ﬂuid-ﬁlled sacs

that likely go away on their own or may be aspirated to relieve pain. Complex cysts may need to be removed surgically. Sometimes cysts also may form in milk ducts throughout the breasts. Lumps also may be the result of injury. Blood can collect under the skin and form a type of lump called a hematoma. Other lumps may be traced to lipomas, which is a collection of fatty tissue or breast abscesses, which typically occur if a person is breastfeeding or has recently given birth. Additional causes of lumps can be discussed with a doctor. Though the majority of lumps are not a cause for concern, it is important for people to regularly feel their breasts to check for abnormalities. Doctors may recommend annual mammograms to women age 40 and older. In its earliest stages, breast cancer may produce little to no visible symptoms, but a mammogram may be able to catch something early on.

Cat Guimaraes, a New Jersey Track and Field Paralympian, recently returned from her Paris Paralympic Games competition (courtesy of Team USA)

Guimaraes said. Looking ahead, Guimaraes hopes to be named to the 2028 Paralympic Games, set to take place in Los Angeles, CA from Aug. 22 to Sept. 3.

BY MEGAN ROCHE STAFF WRITER

New Jersey Gymnast Appearing on Gold Over America Tour with US Gymnastics Royalty

AREA - 16-year-old Hezly Rivera has accomplished a lot in the last few months; earning an Olympic team spot, winning a gold medal, beginning to look at colleges, and now heading out on a post-Olympic gymnastics tour with some of USA Gymnastics best. After securing a place on Team USA’s women’s artistic gymnastics team earlier this summer, Rivera was busy training before her Olympic debut. In Paris, she contributed to the success of Team USA during the qualifying round of competition. While she did not compete in the team ﬁnals portion, she still earned herself a gold medal during the highly-coveted women’s artistic gymnastics competition.

While Rivera was part of the

team that won the gold medal during the Paris Olympic Games, she is no stranger to the spotlight. In 2023, Rivera won the junior U.S. National Championship title, she’s won two silver medals at the Junior World Championships, and is a four-time member of the US Women’s National Gymnastics team. She is the 2024 Winter Cup balance beam champion and all around and ﬂoor exercise bronze medalist. Rivera is now touring the country as a member of the Gold Over America Tour. The tour showcases gymnastics skills, fun choreography, while also working to promote inspiring messages. After a successful Olympic Games performance for both the women and men of Team USA artistic gymnastics,

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the show is a celebratory cap on a winning year.

The 30-city tour will travel across the U.S. during the fall and hit various arenas. Rivera’s hometown show was Oct. 1 at Prudential Center.

“The Gold Over America Tour enables fans to see some of the world’s best gymnasts in a celebratory, non-competitive environment,” USA Gymnastics President and CEO Li Li Leung said in a press release. “Having the tour at the end of one of the biggest years ever for the sport provides a great opportunity for athletes and fans alike.”

On tour with Rivera are Simone Biles, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Paul Juda, Brody Malone, Yul Moldauer, Frederick Richard, Joscelyn Roberson, Shane Wiskus, Ellie Black, Ian

Gunther, Peng-Peng Lee, Katelyn Ohashi, Melanie Johanna De Jesus Dos Santos, Casimir Schmidt, Trinity Thomas, and Donnell Whittenburg.

Originally from Oradell, Rivera began her gymnastics journey after attending a birthday party for a friend. She competed for ENA Gymnastics in Paramus before moving to Texas to train with Valeri Liukin, father of 2008 all-around gold medalist Nastia Liukin.

While she attends high school virtually, Rivera has also started attending ofﬁcial recruiting visits to major schools like the University of Florida and the University of Oklahoma. She plans to attend college and hopes to earn a full academic scholarship and compete in NCAA gymnastics.

To learn more about Rive-

Statistics Underscore the Prevalence of Breast Cancer

AREA - Breast cancer affects millions of women and their family and friends every year. Each of those women has their own unique experience upon receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, and those journeys hopefully end with successful treatment. Because each woman’s breast cancer journey is unique, data regarding the disease only tells part of the story. But recognition of key breast cancer statistics is still important, as data can compel support for women ﬁghting the disease and underscore how vital it is for young women to prioritize breast health.

• A 2017 study from the American Cancer Society found that roughly 42 percent of cancer diagnoses and 45 percent of cancer deaths in the United States are linked to controllable risk factors for the disease. Breast cancer is no exception in that regard, as the Breast Cancer Coalition Foundation points to studies that have shown as many as 50 to 70 percent of breast cancers can be prevented if women

adopt lifestyle changes early enough.

• The ACS estimates that approximately 30 percent of postmenopausal breast cancer diagnoses are linked to modiﬁable risk factors such as diet and physical activity levels.

• The World Health Organization reports 2.3 million women across the globe were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. WHO data also indicates 670,000 women lost their lives to the disease in 2022.

• Five-year survival rates indicate that treatment is most effective when breast cancer is caught in its earliest stages. Data from the ACS indicates a 99 percent five-year survival rate for cancer discovered before it has spread beyond the place it started. When the cancer is considered regional, which the National Cancer Institute defines as cancer that has spread to nearby lymph nodes, tissues or organs, the five-year survival rate is 86 percent. The five-year survival rate for distant cancer, which indicates it has spread to distant parts of the body, is 30 percent.

• Survival rates differ considerably between Black women and White women diagnosed with breast cancer. According to the ACS, the ﬁve-year survival rate for Black women between 2012-2018 was 83 percent compared to 92 percent for White women during that same period.

• Breast cancer poses a greater threat to women’s lives in countries with a low Human Development Index (HDI), which is a metric used by the United Nations Development Programme to gauge a country’s average achievement in areas such as healthy life and standard of living. WHO data indicates one in 12 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and one in 71 women will die of the disease in countries with a high HDI. In countries with a low HDI, where access to medical care is more limited, one in 27 will be diagnosed with breast cancer and one in 48 will die from it.

Hezly Rivera was the youngest member of the Team USA delegation at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Now she is on a nationwide tour with some of USA Gymnastics best (photo courtesy of Hezly Rivera)

BY RICHARD MABEY, JR.

AREA - When I was attending Boonton High School, I was a very sincere, serious student. I took my studies very serious and made the Honor Roll all throughout high school. I was not good at sports, as my Mitral Valve had been damaged when I was 12 years old, in my year-long battle with Rheumatic Fever. I found my glory, my happiness, my contribution to dear old BHS, in my God-given talent to play the drums and to put words down on paper. I was a drummer in the school marching band and very rarely missed playing the drums in the band at football games and in various community parades. I contributed articles to my school paper and wrote articles for the old Lincoln Park Herald.

On the home front, in my little hometown of Lincoln Park, there were two things that held the highest importance for me, church and scouts. I attended Sunday School, church and Youth Fellowship faithfully. I had a burning desire, an obsession of sorts, to become an Eagle Scout. When I completed my freshman year at BHS, in June of 1968, I had a total of 15 Merit Badges, Twenty-one Merit Badges were required to earn the coveted rank of Eagle Scout. My beloved father was my Dad and Scoutmaster. I remember a very serious con-

A Most Precious and Enduring Life Lesson

versation Dad and I had at his workbench in the basement of the old Mabey Homestead. Dad told me that it was time for me to start thinking about starting my Service Project for Eagle Scout.

A small miracle unfolded, right before my very eyes. Mr. King (oddly enough, I never did learn his ﬁrst name) was the Sexton of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church of Lincoln Park. The very church that sponsored Boy Scout Troop 170. One Friday evening, in early June of 1968, Mr. King asked my father if any boys needed service projects for their scout ranks. That there was a lot of work that needed to be done at the church.

I was standing there, beside my father and Mr. King, just outside Thorpe Hall of Saint Andrew’s Church, when Dad and Mr. King had this conversation. I was a shy boy. So, this was a big step for me. I remember that I got the courage and spoke up and told Mr. King I would help him with chores around the church, for my Eagle Scout Service Project. I remember that Mr. King’s face lit up like a Coleman Lantern, at a night-time scout campsite.

We talked about it for a few minutes and I agreed to meet with Mr. King, the morning of the next day, which of course was a Saturday. During our

Saturday morning Mr. King explained all that needed to be done. This included mowing the lawn, raking leaves, washing windows and a list of other chores. Right then and there, I agreed to take on the job, for my Eagle Scout Service Project. I rode my bicycle home, and during lunch at the old Mabey Homestead, enthusiastically told Dad of my plans for my Eagle Scout Service Project. I do remember that in the midst of our lunch time conversation, my Mom voiced concern that she thought it might take away time away from my studies. I remember my Dad telling Mom, “I don’t think it’ll hurt the boy. We got a thoroughbred for a son.” My Dad often referred to me as a “thoroughbred of a son.” It always gave me such a big boost and good feeling in my heart center.

Long story short, for one year of my life I met with Mr. King every Saturday morning and did basic, mundane chores for Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, till about four o’clock in the afternoon. From June of 1968 till June of 1969, I put in all so many hours of real, down-home labor for that dear, beloved church. I developed a most respectful friendship with Mr. King.

Mr. King shared much of his wisdom and insight into

life, with me, during that year. “If your going to do a job, do it right,” was one of Mr. King’s favorite little sayings that he would share with me. “You can overlook the leaves between the hedges, and most people won’t notice it, but the good Lord will,” was another one of Mr. King’s little sayings that he would tell me. I learned all so much from Mr. King that year. Mostly, that serving God in the most humble way, in doing mundane chores, was just as important to the good Lord as being the Minister.

Sadly, my friendship with Mr. King drifted away after that heart-warming year of service to Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church. We did not have a disagreement, nor anything like that. It was just one of those things, just the way life is at times.

It is late August, of this year, as I write this true-life story. Yesterday, I just got home from a short-stay hospital visit. I had yet another Cardiac Catheterization and some other cardiac tests done. During that time, at the hospital, I reﬂected upon Mr. King. How he served God in very real practical ways. How he rolled up his sleeves and worked hard, doing mundane jobs that some other people may have chosen to stick their nose up in the air at. It’s just the way it is.

HaZamir International Jewish Teen Choir Provides Life Changing Musical Experiences for Young People New Members Welcome

AREA - HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir provides meaningful musical experiences for young people in 35 chapters across the U.S. and Israel. Rehearsals for the 20242025 season will begin in September, culminating in a gala performance at Carnegie Hall in the spring featuring hundreds of HaZamir singers. Teens are encouraged to join HaZamir in their area for a rewarding experience of music, culture, leadership and friendship. Local chapters include Bergen County NJ, Central NJ, MetroWest NJ (Morris, Essex and Union counties) and South NJ. For more information contact hazamir@ zamirchoralfoundation.org.

HaZamir was created in 1993 by Maestro Matthew Lazar, Founder and Director of the Zamir Choral Foundation, to provide an opportunity for accomplished young singers to perform great Jewish music at the highest standard of excellence and sing on the world’s biggest stages.

“HaZamir gives young people an outlet to celebrate their Jewish heritage, connect with one another and feel a sense of belonging and pride through the creative outlet of music,” says Matthew Lazar. “Now, more than ever, this supportive community is crucial to teens.”

HaZamir has long served as a training ground for the next generation of singers, conductors, composers and leaders. Many HaZamir graduates have gone on to musical careers and have assumed leadership roles in their communities, while seventeen HaZamir alumni are now conductors or coordinators of their own HaZamir chapters.

HaZamir members rehearse weekly in their local chapters with expert conductors, as well as at regional gatherings throughout the year. A three-day Festival leading up to the annual performance brings Israeli and American teens together to rehearse and to discuss important topics related to Judaism, providing an opportunity for them to learn about each other’s traditions and cultures.

“This is a life-changing experience for these teens, as they express their Jewish identities through their love of music while building leadership skills and strong connections to peers from a range of backgrounds,” says Vivian Lazar, Director of HaZamir. “The camaraderie and healing power of choral singing also boosts mood and self-esteem, allowing them to achieve great success.”

The HaZamir choir is comprised of teenagers in grades 8-12 in 26 American chapter locations including Baltimore, Bergen County NJ, Boca Raton, Boston, Brooklyn, Central New Jersey, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, L.A. Valley, Los Angeles, Long Island NY, Manhattan, MetroWest NJ, Miami, Minneapolis, New Haven, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Silicon Valley CA, South New Jersey, Tampa, Washington, DC and Westchester County NY and in 9 cities in Israel.

HaZamir alumnus JP sums up the unique beneﬁts of the HaZamir experience: “HaZamir taught me invaluable lessons about unity, the power of the collective, Judaism, leadership, and friendship. As I look back on this experience, the many memories, while all exciting and different, share a common denominator: HaZamir brings

out the best in everyone.”

For additional information about HaZamir, email hazamir@zamirchoralfoundation. org or visit www.hazamir.org

About Zamir Choral Foundation: The Zamir Choral Foundation, created by Matthew Lazar, promotes choral music as a vehicle to inspire Jewish life, literacy, community, and connection to Israel. Zamir Choral Foundation’s musical programs include North American Jewish Choral Festival; HaZamir Preparatory Program for 7th and 8th graders; HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir; Zamir Noded for young adults 18-30; and the acclaimed Zamir Chorale. Matthew Lazar, Founder and Director of Zamir Choral Foundation, is considered the leading force of the Jewish choral movement in the US. He has worked with Maestros Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta, Carlo Maria Giulini,

Daniel Barenboim and others.

The Zamir Choral Foundation is guided by an expansive vision of vibrant Jewish identity across the generational, denominational and political continuums through the study and performance of Jewish music at the highest level of excellence. For more information, visit www. zamirchoralfoundation.org.

Mabey Jr. is

Mabey

NJStarz

NJ Starz: David Tyree

Hometown: Montclair

BY MEGAN ROCHE STAFF WRITER

AREA - David Tyree is most notably known for his legendary fourth quarter Super Bowl catch that put the New York Giants ahead of the New England Patriots in February 2008. But, the superstar is far more than just a former football star.

Tyree, who was born in nearby Livingston, recalls moving to the area and seeing what a football town Montclair really was.

“I moved here in ﬁfth grade and it was abundantly clear that Montclair football was deeply embedded into the social construct and community. It was really just the next thing to do, it was a really neat thing. I just got the sense that football was a big part of this town,” Tyree said.

Tyree headed to Montclair High School as a member of the Class of 1998. During his years on the gridiron at MHS, Tyree came to the realization through the help of his sister that football might lead the way to a college education.

“My sister really showed me the potential that playing high school football could lead to a college scholarship. After my young and dumb run ins with the law, I had to really make a decision about changing the crowd I was with. That was when I really decided to lock in and focus on that next step,” Tyree admits.

After graduating and leaving the halls of Montclair High School, Tyree did indeed end up with a football scholarship.

He headed up to Syracuse University, where he was a member of the special teams unit and played wide receiver for the college.

“Syracuse was tough. It was awesome, but it was tough. I think it was awesome because I endured it and I grew from it, I let the adversity cultivate and shape the player and the person that I became from a standpoint of mindset. That was the greatest reward, I became a person who didn’t believe in excuses. I was always looking for the opportunity to make an impact, I never saw a less-than-ideal situation as a loss,” Tyree said.

During the 2003 National Football League (NFL) Draft, Tyree was selected by the New York Giants in the sixth round. Hailing from Montclair, Tyree’s commute to Giants Stadium was just a mere ride down Route 3.

“It was like a Cinderella story for me. To be getting that call, late in the sixth round, I’m pretty much falling asleep, dozing off watching the draft, not really expecting anything but hopeful that something was coming. The phone rings and it’s the Giants. I hang up the phone and I realize that in order for me to report, all I have to do is drive down the road, there’s no ﬂight, no train, it was surreal,” Tyree shared.

During his career in the NFL, Tyree had 54 receptions, 650 receiving yards, and 4 receiving touchdowns. He was a Super Bowl Champion, part

of the 2005 First-team All-Pro, selected to the Pro Bowl in 2005, and was part of the 2003 PFWA All-Rookie Team.

In his 2007-2008 season with the New York Giants, Tyree was able to secure a place on the Super Bowl roster.

“For me, there was a lot of preparation leading up to the week of the Super Bowl. You get a week to kind of get your affairs in order, so it’s pretty strategic in relation to trying to maintain a sense of normalcy and routine while all the excitement and fanfare is going around in that once in a lifetime moment,” Tyree recalled.

It was during that game that Tyree earned his rightful place in football history. Late in the fourth quarter, with the New England Patriots leading the game, Eli Manning and the New York Giants took to the ﬁeld to attempt to drive for one last touchdown. With 2:42 left on the clock, the Giants knew they had work to do.

After converting on a fourth down, the clock showed 1:15 left in the game. On the next set of downs, the Giants ended up with a 3rd and 5. The play to come would help seal the deal.

Tyree’s website explains it perfectly, “On third down, Manning snapped the ball at his own 44-yard line and immediately found himself in trouble. With a heavy Patriots pass rush in his face, Manning somehow eluded pressure from Adalius Thomas and evaded the grasp of Jarvis Green and Richard Sey-

mour as the pocket collapsed. Manning then rolled out before dropping back and setting his feet to launch a ball down the ﬁeld to Tyree, who was surrounded by defenders and had safety Rodney Harrison draped all over his back. With the ball in the air, Tyree perfectly timed his jump to catch it at the peak of its arc. Harrison immediately attempted to knock the ball from his possession as he came down with it, but Tyree locked it onto his helmet with incredible strength from his right hand before hitting the ground and securing it with both hands. Somehow, Tyree maintained control the entire time, and the ball never hit the ground.”

Shortly after that play, Manning found Plaxico Burress in the endzone to put the Giants ahead with 35 seconds left in the game. When the clock hit zero, the Giants were World Champions by a score of 1714.

Helmet catch was Tyree’s last ever career catch in the NFL.

“That play is a culmination of my entire body of work. I feel like I was the little engine that could. I was always a guy who earned opportunities to never really see them come to fulfillment, I was always a guy who was not desired but able and qualified. Helmet Catch for me was when I realized that I wasn’t just a special teams player, it was when I realized that I was a pretty good receiver, and that was my moment of fulfillment,” Tyree shared.

After retiring from the NFL in 2010 as a New York Giant,

Tyree has now made it his mission to talk to young people about the dangers of addiction, a place he found himself in early on in his life.

“Life is all about the journey and it’s about overcoming the hurdles, the obstacles, the problems. These kids today need to know that all things are possible. I have deﬁnitely dragged my knees through the mud and made all kinds of poor decisions but I had to learn how to take ownership and accountability for my actions, while growing and not being paralyzed by gripping circumstances or situations,” Tyree shared.

Tyree has also recently launched the Catch the Moment podcast series.

“Being a person with a platform, I know how it feels to be someone who has a moment but where there was so much

that it took to get to that moment of success. I wanted to give others a platform to identify their pinnacle moment of success and to be able to talk about what it took for them to get there. The whole meaning behind the podcast is to celebrate and elevate,” Tyree said. For all those young people he mentors, his advice stays the same.

“Get off the sidelines. The worst thing we can do is mull an opportunity out of fear. My lord said you do and then you’ll know. The more that you, the better you’ll get. At the end of the day, you’ll ﬁnd out exactly who you are if you hurry up and get involved and when you do make that commitment, make the necessary sacriﬁces to be the best,” Tyree says. To learn more about Tyree, visit www.davidtyree85.com.

Does Breast Cancer Run in Families?

AREA - No woman is immune to breast cancer. However, some women with extensive family histories of the disease may wonder if they’re more vulnerable to breast cancer than those without such a link. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 3 percent of breast cancers result from inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that are passed on in families. Inherited mutations in other genes also can cause breast cancer (as well as ovarian can-

cer), but BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the most commonly affected genes. And it’s not just women who can inherit these mutations. Though men account for only a small percentage of breast cancer patients, they can get the disease, and those who inherit mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are more likely to develop breast cancer than other men. The CDC notes that not everyone who inherits a BRCA1, BRCA2 or other mutation will develop breast cancer, and women with such mutations can take steps

to help lower their risk for the disease. Doctors can discuss those steps with women, but they may include genetic counseling and testing. The CDC also notes that, even in instances when counseling and testing is not ultimately recommended by a physician, women should consider talking to their doctors about starting mammography screening in their 40s. That’s earlier than some organizations recommend, though physicians may feel it’s worth it depending on the individual.

BY DANA JACKSON

Q: I can’t believe that the scam artist from “Inventing Anna” is competing on “Dancing with the Stars.” How is she able to lm in Los Angeles if she’s on house arrest in New York? -- S.C.

A:Anna Delvey (previously known as Anna Sorokin) served just a small portion of her sentence in federal prison before being released in 2021. She then served 18 months in an immigration detention facility and is now on house arrest, while her deportation back to Germany remains a possibility. Delvey, who impersonated an heiress and was later convicted of larceny, says that she was given permission by ICE to travel to California to compete in “Dancing with the Stars,” but she has to wear an ankle monitor.

Delvey and her partner, dance pro Ezra Sosa, face a

BY DEMI TAVERAS

“Wolfs” (R) -- Following its premiere at the recent Venice International Film Festival (where its main actors were looking quite snazzy, if I do say so myself), this action-comedy lm starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt hits our screens on Sept. 27! Whether you missed the Clooney-Pitt dynamic from the “Ocean’s Eleven” trilogy or you’re just a fan of the actors respectively, this lm will de nitely scratch your itch. e two Hollywood long-timers play two professional “ xers” who are separately called up to work on the same job. Although these lone wolves prefer to work alone, they actually nd out that they make a pretty good (and entertaining) team.

formidable list of competitors on Tuesday nights this fall on ABC and Disney+ (the next day on Hulu), including Olympians Ilona Maher (rugby) and Stephen Nedoroscik (gymnastics); reality TV stars Jenn Tran (“ e Bachelorette”), Joey Graziadei (“ e Bachelor”) and Phaedra Parks (“ e Traitors”); actors Eric Roberts, Tori Spelling, Reginald VelJohnson and Chandler Kinney; athletes Danny Amendola and Dwight Howard; and model Brooks Nader.

Hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough are also back, as well as judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough. A date for the season nale hasn’t been announced yet, but expect it to run for 10 episodes and conclude at the end of the November sweeps.

***

Q:When does the new sea-

Amy Ryan (“ e O ce”) and Austin Abrams (“Euphoria”) co-star. (Apple TV+)

“Grotesquerie” (TV-MA) -- e start of the spooky season has arrived, thanks to none other than Ryan Murphy (creator of “American Horror Story”). For his latest horror series, he’s once again employed the talents of Niecy Nash, who seems to be nding her footing in the horror genre as of late, a er snagging an Emmy for Murphy’s series, “Dahmer -- Monster.” In this 10-episode series, Nash plays Lois Tryon, a detective battling alcoholism as a series of grotesque, seemingly connected crimes grip her town. A er she gets put on the case, a local nun named Sister

son of “Saturday Night Live” start? It’s always so funny during an election year. -- K.C.

A: e 50th(!) season premiere of “Saturday Night Live” is Sept. 28, but as of this writing, the host and musical guest haven’t been named. e iconic sketch-comedy show welcomes three new cast members -- Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline -- while bidding farewell to three others -- Punkie Johnson, Molly Kearney and Chloe Troast.

What we do know is that former “SNL” star Maya Rudolph will return as Vice President Kamala Harris, and there will also be a special three-hour, live 50th anniversary show on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025.

Soon in theaters, you can also see the new scripted movie about the very rst “SNL” live episode in 1974. Directed by Jason Reitman, the lm “Satur-

Megan (Courtney B. Vance) volunteers to work alongside Lois to uncover the perpetrator. If you’re not yet exhausted by the media coverage of him and his special lady, keep a lookout for Travis Kelce, who makes his acting debut in the series. Premieres Sept. 25. (Hulu)

“Monsters: e Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” (TVMA) -- Speaking of Ryan Murphy and his “Monster” anthology series, the second season has just been released for viewers to binge. is season tells the true story of Lyle and Erik Menendez, two brothers who were convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty, back in 1989. While the basis of their conviction was rooted

day Night” earned rave reviews at its premiere at the Telluride Film Festival this past August. It will be available to see in wide release beginning Oct. 11.

***

Q: I saw that Kaitlin Olson is on another new TV show. Does this mean “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” isn’t coming back? -- L.V.

A:No, the long-running ensemble comedy series will return to FX for its 17th season ... at some point. Kaitlin Olson, who stars in the new crime procedural series “High Potential” on ABC, is expected to start lming the new season of “Sunny” this October. Hopefully, this means new episodes of the hilarious comedy will air by January 2025 at the latest. Olson also plays a supporting role on the award-winning HBO series “Hacks.”

Send me your questions at

in the fact that the two brothers were trying to inherit their parents’ wealth, there is so much more to their story, including a history of physical, emotional and sexual abuse from their parents. Last season, it was clear that Je rey Dahmer was a monster, but the monsters this time around appear to be Jose and Kitty. Javier Bardem (“Dune: Part Two”) and Chloe Sevigny (“Feud: Capote vs. e Swans”) play the cold-blooded couple, while Nicholas Chavez (“General Hospital”) and Cooper Koch (“ ey/ em”) portray the brothers. (Net ix)

“Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos” (TV-MA) -- is two-part documentary series explores the making of

the legendary HBO series “ e Sopranos,” which originally ran from 1999 until its sixth andnal season in 2007. Viewers get an in-depth look at the show’s creator, David Chase, and how his own relationship with his mother ultimately kickstarted the creation of the show. Several of the show’s cast members chime in to provide their points of view of what it was

like to work on the show, including Lorraine Bracco, who played Dr. Mel ; Edie Falco, who played Carmela Soprano; Michael Imperioli, who played Christopher Moltisanti; and Drea de Matteo, who played Adriana La Cerva. Out now! (Max) (c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

Anna Delvey (Upcoming on “Dancing with the Stars”). Photo Credit: Depositphotos

Brad Pitt, le , and George Clooney star in “Wolfs.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of MovieStillsDB

BY RICHARD MABEY, JR.

WRITER

AREA - Mourning is one of the most painful, eerie, haunting, heart-wrenching emotions of all time. In the process of mourning the passing of a close loved one, it can seem to tear a person’s heart in two. Yes, there is comfort in knowing that there is a loving God, guiding the universe. Yet still, the pains of mourning, can at times, seem most unbearable. My father went Home to be with the Lord in the early morning of the twelfth of May of 2006. Over 18 years have now passed since that fateful day. Still, I so very dearly miss the man who taught me the wild and wonderful ways of nature. To quietliy approach a whitetailed deer, without being no-

So Kind Be Thy Heart, A Dear Remembrance of Uncle Pete

ticed. To ﬁnd north, through the secret hints in a forest. And to love and respect, the way God created the circle of life.

During the couple of weeks, after my dear father’s passing, I became practically dysfunctional. I had been writing for a big daily newspaper in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania at the time. Mostly writing feature stories. But something was not clicking with my creative outlet. I would look at a blank computer screen for hours. The words simply would not come. Then, a miracle came into my life. In that last week of May of 2006, my uncle, Peter Knothe called me. He asked me if I wanted to come out to his farm in Randolph for a few

weeks, to help him and his son with some of the farm chores. I remember I was hesitant at the time, and asked Uncle Pete if I could think about it for a bit. He told me that would be okay, to take time to think about it.

My Editor at the newspaper was very understanding. She told me it might do me good to take the time to visit with my uncle for a while. Long story short, I took Uncle Pete up on his kind offer.

Uncle Pete and his son, Peter, are two of the hardest working men whom I have ever known in my life. They were both up at the crack of dawn and worked hard, till the sun set in the west of dear old Knothe Farm.

What I remember most about my few weeks, working at Knothe Farm with Uncle Pete, during the early Summer of 2006, is the time we had to talk at the old kitchen table, eating breakfast. Most ot the time, my cousin Peter would have already eaten breakfast. Cousin Peter is an incredible early riser. Most of the time, awakening before the sun has even risen.

There are very few people, who I have ever known, that knew the Bible as well as Uncle Pete did. He could recite

passages, word for word, with amazing accuracy. In our breakfast talks, Uncle Pete, would share with me his philosophy, his outlook, his perspectives on all of life. Not only did Uncle Pete know his Bible, inside and out, he truly lived it. He was one of the kindest individuals to whom I have ever known.

Uncle Pete’s breakfast talks immensely helped me with healing from the depth of mourning that I was feeling from the loss of my father. Uncle Pete had a great insight into human nature. He deeply understood a person’s relationship to God and God’s relationship to an individual. Uncle Pete held a deep respect and immense love for all of life itself. He served for many years as an Elder in his church.

Sadly, in April of 2018, the angels called Uncle Pete Home to Heaven. In reﬂection, as I am about to turn 71 years old, as I write this true-life story, a certain appreciation for Uncle Pete ﬁlls my heart. After my father passed away, Uncle Pete became my adopted father. He didn’t miss a beat. I am immensely grateful to him. I miss him very much.

Do you know someone who is mourning the loss of a close loved one? Please do consider reaching out to them, above and beyond the traditional sympathy card. Love has a powerful healing potential. It is greater than any pill or tonic on the market today. Love can be as gentle as the petal of a rose. And yet, be more powerful than a fast back, mid-engine Porsche. Never underestimate the incredible power of love. Never, ever doubt what the loving heart can accomplish. When love and faith in God,

combine together, expect a miracle.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He hosts a You-

How Ethnicity Affects Breast Cancer Risk

AREA - No one is immune to breast cancer. Even men can be diagnosed with breast cancer, though the threat of the disease looms much larger for women. In fact, the World Cancer Research Fund International reports that breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women across the globe. However, the World Health Organization indicates that, as of the end of 2020, roughly 7.8 million women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous ﬁve years were alive. So while no woman wants to receive a breast cancer diagnosis, millions of women worldwide are living testaments to the effectivenesss of treatments for the disease.

There are various things women can do to increase their chances of surviving a breast cancer diagnosis. Recognizing one’s own risk of developing the disease is especially important, as it may compel women to prioritize screening and make changes that could reduce their cancer risk.

There are many risk factors for breast cancer, and ethnicity is one of them. Data from the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society indicates that breast cancer rates and survival rates differ among ethnic groups. Though the relationship between ethnicity and breast cancer is complicated and intertwined with other risk factors, data from the NCI and ACS indicates that incidence and death rates are higher among certain ethnic groups than others.

• Highest incidence rate: White, non-Hispanic

• Lowest incidence rate: Korean American

• Highest death rate: African American

• Lowest death rate: Chinese American The MD Anderson Cancer Center notes that socioeconomic factors such as education and income level and access to medical screening and services undoubtedly affect incidence and death rates among different ethnicities. But other factors, such as cultural practices and beliefs within certain ethnic groups, also affect those rates. Women concerned about breast cancer are urged to prioritize screening for the disease and discuss factors such as diet, physical activity and cultural practices to determine if there’s anything they can do to lower their cancer risk.