Hackettstown_January 2025 by My Life Publications..Maljon LLC

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800-939-JUNK A Centenary Student’s Passion for Horses and Equestrian Skills has Greatly Benefited Individuals with Special Needs No. 21 Vol. 1

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By Jaimie Julia Winters Centenary student’s passion for horses and equestrian skills shines as she shares her love for riding with individuals with special needs, creating unforgettable connections and inspiring moments. Annemieke A. Forte discovered her love for horses while volunteering with her mother at an animal rescue when she was just four years old. Although she longed to ride, she faced challenges due to two eye surgeries that left her with limited depth perception and peripheral vision. This made riding and jumping horses difficult, but it didn’t deter Forte from pursuing her passion. Today, she is an accomplished competitive equestrian and also serves as a Therapeutic Riding Program instructor at Centenary University (TRAC), where she provides equine-assisted services for individuals with special needs. “Many people and horses have supported, encouraged, and believed in me over the years, helping me attain my dream of being an equestrian,” Forte said. “When I arrived at college, the therapeutic program at Centenary University offered the perfect opportunity to return all the support I had been given. It was a way to give back to those in need and, at the same time, pursue my love of both riding and training.” Therapeutic Riding At Centenary (TRAC) in Long Valley, N.J. is recognized as a Premier Accredited Center by the Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.). The program was founded in 2003 by Dr. Octavia J. Brown, CU Professor Emerita, and, since 2020 has been directed by Karen Brittle, Assistant Professor of Equine Studies.

TRAC provides equine-assisted learning to veterans, children, and teens with academic challenges, and other special populations while developing leaders for the equine-assisted services industry, Brittle said. Forte said over the four years she has volunteered at TRAC, she has developed bonds with the animals and the many students participating in the program. “The animals are so attuned to the rider and adjust their jobs to that person. Watching that bond is amazing,” Forte said. ”Seeing the benefit and improvement of the participants week after week is extraordinarily satisfying and rewarding.” She recalled a student with multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease of the central nervous system, gaining confidence as she learned to handle the horse and improve her riding skills. “The horses provide a unique motivation and special connection to our participants, volunteers, and instructorsin-training,” Brittle said. Although Forte, an economics business major, has been assisting the three other certified teachers with lessons since her freshman year, she just recently became certified to teach in her senior year. The multi-faceted certification qualifies horseback riding instructors to provide riding instruction of therapeutic value to riders with disabilities. This includes working with horses both mounted or unmounted, Brittle said. CTRIs are trained to incorporate participants’ life goals into their lesson plans and offer accommodations for specific needs. “The participants engage in whole-body exercises and practice social and communication skills,” Brittle said.

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Annemieke Forte with Aspen. Photo credit Jenna O’Connor.

Forte said that Brittle serves as an excellent role model for those looking to enhance their equestrian skills while helping others. Forte plans to become a trainer and successfully run an equestrian business upon graduating.

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continued on page 2

Dentistry, which is a degree held by only 1% of dentists worldw

• Crowns and Bridges rehabilitation, a free consultation with Dr. Goldberg s Page 2 • January 2025 • Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebookfull-mouth www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Smile Makeovers General & Cosmetic Dentistry • Sedation Dentistry A New Smile for a New Year!

Dr. Goldberg treats entire families, from toddlers to seniors. Serv dentures, cosmetics, and more! He and his staff enjoy the long-t

people want to make improvements for tures that are unstable, implants can of- into this realm. We hear on a daily basis, their overall well-being & happiness. tentimes improve all of these issues. Start “I’m so glad I came in today. I’ve been putIts amazing what modern dentistry can the process with a discussion, and get the ting this off for years, but now I’m ready to offer. Treatments can be done faster and new year off to a great start! move forward.” You, too, can experience better than in the past. With computer Morris County Dental Associates should this euphoria: just give us a call, email, or imaging, material improvements, and 3-D be your primary consideration for treat- text, and get your New Year off to a great printing right in the office, the sky is the ment when it comes to dental implants: start! You’ll be glad that you did. limit! Dr. Goldberg is a recognized implant speAbout the author: Dr. Ira Goldberg is a Are you considering whitening or ve- cialist and educator. All implant-related general dentist, and has been a dentist for neers? We can take a photo and run it procedures are performed under one roof 29 years. He holds many accolades with through software to show you a potential in one location (no referrals to other offic- general dentistry & dental implants. He is “Before & After.” This would be a 2-di- es are required). The staff is second-to- a Scholar of the Dawson Center for Commensional opportunity. Want to take it to none, too: from your first phone call to the plete Dentistry, and a Fellow of the Ameria level greater than that? We can print a office, you’ll be comforted & impressed: can Academy of General Dentistry. He is a Cannot be combined with other discounts trial set of veneers and put them directly just check out the Google reviews to see Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Referwhat toothers Newhave Patient website /for details on your teeth so you can see it in a mirror. to say. Specials on ourImplantology Implant Dentistry, a DiploThis would be a real-life 3-dimensional Financials be a consideration & con- mate the International Congress of Oral Coupon must be can presented, & mentioned atoftime of scheduling viewing before any work is even started. cern, too. There is rarely a dental office Implantologists, and a Fellow of the AmerExpires 3/5/6 Maybe tooth replacement is on your anymore that doesn’t offer some 2/28/22 form of ican Academy of Implant Dentistry. For a mind. The most common solutions in- financing. Depending upon your needs, free consultation, including a free 3-D scan clude dental implants. Sometimes people is athe creativity is endless! place to start (if necessary), please call Please his office at (973) Dr. Goldberg general dentist withThe credentials in multiple organizations. visit his websi come to us with a specific treatment in is with figuring out what you’re trying to 328-1225 or visit his website at www.Mormind, other times they are searching for accomplish with your smile. From there, risCountyDentist.com options. Whether you’re dealing missing financing options can be generated. teeth, constant pain, bleeding gums, diffiIn life, quite often the first steps are culty with chewing & swallowing, or den- the most difficult. Dentistry definitely falls

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Eleven Hour Rescue Virtual Auction

by Elsie Walker t’s an auction for a great cause and you don’t even have to leave your home to participate. It’s the annual winter Eleventh Hour Rescue auction which features a variety of items being auctioned off to help animals. There’s no overhead to the auction; all auctioned items are donated so all the money will go to the veterinary bills of the rescue, which in 2024 were $526, 000. Recently, Jeannie Patsarikas, of Long Valley, tricky tray/ auction team lead, and Kathy Dolce of West Caldwell, sponsorships and grants, talked about the auction and the work of the rescue. Its adoptable pets can be seen on its website at www.ehrevents.org The virtual auction opens on February 15th at 9am and runs to Friday, February 21st at 4pm. It is held via a Facebook Group. To join the Facebook group for the auction, people access it once the auction starts through a link on an Eleventh Hour Rescue webpage: https://www.ehrevents.org Once in the Facebook group, people will see pictures of each item and a description of it plus the opening and incremental bid for it. In the comments area, a person puts their bid. Those who bid are notified if someone else puts in a higher bid. After the

auction closes, items won can be picked up at the organization’s Roxbury Thrift Store and Adoption Center in the Roxbury Mall on either February 23rd from 12pm – 3pm or on February 26th from 6:30 – 7:30pm. While items are still coming in, Patsarikas noted those that have come in so far. They include a Bradford Portrait and Overnight Stay at the Opus Westchester (a $5000 value), $1000 Gift Certificate towards a 10+ day Regent Seven Seas Cruise, $200 Gift Certificate towards a 7+ day Royal Caribbean Cruise, 60 Minute Treatment at any Massage Envy, four tickets to the Sterling Hill Underground Mine Tour, a Kindle, Amazon Gift Cards, Longhorn Restaurant Gift Card, Clinique Makeup and Skincare, appliances (Ninja Air Fryer, Blender, Coffee Maker, Chopper), four Zipline Course Passes ( includes over 30 ziplines). wine and liquor, one- year Black Card Membership to Planet Fitness (valued at $300), and family fun games and activities (e.g., Pickleball Set). Also, donations of auction items are still being taken. Patsarikas shared, “folks who want to donate can email me at trickytray@ ehrdogs.org. Then, I can work with them individually as to how they can get their donation to us. [Also,] here is our Amazon wish list link: https://www.amazon.com/

Penny, a dog Eleventh Hour rescued and cared for and who found a forever home.

Mack and a friend, two long-time residents at Eleventh Hour waiting to find forever homes.

hz/wishlist/ls/2NE4B1CS1HB0T/ref=nav_ wishlist_lists_2. Their order will be mailed directly to me. “ Patsarikas noted the pictures of the items shown during the auction and shared, “David Warner [of David Warner Photography at www.davidwarnerphotos. com] donates his time and talent and photographs all our auction items. He does a beautiful job! “ Patsarikas notes that she enjoys “watching the bidding wars” during the auction while Dolce enjoys “participating

in the bidding wars.” Patsarikas noted that she also enjoys seeing people bid higher than an item’s stated worth because they want to support the rescue and “working with the [auction] team”. She also noted that the auction is “ lots of work”. Of course, the bottom line is that the auction will be helping the animals rescued by 11th hour rescue. In 2024, the organization found loving homes for 14 small animals, 655 cats and 755 dogs. The latter includes Penny, whose story Dolce continued on page 6

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Eleven Hour Rescue... continued from page 4 shared. “We discovered after she came to us that she had a heart condition called Pulmonary Valve Stenosis that caused her to pass out with even minimal activity. She required extremely costly surgery, so we turned to social media to get the word out and Penny found a life-saving benefactor. She has since been adopted and is living her best life,” Dolce shared. Dolce noted there are some long-term residents of the rescue waiting years for a home, like Mack. “Mack has been with us six years-a volunteer favorite. The kennel has about 30 longer- term resident dogs who have a team of dedicated volunteers who do everything they can to shower them with love and make sure they get daily attention. We recently added two rooms in the kennel that are just like the room in a house to let them decompress and get ready to live in a real home,” she said. Some animals come to the rescue from dire situations. One such situation Dolce says still haunts many of the rescuers at Eleventh Hour. It was the discovery of 90 living and dead dogs packed into a truck and left at a New Jersey shopping mall. The neglect and cruelty were some of the worst

the rescue has ever seen. Eleventh Hour rescue and others in New Jersey mobilized and Eleventh Hour took as many is it could and fed, cleaned, veted, and socialized them before finding them forever homes. “We still get updates on the Hampton animals and we’re happy to report that they are thriving and loved,” Dolce said. Eleventh Hour Rescue is made up of 275 active volunteers. Dolce noted that, “ 2024 was our 20th anniversary. Reflecting on their work at the rescue and why they do it, Patsarikas, who has been a volunteer for eight and a half year and got her five cats from Eleventh Hour said, “I do it to save the animals’ lives.” She noted that it is heart-breaking to see the cruelty that some humans have done to animals. Dolce has been a volunteer for three years and has an Eleventh Hour dog and is a long-time foster of one. She noted that the rescue has very little overhead, and “donations go where people want them to go” Patsarikas noted two other upcoming fundraisers that the rescue is holding: Murder Mystery at Vasa Park on March 29th and Barkfest at Horseshoe Lake on June 7th.

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hackettstown Life • January 2025 • Page 7

Hackettstown High School Girls’ Soccer Wins Division Sportsmanship Award

By Steve Sears or the second time in three seasons, the Hackettstown High School Lady Tigers girls’ soccer team was awarded the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) - Freedom Division Sportsmanship Award. Head coach Tara McMinn and her team were notified of the honor prior to Thanksgiving. “It has been around as long as I can remember,” McMinn said of the award. “Two years ago, we won it. I know we have won it several times in the past, but most recently was two years ago. So, when our seniors were sophomores, they won it, so they have actually won it twice over their four years, which is actually a pretty big thing for them.” Senior captain Stella Gublemann said of the award, “Obviously you want to compete at a high level and win games. This award, however, is more of a testament to who we are as a team, our personalities. These are all great girls on the team, and also the coaching staff. So, to win this

award is a testament to that. We have an energy wherever we go, and that positive environment is a really amazing thing for us.” Fellow senior captain, Carson Corydon, said, “It is just a way to show that how no matter how our season was, we were still able to represent each other on the field, and be kind and know that we are playing a game with our fellow competitors. And it really shows the community that when we have their support, we keep ourselves composed and play to the best of our ability.” The Lady Tigers also head away from Morrison Field and out to the community to help the township it calls home. A good example is the Team Community Cleanup held in October at Stephens State Park, when the team was tasked with cleaning trash from the area, walking the park for an hour to ensure the environment was clean, while also raising money for the team’s Senior Night. McMinn summed up the award.

“For this team, not only winning the Sportsmanship Award once, but twice in a four-year career, it speaks volumes about their character. It is really important to obviously go out and practice and try to be the best soccer player that you can. But they’ve heard me say it many times, we hold being a Lady Tiger pretty high. They

are growing into these wonderful young women, hopefully taking pride in helping our community, playing at their highest level, and being respected by others that they play in that sportsmanship arena. All that just makes me very proud of the way they are.”

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FAQ about Chinese New Year

hinese New Year sparks interest every year. Unlike New Year on the Gregorian calendar, which always falls on January 1, Chinese New Year does not begin on the same date each year. It’s important to note that this is only when Chinese New Year begins, which is another thing that distinguishes the celebration

from New Year’s celebrations in the west, which tend to be limited to December 31 and January 1. In 2024, Chinese New Year begins on February 10. Between now and then, individuals can look to this FAQ to learn more about this unique and meaningful celebration.

What is the significance of Chinese New Year? Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival, and that offers some insight into its significance. According to Chinesenewyear.net, while wintry conditions are still present during the Spring Festival, the period when the celebration takes place marks the end of the coldest days. This also is why the Chinese New Year is symbolic of new beginnings. Why is the date different each year? Topchinatravel.com notes that Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar, which is why the date of the celebration differs from year to year. The lunar calendar is based on the monthly cycles of the phases of the moon. China officially operates under the Gregorian calendar, but significant celebrations are still conducted in accordance with the lunar calendar. Do people work during Chinese New Year? Chinese New Year is a public holiday in China, and that means people generally get seven days off for celebrating. In 2024, that seven-day period will begin on February 10 and end on February 17. Celebrations also can extend beyond seven days, and some

celebrants will avoid working if they are able and choose to do so. The shutdowns lead to significant travel, and Statista reports that around 226 million people traveled in China by air, railway, road, and waterway during Chinese New Year 2023. What is the significance of animals in relation to Chinese New Year? Jade Emperor is an important deity in traditional Chinese religion, and the reason behind animals’ connection to Chinese New Year relates to a race organized by Jade Emperor. All animals in the world were invited to partake in the race and help establish the Chinese Zodiac. But only 12 animals showed up on the day of the race, and how they finished would determine the years on the calendar named after them. Each animal in the Chinese Zodiac has its own unique characteristics, and some believe people take on the traits of the animal associated with the year they were born. So those born in 2024 may have the attributes associated with the Dragon, which is believed to bring good fortune. Chinese New Year is a unique cultural tradition with a lengthy and interesting history.

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hackettstown Life • January 2025 • Page 9

On Eagle’s Wings: The Swimming Lessons

By Richard Mabey Jr. his is a 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, however I changed people’s names. In June of 1969, at the age of 15, I had just completed my sophomore year at Boonton High School. I began taking classes for the Swimming Merit Badge. I had had Rheumatic Fever when I was 12, and up till that time my Cardiologist, Dr. Martin Rosenthal, felt strongly that my heart was not yet strong enough for the strenuous challenge of the Swimming Merit Badge classes. The classes were held at a docking station of the Rockaway River in Boonton Township. The beach area was owned by a Scout Commissioner, who loaned out the use of his large dock for the scouts to have an aquatic center. It was known as the Boonton District Aquatic Merit Badge Center. I was not as strong and coordinated as the other boys were. My Swimming Merit Badge Counselor, Mr. Taylor, was quite a tough man. He was stern and strict. He had a continuous facial expression that seemed to convey that he was always upset about something. We met three evenings, FREE DELIVERY ($15 MIN.)

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every week, in the pursuit of earning the Swimming Merit Badge. In mid July, the first class of that summer’s Swimming Merit Badge classes had completed. There were about 25 scouts in the class. I was the only scout who failed the course. But, there was good news, another class was going to begin the next week. My biggest challenge was swimming upstream. You see, we would be required to swim quite a distance downstream, then turn around, and swim upstream to return to the large riverside dock. It was during the swim upstream that I fell woefully behind the other scouts. Sadly, Mr. Taylor once again failed me for the Swimming Merit Badge classes. A fury burnt in my heart. Fire filled the marrow of bones. I was more determined than ever to earn the Swimming Merit Badge. I was not going to let Mr. Taylor defeat me. That night, after being told that I failed the Swimming Merit Badge classes for the second time, I prayed and prayed and prayed for God to help me earn this most coveted merit badge. The long and short of it was that the Swimming Merit Badge was one of the required merit badges to earn the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. So, in mid August, I began taking the

Swimming Merit Badge classes for a third time. It was during these classes that Mr. Taylor’s anger toward me took on an even greater height. It was in early September, when I turned 16 and began my junior year at Boonton High School, that my third attempt at passing the Swimming Merit Badge classes concluded. Once again Mr. Taylor failed me. But it wasn’t enough that Mr. Taylor failed me for the third time. With anger in his voice, he told me that I was wasting his time, taking the Swimming Merit Badge classes. Mr. Taylor’s last words to me, as I

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walked away from the big riverside dock to the driveway, where my mom was waiting for me in her car, were these words. “Mabey, you’ll never make it to Eagle Scout!” As the tears flowed down my cheeks, I got into Mom’s car. Mom asked me what happened. I simply replied to my dear mother, “I failed again.” To be continued. 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.

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Shakespeare Theater Looks Back on an Impressive 2024 and Ahead to 2025 Humble Origins Evolve Into An Impressive Presence

By Jeff Garrett ven the state’s most keen theater buffs may not know that the Shakespeare Theater of Madison began many moons ago in Cape May. Its initial production was “The Taming of the Shrew” and the entire theatrical company was named, “The Shakespeare Festival of New Jersey.” It ran until the early 1990’s. Many of the actors and actresses who performed for the company were involved in productions along the east coast when not performing directly for the Festival. The 1960’s proved a challenging time for the Company. Harsh weather brought damage to the theatre’s building but was offset by some noteworthy Media attention from the likes of The New York Times, Time Magazine and The Daily Variety. Struggling to find a home since its theatre was in ruins, the Company persevered and found a new home in the Hotel Lafayette when it looked like vital federal funding would be wiped out. Challenges off-stage and achievements on stage marked the 1970’s and 80’s. The Festival held together and would unknowingly head north in New Jersey. New leadership came about in 1991 when Ms. Bonnie Monte was hired. Monte came from Massachusetts where

she was an artistic director for another well-known theatre. In the 1990’s Monte made over the NJSF, found a new office and administration headquarters, elevated the Company’s prominence have awarded a new home for plays, titled, “The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre” at 36 Madison Ave. Madison – many miles north of Cape May, after a successful capital campaign in 1998. Fast forward 27 years and the Theatre company is a small mecca for outstanding entertainment and inspiring on-stage education. On-stage, the Shakespeare Theatre company enjoyed a robust 2024 with its Short Shakespeare productions, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Julius Caesar.” In June, the theatre produced “As You Like It,” (performed at St. Elizabeth University’s Summer Stage in Florham Park) followed by “The Book of Will” in July, both of which garnered many playgoers last Summer. “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder” and Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility,” helped illuminate a great calendar. In the Fall, “MacBeth” ran for almost a month before Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” rounded out the year. While all productions performed are not written by

William Shakespeare as the case has been for decades, complementary acts abound at NJSF. 28-year employee Brian Crowe took over as Artistic Director in June 2024 while Monte moved to become Artistic Director Emeritus. Crowe directed “As You Like” and “MacBeth.” He seeks to broaden the Theatre’s Classical Theatre Market while continuing to strengthen educational offerings. He realizes the road ahead will be tough but that the lure of the live stage can compete with so many other forms of entertainment in the modern world after its experienced. The F.M. Kirby Center’s impact on students remains indelible by continuing to educate hundreds of students a year. From student matinees at the center to In-School Education to the Shakespeare Corps during the Summer, opportunities await in 2025 for young actors and actresses to become better. Adult Education classes continue this year while those who work behind the scenes to make it all happen – technicians, administrators and early school artists can also hone their skills at NJSF. For more information on The Shakespeare Festival of New Jersey, logon to www.shakespearenj.org or phone 973-408-5600.

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hackettstown Life • January 2025 • Page 11

100 Years Ago This Month: Historical Events from January 1925

he month of January has been home to many historical events over the years. Here’s a look at some that helped to shape the world in January 1925. • Christiania, the capital city of Norway, is renamed “Oslo” on January 1. • Violence plagues Italy on January 2 as part of the fallout of Benito Mussolini’s crackdown on opposition newspapers. Though King Victor Emmanuel III refuses to grant Mussolini the dictatorial powers the latter requested, he grants the Prime Minister tacit permission to respond to the violence how he sees fit. • Nellie Tayloe Ross is inaugurated as

the Governor of Wyoming on January 5, becoming the first woman elected to a gubernatorial office in United States history. • Bhanupratap Deo is proclaimed as the new Raja of the princely state of Kanker within British India on January 8. The 3-year-old would rule until 1947, when the princely states are abolished as India gains its independence. • The British submarine HMS L24 sinks in the English channel on January 10. The submarine had collided with the Royal Navy battleship HMS Resolution, killing all 43 men aboard the L24. • Al Capone survives an assassination

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attempt made by the North Side Gang on January 12 in Chicago. Capone was conducting business inside a State Street restaurant when the rival gang riddled his car with bullets, prompting the mobster to order a bulletproof Cadillac. • Joseph Stalin fires Leon Trotsky as Commissar for Military and Navy Affairs on January 15. A prominent critic of Stalin, Trotsky is eventually murdered at his home in Mexico City by a Stalinist agent in 1940. • Huddie Ledbetter, better known as “Lead Belly,” is granted a full pardon by Texas governor Pat Morris Neff on January 16. The blues musician had served seven years of his prison sentence after being found guilty of killing a relative over a fight for a woman. • “The Gentleman Bandit” Gerald Chapman is arrested in Muncie, Indiana on January 18. Chapman is apprehended thanks in part to informant Ben Hance, who is murdered in August in a killing that is believed to have been performed as retaliation for Chapman’s incarceration. • Roy Olmstead, a lieutenant in the Seattle Police Department, is indicted by a federal grand jury on January 19. Olmstead is accused of smuggling alcohol into the country from Canada in violation of the Volstead Act. • Curtis Welch, the only doctor in Nome, Alaska, sends an urgent message via radio

telegram on January 22. The message alerts all major Alaskan towns of an impending outbreak of diphtheria, while a second message sent to the U.S. Public Health Service in Washington, D.C. highlights the desperate need for antitoxin. Roughly 300,000 units of antitoxin are discovered in Anchorage on January 26, temporarily containing the epidemic. • Paul Newman is born in Shaker Heights, Ohio, on January 26. The son of Theresa Garth and sporting goods store owner Arthur Sigmund Newman, Sr., the younger Newman would grow up to become one of the world’s most recognizable movie stars and a devoted philanthropist. • A riot breaks out in Berlin on January 27. Numerous injuries are reported as monarchists, communists and republicans clash during demonstrations held on the birthday of ex-kaiser Wilhelm II. • On January 28, nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court Harlan Fiske Stone testifies before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Stone is eventually confirmed by a vote of 71 to 6. • After nearly a year of fighting and 14,000 deaths, the Khost rebellion against King Amanullah Khan is ended in Afghanistan on January 30. The rebellion is ultimately unsuccessful, but many of the king’s reforms are delayed until 1928.

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Ecommerce in 2025: 5 Trends Shaping the Future of Online Selling

hanks to the explosion of ecommerce over the past couple decades, consumers can find virtually any product or service they can think of online. In fact, the consumer ecommerce market is expected to approach $6 trillion by 2027, according to the International Trade Administration, up from roughly $4 trillion in 2024. A diverse collection of product segments is driving this growth, including everything from fashion and furniture to food and beverage. While major marketplace retailers still lead the category, ecommerce has become commonplace among small businesses, too. In fact, by the end of 2023, an estimated 80% of small businesses had at least basic ecommerce capabilities, according to a report by Digital Commerce 360. However, small businesses are grappling with challenges such as inflation, supply chain issues and keeping pace with major retailers, among others, that are driving a variety of ecommerce trends in 2025 and beyond, including:

Video Content Spurred by social media, video content is in high demand on ecommerce sites, too. Videos that explain how to use products, offer tips for using them and demonstrate projects that were completed using a product all earn favor with shoppers. In addition, videos that highlight product features, video reviews on social media and “live shopping events” on the social channels of ecommerce retailers can provide a more appealing interactive experience for shoppers. Inclusive of the “live shopping events” trends, livestreaming is often popular among consumers as it can create a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out), leading to enhanced brand loyalty and engagement. Short-form videos sweeping social media also drive engagements and offer a quick, appealing way to demonstrate new or popular products. Personalized Products Ecommerce provides opportunities for shoppers who appreciate buying products that are uniquely their own. Online buying

platforms that allow for customization of products such as shoes, clothing and drinkware can create buyer engagement and earn loyal shoppers who know they can purchase the items they want exactly to their own specifications. In fact, a survey by McKinsey Insights found 80% of loyal customers prefer shopping with brands that offer tailored choices and personalized experiences. From color selection and accessories to performance variations, custom options can help create a highly personalized shopping experience that allow buyers to interact more directly than they would for a standardized transaction. Beyond the initial purchase, customized reports and shipping notifications are also becoming the norm. Shippers can alert customers to their products’ delivery status – including any delays or changes – via email, text, video message or, in some cases, a customizable dashboard where consumers can view incoming shipments tied to their account or address, continued on page 18

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hackettstown Life • January 2025 • Page 13

Be This Destiny, Guided By God’s Loving Hand

By Richard Mabey Jr. n the basement of the old Mabey Homestead, my father had a little three by five card stapled to the wall of his workbench. It simply read, “better to teach a boy the moral way, than to rehabilitate a wayward man.” My father believed in that philosophy, that purpose, with all of his heart, mind and soul. Dad took his role as Scoutmaster very seriously. In September of 1971, I turned 18, began studying at County College of Morris and working part-time at the A&P Grocery Store in Whippany. My father asked me if I would stay on with Boy Scout Troop 170 and help him with the scouts. At that time, there was only two other Assistant Scoutmasters, Mr. Floyd and Mr. Talbot. Mayor William Dixon was our Troop Committee Chairman. Deep in my heart, I knew my Dad really did need my help. I agreed to stay on with Troop 170. I think that scouts and church kept me on the straight and narrow. I had all so many of my friends, who were getting lost in drugs and alcohol and the wayward life. The saying, “there but by the grace of God, go I,” is no joke. Now at 71, I deeply realize that I could have easily fallen into the mud and mire of the wayward life. I lost all so many friends, during that era of coming of age. My dad taught me the beauty and splendor, hidden in the forest trail. To appreciate the beauty of the white-tailed deer. To respect the elm, the oak, the maple, the pine. To see the simple beauty that abounded in God’s little creatures. To just see the poetry in a squirrel hopping from one tree branch to another. I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t think of some moment that Dad and I shared in being scout leaders of Boy Scout Troop 170. Reverend Kenneth Baer was Troop 170’s Institutional

Representative. Reverend Baer was the Minister of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, which sponsored Boy Scout Troop 170. Reverend Baer was a very positive influence upon my life, when I was in those painful years of leaving boyhood to become a young man. To fulfill the community service requirement of my earning Eagle Scout, I had mowed the lawn, raked leaves, and did odd jobs for Saint Andrew’s Church, for one full calendar year. This included painting all of Thorpe Hall and all of the Sunday School classrooms. It was during that time period that I got to see Reverend Baer on Saturday mornings. We would talk for only a few minutes, in each of our meetings. But in those few minutes, Reverend Baer would share insights with me, on the sacred teachings of the Holy Bible. A gift that to this very day, I deeply appreciate. I was a painfully shy young man. I was blessed to have a wonderful girlfriend, Penny Last, who encouraged me to write for my college newspaper. I studied hard and made the Dean’s List all through my time at County College. I worked hard at the A&P and was honored to be Employee of the Month, a couple of times. I held true to the principles of the Scout Law and the Scout Oath. I did my very best to be a good Assistant Scoutmaster. I served as an Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 170 for over 20 years. From time to time, I will receive an email letter from a former scout. Those scouts have no idea what their letters mean to me. Now at 71, in the midst of the fight of my life, in facing the painful and frequent chest pains of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, I quite often read the letters that I have received from former scouts of Troop 170. I cherish each and every one of them. They bring hope and comfort to my heart, that I did something worthwhile in my

Yours truly, during the beard stage, with some of the former scouts of the great Boy Scout Troop 170.

life, in being a scout leader. I know that scouting has gotten a bum rap in the past few years. I stand firmly against child abuse. But still, in light of it all, I do think that scouting does offer a boy the chance to gain a love and respect for nature. Life is not always fair. We cannot always understand why we are put through certain tests in life. To fully understand it all, would be like explaining Einstein’s Theory of Relativity to an ant. Our human understanding of things in life, is just a drop in the vast ocean of God’s infinite wisdom. Here’s the bottom line though, God loves you more than you will ever know. 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.

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Rosemarie D’Alessandro: Author and Advocate for Children

By Evan Wechman osemarie D’Alessandro does not believe in quitting. She didn’t believe in it as a child and still doesn’t believe in it today. D’Alessandro has lived in New Jersy her entire adult life. She has stayed in the small town of Hillsdale, New Jersey through several decades of intense difficulty. As a mother, she has endured more pain and heartache than most people would be able to handle. But she is not like most people. D’Alessandro, who is now in her senior years, gives thanks to her faith and her inner fortitude for her ability to thrive even in the darkest situations. “I’ve always been a fighter even when I was little,” she said. “All my experiences have made me stronger.” D’Alessandro has survived the worst thing that can happen to a mother. Her wonderful daughter Joan, whom she affectionately refers to as Joanie, was murdered when she was seven years old back in April of 1973. Joanie was a girl scout and a loving, trustful child. On April 19, 1973, which was Holy Thursday, she said good-bye to her mother as she went to deliver some boxes of girl scout cookies to her neighbor, three houses down from where she lived. Everything should have gone well, especially since the gentleman she was dropping the cookies off to was a Tappan Zee High School chemistry teacher named Joseph McGowan who worked about ten miles away in Rockland County, New York. McGowan was entrusted with mentoring and assisting young students almost every weekday. But Joanie was betrayed. She was sexually molested and murdered on that Holy Thursday. Her body was found three days later on Easter Sunday buried in a space between rocks in Harriman State Park, in nearby New York State.

This would have been too much for almost any mother to handle. But D’Alessandro, over 50 years later, has remained steadfast in making sure such atrocities don’t occur to other parents. In her powerful book, The Message of Light Amid Letters of Darkness, which was published last year, D’Alessandro honestly recounts what transpired during the nearly five decades of pursuing justice for her daughter. In this stunning account, D’Alessandro briefly details what occurred 20 years after the loss of her daughter. At that time, she fought back against the legal system, which was allowing the killer, McGowan to come before the parole board seeking reentry into the community. D’Alessandro wanted to protect other children who may face McGowan upon release. She tirelessly collected over one hundred thousand signatures opposing his parole. Such efforts led to keeping her daughter’s killer behind bars and enacting laws in her home state and on the federal level allowing more rights for victims of such crimes. One of her proudest moments was in April of 1997 when Joan’s Law was signed by Governor Whitman. This said that anyone in New Jersey who murdered a child under 14 years of age in conjunction with committing a sexual crime will never be granted parole, nor see the light of day. A federal version was signed by President Clinton in1998. She also rallied her supporters once again in 2000 to help pass a law in New Jersey eliminating the statute of limitations for wrongful death actions brought in murder, manslaughter, and aggravated manslaughter cases allowing victims to sue their perpetrators if they come into money after the crime. A New York version of the bill was signed by Governor Pataki in 2004 in Harriman State Park, the site where Joanie’s body was found.

Rosemarie at Harriman State Park, the site of where her daughter was buried. Courtesy of Rosemarie D’Alessandro.

Rosemarie’s daughter as a child. Courtesy of Rosemarie

Though these laws are noted in the book, the real pain and misery are detailed in the letters that D’Alessandro provides between McGowan and a pen pal he corresponded with for many years while in prison. She was given these letters by a family member of the woman who corresponded with McGowan, who eventually died in jail in 2021. The book is unflinching as D’Alessandro not only reveals the horrifying letters but details her own emotional responses to reading the words of her daughter’s killer. Though she received these letters shortly before his death, she couldn’t bring herself to read them until after he died. D’Alessandro explains that the letters were painful because it showed how little significance he gave towards continued on page 15

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hackettstown Life • January 2025 • Page 15

Author and Advocate for Children...

continued from page 14 the death of Joanie. “When he died, I read the letters even though it was hard. I said these letters must get out there. When I read the first letter, it was so despicable. It was so hard to see what the attitude was going to be of these letters, and so I got sick”, she said. According to her, he wrote about her daughter’s death in the same vein someone would write about the weather. He had absolutely no remorse for his actions. Several months after the book was published, filmmaker Vanessa Martino transformed the book into a harrowing documentary, Daughter of Mine, which has since won numerous awards. It won “Best Documentary in the New York Shorts International Film Festival”, and more recently won the “Audience Award for Best Short in the Teaneck International Film Festival of 2024.” At most of these film festivals, D’Alessandro usually delivers a brief but strong speech which accompanies the film. Though many people may consider this constant reminder of her daughter’s death to be immensely difficult, D’Alessandro believes that it is all a “tale of victory.” For D’Alessandro, it’s about helping victims of abuse and their families. In the last several years, she has organized a non-profit organization, called The Joan Angela D’Alessandro Memorial Foundation. Through this entity, D’Alessandro can not only push for more stringent laws for abusers, but even works with schools throughout the area to inform teachers of possible signs of abuse in their students. More recently, D’Alessandro has been volunteering her time with parents who have gone through the tragedy of learning their child was subjected to abuse. She spends much of her free time counseling and mentoring parents

who have lost their children due to such senseless violence. She connects with these mothers and fathers either inperson or virtually throughout the nation. Though such work can be difficult, she credits all of it to her late daughter Joanie, who continues to inspire her. “I have a relationship with her every day,” she said. “Her spirit is living and helping other people.” Of course, D’Alessandro acknowledges she wishes she had a more typical relationship with Joanie where she could visit her every day and see her grow up, but there is still a strong bond. “She (Joanie) inspired me. She wasn’t concerned about impressions and what people were going to think of her. But she had a presence and that was beautiful. She would come into a room, and you would notice her. She would be all smiles and as happy as can be.” D’Alessandro said her daughter’s spirit of love and willingness to stand up for other people during her short life helps her work for others even today. She often thinks back on the significance of her daughter’s actions and how it touched others. For instance, she was reminded many years ago when she heard from one of her daughter’s childhood friends about how special a person her daughter genuinely was. The friend told D’Allesandro about how when she was a child and excluded by other children during recess, Joanie stood up to her friends and included her in all their activities. “I didn’t know it happened at the time but she(the friend) called me 20 years ago and said Joanie would watch the children play and invite me to play with everyone too, and it didn’t matter what her friends thought because she made sure the girl played with them and her friends would say why are you doing that, and she would say oh no, she can come

play with us. She was a leader,” D’Alessandro said. “She was the kind of person who would change the world without being fake,” she added. According to D’Alessandro it would have been easy to give up after the tragedy she endured. She could have just stayed in bed all day, and not fought for herself and others. But her attitude, her faith’s belief in serving others, and her wonderful daughter’s spirit have allowed her to help others. Not only is she helping to change laws that give victims and their families more rights, but she is helping pass on this courage to other mother’s going through the grief process. “A lot of people don’t come to me. They are afraid. They feel uncomfortable and I think you’re not going to have change if you do that. You have to go through the uncomfortable and that is why even this whole story is a victory because here is a story of a person going through all the uncomfortable things and going through all the terrible parts and taking all the risks and that is how you change things, D’Alessandro said. She understands the pain these grieving mothers are going through and how hard it is to stand up for themselves. But that is exactly why she is coaching them forward. “You’ve got to deal with the uncomfortable and that is how you are going to stand up for what is right. You’re going to stand up for yourself and you’re going to stand up for others and you are going to deal with grief because grief is something you have to deal with. But you have to get out of the uncomfortable and if people need help getting out of the uncomfortable, I can coach them.” Donations to the Joan Angela D’Alessandro Memorial Foundation can be made directly at https://gofund. me/78d81653.

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Turn to Tradition for Tex-Mex Taste

he next time your loved ones crave a comforting dish that’s warming from the inside-out, turn to an all-time classic with a touch of southern flair. Take inspiration for this Tex-Mex Beef Lasagna from season 3 of “BBQuest: Beyond the Pit,” a video series that dives into the long-held traditions, new flavors and everyday inspiration that make Texas barbecue legendary. Developed from the show by BBQuest co-host and “Hardcore Carnivore” cookbook author Jess Pryles, this tasty take on comfort food can be the perfect solution for a family meal with plenty of leftovers. After dinner, settle in together and learn pitmaster techniques from the experts as the series follows four themes that capture the essence of Texas barbecue: legacy and tradition; creativity and innovation; Texas trailblazers; and family and community. “Since launching BBQuest four years ago, it’s truly remarkable to see how much has changed and yet stayed the same when it comes to Texas barbecue, and that’s exactly what you see in season 3,” said Rachel Chou, Texas Beef Council’s director of consumer marketing. “There has been so much exciting innovation around cooking methods and international flavors while there’s still a huge dedication to long-held recipes and smoking techniques.” To find more pitmaster-worthy recipes, visit BeefLovingTexans.com.

Tex-Mex Beef Lasagna Recipe courtesy of Jess Pryles on behalf of Beef Loving Texans Total time: 60 minutes Servings: 10 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 onion, diced 2 pounds ground beef 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon cumin 2 teaspoons chipotle powder 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 15 ounces canned corn, drained 15 ounces canned seasoned black beans, drained 10 ounces canned diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained 15 ounces canned red enchilada sauce 1 cup Mexican crema or sour cream nonstick cooking spray 12 corn tortillas 8 ounces shredded Mexican blend cheese cilantro (optional) green onions, thinly sliced (optional) Preheat oven to 375 F. In large pan or skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat then add onion. Cook until softened, 4-5 minutes, stirring regularly. Add ground beef and cook, stirring regularly, until beef has browned. Add kosher salt, garlic powder, cumin, chipotle powder

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hackettstown Life • January 2025 • Page 17

Warm Up with Classic Comfort Foods

ith plenty of cold-weather events and gatherings to celebrate alongside loved ones, one classic way to warm up the crowd is hot, comforting food. Soups, chili, casseroles, stews and more provide perfect ways to shake off the chill that comes with the season. Ideal for serving family and friends after time spent outside or just as an excuse to get together, Beet Lentil Chili with Aunt Nellie’s Sliced Beets and Loaded Chicken Bake made using READ German Potato Salad provide filling options for satisfying a group with eight servings each. Plus, they’re easy to make – the chili calls for 20 minutes of prep before simmering while the chicken casserole requires less than an hour spent in the kitchen. Next time a brisk day cools your family to the core, keep these hearty meals in mind for simple options to warm up from the inside out. Find more comforting recipe ideas at auntnellies.com and readsalads.com. Beet Lentil Chili Recipe courtesy of Angie McGowan of “Eclectic Recipes”

Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 2 hours Servings: 8 2 jars (16 ounces each) Aunt Nellie’s Sliced Beets 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, diced 4 stalks celery, diced 3 medium carrots, diced 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2 cloves garlic, diced 2 tablespoons smoked paprika 2 tablespoons ground cumin 1 1/2 tablespoons ground coriander 1 teaspoon dried oregano 2 tablespoons chili powder

1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste 2 quarts low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock 1 quart water 1 pound lentils Garnishes (optional): 1/2 cup sour cream 1/4 cup radishes, cut into matchsticks 1/2 cup freshly chopped cilantro 1/2 cup finely chopped onions 1 cup crumbled queso fresco Drain beets; dice and set aside. Discard liquid. Preheat large soup pot over medium heat. Drizzle with olive oil. Add onion, celery, carrots and salt; saute until softened, stirring occasionally. Add garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, oregano, chili powder and tomato paste; saute until fragrant, stirring frequently. Add stock, water, beets and lentils. Bring to boil; reduce to simmer. Simmer about 2 hours, or until lentils are tender. Serve with sour cream, radishes, cilantro, onions and queso fresco, if desired. Loaded Chicken Bake Recipe courtesy of “Hungry In LA”

Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Servings: 8 Nonstick cooking spray 2 cans (15 ounces each) READ German Potato Salad 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon French-fried onions (optional) Preheat oven to 375 F. Lightly coat 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spread potato salad evenly in dish. Top evenly with chicken. In small bowl, stir together cream, salt and pepper. Pour mixture over chicken. Sprinkle with cheese, bacon and Frenchfried onions, if desired. Bake 15 minutes, or until casserole is bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes. Top with additional French-fried onions, if desired. (Family Features)

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