Hometown 12 April 2025

Fun facts about April Fools’ Day

April 1 is more than just the start of a month that many embrace for the warmer weather that typically accompanies it. It is a day set aside for pranksters just waiting to pull the wool over someone else’s eyes all in the name of good fun. While many participate in April Fools’ Day shenanigans, they may not be as familiar with all there is to know about this day when jokers rejoice. These interesting facts about April Fools’ Day truly are no joke.

• The origins of April Fools’ Day are something of a mystery, but historians believe the day started in France during the sixteenth century. History.com offers the popular theory that when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, moving the New Year from the end of March to January 1, some received the news later than others. As a result, some people continued to celebrate the New Year in the spring, and were thus referred to as “April fools.”

• Another theory surrounding April Fools’ Day origins involves the ancient Roman festival of Hilaria. This festival involved masquerades and jesting to celebrate the rebirth of the god Attis.

• The French call April Fools’ Day “Poisson d’ Avril,” which translates to “April Fish.” It’s customary to place a paper fish on a person’s back without them noticing.

• In some countries, such as Australia, Canada and parts of the United Kingdom, April Fools’ Day pranks must be completed by noon; if not, the prankster becomes the fool. Those in the United States, Germany and Japan engage in pranks the entire day. In Scotland, the fun stretches into April 2, which is known as “Taily Day,” and involve pranks exclusive to the posterior region of the body.

• April Fools’ Day gradually spread around the world due to European influence and colonization during the eighteenth century.

• April Fools’ Day is an opportunity for people to embrace their creative side. Even the media and businesses

sometimes get in on the action. Fake stories and sneaky endeavors can create wild tales that spread. In 1957, the BBC broadcast a story about a spaghetti harvest that took place in Switzerland. In 1974, a local logger named Oliver Bickar created a hoax where he made it seem the dormant volcano Mount Edgecumbe in Alaska was about to erupt. He deposited 70 tires into the volcano by helicopter and lit them on fire. Another prank insinuated that Taco Bell purchased the Liberty Bell and renamed it the “Taco Liberty Bell.”

• Google often engages in April Fools’ Day jokes. The company has fooled people with everything from a search engine for smells to “Google Tulip,” which ostensibly enabled users to communicate with plants.

• The famous comic strip “Peanuts” actually featured a character named April Fool, who would play pranks on his friends.

April Fools’ Day is an entertaining opportunity to get one over on an unsuspecting person. However, it’s important to prank responsibly and avoid jokes that can cause panic or emergency situations.

Local Realtor® Laura R. Bellini Recognized for Excellence in Real Estate

Laura R. Bellini, a trusted real estate expert serving the Butler/Kinnelon area since 2002, has once again been honored for her outstanding achievements. Bellini's dedication to her clients and her impressive track record have earned her recognition as the top agent at Coldwell Banker Realty Butler/Kinnelon Regional Office for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Betsey Cavagnaro, branch vice-president/broker manager, praised Bellini's professionalism and commitment to putting her clients first, making her a standout in the industry. Bellini's hard work and dedication have also placed her among the top 4% of Coldwell Banker agents worldwide, a significant achievement in the real estate community.

Bellini's commitment to excellence has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the NJ REALTORS® Circle of Excellence Award for 2004-2005, and 2012- 2024 and the Coldwell Banker President's Circle Award 2023, and 2024. Additionally, she was the top selling agent from her office in Pequannock Township, Pompton Lakes, and Lincoln Park in 2024, highlighting her success in the local market.

"I'm honored to be recognized for my work in real estate," said Bellini. "Helping my clients achieve their goals is what drives me, and I'm grateful for their trust in me."

Bellini worked in the mortgage industry for several years, giving her real estate clients an edge when securing funding for a home purchase. Her real estate career has spanned 23 years, serving home buyers and sellers in her

hometown of Pompton Plains, in Pequannock, and in surrounding communities in Morris, Passaic and Bergen counties. Bellini has developed contacts with many professionals, including decorators, stagers, painters, plumbers and more to ensure her clients earn top dollar with zero stress. For those looking for expert guidance in buying or selling real estate in the North Jersey area, Laura R. Bellini is a name you can trust. For more information about Bellini and her services, please contact her directly at 973-650-2357.

About Coldwell Banker Realty in New Jersey and

Rockland

County, N.Y. and Greater Philadelphia

Coldwell Banker Realty in New Jersey, New York and Greater Philadelphia is a leading residential real estate brokerage company with approximately 6,900 affiliated sales associates and 70 office locations. The organization serves consumers in New Jersey, Rockland and Westchester counties in New York, and Philadelphia and Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania.

Coldwell Banker Realty is owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Real Estate Inc. (NYSE:HOUS), the largest full-service residential real estate services company in the United States. For more information, visit ColdwellBankerHomes. com.

By Richard Mabey Jr.

God loves you more than you will ever know. No matter how tough life gets. No matter the storm winds that seem to envelop you. No matter how hopeless a situation may seem to appear. No matter how bad a medical report you’ve been given by your doctor. Please, please, please remember this eternal truth: God loves you more than you will ever know. My neighborhood friend, Brad, recently passed away. He lived two streets down from me. He had two little dogs, and it seemed that just about every time that I walked one of my clients’ dogs, he would be walking one of his dogs. Brad and I had a com -

mon bond of recollecting old landmarks of Lincoln Park and Mountain View. As if the odds were a million to one, Brad had once lived in Mountain View, for many years. In many ways, it would always feel as though Brad was one of my close cousins.

Not far from my home, there is this little park. It’s a cozy little park. There’s a horseshoe set up, Bocce ball court, and a shuffleboard court. There’s a good six or seven park benches scattered about this little park. One bench in particular sets just below a tall, towering Live Oak that provides welcomed shade from the hot, Florida sun. Brad and I used to let the pups run free and talk about life in general.

God Loves You More Than You Will Ever Know

It was about three years ago, sitting on that shady park bench, that Brad broke the news to me that he was diagnosed with cancer. At the time, I had no idea that I had Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. At the time, my Cardiologist was convinced that I suffered from the beginning stages of A-Fib. Brad told me that he recently broke the bad news to his wife.

Brad was a deeply religious man. At the time, during our heart to heart conversations, Brad told me that he wasn’t afraid to die. Brad told me that he knew God loved him. That death was nothing to fear. That it was simply like walking from your living room into your bedroom.

cont. on page 5

Yours truly with Pepper, one of the many dogs I once cared for and took for walks.

cont. from page 4

It was just that simple. Brad would often say to me, “God loves you more than you will ever know.”

Yesterday, I walked the short distance to my little neighborhood park. I sat in the shaded park bench, where Brad and I would watch our dogs run and play. Brad is gone now, at least from this physical plane. And, I don’t take care of dogs any more. I just got too easily winded, taking the pups for walks.

Brad’s insightful words gently echo into my heart, mind and soul, that God loved me more than I would ever know. And, it’s true. It’s very, very true. God loves you more than you will ever know.

In the last couple of months, I’ve had moments where I just wanted to quit everything. To give up writing. To just give up and watch Gunsmoke and Bonanza all day long. But something would stir, deep in the chambers of my heart. That simple statement, God loves me more than I will ever know, would echo within me. My father would often tell me that my writing, was my ministry.

No matter how tough things may seem. No matter how hopeless your situation may seem. No matter what struggles you are enduring. You simply cannot give up. You absolutely must roll up your sleeves and continue on. Give it all you got. Focus. Let the flame of determination burn brightly in your heart, mind and soul. Never, ever surrender!

Tell yourself a hundred times, no a thousand times, “God loves me more than I will ever know.” Burn that truth into the core fibers of your heart. For it really is true, 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.

Where Music...

cont. from page 6

Joyce Noblett, a 7th grader from Pompton Plains, was among the first violin students at Play It Forward. She values music for teaching her focus, fostering creativity, and instilling a sense of pride in mastering challenging pieces. She also enjoys the camaraderie of playing with others. Her mother has witnessed many benefits of her musical journey, including perseverance, memory development, artistic expression, and confidence. Recognized for her dedication, Joyce was honored as an Outstanding String Player Student by the Morristown Performing Arts Center in February and as an Outstanding Orchestra Member in September 2024. Ms. Ruth shares, “If there’s a person I can think of for the word ‘perseverance,’ that would be Joyce. Whether it’s stage fright or a sports-related injury, she always rises above it and keeps coming back to excel.”

Play It Forward’s impact extends far beyond Pompton Plains. Students travel from various towns in New Jersey, as well as Pennsylvania and New York, often driving over an hour for lessons. The school also offers virtual lessons for students who strongly believe in the program but live too far to attend in person. Ameenia Johnson from Florida recently passed her auditions and now plays first violin in the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach. Shray Goyal from Texas earned the “Master Musician Award” from his school. Ms. Ruth says, “I have high admiration for the students and their parents from out of state because it immediately shows dedication on their part.”

Play It Forward students have also achieved success in international competitions. American Protégé International Competition 2025 prize winners include Ewan Kim, Teruna Sakyo, Ian Chen, and Gemma Chen (violins), as well as Yushin Kim (piano). First Prize Winners include Frank Jose (piano) at the Vivo International Competition 2023, Sophia Petkov (piano) at the Crescendo International Competition 2023, and Chloe Cali (violin) at the Crescendo International Competition 2025.

Chloe Cali from Pompton Plains is the youngest international competitor and first-place winner from the school at 7 years old. As a first-place winner, she had the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall in February. “My favorite part about music is you get to play nice musical pieces! It helps my mind relax. Getting to play at Carnegie was challenging, but very exciting because I won first place.” Chloe says. Her parents enjoy the creativity, discipline, dedication, structure, confidence, and sense of community that music brings to

There will be a lot of beautiful FOWA cats and kittens available for adoption! You will have a choice of a soft-sided cat carrier, cat bed, deluxe toy, or deluxe starter kit when you adopt a furry friend! Reduced adoption fees apply

In just five years, Play It Forward has created a thriving community of dedicated musicians. “This dedication often shows in their commitment, regardless if they are in their heights or lows of their musical journey, and ultimately in their progress and accomplishments,” Ms. Ruth reflects. As students continue to grow and achieve remarkable milestones, the future of Play It Forward promises to be just as inspiring as its journey so far.

Women Celebrating Women

Two businesswomen in Pequannock are making waves with their shared mission: to celebrate and elevate women in all their diverse forms and roles. They believe in fostering a supportive environment where women can thrive, both personally and professionally, and are dedicating their efforts to making a real difference in the community.

Gina Cassese is a dedicated single mother, entrepreneur, fifth-generation chef, fitness competitor, and life coach. She has lived in Pequannock for 23 years. Her partner Elaine Cannizzaro, a Lincoln Park native and mother of one, is a former healthcare executive and leadership coach with a history of helping small businesses and start-ups achieve success.

Gina is passionable about building a community that empowers women and celebrates the beauty of femininity while maintaining balance. She achieves this goal each day at Defying Gravitea. Her bakery and cafe located at 211 Newark Pompton Turnpike offers a warm environment for lasting connections where everyone can eat without restrictions with her fresh take on gluten-free and dairy-free eating.

Elaine is dedicated to creating a future where women lead in business, empowering them with the authenticity, confidence, and tools they need to succeed. She has partnered with Gina to operate The Cottage House, a home-away-from-home private event space located at 60 Newark Pompton Turnpike, to host family gatherings, corporate meetings, and community events. The philosophy of The Cottage House is providing stress-free gatherings for events women traditionally host in their homes, like baby and bridal showers, anniversaries, birthdays. All the cleaning, cooking, set up, and clean up is now done at The Cottage House and the hosts can just be present and enjoy the event, their family, and their community.

Gina and Elaine understand that women wear many hats – mothers, entrepreneurs, community leaders, caregivers, and more – and strive to create opportunities for growth and recognition in all these areas.

They just completed hosting a successful International Women’s Day event, sponsored by Defying Gravitea at The Cottage House, where local women business owners came together to provide empowering activities designed to feed the mind, body, and soul

And they are offering an opportunity to recognize and honor women in a different way on Sunday, May 11. Mother’s Day is a special occasion to honor the incredible women who have nurtured and shaped our lives. Gina and Elaine are creating an opportunity for you to appreciate your mom with a special meal, a relaxing break, and a time to express gratitude for her unwavering love, support, and sacrifices. There are several Mother’s Day options, including a set-menu brunch at The Cottage House and seatings for tea or an ala carte menu at Defying Gravitea.

Savory Pork Chili Fresh from the Slow Cooker

f you're hunting for a cool-weather warmup or just need a break from the kitchen, the slow cooker is a perfect tool to make dinner a breeze. This Barbecue Chili recipe from "Cookin' Savvy" offers a hearty meal that serves a crowd.

Visit Culinary.net to find more family-friendly dinner inspiration and step-bystep recipe videos.

Barbecue Chili

Recipe courtesy of "Cookin' Savvy" Servings: 8-10

1 pork loin (2-3 pounds)

1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies

2 cups barbecue sauce, divided

1 cup water

1 can (29 ounces) tomato sauce

2 cans (27 ounces each) chili beans

1 package chili seasoning

1 tablespoon barbecue seasoning

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon garlic powder salt, to taste pepper, to taste sour cream, for serving shredded cheddar cheese, for serving corn chips, for serving

Place pork loin in slow cooker. Cover with diced tomatoes and green chilies, 1 cup barbecue sauce and water; cook on low 4-6 hours.

Cut up cooked meat and place in Dutch oven along with juices from slow cooker. Add remaining barbecue sauce, tomato sauce, chili beans, chili seasoning, barbecue seasoning, onion powder and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook over medium heat 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with sour cream, shredded cheese and corn chips.

Tip: Add can of beans if serving bigger crowd.

Source: Culinary.net (Family Features)

If you've ever come home from a crisp, cool day craving a warm, indulgent treat, you're not alone. Trouble is, sometimes those baked goodies are a bit too much work when you're ready to just cozy up on the couch.

There's good news: Baking doesn't have to be hard when you make simple swaps and use ingredients that keep things easy. Try adding fresh produce to a boxed brownie mix in these Sweetpotato Cheesecake Brownies for an "in between" recipe that satisfies your sweet tooth without the hassle.

Plus, it offers a better-for-you twist as the sweetness from mashed sweet potatoes can replace some of the sugar needed to bake regular brownies. Sweetpotatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all of which are good for overall health in this natural sweetener.

While you're sharing this newfound favorite dessert with loved ones, you can also share this fun fact: "Sweetpotato" is deliberately spelled as one word by the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission. The sweetpotato and white potato are two distinct species representing two different plant families, and the one-word spelling helps correctly distinguish the two.

Give these better-for-you treats a try and find more delicious desserts and other creative ways to use sweetpotatoes at ncsweetpotatoes.com.

Sweetpotato Cheesecake Brownies

Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission

Servings: 16

Brownie Layer:

Floured baking spray

1 package (18.2 ounces) dark chocolate fudge brownie mix

3/4 cup mashed sweetpotato, cooled 1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup water

1 egg

Cheesecake Layer:

1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese

3/4 cup mashed sweetpotato, cooled 1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup miniature chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray 9-by-9-inch square pan with floured baking spray.

To prepare brownie layer: In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, sweetpotato, oil, water and egg until blended. Spread

batter in bottom of prepared pan.

To prepare cheesecake layer: Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add mashed sweetpotato, sugar, egg and vanilla; mix until well blended. Spread cheese mixture over brownie batter.

Bake 50-60 minutes, or until wooden pick inserted comes out almost clean. Remove from oven and cool 15 minutes. Sprinkle surface with chocolate chips. Cool completely. Remove from pan and serve.

Substitution: Use coconut sugar in place of granulated sugar. Source: North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission (Family Features)

Warmer days at the start of spring mean Easter is almost here, and the big bunny himself will be hopping around in no time delivering goodies.

This Easter, celebrate with your loved ones with a delicious and colorful Easter Bunny Butt Cake. It can bring smiles and laughter while putting everyone in a light, joyful mood.

This cake is fun and bright with a fluffy, moist interior. Complete with chocolate candy eggs, shredded coconut and chocolate chips for little bunny toes, this recipe goes all out to paint a picture of the Easter bunny.

Start by combining whole eggs, egg whites, cream of coconut, crushed pineapple, coconut extract and vanilla extract.

In a food processor, pulse flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Then add butter gradually, 6 tablespoons at a time, for a total of 12 tablespoons.

Add dry mixture to a mixing bowl then add egg mixture half at a time. Beat until cake batter is formed.

Fill muffin tins 2/3 full and bake 18-20 minutes. The remaining batter goes into an oven-safe bowl to bake for 1 hour, 40 minutes.

The buttercream frosting is made with powdered sugar, butter, milk, vanilla extract and coconut extract.

Assemble the cake using pretzel sticks to blend it together to make the bunny butt shape. Frost the cake and spread shredded coconut over it to create a textured appearance. Stick chocolate chips on the bunny’s feet to create toes. Place your favorite Easter or bunny candies around the cake for extra garnish.

This cake is worth every step. It’s delicious and as cute as can be, plus it’s perfect for dessert after a big Easter dinner.

Find more creative and scrumptious holiday recipes at Culinary.net.

Easter Bunny Butt Cake Servings: 10-12

Nonstick cooking spray

2 eggs, plus 4 egg whites, at room temperature

3/4 cup cream of coconut

1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained

2 teaspoons coconut extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups flour

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

Buttercream Frosting:

3 cups powdered sugar

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

3 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon coconut extract

4 thin pretzel sticks

1 bag (10 ounces) sweetened shredded coconut

8 drops green food coloring

2 large round chocolate candy melts

6 chocolate chips mini candy-coated chocolate eggs, for garnish

Heat oven to 325 F.

Line muffin pan with four paper liners. Spray oven-safe glass bowl with nonstick cooking spray.

In large bowl, whisk eggs, egg whites, cream of coconut, pineapple, coconut extract and vanilla extract until combined.

In food processor, pulse flour, sugar, baking powder

A Hoppy Easter Cake

and salt until combined. Add 6 tablespoons butter. Pulse until combined. Add remaining butter. Pulse until coarse meal forms.

In large mixing bowl, add coarse flour butter meal. Add half of egg mixture. Beat 1-2 minutes. Add remaining egg mixture; beat until combined.

Fill each muffin cup 2/3 full. Bake 18-20 minutes, or until done. Cool completely. Pour remaining batter into prepared oven-safe bowl. Bake 1 hour, 40 minutes, or until done. Cool completely.

To make buttercream frosting: In large bowl, add powdered sugar and butter; beat until fluffy. Add milk, vanilla extract and coconut extract; beat until creamy. Turn bowl upside-down on cake stand until cake removes from bowl. If cake needs leveled, turn cake over and trim to flatten. Frost cake.

Remove wrappers from cupcakes. Using two pretzel sticks, press into base of cupcakes and anchor to bottom rim of bowl cake to create bunny feet. Frost feet. Take third cupcake and cut muffin top off. Cut muffin top in half. Using one pretzel stick, anchor one muffin top half at bottom of full cupcake to form toes. Repeat with second muffin top half for other foot. Frost toes.

Attach final cupcake with remaining pretzel stick to butt area of cake to make tail. Frost tail. Apply 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut all over cake. Press chocolate candy melts into bottoms of bunny feet to resemble foot pads. Add chocolate chips to resemble pads for toes.

Place remaining coconut in plastic bag. Add green

food coloring. Toss in bag until coconut is colored. Spread around base of cake for grass. Decorate grass with chocolate eggs.

Tips: Spoon flour into dry measuring cup and level off excess. Scooping directly from bag compacts flour, resulting in dry baked goods. Add 1 tablespoon additional milk if frosting is too stiff. Keep adding until desired consistency.

(Culinary.net)

CENTURY 21 Crest Real Estate

February 18, 2025 -- CENTURY 21® Crest Real Estate is pleased to announce that eight of its agents have achieved the NJ Realtors® 2024 Circle of Excellence Award®. These awards recognize the top producing agents in New Jersey. To earn the award, recipients must achieve designated sales levels and be in good standing.

NJ Realtors® Circle of Excellence® Award (COE) Platinum Level achievers ($20 million and 30 units minimum or 125 units sold) are:

Danielle Fiorina: For 2024, Danielle has achieved the NJR Circle of Excellence® Platinum Level Award, CENTURY 21® CENTURION® Award, and President’s Producer Award. In addition, Danielle has been a Quality Service Pinnacle Producer Award recipient for 13 consecutive years, 2012-2024. She has received the NJ REALTORS® Circle of Excellence® Award 2006-2024. She is a member of the CENTURION® Honor Society and the NJ REALTORS® Distinguished Sales Club. Fiorina is consistently honored for her Sales achievements, and also has been named CENTURY 21® Crest Real Estate’s Agent of the Year for 2024.

NJ Realtors® Circle of Excellence® Award (COE) Silver Level achievers ($6.5 million and 20 units minimum or 70 units sold) are:

Colleen A. McMahon: Colleen has been awarded the NJR® Circle of Excellence® Award over 26 times during her 31-year career at CENTURY 21® Crest Real Estate. Colleen’s 2024 achievements include NJR® Circle of Excellence® Silver Level Award, CENTURY 21® Masters Emerald Award and the Quality Service Pinnacle Producer Award for commitment to Quality Service and Productivity. She is a member of the CENTURION® HONOR SOCIETY and NJ REALTORS® Distinguished Sales Club. McMahon has been named CENTURY 21® Crest Real Estate’s #2 Agent of the Year for 2024.

Tere Episale: Tere has achieved the 2024 Bronze Level Circle of Excellence® Award for New Jersey Realtors® and is celebrating 37 years with CENTURY 21® Crest Real Estate. She has been awarded the Circle of Excellence® Award 36 times since 1987 and has been named a NJR® Distinguished Sales Club “Lifetime” Award winner. Episale has also been awarded the CENTURY 21® Masters Ruby Award for 2024, and has achieved many Master Level and CENTURY 21® CENTURION® awards throughout her career.

Bronze Level COE recognition ($2.5 million and 15 units minimum or 30 units sold) was awarded to:

Regina “Gina” Petry: For 2024, Gina has achieved the Bronze Level Circle of Excellence® Award for New Jersey Realtors®. An agent with CENTURY 21® Crest Real Estate for 16 years, Gina is honored yearly for her commitment and dedication to her clients and her productivity.

Marie Episale: Broker/Sales Manager Marie Episale has been awarded NJ Realtors® Circle of Excellence® Awards since 1989 and has been named a NJR® Distinguished Sales Club Award winner. She has received CENTURY 21® Quality Service Pinnacle Producer, Presidents Award and CENTURION® Award many times over the course of her career at CENTURY 21® Crest Real Estate.

Thomas Maggio: For 2024, Tom has achieved the Bronze Level Circle of Excellence® Award for New Jersey Realtors®. Since joining the CENTURY 21® Crest Real Estate family in 1998, Tom has worked diligently in honing his craft as a Rental Specialist. He loves working hard for each and every client, and is eager to always go the extra mile.

John Tierney: Besides multiple Circle of Excellence® and Customer Service Awards over his ten-year association with Century 21® Crest Real Estate, John has achieved many NAR Designations and Certifications. As a Military Relocation Specialist, Pricing Strategy Advisor, Certified Real Estate Probation Specialist, Accredited Buyers Representative, Seller Representative Specialist, Senior Real Estate Specialist, and Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource, John can assist you in any real estate situation.

Nicole Ruggiero: Broker/Sales Associate Nicole Ruggiero has achieved the Bronze Level Circle of Excellence® Sales Award for 2024. In addition, she has received the CENTURY 21® designation of Quality Service Producer. Nicole utilizes her expertise as a Luxury Specialist with a very hands-on approach, ensuring her clients needs and expectations are always exceeded.

"At CENTURY 21® Crest Real Estate, we are pleased to commend our agents who were

named NJ Realtors® 2024 Circle of Excellence Award® winners. I am so very proud of my agents not only for their production, but most of all, for their dedication to superior customer service,” says said Patricia R. Wojtyszyn, CENTURY 21® Crest Real Estate Broker/ Owner, adding, “I applaud their efforts in 2024, and look forward to helping them achieve their sales goals in 2025.”

Servicing the Northern New Jersey area since 1981, CENTURY 21® Crest Real Estate, Inc. enjoys a fine reputation specializing in residential, commercial and rental properties. CENTURY 21® Crest Real Estate, Inc. is an award-winning, full service real estate agency located at 142 Professional Center on Route 23 North in Pompton Plains. Members of CENTURY 21® Crest Real Estate's award-winning sales team can be reached at (973) 686-1500.

About CENTURY 21® Crest Real Estate

Experience matters, in business for 44 years.

CENTURY 21® Crest Real Estate is an independently owned and operated franchise affiliate of Century 21® Real Estate LLC (century21.com), franchisor of the iconic CENTURY 21® brand. Century 21® Real Estate LLC is comprised of approximately 14,000 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices in 85 countries and territories worldwide with about 150,000 independent sales professionals. Century 21® Real Estate has numerous websites to help answer specific consumer needs. They are century21.com, commercial.century21.com, century21global.com, century21.com/finehomes, and century21espanol.com.

©2025 Century 21® Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. CENTURY 21®, the CENTURY 21® Logo and C21® are registered service marks owned by Century 21® Real Estate LLC. Century 21® Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated.

(Grassroots Newswire)

Danielle Fiorina Ranks 8th in New Jersey & Top .5% Nationwide for Century 21 in 2024

Patricia Wojtyszyn, broker/owner of CENTURY 21 Crest Real Estate, Inc., proudly announces that Danielle Fiorina, sales associate with CENTURY 21 Crest Real Estate, Inc., has been recognized for her outstanding sales production and commitment to quality service. CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC recently honored Danielle with the prestigious CENTURION® Award for surpassing $425,000 in gross commission sales within the calendar year.

Danielle has consistently demonstrated excellence, achieving the CENTURION® Award for 10 years and the DOUBLE CENTURION® Award in 2020 and 2021, with commissions exceeding $500,000 and $650,000, respectively. Her impressive track record places her 8th among all CENTURY 21 agents in New Jersey and in the top 0.5% nationwide.

A dedicated professional, Danielle has earned the NJ REALTOR® Circle of Excellence Sales Award for 19 consecutive years and is a proud member of the CENTURION® HONOR SOCIETY. In 2024, she received the CENTURY 21® President’s Producer Award for the 11th year, as well as the Quality Service Pinnacle Producer Award. Additionally, she was named Top Office Producer for 2024, marking her 11th year as the office’s top-producing agent since 2010.

"We are thrilled to recognize Danielle’s work for this momentous achievement," says Mike Miedler, president

and CEO of Century 21 Real Estate LLC. "This is an outstanding honor, as only a small percentage of affiliated agents nationwide receive this level of recognition."

Danielle has been a leading real estate professional since 2006, consistently providing her clients with personalized, one-on-one service from start to finish. With a background as a former business owner and accountant/ controller, she brings sharp financial expertise, innovative marketing strategies, and a client-first approach to every transaction.

"My clients always come first. Understanding their personal goals and needs is the heart of my business, and I believe that trust and communication are the foundation of a successful client-realtor relationship. I am truly honored to receive this recognition and grateful to my clients for their trust in me," says Fiorina.

"Danielle is a true professional who brings exceptional market knowledge, business acumen, and dedication to her clients every day. We are proud to have her on our team," adds Patricia Wojtyszyn, Broker/Owner of CENTURY 21 Crest Real Estate.

Make the right choice—work with a proven expert. Call Danielle Fiorina today at 973-460-4352 for all your real estate needs.

Barbara Pagella Achieves Top Honors for 2024 at Coldwell Banker Realty Kinnelon/Butler Office

Coldwell Banker Realty is proud to announce that Barbara Pagella, a perennial top agent, has been recognized as the No. 1 sales associate at the company’s Kinnelon/Butler office for 2024. Pagella achieved this distinction based on her outstanding performance in adjusted gross commission income and total units sold. Her exceptional achievements have also earned her the prestigious Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle Award, placing her among the top 4% of 96,000 Coldwell Banker agents worldwide. Additionally, Pagella was honored with the NJ Realtors Circle of Excellence Sales Award at the Gold Level for 2024.

Betsey Cavagnaro, branch manager of the Coldwell Banker Realty Kinnelon/Butler office, congratulated Pagella on her remarkable year, stating, “Barbara’s dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to her clients have set a new standard for excellence in our office. Her accomplishments in 2024 are truly outstanding, and we are incredibly proud to have her as part of our team.”

Pagella's extensive experience spans luxury real estate, property management, new construction, development, and renovation projects, positioning her as a trusted expert for homeowners and investors alike. Pagella has earned the A-REO, Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), e-PRO marketing professional, Million Dollar Guild (MDG), Real Estate Owned Specialist (REOS), and Short Sales Foreclosure Resource (SFR) designations. She is a Certified Luxury

Home Marketing Specialist™ (CLHMS™), having completed specialized training in serving affluent clients as well as demonstrating great success in the upper-tier real estate market.

"Luxury real estate requires an elevated approach, and my commitment is to deliver unparalleled expertise and results for all my clients," said Pagella. She is a Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Property Specialist, an exclusive group within the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury® program that makes up approximately 10% of independent sales associates affiliated with the brand worldwide. Luxury Property Specialists have been certified through one of real estate’s most rigorous luxury training programs to ensure that they consistently deliver extraordinary representation no matter where their clients are in the world. Coldwell Banker affiliated agents conducted 42,638 transaction sides of homes priced at $1 million or more in 2024. This equates to $240 million in daily luxury sales with an average sales price of $1.95 million in this category.

For more information about the local real estate market or to work with Barbara Pagella, call (973) 418-3516 or email bpagellarealtor@gmail.com.

About Coldwell Banker Realty

Coldwell Banker Realty in New Jersey and Rockland County, New York is a leading residential real estate brokerage company with approximately 6,900 affiliated sales associates and 70 office locations. Coldwell Banker Realty is owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Real Estate Inc. (NYSE:HOUS), the largest full-service residential real estate services company in the United States. For more information, visit ColdwellBankerHomes.com.

ayor John Driesse cut the Ribbon today for the above new business. The Owners are Andrew & Joanne Marino. They are located at 679 Route 23S Pompton Plains. The Store carries various Bird Supplies perfect for the Backyard Birding hobbyist.

By Richard Mabey Jr.

SBeloved and precious creatures, I have known and loved: Remembering Little Snowball

ometimes, it’s hard for me to believe that it was only about a year and half that I had a rather successful dog walking business, in my neighborhood. Altogether, I had about 20 clients. When I was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, back in December of 2023, my Cardiologist highly recommended that I give up my little business. On busy days, I was walking a good five or six miles a day, taking the little pups for their walks.

Lately, I find myself thinking, more and more, about the dogs who have touched my heart and life. Sadly, some have passed away. Some of their mommies and daddies have moved away, and I know I will never see those little dogs ever again. During my morning devotional time, after I’ve read a few pages of the Holy Bible, I pray for the dogs to whom I looked upon as friends.

And lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about Little Snowball. She was a little pupper, all white in color. A most happy dog. A bit high strung, but for some reason, she would calm down whenever I would take care of her.

Little Snowball’s daddy and mommy were Ted and Jean. They were both in their early eighties. They lived on the next street over from me. They would frequently drive out to a little town in North Carolina to visit with their daughter and son-in-law, for about a week at a time. They were very kind people and I would stay at their home and take care of

A

happy moment with Little Snowball and yours truly.

Little Snowball, while they were away. I think that Ted had a very good pension, because they would always pay me very well for my time of taking care of Little Snowball. In June of 2023, Ted went Home to be with the Lord. He had, had a heart attack. It was only a few days after Ted passed away that Jean’s daughter helped her mother pack up her stuff. They had a big garage sale. I bought one of Ted’s books, Ernest Hemingway’s first novel, “The Sun Also

Rises.” I cherish it.

Right after they had their big garage sale, Jean put the house up for sale and moved to North Carolina to live with her daughter. It was very, very sad to say goodbye to Little Snowball. For I knew, in my heart of hearts, I would never see that adorable little puppy ever again. Sometimes life just isn’t fair.

About a week after Jean moved away, I received an email from her. She told me that she and Little Snowball were doing well. And, that they had plans to visit Mount Airy, the real Mayberry. I had often talked about the real Mayberry with Ted and Jean. They had never visited there at all. I wrote Jean back and told her that I was happy that she and Little Snowball were happy in North Carolina. I made a little joke to Jean that she needed to be careful driving in North Carolina, that there was a nervous Deputy Sheriff (namely Barney Fife) there that had given his own mother a speeding ticket.

Sadly, I never heard from Jean again. I was going to write her again, but thought that it was best not to push on the door.

The old adage, when one door closes, another one opens, is all so very true. I now am focused on educating as many people as I can possibly reach, about the detailed intricacies of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Just last week,

Must-have features in your bathroom remodel

Veteran homeowners recognize the value of remodeling their kitchens and bathrooms. Kitchens and baths tend to appear dated more quickly than other spaces, such as living rooms and bedrooms, which can always be revamped with some fresh paint and new furnishings.

The home improvement pricing resource Home Guide indicates an average bathroom remodel costs anywhere from $5,500 to $15,000 depending on the size and scope of the renovation. However, a bath redo can increase a home’s resale value and can return as much as 68 percent of homeowners’ investments. As homeowners plan their bathroom renovations, it’s a good time to consider improvements that will improve function and add design appeal for years to come.

• Floating vanity: Add an airy feeling to the room by creating space between the vanity and the floor. A floating vanity can be a counter with a vessel sink or even have cabinets, as long as the vanity doesn’t extend to the floor.

• Freestanding traditional sink or tub: There’s something elegant about a freestanding tub or pedestal sink. Such features can lend a classic vibe to a space. However, freestanding fixtures also come in modern or eclectic forms, so there are options for any design style.

• Frameless showers: Switch to a walk-in shower option, which improves aesthetics and makes it easier to “age in place” in a home. Pair that frameless shower with

clear glass shower doors so sightline in the space remains unencumbered.

• Natural textures: Create a calm and serene sanctuary in the bathroom with light, natural hues and materials. Nature-inspired colors on tiles, walls and vanities can add to the spa vibe.

• Dual sinks and vanities: With a double vanity, two people can share the space and easily use the bathroom

without getting in each other’s way. One vanity with two sinks works, but homeowners can create even more personal space by dividing vanities and mirrors.

• Small textured tile on shower floors: Small textures are appealing and add safety. The added texture and grouting will keep feet from slipping on wet floors. Also, opt for mold-resistant grout to make cleanup even easier.

• Special shower heads: Invest in shower heads that can run the gamut from creating steam showers to rainfall effects. Some showers will have multiple shower jets to offer an invigorating experience.

• Improve drainage: Increase the diameter of the drain pipe in the bathroom from the standard to a two-inch drain pipe. This will reduce the risk of clogs and overflow leaks.

• Install a window: Natural light and air flow can reduce the risk for mold and mildew growth, and windows add some aesthetic appeal to a space. Just be sure to choose frosted privacy glass.

Additional considerations for a bath remodel include heated floors, well-placed and attractive storage options and a toilet enclosure (water closet) for added privacy. These and other bathroom renovation ideas can add value and improve the appeal of the room.

Diamonds By Dawn Llc Attends the 2025 Premier Jewelers Winter Buying Show

Winter designs were dazzling at this year’s RJO Winter Buying Show in Phoenix, AZ, February 21-24.

Attendees enjoyed browsing the showroom floor for new products, professional development in seminar sessions and connecting with peers over the latest trends. Dawn And Anthony Kessaris attended the exclusive show to bring learnings and new products back for customers.

“The RJO Buying Show is a fantastic opportunity to connect with industry members to share designs, concepts, and trends,” said Dawn. “The show allows us to share our passion for fine jewelry while gaining inspiration to bring back to our customers.”

While at the show, independent jewelers have the opportunity to purchase jewelry at pre-negotiated prices.

Purchasing at these prices allows independent jewelers to compete with larger, national retailers across the country, passing those savings onto consumers.

“The winter buying show is a bright spot in the season for jewelers,” said Dawn. “We bring new ideas, beautiful items and savings back to our stores. It’s an energizing break from the day-to-day to come back with fresh items and ideas to better serve our customers.”

Beyond connecting with peers and browsing products, seminar sessions are offered throughout the buying show for professional development on topics including digital marketing, leadership strategies, bridal markets and more.

“The seminar's offerings are unique, engaging and informational,” said Dawn. “We left the show with a list of practices and ideas we can implement in our own stores. Gaining fresh perspective is sometimes exactly what we need to continue to evolve our business.”

For more information about Diamonds By Dawn LLC or to view some of their new

purchases, visit them at 69 Hamburg Tpk Riverdale NJ 07457 or online at www.dia

mondsbydawn.com

Dawn And Anthony Kessaris at the 2025 Retail Jewelers Organization (RJO) Winter Buying Show in Phoenix, AZ.

Unique Easter Traditions from Around the Globe

Easter Sunday is a significant day on the Christian calendar. Easter Sunday will be celebrated on March 31, 2024, and many of those celebrations will feature some notable traditions. Some traditions are undoubtedly familiar to practicing Christians, while others might come as a surprise. As Easter approaches, faithful Christians and others intrigued by the holiday can consider these notable traditions from around the globe.

Easter witches

Witches are typically associated with Halloween, but they play a role in celebrating Easter in Finland. According to the Finland Promotion Board, Easter traditions in the northern European nation feature a mixture of religious references with customs related to the arrival of spring. It’s not unheard of for young Finnish children, particularly girls, to dress up as Easter witches the Sunday before Easter and go from door to door requesting treats in exchange for offerings designed to drive away evil spirits. The FPB notes that it’s even common for children in western Finland to don their witch outfits and roam on Easter Sunday.

Fireworks in Florence

The folk tradition of Scoppio del Carro (“Explosion of the Cart”) takes place in Florence, Italy. The Uffizi Gallery reports that this tradition can be traced to the First Crusade in 1099. During the first Easter in Jerusalem, Crusaders gave the blessed fire to the people as a symbol of purification. That custom has endured in Florence, where each Easter Sunday morning around 10 a.m. a candle is lit in the church of Santi Apostoli. That same candle is then used to light an antique cart loaded with fireworks, marking the beginning of a display that lasts around 20 minutes.

The Carpets of Semana Santa Carpets might not be the first thing most Easter celebrants think of when pondering the holiday, but that might be the case for anyone who’s ever spent the holiday in Antigua, Guatemala. Guatemala’s Semana Santa (“Easter Festival”) features detailed carpets of colored sawdust adorning a Good Friday processional route. Preparation for the colorful and

display begins months in advance as the intricate

produce.

Whips in the Czech Republic

Among the more unique Easter traditions takes place each Easter Monday in the Czech Republic. In adherence to this tradition, known locally as pomlázka, boys, and sometimes men, gather willow branches and braid them together into whips. The whips are then decorated with ribbons before boys visit girls (or men visit women) who they know and lightly tap them with the whips. The tradition is believed to bring women luck, vitality and fertility.

These are just some of the unique traditions many Christians adhere to as part of their Easter celebrations.

stunning

carpets require ample time to

JACK supports President Trump

JACK CIATTARELLI has a commonsense plan to fix New Jersey.

CUT TAXES AND SPENDING Make our state more affordable by capping property taxes and reducing the size and cost of government in Trenton.

STOP OVERDEVELOPMENT

Repeal low-income housing mandates that are overdeveloping and overburdening our suburban towns and schools.

FIGHT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION End Phil Murphy’s Sanctuary State for illegal immigrants and ban any New Jersey town from being a Sanctuary City.

KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE

Appoint a law-and-order Attorney General who restores parental rights and takes the handcuffs off our police so they can keep us safe.

By Steve Sears

FNJStarz

NJ Starz: George Alpert Hometown: Livingston

or 1981 Livingston High School graduate, George Alpert, athletic success abounded.

Alpert, 61, who was born in East Orange but grew up in Livingston, played on successful Livingston Lancer football and baseball teams in his high school career, and he was even drafted by the then Cleveland Indians (now known as the Guardians) of Major League Baseball.

However, for him there was something more important than touchdown catches, successful jump shots (yes, he played basketball as well), and a high batting average and significant centerfield play.

It was more about guys like Stan Yagiello, Greg Wickner, Mike Braun, and many more - his Livingston teammates and friends.

Great players on great teams, but also, as Alpert said, “Great guys.”

Alpert, who attended first Burnet Hills Elementary School and Heritage Middle School prior to Livingston High School, was raised by his parents, George and Joan, and he has a younger brother, Jack, a 1983 Livingston High School graduate who played both football and basketball. And for Alpert, a guy who excelled so much at both football and baseball, basketball was his first love.

He said, “We played basketball all the time,” referring to both his school and Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) schedules. “We had so many games, and it was just a lot of fun and competitive. To play basketball, you’ve got to be tough, athletic, and physical. It is a great game.”

Alpert lauded all of his coaches who spent time supporting and teaching him during his younger years, but it was his connection early on with Yagiello which translated to every sport both played.

Alpert said, “Both of us were so committed. He was the quarterback in football, I was the receiver; and in basketball, he was the point guard, and I was the shooting guard. Either sport, he was always passing to me.”

Alpert’s basketball playing days and chance at a 1,000-point milestone as a Lancer were cut short by a broken ankle (although he was recruited by Bill Raftery and the Seton Hall Pirates), but his legendary gridiron and diamond career are part of Lancer lore.

“Tony Hope, he was the guy,” Alpert said of the longtime Livingston Lancer coach. “He said, ‘We’ve got to get you on the football field.’ I remember coming out to practice for football. The first scrimmage game we played, Stan (Yagiello) and I just kept connecting on every play. It was just one after another after another.”

In the fall of 1979, the Al Jacobson-led Lancers finished 9 –2, losing in the state playoffs to powerhouse Union in the finals at Giants Stadium.

Alpert said, “We were fortunate that we had a coach, Mr. Jacobson, that saw talent obviously in Stan and me.”

And that connection also led the Lancers to operate on offense differently than most teams that magical fall season. “Nobody threw the ball; everybody was run, run, run, run, run. So, we (the Lancers) said, ‘You know, we’ve got an amazing quarterback, and we’ve got a receiver,’ and so we were throwing the ball. It was so much fun. It was just constant passing, which was what I loved.”

Alpert that season was on the receiving end of 52 passes for 789 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Lancers’ schedule culminated in two huge, North II Group IV playoff games at Giants Stadium against the Westfield Blue Devils and the Union Farmers.

Alpert recalled, “Everybody thought Westfield was going to come out and kill us. The first play the game, Stan and I connected for a 50-yard play, and we beat Westfield (38 – 20). And then we played Union - I think they were ranked #1 and we were #2, maybe, in the state.”

Union had a game plan: limit Alpert’s production by double teaming him, with New Jersey all-stater and future Northwestern star, Mark Ignatowicz, shadowing him.

“Union did a great job defending us,” Alpert said. “They double teamed or triple teamed me every time I split out.”

Alpert and Livingston would suffer a 35 – 14 defeat, but in the spring, he would be a significant contributor to head coach Bill Lampeter’s Lancer varsity baseball squad. The team, ranked as one of the best in the nation with Alpert patrolling centerfield, finished 28 – 2 –1. They won every title that season: the Iron Hills conference, the Greater Newark tournament, and the Group IV Section II and Group IV championships.

Alpert, who hit .383 that season, said, “You'll never take away that championship, and never take away the group of guys that were part of that team.”

For Alpert, a hamstring injury against the West Essex Knights marred his senior season as the 1980 football team would go 6 – 3, and the 1981 baseball team would again win the Iron Hills Conference but lose in the state playoffs.

For his efforts, Alpert was named in both sports to the New Jersey All-State squads as a junior and senior.

Alpert was visited by many named college coaches while at Livingston, including Penn State head football coach, Joe Paterno. However, the University of Miami was the only school that was going to let him play two sports. He signed a letter of intent with the Florida school to compete in both football for Howard Schnellenberger and baseball for Ron Fraser, while the Nittany Lions left the door open should he ever wish to play football in University Park, Pennsylvania.

But he never went to Miami. After being drafted #13 in the first round of the 1981 MBL draft, Alpert instead headed to upstate New York to play minor league baseball for the Batavia Trojans, a Class A New York-Penn League affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.

Alpert recalled, “I was a first-round pick, a young 17-year-old kid, and had never been away – it was an adjustment.” After a season in Batavia, he spent 1982 and 1983 with Waterloo of the Midwest League, and in his three minor league seasons had 10 homeruns, 132 hits, and 59 runs batted in.

But in the back of his mind, he recalled the Penn State opportunity for a collegiate football career, so to Happy Valley he went.

“Things were going well,” Alpert said, until an ACL injury ended his football career. “Obviously, injuries are unfortunately part of sports. That was a crippling injury. And there is nothing worse than being injured. You cannot play with the team when you are on the sidelines. There is nothing more frustrating than that.”

However, for Alpert, who graduated from Penn State as a business major, the professional baseball experience was a joy, as was his time as a Nittany Lion. He said, “Penn State – it was like I was a professional athlete, playing before 80,000 people back then. There are regrets, but you move on with your life, and you apply everything that you learned to business world.”

And he did apply what he specifically learned in college to the business world. Alpert nowadays is the owner of two car washes, Caldwell Car Wash in Caldwell and Union Car Wash in Union (http://caldwellcarwash.com/)

Alpert and his wife, Lori - who is the Creative Director and Co-owner of a global fashion modeling agency called IconicFocus (https://iconicfocus.com/) - were married in 1994, and they are parents of a daughter, Samantha, and a son, Lucas

George Alpert catches a pass against the West Essex Knights in 1979 (credit: Livingston High School 1980 yearbook)

Beloved...

cont. from page 25

my General Practitioner complimented me that she thought I probably knew more about HCM than most Primary Physicians know. I told her that I read and study, the latest cutting edge trials of HCM, anywhere from an hour to three hours a day. HCM is the single most difficult heart disease to diagnose. It is a silent killer.

Hold dear to your Divine Purpose. Be true to the calling that God has placed in your heart. Falter not. Be not distracted by the nay slayers. Hold a love for all living things, deep within the chambers of your heart. Never abandon your dreams. Never give up! Never, ever surrender! For with God, all things are possible.

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.

Chester Lioness Club Hosting Spiritual Medium at Special Event

Catherine McCall, a spiritual medium, is being hosted by the Chester Lioness Lions Club at a special event on Sunday, April 27, 2025.

With many years of experience and her intuitiveness, McCall bridges the physical and spiritual realms offering comfort, healing, and closure to those seeking answers or reassurance about loved ones who have passed on. Her compassionate readings provide insights into personal journeys, relationships, and messages from the other side, making this event a transformative experience for all who attend.

The event will be hosted at the Colonial Prospect Hall at 370 Main Street, Chester, New Jersey, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, with doors

opening at 12:00 pm. A light lunch will be served. Tickets for the event are $45 and can be purchased on the club’s website, chesterlioness.org, or via their Facebook page, facebook. com/chesterlionessclub.

By Henry M. Holden

New Jersey is known for growing blueberries, corn, and peaches. However, the state’s history of enslaved individuals and its role in cultivating these crops is less acknowledged. The initial arrival of enslaved individuals from Africa to New Jersey occurred in the early 1608s, facilitated by Henry Hudson, a Dutch colonist. This practice was subsequently continued by the British colonists.

The ships involved in the transatlantic slave trade docked at numerous ports along the Delaware River and at the Perth Amboy waterfront. Enslaved people were put to work on farms throughout the state, and in ports and cities.

The 1664 Concessions and Agreements promoted slavery by granting land based on the number of

New Jersey’s Roll in Abolishing Slavery

slaves and servants settlers owned. Settlers were eligible to receive up to 150 acres for each enslaved adult, allowing individuals with a significant number of enslaved people to potentially accumulate large farms.

In 1801, New Jersey had an estimated enslaved population of approximately 12,000 individuals. The state enacted the Gradual Abolition Act in 1804 to abolish slavery, but the emancipation process was gradual and never fully completed.

In 1808, the U.S. Congress passed an Act that banned the importation of enslaved people, indicating the United States’ decision to stop the practice. The U.S. ban did not end the slave trade. According to Stephen Chambers, 25 percentage (3.2 million) of enslaved Africans arrived in

the Americas after the legislation.

On January 23, 1866, New Jersey tried once more to abolish slavery through a state Constitutional Amendment signed by the governor, but it never ended slavery in the state.

Poor record-keeping of enslaved people erased their identities, depriving descendants of ancestral knowledge. Many African Americans remained enslaved until after the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation, and beyond.

More than 85 percent of the enslaved individuals brought to Cuba, totaling 759,669, and 40 percent of those brought to Brazil, totaling 2.2 million, arrived after 1807. New Jersey was significant in this practice. These enslaved individuals were transported across the Atlantic to work on Cuban sugar plantations and

agricultural enterprises in South America, not into the U.S.

New Jersey, the most densely populated state with the second highest per capita income, has a strong public school system. A 1947 constitutional change banned segregation in schools, a decade before Brown v. Board of Education, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling but without any real enforcement was doomed.

New Jersey was the last northern state to abolish slavery and had significant economic ties with the South. The state-built wealth through a trade relationship by selling leather goods, maritime equipment, and other manufactured items. The British Navy attempted but failed to stop the trade.

Linda Caldwell Epps, Ph.D., a Black historical re-

searcher, notes that many New Jersey residents are unaware of the state’s involvement in slavery. Despite growing up in New Jersey, she says, “In elementary or high school, I never learned about the enslavement of people in the state.”

New Jersey's Roll.. cont. from page 34

The U.S. heavily relied on products from enslaved Southern economies, complicating trade interception. Even after the U.S. ban, sugar and gold continued to flow north on U.S. ships, supported by illegally transported enslaved Africans. This era greatly advanced U.S. finance, market integration, and globalization. As coffee, sugar, and spices expanded European and Asian markets for U.S. businesses, slave ships played a role in this economic growth.

The enslaved communities endured immense suffering, violence, and unlawful deaths from the outset.

One of the most well-known slave revolts in American history occurred in 1831 when Nat Turner led an uprising in Southampton County, Virginia. Turner planned his rebellion after experiencing visions that he interpreted as instructions to gain freedom through force. On August 21, 1831, Turner and his accomplices killed his master’s family in their sleep.

From there, the small band of about 70 enslaved moved from house to house, eventually killing over 50 whites with clubs, knives and guns. It took a militia force to put down the rebellion, and Turner and 55 others were captured and later executed by the state.

Hysteria swept through the region in the aftermath of Turner’s revolt, and as many as 200 enslaved were eventually killed by white mobs. The rebellion also triggered a series of oppressive restrictions on enslave populations. Several states banned teaching enslaved people to read or write, citing Turner’s intelligence as a key factor in his revolt. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this prohibition unconstitutional, but discrimination persisted for decades.

Despite fighting with the North in the Civil War, slavery was widespread in New Jersey for over 200 years before that war.

During the Revolutionary War, individuals who were enslaved participated in combat for both sides. The British offered freedom to those who escaped from their enslavers and joined the fight for the Crown.

Beverly Mills discovered that her ancestor, Friday, was mentioned in minister Oliver Hart’s diary because his mother, Dinah, was enslaved by Hart.

“He was thought of as dollars and cents, not as a person,” Mills noted. Friday Truehart was listed among Oliver Hart’s possessions in his will. That document eventually gave Friday his freedom – but only after he was passed down to Oliver Hart’s son.

The resistance to enslavement through escape and flight, leading up to the end of the Civil War, relates to the efforts of enslaved African Americans to attain their freedom by escaping from bondage. Wherever slavery existed, individuals made efforts to escape. Initially, these escapes occurred in remote or rugged environments on the outside edge of settled areas and eventually extended across state and international borders. These acts of self-emancipation were historically labeled as “fugitives,” “escapees,” or “runaways.” However, upon reflection, the term “freedom seeker” more accurately describes these individuals.

While many freedom seekers started and completed their escape unaided, efforts to assist increased with each decade slavery remained legal in the United States.

After the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, the Underground

Railroad became more organized. New Jersey, known for its social justice advocates, had approximately ten stops on the network. People from various backgrounds in New Jersey participated in civil disobedience, helping freedom seekers travel to destinations like Canada, Mexico, Spanish Florida, Indian territory, the West, Caribbean islands, and Europe.

In New Jersey (and the rest of the United States) the U.S. Congress finally took permanent and decisive action by passing three Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

The Thirteenth Amendment (1865) abolished slavery in the United States after the Civil War.

The Fourteenth (1868) established a constitutional right for African American males to vote in elections and prohibited the states from depriving any person of life, liberty or property.

The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, provided equal protection under the law and granted citizenship to African Americans.

Additionally, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1875, which banned racial discrimination in the public accommodations. However, in 1883, the U.S. Supreme Court declared the Civil Rights Act of 1875 unconstitutional, stating that discrimination by individuals or private businesses did not violate the Constitution.

The 15th Amendment (1870) granted the right to vote for all male citizens and naturalized males regardless of their ethnicity or prior enslaved status.

On Eagle’s Wings Chapter 3:

The Flame Within Thy Heart, Burns Ever So Brightly

By Richard Mabey Jr.

This is the third 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.

In 1966, Lincoln Park was very much a different place than it is now. To the best of my memory, I don’t think that there was a single street light in the entire town. The town was more of a village than a suburban town. There were more farms back then. And, it seems that half of the town’s acreage was filled with forest land. And truly it seemed, everyone was related to everyone else, in some form or another.

In early September of 1966, I turned 13 and began the eighth grade at Chapel Hill School. It was a tough time for me. I had not attended school for practically all of seventh grade, being in and out of three long-term stays at the Barnert Hospital in Paterson, fighting off a full-blown case of Rheumatic Fever. So, when I began the eighth grade, I was not the strongest kid in my class. I was not the most coordinated, by any means. And, I wasn’t that good at sports.

The two things that brought great joy to my heart, were church youth group and scouts. At the baseball field of old Chapel Hill School, I was the strike-out king, but I could shine like a diamond in church youth group and scouts. And in scouts, one thing burnt brightly in my heart, the dream of becoming an Eagle Scout.

I loved reading the little Merit Badge Pamphlets. They were composed of 8½ by 11 inch paper, folded in half. Each Merit Badge Pamphlet ran between 40 to 60 pages in length. And, there were dozens upon dozens of these wonderful little booklets to read. One such Merit Badge Pamphlet struck a chord within my heart and mind. It was the Conservation of Natural Resources, Merit Badge Pamphlet.

PThe hard-earned Conservation of Natural Resources Merit Badge

I remember that it was quite a bit thicker than most of the other Merit Badge Pamphlets. If I remember right, it was more than a hundred pages long. While I was in the eighth grade, I must have read that booklet more than a dozen times. I planted a dogwood tree along Mabey Lane. I built a bird feeder and bird house and kept a daily log of the bird activities. And, I studied and studied the importance of conservation of our natural resources.

I remember that a scout had to write an essay about the importance of conserving our natural resources for this particular merit badge. I remember that Mom loaned me her pride and joy, Underwood Typewriter, so that I could type up my essay. I remember that my essay ran well over 10 pages in length. My dad bought me a plastic cover to put my essay in. I was incredibly proud of that essay.

My fellow scout, Donald Stone and I attended the classes together, for the Conservation of Natural Resources Merit Badge. It was after one of the classes, that was held at the Merit Badge Counselor’s home, that we waited for my dad to pick us up to take us home. There in the

midst of our Counselor’s driveway, we made a pledge that we both would make Eagle Scout, no matter what. We even shook hands on it, thus cementing the agreement in concrete. We both kept our vows. We both earned the coveted rank of Eagle Scout.

Now at 71, I look back at those days of innocence with great fondness. Although, a certain sadness fills my heart. It seems like I blinked my eyes and that 13 year old boy, became an old man. None of us can stop the clicking of the clock.

I now look back at how hard I worked on my Conservation of Natural Resources essay. I think that writing that essay was an important step in my growth to develop a deep love for putting words down on paper. It was an important step to my staircase journey to earning scouting’s highest rank.

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.

Passover is a celebration of freedom

assover is a Jewish celebration that begins this year at sundown on March 27 and ends on April 4. Passover typically occurs around the same time as Christian Easter. In 2021, the holidays overlap and share April 4 as the culmination of prayer for Jews and Christians.

According to the religious resource My Jewish Learning, Passover is a festival of freedom that marks the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and their freedom from slavery. The term “passover,” which is also known as “pesach,” coordinates to a key moment in religious history.

According to texts, the Egyptian Pharaoh refused to liberate the children of Israel, despite requests from Moses and his brother, Aaron. The pharaoh was warned that his people and he would be punished if the pharaoh did not comply. Persistent and obstinate in his refusal, Pharaoh was subjected to 10 plagues, each of which was more devastating than the previous one. These plagues included blood, frogs, bugs, flies, pestilence, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and finally the demise of all firstborn males. To be spared the penultimate devastation, Israelites were instructed to sacrifice a lamb for a meal and to mark their doors with its blood. The Lord would see the cont. on page37

A photo of an Underwood Typewriter, very similar to the one that Mom loaned me

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blood and pass over that household, sparing the occupants’ sons. Because Passover is so symbolic, Passover seders, which take place either on the first Friday or both the first and second Friday of Passover, feature many traditions. Some traditions may need to be modified to maintain health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is customary to read the Haggadah at the seder table, but celebrants who cannot come together may share these important stories, blessings and songs via an online video chat. In addition, if Passover celebrants cannot make it to the store or find all of the ingredients for their seder plates, substitutions may need to be made. Traditionally, an egg, bitter herbs, a shank bone, parsley, haroset (chopped mixed nuts, fruits and cinnamon), and lettuce are included. Celebrants can even experiment with making unleavened bread at home if necessary. If horseradish for a bitter herb is unavailable, any item that can cause tears, such as ginger or raw lemon, may be substituted.

Passover is an important part of Jewish history and a holiday that is celebrated each year with vigor.

Announcement of Sons of the American Legion Post 154 Kickoff Meeting on May 13

Join us Tuesday, May 13 at 7pm at VFW Post 8096, 69 Carey Avenue, Butler to learn about the enriching and rewarding experience of SAL membership. All male descendants, adopted sons, and stepsons of members of The American Legion, and male descendants of veterans who died in service during the period of April 6, 1917, through November 11, 1918, or any time from December 7, 1941, to present, who served honorably, or who died subsequent to their honorable discharge from such service, are eligible for membership in the Sons of The American Legion.

The Origins of Easter Sunday

Easter takes place on a different Sunday each year. In western Christianity, Easter follows the Gregorian calendar and is thus considered a “movable feast” that is always celebrated between March 22 and April 25. Eastern Orthodox Christianity adheres to the Julian calendar, so Easter will fall on a Sunday between April 4 and May 8 each year. In 2022, the western Christian Easter celebration occurs on April 17 and the Eastern Orthodox Easter is observed on April 24.

Easter is the most important celebration on the Christian liturgical calendar. While commemorations of Jesus Christ’s resurrection likely occurred earlier, the earliest recorded observance of an Easter celebration was in the second century, according to Britannica.

Initial Easter celebrations weren’t known as “Easter,” which is a word that was borrowed from Pagan spring celebrations of Eostre, the goddess of spring and fertility. It only became associated with Christian usage later on — long after biblical scripture was written. In fact, the word “Easter” only appears in one Bible, the King James Version. But it is likely the word was used as a translation of pascha, or Passover, and not what has come to be known as Christian Easter.

The earliest Easter celebrations were a version of Passover. According to leading sabbath scholar Professor Samuele Bacchiocchi, Christians universally kept Passover on the biblical date of Nisan until 135 A.D. Early commemorations focused on the crucifixion, and the pain and suffering of Jesus. Bacchiocchi says that eventually the resurrection emerged as the dominant reason for the celebration that would be known as Easter, and also as the main message of weekly Christian Sunday masses. By the fourth century, the Easter Vigil and celebration were well-established and a symbol of joyful anticipation of the resurrection.

Easter is now celebrated annually by faithful Christians. While Easter is not mentioned in the Bible, scripture depictions helped shape the holiday that would become an integral component of the Christian faith.

The Forge and the Development of Shongum

By Henry M. Holden

In 1715, William Penn, a Quaker benefactor received 2,500 acres of land provided from the proprietors of West Jersey which included Morris County, and the area later called Shongum.

Penn never visited the land since he was literally on his deathbed ill and living in England. At the time of his death, he left his children to develop Shongum.

The name Shongum is an Indian derivation. In 1935 historian and Indian expert, Reginald Pelham Bolden, stated that the word Shongum is a corrupted version of the words N’ashaue and Gunnuak meaning midway between or high place.

From the 1600s to the mid-1800s the construction and the operation of a forge remained standardized.

The name Forge is somewhat misleading in the sense of the word as we use it today. It is more properly called a bloomery, and the person operating it is called a bloomer.

At one time, several centuries ago Morris County and Shongum were heavily forested. As the human population increased some of the forests were stripped to make charcoal which in turn produced a heat that could be used to fashion iron products.

Waterpower, generally coming from man-made dams required to work a large bellows above the hearth to carry off the fumes and smoke. The forge was a hearth with a hood and earlier forges were made of stone or brick.

When the bloom was removed from the hearth, and while still hot, it was hammered in the early days with sledgehammers. Later a trip hammer driven by water-

power was used.

The heat of the fire was increased by the air coming from the bellows.

The bloomer stirred the hot mass using a stick of green wood which gave off more carbon monoxide as it charred. More and more of the growing iron particles came together and formed a spongy mass of iron, interlaced with veins of slag. This mass is called a bloom, and the forgers often spoke of the bloomery.

Later, power-driven rollers and squeezes were devised which would make the job faster and more evenly.

The finished product was wrought iron, and it was made from the iron from the Succasunna mine and in abundance around what would eventually be Randolph

Township. It played a important role in the development of Shongum.

Two other ingredients essential to the forge operation were waterpower and charcoal. The ore, flux, and charcoal were heated in a hearth. Oxygen, to make the mix heat more rapidly was forced into the hearth through an opening called a tuyer. This bellows was operated by power supplied from a water wheel. After a few hours the proper temperature was reached and the iron started to melt.

With the constant reheating of the bloom, (this process could go on for days) until iron had been worked into a form of a “merchant bar.” The bar was three inches wide, one and 1/2 inches thick and four or five feet long. It could be then melted, and shaped into usable articles that or sold, as is to other processors.

To remove the impurities tremendous force was needed.. This was accomplished by means of cams attached to the water wheel. They were connected to a huge log about 13 feet long. When the hammer was raised and released gravity brought it down on the anvil and bloom with approximately 500 pounds of force.

Between 1758 and 1773 Great Britain placed restrictions on the forge operators, and products made on the forges. It became illegal to process the iron bars which had to be shipped to England where they were processed and sold back to the Colonists as manufactured articles such as shovels, axes, saws, etc. This would become one of the underlying causes of the rebellion.

The Dan Brook, which had its beginning north of Mount cont. on page 40

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Forge.. cont. from page 39

Freedom, was, and is an important feature of the landscape of Shongum. It was damned to form the 24-acre pond, which was the forerunner of Shongum Lake. This pond, referred to in early deeds and maps, as Shongum Pond formed the reserve of waterpower used in the operation of the forge and also a sawmill, which was built lower down on the stream.

In earlier days, the local, Minsi Indians, use the banks of the stream for a branch of their trail, which ran from Minisink in the Delaware River to Naversink at the Jersey shore.

In 1769 an important event took place in the area. The road which is now called Shongum Lake Road and Shongum Road was completed. This first portion began at the top of the mountain in the Succasunna (Hanover Avenue) Plains in the middle of the road that leads from Morristown to Suckasunny plains . It was four rods wide (66 feet) and passed the Shongum Pond and ended at a certain apple tree in the lane on the southwest side of Robert Youngs orchard. This would place the ending where the present Openaki Road begins. The second portion began at the same apple tree and continues for 2.6, miles and ends on the road that leads from Millbrook to Skooleys Mill. Building this road allowed the mine operators easy access to the roads leading to the Succasunna mine, forge and iron markets.

On May 20, barely two months before the Declaration of Independence work began on the road from Shongum forge to Suckasunny plains which extended the road. It crossed the road leading from Mt. Freedom to Dover west of the Friends Meeting House (Center Groove Road).

Today, a visitor from two centuries ago would not recognize the Shongum he knew. The lake is surrounded by upscale housing and there are roads leading to 27 historic sites in Randolph.

The Shongum forge served from 1758, through the War for Independence, and closed in 1823, a span of 65 years. It was situated below the Shongum Lake dam. Today the site is a parking lot for the Shongum Lake Property Owners Association.