Hometown 12 January 2023

Montville’s Debut Author Creates Charming Children’s Book in Honor of Beloved Nanny

By Emily Pirrello

As the celebrated saying goes, “grandparents hold our hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever.”

Robin C. Di Leo-Banta was very close with her Great Grandmother Maria “Nanny” Mollica, she treasured her time with her great-grandmother and decided during the COVID-19 Pandemic shutdown that she wanted to create a literary legacy dedicated to her dear Nanny. Robin’s award-winning debut children’s novel, “Giuseppe, My Mischievous Goat!” is a heartwarming homage to her Nanny, Maria.

This captivating tale follows the story of an Italian grandmother, Nanny Maria, who awakes one morning to discover that her beloved goat, Giuseppe has gone missing.

“When the mischievous goat Giuseppe goes astray, his Nanny, Maria, must leave her mountaintop village to find him. On

her journey, she discovers a community of people who help her along the way.

Unbeknownst to her, little Giuseppe has all his needs met by the generous people along the way who help him until he is reunited with his Nanny.”

When asked what she hopes her readers will take away from her story, Di Leo-Banta shared, “the importance of family.”

“These memories I’d like to share with my kids, and someday with their kids, all the times she spent

teaching me skills I carried throughout my life. And of course, a warm homage to our Italian heritage.”

Like many during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Di Leo-Banta found herself reflecting on her life continued on page 4

DEMENTIA

Dementia typically occurs gradually, making it tough for family and friends to notice the signs in a loved one. One of the noticeable side effects is poor oral hygiene, which leads to plaque buildup and gingivitis.

HEART CONDITIONS

Gum disease has a potential link to heart disease, so irritated or infected gums (paired with other other heart disease risk factors) suggest that you should see a cardiologist.

DIABETES

Many symptoms accompanying diabetes actually show up in the mouth. Periodontal disease, bleeding gums, loose-feeling teeth, and other subtle signs point to the possibility of diabetes. Your dentist may recommend you see your doctor, and if you’ve already been diagnosed, these symptoms show that your blood sugar isn’t under control.

OSTEOPOROSIS

Loss of bone tissue can lead to brittleness and changes to the jaw bones, which might show as receding gums or loose teeth.

EATING DISORDERS

If you or a loved one has struggled with an eating disorder, you know how difficult it can be to seek out the care you need. Enamel erodes when exposed to stomach acids or as a result of poor nutrition, and your dentist can help you address this and find a way forward.

HEARTBURN

While heatburn is usually noticeable to the patient, nighttime acid reflux is tougher to diagnose because it occurs during sleep. Your dentist will notice erosion of enamel on the upper back morals and consider whether nighttime heartburn might be the cause.

Children’s Book...

and what she valued most in the world, her family.

“During the shutdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, I sat daily listening to the news awaiting our fate as a nation. I started thinking about my Nanny Maria and what she meant to me as a child.”

Di Leo-Banta continued to share about her own childhood with her Nanny, Maria, “I would assist her in cooking family meals as she taught me at an early age to make meatballs. I could barely reach the table and would stand atop the highest step of her rickety old stool. She seasoned by hand without measure and always cooked with love.”

During the uncertainty of the shutdown, Di Leo-Banta felt her beloved great-grandmother encourage her to write.

“She guided me on this journey, she was my voice of reason in a time of chaos. ‘I envelop you with my love’ I would hear her say in the middle of the night. What a comfort knowing how loved I was by her. ‘Write,’ she said to me…. ‘Just write.’”

Di Leo-Banta went on to share that she didn’t know where to begin or how to start but she knew she wanted to create a story to pass on the wisdom of her cherished

Nanny Maria.

“Her generosity as a human being and the time she devoted to me as a child is a standard which we all should live up to.”

As many would agree, family heritage and traditions are so very important.

Di Leo-Banta reminisced to some of her favorite childhood memories, “We’d gather every Sunday after church and eat together with our large family. I’d run to the local Italian store to pick up the fresh ricotta and Italian bread for our weekly gatherings. Now my kids’ favorite treats they request every Christmas Eve.”

While writing, Giuseppe, My Mischievous Goat!, she wasn’t quite sure where the story was headed— “As I struggled with an ending, my Nanny came to me again and said, “this story ends where yours began, in church!”

She went on to share her initial wariness about this, “I was uncertain about keeping this part in the book. I didn’t want to exclude anyone, but again, this is who I am, and my fondest memories are of those we spent as a family every Sunday after church. These memories I’d like to share with my kids, and someday with their kids.”

Di Leo-Banta valued “all the times her

Nanny Maria spent teaching her skills as a child,” and she has always “carried them throughout her life.”

Although this is Di Leo- Banta’s debut novel, she shared that she’s always enjoyed writing. “I used to write riddles or quick little poems as teaching points for my kids when they were young.” Admirably this charming children’s book has already received an Honorable Mention award from Writer’s Digest.

Don’t worry young readers! This is not the last you’ve seen of Giuseppe. Robin shared that she’s currently working on her next Giuseppe adventure, “Giuseppe Chews My Shoes”. As Di Leo-Banta playfully shared, “My Nanny taught me about wellmade shoes too.”

Giuseppe, My Mischievous Goat! is available on Amazon and online at Barnes and Noble. Don’t forget to also keep an eye out for Giuseppe’s upcoming journeys!

Dollar General Opens in Bloomingdale

On December 3rd, Bloomingdale welcomed Dollar General to the Borough. Dollar General delivers everyday low prices on items including food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares, seasonal items, paper products and much more and is located at 115 Main St.

Pictured: Mayor John D’Amato, Dollar

General’s District Manager of Operations Greg DaMonico, Store Manager Tom McClure, and Sales Associate Kim Mehringer; Council Member John Graziano, Borough Administrator Mike Sondermeyer, the Bloomingdale Economic Development Commission’s Liz Weinberg, Michelle Reynolds (not pictured), Tom Fox, Ava Weinberg, Shelby Reynolds, and Scarlett Graziano.

Pompton Lakes: Home of St. Mary’s Food Pantry

by Elsie Walker

In mid- 2022, St. Mary’s food pantry was helping 85-95 families each month. By November, it was 147 families. “It skyrocketed”, noted Ken Weinheimer of the need experienced by the pantry in Pompton Lakes. Weinheimer, of North Haledon, has been a volunteer at the pantry for five years. The pantry is located at 22R Lakeside Avenue behind St. Mary’s Catholic Church. To those in Pompton Lakes, Weinheimer noted the parking lot is the area affectionately known as the “pond hole”. Eligible “shoppers”, as those who use the pantry are referred to, can come once a month. To determine eligibility to use the pantry, people fill out a form; many people qualify due to low income. The pantry is open the third and fourth Saturdays of the month from 9:30am – 3:30pm. It is also open the Wednesday after the third Saturday from 4pm – 7pm and the Wednesday after the 4th Saturday from 4pm – 7pm. Recently, Weinheimer talked about the pantry, how it works, and the types of items it could use as it helps those struggling.

For the past 11 years of its existence, the pantry has had a type of shopping setup. People coming to the pantry are given “points” based on household size and can spend those points to get different items.

For certain things, such as egg, cheese, butter, meat, bread and dessert, people don’t need to use any points.

Thirty-five – forty people volunteer at the pantry in a variety of roles, such as drivers, stockers, shopping assistants, and more. They work to have the pantry available for those who need it. Weinheimer was proud to note that the pantry did not close during the pandemic. It had to adapt a few different times in order to help its shoppers, but it did not close. Also, Weinheimer noted that the volunteers care about their “shoppers”.

“I’ve gotten to know shoppers and develop a rapport with them. and I know for other volunteers that they feel the same way....that they’re pleased to be able to help people and families, individuals in the community, to provide assistance to them,” said Weinheimer. He added that “it’s personal”, a connection is developed with those they help.

The food available at the pantry comes from a variety of sources. St. Mary’s Food Pantry works in partnership with the Food Bank of New Jersey through its New Jersey State Food Purchase Program. It is through that program that the pantry gets 10% of what it supplies to its shoppers. As for how it gets the rest of it, Weinheimer says that “it runs the gamut”. There are financial dona-

St.

tions which go to the church specifically for the pantry; sometimes, it’s a regular thing people do and sometimes it’s in memory of someone. Other times, people leave off gift cards at the church and say it is for the food pantry. Some groups, such as boy scouts, girl scouts, schools, and the Elks, will run food drives. Some meat is donated from Stop and Shop in Franklin Lakes and Entenmann’s in South Kearny donates bread and desserts. Other benefactors include St. Mary’s Origi-

nal Seniors, CUMAC which works on behalf of the Passaic County Commissioners, St. Elizabeth Catholic Church ( Wyckoff) and St. Mary’s Shawl Ministry. Weinheimer also noted the support of the mayor and the town.

There are two other ways the pantry gets food. The pantry does run some drives itself. It will set up outside Stop and Shop or ShopRite and give fliers listing the pantry needs to people entering the store. Those continued on page 7

Mary’s food pantry finds that donations go down after the holidays and needs help to keep its selves full.

Compare our CD Rates

Compare our CD Rates

Think Spring: Register for a Women’s Golf League

Bank-issued, FDIC-insured

Compare our CD Rates

Bank-issued, FDIC-insured

Bank-issued, FDIC-insured

Call or visit your local financial advisor today.

Call or visit your local financial advisor today.

Daniel P Murray, CFP®, AAMS™

It is not too early to start thinking of spring and golf. The Pequannock Township Women’s Golf League (PTWGL) is currently accepting registrations for the 2023 Golf Season. There is no residency or county requirement. All levels, from beginner to advanced, are invited to join this friendly and fun women’s league. It’s a great way to improve your game while enjoying the camaraderie of some new friends.

Golfers play 9 holes at a course and week-

day convenient for them. It is suggested that beginners sign up for the Twin Willows course. Other courses include Sunset, Meadows and Deer Run. Registration runs until February 23 with an 18-week season beginning the end of April. If you’re not sure of a weekly commitment, sign up as a substitute. For more information, email PTWGLNJ@ gmail.com or call the Pequannock Department of Parks and Recreation.

St. Mary’s Food Pantry...

continued from page 6

Financial Advisor

Financial Advisor

Daniel P Murray, CFP®, AAMS™

Daniel P Murray, CFP®, AAMS™ Financial Advisor

88 Wanaque Ave

88 Wanaque Ave

Financial Advisor

Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442 973-248-3359

Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442 973-248-3359

88 Wanaque Ave

88 Wanaque Ave Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442

Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442 973-248-3359

depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs

depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate

investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

FDI-1867L-A © 2022 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. AECSPAD

depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

FDI-1867L-A © 2022 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

who want to help will buy items on the list and give them to the pantry when they exit the store. Also, for those who’d like to donate items, there’s a little storage shed onsite where people can drop off non-perishable food 24 hours a day. To find the shed, people can look for a red awning right up against the back of the church Weinheimer noted that while donations tend to be up around the holidays, they decrease afterwards, but the need for food is on-going, especially with the increasing numbers using the pantry. He shared the types of items that the pantry can use: Cereal, White rice 2lb bags, vegetable oil, Progresso soup, brownie and cake mixes, frosting,

canned hams, canned chicken, canned potatoes, canned mushrooms, Spam, juice packs, black beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), pasta sauce (in jars),decaf coffee (brewed), instant coffee (regular),tuna fish (canned), Rice a Roni, Pasta Roni, pudding cups, full size package of cookies, full size box crackers, shelf stable whole milk, shelf stable 2% milk, toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, paper napkins, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, dish detergent, laundry detergent, and cleaning supplies.

For more information on St. Mary’s food pantry, call 973-831-4442 (please leave a message) or email: foodpantry@stmarys-pompton.org

AECSPAD

Daniel P Murray, CFP®, AAMS™

Who Was Saint Valentine?

alentine’s Day presents an opportunity to express feelings of love. Greeting cards and heartshaped chocolate boxes are traditional gifts, as are red roses. Most people know how and why Valentine’s Day is celebrated, but few may know the person behind the holiday’s name. The Catholic Church recognizes three different martyred individuals with the name Valentine, who each may hold ties to the Valentine’s Day celebration. The name Valentine comes from the Latin “Valentinus,” which means “worthy, strong or powerful.” The name was a common moniker at the time. It is not known just how many Valentines were around in that era, but historians believe there were many. According to the Catholic Education Resource Center, the following three Valentines share February 14th as their feast days. The historical records are sparse, but here’s what is known about these men.

1. One St. Valentine was a priest and physician in Rome. He comforted the martyrs during the persecution of Emperor

Claudius II. This Valentine was arrested and condemned to death by beheading for his faith.

2. Another St. Valentine was the Bishop of what is now Terni, located 60 miles from Rome. He also was arrested and beheaded under Emperor Claudius II.

3. The third St. Valentine suffered martyrdom in Africa, but not much else is known about him.

Historians are unsure which Valentine inspired Valentine’s Day or if the day is meant to commemorate each of them. Stories about Valentine and his actions helping the faithful are used interchangeably.

According to Britannica, although the Roman Catholic Church continues to recognize St. Valentine, he was removed from the General Roman Calendar in 1969 because of the lack of reliable information about him. In addition to being the namesake behind Valentine’s Day, he is the patron saint of lovers, epileptics and beekeepers.

Taxes and Uncollectible Debt

There are few things as frustrating as not being paid what is owed to you. If it becomes clear the debt is not going to be paid, you might be able to recoup some of the lost money via a tax deduction.

The IRS has two classifications for bad debt: business and non-business, each with its own deductibility rules.

Business bad debt

In order to be considered a deductible business bad debt, the IRS states that the debt must be closely related to your trade or business. To qualify as a deduction, both of the following must be true:

The amount is or has already been included as income or as an asset

The debt is considered to be partially or completely worthless

There are many ways to determine the worthlessness of a debt, but at a minimum, you should be able to produce a summary of your collection efforts. If you determine that the debt is indeed bad debt, you can deduct it as a business expense if the aforementioned statements are true.

Non-business bad debt

All bad debt not defined as business-

related is classified as non-business. For a non-business bad debt deduction, the debt must be considered 100 percent worthless. There is no partial deduction available. In addition, you need to prove that the debt is a loan intended to be repaid and not a gift – especially if loaned to a friend or family member. The best way to prove this is with a signed agreement.

If you determine the bad debt is valid, you can report the amount as a short-term capital loss. The loss is subject to capital loss limitations and you need to submit a statement with your tax return that includes

the following: Description of the debt

Amount of the debt and when it became due

Name of the debtor

Business or family relationship between you and the debtor

Efforts you made to collect the debt

Why you decided the debt was worthless The other side of the coin

If, on the other hand, you owe someone money and they write off the debt, the tax code generally requires you to record the forgiven debt as income on your tax return.

There are cases, however, when this is not required. So if during the year you have forgiven debt, you should ask for a review of your tax situation. This is especially true if the forgiven debt is a discharge of:

A home mortgage

Student loans (especially for failed schools)

Pandemic-related debt forgiveness

While no one wants to be in a position to write off debt, it’s nice to know that you can at least benefit from a tax deduction. If you find yourself in this situation or are planning to loan funds in the future, call to set up a plan of action.

Shah & Sokoloff , CPA’s, is a year round full service CPA firm providing a wide range of Accounting and Tax services to both Small Business and Individual Clients. We are QuickBooks Certified Pro Advisors and provide new business set up, training and support. Our office is located at 166 Main St. Lincoln Park, NJ 07035. Our website is www.cpanewjersey.com and email is rps@ cpanewjersey.com. To contact us by phone please call 973-633-1001.

Surprising Facts About Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks rely on blood for food. They are the vampires of the pet realm, silently stalking companion animals wherever they go. Once fleas and ticks find a victim, they are bound to stay around for a while, enjoying the free meal.

Fleas, in particular, can grow quite fond of a cat or dog - reproducing and quickly building an infestation. Few people are enamored with fleas and ticks, but learning a little more about them can help pet owners understand their behaviors and how to best keep their pets safe.

Fleas

Fleas have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and biting adult. Most people are familiar with the adult stage because those are the most noticeable and painful. Fleas can feed on just about any blood host.

Scientists know of more than 2,000 species and subspecies of fleas. However, in North America, the cat flea (ctenocephalides felis) is responsible for the majority of cat and dog infestations.

Female fleas are typically larger than the males and are responsible for proliferating the flea brood. Females can consume up to 15 times their body weight in blood every day. This helps to fuel egg-laying, which can take place within 36 to 48 hours of the female’s first meal. In her lifetime, a female flea can lay roughly 2,000 eggs.

Fleas are wingless parasites that get around by jumping from host to host. If they don’t have to expend too much energy (i.e. get comfortable on a host), they can go anywhere from between two months and 100 days without a meal. Fleas can jump up to eight inches high, enabling them to grab onto a passing meal source.

A typical flea can live for a few months, and fleas can carry a number of different diseases. From plague to cat scratch fever to tapeworms, fleas can make pets ill and also affect people who interact with them.

Ticks

Brought to you by Dr. Matthew Krupnick, the owner of Pequannock Animal Hospital

Fleas and Ticks...

continued from page 10

Ticks are not insects; they are arachnids. That means they are more closely related to spiders and scorpions. The stages of the tick include the egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Depending on the species, nymph ticks can be quite small to the naked eye. Ticks’ small stature can make them difficult to detect until they have become engorged with blood.

The University of Rhode Island’s Center for Vector-Borne Disease and its TickEncounter Resource Center say that spring is a prime time for the birth of new ticks. During this time of year, ticks are on

the hunt for their next meals.

Ticks can be carriers of a number of diseases, but it’s important to note that a tick has to be attached for longer than 24 hours to transmit diseases to a host. That means checking animals (and yourself) for ticks frequently can help avoid the spread of illness. Ticks don’t jump or fall from trees. The parasites crawl upward, so start looking from the feet, moving up. In addition, check a dog’s face, where a tick may latch on while the dog is sniffing in the grass.

Ticks and fleas are pesky critters that can carry disease.

Did You Know?

The burden on health care costs in retirement could be a significant hurdle for retirees without a sizable nest egg or effective strategy to cover such expenses. According to the Fidelity Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, an average retired couple aged 65 in 2022 could need around $315,000 after taxes to cover their health care expenses in retirement. Thought traditional retirement goals like financing travel or relocating to a warmer climate are worthy pursuits, it’s vital that individuals

of all ages, including those on the cusp of retirement, recognize the importance of saving for health care expenses as well. Such expenses, which include medication costs, are easy to take for granted when individuals are still working. However, Fidelity notes that generics, branded drugs and specialty drugs account for roughly 17 percent of retirement health care expenses. That equates to around $53,500 that might be needed to pay for medication alone.

Accounts Vary on Valentine’s Day Origins

alentine’s Day is a bright light in the middle of the winter . Come February 14, sweethearts celebrate their love and affection for one another on this day devoted to happy couples.

The origin of Valentine’s Day has generated much speculation over the years. Most early accounts do not point to heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolates. Rather, a few distinctive tales may paint the picture of early Valentine’s Day, and they have nothing to do with stuffed animals or romantic dinners.

Roman festival

One of the earliest records of the term Valentine’s Day is traced to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was a fertility festival. This annual event held on February 15 included animal sacrifices and priests called the Luperci who would take pieces of animal hide and touch it to the foreheads of women in the hopes it would make them more fertile. Fortunately for the squeamish (and the sacrificial animals), Pope Gelasius I ended Lupercalia and replaced it with St. Valentine’s Day by the end of the fifth century. Two or three St. Valentines?

Most people attribute the origins of Valentine’s Day to the holiday’s namesake, St. Valentine. But it seems that Valentine was the surname of a few different individuals. According to History.com, the Catholic

Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus. One Valentine was a priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius II, who decided that single men made better soldiers than those with families or wives. Claudius outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine disagreed with the decree and would perform marriages in secret. Others believe it was St. Valentine of Terni, a bishop beheaded by Claudius II outside of Rome, who was the true namesake.

Yet another Valentine may have been jailed and fell in love with a jailer’s daughter while in prison. He purportedly wrote to her, beginning the first Valentine card or letter tradition. Other stories say the imprisoned Valentine actually was writing to a blind woman he purportedly healed, and signed the note “from your Valentine.”

It is hard to know who is who in regard to the name Valentine, as the stories and the people behind them are used interchangeably. Some historians believe they actually are the same person rather than several Valentines, while others insist there were multiple martyred individuals.

However you slice it, the defiant actions of one or more people named “Valentine” set the course for centuries of romance to follow.

A Classic Steakhouse with a Modern HHHH Twist

By GAIL GERSON

From its tasteful 18th century décor, to their smooth, nicely liveried servers, to a versatile & intelligent wine list & sophisticated kitchen, the PH Steakhouse is everything a refined steakhouse should be. Although many of the dishes seem familiar, they are designed with a creative & very modern flair, that contribute to a singular & memorable dining experience. The beautifully appointed & fully restored dining room with comfortable chairs & roomy tables, the extremely knowledgeable servers, who are absolutely up to their eyebrows trying to make sure that guests have good reasons to like the restaurant, indicate someone is paying attention. The talented host-owner, Steve Bussel, who has developed many restaurants, along with manager Jennifer Evans, Assistant Manager Blake & the talented Chef Juan, believe in making almost everything from scratch, following the seasons & savoring & caring about the food. Here, the original flavors are wisely presented in all their opulence. They do believe in the slogan: “Keep it simple, work with quality ingredients.”

ABOUT THE OWNER

The steakhouse & Publick House hotel re-opened September 28, 2022. Mr. Bussel’s plan was to offer the finest cuts of USDA, perfectly seared prime, dry-aged steaks. Steve Bussel, the son of a Kosher butcher, grew up in an atmosphere where food was the main topic in the family, from the start.

He fell in love with the 1812 building that was a stagecoach stop between Morristown & Pennsylvania & accomplished his dream to restore the building to its original splendor. After our press tasting, our researchers concluded that the entire staff presented a combination of style, personality, know-how & perseverance, along with a passionate mix of delectable culinary delights. With mouth-watering side dishes created to enhance the flavors of the cuisine & award-winning cocktails & dazzling desserts, our group of researchers were truly impressed. This talented team brings a unique hands on approach, to restaurant ownership & hospitality. Mr. Bussel and his skillful organization have created a recipe for success, by applying their own unique ideas & extensive experience, to this new American steakhouse. Gail says “Go!”

HHHH STEAK & SEAFOOD SPECIALITIES

PH Steakhouse 111 Main St., Chester, NJ 908.955.7911 Phsteakhouse.com

Valet Parking & Piano Player Sat in Bar 6:30-9:30pm; Open 7 days Mon-Thurs 12-9pm, Fri & Sat 12-11pm, Sun 12-9pm; Full Bar; All Major Credit Cards Accepted; Handicap Access; Flat Screen TVs; Bar Menu at Eat in Bar; Specialty Cocktails; Outside Catering (up to 20 miles), Call For Info; Train 10 mins away in Peapack-Gladstone; Total Seating: 130; Outside Porch, 9 tables - Seats 30; Restaurant Reservations Preferred; Daily Specials; Gift Certificates; Available for Private Parties - All Custom Designed, Private Party room Seats 80; 3 Dining Rooms: Chester, Publick, Washington Rooms Seat 130; Party Pkgs - Call ASAP to book; Ample Parking; Open Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve; Complete Art Deco

Renovation Hotel with 10 suites, 5 on each floor, various sizes; Reserve online with Resy & Roomkey.com; Prices-Moderate. GELATO CAFÉ - OPENING IN SPRING Call Mgr Jennifer Evans to book a party

To say the starters are impeccable, would be an understatement. Try the colossal new SEAFOOD TOWER, the unique CRABMEAT COCKTAIL, the addictive TUNA POKE BOWL & the exquisite Fall CHOPPED SALAD, along with a superb LOBSTER ROLL. The deletable MARGUERITA & BLANCO FLATBREADS were a joy to our tastebuds and true flavor explosions.

I heartily recommend the DRY AGED PORTERHOUSE FOR TWO, but the generous cut of oven roasted BONE-IN RIB-EYE, is marvelous as well. From the impeccable DRY AGED DOUBLE CUT DUROC PORK CHOP, to the delicious TOMAHAWK CHOP FOR TWO, our researchers were impressed with every bite. The unsurpassed FILET MIGNON is another glorious selection. Non steak entrees include the pleasant tasting AHI TUNA STEAK & the striking GRILLED SWORDFISH STEAK. Other dishes that readers recommended are the OLIVE CRUSTED SALMON & sauteed mushrooms. The list of superb sides includes the supreme TRUFFLE SMASHED YUKON GOLD POTATO, the CREAMED OR SAUTEED SPINACH, the JUMBO GRILLED ASPARAGUS and BAKED WHITE CHEDDAR MAC & CHEESE. The ROASTED BROCCOLINI & THE SMOKED BRUSSEL SPROUTS are divine. You can also choose your own sauce from a wonderful selection.

Roomkey.com.

“Owner Steve Bussel, along with famed Chef Juan, GM Jennifer Evans & Assistant Manager Blake, present the area’s best steak & seafood by any standard, with the USDA’s highest designation for beef. The PRIME steaks we experienced have the necessary marbling that impart a unique combination of taste & texture & define the ultimate steak-eating experience,” Writer Gail Gerson.

Chef Juan presented us with the perfect finale. The succulent CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE & CREME BRULEE are finger-licking good & the RICOTTA CHEESECAKE delish, but the HOMEMADE DELICATE MILK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE is enchanting.

Ten suites, five on each floor, of various sizes & each with its own living room, are quite historical & beautifully appointed. Several can accommodate 4-6 guests. Reserve with

The New Seafood Tower

Majestic Catering Room Seats 80

Power Family Meals with Protein-Packed Peanuts

Starting fresh with a new year is a chance to hit the reset button for many people, and your family can use this opportunity to rethink homemade meals while striving for nutritious (and still delicious) dishes. From snacks to the main course each evening, the options are nearly endless for planning a revamped menu with healthier ingredients.

Dinnertime can be a cinch with Peanut Butter Chicken, a simple dish that takes less than 20 minutes to make when busy evenings call for a quick solution. If a veggiebased option aligns better with your family’s desires, try Veggie Sammies with Peanut Butter Satay Sauce or go full-on comfort food with Very Vegan Peanut Butter Jackfruit Chili. Snacking doesn’t have to mean forgoing your dedication to nutritious choices either – these Peanut Granola Bars can be your made-at-home masterpiece for adults and children to enjoy.

These recipes from the Georgia Peanut Commission are powered by peanuts, a nutrient-rich superfood that delivers 19 vitamins and 7 grams of protein per serving

for a health benefit punch in each bite.

Discover more nutritious recipe ideas at gapeanuts.com

Veggie Sammies with Peanut Butter Satay Sauce

Prep time: 30 minutes

Servings: 2 4 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

3 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons water

4 teaspoons hoisin sauce

2 teaspoons soy sauce

2 teaspoons sriracha

2 French baguette rolls (6 inches each)

1/2 cup cucumber, sliced

1/2 cup white onion, sliced into thin strips

1/2 cup red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips

1/2 cup purple cabbage

1/2 cup fresh cilantro

In small bowl, combine peanut butter, lime juice, water, hoisin sauce, soy sauce and sriracha; mix well.

Spread sauce on both sides of each roll then layer with cucumber, onion and bell pepper. Top with cabbage and cilantro.

Very Vegan Peanut Butter Jackfruit Chili

Recipe courtesy of the National Peanut Board

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 35 minutes

Servings: 8

2 teaspoons oil

1/2 large white onion, chopped

1/2 green bell pepper, chopped

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 can crushed tomatoes

1 can whole tomatoes

2 cups water

1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 can green jackfruit, drained and chopped

1/4 cup peanut butter

cornbread (optional) tortilla chips (optional) cinnamon rolls (optional)

Heat large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add oil, onion and peppers; cook 3 minutes, stirring often. Add garlic,

salt, cumin, chili powder and tomato paste, stirring to coat. Cook 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, then stir in crushed tomatoes, whole tomatoes, water, kidney beans and jackfruit; bring to boil then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 25-30 minutes. Stir in peanut butter and simmer 5 minutes.

Serve with cornbread, tortilla chips or cinnamon rolls, if desired.

Peanut Granola Bars

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 6 minutes, plus 30-45 minutes cooling time

Servings: 12-14

1/2 cup honey

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

2tablespoons creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4teaspoon salt

2 cups rolled oats (quick or regular)

1 cup bran flakes

1 cup sweetened coconut flakes1 cup dried fruit (raisins, blueberries or cranberries)

1 cup roasted peanuts, chopped

Power Family Meals...

continued from page 16

In large, shallow, microwavable dish, combine honey, butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, vanilla and salt. Microwave at 50% power 2 minutes then whisk to combine and microwave at 50% power 2 minutes.

Add oats, bran flakes, coconut flakes, dried fruit and peanuts; stir to combine. Microwave on high 1 minute. Stir and microwave 30 seconds.

Press mixture into 13-by-9-inch baking dish lined with parchment or wax paper with some extra hanging over edges to easily lift bars out. Use bottom of glass wrapped with plastic wrap to press granola mixture firmly into pan. Allow to cool completely 30-45 minutes. Cut into 12-14 bars.

Peanut Butter Chicken

Recipe courtesy of “Unsophisticook”

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 12 minutes

Yield: 6 cups

Peanut Sauce:

1/2 cup creamy natural peanut butter

3 tablespoons sweet red chili sauce

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon honey

1/8-1/4 cup hot water (optional) chopped unsalted roasted peanuts (optional) 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil

1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch cubes

1 tablespoon soy sauce

3/4 cup peanut sauce cooked brown rice assorted bell peppers, sliced chopped unsalted roasted peanuts (optional)

To make peanut sauce: In small glass bowl, whisk peanut butter, sweet red chili sauce, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce and honey until blended smoothly.

Thin sauce with hot water to desired consistency. Garnish with chopped unsalted roasted peanuts, if desired.

To make chicken: In large skillet over medium-high heat, drizzle oil. Add diced chicken then pour soy sauce over top. Saute about 10-12 minutes until chicken is fully cooked.

Serve with peanut sauce, brown rice and colorful sliced veggies. Garnish with chopped unsalted roasted peanuts, if desired.

PH Steakhouse Revives Historic Chester Publick House

By Stacey Feintuch

The history behind the building that now houses PH Steakhouse in Chester dates back over 200 years. The location has been a stagecoach stop, prep school, hotel, tavern, and famously The Publick House up until 2020. Now, the Restaurant Village Hospitality Group is reviving the space as an upscale steakhouse.

The building itself is part of the National Register of Historic Places. While developing PH Steakhouse, the 18,400-square foot space received cosmetic renovations, but no structural changes have been made. For instance, wood was stripped down and refurbished, and the walls have been painted burgundy and forest green shades. They also upgraded the kitchen appliances to accommodate steakhouse cooking.

“My vision for this place is to have everything be first class and high end,” says Steve Bussel. This includes hosting a live piano player and offering valet parking on Friday and Saturday evenings. The President and Owner of Restaurant Village Hospitality Group, Steve resides in Tewksbury but once lived in Chester. He works alongside Andrea Bussel, his wife, who manages all of the marketing and social media for the group.

A Prime Menu Selection

PH Steakhouse offers an elevated steakhouse menu. They only serve prime cuts of meat, with sirloin, porterhouse, tomahawk, T-bone, and New York strip options. All their meats, desserts, and dressings are made on-site. Steve says he prefers to try a little bit of everything, but ultimately loves the porterhouse for two. Other menu highlights include seafood, chicken, burgers, and salads. But save room for tasty desserts like crème brulee, 24-layer chocolate cake, apple crisp, and banana bread pudding.

As for drinks, the cocktail menu comes from a professional mixologist, and their high-end wine list from a sommelier. PH Steakhouse presents favorites like the dirty martini and classic collins, as well as seasonal flavors. For example, fall options include the Harvest Spritz and A Stroll on the Boulevard. The former mixes Grey Goose Essences White Peach & Rosemary Vodka, Aperol, apple cider, honey syrup, and Prosecco. Meanwhile, the latter combines Starlight Applejack, apple cider, Nonino Aperitivo, and Blandy’s Rainwater Madiera with shaved cinnamon and lavender.

About the Building

Despite the updates, PH Steakhouse has the look and feel of a 200-year-old building. In particular, décor includes some old art and sewing machines from the building’s previous lives. “The ambiance suits a steakhouse. It has a lot of history and charm,” Steve says.

The interior seats 130 diners, in addition to a catering room for up to 80 guests. Meanwhile, the outdoor porch has nine

tables that can seat 30 people comfortably. There are also 10 renovated hotel suites on the upper floor which will open in the future for reservations. Each suite includes a living room, bedroom, and bathroom. Future plans include opening a gelato café within the building.

Visit PH Steakhouse at 111 Main St in Chester. To learn more, visit www. phsteakhouse.com.

Cities: Riverdale, New Jersey, Meet Riverdale, Iowa

By Steve Sears

We’re probably one of the youngest cities in the state,” says Riverdale, Iowa mayor, Anthony Heddlesten. “Before we existed, most of the land that is now Riverdale was a huge dairy farm owned by a guy named Colonel French. It was called the Iowana Dairy, and I think they were pretty well spread across the country.”

Riverdale, Iowa is home to about 400 residents, while about 3,500 people live in the New Jersey Riverdale. The Iowa Riverdale is a little over two square miles in size, and the Garden State Riverdale is just a bit tinier. Route 67 bisects Riverdale, Iowa, while major roadways Routes 23 and 287 crisscross in its Morris County “sister.”

If you drive into Riverdale, Iowa, you’ll find friendly people, and according to Heddlesten, one restaurant and one bar. “The Duck Creek Pancake House is our restaurant of choice. Duck Creek Pancake House is on Duck Creek, and they’re open for breakfast and lunch. Obviously, pancakes are the thing, but I’m always going to go for the biscuits and gravy – that’s just the kind of person I am. But it’s a great little place.” Crepes, omelets, waffles,

and a variety of other breakfast items are available. Also in the same building on State Street is My Place The Pub and Deli. “You can get some sandwiches there or a pizza. We’ve got breakfast and lunch on one side and then dinner on the other side,” Heddlesten says.

Kelly Krell is Riverdale, Iowa Town Clerk. “I think the best thing about our town is the people, our residents who live here,” Krell says. “We are such a tight knit community, that I really do feel like people feel that way. They really do feel like they are part of something important. They are appreciated and loved. So, I think our people are our biggest asset.”

Education is also highly touted in Riverdale, Iowa. Pleasant Valley High School is ranked every year, if not the number one school in Iowa, but in the top five, and usually ranked in the nation as well. “They’ll rank the top 100 schools in the country, and Pleasant Velley High School is typically on that list,” Krell confirms.

Riverdale also has four parks and two distinct trail systems for residents and visitors, and has a pretty awesome fire department serving the community. “They have five trucks,” Krell says. “Each serves a different purpose. Even

though we’re a small town with mutual aid, we serve the greater community, and we have the largest ladder truck on the Iowa side of the Quad Cities.”

“The fire department was founded at the same time as the city,” says Chris Bernard, Riverdale, Iowa Fire Chief. “All the members for the most part were all people that lived in Riverdale. But once again, it’s a small town, so at this point, actually it’s kind of gone in the other direction. We’ve got 21 members in the fire department, which is actually pretty impressive for around here. There’s actually only three that live in the city of Riverdale, and the rest of us actually live in the surrounding communities. The other thing that is actually kind of nice about Riverdale is we do have a bit of that small town feel. It’s a ‘literally everyone knows everyone’ kind of a situation, but we’re part of this Quad Cities metropolitan area. You’ve got Davenport that’s got I think about 100,000 people, and if you drive from town to town, you really can’t tell that you’re leaving one town and coming to another. They’ve all grown together.”

A great description of Riverdale, Iowa’s history can be found on the town website at www.riverdaleia.org

Peace of mind has an

address.

The conversation about when the “right time” is for your mom and dad to have help with life’s day-to-days isn’t an easy one. You want to give them the best care possible.

Our Assisted Living caregivers treat you like family. So rest assured, whenever your family needs us, we’ll be there.

Brookdale Wayne AL/MC (NJ) Assisted Living Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care 820 Hamburg Turnpike Wayne, NJ 07470

Call 973-942-4800 for more information.

Local Soccer Stars Celebrate Rutgers Men’s Soccer First Big Ten Tourney Title

By Steve Sears

hen the Rutgers Scarlet Knights men’s soccer team won their first ever Big Ten Tournament title in November, a 3 – 1 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers, defensemen Bryan Keating of Pompton Lakes and Chris Tiao of Randolph were a part of the club that made history.

The tournament championship is the first for any Rutgers men’s sport since joining the conference, and the third overall for Rutgers athletics. The final contest was held at Rutgers Yurcak Field before over 4,200 people.

Keating, a sophomore who during high school played for Cedar Stars Bergen soccer club, says, “This was kind of a unique tournament for us. Last year, we played Indiana in the first game of the Big Ten Tournament, and we ended up losing to them. For every game of this tournament, we felt confident going in. This is the best team I’ve ever played on with all the talent. There was no real nervousness, just excitement.”

Tiao, a senior, who was named to the All B10 Tournament Team, has an impressive soccer resume. During his senior year at Randolph High School, he played for the Red Bulls II team in the United Soccer League and the Everton Westchester FC. He

also scored the go-ahead goal in the semifinal matchup against Ohio State. “We were playing on our home field, so we knew we had a very good chance of winning,” he says of the Indiana matchup. “It’s where we play, and we’d have a good atmosphere with our fans. It was a windy day, but we all were confident together that we could all play well and do what we needed to do.”

After the teams went into the locker room at half time knotted at 1 – 1, the Scarlet Knights Ola Maeland scored the game winner off a corner kick, and Ian Abbey scored the third goal which cemented the win. “Definitely after Ola scored that goal straight from the corner kick was a big, big morale boost,” Tiao says. “We all thought we just had to hold on for the win, and then Ian scored in the 85th minute, and that kind of cemented the win for us. It was just a great feeling, to have a 3 – 1 lead and knowing that we were going to win it.”

As the final horn sounded, Keating says the feeling as unreal. “It’s the biggest win I’ve ever been part of. All the work that we put in during the season paid off.”

The Knights finished the 2022 season with a 10-5-6 overall record.

Keating, a sectional champion pole vaulter in high school for the Pompton Lakes

Cardinals, also followed in his parents’ footsteps. Both were athletes at Rutgers University. His dad, Stephen, was a pole vaulter for the Knights track and field squad, and his mom, Anne, competed in the heptathlon. Keating is looking forward to his junior year. “We have a lot of eyes on us now, and hopefully we’ll get new recruits that are quality players to replace those that are leaving,” he says. “And I think that there’s no reason why we couldn’t be as good a

team if not better next year.”

Tiao, who is eligible to play a fifth season in 2023, says, “It’s amazing. I’ve been here all four years, and we haven’t had much success before in the Big Ten Tournament. And so, once that whistle blew and especially after winning, and hearing that huge crowd here, it was just a good moment for our whole team.”

Bryan Keating

Chris Tiao

Wayne Third Grader Continues Gift Donations

Terrie O’Connor Realtors’ Kinnelon office is so happy to have met our friend, Valentina, a third grader from Wayne, NJ. Valentina voluntarily collects new toys from her neighbors and family members to donate to kids in need. She starts collecting toys in the Fall for our Kinnelon Office Toys for Tots program. Valentina thoughts were that she wanted to help children that might not be receiving any gifts. She said she “wishes she could see the kids opening their presents, that would make her so happy.” Valentina is such a talented girl. She loves school, drawing, and gymnastics and she’s even a green belt in Tae Kwon Do! Her favorite vacation place is Disney World. Valentina lights up a room when she enters it and makes so many children happy with her generous heart. Valentina is a role model for not only children but for adults as well. This is the third year that Valentina was kind enough to drop her collection of toys at Terrie O’Connor Realtors’ Kinnelon office in support of the company’s drive for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

For over 65 years, the United States Marine Corps has worked with families in need with the Marine Toys for Tots program. Overall, over 400 million toys have been distributed to over 188 million children. Although Toys for Tots is a non-profit organization, they do rely on the generosity of others in their giving to keep the organization afloat. They have found a good partner in Valentina and in Terrie O’Connor Realtors.

Knock Out Opioid Abuse Program Returns to Deliver Message to High Schoolers

By Steve Sears

For the first time in two years, the Knock Out Opioid Abuse Program, courtesy of the Partnership for a DrugFree New Jersey (PDFNJ) and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (HBCBS), in collaboration with the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), has returned to deliver a powerful message to high school students in the area.

And late in August, current Harrison High School football coach, former Rutgers Scarlet Knight quarterback, and New York Jets/New England Patriots/Miami Dolphins player, Ray Lucas, delivered a key address. Lucas suffered numerous injuries and underwent more than a dozen operations while and after he was a player. After becoming dependent on prescribed opioids, Lucas sometimes took up to 1,400 pills monthly.

Recognizing the concern that teen athletes who get injured can also suffer the same type of addiction, PDFNJ, HBCBS, and the NJSIAA wants to stop the spread before it gets out of hand.

“The Partnership has developed a multi-pronged approach to educating young people in the state of New Jersey on the opioid epidemic,” Angelo Valente, PDFNJ Executive Director, says. “That approach includes events such as what we’re doing with Ray which we’ve just completed at Clifton High School: talking to student athletes who are very vulnerable, unfortunately, because they experience injuries, and as a result, may be in a

position where they may be prescribed an opioid. We’re also delivering messages through various media outlets, including but not limited to signs on buses and trains and billboards, and messages on our social media platforms.”

Another part of the process, per Valente, is engaging young people in many of the PDFNJ’s school-based programs, allowing them to become more knowledgeable about the issue. “ That’s also another part of the approach,” Valente adds. He also feels that, in addition to Lucas being representative of an esteemed group that had risen to the top ranks of professional sports and had fallen on hard times in addiction, Lucas’s presence is also emblematic of someone who, if he knew back then what he knows now, he would not have become dependent on opioids. “That is one of the reasons his presentation is so important. As a person who has gone through athletics on the high school, college, and professional levels, by speaking to athletes, he can easily relate to what they are experiencing on a day-today basis. When he delivers his message about looking at ways to deal with pain other than through opioids, speaking to your trainers, doctors, and coaches about alternative to using opioids to address any sports injuries, I think that’s most important.”

Lucas played for seven seasons in the National Football League, primarily as a quarterback. Two years after he left the NFL, he had major back surgery, and five years after that started to experience serious neck issues. He started to take pills regularly, and his addiction had begun. “I was

in a very dark place,” Lucas says. “I don’t know if I’m a role model, but a survivor definitely. Again, I was in a very dark place.” He had also dropped from his playing weight of 215 pounds down to 164 pounds, and he was approached about telling his story. “That night I went home and prayed, and I heard a voice that asked, ‘How many others are suffering in silence like you?’ I didn’t know, but made the decision that, if I could tell my story, then maybe they (others) could get some kind of hope.”

For more information about the Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey and its programs, visit www.drugfreenj.org.

New Jersey native Ray Lucas and Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey Executive Director Angelo Valente at an event

Approaching 70: Remembering West Virginia

By Richard Mabey Jr.

In September, I’ll turn 70. In many ways, it is a most incredible milestone. From having done decades of research on my family heritage, I found out that my forefathers settled in what is now known as Lincoln Park, way back in the 1600’s. Here is a most interesting fact. Going back many generations, none of my forefathers ever made it to 80. So, I have become ever aware of the clicking of the clock and tearing of the pages of the calendar.

I tend to write about my family heritage, of the years of growing up in old Lincoln Park, and of people who deeply touched my life. I don’t write much about my years of living alone in a small town in West Virginia, wherein I did my very best to maintain a small chiropractic practice. They were painful years. You see, back in the mid seventies to the early eighties, in a small town in West Virginia, I may as well have put up a sign that read, “Witch Doctor.” I don’t mean to sound harsh, but sadly, that is the painful truth.

There was a time when there was a great prejudice against chiropractic, sadly it was headed by the well meaning, buy poorly misdirected leaders of the established medical profession. I don’t write those words with malice and bad feelings, but rather as facing a cold, hard historical fact.

A very close friend of mine, whom I have known for many years, suggested that I should write about those years of struggle, the years of counting pennies, the years

of a certain loneliness. In many ways, my failure to make it as a chiropractor in that little town in West Virginia, was actually one of my greatest successes.

Each and every one of us knows deep within the chambers of their heart that they hold the key to their own fate and destiny. Struggles can be looked upon as a means to feel sorry for yourself, to look with envy at those who have all so much while we are faced with living on hot dogs and beans as a dietary mainstay. Or, we can look at our times of struggle as a precious gift that gave us the opportunity to grow and become stronger and dig deeper to find faith in God.

The West Virginia Years as I now call them were the some of the toughest times of my life. But along the path of that journey in time, I did come to meet and know some very kind people. And, sadly, I came to know some very cruel and mean-spirited people.

This is a most painful, but still inspiring, memory of my life. It has been very hard to face square on, let alone write about it. Now, at the age of 69, I have found the courage and strength to revisit that time of hard challenges, a certain loneliness, a devastating heartbreak, and a struggle that only strengthened me in heart, mind and soul.

In the next few montths, that lie ahead, I will share this heart warming story with you.

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

A recent photo of yours truly with my dear friend, Little Rocky. I still wear my old West Virginia sweatshirt and baseball cap, for old time’s sake.

Ever Hiked in Northern NJ? Thank the NY-NJ Trail Conference

By Chip M. O’Brien

Howie Liebmann still remembers the moment that changed his view of hiking trails forever.

He was hiking the White Mountains of New Hampshire, a demanding trek in the best conditions, and springtime snowmelt had swallowed many stream crossings. In order to cross, he had to remove his socks and boots, wade through the frigid water, and dry off on the other side before continuing. It was arduous and exhausting.

“And then you come to a spot where there was a bridge built,” Liebmann says. “And you go: wow. Thank God for this bridge. I don’t know who built this bridge, but God bless ‘em.”

It’s a familiar sentiment for the 24 staff members and 2,500 volunteers who power the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. “They know bridges don’t happen on their own,” says Liebmann, who now leads volunteers in maintaining 75 miles of trails as the NYNJTC’s Northwest New Jersey Trail Chair. “And they want to pay it forward.”

The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a nonprofit organization that builds, maintains, and protects about 2,175 total miles of hiking trails from the Delaware Water Gap in northern New Jersey to just north of the Catskills in New York. About 760 of those miles fall within New Jersey, almost all north of Interstate 80.

“Basically, we do work to make sure that the natural areas and trails in our region are accessible and sustainable for another century, for generations to come,” says Ashley Nester, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Trail Conference.

The Trail Conference knows something about sustaining wilderness trails for generations: in 1923, after changing its name from the Palisades Interstate Trail Conference, the organization built the first completed mile of the Appalachian Trail near Bear Mountain, NY.

While the Trail Conference remains focused on building and maintaining hiking trails, as well as publishing famously authoritative trail maps by Sussex County, NJ cartographer Jeremy Apgar, it has also expanded to include conservation and stewardship work that ties to its mission. “It’s great if we have someone building a trail, but what about the natural areas around those trails?” Nester says. “You can’t really have a healthy trail system without a healthy forest for it to thrive in.”

On the local level, the Trail Conference’s work in NJ focuses primarily on three tasks: erosion mitigation, management of invasive plants, and trail upkeep and signage. All three have increased in importance as more people have turned to local trails for recreation and relaxation since COVID: Nester notes that the Conference’s most popular trailheads each saw about 20,000 users in 2022 alone.

The battle against erosion has become increasingly challenging thanks to changing conditions: more intense summertime heat, followed by intense storms with heavy, eroding rain. “It has forced the Conference, particularly our trail builders, to think a lot more creatively about what a sustainable trail looks like,” says Zachary Cole, Long Distance Trail Coordinator for the Conference. Trail crews can deploy an arsenal of tools to control water flow and erosion: water bars, check dams, puncheon (a low plank bridge), and puncheon’s big brother: the much-beloved bridge.

Though erosion presents a constant challenge, many

parks suffer from an even more aggressive enemy. “The biggest problem here is probably the proliferation of invasive botanical species,” says Bob Jonas, currently CoSupervisor of Morristown National Historical Park alongside his wife, Estelle Anderson. Invasives choked the trails when they first arrived as Co-Chairs of the Central North Jersey Committee in 2008. A three-year concerted effort helped fight back the worst of it, ensuring wider trails and reduced regrowth. “They’re very prolific,” he says. “So it’s a constant job, really.”

The Conference focuses on about a dozen particularly aggressive invasive species in NJ, including barberry, Japanese stiltgrass, and multiflora rose.

Training is also a major component of the Conference’s work: they offer rigorous apprenticeship programs for their certified sawyers as well as practical training and experience for their Conservation Corps members. “We’re really training the next generation of environmental conservationists and leaders,” Nester, the Community Outreach Coordinator, says.

All of this work is accomplished in partnership with federal, state, local, and private entities, as the Trail Conference doesn’t own any land itself and must seek permission from land managers in order to service the trails.

In the case of long distance trails, this might require conversation with literally dozens of land owners. The Conference serves three long-distance trails: the NYNJ section of the Appalachian Trail, which it maintains alongside the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and two trails that it designs and leads: the 358-mile Long Path and the 180-mile Highlands Trail.

The Highlands Trail is of particular importance to NJ because it passes through the federally recognized Highlands Region, which occupies less than 15% of the state while providing over 70% of its population with drinking water. By connecting separately owned pieces of the Highlands Region into one landscape, says Cole, the Long Distance Trail Coordinator, the Highlands Trail helps preserve NJ’s water and air quality while offering opportunities for recreation, as well as justification for preserving individual parcels of natural land.

If certain land is considered historically significant, several entities must approve major maintenance projects before the Conference can proceed. Anderson, CoSupervisor of Morristown National Historical Park, notes the historical importance of the land she maintains: over 7,000 of George Washington’s troops were stationed at Jockey Hollow throughout the terrible winter of 1779-80 during the Revolutionary War. Every pile of rocks “could have been an encampment,” she says. “It could have been a fireplace, it could have been a foundation.”

The result: digging and moving rocks is not permitted in the park without approval from the State Historic Preservation Office, the Tribal Historic Preservation Office, and the Northeast Region Archeology Program. But Anderson and Jonas are undeterred. They’ve made a list of twenty trail signposts that they’d like to replace or service, as soon as approval and warmer weather arrive.

The Trail Conference enjoys a harmonious relationship with land managers and park staff. As a volunteer-run organization, the conference can perform necessary trail work that parks don’t have the time, personnel, or resources to do themselves. Liebmann, the Northwest NJ Trail Chair,

a tricky trail maintenance

Her response: “Why are you asking me? You know the trails better than I do. What do you think?”

“And she’s right,” Liebmann says. “We’re on the trails all the time.”

This speaks to the especially vital role that the NY-NJ Trail Conference fills in NJ: our state allocates insufficient funds to its parks, leading to a lack of resources and park staff that many fear is unsustainable. In April 2022, ecologist Michael Van Clef, Ph.D. released the New Jersey State Lands Management Report assessing NJ’s public lands and resources. Clef depicts a dire picture of NJ’s state parks: the state’s operating budget for parks is one third of Pennsylvania’s and one sixth of New York’s, even as NJ state lands face more environmental pressures due to greater population density. Park staffing has been slashed to bare bone, with only fifteen Park Superintendents assigned to supervise fifty parks, and “invasive species control is virtually absent on park lands” due to a lack of personnel to tackle the job.

In short, NJ parks don’t have enough staff to do the work required to keep trails usable– and without the Trail Conference’s legion of volunteers, there would be no one to do the work at all. “They probably would just say, okay, close the trail,” Anderson says. “And not just our park… all through the state, if they’re not taken care of. They don’t have the staff to do it.”

Even the Trail Conference’s work is hamstrung in NJ due to a lack of partner funding. Though volunteer-run, the conference’s work depends on lumber and other equipment and materials that must be regularly replaced. Many programs run by the New York side of the Trail Conference, specifically those that hire Americorps volunteers,

Bob Jonas and Estelle Anderson, Trail Conference Co-Supervisors at Morristown National Historical Park

recalls asking one park superintendent for her input about

challenge.

Preschool Advantage Annual Gala Funds Tuition for 40 Children

Preschool Advantage, a Morristown-based non-profit organization, held its 2022 annual Turning Leaves benefit dinner at Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park on October 12th. After a two-year hiatus, the event returned with great energy fueled by guest emcee Guy Adami of CNBC’s “Fast Money,” who challenged the 250 attendees to give generously in support of this important cause. They took note, raising over $200,000 to fund preschool tuition for children in our community. The event was sponsored by the William T. & Marie J. Henderson Foundation with additional support from Hackensack Meridian Health, Private Advisor Group, Wiley Malehorn Sirota & Raynes, and several other individual donorsponsors.

At this year’s event, Preschool Advantage honored its 11 past board presidents. Under their selfless leadership, the nonprofit has sent 1,300 local children to preschool since 1995. Special recognition was given to trustee, Gail Reuther

NY-NJ Trail Conference...

continued from page 24

naturalists, conservation workers, and other professional contractors, rely on state grants that are unavailable in NJ.

One solution presented itself to Anderson and Jonas at Morristown National Historical Park. In April, the Friends of Jockey Hollow formed under its first Executive Director, Leslie Bensley. Its purpose: to help fund maintenance, restoration, and other upgrades for the park’s Jockey Hollow and New Jersey Brigade Areas, including historical structures and trails. With the nation’s 250th anniversary approaching, the task is particularly timely for this heritage site.

“We want to promote the park. We want to protect the environmental... and cultural resources,” says Bensley. “We couldn’t be more pleased to have Bob and Estelle as our leaders because they are some of the most qualified and passionate trail leaders… How lucky are we that this is their park and we get to work with them?”

In his State Lands Management Report, Van Clef recommends creating a similar organization at the statewide level: a nonprofit friends group that could fund public lands projects across NJ. Such a proposal is already in motion. Bill A-594 proposes the creation of the NJ State Parks and Open Space Foundation, an organization that would fulfill this exact purpose. “[NJ parks] are precious jewels in the most densely populated state in the nation, and they must be maintained and protected at all costs,” writes Assemblywoman Shama Haider of District 37, who sponsored the bill. “The entity created with the passing of A-594 would make it easier for private citizens to support our public spaces, something that we should have done a long time ago.”

for her 40 years as director at Mount Olive Child Care & Learning Center, a partner preschool of the Organization. Preschool Advantage Executive Director, Nancy Bangiola noted, “Gail has generously shared her decades of experience and expertise in early childhood education with Preschool Advantage. Her peers recognize her a leader in the field, and we consider ourselves very lucky to have benefitted from her wisdom for so many years.”

Preschool Advantage also recognized a local family whose twin daughters attend preschool with a grant from the Organization. The twins’ mother, Jillian, remarked “The cost of preschool turned out to be one of our biggest challenges.” Expressing gratitude to the supporters in attendance, Jillian shared that her daughters are thriving and will be ready for kindergarten in the fall. “It has been an extraordinary journey watching our children learn and grow,” she said with great emotion.

Assemblyman Alex Sauickie of District 12, a co-sponsor of the bill, agrees. “Parks play a critical role in quality of life and getting people outdoors, especially postpandemic,” he says. He looks forward to lobbying for the bill and getting more cosponsors, mentioning the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial as well: “There’s no better time than now, in my opinion, to be really focused on this.”

Bill A-594 currently awaits approval by committee before it can be referred to the state assembly. If the bill passes, the new organization would tie in well with the work of the Trail Conference. “What I think this bill speaks to is that the ones that are getting it done really well, right now, tend to be volunteers,” Sauickie says. The organization’s support would allow the Trail Conference to fund more ambitious projects throughout northern NJ.

In the meantime, as they have for the past hundred years, the volunteers of the Trail Conference continue caring for New Jersey’s trails, their presence largely invisible. “Before I started at the Trail Conference, I truly thought that the parks were the ones that were maintaining trails,” Nester, the Community Outreach Coordinator, says. “And that’s where I get chills because I think it’s so cool that we’re doing that work, and that there’s people out there who are willing to dedicate their time to keeping our public spaces accessible for us to use.”

“It’s the community looking after community assets,” says Cole, the Long Distance Trail Coordinator. “They have a vision and a creative ability that is just unparalleled… it’s impressive, and it’s incredible.”

“If you saw these guys work…” says Liebmann, the Northwest New Jersey

Trail Chair. “These people love doing what they’re doing.”

He remembers one particular project: building a 40-foot pedestrian bridge in Stokes Forest. He watched a crew of volunteer trail maintainers move Class 1 poles, essentially treated telephone poles, into the forest and set them up to form the bridge. “I was utterly in marvel,” he says.

“We had thirty people standing on that bridge. You didn’t see that bridge drop an inch. They put a 40-foot bridge up in a day and a half.”

The next day, hikers enjoying Stokes Forest did not need to hop a precarious path across wet stones or wade across a swollen, muddy creek. Someone had built a bridge.

Robert J. Greenbaum, Esq.

Jillian (left) and Hector (right), Preschool Advantage parents with Nancy Bangiola, Preschool Advantage Executive Director (center). Photo by Baseline Productions