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Kinnelon Photographer Shows Locals “His Neighbors”

5

By Steve Sears 3-year-old Michael Bateman remembers that first camera, and that first picture he took.

“My dad was a chemist and slightly more interested in chemistry than photography, so he loaned me his 35mm Pentax when I was in fifth grade,” recalls Batemen,

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who is Administrator of the “Just Look at Kinnelon” Facebook page, where on display is his gorgeous shots of nature in action and at rest, whether it be a bear or bird, or a forest floor of weeds or flowers. It’s all valuable to him. “One of my first subjects was a robin’s nest just off the screened in porch in the backyard. We had a pneumatic remote that we used to capture photos of feeding time with all their little heads up!”

As profound as the experience was, Bateman took some time somewhat away from photography – 30 years, in fact.

He attended the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles. “I was drawn to producing as a profession,” he says. “I became a post-production supervisor, visual effects supervisor, production executive, and eventually a producer. I am a member of the Producer’s Guild of America and the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences.”

The break being what it was, he really never did put a camera down. “No, I really did, unless you count those disposable Kodak film cameras,” he jokes. “My only two “real cameras” were the legendary Canon AE1 Program my parents got me for Christmas during my junior year of high school, and the one I have now. I bought the one I use now when I moved here and started working from home. The idea was to get outside for some exercise while on a break.”

He explains how he found the tools of his trade. “Someone at B&H (Photo) handed me the Canon 7D Mark II and I just could not put it down. Then a sales pro at Sammy’s Camera in LA sold me on the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L Mark II lens along with the 1.4x and 2x extenders. Most serious wildlife photography starts at 400mm, but this combination of equipment along with the human friendly wildlife in North Jersey gives me an incredible advantage. God Bless North Jersey and thank you, Canon, for the masterpieces of

engineering in my hands.” He then adds he can barely take three steps without taking some of his photos. “It’s really a credit to how beautiful it is here when you slow down and look. My friends back in California can’t believe I am in New Jersey.” continued on page 6

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Opinions

A VIEW FROM THE LEFT

EDITORIAL &

A

As Bastiat Would Say, Peer Past the Obvious With Pandemic Policies

ttention readers: Mark Shields is off this week. Please enjoy this column by Veronique de Rugy.

This week marks the 219th birthday of the great 19th-century French economist Frederic Bastiat. It’s the perfect time to talk about his famous essay, “That Which is Seen, and that Which is Not Seen,” published in his book, “The Law.” This timeless work remains an essential guide to thinking about policymaking.

In that essay, Bastiat writes: “In the department of economy, an act, a habit, an institution, a law, gives birth not only to an effect, but to a series of effects. Of these effects, the first only is immediate; it manifests itself simultaneously with its cause -- it is seen. The others unfold in succession -- they are not seen: it is well for us if they are foreseen. Between a good and a bad economist this constitutes the whole difference -- the one takes account of the visible effect; the other takes account both of the effects which are seen and also of those which it is necessary to foresee.”

Oh, how I wish we would have remembered to earnestly account for the unseen effects of policies put into place during this pandemic that will pop up in its aftermath.

Take, for example, the massive amount of additional debt the federal government has imposed on future generations of Americans during the COVID-19 crisis. That which is seen is the money flowing from the federal government to the unemployed, to those taking leave due to rescue money given to businesses during the pandemic. While we might be aware in the abstract that there is an accompanying rise in U.S. government indebtedness, that which is not seen is the increase in taxes that must be paid by future generations. Nor do we see the slower economic growth that will be caused by the need to pay off this debt.

Even less obvious are the unseen effects of making permanent the supposedly temporary creation of federal paid-leave entitlements. While it’s easy to point to all the advantages of such a move for the 35% of women who didn’t

Mark Shields have any such benefits pre-COVID-19, it’s more difficult to see the lower wages and employment that will result. Also hidden from our vision is the increase in employment discrimination fueled by this policy: When governments arbitrarily increase employers’ costs to hire certain groups, fewer members of those groups get hired. The academic literature is clear that such legislation inflicts very real negative effects on women.

Also harder to spot are the unseen effects of rent-control legislation. Such regulations exist in states and cities nationwide, though it wouldn’t be surprising to see more such policies implemented in this crisis’s wake. The benefits are easy to see. The rules promise to make housing in high-value rent markets more affordable for middle- and lower-class families. But once such legislation is implemented, reality kicks in.

We see rents going up more slowly than they likely would have otherwise.

When paired with eviction protections, this policy gives an illusion of control to tenants who were already in rental homes when the regulation was adopted.

What is unseen, however, is significant.

Rent-control statutes reduce the incentives for property owners to supply their facilities as residential housing, and they make it less attractive for developers to build rental housing. Rent control even dicontinued on page 6 100% MailedNewspaper Flanders, NJ 07836

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A VIEW FROM THE RIGHT

L

Lincoln Statues Must Go. Margaret Sanger Stays?

evar Stoney, the black Democratic mayor of Richmond, Virginia, made the executive decision to remove a statue of Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson on Monument Avenue to “expedite the healing process for the city.”

This demonstrated how cities with liberal majorities can take down statues in an orderly fashion without vandalizing them or pulling them down. Or it demonstrates how Democratic mayors respond to pressure from the self-appointed statue-removal squad.

The left is interested in taking down all kinds of statues, which raises an obvious question: What about the statues the left has put up? No one’s ripping those down.

In 2017, Peter Dreier at BillMoyers. com wrote a piece headlined “Where Are All the Monuments to the Progressive Americans?” He complained most of our country’s statues celebrate military, political and business heroes.

“Shouldn’t we also honor the organizers, activists, artists, writers, athletes, judges, and occasional elected officials who fought to make the United States a more humane and inclusive country?” he asked.

Then he listed a few examples of the left’s heroes who have statues.

Exhibit A: “This statue of the pioneering and fearless birth control advocate Margaret Sanger, with a gag over her mouth, stands in Old South Meeting House in Boston. There are no schools named for the controversial socialist and feminist.”

Honk if you find it bizarre to describe Sanger, a racist and eugenicist, as your avatar of “humane and inclusive” policies. Her creation Planned Parenthood is a leading destroyer of black lives before they start. But when black men and women cooperate in abortions, you can’t possibly be allowed to tell them those extinguished lives matter.

They were ... inconvenient.

Pro-lifers will show you Sanger’s autobiography in which she discussed

Tim Graham speaking before the women’s branch of the Ku Klux Klan: “I accepted an invitation to talk to the women’s branch of the Ku Klux Klan in Silver Lake, New Jersey. ... In the end, through simple illustrations I believed I had accomplished my purpose. A dozen invitations to speak to similar groups were proffered.”

It’s not surprising that no one has vandalized the Sanger statue. No one has ripped it down and set it on fire.

It stands undisturbed. It’s not on public property. The Old South Meeting House was a Puritan church. Conservatives can despair at the “evolution” of this once-Christian space, but not one has vandalized it.

Meanwhile, NPR reported the Boston Art Commission voted unanimously on June 30 to remove Boston’s copy of the Emancipation Memorial depicting a formerly enslaved man at the feet of Abraham Lincoln. That statue has stood in Boston’s Park Square since 1879. But, activists complained, it was a “white-created statue.”

“Boston artist Tory Bullock said the sculpture is a whitewashed portrayal that denigrates an entire group of people,” NPR wrote. “This is a frozen picture. This man is kneeling, he will continued on page 6

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asements may not be go-to hangouts during spring, summer and fall, when many homeowners spend more time on their patios and decks enjoying the great outdoors. But as winter approaches and the great outdoors becomes less welcoming, basements once again become popular places to relax and spend time with loved ones.

That’s why fall is such an ideal time to address mold issues in a basement. According to WebMD, exposure to mold can irritate a person’s eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. That’s true whether a person is allergic to mold or not. Even people who are merely sensitive to mold can experience sneezing and runny nose, and some may even develop red eyes and skin rash if exposed to mold. Reactions are much more severe for people with mold

allergies, who may experience shortness of breath or suffer from asthma attacks if exposed to mold. Molds require moisture to grow, and basements may provide ideal growing conditions for mold. Mold spores cannot grow without moisture, so dehumidifiers can help homeowners effectively reduce the risk of mold growth in their basements. WebMD advises homeowners keep indoor humidity levels, which can be measured with an inexpensive instrument known as a hygrometer, below 60 percent. In lieu of wall-to-wall carpeting in basements, install concrete floors and area rugs to make mold growth less likely. Basement floors also should be routinely inspected for leaks, as leaks can promote mold growth. Address leaks promptly if any are found.

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Kinnelon Photographer... continued from front page “Want me to stop talking? Put a camera in my hands anywhere in Kinnelon,” he says.

“If I can see it, it’s seen me. We have a relationship. If I properly demonstrate my respect, I am able to build trust for the next enchanting encounter.”

There have been many of those encounters. Even from his front porch, Bateman has been able to garner close-ups or black bears, hawks, and much more. He describes one instance and explains the two rules of photographing wildlife. “It’s hard to beat a bear encounter like this one, it was so cool.

She was napping at the bottom of a tree in the spring shade while her cubs worked off some energy and practicing their safe retreat should danger come. I can’t be too specific as to where this was, but I was in a “human area” where I could be seen pretending to ignore her. There are a few simple rules I follow to keep safe while photographing them. I’m reticent to detail any more than two of them since I do not want to tacitly encourage anyone to seek them out or look at them.”

“And those are the two rules,” he states.

“Don’t look for them and don’t look at them.”

When asked if he has further advice for aspiring or beginning photogs, he responds, “Yeah. Keep at it and invest what you can in pro glass. Allow yourself to be inspired by the work of others but don’t be discouraged if you can’t take their shots.” He then adds rather humbly and encouragingly, “I’m NOT that good. If you lived in Kinnelon and had my camera you could probably do better. Take what shots you can with what you have where you are. And do let me know when you are in town so you can try my rig and prove me right.”

What’s happening in your school or organization?

Celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, graduation?

Email us at editor@mylifepublications.com

As Bastiat Would Say... continued from page 4 minishes landlords’ willingness to maintain the quality of their units. The final result is less and lower-quality housing for ordinary people.

There are also seen and unseen effects from the lockdown put in place to control COVID-19’s spread. The seen effects of the policy are millions of people limiting their interactions with others as a protection from a virus that has killed many. The unseen effects of this policy are, among other things, the rise of depression, drug overdoses and suicides; a decrease in diagnostics for other lethal diseases (which will lead to more deaths); the educational impact on children cut out from school; and the long-term economic devastation.

Peering past the obvious in order to get a more complete picture is what adults do when running their lives and managing households or business affairs. It’s what good economists do when analyzing public policies. And it’s what Frederic Bastiat did with unmatched skill and style more than two centuries ago. Unfortunately, it’s not what most politicians tend to do today.

Veronique de Rugy is a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. To find out more about Veronique de Rugy and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM

Lincoln Statues Must Go... continued from page 4 never stand up,” Bullock said. “This image is problematic because it feeds into a narrative that black people need to be led and freed. ... Why is our trauma so glorified?”

Sanger, the racist and eugenicist, remains, while Lincoln was removed. He’s apparently the enemy of the African American people. An image of emancipation is traumatic. The abortion of black babies is apparently therapeutic.

Leftists like Tory Bullock do not understand how people who gladly acknowledge that “black lives matter” would consider the left ’s moral posturing to be based more on ideology than reality. Those on the left speak angrily and endlessly of violated “black bodies,” but -- to borrow a phrase from George Orwell -- they imply some black bodies are more equal than others.

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

L

How to Help Pets Maintain Healthy Weights

ike their human companions, pets can owners may have a distorted perception struggle with their weight. Accordof just what qualifies as a healthy weight, ing to the Association for Pet Obesity thinking a few extra pounds make for a roPrevention (APOP), in 2014, an estimated bust pet. But those extra pounds could be 53 percent of dogs and 58 percent of cats causing substantial harm to cats and dogs. in the United States were overweight or The APOP lists healthy weight guideobese. lines for cats and dogs. Cats are easily Being overweight or obese can shorten weighed by weighing yourself and then pets’ lives by increasing their risk for insuweighing yourself while holding the cat. lin resistance, type 2 diabetes, high blood Subtract your weight, and then you will pressure, kidney disease, cancer, and osknow how much the cat weighs. Dogs reteoarthritis. The APOP estimates that unquire larger scales, and this is something healthy weights can shave up to 2.5 years best handled at a veterinarian’s office. off of pets’ lives.

Wellness visits provide more opportuSedentary lifestyles and overeating can nities to get accurate assessments of pets’ contribute to weight gain in cats and dogs. weights. Vets can conduct visual assessIn addition, choosing the wrong foods for an animal’s activity level may contribute to ments to determine if pets are maintaining healthy weights while also sharing informaweight gain. tion about the ideal weight for your particular animal.

Is my pet too heavy?

Cats’ and dogs’ waists should be visible when viewed from above. If your pet seems Many pet owners miss signs that their pets are maintaining unhealthy weights. Pet continued on page 9

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Local Centenary University Students - and One Dog - Lauded for Excellence in Science

C

entenary University recently recognized 14 students for excellence in science studies during a ceremony that was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to the students, the Universi-

ty recognized Brutus, a service dog owned by student Jasmine Steinwand of Cliffside Park, N.J., with a special honor called the Greatest Science Helper Award for his constant calming presence on Centenary’s campus, especially in science labs, this year.

Maintain Healthy Weights... continued from page 8 thick in the middle, chances are he or she can stand to lose some weight.

Increasing activity Exercise and healthy eating are the keys to getting cats and dogs to shed some pounds (animals suffering from illness may need to pursue other avenues to weight loss). Ask the vet how much your pet needs to lose and the role that diet can play in helping your pet to lose weight. Reduce caloric intake accordingly until pets reach the weight their vet recommends. When pets are already overweight, adhering to guidelines on food packaging may make it difficult for pets to lose weight.

Exercise is another key to healthy weight loss. Dogs can go out for walks or engage in other aerobic activity, such as playing games of fetch. It can be more

challenging to get cats to exercise. Toys that play into a feline’s predatory nature, such as things they have to hunt or chase, may inspire cats to move more.

Overweight pets need exercise and changes to their diets in order to lose weight and extend their life expectancies.

Consult your veterinarian for advice on how to help pets shed pounds they can keep off for years to come.

Dr. Matthew Krupnick is the owner of the Pequannock Animal Hospital. He grew up in Kinnelon and is happy to be home – with his wife, three cats, and two dogs – to provide quality and compassionate care for pets in the community. The Pequannock Animal Hospital is located at 591 Newark Pompton Turnpike in Pompton Plains. You can reach the hospital by calling 973-616-0400.

Samantha Johnson

Nikolina Perrelli

Centenary University’s science students have gained national acclaim for their outstanding accomplishments in scientific research and presentation. Earlier this year, four Centenary students placed in the top 10—including first and second place—at an international research conference, besting Ivy league institutions and research powerhouses including Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins. In addition, the University’s pre-vet graduates have attained a near-perfect acceptance rate to competitive veterinary schools over the past three years.

“The students honored this year have

Brittany Adams

distinguished themselves for their commitment to the advancement of science,” said Krassi Lazarova, Ph.D., Science Department chair and associate professor of physics.

“Despite the pandemic, they found creative ways to continue their studies virtually. I’m incredibly proud of every Centenary science student, as well as our faculty, for rising to the challenges presented by COVID-19.”

Students honored from the area include Budd Lake—Brittany Adams, Junior Merit Award, Hackettstown—Samantha Johnson, Certificate of Merit—Environmental Science, and Kinnelon—Nikolina Perrelli, Certificate of Merit—Physics

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FINANCIAL FOCUS Create Strategies to Help Achieve Your Financial Goals

L

ike most people, you probably have many financial goals: a comfortable retirement, long vacations, college for your children or grandchildren, the ability to leave something behind for the next generation, and so on. To achieve these various goals, you may have to follow different investment strategies – and you might have to make some tradeoffs along the way.

To pursue this multi-goal/multi-strategy approach, try to follow a clear course of action, including these steps:

Define your goals – and invest appropriately. You will need to identify each goal and ask some questions: How much time will you have to achieve this goal? How much return will you need from your investments and how much risk are you willing to take?

With a longer-term goal, such as retirement, you may be able to invest more heavily in growth-oriented vehicles with higher expected returns. Keep in mind, though, that the value of these investments will fluctuate, and they carry more risk than more conservative investments. However, your long-term horizon allows time to recover from short-term dips. But for a shorter-term goal, such as an upcoming vacation, your investments don't have the same time to bounce back from large drops in value, so you might follow a

more conservative strategy by investing in instruments that preserve principal, even though growth may be minimal.

Know what you’ve invested for each goal.

Once you know what type of strategy you should follow to achieve each of your goals, you’ll need to enact that strategy. How? By matching specific investment accounts with the appropriate goals. You should know why you own all your investments. Ask yourself these questions: What goal will this investment help me achieve? How much do I have allocated toward a specific goal? If I have an IRA, a 401(k) and another account devoted to achieving the same goal, are they all working together effectively? The connections between your different investment accounts and your goals should be consistently clear to you.

Understand trade-offs. Your various investment goals may be distinct, but they don’t exist in isolation. In fact, your strategy for achieving one goal may affect your ability to work toward another. For example, would significant investments in your child’s education change your funding for retirement?

If you decide to buy a vacation home when you retire, will that alter the legacy you’ll be able to leave to your family? Given limited financial resources, you may have to prioritize

some goals and make some trade-offs in your investment moves.

Track your progress. Each of your strategies is designed to achieve a particular goal, so you need to monitor the performance of the investments within that strategy to help ensure you’re making progress. If it seems that you’re lagging, you may need to explore ways to get back on track.

To manage these tasks successfully, you may want to work with a financial professional – someone who can look at your situation objectively, help you identify and quantify your goals, and suggest strategies designed to help you achieve them.

Trying to achieve multiple financial goals can seem like a daunting task, but by saving and investing consistently through your working years, following a clear strategy, being willing to prioritize and accept trade-offs and getting the help you need, you can help yourself move forward.

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Speech-Language Pathology Professor at Seton Hall Awarded $1.4 Million Federal Grant to Develop Writing Intervention for Fourth and Fifth Graders

A

nthony D. Koutsoftas, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, associate professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Seton Hall University’s School of Health and Medical Sciences, received $1.4 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Science’s National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) program to develop and test an intervention for improving writing in 4th and 5th grade students with a language-based learning disability (LLD}. The program, “Writing in Students with Language-based Learning Disabilities,” also known as “Project WILLD,” will allow researchers to create and field-test an intervention through an iterative process that allows for feedback from educators and schoolchildren who participate.

The American

Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) defines a language-based learning disability or LLD as problems with reading, spelling, or writing in the face of intact hearing, cognition, and neurological functioning.

Though many researchers and institutions have focused on supporting students with LLD to improve reading skills, the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Seton Hall University, along with partners from various universities, will spend the next four years building an intervention to improve writing skills in students with language-based learning disabilities.

The purpose of Project WILLD is to create an intervention that targets word, sentence, and discourse level writing skills in students with LLD. It will be administered as part of individualized education plan

(IEP) special education or speech-language pathology services to improve writing outcomes in students with LLD. The intervention created through Project WILLD can be implemented by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and/or special educators (SEs) working with elementary-aged students. The intervention will go through four iterations of development over the four years of the project.

Language-based Learning

Disability Interventions “Children with LLD are those who have difficulty with reading and writing with related oral-language deficits,” says Dr. Koutsoftas.

“It could be that early childhood oral-language deficits are the cause of reading and writing difficulties or that oral language deficits emerged later in school when language demands of the curriculum have surpassed a child’s written language ability. Either way, writing ability is an essential component of modern life for academic and social purposes and Project WILLD will work to find ways for educators and speech-language pathologists to improve writing skills for elementary students with LLD.” Currently, 4th and 5th grade students with LLD receive oral language supports from a speech-language

R CALL FO R U YO L VIRTUA G! N I T E ME

pathologist and written language supports from special educators. The goal of Project WILLD is to combine oral and written language intervention strategies into one program that meets the needs of these students and can be delivered by either special educators or speechlanguage pathologists. One of the goals of this work is to reduce the amount of time that students with special education needs are pulled from the general education classroom, while improving their writing skills.

“Being awarded this grant from the U.S. Department of Education is a testament to the dedication of our expert faculty who diligently seek to transform theory into clinical practice. Dr. Koutsoftas’ research agenda and those of many other SHMS faculty continue to advance practice, research and education through their ground-

breaking innovations.” said Dr. Brian B. Shulman, Dean of the School of Health and Medical Sciences at Seton Hall University.

WILLD Through the Years During the first year of the project, the researchers will develop a 12-week intervention designed to improve writing in these 4th and 5th grade students. The intervention will focus on science topics including the environment, pollution, the solar system, and some local ecosystems of New Jersey. Development activities include writing lesson plans, gathering science-related materials including books and videos, and ways to measure the usability of the intervention. At the end of the first year, educators, including special educators and speech-language pathologists, will be recruited to review and provide feedback on the materials. continued on page 18

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2020 • Page 13

5 Summer Tax Savings Opportunities

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h, summer. The weather is warm, kids are out of school, and it’s time to think about tax saving opportunities! Here are five ways you can enjoy your normal summertime activities and save on taxes: Rent out your property tax-free. If you have a cabin, condo, or similar property, consider renting it out for two weeks. The rental income you receive on property rented for less than 15 days per year is not considered taxable income. In addition, you

can still deduct your mortgage interest expense and property taxes in full as itemized deductions!. Track the rental days closely — going over 14 days means all rent is taxable and rental income rules apply.

Take a tax credit for summer childcare.

For many working parents, the summer comes with the added challenge of finding care for their children. Thankfully, the Child and Dependent Care Credit can cover 20-35 percent of qualified childcare expenses for your children under the age of 13. Eligible

Did You Know?

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he outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 left no aspect of life untouched, and education was no exception. The short-term effects of stay-athome measures were felt immediately by millions of students across the globe. But there will be long-term effects, too, and one of the first such long-term dominoes to fall was the relaxation of SAT requirements for aspiring college students. As stay-at-home measures lasted longer than many people initially anticipated, high school students learned that SAT and SAT subject tests were being canceled. The Princeton Review® noted in late May that the College Board added a new test date for September after the

June tests were canceled. However, many schools have dropped the SAT and ACT requirement for fall 2021 admissions. The University of California, which includes nine different schools in its system, suspended the requirement for students applying for fall 2021 in early April, and many schools followed suit in the ensuing months. As prospective high school seniors prepare for their final year of high school and begin thinking about where they want to apply for college, they should work with their guidance counselors to determine just what is required of them during the admissions process.

types of care include day care, nanny fees and day camps (overnight camps and summer school do not qualify).

Hire your kids. If you own a business, hire your kids. If you are a sole proprietor and your child is under age 18, you can pay them to work without withholding or paying Social Security and Medicare tax.

Have a garage sale. In general, the money you make from a yard or garage sale is tax-free because you sell your goods for less than you originally paid for them. Once the sale is over, donate the remaining items to a qualified charity to get a potential charitable donation deduction. Just remember to keep a log of the items you donate and ask for a receipt.

Start a Roth IRA for your children. Roth IRA contributions are limited to the amount of income your child earns, so earned income is key. This can include income from mowing lawns or selling lemonade. Start making contributions as soon as your child makes some money to take advantage of the tax-free earnings available in a Roth IRA. Taking the time this summer to execute these tips can put extra money in your pocket right away and provide you tax-saving happiness in the future.

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Page 14 • July 2020 • Hometown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Add Seafood to Summer Meals

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rilled meals provide a summer escape for many families by offering opportunities to spend moments together while enjoying flavorful dishes.

As Americans face uncertainty in many aspects of life, one place they should be able to turn to for normalcy is food.

One option that checks boxes including comfort, fun, taste and variety: seafood.

As a nutritious protein available across the country, it is versatile and can be paired with a variety of cuisines and flavors. Options range from salmon and shrimp to crab, tuna and more.

To encourage hungry Americans to enjoy the many benefits of eating seafood, the “Eat Seafood America” campaign offers these reasons to add fish, shrimp and more to your menu: Whether you order online, head to a store or purchase fresh from a local fisherman, seafood is widely available.

Seafood works for a variety of dishes and cooking methods, such as these rec-

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Seafood provides essential nutrients that support immune health, such as omega-3s that may even help reduce anxiety, according to research published by “The Journal of the American Medical Association.”

Purchasing seafood supports 2 million American jobs for men and women who follow high levels of food safety practices to provide sustainable seafood.

Seafood offers an escape as a way for families to enjoy a favorite meal that reminds loved ones of vacation memories from oceanside paradises.

Find more ways to add seafood to your summer menu at eatseafoodamerica.com.

Easy Shrimp Skewers Recipe courtesy of Annessa Chumbley, RDN, on behalf of the Seafood Nutrition Partnership

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water 2 medium zucchinis, cut into large chunks 2 medium bell peppers (any color), cut continued on page 15

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2020 • Page 15

Add Seafood...

continued from page 14 into large chunks 2 red onions, cut into large chunks 1 cup cherry tomatoes 10-12 ounces cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails on olive oil sea salt, to taste 1 lemon, juice only In bowl, soak skewer sticks in water at least 10 minutes to prevent burning on grill). Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

Build skewers by alternating zucchinis, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes and shrimp, pushing ingredients closely together on each skewer. Brush each with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt, to taste.

Cook skewers about 9 minutes, rotating every 3 minutes until veggies and shrimp are seared but not overcooked. Remove and place on large platter.

Drizzle with lemon juice and serve.

Seared Salmon with Mediterranean Salsa Recipe courtesy of Annessa Chumbley,

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Page 16 • July 2020 • Hometown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

The Statue of Liberty and Butler: A Perfect Duo

Courtesy of the Butler Museum As we celebrate the 4th of July holiday, it is a great time to reflect on the history and relation to Butler, N.J. of America’s brightest symbol of freedom, The Statue of Liberty.

Lady Liberty has been stationed on Bedloe’s Island, faithfully standing sentry to all who see her since 1886.

What most do not know however is that, at one time, her arrival in New York Harbor was in jeopardy as she was almost awarded to another American city. As it turned out, if it were not for Joseph Pulitzer, New York World publisher, Lady Liberty would not have taken her place against the Manhattan skyline at all.

The idea of a colossal statue to be presented by the people of France to the American people commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence was born in 1865 at a dinner party hosted by the French scholar and biographer Edouard de Laboulaye.

Among the guests in attendance was a 31-year-old Parisian sculptor named Frederick Auguste Bartholdi. Bartholdi accepted the challenge even though there was no financing. While Bartholdi worked on the design for the massive statue, another Frenchman, Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, conceived the steel framework that would support it.

“They were confident that the French people would contribute the funds for the statue,” explained Butler Museum Curator, Alan Bird, adding, “The American people would provide a site and the pedestal required to hold her.”

It all sounded good in theory, but the idea took years to pick up momentum and it wasn’t until six years later that the plan was taken to the next level.

In May of 1871, Bartholdi sailed for America to win support for the project. Immediately upon arriving in New York Harbor, Bartholdi could see where his statue would stand, against the magnificent backdrop of the greatest city in America.

After arriving, the Frenchman traveled across the country sharing his vision for a magnificent lady towering over the harbor. Among those with an interest in the project was a New York industrialist named Richard Butler.

Bartholdi continued to campaign for his sculpture and was finally invited to speak to a group of American businessmen and financiers on January 2, 1872, at the Century Club in New York City. Bartholdi was convincing and, by the end of the evening the American Committee on the Statue of Liberty was formed.

According to Bird, the Century Club meeting was likely engineered by Richard Butler himself. “Butler had lived in New York City but was president of the American Hard Rubber Company in the New Jersey hills of West Bloomingdale,” he mused. “As a matter of fact, he traveled out to the factory so often on the New York Susquehanna and Western Railroad that the stop in West Bloomingdale, now home to The Butler Museum, was informally and unofficially named Butler.”

Of course, Butler would go on to become the namesake of Butler, N.J. Butler willingly assumed the position of staff secretary to the Statue of Liberty Committee, a significant office. In this role, he became the American on whom Auguste Bartholdi depended in times of trouble. As Bartholdi toiled

in his Paris studio it was Butler who saw to every detail of Lady Liberty’s eventual arrival in New York Harbor and cemented a relationship with Bartholdi that would last for the rest of his life.

As secretary of the American Committee of the Statue of Liberty, Richard Butler played a critical role in the campaign to raise the funds to erect the pedestal for Lady Liberty on Bedloe’s Island. Money also rolled in from wealthy donors and from the sale of miniature statues.

Cost overruns occurred in the late 19th century much the same as they do today and construction costs eventually exceeded expectations, forcing the committee to warn that failure to complete the pedestal might lead the French government to agree to erect the statue in some other American city. That simply could not be permitted to happen. The committee turned to an unlikely hero!

Joseph Pulitzer, publisher of The New York World, came to the rescue. He offered to print in his newspaper the names of every single person who became a donor to the Statue of Liberty Fund, no matter how small a donation that they made. And it worked!

He was able to raise an astounding $100,000 to finish the pedestal. It was enough to convince the French that New York City was a worthy destination for Lady Liberty.

There were no remaining barriers for Bartholdi and, in 1886, The Statue of Liberty was assembled and ready for dedication.

It was October 28, 1886 and, at long last, Bartholdi peered through the crown of the Statue of Liberty. Bartholcontinued on page 18

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2020 • Page 17

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Mt. Olive Student Athlete, Artist Jessica Murr Create in Herself for Better CleaningFormer Products

By Jerry Del Priore he Mount Olive Lacrosse Club used to use a gray, drab concrete stone structure as its bounce back wall for No. 18 Vol. 4 throw-and-catch practice for lacrosse players.

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of the team while showing nah University of Art and Mt. Olive pride,” said Murr, Design in Savannah, Georan ex-two-sport high school gia, is a friend and former student athlete at Mt. Olart classmate of Lexi Helder, ive. “I actually spent a lot of John Helder’s daughter. time researching different After a few artist renderwww.mypaperonline.com ideas and styles. I actually ings, Murr came up with an came up with a few designs, awe-inspiring poster of two and people seem to like the lacrosse players busting out final one.” of side-by-side skulls in a 3D nary challenge every year.

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Page 18 • July 2020 • Hometown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Awarded Federal Grant... continued from page 12 In the second year, the intervention will undergo its first field test that will use a preand post- test research design with the goal of demonstrating the usability, feasibility, and impact of the intervention. With each component of year two, the researchers will further refine and develop the intervention.

“The iterative process is the part of this project that I am most excited about,” says Koutsoftas, “because it allows us to make changes to the intervention based on end user feedback from educators, speech-language pathologists, and most importantly, the children who participate in the intervention. In doing so, we can refine the intervention to something that can be readily and easily implemented in school settings.”

Within year three of the project, researchers will conduct a small randomized controlled trial of the intervention that involves approximately 10 educators and 50 students with language-based learning disabilities. This will be the pilot study of the intervention to demonstrate the feasibility of Project WILLD. Finally in year four, the team will report their findings, make materials available through the SHU ROW-Lab website, and develop a grant proposal for scale up and initial efficacy testing. At the end of the fourth year of the project, the researchers will be able

to share findings on how to better improve writing outcomes for students with LLD. Training Future SLPs This grant provides funding for two graduate students over the first three years of the project. Under the grant guidelines, two graduate students currently pursuing a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology or a PhD program with a focus in speech-language pathology or special education will be hired for each year of the project and receive some tuition remission along with a monthly stipend. They will work 20 hours per week supporting project activities.

Researchers and Consultants In addition to the key personnel who will serve as consultants, grant funds have been allocated to hire a full-time project coordinator for three years. The candidate for this position will need to be a licensed New Jersey speech-language pathologist and will work to support the co-principal investigators on the project who are listed below.

Anthony D. Koutsoftas, PhD, CCC-SLP, Associate Professor, Department of Speech Language Pathology and Director of the Reading Oral-Language and Writing Lab at Seton Hall University; Project Director for WILLD Cynthia Puranik, PhD, Professor, College of Education and Human Development, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA; Co-Project Director for WILLD

Consultants: Kenn Apel, PhD CCC-SLP, Professor, University of South Carolina Gary Troia, PhD CCC-SLP, Associate Professor of Special Education, Michigan State University Yaacov Petscher, PhD, Associate Director

at the Florida Center for Reading Research, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL For more information on Project WILLD and available grant-funded positions, contact Professor Koutsoftas at anthony.koutsoftas@shu.edu or visit https://blogs.shu. edu/row-lab/.

A Perfect Duo... continued from page 16 di had asked that his friend and confidante, Richard Butler, president of The American Hard Rubber Company in Butler, NJ, to join him in the crown when he pulled the cord to drop away the tricolor banner that hid part of the statue’s face, 300 feet above the stormy fog -shrouded waters off of Jersey City.

“To think that the namesake of our town had such a pivotal role in bringing the Statue of Liberty to America is quite amazing,” Bird said, adding, “It is just one more example of something so iconic having roots right here in our small part of the world, Butler.”

From their vantage point above it all, Bartholdi and Butler watched as boats edged close to the island in anticipation of the long-awaited ceremonies. Naval vessels were aligned in formation at Center Harbor.

It had all the makings of the classic American celebration.

Although only military bands were permitted on Bedloe’s Island for the dedication ceremony, the Butler Silver Cornet band, most of whom were Richard Butler’s employees at the rubber mill, played for the crowd from a boat chartered by Butler and anchored just off the island.

Richard Butler died on November 12, 1902. Upon his death, a life-sized bronze bust was designed and cast by Auguste Bartholdi and presented to Mary Butler in honor of his friend. Although efforts to locate the original bust have been unsuccessful, copies made from Bartholdi’s original mold are on display in the Borough of Butler Council Chambers and in the museum at the Statue of Liberty.

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2020 • Page 19

Kinnelon Lawyer Uses Music to Calm Community During Pandemic

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By Evan Wechman hen the coronavirus pandemic hit New Jersey early this year, it surprised many business owners just how dire things would become. In a matter of weeks, much had changed. Before March was over, many businesses had closed, and many employees were forced to work from home.

The Michalski-Ottens Law firm had just celebrated its grand opening of its Pompton Plains office in February. Olivia Michalski-Ottens, the principal lawyer who specializes in real estate law was perplexed over what to do next. The real estate industry was being put temporarily on hold, but she wanted to let people in the community know she could help them with their legal needs. Besides specializing in real estate law, she also focuses on personal injury matters. More importantly, the mother of three young daughters who lives in Kinnelon wanted to make a difference in the lives of her neighbors, many of whose lives were now in turmoil.

According to Michalski-Ottens, who graduated Seton Hall nearby before going away to study law, she loves all music, especially hits from the 1980’s. She states that music was constantly being played in

her house, by either herself or her loved ones. The lawyer believed “everybody was looking for an outlet and people love music.”

She therefore launched the Michalski-Ottens Law Sunday Music Series where she had family, friends, and even professional musicians record their renditions of popular hits. She would then play them on Sunday mornings on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

One of the first acts was performed by her husband, Bryan Ottens who played on the piano, his version of Billy Joel’s “Angry Young Man.” This was a huge hit as it reached over 13 thousand views. According to Olivia, “in our house, we were watching it (the videos) and it lifted our spirits.”

The sole proprietor maintains that music has the power to “heal” and help people.

She was encouraged by others to continue to book more acts to alleviate the anxieties of her fellow community members.

Many local residents wouldn’t know how to reach professional musicians but Bryan Ottens studied music at William Paterson College and is now president of the Peter E Schmitt Co, Inc in Pequannock. He specializes in matching many leading musical brands to audio professionals world-

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wide who need such equipment. As a result, Bryan reached out to family friend Thomas Claxton, an award-winning vocalist and songwriter. Claxton has opened for many headliners like Mike Rutherford of Genesis, Quiet Riot, and the Marshal Tucker Band.

In the middle of May, Claxton played his version of the classic music piece, “Hallelujah,” written by Leonard Cohen, and people adored it. According to Olivia, “Claxton is an amazing person. He did an amazing job.”

Michalski-Ottens even included a Sunday devoted to children, many of whom have had their lives and routines changed as well from the pandemic. On a Sunday in late May, she featured Jared Kahn who produces virtual music classes for kids and whose act is usually referred to as “Jammin with Jared.” This was a big hit as well.

When the first few weeks of June passed, and the coronavirus situation in the area improved, people started going back to their respective offices. Michalski-Ottens felt it was time to end her Sunday music series but was proud of what it accomplished and the positive vibes she received from people in her community.

As part of the finale, she showcased New

Jersey musical talent Jett Brando. Brando, who has been with several bands for over a few decades sang and played guitar to his rendition of Louis Armstrong’s classic “We Have All the Time In The World.”

“Music helped people get through this tough time,” she adds. She sums up her thoughts best when she admits, “it has been a difficult and unprecedented time in our lives and we hope this series has lifted your spirits.”

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Page 20 • July 2020 • Hometown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Linda D’Amico’s Academy of Dance Announces 43rd Year in Business

J

oyful news! Surviving COVID-19 pandemic, Linda D’Amico‘s Academy of Dance is proud and humbled to announce its 43rd year of sharing the love of dance and arts at 574 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Pompton Plains. Our normal will be a new normal but we will adjust accordingly, from social distancing, to temperature check, to sanitizing, to masks when not dancing!!! From adorable petite PK/Kinder dance division, to our beautiful energetic recreational Terpsichorean division, to our fierce competition team now under the name of The Dance Project directed by the creative skills of Janine Dayson and Meagan Salma, we are astounded and so incredibly proud of the progress our dancers have made over the years. The recreational dancers will be under the assistance of Joy Giuffre and all under the umbrella of Linda D‘Amico (Mrs. D). Our incredible staff also includes, Cathy

Giuffre (office manager), Taylor Redmond, Megan Gwozdz, Hannah Castoro, Adam Houston, Dr. Staci Shivers, Sidney DeStefano, Summer Sheldrick, and Gina Giuffre. Gratitude to all of them for the giving of their special talents and creativity to our students. We thank our staff, for bringing out the inner strength, passion and talent of our dancers, whether in our facility, virtually or on the lawn as the pandemic has dictated.

Linda Rose D’Amico, the talented and accomplished artistic director of LDAD for the past 7 years has stepped down to pursue her gifted talents in other directions. We extend our deepest gratitude to Linda Rose for sharing her amazing talents and expertise with us, taking LDAD to another level of excellence.

Mrs. D believes, the dedication to their craft and passion of our students, shows through their class participation and

performances when allowed. We take absolute pride when we say that this is more than just a place to dance. LDAD is a place where lifetime friendships are formed, where confidence is built, and where coordination, grace, and agility are nurtured to create headstrong, charismatic young adults equipped with life lessons needed to take on life’s journeys and challenges no matter where it takes them.

Remember always, “If you can dream it, you can achieve it.” Allow Linda D’Amico’s Academy of Dance to help you achieve that dream through the love of dance.

Register through: website: www.lindadance.com, Email: (Ldadancers@lindadance.com. or call 973-616-0300. Stay connected with our most current adventures through Facebook and Instagram pages @Ldadancers.

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2020 • Page 21

T

Sculpture Trail at Laurelwood Arboretum Installs Second Work of Art

he Sculpture Trail, sponsored by Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum, has installed “Oxidized Pod” a welded work by artist Robert Koch. The sculpture, which can now be seen along Brook Road in the arboretum, is the second in a series of works of art to be featured by the Sculpture Trail project. The striking 72inch stainless steel sculpture is designed to capture the organic movements found in nature, in works such as this, Koch seeks to challenge the inherent behavior of the rigid material to capture the movements of a leaf in the wind, the swaying of reeds, or even the split second a seed begins to germinate.

Growing up in Pennsylvania, Koch attended Kutztown University, where he studied art education. Over the course of nearly 20 years, he created functional stoneware pottery. Ten years ago, he completed a metal sculpting class at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and knew immediately that this indeed was a calling. In 2004, he moved from rural Pennsylvania to the New York City area and began working solely on steel sculptures. His rapidly growing list of public and corporate commissions includes a major installation at the headquarters of the Mack-Cali Realty Corporation in Jersey

City.

The Sculpture Trail, part of the continuing Art at the Arboretum series sponsored

by Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum, is a multiyear project to benefit the arboretum.

It is being curated by Scott Broadfoot of the Broadfoot & Broadfoot Gallery in Boonton, New Jersey. The Sculpture Trail chairpersons are Stuart Reiser, a partner in the firm Shapiro, Croland, Reiser, Apfel & DiIorio and pro bono attorney for the Friends of Laurelwood Board of Directors, and his wife Leslie, both long-time Pines Lake residents. A GoFundMe page has been set up for donations to help cover installation and signage expenses for the project. To contribute, please go to gf.me/u/x4rvy7 The Sculpture Trail will feature more than 15 sculptures by prominent artists. It will serve to enhance the park by complementing its landscape and serene setting.

The sculptures will be available for sale, with a percentage of the proceeds donated to Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. The first of the sculptures, Brickhead Iyemoja by sculptor James Taylor, was installed last fall.

Additional installations are planned in the coming months.

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Page 22 • July 2020 • Hometown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

For Retiring Bloomingdale Mechanic, Customers Love Never Waned

W

By Jillian Risberg e’ve all been there and have the nightmarish car dealership stories to prove it. But if you ever crossed paths with Mark’s Auto Service over the years, your life was irrevocably changed.

“This man is a credit to his profession and to all of the honest mechanics out there,” wrote Joe in Lake Hiawatha on Yelp.

At 63 and having endured emergency heart bypass surgery in March, the time felt right after 40 years to move forward.

“The building we were in got sold,” says owner, Mark Mastrangelo. “I knew it was up for sale so I figured this summer I would just finish up, found a place nearby and gave Bill (his right-hand man of 32 years) the name, phone number and half the equipment.”

“I had enough, I didn’t want to work anymore,” Mastrangelo says.

There were many great memories in that shop. And the mechanic says for him the best part was not having a corporation hanging over his head.

“Being fired, office politics, backstabbing,” Mastrangelo says. “The first 14 years I did seven-day a week gas station, the next 23 years I did six-day a week re-

pair shop. It was a lot of hard work and a lot of hours — but I made good money and I made a lot of friends and had a lot of fun.”

But whatever the mechanic did all those years really resonated with folks.

“As he is telling his customers that he is retiring, they all are bringing him gifts and cards of thanks, and inviting him to their homes,” says his sister, Monica Montagni. “This is such a nice tribute to him.”

The mechanic says it’s about putting yourself in other people’s shoes.

“Just keep ‘em happy, give ‘em what they want and they’ll keep coming back,” says Mastrangelo, who’s been in town so long he has served generations of families. “A lot of customers I’ve had 25 plus years.”

What’s his formula? The mechanic says it’s two-fold.

“I worked for a guy for two years before I started my own business,” Mastrangelo says. “He started when he was 18, just retired at 74; was in the same location for 50 something years — everybody loved him.”

So he emulated the other mechanic.

“I did a good job, was friendly and nice to everybody,” he says.

According to Mastrangelo, quite often

people would come in to talk with him even if they didn’t need something done on their car. “(And) I gave very freely of my time,” he says, adding that he lives by The Golden Rule: “treat others how you want to be treated.”

Montagni says her brother has always paid it forward in a very quiet way.

“You will never hear him talk about

all the things he does,” the math teacher says. “It’s just the way he goes about his life.”

She recalls a Pennsylvania man on his way home from New Jersey broke down in Butler late in the day.

“He called Mark’s Auto and after Mark looked at the problem, he told the man the car couldn’t be fixed right then. Mark continued on page 23

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2020 • Page 23

Retiring Bloomingdale Mechanic... continued from page 22 lent the man his (own) car so he could drive home to PA that night,” Montagni says. “The man came back two days later to pick up his repaired car.”

That was hardly an isolated incident when it came to Mark.

Yelp and Angie’s List reviewers have also commented on his altruistic nature.

“They always talk about his honesty, fairness, not charging for repairs, etc,” Montagni says. “I don’t know any of these people so they are not friends and family — they are all regular customers.”

Mastrangelo echoed his sister’s sentiment, saying that a lot of times if a customer couldn’t afford to pay, he’d let them pay it out over time.

“I was like, ‘no problem, I’m not worried about you; I’ll see you when I see you,” the mechanic says. “I had very few people stiff me (I don’t even think one per year).”

He also never advertised, instead building his business solely on word of mouth.

“Everybody would bring other people, sometimes 10 or 15 years later,” Mastrangelo says. “Once they came, that would be it — they never leave.”

His customer’s loyalty ran deep and vice versa.

When a longtime 90-year-old client called Mark to tell him that her car wouldn’t start on a wintry day and she was worried because she needed to go food shopping — the mechanic stepped up as he always did, towing the car down to the shop and more.

“I’ll drive you down to the IGA, get your stuff, I’ll get coffee and I’ll pick you up and drive you home,” Mastrangelo told her, later fixing her car.

The mechanic is always making connections — a factor that has made him successful in business and in life.

“I’m just a little guy in a little town, it’s not like I did anything major,” Mastrangelo says. “I can’t say I started a blood drive, I just did a lot of small things on a daily basis to make it good for everybody.”

And so he did…Raul Araujo called Mastrangelo the best mechanic in the sector.

“The owner is very friendly but above all he is very honest and that makes me fully trust him,” Araujo wrote on Google.

Not one to sit idly by, the next chapter looks to be equally dynamic for the mechanic.

He has some classic cars, old Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles and recently bought a house with a six-car garage — to have a place to store and work on them.

“I love doing the car shows and many times during the summer they’re in the Midwest,” says Mastrangelo. “Now I can go every year.”

And he’s ready for the open road.

“I just picked up a ’67 Pontiac Grand Prix convertible and I want to go on big road trips around the country,” Mastrangelo says. “I know people in Washington State, California, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Rhode Island. Probably next summer, I’ll get in that Pontiac and be gone!”

Page 24 • July 2020 • Hometown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

P

Performing Arts Academy Hosts Red Carpet Experience

erforming Arts Academy (Pompton Lakes/Lincoln Park) is pleased to announce that we recently hosted our first ever Red Carpet Experience at the Pompton Lakes location, and it was a huge success! Dancers of all ages registered to participate and the excitement at the studio was palpable. Upon arrival at the studio, each child was able to enjoy the spotlight as they walked a red carpet leading from the parking lot into the building. Donner Photographic was on hand to take formal photos, after which each dancer followed the red carpet and bouquets of balloons up the stairs. A stage was constructed in one of our studio classrooms, which allowed every dancer to shine on their own as they performed for up to three family members/friends. Once the applause subsided and bows were taken, each dancer and their guests continued to follow a line of balloons to their final red carpet stop, where they received their trophies. Although we know that nothing could possibly replace our annual recital, we know that this special day brought so much joy to our dancers, families, faculty, and staff.

This September will mark the beginning of PAA’s 30th year in business and we can’t wait to welcome our students back and dance together again. We continue to keep a close eye on state guidelines and will be doing everything in our power to keep our dancers safe, including disinfecting between classes, maintaining social distancing standards, adding hand sanitizer stations, and more. Our outstanding staff will be thoroughly trained in safety procedures so that our families can feel confident knowing that their children

will continue to receive a top-notch dance education in a safe, clean, and supportive environment. Be sure to check

out our website (www.thepaa.com) for more information and feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2020 • Page 25

Help Operation Chillout Help Homeless Veterans This Summer

M

by Elsie Walker ost people take having clean water to drink for granted. They just turn on a faucet in their homes and out comes the water. However, what if a person is homeless? Where does he or she get water? Founder and Director of Operation Chillout, Ray Chimileski, recalled that a homeless veteran, who had sepsis, died while waiting for an operation because he took his medication with polluted river water. Chimileski noted, that from the organization’s own experience and information from the New Jersey Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, “one in every five homeless people is a veteran”.

In addition to the need for water, there are also the problems of staying cool in the summer and warm in the winter, how does one do that when he or she is living on the streets?

Helping solve the problems of homelessness and helping homeless veterans receive the services they qualify for are the two focuses of Operation Chillout.

Operation Chillout is New Jersey’s oldest all volunteer mobile outreach for veterans and homeless men and women. Started in 2000, its membership is made up of both veterans and civilians. It serves all of New Jersey, northeast Pennsylvania, and coastal Rhode Island.

Chimileski shared that Operation Chillout was “selected to be the statewide special project 2020-2021 of the New Jersey Federation of Women’s Clubs.” (The New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs is the

largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state and a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.)

Operating out of Long Valley, just one of the many ways Operation Chillout helps is through giving out certain items during the summer and winter; in the summer, those items are caps, t-shirts, and bottled water.

Since veterans congregate where other homeless do, Chillout gives the items to non-veterans as well. In the past, the supplies it shared were donations of items received from drives done by groups or from individuals.

The summer collection is done Memorial Day – Labor Day. However, this year, because of COVID19, Operation Chillout can’t take donations of physical items, but is taking monetary donations to buy the summer items. People can donate through its website at www. operationchillout.org/.

Chimileski shared that Operation Chillout goes to where the homeless are to distribute items (soup kitchens, shelters, etc.) Seeing a homeless veteran, a member of Operation Chillout will give this “peace offering”; the summer or winter items, and the organization’s card. Chimileski calls the items “a peace offering” because homeless veterans may have had bad experiences in the past in trying to get the services they need; they may have become frustrated and given up. They may be wary of help. Operation Chillout wants these homeless veterans to know that it will be their advocate in helping to get them the services for Ken Steffan, of Operation Chillout, gathers some of the supplies to be continued on page 26 given out to the homeless.

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Transplant Recipient Continues to Fight Liver Disease for Others

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No. 18 Vol. 4

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April 2020

No. 18 Vol. 4

PCTI NASA Culinary Challenge an Otherworldly Experience

S

By Jillian Risberg tudents at Passaic County Technical Institute (PCTI) got a taste of space from NASA astronauts themselves when they hosted the NASA Hunch Critical Design Review and Prototyping

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Transplant Recipient Continues to Fight Liver Disease for Others

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By Steve Sears 6-year-old Caleigh Lans, a liver transplant recipient and member of Team Lans, which does the yearly American Liver Foundation Live Life Walk, remembers it well.

“When I was about 11, I began experiencing symptoms that I would later find were linked to liver disease,” says the Ridgewood resident. “I rapidly lost weight, I experienced intense itching on my legs, so much so that I would scratch until I bled. My skin became discolored and yellow. I went from doctor to doctor and they all recommended different specialists and I felt like I was falling down a rabbit hole, but I didn’t really have a choice. I kept going to the doctors, I kept getting blood work done, I even went to several neurologists to see if it was something in my head. Finally, after we couldn’t take the lack of answers anymore, my parents took me to the ER. Blood work was drawn and that’s when they discovered my liver numbers were way off.”

Lans, who works as a real estate agent in Garfield, was again sent to a multitude of doctors, her visits taking her to a hospital in Hackensack, but also beyond to one in New York City, and she and her parents even flew out to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to see if the mystery of her illness could be discovered. “I spent the entirety of my high school years in and out of hospitals,” she says, “too sick to participate.”

By the time Lans was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, a chronical disease which attacks the bile ducts both inside and outside a person’s liver, the illness had progressed so much she had to be put on a transplant list. “About a month later, I got the call and went into surgery!” she says.

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By: Megan Roche s winter comes to an end, people are itching to breakout those lawn chairs and blankets, longing for days of sunny weather and blue skies. On May 3 (raindate: May 17), head out to Roxbury’s Horseshoe Lake for a day of fun April 2020 that benefits the greater community of homeless veterans.

Rich Goldberg, the mastermind behind Vetfest, was looking for a way to continue his efforts in helping the state’s homeless veteran population.

Through his work volunteering for Community Hope, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, Goldberg has come to know many veterans throughout the area who have simply fallen on hard times. With a passion for music as well, Goldberg combined the two and decided on a concert to benefit them. The first ever Vetfest was held in 2019 and was a major success, raising over $24,000.

On May 3, beginning

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Chester Teen’s Fundraising for Children of Wounded Servicemen Brings Service and Sacrifice to Light

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2010, she and her family have been active participants in the Liver Life Walk in New York City. “Every year, we raise money for the foundation and go on the two-mile walk in honor of those we lost and to support those who are currently struggling. Although I am feeling MUCH better now, having had a liver transplant, it will be a lifelong battle for me. My immune system is severely compromised, so especially during times like these (a pandemic), it’s scary for me.

The American Liver Foundation’s mission is to fund the research to prevent and treat liver disease. That has become my personal mission as well.”

Lans credits some amazing people she works with who have also decided to make defeating liver disease their mission, and herself states her purpose in the fight, especially in these trying times. “I wouldn’t be doing my duty as a transplant survivor and advocate if I didn’t touch on this when discussing the ultimate goal of defeating liver disease.

You see, although having a liver transplant 100% saved my life, the road to recovery didn’t stop there. In order to keep my body from rejecting the transplanted liver, I am on many drugs that completely wipe out my immune system, so it doesn’t ‘fight back’ against the transplanted organ.

Of course, that means I can’t really fight off anything. I am at an incredible risk for common colds and flus but during a (COVID-19) pandemic, it’s especially concerningCathy as I am Kelly very much at risk for contracting this as well. That is why it’s so important to me to bring awareness to liver disease and after-transplant care.” She asks that those wishing to support and fund she and her team should visit the Liver Walk link directly at www.liverlifewalk.org/newyorkcity/ support/#TeamLans.

Lans closes by expressing her gratitude. “I wouldn’t be here saying any of this if it wasn’t for my friends, family and community supporting my team and myself. I wouldn’t be here without the amazing doctors at Columbia Presbyterian who guided me through every step of the process, including the 13-hour surgery. The list of people who have positively impacted my life when such a curveball was thrown into it goes on and on. My doctors, my teachers, my therapists, heck even my favorite hair salon ‘donating’ haircuts when I was too sick to even brush my hair.”

“There is one thing that this entire process has taught me, and that is that for every bad thing that happens, there is so much more good.”

Judi

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By Megan Roche or 17-year-old Brennan Horn, the importance of service and sacrifice is something he’s always felt the need to do. When he spent his youth in Arkansas, his family was constantly contacted by teachers and community members to help fill needs of the less fortunate. When the PCTI Team at NASA Hunch Culinary Challenge.

Horn family moved to the Chester, NJ area in 2018, Horn the need to continue mission, found that first place again sincefeltbut “They submithistwo or but tomato stewmost made with being met.

After chicken brainstorming, he served they’re working on it,needs hop- were threealready different entrees thighs and ing for top honors thisbegan time histofoundation, NASA and Children they lookofatWounded with a Servicemen, poached egg on top.

(COWS) to his efforts of giving back. around. thecontinue ingredients and select “It made me feel great Horn has noone connection to military service, except According to Woods, one which they really want because it is ahis traditional brother isthe currently a Midshipman at thefood United Na- in Israyear they focus on a breakstudents to concentrate thatStates my family Academy.

Brennan be a lot,” fast entree, anotherval year on,” she says. simply saw a needeland andwanted I have to cooked the one who worked fulfil24 it. chal- says Aden Lewin, a PCTI seit’s dessert — this year they For the toFeb. “I thought the military a degree had to come up with an ethlengethat — they selectedwas Shaknior. of people who on page 2 don’t receive a lot attentionIsraeli and you alwayscontinued hear about nic entree. shuka, a of traditional Wounded Warrior Project or organizations similar to them, but you don’t see any organization that is specified just for children of servicemen.” Horn said.

The junior at West Morris Mendham High School has raised over $20,000 towards his charitable efforts, simply through word of mouth or by setting up donation tables outside many local businesses in the Chester area. His doCathyand andbirthday Judi onpresyour of when his foundation helped a local family. nations have helped supply Christmas Circle offorExcellence ents, sports equipment, and school supplies children of “Recently, there was a firefighter who was diagnosed with LeuSilver Award wounded servicemen. Horn uses servicemen as an 2019 all-en- kemia. He has been bedridden for months, and he and his wife compassing term, not just for the military but for police- didn’t have the money for Christmas presents for their kids. After men and firemen as well.cell: doing a speaking engagement at the fire department, we present“Seeing a smile on a little kids face when they have ed the wife and the firefighter with a cart full of gift baskets and cell: something to open or the ability to compete in recreational you could just see the emotion on their faces, and it was just so sports, that is unimaginable and unexplainable. To make a heartwarming.” Horn said. cell: difference in a kid’s life by doing a small act of kindness is Testimonials to Horn and his foundation are constantly pourjust an incredible feeling.” Horn shared. ing in on social media. His Facebook page, Children of Wounded Horn recalled one of the more heartwarming moments continued on page 7

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Vetfest Presents Music and Food Trucks This May

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“It is nice to see the students put their heart and soul into this project because I think they all wanted to be part of a competitive culinary team,” says Culinary Arts Instructor, Matthew Vanaria, adding that NASA was of course a big draw.

They actually won gold that first year they joined and the students got to go down to Huston.

“Their entree was (Red Pepper Puree) Risotto and was very well-received by everyone,” says Sandra Woods, PCTIs director of communications and special projects, adding that the astronauts called from the ISS while they were eating and spoke to the students.

“That was so exciting and each time we’ve made into the top ten to compete nationally with the schools who won top ten,” Woods says.

Unfortunately, the communications director says they haven’t made

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By Steve Sears 6-year-old Caleigh Lans, a liver transplant recipient and member of Team Lans, which does the yearly American Liver Foundation Live Life Walk, remembers it well.

“When I was about 11, I began experiencing symptoms that I would later find were linked to liver disease,” says the Ridgewood resident. “I rapidly lost weight, I experienced intense itching on my legs, so much so that I would scratch until I bled. My skin became discolored and yellow. I went from doctor to doctor and they all recommended different April 2020 specialists and I felt like I was falling down a rabbit hole, but I didn’t really have a choice. I kept going to the doctors, I kept getting blood work done, I even went to several neurologists to see if it was something in my head. Finally, after band, A Brothers Revival, Zone 13 we couldn’t take the lack of answers anymore, my parents an Allman Brothers tribtook me to the ER. Blood work was drawn and that’s when ute band, Sensational Soul they discovered my liver numbers were way off.”

Cruisers, a Motown and Lans, who works as a real estate agent in Garfield, was R&B band, The Best of the again sent to a multitude of doctors, her visits taking her to Eagles, an Eagles tribute a hospital in Hackensack, but also beyond to one in New band, and New York State York City, and she and her parents even flew out to the of Mind, a Billy Joel tribute Margaret A. Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to see if the mystery of her illband.

“Peggy” Lefsky ness could be discovered. “I spent the entirety of my high “I’ve gotten to know so Broker/Sales Associate school years in and out of hospitals,” she says, “too sick to many of these veterans participate.” throughout our area. These By the time Lans was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosveterans are humble peo973-727-0795 Cell ing Cholangitis, a chronical disease which attacks the bile ple and grateful people. All 862-345-1963 eFax ducts both inside and outside a person’s liver, the illness they want to do is get back 2010, she and her family have been active participants in 973-263-0400 Office had progressed so much she had to be put on a transplant on their feet, and if we can the Liver Life Walk in New York City. “Every year, we raise give them a littleBy step up,Risber a g Jillian Review andwww.peggylefsky.com Prototyping tionally enriching program list. “About a month later, I got the call and went into sur- money for the foundation and go on the two-mile walk in or visit methat involves having a culi- gery!” she says. little assistance, that’students realat Passaic Challenge, innovative honor of those we lost and to support those who are curon facebook at Lans was the first in her family to suffer from liver disly what it’s all about. County They Technical solutions www.facebook.com/peggylefsky/ to problems nary challenge every year. rently struggling. Although I am feeling MUCH better now, did their job and went out Institute (PCTI) got a encountered by astronauts “It is nice to see the stu- ease, and every year since her liver transplant in March having had a liver transplant, it will be a lifelong battle for and served and taste did everyof space from NASA at the International Space dents put their heart and me. My immune system is severely compromised, so espething for us, and astronauts now what themselves Station (ISS). soul into this project becially during times like these (a pandemic), it’s scary for me.

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by Morris and Essex I ask people to do, is just they to when hosted the Producer Since 2016 they haveMagazine cause I think they all wantThe American Liver Foundation’s mission is to fund the re5 Starparti Agent NJ Monthly come out and have fun Critical Design NASAa Hunch cipated in this Magazine educa- ed to be part of a competsearch to prevent and treat liver disease. That has become NJ Association of Realtors Distinguished Sales Club day.” Goldberg said. itive culinary team,” says my personal mission as well.”

NJAR Circle of Excellence Food trucks include; the Culinary Arts Instructor, Lans credits some amazing people she works with who Empanada Truck, Cubano 30 years+ Matthew Vanaria, adding have also decided to make defeating liver disease their misX-Press, Kona Ice, Jersey Coldwell Banker President’s Circle that NASA was of course a sion, and herself states her purpose in the fight, especially Rollz, Clubhouse Dogs, big draw. in these trying times. “I wouldn’t be doing my duty as a 2018 Ranked No. 1 Top Selling “There is no Substitution Cas’s Polish Food, Thai They actually won gold transplant survivor and advocate if I didn’t touch on this Century 21 Agent for Experience.” that first year they joined Food Addict, Bearded One when discussing the ultimate goal of defeating liver disease.

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You see, although having a liver transplant 100% saved Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 There will also be free en- Over $30 Million down to Huston. my life, the road to recovery didn’t stop there. In order to 2018 in973-263-0400 Sales tertainment for the kiddies “Their entree was (Red Offer good thru 6/30/20 keep my body from rejecting the transplanted liver, I am on

by Tina personally! in the family with bounce Pepper Puree) Risotto and many drugs that completely wipe out my immune system, ©2018 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark of Coldwell Banker LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned and Operted by NRT LLC. continued on page 12 was very well-received so it doesn’t ‘fight back’ against the transplanted organ. by everyone,” says Sandra Woods, PCTIs director SELL Line 973-493-1477 of communications and 973-696-1111 ext 123 special projects, adding that PCTI Team at NASA Hunch Culinary Challenge.

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Of course, that means I can’t really fight off anything. I am at an incredible risk for common colds and flus but during a (COVID-19) pandemic, it’s especially concerning as I am very much at risk for contracting this as well. That is why it’s so important to me to bring awareness to liver disease and after-transplant care.” She asks that those wishing to support and fund she and her team should visit the Liver Walk link directly at www.liverlifewalk.org/newyorkcity/ support/#TeamLans.

Lans closes by expressing her gratitude. “I wouldn’t be here saying any of this if it wasn’t for my friends, family and community supporting my team and myself. I wouldn’t be here without the amazing doctors at Columbia Presbyterian who guided me through every step of the process, including the 13-hour surgery. The list of people who have positively impacted my life when such a curveball was thrown into it goes on and on. My doctors, my teachers, my therapists, heck even my favorite hair salon ‘donating’ haircuts when I was too sick to even brush my hair.”

“There is one thing that this entire process has taught me, and that is that for every bad thing that happens, there is so much more good.”

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Page 26 • July 2020 • Hometown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Riverdale Police Department Police Officer Takes Part Again in Law Enforcement Torch Run

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By Steve Sears or the 23rd consecutive year, Riverdale Police Department Police Detective Sergeant Christopher Biro is taking part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event, originally scheduled for June 9, has been moved to October 9, 2020 (pending any further health crises). It benefits the New Jersey Special Olympics.

A special video was created with representatives from each county appearing. “It was kind of ‘we haven’t forgotten about you’ type thing,” says Biro, who was the Morris County representative in the video.

Labelled “The Gazelle” by Riverdale Police Department Chief of Police, Kevin Smith, Biro first took part in the event when a dispatcher for the Wayne Police Department, where he worked from 1997 – 1998.

He has been stationed in Riverdale since 1999. “They used to have a run that used to start in Wayne, and then when I came here, I became the coordinator here,” Biro says.

Law Enforcement Operation Torch Run was created in 1981 by Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon, who believed the event would aid his state’s law enforcement support of the community and Special Olympics Kansas.

Various (about 26) runs take place throughout the Garden State, and Biro is part of run #4, which starts in Butler, and then ends 26 miles later in Morris Plains.

Police officers from Butler, Bloomingdale, Wanaque, Pompton Lakes, and Pequannock join their Riverdale comrades. Along the way, there is a stop at the Shop-Rite in Lincoln Park, where a presentation is made, and then Montville takes the torch and makes their way to Morris Plains. At day’s end, all the runs culminate in Trenton, where an official torch lighting and opening ceremonies are held to begin the weekend-long Special Olympic Games.

Biro, 46, has always been a runner, a member of cross-country teams in high school and college. “A lot of towns just run in their town, but he,” says Smith, proudly pointing to Biro, “starts in Butler, and he runs all the way through Lincoln Park. That’s like 9 miles.” Some fellow officers run with Biro.

There are various ways to raise donations and funds for Biro and his group. “You can go online and donate,” he says, “you can go on the town website and donate, there’s forms and you can just drop donations off at (police department) headquarters, you can mail them in…there’s all different kinds of ways. New Jersey has always been a big money raiser – they’re one of the top in the country, raising money for Special Olympics – so, it means a lot to those kids. They’re counting on you; they look forward to it every year to doing that, and they can’t do it without our support.”

Residents cannot run with the groups because the run is primarily for law en-

Help Operation Chillout... continued from page 25 which they qualify and also help them with other needs.

Chimileski noted that this year’s distribution of items will be different due to COVID19 restrictions. Some shelters are closed. Also, Operation Chillout won’t be allowed to put up its table and speak oneon -one with homeless veterans. Operation Chillout will be delivering the items it usually gives out (and its cards for homeless veterans) to the organizations to distribute, like the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark), soup kitchens, etc.

Operation Chillout will also go to other places where the homeless are known to be.

Chimileski noted that COVID-19 restrictions have affected the organization in another way, too. Operation Chillout has cancelled its annual August Vet Fest fundraiser which benefits the organization’s Rapid Re-

sponse Team Hotline and veterans rescue housing costs. “Our Rapid Response Team runs 24/7/365. We receive calls daily at our automated hotline (609-619-0861) from or about homeless veterans. Referrals come from many sources: individuals, agencies, first responders, family members and often the VA itself. We provide no cost transportation and brief motel stays and whatever incidental items are needed to rescue the veteran from the homeless crisis. While secure and safe, we arrange or provide access to longer term housing solutions. In 2019, we rescued an average of one new homeless veteran per day - over 300 individuals.”

Chimileski said that those who would like to support those efforts can visit the Operation Chillout website to donate to its veterans’ outreach effort. The donation link is found at the bottom of this page: www. operationchillout.org/who-we-are/.

forcement, but there is an agreement with the schools where a waiver can be signed, and kids can run a short distance because the schools are raising money for the officers as well. However, the community is often by the side of the road offering encouragement when they see officers jogging by

and wearing the Special Olympics representative shirts.

Well aware what the run does for New Jersey Special Olympics, it also does something for Biro. “It makes you feel good.”

Visit www.sonj.org/partners/law-enforcement-torch-run/ for more information.

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2020 • Page 27

Warrior Heart: A Mantra and Possible Book

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By Dawn M. Chiossi estiny is what you make it. This is the inspiring message of Warrior Heart, a book from Pompton Plains resident, and would-be-author, Tim Liveilli. More than just a title, it’s a mantra for his whole life.

Warm and gregarious with a story to tell, Liveilli is like most writers out there; people know him, people like him. Born three months premature, doctors originally had no hope for this young man. But even then, Livelli defied the odds--he had literally passed away three times, fighting all the way back each time. Due to a bleed in the brain, he has virtually no cerebellum. This is the part of the brain that controls movement and motor function. The doctors had diagnosed that he essentially would be a vegetable.

Their negativity was just unacceptable to his mother. With a deep faith in God and a bachelor’s degree in speech therapy, she had other ideas for her and her son. “I thought Tim himself would teach me what he could and could not do.” Margie Livelli asserts.

She was right. Now at 42 years old, Tim Livelli is far from being a vegetable.

Although Margie Livelli says that he has some neurological impairment, he does not let it affect him at all. Through discipline, therapies, and sheer determination, Tim has come through so much. “He’s worked hard,” she praises. “The motor function of his brain has been rerouted.”

To date, Tim has had five open-heart surgeries (the first when he was only five), walks independently, has worked with and rides horses, and has a brown belt in karate. He’s kind, caring, with a sense of humor. He’s a real people person, someone who loves dogs, and is independent. His mother relates that he’s had extensive life skills training and that he has worked at Rocking Horse Rehab in West Orange and is currently a dog-walker in the area. “He’s very sure of himself,” she tells.

In fact, Liveilli has a warrior’s heart. In his own words, Tim is very much like everyone else. “I am a young man who enjoys horses, dolphins, martial arts. I enjoy

watching TV, especially medical, nature, and vet shows. I’m a trekkie,” he tells.

Most importantly he wants to inspire others. For 10 years, he has been working on his book. Warrior Heart is a candid perspective that makes clear that destiny is what you make it. “I wanted to make sure parents of special needs children know that doctors can’t predict everything,” Tim asserts. “They need to go on with their children and work with them. Parents need to encourage and be there for them. “ In writing his book he realized that the first five years of his life were a “real struggle, filled with lots of challenges.” In fact, Tim shares that it was his most favorite part of the book. In particular, he writes about a time when his mom was trying to get him to crawl on the beach. “It (the scene) shows that people need to be advocates for their children, they have to be a voice for them and fight for them.”

With an uplifting message that has the power to reach so many, Tim had the idea to create a GoFundMe page to help realize his dream of getting his story published. Starting the fundraising campaign last year, it has raised $1,085 so far of the $7,000 goal (an estimate from a publishing house.) “I felt it was my only way to get financial help to publish the book as well as getting people to read it,” Tim says.

“Tim’s story is very moving. It shows glimpses of what he has gone through.”

Margie Livelli relates. “Tim has been so involved and steadfast in wanting to get this book done. He feels there is a need for it in the world. The kids all need a chance to prove themselves. That is what he wants the parents to remember.”

What’s next for Warrior Heart? “We will send the book off to the publishers and they will look at it and decide if it is worthy of publication and what else needs to be done,” states Margie Livelli. She is adamant. “Tim’s story deserves to be heard. It is not that the parents should not listen to the doctors, but rather to give their children a chance to show what they can and can’t do with lots of intervention. Look at Tim.....first they said I should abort; then they said he would not make it; then they

said he was going to make it, so be prepared to place him in a home of some kind. What a waste of a wonderful young man’s mind if I had listened to them. In fact, people never look at me as Margie anymore, I’m always just ‘Tim’s Mom’”, she says half-jokingly.

When asked what he would like to see in regards to his book, the answer is both simple and reflective for the would-be author with a warrior’s heart. “​For parents to

speak up for their kids,” Tim​insists.​“I hope that people will learn to fight for their special needs children like my Mom fought for me. If I did not go through the struggles and difficulties in my first five years as well as until now, I would not be the person I am today.” ​ For further information, details, or to donate, please visit www.gofundme. com/f/warrior-heart.

What’s happening in your school or organization?

Celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, graduation? Have a human interest story or something you would like to share?

Email us at editor@mylifepublications.com

Page 28 • July 2020 • Hometown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Diary of a Scout Leader:

Writing from the Heart

An old photo from Troop 170’s Holiday Party of 1966. The scout leaders on the stage are from left to right; Mr. Jack Floyd, my dad and Mr. Raymond Grimm.

O

By Richard Mabey Jr. ur story so far: It is the first day of summer vacation of 1969. I am 15 years old and have just completed my sophomore year at Boonton High School. It is nearing high noon and I have spent the entire morning painting Thorpe Hall of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, for my Eagle Scout project. After eating my lunch, a man comes to the door and begins banging on the door and demanding that I let him in. Fortunately, I had locked the door. I try to huddle out of sight of this man, who is continuing to hammer on the door and scream for someone to let him in. Shortly after that, my mom knocks on the door of Thorpe Hall. My sister, Patti, is with Mom. I clean up and we all go to Moe’s Sweet Shop.

Cute Mary Tafano is at Moe’s. To my utter surprise, Mary asks me to her birthday party on Saturday. Later that afternoon, I help Mom to get supper ready, while my sister Patti plays in the yard, with her neighborhood friend. After supper, Dad comes into my room, while I am at my desk and offers words of encouragement and hope to me.

Morning comes, Dad drives me to Thorpe Hall on his way to work. Our story continues.

I reached the top of the stairs leading to Thorpe Hall. I stood at the outdoor balcony, with the hall key in my hand. My dad waved to me, from within his blue Ford Econoline pick-up truck. I waved back to Dad. Then Dad drove out of the parking lot and made the right turn on Station Road and headed off to work. As the morning sun shined upon my face, I felt the blessing and protection of the Divine One. My fears and anxieties began to melt away, about whether or not the obnoxious man would return today.

I opened the door, walked into Thorpe Hall, and immediately turned around and locked the door. I walked to the back kitchen and put my brown bag lunch in the refrig-

erator. Then walked out of the kitchen and standing in the doorway, from the kitchen to Thorpe Hall, took a moment to take in the quiet, the solace, the comfort of seeing a thousand and one memories blur in front of my eyes. I saw the ghosts of old scout leaders, some of whom had passed through Heaven’s Gate, some of whom had moved far away. I saw the ghosts of all of my old buddies, who were once my fellow scouts, but had one by one dropped out of dear old Boy Scout Troop 170.

Across the long hall, was the legendary stage. It was the very stage, where Troop 170 would hold its Court of Honors, special events and holiday parties. I had first joined Troop 170 when I turned 11 years old in September of 1964. I was now 15, halfway through high school, and I had a big job to finish, if I wanted to earn the coveted rank of Eagle Scout, scouting’s highest rank.

Before I opened the paint can, before I spread out the blue tarps upon the floor, I sat down and reflected upon the thousand and one memories that Thorpe Hall held for me in my heart, mind, and soul. I had a few sheets of notebook paper in my denim pocket and I was suddenly moved to write an essay on what scouting meant to me.

From the time I was 12 years old, I often wrote little articles about Troop 170 for the old Lincoln Park Herald. Mostly about the Klondike Derbies, the big camporees, summer camp, the annual week-long canoe trip down the Delaware River and hiking the Appalachian Trail. But this was a kind of different article for me. It spoke more from my heart, about what scouting meant to me. I remember while writing this composition, I began to seriously consider presenting it to Mr. Marino, the Editor-in-Chief of the Lincoln Park Herald, to see if he thought it was worthy of being published.

I turned to my left and just looked at the

The back steps of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church’s landmark Thorpe Hall. This picture shows the very balcony upon which I waved goodbye to my dad, in June of 1969, as I was about to continue painting the inside walls of the building.

old stage for a few minutes. I saw the ghosts of all those many scouts who were once a part of Boy Scout Troop 170 and had now moved on. I was furiously determined to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, so I happily stayed in my scout troop, when so many of my good friends dropped out of the troop.

I remember this so very well. I wrote my heart out that early morning in June of 1969.

My heart, mind and soul poured out upon those sheets of notebook paper. Perhaps it was the strange and eerie feeling of being alone in my old scout meeting room. It was kind of a home away from home, for me. I had so very many good memories of that scout meeting hall.

I didn’t know it at the time. But that very essay that I wrote that morning, changed my life. I had stepped out of the who, what,

when, where and why of straight forward journalism, and had written an essay that poured forth from the deepest chords and chambers of my heart. I was beginning to grow as a writer.

I finished my hand written essay and put it in my shirt pocket, close to my heart. My plan was to type it and then present it to Mr. Marino. I then spread out the big blue plastic tarps on the floor. I opened the can of eggshell white paint and began painting the walls of Thorpe Hall. All the while I thought, “I hope Mr. Marino publishes my composition.”

To be continued.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@gmail. com. Please place the wording “My Life Weekly” in the subject line.

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2020 • Page 29

Jurors Announced for the 7th Highlands Juried Art Exhibit; Deadline Extended

Image Credit: Miroslav Vrzala, Walking With Monet, Photograph (2020 Highlands Exhibit Jurors’ Award)

T

he New Jersey Highlands Coalition is honored to introduce the jurors for the 7th Annual Highlands Juried Art Exhibit featuring the landscapes, flora, fauna, natural, cultural and historic resources of the Highlands of NY, NJ, PA and CT. The deadline for artists to submit has been extended to Monday, July 13th.

The Highlands Art Exhibit is pleased to welcome its newest juror, Hal Bromm, New York City gallery owner who opened Tribeca’s first art gallery in 1975, and hosted Keith Haring’s first major solo exhibition (www.halbromm.com). Gallery owner and photographer Donna Compton, owner of Neo Art gallery in Boonton (www.neoart,gallery) joins the panel again this year, and has generously offered to exhibit a selection of works from the Highlands Exhibit. Nancy Ori, award-winning photographer, director of the New Jersey Photography Forum and New Jersey Media Center LLC, and a protege of Ansel Adams will again take part in the jurying process (www.nancyorifineart.com).

Kathleen Palmer will also be joining the panel once again. A long-time friend of the New Jersey Highlands Coalition and director/owner of Studio 7 Fine Art Gallery of Bernardsville, Kathleen’s gallery will eventually host several prize-winning artists from the Highlands Exhibit (www.studio7fineartgallery. com). Award-winning abstract artist Mitchell Rosenzweig (www.mitchellrosenzweig.com), and Elliott Ruga, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, photographer and Policy Director for the New Jersey Highlands Coalition will also take part in the jurying process, was will New Jersey photographer, Highlands Coalition trustee, and Highlands Exhibit organizer Dwight Hiscano (www.dwighthiscano.com).

The Annual Highlands Juried Art Exhibit offers artists an opportunity to have their work featured online, exhibited in two galleries, and published in a popular New Jersey tourism magazine. Due to current events, artists are invited to submit work for an online

exhibit to be hosted by the Highlands Coalition this Fall on a dedicated website and amplified across social media channels, with a selection of winning images to be published in Skylands Visitor, a popular magazine with a combined online viewership and print circulation of 50,000, promoting outdoor recreation and tourism in the Highlands region and beyond in northern New Jersey. A Grand Prize of $500.00 will be awarded in addition to other cash prizes and gift certificates. Like last year, there will be also a Sculpture Category and a Youth Category for artists under the age of 18. Selected entries will be featured in Skylands Visitor later this year and a selection of finalists will be featured in an exhibit at Neo Art Gallery in Boonton. The three top prize winners also will be shown at Studio 7 Fine Art Gallery in Bernardsville.

The Highlands Coalition will be hosting a reception later this year where prizes will be awarded. Thanks to generous donors, there will be a Grand Prize of $500, in addition to Second Place and Third Place awards of $300 and $200 respectively. Other prizes will include gift certificates for framing, printing and local events. Selections from the exhibit will be featured on the new “Highlands Artists” Facebook page and on a dedicated website hosted by the New Jersey Highlands Coalition. Prize-winning images will accompany press releases to be sent to prominent NJ publications.

Painting, drawing, pastel, mixed-media, sculpture, and photography featuring the landscapes, flora, fauna, natural, cultural, or historic resources of the Highlands of NY, NJ, PA and CT will be accepted for jurying.

Abstract images are also accepted and encouraged as long as they are inspired by the Highlands.

For more information, please visit http:// njhighlandscoalition.org/6th-annual-highlands-juried-art-exhibit/.

Initial digital entries must be received by July 13, 2020.

Page 30 • July 2020 • Hometown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

I Remember Dad: The Coming of Age of Dad and I

M

By Richard Mabey Jr. y father and I came of age in very different circumstances. When my dad was 17, in the midst of World War II, his mom and dad got the news that Dad’s older brother Edward was lost at sea. The sad news came that a German ship had sunk the ship that Uncle Ed was aboard, leaving him bobbing up and down in the Atlantic Ocean, off of the coast of England. It was an English ship that saved Uncle Ed and his fellow Navy survivors.

I think that very moment, when Dad heard that his brother was lost at sea, my father decided to join the service. My grandmother was a very patriotic woman, but she was dead set against Dad joining the service at 17 years of age. I don’t know how he did it, but Dad convinced Grandma to sign the paperwork that allowed him to join the United States Army Air Corps.

After his basic training at Fort McLellan in Alabama, Dad was assigned to the Seventh Army Air Corps and was sent to Hickam Air Field in Hawaii. It was at Hickam Air Field that my dad was trained to work in the hangars and open fields to maintain and repair the famous P-51 Mustang Fighter Planes.

My coming of age, was quite different from that of my beloved father. On September fifth of 1970, I turned 17 and began my senior year at Boonton High School. I was a very earnest, serious student. I worked part time at the Shop-Rite grocery store in my hometown of Lincoln Park. I had managed to save up enough money to buy a 1961 Ford Falcon. And, I was dating Penny, who was a very pretty and incredibly smart girl.

While my dad learned in detail, how airplane engines worked, I struggled through an advanced math class and chemistry class. I often wondered if Dad struggled in learning how to repair an airplane engine,

as I struggled to learn chemistry. Sadly, I’ll never know. At 66 years old, and 15 years since my beloved father went Home to be with the Lord, I think of all the questions that I would have loved to have asked him.

But now it’s too late.

My dad and I shared a dear and wonderful common bond. We both endearingly loved the home and land of the Mabey Estate on Mabey Lane in Lincoln Park. There was a big open field, that lied between the home that my great grandfather, William Mabey, built and the home that my grandfather, Watson Mabey, built. Grandpa always referred to it as Earl’s Meadow. For it was on this open field, a little over an acre in size, that Grandpa’s brother Earl was going to build a home, when he came home from fighting in the front lines of World War I. Sadly, Great Uncle Earl never came home.

He was killed in battle.

From about the time I was in eighth grade and on through my second year of County College of Morris, Dad and I always farmed a great big garden on Earl’s Meadow. Sadly, I cannot find any pictures of that magnificent garden. We grew corn, tomatoes, string beans, radishes, and peppers. I loved working on that big garden with Dad on Saturdays. It is one of my most cherished memories of coming of age at the old Mabey Homestead.

Dad proudly served his country in the Army Air Corps. When I turned 18, my cousin Earl, who was named after Great Uncle Earl, told me that I should sign up for the National Guard. Sadly, I was rejected because I had heart damage from having had rheumatic fever when I was 12 years old.

I could say that I wanted to join the service to answer my patriotic call. And, there was some truth to that. But, mainly I wanted to wear a uniform to impress my girlfriend, Penny, and make her even more proud of me than she already was.

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When Dad came home from Hickam Air Field, he courted and then married my mom, Janet Kemmerer of Boonton. In contrast, in the Summer of 1972, when I finished my first year at County College and Penny graduated high school, Penny then began her freshman year at Rutgers University in the Autumn of 1972 and sadly, we drifted apart.

Dad and I both loved the great outdoors.

The old Mabey Homestead was once surrounded by forest, before the big developments were built. My father and I would often hike through the woods to the old Morris Canal and walk the old tow path. It is a most cherished memory I have of my father. Dad had an immense knowledge of the Morris Canal, since his father was the Chief Engineer of Incline Plane Ten East.

My father and I had very different experiences of our coming of age, that magical time between being 17 ad 18 years old.

But, we also had common bonds that dug deep into the crevices of the chambers of our hearts. I loved my dad very much. It’s been over 15 years since Dad went Home to be with the Lord. I still deeply mourn his passing.

It always makes me very sad when I hear a father speak unkindly of his son. Or, when I hear a son speak unkindly of his father. Life is short. Forgiveness is the sweet nectar of

A photo of my dad at 17 years old. This picture was taken only a few months before Dad signed up for the United States Army Air Corps. Dad was destined to become an ace airplane mechanic.

life. Holding a grudge is the poison that will destroy a person’s heart, mind, and soul.

Love is the key to all human understanding.

If your dad is still on this side of Heaven’s Gate, please do give him a call today. Not next week, not even tomorrow, but rather today. Tell your dad you love him, I wish I could mine.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer.

He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@ gmail.com. Please put on the subject line: My Life Publications.

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2020 • Page 31

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