Hometown Z12 July 2021 Print by My Life Publications..Maljon LLC

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No. 17 Vol. 7

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July 2021

Riverdale’s Luann Smith Releases Memoir

By Henry M. Holden uann Smith’s life was not always peaceful. It was filled with trauma, addiction, and heartbreak, but it is now filled with hope and serenity. “Some of the roughest days of my life I have turned around. I made it a good life,” Smith said. In her book, A Peaceful Start, Smith explains how she rose from darkness in her life and overcame many things that she feels should have killed her. Through her faith, she has come to know that there is always a way out of our difficulties, if we become honest with ourselves and commit to change. Smith is in recovery now. “It’s by God’s grace that I am alive today. My addictions were into everything, drinking, drugs, and I got to a point where whatever it was, I took it. I wanted numbness; I did not want to feel.” “Addiction is like a tornado that rips through people’s lives. It affects everybody involved in your life. It’s very sad.” “Getting sober was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It has also been the most rewarding thing. I want to leave behind a gift, something to help other addicts who are suffering. I want them to read my book and see that they are not alone in their suffering. I was able to get above it with God’s grace.” Smith believes her life was saved for a purpose, to share her story of hope and redemption and let others know that nothing that we go through should become a life sentence. “The reason I wrote this book is to help other people who might be suffering or may identify with some of the things I’ve been through.”

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TINA CALI REALTOR “I have discovered that adopting the attitude of the best way out of a diﬃculty is always through it. Taking the bull by the horns and not denying the issue, works for me.” Smith shares her life experiences, and thought-provoking topics which many can relate to, hoping to inspire her readers with each day’s message of hope, encouragement, and insight. “Everything in the day stems from how you wake up, and start the day,” said Smith. “If you sit and think something good in your mind you can take that with you and have a beautiful day. That is what I do every day.” “Our mindset is so important since it determines how our day goes. Are you waking up with a head full of negativity and anxiety? Is your mind racing all over the place? It is continued on page 4

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in order minimize complications or implant failure. For the best results, it’s important to choose a dental implant expert who has the proper education, training and is competent in implant dentistry. Q: “Does it hurt to get Dental Implants?” A: Many people feel better than anticipated! They often return to work and their daily activities the next day. While there may be some discomfort and bruising can occur, this typically lasts only temporarily. Q: “How Do I Care for My Dental Implants?” A:Well-placed and cared for dental implants will have the potential to last a lifetime. You can care for your dental implants just like caring for your natural teeth: brush, floss and visit your dentist for regular cleanings and check-ups.

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The 200 Club of Morris County Supports First Responders Through Membership Events!

By Janet Rapisardi he 200 Club of Morris County President Jim Rizzo announces the success of the Club’s first 2021 New Member’s Welcome Event supporting Morris County EMS, Fire, Police and New Jersey State Police active-duty members and their families. The event was hosted by Jersey Girl Brewing Co. in Mt. Olive, owned by Board member and owner Chuck Aaron. Board members and supporters welcomed 45 members including several retired Chiefs of Police. President Rizzo stated that this premier event will be followed by three special 200 Club Member Welcoming events this year. The lively evening including a Brewery Tour at the 10,000 square foot Brew House where all members enjoyed specialty craft beers generously provided by Chuck Aaron along with abundant appetizers and light fare, courtesy of Enzo’s Ristorante & Pizzeria of Mt. Olive. As an event-planning destination, Jersey Girls Brewery provided the perfect venue for the evening’s event, boasting a Sample Room with high top ta-

bles and an outdoor Beer Garden. President Rizzo mentioned that special thanks for the successful evening was due to well-deserved efforts of Event Chairperson V.P. Rob D’Emideo, Membership Committee Chair V.P. Joe Jannerone, Chairman of the Board Bill Lockwood and current Board and club members. The Mission of the 200 Club of Morris County is to provide financial support to the grieving families of our public safety heroes who lose their lives in the line of duty and scholarship funding for qualified dependents. To date, the Club has disbursed more than $5 million. Join us today! Membership is an excellent way to connect with local business leaders and engage with fellow Club members while supporting Morris County’s best! Be our +1; You can make a difference! Call 973-630-7933 or info@200clubofmorriscounty.com and use code 06JRJR21. When signing as a New Member on a New Member welcome evening event; Enjoy the Welcome event, on us!

Smith Releases Memoir... continued from front page It is an awful way to start your day. Do you wonder why you are stressed out and your life isn’t changing?” “Beginning today, you can change that by taking the time each morning to read a page in this book and thinking about the message. You will get your mind going in a different more positive direction, resulting in a more peaceful day.” Each new reading provides awareness on topics that influence everyone in their day-to-day life, such as forgiveness, love, grief, anxiety, addiction, bullying, and coming out. “I read something spiritual every day, and I take it out into the world with me. I try to be caring to others. I try to be peaceful, and mindful every day. I do not sit down and read the news or listen to it. It makes me crazy. If I did my day would start off crazy. When I sit and allow myself to be quiet, pray, meditate, and read something good

to feed my mind, I have a better day and a more peaceful existence.” “I can run into mean people every day and that’s when I get to make a choice. I can either be like them, or I can rise above it. Some days I succeed and walk away with my happiness and peace intact, and some days I don’t. I will go with it and step down into it. I don’t have any time for that anymore. I don’t need to feed into other people’s anxieties.” Luann Smith has been sober more than 32 years. “I thank God I’m glad I was able to turn all that around while my mother was still alive. She was very proud of my sobriety when she died.” The book is a day-at-a-time reading of insight. It is a peaceful way to start the day. There are 365 messages, one for each day of the year filled with hope, encouragement, and insight. You can begin any day of the year. For more information or to order A Peaceful Start, visit www.LuannSmith.com

What’s happening in your school or organization? Have a human interest story or something you would like to share? Email us at editor@mylifepublications.com

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5 Summer Tax Savings Opportunities

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 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 taxsaving happiness in the future.

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2021 • Page 7

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Hackettstown Man Seeking Archeological Answers

ne man in Hackettstown came across a unique item as he was gardening. Bob Bodine was moving around a flowerpot and doing yard work. As he was smoothing out some dirt, a white object caught his eye. After examining it more closely, Bodine called for his wife to check out his find. “Something white was just laying in the ground and I thought ‘what the heck is that?’ I looked closer and it really struck me that it was in the shape of an arrow. I picked it up out of the dirt and when I turned it over, it knocked my socks off,” Bodine said. What he thought was an arrowhead originally, Bodine thinks he has found a spearhead. The white object has very ornate carvings on it. There is an Indian woman that is carved out with much attention to detail. He’s unsure of how long it has been on his property and he is desperately seeking answers. He’s talked with folks at the Hackettstown Library, local historical societies, and even a Centenary University professor. Someone even suggested contacting the Museum of Natural History. “This has been driving me crazy ever since I found it,” Bodine said. Bodine happily shows his find to anyone.

The mysterious item found in the Bodine’s yard

He’s hoping that someone may be able to identify where it came from and what it exactly is. If you might be able to help answer some of his questions, please email joe@newviewmg.com.

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Tokyo Bound: Morris, Essex, and Passaic Residents Hopeful for Olympic Glory

By Megan Roche ancelled in 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic, many people are rejoicing as the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games will go on as scheduled later this month. For some, the extra year gave time for rehabbing injuries, but for others, an extra year of training was not kind. Here is a round up of those athletes representing Morris, Essex, Passaic Counties at the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games. At the time of this writing, these are the qualified athletes.

PASSAIC: Francesca Russo Hometown: Wayne Sport: Fencing Competition Begins: July 24 ESSEX: Molly Reckford Hometown: Short Hills Sport: Rowing Competition Begins: July 23 Alen Hadzic Hometown: West Orange Sport: Fencing Competition Begins: July 24

MORRIS: Jacquelyn Dubrovich Hometown: Riverdale Sport: Fencing Competition Begins: July 24 Keturah Orji Hometown: Mount Olive Sport: Track and Field Competition Begins: July 30

Nic Fink Hometown: Morristown Sport: Swimming Competition Begins: July 25

Morgan Pearson Hometown: Harding Sport: Triathlon Competition Begins: July 26

The opening ceremonies are slated for July 23 at Tokyo Olympic Stadium. NBC will air the opening ceremonies live at 7:00 AM EST. To get the full schedule and timing lineup for every Olympic competition, visit www.olympics.com/tokyo-2020.

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At the Intersection of Love, Warmth, and Community a Birthday Cake

by Gus C. Baxter irthdays are a time to uplift those celebrating and remind them how special they are. Jaime Lehman, founder of For Goodness Cakes headquartered in Los Angeles, had her lightbulb moment through a close friend. “When I was about 22 years old, I learned that one of my friends had never had their birthday celebrated and it made me realize that maybe there might be other children who have never had their birthday celebrated.” The foster system houses about 400,000 youths annually and it was here that Lehman saw her opportunity to spread love. Beginning in 2016, Lehman created a network of volunteers to bake birthday cakes for at risk and underprivileged youth and young adults. The goal of this organization, through the love and support of its volunteers, is to see that no one is forgotten and everyone gets to celebrate their birthday. Amanda Fierro and Jennifer Malec, two elder care social workers in Riverdale, connected over their love of baking. This pair soon discovered For Goodness Cakes and agreed that this is a wonderful non-profit to volunteer for. “Every child deserves to be celebrated,” Malec said. However, there was no New Jersey chapter at that time. After exploring the

start-up process and what will be required of them, Fierro and Malec knew exactly what they had to do. Starting the process in New Jersey, Fierro and Malec set the foundation for the North Jersey chapter. Then, right before the Covid shutdown in 2020, they flew out to Los Angeles and completed their orientation. Newly accepted as the heads of the North New Jersey chapter, Fierro and Malec joined the ranks of 9 other established chapters around the country, with an additional 14 more chapters opening throughout this year. This next part of the story is something we all share. Covid hit and it put For Goodness Cakes North Jersey on hold. As a volunteer-based organization, the health of their volunteers, agency workers, and youth are the utmost priority. Under strict guidelines from HQ in California, For Goodness Cakes North Jersey opened its doors in October 2020. “All volunteer bakers are required to take a food safety course, complete with a graded test at the end. This is 100% virtual,” Fierro said. These measures were put in place to ensure that everyone’s health and safety are being considered while they share their love with these amazing youths. The volunteer bakers are the heart and soul of continued on page 11

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continued from page 10 For Goodness Cakes. These men and women go through the orientation and food safety course offered online and are then welcomed into the For Goodness Cakes family, the Sprinkle Squad! Each Sprinkle Squad member has access to the ledger of cake requests and can sign up for what they can accomplish. “It warms their heart to give a gift that’s so appreciated,” Malec said. In fact, the New Jersey chapter is so full of love and support with over 150 bakers from our community, that Fierro and Malec are constantly reaching out to new agencies to partner with and find new birthdays to celebrate. “It’s not a bad problem to have,” Fierro said. “The number of volunteers speaks to the ease of use.” If you are an agency, a volunteer, or simply want to donate, all information can be found on their website, www.ForGoodnessCakes.org. For Goodness Cakes North Jersey welcomes bakers of all skill levels. “Do you need to make a six-tier CakeBoss cake? No! It can be from a box, with canned frosting, as long as it’s made with love,” Fierro said. This is an opportunity

to spread love and joy in the community, whether you are Martha Stewart or Betty Crocker. The only requirement is to fill each cake with love. Fierro and Malec intend to grow For Goodness Cakes North Jersey to serve as much of New Jersey as possible. Working in the field of social work, both Fierro and Malec are knowledgeable about the foster care system in New Jersey. “Foster care youth can move between counties as necessary based on availability. More chapters allows for full coverage and entitles everyone to celebrate their birthday,” Fierro said. Over the summer, For Goodness Cakes is running a fundraiser on Bonfire.com. Represent your chapter with cute merch, “Sprinkle Squad” tees and sweatshirts, and summer tanks to keep you cool. All funds go towards the rapid expansion of this organization, allowing them to expand their network and help more youth celebrate their birthdays. Find more information and ways to join For Goodness Cakes North Jersey at www. forgoodnesscakes.org/northjersey.

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

How to Help Pets Maintain Healthy Weights Like their human companions, pets can struggle with their weight. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), in 2014, an estimated 53 percent of dogs and 58 percent of cats in the United States were overweight or obese. Being overweight or obese can shorten pets’ lives by increasing their risk for insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, cancer, and osteoarthritis. The APOP estimates that unhealthy weights can shave up to 2.5 years off of pets’ lives. Sedentary lifestyles and overeating can contribute to weight gain in cats and dogs. In addition, choosing the wrong foods for an animal’s activity level may contribute to weight gain. Is my pet too heavy? Many pet owners miss signs that their pets are maintaining unhealthy weights. Pet owners may have a distorted perception of just what qualifies as a healthy weight, thinking a few extra pounds make for a robust pet. But those extra pounds could be causing substantial harm to cats and dogs. The APOP lists healthy weight guidelines for cats and dogs. Cats are easily weighed by

weighing yourself and then weighing yourself while holding the cat. Subtract your weight, and then you will know how much the cat weighs. Dogs require larger scales, and this is something best handled at a veterinarian’s office. Wellness visits provide more opportunities to get accurate assessments of pets’ weights. Vets can conduct visual assessments to determine if pets are maintaining healthy weights while also sharing information about the ideal weight for your particular animal. Cats’ and dogs’ waists should be visible when viewed from above. If your pet seems 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 continued on page 13

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2021 • Page 13

Help Pets Maintain Healthy Weights... continued from page 12 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.

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5 Ideas for Backyard Fun

hether you’re hosting a get together or just want to keep everyone in your household entertained, it’s the best time of year to take the fun outdoors. Check out these five ideas for backyard fun for people of all ages: • Create a waterpark: Avoid traffic and crowds and cool down from the comfort of home using sprinklers and splash pads. A fun way to beat the heat, you can create your very own waterpark during the dog days of summer • Have a dance party: Portable instruments make it easy to practice and perform anywhere, including your backyard. A good choice for those starting a new musical adventure or anyone who wants to play music anywhere is a Casiotone keyboard. Stylish and sleek, it features a carrying handle for ease of transport and built-in speakers so you can pump up the jams for friends to enjoy. Whether you’re performing a concerto or using the keyboard’s Dance Music Mode to instantly create and remix EDM tracks in 50 different styles, you can just pop in six AA batteries, and you’re good to go. • Make a bonfire: Get the friends together to tell scary stories, cook dinner over an open fire, make s’mores and have a

sing-along. With many portable, smokeless fire pits on the market today, you don’t need to wait until your next camping trip to have a bonfire. • Play jumbo-sized games: From chess and checkers to tumbling towers, outsized versions of your favorite classic board games are ideally played outside. • Relax with a lazy day: With a hammock alone, you can instantly create the perfect backyard oasis for a leisurely day of reading and napping. Today’s hammocks are more versatile than their predecessors. Beyond those that tie to trees and mount to walls, self-standing models offer easy set-up and portability so you can follow the shade -- or sun -- as desired. This season, take the fun outside. With a little creativity, music, games, meals and more can be enjoyed in your backyard. (StatePoint)

Page 14 • July 2021 • Hometown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

The Value of Cord Blood Banking: What Pregnant Women Should Know

By Chris Bauer MD re you currently pregnant and wondering about the value of cord blood banking? If so, then you are not alone. Cord blood banking has become more common in the last thirty years. There are private and public cord blood companies that can offer patients different options on how their cord blood can be used and stored. Public cord blood collection can offer therapies for other people and can offer opportunities for further research. Cord blood collection is the process in which after the delivery of a baby, the blood from the umbilical cord is collected by the medical provider that did the delivery. Prior to her delivery, the mother will make the arrangements with the cord blood company and with her obstetrician. There are 28 cord blood banking companies in North America for patients to choose from according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Most of the time the consumer will be provided with a cord blood collection kit that she will bring with her when she goes to deliver her baby. Cord blood can be collected

whether a patient has a vaginal or a cesarean section. Several ounces of blood are needed in order to have a specimen that can be processed. If delayed cord clamping must be done to assist the health of the infant, then cord blood collection may not be possible. Over 80 different medical conditions can be treated using material from cord blood banking. There currently is significant research into how more diseases can be treated using cord blood specimen. After the birth of the baby, the cord blood is collected. The cord blood is then stored and if the child develops one of the medical conditions where cord blood could be used as a treatment then the parents will let the cord blood collection company know and further arrangements will be made. Some of the more common medical conditions that can be treated with fetal cord blood include Sickle Cell anemia, type 1 diabetes, cerebral palsy, thalassemia, leukemia and lymphoma. In addition, some rarer diseases such as Fanconi anemia, DiGeorge Syndrome, and Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disorder(SCID) can also be treated with cord blood.

The technology and research involved in fetal cord blood usage is rapidly growing every year. There is currently significant research and more clinical trials into how more diseases can be treated using cord blood specimen. The basis of cord blood collection is that inside the umbilical cord blood that is collected are stem cells. Stem cells are cells that can form into the type of cells that the body needs at that time such as red cells, platelets, and white cells. These cells are from the babies own body. There is very minimal risk for a potential transfusion to fail because of an incompatibility with blood type and antibody. Due to a families shared genetic information first-degree relatives (parents and siblings) and seconddegree relatives (grandparents and uncles, etc.) could potentially use the cord blood collected from one family member. Cord blood collection could be greatly beneficial for any person. Schedule an informed conversation with your women’s health provider to answer any questions you may have about cord blood banking.

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

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2021 • Page 15

Do You Struggle with Missing or Failing Teeth? Dental Implants May Help! An Investment in Yourself • Improved Quality of Life Enhanced Appearance Lead to Better Health and Greater Self Confidence

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Dental Implants can be used to support a number of dental prostheses, including crowns, implant-supported bridges or dentures. Cosmetic Dentistry is any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person’s teeth, gums and/or bite. Examples include procedures such as Whitening, Bonding. Dental Bridges, Veneers, Gum Lifts and Bite Reclamation. There are only 3,200 prosthodontists in comparison to 170,000 general dentists in the United States.

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The Raw Truth About Chocolate

By Carol L Fouad ost of us grew up eating chocolate – in one form or another. Chocolate bars, bunnies, eggs, Santas, balls and kisses wrapped in shiny foil were the usual forms that served as sweet treats for holidays, special occasions – and let’s face it – for everyday consumption. Milk chocolate was – and probably still is – the most commonly consumed type of chocolate. But if you pay attention to food trends, “raw chocolate” may already be on your radar. What does that even mean? Let’s start with the process required to create chocolate. First of all, it is a more labor-intensive and sensitive process than one may realize. And although producing raw chocolate may seem like an easier method of turning beans into edible product – that’s not exactly true. All of the same steps are required to prepare the beans for use, but the difference lies in the temperatures used for the roasting process. When the goal is to produce raw cacao, the roasting temperature of the beans must remain under 118 degrees to retain all of the nutritional value that chocolate has to offer. That is also true of chocolate preparation when making the finished product. Higher temperatures diminish the antioxidant properties that protect us from cancer, inflammation, aging and infections. Other potential nutrients that

can be obtained from low-heat bean roasting and chocolate preparation include higher levels of B-complex which regulate body metabolism and improve nerve function. The mineral content available in raw chocolate is rather impressive – higher levels of iron, selenium, potassium, zinc, manganese, calcium and magnesium. If you are choosing to eat a healthier, more nutrient-dense diet – raw, organic, milk and sugar- free chocolate can be a great source of nourishment for your Mindbody as well as satisfaction for your sophisticated palate. Also, healthier sweeteners can be used in place of processed sugar – maple syrup is a great replacement. Another consideration when making your selection is the additional ingredients used to create your favorite flavors. If you enjoy nuts in your chocolate, for example, look for brands that soak and dehydrate them to remove the phytic acid – allowing you to absorb even more wholesome nutrition from what may be your most decadent pleasure! Carol, resident of Bloomingdale, NJ and owner of Luscious Cacao, LLC, offers delicious hand- crafted raw, organic chocolates containing the most nutrient-dense ingredients. Visit lusciouscacao.com for ordering info or text 714.421.8489. Paid advertisment

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2021 • Page 17

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Master Summer Meals with an Apple and Mandarin Macaroni Salad

kip boring dishes and instead dive into a sweet, satisfying macaroni salad that’s perfect for enjoying al fresco. With fresh ingredients and appetizing flavor, this Apple and Mandarin Macaroni Salad is more than just a side – it’s a meal on its own. Grilled chicken breast is complemented by mandarin oranges and the sophisticated sweetness and crisp texture of Envy apples. Named America’s No. 1 apple for taste, crispness, aroma and appearance, according to an independent sensory test by Forward Agency, the apples are a delightful way to enhance your favorite dishes. This recipe calls for firing up the grill to cook chicken to juicy perfection, mixing your own homemade macaroni salad and dicing up a beautiful apple, making it an ideal dinner option for summer evenings at home. Visit EnvyApple.com to find apples at a grocer near you. Apple and Mandarin Macaroni Salad 2 thinly sliced chicken breasts 1/2 package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup Greek yogurt 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot 1 lemon, zest only 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 can (10.7 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained, juice reserved 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional, to taste, divided 20 turns fresh cracked pepper, plus additional, to taste, divided water 1/2 pound macaroni 1 Envy apple, diced Allow chicken breasts to sit at room temperature 20 minutes. Mash softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, chopped shallot, lemon zest, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons reserved mandarin juice, chopped parsley, salt and pepper. Set aside. Preheat grill or saute pan to high heat. Season chicken breasts with drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper, to taste. Grill chicken breasts until internal temperature reaches 165 F. If using saute

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Gently stir in cream cheese mixture until noodles are well coated. Let cool slightly. Add diced chicken, apples and mandarin oranges; stir to combine. Serve warm or chill in refrigerator to serve cold. (Family Features)

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2021 • Page 19

Add Mediterranean Flair to Your Dinner Table

uring the past year, many people have missed the opportunity to travel and experience the sights, sounds and tastes of the world, but it’s easy to explore other cultures and cuisines by experimenting in the kitchen. If you’re looking to transport your taste buds to the shores of Spain or the beaches of Greece, one of the best places to start is with the Mediterranean Diet. Renowned chef Geoffrey Zakarian recommends these tips to help home cooks elevate their dishes and easily incorporate the popular diet into everyday cooking. Reach for Pantry Staples. There’s no single definition of the Mediterranean Diet, but it’s high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, olive oil and seafood. By keeping your pantry stocked with canned versions of ingredients like beans and fish you can easily add them to your favorite dishes. Yellowfin Tuna Pasta Salad with Arugula Pesto and Dates, and Tuna Aioli Dip with Balsamic Drizzle are flavorful ways to bring Mediterranean flair to your dinner table. Add Seafood. Eating more seafood is one of the leading principles of the Mediterranean Diet. Tuna salad is one tried-and-true dish that can help incorporate fish into your menu. To make it more nutritious, opt for tuna that’s packed in extra-virgin olive oil, so you don’t have to add much mayo to the base. For example, Genova Premium

Tuna provides a tasteful addition to recipes and is high in protein, a great source of omega-3s and has a uniquely rich and savory flavor that offers a taste of the Mediterranean in every bite. Visit GenovaSeafood.com for more recipe inspiration. Tuna Aioli Dip with Balsamic Drizzle Prep time: 15-20 minutes Cook time: 10-15 minutes Servings: 4 6 ounces Genova Albacore Tuna in Olive Oil 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 1 dried bay leaf 1 sprig fresh rosemary 1⁄3 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons capers, drained 2 anchovies 1/2 lemon, juice only (about 1 1/2 tablespoons) raw vegetables, such as carrots, celery, cucumber spears, endive leaves, sliced fennel and bell pepper strips, for dipping Drain tuna, reserving 2 tablespoons oil. In small saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar, bay leaf and rosemary sprig. Bring to boil and reduce until syrupy, about 1 tablespoon. Let cool slightly; discard bay leaf and rosemary sprig.

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CENTURY 21 Crest Real Estate 142 Route 23 North

Pompton Plains, NJ

If you’re ready to move, we’re ready to work for you! Call us today! 973-686-1500 W

Hawthorne $439,800 RENTAL PROPERTY!

3 BR, 2 BA 2 Family Home! Great rental property! First flr unit offers EIK, LR, DR, 2 BRs, FBA and access to deck that overlooks backyard, shed & 2 car gar (rented separately). 2nd flr has an EIK, LR, BR & FBA. Each apartment has own laundry & storage in basement. All public utilities.

Kinnelon

$769,900 NEWLY LISTED!

4 BR, 3.1 BA Split Level! 2017 renovated inside and out! Open floor plan, MBR Suite with custom BIs and 2 WI closets, LL Family Rm, custom moldings, wood floors, recessed lighting, central air, speaker system, stone FP, 2 tiered deck, front porch and more. 2 car gar.

4 BR, 2.1 BA Colonial! Main floor DR, LR, EIK, FBA, BR and Deck. 2nd floor has 3 BRs and FBA. Finished WO Basement is ideal for Rec Rm or office space. Welcoming front porch, IG pool, firepit & hot tub AS IS. 1 car det gar.

3 BR, 2.1 BA End Unit Townhome! Bonus loft! 2nd floor with attached garage. Main level MBR Suite w/ WI Closet and Master BA. Open concept Living/Dining Rm, Family Rm open to EIK with deck and laundry rm. 2nd level offes 2 BRs and loft. Clubhouse, playground and outdoor pool.

Oakland

$365,000 $425,000 Paterson INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY! SINGLE LEVEL LIVING!

3 BR, 1 BA Ranch! 1500+ sq. ft of living space. Spacious Living Rm, KIT w/sep. dining area, Family Rm, WP stove and dual access to yard. Full lower level w/Rec Rm, laundry, workshop area, storage and walk up to oversized 2 car gar. Wood floors. Patio. 3 storage sheds.

4 BR, 3 BA Three Story Colonial! 2 units each with 2 BRs and 1 FBA. Nice yard, driveway, garage plenty of storage, close to schools, houses of worship, public transportation, shopping centers, etc. Great opportunity for investment as well as making it your own. AS IS condition.

Pompton Plains $519,900 CHARMING COLONIAL!

Pompton Plains NEW PRICE!

Pompton Lakes $525,000 NEWLY LISTED!

Mahwah $570,000 PADDINGTON SQUARE!

Pompton Lakes $385,000 NEWLY LISTED!

3 BR, 2 BA Charming Ranch! Great starter home & freshly painted interior! MBR Suite has wall of closet space, dressing rm w/closet & FBA. KIT, LR, Den & screened patio/porch. Part fin bsmnt w/lg main room, summer KIT, laundry room, utility room, 2 extra rooms and storage.

Pompton Plains $675,000 NEWLY LISTED!

3 BR, 2 BA shabby chic expanded Ranch on almost ½ acre lot! Public sewer. Built-in generator. 2100 sq ft home with all large rooms. Custom EIK, LR, Den w/FP, wood floors, skylights, custom closets, irrigation, security system, heated concrete pool and more! Private backyard with gazebo and shed. Basement w/rec rm, laundry, utility, storage and WO to 2 car gar.

3 BR, 2 BA 1900’s Colonial w/lemonade porch! Spacious rooms, LR, FDR, KIT w/newer appls & pantry, 2017 addition Family Rm & Den/Play Rm. French doors off Fam Rm to rear yard. Duct work in MBR & FR/Den for future C/A. Newer vinyl fencing, underground sprinklers front & rear, 2 sheds and large patio.

3 BR, 1 BA Ranch! Living Rm, Eat In Kitchen, Full Bath, enclosed screened porch overlooking large property, attic, full basement, 2 car garage, and NEW roof. Ready for updates to make it your own. Sold AS IS.

Pompton Plains THE GLENS!

$290,000

2 BR, 1 BA Condo End Unit in the Glens! Eaton Model. Updated in 2018 offering max energy efficiency, custom tiled bath, laminate floors and new HVAC system. MBR w/2 closets. Gas FP in Living Room. Deck/balcony for electric grilling! 2 pets allowed. Clubhouse, tennis, pool.

Riverdale

$449,900 NEWLY LISTED!

3 BR, 2.1 BA Multi-Floor Townhome in Rock Creek Crossing! Crestwood Model in private wooded setting. Almost 2000 sq ft + plus basement. MBR suite, renovated EIK w/ss appls & pantry, open floor plan, study w/wood flrs, gas FP in LR, DR and deck. 1 car gar. Pool, tennis, gym & playground.

$359,800 MOVE IN READY!

3 BR, 1 BA Cape Cod on quiet street! Kitchen w/ pantry, LR, DR with sliders that lead to screened in porch overlooking fully fenced yard. 1st Floor offers MBR, updated BA & laundry. 2 BRs on 2nd floor. New oversized shed and jungle gym. Patio. Newly paved driveway for up to 5 cars.

Wanaque

$349,124 NEW PRICE!

2 BR, 2 BA Colfax Model Single Floor Condo! Tray ceilings, crown moldings, wood floors and over 1600 sq. ft. of living space. Terrace overlooking courtyard. Indoor and outdoor pool, media rm, spa, sauna, and kitchen facilities for large gatherings. New HWH, AHS Home Warranty.

Towaco

$777,000 Wanaque NEW PRICE!

4 BR, 3.1 BA Colonial nestled in Towaco section of Montville! Formal LR and DR, Family Rm with raised hearth FP, Eat-In-Kitchen and Full In-Law Suite with full bath in WO basement. Private setting on cul-desac. 2 car gar.

Wayne

$279,800 NEWLY LISTED!

2 BR, 2 BA 3rd Floor Condo! Open floor plan, Kitchen w/breakfast bar, LR/DR combo with access to a private balcony, 2 BRs and 2 FBAs. 2018 furnace and HWH. NEW full size Washer/Dryer. Elevator building, storage area in basement and use of clubhouse, exercise rm, tennis and pool.

West Milford NEWLY LISTED!

$397,700 NEWLY LISTED!

Side by side duplex on 1.67 beautiful, private, level acres. 2 Story unit on left offers 2 BRs, 1 BA, KIT, LR, porch and storage. Unit on right is 2 BR, 1 BA, KIT, Den, porch and storage. Meticulously maintained!

Wanaque

3 BR, 1.1 BA Charming Colonial! Enclosed front porch, spacious living room with fireplace, large dining room, heated sunroom, unfinished basement and corner property. Paved driveway. Shed. Convenient to shopping, public transportation bus or train, and major highways.

Pompton Plains $420,000 NEWLY LISTED!

$449,000

$449,900 Woodland Park $675,000 NEWLY LISTED!

4 BR, 2.1 BA Bi-Level on 1/2 acre lot! Public utilities, cul-de-sac, wood flrs, CA, multi-zone HWB heat, DR w/sliders to deck with awning, EIK w/breakfast bar & vaulted ceiling, MBR w/WI Closet & half BA & updated main BA. LL offers BR, FBA, family rm & 2 addl rms. 2 car gar.

4 BR, 3.1 BA Sprawling Ranch on quiet dead end street! Large entry foyer leads to spacious LR and DR. EIK opens to FR with slider to patio. Finished basement with separate entrance/possible In-law suite. 2 car gar.

©2021 CENTURY 21 REAL ESTATE LLC. CENTURY 21® is a trademark licensed to Century 21 Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. | Equal Housing Opportunity. Each office is independently owned and operated. All information deemed relible but not guaranteed. Prices subject to change. If your poperty is currently listed with a real estate broker please disregard this offer.

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2021 • Page 21

Realty Executives Exceptional Realtors Celebrates 20th Anniversary

oming together in 2001, Broker/Owners Doug Radford and Kyle Poskitt opened an independent real estate brokerage with the goal of building a company with the finest Realtors® in the industry. Unlike other brokerages, Realty Executives Exceptional Realtors® recognized that Realtors®spend far too much time doing non real estate activities. So they developed a support center to provide the highest high level of marketing, technology and administrative support for their Realtor® team. This has allowed their Associates to excel, by focusing their time on what they do best; working hard with buyer and seller clients, spending more time with their families and giving back to the communities they serve. Over the last 20 years, the agents at Realty Executives Exceptional Realtors® have been able to differentiate themselves with their market knowledge, professionalism and passion for helping their clients. In 2009, Radford and Poskitt decided to affiliate their company with Realty Executives

International, a like-minded, international real estate franchise that understood their vision and offered additional tools and further support for their agents. Since affiliating, the brokerage has experienced phenomenal growth and success through recruiting and expansion initiatives. They strategically invested heavily during the recession years, which allowed them to open offices and build the foundation for where the company is today. “Our company was founded on the premise that if the company focuses its efforts on providing Realtors® the best real estate services, our Realtors® could spend their time catering to the needs of their clients, and the growth and development of their business,” Poskitt said. “Today, we remain true to our founding. We have expanded our support services with the growth of the company, and are proud of our 20 year track record of assisting top real estate professionals exceed client expectations while surpassing their own personal, business and financial goals.” continued on page 25

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2021 • Page 23

The ONLY team I am on is YOURS! Barbara Pagella

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Page 24 • July 2021 • Hometown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Century 21 Crest Real Estate, Inc. Celebrates 40 Years of Real Estate Excellence

or 40 years, the real estate sales affiliates of CENTURY 21 Crest Real Estate, Inc. have provided homebuyers and sellers in the community with services that have helped them to make informed real estate decisions. 2021 not only marks the 40th Anniversary of CENTURY 21 Crest Real Estate, Inc., but also the 50th Anniversary of CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC. “On behalf of CENTURY 21®, I congratulate and thank the men and women of CENTURY 21 Crest Real Estate, Inc. for their years of exemplary service and tireless dedication and commitment to their community,” says Mike Miedler, chief executive officer for Century 21 Real Estate LLC. “CENTURY 21 Crest Real Estate, Inc. joined the CENTURY 21® System in 1981 and has established a solid and successful real estate firm in and around the Pompton Plains area. Our office has a reputation for both delivering the highest quality customer ser-

vice and giving of our time and talents to local community efforts,” says Patricia R. Wojtyszyn, owner of CENTURY 21 Crest Real Estate, Inc. Wojtyszyn has been licensed since 1974 and a CENTURY 21 broker for over 40 years in Pequannock Township. “For over 40 years, if you ask local residents about CENTURY 21 Crest Real Estate, Inc., you will most likely hear of the exemplary treatment they received when they were purchasing or selling their home here in the Pequannock/Pompton Plains area,” says Wojtyszyn continuing, “However, there is another story you may also hear -- one of a group of giving and generous individuals who care about the communities they serve.” According to Wojtyszyn, the professionals at CENTURY 21 Crest Real Estate, Inc. have been volunteering their time and giving generously to various township and community continued on page 25 programs for decades. To honor these profes-

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2021 • Page 25

Realty Executives Celebrates...

C21 Crest Real Estate, Inc. Celebrates...

continued from page 24 In addition to branding the brokerage as Realty Executives, the business partners took on the responsibility of building the real estate brand in their region. As Regional Developers, Radford and Poskitt have played an instrumental role in growing the Realty Executives name and reputation in untapped markets. Today the brand consists of 18 offices throughout the region, 400 agents, is approaching $1 billion in sales and closed approximately 3,000 transactions in 2020. “Doug and Kyle continue to be assets to our brand and have not only become great business partners, but great leaders and friends,” Patrick van den Bossche, President of Realty Executives International, said. “Their vision of putting the agent first is exactly what we look for in our franchisees and we couldn’t be happier to be celebrating this outstanding anniversary with them and the entire Exceptional Realtors® team.” “Our company has built its reputation as a result of the extraordinary Realtors® that are affiliated with our company. Our belief is that it’s not a company that makes its Realtors® great, it’s the Realtors® that make a company great,” Radford said.

continued from page 24 sionals, Owner/ Broker Patricia Wojtyszyn has established the “Crest Gives Back” initiative. “For years, I have been proud of the generosity of this group of professional agents,” says Wojtyszyn. As part of the “Crest Gives Back” initiative, the office’s agents and staff have made their presence known throughout the local community by planting flags along the Turnpike for Memorial Day, serving Thanksgiving dinner for New Bridge Services, volunteering at Grains of Hope and Relay for Life, collecting food for the Food Pantry, working with Habitat For Humanity, organizing gift drives for Pequannock families in need, sponsoring concerts & local town events, participating in Pequannock, Lincoln Park, Wanaque and Riverdale street fairs and sponsoring Township athletes and student FBLA chapters from local high schools. This past year, during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic,

“We feel the company’s role is to provide the absolute best support to our agents to allow them to thrive and build their individual brand. If our agents’ businesses grow, our business will as well.” The brokerage has consistently been recognized as one of the top real estate companies nationally by research companies including REAL Trends, RISMedia and T3 Sixty. In 2019, the firm was awarded Realty Executives’ Realty Excellence Award for Extraordinary Brokerage. The award is issued to one brokerage each year for year over year growth, adoption of technology, engagement, and for being an excellent representation of the brand. “Realty Executives has often been considered a “destination company” as it attracts the best, most experienced, producing agents who are looking to remain with the brokerage for the entirety of their real estate career,” Radford stated. “We are grateful to support some of the most forward-thinking, positive minded, and entrepreneurial Realtors® who dominate their local markets”. For more information or to contact Realty Executives Exceptional Realtors at 973-575-6700 or, visit www. RealtyExecutivesNJ.com.

CENTURY 21 Crest Real Estate, Inc. agents delivered meals to Chilton Hospital frontline workers. “CENTURY 21 Crest Real Estate, Inc. has been there through the years. The bottom line is that we really care about our community. We are in the business of helping people realize their dreams of home ownership, and very often we are their first introduction to the community. So really our clients are our community,” concludes Wojtyszyn. Servicing the Northern New Jersey area since 1981, CENTURY 21 Crest Real Estate, Inc. enjoys a fine reputation specializing in residential, commercial, and rental properties. CENTURY 21 Crest Real Estate, Inc. is an award-winning, full service real estate agency located at 142 Professional Center on Route 23 North in Pompton Plains. Members of CENTURY 21 Crest Real Estate, Inc.’s award-winning sales team can be reached at (973) 686-1500.

Have a human interest story or something you would like to share? Email us at editor@mylifepublications.com

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I Remember Dad:

By Richard Mabey Jr. y beloved father was a man who was immensely proud of the patriotic heritage of our family name. Dad and I spent a lot of time, from the time I was in my freshman year of high school, researching our family history. My father was always very proud of the patriotic aspect of the Mabey name. Benjamin Mabey, a cousin of my great grandfather, was a true American hero. Benjamin was a Private in the Third New Jersey Infantry during the Civil War. Benjamin enlisted in the Union Army on May 29, 1861. He fought in several battles. Benjamin was seriously wounded in battle. His battle wound left him paralyzed from the waist down, for the rest of his life. Benjamin received a full honorable discharge from the Union Army on May 24, 1864. After he came home from being wounded in the Civil War, he spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair. My grandfather’s brother, Earl Mabey, was killed in action in France during World War I. My Great Grandmother, Dora Mabey, never healed from having lost her

To Honor Thy Heritage son in war. I remember as a child, there were times when she would break down and cry, sitting in her rocking chair on the front porch of the old Mabey Homestead. Dad and his brother, Edward, were both veterans of World War II. Dad’s cousin, Delbert McNeill, was also a World War II veteran. Two of Dad’s younger brothers, Carl and David, were veterans of the Korean War. And Dad’s nephew, Wesley, was a veteran of the Vietnam War. In the old Lincoln Park Museum, on Main Street, there were several boxes of old pictures that were kept in the bottom drawer of the filing cabinet in the museum. Art Smith, a fellow member of the Beavertown (Lincoln Park) Historical Society, had found an old picture of my Great Uncle Earl standing beside the smaller home of the Mabey Estate, that once stood at the corner of Mabey Lane and Main Street. As a gift to my dad, Art had the picture of Great Uncle Earl enlarged and he took the time to frame it. It was a most beautiful tribute to my patriotic great uncle. During the 1990’s, we used to meet on Saturday

mornings at the Lincoln Park Museum and set up shift times, in order to have the museum open from nine in the morning till five in the evening. One Saturday morning, in the early Summer of 1991, Dad and I arrived at the museum, about 10 minutes before nine, Art was waiting for us inside the museum.

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As we opened the door to the museum, there sat Art with a big smile on his face. “Dick, I got something to show you,” Art said with a song in his voice. And then Art led Dad to one of the pegboard display stands to show my father the framed picture of Dad’s Uncle Earl. My father was continued on page 27

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2021 • Page 27

I Remember Dad...

continued from page 26 quite taken with the picture. Here was the rugged outdoorsman, the Scoutmaster, the long-distance truck driver, almost in tears. Dad so sincerely and earnestly thanked Art Smith that Saturday morning, back in the early Summer of 1991. Art insisted that I take Dad’s picture, standing beside the photo of my father’s beloved uncle. Today, when I look at that picture, it brings back all of the emotions that transcended when Art showed Dad the tribute picture of Earl Mabey. Art Smith and my dad have since passed away. I miss them both very much. From time to time, I think about the tribute picture of my Great Uncle Earl. I wonder if it is still hanging in the Lincoln Park Museum. Things change, new administrations come

into an organization, I fully understand that. But deep in my heart, I wonder what may have happened to that beautiful picture that Art Smith enlarged and framed for my dad. I am all so grateful to the kind hearted generosity of Art Smith. I’m not sure if I ever really thanked Art for framing the photo of my Great Uncle Earl. It is a most funny thing. Now at 67, I have an even deeper appreciation for all that Art Smith did to preserve the colorful history of Beavertown, the former name of the town of Lincoln Park. So, from earth to heaven’s gate, I most earnestly and sincerely thank you Art Smith! Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@ hotmail.com. Please put on the subject line: My Life Publications.

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Page 28 • July 2021 • Hometown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

A Fourth of July Story

By Richard Mabey Jr. here was a certain magic in the Summer of 1964. I was 10 years old and had just completed Mrs. Raimo’s fifth grade class. When I had started the fifth grade, Mrs. Raimo was known to us as Miss DelGiorno. In the early Spring of 1964, Miss DelGiorno announced to all of us that she was getting married on the weekend and that we would have a substitute teacher for the next week. I was shocked and broken hearted. For if truth be told, I had an incurable crush on Miss DelGiorno and now she was getting married! Lenny Esposito was just about the biggest wise guy in all of Chapel Hill School. As fate would have it, Lenny sat next to me in Miss DelGiorno’s fifth grade class. Yes, even at 67, I still more fondly remember my old fifth grade teacher as Miss DelGiorno. Not only was Lenny Esposito the biggest wise guy in all of Chapel Hill School, he was also the biggest braggard. He once told a group of us boys that his father was an FBI Agent and that his father had a special scope machine, in his basement, that could see through walls. Even though I knew that Lenny was full of donkey dust, there was a tiny part of me that wondered if there was

any truth to Lenny’s outrageous tall tales. It was the era of metal lunch boxes, that came complete with a little thermos. I remember that I had a Popeye the Sailor Man lunchbox, that I had from the third grade. Lenny had a lunch box with a picture of Frankenstein on it. Fate and Destiny are such strange twins. One lunch time, Lenny sat across from my best friend, Stuart Steinhauser and I. In a brief moment of being kind and decent, Lenny showed us what he had stored in his lunch box. There, setting beneath his wax paper covered peanut butter and jelly sandwich, was a small paper bag. Lenny then looked at Stuart and I with his wise guy smirk, “betcha you chumps wanna know what’s inside this bag?” To Lenny Esposito, we were all chumps. He rarely called any of the other boys by their names. We were all chumps to Lenny, because he was the selfappointed coolest kid in all of Chapel Hill School. “I’ll tell ya’ what, for a nickel, I’ll let ya’ see what’s in this bag. Believe me, ya’ won’t be disappointed,” Lenny told us. Lenny always spoke out of the corner of his mouth. He loved to watch the old gangster movies and he worked very hard to speak continued on page 29

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2021 • Page 29

Fourth of July Story... continued from page 28 the way he imagined a hard-nosed gangster would talk. So, between Stuart and myself, we came up with the five cents. I cannot remember which one of us put in the extra penny. Lenny grabbed the five pennies from the table then handed us his paper bag. Stuart held the paper bag and carefully opened it. I took on the role of lookout for any of the teachers walking around the lunchroom. And, to our surprise, there it was. A most incredible sight for sure. There must have been two dozen firecrackers in Lenny’s little brown bag. Then to our surprise, Lenny offered us the deal of a lifetime. “Tell ya’ what chumps, for one thin dime, I’ll let you chumps have three of them firecrackers. Ya’ ain’t gonna get a better deal than that. I had all of 12 cents left in my pocket. And, that was reserved for the newest Batman comic book. Instinctively, by telepathy, Stuart and I communicated an unspoken agreement and we both took out a nickel from our pants pockets. A cold sweat flowed from the pores of the palms of our hands as Lenny took the two nickels and nodded to Stuart, with his wise guy’s grin, that it was okay

to take three firecrackers from the bag. In a flash of millisecond, Stuart put the three firecrackers in his right pants pocket. Stuart folded up the open end of Lenny’s little paper bag and handed it back to Lenny. The deal was done. Stuart kept the three firecrackers in a plastic bag, in the wooden box, of his tree fort. Stuart and I agreed that on the Fourth of July, we would light all three firecrackers! So, fast forward to the eve of the Fourth of July. Stuart came over to my house on the afternoon of the third of July. We set up the old pup tent in the backyard. Stuart had our three firecrackers, hidden in the bottom of his knapsack. The plan was to get up at the crack of dawn, run down the path at the end of Mabey Lane to the old Morris Canal. And, there by the banks of the old canal, we planned on lighting our three firecrackers. The anticipation, that night, was nerve racking. When the sun began to rise in the east, Stuart and I both instinctively awoken. My heart was pounding like an old bass drum, as Stuart reached into his knapsack and pulled out the three firecrackers, safe and sound in the little plastic bag. Stuart and I ran down the wooded path to the banks of the old Morris Canal. We ran to the big flat rock, just a few feet from the

path along the canal. We sat on the flat rock and Stuart pulled out the three firecrackers from his pants pocket. The sacred moment was here. As we prepared to take a leaping run down the path, Stuart lit one of the firecrackers and we ran with a speed that may very well had shamed the Flash. From a few yards away, we waited and waited and waited. Finally, we decided to check on what had happened. When we reached the big flat rock, we saw that the fuse had burnt and so did the paper that the firecracker was wrapped in. Something was wrong. Could it be that Lenny conned us? After a few moments of discussing the matter, Stuart and I agree to check out one of the other two remaining firecrackers. I ripped open the paper wrapping of the firecracker. To our dismay, our hearts sank at what transpired before our very eyes. Lenny had scammed us. The firecrackers he sold us were nothing more than sawdust wrapped in brightly colored paper. Sadly, Stuart and I walked home, along the wooded path that early morning of the Fourth of July of 1964. We both had sacrificed buying comic books that week, only to be cheated by the biggest wise guy in all of Chapel Hill School.

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As we reached the end of the wooded path and came upon Mabey Lane, I remember Stuart looking over at me and saying, “we should have known better than to have trusted Lenny Esposito.” I looked over to Stuart and simply replied, “hard lesson to learn.” Legend had it that we weren’t the only kids who bought into Lenny’s firecracker scam. I often wonder whatever happened to Lenny Esposito. I think it was in the middle of my sophomore year at Boonton High School, that Lenny moved away. None of the other kids really missed him at all. A sad commentary, to say the least. By the eighth grade we all came to know that Lenny’s father was never an FBI Agent, he just did odd jobs here and there. As strange as it may sound, I kind of felt sorry for Lenny. I still keep in touch with my old best friend, Stuart. From time to time, in telephone conversations, we’ll recall the time we got scammed by Lenny Esposito. Now, over 50 years later, Lenny’s scam artist legacy is still alive and well. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@ hotmail.com. Please put on the subject line: My Life Publications.

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Page 30 • July 2021 • Hometown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Redeﬁne Your Family Vacation Combine Outdoor Excursions and Vibrant City Life in 1 Destination

s families across America return to traveling this summer, many are craving a mix of city energy and outdoor adventure. A destination like Reno, Nevada’s second largest city, is lively but more low-key than Las Vegas with fun opportunities for the whole family. Located just 45 minutes from Reno, Lake Tahoe is known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation, creating a perfect getaway for those craving adventure and city life in close proximity. Flights to Reno from more than two dozen airport hubs across the country - including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and New York - make getting there easy. “We look forward to providing passengers with a great first and last impression of our region,” said Brian Kulpin, chief public affairs officer for RenoTahoe International Airport. “Our airport is user-friendly, very clean and safe and you can see ski runs in the nearby Sierras as you land.” Consider these attractions when visiting the Reno-Lake Tahoe area: Reno Geared toward families, Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum features hands-on interactive exhibits covering art, science, technology, history and more. Near the museum, the Midtown District serves up bubble teas, artisan baked goods, wood-fire pizza, international foods, unique retailers and more than 80 murals. In downtown Reno, families can browse the Riverwalk shops along the Truckee River, grab a meal from food trucks or swim in the river at Wingfield Park. You can visit

The Midway and Arcade in Circus Circus casino for dozens of carnival and supersize video games. Nearby, BaseCamp at Whitney Peak Hotel sports the world’s tallest artificial climbing wall and other bouldering activities. The city’s Triple-A baseball team, the Reno Aces, play at Greater Nevada Field. Baseball-themed Bugsy’s Sports Bar & Grill, open on game days, overlooks the field and welcomes families with more than two dozen big-screen televisions. The pool at Grand Sierra Resort and Casino mixes an enormous main pool, an infinity pool, a children’s splash area and fire pits. The circular indoor pool at Atlantis Casino Resort Spa features glass walls and a tropical waterfall. At Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, the upper and lower pools are geothermally heated. Lake Tahoe A pet-friendly, three-quarter mile outing open to all skill levels, Eagle Rock Hiking Trail loops near Homewood, California, on the west shore of the lake. On the north shore, Granlibakken Resort features Tahoe Treetop Adventure Parks where tree platforms are joined by zip lines with courses ranging from beginner to advanced. Also on the north shore, Wild Society rents clear kayaks that reveal the lake’s crystalline depths. At Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows resort, you can take the aerial tram to High Camp, elevation 8,200 feet, for mountain bike tours, guided hikes, roller skating, geocaching and more. On the east shore, Sand Harbor includes a picnic area and acres of sandy beach. Just five minutes south, historic Thunderbird Lodge, a 1930s estate that

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once housed a private zoo, offers tours and other experiences. On the south shore, families can hit the mountain top for zip lines, rope courses, coaster rides, hiking trails and stunning views at Heavenly ski resort’s Epic Discovery playground. Additionally, Taylor Creek Visitor Center incorporates strollerfriendly trails, marshland wildlife and views of the creek through underwater

windows. “Lake Tahoe is a dream location for outdoor adventure,” said Andy Chapman, president, Regional Air Service Corporation. “Families will find fun and excitement around every corner while they make new memories together.” Learn more and start planning your getaway at renoairport.com. (Family Features)

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2021 • Page 31

NJStarz Tim Jacobus Hometown: Denville and Mount Olive “

t’s always nice in Budd Lake,” says artist and illustrator, Tim Jacobus, he who made a Goosebumps fictional work so vivid with his rich, colorful cover artwork, when asked how things are on the “lake” side of Mount Olive. Jacobus, 62, is a 1977 graduate of Morris Knolls High School in Denville. He spent 20 years in Denville, 11 years along the north shore of Lake Hopatcong, and the past 30 years he’s lived in Mount Olive. “My sister still lives in the house I grew up in,” he says happily. “You know, it’s one of those things when you’re growing up, you go, ‘Oh yeah, this is fine,’ and it’s not until you’re older and you see other things where you realize what you had. What an ideal place we had, what an ideal time, and all that stuff.” Per Jacobus, his dad knew how to draw. It all started there. “I assumed growing up that everybody knew how to draw, because it was something that we just did. If my father was trying to describe, ‘Hey, I’m going to build a deck on the back of the house,’ he would just whip out a piece of paper, ‘and it will look something like this.’ And I had that ability, as well. It wasn’t until later on where you realize, “Oh, this is a little bit unique.’ My best friend who grew up next door to me also knew how to draw, and we spent time drawing together, and that carried on to high school, and we both went to the same art school together. He took a different avenue in the art business - he produces television commercials and is a huge figure in the advertising business - but it was just one of those environments where drawing was just part of it. We played sports outside and we ran around and we went swimming and fishing and all that stuff, but there was still some art mixed into that whole mix.” The school attended was Spectrum Art School. “It was in Hillsborough, New Jersey; a commercial art school, right there upon Route 206,” Jacobus says. “It was tiny. If there was 60 Kids in the whole school, there was only 20 of us in the graduating class, but that’s what made the school so unique and appealing. This wasn’t a college, imagine a trade school.” It was a three-year, 35 hours per week course where all Jacobus and his classmates did was draw and paint. “But then what made it unique is the way they kept their teachers on hand. The teachers had to be working artists, and they were there a couple of days a week, but the other part of the week they were working on actual projects, dealing with actual clients. It was an array of people, it wasn’t just people who were all illustrators or art directors, it was just a wide range of what they did, the style of what they did, and so everybody brought something unique to the table.” For Jacobus and his fellow students, it was a great experience, most of them going on to art careers while taking different paths. “They (the students) would lean towards one teacher and that style or that technique that appealed to them, or the genre that was for them. And, again, an amazing amount of people came out, but the diversity of what was chosen, that they were able to get out of this small school, was unique.” His first job was drawing illustrations of food on sale for A&P Supermarkets weekly circulars. “That was a big deal, that Sunday paper in particular,” he recalls. “That was the only day they did color, and that was the only day they featured those illustrations. There was an older gentleman who had been doing illustrations for them for I don’t know how long, but he was trying to wean himself off, and he was going into semi-retirement, so they were trying to look for somebody just to kind of back him up a little bit. You think at first it’s going to be very simple, and it’s not. There’s a skill to that as well.” Jacobus was given

Art image credit: Scholastic Publishing

a list of foods to draw, and he had to complete that list. “There’s no fooling around; the Sunday paper is coming out on Sunday. There’s no, ‘Give me another day. I’m having a hard time with the prime rib.’ He had to ensure it all got done, make it good enough but at the same time not get hung up on a drawing. “It was more important to finish the list than to spend an extra two hours on detail.” The consistency was important at the time. “There’s nothing better,” Jacobus says. “Most of our jobs were one and done, and when you’re early on, you want to string them together. Paying your bills is a challenge. To have a reoccurring art related job was great. It didn’t happen often, so it was a great one to have in your back pocket.” And so was scoring some free food. When photos of items weren’t suitable to paint from, management sent him downstairs for the real thing, which he could take home. “They gave me a note or something, because I didn’t have to pay for it, I could just hand it to the cashier. On the way out, I’d say, ‘Mike upstairs says I can have this,’ so you get yourself a couple of free steaks and some vegetables, and you’ve got a couple of meals for the week. That’s a double score.” It’s been 30 years since the first Goosebumps cover. “People still look back on it (the book series itself) fondly,” Jacobus says, “and you know, it still makes people smile. I like that.” He didn’t at the time work with one publisher specifically, but had done work for Scholastic, who embraced his reliability and suggested he’d be good for their R.L Stine-authored series. His covers were colorful, fun, didn’t send the ultimate chill up a child’s spine, but instead invited young readers in. “They (Scholastic) had never done a horror series for that age group before,” Jacobus remembers, “and because of it never having been done before, there’s no metrics, there’s no battle plan. There was a fear that the books would be too scary, nobody would like them.” When the first two books came out, they didn’t just pick Jacobus straight out of the gate. Another artist that had a background in horror did the cover of Goosebumps book number two, Stay Out of the Basement, after Jacobus had done the initial offering, Welcome to Dead House. “He did an incredible piece of art,” Jacobus says, “and it had all those classic horror imageries, and my stuff was a little more colorful and a little more cartoonish, for lack of a better term.” To see vivid colors, yellows and oranges and more, on a horror cover was rare, but it won over the publisher. “I think it made them say, ‘Yeah. let’s go in this direction.’ And they did – for over 100 covers. Jacobus and Stine still work together. “We just worked together. No series, we did a one-off. Just recently, and it was fun to work with a graphic novel, and I got a chance to do a special edition cover for that piece. We’re in contact all the time, and more on a friendly basis, and we, you know, we’ve been going to events together, speaking at comic continued on page 32

Page 32 • July 2021 • Hometown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

NJ Starz... continued from page 31 conventions, during the pandemic all that with virtual so we’ve been doing a lot of zoom things together. It’s really fun because I love the guy to death. We don’t get a chance to see each other that much. We’re two different people and I think it just comes across when we get together.” And those Chuck Taylor sneakers that appeared on many a Goosebumps cover? He still wears a pair. “This is no hokey thing, this is the real deal,” he says. “I won’t wear them

maybe when I have to go to a wedding, but I have been to a few weddings where I knew I could get away with it, and wear my suit with my Gods.” Back to the covers and the art. “I just started putting them in there. It wasn’t anything that was planned. I was like, ‘Well, I might as well throw these in there because I like them,’ and they just kind of caught on.” Tim Jacobus loves being an artist. “Just the simplicity of it,” he says. “Being able to create something. I see things in my head, and then I’m able to get those thoughts to move

down and get them on paper, and watch the image slowly evolve and become a finished product. It’s the same thing that I’ve been doing for forever. This started back when I was a kid. You produce something, and that’s just the basic simple elements of doing just that thing. The spark never went away.” To learn more about Tim Jacobus and his work, visit www.jacobusstudios.com.

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2021 • Page 33

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • July 2021 • Page 35

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