Livingston October 2022

Trial Blazers for Kids Foundation Seeks to Improve Treatment Options for Pediatric Cancer Patients

By Steve Sears

Livingston’s Jake Kestler passed away on April 11, 2019, but he lives on in the people who knew him, and through the Trial Blazers for Kids Foundation, a nonprofit organization which focuses on improving treatment options and finding cures for children’s cancers, and also seeks funding for innovative clinical trials and does its best to raise awareness about current limited treatment options as well.

Gallite Kestler and her husband, Joshua, started the Trial Blazers for Kids Foundation, and then last year when their daughter, Lily (now 16), entered Livingston High School, she founded the LHS Trial Blazers for Kids Club. Kestler says, “Their mission is similar to ours, but really more focused

on awareness and trying to find ways within the community to give back.”

The Kestlers also have a young son, Luke, who is four-years-old.

Jake passed away at age 14 after an almost two-

and-a-half-year battle with glioblastoma, but he had faced a prior cancer as well.

“Jake was an old soul,” says his mom. “He really was very much a family kid. He loved spending time with his family, and he had

a great sense of humor kind of well beyond his years. He was pulled out of everything normal that he knew when he was seven when he was diagnosed with leukemia, and he had continued on page 4

Jake Kestler with his parents and sister, one month before Jake was diagnosed with glioblastoma (courtesy of Gallite Kestler)

Family History Increases Risk for Breast Cancer

of people across the globe will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. In fact, only certain skin cancers affect more women than breast cancer within the United States and Canada.

The World Cancer Research Fund International says breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women across the globe. Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg had the highest number of breast cancer cases in 2020, while Barbados and Fiji had the greatest number of deaths attributed to the disease. Some of these high case numbers may be attributed to women with family histories of breast cancer — something that increases risk significantly.

BreastCancer.org indicates that women with close relatives who have had breast cancer, such as sisters, mothers or grandmothers, are at considerably higher risk of developing breast cancer themselves. Also, breast cancer may occur at a younger age in women with family histories of the disease.

Understanding breast cancer risk is vital for women’s health. The following breakdown, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can help

women from all backgrounds understand their risk for breast cancer.

• Average risk: No first- or seconddegree relatives with breast or ovarian cancer, or one second-degree female relative with breast cancer (in one breast only) diagnosed after age 50.

• Moderate risk: This is a somewhat higher risk that may not turn into breast cancer. It occurs when there is one or two first-degree or two second-degree female relatives with breast cancer (in one breast only), with both relatives diagnosed after age 50; otherwise, one or two first- or second-degree relatives with high grade prostate cancer.

• Strong: Women with strong risks have much higher chances of developing breast cancer than the general population.

Conditions like having one or more first- or second-degree relatives with breast cancer diagnosed at age 45 or younger, triple negative breast cancer, primary cancer of both breasts, and both breast and ovarian cancer in the same relative are warning signs of increased risk.

It’s important for women with increased risk for breast cancer due to family history to discuss options with their doctors. More frequent mammograms and other screening

tests may be recommended, and screening at younger ages than the standard age also may be considered. Women who are at high risk may be urged to undergo genetic counseling and testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer markers.

Breast cancer can be an especially scary prospect for women with family histories of the disease. By familiarizing themselves with their risks for breast cancer, women can take the necessary steps to protect their long-term health.

Trial Blazers for Kids...

continued from front page

of not being in school,

his friends

being able to be

not complain. He didn’t ask, ‘Why me?’ He really faced it head on. When he was diagnosed a second time, obviously with a much more serious diagnosis, he also faced that in the same way. We were very blessed when he was here. He was a really kind, really funny and sweet kid. And I think anyone that knew him would say that, and say that he had a smile that would light up any room.”

Kestler also credits Dr. Steven Arsht. “We always called him Jake’s guardian angel,” Kestler fondly says. “From the time Jake had leukemia, he made sure that Jake felt loved and supported and continued to be part of our community. He sponsored one of the baseball teams, and they had signs up at the field for Jake.” When Jake got sick a second time, Dr. Arsht created his “Knock Cancer Out of the Park’ campaign, where money was raised every time a homerun was hit in the Major League Division of the Livingston Little League. “And again, just so that Jake would know that he was loved, and just also

to speak to Jake’s character and the type of kid he was, even after being diagnosed with glioblastoma - which is obviously an incurable aggressive form of brain cancer - he played his final year of Little League with his team, and he went out there and he hit, ran the bases, and he played in the field. Then, after Jake passed, Dr. Arsht has been with us by our side as we’ve started Trial Blazers for Kids. He really has been great, and his whole family has really been a tremendous support to us.”

On Thursday, September 1, when the Livingston Lancers hosted the Columbia Cougars in the first game of the 2022 football season, it was recognized as the second annual Trial Blazers for Kids Bowl Game. The fact that the game is held in September is appropriate, since the month is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. “It was a beautiful, perfect night,” Kestler says. “The weather cooperated, and we worked with Livingston Athletic Director Dave Cohen, who was extremely helpful in allowing us to have this really meaningful ceremony before the game. We really couldn’t have been happier with the support of the town and of the administration. We hope to be able to continue to do it going into the

future.”

Jake was fortunate and lucky enough to participate in two different clinical trials, and the Kestlers firmly believe that especially the first one extended his life. “And so, in the short term,” Gallite Kestler says, “our goal is to find as many of those types of innovative trials that may offer kids and families a little bit more time.”

For more information about the inspirational life of Jake Kestler and Trial Blazers for Kids, visit www. trialblazers.org.

Seth Cohen for Livingston Board of Ed

Overthe past few years, the Board of Education has seen significant change, which has brought needed diversity to the Board. We should all feel pride in having diverse representation for our schools.

The challenge of constant turnover, however, is it creates a loss of experience and institutional knowledge. Boards of Education are facing immense challenges on mental health, DE&I, and staffing. Locally, we have the additional challenge of growing student populations with buildings not equipped for that growth.

To address these challenges, we are going to need a Board that has the experience required to understand the problems and find solutions to them. During my time on the Board, I have developed that experience. I have quickly

built a deep understanding of our budgets, policies and applicable laws. I have also spent significant time listening to community members to ensure that their concerns and ideas are incorporated into my work on the Board.

With that knowledge, I have been a strong voice at the Board Table. We have secured contracts with our Associations and Superintendent, achieved better district goals which focus on key issues, increased investment for mental health, extended academic time for our elementary students, increased extracurricular opportunities and developed a new strategic plan.

As Board President, I have worked with my Board colleagues to advocate against unnecessary standardized tests and against increases in health

benefit costs. I have also been leading the conversation between the Board and Town Council on addressing the potential impact of new developments on the space challenges that exist in our schools.

The challenges ahead make it vital to have Board members with the experience, knowledge and leadership needed for this job. I am the only candidate with all those qualifications.

On November 8th, ReElect Seth Cohen to the Board of Education.

Adriana Bordoni for Livingston Board of Ed

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I was the single child of a less than well off family, however, never losing sight of my dream for a better future, I was offered a job to come to America to work as a bilingual speech pathologist.

All five of my children have experienced the excellent educational system offered through the LIvingston Public Schools.

I have over 20 years of experience as a speech pathologist for children with disabilities and I specialize in autism, working as a therapist for public schools, and even running my own organization at FiveStarsSpeech. I’m unimaginably grateful to this country, Livingston, and everyone I know who has supported my children and I thus far to get to where we are now. That is the main reason I wish to run for Board of Education, so I can contribute to give back to Livingston which has been my family’s home for over 17

years.

As an immigrant, a single speech pathologist carries only so much weight, so by obtaining a position of importance I’ll be able to implement real reform and policies to our community to ensure as many children are able to obtain the same level of education my children received. I want to be directly involved in our board of education since with my many years of working with children with disabilities, I know I will be able to contribute immensely to the challenges the board may face regarding students with autism or speech impediments. I’m certified by the American Hearing and Language Association and specialize in practicing therapy for children with autism. It fills me with an overwhelming sense of pride when I see the children gradually grow more eloquent with their words and passionate about their studies. I am certified for the Autism Spectrum

Disorder as a Clinical Specialist. My experience in working in classrooms of more impoverished students or those with disabilities will allow me more insight in what is truly needed for them when the Board requires action.

I want to help create and maintain an educational system that would prepare your family for anything, so you will never have to worry about your school system for you, your children, or your grandchildren.

Please Vote for me, Adriana Bordoni, on NOvember 8, 2022 - YOUR VOICE IS IMPORTANT TO ME!

7 Ways to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

Many

women are concerned about the potential for developing breast cancer in their lifetimes. Breast cancer is the second-most common cancer among women in the United States and Canada. Despite that prevalence, there are ways for women to reduce their risk for breast cancer.

While it is impossible to change family history or genetic markers like gene mutations that increase breast cancer risk, the following are seven ways women can lower their risk.

1. Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. Physical activity and monitoring calories can keep weight in check. The Mayo Clinic recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity. Strength training at least twice a week also is recommended. Being overweight or obese increases a woman’s risk for breast cancer.

2. Consume a healthy diet. The link between diet and breast cancer risk is still being studied. However, research suggests that a diet high in vegetables and fruit, and calcium-rich dairy products, but low in red and processed meats may lower breast cancer risk.

3. Avoid or limit alcohol consumptions. Alcohol increases risk of breast cancer, even in small amounts. For those who drink, no more than one alcoholic drink a day should

be the limit. The more a woman drinks, the greater her risk of developing breast cancer, states the Mayo Clinic.

4. Undergo genetic counseling and testing. Women concerned about a genetic connection or family history of breast cancer can speak to their doctor about testing and counseling that could help them reduce their risk. Preventive medicines and surgeries might help those at elevated risk for breast cancer.

5. Limit hormone therapy. Combination hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women may increase risk of breast cancer, indicates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Similarly, taking oral contraceptives during reproductive years may increase risk. Women can speak with their physicians to weigh the pros and cons of taking such hormones.

6. Breastfeed children, if possible. Breastfeeding has been linked to reducing a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.

7. Learn to detect breast cancer. Women should get to know their bodies so they can determine if something is awry as early as possible. Early detection of breast cancer increases the chances that treatment will prove successful.

Women can embrace various strategies to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.

5 Tips for Organizing Your Home Office

up

big projects like windows are hard to

attention, too, such as

invitation for clutter.

home

Making sense of a year’s worth of paperwork and clutter can take some serious time, especially as many people have been working from home more than normal, but getting organized can help you tackle home management tasks more efficiently. Making the office a priority can reduce frustration when it comes to spending additional time in your office while working from home. These five tips can help get you started:

1. Make sure you have furniture that can adequately store your stuff, including plenty of space for files, reference books and computer equipment. Pieces need not be costly to be functional and there are plenty of attractive options available online and at both small and major retailers.

2. Arrange the space with its intended use and your own work style in mind. For example, if you don’t need ample space to spread out over a large, flat work area, eliminate that space - it’s simply an

3. Place items you rely on frequently, such as a calculator or ruler, within arm’s reach so they can easily be put away between uses. Capture these items in containers and bins to keep the space looking neat and free of clutter.

4. Establish a filing system that lets you keep track of important papers you need to keep and have a shredder handy to help you discard any sensitive documents. Whether you alphabetize, color code or use some other method, group paperwork into segments for categories such as bills, banking, health care, auto, insurance and so on for easy access in the future.

5. Tangled cords can make even the most organized spaces look messy, and they may pose a fire or tripping hazard. Get control of your cords by storing devices you don’t use regularly and securing the remaining cords with twist ties or clips. Remember to use a surge-protected power strip to minimize the chance of damage should a power surge occur.

Find more tips to make your workspace tidy and organized at eLivingtoday.com. (Family Features)

Novelist—and Livingston Native—Talks Writing, her First Novel, and More

By Alexander Rivero

What

We Were Promised—the literary debut of novelist and Livingston native Lucy Tan—was published in July of 2018 by Little, Brown and Company to excellent reviews across the spectrum. The novel traces the lives of the members of the Zhen family who, after years in the United States, return in 2010 to their native Shanghai, a place far different from the one they left behind. Once back in China, the family members—Wei, Lina, and their daughter Karen— settle in a luxury apartment complex staffed by locals who deferentially cater to residents’ every need day in and day out—from washing and folding their laundry to vacuuming their carpets. The other residents of the building are, for the most part, an elite community of Chinese born, Western-

educated professionals who, like the Zhen’s, face the need to redefine their own perspectives on life, and their roles within it, in the every shifting behemoth that is the “new” China.

For Tan, born to Chinese parents in Pittsburgh and raised in Livingston, NJ since the age of six, the process of writing the novel was a natural extension of the things she had been unconsciously doing all of her life. An only child, she remembers her childhood as one in which she spent much of her time alone, constantly absorbing the world around her, and reading young adult and horror novels after school at the Livingston Public Library, where her mother worked.

“I did a lot of material gathering during those years,” says Tan. “I did a lot of listening, a lot of notes. I have so many notebooks

that go back years and years. It was always my way of making meaning of the world.”

Unbeknownst to her at the time, her departures into the worlds she read and wrote about—as well as her own curiosity for people and her keenness of observation—nourished a hungry impulse for creativity, one that would soon turn voracious.

Despite having travelled to China many times during her upbringing, it was her decision to move there in 2010, post-college, that reinvigorated Tan’s sense of wonder for the country of her ancestors. Prior to the move, she says, she felt she was never truly able to internalize her experiences in China, at least not in a manner that was uniquely hers. Her parents, who came to the United States to work and study, had always served

as mediators—ushering, explaining, and translating for their American daughter whenever necessary, which was often. Now, with her imagination feasting on the adrenaline of being alone and far from home, a lifetime of reading, listening, and note-taking, had finally began to congeal into an artistic whole.

She remembers taking extensive notes during this time on everything that struck her curiosity about continued on page 11

Novelist...

in an already massive metropolis that was somehow growing, and changing. The precipitous gaps between rich and poor, locals and expats, white and blue collar, bred uncertainty, and excitement. The sands of Shanghai were shifting, and Tan wanted to capture those changes from a place she had come to know quite well— from the points of view of both returning Westerner staying at a luxury hotel, as well as that of the locals staffing it.

With that idea in mind, she returned to graduate school for a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in creative writing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It was here, in a fully-immersive writing curriculum, that the novel’s characters, as well as Tan the novelist, blossomed. She began to rise earlier and earlier in the mornings, immersing her whole self into the story and its characters, each of which she came to know intimately during the two years it took her to complete the book.

“For me,” says Tan regarding her own process on writing What We Were Promised, “it all starts with the characters, the tension, and a slight plot element. I have to fully know each of those people, whereas writers who might focus more on researching before writing typically end up

researching heavily and then only using a small fraction of that research.”

Tan found her strength in writing from the third person perspective, and put that strength to good use in What We Were Promised.

“This novel required me to take on many different points of view, and taking them on in the third person really stretched me technically. I did the research, but I’m not a natural researcher, and my parents helped me a lot since I’m not fully fluent in Mandarin.”

Asked what she herself likes to read, Tan says, “I love writing that explores the strangeness of an individual, writing that’s very interior.”

She cites Helen Oyeyemi and Samantha Chang as examples of writers whose work she has grown to enjoy profoundly. Specifically, she enjoys their full immersions into their subjects and characters and, she adds, their “deep, human stories.”

She also is eager for the upcoming (and debut) short story collection The Sorrows of Others by Ada Zhang, due out in the spring.

Lucy Tan is currently in the early stages of her work on her second novel. What We Were Promised is available where all books are sold. For more information, please visit the novelist’s website, www.lucyrtan.com.

Floorman’s

flooring

Livingston Resident Hosts Second Annual Diaper Drive

By Evan Wechman

Sara

Franks and her family moved from Annapolis, Maryland to Livingston, New Jersey in June of 2021. She was unaware this journey would create such a positive impact in the community. However, Franks quickly realized after giving birth to her newborn son, Artie, that caring for a child was not only challenging work, but it was also expensive.

Fortunately, Franks and her husband Torey had good jobs and were financially able to provide all the necessities for Artie. But a thought did come to Franks. She said “I had my son about a year and a half ago and I really saw firsthand the expenses of caring for a child. When he was a newborn, I decided I’m going to put a calendar reminder for myself. I’m going to commit to doing something to give back to other families around the holidays.”

Franks paid it forward by quickly organizing a muchneeded diaper drive. She collected and donated 26,000 diapers to the Apostles House in Newark, a social service organization which helps low-income families in Essex County.

This was done largely through word of mouth and Franks used her home garage as a storage facility. Though she is proud of this past holiday’s diaper drive, she is determined to surpass that amount this coming season.

The Livingston resident pointed out that 26,000 diapers only serves about 26 families in the area. From her research and experience, it takes on average, approximately 1,000 diapers to care for a newborn per year. This doesn’t account for other necessities such as ointments and creams.

Though she explained this is purely a diaper drive, she will not turn away any items people would like to donate such as baby formula or anything else that would help in caring for children.

Franks, who is confident she will exceed expectations, wants to get the word out early about the project. “I think we all as parents know it truly does take a village and so let’s call on the Livingston community and beyond to help families in need this year,” she said.

Franks will be collecting diapers as early as possible and continue to do so throughout the holidays. She also wants people to know if they find they have extra diapers months later, she will arrange for them to be picked up and taken to the Apostles House in Newark.

Franks said “it’s so important to me to give back to a community that’s less than 20 minutes away from my home. There are people right in or backyard that need help and it’s such an easy thing to do. Last year, it was just an idea that popped into my head and all it took was an Amazon Wishlist and it kicked off a chain of events. So much local coverage of the initiative inspired people in different states and it’s so easy and feels so good.”

There has been a ripple effect from last year’s initiative. For example, a grandmother from Philadelphia heard about it and coordinated a large drive there. Also, a woman in New York City became motivated to start a diaper collection as well.

Franks is also hoping Hollywood star Kristen Bell and her husband Dax Shepard continue their support from last year. The actress and her husband are two of the founders of

Hello Bello, a company which provides affordable diapers and other necessities to families nationally. Last year, they were one of the campaign’s biggest contributors.

Franks is trying this season to reach local businesses continued on page 16

PINEBROOK

GENCARELLI’S

Chuck Granata: A Life of Service, a Life of Music

By Steve Sears

I’ve

been lucky. I’ve been blessed,” Chuck Granata, a resident of Livingston, says. “I think if we have the opportunity, we take advantage of it. That’s one of the reasons why I embraced the idea of doing the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program as a cop. When the police chief at the time recognized that I had that skill set to deal with people and he was getting great feedback about whatever I was doing, it really gave me a chance to grow up with my kids, on a normal schedule, and in the schools with them.”

Granata was a police officer for almost 24 years, and he presented the D.A.R.E. program to Livingston students from 1992 until 2004. He and his wife Barbara have been married for 35 years, and he is a dad to two daughters, Kate and Alex.

And then there’s the blessed, musical realm of his life, his book authorship and recordings. Music, along with his family, are his current loves. “I grew up with this stuff,” Granata says. “My mom loved Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin. And then of course we were listening to AM radio, and I’ve gotten to know so many of these people; Tony Orlando, Earth, Wind & Fire, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. of the Fifth Dimension. The biggest blessing of my life is I started listening to music when I was a year old.” He started collecting and listening to records at a young age, and read the record covers and studied the photos and artwork as well. “Never having any inkling or even a dream that I would meet any of those people, or get to know those people sitting on the record covers playing their horns,” he

adds. “It was almost as though that was not a real world, like that was a magical world.”

It’s a magical world he now lives in. A record and radio producer, author, music historian and archivist, Granata is the author of four books: Sessions with Sinatra: Frank Sinatra and the Art of Recording, Wouldn’t it be Nice: Brian Wilson and the Making of the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, Making Records: The Scenes Behind the Music (with legendary record producer Phil Ramone) and the forthcoming Close Enough for Love (with Oscar-winning film composer and songwriter Johnny Mandel).

Among many other musical heroes, he has been blessed to enjoy a wonderful friendship with Nancy Sinatra. “We’ve been friends for nearly 30 years, and for all that time she has been a champion of my knowledge, talent and work” he says. “She asked me to assist her with her own book on her dad and produce/annotate a set of CDs to accompany it, brought me on CBS TV more than once, and invited me to produce her Sirius-XM radio show Nancy for Frank, which we did together for fourteen years. For all that time, we’ve enjoyed much time together on both coasts, and she is simply the most generous, kind and loyal friend anyone could ask for. Oh, and she’s a superb singer! I am - and have always been - a huge fan of her amazing talent, and I love her dearly.”

Granata also lauds another superb talent, Phil Ramone. “There’s no producer in the history of music (except Quincy Jones) who can rival the remarkable width and breadth of the late Phil Ramone, who produced much of the classic rock and pop music of our lifetime (Billy Joel, Paul Simon,

Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, et al). We enjoyed a tremendous bond, and writing Phil’s memoirand watching him work in the studio and live setting with Carole King, Elton John and other legends taught me a great deal about how to set up, organize and execute a production. He was a magnificent engineer, producer and ‘problem solver,’ and I miss him more than I can say.”

For thirty years, Granata has enjoyed a strong relationship continued on page 16

Specialist in Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry

Spec Permit #3775

Chuck Granata with Nancy Sinatra . Photos courtesy of Chuck Granata.

Morris County Man Releases Book About Morristown Ghost Hoax

By Steve Sears

Denville resident Peter Zablocki, it is always a whirlwind of activity, and if you’re a history fan –especially the local stuff – enjoy being swept up.

Zablocki’s latest offering, The 1788 Morristown Ghost Hoax: The Search for Lost Revolutionary War Treasure, was published by The History Press in July, and is available - appropriately - as the fall and Halloween seasons enter.

“I’m always full of ideas,” Zablocki says. “Once I start researching because I’m curious, the research always leads to ‘Well, I want to tell that story,’ so that leads to me writing. It’s been a lot.” And it leads to more for the ardent researcher. “I always want to write, I’m always asking questions, and especially the research. You find one thing while you’re researching something else, and that gets you going, and then you kind of put it to the side, and then you come back to it.”

His readers, no doubt, are grateful for it, but partner the above with his co-hosted “History Teachers Talking” podcast, his job teaching History and Advanced Placement Research at Kinnelon High School, and also being VicePresident of the Denville Historical Society, Museum, and Research Center, he’s happily immersed in his subject matter.

Minus giving too much away, The 1788 Morristown Hoax: The Search for Lost Revolutionary War Treasure, starts in Schooley’s Mountain, where a supposed treasure was buried. “I call this one of my ‘COVID Trilogy,” Zablocki

says. “I wrote it the same time, believe it or not, as I wrote Denville 13: Murder, Redemption, & Forgiveness in Small Town New Jersey and Terror Over Elizabeth New Jersey: Three Airplane Crashes in 58 Days and the Fight for Newark Airport. I almost felt like a detective to be honest with you. I started doing this because the story of the Morristown Ghost has been told numerous times, perhaps not so much recently, but there are a lot of different books about stories of New Jersey and it’s always incorporated into those fables. It’s very much next to your New Jersey Devil. There’s a ghost, and then so on and so forth, and there had been a reenactment of the story that was done in Morristown years ago in the 1980’s. I started looking into it and asked myself, ‘How much of it is a fable?”

Here’s the gist of it. There was local legend that British Loyalists had buried a Patriot treasure on Schooley’s Mountain prior to fleeing as George Washington and his troops were approaching. In 1788 Ransford Rogers, a former Connecticut school teacher, led prominent Morristown families to believe that a ghost was protecting the treasure, and that he, Rogers, alone could exorcize it. His goal? Extortion of money from the families. “Once you start really looking into the sources,” Zablocki says, “you realize that actually, it’s not really a fable at all. It was a real event that transpired in Morristown in the 1700’s. There are court records of it. I was trying to place this story, take it out of fiction, where it kind of has been dwelling for the Peter Zablocki (courtesy of Peter Zablocki)

continued on page 16

Morristown Ghost Hoax...

continued from page 15

past couple of hundred years, and put it back into history. How did this happen? So if this happened, and I was able to find out that it did, why did it happen? Why would a group of wealthy members of Morris County, Morristown society, believe there to be a ghost?”

Did Rogers succeed? Read the book. Zablocki has been churning out books with regularity the past few years. In addition to Denville 13 and Terror Over Elizabeth, he has also had published Bullets That Changed America: Thirteen Historic Assassinations, Duels, Misfires, and Murders, Denville Goes to War: Denville’s Story of World War I, and the follow-up, Denville in World War II. And with The 1788 Morristown Ghost Hoax, he is quick to recognize those who, during the pandemic, were kind enough to help when needed. “The libraries were

Diaper Drive...

continued from page 12

as well. She is seeking their permission to allow drop boxes in their stores or offices. People would then drop off a box of diapers while doing their dry cleaning, for example.

Though she wears many hats, Franks would love some volunteers. She can be reached via email at sara334@gmail.com.

Franks has been doing almost all the work herself but is very appreciative of her husband’s endless support. She is also proud of her co-workers’ help at Real

Chuck Granata...

continued from page 14

with Sony Music, where he’s served as a Project Director and producer of projects, some that have landed high chart rankings. I’m particularly proud of two recent album projects, because they are both vinyl LPs and are receiving fantastic reviews!” he exclaims. “My collaboration with Sony/ Columbia and IMPEX Records on the classic 1950 album Sing and Dance with Frank Sinatra led to another incredible LP, on which I co-produced with the legendary jazz guitarist Al DiMeola: a brand-new first-time mix of a concert he performed in December

super awesome,” Zablocki says. “A lot of different local libraries, including the Denville Library in Denville, as well as the Morris County Library or Morristown Library, were able to get me the books that I needed. I would pull up and they’d put them in my trunk. Also, the Morris County Historical Society actually opened the doors for me during the lockdown with the primary documents and files that I needed with regards to this case. I’m very thankful to local historical societies and libraries for allowing me to do research regardless of the fact that most of the world was locked down.”

The 1788 Morristown Ghost Hoax: The Search for Lost Revolutionary War Treasure, is available at both www. Amazon.com and www.BN.com. For more information about Peter Zablocki and his work, visit www.peterzablocki.com.

Chemistry, where she works as a media specialist in their New Jersey office.

With everyone in the Livingston area lending a hand, Franks is confident the diaper drive will help many local families care for their newborns. She said, “I can only imagine the feeling of caring for a little baby and not having the means to change your baby’s diaper when your baby should be changed, because you’re so nervous about running out of supplies.”

of 1980 with John McLaughlin and Paco DeLucia: Saturday Night In San Francisco. Al had the master tapes in his basement; the follow up to the trio’s iconic Friday Night In San Francisco has hit #1on the jazz charts in Europe, entered the Billboard Jazz Album charts at #7 and has been submitted for Grammy consideration. Working to bring all of the elements of that recording together was truly the thrill of a lifetime!”

For more information about Chuck Granata and his work, visit www. charlesgranata.com.

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?

Utah Man Walks Across the United States and Enjoys the People and Places in NJ

By Steve Sears

Utah

resident, Isaiah Glen Shields, has been walking across the United States for the past 18 months, and recently arrived in New Jersey.

While passing through, he strolled the streets of some of the My Life Publications publication areas, and he met up with some very nice people and beautiful landscape.

According to his Facebook page, Shields passed through Phillipsburg, Hackettstown, Roxbury, Denville, Butler, Pompton Lakes, Riverdale, and Oakland. When contacted by phone, he was on a traffic heavy street in Norwalk, Connecticut, but he had not forgotten stepping through the upper portion of the Garden State.

Shields first entered New Jersey in September by crossing over the Route 22 bridge from Easton, Pennsylvania, and landed in historic Phillipsburg. “I think I had looked at New Jersey on the map to just sort of get the gist of what I was going to be expecting. I guess everybody has a little bit of an inkling of what places look like,” he says. “I’ve never been to India, but when I picture India, I picture the Taj Mahal and crowded streets. I don’t think I’ve ever spent much time in New Jersey, and I saw a picture with a lot of suburban build up. But what I wasn’t really expecting to find was so much nature, and I guess ‘The Garden State’ is a slogan that people haven’t really understood well outside of New Jersey. There’s a lot of really, really beautiful things here.”

Shields’ videos show him walking the industrial area of the city of Phillipsburg,

but in contrast also strolling by serene farmlands right off of Route 57 in Washington Township prior to hitting Hackettstown. “No matter where I go, the sunset is visible there if you’re there at sunset, and with the people I met, there’s a lot of value in their story no matter what area it happens to be in,” he says.

“There was no major source of inspiration,” Shields says regarding his reasons to walk across the country. “Everybody has ideas that cross their mind from time to time. Some people have the idea to join a high school football team or to open a popcorn stand, restore an old Corvette in their garage. I was sitting at work one day and I had the idea, got kind of passionate and couldn’t stop thinking about it, and eventually I just left. It was pretty uncomplicated, just really pretty random and arbitrary, and sounded like something I wanted to do.” Shields’ career is what you see. His

walk has become a source of revenue on social media for him. “Hopefully I can just keep doing something like this. But prior to me departing, I worked as a corporate finance analyst.”

Shields also has created a You Tube channel titled “You Do You.” “I often tell people that in order to be happy, they need to radically change their lifestyle. My core thing I kind of believe is that ‘You Do You’ is supposed to embody is just to act on those things that speak to you most deeply. I just bought a house, graduated college, had a mortgage, and was sort of on a good path for security. But I had this idea that just kept me up at night and really, really spoke to my soul in some way.”

Shields’ ultimate destination is Lubec, Maine, the eastern-most point of the United States, and will eventually commit his travels to a book project.

DRIVEWAYS LOTS & PATIOS PAVERS SIDEWALKS BELGIAN

BLOCKS MASONRY SERVICE SNOW PLOWING MUCH MORE...

Isaiah Glen Shields at Donaldson’s farm in Hackettstown

Home Zone

with Andrea Hoffmann

Answers

to your home and real estate questions.

Q: I’m having a hard time getting contractors to show up for estimates. What can I do?

A: Many small business owners are struggling in the after-effects of Covid and a very real labor shortage. Look around: it seems there are positions to fill everywhere from the local coffee shop to the taxi company to the grocery store. The best thing you can do is ask the contractor if they’re short-handed before you set up an appointment. This will help set expectations on both sides, and alleviate some stress

Utah Man Walks...

continued from page 18

Shields also discovered that New Jerseyans can be pretty congenial folks, too. “People told me there might be some people who are less interested in my journey while I was in New Jersey, and I’ll just have a bit of an experience there,” he says. “Really, there’s just as many people kind people in New Jersey as anywhere. I had people open their homes to me, I had people letting me stay on their property, and people inviting me in to show me their

and frustration. Communication (on both sides) is key. Staying flexible with your own schedule helps, too. Some of these contractors are working many more hours than usual. If you still can’t find reliable help in your own town, consider broadening the search or asking your local online community for personal referrals.

Q: I’d like to move and I’m wondering why sellers are asking for offers that don’t have a sales contingency. I can’t buy a new home if my current home sale falls apart. That’s a big risk!

A: I think you just answered your own question. Sellers don’t want to worry about

lives and their lifestyles.”

Shields met one couple who worked for M&M Mars in Hackettstown. “They met me on the streets of Hackettstown,” he explains. “They didn’t really know a lot about me at the time, but they looked me up later. Then, when I was in New York City, they drove out and gave me a tour of the M&M store there in Times Square. You never know what kind of opportunities are going to come when you do something like this.”

their sale falling apart. Asking for offers that carry no sales contingency helps them solidify their own plans for moving because it’s less likely that buyer will back out of the transaction. We’ve been seeing many allcash deals, too, which are almost always a seller’s favorite since there’s no waiting on a mortgage approval. The deal can close as soon as the paperwork can be processed.

Q: I went to an Open House on a beautiful new construction home recently. The appliances weren’t the name brands I’d expect. Are builders cutting corners?

A: Without more information, I can’t say whether the appliances used are inferior to what you were expecting, but I’ll give builders the benefit of the doubt and assume they’re not intentionally cutting corners. I suspect the supply chain is to blame. Since so many appliances now have small computers in them, manufacturers could be falling victim to the chip shortage you may have heard about. Between that and a shortage of workers in shipping, logistics, warehousing and delivery… it sure makes us all miss 2019 when things were more predictable! If you want to research the appliances yourself, consider looking them up on Consumer Reports or other

such reputable sites. However, I will say one more thing: if it’s your dream home, don’t let the appliances stop you. Those can be changed out eventually and with relative ease if you really want the name brands.

Get your own question featured in The Home Zone! Email me at Andrea. HomeZone@gmail.com.

Andrea Hoffmann is a licensed Realtor on The Stan Kay Team at Compass,

1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills, NJ 07078. M: 917.714.1369; O: 973.310.6816

This is not advice of any sort: it’s for entertainment.

Sales & Rentals

Bucket List Travels

Morristown resident Paul Partridge has been building a travel bucket list for years. Now he’s diving in – near and far – and shares his adventures in this column.

by Paul Partridge

Swimming with Sea Lions

The Galápagos Islands were everything I expected – and even more that was unexpected.

Day 1: Salvador Dalí on Mars

A sunrise flight from Ecuador’s capitol city Quito brings us to Baltra Island and the waiting cruise ship La Pinta. With only 24 total cabins, La Pinta is an ideal size – big enough to have all the amenities you need/ want and small enough to provide lots of personal attention. The cabins are larger than typical cruise lines.

Within hours we’re into our first island expedition – exploring South Plaza Island. Ten eager passengers leap into a Zodiac boat a la Jacques Cousteau (the locals prefer the name panga boat). Approaching the island, I’m expecting to see exotic wildlife, and I’m not disappointed. Sea lions, iguanas, fieryred crabs, sea turtles, albatrosses – they’re all here in abundance. But what I’m not prepared for is the strange landscape they inhabit:

A cross between an Arizona desert, a Dali painting, and the surface of Mars –stunning . . . spectacular . . . otherworldly.

Seeing the Galapagos in person vs. in books is like seeing Bruce Springsteen in concert vs. reading the liner notes on his album.

Day 2: “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”

I suspected it yesterday but now I’m convinced: there’s some sort of intergalactic transformation that happens in the panga ride from La Pinta to the island. Because once again, we’ve landed on another planet. This one is called Santa Fe Island. It looks nothing like South Plaza Island – or anything else on earth. More like something created by Dr. Seuss.

We’re greeted by a welcoming committee of sea lions and Santa Fe iguanas. Like my wife’s Italian aunts, these iguanas never leave their neighborhood throughout their life.

After the hike, it’s time for snorkeling. We’re swimming alongside so many fish and sea turtles that it makes breathing difficult. Not because our snorkels don’t work, but because we’re stopping to laugh out loud at the shear spectacle of the show.

Shrieks of, “Did you see that?!” echo across the bay.

Day 3: Swimming with Sea Lions

The La Pinta guides are impressive in

Saddleback tortoises looking for food. Photo by Paul Partridge.

their knowledge of and respect for the Galapagos ecosystem. They’re happy to share as much information as we can absorb. The crew, likewise, is first-rate. They take care of everything from our wetsuits to our favorite cocktails.

Today our guide Dries takes us for a

rigorous morning hike on the eastern tip of San Cristobal Island. We’re negotiating boulders and climbing cliffs. The effort is worth it. San Cristobal evokes Utah, Nevada and Colorado crossed with Catalina Island. Around each corner is a more spectacular

continued on page 21

New Jersey Ghost Hunters Share Some Paranormal Adventures

by Elsie Walker

aranormal activity generally spikes in October according to Maryann Taylor of Hackettstown. Taylor, a paranormal investigator for four years, is administrator of the Facebook Group, Midlife Spirits and a member of the New Jersey Ghost Hunters Society (NJGHS). That society, a non-profit paranormal investigation organization which meets in Hackettstown, was founded in 1998 by L’Aura Hladik Hoffman. Recently, Taylor, Hoffman and another NJGHS member, Linda Wielkotz, of Fair Lawn, shared some of their paranormal experiences.

Taylor got involved in paranormal investigation about four years ago. A group on Facebook called Lady GhostBusters was looking for people who had had paranormal experiences. Taylor replied about living in a haunted house. (Her family lives in her husband’s childhood home and has had experiences showing that his parent’s spirits are there.) From that connection, Taylor got involved in her first paranormal investigation. In 2019, She went to Sterling Mines in Sussex County. In the temperature-controlled environment, suddenly there was a mist that would come up to the camera. When the mist was gone, it would return, if beckoned. The members of the group would feel a chill. The chill would move around the circle of members as though it was someone moving around them.

Taylor describes herself as “old school”. While other investigators use a variety of

technology, she uses a camera and audio playback. She recalled an investigation of a boy scout camp. During it, she and another investigator got separated from their group when they went back to get a camera that had been left behind. After getting it, as they walked to rejoin the group, they heard growling behind them. Thinking a bear was close behind, they ran and got to the building where the rest of the group was. They told the others of being chased by a bear, but when the others looked outside, there was no bear. Someone mentioned that they were in an area where you don’t really see any bears. Later, they listened to the audio playback of the incident. The growl had some distinguishable words in it: “Don’t let them get away. I want that one.” Taylor hopes she wasn’t the one they wanted.

Unlike Taylor, Wielkotz has been interested in the paranormal since her teens, Wielkotz noted that her mother would feed that interest by buying her books by parapsychologist Hans Holzer. After her mother died in 1984, Wielkotz had experiences of her mom visiting her. That prompted Wielkotz to find an organization focused on the paranormal: she found NJGHS.

Wielkotz noted that one of her most memorable experiences was with the NJGHS during one of two investigations done at Rose Hill Cemetery in Matawan in July

continued on page 23

L’Aura Hladik Hoffman, founder of the New Jersey Ghost Hunters Society and the cameraman from a German TV crew that went on an investigation with her and a team in Carlstadt.

Ghost

2006. Wielkotz could not make the first investigation but was very intrigued when an email about the second asked for “serious ghost hunters.” When she arrived at the location, it was explained to those present that during the first investigation, stones were thrown at investigators by unseen forces. The cemetery had been checked to see if anyone was there before Wielkotz and the others came. However, those assembled were told they could leave if they were too frightened. Wielkotz stayed. She shared her account of what happened that night;

“As the group walked up to the old crypt area where the attacks took place, we were there maybe two minutes when the same thing happened. Stones were being thrown from trees. Many people had experiences with Elementals (spirit ghosts) running around them feeling their energy. When we left to go back to the gate, we stopped at the crypts and a piece of metal was thrown from a bush and a rock was thrown from the top of the crypt hitting an investigator in the side of the head. Again, unseen forces. As we walked down the path, stones were still being thrown at investigators, hitting backpacks until we reached the main path. The spirits in that area did not want us up there for some reason.”

As for Hoffman, according to the NJGHS website, she “has been officially ghost hunting since 1993 and founded the NJ Ghost Hunters Society in 1998, which to date is the largest paranormal investigating organization in New Jersey.” Recently, Hoffman recalled an incident around 2006/2007 when she led a team, which included their “tech guru”, Brian Sandt, in investigating the happenings at a private family house, down the shore in Spring Lake. The residents of the home had experienced such terror that they could not sleep or live in the house and had moved into a local hotel. That investigation got off to a rather funny start.

“While we were investigating, in the dark of course, suddenly, bright lights were flashed upon Brian and I and a male voice shouted, ‘Hands in the air!’ Brian was holding his thermal scanner and to the police it appeared as a firearm, given the low light and shadows. Brian exclaimed, ‘Don’t shoot! Please! It’s a thermal scanner! Not a gun!’” said Hoffman. Hoffman noted that’s not usually the kind of response police expect to hear.

The police turned on the room lights and checked their IDs. Hoffman and her team explained they were there checking out reported paranormal activity. Suspicious, the police contacted the homeowner who came to the home and verified who they were and their story.

After the homeowner and police left, Hoffman and her team started the investigation. They discovered a strong poltergeist energy in the house. Hoffman explained what happened next:

“We experienced golf balls being thrown at us while coming down the stairs from the second floor. We tracked unusually high EMF within the center of the living room [though there were] absolutely no electric outlets, ceiling lamps, or power source available to supply such readings! And the ‘wow factor’ of this investigation: we were gathered around the center island counter in the kitchen. I had my digital audio recorder in the middle of the counter recording our discussion. It was positioned parallel to me on the counter. Suddenly, it made a 1/4 turn and was now perpendicular to me on the counter. We all saw it move by an unseen hand! Concurrent to this movement, Brian’s EMF Meter chimed out a spike in the EMF reading. We could ‘feel’ the energy pass right through us and then we heard a loud knock come from the living room. We went to inspect and found another golf ball still slightly rolling on the floor at the foot of the stairs. Apparently, the ghost was having fun showing off its ability to move the audio recorder and hurled another golf ball.”

Besides being the founder and director of NJGHS, Hoffman is also an author and does presentations on the paranormal. On October 17 at 6:00 PM, she’ll be presenting “Ghosthunting NJ & NYC: Updated!!” at Emmaus Public Library, 11 East Main St., Emmaus, PA. On October 27th at 7pm, she’ll be at the Old Bridge Public Library, Central Branch, One Old Bridge Plaza, Old Bridge, NJ, presenting “Ghosthunting NJ & NYC: Updated!!”. On October 29th at noon, she will be presenting “Mysteries of the Paranormal” at the Plumstead Branch of Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Rd., New Egypt, NJ.

For more information on the NJGHS, visit its website www.njghs.net/njghshome. html

A Most Precious and Memorable Halloween

By Richard Mabey Jr.

Halloween, at my church, the big Trunk or Treat Halloween celebration is held. It is a longstanding tradition, filled with all so much fun for children and adults alike. Every year, 20 to 30 cars fill the parking lot of my church, such that the trunk of the cars are facing the main thoroughfare. Children, with their parents and sometimes grandparents, come from far and wide to partake of the wholesome fun and heart-filled excitement of this grand and glorious event.

Each trunk station is hosted by a church member. My mom, Janet Kemmerer Mabey, simply loved this fun-filled event. Mom cherished interacting with the children. My mom had devoted well over 25 years serving as a Crossing Guard for the school children of Lincoln Park, safely crossing them across the street as they walked to and from school.

The Trunk or Treat of 2019 was a most cherished memory for me. For it would become Mom’s last time to partake of this wonderful church event. I think, deep in her heart, Mom knew that it was going to be her last time to enjoy the presence of the enchanting faces of all so many endearing little children.

A photo of Mom and I at the big Halloween Trunk or Treat of 2019, held at Grace Baptist Church in Belleview, Florida.

As each child came to our little station, Mom would smile at the child, with their parent or grandparent standing close by. Mom would make a big deal about the child’s Halloween costume. Then Mom would hand the child two or three little candy bars. Most people would simply throw the candy bars into the child’s trick or treat bag, but I remember that Mom made a point to hand each child his or her candy bars.

Then Mom would simply say to the child, “God loves you very much.” And the child would smile, and Mom would look into the child’s eyes and say, “be a good boy,” or “be a

good girl.” That evening Mom gave out candy bars to well over 200 children. This was a very special event that was well attended. People would come from Belleview and from neighboring towns to have their children partake of this wonderful Halloween event.

At the end of the evening, Mom only had about a half dozen candy bars left in her big basket, that was earlier filled to the brim with candy. I remember Mom looking down to the basket and tears flowed from her eyes. Mom took out her handkerchief and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“Well, that’s over, kind of sad,” was all Mom said as she handed me a small Milky Way candy bar. Mom took a Reese’s peanut butter cup for herself. We both ate our little candy bars. Then handed in the basket and three or four left over candy bars to one of the church Deacons.

Less than two weeks after the big Trunk or Treat Halloween event, Mom had heart surgery to replace her Aortic Valve. Sadly, the surgery was not a full success and Mom went Home to be with the Lord, the next month, two days before Christmas Day.

In memory, I return to that very special evening of the big Trunk or Treat Halloween of 2019. Mom touched the hearts of well over 200 children that night. In all so many ways, it was Mom’s farewell to all the children to whom she had safely crossed across the street, on their way to and from school.

Life is short. There really isn’t time for strife and arguments. Love one another. None of us has a guarantee for tomorrow.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@hotmail. com. Please put on the subject line: Halloween Story.

Cherish Thy Beloved Memories: The Cousin as Close as a Brother Be

By Richard Mabey Jr.

If

there was ever a true-life Richie Cunningham and Fonzie, it was my cousin, Edward Mabey and myself. I was the clean-cut scout leader, being a bit shy and Ed wore a leather jacket, was outgoing and was bigger than life.

Although we were cousins, we were closer than a lot of brothers are. Ed is a few years younger than me. Ed was in his early twenties, when his mom and dad moved to Nevada. Ed moved into the old Mabey Homestead with us for a few years. It was during those years that Ed and I grew to become brothers in spirit.

It was in the late 1970’s that Ed, my sister Patti, and myself were all taking evening classes at County College of Morris. Ed was studying engineering, Patti was studying psychology and I was taking a lot of various writing classes. After working all day at our respective jobs, we would quickly eat supper and then zoom up Route 10 to County College. It was a grand and glorious time.

Ed was an outstanding bowler and I was a wonderfully mediocre bowler. But it didn’t matter at all. I remember it was on Wednesday evenings that none of us had any classes. Ed and I would drive out to Boonton Lanes and bowl two or three games. There

was the old refreshment stand, the sound of all the bowling balls rolling down the aisles and hitting the pins, and the echo of a dozen different conversations filling up the bowling alley. I remember it as a most magical and wonderful era.

Ed and I actually fell of the Grand Canyon for the girl next door. For a while, it created a bit of a conflict for us. It was Ed who won Tammy’s affection with his outgoing charm. They did date for a while, but both of them decided that it was better for them to be neighborhood friends than to have a romantic relationship. Despite it all, Ed and I remained as close as brothers.

Today, Ed is married and has two sons. While we do keep in touch with Facebook, our rapport of being as close as brothers had dissipated quite a bit. Kind of sad in a way, but it’s just the way life is at times.

In memory, I can return to that magical era when Ed’s bedroom was just down the hallway from me, in the old Mabey Homestead. We would take breaks from studying in our rooms, and go downstairs and have hot chocolate and a couple of oatmeal cookies. It was a simpler time.

The fiber, the weave, the echo of those days that we thought we’d stay young and never grow old, haunt me at times.

Sometimes, I awaken at two in the morning from having dreamt of their memory. At 69 years old now, I regret not taking more pictures during that magical and mystical era.

As George Harrison sang to us all those years ago, “all things must pass.” Cherish your loved ones, that you still have with you. Hold them dear to your heart. Time and physical distance can often cause close

family ties to fade. Sometimes, the good Lord will call a loved one Home to Heaven. For all that any of us really have, is this sacred moment in time. Show your dear family members the love you have for them. None of us really know what tomorrow will bring.

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

An old photograph from 1980 showing my cousin Edward Mabey (left) and yours truly (right), in the living room of the old Mabey Homestead.

No Puppy Left Behind- A Woman’s Mission to Bring Safety and Shelter to Dogs

By Megan Roche

When

you talk to Jessica DonnellyKnissel, you can tell that her heart beats for any and all canines. Rescuing dogs of all shapes and sizes is one of the things that keeps her going back for more. She’s a proud canine advocate.

“When we saved the original six, I never anticipated falling in love with them the way that I did. I ended up with a beagle and she has provided me with so much joy. Since the COVID-19 pandemic and going through my own medical issues, I felt this finally gave me a reason to keep moving forward. As a human, I am able to advocate for myself and these dogs cannot. I’ve designated my whole entire being to advocating for these dogs and getting them the care they deserve,” Donnelly-Knissel shares proudly.

In February of 2022, No Puppy Left Behind was born.

“Our mission is to bring light to the public that puppy mills do exist. While we cannot save them all, we have saved 60 puppy mill survivors to date, but there are still so many more who need our help. The basic needs of the poor animals are not being met. They never know when they are going to have their food and water bowls filled, and some have serious medical concerns that need to

be treated. If we do not intervene, and get these dogs out, they will continue to suffer in silence,” Donnelly-Knissel says.

Donnelly-Knissel and her team continue to rally behind dogs, helping to bring them to safety as soon as possible.

“I have seen firsthand just how stressed out these dogs are because they are starving, or so thirsty that when I give them water, they drink the whole bucket in one sitting and get sick,” Donnelly-Knissel shares.

The No Puppy Left Behind team is actively rescuing dogs from puppy mills. According to the humane society, puppy mills are inhumane high-volume dog breeding facilities that churn out puppies for a profit, ignoring the needs of puppies and their mothers. In most puppy mills, once a mother and father are no longer able to breed, they are often killed.

How can the public help No Puppy Left Behind? Continue to spread the word, donate toward the rescue, and even adopt one of their furry friends.

“We’ve had many people reach out and ask how they can help, and we’ve had so many people step up to accept these precious souls into their homes… but realistically speaking? Not everyone is in a position to do so & we get that. The

outpouring support of our friends, family and community has been so heartwarming! Without all of you, this would be way more difficult than it already is! We’re trying to get as many dogs out as possible before the winter. If you, or someone you know is looking for a new ‘furever’ friend please contact me directly. Please share our mission to spread awareness for puppy mills, as they are far more common than people realize,” Donnelly-Knissel says.

Donnelly-Knissel has set up a GoFundMe page, www.gofund.me/7c0cfb12, where donations are being accepted for the cost of transporting dogs, medical attention, and more. Many of the dogs who come through No Puppy Left Behind need to be treated for raging ear infections, open wounds, nails growing into paw pads, and some have even tested positive for heartworm.

“Their stories will literally bring tears to your eyes, as we see dogs who were once completely shut down that now open up and get to enjoy life like every dog should,” Donnelly-Knissel shares.

In the end, Donnelly-Knissel knows the dogs are grateful to be saved.

“If you can donate even $5 towards our mission, or share our fundraiser, we would be forever grateful, as will these dogs. Even

Jessica Donnelly-Knissel’s beloved beagle Violet, saved from a puppy mill

after all they’ve endured, they are the sweetest, kindest souls you will ever meet,” Donnelly-Knissel says.

To keep up with No Puppy Left Behind’s rescue efforts, follow them on TikTok at @ nopuppyleftbehind and Facebook at www. facebook.com/jessica.donnelly.54

Patriots’ Path Council of the Boy Scouts of America Strive to Serve

By Steve Sears

The Patriot’s Path

Council of the Boy Scouts of America, a not-for-profit organization, strives to serve more youths and provide worthwhile programs.

“The Boy Scouts of America was formed in 1910 and has been serving our local communities and youth for more than 112 years,” says Marc Andreo, Scout Executive and CEO of the Patriots’ Path Council. “The Patriots’ Path Council was formed in 1999 to improve Scouting programs and services in north and central New Jersey through the merger of Scout Councils. While the pandemic was very difficult, our Scouts and volunteer leaders not only adapted but excelled at staying active through online meetings as well as outdoor meetings and campouts, before being able to get back to our traditional venues this year. This fall we have set a goal of recruiting more than 2,000 new youth and their families which will keep us on pace to achieve our pre-pandemic participation levels.”

The Patriots’ Path Council serves the counties of Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, Sussex and Union. “Our four Scouting Districts work to keep Scouting local by providing volunteer and unit support as well as unique programming activities throughout our service area,” says Andreo.

Jeremy Godwin currently serves as Marketing and Communications Committee Chairperson on the Council Executive Board. “For Scouts in Middlesex, Morris,

Somerset, Sussex and Union counties, the Patriot’s Path Council is the local connection to Scouting,” says Godwin.

“We operate one of the best and safest programs that develop young men and women into the leaders of tomorrow.” Godwin also alludes to the immense numbers of scouts and scout leaders who are involved and benefit from the program.

“We’re very proud of the numbers and how many people of all ages choose to help themselves and their communities through Scouting. The values of good character, citizenship, personal fitness and leadership will influence these Scouts for life. These translate to things like helping people whenever it’s needed and always being prepared.”

Johannes (last name omitted by request) is a Star Scout and a Troop Guide for Troop 39 in Morris Plains. “Scouting has had a huge impact on my life,” says Johannes.

“As part of my troop, I’ve spent a night on a battleship, gone canoeing, sailing, kayaking, zip lining, and spent more than two weeks outside hiking and camping -- even during the pandemic. Scouting teaches those real-life skills that you don’t learn at school. First Aid and Lifesaving, for example, are required Merit Badges to be earned to become an Eagle Scout.” Johannes then echoes Godwin’s last statement. “I think about all the people I have met in my Scouting journey, all the effort I put in to get to where I am now, and what I learned along the way. I learned from Scouting

that ‘Good Character’ isn’t just doing what you’re told, it’s thinking about what you’re doing and doing what needs to be done to your best ability. I learned from Scouting that ‘citizenship’ isn’t just being kind to everyone, but doing the right thing, and even more!”

“The people involved in Scouting, both youth and adults, are the kind of people you want your kids around,” affirms Stacey continued on page 29

Denville Scouts who benefit from the work of the Patriots’ Path Council

Boy Scouts of America...

Riggert, Scoutmaster for Troop 1936 in Morristown. “The leaders care. They want to be there. They believe in the aims (or values) of the program, they want to have fun but, more importantly, they are rewarded by the ability to mentor our youth. The Scouts are good kids; some need more guidance than others, but they are really good kids. The Scouting program does not just provide an activity, it instills and reinforces values and teaches Scouts not only how to contribute to their family, their unit and the community, but it also teaches life skills.”

Per Andreo, in addition to The Patriot’s Path Council traditional programs, expanding will be the supplemental program opportunities for Scouts and their families. “This is designed to support our 4,000 Scouting leaders who step up to serve our boys and girls and to also ensure that we keep our program fresh and relevant for today’s youth. We continue to invest resources into our two Scout Camps with new program areas and

continued maintenance and upkeep of our existing facilities. Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation in Stanhope and Winnebago Scout Reservation in Rockaway provide a year-round oasis of camping and program opportunities for our Scouts. Additionally, we provide a service center in Cedar Knolls where we operate a Scout Shop, host meeting and trainings as well as the operation of our administrative offices. For 2023, we are also launching a Scouting Ambassador program to spread the word about the great programs and community service provided by our Scouts, their families, our volunteer leaders, and our chartered partners.”

For more information about Patriots’ Path Council of the Boy Scouts of America, visit www.ppcbsa.org. Scouting programs are available from kindergarten through high school. For parents with a son or daughter interested in scouting, contact Shawn Trimmer at shawn.trimmer@ scouting.org , or (973) 765-9322 extension 229.

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