Mt Olive December 2021 by My Life Publications..Maljon LLC

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No. 17 Vol. 12

My Life Publications • 973-809-4784

December 2021

Mount Olive Dad and His Daughter Run NYC Marathon for Hackettstown Teen

By Steve Sears or Nicole Villar, the 50th TCS New York City Marathon on November 7, 2021 was her ﬁrst ever marathon, and she did it with her dad, Carlos. “One of the things that he wanted so badly was to run a marathon with one of his kids,” says Villar, 27, formerly of Mount Olive but now living in Arlington, Virginia. “Obviously, this was a big moment for us. Just knowing that we were doing it together, honestly, meant so much. Growing up, my parents have always instilled in my siblings and I that family is everything, and no matter what, your family will always be there for you. So, this is a memory that I’m deﬁnitely going to cherish. I’m going to share it with my kids and, hopefully, I’ll be able to do the same thing one day with my kids.” As enjoyable as running and completing the marathon with her dad was, the most important thing is that the Villar duo are fundraising for Edwin (Salazar Guerra), a 16-yearold, Hackettstown High School freshman who lost his limbs when he was seven. “He’s from Guatemala,” Villar says, “My dad and I actually met him and his family at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hackettstown. We met him and his family through a friend. We’re always kind of looking to, to help those in need.” Nicole and her dad, who are seeking to raise $20,000 for new prosthetic legs Edwin, have set up a GoFundMe page. The duo was supposed to run in the 2020 marathon, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This past July, when it was determined the duo would take part in the event, they searched for a local cause to run for. Edwin, his mom, and Edwin’s little brother were in Mancontinued on page 4

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Local Churches Help Operation Christmas Child

by Elsie Walker ne day about 20 years ago, Daryl Blewett, of Succasunna, was driving with her kids and a friend. As they drove, the radio station they were listening to shared something about Operation Christmas Child. A project of the Samaritan’s Purse organization, Operation Christmas Child spreads the word about Jesus to needy children around the world, including his love shared through gifts donated in a shoe box. Blewett’s friend said, “let’s do it” and that was the start of Blewett getting involved, first bringing it to the attention of her church, Ledgewood Baptist Church, and then growing in the project to where she and her husband, Ed, are now Area Coordinators, Northwestern NJ Operation Christmas Child Team. In November, Blewett’s church and others donated boxes during the yearly Operation Christmas Child collection week. However, although its name is Operation Christmas Child, the project brings the message of Christmas to needy children throughout the year. Blewett shared a brief history of Operation Christmas Child, which started with a forgotten promise. In 1993, Rev. Franklin Graham, President of Samartan’s Purse (an organization dedicated to do good works, like the Good Samaritan in the Bible), received a call from a man in England asking for help in filling shoeboxes with gifts for children in war torn Bornia. Graham agreed to help, but it was months before Christmas, and it went to the back of Graham’s mind. Suddenly, it was November and the man from England called back Graham about the boxes. Graham had forgotten all about them. Working fast with help from a church in the U.S. and help from Canada, a miracle happened: they were able to come up with 28,000 shoeboxes filled with gifts for

the children. Operation Christmas Child was born. Since 1993, 188 million children in 170 countries have received boxes. The boxes contain gifts such as colored pencils, gloves, socks, a pair of shoes, a toy, etc. Each box is labeled as to the sex and age group of the child who should receive it. Operation Christmas Child recipients are ages 2 - 14. Also, inside each box is a book in the child’s own language with the stories of Jesus. Many churches on the receiving end, which give out the boxes, invite children to come to a 12- week the Greatest Journey program to learn more about who Jesus is. Those children who choose to attend will tell others in their area about Jesus. Blewett has seen Operation Christmas Child from both sides: the giving and the receiving. Two years ago, she was invited to Tanzania to be there when boxes were distributed in June. (Due to travel distance, customs, etc. it can take a while for the boxes to get to their destination.) Blewett said she believes God helps the right child get the right box. She saw a child with very worn shoes open her box to find a pair of crocs in it! Blewett notes that for Ledgewood Baptist Church, Operation Christmas Child is a year-around project, gathering items for boxes and then having a box filling event before the shoebox collection week. Last year, her church contributed 800 boxes. Besides contributing boxes, her church is a drop-off point for others to bring their boxes and then the Blewetts get them down the delivery pipeline. “It reaches a spot in your heart,” said Paula Ackley of Christ Episcopal Church in Budd Lake. Her church has been donating boxes for over two decades to Operation Christmas Child. Former parishioner, Carole Zicherman of Florida,

originally brought the idea before the congregation when the church was looking for outreaches. First Zicherman, and now Ackley, of Budd Lake, has coordinated the effort at the church. Ackley said, “You want to do it. You feel like this is continued on page 4

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Operation Christmas Child...

Marathon for Hackettstown Teen... continued from front page hattan that day to watch the Villars run. “It was a great experience,” Villar says of the 26.2-mile marathon. Villar played soccer throughout high school and college, but also took up running. “I’ve always liked running,” she says, “but I never realized how much of a passion I have for it and that I’m actually good at it. So, after college, I just kind of started running more.” Villar traveled to watch her older brother take part in the 2017 marathon. “When I saw my brother run it, I was just kind of like, ‘Wow, I want to do that someday.’ And then my dad ran it for the first time back in 2019, and that definitely solidified that I wanted to run a marathon at some point in the near future.” Villar started preparing in August, she joining the NOVA (Northern Virginia) Run-

ning Club. “In terms of running the actual race, I knew that it wasn’t going to be easy.” At mile 16, Villar started to feel tired and began to pace herself more. “The New York City marathon course isn’t easy. There are a lot of hills, a lot of bridges, but the wind wasn’t as strong, but you still felt it - especially going up those bridges, the wind going against you. So, all those little things were tough, but going into mile 18, that’s when my mental strength like had to kick in. That’s when I had to keep telling myself what I was running for. Just knowing that I was running for a cause, and knowing that my family and Edwin were going to be waiting for me at the finish line was just so motivating to me.” The GoFundMe page for Edwin is www. gofundme.com/f/prosthetic-legs-for-edwin.

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continued from page 2 part of what you should do.” She noted how the children receiving the boxes, who have so little, get excited at something most children in this country wouldn’t see as much of a gift: crayons, a pad of paper, the simple things. Another church in Mount Olive which supports Operation Christmas Child is New Beginnings Bible Church in Flanders. Its treasurer, Eric Seal, shared that the previous day he had dropped off 43 boxes. “[Our church] has participated in the shoebox program for roughly 10 years. We’ve also branched out to my place of employment, Red Hook Terminals in Newark. They do a fantastic job supporting the program.” The children who receive the boxes come from a variety of situations. The Port Morris United Methodist Church in Landing found out about one such situation from a former pastor and his wife who came from Bulgaria. Their Bulgarian church had received the shoeboxes and gave them to children in a

Bulgarian orphanage, some of whom were not necessarily parentless, but were sick or disabled and the parents gave them up. Those children knew they had a family which may have kept healthier children, but they were abandoned. The orphans were vulnerable to being exploited once they outgrew the orphanage, and the boxes helped the local church to make a vital connection with them, to offer them love and guidance. The Landing church adopted Operation Christmas Child a few years ago as its Christmas Outreach. Boxes can be tracked, and the Landing church has seen its boxes go twice to the Ukraine, once to Honduras, and once to the Dominican Republic. Besides being packed with love, Ackley noted that before the boxes leave her church, they are prayed over: for those who will be handling each box during its travels and for the one who receives it. Blewett echoed that sentiment, “The most important thing that goes into any box is prayer.”

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • December 2021 • Page 5

Not All Headaches are Created Equal

lmost everyone has experienced a headache, at some point in their life, to varying degrees. In fact, roughly 45 million Americans suffer from Headaches each year. In today’s world, most people reach into the medicine cabinet for one of the various pain relievers to alleviate their head pain. But what happens when that doesn’t work? Or, the headaches become more frequent and more painful? Some get headaches so often and so painful, they even take prescription drugs with side effects and no avail. But have you ever stopped to think, “What is causing my headache?” Headaches and more severe headaches, known as Migraines, can be caused by various triggers including foods, chemicals or preservatives in foods, allergens in the environment, chemicals in cleaning products or herbicides/pesticides, sinus congestion, tension in the neck or jaw, lack of sleep, dehydration, stress, and the list goes on… Sometimes the cause is completely unknown and with no relief the patient can be left hopeless, debilitated and in pain. An assessment by an Acupuncturist can often identify and treat imbalances (that are causing the headaches) that are unknown to the patient previously. In Chinese Medicine not all headaches are created

equally. Rather, during an assessment, we evaluate the individual patient on many levels to determine their exact symptoms (i.e Is the headache frontal? One sided? Behind the eyes? Is there nausea? Frequency and intensity of pain?....) and if there are any triggers. We take a whole body approach and assess the patient’s physical condition as well as their constitution, emotional health, diet and lifestyle. Unlike the blanket treatment western medicine offers which is typically some type of pain reliever, Chinese Medicine finds a specific treatment for each patient based on their individual symptoms. Five patients suffering “headaches” may receive five completely different treatments. By addressing the root cause, Acupuncture can be a safe way to prevent and treat various types of headaches, without the unwanted side effects of medications. Based on the individual assessment and diagnosis, tiny needles are inserted into various points on the body. Depending on the case, small electrodes can be attached to specific needles that elicit a small electrical current. The feeling of the electric stimulation on the needles is a comfortable sensation that generally elicits a feeling of tingling, tapping or heaviness. The electric stimulation en-

hances the release of specific neurochemicals which aids in the treatment of headaches. The needles are typically retained for 20-30 minutes, during which the patient is left to relax and take a nap. Acupuncture is known to be effective and can offer long standing results, but it is not always a quick fix. Especially if the headaches are chronic, several treatments may be required to achieve the full result. Again, this is because it is addressing the root cause and not just covering up symptoms like other treatments. If you suffer from headaches or migraines start getting relief today! Use the following tips to achieve long- lasting results for a healthy life: Be aware, track food and environmental triggers to see if there are any patterns, get adequate sleep, eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits (limiting sugars and processed foods), drink plenty of water, manage stress with things like meditation and try Acupuncture! For more information about Acupuncture and Headaches contact Mount Olive Acupuncture & Wellness 973527-7978.

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Heath Village Resident Writes Murder/Mystery Novella

By Gary Simeone usan Sumner, a resident of the Heath Village retirement community, in Hackettstown, recently published her first novella. The novella is almost a life imitates art scenario, as the main character in the book is based off of the real-life author. The title of the novella is called ‘Murder? A Memoir: A Cate May Mystery.’ “The main character in the book is an 85-yearold woman named Cate May, who lives in this fictional place called the Golden Oaks Retirement Community in Rockland County,” said Sumner. “A lot of weird circumstances occur at this retirement home, where a couple of people mysteriously die and no one knows what to make of it. A good friend of hers suddenly dies and she kind of becomes a sleuth detective, with the help of her three grandchildren, who come to visit her. They try to solve all of the murders and after her grandchildren return home from their visit, she continues to investigate these unexplainable deaths. She interviews a bunch of other suspects and be-

gins to hone in on a prime suspect.” Sumner said she started writing the novella in May, when she was visiting her family in Ohio. “I was out there visiting my three grandchildren, because they were home doing remote learning due to that spring surge we had of COVID-19. At the time I was thinking about writing a murder/mystery that happens at a retirement home. My grandchildren encouraged me to write a chapter each day I was there, so I did. I jotted some notes into my phone and into my email, kind of rambling on with some ideas I had. When I returned home to New Jersey, I was able to complete a few more chapters and finish off the book.” She said the book has some strange elements, where the main character seeks out and interviews a prime suspect, and some of the proposed motives for the murders include hotly contested political debates, an incident in the retirement homes garden and at one of its daily bocce games. “The pandemic, social distancing and po-

litical discord of 2020 add to the tension in this quirky mixture of mystery, philosophy and humor,” Sumner said. Sumner said that in her spare time, she likes to read a variety of different books, paints and also sells a variety of items on the website, etsy.com. All of her original contemporary artwork can be found on her website, susansumner.com. “It was kind of a funny story, but I had this woman who bought a painting from me on Etsy, that I actually described in the book.

That is how she became interested in my artwork.” She has plans to write additional novellas, including another one that takes place at the Golden Oaks. She also has aspirations to write a story on a painting trip she took to Florence, Italy, where Cate May will continue to use her detective skill to investigate more foul play. ‘Murder? A Memoir: A Cate May Mystery,’ can be purchased as an eBook or in paperback or hardcover from Amazon.com.

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • December 2021 • Page 7

Letter to the Editor.... Dear Editor: We would like to thank the voters of the 24th Legislative District for the trust they have placed in us through our election to the State Legislature. It was a hard-fought campaign and we thank all of those who participated in the electoral process. While we are disappointed that our friend Jack Ciattarelli has come up short in his campaign for Governor, we are happy with the election results in Sussex, Warren, and Morris Counties. The people of New Jersey want us to tackle the issues they care about – property tax relief and overall affordability, protecting student and parental rights in our school system, and investigat-

ing the 8,000 nursing home deaths attributed to the current administration. We are proud of our record of accomplishment and look forward to building on our successes for the benefit of our district and our state. We will also continue to provide first-class constituent service through our district office. Thank you again to the voters for their support and we will do all we can to represent your interests in Trenton. Gratefully, Senator Steve Oroho Assemblyman Parker Space Assemblyman Hal Wirths

Did You Know?

hose poised to begin a health regimen that includes probiotics would be wise to also educate themselves about the closely named, yet vastly different, “prebiotics” that are also beneficial to health. Prebiotics are to probiotics what fertilizer is to a vegetable garden. Prebiotics are essentially a special type of soluble fiber that is used by the beneficial bacteria as fuel, advises the prebiotic supplement company Prebiotin. Examples of good sources of prebiotics include bananas, onions, garlic, Jerusalem

artichokes, apple skins, beans, and chicory root. The prebiotic fiber moves through the small intestine undigested and fermented until it reaches the large intestine. Once there, beneficial bacteria break it down and use it as food. Thusly, the prebiotics can then multiply readily and improve the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut. Eating prebiotic foods can fuel the process, but many probiotic supplements now have a combination formula that includes prebiotics in the recipe.

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Creative Gift Ideas for Children

eeing a child’s face light up with excitement during the holiday season is a sight that can bring feelings of joy to everyone gathered around to celebrate. Though many wish lists are filled with tech gadgets and gizmos, gifts that allow kids to explore their artistic sides and foster imaginative play are still popular picks as well. For example, options like these from the Crayola Scribble Scrubbie line can spark young imaginations and encourage children to express themselves creatively and colorfully. A perfect option for animal lovers, these themed playsets allow girls and boys to unlock endless hours of playful fun as they color, wash and color their pets again. Find more inspiration for presents that allow kids to create colorful memories this holiday season at crayola.com/productfeature/scribble-scrubbie-pets. Reimagine Underwater Animals Take your gift giving off the beaten bath this year and help kids dive into adventure with an award-winning present like the Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Ocean Pets Lagoon Playset. Young Explorers can add bright, fun designs to shark, octopus, whale and clownfish pets. Using the six included washable markers, children can color and customize the

OF MT. OLIVE

MICHAEL J. SIEGEL, O.D.

ocean pets for nearly endless underwater imagination. Then simply dip the pets in the kid-powered lagoon shower to wash in style before recoloring and playing again and again. Colorful Pet Fun in the Clouds With colored pets for added fun and excitement, kids can take imaginative play to new environments this holiday season with an option like the Scribble Scrubbie Peculiar Pets Cloud Clubhouse. The set includes Crayola’s most recent innovation: colored pets. Featuring a Uni-Owl and UniKoala as well as a rainbow slide, a rainwater shower, three washable markers and a cloud environment that doubles as a storage solution, the entire collection is washable so children can color and customize then wash and color again.(Family Features)

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • December 2021 • Page 9

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By Richard Mabey Jr. he Christmas of 1962 showed me the kindness and appreciation of a dear and kind friend and classmate. I was nine years old and in Mrs. Jacobchick’s fourth grade class. I sat in the middle of the classroom, Pamela Rawlings sat next to me. In early December, Mrs. Jacobchick had all of us draw names from a shoebox. As if the odds were a million to one, I chose my old best friend, Stuart Steinhauser. Unbeknownst to me, Pamela Rawlings picked my name from the box of folded papers. I remember that I bought eight comic books for Stuart. I am positive that two of them were Batman and Superman titles. I’m pretty sure that two other comic books were Flash and Superboy. I’m not sure at all, about the other four comic book titles. I remember in early December, walking home from school, and I had a whole, paper dollar in my pants pocket. I went into Moe’s Sweet Shop, with the intent to buy comics for Stuart. I remember it being such a magical moment in time. I had never bought eight comic books, at one time, any other time in my entire life. It was just a monumental moment.

A Christmas Story

I remember when I carried the stack of eight comic books to Moe’s cash register. It’s so funny, the things you remember. I remember Moe saying to me that it looked like I was going to read a lot of comic books that night. I confessed that I did read all of those eight comic books, before I wrapped them up in brightly colored Christmas wrapping paper for my old friend, Stuart. For the next few weeks in December, I wondered and wondered who could have picked my name from Mrs. Jacobchick’s shoe box of hand-written names. What I was about to find out, as to who picked my name from the box, would touch my heart, all so very dearly. In 1962, Christmas fell on a Tuesday, which meant that more than likely Mrs. Jacobchick had us exchange gifts on the Friday before Christmas, since we probably had the entire next week off from school. Our little fourth grade Christmas party was a happy and joyful little celebration. My mom was the Class Mother for our class. Mom had baked a lot of Christmas cookies for our little party. And we had plenty of apple juice to drink. My mom did come to the little party, to help Mrs. Jacobchick hand out the cookies and pour the apple juice for the children.

I was lost for words when Pamela Rawlings looked at me, from her desk which was right across from me, and simply said “Merry Christmas, Richie!” And I then said “Merry Christmas” to Pamela. Then Pamela handed me a colorfully wrapped Christmas gift. It all felt like a dream! Cute Pamela Rawlings was the one who picked my name from the shoebox, vastly full of handwritten names. I remember thinking to myself, “of all the names in that were in that shoebox, sweet Pamela Rawlings chose my name! It was a religious experience for me! I just sat there looking at Pamela’s gift for me. I remember Pamela saying to me, “Richie, aren’t you going to open it?” And, I think I said something like, “oh, yea, open it up, right….” I carefully removed the brightly colored wrapping paper from Pamela’s gift. And, lo and behold, there it was, a handmade pencil holder. Obviously it was constructed from a soup can or a vegetable can of some kind. The tin can was carefully covered with colorful construction paper. All the while I was looking at that beautiful homemade pencil holder, I kept thinking to myself, continued on page 11

Although not the exact same pencil holder that Pamela Rawlings made for me, for the Christmas of 1962, when I was in the fourth grade and nine years old, this one still holds a very close resemblance!

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Ready to move in! Phenomenal 2 BR, 2.5 BA townhome located in Hastings Square. Remodeled kitchen w custom cabinets, quartz counters, SS appliances, breakfast br, heated floors. Large deck off kitchen great to entertain. Open living room w sliders to Juliet balcony. Beautiful HW floors. MBA features heated floor, 2 closets and remodeled bath. MBA with tile surround shower. Guest bathroom remodeled to include tile surround shower., New roof, freshly painted exterior, new gutters with leaf guard, and new front steps. Interior with new wooden stairs, gas fireplace, hardwood and marble floors, freshly painted, ceiling fans, light fixtures, new doors throughout, new water heater and utility sink. Garage freshly painted, epoxy floor, and cabinets. New garage door openers and security alarm.Virtual tour available.

79 Bald Eagle Road Allamuchy Township Sale Price $550,000

Immaculate 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom colonial located in Panther Valley. Beautiful professional landscaping. Immaculate EIK w oak cabinets and tile backsplash. Foyer/DR with beautiful parquet HW floors. DR w chair rail molding. Enjoy chilly nights with 2 brick surround fireplaces located in Den & LR. Great Room w wide plank HW floors. Updated master and guest bathrooms. Remodeled powder room. MBR w large walk-in closet w custom organizer. Fin. basement w wet bar, rec rm and office-potential BR.. Open level large lot.. one of the best in PV. w large patio and deck. This home offers so much!! 2 X 6 construction. PV amenities include 3 inground pools, tennis courts, volley ball court, basket ball courts, and many playgrounds. Just minutes from Rt 80 Panther Valley is a great commuter location. Virtual tour available.

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • December 2021 • Page 11

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1962 was very much representative of the height of the era of the baby boomers. I remember that there were well over 35 children in Mrs. Jacobchick’s fourth grade class. Although this is not a photo of my fourth-grade class, it is amazingly close to how that classroom looked.

Christmas Story... continued from page 10 “Pamela Rawlings made a pencil holder for me… me….. me!” I thanked Pamela. She asked me if I liked it and I told her that I just loved it. I then turned to my left-hand side, looking toward the back of the classroom, Stuart was looking at the covers of his eight comic books. He sent me a big thumbs up, along with a big smile. It was such a memorable little classroom Christmas party. Here’s the amazing thing. I still keep in

touch with my old friend, Stuart. And, just a few years ago, I was reunited with my old friend, Pamela, through a common friend. The odds were a million to one that Pamela and I were able to find each other, after having lost touch with each for a little over 45 years! The friends of early childhood are truly, the dear and beloved friends. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@ hotmail.com. Please put on the subject line: My Life Publications.

Page 12 • December 2021 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Chabad Jewish Center Purchases a New Temple of Worship

By Gary Simeone hen Rabbi Yaacov Shusterman and his wife, Fraida, saw the old synagogue, a mile away from their current location in Flanders, they couldn’t pass up the opportunity to look into the property. Last month, the couple ended up buying the property, which was going to be sold to the town and developed into a park. They recently turned the new building into a temple called Temple Hatikvah. “I am very grateful that the Town and the Chabad Jewish Center, were able to make this happen and I’m excited for our Jewish community, that we’ll be able to continue to provide the same type of services for people of all ages in a much continued on page 13

Larry Leibowitz, president of Temple Hatikvah handing over the keys to Rabbi Shusterman of Chabad.

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New Temple... continued from page 12 wider and larger space,” said Rabbi Shusterman. “We initially rented this small office space here in Flanders, three years ago and this new location is going to help us and all of our congregants immensely to move into a newer and bigger building.” Shusterman, who has been a rabbi for over twenty years, said that the new building was a nice place and a perfect fit for the programs and activities that the synagogue offers. “In this bigger space, we’ll be able to hold more classes, have our own sanctuary and even a rabbi’s office. We’ll be able to offer more programs and services and build a bigger sense of Jewish pride and identity within our community, which to me is the most important element of Judaism.” The rabbi and his wife, Fraida, founded the Chabad Jewish Center in September 2004, as a Jewish Community Center to serve the needs of residents in the area. The couple is passionate about Judaism and developing a sense of community amongst their own people. “Our philosophy is simple; even though many Jews may embrace many levels of observance in their personal lives, there should be a place for all Jews without labels or affiliations, to develop a sense of com-

munity, enhance the Jewish experience in an enjoyable and engaging manner,” said Rabbi Shusterman. “With tolerance, sincerity and deeply rooted values, the Chabad can help you find and develop that Jewish spark in your heart.” All of the Centers’ services and programs will continue to take place at the new Temple. These programs include the Kabbalah and Coffee with the Rabbi, the Torah reading and discussion and the popular Kiddish lunch which includes Jewish staples like challah, fresh salads, Kugel and ‘Cholent’ which is a traditional Jewish stew that is typically eaten during lunch on the Shabbat holiday. Temple Hatikvah will also continue to host the ‘Sunday Morning Tefillin Club for Men.’ The Temple is located at 58 Pleasant Hill Road. The rabbi said that anyone who wishes to sponsor a club in honor of a birthday, anniversary or yahrzeit, or hold a talk or conference at the Temple, to reach out to him through his email, Rabbi@mychabadcenter.com. You can find out more information about the temple and all of the programs and services it offers on the website, http://www. templehatikvahnj.org.

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Page 14 • December 2021 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

The Story of Chanukah

t’s Chanukah and in Israel and in many places around the world Jews are lighting candles in their window as night falls. They’re adding a little light to the world and reminding everyone of the miracles that happened to their ancestors so long ago. Over two thousand years ago, the Jews of Israel were ruled by the Greek conquerors of Syria. Antiochus, the Greek king, wanted all of his subjects to live like Greeks so he made laws prohibiting Jews to practice their religion by forbidding the study of the Torah or keeping the mitzvot. The Jews revolted and had a whole army fighting the Greeks. After many long years, the Jews finally threw the Greek army out of the country. The first thing they did as soon as they conquered Jerusalem was to rededicate their Temple (Chanukah means “dedication”.) When they tried to light the menorah, all they could find was enough oil to last them for one day. To make more oil would have taken at least a week – eight days more likely. A miracle happened and the little jar of oil burned for eight days. Ever since then, Jews have celebrated the victory over the Greeks during the holiday of Chanukah. On the first night we light one candle, on the second night we light two candles, and so on. By the eighth night we have eight candles burning brightly, reminding us of the eight days that the oil burned in the Temple and of the Jewish struggle against oppression. “Pirsumei nisa” or publicizing the miracle is a very important custom on Chanukah. We light the candles in a window or by a door facing the street so that everyone

passing by will see them and remember the miracles that happened. The special menorah we use on Chanukah is called a “chanukiah” in Hebrew. It has places for eight candles and an extra place for the “shamash” – the candle we use to light all the other candles. There’s an old custom of giving children gifts of coins on Chanukah. Sometimes the coins are real and sometimes they are made of chocolate (gelt.) Since the miracle of Chanukah happened through a jar of oil, one way to remember the miracle is to eat foods cooked in oil during Chanukah. “Latkes,” or potato pancakes fried to a crispy, golden brown are one popular Chanukah food. “Sufganiyot” or jelly donuts are another as they are also fried in oil. “Dreidels” are a favorite toy on Chanukah. They are four-sided tops with Hebrew letters painted or carved on the sides. The letters – nun, gimel, heh, and shin stand for the Hebrew words: “Nes gadol hayah sham” (A great miracle happened there.) One way to play dreidel is to spin it for money. Everyone puts a coin or gelt in the pot, then they spin the dreidel to see who wins: nun means nothing – you don’t have to put in another coin and you don’t get anything; gimel means you get everything in the pot; heh means you get half of what is in the pot; and shin means you have to put one into the pot. In Israel, a dreidel is called a “sevivon.” The sevivon has a “peh” instead of a shin on one side, so that the letters stand for “Nes gadol hayah poh” (A great miracle happened here.) Happy Chanukah!

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • December 2021 • Page 15

Mount Olive Middle School Select Chorus Hits Iconic NYC Stage

By Megan Roche or members of the Select Chorus at Mount Olive Middle School, the holiday spirit shines brightly through their music. The students in the program have much to celebrate, especially after their recent performance at Radio City Music Hall before a performance of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Joanna Scarangello, the middle school music teacher, couldn’t be prouder of her students.

“I’m so proud of them and it’s all about creating opportunities for them. They rise to the occasion. In the world of choral music, I feel like a lot of people think it doesn’t count until you get to high school. My middle school students are so capable and they can do hard things and be professional too,” Scarangello said. The Mount Olive Middle School select chorus was chosen after Scarangello submitted an application and recording to Radio City of a recent performance. Radio

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City’s Sounds of Christmas program gives choirs an opportunity to perform on the stage of Radio City Music Hall before the infamous Rockette’s take the stage. When Scarangello told her select chorus about their acceptance, they were elated. “They freaked out, they were screaming,” Scarangello said. “They took the challenge and they rose to it. They worked their butts off to make the performance excellent and it was so special. So many of them were in shock when I told them. It was a huge honor.” Rehearsing once a week after school for an hour, this performance opportunity held special meaning to the audition based select chorus. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of their performances were postponed or cancelled indefinitely. During the last two years, the chorus has not had the opportunity to sing together but that all led up to their first performance back together at Radio City. “They haven’t been singing together for two years. The novelty of choral singing is still really strong with them. I didn’t want

to ease back into performances with them. I saw it as ‘we’re coming back so let’s come back big’. It really bonded them as a group right away and this performance gave them an opportunity to feel a little bit of normalcy,” Scarangello shared. The select chorus sang “Welcome, Welcome” and “We Need A Little Christmas”, both acapella. To get the students even more into the holiday spirit, the choir even got to watch the Radio City Christmas Spectacular show after their performance. For Scarangello, who has been teaching for 14 years, six of those in Mount Olive, she’s grateful to be doing what she loves every day. Having her students performing at Radio City was just icing on the cake. “It’s more so that I’m so grateful to share this with my students. It’s an amazing thing and it’s hard to wrap your head around that you are on that stage in Manhattan. I’m grateful to share the moment with the kids. It would mean nothing to me if my kids weren’t there and we didn’t do it together.”

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

Page 16 • December 2021 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

CFR’s Third Annual SHINE Gala Will Honor Four Professionals As ‘Educator Of The Year’

By Ashley McCann hild & Family Resources (CFR) is hosting their Third Annual S.H.I.N.E. Educator of the Year Awards Gala, where they will honor four deserving professionals as Educator of the Year, while raising money for their organization. The S.H.I.N.E. (Serves, Helps, Inspires, Nurtures, and Excels) Award will acknowledge educators in Morris County who have made a significant impact, going above and beyond to motivate and inspire their students. “We find education important, starting straight out of the womb,” said Rebecca Sherrod, Executive Director of Child & Family Resources. “Children develop more in the first five years of their life than they do any other time throughout their life. So it’s really important that we acknowledge educators throughout these children’s lives, which is how we came up with the S.H.I.N.E. Awards.” The gala honors not just school teachers, but also child care providers, professors, principals, before or after school staff, safety officers, guidance counselors, aides, and anyone who works with children and families in any capacity. They have been nominated online by students and members of the Morris County community, and will then receive final votes from the CFR board. An educator from several different categories will win, including early education (birth to five years old), school district (pre-k to high school), and higher education (local college). A fourth category has also been added on for this year’s gala. The new category will hon-

or someone in a corporate setting who works closely with educators or children. The gala will be held on Thursday, March 3, 2022 from 7 to 10 p.m. at The Mansion at Mountain Lakes. The night will consist of a cocktail hour, a live band, a silent auction, dinner, a slideshow, and the awards. “Education will always have a special place in all of our hearts, no matter what type of school you went to.” Sherrod said. “It will be a fun night to learn more about education, to network with people and to get to know people in your community, so I would definitely encourage anyone to come.” Tickets can be purchased for $89 on eventbrite.com by searching “SHINE Educator of the Year.” Sponsorship packages can be purchased on CFR’s website at cfrmorris.org/s-hi-n-e-award. All proceeds go to Child & Family Resources and their efforts to support the development of children and strengthen their families. In addition to honoring educators, the gala will also be a celebration of Child & Family Resources’ 50th anniversary. For the past 50 years, CFR has been providing many different services for Morris County, including childcare assistance, childcare provider trainings, CPR training, parenting coaching, and more. They also have a diaper bank for families in need of diapers for their young children, holiday shops for low-income families to receive gifts for their kids, and a back to school event to distribute school supplies. They even offered emergency childcare during the pandemic. To learn more about CFR and how they help children and families in the community, visit cfrmorris.org.

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • December 2021 • Page 17

Hackettstown-Area Senior Hall of Fame Returns in 2022

he Hackettstown-Area Senior Hall of Fame has nearly 250 members and those numbers will grow in 2022. The Senior Hall, previously presented by Hackettstown Medical Center, will be hosted by the House of the Good Shepherd Retirement Community in Hackettstown in 2022. After a “hiatus” due in part because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the return of the Senior Hall is welcome news to all involved.

“We are excited to be directly involved with the Senior Hall of Fame, a wonderful event that so many look forward to,” said Sue Lanza, CEO of The House. “It’s a fabulous way to honor our seniors for their efforts in the community.” “The Senior Hall of Fame recognizes seniors from the area who have contributed so much and the hospital is proud to have been part of the group that initiated this

event in 1997,” added Lisa Dimiceli, Manager of Community and Donor Relations with the Foundation for Hackettstown Medical Center. “The event is in great hands with the House of the Good Shepherd and we look forward to another memorable celebration in 2022!” The Hackettstown-Area Senior Hall of Fame was originally established as part of a hospital community outreach initiative. Annually honorees are recognized for the impacts that they have done to help others. The 2022 Senior Hall Luncheon will be held on Tuesday May 11 at David’s Country

Inn in Hackettstown. Nomination forms are already available at www.hotgs.org/events. Individuals who are 60 years of age and older as of Jan. 1, 2022, are eligible to be nominated. The criteria is straight forward: How has the nominee made an impact on individuals, communities or organizations, and which community organization or individuals have benefitted from the senior’s specific efforts? For more information about this event, email mcameron@hotgs.org. For more about The House of the Good Shepherd, visit www.hotgs.org.

Did You Know?

Comic books have inspired countless Hollywood blockbusters over the last 20 years, but even the most devoted comic book fan may not recognize just how influential the genre was more than a half century ago. Comic books and the Civil Rights Movement may seem like an unlikely pairing, but History.com notes that a 1957 comic book titled “Martin Luther King and The Montgomery Story” affected a generation of activists more than 50 years ago. The book, written by activist Alfred Hassler and illustrated by Sy Barry, highlighted the heroic efforts of Rosa Parks and Martin Lu-

ther King, Jr. during the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955 and promoted the merits of nonviolent protest. A quarter million copies of the book were printed and distributed by churches and civil rights groups. Among the many individuals to credit the comic book were the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis, a widely respected civil rights activist who admitted reading the book as an 18-yearold. History.com notes the book’s reach extended beyond the United States, ultimately inspiring anti-apartheid protesters in South Africa before it was banned by the South African government.

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • December 2021 • Page 19

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • December 2021 • Page 21

Simple Strategies to Combat Stress

ust about everyone experiences stressful situations. Sometimes a measure of stress can provide motivation to do one’s best or strive for an especially lofty goal. However, when stress becomes a chronic condition, it can adversely affect individuals’ quality of life and even their overall health. Harvard Medical School says stress can manifest itself in myriad ways. Stress can cause tension headaches, indigestion, aches and pains, or even heart palpitations, and it may affect the mind by making it hard to concentrate or make decisions. Many people experience stress through emotional or psychological symptoms, such as irritability or feeling down. Learning how to effectively manage stress is essential for individuals’ overall well-being. Exercise regularly Exercise serves many functions, including acting as a potent stress relief strategy. The Cleveland Clinic says aerobic exercise releases endorphins, which are natural substances that help a person feel better and maintain a positive attitude. Movement activities like yoga or Tai Chi also can relax the mind and body and promote physical health. Take media breaks Overwhelming oneself with a barrage of negative news stories or constant information can increase stress levels. Individ-

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uals can strive to remain informed and still build breaks into their schedules. Shut off news programs, turn over the newspaper or tune out of social media from time to time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that individuals who are stressed out by world events reduce the number of times they read the news or check the headlines each day. Meditate or perform breathing exercises Breathing and meditation can help alleviate stress, according to the American Heart Association. A quick meditation can provide some perspective. If a situation is stressful, go for a walk or take a few slow, deep breaths until the body relaxes. Harvard Medical School also says meditation can induce a relaxation response, which is an antidote to stress. Change negatives to positives Negative self-talk may increase stress, but positive self-talk can help a person calm down. Individuals should practice positive self-talk every day. Instead of saying, “I hate when this happens,” say, “I know how to deal with this, I’ve done it before.” A small amount of periodic stress can be a good thing. However, chronic stress poses a significant threat to individuals’ long-term health.

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Order of the Eastern Star Starlight Chapter 107 of New Jersey However, many times, people aren’t quite sure what the Eastern Star is. Robinson, of Flanders, belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star Starlight Chapter 107 of New Jersey. Recently, Robinson and Sharon Rosequist, of Netcong, talked about the Order of the Eastern Star and about their chapter which meets at Musconetcong Masonic Lodge #42 F.& A.M., 20 Old Budd Lake Road, Budd Lake.

Within the Order of the Eastern Star, Robinson and Rosequist are both Grand Officers for the State of New Jersey. They are also both Past Matrons (presidents) of their chapter. Robinson is a 58 year member of the Eastern Star; Rosequist is a 50 year member. The women explained that the Order of the Eastern Star was started in the 1800s continued on page 23

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • December 2021 • Page 23

Order of the Eastern Star Starlight... continued from page 22 by a member of the Masons (fraternal organization) for the wives of that organization’s members. Besides the Order of the Eastern Star offshoot, there is the Order of DeMolay for boys and young men and Rainbow Girls for girls and young women. The Order of the Eastern Star has a website, easternstar.org, which describes the organization this way: “The Order of

the Eastern Star is a worldwide fraternal, non-profit, charitable service organization that is an associated body of the family of Masonry similar to Shriners, Scottish rite, York Rite and others.” Rosequist noted that the Order of the Eastern Star is “a faith-based [group]”. The faith emphasis of the organization is reflected by the Eastern Star symbol it-

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self. It is made up of different colors. Each color represents a different woman with a biblical significance, role models after whom the chapter members endeavor to live their lives. Robinson and Rosequist shared the colors and the women they represent: Indigo is for Adah, yellow is Ruth, white is Esther, green is Martha, and red is Electa. Electa is not a person named in the Bible but comes from 2 John which was addressed to “the elder to the elect lady and her children.” In addition to holding monthly meetings, Starlight Chapter 107 is involved in outreach. It raises monies for the Eastern Star Home for the Aged, Nursing and Resident Home in Bridgewater. There those who can’t stay in their homes can live with the support and care they need. Other outreaches include the Eastern Star Charity Foundation which helps members in

need and Past Matrons and Past Patrons Association, a fund which helps anyone in need referred by a member. In addition, the chapter does outreaches in the local area such as adopting a family for Christmas through Mt. Olive Social Services. “We’re assisting them to have a great Christmas,” shared Rosequist. The group also holds a variety of fundraisers throughout the year. Last month, they had breakfast with Santa. Other fundraisers include a line dance luncheon in the spring and fall, a spaghetti dinner, and a calendar party (type of Bingo) plus various other events. The group is also looking for new members. Meetings are held twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Monday at 7:30pm. Yearly dues are $42 and help to pay for expenses like rent for using the building where they meet.

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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RE/MAX Heritage Properties Welcomes Four New Agents

E/MAX Heritage Properties continues its growth by adding four new agents to its team. “In today’s competitive market, it’s more important than ever to work with a trusted real estate professional,” said Janen Ardia, Broker/Owner, RE/MAX Heritage Properties. “These four agents are an excellent addition to our growing team, and they are committed to providing superior service to each of their clients.” The new agents include: Mark Laratta – Flanders Oﬃce Mark Laratta is a newly licensed real estate professional, earning his license in September 2021. Laratta previously worked as a staff accountant for a culinary group in Philadelphia. He brings a strong work ethic and community and problem-solving skills to his work with clients at RE/MAX Heritage Properties. He specializes in working with homebuyers and sellers throughout Mount Olive and Long Valley. “I am very excited to join RE/MAX Heritage Properties because I enjoy helping others meet their needs in the most efficient and less stressful way,” said Laratta. Laratta holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in sociology from Moravian University in Bethlehem, Pa. He may be reached at the Flanders office at 973-5981700, by cell at 973-580-5875, or via email at Mark.J.Laratta@gmail.com.

Mark Laratta – Flanders Oﬃce

Nour Omar Agha – Flanders Oﬃce

Nour Omar Agha – Flanders Oﬃce Nour Omar Agha is new to the real estate profession as well, also earning his license in September 2021. He previously worked for his family’s business and brings a background in management and advertising to his work with buyers and sellers at RE/MAX Heritage Properties. His areas of expertise including working as both a listing and buying agent as well as rentals, first-time homebuyers and relocations. “The staff at RE/MAX Heritage Properties are some of the most professional and kind people I’ve ever work with,” said Agha. “They are very skilled and knowledgeable about the industry and it’s truly an honor to be a part

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of their team.” Agha may be reached at the Flanders office at skilled 973-598-1700, by cell at 201-456-1480, or via email at nouragha.realtor@gmail.com. Gina Wnek – Chester Oﬃce Gina Wnek is also a newly licensed real estate professional, earning her license in June 2021. Wnek brings her skills from her previous position as an office manager to work with clients at RE/MAX Heritage Properties. She excels in problem solving and negotiations. She is also skilled in home staging and interior design. Wnek specializes in working with homebuyers and sellers in Roxbury Twp. And continued on page 22

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • December 2021 • Page 25

Four New Agents... continued from page 18 Mt Olive. “I am very excited to join RE/MAX Heritage Properties,” said Wnek. “It’s very fulfilling to help families own their own home.” Wnek is actively involved in her community and her church, teaching Sunday school and singing in the church choir. She also coaches a girls’ volleyball team. Wnek may be reached at the Chester Office at 908-879-4700, by cell at 646-7727704, or via email at Ginarealtornj@gmail. com. Colon Zavala – Flanders Oﬃce Colon Zavala is also new to the real estate industry. He previously worked as a

bilingual customer service representative and now brings those skills to his work with clients at RE/MAX Heritage Properties. In addition to being fluent in Spanish, he is a good communicator and a team player. Zavala specializes in working with homebuyers and sellers in Long Valley, Califon and Hackettstown. “I am excited to help my clients find the home of their dreams,” said Zavala. Zavala holds a diploma in electronics technology. He is also actively involved in his church. Zavala may be reached at the Flanders offices at 973-598-1700, by cell at 908878-9594, or via email at colonzavalarealtor@gmail.com.

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The Three Lelicas Celebrate the Holidays With Holly Jolly Holiday Album of iTunes at that point. And it finally went up like a couple days before Christmas.” The trio is made up of Palecco, the lead vocalist who lives in Long Valley; Hackettstown jazz guitarist, B.D. Lenz; and Nazareth, Pennsylvania resident, Kevin Soffera, a drummer and percussionist. Lenz and Palecco have been playing together for thirteen years, and The Three Lelicas have

been together for eight years. “We normally do a lot of bars and restaurants and private events,” says Palecco. “We do a lot of cover songs, but we also have our own original music. The covers that we do, we actually do a lot of Motown funk. So, it’s a lot of old kind of soul jazz, kind of jazzy like pop renditions.” continued on page 27

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The Three Lelicas: Lelica Palecco, Kevin Soffera, and B.D. Lenz. Photo courtesy of The Three Lelicas.

By Steve Sears he Three Lelicas of Hackettstown released their first Christmas EP prior to the holiday season in 2020, and its sound is just as joyous in 2021. The offering, aptly titled Holly Jolly Holiday, features seven delightful favorites

of the season, including “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and “White Christmas.” “We barely got the music out on time for Christmas last year, so it was maybe a few days before Christmas,” says Lelica Palecco, head of The Three Lelicas. “We were pushing, and we were really at the mercy

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Flanders-Drakestown Road, Flanders For more information Call 973-252-4414 or visit our website at www.mtolivecommunitybible.org

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • December 2021 • Page 27

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Holly Jolly Holiday has long been in thought. “We’ve been saying for years that we wanted to put out some Christmas music,” says Palecco. “We’d (Polecco and Lenz) been playing in New York City, and we’d do a week-long gig where there’s a bunch of different high rise apartment buildings, apartment complexes, and they’d hire us to come in once every night of the week into each of their different apartment complexes in the lobbies, and we’d play for three hours. We’ve been doing that for close to ten years now together - me and B.D. - and with Kevin over the last few years. And we always learn a lot of new Christmas music, and we play some Christmas music on the fly when we’re there. So, we decided we’ve been doing that for so many years that we wanted to really record some of our favorites and

that’s kind of how that started.” Palecco also has been working on her own EP with both Lenz and Soffera at the latter’s Hybrid Studios in Pennsylvania. It’s her first since 2011. “I haven’t done anything with my original music since then,” she says. “I’ve been writing, and we’ve been playing my originals out, all around New Jersey and at different shows, but I just hadn’t really gotten into the studio. I have three kids under the age of five, so that’s kind of been my main focus and priority. But, we’re happy, we’re excited, to get some more music out there next year. We’ve decided to add two more songs, and we may release a single shortly.” You can listen to and purchase Holly Jolly Holiday on Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify. For more information about The Three Lelicas, visit www.Lelicamusic.com.

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Page 28 • December 2021 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Earth-Friendly Home Improvements for Winter

lustery winds raging outdoors may leave you struggling to find a balance between making sure your family stays warm and maintaining an earth-friendly home. Keeping your home cozy and honoring your sustainable sensibilities can actually go hand-in-hand. Making green upgrades to your home can add value, too. These sustainable home improvements can go a long way toward boosting your comfort, so you have an inviting oasis to linger where you’re well protected from the elements. Carpeted Floors The sleek, clean look of wood or tile flooring is in high demand for many homeowners. However, carpet can actually provide help with climate control that goes beyond a softer, warmer surface for your bare feet to tread. Carpet can act as an insulator and help keep a room warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. If carpeted flooring isn’t consistent with your style or budget, consider adding substantial area rugs to rooms that could use some extra warmth. Energy-Eﬃcient Heating Systems An efficient option like Mitsubishi Electric’s Zoned Comfort Solutions uses energy smartly by actively heating specific areas of your home where you need it. The system monitors the conditions in each room and adjusts automatically to maintain the desired temperatures. The system’s ductless indoor units offer reusable, long-life, washable filters to improve your indoor air quality while minimizing impact on landfills. Plus, advanced filters on some models offer enhanced odor control to help ensure fresher air during winter months when air tends to stagnate inside due to closed windows and doors. Ceiling Fan Adjustment You may naturally turn off your ceiling fans when winter arrives, but the same fans that provide refreshing cool air in the summer can actually help keep your room warm, too. Simply switching the fans to run clockwise helps draw warm air upward and distribute it throughout the home. This little circulation-boosting move can reduce your energy bill by as much as 10%. Tankless Water Heaters Make leaving the warmth of your bed each morning more appealing with the assurance of a steaming hot shower that doesn’t needlessly burden the environment. Traditional water heaters run a continuous power cycle to maintain a tank full

of hot water, regardless if you’re using it or not. However, a tankless version heats what you need when you need it. It’s important to ensure your tankless unit is sized with the proper gallons-per-minute rating to handle demand for multiple simultaneous uses, like a load of laundry and a shower at the same time. Smart Controls The wide range of smart-enabled home products, appliances and entertainment devices make life more convenient and enjoyable, but they can also play a role in managing your environmental footprint. Helpful tools, like Mitsubishi Electric’s kumo cloud mobile app, ensure you’re not wasting energy to perform functions when you’re not even home. These programs allow you to schedule your daily routines and even make adjustments remotely when your day gets off track. For example, it allows you to program and adjust your heating and cooling system from a smartphone or tablet so you won’t come home to a house that’s freezing cold. Better Lighting Winter isn’t just cold; it’s often dark and dreary, too. That means you’re more likely to rely on energy to illuminate your home, especially since an alternative like throwing open the curtains to let in natural light can have the unintended consequence of allowing cold air to seep in. You can curb your energy reliance and the impact on your energy bills by swapping out your bulbs for light emitting diode lights, compact fluorescent lamps or energy-saving LED lights, which can reduce your energy needs by up to 80%. Find more tips for heating your home at mitsubishicomfort.com. Use Zones to Reduce Energy Heating your home zone-by-zone can be much more energy efficient and serve as a better means of maintaining your home’s temperature and comfort level. Consider these benefits: A zoned system allows you to control each area in your home independently and even turn off ones that are not in use. This means you’re only using energy where you need it. Conventional HVAC systems are either on or off. An option like Mitsubishi Electric’s Zoned Comfort Solutions compressors ramp up or down based on the needs of each room to maintain comfort and conserve energy. (Family Features)

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • December 2021 • Page 29

All of us at Heritage Properties thank you for allowing us to serve your real estate needs. Our Heritage 'family' wishes everyone Happy Holidays and many blessings in the New Year! The Area’s Finest Agents at Work For You Tammy Abrusci (c) 973-229-3322

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Page 30 • December 2021 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Springﬁeld Man Writes Other’s Stories with LifeStory Memoir

By Steve Sears or 43-year-old Richard Squires, Thanksgiving of 2015 will always be special. That very Thursday, his Grandpa Ben asked Squires when he was going to write a story about him. Squires embraced and embarked on the request. The book was printed two days before his grandfather died. There’s sometimes a touch of melancholy. “Come Thanksgiving,” Squires says, “I start to think about that. My grandfather was in the hospital, he had a stroke, and I was there and I was able to tell them that we finished the book and it was at the printers. He wasn’t able to speak, but he could communicate with his eyes, and it was a beautiful moment that I’ll never forget. I could see that he was very happy about it.” 25 copies of the book were printed, and it was the inception of LifeStory memoir. “I gave it out to my cousins, my aunts and uncles, and my brothers. I have a couple copies here, I keep it with me, and I always talk about it. I love to share it because that was before my branding. My books now all have my logo, so it really was the lightbulb moment with my business.” Squires, who has done corporate writing and has taught the writing at both Kean University and Union County College, has written thirty memoirs for clients and is currently at work on six others. Both the initial meeting with a clients and handing them the final product – their own memoir – are equally exciting for him. “When I give them the book - I call it the Big Book Reveal – I like to video it so I capture their expression when they first see it. I capture it on video and

then I have it edited into professional quality, and I’m able to provide that to the clients, also. But that’s just a moment. The interviews are probably my favorite part. What’s so great about it is that they really open up to me, telling me the heart of their lives. And I asked them a ton of questions, and we always have an idea of certain things we’re going to talk about, but then through the questions that I ask, I kind of probe and make certain connections, and they always think of things that they haven’t thought about for years.” A trust is cemented between Squires and those he writes for. “And it really continues on forever,” he says, “because for pretty much all my clients, we become friends. I’m always available to them. They are in touch with me, they may want to do other books, sometimes they want to make a change, or sometimes they have questions for me or they need my help.” Squires work is not limited to memoir writing. Consider his LoveStory keepsake books for those getting married, eulogies and programs authored for funerals, slide presentations, podcast and workshop work. “I offer memoir writing workshops and creative writing workshops,” Squires says, “and that includes the genres of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. And I’m always available to chat with people. I talk with a lot of people who don’t move forward with projects, but I’m always happy to do it. Some people have already done some of their writing or are in different stages. Some people have interviews with family members who have already passed away. I work with all that.” And there is a pressure to get the work done when it comes to memoir work. “There’s this pressure,” Squires says,

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Photos courtesy of Richard Squires.

“because for one thing, a lot of my clients are elderly, and I need to get the project done. Time is of the essence. So, there’s that, and just that my clients are waiting on me. And I put that pressure on myself because I believe in customer service. I’m big on that. I want all my clients to be happy, and I’ve had 100% satisfaction; my clients have been happy. And I want to keep going.” Squires is fully committed to his wonderful career. “I am blessed. I figured out a way to do something that I love to do that’s in my skill set, and it’s just amazing. Better than anything I’ve done before.” For more information about LifeStory books, visit www. lifestorymemoir.com. Squires can be contacted at (973) 9031487 or Richard@LifeStoryMemoir.com

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • December 2021 • Page 31

Page 32 • December 2021 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

A Winning Recipe to Feed Game Day Fans

ettling in for an afternoon of gridiron action calls for football food from dips and appetizers to full-blown feasts. Whether you’re a diehard fan, casual observer or just there for the game time grub, a full day of “homegating” requires flavorful eats to refuel the crowd. One of the easiest ways to take your menu from benchwarmer to superstar status is to add foods from one of the country’s top authentic Mexican food brands, Cacique, to your playbook. For example, flavor-packed, heaping Cheesy Chorizo Nachos can score a touchdown at your gathering, even among the pickiest of fans. When the game is on the line, call on this dish to keep your team satisfied from kickoff to the final whistle. Made with crumbly, creamy, pleasantly milky queso fresco; authentic real cheese queso dip that’s ready in minutes; robust, spicy pork chorizo; fresh-tasting Crema Mexicana; and small-batch homestyle salsa, this shareable dish can feed a houseful of hungry fans. Ready in less than an hour, it’s a perfect solution for pregame baking so it’s ready just before the coin toss.

To find more game day recipes, visit CaciqueInc.com. Cheesy Chorizo Nachos 1 package Cacique Pork Chorizo 1 package Cacique Queso Blanco Queso Dip 1 can (15 ounces) refried beans 2 tablespoons water, plus additional, if necessary 1 bag (12 ounces) tortilla chips 1 package Cacique Ranchero Queso Fresco 1/2 cup Cacique Crema Mexicana 1 large jalapeno, sliced thin 2 radishes, sliced thin fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish guacamole, for serving Cacique Mild Homestyle Salsa, for serving In large nonstick skillet or well-seasoned cast-iron pan over medium-low heat, cook pork chorizo, using spoon to break it up. Stir regularly until completely warmed through and deep brown, scraping crispy bits from bottom of pan. Microwave queso dip 2-3 minutes until heated through. In medium bowl, thin refried beans with water. Beans should be thick but

nearly pourable; add additional water 1 tablespoon at a time, if necessary. Heat oven to 350 F. To assemble nachos, add half the tortilla chips to 13-by-9-inch rectangular baking dish. Use spoon to drizzle half the queso dip and half the refried beans evenly over chips, distributing as evenly as possible. Sprinkle with half the crumbled queso

fresco. Repeat with remaining chips, queso dip, beans and crumbled queso fresco. Bake 5-8 minutes until crumbled queso fresco softens and queso dip is creamy. Remove from oven then drizzle with crema Mexicana and scatter pork chorizo over top. Garnish with sliced jalapenos, radishes and fresh cilantro. Serve with guacamole and salsa. (Family Features)

www.brandasitaliangrill.com PARTY SPECIALS FOR ANY OCCASION! PARTY PACKAGE #1

PARTY PACKAGE #2

PARTY PACKAGE #3

PARTY PACKAGE #4

1 Large Pizza w/any 2 Toppings, 1 Large Plain Pizza, 1 Stromboli, (Meat or Veggie) & 40 Blazing Hot Wings

1 Large Pizza from Gourmet Section 1 Large Pizza w/any 2 Toppings, 2 Large Plain Pizzas, 3 Strombolis, (Meat or Veggie) & 40 Blazing Hot Wings

2 Large Pizzas from Gourmet Section 2 Large Pizzas w/any 2 Toppings, 2 Large Plain Pizzas, 5 Strombolis, (Meat or Veggie) & 80 Blazing Hot Wings, 3Ft Hero (1 ft. Italian, 1 ft. Turkey, 1 ft. Roast Beef)

1 H/Tray Antipasto Salad w/Balsamic Dressing, 1 H/Tray Baked Ziti, 1 H/Tray Chicken Parmigiana, Includes Italian & Focaccia Bread

(6-9 people)

(12-18 people)

$162.60 $101.80 -21.38 SAVINGS 21% -35.77 SAVINGS 22%

80.42+tax

126.83+tax

(24-36 people)

(8-10 people)

$338.25 -77.80 SAVINGS 23%

$121.10 -24.22 SAVINGS 20%

260.45+tax

96.88+tax

TAKE OUT • DELIVERY • CATERING WING IT!

FAMILY COMBO

1 Large Cheese Pizza 1 Order Wings, 1 Order Mozzarella Sticks & 1 2-Liter Soda

1 Large Cheese Pizza Fried Calamari, Baked Ziti, House Salad w/ choice of Dressing & 1 2-Liter Soda

$46.80 - 11.23 SAVINGS 24%

$51.80 - 12.95 SAVINGS 25%

35.57+tax