M t . O l i v e’s H o m e t o w n N e w s p a p e r
MOUNT OLIVE LIFE Vo l . 1 9 • I s s u e 2
Februar y 2024
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Longtime Recreation Supervisor Swings Into Retirement
BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER
MOUNT OLIVE - “Sometimes if you want to see a change for the better, you have to take things into your own hands.” ~ Clint Eastwood That is exactly what Mt. Olive resident Jill Daggon did 36 years ago when she was displeased with the Budd Lake Beach and decided to get involved, a move that would steer her into a career that she would have never expected. “We moved to the Mt Olive area in 1987,” she explains. “At the Budd Lake Beach, I realized that the lifeguards weren’t actually lifeguarding. In 1989, I complained to the Recreation Director Eric Schulte that the beach wasn’t what it could be. He challenged me to get the necessary certifications and then I could run the beach. I accepted his challenge.” She started out part time as a beach staff member and in 1990 was promoted to Budd Lake Beach director, a position she held for eight years. In 1999, she was hired full-time with the
Mt. Olive Recreation Department. Her many roles over the years included substitute lifeguard, swim instructor, lifeguard, head lifeguard, beach manager, beach director, recreation assistant, acting recreation supervisor and recreation supervisor, a position she has held since 2002. Daggon admits this was not her original plan. She grew up in the Wilmington-Delaware area in the 1970s, where she spent a lot of time outdoors and enjoyed swimming in their pool. “When I got to high school, I was a complete klutz,” she admits. “I was banned from gym after dislocating my knee a couple of times. I did drama and all those fun things. I ended up doing costumes for all the various shows and things.” She attended Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass., for her bachelor’s in 1979 with a concentration in costume design. Her love for drama contin-
ued as an intern at Stamford Theatre in Connecticut. While she did not pursue a career in drama, the internship was where she met her husband. Of course, decisions lead people on their life path, and for Daggon that was to settle in Mt. Olive and enjoy more than three decades working in the recreation department, a profession she has enjoyed immensely as she readies for retirement on February 7. “Aquatics and recreation are areas that touches many people’s lives and can help make things better,” says Daggon. “I have always wanted to serve God by helping people.” Besides working for Mt. Olive Recreation, Daggon worked and volunteered in Aquatics starting in 1989 for the West Morris YMCA; was pool manager for Headquarters Plaza Health Club in 1992; substitute teacher for the Mt. Olive Township School District in 1994; and preschool teacher for First Impressions from 1994 through
1998. A Fun-Filled Career Daggon has seen significant changes within the recreation department, the beach and activities during her tenure and is proud of its growth. “Budd Lake Beach was a hidden gem,” she describes. “In the 1990’s we grew the programming to include many levels of swim lessons, special events, parties, exercise classes and “Beach Features.” However, “times change, and the beach has not been a swimming facility for a few years,” she says. “But there are plans to renovate the beach this year.” In the office, “we’ve grown from a two-person department and a hand cranked mimeograph machine (to make flyers for each school) to a four-person department with 15+ events a year and over 100 programs. Technology changes have made a huge impact on our department, from databases (instead of 3x5 cards), internet, website
Powers That Be Turns MO Library Into Place To Be
BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER
design, digital brochures and social media.” From department changes, to how it gets its finding and how the program expanded, Daggon was there through it all. When Daggon first came on board, the department was the
Recreation, Parks, Buildings and Grounds Division. In 2002, when Shulte retired as director of Recreation, the Parks, Buildings and Grounds moved into the Department of Public Works PLEASE SEE RETIREMENT, PAGE 4
MO Middle School Starts 2024 with New Principal
BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER
MOUNT OLIVE - Thinking outside the ‘book’ has been the new genre at the Mt. Olive Public Library in Budd Lake these days with invigorating programs and events. Circulation is greater than it’s ever been before with more readers checking out books and materials, and this new wave of energy is really opening up creative ways for the library to being a popular hotspot in Mt. Olive. “We have really been putting programing at the forefront and thinking to think outside the box to achieve more involvement in the library,” comments Monica Lyn Powers of Byram, Program coordinator/Youth Services at MOPL for the past four years. “The library is essentially the hub of our town.” Four years post the pandemic outbreak, life at the library is going back to normal and with this positive wave of new ideas, there is no stopping readers from taking out books and the flurry of events that are about to unfold. “Circulation has been climbing since the break of COVID,” says Powers. “This past year, circulation numbers were beyond expectations with a total of 154,578 circs (The number of items checked out or renewed) in 2023,” she shares. “That’s an 11% increase from 2022. “I believe that people genuinely missed being present, touching and holding books and participating in programs,” she says. “Also, our digital apps for eBooks and eAudiobooks have become very popular. Digital Video streaming is a free alternative that we also offer to an otherwise expensive product/
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service.” Those who frequented the library in December 2023, most likely entered the Holiday Reading Raffle in which patrons could enter their name in the raffle every time they took out a book or item. At the end of December, names were drawn, and lucky contestants won amazing gifts baskets filled with awesome items all donated by area businesses. “We’ve estimated the participants at 2,100,” shares Powers. With some anonymous donations, Powers was unable to provide an exact dollar amount but admits “that the donations were above and beyond generous. It filled our hearts to see so many local companies as well as neighboring town companies want to participate.” Companies that donated included: Mars Inc., The After, Advanced Auto, Jersey Mikes of Budd Lake, Revolution Fitness, Frank’s Pizza of Flanders, Dino’s Pizza, RIO’S Electric, Dunkin Donuts, Wawa, Centenary Stage Co., Tractor Supply,
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The Growing Stage, Lakeview Sports Bar and Grill, Heavenly Nails, China Thai, Rons Hair Studio, Eat Tokyo, DTA Auto, Anna’s Bagel and Deli, Joseph Vincent’s Hair, Circle Lanes, Sports Care Arena, GG’s Baskets, Hackettstown Bagel, Das Creamery, Sundae’s, Bubbakoo’s, New China Thai, Enzo’s and Vincenzo’s Pizza. “We are planning on hosting this again next year with a few minor adjustments to better serve the community,” says Powers. The event was a huge success and has really kicked things off with 2024 events just beginning. “We are always looking to improve programming for all ages,” says Powers. “In a time where electronics have taken hold of everything, we need to work extra hard to remind people of real connection, involvement and simple fun.” Scheduled this February, the library is hosting Couples Connection for adults 18 and older. It will be a night in honor of
Valentine’s Day, says Powers, with games, food and a prize for one lucky couple. This event has been arranged for 10 couples/20 people, with registration required since the library will be providing appetizers and table arrangements similar to a restaurant setting. A game will be the highlight of the night and set up with the TV Show Newlywed Game/Dating Game in mind. “The couple that scores the most will win a HUGE basket filled with prizes for them and their partner,” describes Powers. “I have personally arranged the basket and have the pleasure of working with Cake Pop Bar in Branchville, on special additions to make the gift super sweet. The program is FREE as we are a non-profit organization and take pride and joy in providing great programs for the public at no cost. All thanks to the Friends of the library who help fund many of our programming.” PLEASE SEE MO LIBRARY, PAGE 2
MOUNT OLIVE - Working as an educator at the middle school level for the past two decades, Agatha Wilke of Independence Township is stepping up her role. Wilke is the new principal of the Mt. Olive Middle School in Budd Lake. She took over on January 3, replacing James Kramer who had retired after working in the Mt. Olive School District for almost 30 years. In her fourth year at MOMS, serving as vice principal there for the past three years, Wilke’s transition to principal has been rather smooth. “This is my first principal role,” says Wilke. “I wanted to be able to continue the great work of the staff of Mt. Olive Middle School. It is a tremendous learning community, and I
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Mayor Nicastro had a special visitor on Friday, January 12, 2024. Colton Wentzel got a chance to sit in the Mayor’s seat. Pcitured are: Justin and Colton Wentzel with Mayor Joe Nicastro.
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am proud to be part of it.” Wilke knew early on that she wanted a career in education, so she continued on her path. “I immigrated from Poland to the U.S. at the age of 9 and spoke no English,” she shares her inspirational story. “The teachers that I had when we first came here had a life-changing impact on me; I wanted to do the same for others.”
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