Mount Olive Feb 2022 by My Life Publications..Maljon LLC

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 7 • I s s u e 2

Februar y 2022

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Mount Olive Middle Schoolers Win STEAM Tank Challenge

BY STEVE SEARS STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE TWP. Who said watching television isn’t beneficial? For Mount Olive Middle School 7th graders, Eman Husain and Meryl Payyappilly, doing so paid big benefits. The duo was named winners of the U.S. Army/New Jersey School Boards Association STEAM Tank Challenge in middle school division for their “Helping Handcuffs” concept. Initially tasked by their Chester M. Stephens Elementary School teacher to come up with an idea for the 2019 challenge in the younger division, they wracked their brains with thought, but were unable to come up with an idea. “Our teacher, Mrs. Karrie Blomquist, she approached us and a couple of other students I believe, and she told us about the program and how it was a good opportunity for us to create an invention,” Payyappilly recalls.

“There are plenty of things we could have done at the time, but none of it was coming to us, and none of it was very inspiring to us. And then we were watching Sponge Bob and it just kind of clicked.” In front of the television watching Sponge Bob Square Pants investigating an aquatic prison and seeing a commercial advertisement as a follow up, the two friends came up with an idea for safer handcuffs for law enforcement to use which would reduce injury for the person wearing them. Once they had their idea, Husain and Payyappilly took about a month to come up with a true concept made of recycled steel called “Helping Handcuffs” for the elementary division of the contest. After that, in order to get to the regional round, they had to create a video which explained their idea and ultimate invention, and then post it on

YouTube. When viewed by the STEAM Tank judges and personnel, they were on their way to the regionals. Then COVID-19 in early 2020 arrived, and so did the end of the competition. However, all was not lost. As the girls entered Mount Olive Middle School, teacher Rebecca Kreider, who had advised her own 8th grade class in the middle school division, was all ears when Husain and Payyappilly reached out and explained their situation to her, they wanting to continue pursuing their earlier idea. “From there,” says Payyappilly, “we created a presentation and we did a virtual meeting with the STEAM Tank judges and we presented it to them.” “She was very helpful,” Husain says of Kreider. “She was an inspiration. She felt like we had this idea we started from elementary school and we should continue it.” Kreider continued

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to help as did teacher Beth Cohen, who helped with the presentation and logistics of their final setup. After their presentation, the girls were invited to a virtual award ceremony, where they learned they were the challenge winners. Husain and Payyappilly are currently working on getting more information about “Helping Handcuffs” out into the public. “We were so concerned about how people could actually become extremely injured, especially if you are an older age. It just inspired us, so we had to do something about it,” Payyappilly says. “We feel we should bring it to the public.” Adds Husain, “We felt that it was just something that we needed to continue, and what we needed to do, and we still are doing it. We started it and it was just kind of an obligation to finish it.”

Those Jumbo Fiddles in Mount Olive

Andrew Tatarenko, Business Administrator Mount Olive Township, Erika DePack Flanders Fireﬁghter, and Sean Dolan Flanders Fireﬁghter/EMT.

MOUNT OLIVE TWP. -M&A Collectibles LLC located at 111 Canfield Ave Randolph donated over 100 blankets to

Mount Olive Township on Jan. 26. Blankets were distributed to the Mount Olive Food Pantry and the Health Department of

Mount Olive Township to serve and help the residents of Mount Olive.

Your Chance to Win ShopRite Gift Cards with the “Find Moe Life Mascot” Contest

MOUNT OLIVE TWP. Check out our new mascot... Mr. Moe Life. Look for him in the ads in this issue and enter (no purchase necessary) to win a Free Reusable grocery bag or a $25.00 ShopRite gift card. It is easy to enter. Look through the paper and read the ads and

look for Mr. Life in the ad. He will be located throughout the paper in 6 random ads. Then go to www.mtolivelife.com scroll down and fill out the form to be entered. Winners will be notified and printed in the next issue.

MOUNT OLIVE TWP. The winners from January’s “Find Moe Life Mascot” are Danielle Soriano, Doreen Pietrangel, Carl Panetta, Karen

Thomlinso, Lynn Taylor and Marcus Bocchino. The ads that Mr. Life was in were Auto Perfection, Budd Lake Bagels, Life Story, Dug’s Rugs, Al’s

Winners From January’s “Find Moe Life Mascot” Contest

Painting and Berk’s Furniture. Thanks to everyone who enter and congratulations to our winners!

The ﬁve-foot-high raised platform pictured was required to play his jumbo harp with his Ferris Celestial Orchestra. (credit author’s collection.)

BY HENRY M. HOLDEN STAFF WRITER MOUNT OLIVE TWP. Mount Olive resident Arthur K. Ferris became famous for his hobby - creating “jumbo” musical instruments. During his lifetime he worked in Flanders/Ironia area, and the 1940 U.S. Census lists him as living at Main Street, in Mount Olive. Born 1871, in Madison, Wisconsin, and lacking any musical training or carpentry skills, he worked as an estate caretaker and landscape gardener. During the cold months, he had essentially no work to do outside so he began making musical instruments to occupy his time. At first, he had tried creating crude fiddles but failed miserably.

Ever have a question about the snow plowing in town?

Join council president Joe Nicastro for a public forum on Thursday, February 17, at 7:00pm on everything you want to know about snowplowing. We will answer all your questions.

What’s Inside...

Local Mom Authors Trilogy on Autism ....................................................................................................... Page 4 A Valentine’s Day Story................................................................................................................................... Page 5 For Your Health ............................................................................................................................................... Page 6 Business Profile ................................................................................................................................................ Page 9 Morris County News..................................................................................................................................... Page 14

Ferris’ hobby of making jumbo violins started one winter night around 1924. During the winter months and over the years Ferris created many instruments, from a small “angel” violin to a combination harp-violin with strings one hundred inches long. According to his wife Bertha, he was inspired by the angelic music of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, where he was a member. Bertha related in a newspaper interview in 1940, that in 1924, Ferris had a visionary encounter with the angel Gabriel. Gabriel gave him detailed instructions on how to build massive angelic-sounding instruments, according to

angelic designs. The Ferris’ together devoted their lives to Christian ideals of the Seventh Day Adventist and used music to spread the Word. Bertha was not a composer; she was the chief performer in his ensembles and provided her original contribution during ensemble improvisations. “Then,” Arthur’s wife recounts, “a voice spoke to him. “I’m Gabriel,” it said, “you write this vision and make it plain that people may read it. You make these instruments and show these people that the word of God is true.’” The instruments ranged PLEASE SEE JUMBO FIDDLES, PAGE 8

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don’t have enough bone? Bone before implants can be placed. you have thin, moveable gum grafts are usually the answer. Healing is usually required be- tissue as opposed to thick and stable, your implants will be However, there are many dif- tween 2 and 6 months. ferent kinds of bone grafts. Bone grafting material can at risk of complications in the When a tooth is removed, be sourced from three loca- distant future. Overall health, the remaining hole is called a tions, and will therefore have medications, and smoking are “socket.” This socket will fill different names: an “autograft” other risk factors that can affect in naturally with bone. Howev- comes from yourself. The the long term success of dental er, if an implant is being con- bone is harvested from a differ- implants, regardless of bone sidered a bone graft oftentimes ent location within your mouth. grafting. One implant scenario that is needed. Variables include An “allograft” comes from a avoids bone grafting is “AllA “xenograft” the size, shape, and location of human cadaver. Cannot be combined with other discounts comes from a different animal, On-Four®” or “Full Jaw Denthe remaining socket. Cannot be combined with other disco Refer to New Patient Specials on our website for details Besides socket grafting, such as cow (bovine). An “al- tal Implants.” In this scenario, Limited to 50 minutes must be presented, timecan of scheduling a full jaw at of teeth be placed loplast” is synthetic, meaning&itmentioned there are other types of grafts.Coupon Expires 3/31/22 onto 4 to 6 implants, and these 3/5/6 Expires 3/31/22 “Sinus grafting” is when you is man-made. Ira Goldberg, DDS, FAGD, DICOI implants are oftentimes purOne issue that is often overneed implants in the upper Ira Goldberg, DDS, FAGD, DICOI Dr. Goldberg is a general withof credentials in multiple organizations. his website a complete listing. Dental a recognized d placed into areas Please that visit years. He is for a Diplomate of NJ. He implants lectures are to not dentists in is the dentist condition the posely Many people are aware that back jaw, but the sinuses are looked the American Board of Oral the field of implantology. For in order to receive a dental im- too large. “Block grafting” and gum tissue around a dental im- don’t require bone grafting. Do you have questions? Implantology / Implant Den- a free consultation, including plant, they must have enough “ridge splitting” are necessary plant. Not only is it important bone. Without a proper amount when your own bone are too to have enough bone for proper Visit Dr. Goldberg’s website, tistry, a Diplomate of the Inter- a free 3-D scan (if necessary), long term success, but the type or contact us for a free consul- national Congress of Oral Im- please call his office at (973) of bone, a dental implant will thin to accept implants. plantologists, and a Fellow of 328-1225 or visit his website be at risk of infection or failure. Be aware that most of the of gum tissue that surrounds tation. the American Academy of Im- at www.MorrisCountyDentist. So what do you do if you time bone grafts need to heal the implants is also critical. If About the author: Dr. Ira plant Dentistry. He performs com Dr. Goldberg is a general Goldberg has been perform- all phases of implant dentistry dentist, and also a Fellow of the ing implant procedures for 27 at his office in Succasunna, Academy of General Dentistry.

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Mount Olive Township thanks Deans Natural Food Market located in the Streets of Chester for their very generous donation to the Mount Olive Food Pantry. Special thanks to Rebecca Lata, Store Director and Robyn Santos, Nutrition Director. This donation took place on January 10, 2022.

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The Sounds of Winter

BY SALLY BARMAKIAN GUEST WRITER

The rustling of leaves is no longer. The air is take-yourbreath-away cold. The bears and other animals are hibernating, and birds have flown south for to warmer weather. There is often a heavy silence that permeates winter. When the weather is blustery, people are cozy inside with warm blankets and roaring fireplaces. Fewer people are walking outside, even dogs wear coats as they quickly take their daily stroll. Then it happens: snow. Snow silently falls, feathery and magical, covering cars and rooftops. Changing the grass to a blanket of white, so pure and beautiful. Silence while the snow gently falls for hours. Silence as the activity outside comes to a halt. Silence until

the first snowplow or shovel hits the ground. Winter is telling us to hibernate too. Enjoy the warmth of the indoors as we appreciate nature’s rest. Read, draw, knit, cook, write, watch movies, call friends and family, clean out a drawer, start a long-awaited project, play board games, enjoy a warm mug of hot chocolate or a hearty pot of soup. Embrace the stillness. And after a while, the sun comes out and the sky is clear. The desires to ice skate, snowboard, ski, sled and walk in the crunchy snow come to life. Bundled in warm clothing, head out to make a snowman, start a snowball fight or make snow angels. The sounds of laughter and activity fill the

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive Life • February 2022 • Page 3

Local Mom Authors Trilogy on Autism

Page 4 • February 2022 • Mt. Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

BY EVAN WECHMAN STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE TWP. - It’s tough enough for people to survive the loss of their parents or grandparents. However, for local interior designer turned author, Cindy Gelormini, the loss of her beloved son Robbie was both shocking and painful. Robbie was a sweet, loving young son who suffered from Autism and its subsequent seizures. Unfortunately, this led to his passing away in November of 2017 at the age of 21. Many parents would just become hardened or stay in their home all day, but due to Gelormini’s strength and faith, she wanted to teach students, parents, and even other teachers about autism. In early 2021, Gelormini released a trilogy book series titled Robbie’s World and His Spectrum of Adventures! The author who also illustrated the books credited the creation of the series as part of her “ healing process.” Though much of the work was completed during the pandemic, the author remained on task and the words and pictures came easily to her. In her children’s book series, she created the character of Robbie the Penguin who has autism so children can relate to the adventures of Robbie. Some may wonder where the idea of a penguin with autism came from, and Gelormini believes Robbie was trying to send her a message from heaven. Shortly after his death, when his mother went to the group home he was living at to collect his belongings, she found

toy penguins almost everywhere. She also found out that the last movie he watched was the classic “Happy Feet.” Gelormini who has a strong Christian faith concluded “Robbie’s trying to tell me something,” and the idea of the book series was born. During the last year, Gelormini has tried to get the books into the hands of as many teachers as possible throughout the state. She wants to destigmatize some of the negative and incorrect assumptions about autism. Robbie, like many other students with autism were bullied in public schools because they were misunderstood and seen as weird. The local author found that when schoolteachers read the books to their students, they adored Robbie the Penguin. Gelormini said the “kids fell in love with Robbie the Penguin.” In addition to the stories involving Robbie the Penguin, at the end of every chapter, Gelormini offers a segment called “Mom’s Minute”. In this special section, the author explains the real-life events which the story was based on and teaches the readers how autism affects the behaviors of people with this diagnosis. According to Gelormini, the universal message of love is spread throughout her books. Throughout the stories, the mother tells Robbie the Penguin “I love you just the way you are.” This is something the author feels all children can connect with. Unfortunately, many children with autism

Letter to the Editor

Big Thank you to ShopRite of Flanders!! Yesterday morning while shopping I turned to look at a product when my wedding ring flew off my finger. I heard it fall but could not find it. I went to the Service Desk and spoke to Diane and told her what happened. She called the front end manager Jess and we started to look for it near the deli and the sushi bar. I totally went ballistic not only because it’s my wedding band but because my husband passed this October from Alzheimer’s. I started to look at the counter near the Sushi bar thinking it could have landed there. After looking for about thirty minutes at what seemed forever, the ladies at the deli found it in one of the cases. Fantastic caring people that spent time looking on the floors and helping me. My eternal thanks to this store and the employees that went above and beyond. Gratefully yours, Sandra Masklee, Mt Olive

have confided to the author that they wish their parents loved them the way she loved Robbie. While Gelormini has been promoting her work for over a year now, she is aware there is much more she can do to educate the public about autism. She can be found advocating for parents and children with Autism on her podcast, “Spectrum Perspectives,”. This can be found on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube. Her mission has many parts as she wants to plan retreats for parents of children with autism so they can form friendships, relax, and share ideas for assisting their children. Gelormini has already started some support groups for these parents. She feels such experiences can be very instrumental in helping these parents because it can often be a long, and isolating experience for them. The author knows first-hand how lonely the process can be and that such parents “never get a break.”

She wants to provide some relief to these hard-working mothers and fathers while building a more positive community for children with autism. She credits her strong connection to her faith for being able to persevere after her son’s death and remain an advocate. She firmly believes God wanted her to “love him (Robbie) the way he is.” She also has a larger dream of using the book sales to buy a farm and build several group homes on it. Here, children can ride horses, make friends, and participate in a lot of outdoor activities that Robbie enjoyed. “It drives me and pushes me forward,” said the author. Whether this dream turns into a reality is uncertain, but Gelormini’s message of love for others endears her to local schools. According to her, “I would love to see the books in every elementary school in New Jersey.” The Robbie’s World series can be found on Amazon.com.

Cindy and Robbie Gelormini.

I Remember Mom: To Honor Thy Kemmerer Relatives

BY RICHARD MABEY JR. GUEST WRITER

As long as I can remember, from the time I was a little boy, it was a long-standing tradition that the Kemmerer siblings would gather to honor their forefathers and foremothers by placing wreaths and grave covers, in Winter Time, on the graves of the Kemmerer men and women who had gone on to be with the Lord. It was a most solemn and reverent occasion. When Spring Time came, the Kemmerer siblings would place flowers on the graves of their departed loved ones. My mom’s people originally settled in Easton, Pennsylvania. There were of German descent and were part of the German community that once dominated Easton. My maternal grandfather, Edmund Kemmerer, grew up in Easton. In his coming of age, Grandpa learned to become a very successful electrician. My maternal grandmother,

My mom, Janet Kemmerer Mabey, with her sister, Alice Knothe, at one of the gravesites of the Kemmerer family. Mom is standing on your left-hand side.

Lydia Capwell Kemmerer, grew up on a farm just outside of Easton. I am not exactly sure how my grandparents

met. Family legacy has it that Grandpa’s family were friends with the Capwell family and would often visit them at their

farm. More than likely, this is how my grandparents met. PLEASE SEE I REMEMBER MOM, PAGE 8

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A Valentine’s Day Story

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive Life • February 2022 • Page 5

BY RICHARD MABEY JR. GUEST WRITER

Loneliness in life is often disguised with a smile, a song in one’s voice, and a happy go lucky attitude. Yet, the truth of the matter is that often times, the people who seem so happy on the outside, are actually very lonely on the inside. One such person, who fit this scenario, comes to mind. Sheila worked as a counter waitress at the old Woolworth’s Five and Dime, just off of The Green in Morristown. She would often hum old hymns, while cleaning off her infamous counter. It was a world of piping hot coffee, cheeseburgers, and soda. And, there really was nothing that could be compared to the counter at Woolworth’s. It wasn’t a diner, it wasn’t a fullfledged restaurant, and it was not a fast-food place. It was the one and only, Woolworth’s counter. And, Sheila was the Queen Bee of the entire opera-

tion. Sheila was 64 years old. On the outside, she seemed tough as nails. But, as you got to know her even a little bit, it became apparent that she was a most sensitive soul. I first met Sheila in the Winter of 1988. I was 34 years old and had just began working in the Public Relations Department of AT&T on Mount Kemble Avenue. I can’t remember why it was that I first went into the Woolworth’s that fateful day in early January of 1988. Something drew me there. Perhaps it was to walk down Memory Lane, one lunch hour. To go back to a simpler time, when I was a child and my mom and I would go to the Woolworth’s Five and Dime. Mom would always buy me a little toy there. I remember that I ate lunch at the counter, after walking about the store, that strange and bewildering

day in early January of 1988. I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich and a hot cup of tea. The grilled cheese came with a handful of potato chips and a slice of pickle. I remember all so well, that the counter wasn’t all that busy that day. So, I had a chance to talk to Sheila. Small talk. She asked me where I worked. I told her at the AT&T office on Mount Kemble Avenue. When I finished my grilled cheese and took my last sip of hot tea, Sheila simply said to me, “come visit us again, sometime.” I told her I would. Well, whatever it was that first drew me to the Woolworth’s, called me back. Sheila’s kind words of “come visit us again, sometime,” haunted me. So, I found myself returning, time and again, to the infamous Woolworth’s just off The Green in Morristown. In due time, Sheila shared

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A rare photograph of the Woolworth’s Five and Dime, just off of The Green in Morristown.

A typical counter of a Woolworth’s Five and Dime.

her story with me. I looked to her as a kindly aunt. Something about Sheila, touched the inner chambers of my heart center. I found it fascinating that this woman who had been granted a bad hand of cards in life, was all so happy and cheerful as she served one person after another, coffee and sandwiches. Sheila lived alone in an apartment. Her husband had passed away when she was in her early forties. She had married a gentleman who was considerably older than her. Her son, her only child, was killed in a car accident when he was in his early twenties. I never asked Sheila questions, I would just simply listen to her stories. At the time, I was blessed to have my columns and articles published in a regional weekly newspaper that was circulated in my hometown of Lincoln Park and surrounding communities. After having had lunch at the Woolworth’s a few times, I felt comfortable to show Sheila my articles. Sheila was a great source of encouragement to me. Her kind words about my writings, meant a great deal to me. Weaving through the tapestry of Sheila’s life story, that she shared with me little by little, was the thread of her dream to retire at 65. Sheila’s birthday was in September, the

same month as my birthday was. Somewhere along the line, of our friendship that spanned across the Woolworth’s lunch counter, Sheila told me that she was 64 and would be retiring in September. I don’t know what it was. I really have no idea what inspired me. But a few days before Valentine’s Day, I bought a box of candy, with a card for Sheila. To this day, I don’t know what inspired me. It wasn’t that I was looking to date Sheila. But rather I just wanted to bring a bit of sunshine and kindness into Sheila’s life. For she often told me that I reminded her of her late son. In 1988, Valentine’s Day fell on a Sunday. So, I gave Sheila her box of candy and her card on the Friday before Valentine’s Day. It worked out kind of nice, because on Fridays my boss would always let me have a little extra time on my lunch break. However, I do need to note that I earned every minute of that privilege, for I would often eat lunch at my desk, while I was working to meet a tight deadline. Sheila almost cried when I handed her the box of candy and the Valentine’s Day card. She apologized for not getting me anything. It was truly a heart-felt moment. Sheila then

told me that she hadn’t gotten a Valentine’s Day gift and card in ages. Then I ate my grilled cheese sandwich, sipped me tea, and wished Sheila a happy weekend. In September of 1988, Sheila did retire from Woolworth’s. I went into the Woolworth’s one time after she retired. It was all too sad, not to see Sheila happily bring the customers their lunches. No longer was there someone working behind the counter, singing the old hymns. A sadness echoed at that lunch counter. I was never to see Sheila again. I didn’t even know the town that she lived in. I never even knew her last name. Sometimes the loneliest person has a big smile on their face. They seem so happy go lucky. They create an illusionary aura that their life is one big bowl of roses. But the truth is that they are crying on the inside. Sometimes we need to take the time to really listen to another person’s story, to really care, to have compassion. For we may well be the only person who has shown them a bit of kindness, in a long, long time. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@hotmail. com. Please put on the subject line: A Valentine’s Day Story.

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Page 6 • February 2022 • Mt. Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

2022

with Saint Clare’s

Let’s Talk Individualizing Cancer Treatment- Just For YOU With Saint Clare’s Health

BY MARK J. BONAMO GUEST WRITER

One of the most difficult diagnoses, that anyone can receive is learning that they have cancer. Immediate questions come to mind, such as, will I survive, how difficult will be the treatments, and what will be the impact on the quality of my life. Dr. Fazal Bari, Medical Director of Oncology at Saint Clare’s Health, along with his medical team is committed to providing the answers in a manner that drives out the fear and delivers hope. Their core beliefs are to treat their patients with the most advanced and scientifically-based individualized approach delivered with a compassionate human touch. Dr. Bari discussed how cancer care has made significant advances for individualizing treatment resulting from improvements in technology that provide treatment options unimaginable only a few years ago. The approach to cancer treatment was to treat the disease rather than focus on the individual patient’s driver of their cancer. “The technological changes over the past five years has

Dr. Fazal Bari, Medical Director of Oncology at Saint Clare’s Health.

been advancing cancer care increasingly more personalized. We always knew that breast, colon, lung and prostate cancer all behaved differently and spread differently. If you take five separate patients with the same type of cancer and give them the same type of treatment, they may all respond differently. We never had a way to identify the unique things that would predict how they do with certain therapies,” Bari said. “Now, we have the technology to find the genetic code that many of these cancers carry. This allows us to target specific areas of cancer growth so we can best help our patients.” Help for patients can come in the form of the high-quality diagnostic imaging available at Saint Clare’s Health, including CT scans, MRIs and 3D mammograms, which can detect diseases early, therefore facilitating effective treatment. Some advancements in treatment technologies allow for more accurate and therefore less invasive and often in less treatments. “We can now take a tissue

sample and find out what is the driving mechanism behind that cancer, then treat and control it with less collateral damage and side effects,” Bari said. “Within the next decade, we may even be able to do diagnoses through the blood samples and not have to do tissue biopsies.” Localized and general therapies both play a role in fighting cancer. An example of localized therapy offered at Saint Clare’s Health includes hightech linear radiation treatments that are very precise. “Stereotactic radiosurgery is an excellent localized treatment option that my patients receive at Saint Clare’s Health,” Dr. Bari said. “It treats the area that needs to be treated with less number of doses and preserves normal tissue around the cancer.” Generalized therapy has traditionally been isolated to chemotherapy but current advances have expanded to many options. “Immune therapy can sometimes work better than chemotherapy by using the body’s own immune system to fight

the cancer without as many side effects,” Dr. Bari said. “Genetic sequencing tests are the next generation of care where we’ll be able to find out which medications work best against certain mutations that lead to and contribute to disease. Currently, some mutations in certain genes can be treated with a pill.” For many patients, the consideration of their quality of life is a critical component in the battle to prolong life during the fight against cancer. Dr. Bari points out that the changes in the practice of medicine have boosted the opportunities to maintain the quality of life. “When we talk about patients with advanced cancer, there is no use in doing what needs to be done to prolong life if we’re not doing what needs to be done to preserve the quality of life,” Dr. Bari said. “Some of the biggest strides that we’ve made in oncology over the years are the ancillary medications. For example, we have medications now that work on the nausea center of the brain that helps control

it. We can give shots that pre- tients so they know that.” vent the immune system from Dr. Bari and his team also tanking so that patients don’t implement COVID protective wind up in the hospital with measures for the safety of painfections. There are ways we tients particularly during the can cool the scalp so that che- pandemic. motherapy doesn’t generate as “We are extremely diligent much hair loss. We can miti- that our game is at a level even gate and minimize the effects higher than normal COVID of traditional chemotherapy protocols,” Dr. Bari said. “We now in so many ways.” deep clean our facilities more According to Dr. Bari, a doc- regularly giving attention to all tor’s compassionate approach safety protocols than ever due is another critical component to the immunocompromised in treating cancer patients. patients that we treat. We had “Empathy and understand- an ultraviolet sterilization sysing are so important in our tem installed in our HVAC work. Everybody needs it. system, so the air is constantly You have to give people real- being cleaned and not recircuistic hope while they’re go- lated. We are truly doing everying through something very thing we can.” difficult,” Dr. Bari said. “We There are several preventawant to ask patients what their tive steps that people can take hobbies are and the things that to detect cancer at its earliest bring them joy. If someone en- stage. Well-known screening joys playing an instrument or procedures, such as mammogknitting, we don’t want to use raphies, colonoscopies, PSA drugs that may cause numb- tests and Pap smears are effecness and limit their ability to tive ways that patients can play do those things. Cancer treat- a proactive role against cancer. ments, including chemotherHowever, while cancer can apy, are so radically different obviously be frightening, Bari now. We make every effort to ensure that we educate our pa- PLEASE SEE LET’S TALK, PAGE 7

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive Life • February 2022 • Page 7

2022

In today’s world there are poisons lurking around every corner. You may not realize it, but you could be slowly poisoning yourself every single day with skincare products, household cleaning products and even the foods you are eating. Unfortunately, most products on the market today do contain chemicals that are toxic to the body, so you need to stay informed. For example, research has shown that most of the chemicals used to preserve products or increase shelf life are Endocrine disruptors. Your endocrine system is what controls hormones and many of the body’s

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functions, so you don’t want anything to disrupt its natural flow. These added chemicals mimic hormones so your body cannot recognize them as foreign to get rid of them. This wreaks havoc on the endocrine system and the body in general. Among other things, these endocrine disruptors have been linked to cancer and reproductive issues. It is also a concern that these toxic chemicals can be stored in the body for years! So what can you do? Don’t panic, but clean up your life today! START READING LABELS on everything and stay

informed! Chances are if you can’t pronounce an ingredient or don’t know what it is, it is most-likely toxic. Consume as many organic fruits and vegetables as possible. Follow “The Clean 15, Dirty Dozen” guidelines: For the Clean 15, save your money and buy conventional because these fruits and veggies are known to have very low amounts of toxins. The Clean 15: Avocados, Sweet Corn, Pineapples, Cabbages, Onions, Sweet Peas, Papayas, Asparagus, Mangoes, Eggplants, Honeydews, Kiwis, Cantaloupes, Cauliflower and Broccoli.

The Dirty dozen are the 12 fruits and vegetables that contain the highest amounts of harmful chemicals. Don’t risk eating these unless they are organic. The Dirty Dozen: Strawberries, Spinach, Nectarines, Apples, Peaches, Pears, Cherries, Grapes, Celery, Tomatoes, Sweet Bell Peppers and Potatoes.

Wash all fruits and vegetables with an organic veggie wash to wash away surface chemicals. Easily make your own organic cleaning and skincare products or only buy products that do not contain harmful chemicals. Get Acupuncture! Acupuncture is a natural way to

help your body detox from chemicals, balance your hormones and bring your body back to homeostasis. Schedule your appointment today at Mt. Olive Acupuncture & Wellness, 1 Old Wolfe Rd., Suite 208, Budd Lake, call 973-527-7978 or visit www.mtoliveacupuncture. com.

FROM PAGE 6 notes that the biggest fear people should have when dealing with cancer is fear itself. “Clear-headed decisions don’t come from fear. They come from working with your doctor to get the best result,” Bari said. “All of the physicians that we work with here at Saint Clare’s know that there is the data of medicine, and then there is the art of medicine. That art includes working with people in your community. We work with people to make sure that our treatment approach isn’t just about length of life, but about the quality of life

during the fight against disease. One of the great things about cancer treatment is that it can be done very effectively on a local level. At Saint Clare’s Health, we work very hard to ensure that we are medically ahead of the curve, but are still around the corner from our patients.” “We have a fine radiology department, great pathologists and excellent inpatient nursing care here at Saint Clare’s Health. That’s extremely important with a cancer diagnosis. Our nursing staff is second to none. They listen, and they care,” Dr. Bari added. “But

your personal support team your family and friends in the community - are just as important as our medical team in terms of how well our patients do.” Saint Clare’s Health offers a wide range of oncology treatment options at the Denville and Dover locations. In addition, the unique nurse navigator program provides an extra layer of personal care for patients as they go through the treatment procedures that can help save their lives. For more information, please call 973-625-6000 or visit www.saintclares.com.

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Page 8 • February 2022 • Mt. Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

concerts and his unique orchestra reached as far as Ohio. Ferris’s music was played on a New York radio station, featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not show, and featured in Popular Science magazine. The owner of a cabaret offered him $25 a day for personal appearances with the world’s largest fiddle. Devoutly religious, he turned down most of the offers as he would permit nothing but sacred music to be played on his instruments. As a present for his wife on her 60th birthday, Farris designed a huge “whispering harp.” The sound from the harp’s vibrating strings grew in volume as it entered a large violin-shaped body to which the harp had been attached. On his wife’s “whispering harp” – one plays the harp strings while giant violin strings sym-

pathetically resonate on the cello-like body. Before Ferris took up his unusual hobby, he could not tell one musical note from another. It was after he began making his first unconventional instruments that he began to learn how to play them. The superb workmanship shown in some of his instruments is amazing since the fact that he possessed little natural ability as a carpenter. He had difficulty driving a nail into a piece of wood and even sawing a straight line. Two of the violins made by the self-taught craftsman sold for $500 each, a fancy price in those days, and similar sums had been offered for other instruments. More often than not, he shaped his novel additions to the orchestra from green unseasoned wood. Ferris was fa-

miliar with the characteristics of many local trees and the qualities of their wood. Each instrument uses a combination of woods, chosen as much for the Biblical virtues they represent and structural potential. Each instrument of his Celestial Orchestra was for sacred music (although he permitted one to be played for profit). He claimed he could notice no difference in the tone of the instrument before and after the wood has been completely dried out. Only rarely did he buy seasoned boards. Although none of his written compositions survive, the Ferris spirit is amply contained in the 20 or more string instruments made in the 1920’s and ‘30s, a dozen of which are found in the Schubert Club Kugler Collection in Minnesota.

my mom’s fiery determination to honor her beloved relatives, who had passed on before her. Something about it, deeply touched my heart. My mom was a deeply religious person. So naturally, after we planted flowers at the Kemmerer gravesites, Mom would say a little prayer. I remember it all as a most quaint, earnest, and reverent little moment in time. As a child and onto my teenage years, Mom, my sister Patti, and myself would often visit our Kemmerer relatives in Mount Olive and Hackettstown. Particularly during the summer months, when we were on vacation from school. Somehow and someway, when I went to college, I kind of lost track with my Kemmerer relatives in Mount Olive and in Hackettstown. In many ways, it now makes me very sad. We would often visit cousins of my mom who owned

a pet shop in Hackettstown. Since my mom passed away, my sense of reconnecting with my Kemmerer relatives from Mount Olive and Hackettstown has reawakened, becoming more acute. I so dearly regret that I did not ask my mom more questions about the Kemmerer heritage, when Mom was still with us. Hold dear thy heritage. Forget not the gravesites of those dearly departed relatives. We live in the high-tech age. We live in an era of split-second timing. Still, there is something to be said for planting a flower or two at the gravesite of a loved one. To say a little prayer by their footstone. To honor the dear ones, who have gone on to be with the Lord. Truly, it is time well invested. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@hotmail. com. Please put on the subject line: I Remember Mom.

I Remember Mom FROM PAGE 4

Mrs. Bertha Ferris plays a tune behind the “whispering harp.” (Credit author’s collection.)

Jumbo Fiddles FROM FRONT PAGE

from a tiny angel violin barely a foot and a half long to a 300-pound goliath among fiddles, the world’s biggest bass viol. It stretches 14-feet from top to bottom and its strings were 104 inches long. Even more massive was another product of Ferris’ upstairs workshop. It was the biggest harp in the world. When completed it tipped the scales at more than 400 pounds. Eighty-three of the 99 strings were made of steel. Some of these vibrating wires

were nearly 100-inches long. One remarkable feature of the massive harp was a row of double strings forming a series of “Vs.” Opposite strings were tuned differently. When one was plucked, sympathetic vibrations were set up in the other, producing unusual tonal effects. Two or more musicians could play on different parts of the great harp at the same time. The vibrations could only be felt when played inside a barn which acted as a giant resonator

Arthur Ferris’ Big Fiddle was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest viol; a fivefeet-high by eight feet raised platform was required to play it with his Ferris Celestial Orchestra. Ferris’ local success slowly began to spread to nearby states. However, the booming tones of the big fiddle were heard from coast-to-coast when the first musical performed on a nationwide radio program. Questions about the

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For some reason, there was a migration of the Kemmerer clan to New Jersey, specifically to the towns of Hackettstown and Mount Olive. If you are a Kemmerer from either one of these towns, we are most likely related. My grandparents did live in Mount Olive for a short time, but then moved further east to the town of Boonton, where they lived on the 600 block of Boonton Avenue for the rest of their lives. They had nine children, five girls and four boys. My mom was the youngest of the clan. By the Spring of 2006, my mom and Aunt Alice were the only surviving siblings of all nine Kemmerer siblings. My mom had a brain surgery in January of 2006, but when Spring Time came around, Mom was strongly determined to join her sister Alice in planting flowers upon the Kemmerer gravesites. I was in awe of

LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive Life • February 2022 • Page 9

Royal Lawns of New Jersey Celebrates 50 Years of Caring for Your Lawn

BY STEVE SEARS STAFF WRITER

AREA - Over 50 years ago, Joseph DeSantis, who had an accounting background, was working for Popular Club Plan, but was tiring of the corporate world. He exited the indoors and headed outdoors, initially owning a part of and working for Lawn King, and then parted ways with them and in April, 1972, started Royal Lawns. “He was looking to get out on his own,” says Jim Drury, current owner of Royal Lawns along with his wife, Annemarie, who is Joseph’s daughter. “And some Lawn King people came along, and shortly after that, they were dividing up areas, and that’s when he decided to do a different company, and they became Royal Lawns.” The

new name was the brainchild of Annemarie’s mom, Yolanda. DeSantis covered a lot of ground in the early days. “He had the Morristown area, Boonton area and Clifton area,” Annemarie says. She and Jim met in 1983, and when the Royal Lawns coverage area increased, DeSantis asked his daughter, “Do you have a strong enough relationship? Do you think I can ask him to work for us?” Jim joined the Royal Lawn team in the spring of 1985, he and Annemarie married in 1988 and, when DeSantis was ready to retire, they bought Royal Lawns in 1991. “We’ve technically owned it longer than my father had, which I find amazing,” Annemarie says. Over the years, as other lawn

care treatment folks retired, Jim bought out their businesses, thereby increasing his coverage area. Royal Lawns of New Jersey currently has about 1,200 customers, and the biggest areas are the Chatham, Clifton, and Morristown locales, and Morris County itself. “We have four total,” Jim says when asked how many people work for Royal Lawns. “We have one office person, and we have three of us out on the job including myself. We will be hiring another person this year because we grew tremendously last year.” Royal Lawns does no lawn cutting or mowing, just the seeding and fertilizing end of it. “My little spiel I use is, ‘We do the seeding, fertilizing, weed control; everything to make your

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Royal Lawns’ Jim Drury at work caring for and beautifying a lawn. Photo credit Royal Lawns.

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lawn nice and green for somebody else to cut,’” Annemarie says. But there’s much more. “What makes us different than the other companies out there is we offer a complete program,” Jim says. “We seed the lawn, we fertilize the lawn, we aerate the lawn. Everything that we do is in our costs, and other companies charge extra. That’s the big, big difference between us and most companies.” He also adds, “If there’s a problem, we’ll take care of it. It’s not bits and pieces; we’re giving you the whole thing. I’ll walk away from somebody if they say, ‘My lawn doesn’t need this or doesn’t need that.’ I will tell them, ‘If we’re doing your lawn for five years, it’s going to need these things. You may not think it right now, you may not have grubs this year, but you may get it in the next two years.’ And sure enough, most of the people come back to us a couple years later saying, ‘You were right with that comment.’” Royal Lawns tackles many

lawn issues, including weeds, fungus and insect control, and also offers a deer repellant program, but there’s one issue that Jim Drury and Royal Lawns see most often. “Crabgrass is probably the number one issue that people care about. In our case, we’re going to seed your lawn first and then we’re going to get the crabgrass control down. We’ll do all the seeding in the fall, and then as the lawn gets better, they’ll get the two crabgrass controls early in the year.” And then there is the longevity part of the equation. “We have people with tremendous experience,” Jim says, adding that some Royal Lawns lawn care experts are in the business over 25 years. “What we give you is a lot of experience coming to your lawn.” In addition to the Royal Lawns knowledge and experience, honesty is an important part of the way they do business. “We don’t nickel and dime people,” Annemarie says. “They know what their cost is.” Jim adds, “The one thing that

I’ve learned over the years is you want to be as honest as possible with the people, because they just want to know that somebody is coming to their lawn who’s going to be able to take care of their problem when they have one. There are very few people who don’t have a problem during the year. We’re going to come and do their service, but if it needs something extra, we’re going to do it then. They don’t have to call again.” Royal Lawns is a family-based business. Prior to his passing, Annemarie’s brother also worked for Royal Lawns. “He was retiring and then, unfortunately, he passed away early. But, my father had me and my brother both in on it. It’s a family-based business and it still is. The secretary that we have used to work with my brother, so we consider her family as well.” For more information about Royal Lawns, visit their website at www.royallawns.net, or call 973-927-4974.

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Page 10 • February 2022 • Mt. Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

MOUNT OLIVE HIGH SCHOOL

Reliving a Wonderful Basketball Career with Mount Olive High School’s Rashaan Spencer

BY STEVE SEARS STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE TWP. - For former Mount Olive High School and Centenary University basketball star, Rashaan Spencer, the memories are fond of a wonderful basketball career. “It’s been surreal to believe that I could accomplish those things,” he says. “Those things” are Spencer scoring over 1,000 points at both schools, and while a Mount Olive Marauder, his club was a two-time Morris County Tournament champion. During that run, he was a First Team All-Conference and All-County selection his junior and senior seasons, in addition to being named the team’s Most Valuable Player on offense. During his three years with the Kevin Moorecoached Marauders, the club had a total win-loss record of 66 – 16. Spencer, 26, recalls Moore’s words to the team before his sophomore season. “Coach pitched to us that, if we’d buy in, there was a lot of potential. I believe that’s the year we actually won the conference.” After that season, Spencer and his teammates, certainly invested in Moore’s plan, felt they had enough talent to compete well enough against anyone in Morris County, and prepped for the next season by working out over the summer and fall. “I think it all helped that we were pretty close,” Spencer says. “It felt like family. All of us now are dispersed around the area, but I think that is always something we’ll be able to talk about.” Spencer also credits the support he and his team had when playing in their home gym. “No matter what day the game was, we always had a good turnout, and it was always loud and packed. And that was one thing we

could guarantee, that we were going to have a home court advantage.” The Marauders advanced to the county title game all three seasons. Chatham High School was the opponent when Mount Olive won the MCT title in Spencer’s junior season, 67 – 54, a year after the same school had knocked off the Marauders on a last second bucket in the title game when Spencer was a sophomore. Mount Olive, however, would live a like drama. Morristown was the foe for Spencer’s senior campaign, and the game was decided at the buzzer. “I believe we hit a shot,” Spencer recalls, “and then they came down and had two chances at a three (point shot) and banked in the second one.” The game now tied and with the ball in Spencer’s hands on the inbounds pass, Moore encouraged his team up the floor. “And that’s what I did,” Spencer says, “and I happened to miss the first layup, and I guess my instinct said to jump and try and get the rebound.” Spencer leaped for the put back and converted, he knocking over 6’ 7” center (and current Marauder coach) Zach Heeman in the process. Spencer and Mount Olive were repeat MCT winners, 75 - 73. “There was no way I was holding any emotion. It definitely was a very big highlight in my whole basketball career.” Spencer scored his 1,000th point in his senior campaign against West Morris Central. Neighboring Centenary University recruited Spencer early and heavily, and his choice came down to them and Rutgers-Newark. He chose to stay close to home. “It was nice to have family at every game, and friends at every game, whenever they could

Photo Courtesy of Rashaan Spencer.

make it,” he says. According to Spencer, it was about 10 games into the season before he started to actually play a good number of minutes. “I think it was because the coach wanted me to prove that I could actually play instead of just coming in there because I had a background.” Prove it he did. The 5’ 9” guard appeared in 28 games and was named Colonial States Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year. He then played 27 games his sophomore year, averaging 16.9 points per game, and scored a-then school record 42 points against Neumann, and notched point number 1,000 during his junior season in a victory over John Jay on December 12, 2016. His final Centenary season was cut short due to an injury. “Going into my senior year,” Spencer explains, “I felt I was in the best shape that I was ever in, but I think I pushed myself too hard. In the offsea-

Morris Museum Announces Fiber Sculpture Installation by Artist Erik Bergrin Exhibition

MORRIS COUNTY - Erik Bergrin: The 8 Dissolutions is a fiber-sculpture installation by New York City-based artist and costume maker Erik Bergrin. A student of Buddhist philosophy, Bergrin explores the transience of the human body and the eternity of the mind in this new collection of work. The exhibition takes its name from the eight dissolutions, a Tibetan Buddhist med-

itation practice that visualizes one’s mortality in the recurring cycle of death and rebirth on the path to enlightenment. The costumes are entirely handsewn, made from fabrics created by Bergrin using traditional techniques such as weaving and felting, as well as grown from unusual materials such as seaweed, fermented tea, and crystallizations. Some include integrated drums and rattles.

A video monitor documents a performance with the costumes making musical sounds with each movement, revealing the multidisciplinary nature of Bergrin’s artistic approach. The exhibition is curated by the Morris Museum’s Ronald T. Labaco, Director of Exhibitions and Collections/Chief Curator, and Michelle Graves, Curatorial Assistant.

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It has all been rewarding for Rashaan Spencer. “It’s unbelievable because, when I was going out of middle school, there wasn’t even an idea of actually going to college and playing basketball. It was just something that I wanted to do to try and stay active.” He also

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gives further credit where it is due. “I don’t think without the coaches (Moore at Mount Olive, and Tim Fusina and Damian Pitts at Centenary) and playing basketball I would be who I am today. It all molded me into a very well, thought out person.”

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son, I pulled my hamstring, and it was lingering throughout the whole season. It got to the point where I felt like my hamstring was holding me back and was making me more frustrated, and that was the reason why I didn’t finish out my senior year.”

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive Life • February 2022 • Page 11

MOUNT OLIVE HIGH SCHOOL

Mount Olive Football Player Wins SFC Young Man of the Year Award

BY GARY SIMEONE STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE TWP. Mount Olive High School, senior student, Cooper Anderson, is the man of the year in his hometown, after winning a SFC Steve DiGregorio (Super Football Conference) award. The esteemed award is given to an individual who has displayed outstanding leadership and dedicated service to their school and community. There is also an academic requirement to the award nominee, as the recipient is required to be in good academic standing with their school. Anderson said that he found out about his nomination during the last week of the regular season, in a game against Sparta High School. “It was during one of the last games we played of the season away at Sparta in late October, that I found out I was nominated for the award,” said Anderson. “They announced my name over the loudspeaker, and everyone cheered for me. It was a cool experience. I also received the actual plaque during the halftime period of that game.” Anderson has played the sport of football since he was a

freshman on the Mount Olive varsity team. He has started at both the wide receiver and safety positions and was an integral member of the team’s successful season. He is also an avid lacrosse player. “Growing up as a kid I always loved the game of football. I was around five or six years old when I started playing the sport recreationally and I was always on a flag football team or another league throughout my life,” said Anderson. The Marauders had a good season in Anderson’s last campaign, attaining an 8-3 regular season record and placing second in the North Jersey Super Liberty Red League. The team made it past the first round of the divisional playoffs, beating Morris Knolls High School 41-13, before falling to Northern Highlands High School 28-7 in the second round. Anderson said that his most memorable moment as a football player came against Irvington High School in the first game of the season on September 3rd. “It was one of the best

games that I had because I scored two touchdowns and had an interception against them in the second half,” said Anderson. This was the first year that the SFC Steve DiGregorio ‘Young Man of the Year’ award was handed out to a player who has shown outstanding leadership and commitment to both their community and team. The award is not performance-based but is given to an individual from each high school who excels in certain areas. These include community service, selflessness before selfishness, creating a positive school/team environment, leadership on and off the field and setting a positive example for teammates and peers. There is also an academic requirement, as the recipient must be in good academic standing. A banquet awards dinner was held on January 19th to honor Cooper and other members of the team for their achievements. The event was coordinated by the MOHS Football Parent Club. An awards ceremony is

also scheduled to be held at MetLife Stadium in East Ruth-

erford, where a press conference will be held to announce

the district ‘Young Man of the Year’ award.

Mount Olive High School Girls: Tackle the Gridiron This Spring

BY MEGAN ROCHE EDITOR

MOUNT OLIVE TWP. - Call- during a meeting with Mount can work together to estabing all girls at Mount Olive Olive Schools Superintendent lish a recreational program High School. If you’ve ever Dr. Robert Zywicki. After to provide young girls the wanted to get the feeling of discussing the possible pro- skills needed to make the high what it means to play under gram, both spoke with other school level team. Suflay hopes the program the lights on the gridiron, now schools in the state who offer the program at their respec- will inspire the members of is your chance! In March, Mount Olive tive schools. The school even the team both on and off the High School will officially received a grant from the NFL field. CAMPS RUN JULY - AUGUST “We want to offer opportukick off the inaugural season through a conversation with CAMPS RUN JULY - AUGUST Our camps are nationally accredited and inspected by the Community nities for the diverse interests of flag football for girls in Eli Hodges,Ou Our camps and inspected local, state, are andnationally national accredited organizations. The staff by is fully ninth through twelfth grade. Relations and Youth Football and needs of our student body. OurOur camps are nationally accredited and inspected by camps are nationally accredited and inspected loc local, state, national organizations. is fully are by According to Colleen Sufl trained andand background checked andThe ourstaff lifeguards I believe that creating opay, Manager. local, state, and national organizations. The The staff isorfully trained and background checked and our lifeguards local, state, and organizations. staff is fullyMOHS Athletic trai certified. Camp hasnational an on-site, state certified, EMTare RN. “We added flag football as portunities for students will Director, she cert certified. Camp has an on-site, state certified, EMT or RN. a club, it is not sanctioned by provide another place/opporis eager to get the program off trained and background checked and our lifeguards are trained and background checked and our lifeguards are the NJSIAA, but hopefully, tunity for girls to develop as the ground. certified. Camp hashas on-site, statestate certified, EMTEMT or RN. • Archaelogy •an Climbing • Swimming certified. Camp an on-site, certified, or RN. “Tryouts will begin the first with enough momentum in the thriving young adults who are • A ••Archery Cooking • STEM Programs Archaelogy ••Climbing • Swimming we can offer it as confident, and courageous,” week of March. It will be run state of NJ, • A ••BB Guns Fishing • Scoutcraft Archery ••Cooking • STEM Programs Sufl ay says. an offi cial varsity sport. I have as a club this year and then we • B • Sports & Games ••Boating Mountain Bikes• Scoutcraft BB Guns ••Fishing • Archaelogy • Climbing • Swimming While no offi cial coach has heard many conversations hope the NJSIAA will adopt • B Crafts •••Archaelogy •Nature Climbing Games Boating ••Mountain Bikes • Sports•&Swimming • C been hired as of this writing, an about the implementation of this as a Varsity Sport. There • Archery ••Cooking • STEM Programs Crafts Nature ••Archery • Cooking • STEM Programs is a championship at the end of the flag football club and they announcement will be made as Visit ppcbsa.org/camping • BB Guns • Fishing • Scoutcraft • BB Guns • Fishing • Scoutcraft the season. We will have two were overwhelmingly posi- soon as a coach is put in place. for more details • Mountain Bikes • Sports & Games • Boating • Mountain Bikes • Sports & Games coaches, and there is no cost to tive,” Suflay shares. • BoatingVisit ppcbsa.org/camping Any girl interested in joining • Crafts • Nature the team can stop by Suflay’s As the program continues participate.” • Crafts Visit •details. Nature ppcbsa.org/camping for more The idea for starting a to grow, Suflay is hopeful office at Mount Olive High for more details. program came in December that the schools and township School for more information.

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The Moving Wall Coming to County College of Morris in July

Page 12 • February 2022 • Mt. Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

BY STEVE SEARS STAFF WRITER

“The Moving Wall”, a halfscale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., for over 30 years has traveled our great nation, and this summer it makes a four day stop at County College of Morris. Bill Menzel, Vice-Commander of Randolph VFW Post 7333, speaks about the 280-foot wall, which will be unveiled shortly after Independence Day, from July 8 thru the 10th, 2022. “It’s been around and it’s been rebuilt. It’s not the same wall that they started with.” “The Moving Wall” has in the past been on display in Essex and Sussex counties, but never in Morris County. “We expect somewhere between 20 and 30,000 visitors over three days,” Menzel says. The wall arrives and will be set up on the 7th, and will be available for public viewing from the 8th to the 10th. Menzel explains the proceedings. “The 8th is where we will have our opening. There will be some ceremonies and readings, and then the 9th will be the grand opening for the major speeches. And, of course, every day we’ll have a rifle salute to the National Anthem, and playing taps at night. It will be a 24-hour program,

and then the 10th will be the closing ceremony. It’s just three days that the public can access it.” The wall will be taken down on the 11th. Menzel also mentions that there is a special outreach to all the Gold Star families in Morris County and New Jersey. “We’ll be making a special effort to honor them.” Vietnam Combat Veterans, Ltd. of White Pine, Michigan manages “The Moving Wall.” “They create a schedule every year,” says Menzel of the group. “One of the reasons why we’re working with the county college is because they’re providing a lot of the financial support in the sense of helping with putting up the walkways and providing security and printing programs. It’s really a very strong sponsorship that they’re providing for this program.” Menzel also recognizes the support of Senator Anthony Bucco, Assemblyman Brian Bergen, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, Randolph Township Mayor Marie Potter and the township council, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, and the participation of the American Legion, the Red Cross, the Vet Center - which is part of the Veterans Administration, Disabled Veterans of America, and the Viet-

Photo courtesy of VFW Post 7333. nam Veterans of America. “All these veteran’s groups will be participating to some degree or another in this program. It’s a real strong community effort,” Menzel says. VFW Post 7333 was founded after World War II, and it serves Randolph, Dover, Mendham, Mine Hill and Chester. The mission statement is as follows: Our mission is to help represent the Veterans who

have fought in foreign wars in the communities we serve. Our goals are to support our Veterans when they need assistance, to maintain a relationship of respect and trust with our communities, to encourage patriotism and to honor our Fallen and current military. “We welcome veterans from any kind of foreign war action. If you were under fire someplace outside of the United States,” Menzel

says, “we welcome you.” Any donations made on the VFW Post 7333 website (www.VFWPost7333.org) will be used to support “The Moving Wall” program, and there’s also an opportunity to sign up to be a volunteer for the event. “We have over 30 volunteers that are going to be part of the process,” Menzel explains. “You need people to guide people to the wall and help them

find a name. You need at least a staff of 10 people available at any given point in time. It’s going to be in shifts, three shifts a day. You also need people to put up the wall and take down the wall. The Warriors’ Watch Riders escort the trucks when they arrive and they help put up the wall.” Visit www.themovingwall. org for more information.

who come into contact with an agency and are deemed at risk of homelessness, poverty, addiction, abuse and many other problems. Hope Hub is made up of law enforcement, social services, mental health services, healthcare providers, treatment providers and recovery specialists who come into contact with vulnerable people and families, and who can

tap the extensive resources of Hope Hub to bring aid to the individuals. Currently, 22 law enforcement agencies including the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, participate in the PAARI program, the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative. The program is designed to give people with substance abuse disorders a safe way to

seek help for their addiction at a local police department. Any person who enters participating police departments and requests help with their substance use disorder will be screened by law enforcement and assisted by an Acenda Integrated Health certified Peer Recovery Specialist to obtain treatment and recovery services.

Navigating Hope and Hope One Make Huge Impact in 2021

MORRIS COUNTY - Morris County put wheels on its outreach services a few years ago, creating offices in vans with professional staff who set up shop in different communities each day. Record numbers of people were reached in 2021, as many in need were linked to social services assistance through the Navigating Hope van, and people with substance abuse and mental health issues were contacted by the Hope One van. In 2021, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office’s Hope One encountered a record-breaking 9,603 contacts, a 30 percent increase from the 6,277 contacts in 2020. The staff also provided 1,904 life-saving Narcan kits and training to family and friends of people with substance abuse. The kits are used to revive people who overdose on opioids. To date, 86 people have used their Narcan kit to save a life -- or try to save someone’s life. The goal is to prevent drug overdoses and deaths by offering mental health services. In 2021, Navigating Hope completed 213 trips, made 6,739 contacts and registered 363 people as clients. That adds up to more than the number of trips they made in 2019 and 2020 combined, andmore than 12 times the number of people they reached in their first year. Navigating Hope is a partnership between Morris County›s Department of Human Services and Family Promise of Morris County. The goal is not to wait for people in need to come to social services, but to instead bring social services into the community and find people in

need. Hope One, which involves staffing a mobile office with professionals who travel a county to find people with addiction and mental health issues, was a first-of-its-kind program launched by Morris County Sheriff James Gannon four years ago as the opioid crisis continued unabated. During speaking engagements, the Sheriff often notes that arresting people with opioid addiction is not the way to solve the opioid crisis. People need treatment and services to deal with other difficulties in their lives to deal with their addiction. Similarly, Navigating Hope is a mobile outreach initiative launched in 2019 by the Morris County Department of

Human Services and Family Promise of Morris County. It is staffed with social services experts who supply information, help residents connect with county services and apply for or complete benefit applications -- on the spot. Other Innovative Programs Morris County Hope Hub is the newest innovation. Since its launch last March, the Sheriff›s Hope Hub collaboration program has taken on 147 complicated cases requiring the expertise and resources of multiple public service agencies to help vulnerable and at-risk people and families find the assistance they need. Launched in March 2021, this collaboration streamlines the process of providing essential services to people

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive Life • February 2022 • Page 13

Table of Hope Founders Honored for Feeding Thousands Amid Pandemic -- with Light and Love

BY JILLIAN RISBERG STAFF WRITER

MORRIS COUNTY - Several years into the catastrophic COVID effect, Morris County was weary and people were seriously struggling but Table of Hope was always there. Their humanitarianism was pivotal in feeding thousands during the pandemic, made possible by Pastor Sidney Williams (Bethel Church of Morristown) transforming the Table of Hope bus into a mobile food pantry — and they made their first distributions in Parsippany, Dover and Morristown. “In 2020 we gave out 1.8 million tons of food — to seniors, veterans, families, every part of the population,” says Executive Director, Teresa Williams, adding they’re probably pretty much in line this year, if not more. “It’s over a million tons of food for sure, easily.” On Dec. 5, 2021, Pastor Sidney, wife Teresa and the Table of Hope Food Pantry were honored for their extraordinary efforts, as Morristown Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presented them with the Light the World Award. “It was humbling and an honor to be considered for ‘the Light,’ says Teresa. “We pray we can be a light to others and our community.” The food pantry has an ‘all are welcome’ policy, according to the executive director they don’t exclude anyone. If a person comes in need they don’t have to take a questionnaire, check off boxes or worry they can’t get help if they don’t meet a certain criteria. “Especially since this is such a constantly changing environment,” Teresa says. “We continue to serve dinner five nights a week and are going to continue to be out there.” But Table of Hope no longer gathers basic information they

usually get on people coming through. And the executive director says they do like to get demographic data to learn who they’re serving and how maybe they can help them. “We think it’s the best thing right now during this heightened scare to minimize interaction between volunteers as well as the people we serve so everybody can stay safe,” says Teresa. “Now it’s just stay in your car, keep your mask on, keep your windows up, we’ll put food in the trunk and keep it moving.” She says what has been great are people who have huge hearts and want to be of service. Since the height of the pandemic or mid-year they had volunteers come on board, many of whom are still with them — a core team. The volunteer pool has over 1,000 volunteers. Each week Table of Hope utilizes 50-60. At least five to 10 new volunteers sign up every week. “The lifeblood is so rewarding when things are challenging. We put a cry for help, people respond and it’s amazing being out there,” the executive director says. “And everyone’s different… in terms of diversity, different views but work together for a common goal — to serve people in need. It becomes a family.” Funding, sustainability is always challenging though when you have a small non-profit. According to Teresa, with the increased need they have been stretched tremendously. “We went from a pantry serving 65 individuals a week to serving 1,000 to 1,500 a week,” she says, adding that at the height of the pandemic it was more like 2,000 - 2,500. “We had to purchase a forklift, a refrigerated van, we had to purchase refrigeration.” Their primary food distrib-

utor is the Community FoodBank of New Jersey; where Teresa says they get about 90 percent of their food, as well as ACME and Trader Joe’s weekly, Grow it Green (a partner) gives them some produce and Alstede Farms. With COVID still surging, they are maintaining the soup kitchen until there’s no need. They may have to modify the mobile food pantry depending on what the future holds. But they’re committed to being there and serving the Morris County community. To make feeding all these people a reality, most of the funding Table of Hope receives comes from individuals, corporations, some foundations and recently government grants, which they never had before. “The grants are helpful to support certain endeavors but they are program specific,” says the executive director. “I had a grant with Atlantic Healthcare to purchase fresh produce for our seniors, very specific.” When Hurricane Irene flooded their church with more than four feet of water, destroying the basement and kitchen and they didn’t have flood insurance, many in the community, local churches came to help. “Then a donor (over $1M) took a look and ultimately, renovated the entire space and put in a commercial kitchen for us,” Teresa says with such a generous gesture, they felt compelled to give back to the community.” That’s when Pastor Sidney and the executive director decided to serve dinner five nights a week to anyone and Table of Hope was born in 2013. According to Teresa, in the eight years since — the need is still there, especially now. “Morristown tends to be a town where people fluctuate; not stay long — not a lot of

it. And you don’t have to go to Hawaii to take a good picture.” Robinson, 49, who works as a Special Education teacher’s aide in Chester, and has also worked in Long Valley, with her efforts is true to her word. She knows from experience that the before mentioned, northwest Jersey areas are fodders of beauty for her camera lens. Robinson has been taking

photos since childhood, an instant camera her equipment back then. The William Paterson University grad, who earned her masters degree in Creative Writing from the school, hasn’t much time these days for authoring essays, fiction, and poetry, so she’s turned to photography. “I pull over all the time because there’s so many beautiful things,” she says of where she lives. “You

Table of Hope Volunteers Out and About in the Community.

stability in terms of people in poverty,” she says, adding they don’t see the same people they used to. “It’s more diverse than ever. The good thing is some do get housing, find a place to stay, which is always what you want.” Some drive to the soup kitchen to pick up their food and no one knows the next person’s story. Teresa always tells folks, don’t judge. “Even if someone comes through with a fancy car you don’t know their story,” she says people can have a great job one day and not have it the next day and it changes their whole lifestyle. The executive director says her biggest thing is when some-

one is in need they shouldn’t feel ashamed. They shouldn’t feel afraid to ask for help. They’re struggling, they’re sad, they’re in tough times. The last thing they need when they get the courage to ask for help; and it takes a lot of courage — because we’re in a culture that looks down on people who ask for help, according to Teresa we don’t want to make them feel less than. “They already have come through many hurdles to reach out to ask for help. I think it’s important to make people feel like they’re in a safe space,” she says. And she is all about volunteers… they have big hearts, they truly care. We try to talk,

communicate, work with people the way we want to be treated. The Table of Hope brand is well-known and a great resource. In the years since, the executive director says they’ve built up a tremendous community, which has been a blessing. “Table of Hope is far above and beyond any single person,” says Teresa. “It’s about all the people who are a part of it that make it amazing, the work everyone’s doing and building together has been phenomenal.” To donate or volunteer at Table Of Hope, visit www. springstreetcdc.org.

For Hackettstown Photographer, It’s All About Perspective

BY STEVE SEARS STAFF WRITER

HACKETTSTOWN - Mare Robinson may live, arguably, in the best Garden State location for taking photos. After all, many farms, quaint history, and nature abound in and around Hackettstown (where she lives), and in Morris and Warren counties. “I’ve taken the best pictures I’ve ever taken in the Hackettstown area,” Robinson says. “If it grabs my heart, I’m drawn to

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don’t really have to go far to take a good picture.” And Robinson feels that her current art is “poetic.” “It’s not just the image. I see different words and poetic things; different poets I like remind me of certain pictures. I’m just drawn to something. I feel like I have a good eye for seeing something.” The future just might see Robinson partnering words and photos on a page. “I definitely could put words with my pictures one day. I just haven’t gotten there yet,” she says with a chuckle. “I’ve even thought of children’s books, too, because I work with kids.” Photography is her free time passion right now, she relying on just an old iPhone to capture icicles, an old farmhouse, and whatever else pops up in her path that spurs her curiosity and interest. “I can pretty much

grab it,” she says of the iPhone, “and be spontaneous. I have a camera, but it’s too bulky to be spontaneous.” Robinson recently joined Jersey Collective, an online site where photographers can display their work. “My niece goes to Rutgers,” she explains, “and she told me about the account on Instagram. She said, ‘You should definitely try to get a week (to post your work), because your stuff is great.” Robinson wrote to Jersey Collective, and was granted a week to display her photos. “I had a blast with it; it was a lot of fun.” When asked to choose a favorite among her photos, she mentions a shot of Well-Sweep Herb Farm in Port Murray, the sun ascending behind the horizon during an early morning, a lone Christmas wreath hanging on a white fence. No doubt

rhyme could accompany this gem. Robinson and her husband, Dave, have been married for 20 years, and they have two sons, James and Brooks. Kramer, a dog the Robinsons rescued, rounds out the family. Spontaneity in her photography being what it is, Robinson does have a bucket list photo that she’d love to get, and for that she reaches back to her college days. “I did my thesis, and I wrote fictional stories about bridges, because I’ve always loved bridges. And I want to go to the Brooklyn Bridge and take pictures. It’s on my list.” She adds, “I just keep looking for more stuff to take pictures of. I don’t think I can stop. I’m compulsive that way.” To view Robinson’s work, visit her Instagram page at @ dosydopics.

MORRIS COUNTY NEWS

Page 14 • February 2022 • Mt. Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Morris County School of Technology Announces Teacher of the Year MORRIS COUNTY - Colleen Pascale, Academy for Law & Public Safety teacher was announced the Morris County School of Technology Teacher of the Year. Known for her dedication to the community, love for education and commitment to service, Ms. Pascale has been a leader paving the way for women for many years. She is a retired Detective Sergeant from the Butler Police Department after 25 years of service,

serving as the first female Police Officer in the jurisdiction of Butler and was the first female member of the Butler Fire Department. “Service and leadership have always been a part of my life, both in my community and professionally,” said Colleen Pascale. As a teacher she now shares her passion for law enforcement with students, while providing opportunities to understand contemporary practices and “real world” ex-

periences. Pascale is currently a Ph.D. student in Public Service Leadership/Criminal Justice at Capella University and is actively involved in the school community. She serves as the Varsity Girls Cross-Country Coach, Assistant Bowling Coach, Civic Engagement Club Advisor, Mock Trial Team Advisor, NJEA Vocational Education Committee Member and MCVTEA President. Additionally, Pascale is

an adjunct professor for County College of Morris in the Department of Engineering Technologies/Engineering Science teaching various criminal justice courses. The Academy for Law & Public Safety provides students with an introduction into the field of law, criminal justice, forensic science, law enforcement, public affairs and humanities. The Morris County Vocational School District offers

programs for Morris County high school students, including Career Academies, Share Time Programs, and Continuing Adult Education programs. For more information, Visit www.mcvts.org or contact Gina DiDomenico, Community Relations at didomenicog@ mcvts.org or 973-627-4600 ext. 277. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @MorrisCountyVSD.

Tayfun Selen Seated as Morris County Commissioner Director

MORRIS COUNTY - Morris County Commissioner Tayfun Selen, a former mayor of Chatham Township, was sworn in as Director of the Board of County Commissioners after fellow board members Deborah Smith of Denville, John Krickus of Washington Township and Stephen H. Shaw of Mountain Lakes were sworn in to new, three-year terms as Commissioners. “I stand here as an American who appreciates everything this nation allowed me to achieve, and I want to continue paying America back through public service,” said Commissioner Director Selen, a Turkish immigrant who spoke tonight of moving to the this nation 25-years ago. He came with no money, unable to speak English and his first job was pumping gas at a service station in Madison, less than five miles from where he was being sworn in. By 2008, when he took the oath as an American citizen, he was leading the new branch development program for a major financial institution and later became mayor of Chatham Township. “I am thankful to be living in Morris County – the best community anywhere – and with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic again at our doorstep, I will continue to work with this board to protect our residents and our business owners,” Selen said. The annual Morris County Reorganization Meeting was held virtually this year due to a spike in the COVID-19 pandemic. Three Commissioners tuned in remotely via Webex, four others separately made their remarks before cameras in the Commissioners’ public meeting room in Morristown and the public watched remote-

ly via Webex. “Under trying circumstances, Morris County has stayed calm and carried on,” said Commissioner Krickus, as he was sworn in to a new threeyear term as Commissioner and separately as Deputy Director. “We have enhanced our quality of life by funding open space, trails and our park system, which really came in handy during the pandemic. We have the financial and organizational strength to respond to every twist and turn in this pandemic. All accomplished while not increasing taxes, one of the few zero-percent inflation services you will find,” Krickus added. Commissioner Shaw, the past-Director, was sworn into his second three-year term on the board byAssemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce as his wife, Cindy, held the bible. He congratulated Director Selen and, in place of his remarks, deferred to the video encapsulating serious highlights of the past year and a bit of levity. “While our jobs are very serious, we cannot take ourselves too seriously,” said Commissioner Shaw. “I am a firm believer that, especially during these trying times, we must pause from time to time and take a moment to laugh. I tried to do that throughout the year.” The video included the launch of the Morris County COVID-19 Regional Vaccination Center as well as the launch of new programs and expansion of existing programs by Morris County, despite the pandemic. Deborah Smith, who had served as Director and Deputy Director in 2020 and 2021, respectively, looked back at the ability of Morris County to continue providing services and expand programs while

tackling the pandemic. “We have been able to address the pandemic these past two years while still meeting our annual goals for bridge replacements, road repaving, infrastructure improvements, preserving historic sites, creating new trails, and saving more open space,” Smith said. “We have continued to assist our most vulnerable citizens,

helping seniors and maintaining all of our Human Services programs. We also have maintained our Triple-A financial rating.” Commissioner Director Selen was accompanied by his wife, Tulin, as he was sworn in as Director by Sheriff James Gannon. The Sheriff also swore Commissioner Smith to her new term, as her husband,

Stephen, stood with her. Commissioner Krickus was sworn to his new term by Assemblywoman Aura Dunn while accompanied by his wife, Carolyn; daughter, Kelly, and son-in-law, Garrett Lare. He was sworn in as Deputy Director bySen. Anthony M. Bucco. Participating in the swearing in, in person, was Former

Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli. The invocation was provided, virtually, by The Reverend Rod Perez-Vega of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Dover. Singing the National Anthem, virtually, was Sara Lepre, a member of MAYO Performing Arts Center’s Performing Arts Company.

MORRIS COUNTY - The Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund is now accepting grant applications for 2022 funding. The popular program began in 2003, after voters overwhelmingly approved dedicating tax dollars to preserve Morris County’s rich history. As of 2021, the Morris County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved

over $43 Million to help preserve, restore, or protect 117 historic sites in 34 towns. To be eligible for a matching grant, a historic resource must be listed or certified eligible for listing on the State Register or National Register of Historic Places. Eligible applicants are municipalities, qualified non-profit organizations and the county. Details for obtaining and

submitting applications may be found at the application webpage. Please note, the Historic Preservation Program is again waiving the requirement for paper submission for the 2022 grant applications, except where Preservation Plans and/ or drawings/specs have not been reviewed previously by the County Consultant. The application deadline is

Friday, March 25, 2022 If you have questions regarding the Historic Preservation program, please contact Ray Chang, P.P., Historic Preservation Program Coordinator, Morris County Office of Planning & Preservation, P.O. Box 900, Morristown, NJ 07963-0900. E-mail: rchang@ co.morris.nj.us. 973-8298138.

Morris County Applications Available for Historic Preservation Funds

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MORRIS COUNTY NEWS

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive Life • February 2022 • Page 15

CCM Partners on $5 Million Grant for Students to Pursue STEM Careers

MORRIS COUNTY - With its strong and highly recognized degree programs for students interested in studying for a STEM career, County College of Morris (CCM) now is making it even easier – and more affordable – for students to reach for their dreams. As a partner on a $5 million National Science Foundation grant with East Stroudsburg University (ESU), CCM will be able to position students to receive a scholarship of up to $10,400 to attend the community college and then up to $20,000 to earn their bachelor’s degree in a STEM field from ESU. “We’re delighted to be part of this partnership that will allow our students to continue on at ESU with a solid degree pathway and financial

support,” said Dr. Kathleen Naasz, dean of the School of Business, Mathematics, Engineering and Technologies at CCM. “At CCM, students are able to choose from a wide selection of highly respected STEM programs to qualify them for high-demand and well-paying careers,” added Dr. Maria Isaza, dean of the School of Health Professions and Natural Sciences. CCM offers more than a dozen STEM degree programs, including engineering in its state of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center, biology and chemistry offerings ranging from biotechnology to environmental, and information technology and mathematics with a focus on data security

and analytics. The STEM program at ESU, known as Clear Path, is designed to support students interested in such fields as biotechnology, computer security, environmental studies, marine science, mathematics, physics and more. To learn more about the STEM programs offered at CCM and to apply, visit www. ccm.edu. Questions about the college’s Clear Path partnership with ESU can be directed to Professor Samantha Gigliotti at sgigliotti@ccm.edu.

Kari Hawkins, coordinator of Transfer Services & University Partnerships at County College of Morris and Professor Samantha Gigliotti at a press conference held at East Stroudsburg University announcing the award of a $5 million grant to assist students with earning a STEM bachelor’s degree.

Christine Myers Announces Bid to Rejoin Morris County Board of Commissioners

MORRIS COUNTY - Christine Myers of Mendham Township is announcing her candidacy for the Republican nomination for Morris County Board of Commissioners in the 2022 Republican primary election. Myers hopes to return to the Board of Commissioners, where she served from 20162018. Myers was appointed to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, Responsible for Region Two, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The appointment made her ineligible to seek re-election to her county position. Myers said, if elected, her

priorities will be to hold the line on taxes, economic development, and implementation of all facets of the county’s Strategic Plan, which she was instrumental in developing before she left county government in 2018. “I’d like an opportunity to finish the work I started, to continue to ensure that our county remains one of the best places to live, work, and visit’’ said Myers. “But it requires a clear strategy and working with the private sector to maintain our high quality of life.’’ Implementation of all components of the county Strategic Plan are vital to the county’s long-term health and fiscal

conservatism, she said. “We engaged the entire county community, working with business owners, CEOs, leaders of higher education, nonprofits, and others, to develop the Strategic Plan, build cohesion between the private sector and government, and increase awareness of our excellent County services,’’ she said. “Now, we have to make sure execute on our plans.’’ Myers also stressed the need to continue to work closely with the County Chamber of Commerce and other business partners to foster economic development and to advocate for local businesses, which are facing increasing pressures from

rising taxes, inflation, Covid, and supply chain problems. A businesswoman, Myers, along with her husband, Stan, launched a specialty food business in 2013 after a 25-year career as a technology and telecommunications executive and consultant. At AT&T, Myers managed the technology and communications needs of the 1996 presidential election, the Republican National Convention, and hundreds of federal, state and municipal campaigns. She also led the team that won communication contracts for the Executive Office of the President and White House Communications Agency.

Later, as Vice President, Alliances and Business Development at Avaya and Siemens, she negotiated global technology, strategic alliance, and joint venture agreements. Myers has a long history of community service; President of the Board of Cornerstone Family Programs and Morristown Neighborhood House; board member of Turn the Towns Teal, an ovarian cancer awareness initiative; Madison Daycare, the Pastoral Advisory Board of St. Joseph Parish in Mendham, and is involved in prison ministry. Myers is a graduate of the College of William and Mary. Christine is married and lives

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in Mendham with her husband Stan Gorski and their sons, Tom and Stan. She and her husband own a small business called Madison Park Foods that formulates spices.

Page 16 • February 2022 • Mt. Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

NJStarz

NJ Starz: Robin Russo Hometown: Denville, NJ

BY STEVE SEARS STAFF WRITER

tain Lakes.” Russo played soccer, basketball, and softball in high school, and continued the hardwood next at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York. “Sports definitely made me appreciate what it is to be on a team,” she says. “I ended up playing basketball and soccer in college and the only reason I played soccer was to keep in shape for basketball.” And she had a proposed career mapped out. “I always knew I wanted to go into communications,” she says. “I majored in Communications and Political Science, wanting desperately to have a career in sports. My goal was to have a career in sports and be a sports broadcaster.” And then came a call from her best friend to this day, Ann Sundius Rose, also from Mountain lakes. “35 years we’ve been friends,” Russo says. “She was living in Philadelphia at the time and working, and came upon the show on this Nickelodeon channel that I really had never heard of much, and that they were doing this show called Double Dare. And she said, ‘Do you want to come in and be a production assistant?’ I was right out of college. I literally had just graduated. I came in and, at that time, I always knew I wanted to go into sports, but I said to myself, ‘Let me see what’s going on here.’” Russo loved Philadelphia, where the show was being filmed at WHYY, and visited the show and the Nickelodeon team. “At that time,” she recalls, “it was a free-for-all, people just running around. Nobody really knew what their role was. You were allowed to do everything, you were answering phones, you were doing this and that. So, I get in there knowing that I probably would only be there for a month or two because I really wanted to go into sports, but it was good for my resume to see what a television production would look like.” The rest is history. She was initially a production assistant,

DENVILLENickelodeon Double Dare star, Robin Russo, has a 40th anniversary Mountain Lakes High School reunion this year. “We had a really great grade at Mountain Lakes High School,” Russo says excitedly. We have all kept in touch. It just was some of the best memories.” One thing you “get” while in discussion with Russo is her gratitude for her life, her family, her work…everything. Russo, who is originally from Fairfax, Virginia, moved with her parents to Mountain Lakes in 1977 when she was in eighth grade. “My dad and mom are my mentors,” she says. Len (short for Leonard) and Dee (short for Delores) she calls “the best parents around.” “They are alive and thriving and couldn’t be better parents and grandparents. My father and mother from a very young age pushed us to follow our dreams. They never said, ‘You have to do this,’ or ‘You’re a woman, you can’t do this.’ My dad always said, ‘If you want to be a nurse, that’s fine, but if you want to be a doctor, that’s fine, too.’ They were instrumental in all three of us being successful.” Her eighth-grade class was in Mountain Lakes High School, and she didn’t have her two sisters with her. “I have a sister named Tammy and a sister named Lani,” Russo explains, “and they were both in college at the time, so it was only me who moved to New Jersey.” The Marella (her maiden name) family had moved to New Jersey because her dad was offered the athletic director’s job at West Point. He didn’t get the job, but did get stationed at Picatinny Arsenal. “I had the best childhood ever in that town (Mountain Lakes)” Russo recalls. “I loved every bit of it. Like I said, we were in the high school at the time. I never went to the middle school because I started immediately in high school in eighth grade, so I never experienced elementary and middle school in Moun-

but host Marc Summers handpicked Russo to join him on air, his selection of her changing her life. “He liked that I was athletic, and every time that we would talk, I would make him laugh and he would make me laugh. It’s just and unbelievable rapport that is still going on 35 years to this day. At first, I did a little bit of nothing; just handed him stuff and you’d see my arm or my hand. Then, he started incorporating me more into the show, and then it became the Regis and Kathie Lee of children’s television. And, we’ve been going ever since.” Russo and the Double Dare Live Tour completed a twoyear road show at the end of 2019. “I can’t remember many bad times,” Russo says of her time with the show. “You get tired, of course, because you’re doing five shows a day and audiences are coming in and out. We went from Philly to New York, back to Philly, then to Florida. And when the road show was at its height, we went from playing at malls to playing at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan for 25,000 people! It was highly successful, and to this day we’re still laughing. We have so much fun.” Russo credits Summers and the fact that they were able to just be themselves for Double Dare’s longevity and popularity. “The beauty of working with Marc is it. I think that’s why it’s been such a success all of this time because what we’re doing is not fake. This is how we are. We were just living on a bus for two years. I can’t tell you how many times we would just be having laughing fits. He is one funny man. Remember, he started in comedy. We had a ball, and my role became much bigger at the end because it was just Marc and I. I am so blessed to have worked with a man who let me just be myself. And that’s where the success came in; what you saw is what you got.” When the show’s initial run ended in 1993, Russo still

Robin and Marc Summers.

was attached to her sports broadcasting dream, and did interview at ESPN and had a job offer, but turned the job down. “I thought, ‘Why am I leaving Nickelodeon?’ I knew it wasn’t the end, put it that way. I knew it was too big to end. I knew that we were either going to do the TV show again or the roadshow was going to go back out again.” The roadshow went out once again and was highly successful. “I remember going from Maryland to California, California to Maine. It gets tiring, sure, but it’s fun. You’re not sitting

behind a desk and saying, ‘Oh my God - how am I going to do this? Instead, it’s ‘Oh my God, this is so much fun! A little tiring, but this is so much fun.’” And remaining with the network rewarded Russo: she got her sports. Nickelodeon started to incorporate some sports into its broadcasting. “I remember 1993 being sad that the TV show was over maybe, but I knew that there was more to come.” Russo, who also co-hosted What Would You Do? on Nickelodeon, has two children. Son Ryan is a senior at Ithaca Col-

lege, and daughter Casey is studying Film and Production as a Penn State junior. “I love being a mom. It’s my greatest accomplishment, my greatest joy.” And she’s loved living in Denville and raising her children there. “Denville is a great town. It’s always named one of the best towns, and my kids, even in college, they still come back and they see all their friends. It’s just a great little town.” She then adds, “I have a wonderful husband. His name is Frank, and he is very PLEASE SEE NJ STARZ, PAGE 18

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The Church of Messiah Giving Some Fresh Help to Chester

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive Life • February 2022 • Page 17

BY GRACE MAGUIRE STAFF WRITER

There are many ways we see communities coming together and helping one another, and within Chester, The Church of Messiah has been providing help from their garden. Starting back in 2010, reverend Margaret Otterburn and other church members were introduced to the idea of a community garden. The thought that they could grow their outreach to the community and help the people around them in a new and fresh way caused Otterburn and a church member, Frank, to create the garden that is still there today. “It’s just wonderful,” Otterburn spoke about the growth of the garden. Between 2010 and the present, the garden had a growth spurt when a local boy scout was looking for a community beneficial project. He set to work on expanding the garden, and it is currently a plot of land of 15’ by 10’. Those feet are taken up by raised boxes and

soil that green thumb, Community Gardener Frank created. Reverend Otterburn likes to say that “Frank was creative” when designing the garden and creating an efficient area to grow the most produce. Frank enjoys the work he puts into it, and Otterburn, along with the rest of the community, couldn’t be happier, “We all love that he does it,” She stated. While the growing season may change each year, The Church of Messiah likes to stick between May and September to grow and donate their produce. The Church has its hands in many community gardens around the area of Chester, including the Chester Community Garden and others around the town. Though, in their own garden, they tend to stay with the same product each year. From cucumbers, herbs, squash, and “plenty of tomatoes,” Reverend Otterburn put it, there is always lots of

produce to go around. Beans or cherry tomatoes may also be planted depending on the soil and weather. Reverend Otterburn and green thumb Frank like to try many options and different food choices. The Church of Messiah makes sure that none of their produce is gone to waste, donating to local food pantries across the town. The Chester and Washington Township pantries are given their growth as well as Homeless Solutions and Roxbury Food Pantry. During the gardening season, Reverend Otterburn has a routine she likes to stick to when donating their produce, “I pick the produce on a Saturday, bless it on a Sunday, and one of our members takes it to the food pantry on Monday.” This routine ensures that the pantries are getting fresh and cared for produce for the community, and each batch has a special blessing from the Church itself.

While Community Gardener Frank and Reverend Otterburn handle many of the tasks within the garden, volunteers are always welcome. A pair of extra hands will never hurt between the Church of Messiah Community Gar-

den and the other community gardens the church helps in. “There is plenty of opportunities if you like gardening and like helping,” Reverend Otterburn pitched. Many tasks like digging, cleaning up, and “a lot of weeding,” Reverend said.

Each garden that the Church of Messiah tends to could always need some extra help, and Otterburn leaves that door open for anyone interested in volunteering in the growing months.

of business, finance and commerce. These blockchain based software platforms will be how people interact with one another.” After graduating West Morris, Bennington attended several different colleges, including Emerson College in Boston, where he studied writing. He found that he enjoyed the financial and technical side of writing and ended up taking a job with CNBC in Manhattan. He worked as a reporter and writer behind the camera at the news outlet for over a decade. After working there, he started his own blog on the concept of macroeconomics. He covered real world issues like the 2007-2008 financial crisis, which ended up being

the most serious financial crisis since the Great Depression. “One individual that I followed and wrote about intently was a man named Nouriel Roubini, an Iranian American economist, who predicted the 2007-2008 financial crisis and the downfall of the economy at the time.” Bennington took a job at Real Vision in 2014. He was a host at the video channel, speaking with multiple pioneers in the financial field. In 2020 he focused his attention on the cryptocurrency side, and that is when he began filming his online podcast series. “Basically, what I do is interview individuals and various guests in the cryptocurrency space, and hold long form

deep-dive interviews, which are hourlong conversations with different segments.” He hosts the live podcasts remotely at his home studio in New York City. He uses Riverside recording software to interview his guests, who are cryptocurrency pioneers from around the world. “I talk to two different categories of people,” said Bennington. “I talk with the people who are involved with or the creators of these types of coins, and the investors in this type of currency.” He said that in many of his interviews the guests sometimes wear hoods or disguises to protect their identities. “It’s odd to interview this way at times, but it’s under-

standable because of the security and high-tech stakes involved in digital cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ethereum.” He added that till this day nobody knows or has any idea who was the creator of the original Bitcoin.

“I absolutely love what I do hosting this podcast, because it is fun speaking with these people who are brilliant investors, technological pioneers and software developers, who are the creators of the future of finance and commerce.”

Former Long Valley Resident Hosts Online Podcast About Cryptocurrency

BY GARY SIMEONE STAFF WRITER

Ash Bennington, a 48-yearold former Morris County resident, has been interested in cryptocurrency, since the alternative digital form of finance, started in 2009 with the emergence of Bitcoin. In 2017, he joined the Real Vision video channel, and currently hosts a podcast video series on the many different aspects of the financial and tech industry. “I have always been interested in financial assets, as well as the technology field, particularly when cryptocurrency and Bitcoin was first introduced,” said Bennington, a 1991 graduate of West Morris Central High School. “To me this is a new emerging technology that is constantly in flux and in my opinion will be the future world

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Page 18 • February 2022 • Mt. Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Tewksbury Author, Long-Time Lover of Animals, Out with New Book

BY ALEXANDER RIVERO STAFF WRITER Loren Spiotta-DiMare, Tewksbury-based author of animal-themed works, has come out with a new collaborative anthology of short essays called Curling Up with Cats: True Stories of Feline Rescues and Adoptions. To identify her as simply an author of books on animals, however, would be a simplistic reduction of who she really is, which is clear to anybody that happens to chat with her for ten minutes. At her core, beyond her beautiful home in Tewksbury, beyond her books, and her warm smile and openness, Spiotta-DiMare is an enchanted witness to the animals she documents in her work, as enchanted by them as astronomers are by distant galaxies (only with a lot more love). Underlying each of her literary undertakings—whether pamphlets, illustrated children’s books, articles, or anthologies—is a profound wonder for the animals she writes about. Before ever writing a word of any of her published works, she surrendered to the sheer mystical beauty of these creatures, specifically dogs and horses, each of which she sees as unique beings with internal worlds as nuanced, as full of feeling and mystery, as our own. It is this sense of wonder that feeds her contagious enthusiasm, which in turn feeds her work. Speaking by phone and surrounded by pets—including rabbits, a parrot, horses, and her beloved dogs—Spiotta-DiMare recalls how her writing career began for her. “When I was young, in my teens and early 20s, I was an assistant in a dog salon. I would hold and

bathe the dogs for the groomer while she worked, and that sparked my very first article, which I wrote on dog grooming for the pet section of the Star-Ledger.” Before long, she was working with seeing-eye dogs and began writing about them too. She was developing both her writing and her growing knowledge and passion for dogs. Horses played a major role in that development, as well. The Short Hills native says she learned everything she knows about horses from her grandfather, including how to ride. She recalls her days of riding horses with a sense of nostalgia, and wishes she would have kept up with it more consistently, especially over the twenty-year span where she focused heavily on her writing and on building what would become an impressive professional portfolio. She not only wrote the books for which she is known but also contributed to newspapers and magazines; wrote for real estate companies and engineering firms; and worked for eight years as the public relations director for the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce. She went so far as to start her own publication house as well, J. Pace Publications, in 2008, which now publishes her books. In the end, however, it is her own personal writing which is dearest of all to her. Recalling writing her first children’s book, Chelsea and the New Puppy, published in 1997, she laughs as she recounts the inspiration behind the story: “It was early in our marriage. We got our first dog, a Welsh

springer spaniel named Chelsea. About five years after we got her, we decided she needed a friend, so we brought in a field spaniel, Smoky. We were so excited to see the two become fast friends, but Chelsea was super jealous, and showed it for a full year. Absolutely a sibling rivalry.” As she recounts these memories, it appears as if though Spiotta-DiMare is reliving them. Joy pours forth from her in cascades, and it’s a daunting task to hold back an ear-to-ear

grin. “When all was said and done, Chelsea lived to fifteen years, and Smoky to sixteen, and I am absolutely certain that the fact that they had each other for most of their lives contributed a lot to their longevity.” It is only a matter of time after telling a story of her cher-

ished dogs from years ago before she returns to the topic of her horses, her way of neutralizing any possible misconception that one animal species owns a bigger chunk of her heart than the other. She points out another of her children’s book, Sergeant Reckless: Hero War Horse (2021), and how she dedicated it to her father, Robert A. Spiotta, who served as Marine Corps captain in the Korea War. The book tells the fascinating story of how a Korean racehorse adopted by a marine unit end-

ed up helping American troops carry ammunition, food, and other essentials over long, dangerous distances as they battled communist forces during some of the most ferocious battles in the whole war. Asked whether she prefers dogs or horses, she pauses again. “I would have to say ‘dog’, but it really is a close tie with ‘horse.’ I had dogs for most of my life, and had a horse for twelve years. We called him Elwood; he was a Quarter Horse. While liberty training him, I’d stand in the center of the ring, of the pen. He’d be loose in that ring with me, and I’d be giving him commands. Canter, walk around me, etc. He got so good at it that he got it with hand signals. He’d trot at the drop of my hands, he’d stop when I gave him a different gesture. Towards the end of his life, we did spoofs on him, calling him Mr. El—a pun on Mr. Ed—and putting these big

sunglasses on his face, having him talk into a telephone.” One of Spiotta-DiMare’s favorite activities is to visit schools, where she presents some of her work to the student body. The principal or school librarian will usually highlight which of her books to focus on, as well as let her know which age groups will be present for the discussion. She typically will give three presentations in a given visit, each of which includes a series of PowerPoint slides. The kids have a blast when she puts up the slides, she says, “because the animations and illustrations look so lovely up on that big screen.” It seems, however, that for all the fun the kids are having, Loren Spiotta-DiMare is having more of it. Spiotta-DiMare’s books are available for purchase at www.lorensreadingroom.com.

NJStarz FROM PAGE 16

supportive of my career and anything I want to do. As a matter of fact, when Casey was a senior in high school and Ryan was a freshman in college, Frank had to hold down the fort because I was living on a bus for two years. People forget that aspect of it.” Russo is still living the dream. “I love that Nickelodeon has provided me with memories, and still more memories to come,” Russo says. “And I love the fact that those are my lifelong friends. I still talk to almost every crew member from Nickelodeon. When Marc and I were doing the road show, these people came out on the road just to visit us. Lasting relationships, lasting friendships, and unbelievable memories. And who gets to throw pies for a living and enjoy it?!” Double Dare again may hit the road when the pandemic calms, and Russo will again hop aboard the bus, and smile when doing so. “Make sure you follow your dream,” she says, “I try to mentor girls all the time and say, ‘Follow your dream.’ Your dream can be anything. If you want to be a mom and housewife, that’s great. Be respectful of everybody else’s dream. Fortunately for me, I’ve been doing this for 35 years and I have never had so much fun. I don’t think anybody’s job can compare to what I’ve done.”

Russo and husband, Frank.

Russo’s two children, Casey and Ryan.

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive Life • February 2022 • Page 19

Page 20 • February 2022 • Mt. Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Mount Olive Real Estate Update

How did Mt. Olive Real Estate do in 2021 compared to 2020? For our local home sellers, they were on the market for MUCH LESS TIME in 2021 than in the prior year. Homes that were priced well and showed well went into MULTIPLE OFFER situations and most homes ended up selling above list price. We saw homes APPRECIATING anywhere from 15 % to 23% depending on the price point and the neighborhood. If you would like to know what your home’s most current value is in today’s market, definitely reach out, we would happy to talk to you! Call us at 973-275-8673

Are you trying to make a go of it in real estate and feeling frustrated? Are you finding it harder and harder to find new clients? What if you were part of a team who: Ø Prospected for you Ø Followed up with those leads Ø Had systems in place to continue to do so with all of your clients Ø Offered team meetings for training and collaboration Ø Has a brand name that the public recognizes and seeks out Ø Offers a competitive split, awards and recognition Interested in joining a Top Producing Team who offers a culture of growth, collaboration and positive energy? HHHHH THE DEBRA BURKE GROUP has you covered! Call us directly at 973-919-2902 or email to debraburketeam@yahoo.com.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Flanders Woman Seeks to Collaborate On an Opera\Metal Musical Project

BY STEVE SEARS STAFF WRITER MOUNT OLIVE TWP. - Flanders resident Megan Gironda has done much in her musical life. She’s ready for more. The 37-year-old Gironda, who has a Bachelors of Arts in Music Studies with a concentration in Classical Voice from William Paterson University, has sung at weddings and did a lot of performing in school musicals growing up, she relating to characters like Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Rizzo from Grease. “Growing up, I was actually a little introverted, but music is where I would be extroverted.” She counts among her band inspirations Nightwish, Evanescence, Within Temptation, Halestorm, Lacuna Coil, and Amaranthe. Opera singer, Cecilia Bartoli, is a favorite in that particular genre. It all leads to this. Gironda would love the opportunity to be in a band that would be interested in doing an Opera/ progressive Metal project, but she’d also like just an ac-

BY DANA JACKSON

Ana Gasteyer Photo credit: DFree/Shutterstock

companist to do solo work, or would be open to being in a cover band as long as they do the rock/metal genre. “I would definitely love to work with somebody if they were willing to work with me,” she says. Gironda connected with music at a very young age. “When I was in elementary school and sang in church, people around me said I should take singing lessons.” Then in fourth grade, she learned to play a few instruments, but singing and musical theater were her biggest passions as she grew up. “My first dream of fame was actually doing Broadway. I remember when I was young, when I used to look at and read in the paper (about plays) and I would ask my parents, ‘Can I do that?” But my family’s definitely more on the education side of things. But I just have a connection to it. I just get emotional.” The connection has never been totally severed. Consider her melancholy days post-col-

lege. “I was dating somebody for five years and after college that ended. There was a twoyear gap where I just didn’t do anything,” she recalls. “I didn’t sing or anything, I guess because my heart was broken. I kind of lost passion all together for a while.” She then met someone who was fond of Renaissance fairs. “He said, ‘You should do this,’ and then that inspired me to get back into my singing again, and I’ve been doing it ever since.” She took a role with the NJ Renaissance Kingdom Players in 2010, performing at both the Bucks County Village Renaissance Faire and Warren County 4-H Fair as a member of the Kingdom Singers Group. About that same time was her solo performances for the Jamnesty Benefit concerts sponsored by Amnesty International in 2009 and 2010, she singing “Science Pa Se Tu M’ami” by Alessandro Parisott and “Think of Me” from Andrew L. Webber’s Phantom of the Opera the first

year, and “Green Finch” and “Linnett Bird” from Sweeney Todd, and “Lithium” by Evanescence, the year after. Music has taken Gironda, who works as a librarian at Picatinny Arsenal, to some wonderful places. As a member of the Summit Chorale since 2017, she’s sung at famed Carnegie Hall twice courtesy of Manhattan Concert Productions, a group who requests ﬁve or so people from a chorale team to perform. In June of 2014, she was a part of a group performing Haydn’s “Paukenmesse,” and as Christmas approached in 2017, she was on stage again for “Appalachian Winter: A Blue Grass Christmas,” presented by Distinguished Concerts International. She’s performed abroad as well, in July 2018 traveling to Rome and Assisi in Italy, where she sang in Saint Ignatius Church, Saint Peter’s Cathedral, and Saint Francis Church. “I’m Italian and I had an amazing experience singing

Q: I’m enjoying the new sitcom “American Auto,” but it’s bugging me where I’ve seen the actress who plays the CEO before. She looks a lot like the actress who played Agatha in “WandaVision,” but I’m not convinced it’s her. -- L.I. A: Ana Gasteyer, not Kathryn Hahn, stars in the new Detroit-based comedy series “American Auto.” To me she looks like a cross between Hahn and another talented comedic actress, Jennifer Coolidge (“Legally Blonde”), but I’m willing to bet you’ve seen Gasteyer before. She was a regular on “Saturday Night Live” from 1996 to 2002, and then played helicopter mom Sheila Shay on the sitcom “Suburgatory.” She followed that role with a federal judge on “The Good Wife” and returned to comedy as a drama teacher on “The Goldbergs.” “American Auto” is another workplace comedy created by Justin Spitzer, the same per-

son who created the successful NBC comedy “Superstore.” The commercials for the new series keeping touting it as the next “The Ofﬁce.” Perhaps they can safely make that assumption because Spitzer was a writer and producer on that acclaimed series earlier in his career. As for Hahn, the character of the delightfully devious Agatha was so well received on “WandaVision” that Disney+ is creating a spin-off series for her character titled “House of Harkness.” *** Q: When is “Outlander” coming back? I hope it hasn’t been canceled. It’s been forever since I’ve seen a new episode. -- K.I. A: In June 2021, the Starz network announced that the historical time travel series “Outlander” would return with new episodes in March 2022. That seemed like an eternity for its fans, but with 2021 in

Celebrity Extra

Photo courtesy of Megan Gironda.

in Italy,” Gironda says happily. “I felt connected to the people and the culture, as well as felt a sense of peace there. I have done some singing in Italian as well, and would love to learn to speak Italian and learn more about my culture.” For Gironda, it always has been about the lyrics and music. “Every time I go to a concert and I hear people sing,” she says, “I get emotional and

it just moves me. Everything, from the instrumental end, the music itself, and even lots of times the lyrics, you can connect with maybe what’s going on in your life at the moment.” Gironda can be contacted via her Bandmix page (www. bandmix.com/operarockstar/), her Facebook page (ToxicFoxy), and on both Instagram and TikTok at @toxicfoxymg.

the rearview mirror, the season premiere is just around the corner. “Outlander” is based on a series of novels by Diana Gabaldon, with each new season adapted from a different book. The upcoming sixth season is based on Gabaldon’s “A Breath of Snow and Ashes,” once again featuring Claire (Caitriona Balfe), a time-traveling British nurse, and Jamie (Sam Heughan), a Highland warrior. Shakespearean actor Mark Lewis Jones joins the cast this season as a new settler named Tom, who first met Jamie in prison. You can catch the first four seasons of “Outlander” on Netflix. *** Q: Whatever happened to 1980s heartthrob Aidan Quinn? I remember him in “Desperately Seeking Susan,” but not much else after that. He is still in the industry? D.C.

A: Yes, he’s accrued quite a list of acting credits since he starred opposite Madonna in “Desperately Seeking Susan,” but it’s mostly been on television. In 2004, he played Lt. Miller on for a season on “Third Watch,” an NBC series about first responders. He followed that with regular roles on the Showtime series “Weeds,” the American version of “Prime Suspect,” and his biggest role yet, an NYPD captain on “Elementary.” Next up for Quinn is a role in the film “Butterfly in the Typewriter,” about eccentric novelist John Kennedy Toole, who won a Pulitzer posthumously for his book “A Confederacy of Dunces.” Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail. com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. (c) 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.

Couch Theater

“The Afterparty” - Highschool reunions are often anxiety-inducing events, but rarely do they involve drama as serious as an actual murder. In this eight-episode Apple original comedy series, comedian and national treasure Tiffany Haddish plays a police investigator attempting to ﬁnd the killer among a group of the class of 2006. The recently departed was a much-hated fellow class member Xavier (played to smarmy perfection by Dave Franco), who also happened to be hosting said party. Every episode will leave you second-guessing who the perpetrator is, as each tells the story from a different suspect’s perspective. (Apple TV+) “Home Team” (PG) - The man who made a career out of playing dudes with everyman jobs is back, this time as youth league football coach. Kevin James plays Sean Payton, a former NFL coach who was suspended from the league for a year due to his involvement in bounty-for-injury shenanigans. During his time off, he signed on to help coach his son’s losing and hapless Pop Warner team (think “Bad News Bears,” but with football). Having not spent much time together since his divorce, Coach Payton and son struggle to reconnect emotionally. The Netﬂix original movie also

stars Taylor Lautner and Rob Schneider. (Netﬂix) “Take Out With Lisa Ling” - For over 20 years Lisa Ling has hosted a variety of news and human interest shows, often with an international ﬂair. Her latest project showcases Asian food in America, but goes deeper than lo mein and chop suey, highlighting the diverse backgrounds and communities behind the different types of cuisine. Asian immigrant families often began their American dreams with family-run restaurants - as did Lisa’s grandfather - and their foods are what kept those families connected to their past while striving for better lives away from their homelands. All six episodes will be available January 27. (HBOMax) “The Ice Age: Adventures of Buck Wild” (PG) - Sid the lisping sloth and friends Crash and Eddie return for more bumbling adventures. This time around, they’re back in the Lost World and hook up with new friend Buck Wild, a weasel voiced by Simon Pegg. Together the quartet embarks on a mission to save the world from dinosaur domination. In the process they realize that the mega-mammals aren’t the only dangers to their mission. (Disney+) “That’s My Jam” (TV - Jimmy Fallon has taken segments

Tiffany Haddish investigates in “The Afterparty.” Photo Credit: Movie Stills Database

from his late-night talk show and turned them into a lively full hour entertainment show. Two-person celebrity teams battle each other in various crazy music-related challenges, playing for bragging rights and ambiguous points rather than actual prizes. It’s fastpaced and full of top-notch contestants including Ariana Grande, Kelly Clarkson, and Josh Groban attempting impossible karaoke and themed music trivia. It’s spontaneous, seriously fun to watch and showcases musical talent in unexpected ways. If you’ve missed it in ﬁrst run, Peacock has the ﬁrst six episodes available on streaming. (Peacock) (c) 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.

GAME TIME

Page 2 • February 2022 • Mt. Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

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NJ HALL OF FAME

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive Life • February 2022 • Page 3

We would like to introduce you to the NJ Hall of Fame where it states on their website The accomplishments of Garden State citizens

GENERAL NORMAN SCHWARZKOPF General | Trenton (1934) Born in Trenton and raised in Lawrenceville, Norman Schwarzkopf went on to become one of the most distinguished military leaders of the 20th century. Before he became the very visible commander

MERYL STREEP Arts & Entertainment | Bernardsville (1949) Born in Summit and raised in Bernardsville, Meryl Streep is considered by many to be the greatest of all living ﬁlm actresses. Streep was not only an excellent student, but a mainstay in high school productions.

span the pages of nearly every volume of American history. Their stories offer boundless hope and inspiration for millions of New Jerseyans.

during the Gulf War, General Schwarzkopf had a very distinguished military career, which took him to a high position in the Pentagon. He was beloved by his men, no doubt because of his philosophy, “It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into bat-

Educated at Vassar and at Yale, she made her breakthrough with Joseph Papp’s New York Shakespeare Theatre and has never looked back. With more Academy Award nominations than anyone, this “Jersey Girl” has earned two Oscars, six Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Gram-

People just like you. Check them out at https:// njhalloffame.org/ and donate at https://njhalloffame.org/donate/.

tle.” His awards are too numerous to mention, but include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Purple Heart and France’s Legion of Honor. The son of the head of the New Jersey State Police, General Schwarzkopf makes us proud of the great men and women in our Armed Forces.

YOGI BERRA Sports | Montclair (1925) A Montclair resident since 1959, Lawrence Peter Berra is one of the most beloved baseball players in history. This New York Yankees catcher played in 1 World Series, holds numerous World Series

records, played on 10 championship teams, was selected to 15 All-Star Games and won three most valuable player awards. Yogi is one of only a handful of manager to win pennants in both the American and National Leagues. He was elected into the Baseball Hall

of Fame in 1972. His Yogi Berra Museum on the campus of Montclair University is very popular destination for families and school trips. Yogi may have grown up in St. Louis, but he has been adopted as one of New Jersey’s favorite sons.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Arts & Entertainment | Freehold | Colts Neck | Asbury Park (1949) Few artist have tapped into the thoughts and emotions of the average person better than Bruce Springsteen. With eigh-

teen Grammy awards, an Oscar, and untold record sales to his credit, Bruce is among the most successful entertainers of our time. His ballads and anthems cross all generations and speak to all people. He is, in the truest sense of the word, a hero to mil-

lions of working class Americans. Born in Long Branch and most frequently associated with Asbury Park, Bruce exudes a love for New Jersey than is evident in his music, and his generous support for causes across our great state.

ALBERT EINSTEIN Historical | Princeton (1879 – 1955) Regarded as the most important scientist of the twentieth century; Einstein emigrated from Germany to New Jersey in 1933, joining the Institute

for Advanced Study. He lived in Princeton for 22 years until his death in 1955. Awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize for Physics, Albert Einstein is best known for his theory of relativity and the ubiquitous formula E=MC². He challenged himself con-

sistently as evidenced by his statement, “A person who never made a mistake, never tried anything new.” Universally recognized as one of the supreme intellects of all time, Einstein was named “Person of the Century” by Time Magazine in 1999.

my nomination and a BAFTA Award. Although it seems she is always working, she actually concentrates most of her time on her family and her charity work. She was awarded France’s Order of Arts and Letters and we are proud to induct her into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

Check them out at https://njhalloffame.org/ and donate at https://njhalloffame.org/donate/.

ICASTRO

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

H CO U N C I L M A N H

What I Stand For

4 Stable Taxes 4 Fiscal Responsibility 4 Energy Efficient Green Community

4 Safe Communities 4 Transparency 4 Sustainable Energy

4 Senior Citizens 4 Responsible Growth 4 Open Space

Who is Joe Nicastro?

I moved to Mount Olive in 2004 with my wife Mary Lalama and our family of 5 children. Along with my wife we publish Mt Olive Life Newspapers as well as other newspapers in areas of North Jersey. In 2011 I ran for council to serve the residents of Mt Olive. I am currently the Town Council President and have that privilege of serving for the past 7 years. When you serve in a local community it is about keeping residents safe, providing the services as well as representing all residents that live in our great township. I want to keep Mt Olive the great community it is by working on bringing green and renewable energy programs to the community as well as keeping and improving on our open space and parks for our residents to continue to enjoy.

Questions or concerns? Contact me at 973-809-4784 Cell • jnicastro@mtolivetwp.org

Join us on Zoom for our council meetings in 2022 • 7PM Feb. 23 • Mar. 9, 23 • Apr. 6, 20 • May 4, 18 June 1, 15, & 29 (June 8th Primary Election) • July 6 & 20 • Aug. 3, 17 & 31 • Sept. 14, 28 Oct. 12, 26 • Nov. 9, 23 (2nd General Election, 16 NJLM) • Dec. 7 & 21

Visit www.mountolivetwpnj.org/ to register or Register by using this link

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Together We Can Make A Difference Paid for by Friends for Nicastro

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RESTAURANT GUIDE

Page 4 • February 2022 • Mt. Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

A Fresh, Flavorful Take on Family Dinner If your family ever gets stuck in a dinner routine rut, it can feel like you’re eating the same recipes over and over again. However, this fresh and unique recipe for Cuban Chicken with Salsa Fresca might inspire you to think outside the culinary box and give your family members the satisfactory flavor they desire at dinnertime. With fresh ingredients and a wholesome flavor, this meal is perfect to add to your dinner menu rotation. The chicken is full of flavor and baked using multiple seasonings to create a Cuban-like taste. The salsa fresca, which is added on top of the chicken, is a tad sweet with grapefruit segments and juice, but also satisfying with jicama, onion, cilantro and jalapeno. It adds so much color to your plate, and all these flavors mash together for something unique

and special. To start, create the marinade for your chicken and let it rest to allow all those wonderful spices to do their jobs. Set it in the fridge for 30 minutes or more. Next, it’s time to make the salsa fresca. Start by chopping red onion and jicama then add grapefruit and jalapeno to the mix. Add grapefruit juice, olive oil and, finally, cilantro. Stir well with a large spoon until everything is combined. Once the chicken is baked, cut it and assemble. The final result is a juicy chicken breast with a sweet yet crisp salsa topping. The flavors in this dish harmonize together to bring you a bite you have likely never experienced before. This meal is also nutritious with fresh fruit and lean chicken, so it’s a meal almost anyone can enjoy, even if you’re on a healthy eating kick.

Find more recipes and family dinner ideas at Culinary. net. Cuban Chicken with Salsa Fresca Servings: 5 1 cup grapefruit juice 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons garlic powder 2 teaspoons cumin 2 teaspoons paprika 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts Salsa Fresca: 1 cup grapefruit segments 1/2 jicama, cubed 1/2 red onion, chopped 3/4 cup grapefruit juice 4 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped Heat oven to 400 F. In large bowl, mix grapefruit juice, oil, garlic powder, cumin, paprika and red pepper until combined. Add chicken to bowl and turn to coat. Re-

frigerate 30 minutes or longer. To make salsa fresca: In medium bowl, mix grapefruit segments, jicama, red onion, grapefruit juice, olive oil, ci-

lantro and jalapeno pepper until combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Remove chicken from marinade. Place chicken in baking

Easy Dishes to Boost Immunity serving: 445 calories; 24 g protein; 46 g carbohydrates; 20 g fat (39% calories from fat); 5 g saturated fat (10% calories from saturated fat); 57 mg cholesterol; 658 mg sodium; 6 g ﬁber. Grape and Salmon Power Salad Servings: 6 3/4 cup pearled barley 3 cups ﬁrmly packed kale leaves, torn and sliced into ribbons 1 cup halved red or black seedless California grapes 8 ounces cold, cooked salmon, skin and bones removed

Staying healthy is important year-round, but especially in the cooler months when temperatures drop, people spend more time inside and germs can spread easily. What you eat and the lifestyle you embrace are critical components of staying healthy. Nourishing meals full of fruits, vegetables, protein-rich foods and whole grains help provide the body’s immune system with the nutrients it needs. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by getting enough sleep, being physically active every day, having enough ﬂuids and reducing stress also help keep the immune system in shape. As a nutritious food to include on your grocery list, grapes of all colors – red, green and black – contain more than 1,600 natural plant compounds such as antioxidants and other polyphenols that help protect the health of cells throughout

the body. They also contain about 82% water, so they provide important ﬂuids for hydration, which is also critical to a healthy immune system. Grapes can be enjoyed as a healthy snack or an immune-boosting ingredient in recipes like Chicken, Spinach and Grape Pita sandwiches and Grape and Salmon Power Salad. Each provides a mix of immune-supporting nutrients, including zinc in chicken, vitamins A and C in kale, polyphenols in grapes and other important nutrients in the salmon, walnuts and barley. Find these recipes and more in “Eating for Immune Health” along with additional ways to eat healthy and stay well at grapesfromcalifornia.com. Chicken, Spinach and Grape Pita Servings: 4 2 tablespoons pine nuts 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons minced shallot

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1pinch red pepper ﬂakes 1/4 teaspoon ground sumac salt freshly ground black pepper 1 package (5-6 ounces) fresh baby spinach, washed and dried 1 1/2 cups shredded, cooked chicken (about 8 ounces) 1 cup red California grapes, sliced 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese 4 whole-wheat pita breads (6 1/2 inches each), warmed and halved In small skillet over medium-high heat, toast pine nuts, stirring constantly until toasted, about 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl and let cool. In large bowl, whisk lemon juice, shallot, olive oil, red pepper ﬂakes, sumac, salt and pepper. Add spinach, chicken, grapes, feta and pine nuts; toss to mix. Stuff into pita breads and serve. Nutritional information per

Place Your Catering Orders For All Of Your Parties

Dino’s

Ristorante &Pizzeria Café Margherita Open 7 Days 11am - 10pm DINE-IN TAKE OUT

Pick Up & Delivery Village Green Shopping Center

100 Rt. 46 • Budd Lake 973-347-7100 www.dinospizzabuddlake.com

1/2 cup walnuts, lightly toasted and coarsely chopped Dressing: 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 clove garlic, mashed 1/2teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 pinch cayenne pepper 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil Cook barley according to package directions. Drain and cool. Tenderize kale by blanching in boiling water 2-3 seconds or microwaving 1 minute. Rinse pieces in cold water to stop cooking; squeeze dry. Fluff and

dish. Bake 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Serve chicken with salsa fresca.

uncrimp dry kale pieces with ﬁngers. In medium bowl, mix barley, kale, grapes, salmon and walnuts. To make dressing: In small bowl, whisk lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper and cayenne. Gradually mix in olive oil. Pour onto salad and fold gently to combine. Nutritional information per serving: 413 calories; 15 g protein; 30 g carbohydrates; 16 g fat (47% calories from fat); 3 g saturated fat (8% calories from saturated fat); 22 mg cholesterol; 232 mg sodium; 500 mg potassium; 4 g ﬁber. (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)

(24-36 people)

$162.60 $101.80 $338.25 -21.38 SAVINGS 21% -35.77 SAVINGS 22% -77.80 SAVINGS 23%

80.42+tax

126.83+tax

260.45+tax

(8-10 people)

$121.10 -24.22 SAVINGS 20%

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