Passaic Valley April 2023

Beautiful Ride in Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta’s Front Row Seat to the Jersey Shore

By Jillian Risberg

So, you think you know the Jersey shore? Well, in Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta’s new book the author sheds light on the people, places, folklore, trivia and treasures of the region that encompass miles of oceanfront bordering the Atlantic Ocean.

This is Christiano-Mistretta’s sixth book and it’s purely historical.

“It was a wonderful experience hitting the shore areas and taking the photos,” the author says the challenging aspect was reminding herself to stop writing at some point and get up and stretch. Drink some water. Go for a walk outside. “But I just love what I do.”

This book lays out a significant base of knowledge for each community on the Jersey Shore, including famous men and women who have made contributions there.

Christiano-Mistretta hopes readers gauge that there is much more to the Jersey Shore than one would imagine, each seashore town has its own individuality.

According to the author, anyone who loves the Jersey Shore; or New Jersey in general will love the book — but also history buffs.

“If you’re a music fan or a movie buff,” she says. “So many musicians and actors either came from the Jersey Shore, have lived there, or currently have homes there.”

The author’s journey started when publisher Henry Quinlan (So, You Think You Know the South Coast? So, You Think You Know Cape Cod? So, You Think You Know Nantucket?) from Omni Publishing was looking for a New Jersey writer, reached out to Christiano-Mistretta and decided to sign her.

She has always been connected to the Jersey Shore — as a kid, teen and adult she vacationed there with her family.

“I had a fun grandmother who would go on the rides (roller coasters in her 70s) on the boardwalk,” the author also fondly recalls times with friends and her husband loves the shore off-season as much as she does. “My father-in-law had a place down the shore when he was still alive, and my brother-in-law lives in Cape May.”

According to Christiano-Mistretta, she can’t choose a favorite spot because she has memories from all over — Cape May, Wildwood, Bay Head, Point Pleasant, Spring Lake, Atlantic City, Margate, Asbury Park, Seaside Heights, Ocean Grove, Ocean City.

“It’s all so magical. The air smells fresh. You actually see kids doing stuff; like skateboarding and surfing instead of being on their phones,” says the author. “And there are places to see live music.”

Christiano-Mistretta immersed herself in research (about 80 percent). She says she knew quite a bit about the Jersey Shore, but there was much she didn’t know, which made writing the book even more rewarding.

The author is inspired by almost everything.

“I’m a positive person and live life to the fullest,” she says. “I get excited by listening to music and motivational speakers, reading, exercise, meditation, cooking, being around pets… I make each moment count.”

During the pandemic Christiano-Mistretta became a certified feline behaviorist and is building a clientele as a cat-sitter, looking forward to cat-sitting her first Sphynx this summer.

The author is making the rounds at book signings and speaking engagements, and she is currently writing several other books.

“I have a few hobbies like art and acting,” says Christiano-Mistretta. “I’m always doing something creative so you

never know what will come into fruition.”

For more information, visit www.peartreeenterprises. wordpress.com

Purchase the book: Omni Publishing (www.omni-pub. com/)

Sound Energy Science

First grade students in Ms. Gutierrez’s class at Charles Olbon School in Woodland

Park created handmade instruments to support their sound energy unit in science.

Photo courtesy of the Woodland Park School District

Courtesy Dr. Gabriel Hannawi, DC Chiropractic Physician

Acupuncture is a form of Eastern medicine used for centuries to treat pain and other health issues. In the United States, Acupuncture is considered an alternative treatment for a variety of conditions. It is a specialized form of physical therapy that implements a technique of treating

What Is Acupuncture and How Can It Support Wellness? Relief For Toe Cramps

pressure points on the skin that are thought to stimulate the central nervous system. This is accomplished by using precise, specially designed needles. Acupuncture is used for pain relief, for things like headaches, back pain, and sciatica. It can also treat allergies, asthma, anxiety, fatigue, depression, and various other issues. Again, it is believed to stimulate the central nervous system, by releasing chemicals into muscle, the spinal cord, and the brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being. Qualified acupuncturists with training in this form of treatment practice the technique . At Elite Spine and Sports Care of Totowa we offer Acupuncture for

the wellness of our patients. How Can Acupuncture

Benefit You?

Natural endorphins and other neurotransmitters act as painkillers for your body. These natural painkillers are thought to be much more potent than drugs and are stimulated by the implementation of Acupuncture. Acupuncture treatment can be recommended for a broad variety of conditions including:

• Allergies

• Asthma

• Sinusitis

• Headaches

• TMJ

• Back Pain

• Sciatica

• Musculoskeletal Problems

• Insomnia

• Anxiety

• Dizziness

• Depression

• High Blood Pressure

• Chronic Fatigue

• Fibromyalgia

• Addictions

• Indigestion

• Constipation

• Sexual Dysfunction

• Post-Operative Recovery

• Palliative Care

• And More…

Pursue Pain Relief With

Acupuncture

At Elite Spine & Sports Care of Totowa we have a staff of certified and experienced Acupuncturists to treat our patients. Our experts welcome the opportunity to answer questions while treating your pain with this restorative

technique. If you are experiencing pain and wonder if Acupuncture can relieve your discomfort, give us a call.

Elite Spine and Sports Care Of Totowa, 349-351 Union Boulevard, Totowa, 862239-1768.

What are Hammertoes?

Footcare You Can Count On

Courtesy Matthew F. Wachtler

Ahammertoe

is a proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) contraction. Because this joint’s in the middle of your toe, the contraction forces that part of your toe up to make an inverted “V”in one or more of your little toes.

Flexible hammertoe

Flexible hammertoe means a developing hammertoe. With flexible hammertoe, you see an obvious problem with your toe, but you can still move the PIP joint to force it flat temporarily.

Flexible hammertoe can lead to corns and calluses where your toe rubs against your shoe. You may also have pain in the ball of your foot, at the base of the affected toe.

Rigid hammertoe

Rigid hammertoe is advanced hammertoe, meaning your PIP joint is locked in its abnormal

position. When you have rigid hammertoe, you may also have irregular walking patterns and balance issues along with all the other issues associated with hammertoe.

If you come into Cedar Grove Foot & Ankle Specialists as soon as you notice a developing

continued on page 10

Elite Spine and Sports Care’s approach is based on the functional model and the dynamic use of manual medicine into physical therapy and rehabilitation . Offering Physical Therapy, Acupuncture, Chiropractic Care, Massage Therapy, Deep Tissue Laser Therapy, Pre-Operation and Post-Operation rehabilitation & more! Elite Spine is the leading northern New Jersey Physical Therapy center with over 120 5-star reviews on Google!

No Prescription Needed Courtesy Transportation Available

What are Hammertoes...

continued from page 8

hammertoe, you can prevent its progression into the more serious rigid hammertoe. Why do hammertoes happen?

The causes of hammertoe can include:

• Heredity

• Abnormal muscle balance in your toes

• Foot trauma

• Pressure from bunions

• Tight shoes

You might be more vulnerable to hammertoe if you’re older, female, have a long second toe, or have a chronic disease like diabetes or arthritis.

How do you straighten a hammertoe?

The only way to straighten a hammertoe safely is to see a board-certified podiatrist right away. Dr. Wachtler treats both flexible and rigid hammertoes at the Cedar Grove Foot & Ankle Specialists office, customizing treatment for the type of hammertoe you have and your needs.

With flexible hammertoe, Dr. Wachtler may recommend special exercises to minimize muscle imbalance in your toes. He may suggest padding to protect your toe and keep it flat.

Custom orthotics, placed in the front part of your shoe, can control your foot function and prevent hammertoe from worsening.

If you have rigid hammertoe, Dr. Wachtler can perform outpatient surgery to remove the bony prominence, restore tendon alignment, and rebalance muscles. Hammertoe surgery rarely requires significant downtime.

Do you have a developing or alreadyprominent hammertoe? You can count on Cedar Grove Foot & Ankle Specialists for help. Call the office or schedule with online booking anytime.

Cedar Grove Foot & Ankle Specialists, 882 Pompton Ave Suite B1, Cedar Grove, 973857-1184.

What’s happening in your school or organization?

Celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, graduation? Have a human interest story or something you would like to share?

May is Better Hearing & Speech Month

Courtesy Pediatric Therapy Center of New Jersey

Each May, Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM) provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders and the role of professionals like Speech-Language Pathologists in providing lifealtering treatment.

Here are some facts about communications disorders from ASHA:

• 1 in 4 parents have had concerns about their child’s ability to communicate

• 95% of parents agree that speech, language, and hearing milestones are some of the most important developmental milestones

• More than a quarter (27%) of concerned parents did not seek help for their child, most commonly because they didn’t know where to go for help

• Although most parents are confident that they know the signs of communication disorders, just 23% are

Carissa Jannicelli Pampanin MS, OTR/L Director of Occupational Therapy Pathology

able to correctly identify a solid majority (75% or more) of the provided signs of communication disorders, and only 5% are able to correctly identify all the provided signs of communication disorders

• Of parents who sought treatment, 8 in 10 (81%) said that their child showed a “great deal” or “a good amount” of improvement

Here are some of the warning signs of communication disorders from ASHA:

Signs of a language disorder:

• Does not smile or interact with others (birth

Deanna Jannicelli Corby, MS, CCC-SLP Director of Speech and Language Pathology

and older)

• Does not babble (4-7 months)

• Makes only a few sounds or gestures, like pointing (712 months)

• Does not understand what others say (7 months-2 years)

• Says only a few words (12-18 months)

• Words are not easily understood (18 months-2 years)

• Does not put words together to make sentences (1.5-3 years)

• Has trouble playing and talking with other children continued on page 13

COMPLETE BREAKFAST FOR THE GROUP

May is Better Hearing & Speech Month...

continued from page 12

(2-3 years)

Signs of a speech disorder:

• Says p, b, m, h, and w incorrectly in words (1-2 years)

• Says k, g, f, t, d, and n incorrectly in words (2-3 years)

• Produces speech that is unclear, even to familiar people (2-3 years)

• Repeats first sounds of words: “b-b-bball” for “ball”

• Speech breaks while trying to say a word: “——boy” for “boy”

• Stretches sounds out: “ffffff-farm” for “farm”

• Shows frustration when trying to get words out

Signs of hearing loss:

• Shows a lack of attention to sounds (birth-1 year)

• Does not respond when you call his/her name (7 months-1 year)

• Does not follow simple directions (1-2 years)

• Shows delays in speech and language development (birth-3 years)

• Pulls or scratches at his/her ears

• Has difficulty achieving academically, especially in reading and math

• Is socially isolated and unhappy at school Pediatric Therapy Center of New Jersey, 912 Pompton Ave., Suite B1, Canfield Office Park, Cedar Grove, 973-680-1971

Ryder Young, a seventh grade student in Mrs. Behnken’s class at Memorial Middle School in Woodland Park, was

made an Honorary Police Officer and was presented with a certificate and a badge by Woodland Park Police Chief

John Uzzalino. Ryder is a big supporter of our police and our military.

Photo courtesy of the Woodland Park School District

Relief For Toe Cramps

Courtesy Dr. Anant Joshi

Toe cramps might not be a serious concern, but they can be quite aggravating. Some people experience such serious cramping that it leads to pain and difficulty walking. Things like dehydration, muscle injuries, uncomfortable shoes, and lack of exercise can lead to toe cramps.

Talk with your podiatrist about your concerns and they’ll help you step away from pain.

Knowing the root cause and how to treat it is the most important course of action when it comes to finding relief for your cramps. Let’s take a look at some of the top ways you can beat toe cramps!

Stretching and Massaging

If your toes are cramping, one of the best ways you can overcome it is by gently massaging and moving your feet around. Avoid yanking on your toes or doing anything that further adds to your pain.

continued on page 17

What our patients are saying...

Patrizia - HHHHH

Very friendly staff! Dr J was referred to me by a coworker and I was just as pleased with his bedside manner and professionalism. He explained all my options and I didn’t feel pushed to make a quick decision.

Arielle - HHHHH

First of all, booking an appointment was so easy! I submitted a request online and got a phone call not even 10 minutes later from Ebony to confirm an appointment. Dr. Joshi, the ladies at the front desk, the x-ray technician and all of the staff I encountered were very busy yet remained friendly. They are also very professional and clean. I am so satisfied with my visit that I am trying to get my family to book an appointment there.

Relief For Toe Cramps...

continued from page 16

Instead, massage the ball of your toe and the heel of your foot, focusing on where you find the most relief.

Look To Your Diet

Dehydration and eating the wrong foods are one of the simplest reasons your toes can cramp. Not drinking enough water or getting the right amount of nutrients and electrolytes lead to tight and tense muscles. Remember to drink a sufficient amount of water and get your vitamins from healthy foods, like bananas and spinach.

Change Your Shoes

Are your shoes too tight? Are they falling off your feet? One of the easiest ways you can relieve your toe cramps is by

buying the right pair of shoes. Footwear that is too tight in your toe box can squish your toes together. Not only is this bad for your toes and feet in general, but it may be why you have those aggravating toe cramps. Instead, hit the stores, measure your feet, and try some shoes on!

Taking care of your feet and managing your pain is crucial. At Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC, Dr. Anant Joshi and his staff treat a range of conditions and are committed to providing results.

Please let us know how we can serve you best.

Advanced Foot Care of NJ, 1031 McBride Ave Suite D105, Woodland Park, 973-256-0002.

Alicia N. Dorman, OD

Find Relief for Your Aches and Pains with Simple Dietary Changes

you may need to look at your nutritional choices. Eating too much and/or eating the wrong things can trigger your inflammatory reactions and contribute to muscle, nerve, or joint pain.

vegetables, fish, whole grains, and healthy oils, such as olive oil—all delicious choices of high nutritional value and low inflammatory potential.

Courtesy Dr. Raffaele Lagonigro, PT

Did You Know Nutrition is a Natural Way to Relieve Pain?

Have you thought about how the foods you eat may be affecting the way your body feels on a daily basis? Without even thinking about it, you may be adding to your discomfort with the foods you are consuming. If your pain problems have steadily worsened,

Fortunately, you can reverse this trend by adopting a healthy nutritional treatment plan as part of a holistic physical therapy program. How are physical therapy and nutrition related?

The good news is that the right foods can fight inflammation just as effectively as the wrong foods can make it worse. For example, by simply switching to a Mediterranean diet, you can make your life a little healthier and a little less painful.

This diet in particular is focused around fruits,

Even your choice of spices can make a huge difference in whether or not you notice pain. For example, turmeric is a powerful and natural type of anti-inflammatory agent. Your physical therapist can point you to the right nutritional changes to help you control your pain and begin living comfortably once again.

Weight control is another key aspect of pain management. Your physical therapy plan may include recommendations as to how many calories you should consume, what kinds of foods you should eat to avoid gaining more

weight, and any other necessary changes to your eating schedule or patterns, as deemed fit by your physical therapist.

Increasing your physical activity will also help you get the most out of your new nutrition routine. For example, muscle building and strength training

will work to boost your metabolic rate, thus helping your body burn calories more easily.

Other physical therapy methods or modalities may be used to ease chronic aches and help you become much more mobile— therefore allowing you

to boost your workout regimen, lose more weight, and remove more strain from your joints and tissues. How can nutrition aid in pain relief?

How many times have you heard the old expression, “You are what you eat?” This statement continued on page 19

Simple Dietary Changes...

continued from page 18

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is accurate in many ways, including some rather painful ones.

In fact, as stated by Harvard Health Publishing, “A lot of chronic pain is the result of chronic inflammation, and the evidence is quite strong that your diet can contribute to increased systemic inflammation.”

Certain kinds of foods are known to cause or aggravate inflammatory responses and chronic pain. You may be doing yourself more harm than good if you regularly consume:

• Foods heavy in processed sugars and/or trans fats (including cookies, donuts, and margarine)

• Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and other members of the nightshade family

• Caffeinated foods and

drinks

• White bread or other highly-processed carbs

• Alcohol

• Red meat

These foods can make you hurt in various ways. Sugar and aspartame, for instance, raise both your insulin levels and your pain sensitivity. Caffeine and tomatoes both raise your body’s acidity levels, promoting inflammatory pain. But for all these foods (and several others), the bottom line is the same: an increase in your aches and pains.

Poor dietary and nutritional choices can also increase your pain by increasing your waistline. Excessive quantities of rich, fatty, sugary, or starchy foods can cause your weight to balloon, especially if you lead a

sedentary lifestyle. This extra weight can accelerate joint degeneration, aggravating arthritis pain.

It can also place undue strain on your muscles as they struggle to support your heavier body. Obesity can even encourage the development of bulging or herniated discs, leading to neurological issues, such as sciatica.

Do you want to learn more about how nutrition can help you manage your pain?

If you have been living with painful symptoms, you may need a nutrition plan that includes eating for pain management. Please contact Aim Orthopedics today to discover how this strategy could work for you!

AIM Orthopedics, 44 Main St., Little Falls, 973860-0550

For over 175 years, people have turned to New York Life to protect what matters most.

Brain Health for Better Balance

President,

Dr. JoAnn Giesenhaus of Core Wellness Center in Little Falls, NJ recently spoke to the members of the Woodland Park Seniors Club about “Brain Health for Better Balance.” Dr. Giesenhaus is a member of The Wellness Champions, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization of doctors who provide

complimentary health talks and screenings at various businesses, clubs, schools and events in the community. To schedule Dr. JoAnn for a talk or screening, contact Carol Mueller at carol.corewellness@gmail.com or 973-837-6677.

Pictured from left to right: Carol Mueller, Community Outreach Director, The Wellness Champions; Maryann Iaconio,

Woodland Park Seniors Club; Dr. JoAnn Giesenhaus, Practice Director, Core Wellness Center; Leanne Barbieri, LMT, Floor Manager, Core Wellness Center.

1011

for sale or lease.

3,077 square foot unit available for retail or office located in high traffic strip center. Located on ground level with high visibility and direct access. Open floor plan with many possibilities.

1011 McBride Ave

Woodland Park 973.837.8510

UNDER CONTRACT

Fenced in Brick Ranch! Main level features living room with fireplace, formal dining room, eat in kitchen, 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Lower level includes family room with bar with walk out to 2 car garage and plenty of storage space. Fenced in yard with patio. Great home for entertainment. $585,000

Office building built in 1988 with 1100-3300 sf available at $18 per sf gross modified lease.

Available for Lease Retail or office space on highly travel street near to traffic light located on 2nd floor with high ceilings, central air and parking on site. $3000/mo.

Faith Salviano Broker of Record

McBride Available

262 Overmount

1240 McBride Ave

1130 McBride

Courtesy Raied Muheisen

Trash Rite Inc. is a leading supplier of heavy-duty trash bags. Our online store offers a convenient way to purchase high-quality, durable trash bags in a variety of sizes and strengths to suit any need. Whether you’re looking for industrial-grade bags for a business or strong bags for home use, we have the perfect solution. Shop with us and experience the convenience and reliability of Trash Rite. At Trash Rite, we understand that proper waste disposal is important for both households and businesses. Whether it’s food scraps, papers, landscaping waste, or construction debris, it is essential to have the right type of bag for efficient and convenient waste disposal. In this article, we will discuss the different types of bags available for waste disposal and what factors to consider when choosing the right one for your needs.

Trash Bags

Trash bags are a staple in most households and businesses, providing a convenient and efficient solution for waste disposal. At Trash Rite, we offer a variety of trash bags in different sizes and strengths to meet your specific needs. Our trash bags are available in various colors, including black and white.

When choosing a trash bag, it is important to consider its strength. Our trash bags are made of high-quality material to ensure that they are strong enough to hold the weight of your waste without tearing. It is also important to choose the

right size bag for your needs to ensure that it can handle the amount of waste you need to dispose of.

Garbage Can Liners

Garbage can liners are another popular option for waste disposal. At Trash Rite Inc., we offer a range of garbage can liners that are designed to fit different types and sizes of garbage cans. Our liners are available in various sizes, strengths, and colors to meet your specific needs.

When choosing a garbage can liner, it is important to consider the size of your garbage can. Our garbage can liners are designed to fit snugly and securely in your garbage can to prevent any mess. It is also important to choose a liner that is strong enough to hold the weight of the garbage in the can.

Contractor Bags

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Conclusion

Proper waste disposal is essential for maintaining a clean and healthy environment. At Trash

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At Trash Rite Inc., we believe in providing exceptional customer service, and we’re always available to answer any questions you may have about our products or services. Whether you’re a small business owner or the manager of a large apartment building, we’re here to help.

Contact us today to learn more about our products and to place an order. Call 862-247-6067, go to our website at www. trashrite.com, orEmail:trashrite@gmail.com

Photo courtesy of the Woodland Park School District

Ready For Spring: Grounds for Sculpture Offers New Exhibits and Programs For All

By Jeff Garrett

If you’re dreaming of a spot where relaxation, meditation, cool sights and out of the ordinary Art exists in a tranquil setting, “Grounds For Sculpture” in its 31st year, is a spot you’ll want to connect with as Winter moves into Spring.

Spanning 42 acres at 80 Sculptors Way in Hamilton Twp, “Grounds” offers a different kind of museum –one that is somewhat whimsical, containing interactive artwork with 350 sculptures on hand for guests to take in, and even fawn over. “it’s definitely a different kind of museum,” says museum Executive Director, Gary Garrido, who is looking forward to the warmer months ahead, and the program-side of the museum.

“We’ll have a Lecture with Jeff Warren on Wednesday, May 3. This will be a good chance to get thosewho may be skeptical about mindfulness to open up,” and embrace what he feels is something healthy which can only help improve people’s lives. The museum plans on launching a ceramic studio with clay and ceramics workshops for kids and adults.

It’s all about Wellness at the museum. Garrido says “Grounds For Sculpture” is a place where folks can relieve stress, practice yoga, experience mindfulness, find calm and open up.

There’s an ancillary objective too.

“The focus continues to be breaking down barriers and making Art acceptable for all,” said Garrido, who will preside over the opening of the Cloud Swing sculpture, which is a series of six swings with two swings which are handicapped accessible. “The sculpture itself takes the form of a cloud,” which should be more than interesting to lay

eyes on, Garrido thinks.

Another creation set to open soon is that from Philadelphia artist, Robert Lugo. Lugo has created a 26 ft large sculpture that has a series of stairs going up and down. Patrons can go up into the sculpture and take pictures in this one-of-a-kind piece, set to draw awe and interest this Spring. “As a Latino, Lugo wants to break down some barriers,” in his creations, to show things from a different perspective, notes Garrido.

“Grounds For Sculpture” really tries to utilize the seasonal backdrop – whether its looking at a winter garden now, an apple orchard in the Spring, Lotus flowers in the summer or the mere changing of the colors of leaves in the picturesque

Fall,

A restaurant is on-site called “Rat” and cafes are available for museum-goers to sit and unwind. Garrido likes the way the museum is shaping up with wellness and impressive Art and the forefront of the facility’s agenda for visitors this Spring. He hopes you’ll visit and like it too.

For more information such as museum hours, program information and restaurant information on “Grounds For Sculpture” visit www.groundsforsculpture.org.

having the outside sizzle alongside the sculptures is Art in and of itself.

It Happened in NJ: Earth Day and the Short History of Environmentalism in Garden State

By Peter Zablocki

April 22, 2023, will be the fifty-third time the American people will celebrate Earth Day. The original celebration kicked off a decade of environmentalism which led to the creation of the Environment Protection Agency, the Clean Air Act, the Surface Mining Control, and Endangered Species Act, among many others. A moment in time when factories could no longer blow black smoke into the blue skies or dump toxic waste into local rivers, at least without facing legal repercussions. Perhaps no other state has come as far in improving its environmental blueprint as the Garden State – once known as the nation’s landfill capital. And upon closer analysis, no area has embodied the spirit of the 1970s Environmental Movement that followed the first Earth Day more so than one of the state’s great natural wonders, the Meadowlands.

The first Earth Day, which saw 20 million Americans take to the streets in pro-environment demonstrations, showed the nation and government that there was passionate and deep support for environmental issues. The people of New Jersey have continued pushing that agenda ever since. Had it not been for specific environmental groups and agencies in the decades that followed, our state would look much different today. The Port Authority raised millions of dollars in the early 1950s to buy up Morris County’s Great Swamp area to build a massive airport the size of Newark International Airport. The idea was struck down by a grassroots movement that pressured the state to turn the

space into the Great Swamp National Refuge instead. Since then, two hundred forty species have been identified in the area, and thirty-nine mammal species, some considered endangered – a much different sight than thousands of airplanes flying overhead and traffic jams polluting local neighborhoods.

When the state planners and real estate developers thought up 250,000 new housing units in New Jersey’s Pinelands in the 1960s, the then Governor imposed a moratorium on building development by introducing and pushing the Pinelands Protection Act through the state’s legislature. Yet, the Garden State’s biggest success story is

the Meadowlands – a vast area of unfilled marshes and, at one time, the tri-state’s most extensive dumping ground. Someone once described it as a “swampy, mosquitoinfested jungle, where rusting auto bodies, demolition rubble, industrial oil slicks, and cattails merge in an unholy union.”

As per a past North Jersey article, a 1969 study by the health department found that 5,000 tons of waste were brought into the Meadowlands daily from 118 New Jersey municipalities to the 51 landfills in the area that covered 1,900 acres. Still, the wake-up call came in October 1973 continued on page32

It Happened in NJ...

continued from page 30

when a terrible combination of inverted air mass, steam from a local power plant, and a landfill fire reduced visibility along a stretch of New Jersey Turnpike to zero. Nine people lost their lives in a massive sixty-six-car crash, leading to the National Transportation Safety Board pressuring the state to clean up the area. Within the next two decades, local environmental agencies, including the Hackensack Riverkeeper and the New Jersey Sierra Club, joined various federal agencies to strike deals with development companies to preserve equal track of land to those they proposed to develop. This was the case with the more recent American Mall, which saw the state permitting the Mills Corporation to develop its mega-mall and amusement park in exchange for a $27 million grant and a plan to preserve the area around it.

After decades of unregulated waste dumping, the Meadowlands has fought back to become one of New Jersey’s most incredible natural wonders and home to nearly three hundred bird species and an additional hundred marine life species. Apart from being one of the state’s principal

economic hubs with its sports complex and the American mall, the Meadowlands now contains 3,500 acres of protected wetlands and only one 100-acre operating landfill. And although many people drive past it today, few see the real Meadowlands. The best way to experience the area’s natural hidden beauty is by the Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission’s boat tours or nature-guided walks along eight miles of walking trails.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the first Earth Day in 1970 did much to transform public attitudes toward cleaner earth. A poll conducted the following year showed a 2,500 percent increase from the year prior in the American public declaring that protecting the environment was an important goal. So as we celebrate yet another Earth Day, we can appreciate the 1970s Environmental Movement’s impact on our state. For if not for some key decisions with the environment in mind, the Garden State would surely look much different today.

Peter Zablocki is the co-host of the History Teachers Talking Podcast. For more information, visit www.peterzablocki.com.

Annual Kiwimbi 5K & Walk

The Annual Kiwimbi 5K & Walk for Thought is SATURDAY MAY 6th

9:00 am at Duke Island Park in Bridgewater. Sure to be a great early warm-up to summer, the event is hosted by Kiwimbi International, a U.S.-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities to underprivileged children and their families in Sub-Saharan Africa.

It is both a virtual and in-person event. Prizes for age group winners will be awarded. Registration is available at https:// raceroster.com/events/2023/71621/

kiwimbi-5k-and-walk-for-thought or https://kiwimbi.org

Students in rural Kenya typically walk 45 minutes one way to school each day, so the Walk for Thought invites you to do the same, while the 5K offers a more competitive opportunity. Grand Prix points will be given to qualifying USATF NJ members. Registration will be covered for those who raise $400 for the event. Vendor spots available.

To sponsor/partner with Kiwimbi or learn more about the event, please click info@kiwimbi.org.

Mansion in May Returns in 2023 with Three Fields Designer Showhouse and Gardens in Borough of Mendham

As a team of talented interior and landscape designers and their crews work almost non-stop, Mansion in May takes shape as New Jersey’s premiere Designer Showhouse and Gardens. Opening to the public on May 1 and running throughout the month, Three Fields, the 2023 Mansion in May. offers a delightful day in the country wandering through almost ten thousand square feet of exquisite rooms. Visitors can meander through gardens created by some of New Jersey’s top landscape designers, relax over lunch in the café and shop in the boutiques in the adjacent carriage house.

Since 1974, every two (or occasionally three) years, the Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center presents the Mansion in May Designer Showhouse and Gardens as its signature event in support of Morristown Medical Center. Over the years, the Women’s Association has raised over $12 million from this event alone for the Center as it became New Jersey’s topranked hospital and one of the best in the country.

Three Fields, reached by a narrow country lane reminiscent of European roads but actually in the Borough of Mendham,

sits on 36 acres of rolling hills and forest. This is not a strictly formal house but rather a comfortable farmhouse in the French style that conveys elegance as well as warmth.

Designed and built in 1929 and 1930 by the prominent architect Greville Rickard, the first residents were Benjamin Mosser and his family, who lived at Three Fields for over 20 years. Mosser was a partner in the Wall Street firm of Clark, Dodge & Co. The original owners sold the estate to Andrew Fletcher and his family in 1949. Both Andrew and his wife, Dorothy, were active participants in Mendham life. He was a Mendham Borough councilman and then mayor for three years while Dorothy was on the board of St. Barnabas Hospital.

Rickard designed the house to have many unusual features such as tall, steeply pitched tile roofs punctuated by dormers, wood casement windows and French doors that made it impossible to stay inside but beckoned to the verdant gardens, ponds and fields flowing out from the terrace. The home’s façade combines several conjoined structures, as if the house had been added to over time, along with roofs with builtin sags and bumps, all blending together to give the romantic appearance of a

centuries-old retreat.

The Women’s Association received many proposals, ultimately selecting 31 interior designers and 17 landscape designers to create individual spaces around different themes. Of the interior designers, many are repeat participants, all with the creativity, vision and inventiveness demanded by

this sprawling project. The 17 landscape designers, many of them also repeat participants, have combined functionality with aestheticism to include flowering plants, a water feature, seating and even sculpture.

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Mansion in May...

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Morristown Medical Center (WAMMC), now over 400strong, has for 130 years helped the hospital respond to the changing healthcare needs of the community. The Association hosts a number of fundraising events, and has raised more than $30 million to date for the Medical Center. This year, proceeds from Mansion in May will go to support the expansion and modernization of the Institute of Bioskills Training and Innovation. The institute allows healthcare professionals to hone their skills in hightech and other procedures using simulation training. For more information about WAMMC, visit www. wammc.org.

Mansion in May offers an opportunity to tour the metropolitan area’s preeminent Designer

Showhouse and Gardens and more than 20,000 visitors are expected. Tickets are $50, now

available online at http:// mansioninmay.org. Private tours may also be scheduled online.

I Remember Dad: My Father’s Many Talks About Life Along The Old Morris Canal

By Richard Mabey Jr.

One of the fondest memories that I have of my dear, belated father is that of his talks that he would give at the Lincoln Park Museum. Dad gave many talks about the history of Lincoln Park in that dear old museum. But I remember his all-time favorite subject was that of talking about his remembrances of life along the still, murky waters of the historic Morris Canal.

My great grandfather, William Mabey, had built an icehouse along the banks of the Morris Canal. It was located deep in the woods at the end of Mabey Lane. At one time, Mabey Lane extended from Route 202, in Lincoln Park, and traveled all the way down to the banks of the old Morris Canal. Today, there is a housing development where the once wooded portion of this country lane proudly hailed.

My grandfather, Watson Mabey, served as the Chief Engineer of Incline Plane Ten East, which was located right at the border of Lincoln Park and Towaco. By the time my dad was a boy of about seven years old, the

Morris Canal had ceased its operations. Still, it didn’t stop Dad and his younger brother, Carl, from exploring and hiking along the old tow path. You see, Dad was raised in the home at the end of Mabey Lane. The very home that his father had built.

What I loved so much about the talks, that Dad gave about the old Morris Canal, was the high degree of heart-felt feeling that would fill Dad’s voice. At times, during his many talks, I would catch a bit of sadness in his eyes. A kind of melancholy feeling.

My father loved Lincoln Park. When he was a boy, some of the town’s people still referred to the little valley hamlet as Beavertown. I confess that at times, I took Dad’s talks for granted. There were times when I felt that my father was going to live forever and never stop giving his little talks about life along the old Morris Canal. Sadly, I was all so mistaken.

I would give the sun and the moon to hear just one more of my dad’s landmark talks. For even just five minutes, to see the expressions of joy, happiness, sadness and nostalgic melancholy fill Dad’s face as he

presented his talk. It’s all so strange, what a person once took for granted becomes a shining diamond memory. Sadly, never to ever return again.