Passaic Valley September 2023

Remembering 9/11, 22 Years Later

Introduction:

The events of September 11, 2001, marked a turning point in history that left an indelible impact on the world. As we commemorate the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, we reflect on the tragedy, the lives lost, the resilience shown, and the lessons learned. The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon continue to evoke a mix of emotions and memories that have shaped our collective consciousness.

The Day That Changed Everything:

On that fateful Tuesday morning, the world watched in horror as commercial airplanes hijacked by terrorists crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The sheer scale of the devastation and loss of life was beyond comprehension. Almost 3,000 innocent lives were lost, and the impact was felt not just in America, but across the globe.

Unity and Resilience:

In the face of adversity, the response was a remarkable display of unity and resilience. First responders, firefighters, police officers, and ordinary citizens rushed to the aid of those in need, embodying the spirit of heroism and compassion. Communities came together, demonstrating the strength of human solidarity. The 9/11 attacks did not break the American spirit; instead, they strengthened the nation's resolve to stand united against terrorism.

Global Consequences:

The aftermath of 9/11 had far-reaching consequences that reshaped international politics, security measures, and policies. The United States launched the War on Terror, leading to military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Airport security protocols were heightened, and surveillance efforts intensified to prevent future attacks. The world became acutely aware of the need to address the root causes of terrorism and promote global stability.

Lessons Learned:

Two decades later, the lessons from 9/11 remain relevant. The importance of vigilance in the face of evolving security threats, the significance of international cooperation, and the need to address socio-political issues that can breed extremism are paramount. As we remember the lives lost, we also remember the importance of nurturing tolerance, understanding, and dialogue to prevent the rise of hatred and division.

Honoring the Victims:

Each year on September 11, ceremonies are held to honor the victims and heroes of the attacks. Names are read aloud, and moments of silence are observed to pay tribute to those who perished. Memorials like the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at Ground Zero stand as somber reminders of the tragedy, urging us to never forget and to continue striving for a more peaceful world.

Conclusion:

Twenty-two years after the 9/11 attacks, the world continues to remember the profound impact they had on our lives. As we pay homage to the lives lost and the sacrifices made, let us renew our commitment to building a world that rejects hatred and violence. Through remembrance, unity, and resilience, we honor the memory of those who were taken from us and work towards a future where such senseless acts of terror have no place.

Third Annual Water Fun Fest Provides Refreshing Fun in Little Falls

treated to

some

Now in its third year, the event was started in order to provide a safer and cleaner venue that the turf field offers than that of the original grass field, which would

Photo credit: The Township of Little Falls Councilman Chris Vancheri welcomes attendees and gives a special nod to local resident Kim McLaughlin McQueen during the annual Water Fun Fest in Little Falls

conditions due to excess water.

Councilman Chris Vancheri, Councilwoman Christine Hablitz, Councilman Mike Murphy and Councilwoman Jayna Patel were on hand to welcome attendees to the event.

Vancheri, who addressed

the crowd thanked the Little Falls Recreation Department, led by Tyler Passero and John Pace, for organizing the event.

“On behalf of the Mayor and Township Council, thank you to everyone that made today possible. And to everyone here today, enjoy yourselves and have fun!”

added Vancheri.

Local resident Silvana Robinson said she and her two daughters really enjoy the event, along with her niece and nephew who came along. She said the turf field is a perfect venue to hold this kind of yearly event and it's a great opportunity to bring families and friends

together especially during the recent heat wave.

"It's beautiful what the town provides here!" she explained. "I love it because with the sun out on such a hot day like today and the recent heatwave, it's perfect! We all feel refreshment and relief! We really appreciate what they provide for

residents."

Local resident Kim McLaughlin McQueen and her son LJ were recognized at the event as this was their last day in Little Falls as the family is moving to North Carolina. She said that Little Falls has been a great community to live in.

"There are so many

things for residents to do, such as concerts in the park, movies at the Rec Center, sports, breakfast with Santa," she added. "It's hard to say what we'll miss the most but we will definitely miss the people!"

Little Falls held the third annual Water Fun Fest on July 22. The event offered refreshing water fun for residents with water slides and super soakers

A huge water slide was enjoyed by attendees during the annual Water Fun Fest in Little Falls on July 22. have resulted in muddy and slippery

Totowa Library Events

Have your items mended for free here at the Totowa Library! Small clothing repairs, sew on a button, repair a patch, mend tears! No Zippers! Bring your item/items on the date and times listed and our volunteer will take care of the rest! Thursday, August 31, from 10:30am-12:30pm and evening hours are from 4:30pm-6:00pm. Any questions, please call: 973-790-3265

Grandmas Jukebox, Musical History of the 50’s!

The Totowa Library is hosting Grandmas Jukebox! From Dino to Doo Wop, come and enjoy the music of the 50’s with Joey G! if you liked “The Best of Doo Wop” you will certainly enjoy this free concert! Welcome to a live musical journey back to the 50’s. We are not only listening to music on the radio, but also watching the performers on TV. Let’s reminisce and listen to the music, the entertainers, the stories from the era music historians call the decade of music that changed the world! Friday, October 6, 2023 at 1:00pm. Visit totowapl.org/register or call: 973-790-3265.

Health Hub-Root to Fruit Cooking!

How can you make the most of your food budget? Try Root-to-Fruit cooking, the plant-based version of the Nose-to-Tail movement. This method encourages using all edible parts of plants, some commonly thought of as scraps, to ensure your produce purchase goes further. Following Root-to-Fruit principles will also reduce food waste by minimizing what you throw away. This program will be held on and presented by Jennifer Salt Taylor, RDN, CHES, of Passaic County FCHS Educator Department of Family & Community Health Sciences Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Passaic County, Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 12:30pm, here at the Totowa Library. A food demonstration & tasting included! Visit totowapl.org/register or call: 973-790-3265.

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Acting Mayor Kallert and the Borough Council at a recent presented checks from the eighth annual Families Behind the Badge softball tournament.

Fourteen teams of North Jersey law enforcement officers and first responders battled it out for the title, which was won this year by the NJ State Police. The tournament honors officers that have given their lives in the line of duty and their families and raises funds to assist those surviving families via the State PBA Survivors Fund.

“I am so honored to say that this was our most successful year ever,” Kallert said, noting that over $17,000 was raised. “We promise to continue this tradition as long as we're breathing, so we have a lot of years to go together.”

Checks were presented to Joe Savittieri, State PBA board trustee, for the NJ State PBA Survivors Fund and the family of the late Capt. Jeff O’Brien of the Woodland Park Police Department. A 23-year member of the WPPD, Capt. O'Brien passed away on Nov. 21, 2022, after an eight-year battle with brain cancer.

Since its inception, Behind the Badge has raised over $97,500.

Following the presentation, the Woodland Park PBA Local presented an additional check to the O’Brien family. Funds were raised through t-shirt and sweatshirt sales.

National Night Out

The Woodland Park Municipal Alliance for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse's annual National Night Out was a true community celebration. The event, which included all facets of the community, allowed the Borough's volunteer first responders to be in the spotlight and showcase what they do.

The West Paterson Volunteer Fire Department did two demonstrations. On Memorial Field, they utilized wooden structures to show how differently a home can burn with or without a sprinkler system. It also demonstrated the importance of why you should keep your bedroom door closed when you sleep. The second was a demo of the Jaws of Life to remove a door on a pick-up truck to free victims. They also provided an activity for kids where they could use the fire hose to knock down a "fire."

The Police Department also offered the Fatal Vision Marijuana Simulation Experience. Wearing special goggles and navigating a "road" with a wheeled stick, the activity demonstrates the loss of visual perception, altered visual perception, and slowed reaction time and decision-making.

The event also offered a number of bounce attractions for the kids, complimentary food, give-a-ways, DJ music, and tables from community groups and businesses.

Camp Visitors

The Woodland Park Summer Camp had a number of special visitors this summer. Members of the Police Department talked to the kids about summer safety and what police officers do every day, as well as age-appropriate topics for each of the camp's three grade groups. The officers answered lots of questions, and the campers were able to get a look at the police cars. The camp also had a visit from the West Paterson Fire Department Rifle Camp Co. 3. The kids for to see the equipment, ask questions and learn about fire safety. All the kids were able to get a chance to use the fire hose and cool off by running under the spray.

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FD Holiday Parade

Save the date for the annual Totowa, West Paterson, Little Falls Fire Department Holiday Parade, to be held on Saturday, Nov. 25. The event will kick off earlier this year, at 5 p.m, to bring holiday cheer to three towns: Little Falls, Woodland Park, and Totowa.

The parade begins at 5 p.m. from Passaic Valley High School in Little Falls. The cavalcade will head down Main Street, turn onto Maple Street, and onto Paterson Avenue.

The parade will continue into Woodland Park along McBride Avenue. It will turn onto Dowling Parkway, then Wallace Lane, Hromiak Terrace, Vetrone Drive, and Browertown Road, before heading back onto McBride Avenue. The procession will then enter Totowa, proceeding up Totowa Road, turning left onto Union Boulevard, and concluding at Crews Street.

Registration for vehicles for the parade is open. Any vehicle that would like to register can do so at https://msha.ke/passaicvalleyholidayparade. Each vehicle taking part must be appropriately decorated.

Spectators are encouraged to bring toys that will be collected from elves along the parade route to benefit children in need this holiday season.

The 9/11 Memorial

Among the more indelible images to emerge on September 11, 2001 was the sight of two planes crashing into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center. Still photos and video footage of those planes flying into the Twin Towers were the first images of the attacks many Americans saw, and no one who watched events unfold that morning will ever forget those images.

Though both the North and South Towers fell on that day, today the site where each tower once stood is a serene retreat in the bustling lower Manhattan neighborhood that was shaken to its core on the day of the attacks. The 9/11 Memorial was designed by architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum notes that Arad and Walker’s proposal was chosen in a design competition that featured 5,201 submissions from 63 countries.

The 9/11 Memorial is located on the western side of the formal World Trade Center where the Twin Towers once stood. Two enormous reflecting pools are part of the Memorial Plaza, which is where the North and South Towers once stood. The pools feature the two largest man-made waterfalls in North America. Around the

edges of the pools, the names of people who were killed in the 9/11 attacks in New York, the Pentagon, on Flight 93, and in the 1993 bombing at the World Trade Center are etched in bronze.

In recognition of the crash sites, 400 swamp white oak trees were selected from nurseries located in New York, Pennsylvania and near Washington, D.C. These trees are located throughout the Memorial Plaza, providing a peaceful respite separate from the surrounding city. The Memorial Plaza also includes one Callery pear tree. That tree was discovered at Ground Zero weeks after the attacks and it was severely damaged. The tree, now known as the Survivor Tree, was nursed back to health by members of the New York City Parks and Recreation Department and returned to the World Trade Center site in 2010, where it still stands as an enduring symbol of resilience and perseverance.

The 9/11 Memorial is free and open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information about the 9/11 Memorial and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum can be found at www.911memorial.org.

Outdoor Movie Nights in Little Falls Hold Special Screening of 'Maverick'

By Tina Pappas

The Township of Little Falls is running its popular Outdoor Movie Nights program again this summer.

A special screening of "Top Gun: Maverick," was held on Aug. 16 at the Sports and Recreation Complex located at 160 Paterson Ave. Film showing began at dusk. Attendees came out to enjoy a pleasant summer evening while viewing recent popular movies. Movie nights are a big hit with local residents where they have an opportunity to enjoy the turf field, as well as great food and refreshments at The Shack.

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Photo credit: The Township of Little Falls

The Township of Little Falls proudly presented a screening of ‘Top Gun: Maverick” on Aug. 16, as part of the Outdoor Movie Nights program.

Councilwoman Christine Hablitz warmly welcomed attendees. Afterwards, she spoke about the program, which is now in its fourth year.

"We are happy to again bring Outdoor Movie Nights to our Little Falls community," she said. "We could not be any prouder of the attendance that we receive and bringing our community together for a fun, family night out."

Hablitz said the Township has again brought five nights of family-friendly movies, among them a recent showing of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," to celebrate Christmas in July, which garnered a special visit from The Grinch himself for children in attendance.

The movie night roster will end this summer with "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" on Aug. 23. Hablitz, said she enjoys overseeing the movie nights program, along with the Little Falls Recreation Department, and was glad to bring these movies to the Little Falls community,

"We hope to have Outdoor Movie Nights again next year for at least five weeks," she added.

Councilwoman Christine Hablitz warmly welcomes attendees to the screening of 'Top Gun: Maverick" on Aug. 16.

Fall Watercolor Class

Join Chris Calandra, local artist, for a six week session of her Fall Watercolor class, here at the Totowa Library! This class is for beginners and students with some painting experience who wish to develop their artisitc skills in a non-competitive, friendly atmosphere. $48.00 fee for 6 week sessions. Please sign up at the front desk of the Totowa Library! Or call: 973790-3265 to register. This class starts Tuesday, October 3, 2023 from 10:30am -12:00pm! (No class on Tuesday, November 7th)

Pencil Art Reception

The Totowa Public Library will be hosting a Pencil Art Reception here at the Library, located at 537 Totowa Road, Totowa N.J. 07512, on Wednesday, September 13th 2023 at 6:00pm! Come and browse

Maria Carparelli’s students talented pencil art work,

Totowa Library Events

and enjoy some light refreshments! Any questions: 973-790-3265.

Social Security, Know your Options

An in-person Social Security Seminar will be held at the Totowa Public Library, located at 537 Totowa Road, Totowa N.J. 07512, on Wednesday, October 18th, 2023 from 6:00pm-7:15pm with Q & A afterwards! Join Neil Damato, CSSCS Certified in Social Security Claiming Strategies, as he presents this very informative seminar on how Social Security works and how to maximize your benefits. Wisely managing your Social Security starts with understanding the rules and knowing your options. During this educational event, you will:

• Learn important rules that affect how & when you file for benefits. • Learn options that may maximize your benefits.

• Learn how you may minimize taxes on

your Social Security. • Learn strategies designed for coordinating Social Security with other retirement income. How claiming Social Security at the wrong age may affect your benefits by up to 76 0/0! Presented by Neil Damato, CSSCS-Certified in Social Security Claiming Strategies.

Visit totowapl.org/register or call: 973-790-3265.

Atlantic City Resorts Casino Trip

The FRIENDS of the Totowa Library are running a bus trip to Atlantic City Resorts Casino on Tuesday, October 17, 2023! There is a $40.00 donation fee with $18.00 back in slot money! Coffee and …. at 8:30am at the Library. Bus departs at 9:15am from the back parking lot of the Totowa Library, located at 537 Totowa Road, Totowa N.J. 07512. Please stop by the Library or call: 973-790-3265 to reserve

your spot, seating is limited! Checks payable to: “The FRIENDS of the Totowa Library”.

Non-refundable if we can’t fill your seat.

Saturday Morning Fitness Class

Saturday morning fitness class here at the Totowa Library is starting back Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 9:15am. For ages 12 and up! Local certified fitness instructor Karen Rigamonti will be leading the class with exercise-fitness & strength training! Please bring a mat, hand weights & sneakers! A waiver must be signed.

Zumba

Lauren will be stopping in for another drop in Zumba class, here at the Totowa Library! Saturday, September 9, at 10:30am. There is $5.00 fee for the class. Visit totowapl.org/register or call: 973-790-3265 to register!

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NJ Starz: Aimee Roehler Hometown: Whitehouse Station

By Steve Sears

Studying Aimee Roehler’s career racquetball accomplishments is mind-boggling.

Consider just some of the Whitehouse Station resident’s numbers and accomplishments. Roehler also has been a partner in eleven USA Racquetball Mixed Open National Doubles Championships, twelve USA Racquetball Women’s Team Qualifying Doubles Championships, three International – Pan American Championships Doubles Gold wins, and three International Racquetball Federation World Championships Gold titles, and has also won one USA Racquetball Women’s Team Qualifying Singles Championship.

Oh – and there have also been other title wins, and quite a few silver and bronze medals, too.

Roehler, originally born and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania, has two siblings; a sister, Sara, and a brother, Nich. Her parents are Donna and Larry, and her stepmom is Louise.

For Roehler, who has lived in the Garden State for 20 years, her interest in racquetball started when she was 13 years old and her mom was taking community college nighttime courses, one of those being “Introduction to Racquetball.”

It would be Roehler’s introduction to the sport as well. She said, “I was tagging along, doing my homework outside of the courts while she was getting this introduction to racquetball, and she loved it. She joined the gym, started playing in tournaments, and she had me pick up the sport that way. I’ve been doing it ever since then.”

Roehler paused, then continued. “That’s what I love about it. I love the competition of it and the intensity of it, and I love sports.”

There was a period, however, when Roehler took a step back from racquetball. Fortunately for racquetball fans, she obviously was much too fond and talented to stay away.

Roehler explained, “I quit playing racquetball for several years. I got a little burned out. My mother had gotten remarried, and my stepfather wanted me to get up at 6 a.m. and train, then go to school, and then train again.”

At the time, in addition to her studies and her training, she was also playing on the school basketball and tennis teams. Roehler said, “I was a teenager, and I wanted to play basketball or play tennis and hang out with my friends. It was just a lot at that time for me.”

From her senior year until about two years later, she was absent from the racquetball court, but eventually started

playing again on her terms. She said, “I wanted to play, not because people were making me play, or having this thought that I'm going to be this amazing racquetball player and wanted me to do all this training. I just wasn't having fun when it was being forced upon me.”

Many would say she became that “amazing racquetball player,” but whatever positive adjective used, she indeed has made her mark on the history of the sport.

Roehler’s first significant racquetball success came in

NJ Starz ... cont. from page 20 1998, when she was both the Women’s 24 & Under National Singles Champion, and a US Open Women’s 24 & Under Singles Champion. Then, in 2005 and 2006, she and Laura Fenton won two USA Racquetball Women’s Team Qualifying Doubles championships. Roehler has teamed up to win 12 of these titles from 2005 through 2020. In addition to the two with Fenton, she and partner Jackie Paraiso have won five championships, and she came out on top four times with Janel Tisinger, and once with Erika Manilla. Roehler admires and credits those she has played with. She said, “Winning with these women, who already have their names cemented in the sport I like as a doubles player, I always say, ‘There's no “I” in team.’ With Jackie and Janel, and even Erica, it's teamwork, and there's a lot that goes into it.”

And perhaps an especially important factor many may not be aware of. Roehler, 48, is a lefthander. She says it’s advantageous, especially when playing in doubles competition, her favorite. She said, “I play singles every once in a while, but I mainly play doubles where there's not a lot of lefty-righty doubles teams. When you're a lefty-righty doubles team, you kind of have that advantage already; you have your forehands on both sides, and so that's always an advantage.”

Perhaps her biggest moment out of many big moments in the sport came in 2009. Roehler stunned the racquetball world when, as a very low seed entry, she defeated Kristen Walsh Bellows, Rhonda Rajsich, and Cheryl Gudinas –three of the top four women’s racquetball players on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour that season – to win the 2009 USA Racquetball Women’s Team Qualifying Singles Championship.

“It was something I will always remember,” she said of 2009. “I had no expectations. I was going for a meeting, and I said to myself, “I’ve got to travel to Houston for a meeting, so let me just sign up to play because I’m going to be there.’ I didn't have any pressure or anything like that on me.”

But she did have a nice support group. Roehler said, “Every time I defeated a top player, there were more people watching the matches. And a group of friends and my husband at that time - they were very supportive.” As she walked towards the court to warm-up for the final match against Gudinas, she looked over and the aforementioned folks were huddled. “Then I turned, and they had my name spelled out on their shirts. The amount of support that I had from them - and them cheering me on! Then afterwards, we went back to the hotel and celebrated, and it was very surreal. We all looked at each other and asked, ‘Did this really happen?’ It did.”

Following her huge singles title in 2009, she was that year named USA Racquetball Female Athlete of the Year, and in 2012 was inducted into the New Jersey Amateur Racquetball Hall of Fame.

Roehler was also inducted into the USA Racquetball Hall of Fame in 2021, which she was unable to attend (the induction for her was held in May of 2022 instead) after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She was stricken in 2020 after she won the national doubles title with Manilla. And, coincidentally enough, her boyfriend, Ruben Pagan, also was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the same time. Roehler’s diagnosis came out of nowhere. She, who had no family history of breast cancer, said, “I got diagnosed but I didn't have any symptoms. I didn't have any lumps. I didn't have any bumps. I was going in for my annual mammogram and they spotted something, and they asked me to come back for an ultrasound. When they asked me to come back,

I can't really say I was thinking anything of it. Of course, I was worried, but it’s happened before where they’d asked me to come back.”

During this return trip, a biopsy was done, and Roehler was diagnosed with breast cancer. She began treatments, and thanks her stepmom, Louise, for being there for her.

Roehler said, “She's a registered nurse. She was there with me every step of the way. She was there for my surgery, when I went to the doctor's appointments - everything.”

Roehler approached USA Racquetball and informed them of the diagnosis, said she wanted to share her story with the racquetball community, and that she wanted USA Racquetball to be a part of it. Also, she started to raise funds for the Steeplechase Cancer Center at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital Somerset’s Sanofi US Wellness Boutique.

Roehler said, “All the money that they have helps those who are diagnosed. Whether they need rides to chemotherapy treatments, or they need meals because they’re exhausted from treatment, that's all done through donations. I just wanted to give back to them for what they do and how they help other cancer patients.”

Roehler, who now has her own firm called ABR Communications where she manages social media platforms for clients, said her health is currently good.

She said, “I'm playing racquetball three times a week, and I feel good. I have my aches and pains and things like that, and I do have to take a daily pill and I must get a shot every four weeks as a maintenance with everything that comes along with it. But other than that, I’m still active, I'm enjoying life, and I'm focusing on my business, and I want to grow my business.”

For more information about Aimee Roehler, visit her website www.abrcomm.com.

apy at some time, but after the most traumatic medical issues or most severe injuries are when you need it the most. When you have suffered a stroke or you were severely injured in an accident, you need specialized treatment to return to normal. At Elite Spine and Sports Care of Totowa, we focus on rehabilitation toward optimizing engagement in your daily life. This could be by promoting healing, mobility, balance, and more. Our therapists provide hands-on as well as educational treatment methods to improve your overall quality of life after injury. We offer detailed evaluations to aid in determining the ability of a patient to perform the daily tasks for independent functioning at home, work, school or anywhere they need to be. Treatment using Occupational Therapy is a useful option for patients in Totowa NJ.

Occupational Therapy To Treat Less Severe Conditions

If you suffer the pain and discomfort of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Arthritis, Tendonitis, or other chronic conditions, Occupational Therapy is a way to treat them. The goal is again to help you function independently in your daily life through therapy.

Hand Therapy is an area of remedy to treat injuries and conditions that impact the upper extremities. These include shoulders, arms, elbows, forearms, wrists and hands. This treatment involves non-operative interventions and rehabilitation for a variety of upper extremity disorders and pain.

In the pursuit of Occupational Therapy, our fully licensed and certified therapists use a number of techniques and tools which may include exercise programs, custom orthotic fabrication, pain and swelling management, and also wound and scar care.

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Whether you have suffered a severe injury, traumatic medical issue, or have chronic

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pain caused by any number of problems, Elite Spine and Sports Care of Totowa offers a form of therapy to treat you. It is always our goal to treat patients with professional care that eases their way back to normal funtioning in their daily lives. If you are in need of treatment and therapy after injury or a chronic condition, please call Elite Spine and Sports Care of Totowa at (862) 239-1768 for an appointment.

In most cases patients see a Chiropractor when they are suffering back, neck or joint pain. Pain reducing procedures offered by Chiropractors are commonly known as “spinal manipulation” or “chiropractic adjustment”. The purpose of these treatments is to help a patient regain mobility of joints that have been injured or repeatedly stressed. At Elite Spine and Sports Care of Totowa, our experienced Chiropractic staff use a hands-on approach to provide your health care. This outstanding health care includes examination, diagnosis and treatment, and it is offered by professionals who can recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, together with lifestyle changes. Our Chiropractic services are available to Passaic County NJ patients as well as anyone suffering back, neck or joint pain.

How Does Tissue Injury Occur?

Tissue injury may be caused by heavy lifting, or repeated stress to an area of your body. These tissue injuries also result in physical and chemical changes that cause inflammation and pain. In order for tissues to heal, a Chiropractor utilizes manipulation or adjustment to restore mobility and relieve pain.

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When undergoing Chiropractic Care, goals should include the following:

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• Restored spinal alignment

Seek Professional Help For Back, Neck or Joint Pain

As the body ages, sustains injury or is engaged in activities that put a lot of stress on it, we may need the services of a Chiropractor. Elite Spine and Sports Care of Totowa provides an excellent and knowledgeable Chiropractic staff who are trained in treating neuromusculoskeletal issues. Dr. Gabriel Hannawi, DC is

a Chiropractic Physician and is the head of the team. If you are experiencing pain in your back, neck, in the joints of your arms or legs, or have persistent headaches, make

an appointment to see our Chiropractic staff. Their focus is to relieve your discomfort and allow you to return to the enjoyment of a pain-free life.

Dr. Sean Santagato, PT, DPT, GTS Dir. of Physical Therapy

Bodyguard for Celebrities Honored Again

By Steve Sears

It has been a wonderful nine months for bodyguard Adriano “Bubba” Almony.

In December of 2022 in Houston, Texas, he was the first bodyguard ever honored to receive the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, and on July 22, he was in Atlanta, Georgia for the 15th annual D’CEM Awards, where he was awarded with both a Humanitarian Excellence Award and Best Security Bodyguard Award.

And this November, he will be awarded a K.S.E. Elite Bodyguard Award, and be inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame along with the Queen of Congo. For the latter, Almony was nominated by Mike Tyson’s trainer, Aaron Snowell.

Almony said of the D’CEM event, “It was amazing. There was a dinner, a state representative from the governor's office there, and hundreds of people at a pretty much full to capacity event. They called all the honorees to stage where you were able to do an acceptance speech. They had our photo on the big jumbotron - the backdrop at the stage - and there were red carpet interviews. It was truly a great time, a nice event.”

When asked to describe the word “humanitarian,” Almony said, “A humanitarian is somebody who puts others before themselves. It's helping to make the world a better place as a goodwill ambassador, and someone who takes pride in doing less for themselves and more for others.”

Almony, 28, first was born and raised in Hanover, Pennsylvania, but in the fifth grade moved to Ocean City, Maryland, where he grew up for most of his life. In 2012 he graduated from

Stephen Decatur High, and then headed for the Metropolitan area, where he has lived in Fairfield in Essex County since 2018. A security industry pro for 12 years, he has owned Bubba Almony Security Service for five years.

Almony’s bodyguard services protect a number of well-known celebrities and their families, such as Dr. Khalilah Camacho-Ali, the wife of four-time heavyweight boxing champion, Muhammad Ali, and her children, real estate tycoon Grant Cardone and his wife, Elena Lyons Cardone, P. Diddy’s children, and musical artist Yvng Swag of “Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out.” His bodyguard services are also relied on at events. He serves at Ocean City, Maryland’s White Marlin Open, the world’s largest

billfishing tournament, the 10X Growth Conference (“the number one business event as voted by Forbes,” Almony says), and the 9/11 Memorial Commemoration in New York City.

Most important to Almony is making an impact in the world. He said, “To have any impact in my work and impact as a person, and to be inspiring. Being the best leader I could be, the best influence, just pushing towards my greatness every day, to be the best human I could be.”

Adriano “Bubba” Almony outside the White House (courtesy of Adriano “Bubba” Almony)

Courtesy Dr. Anant Joshi

When it comes to a health concern, we all want the fastest solution at the lowest cost.

This is the case whether it’s pain in the back, a toothache, or a sore heel.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent annually on over-the-counter (OTC) products.

In the foot world, inserts, anti-wart products, toenail fungus remedies, and medicated corn and callus pads are the most popular OTC purchases.

With companies like Amazon, it’s easier than ever to have the “solution” show up quickly at your door.

Many companies that sell store-bought health aids do a good job of marketing their solution.

Who wouldn’t try “The Inserts to Solve Plantar Fas-

ciitis” if their heel has been painful for a while?

Or the liquid that guarantees to “Kill Toenail Fungus”?

Boy, if these products worked that well, who would ever need us?

Rationally, it makes sense to try something like this if the cost is low.

But here’s the thing…

The problem is that some of these products make the situation worse.

We’ve seen inserts make the heel hurt more, and even worse, cause back pain.

We’ve also seen infections from “wart solutions” and medicated corn and callus pads.

And we’ve had several patients complain of their ankle hurting more from an OTC brace.

There are two problems with an ineffective OTC foot product.

One is that money was wasted. Two is that the condition has been prolonged.

An important fact about foot conditions is that the longer they exist, they get worse and harder to solve.

When it comes to most purchases in our lives, whether it’s a new car or a medical solution, humans make rational decisions.

In the interest of getting a faster and less expensive result, it would be better to make a logical decision when it comes to ending a foot concern.

By logical, of course we’re referring to seeing us instead of purchasing an OTC product.

We’ll make an accurate diagnosis before recommending the easiest and fastest proven solution.

Don’t be betrayed by the promises of the “guaranteed solution” many OTC

products claim. Not only will you save yourself time, money, and aggravation by seeing a specialist instead, you’ll also avoid having the condition get worse.

Let us know how we can

serve you.

To Healthy Feet, Anant Joshi DPM

By Henry M. Holden

No World

War II,

Fountain’s Follies

air-

craft were more vulnerable than the plywood and fabric covered gliders. The life expectancy of their pilots was 50-50 at best. Fred Fountain, of River Dale, N.J. was among the unsung glider heroes of the war.

There were six major glider missions in World War II: Burma, Sicily, Normandy, southern, France, Holland, and the Rhine. Fred Fountain flew and survived (barely) three of those missions. Many of the 48-foot-long WACO CG-4 gliders were built in Ridgefield, New Jersey.

Glider pilots endured enemy flak, foul weather, and aircraft that sometimes-shed parts in flight.

Landing the silent, motorless giants loaded with 13 men or an artillery piece, behind enemy lines, was

This C-47 Skytrain is about to “snatch” and double tow two CG-4 gliders seen in the background. Credit author’s collection

described as no more than a controlled crash.

The glider had only the basic flight instruments: airspeed, vertical speed, turn in bank indicator, and a compass. Fountain said, “The compass was superfluous since there was only one place, we were going to navigate to by ourselves, and that was down.”

The pilots shunned parachutes because none of the troops they carried wore them. On a combat mission.

Destiny was a one-way trip. Only the tow plane pilot had any chance of making it back to base that day.

The history of the 101st airborne describes the glider pilots as “the most uninhibited individuals in the army, who successfully defied all attempts at organization.”

Glider pilots had little use for military convention and ignored most military courtesy. They loved flycont. on page 39

Where Can I Dump Tree Branches Near Me? Find Hassle-Free Disposal Options

Courtesy Raied Muheisen

When it comes to landscaping and tree maintenance, one inevitable task is the disposal of treebranches. Whether you’ve pruned your trees, trimmed overgrown branches, or dealt with storm damage, knowing where to dump tree branches near you is crucial for a clean and well-maintained outdoor space. In this guide, we’ll walk you through various convenient disposal options, eco-friendly solutions, and essential considerations for proper

branch disposal. Where Can I Dump Tree Branches Near Me? Wondering where you can conveniently dispose of those trimmed and pruned tree branches?

Let’s explore a variety of options that cater to your needs:

1. Municipal Yard Waste Collection Programs Municipalities often offer yard waste collection services, allowing you to place your tree branches curbside for pickup. Check your city’s waste management website for collectionschedules and guidelines.

2. Local Landfills

Many local landfills accept yard waste, including tree branches. Research nearby landfills and inquire about their disposal policies, fees, and regulations.

3. Composting Facilities

Some communities have composting facilities that accept organic materials, including tree branches. If you’re environmentally conscious, this can be a great option to recycle your branches into nutrient-rich compost.

4. Mulching Services

Consider renting or purchasing a wood chipper to turn your tree branches into mulch. Mulch has various landscaping uses

and can be a sustainable way to repurpose branches on your property.

5. Community Recycling Centers

Certain recycling centers have designated areas for yard waste. Explore whether your local recycling center accepts tree branches and inquire about any preparation requirements.

6. Curbside Chipping Services

In some areas, you may find curbside chipping services that come directly to your property to chip and haul away branches. This can save you time and effort.

7. Local Tree Services

Reach out to local tree service companies; some may offer branch disposal services as part of their offerings. They might also have insights into the most suitable disposal methods for different types of branches.

8. Check with Garden Centers

Garden centers or nurseries in your area might have information about disposal options or recommendations for eco-friendly ways to handle tree branches.

9. Online Platforms

Explore online platforms like community forums, social media groups, or classified ads to find

individuals or businesses interested in collecting tree branches for various purposes, such as firewood or crafts.

10. Environmental Organizations

Some environmental organizations collaborate on initiatives to repurpose yard waste sustainably. Check with local conservation groups for any ongoing programs.

11. Arborist Associations

Arborist associations often have resources for proper tree care, including branch disposal. They can provide valuable insights and connect you with experts

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cont. from page 30

in the field.

12. Public Gardens and Parks

Contact nearby public gardens or parks to see if they accept yard waste for their landscaping needs.

13. Check Local Regulations

Before disposing of tree branches, ensure you’re aware of local regulations. Some areas have restrictions on open burning or disposing of certain types of waste.

14. Renting a Dumpster

If you have a large amount of branches to dispose of, renting a dumpster might be a suitable option. Ensure you choose a company that handles green waste responsibly.

15. Creating DIY Projects

Get creative and use tree branches for DIY projects like garden structures, decorative items, or crafts. Upcycling can be a rewarding way to repurpose branches.

16. Contacting Tree Removal Services

If your tree branches are a result of a larger tree removal project, the same company might offer branch disposal services.

17. Local Biomass Facilities

Biomass facilities use organic materials for energy production. Check if there are any facilities that accept tree branches in your vicinity.

18. Educational Institutions

Some schools or educational institutions with landscaping programs might be interested in using your branches for educational purposes.

19. Neighborhood Sharing

Consider sharing your branches with neighbors who might need firewood or crafting materials.

20. Utilize Green Waste Bags

Some areas provide green waste bags for yard waste disposal. Fill these bags with branches and leave them for scheduled collection.

21. Contact Waste Management Companies

Local waste management companies may have specialized services for green waste disposal, including tree branches.

22. Local Government Websites

Check your city or county government websites for resources on waste disposal, including specific guidelines for tree branches.

23. Tree Branch Drop-Off Events

Certain communities organize drop-off events specifically for yard waste, providing a convenient solution for branch disposal.

24. Consulting Online Directories

Online directories or apps that list waste disposal facilities can help you find nearby options for tree branch disposal.

25. Backyard Burning

In some regions where regulations allow, controlled burning might be an option for disposing of small branches. Ensure you follow safety protocols and obtain any necessary permits.

7 Tips for Back-to-School Shopping on a Budget

Between navigating store aisles and online sales for everything from clothes and shoes to supplies and sports equipment, back-to-school shopping can be a time-consuming - and expensive - endeavor.

To help stay on budget while still getting everything you need, consider these tips from Vitaly Pecharsky, head of deals for Slickdeals, a one-of-a-kind online community of shoppers working together to shop smarter and save more.

Take stock of current inventory - Before you hit the stores, take inventory of items you already have at home or in the office to see what you truly need. Knowing what you already have on hand can help you avoid the temptation of stocking up on items you may not even need just because they were on sale. That 50-cent pack of crayons may be a good deal, but too many of those can add up, especially if you realize later you had the same item sitting unused in a closet or drawer at home.

Check with teachers - Don’t be afraid to email your children’s teachers before classes start to find out what supplies are absolutely necessary. Sometimes a school will put out a list, but the teachers may not require you to have all the items on the list, particularly if students may be sharing and supplies may need to be restocked later in the school year.

Tap into technology - Shopping online is a quick and easy way to compare products, services and prices, but it can be overwhelming trying to determine if you’re really getting the best option. Before making a final decision on everything from laptops to markers, visiting a site like

Slickdeals can help you find the best products at the best prices. With 12 million users who vet and vote on deals from top retailers, you can feel comfortable knowing you’re getting the best value. You can also set deal alerts to be notified via email when a deal that matches your criteria gets posted.

Buy pre-owned - From uniforms and sporting equipment to clothing and more, not everything needs to be new each school year. Visiting online consignment shops can help you find big savings on like new, often brand name clothing, accessories and more.

Avoid buying equipment for extracurricular activities all at once - If your children are trying new sports, clubs or extracurricular activities for the first time, consider waiting to purchase all the necessary equipment. Oftentimes, you may be able to borrow or buy pre-owned items from other parents whose kids have outgrown the equipment or no longer participate. If your children end up deciding a sport or activity isn’t for them, you’re not stuck with things that may end up collecting dust in the garage or basement.

Shop without your kids - Leaving the kids at home when shopping may help save money, according to a survey commissioned by Slickdeals and conducted by OnePoll. The study of 2,000 parents in the United States found 2 out of 3 respondents believe shopping with their kids tends to be more expensive than shopping by themselves with solo ventures costing an average of $133 compared to $179 when taking children along.

Take advantage of student discounts - If you have chil -

dren in college, you may be able to use their student ID cards to your advantage to save even more money. Before making purchases on big-ticket items like tablets or laptops, be sure to inquire about discounts available only for students. Some companies even offer student-only memberships for discounted services, such as shipping, video, music and more.

Find deals on supplies and gear for back-to-school season at Slickdeals.com.

(Family Features)

Source: Slickdeals

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

Find Out How Physical Therapy can Help Improve

your pain. If you are looking for a healthier, stronger, and more active lifestyle, contact AIM Orthopedics: Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine a call today to improve your health and wellness!

What do physical therapy plans look like?

down, standing up, walking, lifting, stretching, or other motions. Once our physical therapist has a clear picture of what you need, he or she will begin constructing a treatment plan to help relieve your pain and achieve your goals.

Ahealthy, strong, and active lifestyle is what everyone strives for. However, it is not always easy to obtain, especially for those suffering from chronic pain. The very thought of going out and exercising with your aches and pains may leave you feeling uncomfortable.

However, there is, fortunately, a simpler solution to gaining the active lifestyle you desire. Physical therapy can help you achieve optimum levels of health and fitness, all while reducing

Everyone has different needs based on the conditions of their bodies. There is no cookie-cutter approach to health and wellness, as one treatment plan may not work the same for one person as it would for another. Our physical therapist will work closely with you to evaluate your mobility, balance, range of motion, and severity of pain.

Your physical goals will also be taken into account when creating your treatment plan, as well as any health risks that may be holding you back. At your initial evaluation, you may be asked to perform basic movements, such as sitting

How exactly can physical therapy benefit me?

The purpose of physical therapy remains the same, no matter what you are seeking its services for. Perhaps you are still suffering from the lingering pain of an injury. Perhaps you are recovering from a surgery and trying to get your range of motion back. Perhaps your joints simply aren’t what they used to be, and you are looking for relief. Whatever the case may be, physical therapists are dedicated to relieving your pain and getting you back to your peak level of physical health.

A physical therapist is a movement specialist, edu-

cated in analyzing mobility issues with walking, running, jumping, bending, stretching, and almost every other form of physical activity. Our physical therapist can pinpoint problem areas and create a customized treatment plan aimed at improving those areas. Through in-office sessions and at-home exercises, patients strengthen their muscles and joints, improve their balance, build endurance, and experience pain relief, all without the

unwanted harmful risks of drugs or surgery.

So, what exactly is it?

Physical therapy is generally comprised of three important phases: pain relief, strengthening, and functional integration. Some people are apprehensive toward physical therapy because they believe it will hurt them; however, the opposite is usually true. Physical therapy is aimed at pain relief and strengthening, and your physical therapist will

make sure that your treatment plan won’t bring you any pain or discomfort. This is achieved through several treatment services, such as ice and heat therapies, stretching, bracing, and ultrasound.

An active lifestyle is also dependent upon movement. Your physical therapist will cater your treatment plan around specific movements designed to increase your strength, flexibility, balance, cont. on page 37

Find Out How...

cont. from page 36

and overall mobility. He or she will assist you with many of these exercises, but will also provide some simple ones that can be done at home.

The end result of physical therapy is living the life you want, free from painful limitations. That can only happen when you apply the concepts you learn from your treatments to the outside world. Our physical therapist is as dedicated as you are, and will encourage you to achieve all the goals you set forth in the beginning.

How can I get started?

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle takes work, but once you get into the groove of it, it becomes much easier. For example, eating nutritious foods is one of the easiest ways to improve your health (although we know those sweets are hard to kick.) Physical activity is the hardest aspect to get in

the habit of doing, especially if you are being held back by chronic pain.

Some people try to mask their symptoms with anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medications, while others, unfortunately, give up on the idea of being active altogether. Luckily, there is an alternative option: physical therapy. With the help of a physical therapist, it is possible to reclaim your painfree, healthy lifestyle, and get back to doing the activities you love.

Improve your health and lifestyle today with physical therapy!

In the end, an active lifestyle is more than possible,

even if you struggle with chronic pain. If you are looking to improve your health, strength, and physical activity, look no further – we are here to help.

Schedule a consultation at AIM Orthopedics: Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine with one of our physical therapists today and get started on your journey toward better health and wellness!

6 Tips to Protect Kids in Fall Sports – Back-to-school sports season linked to ankle injuries

Courtesy Matthew F. Wachtler

If your children are playing sports this fall, pay attention to six tips that could protect them from serious ankle injuries.

Every fall, Cedar Grove NJ foot and ankle surgeon Matthew F. Wachtler, DPM, FACFAS notices an increase in ankle injuries among young athletes. Football, soccer and basketball are the sports most likely to lead to sprains, broken bones and other problems.

What seems like a sprain is not always a sprain; in addition to cartilage injuries, your son or daughter might have injured other bones in the foot without knowing it. Have a qualified doctor examine the injury. The sooner rehabilitation starts, the sooner we can prevent long-term problems like instability or arthritis, and the sooner your child can get back into competition.

Dr. Wachtler’s top recommendation is for parents is to get ankle injuries treated right away. Other tips include:

• Have old sprains checked by a doctor before the season starts. A medical check-up can reveal whether your child’s previously injured ankle might be vulnerable to sprains, and could possibly benefit from wearing a supportive ankle brace during competition.

• Buy the right shoe for

the sport. Different sports require different shoe gear. Players shouldn’t mix baseball cleats with football shoes.

• Children should start the season with new shoes. Old shoes can wear down like a car tire and become uneven on the bottom, causing the ankle to tilt because the foot can’t lie flat.

• Check playing fields for dips, divots and holes. Most sports-related ankle sprains are caused by jumping and running on uneven surfaces. That’s why some surgeons recommend parents walk the field, especially when children compete in non-professional settings like public parks, for spots that could catch a player’s foot and throw them to the ground.

• Encourage stretching and warm-up exercises. Calf stretches and light jogging before competition helps

warm up ligaments and blood vessels, reducing the risk for ankle injuries.

Dr. Wachtler is board certified in foot surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Fellow of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons and

serves as Secretary of the Eastern Division of the New Jersey Podiatric Medical Society

Fountain’s Follies...

cont. from page 28

drinking and women, but not necessarily in that order. They felt that if they were going to be killed in combat, there was no point in being polite, disciplined, or sober.

Fred fountain was 28 years old when World War II broke out. He was considered too old for the Air Force cadet training program, so he volunteered for the little-known glider pilot program. The daily routine as Fountain describes it was bookwork and drill in the morning and flying in the afternoon. “Each day 25 men were crammed into a school bus built for 20 children and driven 60 miles from Bergen Junior-College, in Teaneck (now fairly Dickinson University) to Soberg-Hunterton Airport in Redington for flight training. There was so much classroom work it continued on the school bus.

“It was a typical Army operation,” said Fountain. “The food was bad, bunks were too small, and the drill was a joke.”

Forty-five days later, Fountain graduated, but the Army has changed its mind about the glider pilot program so all the new pilots were returned to the Army as buck privates. Later the Army reversed itself and Fountain went for more flight training wearing his sterling silver wings. First came a single engine power plane then the two-place gliders. From there he went on to the 4-ton WACO- CG 4 heavy glider.

Fountains first combat mission was to Southern France on August 15, 1944, with the 436th Troop, Carrier Group, 79 Squadron. “Fountains, Folly” was the 37th of 40 gliders in the first lift. As it often happened the telephone line between the tow plane and glider tore away on takeoff. Fountain, his cargo of English Tommy’s, and their jeep were in the air four-and one-half hours, and out of contact with the tow plane. Fountain remembers that, during the long hours his British passengers relaxed and brewed some tea. Near the landing zone, Fountain watched as several gliders crashed. One fell apart in mid-air, its human cargo falling helplessly into the sea.

On the landing approach, Fountain’s copilot prayed instead of reading the airspeed indicator and operating the spoilers. Fountain screamed at the copilot but to no avail, so he landed the glider himself.

“Since I was too tired to dig a foxhole, I crawled under a British 57 mm field piece. That was a mistake. When it fired tears came to my eyes and I went deaf for a while.”

Family Owned and Operated

Fountain’s next mission was to Holland on September 18, 1944. This time there was no copilot and Fountain was flying Folly #2. The mission fleet consisted of 1,500 gliders, and Fountain and his human cargo of spent more than 3 1/2 hours in the air. Solo flying with a full load was an exhausting job. Fountain had to struggle to keep the glider from oscillating. If his ship didn’t fly above the tow plane slipstream, the ride would be worse than a rowboat in a storm-tossed sea. If the glider had structural defects, there was a distinct possibility of it breaking up in flight.

Five minutes from the LZ, Fountain’s Foley #2 was hit by a German 40 mm, shell that tore a huge hole in the fabric skin, and missed the main wing spar by inches. Two of his passengers were badly wounded, but Fountain was able to keep the smoke-filled cabin airborne.

Fountain crash landed in a field amid the rubble of wrecked gliders and dead cows. Fountain stayed in Holland for four or five days before working his way back to England.

“I remember being in Brussels, but have no recollection of how I got back to England. As usual, all of the surviving glider pilots got drunk. I estimated that 90-percent of the glider pilots time was spent getting drunk and raising Hell, and 10-percent flying. And if the big brass didn’t like it, they could always try and find someone else to fly the damn gliders.”

The Rhine mission on March 24, 1945, saw 906 WACO gliders launched. Fountain’s Folly #3, was part of the group, and double towed for more than three hours carrying a jeep trailer, heavy machine gun and six airborne troops. This time he had a copilot, a P-51 pilot who had never seen the inside of a glider.

The landing zones were in disputed territory and artillery, mortar and machine gun greeted the hapless pilots as they tried their silent giants. “Less than one-quarter of the gliders that reached the assault area came through undamaged,” said the official report.

As he approached the LZ Fountain began to think his luck had run out. First his tow plane exploded in front of him just after he had cut loose; Then, as he flew into the smoke shrouded LZ, suddenly he saw high tension wires cutting across his glide path. Sideslipping with full spoilers, he narrowly missed the wires. The glider plowed through a number of fences, and slammed into a tree. Before he could climb out of the wreck another glider

Fall Savings

Former PGA Tour caddy At Bowling Green Golf Club

smashed into what was left of his glider.

When the dust settled, Fountain and his copilot ran for cover through a hail of machine gun fire and dove behind a hedge row. “With our faces in the dirt,” he remembered, “We said several quick prayers.”

A rumbling noise caused Fountain to look up in time to see a glider skidding toward them. Miraculously the wheels missed him by inches but crushed Fountain’s carbine. Now, he was without a gun in the middle of a fire fight. Desperately, he crawled into a gully to wait for the shooting to stop. He survived, but never saw his copilot again.

Glider pilots in the great giant silent birds were a creation of World War II. When the war ended, they faded from the scene. Fred Fountain came home to New Jersey and established a successful insurance business in Hackensack.

Now Here’s a Tip

By JoAnn Derson

*Glitter cleanup can be a hassle. Here's my tip for getting it up quickly with no mess left behind: Use play dough. Just press it into the stray glitter and it will pick it right up. Then you've created glitter dough! Oh, your kids will be impressed. Here are some more kid tips. -- JoAnn

* Can't seem to part with those baby blankets now that the kids are not babies anymore? Don't! Sew them into floor pillow covers and watch the kids get a few more years out of them.

* My daughter is old enough to play on our street with her friends, but not necessarily old enough for a cellphone. Instead, we repurposed a set of walkie talkies. Her boundary is in walkie talkie range, and we can communicate. Plus, it's just fun! -- T.F. in Maryland

* Our friends who live in an apartment have a great storable sandbox solution. They use a plastic under-the-bed storage bin filled with sand and toys. It has a lid and can be stored easily on their balcony. The kids still get to play in the sand even on rainy days. -- W. in Kentucky

* I saw this idea in a magazine somewhere, and now I make them for other moms and dads, as they are cute and functional: Make a cell number beaded bracelet your kids can wear when you go out. Little kids may not remember Mommy's cellphone number, but they can bring the bracelet to a store employee and ask him or her to call the number on the bracelet. Use elastic thread and colorful number beads. -- P.S. in Oregon

* If you use a 1/4-inch hole punch, which you can get at a hardware store for cheap, you easily can make a straw hole in the plastic tops of kids' single serving drinks, like milk and water bottles. Less chance of a spill.

Send your tips to Now Here's a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

By Richard Mabey Jr.

My beloved father served as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 170 for 28 years, from 1966 to 1994. Dad was 67 years old when he retired from his volunteer role of the Beloved Scoutmaster. He was fighting prostate cancer at the time. A battle that he did win. But sadly, the dreaded cancer reared its ugly head again in 2006, in the form of pancreatic cancer. Sadly, Dad lost that fight.

My father believed in the Scout Law and the Scout Oath. Every single word of it. Second only to the Lord’s Prayer, it was Dad’s guiding light upon which he used to shine upon his walk along life’s path. Upon my father’s workbench, was a folded oak tag sign that read, “better to teach

I Remember Dad: Hallowed Be, Thy Sacred Truth of The Scout Law

a boy the moral path, than to rehabilitate a wayward man.” The lettering of that little sign was hand written. Dad had written those words back in 1966, when he first became Scoutmaster of Troop 170. For nearly 30 years, Dad looked at that little sign. As the years passed by, the little oak tag sign developed little folds in the corner. The sunlight, pouring in from the cellar window, had caused the once brightly colored, golden thick oak tag to turn to a faded shade of yellow. Yet the truth of Dad’s handwritten little sign never dulled, not one tiny bit.

My father saw his role as Scoutmaster as a ministry. Over the years, Dad was a most wonderful father-role to hundreds upon hundreds of boys. A kind-heart-

ed adopted uncle, a gentle soul who taught boys the essentials of first-aid. Dad loved to teach the scouts about the great wonders of the trees of the forest and about all the magnificent creatures that called the woods, their sacred home.

My father taught all so many scouts to hold a great respect for all living things. He taught his scouts the role that the elm, the oak, the maple and the pine played in preventing soil erosion on a hillside incline. Dad taught the scouts of dear old 170, to walk ever so gently and quietly, while approaching a group of deer drinking from a babbling brook, a few yards from the wooded path of the famed Appalachian Trail.

My father went Home to be with the Lord in May of

2006. Now, over 17 years later, I miss him all so very much. There are times when I hear the echo of my father’s voice, “now boys, your pocket knife isn’t a toy. You need to take special care when handling a knife. When you’re getting kindle wood ready for the fire, always cut the little twigs from a fallen branch away from you, never cut the twigs toward you.”

Like the tiny particles of sand that sift through our fingers, time waits for no person. The clock ticks the minutes away, the pages of the calendar are torn off too soon, the years pass by, and sadly, the years become decades, falling away from us.

Life is short. Too short to hold grievances and harsh judgments. Love one another. Forgive, forgive and

forgive those who do you wrong. Tell your loved ones that you love them. For tomorrow may be too late.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He hosts a YouTube Channel titled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard most recently published a book of poetry and short stories. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@hotmail.com.

A very rare photograph of Dad standing beneath the legendary Troop 170 campsite gateway sign. My sister, Reverend Patricia Mabey, took this picture back in the Spring of 1973.