Roxbury February 2023

By Richard Mabey Jr.

Author’s Note: I do my absolute, honest best to write stories that are true and endearing to the human heart. This story is very precious to me, in that it is the story of the love that brought my paternal grandparents together.

From September of 1965 till the late Summer of 1966, my feet never touched the ground as I battled a most serious case of Rheumatic Fever. Like clockwork, my grandparents, Watson and Bertha Mabey would come to visit me in my bedroom every Tuesday and Thursday. It is during these endearing visits with my grandparents that Grandpa told me many, many stories of his youth and of his remembrances of life along the old Morris Canal. This very story was one of those true-life tales that Grandpa told me, all those years ago.

My grandfather was a very shy man. However, the good Lord graced him with the gift of story telling. Grandpa had this uncanny talent to use his voice flexion, to animate his hands, and to use his facial expressions to hold me spellbound as he spun his yarns of a time, long since past.

One of Grandpa’s favorite stories to tell was about the Valentine’s Day of 1915. Grandpa was 21 years old and Grandma was 18. It is a story unto itself, but Grandma’s parents, David and Catherine Storms, moved to Beavertown, just across the street from the old Mabey Homestead, in 1914. Grandpa was friendly with the Storms family. And, on

A Valentine’s Day Story

the Valentine’s Day of 1915, Grandpa finally got the nerve to as Grandma for a date.

From Grandma’s point of view, I had learned that Grandma’s father did not fully approve of Watson taking his daughter for a date. You see, Grandpa rode his Indian motorcycle across Route 202 and knocked on the door of the Storms Homestead and asked to see Bertha. According to Grandma, it was her father who answered the door and when he saw Grandpa’s motorcycle in the back driveway, he was very concerned about Watson being too wild and reckless for his beloved daughter.

Grandpa often told me, with a big smile on his face, how he remembered sitting on the bench just outside the backdoor of the old Storms Homestead. “I remember your Grandma and her father had a bit of a discussion whether or not your Grandma was going to be allowed to go for a motorcycle ride with me,” Grandpa would tell me. Then Grandma would interrupt Grandpa and say to me, “but I finally convinced Pop to let me take that motorcycle ride with your Grandpa!”

In May of 1916, my grandfather got the courage to ask his beloved Bertha to marry him. She said yes. They got married the very next month. Together my grandparents had nine children, 15 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 16 great great grandchildren.

In memory, I return to those wonderful and magical times of watching and

listening to Grandpa tell his stories of the remembrances of his life as a young man. I do my best to be true to bring his stories back to life, to honor the beloved patriarch. I loved my grandfather all so very much. In

many ways, he taught me a lot about the fine art of storytelling. I dearly miss him. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@hotmail. com.

An endearing photograph, from 1915, of my Grandma and Grandpa, Watson and Bertha Mabey, on Grandpa’s Indian motorcycle.

This term is widely applied in dentistry and can mean a lot of different things to different people. This article is focusing on dental implants, specifically when all the teeth in the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both are replaced with dental implants.

For some people, there comes a point when they say to themselves, “OK, its time I did something with my teeth.” Reasons

General & Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental Digest: Teeth in One Day

for this epiphany can vary greatly, and might include: frustration with constant pain, bleeding gums, a smile that they are ashamed of, inability to chew and eat, or dentures they just can’t wear.

Dental implants can help with all of these issues. They can provide comfort, stability, increased chewing efficiency, and improved self-esteem. Overall health improvement is another result reported by people soon after implant treatment is completed.

that these are temporary teeth: the final teeth will be fabricated approximately 4 to 6 months later.

with Dr. Goldberg

all treatment is performed in one location: there is no bouncing between offices. In fact, Dr. Goldberg performs so many of these procedures he has built a surgical suite within his practice in order to deliver exceptional implant care to his patients.

New Patient Special

$149 Cleaning, Exam, Full Set of Films

Dental implant treatment options can vary greatly: 2 to 6 implants can be placed to stabilize a denture, individual implants can be placed to replace missing teeth, 4 to 6 implants can be utilized to support a removable denture called an overdenture, or permanent teeth can be placed onto these 4 to 6 implants.

This last option goes by many names: Teeth In One Day, All-On-Four®, Same Day Smile, and the list goes on and on. The process includes removal of any remaining teeth, 4 to 6 implants are placed, and teeth are attached to the implants. These 3 steps are performed in one appointment, so the patient is able to leave the dental office with a new smile the same day! It truly can be life-altering for some people: we see it time and time again. It should be noted

These Teeth In A Day processes have revolutionized implant dentistry. Although more expensive than dentures, it is less expensive than traditional full-mouth implant reconstruction. Costly and timeconsuming grafting is usually avoided. Furthermore, pain levels are significantly decreased. The overall number of visits to the dentist is drastically reduced, too.

Its important to understand not everyone needs this advanced implant procedure. It may be appropriate when all remaining teeth require removal, but oftentimes people leave my office after a consultation with a list of other options that help to save their teeth!

Who should perform dental implant procedures? Only well-qualified dentists who have had extensive training in implant dentistry, and specifically these full-mouth implant procedures. Dr. Goldberg has been performing these procedures for almost 30 years! He also teaches these techniques to other doctors learning to become proficient with dental implants and full mouth procedures.

At Morris County Dental Associates,

To learn more about Teeth In One Day, please visit the special videos Dr. Goldberg has created. Click on the red tab on the right side of his website at MorrisCountyDentist. com and view as many of these educational videos as you’d like. Feel free to also call his office for a free consultation.

About the author: Dr. Ira Goldberg has been performing implant procedures for 28 years. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology / Implant Dentistry, a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. He performs all phases of implant dentistry at his office in Succasunna, NJ. He lectures to dentists in the field of implantology. For a free consultation, including a free 3-D scan (if necessary), please call his office at 973-328-1225 or visit his website at www.MorrisCountyDentist. com Dr. Goldberg is a general dentist, and also a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry.

Dr. Goldberg is a leading expert on dental

He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry, which is a degree held by only 1% of dentists worldwide. Whether you require a single implant or complex full-mouth rehabilitation, a free consultation with Dr. Goldberg should be considered.

Dr. Goldberg treats entire families, from toddlers to seniors. Services include cleanings, check-ups, fillings, Invisalign, dentures, cosmetics, and more! He and his staff enjoy the long-term relationships they build with their patients.

Ira Goldberg, DDS, FAGD, DICOI

Dr. Goldberg treats entire families, from toddlers to seniors. Services dentures, cosmetics, and more! He and his staff enjoy the long-term

Ira Goldberg, DDS, FAGD, DICOI

Morris County NJSFWC Participate in MLK Day of Service

55 members, representing nine clubs in the highlands district of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s clubs (NJSFWC), participated in a Martin Luther Jr., Day of Service.

Clubs that participated included Boonton, DenvilleRockaway, Hopatcong, Long Valley, Madison, Roxbury, Parsippany, and Washington.

109 pre-designed Kits: Dinner-in-a-Bag, Healthy-LifestyleMeal-Kit, Snow-Day-Meal-Bag, and College-Meal-Kit were

assembled, and an additional 426 extra food items were donated to the Morris County Interfaith food pantry.

Each year, all eight NJSFWC districts in the state participate in the same Day of Service project. Past day of service projects include Covenant House, Embrella and NJ Veteran’s homes.

New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs, founded in 1894, has its Headquarters on the Douglass Residential Campus, in New Brunswick. The college, formerly Douglass

College, was established by NJSFWC in 1918. To learn more about NJSFWC and membership in a local club, visit www. NJSFWC.org or call 732-249-5474.

For more information regarding the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, contact www.GFWC.org. Opportunities are provided for women in education, leadership training, and community service projects through participation in local clubs, enabling members “to make a difference in the lives of others, one project at a time”.

Are You Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired? Exploring Another Treatment Option for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue immunodeficiency syndrome (CFIS) also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a disabling and poorly understood illness that is becoming more widespread in Western countries. CFIS is a term used to describe a myriad of neurological, neuromuscular, and immunological abnormalities. The initial onset of CFIS consists of flu-like symptoms including fever, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, chills and extreme fatigue. The chronic manifestations of CFIS always include disabling fatigue but can also include muscle and joint pain, sleep disorders, headaches, hypo- or hypersensitivities, cognitive disorders, depression, malaise, anxiety, irritability, confusion, weight fluctuations, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, muscle fatigue, worsening PMS, visual disturbances, tachycardia, paresthesias, dry eyes, dry mouth, night sweats, skin rashes and decreased sexual desire.

The etiology of CFIS is still unknown, but the suspected cause is a viral infection. Some researchers believe that CFIS is actually a neurological response to a viral infection. Since there are no absolute markers or lab tests to confirm the illness, chronic fatigue immunodeficiency syndrome is often diagnosed by symptoms alone and by process of elimination. For the same reasons, western medicine has no treatment for chronic

fatigue. Instead, doctors prescribe individual medications to deal with each of the associated symptoms.

As with any illness, traditional Chinese medicine treats the individual on a case- bycase basis. A diagnosis is made based on the individual’s symptoms as well as their tongue and pulse presentations. The patient’s tongue is inspected and 6 pulses are felt on each wrist in order for the Acupuncturist/ Chinese Medical Practitioner to determine the diagnosis. Since chronic fatigue manifests differently in each person, this method of diagnosing is superior. The treatment plan is then formulated based on the individual’s diagnosis. As you can see in the chart- one Acupuncture treatment plan will address all of the individual’s symptoms as well as the illness as a whole. This is known as a root and branch treatment. Addressing the root cause of the chronic fatigue is addressing the illness as a whole while treating the branch aims to relieve all of the symptoms associated with the illness. A single Chinese herbal formula can also be prescribed to treat both the root and branch of the chronic fatigue syndrome.

For more information about Acupuncture and Chronic Fatigue Immunodeficiency Syndrome, call Kearstin R. Tripi, L.Ac at Mt. Olive Acupuncture & Wellness 973-527-7978.

Sister Cities: Randolph, New Jersey, Meet Randolph, Utah

By Steve Sears

When Randolph, Utah Mayor Sim Bell arrived home from work one day, the temperature was –11 degrees.

That’s pretty cold, but when it comes to the folks living there, there’s warmth. “We’re a family-oriented community,” Bell says. Randolph, Utah, which was founded in 1870, is much different from its Garden State “sister.” It checks in at about one square mile in size and is home to about 500 people. Randolph, New Jersey has about 25,000 residents and is almost 22 square miles. Route 16 runs through Randolph, Utah, while Route 10 is the main roadway through our Randolph. Also, Randolph, Utah is an elevated area. “We are on the Wasatch Mountains backside; they’re to the west of us,” Bell says. “We’re a little more than 6,200 feet, and we sit in the Bear River Valley. The Bear River runs through us. It starts in the Uinta Mountains to the south of us. It’s a mountain range that runs east and west instead of north and south.”

Morris County’s Randolph may get its good share of traffic, but so does Randolph, Utah – but during the summer months. Bell says, “People come through our town, either going to Bear Lake, which is on the Utah and Idaho border - they travel through to go

there, which is about 20 miles away from usor they’re going to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.”

If traveling to Randolph, Utah, you’ll find a pretty good tasting double bacon cheeseburger at Crawford Trough LLC (www. crawfordtrough.com), and just a short walk up the road is dessert at R Bakery (www.rbakery.com), which opened just a few years ago. Bell recommends the convenience store and deli items, featuring a daily special, at his family’s gas station. “Everybody knows it as ‘The Station,” Bell says. “I usually go to The Station four days a week because my mom is in there and she cooks the special. That’s where the better food is, in my opinion. A lot of homestyle cooking - you’re getting all mom’s specials. She makes really good hamburgers there, and they’ve got a small bakery in there as well; they serve bread and doughnuts and stuff. She’ll also do barbecue, ribs, and she makes a mean, really good clam chowder soup, meatloaf - just your basic home cooked stuff.” As for lodging. Crawford Trough LLC also has four cabins in the back where you can, upon awakening, exit and enjoy a great view of the distant neighboring peaks.

For further rest and relaxation, you can visit Randolph City Park, as well as the Fairgrounds, which are adjacent to the park, where an occasional rodeo takes place. If you

Randolph, Utah is a welcoming place (credit: Mayor Sim

are a history buff, Randolph, Utah has some of that as well. The International Daughters of Utah Pioneers has a museum (300 N. Main Street, www.dupinternational.org) “They have just your old pioneer relics, museum pieces and local stuff,” Bell says. “And then, there’s the old Nail Jail is what they call it. It’s a pretty thick structure. It used to be the county jail, with some old log buildings. They used so many nails on it, we can’t remember how many pounds of nails they put into it.”

Bell sums up the community he has lived in all his life. “We watch out for each other. People just really band together. The local church organizations, you can depend on them to help people out in times of need or tragedies. We’re a family-oriented community where everybody knows everybody.”

For more information, visit www. townofrandolph.org.

Bell)

Family caregivers of people with illnesses, injuries or disabilities sometimes spend more time thinking about those they care for than themselves. It’s important to remember that self-care is essential to providing good care to others and must include eating well.

Healthy eating can be especially challenging for caregivers who often have limited time to shop and cook. Fast food, snacks and comfort meals are tempting but usually lack healthy amounts of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

In addition to preventing low energy, muscle loss, illnesses and unplanned weight change, a healthy diet may help reduce the stress and fatigue that can come with caring for a loved one.

These tips from the Administration for Community Living can help caregivers take steps toward better nutrition without adding to already full to-do lists: Drink healthy beverages at each meal and 2-3 times between meals. Water, milk, juice (to replace missing fruits and vegetables) or non-sweetened drinks are all better-for-you options.

Get enough protein, a key nutrient that helps build and repair tissues. Consider these ideas for increasing your protein intake: (Family Features)

Dr. Michael McCleaster

From left to right: Laura Gloshinski, Dental Assistant Dr. Michael McCleaster, Toni Janaro, Office Administrator Clarice Lyon, Dental Hygienist

Roxbury Actor’s Truth, Vulnerability and Innate Sense of Character

By Jillian Risberg

For Hally Smith acting tells a story, increases awareness for different modes of existence, helps one grieve or celebrate and feel less alone. She says it’s why she does this.

While under lockdown in 2020, Smith created a period thriller, Fior Di Fossa with an NYU classmate from Basking Ridge.

“It was a demanding part, plus the (additional) work I put into it outside of acting would have been easy for us to give up but we kept going, and that’s what I’m proudest of. Now we get to show it at a Film Festival in our home state of New Jersey.”

It is exciting to create and construct all the gowns, corsets, doublets and overcoats for the project. “Costuming has been an on-again/off-again love for me,” says Smith.

You may have spotted the actor in the background of Gossip Girl, Evil or The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She sings in The Swing Tones (jazz band) and sometimes posts those videos on YouTube.

Being an empathetic person Smith says is her greatest strength as an actor. She steps into her character’s life, their relationships, explores herself as the character and the world she exists in.

“It allows me to feel deeply and authentically as a character, and what I say and do comes from a place of truth,” she says.

In that vein, many causes are close to Smith’s heart; including LGBTQ+ rights, suicide prevention, ending dog and cat euthanasia, Angels City Pit Bulls and the Trevor Project.

According to Smith, her acting process is immersive and an authentic performance means you give life to the

circumstances of your character.

“I study my lines, but what’s important is believing everything is real and happening to me,” Smith says right before a take she gives herself a moment to soak it all in.

“Where I am, who am I with, how do I deal with this — and then I do.”

The most rewarding part of her career so far are collaborations with colleagues on set. When the actor is able to lose herself and be present with her scene partner, and they both believe they are in this other world together is pure magic.

“Seeing how other people (whether classmates in an acting class or the director) react to something real, unplanned and ephemeral before their eyes is priceless,” says Smith.

The challenging part of the journey, and this rings true for many with a creative pursuit is self doubt. She says the odds are against you in terms of numbers, and it can be hard not to correlate when you don’t get a part, or even considered, with not being good enough.

“It’s easy to feel like you are floating around in the ether and people you want to work with don’t know you exist,” Smith says this is why self belief is so important, and so is remembering why you do it in the first place.

If you can keep those things in mind, says the actor, it becomes easier to keep moving forward, no matter how big or small the steps may be.

Smith cites Alan Rickman — the former graphic designer didn’t pursue acting until his late 30s — as an inspiration and she also loves Florence Pugh, who puts her own spin on characters with her natural tact.

continued on page 10

Fertilization

Spring Cleanup

Hally Smith (right) of Roxbury, and Lizzie Sherman (left) of Basking Ridge, smile on the red carpet at the premiere of their film Fior Di Fossa with family and friends in Bernardsville

four well appointed bedrooms. Primary Bedrm boasts large walk-in closet, primary bath w/ skylights, high ceilings, jetted tub, stall shower, newer vanity, mirrors, & lights! Primary bedroom has the direct access to the loft over the main floor office! Main Bath in Hallway has been completely redone! Do not miss the lower level...walk out basement level has been completely redone w/ wet bar, 2nd powder room, fantastic wood flooring, & so much more! This special home is centrally located, steps from the schools, access to the Randolph Trails in back, spectacular backyard w/ wooded privacy all year round! This home will not last and is a MUST SEE!

19 KNOLLWOOD TER | RANDOLPH TWP 850,000

114 MORRIS TPKE | RANDOLPH TWP

Absolutely spectacular brick front CH Colonial home w/ a magnificent gunite, heated inground pool w/ spa! This home is fantastic! Enjoy it all...enter to a beautiful two story foyer. Beautiful formal dining rm w/ plenty of room for larger dinner parties. Formal Living rm leads in to the family rm w/ wood burning fireplace & view of the gorgeous backyard! Open floor plan at its finest! 2017 Kitchen boasts a very large center island, custom tiled backsplash, large pantry & state of the art appliances! Main floor laundry is always a must w/ a pool right outside the backdoor! Four well appointed bedrooms on 2nd level. Primary bedrm offers a large dressing/sitting rm w/ lots of closets, walk in custom organized closet & large bath w/ jetted tub & sep stall shower! Fifth bedroom w/ private en suite bath w/ stall shower is located on the main level. This fifth bedrm is located just off the kitchen. Enjoy the very large finished lower level w/ billiard table, exercise area & leisure room! Owens Corning Basement Finishing System too! This home has not missed a thing! Full House Nat. Gas Generator, Two Year Young Roof, Fenced in Backyard & fabulous deck & patio areas to enjoy! This is five bedroom home w/ a four bedroom town verified septic system. Randolph Trails, Randolph schools, parks & more are all close by! Do not miss this very special home!

Roxbury Actor’s Truth...

continued from page 8

As an actor at the beginning of her career when it comes to selecting projects, Smith says she’s less picky than she might be in a few years. But in general, she looks for a deeper meaning — what is the point of making this film; is it interesting, funny, moving.

“When creating my own projects, I feel drawn to stories of young women overcoming impossible hardships, and in the process I learn and grow as a person,” she says.

Dream film role is any character in a Mike Flanagan TV show or movie. Smith says he’s her favorite screenwriter and director of all time, “I’ve never watched horror with more heart,” says the actor. And her ultimate theater role is Christine in Phantom of the Opera.

“The first musical I ever became obsessed with and a catalyst for me pursuing musical theater in school,” Smith says. “I’m so sad to see it close on Broadway but maybe it’ll come back in a few years.”

Some of the best advice she’s received about the industry is to be your own advocate. If you always tell yourself you’re not good enough you won’t put in as much effort, will expect a ‘no’ and then get one.

According to Smith, it’s hard enough to stand out so don’t be the reason you don’t;

mindset is huge.

“If you know what you are capable of, you have to be the person who shows that to others,” she says if you want to pursue acting but are unsure, take baby steps. “Audition for the school play, take an acting class one night after work, feel it out for yourself. You don’t have to change your whole life or become famous overnight to get started.”

In a few months, Smith flies out to film the second block of an independent feature film, and is in the writing phase for two exciting new films — a short drama and featurelength comedy. Both stories are personal.

The young creative felt blessed growing up in Roxbury; where choir rooms, creative writing classes, and the Eisenhower and RHS auditoriums allowed her the space and support to dream.

“Certain teachers — Lorraine Lynch, Patrick Hachey, Dan Salyerds encouraged excellence and pushed me. They cared and created a safe, fun environment in which I could create,” Smith says.

A professional Irish Tenor raised Smith and she developed a love for music and performance at a young age.

“I watched how people lit up as they watched my father and remember thinking, ‘I wanna do that,’ and the love of losing myself in other worlds was definitely there.”

Build Heart-Healthy Behaviors for Preschoolers at Home

Apressing concern like a global pandemic can quickly overshadow other important health challenges facing families. One is the issue of childhood obesity, a problem the slower pace of life brought on by COVID-19 could exacerbate.

Numerous cardiovascular and mental health risks are associated with childhood obesity, and many experts expect to see increases in both mental health challenges and obesity as a result of COVID-19.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity impacts 40% of children between the ages of 2-5, increasing their risk for type 2 diabetes, asthma and depression.

Data from a study published in the “Early Childhood Education Journal” from the American Heart Association shows children diagnosed as overweight between 7-13 years old may develop heart disease as early as age 25. However, preventative steps taken in early childhood can help reduce this risk.

Keeping young children healthy while at home during the pandemic requires extra attention to their nutrition, physical activity and screen time. Programs like the American Heart Association’s Healthy Way to Grow, a national, sciencebased, early childhood technical assistance program, provide educational resources to help communities, educators and caregivers improve practices and policies for obesity prevention.

These tips from the program can help early childhood professionals and caregivers promote best practices into the daily lives of children.

Nutrition

Less than 1% of children have ideal diets, and under 10% have reasonably healthy diets, according to the American Heart Association. On any given day, 27% of 2- and 3-yearolds don’t eat a vegetable; among those who do, fried potatoes, which are high in fat and lower in nutrients, are most common. In fact, data shows kids eat less nutritious foods up to age 19.

Children should consume a variety of foods daily, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairies, lean vegetable or animal protein and fish. At the same time, kids should minimize trans fats, processed meats, refined carbohydrates and sweetened beverages.

Consistently timed meals and pairing new foods with choices they already enjoy are two ways to help form healthier habits. Be aware that healthy choices should apply throughout the day, not only for meals but also snacks and beverages. Eating together as a family provides an opportunity to model healthy eating and encourage children to try new foods. Also make water available and accessible to children throughout the day.

For infants, feeding provides nutrition for their physical and mental growth. Healthy babies usually double their birth weight between 4-5 months of age. Infants and children with congenital heart disease and congestive heart failure or cyanosis (blueness) tend to gain weight slower. An 8-ounce1-pound gain in a month may be an acceptable weight gain for a baby with a heart defect.

Physical Activity

Only about 20% of kids perform enough activity to meet physical activity recommendations. Whether you’re working with children in a childcare setting or at home, look for ways

to incorporate lesson plans that offer learning experiences about healthy eating and physical activity, and ensure the daily schedule includes ample active playtime.

The Healthy Way to Grow program recommends all children, including infants, have at least two outdoor active playtimes daily, weather and air quality permitting. Toddlers should engage in 60-90 minutes while 120 minutes of daily active play is recommended for preschoolers. Half the time should be structured and led by a teacher or caregiver while the remaining playtime should be unstructured and up to the child.

Learn more about protecting the health and wellness of children in your home and community at healthywaytogrow. org. (Family Features)

NAME: Mike Lateiner, DMD, MS

NAME: Ami Dhaduk, DMD

NAME: Denise Kitay, DDS, MMSc

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Ever Hiked in Northern NJ? Thank the NY-NJ Trail Conference

By Chip M. O’Brien

Howie Liebmann still remembers the moment that changed his view of hiking trails forever.

He was hiking the White Mountains of New Hampshire, a demanding trek in the best conditions, and springtime snowmelt had swallowed many stream crossings. In order to cross, he had to remove his socks and boots, wade through the frigid water, and dry off on the other side before continuing. It was arduous and exhausting.

“And then you come to a spot where there was a bridge built,” Liebmann says. “And you go: wow. Thank God for this bridge. I don’t know who built this bridge, but God bless ‘em.”

It’s a familiar sentiment for the 24 staff members and 2,500 volunteers who power the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. “They know bridges don’t happen on their own,” says Liebmann, who now leads volunteers in maintaining 75 miles of trails as the NYNJTC’s Northwest New Jersey Trail Chair. “And they want to pay it forward.”

The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a nonprofit organization that builds, maintains, and protects about 2,175 total miles of hiking trails from the Delaware Water Gap in northern New Jersey to just north of the Catskills in New York. About 760 of those miles fall within New Jersey, almost all north of Interstate 80.

“Basically, we do work to make sure that the natural areas and trails in our region are accessible and sustainable for another century, for generations to come,” says Ashley Nester, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Trail

Conference.

The Trail Conference knows something about sustaining wilderness trails for generations: in 1923, after changing its name from the Palisades Interstate Trail Conference, the organization built the first completed mile of the Appalachian Trail near Bear Mountain, NY.

While the Trail Conference remains focused on building and maintaining hiking trails, as well as publishing famously authoritative trail maps by Sussex County, NJ cartographer Jeremy Apgar, it has also expanded to include conservation and stewardship work that ties to its mission. “It’s great if we have someone building a trail, but what about the natural areas around those trails?” Nester says. “You can’t really have a healthy trail system without a healthy forest for it to thrive in.”

On the local level, the Trail Conference’s work in NJ focuses primarily on three tasks: erosion mitigation, management of invasive plants, and trail upkeep and signage. All three have increased in importance as more people have turned to local trails for recreation and relaxation since COVID: Nester notes that the Conference’s most popular trailheads each saw about 20,000 users in 2022 alone.

The battle against erosion has become increasingly challenging thanks to changing conditions: more intense summertime heat, followed by intense storms with heavy, eroding rain. “It has forced the Conference, particularly our trail builders, to think a lot more creatively about what a sustainable trail looks like,” says Zachary Cole, Long

Bob Jonas and Estelle Anderson, Trail Conference Co-Supervisors at Morristown National Historical Park continued on page 13

NY-NJ Trail Conference...

continued from page 12

Distance Trail Coordinator for the Conference. Trail crews can deploy an arsenal of tools to control water flow and erosion: water bars, check dams, puncheon (a low plank bridge), and puncheon’s big brother: the much-beloved bridge.

Though erosion presents a constant challenge, many parks suffer from an even more aggressive enemy. “The biggest problem here is probably the proliferation of invasive botanical species,” says Bob Jonas, currently Co-Supervisor of Morristown National Historical Park alongside his wife, Estelle Anderson. Invasives choked the trails when they first arrived as Co-Chairs of the Central North Jersey Committee in 2008. A three-year concerted effort helped fight back the worst of it, ensuring wider trails and reduced regrowth. “They’re very prolific,” he says. “So it’s a constant job, really.”

The Conference focuses on about a dozen particularly aggressive invasive species in NJ, including barberry, Japanese stiltgrass, and multiflora rose.

Training is also a major component of the Conference’s work: they offer rigorous apprenticeship programs for their certified sawyers as well as practical training and experience for their Conservation Corps members. “We’re really training the next generation of environmental conservationists and leaders,” Nester, the Community Outreach Coordinator, says.

All of this work is accomplished in partnership with federal, state, local, and private entities, as the Trail Conference doesn’t own any land itself and must seek permission from land managers in order to service the

trails.

In the case of long distance trails, this might require conversation with literally dozens of land owners. The Conference serves three long-distance trails: the NYNJ section of the Appalachian Trail, which it maintains alongside the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and two trails that it designs and leads: the 358-mile Long Path and the 180-mile Highlands Trail.

The Highlands Trail is of particular importance to NJ because it passes through the federally recognized Highlands Region, which occupies less than 15% of the state while providing over 70% of its population with drinking water. By connecting separately owned pieces of the Highlands Region into one landscape, says Cole, the Long Distance Trail Coordinator, the Highlands Trail helps preserve NJ’s water and air quality while offering opportunities for recreation, as well as justification for preserving individual parcels of natural land.

If certain land is considered historically significant, several entities must approve major maintenance projects before the Conference can proceed. Anderson, CoSupervisor of Morristown National Historical Park, notes the historical importance of the land she maintains: over 7,000 of George Washington’s troops were stationed at Jockey Hollow throughout the terrible winter of 1779-80 during the Revolutionary War. Every pile of rocks “could have been an encampment,” she says. “It could have been a fireplace, it could have been a foundation.”

The result: digging and moving rocks is not permitted in the park without approval from the State Historic Preservation Office, the Tribal Historic Preservation

Office, and the Northeast Region Archeology Program. But Anderson and Jonas are undeterred. They’ve made a list of twenty trail signposts that they’d like to replace or service, as soon as approval and warmer weather arrive.

The Trail Conference enjoys a harmonious relationship with land managers and park staff. As a volunteer-run organization, the conference can perform necessary trail work that parks don’t have the time, personnel, or resources to do themselves. Liebmann, the Northwest NJ Trail Chair, recalls asking one park superintendent for her input about a tricky trail maintenance challenge. Her response: “Why are you asking me? You know the trails better than I do. What do you think?”

“And she’s right,” Liebmann says. “We’re on the trails all the time.”

This speaks to the especially vital role that the NY-NJ Trail Conference fills in NJ: our state allocates insufficient funds to its parks, leading to a lack of resources and park staff that many fear is unsustainable. In April 2022, ecologist Michael Van Clef, Ph.D. released the New Jersey State Lands Management Report assessing NJ’s public lands and resources. Clef depicts a dire picture of NJ’s state parks: the state’s operating budget for parks is one third of Pennsylvania’s and one sixth of New York’s, even as NJ state lands face more environmental pressures due to greater population density. Park staffing has been slashed to bare bone, with only fifteen Park Superintendents assigned to supervise fifty parks, and “invasive species control is virtually absent on park lands” due to a lack of personnel to tackle the job.

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NY-NJ Trail Conference...

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In short, NJ parks don’t have enough staff to do the work required to keep trails usable– and without the Trail Conference’s legion of volunteers, there would be no one to do the work at all. “They probably would just say, okay, close the trail,” Anderson says. “And not just our park… all through the state, if they’re not taken care of. They don’t have the staff to do it.”

Even the Trail Conference’s work is hamstrung in NJ due to a lack of partner funding. Though volunteerrun, the conference’s work depends on lumber and other equipment and materials that must be regularly replaced. Many programs run by the New York side of the Trail Conference, specifically those that hire Americorps volunteers, naturalists, conservation workers, and other professional contractors, rely on state grants that are unavailable in NJ.

One solution presented itself to Anderson and Jonas at Morristown National Historical Park. In April, the Friends of Jockey Hollow formed under its first Executive Director, Leslie Bensley. Its purpose: to help fund maintenance, restoration, and other upgrades for the park’s Jockey Hollow and New Jersey Brigade Areas, including historical structures and trails. With the nation’s 250th anniversary approaching, the task is particularly timely for this heritage site.

“We want to promote the park. We want to protect the environmental... and cultural resources,” says Bensley. “We couldn’t be more pleased to have Bob and Estelle as our leaders because they are some of the most qualified

and passionate trail leaders… How lucky are we that this is their park and we get to work with them?”

In his State Lands Management Report, Van Clef recommends creating a similar organization at the statewide level: a nonprofit friends group that could fund public lands projects across NJ. Such a proposal is already in motion. Bill A-594 proposes the creation of the NJ State Parks and Open Space Foundation, an organization that would fulfill this exact purpose. “[NJ parks] are precious jewels in the most densely populated state in the nation, and they must be maintained and protected at all costs,” writes Assemblywoman Shama Haider of District 37, who sponsored the bill. “The entity created with the passing of A-594 would make it easier for private citizens to support our public spaces, something that we should have done a long time ago.”

Assemblyman Alex Sauickie of District 12, a co-sponsor of the bill, agrees. “Parks play a critical role in quality of life and getting people outdoors, especially postpandemic,” he says. He looks forward to lobbying for the bill and getting more cosponsors, mentioning the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial as well: “There’s no better time than now, in my opinion, to be really focused on this.”

Bill A-594 currently awaits approval by committee before it can be referred to the state assembly. If the bill passes, the new organization would tie in well with the work of the Trail Conference. “What I think this bill speaks to is that the ones that are getting it done really well, right now, tend to be volunteers,” Sauickie says. The organization’s support would allow the Trail Conference

to fund more ambitious projects throughout northern NJ.

In the meantime, as they have for the past hundred years, the volunteers of the Trail Conference continue caring for New Jersey’s trails, their presence largely invisible. “Before I started at the Trail Conference, I truly thought that the parks were the ones that were maintaining trails,” Nester, the Community Outreach Coordinator, says. “And that’s where I get chills because I think it’s so cool that we’re doing that work, and that there’s people out there who are willing to dedicate their time to keeping our public spaces accessible for us to use.”

“It’s the community looking after community assets,” says Cole, the Long Distance Trail Coordinator. “They have a vision and a creative ability that is just unparalleled… it’s impressive, and it’s incredible.”

“If you saw these guys work…” says Liebmann, the Northwest New Jersey Trail Chair. “These people love doing what they’re doing.”

He remembers one particular project: building a 40foot pedestrian bridge in Stokes Forest. He watched a crew of volunteer trail maintainers move Class 1 poles, essentially treated telephone poles, into the forest and set them up to form the bridge. “I was utterly in marvel,” he says. “We had thirty people standing on that bridge. You didn’t see that bridge drop an inch. They put a 40-foot bridge up in a day and a half.”

The next day, hikers enjoying Stokes Forest did not need to hop a precarious path across wet stones or wade across a swollen, muddy creek. Someone had built a bridge.

Here They Go Again... Late-breaking IRS change

In a last minute about face, the IRS is rolling back the requirement for thirdparty payment providers to issue 1099-Ks for anyone receiving payments over $600 in 2022. They are moving the reporting requirement back to $20,000 in activity and 200 or more transactions as they transition to the lower threshold in 2023.

Why the change

The bottom line? The IRS is not ready to figure out how to automate the auditing of those under-reporting their income from things like Ebay, Esty and Amazon sales or from sales of tickets and other goods through payment systems like Venmo and Ticketmaster.

What does not change

While this last-minute change may keep you from receiving a 1099-K this year, don’t count on it. Many providers are already geared up to send them out and will probably do so, since the IRS reprieve in reporting is temporary. So keep your eyes open for these forms throughout January and early February.

While the IRS informational return

reporting is temporarily changing, what is not changing is your requirement to report this income. So if you have activities that provide income to you, including your side hustle buying and selling event tickets, that activity is reportable on your tax return.

Stay tuned

In further developments, Congress is up to their old tricks in changing the rules at the end of the year. Preliminary review, of the yet unsigned bill, indicates the major changes will impact 2023 and beyond. So stay tuned, future tax tips will lay out the basic tax law changes and how you can take advantage of them.

Shah & Sokoloff , CPA’s, is a year round full service CPA firm providing a wide range of Accounting and Tax services to both Small Business and Individual Clients. We are QuickBooks Certified Pro Advisors and provide new business set up, training and support. Our office is located at 166 Main St. Lincoln Park, NJ 07035. Our website is www.cpanewjersey.com and email is rps@ cpanewjersey.com. To contact us by phone please call 973-633-1001.

Everybody is Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day, and we invite you to enjoy an incredible evening of Irish music with singer/guitarist Charlie Zahm, fiddler Tad Marks, and guitarist Steve Hobson! From the hilarious to the sublime, songs of love, rebellion, work and (yes!) even drinking will help you “get your Irish up” on this high holiday of the Irish calendar! 2023 marks the 25th year Charlie, Tad, and Steve have brought their big song bag to audiences across the Mid-Atlantic—come and be part of the fun!

The Silver Starlite Orchestra is a professional 19-piece Big Band that has been playing together for over 40 years in the NJ/NY area. The performance features Swing, Latin, Samba, Mambo, Waltz, Ballads, and more from the Great Big Band era, featuring arrangements by Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Michael Buble’ and Gordan Goodwin.

NJ Starz: Ariana Crowder

Hometown: Franklin Township

By Steve Sears

Former So You Think You Can Dance contestant, Ariana Crowder, traded sports for dance, and never looked back.

Crowder was, in her words, introverted as a child. Dance for her was a way of being expressive without having to speak. “It was kind of my way of communicating and expressing myself without having to use words,” she says. “It was kind of my own language. I felt more comfortable expressing myself that way than using words at that point. I think that’s what got me really interested (in dance) in the first place.”

Originally born and raised in Jersey City, Crowder lived with her parents in the upstairs portion of her grandparents’ home. “We were a very tight, close-knit family. I went to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Bayonne for a little bit, and then I actually started dancing with my very first dance classes at Ms. Hugette’s School of Dance, also in Bayonne. I was four-years-old.”

Sports – especially track, softball, and cheerleading - were her primary interests, however, up until the sixth grade. After that, her family moved from Hudson to Somerset County and Franklin Township. At Conerly Road School, she made many friends, and her interest in dance piqued. “I really liked growing up in Franklin,” Crowder states. “Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better place to grow up. It’s super diverse, and I had great, supportive teachers; not just dance teachers, but teachers in school as well. I was very serious about my studies, being a good student while also dancing.”

Crowder attended a summer dance camp with Center Stage Dance and Theater School in East Brunswick, and it was there and then her love for dance was cemented. She joined a serious dance program for the school’s younger students, and practiced almost every day. “I started training a lot at a very young age, and I did all different styles. I started out with ballet, tap, and jazz, and then moved into hip hop and contemporary styles.” Crowder also took part in a lot of dance competitions during her young teen years, traveling throughout New Jersey primarily in the springtime, and then during the summer headed with the school to different states for national competitions.

Early on, a few people inspired her. One was Center Stage founder, George Warren. Crowder says, “He was really great about helping or getting my mom to understand that I did have a future and potential.” And then there was her teacher, Nadine Moody. “One of my first ballet teachers,” Crowder says. “She really sort of nurtured my hunger and passion when I was really young. She talked to my parents and told them, ‘She’s pretty good; keep her coming back to classes.”

Her mom, Stephanie, whom she refers to as her “Ride or die,” also encouraged her. “My mom wanted to make sure that I tried a bunch of different things, to really figure out what I was interested in, and what I gravitated towards the most,” Crowder recalls. “She gave me a lot of options. Once I found dance, that was the one thing that I was really excited about and wanted to keep doing. She’s been supportive throughout my entire life and journey as a dancer and my career. She had taken me to every single one of my dance

classes and all of my auditions. Even when we struggled financially, she’d figure out a way for me to still take classes. I honestly would not have the career that I have now without my mom. I just love her so much and I’m so grateful for her. And I look up to her. If I ever have kids, I would just love to be like the mom she has been to me.” Crowder also has a close relationship with her younger brother, Eric. “We all always have each other’s backs, so I’m grateful for both of them.”

After moving on to Franklin Township High School, she studied at FUNKtion Dance Complex in Edison, and it was there that she learned how to dance hip hop and street jazz. Then, after attending Rider University in Lawrenceville as a Psychology major for one year, Crowder opted out of the institution. Plan “A” had to be embraced. “It was kind of interfering with my schedule with dancing and I was becoming more successful professionally with dance, so I decided to pursue that. I figured I’d go to school some other time later in life. The window for a dance career is much shorter because it is so athletic. I wanted to maximize time as a professional dancer.”

Crowder is best known for her time spent on the hit television competition show, So You Think You Can Dance. She competed during season 12 as a member of team “Street.” “It was a great experience,” Crowder says. “I learned so much. I met so many great dancers and choreographers. The season I was on it was ‘Stage’ versus ‘Street,’ and it was a competition between more classic styles like ballet and contemporary jazz versus more contemporary styles like hip hop.”

Crowder, when hearing that her friends were going to the initial audition for the show, on a whim joined them, and auditioned for the “Stage” side of the competition. She made it all the way through the initial rounds, and then met up with the portion of the show where she faced the three judges at the time, Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul, and Jason Derulo. They saw something on her dance resume that they found fascinating. “When I went in front of them to audition, they saw my dance history and that I did hip hop, and they made me freestyle on the spot. And I got through to the Las Vegas round, but they told me I had to pick a side to be on the show.” “Street” it was. “It was more of a strategic move just because on that show or with the history of that show a lot of times, hip hop dancers aren’t as well versed in choreography, they’re better at freestyling. I figured I had a better shot at getting on the show if I went on the ‘Street’ side since I am trained in so many different styles. It ended up working out.”

As for the competition. Crowder took a unique approach, not really preparing a full audition, but freestyling all throughout the entire process. Therefore, she went in minus jitters. “It was kind of like playing with house money,” she says. “I told myself. ‘I’ll just see what happens.’ And then I just kept making it through each round. I wasn’t really nervous. It was more just like, ‘This is a really cool experience and really fun, and I’m going to enjoy myself because I don’t know if this is ever going to happen again.”

Crowder made it to the top 14 before she was eliminated,

but the competition and appearance on the show, coupled with her immense talent, opened many doors. She’s met many choreographers, learned many new dance styles, and, now living out on the west coast, has connected very heavily with the Los Angeles dance community. “It was a great experience – I really enjoyed it!”

As she moved on in her dance career, she has performed for and with some of the best. “I’ve danced for a few different artists: Chris Brown, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Katie Perry, Mary J. Blige, Emeli Sande, Aloe Blacc, and recently Shania Twain.” She also appeared in the film “Bolden,” a biopic about early jazz blues musician Buddy Bolden. She had done some teaching prior to leaving the Garden State, but since moving to LA, has also engaged in other things. “‘I’ve also started doing some commercial acting,” Crowder says. “I’m branching out a little bit now. I feel like LA is definitely good for television and film and the music industry. I’ve done a couple of music videos since I’ve been here, so it’s been nice. I loved growing up in New Jersey,” Crowder continues, “but I definitely appreciate LA and all its offerings, especially as an adult.”

As Crowder approaches her 30th birthday in April, she has some bucket list stuff on her agenda. “I am thinking about transitioning into more creative directing or choreographing where I’m not in front of the camera but more so behind the scenes,” she says. “I’m also in a serious relationship (her mate is Adam Beshara; “He’s one of my biggest supporters and biggest fans, so I love him very much,” Crowder says) and I would love to travel with my partner and my family and live abroad for a couple of years. I’m happy with my dance career and I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished, and I’m just continuing to accomplish new things and more things. I’ve started to discover new things that I’m interested in and new hobbies and new interests. That’s a good feeling, being a beginner at something again, since I’ve been dancing my whole life and I’ve honed that skill to as much perfection as I can. I’m currently just enjoying getting to know myself beyond just defining myself as a dancer.”

Ariana Crowder (Credit: Zachariah Schmitt)

Staying healthy is important yearround, but especially in the cooler months when temperatures drop, people spend more time inside and germs can spread easily. What you eat and the lifestyle you embrace are critical components of staying healthy.

Nourishing meals full of fruits, vegetables, protein-rich foods and whole grains help provide the body’s immune system with the nutrients it needs. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by getting enough sleep, being physically active every day, having enough fluids and reducing stress also help keep the immune system in shape.

As a nutritious food to include on your grocery list, grapes of all colors – red, green and black – contain more than 1,600 natural plant compounds such as antioxidants and other polyphenols that help protect the health of cells throughout the body. They also contain about 82% water, so they provide important fluids for hydration, which is also critical to a healthy immune system.

Grapes can be enjoyed as a healthy snack or an immune-boosting ingredient in recipes like Chicken, Spinach and Grape Pita sandwiches and Grape and Salmon Power Salad. Each provides a mix of immune-supporting nutrients, including zinc in chicken, vitamins A and C in kale, polyphenols in grapes and other important nutrients in the salmon, walnuts and barley.

Find these recipes and more in “ Eating for Immune Health” along with additional ways to eat healthy and stay well at grapesfromcalifornia.com

Chicken, Spinach and Grape Pita

Servings: 4

2 tablespoons pine nuts

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons minced shallot

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1pinch red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon ground sumac

salt

freshly ground black pepper

1 package (5-6 ounces) fresh

Easy Dishes to Boost Immunity

baby spinach, washed and dried

1 1/2 cups shredded, cooked chicken (about 8 ounces)

1 cup red California grapes, sliced

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

4 whole-wheat pita breads (6 1/2 inches each), warmed and halved

In small skillet over medium-high heat, toast pine nuts, stirring constantly until toasted, about 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl and let cool. In large bowl, whisk lemon juice, shallot, olive oil, red pepper flakes, sumac, salt and pepper. Add spinach, chicken, grapes, feta and pine nuts; toss to mix. Stuff into pita breads and serve.

Nutritional information per serving: 445 calories; 24 g protein; 46 g carbohydrates; 20 g fat (39% calories from fat); 5 g saturated fat (10% calories from saturated fat); 57 mg cholesterol; 658 mg sodium; 6 g fiber.

Grape and Salmon Power Salad

Servings: 6

3/4 cup pearled barley

3 cups firmly packed kale leaves, torn and sliced into ribbons

1 cup halved red or black seedless California grapes

8 ounces cold, cooked salmon, skin and bones removed

1/2 cup walnuts, lightly toasted and coarsely chopped

Dressing:

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 clove garlic, mashed

1/2teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 pinch cayenne pepper

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Cook barley according to package directions. Drain and cool.

Tenderize kale by blanching in boiling water 2-3 seconds or microwaving 1 minute. Rinse pieces in cold water to stop cooking; squeeze dry. Fluff and uncrimp dry kale pieces with fingers. In medium bowl, mix barley, kale, grapes, salmon and walnuts.

To make dressing: In small bowl, whisk lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper and cayenne. Gradually mix in olive oil. Pour

onto salad and fold gently to combine.

Nutritional information per serving: 413 calories; 15 g protein; 30 g carbohydrates; 16 g fat (47% calories from fat); 3 g

saturated fat (8% calories from saturated fat); 22 mg cholesterol; 232 mg sodium; 500 mg potassium; 4 g fiber. (Family Features)

A Fresh, Flavorful Take on Family Dinner

If your family ever gets stuck in a dinner routine rut, it can feel like you’re eating the same recipes over and over again.

However, this fresh and unique recipe for Cuban Chicken with Salsa Fresca might inspire you to think outside the culinary box and give your family members the satisfactory flavor they desire at dinnertime. With fresh ingredients and a wholesome flavor, this meal is perfect to add to your dinner menu rotation.

The chicken is full of flavor and baked using multiple seasonings to create a Cubanlike taste. The salsa fresca, which is added on top of the chicken, is a tad sweet with grapefruit segments and juice, but also satisfying with jicama, onion, cilantro and jalapeno. It adds so much color to your plate, and all these flavors mash together for something unique and special.

To start, create the marinade for your chicken and let it rest to allow all those wonderful spices to do their jobs. Set it in the fridge for 30 minutes or more.

Next, it’s time to make the salsa fresca. Start by chopping red onion and jicama then add grapefruit and jalapeno to the mix. Add

grapefruit juice, olive oil and, finally, cilantro. Stir well with a large spoon until everything is combined.

Once the chicken is baked, cut it and assemble. The final result is a juicy chicken breast with a sweet yet crisp salsa topping. The flavors in this dish harmonize together to bring you a bite you have likely never experienced before.

This meal is also nutritious with fresh fruit and lean chicken, so it’s a meal almost anyone can enjoy, even if you’re on a healthy eating kick.

Find more recipes and family dinner ideas at Culinary.net.

Cuban Chicken with Salsa Fresca

Servings: 5

1 cup grapefruit juice

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons cumin

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Salsa Fresca:

1 cup grapefruit segments

1/2 jicama, cubed

1/2 red onion, chopped

3/4 cup grapefruit juice

4 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1 jalapeno pepper, chopped

Heat oven to 400 F.

In large bowl, mix grapefruit juice, oil, garlic powder, cumin, paprika and red pepper until combined. Add chicken to bowl

and turn to coat. Refrigerate 30 minutes or longer.

To make salsa fresca: In medium bowl, mix grapefruit segments, jicama, red onion, grapefruit juice, olive oil, cilantro and jalapeno pepper until combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Remove chicken from marinade. Place chicken in baking dish. Bake 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Serve chicken with salsa fresca.

Roxbury High School to Hold its 10th Annual Rox-THON

By Steve Sears

Roxbury High School will hold its 10th annual RoxTHON, an overnight dance marathon that raises money to fund the battle against pediatric cancers, from 7 p.m. Friday, March 10, to 7 a.m. Saturday, March 11. All monies raised go to Morristown Medical Center’s Goryeb Children’s Hospital, with 30% supporting research

of pediatric cancer at the Penn State University Children’s Hospital, Four Diamonds.

Since its inception, Rox-THON has raised almost $400,000.

Mike Gottfried, a Roxbury High School Geophysical Science, Physics, and Aviation teacher, is also the coadvisor of the event, which was started in 2013 by then

Key Club Advisor, Nicole Barbato-Connelly via a suggestion from student, Rachel Synalovski. “Nicole knew that I was involved in Penn State’s THON (he took part in 2012 and 2013), and so she reached out to me to see if I had any insight, and if I’d be willing to help,” Gottfried recalls. “I jumped on the first year with her, but she was the one in

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The Roxbury High School Rox-THON members (courtesy of Mike Gottfried)

10th Annual Rox-THON...

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charge and got it off the ground.”

During its first three years, Rox-THON was called Mini-THON, and in 2016 became its own club. It also grew as the amount of the funds raised tripled, and in 2019 the Rox-THON name was adopted. Gottfried says, “Last year’s event raised in the ballpark of $52,000 or so. We have had a handful of years where we raised $50,000 plus, so I am hopeful that we can get back there again this year.”

Gottfried and his team start planning for the current Rox-THON two months after the end of the prior year’s event by doing some fundraising. “We close the books April 30, and then May 1, anything that we get through the following year, it goes towards the event,” he explains. “It is a full year commitment. We bring on our new leaders for the upcoming year in May, and then we meet a handful of times in May and June, just to transition our leaders and set the groundwork. In September when they arrive, we really start planning the event, deciding on a theme and putting it all together. Our leaders put in 100 to 150 hours each, our leadership team is 21

students, and then we have committees of students that also work together. I would say there are about 40 or 50 students on our committees, and then in the past, we have had upwards of 500 students participate in our event. Just as much as we are fundraising pediatric cancer, we are also working to develop strong leaders.”

All involved have worked to make RoxTHON a part of the culture at Roxbury High School. Gottfried says, “That could only be accomplished by the support of our administrators, fellow teachers, advisors, student leaders, and ultimately the buyin of our student body. Our assembly (4 weeks in advance), a spirit week, and the promotion of the event throughout the year has helped us accomplish this. Making our event go overnight was the biggest draw for students, as it took RoxTHON from ‘just another after school event that supports a great cause’ to something totally unique, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (or 4-times-during-ahigh-school-career opportunity).”

Rox-THON is always looking for donations. For more information, email rhsroxthon@roxbury.org.

Bucket List Travels: The World’s Wildest Horse Race

Morristown resident Paul Partridge has been building a travel bucket list for years.

by Paul Partridge

Ten wild-eyed stallions are sprinting straight at us. The rumble of their hooves and violent power of their strides augurs a frightening determination. Hours earlier these horses were blessed at church, and it looks like they may need it. There’s a hairpin turn ahead and surely there’s no way all can make it through without incident.

Welcome to the Palio

I’ve been lucky enough to attend the World Series, the U.S. Open, the Indianapolis 500, the America’s Cup, Army vs. Navy, and the Tall Ships parading down the Hudson during the Statue of Liberty’s Centennial celebration.

Nothing compares to the spectacle, the pageantry, and the pandemonium unleashed by a bareback horse race involving three death-defying laps around the Piazza del Campo in Siena Italy.

All that’s delightful and charming about Italy is on display – food, wine, art, architecture, fashion, passion, it’s all here –

compressed into a single, unforgettable day. Neighbor vs. Neighbor

Siena is divided into 17 neighborhood districts or wards called Contrade. Each contrada has its own colors and flag, and takes the name of a spirit animal or object. For example, Leone (lion), Lupa (she-wolf) and Drago (dragon).

The rivalry between neighborhoods is fierce. The greatest outcome is for your contrada to win. The second-best outcome is for your rival neighborhood to lose.

Some contrade have resorted to bribery to get their horses to perform better, while others have employed drugs. Jockeys have been kidnapped, seduced, and threatened. Heavy objects have been placed under saddles to slow down competing horses.

The preparations that take place leading up to race day are enormous. Think Halloween, Mardi Gras, and the Rose Bowl parade, rolled into one. The festivities culminate with the pre-race dinner.

My family is invited to dinner with the Aquila (eagle) contrada. The setting, in the shadow of the Duomo, is so spectacular I

get goosebumps. It feels as if we’re dining at Hogwarts.

Up at the main dais, the jockey is serenaded by hymns, chants, children’s poems and vino-fortified toasts. Some vestal virgins may have been offered but I can’t be sure from my seat. Our jockey seems surprisingly subdued, as if hoping for the fete to end.

Perhaps he’s not confident in his steed because horses are not chosen; they’re assigned by lottery. Or maybe he’s recalling the unfortunate history of Aquila, as Eagle holds the record for fewest race victories. Or he could be contemplating the plight of previous riders – heroes turned goats following inglorious defeat. For a Palio jockey, adoration can turn to contempt – or worse – in under 90 seconds.

Race Day

For three days prior to race day, a watchman has been sleeping with Eagle’s stallion to guard against tampering. This morning he’s walked to the Duomo and blessed by the local priest.

Piazza del Campo starts to fill around

3 pm. The festivities officially begin when the Italian cavalry enter the square. Impressively, majestically, they parade in, salute the dignitaries, and then lead a series of charges, swords drawn. Half mesmerizing, half terrifying, it jolts the crowd to attention.

Next comes the parade, a two-hour feast for the eyes featuring archers, horsemen, flag wavers, drummers, trumpeters, noblemen (and women) – all dressed in Medieval and Renaissance era costumes. Every neighborhood is represented.

By 7 pm it’s race time. An entire Shakespearian play takes place in the leadup to the start. Nine horses are chosen randomly to enter the starting line. They take their position rather casually, Italian style. There are no gates; only a singular rope holds the ensemble (loosely) in place. It’s more like a moving scrum of unruly kindergarteners then a starting line.

The Puppet Master

The 10th horse, called the Rincorsa, stands alone, surveying the scene. He can enter when its jockey so decides. In this way

continued on page 25

Now he’s diving in – near and far – and shares his adventures in this column.

The Palio di Siena is an insane horse race that’s been held since the Middle Ages and continues today. Here’s a view from inside the ropes.

Bucket List Travels...

he’s the puppet master, because the race begins only when the Rincorsa crosses the starting line.

The dance between the Rincorsa and the other horses is called the Mossa. There’s lots of banging and bumping and fidgeting. Jockeys are tense. Horses twitch and snort. The crowd, 40,000 strong, crescendos into a fevered roar – shouting, gesturing, imploring, cursing (and that’s the women).

Then, a moment of calm, a second of quiet. All eyes turn to the Rincorsa.

Suddenly a horse rears, squealing and kicking. The other mounts scatter. Race organizers scramble to get the horses calmed and realigned. This happens several more times. Mossa can take two minutes or over an hour. Seven centuries of grudges and paybacks play out in the scrum activities.

Secret Backroom Deals

Heads of the contrade make secret backroom deals, so if their horse is the Rincorsa, they might be rewarded if they enter when their horse is in a good position, or their enemy is in a bad position. The jockeys also make deals, so you don’t know if they are trying to win or just block another rider. Perhaps this explains why the Sienese name for jockeys is assassini (assassins).

Without warning the Rincorsa bolts across the starting line and a cannon fires to

signal the race is on. Our Aquila jockey hasn’t recovered from last night and is late off the line.

The racetrack is not a perfect oval. Walls jut out at crazy, dangerous angles, especially in Turn 2 where we’re sitting. The walls are padded to protect the horses, but that doesn’t prevent collisions.

Jockeys are sometimes separated from their mounts (remember, they’re riding bareback). A riderless horse is not disqualified. The first horse to cross the finish line – with or without a jockey – wins.

The lead changes constantly – and suddenly. Which fuels the excitement. And the delirium of the crowd. One minute your horse is at the back of the pack. Two breaths later, he’s charging to the lead.

Going into the final lap, it looks to be a two-horse race between Nicchio (Seashell) and Oca (Goose). Meanwhile the Eagle has landed, crashing in Turn 2 and never finishing the race.

The crowd is on its feet. It’s a photo finish. The winner is . . .

Goose! The Oca neighborhood faithful rush onto the racetrack, flags waving, tears of joy overflowing. They hug and kiss the jockey and hoist him onto their shoulders, singing songs of joy. The winning horse is marched into church and down the aisle for a blessing.

Palio jockeys race bareback just as they have since 1656. continued from page 22

Accounts Vary on Valentine’s Day Origins

Valentine’s Day is a bright light in the middle of the winter . Come February 14, sweethearts celebrate their love and affection for one another on this day devoted to happy couples.

The origin of Valentine’s Day has generated much speculation over the years. Most early accounts do not point to heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolates. Rather, a few distinctive tales may paint the picture of early Valentine’s Day, and they have nothing to do with stuffed animals or romantic dinners.

Roman festival

One of the earliest records of the term Valentine’s Day is traced to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was a fertility festival. This annual event held on February 15 included animal sacrifices and priests called the Luperci who would take pieces of animal hide and touch it to the foreheads of women in the hopes it would make them more fertile. Fortunately for the squeamish (and the sacrificial animals), Pope Gelasius I ended Lupercalia and replaced it with St. Valentine’s Day by the end of the fifth century.

Two or three St. Valentines?

Most people attribute the origins of Valentine’s Day to the holiday’s namesake, St. Valentine. But it seems that Valentine was the surname of a few different

individuals. According to History.com, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus. One Valentine was a priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius II, who decided that single men made better soldiers than those with families or wives. Claudius outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine disagreed with the decree and would perform marriages in secret. Others believe it was St. Valentine of Terni, a bishop beheaded by Claudius II outside of Rome, who was the true namesake.

Yet another Valentine may have been jailed and fell in love with a jailer’s daughter while in prison. He purportedly wrote to her, beginning the first Valentine card or letter tradition. Other stories say the imprisoned Valentine actually was writing to a blind woman he purportedly healed, and signed the note “from your Valentine.”

It is hard to know who is who in regard to the name Valentine, as the stories and the people behind them are used interchangeably. Some historians believe they actually are the same person rather than several Valentines, while others insist there were multiple martyred individuals.

However you slice it, the defiant actions of one or more people named “Valentine” set the course for centuries of romance to follow.

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