Millburn & Short Hills
SHOP LOCAL
BEST HOLIDAY GIFTS
CAT RESCUER
MARCIA SANDFORD FISHKIND
Design: House of Funk / Photo: Mark Weinberg
Photo: Lafayette Interior Fashions
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Put a Bow On It
This month, join us as we celebrate the magic of the season, turning the spotlight on our local shops and their special finds designed to bring holiday cheer.
Our talented new Editor and Lead Writer, Eve Golden, has compiled an eyepopping gift guide to make your shopping easy and enjoyable while also supporting our local businesses. Inspiration abounds!
We love how our cover stories feature a common thread that reflects the unique experience of calling Millburn-Short Hills home, adding depth and richness to their pages. We know you will enjoy reading about our cover’s stylish and creative couple, The Culp family, making the case that our town has had it all for decades and continues to thrive. The cutest part of this story is that Melinda Culp’s first apartment
out of college was on Millburn Avenue. She and her husband graciously take us into their creative lifestyle, eclectic home and their empty nest adventures. Thank you to them!
Millburn & Short Hills
MAGAZINE
BY MELISSA SPECTOR
The season’s spirit of giving is a perfect time to spotlight someone you may have seen around town. It was an honor to learn about the remarkable work that resident Marcia Sandford Fishkind and her family have been involved with in raising awareness to the plight of cats in our community and surrounding areas. The volunteer animal welfare work she is doing will tug at your heartstrings.
December marks a full year of Millburn & Short Hills Magazine, and we couldn’t be more grateful to our readers for sharing their stories. We would also like to thank our valued business partners that have helped support the work that goes into crafting this special monthly community magazine. Thank you also to the Explore Millburn-Short Hills team for submitting the Around Town feature that makes the magazine a go-to for the latest and not-to-be missed local happenings.
It’s truly been an exciting year, and we look forward to continuing to delight our readers in 2025.
Season’s greetings to all!
With gratitude,
Mary Lima Publisher
Remember to send us your story ideas at marylima@ millburnandshorthills.com!
Publisher Mary Lima
Editor and Lead Writer Eve Golden
Writer Elaine Paoloni Quilici
Photographer Erica Moffitt
WAINSCOT MEDIA
Chairman Carroll V. Dowden
President and CEO
Mark Dowden
VP, Group Publisher, Regional
Thomas Flannery
VP, Content Strategy
Maria Regan
Creative Director
Kijoo Kim
Art Director
Rosemary O›Connell
Associate Editor Sophia Carlisle
Advertising Services Director
Jacquelynn Fischer
Operations Director
Catherine Rosario
Production Designer Chris Ferrante
Print Production Manager Fern Meshulam
Advertising Production Associate Griff Dowden
Millburn & Short Hills magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Millburn and Short Hills, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Copyright 2024 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.
PHOTOGRAPH
Around Town
BY STEVE GRILLO, Executive Director, Explore Millburn-Short Hills
Winter is a special time in Millburn-Short Hills. The streets come alive with the signs of the holidays from the vibrant lights of Diwali to the hustle of Hanukkah shopping and the joyful sounds of Christmas music. The Explore team partnered with the Township to develop the first of a five-year plan to install holiday lighting around the business districts. We hope you enjoy this festive look, and we are excited for the new additions in years to come.
WINTER HIKE
Interested in a winter hike? Come to the Arboretum on Dec. 14 and 15 for a guided hike through the chilly, winterized landscape. After exploring the crisp outdoors, enjoy a cozy cup of hot chocolate to warm up. This event is fun for the whole family and gives you a chance to learn about the Arboretum’s woodlands, history of the area, conservation efforts and animals that call the forest home. Check their website for details, times and updates at hartshornarboretum.org. Can’t make it on these dates? Come and enjoy the grounds for a winter hike at your convenience!
GREENWOOD GARDENS
Though the garden will be closed in December, visitors are welcome to drop in at the Holiday Pop-Up Shops where you can find something special for everyone on your list. Come peruse the new collection of gifts for garden-lovers including holiday greenery, honey, home decor items, gardening gifts, gift certificates and more! The Shop will be in the Greenwood Gardens Welcome Center on Dec. 12, 13 and 21. Check their website for details, times and updates at greenwoodgardens.org.
Savoring a sweet escape from the chill with a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
MILLBURN ACCEPTED INTO MAIN STREET NEW JERSEY PROGRAM
In late October, Millburn received notification from the state Department of Community Affairs that Downtown Millburn has been selected as a designee for the 2024 round of Main Street New Jersey awards The Main Street program is the highest level of designation that an economic development/Special Improvement District can receive in the state, and Millburn is one of just 25 communities who have been admitted into the program since 1989. Admission into the project will make the Downtown area eligible for funding for special projects as well as training and support funds for Explore.
MILLBURN TOWNSHIP FOOD PANTRY
December can be a particularly tough month for those in need. Please do your part to help support the local food pantry. Donations can be brought to Town Hall (375 Millburn Ave.) or sent via mail or ordered from Amazon. A check can also be made out to “Township of Millburn” and sent to the Millburn Health Department at 375 Millburn Ave. Millburn, NJ 07041.
PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE
Mystic Pizza is a new musical based on the 1988 romantic comedy that starred Julia Roberts and tells the story of three working-class waitresses who navigate the complexities of life, love and family in a small-town pizza joint. The infectious score features megahits of the 80s and 90s, from “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” to “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” and songs originally recorded by Cyndi Lauper, John Cougar Mellencamp, Wilson Phillips, The Bangles, Belinda Carlisle and Bryan Adams, among many others. It’s a new show you’ll love at first slice! Shows run from Jan. 29 through Feb. 23.
ABOUT EXPLORE MILLBURN-SHORT HILLS
Explore Millburn-Short Hills is the 501(c)3 non-profit organization established to support and promote the businesses throughout the five areas of the Special Improvement District that was established in 2020. Explore organizes numerous events, musical performances, educational programs and networking events. The organization is also responsible for various public art and streetscaping projects in the town including the Millburn Art Alley and Town Hall Plaza.
Providing exceptional legal services in areas of family law and matrimonial law, including but not limited to: divorce, custody, equitable distribution, parental alienation, prenuptual agreements, high net worth matters, domestic violence, Appellate Court and Supreme Court, case second opinions, and Co-Counsel for out of state matters.
Sip, Pop, Repeat
Jenny Yiu, owner of Kung Fu Tea in Millburn and Summit, shares the artistry behind creating the perfect sip of bubble tea.
BY EVE GOLDEN
More than a mere refreshment, bubble tea has become a social icon and a vibrant piece of modern culture. This unique beverage captivates the senses weaving together a playful tapestry of flavors and textures. Guests are all about the experience of seeing their favorite drinks crafted in front of them, sealed and shaken to perfection, followed by the delightfully awaited pop of the straw piercing the lid signaling the first sip.
Bubble Tea Bliss
In 2017, Jenny opened her first location in Millburn but quickly outgrew the space. The larger location at 315C Millburn Ave. offers more room and seating options for guests to relax, play board games, socialize with friends after school, work remotely with Wi-Fi and even host special events, which is a growing segment of the business.
The whimsical charm of bubble tea extends beyond the sip; the baristas find as much joy in the craft as guests do in the experience. “I love being a bobarista! Each of the drinks are unique and colorful, which makes them special and fun to create,” Jenny says. “The shakers and cup sealers also make a presentation for customers who love watching their drinks come to life.”
Believe the Hype
Crafted with authentic Taiwanese tea leaves, bubble tea (or boba) has a storied past, tracing back to the 1940s when a Taiwanese bartender crafted a luxurious foamy tea. The drink evolved in 1986 with the addition of tapioca pearls, bringing us the modern-day version of bubble tea. “Bubble tea has become a daily drink for many of my customers, who start the day with their ‘wake-me-up coffee’ and then enjoy Kung Fu Tea for an afternoon ‘refresher pick-me-up,’” Jenny says.
Boba
Behind the Scenes
Creating perfect boba is an intricate process; the tapioca bubbles are meticulously heated, then rested to achieve the perfect texture. This hour-long ritual is repeated throughout the day to ensure freshness. Classic honey bubbles are regarded as the most popular topping, but Jenny says, “brown sugar bubbles, popping bubbles [a thin shell that “bursts” with juice], and nata jelly [coconut pulp and pineapple flavoring] are all close seconds. There are also guests who appreciate the less traditional toppings, such as ‘milk cap’ [a creamy milk foam], chia seeds and herbal jelly.”
Personalized to Perfection
Kung Fu Tea satisfies cravings year-round. While classics like Milk Tea, Strawberry Lemonade and Mango Slush reign supreme, the menu boasts over 70 customizable drinks. When temperatures drop, hot milk teas, including Thai and Taro, and seasonal favorites like Pumpkin Latte and Peppermint Milk Tea, chase away the chills.
For those who crave the unexpected, “Oreo Wow, Matcha Milk, and Rosehip Lemonade offer unique flavor experiences,” Jenny says. “Since every drink is made-toorder with customizable sweetness levels and a treasure trove of toppings, we offer personal recommendations based on what our customer tells us they’re looking for.”
Dream Team
Kung Fu Tea is well known for their partnerships with video game giants, such as Nintendo and Sega, as well as film franchises, including “Miraculous,” “Kung Fu Panda” and “Despicable Me.” Their latest holiday collaboration is with the highly anticipated “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” movie (releasing in theaters Dec. 13), featuring four exclusive drinks with an unexpected new flavor:
Lavender Latte with coffee popping boba, Lavender Milk Tea with boba, Lavender Lemonade with nata jelly and Black Tea Lemonade with lychee crystal boba.
“Customers are loving the unique floral taste, themed cups and lids and the popular reusable straw caps!” Jenny says.
“Millburn is dynamic and diverse and open to unique food and drink options. I really enjoy making my store part of the community in that way.”
Opposite page: Jenny’s current favorite: Apple Green Tea with lychee crystal bubbles at 20% sugar level and less ice. This page, clockwise from top: Promotional art for Kung Fu Tea and “The War of the Rohirrim” movie. Hera’s Lavender Milk Tea, a featured drink for the film.
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Love Through the Lens
Through a shared passion for the creative arts and strong family ethos, Melinda and Dennis Culp established their roots in Millburn more than two decades ago.
BY EVE GOLDEN
Photography and music are deeply intertwined, sparking creativity and inspiration for one another. They resonate with each other’s emotions and magic happens when they collaborate. Melinda and Dennis Culp exemplify this creative connection. While their artistic routes rarely intersect professionally—Melinda, a fashion and lifestyle commercial photographer, and Dennis, a touring musician and advertising music producer—the couple navigates the vibrant chaos of an artist’s lifestyle, harmoniously balancing their careers and family life.
A Creative Space
Melinda’s photography journey took flight in 1996, a pivotal moment that led her to Millburn. It was here that she crossed paths
with a photographer who had a top-floor studio at the busy corner of Main Street and Millburn Avenue. This collaborative space, shared with two other photographers, became the backdrop for Melinda’s creative development, where she interned and immersed herself in the world of photography.
“When I first moved to Millburn, it was because I wanted to be closer to the photographers I was assisting” says Melinda.
In a serendipitous twist of fate, Melinda found her first post-college apartment on Millburn Avenue. The building, dating back to the early 1900s, was once owned by a family who ran a tailor shop on the ground floor (now home to Bungalow boutique). Melinda and her roommate had a day off and were excited to explore the space (before renovations began), which still
featured charming original details.
“It felt like a 1920s time capsule; it even had a skeleton key lock on the front door,” Melinda recalls. “They freshened up the apartment but kept many of the turn of the century details, which was really fun for us since we loved the architecture,” continues Melinda.
Their landlord, the previous owner of La Strada next door, often invited Melinda and her roommate to dine at the restaurant, turning routine rent dropoffs into a delicious meal on the house.
As Melinda was building her portfolio working all around New York City, her Millburn apartment served as home base; the NYC train line essentially at her doorstep allowed her to easily explore the city and advance her work.
Sonic Youth
In the mid-90s, Dennis, a Colorado native, embraced the stylish laid-back life of the quintessential ski bum. After attending hotel school, he secured a position at the Westin Resort in downtown Denver, quickly seeing success in his career. But as he rose through management, his true passion for music called. He joined a ska punk band called Five Iron Frenzy as a vocalist, songwriter and horn player.
Dennis says, “As the band’s touring schedule ramped up, life started getting busier, and I got to a point where I wanted to do this full time. I quit my hotel job, and it shocked everybody.” After trading in hotel management for tour life, Dennis and the
band were constantly on the road playing shows like the Warped Tour and venues like Gramercy Theatre and Roseland Ballroom in New York for the next eight years, a journey that would lead him to Melinda.
Love and Art Intersect
As Five Iron Frenzy hit New Jersey for a show at Montclair State University, Melinda recalls how she met Dennis and the band.
“My roommate invited them to dinner at our apartment. Dennis had been on tour for three weeks straight and loved the idea of a home-cooked meal, so he offered to prepare dinner for everyone.” Within a few months the couple started dating, followed by an engagement and an unexpected move to
California for the next 6 years.
During that time, Dennis was touring with a label mate from another band who was launching a new music company called Singing Serpent, tailored for advertising agencies. When Five Iron disbanded, it gave Dennis an opportunity to immerse himself in a fresh segment of the music industry.
With Singing Serpent, “We create music scores, sound design treatments and we provide audio production for the advertising world,” Dennis explains. Some of Dennis’s client work includes the Progressive Driver’s Ed commercial starring Ed Helms, and the comical UberEats “Star Wars” vs. “Star Trek” battle over the word “tomato” starring Mark Hamill and Patrick Stewart.
Far left: Melinda shooting a fashion campaign on location in Portugal.
Above: Dennis (right) with his band, Five Iron Frenzy, performing at Furnace Fest in Birmingham, Alabama.
Left: Setting the stage for a love story: Dennis and Melinda at a music festival in 1999.
Roots Reimagined
In 2005, Dennis and Melinda made the decision to return to the East Coast, driven by Dennis’s production company establishing a New York office. The move came with its challenges—leaving their friends and the enviable California weather.
Melinda says, “We looked at houses in Maplewood, South Orange and Montclair but landed in Millburn when our perfect house came up. We liked the schools better in Millburn, and the taxes too, so when we found a place close to town, the South Mountain Reservation, and a stone’s throw away from the Millburn train station, we fought hard for it. Perfect town and country!”
Beauty in the Unexpected
During the early days of parenting with their son Copeland, now 20, and daughter Annecy, now 18, Melinda embraced the art of multitasking both at home and in her career.
“Over the years, I began working on larger fashion campaigns,” she says. “My friend had a studio in NYC that was really popular and quickly became the go-to spot for my
larger-scale photography productions,” explains Melinda.
But just one floor up, an identical sized studio unexpectedly became available. “The new space was the exact footprint of what I needed to be able to build my dream studio, and so I designed and turned it over in a month,” she says.
EDEN Studio NYC, formed in 2022, is Melinda’s own commercial photo studio and boutique event space in the heart of West Chelsea. It is now a premier location for high-profile photo shoots as well as a hub for fashion Market Week.
“We have hosted magazine covers like Esquire and photo shoots with Bloomingdale’s and Urban Outfitters,” explains Melinda.
The Studio has also served as the backdrop for art gallery openings, runway shows and special events with Misty Copeland, SWEAT Trainer, Kelsey Wells and Google.
Melinda continues, “It’s been super fun and busy to run the studio while also shooting full time, but I’m incredibly proud of EDEN.”
When Melinda is not at EDEN, you
can find her traveling on location shooting campaigns for fashion clients Helen Castillo (Project Runway), Go Silk and footwear collection Andre Assous.
Full Circle
Musicians often have super passionate fans, and Dennis learned that firsthand. After an eight-year break with Five Iron Frenzy, an internet rumor sparked a reunion among the bandmates who hadn’t spoken in years. They launched a Kickstarter in 2012 that raised a record amount—making it the biggest campaign ever at the time. “We realized fans still wanted to hear us play, and it blew us away,” says Dennis. Currently, they play about 20 shows a year. “We fly out, play two shows and then we all go back to our day jobs,” continues Dennis. With both kids away at college pursuing careers in music production and economics, Melinda reflects, “It’s so weird being empty nesters! But we do love having flexible schedules and spending more time together.”
Whether it’s traveling for a photoshoot, a Five Iron show or visiting their kids in Nashville and Los Angeles, someone is always on the road, but Millburn is home.
A family retreat to Annecy, France, one of the Culp’s favorite destinations. From left to right: Copeland, Annecy, Dennis and Melinda.
Pet Project
Adorably curious Teddy, a 4-year-old who is ready for adoption, was meant to be neutered and returned to the outdoors. However,
Marcia insists he’s too sweet to live outside.
Marcia Sandford Fishkind’s love of animals has become a full-time job.
BY ELAINE PAOLONI QUILICI
Don’t let Marcia Sandford Fishkind’s family name fool you. Although she has a love for all animals, she has been especially kind to cats her entire life. Growing up in the Bronx, New York City, she credits her father for instilling in her a sense of service toward strays, as he often fed and cared for the cats who hung around his place of business. Today, Marcia dedicates her life to the well-being of cats and other animals in the area from her own home in Short Hills.
A Rescue Is Born
The Fishkind family—including Marcia’s husband, Howard; Rachel, a first-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Student; and twins Jack and Jessica, who are juniors in college—has opened their home to animals in need for the past decade. Marcia began getting involved in 2014, when she attended an event at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison.
“I was tired of sitting in front of Facebook, crying over all these posts about animals and not making any difference,” Marcia says. “I wanted to turn that sadness into something more helpful, more important, so I signed up to be a volunteer.”
Marcia worked in the St. Hubert’s cattery, socializing and giving attention to all the cats in cages. After about a year, she switched to volunteering at Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter in East Hanover where she forged strong relationships with her co-workers.
Alexandra Labriola Favetta, who grew up in Short Hills, was one of them. At the time, Favetta was the shelter’s foster coordinator and now works in a local vet office. She encouraged Marcia to foster some of the rescued animals from home, then return them to Mount Pleasant for adoption.
“She taught me so much,” Marcia says. “Alex kick-started me into rescue work, and I started fostering on a regular basis for Mount Pleasant. I loved that I could do it out of my house.”
After Covid, Marcia decided to retire from her 31-year career in technology sales to focus on rescuing animals on her own. Her first experience, in 2020, was taking in two kittens found outside Bunchers True Value Hardware in Millburn. She eventually found them a new home in South Orange.
“It was like going from being a shopper to basically running the store,” Marcia says.
“I still reach out to Alex with questions, and sometimes she reaches out to me. Mount Pleasant continues to help me greatly, too. Now I give them cats that I take off the street.”
Marcia keeps her rescues mainly in her basement. For health reasons, she typically does not let them interact with her house pets, which include seven cats and a dog.
“She works so hard and is selfless in the work she does taking care of animals,” says Beth Marinello, one of Marcia’s adopters. “I don’t know where she gets her strength or energy, but she just keeps pushing forward, trying to help as many living souls as she can. She works tirelessly and doesn’t back down from even the most daunting of cases—from tiny, weak kittens to adult cats with severe injuries and/or illnesses.”
In order to care for the cats, the Fishkind family personally funds the majority of animal-related costs.
“We probably spend close to $10,000 a year of our own money on food, litter and supplies,” Marcia says. “I would love more cat food donations, and if anyone wants to help with their time, I can always use that.”
Home is Where the Cat Is
These adorable kitties are ready to find their forever families.
ARTHUR
Making a Difference
Among the many rescues Marcia has worked with, one of her most challenging experiences was taking in an anorexic cat. She was asked by Suzanne Roman, executive director at Mount Pleasant at the time, to care for the cat at home, with the hope that a change in environment would help.
“I offered it every flavor of cat food, fish, ham, cheese—you name it,” she says. “But the cat was just not interested.” Three hours later, Marcia smeared some food on the cat’s nose. The cat didn’t like it at first, but soon it was lowering its head into the food dish and began to eat.
Cat rescue is just a portion of what Marcia does for the animal community. She has partnered with the Township of Millburn on its trap, neuter and return program that focuses on population control. For this, she traps strays, gets them spayed or neutered (which the town pays for), recovers them in her house and then releases them.
“Very few towns in New Jersey do this, and they are overrun with cats,” she says. “Our business administrator, Alex McDonald, launched me into doing this and is very supportive.”
Since 2021, Marcia also has been helping people find their lost dogs with her friend Kelly Conover of South Orange. Nicole Asher, owner of Buddha Dog Rescue & Recovery in Blairstown, has taught them recovery, from setting up flyers to educating owners. becoming involved with wildlife rehabber Nancy Warner Hewitt. She recently Costco parking lot in to Nancy.
open up her 80-acre Marcia says. “I couldn’t do places.”
foxes, people are aware of local animal community help.
time,” she says. “They there, they’re very growing rapidly.”
and to see the adoption please visit: facebook.com/marcia.sandford.
freelance lifestyle writer and editor appeared in The Wall Street amNewYork, New Jersey Monthly and
Top: Marcia’s son Jack (now a junior in college), snuggles up with their foster kittens for story time. Bottom: Marcia, with the help of Nicole Asher of Buddha Dog Rescue & Recovery (left) and her friend Kelly (right), rescued a lost dog that had been wandering for miles a day.
The Essential Holiday Gift Edit
Curated for everyone on your list, we uncovered the perfect gifting essentials, handpicked from some of the best local shops in Millburn and Short Hills.
BY EVE GOLDEN
Champagne flutes (set of 4), Display & Millburn Ave. 4. Leather wristlet | Jia, candle | Paper Ribbon & Wrap, 271 Charcuterie knives | Elements For Style, 358A
Modern Minimalist
1. Chain loafers | Roxy Shoes, 356 Millburn Ave. 2. Printed silk dress | Jia, 359 Millburn Ave. 3. Cutting board | Shala, 358C Millburn Ave. 4. Sherpa belt bag | Bungalow, 353 Millburn Ave. 5. Fire extinguisher | Shala, 358C Millburn Ave. 6. Collarless leather jacket | Jia, 359 Millburn Ave. 7. The Creative Act book | The Book House, 281 Essex St. 8. Sherpa sneakers | Footnotes, 275 Millburn Ave. 9. Pedestal bowl | K+Co Living, 36 Chatham Rd. Short Hills
simplicity in black and white
The Naturalist
7. 2. 3. 4. 6. 5. 8. 9. 10. 11.
1. Faux fur tote | Jia, Hills 3. Craft cocktail kit | Paper Ribbon & Wrap, 271 Serving tray | K+Co Living, 36 Chatham Rd. Short Camera leather shoulder bag | Uffizi, 529 Millburn Ave. Short Hills 7. Embroidered wool slippers | Footnotes, 275 Millburn Ave. 8. Geometric fleece jacket | Bungalow, 353 Millburn Ave. 9. Adirondack candle | Paper Ribbon & Wrap, 271 Essex St. 10. Fragrance oil roller | Bungalow, 353 Millburn Ave. 11. Reed diffuser | Elements For Style, 358A Millburn Ave.
1.
The Artist
Curated for the bold who color outside the lines
7. 2.
3. 6. 5. 8. 9. 10.
1. Glass vase | K+Co Living, 36 Chatham Rd. Short Hills 2. Venetian glass & diamond necklace | Jhanna Fine Jewelry, 357 Millburn Ave. 3. Apres sweater | Bungalow, 353 Millburn Ave. 4. Striped gloves | Bungalow, 353 Millburn Ave. 5. The Missoni Cookbook | K+Co Living, 36 Chatham Rd. Short Hills 6. Engravable bauble boxes | Paper Ribbon & Wrap, 271 Essex St. 7. Colorblock scarf | Bungalow, 353 Millburn Ave. 8. Hand-blown glass candleholder | Paper Ribbon & Wrap, 271 Essex St. 9. Belt bag | Pure Barre, 351 Millburn Ave. 10. Wraparound sunglasses | Sneaker Factory, 308 Millburn Ave.
Q & a
En Garde!
Alex Luo advances his fencing career while balancing life as a middle schooler in Millburn.
BY ELAINE PAOLONI QUILICI
INTERVIEW WITH ALEX LUO
Fencing Champion
Known around Millburn as the Fencing Family, the Luos have a passion for the sport that their oldest son, Alex, is now taking to the next level. After six years of training and traveling to national and international tournaments, he is now ranked first in the U.S. and Canada for Youth 12 epee fencing.
At only 11 years old, Alex dedicates more than 20 hours a week to the sport, while balancing school, extracurricular activities, acting
and modeling. Over the past three years, he has earned 12 gold medals and over 21 top 8 placements. His next goal is to qualify for the 2028 Olympics.
Alex’s parents, Aaron and Jill, are his greatest fans and supporters. His father, who fenced in high school and college and still competes at the national level, is also who introduced Alex and his brother, Sebastian, 8, to the sport at an early age.
“I secretly was praying
that both of our boys would love the sport as much as I do,” Aaron says. “It’s hard work, and you have to train really, really hard. Going to tournaments with sometimes over 300 to 500 kids can be intimidating, but Alex started seeing success early and got hooked very, very quickly. He has the heart of a lion.”
While Aaron is there to assist with the technical aspects of his sons’ training, Jill, who does not fence,
is focused on providing support, managing schedules and, of course, driving everyone around.
“I’m there as a mom,” she says. “I’m a support system, checking in about homework, asking how they feel, helping them stay grounded and offering a hug when they’re upset.”
Here, Alex shares his fencing experience with Millburn & Short Hills magazine.
What do you like most about the sport?
I absolutely love to compete. There is no better feeling than getting that last winning touch in a high-stakes tournament or having the opportunity to fence someone who I admire.
What are some of the most important attributes a person needs to excel in fencing?
Learning to adapt and how to win and lose gracefully. You only have nine minutes on the fencing strip to beat your opponent, and how you react on the fly and pivot is critical. It’s as much of a mental game as it is physical. The nature of the sport is that you will
lose often. My dad and coach taught me to have the mental strength to move forward through the tough losses and study my mistakes.
What is the life of a fencer like for a sixth grader? How do you manage training and competing with school and other interests?
Balance and planning have b een the key to maintaining top grades in school and achieving my fencing rank. I have my entire travel schedule booked from now until July 2025. Last season I attended 16 regional and national tournaments while maintaining top grades. This year, I am really relying
on my discipline and organization. I also make sure to have plenty of downtime. This fall, I participated in Special Olympics Unified Soccer, and this winter you’ll find me snowboarding and playing basketball through the Millburn Recreation Department.
What is the town of Millburn doing to grow the sport?
There is an afterschool program at the middle school, and the high school has a strong, competitive team. I would love to represent the town of Millburn in the future.
How are you preparing for the the Olympics in 2028? Representing our country in the Olympics is my dream. The U.S. can send the top four fencers in their “senior” category to the Olympics. I am following a roadmap to get there, and one important step is to participate in the Pan Am Games next summer.
Elaine Paoloni Quilici is a freelance lifestyle writer and editor based in Verona. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes Vetted, amNewYork, New Jersey Monthly and Mommy Poppins.
Opposite page: Far left, Alex poses in his fencing gear. Right: Alex (right) on the strip during a competition bout. This page: Left, The Luo Family. Right, An October 2024 live press interview after winning gold in the Men’s Youth 12 epee SYC event.
From Millburn to Carnegie Hall
What is the Masterwork Chorus and why is it unique? MW Chorus is a volunteer non-profit community chorus and has become one of the leading NJ Choral organizations in the state. The Chorus consists of volunteers who love to sing while the soloists and orchestra are experienced professionals. We are the only NJ-based group that sings Handel’s holiday choral masterpiece at Carnegie Hall. We have sung Messiah at Carnegie Hall since our founding in 1955 every year. The headline is to get people interested in singing to join us and attend our concerts. We perform the greatest choral works ever written from many cultures and time periods as well as newly commissioned works.
What inspired you to join Masterwork Chorus? I went to a Morristown MW
performance of Messiah in 1984 and loved it. I did not know it was a volunteer chorus until a few months later when I saw a call for members in the newspaper. I remember the call mentioned that all singing levels were welcome. I tried out and, to my surprise and delight, they took me as an alto, and I have been singing my heart out ever since.
What is a personal high note of performing at Carnegie Hall? It is a truly transporting experience to create beautiful sound together with others, especially from that magnificent stage. Our wonderful former conductor, Chris Shepard started a tradition of having the audience sing the Hallelujah chorus with us at the end of the performances. It warms my heart to see the Carnegie audiences (over 3,000) stand up and sing with us, and they love it.
How can someone become a member of the Chorus and what are some
highlights for the new season? Every September and January, we audition anyone who would like to join. We have an exciting new Director, Martin Sedek, who is both an accomplished composer and conductor. There are four other concerts in addition to Carnegie in December: Messiah at Dolan Hall at St. Elizabeth’s in Convent Station, a holiday concert in December, a Duke Ellington concert in March both at Chatham United Methodist Church and a Beethoven concert in May at Concert Hall at Drew in Madison.
Also, we have six Summer sing-alongs, and one Messiah sing-along open to everyone in the community. Volunteers in our Chorus dedicate their time to perform in assisted living homes to sing to people who would otherwise not have the opportunity to hear us.
More information on our season can be found at masterwork.org
Masterwork Chorus member Katherine Becker has been singing Handel’s Messiah at the iconic concert venue every December since the 1980s.
Left: Katherine has sung in well over a hundred performances of Handel’s Messiah. Above: Masterwork Chorus onstage at Carnegie Hall.
Adventure Awaits
Traveling the world with your children is an incredible opportunity to create magical memories that last a lifetime. As a travel advisor, I like to suggest new destinations that offer a chance to explore different cultures, taste exotic foods and marvel at the wonders of nature together. Whether it’s watching a sunset over a foreign city, hiking through lush landscapes or riding a camel, these shared experiences foster a deep bond and a sense of wonder.
Traveling also teaches children valuable life lessons—curiosity, resilience and the joy of discovery—while giving them a rich tapestry of memories to cherish as they grow. In a world that’s constantly changing, these moments of adventure and connection are priceless.
- Alex Feinstein, Travel Advisor at Global Eventures
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