Millburn & Short Hills October 2024 by Wainscot Media

Millburn & Short Hills

SUPPORTING THE FOOD PANTRY

MAYOR ANNETTE ROMANO

SHINE BRIGHT WALTER BAUMAN JEWELERS

LIVE THEATER FOR FILM FANATICS

Robin Hood Cottage

Publisher’s Note

Even if “nerding” out on architecture is not your thing, our Robin Hood House cover story will surely capture your imagination. The storybook house at 1 Nottingham Road in Short Hills was recently reimagined by local architect Tom Baio. Not only has Baio delivered a gloriously creative update of the home but he and his wife, Monica, are ready to move in and mark their return to town after 16 years. Thank you to Tom and Monica for the intimate look into their new home— and welcome back to the community!

Sometimes Millburn and Short Hills retailers expand and close locations but remain a staple in the community. Walter Bauman Jewelers is one of those cases. After having a store in Short

Hills from 1983 to 2019, the business continues its legacy at three remaining nearby locations that are still popular among locals. We appreciate spotlighting businesses like these periodically, and we do so in this issue just in time for the start of the holidays.

As the holidays approach, contemplating gratitude is often top of mind. We know you will be inspired to learn all about the town’s food pantry and how you can contribute needed basics. It’s easy to make a small difference in someone’s life as Mayor Annette Romano explains in our Q&A.

As we wind down our first year of Millburn & Short Hills magazine, it’s been an incredible journey so far allowing us to connect with and understand our community on a deeper level. I encourage you to take a moment to look around at your community, your friends and your neighbors. Everyone has a story worth telling. Let’s work together to create a lasting record of what makes our community so special and honor the people who live and work here and those with a vision to make things better for us all. Thank you for reading, and I look forward to sharing more stories with you with your help. Keep them coming to marylima@millburnandshorthills.com. Happy Fall!

Mary Lima Publisher

Millburn & Short Hills

MAGAZINE

Publisher

Mary Lima

Editor and Lead Writer

Elaine Paoloni Quilici

Art Director

Sue Park

Writers

David Chmiel

D.W. Hirsch

Photographer Melissa Spector

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

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.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MELISSA SPECTOR

How do you define wealth? Is it large numbers on a spreadsheet? Or is it the ability to travel wherever, whenever and knowing that tuitions are still paid in full.

How you define wealth is where we start. We listen carefully and create the plan for your life. We call it Living Wealthfully. It may not be what you’re used to from a financial advisor, but it will change the way you see your future.

lyleweintraub.com

Around Town

BY STEVE GRILLO, Executive Director, Explore Millburn-Short Hills

AUTUMN FUN KICKS OFF

Explore Millburn-Short Hills is excited to announce three fun events this fall and winter. “Fall Into Millburn” (Oct. 31) is a Halloween event for children of all ages that will feature games, pumpkin picking and trick or treating. The “Holiday Kick Off Event” (Nov. 23) is a great chance to find amazing deals on holiday gifts. Walk the streets of Millburn and enjoy visits from costumed holiday characters, special food and drink options and sales and promotions from local businesses. Finally, a town favorite, “S’mores and Igloos,” returns on Dec. 7 and 14. For more information, visit www. exploremillburnshorthills.org and follow on social media.

CATCH JERSEY BOYS AT PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE

Get your tickets now for “Jersey Boys,” which will run from Oct. 2 to Nov. 3 at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive, Millburn). The show follows the evolution of four blue-collar kids who became one of the greatest successes in pop-music history. This Tony Award–winning Best Musical takes audiences behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons to discover the secret of a 40-year friendship as the foursome work their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights of stardom. For more on this season’s lineup of shows, read our story in this issue.

“Jersey Boys” will take over Paper Mill Playhouse, beginning Oct. 2.

Left: Celebrate Halloween with your whole family at “Fall Into Millburn” on Oct. 31. Right: “S’mores and Igloos” returns to town this December. Photographs by Explore Millburn-Short Hills.

HIKE SOUTH MOUNTAIN

RESERVATION’S FAIRY TRAIL

There’s more to South Mountain Reservation than the beauty of the changing foliage. Did you know a half-mile trail within the wooded area is inhabited by fairies? Look carefully along the walking path in tree hollows and roots to get a glimpse of their homes. The delicate houses are made of natural materials that the fairies find in their habitat, such as branches, stones and dried fungi, so be gentle and try not to disturb any fairies who may be inside.

To access the Fairy Trail, park in the Locust Grove lot (197 Glen Avenue, Millburn) and look for the trailhead that begins to the left of the parking area along the Rahway Trail (white-blazed).

After a magical hike, make sure to head downtown and enjoy lunch or a warm drink. You can even get a jump on your holiday shopping at the local shops.

GREENWOOD GARDENS WINDS DOWN FOR SEASON

Nov. 3 is the final day of the season at Greenwood Gardens (274 Old Short Hills Road, Short Hills). Make sure to circle your calendars to enjoy one last leisurely stroll, take in the final fall blooms on display, listen to the relaxing gurgle of the stately fountains and even chat with a friendly turkey at the farmyard.

EXPLORE NATURE WITH WALKING CLUB

Join the Millburn Health Department Autumn Walking Club at 10 a.m. every Friday through Nov. 8 to set out on a beautiful fall walk. The group meets each week at the South Mountain Recreation Complex (9 Cherry Lane, West Orange). For more information, email jekelly@livingstonnj.org or call 973-535-7961.

LEGO MANIA COMES TO MILLBURN FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Calling all Millburn Legomaniacs, this is the program for you. Children who love to build with Legos are invited to partake in the Lego Challenge at the Millburn Free Public Library (200 Glen Avenue, Millburn) on Nov. 25 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. There will be 45 bins of pre-sorted Lego bricks, plus tons of regular pieces. After the class, the Lego sculptures created will be displayed at the library for two weeks for visitors to enjoy.

Class size is limited and registration is required to keep the class size manageable. This is just one of the many events the library has planned for the season. For more information, visit www.millburnlibrary.org.

ABOUT EXPLORE MILLBURNSHORT HILLS

Explore Millburn-Short Hills is the 501(c)3 nonprofit established to support and promote businesses throughout the five areas of the Special Improvement District that was established in 2020. It organizes numerous events, musical performances, educational programs and networking events. The organization also is responsible for various public art and streetscaping projects in town, including the Millburn Art Alley.

Go for a whimsical walk through the woods on South Mountain Reservation’s Fairy Trail. Photos courtesy of Beth Kelly/Fairy Trail

Harvest Time

Stroll Through Summit Farmers Market for a variety of fresh foods and fun this season.

BY ELAINE PAOLONI QUILICI

Summit Farmers Market has grown to offer a wide variety of locally produced products.

As temperatures cool and the aroma of pumpkin spice fills the air, it’s only natural to think about farmstands. With a void left by the discontinued Millburn Farmers Market a couple years ago, many residents now flock to nearby Summit Farmers Market (Deforest and Woodland avenues, Summit). Just a fiveminute drive from the Short Hills border, this market has been serving area locals for the past 30 years. With a bounty of gastronomic delights and fall fun on tap, there’s no better time to visit.

Market Growth

The Summit Farmers Market, run by Summit Downtown, Inc., started out as a small number of vendors, mostly farmers looking to sell their produce. Today, visitors can find everything from fresh produce to fish, meats, cheeses, breads, prepared foods and beverages to candles, pottery, clothing and more. A number of local nonprofits even have a presence to spotlight their organizations.

“We have more than 65 vendors this season with full-time, every-other-week and guest vendors, in addition to those from our own downtown,” says Marin Mixon, Summit Farmers Market administrator.

Currently, 3,000 to 4,000 people visit Summit Farmers Market weekly. Customers come from across the state, including Millburn and Short Hills, and even New York and Pennsylvania.

“Having folks from surrounding areas adds dimension to our vibrant market,” Mixon says.

Millburn resident Deb Sobelman and her family appreciate the short drive from Millburn and the variety of local baked goods and quality produce available.

“My son loves the pickle on a stick, and we always grab a few empanadas to take home for dinner,” she says.

In addition to local residents who frequent the market, restaurants such as La Pergola in Millburn use it to source fresh ingredients. Many vendors also buy from other vendors to produce their products.

Recipe for Success

There is more to the design of Summit Farmers Market than you might think. A committee, including a local resident who provides community input, reviews all potential vendors. The staff works closely with all sellers to make sure the market offers just the right combination of products, which includes current trends. Vendors must reapply every season and provide samples of their new products. Samples also are required from potential new vendors.

“The quality of vendors and the process we have in place to vet them has made our market very special,” Mixon says.

Giving back to the community is another market asset. Over the past few years, it has partnered with the organization GRACE

(Giving and Receiving Assistance for Our Community’s Essentials) on the Give It Fresh Today, or G.I.F.T., program. This encourages vendors and visitors to donate fresh produce to people in need. Any monetary donations are used by GRACE representatives to purchase additional fresh food at the end of the market.

Beyond the Bounty

Summit Farmers Market is open mid-April until Nov. 24. After a brief break, it opens Dec. 8, 15 and 22, then remains closed until next April.

The market usually has three food-based events each year. On Oct. 27, a pumpkin contest will challenge amateur cooks to bake their best pumpkin recipes to see whose creation is best. In conjunction, Family Photo Day encourages guests to dress in costume and use fun props in a photo booth. The upbeat DJ Mr. Socks will spin tunes and act as MC for the day.

“With the return of families to town, opening of schools, cooler weather and change in produce offerings, fall is an especially fun time at Summit Farmers Market,” Mixon says.

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.

A walk through Summit Farmers Market is a pleasant way to spend a fall afternoon.

Cipriano Law Offices

Protecting Your Most Valuable Asset

The legal team at Cipriano Law Offices has a combined 120 years’ experience helping high net worth individuals work through complex matter concerning business holdings as well as refining custodial arrangements.

Our team understands the importance of negotiation while keeping an eye on the best interest of our clients. We have four court qualified mediators, two statewide approved parenting coordinators and six litigators ready to assist you in all aspects of Family Court representation.

Let Cipriano Law Offices help move your family to a bright new tomorrow, call us today!

At Canoe Brook Pediatric Dentistry, we are passionately committed to nurturing your child’s self-confidence and guiding them towards a future of healthy, radiant smiles. Dr. Grewal and our team specialize in all aspects of pediatric dentistry with years of experience . Your child’s smile is our priority. We accept most Dental PPO Plans and offer

Stocked With Love

Mayor Annette Romano goes the extra mile to help support community members in need by maintaining the Millburn Food Pantry.

BY ELAINE PAOLONI QUILICI

INTERVIEW WITH ANNETTE ROMANO

Millburn Mayor

Millburn Mayor Annette Romano knows the importance of helping those in need. When it affects people within her own community, she really digs in.

In 2001, Romano became involved with the Millburn-Short Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross. The organization ran a food pantry, and Romano saw the benefit it provided to the community.

When the chapter closed in 2012, the pantry was moved to St. Stephen’s Church but soon closed. However, Romano knew the need still existed. She was willing to run and maintain the pantry but needed a space to house it. She tried to find a new location but kept coming up short.

It wasn’t until 2018 when the topic arose in a town meeting that spurred Romano and former Millburn Township Social Services Coordinator Ana Milan to meet with Township Business Administrator Alex McDonald. McDonald understood the need for a pantry and was determined to help them.

In November 2019, the pantry found a new home in a small building behind Millburn Town Hall (375 Millburn Ave., Millburn). Millburn-Short Hills magazine recently caught up with Romano to talk about how the pantry continues to thrive.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ZOE BERKOVIC

Left: Mayor Annette Romano spent years looking for a location for the town’s food pantry and now helps to manage it.

Who maintains the food pantry?

The food pantry continues to thrive, thanks to the help of caring volunteers such as (left to right, top to bottom) Christine Romano; Debbie Frank; Mayor Annette Romano; and Cori Chiarolanzio, Millburn Human Services Coordinator. The food pantry uses Amazon Wish List as a convenient way for people to make donations.

I manage it and maintain it along with my daughter Christina. This includes getting items in, making deliveries and keeping the space clean. We’ve recently welcomed a volunteer who has helped us with stocking shelves and making deliveries.

How does the process work?

When a client requests a delivery from the pantry, they usually submit a shopping list. When we run low on items, we complete an Amazon Wish List and push it out through our Facebook page (Millburn Neighbors Helping Neighbors) and Instagram (@millburn_pantry). Additionally, residents can sign up to receive a notification through the township when we need items. The Google group Millburn-Short Hills Workmoms also has been extremely helpful in getting out the word. We are so grateful for the generosity of our residents. Whenever we push out the need for items, it’s answered almost immediately.

Items ordered from Amazon Wish List are delivered directly to Millburn Town Hall. We’ve made it so easy. There’s no need to go to the store; just click on the item, make the purchase and it comes directly to the pantry. For those who already have items on hand, we accept donations at Town Hall during business hours.

We also welcome local community groups to hold food drives to benefit the pantry. We solely serve the residents of Millburn-Short Hills. All the donations we receive stay right here in our community for our neighbors.

What are the most needed items, and what do you always have a surplus of?

At the moment, our most needed items are pricier products such as laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper and shelf-stable milk. We rarely have a surplus of anything.

How do the needs of the food pantry change during the holidays?

During the holidays, people want to help more. Many residents look to donate their free holiday food items from ShopRite. Every year, the township’s public schools hold a Thanksgiving Food Drive, and some years the pantry is included in that collection. Monetary donations increase, too, which is helpful because we include a gift card with our deliveries so that clients can purchase perishables like eggs, bread, milk, etc.

During Christmas last year, one of our families was going through a rough time and wanted to have something for her children for Christmas. Without much turnaround time, Committeeman Ben Stoller and myself along with a few staff members from Town Hall purchased items that she added to Amazon Wish List. We were able to give her the toys and games that her children wanted for Christmas.

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.

Restoring Robin Hood Cottage

Architect Thomas Baio and his wife, Monica, return to town to build their happily ever after.

BY DAVID CHMIEL

Imagine Robin of Loxley, Maid Marian and the Merry Men racing through Sherwood Forest after once again outwitting the Sheriff of Nottingham to serve the people. The iconic adventures from the legend of Robin Hood have been so popular over the years that they have inspired generations of readers, movie-goers and even architects to incorporate a bit of swashbuckling glory into their lives.

Thomas Baio, a renowned Short Hills architect for 33 years, was thrilled to dive headfirst into a recent reimagining of Short Hills’ Robin Hood Cottage at 1 Nottingham Road. He is a fan of the home’s original architect, Bernard E. Muller, who built the structure in 1925 and died there on Sept. 12, 1964, which also happens to be Baio’s birthday. His connection to the home is strong, and his renovation has been meticulous.

This page: Robin Hood Cottage was originally the sales office for the development of new homes in the neighborhood. credit: Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society. Opposite page top: An updated addition complements the original two-story structure of the home. Bottom: Thomas Baio has enjoyed bringing his vision to life in the renovation of the Robin Hood Cottage in Short Hills.

A Return to Home

As Baio approached the project, he was braced to deal with a particularly discerning client—himself. He and his wife, Monica, planned the renovation as a return to town after living in Mendham for the past 16 years.

“I wouldn’t want to be my general contractor,” Baio says with a laugh. Then, he shares every detail and intention for the home. “This original slate roof weighs 25,000 pounds. It’s absurd. Some pieces are 8 inches thick, some are 3 inches, and some are thinner. When we took them apart to restore the home, it was quite a feat. We used zinc for the new roof.”

Baio bought the two-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom cottage, which had been sitting empty for six years, after he and Monica decided it was time to return to the place where they raised their three children and begin a “storybook” next chapter.

“This house represents a sort

of homecoming,” he says. “When our older daughter, Emily, died (in 2012), we buried her at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery. Monica and I also have gravesites there. We knew we would return to this town, horizontally or vertically. We chose the latter.”

Building a Happily Ever After

The family has made a serious investment in what Baio calls their “forever home.” They purchased the property for $750,000 and have spent $1.4 million to restore it as a four-bedroom, four-bath residence.

The home was originally used as the sales office for the surrounding Nottingham development. According to the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society, the Cotswold cottage-style home featured a slate roof, mullioned and casement windows, tower and chimney.

“It was decrepit when we got it,” Baio says. “It was full of lead paint;

The renovation has married old and new elements.

The home’s new zinc roof was designed to resemble dragon scales. It took three months— and $250,000—to bend the pieces into place.

it was leaking. Contractors wanted to buy it and tear it down. I put about $500,000 into the foundation to get it up to par.”

Enter the poetic part of the Baios’ journey:

“I believe in the whimsy of this storybook home, which was incomplete,” Baio says. “According to the fictional narrative, the Sheriff of Nottingham never quite caught up with Robin Hood. I see the opportunity here to bring justice to Robin Hood Cottage. So, in 2024, the Year of the Dragon, justice descends upon the old cottage in the form of two flying dragons that have planted themselves on the cottage roof, adjacent and vigilant to the original two-story portion forever.”

The roof was designed to approximate the dragons’ scales. It took three months—and $250,000—to bend the 22-gauge zinc pieces into “scales” and install the roof. The portal windows represent the dragons’ watchful gaze onto Old Short Hills Road.

Defending the Castle

Without knowing the exact plans, some people were concerned about what would become of one of the most treasured homes in town when the renovation began last year. In September 2023, one commenter in the Happy Millburn Facebook group posted: “Oh NOOOO!!!! My favorite house is the Robin Hood House on Nottingham. What’s Going On????” However, less than a year later, they followed up with the comment: “The Robin Hood house is looking pretty cool.”

Another poster also defended the renovation, writing: “The homeowner went to great expense and planning, approved by the Millburn-Short Hills Preservation Committee, even though he didn’t have to. Personally, I think it looks great and is an updated nod to the cool original.”

Still, others in the Facebook group expressed their concern for the home’s new design, with some calling it “horrid” and “awful.” Because it’s never

possible to satisfy everyone, the Baios could have used a few dragons and Merry Men to fend off the naysayers.

Despite the noise, Baio is proud of his Robin Hood Cottage journey, eager to point out key changes he has made:

“We rebuilt the walkway into a patio, so it will be like an English privet garden to entertain or have a cup of coffee in the morning.

“Look at this original stonework by the original front door. The patina from years of leaks is amazing.

“I intentionally designed the house with 7-foot ceilings downstairs. It’s dark down here, with black cabinets, countertops and ceilings. Then, as we ascend the structure, it’s going to convey the ascension of spirit until you get to the roof, where we have put in a 12-foot window and a pool. We’ve got the permits. We’re moving in soon.”

THE ROBIN HOOD COTTAGE

• Built: 1925, as part of Storybook architecture; served as first neighborhood sales office for development company

• Architect: Bernhardt E. Muller; Thomas Baio (2023)

• Inspiration: 1920s-era “Film, Theatre and Art” Architecture; the Robin Hood Cottage is among the first of its kind on the East Coast

• Old Footprint: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths

• New Footprint: 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, media room, added third floor with pool and hot tub; 2,783 square feet

David Chmiel is a freelance writer and editor. He lives with his family in South Orange.

Walter Bauman is the third-generation owner of Walter Bauman Jewelers.

Timeless Treasures

Walter Bauman Jewelers combines its unique selection of pieces with its signature service to exceed customers’ expectations.

BY D.W. HIRSCH

Everything about Walter Bauman Jewelers makes a statement, from the dazzling pieces on display to the top customer service it has been providing for generations. This long history of excellence has earned the business recognition in local media as one of the best jewelry stores year after year. Whether you come to repair a watch, buy an antique pendant or sell your gold, there is something for everyone.

Earned Respect

Walter Bauman Jewelers’ solid reputation for fair and first-rate service motivates customers to line up inside its flagship store (653 Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange) to get their jewelry appraised and sold. This loyalty and confidence fit the philosophy of thirdgeneration store owner Walter Bauman.

“We want to be Your Personal Jeweler by earning your trust,” he says. “We want to make sure that we are the place you go to for all your jewelry needs,” he says.

The business began with Walter O. Bauman, a travelling watch and jewelry salesman, who opened the West Orange store in 1960. A second store in Short Hills opened in 1983 but closed in 2019. At that time, Bauman and his staff subsequently opened two more locations. Jim Miller, an employee of the Short Hills’ store became the manager of the Fairfield shop (244 U.S. Highway 46, #14A). The store in Boonton (521 Main Street) is owned by Bauman’s brother, Russell. Today, the business is respected as one of the area’s most experienced jewelry destinations.

At Your Service

The spectrum of services offered by Walter Bauman Jewelers includes custom designs, bridal consultations and repairs. But what makes the business stand out is its selection of estate jewelry. Referred to by Bauman as “previously enjoyed” items, estate pieces can be 100 years old or 100 days old. No matter the age of the jewelry, the company’s approach is still the same: Focusing on the quality of the pieces, not the price.

Walter Bauman Jewelers offers estate jewelry in every category: silver, gemstones, pearls, gold, diamonds, bridal, men’s and timepieces. The showcases are filled with designer estate pieces as well as items less than $500. You can find estate silver rings for sale from $25 and diamond rings for $2,700 and up.

Every heirloom cameo, vintage Rolex and treasured sapphire ring is purchased in-house, not at estate sales. This keeps each transaction individual and personal, maintaining that connection, which you can see on customers’ faces.

“You’re talking to people about good events and good times in their life,”

Bauman says. “It’s a fun atmosphere to work in.”

It takes experience to maintain strong personal bonds, requiring professional expertise and customer service. Walter Bauman Jewelers has both. The business currently employs 10 Gemological Institute of America graduates. Every location has on-site gem and diamond experts, plus a jewelry craftsperson. Even a simple watch battery replacement is completed by an employee who has worked with watches for 15 years. Almost every necklace repair, gold appraisal and ring resizing is done inhouse.

Many staff members have worked for the company for decades. Theresa Freid has been an employee for 40 years. The grandparents, parents and children of the same families she has worked with respect the personal touch and consistent service she has provided through the years.

“Building those relationships not only has helped me grow as an employee, but has created a rewarding and dynamic work environment,” she says.

Top: Walter Bauman Jewelers is a trusted source for appraising and buying gold. Bottom: Walter Bauman Jewelers sells fine jewelry from designers such as Gabriel & Co.

An Ever-Growing Selection

Walter Bauman Jewelers is family-owned, and it continues to expand with the creativity and commitment of family members. Bauman’s wife, Kerry, oversees Kerry’s Corner, a selection of trendy fashion jewelry that is ideal for a $30 gift or a bright accent for a night out. The Baumans’ 15-yearold son, Everett, established Trophy Charms when he couldn’t find fish-themed jewelry. What began with one molded fish charm now has expanded to include personalized 3-D charms of pets from photographs. The Baumans’ other two sons, Henry, 17, and William, 13, help out in the stores when they can.

Weekly inspiration comes from the designer estate drop every Tuesday at noon. The designer is announced on social media and by email. Previous brands have included David Yurman, Roberto Coin, Tiffany & Co., Cartier and Hermès.

The staff works hard to stay on

top of the merchandise because there’s such a variety coming in. The classic diamond solitaire necklace is a fashion staple, but the layered look is in demand. Wearing multiple necklaces, bracelets or rings at the same time offers each person custom combinations.

This upcoming holiday season, charms are the trend to watch. New vendors are coming into the stores’ showcases, and there’s sure to be more surprises with upcoming estate purchases.

January is one of the jeweler’s busiest months, not for returns but because people continue to shop together after the holidays for coordinating items.

“We’re able to offer such a great value and selection because we’ve spent the past 60 years figuring it out,” Bauman says.

D.W. Hirsch is a feature writer based in Union. She is the author of the memoir “Star Trek, Mom and Las Vegas: A Grand Adventure” and a haiku collection “Haiku In The Life Of You.”

Top: The flagship West Orange store’s showcases are filled with timeless pieces. Middle: Employees Theresa Freid (right) and Olivia Fazio (left) know the value of superior customer service. Bottom: The Baumans’ youngest son, William (left), learns the ropes of customer service from longtime employee Theresa Freid (right).

Movies Take the Stage

Paper Mill Playhouse opens its new season this month with a film-themed lineup of performances.

BY D.W. HIRSCH

The 2024-25 season of Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive, Millburn) kicks off this month with a lineup that is full of adventure. Get ready to travel from gritty New Jersey to snowy Vermont to small-town Connecticut, ending with a magical trip under the sea.

Renowned for its first-rate productions of Broadway, offBroadway and original shows, the theater coincidentally chose five shows this season all based on movies: “Jersey Boys,” “White Christmas,” “Mystic Pizza,” “Take the Lead” and “The Little

Mermaid.” In selecting its lineup, Paper Mill’s team has to coordinate available shows with producers’ schedules and licensing agencies. The team looks at what’s popular, what works for the season and what audiences will love. The choice of titles can be years in the making. But sometimes it all falls into place.

“It usually doesn’t end up coming together until the last minute,” says Cody Andrus, director of marketing and communications for Paper Mill Playhouse. “We’re very excited how this season’s shows line up.”

Above: Audiences appreciate the topquality performances and productions put on by Paper Mill Playhouse. Left: A night out at Paper Mill Playhouse can include a pre-show drink or dinner at the on-site F.M. Kirby Carriage House.

Right: “Jersey Boys” kicks off the 2024-25 theater season at Paper Mill Playhouse.

The 2023-24 Paper Mill season included productions of “The Great Gatsby” (above), “Gun & Powder” (bottom right) and “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” (top right). Opposite page: Analise Scarpaci, who starred in Broadway’s “Mrs. Doubtfire” as Lydia Hillard, graced the stage of Paper Mill Playhouse in 2022 as Liesl von Trapp in “The Sound of Music.”

Approved Screen Time

One highly anticipated production is the season’s doo-wop opener, “Jersey Boys” (Oct. 2 to Nov. 3). The story follows the soulful drama of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, from the group’s modest rise in Newark, New Jersey, to its induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The musical has never been done before in New Jersey as a Broadway tour.

As a Broadway musical, the family feel-good love story of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” (Nov. 27 to Dec. 29) makes this stage show-within-ashow even bigger. When two World War II Army pals become entertainers and travel to Vermont, they bring their

musical cast along to rehearse their show and help a fellow soldier in the process. They also meet a female singing duo and work them into the show—and their hearts.

The new musical “Mystic Pizza” (Jan. 29, 2025 to Feb. 23, 2025) is one that Andrus is personally excited for. Not only is he familiar with the music of the 1980s and ’90s, he is also familiar with the show’s production team. Based on the Julia Roberts movie of the same name, this story is centered around life working in a small pizza shop in Connecticut. The Paper Mill production is adapted by Sandy Rustin (“Clue”) and directed by Casey Hushion (“Murder on

the Orient Express”); both have worked at the theater before.

The world premiere of “Take the Lead” (March 29, 2025 to April 27, 2025) is based on the 2006 Antonio Banderas ballroom dance film. It is a completely new musical that has not been seen by a public audience before but has been worked on in this theater.

The season closes with “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” (May 29, 2025 to June 29, 2025), a spectacular Broadway-level production of the movie designed for families and the young at heart.

“The season is a good mix of new shows and old shows,” Andrus says. “There’s really something for everyone.

Box-Office Bets

Paper Mill is a popular theater for companies to test productions with a full score and script so they can see how the show comes together and then work on it accordingly.

“This is a great place to work in and a great place to really work on a show,” Andrus says. “Producers love to do an out-of-town tryout here because we have very sophisticated audiences that know and love theater.”

Actors, writers and directors love Paper Mill, too, and often return to its stage. Though the theater has not completed casting for its entire season yet, with past stars like Harry Connick Jr. and Jeremy Jordan, you never know who might be in a production.

With each show running for about a month, there are many performances

from which to choose. Paper Mill offers rare Thursday matinees that sell out fast, especially with the locals, so obtaining those tickets can be challenging. People looking for a twist to dinner and a movie should head to Paper Mill on a Friday night, which is one of the easier nights to get tickets.

Paper Mill also has an on-site restaurant, F.M. Kirby Carriage House, which often themes its drinks and dishes according to the current show. The minute guests sit down in the restaurant, the theater experience begins.

The theater’s robust access program welcomes everyone to enjoy its productions. Every Mainstage production has specific performances designated as audio-described (blind), open-captioned (deaf) and ASL-

interpreted (sign language).

The cost for most performances is also accessible. Prices range from $35 to $128. If you want to see multiple shows, Paper Mill offers three seated subscription programs, each level offering a ticket discount. Some patrons have had their seats for up to 40 years.

“It’s such a beautiful setting for a theater as you walk from the downtown up to Paper Mill along the brook,” Andrus says. “It really is a magical place.”

D.W. Hirsch is a feature writer based in Union. She is the author of the memoir “Star Trek, Mom and Las Vegas: A Grand Adventure” and a haiku collection “Haiku In The Life Of You.”

New Millburn Physical Therapy clinic offers 60 min one-on-one sessions

A graduate of NYU Physical Therapy, Dr. Mir prioritizes quality over quantity with truly one-on-one, 60-minute sessions. With years of experience in orthopedic and sports medicine, he founded Helios Physical Therapy to provide something different: dynamic, patient-tailored care. heliospt.com | 116 Essex St., Millburn, NJ | (973) 791-5321

Located in a state-of-the-art facility in downtown Millburn, he is now offering FREE consultations.

Halloween Happiness

“As a Millburn resident, it was always an honor to help Millburn Deli stand out at Halloween time and bring smiles to our town with my now-retired balloon décor company. Even though I have switched gears and currently run my own online manifestation and Human Design coaching business, I still love the idea of celebrating special occasions.

Halloween is an exciting time of the year for me. I look forward to driving by some of our town’s most popular neighborhoods, such as the Poet Section, that go all out with their decorations. There is nothing better than delighting the kiddies of Millburn with a fun and safe Halloween.”

Sheetal Kurup

Have a great image for Photo Op? Submit your high-resolution shot to editor@millburnandshorthills.com.