Pequannock
BARDI’S GIVES BACK TO FIGHT CANCER BUZZING ABOUT BEES AL AND BARBARA MOURADIAN PRODUCE PLUS AT FARMS VIEW ROADSTAND
& Pompton Plains
Operation Kindness
Amy Carbone and Beverly Willekes
PHOTOGRAPH
ANTONIETTA HENRY
Autumn in the Air
I am excited to welcome fall and all its glory. I love the crisp, cool air and magnificent colors of the trees. It’s the perfect time of year to enjoy a walk or bike ride through town and/or the Pompton Valley Rail Trail to soak it all in.
This month we begin with an explanation of how our local government works. Having lived here for 30 years, I don’t think I ever gave it thought, and I hope you are learning along the way, too. It’s great to learn more and know that we can reach out and get involved within our community and make a difference. Learn interesting facts about bees from local beekeepers Barbara and
Al Mouradian. I just love their story and their desire to bee-keep because “the benefits of honey outnumber the bee stings.”
Our cover story shares the story of sisters Amy Carbone and Beverly Willekes, founders of Operation Kindness NJ. “Everyone is walking through something hard in their life; an act of kindness goes a long way,” says Amy. These ladies give so much to our community; read on to learn more.
Meet Bardi’s owners Chet and Colleen Barrasso. Stop in to enjoy the local flavors and music. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a portion of all their business will be donated in memory of Chet’s sister and my friend, Diane. Every bit helps us get closer to a cure.
Farms View is just around the corner and filled with local produce and fun for everyone. It’s such a local treat, especially with its newly added baked goods.
There are so many great activities and things to get involved with locally. Check out the recent Spartan race with our very own local Mindset Mayhem team’s rock stars.
Lastly, our Photo Op ironically features our photographer “captured” enjoying a day of fishing at Woodland Lake.
As always, thank you for sharing your priceless stories with us. Have an idea or person of inspiration to suggest? Email hello@pequannockmagazine.com. This magazine is for and about you.
Donna Fillweber Publisher
Pequannock & Pompton Plains MAGAZINE
Editor and Publisher
Donna Fillweber
Art Director
Sue Park
Writers
Danielle Clements
Antonietta Henry
Dana Regan
Mary Shumeyko
Angela Teta Kohl
Photographers
Antonietta Henry
Dan Piccoli
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
Executive Editor Richard Laliberte
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
Pequannock & Pompton Plains magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Pequannock Township, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2024 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.
PHOTOGRAPH BY DAN PICCOLI
Inside Local Government
The township
explains how municipal administration works—and how the public can contribute.
BY ANGELA TETA KOHLE
INTERVIEW WITH ADAM BREWER
For residents of any community, the workings of local government can almost seem invisible—but readily become clear if you take an interest.
We sat down with Pequannock Township Town Manager Adam Brewer to learn more about how our township government works.
What type of municipal government does Pequannock use, and how does it work?
Pequannock uses the council-manager type of government established under the Optional Municipal Charter Law, or the Faulkner Act.
With this structure, the Township Council is the highest office of government in the township. The council exists and performs as a whole entity without individual authority. The five-member legislative body authorizes the execution of contracts, budgets and laws to be established. The council appoints the town manager, clerk, judge, public defender, prosecutor and tax assessor. Council members serve four-year terms.
How is the mayor chosen and what are the office’s responsibilities?
The mayor is selected from among members of the council, as is the deputy mayor. The mayor—in addition to regular council duties—presides over meetings, signs documents authorized by law and performs marriages. In the event that the mayor cannot perform these duties, the deputy mayor will fulfill the obligation.
manager
What is your role as township manager?
The township manager is the chief executive administrative officer of the municipality. He or she oversees all municipal departments, ensures that policies established by the council are followed and monitors the day-to-day operations of the municipality. The manager also appoints, supervises and directs all municipal employees.
Please explain the chain of command when the council responds to public concerns or inquiries.
Council members are happy to hear from the public but are prohibited from interacting with any of the township’s departments directly, except through the town manager. If a council member hears of an issue, he/ she contacts the town manager, who then addresses the issue with the department concerned and informs the council member and/or the citizen of the outcome.
Our goal is to be responsive to the public and, if we cannot grant a request, explain why. Our township government format strives to be a service-based, as opposed to a politically based, operation.
How is the public informed about council meetings and agendas?
All Township Council meetings—held the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month—are open to the public. The agenda is published on the website the Friday before a meeting. At each meeting, the public has an opportunity to witness and comment on the proceedings. The process works best when the public is aware of what is going on by attending meetings.
Can you give an example of how this process has worked?
Last year, based on a review of staff input, I recommended a change in the fee structure for how sports teams and other organizations use fields and facilities. The ordinance was introduced to the council and, once it became public, township organizations expressed strong opposition to the idea at council meetings.
Although from an administrative perspective I believe it made sense, the council did their due diligence, listened to the public, discussed it as a whole and decided not to change the fee structure. This is an excellent example of the process working as it was designed, and I have a profound respect for the process.
Angela Teta Kohle, retired after 35 years of teaching, lives in Pequannock. She enjoys volunteering at her church, traveling, reading, baking, walking and working for the family business.
For inquiries and information about Pequannock Township, visit www.peqtwp.org or call 973-835-5700.
The Pequannock Township crest
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The Buzz About Bees
Al and Barbara Mouradian are sweet on these crucial pollinators and backyard honey harvests.
BY DANA REGAN
When people see bees flying around, they should be filled with wonder instead of fear.
Honeybees are more sophisticated and magnificent than most people understand. Each hive is a dynamic metropolis, a monarchy and a prepared civilization of diligent workers that are vital in creating and maintaining our planet’s habitats and ecosystems.
Human beings rely on bees, and no one appreciates this better than Al Mouradian and his wife, Barbara— proud local beekeepers who live right in our hometown.
Colonies and Community
Al and Barbara have been together for 48 years and married for 15. “She’s my rock,” Al says, “and she can never leave me because no one else could care for the bees along with me like she does.”
Since 2016, this 73-year-old bee lover and his wife have managed between two and six hives in their backyard on Madison Street. At first, Barbara was doubtful when Al said he wanted to get into the business of bees, but she was supportive as Al began to learn.
Approaching retirement, Al went to the Sussex County Fairgrounds and
signed up for classes to learn about becoming a beekeeper. According to Al, the classes are incredible and necessary to be successful. Tending to bees includes a lot of benefits as well as risks that need to be minimized.
During the week, Al and Barbara care for the hives in their yard, which sometimes causes the bees to rouse. Al explains that they considerately try to do this while most neighbors are at work and school. He maintains that to be a good beekeeper, a person must also be a good neighbor.
Barbara and Al Mouradian.
A Taste of Honey
Beehive communities are mini-empires. Al reports that every hive has one queen. Each queen can mate with anywhere from 10 to 30 males, also known as drones. This will cause her to be able to lay eggs for the next five years.
The fate of a drone, however, could be better: Every drone that mates with a queen will die in short order.
A thriving hive will produce many worker bees as well as lots of honey, but beekeepers need to be vigilant because elements of our environment can put hives in jeopardy.
Because the benefits of honey outnumber the bee stings, Al and Barbara sell honey from their hives and gift it to friends and family. In addition, earthy jars of honey have replaced sugar in their household because honey is full of essential enzymes and can help with allergies.
Life is short, so make it sweet. Most importantly, be sure to buy local honey whenever possible. Al, Barbara and the bees will thank you.
Dana Regan is happily married with four children and a beautiful new daughter-in-law. Her family, friends, career as an educator and adorable dog, Jax, keep her busy and smiling.
Left: Al and Barbara feeding the bees in their backyard apiary. Above: Honeybees buzz about their hives.
THE POWER OF Kindness
Sisters Amy Carbone and Beverly Willekes channeled grief over loved ones into comfort for cancer patients and others.
BY ANTONIETTA HENRY
“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” That’s the motto of Operation Kindness NJ, say founders and sisters Amy Carbone and Beverly Willekes.
“Everyone is walking through something hard in their life,” says Carbone. “An act of kindness goes a long way.”
When the pair lost their brother, Bryan Vande Vrede, to brain cancer in October 2022
at age 49, they helped cope with their grief by sharing acts of kindness. Bryan was the eldest of seven siblings—a selfless and caring person, the sisters say, and they wanted to honor his legacy by turning their sadness into something positive. Thus, Operation Kindness NJ began. Carbone and Willekes didn’t have to look far for inspiration: Their kind and generous brother
had shown compassion to other cancer patients throughout his own treatments.
“Bryan would drop off flowers from his greenhouses to fellow patients treated at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown and Sloan Kettering in Basking Ridge,” says Carbone. The sisters knew that showing kindness in this way was a perfect tribute to their brother.
PHOTOGRAPHS
BY ANTONIETTA HENRY
Opposite page: Sisters Amy Carbone (left) and Beverly Willekes hold pink comfort blankets at the Collins Pavilion Breast Center in Pompton Plains. This page: Pink ribbons at the Collins Pavilion.
At the Collins Pavilion in Pompton Plains are (from left, standing) Lisa Bash, MD; Linda Barker, manager of the Breast Center at Collins Pavilion; Nicole Lacz, MD; and (seated) Operation Kindness NJ co-founders Amy Carbone and Beverly Willekes.
Community Partners
Sadly, within this same time frame, Willekes’ sister-in-law, Brenda Van Wingerden, lost her own battle with cancer in December 2022 at age 43. It was another devastating loss to the family just two months after losing Vande Vrede.
“Brenda would give the shirt off her back to anyone in need,” says Willekes. “Both [she and Bryan] had a heart for others,” adds Carbone. Operation Kindness would continue in both Vande Vrede’s and Van Wingerden’s honor.
The charity started with a toy drive in Morristown at Goryeb’s Children’s Hospital. The sisters describe a successful first project in which the community came together to deliver two entire carloads of toys as holiday gifts to children receiving treatment at the facility. Since then, the toy drive has been a big highlight of the charity but is just one of many events.
The organization is known for signature blankets with the Operation Kindness NJ logo in a variety of colors. The charity so far has been able to give away over 4,000 blankets to cancer patients.
Donated blankets can help lend rooms at children’s hospitals a homier feel. “We get calls from hospitals that they’re out of blankets, and we’ll be sure to drop off more,” says Carbone.
Locally, pink blankets are donated to the Breast Center at Collins Pavilion, (part of Atlantic Health System’s Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains). In October, 100 mums in pink foil are delivered for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Linda Barker, manager of the Breast Center at Collins Pavilion has been working with the charity since summer 2023. “Linda helps us schedule deliveries and has organized the pink blanket drop-off for October,” says Carbone. “She is wonderful to work with.”
The local locations are extra meaningful for Operation Kindness. “Brenda was treated at Collins at Regional Cancer Care Associates with Dr. Andrew Bernstein, now located in Riverdale,” says Willekes. “Eileen Gentile, nurse manager of the facility, was also a loving, kind and compassionate part of Brenda’s care.”
The charity also works with social worker Mary Fassnacht at Collins Pavilion, who helps organize the donations of flowers and blankets for those receiving infusion and
radiation treatments.
“June is Cancer Survivor Month, and we like to celebrate cancer survivors with her patients,” says Willekes. Operation Kindness will provide baskets to raffle along with flowers and basil plants for staff and patients at Collins and the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center at Morristown Medical Center to honor Cancer Survivor Month. The charity also provided 600 sunflowers to patients and staff at Simon center in July.
A Team of Supporters
Operation Kindness also helps many others in need. The charity collects toiletries, gloves, protein bars and other items to fill 75 to 100 care bags and serves dinner to homeless people in New York City every January.
The organization also works with the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Foster Children (CASA) of Morris and Sussex to provide foster children with toys, blankets, sleeping bags, diapers, wipes and backpacks.
“We are always amazed at how touched people are by the donations,” says Carbone. Blankets, flowers and baskets of donations are delivered to the ERs, pediatrics departments, cancer centers and hospices of local hospitals, and are warmly received.
“We can deliver the most simple basket and the patient will be moved to tears,” says Willekes. The sisters also describe the joy they feel when they witness kindness continuing.
Local Girl Scouts have been inspired to collect items on behalf of the charity that Operation Kindness will then deliver. Rose Phalon, who is originally from Pequannock and is creator of Quilting for a Cause NJ, has donated over 200 quilts to be given to cancer patients through Operation Kindness, along with patriotic-themed quilts to veteran homes via the charity.
Operation Kindness also works with the Sewing Sisters of Pequannock, who donate crochet and sewing work that the charity delivers to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Josephs.
“Our work is not just us—we have a whole team of people who donate,” says Carbone.
“We appreciate the supporters, friends and family who have helped us through every step,” says Willekes. “We would also like to give an extra-special shout-out to our parents for all their love and support.”
The charity will be holding its second annual Golf Outing in October at the Newton Country Club.
For more information or to have Operation Kindness NJ deliver a blanket or comfort basket to a friend or loved one who is fighting cancer, visit www. operationkindnessnj.com or email amy@ operationkindnessnj.com.
Operation Kindness comfort blankets.
Antonietta Henry is a wife, mother of four and owner of Antonietta Henry Photography studio in Pompton Plains. She enjoys living and working in our beautiful township!
Chet and Colleen Barrasso, owners of Bardi’s.
Bardi’s Gives Back
The popular restaurant is special for its versatile menu, rocking bar and new initiative to battle breast cancer.
The sounds of summer are slowly fading away, yet at the same time everyone is dreaming about autumn: crunchy leaves underfoot, the smell of a tailgate barbeque, the sound of the marching band—and pumpkin spice everything!
In the fall, locals like to watch a football game while enjoying pizza, wings, subs and drinks such as a maple old fashioned or an apple cider sangria. These goodies grace the menu of one of our town’s favorite places to gather: Bardi’s Bar and Grill in
BY DANA REGAN
Pequannock.
Indeed, this fall Bardi’s is offering up more than just food and entertainment. During October, it’s giving customers an opportunity to take part in giving to the everimportant cause of fighting breast cancer.
The owners of Bardi’s, Chet and Colleen Barrasso, take great pride in their cozy pub that is always filled with families, music and games playing on the many big-screen TVs throughout the dining room and bar.
The Barrassos, who are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary, have owned this barroom since the early 1990s, when it was cleverly named Rhythm & Brews. In 2004, the couple purchased the building to the left and added a large eating area.
It was then that they changed the name to Bardi’s Bar and Grill to reflect the availability of both tasty food and a variety of spirits. A few years later, Joe Gruzdis came on board to manage Bardi’s, and he has been with the establishment ever since.
Bardi’s bartenders (from left) Arlene Lamberti, David Black and Christine Sturla.
A Menu of Options
There are many reasons to visit Bardi’s, but what really makes the place special is the live music that rocks the bar stage weekly.
Talented bands from all over come to play show-stopping rock ’n’ roll for crowds every weekend. Beyond that, Bardi’s has something for everyone. Those who aren’t interested in the bar scene appreciate the fact that Bardi’s has two entrances: one that leads the customer directly into the bar area and another that leads right into the restaurant area.
Despite rising food costs, the owners always try to keep prices affordable for their loyal clientele. The cost of running a restaurant can be challenging, but Bardi’s always puts its customers first.
The menu items reflect this. Each season, the drink menu changes and new seasonthemed drinks are added.
Popular foods on the menu include
baby-back ribs, thin-crust pizza and the coveted Shrimp Dino. The entire menu is full of mostly American and Italian dishes in addition to a weekend special menu with featured appetizers and entrees.
Additionally, Bardi’s is a great place to host a small party. The dining room can accommodate a 50-person event, and there is a full catering menu.
Finally, one of the most desirable features of this Newark-Pompton Turnpike establishment is its newly updated outdoor seating area. This patio party place seats about 40 people and offers a welcome addition to an already lively atmosphere. Next time you visit Bardi’s on a nice day, ask to sit outside!
Helping Battle Cancer
Bardi’s is not just a place to enjoy wraps and cocktails; it’s also an organization that gives back to the community.
The bar and grill hosts lunches and dinners weekly for community organizations such as the Pequannock Rotary, the Pequannock Women’s Club, the Lincoln Park Lions Club and UNICO.
In October, communities all over recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pink ribbons and fundraising walks fill the streets around us and our fall athletes wear pink.
Everyone knows someone whose life has been affected in some way by breast cancer. This includes Chet and Colleen.
In 2019, Chet’s sister, Diane Delane, lost her battle with breast cancer. In her honor, this year Bardi’s is donating a portion of its October profits to the Chilton Breast Center in Pompton Plains. This will ensure that Diane’s legacy lives on and that her memory will have an impact on the lives of other women trying to prevent or battle one of the most common cancers in women.
FEAST TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER
Help the Barrassos, Gruzdis and the Bardi’s staff make a bundle for a noble cause: Treat yourself to a lunch or dinner, a night out with the girls or even a night full of live entertainment and some liquid refreshments. By enjoying the perfect blend of Bardi’s and October, you’ll know a portion of the bar and grill’s profits will help bring about better health and well-being in the lives of many who receive treatment at the Chilton Breast Center.
Dana Regan is happily married with four children and a beautiful new daughter-in-law. Her family, friends, career as an educator and adorable dog, Jax, keep her busy and smiling.
Opposite page: Joe Gruzdis and Suzanne Repa are familiar faces to those who frequent Bardi’s.
This page: Bartenders (from left) Christine Sturla, David Black and Arlene Lamberti.
More Than a Farm Stand
Produce purveyor Farms View Roadstand has grown to offer plants, baked goods, gifts—and a taste of the country.
BY MARY SHUMEYKO
If you grew up in this area, you’re probably familiar with the farm stand on Black Oak Ridge Road in Wayne. Over more than five decades, it’s become so much more than a roadside stand.
Farms View Roadstand, an iconic source of local produce, has been serving our area since 1969. However, its roots go back to 1894.
The Kuehm family has always owned the farm: Irene Kuehm tells us that it began with 34 acres owned by her husband’s grandparents, George and Magdalena. Their son Herman modernized the operation with a new tractor purchased in 1939.
Next came Irene and her husband, George, who continued the work and opened the stand in 1969. At their present location but then closer to the road, the family began with one picnic table and some paper bags that were used for both calculations and produce.
Multiple Generations
Throughout the next few decades, they acquired more land. “Each generation has expanded with another piece of farmland to work,” says Irene’s son, Todd. Now areas in other parts of Wayne and Montville hold acres of growing vegetables—everything from
arugula to zucchini.
The family is constantly harvesting and replanting: Strawberries are now being readied for next spring’s crop, and field corn will replace sweet corn as Halloween approaches. More produce is being grown in smaller batches that are planted more frequently, resulting in fresher products.
Besides Irene, fourth-generation siblings Dawn, Dana and Todd—along with Todd’s wife, Joan, and their fifth-generation son, Travis—all play a vital part.
The crew is completed by many field workers and a bevy of staff who do everything from washing produce to serving customers at the registers. No one wearing the famous green shirt is ever idle!
The need for more space grew along with the demand for fresh food. So, in 1996, George built what now houses Farms View.
Open, well organized and clean, the building has become an inviting area landmark. With cool breezes flowing through, customers are treated to a variety of foods as well as decor hanging from the rafters. Every inch of this amazing space is beautifully utilized; they even use old apple-picking ladders for display.
A lovely view from the outdoor flower garden.
Right: Welcome to Farms View!
There Is a Season
All seasons are important. Farms View opens officially 10 days before Easter and offers flowers, plants and vegetables as well as mulch for gardening. But the family will already have been hard at work, preparing seedlings in their nine greenhouses. The plants get transferred outside to finish growing. Other products are soon ready, along with delicious strawberries, available for “U-pick” or purchase. The farm’s famous corn is usually ready by July 1 and, as Joan puts it, “Mother Nature permitting, our corn will still be available through the fall.”
Summertime provides tables overflowing with colorful produce.
Adding to the vibe are many gift options, outdoor plants and flowers. More food choices are in the refrigerated and freezer compartments, including fresh mozzarella, Amish butter, eggs, Sip & Swirl ice cream and Nicola’s Ravioli (some made with Farms View’s own corn). There’s even a case holding Farms View pickles. Jams, sauces and bean salads are other favorites.
As fall approaches, the pumpkin activities begin. There are hayrides that include pumpkin picking, animals to visit and decorative items for sale. Fall flowers, painted pumpkins, corn stalks and gourds can complete your order. Photo opportunities abound with cute and creative backdrops among the rows of Halloween favorites.
The stand closes briefly on November 1 but soon reopens on the Saturday before Thanksgiving for baked treats as well as Christmas decor, including trees, grave covers, wreaths and kissing balls. Other seasonal specialties are all available.
A Birthday Bakery
When Irene became widowed after 56 years of marriage, she knew she wanted to continue George’s legacy. So she said to her family, “I want a bakery.” After much discussion and
Top left: Irene Kuehm with one of her delicious pies. Top right: The stand’s many products include jams, jellies, sauces, pickles, watermelon, decor and the ever-famous sweet corn. (An old applepicking ladder is used for some displays.) Middle left: Dawn Kuehm and Dana Kuehm-Williams arrange vegetables and show off the famous green shirt. Middle right: Sunflowers from one of the fields.
Above: Joan, Travis and Todd Kuehm prepare for a day of work on the farm.
lots of research, she got her wish. In July 2018, a mobile kitchen was delivered to the farm and a new chapter of Farms View was born.
“The kitchen was my 80th birthday gift,” Irene chuckles. With two huge ovens, she can bake 64 pies at a time. Over a dozen pie flavors are available, along with cookies, loaf breads, scones and other goodies.
Up early every day and sometimes baking until after closing in the afternoon, Irene has found a new way to labor with love. Last year, over
1,200 pies sold for Thanksgiving. For more information about the family’s beautiful place, visit www. farmsview.com. Order ahead for baked goods, stop in to pick them up and then treat yourself to some beautiful produce and a gift or two. You’ll see that Farms View is much more than a farm stand!
Mary Shumeyko is a retired Pequannock teacher who helps at her church and the Pequannock Library. Traveling, running, reading and spending time with family fill her free time.
Above: Fresh produce is constantly being restocked by the hard-working staff. Right: Peaches anyone? Kristen Bush and Alicia Baum check for quality.
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Top: Crossing the finish line are (from left) Joy Laborda, Toni Iapicca, Gabriel Cappola and Danielle Clements. Far left: Toni Iapicca and Danielle Clements carry heavy loads as one of the Spartan challenges.
Left: Danielle Clements (left) and Omar Pabon. Above: Team leader Toni Iapicca, owner of Mindset 180 Fitness and Nutrition in Pompton Plains.
Tough Team
A local squad—including our writer—surmounts physical and mental challenges at the Spartan Sprint 5K.
BY DANIELLE CLEMENTS
Founded in 2010, Spartan races are known for pushing participants to their physical limits via running, crawling and feats of strength. Races held in 30 countries around the world include climbing, carrying and gripping challenges.
As temperatures approached 90 degrees, Toni Iapicca, owner of Mindset 180 Fitness and Nutrition in Pompton Plains, recently led her team to the finish line of the Poconos Spartan Sprint 5K. The team, affectionately named Mindset Mayhem, trained for months leading up to the 20-obstacle course that took place at Blue Mountain Ski Resort in July.
The Spartan Sprint includes off-road terrain obstacles that challenge abilities in speed, intensity and, of course, strength— both mental and physical.
At the outset, participants faced the first hurdle: a 1-mile ascent up a mountainside. As a member of this team, I can say that this
climb was absolutely grueling. Navigating the steepness in the unforgiving heat and humidity was humbling.
However, despite the weather and physical exertion, it was exhilarating to reach the top after almost 60 minutes of climbing. Other challenges included a bucket carry, a sandbag carry up and down the mountain, water and mud challenges and barbed wire crawls, to name a few.
Bonding Through Adversity
Mindset Mayhem started and finished the course together in just under three hours.
Completers are awarded a medal at the finish line, but the real reward is the team bonding, respect and friendships that bloom during such intense experiences.
The connection to other participants out on the course is something to behold, whether with your own teammates or
complete strangers: Spartans support, encourage and help each other over the finish line.
Spartan races were founded with the mission of helping people develop physical and mental abilities to face and conquer life’s challenges. Out on the course, all participants are teammates.
It was easy to see the humanity and humility that does indeed help one feel powerful enough to face whatever life throws your way.
In the case of Mindset Mayhem, there were many laughs, cheers, words of encouragement and helping hands. What better way to conquer a course than surrounded by friends?
Pequannock resident Danielle Clements is a lucky wife, mom to two awesome boys, a dog lover (especially her beloved Bowie) and a communications professional.
Members of the Mindset Mayhem team were (from left, standing) Gabriel Cappola, Joy Laborda, Omar Pabon, Joseph Alloy, Gianna Alloy, (kneeling) Danielle Clements, Sebastiano Chiaramida and Toni Iapicca.
“Picture perfect” describes the irony of our very own photographer, Dan Piccoli, being caught fishing at Woodland Lake by local photographer Maureen Brain.
