ARTS + CULTURE
WHY CHILDREN’S MUSICIAN LAURIE BERKNER IS GRATEFUL FOR HER CENTRAL JERSEY ROOTS
SPORTS + RECREATION
BRIDGEWATER JCC: WHERE PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS SHINE
FOOD + BEVERAGE
TALKING TURKEY AT VACCHIANO FARM
HOME SERVICES
HALO PAINTING & MAINTENANCE VETERANS HELP OTHER VETERANS IN NEED
In this season of giving thanks, we often find ourselves reflecting on the many blessings in our lives. The true spirit of Thanksgiving encourages the conscious expression of gratitude. Its focus is on spending time with those that you love and encouraging giving back in a meaningful way. While ambition, competition and slaying goals can be very healthy, forgetting to place importance on being present, enjoying the ride and appreciating those around us that have helped us along in our journey can leave us missing out on what truly matters. We’ll never be content if we look outside ourselves and at our possessions or titles to determine if we are fulfilled. True contentment comes from within and from fulfilling who we were made to be.
As the parents of four tenacious daughters, we have much to be thankful for. Despite the challenging moments that come with parenting children with minds of their own, we often sit back and reflect on how blessed we really are. They are all happy, healthy and thriving. Could we really ask for anything more? Well, maybe a little less bickering would be nice, along with a cleaner house, but we digress. They wouldn’t be our children if they were perfect saints.
Speaking of having four kids, dinner time around here can be very hectic. We are always running from one activity to the next and trying to appease their various palates, which range from gourmet to “I only eat chicken nuggies and mac and cheese.” On page 38, BOMA 520 offers up their recipe for Build Your Own Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich, which is not only a quick and easy meal for those nights on the go but also a great way to reimagine those leftovers.
Our November issue is dedicated to stories of gathering, gratefulness and giving back. We are so thankful for the residents and businesses who support so many wonderful organizations and help make Bridgewater the vibrant town that it is. We are especially thankful for our advertising partners who help bring this magazine to your doorsteps each month. They are part of our vision and purpose of bringing inspiring stories and the good news of the community directly to you. This holiday season as we prepare to gather with our loved ones, and in the true spirit of Thanksgiving, let’s set time aside to consider what truly makes life meaningful and stop to reflect on those blessings.
Blessings to you and your family,
November 2022
PUBLISHERS
Jake Slowinski | jake.slowinski@citylifestyle.com
Tiffany Slowinski | tiffany.slowinski@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Patti Zielinski | patti.verbanas@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Dina Sultan | dina.sultan@citylifestyle.com
INTERN
Grace Spencer
AD DESIGNER
Rachel Chrisman
LAYOUT DESIGNER
Eva Tucker
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Nancy A. Ruhling
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Donna Gioia Volpe Photography, Helen Lawler (InspiorMX), MuSen
Photos by Karen Kwong, Jayme Thornton
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Randy Radosevich
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer
ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson
AD MANAGER Chad Jensen
WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell
TIFFANY & JAKE SLOWINSKI, PUBLISHERS @BRIDGEWATER_SOMERSET_HILLS
1: Alumnae from the Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School returned to teach master classes. 2: Grace the seeing-eye puppy takes a break from hard work in the library stacks. 3: Epic Soul performed at Duke Island Park. 4: The North American Butterfly Association conducted its annual butterfly count at Duke Farms. 5: Scouts participated in a STEM workshop at Code Ninjas Bridgewater. 6: Immaculata junior Nicholas Watson had an MVP performance in the Babe Ruth World Series. 7: The 4-H/Middle Earth Student Ambassadors for Community Health refreshed faded crosswalks in Bound Brook.
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8: The Somerset County YMCA welcomed Congressman Tom Malinowski to the Hillsborough YMCA. 9: Somerset County Sheriff’s Office held a community training at the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum JCC. 10: Bridgewater City Lifestyle sponsored a table at Mimosa Marketing’s Bubble Brunch in Bound Brook.
At Lyons & Associates, our attorneys understand that family law, criminal law, estate planning, business litigation, and other complex legal matters involve more than just a resolution. While we aggressively pursue your goals and protect your interests in court, we will also take a holistic approach that focuses on helping you recover from the legal crisis you may be currently encountering. Call for a free consultation.
Christina Dean, Ryin Galaini, Delia Mchendry, Israel Garcia, Lindsey Scheier and Sarah Lopez—students from Raritan Valley Community College’s Arts & Design department— created and painted three large murals for Signify at its North American headquarters in Bridgewater. Signify, formerly known as Philips Lighting, is a global company pioneering in researching and discovering the potential of light to deliver meaning and positive change to people.
Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School student Alexander Lu was selected as a member of the 2022 NAfME All-National Symphony Orchestra, Double Bass. The 2022 AllNational Honor Ensembles program takes place at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., from November 3 to 6.
The employee engagement platform Energage has named Bridgeway Senior Healthcare as one of the top workplaces in the state based on employee surveys. The family-owned and -operated company was ranked No. 2 in the 500-and-more employee category. “Our mission is to care for people like family in communities that feel like home — and this applies to our residents, patients and employees alike,” says Jessica Pelligrino Tsoukalas, the director of business development and strategy, and a third-generation family member-owner.
The National Park Service awarded $500,000 to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the preservation of the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage in Somerville. The funds are part of the inaugural round of funding for the Semiquincentennial Grant Program commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Norz Hill Farm & Market, which consists of 1,200 acres, has been farming at its present location for 100 years. It grows corn, soybeans, alfalfa and timothy hay, rye, pumpkins, sweet corn, tomatoes and other vegetables. The farm also raises dairy replacement heifers and has other animals, such as horses, sheep, goats, llamas and three zonkeys. It offers a roadside produce market and fall activities like hayrides, a corn maze, and a haunted trail.
Jeralyn Lawrence, Lawrence Law, has been named to the NJBIZ 2022 Law Power 50, a list of the most influential men and women in New Jersey’s legal profession. Lawrence also was recently named President of the New Jersey State Bar Association.
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The best places and things to do in our area.
The holidays are here, and it's time to enjoy all that Bridgewater has to offer to celebrate this time of the year. From holiday markets to festive lights to pop-up shops and establishments to enjoy a firepit, we have you covered to help get you in the holiday spirit.
VACCHIANO FARM: Support a family business and bring home the freshest produce from Vacchiano Farm 803 U.S. Highway 202, Flemington
AC HOTEL BY MARRIOTT BRIDGEWATER: Cozy up in heated cocktail igloos at AC Hotel. 700 Commons Way, Bridgewater
BLUEBIRD FARM ALPACAS: Enjoy a farm tour filled with fuzzy friends at Bluebird Farm Alpacas 44 Willow Ave., Peapack
FOCACCERIA RISTORANTE: Treat yourself to a heated patio and fire pit dining experience at Focacceria Ristorante 26 Church St., Basking Ridge
NORZ HILL FARM & MARKET: Spend a festive “harvest day” at Norz Hill Farm. 120 South Branch Rd., Hillsborough
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ARTICLE BY NANCY A. RUHLING PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAYME THORNTON
LAURIE BERKNER—FOREVER A CENTRAL JERSEY GIRL—DISCUSSES CONNECTING WITH CHILDREN THROUGH MUSIC AND WHY HER WORK MAKES HER THANKFUL
Twenty-five years ago, when Laurie Berkner picked up her guitar and started singing “We Are the Dinosaurs,” she never dreamed that it would earn her the title of the uncrowned queen of children’s music.
Since that time, she has, among other things, produced 14 best-selling award-winning albums and is getting ready to release No. 15, authored several picture books based on the characters in her songs, written the lyrics and music for three Off-Broadway children’s musicals and has performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and even the White House.
On July 29, she was the headliner at the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning at Solberg Airport in Readington Township. In August, she released her new single, a dance remix version of her “Chipmunk at the Gas Pump” and a new music video of her song “Beautiful Light.”
Although Berkner lives on Manhattan’s Upper West Side with her husband and former bandmate Brian Mueller and their 17-year-old son, Luke, she’s still a Jersey kid at heart.
In this, the year of her silver jubilee, she reflects on her life and career.
IT’S BEEN A QUARTER OF A CENTURY. ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT KIDS—AND EVEN THEIR PARENTS—ARE STILL SINGING THE DINOSAUR SONG?
Yes. If you asked me when I first wrote that song if it would still be popular 25 years later, I would have laughed out loud.
WHAT INSPIRED IT?
It was something I made up with the kids when I was a pre-school music specialist, and it was one of the first songs I ever wrote. I remember not knowing what to sing with the kids, so I would do research at the library. I found traditional songs like “Old McDonald Had a Farm” that I sang as a kid, but my students didn’t like them—they called them baby songs. Then one day I just asked them what they wanted to sing about. One boy said, “dinosaurs!” and the whole room erupted. I asked them to stand up with me, I chose a minor key and a marching beat and made up this song as we stomped around the room. Soon there was a lot of roaring and clawing at each other, so out of necessity, I added the lines about eating and resting to redirect them before we started marching again.
WHY DO YOU THINK IT CONTINUES TO RESONATE WITH KIDS?
Partly because they get to feel like big, powerful—and sometimes angry—creatures. The song gives them permission to act out feelings that aren’t always acceptable. When they stomp and roar in “We Are the Dinosaurs,” it’s not only acceptable and exciting but they might even be praised for doing it.
YOU WROTE THIS SONG WHEN YOU WERE QUITE YOUNG—YOU WERE ONLY A FEW YEARS OUT OF RUTGERS UNIVERSITY—AND DIDN’T HAVE ANY CHILDREN. IN FACT, YOU DIDN’T EVEN BEGIN PERFORMING UNTIL YOU WERE AT RUTGERS.
I started playing the guitar when I was at Princeton High School after playing piano, violin and clarinet. It was the first instrument that allowed me to comfortably sing and move at the same time. At Rutgers, I formed a band called The Vitals with my then-boyfriend and did our first show on the Douglass campus. I cut my teeth in New Jersey at coffeehouses and restaurants, often playing in the corner while people ate dinner.
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS FOR YOUR SONGS?
The ideas often come straight from things I hear people say, especially kids. I haven’t done this lately, but I have been known to get on a subway or a bus when kids are getting out of school and eavesdrop. I did this once near a playground, where I saw a dad running after his child playfully saying over and over, “I’m gonna catch you, you’d better run, I’m gonna catch you, here I come!” It became the entire chorus of one of my bigger songs.
WHEN YOU WRITE THE SONGS, DO YOU START WITH THE LYRICS OR THE MUSIC?
It depends on the song. Often the lyrics come first or the lyrics and music come at the same time.
YOU LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY, AND YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND ARE FROM CENTRAL JERSEY. DO YOU EVER COME BACK?
Despite the fact that I was born in France and lived in California until I was 7, I consider New Jersey my first home. I call it “The Homeland” because it feels like it’s where I’m from. I started out in Middlebush, then we moved to Princeton. After I graduated from Rutgers and I met my husband, I spent a year in Manhattan then moved to Hoboken then Union City. I settled in Manhattan in 1997, the same year I released my first album, “Whaddaya Think of That?” Although my parents moved to California a while ago, my husband’s family is from Belle Mead and is still there, so we visit a couple of times a year.
"I feel really thankful that I have been able to have a career that allows me to be creative every day by making music that brings joy to kids and families."
RETURNING TO NEW JERSEY MUST BRING BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES.
Yes. So much of my formative life was spent there. Every other year, I do a show at McCarter Theatre, which is right across the street from the Princeton campus. That has been really exciting because as a kid I used to go see shows there. When I was young, my family used to go to Princeton Battlefield State Park to take pictures and then pick apples at Terhune Orchards. My favorite place to get pizza was at Victor’s on Nassau Street, and I would often go to the public library on Witherspoon Street. I remember saving up my money to eat with friends at PJ’s Pancake House and Christmas caroling every year in Palmer Square. It was exciting that our first in-person shows with the band, postCOVID, were actually in New Jersey.
YOU HAVE A LOT OF NEW PROJECTS IN THE WORKS. WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU?
When I’m working on an album, I record a couple of times a week. I’m also writing, arranging, filming, rehearsing and giving interviews along with a lot of
admin for my business. I have a very diverse job because of the way music is shared now.
THERE HAS BEEN A LOT WRITTEN ABOUT YOU OVER THE DECADES. IS THERE ANYTHING WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I’m a crossword puzzle addict. Sometimes doing them helps me write lyrics, but mostly I do them just for fun. I used to do one a day, but now I restrict myself to a Sunday New York Times puzzle. I also love the Times ’ Spelling Bee and Wordle, and I have to admit that I sometimes also do the Quordle, which is four Wordles at once, and the Octordle, which is eight at once.
YOU HAVE HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL CAREER. WHAT ARE YOU MOST THANKFUL FOR?
I feel really thankful that I have been able to have a career that allows me to be creative every day by making music that brings joy to kids and families. How could I do better?
Learn more about Berkner at laurieberkner.com
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ARTICLE BY PATTI ZIELINSKI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY
At the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center, Children and Adults with Special Needs Shine
For Ellie Willoughby, director of special services at the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center, “all in a day’s work” sometimes includes witnessing miracles.
Willoughby directs the JCC’s special needs programs, including J-Cares, which helps people over 21 with disabilities forge friendships, build resiliency and attain confidence. This program serves as a lifeline for individuals who are no longer eligible for school services and are ready to begin a new chapter in their lives.
The J-Cares program launched in 2016 and serves about 30 adults. It is different than other day programs in that participants, who are called “interns,” are matched with trained staff “mentors” who share the same interests. The program promotes independence and includes learning life skills.
Interns are integrated into the JCC community, participating in recreational activities at JCC Camp Ruach, cooking and serving meals to children in the JCC Blaustein Early Childhood Center, participating in programs with adults and seniors, assisting with mailings and cleaning fitness center equipment. They also volunteer weekly at a community food bank.
“We believe in total inclusion,” Willoughby says. “The experiences allow the interns to develop office and service skills, which are beneficial for future employment opportunities.” Some interns have gone on to use what they have learned working at local businesses.
According to Willoughby, J-Cares is not a traditional day program. “Participants can attend from one to five days a week. Our participants are interns and our staff are mentors because we feel that each thing they learn is individually based and is a one-on-one teachable moment. Interns and mentors form strong relationships,” she says.
Interns also have taken overnight trips to places like Mystic, Conn., Philadelphia and Ocean City. Willoughby credits Andy Sun, the assistant special services director, and the staff for their contributions to making such opportunities a reality.
Recently, the interns assisted with the construction of a fully ADA-compliant outdoor experiential center and sensory garden, giving input to the architects on elements they thought should be incorporated. “All projects should have input from people with cognitive and physical disabilities from the beginning, as opposed to when a project is completed and may not be totally accessible or inclusive,” Willoughby explains.
Families see a difference once a loved one starts attending the program. Willoughby recalls one young woman who was non-verbal. “In her first six months, her mom said she would start getting ready on the weekends and was saying the name of the program and the names of her peers and staff,” she says. “This program made the intern feel like a productive member of the community, with something to feel proud of daily.”
The JCC is home to the Rising Tide Special Olympics swim team. The team was founded a decade ago and is run by volunteers under the leadership of Stephanie Johnson, JCC Aquatics Director and the Area Director for Special Olympics New Jersey – Somerset County. The team—comprised of 22 swimmers ages 8 to 60—competes in three meets a year. The JCC also offers adaptive, oneon-one swim lessons.
Other programs include the J-Zone respite program, where children ages 5 to 16 can spend two hours each Sunday afternoon swimming and participating
“It makes them feel special—that we are seeing the person first, not their disability.”
in activities like sports, cooking and arts and crafts. “The program offers families the gift of time,” Willoughby says. JCC Camp Ruach offers an integrated camp program for children ages 3 to 14, and Camp Chaverim is for ages 15 and older. The JCC Special Services Department also offers an enrichment program featuring a variety of activities.
“These programs are all designed to build life and social skills. For example, during the dinners out, the group will order off the menu, learn about tipping and get to socialize with peers and develop new friendships,” Willoughby says.
Special events have included a fashion show, singing the national anthem at a Somerset Patriots game, a talent/art show—and an annual prom, which will be held this year on November 19. The prom is open to
all people with special needs in the community. “It's like their Academy Awards. They love to get dressed up,” she says. “It makes them feel special—that we are seeing the person first, not their disability.”
Recognizing the uniqueness of every person is paramount. Willoughby recounts another memory.
“One young man who only communicates with oneword answers was recognized by staff to be a visual learner. Song lyrics were placed on cue cards for him during the karaoke showcase. From that small adjustment, he was able to clearly sing the entire song and felt such pride,” she says. “Every day is truly a new adventure. We are all in this together, like pieces to a puzzle. Collectively, the pieces make a beautiful picture.”
Find out more about the JCC’s special needs programming at ssbjcc.org
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FOR THE THREE GENERATIONS OF THE VACCHIANO FAMILY, THE FARMING SEASON CULMINATES IN ONE SPECTACULAR DISH: THE THANKSGIVING TURKEY
Thanksgiving at Vacchiano Farm means showing gratitude for another year of bountiful harvests and plentiful customers.
“I’m thankful for my family and that we all work well together,” says Anthony Vacchiano II, who started working on the farm right after college some three decades ago.
By family, he means his parents, 85-year-old Anthony and Lucia Vacchiano, the Italian immigrants who started the farm in the early 1960s; his wife, Elizabeth, and their children Elizabeth, 28; Josephine, 26; Lucia, 23; Anthony III, 22; and Aneillo, 17.
All of them, including the younger Lucia who Anthony describes as a “city girl,” pitch in.
There is a lot to do. The farm in Port Colden has 100 acres and the one in Readington covers 375 acres.
ARTICLE BY NANCY A. RUHLING PHOTOGRAPHY BY DONNA GIOIA VOLPE
Together, the family and the farms raise and butcher beef cattle and turkeys, make ice cream and baked goods and grow a variety of produce, including tomatoes, peppers and the grapes they turn into wine.
“I love raising turkeys; they are the culmination of the growing season. They are the last thing we produce in the summer, so it’s like the icing on the cake. ”
— Anthony II
They sell everything at the Readington farm stand that Anthony III opened last year. To herald the holidays, we sat down to talk turkey with Anthony II.
IT IS DIFFICULT TO RAISE TURKEYS?
We’ve been doing this for 30 years. They hatch in early July, and we get 5,000 day-old chicks out of Pennsylvania. They are Broad Breasted Whites: They have white feathers and a lot of white meat. I’ve never had trouble raising them because we give them a lot of care, but a lot of people tell me they do. They often are surprised when I tell them the most important thing is giving them water. We give ours fresh well water.
5,000? WOW, THAT’S A LOT OF TURKEY DINNERS.
Well, not all of them end up on the Thanksgiving table. We turn some into turkey sausage, ground turkey and London broil and sell them at the Readington farm stand and at the farmer's markets in Summit and Montclair. We recommend reserving a bird early so we can get you the right size.
YOU’RE AROUND THE BIRDS ALL THE TIME. DO YOU EAT TURKEY FOR THANKSGIVING?
Absolutely. The entire family sits down for dinner, and every year, we cook the turkey
differently: We have deep fried them, baked them, grilled them on a rotisserie; we have cut them in half and cooked each part separately; we have cut them into pieces and baked them that way. Because we raise produce, we always have a lot of vegetable sides like Brussels sprouts and cauliflower.
WHAT DO YOU MAKE WITH THE LEFTOVERS?
We don’t have a lot of leftovers, but sometimes we do make soup with the carcass the next day.
EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT EATING TURKEY, BUT I’M WONDERING, WHAT DO THE BIRDS LIKE TO DINE ON?
Our turkeys are free range, and they are in a fenced enclosure on the Port Colden farm, which is about 25 miles from the Readington farm. They eat bugs, pasture grass and non-GMO grains like corn, soybeans and sorghum.
IT MUST BE SATISFYING TO PLAY SUCH AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE HOLIDAY.
I love raising turkeys; they are the culmination of the growing season. They are the last thing we produce in the summer, so it’s like the icing on the cake.
View the bounty of offerings at vacchianofarm.com .
ARTICLE BY PATTI ZIELINSKI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DONNA GIOIA VOLPE PHOTOGRAPHY
Linda Taylor knows a good opportunity when she sees it. She would watch her daughter and her boyfriend go to different restaurants to pick up dinner because her daughter would want a salad, but her boyfriend was more of a “sandwich and pizza guy.”
The Basking Ridge resident and restaurant veteran began thinking: Why not create a place where you can go and get a great juicy cheesesteak and also a salad?
This vision was realized last year when Taylor opened BOMA 520 on Main Street in Somerville. As she worked on the restaurant,
she propped open the door, which invited the curious to stop in and find out more about what they would be serving. “Through those conversations, I found that there are a lot of vegetarians and vegans, so I made sure I included a lot of options for them in my menu,” says Taylor.
Its tagline is “gourmet salads and subs,” and it fulfills its the promise of its acronym: “Best on Main.” “Our chef makes everything from scratch: The soup, marinara sauce and meatballs are all homemade. She fries the chicken, so everything you order is fresh,”
says Taylor, who notes that they also offer catering—everything from sandwiches, salads and soups to Chicken Française.
Want to customize your order? No problem. “If you see an ingredient that you want to mix it into another dish, we can do that,” Taylor says.
A popular menu item is BOMA’s Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich. “It’s everything you want from Thanksgiving Dinner,” Taylor says. “It's made with whole cranberry sauce and mayonnaise, with thick-cut roasted turkey and stuffing on top.”
The beautiful aspect of this recipe is that pretty much any leftover from your Thanksgiving table can be included. The following is just a guide.
• Bread: sliced roll, hoagie bun, French bread, ciabatta roll, corn muffin—be creative!
• 1 tsp butter
• 1 tsp garlic powder
DIRECTIONS
• 1-2 slices of turkey or turkey pieces
• 2-3 tbsp mashed potatoes
• 1-2 tbsp gravy
• 2-3 tbsp stuffing
• 2-3 tbsp cranberry sauce
Slice your bread of choice in half. Spread butter and sprinkle garlic powder on both sides. Place face-down in a skillet over medium-low heat. When toasted, layer turkey first, followed by mashed potatoes and gravy. Top with cornbread stuffing and cranberry sauce. Put the other half of the bread on top.
ARTICLE BY NANCY A. RUHLING
PHOTOGRAPHY BY HELEN LAWLER, INSPIORMX
The decorated and disabled Bridgewater veteran, who served his country in the Vietnam War, didn’t want to ask for help.
His house had been severely damaged by the floodwaters of Hurricane Ida, and his insurance wasn’t enough to cover the repairs.
Army veterans Andy Barresse and Dave Faulkner didn’t hesitate to come to his aid.
Barresse, the owner of Somervillebased Halo Painting & Maintenance, and Faulkner, the company’s project manager and estimator, found out about the situation from Melanie Dare, the owner of Salon Dare, which the veteran’s wife frequents, and working through Veterans Affairs, they marshaled the company’s forces, and along with other contractors, spent a week working on the inside of the man’s house.
While they were there with brushes and rollers applying custom colors, they exchanged service stories.
“He told us that he had three Purple Hearts and that he would have gotten a fourth, but he hid his wounds so he wouldn’t be sent home,” Barresse says. “He didn’t want to desert his fellow soldiers.”
Faulkner noted that the veteran probably had not told the story to many people but opened up because “he felt a connection to us; he knew that we would know what he was talking about.”
Every year, Barresse, who served 10 years in the U.S. Army and Army National
Guard, and Faulkner, who was deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, do one big project that benefits New Jersey veterans. (In a previous year, they painted the interior of the Dudley House Veterans Transitional Housing Program in Plainfield.)
“It’s the most important thing we do,” Barresse says, adding that Halo always gives a 10 percent discount to customers who are veterans. “Whatever capacity of service you were in—chef, mechanic, pilot, soldier—we are all brothers and sisters for life, and we are soldiers through thick and thin. We look out for each other.”
Adds Faulkner: “We do whatever it takes.”
Barresse and Faulkner, who began painting as teenagers, say their own time in the service has had a profound effect on their personal and professional lives.
“I have applied many of the life lessons and discipline I learned from the Army in running my business,” Barresse says. “For one thing, I learned teamwork.”
Faulker, who joined the company three years ago after meeting Barresse at a painting workshop, adds perseverance to the list.
“When things get tough, I don’t give up,” he says. “I try to find a solution, and I’m always guided by the Marine Corps motto ‘improvise, adapt and overcome.’”
That’s what Barresse has done throughout his career. Halo, which used to focus
exclusively on painting under a different name, now has a home-maintenance unit that does everything from annual inspections to cleaning gutters and power washing houses. His son Andrew runs one of the work crews, and his daughter Heather is the office manager.
For the New Jersey natives—Barresse is from Parsippany, Faulkner is from Rockaway—service has been a family tradition. Barresse’s grandfather served in World War II, and his three uncles were in Vietnam. Faulkner’s grandfathers, too, fought in the war against Hitler.
The two say it’s really important to remember the sacrifices of veterans not only on November 11 but all year round.
“They are doing something for our country that others don’t want to do,” Faulkner says.
Donating time or money to various veterans organizations goes a long way toward expressing appreciation to those who serve.
“If you want to help, get involved, don’t sit back,” Barresse says. “A little contribution can save lives and make a difference for someone who saved your life.”
Faulkner notes that you don’t have to make a grand gesture such as painting the interior of a veteran’s house or joining the service. “You can do something as simple as stopping a uniformed person on the street to say thank you,” he says.
Learn more about Halo Painting & Maintenance at halopaintingcompany.com .
“Whatever capacity of service you were in—chef, mechanic, pilot, soldier—we are all brothers and sisters for life, and we are soldiers through thick and thin. We look out for each other.”
Catering experts Chef Kyle and Hannah Williams, owners of Savor & Swirl culinary company, create an outdoor dinner party with chef-driven perennial dishes served in beautiful seasonal settings. For this alfresco dinner party, Chef Kyle draws on his favorite recipes updated for a modern palate and paired with wine selections to complement the bountiful feast.
• Build a menu around the season. Start with what produce is available locally based on the season for the most authentic meal experience. For instance, Chef Kyle says “In November, people crave turkey, sage stuffing and cranberry sauce,” but that meal served in the heat of Summer wouldn’t hit the same. In-season fruits and vegetables will always be of highest quality and best taste.
• Always greet guests with a beverage and appetizers. “Offer champagne for wine-lovers or a sparkling drink or signature cocktail. It’s all about serving guests to the highest caliber,” Kyle says.
• Draw inspiration from the season’s colors and temperatures. For Spring and Summer, think flowers, fresh herbs and linens. For Fall, think flannel blankets, wooden tables, fire pits, open grills, string lights and candles to create a really cool environment you haven’t been able to do all summer.” For Winter, head indoors to create a cozy environment for guests to connect.
• An easy but thoughtful detail is to put a simple menu at each place setting, so guests know what to expect. “Add a pen, so guests can jot tasting notes, especially for wine pairings or multiple courses,” Hannah says. “Guests can share comments, then take the menu home as a sweet reminder of the event.”
• As fun as it is to dine outside, always have an indoors back-up plan. “We’ve had to bring it indoors before,” Hannah says. “It’s still fun.” Insider Tips for Hosting: “Think flannel blankets, wooden tables, fire pits, open grills, string lights and candles to create a really cool environment you haven’t been able to do all summer.”
A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.
NOVEMBER 2ND
Richard Marx
MAYO PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 100 SOUTH ST., MORRISTOWN | 7:30 PM
Revisit classic songs by Grammy winner Richard Marx (“Hold on to the Nights,” “Don’t Mean Nothing,” “Satisfied,” “Right Here Waiting”). mayoarts.org
NOVEMBER 2ND
NOVEMBER 4TH-6TH
NOVEMBER 4TH-13TH
Broadway & Bagels
SHIMON AND SARA BIRNBAUM JCC. 775 TALAMINI RD., BRIDGEWATER | 12:00 PM
Learn about how musicals make it to Broadway, what determines ticket pricing and more. ssbjcc.org
Tootsie
STATE THEATRE NEW JERSEY, 15 LIVINGSTON AVE., NEW BRUNSWICK
This laugh-out-loud love letter to the theater tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime. stnj.org
Godspell
VILLAGERS THEATRE, 475 DEMOTT LANE, SOMERSET
The musical is structured as a series of parables, primarily based on the Gospel of Matthew. The parables are interspersed with music set primarily to lyrics from traditional hymns, with the passion of Christ appearing briefly near the end of the show. villagerstheatre.com
NOVEMBER 6TH
Taste of the Hills
SPRING BROOK COUNTRY CLUB, 9 SPRING BROOK RD., MORRISTOWN | 5:00 PM
The benefit for the Somerset Hills Adult Day Center features culinary tastings from two dozen restaurants and fine wines. atlantichealth.org/TheTaste
NOVEMBER 6TH
Duck Donut 5K/10K
191 OLD YORK RD.,
BRIDGEWATER | 10:00 AM
The run, presented by Atlantic Health System, supports St. Ann’s Classical Academy of Bridgewater/ Raritan. bit.ly/3SMJ0Np
NOVEMBER 12TH
Santa at the Commons
Arrival Celebration
BRIDGEWATER COMMONS, 400 COMMONS WAY, BRIDGEWATER | 11:00 AM
Greeted by the festive sounds of Regal Trumpeters and holiday songs courtesy of the New Jersey Youth Chorus, Santa Claus arrives at Bridgewater Commons to officially welcome guests to the “Santa at the Commons” photo set. Photos with St. Nick are available through Dec. 24 in Center Court. bridgewatercommons.com
NOVEMBER 13TH
Meet Author Jane McLaughlin, Illustrator
Samantha Seni and Santa BERNARDSVILLE CINEMA, 5 MINEBROOK RD., BERNARDSVILLE | 1:30 PM
Children will enjoy an interactive event featuring the new book Holiday Adventure and a special visit from St. Nick. HauntedHistoryProductions.com
NOVEMBER 13TH
Pulled Pork Competition
VERVE, 18 EAST MAIN ST., SOMERVILLE | 2:00 PM
Chefs fashion 10 pounds of pork shoulder into a pulled pork recipe of their choosing for a competition. vervestyle.com
NOVEMBER 13TH
Let's Rock Broadway: The Diamonds
RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 118 LAMINGTON RD., BRANCHBURG | 7:00 PM
The Diamonds rock the house with a brand-new program featuring hits from your favorite Broadway musicals, such as “Jersey Boys,” “Grease,” “Mamma Mia,” “Saturday Night Fever” and “Beatlemania.” rvccarts.org
NOVEMBER 17TH–19TH
The World Goes ‘round SOMERSET COUNTY
VOCATIONAL & TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL, 14 VOGT DR., BRIDGEWATER | 7:00 PM
Life (with its glories, indignities, hopes and quiet dreams) is the subject of this stunning revue of the beloved songs of John Kander and Fred Ebb, one of Broadway’s most daring and successful teams and masters of the heart-grabbing Broadway showstopper. scvths.org
NOVEMBER 19TH
Pink Floyd Experience
STANGL STAGE, 4 STANGL RD., FLEMINGTON | 8:00 PM
The Pink Floyd USA Experience plays all the classics, highlighted by lights, fog, lasers and video, giving audiences the experience of being at a Pink Floyd concert. stanglstage.com
Word is spreading about the allnew, maintenance-free apartments and must-see amenities—within an hour of everyone and everything you love in New York City. It’s retirement Jersey-style.
TheDelaneyofBridgewater.com
The Gerald J. Glasser Brain Tumor Center at Morristown Medical Center and Overlook Medical Center uses a multidisciplinary approach that ensures you get more than a doctor. You get an entire team to help guide and support you with confidence and compassion. Atlantic Health System is a nationally recognized leader in neuroscience and neurosurgery, treating all types of brain tumors with the latest tools and technology and, the finest minds.