FREE, Please Take One
Vol. 2 • No. 1 Jan. 2019
Celebrating
The Lunar New New
Denville Life • January 2019 • Page 3
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DENVILLE EDITORIAL
Denville Life Thank you for reading “Denville Life.” Denville is such a great place to work, live and play. There is so much here for the residents to enjoy that we have decided to dedicate a magazine to Denville. The people that make up this community are caring people who never hesitate to help others in need. Our goal is to provide you with articles about people, places and things all Denville. Each month you can pick up a copy of the magazine at local businesses or visit www.iwantmypaper. com and sign up for a free emailed copy that will be sent directly to your email. You can send them to editor@mylifepublications.com. We welcome your feedback as well to the same email.
You can also visit our website www.denvillelife.com or on Facebook under “Denville Life.” Please support our advertisers in our publications as they make this magazine available free to all with their advertising support. We want to help the local businesses and your support of them is appreciated. We are happy to have Paula Battle as our sales representative for “Denville Life.” Paula, formerly of “Neighbor News,” has been very active in the Denville business community. Thank you for choosing “Denville Life” to read and enjoy. Joe Nicastro & Mary Lalama Publishers
Next Issue February 2019, Deadline January 24th To receive your free copy of Denville Life direct to your email visit www.iwantmypaper.com and sign up!
Subscribe $35 / year / $60 for 2 Call 800-691-7549 Editorial editor@ mylifepublications. com 5 Vista Drive, Flanders, NJ 07836 800-691-7549 • joe@mylifepublications.com turn our pages at www.denvillelife.com © 2018 MalJon, LLC.
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Publishers Joe Nicastro Mary Lalama Editor Megan Roche Graphic Designers Terri Armswood Mary Lalama Sales Manager Joe Nicastro
Denville Life • January 2019 • Page 5
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Denville SPARK Polar Bear Plunge
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By Megan Roche or the young adults involved in the Mayor’s Council for People with Challenges, each year they are finding new ways to give back and help their beloved community of Denville get better, look more beautiful, and be supported. Now, the team behind Denville SPARK is looking for their neighbors in Denville to help them. Started by Mayor Tom Andes, the Mayor’s Council for People with Challenges is just one of the many volunteer groups throughout town that help their neighbors any chance they get. During the summer months, the young men and women of the group volunteer to work at the snack shack at Cook’s Pond during swim meets, volunteer during Rid Litter Day, decorate for the holidays in downtown Denville, and much more. Susan Reinhardt, the chair of the Mayor’s Council for People With Challenges or MCPC, is now working her connections throughout the town to help raise the necessary funds to purchase a group home for three boys, RJ, Eric, and Mark. “Our sons were born with developmental disabilities. As time went on and they grew into adolescents, we realized they would not be able to live independently as adults. We inves-
tigated various housing opportunities and discovered there were long waiting lists for group homes that our sons’ names may never get to the top of those lists.” Reinhardt shared. To raise the funds necessary, Reinhardt has teamed up with fellow Denville resident and Polar Plunge planning extraordinaire Tim Behrens. The last two years, Behrens has helped run the plunge to raise the necessary funds for Project Playground 2.0. As the plunge makes its return for the third annual event, Behrens selected the kids at Denville SPARK to benefit from the fundraising. “We did something for a thing, but this is something different, it benefits our residents. We can really help people out who need it by raising this money. This is about our people, not things.” Behrens said. In addition to volunteering, a big piece of the Mayor’s Council for People With Challenges is their annual Thanksgiving food drive hosted by the Foodtown of Denville. Jeff Dickerson, owner of the Foodtown, was quick to acknowledge how much these kids do for the town that they love so much. “I think the members were very comfortable on the Foodtown sidewalk since many of my employees knew them
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and enjoyed interacting with them. It really was a win win because my store got the incremental business and Denville Social Services got their needs met at a particularly difficult time of year. My hope is to work closer with the organization at some point in the future, because Susan and her team have hearts of gold.” Dickerson said. The Mayor’s Council for People with Challenges also participates in challenger baseball programs, karate programs, a bowling league, exercise programs at the YMCA, challenger soccer, an animal shelter donation collection, and much more. Reinhardt has been researching group homes for years and has discovered that the purchase of a group home will actually help the township when it comes to affordable housing. “Our current goal is to provide our sons with more than just a place to live. We’d like them to have the choice to live with those of their own choosing, with whom they are compatible with in terms of age and abilities. We began our goal towards creating S.P.A.R.K. Independence, a home where our young men can live together.” Reinhardt said. Reinhardt’s work with the MCPC group has not gone unnoticed
by local residents either. Volunteer groups in town are constantly contacting her to have the kids in the program volunteer their time. The kids have most recently helped to decorate downtown Denville for the holidays. “I love volunteering as it helps my community of Denville,” Eric said. “My favorite part is wearing my Denville t-shirt. When I help people, it makes me so proud to live here.” RJ said. “I like that volunteering helps me feel good and I love to help people in my home of Denville.” Mark said. For Michael Bertram, his daughter Stephanie, has been an active member of MCPC for the last few years. Stephanie can be seen around the town, proudly known as the Mayor’s best friend. For Bertram, this program means the world to him and his family. “This program offers us the knowledge that our daughter has another social network. It’s enjoyable to watch because she is so into giving back to her town. She wants to help out Denville. It makes her feel so special. She’s getting to do something that benefits someone else.” Bertram said. The Denville Polar Plunge will take place on February
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23 at Cook’s Pond at 1:00 p.m. There will be music, games, refreshments, and of course, the chance to plunge into Cook’s Pond’s freezing water temperatures. “If you come out, you’ll see costumes and the novelty that comes with doing a fundraiser. Of course nobody wants to run into the freezing water, but they do it for the kids. There’s a ton of fun runs, 5Ks, there is not always a Polar Plunge.” Behrens said. Information on the Polar Plunge will be shared on the Denville Polar Plunge Facebook page in the coming weeks. The answers for how to register, times, location, and more will be updated as final decisions are made. There will be prizes given to those who fundraise the most prior to the plunge. “These kids are so proud of the town that they call home. To them, they volunteer at everything. They love always having their
Denville pride on display whether they are volunteering at the snack shack or collecting food for Thanksgiving. This is what they love to do.” Reinhardt said. While the team is raising the money to benefit the three boys, Reinhardt asks if anyone would like to donate a home or piece of property to the Denville SPARK community, she be contacted. “We feel it is important to give back to the community that supports our efforts. As such, participants perform volunteer work in the community through the Denville Mayor’s Council for People with Challenges. Our goal is realize our dream of providing housing for our sons through fundraising efforts that support the true mission of S.P.A.R.K.” Reinhardt said. To learn more about Denville S.P.A.R.K., visit www.denvillespark.org.
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Congratulations!
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ongratulations to Denville Arsenal 12u boys soccer team. They are the MCYSA Flight 8 undefeated champions. It’s been a long road for the team. In the fall of 2017, the team went 1-9 in the bottom flight, it was a hard season and the boys learned a lot. The boys kept working hard and in the spring of 2018 ended up in 3rd place in Flight 8. With this new momentum, the team refused to lose. They practiced all summer with a major emphasis on teamwork and spirit. Jump ahead to fall 2018, the boy’s record is 9-0 with a total of 63 goals and only gave up 15. We wish them luck in what will be a more challenging spring of 2019.
Thank You to Our Volunteers
Left: Bri Mahn; center: Lindsey Sedwick; right: Allie Dossantos.
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orris Knolls seniors and members of the National Honor Society visiting Santa after volunteering at the Denville BID Open House celebration. Santa was sponsored by Highland Bank. Photo Credit DL Battle Photography.
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Denville’s Ayres/Knuth Farm Holds 21st Tree Sale to Preserve Historic Landmark
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By Anya Bochman ue Schmidt, of Denville, President of the Ayres/Knuth Farm Foundation of Denville, cites her daughter’s fifth grade school project on the preservation of the historic farm as the impetus for her involvement in forming the non-profit foundation. In essence, along with other trustees, Schmidt is involved in writing grants and raising funds to match them in order to pay for the restoration and archaeological exploration of the 200-year-old Ayres/Knuth Farm. The entire 53-acre area was purchased by Denville Township in May 1996. It has been farmed for over 200 years, an endeavor that continues today on a portion of the acreage. Listed on the Photos courtesy/Sue Schmidt
National and State of New Jersey Historic Registers, the property has four components. “The Foundation, as a single purpose nonprofit, leases the ten acres that the farm complex and historic ruins are on and acts as steward of the farm. The farmer’s lease supports the historic designation,” Schmidt explained. “The municipality maintains the soccer fields as a third component of the open space element. Passive recreation is the fourth component.” The history of the open space area, which houses ten buildings and used to be a functional dairy farm, was meticulously put together using land records and old maps; local historian Fred Dempsey did some of the research. It is a history that stretches back to the 17th century, when the English took possession of the
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territory known then as New Netherlands, which included present-day New Jersey. Claimed in the name of King Charles II, the area was conveyed by the monarch to his brother James, the Duke of York, in 1664. The Duke, in turn, conveyed New Jersey to two proprietors, John Lord Berkely and Sir George Carteret. Berkely and Carteret subsequently divided the territory into East and West Jersey and would begin selling off their interests to others. Carteret died in 1680, leaving his interest in East Jersey (including present-day Denville) to his wife, Lady Carteret. By 1682, executors of Carteret’s estate began selling large tracts of East Jersey to William Penn and other West Jersey proprietors, in-
cluding John Bellars, as a place of refuge for persecuted Quakers. The “Bellars Lot,” as it was called in subsequent deeds, covered the area where Knuth Farm is located, as well as other parts of Denville and Parsippany. As these historic developments unfolded, the area now known as the Ayres/Knuth Farm slowly came into existence. As the proprietors of the land died, their heirs would sell off the acreage in their estates in great numbers. This is how Bellars Lot came into possession of Robert Hunter Morris, the second son of colonial New Jersey Governor, Lewis Morris, for whom Morris County was named. From Morris, a portion of the land passed into posses-
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The Ayres/Knuth Farm Foundation, Inc. was formed in the late 1990s with the explicit purpose of engaging in activities that focus on the protection and enhancement of the historical, agricultural and environmental aspects of the Township of Denville Ayres/Knuth Farm.
sion of one Jacob Garrigus, whose descendents would eventually come into ownership of Ayres/Knuth Farm. David Garrigus, the eldest son of Jacob, purchased significant amounts of land in the Franklin area. The heirs of John Bellars re-surveyed the remaining portions of Bellars Lot around the year 1800. By deed in December of that year, David Garrigus purchased from the Bellars heirs 394 acres, which included all of the present day Knuth Farm. David’s daughter, Hannah Garrigus, married Daniel Ayers in 1800. The first deed specifically pertaining to the area of the Knuth Farm can be found on May 10, 1803, when David Garrigus conveyed the then-105 acre farm to his son-in-law Daniel Ayers. After that, the farm passed through generations of Knuths and Ayres’; the families maintained a substantial farming operation on Knuth Farm. Local accounts claim that the farm contained one of the largest barns in the area which was used for an on-going dairy operation. The barn burned down in 1936, shortly after the death of Martin Knuth, Sr. Thereafter, the farm and family fell into financial ruin. Schmidt recalls the Ayres orchard and distillery once being a
great attraction for its apple cider. Surviving children Frank and Susie Knuth were the last family owners of the land, taking ownership of the farm upon the death of their mother, Anna, on January 26, 1950. The Ayres/Knuth Farm Foundation, Inc. was formed in the late 1990’s with the explicit purpose of engaging in activities that focus on the protection and enhancement of the historical, agricultural and environmental aspects of the Township of Denville Ayres/Knuth Farm. “To support these endeavors, the foundation raises and directs funds, and organizes volunteer efforts towards the preservation of the historical and environmental components of the multi-use open space facility,” Schmidt explained. The foundation receives additional support from the municipality. In 2014, Morris County Freeholders recognized the work done by Denville Township and the Ayres/Knuth Farm Foundation, with assistance from the county’s Preservation Trust Fund, to preserve the property’s historic farm house on Cooper Road. The freeholders presented Denville Mayor Thomas Andes and Schmidt with a bronze plaque to be installed outside
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Denville Life • January 2019 • Page 19
the farm house, to mark the township’s successful completion of a preservation plan, exterior restoration, roof replacement, archaeology master plan, and a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. Several years later, in 2017, Morris County awarded the area $149,040 from the historic preservation trust fund for interior restoration work, including repairs to interior finishes, windows, doors and electrical upgrades. The Ayres Farmhouse, which is considered to be the most “complete example” of a 19th century Morris County farming complex, qualified for the grant due to its listing on the State and Federal Historic Sites Register, historic significance and accessibility to the public. The restoration of the farm will give county residents a window into the life of farming families in the 19th century. Aside from municipal assistance, the foundation engages in a number of fundraising events, such as its Annual Tree Sale. Through the first three weekends in December, the foundation busies itself with the sale of trees and wreaths, a project now in its 21st year. Roping, gingerbread cookies, Peggy Karr glass fusion ornaments, tree stands and light are also available during the event, which took place with the support of various local Denville organizations. Described by Schmidt as the “most important” fundraiser for the foundation, the annual tree sale has been used in the past for exterior restoration grants, such as fixing leaking roofs which threatened the farm’s historical buildings. The event depends heavily on volunteer work and Helping Hands of Denville, who help unload the trees after they come in, pricing and setting them up. “We also sell things people have donated to us, such as books, or these ornamental jewel pins which are really popular this year,” Schmidt said. The Ayres/Knuth Farm Foundation also relies on support from local clubs and service groups. Schmidt cited a number of projects on which the organization was assisted by local Boy Scout troops, who helped restore a chicken coop and covered a dangerous well opening. “The Morris Knolls Key Club has helped us for 21 years along with our volunteers. Denville Helping Hands has been a tremen-
dous help,” said Schmidt of the annual tree sale. “Morris County SLAP has helped with the tree sale and many other work related activities. A local Boy Scout troop has done several Eagle Scout projects on the farm.” In addition to the tree sale, the Ayres/Knuth Farm Foundation was once again part of the annual Pathways of History Tour this fall, an event which involves participants offering free open houses of their historic sites. The theme this year was the 100th anniversary of World War I, and the Foundation had the opportunity to bring the WWI “Lest We Forget” Mobile Museum from Dallas, Texas for an entire weekend in September. Hundreds of visitors toured the newly restored farmhouse interior and saw over 450 artifacts, videos and posters, while enjoying talks by the WWI curator. The event helped the foundation raise money for restoration and matching grants. “This was a new experience, raising money for an event such as bringing the US Centennial WWI museum,” Schmidt said. “Presentations were done in the summer to the Denville Post 390 American Legion and Denville VFW Post 2519. They generously joined other individuals who contributed to fund this event. All this was accomplished in a little over a month.” Membership in the foundation runs from January through December, with membership funds being applied to “matching grant” awards. Additionally, membership funds provide seed money for other fundraisers and educational programs. Donations from the public also help, with many of the funds coming after donors had been to an event hosted by the foundation. Professional photographers coming on the property are asked to pay a fee, as well. Currently, the foundation is nearing completion on a master plan to cover the industrial historic landscaping of Ayres/Knuth Farm. According to Schmidt, the next project will focus on the extensive restoration of the tenant house behind the property’s farm, which will be turned into an in-house museum after its structural issues are addressed. “It will be a good opportunity for the public to learn how farmhands lived back then,” Schmidt said. “That’s what we’re looking forward to in 2019.”
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Celebrate Lunar New Year with Denville’s Downtown BID Event
Laura Short, Laura Short Photography.
S By Dawn M Chiossi
tep into Downtown Denville and into the lovely small town of yesteryear. This year Santa’s elves, otherwise known as Denville Downtown Business Improvement District (BID), have been quite busy putting the fine touches on Denville itself. Celebrating community spirit, embracing the small town feel of the town, there’s so much festivity going on: Holiday décor and displays, Hanukkah events, a mailbox specifically designed to hold letters for Santa, and much more. Thanks to this non-profit organization, the festivity will carry into the New Year and even beyond. Founded in 2017, Downtown Denville BID supports local efforts to promote and celebrate Denville itself. Offering so much from improvements, to beautification, to programs and activities, there’s something for everyone. For the Business Improvement District, enhancing Downtown
Denville is an inspiration as well as a goal. Through hard work and devotion, the members of this organization seek to create community-inspired events that appeal to shoppers, workers, residents and visitors. Their mission is a simple, but important one: to create a vibrant downtown that reflects Denville’s history where both businesses and residents can flourish. Through amazing and creative events, activities and fundraisers throughout the year, Downtown Denville BID creates fun for everyone, and they are thrilled to do so. According to Executive Director, Ryan Gleason, “I had always admired Denville’s quaint downtown and strong sense of community, I jumped at the chance to help guide and develop the downtown into the future.” One of these upcoming events is Denville’s 2nd Annual Lunar New Year. The beginning of the New Year is generally a time when people are excited, wipe the slate clean and begin anew, and the Lunar New Year is no different. Everyone is invited to gather right in the heart of downtown Denville on Broadway. The main event is slated to take
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The first day of the lunar New Year falls on the new moon. In an interesting twist, every year is represented by a zodiac animal sign.
place on Sunday, February 10 from the hours of 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., but this will be a weeklong celebration with themed decorations, traditional music, and other activities taking place before and after the main event. A great cultural event with activities for the entire family, the Lunar New Year is a wonderful event for everyone, and people of all ages. So, what exactly is the Lunar New Year? The Lunar New Year is the first day of the New Year in the Chinese calendar. It is also referred to as Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival. It differs from the traditional new year because our new year is based on the Gregorian calendar, while the Lunar New Year is based on a Lunisolar calendar. The first day of the Lunar New Year falls on the new moon. In an interesting twist, every year is represented by a zodiac animal sign. During the festival lanterns symbolize reunions, socializing and freedom. In some reports, it is said that the Lunar Festival is the true Chinese Valentine’s Day: All worthwhile things to celebrate in the New Year. According to Gleason, the idea for the Lunar event sprang from BID Chairperson, Kristin Pamperin, “who wanted to engage the business community in a new and exciting way during what many
consider a “slower” business month (February).” Realizing that a celebration was the perfect way to slice through the February doldrums, everyone embraced this innovative idea wholeheartedly. Last year, they celebrated Lunar New Year with the pilot “Year of the Dog” celebration. “The traditional Lunar New Year celebrated by many Asian cultures provided a great opportunity to bring both a sense of cultural education to the downtown while encouraging people to visit, shop, and dine,” Gleason enthuses. Some of the delights from the ceremony included: A dog parade, a 6 foot tall ice sculptures of a dragon and a dog created live, performances of traditional Chinese Dragon dancers, local business promotions, prizes, giveaways, and so much more. Feedback from the public was so overwhelmingly positive, that over 600 people attended. They were so enthusiastic from all they saw, they even gave suggestions for the BID’s future events. For officials, they decided right then and there to make the Lunar New Year an annual event for the town. This year, 2019 is the Year of the Pig. The 12th of all of the zodiac animals, the pig is a symbol of diligence, compassion and generosity in China—all qualities that the world could use in abundance! In Chinese culture the pig is the symbol of wealth.
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Although it is still early, Gleason and the rest of the members of BID are eagerly planning this year’s celebration. He shares that so far, they are planning a number of activities that touch on the theme. “Our ice sculptures will be back, we are planning a number of craft projects and other themed inspirations from our local eateries,” Last year’s celebration. he enthuses. Laura Short, Laura Short Photography. There’s so much more to come. Filled with just as much pageantry, majesty, and brightness as last year, this year’s Lunar events are sure to thrill. Gleason is thrilled with the message behind it all. “My favorite thing about this event is our opportunity to educate visitors about the meaning and message of Lunar New Year and to provide cultural awareness and understanding of our community. I also loved seeing the families from across the region enjoying our downtown and participating in the activities that we organized for the event,”
he remarks. That message really hit home for him last year when he recalled his worries about the turnout due to snowy weather. “As we got closer to the dog parade event, more and more dogs, many decked out in sweaters and costumes, began to arrive. I knew we had found something special about both the event and our community,” he shares proudly. “It was a great feeling. People really got into the spirit of everything the day was about.” Illuminating a winter day, Denville’s celebration of the Lunar New Year is just the thing to bring light to the New Year. For further information or details on this or any other events, please call the Downtown Denville BID at 862-209-7249, and be sure to visit www.downtowndenville.com to stay tuned on the upcoming events as they appear.
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Giving Back and Serving Others is in Doug Gabel’s DNA
H By Jillian Risberg
e’s spent a lifetime making a difference and now Doug Gabel wants to make sure to keep taxes low and fair, provide necessary services to residents, regulation to a minimum, and work to allow all organizations to function for the greater good as Denville Council president. “I have committed myself to listen, learn and act in a fair and compassionate way in any decisions or actions I found myself involved in,” Gabel says. “Each of these accomplishments has required time, commitment, openness and compromise. I rely on my values, beliefs and principles in my decision making.” According to Gabel, the most difficult and sometimes most frustrating area the council has had to address has been affordable housing. “We want families on all levels of the economic spectrum to be able to live and raise a family in Denville. The outlandish demands the courts are mandating on our community are unreasonable and unnecessary,” he says. The council president says that over the years they have been able to establish a significant amount of affordable housing, integrating it into the community despite the demands. “We continue to work with the courts and our state representatives to establish for Denville a fair and common sense response to affordable housing that everyone can feel is equitable and reasonable,” he says. Gabel has called the “Hub of Morris County” home since 1984 and says it’s a privilege to have been elected seven years ago to the council so he can continue serving his neighbors. “As Council President he not only lends his name and support to many town events and activities, he also puts his thoughts into actions,” says Councilman John Murphy. “He rolls up his sleeves and pitches in. His faith, community spirit and general willingness to help his fellow citizen is an
ideal that we all can aspire to.” The IT professional’s political aspirations began when former Denville Mayor Gene Feyl gave him the opportunity to join the Local Assistance Board (Social Services). “I was able to see all the good the leadership of a community was able to accomplish in a fair and compassionate way,” Gabel says. “I wanted to be able to make a difference by offering my abilities and leadership skills in this way. The council afforded me the opportunity.” Tony Mollegard has known the council president for more than 30 years and calls him totally committed to Denville, through his ongoing involvement with charity, town projects and their church. But when it comes to politics, he was surprised Gabel went in that direction. “But he’s community-minded as well as Boy Scout or religious-minded. He wants
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playgrounds, more parks, protect the rivers from flooding and so forth,” Mollegard says. There was a lot of community love thrown Gabel’s way when he came up for re-election. “I can’t express to you the joy I have when I’m downtown or at an event and see friends and fellow residents and greet them, talk with them and work side by side with them,” he says. “Everyone wants to have the feeling of belonging. I belong in Denville and remain focused to make it the best place to work, live and raise a family.” No one knows what the future holds but for one thing — Gabel says that Denville has many wonderful people who reside there, contribute to its success and as long as that continues, it will be the envy of New Jersey. According to the council president, besides the people; there are many other reasons that Denville is so desirable. “We have a beautiful downtown, a broad collection of community merchants, a fantastic library, great schools and
Denville is a volunteer community,” he says. Community service has always been an important part of Gabel’s life. Giving back to one’s community and working with like-minded individuals to make a community better comes naturally to him. “I attribute my attitude of giving back to the days I joined the Scouting program at age seven. The slogan ‘Do a good turn daily’ has stuck with me all my life and is simply now part of my DNA,” the IT pro says. “I have done so willingly, knowing someone’s life will be better because of it.” Gabel’s tremendous passion and relentless energy for helping worthy causes hasn’t been lost on former Denville Councilman Christopher Golinski. “I don’t know how he does so much,” Golinski says. “Doug is many folks ‘most expensive friend,’ always asking for donations to help others.” The former councilman doesn’t really think of Gabel as a political person.
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Page 26 • January 2019 • Denville Life
“He’s more about service,” Golinski says. “It’s leading, inspiring and volunteering, not Republicans are good and Democrats are bad. It’s the kind of political that we should have.” He adds that the council president is very intelligent, hardworking, always trying to learn about everything and prepared to help the council make decisions. Gabel says he loves being a part of so many deserving groups that make the township a better place, including the Kiwanis Club, Boy Scouts and River Cleanup committee. “As organizer of the Salvation Army bell ringers, Doug never misses a year to ring the bells, to help with our kettles in any kind of weather — for those in need,” Mollegard says. According to his lifelong friend, it’s not just Gabel’s brain — he pitches in his muscle. “He’s with the hammer and the nail building the playground stuff or down in Appalachia with a group to fix poor people’s homes,” the retired insurance adjuster says. “And he’s leading everybody in church and calling for volunteers.” Gabel has been described as a “guy in perpetual motion” and the council president attributes his ongoing dedication to service to a family who understands what motivates him and makes him happy. “They support my actions,” he says. “It is a balancing act to be a good husband, father, provider and volunteer.” With such believers in his ability to bring change, the IT pro is humbled by all the kind words of his friends. “I realized a long time ago that you can’t please all the people all the time but I have tried to live my life in a way that respects each person’s position, ideas and concerns,” he says. “At
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Denville Life • January 2019 • Page 27
the end of the day I need to rely on my values, faith and facts in my decision making.” Gabel says he feels he has held tight to his principles and will continue to serve Denville in the same manner. Mayor Tom Andes has no doubt the council president can do just that. “I have known Doug Gabel for more than 25 years, first through his involvement in his church then Scouts, Kiwanis and Denville Social Services,” Andes says. “He always impressed me as a good man with a desire to help people.” The mayor says once Gabel was elected to the Town Council, he saw the council president as a man with boundless energy, a quick wit and passion for the community in everything he does. Whether it’s Relay for Life, raising money for the Cancer Society, working with the kids at Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, helping out downtown after Hurricane Irene — Andes says Gabel is everywhere doing all kinds of good deeds. “He’s the councilman that’s in the water for the Polar Plunge, raising money for the Special Olympics,” Andes says. “He’s that guy.” “What makes Doug stand out is he is willing to step forward for the good causes when others step back,” the mayor says. “Doug has made Denville a better place.” Mollegard echoes that sentiment, saying that Gabel turns up at every single affair going on out there, whether it’s the Boy Scouts, Memorial Day parades or anything that has to do with the town. “And he’s thinking all the time — how could I do better, how could I make the town better or the church better, how could I
help the poor better. He’s out there pushing, pushing, pushing. He’s not satisfied to be a town councilman, he’s gotta be president of Town Council. So who knows where he’s going from there.” Case in point, the new bridge at Muriel Hepner Park. According to Mollegard, citing a safety issue he mentioned “At the risk of sounding like to Gabel that he needed to proa campaign speech, it is my tect the bridge with wire mesh vision that the Council conbecause if little kids run over it tinue to act in a fair, respectful coming from the playground and unobtrusive way,” Gable they could fall into the water says. “We are a nation of laws below. but we need to manage ap“That’s what the old bridge propriate legislation and not had and every time it got over-regulate our community.” ripped I would go to the Town Council and tell ‘em about it and they would send out the people from Public Works to put in new screens,” says the retired insurance adjuster, adding that the council president told him he would jump right on it. “So he’s civic-minded to the point that he’s gonna try to do the best he can to make everything better.” When it comes to his journey, the council president wants to do right by the people of Denville. “At the risk of sounding like a campaign speech, it is my vision that the Council continue to act in a fair, respectful and unobtrusive way,” Gable says. “We are a nation of laws but we need to manage appropriate legislation and not over-regulate our community.”
Page 28 • January 2019 • Denville Life
Tour Focuses on School Safety in Denville…and Elsewhere
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By Julie Ritzer Ross hortly after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida this past February— an incident that left 17 students and staff members dead and another 17 injured—Steven Forte, superintendent of the Denville Township School District, and Christopher Wagner, chief of the Denville Township Police Department, received an unusual request. Several members of the New Jersey State Assembly and Senate had attended a dinner held by the Morris County School Boards Association, where the duo had explained how the Denville Township School District and Denville Township Police Department work together to ensure the safety and security of Denville’s schools at a time when school shootings seem to have become a regular occurrence. Impressed by the presentation, Assemblywoman Mila Jassey invited Forte and Wagner to address the Joint Senate and Assembly Education Committee about the same topic. Both men accepted the invitation and covered their approach to school security in an article that appeared in the May/June 2018 issue of School Leader, a bi-monthly publication of the New Jersey School Boards Association. But that wasn’t the end of it—it was the beginning, because Forte and Wagner have since fielded multiple requests to tell their story and have embarked on a “speaking tour,” delivering their presentation at meetings of the Morris County League of Municipalities and the New Jersey Chief of Police Association, as well as at the recent New Jersey School Board Association Conference and New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference. “We’ll go wherever we can to convey our message, which is that a team approach to school security, involving both the police department and the schools, is critical today,” Forte says. “Children cannot learn, and teachers cannot teach effectively, if they don’t feel safe. It’s my job as
an educator to ensure that they do, and the police department plays a role.” The presentation delivered by Forte and Wagner centers on what they call the “school safety and security wheel,” which has eight spokes. Each spoke has different components designed, the police chief and educator say, to “gain trust and cooperation in Denville,” with the ultimate goal of taking school safety and security to the highest level. These components range from safety and security projects, initiatives, and measures to the identification of key stakeholders in ensuring security at all schools in the district. The first “spoke” of the wheel features elements that identify safety and security as the most important priority in the Denville school community, based on the belief that all students must feel and be safe in order to learn at an optimal level. To best establish this sense, Forte and Wagner explain, efforts are made to avoid turning Denville’s schools into “correctional facilities” where students are not free to have fun or walk through the hallways. Instead, all police and district staff work in tandem to keep schools as safe as possible, without preventing students from learning or socializing with each other. For example, an investment was made in hiring a Class III Special Officer to patrol Denville school hallways. The officer, who splits his time among Denville’s schools and is on the Denville Police Department payroll, is a police officer who retired in good standing, wears a police uniform, carries a gun, and has full police powers. Former Gov. Chris Christie signed the bill that created the position into law in late 2016. Forte and Wagner
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Denville Life • January 2019 • Page 29
Members of the police department attend every emergency drill, because drilling and practicing tactics with the police makes them more impactful. Additionally, Forte and Wagner say, police presence during emergency drills goes beyond ensuring that the district continues to follow best school safety and security practices. It increases police officers’ familiarity with school facilities. are hoping to be able to hire two more Class III Special Officers for the 2019-2020 school year. Additionally, “security vestibules” are now being installed in each of Denville’s five schools to further prevent intruders from freely roaming the corridors. Individuals arriving at the schools must present a state-issued identification card for scanning at a special kiosk. The kiosk runs special software that conducts a background check on each visitor against national criminal and sex offender databases; only after being cleared and receiving a pass can any visitor move beyond the unit and into the building. A positive, trust-based relationship between the local police department and the schools forms the second “spoke.” Wagner and Forte say much of this trust is fostered by checking their egos “at the door” and acknowledging that for both of them, work on security never stops; issues must be discussed a few times each week, if not daily. However, in explaining this spoke to audiences, they always note that a school district’s superintendent and police chief do not necessarily need to be the ones who work together to foster a safe school environment. “As long as you have people from both sides, and they can collaborate effectively, things work fine,” Wagner says. “But the key is consistency. Only consistent police involvement in the schools leads to a strong, trusting relationship.” The third “spoke,” meanwhile, is careful communication between parents, staff, students, and stakeholders—letting them
know that their safety and security is of utmost importance to the school district and the police alike, without bombarding them with specifics. For example, Wagner and Forte share their general methodology for lockdown procedures with all members of the school community, as well as let members of the school community in on various options for reacting to an active breach of security (run, hide, or fight). They also insist that all communication with the school community be jointly handled by the police department and the school district—so everyone knows the schools and police are working as a team on the security plan. Spoke four centers on student and staff behavior, which Forte and Wagner say are critical to the success of Denville’s school safety program as well as to the success of similar programs at other schools. Students and staff are told that they should feel free to provide information about their safety, including reports of instances when they believe safety has been compromised. Practices like propping open school entry doors or leaving classroom doors unlocked during the day when students are inside are discouraged and, according to Forte, rarely noticed in any of Denville’s schools. Facilities and technology make up spoke number five. “When we started taking a good look at our security measures a few years ago, the number of items we needed to address and the cost of doing that was overwhelming,” Wagner recalls. He and Forte decided to identify some “low-hanging fruit” that would be
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the easiest and least expensive to implement, while simultaneously affording a high level of security. In Denville, one low-hanging fruit was door locks, which were already in place on every door. So Forte and Wagner initially made one change when they first started working together—instituting a requirement that all doors in every school be locked at all times when students and staff are present. Other technologies, including security cameras, vestibules, and communications devices and software, have since been added. All foster security by allowing the proper parties to access live updates on student and staff locations, along with safety status. The sixt spoke is preparedness. In Denville, Forte explains, staff professional development events that focus on safety and security are held each year in cooperation with the police department, mental health professionals, and other safety experts. According to Forte, educating staff about safety measures being implemented increases the potential for “buy-in” and, in turn, the success of safety and security initiatives. Members of the police department attend every emergency drill, because drilling and practicing tactics with the police makes them more impactful. Additionally, Forte and Wagner say, police presence during emergency drills goes beyond ensuring that the district continues to follow best school safety and security practices. It increases police officers’ familiarity with school facilities. Staff and students are also given options for emergencies rather than instructed to lock down in a classroom when emergencies arise. These include Run-Hide-Fight, a protocol for action when an active shooter is present, and ALICE (alert, lockdown, inform, counter, evacuate), an active civilian shooter response protocol. Both Forte and Wagner have undergone ALICE active civilian shooter response training. In Denville, students are also briefed on situational awareness and other behaviors Forte and Wagner say are helpful in boosting security levels. Among examples are informing a staff member when they feel uncomfortable or see something out of the ordinary. Should an incident occur, whether in Denville or elsewhere,
Forte and Wagner come together to evaluate and revise procedures and drills. Because school culture and climate are key elements of any school district’s safety and security protocols, the seventh spoke centers on behavioral health. The need to treat others with kindness is emphasized in a mission to create a safe, secure, and welcoming school climate. By verbal reinforcement from the district and police sides alike, students and staff are empowered to immediately report unusual behaviors and any information they may hear about plans for a violent event, based on the principle that the best chance to stop school violence is prevention. Similarly, the district takes action in rare occasions when a student is in crisis and at risk of harming himself or herself and/or others. A referral for a psychiatric screening is made, and individualized plans for supporting the student when he or she returns to school are created. The police remain involved in any incident where weapons or violence are suspected. The eighth and final spoke is security personnel. The Class III Special Police Officer was added when the district and the police department determined that other plans, professional development initiatives, cultural changes, and the like did not make up a comprehensive safety and security model. However, stakeholders were consulted on the issue before a final decision about this hire was made. Only one officer was hired at the outset in order to let the school community grow gradually accustomed to the idea of having an armed officer in the schools, as well as to more easily introduce the cost of extra security personnel into the budget. Forte and Wagner believe the plan is working for the Denville Township School District. They are looking to bring the tour to other districts in New Jersey and other states. At the time of their interview with Denville Life in early December, they were awaiting word about making a presentation in Texas this coming summer. “Again, school safety and security benefit from a tight partnership between school districts and police,” Wagner concludes. “We just can’t emphasize that enough. That’s what the tour is all about.”
Morris Knolls Choir Sings at White House
Denville Life • January 2019 • Page 31
“I want to instill a love and appreciation of music and singing for my students. To make it part of their lives for a lifetime” stated Semancik.
M By Dawn M Chiossi
usic, it is all around: At this time of the year especially, people hear festive carols, and other favorite melodies. During this holiday season, and perhaps more than any other time of the year, people can’t help but think of music sung by a choir. In churches or in concerts, there is nothing more beautiful than voices raised in song. If preformed with passion and eloquence, music can stir the emotions: it can tempt memories; it can enhance and elevate moods. It can inspire, and most of all, music can reach into people’s souls. Setting the holiday to music, the Morris Knolls Madrigals Choir from Morris Knolls High School is a prime example. On Saturday December 1, these hard working and passionate musicians received a gift that will last for a lifetime: They sang at the White House in Washington D.C. for their 2018 Holiday Event. According to Choir Director Michael Semancik, this impressive choir boasts of an elite 30 member voice ensemble made up of ju-
niors, seniors, and one sophomore. They are a mixed ensemble of men and women, a mostly acappella group in their musical style. The Madrigals are just one of seven choirs at Morris Knolls. Passionate regarding the choir and music in general, Semancik has been choir director for all of them at the high school for approximately 11 years. Semancik mentions that he had always loved music from playing the trumpet and being in his school choirs when he was younger, all the way through his University years and beyond. “Music has always been my thing,“ he shares. “It’s in my blood.” But it was his love of choir music and the interpersonal communication of it that really captivated him. “It spoke to me,” he says simply. It was that something that he wanted to share with his students. “I want to instill a love and appreciation of music and singing for my students. To make it part of their lives for a lifetime.” Applying all the way the way back in September for this honor to sing at the Holiday Event in Washington D.C., Semancik explains that the selection process for it is very extensive; He even had to send in recordings of the Madrigals, and had to write out a narrative of as to why they wanted to sing at the White House.
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But there was one moment that stood out in his mind the most regarding this whole amazing experience: When the Madrigals choir stood in the same spot in the East Room performing; Semancik had a sense of déjà vu. “I wrote quite a bit and really put my heart into it,” he remarks. Semancik discloses that he had applied for the Madrigals to sing at the White House twice before in the past, but had been rejected. “This time, I didn’t tell the kids what I was doing. I didn’t want to get their hopes up.” As such, his persistence paid off, and the choir members received the surprise of their lives when the invitation to sing came on October 26. The students were elated. When asked about their reaction, Semancik says, “You have no idea, they just couldn’t believe it! It was pretty exciting.” After the invite, the real work began. The Madrigals had to put together two hours worth of music in just four and a half weeks. Diligent and creative, Semancik can’t say enough regarding the students: “They put so much time into this, singing for three hours, three nights a week, and Sundays for rehearsal, singing with heart. They sang with such style and grace.” When asked about the feedback regarding this event, Semancik remarks that it was “awesome.” In fact, Morris Knolls High School and the community showed an outpouring of support for the choir and their White House concert. “They even set up fundraisers and a GoFundMePage so we could go,” Semancik relates proudly. “it was just incredible.” Putting together a concert of 14 songs, Madrigals sang carols including, “The First Noel” arranged by Don Forrest, variations on Jingle Bells, and Twas The Night Before Christmas, complete with choreography.
“It is a gorgeous arrangement,” Samancik enthuses. To perform in such a venue is perhaps a once in a lifetime event, but for Semancik the magic actually happened twice! Amazingly, Semancik shares that he had once performed at the White House with his college choir back in 2001. “It was such a cool opportunity to be there again,” what he calls, “a full circle moment.” In addition to singing at the White House, The Morris Knolls Choir took the opportunity on that weekend to perform at Denville Community Church on Thurs., Nov. 29 and the Milford Mill United Methodist Church in Maryland, on Nov. 30, places that were special to Semancik, places where he sang growing up and as part of that full circle. As for the White House, Semancik says that even though he and the choir did not get to see President Trump, as he was in Argentina, of all of the people and officials they met, in all of their travels, told them how much they enjoyed the talented choir. “I am so proud of my students, to give the gift of good music and share it with other people,” “Just think how many Christmases they made for so many people,” he enthuses. But there was one moment that stood out in his mind the most regarding this whole amazing experience: When the Madrigals choir stood in the same spot in the East Room performing; Semancik had a sense of déjà vu. “I had been in that room before, in that same place when I performed with my own college choir back in 2001,” he shares. “It was breathtaking.”
Denville Life • January 2019 • Page 33
Fight the Cold with Better-for-You Comfort Foods
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ew things go together quite like cold weather and comfort foods. However, those hearty dishes that are typically craved on blustery days are usually not classified as “healthy.” With the right approach, though, you can put a better-for-you twist on some of your favorite dishes that can keep you cozy and satiated during the winter season. For example, you can put a grown-up twist on grilled cheese and tomato soup with this recipe for Creamy Tomato and Roasted Pepper Soup with Cheddar Cracker Melts. Pairing flavorful seasonal dishes like soups and stews with a wholesome snack cracker like gluten-free, non-GMO Crunchmaster Tuscan Peasant Crackers can help satisfy those comfort food cravings while also contributing to a healthy lifestyle. With 20 grams of whole grains per serving, these crunchy, robust baked crackers are also cholesterol-free, allowing you to take a back-to-basics approach to your diet using simple ingredients and no artificial flavors or colors. For other seasonal recipes, coupons, tips and nutritional information, visit crunchmaster.com.
Creamy Tomato and Roasted Pepper Soup with Cheddar Cracker Melts Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes Servings: 6 Creamy Tomato and Roasted Pepper Soup: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 carrot, chopped 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1 teaspoon salt, divided 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1 pinch chili flakes 4 cups organic no-salt-added vegetable broth 1 can (28 ounces) no-salt-added diced tomatoes 1 cup chopped prepared roasted red peppers 2 bay leaves 1/3 cup 35 percent heavy cream 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives, divided 1 teaspoon cider vinegar Cheddar Cracker Melts: 24 Crunchmaster Tuscan Peasant Fire Roasted Tomato Basil Crackers 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese In Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium heat, heat oil. Cook onion, carrot, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, paprika and chili flakes about 5 minutes, or until vegetables are slightly softened. Stir in broth, tomatoes, roasted red peppers and bay leaves; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 15-20 minutes,
or until vegetables are tender. Discard bay leaves. Let cool slightly. Transfer to blender; puree in batches until smooth. Stir in cream, remaining salt, 1 tablespoon chives and vinegar. To make Cheddar Cracker Melts: Heat broiler to high and position rack in center of oven. Arrange crackers on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil 1-2 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Divide soup among six bowls. Sprinkle with remaining chives and serve with Cheddar Cracker Melts. Tip: Use mild, medium or aged cheddar cheese. Smoked mozzarella can be substituted, if desired. Nutrition information per serving: 250 calories; 15 g fat; 7 g saturated fat; 30 mg cholesterol; 730 mg sodium; 22 g carbohydrates; 2 g fiber; 11 g sugar; 6 g protein. (Family Features)
Page 34 • January 2019 • Denville Life
NJ Coalition for Education and Positive Choices Officially Announces Friday Nights at Mennen Arena is Back Starting Friday January 4 and running ten consecutive Friday nights through March 8 at 7:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.
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his major initiative by The NJ Coalition for Education and Positive Choices, in conjunction with Mennen Arena, will provide families, especially children, with an opportunity to have fun with their friends in a safe, chaperoned, healthy, drugfree environment. Those partaking in the program sponsored by the Coalition will be afforded a reduction in the price of admission and skate rental. The total cost of this event will be $7 per person (normally $12) and will include admission, skate rental and a full night of ice skating to the music of The Great DJ Earl. Mennen Arena also has a snack bar which will be open all night for those who care to indulge. However, snacks are not included in the price of admission. Each Friday night will have a different theme with the hope of not only entertaining our children, but creating interest in new activities, hobbies and possible future career opportunities to which they might not have otherwise been exposed.
Examples of future highlights: • Law Enforcement Night Many township police departments and law enforcement agencies will be on hand to display equipment, explain its purpose and most importantly, allow our youngsters to meet and greet true heroes. • Fire Fighter Night • Martial Arts and Fitness Night • Dance Night • Photo ID’s supplied by Morris County Sheriff’s Department for any child that would like one and at no cost. Further themes and activities will be announced shortly. The NJ Coalition for Education and Positive Choices is a new action and result-oriented team comprised of several law enforcement agencies, educators, elected officials, scouts, organized sports, musicians, businesses and parents working together to unite our communities in the war against drug and alcohol addiction.
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