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Vol. 2 • No. 4 April 2019

Dad’s Cancer Diagnosis Sends Daughter on Baking Spree for Charity

Denville Life • April 2019 • Page 3

Page 4 • April 2019 • Denville Life

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Denville Life • April 2019 • Page 5

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Page 6 • April 2019 • Denville Life

European Wax Center Joins the Fight Against the Pink Tax

uropean Wax Center (EWC) is a brand that empowers confident women every day. EWC first launched its #AxThePinkTax campaign in 2018 to raise awareness surrounding the often-overlooked Pink Tax: the extra amount of money women are charged for everyday products and services throughout their lives. The “tax” is present everywhere from baby bottles and personal care products to clothes, canes, and more. As the Clio award-winning campaign enters its second year this April, EWC will take the campaign to the next level by not only continuing to raise awareness through education but also by providing people with tools to take action and ignite a movement. The Pink Tax is absurd, and EWC is taking action. “As multiple studies have confirmed, The Pink Tax is real. It affects not only the millions of women who come to our centers, those who work at EWC locations, but all women, everywhere,” says Sherry Baker, President of Marketing and Product Development for European Wax Center. “Due to The Pink Tax, the average woman is charged an extra $1,351 each year for basic goods and services, which is money women will never get a say in how to spend and money that will never get invested, donated, or used to fund a passion project or business. We know that women know their worth, and we are going to help them claim it.” In addition to the 2015 landmark New York study: From Cradle to Cane: The Cost of Being a Female Consumer*, a new 2018 study

by the U.S. Government Accountability Office** on gender-related price differences revealed that while they acknowledge that the Pink Tax exists, not enough people speak up about it because the price differences are difficult for consumers to identify and therefore, many of them continue to be unaware that it exists. As a result, the government has assumed a status quo stance with no plans to take action. With this insight, EWC will amplify its efforts to raise awareness about this unfair pricing practice to help create a consumer outcry to inspire change. The #AxThePinkTax campaign will kick off its second year with a new look and feel, calling out the absurdity of The Pink Tax with eye-catching and overtly strong visual assets. From the AxThePinkTax landing page, to Instagram, to print ads in magazines and on digital media, the campaign will reflect a new bold and fierce look. EWC will engage women and men throughout the U.S. this April with a robust 360 campaign that includes media partnerships, live events & activations, street art & wild postings, Starter P.AX (digital toolkits to help people take action), in-center visual takeover and programming, social media, an Influencer program, and an updated website. The multi-faceted campaign includes: Media Partnerships: EWC will partner with Popsugar on a custom content series and Bustle Digital Group on an Instagram story/ad series. The message will also be spread through advertising on Hulu with a comedian video, and in Marie Claire maga-

Denville Life • April 2019 • Page 7

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Page 8 • April 2019 • Denville Life

zine’s “Power Your Purpose” April edition, as well as podcast reads. Live Events & Activations: The #AxThePinkTax campaign will hit the road in April to reach different audiences across the country. EWC will partner with fashion and lifestyle website, Man Repeller for a three-city comedy tour, to highlight the absurdity of the Pink Tax in New York City, Chicago and Houston. And, in partnership with Ladies Get Paid and the Ellevate Network, both organizations that help to close the pay and leadership gap for women through career development, EWC will host panel discussions focused on education and how to “Ax The Pink Tax.” The Ladies Get Paid panels will take place in Atlanta, D.C. and Boston, while the Ellevate Network’s panel event will be in New York City, moderated by Sherry Baker, and livestreamed through the Ellevate Network. Street Art, Out of Home & Wild Postings: Female street artists have been commissioned to create #AxThePinkTax murals in highly trafficked areas around Miami, L.A., and Houston. Each mural will depict a set of pink and blue wings, with a price disparity, highlighting the price differences in men’s and women’s products to create must-share Instagrammable moments. To further level the playing field, in addition to their quoted rates, each female artist will be compensated an extra $1,351 for the money that they have lost due to The Pink Tax in 2019. Inspired wild postings will be seen around New York City as well. Starter P.AX: Packaged as a digital kit called a «Starter P.AX» for download on AxThePinkTax.com, the packs include information on how to post proof on social media, pre-written e-cards,

shareable graphics, and more. EWC Centers: Throughout April, each EWC center in the U.S. will echo the messaging, look, and feel of the national campaign with #AxThePinkTax window clings, lobby posts, front desk and product wall assets, suite signage, mirror clings, shopping bags and Pink Tax buttons that associates will wear. Guests will have the opportunity to win Pink Tax swag, service and product discounts, and loyalty points with percentages all related to The Pink Tax, through EWC’s “Wax On, Tax off ” peel-off cards. EWC will also provide “Pink Tax Free” window clings for all EWC locations and will offer the clings to other businesses that demonstrate Pink Taxfree practices. Social Media & Influencers: EWC social media content will bring attention to the Pink Tax through videos and other content that displays the absurdity of gender-related price differences and #AxThePinkTax giphy stickers will be accessible through Instagram to help followers show their frustration. A curated group of Influencers will leverage their voices to bring awareness to this cause and urge their followers to take action. AxThePinkTax.com: AxThePinkTax.com provides educational resources and tips on how to take action on The Pink Tax including the 2015 and 2018 gender pricing studies, a calculator tool to learn how much women have lost in their lifetimes to The Pink Tax, downloadable Starter P.AX, EWC›s philanthropic partnerships, and more. To learn more, visit www.AxThePinkTax.com.

Denville Life • April 2019 • Page 9

Page 10 • April 2019 • Denville Life

Animal Advocate in Denville Township Builds Relationships with Two and Four Legged Friends By Ricki Demarest

enville Township Animal Control Officer Meredith Petrillo once spent five days of her life wrangling 185 cats. She has kept swans in her bathtub, fawns in her yard, and ducklings in her kiddie pool. One Halloween night, Petrillo and local police performed an intricate reunion between a mother bear and treed cubs. Costumed children continued to trick or treat nearby. Denville Mayor Tom Andes recently said he will never forget how Petrillo extricated a trapped squirrel from a car hood – eighteen years ago. “It was stuck between the radiator and the fan and it was mad,” Andes said. “I watched her manipulate that squirrel with the greatest of care. We are lucky to have her.” The words of her husband Gary Petrillo underlined his wife’s passion for her vocation. “She’s the most dedicated person regarding animal control. It’s her life, its 24-seven,” he stressed. “She gets a call and she’s out. She’s concerned for the animals more than anything else.” “In all honesty she has the biggest heart in the world for anybody who can do this job. It comes naturally,” Petrillo emphasized. In addition to serving as the township’s Animal Control Officer, Meredith Petrillo is the Director of the

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Denville Life • April 2019 • Page 11

Morris County Animal Response team and a member of the state’s Venomous Snake Response Team. She has forged a network of other local and regional animal shelters to rescue and rehome lost and abandoned pets. Two immensely popular Denville Township animal shelter fundraisers she has helped launch are the bi-annual Dogs Gone Wild event and Denville’s Lunar New Year parade. Both immensely popular affairs are only two examples of Petrillo’s successful efforts to educate the public about animal needs and behaviors. Meredith Petrillo’s lifelong dedication to animals began in childhood. She grew up catching and releasing snakes and turtles every chance she got. At the age of five, a pivotal encounter with a black bear sparked joy and fascination that she still feels when working with furry neighbors. “We were living on the west side of Cedar Lake and my Mom was in the kitchen,” she explained. “I looked out the window and

saw what I thought was my neighbor’s black Labrador Retriever walking up the road. I went running out to catch it. My mom, not far behind me, started yelling ‘That’s not a dog that’s a bear!’ Petrillo continued, “I was scooped up by a passerby and told never to do that again. Well, you can never tell a 5-year-old not to do that again. I just waited until I could do this as a job along with helping all animals.” After high school, she became a Veterinary Technician at the Bedminster Animal Hospital. She married and

Page 12 • April 2019 • Denville Life

“We have had such great feedback from people who really appreciate an event that tires their pups out so much too!” Carr stated. had twins in July of 1984. Six months later, she was back to work part time. In 1991, Petrillo studied and became a certified Animal Control Officer. After working part time in three towns for years, Denville Township hired her as a full time Animal Control Officer within the Township’s Health Department in 1999. She began carrying out the tasks of animal licensing, animal control and running the available animal shelter. “The laws were evolving in the animal control world, animals were becoming more and more the family member and not the working animals they were in the past,” Petrillo noted. “Animal cruelty was becoming more public, people were reporting animals not being cared for the way the law provides.” Transferred to the police department, she said the force welcomed her with open arms. Petrillo also became an animal cruelty investigator in 2002. “The support I receive from the police and township as a whole allows me to do a job that I love to do.” Petrillo emphasized that she is a civilian who is empowered to enforce local and state animal welfare laws. “People don’t like me when I issue summonses,” she said. “I try to respect people. Everybody has different views. People think I’m gruff but I’m only one person. I don’t have time to pussyfoot around. The law is the law.” In 2004, Petrillo found an innovative way to enforce one of

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those laws. She came up with the idea for a township dog park in order to curtail the issue of dogs running ‘at large.’ As a township councilman, Andes admitted that he didn’t get why Petrillo wanted money to fence in a doggy play area. “I couldn’t comprehend that much money for dogs,” he said. “She said to me ‘I’m going to have this event - Dogs Gone Wild. She promised us she would raise the money and she would pay back the money for the fence,” Andes said. “I went over there, and I walked in and I was sold in about a minute. I saw happy dogs and happier people.” Since then, the bi-annual Dogs Gone Wild has become a muchloved canine and owner extravaganza. The next Dogs Gone Wild is scheduled for Sat. May 11 at Cooks Pond. Terrie Carr, WDHA 105.5 FM’s Program Director and Midday Host serves as the official DJ for the day. “Rock listeners love their pets so getting a day out with their dog, running free and meeting other pet owners is something they love to do,” Carr stated recently. “We have had such great feedback from people who really appreciate an event that tires their pups out so much too!” Carr claimed that Petrillo is the “backbone of animal welfare in this area.” She has become friendly with Petrillo after working with her on several animal adoption projects. “I had

Denville Life • April 2019 • Page 13

FREEHOLDER

H Douglas Cabana H H Tom Mastrangelo H H Kathy DeFillippo H Freeholder Director 2000-2001,2017-current Attorney in Private Practice Past President, NJ Assoc of Counties Former Mayor and Committeeman, Boonton Township Former President, Morris County League of Municipalities Resident of Boonton Township

Freeholder Freeholder Director, 2013-2015 Liaison NJ Association of Counties Working to make government more efficient 25+ year experience in information technology JD.Seton Hall School of Law; MBA,FDU Resident of Montville

Former Mayor and Councilwoman of Roxbury Past President, Roxbury Chamer of Commerce Former Brd Member, Nat MS Society, NJ Metro Founder of the Roxbury MS Walk Retired Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Resident of Roxbury with husband Robert & 3 children

VOTE JUNE 4TH TEAM MORRIS 2019

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heard quite a bit about Meredith’s contribution to the community shortly after I started WDHA’s Rock N’ Ruff program in 2010,” Carr said. “We decided to do an adoption day right at the station about a year after the program started and she reached out to me to offer to bring her trailer so we could properly showcase cats that day. I was still learning about shelter rules, safety and how to put together a pet event. Her trailer was a smashing success and many cats and kittens found homes that day.” “Meredith is a great teacher and does her job with a purity of heart that is sometimes hard to find. For her, it is all about the animals. Their well-being, dignity and care,” Carr said. Carr and some of her co-workers have adopted animals through Petrillo. Her “precious Rosie” was one of Petrillo’s many fortunate rescue animals. Meanwhile Petrillo remains an ever-popular guest on Carr’s Rock N’ Ruff radio show and podcast. “I rely on her expertise as an animal control officer if I have questions,” Carr explained. “She is always a great interview because she speaks from the heart. Doesn’t sugar coat

anything and is open and honest.” Meanwhile, The Happy Hound Playground has flourished as evidence of Denville Township’s culture of animal care and education. After selling the petless Andes on the idea he said his son Joe helped with the project. “My youngest son was looking for an Eagle Scout project. He designed and built all the equipment for the agility area,” the mayor explained. In the process, Joe Andes became both a dog owner and great friends with Petrillo. The Happy Hound Playground has expanded and relocated over the years, another example of Petrillo’s communication skill. It is a controlled facility. Dogs using the park must be friendly, disease free and have current vaccinations. “The police and I patrol the park. Just this year we have purchased security cameras that allow us to view the entire dog park along with the parking lot and a view of the turf field,” Petrillo emphasized. “The dog park has lights which allow dog owners to come up to 9:30 p.m. The park has three areas - a large dog area, a small dog area and a training agility area.” Denville residents pay $35 to use

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Denville Life • April 2019 • Page 15

the park. Non-residents pay $50. When she’s not out on a call, Petrillo can be found at the township’s animal shelter building. Opened in 1997, the no-kill shelter has hosted goats, chickens, pigs, pythons, and tarantulas along with plenty of dogs, cats and rabbits. Recently, a large lizard rested comfortably in its cage while two rabbits, a tank full of fish, two dogs and a room full of cats waited for their forever homes. The main portion of the shelter has three indoor-outdoor dog runs and two standing cages. There is an isolation ward for new arrivals. Cats have a separate room with climbing equipment and bedding in each cage. The shelter boasts a donated washer-drier unit and an entire donated kitchen, along with a special bath tub. Paul Sedlacek, DVM from the Animal Clinic of Morris Plains provides low cost veterinary care for the shelter. He also maintains a disease control program for the shelter and low cost spay/neuter services. Deb Clark has worked at the shelter with Petrillo since 2012. “I go in the door and I’m glad to be there and help with the animals. It’s a little labor of love. We have our chores every day,” Clark noted. “I take care of everything. We have a couple of volunteers who come in and help.” Cleaning dishes, doing laundry, feeding animals and cleaning out their cages takes more than her paid two hours a day. Fortunately, Clark stated that Denville is full of animal lovers who provide a steady supply of food, toys, bedding and towels. “Girl scout troops do donations. Small children will donate to the shelter instead of (getting) birthday pres-

ents!”, she said. Although Clark enjoys caring for the creatures, she said she and Petrillo are always thrilled to place them. The shelter has its own Facebook page. Clark said it does a splendid job of getting the word out about the shelter’s residents. The shelter does not charge an adoption fee, accepting donations instead. Petrillo said that while 95 percent of the dogs she picks up are claimed by their owners, only one percent of the cats are. An average of 65 animals are adopted from the township’s shelter every year. Through the years, Petrillo has forged relationships with other regional municipal and private animal shelters. “Denville Township allows us to assist other shelters that have overcrowding, a disaster or animal hoarding incidents by providing space if we have enough room,” she said. “The big question everyone asks is are we no kill - yes - we are no kill.” Volunteers are always welcome at the shelter and Petrillo noted that they are a huge part of the facility’s success. She has steady help with dog walking and two young ladies who are always there on the weekends. One very young volunteer has donated her time by reading books to the dogs and cats. Petrillo did say that all the animals, especially the cats, could use more interaction with male volunteers. Interested volunteers can call (973) 627-4900 or email mpetrillo@denvillepolice.org. When Petrillo isn’t working to reunite people with their domestic animals, she helps people co-exist with local wildlife. “Most animals are in our residential neighbors for one

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thing - food. Removal of that food source will assist in the removal of that animal,” Petrillo explained. “I have had raccoons with peanut butter jars stuck on their heads. Deer getting into fenced in yards unable to get out, skunks, raccoon’s baby duck and fawns getting into swimming pools unable to get out.” In addition, she said, owls, bats, and birds get into homes through the fireplace. The Animal Clinic of Morris Plains also provides free care to injured and orphaned wildlife. While Petrillo said she tends to get more calls for wild animals than domestic ones that are running wild, licensing a pet is vital to its overall health and well-being. “First the tag you receive from the townships is a visible sign the dog or cat is current on its rabies shot,” she explained. “If this tag is seen then the person bitten by that animal knows there is a good possibility that the animal is current on its rabies shot and will have time for animal control to locate the animal before the human has to start shots. The second reason is if your pet gets out and is located by another resident, police or animal control will be able to expedite the return before the animal is taken to the shelter.” Unlicensed animals garner summonses for owners. This year Denville is offering a three-year dog license. Three hundred have been issued to date. Petrillo said she licenses about 2,600 dogs each year. “I love educating people on what they should be doing,” Petrillo said in summation of her job. “My ultimate goal is to educate people to where I wouldn’t have a job.” Considering the immense role Petrillo plays in public education, whether on a one on one basis or through public speaking she should be busy helping animals and people for a long time to come.

Denville Life • April 2019 • Page 17

Dad’s Cancer Diagnosis Sends Daughter on Baking Spree for Charity

Unfortunately, at the same time, Olivia’s dad, Chuck, was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer and began a year long stint of surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy. As Chuck was preparing for his final treatment of chemotherapy, Olivia wanted to thank the doctors and nurses for saving her dad’s life so she baked a superhero sheet cake since he is a big superhero buff. Thanks to the doctors and nurses, Olivia got a second chance with her dad. “I really just wanted to make something that my dad could bring to say thank you to the people who kept him alive. What else can a ten-year-old really do?” Olivia shared. Arriving at the hospital for his final chemotherapy appointment, Chuck greeted the staff with the cake baked and decorated by Olivia. The

By Megan Roche

or Morris Knolls Junior, Olivia O’Donnell, her passion came at the age of eight. Olivia, the baby of the O’Donnell family, tried everything from gymnastics, dance, and art classes but never truly found her niche. After her mom dropped her and big sister, Molly, at a cake decorating class at a local Michaels, it finally all came together. Olivia loved it so much that she asked that her 10th birthday party be held at Ava’s Cupcakes, a bakery that had won Cupcake Wars on the Food Network. Following the party, the bakery owner told mom, Jamie, that she was very impressed with Olivia’s abilities and offered to have Olivia begin a junior apprenticeship.

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Page 18 • April 2019 • Denville Life

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team of doctors and nurses were so grateful and were amazed at Olivia’s incredible talent. For only ten years old, the cake was a masterpiece. From that moment on, Sweet Livy’s was born. “Once the doctors and nurses found out that this cake was baked by a ten year old, it made it even more special. The cake was the talk of the floor. It’s still a story that the doctors and nurses share. It definitely left an impact on them and it was really cool to see them react like that.” Chuck said. After posting a photo of the superhero cake on Facebook, Jamie was contacted by someone from the American Cancer Society

to see if Olivia would be willing to participate in their upcoming Relay for Life. It was at that point that Olivia made the commitment to raise funds for cancer research through her baking. She decided her business would be called Sweet Livy’s and sat down and created her own logo. Since that time, Chuck has made a full recovery, but Olivia has kept her commitment to bake for cancer. Churning out thousands of cupcakes a year, Sweet Livy’s has partnered with the American Cancer Society and Viking Bakery and Olivia will be baking for her seventh year for the Relay for Life in June.

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Denville Life • April 2019 • Page 19

George To The Rescue.

To bake a ton of cupcakes, you would need a pretty big kitchen, right? When Chuck beat cancer, the family was approached by George Oliphant of the TV show George to the Rescue in 2013. After hearing about Liv’s charity baking aspirations and what Chuck had gone through health wise, Oliphant and his team were inspired to help. The O’Donnell’s kitchen was not functional, the oven taking an hour just to preheat. With Olivia involved in the cupcake baking business, their kitchen just wouldn’t do. The show moved the family to a nearby hotel while Oliphant and his team demolished their old kitchen and built a beautiful new one for them. As an extra special treat for an extra special girl, they surprised Olivia with a brand-new Kitchen Aid mixer, complete with a pulley system to move it up and down from its own unique cabinet storage space. One might say that because of a devasting diagnosis, Olivia was able to find her passion and joy. Her ultimate goal is to raise $30,000 for cancer research. While it may seem like an arbitrary number to some, it has special meaning to Olivia and cancer patients nationwide. “$30,000 helps one person receive eight weeks of chemotherapy. I want to try to raise enough to put at least one person through chemotherapy treatments.” Olivia said. Olivia is sponsored by Viking Bakery, who generously provide her with all the ingredients and baking space she needs to bake the over 1,000 cupcakes each year that help raise money for the American Cancer Society. She spends two full days baking, icing, and decorating, usually from right after school and well into the night. You’re probably wondering if this sixteen-year-old wants any help and the answer is no. “I go there, and I am there all day baking and a couple days later, I’m there all day frosting and decorating. I am very particular with decorating so I do everything myself. I make everything from scratch.” Olivia shared. Now a junior in high school, Olivia is known as the baker amongst her community. She bakes all the desserts for family parties and for those who request her special treats. However, she knows that it wouldn’t have all happened if it weren’t for the people who helped her get there along the way, especially the folks at Viking Bakery. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Viking

Page 20 • April 2019 • Denville Life

Bakery of Denville for their extreme generosity and thoughtfulness. They supply me with not only their facility to bake in but all of my ingredients and packaging. This would have been so much more challenging without them and I am forever grateful.” Olivia said. While she is at the bakery, there is a lot prep work that goes into Olivia’s baking crusade. Since everything is made from scratch, she has to test out the oven temperature to make sure her cupcakes will rise properly and has had to learn how to create her recipes on a mass scale. She bakes batch after batch at the bakery and even has secret ingredients that not even her family knows. As Olivia will be preparing for college next year, this will be her final year of participating in the Relay for Life. Once she graduates from high school in 2020, she plans on attending college to major in business. As for those baking aspirations? Her dream is to be able to open her own café where her creations can be shared with a wider audience. “We are very proud of her. This has become part of our annual routine. We have had a lot of support from our community and their generosity and encouragement have motivated Olivia to keep going each year. Olivia’s sister, Molly, also gets involved by gathering her friends on the day of the event to help us set up and we always celebrate afterwards with friends and family. We aren’t sad that she’s not going to participate in the Relay anymore, but it

is going to be different next year when she’s not involved.” Jamie and Chuck shared. “I have always been proud of my sister’s accomplishments and am so thankful to be a member of a college sorority that supports the Make a Wish Foundation, raising money for children with cancer,” said Molly, Olivia’s older sister. Giving back to others is in Olivia’s blood. When she is not baking, she’s volunteering with the Leo Club, which sponsors a Special Olympics event for Morris Knolls and Morris Hills area students, the Key Club, and is a major member of the Morris Knolls choirs. If you think these are just run of the mill cupcakes, think again. Olivia gets very involved when it comes to flavors. Past flavors include banana split, chocolate salted caramel, margarita, and many more. Don’t fear though, Olivia also makes the classic chocolate and vanilla cupcakes as well. To raise additional donations, Olivia and her family sell Sweet Livy’s bracelets and t-shirts. Preorders for Sweet Livy’s cupcakes will start on May 1. Olivia is currently planning out the flavors for this year’s fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and more information will be available once the flavors are determined on Sweet Livy’s Facebook page. Straight donations can also be made at www.main.acsevents.org/ goto/sweetlivys. All monies raised from cupcake, bracelet, and t-shirt sales are donated to the American Cancer Society for cancer research.

Denville Life • April 2019 • Page 21

Denville School Celebrates Kids with Autism and Special Needs, Beaming Not Broken

ByJillianRisberg or 15 fantastic years, Celebrate the Children has helped autistic and special needs children realize their full potential while supporting all those who love them. The state-approved model school for ages 3-21 has grown from three students to 130 students serving 75 different districts across the Garden State, with an addi-

tional student from New York and one from Pennsylvania. According to Lauren Blaszak, CTC co-founder and executive director, the program has grown because of the methodology. They utilize the DIR (Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-Based) intervention developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan and Dr. Serena Wieder. “DIR is different from other methodologies, it’s just re-

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ally thinking about how you’re connecting with a child, building a relationship, thinking about the child’s individual profile, how is the child experiencing the world, then using that as a foundation to support their growth and development,” Blaszak says. Within this approach they presume competence in the children, the executive director says. Trish Boll of East Hanover can definitely attest to this. Her daughter, Vickie started CTC in the summer of 2007. She chose the school after being blown away with Blaszak. The executive director asked what Vickie liked to do at home and Boll said she is obsessed with Elmo. “Lauren picked up an Elmo doll and immediately started to engage with Vickie. Lauren expanded on the play and got Vickie to vocalize by making various noises with Elmo,” Boll says. “Vickie’s eye contact was directly on Lauren. She was connected immediately. This had been a very difficult task for Vickie up until this point. Lauren explained the DIR/ Floortime method that is used at Celebrate the Children.”

She explained that it utilizes the power of relationships and human connections to help kids communicate, socialize and learn. “We were hooked,” Boll says. “From this point on CTC was our new home away from home.” Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder related to brain development that impairs the ability to communicate and interact with others. More than 3.5 million Americans currently live with ASD, and 1 in 68 children are born with a variation of it, so you may certainly know someone on the spectrum. Many people support the cause by wearing blue on April 2, Autism Awareness Day as Autism Speaks kicks off its yearly campaign, Light It Up Blue to help raise awareness for this important day. “Individuals with autism may have a different way of thinking about things or expressing themselves but it’s a time to celebrate neurodiversity,” Blaszak says. “We don’t look at children who have autism or other

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Denville Life • April 2019 • Page 23

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special needs as having cognitive disorders, we look at it as more of a sensory motor challenge,” Blaszak says. According to the co-director, it’s a very big difference when you’re interacting and engaging a child and adapting a curriculum to their individual learning profile and working on their IEP Goals and Objectives. According to Blaszak, within DIR, there’s the developmental approach versus a more behavioral type approach and not to say that one is better than the other. “I don’t believe that they should be so polarized and we actually work at our school to integrate different types of programs that will benefit the child,” she says. The CTC co-director calls ‘you’ve met a child with autism, you’ve met a child with autism’ a true statement. “Each child is different and when you teach to the label, you don’t see the progress in the kids,” she says. “You have to really take a look at their individual profile.” The longstanding relationship with the school’s team of educators, doctors, etc. has meant so much to the Frick family. “CTC gave us a roadmap, training to re-

inforce therapies at home, a highly skilled and unbelievably creative staff who are dedicated to expanding each student’s unique strengths. According to Boll, Vickie has progressed tremendously academically. “My husband and I are not able to help with her math homework because it is well beyond our scope of understanding,” she says. “We never thought this would be possible for her when she was diagnosed with autism as a toddler. She wrote a speech for

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her eighth grade graduation that shows how amazing she is.” Another important piece with DIR is the heavy focus on working with the family and emphasizing their involvement. “Autism is not a 9 to 3 job and we do a lot of work at the school, not only with parent training and community outreach but parent coaching and making sure we have good relationships with the families,” Blaszak says. “If we’re rowing the boat together we’re going to get there quicker and if we’re not, then we’re not,” Blaszak tells the parents. “So it’s critical that you’re involved.” For Mariana Zamora, CTC has been a sanctuary for her family, a home. “Our son Gabriel [Gabby] does not suffer from autism, he was diagnosed with microcephaly at the age of two,” says Zamora, of Hackettstown. “It means his head is smaller than expected, resulting in a smaller brain causing multiple intellectual disabilities and global developmental delays.” The executive director says anytime you visit the school, you’re going to see parents and districts there. “When it comes to the parents — whether they’re coming to observe, coming for training, observing a speech session, they want to learn how to better use a communication device at home,” she says. “We recognize that as a real strength of the program.” That’s probably why they see a lot of progress in the kids — from the carry over between home and school. Kim Frick’s 21-year-old son Connor graduated from CTC last June after spending six years as a full-time student.

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At the beginning, he really struggled with sustaining any type of shared attention. Early sessions were spent rolling a ball back and forth with the therapist and she used toys he enjoyed playing with as tools to expand on his very limited ability to engage and close circles of communication. “The task was complicated by the fact that he was functionally non-verbal,” Frick says. “The therapist was extremely creative and flexible in using a developmental approach to enable him to build a skill set. I often describe him as being born without an operating system, pretty much everything had to be built from the ground up.”

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When Blaszak was in grad school, she didn’t know what population she wanted to work with so on a whim she decided to try special needs. “I had gone into this preschool and it was actually the first public school program in New Jersey that used DIR,” she says. “So Monica (co-founder and executive director, Monica Osgood) had started this program in Mt. Arlington and I had come to work within that program, which is how we met.” “I don’t know what happened, but it was a whirlwind, within like six months I really took to it, I understood it, it made such sense to me,” Blaszak says. “I became very vested and interested because it was so new.” At that point no schools did DIR, everyone did only ABA, according to the co-director. “There was not as much research. People didn’t really believe that it would be beneficial. So it was a cutting edge thing at the time because it was done in a therapeutic setting,” she says. It was the first time it was really being mainstreamed in educational settings, so that was a new frontier in terms of the educational world. “Socially Vickie has come leaps and bounds from flapping her hands and ignoring anyone who tried to engage with her to having many friends at school whom she socializes with on the weekends,” Boll says. At the time, Blaszak and Osgood worked as behavioral

consultants to public school districts in New Jersey and New York and with child study teams and teachers to integrate DIR into the public schools. “People were just eating it up and more people wanted it,” Blaszak says. “I think when you’re a parent of a child with special needs and you know your child the best — you’re only given one way to teach your child. For some kids that will work but maybe for my kid it’s not working or I need something different.” Zamora says their “I don’t know what happened, but it was a journey has been whirlwind, within like six months I really took to full of obstacles and it, I understood it, it made such sense to me,” uphill battles. After Blaszak says. “I became very vested and they received Gabinterested because it was so new.” by’s diagnosis they felt lost and confused, bouncing from one specialist to the next without any concrete answers. CTC has given them hope for a better future for their eight-year-old. “He is cherished, loved and accepted for who he is, encouraged to rejoice in the fact that being different makes him unique and special,” Zamora says. “We have seen him become more verbal and independent in his daily living skills. Their expectations are high when it comes to his progress so it makes him feel capable and empowers him to be better each day.”

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According to Blaszak, as a parent you should have a choice. That thought process was a vehicle for them to say, ‘we see the need, there are so many kids being diagnosed.’ They couldn’t keep up with all the consultant work and started to consider if they could open a school. And the rest is history. “It took us two and a half years; we were the first DIR school to open in New Jersey,” Blaszak says. “It was a lot of work but so worth it. That’s probably why we’ve continued to grow. It’s very specialized but also an opportunity for parents who have tried other things or want to move in a different direction to have that option.” Throughout Connor’s life he continued to work on developmentally relevant goals. “Now that he has graduated it is really satisfying to see the skills have ‘stuck’ and he is employing them in the community at large. He is engaged, social and generally very happy,” Frick says. And the school tries to maintain very good relationships with the sending districts and they’re always available for

training and support. “We take great pride in transitioning kids back to district, so every year we have a few kids who go back into their mainstream, home district and that is the goal,” Blaszak says. “We’ve been very fortunate that we’ve been able to open the school and we’re in the position we are now.” When Boll and Vickie go food shopping, sometimes the hustle and bustle of the store can exacerbate her autistic symptoms. “People stare. Not just children, but adults too,” Boll says, adding that Vickie asked her to tell them she is smart. “They look at me like I am stupid,” Vickie says. “Tell them I can do algebra. Tell them to say hi to me. I am a fierce friend they would want to have. Tell them mom.” At the end of the day, Boll wants people with autism to be respected by everyone. “Not just their families, friends or teachers,” she says. “They want to be seen by all people as the awesome individuals they are.”

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Page 30 • April 2019 • Denville Life

Celebrate Spring with Denville’s Popular Annual Event

By Dawn M Chiossi pring, hop, jump. They are all different words conveying the same message; get ready to get going. Now with the event of springtime on the horizon, with its various holidays approaching, there’s no better time to do so. There’s something about this time of year that calls to us: from seeing the first spring blossoms of crocus, daffodils, hyacinths, and lilies, to blooming trees, to the pastels of Easter eggs, to the utter joy on children’s faces at seeing the Easter Bunny, and baskets filled with chocolates and other goodies, there’s something rejuvenating about this time of the year. They can put a sparkle in the eyes of children or coax a smile out of the most stressed out and irritable of people. Surroundings transform from winter white to pops of color. The world seems to explode into pinks, blues, purples, yellows, oranges, greens. People see it all over from the seasonal flowers to brightly colored jelly beans and candies. Where else but at Easter time can ordinary hard-boiled eggs be transformed into color-rich beautiful ones? Traditionally, these spring holidays might be geared towards the little ones, but people of every age respond to the idea of casting aside winter doldrums for sunshine and springtime pursuits. Embracing the small town community feel of Denville, and supporting its citizens, business owners, and residents, Downtown Denville’s Business Improvement District (BID) is excited to celebrate their next festive event to share with the town. It’s all about ringing in the spring season and it’s various holidays. Easter, Passover or just celebrating the delights of nature and the season of Spring…it is a time of rebirth and rejuvenation. Moods turn lighter, more restless. People are itching to get outside, soak up the springtime. Downtown Denville’s Business Improvement District’s annual spring event is ideal. “Hop into Denville’s Annual Eggtravaganza” will now be called “Spring into Denville.” Even though it’s got a brand-new name, it still has the same delights it always had--just a little more inclusive. Taking place on Sat. April 20th, located in the heart of Downtown Denville, this festive event will be a veritable celebration of spring and its various holidays. Held from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m., everyone is invited. Filled with fun and whimsy, this event is perfect for little ones and families from all over. There is no admission fee. Last year, the Easter event was so popular, there were approximately an impressive 500 people attending. They are hoping for even more people for this year’s turnout. Taking pride in the quaint town of Denville and celebrating what it means to be Main Street America, the Denville Downtown Business Improvement District was founded in 2017 by downtown property owners. This nonprofit had one specific objective

in mind; to provide promotional efforts, improvements and enhancements all around Downtown Denville to enhance the community. Through the creative and diligent efforts of dedicated and passionate members and volunteers, their mission is to embrace community spirit and spread cheer all over the town. By providing these efforts they seek to drive commerce, create economic opportunity that appeals to all residents, shoppers, business people and community members alike. Their goal is to create a rich and vibrant downtown in which Denville can flourish. Denville offers an array of shops, restaurants and services for all to enjoy. Spring into Denville is only the latest in a whole calendar full of popular events that the Downtown Denville BID hosts. “We wanted this event to be more inclusive, and more non-denominational,” explains Ryan Gleason, Executive Director for Downtown Denville Business Improvement District (BID). “Everyone can celebrate spring, but not everyone celebrates Easter per-se. By renaming the event, it’s something that everyone can enjoy and participate in.” Warm and eager regarding this event and the Downtown Denville BID itself, Gleason has been involved with the organization for two years. In talking to him it is easy to see his enthusiasm in bringing enhancements to the town. “I have always admired Denville’s quaint downtown and strong sense of community,” he shares. “I jumped at the chance to help guide and develop the downtown in the future.” Part of that enhancements are the creative, festive celebrations that the Downtown Denville BID sponsors, and Spring into Denville is no exception. In the close-knit community of Denville, they are thrilled. “When we took this event over from the Chamber of Commerce, it had been running for I don’t know how many years,” Gleason tells. “We wanted to keep the best things about it, while at the same time, making it bigger and better, more inclusive than it ever was before.” There will be flags, pageantry and much to enjoy, and Gleason is excited to announce that one of their biggest sponsors for this year’s event will be Lakeland Bank. For Gleason and the officials at Denville Downtown BID, Spring into Denville is about taking these much beloved traditions and enhancing them. For example, take the idea of a classic Easter Egg Hunt. Denville Downtown BID has an interesting take on the tradition, taking their cues from another childhood favorite holiday of Halloween. “Our Eggstravaganza is different, it’s like Halloween for Easter,” Gleason enthuses. He explains that instead of a standard egg hunt where groups of children are littered around a lawn or park, hunting for hidden eggs, and collecting them (where some children might not fare as well as others) Denville’s egg hunt is quite unique. Children will be able to go into various down-

Denville Life • April 2019 • Page 31

town businesses and receive the brightly colored plastic eggs from business owners. Inside they will be thrilled to find surprises such as store coupons, deals, goodies and chocolates, or treats of some kind. “Children can go from store to store receiving and collecting them much like they do when trick-or-treating,” Gleason remarks. “They can get the eggs, while their parents can browse in the stores, exploring, and perhaps do a little shopping.” Gleason discloses that last year the event was so popular that they went through approximately 10,000 plastic eggs alone. So far, 30 to 40 businesses have signed up to participate in this year’s spring event already. “Everyone just seems to love it, children, their parents, and the business owners,” Gleason enthuses. “It’s a win- win for everyone.” In addition, children and their parents will be elated to take photos with the costumed Easter Bunny, “Many children even dress up in their Easter best,” Gleason shares. “They are so eager to get started on the holiday.” Spring into Denville will hold many various entertainments and amusements for the children to enjoy such as face painting, a magician, a balloon maker, and much more. To put attendees in the mood to celebrate, there will be an MC booth playing music off of a spring related playlist. As April is Autism Awareness month, Gleason is thrilled to include them in this year’s celebration. There will be tables set up featuring Autism charities, Denville’s own SPARK and Celebrate the Children School. “It’ll give everyone an opportunity to find out who they are and what they do, raising awareness to this import-

ant condition,” Gleason says. “We are so excited to bring them to this event this year.” The public has rallied around this lovely staple of the season. “People get such a big kick out of this celebration. they just love it.” Gleason mentions that in addition to seeing lots of familiar faces at the event, they will see many new ones as well. “There’s so much foot traffic in the downtown. People who are shopping, browsing around, eating at the restaurants. It’s great,” he relates. “It’s a wonderful way for everyone to enjoy and see what Denville has to offer.” When asked what his favorite thing is about the Spring into Denville event in particular, Gleason is both sentimental and practical. “With all our events that we do we focus on different things. For example, our Lunar New Year Event focus on culture, learning about it, celebrating it. Spring into Denville is more about focusing on families and these family events,” he explains. When sharing that his own family even often attends the Easter event, he says. “My favorite thing is seeing the faces of the kids and their parents, they are so happy.” No matter the event that the Downtown Denville BID puts on, the enthusiasm from everyone, vendors, retailers and attendees is infectious. Which brings Gleason to his second favorite thing as well, “Denville’s such a tight knit community, so supportive, where everyone helps each other out. An event like this is a wonderful way to give back as well.” What is Gleason hoping for most? “I’m hoping for a nice beautiful spring day so that folks will come out and enjoy without having to worry about the weather. It wouldn’t be Easter time without it.”

Page 32 • April 2019 • Denville Life

An Approachable Van, An Approachable Team, All in the Name of Hope

By Steve Sears

he van still arrives for battle, but for a different type of battle. Thomas Purdy visited the Hope One van when it was stationed on a frigid day outside Walmart in Riverdale. He had stopped to buy wiper blades and saw the Hope One van and approached it. “I am in a N.A. program – Narcotics Anonymous.” He then bluntly adds, “I’m a heroin addict. You’re always a heroin addict.” Purdy had heard of the NARCAN program but had never encountered the van nor its NARCAN training prior to this day. Kelly LaBar, a Peer Recovery Specialist for the Center for Addiction Recovery, Education & Success (CARES), had given him a lesson in how to use NARCAN, a nasal spray that aids in the prevention of opioid overdose. “They help everybody,” says Purdy of Hope One. “They help by saving lives. People come to an (NA) meeting high, you hear about it at every meeting that somebody has overdosed. People are dying left and right out there now. And it’s the Fentanyl.” “I think that this has become much of my professional life,” says Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon of Hope One and the fight against drug addiction, “and my personal life, too. I’ve been around in the security and law enforcement business going on four decades, and I’ve seen changes occur.” Gannon in the early 1980s was a Boonton police officer, and often arresting people for possession of heroin. Heroin at that time was 3% pure. Fast forward to 2019 and that percentage is now at 60 - 65% pure. “New Jersey is showing the purest, due to

access to the seaports and the airports. But the real issue here affecting us is more than that. It’s prescription drugs and Fentanyl (opioids pain medication). Fentanyl is 50 times more powerful than heroin.” Gannon and others have seen the spikes in usage and death due to opioid overdosing, and Gannon is aware that roughly 75% of those currently using heroin and fentanyl started out using prescription drugs with legitimate purpose. “It started with a broken bone or a broken tooth,” says Gannon, “and now it’s ending with a broken heart. I think many times people start with a medical purpose and then they end in a tragic way.” Gannon, who had been a homicide detective for 17 years and also worked for the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, had never run for public office, but when he started campaigning, he knocked on over 9,000 Morris County doors, asking residents in many communities what they’re biggest concerns were. Drug addiction was near the top. “Everybody talked about opioids, whether it was a mom with a baby on her shoulder, or a grandmother or grandfather. They talked about opioids, how it affected their family, their friends, their colleagues.” In 2018, 3,118 New Jersey residents were killed or died as a result of drug overdose. “These are guys and gals ages 13 to 80 in Morris County. They have families, they have kids - some of them have grandkids! What are we doing about it?” Gannon was elected and took office on January 2, 2017 and he sprang into further action, convening a team meeting with the Morris County Prosecutor’s office, the Chief’s of Po-

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The Hope One benefit is also spreading to other spots of the Garden State. “There has been statewide interest in the Hope One program as well as most recently Delaware reached out for information,”” says Valvano. Hope One has launched in Newark, Monmouth County, Atlantic County and Cape May County. Other interested agencies include Passaic County, Burlington County and Bergen County.”

lice Association, the Morris County department of Human Services, addiction and mental health specialists, and police officers. All sat around a table as Gannon said, “Listen, if we have a blank piece of canvas, what can we do to curb this problem? What can we do that hasn’t been done before?” The focus was the at-risk population, the people minus support: the homeless, and those with mental health and addiction issues. But here was the key. Rather than dragging people to what Gannon calls “brick and mortar operations”, he suggested bringing services to them instead. Then came the van. “I had an old SWAT vehicle,” Gannon says with a smile, “it looks like Anthony’s Bread Truck, right? I was going to repurpose it and put it somewhere else, but then I said, ‘Let’s use this for Hope One.’ And we did. We took all the police markings off it, there’s no overhead lights on it, there’s no Sheriff’s star on it, there’s not even government license plates. The license plates read ‘Garden State – HOPE ONE’. We needed $15,000 to retro-fit the vehicle for wi-fi, so it could be comfortable, so it could be private, so the heat worked, and things like that – and comfortable to approach. We took $15,000 from drug forfeiture money; no money from the taxpayer. So, drug dealers are paying for a drug program.” Hope One, and the qualified folks accompanying it, meet people where they are, geographically and clinically, doing it in a stigma-free manner. “We don’t judge people,” says Gannon. “A guy comes up to us, say he’s 57-years-old like me, and he’s got a long story. We don’t judge people. We say, ‘Hey, let’s have a

cup of coffee, let’s have a bun, let’s talk about which services are available to you. Maybe we can help you.’ You can’t force it on anybody, people are only ready when they’re ready. But we start the conversation, we provide people with materials to get them on their way.” Hope One also will give out toiletry bags, fresh socks, coats, and more. Gannon and the team also have resources who are treatment providers who can aid the at-risk individual. In addition to educational material on the truck, people were needed. They’re there, no matter where Hope One pulls up to a curb, table outside the van, a welcoming assortment of buns and smiles greeting folks who wander over. First, a Sheriff’s officer, Erica Valvano, who Gannon coins the “Mother of Hope One.” “She is totally invested in it. How she does, what she does, I don’t know. I’m very grateful for her, because she makes it all happen.” Valvano is a Corporal in the Sheriff’s Office. “As coordinator of the Hope One mobile outreach vehicle, I schedule locations, work with community partners and provide outreach in the community. I am also the project coordinator of our Hope One PAARI grant that the Morris County Sheriff’s Office received from the Bureau of Justice in October 2018.” She adds, “Working with the community has truly been a rewarding experience.” In April 2019, Gannon will be starting Hope One PAARI (Police Assisted Addiction Recovery Initiative). “It started out in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and about 45 states are involved right now. We’re going to train police officers in Morris County so that when they’re on patrol, and they see a person who’s in a bad way that’s addicted, they don’t have to wait for the Hope One truck. We can deploy specialists to the police department, free up the police officers and let them get back to their work, and we can deal with that person who has the addiction problem.” Valvano echoes Gannon’s words about bringing services to the client, and she herself selects the spots the Hope One van visits. “We are out in the community offering services outside of retail stores throughout the county as well as reaching out to the at-risk community at soup kitchens. I select our locations based on recent overdose data from the Morris County Sheriff’s Trends and Analysis Team (MCSTAT). The Hope One calendar can be found at www.sheriff.morriscountynj.gov/community/hopeone/. The Hope One benefit is also spreading to other spots

Page 34 • April 2019 • Denville Life

of the Garden State. “There has been statewide interest in the Hope One program as well as most recently Delaware reached out for information,”” says Valvano. Hope One has launched in Newark, Monmouth County, Atlantic County and Cape May County. Other interested agencies include Passaic County, Burlington County and Bergen County.” Madine Despeine, Director of Self Help, Advocacy and Education for the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris County, is also a fixture at Hope One. “As a mental health professional I provide a layer of comfort to individuals who come to the truck as well as offer mental health services to that individual. I connect them to resources such as social groups, therapist, support groups, medication monitoring, case management, housing, etc. These are services many people don’t know where or how to access.” The chief mental health challenge is treatment. “We know that most people who have a substance abuse issue also struggles with mental illness. Many people don’t know where they are, how to get in and how to get there once an appointment is scheduled. Through the Mental Health Association, I can connect them to a case management program that can assist with that as well as linking them to other services. The case manager helps with navigating through a system that can be intimidating and overwhelming for an individual especially if he or she is homeless, self-medicating with drugs and/or alcohol, struggling with mental health issues, and feeling helpless.” Despeine lauds the team she works with. “This is a unique team. We all come from different backgrounds, but we come in contact with the same individuals in our daily work and offer another layer of service/help to him or her. We can have a gentleman just released from the jail that comes to the truck. Kelly (LaBar) will work with someone in recovery but finds out he is struggling with loneliness and depression and will refer him to me. I will then get him involved with some social groups, therapy, the warm line, etc. but he is also struggling financially. He will then go to Ashley (Reed) to see if he qualifies for food stamps and other benefits. We have to work collectively and build our community relationships in order to provide the highest level of services to everyone we help. Sometimes we get parents who are struggling with trying to help their loved one get help but we realize they (the parents) would benefit from some support, therapy and a hug.” “A phenomenal group to partner with,” says Gannon. “These are folks who are certified and know addiction from the inside out.” LaBar knows the long, brutal road of addiction, and its path to recovery. “I was addicted to escaping reality. Drugs and alcohol were a way to do that for me. I am in long term recovery

since January 26, 2003.” She recalls very vividly her past. “I didn’t know anyone that did what I did and got sober, which left me feeling hopeless. Recovery was not something people were so open about. What changed for me was finding a community of other people that were happy and free from drugs and alcohol. Having my daughter made me re-evaluate my choices, she saved my life! My family was supportive. I have found over the years that just putting drugs and alcohol down is not enough. I had to continue to try and be a better person and help people. Something that I discovered is a key element to my wellbeing is having a relationship with nature. I feel most connected while hiking or watching a sunrise or swimming in the ocean, or dancing in the rain. I recharge when I give myself moments to just be….I am happy to be open about my recovery both personally and professionally. When I get to help people on Hope One, I want to make sure no one feels the way I did when I was trying to get sober. I want them to know I will help them in whatever path they choose, and recovery is possible at any point. I still am in awe of the fact that I get to go out and help people every day.” LaBar knows of no key first step to take, including admitting you have an issue. “I wish there was a one size fits all solution but getting better is just as individualized as the person. I think fostering a loving, accepting, non-judgmental model for people who are using, like all of us do at CARES, truly leads people to feel empowered in the direction of their lives. Kindness goes a long way.” Reed represents Family Promise of Morris County, a non-profit agency serving those impacted by homelessness and poverty in Morris County through a continuum of services including outreach, shelter, and housing programs, also aids Hope One. “Family Promise is a proud partner in the Hope One project,” says Maria Fodali, LSW, Coordinator of Outreach Programs. “Our agency has funded NARCAN kits and trainings, provides ongoing in-kind donation items, and travels with the Hope One

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Garden State Yacht Club to Host Open House & Boating Safety Course

he Garden State Yacht Club on Lake Hopatcong will offer a US Coast Guard-sanctioned boating safety course on Sat. May 4. Given in one day, students are eligible to receive the NJ Boating Safety Certificate at the completion of the course and passing the exam. All boaters are required by New Jersey law to have this certificate. Students do not have to be a member of the club to take the course. The fee for the course is $75 which covers materials, the exam, and lunch. Sign in at the GSYC Clubhouse, 33 Point Pleasant Road, Hopatcong at 7:30 a.m. The class runs from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Register online at f.federico@att.net. Or call 973-398-0022. Visit ww-

w.GSYC.org for further details. The Garden State Yacht Club is also hosting an open house at their clubhouse on Lake Hopatcong for prospective members on Sun. April 28 and Sat. June 1 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tour the facilities, including heated pool, playground, fire pit, tennis and pickle ball courts and docks. (A boat not needed for membership). Club members will be in attendance to talk about the extensive summer and year round activities. Some of these include dining, dancing, parties, trips and entertainment that are available to Garden Sate Yacht Club members. For more information and to reserve a spot at the open house, please call 973-398-0022 or visit www.GSYC.org.

Van weekly to offer community members benefits screenings and application assistance, resource navigation through services and resources in the community, and housing assistance. Our role is to address the additional needs on the van aside from addiction and mental health, as the needs of our Morris County community members can be broad and multifaceted.” Family Promise has also kicked off their own mobile van services as well. “From our work with Hope One, and the daily work we do at Our Promise, our Drop-In Center location, we received funding to launch our own mobile outreach vehicle in the spring of this year (2019) in partnership with Morris County Human Services – Navigating Hope! Our van, that will travel often in tandem with the Hope One vehicle, will provide case management and a variety of services to low-income and homeless individuals. The van will target hard-to-reach communities and populations and is intended to fill traditional gaps in community service provision.” Fodali agrees that, when a family member is addicted, the issue goes well beyond the addict. “Yes, absolutely. Addiction is simply not an individual problem, it is a family challenge. Families often go through every avenue possible to get their loved ones help and to learn the services available for them. We see family members of those suffering from addiction approach the van at shopping centers like Walmart in Boonton, unaware of the Hope One Program, and leave their shopping trip better educated on addiction and recovery, with training on how to administer NARCAN safely, accessible mental health services, and with resources for financial concerns and housing as appropriate. The key to this program is a holistic approach – the whole team ensures that we are addressing challenges in all needed areas and prioritize basic needs, a harm reduction philosophy, so that recovery is not only achieved but also sustainable.” As of this interview, Hope One since January 2017 has visited locations 239 times. “Since we’ve been out, we’ve had contact with over 6,245 people that came up to us and said, ‘Hey listen, I have a friend, colleague or family member who has a problem. Can I have some information so maybe I can slip it to them, and

you can help them.’ Every 10 minutes somebody comes up to that truck and says, ‘Can you help me with something?’ I knew it would work,” says Gannon, “but I never thought it would work to the level it has worked.” Gannon also states that over 1,600 people have been trained in the usage of NARCAN. “The kit, the mask, the gloves - we’re giving people second chances. Are we saving their life? For now. But we’re giving them second chances.” Purdy now knows how to administer NARCAN should he see someone overdosing. “I’ve been a heroin addict since I was 15 years old; that’s the first time I put a needle in my arm. I’m 62 now., This (NARCAN) was not around when I was younger. There was nothing around.” Purdy’s son is a former heroin addict who has now been clean for seven years. Purdy understands what he went through. “Drugs were part of my culture. My kids can come to me about drugs. I couldn’t go to my parents; they’d wonder what was wrong with you, because it wasn’t part of their culture. But today it’s gotten out of hand. It really has.” Purdy’s next step is always to put one foot in front of the other and continue on. He hasn’t done drugs or alcohol for years. “I don’t feel good where drugs are going in this country. It’s a pharmaceutical drug. When I was doing heroin, it was smuggled in.” Purdy then looked at LaBar, then around inside the heated truck. “This is a fabulous job. They need more of these vans out there. They need more people trained in NARCAN. Maybe there’d be a lot less overdoses.” Hope One has documented 32 lives have been saved. “So, it’s been wonderful, and I have to say, Morris County’s been great,” says an excited Gannon. “The Board of Chosen Freeholders have embraced this program – they get it, they’re talking to their constituents, I’ve spoken to people in the Assembly, in the Senate, in Congress, I’ve spoken to people across the board who are looking at this program and saying, “Wow. “It’s simple, it has No impact on the budget.” For more information about Hope One and the groups that it works with, please visit www.sheriff.morriscountynj.gov/community/hope-one/.

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KimSwim: Passion for the Pool They have tons of beginner classes to choose from. They also offer Red Cross lifeguard certification training, SCUBA dive instruction and Pilates classes in the pool. Parents can sign up for the parent/child classes, which are available for six-months-old to three and a half-year-old children.

By Jon Cronin

or swimming instruction experience, comfort and closeness to home, look no further than KimSwim in Denville. Kim Hazelton, the owner and operator of KimSwim Pool Academy for almost 30 years, brings her and her teams’ decades of swim instruction to the table. KimSwim, located on 424 Route 46 West in Denville, has everything a swimmer of any age and any skill level may need. They have tons of beginner classes to choose from. They also offer Red Cross lifeguard certification training, SCUBA dive instruction and Pilates classes in the pool. Parents can sign up for the parent/ child classes, which are available for sixmonths-old to three and a half-year-old children. “Saturday morning classes for kids fill up the fastest,” said Hazelton. “The parents and kids classes are so much fun! Those are my favorite,” she added. She noted that parents share her excitement when they get into the pool with their kids and start singing songs like Humpty Dumpty, Ring Around the Rosy and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. “I get all the dads singing with me too! It’s so cute! I get to play with everybody’s babies. I love it,” exclaimed Hazelton. She encourages people not to be daunted when their young child is frightened by the water. She recalled a two-

year-old in 2003 that would cry whenever he got wet at the pool. “He’s now 17, has been working for me for almost two years and loves working here,” she said, “I think he still has the record for crying the most.” “We’re not afraid of the kids that cry and yell,” Hazelton added. She had a more recent student who cried all the time, but as most kids do, she got used to the water. “It’s such a pleasure to see her so happy. She wants to go swimming every day. That’s why I love my job,” she said. The little girl also had a birthday party at the pool, another service that KimSwim provides. Hazelton said she has a current six-year-old student with a hip problem who comes three times a week. “He has trouble walking, but in the pool he’s fine. The best thing for him is to swim. In the pool he doesn’t have a disability anymore. He beats the older kids in the pool.” “If you’re coachable and you have good technique, you’ll take off fast,” she said. Although the children’s classes fill up the fastest, “The Adult classes are quite busy too,” Hazelton noted. She encourages anyone with knee injuries to come walk in the heat in the pool, which stays a warm 90 degrees to keep students comfortable during the cooler months. The KimSwim Pool Academy also offers SCUBA training taught by Lakeland SCUBA in the 14 foot deep end of the pool, which then continues for certification at the Dutch Springs Quarry in Bethlehem, PA. Hazelton is happy that the SCUBA divers participate every year at Dive for Diabetes to raise money for diabetes research. At the event, people throw money in the pool, divers collect the money, and raise back up to the surface. They also had the divers stay under water for 24 hours as part of the Drown Out Cancer event. They raised $7,600 and donated it to the American Cancer Society in Hanover. Before she turned her career to swim instruction, Hazelton signed up her daughter

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“We have five lakes in Denville so everybody has to learn how to swim,” Hazelton said. at four for swim lessons at Doris Jermansky’s Pool School and signed herself up for adult classes. Hazelton already had a long history of swimming experience and when the instructor saw her in the pool, she asked, “Do you need a job?” She took the offer. “I didn’t swim for many years, but I knew I could do it well,” she said. Hazelton stayed on for a few years and when Jermansky decided to retire, Hazelton took over the business and changed the name. Some of the original instructors are still there. Her daughter taught at KimSwim for a while and now that she has left for college, her son has taken over. “I’m there every day,” Hazelton said, “If I’m not there, Cherlyn Buffa, a teacher who has been there for 28 years will be.” Her team teaches 10 classes every afternoon and 20 classes a day on the weekend. Hazelton’s loves her job and her passion for swimming goes all the way back to when she was on the swim team at Wayne Hills High School. After taking over swimming instruction, she moved to Denville 24 years ago. “We have five lakes in Denville so everybody has to learn how to swim,” Hazelton said. In the past 30 years, she has taken that statement to heart. Not only did she teach at her academy, but 16 years ago she began volunteering as an instructor at Cooks Pond community youth swim team, the Denville Dolphin’s. Even though she no longer volunteers there, she love that it exists and still donates money to the team and aids in organizing the team’s activities. “We take anyone from any town that doesn’t have a swim team,” she said of the Denville Dolphins. Today, she is celebrating her 11th season as the Morristown Beard Middle School swim team coach. There are about 20 students on the team. “Coaching swimming is so fun. I love it,” said Hazelton. She said she loves seeing her students improve and become more confident swimmers. “It’s the best thing for you,” she added, “I always feel like I’m in good shape. Swimming is like the fountain of youth.” The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agrees with her. The CDC encourages people to get at least two and a half hours of aerobic activity per week and believe that swimming could be the best exercise for those with arthritis or joint problems. The CDC reported on its website, “Swimmers have about half the risk of death compared with inactive people. People report enjoying water-based exercise more than exercising on land. They can also exercise longer in water than on land without increased effort or joint or muscle pain.”

Page 38 • April 2019 • Denville Life

Denville’s Own Grassroots Movement Provides a Nature Respite

By Pamela Macek enville’s own local grassroots, not-for-profit land trust and conservation organization, Protect Our Wetlands, Water and Woods, (POWWW) has created a haven of solitude within nature for anyone looking to slow down and escape the busyness of life. Founded in 1988, this all volunteer group is led by President, Jim Florance. Known for his unswerving and contagious commitment, Florance can usually be found either overseeing scheduled POWWW events, educating the public or working with local and state agencies to raise awareness as well as financial donations for the ongoing development of these 600 plus acres of parks, trails and incredible beauty. Florance shared a little bit of trivia history on the surrounding area. “For over three decades, the Denville area has continued to grow. The flora and fauna are pretty incredible, and Jonathan’s Woods is the largest park in Denville.” The organization’s website states, “POWWW’s Mission is to protect wetlands, woodlands and potable water supplies throughout the Beaver Brook watershed in Denville, Rockaway and Boonton Townships. POWWW identifies and supports land acquisition and provides site stewardship and public education programs.” Raising awareness about this natural landmark is paramount, and Florance looks for opportunities to bring greater exposure to more and more people. The organization relies on various social media outlets to communicate with its members and any other individuals looking to find ways to get involved. Florance understands that utilizing these media venues for ongoing public exposure and engagement is a vital component to how POWWW will effectively reach the community on both a short-term and longterm basis. Jonathan’s Woods is probably the most popular part of the acreage used by the public. Within this untainted, wooded area is the home for three Denville Township lakes: Rock Ridge Lake, Cedar Lake and Cook’s Pond. For the locals, they can easily find respite through fishing, boating and hunting right here. Florance has ensured that information concerning hunting regulations are

provided through the POWWW website and legitimate sources found on links posted on the website. The area is also rich in history, going back as far as the American Revolution. It is said that the place known as Bald Hill was recognized as a lookout for locals and George Washington’s infantry. History buffs also claim that the last Indian believed to have lived in the area was named Jonathan. Hence, the name Jonathan’s Woods. There is even an unmarked grave on the property, which supports the historians’ belief, and adds to the fascination with and commitment to take care of this beautiful park. The responsibilities to acquire, maintain and steward the land and water areas in Morristown are ever-growing. Throughout the year, volunteers have ample opportunities to create projects and be as pro-active as possible. Like Florance, committed staff members are dedicated and volunteer their time out of both duty and love for this area of land. Their hard work is appreciated, and they are oftentimes recognized through the presentation of awards. For individuals seeking to become a part of the organization, there is a $20.00 annual donation accepted as “membership dues.” This enables all members to be placed on the list to receive email invitations to any POWWW events. Florance readily says that, “Suggestions from members and the public are always welcome.” POWWW has a website which provides a host of information, including upcoming events, photos, details of past events, links to media contacts, legislation updates and additional local, state and county sites. The not-for-profit also provides open access to their newsletters as well as annual and financial reports. Their Facebook account posts many stunning photos of nature and wild life taken on the Denville trails and parks by POWWW’s active members. Updates to ongoing events, which include coordinated bird watching and wild flower hikes are also posted, as is any fund-raising events that are being held. Members are free to post any questions and are also keen on sharing information regarding topics covering recycling, conservation, wild life and the newest updated legislation surrounding environmental issues being addressed for not only the Morristown area, but generally other local areas as well.

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Despite tepid or chilling weather, large numbers of nature enthusiasts faithfully come out to attend the variety of planned outdoor group activities. Starting right at the beginning of the new year, on January 1st, POWWW held its second annual “First Day Hike.” Fifty-one eager hikers came together and made their way starting from Old Beach Glen Road and ending at Hog Pen in Jonathan’s Woods. The happy participants came from places beyond Morris County’s Denville, including Bergen and Hunterdon Counties. The winter wonderland that canvases the trees, streams and trails also provides plenty of recreational fun for those willing to brave the frosty temperatures. Wildlife tracking at Jonathan’s Woods draws those individuals curious to locate and compare the size and shapes of paw pads and tracks made by dogs, foxes and coyotes. Photos taken on these hikes are then shared and commented on by virtual peers on POWWW’s Facebook account. February held an indoor activity that drew an equally as enthusiastic crowd. The event – a movie screening, was held on the 21st, by the Denville Public Library, located on Diamond Spring Road, at the Cedar Lake Clubhouse. The Environmental Film Festival’s showing, “Saving the Great Swamp: Battle to Defeat the Jetport,” was presented by the award-winning filmmaker Scott Morris. The one-hour documentary is an expose that covers the struggle that took place between people and politics to preserve a rural area of New Jersey between 1959 and 1968. There was no charge to attend and it was open to the public. As the weather continues to warm up, nature lovers can look forward to additional upcoming events planned by POWWW. April will bring conscientious members, “Rid Litter Day,” while in May, eager members and visitors can look forward to experiencing the beautiful sights and smells as they enjoy participating in the “Wildflower Walk,” “Spring Birding Hike,” and “Bit Sit.” Then, as the summer months come along, July will bring, “Moth Night.” Florance shared how, “This was a popular event which brought 44 people out to participate last year.” Another fun event being considered is called the, “Pub Crawl/Hike.” After members enjoy their group hike, they would all be invited back to a particular pub where a portion of the proceeds generated there would go back to POWWW. Preliminary information is already being shared on POWWW’s Facebook account regarding the upcoming 2019 NJ Highlands Juried Art Exhibit. The Morris Museum has provided their largest gallery for all 2D art work, which includes genres such as photography, paintings, watercolors and drawings. Consideration will be given as long as flora, fauna, natural, cultural and historical resources of the Highlands regions are depicted from the NY, NJ, PA and CT areas. The exhibit will take place August, September and October of 2019, with a reception planned in September. Additional details and requirements for all participants to review and past photos

from the previous 2018 NJ Highlands Juried Art Exhibit are posted on websites listed on POWWW’s Facebook account. Over the years, there have been a variety of fun, wholesome activities that have allowed people of all ages to enjoy everything the Morristown Highlands has to offer. Some programs are dependent upon the weather and others are not. When asked about some of the top favorite events, Florance said, “Geocaching, photo contests and concerts.” It is easy to see how people from all types of backgrounds can come together, develop new friendships and create a lasting camaraderie centered around a stretch of land that offers so much pleasurable, relaxing and organically inspiring experiences. The ability to work alongside other entities is also valuable to the ongoing sustainability of Jonathan’s Woods and the surrounding area. “Within the town of Denville, there is a committee called, Greener by Design. They work to develop trail programs for the hikers. Our partnership helps to connect the town together.” Florance went on to tell about additional projects that were created and accomplished through the collaboration of POWWW and the Eagle Scouts. “There were two Eagle Scout projects. One, was a bridge that was built. It was 24 feet long. Another was a trail that the Scouts designed, built and marked.” These activities provide opportunities to help build a sense of purpose and responsibility within the youth towards nature and the land they live on. POWWW is very pro-active with their involvement on local and state levels. “Recently a meeting was held with the Morris County Park Commission. As a result, the Commission is taking a more active interest in the trails at Jonathan’s Woods. There is 10-15 miles of trails and ongoing maintenance and improvements are required. They heard us, and we have now seen this happen. Trails in need of repairs with drainage are now temporarily closed, some trails are now colored to make maps more consistent and safer. Also, the trail key kiosk is brand new.” It takes ongoing financial resources to keep things going. Fundraising is an integral part of how POWWW operates. Every year, the organization observes, “Giving Tuesday.” This is where people join together on Facebook to donate monies and match funds while showing support for POWWW. Florance and his team also seek financial support through federal, state, city and local grants. Preserving our wetlands, waters and woods is everyone’s responsibility. Sustaining a healthy eco-system for our wild life as well as protecting our parks and trails for personal enjoyment can be done and must be done. It is apparent that the people of Denville and her surrounding areas are willing and demonstratively able to champion this cause. Through ongoing education and posted events, Florance hopes that POWWW will continue to, “preserve and expand the land area, growing forward for future generations.”

Page 40 • April 2019 • Denville Life

Denville Rotary Anticipates Kicking oﬀ Summer with Annual Street Festival

By Dawn M Chiossi ummer: It makes people sigh in contentment, and in yearning. There’s the sunshine, the light stretching out into later hours, warm temperatures, not having to worry about wearing a coat or jacket. When the weather turns to summertime, it seems that people’s moods transform. After all, they don’t call them the lazy, crazy, hazy, days of summer for nothing. People’s appreciation for the season is a carryover from childhood, when summer was a song of vacations, of socializing with friends, of exploration and pursuits, of days that would never end. Even though people have grown up, shouldering larger and more immediate responsibilities, when the calendar turns to summer, those feelings return. No matter their age, work, or who they are, everyone looks forward to the summer. It is a time to throw off the layers and open up windows. When fabrics and clothing turn to the light and airy, so do attitudes. There’s a freedom and a lightness people have in summertime; walking in the open air, spending more leisure time outdoors, basking in it. There’s so much to do and enjoy; vacations, the beach, trips, picnics, barbecues, parties, and all sorts of outings. One of these outings is the classic street festival, where streets are closed off and the community comes together to gather and enjoy entertainment of all sorts. Many communities have them and Denville’s tight-knit community is no exception. Kicking off

summer, traditionally held on the first Sunday in June, the Denville street festival is slated to be held on Sun. June 2nd. This widely anticipated long running Street Festival is sponsored by the Denville Rotary, and everyone is invited--from 90 years old on down. For an impressive 38 years, Denville has welcomed in summer with this wonderful event. The street festival is easily considered the most widely attended event in Denville. The festival will begin at 11:00 a.m. and wrap up at 6:00 p.m. This is an ideal way for attendees not only to get out and enjoy, but also to explore the town and see what gems it has to offer. Located in the heart of Downtown Denville, off of Route 46 and Route 53, the streets of Broadway will be closed. This is not only a chance to get outdoors and soak up the sun, it is a chance for everyone--from residents, to business, to vendors, to organizations--to get out there throwing off their winter doldrums and have a great time. The street festival will be held rain or shine. There is no admission fee for this great event, but all of the net proceeds will go to benefit Denville Rotary Charities including scholarships, Santaland, Camperships, and so much more. Denville’s Rotary Street Festival has become so popular that it attracts approximately 20,000 people throughout the day. It even expands through the surrounding areas (even other states!) enticing others. The Denville Rotary Club is an organization dedicated to make positive changes in the community and the world at large. With

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a passion for community, service and giving back, Denville Rotary are a hardworking group of people dedicated to paying it forward. With approximately 48 members, these devoted folks stress service over self, doing so much to help others. Besides the scholarships for high school students to help get into college, the Denville Rotary also passes out dictionaries to elementary school children (something they consider an essential research tool despite the use of the internet), they donate to the community food bank, and much more. Although it is still early, officials are already eagerly anticipating this impressive event. “This is a wonderful fundraiser for the community,” asserts Co-Chair Michael Boudway. “It takes the full effort of all of the club members to make the day successful.” Boudway wouldn’t have it any other way. He discloses that he has been involved with the Denville Rotary since 2010. His other Co-Chair, Joe Casey has been with the Rotary since it began. Boudway says that he has been involved with the Rotary organization ever since he had been in high school, even studying abroad with Rotary International. Rotary International makes a huge impact in approximately 150 countries all over the world such as eradicating Polio and making sure they have clean drinking water. For Boudway, it’s all about doing good, wanting to help, and doing as much as he can. “It feels good to give back to the community,” he states. According to Boudway, the whole idea of the street festival was the inspiration of long-time member, Bill Kader, one of the first Rotarians. “He was searching for a fundraiser to help youths but wanted to get the whole community involved while having fun at the same time.” Since that time, Denville has never looked back. Boudway mentions that last year they had approximately 20 sponsors for their street fair and they are actively searching for people and sponsors to participate for this year. Even at this early date, there’s sure to be an ongoing abundance of events and amusements for attendees to enjoy. Last year’s festival held so many delights such as rides, numerous arts and crafts vendors, raffles, great food, a chili cook off, a beer garden, a plethora of bands to set the day to music, a DJ, local talent, martial arts, local dance, a 50/50, and more. Officials anticipate the same kind of turnout for this upcoming year as they see many of the same vendors signing up, as well as new ones. “Everything is still in its planning stages,” Boudway says. But no matter what the entertainment is, no matter what delights or amusements might materialize, for so many the Denville street fair is a guaranteed good time.

“This is so much fun.” Boudway enthuses. “The street fair is a great time to get out, to just walk around and enjoy. It’s a great family friendly event-- good for the town and good for the kids who are receiving the scholarships, It’s a win-win.” For this day long event there will be lots of food and food trucks to choose from; everything from favorites such as ice cream to roast beef and more. In doing the event for so many years, Boudway has his favorite indulgences at this event that he looks forward to eating every year. “The empanadas are phenomenal, as well as the zeppoles. This is the only day of the year that I ever eat fried dough,” he jokes. Although it is a huge, amazing undertaking for everyone to put on, from the Rotarians to the volunteers, Boudway is grateful for it all, stating the positive benefits are overwhelming. He mentions the long day and the hard work with a smile. For Boudway, it’s all worth it. “This event is about the camaraderie and a way for everyone to get together for a common goal,” he asserts. “This is truly a group effort. It is so much fun.” For so many, Denville is a community filled with wonderful supportive people, rallying around the residents, businesses and organizations within it. The street festival is just one example. “This is an event that draws people in,” Boudway praises. “The street festival is packed, People look forward to it every year. It showcases Denville: The shops, the restaurants. People can just walk around and explore what Denville has to offer for a day.” When asked what his favorite part of the street festival is, Boudway does not hesitate. “It’s the camaraderie,” he shares. “Seeing people you haven’t seen in a long time, out of their normal routine, they are outside and enjoying themselves. It’s a good time to touch base and catch up.” What is he hoping for in regard to this year’s festival? The answer is simple, “Good weather” he replies. “We’re hoping for a beautiful day. It’s so much more fun that way.” For Boudway, it’s still all about paying it forward, inspiring others, and helping others wherever he can. Perhaps the moment that stands out in his mind the most, regarding his efforts with the Denville Rotary, was at the 35th annual Street Festival a few years ago where they honored founder Bill Kader. Boudway describes how they made a plaque to honor Kader, surprising him with it. “Bill’s so inspirational, so amazing,” Boudway shares. “He’s highly involved with the Rotary, so many of us say ‘let’s give Bill a call to see what we can do.’ It was a wonderful way for everyone to recognize someone who has made it all happen,” For further information, or details, or to sign up to be a vendor for this year’s 38th Denville Rotary Street Festival, visit www. denvillerotary.org.

Page 42 • April 2019 • Denville Life

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DENVILLE SEAFOOD Celebrating Our 67th Year!

Fresh Seafood Market • Fresh Fish Daily From The Fulton Fish Market In NY

Stop by for some fresh shrimp & then follow this recipe for a delicious meal!

Shrimp Adam Ingredients: 1 pound large shrimp (16 to 20) cleaned and deveined 1 cup diced tomatoes ¼ stick butter 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 table spoons sherry or red wine 2 tablespoons fresh basil (torn into small pieces) 1 tablespoon minced garlic Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation: Rinse shrimp and set aside. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over low heat. When the butter is melted. Add the garlic and tomatoes and cook for about 3 minutes. Increase the heat to medium, add the shrimp, sherry, salt and pepper. Stir and cover for 3 minutes. Add the basil, stir and cover for 2 more minutes until the shrimp are firm. Served over pasta. Serves 2 to 4 Visit Our Dining Room

Daily Record

Codmother’s Cafe

MORRIS COUNTY

Family Operated Since 1951

973-627-2987

Store Hours: Tues.-Thurs. 9:00-8:00 • Fri. & Sat. 9:00-9:00 Closed Sun. & Mon. • Cooking From 11:30 Until Closing

61 Broadway • Denville

WWW.DENVILLESEAFOOD.COM

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT® FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

HEALTHY KIDS DAY FOR KIDS + FAMILIES

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Saturday, April 27 Noon-2 p.m.* All families with kids ages 2-12 years are welcome. Visit the website for all the exciting details and to register. *Last check-in is at 1 p.m.

LAKELAND HILLS FAMILY YMCA 100 FANNY ROAD MOUNTAIN LAKES 973.334.2820 • www.lakelandhillsymca.com