Denville Life August 2024

No. 20 Vol. 8

www.mypaperonline.com • 973-809-4784 August 2024

Denville Youngster Earning Medals as Rollerskating Career Takes Off

A

By Megan Roche fter attending a Girl Scout event at the Florham Park Roller Rink, 10-year-old Natalie Dublanica thought she found a sport she loved. She enjoyed the Girl Scout party and as her mom Annie watched her get the hang of skating, she knew that Natalie had found her calling.

Annie and Stephen had tried everything they could to find Natalie’s sport. From dance and gymnastics to soccer, nothing really clicked with Natalie. Until that fateful Girl Scout rollerskating party, her love for the wheels came through.

“I just felt like I was good, it’s like it speaks to me. It was different from the other sports I did because it had wheels.

I just like the wheels making me glide across the floor,” Natalie said.

As mom and dad watched with their jaws dropped, the idea of lessons and classes came to their minds. Neither had any idea if the sport would stick. In lessons, Natalie was laser focused with her coaches.

“I saw her paying attention to her coaches’ instructions and connecting with the sport. She trusted them even when she was frightened of a new jump. Some moves came easily to her; others were more challenging and took time to overcome,” Annie shared.

Natalie competes in two disciplines: Figures and Freestyle. In figures, Natalie has to trace figure eight patterns on the ground. With figures, discipline and focus are required as she has to navigate tight turns with precision. While in freestyle, Natalie gets to work on jumps and spins, much of what modern day figure skating looks like.

“Originally it was all tracing figures in ice and then the jumps and dancing became more popular and the sport changed, the name didn’t! Go figure! Turns out you can do just about all the jumps, crossovers and spins on rollerskates that you see on ice skates. You know that stopper in the front of the roller skate? That’s your toe pick for toe-based jumps,” Annie said.

During her first-ever rollerskating competition, Natalie brought home a gold medal.

“I was kind of nervous, but I got first place. It was my first competition, so that was pretty special to win a medal,” Natalie says.

As her passion for the sport grew, Natalie had to face some challenges, especially when learning new skills.

“The waltz jump was very hard to overcome, but I kept trying and I did it. I like to compete with spins. The one foot spin and the two foot spin are fun,” Natalie said.

At the end of the 2024 rollerskating season, Natalie took second place at the Juvenile C Figures Regionals where she

10-year-old Natalie Dublanica poses with her silver medal from the Juvenile C Figures Regionals competition

competed with 13 other girls.

“Her Silver means a lot to me as a parent because that was the culmination of a year’s journey of her embracing the skates, the sport, the practice and really opening herself to being her own athlete. When she is in the competition “zone” she’s like another person. She doesn’t seem like the same 10 year old!” Annie shared.

As for her future with skating? Natalie hopes to hit the international stage.

“There are no rollerskating events in the Olympics, but there are nationals and even international competitions. I can maybe see myself being an elite skater. You will feel it in your heart when you find a sport you love.”

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY AUGUST 15th AUGUST 16th AUGUST 17th AUGUST 18th 11:00-6:00 11:00-6:00 11:00-5:00 12:00-5:00

See our ad ad on onPage Page115 See our

Page 2 • August 2024 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Denville Public Library a Valuable Place in the Community

T

By Steve Sears he Denville Public Library has a great slogan: “Your Guide on the Path to Discovery.”

If you have not visited 121 Diamond Spring Road in a while, the first thing you will notice is that, earlier this year, a planned flooring and furniture mini renovation took place..

Siobhan Koch, Library Director, said, “I do believe the floors look lovely now, and our furniture, too. I think people have been enjoying the new layout in the adult services area of the library.”

In addition to aesthetics that indeed are beautiful, a trek to the Denville Public Library, whether to pick up a book or other sort of media, attend an event or read the latest edition of a magazine or newspaper, or for any other reason is always a welcome respite.

The Denville Public Library has many programs which are enjoyed regularly.

Consider just a small sample of the cornucopia. A Wednesday night book group and Fun Friday book group both meet once a month, and a Real Reads nonfiction book group meets once every other month. The library also offers adults a Craft Night once monthly and Friday Films weekly. A session

of the tile-based game developed in China, Mah Jongg, is also held every Friday, Craft Kits are offered weekly for children and teens, and the youngest library goers are front and center for Saturday Storytimes every week in the Library Meeting Room.

Again, the before mentioned is just a small sample. Koch said, “I encourage everyone to go onto our website at denvillelibrary. org and sign up for our e-newsletters. We have one for youth services and one for adult activities. This way everyone can stay informed about programs and resources at the library. Registration is required for our programs and can be done online or by calling the library.”

Perhaps the best “resources” are the wonderful Denville Public Library staff, who are always ready in a friendly manner to help patrons and answer questions.

Koch spoke highly of her team. “I am very lucky to have an enthusiastic, creative, hardworking, and friendly staff. They really are the ones that make the library thrive.”

If you head to the library and need a hint at what to read, this will help. Krystine Whitmore of the library’s Adult Services department manages and restocks the Staff Picks section.

Koch said, “It began in late 2021, and

A Wild Birds Unlimited lecture (courtesy of the Denville Public Library)

since then over 2,000 titles have been borrowed from the display. It is constantly being updated and additional titles are being suggested by staff.”

And if not a lover of reading (or in addition to), behind the new location of the facility Reference Desk you will find not books, but things. The shelves contain items such as a leaf blower, a metal detector, and much more to learn about and use. Also begun in 2021, “The Library of Things,”

with items available for checkout in the games, hobbies, homes, and technologies categories, has been a hit with patrons.

“We keep trying to add and meet the needs of the community,” Koch said. “As for ‘The Library of Things,’ we have been adding to it, and we also take suggestions.

If people have an idea, they can reach out to us, and we can see about adding it into our space.” continued on page 3

Kidz World Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics At Kidz World Pediatrics Dentistry & Orthodontics, we are dedicated to providing comfortable care for your child’s teeth!

The dental group kids LOVE and their parents trust!

NAME: ____ Mi ke ein ____Lat er, ____ ____ DM____ ____ D, MS _ NAME: ____ Ami____ Dha____ duk____ , DM____ D

_____

NAME: ____ Denise Kit ay,____ ____ DD____ ____ S, MM ____Sc _

218 Ridgedale Ave. • Suite 203 • Cedar Knolls 973-585-6756 • kidzworlddental.com

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • August 2024 • Page 3

Denville K-8 Schools Ready for September

W

By Megan Roche hen students in Denville’s K-8 schools return next month, different upgrades, new curriculum, and new programs will greet them.

In 2023, the Denville K-8 Schools finalized their strategic plan through 2028 with the help of 130 stakeholders within the district.

The plan focuses on four specific areas; student success, caring culture, operations, and family and community connections.

One concern for the school district is planning for the anticipated growth in population. With six new developments coming to the area, demographic reports are putting an estimated student population for the 2026-2027 school year at 1877 pupils.

Current student population is 1707, the highest since the 2013-2014 school year.

“A lot of our focus right now is on how to prepare the district for the changes that are coming down with new construction in town, new communities being built, and an increase in residents,” Dr. Steve Forte, Superintendent of Schools, said.

To combat the lack of space issue, the district just renewed the lease on the Riverview Annex property, the site of the old St. Mary’s School. The district also purchased property on the southside of town to account for a possible new school site in the future.

Curriculum upgrades include updated science/STEM and math programs for grades six to eight, updated social studies program for grades kindergarten to fifth, and updated reading, writing, and phonics materials for grades kindergarten to second. There will also be an expanded woodworking program for grades seven and eight.

“The woodworking program expansion is really exciting. It’s a program that uses hand tools instead of power tools. It’s more about creating various things with wood, like bird feeders, than it is about building large things,” Forte said.

Summer renovation projects that have been completed include outdoor site work at Riverview School (masonry/ paving), all school buildings and classrooms now have air conditioning, district-wide security enhancements, and technology enhancements.

“I’m really excited about the new upgrades we’re doing in technology and security. I’m really happy with what is also going on with the woodworking program at Valleyview Middle School. Those are some really big things going on in our district,” Forte said.

Currently the district is facing increased challenges in getting qualified staff. There are approximately 200 certificated and 150 noncertificated staff members on hand currently.

The district is also in need of bus drivers.

Union contracts and the Superintendent’s contract are settled through the 2027 school year.

“It’s really affecting everyone in the nation. It’s difficult to get certain staff members right now,” Forte shared.

Financially the district is doing well, according to Forte. The district has $6 million dollars in reserves and no referendum debt.

The district is also looking at implementing the USDA Free Lunch program at Lakeview Elementary School.

Communications from the district are also currently being studied and evaluated.

The District Communications Committee is looking at the district website, Friday Folder program, and social media to evaluate needed changes.

Currently the district uses Twitter (@ DenvilleSchool), Facebook (www.facebook. com/denvilletownshipschools), constant contact (email Superintendent to sign up), and YouTube (www.YouTube.com/ DenvilleSchools) to update the local community on school happenings.

Denville students first day of school is scheduled for September 3.

Denville Public Library... continued from page 2 Also, in addition to what is offered indoors, the Denville Public Library will also host pop-up libraries at various locations.

In the past, independent living residents at Cooks Pond Senior Housing and The Oaks at Denville have benefitted from these visits.

As for the lineup of late summer\early fall programming. the Denville Public Library has much planned. Professor Alexander Clemente will do a Medieval Monasticism

presentation on 9/19 and will return to the library to speak about Socrates on 10/17.

On the 19th of September, a Pumpkin Book Folding Class will be held, and in October, you can learn via lecture about Greenwich Village on 10/15, while the following week there will be a program on Paranormal Perspectives on 10/22, and a Medicare Annual Enrollment Talk on 10/23.

All programs above start at 7:00 p.m.

Page 4 • August 2024 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

D

Diamond Spring Brewing Company Celebrates First Anniversary

iamond Spring Brewing Company recently celebrated a significant milestone, marking one year in downtown Denville, NJ. Founded by managing partners Craig Doremus and Attila Nagy, both long-time residents of Denville, along with their spouses, Chrissy Doremus and Monika Kuzmos, the brewery has become a local fixture, with Doremus serving as Head Brewer.

The anniversary festivities last weekend encapsulated everything that has defined the brewery’s inaugural year, including the vibrant atmosphere of their 6,000 square foot beer garden, featuring live music, games, and of course, their signature brews. Among the highlights is the debut of “Breakfast in Bali,” a refreshing blonde ale infused with cold brew from Greenwood Lake Roasters Craft Coffee. Also on tap are their flagship beers: Lakeside, a West Coast IPA and Juice Box, a beloved New England hazy IPA that has become a staple in their taproom.

Continuing the celebration, Diamond Spring Brewing Company is also introducing two new IPAs in the coming weeks: Nantucket Haze and Bonanza! These test batches are exclusively available on their “Secret Menu,” a special testing option revealed only to Diamond Spring’s insider mailing list. The

brewery’s 16th tap is dedicated to these experimental brews, with only the most exceptional batches earning public approval for larger production.

In addition to becoming a premier destination for beer enthusiasts, Diamond Spring Brewing Company has emerged as a community hub in Denville, hosting a variety of gatherings including meetings for local organizations like the Rotary and Downtown Business Improvement District (BID), events for the Denville LGBTQ+ Alliance, and serving as a sought-after venue for fundraisers, private parties, and community events.

Not to mention their own festivals such as Flannel Fest and Oktoberfest.

Community Feedback and Challenges:The brewery has received positive feedback from patrons, with Steve B noting in a recent Google review, “DSB adds another sparkle to downtown Denville. It’s perfectly located near numerous take-out options, offers ample seating, creative brews, and a welcoming atmosphere— a must-visit spot.”

Heather Arbiter also shared her enthusiasm: “I LOVE this spot! It’s a perfect addition to downtown. Even if you’re not a beer lover, Diamond Spring’s fantastic selection will change your mind. They host fun events and are inclusive to everyone!”

Despite successes, Diamond Spring Brewing Company has faced challenges, including navigating zoning hurdles with the Township of Denville. This required a variance to continue operating their popular beer garden, a process costing over $70,000 and lasting six months, but that ultimately ended favorably.

Craig Doremus reflected on these challenges, stating, “Every new business encounters obstacles, and this was a

significant one for us. We nearly lost everything, but we’re grateful the Township granted the variance. It makes reaching our first anniversary that much more significant to us.

We look forward to many more years in downtown Denville.”

And patrons appreciated the brewery’s resilience throughout the process. Over 100 patrons joined the “Polar Beer Club” last continued on page 5

WE ACCEPT ALL COMPETITORS COUPONS!

6.00

$

OFF per gallon

Our Already Low Prices On

Benjamin Moore Premium Products PAINTS INCLUDING HUNTER DOUGLAS BLINDS & WALLPAPER SG10 (Excludes Aura Paint & Gennex Products) With coupon. Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires 9/30/24

10.00

$

OFF

ANY PURCHASE OF $50 OR MORE EXCLUDES PAINT INCLUDING HUNTER DOUGLAS BLINDS & WALLPAPER SG10 (Excludes Aura Paint & Gennex Products) With coupon. Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires 9/30/24

SINCE 1971 Mon - Fri 7-5 Sat 8-4 Sunday Closed

Diamond Spring Brewing Company... continued from page 4 winter and braved the cold to enjoy brews in the beer garden while the brewery awaited approvals for heat and other amenities to return outside.

“It became my favorite part of the year,” shared owner Chrissy Doremus. “It was something born out of necessity during a very difficult time—but evolved into something much bigger—a tightknit club that I looked forward to week after week, no matter how many layers I had to wear!”

“I was really happy to see [Diamond

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • August 2024 • Page 5

Spring Brewing Company] open last year, and I haven’t been disappointed!” said Diamond Spring patron and Polar Beer Club Member Lionel Ruland.

“Even when road bumps appeared, ice was turned into Polar Beer. I’ve met some great people, drank some great beers, and attended some great special events. My only complaint is that [they] run out of my favorite beers too quickly! (Luckily, new favorites pop up regularly - but bring back The Duke!)”

Looking Ahead: Moving forward, Diamond Spring Brewing Company remains committed

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY Denville Office 16 Pocono Road Suite 102 Denville, NJ 07834

Mount Arlington Office 400 Valley Road Suite 105 Mount Arlington, NJ 07856

973-453-7100 Fax: 973-627-0836

973-770-7101 Fax: 973-770-7108

to its vision of delivering exceptional craft beer experiences while nurturing a vibrant sense of community in Denville and beyond. As a nano-brewery, Diamond Spring operates a small brew house that produces an average of 35 kegs per week. During peak season, patrons consume approximately 40 kegs each weekend, underscoring the

brewery’s need for a meticulously planned production schedule throughout the year to meet the demands of its ever-expanding customer base.

For more information about Diamond Spring Brewing Company, visit www. diamondspringbrewing.com or follow @ diamondspringbrewing on social media.

Page 6 • August 2024 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Facing A Terminal Illness

I

By Richard Mabey Jr. confess, when I recently visited my Cardiologist at University of Florida Medical Center and saw the scans of my Left Ventricle, a part of me felt a degree of anger, a part of me felt sad, and a part of me felt a great calling to get closer to God. I have Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

In a most simplistic way of looking at it, my Cardiologist told me that Apical HCM is essentially “cancer of the heart.” The heart muscle tissue grows at a very rapid rate.

So much so, that they begin filling up a heart ventricle, so that the ventricle no longer has full capacity for blood. Thus, the heart has to work all so much harder. Eventually, the overabundance of heart muscle tissue fills the heart ventricle and sadly, the patient passes.

In many ways, I consider having Apical HCM as a blessing.

First of all, it has inspired me to get the word out about Apical HCM. Basically, one in 500 people have HCM. Considerably less have Apical HCM, which means that the heart muscle tissues are filling up the bottom of the heart ventricle.

HCM gets very little educational publicity. I am working on changing that.

Secondly, it has forced me to get my personal affairs in order. I’m a bit of a pack rat, and in the past few months, I have thrown out a lot of old calendars, broken scissors, instruction manuals, left-handed smoke shifters and dozens of old computer wires. I’ve given a lot of my clothes to thrift shops. Along with an assortment of bric-a-brac, old ceramic horses and old vases.

And most importantly it has been a time of focusing, and I mean laser focusing, on getting right with God. Reading scripture, praying and meditating have taken on a new vitality of importance to me.

One thing I have noticed, since being diagnosed with Apical HCM, is that a lot of my relatives, friends, neighbors and fellow church members have backed away from me.

There is an unspoken awkwardness in them, when they talk to me. It’s almost as if they don’t know what to say to me.

It’s so ironic, dealing with a terminal illness is the time when a person needs the support of others, but all so many people end up retreating from the terminally ill individual. O. Henry himself would be in awe of the irony of it all.

If you know of a terminally ill individual, please do reach out to them with kindness and a loving spirit. Please, please, please do not say things like, “well, we all have to go sometime.”

Leave the past behind, in talking with a terminally ill person. There’s no need to bring up the time your terminally ill friend or relative broke Aunt Melinda’s favorite, incredibly expensive vase.

Please do not say that you are praying for the terminally ill person. Rather, instead, ask your friend or relative if you can pray for them, right then and there. The words of comfort and assurance will mean the moon and the stars to that person.

If you visit a terminally ill person, give them a gift. It could be a very inexpensive gift. Maybe even something that you bought in a dollar store. It can even be something as simple as a rock or a leaf. Something that the terminally ill person can look at and hold in hand, long after your visit with them is over.

And finally, mail them (using good old fashioned U. S. Mail) a little card. In your own hand writing, share a little memory that was near and dear to your heart, about your terminally ill friend or relative.

Yours truly with Yodie. One of the many pups, I took care of, when I had my little dog walking business.

Life is short. None of us are going to live forever, upon this third rock from the sun. Love one another. Forgive, forgive and forgive people for the wrongs they may have done to you. Be kind to strangers. Give a couple of dollars to a homeless person. Support animal shelters. Rescue a dog or cat from a shelter. Love one another. For truly, love is the single most positive powerful force in the universe. To thine own self, be true.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He hosts a YouTube Channel titled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard most recently published a book of poetry and short stories. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@gmail.com.

A

Did You Know?

ccording to Worldwide Cancer Research, an organization that helps to supply funding to pioneering cancer research, blood cancers are the fifth most common types of cancers across the globe. The American Society of Hematology notes that blood cancers affect the production and function of blood cells. When a person is diagnosed with blood cancer, oftentimes his or her normal blood cell development process is interrupted by the uncontrolled growth of an abnormal type of blood cell. The ASH reports that leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are the three main types of blood cancers. Leukemia is marked by

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • August 2024 • Page 7

the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that fights infection.

Lymphoma occurs when abnormal lymphocytes become lymphoma cells and multiply in the lymph nodes and other tissues. Over time, lymphoma cells impair the immune system, making individuals vulnerable to infections and other adverse health outcomes. Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells, which the ASH NOTES are typically responsible for producing disease- and infection-fighting antibodies.

Myeloma prevents the normal production of those antibodies, leaving patients vulnerable to infection.

B

Bereavement Support Group Starts

ecause grief can be so painful…

One of the most difficult events in a person’s life is living through the loss of a child, spouse, parent, sibling or friend. We are never prepared for the pain it brings, or the feelings of sadness that unfolds. Grief can be intense, and because it can be overwhelming, we may wonder if the feelings we have are “normal”.

If you would like support as you grieve the loss of a loved one, join us on Tuesday nights, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM, at Denville Community Church, the Church of the Open Door (190 Diamond Spring Rd. Denville, NJ 07834). The Bereavement

Support Group started on July 2, 2024 and will be on-going each week. There is no fee for the group, but donations are welcomed for the use of church facilities.

Because grief can be painful, it is important to take things one day at a time.

It is also important to talk with people who have had similar experiences. If you would like someone to talk to, consider joining a support group. Support groups offer a safe place where people come together to share their experiences.

Pat O’Dell, MSW, LCSW will facilitate the group. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked for over 40 years in the field of loss, grief and bereavement.

Consult • Design • Fabricate • Install Quality Window Treatments since 1999 Google us for reviews, pictures and offers!!

973.627.3021 melaniescustomcoverings.com

Religious School Style (Jewish Learning, Fun, Interactive, Mostly Outdoors, Flexible, Affordable)

REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN

SUNDAY MORNING IN PERSON OPTION

1:1 HEBREW ZOOM TUTORING

100% VIRTUAL OPTION

visit us at www.MAKOMnj.org or contact us at 973-922-3457

• Crowns and Bridges full-mouth rehabilitation, a free consultation with Dr. Goldberg s • Page Smile 8 • AugustMakeovers 2024 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com General & Cosmetic Dentistry • Sedation Dentistry 5 Things to Know Before Getting Dental Implants

Dr. Goldberg treats entire families, from toddlers to seniors. Serv dentures, cosmetics, and more! He and his staff enjoy the long-t

procedures: extractions, grafting, and / or office dedicated to implant treatment. He you have better places to be. At times it is implant placement. In the second phase, has many pieces of equipment to make your possible to speed up implant treatments, the implant will be restored with a crown, treatment smooth, efficient, comfortable, but it’s not always in your best interest.

Implants have a very high success rate. But denture, or some other prosthesis. Some and accurate. the more you push the envelope, meaning dentists will only do the first, some will do Have you explored other options? only the second, and some will do both. If Dental implants may not be your only the faster you rush the process, the greater you work with an office that does only one option to correct a problem. Root canals the chances of having problems and of these two phases, you will have to bounce with crowns, bridges, partial dentures, and complications. Sometimes slower is better. between offices. This can lead to a lack of complete dentures are common alternatives. Again, your implant dentist will be able to proper communication during the process, Be sure your dentist has provided you with guide you accordingly.

Do you have questions?

Visit Dr. or finger-pointing if there are problems options for your particular situation. afterwards. Are you OK with this? At Morris Cost of dental implants: don’t compare to Goldberg’s website, or contact us for a free consultation.

County Dental Associates, we perform all what your friend had done!

About the author: Dr. Ira Goldberg has Not all dental implants will be priced the phases of implant treatment under one roof, so you do not have to contend with these same: there are many variables. Do you need been performing implant procedures for 29 Cannot be combined with other discounts an extraction? Do you need grafting? What years. He is a Diplomate of the American Board issues.

Oral Implantology / Implant Dentistry, grafting do you need?

Can on stockourofwebsite Do Your Homework. Selected a skilled ReferkindtoofNew Patient Specials for details parts be used, or are custom ones required? a Diplomate of the International Congress doctor or office. must presented, & mentioned at time of scheduling Implantologists, and a Fellow of the all of be these (and more) reasons, trying of Oral Any dentist can place and/or Coupon restore For American Academy of Implant Dentistry. an estimate is implants. They do not have to have any to provide someone with Expires 2/28/22 3/5/6 specific training. But what experience level impossible without a physical evaluation and He performs all phases of implant dentistry does the dentist have? Or if you are seeing discussion. Furthermore, be careful when at his office in Succasunna, NJ. He lectures general costs dentist credentials in multiple organizations. visit his to dentists in the field of Please implantology.

Forwebsi withwith friends: what they had multiple doctors or offices Dr. (seeGoldberg #1 above), is acomparing are they coordinated so that your experience done is likely to be different than what you a free consultation, including a free 3-D is smooth and enjoyable? Dr. Goldberg need. Therefore, it is safe to assume your scan (if necessary), please call his office at 973-328-1225 or visit his website at www. performs all phases of implant dentistry cost will be different than theirs.

MorrisCountyDentist.com Dr. Goldberg is in one location, and has been doing so for Don’t rush things.

Everyone wants things done yesterday. a general dentist, and also a Fellow of the 29 years. He teaches other dentists about implants, and has a whole section of his Faster, faster, faster. Time is short, and Academy of General Dentistry.

New Patient Special

$149 Cleaning, Exam, Full Set of Films Regularly $362.00

Ira Goldberg, DDS, FAGD, DICOI

W

hen a person is missing one or more teeth, dental implants can be an excellent method to replace them. Here are some things to consider when evaluating your options.

Will there be one or more offices treating you, and are you OK with that?

There are two phases of treatment when it comes to dental implants. A Surgical Phase, and a Restorative Phase. In the first phase, a dentist will perform surgical

Ira Goldberg, DDS, FAGD, DICOI

Morris County Dental Associates,LLC Experience, Compassion & Quality • Dental Implants • Cosmetic Dentistry • Porcelain Veneers • Family Dentistry • Invisalign • Dentures • Teeth Whitening • Crowns and Bridges • Smile Makeovers • Sedation Dentistry

15 Commerce Boulevard, Suite 201 • Roxbury Mall (Route 10 East) Succasunna, NJ 07876

(973) 328-1225 • www.MorrisCountyDentist.com

Dental Implants Dr. Goldberg is a leading expert on dental implants. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry, which is a degree held by only 1% of dentists worldwide. Whether you require a single implant or complex full-mouth rehabilitation, a free consultation with Dr. Goldberg should be considered.

General & Cosmetic Dentistry Dr. Goldberg treats entire families, from toddlers to seniors. Services include cleanings, check-ups, fillings, Invisalign, dentures, cosmetics, and more! He and his staff enjoy the long-term relationships they build with their patients.

New Patient Special $149 Cleaning, Exam, Full Set of Films

Ira Goldberg, DDS, FAGD, DICOI

New Patient Special FREE Implant, Cosmetic, or

Regularly $362.00

General Dentistry Consultation

Cannot be combined with other discounts Refer to New Patient Specials on our website for details Coupon must be presented, & mentioned at time of scheduling Expires 9/15/24

Cannot be combined with other discounts Limited to 50 minutes Expires 9/15/24

Regularly $125.00 4

Dr. Goldberg is a general dentist with credentials in multiple organizations. Please visit his website for a complete listing. Dental implants are not a recognized dental specialty.

4

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • August 2024 • Page 9

CCM Hall of Famer Recalls First Ever Titans Base Hit

C

By Steve Sears ounty College of Morris Hall of Fame baseball player, Dennis Mack, always recalled his late dad’s advice when stepping up to the plate.

And it was no different on a May afternoon back in 1969 when the CCM Titans faced Bergen Community College in Roxbury.

Mack, back then number two in the batting order, said, “When my dad was alive, he would say, ‘You get three swings.

Do not just sit there and get two strikes and then swing at anything. Get the first pitch and go ripping.’”

His son heeded the advice. “I was going to take a shot,” the former Dover High School star said. “I was in college now, I was proud to be on the team, starting and being near the top of the batting order, and so I said to myself, ‘The first fastball I see, I am swinging,’ and I did.”

Mack delivered a line drive up the middle to center field for the first ever base bit in CCM Titans baseball history.

The Titans coach that summer was Jack Martin, who was the college’s first athletic director and had a legendary run as CCM head basketball coach. When Mack was on first base after the hit, Martin smiled and

pointed to his second baseman and held up one finger, signifying Mack’s historical feat.

Martin said, “I still remember putting the finger up denoting the first hit - number one. And although it was the first hit, he got a whole bunch after that. It set the stage for him.”

Mack in 1969 batted .383 and was named to named First Team All-East by the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Martin added, “He had a wonderful career for us.”

“I can feel it like it happened yesterday,” Mack said. And geography has had much to do with his recall of the moment. The actual field the Titans called home back then was and still is between Franklin and Lincoln Roosevelt schools in Roxbury. Mack, when he served as Superintendent of Roxbury schools, had an office in the Board of Education building overlooking the field.

It was flashback Heaven, and often during a rough day he would visit the diamond.

Mack recalled, “It was a very surreal feeling. It would be a beautiful day out there, and I would see the little kids out there running around on the field. I would just go down there, and the field was identical to when I played, I would look at

Dennis Mack gets the first hit in CCM Titans baseball history in May of 1969 (courtesy of County College of Morris)

the field and say to myself, ‘I remember this like it was yesterday, and now here I am, Superintendent of schools - so many years later. Who would have thought this would happen to me?!’”

Mack would have tryouts with three Major League Baseball teams, two being the Houston Astros and Cincinnati Reds.

But neither signed him. The problem?

There was already “company” at second

base with future Hall of Famer, Joe Morgan.

After attending at CCM, Mack received his bachelor’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson and eventually coached baseball and was a teacher at Randolph High School. In addition to serving as Roxbury superintendent of schools, he has done the same in the communities of Mine Hill, Morris Plains, Rockaway, and Warren Hills.

Page 10 • August 2024 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

“News From the Nest” Delivers School News to the Morris Knolls High School Community

T

By Steve Sears he Morris Knolls High School TV Production and Film Club broadcasts interesting news to its own student body.

The club, courtesy of the Morris Hills Regional Schools District website, “is comprised of students who display an active interest in learning more about television production techniques and equipment. Activities range from producing original programs (interviews, music videos, demonstrations, etc.) to assisting classes with their productions, and finally, producing programs for district-wide use.”

Students write and produce “News From the Nest” under the tutelage of Keith Kasper, a TV Production and Film teacher for the Morris Hills Regional School District.

He has also been teaching English in the district since 2012.

Kasper said, “We’ve taken from an English elective in journalism and media, to a Career in Technical Education (CTE) program in television production and filmmaking.”

18 students took part this past year in the program at Morris Knolls High School, and

part of what they do is produce the “News from the Nest” broadcasts. The first part of the year from September until November, students are working on the technology of television show production - how audio, cameras, and lighting works, what goes on in the TV studio, and how to research, write, and produce a news package. Then, from November through the rest of the year, students spend a month working on creating that news package.

Kasper said, “They find their own stories, write their stories, do all their own B-roll, edit their own stories, and then they put those stories into a script for a show that airs on the second Monday of every month.”

Jacob Kelly, who first attended County College of Morris in Randolph and now studies part-time at Montclair State University, benefitted from the program.

He is a filmmaker and freelance camera operator for TV and film but has also worked for an editing company in Hackettstown.

Kelly, who as a ninth grader attended both Roxbury and Hackettstown high schools prior to transferring to Morris Knolls for his sophomore year, said, “Morris

This year’s News Form The Nest Team

Knolls had a TV production program that was already established; a really nice studio with really nice gear. Once I started looking at Morris Knolls, I pretty much went right into their television program.” He then added, “News from the Nest’ is supposed to be like working on a news production team.

And it really can feel like that, especially when you get to the point where you are

Howard Hanna | Rand Realty 374 Speedwell Ave | Morris Plains, NJ 07950 mjohnsen.randrealty.com

actually producing episodes of the news and having to prepare your articles and then run the show.”

Kasper, who also teaches at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Florham Park, said, “We work with cameras and switchers and editing software, so it is basically like hands on the hardware and software of being able to do the news.”

201.486.7137

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • August 2024 • Page 11

AUGUST 15th

AUGUST 16th

AUGUST 17th

AUGUST 18th

Page 12 • August 2024 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

O

Morristown, You Have a Professional Football Team!

By Steve Sears n June 13 at the Dover Sportsplex in Dover, New Jersey, representatives of the new Entertainment Football Association (ENTFLA), announced at their introductory press conference that Morristown had been awarded a three of four available franchises for the inaugural 2025 summer season.

The 2,500 seat William G. Mennen Sports Arena will be the Morristown team’s home arena. A coach for the Morristown team has not yet been hired, and the team’s name is up to the fans, who can visit he league website at https://www. goentfla.com/morris-county/ and make suggestions. In September, the franchise will also host an in-school coloring contest for students to design the Morristown uniforms.

National Football League Hall of Famer, Andre Reed, Commissioner of the new Entertainment Football League (ENTFLA), a brand of the Entertainment Football Association, said, “There’s nothing better than to see a community come together through sports. Especially in small towns like Morristown, communities feel a sense of pride when there is a strong purpose to uplift all those involved there. Businesses begin to flourish more when everybody is involved. Our communities are an important part to cities being uplifted by the people

who live and prosper.”

Dave Helmer, who is in his 21st year as the Executive Director of the Morris County Parks Commission, said of the selection of Morristown, “Just to be considered, with the history that Morris County has from a youth football perspective, I think it is great. I think this, in a community where people know each other and get to know each other, is just a great opportunity for us.”

The ENTFLA is a unique brand of football.

Seven players on each side of the line of scrimmage on a 50-yard field, no huddles, no kicking field goals or punting. You go for it on fourth down, and for a two-point conversion following a touchdown, which translates into high scoring games. There are 12-minute quarters and 20 seconds between each play.

And, should a pass wind up in the stands, the first fan to catch the ball or recover it gets to keep it.

However, the ENTFLA will be much more than football. Consider that sandwiching the game itself is energetic, pregame activity with live music, and youngsters elevating themselves in bounce houses while sharing the parking lot with barbequing tailgaters. Then, once doors open, an electric atmosphere of indoor laser lights, smoke and fireworks will greet entering fans. At halftime, America’s

Entertainment Football League Commissioner, Andre Reed, speaks at the Entertainment Football League’s introductory press conference

Got Talent contestants will perform, and once the game is over, the fans are allowed on the field to meet the players, coaches, and cheerleaders.

Finally, a fairly high-level concert will close the afternoon.

Tommy Benizio of BeniZio Sports, who for about 30 years has either owned or operated professional sports teams, started a consulting firm that works with pro sports teams and leagues on their business operations. He was contacted Entertainment Football Association founder, Doug Freeman,

to help build an arena football league in the New York\New England area. Danbury, Connecticut and Fitchburg, Massachusetts were the initial two communities awarded franchises, and Morristown was the third for the ENTFLA’s inaugural season of four home games, four away games, and one neutral site game per club.

A fourth community is yet to be selected.

Benezio said, “It is this kind of full event, not quite a full day festival, but a day of entertainment, with all things happening.”

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • August 2024 • Page 13

Page 14 • August 2024 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Morris County Residents Partner for Short Film Production

A

By Megan Roche group of local Morris County residents are gearing up to shoot a short film this October in Long Valley. Kim Kavin of Long Valley, Tony Sciortino of Long Valley, and Anna Hill of Dover have all teamed up together in different ways to make the film a reality.

Kavin, who wrote the screenplay for the short film, was inspired by a tragic event that took place one afternoon while walking her dog on the Columbia Trail.

During the walk, Kavin came upon a man who was in the midst of an emergency medical situation. She immediately stepped in to help and did all she could.

She noticed many passersby and yet she was one of the only ones who stopped to help. Sadly, Kavin would later learn that the man ultimately passed away.

The idea for the screenplay came back to her a few years later. However, instead of focusing on the man’s death, the film focuses instead on the death of humanity that has happened in recent years.

“I couldn’t shake the feeling I had that I was upset about more than what had happened. What I ultimately realized was that I was upset about some of the things that happened as people either stopped and tried to help or stopped and did things that made the situation worse. I started to notice that what was really eating at me for weeks afterwards was this sense that we have lost a lot of our basic humanity,”

Kavin said.

By happenstance, Kavin noticed a post on Facebook from Antonio Sciortino, a Long Valley resident, who was starting a production company. She commented and inquired about screenwriting. The two got together and hit it off. Sciortino’s production company will be helping to create the short film.

“When you have a group of people that come together and everyone puts in a little bit of effort, amazing things can be made,” Sciortino said.

Anna Hill, who plays the character based on Kavin, is excited to be transitioning into a film role. Having much of her experience in stage and musical production, the role in front of the camera means a lot to her, as does the passion that Kavin and Sciortino have for the project.

“Performing is my favorite thing to do and to do it with a group of people who really care so much about this project, being able to tap into that energy and be part of that group is something that I was really excited about. The movie really presents an image of society where everyone is very self-focused, and my character really tries to break that trend. We want to make sure that we don’t lose our humanity. It is a real outcry for empathy because there is so much individualism and focus on the self, but when we stop seeing other people as people and we start seeing other people as just someone who is a placeholder,

What’s happening in your school or organization?

Celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, graduation?

Have a human interest story or something you would like to share?

Email us at production@mylifepublications.com

The section of the Columbia Trail that will play host to the Death of Humanity set in October

then we really start to lose something in ourselves,” Hill said.

If all goes according to plan, the shoot will take place over two days in October on the Columbia Trail. Overall, Hill, Kavin, and Sciortino all hope that people take away the important message of their film.

“If our message will change two or three people lives when they are watching, I think it will be mission accomplished,” Sciortino said.

For more information on the film and Sciortino’s production company, visit www.innerscopestudio.com.

r e p u S HOUSE Summer

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • August 2024 • Page 15

Sale

IN

100

$

Salt Purification System Lim

ited Offer

• Walk in Steps • Design Liner • Dual Skimmer • Light Ready

$36,900 ( Rectangular or Kidney)

16 x 32 Installed

• Purification System • High Rate Filter • Hayward Super Pump • Maintenance Equipment

WINTER COVER SALE!

5 Inground Pools on Display Visit our 15,000 sq.ft. Showroom 100% Resin Construction Salt Compatible

INSTALLATION AVAILABLE NOW!

*Lifetime Warranty Construction

IN STOCK Round & Ovals

• Hayward • Jandy • Pentair • Polaris • RayPal • Dolphin • Reem • Liners • Matori • Hecter • Heat Pump WE CARRY ALL MAJOR BRANDS • SERVICE • PARTS

DESIGN POOL

S

186 Gold Mine Rd • Flanders, NJ Open Mon - Sat 9:30 - 6

by Olympic olympicpoolswest @yahoo.com

Page 16 • August 2024 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

NAS Wildwood Museum Houses WWII Planes, Contains Rich History over Past 82 Years Airfest” 2024 Aug. 29-Sun., Sept. 1, 2024

W

ith about a month left of Summer, there’s a lot of time to enjoy the serenity of the beach with a trip to the southern New Jersey coast.

While there, you might strongly consider a visit to Wildwood’s Naval Air Station Aviation Museum in Lower Township, NJ where aviation history awaits.

Museum-goers will be amazed at the many World War II planes all situated in a World War II-designed hangar as well as many artifacts from the 1940’s.

After America declared war on Germany and entered World War II officially in the European theatre, American bases along the Atlantic coast gained importance unlike ever before.

The Wildwood Naval Air Station became a great training ground after it was commissioned. Between 1943 and 1945, pilots practiced night flying and target practice over the Delaware Bay nearby.

The hangar itself came to Wildwood by railroad as a kit which was put together to house aircrafts in 1942.

Sitting now in the hangar are TBM Avenger and F6F-3 Helicat among a collection of over 25 planes. Yet the hangar’s usage was far from only being utilized during wartime.

After being decommissioned following the conclusion of World War II, a dentist and U.S. Navy pilot named Dr. Charles Cox decided to operate United States Overseas Airlines. The company provided national and international fights out

of the hangar.

An aficionado of memorabilia and artifacts from the WWII-era, Cox utilized the space to display his collection – which includes Coca-Cola machines, record players and posters among other era-related items.

Other magnificent areas of the museum emphasize more modern components of aviation such as speed and propulsion.

Jet-propelled aircraft is showcased with military jets such as the T- 33 and supersonic F-16. Also at the museum, one will find many rotary-wing aircraft in the collection.

On display are a retired HH52A from the U.S. Cast Guard as well as a Bell UH-1 Iroquois known in aviation circles as a “Huey.”

Another display shows off a Pratt & Whitney PW4000 Jet Engine from a Boeing 777. The museum contains remnants of early aviation development dating back to the Wright Brothers era.

A great time to visit the museum will be from Thurs, Aug. 29 through Sunday, Sept. 1 when “Airfest 2024” takes center

stage. This year the fourday show features aircraft from the U.S. Coast Guard, New Jersey State Police, AtlantiCare MedEvac and Cape May County Mosquito Commission among a wide array of vendors.

Kids will love the amount of hands-on and interactive exhibits at the museum as people continue to say that it’s one of the best kept secrets in Cape May County.

Admission is $16.00 for those 13 years old and up, and $12.00 for those between the ages of three and 12. Active duty military members are admitted for free as do museum members.

U.S. Military Veterans receive a $2.00 discount and dependents must pay regular admission.

NAS Museum Hours are from 10am-4pm daily from March through December and closed on weekends during January and February. It is located at 500 Forrestal Rd, Cape May, NJ 08204.

For more information about the NAS Aviation Museum and in Wildwood, logon to www.usnasw.org.

Services offered: COVID-19 Disinfecting • Junk Removal House Clean-Outs • Shed Removal • Hot Tub Removal

800-939-JUNK

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • August 2024 • Page 17

SECTIONAL Was $2299 NOW $1499

$

DOUBLE CHASE SECTIONAL Was $1799

NOW

1499

NOW

1199

$

SOFA LOVESEAT SET Was $1399

RECLINERS YOUR CHOICE $

399

FARMHOUSE STORAGE BED

NOW

899

$

CHERRY BEDROOM

Available in Full, Queen, King, Queen

Queen Bed

NOW

$

399

$

599

FURNITURE & MATTRESS At Discount Prices!

320 Mountain Ave • Hackettstown 908-269-8725 www.BerksFurnitureMattress.com

Family owned and operated and supporting local!

At Discount Prices!

232 Main St • Hackettstown • 908-452-5448 www.BerksFurnitureMattress.com

Page 18 • August 2024 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • August 2024 • Page 19

4-H Clubs at High View Farms Engage Young Minds & Hearts

M

By Cheryl Conway ore and more local young people are working on four values—Head, Heart, Hand and Health— through fun and engaging programs offered at High View Farms in Budd Lake.

Rosanne Oblen, owneroperator of High View Farms, offers eight 4-H clubs at her farm to enrich the lives of children by educating them on various topics and animals. The clubs are free and are affiliated through Morris County 4-H and Rutgers University.

“We start in September and end in July with our 4-H fair,” says Oblen. Her 15th year of offering these 4-H clubs, Oblen keeps adding to her themes for each club she hosts. She started with chickens then added rabbits, with new themes each year.

“I run chickens, small

animals, reptile bees, garden, goat, remote control trucks and cars, and Harry Potter; 4-H has a lot of clubs - animal and nonanimal,” she says.

Anyone from Morris County in grades kindergarten through 13th grade, one year past high school, can sign up. Her members are mostly from Mt. Olive, Long Valley and Chester.

Growing in interest every year, Oblen currently has about 10 enrolled in each club. Sessions run 60 to 90 minutes, and are held every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Each session begins with an organized meeting in which elected officers lead in the reciting of the “Pledge of Allegiance” and 4-H Pledge, and discuss old and new business, explains Oblen. Activities then follow and vary depending on the club’s theme. Sometimes animals are brought in

with interesting topics to discuss. A Quiz Bowl may follow for members to test their knowledge about the animal or topic.

In one club, members discuss Harry Potter books, and in another they fix their radio control cars and trucks, she adds.

“They learn mechanics,” she says. They really are intense. They have a lot of fun.

Children are required to do oral presentations and record books to document their 4-H club. They have their projects; they get to learn more about them.”

In their record books, for example, they note how much chickens cost, how much an egg costs.

Whatever the topic, “they feel good about being involved and learning about their project,” says Oblen. Whether it’s RC or reptiles, it’s all about learning and reporting on

it.”

Oblen even invites guest speakers now and then. One person may come and talk about his chickens, another may talk about challenges with her animals.

With more than a dozen years offering these clubs, Oblen enjoys providing the time and space for the children to learn and engage.

“I love the children and their projects,” says Oblen, “and I’m learning with them. The enthusiasm is really great.

“They are just so enthusiastic,” she continues. “I love when they take over the meeting talking about their projects. It’s about sharing their information and speaking—We need more of that.”

To sign up for a 4-H Club at High View Farms, call Oblen at 908-303-0010; or visit www.morris4h.org/4h-clubs.

Outside of these clubs, Oblen does monster trucks and farm birthday parties.

“I run the parties with my son Shawn, my daughter-in-law Amy, and two grandchildren Shane and Sammy,” she shares.

More on 4-H 4 H is America’s largest and longest-standing youth development organization - empowering nearly six

million young people with the life skills to lead and change, shares Valerie Smit, 4-H Program Coordinator in Morristown.

For more than 100 years, 4 H has welcomed young people of all beliefs and backgrounds, giving kids a voice to express who they are and how they make their lives and communities better.

4 H is delivered by Cooperative Extension - a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. In New Jersey that university is Rutgers and its

Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension. The Morris County 4-H Association is a non-profit volunteer-based group, that supports the program, clubs, and events.

The 4-H Youth Development Program uses a learn-by-doing approach to enable youth to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need to become competent, caring and contributing citizens of the world.

This is accomplished by using the knowledge and resources of caring adults who provide educational programs through 4-H clubs, events and activities.

HTV Media Transfer Service • The local trusted media service since 1990 • Digitize your memories today...for tomorrow • Tapes, Films, cassettes, photos, cell phone media preserved • MOHS, HHS: We have your school graduation video

Contact us: 117 Grand Avenue Hackettstown, NJ (across from post office)

htvtransfers@gmail.com 908-852-7418

Page 20 • August 2024 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

NJStarz NJ Stars: The Semonski Sisters Hometown: Hackettstown

D

By Steve Sears uring a recent, beautiful spring Tuesday, two of the original six Semonski Sisters of Great Meadows, Audrey and Michelle, paid a visit the New Jersey home of their mom, Roberta “Rusty” Semonski.

When the time was right, the duo got together and sang for their mom.

If you closed your eyes, you could envision the remaining Semonski Sisters – Joanne, Donna, Valerie, and Diane – joining in and transporting you back to 1974 – 1978 when as young women they performed on The Lawrence Welk Show.

Joanne said, “They (Lawrence Welk and those who worked on his show) were wonderful people.”

Audrey added, “They were like a family.”

Later that afternoon, Audrey and Michelle headed back to their roots, a 150-acre farm property the ladies lived on in the early 1970s. They hiked the land they had run on as children, as the lake installed by their dad reflected the many surrounding trees.

Via Facebook, Michelle aptly described the day. “So many memories of my dad and family. Gosh…. I got teared up!”

You cannot tell The Semonski Sisters story in just 1,500 words. There is too much history and music, and so much love.

So, consider this August 2024 feature – the first NJ Starz article ever to highlight an entire family – just an introduction. There are plenty of videos on You Tube for further exploration and enjoyment.

Raised by their loving parents, Joseph and Roberta “Rusty” Semonski, the birth order of the talented sisters is as follows: Diane (1956), Donna (1958), Joanne (1960), Valerie (1962, who passed away in 2022), Audrey (1963) and Michelle (1967). Diane and Michelle are Hackettstown High School graduates. The other four sisters graduated from high schools either in Florida or California.

The Semonski Sisters first performed on The Lawrence Welk Show during Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas specials prior to appearing regularly starting in 1975. Diane left the group in 1976 to pursue her own career in music and songwriting, while her five sisters remained with the show until 1978.

The Semonski Sisters started singing in the Garden State, but their big break came in Florida.

Donna explained. “My dad saw that we had talent, and he showcased us in different things, because my mother and dad had a band that they used to perform in for weddings and banquets.”

Joseph also owned a music store in Dover called Tempo Music Center, and he would bring musical instruments home and saw that his daughters could also play instruments in addition to their singing. Realizing the young Semonski six needed a bigger stage to display their talent, he moved his

family to Florida.

The east coast’s southernmost state would prove fertile ground for their discovery. Two months into their new home, “Rusty” saw in a local newspaper that Donald O’Connor was going to be performing at the Top of the World restaurant at Walt Disney World.

“It was a big, huge restaurant which had this huge elevator all the way up to the top, and it overlooked all of Disneyworld,” Donna recalled. “We got tickets, and we all rode the elevator up and off. It was eight of us, and because there was so many of us - God had his hand in it, of course - the maître d’ sat us at a table right off the dance floor.

We sat there watching Donald O’Connor perform and, in his act, he came off the stage and he would get someone to sing and dance with him.”

Youngest sister, Michelle, was the one to initially draw O’Connor’s attention, and that led to her and her sisters performing with him that evening. This encouraged a meeting between Joseph and Harry Weist, Disneyworld’s band leader. Aware that Welk was heading to Orlando to do the popular show, Dining for Dollars, Weist thought the girls should audition for him. This then led to an introduction to Walter Windsor, who was producer of Channel 9 WFTV in Orlando, the Dining for Dollars network.

Joanne recalled, “Walter Windsor set up a live, on-air audition on Dialing for Dollars. And it was hysterical because my dad and mom had to go out with us, and we had to get all these outfits. We looked like the Partridge Family!”

Audrey said, “We were rushed into the studio and sang, and he loved us, and he said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I just found one of the finest acts - The Semonski Sisters - and I am going to take them all to California with us.’ And he did just that.”

Floridians for just under six months, the Semonskis packed up their station wagon and headed almost 2,500 miles to Welk’s mobile home resort in Escondido, California.

“It was a whirlwind,” Audrey added with a laugh, “and it was with our dog.”

Michele, who was seven when the sisters first appeared on the show and 10 when they departed, said, “He (Welk) was very good to us. He was very professional in that way.

He wanted us to be pure and wholesome. He took us so many places and gave us this beautiful opportunity.”

While performing at the Welcome Inn Restaurant, Welk’s eatery in Escondido, the older Semonski sisters served as hosts and servers, but eventually all the sisters would sing while their dad would walk the restaurant playing his accordion. They were being groomed for their four seasons on the show.

It got to be hectic at times, and California was much different from their humble beginnings.

Joanne said, “Were very naive to the Hollywood thing.

There was a lot of things that we saw, that were so absurd compared to where we came from. We were in this laid-

The Semonski Sisters on The Lawrence Welk Show (courtesy of The Semonski Sisters)

back town, and then there was this hustle and bustle and everything.”

And there was the demand to perform, a commitment they had to make.

Donna said, “Every week, there was an arrangement that we had to learn and memorize. There were no words in front of you. You had to memorize the words to the song, and fortunately we were singing all the old-time standards which The Lawrence Welk Show always performed. We were accustomed to these songs because of our dad and mom, and we heard these songs a lot. We did not know the words, but we heard the melodies.”

Joanne added, “We had to really be serious about what venture we were on. It was overwhelming. There were times when we would just really want to pack it in. But we knew this was what we wanted to do.”

When it came to the songs they had to sing, Jimmie Rogers’ “Honeycomb” was the most difficult. Audrey said, “It was so many verses, so many words, and it was fast.”

And then there were the favorites. Donna added, “We always wanted to copy the Andrews Sisters. We would sing “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” and “Apple Blossom Time,” and Lawrence had the Lennon Sisters on for many years, and he wanted us to sing those songs, too, which we liked.”

“Chim Chim Cher-ee” from Mary Poppins was perhaps the highlight, and with good reason. In addition to singing, the sisters got to act while dressed as chimney sweepers.

Around the time The Semonski Sisters were preparing to leave The Lawrence Welk Show, Joseph in 1977 bought an inn and restaurant in Pennsylvania in the Pocono Mountains, which he called the Semonski Sisters Country Inn & Lodge, a venue of music, dance and food, offering entertainment every Saturday night in the main dining area as well as in the lounge.

The Semonski Sisters waited tables and, of course, sang continued on page 21

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • August 2024 • Page 21

NJ Starz.... continued from page 20 for the guests.

Donna said, “It was nonstop Monday through Sunday. It never stopped, and it was overwhelming. It was a very difficult life, but we enjoyed it.”

Joseph Semonski has passed away, but Roberta “Rusty” Semonski is healthy and well at age 86.

Michelle said, “I miss my dad. If you had to look back at the way God placed everything in our path, it really had a lot to do with my father. He groomed us from the time that we were babies to be musical. And if I had to reminisce for five minutes, all of us - including Valerie - would all be in one spot at one time singing, and seeing that proud look that he always had on his face.”

For Audrey, her wish would be to have to family return to their first days in

T

Joseph and Roberta “Rusty” Semonski (credit Tom Mareschal photography)

Escondido, when the family ascended a mountain and sang “He,” a 1954 song about God written by Richard Mullan and Jack Richards.

“If we can all sing that together with daddy and mommy standing there with us,” Audrey said, “that would be something. That was such a beautiful song.”

100 Years Ago This Month

he month of August has been home to many historical events over the years.

Here’s a look at some that helped to shape the world in August 1924.

• Three people are killed and 10 others are injured when a boiler fire erupts on the French battleship Courbet on August 1. The Courbet survives the fire and is eventually utilized during World War II. • John Carroll O’Connor is born on August 2 in Manhattan. O’Connor would become one of the most memorable television actors of all time, notably portraying “Archie Bunker” in the sitcoms “All in the Family” and “Archie Bunker’s Place” in the 1970s and early 1980s.

• Berlin Jews hold a memorial service for Jewish soldiers who died during World War I on August 3. The Jewish service takes place after a Jewish preacher was forbidden from delivering a prayer during a similar service held outside the Reichstag commemorating German soldiers who died during the war.

• Women from six European nations compete in the first Women’s International and British Games in London on August 4.

The competition is held because track and field events at the Summer Olympics were limited to men only.

• Confidence man Charles Ponzi is released from prison in Plymouth, Massachusetts on August 6. Ponzi served less than four years

of a five-year sentence for financial crimes.

• Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich of Russia, a first cousin of the late Tsar Nicholas II, declares himself “Guardian of the Throne” for the Russian Empire on August 8. Two years later, the Grand Duke would declare himself the emperor-in-exile.

• The earliest sound film footage of an American president is recorded on August 11 when Lee de Forest films U.S. President Calvin Coolidge on the White House lawn.

De Forest uses his experimental Phonofilm process to make the recording.

• Andrew S. Anderson, the Democratic Party nominee for South Dakota Governor, is gored by a bull on his property on August 11.

Anderson does not survive the attack.

• Former world middleweight title holder Kid McCoy shoots his lover, Teresa Mors, on August 12 in Los Angeles. McCoy, retired from boxing at the time of the shooting, shot Mors in a drunken rage after she told him what her friends thought of him.

• United States Senator Nathaniel B. Dial and John J. McMahan, his challenger for the Democratic Party nomination in an upcoming election, are each arrested for disorderly conduct in South Carolina on August 20. Dial approached McMahan brandishing a chair during a campaign meeting that became contentious.

The best value in transportation since 1939!

973-347-6100 mm2limo.com

We can now serve you in over 100 cities!

Mention promo code NVM19 for

10% OFF

any Airport or Cruise Port Transfer

• Corporate and Personal Transportation • Airport and Cruise Port Transfers • Wedding Limos • Prom Limos • Casinos, Theaters, Sporting Events, Birthdays, Anniversaries and MORE!

Page 22 • August 2024 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

VG

GENERATOR

HARDWOOD FLOORS

ALLEY

INSURANCE

MEDICAL HEALTH INSURANCE HEALTH INSURANCE PROBLEMS?

ENERATORS

Cost? Participation? Local network only? Cancellations?

We specialize in Installation, service and warranty for Generac, Kohler and most brands of permanent standby and portable generators

Please call 973-464-7457 Insurance Brokerage Services, est. 1988

Schedule your appointment today

Professional Risk Management

908-876-4510

Workers Compensation, General Liability, Property Insurance

marc@valleygenerators.net

HANDYMAN

973-831-610 973-8316102 2 www.griffithhandymannj.com

HOME SERVICES

YOUR AD HERE

AIR CONDITIONING • HEATING • ELECTRICAL

Your Ad Here as low as $65

Caserta Home Services, Inc.

Owner Operated • Not A Franchise

SERVICES

5% OFF

Small or Big

Any Job Over $100 • Carpentry Repair Jobs • Tile Repair & Regrouting New Customers Only.

No • Sheetrock Repair Must be present at time of estimate.

• Caulking Problem!

Labor only. Cannot be combined with • Interior/Exterior Painting • Picture Hanging any other offer. Expires 8/31/24 • Wall Paper Removal • Siding Repair • Deck Repair • Door/Lock Replacement • Concrete Masonry Repair • Carpet, Tile & Upholstery • Powerwashing Cleaning & Many More Call for details.

Services • Gutter Cleaning SERVING ALL OF PASSAIC, BERGEN, SUSSEX & ESSEX COUNTIES

DRYER VENT CLEANING

Same Day Service...or it’s FREE! HVAC Lic. 19HC00106700 • Electrical Lic. 7824

973.895.5342

www.casertahomeservices.com

Call Joe at 973-809-4784 for more information

National CLASSIFIED ADS MACPA Become a Published Author. We want to Read Your Book! Dorrance Publishing-Trusted by Authors Since 1920 Book manuscript submissions currently being reviewed. Comprehensive Services: Consultation, Production, Promotion and Distribution Call for Your Free Author`s Guide 1-866-482-1576 or visit dorranceinfo. com/macnet Donate your car, truck, boat, RV and more to support our veterans! Schedule a FAST, FREE vehicle pickup and receive a top tax deduction!

Call Veteran Car Donations at 1-877-327-0686 today!

Replace your roof with the best looking and longest lasting material, steel from Erie Metal Roofs! Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer up to 50% off installation + Additional 10% off install (for military, health workers & 1st responders.) Call Erie Metal Roofs: 1-855338-4807 Get a break on your taxes! Donate your car, truck, or SUV to assist the blind and visually impaired. Arrange a swift, no-cost vehicle pickup and secure a generous tax credit for 2025. Call Heritage for the Blind Today at 1-844-320-2804 today!

Inflation is at 40 year highs. Interest rates are way up. Credit Cards. Medical Bills. Car Loans.

Do you have $10k or more in debt? Call NATIONAL DEBT RELIEF and find out how to pay off your debt for significantly less than what you owe! FREE quote: Call 1-866-272-0492

DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance – NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details!

1-877-553-1891 www.dental50plus.com/macnet #6258 DIAGNOSED WITH LUNG CANCER and 65+?

You may qualify for a substantial cash award.

NO obligation! We’ve recovered millions. Let us help!! Call 24/7, 1-866-590-5563 Stroke and Cardiovascular disease are leading causes of death, according to the American Heart Association. Screenings can provide peace of mind or early detection! Contact Life Line Screening to schedule your screening.

Special offer – 5 screenings for just $149. Call 1-866-518-8391 Don’t let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-844-317-5246 Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-791-1626 Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-855-465-7624 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-833-356-1954 Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, waving ALL installation costs!

Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. (Offer ends 8/25/24.) Call 1-844826-2535 Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit!

Call 855-837-7844 DIRECTV OVER INTERNET – Get your favorite live TV, sports and local channels. 99% signal reliability! CHOICE Package, $84.99/mo for 12 months. HBO Max and Premium Channels included for 3 mos (w/CHOICE Package or higher.) No annual contract, no hidden fees!

Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-6296086 Need IRS Relief $10K – $125K+ Get Fresh Start or Forgiveness‎ Call 1-877-705-1472 Monday through Friday 7AM-5PM PST BUYING CLASSIC CARS, TRUCKS, SUVs **American and Foreign** Any Condition. Buying entire car collections. $$PAYING CA$H$$ Please call 717-577-8206 KRMiller1965@ yahoo.com

WANTED! MOTORCYCLES & MINI BIKES! ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC. Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Triumph, BSA, and other foreign models. $$PAYING CA$H$$ 717-5778206 KRMiller1965@yahoo.com Prepare for power outages with Briggs & Stratton® PowerProtect(TM) standby generators – the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty – 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-855-5562581 Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up.

100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398 VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! 50 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00. 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-445-5928 Hablamos Español Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400+ procedures.

Real dental insurance - not just a discount plan. Get your free Information Kit with details!

1-855-526-1060 www.dental50plus.com/ads #6258 Attention oxygen therapy users! Discover oxygen therapy that moves with you with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. Free information kit. 1-866-477-9045 Aging Roof? New Homeowner? Got Storm Damage? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-878-9091 Water damage cleanup: A small amount of water can cause major damage to your home. Our trusted professionals dry out wet areas & repair to protect your family & your home value! Call 24/7: 1-888-872-2809. Have zip code!

Professional lawn service: Fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration & mosquito control.

Call now for a free quote. Ask about our first application special! 1-833-606-6777 Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855-948-6176 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-610-1936 Bath & shower updates in as little as 1 day!

Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts available.

1-877-543-9189 Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 1-877729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub.

Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-ofthe-line installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available.

1-855-417-1306Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation ExpertsOver $50,000,000 in timeshare debt & fees cancelled in 2019. Get free info package & learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. 833308-1971

DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405 Replace your roof w/the best looking & longest lasting material steel from Erie Metal Roofs! 3 styles & multiple colors available.

Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer up to 50% off install + Additional 10% off install (military, health & 1st responders.)

1-833-370-1234 Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, waving ALL installation costs!

(Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer.) Offer ends 8/25/24. Call 1-844-501-3208 Don’t let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-833-399-3595 Home break-ins take less than 60 seconds.

Don’t wait! Protect your family, your home, your assets now for as little as 70¢/day!

1-844-591-7951 MobileHelp America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away.

For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! Call 1-888-489-3936

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • August 2024 • Page 23

DENVILLE SEAFOOD Celebrating Our 73rd Year!

Fresh Seafood Market • Fresh Fish Daily From The Fulton Fish Market In NY Family Operated Since 1951

Denville Seafood Better Than A Shore Thing!

INDOOR and OUTDOOR DINING AVAILABLE

Free Parking in Bloomfield lot, located behind the store The Back door is open for your convenience FISH MARKET OPEN! Fresh Fish Daily! Take Out Available!

Daily Record

MORRIS COUNTY

Follow Us On Facebook For Specials, Recipes, Events & More

973-627-2987

61 Broadway • Denville Retail Market Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:00-8:00 Dining Room Lunch 11:30-3:00 • Dinner 4:00 Until Closing Closed Sun. & Mon. • Kitchen closed daily 3:00-4:00

WWW.DENVILLESEAFOOD.COM