No. 18 Vol. 2
www.mypaperonline.com
February 2020
For a Heartwarming Experience, Take in a Challenger Division Soccer Match
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By Steve Sears he atmosphere has been called “heartwarming” by some. A Hub Soccer of Denville Challenger Division Soccer game, which serves Special Needs children ages 5 - 21, is an event to see. Challenger Soccer enables special needs kids to have peer experiences with mentors and exposes neurotypical kids to the challenges faced by special needs kids and also the gifts they have. The Butler’s than speak to perhaps the biggest benefit. “Both groups leave the field having learned something - either about themselves or others,” says Lesley Butler, Assistant Coach, Mentor Recruiter, photographer and Facebook Page Editor. Her husband, Thom, is Hub Soccer Director, Challenger Division and Head Coach. “This is important to Denville because we want an inclusive community, where all kids are accepted and have relationships with peers no matter what their learning differences may be.” The program is open to anyone, but the majority of participants come from Denville. “Basically, there was nothing in Denville for special ed kids,” says Butler regarding the division’s founding. “After years of traveling to Montville and Rockaway for their already
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Call Peggy Lefsky to Find Out More 973.727.0795 established programs, a group of parents in Denville had the idea to form a soccer team within the HUB Soccer program just for kids who wanted a team experience but with accommodations. Luckily, Don Casse was incredibly responsive to the idea and has been a great supporter since.” Pat Kelly’s nephew, Brendan, a young adult with Down’s Syndrome, participates. “For me, I can’t think of a more enjoyable way to spend a beautiful fall day, watching and cheering on the kids who give their all exercising and competing in the game.” She then adds, “Lots of high-fives and big smiles go around as goals are scored.” Butler states, “We were blessed to have lead mentors for a few years. Giulia and Giaci Vitolo, sisters and
both captains on the Morris Knolls Girls Soccer Team. They organized mentors from a service organization at the high school called the Key Club.” Kelly adds, “Praise and admiration for all the teenagers who so willingly give up their Saturday afternoons to befriend and mentor the members of the Challenger team. Too often they are seldom recognized for the good they do.” Butler also adds Helping Hands of Denville, run by their good friend, Gary Beumee, has been extremely helpful. “My sons are in his group. As a family, we all pitch in. Gary started this organization when our cub scout group did not move on to scouts but wanted to continue with service activities around town. The group helps senior citizens
with yard work and other projects as well as participates in any volunteer projects around town - Rockaway River Cleanup, Denville Rid Litter Day, etc.” Beumee, per Butler, is Challenger Soccer’s biggest fan, and was involved in the Challenger Baseball program when Denville participated. “Gary also nominated us for the YMCA Citizen of the Year award - which we were presented with last May. It was quite an honor to be included with such an amazing group of volunteers.“ The future looks bright. The Butlers are hopeful that some younger parents are willing to take the program to new heights. “In addition,” says Butler, “it is important to keep expanding our supply of mentors. We have grown the program continued on page 8
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A VIEW FROM THE LEFT
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In Defense of Iowa
EDITORIAL &
Opinions
e have reached that time in every presidential nominating year when distinguished, national opinion leaders beat up on Iowa and that admirable state’s influential role in determining the two major parties’ eventual presidential nominees and, therefore, the next president. The USA Today editorial board indicts Iowa for being “one of the least ethnically diverse states in the country” and its status as the first-in-the-nation presidential test every four years as “ un-American,” while Paul Waldman writes in The Washington Post that the Iowa caucuses “are a crime against democracy.” It is time someone stood up for Iowa and Iowans. It’s true that Iowa is neither very representative of the entire nation nor very average. Scholarly studies have ranked Iowa as tied for first place in percentage of the adult population who are high school graduates. Iowans are fourth highest in access to health care (more “representative” Florida and Texas rank 46th and 47th respectively in citizens’ access to health care); first in broadband access; and third highest in public libraries per capita. True, the Hawkeye State leads the nation in production of corn, soybeans and pork, but Iowans are at the top of the nation in literacy, and the state has the U.S.’s 14th lowest murder rate. But Iowa remains a small, rural state in the middle of the country. How representative can its voters be of the nation at large? The answer: amazingly so. In 1992, Democrat Bill Clinton won 43% of the national vote and the White House; in Iowa, Clinton won 43% of the vote. In 1996, winner Clinton carried 49% of the national vote and 50% of the Iowa vote. In 2000, Democrat Al Gore won the national vote by one-half of 1% and Iowa by one-third of 1%. Republican George
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Mark Shields W Bush won reelection in 2004 with 51% of the national vote and 50% in Iowa. Democrat Barack Obama, in 2008, got 53% of the national vote and 54% of Iowans. In 2012, Obama was reelected nationally by a margin of 4% and in Iowa by 5%. In 2016, the exception: Donald Trump, who lost the national vote by 2% to Hillary Clinton, carried Iowa by a solid 10%. Yes, Iowa’s 2008 Democratic caucuses were 93% white, and those mid-American Caucasians made history by giving legitimacy and momentum to a freshman senator from Illinois, Barack Obama. In Iowa, the African American underdog won an upset victory over the heavily favored former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and was propelled to the top of the national polls. In fact, the rest of us owe Iowa our thanks. Iowans faithfully and earnestly fulfill their civil responsibilities by showing up at campaign town halls and listening and questioning the men and women who seek the White House. They take their responsibility seriously continued on page 6
DOWN
n November, I was banned in Boston after speech-squelchers on the left and right forced the cancellation of my lecture at Bentley University, a small private institution. The grassroots activists who had invited me were rejected by every major event venue in the nation’s purported Cradle of Liberty. The tail-tuckers cited security concerns or jacked up their rental fees to make it prohibitively expensive to gather peacefully to discuss -- gasp! -- ideas. Lou Murray of Bostonians Against Sanctuary Cities and Jessica Vaughan of the Center for Immigration Studies heroically persisted, pulling together a great event at a private home attended by 100 patriots who risked their privacy, friendships and even their jobs to listen to -- gasp! -- ideas. Soon after, a group of conservative students at the University of Maine, a publicly funded school, invited me to bring my nationalist message about who’s funding the destruction of America to their campus. This prompted the College Republicans’ faculty adviser, political science professor Amy Fried, to resign in protest. That led to the de-chartering of the CR group. Why? Because I refused to disavow other young students who have asked trenchant, pesky questions at Young America’s Foundation and Turning Point USA lectures about the GOP elites’ support of wage-suppressing, job-outsourcing, Democrat voter-importing policies that put American students, workers and families last. Many of those students follow a 21-year-old nationalist named Nick Fuentes, who hosts a program (for now) on YouTube and DLive in his basement called “America First.” Because I re-
Michelle Malkin fused to play the gatekeepers’ game of condemning every last joke or chatroom comment or tweet of someone followed by students whose questions I support, Fried believes that no students at her campus under her watch should be allowed to hear what I have to say about, well, anything. How strongly do University of Maine officials oppose the free association of college students who want to know more about my work? Yesterday, I learned from Portland Sheraton at Sable Oaks general manager Ed Palmer and others that at least one University of Maine official -- along with dozens of others cancel culture jihadists galvanized on social media by an anonymous Twitter account called “Support Maine’s Future” -- had called to complain about the students and me after they posted an event notice last Friday. I reached out to top administrators, who did not respond by my filing deadline. I also wrote to Fried, who respondcontinued on page 6
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Cancel Culture Strikes Again: Banned in Maine
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A VIEW FROM THE RIGHT
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H Publishers: Joe Nicastro & Mary Lalama H Graphics: Mary Lalama, Terri Armswood H Editor: Megan Roche
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Cancel Culture Strikes Again...
continued from page 4 ed late Tuesday evening: “I never did that. Didn’t happen. Whoever told you I did is incorrect. Thank you for checking, as you received a false report regarding me.” I responded: “Too bad you didn’t pay me the same courtesy.” Adrienne Bennett, a Republican candidate for U.S. Congress (Maine, District 2), challenged the school’s bullying tactics: “Free speech is the cornerstone of a free democracy. We are hearing reports that administrators from the University of Maine pressured a private Maine hotel to cancel an appearance by conservative speaker Michelle Malkin. If true, this is a disturbing
development from Maine’s public, landgrant university,” she blasted. “All universities -- but especially those that receive public funds -- have an obligation to foster free speech and free inquiry. I support President Trump’s recent executive order on campus free speech. ... I am disturbed that academic elites would interfere to block this speech. For those who disagree with Malkin’s views, the answer is debate and discourse, not censorship.” My upcoming speaking schedule (for now) includes the New York Young Republican Club (Jan. 16); somewhere, hopefully, in Maine (Jan. 17); Liberty Forum of Silicon
In Defense of Iowa... continued from page 4 and then, on a cold winter night, hundreds of thousands of Iowans leave their homes and go to the local church hall, firehouse or school gym and spend a couple of hours declaring and defending their presidential preference openly in front of neighbors and friends. In the caucus, firefighters join shoulder-to-shoulder with nurses, teachers, retirees, students and small businesswomen in truly vibrant democracy. Here in Iowa, because Iowans give them a full and fair chance, the underfinanced, under-
dog candidate has a real chance. It was in Iowa that Jimmy Carter broke through and where George H.W. Bush’s upset win would lead to his being chosen vice president. Thank you, Iowa, for serving the nation so well. To find out more about Mark Shields and read his past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators. com. COPYRIGHT 2020 MARK SHIELDS DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM
Valley (Feb. 11); Michigan Conservative Coalition’s Battle Cry 2020, Troy, Michigan (Feb. 14); Arizona State University (Feb. 26); and San Diego State University (April TBD). A total of six organizations have now deemed me such a public menace that I’ve been barred from speaking at their venues or events: Mar-a-Lago (canceled by the Trump Organization after complaints by the Southern Poverty Law Center spread by left-wingers at the Miami Herald); Bentley University; the University of Minnesota (canceled at the behest of national leaders of the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow); the New Jersey Right to Life Committee; an Indiana conservative group; and Young America’s Foundation. Why is this censorship campaign from both sides of the political spectrum happening? University of Maine College
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Republican Jeremiah Childs astutely observed: “They’re doing this to delegitimize us because we’re popular.” Popular, peacefully expressed ideas that threaten establishment empires in both parties must be stopped. The pretense of free inquiry and association must be propped up by the tolerance hypocrites on the left and the culture warrior poseurs on the right. The illusion of “free speech” must be maintained by the keepers of the gate. Lying is lucrative. Telling the truth, controlled by no one, only gets you grief. Michelle Malkin ‘s email address is MichelleMalkinInvestigates@protonmail.com. To find out more about Michelle Malkin and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
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Challenger Division Soccer...
continued from front page and have reached our limit for the player/ mentor ratio. Our success depends on mentors and it can be very stressful ensuring that we have enough each week - mentors that match the needs of our kids which vary greatly. Ideally, it would be great to have various teams commit to one weekend of mentoring every season or even have a team adopt the program, but we have yet to pull that off due to scheduling conflicts.
Still we have had great experiences with Morris Knolls, Morris Hills and Morris Catholic girls’ soccer teams, HUB soccer teams, Valleyview soccer teams as well as boy scout and girl scout troops. We also have had great success with reaching individuals who want to fulfill service hour requirements, or who just want to help.” For more information, visit www.hubsoccer.org.
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A Denville Love Story for Valentine’s Day
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By Megan Roche or Heather and Jared Vian, a chance meeting on OkCupid, a dating app, led to a happily ever after in Denville. Heather met Jared after he sent a message on the dating app, Heather noting “His message was one of the more thoughtful but direct ones of the hundreds I got.” After dating for a short amount of time in 2014, the two decided that the timing wasn’t right, and they weren’t interested in a relationship. However, as Heather was cleaning out her wallet in 2016, she found Jared’s business card, just a few days after breaking up with a former boyfriend. She took a chance and texted Jared. Jared was eager to talk to Heather again and she drove to Denville almost every weekend from Queens, NY to be with him and spend time with him. “I started to drive out to Denville every weekend from Queens to be with him. An hour each way. We both fell in love very quickly. Eventually I moved in to be with him more because we hated being apart.” Heather shared. September 2019 came quickly and the two were married. For Heather, she models their marriage after her parents. “I modeled my relationship after my parents who have been together almost 40 years and are more in love each day. My husband says he has loved me since he met me. I don’t know about me, but I’ve never fallen in love that fast and I’ve never been this in love before. Our friends and families all think were perfect together and I have to agree. I was dedicatedly searching for the perfect partner who I could be sure about and I succeeded.”
The two newlyweds also passed down some advice for dating and young love. “Be honest, communicate what you want going in. Talk
about your needs. The most success comes from two people who each find pleasure in and regularly try to make the other happy and always put each other first.”
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Assemblyman Brian Bergen, Army Officer and Combat Veteran, Ardent Advocate for District 25 Communities
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By Jillian Risberg e’s all about doing good for others and giving back. For newly elected Assemblyman Brian Bergen, civic responsibility is the cornerstone of our democracy and he plans to work tirelessly changing lives in District 25 (that’s 21 towns in Morris and Somerset counties). After a stint as a Denville councilman the past two years, this is Bergen’s first foray into State Assembly, where he’ll be focusing on constituent services, the formation of a veteran’s caucus and more. “I worked very hard to make sure I was established as a candidate and it was the smartest decision I made,” Bergen says. That gave him an early advantage in the Republican field. It was May 2018 when sitting State Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll announced he was going to retire. “I knew if I wanted to become an assemblyman this was the time,” Bergen says. “I asked some opinions (and) a lot of people were — especially in the establishment, ‘wait your turn,’ you just became a councilman.” It didn’t stop Bergen. “The second that hit, I dropped a press release that I was running and I didn’t look back,” the Assemblyman says. He hasn’t skipped a beat from his days as a councilman. “As soon as I won the council seat, I jumped right in and made these things happen for people in the community,” Bergen says. “I loved being a councilman. The best part,
quite frankly, is not what you do sitting up at the dais but what you can do to help individuals.” Like the time the Assemblyman got wind of a Facebook post where a resident expressed upset because the net on a basketball hoop at their pocket park on the end of the road had been missing for years. “I made one phone call to the administrator — just asked him if he could look into it,” Bergen says. “An hour later there was a new net.” The Assemblyman says to have that kind of influence is everything. “When that basketball net went up it was the best thing that’s happened to him in a long time and they were so happy,” he says. “As small of an accomplishment as it might have been for me, it made a big impact, and that’s what I love.” Bergen says he could offer a hundred more examples like that — cross walks he had put in, stop signs, “But they all have the same thread through them; a person had an issue and came to me. I was able to use the position to get the attention it deserved.” The Assemblyman’s interest in politics correlates with his time overseas. “Virtually everyone that leaves the military spends a long time searching for another way to fulfill their passion to serve,” says Bergen, a West Point grad, former Army Ofcontinued on page 14
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Assemblyman Brian Bergen... continued from page 12 ficer and combat veteran. “I kicked butt in the corporate world and it wasn’t really satisfying.” Starting his own business (Bergen Botanicals, an indoor landscape company) has been good for the Assemblyman and he gives 20 percent of all his profits to veterans organizations but he still wanted more. He was getting his MBA at Rutgers when he met a fellow student, Julio Tavares — a Paterson councilman at the time. Tavares explained what it took to attain that position and suggested ways the Assemblyman could get involved in county committee. In 2015, Bergen introduced himself to Councilman Chris Golinski. “When you’re done being a councilman, I’d really like to be the guy who replaces you,” the Assemblyman told Golinski, who helped the Army vet get involved. “Next thing I know I was in charge of funnel cakes at the fall festival and cleaning up the rivers in town.” Then he got onto the zoning board and from there, more and more involved. “After a few months of seeing me really
take it serious, he said, ‘Ya know what Brian — I’m not going to run again and I’d love to support you to run for my seat,’” Bergen says Golinski told him. That was the kickoff into politics for the Assemblyman, who was on a streak —becoming president of the Republican Club, and in 2017 he ran for Golinski’s council seat. According to Bergen, to be an effective campaigner one has to be continuously attacking the mission to get elected — from all angles, at all times. “I absolutely loved campaigning; it’s exhilarating,” he says. “It’s like the military, a constant operation, the competitiveness and the strategic approach you have to take.” Bergen is embracing this new political chapter, knowing this is where he wants and needs to be. And he has the support of his family, who couldn’t be prouder — including wife Kristin; daughter Samantha, 11, and 7-yearold son Justin. “The State Assembly gives me all the more ability to do so much good, for so many different people, so many different ways,” the Assemblyman says.
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M
Smith Chosen as Freeholder Director
orris County Freeholders Doug Cabana of Boonton Township, Kathy DeFillippo of Roxbury, and Tom Mastrangelo of Montville, and Sheriff James M. Gannon and new County Surrogate Heather Darling were sworn into office at the Board of Freeholders’ 2020 Annual Meeting, held in Morristown. Also at the ceremonial event, Freeholders Deborah Smith of Denville and Stephen Shaw of Mountain Lakes were elected as director and deputy director, each for the first time. Smith succeeds Freeholder Doug Cabana as director. “My goals this year are to make decisions that benefit all residents of Morris County, to keep close watch on spending while delivering critical public safety and quality of life services that make Morris County the number one county in New Jersey, by far,’’ said Freeholder Smith. “I look forward to working with and supporting my freeholder colleagues and the county administration in my role as Deputy Director. It is an honor and privilege to serve the residents of Morris County,” said Freeholder Shaw. Showing support for those who took the oaths were a host of political dignitaries, including Rep. Mikie Sherill, state Sens. Joe Pennacchio, Anthony Bucco, and Tom Kean
Jr.; Assembly Members BettyLou DeCroce, Aura Dunn, and Christopher DePhillips. Also attending were County Clerk Ann Grossi, County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and First Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Zelante, and recently retired County Surrogate John Pecoraro, and former freeholders Frank Druetzler, Gene Feyl, John Inglesino, and John Sette. Freeholder Smith highlighted some of Morris County’s top rankings and high quality of life during her address to overflow audience in the County Administration and Records Building. She touted the following about Morris County: It has the number one county park system in New Jersey; It is a statewide leader in open space and farmland preservation; It is the number one healthiest county in New Jersey; It is a statewide leader in recycling; It has the top-ranked Triple A bond rating; It is ranked in the top 25 counties to live in the U.S.; County College of Morris and the Morris County Vocational School are ranked among the best in the nation. “The Freeholder Board is intent in 2020 to maintain those top rankings,’’ Smith told the crowd. “We know we have a lot of work ahead of us and look forward to your partic-
ipation and collaboration.’’ Smith joined the Freeholder Board on Jan. 3, 2016, and is now serving her second three-year term. She has served on the Budget Committee, chaired the Insurance Commission, and has been liaison to the Morris County Park Commission and Finance Department. Previously, she was on the Denville Council for 20 years, including two years as council president and two years as the council’s
Planning Board member. She also served on the Denville Zoning Board. Freeholder Smith has long served her community, volunteering for many community activities. She was the Township Council’s liaison to the Denville Public Library, senior citizens’ organizations, the local historical society, fire department and many other groups. She resides in Denville with her husband Steven, a small business owner in Randolph.
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Introducing Dr. Steven A. Forte
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By Megan Roche process that started three and a half years ago was something that even Dr. Steven Forte would have never seen coming when he was in high school. As the Superintendent of Denville’s K-8 Schools, education is the number one thing on Forte’s mind, so much so that he recently successfully defended his doctoral dissertation and is now known around the district and Denville as a whole as Doctor Steven Forte. Forte’s dissertation, titled “New Jersey School Funding
and Referendum Passage and Analysis of Recent Elections”, focused on what things and events can affect whether or not a referendum gets passed. He specifically looked at the time of year and whether or not adding money for school security helps with the referendums passage. Getting started was the biggest hurdle that Forte had to overcome. “For anyone who is thinking about doing a doctoral program, just start. Education is something that people can never take away from you. You can never have too much of it. It’s pretty cool to say that I’m a doctor now. It’s weird when I hear other people say it because I’m not used to it. When you see it in writing, it’s weird, but at the same time, it’s incredible.” Forte said. Forte grew up in West Orange and graduated from West Orange High School in 1985. He headed off to college immediately after high school, only to be kicked out after freshman year. He got a job working as a security guard for Channel Lumber before he took control of his life and got re-enrolled in school. After graduating from college with a degree in education, Forte’s first teaching job was at Ridge High School in Basking Ridge as a special education teacher. When he became the Superintendent in Denville in 2014, he inherited buildings that were damaged, the district’s finances were a mess, and many repairs were imminently needed. Thanks to his work and the working relationship he shares with the Denville Township Board of Education, the school district looks better than ever. He will be the Superintendent of Denville’s K-8 Public Schools through June 2022.
Forte chose Saint Peter’s University as his school for his doctorate due to an easy location and its athletic prowess. While the school’s main campus is located in Jersey City, Forte’s classes were held at Morris Knolls High School during the evening, a commute for Forte that took about 10 minutes if traffic was backed up on Route 46. Believe it or not, there were definitely times when Forte didn’t feel like this was as much fun as he’d hoped. “The perseverance to push through all of this was a big thing I learned. Who wants to go into their office on a Sunday and work? You don’t feel like doing it and reading about a pretty boring topic and writing. But then, somehow, you get through it and it’s over. It stops hanging over your head and you feel really accomplished when it’s all said and done.” Forte said. After defending his dissertation in December, the night of his defense, after all the signatures were acquired, Mr. Forte then became Dr. Forte. Saint Peter’s University will hold its graduation ceremonies at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel in May, a ceremony that Forte and his family, wife Lisa, daughter Marissa, and son Anthony will be in attendance at. “The biggest reason I did this was for my kids, both my own and the kids in my district. I wanted them to see that you can always keep continuing to learn. I wanted them to see that you can always do better and push through every day and to teach them that mentality. It was really just something I have always wanted to do, I love challenges.”
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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • February 2020 • Page 19
United States Power Squadron Offers State Boating Safety Course
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orthern New Jersey Sail & Power Squadron, a unit of the United States Power Squadrons (USPS) and now America’s Boating Club, will offer the New Jersey State Police, Marine Services Bureau approved Boating Safety Course at James Caldwell High School from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. beginning on Tuesday, March 10, 2020. The course taught by certified instructors licensed by the State of NJ, and which meets all the mandatory requirements necessary for obtaining your New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate, will run every Tuesday evening for seven weeks which includes a night for review, and a night for the required state examination. The cost of the course is $90.00. Legislation in the state of New Jersey was passed a number of years ago requiring all boaters, 16 years of age or older, operating a power driven vessel including a personal watercraft (PWC), to complete
a boating safety course. The legislation requires a minimum of eight hours of instruction with at least six hours of in-classroom study, homework, and a proctored examination. Those successfully completing the course will receive a New Jersey Marine State Police certificate that must be in the operator’s possession when on the waters of the state. Failure to exhibit the certificate is presumptive evidence that the person has not completed an approved boating safety course and is subject to a fine. One must be at least 12 years of age to attend the course. Registration is made through the Continuing Education office at James Caldwell High School, after 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Their phone number is 973-2282092. Email: http://www.cwcboe.org/continuinged. Questions concerning the USPS course can also be addressed to the Boating Course Chairman, Bob Rosselot at 973228-5329; email: rosselot17@aol.com.
Have a human interest story or something you would like to share? Email us at editor@mylifepublications.com
Denville Youth Wins Morris County VFW Essay Contest
John along with Denville Post 2519 Commander (and soon to be Assemblyman) Brian Bergen and District 10 Commander Steve Niblett.
J
ohn Limberis, a freshman at Morris Knolls High School, was honored recently for winning the District 10 (Morris County) Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Voice of Democracy essay competition. Earlier,
John was the winner in the Denville VFW competition. He is now entered in the state competition. The theme for the competition was “What Makes America Great”.
I Remember Dad:
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Dad’s Love for the Old Morris Canal
By Richard Mabey Jr. y father had a great love for the history of the old Morris Canal. After all, his father, Watson Mabey, worked as an Engineer on Incline Plane Ten East in Lincoln Park. And, his grandfather, William Mabey, once owned and operated an icehouse along the banks of the canal. The Morris Canal was a page of New Jersey history that was near and dear to his heart. For over 20 years, my Dad served as the Vice President of the Lincoln Park Historical Society. And, in that time, Dad must have given well over a hundred educational talks on the old Morris Canal. Most of the talks that Dad gave, were at the Lincoln Park Museum. One of Dad’s favorite subjects, for his many talks, was explaining the intricate mechanics of how an incline
Dad giving a talk about the old Morris Canal to a class of grammar school children. Dad loved to educate children about the colorful history of canal life.
A photo of my Dad standing beside the educational model of a canal incline plane, inside the Lincoln Park Museum. Dad often used this great visual aid in his many talks on the history of the old Morris Canal.
plane operated. I loved my Dad’s style of public speaking and how he explained things to a group of people. Dad had a kindness in his voice. His love for the old Morris Canal would shine like a diamond, as he told the stories of the old canal that he remembered his father telling him, when he was a boy.
nal. My Dad always graciously accepted their kind compliments with a certain graceful humble spirit. I loved my Dad, so very much. In March of 2006, Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He passed away in May of 2006. I still deeply grieve his passing. I am deeply indebted to my father, for educat-
When Dad gave talks at the Lincoln Park Museum, they would always have cake and coffee afterwards. From town councilmen to mayors to state senators to college professors; so very many people of respected standings would then tell Dad how much they had learned from one of Dad’s talks on the old Morris Ca-
ing me so very well on the subject of the Morris Canal. Each and every one of us has within themselves, a sense of a calling to serve others. I know for my father that one of his many callings to serve others, was to educate people about the splendors and wonders of the old Morris Canal. I’d give an eyetooth, to once
again hear and see my Dad give one of his talks on the history of the canal. In memory, from time to time, I return to that quaint and charming little museum and imagine once again that I’m sitting in one of those old metal folding chairs, listening to one of Dad’s talks.
Page 20 • February 2020 • Denville Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com
F
Apps You’ll App-reciate on Your Next Trip
rom planning your next getaway to managing your vacation budget, there are myriad apps you can use to make your trip a seamless, more enjoyable experience. Before planning your next trip, make sure you visit your preferred app store to download tools like these that can help with everything from planning to staying on track during the trip to looking back on your experiences when you return home. Map tools. While the most basic function of these apps is obvious, map apps are also useful tools to research the area you’re visiting, plan your routes ahead of time and find nearby essentials like gas stations and restaurants during your trip. Some apps also allow you to download offline maps so you don’t find yourself stranded if you’re going someplace where you’re likely to encounter poor signal strength. Discount rate finders: These apps make it simple to research and compare the best rates and deals for multiple aspects of your trip, often packaged for maximum cost-savings. For example, the Expedia app can be used to research and book everything from airfare and hotels to car rentals and activities. Once you’ve booked, these app makes it easy to keep track of your reservations
and itineraries. Airline resources: Even if you book your ticket through a third party, you can benefit from downloading the app for the airline you’ll be using. Nearly all airline apps include features that make it easier to make changes to your booking, check in, get a digital boarding pass, check your flight status and more. Additionally, most apps will alert you to any changes via push notifications. Vacation rental bookings: Many travelers are opting for vacation rentals over traditional hotels, in part because of the convenience and personal experience you can create. For example, the Vrbo app provides everything you need to book a vacation rental. As an added bonus, Trip Boards allow you to save, organize and compare your favorite properties. You can invite friends and family who will be traveling with you to discuss the trip using the new group chat feature and add and vote on their favorite properties to help narrow down the choices. Unit converters: Handy for international travel, these apps make it easy to compute and convert common units of measurement, such as currency and distance, and many even convert time zones for you. Having a unit converter app is especially im-
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portant if you may not have reliable access to Wi-Fi or data during your trip. Budget trackers: Travel expenses can pile up fast, but you can keep tabs on your expenses along the way with an app that tracks the details. Most options allow you to categorize expenses by type and date, and some offer additional features such as splitting balances between friends and families or allowing you to set warning thresholds so you know when you’re getting close
to exceeding your budget. Payment solutions: Fees and structures may vary from one app to the next, but all are designed to make sending and receiving money more convenient. When it comes to travel, you can use an app like Venmo to easily split costs and share payments between family and friends during and after the trip. Find more resources for your next getaway at Vrbo.com. (Family Features)
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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Denville Life • February 2020 • Page 21
Starting a Home Remodeling Project
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7 Tips for Choosing a Qualified Contractor
utside of the home itself, remodeling is typically one of the largest investments you can make as a homeowner. While some projects can be tempting to tackle yourself, many larger-scale projects may require hiring a qualified professional. Because remodeling your home is a big undertaking, it’s important to take steps to ensure the professional you hire to perform the work is qualified to complete it to the highest standards of quality and integrity. Consider these tips from the experts at the National Association of the Remodeling Industry to help you make an informed decision when hiring a remodeling contractor. Get Recommendations. One of the best ways to find qualified, professional help is through word-of-mouth referrals. Ask your relatives, friends, neighbors or co-workers – particularly if they’ve recently renovated their own homes – if they have any previous experience with companies they would recommend. Also consider searching online for reviews of companies in your area. Stay Local. It’s often best to consider established local remodeling companies first, as they are typically more compelled to perform high-quality work, which allows their businesses to thrive and remain in the community. Local professionals are also likely to know permit requirements and building codes in your city or county, which can change from year to year. Follow Your Design Aesthetic.
Whether your home features a mid-century modern, contemporary or farmhouse design style, it’s critical to choose a remodeler who is knowledgeable in the construction and design of the style of your home. Additionally, a company that specializes in remodeling kitchens may not be suited for a bathroom or bedroom project. Ask for Licenses and Insurance. Many states, but not all, require contractors to be licensed, bonded and insured. Ask for copies of licenses and insurance certificates for any remodelers you’re considering to make sure they’re current. Most states also require contractors to carry worker’s compensation, property damage and personal liability insurance for their crews. Contact your state or local licensing agencies to ensure the contractor meets the minimum requirements. Check References. Once you’ve narrowed your list of potential contractors, ask for a list of references you can contact and a portfolio of work. A typical reference list includes 10 or more jobs with dates as well as the customer’s name, address and phone number, and a portfolio should also contain at least 10 projects with photos of the space before work began, during the project and after completion. If possible, also consider visiting a current job site to see first-hand how the contractor operates. Search for Violations or Complaints. Because you can’t always rely on a portfolio or references, it’s important to also check with your local consumer affairs office or the Better Business Bureau to ensure there are no
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
complaints on record for the contractors you’re considering, which may help further narrow your list. Compare Apples to Apples. While a number of different factors goes into every remodeling project, be sure all contractors you solicit bids from are using the same scope and quality of work requirements. Discuss any significant variations in price or timelines and be wary of any substantially lower estimates. Find more tips for selecting a contractor at remodelingdoneright.com. (Family Features)
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DENVILLE SEAFOOD Celebrating Our 68th Year!
Fresh Seafood Market • Fresh Fish Daily From The Fulton Fish Market In NY Family Operated Since 1951
From this... to this!
While it may be true that all fish are created equal. It is how they are handled once they are caught that makes the difference. We have been doing it right for over 68 years. We make the drive into the Bronx to go to the New Fulton Fish Market ourselves. We purchase only the freshest fish available. We bring the fish back to Denville. We clean, fillet, skin, and prepare it for sale. Come in and see, smell, and taste the difference.
Visit Our Dining Room
Codmother’s Cafe Daily Record
MORRIS COUNTY
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973-627-2987
61 Broadway • Denville Store Hours: Tues.-Thurs. 9:00-8:00 • Fri. & Sat. 9:00-9:00 Closed Sun. & Mon. • Cooking From 11:30 Until Closing
WWW.DENVILLESEAFOOD.COM
ECRWSS Local Postal Customer
New View Media Group, LLC 5 Vista Drive Flanders, NJ 07836
1195 Lancaster, Pa 17604
When Mary K. Sheeran discovered her passion for helping people realize their dreams through real estate, she went all in & never looked back. As a REALTOR & family business owner, she knows what it means to be dedicated - to her family, her friends & her community. Mary & her Group pride themselves on a commitment to loyalty & listening to their clients’ needs, hopes & dreams. The Sheerans have built their business in integrity & never stop learning new & better ways to serve their clients, friends & community.
Our Values
A genuine family business, the Sheerans & Team are more than just your average group of Realtors. We take care of your family & friends like we would our own. This is our commitment and this is our promise.
Family.
To us, family is everything.
Friends.
Loyalty & trust. It’s who we are.
Community.
We’re local and we love where we live.
Family Owned Mary is eager to share her knowledge & continue the legacy through her kids.
We’re Local We love living & working in a community that inspires us on a daily basis.
Passion for People It’s our passion for helping others that makes our business so successful.
Sheeran Standards We’re always looking for ways to innovate on the sales and marketing front.