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Vol. 2 • No. 11 • November 2019

Denville VFW Post 2519 Prepares for its 75th Anniversary

Denville Life • November 2019 • Page 3

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ET V A S

ES T A ED

DENVILLE’S ANNUAL

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Friday, November 29 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm in Downtown Denville! Shop Special Black Friday sales at local shops • Ride our horse-pulled carriage with the kids Snap photos with costumed characters • Free photos with Santa at Lakeland Bank Performances by local dancers and karate troops and so much more!

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Don’t miss this holiday season in Downtown Denville, where a community comes together!” Subscribe $35 / year / $60 for 2 Call 800-691-7549 Editorial editor@ mylifepublications. com 5 Vista Drive, Flanders, NJ 07836 800-691-7549 • joe@mylifepublications.com turn our pages at www.denvillelife.com © 2018 MalJon, LLC.

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Denville Life â€˘ November 2019 â€˘ Page 5

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Page 6 • November 2019 • Denville Life

For American Legion Post 390 in Denville, Community is the Key Word

By: Danielle Incognito and Steve Sears he American Legion, Post 390 in Denville has a long history behind it. It shares the philosophies, ideals, and visions as its counterpart American Legions. The American Legion, Inc, is a US wartime veteran organization formed in Paris, on March 15, 1919, by three officers of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). The American Legion was chartered by the US Congress on September 16, 1919. It is headquartered in Indianapolis Indiana, and has a legislative office in Washington, DC. The Legion played a leading role in the drafting and passing of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, otherwise known as the “GI Bill.” According to The American Legion Website, “The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation's veterans community, backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership.” The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives. Americanism has two different meanings. It can refer to the defining characteristics of the United States and can also signify loyalty to the United States and a defense of American political ideals. These ideals include, but are not limited to self-government, equal opportunity, freedom of speech, and a belief in progress. This collection of ideals that forms the modern ideology of Americanism is appealing to people from all over the world. The group is recognized around the nation. Nationally, its efforts resulted in the establishment of the Veteran’s Bureau in 1921. That led to The Veteran’s Administration, and eventually, it was elevated to cabinet-level status as The Department of Veteran Affairs after lobbying. The American Legion Post 390 in Denville has its own, unique story, however. On Mar 14, 1946, it started in a second floor office overlooking Main Street. The application for a charter was approved August 4, 1946. The first commander was Walter G. Peterman. Then, on Mar 18, 1946 a tentatively named Denville Memorial American Legion Post was organized at Ferguson's Milk Bar, Denville. The open charter listed 25 members. Temporary officers were Harry A. Doll, commander; Harry A. Doll Jr., Adjutant; A. Norman Mohr, Finance Officer. Legion Units were named later that month. Committees of the Denville Memorial Post, American Legion, were named by

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Denville Life • November 2019 • Page 7

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Harry A. Doll, commander, at the first regular meeting of the Post held. The committees include Athletics, Entertainment, Constitution and By-Laws, and Housing. Newly elected officers were named on May 16, 1946. Newly elected officers of Denville Memorial Post 390, American Legion were installed by county officers on June 11 at Denville School. The initiation team also inducted about 60 new members. The temporary charter was presented, and all the new officers but one were veterans of World War II. Walter G. Perlman Jr. would succeed Harry A. Doll as post commander. “We have,” says John Ferrone,70, a United States Armey veteran and Commander since May 2018, “paperwork of all the signatures of the charter members that started it. Both our Legion members, our Ladies Auxiliary, and the SAL. We have the framed paperwork and were thinking of restoring it.” The frame hangs at an honorable location on the posts wall. “I am a member (for) 37 years,” says Ferrone. “Back then I

came back from Vietnam, and me and all my buddies joined together. We ran the whole post back in the 70s, 80s and 90s. I went through every chair in the post and was ready to be named Commander and my wife passed away. So I left for a period, but last year I started going to the post again and they needed somebody to take over as Commander and said, ‘Come on, we don’t have too many of the regular Legion combat veterans, and we need somebody to fill in.’ So, I agreed to take it and it’s been a wonderful experience.” The first meeting of the Auxiliary of Denville Memorial Post 390, American Legion was held May 28, 1946 at Ferguson's Milk Bar. Ladies' Auxiliary later elected officers on Jun 17, 1946. Newly elected officers of the Ladies Auxiliary, Denville Memorial Post, American Legion were installed by county officials in ceremonies at Ferguson's Milk Bar. Officers installed were: Miss Claire Wiedman, president; Mrs. Elmer Scaichard, first vice-president;

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Denville Life • November 2019 • Page 9

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Mrs. David Cook, second vice-president; Miss Elsie Grossan, secretary; Mrs. Ernest Herland, treasurer; Mrs. Ernest Scofield, chaplain. The post held an open house on Aug 6, 1946. Denville Memorial Post 390 for all veterans of World War II at its business meeting in the auditorium of the Denville Community Church. Richard Baldo, service officer, was present to advise veterans on any problems confronting them. The Post had voted to continue holding its meetings in the church hall because of its convenient location and large capacity. Meetings were decided to be held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. And so, The American Legion Post 390 lives on today to support veterans and to inform the community around them. They have an efficient website that posts information, videos, and pictures regularly. Another thing that the post promotes is the success of its relationship with The Boy Scouts of America. On the legion’s Facebook page, there are numerous pictures of boy scouts proudly standing in the Denville location. Also, for Ferrone, a recent Boy Scout experience speaks volumes to their worth. “He (Mario Di Sanza, an Eagle Scout) put a crew together, a work party, including his mom and dad – there was at least seven or eight people – and they came in and painted with a nice color of maroon color paint on the lower half of the walls, put up new blinds, did all the windows and the trim – everything was painted up beautiful. It really just brightened the place up, and his mother got tablecloths for all of our round tables to

match. The floor has been all stripped and waxed, and then they went to the kitchen area – and kitchens can take quite a beating in places like this – they went in there and scrubbed and cleaned the entire place, they took our chopping table and brought us a new stainless steel table which is beautiful, they went through

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Denville Life • November 2019 • Page 11

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all the drawers and organized all the drawers – they went through the entire kitchen and made it spotless.” Like other American Legions, 390 hosts events and dinners to further support its veterans and its community. One dinner is the annual roast beef dinner which brings in a large crowd. It is open to the public, and it fills up quickly with adult tickets selling for 10 dollars and children’s tickets selling for five dollars. “We support everything from baseball to our local fields – we’ve put up lights, scoreboards; as a matter of fact, we just donated $5,000 towards the Veterans (Memorial Park) Field on Zeek Road, they’re redoing that,’ says Ferrone. “We try to take care of our veterans’ needs, both locally and nationally, whenever we’re asked. We have all the way through the Legion command from the department like the state – the Commander, he has his projects he runs every year and his project this year is COTA (Children’s Organ Transplant Association) -- and we donate (I think) $1,000 to him, and the other projects for the Legion organization outside of Denville. As far as the Denville community, we’re giving out donation every meeting it seems. We have requests from high schools, 5K runs and things like that, you name it. Then there’s the Joey Bella fund (www.joeybella.org), an organization that was started about 30 years ago. We’ve been involved in that since Joey as a young baby died. We give them $5,000 every year.” American Legion Post 390, which in 2021 will celebrate 75 years, is located at 9 Legion Place in Denville. New members are welcome. “Contact the post for an application,” says Ferrone. “Call, fill out an application, and we like our members to attend

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the very first meeting where we present them with their new membership card, welcome them to the post, and introduce them.” He then adds, “Our post is thriving; we have a great bunch of guys,” says Ferrone. “Our SAL (Sons of the American Legion) is to be commended for stepping up to the plate, filling in where our membership is lagging.” American Legion Post 390 meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. To reach the American Legion location, call (973) 627-8237. John Ferrone can be contacted at (973) 627-7296 or cjwolfrn@gmail.com.

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Denville Life • November 2019 • Page 13

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Grateful for Their Service, Denville School Honors Veterans

“They organized the whole event and it just became a part of the culture of our school,” says Principal Elizabeth Baisley. “They said it was important to teach patriotism to the children, and as time went on we found it more and more important for them to appreciate the country that they live in.” According to the principal, the students are taught all the patriotic songs, including those that represent each branch of military service. The veterans are invited in for the presentation and then they are provided a catered lunch following the show. With all the years they have been doing the Veteran’s Day program, it has left a lasting impression

By Jillian Risberg hey put their lives on the line everyday to protect our rights and freedom, and now the Lakeview School wants Denville’s veterans to know how much they’re loved. “I feel very grateful to have them and they put all of their effort into saving us,” says fifth-grader, Olivia Cuff. The school is gearing up for their annual Veteran’s Day program when the student body and staff gets the chance to connect with our local veterans. It all started 27 years ago when a group of teachers decided it would be worthwhile to start a veteran’s program at the school. All photos courtesy of Lakeview School

Denville Life • November 2019 • Page 15

on former students. “Every year we have seniors who apply for (college) scholarships and many of them talk about Veteran’s Day and what an impact the program they provided made on these veterans,” Baisley says. “It has really touched them that still as seniors in high school that’s one of the things they remember most about their journey through elementary school.” The other constant of the show from year to year is always about recognizing the veterans and the students showing their patriotism. “‘We’re a school (the whole community of the school) that every morning begins with the Pledge of Allegiance,” the principal says. “And all the children know, no matter where they are — in their classroom or not, in the hallway, they stop and do the pledge, with the entire school.”

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She says it’s something they’ve instilled in the children that they think is important because as time goes on things get lost. “And if we don’t take the time to teach them that you worry where it will go, so it’s important that we take the time to teach them patriotism,” Baisley says. “And it’s something that becomes very palatable in the room when we’re teaching it because the kids actually see it.” Then the veterans actually have the opportunity to go to the classrooms, where their grandchildren or their children are and ask questions or answer questions for the students about what it’s like to be a veteran. The principal says it just brings the community into the school. Getting to witness this for the 28 years Baisley has been on staff there has been great. “Every year it brings me to tears to see how much it means to the children as well as to the veterans,” the principal says. “And that’s why I think it’s lasted this long, because of the

Page 16 • November 2019 • Denville Life

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Page 18 • November 2019 • Denville Life

importance of it — it’s felt.” She says the Lakeview PTA raises the money in order to provide a wonderful catered luncheon for the veterans. “And them knowing that, seeing how important it is that they go out and they do fundraisers,” Baisley says. “Then our fifth-graders actually help to serve the veterans, give them anything that they need and help clean up.” According to the principal, it’s something that she says they are very, very proud to do at the school. “Here at Lakeview, it’s one of our most important events that we put on here,” Baisley says. “You really want it to be a community and a culture and for the kids to remember.” She says of course the academics are always so important but you want to have a child who’s going to be a good citizen when they grow up. “So we have to make sure we embody all of those things in our children as they make it through middle school,” the principal says. The entire Veteran’s Day event is student driven, according to vocal teacher, Daniel Komorowski, who has helmed the program for the past 16 years. “We begin the morning (about 9 a.m.) with fifth-graders that greet and welcome the veterans as they come into the building, then they sign them in, give them name-tags and escort them around the building,” Komorowski says.

Denville Life • November 2019 • Page 19

He says the staff allows all the veterans to visit every classroom and share their story. “For that day all the teachers have an understanding that if a veteran knocks on the door, we stop and welcome them into our classroom,” the vocal teacher says. Then at 10 a.m. they start the program — with the entire fourth and fifth-grade performing a variety of songs. “We have a color guard that will bring in the American flag, New Jersey flag and each of the service flags while we sing,” Komorowski says, adding that the ceremony ends with the playing of TAPS and their rendition of ‘God Bless the USA.’ According to the vocal teacher, when he first introduced the program to his fourth-graders (the fifth-graders already had a year under their belts) — he described it as a selfless act that they won’t know how good they’ll feel until after that day. “Then you’re going to come to me and say, ‘Mr. K, I know what you were talking about,’” Komorowski says he told them. “It’s just something we instill in this building that it’s our only concert that people aren’t there to see us, we’re there to perform for them — and we really do a nice job of delivering that message.” Getting to take part in this event was personal for Cuff and when it comes to what the veterans have done to ensure our freedom as Americans so we can live secure and successful lives, the fifth-grader says it means so much. “I like the fact that we get to do this whole celebration and

I actually had a few of my family members who were in the service (the Marines),” she says. According to the American Legion Auxiliary, “Freedom is not free and we should remember our soldiers' sacrifices ... who gave some, or all, to defend our country and our rights as citizens.” Honestly, we can’t even imagine what it’s like to decide to defend our country and never look back, get on a plane to report to an intense 10-week basic training (boot camp), graduate and become a soldier, sailor, airman or marine. We can’t imagine what it’s like to work in a job where you risk your life on a daily basis, look the enemy in the eye, have a devastating power to make life and death decisions and part with your loved ones, family, and friends for unwieldy stretches of time that make no logical sense to the average person. In fact, according to a new Career Cast poll, enlisted military again take the top spot for the most stressful job in the country. That’s why we need to take this Veteran’s Day to focus on the very people who’ve always had America’s back and effectively kept us safe and protected. For all that our vets have endured— so that we can live a beautiful life, the ALA recommends stopping and thanking our members of the Armed Forces and engaging meaningfully with the veteran and military community. They say the veteran’s journey is one that few civilians understand, despite the nearly 22 million Americans who share it.

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Page 20 • November 2019 • Denville Life

That’s exactly what the Lakeview School has been doing with their veterans for the past 27 years, pausing to sincerely listen. Brynn Weldon’s grandfather was in the Army and she appreciated that the veterans shared their individual experiences. “It was a lot of stories and amazing to hear what they’ve gone through,” Weldon says. “They didn’t have to do it, they chose to do it to protect our country. And you feel really grateful that they took their time to come and tell you about what it was like.” The fifth-grader says when one is little you don’t know what this is all about but you feel special attending these kind of programs and it’s a lot of fun. “For the past 75 years, our military has directly guaranteed not only security and prosperity, but also human rights and freedoms,” says Col. Miguel Howe, of the Bush Institute. And Brynn’s fellow classmate, Patrick Andersen acknowledged the significance

of this event. “I feel that Veteran’s Day has a very strong meaning to how the veterans risked their life to keep our country free and us to have our rights,” Andersen

says. “With this program I got to know more about what my relatives have done in the service to help keep our country free.”

Denville Life • November 2019 • Page 21

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Denville VFW Post 2519 Prepares for Its 75th Anniversary

By Steve Sears oeing the doorstep of 75 years of history, and of helping those who have served the United States of America in foreign battles. The Denville VFW Post 2519 was chartered on May 10, 1945 with 45 charter members. Meetings were initially held at the Patriotic Order Sons of America Hall, and eventually moved to the Denville Memorial Library on Diamond Spring Road when its construction was completed. VFW Post 2519 Ladies Auxiliary was chartered that same year with 22 members, the group originally convening in private homes and then later in the library as well. James Vialard, 72, United States Army veteran, Judge Advocate of and a Post 2519 member since 1968, says his wife’s father, Earl Davis, was post Commander (and past Chief of the Denville Fire Department) when she was born in 1950. As both organizations grew in size and

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father (John Hall, who died in 1936) was the last Civil War survivor of Denville, donated three acres of her property in memory of her father and grandfather near the old fire house on Route 53 adjoining the Den Brook. On Sunday, May 16, 1954, ground was broken by Miss Hall, then-Mayor John Hogan and the local and District members of the VFW for a planned 40 foot by 80-foot-long two-story building. A railroad tie bulkhead was built along the Den Brook and work progressed for over a year, but then a dilemma developed. “Our original building is (now) under Route 80,” says Vialard. The State Highway Department at that time began acquiring property for the construction of Interstate Route 80, including the parcel of land the post was al-

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ready building on, and the dream of a location of its own for the VFW lay dormant for almost a decade. “The building was partially up when (Route) 80 came through,” says Vialard. “It was a concrete building. I think they just filled it in for the bypass over Route 53.” After an extensive search was undertaken for another site, on January 4, 1963, property was found with a foundation, well and septic system on Ford Road. Post 2519 was in their new location later that year, and two small additions were made to the building by 1988. The Post had 200 members in 1988 – about half the members were from World War II and the other half were veterans of Korea and Vietnam – and the Ladies Auxiliary membership numbered 57.

Page 24 • November 2019 • Denville Life

In the 1990s, Commander Howard Shaw made the upstairs of the building handicap accessible and put a handicap bathroom on the building’s main floor. Also, the Ladies Auxiliary disbanded around 1997. “We’ve been chugging along,” Vialard says. “Brian Bergen is our Commander now; what he’s done now since he became Commander is have evening meetings, which bring the younger guys around. They had changed it, and everything was done at noon time. We didn’t have any participation from our younger members; they all worked. It helped out a lot since he’s gone back to the old style that we used to have. He changed it to be beneficial for the post survival and to go forward.” Brian Bergen lives in Denville and is a Republican nominee for the New Jersey State Assembly. He alludes to Vialard’s statement. “It’s impossible for younger people to make the meeting times (that the older veterans hold), but these meetings are important to the older vets. I told them it’s impossible for the post to thrive (this way) and they made me Commander. The older members just keep doing what they’re doing while I’m working to keep the post alive. This post, and the VFW in general, is full of amazing people with great stories. Some of them are WWII vets, so you’re surrounded by history. My daughter Samantha - likes to come there to serve the veterans dinner. My daughter loves being involved with the post – she is like a daughter to the older veterans.” For Bergen, it’s about meeting, talking, listening. “Eventually you start to seek out people who understand you and your experiences. I got out of the military in 2009,” says Bergen, a West

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Point graduate who was stationed in Iraq in 2005. “Eventually you realize that you miss the camaraderie of the army; this makes vets seek out VFW posts.” Bergen joined the post in 2016-17. “I first made my way to the VFW. When you first get out of the military, there are several organizations you can join. The younger veterans don’t always know that. They aren’t into getting together with their old buddies to drink, they have minimal amounts of time.” Vialard calls to mind the past, and then applauds Bergen’s efforts again. “We had a good color guard, we had a lot of great things going on, but as time went on, the older members started dying off. Brian has done fabulous things to bring the young guys back on board, and they’re there at the evening meetings we have.” “Since I got involved (with the post),” says Bergen, who is 40 years old, “I’m mostly surrounded by older men, and I’ve been trying to find ways to get involved – such as finding new membership and keeping the post alive.” VFW Post 2519 is always seeking new members, and Bergen utilizes social media as the arm for that “reach.” He wants to get the word out about the organization’s worth. “Like I said, the younger generation, at first they don’t see the value in an organization like the VFW. I help them see that it’s about helping other veterans and being a community.” Vialard speaks to the post’s work with the community, especially kids. “We do a lot with our school programs, to make the kids aware of Americanism, and think about our country.”

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Denville Life • November 2019 • Page 25

Post 2519 currently has no means to do their Veterans Day event, but they do participate in events hosted by other organizations. “As a post,” Bergen claims, “we participate in Lakeview Elementary School’s Veterans Day presentation. We do it every year, it’s an unbelievable presentation.” And that word “community” - is a key one, as Bergen attests. “The community is very supportive of us. We are an integrated part of the Denville community.”

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Page 26 • November 2019 • Denville Life

Shining Light in the Deepest Darkness:

Operation Chillout Lifeline for Veterans

By Jillian Risberg t’s unfathomable to comprehend how someone who fought on the front lines of our military is now living on the streets— but the tragic reality about homelessness in America often focuses on our veterans. As New Jersey’s only all-volunteer mobile outreach for homeless veterans, Operation Chillout gives them the tools and support they need to rebuild their lives. “In a year we’ll be celebrating our 20th anniversary,” says Raymond Chimileski, who founded the organization Dec. 21, 2000 in Dover for a homeless Vietnam veteran living under a bridge. “We never expected to be doing this again, that’s for sure.” They have no office, no brick and mortar, no salaried staff or employees. They’re not professionals or caseworkers — just a group of friends. “Civilians curious why this was happening and what could we do,” says Chimileski, a former social worker with the state of New Jersey and New York, who did a lot of his work in Paterson, Newark, Trenton and NYC. According to the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, there are roughly 2,500 to 3,000 homeless veterans in the Garden State, while the Bureau of Census’ figure is 630. And in 2015, the US Department of Veterans Affairs says it provided housing for almost 1,300 homeless vets here. “I was not afraid to take a ride down to Paterson to the railroad tracks where we used to meet homeless vets at the post office,” the executive director says. “I started the behavior of ‘this is okay, these people are not dangerous; it’s safe to go there.’” He says we have to give a lot of credit to our homeless vets for the role that they play in their communities, protecting

non-veteran homeless, and they know how to survive. “They take the alpha position; make sure that nobody’s coming in and doing funny stuff with the other, more vulnerable people,” Chimileski says. “Veterans are well-trained, they’re very resilient — and have skills that you and I would never learn unless we become homeless.” It’s a 24/7 gig and Chillout has a core leadership team of 12 people that meet every month to determine how to provide services or care for the homeless in different areas. They continue to respond to homeless vets throughout the entire state of New Jersey and Chimileski says sometimes things are written in the stars. “We’ve been able, for one reason or another to go for 20 years — doing it as we do, the way we do it for the reasons that we do it,” the executive director says. “Every donation that comes in, every case of backpacks, every case of warm coats, sleeping bags, whatever — goes directly to the people that we serve. “We’ve been in every county and also have a rapid response team in six counties in Northeast Pennsylvania and a chapter in Rhode Island,” he says. They find many of the homeless vets through their two seasonal projects, the winter program begins in November and finishes when the last backpack is distributed, usually in the middle of February. As they prepare for Street Streak — where they ask for donations of new, warm clothing (hooded sweatshirt, knit cap, thermal underwear, heavy socks, waterproof non-leather gloves), they are reminded of how this all began. It was the homeless Dover vet who explained how he was hurting.

Denville Life • November 2019 • Page 27

‘It’s cold, I need anything that you would need,’ he told them back then. “So we went down to the Army/Navy store, bought all those things and brought it back to him,” Chimileski says. And that formula stuck. “We’re still putting those same supplies in backpacks 20 years later and giving them away,” the executive director says. “We’ve been working this for so long that we know a lot of the areas where the homeless veterans congregate.” That could be a soup kitchen or interim temporary housing situation. According to Chimileski, they provide their resources to about 65 locations that they frequent throughout the winter and summer. For the summer campaign (starting Memorial Day and ending Labor Day), they collect and deliver cases of bottled water, t-shirts and baseball caps. “This year we’re targeting supplies for about 1500 backpacks and this past summer we distributed about 35,000 bottles of water,” he says. Another way that they get referrals is through their hotline, where agencies, police, EMTs, family members — the veterans themselves can call, asking for assistance. “We check out that the person calling is a veteran,” the executive director says. “This could be a case where after several months the rent wasn’t paid and the vet is evicted,

Page 28 • November 2019 • Denville Life

winds up on the street.” So far this year they placed about 340 homeless veterans, rescued them off the street and put them into temporary housing, which is usually local to where they’re calling from. “If they’re calling from Hackensack, we’re going to find a temporary location in Hackensack in a motel and put you up 3 to 5 days,” Chimileski says. “Whatever it takes for you to get connected to the agencies that are going to work with you, do case management, get your VA healthcare established and find you a spot for permanent housing.” And the VA and Catholic Charities bring in a number of referrals. “Up to 10/12 a week,” says the executive director. “We’re taking as many as we get and those are the numbers of people that we’re adding to our seasonal campaign.” In 2017, Chillout built their first micro (tiny) home — an RV on wheels that soon a formerly homeless veteran will live in for up to two years. “It’s transitional housing that’s going to be here right in Long Valley, where our headquarters is at a working farm — Ort Farms,” Chimileski says. “During those two years the veteran will be able to work on the farm with Rutgers Veteran’s Agricultural Program to get his certification as a Master Farmer.” According to the executive director, it’s a unique project and the only one of its kind in the Garden State. But you can find

others in Farm Belt states such as Oklahoma and Kansas. “Home Depot Charitable Foundation is building our patio and deck for the home, pro bono; they gave us a grant,” he says. “With the ordinance that Washington Township wrote, we are able to build up to five micro homes in Long Valley, one per property. And one of our volunteers works for the Ort family, so the property was given to us for free.” This micro home is mobile because Chimileski says they never intended to keep it there. They actually expected to take it on the move to different counties requesting temporary housing. It just so happens that this one will probably become permanent in Long Valley. As we approach Veteran’s Day, it is important to know that not all veterans are homeless. One out of every five homeless people that you see on the street probably is a veteran. “It’s 20 percent of the population and some places, like the urban areas and inner cities, one out of four persons could be a veteran,” the executive director says. “So it’s a time to remember that the people we pass on the street who we would like to help out; Operation Chillout is taking it to the next step — we actually are helping them out.” He says they are a dedicated, 501c3 not-for-profit, which means any donation to them can be taken as a tax deduction the following year. “When we thank our veterans for their service, we

Denville Life • November 2019 • Page 29

should remember them for all the good things they did and not paint them with a negative stereotype,” Chimileski says. Remember that veterans are our brothers, our sisters, our mothers, our fathers, our uncles and we’re all in this together. “We support them when they’re fighting for us and we need to make sure that we support them when they come back,” he says. Chimileski says it is by no means solving the problem. “We’re here to help each person as we find them; one person, one gift,” says the executive director. “With that low expectation, we’ve been able to do what we do.” The organization was audited a few years ago so they decided to look at their demographics to determine where their referrals were coming from. “And it was suggested that we let people know that if all the homeless vets — the men and women that Operation Chillout has been serving since Dec. 21, 2000 could come together in one place and hold hands from Long Valley to the Green in Morristown, the line would be

Page 30 • November 2019 • Denville Life

22 miles long,” Chimileski says. “That’s pretty amazing.” The number of homeless vets is on the rise and they are actually meeting more on the street. As disheartening as this may sound, the executive director says they have monthly success stories. The numbers of veterans who they’ve helped is proportionate to how old they are when they meet them. “The Vietnam vets that we met 20 years ago, we know that some of them still live on the street,” he says. “They’re never gonna come in until they’re physically unable to live on the street. They’ve been acculturated to that system of dependency and care — of soup kitchens and agencies.” Chillout also gets the young men and women just returning from the Middle East, where they may have done three, four or five tours. “They come back and their whole lives are disrupted because they can’t continue where they left off,” Chimileski says. “ They have PTSD, emotional challenges, family challenges, eco-

nomic challenges — and they wind up homeless very young, in their 30s.” If Chillout can intervene early, he says they can break the cycle of dependency and get the vets connected with services to turn their lives around, so they don’t end up like their brothers from Vietnam on the street for more than 50 years. When it comes to his endless efforts to make a difference for this population, the executive director says it’s a much needed thing. “When we met at the end of December (2000), a few of us with our wives — people compared notes, ‘what did you do on your winter break,’” Chimileski says. One friend went to Florida, another couple went skiing in Vermont and the executive director told them he helped out a homeless veteran. “‘Tell us more,’ so I told them the story about going there and meeting the guy,” Chimileski says, adding that one of the wives asked when it happened.

Denville Life • November 2019 • Page 31

Ayres/Knuth Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Pathways of History Tour

n Friday September 20, Ayres/Knuth Farm Foundation hosted a reception celebrating the 10th anniversary of Pathways of History and the restored farmhouse. The 3 founding members, Jennifer Coultas was recognized by Sheriff James Gannon, Gretchen Longo was recognized by Freeholder Director Doug Cabana, Gretchen Longo and Donna West and the publications team was recognized by the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey.

A Freeholders Resolution, Sherriff resolution, and a joint resolution from NJ Assembly were presented and Mayor Tom Andes welcomed all with Denville Proclamation. “This was our first event in the farmhouse. Over 60 pathways participants and elected officials attended. The three founding members and the tenth anniversary were recognized and celebrated with Resolutions and Proclamations and the newly finished first level floors were a delight to our guests.” Ayres/Knuth Farm Foundation President Sue Schmidt said.

Page 32 • November 2019 • Denville Life

Honoring and Aiding the Great Veterans of Our Great Nation in Morris County

W By Steve Sears

hen it comes to honoring or veterans of war in November and year-round, Morris County leaves no stones unturned when vets need a hand. “Morris County yearly holds two formal events for veterans: Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Freeholders award county medals on both days, and there are many other events for veterans held around the county by towns and local organizations and veterans’ organizations throughout the year,” says Kenneth Brenzel, who is the Morris County Veterans Service Officer. The annual Memorial Day event was held in May, and the annual Veterans Day event on October 23. New for the latter event was a resolution presented to the county’s American Legion leadership for the Legion’s 100th anniversary. More than 19,000 veterans live in Morris County. The oldest veterans are World War II vets who are in their 90s. “The county’s veterans’ office,” says Larry Ragonese, Morris County Communications Director, “participates in some of those ceremonies. There is also a Veterans Administration clinic located in the county, which is run by the Veterans Administration.” “We attempt to make the county’s ceremonies special for the veterans,” says Brenzel, “to ensure they are treated with respect and that the ceremonies offer a dignified atmosphere. That includes finding a speaker who can offer a meaningful message, ensuring a color guard, appropriate music, and to ensure we follow military protocol in the ceremonies.” Brenzel also adds that the Board of Freeholders and Veterans Office have begun holding frequent veterans’ commanders’ summits. “They include leaders of county American Legion, VFW and other military organizations with county government officials, freeholders, and others. The goal is to have a continuing dialogue with veterans in the county to make sure we are attending to their needs.” It’s all about what’s currently being provided, but always improving. Ragonese then elaborates on the scope of the mission. “Morris County is working closely with its veterans’ community to try and better understand the needs of its members and to ensure that we offer programs and services of value to them. We also are trying to better communicate with our veterans, setting up regular meetings with veterans’ leaders, creating a new veterans webpage and calendar of events, and trying to help publicize events of importance to veterans.” Out of the auspices of the Morris County Veterans Services, events and medal ceremonies are held beyond those previously mentioned. “This office coordinates with the Morris County Communications Office to hold two Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal ceremonies,” says Brenzel. “One is held in May around Memorial Day, on the front lawn of the Morris County Courthouse, the other is held around Veterans Day, in the County Administration Building in the Freeholders Meeting Room. These ceremonies are to honor veterans who live or have lived in Morris County. The Morris County Freeholders present each participating

veteran with a medal, a certificate, and a Morris County Veterans pin. A biography of each veteran is read prior to the award.” Brenzel then adds, “My office has also responded to requests of various veterans’ groups in Morris County that wish to have their veteran members receive medals at their locations, as well as participating in the Morris County Superior Court’s annual veterans ceremony.” Also, there are two new events this year. The Veterans Services Office is hosting bi-monthly “Munch and Learns”, where representatives of various veterans’ organizations will give presentations on what services their organization provides to veterans. Veterans Services also offers the previously mentioned and periodic “Commanders Summits”, in which the post commanders of the veterans organizations, such as the American Legion, VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), Vietnam Veterans of America, Blind Veterans of America, and others meet with administrators of Human Services and this office to discuss various veteran topics, issues, problems, to promote increased communications between the County offices and the veteran community, to better serve our veterans. “This office,” says Brenzel, “participates in numerous veterans’ events hosted by other organizations to inform veterans of the services this office can provide, give brief consultations, make appointments for veterans to start VA (Veterans Administration) claims, and talk about VA benefits.” Among the other services provided are assisting veterans and their families with claims to the VA, including claims for Service Connected Disability Compensation, Non-Service Connected Veterans Pension, Surviving Spouse Pension, Burial Benefits, Headstone/Flat Marker, and Presidential Memorial Certificate Requests; conducting home visits to elderly and/or disabled veterans regarding VA claims, and hospital and rehab facility visits for veterans in these facilities; distributing over 25,000 United States flags annually to veterans organizations in Morris County to decorate veterans graves for Memorial Day; hosting Veterans Free Legal Clinics and Resource Expos, where county lawyers provided free consultations to veterans, and several area organizations provide information regarding the services they provide for veterans, and much more. “As the office’s only accredited veterans service officer,” says Brenzel, “my primary duty is to assist veterans and their families with guidance to navigate the time consuming and often very difficult service connected disability compensation claim and non-service connected pension processes as well other non-monetary types of claims (burial benefits, grave markers, Presidential Memorial Certificates). I see roughly 50 veterans in the office per month; we make or receive about 250 phone calls per month as well as 700 to 800 emails per month. This coupled with committees, outside events, meetings, mandatory training, it can leave little time for planning and executing events, but we get it done. “ For more information, call (973) 285-6866, or email Kenneth Brenzel at kbrenzel@co.morris.nj.us. The Veterans Services offices are located at 540 West Hanover Avenue in Morristown.

Denville Life • November 2019 • Page 33

Denville Councilwoman Nancy Witte Gives Her All in Everything She Does

W By Christine Graf

hen Denville Town Councilwoman Nancy Witte graduated from high school, she was interested in pursuing a career in the military. At the time, the U.S. Military Academies were not open to females. Congress did not authorize the acceptance of women into the academies until 1975. As a result, White decided to forgo a military career and entered college at Chapman University in Orange, California. She graduated in 1971 with B.A.’s in Health and Physical Education and American History. She also played on the softball and volleyball teams while in college. After teaching in Arizona for two years, she returned home to Denville where she taught for an additional thirty-six years. Before retiring nine years ago, she taught at Valleyview, St. Mary’s, and Lakeview schools. It was when she was eight years into her teaching career that Witte heard about a new program being offered by the U.S. Army Reserve. Called the Split Training Option, it allowed new enlistees to attend basic combat training in the summer and return the following summer to attend advanced training. “I’m not sure why, but I was always interested in the military. My father served in World War II, but he didn’t go overseas,” she said. “There just seemed to be a draw that I felt I wanted to serve the country in some way.” Witte made the decision to enlist in the Army Reserve Split Training Option and agreed to a six-year commitment. She was required to serve one weekend a month and two to three weeks during the year. Witte was a member of the 78th Division at Edison’s Camp Kilmer. “I joined in 1979. I had been teaching for eight years and when this opportunity came I was thirty years old at the time,” she said. “That’s not exactly when you join the service. But I though I would give it a try because I didn’t want to be in my fifties and say, ‘Boy, I wish I had given it a try.’ I didn’t want to look back and kick myself for not trying.” Witte attended a 12-week basic training program at Fort Dix. For her, the most challenging part of basic training had nothing to do with the grueling physical challenges. “Throwing hand grenades was one of my biggest challenges,” she said. “Holding those live things in your hands wasn’t the most comfortable thing I’ve ever gone through.” When given the opportunity to choose what job she wanted to do in the Army Reserves, she said she wanted to choose something “that was totally different than what I did in the regular world.” As a result, she decided to be a technical draftsman. “I went in as a technical draftsman. It was something I had never had an opportunity to do because girls did home ec and boys did industrial arts,” she said. “I had never had the opportunity to learn and understand drafting and architecture. That just appealed to me. I learned to draw bridges, make roads and small buildings.” Witte had numerous different assignments during her 20year military career. She spent just one year as a draftsman after learning her opportunities for advancement were limited. “Drafting is in engineer corps,” said White. “Females aren’t

allowed to get promoted beyond a certain point in the engineer corps because it was a front line position. So then I went down to Huntsville, Alabama, and I became an ammunition specialist. Our unit was assigned to find places to store ammunition in Europe if we were ever to go to war. We were a conventional ammunition group which meant we didn’t deal with nuclear or biological.” After a stint as an ammunitions specialist, Witte became a personnel sergeant. The job involved handling the files for soldiers in her unit. She enjoyed working in personnel and spent the majority of her military career serving in that capacity. By the time she retired from the military in 1999, she had worked her way up through the ranks from private to master sergeant. Early in her career, she did consider becoming an officer. The fact that she had a college degree would have made that possible. “I think I would have made a good officer, but my age was very much against me; the cut off age was thirty-one. My unit encouraged me to do it, and the officers were supporting me. I did everything I was supposed to do and went before the board, but because of my age, I would not have moved up in the ranks of officers that easily,” she said. “So I decided on my own to forget it and try to be the best non-commissioned officer I could be, and that’s what I did. I was content with that. It’s just

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wasn’t in the books for me to be an officer. I was meant to be where I was.” In 1981, Witte received the First Army Reserve Soldier of the Year Award. During her career, she also received the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal. She also traveled to Germany and the Netherlands on six different occasions. It was these overseas assignments that were the highlight of her career. She also enjoyed the comradery that exists in the military. “Being a teacher, I was around children all of the time. It was nice to have weekends every now and then with adults. That was a side benefit I got after I joined,” she said. “I worked with a lot of good people.” When Witte reached 20 years of service in the military, she decided it was time to retire. Since that time, she has remained very active in the community. She is currently serving out the remainder of her four-year term as an At Large member of the Denville town council. She ran for office after being encouraged to do so by the mayor. “I’m coming to end of first term which will be my only term,” said White. “I’ve loved it. I’ve never done an elected position before, and it’s been a total learning experience from the very beginning. It’s an extraordinarily time consuming responsibility. I’ve tried to live up to the responsibility that’s been given to me, but right from beginning I said I was only going to be a one-term councilman.” When asked why she agreed to take on such a heavy responsibility, she replied, “Growing up in Denville and enjoying all of the wonderful things it has to offer and being brought up by parents who were big on volunteerism, I felt this would be another way I could help Denville. I truly love Denville and I felt that this was something that I should do—that I could do.” Witte has enjoyed serving on the town council, and although

council members don’t always agree, she said they always treat each other with respect. For her, the biggest challenge has been dealing with residents who may be misinformed about a particular issue. They often become very upset after receiving information that is inaccurate. “They come to a council meeting all upset about something and don’t want to listen when it is tried to be explained to them,” she said. “We have to deal with people who are very, very upset and try to help them understand the real situation.” After Witte’s term ends, she will have more time to travel and focus on her hobbies. Traveling is one of her passions, and she took a cruise to the Panama Canal to celebrate her 70th birthday. Witte has visited all 50 states and 29 different countries. She also plays the French horn in New Horizons Band, a band for people 55 years and older. In September, she attended an adult band camp in Maine. During the camp, she lived in a dorm and played with 170 musicians and instructors from all over the east

Denville Life • November 2019 • Page 35

coast and beyond. Witte is also heavily involved with numerous volunteer organizations and is very active in her church, King of Kings Lutheran Church in Mountain Lakes. She served as the church’s youth director for 27 years. She is now the church’s fellowship director, she also plays in the bell choir. Witte has been honored with numerous awards for her volunteerism including the 2014 Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award. She was also one of the founders of Lakeview School’s Veterans Day program which has been taking place since 1993. The event has grown tremendously over the years, and she continues to be involved in an advisory role. Witte also founded the Discover Denville Day walking tour which gives children the opportunity to learn about the city’s history. She started the tour around 1985 after one of her students said he didn’t know the town had a train station. Although she is involved in many charities, the Joey Bella Memorial Fund is especially close to her heart. After her nephew was diagnosed with cancer at the age of twelve, the organization helped the family with bills and even bought him a new bike when his was stolen. Sadly, her nephew passed away at age fifteen. Witte never married and has no children, and she was especially close to her two nephews. After her sister’s divorce, she and her sons lived with Witte for many years. When it comes to volunteering, Witte said she has no plans of slowing down. That’s good news for the residents of Denville.

Saint Francis Set to Honor Veterans

lease Join Us as we Honor of our Veterans on Friday, November 8, at 1:30 p.m. at Saint Francis Residential Community, in the Club Room. A presentation entitled “We Honor Those Who Served” will be put on by Professor James Kane. The one hour program to honor & celebrate those who served honorably at any time in any branch of the service. The proxy wars of Korea and Vietnam, America at War 1941-1945. The attack on Pearl Harbor, the war in the Pacific, Americans at home serving on

the ‘Home Front’, the D Day Landings, the Battle of the Bulge, the Flag Raisers of Iwo Jima and the surrender in Tokyo Bay on Sept 2, 1945. We welcome our guest, Ken Brenzel, Veterans Service Officer, from the Morris County Department of Human Services will be on site to give a brief overview on what services are offered to Veterans in Morris County. Please RSVP if possible to 973-627-5647 or debrashay@ saintfrancisres.com.

Page 36 • November 2019 • Denville Life

Mt. Olive Couple Hosts Annual Thanksgiving Dinner at Senior Center

By: Michele DiPasquale his year, Thanksgiving Day is November 28, and for many, it is a time to gather with our friends and family to give thanks for all that is good in our lives. Regrettably, there are those without family or friends with whom to celebrate this uniquely American holiday of gratitude, so for the fourth year in a row, Mary Lalama and her husband, Township Council President Joe Nicastro, both publishers and owners of New View Media Group - a network of local newspapers mailed to over 130,000 homes and businesses in Morris County - are hosting their Thanksgiving for all at the Mt. Olive Senior Center from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The feast will be a full Thanksgiving seated dinner, beginning with appetizers and antipasti, salad and pasta, continuing on to turkey, stuffing, mashed and sweet potatoes, assorted vegetables, and finishing with an assortment of pies for dessert. Goody bags of the day’s menu are also given to everyone to take home to enjoy as leftovers. Branda’s Italian Grill in Budd Lake, LongHorn Steakhouse in Flanders, Philly Pretzel Factory in Hackettstown, and corporate caterer Victoria Scherrer Onder are among the generous donators of the Thanksgiving banquet. Last year, table centerpieces were created by local Girls Scouts. When asked what prompted Lalama and Nicastro to open their hearts and offer Thanksgiving dinner to anyone who may have nowhere to go for the day, Lalama answered directly from her heart. “My family and I were sitting around on Thanksgiving four years ago and I said ‘Look at all this food we have. We are truly blessed and fortunate, and we need to think of a way to give back.’ So I

said next year we’re going to host a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for anyone who is less fortunate or anyone who will be spending the day alone.” Forging ahead further and embracing what Thanksgiving truly is all about, Lalama and Nicastro even provide transportation for those who otherwise may not be able to join them for dinner. About 50 people have joined them so far, while some folks get their dinner delivered to their homes, as they may be unable to physically leave them. “The dinner is for anyone - single or a family - who may be less fortunate or who just are alone for the holiday. We hate to see people spend the holidays without family or friends, so we offer them a place to come and enjoy the company of others,” Lalama said. And though a buffet-style dinner would be easier, Lalama insists on a fully-seated dinner, in which her children and other volunteers serve everything. “We want everyone to feel like they are at a restaurant for the holiday,” she said. “I love the fact that we can help people come together and provide them with good food, good conversation, and good company. We get a lot of elderly people that just want someone to be with and know that someone cares about them. I love the look on their faces when they interact with each other and the volunteers,” Lalama said. Lalama said people are welcome to attend without reservations but are asked to sign up in advance by calling her at (973) 768-1815 or emailing her at mary.lalama@gmail.com.

National Winter Activity Center Announces Rebrand as Winter4Kids

head of the winter season, the National Winter Activity Center is Winter4Kids. Winter4Kids is programs, a facility (National Winter Activity Center) and the most committed and passionate team of individuals. It offers mentoring, meals, equipment and experiential winter learning for school age youth. Still located in Vernon, NJ, The National Winter Activity Center is the nation’s only 501(c)(3) nonprofit winter facility, dedicated to improving the lives of youth through winter activity. The aim is to leverage the “dark days of winter” and challenge the children to be much more active. This season Winter4Kids will accommodate almost 3,100 youth. From new lifts and trails, to an upgraded lodge along with state of the art, fully automated snowmaking, Winter4Kids welcomes a host of new upgrades. With the addition of a Nordic Center in 2019 and a 27,700 square foot lodge addition complete with full kitchens, expanded equipment rooms and a cafeteria coming online during the summer of 2020, the program and venue will be poised to accommodate 10,000 kids annually by 2023.

“The goal for the National Winter Activity Center has always been to increase access to incremental, life changing, winter activity in children across the country. Through Winter4Kids, our original vision remains the same as aspects of the vision have been amplified,” said Schone Malliet, Founder and CEO of Winter4Kids. “At our core, winter activities are a means to end for the kids, and our programs makes unimaginable dreams inevitable opportunities.” Winter4Kids program school age youth receive experiential learning, life changing values from coaching mentors and are provided with the appropriate equipment, clothing and healthy meals over the course of six sessions. Winter4Kids Progress • Nordic Center – Fully deployed this year, the Nordic Center features a 1.5KM loop with snowmaking and lights, supported by a new lodge with eating, equipment and storage areas. In conjunction with the Norwegian Ski Federation and Winter4Kids board member, Helen Ingebretsen, a “ski play” component has been developed for fun freestyle runs.

Denville Life • November 2019 • Page 37

• Winter Activity Club – Participating in programs will cultivate young enthusiasts who return year over year, have a love for the outdoors, and a desire to sustain their progress. An annual trip with parents and guardians is planned. • Team Winter4Kids - This program molds young athletes by supporting events and activities that are recreational, organized (US Ski and Snowboard), and interscholastic (NJISRA and USCSA). The development of the competition facilities supports high level Alpine and Nordic events as well. This year, we will host a NOR AM Cup Parallel Slalom event, as well as Regional FIS competitions

with US Ski & Snowboard. “We’re being very intentional about being a resource for the winter sports community,” said Malliet. “Embracing a love for the outdoors, while acquiring skills, our participants look forward to new opportunities for their lives. Improving health, better attendance in school and the joy of new perspectives creates inflection points for these kids. We make a difference!” For more information about Winter4Kids, please visit www. winter4kids.org.

Save the Date for Denville’s Open House

enville's Annual Holiday Open House is taking place on Friday, November 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Downtown Denville! Take part in Black Friday sales at local shops, ride our horse-pulled carriage with the kids, and snap photos with costumed characters and big man himself, Santa Claus! Performances by local dance and karate troops and so much more!

And don't forget to come back downtown to shop on Small Business Saturday, November 30. Downtown Denville is sponsoring roaming carolers for the day! Finally, bring the whole family downtown on Sunday, December 1 for the Annual Holiday Parade starting at 2 p.m. Don't miss this holiday season in Downtown Denville, where a community comes together!"

To Find Her Daughter, Pamela’s Determined Search

By Richard Mabey Jr. have the honor and pleasure of knowing Pamela Reynolds Ross, since the first grade. For the most part, we were in each other's classes all through grade school. We were very good friends. We stayed friends all through high school, but in attending a regional high school, sadly we lost a bit of the close friendship that we shared in grade school. Truly, Pamela is one of the kindest individuals whom I have ever known in my entire life. Pamela has been working very hard, for several decades, to find her biological daughter, whom Pamela gave up for adoption when she was only 17 years old. This was back in 1971. It was a different time then, a different culture. Nobly, Pamela signed adoption papers, thinking that would be best for her baby daughter. As the ink hit the paper, on the adoption papers, Pamela was truly alone. She was offered no legal counsel at all. She was offered no psychological counseling at all. The powers that be assured Pamela that she was doing the right thing. That giving up her baby daughter was for the best for her little daughter. In a room, the size of a closet, Pamela signed the adoption papers. Then, in a matter of seconds, her precious baby was whisked away from her, never to be seen by Pamela ever again. The biological father of Pamela's beloved baby girl was a 24 year old Vietnam Veteran, whom Pamela had fallen deeply in love with. Dreams of marriage, a cottage, a white picket fence, were shattered, when the love of Pamela's life, left her and shirked his responsibilities to help Pamela raise her beloved baby girl. Sadly, Pamela's boyfriend at the time, suffered from a serious case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Fast forward to the present time. Pamela simply wants her biological daughter to have the option to have the opportunity to meet her, if she wants. Pamela's daughter is now 48 years old and would be capable of making that decision on her own. In Pamela's own words, here is her perspective in a nutshell. "The whole point is this: I'm not trying to replace the adoption

family or win custody. I never wanted to put my daughter through a tug-a-war. I simply would love to know she is well. Importantly, she should have her vital health history. I've asked if someone would kindly contact her and let her know our contact information. At the age of 48, she can choose what she wants to do with that information." So without further ado, here are the essential clues to the identity of Pamela's biological daughter, whom Pamela relinquished for adoption back in 1971: Pamela gave birth to her baby girl on January 18th of 1971, at Chilton Hospital in Pompton Plains, New Jersey. The adoptive father was an accountant. The adoptive mother was a registered nurse. The couple had a six year old son, at the time they adopted Pamela's baby girl. Sadly, Pamela has not been able to find a court or agency that will attempt to contact the woman who Pamela gave birth to and relinquished for adoption. The adoption process took place on November 16th of 1971 at the Morris County Courthouse in Morristown, New Jersey. The Adoption Agency, Department of Children and Families, was also located in Morristown. The adoptive couple were both of the Roman Catholic faith. From all indications, it appears that this couple lived in Morris County in 1971. Sadly, these are the only clues that Pamela has, in her search to locate her biological daughter. Pamela is now 66 years old. Her biological daughter, whom she gave up for adoption, is now 48 years old. Pamela is more determined than ever to find her daughter. Pamela is emotionally prepared, if her biological daughter does not want to talk to her or see her. But for Pamela, she just longs to know if her daughter is healthy, safe and sound. If any of these clues ring a bell for you, please do contact Pamela. Her email address is: paross@visuallink.com. Regardless of how far reaching it may seem, if you know anyone for whom these few clues fit, please do contact Pamela. It would mean so very much to Pamela.

Page 38 • November 2019 • Denville Life

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Make it a day to remember! We offer a variety of party options that are sure to please the birthday boy or girl and their guests. All parties include a party room with party host/hostess in addition to paper goods (napkins, plates, tablecloths, forks) and a PDF invitation suitable to email. Visit our website for all the fun details, upgrades and fees.

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