Denville October 2022

Denville’s Den Brook Trail Completed With Morris County Trail Funds

The Den Brook Trail in Denville has officially opened, offering visitors a one-mile rustic path that runs from Openaki Road in the state-recognized Ninkey Forge Historic District to a small neighborhood park owned by the township on Mount Pleasant Turnpike.

The official opening was marked by a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at the local park, which included Mayor Thomas Andes, Councilmembers Glenn Buie and Gary Boroweic, and several other township and Morris County officials. Construction of the trail, largely funded by the Morris County Trail Construction Grant Program, began in late 2020.

“The Township of Denville has acquired over 1,300 acres of Open Space over the last 25 years and has always

hoped to develop a trail system. Several years ago, the Path and Trail Committee working with our Open Space, Recreation and various other groups developed a Trails Master Plan,” said Mayor Andes.

One project in the master plan was the Den Brook project, which cost a total of $372,956. The Morris County trail program provided total of $315,876 to the township through two grants that allowed the trail to be built in two phases.

“Denville is very thankful to receive funding from Morris County in two consecutive years to complete the trail from Openaki to the Den Brook Playground on Mount Pleasant Turnpike. This picturesque, one mile gravel path

Ribbon cutting held Tuesday evening, Sept. 20, 2022 with (l-r) Councilman Buie, Councilman Boroweic, Denville Open Space/Trails Coordinator Jane Garvey, trails Committee Member Sue Schmitt, Mayor Andes, Township Administrator Steven Ward, Morris County Park Planning and Development Coordinator Denise Chaplick, former Denville Councilwoman Stephanie Lyden and township trails Committee Member Darlene Price.

Denville Kids Duo Sell Lemonade for Animal Shelter

By Evan Wechman

Denville is home to people working in various industries. There are also many entrepreneurs and philanthropists throughout the community. Molly and Dylan Eis are siblings who, along with the help of their mother Lindsay, are engaged in both activities right in their neighborhood.

The unique difference between them and other leaders in their field is their age. Molly and Dylan are ages 7 and 6 years old, respectively. They have come up with a novel idea to combine their love of business with their affection for animals by operating a lemonade stand.

Both children have been surrounded by both cats and dogs throughout their young life and have made the Denville Animal Shelter their pet project. Their mother,

Lindsay Eis said “they are very entrepreneurial. They’re always setting up stores in my house.” The two have sold everything from bracelets to a wide assortment of knick-knacks in the past few years.

Eis is not sure where her children developed their

love for business. She is a teacher, and her husband is a project manager for a large firm in New Jersey. Despite this mystery, the two children seem to be natural salespeople.

For the past three summers, the brother-sister duo has been setting up shop

right outside their parents’ home, right by the driveway. They also are planning far ahead of schedule for their fourth summer coming up, where they will continue operating a lemonade stand.

They are not keeping any of the profits from selling lemonade and their

new product, shaved ice.

Rather, they are donating it all for the animals by giving it directly to the Denville Animal Shelter.

The kids each summer pick one hot day to set up a lemonade stand and attempt to sell as many cups as possible. They have been charging $1 for a cup of cold lemonade, and $2 for the shaved ice, which was just introduced this

past summer. However, the shaved ice seems to be a big hit with most of the local folks who stop by and will probably remain on the menu next summer.

The first year they raised $80, followed by about $150 the following year, and this past July Molly and Dylan raked in over $2,000 for the local animals.

The people who stopped

Molly and Dylan Eis set up shop this summer at the Annual Eis Family Lemonade Stand

Jennifer Hyatt:

Tim Fisher:

Den Brook Trail Completed...

continued from

the Den Brook is a delightful stroll, with a perfect ending at a small playground for young children,” Mayor Andes

Joining the ribbon-cutting were Denville Open Space/ Trails Coordinator Jane Garvey, township trail Committee Members Sue Schmitt and Darlene Price, and Township Administrator Steven Ward. Also there were Morris County Parks Planning and Development Coordinator Denise Chaplick and former Denville Councilwoman Stephanie Lyden, a founding member of the township trails committee.

Morris County Commissioner Deborah Smith, a Denville resident and former Denville council president, took a stroll on the completed trail a few hours before the official ribbon cutting.

“This really is a beautiful trail, and I think people will be surprised at how peaceful it is here walking along the brook. This is exactly the type of accessible, neighborhood trail our Morris County Trail Construction Grant Program was designed to create, and we have found over the years that many different trails are connecting from town to town. This trail is very close to other open space areas,”

said Commissioner Smith.

The Openaki Trailhead of the Den Brook Trail is a short distance from the entrance to the Randolph Trail System entrance at the James Andrews Memorial County Park.

The Den Brook Trail is generally flat with a few easy rolling features. There are foot bridges located along the path where the ground becomes naturally saturated, and there are three spur trails that lead into adjacent residential neighborhoods.

Signs also have been placed along the path so visitors can learn about wetlands and the local flora and fauna.

Furthermore, the trail passes by a picturesque, abandoned historic mill located in the middle of Den Brook.

The Morris County Board of County Commissioners has issued more than $4 million to build and enhance more than 23 miles of a growing network of local trails since 2016, after voters overwhelming approved dedicating a portion of the Morris County Preservation Trust Fund annually toward recreational trail development. Morris County made nearly $1.8 million in grants available in 2022 for recreational trails, and applications submitted by the July deadline are currently under review.

Trails became a source of refuge during the pandemic,

with national trail and hiking organizations estimated usage grew by 200 percent nationwide since pre-pandemic years. The Morris County Park Commission, which has a separate county network of more than 253 miles of trails, reports three to four times as many visitors are making use of the park system’s pathways.

Calling All Denville Senior Men

Denville men’s club invites you to have some great fun, with good guys and good food. Play some cards, shoot some pool or just shoot the breeze. We are part of the Denville Senior Citizens Association which means we may participate in one-day trips, luncheons, multi-day excursions and Casino trips. We meet at 11:45AM on alternating Tuesdays at the Senior Center. For further information, please contact Club Secretary Roger Bettys at 973-214-1315.

Denville Native MaryBeth van Sickle, aka Lexie FyfeProfessional Wrestler, Mentor, Promoter - Discusses Life in and Out of the Ring

By Alexander Rivero

It

turns out that there is a great deal more to wrestling than the bright lights and rubber booted athletes in peak physical condition waging hand-to-hand battle in front of sellout crowds. As Lexie Fyfe—real name MaryBeth van Sickle—is quick to tell us, there is a whole other side to the sport.

“The amount of work really is huge,” says van Sickle, “especially when you’re on the independent circuits like I was.”

The independent circuits, as differentiated from more mainstream circuits like World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and the former World Championship Wrestling (WCW), requires its wrestlers to do much more of the logistical legwork on a weekly basis. Things they have to take into consideration include booking their own accommodations, arranging for their own traveling, providing their own gear and makeup, and meticulously managing every facet of both their in-persona and

themselves, including finances and contracts. Last but not least, of course, they engage a population who, for the most part, knows very little about what it takes to do their job effectively.

“I used to think that if I told people I was a professional wrestler, they’d think I was of below average intelligence, just a dumb jock,” says van Sickle. “But if they only knew the amount of things a wrestler has to keep in mind in order to operate effectively, they’d be genuinely surprised. No question, you have to be smart. You have to make sure that people really understand your worth, what you bring to the table, and you have to market yourself accordingly. Without question, you can easily lose money in this business if you don’t go into it with the right mindset.”

van Sickle is a Denville native, growing up, as she puts it, “right on Indian Lake.” She started wrestling in August of 1995, in a mixed tag team match where she paired up with Ricky Morton of the Rock n’ Roll Express and Denny Cooley. The three took on

Brandi Wine and the Terminators. She grew up watching WCW and what was then the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) lineups of megastars, wrestlers that still hold a firm grip on the public’s imagination. The larger-thanlife personalities of those stars— the Ultimate Warrior, Hulk Hogan, “Macho Man” Randy Savage—were transfixing for the young van Sickle, and she would faithfully tune into weekly televised programming.

Her introduction into independent wrestling came later on, when she was in her early twenties. At an independent wrestling event, she noticed wrestler Brandi Wine—then working as a valet for the circuits, and was happy to finally meet another girl who was as interested in wrestling as she was. Brandi Wine, who was then eighteen years old and aspired to wrestle professionally, invited van Sickle to train with her. Training went well, and before long, van Sickle accompanied her new friend to a local show.

continued on page 10

Denville Native MaryBeth van Sickle, aka Lexie Fyfe—Professional Wrestler, Mentor, Promoter—Discusses Life in and Out of the Ring

with Saint Clare’s Kristeen DeCristofaro, Breast Cancer Survivor

By Mark J. Bonamo

K risteen DeCristofaro was forced to face one of her greatest fears when she was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago. A New Jersey native and pharmacist at Saint Clare’s Health, DeCristofaro now had to navigate her disease not as an employee, but as a patient.

Her journey from hospital arrival to cancer survival at Saint Claire’s Health is one about receiving exceptional care around the corner from where she lives, while taking advantage of the type of technology that keeps the hospital ahead of the medical curve.

BREAST CANCER CARE SAINT CLARE’S HEALTH

mammography and board-certified radiologists at Saint Clare’s Health

one thing: early detection.

Clare’s offers continuity of care from breast imaging, diagnostic

procedures, surgical services, genetic testing and genetic testing and counseling.

“I have a strong family history of breast cancer. My mom had it, and so did my aunt,” said DeCristofaro, 42, who lives in Warren County. “I started getting screened when I was 35, just to make sure that everything was okay.”

After detecting her cancer, DeCristofaro soon had her Saint Clare’s care team in place to manage through treatment, including a radiologist, oncologists, surgeons, nurse navigators, a social worker, a physical therapist specializing in lymphedema (a common side effect of some cancer treatments) and more.

DeCristofaro knew that a coordinated team would have a major impact on her level of care. A highly qualified tumor board, comprised of the exceptional medical team, collaborated to help her

It was the power of this team working together that enhanced every level of care to help her reach the best patient outcome.

“Initially they didn’t know if I was going to need radiation or chemotherapy. They knew obviously that I was going to have surgery of some type to remove the cancer, so they all put their different disciplines together to develop an attack plan,” DeCristofaro said. “Then everyone sits down, and they talk to you about your case. At a close-knit community hospital like Saint Clare’s, you benefit from that

Kristeen DeCristofaro continued on page 8

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Arlington

determine the best course of treatment.

Breast Cancer Survivor

personal touch right when you really need it. They don’t treat you like a number. They treat you like a human being.”

DeCristofaro chose to have a double mastectomy, largely because of her family’s history. Her surgery took place only about two and a half months after her diagnosis.

“They actually saw multiple spots in one breast during my biopsy. There were three separate cancerous lesions. I didn’t want to take the risk of it spreading. Let’s just knock it all out,” DeCristofaro said. “When my mom had cancer, she had her mastectomies two years apart, which was a lot. So I made the decision that I wanted to get this all done, all together. Now, it’s all taken care of.”

Radiation therapy was another important element of DeCristofaro’s treatment. While radiation treatment can leave many patients apprehensive, DeCristofaro noted that the setting and advanced technology at Saint Clare’s put her mind at ease.

“I actually had a wonderful experience with radiation here. I’ve heard that other places are very cold. People just kind of treat you like a body and push you through the process. During my treatment at Saint Clare’s, I had to be there every weekday for six weeks for a total of 30 treatments. My treatment ran like a well-oiled machine,

very efficient. But at the same time, it was very warm and personal.”

DeCristofaro described her radiation treatment as something that became part of the natural rhythm of her life.

“They put you on a table the first time you go to the treatment room, and they make a mold that you lay in every day. Then you lay in the exact same position every single time when this beam goes around you, kind of like an open air MRI. You stay still for about 10 or 15 minutes, then it’s over.”

After her radiation treatments, DeCristofaro’s cancer care team remained committed with her case.

“My physicians and team checked in with me constantly. They were available to me day and night. I could talk to them whenever I needed them,” she said. “And the nurse navigators, a unique part of care here at Saint Clare’s, did an amazing job for me before my surgery. They literally held my hand at times to get me through what I had to deal with. All of it is, of course, a little scary. It’s so important to have the right people around you.

I felt very strongly that medical team was on the same coordinated plan and that they were very supportive. Cancer isn’t just physical, it’s mental. It’s your life, it’s your family’s life, it’s everything.”

DeCristofaro was surrounded by the same circle of care at Saint Clare’s for her reconstructive surgery and for her ongoing treatment.

“It’s been a journey, but I feel good, and my prognosis is good. I’ll have side effects from medications I need to take for the next several years, but they’re manageable. I’m an optimistic person. Between my care team and my family, I have every reason to be.”

DeCristofaro has spoken to other women who are going through breast cancer treatment. Overall, she had two solid pieces of advice.

“I would tell anyone seeking breast cancer treatment to come to Saint Clare’s. I knew I was going to get great care close to home, and I knew I was going to have exceptional doctors and nurses. I knew I was going to have a whole team of people with me. They really treat the whole person,” DeCristofaro said. “Otherwise, if you find out you have breast cancer, center yourself and make a plan. Don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Make your plan, then take it one step at a time, and don’t get ahead of yourself. You’ll get through to the other side of this. You can do this.”

For more information about cancer care at Saint Clare’s Health, visit https://www.saintclares.com/services/ breast-care/

KWPDO will be collecting unopened candy (no nibbles, please)! For every pound of candy collected, each Ghost or Goblin will earn $1 (max is $5 per child). Collected candy will be sent to the troops serving our country. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd most. Please feel free to include a special handmade card or drawing to send with our package to the troops overseas! If there are any

the office

St. Therese Shrine Ministry Moving to Mountain Lakes for Winter

The Ministry of the St. Therese Shrine will be moving to St. Catherine of Siena Church.

The address of the Church is 10 N Pocono Road, Mountain Lakes, N.J. and will start on November 1st and continue to Tuesday, December 20th. As we pray outside, the weather will be too cold to remain at the Shrine. On Tuesday, December 20th, we will have Dan Yates, who is a New York City Broadway singer and has been gifted with a beautiful voice, will sing for us at St. Catherine of Siena Church and afterwards we will have our prayer service. It will be a short Christmas concert. This is our gift to the ministry members. It will be the same time as our usual Tuesday service which is 1 p.m. We will continue to have our Tuesday services

at the Shrine for the month of October. Please join us for fellowship. We have a wonderful group of people

praying together.

Any questions, please call Carol Bsarany 973-2719252.

Orthodontics

Lemonade for Animal Shelter...

by the stand were also given an entry for a $25 gift card from chewy.com if they made at least a $5 donation. The person who won the gift card kept the spirit of giving alive by donating the card back to the shelter.

Eis said “this summer we made a goal and then we had somebody match whatever we raised. So, we raised over $1,000 and that person matched it with another $1,000. So next summer, our intention is to get somebody else or multiple persons to match whatever we raise.”

Both the animal shelter and the public were very appreciative of the lemonade stand. Next year, the family is looking forward to signing up local businesses to support the drive as well. Lindsay Eis, a teacher nearby at Lake Drive School for the Deaf in Mountain Lakes is no stranger to giving back to the community. She loves the idea of her kids’ raising funds for charity.

This past summer, the Denville Police heard about the great work Molly and Dylan were doing from the workers at the shelter, and so they paid them a visit. The children were not in trouble. Rather, the officers were so grateful and proud of the kids, they invited them to the station where they received a tour of the facility. According to their mother, the kids adored their visit with the police officers.

Though the community was proud of these terrific kids, the family was equally appreciative of the support they received from their neighbors. Eis said, “because people see that it’s going to the animal shelter, they ended up giving us about $20 and said to keep the change.”

Due to the success of this fundraiser, the family is already

excited for the Summer of 2023 where they will continue selling the lemonade and the shaved ice, as well as maybe one or two new delicious items.

However, the best part of setting up the booth was the

Professional Wrestler...

continued from page 6

“It all clicked for me at that local event she invited me to,” remembers van Sickle. “I thought to myself that this was exactly what I should be doing with my life, and by the time I signed up for my first match, that feeling was confirmed in me. I knew that this would be my path forward.”

The highest point of van Sickle’s career, she says, was one specific occasion in which she was wrestling a young female opponent who was new to the sport and was not fully comfortable with herself in the ring. The match was in New Mexico at a fair, with about 1,000 people watching from the stands.

“The girl froze up in the ring because she was so nervous,” says van Sickle, “and I was able to calm her down a bit and get the match going. I was the villain of the match, and I was able to corner her into the turnbuckle. My high point here was in getting the 1,000 observers to boo me. They were in it! And it made me so happy!”

There were many times when van Sickle joined other professional wrestlers on military bases, where they performed for the troops. She cites these occasions as some of the ones she remembers most fondly as well.

satisfaction of helping their neighbors. The children and their mother agreed handing off the money to the shelter was the biggest thrill.

Together with her husband, van Sickle owns and operates Slammin’ Ladies, which is a wrestling company that specializes in closed-arena matches (which became a necessary addition to the wrestling world particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic).

“We film our matches in our own studio, no audience. During the pandemic, a lot of the athletes that train with us called and thanked us for helping them learn to use the camera as the audience. We’ve been in business for eighteen years now and hopefully many more to come.”

van Sickle has not wrestled herself since 2019, but to do so again is not off the table.

“I’m not saying I won’t lace up again, but it would have to be something special. We have our own business. I mentor a lot of girls. So, we’ll see.”

In closing, she offers some advice for future wrestlers.

“Get your schooling first. Education is always first. Not necessarily a four-year degree, but finish high school, get some higher education, and learn to market yourself. Then, once you’re ready, find a good training school, and do your research because there are some really bad ones out there.

Denville resident Ed Russick Named MPAC’s Volunteer of the Month of August

Denville resident Ed Russick has been named MPAC’s Volunteer of the Month of August.

This recognition program is designed to shine a light on the many individuals who contribute their time and energy toward making MPAC and the MPAC customer experience a success.

“I have been a patron of this theatre for many years and have always enjoyed the diversity of the events and venue,” Mr. Russick said. “I volunteer at MPAC because I feel it is time well spent working to ensure patrons have a pleasant experience. As an added bonus, I have enjoyed getting to know the MPAC staff and co-volunteers.”

“Ed has been a wonderful member of the

MPAC Volunteer program,” said Erin Pach, MPAC’s Front of House Director. “He is one of the most easygoing

volunteers we have and is always willing to jump in and help where needed, no questions asked.”

MCST Teachers Participate in a 4 Day Teacher-Led Professional Development

Jennifer Skomial

August came to an end, staff at Morris County School

were focused on preparing for the upcoming school year. During the last week in August, teachers and guidance counselors participated in MCST’s annual Summer Institute, teacher-driven professional development that focuses on exploring best teaching practices and preparing for the new school year. The week centered around the key themes from MCST’s mission statement: Inspire, Prepare, Succeed.

Organized by Achievement Coaches Jennifer Skomial and Samantha Shane, the four-day event included teacher-led sessions on topics such as: building a culture of learning, formative assessments, authentic learning activities, interdisciplinary projects, social-emotional

learning, grading practices, redefining school culture, problem-based learning, differentiation techniques, and career ready practices. The professional learning focused on providing an engaging and supportive environment for students.

Educators were able to learn from several guest facilitators including: Shawna Longo, ‘22 Sussex County Teacher of the

Year, Dennis Dagounis, ‘22 Union County Teacher of the Year, and Dr. Katie Nieves Licwinko, Teacher/ Coordinator of Educational Technology Integration.

As a result, teachers have developed interdisciplinary lessons, fostered relationships with new staff members, and prepared activities with a greater focus on social-emotional learning, to ensure students

are successful in their learning journey. Dale Bendsak, Visual Arts teacher shared, “I enjoyed learning about the experiences of outside experts as well as the discussions of best practices with my MCST colleagues. As a veteran teacher, I view the MCST Summer Institute as a time to reflect, share, and learn - it’s a positive collegial jumpstart into the new school year!”

Amidst the professional learning, there was time built in for some fellowship. Staff members were greeted each day with coffee and snacks, thanks to MCST’s Parent Teacher Organization.

Generous donations from other local establishments provided teachers with a daily raffle to ramp up each day. Special thanks to The Pasta Shop, Thatcher McGee’s, Playa

Bowls, as well as Legacy Printing and Riola Design for their t-shirts.

MCST’s educators are looking forward to welcoming students on September 6th. Morris County School of Technology offers a variety of full-time and share-time academy programs. To learn more about program offerings, please visit www.mcvts.org.

The Rules May Have Changed, But Denville Women’s Softball is Still Fun

By Steve Sears

and right out of

to catch a ball and hit a ball, you’re in. If you can walk and talk at the same time, you can play.”

The group is called Denville Women’s Softball, and there is a dedicated Facebook page for anyone who is

on page 15

Denville Women’s Softball at their year-end barbeque

Gross no longer plays due to knee

surgery and a recent leg break injury, but she still makes sure women’s softball in Denville happens. “I just want it for the town,” she says. “I sit in the bleachers, I take care of everybody coming in, sign them in to the roster, and use my electronic megaphone to make comments.”

Gross has been a Denville Women’s Softball member the longest, but there are others with almost equal longevity. “Christine Murray has been playing almost as long as me; she’s been with us for 42 years. Donna Zablatzky is another one; she joined after 1980 traveling team got started, so she’s just under 40 years, and Sharon Matschke has been playing just about as long as Donna has. And there are others who have been with us for a shorter amount of time, and we’re grateful for all of them.” And it’s generational for Gross, too, whose oldest daughter, Laura – she who robbed her mom of a homerun in the

mid 1980’s – and granddaughters Katie (BL’s temporary runner after her knee issues) and Molly (a current pitcher) have also played for Denville Women’s Softball.

The ladies play (and have always played) their games at Gardner Field. When Gross and the other ladies started out, there were seven teams with about 70 women involved, and each team had about 15 players. Gross scheduled the games, and Denville recreation provided the initial equipment. In the early 1980’s, there was even the previously-mentioned traveling team that played other local teams at their fields. “I think we might have played Tuesdays and Thursday nights, and slowly we have fewer and fewer teams and fewer and fewer people,” Gross says. “And now we’re down to one team, which plays against itself.” On this year’s roster there are 24 people, but there aren’t always 12 players for each team. “We do the best we can,” Gross explains. “We’ve changed the rules, we got rid of the umpires and saved the town some money, and we made our

own rules. We used to play seven innings, now we’re down to six. You have to hit the ball or strike out, there are no walks. You can’t steal a base, you can’t slide. We’ve made it as easy as we can and still play and have fun. If you can hit the ball and get a home run, we’ll let you walk around the bases; you don’t have to run. We always look forward to it, and the last game of the season, everybody comes here (to her home) and my husband, Louie, does the cooking of the goodies on the grill and everybody brings something. And then I get to present ‘The Silly Awards’ and everyone gets something based on how their season went. It’s a fun night and everybody looks forward to it.”

So it doesn’t compete with children’s softball in town, Denville Women’s Softball doesn’t start until the end of June. “That way if they have any games or any playoffs or anything because of the weather or something, they have the field,” Gross says. “The field is for the kids, and I don’t want to infringe on that. That’s just my

attitude. We start with the last Thursday in June and try to get 10 games in, but Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate.”

Gross states with a laugh that she is a New York Yankees fan. “The two – the Yankees and softball – go together very well,” she says. “It’s just a great sport. You get your exercise, and you’re not killing yourself doing it.” Gross also mentions that, during the COVID-19 pandemic and after her unfortunate leg injury, Denville Women’s Softball still met at Gardner Field for some social distancing gab sessions, Gross in a wheelchair and the rest in the bleachers. “It’s the camaraderie with the girls and the women,” she says. “The new people come in when the older ones don’t want to or can’t play anymore, but they still come and be with us. It’s become a family – a giant family, and we care about each other.”

For more information about Denville Women’s Softball, message BL Gross through the group’s Facebook page.

Savor These Holiday Centerpieces

Celebrate the season and create long-lasting memories this year by serving tasteful main courses centered around tender cuts of beef.

With hand-cut choices like a Bonein Frenched Prime Rib Roast, Butcher’s Cut Filet Mignons, a Beef Brisket Flat and Premium Ground Beef from Omaha Steaks, you can create elegant holiday centerpieces such as Steak Au Poivre or a unique generational recipe, the Simon Family Brisket. Each cut of beef is handcarved by expert butchers, flash-frozen to capture freshness and flavor at its peak and delivered directly to your door. Find more inspiration to create a memorable holiday meal at OmahaSteaks. com

Steak Au Poivre

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Servings: 2

2 Omaha Steaks Butcher’s Cut Filet Mignons (5-6 ounces each), thawed

2 teaspoons kosher salt

2 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 tablespoons butter, divided 1/3 cup brandy or cognac

1 cup cream

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Season steak with salt and pepper. Press seasoning into meat to create even

coating.

In large skillet over medium-high heat, heat vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon butter until just smoking. Add steak and sear 4 minutes on each side for medium-rare. Once cooked to desired doneness, transfer steak to cutting board and tent with foil to rest.

Reduce heat to medium and add brandy to skillet. Allow to cook down about 1 minute while stirring to scrape off any browned bits from bottom of pan. Once brandy reduces by half, add cream, Dijon mustard and remaining butter; continue cooking until mixture begins to reduce and thicken, 5-7 minutes.

Slice steaks against grain and top with sauce.

Simon Family Brisket

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 4 hours, plus 20 minutes resting time

Servings: 4

1 Omaha Steaks Beef Brisket Flat (2 pounds), thawed

1 package (1.1 ounces) dry onion soup mix

1 can (14 ounces) whole cranberries

1 cup chili sauce

1 cup ginger ale

Preheat oven to 250 F. Place brisket in large ovenproof baking dish.

In bowl, mix onion soup mix, cranberries and chili sauce. Spoon over top of brisket. Pour ginger ale around edges of brisket.

Cover with foil and bake 4 hours.

Remove from oven and let rest 20 minutes. Remove brisket from baking dish

and place on cutting board. Slice brisket against grain and place in serving dish. Top with sauce and serve. (Family Features)

A Chilly Day Dish with a Kick

in your mind a warm bowl cupped in your hands, defrosting your fingertips after you just walked inside from a chilly afternoon. The bowl is heavy, full of hearty vegetables and spicy peppers that in just a few short moments will overwhelm your palate.

Picture

You dive in with a spoon, savoring every flavorful bite as you dip down to the bottom of the bowl searching for more to slurp up with every spoonful. Onion, red bell pepper and even corn all blended into not only a vegetarian meal but a chili-lover’s paradise. It’s got the spices to make you say, “wow” but the smoothness that reminds you of something your mom once made when you were young.

You throw your sweater to the side of the couch as your body temperature begins to rise. You start to feel your energy return as you spoon a second helping into your bowl for round two.

Not only does this recipe for Chipotle Veggie Chili hit you with a wide array of balanced flavors, but there is a surprise hint of citrus added toward the end – lime juice.

Just to add a little more texture and vibrance to this dish, it can be topped with your favorite garnishes like guacamole, sour cream, jalapeno slices and cilantro.

This Chipotle Veggie Chili is simple to make, needing just one pot throughout the entire cooking process. It simmers for about 25 minutes while you unwind from a long day.

So next time you need a pick-me-up after a chilly day outside, give this one a try. The savory aromas and wholesome consistency make this chili a 10-out-of-10 and a crowd favorite.

Find more recipes perfect for cooler weather at Culinary. net.

Chipotle Veggie Chili

Servings: 6-8

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

5/8 teaspoon sea salt, divided

1/4 teaspoon pepper, divided

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 can (14 ounces) diced fire-roasted tomatoes

1 can (14 ounces) red beans, drained and rinsed

1 can (14 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup vegetable broth

1 can (7 ounces) chipotles in adobo sauce

2 cans (15 ounces each) sweet corn with liquid

2 limes, juiced guacamole (optional) sour cream (optional) jalapeno slices (optional) cilantro (optional)

In large dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Stir and cook 5 minutes until onion is translucent. Add garlic and red pepper. Stir and cook 8 minutes until soft.

Add tomatoes, red beans, pinto beans, broth, chipotles in adobo sauce, corn, remaining salt and remaining pepper. Simmer 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chili has thickened.

Squeeze lime juice into pot; stir. Serve with guacamole, sour cream, jalapeno slices and cilantro, if desired. (Culinary.net)

5 Tips for Organizing Your Home Office

Whentemperatures creep up again, it signals time for an annual tradition: spring cleaning. While big projects like windows are hard to overlook, don’t forget smaller areas that need attention, too, such as your home office.

Making sense of a year’s worth of paperwork and clutter can take some serious time, especially as many people have been working from home more than normal, but getting organized can help you tackle home management tasks more efficiently. Making the office a priority can reduce frustration when it comes to spending additional time in your office while working from home.

These five tips can help get you started:

1. Make sure you have furniture that can adequately store your stuff, including plenty of space for files, reference books and computer equipment. Pieces need not be costly to be functional and there are plenty of attractive options available online and at both small and major retailers.

2. Arrange the space with its intended use and your own work style in mind. For example, if you don’t need ample space to spread out over a large, flat work area, eliminate that space - it’s simply an

invitation for clutter.

3. Place items you rely on frequently, such as a calculator or ruler, within arm’s reach so they can easily be put away between uses. Capture these items in containers and bins to keep the space looking neat and free of clutter.

4. Establish a filing system that lets you keep track of important papers you need to keep and have a shredder handy to help you discard any sensitive documents. Whether you alphabetize, color code or use some other method, group paperwork into segments for categories such as bills, banking, health care, auto, insurance and so on for easy access in the future.

5. Tangled cords can make even the most organized spaces look messy, and they may pose a fire or tripping hazard. Get control of your cords by storing devices you don’t use regularly and securing the remaining cords with twist ties or clips. Remember to use a surge-protected power strip to minimize the chance of damage should a power surge occur.

Find more tips to make your workspace tidy and organized at eLivingtoday.com. (Family Features)

North

Walk-In

New Jersey Ghost Hunters Share Some Paranormal Adventures

by Elsie Walker

Paranormal

activity generally spikes in October according to Maryann Taylor of Hackettstown. Taylor, a paranormal investigator for four years, is administrator of the Facebook Group, Midlife Spirits and a member of the New Jersey Ghost Hunters Society (NJGHS). That society, a non-profit paranormal investigation organization which meets in Hackettstown, was founded in 1998 by L’Aura Hladik Hoffman. Recently, Taylor, Hoffman and another NJGHS member, Linda Wielkotz, of Fair Lawn, shared some of their paranormal experiences.

Taylor got involved in paranormal investigation about four years ago. A group on Facebook called Lady GhostBusters was looking for people who had had paranormal experiences. Taylor replied about living in a haunted house. (Her family lives in her husband’s childhood home and has had experiences showing that his parent’s spirits are there.) From that connection, Taylor got involved in her first paranormal investigation. In 2019, She went to Sterling Mines in Sussex County. In the temperature-controlled environment, suddenly there was a mist that would come up to the camera. When the mist was gone, it would return, if beckoned. The members of the group would feel a chill. The chill would move around the circle of members as though it was someone moving around them.

Taylor describes herself as “old school”. While other investigators use a variety of

technology, she uses a camera and audio playback. She recalled an investigation of a boy scout camp. During it, she and another investigator got separated from their group when they went back to get a camera that had been left behind. After getting it, as they walked to rejoin the group, they heard growling behind them. Thinking a bear was close behind, they ran and got to the building where the rest of the group was. They told the others of being chased by a bear, but when the others looked outside, there was no bear. Someone mentioned that they were in an area where you don’t really see any bears. Later, they listened to the audio playback of the incident. The growl had some distinguishable words in it: “Don’t let them get away. I want that one.” Taylor hopes she wasn’t the one they wanted.

Unlike Taylor, Wielkotz has been interested in the paranormal since her teens, Wielkotz noted that her mother would feed that interest by buying her books by parapsychologist Hans Holzer. After her mother died in 1984, Wielkotz had experiences of her mom visiting her. That prompted Wielkotz to find an organization focused on the paranormal: she found NJGHS.

Wielkotz noted that one of her most memorable experiences was with the NJGHS during one of two investigations done at Rose Hill Cemetery in Matawan in July 2006. Wielkotz could not make the first investigation but was very intrigued

L’Aura Hladik Hoffman, founder of the New Jersey Ghost Hunters Society and the cameraman from a German TV crew that went on an investigation with her and a team in Carlstadt.

an email about the second asked for “serious ghost hunters.” When she arrived at the location, it was explained to those present that during the first investigation, stones were thrown at investigators by unseen forces. The cemetery had been checked to see if anyone was there before Wielkotz and the others came. However, those assembled were told they could leave if they were too frightened. Wielkotz stayed. She shared her account of what happened that night;

“As the group walked up to the old crypt area where the attacks took place, we were there maybe two minutes when the same thing happened. Stones were being thrown from trees. Many people had experiences with Elementals (spirit ghosts) running around them feeling their energy. When we left to go back to the gate, we stopped at the crypts and a piece of metal was thrown from a bush and a rock was thrown from the top of the crypt hitting an investigator in the side of the head. Again, unseen forces. As we walked down the path, stones were still being thrown at investigators, hitting backpacks until we reached the main path. The spirits in that area did not want

us up there for some reason.”

As for Hoffman, according to the NJGHS website, she “has been officially ghost hunting since 1993 and founded the NJ Ghost Hunters Society in 1998, which to date is the largest paranormal investigating organization in New Jersey.” Recently, Hoffman recalled an incident around 2006/2007 when she led a team, which included their “tech guru”, Brian Sandt, in investigating the happenings at a private family house, down the shore in Spring Lake. The residents of the home had experienced such terror that they could not sleep or live in the house and had moved into a local hotel. That investigation got off to a rather funny start.

“While we were investigating, in the dark of course, suddenly, bright lights were flashed upon Brian and I and a male voice shouted, ‘Hands in the air!’ Brian was holding his thermal scanner and to the police it appeared as a firearm, given the low light and shadows. Brian exclaimed, ‘Don’t shoot! Please! It’s a thermal scanner!

Not a gun!’” said Hoffman. Hoffman noted that’s not usually the kind of response police expect to hear. The police turned

on the room lights and checked their IDs. Hoffman and her team explained they were there checking out reported paranormal activity. Suspicious, the police contacted the homeowner who came to the home and verified who they were and their story.

After the homeowner and police left, Hoffman and her team started the investigation. They discovered a strong poltergeist energy in the house. Hoffman explained what happened next:

“We experienced golf balls being thrown at us while coming down the stairs from the second floor. We tracked unusually high EMF within the center of the living room [though there were] absolutely no electric outlets, ceiling lamps, or power source available to supply such readings! And the ‘wow factor’ of this investigation: we were gathered around the center island counter in the kitchen. I had my digital audio recorder in the middle of the counter recording our discussion. It was positioned parallel to me on the counter. Suddenly, it made a 1/4 turn and was now perpendicular to me on the counter. We all saw it move by an unseen hand! Concurrent to this movement, Brian’s EMF Meter chimed out a spike in the EMF

reading. We could ‘feel’ the energy pass right through us and then we heard a loud knock come from the living room. We went to inspect and found another golf ball still slightly rolling on the floor at the foot of the stairs. Apparently, the ghost was having fun showing off its ability to move the audio recorder and hurled another golf ball.”

Besides being the founder and director of NJGHS, Hoffman is also an author and does presentations on the paranormal.

On October 17 at 6:00 PM, she’ll be presenting “Ghosthunting NJ & NYC: Updated!!” at Emmaus Public Library, 11 East Main St., Emmaus, PA. On October 27th at 7pm, she’ll be at the Old Bridge Public Library, Central Branch, One Old Bridge Plaza, Old Bridge, NJ, presenting “Ghosthunting NJ & NYC: Updated!!”. On October 29th at noon, she will be presenting “Mysteries of the Paranormal” at the Plumstead Branch of Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Rd., New Egypt, NJ.

For more information on the NJGHS, visit its website www.njghs.net/njghshome. html.

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