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East Hanover/Florham Park Life

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LIFE May 2024

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Florham Park Rotary at Interfaith Food Pantry

FLORHAM PARK - Florham Park Rotary members volunteered at the Interfaith Food Pantry on Friday April 2024 in what has become another annual method in giving back to the community. Interfaith Food Pantry volunteer, Jayne Wenner, greeted the Rotarians to assign various treats for bagging for later distribution to families. “In the past we have sorted fruits and vegetables, stuffed solicitation envelopes, and/or bagged hundreds of groceries for distribution during Thanksgiving,” commented Rotarian Peter Nicolas. Nicolas and fellow Rotarian Karol Williams have volunteered at the Food Pantry many times. Both were both

impressed with the newly renovated location at 2 Executive Drive in Morris Plains. This Morris County pantry has become a model for others in the volume of households it can now support. The Interfaith Food Pantry reached a new milestone last year in the fight against hunger, distributing over 2 million pounds of food during more than 39,000 household visits to the Pantry. These included low-income workers, seniors living on fixed incomes, and families struggling with economic hardships due to inflation and the end of pandemic-era benefits. Rotary president Damion Bernard noted that annual-

ly there are 26, 000 volunteer hours donated, and he is proud that the Florham Park Rotary contributes to that. The biggest needs at the Pantry currently are: Cereal – lower sugar preferred Pasta Tuna fish, salmon and other canned fish Canned meats and meals – ravioli, spaghetti & meatballs, hash, stew, canned chicken, chili, etc. Tomato products (sauce, crushed, whole, diced, paste, puree, etc.) Rice Side Dishes (Macaroni & Cheese, Rice-A-Roni, Instant Potatoes, Hamburger Helper, etc.)

Canned beans – pork and beans, pinto beans, red or white kidney beans, black beans, etc.; NOT green beans Baby food – stages 2 and 3 Baby diapers – size 3, 4, 5 and 6 *When shopping, consider low-salt, low-sugar and gluten-free items. Interested in volunteering? Contact the Interfaith Food Pantry Network: 2 Executive Drive, Morris Plains, NJ 07950 at 973-5388049. Contact the Florham Park Rotary to learn more about the many other opportunities to contribute in the community: info@florhamparkrotary.org, www.florhamparkrotary.org

Historical Society of Florham Park Spring Programs a Big Successes

FLORHAM PARK - The Historical Society of Florham Park kicked off 2024 with two successful free presentations to the general public in March and April. “LEGACY OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN” was held on April 9th and HIDDEN CHILDREN OF WORLD WAR II was presented in March. Both were maximum capacity audiences at the Florham Park Library and were informative and inspiring presentations. RECAP “Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen” - Dr. R. Merritt Brown, DMD, of Morristown shared history and behindthe-scenes insights. He is the past President of the Morris County Historical Association, the 102nd Cavalry Regiment Association, and Northern NJ Military Officers Association. Attendees learned that one of Florham Park connections was that his Tuskegee Airman father had previously been a student at the Little Red Schoolhouse! The Tuskegee Airmen were the first Black pilots in U.S. history, breaking barriers and showing immense bravery during WWII. Their formation was a victory for civil rights activists, leading to their impressive track record and historic achievements. Despite facing racism post-WWII, the Tuskegee Airmen continued to be sought after for their expertise and contribution to Air Force technology. One detail that distinguished the Tuskegee Airmen was their nickname, the “Red Tails”, which referred to how the Tuskegee Airmen painted the tails of their P-47 planes red. The noses and tails of their P-51 Mustang planes were red as well (see attached picture). Though this coloring may have seemed dangerous, as it could have made their planes stick out to enemies, the red detailing on

the Tuskegee Airmen’s planes set them apart from other air squadrons. Indeed, American bomber crews were relieved to see the fierce Red Tails support them on their bombing runs. German pilots both feared and respected the Tuskegee Airmen, called them the “Schwartze Vogelmenschen” (or “Black Birdmen”). Following their service in the military, many Tuskegee Airmen were awarded medals and on March 29, 2007 were collectively awarded a Congressional Gold Medal in the rotunda of the U.S. Capital. “Hidden Children of World War II”. Maud Peper Dahme was born in the Netherlands, is a Holocaust survivor, a New Jersey resident, and was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2014. She is a former president of the New Jersey State Board of Education. The event on March 12 was presented to the largest audience the Historical Society has seen in several years at the Florham Park Library. Of the 1.6 million Jewish children who lived in Europe before WWII, only 100,000 survived the Holocaust. Most of those children were hidden from the Nazis by righteous gentiles in attics, cellars, convents, villages or farms. Dahme was one of those hidden children, and shared her four years of experiences of the horrors of that time and also of the goodness of people who saved Maud’s and her sister’s lives. NEXT Readers should save October 8 and November 12 for the next informative presentations offered free to the general public by the Historical Society. “Presidential Visits to the Garden State” will be presented by Peter Zablocki, local historian, author, and podcaster, as he returns to the Florham Park Library.

Winner from April’s “Find Hank the Hornet Mascot” Contest

AREA - The winners from April’s “Find Hank the Hornet Mascot” are Anu Jayaraman; East Hanover, CP Chin; Hanover, Maureen Leddy; Florham Park and Alvin Chu; Florham Park. The ads that “Hank the

Hornet” were in: UPS Store, Christine Nagy, McKean Monuments, Hancliffe Home for Funerals, Tracey Franco and Piano Store. Thanks to everyone who enter and congratulations to our winners!

Rotary Club President Damion Bernard with boxes about to be prepped for distribution. Photo Courtesy of David L. Kramer.

Taste of Florham Park

A 2024 Event of the Florham Park Rotary

boro separates now in its 125th Anniversary of Florham Park. Event Date and Time: Monday, May 20, 2024: 6-8 PM (5 Mansion tours scheduled at 5:30pm!) Event Location: The Vanderbilt-Twombly Mansion on the campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) in Florham Park. Just a short drive from the center of Florham Park, enter either via Park Avenue or Madison Avenue. Ticket Prices: General Admission (event entry at 6 p.m.) $50 (includes a door prize chance and a tour of the Mansion). Ticket Locations: To purchase tickets early go to the Florham Park Diner. Tickets may be purchased at the Event. Tickets may be purchased at the Florham Park Diner (182 Ridgedale Avenue), at the Event, or by check mailed to

Red Tails 640px-Tuskegee P-51. Courtesy of David L. Kramer.

FLORHAM PARK - The Taste of Florham Park is the annual festive food extravaganza that benefits the Florham Park Rotary Scholarship Fund, which rewards Florham Park students who have a record of community volunteerism and who are Seniors in local high schools. Florham Park’s eating establishments graciously provide samples of their best dishes. Local purveyors of fine wine, beer and spirits greet guests with samples of their offerings, as do other local merchants. The Taste is a must attend party for food lovers. It is also a celebration of the best of Florham Park and an opportunity to enjoy the evening with family and friends – and neighbors – at a historic mansion. So appropriate because the Vanderbilt-Twombly Mansion was a home for Florence Vanderbilt Twombly and Hamilton Twombly which the

“I wanted to write a political book that was not really political. The goal was to write a book that celebrates our state’s political history and not one that divides us over it.” Zablocki said. “It was super fun to research and equally difficult to present it in a non-partisan way. Hopefully, I succeeded.” The Vanderbilt Family will be the topic of the November 12 presentation. Appropriately fitting Florham Park’s 125th Anniversary, it will review the history of the Vanderbilt family, including Florence Vanderbilt Twombly, favorite granddaughter of “Commodore” Vanderbilt who was once considered one of, if not the, richest man in the world. Delaney at the Green generously provided refreshments at the Tuskegee Airmen program at 6:30 PM. A new Senior living community off Park Avenue in Florham Park they are also looking forward to teaming with the Historical Society

in October and November and other presentations. In addition to the 4 free presentations in 2024, members of the Historical Society may also look forward to an additional three members-only events. Indeed, the May 10 luncheon at the Florham Park Diner will host guests Stephanie Akers and Annemarie Landishman sharing fond memories of living in Florham Park. The luncheon will also celebrate the founding of the Historical Society on April 26, 1935. Mrs. Martha Conlon and a group of forward-thinking Florham Park women formed the society for the purpose of preserving the Little Red Schoolhouse. Saving the “important landmark which was in grave danger of being torn down”. Anyone wishing to learn more about that luncheon or membership may write to Peter Nicolas at pnicolas@optimum. net or call 973-520-8654.

FLORHAM PARK - The Friends of the Florham Park Public Library have been collecting gently used books and media this spring in anticipation of hosting their first ever book sale event! The Book Sale will take place on Friday, May 3 from 5-8pm and Saturday, May 4 from 10am-3:30pm in the Library’s Akhoury Room. All proceeds from the event will go toward enhancing library programs and services through an investment in the library’s summer reading program, museum passes, and free community events held throughout the year! Items on sale include popu-

lar hardcover fiction and nonfiction books, cookbooks, “coffee table” books, puzzles, DVDs, like-new paperback books, and teen and children’s books. The Friday night event is billed as an opening night “presale,” with a cover charge of $20 at the door, which buys entry to the library after hours, a Florham Park Public Library tote bag, first pick of the books on sale, and the first 3 books selected by each person. On Saturday, all items will be on sale for between $1 and $5. A bag sale will be held at 2:30. Bring your own standard grocery-sized tote for $5 and fill it up!

AREA - Check out our mascot... Hank the Hornet. Look for him in the ads in this issue and enter (no purchase necessary) to win

a $25.00 gift card (4 winners). It is easy to enter. Look through the paper and read the ads and look for “Hank” in the ads. He

will be located throughout the paper in 6 random ads. Then go to https://www.mypaperonline. com/find-hank-contest.html

Marie Anzalone - 107 year Florham Park resident recounted her husband’s involvement in WWII with Dr. Brown as Mike Renahan and Peter Nicolas look on. Courtesy of David L. Kramer.

PLEASE SEE TASTE OF FLORHAM PARK, PAGE 2

Friends of Florham Park Library to Host First-Ever Book Sale May 3 & 4

Your Chance to Win a $25 Gift Card with the “Find Hank The Hornet Mascot” Contest

scroll down and fill out the form to be entered. Winners will be notified and printed in the next issue.


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