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LIFE October 2025
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Good Samaritan Cools Off Ice Cream Shop Customers with $100 Gift Purchase
BY STEVE SEARS STAFF WRITER
EAST HANOVER - For Dave Caputo and his wife Charlene, and as well for the many Caputo’s Homemade Ice Cream customers, it was a tasty and heartwarming way to finish off a humid Saturday evening. Caputo was running the register on August 2 when a familiar face bought an ice cream cone and paid for it. But it was what happened next that surprised Caputo. “He looked at me,” Caputo said regarding the customer, “and he said, ‘I want you to be a success, and I do not want you to leave. I want you to stay.’” More to come. A year ago, the Caputos were in Point Pleasant sitting outside an ice cream shoppe when the light bulb went on. Caputo said, “We looked at
each other and basically said, ‘We can do something like this. We are entrepreneurial. Let us get the ball rolling.’” The Caputos did so, and 100% homemade ice cream with all the best ingredients was it. Caputo said, “We did not want to start like a real estate company or insurance company. We wanted to start something that was fun and do our best to create a hometown feel. We greet all our customers. We create a lot of smiles and a lot of laughter.” And that goodwill is reciprocal, and it was most evident on Saturday evening, August 2. Caputo’s Homemade Ice Cream had the usual summertime full house of weekend evening customers. Caputo said, “Me, my wife,
Florham Park Rotary 5th Annual Halloween Dog Parade and Costume Contest
FLORHAM PARK - It’s time to start searching for, or making your annual Halloween costume - for your dog! The Florham Park Rotary 4th Annual Halloween Dog Parade and Costume Contest is set for October 25, 2025. This fun event will be held at the Florham Park Gazebo and Borough Lawn from 1-3 p.m. It’s hosted by the Florham Park Rotary with Pets Supplies Plus of Florham Park providing support once again. As many as 60 dogs dressed in costume have competed in the 6 categories, teamed with their owners. Categories include Cutest, Scariest, Most Creative, Funniest, and Best Overall. With family, friends and neighbors, 150-200 onlookers have enjoyed the event annually. Residents from all surrounding communities are welcome to this fun outdoor event whether they have dogs or not. The success of these fundraisers allowed Florham Park Rotary to award five $1,000 scholarship awards to students who have shown a commitment to volunteerism. Florham Park Seniors in local high
schools demonstrating their commitment to volunteerism in Florham Park and local communities can submit applications through their High School counselors. Students should plan to contact their school counselors this January. Dog Registration fee is $25 (in advance) or $30 at the Event. Advance tickets may be purchased at the Florham Park Diner or via the QR Code. 50/50 Raffle Tickets for $10 each will also be available at the event. Attendance is free so come and enjoy the parade, people- and dog-watching, and see the fun costumes worn by contestants! Questions? Phone (973) 520-8654 or Email pnicolas@ optimum.net or info@florhamparkrotary.org.
AREA - The winners from September’s “Find Hank the Hornet Mascot” are William DAlia; East Hanover, Muno Jayaraman; East Hanover, Lidia Esposito; Florham Park and Ant Restaino; East Hanover. The ads that “Hank the Hornet”
were in: Spicy Chef, East Hanover community Partnership, Amish Mike, Omaha Steaks, Hancliffe Home for Funerals and Window Works. Thanks to everyone who enter and congratulations to our winners!
Winner from September’s “Find Hank the Hornet Mascot” Contest
and our employees were working the counter and serving customers. We had probably about 12 or 13 people in the line, and the line was moving pretty quickly, and this man was next. It was his turn to buy ice cream.” The man, who is now a regular customer by sight but not by name, after paying for his treat, said (as was previously mentioned above) to Caputo, “I want you to be a success, and I do not want you to leave. I want you to stay.” He then pulled out a fresh $100 bill, handed it to the owner, and said, “Use this to pay for everyone in the store that’s waiting.” Caputo asked him, “Are you sure?” And he responded, “Yes.” Customers kept entering, so the man tried to pay for as
many people as possible. Caputo’s expressed his thanks again in an August 4 Facebook post: I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. A beautiful thing happened Saturday night at Caputo‘s Homemade Ice Cream, 424 Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover, New Jersey. A gentleman walked in, bought himself a small ice cream, and then proceeded to give me another hundred-dollar bill and said, “Use this to pay for everyone in the store that’s waiting.” He walked out quickly before anyone was able to thank him. If that gentleman is reading this Facebook and Instagram post everyone in the store said thank you. Caputo said, “It makes me feel very relieved that there are good people out there.”
Charlene and Dave Caputo (courtesy of Dave Caputo)
with ninety-three honors in the state’s military history. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14 at 7 pm, with 6:30 pm refreshments provided by Delaney at the Green. Florham Park Library - Akhoury Room and via Zoom HISTORY OF THE ARMED FORCES OF AMERICA – Author Walter Choroszewski returns to Florham Park to present America’s military from its Colonial beginning to the Armed Forces of today. In the Spring of 1775 American colonies were forced to defend themselves against a tyrannical government and this began the fight for freedom. The American Revolution for independence was won and the United States formally established Armed Forces for de-
fense on land and sea. You may wish to plan to attend this presentation as part of your Veterans Day observances says Dr. Robert Newhouse, WWII Veteran, Bronze Star recipient and a member of The Historical Society of Florham Park. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 at 7 pm, with 6:30 pm refreshments provided by Delaney at the Green. Florham Park Library - Akhoury Room and via Zoom Please register ahead of time to ensure enough seats and pastries for each event. Registration can be done at florhamparklib.org/events or by calling the library at (973) 377-2694. A confirmation email will give registrants the option to attend either in-per-
The film stars Sarah Coffey, Kuhoo Verma, Mia Rose Kavensky, Carolyn Kang and Lori Laing. It is Draper’s directional debut. Parts of her film stem from her own sorority experiences while she was a student at The College of William & Mary. ““I have never seen my sorority experience depicted accurately in media. The truth is, I met a lot of really, really cool women during my sorority time. There are absolutely conflicts, there are absolutely conflicts like the one in this film, but I also met women who are so dynamic and interesting and funny, and I’ve
never seen that in media, and I knew that this was a gap in the sorority flick market that I wanted to fill,” Draper said. The film was completely crowdfunded by friends, family, and acquaintances of Draper. “I’m a self-taught filmmaker, so this project was really a raw will kind of thing. I had hundreds of old friends, colleagues, and students who gave to the crowdfunding campaign. I am just so humbled and grateful that so many people made it possible for me to produce this,” Draper said. While William & Mary is based in Williamsburg, Richmond is only an hour drive north. Getting the opportunity to bring the film back to the area that started it all, Draper embraced the experience. “It’s a real special privilege. Going to college at William & Mary, I always thought Richmond was the coolest town and I honestly still think that. It means a lot to me to be able to bring it to a group of people
Presentations by the Historical Society of Florham Park - Save the Dates!
BY PETER NICOLAS GUEST WRITER
FLORHAM PARK - The Historical Society of Florham Park is scheduling another two great presentations this year – one in October and one in November – both events free and open to the public. NJ AND THE MEDAL OF HONOR - Author Peter Zablocki returns to Florham Park to reveals the harrowing stories of New Jersey’s most valorous moments in the defense of our nation and freedom around the world. Awarded by the President of the United States in the name of Congress, the Medal of Honor commemorates those who have shaped our nation’s history and continue to inspire its future with their acts of valor, humanity, patriotism, and sacrifice. New Jersey has been credited
Essex County Woman Debuts Film at Virginia’s Richmond International Film Festival
BY MEGAN ROCHE STAFF WRITER
AREA - Emily Draper, a former Essex County resident who now calls New York City home, debuted her first film at the Richmond International Film Festival this past September. Draper’s film, Sorority Court, follows the story of Katie, Gamma Gamma Delta’s disgraced former president, as she defends herself before her sisters when she’s accused of stealing from the chapter house. As Katie struggles to get her alibi straight, her legacy in the chapter, her relationship with her best friend Aminah, and her ability to graduate are all in jeopardy.
Your Chance to Win a $25 Gift Card with the “Find Hank The Hornet Mascot” Contest 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
son at the Library or via the Zoom link should you wish to attend remotely. The Historical Society of Florham Park is offering this as a hybrid program, ie, people may attend this free program either at the Florham Park Library or remotely, via Zoom. Follow the registration information provided above.
in 6 random ads. Then go to https://www.mypaperonline. com/find-contest.html, scroll down and fill out the form to be entered.
Winners will be notified and printed in the next issue.
who made the film possible,” Draper said. Draper also had the opportunity to participate in a talk back with the audience after the screening, sharing how proud she was to take the stage with other talented Virginia-based filmmakers. “I’m so pleased and honored that they make this special section of the festival for Virginia stories. It’s such an honor to have had this Virginia story to return to Virginia PLEASE SEE DEBUTS FILM, PAGE 2