Hackettstown May 20,2020 Print issue by My Life Publications..Maljon LLC

No. 18 Vol. 5

www.mypaperonline.com

May 2020

Transplant Recipient Continues to Fight Liver Disease for Others

By Steve Sears 6-year-old Caleigh Lans, a liver transplant recipient and member of Team Lans, which does the yearly American Liver Foundation Live Life Walk, remembers it well. “When I was about 11, I began experiencing symptoms that I would later find were linked to liver disease,” says the Ridgewood resident. “I rapidly lost weight, I experienced intense itching on my legs, so much so that I would scratch until I bled. My skin became discolored and yellow. I went from doctor to doctor and they all recommended different specialists and I felt like I was falling down a rabbit hole, but I didn’t really have a choice. I kept going to the doctors, I kept getting blood work done, I even went to several neurologists to see if it was something in my head. Finally, after we couldn’t take the lack of answers anymore, my parents took me to the ER. Blood work was drawn and that’s when they discovered my liver numbers were way off.” Lans, who works as a real estate agent in Garfield, was again sent to a multitude of doctors, her visits taking her to a hospital in Hackensack, but also beyond to one in New York City, and she and her parents even flew out to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to see if the mystery of her illness could be discovered. “I spent the entirety of my high school years in and out of hospitals,” she says, “too sick to participate.” By the time Lans was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, a chronical disease which attacks the bile ducts both inside and outside a person’s liver, the illness had progressed so much she had to be put on a transplant list. “About a month later, I got the call and went into surgery!” she says. Lans was the first in her family to suffer from liver disease, and every year since her liver transplant in March

286 Route 206 Flanders 973-584-7482

Offer good thru 6/30/20

Photo credit: Smrita Jain

2010, she and her family have been active participants in the Liver Life Walk in New York City. “Every year, we raise money for the foundation and go on the two-mile walk in honor of those we lost and to support those who are currently struggling. Although I am feeling MUCH better now, having had a liver transplant, it will be a lifelong battle for me. My immune system is severely compromised, so especially during times like these (a pandemic), it’s scary for me. The American Liver Foundation’s mission is to fund the research to prevent and treat liver disease. That has become my personal mission as well.” Lans credits some amazing people she works with who have also decided to make defeating liver disease their mission, and herself states her purpose in the fight, especially in these trying times. “I wouldn’t be doing my duty as a transplant survivor and advocate if I didn’t touch on this when discussing the ultimate goal of defeating liver disease. You see, although having a liver transplant 100% saved my life, the road to recovery didn’t stop there. In order to keep my body from rejecting the transplanted liver, I am on many drugs that completely wipe out my immune system, so it doesn’t ‘fight back’ against the transplanted organ.

Of course, that means I can’t really fight off anything. I am at an incredible risk for common colds and flus but during a (COVID-19) pandemic, it’s especially concerning as I am very much at risk for contracting this as well. That is why it’s so important to me to bring awareness to liver disease and after-transplant care.” She asks that those wishing to support and fund she and her team should visit the Liver Walk link directly at www.liverlifewalk.org/newyorkcity/ support/#TeamLans. Lans closes by expressing her gratitude. “I wouldn’t be here saying any of this if it wasn’t for my friends, family and community supporting my team and myself. I wouldn’t be here without the amazing doctors at Columbia Presbyterian who guided me through every step of the process, including the 13-hour surgery. The list of people who have positively impacted my life when such a curveball was thrown into it goes on and on. My doctors, my teachers, my therapists, heck even my favorite hair salon ‘donating’ haircuts when I was too sick to even brush my hair.” “There is one thing that this entire process has taught me, and that is that for every bad thing that happens, there is so much more good.”

Page 2 • May 2020 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

“America’s Top Dog” Awarded to Morris County Sheriff Officer and His Loyal Partner

By Steve Sears orris County Sheriff’s Office Detective Corporal Michael McMahon and his K-9 partner Kai were recently named the proud winners of $25,000 as A&E Network’s “America’s Top Dog.” The win for Kai, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, and McMahon, a dog trainer who has been with the Sherriff’s office since 2011, aired on Wednesday, March 18. McMahon, a Roxbury resident, learned of “America’s Top Dog” in the spring of 2019, when he happened to be at a civilian sport competition with Kai. He was approached by another competitor and asked if he had heard of the new show, was informed that there was a casting call, and encouraged to enter. “I went home,” recalls McMahon, “and my wife and I kind of laughed about it and said that it would be a neat experience if Kai and I were on there (the show). My wife put in a submission for me for the show, and then within a couple of days I got called for interviews, and then within a day or two I got the call that they wanted to cast me for the show.”

A week later, after approval and official paperwork were submitted, McMahon, his wife and two children, along with Kai flew to Santa Clarita, California for the competition. The series, which initially featured 50 K-9 teams, first aired on January 8, 2020. McMahon and Kai first appeared on an episode on February 26. The courses included jumping and climbing over obstacles, tracking down objects via their scent, finding and apprehending a suspect, and swimming across a 46-foot length pool of water. As far as preparation for the show, Kai and McMahon didn’t have or need much. Everything seen on “America’s Top Dog” was practiced by the duo while Kai was being trained for his police duties. “Just the physical fitness portion of it – we actually run together all the time daily, go out and exercise together, make sure we both have endurance,” affirms McMahon. With regard to the latter event, he mentions that some participants had trouble with it. He and his partner didn’t, and with good reason. “Kai and I go swimming all the time. I take him out in the boat, have him follow me while I’m out in the canoe, all that kind of stuff. So, he’s been more

than prepared for all that.” “There were definitely some very good teams out there against whom we were competing,” attests McMahon. “There were different canines from different programs across the country. On both the ep-

isodes I was on, I got to meet a good variety of people. There were definitely some good teams, especially in the final.” The finale featured three rounds and seven opponents, and in round three, continued on page 8

OF MT. OLIVE

MICHAEL J. SIEGEL, O.D.

LIC#OA 05118

Dear Patients, As we re-open for you and your family’s eye health needs, we want all of you to know that we have followed the CDC’s guidelines to protect all of you. We have protective equipment in place, we will limit the number of patients in the office at any given time, and we will ask that all of you speak with our staff a few days ahead of your appointment time to confirm your appointment as well as review all of your needs for your specific appointment. We will keep your time in the office down to keep you safe. We ask that you do not come to the office with other family members if they are not having an appointment at the same time. If you are a contact lens wearer – PLEASE come in for your exam with your contact lenses ON!!

Call us today to schedule your EXAM 855-948-2020!! 135 Route 46 East, Unit E, Paramount Plaza • Budd Lake 855-948-2020 www.visionsourcemtolive.com

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • May 2020 • Page 3

Don’t Let Allergies Get the Best of You this Season

don’t know about you, but I’m thinking spring cannot come soon enough… especially after the unexpected, late season, blizzards! Spring brings longer days, budding flowers, sunshine and warmer weather. Along with the beautiful flowers, spring also brings pollen and allergens! For some, these allergens can wreak havoc. If you’re someone who suffers from allergies, you might dread the spring season. Seasonal allergies can cause a multitude of nagging symptoms including: runny nose, itchy and/or red irritated eyes, stuffy nose/congestion, sneezing, scratchy throat and itchiness. If you suffer from any of the above, I’m here to tell you that there is a solution! Believe it or not, Acupuncture can help you to enjoy the spring again! So, you might be asking how can Acupuncture help? Acupuncture relieves symptoms of allergies by diminishing the body’s inflammatory response, without the unwanted

side effects. It helps to open nasal passages, reduces sinus pressure, calms itching, decreases throat pain, coughing and sneezing. Here’s the catch… it’s always best to begin treatment before the season begins. It is better to prevent symptoms then try to tackle them when they are in full effect. In addition to Acupuncture treatment, you can help yourself at home with these simple tips: Flush out allergens with a Neti pot, keep windows closed to prevent allergens from entering your home, try an air filter, vacuum and dust often to eliminate pollen in your home, eat local honey daily, take an omega-3 supplement, boost immunity by eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies and eliminate processed foods. For more information on Acupuncture and Allergies call Mount Olive Acupuncture & Wellness 973-527-7978; www.mtoliveacupuncture.com.

Improves sleep Enhances mood Stimulates blood flow Shortens recovery time Relaxes tight muscles Releases the body’s natural pain killers

Reduces inflammation Improves mobility

1 OLD WOLFE ROAD • Lakeview Plaza • BUDD LAKE • 973-527-7978 www.mtoliveacupuncture.com

Page 4 • May 2020 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

A VIEW FROM THE LEFT

Preview of Coming Distractions

EDITORIAL &

Opinions

As you probably already knew, the next six months of 2020 presidential campaigning are going to be ugly. I do not say this happily, but I do so based upon a lifetime of watching candidates run for election and reelection. Almost invariably, politicians return to what worked successfully in previous campaigns. Consider the most recent presidential election of 2016. When exit polls across the nation asked actual voters whether their opinion of the two candidates was favorable or unfavorable, their answers were Donald Trump 38% favorable and 60% unfavorable, and Hillary Clinton 43% favorable and 55% unfavorable. In the same survey, just 36% of voters found Clinton to be “honest and trustworthy,” while 61% did not. For Trump, the numbers were even worse: 33% saw him as “honest and trustworthy,” and 64% did not. It is fair to conclude that with numbers as bad as the ones real live voters gave the 2016 Republican nominee, the only reason Trump won an electoral college victory and the White House was because he was running against Clinton. The cold, hard truth is that if Trump had been running unopposed in 2016, he would have lost decisively. Now comes further nations evidence of Trump’s increasingly challenging situation in 2020. A sweeping survey of more than 22,000 voters in all 50 states, done by researchers at Rutgers, Northeastern and Harvard, found that every single governor won a higher rating than Trump on handling the coronavirus. This is not a partisan divide. The four governors who get the highest approval numbers on handling the pandemic are three Republicans a lone Democrat: Ohio Republican Gov. Mike Dewine (83% approval), Massachusetts Republican Gov. Charlie Baker (80% approval), Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan

Mark Shields (80% approval) and, the only Democrat to get similarly high marks, Kentucky’s Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear (81% approval), whose numbers in his deeply red state are 30% higher than Kentuckians give Trump. Nationally, voters give their governors an average approval rating of 66% on their response to the pandemic, while these same voters give Trump just a 44% approval rating on his handling of the coronavirus. As of this day, it is clear that Trump, when faced with the biggest crisis of his presidency, has, in the eyes of most voters, failed to lead, to unite or to comfort the country nearly as well as the nation’s governors have done and are doing. Donald Trump, even his staunch supporters will admit in private, could not win a referendum by the country’s voters on whether they want him for a second term. His only hope is to relentlessly belittle, disparage, demonize and, yes, savage his opponent. It will not be pretty, but we have some idea — because it worked once in 2016 — what to expect. To find out more about Mark Shields and read his past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com. 100% MailedNewspaper Flanders, NJ 07836

Maljon, LLC

H 973-809-4784 H

A VIEW FROM THE RIGHT

Big Google is Watching Your Children

chools remain shuttered across the country, 30 million Americans are out of work, and food banks are running low, but the edutech sector is booming. Silicon Valley companies are feasting on an exploding client base of quarantined students held hostage to “online learning.” Big Google is leading the way -- and that is not OK. Unsuspecting parents cheering all the software and hardware donations during the pandemic shutdown have no idea the privacy price their children are paying. This isn’t charity. It’s big tech recruitment of vulnerable generations of future Google addicts. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Google inked a deal to provide 4,000 “free” Chromebooks to students, along with “free” Wi-Fi to 100,000 families. In Kentucky, the Jefferson County public schools gave away 25,000 Chromebooks. In Philadelphia, public officials earmarked $11 million to purchase 40,000 Chromebooks for homebound kids. Google CEO Sundar Pichai crowed a few weeks ago that the company now has 100 million students and educators hooked on Google Classroom. Bent on conquering the virtual meeting market, the online giant announced that its premium Google Meet videoconferencing features are now free to all 80 million customers of its G Suite for Education apps through the fall. Google Meet is racking up 2 million new users a day as school districts abandon Zoom, the dominant virtual meeting app that recently admitted “mistakenly” routing non-Chinese calls through its Beijing-based data centers. But if educators think Google will provide more protections for American students than the ChiCom government, they’re blind, dumb or bought off. As I’ve chronicled regularly in this column over the past decade, the Silicon Valley giant has repeatedly breached federal privacy laws to extend its tentacles into children’s emails, browsing habits, search engine activity, voice memos and more without parental consent. Google’s information predators have previously admitted to unauthorized scanning and indexing of student email accounts and targeted online advertising based on

Michelle Malkin search engine activity, as well as autosyncing of passwords, browsing history and other private data across devices and accounts belonging to students and families unaware of default tracking. A new lawsuit seeking class-action status against Google filed in Illinois serves as a warning to all the millions of families enthralled by their pandemic-gifted Chromebooks. Father-of-two Clinton Farwell alleges that Google illegally collected personally identifying biometric information from his children through their public school-issued Chromebooks (loaded with G Suite for Education apps) dating back to 2015. His suit lays out how Google has “infiltrated” K-12 education with hardware and software primarily targeting students under the age of 13, whose face templates and voiceprints are illicitly collected, along with their: physical locations; websites they visit; every search term they use in Google’s search engine (and the results they click on); the videos they watch on YouTube; personal contact lists; voice recordings; saved passwords; and other behavioral information. Despite signing a “Student Privacy Pledge” promising not to collect, share and retain private personal data, Google Chromebooks scan students’ faces and unique acoustic details of students’ voices to identify them by name, age, gender and location while using Google platforms. Farwell realized his kids’ continued on page 6

H Publishers: Joe Nicastro & Mary Lalama H Graphics: Mary Lalama, Terri Armswood H Editor: Megan Roche

Sales: Joe@mylifepublications • Editorial: editorial@mylifepublications

Please e-mail all press releases and calendar information to editor@mylifepublications.com. Advertising in My Life Publications is affordable and effective. We are a “family friendly” publication and therefore reserve the right to accept only advertisements that appeal to the entire family; the final determination of which is made by My Life Publications. Views expressed in My Life Publications are those of the respective columnists and writers, and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, or My Life Publications. Advertising is open to anyone desiring to reach the public and is subject to approval, revision and/or rejection at any time by the publisher. Many of the articles are paid for by the author and are in effect advertisements. Publication of any advertisement does not constitute, either implied or inferred, an endorsement of services, products or businesses advertised.

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • May 2020 • Page 5

Page 6 • May 2020 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Big Google is Watching... continued from page 4 biometric data was being stored in a vast database when he discovered they were required to speak and look into the laptops’ microphones and cameras in order to use the school products and apps. A similar lawsuit by the New Mexico Attorney General’s office filed in federal court in February exposed how Chromebooks and G Suite for Education apps mined students’ Gmail accounts for advertising purposes. The New Mexico AG’s brief also bolstered my previous exclusive reports, based on whistleblowing by Missouri teachers Brooke Henderson and Brette Hay, on Google’s access to student profiles and family computer passwords through the default Chrome Sync function -- which can only be blocked by creating a passphrase buried in settings that school officials never inform students about (let alone their parents left in the dark from the moment schools require kids to create Google logins as early as kindergarten). And now governments are entrusting Google to help develop contact-tracing technology on the promise that they won’t collect location data, won’t exploit data for commercial purposes, and won’t grant access to unauthorized parties? Fox, meet henhouse. Regulatory slaps on the wrist by toothless

CALL SHARON CARUSO TEAM TODAY AT

973-945-8142

federal agencies have done nothing to deter the deceitful data usurpers. Why hasn’t every other state attorney general filed a similar suit? Where is Congress, which passed the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 to prevent exactly the kind of routine marauding of students’ digital lives perpetrated by Google and other EdTech vultures? Instead of pushing back, Congress passed the “Every Student Succeeds Act” and the “Foundations for Evidence-Based Policy Act” -- deceptively titled bills expanding third-party access to sensitive personal data. The Invisible Enemy is right under our noses, in our homes and on our kids’ laptops. Instead of removing children en masse from their classrooms in the name of public health, responsible adults should be de-platforming Google’s privacy pillagers from every school in America in the name of public safety. Michelle Malkin’s email address is MichelleMalkinInvestigates@protonmail.com. To find out more about Michelle Malkin and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM

Home Towne HARDWARE WE HAVE THE NEWEST GENERATIONS

OF WEBER® GRILLS

Natural Gas and Propane Models Premier Weber®Grill Dealer at the Lowest Prices! SPIRIT® II - E310

GENESIS® II - E310

FREE ASSEMBLY & LOCAL DELIVERY FREE OLD GRILL PICK-UP!

SPIRIT® • GENESIS® • SUMMIT® GRILLS GS4™ HIGH PERFORMANCE BURNERS iGRILL® 3 READY 100% Weber 10-year Guarantee

232 Main Street • Hackettstown 908-852-2100 wwwA.hometownehardware.com Like us On Facebook!

THE SPRING MARKET

is in Full Bloom!

Sharon Caruso,

ABR, CDPE, SFR, SRES RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award

Sales Representative

Heritage Properties

293 Route 206 North Flanders, NJ 07836 973-945-8142 (Direct) 973-598-1700 (Ofﬁce) sharoncarusoteam.com

Contact Your #1 Mt Olive Real Estate Team Today at 973-945-8142 CHALLENGED CREDIT LOW COMPETITIVE RATES 1ST TIME HOME BUYER

Kevin Dolan NMLS #281162

New Jersey’s Premier Mortgage Lenders!

Call to speak with one of our Sales Team Members

Spanish Speaking Available!

100% FINANCING

NMLS# 338923 • “Real People, Real Stories, Real Solutions”

Get Pre Qualiﬁed TODAY! *For Loan Originators888-78-EZ-LOAN looking to join a winning team, please call today for career opportunities Equal Housing Lender. AnnieMac Home Mortgage, 96 US Highway 206 Flanders NJ 07836. American Neighborhood Mortgage Acceptance Company is licensed by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (#NO00004875). AnnieMac Home Mortgage offers USDA products however is a private mortgage lender and not affiliated with any government agency or government affiliated agencies.

EVERYTHING WE TOUCH TURNS TO SOLD!

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • May 2020 • Page 7

Nominations Now Accepted for Local Roof Giveaway

Alte Rooﬁng’s No Roof Left Behind™ free roof giveaway will provide ONE FREE ROOF

lte Roofing of Hackettstown will be giving away a free roof to a deserving family or individual as part of the national No Roof Left Behind Program. This is the sixth year the company is participating in this program and is looking for nominations. Nominations are being accepted now through May 31 and must be made online at www.noroofleftbehind.com/program/ nj/1436. Four finalists will then be selected and announced on July 15. Once the finalists are announced there will be a public online voting period of four weeks, with voting closing on August 15th. The official winner will be announced on August 20. The nominees must: own their home, be current on mortgage payments, and live in one of the following New Jersey counties: Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset, Morris, or Sussex. Nominations must also include contact info for the nominee, the current condition of the roof, as well as a short explanation of why they deserve or need a new roof. You may nominate a friend, family member, neighbor, or even yourself! Photos are also necessary and helpful. The four finalists will be chosen based on their background story as well as the condition of their roof and the feasibility of completing the roofing project.

Alte Roofing is a full-service roofing, siding, and gutter company that has been serving the area for over 20 years and offers free, in-home consultations. Owner Jeffe Alte Jr. sees the program as a small way to give back to the community that has supported and grown the business over the years. “While it’s difficult to choose four finalists, the joy on their faces and the instant relief it brings to the winner’s life is very humbling,” Alte says of his experience with the NRLB program. The business has given away five completely free room installations to date. Prior winners include Kathy Kwasnik of Sparta (2019), Gordon and Joan Widenor of Port Murray (2018), Tony and Carmel Gulla of Blairstown (2017), Michael Snyder of Sparta (2016), and Mary Lou Sherrer of Mountain Lake (2015). No Roof Left Behind is a nationwide program that gives folks in the community a way to help their good neighbors that have fallen on hard times. The No Roof Left Behind program provides a local contractor the framework to provide a new roof at no cost to a deserving homeowner in need. For more information about Alte Roofing or the No Roof Left Behind program, please call 908-850-8558 or visit www.AlteRoofing.com.

What’s happening in your school or organization? Celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, graduation? Have a human interest story or something you would like to share? Email us at editor@mylifepublications.com

Page 8 • May 2020 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

America’s Top Dog... continued from page 2 McMahon and Kai outpaced Alpharetta, Georgia Police Sergeant Mark Tappan and his partner, K-9 Mattis, by nearly 9 seconds in “The Doghouse,” which consisted of passing through a tangled spider web, crossing a narrow plank, running through duct work, and then down a set of stairs. Kai then completed the course by “apprehending a suspect,” and released the suspect to McMahon when commanded. The duo completed the last set in under two minutes, securing the title. Winning the competition goes beyond victory. It’s also a true visual of friendship and reliance. For McMahon – and yes, Kai – it’s all about relationship and respect. “I got Kai when he was eight weeks old,” says McMahon, explaining the duo’s background. “He was bred out of my male who was my retired patrol dog and competition dog, named Ronan. Ronan was my first patrol dog, my first dual-purpose dog at Morris County, and he was unique because he was my competition dog before I got employed by the Morris County Sherriff’s office.” Prior to his joining the Sherriff’s office, McMahon and his wife Michelle ran their own business, training and selling dogs, many to police departments. “We sold dogs across the country, to many agencies who needed trained Malinois and German Shepherds,” explains McMahon. While running his own business, he had sold a number of dogs to northern New Jersey agencies, one being the Morris County Sherriff’s Office. Therefore, he was familiar to and had a rapport with them. He was then hired for the canine unit as an investigator. Afterwards, McMahon volunteered to donate Ronan and enter the agency as his partner - a first for the Sherriff’s office. Ronan stayed for a few years before a neck injury forced his early retirement. He was bred with a female Malinois named Boyca, and Kai was born amongst the litter. “Kai came into our unit at eight weeks old, and along with Kai we took two other puppies from the breeding, and they went into a new program I started at the office basically as a working dog development program, as opposed to the traditional method of buying a dog and trying to bond with it and dealing with training issues developed by somebody else.” The dogs were raised in-house so that McMahon and the other K-9 handlers knew all the way up to certification exactly what was done with the dogs, what they had been exposed to, and increased the bond between they and their handlers. “It really strengthens the relationship and changes the dynamic, which in law enforcement is unique

because law enforcement agencies don’t raise puppies; they just buy an older dog that’s pre-trained, or they may go through a 4 to 6 month academy class as they’re training.” Kai went through about two years of training prior to his active duty out on the road, so he was well schooled. McMahon is quick to mention the importance of bonding and socialization with people and different environments during the period, when he and Kai were side-by-side during many ventures from home or office. “By the time they’re two years old, we want them to be a more confident working dog.” “I took that approach with Kai, and we experienced a lot together.” In fact, McMahon spends more time with Kai than he does with his own family in most cases. The team is on the job 40 hours per week, go out together on almost every canine call, but when they both head home at the end of the day, Kai is part of the McMahon family. “When I punch out of work, he punches out of work,” says the Officer. McMahon takes a humble stance when discussing the “America’s Top Dog” victory, preferring to laud the Sherriff’s office canines. “On a personal level,” he says, “it really didn’t change much for me – other than the fact that it brought positive light to law enforcement canines. I think it brought positive light to law enforcement communities as a whole, but then it also showcased the abilities that these dogs have, and how much they can contribute not just to law enforcement communities, but to the civilians that we’re serving.” He cites this as an asset as far as providing services and protecting the public – whether it’s for narcotics or explosives detection or just basic patrol work. “They’re an excellent tool for us.” McMahon then speaks to the handlers and the canine unit itself. “For the Sherriff’s office, I’d say we’re prouder not for myself but to provide a spotlight for our canine unit. I think we’re one of the premiere units in the country. I think we have an awesome training program and a very dedicated group of guys that go above and beyond the call of duty, especially as to what the canines requires. They’re constantly out working, putting in training on their own time, spending money out of their own pockets to provide for their dogs, getting education and everything else. Because, as a unit, we’re very passionate about what we do.” McMahon is also extremely cognizant and grateful for all the support received as he and Kai faced stiff competition. “I’d like to thank my wife and family for all of their love and support; Sheriff (James) Gannon, Undersheriff (Mark) Spitzer, Chief (Kel-

ley) Zienowicz, Chief (Richard) Rose, and all of the members of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office for all of their support and for allowing Kai and I to partake in this endeavor; the members of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Section, and all of the canine handlers that have assisted Kai and I on our journey from puppy to becoming America’s Top Dog.” “I’m just happy to showcase what Kai and I are capable of, and obviously happy with the end result.” Sheriff Gannon said he was pleased with the team’s win and was proud of how they represented the department, as well as exhibiting on television what the county has come to expect from the Sheriff’s office. “I’m so proud of Detective Corporal McMahon and K-9 Kai for being designated America’s Top Dog and Handler,” Gannon said. “This is the level of service expected and delivered on a daily basis to the people of Morris County.” McMahon hopes that he and Kai will remain partners until the latter is retired, which would be when the dog is about 10 years old. “God willing, he is able to keep doing it, and the two of us will be there together.”

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • May 2020 • Page 9

We have always known you were superheroes.... NOW the rest of the world does too. In recognition of Nurses Week, Heath Village extends a very special thank you to our dedicated Nursing Staff for the exceptional care they provide for our residents every single day. Heath Village Retirement Community 430 Schooley’s Mountain Road • Hackettstown, NJ 07840 908-852-4801 www.heathvillage.com

Page 10 • May 2020 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Mount Olive Female Wrestler Places Top 5 in New Jersey

By Megan Roche eet Carley Anderson, a gymnast most of her life, now turned wrestler for Mount Olive High School. The junior is helping bring awareness to the sport for females and won herself some bragging rights when she placed fifth in the state in her weight class during the NJSIAA tournament. Anderson first heard about girls being allowed the opportunity to join the wrestling team over an intercom announcement at the high school. It piqued her interest and she attended a meeting. Coming from her athletic background as a gymnast, she thought wrestling might be a fun, new challenge. “I heard on the announcements that they were forming a girl team and I thought it would be fun. Gymnastics has given me the strength, flexibility, determination and perseverance to tackle wrestling,” Anderson shared. When Anderson first stepped on the mat as a member of the Marauders Wrestling team, the nerves were there, but she talked herself through it. “I was nervous because I did not know what I was doing and there’s a lot of people watching. My goal was to not get pinned and he couldn’t pin me, so I felt good about that,” Anderson shared. After a successful season, Anderson had qualified for the state tournament in her weight class. She made it to the semifinal round where she lost by a pin. During the third-place consolations, she also lost. When the battle for fifth place came, she used her laser focus and got the job done. “It was very nerve-wracking to go out there with thousands of people watching. Once

I got on the mat, I focused on the match. I was very proud of myself, just making it to states is an honor that many do not get to experience. I hope I can go back next year and do even better,” she says. Coming back next year and doing better is already in the game plan for her. Anderson is also hoping to inspire other girls at Mount Olive High School to join the newly formed girls team. “It takes hard work and determination but it’s very rewarding. Girls should try it out. It’s a lot of fun, the team bonding is amazing. I love my teammates and I can’t wait to get back on the mat with them. There are many opportunities now available for female wrestlers, it’s one of the fastest growing sports. It’s an experience you won’t regret!” Anderson says. Throughout her wrestling journey, Anderson has learned many lessons on how to be a supportive teammate, being a gracious winner, and more. “Wrestling has taught me that I am determined to win, and I don’t like getting beat! For regionals, I just focused on each match as they came and told myself before the match, don’t give up. I am going to win today. I just kept pushing through,” Anderson will carry those lessons throughout life, just like she will the memories of helping to make history at Mount Olive High School. “I have many memories; however, my favorites would be winning regionals, the friendships and laughing during practice, and my girl Nyla who took this amazing journey with me and how close we’ve become.”

Professional Detailing - Perfect Results

Full Service Detailing Including

Campers • Motorcycles Boats • Jet Skis Fleet & Dealership Services

26 Years Experience! 400 HIGH ST. HACKETTSTOWN 908.813.1130 autoperfection.net Prices reflect vehicles in moderate condition

Interior & Exterior Detail Special

Gift Cards Available

GREAT GIFT

15% OFF 15% OFF Gift Cards

With coupon - Not to be combined Expires 6/30/20

Full Detail Special with Engine Compartment

Ceramic Coating

20% OFF With coupon - Not to be combined Expires 6/30/20

15% OFF

Multi-Layerable, Clear Nano-Ceramic Liquid Coating with 3Times the Hardness & Self-Cleaning Properties With coupon - Not to be combined Expires 6/30/20 - Limit 1

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • May 2020 • Page 11

Feet ‘N Beyond of New Jersey, P.A.,

elcome to Feet ‘N Beyond of New Jersey, P.A., your minimally invasive foot & ankle specialists in North Jersey. We are confident you will find an unmatched quality of care at Feet ‘N Beyond of New Jersey, P.A. Foot pain is never normal. Bearing the brunt of your entire body’s weight, when your feet ache, your entire body will ache. With a proper diagnosis and treatment, most foot and ankle issues can be treated successfully. We will listen to your symptoms and provide you with an individualized t re a t m e n t plan to re-

turn you to those activities you enjoy the most! Dr. Nguyen has studied in Chicago, NYC, & other locations around the U.S. - perfecting her craft of removing bunions, hammertoes, heel spurs, & other foot/ankle issues with a less than 2mm incision - that has you walking the same day & ready to go after just 2 weeks (versus traditional surgery which takes up to 6 weeks to heal & can leave scars). Mission – Dedicate to promote the highest quality of foot care through advanced technology and personal touch in a clean and friendly environment. Vision – Improve the quality-of-life for patients through excellent foot health. Passion – Work together with our patients and their direct caregivers in order to achieve a shared vision of un-compromised excellence in podiatric care. Comfort and convenience are the hallmarks of our office operations. We have a modern office with ample parking spaces! To ensure your convenience, please call us for an appointment and provide your insurance information beforehand. We will do our work and find the details of your insurance benefit plan before your arrival to meet us. Paid Editorial

Page 12 • May 2020 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Mount Olive Moms Embrace Family and PTA Duties

By Steve Sears ount Olive News celebrates dedicated, hard working moms, who both love their families and support their children’s school by being PTA representatives. Michelle Melendez and her husband, Mark, have been married 14 years. She is a mom to Ryan (15), Katelyn (13), and Justyn (10), and works full time as an HR Manager at The Sourcing Group. She has been a member of the Flanders PTA for 10 years, two as President. “I know first-hand that belonging to the PTA and being on the board benefits the children and teachers at Mountain View in so many ways,” she says. “Each of the PTA board members has helped bring many new and exciting events to Mountain View over the past two years,” Melendez says, “including Trunk or Treat, First Day of School PTA Pop Up Tent, Carnival for Mountain View’s 50th Anniversary, Holiday Lighting, free babysitting at meetings, stepped up our social media presence on Twitter and Facebook, just to name a few. None of these things would have been possible without these women: Kelly Huff, Tania Laverty, Elizabeth Gallo and Kelly Turner. Happy Mother’s Day to the best PTA Board a President could have!” Shruti Lake has been married to her best friend, husband Paul, for 21 years, and they have three wonderful children: Sofia (20), Hannah (18), and Gregory (17). The part time Mt. Arlington Chiropractic Operations Manager has for the last six years been a proud member of the Mount Olive High School Parent Club, volunteering as a Treasurer, Vice President, and now serving as President.

Melendez Family

Lake Family

The most important part of her life is first and foremost making sure her children are well taken care of. “As a result, being a mother always took a priority over everything else. I work as a mother 24/7, I work at my job 3 days a week and volunteering or being part of Parent Club is just weaved into

who I am.” This year’s biggest PTA goal was to increase the amount in past scholarship monies given out. “As a result,” she says, “we were working aggressively on various fundraisers. This continued on page 13

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • May 2020 • Page 13

Kristy Pieklo and her children

Mount Olive Moms...

Tara and Debra Kovatch with daughter, Riley

continued from page 12 is very important to me because I truly feel that our seniors have worked so hard the last four years and, given the circumstances, they deserve to graduate with the same scholarship opportunities that were afforded to other students in the past.” Tara Kovatch has been married to wife Debra Kovatch for 9 years, and they have one daughter, Riley, age 8. She is self-employed with a small business consulting company and a skin care company, and has been a member of the Tinc Road School PTO for two years. This is her first year as President.

“PTO is a part of motherhood,” she says. “I consider it the same as helping with homework, except it’s a lot more fun for both of us. My daughter loves to see me at school and is proud of what I’m doing for her and school. That might change in a few years, so I’m taking advantage of the time now.” “Our biggest accomplishment by far and something that I think we are all really proud of is that we came in as a brandnew board who didn’t know each other,” Kovatch says, “and we formed a team that works really well together. We all have different strengths and we bring out the best in each other and support one another. We weren’t afraid to make changes to traditional events and we created a few new events that will become traditions. I am really proud of the team that we have.” Kristy Pieklo attended Sandshore Elementary School, where her children now attend. “It’s like a close community,” she says. Pieklo is Vice-President of the school’s PTA. Her husband’s name is Chris, and she is mom to 10-year-old daughter, Haidyn, and Bryce, her 7-year-old son. She works locally at Mars Incorporated as a paralegal and was elected for the first time to the board for the 2019-20 school year. The biggest accomplishment for she and her team this year is going digital. “This year we bought a membership program that is designed for PTAs, so everything is now online,” she confirms. “We’ve been trying to do everything digitally so less paper comes home.” “It gels nicely,” she says of motherhood and PTA juggling. “We’re very blessed to have a great board.” Not all contacted moms responded to be a part of this article.

TARA LAUTERBACH KNOWS THE MARKET. Contact Tara for an update on your home value or to start searching for your new home. HERITAGE Properties

293 Route 206 North | Flanders | 973-598-1700 Apply with Keith Tatum: https://movement.com/lo/keith-tatum/ Keith Tatum Team Keith Tatum | Branch Manager Mobile: (973) 219-8383 | keith.tatum@movement.com | NMLS: 239309 11 Deerfield Place, 2nd Floor, Suite 7, Flanders, NJ 07836 | NJ-9906693 | Movement Mortgage, LLC supports Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS ID# 39179 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) | 877-314-1499. Movement Mortgage, LLC is licensed by “Licensed by the N.J. Department of Banking and Insurance".

Page 14 • May 2020 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

480 RT 46, Hackettstown, NJ 07836 (973) 691-1315 (973) 691-0340 sales@amishmike.com Mon-Fri: 9- 6, Sat 9-5, Sun 10-4 PRICING VALID THROUGH June 15, 2020

FREE INSTALLATION on all pergolas and pavilions

FERTILIZER

Small Engine Repair

5,000 sq. ft. 15,000 sq. ft. $ $

20.00

• Free Pick-up • Free Drop off • Free Diagnostic

55.00

While Supplies Last

(for 07828, 07840 & 07853)

CONTRACTOR BAGS While Supplies Last

$5.00

D Batteries $ 5.00 8 pack

OFF

all furniture

5 OFF

Propane Refills

FREE KEY

with purchase of key (regular single cut keys only)

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • May 2020 • Page 15

I Remember Dad: Remembering the Delaware River

By Richard Mabey Jr. to get good grades in high school. f all of my memories that I shared with There was something very special about sharmy Dad, our many week-long trips canoeing a canoe with my Dad for one full week. I took ing down the Delaware River, hold a most command of the front of the canoe and Dad took dear and precious place in my heart. Oh, to just on the role of look out, in the back of the canoe. It is go back to share that old canoe with Dad, for just not an easy thing to take command of a canoe, padan hour. For just one solitary hour. I’d give an eye dling and drifting along the current, in the powerful tooth to relive just one hour of floating along the Delaware River. There are spans where the water is wide and glorious Delaware River with Dad. peaceful and the current is relative calm. Yet there From the Summer of 1967, when I was 13, till are other places in the Delaware that are like a rollthe Summer of 1971, when I was 17; Dad and I er coaster. One such rough spot along the Delaware traversed the mighty Delaware River every year. River is a stretch called Skinners Falls. The senior scouts of Boy Scout Troop 170 would There are quite a few video accounts of canoes begin the week-long canoe trip in New York State riveting through Skinners Falls on YouTube. I think it at the town of Hancock and end at the Delaware was canoeing through the rough, white water rapWater Gap. ids of Skinners Falls that my Dad and I developed a I had just graduated from Chapel Hill School greater respect for each other. Skinners Falls is as in Lincoln Park, the summer that Dad and I took rough as any roller coaster ride. But here’s the catch, our first canoe trip down the Delaware with there’s no safeguard at all. You are totally on your Troop 170. I was very nervous about what high own. And it takes all your strength, all your wits, all school was going to be like. To say I was nervous, Dad and I in our canoe, traversing the Delaware River. It was a special time, a magical your quick reflexes to avoid the massive boulders doesn’t quite define it. I was scared out of my experience and a wonderful opportunity to come to know my Dad better. that abound in this stretch of the Delaware River. skull. I was a nervous wreck. I had heard horror I remember as we plowed through Skinners Falls, stories of the legacy of Boonton High School, from some of my older friends. Dad would shout out to me, “Richie, rocks to the left, steer us to the right, quick!” Or Dad It was during my week-long canoe trip with my Dad that I had this wonderful time to would shout out something like, “You’re doing good, Richie, stay alert, you got this!” talk to Dad about my fears and anxieties about starting high school. All that week, Dad asRight after all the scouts successfully survived Skinners Falls, Dad called all the scouts to sured me that I was going to be okay. That I was a good student and that I would continue continued on page 16

•

We are the ONLY Provider of ARPWave Therapy Servicing Western Morris, Sussex, Warren Counties and Surrounding Areas

• A Private, Individually Owned Family Friendly Practice • Personalized Treatment Plans to Achieve Patient’s Goals • Patients are Actively Involved in the Rehabilitation Process • Licensed Therapist Perform One on One, Hands On Therapy

WE ACCEPT MOST INSURANCE PLANS TelePT hours are continuing Monday-Friday by appointment!

Page 16 • May 2020 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Mount Olive Middle School Student Council Gives Back

ach year we plan to recognize our teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week in May. One of our ideas this year was to give each teacher a travel sized bottle of hand sanitizer. (We may have gotten Amazon’s last shipment!) Given the current pandemic, our Student Council officers and advisors decided the hand sanitizer would be better utilized by our Police Department and First Responders (as well as others in the community who may need it). As a result, we have decided to donate the

I Remember Dad...

continued from page 15 beach in their canoes and take a breather. As Dad and I steered our canoe toward the shoreline, I remember my father said to me in a most sincere voice, “Richie, I’m proud of you son. You did a good job back there.” It meant the world to me, to have my Dad say that to me. My father was such a good-hearted man. He firmly believed in the adage that it is better to teach a young boy morals and the right way than to try to straighten a

144 travel size bottles to those who need it most right now. We know this is a challenging time for everyone and we are very thankful for all of the hard work our first responders are doing to keep the residents of our town safe. With all of your dedication, we want to make sure that you know how much everyone within the community appreciates you. We hope you all stay safe and healthy during this time.

Netcong Senior Club Seeking Members

he Netcong Senior Club is seeking new members. The seniors meet at Knights of Columbus on Rt. 46 in Netcong on the first Thursday of the month.

Meetings start at 12:00 o’clock. The seniors have their meeting, enjoy coffee and a few rounds of bingo together. For more information, call 862-258-0025.

wayward man. My father used the scouting program to teach hundreds of boys to love and respect nature. To be self-reliant. And to help other people in their time of need. In memory, I cherish the times I spent with Dad hiking, camping and canoeing with Boy Scout Troop 170. I am most grateful that I had a father who was willing to take the time to teach me the good principles of scouting. My memories of scouting have often helped me to get through life’s tough times.

We Stop All Leaks with a 10 year labor guarantee

WE HANDLE ALL INSURANCE CLAIMS!

Roofing, Chimneys Repaired and Rebuilt, Skylights, Shingles Repairs, Attic Fans, Storm Damage, Interior & Exterior Damage Repairs Residential & Commercial

908-448-6777

GREAT FOR THE OFFICE

FREE DELIVERY

• BOX OF JOE • 1 DOZ. BAGELS • 1/4 LB. CREAM CHEESE • 1/4 LB. BUTTER

($15 MIN.)

Full Line Boar’s Head Deli

Only

19.99

With coupon. Not to be combined. Expires 6/30/20

BAGELS • MUFFINS • PASTRIES • SANDWICHES GRILLERS • WRAPS • PITAS • CATERING AVAILABLE •

OPEN FOR PICK UP AND DELIVERY

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE

WWW.BUDDLAKEBAGELS.COM

% OFF 10 ANY CATERING ORDER With coupon. Not to be combined. Expires 6/30/20

141 Route 46 East Plaza Mall

Budd Lake 973.448.1300

333 Mountain Ave Hackettstown 908.452.5599

14 $9.99 BAGELS Only

With coupon. Not to be combined. Expires 6/30/20

14 $9.99 BAGELS Only

With coupon. Not to be combined. Expires 6/30/20

ORDER FOR YOUR NEXT OCCASION

PARTY BAGELS YOUR CHOICE

Only $

$65 Value (Serves 15-20 ppl.) With coupon. Not to be combined. Expires 6/30/20

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • May 2020 • Page 17

JOAN SIRKIS WARREN, ESQ. IN PRACTICE FOR OVER 30 YEARS

PRACTICE IS LIMITED TO CONSUMER BANKRUPTCY

BANKRUPTCY

FREE CONSULTATION Evening Hours Available RELIEF FROM CREDITORS Chapter 7 - Liquidations • Chapter 13 - Wage Earner Plans

Mention This Ad & Receive A

$50.00

Discount

699 WASHINGTON STREET SUITE 103 • HACKETTSTOWN

908.850.6161 JOAN@JOANLAVERYLAW.COM WE ARE A DEBT RELIEF AGENCY

Page 18 • May 2020 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Greg Stewart: “The Town (Mt. Olive) is Phenomenal on Working Together”

By Steve Sears reg Stewart, Township of Mount Olive Councilman, loves where he lives. Heck, he’s been in Mount Olive longer now than where he originally grew up. The 67-year-old has been living in Flanders for 34 years after residing in the Caldwell area for his initial 33. “The town is phenomenal on working together. The donations, the volunteering of time for the food pantry and stuff – this tough challenge (COVID-19 pandemic) that everybody is facing, it really shows what’s really neat about this town. It’s about how good people are.” And then there’s his family, of whom he speaks with pride. He and wife Sheila celebrate 35 years of marriage in 2020, and daughter Rachel, a current Brooklyn, New York resident, is now 25. “Seeing my daughter do well - she’s been working for two years and is now going to go back and get her law degree. We’re very proud of that young lady.” He’s also a busy guy. His company, NexGen, is in its 17th year, and addressing client concerns in the current age has “shelved” (pun intended) a book project he’d been working on. “Believe it or not,” he says, “I’ve been so busy hearing from clients I haven’t worked with in years, it’s been totally put aside. All things I’ve wanted to get done with this isolation I haven’t even accomplished because I’ve been busier from a work perspective than I’ve ever been.”

Stewart, who is also on the Foundation Board of Directors for Hackettstown Medical Center, is concentrating on getting the word out about local businesses who are doing good right now. “This is what’s going on in your backyard, ladies and gentlemen,” he says. “You’ve got some great businesses of all sizes that have been doing some tremendous work. And there’s not one thing political involved in it. It’s about, ‘How do we help this community?’ That’s been the most positive, most inspiring component of it.” Stewart is an affable, inspiring, and positive individual. A graduate of both Newark’s Essex Catholic High School and Montclair State University, he initially worked for AT&T and then left, and from there it’s been about giving back. He is been a certified senior business advisor with the Independent Business Alliance and the Institute for Business, and is a member of the Mount Olive Area Executive Council, which he founded when he was council President and has chaired for 10 years. The beforementioned are just a few of the worthwhile teams his name is stapled to. Stewart, whose business wisdom was included in the 2017 best-selling book, Breakthrough RESULTS!, lauds the Township Council he serves on. When initially recruited (for the council), he said he wanted no part of politics. But the Mayor (at that time) and the other council members told him, “We’re not political.” “They’re spot on,” he says. “There’s not a political discussion on it. It’s all about – and this is where I enjoy it, and why I ran for reelection three continued on page 19

When it comes to doing business in the Mt. Olive Area, The Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce Is A Must!

Even in challenging times the Mount Olive Chamber of Commerce is connected with its members Become a Chamber member and be part of something special Marketing In The Morning 3rd Wed. of Every Month

For more information, www.mountolivechambernj.com

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • May 2020 • Page 19

Your Best Life Awaits at Bentley Commons at Paragon Village A vibrant independent lifestyle for active seniors designed with your independence in mind, featuring a gym and a pub within the community. We also offer a compassionate approach to Assisted Living and Memory Care.

427 Route 46 E • Hackettstown 908-498-0100 www.bentleyatparagonvillage.com

Greg Stewart and his family celebrating his 67th birthday

Greg Stewart... continued from page 18 years ago and why I’m going to go again next year – because it’s all about what’s right for the community, and that’s what I truly enjoy.” Stewart, an avid golfer and New York Jets football fan, still hasn’t netted a hole-in-one. He’s come close, one time even less than an inch. He relives the frustration with a laugh.

“Where it (the ball) actually changed directions around the hole and then stopped. It’s (a hole-in-one) actually a bucket list one. I came very, very close at least 10 times last year.” For more information about Greg Stewart and NexGen Management, call 973-9275446 or visit www.nexgenmgt.com.

Apply with Keith Tatum: https://movement.com/lo/keith-tatum/ Keith Tatum Team Keith Tatum | Branch Manager Mobile: (973) 219-8383 | keith.tatum@movement.com | NMLS: 239309 11 Deerfield Place, 2nd Floor, Suite 7, Flanders, New Jersey 07836 | NJ-9906693 | Movement Mortgage, LLC supports Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS ID# 39179 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) | 877-314-1499. Movement Mortgage, LLC is licensed by “Licensed by the N.J. Department of Banking and Insurance”.

Courtesy of Hackettstown News

Hang this in your window for all to see!

STRONG

n w o t s t t e k c a

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • May 2020 • Page 21

Dominos of Budd Lake Donates Pizza During COVID-19

ominos of Budd Lake teamed up with Mayor Greenbaum’s office to provide food for families in the fight against COVID-19. Through this partnership, they hope to continue their donations. Currently, they have donated 100 Large Pizzas to the Mt. Olive Police Department and to Mt. Olive Food Pantry. They are looking forward to their next round of donations as well. They also have donated in Hillside, NJ and are currently collaborating with Temple University Hospital and Shriners Hospitals for Children - Philadelphia to donate to them as well. The father/son team have amazing employees and are extremely thankful for everyone’s efforts as the only way to beat COVID-19

Dr. Brenda L. Rooney, DC 973-584-4888 22 Plaza Road • Flanders

www.mtoliveweightlossllc.com

Check Out Contour Light

www.mtoliveweightloss.com

FREE

NOW INTRODUCING...

WEIGHT LOSS CONSULTATION with Dr. Brenda L. Rooney, DC PLUS

$50 OFF

Our 6 WEEK PROGRAM!

(Regular Consultation Fee $50) With this coupon • Expires 6/30/20

Call

973.584.4888 22 PLAZA ROAD • FLANDERS www..mtoliveweightlossllc.com

R CALL FO R YOU L VIRTUA G! N I T MEE

Syed Akhtar Zaidi and Syed “JZ” J. Zaidi

is to beat it together. “We are a small family business and we hope our donations brings smiles during this testing time as

this is a testament to the wonderful partnership Domino’s has with our communities. We’re in this together.” JZ Zaidi said.

UGLY HOMES WANTED

FOR TELEVISION PROGRAM In This Area

We need 30 Ugly Homes with Ugly Kitchens, Bathrooms, Siding, Windows, etc., Inside or Outside that need Fixing or Remodeling. We will repair and replace them and shoot video for training film and future TV show on Home Remodeling Work. Must Sign Release, for purpose of filming job! This must be a complete remodeling job, not just patch up work. This remodeling is to be specially priced out of work, with compensation back to the homeowner for signed release.

CALL 1-800-281-1582

Ask for Project Department, for job evaluation and estimate of cost and compensations! Serious Inquiries Please!

Page 22 • May 2020 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Morris-Sussex Sports Shouts Out Healthcare Heroes and Spring Sport Seniors

By Megan Roche hile they are usually covering all around high school athletics, Morris-Sussex sports has taken the initiative to highlight those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. George Muha, the founder of Morris Sussex Sports, was trying to figure out a way to keep his business afloat as the

coronavirus pandemic took hold. With a business that showcases high school athletics, how would one continue to honor the athletic prowess and skills that it takes to be a high performance athlete? Muha spoke to his team and has shifted his website to honor those on the frontlines with special trading cards. “I was looking at the news from a busi-

ness perspective when this all first started. The whole world was collapsing, and I’m collapsing. Every single business in the world is taking a hit. I didn’t want to cut people back and lay people off. I made the decision to continue to work and I told them that we were going to continue with the trading cards. We felt it was the right thing to do to honor the parents and

relatives of these athletes and the wives and husbands of the coaches who do so much,” Muha said. So far, those nominated have included alumni, parents, student athletes, and brothers and sisters. To nominate someone on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, just shoot Muha a Facebook continued on page 24

FLANDERS ANIMAL CARE CENTER We Care For Your Pets! Surgical Laser and Laser Therapy Digital Radiography Boarding 24 Hour Emergency Service Evening & Saturday Hours

In-House Laboratory Services Avian & Exotic Pet Services

OWNED BY THE HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM OF DRS. CHRIS HALLIHAN AND KRISTEN CASULLI

96 Bartley Road • Flanders (Next to ShopRite) • 973-584-4455 www.animalcarectrs.com

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • May 2020 • Page 23

Mt. Olive Attention Residents

Sign up to receive the Mt. Olive Township Mayor’s Weekly emailed newsletter To register please go to https://register.communitypass.net/mountolive

Page 24 • May 2020 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

RE-OPENING SOON

Shouts Out Healthcare Heroes... continued from page 22 message on Morris Sussex Sports or drop him an email at www.morrissussexsports. com. The trading cards are being processed as they come in with requests. Morris Sussex Sports covers over 40 high schools throughout the Morris County and Sussex County area. Muha and his team cover every game with scoring updates, player interviews, and sometimes even play by play live calls at certain games throughout the year. More importantly to Muha, it’s about giving the athletes the attention that they deserve while many local news outlets have forgone covering high school athletics. “We mainly cover high school sports, and at the end of the day, we want to highlight the good within our community. We also feel that high school athletes are some of the best people in our areas. It’s not easy to be on a team for four years. It takes good grades, managing your time, sacrifice, you are doing all the right things. These kids are the most important part of our community and at this time, we need to love on these kids. We need to show them that they matter,” Muha said. Muha also wanted to make sure that Morris Sussex fans were staying healthy and taking the proper precautions during the coronavirus. Him and the team came up with a way of designing facemasks that when purchased, all monies are being donated back to those on the front lines at this time. More information on facemasks can be found on Morris Sussex Sports’

Facebook page. And what about those seniors who play spring sports who had their seasons taken away? Morris Sussex Sports is continuing to honor them too. Each day, Morris Sussex Sports is hosting podcasts where they talk with coaches and players from teams from around the area. The Morris Sussex Sports crew is working hard to highlight every sport and every coach from the 40 high schools that they cover. They are also having discussions with some of the local college sports teams in the areas as well. “We’re hosting a daily talk show from 3:00-5:00 pm. All of a sudden, especially for these seniors, this is what they were training for and it was taken away very quickly. When we started this, I wanted to interview every single coach and every single spring student athlete. These kids on these sports teams deserve every ounce of respect and this podcast is one way we are giving them that respect,” Muha shared. Muha is remaining hopeful that these senior athletes (including his own daughter) can still put on their school sports uniforms for one last time and one last celebration. “We care about these athletes. I want them to know that our community cares about them. We wish we could be seeing them out on the field right now, but we still care about them, especially the seniors. They will not be forgotten,” Muha said. For more information on Morris Sussex Sports, visit www.morrissussexsports. com.

What’s happening in your school or organization? Have a human interest story or something you would like to share? Email us at editor@mylifepublications.com

ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS

Call Now for your FREE Consultatio n!

Harnessing the power of social media marketing Social Media Marketing, Consulting and Management for Small to Mid-Sized Businesses

www.BestToFollowMe.com

201-874-0032

patti@besttofollowme.com

THE GREAT

“OUTDOORS”

FEEL COMFORTABLE

BOXING BOOT CAMP Tired of CROWDED gyms Y STA LTHY that make you feel too HEA close and uncomfortable?

At Unique Physique’s outdoor Boxing Boot Camp You will have Plenty of Space, Have Fun, Boost your Mood, Melt Fat, and Tone Up in our comfortable Small Group Training Classes. Exercise Outside in the fresh air in our beautiful wooded setting.

FRESH AIR

Strengthens your immune system, helps improve blood pressure and heart rate, gives you more energy and a sharper mind.

Mon/Wed/Fri 6:30am-7:15am Tues/Thurs. 7am-7:45am Evenings Mon/Wed 6:30pm-7:15pm Fri 6pm-6:45pm “INVEST IN YOUR MOST IMPORTANT POSSESSION... YOUR HEALTH”

FOR MORE INFO & ENROLLMENT CALL PAT AT 908-955-7552 www.uniquephysiquebyromano.com Uniquephysiquebyromano@gmail.com

SPACE IS LIMITED RESERVE YOUR PLACE NOW!

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • May 2020 • Page 25

A Symbol of Hope: Heath Village Recognizes Arbor Day

pril 24, 2020 marks the 148th anniversary of the first Arbor Day observance. Due to the Coronavirus, Heath Village had to cancel its 46th annual celebration. However, some time-honored traditions are too important to be overlooked. Since 1974 Heath Village has planted more than 50 trees in honor of Arbor Day. Despite the inability to gather, Heath Village moved forward with the planting of its annual tree. This year a Ruby Falls Weeping Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Ruby Falls’) was selected. This tree represents a symbol of hope; a sign that things will get better; that we will heal. While it may not look like much now, we know it will grow big and strong. Its resilience reminiscent of our residents who are weathering this pandemic with strength and fortitude. We look forward to resuming our tradition of planting our Arbor Day tree with the students from the Friendship Center, the Intergenerational childcare center located on the Heath Village campus, next year. An Arbor Day map identifying the locations of each tree is available on our website at https://heathvillage.

com/news-publications.php. Heath Village is a full-service retirement community located at 430 Schooley’s Mountain Road in Washington Township, Morris County. For further information, please call 908-852-4801 or visit us on our website at www. heathvillage.com. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/heathvillage.

Mount Olive’s Hometown Brewery

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Offering Pick-up & Delivery of Beer, 21+ within 5 miles of the brewery. Visit us online at

JerseyGirlBrewing.com to order or find our most up to date hours

426 Sand Shore Rd., Mt. Olive (908) 591-4186 Mon-Sat 12-7pm | Sun 12–6pm

www.jerseygirlbrewing.com

Page 26 • May 2020 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

When to Use Soap and Water, and When to Use Hand Sanitizer

n the wake of the global COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020, millions of people across the globe found themselves scrambling for hand sanitizer. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that cleaning hands at key times is one of the most important steps people can take to avoid getting sick and spread-

ing germs, there are differences between washing with soap and water and washing with alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The CDC notes that preventing the spread of sickness through handwashing is most effective when people know which method to use when cleaning their hands. When to use soap and water

Clean Water Protection Boosted in Raritan River Watershed

he New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) recently published a rule that applies one of its strongest clean water protections to 600 miles of rivers and streams throughout the state. The new “Category One” designations are the first made in over a decade. They set strict limits on pollution and development for over 200 miles of the North and South Branches of the Raritan River, the Neshanic, and the Lamington River. These are sections of the Raritan Headwaters not previously protected as Category One waters. Raritan Headwaters has been anxiously awaiting these updates to the Surface Water Quality Standards. These upgrades, based on exceptional ecological significance and exceptional fisheries resources, are most welcome. We appreciate the incredible effort the DEP staff put into this rulemaking. Abundant clean water is one of the most critical resources New Jersey has. Protecting this vital resource is an essential investment in our future. This update is a valuable step toward ensuring that future generations inherit waterways with clean water and healthy habitats. As NJDEP said when announcing the new protections, “This rulemaking allows appropriate economic growth to occur while ensuring that the equally important natural resources of the State are preserved. The State’s natural resources, including water resources, are held in public trust, and their protection is in the best interest of all New

Jersey residents, particularly given the cost of restoration, loss of revenue among industries dependent on high water quality, and the widespread costs of flooding resulting from unwise development in flood-prone riparian areas.” Second only to the protections for streams in state and national parks, Category One provides the strongest legal means to safeguard waters from pollutants, sewage, and harmful bacteria. In addition to pollution controls that allow for more fishing and recreation, a Category One waterway enjoys 300 feet of protected landscape and wildlife habitat along both of its banks. The upgrades were overwhelmingly popular when NJDEP proposed the new rule at public hearings last year. The department received almost 400 official comments in response, over 80% of which were supportive. The additions to the C1 listing are good policy based on good science and they are years overdue. They will require those who discharge pollutants into our streams to be more mindful of their operations, and they will force local decision makers to be more cognizant of the impacts of their development decisions on their downstream neighbors. That will be very good news for the families who live in our watershed and 1.5 million New Jersey residents who rely on our watershed for clean drinking water. BILL KIBLER Policy Director, Raritan Headwaters Association

HTV Media & Films is the area’s wedding film maker since 1990. Unique wedding films or documentary style. We have been there for well over 1,000 weddings! Visit us on Facebook:

HTV Media Productions or call

908-852-7418 Info@htvmediaproductions.com

The following are common situations when the CDC advises using soap and water to clean hands. • Before, during and after preparing food • Before eating food • Before and after caring for someone who is sick • Before and after treating a cut or wound • After using the bathroom, changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the bathroom • After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing • After touching an animal, animal food or treats, animal cages, or animal waste • After touching garbage • If your hands are visibly dirty or greasy When washing with soap and water, the CDC advises people to wet their hands with clean running water (warm or cold) and applying soap. Lather the hands by rubbing them together with the soap, making sure to scrub all surfaces of the hands, including palms, backs, fingers, between fingers, and under the nails. Scrub for 20 seconds before rinsing hands clean under running water and drying your hands, be it with a clean towel or air drying.

When to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer Hand sanitizer should not be applied to hands that are dirty or greasy. Hands that become dirty or greasy after activities such as gardening or fishing should be cleaned with soap and water. The CDC advises using alcohol-based hand sanitizer: • Before and after visiting a friend or a loved one in a hospital or nursing home, unless the person is sick with Clostridium difficile (if so, use soap and water to wash hands). • If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol, and wash with soap and water as soon as you can. Children should always be supervised when applying alcohol-based hand sanitizer. When using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, the CDC recommends covering all surfaces of the hands with the product before rubbing hands together until they feel dry, which should happen after roughly 20 seconds. Clean hands can prevent the spread of disease. Knowing which hand cleaner to use in certain situations can be an especially important preventative measure.

COLD LASER THERAPY The Innovative Therapeutic Healing Method Treats the following conditions:

Dr. Michael L. Maher, DC Lifelong Mt. Olive Resident

MOST INSURANCES ACCEPTED

FREE

CARE CREDIT

197 US Hwy 46 Budd Lake

• Sciatica • Scoliosis • Arthritis • Knee/Shoulder Pain • Acute Chronic Neck & Back Pain • Tendonitis • Carpal Tunnel • Tennis/Golfer Elbow • TMJ • Migraines and Much More

INITIAL CONSULTATION

973-347-0500

New patients only. Cannot be combined with any other offers.

We Welcome You To Visit Our Church...

Mt. Olive Community Bible Church Mount Olive is a growing community and we want to grow with it! Activities: Sunday School for Adults and Children, 9:30am Sunday Service, 11:00am to 12:00pm Monday Cypress Youth Group, 7:00pm • Tuesday Bible Study & Prayer, 7:30pm Wednesday Children’s Programs, 6:30pm • Saturday Women’s Bible Study, 10:30am (Located next to the MO Municipal Complex)

Flanders-Drakestown Road, Flanders For more information Call 973-252-4414 or visit our website at www.mtolivecommunitybible.org

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • May 2020 • Page 27

Everything FOR YOUR HOME M

ost people don’t know this about me, but before I started my design business I worked in the environmental field. For over fifteen years, I worked with companies to be certain they managed their hazardous materials in an environmentally compliant manner. The work was fascinating and enjoyable because I knew my efforts were making the planet a better place to live and work. Because of this background, I always try to be mindful when I’m sourcing for design projects. With the current ‘stayat-home’ guidance, I thought I’d share some important information on how to incorporate healthy design into your home The idea of sustainability or sustainable development has been around since the mid 1980’s. In a nutshell, sustainable design takes the environment into consideration during building construction. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is one of the most popular green building certification programs. As of 2015, more than half of American’s Fortune 500 companies have adopted LEED practices which greatly benefit our environment. So, we’re making buildings better for the planet – shouldn’t we also make them better for people? This is where the WELL movement stepped in. The WELL Building Standard™: A Focus on Human Health & Wellness The WELL Building Standard™ is the world’s first building standard focused exclusively on human health and wellness. WELL explores the connection between the buildings where we live and work and how they impact us as occupants. Over the last decade, researchers studied things like the links between chronic health issues and the environments where we spend 90% of our time. Scientists also considered the role of nourishment of the body and mind and its impact on performance. Then using this medical and scientific research, they developed standards that can be applied to buildings that support human health and well-be-

Advertise Your Business Here on The Home Page Call Joe at 973-809-4784 for more info

Designing a Healthy Home ing. Buildings that might just be able to take care of us!!! Health Factors of the WELL Building Standard™ The WELL Building Standard™ sets performance requirements in seven Concepts relevant to occupant health: air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind. These spaces can help improve the nutrition, fitness, mood, sleep patterns and performance of their occupants. With the current pandemic, I see these standards coming to the forefront with design and construction of multifamily dwellings. And in fact, these concepts are being applied to residential environments in cities like New York, Denver and even in Maplewood, NJ. The building pictured here will have light-filled apartments with specially designed air and water purification systems, light-filled rooms, a bike-share rack, and car charging garage. Incorporating these Healthy concepts into Your Home Puriﬁcation Systems Advanced purification systems for air and water quality, bring in precisely what the body needs and filters out the elements that harm it. These include both air purification systems that enhance indoor air quality by removing allergens, toxins, pathogens, pollen, particulates and other pollutants and water purification systems that remove inorganic, organic and biological contaminants. Air purifiers are typically installed in a return duct line, so when air goes through the air handler unit, the device filters out pollution. Stand-alone units are also available. According to the EPA, residential air is typically five to nine times more polluted than outdoor air!!! Given that we spend so much time indoors, an air cleaner just makes sense. Basic air filters typically cost about $200 to $600. Whole house air cleaners’ cost between $1,000 to $5,000 or more. Water purification systems include reverse osmosis, whole house water filters, water distillers and single faucet filters.

These range in price from $50 (for a single faucet) to around $3,000 for a whole house system. Automated Wellness If you install systems like the ones discussed above, consider having them automated so you’re alerted when a filter needs to be changed. Another great automated wellness product that many of us are familiar with is the Nest thermostat which learns your temperature preferences in about a week. Lighting Like most of us, I’ve been on a lot of Zoom calls lately and spending far too much time in my office. Of course, the main function of light is to enable us to see; however, light also influences our bodies and can affect our mood, alertness, and cognitive ability. How many of us currently stuck at home are now affected by SAD (seasonal affective disorder) when you haven’t been in the past? You may remember learning about ‘circadian rhythm’ back in high school. As it turns out our internal human clock can be disrupted by electric light exposure. This disruption can play a role in diabetes, obesity, depression, as well as breast cancer. Now more than ever, we need to have thoughtfully designed combinations of day-lighting and artificial light to provide an optimal lighting environment not just for circadian alignment but also to improve energy, mood, and productivity. For example, Hunter Douglas Silhouettes were designed with daylighting in mind as they draw light into and throughout a room. And several styles of wake-up light therapy alarm clocks have UV-free light that perfectly mimics sunlight, allowing for a natural boost in mood and concentration without the caffeine kick. Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness When considering furniture, look for companies (there aren’t many, but I have a few favorites made right here in the US) that use only sustainably sourced hardwoods in

their furniture frames. I use one vendor that only uses bio hybrid foam in their chemical-free cushions. They even make fabrics that are either natural fibers or Green Guard certified. (Green Guard certified products meet low emission standards for improved air quality) Biophilic Design Helps Create “Green” Indoor Environments Much like sustainability, biophilia is a trend that people are craving. Biophilia suggests that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature. Humans are naturally calmed by the sight of greenery. Don’t you feel better after a walk in the woods or on the beach? Breathing in fresh air, listening to the sounds of water or wind rustling leaves always relaxes me. You can bring this aesthetic into your home in the form of live plants, living walls, water views, indoor fountains, and tactile organic materials such as wood and stone. I for one, do not have a green thumb, but here are few indoor plants that are very easy to care for – lavender, aloe, spider plant, peace lily and cactus. And portable fountains are available on Amazon. I hope this article has been helpful to you during this time of pandemic. If I can help you create a healthy environment for your home, please reach out. I am currently oﬀering FREE 30 minute virtual design consultations. Please visit my at https://aandjinteriors.com/ for more information or call 908-256-6338.

Creating cozy homes for busy families

Jersey Pool and Patio Associates

Papa Contracting, LLC 973-794-1295

Advertise Your Business Here on The Home Page Call Joe at 973-809-4784 for more info

info@jerseypapa.net

Outdoor Living Areas • Stone • Marble • Retaining Walls • Masonry • Steps

50 OFF POOL OPENING

Winter Cover Services • New Covers & Cover Repair

908-256-6338 www.aandjinteriors.com

www.JerseyPapa.net

www.PapaLLC.com

Pool Openings/Closing • Weekly Maintenance • Repairs/Renovations Heater & Equipment Repair • Patio Refurbishing & Installation Over 30 Years of Industry Experience • NJ HIC #13VH09104800

Page 28 • May 2020 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Mount Olive High School Grad Releases First Novel

By Steve Sears achel Harrison, a 2007 graduate of Mount Olive High School, recently unveiled some great literary news. Her first novel, The Return, was officially released for publication on March 24, 2020. “In the past few years, I’ve written maybe six drafts of novels. I’d call those ‘down drafts’, where you just get everything down on paper without worrying about how good it is,” Harrison says. “Usually, I get to the end of those drafts and think, ‘This is terrible,’ or “Maybe has potential?” But when I finished writing the The Return and read it back, I was confident. I knew I wanted to pursue publication.” Harrison, who has been writing for as long as she can remember, says she is obsessed with stories. “I always liked to read and watch movies, stories in any form. But I never thought about pursuing writing as a career path until college.” Harrison also never considered writing horror until her Sophomore year of college, when a screenwriting club she was a member of held a contest to write a horror screenplay. “I began studying the genre more, which was difficult at first because I’m afraid of everything,” she says, “but I found

I really connected with horror because I’m afraid of everything. Fear is a powerful emotion, it’s a universal experience. We all experience fear. Exploring that fear is what I love about horror. What are we afraid of? Why? Plus, monsters are fun.” She explains her writing process. “I came up with the concept for The Return and wrote a detailed outline. I’m pretty disciplined, I write every day. I would wake up around 4:30 or 5:00 a.m. and write for an hour before work. I had great momentum with this book, I finished my first draft in about four months, then spent another three months editing. Once I had a draft I felt was in good shape, I started the process of querying agents for representation. I ended up finding my agent through a pitch contest on Twitter, which I did on a whim. My agent then pitched my books to publishers, and then my book went to auction with the interested editors, and we ended up going with Berkley, an imprint of Penguin Random House. After that, I worked with my editor to make some more changes, clean things up a bit, and then here we are!” she says happily. Harrison, who additionally has had a few short stories published recently and mostly writes fiction, adds, “If I feel any accom-

T HE G REEN C ARPET T REATMENT !

JIM DRURY, Owner

973-927-4974 • • • • • • • •

Core Aeration Seeding Fertilization Weed Control Crabgrass Control Lime Grub Control Fungus Control

60% O FF

For New Customers Only. Expires 6/30/20

CHECKBACKS AT NO EXTRA CHARGE!

FREE ESTIMATES!!

plishment, it’s short-lived. I’m really proud of The Return, but I’m a worrier, and I’m always finding things to be concerned about.” Among her concerns is how The Return will be received, what’s next in her writing hopper, and skillfully improving. “I should try to stop and smell the roses, but I’m incapable.” Harrison thanks her husband for his support during the road to publication. “I’m very lucky I have a supportive partner. No writer writes alone, you need supportive family and friends. When I was stressed out, or working late, my husband, Nic, did everything he could to help me.” However, she lovingly warns of “jealous” adversaries who would aim to halt progress. “My cat, on the other hand, tried to sabotage me at every turn. Chewing through computer charger wires, knocking things over to distract me while I was trying to concentrate, yelling loudly. If you’re pursuing writing, choose your companions wisely!” The author gives kudos to her home state of New Jersey for inspiration. “New Jersey is full of amazing, strange stories and amazing, strange people,” she says. “Growing up in New Jersey gave me a lot to draw on for my writing!” Finally, does Rachel Harrison have any fu-

Photo credit: Nic Harris

ture works percolating? “I hate to be cryptic, but yes!” she exclaims. “And that’s all I can say at the moment.” For more information, visit www.rachel-harrison.com.

Mt. Olive Lions Club Annual Charity Golf Outing & Fundraising Event Sept. 9 Farmstead Golf Club Lafayette, NJ It is open to everyone. We start with lunch, enjoy a great day of fun golf and end with an Awards Dinner. There are several opportunities for everyone to win something. 2020 Automotive Hole in One Longest Drive 11:30am - 12:30pm Closest to the Pin Registration, Lunch, Putting Contest. Putting Contest Shotgun Start: 1:00pm 50/50 Raffle Goody Bags, Prizes Golf Equipment Raffle Dinner and Awards 6:30pm And More!

Become a Sponsor Dinner Sponsor $500 • Hole Sponsor $100 • Golf Cart or Trophy Sponsor $50 Donation: $150.00 per player Contact Lion Drew @ 201-874-5930 or Lion Joe @ 973-727-6943 for information on how to participate.

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • May 2020 • Page 29

Telehealth Program Engages Learners on the Autism Spectrum and Their Families

ike many young people, Ben was not crazy about the idea of learning how to do laundry. As a learner in Caldwell University’s Center for Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis, Ben is receiving virtual in-home instruction through the center’s new telehealth model developed to meet the needs of the learners during the pandemic. While trying to come up with a way to make doing laundry fun for Ben, graduate student Carleana Hickey had a lightbulb moment: playing sound effects on Ben’s computer when he carries his laundry bucket. “This made doing laundry so much more fun,” said Dr. Sharon Reeve, director of the center. Hickey’s innovation is but one of many ideas that faculty members and graduate students are incorporating into their remote teaching for children, teens, and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recently, another learner made a whale, using blocks similar to Legos, and wrote three sentences about her creation, dubbed “Whale-ita.” Throughout the after-

noon, Whale-ita was invited by her creator to participate in the scheduled online activities. “We’ve had quite a few bellies laughs with our kiddos even though they are only with us virtually,” said Reeve. Whether at home or on campus, the center always has the same focus—to provide the goal-oriented, individualized, science-based approach to learning of applied behavior analysis. In New Jersey, the state with the greatest prevalence of ASD, the center’s nationally renowned faculty members is preparing graduate students to offer the most effective instruction at schools and nonprofits for those with the disorder. Learners at the center range from ages five to 20. Instruction is developed through a team approach with faculty, graduate students, clinical supervisors, and parents working in close collaboration. During these days of remote teaching, the center provides four to six hours of instruction and sends activities home for the learners to do with their parents. Graduate students continued on page 30

The Name You Can Trust in Moving Since 1903 Packing Services Lic.# PC000680

Moving Supplies Available

www.vernaymovingincnj.com

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED NO JOB TOO BIG! NO JOB TOO SMALL!

Local & Long Distance Climate Controlled Storage Facility Free In Home Estimates @vernaymovingNJ

@vernaymovingNJ

75 Love Lane, Netcong 973-448-1700 Fax: 973-448-2240 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • Saturday till Noon

Ben enjoys connecting remotely with his instructors in the Center for Autism and ABA. During the pandemic, the Center’s telehealth model is providing intervention and daily routines for the learners on the autism spectrum and their parents.

Page 30 • May 2020 • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Telehealth Program... continued from page 29 provide lessons on topics such as self-care, including handwashing and teeth brushing, doing chores, remaining productive each day, creating a daily schedule, and effective resolution of behavioral issues. Theme weeks are being featured. During the first week of virtual instruction, the timely topic of healthcare/health care professions included virtual hospital tours and videos that illustrate the ways in which viruses can spread. To make the Earth Day theme more fun, a learner went on a scavenger hunt to find organic objects that could be recycled or composted. Their first interactions via computer screens drew mixed emotions from the learners. That was to be expected since virtual learning was something new, explained Reeve. “Over time we showed all our learners that we could have fun at home while still learning about ‘awesome stuff,’” she said. A wonderful discovery has been that parents are instrumental in making all this happen. “With our help, they are teaching their children,” said Reeve. Various models are used; parents work

with the graduate students and they present to faculty, or parents record videos of home activities so faculty members can assess the learners’ skill levels and provide recommendations. “The videos are such very fun to watch! We have never been closer to all the families because we now spend so much time remotely in their homes,” said Reeve. This has been a beneficial learning experience for graduate students, who are developing strategies to help parents interact effectively with their children. It has also given them the opportunity to work with parents who typically do not have the time to train due to work obligations or the distance of their homes from the center in Caldwell. “Parents seem very appreciative of the training we are providing to help them through an average day,” said Reeve. As a result of this new way of learning, the center’s faculty members are evaluating a virtual post-pandemic instruction model. Reeve and the other faculty members in the Department of Applied Behavior Analysis are proud of the graduate students who have stepped up to help them develop the telehealth model. They are “one big family

During the COVID-19 stay at home order, doctoral student Shariq Khan and master’s student Devin Williams-Buttari provide remote instruction to learner Ben via the Center for Autism and ABA’s telehealth program.

in the center” and are doing all they can to ensure that the learners and their parents are getting all of the support and resourc-

es they need, said Reeve. “We are proud to still be making a difference in their lives— just in a somewhat different format.”

The best value in transportation since 1939!

973-347-6100 mm2limo.com

We can now serve you in over 100 cities!

Mention promo code NVM19 for

10% OFF

any Airport or Cruise Port Transfer

• Corporate and Personal Transportation • Airport and Cruise Port Transfers • wedding Limos • Prom Limos • Casinos, Theaters, Sporting Events, Birthdays, Anniversaries and MORE!

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mt. Olive-Hackettstown Life • May 2020 • Page 31

Family-Friendly Ways to Rethink Favorite Recipes

reshen up family dinners by adding new ingredients like pecans, with natural richness and subtle sweetness coupled with irresistible crunch. Kitchen staples are being used to add twists to traditional dishes, so finding an item you can use to mix up classic family recipes is key. Pecans pack flavor, texture and nutrition all in one bite, and they have a long shelf life. Shelled pecans can be kept in airtight containers in the refrigerator for about nine months and for up to two years in sealed plastic bags in the freezer. While pecans are beloved in classic desserts, like pecan pie, they also offer a variety of nutrition benefits that can be added to nearly any meal. They are among the highest in “good” monounsaturated fats, contain 3 grams of plant protein per serving and are a source of fiber, flavonoids and minerals like manganese, which is essential for metabolism and bone health. Nearly two decades of research document the heart-health benefits of pecans.

In fact, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1 1/2 ounces per day of most nuts, such as pecans, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving of pecans (28 grams) has 18 grams of unsaturated fat and only 2 grams of saturated fat. Add crunch to this Chinese Chicken Salad with Pecans by swapping out croutons, use chopped pecans as a flavorful and nutrient-dense coating for Pecan Chicken Meatballs and bake this Pecan Banana Bread as a nutritious and kid-friendly breakfast or snack to fill your home with a delicious scent. Discover more nutritious recipes at AmericanPecan.com. Pecan Chicken Meatballs Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Yield: 9 meatballs 1 pound ground chicken

1/4cup spinach, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 egg 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) cup finely chopped fresh pecan pieces, divided

Heat oven to 400 F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. In large bowl, mix ground chicken, spinach, lemon juice, egg, garlic, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, cayenne (if desired) and 1/2 cup pecans until well combined. Roll chicken mixture into 1 tablespoonsized meatballs. Place reserved pecans in bowl. Roll meatballs in pecans to coat then place on prepared baking sheet. Bake 20-30 minutes until meatballs are cooked through. Serve warm with sauces for dipping or over pasta. Chinese Chicken Salad with Pecans Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 4 Dressing: 1/4 cup pecan butter 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

www.brandasitaliangrill.com PARTY PACKAGE #1 PARTY PACKAGE #2 PARTY PACKAGE #3 PARTY PACKAGE #4 (12-18 people)

(6-9 people)

p Pick U and ry Delive

1 Large Pizza w/any 2 Toppings, 1 Large Plain Pizza, 1 Super Large Stromboli, (Meat or Veggie) & 30 Blazing Hot Wings

(24-36 people)

1 Large Pizza from Gourmet Section 1 Large Pizza w/any 2 Toppings, 2 Large Plain Pizzas, 2 Super Large Strombolis, (Meat or Veggie) & 50 Blazing Hot Wings

2 Large Pizzas from Gourmet Section 2 Large Pizzas w/any 2 Toppings, 2 Large Plain Pizzas, 3 Super Large Strombolis, (Meat or Veggie) & 80 Blazing Hot Wings, 3Ft Hero (1 ft. Italian, 1 ft. Turkey, 1 ft. Roast Beef)

18" Assorted Mini Sandwich Platter, 48 Mini Sandwiches, Minimum 12 of Each Variety

$132.17 $69.73 $258.75 $72.00 -19.78 SAVINGS 28% -38.22 SAVINGS 29% -83.80 SAVINGS 32% -24.00 SAVINGS 33%

49.95+tax $93.95+tax $174.95+tax $48.00+tax TAKE OUT • DINE IN • DELIVERY • CATERING $

WING IT!

FAMILY COMBO

MUSSEL MANIA

1 Large Cheese Pizza 1 Order Wings, 1 Order Mozzarella Sticks & 1 2-Liter Soda

1 Large Cheese Pizza Fried Calamari, Baked Ziti, House Salad w/ choice of Dressing & 1 2-Liter Soda

2 Large Cheese Pizzsa 1 Large Order Mussels 1 Large Salad

$33.80 - 7.95 SAVINGS 24%

$39.80 - 9.95 SAVINGS 25%

$43.80 - 11.30 SAVINGS 26%

25.85+tax