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GREATER HANOVER EDITORIAL

Greater Hanover Life You can also visit our website www.greaterThank you for reading this issue of “Greater hanoverlife.com or on Facebook under “ GreatHanover Life.” er Hanover Life.” “Greater Hanover Life” serves the Hanovers, Please support our advertisers in our publiFlorham Park, Whippany and parts of Morris cations as they make this magazine available Plains. This area is a great place to work, live free to all with their advertising support. We and play. There is so much here for the residents want to help the local businesses and your supto enjoy that we have decided to dedicate a port of them is appreciated. magazine. The people that make up this comWe would also like to thank our advertisers munity are caring people who never hesitate to because we know that you have many choices help others in need. of where to spend your marketing dollars and by Our goal is to provide you with articles about supporting My LIfe Publications you are sending people, places and things all Hanover. a message loud and clear that your communiEach month you can pick up a copy of the ty matters. We are in the business of building magazine at local businesses or visit www.iwanstronger communities. It takes a village! tmypaper.com and sign up for a free emailed We are happy to have Barbara Freda as our copy that will be sent directly to your email. Barbara Freda sales representative for “Greater Hanover Life.” We are also asking our readers to send us in Freda has been very active in the Greater Haphotos and information on your life events, parties, birthdays, weddings, engagements or any other milestones. nover Life business community. Thank you for choosing “Greater Hanover Life” to read and You can send them to editor@mylifepublications.com. enjoy. We welcome your feedback as well to the same email. Joe Nicastro & Mary Lalama, Publishers

Next Issue July 2019, Deadline June 13 To receive your free copy of Greater Hanover Life direct to your email visit www.iwantmypaper.com and sign up! Subscribe $35 / year / $60 for 2 Call 800-691-7549

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Page 6 • June 2019 • Hanover/East Hanover Life

Healing Through Art: Wounded Combat Veteran from Whippany Donates Art to Nationwide Military Heroes

made him easy for the enemy to spot. “I had that big arrow that was sticking up. It was saying, ‘Shoot at this guy,’” he said with a laugh. “But it didn’t really matter. Everybody had a target on their back over there.” In truth, radio operators had one of the shortest life expectancies during the war. By killing a radio operator, the Viet Cong were able to impede a unit’s ability to communicate with headquarters and call for air support. Enemy soldiers were also aware of the fact that a unit’s radio operator followed closely behind its officer in charge. When a radio operator was showered with a hail of gunfire, there was a good chance the bullets would take out both the radio operator and the officer in charge. As a result, the

By Christine Graf om Miller’s draft notice arrived in his mailbox in August 1963. That same day, the 22-year-old went to his local recruiting office in Milwaukee and joined the Marines. At that time, 11,000 U.S. military advisors were stationed in Vietnam. Yet few Americans were aware that a war was looming. In March 1965, President Lyndon Johnson began deploying troops to Vietnam. Miller, a member of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, landed in Qui Nhon just a few months later. He was a radio operator in a light infantry unit. The radio he carried on his back was heavy, and it had a long antennae that protruded high into the air. It

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Viet Cong were always on the lookout for radio antennae. When they weren’t being fired at, Miller and the other men in his unit spent many hours trudging through rice paddies (flooded fields used to cultivate rice). This caused many of them to develop immersion foot syndrome, commonly known as trench foot. “It causes your feet to crack and blister and bleed, and you end up having to be transported. We lost a lot of our group because of that,” said Miller. There were nights when they slept in dirty water that was five inches deep. Miller remembers frequently being “soaked to the bones.” He also recalls being hot—very hot. In Vietnam, temperatures can hover near 110 degrees Fahrenheit. In December 1965—monsoon season--Miller’s battalion took part in Operation Harvest Moon, the war’s second largescale Marine Corps engagement. The operation targeted one of the strongest regiments of the Viet Cong Army.

On the tenth day of the eleven-day operation, Miller’s battalion was caught in an ambush. He and three other Marines took cover in a house located in an open marketplace. The Viet Cong fired a shell into the house, and the explosion knocked two of the Marines unconscious. Miller was knocked to his knees and experienced sharp pain throughout his body. The vision in his right eye blurred and then went dark. After the dust cleared, he rushed to the side of his radio partner, Jack Swender. Swender had been hit in the jugular by a piece of shrapnel. Miller held him in his arms as he bled to death. He described it as the saddest day of his life. Donald Carlin, Miller’s bunkmate and fellow radio operator, also died that day in a separate incident. He was one of 45 Marines killed during Operation Harvest Moon. “He was really a nice kid,” said Miller. “He had just had a baby before they shipped out, and he was killed. War is

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not a nice thing.” There were also 90 South Vietnamese and at least 400 Viet Cong soldiers killed during the operation. Miller was among the more than 200 Marines that were injured. As a result, his tour in Vietnam was over. “I lost my right eye. I got shrapnel where I didn’t have a flak jacket. In other words, my butt, my leg, my arms. A piece bounced off my helmet and bounced into my eye,” he said. “It ripped up my leg pretty good. Otherwise it was a lot of little pock holes. You can still see a couple little scars here and there.” After being discharged, he returned to Wisconsin and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree as well as a master’s degree in fine arts. He married and settled with his wife on a farm where they raised Arabian horses and Doberman pinchers. At the time, Miller worked as a draftsman for his local county. He and his wife had one child and adopted another. During those years, few days went by in which he didn’t think of Jack Swender. “He was a really great guy,” said Miller. “We took turns carrying the radio. We were kind of a two-man team. He knew his radio back and forth. We both did. When it came down to the actual fighting, we would drop the radio. He was a good rifleman—a good shot.” In 1983, after visiting the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., Miller decided the time was right to establish a Vietnam memorial in Wisconsin. By that time, the nation’s attitude had softened towards Vietnam veterans. For many years, veterans were frequent victims of public scorn. Miller admitted he was shocked by the mistreatment that he and his fellow veterans were subjected to after returning from Vietnam. “I’m 6’3”, so people didn’t get too smart with me,” he said with a laugh. But he also acknowledged that he was spat at on more than one occasion. According to Miller, he was met with a great deal of skepticism when he initially announced his plans for a Wisconsin memorial. But, over time, momentum for the memorial began to build. “After six months of people telling me I was crazy, they finally signed on. And now it’s probably the most beau-

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For the past ten years, Miller has been working on a project called Flags of Our Conflicts. It is a collection of more than 60 watercolor, ceramic, and graphite pieces. Each piece is related to one of the approximately 20 major conflicts or wars the United States has been involved in. Once finished, he hopes Flags of Our Conflicts will be displayed at the Pentagon. tiful of all memorial sites in the United States dedicated to 20th and now 21st century veterans.” The Wisconsin Vietnam Memorial Project—more commonly known as Highground Memorial Park--was dedicated in 1988. It was later expanded to honor those who served in wars that took place both before and after Vietnam. Today, the memorial park encompasses over 160 acres. More than 150,000 people visit the memorial each year. Highground celebrated its 30-year anniversary in 2018. Although it was his desire to honor all who died in service of their country in Vietnam, Miller said the memorial was built in Swender’s honor. “It was really because of Jack. I said, ‘I’m just not going to let his life or anyone else’s life be forgotten.” He stayed in contact with Swender’s mother until her 1997 death and still has contact with some of his extended family members. After he and his wife divorced in 1988, Miller moved to New Jersey. At the time, he was a partner in a New Jersey-based mail order company that sold electronic parts including capacitors and resistors. It was that same year that he met his wife, Rose

Veteran in the business for over 35 years

Marie. The two married in 2004 and live in Whippany. In 1992, Miller took a job as an art director at Merrill Lynch. He worked there until his 1997 retirement. After retiring, he enrolled as a student at Fairleigh Dickinson University. More than 20 years and 450 credits later, he remains a fixture at the university’s Florham Park campus. He serves there as an artist in residence, and his work is also on display at various locations on campus. For the past ten years, Miller has been working on a project called Flags of Our Conflicts. It is a collection of more than 60 watercolor, ceramic, and graphite pieces. Each piece is related to one of the approximately 20 major conflicts or wars the United States has been involved in. Once finished, he hopes Flags of Our Conflicts will be displayed at the Pentagon. He has also spent many years working on a 9/11 collection that honors those who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He knew several people who died that day including his neighbor Mike Sorresse. Miller hopes to see the approximately 65-piece collection of drawings, paintings, and ceram-

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ics displayed in New York City. Before the terrorist attacks occurred, Miller had been working on an Operation Harvest Moon Collection. The pieces in the collection pay homage to the Vietnam operation in which Miller was wounded. Now that his 9/11 collection is finished, he will resume working on it. “9/11 was a little more important than getting this done,” he said. The majority of Miller’s paintings are military in nature, but he also paints eagles and butterflies. He makes prints out of his paintings and has donated many of these prints to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. “Most of my prints went down to Bethesda when we had a lot of wounded people coming through. They were given to the vets,” said Miller. “Or, I will send them out to the Highground

(Highground Memorial Park) and have them use them as a fundraiser. If it’s a needy organization or a church organization, I am very happy to donate some of my work. I sell very, very little. In fact, I don’t even remember the last time I sold anything.” Today, Miller paints twice a week in his art studio at Fairleigh Dickinson. In addition to working on his art, Miller wrote a screenplay about Operation Harvest Moon. He said he knows the odds are against it ever being turned into a movie. “Everybody seems to write a book or a screenplay,” he said with a laugh. He’s not holding his breath when it comes to seeing his movie on the big screen, and that’s fine with him. He’s very happy doing what he is doing—working on his art and using it as a way to do good in the world.

Hanover/East Hanover Life • June 2019 • Page 11

Hanover Sets Date for Second Annual Charity Classic

uring the Hanover Township Little League (HTLL) April 27th opening day ceremony, it was “Game On!” as Mayor Ron Francioli announced this year’s “Annual Charity Classic,” a softball rematch between Bayer and Wegmans, Saturday, August 10th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Malapardis Park in Cedar Knolls. Both companies’ employees stepped up to the plate last year for seven innings of competitive fun that ended with a Wegmans’ victory, all for a great cause – a $5,000.00 donation from each business to the Interfaith Food Pantry. The non-profit organization, which feeds Morris County families struggling financially, will again be this year’s beneficiary. Joining Francioli to make the announcement were Mike Halibej, HTLL President, Ray Kerins, Bayer’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, and Tim Lockwood, Hanover Wegmans’ Store Manager. The HTLL, whose members will play a significant role in this year’s Charity Classic, hon-

Hanover Township Little League catchers take a photo with Bayer’s Ray Kerins and Wegmans’ Tim Lockwood, who threw out the first pitches on Little League Opening Day and joined Mayor Ron Francioli when he announced the business neighbors’ August 10th softball charity rematch to benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry. From left to right: Lily Pecora, who caught Ray Kerins’ pitch, Ray Kerins, Tim Lockwood, and Luke Ench, who caught Lockwood’s pitch.

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Whippanong Library, Fire Deored Kerins and Lockwood partments, and Little League by asking them to throw out helping, we’re envisioning a the first Little League Opentruly dynamic event,” noted ing Day pitches. The friendFrancioli. “We’re adding some ly rivals gladly obliged and things to make it even more viewed the opportunity as a fun-filled and family oriented. fitting prelude to the August There’ll be free giveaways, phosoftball skirmish. to ops with Wegmans’ Ready “We look forward to sucfor Prime Time Produce Playcessfully defending our title ers and Recreation’s Sting the against Bayer,” stated LockBee, and a concert following wood, “and are thankful the game at 4:00 p.m. by The to work with such a great Shots with the Bergen County community supporter as our Bayer’s Ray Kerins (left) and Wegmans’ Tim Lockwood (right) pause for Firefighters Bagpipes.” friends at Bayer.” a photo with Mayor Ron Francioli at Hanover Township’s Little League Members of the public are “Actually, the Bayer team Opening Day just after the Mayor announced the second Annual Charity is ready to win the rematch. Classic, which will see the two business neighbors step up to the plate urged to save the August 10th again for a softball rematch benefitting the Interfaith Food Pantry. date (rain date August 11th) But the real winners will be and to check the Hanover the members of our community who will benefit from the Bayer-Wegman’s partnership sup- Township website at www.hanovertownship.com, the Hanover Township Recreation Facebook page, and local newspapers for fuporting the great work of the Interfaith Food Pantry,” said Kerins. Mayor Francioli applauded Bayer and Wegmans for their on- ture Charity Classic updates. Admission to the event is free, but going, strong community support, and lauded the civic groups, it is requested that attendees help their Morris County neighbors volunteers, and other non-profits who will be partnering with the in need by bringing a canned good or other non-perishable food municipality to make the second Charity Classic an even greater item that will join a collection to be used by the Interfaith Food success than last year’s. “With the Rotary, Knights of Columbus, Pantry in feeding hungry families.

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Mountview Road School Third Graders Partner with Hanover Township to Celebrate Arbor Day!

ountview Road School third graders did not let rainy weather dampen their enthusiasm for trees as they joined Hanover township and school officials for an in-

door Arbor Day celebration on April 26th. The special guests were welcomed to Town Hall by Mayor Ron Francioli, who presented them with an Arbor Day Proclamation from the Town-

Hanover/East Hanover Life • June 2019 • Page 15

To thank the students for helping commemorate Arbor Day and reinforce the environmental message municipal officials conveyed, the Township gave each third grader a reusable, insulated lunch bag and a Norway Spruce tree seedling to plant at home with their families. ship Committee. Deputy Mayor and Green Team member John Ferramosca engaged the children with a show-and-tell session, inviting them to guess how many trees can be saved by reducing, reusing, and properly recycling common household paper products. Using a live Kwanzan cherry tree identical to one recently planted at Veterans Memorial Park to commemorate Arbor Day, Rich Wolowicz, the Township’s Forester/Arborist, spoke to the kids about how important trees are to the environment. From roots to leaves, the students got a firsthand look at the parts that make up trees and how they work together for growth. To give the children an idea of how big the Kwanzan cherry tree will get when it matures, Police Chief Mark Roddy obligingly stood next to it for scale, as Forester Rich described how the tree will increase in height and width in the coming years. The students, who shared stories they wrote and sang a song about trees, were joined by Mountview Road teachers Renee Lisewski, Heather Rizzo, and Caitlin Vassoler, Principal Carmen Bellino, School Superintendent Mike Wasko, and Director of Curriculum Aaron Wasserman. In addition to the Township’s forest-

er and Police Chief, Department of Public Works’ Superintendent Brian Foran, DPW staff members Pete Giordano, Brian DiPrimo, Project Coordinator Shelby Snow, and Community Affairs/Public Policy Coordinator Robin Dente also participated. To thank the students for helping commemorate Arbor Day and reinforce the environmental message municipal officials conveyed, the Township gave each third grader a reusable, insulated lunch bag and a Norway Spruce tree seedling to plant at home with their families. The children gave the Township something invaluable in return – a name for the newly planted Kwanzan cherry tree at Veterans Memorial Park. When Forester Rich asked them what they thought the ornamental cherry should be called, amid offers of “Bob,” “Donut” and “Pinky,” Township officials grafted two of their suggestions together and have dubbed the tree, “Cher-Groot!” Cher-Groot! will flower every spring, and when mature, will reach a height between 20 and 26 feet tall. Members of the public are cordially invited to visit Veterans’ Memorial Park to watch her blossom and grow.

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Page 16 • June 2019 • Hanover/East Hanover Life

Baked with Love: Florham Park Resident Stars on Food Network TV Show

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grocery store, to homemade, to cakes from a bakery. For so many people in this area of New Jersey, bakeries are often a haven: a place to get mouth-watering treats for a special occasion. A specialty cake from a bakery is both ornamental and decorative, something that surpasses the ordinary. They are edible creations, and can even be considered works of art. They begin with a specific vision in mind, formed, crafted and baked by expert hands. Cakes and cake decorations are a thriving business: It’s an artistic way for any cake decorator and baker to feature their own creations. People see it all over, from cruise ships, to bakeries, to special events, the result is a cake that is a thing of beauty. And Sweet Passion Cakery in Warren is no exception. They have recently competed and won on the brand new Food Network Show Winner Cake All hosted by Giada De Laurentiis. Their episode aired on May 13th. For co-owners and best friends, Lauren Vicari of Florham Park and Gail Kingman of Warren, they not

only won the $10,000 prize, they received so much more. During Winner Cake All, contestants demonstrated their skill and creativity by not only creating intricate cake toppers, but also massive themed cake display inspired by the biggest names in TV, sports, restaurants, and more. Winner Cake All is a series of stand alone episodes in which originally four teams compete in round one. When round two comes around, three teams compete, making a cake for a client, having a mere five hours to do so. Sweet Passion was featured on the very last episode. Founded eight years ago and opening their current kitchen in Warren three years ago, Sweet Passion Cakery is a boutique cake shop that specializes in custom cakes, uniquely made for special events. As well as being moist, and delicious, these cakes are stunning works of art. In fact, they are so beautifully crafted, it may even be a shame to slice them up to eat them! At Sweet Passion Cakery, cakes are custom made, by

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appointment only. That means that from design to delivery, the owners will work closely with customers giving their time and attention to each cake. They provide the personal touch, making sure the details are unique and beautiful: Every cake isn’t just a confection, it is a masterpiece. For Vicari and Kingman, it’s about creating as well as baking. For these cake artists, it is a passion and a pleasure. The name of Sweet Passion’s episode on Winner Cake All was entitled “A Candy Coated Wedding,” where contestants were challenged to make an over the top candy-themed cake decoration. Their VIP Clients were Rosie O’ Neil and Josh Resnick, owners of the gourmet candy company, Sugarfina. Sweet Passion was tasked with creating a wedding cake for them in round two, featuring their amazing candy, and to reflect their style and brand. Their clients asked for a tropical flavor, not too sweet and to add dark chocolate for Josh.

Immediately, the wave of creativity surged for both Vicari and Kingman, and they knew exactly what to do: A coconut cake with coconut cream cheese icing, a fresh pineapple compote, and a layer of chocolate ganache infused with coconut rum. “They loved our cake!” both Vicari and Kingman enthused, “They thought it was so elegant and what they were looking for. We brought in elements such as blue ombre, their famous paper flowers that are in their stores, a cake stand featuring their logo look, candies spilling down the cake, and Sugarfina Golden Ticket to represent their third date when Rosie and Josh went to see Willy Wonka, and the idea for Sugarfina, a candy store for grownups was born.” Warm and gregarious, these co-owners are best friends as well. Always having been inspired by cake shows, Vicari and Kingman first began their journey in the world of specialty cakes when they tried their hand at making a custom cake for Vicari’s hus-

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Page 20 • June 2019 • Hanover/East Hanover Life

band’s 30th birthday. They were hooked soon after! Ironically, when they started creating cakes, neither Vicari or Kingman had a background in baking or any background in culinary experience at all. Instead, they had a sheer love of baking. For Vicari, it stemmed from her husband’s grandmother, and for Kingman, it was just something natural and something she always wanted to do. Enveloping themselves in flavorings, ingredients, textures and tastes, seeing what worked well, what didn’t, and what wowed their customers, the love that Sweet Passion Cakery has for their baking shines in their creations. The cake flavors and fillings at Sweet Passion Cakery are guaranteed to make your cake sing. From vanilla, chocolate, and chocolate and vanilla marble, almond, banana, carrot, coconut, coffee, lemon, Parisian love, pound, pumpkin spice, red velvet and thin mint. Fillings include: whipped vanilla, whipped chocolate, banana cream, car-

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Hanover/East Hanover Life • June 2019 • Page 21

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Vicari shares. “Our goal was to represent our bakery well as a team, to show off our skills and talents as baker’s well, and to have fun no matter what we were doing.” idea to share it by competing on the Food Network Show Winner Cake All came from Kingman, who is a Food Network enthusiast. “I really had to talk Lauren into it,” she joked. The process was a long one, in which contestants had to go through several interviews, but once they did, the utter excitement set in for both owners. “When we were flying out to LA, it was like, this is it, we’re here! We’re doing it!” exclaims Vicari. Both Vicari and Kingman describe that competing on the show was something completely unexpected. In fact, instead of working in an actual kitchen, contestants made their sweet confections outside in a tent. “It was crazy but cool,” states Kingman. “It was awesome being there and overlooking the cliffs outside LA.” While it was understandably daunting for Sweet Passion and all of the other contestants, it was a challenge that they eagerly grabbed on to with both hands. “During the competition, you aren’t in your own space, or your own kitchen, so you are out of your element. It was so much fun! It was the kind of experience where you had to know how your team worked, you had to lean on each other, and use each other’s strengths.” For Vicari and Kingman, who have been friends for a solid 14 years, they had that down. So, what was it like meeting Food Net-

work personality, Giada DeLaurentiis? “I was starstruck, I’m such a Giada fan,” enthuses Kingman. “She was sweet. It was great meeting her,” adds Vicari. “All the judges were amazing and gave us great feedback,” Kingman discloses. “They all stressed how talented we were and how impressed they were with our creation in such a short amount of time.” Win or lose, it didn’t matter to Sweet Passion Cakery, stating that they really went on Winner Cake All more for the experience and exposure instead of wanting to win. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Vicari shares. “Our goal was to represent our bakery well as a team, to show off our skills and talents as baker’s well, and to have fun no matter what we were doing.” This wasn’t the first time that Sweet Passion featured their cakes on TV either. They made a cake on TV’s The View for Nabisco’s 15th Anniversary and also on MTV’s My Super Sweet 16 where they made a Masquerade Cake. In closing, both Vicari and Kingman have this to say: “We generally max out at doing four to five cakes a week, just to ensure the quality that all our customers deserve. Once we get a customer, they are customers for life!”

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Page 22 • June 2019 • Hanover/East Hanover Life

Honoring Whippany, Hanover, East Hanover, and Florham Park Dads on Father’s Day By Steve Sears

Fatherhood is about many things, and a key component is reflection.

Fred Kingston hippany’s Fred Kingston reflects. Boy, does he reflect. “The hardest thing for me was I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer in 2011 at 38 and the kids were both in Elementary School,” Kingston vividly recalls. “All I could think about was not being here to watch my children grow. I beat it until December 2014 when it came back and was considered stage 4. I then beat it again and am still here. I was also a 9/11 responder when Nancy (his wife) was seven months pregnant with Marisa, which I know stressed her out.” A fortunate man, as are all Dads. Truthfully, that’s what Father’s Day is about. Kingston is dad to daughter Marisa, who is 17, and son Eric, who is 15. “Both of which make me proud,” he states. “There are many things that make me proud. I enjoy watching them achieve things in life that they enjoy. Such as this week, Marisa just yesterday received her very first SAT score which was 1300. She certainly didn’t get that from me,” he says with a chuckle. “Eric this week participated in the Chem Olympics where they went to NJIT (New Jersey Institute of Technology) to present a project. I enjoyed seeing him do something I didn’t think he would do. The proudest I am is when other parents comment on how nice your children are, which gives me hope I am doing the right thing as a parent.” Kingston and his wife wanted children and were blessed when Marisa came along. “A few hours after Marisa was born, I went to the nursery to see if they were bringing her to my wife’s room for feeding. When I could not find Marisa, I was told she had stopped breathing and was being looked at. Talk about the happiest day in your life turning upside down so quick.” Marisa was in NICU for a week, her parents heading home from the hospital without her. “That definitely was tough and something we certainly did not expect. We brought her home with an Apnea monitor a week later which stayed hooked up for a month. Thankfully everything turned out fine.” He then adds, “Fatherhood is something I adore and cherish. I think any father would tell you it certainly is the best thing that has happened in their lives. I enjoy watching my children grow up and discover what they like.” “My own dad was a good example!” Kingston says enthusiastically when asked who primed him for being a dad. “He let me tag along wherever he went, which I enjoyed. My dad was and still is very active and was always doing something. I can remember helping and watching him working on cars, working on the house, repairing tools, appliances, and visiting the local

hardware store, which was a hangout spot. My dad was a Fire Captain in Nutley and from a young age he would let me hang around the firehouse when he was working and even let me ride to some calls. It was something that I truly enjoyed and looked up to him for doing, as I saw the impact he had on numerous people’s lives.” As a Deputy Fire Chief in West Orange, Kingston’s job has both been rewarding and challenging while juggling “Dadhood.” “When the kids were born up until a few years ago, I worked shift work. Our schedule was 24 hours, on 72 hours off which averages out to a 42-hour work week. That schedule gave me time to be home during the week to bring Marisa and Eric to school and help out on field trips and events. I never gave it much thought until one day they needed a parent last minute for an event and a mom said, ‘Fred can do it, he’s home.’ I had to say I couldn’t as I was working, and she was surprised as she didn’t think I worked. While that schedule is great most of the time, it does have some drawbacks. I have missed spending numerous holidays, weekend sports events, and family events. Christmas to me was always the hardest one to miss, because as a dad you get so much enjoyment seeing their faces and reactions on Christmas morning. I recall working Father’s Days but enjoyed having Nancy bring Marisa and Eric by for a visit. I am sure the kids and wife would worry about me on the days and nights I was not home and working.” Kingston recognizes that, as a good dad, there’s no such thing as perfection and he’ll make mistakes. It’s all about learning. “As they grow each age bracket brings different sets of worries. Most important to me is to let them know I’m here for them and to hopefully instill enough good values so that they make the right decisions in life.”

Hanover/East Hanover Life • June 2019 • Page 23

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Page 24 • June 2019 • Hanover/East Hanover Life

Chris Coccia eal estate agent Chris Coccia has one son, Chase, who is 12 years old. “I am the owner of a Real Estate sales company. The hours are long and owning a business can sometimes be like having another child. Although the demands are great, one of the advantages is I can make my own hours, so it does allow me the flexibility to make time when needed for my son.” Fatherhood changed Coccia in a special way. “I think I try to remember my childhood and take those memories and let them guide me to be the best father I can. It has made me look more to the future and be less selfish. After all its all about our kids!” Many male figures were huge role models when Coccia was growing up – and still are. “The old saying, ‘It takes a village’ comes to mind when asked this question. There were many great influences in my life: my dad, other family members, teachers, coaches, and more. I think I take the person that most influenced me in a particular stage or aspect of my life and ask how he or she would guide me in handling a particular problem. A good father figure to me is someone who always has the right guidance, love and support.” The most challenging aspect for Coccia is watching Chase experience something that his Dad knows upsets him. He

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Page 26 • June 2019 • Hanover/East Hanover Life

Dr. Michael Lateiner, DMD think there is anything in the world that can pre“ don’t pare you to be a father,” claims Dr. Michael Lateiner, DMD. “The best preparation was to think of my parents. If I could be half the father that my father was to me, I knew I would be doing a great job.” Lateiner’s son Dylan is 7, and his daughter Sasha is 4. Lateiner has once again become a proud dad in late May to another daughter. “He (my father) was a hard-working man who always made time for his family. He made sure that we always knew he loved us, and I could go to him for anything. He is not only my hero but my role model,” continues Lateiner about his own dad. Lateiner and his wife, Gloria, own two pediatric dentist offices, which makes for busy days – and sometimes nights. “It’s very hard to juggle being a business owner, husband and father. I always try to put family first, but there are sometimes where I can’t make certain events. My children know that I am in the medical field and that there are times where I have to go into the office or work late for emergencies.” Being a dad for Lateiner is about being a good example. “The hardest part about being a father is not knowing if you are doing the right thing all of the time. Unfortunately, children don’t come with an instruction manual, which makes it difficult. Be-

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ing a father has made me realize how important it is to pass on traditions and instill good behavior. It makes me think about everything that I do, because I have children that look up to me as I do my father.” It’s the relationship, on Father’s Day and beyond, which is the biggest thrill. It’s the true meaning of the day, and every day. “I do know that when I wake up in the morning, walk in the door, or just see them in general and they give me the biggest hug and tell me they love me is what melts my heart.”

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Hanover/East Hanover Life • June 2019 • Page 27

Employment Horizons Hosts Golf Outing

oin Employment Horizons on June 17 for the 14th Annual Golf Classic with Title Sponsor MyLimo of East Hanover. This year’s exclusive event will be held again at Spring Brook Country Club in Morristown and will include giveaways, contest prizes, a silent auction, and a 50/50. Other sponsors include Dinner Sponsor, Solix, Inc; Cocktail Sponsors Mutual of America and Medix; Lunch Sponsor Bill & Pamela Craven; and Greens Signage Sponsor Commodore Construction. In the greater Morris County area, hundreds of hardworking individuals with disabilities aspire to earn a paycheck and live as valued, productive members of society. The Golf Classic offers an opportunity for members of the community to help make this dream a reality. All proceeds from the event help fund the mission of Employment Horizons – to provide to assist people with barriers to employment to achieve their individual vocational objectives and establish self-sufficiency in the community. To support the charity classic, registrants and sponsors can visit www.ehorizons.org or contact Lisa Montalbano at 973-5388822 ext. 212. Registration includes greens fees, golf cart, lunch, golfer gift, cocktail reception, and buffet dinner. Founded in 1957, Employment Horizons, Inc. is the premier not-for-profit agency that provides high-quality competitively priced services to the business community through its commercial operations. Simultaneously, the mission, to help people with disabilities reach their career objectives, is fulfilled. To learn more, please visit www.ehorizons.org.

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rom June 25 – August 16, sign up and win prizes this summer at the Whippanong Library when you read and participate in the Summer Reading Challenge. There is a challenge for all ages: Newborn - Grade 5 Child or parent marks in log number of hours child read or had read to him/her. Child receives prize when goals are reached in log. Grades 6-12 Get a drawing ticket for every hour read and marked on Bingo sheet. For every Bingo, teen/tween will also receive a prize. Ticket drawing will be held on Friday, August 16 at noon for a chance to win a gift card. Adults Ages 18 & up must complete any horizontal, vertical or diagonal line of 5 connecting squares to get Bingo on their Bingo card and receive a free book as well as a drawing ticket. The ticket will be entered into the Summer Reading drawing for a chance to win a gift card. Drawing will be held at noon on Friday, August 16. Participants need not be present to win. Sign-ups for Summer Reading Challenges start Tuesday, June 25. Must be a Hanover Township resident to participate. Participants must come in to the library to sign up and pick up reading log or Bingo Card. For more information, check out the library website at www. whippanong.org or call the Whippanong Library, located on 1000 Route 10 in Whippany, at 973-428-2460.

Page 28 • June 2019 • Hanover/East Hanover Life

For Whippany Business Owners, Balancing Rare Disease with Work Demands is Part of Life Rodas attributes Madeline’s survival to a less intense form of the condition than Nathaniel had, which gave her time to gain enough weight to be eligible for the lifesaving kidney transplant – with dad Paul being the happy donor. Madeline Rybkin pre- and post-transplant/photos courtesy Karen Rodas

By Anya Bochman or Paul Rybkin and Karen Rodas of Rockaway, the path to a sense of familial tranquility has been fraught with health scares and loss, cleared two years ago when a lifesaving transplant gave their infant daughter, Madeline, a new chance at life. Even now, the five-year-old girl who loves her special education classes still struggles with bouts of infection and reactions to her anti-rejection medications. Still, according to Rodas, the child that emerged post-operation was almost unrecognizable with her newfound energy and playfulness; she was, the mother noted, acting like a “real kid” for the first time. Madeline’s story stems from a rare set of circumstances in which both of her parents were genetic carriers for autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). The disorder, which results in the deterioration of kidney and liver function, can be fatal. According to the Polycystic Kidney Disease foundation (PKD), the disease occurs in 1 in 20,000 individuals. While carriers like Rybkin and Rodas do not have the disorder themselves, the fact that they both have the gene vastly

increased the chances of their children inheriting it. Tragically, their son Nathaniel died from the condition in 2012, only 36 hours after his birth. Nathaniel’s enlarged kidneys left him with decreased lung tissue, and there was little the doctors could do to intervene medically. During this difficult time, the couple made the decision to donate Nathaniel’s healthy tissue and organs to other children in need. When Rodas became unexpectedly pregnant with Madeline, doctors suggested the couple terminate the pregnancy due to the risk of inherited ARPKD. Ultimately, Rodas decided she didn’t want to go down that route, and looked elsewhere for care during the high-risk pregnancy. “We found a doctor who was more optimistic. He had treated many ARPKD patients. He told us there was hope and that she could have a full, meaningful life,” she said at the time. Rodas attributes Madeline’s survival to a less intense form of the condition than Nathaniel had, which gave her time to gain enough weight to be eligible for the lifesaving kidney transplant – with dad Paul being the happy donor. “There was always some sense of guilt, as though

Hanover/East Hanover Life • June 2019 • Page 29

we gave [the condition] to Madeline. When we found out that Paul was an excellent donor match, he couldn’t be happier,” Rodas said. “He would have donated immediately if he could, but she needed to be a certain weight before they could operate.” Waiting for the day of the transplant was a challenge; Madeline was born prematurely at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia on Nov. 7, 2013, and was immediately hooked to a ventilator to help her lung tissue development. Madeline’s kidneys were full of cysts common with ARPKD and she spent seven weeks in the NICU, nourished by a feeding tube. Because her kidney function was heavily compromised, with the organs swelling to nearly triple the size of a healthy adult kidney, Madeline struggled with eating and keeping her food down. Her abdomen was extremely distended from accumulation of fluid that her kidneys struggled to filter; her swollen belly led to a number of distasteful tabloid articles advertising the infant who looked “pregnant.” Even the child’s breathing was affected, and Rodas described the first two years of her life as a revolving door of hospital stays. “She was always tired, and she had trouble walking and talking,” Rodas said. Watching their daughter’s declining health with alarm, the couple decided to get a second opinion from Ron Shapiro, sur-

gical director of the Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program at Mount Sinai’s Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute in 2015. After a number of tests, Shapiro scheduled Madeline’s transplant for January of 2016. The operation couldn’t have come earlier, as by that time Madeline’s kidney function had deteriorated to the point that she needed to be on emergency dialysis. Performed by Shapiro and Dr. Scott Ames, the surgery was a success, and as both Madeline and Paul recovered, Rodas watched in amazement as her daughter transformed. “It’s like she was a totally different child than before. I had never seen her in so much motion,” Rodas said. “I used to just sit her down on the examination table at the doctor’s office; [after the surgery] I couldn’t keep her still. She was curious and eager to touch everything, and do everything she wasn’t able to do before.” Madeline still has low muscle tone from her pre-surgery years of low mobility, though she is catching up to her peers. In school, she takes special education classes where her teachers help address the educational gaps resulting from her numerous hospitalizations. And although according to Rodas, Madeline loves school, the girl struggles with anxiety following her ordeal. During the phone interview, after Rodas used the word “doctor,” Madeline’s small worried voice could be heard in the background – “Are we going to the doctor, mommy?” “Since we go to the doctor so often, she never knows what will just be a routine check up and what will result in her having to go back to the hospital,” Rodas explained. “So she has her moments of anxiety. She also lost a lot of time in the hospital while the other children were playing, so there is social anxiety as well.”

Page 30 • June 2019 • Hanover/East Hanover Life

Rodas and Rybkin have tried to be as straightforward as possible with Madeline; as a result, she knows that she had a transplant, that she has “daddy’s kidney,” and that she must take her immunosuppressant meds. “She’s little, so it’s hard to explain it to her fully,” Rodas says tearfully. “But at home, she does what a normal five year old does – except that she takes her medication every night.” The medication suppresses Madeline’s immune system to keep it from rejecting her transplant; she will have to take it for the rest of her life. As a result of her compromised immune system, she suffers from frequent UTIs and other infections, some of which require hospitalization. The latest bout came after a minor illness affected the way her medication worked, throwing off her kidney function. Rodas and Rybkin, who own and run Mimi’s Delicatessen in Whippany (and Mimi Too in Madison) struggle to balance their business with Madeline’s health concerns. Mimi’s is a multigenerational business that strives to “treat customers like family.” Rybkin created the deli’s breakfast and lunch menu, and works there fulltime. The couple are also raising Jackson, a 12-year-old son from Rodas’ previous marriage, and their four-year-old daughter, Penelope – who is a carrier of ARPKD but does not have the condition. The couple was understandably fearful that their youngest daughter would have the disease as well; for this reason, Rodas’ pregnancy was closely monitored and at 20 weeks, Penelope was shown to be ARPKD-free. Despite the relief of giving birth to a “completely healthy” child, the parents continue to struggle with Madeline’s health concerns. The child’s latest hospitalization, in particular, was “tough” according to Rodas. “You just have to deal with it. My parents will sometimes take Penelope, but this time, she wanted to stay with her father while he was at work and I was with Madeline at the hospital,” Rodas explained. “My husband tried to be home earlier to be there for our kids, and you just have to manage – but it’s still tough.”

Compounding the couple’s troubles is the fact that transplant rejection is always a possibility, although their surgeon could not tell them with certainty how long the organ can be expected to function. In addition, Madeline’s disease also affects her liver, which is already showing signs of cirrhosis. The progressive nature of ARPKD means that Madeline will eventually need a liver lobe transplant, with Rybkin again being the donor. Madeline gets regular check ups with a GI specialist to monitor the deterioration of liver function; while the progression of the disease has been slow thus far, the need for a transplant is inevitable in a few years. In the meantime, Rybkin continues to manage the delicatessen while Rodas has taken on childcare fulltime. “I do as much as I can to care for the kids now that I’m on a ‘working break,’” Rodas explained. “My parents help, but they live in Saddle Brook, so it’s not always an option. I try to schedule Madeline’s doctor appointments when business is slower at the deli. It’s tough but we deal with it.” Rodas, who is a native of Guatemala, didn’t have too many plans for this year’s Mother’s Day; she stated that she marked the occasion the way she usually does, with a special “Guatemalan Mother’s Day” with her own mom. Rodas also hopes to spread awareness for ARPKD. “We want to highlight Madeline’s condition; we had never heard of it before,” she said. “But the more you speak to people, the more you realize how many are affected by it despite it being rare.” To help raise awareness, the family participates annually in the New Jersey Walk for Polycystic Kidney Disease. “Right now there is no cure or treatment for PKD and that absolutely needs to change,” Rodas said in a recent Facebook post. “To make that happen we need your help. 100 percent of the donations collected go right to research to help patients like Madeline and to hopefully make stories like that of our Nathaniel a thing of the past.” Information on PKD and ways to combat it is available at www.walkforpkd.org.

Hanover/East Hanover Life • June 2019 • Page 31

Florham Park’s Joelyn Hoferer Receives Cissy Laurey’s Award Nomination

or over 50 years, Joelyn Hoferer has generously given her time and talents as an active volunteer and is a champion of senior citizens and individuals in need. In 1963, Joelyn volunteered to be a member of the Florham Park Memorial First Aid Squad. During her years at the squad, she dedicated numerous hours to helping residents in medical crisis at all hours of the day and night. She served as president of the squad four times—was the first woman president—and is still active through the auxiliary. Joelyn is also an active member/volunteer with The Florham Park Senior Citizens Club, The Holy Family Rosary Society, the Florham Park Chapter of the AARP, and the Morristown Soup Kitchen, serving in leadership positions within all of those organizations. She is the current President of the Florham Park AARP Chapter and immediate past Vice President. She has held various

positions over the years with the Florham Park Senior Citizens Club, and currently chairs the “Seniors Helping Seniors” Committee, which raises money and provide supplemental funds for food and clothing to borough senior residents in need.

As a member of the Holy Family Rosary Society, Joelyn has been involved for over 30 years in coordinating the Holy Family Craft Show, an event that’s become a tradition, not only within Florham Park and in neighboring communities as well.

Hanover’s Sal Iannaccone Receives Cissy Laurey’s Award Nomination

al Iannaccone served on Hanover Township’s governing body for 36 years, 17 of them as mayor. He also served on the municipal planning board for 46 years, the environmental commission for 48 years, and the Hanover Sewerage Authority for 10 years. He is a founding member and chairman emeritus of the Whippany River Watershed Action Committee, a non-profit organization comprised of members representing 13 municipal governments, the Morris County Board of Freeholders, and other stakeholders committed to ensuring that the Whippany River is a valued, viable and well-managed resource for everyone. Since his retirement as an elected official at the end of 1999, Mr. Iannaccone has devoted all of his energies and talents in working with the ARC of Morris County and the Allegro School in designing and building several group homes in the Ha-

nover. In fact, he is currently working on another group home project in cooperation with the Allegro School, which provides quality education to children on the Autism Spectrum, keeping them with their families and preparing them for

community living. The Township Committee in Hanover says no other person best exemplifies the qualities of compassion, dedication and service to the Township—it’s older Americans and physically challenged citizens.

Page 32 • June 2019 • Hanover/East Hanover Life

C By Steve Sears

Cedar Knolls Resident Featured as a Local Google Guide

edar Knolls resident, David Warner, is a happy guy. You can hear it in his voice. He captures the beautiful, the unusual, the rare, through the lenses of his camera. Photography was part of his childhood, and the beauty of his career is that he is able to enjoy something passionately as an adult as he did in his boyhood days. “I find joy in helping others, letting them see my photos and share my experiences and hope that they can make an educated decision on whether to visit that location or not.” In the above statement, Warner is describing others enjoying the pleasure of the angles, colors, and detail, others viewing his work as only he can capture it, while at the same time they are being educated – and he’s gaining points. Warner is a local Level 7 Google guide. His next goal is to reach Level 8, and he’s not too far away. More on this later. Per Warner, the Google rules say: The highest level is a 10. According to Google- As a Local Guide, you earn points for sharing reviews, photos, and knowledge on Google Maps. Those points lead to higher levels of the program, as well as benefits like early access to Google features and special perks from partners. Is a Google guide level of 10 Warner’s goal? “It’s a very tough goal at the level I am at. I don’t obsess over it, just figure one day it will happen.” Warner, a professional photographer, grew up in Livingston and moved to Whippany 32 years ago. He has been a Cedar Knolls resident for three years. “I have always been interested in photography since the age of 12. I even had a darkroom in my parent’s basement back then. I have been in the Special Events business for 43 years; I own a large company located in East Hanover called Events Plus Entertainment.” On a whim a few years back, Warner decided to try his hand at professional photography, offering at first to do a few head shots for friends, those photos leading to a few parties and many other events. “I go to Meet-ups and take camera classes as well as on-line courses.” It is through his love for photography that being a Google guide comes into play. He explains. “If you leave the location settings on your phone to on, Google knows

exactly where you are at all times. Some people find that intimidating, but I find it fascinating. I can go back to any date and see exactly where I have been and for how long. When I go to any business or place, Google will confirm if I was there and want to know some details. The basics include how many stars I give it (1-5) a short or long review and photos. Now I am in the habit of taking photos of everything and will post them when I have the chance. Since I am also a Special Events photographer, I also have lots of images from various locations. If I have shot a wedding, there is the room, the table settings, the decor, the cake and much more. Each of these will show up on Google Maps for others to see.” There are challenges to being a Google guide, one being trying to ascend to different levels. As previously mentioned, Warner is a Level 7. “Everything you do gives you “points,” he says. “For example, a review is 10 points and a photo is 5 points each. Going to Level 5 is quite easy since that requires 500 points. Level 7 is 5,000 points. I am currently at 11,000 points and aiming for Level 8 at 15,000 points. They also calculate how many views you have on all of your images. I have over 6 million views and that number goes up by about 10,000 per day.” The numbers are mind boggling, especially when noting which photos get the most “hits”. “It’s extremely interesting what images will get more views over another. I have a photo of a bathroom at a hotel in New York City that has over 600,000 views and places like the Statue of Liberty, Madison Square Garden

Hanover/East Hanover Life • June 2019 • Page 33

or Times Square might just receive a handful.” Per Warner, it appears that you never-know which shot might be the most popular. I would like to continue my everyday travels and it’s lots of fun just seeing what others might find interesting. I don’t typically go out of my way, but I do have to make a conscious effort to take one or many photos at a new location. If I am out to dinner with a group of friends, I quickly will shoot each of their dishes and possibly one or two shots of the restaurant. Weeks later, one dish might get a handful of views while another, might receive thousands- no rhyme or reason why.” Google doesn’t allow duplicate reviews or photos, contributing offensive content, or uploading spam. In addition to his being a Google guide, Warner recently re-

ceived a surprise telephone call. It appears he has a face for television. “I was recently cast as an extra for the popular TV show. “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”. It was lots of fun. We arrive on set by 5 or 6 a.m., then go to hair, makeup and wardrobe. Breakfast, lunch and lots of food is served all day. There is a lot of downtime between takes but overall the experience was great.” The Google guide status aside, Warner loves photography. “I continue to expand my little niche business and find new clients, work with old clients and seek out fun and profitable experiences.” He then adds, “I really enjoy meeting new people, interacting with them and capturing their smiling faces- even if it’s just for 1/80th of a second.” Visit David Warner’s website at www.davidwarner.photos.

Page 34 • June 2019 • Hanover/East Hanover Life

Hanover Township:

Rich in History and Landmarks

By Kimberly Redmond anover Township has a history rivaling that of Philadelphia or Boston. But, unfortunately, many people don’t realize how storied the Morris County community is. And that’s where the Hanover Township Landmark Commission comes in. “We are attempting to get the word out about this incredible history we have here that people can take pride in,” said Michael Czuchnicki, chairman of the Hanover Township Landmark Commission. For more than 40 years, the commission, a nine-member body appointed by the mayor and council, has been working to identify, protect and preserve local historical sites. The Hanover Township Landmark Commission was formed in 1976 when the town officially accepted responsibility for the historic Whippany Burying Yard, the oldest cemetery in Morris County. Czuchnicki, who has served on the commission for the last decade, said, “What no one realizes – and what’s shocking to me – is how little people understand just how much Hanover Township did or how many things we were first with. The list of things done here is incredible.” Founded in 1676, Hanover Township was the first colonial settlement in northwest New Jersey and it originally encompassed all of Morris County, as well as parts of Sussex and Warren counties. Initially 500 square miles, Hanover Township has been whittled down it its present size of 10.8 square miles. Whippany, a district within the township of Hanover, is 6.9 square miles and Cedar Knolls, another district within the township, is 3.9 square miles. Up until World War II, Hanover Township was mainly an industrial town known for its paper mills and iron works. But after the war, the township’s makeup changed

Ms. Loughlin, Mayor Fariello, Historian Emeritus Kiddoo, and Chairman Czuchnicki. Photo courtesy of Manfred Saul.

to become more suburbanized. Besides being the first village, Hanover Township blazed the trail in several other areas. In 1715, an iron forge – now known as “the Old Iron Works” - was built on the banks of the Whippany River and was the first industry to flourish in Morris County. For 200 years, the area was home to over 100 blast furnaces and forges – with countless companies – making products out of ore. The church, known as “the First Presbyterian Church” was the first in the area, the township established the first school in Morris County and the Whippany Burying Yard was the first colonial cemetery in northwestern New Jersey. Another first occurred in 1927, when there was a demonstration of long distance television with a transmission from Whippany to New York City using radio. Another significant first occurred during the American Revolution, when locals formed the first military company in Morris County. “Our history goes back 300 years,” Czuchnicki said. “And the area is a reflection of the United States. What many people don’t know is that besides Boston and Philly, Morris County was also a Revolutionary Hot Spot.” During the Revolutionary War, the county served as the military capital of the Continental Army from 1777 to 1780, when Gen. George Washington made Morristown his headquarters and the area as winter quarters for his troops. The French Army and Continental Troops frequently marched in the township during the war, however no battles were ever fought in Hanover Township. But the town did play host to many important historical figures during the war. Just a few of those guests included: Gen. George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Benedict Arnold. “It all started here,” said Czuchnicki, adding that’s a big reason why the com-

Hanover/East Hanover Life • June 2019 • Page 35

mission leads guided tours of the Whippany Burying Yard to mark the Fourth of July. In the cemetery, which is located on Route 10, there are eleven Revolutionary War soldiers and some who fought in the Civil War, as well as many other citizens from prominent families, including Abraham Kitchel (an early settler and original judge of Morris County) and Colonel Joseph Tuttle (commander of the Morris County Militia). Recently, Czuchnicki said, the commission learned that a local resident whose ancestors were among the first settlers in Hanover Township has been able to trace their roots all the way back to Charlemagne, the medieval emperor who ruled much of Western Europe between 768 to 814. From there, she was able to follow the lineage to another key leader: President George H.W. Bush and President George W. Bush. “From an emperor to two presidents, we are connected,” Czuchnicki said, adding the area’s history is a valuable one that

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“still surprises me.” In addition to tours, the Hanover Township Landmark Commission has created markers with military information about soldiers buried there as a way to honor the veterans. They’ve also compiled brochures about the yard’s history and written guided walking tours people can take of the grounds. Some of their other activities include: Conducting surveys of sites in town to determine those of historic significance, coordinating for historic walks and tours, placing historical plaques on significant sites and buildings, producing brochures to illustrate a burying yard tour, coordinating changing exhibits in the municipal building showcasing important organizations in Hanover Township and conducting seminars to educate local children and adults. The Hanover Township Landmark Commission has also worked to arrange the publication of maps and brochures about historic sites and buildings in the municipality. They also indexed many. One of the booklets, “Journey Through Old Whippany,” contains photos of historic homes, town landmarks and other historical markers within the township. Another publication, Leonardo Fariello’s “A Place Called Whippany,” includes the aboriginal history of the area, colonial history and background on the villages of Whippany, Monroe, Malapardis and Cedar Knolls (which make up modern day Hanover Township). The Hanover Township Landmark Commission also has an archive, which is located in the Hanover Township Community Center Building at 15 N. Jefferson Avenue in Whippany. In the archive, which is open by appointment only, some of the treasures include: maps from the 1800s, the original township charter from 1740, tax ratable abstracts from the 1700s and yearbooks from the early 1900s. Later this year, the Hanover Township Landmark Commission aims to launch a non-profit organization, according to Czuchnicki. “We are a government entity – a landmark commission – so we can’t do fundraisers, but we are just about to announce the creation of a 501c3 to help us do things of value, like rebuilding the iron forge,” Czuchnicki said. The Hanover Township Landmark Commission is also working to designate the center of Whippany as a historic district nicknamed “Wi-Hi” (a combination of Whippany and Historic), but the town first needs to adopt the name. “It is inspiring to know who was here, what they did and why they did it,” Czuchnicki said. “People have been smart in the past and they did things of great value.” For more information about the Hanover Township Landmark Commission, visit www.hanovertownship.com/Landmark-Commission.

Page 36 • June 2019 • Hanover/East Hanover Life

Hanover Partners with Allegro School on Tree Planting

Allegro students share artwork they crafted for an April 29th Arbor Day celebration at the school.

Students water the newest addition to Allegro School grounds, a Kwanzan cherry tree they helped plant to commemorate Arbor Day.

n Monday, April 29th, Hanover Township teamed up with the students of Allegro School to plant a Kwanzan cherry tree on school grounds. Frank Iannucci, School Principal, served as the master of ceremonies for the event, introducing Debby Lewinson, Allegro Executive Director, Maria Florio, Assistant Executive Director and Mayor Ron Francioli who talked about the environmental importance of trees. Hanover’s Forester/Arborist Rich Wolowicz followed Francioli, and spoke to students about the species of tree they would be planting, and what they could expect to see as it matures. Department of Public Works’ Superintendent Brian Foran, DPW staff members Pete Giordano and Brian DiPrimo, Green Team members Sal Iannaccone and Ann Kraynak, and Community Affairs/Public Policy Coordinator Robin Dente also participated from the municipal side. Allegro’s teachers and other professional staff attended as well to lend support to the program. Allegro School, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides quality services to educate and support persons with Autism

Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as needed, throughout their lifespan. Among ALLEGRO’s diverse programs that aligned well with the project are a full service flower shop (The Enchanted Garden) and a greenhouse program. These programs give students and adults with ASD hands-on experience with plants, flowers, and gardening. For their part of the April 29th event, students shared personal artwork and poems to celebrate Arbor Day, and helped to shovel the compost they made for the planting of the tree. The event offered a meaningful, engaging educational opportunity for the students to express their creativity, use their knowledge of horticulture, and experience the practical application of their compost product. “Our partnership demonstrates the combined efforts of the school and community to help bring real world experiences to our children and the curriculum, noted Principal Iannucci. Together, we are able to work collaboratively to give students an experience where their classroom lessons become meaningful and life-long lessons are learned.” For more information about Allegro School, visit their website at www.allegroschool.org or call 973-267-8060.

Hanover/East Hanover Life • June 2019 • Page 37

Spruce Up for Summer

ake your backyard the perfect outdoor space To make the transition to summer season effortless, there may be some backyard upgrades and prep to be done to ensure your outdoor space is in tip-top shape. From your pool and patio to the grill, these tips can help get your backyard summer-ready. Overhaul the Patio Patios and decks are often considered the hub of the backyard, so consider sprucing yours up by power-washing the stone to remove any winter buildup or use stain for a complete refresh. Adding a pergola or umbrellas can help protect you from the elements and, for added comfort, consider installing an outdoor ceiling fan for humid days and a fire pit or patio heater for cooler nights.

Upgrade Outdoor Furniture

To ensure your backyard furniture lasts, invest in materials such as teak wood, redwood, cedar or stainless steel, which are typically durable and low-maintenance. If you want to add a personal touch, consider colorful cushions, throw pillows or an area rug made of weatherproof fabric.

Smarten Up Your Pool and Backyard

With smart homes on the rise, today’s tech-savvy homeowners are not only looking to automate appliances and gadgets inside the home, but now want smart controls in their outdoor

spaces, as well. For example, Hayward’s OmniHub smart pool control offers pool owners the convenience and customization of complete pool, spa and backyard lighting automation from smart devices.

Prep Your Grill

Get ahead of barbecue season by building in ample time to prep your grill. Scrub or season your grill grates to avoid rust, stock up on charcoal and wood chips, check gas grills for leaks and fill up your propane tank. For safety, make sure your grill is at least 10 feet away from your home, outdoor structures and any trees or bushes.

Convert Your Pool to Salt Water

For the ultimate in pool luxury, consider switching your traditional chlorine pool to salt water. It’s a surprisingly simple project that can transform your pool experience. Salt pools offer owners soft, clean and clear water that won’t irritate eyes, dry out skin and hair, give off harsh odors or cause bathing suits to fade. Designed to be a convenient alternative to conventional chlorine, Hayward’s AquaRite system gently dissolves salt into the perfect amount of chlorine to sanitize your pool without harsh chemicals while creating velvety-smooth water.

Keep the Bugs at Bay

Mosquitos and other bugs can put a damper on outdoor entertaining, so be sure to stock up on repellents to ensure a bugfree backyard. Keep citronella or eucalyptus candles and torches on hand to maintain a pest-free space.

Page 38 • June 2019 • Hanover/East Hanover Life