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SEPTEMBER 2025

100 Years Ago This Month: Historical events from September 1925

he month of September has been home to many historical events over the years.

Here’s a look at some that helped to shape the world in September 1925.

• Global commerce continues to be disrupted when Danish seamen go on strike over their wages on September 1. The Danish seamen’s decision to go on strike follows similar moves by seamen in China and throughout the British Empire.

• Hermann Göring is hospitalized in the psychiatric ward of a Swedish hospital after assaulting a nurse on September 1.

Göring, who was in Sweden to overcome a morphine addiction, would later serve as chief advisor to Adolf Hitler and commander of the Luftwaffe during World War II. • The Second International Conference on the Standardization of Medicine is held in Geneva, Switzerland, on September

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3. The conference aims to standardize drug formulas across the globe.

• Comintern leader Grigory Zinoviev, Deputy Premier Finance Commissar Grigory Sokolnikov and Lev Kamenev are among those to sign a joint protest against Soviet Communist Party Secretary Joseph Stalin on September 5. All three men would eventually be executed during Stalin’s Great Purge.

• Striking sailors are barricaded aboard the SS Sophocles before it pulls out of Cape Town, South Africa en route to Australia on September 5. The ship is ultimately forced to return to Cape Town when the sailors refuse to work.

• British police fire on a

crowd of 2,000 demonstrators in Shanghai on September 7. The crowd was protesting unequal treaties.

• A deal between the Italian government and explorer Roald Amundsen is announced on September 8. The deal entails Amundsen using the dirigible N-1 in an attempt to fly to the North Pole in 1926.

• A white mob estimated at 5,000 people gathers in Detroit in an effort to intimidate Dr. Ossian Sweet on September 9. Dr. Sweet, who was Black, had purchased a home in an allwhite neighborhood, and the mob aimed to force him to vacate the property.

• Xavier University of Louisiana opens on Sep-

tember 13. It is the world’s first Catholic University for African Americans.

• Riley B. King is born near Berclair, Mississippi on September 16. The boy grows up to become a legendary blues musician known the world over as B.B. King.

• Eighteen-year-old Frida Kahlo is nearly killed in an auto accident in Mexico City on September 17.

Though Kahlo sustains multiple injuries in the accident, including a fractured spinal column, it’s during her bedridden two-year recovery period that she first begins to paint.

• The third-longest rail tunnel in the United States opens on September 19.

The tunnel is two miles cont. on page 2

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long and passes through Mount Judah in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

• The United States submarine USS S-51 sinks off the coast of Rhode Island on September 25. The submarine had collided with a merchant steamer, and 33 of the 36 crew members aboard perished in the collision.

• Greek Prime Minister Theodoros Pangalos creates the country’s first spy agency on September 25. The agency, Ypiresía Ethnikís Asfaleías (YES), is conceived to fight the Communist Party of Greece.

• The Yellow River overflows in Shandong Province in China on September 27. Hundreds of people die in the region’s worst flooding since 1887.

• Jewelry valued at three quarters of a million dollars is stolen from Woolworth heiress Jessie Woolworth Donahue while she is a guest at the Plaza Hotel on September 30.

The jewelry was stolen while Mrs. Donahue was in a bathtub a few feet away.

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T

PALS - Public Affairs Lecture Series 2025

ackle the world’s problems at our 33 rd year of PALS, the Public Affairs Lecture Series, sponsored by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s School of Public and Global Affairs. Speakers include distinguished professors from prominent universities, and think tanks, dignitaries, and other leaders in their fields.

Lectures are delivered Monday afternoons from 2:00—3:30 (NEW TIME) at the Morris Museum’s Bickford Theatre, in Morristown, NJ. Season tickets $120 per person.

September 8 President Trump’s Second Term Foreign Policy Dr. Jerry Pubantz, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of North Carolina September 15 Managing Risk in the Age of the Agentic Economy; Blockchain, crypto, AI, Generative AI (GenAI) and much more...”

Dr. Merav Ozair, Leading Global Emerging Technologies Expert September 29 An Uncertain European Future: War, Economic Competitiveness, and the Future of Alliances Heather Conley, Former President of the German Marshall Fund October 6 Powershift, the Gulf Countries, the United States, and the New Middle Eastern Order Dr. Steven Cook, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations October 13 What Does Criminal Justice Reform Now Mean for the US Supreme Court and America in the Fall of 2025?

Prof. Douglas Berman: Moritz School of Law, Ohio State University October 20 A World Without Rising Powers: How Population Decline and Economic Stagnation are Ending an Era of Global Upheaval—and Bringing New Threats Dr. Michael Beckley, Director of the Asia Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and Associate Professor of Political Science, Tufts University

October 27 Can the Public Rely on Polling to Accurately Predict the Outcomes of the U.S. Elections?

Dr. Daniel Cassino, Prof. and Director of the Fairleigh Dickinson University Poll November 3 Death with Dignity: The Status of Medically-Assisted Dying in NJ and other States Hon. Paul Armstrong, Retired Judge of the N.J. Superior Court, and Rutgers University Professor November 10 Issues and Challenges Facing NJ’s Next Governor Dr. Benjamin Dworkin, Director, Rowan Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship November 17 Advances in Cancer Research: Innovative Cancer Immunotherapies Dr. Andrea Schietinger, Professor, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center For additional information: FDU.edu/pals or email us at: palsboard2025@gmail.com

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • September 2025 • Page 5

New Business Comes to Town

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by Councilmembers Dave Bronkhurst and John Graziano, the Economic Development Commission’s Jen Hagin, Casey Morgan, and Michelle Reynolds (not pictured).

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n August 2nd, the Borough of Bloomingdale was pleased to officially welcomed Heart & Dagger Tattoo & Piercing to their Main Street business community. With a team known for both talent and experience, Heart & Dagger specializes in creating beautiful, living works of art. The studio is located at 54 Main Street in Bloomingdale.

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Black Tom – A Formula for Disaster

By Henry M. Holden t was 2a.m. on Sunday, July 30, 1916, on the New Jersey waterfront. The dockworkers were choking with high humidity. The temperature was predicted to go to 85 degrees. It was already 77 degrees with a threat of rain later in the morning.

After midnight, a series of small fires were discovered on the pier. Some guards fled, fearing an explosion. Others attempted to fight the fires and eventually called the Jersey City Fire Department.

Suddenly at 2:08 am there was an explosion. What took place was a colossal earsplitting ground shaking glass, breaking explosion.

The second and larger explosion occurred around 2:40 am. A notable location for second explosion was around the Johnson Barge No. 17, The explosion created a detonation wave that traveled at 24,000 feet per second with enough force to lift firefighters out of their boots and into the air.

Large chunks of debris from the explosion traveled long distances: some lodged in the Statute of Liberty, and other fragments lodged in the clock tower of The Jersey City Journal Building, in Journal Square, more than one mile away, stopping the clock at 2:12 am. The cont. on page 7

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Black Tom... cont. from page 6

explosion was the equivalent of an earthquake measuring between 5.0 and 5.5 on the Richter scale and was felt as far away as Philadelphia. Windows were broken as far as 25 miles away, including thousands in Lower Manhattan. Some window panes in Times Square were shattered. The stained glass windows in St Patrick’s Cathedral were destroyed. The outer wall of Jersey City Hall was cracked and the Brooklyn Bridge was shaken. People as far away as Maryland were awakened by what they thought was an earthquake.

Property damage from the attack was estimated at $20,000,000 (equivalent to about $578,000,000 in 2024). On the island, the explosion destroyed more than one hundred railroad cars, thirteen warehouses, and left a 375-by-175-foot crater at the source of the explosion Black Tom was used to store small arms and artillery ammunition were stored at the depot in freight cars and on barges, including several tons of TNT on Johnson Barge No. 17. All were waiting to be shipped to Russia.

The blast occurred on Black Tom island a misnomer for a mile-long pier on a land fill forming a peninsula that at one-time jutted out from Jersey City into the Hudson River opposite Manhattan.

The New York Times said, “At least one-million people, maybe five million, heard and were shaken by the explosion that shook New Jersey from the shore to the skyscrapers on the rock foundations of Manhattan. It tossed people out of their beds, miles away, while thousands of broken windows posed another threat close to home.”

United States had remained neutral to the war going on in Europe. The government was aware of spies and did their best to ferret them out and bring them to justice, but in those days, the German spies were smart and few were ever caught.

As smoke began to fill the air, Captain Alfred T. Clifton, of the U.S. Army Signal Corps ordered the alarm sounded, and soon women and children were evacuated to the local parade ground, near the base of the Statue of Liberty.

As the civilians made their way to the designated safety zone, another explosion sounded, one even larger and far more devastating. This explosion came from a warehouse where an arsenal of military weapons, explosives, and other material were stored.

The force of this explosion sent shrapnel from the shells, bullets and debris, along with

glass and wood from the building, plummeting down on the island, causing significant damage to the island and its structures. The shockwave from this blast was so intense, the force pushed the torch-bearing arm of the Statue of Liberty against the crown, damaging its internal framework.

When the smoke cleared later that morning, investigators and emergency personnel found all the island's 17 buildings were seriously damaged. Glass and other debris covered the streets. Several people including women and children suffered serious trauma, and tragically, six adults and a 19-weekold baby lost their lives.

This left the U.S. government with a seemingly colossal task at the time—identify who was responsible, and how it could have happened in a relatively small, quiet community.

One of the largest obstacles was the lack of resources and structure to handle this kind of event. There were no organizations in place to investigate what appeared to be a terrorist attack on U.S. civilians.

While World War I was raging in Europe, at the time of the attack the United States was cont. on page 8

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Black Tom... cont. from page 7 officially neutral in the conflict. As such, there were few national security laws and protocol in place to handle this type of event, and the ones that existed were vague. There was nothing like the international intelligence agencies that operate today who would have normally been equipped to investigate what looked like crime.

The Bureau of Investigation, which later became the FBI, initially led the investigation trying to back-track into the events at Black Tom. But, partially due to its lack of resources, negligeable experience, and small size at the time (only around 260 members with a few scattered offices). Progress was at a snail’s pace, painfully slow. But people wanted to know who was responsible and punish the culprits.

There was speculation among locals and authorities that the Black Tom explosion had been simply a tragic accident. Just five years earlier, in 1911, a discarded cigarette had caused a similar explosion in Jersey City Harbor when it landed in a container of explosives being unloaded by dockworkers. Due to the mysterious nature of the Black Tom incident, to many observers it seemed to be the likely cause.

This attack was one of many during the German sabotage campaign against the neutral United States, and it contributed to the shift of public opinion against Germany, which eventually resulted in American President Woodrow Wilson’s declaration of war against Germany.

The Russian government sued the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company operating the Black Tom terminal on grounds that lax security (there was no entrance gate; and the territory was unlit) permitted the loss of their ammunition. It was argued that due to the failure to deliver them the manufacturer was obliged by the contract to replace them.

After the war, the Lehigh Valley Railroad, sought damages against Germany by the Treaty of Berlin from the German American Mixed Claims Commission. The Mixed Claims Commission declared in 1939 that Imperial Germany had been responsible and awarded $50 million (the largest claim) in damages, which Nazi Germany refused to pay. The issue was finally settled in 1953 for $95 million (interest included) with the Federal Republic of Germany. The final payment was made in 1979.

The Statue of Liberty's torch was closed to the public after the explosion, due to structural damage. Access was not opened even after the 1984-1986 restoration which included repairs to the arm and installation of a new gold-plated copper torch.

German spies like Kurt Jahnke, worked as an intelligence advisor to Walter Schellenberg, a German functionary during the Nazi era. Schellenberg and his wife were captured

by Soviet agents in April 1945 .

After World War II, Jahnke a naturalize American citizen set up the "Jahnke Büro", an intelligence organization although it was eventually dissolved by April 1945. Jahnke was arrested by the Soviet Union in 1950. Kurt Jahnke was put on trial as a spy, found guilty, and executed the same day.

Lother Witzke was arrested at the Mexican border on February 1, 1918, near Nogales, Arizona. Officials did not prosecute for the bombing but prosecuted him as a spy. A military court at Fort Sam Houston found him guilty of espionage and sentenced him to death by hanging. While in custody, he tried to escape twice, once succeeding, but he was recaptured the same day. On November 2, 1918, Witzke's death sentence was approved by the Department Commander. However, he was not executed because of the November Armistice. In May 1920, President Woodrow Wilson commuted Witzke's sentence to life in prison. In September 1923, Witzke, because of heroic conduct in prison and pressure for his release by the Weimar Republic, was pardoned by President Calvin Cooledge and deported to Germany. Upon his arrival, Witzke was awarded the Iron Cross First and Second Class, by the Reichswehr. Witzke later joined the Abwehr, and after World War II, lived in Hamburg. He was a monarchist who represented the German in the Hamburg Parliament from 1949 to 1952. Witzke died in 1961.

Landfill projects eventually incorporated Black Tom into Liberty State Park. Nothing remains of the munition’s depot with the Black Tom peninsula and all traces of physical damage are gone. A plaque marks the site where an explosion rocked the nation.’

Christopher Columbus Did Not Discover New Jersey

By Henry M. Holden hristopher Columbus discovered America, but he did not discover New Jersey. That kudo belongs to Giovanni da Verrazzano, who in 1524, was the first European to see the land that one day would become New Jersey There were probably a few million native human beings living here when Columbus and Verrazzano showed up, so for accuracy we’ll call them explorers who were the first to bring back descriptions of worlds they had found to the Europeans.

Verrazzano was one of the great men of the ages. He was an explorer who, like Copernicus, redefined the shape of the solar system, and Michaelangelo who redefined the image of man. What Verrazzano did was redefine the map of the world.

So, what little we know of Verrazzano comes from fragments gathered long after his death. Some historians disagree on where he was born albeit we know when and the cause of his death.

Verrazzano was born about 1485 to wealthy and cultured parents south of Florence, the capital and main city of the Republic of Florence. Verrazzano was an explorer living in France. He led most of his later expeditions, including the one to America, in the service of King Francis I of France. He is renowned as the first European to explore the Atlantic coast of North America between Florida and New Brunswick in 1524, In contrast to his detailed account of his voyages to North America, little is definitively known about his personal life. After 1506, he settled in the port of Dieppe, Kingdom

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of France, where he began his career as a navigator.

He embarked for the American coast probably in 1508 in the company of Captain Thomas Aubert, on the ship La Pensée. He explored the region of Newfoundland, possibly during a fishing trip, and possibly the St. Lawrence River in Canada; on other occasions, he made numerous voyages to the eastern Mediterranean.

In September 1522, the Magellan expedition returned to Spain, having successfully navigating the world. Now Verrazzano embarked for the American coast. Competition in trade was becoming urgent, especially with Portugal.

French merchants and financiers urged King Francis I of France to establish new trade routes. In 1523, the king asked Verrazzano to explore on France's behalf an area between Florida and Newfoundland, intending to find a sea route to the Pacific Ocean. The expedition was funded by a consortium of Florentine merchants and friends based in Lyon and Rouen. Enough money was raised, with Verrazzano himself contributing as both captain and investor.

Within months, four ships set sail due west for the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, but a violent storm and rough seas caused the loss of two ships. The remaining two damaged ships, La Dauphine and La Normande, were forced to return to Brittany.

Repairs were completed in the final weeks of 1523, and the ships set sail again. This time, the ships headed south toward calmer waters under Spanish and Portuguese control.

After a stop in Madeira, complications forced La Normande back to home port, but Verrazzano's ship La Dauphin departed on January 17, 1524, and headed once more

for the North American continent.

It a letter to Francis I, Verrazzano described by historians as the Cèllere Codex, one of three surviving copies of a manuscript letter sent by Verrazzano to King Francis 1 of France. Verrazzano wrote that he was convinced that it was the beginning of the Pacific Ocean from which access could be gained to China.

Continuing to explore the coast further northwards, Verrazzano and his crew met Native people living on the coast.

However, he did not notice the entrances to the Chesapeake Bay or the mouth of the Delaware River.

In New York Bay, he encountered about 30Lenape canoes with friendly inhabitants and observed what he deemed to be a large lake but was really the entrance to cont. on page 9

Christopher Columbus...

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • September 2025 • Page 9

cont. from page 8 the Hudson River. He then sailed along Long Island and entered Narragansett Bay, where he received a delegation of Wampanoag and Narragansett people.

He discovered Cape Cod is one of three surviving copies of a manuscript letter sent by Giovanni da Verrazzano (1481–1528) in 1524 to King Francis I his claim being proven by a map of 1529 that clearly outlined Cape Cod. He named the cape after a general, calling it Pallavicino. He then followed the coast up to modern Maine, southeastern Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland, and he then returned to France by July 8, 1524. Verrazzano named the region Francesca in honor of the French king, but his brother's map labelled it Nova Gallia (New France).

Verrazzano arranged a second voyage, with financial support from those who knew him well. The exposition departed from Dieppe with four ships early in 1527. One ship was separated from the others in a gale near the Cape Verde Islands. Still, Verrazzano reached the coast of Brazil with two ships and harvested a cargo of brazilwood before returning to Dieppe in September. The third ship returned later, also with a cargo of brazilwood.

The partial success did not find the desired passage to the Pacific Ocean, but it inspired Verrazzano's final voyage, which left Dieppe in early 1528.

There are conflicting accounts of Verrazzano's death. In one version, during his third voyage to North America in 1528, after he had explored Florida, the Bahamas, and the Lesser Antilles, Verrazzano anchored out to sea and rowed ashore, probably on the island of Guadeloupe. He was allegedly killed and eaten by the native Caribs. The fleet of three ships was anchored out of gunshot range, and no one could respond in time.

A 1527 map by Visconte Maggiolo showing the east coast of North America with "Tera Florida" at top right and Labrador at bottom left. The information supposedly came from Giovanni da Verrazzano's voyage in 1524.

The geographic information derived from this voyage significantly influenced sixteenth-century cartographers. Despite his discoveries, Verrazzano's reputation did not spread as well as other explorers of that era. For example, Verrazzano gave the European name Francesca to the new land that he had seen, in accordance with contemporary practices, after the French king in whose name he sailed. That and other names he bestowed cont. on page 11

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SCCC Offers Free Certificate to Train Community Journalists

or the second year in a row, SCCC has received a grant to continue offering a FREE Community Journalist Certificate. The training focuses on helping community members develop the skills needed to serve as community journalists, covering community-centered news happening in their hometowns and county. The grant is from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities and designed with input from the Journalism + Design department at the New School. The certificate—Becoming a Community Journalist—will be offered at SCCC during the fall semester, from September 23 through November 11.

The program will offer a hands-on exploration of how journalism works. Participants will learn the tools needed for understanding the local issues that are affecting them and their neighbors, how to report important stories and make connections with publishers seeking current news and fresh ideas to circulate to their readers and listeners.

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Prof. Cheryl Conway will return as the instructor of the certificate course. Conway teaches Journalism I and II at SCCC and has decades of experience as a reporter and editor for community newspapers and magazines, as well as publisher of her online publication in her hometown.

Conway said, “I want the participants to begin thinking like journalists and be prepared to effectively engage with their neighbors and local government. Our aim is to prepare them to become more civically active, get involved in the community media ecosystem and seek the confidence to become a published writer.”

Nancy Gallo, director of the Center for Lifelong Learning, wrote the grant application on behalf of SCCC and the Center and previously worked as a community reporter covering events in her hometown. As the grant administrator, Gallo said, “We are so appreciative to the New Jersey Council for the Humanities for choosing SCCC as a worthy recipient of this grant.” SCCC was one of only three community colleges statewide chosen to participate.

“We want to train local citizens on how to write news articles and be part of the democratic system of providing information that leads to informed citizens and decisions.”

“This grant promises to have far-reaching and long-term benefits for our county and its citizens,” Gallo added. “The certificate is designed to teach journalism skills and design practices for anyone in greater Sussex County who wants to share stories and information that their communities need to thrive.”

The certificate will be offered in person and online beginning September 23. The in-person workshops will meet 8 consecutive Tuesdays on the SCCC campus from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The online version of the certificate course is offered asynchronously and will also be taught by Prof. Conway. All participants should be computer-savvy and have access to the internet and email. Students will be expected to type their assignments and turn them in via the online Canvas portal.

To register, please send an email to Sierra LoCicero, Academic & Student Affairs Executive Assistant, at slocicero@sussex.edu and she will assist you with registration. Space is limited and seats are filling quickly, so please contact Sierra today to reserve your spot!

‘Fall’ in Love at our next

ADOPTION EVENT MIKE’S FEED FARM 90 HAMBURG TURNPIKE RIVERDALE SATURDAY, SEPT. 13th 10AM - 2 PM

THERE WILL BE A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL FOWA CATS AND KITTENS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION! WE WILL BE OFFERING A SPECIAL ADOPTION FEE FOR THOSE WHO COME TO THIS EVENT AS WELL AS SPECIAL GIVEAWAYS!

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • September 2025 • Page 11

WE BUY GOLD

Christopher Columbus... cont. from page 9 on features he discovered have not survived. He had the misfortune of making significant discoveries shortly after the years (1519 to 1521) that the dramatic Conquest of the Aztec Empire and the first circumnavigation of the world occurred.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, there was a great debate in the United States about the authenticity of the letters that Verrazzano ostensibly wrote to Francis I describing the geography, flora, fauna, and native population of the east coast of North America.

Others thought that they were authentic, since the discovery of the Cèllere Codex in 1909.

This is the most widely held opinion today particularly after the discovery of a letter signed

by Francis I, which referred to Verrazzano's letter.

Verrazzano's reputation was partially obscured in New York City, where the 1609 voyage of Henry Hudson on behalf of the Dutch Republic came to be regarded as the de facto start of European exploration of New York Estêvão Gomes's trip of 1524 was also forgotten. It was only by a real effort of the Italian American community in 1909, and then in the 1940s and 1950s that Verrazzano's name and reputation were reestablished as the European discoverer of the harbor, culminating in initiative to name the newly built Narrows bridge after him.

Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is a long-span suspension bridge spanning New York Harbor from Brooklyn to Staten Island, built from 1959 to 1964. The bridge was an exceptionally expensive engineering project largely because of the problem of land acquisition. Its total cost was more than $325 million. It is the longest suspension bridge in the United States and the 17th longest in the world.

This author completed two New York City Marathons each having the starting point on the Staten Island side of the bridge. The most alarming part of the race was having thousands of runners pounding the concrete bridge and feeling the bridge sway like waves raising from the concrete.

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George Washington’s Life Guard

By Henry M. Holden arly in the war for Independence, General George Washington was aware that he was an obvious target for enemy kidnappers, snipers and assassins. Washington’s capture or death on the battlefield would probably result in a power vacuum giving the enemy an unprecedent advantage in the war.

Knowing his life was in real danger George Washington formed a special unit in 1776, to guard him personally, as well as his private papers and baggage. The unit was known as Washington’s Life Guard, but it also answered to such names as His Excellencies Guard, and the Commander in Chief. The Guard’s motto was Conquer or Die, leaving no uncertainty as to their mission.

The terms of enlistment in the Guard were the same as other enlisted men however, Washington directed specifications on the selection of this corps: “His Excellency depends upon the Colonels for good men, such as they can recommend for their sobriety, honesty, and good behavior; he wishes them to be from five feet, eight inches high, to five feet, ten inches; handsomely and well made. There is nothing in his eyes more desirable, than cleanliness in a soldier. He desires that particular attention may be made, in the choice of such men, as are neat, and spruce. They were to be a “corps of sober, intelligent, and reliable men.”

Though assigned to protect the body of the Commander-in-Chief, they were not spared during battle, playing an active role when conditions warranted. When not in action, the Life Guard’s role would be similar to what is now called a Headquarters Security Detachment.

Since it was a unit of distinction, it was deemed necessary to represent the entire army by having men selected from each colony. Every regiment was to provide four men. The corps marched to New York with approximately fifty men, but within a year had a strength of 180 men.

During the winter of 1779-80, initially there were only 50 handpicked men in the Guard.

Each had to be a native-born American. They were elite troops better dressed and better drilled for the task of providing safety for the chief. For all the prestige and responsibility, the salary of the Guard was paid the same wage as all other officers and soldiers.

The Guard’s exclusive primary responsibility, however, was to protect Washington, at any cost. When the word of possible British advance on Newark, George Washington’s elite soldiers were placed on roads surrounding Morristown.

Morristown was a town the British needed to capture and exploit. It held the routes to the thriving iron mines and forges. The British needed to stop the army from turning the iron into steel that could then be turned into weapons.

Mount Freedom, situated on the top of an 800-foot mountain part of the Watchung Mountain range was also General Washington’s headquarters, and command and control center and considered by the British to be the heart of the war.

Occasionally, as many as 300 men were posted to guard George Washington, although about 150 was more likely the average. A roaming George Washington Guard was sent from Jockey Hollow each day to augmented Lifeguard.

The Guard arrived in Morristown, in 1779, three days after Washington who had been living in the Ford Mansion, Guard members built their own huts on the property about 200 feet south of the mission mansion. Later they cured and trimmed logs and built the walls and a roof of a new kitchen for the Ford Mansion. There is some evidence that they may also have built a log cabin; and a log office attached to the west side of the mansion.

Hercules Mulligan emigrated with his family to New York as a child in 1740. He eventually opened a tailoring business in Manhattan, where he made suits for high-ranking British officers. But behind the measuring tape, Mulligan was working for the American cause—risking his life to spy on his own customers.

Charming, clever, and completely underestimated, Mulligan had exactly what the revolution needed, access. British soldiers who confided in him, unaware that he was passing on their plans to the rebels—often through his enslaved assistant, Cato, who acted as a courier.

The pair were an unlikely but critical link in Washington’s intelligence network.

Mulligan risked his life not once but twice knowing that if he were discovered he would be executed as a spy for the Colonials.

For all the responsibility of George Washington’s Life Guard they were paid the same wage as all other officers and soldiers. They were not all well-educated, and several are known to have signed their payments payrolls with an X. Many of the jobs were menial. At least six of them worked for Washington as servants. and another as a cook. Three men worked as stable hands. As many as fourteen could be assigned to pick up supplies and many worked as messengers. The commander of the Guard, Captain Caleb Gibbs, was responsible for keeping the headquarters expense accounts and overseeing the Guard’s responsibility.

Throughout the American Revolutionary War, George Washington’s personal bodyguard was an elite corps of infantry and mounted men. It was officially entitled The Command-

E

Each of the Guard had to be a native-born American. They were elite troops better dressed and better drilled for the task of providing safety for the chief. For all the prestige and responsibility, the salary of the Guard was paid the same wage as all other officers and soldiers.

er-in-Chief’s Guard but was more commonly known as The Lifeguard.

Troop movements became dangers to Washington’s person. A surprise raid upon headquarters by colonial Tories and or British raiders became a serious possibility. A personal Guard to the Commander-in-Chief became necessary.

The Guard’s purpose was to physically protect General George Washington. However, they were also further assigned the responsibility of protecting the Continental Army’s official papers as well as the general’s baggage.

The Guard was increased to 250 while the army was stationed in Morristown, NJ, close to the British army. Its strength returned to 180 men in the spring and in the last year of its existence, reduced to 64 men. Besides officers and enlisted, there were six drummers, six fifers, and a drum major.

The Life Guard was first commanded by Rhode Islander Captain Caleb Gibbs who bore the title of ‘Captain Commandante.’ Gibbs formed the corps with the assistance of Washington’s nephew, Lieutenant George Lewis. The other lieutenants were Henry Livingston of New York, William Colfax of New Jersey, and Benjamin Goyman of Virginia.

Under Gibbs, the guard participated in every major battle of the northern campaign.

Many guardsmen were wounded while guarding Washington or detached to other regiments during the action. Gibbs was promoted to major by June 6th, 1780, when 152 guardsmen, along with the Rhode Island Regiment, held off a heavy frontal attack during the Battle of Springfield. By the end of the year, Gibbs was promoted to Brevet Lt. Colonel and transferred to the 2nd Massachusetts. William Colfax of New Jersey succeeded Gibbs as commander and towards the end of the war, he was replaced by Captain Bezaleel Howe, of the New Hampshire Battalion. Howe was destined to command the Life Guard on its last mission – seeing that Washington’s baggage and army records were transferred to Mt. Vernon, VA. Despite the extraordinary efforts 0f today’s U.S. Secret Service to keep their charges safe; attempts on presidents and presidential candidates continues to be a seemingly endless threat. On April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, followed by James A. Garfield in 1881, William M, Mckinley 1901, John F. Kennedy 1963. There have been fourteen attempted assassinations (two of which were on Gerald Ford, and two on Donald J. Trump within weeks of each other).

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • September 2025 • Page 13

School Day Fuel

F

rom packing lunchboxes to after-school snacking and evening meals, school days can get hectic in the kitchen - in a hurry. Saving valuable time is of the essence for busy families looking to stave off hunger without sacrificing nutrition or flavor.

To help make delicious yet nutritious meals a reality all day long, consider these recipes for Shrimp Spaghetti at the family dinner table, Potato Pizza Puffs for fuel after school and Celery and Whipped Ricotta with Drizzled Honey and Dried Apricots, perfect for sending in a lunchbox or enjoying while finishing homework.

For recipes that fuel families throughout the school year and beyond, visit Culinary.net.

Save School Night Dinners Don't sacrifice flavor on those hectic weeknights. Instead, turn to this Shrimp Spaghetti recipe that keeps dinnertime simple and delicious while saving precious time for homework and special moments as a family.

Find more quick dinner solutions at Culinary.net.

Shrimp Spaghetti Recipe courtesy of "Cookin' Savvy" Servings: 4-6

2 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup avocado oil 1 package (12 ounces) raw shrimp 2 tablespoons garlic powder, divided 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 cup chicken broth 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 cup frozen or fresh spinach bread, for serving Cook spaghetti noodles according to package instructions.

In skillet over medium heat, add butter, avocado oil and shrimp. Mix in 1 tablespoon garlic powder and paprika. Remove shrimp after they begin to turn pink; set aside.

Add chicken broth, Parmesan, heavy cream, remaining garlic powder, onion powder and spinach to skillet and mix well. Add shrimp back to skillet to finish cooking. Mix in noodles and serve with bread.

A Savory, Satisfying After-School Snack When the school day ends, quick and nutritious snacks can help keep your kids fueled and focused to tackle homework and after-school activities. These Potato Pizza Puffs

1 pound spaghetti noodles

- a fusion of classic pizza flavors in a convenient, flaky vessel - are baked to golden perfection and served alongside a tangy marinara sauce that easily elevates the snacking experience to new heights.

Powered by energy-packed potatoes, which are an excellent source of vitamin C and have more potassium than a banana, these puffs are a surefire hit for pizza lovers everywhere. Plus, potatoes are naturally fat-free, cholesterol-free cont. on page 14

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School Day Fuel.. cont. from page 13

and sodium-free with only 110 calories per 5.3-ounce serving, meaning you can feel good about serving them to your kids as part of every meal of the day.

Find more recipes for the school year ahead at EatWisconsinPotatoes.com.

Potato Pizza Puffs Recipe courtesy of Potatoes USA Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 8 minutes Servings: 12 1 medium (5.3 ounces) Wisconsin russet potato 2 cups cold water 3 whole garlic cloves, crushed (optional) 1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough nonstick cooking spray 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup pepperoni 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning 1 cup marinara sauce Wash and scrub potato thoroughly. Pat dry and thinly slice into 1/8-inch rounds.

Place sliced potatoes in saucepan and cover with cold water. Add crushed garlic cloves to the water, if desired.

Parboil potatoes 5 minutes until slightly tender.

Thaw puff pastry and roll out slightly with rolling pin. Cut

into 12 equal strips.

On foil-lined tray generously sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, sprinkle with Parmesan and Italian seasoning then shingle 3-4 par-cooked potato slices with 3-4 pepperoni slices. Top slices with mozzarella followed by puff pastry strip. Push edges of pastry down onto foil to slightly "seal" puffs, keeping contents within pastry.

In air fryer set at 400 F, bake 7-8 minutes.

Wait for cheese to cool before removing puffs from tray.

Gently peel potato pizza puffs off foil. Serve with marinara sauce.

since 1926.

Visit DudaFresh.com to find more quick and easy solutions for after-school snacking and meals throughout busy school days.

Celery and Whipped Ricotta with Drizzled Honey and Dried Apricots Prep time: 5 minutes Servings: 1 Dandy Celery sticks (4-5 inches) 2 tablespoons whipped ricotta cheese 6-7 dried apricot slices 1 tablespoon honey

Add This Nutritious Snack to Lunchboxes and After-School Menus All that homework and those draining school sports practices sometimes require a little boost of energy from a fresh, delicious snack. To keep your little ones (or big ones) going, try Celery and Whipped Ricotta with Drizzled Honey and Dried Apricots for a quick bite that's equal parts filling and nutritious.

Packed with flavor and low in calories, celery is a smart choice for snacking in the afternoon or taking to school in a lunchbox. It's made up of 95% water and is naturally hydrating and high in fiber to keep students feeling full and refreshed.

Available year-round, Dandy Celery from Duda Farm Fresh Foods is a perfect solution as it redefines what celery can be - crispier, sweeter and less stringy - through a legacy of quality, innovation and consistency in celery cultivation

Using piping bag or freezer bag with one corner removed, fill celery sticks with ricotta cheese.

Place dried apricot slices evenly across top of spread.

Drizzle honey on top.

Chill until ready to serve.

(Family Features)

Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 9pm Closed Sundays & Mondays

Gourmet Taco Restaurant and Food Truck

Our Food Truck carries the same amazing menu and is available for Private Parties, Festivals, Corporate Events, and more!

Select from our gluten free and vegan/vegetarian options

We offer Dine In, Takeout, Catering and Delivery through Best Seller Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Steakhouse & Pork al Pastor

81 Main Street, Little Falls • 973.812.8226 • atacoaffair.com Other locations include: Westfield and Denville

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • September 2025 • Page 15

Choose Fresh Cherries for Healthy and Sweet Back-to-School Snacking

o y a M e Cinco D

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Join us for food and drinks on our patio

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Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

T

his year provided a long sweet cherry season, which means fresh sweet cherries will be available in produce aisles during the back-to-school season. Cherries, which are

a superfruit packed with nutrients and antioxidants, are perfect for lunchboxes, after-school snacking and grab-and-go munching in the car on the way to and from activities.

Sweet cherries' high antioxidant content, beneficial effects on inflammation and natural ability to improve sleep quality make them a mustcont. on page 17

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OUTDOOR DINING AVAILABLE

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • September 2025 • Page 17

Fresh Cherries.. cont. from page 13

add to your grocery list. Even picky eaters can enjoy this nutritious snack. It's a sweet treat that won't spike sugar levels, providing steady nutrition as cherries boast a lower glycemic index than almost any other fruit.

Sweet cherries are also loaded with vitamin C to help boost immune systems and keep skin glowing. Studies have found sweet cherries are packed with serotonin, which is an important neurotransmitter that plays a role in managing stress and stabilizing mood. Cherries are also a great source of fiber, adding to their benefits during the back-to-school season.

Cherries are not only a healthy snack; they are also convenient. For younger kids, cherries can be easily pitted for easy and safe snacking. If you don't have a cherry pitter, cherries can be pitted with a knife or kids can try removing the stem and gently pushing a straw or chopstick through the middle of the cherry until the pit pops out.

For older kids, cherries only need to be rinsed before adding them to a lunchbox.

Cherries also easily keep for hours without being refrigerated.

In addition to school lunches and snacking, cherries can also be added to many breakfast foods like pancakes,

granola, yogurt, smoothies or these Cherry Overnight Oats. Give your family a jumpstart on the day with a healthy cherry breakfast featuring sweet cherries to deliver nutritional benefits, a natural sweetness and bright color that is sure to delight.

The benefits of this wholesome fruit can be accessed any time by drying, canning and freezing cherries at their peak ripeness to preserve their goodness for year-round enjoyment.

More recipes, from breakfasts and entrees to desserts and drinks, can be found at nwcherries.com/recipe.

Cherry Overnight Oats Recipe courtesy of Northwest Cherry Growers 2 cups rolled oats 4 tablespoons chia seeds 1 1/2 cups milk 2 teaspoons pure almond extract 4 tablespoons pure maple syrup 1/2 cup Northwest Cherries, roughly chopped, plus additional for serving (optional) Greek yogurt (optional) sliced almonds (optional)

In mixing bowl, stir oats and chia seeds to combine.

Add milk, almond extract and maple syrup. Stir to combine until uniformly mixed.

Using 1/4 cup measuring cup, divide oats mixture among four small jars, adding layer of cherries between scoops. Top with remaining cherries.

Seal jars and transfer to refrigerator

overnight, or at least 6 hours, before serving.

Serve on their own or top with Greek yogurt, additional dried cherries and sliced almonds, if desired.

Source: Northwest Cherry Growers

Experience Italy's rich flavors and homestyle traditions. Our seasonally inspired menu features everything from fresh artichoke salads to cozy pumpkin delights and zesty zucchini creations, complemented by heartwarming homemade desserts like creamy cheesecake and fluffy ricotta cake.

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Special Events Tuesday – Thursday: 12PM – 9:30PM Friday: 12PM – 10:30PM Saturday: 4PM – 10:30PM Sunday: Dinner 1PM -9PM

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • September 2025 • Page 19

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Lincoln Park Boro $829,900 Lincoln Park Boro $750,000 BREATHTAKING VIEWS MOVE-IN READY 5 BR, 2.1 BA Colonial - Beautiful 5 BR w/breathtaking mountain skyline view in cul-de-sac location has many updates throughout. Crown moldings adorn FLR and FDR, while EIK w/separate eating area and FAM RM w/FP provide access to large deck and stunning views. 2nd floor offers Primary suite w/sitting area, WI closet and Bath, 4 additional BRs w/ample closets, laundry and main Bath. Tremendous WO Basement with great finishing potential! Roof, CAC and hot water heater are all updated. Convenient to major hwys, NJ Transit and town center w/shopping & dining. Just minutes to Lincoln Park Community Lake/Beach, local 18-hole golf course and more. 2 car garage.

5 BR, 3 BA Raised Ranch - Beautifully updated (2025) "move-in ready" home with great layout potential for mother/ daughter living areas. Featuring updated Kitchens with center islands and SS appl's, lovely modern Baths, Laundry Room and generously sized BRs with ample closets, it also offers a backyard space that is ready for entertaining and relaxing.

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2 BR, 1 BA Condo - One of the largest units at Crestwood, this 1300 sq. ft. single-level unit is located on the top floor of elevator building. Featuring entry foyer, Kitchen, Dining area, Living Room, two Bedrooms, Den, Laundry Room, full Bath and ample closet space. Multi-zone heating and cooling. Association tennis courts and outdoor pool on site. Super convenient in-town location with shopping, dining, parks, town lake, golf course, bike/pedestrian path, public transit and more. Minutes to major highways.

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2 BR, 1 BA Condo - Largest 2 BR, 1-floor model in Rock Creek Crossing, quietly located on 3rd floor at the back of elevator building. Brand new laminate flooring in main living areas, cozy carpet in BRs, and tiled KIT and BA. Bright and open layout features recessed lighting, gas FP and French doors that open to private balcony with serene, wooded view. No shortage of storage here with multiple closets, a WI in Primary, and spacious pantry. In-unit laundry and newer CAC (2018). Located close to school, shopping and all major hwys.

Property amenities include outdoor pool, club house, tennis court and playground. 1 small dog up to 25lbs. welcome.

1 BR, 1 BA Condo - Move-in ready single-level unit located on the 3rd floor of an elevator building. Offering 1 large BR w/bonus room that is perfect for a nursery, home ofc, or possibly a WI closet. Kitchen w/breakfast bar & ample cabinet and counter space features brand new SS dishwasher and garbage disposal, good size pantry and utility closet. LR/DR w/gas FP has French doors leading to private balcony and gorgeous mountain views. In-unit washer/dryer, central A/C. Located close to school, major hwys and shopping. Property amenities include outdoor pool, clubhouse w/exercise room, tennis and playground. One small dog up to 25 lbs. welcome.

©2022 CENTURY 21 REAL ESTATE LLC. CENTURY 21® is a trademark licensed to Century 21 Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. | Equal Housing Opportunity.

Each office is independently owned and operated. All information deemed relible but not guaranteed. Prices subject to change. If your poperty is currently listed with a real estate broker please disregard this offer.

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT H

Signs it’s time to replace gutters

ome improvement projects run the gamut from complex undertakings like room additions to simpler renovations like a new front door. Some home renovations excite homeowners more than others, but all improvements are a way to make a home safer, more comfortable and/or more functional.

A gutter replacement might not inspire the same level of excitement as a room addition or an overhaul of an outdoor living space, but new gutters can help to prevent roof damage and make properties safer by ensuring rain water is directed away from walkways. Homeowners who suspect it might be time for

a gutter replacement can look for these signs of fading gutters.

• Cracks or splits: Cracks or splits at the seams of the gutters where two pieces connect is a telltale sign they need to be replaced.

Cracks or splits are can slowly lead to separation of gutter pieces, which will lead to leaks. But not all cracks or splits are found at the seams. In fact, some homes feature seamless gutters, which also can crack or split. Regardless of where they’re found, cracks or splits are a warning signs of fading gutters.

• Rust: Rust is rarely a good sign whether you’re looking at a vehicle or even garden tools. Rust also is a bad sign in relation to gut-

ters. Gutters are painted, and not only for aesthetic purposes. Paint on gutter also serves to protect them from water. When paint begins to flake, gutters will begin to rust and may even produce noticeable rust flakes on the ground below.

Rust on gutters and rust flakes beneath them are indicative of gutters that need to be replaced.

• Gutters pulling away from the home: Gutters that appear to be pulling away from the home is a sign that they need to be replaced.

Gutters are fastened to a home during installation, which ensures they can withstand rain and water.

Over time, those fasteners can wear down, ultimately leading to gutters that

appear to be pulling away from the home. Though gutters can be refastened, eventually they will need to be replaced.

• Pooling water: Pooling water in a gutter may just be a sign that gutters need to be cleaned. However, pooling water on the ground directly beneath gutters indicates they’re not effectively directing water away from the home.

• Water damage inside: A home’s interior might not be the first place homeowners look when inspecting for damaged gutters, but a flooded basement or crawl space could indicate a gutter problem. Gutters and downspouts are designed to direct water away from a home when functioning

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properly. When that isn’t happening, water can pool beneath the foundation, leading to pooling water and other water damage in basements and crawl spaces.

Gutter replacement proj-

ects may not be exciting, but new gutters can make a home safer and prolong the life of a roof and other features on a property.

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Tips for winterizing exterior living areas

W

hen the summer entertaining season draws to a close, homeowners need to ensure their outdoor living areas can handle weather that’s right around the corner. Although outdoor furniture and other items tend to be durable, the impact snow, wind and ice can have on them may lead to damage over time. That is why many homeowners take steps to winterize their outdoor spaces and protect their belongings. Here’s a look at how to prepare for the winter to come.

• Furniture: Cover or store furniture to protect it from the elements. Covering it with weather-proof covers can be adequate if storing items indoors is not possible.

• Deep clean: Items that will be covered or stored should be thoroughly cleaned prior to being removed from spaces for the season. Lingering dirt and moisture can cause damage.

• Insulate and drain: Don’t risk damage to pipes, which can freeze and crack in the cold. Shut off the water supply to exterior faucets and drain water lines to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. Use foam pipe insulation to prevent freezing and cover any exposed pipes.

• Apply mulch: After cleaning up garden debris, think about applying mulch to garden beds and cover tender plants to protect them from the weather.

• Check gutters: Be sure that gutters and downspouts are clear of leaves and any additional debris. If gutters and downspouts are not cleaned, ice dams may form on the roof and cause water damage.

• Inspect and repair: Inspect walkways and driveways for any damage and make repairs now so water will not seep in

and cause further issues with freeze-thaw cycles. Consider applying a sealant to protect surfaces from snow and ice.

• Pools and spas: It’s essential to follow the industry or manufacturer recommendations for closing down swimming pools and spas for the season. While covers may not be essential in all climates, covering can help prevent leaves and other debris from getting in the water. Water should be expelled from pipes and tubing to prevent freezing and bursting. If space allows, consider moving the pool pump

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There may be additional, region-specific steps to winterize a property, but these pointers are a good starting point to protect outdoor spaces.

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By Elsie Walker he goal of ArcMorris is to “uplift and empower people with disabilities and their families,” explained Laura Jennings Pitt.

Jennings Pitt is the Director of Development, Marketing, and Public Relations at Arc Morris, which supports people with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in Morris County and is headquartered in Morris Plains. “People with disabil-

T

ities want to do things [activities] others do,” said Pitt.

ArcMorris helps them to do that as well as provides opportunities for caregivers to get a respite. Recently, ArcMorris CEO Sal Moran commented on its work to help the people it supports and Jennings Pitt talked about who ArcMorris supports, its programs and upcoming fundraising events.

ArcMorris supports people with Intellectual

and/or Developmental Disabilities (IDD). This can include Down's Syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and other conditions that affect a person's cognitive abilities, adaptive skills, and overall development.

Jenning Pitt explained, “We serve people with a wide range of abilities and challenges.”

Examples include people on the autism spectrum, the non-verbal, etc. ArcMorris cont. on page 23

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627 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Suite 1, Pompton Plains 973-839-6627 • hanskitchens.com • mike@hanskitchens.com has a clinical program through which individuals are assessed and get a behavioral plan. Jennings Pitt noted the importance of community involvement and that those who have not been able to go out into the community, for a variety of reasons, are finding success at ArcMorris because of trained staff, personalized care, and specialized equipment to meet their needs.

Moran said, "Quality programs are our priority at ArcMorris. The people we serve deserve more than a room and a bed; they deserve a fulfilling and impactful life that includes a beautiful living space, community access, and opportunities to pursue their own hobbies and interests.

At ArcMorris, we have the privilege of serving our community by building the best possible programs and services to meet the needs of people with disabilities and their families. It is truly an honor to do this work" ArcMorris offers residential options such as group homes, dormitory style apartments, and a respite home for those it supports. Jennings Pitt noted the organization makes sure the group homes are ADA compliant such as having wide hallways. They are built with a forward eye as homes that will serve their residents into old age. The homes are bright and feel like a place where one could entertain friends, and the residents do. Group homes have

those in other group homes over for social gatherings. “[The group homes] are a very social environment,” said Jennings Pitt. Also, the homes have support staff on site 24x7. The night staff do rounds and some cleaning, while the day staff takes residents to the doctors and for groceries, etc. The dormitory style apartments also have support staff on hand 24x7 in an office on each floor. The individual residents have sometimes an individual unit, sometimes a roommate. Within the apartment, they have a bedroom and bathroom and kitchen and living area. The respite home is a temporary residential home for the person with IDD which is designed to give a break to those who care at home for family members with IDD. In addition, it is utilized for times a family has to by away but can’t safely take the IDD family member with them.

Also, it is a way to introduce those individuals who may need residential services in the future to that set-up.

Day programs and some after- hours programs are available for those in group homes and the community.

Besides activities for those who attend, the programs also provide caregivers with a respite and allows them to work knowing their loved one with IDD is in a safe and caring environment. Day programs run from 9am – 2pm at sites in Whippany and Flanders. Transportation is provided.

There are after-hours programs, too.

However, transportation is not provided. That program is offered at the Whippany and Flanders site, plus at Paradise Farm in Randolph.

Paradise Farm is a fiveacre farm in Randolph which ArcMorris purchased in 2023 to expand its recreational offerings to those it supports. The farm has a hiking trail, chickens, and a vegetable garden. It is open all year round and helps those it supports to develop job skills or take up a hobby. It also has a Spring Break and Summer Camp.

The Spring Break Youth Session is for ages 13-20 and the Summer season has sessions for adults (21+) and youth (13-20). There is also one summer senior retreat for ages 55+.

Jennings Pitt emphasized that the people ArcMorris supports enjoy the activities in life that everyone does.

As an example of interests, Jenning Pitt noted that in the past a wheelchair bound client was pushed in the New York City marathon representing ArcMorris.

That same person also loves to bowl. When looking for activities for the people it supports, the community calendar is checked to find free concerts and other activities that might be enjoyed.

ARC Morris provides community-based services like project college and a vocational program.

Individuals supported are enrolled at County College of Morris and accompanied by support staff or attend a

pre-vocational school with support staff to get job readiness skills.

Jennings Pitt notes that ArcMorris has three annual fundraisers, two of which are close at hand. September 27 is the date of the 4th annual Walktoberfest.

The check-in is at 9am at 1 Executive Drive, Morris Plains. Registration is $30 with children 12 and under free but they still need to register. Registration can be done on the ArcMorris website (under “events”); donations can be made there, too. The website is https://Arcmorris.org On October 20th will be a golf classic at The Knoll Country Club West, 990 Greenbank Drive, Parsippany Troy-Hills.

There will be a Clink and Drink – putt to win rare wines and whiskeys and there will be other prize winning opportunities with prizes including a 12 night stay at any participating Windham Hotel. (See the ArcMorris website for more details.) Finally, ArcMorris’ annual gala is May 27, 2026.

Reflecting on the work

done by ArcMorris Jennings Pitt noted, “everyday you can make a difference in someone’s life.”

For more information on

ArcMorris, visit its site at https://arcmorris.org/

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P

Jingling Bells in July!

lanning Underway for the 15th Annual Morristown Christmas Market It may be summer, but the spirit of the holiday season is already stirring as preparations begin for the 15th Annual Morristown Christmas Market at Assumption Church.

Scheduled for Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th, 2025, this festive event is one of the area’s most anticipated holiday traditions offering a joyful shopping experience while supporting two non-profit organizations.

Hosted at Assumption’s Rauscher Hall (91 Maple Avenue, Morristown, NJ), the Morristown Christmas Market brings together a curated collection of unique artisans, handmade African crafts, specialty vendors, bakers and local retailers, attracting over

1,000 visitors eager to shop for handmade gifts, holiday décor, and seasonal delights.

This year marks a milestone—15 years of community, creativity, and charitable giving.

All proceeds benefit Africa Surgery (africasurgery. org) and The Village Angels of Tanzania (thevillageangels-tanzania.org), two organizations dedicated to improving lives through medical and nutritional care, education, and support in underserved communities. Both non-profits were founded in Morristown.

Vendor & Crafter Opportunities Now Open!

Organizers are now welcoming applications from crafters, creators, and retailers to be part of this special anniversary event.

Don’t miss the chance to showcase your goods to an enthusiastic and generous holiday crowd—all while making a global impact.

To learn more or to inquire about vendor participation, please email us at: mtchristmasmarket@ gmail.com Let the jingling begin….. and stayed tuned for event updates!

Love Is The Key To Heaven’s Door, And Forgiveness Is The Force That Unlocks The Bolt

By Richard Mabey Jr. ow at 71 and fighting an advanced case of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, I have thought more and more about what Heaven is like. Jesus of Nazareth told us that there are many mansions in Heaven.

I think that Heaven is a vast place, with many places and nooks and crannies. I want to be reverent and respectful here. My main point is that death is not something to fear, but rather to be looked upon as simply entering another room. As if you are simply walking from your kitchen to your living room.

God blessed me with a kind, patient, loving mother, and a strong, hard working, practical father. I grew up in a Christian home and began attending Sunday School at the age of three. In my early childhood, my mother

N

would read me Bible stories, before I fell asleep at night.

I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that Heaven is a real place. And, our life does not end when the heart stops breathing and the lungs stop taking in air. Death is nothing to be feared. But, it is important to prepare for one’s passing, in both practical ways and in spiritual ways.

Having recently been to a few doctors and gone through even more cardiac tests and procedures, my doctors have told me that my heart has gotten worse in the past year or so. As the chest pains increase, in both degrees of discomfort and frequency, I find myself more and more preparing for my own journey to cross over from this physical world to the Heavenly World.

My two basic elements of

preparation, for this journey, lie in reading the Holy Bible more and more and in praying with more focus and concentration.

I believe love is the key to opening the door to Heaven’s Gate. And, as a corollary to this poetic image, forgiveness is the force that unlocks the bolt to Heaven’s Gate.

If you are faced with a terminal illness, please do not panic and allow your heart to be filled with dreaded anxieties. Take time to read the holy scriptures of your faith. Pray, pray and pray for God to bring comfort to your heart and wash away any and all anxieties that may be plaguing your heart and mind.

Please know that this universe was not created by accident, but rather by an Infinite Wisdom that is far cont. on page 25

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Love is the Key... cont. from page 24

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My late parents, Richard Sr. and Janet Mabey, taught me from a very young age that God loves me more than I will ever know. My mother was a kind and gentle woman who read Bible stories to me every night, when I was a little boy. My father was a stong, hard-working man. Dad taught me the prevalence of God’s love in the wooded forest, in our many hikes together upon the Appalachian Trail.

beyond our human comprehension to fully understand.

Please know that God loves you, more than you will ever know.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has had two books published. He hosts a YouTube Channel titled, “Richard Mabey Pres-

ents.” He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@gmail.com.

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The Transistor – the Tiny Giant That Changed the World

By Henry. M. Holden n 1936, Mervin J. Kelly, then director of research at Bell Laboratories (Bell Labs) and later their president told William Shockley a young physicist working in the vacuum tube department that it was his belief that telephone exchanges would work better and faster if they were electronic.

Around this time, engineers at American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) realized that vacuum-tube circuits could not keep pace with the growing demand for increased phone call capacity due to their poor reliability and large power requirements. Kelly assigned Shockley to explore semiconductor technology as a replacement for vacuum tubes.

With that information, Shockley began tinkering with the notion of adapting electronic techniques

I

to switching and began exchanging ideas with Walter Brattain, and John Bardeen all, young Bell physicists whose special interest was copper oxide rectifiers. The problem was that the use of electronics in switching would require an amplifier better than the vacuum tube which required too much power and generated too much heat.

The hunt for a better amplifier started with Shockley, and a Bell Telephone Laboratories program of basic research on solid-state physics in 1936. That research eventually produced a replacement for the vacuum tube in the 1950s and eventually gave us integrated circuits and microprocessors. It spawned a huge semiconductor industry generating hundreds of billions in sales. The fruit of their conversations in December 1939 was what

Shockley called “in principle a sound concept of a semi-conductor amplifier” or what was to become known as a transistor.

Shockley and the other physicists continued their experiments for the next two months, but the early results were not encouraging, and their energies were redirected to the World War II efforts. They resumed their experiments after the war.

However, behind this story of invention is one of collaborative genius, serendipitous mishaps, and secret research. We’ll look back on this period that launched the serious study of solid-state devices. We’ll also look at the early history of vacuum tubes and transistor development.

The transistor, revolutionized electronics and paved the way for modern cont. on page 27

William, Shockley (seated) John Bardeen (left) and Walter Brattain at the Labs in 1948. The three won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1956 for the invention of the transistor in 1948. (Bell Labs photo)

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The Transistor...

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cont. from page 25 computing, communication, and countless technologies we rely on today.

Lee de Forest was an electrical engineer and the self-described "Father of Radio" and a pioneer in the development of soundon-film recording used for motion pictures. He had over 300 patents, but also a tumultuous career; boasting that he made (then lost) four fortunes. He was also involved in several major patent lawsuits and spent a large part of his income on legal bills.

His most famous invention in 1908 was the three-element "audion" (triode) vacuum tube: the first practical amplification device. That would lead to the transistor. These made radio broadcasting and long-distance telephone lines possible. . q Although de Forest had only a limited understanding of how it worked, it became the foundation of electronics, making possible radio broadcasting, local and long-distance telephone calls, and talking motion pictures.

My attention to electronics began at an early age when I received a basic radio kit called a Crystal Radio, from my parents.

A good antenna and ground were needed for reception.

My crystal radio employed a galena crystal with a “cat’s whisker” for detection, a homemade coil with slider for tuning, and headphones. This common circuit did not use a tuning capacitor but used the capacitance of the antenna to form the tuned circuit with the coil.

As a young engineer with New York Telephone, I was present for the last gasp of the mechanical switching techniques used to allow a subscriber to make local and long-distance calls.

I went to work when the

Former PGA Tour caddy

At Bowling Green Golf Club One of the early vacuum tubes that eventually was deemed obsolete with the invention of the transistor. (Bell Labs photo).

mechanical switching techniques of the “Cross Bar 1” office (c 1938) which at the time I joined had more than 20 - years in service.

The switching of subscriber calls in the network involved the operation of hundreds of relays to advance the 24 and 48 volt Direct Current for operating voltages needed in the network. The challenge was to make sure that the relays which collectively amounted to thousands of contact points passed through the network. Any carbon deposits created by the relays halted the call until the carbon deposits were burnished off the relay contacts.

The next step was the introduction of “Cross Bar 5” which introduced IBM-type punch cards. They did little to speed up the call and nothing to ease the heavy maintenance required. That would be the job of the transistor.

The invention of semiconductor devices made it possible to produce solid-state electronic devices, which are smaller, safer, cooler, and more efficient,

reliable, durable, and economical than thermionic tubes.’

On December 16, 1947, William Shockley, John Bardeen, and Walter H. Brattain, all Bell Laboratories engineers, in Murray Hill, New Jersey invented the electrical device known as the transistor. For this, they were awarded the 1956 Nobel Prize in physics.

Beginning in the mid1960s, thermionic tubes were being replaced by the transistor. However, the cathode-ray tube (CRT), functionally an electron tube/valve although not usually so named, remained in use for electronic visual displays in television receivers, computer monitors, and oscilloscopes until the early 21st century,when flat screens became available.

The transistor could manipulate external electrical current through controlling creating and amplifying them.

The transistor is widely considered the greatest invention of the 20th century because the introduction of semiconductors sparked a cont. on page 28

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The Transistor... cont. from page 27 revolution in electronics on par with that of steel in the Industrial Revolution.

Using improved semiconductor materials developed for radar detectors during the war, Shockley experimented with a field-effect amplifier, similar in concept to those patented by other scientists, but had failed to work.

By the early 1950s advancements in semiconductor devices made it possible to develop solid-state electronics like the transistor ,smaller, cooler, more efficient, and more reliable than vacuum tubes. Despite this, cathode-ray tubes remained essential for visual displays in televisions and computer monitor into the 21st century.

Advancements in semiconductor devices made it possible to develop solid-state electronics—smaller, cooler, more efficient, and more reliable than vacuum tubes. Never the less, the cathode-ray tubes remained essential for visual displays in televisions and monitors into the 21st century.

On December 16, 1947, their research culminated in a successful semiconductor amplifier. The germanium crystal they had set up in contact with two wires two thousandths of an inch apart began to amplify a signal forty times. The “transistor effect” had been discovered.

On December 23 they demonstrated their device to Bell Lab officials and in June 1948, Bell Labs publicly announced the revolutionary solid-state device they called a “transistor.”

Life would not be as we know it, without the transistor, which was invented just over seven decades ago. It is considered by researchers and historians leading to groundbreaking advances in computing, communications, medicine, and practically every technically related field. Without it, developments such as the personal computer, cellphones, the GPS system, pacemakers, hearing aids, and the Internet would not exist.

The transistor revolutionized electronics and became the foundation for modern computing, and countless technologies. Its name implies a "transfer of resistance," and its development marked a turning point in technological history. The impact of the transistor can be traced through the evolution of integrated circuits, the microprocessor, and the massive growth of the semiconductor industry, which today generates hundreds of billions of dollars in sales.

Bill Gates once said his "first stop on any time-travel expedition would be Bell Labs."

Before transistors, most electronic devices such as computers and radios relied on electronic vacuum tubes. They consisted of electrodes in an evacuated bulb through which an electric current could be passed and controlled. This allowed the tubes to function as amplifiers and switches.

Life as we know it would be unimaginable without the transistor. In the more than seven decades since its invention, it has enabled advances in computing, communications, medicine, and nearly every technical field. Personal computers, cellphones, GPS, pacemakers, hearing aids, and the Internet all owe their existence to this tiny, transformative device.

Why is Washington D.C. the Capital and Not Trenton?

By Henry M. Holden id you know that Trenton was at one point the capitol of the United States?

Philadelphia was also under consideration along with New York City. How did the country end up with Washington DC? After the Revolutionary War, Trenton was the capital of the United States from November and December of 1784. Many of the residents thought the city should be considered as a permanent capital.

The Founding Fathers were debating fundamental rights and the relationship between protections of liberty and the separation of powers. On the agenda was whether the capital of the new United States should remain in New Jersey. Many delegates favored New Jersey with access to the Delaware River just outside Trenton.

The Continental Congress met in Trenton in November and December of 1783. Trenton was a permanent capital, by some of its residence but the southern states favored a location further south.

But for providence, the Garden State would today be the home of the capital. It would have the Trenton Monument, the Vietnam Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and everything we associate with Washington D.C. How did the Nation’s capital end up in Washington D.C.?

There is a saying in real state, that “Its location, location, location.” But it is not always cont. on page 30

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Why is Washington... cont. from page 28

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the best location.

Trenton was not an easy city to reach for anyone. Today, a typical trip from Trenton to Washington takes about two hours on the Acella high- speed train. The trip is about three and one-half hours by car on a light traffic day. Imagine the trip in the transportation of the day, horseback or horse and buggy. Things moved very slowly in those days.

Several factors played a role in Philadelphia’s consideration. Philadelphia was geographically centrally located among the original thirteen states. Congress was in Philadelphia. The Declaration of Independence had been signed there, and the Articles of Confederation were drafted there.

Philadelphia was also the center of the “nationalist” faction: Merchants and investors wanted a strong national government that could insure a stable economy. Having just fought a war against a central government most delegates wanted the power to reside instead with the individual states. Philadelphia had roughly 30,000 residents. But in the eighteenth century, Philadelphia would look like a giant megalopolis, and likely the largest city in the English-speaking world.

Trenton was preferred by New England and other northern states as a permanent capital for the U.S., but the southern states prevailed in their choice of a location south of the Mason–Dixon line.

At the time, Newark was not seriously looked on as a candidate since it was referred to as a township, not a city. It wasn’t incorporated as a city until 1836.

In October 1783, many delegates voted to build the national’s capital on the New Jersey site. But the southern delegates refused to concede the issue and threatened to block the two-thirds vote necessary to appropriate the funds to build the new capital combined with the nationalists who wanted to move back to Philadelphia and build two capitals.

To break the stalemate Congress voted a few weeks later to repeal the earlier decision and build two capitals, one on the Potomac River and one on the Delaware River. The government would spend half a year in each. cont. on page 31

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Why is Washington... cont. from page 30 Proposals came in from states and towns across the country to be host. The town of Kingston, New York, was the first with an offer of a square mile of land. The state of Maryland offered 300 acres in Annapolis, including existing government buildings and the promise of building thirteen official residences for the delegates from the states.

It was further decided that until construction was completed Congress would alternate between Annapolis, Maryland and Trenton, New Jersey.

Two sites had emerged as the favorite. One on the Delaware River near Trenton, and the other on the Potomac River near Georgetown on the Virginia Maryland border The New Jersey legislature promised to provide #30,000( pounds) to any community in the state that petitioned to become the permanent seat of Congress, and several towns, including, Newark, New Brunswick, and Elizabeth applied.

Congress decided that the best alternative would be to build an entirely new city on vacant land where the government could establish its own laws and authority.

As agreed, to Congress left Princeton for Annapolis in November 1783 and onto Trenton in November of the following year.

At the meeting in Trenton, the delegates began to reconsider the wisdom of their decision. There had been a great deal of criticism of the proposal. “To talk of building cities when they can scarcely furnish money for the paper on which to draw the plans,” wrote one observer “appears to mean something different from wisdom, prudence or policy.”

Other criticisms sarcastically suggested that Congress put sails on government buildings so they could float from city to city. Another said Congress should put Congress on a floating wooden statue of George Washington. Others said build a giant pendulum in the sky that would swing from the Potomac River to the Delaware River.

More serious were reports that European powers were beginning to doubt the stability of the American government. A committee was appointed to pick a site “not more than eight miles above or below the falls of the Delaware.”

Until the capital was completed it was agreed to move the Congress and the government to New York City. Although Trenton had been hospitable, the small country town was too crowded to suit the delegates.

Before progress could be made on building a new capital other matters got in the way. The growing dissatisfaction with the Articles of Confederation. The nationals were pressing their campaign for a strong government that lead to the celebrated gathering in Philadelphia that produced the Constitution.

Meanwhile, in Congress, the southern delegates were still anxious for a capital on the Potomac and blocked appropriations for construction of one on the Delaware.

Those who favored limited government thought that the dual capital scheme would prevent the growth of a bloated bureaucracy. They needed to reconsider the two-part government. That is when Does it was just that delegates changed their minds again they voted to establish a single capital located on the Delaware and authorize $100,000 for construction. The new capital would make a stronger central government. Meanwhile, the southern delegates were still anxious for capital on the Potomac, and blocked administrative appropriations for construction of the Delaware website.

With the strong influence of Alexander Hamilton who was Washington’s Sectary of the Treasury and George Washington the Potomac became the capital of Washington D.C., and the federal government. New Jersey by vote approved overwhelming their new Constitution.

The most influential opponent was America’s hero General George Washington, who said, “Fixing the seat of the empire at any spot on the Delaware is in my humble opinion is demonstrably wrong.” Coincidentally, the general’s home, Mount Vernon, was just a few miles south on the Potomac site.

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Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series Date of Event: September 19, 2025 Location of Event: Morristown Unitarian Fellowship Time of Event: 7:30 pm Price of Event: $20.00 ($15 for members)

T

he Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series presents the Heather Pierson Duo and Mike Miz. Heather Pierson is a pianist, singer/songwriter, song leader, and performer with a passion for cultivating joy, both onstage and off. Her uplifting live performances with her bassist/partner Shawn Nadeau delve into New Orleans jazz, blues, and folk. Best known for her ease at the piano and her bell-tone vocals, Heather’s songs and the duo’s musicianship embody honesty, playfulness, and a desire to share from the heart.

Michael Mizwinski, known better as Mike Miz, is a soulful guitarist and songwriter from Northeast Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Valley. Raised in a musical family, he began playing guitar at age 7 and was performing in local venues by 15. His early band, Appalachian Barnhouse Band, and a stint with fusion group Gongzilla helped shape his dynamic style.

In 2010, he launched MiZ, blending Americana, jam, and rock. MiZ’s debut, East Hope Avenue, featured legends like Buddy Cage and gained attention from Garth Hudson. Now based in Nashville, Mike has collaborated with artists like Billy Ray Cyrus and performed at the Grand Ole Opry.

Admission is $20 per adult at the door, Folk Project members $15. Children 12 and under are free. For more info, see https://folkproject.org/mec-events/2025-09-19/ Date of Event: September 26, 2025 Location of Event: Morristown Unitarian Fellowship Time of Event: 7:30 pm Price of Event: $20.00 ($15 for members) The Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series presents Tara O'Grady & The Black Velvet Band and Teddy Parker.

The Black Velvet Band is fronted by “Bliss Ambassador” Tara O’Grady, a master vocalist who taught for a decade at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and has recorded five albums of original jazz, blues, and folk music. Tara’s warm vocals and poetic storytelling are complemented by extraordinary guitarist Vinny Raniolo, a globe-trotting virtuoso seen on PBS, heard on multiple Scorsese soundtracks. Juilliard-trained reed player Peter Anderson has performed with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Wycliffe Gordon, Wynton Marsalis, and Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks. World-touring bassist Trifon Dimitrov was mentored by jazz legend Ron Carter and has performed at numerous jazz cont. on page 33

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • September 2025 • Page 33

festivals, clubs, TV, Radio and Broadway shows.

Teddy Parker is a theatrical pop-rock songwriter, performer, and music educator with a flair for emotional storytelling. Whether declaring, “I manipulate people’s emotions!” or helping students access their feelings, Teddy thrives on connecting through music. They found their voice at Buck’s Rock camp, teaching vocals and piano, directing choirs, and sparking inspiration for songs like the infamous “Michael.” A Berklee College of Music graduate, Teddy won Best Performance for their ballad “Rhode Island Roads” and later performed with Livingston Taylor.

Admission is $20 per adult at the door, Folk Project members $15. Children 12 and under are free. For more info, see https://folkproject.org/mec-events/2025-09-26/ Date of Event: October 3, 2025 Location of Event: Morristown Unitarian Fellowship Time of Event: 7:30 pm Price of Event: $20.00 ($15 for members) The Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series presents David Wilcox with Todd Dennison.

David Wilcox is a masterful storyteller whose acoustic-driven sound connects deeply with listeners. His songs blend intricate melodies with lyrics that capture life’s complexities, turning each song into an emotional journey. A celebrated figure in folk music, Wilcox won the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival in 1988, propelling his career forward. His evocative style has earned critical acclaim, including top honors at the USA Songwriting Competition in 2018.

Todd Dennison is a versatile multi-instrumentalist whose music bridges folk, jazz, rock, and American roots traditions. Influenced early on by artists like James Taylor and Kenny Rankin, Todd developed a distinctive guitar style known for its flowing bass lines, melodic chord voicings, and intuitive, expressive feel. A seasoned performer, Todd has toured nationally as a guitarist, bassist, pedal steel player, accompanist, and arranger. His playing is never showy, but always deeply musical Admission is $20 per adult at the door, Folk Project members $15. Children 12 and under are free. For more info, see https://folkproject.org/mec-events/2025-10-03/ Date of Event: October 17, 2025 Location of Event: Morristown Unitarian Fellowship Time of Event: 7:30 pm Price of Event: $20.00 ($15 for members) The Troubadour Acoustic Concerts presents The Mammals and Dustin Lowman.

The Mammals are folksingers Ruth Ungar, Mike Merenda, and a dynamic quintet of multi-instrumentalists whose sound spans fiddle, banjo, guitar, organ, bass, and drums.

Over two decades, this fiercely independent band has built a legacy of genre-defying, politically charged, and emotionally resonant folk-rock praised as “some of the best songwriting of their generation” (LA Times). Their music resonates with urgency and tenderness—amplifying voices of conscience, connection, and the full spectrum of human experience. The forthcoming release, Touch Grass Vol. 1 & 2 (2025), is a double album that rages, reflects, and rejoices—equal parts protest and balm, recorded at their own Humble Abode Music studio.

Dustin Lowman exudes wit, warmth, and wounded wonder through a poet’s eye and a voice that’s pure and true. A soulful folk singer whose songs spring from the quiet sanctum of reflection and the harsh echoes of rebellion, he delivers ballads both tender and absurd, stories shaped by heartbreak, hilarity, and a deep literary streak. With echoes of Dylan and the rawness of lived truth, his performances walk the line between traditional and heretical, inviting audiences into a shared human moment.

Admission is $20 per adult at the door, Folk Project members $15. Children 12 and under are free. For more info, see https://folkproject.org/mec-events/2025-10-17/ All Friday night concerts are presented by the Folk Project and will be held at the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ, at 7:30 p.m.

And a special event in October: Beppe Gambetta and the Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series present the New Jersey Guitar Summit

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Advertise with HomeTown Life Today www.mypaperonline.com Date of Event: October 4, 2025 Location of Event: Morristown Unitarian Fellowship Event begins at 9:30 a.m.

Admission: $145 for Workshop 10 AM – 5 PM (Includes Lunch, Supper, Jam and Evening Concert) $35 For Concert Only 8:00 PM / $20 Webcast of Concert Concert: Age 12 and under free with adult.

After the success of last year's guitar summit, the NJ Guitar Summit, organized by the Folk Project together with Beppe Gambetta, is back on Saturday October 4, 2025. It will again be an opportunity to meet, learn and share with new friends the passion for acoustic guitar. Like last year, the structure includes an intense day of workshops for each level, ending with a jam session and a final concert.

Teachers: Beppe Gambetta: flatpicking technique starting with learning and understanding the music of the great masters to open the door to creativity in arranging, adapting and composing with the guitar.

Tony McManus: the world of Celtic guitar, with all the embellishments, techniques, open tunings, in which the guitar reproduces the sounds of traditional instruments.

Jefferson Hamer: the guitar from the point of view of the songwriter, arranger and producer, delving into its use as an instrument on which the production of a song is built.

What’s happening in your school or organization?

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2025 Morristown Festival of Books Announces Award-Winning Author Lineup

T

More than 100 best-selling and award-winning authors are on tap for this year’s Festival on October 10 & 11

he top literary event in the tri-state area, the Morristown Festival of Books returns Friday, October 10, and Saturday, October 11, in historic downtown Morristown with something for readers of all ages and tastes. The Keynote Event kicks things off on Friday night, followed by the all-day, free Main Festival on Saturday featuring more than 100 best-selling, critically acclaimed, and award-winning fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and children’s authors who will be speaking to audiences and signing their books.

The Festival begins on Friday night with a not-to-be-missed Keynote Event at MPAC theater: Rick Atkinson, two-time Pulitzer Prize–winning historian, will discuss his latest best seller, The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 17771780. The Keynote will be held at the Mayo Performing Arts Center and tickets are on sale now at morristownbooks.org or by phone at 973-539-8008.

Saturday’s Main Festival events are free to the public, with no tickets or registration required, thanks to our generous sponsors and donors. The roster of 60+ authors includes some of today’s hottest names, such as novelists Lisa Scottoline (The Unraveling of Julia), Bruce Holsinger (Culpability), Jake Tapper (Race Against Terror), Robin Cook (Bellevue), Jeanine Cummins (Speak to Me of Home) and William Kent Krueger (Apostle's Cove); biographers Kostya Kennedy (The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America) and Jason Bailey (Gandolfini); memoirist Susan Orlean (Joyride); and nonfiction writers Carl Zimmer (Air-Borne), Gabe Henry (Enough is Enuf), Corinne Low (Having It All), and Jeff Hobbs (Seeking Shelter).

Young readers will enjoy the ever-popular KidFest featuring dozens of outstanding children’s authors and illustrators who will be present from 11am to 4pm on Saturday (rain or shine) to meet visitors while selling and personally signing books. Victoria Kann, with her popular Pinkalicious series, and Rosemary Wells, author of the bestselling Max & Ruby series and new title Sharing, will be featured along with dozens of other amazing authors, including Colleen AF Venable (Junie B. Jones graphic novel), Patrick McDonnell (Mutts series), Brian Floca, Sarah Mlynowski, and more. Fun crafts, activities, and balloon art will round out the day.

The authors will speak and answer questions at several locales, all within walking distance of each other along South Street in historic Morristown, including St. Peter’s Church Sanctuary, Parish House, and lawn; The Church of the Redeemer; The Presbyterian Church Parish House; and the Morristown/Morris Township Library. Book sales and signings will occur at a tent on the grounds of the historic Vail Mansion. To see the complete author roster, visit morristownbooks.org.

Our Sponsors The Morristown Festival of Books is generously sponsored by The Family Wealth Group at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management. Our Keynote Event is co-sponsored by Delta Dental and the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, as well as Special Event Sponsor Valley Bank. KidFest is generously sponsored by Atlantic Health System/Morristown Medical Center. Proceeds from our annual fundraising Keynote Event and book sales throughout the Festival contribute to supporting literacy and education in our community.

This revenue, along with the generosity of our sponsors, helps keep our Saturday book festival free and open to all.

Morristown Festival of Books is a fund of the Community Foundation of New Jersey, a non-profit corporation.

For more information, go to morristownbooks.org and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram @morristownbooks!

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Hometown Life • September 2025 • Page 35

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