Morristown April 2022

The DeFazio Flanagan Team Denise Flanagan Cell: 973.420.4590 dflan2015@gmail.com

No. 18 Vol. 4

My Life Publications • 973-809-4784

April 2022

Margaret DeFazio Cell: 201.738.7636 medefazio@gmail.com

211 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960 • 973.285.4677 www.defazioflanaganteam.com

Woman Borrows Late Dad’s Strength and Starts Her Own Speech and Voice Therapy Biz

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By Steve Sears t was a year ago March that Debra Holtzman’s job of 20 years was eliminated.

But she moved on and forward, forming her own business. “I formed HIMARK Speech & Voice Therapy to help bring confidence to anyone who wishes and deserves to be heard,” Holtzman says.

“I wanted to combine my years of being a speech therapist, with my years of being an actor, and try to find a safe place for people to work on their skills, and to encourage them.”

And speaking of “being heard,” her late dad was on her shoulder and in her ear with encouragement.

Holtzman explains. “I just tapped into the strength of my dad. He survived a plane crash in 1961. There were only seven survivors. At the time, he was a young, handsome guy in his 20’s, and he was traveling for work.” Due to the plane crash, Holtzman’s

dad suffered facial burns, and his company fired him due to the way he looked.

In no way deterred, he started his own company and named it HIMARK Enterprises. “It was my sister saying, ‘Hi,’ to my brother, Mark,” Holtzman says. “As I was trying to find the name for my practice, all of a sudden it became clear. I had to tap into and honor my dad.

I imagined what he had to do and to go through to start his company, and I felt drawn to name my practice the same.”

Holtzman cites a few examples of what she does.

“If someone has a stroke and they lose their words due to aphasia (the loss of language after a stroke), or someone feels insecure or feels like their voice is very soft due to Parkinson’s disease, or someone who has a voice disorder - a lot of hoarseness or a variety of different voice disorders that they’re experiencing - I want to help them to get to the path of feeling where

they can speak without difficulty.” Holtzman also mentions a certain niche area that she serves. “I wanted to find a safe place for the transgender community who wishes to find its gender affirming voice.

To find a voice that can match who they feel like they are on the inside, and have a safe and comfortable place to work on these skills, and to work on them safely, without hurting or straining their voice.”

Holtzman, who grew up in Long Island and is a single mom to two children, also performs with LaGuardia Acting Studio in Rockaway (she’s working on some casting director showcases right now), and with a bachelor’s degree in Theater and an Italian language minor from the University of Colorado in Boulder, she utilizes her education and experience with HIMARK Speech & Voice Therapy clients. “As an actor myself, it’s fun and exciting to work with the

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accents of different actors, doctors, lawyers, anyone in any profession essentially who feels like their pronunciation of American English is preventing them from being understood the first time,” she says. “They shouldn’t fear that they will not be up for that promotion due to the way they speak, or fear that they don’t want to give that presentation because of the way they speak. I want to just instill confidence in everyone I work with. It’s celebrating everyone’s culture.”

Holtzman, who also has a masters degree in Speech Pathology from Teacher’s College at Columbia University in New York City, offers a 15-minute free consultation to prospective clients. “My sessions are more personal than what you get in a larger institution,” she says. “I design the therapy based on the client. The sessions are not rushed. You don’t feel like you have to be in and out.”

Holtzman also mentions that she performs a very person-centered therapy.

Whatever is important to the person is where she and they go. If you’re an actor, bring your script. If a Parkinson’s patient wants to elevate their voice, she’ll let the client bring up a topic and discussion ensues.

It’s all about the individual opposite her, and embarrassment is checked at the door. “I encourage anyone to approach me. My goal is to make everyone feel comfortable, and to find a way to their expression.”

For more information, visit Holtzman’s website at www.himarkspeechandvoice.com. She can also be contacted at debra@himarkspeechandvoice.com or 973-348-5338.

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Berk’s Furniture & Mattress Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary and Unveils New Outlet

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By Steve Sears ackettstown’s Berk’s Furniture & Mattress on January 15th unveiled a new, additional location at Main Street.

“We were just in an expansion stage and, realizing we only have so much space here, we have a whole demographic of clientele that we’d like to be able to offer all different prices to and all different styles to,” says Amy Berkowitz, third generation and coowner of Berks Furniture & Mattress with her brother, Justin. “We just didn’t have the space to do it here. So, when (the location of) Old Home Town Hardware became available, we jumped on it to be able to offer an outlet to have some lower priced, all in-stock goods available for immediate delivery.”

“I think we’re all still in the COVID challenge right now as an industry,” Berkowitz says, who also states that Berk’s changed their entire business model due to the pandemic. “That’s another reason we needed more space, we’re stocking everything. So basically, everything that we show in the main store on Mountain Avenue and the outlet is stocked for immediate delivery. We still are special ordering, and that’s still available for customers, and

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always on the floor. We’re happy to work with customers and see them, and it’s a great thing.”

They key to the Berk’s Furniture & Mattress success is reliability. “What we really try to do is do the best possible job that we can do within our operations,” Berkowitz confirms. “Our customer service is great, our delivery is all in house, and we

own our own trucks, so our delivery team works for us directly so we can make sure that everything runs smooth.”

Berk’s Furniture & Mattress is located at 320 Mountain Avenue, and the Berk’s Furniture & Mattress Outlet is at 232 Main Street, both in Hackettstown. Call (908) 2698725 or visit www.berksfurnituremattress. com.

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we’re actually stocking our special-order furniture, believe it or not, because of the quality. You can’t really find that in readily available furniture, but it’s still able to be special ordered.”

The new outlet is 15,000 square feet, and the Mountain Avenue store is 18,000 square feet. “We are independent business owners that are growing, and we’re committed to Hackettstown and are committed to growing within Hackettstown,” Berkowitz affirms. “We have tons of furniture in stock for immediate delivery, and now with a second location, we’re able to provide all different prices and all different styles to suit everyone’s needs.”

Clients have followed the Berkowitz family for over half a century. Berkowitz’s grandfather had a store in Washington which he started in the 1930’s, and her dad, uncle, and cousin owned the Hackettstown Trading Post that was afterwards on Main Street for 53 years. The outlet store is a return to Main Street. “There’s always planning, and we’re always talking about the chance of expansion further, but we’re really happy with having two stores in Hackettstown and being able to still be present in them,” Berkowitz says. “One of us (her or Justin) is always here. We’re

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Not All Headaches are Created Equal

lmost everyone has experienced a headache, at some point in their life, to varying degrees. In fact, roughly 45 million Americans suffer from Headaches each year. In today’s world, most people reach into the medicine cabinet for one of the various pain relievers to alleviate their head pain. But what happens when that doesn’t work? Or, the headaches become more frequent and more painful? Some get headaches so often and so painful, they even take prescription drugs with side effects and no avail. But have you ever stopped to think, “What is causing my headache?” Headaches and more severe headaches, known as Migraines, can be caused by various triggers including foods, chemicals or preservatives in foods, allergens in the environment, chemicals in cleaning products or herbicides/pesticides, sinus congestion, tension in the neck or jaw, lack of sleep, dehydration, stress, and the list goes on… Sometimes the cause is completely unknown and with no relief the patient can be left hopeless, debilitated and in pain. An assessment by an Acupuncturist can often identify and treat imbalances (that are causing the headaches) that are unknown to the patient previously.

In Chinese Medicine not all headaches are created equally. Rather, during an assessment, we evaluate the individual patient on many levels to determine their exact symptoms (i.e Is the headache frontal? One sided? Behind the eyes? Is there nausea? Frequency and intensity of pain?....) and if there are any triggers. We take a whole body approach and assess the patient’s physical condition as well as their constitution, emotional health, diet and lifestyle. Unlike the blanket treatment western medicine offers which is typically some type of pain reliever, Chinese Medicine finds a specific treatment for each patient based on their individual symptoms. Five patients suffering “headaches” may receive five completely different treatments. By addressing the root cause, Acupuncture can be a safe way to prevent and treat various types of headaches, without the unwanted side effects of medications.

Based on the individual assessment and diagnosis, tiny needles are inserted into various points on the body. Depending on the case, small electrodes can be attached to specific needles that elicit a small electrical current. The feeling of the electric stimulation on the needles is a comfortable

sensation that generally elicits a feeling of tingling, tapping or heaviness. The electric stimulation enhances the release of specific neurochemicals which aids in the treatment of headaches. The needles are typically retained for 20-30 minutes, during which the patient is left to relax and take a nap.

Acupuncture is known to be effective and can offer long standing results, but it is not always a quick fix. Especially if the headaches are chronic, several treatments may be required to achieve the full result.

Again, this is because it is addressing the root cause and not just covering up

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symptoms like other treatments.

If you suffer from headaches or migraines start getting relief today! Use the following tips to achieve long- lasting results for a healthy life: Be aware, track food and environmental triggers to see if there are any patterns, get adequate sleep, eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits (limiting sugars and processed foods), drink plenty of water, manage stress with things like meditation and try Acupuncture!

For more information about Acupuncture and Headaches contact Mount Olive Acupuncture & Wellness 973-527-7978.

Did You Know?

comprehensive review of research published between 1990 and 2020 studying the link between physical activity and mental health outcomes determined that nearly 90 percent of all peer-reviewed, published research reported a positive, statistically significant relationship between exercise/physical activity and mental health. Conducted by the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation, the review found that 1,029 of the 1,158 experimental studies examined reported significant positive relationships

between physical activity and mental health outcomes. General physical activity, a broad descriptor referring to the amount of daily or weekly physical activity people engage in irrespective of type, had the greatest number of positive studies of any type of physical activity, followed by cardiovascular and aerobic activity and yoga. Authors of the review concluded that their findings illustrate that exercise and movement can now be considered mainstream elements of mental health care.

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Chester Lions Club Donates to Local Charities

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he Chester Lions Club continues to help those in need. Lions strive to make a difference in our community and the world.

Several donations have been designated for the following organizations.

Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey will receive $2,500 to aid in their humanitarian effort to help the many refugees impacted by the current war initiated by Russia.

Community Hope will receive $4,000.

Community Hope›s mission is to be a beacon of hope in our community, restoring hope andchanging lives, connecting individuals and families with life changing support, services and housing.

Chester Volunteer Fire Company will be

the recipient of $5,000. The Fire Company›s mission is to respond to all reported emergencies with the resources available and with the utmost regard for the safely of its members and to help preserve and protect the lives, property and environment of the residents of the Chesters.

Homeless Solutions will receive $3,000 whose mission is to offer «a hand up not a handout». Homeless Solutions give those served the tools and surroundings they need to rebuild their lives and become self-sufficient.

The Chester Lions work to make things better for people. For further information regarding Lionism please visit our website at chesterlionsclubnj.com.

What’s happening in your school or organization?

Celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, graduation? Have a human interest story or something you would like to share?

Email us at editor@mylifepublications.com

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Chester’s Anthony Curlo: New Jersey USAWNJ Scholastic State Champion

ongratulations to Anthony Curlo from Chester as he won the NJ State Youth Wrestling Championships (75 Lbs. weight class) held on March 12th at The Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton, NJ. This is a significant accomplishment as Anthony becomes a “back to back” NJ State Champion as he won last year. Anthony is a Triple Crown Winner in which he won what’s called Folkstyle, Freestyle and GrecoRoman. Anthony is nationally ranked and competes year round all over the country. He is a 7th grader and is currently homeschooled. The primary club that he trains out of is Buxton Athletic Training Center in Randolph. Anthony started wrestling at the age of 7 for the Chester Mendham Patriots. Anthony follows in his fathers footsteps as Anthony Sr. wrestled for Syracuse University and has coached him throughout his young career.

Anthony thanks all his coaches as it truly takes an army to get to the top. He gives special thanks to coaches Jay Albis, Joe Ferinde and Jeff Buxton from Buxton Athletic Training, Coach Luis Filipe from Filipe Trained in Middletown, Coach Nick Francavilla from Iron Horse in Sparta, Coach Eric Sement, Joe Kemmerer and no less than a dozen clubs in multiple states that he has wrestled for in the past few years. “Anthony is the hardest

working kid in the room and it showed today”, according to Jay Albis.

Coach Filipe added, “Anthony has been grinding hard the past two years, often 6-7 days per week. He’s cried, gotten frustrated, been beat up, but never makes an excuse. He always asks how and never says I can’t.

He’s been on a tear with multiple undefeated dual meet and individual tournaments. Anthony travels nationally and always looks to seek out the best competition. The future is bright and we are all rooting for him!“ Anthony is competing in both Freestyle and Greco-Roman championships this summer and has aspirations to be a national champ and someday represent the USA at the world championships. With such a wonderful wrestling community which he calls family that he is surrounded by, the sky is the limit for the years to come including middle school, high school, college and beyond.

Anthony is a multi-sport athlete as he plays baseball, is currently in a competitive flag football league at Delbarton, does gymnastics and plays tackle football for the Twin Boro Bears. His mother Ellie is self-employed as she owns an executive search firm called EM Search.

He has a twin sister Georgina who he often practices his new wrestling moves on.

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PROVEN RESULTS AND CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP FOR MORRIS COUNTY

Tom Mastrangelo

Proven Conservative with a Successful record of fighting for us!

KEEPING YOUR TAXES LOW Six 0% tax increases under Tom Mastrangelo’s Leadership!

REDUCING COUNTY DEBT Reduced county debt and saved taxpayers millions in debt payments.

PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES

Continue to support law enforcement, hold violent and repeat offenders accountable.

OPPOSE SANCTUARY CITIES

OPPOSE sanctuary cities and taxpayer subsidized tuition for illegals.

PRESERVE OPEN SPACE

Ensuring our open space, farmland, beautiful park system and trails, PGA rated Golf courses and fields for youth and adult sports remain for generations to come.

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Long Valley Resident Aiming at Republican Nomination in 7th Congressional District

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By Alexander Rivero ontractor Kevin Dorlon, who built his very first house in his native town of Mount Olive before moving to Long Valley nine years ago, will be running for the Republican ticket for New Jersey’s 7th congressional district. Dorlon, who has been in Morris County for 48 years, will be looking for a chance to go toe-to-toe agains Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes) in a race that may determine which of the two major political parties controls the U.S. House of Representatives at the halfway mark of Joe Biden’s presidency.

First, however, he has to beat out the competitors from his own party, which include: John P. Flora, John Isemann, Senate Minority Leader Thomas Kean, Jr. of Westfield, former U.S. Food and Drug Administration official Rick Mehta, District 23 Assemblyman Erik Peterson, and Philip Rizzo.

After discussing his upbringing in Mount Olive, and his years spent at Mount Olive High School and at California University of Pennsylvania earning a B.A. in political science, one wonders what inspired him to run for office.

“I cannot stomach to see the insani-

ty that’s taking place in our government today,” he says in a calm, steady voice.

“There’s a very clear divide between the people ruling and the people being ruled.

And many of the people ruling are people who park themselves in power for 20 years and pretend to somehow still be in touch with the people they represent. It’s absolutely ridiculous.”

Dorlon continues, “Back when the Constitution was written, in the early years of the Republic overall, the way things operated was that you, a farmer, would take the day and head over to Capitol Hill to present your grievances. Then, you’d come back to the farm and continue plowing. The system was never meant to have people holding onto public office for decades, and for clear reasons. You can’t claim to have a connection to the people you’re elected to serve if you’ve forgotten what it’s like to be one of them.”

Among the things that irk Dorlon the most, as well as many of the residents supporting him, are what he refers to as a lack of rationality in policy-making decisions from those currently in charge.

“I’m a builder, not a rocket scientist,”

says Dorlon, “and I need simple common sense. Not too long ago, this country was fully energy independent, and now we are not. How did we allow that to happen?

How could we have allowed that to happen? Even if you fabricated it, for a novel, it wouldn’t seem real. It would be unrealistic and yet, here we are.”

Another big problem for Dorlon is the manner in which the state of New Jersey lists the names of each candidate in its ballot box sheet for elections. Every other state in the union, says Dorlon, presents the names of the candidates running in a single box for the voter to select from. continued on page 11

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Republican Nomination... continued from page 10 In New Jersey, says Dorlon, “a line appears dividing certain candidates from others, giving the impression that the candidates who are on the farther side of the ballot sheet are secondary candidates, because they’re listed in a secondary fashion.”

Asked about his platform, Dorlon again kept it crisp: “Common sense. I sincerely believe that we need accurate representation by the people, not some set-up where you have professional bureaucrats insulating themselves for decades from the problems the real people are facing day in, day out.”

As for what he would do first if elected to serve New Jersey’s 7th congressional district, Dorlon says he would start by having the separating line removed from New Jersey ballots to give each candidate on the ballot sheet equal representation in the voters eyes.

He would continue by making it a point to stand up to a corporate media industry he feels is bent on stoking divisions within the ranks of American society to keep people from coming together. “There are certainly bad apples in this and every country, but what the media has done in recent years is to actively aim to keep people divided, to keep them too angry to ever consider

that the things that unite us as Americans outnumber the things that divide us by a lot.”

As for his would-be approach to representing his constituents in Washington, Dorlon says that he first has to “make friends before ever smacking the beehive.”

The same philosophy extends to the way he has been dealing with his current opponents. “I refuse to run a smear campaign against anyone,” he says. “I have my beliefs, I can speak to them, and I relish the chance to debate anyone, anywhere. But I’m certainly not in the business of starting up or feeding rumors about anyone just because they’re running against me.”

Dorlon counts his wife as his greatest influence and the person he most looks up to, citing not only her role as wife and mother to their children, but as the most organized person he’s ever known, running all administrative matters for his contracting business.

In the weeks just prior to this interview, Dorlon’s campaign had raised (and spent) $10,000 very quickly. “Every little donation helps more than you might think,” he says.

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Chester Theatre Group - 50 Years and Still Performing

E

By Henry M. Holden ach season, for more than 50 years, the Chester Theatre Group (CTG) has been an essential asset of the New Jersey cultural community. Their first appearance on the stage was in the 1959/60 season when they presented, Bus Stop, Our Town, and the Curious Savage.

According to their website, The Black River Playhouse was originally a Baptist Church. In 1854, the Bedminster Methodist Church purchased it and, in the winter of 1880-1881, with the help and strength of six mule teams, moved to its present location at Grove Street and Maple Avenue.

In 1908, Chester Township purchased the Grove Street Baptist Church and used it as the Chester Township Municipal Building.

In 1930, the building became Chester Borough Hall. Eventually Chester Borough relocated its municipal offices, and the building was used for medicine shows where charlatans would sell “patent medicines,” Sadie Hawkins dances, where the girls would ask the boys to dance, and silent and sound motion picture shows. It continued serving the community in these roles for many years.

The Chester Theatre Group continued to perform plays, from The Crucible in their 1960-1961 season to Born Yesterday, during

their 1965-66 season.

Between 1959 and 1965 the group put on fourteen performances. These early productions were performed at different local venues.

In 1965, Chester Borough put its Borough Hall on the auction block. The Chester Theatre Group won the auction with $6,000.

However, there were two issues: one, Alan Rubinstein, the Chester Theatre Group President at the time, did not have the 15-percent down payment, and two, the deed belonged to Chester Township, and they owned the building. Rubinstein was able to resolve the 15-percent shortfall by passing his hat around to the crowd gathered for the auction and Chester Township’s Mayor agreed to turn over the deed. The sale became official December 9, 1965, and renovations began.

However, there was a stage but no money for curtains, spotlights, or backdrops. With no available funds for these items, a group of residents banded together to mount a production of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town as a fundraiser. It was such a success they said why don’t we do this again next year and that turned into let’s do two or three.

“In January 1967 we held the first performances in the Black River Playhouse,”

From the musical Ilyria L-R Michael Foley, Barb Haag and Jeffrey Dopson. Costumes are always a financial issue when putting a performance together. (Credit Chester Theatre Group)

said Christopher Mortenson, president of Chester Theatre Group (CTG). “It was also the first year we presented a musical.”

The first CTG production in the Black River Playhouse A Thurber Carnival, was “A Smash Success.”

Mortenson believes it is the building that makes the performances and actors shine. “It’s a great building that attracts many artistic people that have something to say and are credible,” said Mortenson. continued on page 13

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mendham, Morristown, Black River Life • April 2022 • Page 13

Chester Theatre Group... continued from page 12 “The stage itself is unique. It is a theaterin-the-round. Everybody is looking in the same direction toward the stage. Our stage is in the middle of the room with four seating sections on each side for a total of one hundred seats. Also, each corner of the building has a little stair that we built in the two-story structure. We can use storage space on the second floor for a spare space for whatever we need it for.”

“There are people, very artistic people, who have great vision. When they step into the stage and see a show, they say ‘you know I want to come back here and put on my own production in this space because it makes you reimagine the story you already know.’

You may have seen Hamlet a thousand times but if you see it with all the actors around you, and they are performing around people who are around them it ups the ante. It is a very intimate experience,” said Mortenson.

The Black River Playhouse is rare among theaters in New Jersey. Mortenson asserts that: “It connects artists and audiences in a special in-the-round theater space where viewers are less than five feet away from performers. That intimacy is our greatest asset. It generates a singular energy that

occurs only in live theater.”

The basic foundation of the Chester Theater Group is promoting the invaluable work of playwrights and directors, by providing a free and accessible venue for creative expression.

“We even had productions during the pandemic. Of course, they were done remotely with all the pandemic rules followed. We put a few of them on YouTube for a while, but YouTube is not a good venue for the type of production we do.”

“Directors are invited to come forward with their ideas and visions for productions,” said Mortenson. “The Chester Theatre Group does not limit itself solely to the commercial, the Avant Garde, or the classical. We welcome the dramas, musicals, comedies and plays.

We limit ourselves only to answering the following questions affirmatively: Will the production be interesting, entertaining, and challenging enough to us and our audience to warrant production? And can we do it well? That philosophy has yielded for our community, enriching artists, and audiences alike for more than 50 years.”

For more information on the Chester Theater Group, visit www. chestertheatregroup.org

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Page 14 • April 2022 • Mendham, Morristown, Black River Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

A

52 Forested Acres Preserved in Washington Township

37-acre wooded property that will help connect township-owned open space and serve as the entry point of a future trail system has just been permanently preserved.

On March 11, the nonprofit New Jersey Conservation Foundation purchased the property on the west side of Kings Highway from Eric and Geraldine Turnquist.

New Jersey Conservation plans to transfer the property to Washington Township to add to its preserved land holdings.

The Turnquist property is near the recently-preserved 15-acre Peach property and another 91 forested acres already owned by the township.

“The Turnquist property is a beautiful parcel of oak, hickory and tulip forest, with headwaters streams that flow to the Musconetcong River, a federally-designated Wild and Scenic River,” said Jay Watson, co-executive director of New Jersey Conservation. “We’re grateful to our funding partners for making this acquisition possible, and we look forward to seeing the land become a place where local residents can go to hike and enjoy nature.”

Both properties are in the preservation area of the New Jersey Highlands and valuable for their ability to recharge ground-

water supplies.

The Turnquist property was acquired with funding from the Morris County Open Space Trust Fund and state Green Acres funds awarded to the nonprofit Washington Township Land Trust. The Peach property was purchased with Washington Township Open Space funds and a grant from the Morris County Open Space Trust Fund.

“Preserving this environmentally sensitive property is additionally beneficial because it is next to other protected lands,” said Morris County Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen of the most recent acquisition. “It’s important to create and maintain contiguous greenways for our preservation efforts to be meaningful. Morris County taxpayers overwhelmingly voted to create the Open Space Trust Fund nearly three decades ago to preserve our natural heritage because it goes to the heart of our quality of life here, and it is why Morris County remains the best place to work and raise a family.”

The Turnquist property is located on the western slope of Schooley’s Mountain and includes steep terrain. The Peach property, preserved last fall, includes a high point with scenic winter views of the

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The township is also hoping to preserve other nearby properties, with the goal of eventually having a nature preserve totaling over 200 acres open to the public for

passive recreation.

Washington Township Mayor Matthew Murello said, “Washington Township has more than 800 acres of preserved open continued on page 15

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continued from page 14 space, including almost 30 miles of trails and paths that are used by the public. The acquisition of this property is exciting as it will allow us to further expand our open space for the residents in this area of town.”

High Conservation Value The Turnquist and Peach properties were ranked the highest priority for preservation by the state’s Connecting Habitat Across New Jersey (CHANJ) project, which seeks to link wildlife habitat. The land supports habitat for many species, including barred owls, wood turtles and red-shouldered hawks.

“Habitat fragmentation is a serious challenge for New Jersey’s wildlife,” said NJDEP Fish and Wildlife Assistant Commissioner Dave Golden. “Roadways and poorly planned development act as barriers for species attempting to reach critical habitats necessary for their survival. The CHANJ project attempts to mitigate these challenges for wildlife by prioritizing open space acquisition, habitat restoration and management, as well as guiding mitigation of road barrier effects on wildlife and their habitats. The acquisition of the Turnquist property is a great example of landscape

level planning and utilizing the CHANJ guidance for the benefit of both wildlife and people.”

According to Jim Fitterer, president of the Washington Township Land Trust, protecting the Turnquist property has been a goal of the organization for many years.

“It goes back to 1991, the year the land trust was formed, when we realized that the rural and historic character of the township was changing” due to large development proposals, said Fitterer. “Our goal is: anywhere you can do it, put land into preservation.”

He added with the Turnquist property, the Washington Township Land Trust has preserved a total of about 1,100 acres, either alone or in partnership with other organizations including New Jersey Conservation Foundation.

Among the partnership projects between New Jersey Conservation Foundation and the Washington Township Land Trust was the acquisition of the 228-acre former Borgenicht property at the intersection of Drakestown Road and Fairview Avenue. New Jersey Conservation built a trail system on the property, now known as the Maureen Ogden Preserve.

Page 16 • April 2022 • Mendham, Morristown, Black River Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

The History Behind April Fool’s Day

S

By Henry M. Holden can your favorite newspaper or news website this April 1, and chances are you will see some headlines that look doubtful. Read further, and you will find that some of those stories are complete hoaxes, because it’s April Fools’ Day. There have been several April Fool’s Day pranks that have caught the public’s eye through the years. One famous prank became known as The Great Spaghetti Harvest. In 1957, a BBC broadcaster announced that Switzerland had a heavy spaghetti crop for the year and even showed footage of people harvesting spaghetti off trees.

At the time, spaghetti was relatively unknown in the UK. Several viewers afterwards contacted the BBC for advice on growing their own spaghetti trees. CNN called this broadcast “the biggest hoax that any reputable news establishment ever pulled.”

But where do we get the strange custom of playing pranks on April 1? Well, nobody knows for sure. All we know is that the custom was known in Renaissance Europe but has roots much older than that.

Traditional theory places the origin of April Fools Day in the Roman Empire and dates it to the reign of Emperor Constantine. According to the story, a group of court jesters convinced Constantine to make one of them “king for a day.” Constantine obliged, and made one king for a day. He decreed that it would be a day of cheerfulness, and thus created what came April Fools Day. The only problem with that story was it was a hoax. It

was an April Fools Day prank, pulled by Boston University professor Joseph Boskin, on Associated Press reporter Fred Bayles, in 1983. Bayles reported the story, and the AP ran it, only to retract it days later. There is a good lesson here: Do not take as fact everything you read about April Fools Day. (But no worries, you can totally trust me!)

Many think the idea of April Fools Day goes back to Roman times, when a joyful festival called Hilaria, originally probably a spring equinox celebration, came to be celebrated on March 25. In Roman terms, March 25 was “the eighth of the Calends of April,” which associates the festival strongly with April 1, the Calends of April.

However, there is no hard evidence to connect Hilaria with April Fools Day, so this is just another speculation by curious people.

People have hypothesized about the origins of this holiday, suggesting that it was part of the Roman Saturnalia, a Druid rite in Britain, with a carnival-like medieval celebration of the Feast of Fools. But despite attempts to establish an earlier origin for the day, clear references to a tradition of fooling in April do not begin until the late Middle Ages.

It is possible that there is a glimpse of April Fools Day in Chaucer’s “Nun’s Priest’s Tale” (ca. 1390), which shows the rooster being fooled by, and in turn fooling, a fox.

This occurs “Syn March bigan, thritty dayes and two,” or 32 days after March began, i.e., April 1. This would be an early, clear reference to the date, but scholars think the word “bigan” is a scribal error, and that the intended date continued on page 17

A Laughing Fool. Netherlandish oil painting (possibly Jacob Cornelisz. van Oostsanen) ca. 1500. (LoC Public Domain Image.)

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mendham, Morristown, Black River Life • April 2022 • Page 17

Spring Tennis Coming to Washington Township

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continued from page 16 was May 2, thirty-two days after March was over. Even if this is true, the existence of such a scribal error could suggest that medieval scribes expected hoaxes to occur on April 1. But still, this does not qualify as hard evidence of an April Fools custom.

In France, “poisson d’avril,” or “April fish,” is the name for a person duped on April Fools Day. The first reference to “poisson d’avril” is from a 1508 poem

by Eloy D’Amerval called Le Livre de la Diablerie, or The Book of Deviltry. However, from the context we can’t be sure if the author was referring to April 1 or to fools in general. The idea of the “April fish” seems to be the fact that fish were plentiful and hungry in the spring, and easy to catch. An “April fish” was more gullible than a fish at other times of the year. Thus, a mere reference to an “April fish” does not itself prove there was a holiday on April 1.

Some sources, such as Charles Panati’s Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things, cite another 16th-century French origin: 1564, when the celebration of the New Year officially moved to January 1 by Charles IX’s Edict of Roussillon. According to Panati, the New Year had the celebration

on March 25 because of the arrival of spring, with a week-long observance ending on April 1. Panati further claims: “Frenchmen who resisted the change, and others who forgot about it, continued partying and exchanging gifts during the week ending April 1.”

The real history of New Year’s observances in France is more complex, with different regions celebrating at various times. As early as 1507, books printed in France indicated that people were beginning the year on January 1.

Besides, Panati does not provide any concrete evidence of any of his claims in the form of modern-day accounts or surviving invitations–not even for the claim of a week-long celebration, which is necessary to involve April 1 in the New Year change. In all, we will have to consider his story to be real, or a hoax on all of us.

The first certain reference to April Fools Day comes from a 1561 Flemish poem by Eduard De Dene. In the poem, a noble person sends his servant on crazy, fruitless errands. The servant recognizes that he is running on “fool’s errands” because it is April 1.

Page 18 • April 2022 • Mendham, Morristown, Black River Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Parish Celebrates a Special Anniversary

I

By Steve Sears t’s hidden somewhat behind a small bush at the left front corner of Morristown’s Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary church building. If you get close enough, you can see the faded “1872” carved into the cornerstone.

It’s been 150 years since the structure was built for a cost of $37,500, and just by walking by it and, better yet, walking inside for Mass or just reflection and prayer, you can feel the memories, the faith of those many who have walked in this sacred building prior.

Jeanette C. and Robert J. Fredericks wrote a book titled, We Built A Family Together: The History of the Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which commemorates the 150th anniversary of the parish itself, and speaks about the building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and, in 2022, celebrates its construction 150 years ago.

It is also the oldest church in Morristown on its original foundation.

Msgr. John Hart has been Pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish since 2009, and he is also the Diocesan Director of Personnel for the Archdiocese of Paterson. He and his staff serve a congregation of about 3,300 families. “That that book updates Fr. Joseph Flynn’s book,” he says of the Fredericks’ offering. “Fr. Sheeran was the pastor who built this church. He was followed by Fr. Flynn.

Fr. Flynn bought the land for All Souls Hospital on Mount Kemball Avenue, he bought the land for Saint Margaret’s continued on page 19

Oldest known photo of the current church . Photos courtesy of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church.

Oldest known interior photo of the current church.

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mendham, Morristown, Black River Life • April 2022 • Page 19

Parish Celebrates a Special Anniversary... continued from page 18 Church in Morristown, and the tiny plot of land for Saint Virgil Church in Morristown.

He was a very forward looking man, and he was also an author. So he wrote a book called The Story of a Parish: 1847 - 1892, which speaks about the history of this church from 1848 up until the beginning of the 20th century. That was kind like an etude for a larger book that he was going to write called The History of the Church in New Jersey. Both books are covered in blue in honor of our Blessed Mother.”

The current church building was dedicated in 1873, and the last renovation was completed in 2007. “The original church in 1848 was a wooden structure on the site of the present rectory,” Msgr. Hart says. “The population was growing in that they had a school in the bottom of that church in 1848, and so when Fr. Sheeran built this church, Fr. Flynn built the present rectory in 1890.”

Robert Fredericks been a parishioner since 1968. “Our book is basically an update,” he says. “The original church was a mission church, and there were very few Catholics in the area. Many Irish immigrants were coming into Morristown, and they settled in an area which was called “Dublin” near what is now Maple Avenue. There was a need there for a Catholic outreach for the people who were coming in. Fa-

ther McQuaid was the one who purchased the property for $100 and established the first church which was commissioned on the Feast of the Assumption on August 8, 1848.”

As the Catholic population and church attendance at the original building grew, there was a need for a larger building. Fr. Sheeran set his plan in motion. The cornerstone was laid in May of 1872, and the new church was competed in 1873.

A major fire took place in the church in 1985. “We came very close to losing the building,” Fredericks says. A motorist drove by on Maple Avenue and, seeing the fire, rang the rector doorbell and informed the priest, who called the fire department. The fire had started up in a crawl space in the upper reaches of the attic where construction work going on at that time. The Morristown and Morris township fire departments arrived, and the only way they could access and put out the fire was by poking a hole through the beautiful rose window at the front of the building. “Fortunately, we had the plans for that window, so the window could be reconstructed. But the only way they could move their equipment in, their hoses and so forth, was through that opening to try to put the fire out,” Fredericks says.

Current sanctuary.

Follow up studies conducted determined that, if the fire had proceeded down another foot or so, the walls would have come down and the 113-year-old structure would’ve crumbled. The church organ was destroyed, but the structure was saved, and it took two years to reconstruct and rebuild.

The building reopened on Midnight Mass for Christmas in 1987, folding chairs the seating instead of pews.

“The stained glass windows are histor-

ic, they’re from Germany,” Msgr. Hart says.

“On a sunny day, it’s really incredible. It’s a jewel.”

Fredericks adds, “When I’m there, I have a great comfort. I’m there in my church, my beautiful church, and it’s a very moving experience. I feel very close to God.” Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Parish is located at 91 Maple Avenue, Morristown. For more information, visit www.assumptionparish.org.

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An April Story

W

By Richard Mabey Jr. hat spiritual connections lie dormant between man and beast? What lost communication, from a bygone era, still remains intact deep within the inner fiber of both man and beast?

Could it be that we are guided and molded by forces so innately natural, that they gently call to the deepest core of our subconscious minds? Could it be that in early April, the calling of the majestic buck deer graced the inner fiber of a 13-yearold boy, marking him with a calling that remained fixed in the deepest chambers of his heart?

My grandfather, Watson Mabey, often told the story of the great, glorious, majestic buck deer that walked the woods at the end of Mabey Lane. Grandpa also had told me that the great buck could also be seen, from time to time, walking the path of the old Morris Canal. Grandpa had worked the canal, from his youth, and eventually became the Chief Engineer of Incline Plane Ten East.

My sister Patti, my cousins and I would often sit at the feet of Grandpa Mabey, as he sat upon his chair in the living room of the old Mabey Homestead.

Grandpa was a most wonderful and enchanting story teller. He often told the family legends of the majestic buck deer. Grandpa always ended every tale about the magnificent deer, by telling us that whoever looked into the eyes of the majestic buck would be marked for a special calling for the rest of their life.

In early April of 1967, I was in the eighth grade, 13 years old, and I decided to take a walk down the forest path to the old Morris Canal, all by myself. It was a sunny, Saturday morning. The wild flowers were blooming along the forest path, that began at the end of Mabey Lane. I had no idea that magical morning, that my life was about to change forever.

As I walked the forest path, squirrels scurried about, jumping from tree limb to limb. Birds sang and chirped melodies to shame even the world’s greatest musical composers. Thistle stalks abounded between the maple, the oak and the elm. There was a certain peace that filled the air in those magical wooded acres.

As I walked down the wooded path, I could not believe my eyes. There to the right of the narrow forest path, proudly stood the majestic buck. It was a most surreal moment in time, it all seemed like a dream. Slowly and steadfastly, the old, tall buck came walking toward me. It was as frightening as any horror film I had ever seen at the old State Theater in the nearby town of Boonton. The antlers of the powerful deer seemed to reach out three or four feet from the majestic buck’s skull. As the deer came ever so close to me, I shuttered.

I stood my ground. It was not so much that I was being brave and fearless, it was actually quite the opposite.

I remember being so taken and overcome with fear that my legs would not move an inch. You read about such moments in time, you dream about such moments in time, but this was a moment that was all so real, as frightening as it was.

My heart began beating like a big bass drum. Sweat filled the crevices of my hands, like little pools of water that clung to my palms. The carotid sinuses in my neck pounded in a fastpaced rhythm. As the deer, ever so slowly, ascended closer to me, I remembered the very words of Grandpa Mabey.

The Great Majestic Buck was the central character of a family legend. It was at least a dozen times that Grandpa told me the legend of the Great Majestic Buck.

The Mabey legend was that whoever looked the stately deer in the eye, directly in the eye, was a marked man.

That from that point on, the person who stood steadfast to the great deer and looked him square in the eye would be so marked for a special calling, that his or her life would never, ever be the same.

The deer was now only about 10 feet from me, when the grand beast stopped and threw his head back, as if he was about to attack me. Something kept me from running down the forest path. I felt the presence of my grandfather, standing beside me, saying to me, “stand your ground, Richie, stand your ground.”

And then the Great Majestic Deer lowered his head and slowly, steadfastly began once again to walk toward me. My body shook like the last leaf hanging upon a twig of a maple tree, in the midst of an April breeze. I thought that my heart was going to burst, it was beating so hard and all so fast.

The Great Majestic Deer was now about four feet from me. I was frozen. I could not move. And, with all the courage that I could dig deeply from within the core of my soul, I looked the huge beast deep in its eyes.

The grand deer looked back at me and flung its head back in a fury. Then lowered his head, turned around and ran into the thick of the April forest. I felt a deep blessing succumb my heart, mind, and soul. I had looked the Great Majestic Buck deep into his eyes and he looked deep into mine. From that point on, I would never be the same.

I walked down the forest path. As I stood within eye’s view of the old Morris Canal, l could see the foundation of my great grandfather’s icehouse. William Mabey had built the icehouse with the help of my grandfather and Grandpa’s brother, Earl. Sadly, Earl was killed in battle, in France during World War I. When I came upon the foundation to the old Mabey Ice House, I sat upon the

stone foundation and looked at the still, murky waters of the old Morris Canal, that lied just a few feet north of the old foundation.

The memory of the Great Majestic Buck was engraved upon the deepest chambers of my heart. Perhaps Grandpa’s legend was not a fairy tale, perhaps there was a great depth of truth to the old Mabey Legend.

At the age of 13, in early April of 1967, I felt my grandfather’s gift of story telling fill my heart. I had looked the Great Majestic Buck Deer in the eye. I was now marked with the gift of a special calling. I knew deep in the chambers of my heart, that the great buck had blessed me with the calling of story telling. There was no doubt in my heart. None at all.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@ hotmail.com. Please put on the subject line: An April Story.

A photo from 1932 of my grandfather, Watson Mabey, proudly standing in his backyard, of the home he built at the end of Mabey Lane.

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mendham, Morristown, Black River Life • April 2022 • Page 21 SPONSORED ADVERTISING CONTENT

Last State Silver Bank Rolls up for grabs

Fortune of old Silver Coins issued by the U.S. Gov’t sealed away in the only State Restricted Bank Rolls known to exist are actually being handed over to New Jersey residents STATE RESTRICTION: Only residents of NJ get the $19 state minimum - non state residents must pay $57 per coin

NEW JERSEY - “We’re bracing for the flood of calls,” said Laura Lynne, U.S. Coin and Currency Director for the National Mint and Treasury.

That’s because the next 2 days the last remaining State of New Jersey Restricted Silver Bank Rolls loaded with rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Kennedy Presidential Half Dollars are actually being handed over to New Jersey residents who call the National TollFree Hotlines listed in today’s newspaper publication.

And here’s the best part. If you are a resident of the state of New Jersey you cover only the $19 per coin state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury, that’s twenty rarely seen Silver clad Kennedy Presidential Half Dollars worth up to 60 times their face value for just $380 which is a real steal because non state residents must pay $57 per coin which totals $1,140 if any coins remain after the 2-day deadline.

“National Mint and Treasury recently spoke with its Chief Professional Numismatist who said ‘Very few people have ever actually saw one of these rarely seen Silver Kennedy Presidential Half Dollars minted over 50 years ago. But to actually find them sealed away in State Restricted Silver Bank Rolls is like finding buried treasure. So anyone lucky enough to get their hands on these Bank Rolls had better hold on to them,’” Lynne said.

“Now that the State of New Jersey Restricted Silver Bank Rolls are being offered up we won’t be surprised if thousands of New Jersey residents claim the maximum limit allowed of 6 Kennedy Presidential Silver Bank

Rolls per resident before they’re all gone,” said Lynne.

“That’s because the dates and mint marks of the U.S. Gov’t issued Silver clad Kennedy Presidential Half Dollars sealed away inside the State of New Jersey Restricted Silver Bank Rolls have never been searched.

But, we do know that these coins date back to the mid 1900’s and some may be worth up to 60 times their face value, so there is no telling what New Jersey residents will find until they sort through all the coins,” Lynne went on to say.

“Rarely seen silver coins like these are highly sought after, but we’ve never seen anything like this before.

According to The Official Red Book, a Guide Book of United States Coins many Silver Kennedy Presidential Half Dollars have nearly doubled in collector value in just the last several years,” Lynne said.

“We’re guessing thousands of New Jersey residents will be taking the maximum limit of 6 Bank Rolls because you can only get them rolled this way directly from the National Mint and Treasury and they are the only State Restricted Bank Rolls known to exist,” Lynne continued.

“We know the phones will be ringing off the hook. So make sure to tell everyone to keep calling if all lines are busy. We’ll do our best to answer them all,” Lynne said.

The only thing readers of today’s newspaper publication need to do is make sure they are a resident of the state of New Jersey and call the National Toll-Free Hotlines before the 2-day deadline ends midnight tomorrow. ■

IMPORTANT FACTS: The dates and mint marks of the rarely seen Silver Kennedy Presidential Half Dollars sealed away inside the State of New Jersey Restricted Silver Bank Rolls have never been searched. Coin values always fluctuate and there are never any guarantees, but any rare, scarce or highly collectible coins, regardless of their value that state residents may find inside the sealed Bank Rolls are theirs to keep.

■ FLYING OUT THE DOOR: Calls are pouring in from state residents who are trying to get their hands on the last State Restricted Silver Bank Rolls known to exist sealed away in the secured packages pictured above before the deadline ends. That’s because residents who beat the 2-day deadline printed in today’s publication by calling 1-800-233-5658 Ext. JFR2029 are cashing in on the lowest ever state minimum price set by the National Mint and Treasury.

Answering Your Questions

Q: How to claim the last State Restricted Silver Bank Rolls A: If you are a New Jersey resident read the important information below about claiming the State Restricted Silver Bank Rolls, then call the State Toll-Free Hotline at: 1-800-233-5658 EXT: JFR2029 beginning at precisely 8:30 A.M. this morning.

Q: Are these Silver Kennedy Half Dollars worth more than other Half Dollars?

A: Yes. These rarely seen Silver Kennedy Presidential Half Dollars were minted in the mid 1900’s. That makes these silver coins extremely collectible. The vast majority of half dollars minted after 1970 have no silver content at all. In fact, these Kennedy Presidential Half Dollars were the last silver coins minted for circulation.

That’s why many of them now command collector values of many times their face value so there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value someday.

Q: How much are the State Restricted Silver Bank Rolls worth?

A: It’s impossible to say, but these Kennedy Presidential Half Dollars date back to the mid 1900’s and some are worth up to 60 times the face value and there are 20 in each Bank Roll so you better hurry if you want to get your hands on them. Collector values always fluctuate and there are never any guarantees. But we do know they are the only New Jersey State Silver Bank Rolls known to exist and Kennedy Presidential Half Dollars are highly collectible so anyone lucky enough to get their hands on these State Restricted Silver Bank Rolls should hold onto them because there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value someday.

Q: Why are so many New Jersey residents calling to get them?

A: Because they are the only State Restricted Silver Bank Rolls known to exist and everyone wants their share. These are not ordinary bank rolls. These are full Bank Rolls containing 20 Silver Kennedy Presidential Half Dollars dating clear back to the mid 1900’s some worth up to 60 times their face value. Remember this. Only New Jersey residents are guaranteed to get them for just the $19 per coin state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury for the next two days. Non state residents must pay $57 per coin.

Q: How do I get the State Restricted Silver Bank Rolls?

A: The only thing New Jersey residents need to do is call the State Toll Free Hotline at 1-800-233-5658 Ext. JFR2029 before the deadline ends. Everyone who does is getting the only State Restricted Silver Bank Rolls known to exist. That’s a full Bank Roll of 20 Silver Kennedy Presidential Half Dollars for just the $19 per coin state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury, which totals just $380 for the full Bank Roll. That’s a real steal because non state residents are not permitted to call before 5 pm tomorrow and must pay $1,140 for each New Jersey State Restricted Silver Bank Roll if any remain.

NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY, LLC IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. MINT, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, A BANK OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. IF FOR ANY REASON WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM SHIPMENT YOU ARE DISSATISFIED, RETURN THE PRODUCT FOR A REFUND LESS SHIPPING AND RETURN POSTAGE. THIS SAME OFFER MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE AT A LATER DATE OR IN A DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION. OH RESIDENTS ADD 6.5% SALES TAX. PACKAGING MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR EQUAL OR GREATER VALUE. NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY, PO BOX 35609, CANTON, OH 44735 ©2022 NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY. R1057R-3

Page 22 • April 2022 • Mendham, Morristown, Black River Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

New Jersey’s Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum Celebrating 50 Years of Flight

I

By Henry M. Holden n the first decades of aviation, Teterboro Airport, in Bergen County, was the center of development and record setting flights. Teterboro Airport is the oldest operating airport in the Tri-State Region.

In the 1920s and 1930s, record-setting flights became a national obsession, and many of the flights originated or terminated at Teterboro Airport.

Many famous pilots flew out of Teterboro including Charles and Ann Morrow Lindbergh, Jimmy Doolittle, and Clarence Chamberlain, the second man to fly non-stop across the Atlantic were early users of the airport.

Later, they were followed by former navy pilot Arthur Godfrey, and astronauts Buzz Aldrin (the second man to walk on the Moon), Walter Schirra, and Kathryn Sullivan, the first woman to walk in space, and Janis Blackburn, the first woman in the world to be a flying crew member on the Airbus A-300, along with others became the modern-day aviation pioneers.

The museum displays historic aircraft, space equipment, artifacts, photographs, fine art and an aircraft model collection. The library has more than 4,000 volumes and a collection of aviation videos.

A party held on August 14, 1970, commemorated the 50th anniversary of the first landing at Teterboro Airport. Donald Borg, publisher of New Jersey’s largest evening newspaper, The Bergen Evening Record, and others nostalgically discussed events that had taken place at the airport. It was soon evident that the airport held exclusive historical

importance. The group agreed to preserve the history, and the seeds of the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum (AHOF) were planted.

Ten New Jersey aviators were selected to be the first inductees with H. V. “Pat” Reilly becoming the executive vice president and director. By Laws, restricted inductee selections to be limited to four per year. This has been waived only occasionally.

The first induction dinner saw 600 guests attending.

Television personality Arthur Godfrey was the guest speaker.

In 1939, the Goodyear blimp Mayflower made daily sightseeing flights over the New York City World’s Fair. In 1952, Arthur Godfrey buzzed the control tower while taking off in his DC-3. As a result, his pilot’s license was suspended for a time.

The museum contains a number of unique exhibits including the rocket engine that propelled the X-15 to a blistering speed of Mach 6.7 (4,520 mph), a record that still stands for winged aircraft. An X-15 also topped the altitude goal of 250,000 feet by nearly 19 miles.

“The airplanes on display include a Martin 2-0-2 airliner, which is open to the public, a Bell-47, and the only known Lockheed 402-2 Bushmaster in existence, which stands at the entrance to the museum,” said Ralph Villecca, Executive Director of the museum.

“We also have a Bell AH-1S ‘Cobra’ attack helicopter, a Coast Guard CH-53 helicopter, and a number of other aircraft.”

The Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum was originally

The late Pat Reilly surrounded by inductee’s plaques. Reilly was a key figure in the formation and creation of the AHOF. (Credit Henry M. Holden)

located in the first control tower that opened in 1948. When the tower was retired in 1975, it became the first home of the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum in New Jersey. It was the first state aviation museum in the country, and it was incorporated as a nonprofit educational organization on April 6, 1972.

There were one hundred steps from the field level to the top of the tower. The hall of fame occupied the top three continued on page 23

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mendham, Morristown, Black River Life • April 2022 • Page 23

The author’s grandchildren in Bell AH-1S ‘Cobra’ attack helicopter during an Open Cockpit Day. (Credit Henry M. Holden)

Aviation Hall of Fame... continued from page 22 floors. This author remembers the climb to the top. For those who wanted to go slowly, there were aviation photos on the walls that visitors could enjoy during their hike to the top. Some of the electronics were disabled and left in place for the youngsters to simulate a controller. The radio exchanges between pilots and controllers remained active and broadcast for the visitors.

The first museum reached capacity when it held about 1,000 artifacts. “People came to give me all kinds of aviation memorabilia,” said the late Pat Reilly. “But I had no place left to put them. I ran out of room.”

The museum has been cited as One of the 10 Best Museums in the state of New Jersey,” and there are several one-of-a kind or last of a kind aircraft. “We have the last Martin 2-02, in world, and the cockpit and one row of

first class seats of a TWA 880,” said Villecca.

“We have flight simulators, and relics of illfated flights such as the Hindenburg dirigible that was destroyed by fire in Lakehurst in 1937.”

Artifacts of the Hindenburg, can be found on display. The newsreel film does not do justice to the size of the Hindenburg.

The display documents the tragedy, and illustrations show that this massive airship was almost the size of the Queen Mary ocean liner.

“Many adults are fascinated by the piece of airframe we have on display,” said Villecca “People go up to it and touch it.”

“We have the cockpit of an F-111 fighter jet and many people are fascinated by its appearance. We also have the first American hovercraft invented by Charles Fletcher on display. The Sikorsky HH-52 Coast Guard 1455 rescue helicopter which was instrumental in the Marial Cuban boatlift, now stands at the entrance to the museum.

One of our most popular exhibits among the children and parents is the ‘Little Cut Up.’ We took parts from several airplanes and put them together for the youngsters to operate the manual controls.”

When the new Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum opened in 1983, there was room for the museum’s collection, but it was soon overloaded with memorabilia, and artifacts.

Plans were made for a building extension.

However, the extension was delayed by the

AL’S

Department of Environmental Protection for three years until they determined the extension would not do damage to nearby wetlands.

“The focus of the AHOF is on events and people who contributed to New Jersey’s aviation heritage,” said Villecca. “Today, there are 192 men and women inductees in the hall of fame, including six New Jerseyborn astronauts, and fifteen war aces.”

Air Force Colonel Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin Jr., a resident of Montclair, and AHOF inductee was a Korean War fighter pilot, and Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo XI. He followed Neil Armstrong onto the surface of the moon in 1969.

Navy Captain Walter M. Schirra, Jr, of Hackensack, was one of the nation’s original seven astronauts, and the only person to have flown in each of the three generations of U.S. spacecraft – Mercury, Gemini and Apollo.

To qualify for induction, the candidate must be from New Jersey or must have significant aviation ties to New Jersey. The achievements of the candidate must be followed by an ongoing commitment to advance aviation.

The museum has been designated as an educational center so there is probably something for everyone to enjoy and learn about. For more information see www. njahof.org or phone 201-288-6344.

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Page 24 • April 2022 • Mendham, Morristown, Black River Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Honoring Late Daughter, Wayne Mom Channels Pain into Passion

T

By Jillian Risberg he visual impact of seeing 500+ children’s faces of loved ones lost gazing out from the trailer to scare the heck out of the youth is a powerful wake-up call: ‘this could happen to me’ — Stay Away From Drugs.

It was Angels Across America’s first Event in Kissimmee, Florida — the camper will travel from state to state to create awareness, vital to save lives— and it meant everything.

“We were excited for our first rollout.

Moms who lost their children wanted to see the picture of their child ‘cause that’s the only memory we have now,” says Susan Schmidt.

For Schmidt, the loss of her daughter is crushing torture, as though her soul has been ripped from her body. Alyssa is forever with her heart and always on her mind.

It was May 28, 2016, when her world imploded.

“I live with the heartache of losing my daughter every single day. She was 20 years old and I found her in her bed, she made a choice by snorting heroin and it killed her,” Schmidt says after a year she got on Facebook and learned other moms experienced the same loss. That’s when she knew she needed to do something.

“I had to learn about all this because I had no clue and there are a lot of naive families out there,” she says at first she was ashamed, ‘I raised her well, she went to Catholic school, came from a good family,’ how could this happen.

Because addiction doesn’t discriminate, and will take the best of anyone.

“You just grow with the pain and out of that becomes compassion to help others

and keep our loved ones’ memories alive,” says Schmidt.

She has precious recollections of her beautiful, caring, charismatic, loving, smart, funny daughter.

“Everything changes when you lose a child,” she says you miss all those little things you experienced together.

And a heartbreaking new normal sets in.

They’re educating the parents, the public, especially the youth because they’re buying drugs off Snapchat and social media.

“Every drug (crack, cocaine, heroin, Xanax, methadone) is riddled with Fentanyl and these 10, 11, 12, 13-year-old kids are dying,” Schmidt says their life matters.

That’s the ‘One Pill Can Kill’ campaign.

“They want to get high but they die.

Their sudden death is like a traumatic shock to all of us.”

According to the CDC, there were an estimated 100,306 drug overdose deaths from opioids in the United States during the 12-month period ending in April 2021.

Schmidt noticed slight behavior changes (‘she was a little more angry’) in her daughter but didn’t think much of it.

Alyssa assured her it was nothing, ‘mom, just leave me alone.’

“I thought it was growing pains,” says Schmidt. “Never expected to go upstairs and find her gone, never in a million years.”

Her pain became passion and Alyssa’s mom dove into Angels Across America, to support every family as much as she can.

“I miss her dearly and love comes from what I’m doing now,” Schmidt says it’s for all those moms who found their child dead or got a phone call saying their child is dead.

And she has company in her grief, having met MaryBeth Moore Zocco, who started Ryan’s Ride in 2019 after the loss of her 25-year-old son Ryan Moore from fentanyl poisoning on 12/17/2018.

Shortly after the first ride, the Orlando mom began The FRoM Project (Forever Ryan’s Mom) to keep his memory alive by sending handmade personalized cards to grieving parents all over the world. They honor and remember loved ones taken too soon by substance use disorder overdose or fentanyl poisoning.

“Alyssa was my whole world, my best friend, we loved to cook together, shop together, did everything together, she’d come home from work, we’d talk for hours… and she’d tell me about her day.”

How do you pick up the pieces and move forward — according to Schmidt; honor them ‘and talk about our children as much as we can to whoever will listen.’

She held ‘Celebration of Life for Alyssa’ and joined the Wayne Alliance. This year will be her fifth annual candle-lighting on International Overdose Awareness Day. Angels Across America supports all the grieving families and their loved ones, who are deeply loved and missed. They educate the public and youth on the dangers of illicit drugs, every street drug is extremely addictive and using can have dire consequences.

Leslie (Billy) Smith owns Angel’s trailer. Smith lost his son, Jeremy, 30, a construction worker who fell off a building.

He was put on Oxycodone for the pain.

When the prescriptions ceased — he turned to street drugs and it’s what killed him.

Schmidt says tell your kids you love them every day and about the inherent

risks out there.

“The heartache is unbearable some days but we keep pushing forward to honor and love all the angels we lost,” she says. “When I do their pictures, graphics — make a video talking to their moms, I feel like I know each one of them.”

Kids are fragile today, COVID has made things worse… and there is much selfmedicating going on.

Either you die or live this road of recovery every day, they struggle — nothing good comes out of doing any kind of drug.

“Alyssa’s dreams were shattered because she made a mistake,” Schmidt says she blamed herself. “How did I not know, what if I did this, what if I said that; I beat myself up to this day and friends say stop, she made the choice.”

Recalling all their amazing milestones and accomplishments you boasted and bragged about, while also thinking: ’G-d knows what they’re getting into.’

It’s a lonely place to be after losing a child.

“I’ll do these events, then it hits you.

Becomes so overwhelming where I’m quiet and within myself for days,” she says she can’t function. “Then go, go, go and break down again; it’s horrible. Or go upstairs and lay in my daughter’s bed and just cry.”

Her goal is to prevent kids from overdosing.

“Be afraid, be very afraid because you can’t come back from dying,” says Schmidt, of getting them to think before making a potentially fatal choice. “I can’t bring back any of our children we lost,” says Schmidt.

To learn more, search Angels Across America on Facebook.

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mendham, Morristown, Black River Life • April 2022 • Page 25

K

10 Tips to Recognize Ripe Fruits

eeping fresh fruit around the house provides a healthier alternative when your sweet tooth comes calling.

Understanding how and when to buy at the peak of ripeness (or just before, in some cases) can help you avoid food waste while keeping your doctor happy.

Consider these simple tips for recognizing ripe fruits: Strawberries: Check the area at the top of the berry near the stem and leaves. A ripe strawberry is fully red; green or white near the top means the fruit is underripe.

Watermelon: The “field spot,” or the area where the melon sat on the ground, should be yellow, and a tap on the rind should produce a hollow sound.

Cherries: Flesh should appear dark with a crimson color and feel firm.

Blueberries: Similar to cherries, color should deepen to dark blue. A reddish or pink color may be visible in unripe berries.

Blackberries: Look for a smooth texture without any red appearance. Because

blackberries don’t ripen after being picked, they tend to spoil quickly.

Cantaloupe: You should detect a sweet smell, and the melon should feel heavy upon lifting.

Peaches: A sweet, fragrant odor should be apparent. Skin should feel tender but not soft.

Pineapple: Smell is again an important factor for pineapple – a sweet scent shows it’s ready, but a vinegary one likely means it’s overripe.

Raspberries: Generally follow the same rules as blackberries. Best eaten within a couple days of purchase, a bright red color represents ripe berries.

Bananas: A ripe banana features a peel lightly spotted without significant bruising.

Your best bet may be to purchase bananas still slightly green and allow them to ripen at home.

Find more food tips, tricks, recipes and videos at Culinary.net.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

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Page 26 • April 2022 • Mendham, Morristown, Black River Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Hearty, Wholesome Dishes to Support Immune Systems

I

f feeding your family wholesome meals is a daily goal, keep in mind you can serve up tasty foods that also feed your immune system by including ingredients like mushrooms. With their earthy flavor, mushrooms – like many other fruits and vegetables – can also play a positive role in supporting a healthy immune system.

Studies at Oregon State University concluded there are a variety of micronutrients important for supporting a healthy immune system. Consider that three of these nutrients (vitamin D, selenium and B vitamins) can be found in mushrooms, meaning these family-friendly recipes for Roasted Chicken Thighs and Veggies with Mushroom Orzo Risotto; Grilled Portobello Gyros with Yogurt Dill Sauce; Creamy Spinach, Mushroom and Lasagna Soup; and Asian Barbecue Sesame Salmon with Noodles and Veggies can help you add all-important nutrients to your family’s menu.

Find more ways to add mushrooms to family meals at mushroomcouncil.com.

Grilled Portobello Gyros with Yogurt Dill Sauce Recipe courtesy of Emily Weeks of “Zen and Spice” Cook time: 15 minutes Total time: 25 minutes Servings: 4 4 portobello mushrooms 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika 2 yellow bell peppers, sliced

Yogurt Dill Sauce: 1 English cucumber, grated 1 cup whole-milk Greek yogurt 1/2 cup sour cream 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/2small lemon, juice only 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill 4 pita breads or naan 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced 1/2 head green lettuce crumbled feta cheese (optional) Remove stems from mushrooms and brush caps with wet towel. Using spoon, carefully scrape out gills. Slice mushrooms into 1/4-inch pieces and place in medium bowl with olive oil, oregano and smoked paprika.

Preheat indoor grill pan over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and peppers; grill, tossing occasionally, until ten-

der, 5-7 minutes.

To make yogurt dill sauce: Squeeze grated cucumber in clean towel to remove excess liquid. Add to large bowl with yogurt, sour cream, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and dill. Stir to combine.

To serve, place mushrooms and peppers in middle of pita bread. Top with tomatoes, onion, lettuce, feta, if desired, and big dollop of yogurt dill sauce.

Creamy Spinach, Mushroom and Lasagna Soup Recipe courtesy of Emily Weeks of “Zen continued on page 27

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mendham, Morristown, Black River Life • April 2022 • Page 27

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Hearty, Wholesome Dishes... continued from page 26 and Spice” Cook time: 30 minutes Total time: 40 minutes Servings: 4 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 medium onion, small diced 8 ounces crimini mushrooms, sliced 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon granulated sugar 1 tablespoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon oregano 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 bay leaf 3 cups vegetable broth 6 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces 1/2 cup heavy cream 5 ounces fresh baby spinach 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping Heat large pot over medium heat.

Add olive oil, garlic, onion and mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions and mushrooms soften, 4-5 minutes.

Add marinara, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, vinegar, sugar, basil, salt, oregano, pepper, bay leaf and broth. Bring to boil over high heat then reduce heat to low and simmer.

Add lasagna noodles and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 15 minutes.

Remove from heat and remove bay leaf.

Stir in heavy cream and spinach until wilted, 2-3 minutes.

Divide between bowls and top with dollop of ricotta and sprinkle of mozzarella.

Roasted Chicken Thighs and Veggies with Mushroom Orzo Risotto Recipe courtesy of Emily Weeks of “Zen and Spice” Cook time: 50 minutes Total time: 1 hour, 10 minutes Servings: 4 Chicken: 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs salt & pepper, to taste 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 16 ounces crimini mushrooms, quartered

3 zucchini, sliced in half moons 3 large carrots, thinly sliced 4 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves removed and roughly chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced Orzo: 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 small yellow onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 16 ounces crimini mushrooms, finely chopped 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 1/3 cup white wine 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese To make chicken: Preheat oven to 450 F. Pat chicken dry. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. In large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Sear chicken until browned, 4-5 minutes on each side.

In large bowl, toss mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, garlic and rosemary. On large baking sheet, spread vegetables. Nestle chicken into vegetables. Drizzle with butter and juices from pan.

Bake 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.

To make orzo: In small pot over medium-low heat, warm broth.

Using skillet from chicken, add butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions soften, 3-4 minutes.

Add orzo and black pepper. Stir and cook 2 minutes. Add white wine and cook until evaporated, about 1 minute.

Add warm broth to orzo 2/3 cup at a time, stirring until liquid is absorbed. Repeat with remaining broth, waiting until last batch is absorbed before adding more.

Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan.

Serve in individual bowls with chicken and roasted vegetables atop mushroom orzo risotto.

Page 28 • April 2022 • Mendham, Morristown, Black River Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

I Remember Mom: The Cross Road

I

By Richard Mabey Jr. n the midst of the cold winds of January of 1984, I found myself fighting a sore throat that led to a strep throat. And, sadly, the strep throat led to my second bout of Rheumatic Fever. And at the age of 30, the fate that had called me to fight the deadly strep infection at 12, had rebounded and gnarled itself to the inner chambers and valves of my heart. It was a year-long battle with two long-stay hospital visits. But, I came out of it with a greater inner strength and a furious determination to leave my mark upon the world.

It was in the Spring of 1985, that I landed a writing job at a big daily newspaper.

I wrote engagement notices, wedding announcements, obituaries, scout news, church news, and news of various non-profit organizations. By the Summer of 1986, I was worn, weary, and feeling that my wheels were just spinning in sand, going nowhere.

And, to top it all off, I had a boss who was anything but kind. In all honesty, she was a bit of a heartless tyrant.

I was frayed, my inner self was torn, I lived on Pepto-Bismal tablets. The unrealistic deadlines, the long hours, the harsh voice of my boss, was taking a toll on me. And, as if that wasn’t enough, my girlfriend at the time, was insistent that I leave the comfort and warmth of the little Reformed Church that I grew up in, to take classes to become a Catholic. And, Anna’s parents were putting the pressure on me, to the nth degree. I have no conflict with the Catholic faith. But, I do have a problem with being pressured to do anything, just to please someone else. It wasn’t so much that Anna was a devoted Catholic, rather it was that her father had given me the ultimatum to convert to being a Catholic.

I felt such inner turmoil. Sadly, Anna gave in to her father’s dislike of me and broke up with me. And, if that wasn’t bad enough, my boss was becoming meaner and meaner with the passing of each and every day. I felt like I was holding onto the end of a rope, at a cliff ’s edge, and the rope I was clinging to was rapidly fraying.

A thousand and one times my mom, Janet Kemmerer Mabey, encouraged me to start my own newspaper, a small-town weekly. I was filled with self doubts. I didn’t have all that much money in my savings account. And, a certain fear and insecurity was clinging to the core of my inner self.

But, Mom would not give up on me. She wouldn’t let me give into my inner fears and insecurities.

Mom continually told me that I had the right stuff, the fortitude, the dedication, the intelligence, and the deep drive to start my own small-town weekly newspaper. But, I still doubted my abilities. Finally, Mom told me to pray about it.

It was about a week before Thanksgiving Day, of 1986, that the good Lord had the

hammer fall upon me and awaken me to the fact that I needed to leave that big daily newspaper and step out on my own.

It was a Monday morning. I remember it all so well. It was just before lunch time.

My boss came over to my cubicle and just ripped and tore me apart, for not having met a most unrealistic writing deadline.

I was overwhelmed with little articles to write about engagement notices, wedding announcements, and events of non-profit organizations.

High noon came. Lunch break. I remember going out to my car to eat my lunch. I had always brought a bag lunch to work. Once inside my care, the tears flowed down my cheeks like Niagara Falls. I knew I couldn’t take much more of it all. The shadow of Anna haunted me. The pain of losing her love, the mean-spirited shouting of my boss, it all had taken a toll on me. There in my car, eating my peanut butter and jelly sandwich, I took the time to earnestly pray. Mom was right. I needed to pray about it all.

Somehow and someway, I got the courage to type up my resignation that very afternoon. At the end of the day, I gave my official two-weeks’ notice to my boss. At that moment in time, it was like a big, heavy, anchor was lifted from my heart.

By early 1987, I began publishing the Lincoln Park Journal weekly newspaper.

My dear mother was a constant source of encouragement to me. A new dawn was rising in my life. A new chapter of my life had begun. If it were not for the encouragement of my beloved mother, I would have never found the courage to leave the big daily paper and take the bold step to start my own small-town weekly newspaper.

Encouragement is one of the single most precious gifts that a parent can give to their child. Encouragement holds a greater value than silver or gold. For it can be the seed upon which the great tree of success springs forth. Please, never underestimate the positive power of encouragement. The result of encouragement knows no limitations, no bounds, no walls.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer.

He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@ hotmail.com. Please put on the subject line: I Remember Mom.

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mendham, Morristown, Black River Life • April 2022 • Page 29

N

Celebrated Chefs Support Project Self-Sufficiency

orthwestern New Jersey’s premier culinary fundraising event, A Taste of Talent, will be held at Perona Farms on behalf of local non-profit agency Project Self-Sufficiency on Monday, May 2nd, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Patrons are invited to mingle with chefs from approximately 50 celebrated area restaurants while feasting on appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The epicurean event raises funds for the non-profit agency which specializes in services for low-income families in Sussex, Morris, Hunterdon and Warren. Sponsorships for A Taste of Talent range from $500 - $25,000. The event will take place indoors and outside at the venue. Volunteer musicians will perform throughout the facility.

Some of the many fine restaurants which have participated in the past, and many of which are expected to return, include 403 Broad, Andre’s Lakeside Dining, Black Forest Inn, Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse, Café Pierrot, Caffe NaVona, Chocolate Goat Gift Shoppe, The Circle, Clay Oven, Cliff ’s Ice Cream, Fossil Farms, Front Porch Organics, George’s Wine & Gourmet Gallery/Fran’s Farmhouse Kitchen, Gourmet Gallery, Green Cart Catering, Hayek’s Market, il Porto, Chef Jesse James, Krave Café + Caterer, L’Amico NYC, Lorraine’s Cake Shop & Tea Room, Mama’s Café Baci, North Shore House, Pattycakes Bake Shop, Perona Farms, Portofino Ristorante, Ryland Inn, Chef Tim Schafer, Slamwich Scratch Kitchen, Springhouse Creamery, St. Moritz Bar & Grill, Stone Water, Tanti Baci Caffe, White Birch, and Windy Brow Farms.

“A Taste of Talent is our signature fundraising event and the cornerstone of our annual campaign,” noted Deborah

Chefs from approximately 50 restaurants are expected to participate in A Taste of Talent at Perona Farms on behalf of Project SelfSufficiency.

Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.

“Funds raised by A Taste of Talent make it possible for Project Self-Sufficiency to provide the programs and services necessary for families in northwestern New Jersey to attain economic self-sufficiency. We continue to be humbled by the support we are receiving from the restaurateurs in our area, and we are looking forward to a delightful event.”

Select donation categories are available for A Taste of

Talent, ranging from $500 - $25,000. A limited number of tickets for individual donations are available at a cost of $300. Perona Farms is located at 350 Andover-Sparta Road, Andover. To make a contribution to Project Self-Sufficiency, to obtain tickets to A Taste of Talent, or to find out more information about the programs and services available at the agency, visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org or call 973940-3500.

Page 30 • April 2022 • Mendham, Morristown, Black River Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

NJStarz NJ Starz: Jennifer Jones Hometown: Randolph, NJ

J

ennifer Jones recalls the night vividly.

“Sue Simmons came on the 11 o’clock news, and she said, ‘Radio City Music Hall has just hired their first African American dancer to be a Rockette.” I said to myself, ‘I wonder who that is?’ And it was me! They didn’t tell me that I was the first one.”

The year was 1987, and Jones was invited to be on field during the Super Bowl XXII halftime show. The game, a Washington Redskins 42 – 10 win over the Denver Broncos, was somewhat forgettable, but Jones taking part in the intermission was news, and it led to, in her words, “15 years with the Rockettes, and then I did Broadway after that, so it was a beautiful 20 year professional dancing experience.”

“I was mostly raised in Randolph,” says Jones, who was born in Newark on August 1, 1967. “I went to sixth grade there, but we moved there a year before, when I attended The Pingry School in Basking Ridge for one year, and then I went to Randolph schools, from where I graduated high school and then eventually attended CCM (County College of Morris).”

Jones was a trailblazer, and she followed in her parents’ footsteps. “I’m biracial; my mother (Linda Lourie, originally from Rockaway) is white, my father (Booker T. Jones, born in Saint Louis, Missouri) is black, and they got together in the 1960s when that wasn’t fondly looked upon, an interracial relationship.” Jones is the middle child of three sisters. Her older sibling is Kara, and the younger is Patricia. “But we call her ‘Peaches,’” Jones says.

Jones enjoyed her time in Randolph.

“Of course, it’s a great educational system that they have there, which is one of the reasons why my parents moved there, but there was some racial tension. My sister and I were in the minority group. There were some hard times, but I have a great core friends. We actually just went to St. Augustine last September, just the five of us, after we hadn’t seen each other in over 20 years, and it was like we picked up from yesterday, like we never left off.”

After high school, Jones went to CCM and originally applied to be a business major with the notion that she would open up a dance studio. However, the urge

was there to be a dancer, so she changed her major to dance. The love of that art had been instilled in her at a young age.

“My parents started me dancing when I was around five or six,” Jones says. “They had combined dance classes; it was like tap with gymnastics. All I can remember is that I loved the way the sound the tap made against the linoleum floor. There was something about that sound that I loved, so much so that my parents got linoleum flooring in the basement, just a piece of it. My father’s office was down in the basement, and whenever he was down there working from home, I would go down with my tap shoes on and just tap-taptap. He never complained once, if you can imagine that.”

While at CCM, Jones was very busy. In addition to her studies, she was part of a modern dance company called “Beyond the New Jersey Turnpike”, which was eventually shortened years later to just “Beyond”, and she was also trekking to the Broadway Dance Center in New York City, where Frank Hatchett was her mentor. “I was really big into jazz because I was going to be a Broadway star,” she says. Again, it was her parents that opened her and her sisters’ world up to the beauty of performance.

“Our parents took us to Broadway all the time, and I saw The Wiz five times. And then we would wait backstage after the show at the stage door and get autographs, and I knew one day I wanted to walk out of that backstage door. I didn’t know how or anything, but all I knew is I wanted to be the one walking out. So my goal was to be on Broadway. And to me, I equated Broadway with jazz dancing, and so I took ballet for the technique, which is the core of any type of dancing, and I took some tap classes. So I was going back and forth between CCM and New York, taking classes, learning the art of auditioning and how to find an audition. I also started making friends in the city, and I had one friend who knew a lot of Broadway people, and I started meeting people.”

Then in 1987, when searching through an industry publication for dance roles, Jones bypassed a printed mention of an open audition for the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. A friend encouraged her to attend that audition, telling her she’d be

a perfect Rockette. Jones, not envisioning being chosen and a bit hesitant, eventually convinced herself to go. “I wasn’t even going to go to the audition. I was always nervous at auditions. So I thought I would go and try to clean up some of the cobwebs, get better at auditioning.” When she arrived, the line was wrapped around Radio City Music Hall, and she thought, ‘Maybe I should just go take my Frank Hatchett class.’ Instead she remained, and was taken with a group to a rehearsal hall. “They put us in a line. I was stretching, and it was very intimidating.

Everyone was beautiful and had long legs, and I thought, ‘Just let me get through this audition.’” After being measured for the approved Rockette height, she made the cut and headed to the floor for a tap routine – in character shoes. “When it was over, I was going to the back of the room to get my bag, and the stage manager came up to me, and he said, ‘Jennifer, we’re going to give you a call back. Bring your tap shoes and bring your picture and resume.”

She went to the call back, and sealed the deal. Jones recalls, “I think it was just maybe a few months later that Violet Holmes, the choreographer at the time, called me and she asked me if I wanted to do the Super Bowl halftime show. That’s when I accepted the her offer.”

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Jones

And then the NBC News broadcast with Sue Simmons. “My mother called me and she said, ‘Jennifer is that you?!’ and I said, ‘I don’t know.’ Nobody said anything, only later to find out that it was me.” Jones was then put through media training, given mock interviews to get used to the real interviews that she would eventually do as the first official African American Radio City Rockette.

Another one of Jones’s proudest Rockette moments is when she performed at the Tony Awards in the Broadway revival of 42nd Street in 2001. The ensemble won the Tony Award that same night for Best Revival of a Musical. Jones was also the first African American Miss Morris County (1989), owned and operated the Jennifer Jones Dance and Fitness Studio in Rockaway from 1990 – 1993, and was the first to kick off CCM’s “I Got It Right” billboard campaign.

Jones, who retired in 2002 and is a member of the Rockette Alumnae Association as well as the Rockettes of Color Alumnae, is currently married to husband Jeffrey DeBarbieri, and has two children, Zachary and Isabella. She is a happy and grateful woman, and has funneled that gratitude towards awareness in a worthwhile initiative that for her hits continued on page 31

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mendham, Morristown, Black River Life • April 2022 • Page 31

NJ Starz...

continued from page 30 very close to home. She explains. “I wake up grateful every morning. In 2018 I was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer. I was healthy my entire life: I had a professional dancing career, and I was vegetarian for over 20 years.

And when I was diagnosed it was, first of all, a surprise.”

Jones went through eight rounds of chemotherapy, and then had surgery the end of 2018. “In 2019 I was deemed cancer free, and I’ve been cancer free ever since. I went to Memorial Sloan Kettering and had an almost all-female team, which makes it very comfortable for me to speak about it, and I do a lot of work with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. I do speaking engagements about colorectal cancer and awareness, and try to spread the word that the colonoscopy age has lowered to 45 instead of 50. So, I wake up grateful every morning, first of all for my health, for having a roof over my head, for having food on the table, for my family, for my children, for my parents, and for my job.”

Her colorectal cancer battle and survival has redirected how she wants to live her life – a life that continues to be filled with good things. “I have a children’s book coming out the end of the year,” Jones says, “and I have my memoir that will be coming out in 2023, and various other projects that I’m working on. I’m able to shift focus to things that will benefit me and hopefully benefit others.”

For more information about the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, visit www.ccalliance.org. To learn more about Jones, visit www.rockettejenn.com.

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Theater Dance Center’s Annual Fundraiser Helps Those with Cancer

T

By Megan Roche he Fighting Children’s Cancer Foundation gets help each year from Theater Dance Center and this year is no different!

They recently hosted their annual gala and were successful in raising money for FCCF. “The Gala is a performance where our competitive dancers debut their new pieces for family, friends and the community, to raise awareness and funds to help support FCCF,” Millene Michel, owner of TDC said.

Over the years, the fundraising gala has raised over $100,000 for various charities, including Stand Up to Cancer and NJ Veterans. The Stand Up to Cancer donation was made in honor of both Michel and the schools ballet mistress both being survivors of breast cancer.

Dancers represent the towns of Mount Olive, Long Valley, and Stanhope.

Presentation of the fundraising money TDC collected for Fighting Children’s Cancer Foundation. In photo from L-R are Andrea Inauen, Amanda Figurelli, FCCF Board members. The check was presented by graduating senior Emma Kenny of Mount Olive in the amount of $10,693.00.

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mendham, Morristown, Black River Life • April 2022 • Page 35

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