Mt. Olive -May 2025_All

M t . O l i v e’s H o m e t o w n N e w s p a p e r

MOUNT OLIVE LIFE Vo l . 2 1 • I s s u e 5

May 2025

Member of Mid-Atlantic Community Papers • Association of Community Publishers • Mt. Olive Chamber of Commerce AUDITED BY CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL (CVC), ST. LOUIS, MO.

Skully’s Seed Stand Sprouts Community Gardening

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE - Skully at 5 N. Mt. Olive Rd. in Budd Lake, and his skeleton friend are at it again— but this time they are providing free seeds for the taking.

The pair are breaking ground in a refreshing initiative to encourage gardening and plant seeds for community connectivity. Their new initiative, The Community Seed Stand— began in April 2025 by their landowners, the Adams family.

“The stand will stay open through the growing season or until supplies run out,” shares Minerva Adams.

Her family thought of the idea after seeing a seed stand concept at an event and adapting it for local community use, she explains.

Their goal is “To encourage gardening, reduce waste from unused seeds, and create a simple way for neighbors to connect,” says Adams. “It’s low-effort and high-impact.

“Seeds grow food, flowers

and opportunities,” continues Adams. “They promote sustainability, healthy living and give people—especially kids— something rewarding to care for.

“People can stop by anytime and take free seeds—vegetables, herbs, flowers,” adds Adams. “If they have extra seeds, they can drop them off to share with others. It’s an informal, trust-based exchange.”

Adorned on the front lawn, the stand is a wooden display stocked with seed packets, organized on rows of string using clothespins. It includes signs to guide visitors and a flower box at the base for seasonal decoration.

A variety of seeds are displayed including a mix of vegetables like tomatoes, squash and lettuce; herbs including basil, cilantro and dill; and flowers such as zinnias, sunflowers and marigolds.

“Seeds come from leftover personal supply, local dona-

tions and online,” says Adams.

“Cost is minimal to us. They’re completely free for anyone to take.”

Since the Adams’ family is busy with work and school, they are not able to man the stand so they recruited Skully, “the 12-foot skeleton mascot at our home, already wellknown in the community from Halloween,” says Adams. “He and our groundbreaker skeleton stand near the seed stand to attract attention and bring a fun, recognizable face to all our seasonal events.”

For those wondering when the groundbreaker skeleton joined the lawn, Adams explains: “The groundbreaker skeleton was gifted to our family and Skully last year. I guess he looked like he needed a friend. While Skully is our main focus, sometimes a friend or two like to join him out front.”

The Adams’ family has adorned its front lawn with

Skully the giant skeleton since Halloween 2021, when it was purchased from Home Depot.

It has been a permanent decoration for this family used during themed events and holidays all year round.

The community can check back this summer when Skully will return to the front lawn

Price is Right When It Comes to Women in Politics

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE - A local Girl Scout of Troop 6124 is working on her Gold Star Award by educating her peers about politics.

The 17-year-old Mt. Olive High School student Sydney Price is getting it right when it comes to society and its lack of females involved in politics. Her project for her Gold Star Award is Informed and Inspired: Educating Girls on Politics.

Well into her project, Price sat in on the April 1 Mt. Olive Twp. Council meeting and has enlisted Councilwoman Mary Lalama as her mentor.

Her goal is to create a curriculum that can be shared in the schools at a national level.

“I knew for my Gold Award

I could not just tackle a small community issue, but one our nation as a whole is facing: Lack of political efficacy and engagement, especially in girls and women,” explains Price.

“I found that in the classroom, many of my peers were unaware of the current political landscape, which was particularly concerning knowing that this makes up the future voters of this country.

“In addition to this, I found myself and fellow female classmates often being ignored or our opinions being disregarded in favor of our male counterparts,” she adds. “I wanted to find a way to instill the confidence in young girls to fight to be heard when it came to polit-

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ical discussions and situations, and I found the creation of a curriculum to be one of the best ways to address this issue.”

As a Girl Scout for the past eight of the nine years that she has lived in town, Price joined as a brownie in third grade.

She knew ahead of time that she wanted a project that made a difference.

“The topic I’m focusing on was a culmination of my past projects and my own experiences,” shares Price. Silver and Bronze Award projects, which specifically analyzed smaller issues within my community, specifically addressing running in school parking lots through an incentive system for my Bronze Award; and disseminating information on bike safety for my Silver Award.”

Price started working on her Girl Scout Gold Award in October 2024, “where I spent most of my time developing an idea for my project. It will hopefully end towards the fall of next year after I release my curriculum nationally and monitor the impacts.”

The Gold Award must be worked on for a minimum 80 hours to be accepted by the Girl Scout Board, she says, adding that she plans to commit 100 hours spread over several months.

Price explains her project in further detail: “My Gold Award project seeks to address the per-

vasive issue of gender inequality in political participation, particularly the barriers that discourage young girls from engaging in political discussions and leadership roles. By focusing on equal access to political information, through the development of a curriculum, it gives young children and girls the knowledge to break free from their constraints and confidently claim their rightful place in the political arena.

“The different parts of the curriculum are tailored to different ages, as knowledge is not ‘one size fits all’, it needs to adhere to the skills and abilities of each age to properly inform them,” explains Price.

“It will include information in different mediums, including articles, teaching lessons and even projects for children to do at home with their parents. It will be published nationally to reach the most people.”

Her plan is to release her curriculum publicly on a website to reach as many individuals as possible.

“The problem of political efficacy and confidence, especially among girls and women, is not one that just affects the Mt. Olive community, it is a national issue,” says Price. “It also relates to the sustainability of my project, as a website with the curriculum allows it to PLEASE SEE PRICE IS RIGHT, PAGE 4

as host of the family’s summer lemonade stand fundraiser.

“We’re working on new seasonal setups to keep him active and engaging year-round,” says Adams.

Until then, stop in to donate or pick up some seeds for planting.

“We appreciate everyone

Mayor’s Wellness Walk

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE - Come one, come all to the first Mayor’s Wellness Walk set for Saturday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to noon at Turkey Brook Park in Budd Lake.

Gather at the Turkey Brook Park Event Field for this 1.5 mile walk for some wellness, fun and community connection. Entrée is free and there are no restrictions to participate.

“EVERYONE! All Ages, All Paces, One Community Walk!” says Jenna Murphy of Mt. Olive, project coordinator for Mt. Olive Twp. “The purpose of our event is to promote community wellness and encourage participation from all individuals- from stroller moms to super seniors.”

Nothing to lose in participating, and so much to gain like more steps on those walking trackers and some health tips from vendors and sources onsite for the day. Just put on some comfortable clothes and sneakers and some positive vibes for some nice weather and an enjoyable day.

“I’m excited to host the Mayor’s Wellness Walk!” says Mt. Olive Mayor Joe Nicastro.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to bring our community together for a great cause—getting healthier. While it’s just a oneday event, my goal is to inspire everyone to keep taking steps toward better health in their daily lives.”

The Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC) is a comprehensive statewide initiative focused on community health, explains Murphy. It equips mayors and community leaders with evidence-based tools and strategies to promote healthier lifestyles among residents, ultimately enhancing overall health and wellness within their communities.

“Mt. Olive Township has been signing the MWC yearly

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who participates and shares seeds,” says Adams. “Community efforts like this only work because people care and pitch in. We’ll keep the stand going as long as there’s interest.”

Feel free to follow Skully on Facebook and Instagram @ skullyadams or #skullyradams.

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pledge to promote community wellness for many years,” says Murphy. “The MWC offers towns the opportunity to apply to be designated a Healthy Town, Healthy Town to Watch or Healthy Town Up & Coming.

“This year I wanted to join the application process and potentially elevate our status,” says Murphy. “We needed to elevate our efforts and prioritize the delivery of engaging, community-based events for our residents and connect with the community.

“I wanted to offer a walk/ run to the community, so I sought assistance from Recreation Supervisor Liz Meininger and her department,” explains Murphy about her steps in getting this initiative going. “Liz and I started working on a walk that would be appropriate for everyone in our community from ages 0-100, thus the Mayor’s Wellness Walk was born!”

From there, she formed a Mayors Wellness Committee which is comprised of Nicastro, Mayor’s Assistant Lisa Brett, Meininger, Health Officer Derrick Webb and herself.

“Together the committee has been developing ideas that we hope to turn into future community events,” says Murphy, like the one on May 31.

“Join us for a refreshing and scenic 1.5-mile walk that blends wellness and fun!” repeats Murphy.

Along the walkway, participants will discover health PLEASE SEE WELLNESS WALK PAGE 2

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Wellness Walk...

FROM FRONT PAGE tips and engage in suggested exercises and stretches designed to energize their body and mind and connect with local health-related vendors and businesses to explore resources that promote a healthy lifestyle.

“We are also spotlighting Melanoma & Skin Cancer Awareness Month,” adds Mur-

phy. “Together, we’ll show our support for Cancer Awareness Month while enjoying a beautiful outdoor experience. Lace up your sneakers and let’s make a difference—step by step!

“Since this is our first Mayors Wellness Walk, we are hoping to see a minimum of 100 people participate,” she adds.

“We will have free T-shirts for

the first 90 participants!

“Hoping for a beautiful day,” she says, adding that there is no rain date planned.

Visit the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/ groups/685313580674184 for more events and daily health tips and incentives throughout the year.

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Price is Right...

FROM FRONT PAGE be seen and benefitted from for years to come.”

Price’s goal is to focus on equal access to political information and create a curriculum that will promote enhanced political awareness among young children.

“This knowledge empowers students to understand democratic processes, human rights and their role in shaping society,” says Price. “When children are educated about their rights and responsibilities as citizens, it fosters a culture of active engagement, contributing to a well-informed generation.

“The project specifically targets barriers that discourage young girls from engaging in political discussions and leadership roles as well,” continues Price. “Empowering girls with the knowledge and confidence required to pursue political participation can lead to increased female representation in political spaces overall.”

Knowing that the Gold Star Award is “the highest a Girl Scout can receive,” Price says she wanted an impactful project.

“I wanted to do something with my life that would make a difference, whether that be in my community, nationally or worldwide,” says Price. “The Girl Scout Gold Award gave me the opportunity and resources to make that change. I was so excited to start, and I have enjoyed every step of the process!”

Girl Scouts have so many projects they could choose to earn their merit. Price justifies why she chose this one: “I chose this as my project due to my own experiences at school with my peers,” shares Price. “Whenever given the opportunity, I have always involved myself in discussions and debates; whether it be in or outside of class. What I found was that my male classmates tended to dominate the conversation, even to the point where they frequently spoke over girls when they spoke.

“Everyone, including teachers, were prone to accepting and promoting the boy’s opinions over the girls as well,” she continues. “When I joined the high

school’s Model United Nations club which gave me a formal platform to debate the world’s issues, I saw that this issue is not just at my school but present everywhere. Ever since this realization I did everything I could to keep myself and my friends informed on the current political situations, but I knew I could do more. This project is how I plan to amend this problem.”

Admitting that she has no relatives working in politics, Price says “I plan to be the first!

“My father has spent his life promoting the importance of understanding of government and politics, and that got passed down to me. As a child, he would give me little anecdotes about the current political system in addition to my learning at school.

“When I said to him that I was going to be the president one day, he told me that he had no doubts,” she adds. “When I expressed uncertainty about a future in politics, he encouraged me no matter what. It is thanks to him and my mother that I’m interested in politics today.”

Price says she thinks it is her calling.

“I love the idea of working internationally or with the ignored members of our society through the United Nations or non-profit organizations,” says Price. “I just want to make a difference in our world.”

Until then, she plans to enjoy her time as a Girl Scout.

“There are so many things that I enjoy about being a Girl Scout, particularly the community it provides me,” says Price.

“It is something I absolutely love being a part of, as it not only enriches the lives of its members but also inspires us to make a positive impact in our world. The support, encouragement and shared experiences truly make being a Girl Scout a cherished journey. And I could not ask for a better troop and troop leader to be on that journey on.”

She thanks her family and troop for their support in her project.

“I could not have done any of this without the help of my family and troop leader Mrs.

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Allyson Gallinis,” says Price.

“They have all been there for me during every point in my life and have been integral to helping me complete each step of this journey, and I appreciate everything they have done for me!

“I also want to thank Mrs. Mary Lalama,” she adds. “She has provided me with better mentorship and opportunities than I could ask for.”

Lalama is happy and proud that she could guide Price along the way.

Price had contacted Lalama last November via email, introducing herself and asking if she could serve as her advisor. Lalama agreed by sharing her story about how she got involved in politics.

“I plan to be available to help give direction and guide her about political awareness in young girls/woman,” says Lalama, who just finished serving her first year in politics. “I invited her to sit in on a council meeting to see how local politics works.”

The only female on the Mt. Olive Twp. Council, other than Councilwoman Colleen Labow, Lalama agrees that the shortage in females involved in politics is concerning.

“I think more women are needed and I believe Sydney’s project will bring awareness to this issue,” says Lalama. “I love the idea. I think it’s great that at her age she sees an issue and is working on the solution.

“With only two women on the council alongside five men, I strongly believe we need to encourage more women to get involved in our town’s leadership,” says Lalama.

She shares her ideas on how more women can be encouraged to consider roles in politics.

“Encouraging young women to consider leadership roles in politics can be supported through several approaches: Positive Representation— Increasing visibility of women in politics through media, campaigns, and educational materials helps challenge stereotypes and show that leadership is attainable,” says Lalama.

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Providing young women with opportunities to learn about politics, public speaking, policy-making and leadership skills from an early age can prepare them to take on leadership roles,” she continues.

“Addressing Barriers— Identifying and working to remove barriers, such as unequal

access to resources, societal expectations, or lack of childcare support, can make it easier for young women to pursue leadership careers in politics,” Lalama lists.

“Encouraging Confidence— Encouraging young women to develop self-belief and overcome impostor syndrome

through leadership development programs can help them recognize their potential,” she concludes.

“For me, a better democracy is a democracy where women do not only have the right to vote and to elect but to be elected.” - Michele Bachelet

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Community Awareness Night

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Pictured are Alissa Gencarelli, Julia Ismail, Mayor Joe Nicastro, Yadhira Pizarro, Lohanny Chiminazzo and Lieutenant Ottavinia.

Pictured are Rob and Stephanie Traetta, Madison Naples, Kyra Llyod and Mayor Joe Nicastro.

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MOUNT OLIVE - Mayor Nicastro was invited to attend the Community Awareness Night at Mount Olive High School on Wednesday, April 8.

A group of students, working on a project, had the opportunity to interview Mayor Nicastro about various topics related to community engagement and local governance. The stu-

dents also invited Lieutenant Paul Ottavinia, who supported the initiative. The gathering attracted a huge crowd at the high school as the seniors eagerly presented their topics of awareness.

Mayor Nicastro expressed his gratitude for being interviewed and participating in the students’ project, noting that

they are bright young adults with great potential. He emphasized the importance of youth involvement in the community and encouraged the students to continue their efforts in understanding and contributing to local issues. The event served as a valuable platform for fostering connections between students and their local leaders.

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Mt. Olive Robotics Team Wins District Championship at Home

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mount Olive Life • May 2025 • Page 7

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE - The Mt. Olive Robotics Team showed up to compete this year and walked away as champions.

MORT was named the 2025 MidAtlantic District Champions for FIRST MidAtlantic.

About 100 Mt. Olive students in grades nine through 12 under their MORT Robotics Head Coach Don Biery put their hands and heads together to achieve this award.

The competition—Mt. Olive FIRST Mid-Atlantic District Event— was held at Mt. Olive High School in Flanders on March 8 and 9. A popular event, 32 other high schools

from New Jersey and Pennsylvania involving about 1,000 students came out with their robots to compete.

Students and teams of engineering and technical mentors will demonstrate their skill for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), according to a press release about the event. They will compete for honors and recognition that reward design excellence, competitive play, sportsmanship and partnerships between schools, businesses and communities.

“Every year the competition gets better and better,” says Bi-

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ery of Knowlton Twp. “This year we had amazing displays from Comcast Universal and Picatinny Arsenal. I enjoyed seeing all of the amazing robots and the ingenuity of the students from all around the tri-state area.”

A MOHS teacher for the past four years, Biery is proud of his team’s accomplishment.

MORT has been around for 28 years and this event has been held for the past 16 years.

Schools that are part of the Mid-Atlantic Region choose two events to earn district points to make it to the district championship, explains Biery.

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“Each year FIRST release the game on the first Saturday of January,” Biery explains the process. “Teams then have six weeks to build, wire and program a robot that they feel will be the most competitive for that game. They use raw material and a wide array of machines, from CNC machines, to plasma cutters, welders, 3Dprinters, milling machines to make their creations come to life.”

This year’s contest involved REEFSCAPE and was presented by Haas as part of the 20242025 FIRST® DIVE presented

by Qualcomm season, according to the press release.

“In REEFSCAPE, teams will use their engineering skills to strengthen one of the ocean’s most diverse habitats and make waves to build a better world,” as stated in the release. “Two competing Alliances will score coral, harvest algae, and attach to the barge before time runs out, and Alliances earn additional rewards for meeting specific scoring thresholds and for cooperating with their opponents.”

Students work hard all year to get ready for the competition. They sign up in October to join the MORT program and start working on their skills the following month.

“We have worked since pre-season in November when we hold MORT-U our pre-season learning sessions,” explains Biery. “Season always begins in January and ends if you qualify at the World Championship in Houston Texas in April.”

Collin Fultz, senior program director of FIRST Robotics Competition, adds, “Our events are the culmination of countless hours of preparation by our teams of students, coaches, and mentors. The event is part competition and part celebration of what our teams have achieved this year. While only a few teams at the event will

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judges from various expertise including industry, engineering and business professionals, says Biery.

FIRST Robotics Competition FMA District Mt. Olive Event sponsors and volunteers come from some of the most highly regarded organizations in the area, including Comcast Universal and Picatinny STEM , as stated in the press release. Sponsors provide resources including time and talent from professional Mentors, services, equipment, financial contributions, and volunteers.

“There is no award for best robot, each category looks at specific parts of the robot, quality, design, controls etc.,” he adds.

Other competitions are held throughout the school year such as the Centennial School District set for April.

“I think all three teams are off to a great start,” says Biery.

Students interested in signing up for MORT, can email coach@mort11.org. Signups begin in October.

More about FIRST Founded by inventor Dean Kamen in 1989, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a robotics community preparing young people for the future.

FIRST is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, teambased robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12) that can be facilitated in school or in structured after-school programs. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, and sponsors that include more than 200 of the Fortune 500 companies, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges. Learn more at firstinspires.org.

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be crowned champions, all our participants leave the season as better problem-solvers, more gracious professionals, and more prepared to tackle the challenges of the future.”

Continues Fultz, “With a limited timeframe, students work with professional engineering mentors to design a robot that solves a problem using a Kit of Parts and a standard set of rules. Once these young inventors create the robot, their teams participate in regional competitions that measure the effectiveness of each robot, the power of collaboration, and the determination of students.”

As head coach of the entire MORT program in the Mt. Olive School District, Biery gets students’ minds working as robotics is learned in the younger grades as well—”from elementary Lego League Teams, our Middle School FTC team and our three high school teams.

“I am also the mechanical mentor, so I work with them in the shop, learning the machines,” adds Biery. “We have 35 other mentors who come and help in all areas, from business and marketing to CNC and electrical. It is an amazing program that puts real world professionals working side by side with students. These amazing volunteers make this program possible.”

And this year it certainly shows that hard work pays off as MORT 11 Varsity Team was one of three teams to win at the Mt. Olive FIRST Mid-Atlantic District Event. The other two winners were: 8513 Sisters First from Villa Walsh Academy and MORT GAMMA 430.

“All of the Robots were very different,” says Biery.

“Some moved algae, some moved coral, somewhere on tank drives, some used swerve drives. Some had elevators to get up high, some used four bar mechanisms.”

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Interns Explore Science and Life Challenges Through Hands-On Lab Research

Page 8 • May 2025 • Mount Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER

AREA - Student interns are learning lab skills and are conducting research on various projects including how to use sea water to make concrete and more effective nail polish remover.

For the past eight years, R&D Lab in East Hanover has been welcoming three to four local high school students to work as interns to prepare them as future scientists.

“Our focus is to teach them lab skills and mainly generate interest in research,” explains Hemant Joshi, founder and CEO of Tara Innovations, LLC, a pharmaceutical research and development lab in East Hanover. “We do this to give back to society.

“This year, we had two pairs,” he explains. “One pair worked on cement and how we can use sea water to make concrete out of cement. This will help our environment.

“The other pair worked on a nail polish remover and have developed a formula which is more effective than the currently marketed products,” he adds.

Joshi started the company in 2008, has been operating out of his lab space since January 2013 and launched the high school internship program in 2016.

He got the idea to start the internship from his son and neighbor’s experience.

When his son attended The Academy for Math, Science, and Engineering in Rockaway from 2009 to 2013, each student was required to complete a senior-year internship.

“He gained a great deal from his internship experiences at BASF and Novartis,” says Joshi.

“Around the same time, my neighbor Paul Winslow started an innovative organization— Students 2 Science—which brings students from various schools into real lab environments, allowing them to conduct hands-on scientific experiments,” he adds.

“My son’s positive experience and Paul’s impactful work inspired me to start an internship program at my company, Tara Innovations,” he explains. “I believe in giving back to society—especially to the next generation—and this program is one way I can do that.”

Joshi works with the interns to decide on the projects that work best for them.

“The goal of the internships at Tara is to teach students how products are developed,

so we typically select the projects for them,” says Joshi.

“However, we do try to tailor projects to students’ interests when possible. For example, last year one student was passionate about environmental science, which led us to develop a project focused on cement. A student interning next year has expressed interest in food science, so I’m planning to design a project in that area for him.”

Besides the projects, interns are learning basic lab skills.

“Most students are learning lab skills for the first time when they join Tara,” explains Joshi. “Their initial projects focus on basic experiments such as weighing substances from milligrams to grams, measuring solvent density, understanding processes like mixing, and—most importantly—learning how to work safely in a lab environment.

“Once they’ve developed foundational skills, we guide them through creating formulations like soaps, solutions, suspensions, creams, ointments, pastes and more,” he adds. “Some interns have made gummies and gels; others have worked on charcoal toothpaste, or explored how different oils affect chocolate.

We also introduce them to complex processes like perfume-making to show the nuances of formulation science.

“One interesting project involved determining the water content in leaves and fruits,” he adds. “Most of these have over 85 to 90% water content.”

Meet the 2025 Interns Vrishank Malik, 17, of Mt. Olive, is a senior at The Academy for Mathematics, Science & Engineering program at Morris Hills High School in Rockaway.

While calculus is his favorite subject, science is moving up on his list especially after his internship at Tara Innovations.

“I originally got involved in this internship due to the 100hour internship requirement that my school mandates,” explains Malik. “I had heard about Tara Innovations from a senior last year who had interned there last year and had a great experience. Dr. Joshi has a close connection with the internship program at my school and has taken countless interns in the past years from my school.”

He and his lab partner, Raj Shah, have been working on two projects since the summer of 2024. The first one involves

developing a novel solution for colonoscopy preparation and athlete electrolyte supplementation.

“During a colonoscopy, patients must drink four liters of liquid to prepare the patient for colonoscopy,” explains Malik. “Similarly, after games, athletes can lose up to 1,500-2,000 mg of sodium through sweat and must drink sugar-filled electrolyte drinks to regain it back.

“To address this issue, we conducted 40 experiments to develop flavorless and tasteless gummies that effectively deliver the necessary sodium and potassium contents in both scenarios,” he says.

Their other project revolved around designing a more environmentally sustainable process for cement.

Current cement production requires 500-800 gallons of water per ton of cement produced, explains Malik. Additional water is also needed during the curing process, which typically lasts seven to 14 days.

“To address this issue, we developed a new process of making concrete from cement,” explains Malik. “We also modified the cement formulation by adding various surfactants and salts. We tried different mixtures of sea water and distilled water and checked the hardness of concrete formed. This not only decreases the curing time of cement by several days, but also decreases the overall water usage. Addition of magnesium chloride seemed to have helped too. To present our findings to the research community, we have documented their results in a comprehensive research paper.”

Malik and Shah worked under the guidance of Joshi and his employees Lavanya Kundurthy and Neelam Sharma on these projects.

“The cement project continues to this day as we are working on getting our research published,” adds Malik.

They met at the lab twice weekly but “Most of the work is now being conducted at home as we have already completed our experiments and are now working on presenting our findings in the paper,” he adds.

They both have been enjoying their experience.

“Personally, the most rewarding part of this internship was the invaluable experience I gained,” says Malik, who plans to major in environmen-

tal engineering at Cornell University.

“Before last summer, I had never worked in a real laboratory or conducted hands-on research,” he adds. “This internship not only provided me with that opportunity, but also transformed my curiosity of research into a passion—one that has the potential to impact millions of lives. That, to me, is the most rewarding part.”

Raj Shah, 18, of Parsippany, adds “I’ve most enjoyed the hands-on experience and lab skills I’ve developed through this internship. From learning how to use new lab devices to helping solve real-world problems (sustainable cement production and colonoscopy preparation), I’ve learned a great deal about the research process and its impact on millions of people.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Vrishank, Dr. Joshi, Mrs. Kundurthy, and Mrs. Sharma, and will undoubtedly continue working on new research projects in college,” continues Shah, a senior in the Magnet program for Math and Science at Mor-

Pictured, from left, are Hemant Joshi, Lavanya Kundurthy (research scientist), Raj Shah, Sucheta Pansare, Vrishank Malik and Neelam Sharma (research scientist)

ris Hills High School.

Shah got involved in the internship through Joshi, who lives in his community.

“I was interested in working in a chemical laboratory for the first time and had many friends who were previous interns under Dr. Joshi,” adds Joshi. “I knew I wanted handson research experience, so this internship was the perfect opportunity for me.”

Shah explains his role a bit deeper.

“In the gummy experiment, Vrishank and I developed 40

formulations of gummies to improve colonoscopy preparation,” describes Shah.

“For the cement project, Vrishank and I studied the process of converting cement to concrete, using water as the solvent,” he continues.

Shah, who plans to major in neuroscience or biomedical engineering on the pre-medical track, explains why this experiment is important.

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Township and School District Team Up to Field Cricket in MO

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mount Olive Life • May 2025 • Page 9

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER MOUNT OLIVE - Already known for its awesome fields at its parks and schools, Mt. Olive is batting a 1,000 now that it will also have a cricket field in its borders.

The Mt. Olive Twp. Council unanimously approved resolution #146 at its April 1 meeting to partner with the Mt. Olive Twp. School District to build and maintain a new cricket field in town. It will be located in the sports field behind Sandshore Elementary School in Budd Lake.

The field will provide a local location for cricket teams and students to play the sport which is upping its game.

“Cricket is becoming a very popular sport in New Jersey, particularly among the Indian American community, with the growth of leagues and youth programs,” shares Mt. Olive Twp. Business Administrator Andrew Tatarenko and Mt. Olive Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sumit Bangia in a shared response. “This field may be the catapult that also brings cricket as an established school club/sport to Mt. Olive.”

The idea came up early in September 2024, when a group of residents attended the Mt. Olive Township Council meet-

ing expressing their desire to bring cricket to Mt. Olive, explains Tatarenko.

Two-year Budd Lake resident Uday Kumar Kota and other team members who live in town, approached the council with their request.

“Every year starting from April to October we have a cricket league in New Jersey where around 200 teams participate and play games,” shares Kota. “Each team needs a home ground to host their home games and do regular practices.

We are working with township to have our home ground with cricket pitch installed.”

Tatarenko and the mayor met with the group shortly thereafter to discuss its needs, says Tatarenko.

“After evaluating the current fields on township property, due to the size requirements and availability of the field, the township did not have an appropriate site,” he says.

“In late October, 2024, I approached Dr. Bangia about the possibility of a partnership to utilize a school property, and she ecstatically agreed to bring it to the board’s consideration.”

Leaders found a perfect location behind Sandshore Elementary School.

“A 300 foot diameter field is required,” to play the game, says Tatarenko. “A typical football/soccer/baseball field is not large enough to accommodate that size playing field.

Sandshore was one of the only options that had a viable size field, required no additional maintenance, other than construction of the pitch area, and was not being utilized during the playing season. In addition, it provided ample parking.”

Kota describes the sport cricket as “a bat-and-ball game played between two teams, each usually made up of 11 players. The objective is to score more runs than the other team.”

His team currently plays in Morristown cricket fields, he says. They enjoy “big hits and boundaries; close matches and nail-biting finishes; strategies and mind games.”

Mt. Olive is one of the few towns that will have a cricket field.

“In our research, several municipalities have started to add cricket fields – Sparta and Parsippany,” says Tatarenko.

“Morris County also recently constructed new cricket fields at Lewis Morris Park.”

The playing field of the

cricket court is a 300-foot diameter with a center pitch area, describes Tatarenko.

“The pitch area will be turfed and the outfield will remain grass,” he adds.

“Since there is already a good playing field in existence, the only capital cost is to construct the turf center pitch area which is approximately $40K and was budgeted for by the township in the 2025 Capital Budget,” shares Tatarenko.

It is anticipated that construction will start once school session is out for the summer, he adds. The pitch area itself will only take a few days to construct. The township is contracting with Applied Landscape Technologies to install the cricket pitch.

As far as maintaining the

field, he adds, “Cost to maintain field is minimal as the board already maintains the field on a weekly basis.”

The cost to build and maintain it will be minimal compared to the benefit it will provide to residents and students, leaders agree.

“Anytime the township can add a new service to the residents based on the needs of the community is a positive outcome,” says Tatarenko. “In addition, the township partnering with the board on this project, is a great way the two entities can work together, offer services and minimize the cost to the taxpayers.

“The township and school district have worked together to afford our community with a variety of facilities/fields/

courts to meet our growing needs,” continues Tatarenko.

“You can see by how all our facilities/fields/courts are in constant use! But the cricket field is the first “official” shared agreement between the school district and township.

“Utilization of the field by residents will be through a basic permit process similar to how our other fields are utilized by the various sport associations,” he continues.

The elementary school can also use it during the school day.

“Our physical education always aim to have our students engage in new learning experiences and the addition of a cricket field will certainly align to this practice,” adds Bangia.

Mount Olive Air Force JROTC Annual Awards Ceremony

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From left to right Robert S. Bedell, Chief Master Sergeant (Ret.), USAF AFJROTC Senior Aerospace Science Instructor, Ethan Scarsi, Cadet Master Sergeant, Mount Olive AFJROTC-20172 and Nathan D. Kruithof, Senior Master Sergeant (Ret.), USAF AFJROTC Aerospace Science Instructor

MOUNT OLIVE - Mount Olive Air Force JROTC held their Annual Awards Ceremony, April 16, 2025. Ethan Scarsi

was the recipient of the Chief’s Choice Award. This annual honor is awarded to the cadet who continuously strives to

excel personally and academically while constantly persevering.

Page 10 • May 2025 • Mount Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Interns Explore...

FROM FROM PAGE 8 with sea water, we can help conserve fresh water on our planet,” says Shah. “We found that replacing 40% fresh water with sea water and adding magnesium chloride in the formulation retained concrete quality. This finding will help in sustainable cement production.”

Two other interns, Sucheta Pansare and Sanjana Medapati, both 17 of Parsippany, worked on electrolyte gummies for athletes and nail polish remover.

Pansare, a senior at the Morris County School of Technology in Denville, enjoys chemistry the most so the internship was perfect match.

“I like to explore and experiment with different chemical reactions,” she shares. “I have always found chemistry highly interesting and love the spontaneity of it as well as the “surprises” that come with it.”

During her junior year, while looking for a chemistry/ healthcare related internship, she heard about Tara Innovations from her school, family friends and previous biotechnology senior interns.

The first project she and her partner, Medapati, worked on was centered around formulating electrolyte gummies.

“We experimented with various formulations of gelatin, water, salt (electrolytes), sweeteners, and flavors to create a gummy with the perfect consistency that also provided the necessary electrolyte amounts needed for athletes who tend to lose a lot of electrolytes through vigorous exercise,” explains Pansare. “After many trials, we were finally able to determine the formula that provided a good amount of electrolytes without a compromise on taste and texture.”

The other project the worked on was formulating a new and more effective type of nail polish remover that is not currently in the market or patented.

“Though there are many nail polish removers currently, we noticed that many of them have negative aspects to them, whether it be them taking too long to remove the polish, subtly harming the nails, or not being able to remove all aspects of nail polish (such

as gel polishes, glitters, many layers),” she explains.

“We were trying to find a new nail polish remover that could tackle all of the previously mentioned issues, while still keeping it inexpensive, easy to ship, and unique,” continues Pansare. “We experimented with different formulations of ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, surfactants, and water. Our final nail polish remover was able to remove multiple layers of nail polish with ease (within one to two quick swipes), and proved to be more efficient and less harsh on the nails that other removers on the market.”

They started their projects at the end of June 2024 and continue to work on these projects. They visited the lab one to three times a week, and since February continue to work from home to complete their research paper and any additional post-experimentation work.

“These projects will be used to hopefully help create more efficient experiences for the populations pinpointed with these experiments: Athletes and nail polish wearers,” says Pansare.

“These two experiments have allowed for us to experiment with finding solutions to real life problems; in the case of the electrolyte gummies, our research could help to find a suitable method that allows for runners and other athletes to get the electrolytes needed in a simple and easy to use manner,” realizes Pansare.

“For our nail polish removers, we were able to try to experiment with different compounds to create an efficient, yet safe and non-harmful end product that could assist nail polish wearers with having a much better experience removing their nail polish.”

They, too, are enjoying their time as interns.

“I really enjoyed the experience that I gained from this internship,” says Pansare, who plans to study biochemistry at NJIT as well as statistics and business. “I was able to gain so many hard and soft-skills that will prove invaluable to me in the future, whether it be in the medical/pharmaceutical/research field, or even in my daily life. I also came

out of this internship with a better understanding of problem-solving, critical thinking skills, and teamwork skills.

“Being able to perform the experiments that we were allowed to is something that I have never experienced before, and allowed for me to be even more inspired to pursue other opportunities like this in the future; before coming into this internship I had never thought that I would enjoy working in a lab, but I now know that this is an experience I definitely want to continue,” she adds.

Medapati, a senior at The Academy for Mathematics, Science & Engineering, has enjoyed her time working in the lab and writing research papers on her work.

“I learned to keep repeating until I get results, and I enjoyed actually learning about what I do,” says Medapati. “I really enjoyed working on the nail polish remover formulation. I tried it out to remove nail polish from my own nails.”

The other project she is working on involves the ear: Drug Delivery Systems Through the Ear: Exploring Novel Routes of Administration for Upper Respiratory Infections, she shares.

“My main responsibilities included reviewing scientific literature, taking detailed notes on current methods of ear drug delivery, analyzing novel patents, and contributing to writing the research paper that summarized our findings,” explains Medapati.

Her project began in January and finished towards the end of March 7. She visited the lab about two times a week, two hours each day.

“This research provides a comprehensive overview of ear drug delivery systems that can inform pharmaceutical development,” she shares. “It highlights the potential of the otic route of administration, particularly the recent patent showing how oil-based formulations containing eucalyptus oil can permeate the tympanic membrane to reach the throat via the eustachian tube. This approach could be used to treat upper respiratory infections such as SARS-COV2 and may generate further interest in the otic route of administration for

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various conditions.

“While delivering medicines to the throat through the ears is not standard practice due to the tympanic membrane’s low permeability, our research shows it’s possible under certain conditions,” she explains. “The novel patent we studied demonstrates that formulations with eucalyptus oil in jojoba oil can effectively reach the throat area through the ear.”

Her skills and advanced knowledge will only help her as she plans to major in biology on a Pre-med track at Nova Southeastern University.

“I want to become a doctor and such knowledge of drug delivery system will be helpful,” says Medapati.

More on Tara and Internships

Tara Innovations, LLC is primarily a contract research organization (CRO) that specializes in developing pharmaceutical formulations for clients, with a focus on liquid products—such as water-based and oil-based solutions, as well as suspensions.

Interns are from all over Morris County and in the past have been from Parsippany High School, Parsippany Hills High School, the Academy for Health Care Sciences and The Academy for Math, Science, and Engineering.

To be an intern at Tara Innovations, students must have a genuine interest in chemistry and a sincere willingness to learn.

“We’re committed to ensuring that every intern gains valuable knowledge and expe-

rience during their time with us,” says Joshi.

Interns are unpaid but their lessons learned are priceless.

“The program with The Academy is very structured— high school career counselors regularly visit our lab to ensure that students are safe and actively learning,” he says.

“One intern recently told me that he could get research assistantship in the college because of working experience at Tara and mainly, he published an article,” he adds. “For all these students, this is the first article they write, and they get to know the procedure of publishing their work. Since 2021, we encourage students to write papers on a topic and we publish them in the “American Pharmaceutical Review” magazine.”

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The Sacred Bean Coffeehouse: 25 Years of Music

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mount Olive Life • May 2025 • Page 11

BY ELSIE WALKER STAFF WRITER

AREA - The Sacred Bean Coffeehouse has marked a milestone. For just over twenty-five years, it has been providing free musical entertainment to the community and providing musicians who are singer-songwriters with a venue. A ministry of the Flanders United Methodist Church, 4 Park Place in Flanders, it is held one Saturday a month at 7pm in the church’s fellowship hall, October through May with a break for the summer. Musical styles range from country to jazz to a cappella and more with a special Christmas music coffeehouse held every December. Refreshments are sold and go to paying the performers. There is no admission fee, and the coffeehouse’s website is http://www.sacredbeancoffeehouse.org Church member Ray Winch is coordinator

of the Sacred Bean and recently talked about its history, its present, and its future.

The Sacred Bean came about from Winch’s own musical experiences. “At that time, I was singing and playing at a lot at different venues. But, a lot of the venues weren’t well suited for singer-songwriters. Bars and restaurants are not the best venues for singer-songwriters. Usually, people are not there to hear new songs or original music. They generally want to hear songs they already know, and they are there primarily to socialize or watch sports,” he shared.

Winch noted that was fine when he was starting out as it gave him experience in front of an audience, but then he got to a point where he wanted more. He got a chance to sing at a place called the Time Still

Café in Hackettstown in 1998.

Though gone now, Winch remembers it “was very much a coffeehouse style listening room.” Winch loved it. There weren’t many venues like that where people came for the music and were interested in new music.

“So I thought, if we, my bandmates and I, can’t find a good gig, we’ll make one,” he shared.

Winch approached the church council at the Flanders United Methodist Church, where he is a lifelong member, with the idea to hold a coffeehouse in the church basement.

That request was approved, and the first show was held in June 1999.

Winch drew on his connections to get talent in the early days, and it has grown from there. “When we first start-

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ed out, the musicians were primarily people I knew who were doing the same thing I was doing. When they would sing at the coffeehouse, they would email their fans, which would include other musicians, and they would attend and say, ‘Can I play here too?’ Musicians love the room, the excellent sound system, and attentive audience,” he said. Musicians are paid and they are welcome to sell their CDs and merchandise at the coffeehouse.

Winch has found that there are many singer-songwriters and other performers who are searching for a good listening room to showcase their songs and talents. “Each one is unique and has their own perspective. I love to be able to see things from someone else’s perspective. There are a lot of incredibly talented musicians that deserve a good venue, a lot of whom do not fit into any specific genre,” Winch shared.

When asked about his role in the Sacred Bean, from his reply it is clear that Winch wears many hats. “I book the performers, make sure the sound system sounds good, handle any sound needs for the musicians, update the website, and make sure we have the necessary supplies such as coffee, tea, water, sodas, plates, etc. Also, I usually act as MC and quite often will start the show by singing a few songs and introducing the featured performers,” Winch shared.

Besides the music, refreshments are sold during the performance. There is no admission fee to attend the coffeehouse so what they get for the refreshments helps to pay the musicians. They sell coffee, tea, water, and soda, as well as homemade desserts. Winch’s wife, Nanette, usually does most of the baking. He noted that her carrot cake with cream cheese icing is a big favorite and that a few performers say they come just for that! He noted that the church’s pastor, Meekyung Choi Kim will bring fresh baked brownies. Church members, and sometimes attendees, also pitch in to help behind the refreshment counter and help with cleanup at the

end. There is also a donation jar for people who want to donate towards the Sacred Bean’s costs.

Winch noted that the Sacred Bean is ministry rather than a fundraiser. “We are happy if we cover our costs. If we receive funds above our costs, we invest in better sound equipment, or tables, or other simple upgrades to the coffeehouse,” he said.

Winch noted that so far in its history, the coffeehouse has had over 100 performers.

While he noted there have been many great moments, one favorite is the Christmas coffeehouse done every December. “ It’s all Christmas music and we usually have a bass player, a drummer, piano, and we do some sing-a-longs, too. The Moderately Bright Four, a local four-part a cappella group, usually performs and does a spectacular job. It really puts everyone in the Christmas spirit,” he said.

Other memories include hosting the Mountain View School Show Choir and a young performer’s coffeehouse where it was mostly high

school students.

With a quarter century under its belt, what are Winch’s hope for the Sacred Bean’s future?

“I’m thankful that the Flanders United Methodist Church supports this outreach ministry for musicians and members of our community. This church has been here since 1789, so there’s a good chance this coffeehouse will be here for a long, long time. I hope that we can continue to provide a space for musicians to share their talents with an attentive, appreciative audience,” he said.

For more information on the Sacred Bean Coffeehouse, visit its website at http://www.sacredbeancoffeehouse.org/ Winch noted about the website: If you are using Optimum internet, you may have trouble accessing this site and other sites when using their WIFI. Optimum is now blocking access to sites that don’t have SSL certificates and their “continue to website anyway” option does not work. You can access the site on your phone if it is not using Optimum internet and the website also works fine on Verizon internet.

A Legacy of Leadership: Kolody Retires as MO’s Trusted CFO

Page 12 • May 2025 • Mount Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE - “What can we do, instead of what can’t we do,” has been her motto as director of finance of Mt. Olive Twp., and now after 25 years she has decided she can retire!

As she announced in March, Sherry Kolody’s last day as director of finance/CFO/treasure of Mt. Olive Twp. will be June 30. Hired in 2000, she just celebrated her 25th year in this role.

A resident of Mt. Olive since 1992, Kolody is grateful for the time she has spent in this role and all the community support over the years.

“My thanks to everyone for their support and faith in not only me but the finance department in general,” says Kolody.

“I was honored to serve and to make a difference for the residents.”

Working with numbers has always been her passion and expertise.

Kolody graduated from Montclair State University with a bachelor’s in business administration with a concentration in accounting.

“I became an accountant because I enjoyed working with numbers and moved to government work because I liked the idea of helping residents, especially in the community I lived,” says Kolody.

“I began my career as a municipal and school auditor with Nisivoccia and Company,” she continues. “I also worked for the Borough of Mountain Lakes as an assistant tax collector and the Borough of Lincoln Park and Township of Maplewood as chief financial officer.”

Sometimes challenging, Kolody has enjoyed her role as a township employee for the last quarter of her life.

“The biggest changes I have seen in a government environment come from the continued additional responsibilities placed on you by the state and other regulatory agencies as well as the leadership rotation,” she admits.

But with her team, Kolody did her part to keep the township’s finances in check.

“It’s been a total team effort,” says Kolody, who plans to speak more at the June meeting.

“Together with my longterm supervisors Rose Barsanti and Jack Marchione, who both recently retired, we have had many successive clean audit re-

ports, high tax collection rates and strong maintenance and defense of the ratable base,” shares Kolody. “We also transformed the budget process providing more transparency to the public. We also increased our debt rating, allowing us to issue debt at a lower interest rate.

“Our motto was what can we do instead of what can’t we do?” she adds.

“I enjoyed working with all the different mayors and working to achieve their vision and their financial goals,” says Kolody. “I also valued the help we were able to give our residents and employees by being proactive instead of reactive.

Looking back at all she has accomplished over the years, Kolody says she feels complete.

MOUNT OLIVE - What is the Mount Olive Connect and Protect (MO CAP) program?

MO CAP is a mental health co-response program specifically for Mount Olive Township.

The MO CAP program will allow Mount Olive Township police officers to collaborate on scene with mental health professionals to deescalate individuals experiencing a mental health crisis and assist community members who are struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. Mental health professionals will also help connect individuals with appropriate services based on their immediate needs.

In 2023 the Mount Olive Police Department recognized the

growing need for mental health support within our community and applied for the Connect and Protect: Law Enforcement Behavioral Health Response Program offered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) grant. The township was one of two municipalities in New Jersey that was subsequently awarded $550,000 to implement the program.

The Mount Olive Police Department has partnered with mental health professionals from the Mental Health Association (MHA) to create the program. This program will help ensure our community members receive the support they need during challenging times,

right here in Mount Olive. The Mount Olive Police Department is dedicated to fostering a supportive and healthy community for all residents.

“The MO CAP program underscores our commitment to the health and safety of every resident in Mount Olive,” stated Chief Michael Spitzer.

“By working alongside mental health professionals, we can provide more effective and compassionate support to those experiencing a mental health crisis and connect individuals with the resources they need to thrive. We believe this partnership will make a positive difference in our community.” Police Headquarters 204 Flanders Drakestown Road, Budd Lake,

New Jersey 07828 (973) 6910850 (973) 691-8312 Fax Specific Goals of MO CAP: Reduce repeated police contacts.

Minimize harmful outcomes.

Redirect people from the criminal justice system to appropriate services for mental health or substance abuse.

How to Contact MO CAP: Call the Communications Center at 973-691-0850 or 9-11 in an emergency.

A Communications Officer will guide you to the right program resources.

What Happens When You Call?

Emergency: A police officer and a MO CAP clinician will respond.

MOUNT OLIVE - The Mount Olive Police Department is proud to recognize and honor our dedicated Communications Officers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators in April as well as the many emergency 911 operators and dispatchers who serve communities across the country. These professionals may not always be seen, but their voices are a vital source of calm, guidance, and reassurance in times of crisis.

In Mount Olive Township, every police, fire, and emergency medical service call begins in our Communications Center, located within Police Headquarters. This center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and is staffed by a team of highly trained professionals committed to serving the community.

In 2024, the Mount Olive Police Department was awarded the distinction of becoming an Accredited Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, a milestone that reflects the professionalism, dedication, and excellence demonstrated by our Communications Officers every day.

In the past year, our Communications Officers answered a total of 9,602 emergency 9-11 calls and 40,112 administrative calls. They also dispatched resources to 3,829 fire and medical emergencies, all while supporting Mount Olive police officers as they responded to over 90,000 calls for service last year.

Before serving in the Communications Center, each new hire completes rigorous training, including Emergency Medical Dispatch certification, 911 telecommunications, CPR, and more than 400 hours of hands-on instruction alongside a senior Communications Officer. Only after successfully completing this program do they earn the title of Communications Officer. Even after their initial training, they continue to undergo annual education and specialized professional development to stay sharp and effective in their critical role.

We thank our Communications Officers for their commitment, professionalism, and the crucial role they play in keeping our community safe. Their dedication behind the scenes ensures that help is only a call away.

Chief Michael Spitzer said, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Communications Officers for the professionalism, expertise, and dedicated service they provide to our Mount Olive Township Community, 24/7/365. I am so proud to work with such an outstanding group of people who exhibit calmness, courage, empathy, and leadership daily, and who serve a critical role in the success of our MOPD Team.

The highest standards and positive culture these professionals maintain have also contributed to our first NJSACOP PSAP Accreditation certification on June 13, 2024. Mount Olive Township is incredibly fortunate to have them all.”

Senior Communications Offi-

cer/Chief’s Assistant Darrell Hooper Senior Communications Officer Hooper has been employed with the Mount Olive Police Department since November 2007. He holds numerous certifications such as Emergency Medical Dispatcher Instructor (EMD), Emergency Medical Responder, 911 and CPR Instructor. He serves as a Senior Communications Officer in addition to his responsibilities as the Assistant to the Chief of Police. Over the years employed with Mount Olive, Communications Officer Hooper had been commended for assisting and recommending the department’s new Scheduling Software System (VCS- POSS) and is a current member of the Flanders Rescue Squad.

Senior Communications Officer /Records Clerk Stephen Mirsik Communications Officer/ Records Clerk Mirsik has been employed with the Mount Olive Police Department since August 2012. He received additional training in Telecommunications Role in an Active Shooter Event. Over the years with Mount Olive, Communications Officer Mirsik has received the two (2) Grand Cordon awards, a Life Saving Award and has assisted in training several new communication officers.

Senior Communications Officer John Johansen Communications Officer Johansen has been employed with the Mount Olive Police Department since

January 2015. In addition to his responsibilities, he serves as a communications training officer and has received a Grand Cordon award and an Honorable Service Award.

Senior Communications Officer /Police Secretary Karissa MacDonald Communications Officer/ Police Secretary MacDonald has been employed with the Mount Olive Police Department since June 2014 as a police secretary. After being hired, she received additional training and became a certified Communications Officer. She has received additional training in Open Public Records Act Update/Overview (OPRA).

Communications Officer Ryan Hammell Communications Officer Hammell has been employed with the Mount Olive Police Department since January 2017. He has received additional training in Advanced Police Dispatching.

Communications Officer Storm Shawl

“I feel I have accomplished everything I wanted to,” says Kolody. “I leave with a sense of great pride in all the improvements we made and the financial policies and procedures I put into place.”

While a successor had not been named before press time, Kolody shares her hopes for her replacement: “I would like to see my replacement continue audit free reports and maintain a stable tax rate while providing consistent levels of service.”

She looks forward to her next chapter which includes sunny skies and some down time.

“My husband and I are relocating to Florida where I plan to volunteer for some projects I am passionate about as well as enjoy more time with family

and friends,” says Kolody.

Township officials, sad to see her go, wish her well.

“Sherry, you can’t retire,” says Councilwoman Mary Lalama. “You’ve done and amazing job and I really appreciate it!”

“Congratulations on a job well done,” says Councilman John Mania.

“She’s been phenomenal to work with,” says Councilman Greg Stewart.

Mount Olive Connect and Protect (MO CAP) Program Started

Non-Emergency: A MO CAP clinician will respond.

Clinicians will wear civilian clothing and display identification cards. They will drive themselves to the scene.

Program Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 A.M. to 3 P.M. Future plans are imminent to extend the program hours until

11 P.M. Incidents Outside MO CAP Program Hours: Police officers will refer the case to a MO CAP mental health professional for follow-up during program hours.

More Information: Visit the Mount Olive Police Department’s webpage at www. mopd.org or call 973-691-0850.

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Communications Officer Shawl has been employed with the Mount Olive Police Department since May 2019. Each year Communications Officer Shawl puts together a donation between the Mount Olive Police Department and the Mount Olive Pantry to feed 6 families each Thanksgiving. Communications Officer Shawl also started a coloring contest at National Night Out and the winning children are given a special tour of the Police Department.

Communications Officer Alexandra O’Keefe Communications Officer O’Keefe has been employed with the Mount Olive Police Department since June 2019.

She has attended additional training in advanced police dispatching, domestic violence calls and has served as a communications Training Officer.

Communications Officer Domenico Savarese Communications Officer Savarese has been employed with the Mount Olive Police Department since June 2021.

In addition to his position as a communication officer, he serves as a firefighter and was a previous president of the Budd Lake Fire Department. C/O Savarase also serves as a Communications Training Officer.

Communications Officer Kyle Barbosa Communications Officer Barbosa has been employed with the Mount Olive Township Police Department since January of 2024 Communications Officer Shyla Quatro Communications Officer Quatro has been employed with the Mount Olive Township Police Department since July of 2024. Prior to working in Mount Olive, she was a dispatcher in both Jersey City and Hopatcong.

Communications Officer Jessica Groblewski Communications Officer Groblewski has been employed as a part time dispatcher since 2024, after serving over 25 years as a Police Officer for Mount Olive Township.

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Netcong Senior Citizen Club

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mount Olive Life • May 2025 • Page 13

BY ELSIE WALKER STAFF WRITER AREA - This past January marked the first anniversary of the Netcong Senior Citizen Club, a group which offers seniors opportunities to socialize, become informed, participate in various outings and get involved in the community. The club meets the second Friday of each month from 10am – noon at the Hilltop Firehouse, 49 College Road in Netcong.

Membership in the club is open to Netcong residents only, age 55 and older, and annual dues are $20. The group also has its own Facebook page (Netcong Senior Citizen Club) where people can see the latest activities and club news. Recently, Sharon Still of Netcong, president of the club, shared more about the group and its offerings.

The club is what Still calls, “a resurrection of sorts”. There was a Netcong Seniors group years ago, but it ended. However, the idea to start a group again came after research was done on the old group and the realization that there was a need for a seniors’ club now.

Still noted that the seniors in Netcong, “have a sense of

community, want to be able to socialize and also have an opportunity to get involved. Seniors need to stay active!”

When asked about the mission of the club, she said, “I feel our mission is to simply bring the senior citizen population together, provide informative and educational guest speakers, enjoy an outing now and then and enjoy each other’s company.”

The group currently has 90 active members with approximately 50 to 60 in attendance at any given meeting. Besides Still, other officers include Netcong residents Joy Sylvester (Vice President), Donna Bauer (Treasurer), and Tammy Leader (Secretary). Still noted that Hilltop Fire House has been gracious in offering its location for club meetings and in supporting the club.

What is a typical meeting of the club like? Before a meeting starts, there’s a brief time of socializing over coffee and breakfast goodies. The first order of business is to address birthdays and anniversaries, and any health issues of the members so a card can be sent. Minutes from the prior meeting are re-

viewed, then updates from the Ways and Means Committee, Banquet Committee, and Sunshine Committee are reviewed.

After that, it is time for the guest speaker. The guest speaker usually begins at 10:30am and a question and answer segment follows. The guest speaker for April is Heather Darling , Morris County Surrogate who will give an overview of Surrogate Court and a discussion on wills, trusts, and estates. Future speaker topics include “Be An informed Consumer – Prevent Fraud”, “History of NJ”, “Joint and Back Pain 101” and much more. After the speaker, the club discusses old and new business, the good of the club and adjourns. Still noted that “most [members] will stick around for a few more minutes to socialize.”

“I’m always looking forward to the senior club meetings and outings. It brings us together with socializing amongst friends of our community and the camaraderie makes us feel comfortable sharing our experiences and stories with each other, giving our club a unique family feeling,” said

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club member Irene Lindner of Netcong.

Speaking of outings and activities, the club sponsors a variety of them. This year, those range from going to a Yankees game to seeing a Broadway show to a dinner cruise on the Miss Lotta, luncheons, and more. Information about outings and costs are found on the club’s Facebook page. Also, Still shared that in addition to the club’s “pretty booked schedule” , “we are adding a 10 week exercise program this year which will hopefully begin in June and then again in September”.

The club also gets involved in the community. The Netcong Senior Citizen Club has developed a relationship with the Netcong Elementary School which has resulted in a number

of outreach opportunities for both generations. The school’s Early Act Club, under the direction of Ann Evans, has adopted the senior group. (According to the Netcong Elementary School website, the Early Act Club is a service organization that is open to 5th-8th graders.)

The Early Act Club writes out birthday cards for members of the senior group to be distributed at its monthly meetings. The seniors have participated in a “meet and greet” hour at the school which included playing various board games and some musical entertainment. They will be continuing to have get togethers throughout this year.

In addition, Still shared that, “Thanks to Kate Walsh, Superintendent of Netcong Elementary, we were also invited to the Spring and Winter school

concerts as well as the recent ‘Read Across America’ initiative. We are working on future opportunities that will involve both groups.”

Reflecting on the Netcong Senior Citizen Club, Still said, “I am so grateful to be allowed the opportunity to begin this new group. The age group beginning at 55 with no end age allows those who have retired, are semi- retired, and /or are still working the opportunity to take advantage of joining our group…. The social interaction is unbelievable, and some attendees have now made lifelong friendships.”

For more information on the Netcong Senior Citizen Club, see its Facebook page or call Sharon Still at 201- 874 -9634.

MOUNT OLIVE - The Knights of Columbus Council 5410 is holding a Shred Event on May 17, 2025 from 8:00am to 11:00am at 3 Schmidt Lane, Flanders (across RR tracks from Flanders Fire Department).

Take advantage of this safe and secure method of destroying confidential documents and proper recycling of electronic products, while helping your local Knights of Colum-

bus Council 5410. Shredding will be done by Absolute Shredding LLC. Please bring your documents in paper bags or cardboard boxes. Shredding is limited to confidential and sensitive documents only, NO Binders or magazines.

Shredding Donations, $5.00 per bag, for every 3 bags, 1 is free, $10.00 per box (copy paper box size) and for every 3 boxes, 1 is free

Electronic donations, $10.00 for each Tower and Laptop, note, hard drive must be removed by owner. Hard drives will be destroyed for $10.00 each, also included are mouse, keyboard, speakers and wires. Cell Phone, $10.00 each….remove lithium batteries prior to donation. CDs are $.50 each.

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Future Business Leaders from MOHS Head to National Stage

Page 14 • May 2025 • Mount Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE - No more teachers, no more books for students this summer, but for this half dozen students, business will continue as usual.

Six students from the Mt. Olive High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter have qualified to compete at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, Calif., this June.

Congratulations to Kanav Jaitly in Computer Problem Solving; Sven Morais in Financial Math; Noor rizk in Human Resource Management; Nakul Ramprasad in Intro to Financial Math; Laure Thoman in Organizational Leadership; and Ayesha Shaik in Public Policy and Advocacy.

From March 10 to March 12, they each won in the category at the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) New Jersey State Leadership Conference.

More than 35 students participated from MOHS. “Mt. Olive School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter has once again demonstrated its excellence, capturing many awards,” says Mr. Patrick Fahy, Mt. Olive business teacher / FBLA Advisor.

Like other clubs offered in Mt. Olive, students prepped early for the competitions during the school year.

“In December 2024, a dedicated team of 45 FBLA members competed with determination at the regional level, leading to an impressive 32 students qualifying for the prestigious New Jersey State Leadership Conference—where 12 of them placed in the top 10 within their categories,” says Fahy, expressing his pride and excitement on the success of his students.

“FBLA allows students to learn about business and gives them the opportunity to see the “real world” through interaction with business leaders from around the state,” shares Fahy. “Students learn to speak confidently with prospective employers and experience the challenge to test their business skills in state and national competitions.”

The first round of testing in the regional competition took place in November, with students able to test in an area of their choice ranging from accounting, advertising, business management, economics, journalism, networking infrastructures or public speaking, he explains.

Students must show their smarts to get in the door.

“Placement tests featured 50 multiple choice questions with an hour allotted to complete the test,” says Fahy. “The tests were then sent to the New Jersey FBLA organization for grading.”

Fahy has been mentoring his students in these competitions for the past five years and every year brings in new opportunities for his students.

“Mt. Olive’s FBLA program cultivates a professional demeanor and honing the skills necessary to excel in the dynamic world of business,” says Fahy. “Mt. Olive FBLA places great importance on initiatives like leadership, emphasizing the vital connection between personal presentation and professional success. Through a combination of workshops, mentorship opportunities and real-world simulations, the Mt. Olive FBLA program empowers student members with the essential tools to navigate the challenges of personal and professional growth.”

This school year he had 45 MOHS students sign up.

“We hold a student club fair at the beginning of each school year and students can sign up to participate,” he shares.

His passion for the program drives his students toward success.

“The FBLA leadership program helps students find their passion and future area of study,” says Fahy. “I am especially proud of the incredible achievements of the Mt. Olive students. There’s a lot of different programs, workshops, and activities that are available that,

if students take advantage of, they could really learn a lot. It could serve them well, both in the college admissions process in choosing their major and in choosing their career path.”

Having a dozen of his students place in the top ten of their categories at the state leadership conference this past March is a testament to the MOHS FBLA program and its success among its competition.

“The NJ Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference witnessed the participation of over 4,300 talented students from across New Jersey, each vying for the opportunity to represent their school and state at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, Cali., this June. The FBLA state conference had the largest number of student attendees in N.J. state history again this year.

“The NJ State Leadership Conference serves as a platform for FBLA members to engage in competitive events, attend workshops and network with peers from across the state,” he continues. “It’s an occasion for students to exhibit the outstanding education they received from their teachers throughout their time at Mt. Olive High School.”

Out of the six MOHS students who qualified, three are sophomores. Read their spotlights below.

Tenth grader Nakul Ramprasad, 15, joined the FBLA as a freshman.

“Each year, I’ve grown more involved and committed to the organization,” he says.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the world of business—how decisions are made, how markets move, and how ideas grow into real companies. I joined FBLA because I wanted to explore that interest beyond textbooks. It’s given me the chance to challenge myself, learn practical skills, and connect with other driven students who share that same passion.”

This year, he competed individually in the Intro to Financial Mathematics event.

“It was a written assessment that tested how well we could apply core financial principles to real-world scenarios,” explains Ramprasad. “The competition was a comprehensive exam

covering topics like budgeting, interest rates, basic accounting and financial decision-making.

It wasn’t just about knowing formulas—it was about understanding how to use math as a tool for smarter business choices.”

Ramprasad won first place in N.J. for his event, which qualified him to represent his chapter at the National Leadership Conference this summer in California.

“I received a medal and a 1st place glass trophy, which was a proud moment for me,” says Ramprasad. “There were hundreds of students across New Jersey competing in the same event. Knowing how competitive the field was earning first place was even more meaningful.

“I was beyond excited,” he adds. “It felt like a huge payoff for all the late nights and focused preparation. More than anything, it was a reminder that hard work, consistency and belief in yourself really do matter.

I’m honored to have the chance to represent my chapter on a national stage.”

Ramprasad is thankful to Fahy and credits him for his success.

“He gave us resources, shared strategies and encouraged us every step of the way,” says Ramprasad. “He has made sure we understood not just the content, but the “why” behind each concept. His support was a big reason I was able to perform well.”

Being around like-minded individuals has motivated Ramprasad to continue in this field.

“What stood out to me the most was the energy and passion at the conference,” he says.

“Being surrounded by students who are just as driven and excited about business was really inspiring. I loved the challenge of applying what I’ve learned in a competitive setting, and it gave me a clearer picture of how business and math intersect in the real world.”

Outside of FBLA, Ramprasad is on the tennis and soccer teams at MOHS and is part of the school’s Technology Student Association (TSA).

Being involved in various things works to his advantage.

“Balancing everything— school, sports, other commit-

ments—tested my time management skills,” says Ramprasad.

“I had to be intentional with my schedule and make sure I stayed consistent with my studying.

There were moments when it felt overwhelming, but pushing through helped me grow both as a student and as a competitor.”

While he still has two more years of high school, Ramprasad has an idea of what he wants to pursue.

“FBLA has helped me realize how much I enjoy working at the intersection of business, data and decision-making, says Ramprasad. “I plan to keep exploring that through competitions, summer programs and college courses. In the future, I hope to study something related to business, finance, or data science, something that allows me to solve real problems with numbers and strategy.”

He is thankful for his journey thus far.

“I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunities FBLA has given me,” he concludes. “It’s taught me leadership, resilience and the value of stepping outside my comfort zone. Being part of a school community that encourages students to aim high and pursue what they love has made all the difference. FBLA has truly been one of the most formative experiences of my high school journey so far.”

Kanav Jaitly, 16, joined the FBLA this year “because many of my friends told me about their past experiences and I thought it’d be fun to partake in another club.”

He was a competitor for Computer Problem Solving in the March event. He too had to take a test.

“The score I received from that test was then compared with all other participants from the state and the four highest scores qualified to nationals,” explains Jaitly, who competed against 70 other students throughout the state and received a trophy for winning 4th place.

“Everyone there looked like they knew what they were doing, so I was surprised that I qualified to nationals my first year attempting it,” he admits.

Jaitly is also thankful for Fahy who “was really supportive throughout the entire preparation process. He would provide us with materials to study

Kanav Jaitly

and guide us throughout the process.”

As a newcomer, Jaitly did what he could to get up to speed.

“The biggest challenge I faced was trying to get used to all the new things since I’ve never done the club before so doing things studying for all the tests and working everything out even at the competition itself came as a bit of a challenge,” he admits.

Besides placing for nationals, Jaitly enjoyed “making new friends at the event. I met new people from our school as well as from all around the state.”

Outside of business, Jaitly does robotics and volunteers.

He hopes to continue doing FBLA in the future as he plans to align business with computer science in college.

“FBLA was a great experience for me,” Jaitly says. “It exposed me to many different things, introduced me to many new people and I am excited to represent the state in nationals this summer and meeting more people with similar goals.”

Sven Morais, 15, is another sophomore who just joined FBLA this year.

“I wanted to gain valuable experiences, build my network and prepare for a successful future in business and beyond,” says Morais.

He chose Financial Math as the area to explore for this year’s competition.

“I had to take a regional level test for Northern New Jersey and a state level test for N.J. to evaluate my understanding regarding financial math,” he shares.

Surprised by his results, Morais placed first in Northern N.J and second in N.J. in the

Nakul Ramprasad

Sven Morais

Financial Math test, receiving a medal for top 10 finalist and a trophy for placing second at the state level.

“I was pleased that my efforts had borne fruit, and it was exciting to know that I could continue my journey to test myself against the best in the nation,” he shares, adding that he prepared for the contest himself.

“The topics covered in Financial Math were new for me and some of the concepts took time to understand but I took those challenges as an opportunity to widen my horizon beyond the traditional school curriculum,” he says. “The learning journey has always excited me and this was no different” Outside of business, Morais is on the varsity robotics team, junior varsity tennis team, soccer team and volunteers for chess, STEM and church events.

Being involved with so many other things, Morais is “still exploring” his future endeavors, he says.

LALAMA

COUNCILWOMAN

Representing ALL Residents of Mount Olive Join Us for Our Council Meetings

May 13 and May 27 Questions or concerns?

Contact me at 973-768-1815 mlalama@mtolivetwp.org Paid for by Lalama for Council • John Floretine Treasurer

ENTERTAINMENT

BY DANA JACKSON Q: Is it true that Billy Ray Cyrus is dating Elizabeth Hurley? I thought he was married.

-- K.S. A:The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer and father of Miley Cyrus recently went public with his new romance with actress Elizabeth Hurley (“Runaways”). Billy Ray Cyrus was married to Tish Cyrus for 29 years before they split. He then wed a singer named Firerose who was 29 years his junior, but they divorced less than a year later.

His relationship with Firerose seemed to cause a rift between him and his children.

Perhaps Hurley can be the bridge that brings them back together. Her 23-year-old son, Damian, publicly gave his approval of their relationship with a heart emoji after the couple went Instagram official. ***

BY DEMI TAVERAS “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” (TV-MA) -Based on the novel of the same name by Richard Flanagan, this Australian war-drama miniseries is led by the talented Jacob Elordi (“Saltburn”). Starring as the young version of Dorrigo Evans, an Australian doctor and prisoner of war, Elordi lost all the weight that made him into a convincing high school football player in “Euphoria”

Celebrity Extra Q:Whatever happened to Marvel’s “Blade” series? Did it just get delayed, or has it been scrapped altogether? -- D.D. A:The 1998 film “Blade,” which was originally a Marvel comic, starred Wesley Snipes as a half-vampire/half-mortal.

It inspired two more sequels, and Snipes also made a cameo as Blade in “Deadpool & Wolverine” last year. Since 2019, there’s been plans for a “Blade” reboot film (not a series, at least not yet) starring Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali. Actor Delroy Lindo, who currently appears in another vampire flick “Sinners,” was among the cast for the new “Blade” and spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the delayed project. He eventually left the film during its development process after it “went off the rails.”

He stated that Marvel

“seemed to be really interested in my input” and that conversations with the producers, writer and director at the time was “all leading into it being very inclusive.” But creative differences prevailed, and Lindo moved on to other projects like “Sinners.”

Marvel pulled “Blade” from its 2025 release calendar after production got pushed back by the pandemic and the Hollywood industry strikes. Meanwhile, Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, says that he remains committed to Ali’s take on the character and that the character “will be coming to the MCU.” Ali, who won respective Oscars in 2017 and 2019 for “Moonlight” and “Green Book,” can be seen in the upcoming “Jurassic World: Rebirth” and has several other projects lined up. ***

Q: Did the actor who played the judge on “Elsbeth” once appear on “Lost?” I had never seen him before this show, but it’s got to be him. -- S.E. A:Yes, Michael Emerson joined the hit mystery-drama series “Lost” in 2006, in what was initially a short-term role.

However, he became a fulltime cast member beginning in season three. He then starred in another hit series “Person of Interest” on CBS with Jim Caviezel, which lasted five seasons.

Then he landed another hit -“Evil” on Paramount+.

I’m willing to bet that his favorite acting gig so far has been playing a villain opposite his real-life wife of 26 years, Carrie Preston, on “Elsbeth.”

About filming their final scene together, he told TV Insider, “We were ready for writing this strong, and when we got it, we could play it.”

to become a bone-thin soldier who gets captured in the Pacific during World War II. Ciaran Hinds (“Game of Thrones”) plays the older version of Dorrigo, and Hinds’ scenes recount his war experiences while Elordi acts them out for us. All five episodes are out now! (Amazon Prime Video) In Case You Missed It “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy” (TV-PG) -- Italian-Amer-

ican actor Stanley Tucci (“Conclave,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Spotlight”) wanted to go back to his roots for his travel and food show, and this included heading overseas to Italy to explore each region that the beautiful country has to offer.

Beginning in Naples and the Amalfi Coast, the first season highlighted some of the food and culture we’ve come to love from popular cities like Rome,

Milan and Tuscany. But as the second season takes off, less-popular regions like Puglia, Liguria and Umbria take the stage, and the culture that gets discovered there might delightfully surprise you. While this lifestyle show only lasted for two seasons, both of which are available to watch now, Tucci filmed more episodes of a similar show that will eventually come out, called “Tucci: The Heart of Italy.” (Netflix) “The Florida Project” (R) -Before Sean Baker scored big at this year’s Academy Awards with “Anora,” he wrote and directed this tragic comingof-age drama taking place in a budget motel in Kissimmee, Florida, near Disney World.

The film logs the treks of a 6-year-old girl named Moonee, who spends most of her days getting into shenanigans with her fellow kids who live in the motel. While her young and lost mother, Halley (Bria Vinaite), grasps at straws to find any way of income after losing her job as a stripper, Moonee is left unsupervised around the motel, causing its manager

Couch Theater

Elizabeth Hurley (“Runaways”). Photo Credit: Depositphotos

Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail. com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando,

FL 32803. (c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.

Jacob Elordi stars in “The Narrow Road to the Deep North.”

Photo Credit: Courtesy of MovieStillsDB

Bobby (Willem Dafoe) to step in and save them from disaster.

This one’s not an easy watch but has an exhilarating ending that will stay with you well after the credits roll. Out now. (Max) “The Worst Person in the World” (R) -- This Norwegian romantic-drama film led by Renate Reinsve (“A Different Man”) landed her an award for Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival in 2021 -- an amazing feat for what would be considered her breakout role. The film follows Julie (Reinsve), a young woman in her late 20s as she tries to find her footing

in the world. At a loss for what to do in her professional life, Julie bounces from medicine to psychology to photography, never landing on one for good.

This is a theme that is mirrored in her romantic life as well; Julie jumps from relationship to relationship, hoping to find the one man who doesn’t make her feel uncertain. But only through more experience and more time in life will Julie truly find the answers that she’s looking for. Out now. (Hulu) (c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.

Before Girls Were Moms

In the languid days of youth We gathered like sunbeams.

In a chorus of laughter we played.

Our sleepovers full of shared hopes Whispered under summer stars, By hearts unguarded and free, All woven into the fabric of our friendship.

We believed we were invincible.

That the world existed only In shades and colors of possibility.

Where bad things happened To others far removed from us, And lasted as long as The spark of a Firefly.

We spoke of boys and babies to have, Adventures to come and careers, The bond between us grew, Flooded with affection; affirmation, Each word of loyalty a fortress.

But seasons changed.

Like shifted sands of tides, The currents of life drifted us apart And scattered us across the years.

Decades later we reunited, Under the banner of reunion.

We heard again old stories retold, Though mingled now with adulthood, And the storms of life Carved into our hearts by tears.

We talked late into the night.

The weight of time heavy on our shoulders; Yet someway lightened with burdens shared.

Each tale of resilience A testament to our strength.

To new friendships we embraced, Found along life’s path, Through painful lessons learned; In battles lost and won, Each one a canvas brush stroke In the portrait we had become; The women we were meant to be.

With our bonds rekindled, hearts alight, We celebrated our childhood past; Toasted to the storms that had shaped us, And to our friendship’s love beneath, That sparkled again, golden and true.

Ms. Skip Friggle (Budd Lk) © 4/15/2025 skipfriggle@gmail.com

GAME TIME

Page 2 • May 2025 • Mount Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Mayor and Councilwoman Meet Pack 156

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mount Olive Life • May 2025 • Page 3

Top Row left to right: Councilwoman Mary Lalama, Dan Clark Cub Scout Leader, A.J. Calvay, Lincoln Nall, Gio Calvay, Bassam Nuaman, Jonathan Mann, Brendan Perales, Natalie Clark, Caleb Wagner, Anthony Potenzone. Front: Josh Loiacono, George Potenzone, Sebastian Calvay, and Mayor Joe Nicastro

MOUNT OLIVE - On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Mayor Nicastro and Councilwoman Lalama met with Pack 156 to discuss local government. The

group had the opportunity to visit the Mayor’s office, which was an exciting experience for everyone involved.

It was a great chance for the

children to learn about local governance and ask questions about the community, said Mayor Nicastro.

Hernz Home Improvements Celebrates Grand Opening

Mayor Nicastro and Councilman Greg Stewart welcomed Hernz Home Improvements to Flanders on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

Pictured are Councilman Greg Stewart, Mayor Nicastro, Sebastian Hernandez; Owner, Jessenia Garcia; Interior Designer and Ignacio Cardenas; Project Manager.

3D Nails Ribbon Ceremony

Girls Travel Basketball Team JBL Champions

On Friday, April 11, 2025, Mayor Joe Nicastro welcomed another business to Mount Olive, 3D Nails, now open at 264 US Route 206 in Flanders. This marks the second location for the popular nail salon. In attendance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Kim Dang, Loi Vu, and Judy Huynh, who are excited to expand their services to the Mount Olive community. The new location aims to provide high-quality nail care and customer service, building on the success of their first salon.

At a council meeting on April 1, the 4th grade girls Travel Basketball Team JBL Champions were recognized.

Congratulations to the Mount Olive Travel 4 th Grade Girls Basketball Team JBL Champions.

Pictured from left to right; Business Administrator, Andrew Tatarenko, Brooklyn Tillotson, Zoe Wroblewski, Ella Wijatyk, Brooke Tatarenko, Raena Casabal, Camila Velez, Coach Rich Wroblewski and Mayor Nicastro.

Also honored but not pictured, Fiona Wright, Natasha George, and Valentina Ortiz.

Mayor Nicastro Welcomes La Mezcalita Authentic Mexican Restaurant

Mayor Michael Stanzilis of Mt. Arlington, Laura O’Reilly-Stanzilis, Councilman Greg Stewart, Francisco Jimenez owner of La Mezcalita Authentic Mexican Restaurant, Mayor Joe Nicastro, Councilwoman Mary Lalama, Council President Alex Roman, Lourdes Roman.

MOUNT OLIVE - Mayor Nicastro proudly welcomed Mount Olive’s latest culinary addition, La Mezcalita Authentic Mexican Restaurant, at a festive opening ceremony.

The evening featured a vibrant celebration, complete with authentic Mexican dancers and the lively sounds of the mariachi band, creating an

atmosphere filled with cultural joy and excitement. Guests enjoyed the restaurant’s exceptional cuisine, complemented by outstanding service that reflects La Mezcalita’s commitment to quality and hospitality.

“I highly recommend adding La Mezcalita Authentic Mexican Restaurant to your list of must-try restuarants,” said

Mayor Nicastro. “With their delicious offerings and lively ambiance, they will undoubtedly become a beloved part of our community.”

La Mezcalita, located at 331 US 46 Budd Lake, invites everyone to come and experience their authentic Mexican dishes and warm atmosphere.

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RESTAURANT GUIDE

Page 4 • May 2025 • Mount Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Tackle Your Family’s Hunger with a Touch of Heat It’s easy to get into a recipe rut when every day feels the same - work, kids’ activities, social events and bedtime routines make it tough to experiment in the kitchen. If your family’s meals are growing boring, all you need is a touch of heat to bring new life to the menu.

Add a delicious blend of savory, sweet and a hint of spice to mealtime with Minute Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cups, which are ready to serve fast for busy families. Packed with flavor, they complement main courses, snacks and sides without the hassle.

With just the right balance of heat and honey, they add delicious sizzle and mouthwatering flavor to recipes like Hot Honey Chicken Meatball Subs.

Perfectly toasted hoagie rolls are packed with spicy, sweet chicken meatballs and smothered in melted provolone for a tough-to-top taste. Ready in 35 minutes, the subs offer a blend of convenience and gourmet flavor, making this meal an unbeatable choice at dinner time.

Sandwiches deliver an easy way to make mealtime customizable so all your loved ones are satisfied. Try topping your subs

with coleslaw for a crunchy, creamy texture or pickled vegetables for an added touch of tanginess to complement the sweet, rich meatballs. For fans of spice, turn up the heat with extra hot sauce.

Solve afternoon hunger pangs with these Hot Honey Chicken Rice Crackers and Ranch Dip, loaded with the sweet heat of hot honey chicken and baked to crispy perfection. This inventive snack is uniquely crunchy and flavorful, blending fiery sweetness with savory chicken flavor as a convenient way to shake up snack time.

For the adventurous types, these homemade crackers pair with more than just ranch. Engage your taste buds further with these suggestions: * Spicy cheese dip: Add a little extra kick with cheese dip that’s spiced up with jalapenos or chili flakes. * Cucumber dill yogurt: A perfect match for the sweet heat of hot honey chicken with its refreshing, cooling effect. * Barbecue sauce: Smoky and slightly sweet, it pairs well with the honey in the crackers. * Garlic aioli: Rich and garlicky, this dip brings a robust

flavor contrast to the table.

Discover more ways to shake up mealtimes by visiting MinuteRice.com.

Hot Honey Chicken Meatball Subs Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Servings: 4 1 Minute Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cup 1 pound ground chicken 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) 1/4 cup breadcrumbs 4 hoagie rolls 2 tablespoons butter 4 slices provolone cheese garlic sauce, for garnish Preheat oven to 375 F. Heat rice according to package directions.

In large bowl, mix rice; chicken; salt; cayenne, if desired; and breadcrumbs.

Use cookie scoop or hand roll chicken mixture into balls.

Place on aluminum foil-lined sheet tray, leaving small space between each ball. Bake 25 minutes, flipping meatballs halfway through.

Slice hoagies in half, lengthwise. Remove some bread from middle to make room for meatballs. Butter inside of each hoa-

gie and place on sheet tray.

Once meatballs are cooked through, turn broiler on high and place buttered hoagies in oven. Cook 1 minute, or until butter is melted and hoagie has browned.

Remove hoagies from oven, place 3-4 meatballs inside (depending on size) and cover with slice of cheese. Broil on high 30 seconds to melt cheese.

Drizzle garlic sauce on top.

Tip: Garlic sauce can be substituted with topping of choice.

Hot Honey Chicken Rice Crackers and Ranch Dip Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 2 1 Minute Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cup 1 cup sour cream 1/2 packet ranch dip seasoning Preheat oven to 400 F. Heat rice according to package directions.

Lay rice on parchment paper. Place another sheet of parchment paper on top. Use

rolling pin to roll out rice into thin layer.

Bake 20 minutes.

In medium bowl, mix sour cream and ranch seasoning.

Once crackers are cooked, cut into squares while still hot.

La Mezcalita is an Authentic Mexican Restaurant where the Traditional Flavors of Mexico come to Life.

We Offer a Unique Culinary Experience with a Variety of Dishes Made from Fresh Ingredients and Homemade Recipes.

Make Recipes Nutritious and Delicious with Avocados

It’s no secret that adding greens to your menu - morning, noon and night - can go a long way toward healthier eating habits. While most people think of lettuce, kale, spinach, cucumbers and Brussels sprouts, don’t forget avocados are a superfruit you can use to add good fats and great taste to recipes throughout the day.

As a versatile fruit with naturally good fats and nearly 20 vitamins and minerals, avocados have become a household staple. Avocados From Mexico is a national supporter of the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good Initiative - Eat Smart Program, encouraging people to incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables and other heart-healthy foods into their meals.

By supporting this initiative, Avocados From Mexico is helping to raise awareness about the importance of making smart nutrition choices. The brand’s “Good Fats Meet Great Taste” campaign, featured at select Kroger locations, highlights the importance of balanced nutrition and fresh food choices as part of an overall heart-healthy lifestyle.

Avocados provide a good source of naturally unsaturated fats, which can be part of a heart-healthy eating pattern when consumed in place of saturated fats. A well-balanced diet that includes nutrient-rich foods like avocados, whole grains, lean proteins and fiber-rich vegetables can support overall heart health. In addition to good fats, avocados are also

a good source of fiber, with 3 grams per one-third of a medium avocado.

If you’re looking for an easy yet tasty way to add more avocados to your family’s menu, this Avocado, Brussels Sprout, Kale and Date Salad provides a delicious introduction to the superfruit. Loaded with greens and fit for sharing with a crowd, you can do your part to bring avocados to your nearest and dearest, neighbors or anyone you’re hosting for a fresh, better-for-you meal.

The best part: This hearthealthy dish comes together in a snap. Just process the homemade dressing featuring dates, Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar. Then toss Brussels sprouts, kale, red onion, pistachios and, of course, avocados before combining with the dressing.

Finally, serve with shaved Parmesan cheese on the side (so guests who prefer to avoid dairy can do so) and enjoy for a fresh meal that’s equal parts delicious and nutritious. Sliced avocados are the star of the dish, with naturally good fats and nearly 20 vitamins and minerals, making this an always good, super fun recipe and a way to begin making smarter food choices.

Discover more ways to add heart-healthy meals to your menu by visiting AvocadosFromMexico.com/avocado-nutrition.

Avocado, Brussels Sprouts, Kale and Date Salad Servings: 8 Dressing:

Any Purchase of $49.99 or more

Pick Up or Dine In Only.

With this coupon.

331 Route 46 • Budd Lake 973.527.3476

WE DELIVER

https://lamezcalitarestaurant.com/

www.brandasitaliangrill.com 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 4 dates, pitted, softened 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1/4 cup olive oil 2 Avocados From Mexico, sliced 6 cups Brussels sprouts, shaved or shredded 3 cups lacinto (dinosaur) kale, shredded 1 cup red onion, sliced 1/2 cup pistachios (or pumpkin seeds), shelled reduced-fat (sharp) Parmesan cheese, shaved or grated, for topping (optional) To make dressing: In food processor, process lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, pitted dates and mustard. Slowly add olive oil to combine.

To make salad: In large salad bowl, combine avocados, shaved Brussels sprouts, kale, red onion and pistachios. Drizzle salad dressing evenly over greens and toss until well-coated.

Serve with shaved Parmesan cheese, if desired. (Family Features)

Dine-In $ 39999 +Tax

PARTY SPECIALS FOR ANY OCCASION! PARTY PACKAGE #1

PARTY PACKAGE #2

PARTY PACKAGE #3

PARTY PACKAGE #4

1 Large Pizza w/any 2 Toppings, 1 Large Plain Pizza, 1 Stromboli, (Meat or Veggie) & 40 Blazing Hot Wings

1 Large Pizza from Gourmet Section 1 Large Pizza w/any 2 Toppings, 2 Large Plain Pizzas, 3 Strombolis, (Meat or Veggie) & 40 Blazing Hot Wings

2 Large Pizzas from Gourmet Section 2 Large Pizzas w/any 2 Toppings, 2 Large Plain Pizzas, 5 Strombolis, (Meat or Veggie) & 80 Blazing Hot Wings, 3Ft Hero (1 ft. Italian, 1 ft.

Turkey, 1 ft. Roast Beef)

1 H/Tray Antipasto Salad w/Balsamic Dressing, 1 H/Tray Baked Ziti, 1 H/Tray Chicken Parmigiana, Includes Italian & Focaccia Bread

(6-9 people)

(12-18 people)

$

85.16+tax

136.19+tax

$

$131.10 -26.22 SAVINGS 20%

104.88+tax

$

$

WING IT!

FAMILY COMBO

MUSSEL MANIA

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

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

2 Large Cheese Pizzas 1 Large Order Mussels 1 Large Salad

$50.80 - 12.19 SAVINGS 24%

$57.60 - 14.40 SAVINGS 25%

$55.80 - 14.50 SAVINGS 26%

38.61+tax

$

43.20+tax

$

Your Choice of 2- 14" Subs & 2 Liter Soda

Takeout 27499 +Tax

275.08+tax

(8-10 people)

TAKE OUT • DELIVERY • CATERING

With This Coupon. Cannot Be Combined With Any Other Offers. Limit One Per Customer. Please Present Coupon Before Ordering. (Take Out & Delivery Only.)

$

(24-36 people)

$174.60 $107.80 $357.25 -22.64 SAVINGS 21% -38.41 SAVINGS 22% -82.17 SAVINGS 23%

$

57 Route 46 East • Hackettstown • 908.850.1303 tasteofitalynj.com

10 OFF

$ OPEN 7 DAYS Mon.-Thurs. 11am-10pm Fri. & Sat. 11am-11pm • Sunday 11am-9:30pm

TASTE OF ITALY Catering SPECIALS SIX ENTREE PACKAGE INCLUDES: 1. Italian Style Antipasto Salad 2. Baked Ziti Serves Parties of 3. Penne in Vodka Sauce 15-20 People 4. Chicken Francaise 5. Sausage and Peppers PLUS Complimentary 2 Dozen GarlicKnots 6. Housemade Meatballs

Allow to cool.

Serve crackers with ranch dip.

Tip: Ranch dip can be substituted with hummus or any flavored dip.

(Family Features)

Italian Combo • Meatball Turkey & Cheese Sausage, Peppers & Onions Chicken Parm

$39.90 - 10.77 SAVINGS 27%

29.13+tax

$

With This Coupon. Cannot Be Combined With Any Other Offers. Limit One Per Customer. Please Present Coupon Before Ordering. (Take Out & Delivery Only.)

With This Coupon. Cannot Be Combined With Any Other Offers. Limit One Per Customer. Please Present Coupon Before Ordering. (Take Out & Delivery Only.)

CATERING

10% OFF

Any Catering Job Over $200

$5 OFF

Any Purchase of $50 or More

With This Coupon. Cannot Be Combined With Any Other Offers. Limit One Per Customer. Please Present Coupon Before Ordering. (Take Out & Delivery Only.)

41.30+tax

With This Coupon. Cannot Be Combined With Any Other Offers. Limit One Per Customer. Please Present Coupon Before Ordering. (Take Out & Delivery Only.)

MON - TUE - WED

2 Plain Pizzas 1 2-Liter Soda $38.65 - 10.82 SAVINGS 28%

27.83+tax

$

With This Coupon. Cannot Be Combined With Any Other Offers. Limit One Per Customer. Please Present Coupon Before Ordering. (Take Out & Delivery Only.)

1 Mt. Olive Road • Budd Lake 973.448.0300

RESTAURANT GUIDE

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mount Olive Life • May 2025 • Page 5

When the crisp air of spring tickles your face and sunrays splash you with warmth, you know salad season has arrived.

With fresh flavors abounding this season, the options are nearly endless - just choose your favorite base, toppings and dressings and you’re set with a delicious first course or hearty meal all on its own.

Not every salad requires leafy greens for the base, however. Consider this Greek Beet and Watermelon Rice Salad, a Greek-inspired Jasmine rice dish loaded with fresh, tangy flavors that are sure to please your taste buds. Made with Success Boil-in-Bag Jasmine Rice that cooks up soft and fluffy every time, this recipe offers a hint of floral, sweet flavor to keep you feeling full.

In just 10 minutes, you can have sweetly aromatic Jasmine rice that’s perfect for your lifestyle needs - it’s naturally gluten free, non-GMO Project Verified and free of MSG and

Fresh, Filling Springtime Salads

preservatives.

Fruit salad may be nothing new, particularly when using fruits like oranges, cherries or grapes, but watermelon may be the fun new spin you need at your next cookout. The pairing of sweet watermelon, tangy feta cheese, refreshing mint, earthy beets, nuts and fluffy rice offers a winning combination. Quick tip: Make sure the rice is fully cooled after cooking to avoid a warm, watery result.

Fresh herbs, tomatoes, corn, basmati rice and a simple vinaigrette make Spring Corn and Rice Salad another delicious seasonal side that’s ready in just 15 minutes. Step out of your salad comfort zone with this refreshing solution that makes it easy to add veggies to your diet. When you’re drawing up weekly meal plans and tired of relying on traditional lettuce-based salads, consider rice salads as an alternative for enjoying chopped vegetables -

plus, hearty rice can help keep you full longer.

Better yet, you can make this rice salad your own by experimenting with the ingredients. Try adding shredded chicken, hard-boiled eggs, fresh mango, ground cumin, fresh grated ginger, grilled corn or any other springtime flavors.

Remember, high quality doesn’t have to be high maintenance. Aromatic, premium long-grain Success Boil-in-Bag Basmati Rice is a no measure, no mess option that cooks up perfectly every time. Aside from being naturally gluten free, it’s also free of preservatives and MSG and is non-GMO Project Verified.

It’s no stranger to versatility either - in 10 minutes, you can enjoy basmati rice’s subtle, nutty flavor and unique texture alongside other warm-weather favorites.

Find more ways to enjoy spring salad season by visiting

Established in 1976 and still serving the finest food!

Enzo’s offers homemade entrees, extensive wine options, local beers and a gluten free menu Dine in • Deliver • Take Out • Catering (On/Off Premises) Let Us Cater Your Next Party

382 Route 46 Budd Lake 973.691.1330 973.691.1331

ENZOSPIZZABUDDLAKE.COM Enzo’s Pizza Budd Lake

SuccessRice.com.

Greek Beet and Watermelon Rice Salad Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 4 1 bag Success Jasmine Rice 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 cup thinly sliced, cooked golden beets 1 cup thinly sliced watermelon 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled 1/4 cup pitted black olives, halved 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon fresh mint, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons walnuts, toasted and chopped, for garnish Prepare rice according to package directions. Allow to cool completely.

In medium bowl, whisk oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Add rice to bowl with dressing and stir to combine.

Let stand 5 minutes.

Transfer rice to serving platter. Lay beet slices down one side of rice. Lay watermelon slices down opposite side. Top with feta, olives, red onion and mint. Garnish with walnuts.

Tips: Substitute capers for olives, if preferred.

To diminish “raw” flavor of onions, soak in ice water at least 5 minutes before using in recipe.

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Page 6 • May 2025 • Mount Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

New Branding Could Bring Tourists to this Gem of an Area

BY JAIME JULIA WINTERS STAFF WRITER AREA - Results of a survey conducted by North Star Place Branding and Marketing concluded that the Highlands region of New Jersey is often overlooked as a tourism destination but offers a “delightful surprise” for the nature and history lover away from the crowds, contrasting with New Jersey’s typical reputation.

The Highlands Branding Committee hopes to market the New Jersey Highlands Region – consisting of seven counties and 88 municipalities – to those seeking a peaceful getaway filled with nature and history, less than 3 hours away from the Philadelphia and New York areas.

The New Jersey Highlands Council began the branding effort initiative in spring of last year by awarding a contract to North Star to develop a unique brand and marketing plan for the region.

Those who live there already appreciate the area’s assets – its watersheds supply 70% of New Jerseyans with clean drinking water, is also a hub for agriculture and rich with historic sites and recreational opportunities.

But the region’s historical, cul-

tural and natural resources are often overlooked by outsiders.

The Highlands offers a diverse landscape with both rural and densely developed areas, Highlands Council Planning Manager Maryjude Haddock-Weiler, who is leading the effort on staff, said.

In a press release announcing the initiative last summer, the council noted some enticing reasons to visit – the vistas from Wyanokie High Point in Norvin Green State Forest, the Columbia Trail spanning Morris and Hunterdon counties, shopping downtown Chester and Clinton and the myriad of farms offering delicious fresh local produce, and corn mazes and haunted hayrides.

Rich in assets, the Highlands is also missing a clear identity.

“A regional approach to tourism enriches rural and urban communities by pooling resources and expertise. It allows for cohesive strategies to develop a compelling tourism offer, sustainable growth and local economies,” according to a presentation given in January to the Highlands Council by North Star. “Regional collab-

oration maximizes potential, making rural areas more attractive and viable for residents and visitors.”

Other assets include Morristown National Park where Washington and the continental army spent the winter of 1779, Flemington Historic Walking Trail giving the history of the area spanning four centuries, Beneduce Wineries and Beer Trail Passport highlighting the wines and beers brewed in New Jersey, and Phillips Farm offering pick your own produce and famer’s market.

Branding and a designated tourism board will promote history, nature, agritourism, culinary destinations, festivals, and events of the area, North Star suggests.

Highlands Council Executive Director Ben Spinelli said the council wants people, both inside and outside of the region, to know “this vital part of New Jersey.” He points to the Highlands Act, passed 20 years ago, as acknowledging the importance of the region. In 2021, the New Jersey Highlands Economic Sustainability Plan was created citing the need to develop a Highlands brand that

could be used to support region-wide growth across a variety of industries.

Last summer, members of the North Star team held focus groups and conducted one-onone interviews gathering information and opinions from key populations including residents, farmers, business owners, local officials, and more, so that the final branding product captures the essence of what makes the Highlands so unique.

A survey conducted by North Star closed in November with 253 individuals completing it.

Key points of the survey: Residents highly value the nature and overall peaceful environment that the Highlands offers, but that the area could benefit from more tourism.

Most of the people surveyed (70%) were familiar with the region and its boundaries. Fewer people were familiar with the Highlands Act. Critics of the act primarily cited stunted economic opportunities and a perceived lack of state support / compensation for Highlands communities.

Most of the respondents were from the Philadelphia

Memorial Motor Madness Hackettstown

BY ELSIE WALKER STAFF WRITER

AREA - With 21 classes of cars, music, food vendors, craft and other vendors, a raffle, and the smiling faces of the M&Ms gang looking down, the 29th annual Memorial Motor Madness car show offers a day of fun while benefiting 44 local charities. The show is put on by Hackettstown Rotary, and the sponsors of the show are John Johnson Auto Group, Mars Wrigley, Warren Community College, WRNJ and Edward Jones Financial Advisors. The event is being held rain or shine on Sunday, May 25th from 9am to 3pm (gates open to cars at 7:30am) on the grounds of Mars Wrigley, 800 High Street, Hackettstown. Spectator admission is $5, but children under 12 are free. No alcohol or pets are allowed. Recently, Jill DeMonti, Hackettstown Rotary Secretary and co-chair of the show and volunteer coordinator, and Norman Worth, long-time Hackettstown Rotary member, talked about the upcoming event.

“Forty-four local charities benefit from Memorial Motor Madness, such as Abilities, ARC of Warren County, seven local food pantries, Centenary Stage Company and Entrepreneurship, Family Promise, Hackettstown sports teams and scholarships, Operation ChillOut, HMC Foundation, Alina Lodge, DASACC,” shared DeMonti. Worth added “Every penny raised goes back to the community. There are no administrative costs. “

Worth noted that the show appeals to a wide variety of people. “Motor heads, car enthusiasts, young people and families, and those who like to look at a flash from the past. So many young people and families come…kids love it,” said Worth. He added, “Just a great family day and affordable.”

Twenty-one classes of cars will be on display and judged.

Among them are antique cars, mustangs, corvettes, muscle cars, street rods, VW Beetles, Camaros, Firebirds and antique trucks. Trophies are given in every class. The show’s “founding fathers’ are Ed Hagaman and Larry Middleton, who ran it for the first few years; then, about 25 years ago, the Hackettstown Rotary took on the show. The Best In Show award is named for Hagaman: the Ed Hagaman Memorial Trophy for Best in Show. Advance Vehicle

Registration (ends 5/18/25) is $20 and the day of the show, it is $25. There are dash plates for the first 400 entries.

Besides the cars, there are food vendors, vendors selling such items as car care products, jewelry, crafts, etc., a 50-50, and music. Music is provided

by S.C.3. entertainment run by Chris Schmidt who will be there throughout the day. Worth also noted, “Every year there are a few surprises.”

Also, the significance of the holiday weekend is not forgotten. “It is just a really fabulous patriotic day,” shared DeMonti. She noted that people come wearing red, white, and blue.

The star-spangled banner is played at noon and there’s a moment of silence. Then, that is followed by a “rev-up”, the cars’ loud tribute to our fallen soldiers.

Worth noted the contribution

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of Mars Wrigley to the event and Jennifer Bongiovanni of Mars Wrigley has been coordinating that. “Mars Wrigley provides us with tremendous support including space, maintenance, and tremendous product (candy is given out at the show). But for them, we wouldn’t be able to do this,” said Worth.

For more information about Memorial Motor Madness including car registration and being a vendor or sponsor, visit Hackettstown Rotary’s website at https://www.hackettstownrotary.org

Photo courtesy of Highlands Coalition of New Jersey

area and Gloucester and Camden counties in New Jersey.

The others were from New York City and Hudson County in New Jersey.

In the report, North Star stated visitors to the region most often come to see friends or family. To further tourism, “local advocates [that are] good hosts and highlight the peaceful setting of the Highlands and its benefits to food production and outdoor recreation are paramount.”

North Star recommended the creation of the NJ Highlands Tourism Alliance (NJHTA) with representatives from tourism agencies across the seven Highlands counties to promote lodging, attractions, restaurants, historic sites, and outdoor recreation. It also recommends a paid tourism co-

ordinator funded by either the council’s general budget or from contributions by NJHTA members.

A final plan with implementation will be the next step and is due to be released this summer.

Highlands Council Chairman Carl Richko said his hope is that a wider audience will begin to discover what makes the region “so special and why it deserves thoughtful planning and enhanced protections to safeguard its future.”

The Highlands Council is a regional planning agency established in 2004 with the passage of the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act and charged with implementation of the Act. More information is available at www. nj.gov/njhighlands.

Mt. Olive Public Library Happenings for May

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mount Olive Life • May 2025 • Page 7

Chess for All 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 5-7 pm This is a teen run, dropin program open to all ages.

Those 12 and under need to have an adult present.

Bunco for Adults Two Sessions: Tuesday, May 6 at 1 pm and Tuesday, May 13 at 6 pm Interested in learning how to play bunco? Come to our bunco program and have some fun! You must register for each session individually. A minimum of 8 players is needed to play. Registration is required at www.mopl.org.

Hatha Yoga Two Sessions: Wednesday, May 7 at 10:30 am and Thurs-

day, May 22 at 6 pm Come enjoy Hatha yoga with Danielle! Hatha yoga is practiced at a slower pace with a focus on breathing, meditation, controlled movements, stretching, and relaxation. Registrants will need to bring their own water and yoga mats.

Registration is required and you must register for each session individually. Register at www.mopl.org.

Mystery Book Club Wed., May 7 at 6:30 pm Join librarian Katy for a discussion of Daughter of Mine by Megan Miranda. Copies of the book may be picked up at the Reference Desk.

Book Lover’s Vase Thursday, May 8 at 1 pm

Learn how to create a vase out of an old book! Books will be supplied. Register now because space is limited. Registration is requested at www. mopl.org.

No Strings A Capella Thursday, May 8 at 7 pm Join us for an evening of eclectic vocal entertainment.

No Strings A Capella will charm you with jazz and contemporary selections, all produced by blending the voices of our singers.

Registration is requested at www.mopl.org.

Bingo for Adults Monday, May 12 at 1 pm Enjoy bingo? Come to bingo at the library and compete to win advanced reader copies of

interesting books!

Space is limited and registration is required. Register at www.mopl.org.

Morning Book Club Tuesday, May 13 at 11 am Join librarian Cynthia Washburn for a discussion of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. Copies of the book may be picked up at the Reference Desk.

Companies Aiding in the Holocaust Monday, May 19 at 6:30 pm This presentation will discuss how American corporations (Ford, General Motors and IBM) aided Nazi Germany before and during World War II. Though the companies denied any assistance or profit,

historians and lawyers have amassed evidence of collaboration.

Registration is requested at www.mopl.org.

Investigative Genetic Genealogy: A Cold Case Scenario Wed., May 21 at 6:30 pm In “Investigative Genetic Genealogy: A Cold Case Scenario,” genealogist Elyse Ross walks you through a fictional murder case to show how law enforcement uses DNA with genealogy to solve cold or even hot violent crime cases.

Registration is required as spots are limited.

Register at www.mopl.org.

Wreck The Book Tuesday, May 27 at 6:30 pm W ant to doodle and paint

must pass all his classes, including a law class taught by history teacher Dennis O’Connell.

“Jamie was a spirited fellow. He played three sports.

The thing about Jamie that was contagious was that he had this great grin and a really good sense of humor. He always had questions in my law class,” O’Connell recalls.

In that law class, Smith struggled with the required readings and was easily falling behind. O’Connell had a conversation with Smith about his struggles, highlighting other sources and easier readings.

“It became obvious that he just wasn’t getting it that way and I knew he was taking

the Computer Aided Design (CAD) program. I came up with the idea of him designing a police station for Washington Township,” O’Connell said.

Smith bought into the project and ultimately created a design for a police station.

O’Connell even took the project a step further and had Smith present the concepts to the township.

As a senior, Smith was also considering his post-high school options. College? Not for Jamie Smith. Smith, whose father served in the military and lost his leg in Vietnam, had his eyes set on becoming an Army Ranger.

“There was this expectation in the Smith family that

you would serve your country.

He was a very good athlete, he played football, wrestled, and played lacrosse, but I think his mindset was always ‘I’m going into the Army,’” O’Connell says.

O’Connell, who taught history at West Morris Central until 2005, kept his eye on military conflicts throughout the years. After a visit from Smith before his deployment in 1993, O’Connell knew where Jamie was ultimately headed.

After war lords began starving the Somali people, a war incited. The Rangers, who were originally in Somalia to help lead the humanitarian effort, immediately switched to a military mindset.

On October 3, 1993, one of the bloodiest battles in U.S. military history began. It was a battle that would ultimately make Jamie Smith a household name on the world stage.

A Warrior’s Story: The Life and Legacy of Jamie Smith will continue in the June 2025 issue, where you’ll meet Lt. Larry Perino who was right by Jamie’s side in Mogadishu.

in a unique way? Come to our adult book art program! You’ll be able to turn your book into a work of art any way you want!

Books will be supplied.

Admission is free but registration is required as spots are limited. Register at www.mopl.org.

Afternoon Book Club Wed., May 28 at 1:30 pm Mt. Olive Library Join librarian Cynthia Washburn for a discussion of The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson.

Copies of the book may be picked up at the Reference Desk.

A Warrior’s Story: The Life and Legacy of Jamie Smith

BY MEGAN ROCHE STAFF WRITER

AREA - In A Warrior’s Story, you’ll meet and learn about all the sides of Jamie Smith. Smith was a West Morris Central (WMC) High School graduate who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving as a US Army Ranger during the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. You’ll hear from Jamie’s former teachers, his Army Ranger battle buddies, and how his legacy still lives on to this day in the halls of WMC. This series will be an on-going feature in the month’s ahead.

West Morris Central, 1990.

A young man is with his graduating class, walking the halls for one of the last times as a student. But before he leaves the halls of West Morris, he

Jamie Smith

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Page 8 • May 2025 • Mount Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

NJStarz

NJ Starz: Anton Testino Hometown: Butler

BY EVAN WECHMAN STAFF WRITER AREA - Chef Anton Testino who currently owns and operates Axton’s restaurant in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, never imagined as a child he would become a major chef in the area. As a child who grew up poor, watching his family work hard to take care of him, he loved the chaos of the restaurant business, even though the idea of running major kitchens in the tri-state area seemed far away.

When Testino was a child, his mother sometimes had to bring him to work since there was a lack of childcare options.

It was here that Testino fell in love with the idea of working in a kitchen.

“When I was a kid, my mother had to bring me to work, and when I went to work, I was only probably about 11 or 12 years old, give or take, something like that. And I used to go into the kitchen sometimes, and I watched all the chaos, and everything was just out of control, with all these orders coming in and people trying to control the uncontrollable, and that’s having so much put into you at one time, trying to perfect it, and the flames and the yelling and screaming, and I just fell in love with it when I was a little kid”, Testino said.

Several years later in 1991, Testino went to Morris County Vocational Tech in Denville for culinary arts and graduated at the top of his class while winning many amateur cooking competitions. Then, in 1992 he was accepted into the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. He studied there until 1994 when he made plans to open his first restaurant in Edgewater, New Jersey; António’s Pizza, Pasta and More.

Though Testino studied at some great culinary institutes, for him there was no greater education than working in the field. ”Being in the field has probably taught me more about how to be creative than going to school itself,” he said.

Testino did just that as he worked at many of the finest restaurants in New York City and New Jersey where he built a big following.

However, his big break

where he reached national acclaim came in 2010 when the television show “Chopped “was aired featuring Testino.

The chef initially didn’t know much about the program, and it was never his intention to be on the show. ”It was an accident. It wasn’t something that was supposed to happen. I worked at this one restaurant, my cousin’s place for about 15 years, and I did all the menu creation and helped them boost that business up.

And a lot of the customers would come up to me at the time and they would be like, oh, you should really try out for this TV show “Chopped.” And you know, back then, I was like, I don’t even know what “Chopped” is. The internet wasn’t like it was today, and I was just kind of like, you know what, I’ve had about 20 people say this, so maybe I should just watch the show and see what it’s all about right? So I did, and I said I can do this. I create something all the time, so I decided, why not? I made a video and sent it in and got myself an interview, which is crazy, from what I understood at the time.

A lot of people tried out for the show 10, or 15 times before they get something. but I got on the first shot,” Testino said.

Testino, still a small restaurant worker, loved competing against chefs from multimillion-dollar restaurants while on the show and was praised by the judges for his wonderful octopus creation. Unfortunately, he was eliminated from the show, but it helped him grow his following.

“It was actually the best thing that ever happened to me ,because it made people see me completely differently, and that was exciting, and that’s that was actually the reason I got on “Hell’s Kitchen,” Testino said.

In 2012, Testino auditioned for the popular television show “Hell’s Kitchen” which was hosted by legendary chef Gordon Ramsay.

Testino rose again to the level of the competition and thrived. He impressed viewers, but most importantly, Testino received great praise from one of his idols, Wolfgang Puck.

The internationally acclaimed

chef loved the Italian food Testino made, and said it reminded him of Italy.

“That was probably the greatest culinary moment of my entire life.” My family gained their living making pizza in this country. That’s how they survived. That’s how they became who they are today.

And the fact that I took my family’s name and impressed the best pizza man in the world, Wolfgang Puck, was great,” Testino said.

Despite all the attention and praise Testino received because of his television appearances, it was never about becoming famous for him. Rather for Testino it’s all about giving back to others and the surrounding communities.

Throughout his career, Testino has always donated money to local high school scholarships and other causes that benefit people.

“I’m always giving back to the community. I lived a very poor life, and it was rough, and the fact that I didn’t have much in life growing up, now that I’m able to give back. Why not? Why not help kids?” he said.

Testino believes that since so many people helped him along his road to success, it makes sense to give back to others. For instance, he helped raise millions of dollars for the patients and families of St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital through their fundraiser “Cooking for Kids.”

According to Testino, the hospital cared for one of his best friend’s children who was born premature and did everything in their power to make sure she fully recovered. St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital shortly thereafter asked Testino if he would help with their fundraiser and the chef couldn’t have been more excited to help.

“They saved her life. Wow. And she’s 17 or 18 years old today. And because of that, and after doing TV shows, they asked me if I would do a charity event for them. And I was like, absolutely. Like, you saved my friend’s daughter, I’m all about helping out. So I ended up doing” Cooking for Kids” for 10 years.”

Testino’s voluntary endeavors don’t stop just at raising money. One of his most endearing accomplishments is his mentoring of a young man named Nick. Testino has been guiding Nick in the culinary arts since he was 15 years old.

He is now 24 and an executive chef at a top restaurant in New York City.

“He’s one of my biggest accomplishments to me. He’s a huge success and I feel I’m important in it because I helped him get there to open up the doors,” Testino said.

For Testino, who has owned and operated “Axton’s” in Pompton Lakes since 2016, finding time to help the community and run a successful restaurant is a delicate balancing act. But he wouldn’t have it any other way. He gives fully of himself to both areas.

He is now in his early 50’s but doesn’t foresee slowing down anytime soon.

“It’s kind of crazy that at 52 years old, I still have the love and passion after doing this for 37 years and doing what I do and competing with the young generation, which I actually enjoy, because when I see a new young chef coming into the picture, and I do research and

read about them, that motivates me. I love the challenge” This passion inspires Testino to keep creating new dishes at Axton’s so people not just in the Pompton Lakes area, but from New York come to his restaurant to savor his wonderful Italian dishes.

But for Testino, spending time running a successful restaurant and helping others in need go hand in hand. “ I’m donating my time every week to build my name up and to give back and show people who I really am. I’m not just a chef. I’m here to give to the communities which is what a restaurant is supposed to do.

It’s supposed to give back,” he said.

Testino believes being a chef is his calling, and he does

everything he can to bring honor to his name and the profession. He fondly remembers his grandparent’s preparing dinner for major holidays in their home at 4am so that the whole family would have a great evening. He is using those great memories to pay it forward.

“At the end of the day, there’s not a situation in the world I can think of where the chef’s not there for you. We are there for everybody on the planet. We sacrifice ourselves for you. That’s part of our job.

Like you go on a first date, there’s a chef there for you. Funerals, bar mitzvahs, weddings, everything, there is always a chef there, because food is always involved in one way or another.”

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Mount Olive Life • May 2025 • Page 9

NJStarz

NJ Starz: Andy Langberg Hometown: Englewood

BY EVAN WECHMAN STAFF WRITER

AREA - Andy Langberg of Englewood, New Jersey was unsure what path his career would take when he graduated University of Delaware in 1992 with a degree in Exercise Science.

However, over thirty years later, he has developed a book of business with over 6,000 names in his office in Fort Lee. Some of these people are construction workers, or parttime golfers experiencing a little pain. However, he has also been called upon to treat celebrities such as ex-NFL great Tiki Barber, actress Mariel Hemingway, various members of the New Jersey Devils and countless professional tennis players. Both Hemingway and Barber have openly voiced their love of Langberg’s work which has resulted in him visiting with more famous people throughout the area.

The road to Langberg’s prominence was not easy.

When he graduated college, he saw an ad in the help wanted section of the NY Times from a gym in Englewood seeking a personal trainer.

“I took this job, and I ended up working with kind of the rich and famous of New Jersey.

I had a lot of really high profile and powerful Doctor, lawyer and CEO type clients, and I was their trainer,” he said.

Langberg loved helping people right away and continued in that role for a few years until he opened his own business training and treating his own clients. However, there

was an issue since Langberg was a good athlete himself but was struggling with pain. “ I was doing triathlons and many marathons, and I was in phenomenal shape, but my whole body hurt,” Langberg said.

This caused him to look for answers even in the most unlikely places to determine how to help himself and his clients in a greater way. It also led to him to develop the Reactivation method which has helped many of his clients who were initially experiencing some dysfunction in their body, gain greater flexibility and function.

“I started studying different things and I would question things because I proved that everything these people were teaching was invalid, and I didn’t know why. I just could prove it wasn’t working. I just didn’t know why it wasn’t working. And then I met a quantum physicist who taught me how waves work in the universe. And when I figured out how waves worked, it answered all my questions about how bodies work,” Langberg said.

He acknowledges people have trouble understanding the Reactivation method, but it has been working with many people throughout the state for decades now.

“I work with waves. I can transfer waves through my body into someone else’s and make something work,” he said.

During this process, Lang-

berg assesses the body for any problems and then helps correct them with a gentle focused touch applied to specific points on the body.

Langberg readily admits not everyone is on board with his process, as he has his share of critics who rely solely on conventional health practices.

Langberg does want his holistic approach to reach more people. He even recalled how he was in contact with different universities in the Northeast about his methodology and wanted to help implement his teachings into these colleges’ science departments. Unfortunately, Langberg never heard back from these select universities, but he has not let that discourage him. He has continued to help the people that trust him with care and compassion and not pay attention to his critics.

According to Langberg, many people have come to him experiencing some dysfunction or pain in their body and initially were skeptical. However, after he has treated them and they have returned to the golf course or tennis court and have made significant improvements, their skepticism is completely removed.

He has heard the word “wow,” many times from clients who were initially somewhat distrustful of his process and then discovered how much better they felt after seeing him.

This has allowed Langberg to continue to alleviate the pain of both lay people and athletes who were unsure their discom-

fort would ever dissipate.

“There’s a lot of strong people in horrible pain and I work with a lot of figure skaters, gymnasts, and yoga people.

I work with a lot of flexible people who are in a lot of pain.

And unfortunately, our western medical model thinks that if we just stretch and strengthen things we will get rid of our problems. And to me, everything is about function or dysfunction. You can be really strong and very flexible, and dysfunctional. If there’s a dysfunction, I have a way to find it and correct it using vibration and energy,” Langberg said.

This process which he discovered approximately in 2001 was initially just used to help his patrons at first, but then word started spreading quickly throughout the area of the great achievements people were making while working with him.

“I was doing this on my clientele first, just locally, before I even brought it out to the masses, and word started to spread.

And then one day, I got a call from the New York Giants,” Langberg said.

The staff of the Giants’ organization told Langberg they heard of the wonderful accomplishments he was helping people make and wanted him to treat co-owner Steven Tisch who was struggling with his feet.

Tisch got much better and before he knew it, Langberg was helping Eli Manning perform at an optimal level.

BY HENRY M. HOLDEN STAFF WRITER AREA - Today, in the jet age, people barely give balloon flight a passing nod. But back in the eighteenth century lighter-than-air flight was a giant step for humans. Humans could leave the surface of the planet and fly over church steeples raging rivers and tall hills.

French balloonist, Monsieur Jean Pierre Blanchard arrived in Philadelphia on December 9, 1792. He was excited to bring his pioneering balloon flights to America. Blanchard made all the arrangements for the flight and staged his first one on January 9, 1793.

This attracted the attention of President George Washington.

Washington would be among the crowd to witness the first flight in America.

Aerial ballons were invented by the Montgolfier brothers 0f France in the early 1780s.

The first flights were met with

excitement, and astonishment.

When one balloon came down a French villager thought the moon had fallen from the sky.

Montgolfier brothers were prosperous paper manufacturers (a high-tech industry at the time), experimenting with lighter-than-air devices after observing that heated air directed into a paper or fabric bag made the bag rise. After several successful tests, the brothers decided to publicly demonstrate their invention. It took some time before people did send a human into the air since it was doubtful that anyone could breathe at that height.

Doctors wanted to be sure ballooning was safe so they asked Blanchard if he would help with the experiment’s He agreed. In Europe, it was considered a bold experiment. when a balloon was launched in Paris with a duck, sheep,

and a rooster on board. Speculators were delighted when they found that when the balloon came down all the animals had survived.

After 44 successful balloon flights in France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, and Switzerland, Blanchard set his sights on the American continent. He had arrived in Philadelphia in December 1792, to begin promoting his first flight in America.

Any 18th century adult, even the most worldly would have called themselves lucky to have witnessed such a sight.

On January 9, 1793, Jean Pierre Blanchard traveled from Philadelphia over the swiftly running Delaware River to New Jersey, accompanied by a small dog. What made this trip worth remembering was Blanchard flew a balloon to an altitude of 5,852 feet (more than a mile) and landed safely in Gloucester County initially scaring a farmer upon landing.

He made this flight 110 years before the Wright brothers first powered flight in 1903.

Even the majestic eagles that glided over the countryside of New Jersey were dwarfed by this apparition that skimmed the treetops and gently settled down into a pasture.

To cover the cost of his trip Blanchard began charging five dollars apiece, an astronomical sum of money in those days. However, on the day of his trip, speculators crowded into the nearby space to watch the event unfold.

As this huge round ball with a wicker basket hanging below the balloon approached the Earth the farmer below must have been shacking in his boots at the shear terror he was feeling. He dropped his tools and rushed across the field through thickets and brambles toward the landing spot.

Blanchard was no stranger to balloons. His best-known accomplishment to date was t0 be the first ever to fly across the English Channel in 1785.

The quest to conquer the channel continued through the early days of flight. When powered flight became popular several men attempted to cross the English Channel and lost their lives. French man Louis Bleriot was the first human to survive such a flight in 1909.

He was followed by Harriet Quimby, the first woman to fly the Channel, in 1912.

In the morning right after a typical American breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, corn bread and black coffee Blanchard headed for the takeoff point, he was ready to fly.

Blanchard began preparation for his hot air balloon ascension. Throughout the morning cannons were fired.

As they approach the takeoff hour a band began to play.

A large crowd had gathered in the yard of the Walnut Street prison, in Philadelphia.

Since Philadelphia was at the time the capital of the newly formed states, and President George Washington was present.

One of the reasons to hold the ascension inside the prison walls was to give the paying customers a front row seat and keep the unpaid people away from this event. The French ambassador was also present for the historic event. Washington wrote a note and handed it to Blanchard in the prison yard. The crowd was excited to see not only Blanchard but the President as well to watch a great event. The letter the American said was a note to whom ever Blanchard first came across upon landing.

As his balloon rose, Blanchard could see the swiftly running Delaware river below him and he must have both wondered and concerned that below him was either fame or a bad outcome. He also wondered at the beauty of the countryside below him.

Washington’s letter of guarantee of safe passage seems to have vanished. Too bad. The first air mail in American his-

Andy Langberg

Soon after, he was helping members of the New Jersey Devils as well as famous tennis players.

Langberg, who admits he doesn’t advertise, said “I’m banking on results for people to come back. I’ve also treated players from the Devils a long time ago, and now they keep coming back because there are new players and everyone knows each other, and I rely on word of mouth.”

Though Langberg has a book full of celebrities with their phone numbers whom he has treated, full-time athletes only account for about ten to fifteen percent of his customers. He treats everyone from plumbers to mechanics with any dysfunctions they may be having with their bodies.

The former exercise science major believes his success is a testament to his desire to help others. He has recently devel-

New Jersey, First in Flight

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As the balloon rose, he began the tasks that the scientist had requested. The scientist wanted samples of air, the use magnets for testing and capturing air in the bottle, and recording his pulse. Less than an hour later (41 minutes) the balloon, encouraged by friendly breezes landed in a pasture in Deptford County, New Jersey.

It was a moment that even this uneducated farmer could recognize as history-making.

As he watched the huge covering atop the basket began settling to the ground. While Blanchard tugged on the guy wires, his little black dog ran around barking in excitement.

The farmer was later to confirm that the event actually did happen. The daring young Blanchard the French balloonist who had just completed the first manned flight in the western hemisphere.

It was a delicate moment.

The balloonist shouted a welcome in a foreign language.

The farmer did not understand, and Blanchard showed him a letter which he might just as well not have seen in any language because the farmer could not understand.

No such event could have gone unnoticed in this tiny community of Deptford, where he landed. Within minutes the two were joined by neighbors.

The people were curious, and more neighbors rushed to the scene. Suddenly a man showed up waving a pistol.

But there was no violence.

Fortunately. the armed man had the ability to read and write and he triumphantly announce that the letter was from none other than President George Washington.

In Blanchard’s handwriting in his journal, he wrote a description of the moment. “‘In the midst of profound silence, it was read with a loud and audible voice. How dear the name of Washington is to

oped his own institute from his Fort Lee office where he is teaching his process to eager students who are passionate about helping others. However, according to Langberg, it all comes down to compassion.

“I am very selective about who my students are. I need to find students who have a love for others. You have to have a passion for healing and a passion for helping others. And I’ve known from a very early age when I was a young kid, I had a bit of a gift of healing people, of wanting to help people. I’ve always been that way. Since I was a little kid, I was the kid that was shoveling everyone’s driveway in the neighborhood just because I enjoyed doing it and helping people in whatever way I could.”

For those interested in booking an appointment with Andy Langberg, please visit his website at https://reactivateme.com/

these people. With such eagerness they gave me all possible assistance in consequence of his recommendation”.

The welcome party learned that the balloonist had traveled from Philadelphia, more than 15 miles away, and in less than an hour. The dangerous trip would have taken three or four hours by carriage or horse back through to the rushing Delaware river.

After his record-setting flight the diminutive Frenchman was able to support himself and his family using his fleet of balloons for the next eight years. Blanchard had triumphed in America with his first ever flight to New Jersey, but frustration followed.

He was never able to raise enough money to support another flight in America and he decided to go back the France.

While on a flight over Paris, tragedy struck, in 1808.

Blanchard suffered a heart attack in flight and fell unconscious in his gondola. His balloon landed roughly on its own and amazingly, Blanchard was uninjured in the fall. But his health declined rapidly after the attack, and he died in Paris on March 7, 1808.

The place where Jean Pierre Blanchard landed near Bib Tinder Creek in Deptford Township, is marked by a bronze plaque which proclaims that his epic aerial voyage in 1793 brought the age of flight to America and the Garden State.

What Makes Magic, Magic?

Page 10 • May 2025 • Mount Olive Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

BY HENRY M. HOLDEN STAFF WRITER AREA - Bill Wisch is a 52-year-old professional, magician, artist, lecturer, teacher, and inventor, from 1971 to the present.

He practices his art by remembering “Misdirection is true when they believe what you do and then follow you.”

“I was a Navy musician for four years, and one of our tours took us to the Mediterranean for five and a half months at the end of 1969. During a liberty visit to the island of Malta with some fellow sailors, we encountered a street performer engaging in a game of threecard Monte. At the time, I had no idea what the game entailed.

I noticed several sailors betting money and some even winning.

Intrigued, I watched closely and thought I could identify the card with a slight bend on its edge. Convinced I could win, I decided to join the game.

I placed a 20-pound bet, (about $48.00) confident I had identified the correct card. To my dismay, when he turned it over, it was the wrong one. Just then, the cops appeared, causing everyone to scatter. Much to my surprise, the perpetrators had donned sailor uniforms to blend in with us.

This experience captivated me. After leaving the Navy in 1971, I visited a magic shop in New York City and recounted my tale. The shopkeeper educated me about three-card Monte and sold me a book on the subject. My newfound intrigue led me to the library,

where I delved into more books on magic, eventually incorporating these stories into my library presentations.

In 1973, Wisch began studying sleight of hand with Tony Slydini in New York City.

Slydini is considered by many magicians to be one of the two finest 20th-century performers, lecturers and creators of artistic sleight-of-hand magic; Dai Vernon is the other.

In 1976, Slydini wrote a personal authorization letter to all magic societies and associations in North America, sponsoring his protégé, Bill Wisch, to represent him and take his place introducing, demonstrating and marketing his long awaited, two-volume, book sets, The Best of Slydini and More and The Magical World of Slydini, both written by Karl Fulves.

“These two book sets are must-read standard classics in magical literature”, said Wisch.”

“When I give my presentations on “What makes magic, magic?” I emphasize five key elements: Mystery, Action, Gratification, Possibility, and Sound, abbreviated as MAGPS. “These are the elements I use during presentations to corporate audiences. I would attend meetings and teach people how to incorporate showmanship into their work.

When I looked up the word “showman” in the dictionary, it lacked the definition I required.

I remember people advising me to add more showmanship, but there wasn’t much information in the library on the topic. The existing world defined showmanship in terms of horses, suggesting one should dress up their horse and make it look good..

One person even adopted the definition Wisch had created for himself. “Nowadays, my definition is used in the dictionary: Showmanship is the quality of performance that creates and sustains dramatic interest.

I used to dress up as P.T. Barnum because he was one of the greatest showmen. I read books about Muhammad Ali, P.T. Barnum, and other influential figures to understand their methods of creating showmanship.

“I’ve had many memorable performances over the years, including for the Mets and Yankees in their locker rooms, in 1986.

Wisch lectured on Slydini’s methods and techniques, along with his own, to thousands of magicians across 74 cities in the United States and Canada between 1976 and 1978.

Wisch is the only person Slydini authorized to lecture on his original routines and techniques. Their close relationship has been celebrated and documented extensively within the magic community.

“The Slydini Legacy” is a series of detailed articles by Wisch that not only showcases Slydini’s magic but also high-

lights Wisch’s unique bond” with his friend, teacher, and mentor.

“From 1997 to 2005, I co-founded The International Conservatory of Magic (ICOM). One of my contributions to the site was “Slydini - The Legacy,” a series of thirty-four monthly articles published from September 1997 to December 2000.”

Slydini was a magician known for close-up artistry. His public performances and lectures to other magicians inspired Doug Henning, Dick Cavett, and Bill Bixb, and other magicians.

Showmanship is the quality of performance that creates and sustains dramatic interest I read books about Muhammad Ali, P.T. Barnum, and other influential figures to understand their methods of creating showmanship.

“I’ve had many memorable performances over the years, including for the Mets and Yankees in their locker rooms in 1986.”

Wisch studied with Slydini for seven years, taking more than 120 lessons during that period.

“After 120 lessons with Tony, I developed a profound love and admiration for him, not only as a magician but also as a person and friend. It is an honor for me to present his lectures and share what I admire most about Tony Slydini.”

Wisch is the only person Slydini allowed to lecture on

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his original routines and techniques. Their close relationship has been celebrated and documented extensively within the magic community.

“The Slydini Legacy” is a series of detailed articles by Wisch that not only showcases Slydini’s magic but also highlights Wisch’s unique bond with his friend, teacher, and mentor.

From 1997 to 2005, I co-founded The International Conservatory of Magic (ICOM). One of my contributions to the site was “Slydini - The Legacy,” a series of thirty-four monthly articles published from September 1997 to December 2000.

“Now, 22 years later, I am opening them up to the broader magic community. Over the coming months, I will be posting selected installments for you to read. As Slydini’s only officially authorized student to lecture or teach his magic, I am excited and thrilled to bring this to the magic audience. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Wisch is a recognized pi​ oneer in the study of showmanship. He spent three years researching the careers of P.T. Barnum, George M. Cohan, Muhammad Ali, and Harry Houdini to discover what made them such great showmen. He developed and applied their common success principles into a one-man show, “The Magic Word is Showmanship,” which he presented throughout the 1980s to sales and marketing divisions of many Fortune 500 companies, including IBM, Pfizer, M&M Mars, Minolta, Minwax, Delta, and Johnson & Johnson.

Wisch has since performed thousands of shows for parties, project graduations and corporations and lectured over 600 times all over the United States and Canada. He performs regularly in the New York “Approaching a person to do close-up magic is an art.

When you are a hired performer (as many who read these

blogs currently are and aspire to be) it is your job to approach the spectator.”

Magician-author Karl Fulves wrote that Slydini was the most influential figure in 20th-century Close-Up Magic.

His theories, use of psychology, and misdirection created natural magic of the highest order, making his performances akin to real magic. “That sentiment,” said former television talk show host Dick Cavett, “is the one most commonly expressed by anyone having the opportunity to actually see this great magician perform. ​“During my 52-year career, I have had the honor of lecturing more than 600 times for my fellow colleagues in magic.

I am always thrilled to share something they might be able to use in their routines, development, or learning.

Wisch is the only person Slydini gave permission to lecture on his original routines and techniques. Slydini’s close relationship with Wisch has been widely written about and lauded within the magic community.

The Slydini Legacy is a series of in-depth articles written

by Wisch that highlights the magic of Slydini and his special relationship with the man who was his friend, teacher, and mentor.

“When performing on a stage or platform, one of the biggest challenges is looking confident and feeling comfortable simultaneously. Beginner performers often overlook the importance of effectively using their legs and feet. There is nothing more disheartening than realizing too late during a performance that you haven’t spent enough time considering how to stand and move. This is a sobering experience, and I know because I’ve been there!

Check out Wisch’s detailed explanation of the proper use of leg and foot placement on his website. Magician New Jersey Magician NJ|Bill Wisch Magicians New Jersey Magicians NJ NY

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