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MOUNT OLIVE LIFE

Mt. Olive Fills the Wagon—and Local Pantry Shelves

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE - The wagon may only measure three feet by two feet, but this past fall season it hauled something much bigger: The collective compassion of Mt. Olive. In its second year, the initiative invited residents to help Weigh Down the Wagon, filling it over and over to its brim. All proceeds were collected and then donated to the Mt. Olive Food Pantry in Budd Lake to fill its shelves.

So many generous contributions were placed in the wagon—the organizers hearts are full of gratitude this holiday season.

“The food drive for the Mt. Olive Food Pantry is a powerful example of community compassion in action,” says Jenna Murphy, project coordinator. “It brings people together to support those facing food insecurity, especially during times when demand at local pantries is high.

“By rallying donations and raising awareness, the initiative not only fills shelves for the holiday season, but it also fosters a spirit of generosity within the entire Mt. Olive community,” she adds.

The collection began in September in recognition of

Hunger Action Month. From Wednesday, Sept.10 through Friday, Nov. 7, the wagon was located in the lobby of the Mt. Olive Police Department/Municipal Building.

Made out of wood with a metal frame, the wagon was crafted and donated by resident Frank Meshach.

Who would think that such a small wagon would be filled so many times, with the amount collected equaling the size of a baby elephant?

Residents dropped off non-perishable food items, pet

MOHS Hits Key Notes Hosting State Band Championship

LEGO Team Unearths Veterans Memorial with Digital Voice

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE - Just like a marching band performing on a field, it takes a lot of moving parts to pull off a state competition. Many players were instrumental in the New Jersey State Championship marching band competition held at the Mt. Olive High School stadium in Flanders on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. This was the first time that MOHS hosted a state-wide band competition on its home field.

With 26 bands throughout New Jersey performing and 2,500 people in attendance

throughout the day, organizers are appreciative of the support provided by the district and the township.

“The marching band community at MOHS is very pleased with the turn out and how the event was operated,” says MOHS Band Director Daniel Pasquale. “We were able to efficiently and effectively have a number of bands move through our campus.

“This event would have not been possible with help and support of our school district and our buildings and grounds, custodial, athletics, transportation, district and school administrative teams, and district security,” says Pasquale. “In addition, support was received from the Township Recre-

ation Department and Flanders EMTs. This event would not be possible without our very active and highly enthusiastic MOHS Band Boosters Association Parent Organization.”

While MOHS has hosted 36 smaller band competitions in the past, it took a pause since fall 2021.

“The band moved in a different direction for a few years, and it was the right time to get back into hosting a competition,” says Pasquale who has been involved with MOHS Marching band for the past two years.

“MOHS was selected by USBands as we requested to host a competition going PLEASE SEE STATE BAND CHAMPIONSHIP PAGE 2

MOUNT OLIVE - Anyone who visits the All Veterans Memorial in Budd Lake will soon have access to the inside scoop of each monument thanks to young engineering minds at Sandshore Elementary School. Sandshore School’s FIRST LEGO League Team is bringing history to life through technology. Their innovative minds, interest at the AVM and desire to connect to the community have created a one-ofa-kind project.

As part of this year’s FLL Unearthed theme, the team created an innovation project to share the hidden stories buried beneath the AVM, shares Devon Marques, third grade teacher at Sandshore and FLL coach.

“The goal is to help people unearth the meaning and memories beneath the surface,” she explains. “We want everyone who visits to feel the history.”

The creators behind the project are 9 and 10 years old who are members of Sand-

shore’s FIRST LEGO Team; Coach Marques; Sandshore Media Specialist Roberta Giusto; and AVM Founder Charlie Wood Uhrmann.

“Working closely with memorial founder Mrs. Charlene Uhrmann, the students learned that each monument contains sealed artifacts and time capsules honoring veterans from different wars,” she explains. “To help visitors connect with these powerful stories, the team will design QR codes that will be installed near the monuments. Scanning the codes will allow guests to hear audio recordings from veterans and community members who helped build the memorial.” Team 57836 was expected to present their project at the upcoming FIRST LEGO League Qualifier competition set for Nov. 22, at Mt. Olive High School “showcasing how technology, community pride

MO Marching Band students with the trophy

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER

5 Things to Know Before Getting Dental Implants

Ira Goldberg, DDS, FAGD, DICOI

When a person is missing one or more teeth, dental implants can be an excellent method to replace them. Here are some things to consider when evaluating your options.

1. Will there be one or more offices treating you, and are you OK with that?

There are two phases of

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE - Mt. Olive seniors will be arriving in style to any of their appointments here on out thanks to a new van that has been gifted to the township.

Councilwoman Mary Lalama, who serves as the liaison of the Mt. Olive Health Department, shared the news during the Oct. 28 Mt. Olive Township Council meeting. The meeting was held via ZOOM due to early voting.

Dr. Goldberg is a leading expert on dental implants. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry, which is a degree held by only 1% of dentists worldwide. Whether you require a single implant or complex full-mouth rehabilitation, a free consultation with Dr. Goldberg should be considered. General &

treatment when it comes to dental implants. A Surgical Phase, and a Restorative Phase. In the first phase, a dentist will perform surgical procedures: extractions, grafting, and / or implant placement. In the second phase, the implant will be restored with a crown, denture, or some other prosthesis. Some dentists will only do the first, some will do only the second, and some will do both. If you work with an office that does only one of these two phases, you will have to bounce between offices. This can lead to a lack of proper communication during the process, or finger-pointing if there are problems afterwards. Are you OK with this? At Morris County Dental Associates, we perform all phases of implant treatment under one roof, so you do not have to contend with

FROM FRONT PAGE

into this season,” he explains.

“While it was something that was discussed for the past few years, this year worked out to be the right people in the right positions to get this off the ground.”

The New Jersey State Championship held at MOHS included bands of all group sizes and classifications— IIRA, IIA, IIAA, IIIA. Each band was slotted about seven minutes to perform their field show, explains Pasquale. Field shows range in design, from its formation to music selection, and are customized by each band. Attendees were not just family and friends, but judges from the USBands adjudication team, adds Pasquale.

these issues. 2. Do Your Homework. Selected a skilled doctor or office. Any dentist can place and/or restore implants. They do not have to have any specific training. But what experience level does the dentist have? Or if you are seeing multiple doctors or offices (see #1 above), are they coordinated so that your experience is smooth and enjoyable? Dr. Goldberg performs all phases of implant dentistry in one location, and has been doing so for 30 years. He teaches other dentists about implants, and has a whole section of his office dedicated to implant treatment. He has many pieces of equipment to make your treatment smooth, efficient, comfortable, and accurate.

New Patient Special $149 Cleaning, Exam, Full Set of Films Regularly $362.00 Cannot be

Dental implants may not be your only option to correct a problem. Root canals with crowns, bridges, partial dentures, and complete dentures are common alternatives. Be sure your dentist has provided you with options for your particular situation.

scheduling Expires 2/28/22

3.Have you explored other options?

New

comparing costs with friends: what they had done is likely to be different than what you need. Therefore, it is safe to assume your cost will be different than theirs.

Dr. Goldberg treats entire families, from toddlers to seniors. Services include cleanings, check-ups, fillings, Invisalign, dentures, cosmetics, and more! He and his staff enjoy the long-term relationships they build with their patients.

contact us for a free consultation.

Patient Special FREE Implant, Cosmetic, or General Dentistry Consultation Regularly $125.00

4. Cost of dental implants: don’t compare to what your friend had done!

3/5/6

5. Don’t rush things.

Cannot be combined with other discounts Limited to 50 minutes Expires 2/28/22

Not all dental implants will be priced the same: there are many variables. Do you need an extraction? Do you need grafting? What kind of grafting do you need? Can stock parts be used, or are custom ones required? For all of these (and more) reasons, trying to provide someone with an estimate is impossible without a physical evaluation and discussion. Furthermore, be careful when

Everyone wants things done yesterday. Faster, faster, faster. Time is short, and you have better places to be. At times it is possible to speed up implant treatments, but it’s not always in your best interest. Implants have a very high success rate. But the more you push the envelope, meaning the faster you rush the process, the greater the chances of having problems and complications. Sometimes slower is better. Again, your implant dentist will be able to guide you accordingly.

Do you have questions? Visit Dr. Goldberg’s website, or

New Van Boosts Mobility For MO Seniors

When somebody gives something, why not take it?

The Mt. Olive Health Department received the vehicle on Friday, Nov. 7. It is a 2025 Chrysler Voyager, shares Derrick Webb, director of Health/ Health Officer of the Mt. Olive Health Department. The approximate value of the vehicle is $65,000, he adds.

“The vehicle will be executively utilized by the Health Department’s Senior Transpor-

tation Program,” he adds.

“The vehicle will be used to transport program participants to medical appointments and “quality of life” trips,” he adds.

These trips include those to the grocery store, banks and any other various locations.

The current ridership is 384 seniors, he adds, as the van will be available to “all current ridership.

Before receiving its new van, the Mt. Olive Health De-

State Band Championship...

“Bands are evaluated in the following areas that contribute to their total score: Music proficiency, ensemble music, visual, music effect and visual effect,” he details. “In addition, one judge evaluates percussion, and one evaluates color guard. While the percussion and color guard judge do not count to the total score, awards are given to the best color guard and percussion in each group size.

“Judges follow specific rubrics that are provided by USBands in all categories in order to effectively evaluate each performance,” he adds.

Winners of this year’s state championship include: Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest, 1st place in IIRA; Hackettstown High School, 1st in IIA; Warren

Hills High School, 1st in IIAA; and Sparta High School, 1st in IIIA.

MOHS came in second place with a score of 91.2 and won the caption award for Best Overall Effect, shares Pasquale.

Quiet impressive, MOHS, out of 26 bands to win second place, but as host it was even a bigger win.

“Hosting such a large event serves as a fundraiser for our Band Booster association while being able to support the work of USBands and our fellow marching band programs across the state,” says Pasquale. “We are humbled to have the facilities and resources that allow us to effectively have so many bands come through Mt. Olive.”

What’s happening in your school or organization?

Celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, graduation? Have a human interest story or something you would like to share? Email us at production@mylifepublications.com

partment “utilized leased vehicles to facilitate some trips,” he adds.

The health department received the vehicle through the NJTransit 5310 Grant, explains Webb. NJTransit 5310 Grant is “a federal grant that helps non-profit and public agencies in New Jersey secure resources to better serve the unique transportation needs of the state’s senior and disabled populations,” he adds.

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act, was signed into law on July 6, 2012, and provides funding for federal transportation programs, including the Section 5310 Program - Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities, the government website further details. This program has continued under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation ACT or FAST ACT signed into

3/5/6

About the author: Dr. Ira Goldberg has been performing implant procedures for 30 years. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology / Implant Dentistry, a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. He performs all phases of implant dentistry at his office in Succasunna, NJ. He lectures to dentists in the field of implantology. For a free consultation, including a free 3-D scan (if necessary), please call his office at (973) 328-1225 or visit his website at www.MorrisCountyDentist. com Dr. Goldberg is a general dentist, and also a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry.

order on Dec. 4, 2015.

“The intent of this program is to improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities by providing financial support, through programs planned, designed and carried out to meet the special transportation needs of these populations,” the website states. The Section 5310 is administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), U.S. Department of Transportation by the New Jersey Transit Corpora-

tion (NJ TRANSIT). Under this funding, 55% may be used for eligible capital projects and up to 45% may be used for operating transportation projects.

As the holiday season/new year approaches and the sleek, new van rolls out onto the streets of Mt. Olive, it carries a message for the town’s older residents: The road ahead is open, and they will be arriving in style—and with dignity— every step of the way.

Dentistry, which is a degree held by only 1% of dentists worldwide. Whether you require a single implant or complex full-mouth rehabilitation, a free consultation with Dr. Goldberg should be considered.

General & Cosmetic Dentistry

Dr. Goldberg treats entire families, from toddlers to seniors. Services include cleanings, check-ups, fillings, Invisalign, dentures, cosmetics, and more! He and his staff enjoy the long-term relationships they build with their patients.

Ira Goldberg, DDS, FAGD, DICOI

and remembrance can come together to preserve local history,” adds Marques, Sandshore teacher for the past eight years.

In its fourth year, Sandshore’s FIRST LEGO Team currently consists of eight fifth graders and five fourth graders. Meeting since mid-September, the students practice two days a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays before the school day begins.

“When we found out the new theme for the challenge was “UnEarthed” we learned about various types of archeology, the students voted and chose to explore “historical” archeology,” explains Marques. “Many of them had visited the memorial in third grade and immediately decided to connect the project to the community. We all started sharing info we heard from Charlie when we visited and the idea of the QR codes came up.”

For the UnEarthed project, teams explore a real-world problem connected to the season’s theme and come up with a creative way to address it, details Marques.

“The process includes finding and researching a specific problem, brainstorming and developing an innovative solution and creating a prototype to demonstrate how it works,” she says. “Teams also share their idea with others to collect feedback and make improvements. At the end, they present their project, their research, solution and prototype in a five-minute presentation to judges at the tournament.”

QR codes sound quite technical, but Sandshore students are a step ahead.

“Our students learned how to use technology like QR codes thanks to our media specialist, Ms. Giusto,” says Marques. “She’s been teaching them technology skills since kindergarten, everything from digital citizenship to using creative tools.

“So when it came time to link our innovation project to real-world technology, creating and testing QR codes was something they were already confident and excited to do,” she adds.

The students will be creating QR codes for 21 monuments at the AVM, adds Uhrmann.

Details and length of the recordings were still being worked out with AVM expert Uhrmann.

“Ms. U will direct us to special people that are a big part of the memorial,” says Marques. “Because each memorial is unique and holds a different story, the times will vary.”

Local businesses will be contacted to help the young innovators and Uhrmann install the QR codes.

Once the competition is complete, the QR codes will be accessible to all visitors at the AVM.

“Our goal is for this project to live on beyond the competition,” says Marques. “We plan to work with Mrs. Uhrmann and the All Veterans Memori-

al to install the QR codes permanently at each monument so visitors can scan them and hear the stories directly from the veterans and creators who helped build the site. This way, the project becomes a lasting educational tool for the community, something that honors the past while connecting it to the next generation.”

Organizers are so excited with this project.

“We think it’s an incredible project because it connects our students to local history in a meaningful way,” says Marques. “They’re not just learning about technology and robotics—they’re using it to tell real stories about veterans and the community. It’s handson, creative, and makes history come alive.

“What makes it amazing is that it combines so many elements: Research, technology, teamwork and community service,” she continues. “The students are creating something that will actually be used by people visiting the memorial. They’re not just presenting a project for judges—they’re making a lasting impact and honoring real people’s stories, all while demonstrating the FIRST Core Values.”

Marques and her students are grateful for the connection they have made with Uhrmann.

“Not everyone is lucky enough to have the creator of the AVM give them a guided tour,” says Marques. “This way anyone who visits will hear the amazing stories, the history and what lies beneath each monument.”

Uhrmann is just as excited for her connection with the students and this amazing project.

“Ms. Marques has taken advantage of the AVM educational tenants by bringing her students to the AVM for the past seven years,” says Uhrmann. “It was during this year’s tour that I mentioned the hidden treasures placed beneath each element.”

When she received the email just a few weeks later from Marques about the project, she did not hesitate to help out.

“I was honored and agreed to help in any way I could,” says Uhrmann. “Knowing I would be back in Mt. Olive to prepare for the AVM’s annual POW/MIA 24 Vigil, approximately 30 First Lego League members returned to the AVM for a more detailed tour. They were eager, bright and extremely enthusiastic. It was an amazing day.”

While she claims to be playing a small role in this project, Uhrmann’s knowledge of all the details behind the elements is priceless.

“I had offered to cull together all of the photos taken of the AVM – from the groundbreaking to the completion of each and every phase since 2007,” shares Uhrmann. “It took the most time locating all of the files. I searched through two desktop computers, two laptop computers, seven phones and numerous google files. Once I located the files, I selected the

best photos and categorized them in chronological order. Remarkably, I even located the original hand drawings and/or computer-generated designs of each element.”

Each element will have its own QR code, 21 in all: PHASE I - Mount Olive War Memorial; PHASE II – Global War on Terror Memorial Bridge, Presidential Preamble; PHASE III – Path to Enduring Freedom / Battleship USS New Jersey Bollards; PHASE IV – War Dog Memorial; PHASE V –NorthStar Seating; PHASE VI – Liberty Wall; PHASE VII –Warrior Obelisk; KIA, WIA, POW, MIA; PHASE VIII –Spiritual Cenotaph; PHASE IX – Remembrance POW/MIA/ PTSD Wall; PHASE X - War Horse Memorial; PHASE XI –Ascension Bell Tower / POW/ MIA dog tag display, flag pole and podium; PHASE XII – Reflection Sanctum (Prayer Garden); PHASE XIII – WWII Belgium Recreation; PHASE XIIII - Forever Young Memorial: Military Child, Children of War, War Against Children; PHASE XV – Operation Evacuation Memorial.

The QR Codes will be set on the lower left-hand side of each concrete placard, adds Uhrmann. The FLL club will decide the date.

To access the QR code, visitors at the AVM will use their cell phone to scan the code.

Uhrmann and Amery Vasso, AVM Board of Directors member, will be conducting the narration behind each code to describe each moment.

Uhrmann, who gives tours at the AVM often, is not always on site or in town. The QR codes are a solution to this obstacle.

“Scanning a QR code for information is now how everyone learns,” says Uhrmann. “There is so much more information about each element than is written on the placard. These QR codes can offer additional information while the visitor is standing in front of the displays.

“As an example, the War Dog Memorial displays five different wars, fought in five different theaters, using five different breeds of dogs that were all serving in different capacities,” she continues. “The dogs were painted in the exact likeness as the original war dog and placed in the exact landscape. There is much more to learn about each dog than what is written on the placard.

“Having a QR code will walk the visitor back in time with words,” adds Uhrmann. “This enhances the experience and the importance of the memorial itself. This project brings the AVM experience to an entirely different level.”

Uhrmann is so impressed by this project and looks forward to its completion.

“I love everything about this project,” shares Uhrmann. “The AVM was originally created to honor the service of our veterans and their families; hold national ceremonies e.g. Memorial Day and POW/MIA;

denote our nation’s rich history; and educate. What makes me most proud is while searching through 17 years of photos and videos, it was emotional to see the overwhelming amount of people who contributed to this project.

“The number is in the thousands,” she continues. “Some grew up, others grew old and so many of our older volunteers passed away. This project prompted me to put it all together. One of our greatest goals was to attract the younger people. Bringing people of all ages, from different places, and contributing in various levels—and now seeing the younger generations taking advantage of the benefits is nothing short of a blessing.”

FIRST LEGO Competes

with Robot

In addition to its QR project, the team is competing in the FLL Robot Game, where they program and engineer an autonomous LEGO robot to complete real-world missions on the “Unearthed” challenge field, adds Marques.

“Throughout their season, the students have demonstrated the FIRST Core Values — discovery, innovation, impact, teamwork, inclusion, and fun — in every practice, presentation, and outreach event,” she says.

In the FLL Robot Game, the robot completes missions that are inspired by real-world challenges, connected to the Unearthed theme.

“For our team, the missions focus on tasks like uncovering

or moving buried artifacts, collecting and transporting items to represent archaeological discoveries, and interacting with ‘historical sites’ on the field,” she details. “These tasks help the students think about problem-solving, engineering, and programming in a way that mirrors real-world exploration and preservation.

“Our robot is compact, smaller than a shoebox and built with LEGO pieces and motors,” she describes. “It took several weeks for the team to design, build and test it. It runs autonomously using sensors and programming to complete missions.”

Looks like QR codes and robots are leading humans into an amazing future!

Beaming with Pride, MOHS Gymnastics Scores Quadruple Triumph

BY CHERYL CONWAY

MOUNT OLIVE - Four times is a charm for the Mt. Olive High School Gymnastics Team!

“We won our fourth consecutive state sectional title; fourth season undefeated league season, and four years in a row we won our league championship title,” announces MOHS Gymnastics Coach Rebecca Neidhardt.

Everyone is flipping over the team’s success.

On Thursday, Oct. 6, the team placed fourth at the NJ State gymnastics competition held at Brick Memorial High School.

“We won the team title last season, however, this season we placed 4th which is an

amazing accomplishment,” admits Neidhardt.

Thursday, Nov. 6 was the team state finals.

“The top four teams who win the state sectional along with the next four top scores from sectionals compete at the team state finals,” shares Neidhardt. “Our girls have put our town on the leaderboard. In 2022 8th place, in 2023 7th place, in 2024 1st place, 2025 4th place in the state.

“Mt. Olive has been in the team state championship for the past four years,” she reiterates. Saint Thomas Aquinias took the win this year.

There are 11 athletes on the team this year, made up of three seniors, four juniors, three

sophomores and one freshman, details Neidhardt.

The team was led by seniors/captains Meghan Rodas and Amy Rubinstein; along with Juniors: Chloe Duteau and Carley Ferrick; Sophomores: Avery Schroeder, Charlotte Lehner and Jasmine Tongol.

“Meghan, Amy, Charlotte, and Avery also qualified individually and competed on Saturday, Nov. 8 in the individual championship where Meghan Rodas placed seventh in the state on vault and Amy Rubinstein placed 8th in the state All Around,” she adds.

Through the ups and downs, and mostly success, Neidhardt is filled with emotion.

“As this incredible team graduates and moves on to the next chapters of their lives, I can’t help but feel both proud and a little sad to see them go,” says Neidhardt. “I know Mt. Olive Gymnastics will always hold a special place in their hearts. These seniors—and the alumni gymnasts who came before them—have paved a path of excellence that this team holds in the utmost respect. Their dedication, leadership and love for the sport have set the standard for future generations.”

She continues, “As a former gymnast and Mt. Olive graduate myself, it has been inspiring to watch this program

grow, develop and continue its legacy of success. Our Tricks for Treats fundraiser along with the numerous young athletes who came to watch us at our home meets, had a fantastic turnout, showing just how many young athletes are eager to one day represent Mt. Olive High School Gymnastics.”

Neidhardt, and other school leaders, ae so proud of the girls’ success.

“Ooops, they did it again!”

shares MOHS Athletic Director Colleen Suflay. Congratulations to the Mt. Olive High School Gymnastics Team for winning their fourth consecutive State Sectional Championship!

“Outstanding news,” says MOHS Superintendent of School Dr. Sumit Bangia. “We are so very proud of the athletes and coaches.”

Adds Neidhardt, “This year they truly won the hearts of our town and set new school records along the way. I am beyond proud of these girls— not only for their athletic excellence but also for balancing such high-level training with outstanding academic achievements. They represent the very best of Mt. Olive.”

While she is beaming with delight, Neidhardt does have goals for the team for its continued success.

“Our big goal is to spread

awareness to high school gymnastics,” she says. “It is so different from club gymnastics. High school gymnastics is very team based. The athletes who participate vary in ability levels. Five athletes compete on each event and the top three scores count towards the team score. It is important to have upper-level athletes but you also need depth.

“One top notch athlete is not going to win championships, you need at least three to five,” she continues. “The girls are constantly helping each other perfect bonus skills to improve our team score. You are only as strong as your weakest link. We have been fortunate to have the depth of talent which is what makes this team elite.” Win or lose, there is a strategy to the team’s success.

“Our secret is to just have fun,” says the coach. “We try to put little pressure on our gymnasts and to shrug off the days that don’t always go as planned. As long as we stick together, we can do anything!”

On a side bar, Neidhardt was named NJSIAA Coach of the year and will be recognized at a banquet and by New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association in January.

Congratulations Neidhardt and the MOHS Gymnastics Team!

New Planning Committee Charts Course for School District’s Future

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE - As the district looks toward the future, a new committee is coming together to chart the course to prepare for tomorrow.

Bringing board members, educators, parents and community leaders to one table, the initiative aims to shape a long-term vision for facilities and infrastructure that will support students for generations to come. The Long Range Planning Committee was set to convene for its first meeting on Monday, Nov. 17. With separate boards to run the various segments in town—the Council runs the town, the Board of Education runs the school district, the Planning Board oversees development—all leaders will come together from the differ-

ent branches and take root in effective planning for expected growth and change within Mt. Olive Township. The purpose of this initiative is to “establish a dedicated group in assisting in developing a comprehensive vision for the district’s future with respect to the infrastructure needs of our district,” says Mt. Olive Twp. School District Superintendent of School Dr. Sumit Bangia. “The committee includes diverse stakeholders—board members, administrators, teachers, parents and community representatives including a town council/planning board member—ensuring comprehensive perspectives inform planning decisions.”

A total of eight meetings between November and May

MO Fills the Wagon...

food and personal care items.

The total amount collected was 350 pounds, shares Murphy, whose role in this initiative was to lead and organize the food drive from start to finish.

“I coordinated logistics and encouraged participation from both community members and township employees,” she says. “My goal was to create a meaningful opportunity for everyone to contribute to the well-being of our neighbors, ensuring families have the support they need during this special time of year.”

All the collections went to the Mt. Olive Food Pantry located at Christ Church, 369 Sand Shore Road in Budd Lake.

“The wagon has been filled to the brim many times, therefore we had multiple drop offs during the collection,” says Murphy. For those who missed contributing to the Weigh Down the Wagon Initiative, do not fret as there are many more opportunities to donate.

“We have a permanent collection bin at the municipal building monitored by the Kiwanis Club available yearround,” says Murphy. “Also, the Mt. Olive Food Pantry is always happy to take donations.”

The Mt. Olive Pantry accepts donations Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

2026 will take place across the school district, adds Bangia. From the township, Mayor Joe Nicastro will join the committee along with Councilman Chuck Aaron.

There are three main purposes to the Long Range Planning Committee Initiative: Future Enrollment and Facility Planning; Infrastructure Development; and Sustainable Financial Planning.

Future Enrollment and Facility Planning will include “assessing enrollment trends and facility needs to ensure our district can effectively accommodate changing demographics and student populations,” says Bangia.

Infrastructure Development will include “evaluating and planning for necessary

There is a collection bin outside for after-hour donations.

“We want to thank the community for the generous donations and support for the Weigh Down the Wagon program!” adds Murphy.

“Soon, we’re kicking off another joyful campaign to support the Mt. Olive Food Pantry—and we need your help!” she says. “Be on the lookout for our Stuff the Sleigh campaign! Our goal is to fill the shelves and keep them stocked well beyond the holidays. Let’s come together to spread cheer and make sure no family goes without. Stay tuned for details and join us in making a difference!”

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

infrastructure improvements, renovations and potential new construction projects based on projected needs and current facility assessments,” she adds.

Sustainable Financial Planning will include “developing responsible financial strategies to support our long-term goals while maintaining fiscal accountability to our community.”

The Mt. Olive School District is committed to educational excellence, community engagement, fiscal responsibility, strategic growth and infrastructure stewardship.

Bangia dives deeper to explain how this initiative supports the district’s commitment.

In terms of educational

excellence, Bangia says this initiative ensures that “all students have access to safe, modern and conducive learning environments.”

Community engagement is key as it fosters “transparent communication and collaborative decision-making with all stakeholders,” the school leader adds.

By “making data-driven decisions that optimize resource allocation and long-term sustainability,” the MOTSD will ensure fiscal responsibility.

“Proactively planning for demographic changes and educational program expansion,” most certainly supports strategic growth, she continues.

Infrastructure stewardship is also a priority, and this com-

mittee will help maintain and improve district assets for current and future generations.

Lastly, “This initiative supports the district’s strategic goal to “Ensure a transparent, efficient, and accountable budgeting process that meets the district’s growing needs,” concludes Bangia.

As the committee begins its work, the district moves one step closer to building schools that reflect the needs and dreams of the community. Their recommendations will help shape a learning environment where every student can thrive—today and well into the future.

The work begins now—and its impact will be felt for years to come.

MO Shines With New Health Center and LED Upgrades

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE - The new year will certainly be brighter in Mt. Olive with the new health center breaking ground and LED lights.

Mt. Olive Twp. Business Administrator Andrew Tatarenko shared these updates at the Mt. Olive Twp. Council meeting held via ZOOM on Oct. 28.

Tatarenko attended a pre-construction meeting regarding the new health center to hash out the details.

“The Health Center will

begin breaking ground in December,” he says. Work will continue for about 18 months, he projects. If all goes according to schedule, residents can expect the Mt. Olive Health Center to be completed by the end of 2026 or early 2027.

The Mt. Olive Twp. Council had accepted a bid back in September from Pal-Pro Builders in Totowa. The $3.2 million contract will include a 7,164 sq. foot expansion at the Mt. Olive Senior Center in

Flanders.

This additional center will provide adequate space for the Mt. Olive Health Center, which is currently located in a building shared with the Mt. Olive Police Department.

In other news, Tatarenko flips the switch on new LED lights the township will be getting.

“An Energy Audit was authorized in May of 2024 to examine replacing the lights in the municipal building, municipal parking lot and senior

center,” he explains.

He was advised by Willdan, a consulting company that works with municipalities to implement the JCP&L Direct Install Program.

More than 400 bulbs will be replaced in the municipal building, parking lot and more than 80 bulbs will be replaced in the Mt. Olive Senior Center, he says.

He had a walk through recently with the lighting vendor, Facility Solutions Group, which will be providing the

service.

“New LED lights will save the township money,” says Tatarenko.

“The audit showed that once the conversion was completed, the township would see a monthly savings of $1,500,” he says. That equates to $18,000 savings per year!

The total cost of the project is $144,844 of which $70,333 would be directly through the various financial incentives available, Tatarenko details. The remaining balance

of $74,510 “is the township’s responsibility and will be financed through a 0% five-year on-bill financing option.”

While the light bulb has been turned on for more efficient illumination in town, it is unknown at this time when these new LED lights will be installed.

“I don’t have a time frame unfortunately,” he concludes. Nevertheless, the future looks bright!

MO Can Expect Lower Electric Rates with New Co-Op

BY CHERYL CONWAY

WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE - With ener-

gy prices lighting up monthly bills, Mt. Olive Township is taking action by offering residents a brighter alternative to help them save on their monthly electric bills.

The township has joined the Garden State Community Energy Cooperative (GSCEC), a state-approved energy aggre-

gation program that secures lower electricity supply rates for participating households.

The new rates will take effect in March 2026.

By joining the cooperative, the township is helping households tap into lower electricity rates.

“This is a great program that the governing body initiat-

ed to help reduce the burden of rising energy costs,” said Mt. Olive Twp. Mayor Joe Nicastro. “We’re proud to offer a responsible and cost-effective energy solution that directly benefits our residents.”

Under the program, all eligible residents will be automatically enrolled in the energy aggregation initiative,

as stated in a press release. However, participation is voluntary, and residents will have the option to opt out if they choose not to participate.

“The township was required to automatically opt in the residents in order to participate in the program,” explains Mt. Olive Twp. Business Administrator Andrew Tatarenko. “They have the opportunity to opt out during various times if they wish to not participate.”

A detailed direct mail notification will be sent to all eligible households during the month of December 2025, providing full program details, frequently asked questions and instructions on how to opt out if desired, according to a press release. In addition, public information sessions will be held in January 2026 to explain the program in greater detail and answer residents’ questions.

For quite some time, Mt. Olive Twp. leaders have been looking into alternatives to help reduce energy costs for its residents.

Following a recent successful energy auction conducted by GSCEC, Direct Energy Services, LLC has been selected as the new energy supplier for Mt. Olive’s residential aggregation program, according to the press release.

“As a result, eligible residents can expect to see an estimated 7% savings on the supply portion of their monthly electric bills compared to the current Basic Generation Service rate offered by JCP&L,” according to Tatarenko.

The new energy supply rates are anticipated to take effect after the March 2026 meter reads, and residents will see the change reflected on their April 2026 electric bills,

he adds.

Lisa Hibbs from the Energy Aggregation program presented some details at the Oct. 28 council meeting.

She informs that residents can opt out starting January 2, 2026 through January 31. Residents who are considered eligible for the program are those who are not enrolled in a contract with a third-party supplier, those who do not have solar and those who use a no timeof-day meter.

“At this time, no action is required from residents,” Tatarenko notes in his press release. Additional information will be provided as the program rollout continues.” Hibbs suggested planning some town hall meetings to go over the program and respond to residents’ questions and concerns.

Wishing Ev y e a Happy, Healthy H iday!

Ruggiero Vows ‘Fresh Ideas’ as New Council Term Approaches

BY CHERYL CONWAY

and Not

Raffaele A. Ruggiero, 56, of Flanders, is excited for this next chapter as an elected official. A member of the Mt. Olive Republican Club for the past decade, where he currently serves as its treasurer, this was Ruggiero’s first run for office.

According to the unofficial election results, Ruggiero received the highest number of votes during the Nov. 4 General Election totaling 6,003 registered voters selecting him to fill one of the four open seats. He will replace longtime Councilman Greg Stewart, who did not seek reelection, when his seat expires on Dec. 31.

“All I can promise to MO is that I will do my best,” says Ruggiero as he embraces his four-year term on the Mt. Olive Council. “In four years, they will either agree or disagree.”

A family man, husband and father of four children, Ruggiero and his wife Veronika have lived in Mt. Olive for the past 26 years.

“We started in Budd Lake and eventually moved to Flanders,” he shares. “Coming from the Bronx, we were desiring a more wholesome environment with a good school system and close to places of worship.”

All four of their children— Antonio, 31; Gennaro, 30; Raffaela, 20; and Angelina, 19— attended the Mt. Olive schools, where his wife also worked for about 18 years.

Mt. Olive, was and still is, his desired place to live.

“Mt. Olive, for all its growth, still has the hometown feel,” he says. “When I visit Turkey Brook and see all the families there it reminds me of the important things in life, that is family, peace and our responsibility to provide a stable community and environment for future generations.”

While raising four children, they found the time to volunteer and give back.

“I volunteered on several committees and coached both intramural volleyball and for a short time football,” shares Ruggiero. “MO has a myriad of

opportunities for volunteering and I choose to be more project oriented. I have built homes for Habit for Humanity but am passionate about feeding and clothing those in need.

“Although my wife and I made conscience decisions to help families in MO better themselves by supplying food, affordable housing and an opportunity for a great education, my personal passion is going to areas in NYC, especially the Bronx where the most destitute live,” he adds. “I’m part of an organization that has adopted a school in the Bronx where we serve as role models and provide both spiritual and physical sustenance to the local families.

We also partner with several organizations where we go to the streets and bring food, clothing and self-care for homeless individuals.”

Providing for his own family has also been a priority.

Ruggiero currently works as the director of NYC Infrastructure Construction at a private general contracting firm.

“I have been employed in the same field for over 40 years, working and learning my way up from laborer, surveyor, project supervisor and now director,” he describes.

His responsibilities include working with “a myriad” of NYC agencies, authorities and unions; coordinating and maintaining vehicles and equipment; and turning a financially inept project into successful and profitable projects through strict fiscal discipline, budgeting, negotiating and tone setting, he describes.

With all that he juggles, Ruggiero decided that now is the best time to run for office and make a difference.

“I have had opportunities in the past to run but chose not to,” he admits. “Life changes, children grow up and while I still have energy and desire to serve the time was right.

“I primarily chose to run at this time as I am nearing retirement and would like to focus on giving back to our MO community,” he continues. “I am deeply concerned with the current and past Trenton administrations and mandates and how they adversely affect our communities with unfunded mandates, irresponsible spending and a

myriad of policies that contradict common sense and quite frankly even their own policies. Town Council is the front line of this battle with Trenton.”

Rising taxes, congestion, infrastructure and housing are some of his greatest concerns.

“Seventy percent of our property taxes is swallowed up by the BOE and leaves a small amount to successful upkeep of our roads, water and sewer and overall town improvements,” he says. “Congested development is an issue, as 75-80% of MO is in the Highlands Act, mandates encourage and promote developers to build “affordable housing” in concentrated areas.

“Because of Trenton laws and restrictions, most if not all, of the infrastructure to support the influx of citizens, school children, vehicles fall on local towns while laws and rules from Trenton tie the hands of municipalities in dealing with developers, traffic and zoning laws,” says Ruggiero. “Quite frankly, it’s asinine how much of the brunt of cost falls on our town.”

While he cites the areas that trouble him the most, Ruggiero has been satisfied with the current leaders.

“It’s pretty amazing how the current Republican administration has fought and navigated a complex system of rules and mandates, in order to deal with the complexities,” he says. “I am also encouraged with both the current administration and my relationships with our republican representatives in Trenton, who have joined us in the fight against Trenton and their willingness to take it “the mat” on issues affecting Mt. Olive. Development, zoning, infrastructure maintenance and improvement and an overall five, ten and 20 years planned and smart growth are areas I would like to focus on.”

He is ready to use his expertise and voice on the council to make a difference.

“My life experience and my career has prepared me for such a time as this,” he says. “There is still much to learn and a person is very limited unless they “dig in and get their hands dirty” and put in the work.”

His leadership roles that he has taken on will also play a significant part.

“My work experience and

leadership skills have prepared me to make tough decisions but also effectively communicate to people and the residents of MO,” he ensures. “I have taken on several leadership rules volunteering my time and knowledge in associations and clubs in all aspects and roles including secretary, treasurer and president.”

There is always room for improvement, Ruggiero admits, and he’s ready to put in the time.

“I will share decisions, circumstances, choices through social media but also plan to have a “Coffee with the Councilman” at local establishments so I can talk to our residents and get their concerns and also what they would like to see accomplished,” he shares. “We need to set realistic goals based on income.”

Improving communication is one of his goals.

“If we lay out the info, situation and circumstances, good or bad, they will be more attuned to what local government has been doing for years,” he says.

“Roads, sewer, and water are our next challenge,” continues Ruggiero. “I plan to work with both the TC and zoning to implement structure requirements

for builders to share in the increased cost to maintain and improve our roads and utilities.

They can’t just grab the money bag and run, if that means fighting with Trenton then we will just have weigh the cost. It’s ridiculous what towns are mandated to do without financial support.

“Infrastructure and utilities improvement and communication, communication, communication,” he stresses as his mantra.

“I’m grateful, it was a blessing,” he says. “I worked seven days a week for several months between my employment and running for office. I felt it was important to understand what ALL of MO was looking for. I didn’t just talk to republicans, I wanted to hear what Independents and Democrats had to say as well.

“When you are in office it isn’t just the likeminded or politically aligned that you represent,” he concludes. “We have to make decisions that are best for all of MO.”

Like other leaders commit, Ruggiero will do what he can to pave the way for a better Mt. Olive. In the meantime, he reflects on how thankful he is for winning the voters’ support.

Raffaele and Veronika Ruggiero

Crochet with Mama J

A Holiday Message from Mayor Joe Nicastro

Beginner: Wednesday, Dec. 3

11:00-2:00

Beginner: Friday, Dec. 19

11:00-2:00

Intermediate/Advanced: Thursday, Dec. 11

11:00 - 2:00

Join us for crochet lessons at the Mount Olive Public Library! These small, intimate classes are perfect for anyone looking to learn the art of crochet, whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced crocheter wanting to enhance your skills.

Please register for a session based on your skill level. Participants will need to bring their own crochet hooks and yarn.

Registration is required at www.mopl.org as spots are limited.

I’m fortunate to work alongside a strong and com-

mitted governing body that truly cares about doing what’s best for Mt. Olive. Together, we’ve stayed focused on progress — improving services, strengthening our infrastructure, and keeping our township financially stable. I also want to recognize our township employees —

from all departments — who work hard every day to serve our residents with pride and professionalism. Their efforts often go unseen, but they’re the reason our community runs as smoothly as it does.

As we look ahead to the New Year, we’ll continue to build on our success and keep

Mt. Olive moving forward — stronger, safer, and even more connected as a community.

From my family to yours, I wish you peace, health, and happiness this holiday season.

Warmregards, Mayor Joe Nicastro

Mt. Olive Township

Mt. Olive Public Library Happenings

Author Talk with Maryann McFadden

Wednesday, December 3 at 6

pm Join us for an author talk with local author Maryann McFadden! She will be discussing her book The Christmas Star. More information is available on our website.

Registration is required at www.mopl.org as spots are limited. Bunco for Adults

Thursday, December 4 at 12

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 eight players is needed to play.

Registration is required at

www.mopl.org as spots are limited.

Learn To Make Kimchi

Thursday, December 4 at 6:30

pm Sophia is back again to teach you how to make kimchi! You’ll get to take home your pickled kimchi at the end of the program.

Registration is required as spots are limited. Register at www.mopl.org.

Traveler’s Roundtable

Saturday, December 6 at 12:30

pm in the Career Room

A drop-in group for travelers to share experiences and tips. Whether you’ve lived abroad or taken trips domestically, come connect with fellow travelers! There is no registration for this program.

Bingo for Adults

Monday, December 8 at 1 pm

Come play bingo at the library and compete to win prizes! Registration is required at www.mopl.org.

Hatha Yoga

Two sessions: Mon., December 8 at 10:30 am

Wed., December 17 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. Please note that this program starts promptly at the listed start time.

Registration is required. Please register for each individual session at www.mopl.org.

Morning Book Club

Tuesday, December 9 at 11 am

Join librarian Cynthia Washburn for a discussion of The Spectacular by Fiona Davis. Copies of the book may be picked up at the Reference Desk.

Pendulums for Beginners

Tuesday, December 9 at 2 pm

Join Jennie in learning about pendulums! A pendulum is a tool that is used to connect to your higher self by asking questions to help guide, clarify, and raise your awareness. Pendulums can be used to help you gain more clarity, connection, and a better understanding of something. You can ask the pendulum questions about life, love, health, career, and money

for example.

This program will consist of a learning component, discussion, and exercises. You will get to take home your pendulum at the end of the program! Please bring a journal and pen to this program.

Registration is required as spots are limited. Register at www.mopl.org.

Wreck The Book

Tuesday, December 9 at 6 pm

Mt. Olive Public Library

Want to doodle and paint 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 (some examples below)!

Books will be supplied.

Admission is free but registration is required as spots are limited.

Afternoon Book Club

Wed., December 10 at 1:30 pm

Join librarian Cynthia Washburn for a discussion of The Story of a Heart by Rachel Clarke.

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

Jewelry Making for Adults

Friday, December 12 at 2 pm

Make your own beaded necklace and/or bracelet with Valerie and Joan from Under Angels’ Wings. This two hour class is designed to guide you in an easy going, stress free environment. You will leave with your new jewelry and the necessary information for you to be able to create a similar

project at home. All tools and supplies will be provided. Registration is required as spots are limited.

French Conversation Sat., December 13 10:3012:30 Sat., December 27 10:3012:30

Let’s get together for some French conversation! More information is available at www.mopl.org. Registration is required for each session.

Gingerbread House Workshop for Seniors

Monday, December 22 at 1 pm

Come join the fun as we build gingerbread houses! You’ll turn edible ingredients into a work of art and get a special visit from Santa! All supplies are included. This program is geared towards Seniors. Registration is required as spots are limited.

No Strings A Cappella Saturday, December 20 at 1 pm

Join us for an afternoon of eclectic vocal entertainment. No Strings A Cappella will charm you with Holiday selections, all produced by blending the voices of our singers. This performance will include a brief intermission. Registration is requested. Register at www.mopl.org. Look out for these upcoming programs happening at the beginning of January! Registration will open approx. mid-December on our website.

Chester Hosts the Festival of Trees

AREA - The Senior Resource Center in Chester hosts the Festival of Trees, a community-wide event in December each year as its major fundraiser and draws in thousands of people from across the region. The Festival takes place at the Highlands Ridge Barn in

Chester, NJ. Decorated trees are sponsored and then sold to the public or donated to senior housing, transitional housing, nursing homes, and homeless shelters in the area. The Festival has a popular holiday items sale table, and over the course of the week special events are offered. All participants can cast their vote on their favorite trees based on various themes. The Festival of Trees will run from Saturday, December 6-13. For more information and hours or operation, please visit the SRC website: www. srcnj.org

Christmas, celebrated annually on December 25, is one of the most widely observed holidays in the world, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. While its origins lie in Christian theology, the holiday’s history is a blend of religious tradition, pagan customs, and cultural evolution.

Early Christian Roots

The celebration of Christmas as a Christian holiday began in the 4th century CE. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke in the New Testament describe the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, heralded by angels and marked by the visit of shepherds and wise men. However, the Bible does not specify a date for Jesus’ birth, and early Christians did not celebrate it.

December 25 was chosen for Christmas in 336 CE during the reign of Emperor Constantine, the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. Schol-

The History of Christmas

ars believe this date was selected to coincide with existing pagan festivals, particularly the Roman Saturnalia and the celebration of Sol Invictus (“The Unconquered Sun”), which marked the winter solstice. By aligning Christmas with these festivities, the Church sought to facilitate the acceptance of Christianity within the Roman Empire.

Pagan Influences

Many Christmas traditions have roots in pre-Christian winter festivals. Saturnalia, celebrated from December 17 to 23, was a time of feasting, gift-giving, and social reversal. Similarly, Yule, a Germanic pagan festival, honored the winter solstice with bonfires, feasts, and the use of evergreens, which symbolized life during the darkest days of the year.

The Yule log, later adapted into Christmas customs, originates from this tradition.

The incorporation of these pagan elements helped Christmas evolve into a more inclusive holiday. Practices such as decorating trees, exchanging gifts, and caroling all have links to pre-Christian customs. The Medieval Celebration of Christmas

During the Middle Ages, Christmas became a major feast day in Europe, combining religious observance with festive merriment. Churches held nativity plays and midnight masses, while communities celebrated with feasts, music, and dancing. The season of Christmastide, which lasted from December 25 to January 6 (Epiphany), was marked by various festivities, including “The Lord of Misrule,” where societal roles were temporarily inverted.

However, Christmas was not universally celebrated. In Puritan England and colonial

America, it was banned in the 17th century for being too indulgent and pagan. It wasn’t until the 19th century that Christmas began to take on its modern form.

The Modern Christmas

The Victorian era redefined Christmas, emphasizing family, generosity, and goodwill. Writers like Charles Dickens, whose novella A Christmas Carol (1843) popularized themes of compassion and redemption, played a key role in this transformation.

The introduction of Christmas trees, inspired by German traditions, became widespread after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert popularized them in the 1840s. Gift-giving, once associated with St. Nicholas, also became central to Christmas.

Santa Claus, derived from St. Nicholas, evolved into a cheerful, red-suited figure through 19th and 20th-century

advertising and literature. His modern image was cemented by companies like Coca-Cola in the 1930s.

Christmas Today Today, Christmas is celebrated worldwide, blending religious and secular traditions.

For Christians, it remains a sa-

cred holiday honoring the birth of Jesus. For others, it is a cultural event centered on family, generosity, and joy. The history of Christmas reflects a dynamic interplay of faith, culture, and adaptation, making it a uniquely universal celebration.

I remember Mom: Mom’s Last Batch of Oatmeal Cookies

BY RICHARD MABEY, JR. GUEST WRITER

AREA - In early September of 2019, my late mother (Janet Kemmerer Mabey) asked me to help her bake some oatmeal cookies. I was rather honored. My mom was an incredible baker. For many years, Mom served as the Bakery Manager at the A&P in Boonton, before she married my father. And, while my dad was stationed at Hickam Air Field, during World Wat II, Mom sent oatmeal cookies to Dad, every week.

Dad’s brother Earl, lived across the street from the Kemmerer Homestead, with his lovely bride, Eleanor. It was Aunt Eleanor who encouraged Mom to send cookies to her shy and homesick brother-in-law,

stationed in Hawaii. The tie of oatmeal cookies was a connection that Mom and Dad had all throughout their marreage. You see, Mom would bake several batches of oatmeal cookies every week. When she packed Dad’s lunch for work, the night before, Mom would always include three oatmeal cookies in his paper sack. It was a most strange and bewildering thing for me, as Mom and I baked oatmeal cookies, that fateful day in early September of 2019. As Mom was mixing the dough, with her electric mixer, she whispered to me that Dad was going to love these cookies when he came home from work. It was a moment. Just an odd moment.

Wiothin a few seconds, Mom looked up to me as simply said, “I know your dad is in Heaven. I just had a moment.” I told Mom that I understood. A solemn quiet fell between us.

A couple of weeks later, in mid September, Mom had terrible chest pains. My sister called the ambulance. Within a very short time, Mom was in the hospital. Sadly, the doctors told us Mom definitely needed to have her Aortic Valve replaced.

On the nineteenth of November, Mom had surgery and had her Aortic Valve replaced. Sadly, the surgery was not a complete success and Mom went Home to be with the Lord

The History of Hanukkah

AREA - Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Its origins lie in the events surrounding the Maccabean Revolt (167–160 BCE) and the Jewish fight for religious freedom. Celebrated on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, Hanukkah holds significant historical and cultural meaning for Jews worldwide.

The Historical Context

In the 2nd century BCE, the region of Judea was under the control of the Seleucid Empire, led by King Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Antiochus sought to unify his empire by imposing Hellenistic culture and religion upon the diverse peoples he ruled. For the Jews of Judea, this meant prohibitions against practicing Judaism, desecration of the holy Temple, and forced participation in pagan rituals.

In 167 BCE, Antiochus ordered the erection of a statue of Zeus in the Jewish Temple and the sacrifice of pigs on its altar. These actions profoundly violated Jewish religious laws and provoked widespread outrage. This led to the Maccabean Revolt, spearheaded by the Hasmonean family, par-

ticularly Judah Maccabee and his brothers.

The Maccabean Revolt

The Maccabees, a small band of Jewish rebels, waged a guerrilla war against the Seleucid forces. Despite being vastly outnumbered and outmatched in weaponry, their determination and tactical ingenuity led to a series of victories. By 164 BCE, the Maccabees successfully recaptured Jerusalem and reclaimed the desecrated Temple. Upon entering the Temple, they found it in ruins, with the sacred menorah extinguished and the oil supplies contaminated. They sought to rededicate the Temple and relight the menorah, which symbolized God’s presence. However, only a small jar of pure oil was found—enough to keep the menorah burning for just one day.

The Miracle of the Oil

According to Jewish tradition, the small amount of oil miraculously lasted for eight days, giving the Maccabees enough time to prepare more consecrated oil. This event was seen as a divine sign of support for their struggle and became central to the Hanukkah story.

The Evolution of Hanukkah

The celebration of Hanuk-

kah was established to commemorate both the military victory and the miracle of the oil. Unlike major Jewish holidays rooted in the Torah, Hanukkah’s origins are recorded in later texts, such as the Books of Maccabees and the Talmud.

Over the centuries, Hanukkah has evolved into a joyous festival marked by specific traditions. Lighting the hanukkiah, a nine-branched candelabrum, is the holiday’s most iconic ritual, symbolizing the miracle of the oil. Other customs include playing dreidel, eating foods fried in oil (like latkes and sufganiyot), and giving gifts.

Hanukkah’s Modern Significance

Hanukkah represents themes of religious freedom, perseverance, and hope. While it is a relatively minor holiday in terms of religious observance, its proximity to Christmas in Western cultures has amplified its cultural visibility.

Today, Hanukkah serves as a time for Jewish families to come together, celebrate their heritage, and reflect on the enduring struggle for faith and identity in the face of adversity.

on the night of the twenty-third of December.

Life is painfully short. This Christmas will mark six years since Mom passed away. I miss her very much. In all so many ways, love is the most powerful force in the universe. Looking back, I wonder if Mom knew her time left upon this earth was short, that fateful day when Mom and I made oatmeal cookies for the very last time. I wonder if she deeply know that soon she would be with Dad once again.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has recently had two books published. He currently hosts a YouTube Channel entitled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard may be contacted at richardmabeyjr@gmail.com.

My mom (Janet Kemmerer Mabey) and I baking oatmeal cookies.

BY EVAN WECHMAN STAFF WRITER

great. Power was working as a successful chef in Manhattan, and Michael, a schoolteacher in Jersey City were making plans to start a

and spend as much of their free time together as possible. Unfortunately, their plans changed on the night of January 17, 2020, when she started feeling very ill.

”I’d been working as a chef for the past eight years in New York City,” Power said. “So, January 17, that night, I think it was a Friday, I started feeling some swelling and some pain in my legs. So, I called out of work, went to the doctor, we did some blood work, and a few hours later, the doctor called me back and told me to rush to the ER, because there’s some kidney failure that’s showing up in the blood work. My nephrologist showed up at the ER, we did more tests and came to find out I was at end stage kidney failure and that dialysis was needed in my life.”

Denville Resident Assists New Jersey Woman in Need of Kidney Transplant

For Power, since that night she has tried to stay as hopeful as possible while continuing to pray that a kind-hearted person would come forward to donate a kidney to her so she and her husband can do all the things they initially planned.

“We just wanted to start a life together and make a family and travel together and be like any other husband and wife doing happy things together instead of me, being cooked up at dialysis three times a week,” Power said.

For Power, this struggle has been a very isolating experience. She has been unable to continue working due to her health and most of her family, including her parents live in the Philippines. Her husband Michael whom she describes as “her rock,” has kept her hopeful and strong during this tough time.

“Cooking is my passion,” Power said. “Serving food to people and seeing them react to what I made, is what I would love to go back to, and also traveling would also be a big part because I’m Filipino, and

I would want my husband to experience the Philippines for once, and meet my extended family as well.”

However, there has been a silver lining. About four years ago Power heard on the news about Denville resident Donna Tissot who has dedicated her life to finding kidney donors for those needing such help. Power immediately reached out and the two have been searching for a donor since that time.

Tissot has been publicizing Power’s plight on social media outlets and billboards across New Jersey in the hopes of somebody coming forward to be a hero for Power and her husband.

According to Tissot, “Maria is a chef by trade and would love to go back to work doing what she does best which is cooking. Eventually, her and her husband Michael would love to settle down in the hopes of starting a family. Maria’s hope isn’t just wishful thinking, it’s a powerful emotional force that gives her life meaning. So, in essence to have the ability to give someone back their health

is the most amazing and powerful thing you can ever do.”

Despite the optimism that Power and Tissot continue to have, it’s critical that whoever comes forward is serious about the procedure.

Power has already had two people who initially said they would be a donor, change their mind a few weeks later. She urges those who are on the fence to come forward, but to do the necessary research to make sure this is something they want to do.

Most importantly, Maria wants those who are hesitant about being a donor to know they can live a healthy life with one kidney, and that her life would be saved by such a kind individual.

Currently, Maria goes three times a week to her dialysis sessions. Initially, she was on dialysis at home, but there

were complications. She is grateful for all the support she has received from Tissot and the warm staff at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.

“I was lucky enough to start at-home dialysis right before the pandemic started and have been waiting on a miracle ever since. I look forward to the day when I can go back to work and

start my life again with my husband,” Power said. Her blood type is O positive, but it doesn’t matter the blood type of the donor because the hospital participates in the paired exchange program. For more information, please fill out the donor referral form, and include you are donating for Maria Power. https:// cbmclivingdonor.org/

Eleventh Hour Rescue

MOUNT OLIVE - Eleventh Hour Rescue, a no-kill animal shelter, will hold at its annual Winter Wonderland holiday bazaar and adoption event on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, in Augusta, NJ.

Winter Wonderland is one of Eleventh Hour Rescue’s largest adoption/vendor events, featur-

ing adoptable dogs and cats, a food truck, photos with Santa, a tricky tray, and other holiday fun. Over 60 vendors will be in attendance, selling holiday gifts and crafts, pet merchandise, household services, and more. Leashed, friendly dogs are welcome at Winter Wonderland.

Sponsors include RE/MAX Heritage Properties (Purrfect

Partner Sponsor); K9 Resorts (Compassionate Companion Sponsor); Mills & DeFilippis, CPAs, LLP, Exit Cornerstone Realty, and Cornerstone Krafts (Area Sponsors); and AG Pizza and The Bagel Station (In-kind Sponsors).

Admission is $5 per person and $10 per family (up to five people). Purchase your pre-admission ticket online and you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a door prize valued at $100 (one entry per ticket). To buy tickets, become a sponsor or vendor, or to learn more about Winter Wonderland, please visit ehrevents.org

The late founder of Eleventh Hour Rescue, Linda Schiller, started the shelter in 2004. In the 20+ years since then, Eleventh Hour Rescue has saved more than 50,000 animals, and plans continue its mission “until all the cages are empty.” Eleventh Hour Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, 100% nokill, volunteer-based organization dedicated to saving the lives of innocent dogs and cats on death row. They give their dogs and cats all the medical attention they require, a place to live, and, through their extensive adoption services, a second chance at a happy and fulfilled life. They largely rely on the generosity of volunteers, the community, and animal lovers everywhere.

Michael and Maria Power

BY HENRY M. HOLDEN

AREA - There were dozens of giants among women pilots in the 1930s who showed skill and endurance equal to and better than many men. The most popular and the most controversial figure was Amelia Earhart. No history of women in aviation would be complete without her Earhart’s involvement. She lasted only 10 years, but she created a legend to which her death added an unsolved and mysterious element.

At twenty she had worked as a nurse in a Toronto, Canada hospital. There she developed a strong pacifist attitude. She left nursing after the war saying that only positive outcome of the war was the inevitability of flying.

By the time she started flying at the age of 23, she had developed strong convictions on the independence of women in aviation, and an aversion to alcohol and believed that women’s place was not always in the home.

Researchers from Purdue University will join an Archaeological Legacy Institute expedition to the South Pacific this month. They will be investigating a visual anomaly in Nikumaroro Island’s lagoon that could be Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed Electra 10E aircraft piloted by Amelia Earhart during her attempt to circumnavigate the globe as the first female aviator.

Amelia Earhart was a pioneer in aviation whose achievements opened doors for women in flight and leadership.

Earhart was a major figure in aviation, achieving key milestones and paving the way for future women in flight and leadership. Her legacy is often cited as an example of perseverance and progress.

Earhart broke aviation records and challenged early views about women’s abilities, inspiring others to follow their goals regardless of gender or background. Her disappearance remains a well-known un-

BY RICHARD MABEY, JR. GUEST WRITER

AREA - No matter what it is happening in your life right now. No matter how bleak things may look. Please know that God loves you with an immense and intense love that reaches beyond human comprehension. God loves you more than you will ever know. Perhaps you’ve just lost your job. Or, a romantic relationship has fallen apart. Or, you suffered the betrayal of a dear and close personal friend. Or, perhaps a close relative or dear friend has recently passed away. Whatever the thing is that you are endur-

solved mystery in aviation, attracting ongoing interest from historians and the public.

The question of what happened to Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan remains unresolved. Although technology has improved and several searches have been conducted, there is no definitive evidence regarding the aircraft or their last known position.

Earhart and Noonan’s aircraft disappeared over the Pacific on July 2, 1937, with no further contact. The absence of clear evidence continues to fuel investigation and speculation.

Ongoing interest in Earhart’s disappearance has prompted multiple research efforts, including a current collaboration between Purdue University and the Archaeological Legacy Institute.

For almost ninety years, different theories have been proposed regarding the disappearance, but none have been conclusively validated.

Amelia Mary Earhart was born July 24, 1897; and disappeared July 2, 1937. She was declared dead January 5, 1939. She would have been forty . The search for Earhart and Noonan has engaged both professionals and amateurs internationally. New theories or search activities regularly renew interest in the case.

She accomplished several milestones, such as being the first female pilot to complete a solo nonstop transatlantic flight, writing books on aviation, and contributing to the establishment of the Ninety-Nines, an organization for women pilots.

Amelia Earhart, originally from Atchison, Kansas, demonstrated an early interest in adventure and aviation. In 1928, she gained recognition as the first female passenger to cross the Atlantic by airplane. She further distinguished herself in 1932 by completing a nonstop solo transatlantic flight, for which she received the Distin-

Amelia’s Last Flight

guished Flying Cross. In 1935, Earhart joined Purdue University, serving as an advisor in aeronautical engineering and a counselor to female students. Committed to advancing women’s rights, she was actively involved with organizations such as the National Woman’s Party and advocated for the Equal Rights Amendment.

In 1937, Amelia Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan disappeared near Howland Island in the central Pacific Ocean while attempting a worldwide flight aboard the Lockheed Model 10-E Electra. Their final confirmed stop was Lae, New Guinea. It is widely accepted that the aircraft likely exhausted its fuel supply prior to reaching Howland Island and subsequently crashed in the vicinity.

Her disappearance led to speculation and many tributes, including posthumous honors and memorials. Earhart has inspired films, documentaries, books, and is recognized as a prominent figure in aviation. But, she had a life before aviation.

In December 1917, Earhart volunteered as a nurse’s aide in Toronto after seeing World War I soldiers return and became interested in aviation through pilots’ stories. Her fascination grew after attending an air show in the early 1920s, leading her to consider flying herself. On December 28, 1920, after experiencing a passenger flight in Long Beach, California, she decided to start lessons with instructor Neta Snook. She completed twelve hours of instruction.

Throughout her life, Earhart was involved in celebrity culture and advocated for women’s rights; since her disappearance, she has remained a topic of international interest. Earhart was also among the early aviators to promote commercial air travel, authored books about her flying experiences.

Her involvement with avi-

ation increased in the early 1920s after attending an air show in Toronto and observing a demonstration by a World War I pilot.

On December 28, 1920, after attending an aerial event in Long Beach, California, and taking a short passenger flight with Frank Hawks, Earhart began flying lessons. In the following month, she engaged Neta Snook as her instructor and completed twelve hours of instruction.

Earhart was born and raised in Atchison, Kansas, where she developed an interest in exploration from an early age and gradually accumulated flying experience during her twenties. In 1928, she came to public attention as the first female passenger to cross the Atlantic by airplane. In 1932, she became the first woman to complete a nonstop solo transatlantic flight. She received the Distinguished Flying Cross for her achievement. In 1935, she joined Purdue University as a visiting faculty member, serving as an advisor in aeronautical engineering and a career counselor to female students. She was affiliated with the National Woman’s Party and supported the Equal Rights Amendment. Her career is often compared with those of early aviator Charles Lindbergh and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, reflecting her association and influence within women’s advocacy.

On March 17, 1937, Earhart and her navigator set out on the first leg of her round-the-world flight, but they abandoned this attempt after a non-fatal crash. On the second attempt, the propeller hubs’ variable pitch mechanisms had problems, so the aircraft was taken to the U.S. Navy’s Luke Field facility at Pearl Harbor to repair the damage.

The cause of the crash is not known; some witnesses at Luke Field, including an Associated Press journalist, said

they saw a tire blow.

Three days after arriving at Luke Field, Earhart, Noonan, attempted to take off for Howland Island. During takeoff, the plane ground-looped, collapsing the landing gear. The exact cause is unclear; some witnesses reported a blown tire, while others cited pilot error. With the aircraft badly damaged, the attempt was abandoned, and the plane was shipped to Lockheed in California for repairs.

Earhart welcomes a new partne, publisher George Palmer Putnam (September 7, 1887 – January 4, 1950) an American publisher, writer, and explorer.

Known for his marriage to (and being the widower of) Amelia Earhart, he also achieved fame as one of the most successful promoters in the United States during the 1930s.

A significant event in Putnam’s personal and business life occurred in 1928. Because of his reputation for working with Lindbergh, he was contacted by Amy Phipps Guest, a wealthy American living in Londen who wanted to sponsor the first-ever flight by a woman across the Atlantic Ocean.

Guest asked Putnam to find a suitable candidate, and he eventually came up with the then-unknown aviator, Amelia Earhart. As it turned out, they shared many common interests: hiking, swimming, camping, riding, tennis and golf. After she completed her flight across the Atlantic, Putnam offered to help Earhart write a book about it, following the formula he had established with Lindbergh in the writing of “WE”. The resulting Earhart book was 20 Hrs. 40 Min. (1928).

The trip started out well, for 40 days and over 22,000 miles until the longest and most dangerous leg a 2,556 mile hop from Lae, New Guinea to Howland Island which was a one mile by two-mile strip of sand near the equator. To ensure her safety the US Navy had ships along the route with

Hold Dear To Heart This Precious Truth: God Loves You More Than You Will Ever Know

ing right now, please know that God loves you more than you will ever know.

When I was first diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, about two years ago, I was crushed. I cried. I felt all was hopeless. I was emotionally broken. I cried myself to sleep, every night, for about two or three months. Then it came to me, in a most illuminating realization, God loves me more than I will ever know. I then began a very serious regiment of prayer. Four or five times a day, I would intensely

the radio latest radio device direction finding equipment.

President Roosevelt ordered a massive 60,000 square mile area search costing over $4 million but failed to turn up the plane or the pilots. On October 23rd, the US Navy declared Noon and Earhart Noonan lost at sea. The subsequent investigation found that carelessness had led to the tragedy. Earhart had left emergency flares in a hangar and had removed some radio equipment to reduce the plane’s weight. In doing so, she had reduced the range of the equipment. The aircraft also lacked emergency portable radio equipment, and the official report said the combination was that the crew’s lack of expert knowledge in radio. No one appears to have told Earhart about another radio frequencies available, or the high frequency radio direction finding equipment on Howland Island.

Yet, her mysterious disappearance still generates speculation. Many rumors persist, the strongest being that she was a spy for the United States and executed by the Japanese because she had discovered the military buildup in the Pacific. While that rumor persists, it is unlikely since Earhart was an ardent pacifist and not trained in spy activities. As for spy equipment all she carried was a tourist type camera. Let us say Earhart was a spy. It made more interesting reading then to say she and Noonan simply ran out of gas and were lost at sea.

pray for God to heal me. And, at the same time, I prayed for God to heal the sick, help the poor and for the homeless to find shelter. I read the Bible with laser beam focus. I concentrated on the Book of John. I read and reread and reread the Book of John. Reading this sacred writing, so many times that it became, not an intellectual process, but a very real and deep way of communicating with God’s holy scripture. In the side of my yard, where I am now living in Florida, stands a shed. I affectionately

refer to it as my clubhouse. I have filled the walls with pictures, that my dad had taken over the years, of forests, babbling brooks, landmarks along the Appalachian Trail, perspectives of the Jersey Shore and the flower gardens that once graced the landscape of the old Mabey Homestead.

I look to my clubhouse as being my retreat, my little place to read the Bible, to pray, to contemplate and to research cutting edge treatments for HCM. I earnestly study about vitamins, minerals and herbs. I diligently

research which of these vitamins, minerals and herbs have had success in healing heart conditions. I refuse, absolutely refusse, to spend one second feeling sorry for myself. Please, please, please know that God loves you more than you will ever know. Pray, with all your heart and inner being, for God to help you rise above your present situation. Stay true to the straight and narrow path. Take time to sit down, be still, clear your mind, pray and feel the immense flow of God’s infinite love flowing through the

chambers of your heart. I just cannot stress it enough. No matter what mountain lies in front of you. No matter what life struggle you are presently enduring. Please deeply contemplate on this concept, God loves you more than you will ever know. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has recently had two books published. He currently hosts a YouTube Channel entitled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard may be contacted at richardmabeyjr@gmail.com.

Museum Spotlight: Nokia Bells Labs Technology Showcase

well as a 1920’s television.

The first spot visitors should visit is the interactive screen that presents a timeline of Bell Labs innovations up to 2025. The board mirrors what can be found on the Nokia website if you want to do some homework prior to your visit. Once you have done that, you are ready to tour the showcase.

Bell Labs this year has been celebrating the official 100year anniversary of its 1925 founding, although initially there were engineers and technicians in a Greenwich Village Western Electric telephone factory building and improv-

ing telephones and telephone service as early as 1896. Those engineers in 1925 were named Bell Labs researchers as a separate entity. Bell Labs eventually moved to their Murray Hill location, and there has been some sort of showcase display in the current building since 1947.

A replica of Alexander Graham Bell’s first phone can be found here, as well the first transistor ever made on the fourth floor of the building you are standing in. Bell Labs through the years has been the recipient of Nobel Prizes, Academy Awards, and Grammy Awards, a few of which are on display here. If you are a fan of early motion picture production, cameras and microphones from the era can be viewed, as

Details about the digital age innovations of Claude Shannon can be enjoyed at The Information Theory panel. You can move at your leisure and read about what you are seeing. An original car phone, which first was used in 1946, can also be found here. Also, as you move through the showcase, glance up and you will see an original Telstar satellite.

The Nokia Bell Labs Technology Showcase is located at 600 Mountain Avenue in the Murray Hill area of New Providence. For more information about the showcase and the 100th anniversary of Bell Labs, visit https://www.nokia.com/ bell-labs/100/.

National Fire Radio: Sharing the Stories That Keep the Fire Service Strong

BY MEGAN ROCHE

AREA - Around every firehouse kitchen table, stories are told. They’re stories of long nights, close calls, lifelong friendships, and the kind of teamwork that defines the fire service. For Jeremy Donch, a New Jersey firefighter and entrepreneur, those stories were too important to stay within four walls. In 2018, he turned that idea into National Fire Radio, a podcast and media platform dedicated to capturing the heart of firefighting culture.

What began as a small side project quickly caught fire— figuratively speaking. Today, National Fire Radio has built a loyal following across the country, giving firefighters a place to share their expe-riences, learn from each other, and celebrate the traditions that make their profession so unique.

When Donch launched National Fire Radio, his goal was simple: to preserve the heritage and ca-maraderie that have always been the backbone of the fire service. With microphones set up and sto-ries to tell, he and his team began interviewing firefighters, chiefs, and instruc

tors from across the nation.

“The mission has always been about passion for the job,” Donch has said in past interviews. “We want to remind people why they joined the fire service in the first place and keep that enthusiasm alive.”

Episodes of the National Fire Radio Podcast feature unfiltered conversations about everything from fireground tactics to leadership challenges and mental health. Guests speak candidly about their experiences—the highs, the heartbreaks, and the brotherhood that holds it all together. The show’s relaxed, conversational style makes listeners feel like they’ve pulled up a chair at the station kitchen table.

What started as a podcast soon became much more. National Fire Radio expanded into YouTube, producing videos that spotlight the tools, trucks, and training that firefighters rely on. Their “Appa-ratus Innovations” series, for example, takes viewers inside fire trucks from departments around the country, highlighting creative designs and practical modifica-

tions made by firefighters for fire-fighters.

On social media, the brand connects with thousands of followers daily, sharing short clips, motiva-tional posts, and glimpses into firehouse life. Donch and his team have also traveled to events and conferences nationwide, interviewing firefighters on location and helping departments share their stories with a broader audience.

Through it all, the focus remains the same—honoring tradition while embracing progress. “We want to educate, entertain, and inspire,” Donch says. “If a story helps one firefighter feel more connected to the job, then it’s worth telling.”

National Fire Radio’s success lies in its authenticity. In a time when the fire service continues to evolve with new technology and modern challenges, the platform keeps the focus on people—the men and women who put on the gear, answer the calls, and support one another through it all.

Donch believes preserving the culture of the fire service is

just as important as mastering the latest equipment. “We can’t lose the kitchen table conversations,” he says. “That’s where you learn the most—not just about firefighting, but about life, teamwork, and humility.”

For many listeners, that message hits home. National Fire Radio has become a reminder of why firefighters do what they do and how the lessons of one generation can continue to guide the next.

Beyond the firehouse, National Fire Radio has built a bridge between firefighters and the commu-nities they serve. By offering an inside look at the dedication, humor, and humanity of the fire ser-vice, the platform helps the public see the faces behind the helmets.

Local departments have even used the podcast and videos as training tools or morale boosters, playing episodes during downtime or using clips to spark discussions about leadership and com-munication. It’s storytelling with purpose— strengthening bonds within the ranks while helping residents

understand what firefighting truly entails.

As National Fire Radio continues to grow, Donch and his team show no signs of slowing down. They’re developing new series, forming partnerships with fire service organizations, and exploring ways to reach even more listeners.

Yet no matter how big it gets, the mission remains rooted in that original idea: to celebrate the fire service, one story at a time.

“Every firefighter has something to share,” Donch says.

“Whether you’ve been on the job for thirty years or three months, your story matters— and it deserves to be heard.” From its humble beginnings in a New Jersey firehouse to its widespread following across the country, National Fire Radio proves that the brotherhood of the fire service doesn’t end when the shift does. It lives on in the stories told, the lessons passed down, and the unwavering pride in a job unlike any other.

To learn more, visit www.nationalfireradio.com.

Photo credit Steve Sears

BY DANA JACKSON

Q:What is Jessica Alba doing these days? I saw she hosts some kind of home renovation show, but is she still acting? -- L.S.

A: Jessica Alba stepped away from her acting career for a while after having children to run her very successful business the Honest Company, which includes a line of baby products and continues to expand. As you noticed, she’s been co-hosting the Roku original series “Honest Renovations,” which will premiere its fourth season in 2026.

Alba became a household name at the age of 20 when she starred in the Fox series “Dark Angel.” She then became part of the Marvel Universe by playing Sue Storm in the first series of “Fantastic Four” films and followed them with films by acclaimed director Robert Rodriguez (“Sin City” and “Machete”).

Alba returned to television

Celebrity Extra Couch Theater ENTERTAINMENT

BY DEMI TAVERAS

“One Battle After Another” (R) -- This is hands down my favorite release of the year so far. Starring LEOnardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, and Teyana Taylor, this action thriller is directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (“Licorice Pizza”) and will be one to watch come award season. It picks up in the height of when far-left revolutionaries Pat Calhoun (DiCaprio) and Perfidia Beverly Hills (Taylor) are at their most successful with their group, the French 75. After a baby girl disrupts their work and leaves Perfidia in a horrible bout of post-partum depression, Perfidia is captured by the freakishly prejudiced military officer Steven Lockjaw (Penn).

opposite Gabrielle Union (“Riff Raff ”) in the police procedural “L.A.’s Finest.” She really hasn’t slowed down. Earlier this year, she starred in the Netflix film “Trigger Warning” and appeared in the comedy series

“Too Much,” which was created by Lena Dunham.

It looks like 2026 might be her year as she has four upcoming projects, including “A Tree Is Blue,” which is a film directed about a young woman on the autism spectrum. It is directed by Dakota Johnson and also stars singer Charli XCX.

***

Q:I’m really enjoying the miniseries “Death by Lightning” on Netflix about the assassination of President Garfield. How historically accurate is it? -- P.R.

A:It depends on who you ask, but the majority of critics and historians would say that it’s very accurate, especially

She and her family are forced into hiding separately, thinking they’ve escaped the law, but it all comes back to bite them when their daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti), turns 16. Infiniti’s performance opposite DiCaprio was an incredible highlight of the film for me. Out now to rent. (Amazon Prime Video) “Train Dreams” (PG-13) -- Joel Edgerton (“The Boys in the Boat”) leads this drama film based on the novella by Denis Johnson. Slowly paced and beautifully shot to match the depth of its story, the film follows logger Robert Grainier (Edgerton) as he embarks on a journey away from his wife, Gladys (Felicity Jones), to work across the United States and

when you compare it to other biopics such as Ryan Murphy’s “Monster” series (also on Netflix). In addition to it obviously being a true story, “Death by Lightning” is based on Candice Millard’s bestseller “Destiny of the Republic.” It features a fantastic cast that includes Michael Shannon (“Boardwalk Empire”) as President Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as his assassin, Charles Guiteau.

According to an article in Esquire, one of the liberties that the series takes is the anachronistic dialogue, but overall, it “nails the important stuff.” There’s a great debate in the r/ Presidents group on Reddit about what is deemed fiction and what is known truth in the miniseries, but mostly all are in agreement that it’s an enjoyable watch that gets most of the facts correct. ***

help develop a railroad that will stretch across the country. William H. Macy (“Ricky Stanicky”) appears as an explosives expert with much wisdom to share, while Kerry Condon (“F1”) plays a forestry services worker and Paul Schneider (“Parks and Recreation”) plays another talkative logger in the film. Look for it to premiere on Nov. 21. (Netflix)

“Palm Royale: Season 2” (TV-MA) -- The hit comedy series led by Kristen Wiig (“Despicable Me 4”) is back with its second season, and the very first episode is available to stream now. After Maxine’s (Wiig) public breakdown, she is back at the bottom of the social totem pole, but she isn’t letting

Q: When is “High Potential” coming back? Why is it taking such a long break so soon? -C.P.

A:Fans of the hit series “High Potential” weren’t happy to learn that it was going on a planned two-month hiatus after just seven episodes of its sophomore season. When the show returns on Jan. 6, 2026, it’ll have a new time slot, airing at 9 p.m. ET instead of 10 p.m.

Many shows from the fall season line-up will take a break over the holidays, but “High Potential” chose to go on a break sooner. A reason wasn’t given, but it’s a huge hit. So, have no fear! It’s not in danger of cancelation.

Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail. com.

(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.

this stop her. In fact, Maxine is determined to rule the town of Palm Springs, Florida. Meanwhile, she’ll have to watch her back because Norma (Carol Burnett) is also seeking revenge for the events of last season and plans to destroy Maxine and her dreams once and for all. Allison Janney, Kaia Gerber, Laura Dern, Ricky Martin and Leslie Bibb all return for another “wild ride,” according to creator Abe Sylvia. Subsequent episodes will be released every Wednesday through Jan. 14,

More Than A Gift

Skip Friggle ©11/14/2025 (Budd Lake) skipfriggle@gmail.com (Questions/Comments)

2026. (Apple TV+)

“Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks” (TV-PG) -- Calling all Universal theme park fans! If you enjoy the magic of being in Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, or even the newest park, Epic Universe, you’ll love watching this threepart docuseries about Universal’s history and their work leading up to the opening of Epic Universe this year. Viewers get to see rare footage and interviews from crew members and celebrities, such as Steven Spielberg (“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”), Bryce Dallas Howard (“Jurassic World”), and Jon M. Chu (“Wicked”). The series details the precision and risk involved in building these parks, how the Universal team ensures that guests are satisfied with their experiences, and how they bring their properties’ stories to life. Out now! (Peacock) (c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.

Jessica Alba (“Honest Renovations”). Photo Credit: Depositphotos

Joel Edgerton, left, and Kerry Condon star in “Train Dreams.” Photo Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

GAME TIME

The Tuskegee Airmen: Breaking Barriers in American Military History

BY HENRY M. HOLDEN STAFF WRITER

AREA - In the United States in early 1940 most Americans knew a world war was coming. In March 1941, the 99th Pursuit Squadron was activated. On June 4 of that year, six aviation cadets reported for specialized training in maintenance engineering and communications, forming the initial cadre of the Army Air Corps’ first all-Black pursuit squadron. During this period, racial segregation and Jim Crow laws remained prevalent in the United States.

This historic milestone marked a significant step forward for African Americans seeking to serve their country in military aviation roles. Despite facing systemic barriers and widespread discrimination, these pioneering cadets demonstrated exceptional resilience and determination, paving the way for future generations of Black military aviators.

Before the Tuskegee Airmen had fought and won their wings, a young black woman who wanted to be a pilot achieved her goal. As a black woman no flying school in the United States would accept Bessie Coleman as a student. Colman endured racial segregation, and two trips to Europe to become the first African American to be licensed by the Aeronautic International, on June 15, 1921.

Coleman like other early aviators had several accidents. One was fatal. She was in the air about fifteen minutes. The plane suddenly went nose down in a power dive. Coleman, who had not been wearing a seat belt fell from the aircraft and died on impact on April 30, 1926. While the media called it pilot error, a carelessly tossed cigarette ignited the wreckage and destroyed any evidence as to what happened.

Unfortunately, most blacks did not pay much attention to Coleman’s death. Black leaders had been advocating for an end to discrimination in national defense as early as 1938. After nearly two years, the Army and the Navy changed their policies, though the Army Air Corps continued to exclude Black men and women.

In January 1941, a threatened lawsuit by the NAACP and support from Eleanor Roosevelt persuaded officials to reconsider. By April, plans were announced to establish an air unit. The 99th Pursuit Squadron, formed in 1943, joined the 33rd Fighter Group in North Africa.

In April, the War Department announced that it would establish an air unit at the Alabama Institute where black admin would be trained. Thus began the Tuskegee experiment.

In July 1941 the first class designated to see, began with 12 cadets and one black officer, Captain Benjamin O. Davis Jr, a 1936 West point graduate.

Immediately after Pearl Harbor attack the ground Support cadets who had completed their training at Chanute or transferred to the Tuskegee Army Air Force base that have been constructed in less than five months. Nearly all 2,000 black pilots who fought and flew in World War II were graduates of Tuskegee.

Due to the Jim Crow Laws, all African Americans were segregated to Moton Field, and the Tuskegee Army Airfield close to Tuskegee, Alabama, hence their name came from the town.

Jim Crow refers to a system of state and local laws enacted in the late 19th and 20th centuries to enforce racial segregation and disenfranchise Black

Americans. These laws mandated separate and by default unequal facilities for Black and white Americans in schools, public transportation, and nearly every other aspect of public life. The Jim Crow system was dismantled by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The 99th Fighter commanded by Davis began flying stretching missions on June 2, 1943, in North Africa. Later they, were joined by three other group squadrons that were combined into the 32nd Fighter Group.

The February 1944, Tuskegee began operating in Italy. They played a vital role at Anzio where in aerial dog fight with Hitler’s master race pilots they shot down eight enemy airplanes in one day and 17 others over the course of the hard-fought invasion.

Later, the 332 Fighter Group earned a Distinguishing Unit Citation for, extraordinary bomber resort missions into Berlin.

The Tuskegee airmen earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for “Extraordinary Heroism” By wars-end 450 Tuskegee Airmen had accumulated 150 distinguished flying crosses and Legions of Merit. Sixty-six were killed in action and thirty-two others were shot down and held prisoners of war.

Calvin Spann flew twenty-six missions in the P-51 aircraft, on later a 1,700-mile flight from Italy to Berlin and back. It was the longest mission in the history of the 15th Strategic Air Force.

The Tuskegee Airmen were called Schwartz Vogelmenchen (Black Birdman) by their German enemies. Our B-17 and B-24 bomber crew

Let your imagination and

be

The

reverently respected them and called them “The Black Redtail Angels.

In 2025, there were approximately 13 Tuskegee Airmen still alive.

Due to privacy laws a complete list of pilots and ground personnel is not available. This count was gleaned from open sources. At least 28 pilots hailed from New Jersey, and at least 20 ground personnel hailed from New Jersey, also.

Their skill and bravery earned them respect, with the Red Tails developing a reputation for being expert bomber escorts who never lost a bomber they were assigned to protect. Beyond their combat achievements, they were instrumental in challenging racial barriers and helping to pave the way for the desegregation of the U.S. military, which President Truman ordered in 1948.

Airman Coleman Young (Second Lieutenant), later the first African American mayor of Detroit, told journalist Studs Terkel about the process:

“They made the standards so high; we actually became an elite group. We were screened

and super-screened. We were unquestionably the brightest and most physically fit young Black people in the country. We were super-better because of the irrational laws of Jim Crow. You can’t bring that many intelligent young people together and train ‘em as fighting men and expect them to supinely roll over when you try to fuck over ‘em, right?”

Senator Charles Alfred Anderson, the first African American to earn his pilot’s license, became the first flight instructor when the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) was organized at Tuskegee Institute in October 1939. The army decided to model its training program on the CPTP and hired Anderson to teach the Tuskegee pilots.

When Eleanor Roosevelt (ER) visited Tuskegee Army Airfield in 1941, she insisted on taking a ride in an airplane with a black pilot at the controls. ER’s pilot was Charles Anderson. ER then insisted that her flight with Anderson be photographed and the film developed immediately so that she could take the photographs

back to Washington when she left the field. ER used this photograph as part of her campaign to convince FDR to activate the participation of the Tuskegee Airmen in North Africa and in the European Theater. In June 1943, the Tuskegee Airmen entered combat over North Africa. The airmen exemplified courage, skill and dedication in combat. They flew P-39-, P-40-, P-47- and P-51- type aircraft in more than 15,000 sorties, completing over 1,500 missions during the war. They never lost an escorted bomber to enemy fighters (a debate still goes on after more than 80 years later about this issue. No other escort unit could claim such a record. When the war ended, the Tuskegee Airmen returned home with 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, Legions of Merit and the Red Star of Yugoslavia. The group was deactivated in May 1946, but its success added to the eventual integration of the United States military. The fruit of the efforts of the airmen would be harvested in the eventual 1948 desegregation of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Mayor Nicastro Visits with Mount Olive Weight Loss Dr. Brenda Rooney

MOUNT OLIVE - Mayor Nicastro visits his 175th business with Optimal Family Chiropractic and Mount Ol-

ive Weight Loss Dr. Brenda Rooney. They are located at 22 Plaza Road in Flanders. Pictured Mayor Joe Nicas-

tro, Lorraine Lewis; Office Manager, and Dr. Brenda Rooney.

RESTAURANT GUIDE

Create Showstopping Holiday Meals with Recipes Featuring Premium Pork

If you’re wondering what to serve for a delightful holiday meal, look no further than pork - a perfect match for festive menus as it’s easy to prepare, versatile, budget-friendly and pairs well with seasonal ingredients.

With flavorful, mouthwatering recipes like Apple Cider Balsamic Glazed Pork

Loin and Stuffing-Filled Pork

Chops, Coleman All Natural Meats offers trusted premium pork sourced from American farmers who humanely raise livestock with no antibiotics ever and no added hormones.

All its pork is made of Heritage Breed Duroc, which is known for its tenderness, superior marbling, juiciness and flavor.

These elevated, seasonal pork recipes offer a delicious and unexpected twist your friends and family will love at your next holiday gathering. For more recipe inspiration, visit ColemanNatural.com.

Apple Cider Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin

Prep time: 10-15 minutes

Cook time: 45-60 minutes

Classic Desserts That Combine Christmases Past and Present

Servings: 6

1 Coleman Pork Loin (4 pounds) salt, to taste pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon olive oil

Glaze:

1 cup apple cider vinegar glaze

6 tablespoons whole grain mustard

4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon minced rosemary

1 teaspoon minced sage

1 teaspoon minced thyme

2 teaspoons minced garlic salt, to taste pepper, to taste

2

mix butter, cream cheese and heavy whipping cream.

Slowly blend in powdered sugar. Ice cake then decorate with pecans, if desired. Coconut Cake Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy” 1 vanilla or white cake mix 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup sugar

yogurt

coconut

cup milk 2 tablespoons melted butter 3 eggs

1 stick butter, softened 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream 5 cups powered sugar 2-4 cups shredded coconut Heat oven to 350 F. In mixing bowl, mix cake mix, flour and sugar. Blend in yogurt, milk, butter and eggs.

Grease two 8-inch cake pans with butter. Pour half the mixture into each pan and bake 45 minutes. Cool on rack before icing. To make frosting: In mixing bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and heavy whipping cream.

Slowly blend in powdered sugar. Ice cake then pat shredded coconut gently into icing. Christmas Cinnamon Cookies

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy” 1 2/3 cups self-rising flour 2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ginger 1/8 teaspoon cloves

1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

2 tablespoons water (optional)

1 cup powered sugar (optional)

In mixing bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, sugar, brown sugar and egg to make dough. If dough is too dry to form into ball, add water. Form into log and wrap in parchment paper. Refrigerate 1 hour.

Heat oven to 350 F.

Roll dough out and cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Place on cookie sheet covered in parchment paper and bake 8-10 minutes. Let cool on rack then dust with powdered sugar, if desired. (Family Features)

2 tablespoons olive oil

4-6 sliced apples

Preheat oven to 350 F and line sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside. Remove pork from packaging and pat dry with paper towel. Season all sides with salt and pepper, to taste.

To make glaze: In bowl, whisk apple cider vinegar glaze, mustard, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, sage, thyme and garlic. Add salt and pepper, to taste. In steady stream, slowly add olive oil to emulsify while whisking.

In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Sear pork loin 2-3 minutes on each side.

Move pork to lined baking sheet and brush on about half the glaze. Roast 30 minutes.

Remove pork from oven and spread sliced apples around pork loin. Brush remaining glaze over pork and apples. Bake 20-30 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 150 F.

Let pork loin rest at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Stuffing-Filled Pork Chops

Prep time: 10-15 minutes

Cook time: 30-45 minutes

Servings: 6

Stuffing:

1 small box biscuit mix

1 stick butter

2-3 stalks finely diced celery

1 finely diced onion

1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

1-2 cups chicken broth

1 bag cornbread stuffing mix

2 eggs, beaten salt, to taste pepper, to taste

6 Coleman Natural bone-in or boneless pork chops oil

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon minced sage

1 teaspoon minced thyme

1 teaspoon minced rosemary

To make stuffing: Bake biscuits according to package directions 1 day ahead. Dry biscuits will absorb more broth.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In skillet, melt butter then add celery and onions. Saute until onions are translucent then add poultry seasoning and half the broth. Set aside to cool.

In bowl, combine stuffing mix, crumbled biscuits and eggs.

Add onion mix to bowl and mix well. Add leftover broth if mixture is too dry. Set aside. Slit each chop on rounded side, cutting almost through to bone, to create deep pockets for stuffing. Season chops with garlic, sage, thyme and rosemary. Fill each chop with stuffing mixture. Use toothpicks to keep chops closed.

Preheat skillet with oil over medium-high heat and sear each chop 2-3 minutes on each side. Once chops are seared, add remaining stuffing to pan, cover with foil and bake 30-45 minutes until chops reach 140 F in center. Remove foil for last 10 minutes to brown top of stuffing, if desired. (Family Features)

By adding a little creative flair to the menu, and a signature ingredient like grapes, you can elevate any dish - from snacks and main courses to sides, desserts and even cocktails.

Compatible with an array of other foods, grapes can add flavor, texture and beauty to dishes and take hosting to the next level thanks to their delicate sweetness and juicy texture.

Available into January and perfect for the holiday season, fresh Grapes from California can add a crisp, juicy burst of flavor to salads like this Lemony Grapes and Greens Salad. Or take advantage of the versatility of grapes by roasting them to intensify the flavor of an appetizer such as Balsamic-Roasted Grape and Burrata Crostini or muddling into a sweet and savory Grape Basil Martini, which highlights their delicate

RESTAURANT GUIDE

Elevated Holiday Entertaining

sweetness in a festive manner.

Find more recipes and inspiration to elevate your holiday menu at grapesfromcalifornia. com.

Using Grapes as Holiday Decor

Clusters of colorful grapes are beautiful, tasty additions to many holiday tables. However, their use goes well beyond serving as an appealing addition to holiday recipes. Consider these ways you can utilize grapes when setting out your seasonal spread:

• Vase Filler: Use grapes instead of glass gems or foam to hold flowers in place in a vase. Grapes keep floral arrangements completely natural and extend color throughout the vase.

• Trim the Turkey: After placing the turkey on a large platter, decorate with a variety of fresh herbs and small bunches of grapes for friends and family to admire before it’s gobbled up.

• Set the Table: Grapes add color, texture and flavor to dining tables and work well with a wide variety of themes and col-

or palettes.

• Floral Arrangements: Red, green and black grapes pair perfectly with a wide variety of flowers and greenery to add color, texture and depth to floral arrangements.

• Grape and Mint Ice Cubes: Grapes freeze well and make for a perfect replacement for ice cubes in cocktails. Simply freeze sliced grapes and mint in ice cube trays with a bit of water then add to favorite cocktails.

• Chocolate-Dipped Grapes: Dipped in white, milk or dark chocolate varieties, grapes can be paired with desserts like cheesecake or served on their own.

• Cake Decor: Red, green and black grapes are ideal decor for frosted cakes, serving as edible decorations that add color and elegance to each tier.

Balsamic-Roasted Grape and Burrata Crostini

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Servings: 8

3 cups red or black Grapes from California

1/4 cup white or traditional bal-

samic vinegar

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

8 ounces burrata cheese

3 tablespoons roasted, salted pistachio kernels, coarsely chopped fresh basil, snipped

24 soft or toasted baguette slices

Preheat oven to 425 F and line baking sheet with large piece of foil; fold in sides slightly to form rim.

Place grapes on foil and top with vinegar, olive oil and sea salt. Stir lightly to coat grapes. Roast 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Let cool slightly. Place cheese in decorative shallow bowl and top with grapes. Sprinkle with pistachios and basil. Serve with baguette slices.

Nutritional information per serving: 290 calories; 11 g protein; 35 g carbohydrates; 12 g fat (37% calories from fat); 5 g saturated fat (16% calories from saturated fat); 20 mg cholesterol; 390 mg sodium; 1 g fiber.

Lemony Grapes and Greens Salad

Prep time: 25 minutes

Servings: 6

Lemon Vinaigrette:

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon honey

2 teaspoons spicy brown or stone-ground mustard

1 garlic clove, minced

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

Salad:

10 cups mixed torn greens (endive, watercress, frisee or butter lettuce)

1 1/2 cups halved Grapes from California

1/2 cup slivered red onion

1 large firm but ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and diced 1/3 cup roasted, salted pistachio kernels

To make lemon vinaigrette: In small bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, honey, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper.

To make salad: In large bowl, mix greens, grapes and onion. Drizzle with dressing and toss well to coat. Add avocado and toss lightly. Sprinkle with pistachios.

Nutritional information per serving: 230 calories; 4 g protein; 19 g carbohydrates; 17 g fat (67% calories from fat); 2.5 g saturated fat (10% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 130 mg sodium; 5 g fiber.

Grape Basil Martini

Servings: 1 3 basil leaves, torn, plus 1 full leaf for garnish

5 green Grapes from California, halved, plus 2 whole grapes for garnish

In cocktail shaker, muddle basil and grapes with gin. Add sweet wine, lemon juice and simple syrup; shake gently.

Strain into rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with basil leaf and float two grapes on top.

Nutritional information per serving: 229 calories; 0 g protein; 24 g carbohydrates; 0 g fat (0% calories from fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 1 mg sodium; 0.3 g fiber. (Family Features)

RESTAURANT GUIDE

Holiday Desserts Just Got a Dairy-Forward Upgrade

and 40% higher levels of CLA fatty acids compared to traditional organic dairy, you can feel good about sweet treats at the holiday table. To find more recipes, visit MapleHill.com

Santa Cookies

Yield: 14 cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) Maple Hill Salted Butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 large egg, at room temperature

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

Whether you’re

or deciding what to bring to the potluck, Maple Hill’s

grass-fed organic

makes it

to

up desserts that are as wholesome as

Rich in nutrients and free from GMOs, hormones and antibiotics, each product comes from farms that prioritize regenerative practices as nature intended. With a 40% healthier ratio of omega 3:6

1 teaspoon red food coloring mini chocolate chips mini red chocolate-coated candies

Frosting: 1/2 cup (1 stick) Maple Hill Salted Butter, at room temperature

4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In large mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add egg and beat until combined. Add flour and salt; mix until dough begins to form ball.

Remove 1 cup dough and set aside. Add red food coloring to remaining dough.

From red cookie dough, make one 1-inch ball and five 1/2-inch balls. From plain cookie dough, make one 3/4inch ball and five 1/4-inch balls.

On prepared baking sheet, place red 1-inch ball and gently flatten until 1/2-inch thick.

Attach four red 1/2-inch balls for arms and legs. Attach plain 3/4-inch ball for head and gently flatten until 1/2-inch thick. Attach plain 1/4-inch balls for hands and feet. Shape remaining red 1/2-inch ball into triangle for hat and attach. Repeat with remaining dough, arrang-

ing cookies 2 inches apart on baking sheet. Add chocolate candies for eyes and buttons.

Bake 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden.

To make frosting: In medium bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add vanilla and powdered sugar; mix until combined.

To decorate: Place half of frosting in piping bag with small tip to line Santa’s arms and legs. Place other half in second piping bag with small star tip to add Santa’s beard, hat and hands. Put small dot of icing between eyes and beard and place red mini chocolate-coated candy on face for nose.

Gingerbread Dip

Servings: 8-12

4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup powdered sugar

3 tablespoons molasses 1 container (16 ounces) Maple

Showstopping Party Bites for Holiday Celebrations

AREA - When gathering around the table with family and friends during the holidays, the main course is often front and center, but every great host or hostess knows it’s not always the star of the show. Kick off the evening with effortless, crowd-pleasing party bites that will impress your guests and set the tone for a memorable night.

If you’re looking for inspiration for your next seasonal gathering, look no further than accompaniments made with premium European ingredients like Grana Padano PDO cheese and Prosciutto di Parma PDO –some of the world’s most delicious cheeses and cured meats.

Only products made following traditional methods within defined geographic regions, under strict supervision and using carefully monitored ingredients, qualify for Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) certification from the European Union. The PDO system helps distinguish these foods from imitators and guarantees high quality, authenticity and traceability.

Made in the Po River Valley in northern Italy from raw, semi-skimmed cow milk, Grana Padano PDO cheese is naturally lactose free due to the characteristics of its production and long aging process and rich in pro-

tein, vitamins and mineral salts, especially calcium. A 100% natural product, Prosciutto di Parma PDO contains no additives such as nitrites, nitrates or hormones. Produced only in Parma, Italy, its all-natural aging process creates a wide variation in flavor profiles and textures, from mild and nutty to mature and full-flavored.

These artisan meats and cheeses can be enjoyed on their own alongside olives, nuts, bread and your favorite jam for a quick and easy holiday snack board. And they shine in culinary treasures like Whipped Ricotta Toast with Prosciutto di Parma and Hot Honey or Grana Padano and Nutmeg Cheese Puffs that feed the soul and warm the heart.

To ensure authenticity, look for the red and yellow PDO logo, and visit distinctlydeliciouslyeuropean.eu for more seasonal recipe ideas and pairing tips for your next get-together.

Whipped Ricotta Toast with Prosciutto di Parma and Hot Honey

Yield: 3 toasts (6 halves)

3 large slices thick-cut sourdough bread

1 container (16 ounces) whole milk ricotta cheese salt, to taste

pepper, to taste hot honey

6 slices (3 ounces) Prosciutto di Parma PDO

In toaster oven, toast bread to desired doneness. Set aside.

In large bowl, with electric mixer, beat ricotta until whipped and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

Spoon ricotta onto each toast evenly. Drizzle each with hot honey, as desired. Top each with two slices prosciutto.

Grana Padano and Nutmeg Cheese Puffs

Servings: 4 1 3/4 cups milk 1 cup unsalted butter

1 teaspoon salt

1 2/3 cups flour

1 cup, plus 1 tablespoon, grated Grana Padano PDO cheese, divided 6 medium eggs black pepper, to taste nutmeg, to taste canola oil, for frying

In pan, boil milk, butter and salt until butter is dissolved.

Add flour and stir using wooden spoon over low heat until mixture doesn’t stick to bottom of pan. Add 1 cup cheese and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat.

Put mixture in mixing bowl and add eggs one by one until mixture is smooth. Add black

pepper and nutmeg, to taste. Let mixture cool and form dough into small, round parcels.

Fry parcels in hot canola oil, about 325 F, until golden. Dust with remaining cheese and serve.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or of the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Mayor Visits Drago’s Den Martial Arts in Mount Olive

Mayor Visits Skyzone

Great Grandma’s Last Thanksgiving

BY RICHARD MABEY, JR. GUEST WRITER

AREA - My great grandmother, Dora Dolson Mabey was born on the fourteenth of October of 1873. As a little boy, I was very close to Great Grandma Mabey. She was, in a very real way, the link to my family heritage. I would often sit upon the porch floor of the old Mabey Homestead and play with an old set of Lincoln Logs, while Great Grandma would sit upon her rocking chair and knit, or snap green beans, or simply hum an old hymn.

I was only four years old, when Great Grandma would talk to me about her son, Earl, who was killed in action during World War I. I remember there were times, when Great Grandma would often break down in tears as she told me her remembrances of my brave Great Uncle Earl.

I was five years old upon the Thanksgiving of 1958. I still remember how grand and glorious Thanksgivings were at the old Mabey Homestead. There was the dining room table and then along the foyer by the front door, and into the formal living room, plywood boards were placed upon wooden saw horses. There would often be 30 to 40 guests, uncles and aunts, cousins, grandparents and family friends, who would sit down for the big turkey feast.

Great Grandma would always sit at the head of the dining room table. She would always say grace. Great Grandma’s blessing would be spoken with a most wonderful poetic cadence.

Great Grandma Mabey was married to William H. Mabey.

Great Grandpa Mabey was born in 1868 and went Home to be with the Lord in 1936. I distinctly remember how often Great Grandma Mabey spoke about her late husband.

Because I was a very sensitive child, I could sense on that Thanksgiving Day of 1958 that Great Grandma knew in her heart and soul, that this would be her last Thanksgiving. In the midst of the talking and the laughter and all the story telling that my uncles and aunts clumsily shared with each other, I could see a certain sadness in Great Grandma’s eyes.

I remember that before we left to drive home to our home in Clifton, Great Grandma Mabey gave me a little ceramic pilgrim. When I got home, I remember placing it atop my bureau in my bedroom. I dearly cherished that little pilgrim figurine.

In early May of 1959, Great

Grandma Mabey went Home to be with the Lord. I often think of my dear great grandmother. I loved her very much. She had a profound affect upon my early childhood. She taught me to be proud to be a Mabey. Even at a very young age, I learned how dearly and deeply she mourned for her son Earl, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

Each and every one of us have a family heritage. It truly is something to guard, to cherish and to pass on to younger family members. And truly, love is the thread that holds together the story squares of a family quilt.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has recently had two books published. He currently has a YouTube Channel entitled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard may be contacted at richardmabeyjr@ gmail.com.

Stuff Those Stockings with Skin Care Solutions

AREA - Even if you have the perfect gifts picked out for your nearest and dearest, there’s still time to add some stocking stuffers that are sure to please all the favorite ladies in your life.

The holidays are the perfect time for gifting special skin care solutions they will love.

Formulated for all ages and skin types, these curated formulas address multiple skin challenges for a wonderfully healthy glow. Ideal for slipping into a stocking at the last moment, thoughtful skin care products can show just how much you care.

To find solutions for your loved ones this holiday season, visit herbacinusa.com

7 Skin Care Solutions

Women of all ages and skin

types can find a formula that fits their lifestyles from Herbacin’s Skin Solutions Series, which includes seven products formulated with 100% natural, vegan ingredients to combat and alleviate any number of skin issues. Designed to integrate into a daily skin care regimen, they address various challenges such as dry and cracked skin, acne, psoriasis or pigmentation marks. Skin issues that affect external appearance can also lead to mental stress, making it important to address them with dermatologically tested solutions.

Specialty Products to Tackle Skin Issues

Some skin problems are triggered by stress and genetic predisposition while others are caused by an unbalanced

lifestyle and diet, hormonal imbalances or environmental influences. It’s important to meet your skin issues head on with products formulated for the challenge like Herbacin Creamy Face Wash, a plantbased cream that provides deep cleansing for the face, neck and decollete for a clean feeling without drying skin. Designed for women who enjoy the sun, Age Spot Primer reduces pigmentation spots with a langsat tree extract.

Mayor visits 175th business! Mayor Nicastro visits Skyzone.

A most wonderful photograph of my beloved, late great grandmother, Dora Dolson Mabey.

Photo courtesy of Adobe

BY HENRY M. HOLDEN

Charles Augustus Lindbergh - Lucky Lindey

MOUNT OLIVE - Charles Augustus Lindbergh, known to the world as “Lucky Lindy,” was a pioneering aviator whose feats captivated the public imagination and changed the course of aviation history. His solo transatlantic flight from New York to Paris on May 21, 1927 propelled him to inter-national fame, making him one of the most celebrated figures of his era. Lindbergh’s ac-complishments not only advanced the field of aviation but also inspired a generation to dream beyond the horizon.

This remarkable achievement is a significant chapter in the history of aviation that unites two countries. At the time, France and the United States are the two pioneering nations of aviation.

Lindbergh’s achievement in crossing the Atlantic solo not only demonstrated remarkable skill and courage, but also highlighted the potential for aviation to bridge continents and connect cultures.

The public’s fascination with his journey sparked a surge of interest in air travel, leading to rapid advancements in airplane technology and commercial aviation dur-ing the following decades. His legacy endures as a symbol of innovation and perseverance in the face of daunting challenges.

Lindbergh’s groundbreaking flight in the Spirit of St. Louis not only captured headlines but also earned him the Orteig Prize, ($25,000) awarded for the first nonstop flight between New York and Paris. The feat required immense preparation, including custom aircraft modifications and meticulous planning to ensure the journey’s success. Upon landing at Le Bourget Field near Paris, Lindbergh was greeted by an ecstatic crowd, solidifying his rep-utation as a global hero.

Both nations had contributed significant advancements to the field, fostering an environ-ment of healthy competition and collaboration. Lindbergh’s daring flight further solidified the transatlantic bond and underscored the spirit of innovation shared by France and the United States.

From an early age, Charles Lindbergh had exhibited an interest in the mechanics of motorized transportation, including his family’s Saxon Six automobile, and later his Excel-sior motorbike.

Before his legendary flight, Lindbergh had shown an early fascination with mechanics and flight, often tinkering with engines and dreaming of the skies. This passion led him to

seek opportunities that would pave the way for his future in aviation, even as he faced financial and practical obstacles along the way.

When Lindbergh began college as a mechanical engineering student, he was already inter-ested in flying, despite never having touched an airplane.

His determination and innovative spirit kept him moving forward despite setbacks, and he soon found himself immersed in the world of aviation. Lindbergh’s journey from a curious young enthusiast to a trailblazing pilot serves as a testament to the power of persistence and the allure of flight.

He didn’t appreciate the place in society for a would-be engineer so he quit college in February 1922.

Lindbergh’s path to becoming an aviator was shaped by both his resourcefulness and his willingness to take risks. After observing airplanes from a distance and pursuing his me-chanical studies, he finally had the chance to fly as a passenger, an experience that solidi-fied his resolve to become a pilot. To finance his training, he eagerly accepted odd jobs and saved every dollar, demonstrating the same determination that would later define his his-toric achievements.

He enrolled at the Nebraska Aircraft Corporation’s flying school in Lincoln.

Lindbergh’s unwavering commitment to his dream led him to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he finally began his formal flight training. Although financial constraints prevented him from immediately soloing, his experiences during this period laid the groundwork for his future accomplishments in aviation. The challenges he faced only fueled his determination to succeed, and he continued to seek every opportunity to learn and advance his skills as a pi-lot.

He experienced his first flight as a passenger on April 9, riding in a two-seat Lincoln Stand-ard “Tourabout” biplane trainer. Shortly after, Lindbergh began his initial formal flying les-sons using that same plane, but he was unable to solo because he lacked the funds for the required damage bond. To build his flying experience and earn money for further training, Lindbergh left Lincoln in June and spent time barnstorming across Nebraska, Kansas, Col-orado, Wyoming, and Montana as a wing walker and parachutist. He also briefly held a posi-tion as an airplane mechanic at the municipal airport in Billings, Montana.

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Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr., the son of Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh (an aviator and author), was born on June 22, 1930. When he was 20 months old, he was tragically murdered after being abducted from his crib on the upper floor of the family’s home in East Amwell, New Jersey.

Around 9:00 p.m. on March 1, 1932, the Lindberghs’ nurse, Betty Gow, discovered that young Charles Jr. was missing after Anne Morrow Lindbergh had finished her bath. Gow in-formed Charles Lindbergh, who then checked his son’s room and found a poorly written ransom note on the windowsill. Armed, Lindbergh searched the property with their butler, Olly Whateley. They discovered marks in the ground under the baby’s window, parts of a broken wooden ladder, and the child’s blanket. Whateley contacted the Hopewell police department.

After midnight, a fingerprint expert examined the ransom note and ladder but found no us-able prints or footprints, suggesting the kidnapper(s) wore gloves and covered their shoes. No adult fingerprints appeared in the baby’s room, even where witnesses said they touched. The baby’s fingerprints were unusable. The ransom note, brief and full of errors, helped identify a suspect.

.

On May 12, the child’s body was discovered by a truck driver by the side of a nearby road in adjacent Hopewell Township.

A German immigrant carpenter named Bruno Richard Hauptmann was taken into custody for the crime in September 1934. Following a trial conducted between January 2 and Febru-ary 13, 1935, he was convicted of first-degree murder and received a death sentence. Alt-hough Hauptmann

maintained his claim of innocence, all subsequent appeals were un-successful. He was executed in the electric chair at the New Jersey State Prison on April 3, 1936.

Nearly a century later, Hauptmann’s guilt remains debated. Journalist H. L. Mencken dubbed the trial “the biggest story since the “Resurrection,” while American media called it the “crime of the century.” Legal scholars have also labeled it a “trial of the century.”

The crime prompted the United States Congress to enact the Federal Kidnapping Act, commonly known as the “Little Lindbergh Law,” which classified the transportation of a kidnapping victim across state boundaries as a federal offense. Lindbergh, having demon-strated exceptional skill as an aviator, gave serious consideration to participating in the non-stop New York to Europe air race, with the winner eligible for a $25,000 prize funded by a prominent hotelier.

“The morning fog was as thick as pea soup,” Lindbergh recalled. His fuel-heavy plane barely cleared the runway and telephone wires at Roosevelt Field. Once airborne, the Spirit of St. Louis quickly disappeared from view as it climbed out of sight.

Despite varying weather, Lindbergh landed at La Bourget Airport near Paris on May 21, just over 23 hours after leaving New York, instantly becoming a global hero. His solo feat capti-vated the world; even Wright engine company workers in Patterson were given a day off to celebrate. A Time Magazine article described his mindset: entering the cockpit felt like a death sentence, but arriving in Paris felt like a pardon. While other contestants requested large meals and disappeared, Lindbergh brought only four sandwiches, emergency rations, and

water for his journey.

In 1927, Charles Lindbergh sudden fame opened doors to influence in America, but also brought unwanted attention, leading to personal tragedy and eventually causing him to withdraw from public life.

Charles Lindbergh, a private citizen, flew over 50 combat missions in the South Pacific, in-cluding bombing runs and one confirmed aerial victory against a Japanese plane. As a civil-ian, he joined US forces to assist with engine performance and ended up actively participat-ing in combat.

Lindbergh recorded in his diary the day he downed an enemy fighter. He was flying with four P-38 “Lightning” fighters to attack a Japanese airfield near New Guinea, where they spotted two enemy aircraft below and began their assault.

We drop our fuel tanks, ready our guns, and dive to attack. One enemy plane turns for cover near the airstrip, while the other disappears into the clouds. Captain Danforth his wingman fired, with little impact. As I shoot at the turning plane, my rounds hit, but it straightens out and heads toward me.

“I held the trigger down and my sight on his engine as we approach head on. My tracers and my 20’s spatter on his plane. We are close - too close - hurtling at each other at more than 500 miles an hour. I pull back on the controls. His plane zooms suddenly upward with ex-traordinary sharpness.

I pull back hard—are we about to collide? The plane looms larger, and in seconds, I can see its engine fins. He rushes past behind me, missing by maybe ten feet. Instinctively, I climb, start banking left toward enemy fire, then quickly switch right—all within moments.

I scan the sky for aircraft— just P-38s and the one I shot down. It spirals out of con-

trol, nose-first, gaining speed toward the sea. The impact creates a splash and foam that quickly blend into the waves, leaving the surface unchanged.

Following his son’s death and the high-profile trial, media scrutiny of the “Lone Eagle” in-tensified. To avoid constant attention, the Lindberghs left the United States for England in December 1935. After six months, they visited Germany, where Charles observed military aviation developments and Anne received a warm welcome in Berlin. Charles Lindbergh flew over 50 combat missions in the South Pacific, including bombing runs and strafing attacks, and shot down one Japanese aircraft despite being authorized to fire only in self-defense. After this incident, General George C. Kenney ordered him to cease combat missions. Postwar, Lindbergh became a consultant for the US Air Force and Pan American World Air-ways and continued to travel regularly.

Charles Lindbergh passed away from lymphoma at his Maui, Hawaii home on August 26, 1974, aged 72, with his family by his side.

Diagnosed with lymphoma two years before his death, Lindbergh only shared the serious-ness of his illness with his family shortly before he died. During the summer of 1974, as his condition worsened, he chose to leave the hospital and return to Maui, a place that meant a great deal to him. According to his wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, he wished to spend his final moments in a beloved location, surrounded by family and the beauty of the ocean.

“I would rather live one day in Maui than one month in New York” he said.

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BY HENRY M. HOLDEN STAFF WRITER

AREA - America’s Sesquicentennial commemorates 250 years since the United States of America declared its independence. Commonly referred to as Independence Day, July 4 marks the anniversary of the approval of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which established the nation as the United States of America.

The founding of the United States resulted in a significant geopolitical change and contributed to the adoption of Enlightenment principles such as democracy, human rights, free speech, and representative government.

The American Revolution was a significant, world-changing event that took place in the British Colonies in North America from 1763 to 1774.

Over the following twoand-a-half centuries, the United States became a highly influential and powerful country. The American Founding is viewed as an important historical event with considerable impact on global history, both in political and other contexts.

As Americans from the Revolutionary War era faded into history, they established traditions of celebrating and welcoming immigrants, fostering social and economic growth. Global conflicts became common ways to resolve differences, with America involved in many such disputes. Some critics of the Revolution may acknowledge these aspects but struggle to accept its significance. The rebels themselves were passionate about issues like taxes and trade—interests often seen as unconventional, much like those who celebrate

Celebrating America’s Sesquicentennial

the founding today. Many history books reference events and celebrations planned for the Declaration’s 50th Independence Day anniversary on July 4, 2026.

Most people, including critics of the American Revolution, agree on certain points but struggle to accept its necessity. Western culture often views rebellion and revolution as heroic or romantic, even though advocacy for violent change was once heavily censored.

In 2025, President Donald Trump established the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday to promote and coordinate related events. The Fourth of July is traditionally associated with activities such as fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches. Independence Day is recognized as a national holiday due to its significance in American history.

Historically, American colonists wore powdered wigs and various types of clothing and spoke with regional accents; discussions often focused on topics like taxes and trade. Today, these historical elements are less central in mainstream celebrations, and some individuals commemorate the American Founding in different ways.

The official planning for commemorating 91,250 days of independence began in 2015 with the creation of the non-partisan United States Semi Quincentennial Commission by Congress. While the United States was founded upon democratic principles, initially only a minority of the population—

specifically white landowning males over the age of 21—had the right to vote.

The resolution of conflict within the United States required a devastating civil war that claimed up to 750,000 lives, as estimated by some historians. Subsequently, four Constitutional Amendments were enacted to secure universal freedom for all individuals in the country.

The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. Ratified on December 8, 1865, it granted Congress the authority to enforce this abolition, ensuring that slavery would no longer be legally permissible in the United States. In effect, this amendment prohibited the ownership of slaves or compelling individuals to work against their will, unless convicted of a crime.

The 14th Amendment, ratified on July 28, 1868, conferred citizenship upon all persons born or naturalized in the United States once it received approval from three-quarters of the states.

The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, barred federal and state governments from denying citizens the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. While this gave African American men the right to vote, various suppressive measures such as poll taxes and literacy tests continued to restrict suffrage in the South for many years.

ty and to curb unrest by closing the port and imposing martial law. In response, the colonies organized the First Continental Congress and formed the Continental Association, instituting a colony-wide boycott of British goods—one of several actions that precipitated armed conflict between Great Britain and the colonists.

These measures reflected a broad socio-political reaction against British taxation and policies, ultimately leading to the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, and the creation of the United States as an independent nation.

Throughout North America, colonists expressed solidarity with Massachusetts, sending aid from places as distant as Georgia. By late spring 1774, nine colonies had called for a continental congress, with Virginia’s Committee of Correspondence initiating the invitation and Connecticut being the first to respond. Colonial legislatures empowered delegates to participate, electing representatives through legislative bodies or committees of correspondence.

The First Continental Congress convened at Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 5, 1774, with delegates from all thirteen colonies except Georgia, which abstained due to ongoing conflict with Native American tribes and a reluctance to compromise British assistance.

insincere quest for freedom and equality.

Holt’s Journal noted, “The synod of New York and Philadelphia, at their recent meeting in the former city, designated the last Thursday in June as a day for fasting and prayer across all congregations under their care due to the grave condition of public affairs.” The initial response from the colonists was through the Continental Congress, which urged congregations to “spend the afternoon of the last Thursday in every month in public prayer during the continuation of current troubles.”

The principal tasks included drafting a letter of grievances to Parliament and organizing a colonial boycott. Another significant achievement was the development of an alarm system to quickly disseminate news of key events throughout the colonies.

Samuel Adams of Boston played a crucial role in establishing the Massachusetts Committee on Correspondence in 1772, aimed at facilitating communication across towns. Express riders would travel between communities to mobilize local militia leaders as needed, with provisions for fresh horses to support their journeys. Signals such as ringing bells and firing muskets were used to alert militias to assemble at prearranged locations.

cis Smith and 1,000 troops to “seize and destroy all artillery, ammunition, provisions, tents, small arms, and military stores” on April 18th. Riders including Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott set out to warn local militia and alert Sam Adams and John Hancock about imminent arrest and deportation for trial on charges of treason. Only Prescott reached Concord; Revere and Dawes were detained and released without horses.

The 19th Amendment established the fundamental legal principle that all citizens, regardless of sex, have an equal right to participate in elections. This constitutional provision removed a major barrier to political participation and broadened the definition of eligible voters under federal law. Its passage ensured that women could exercise their right to vote, although the struggle for voting rights persisted for many African Americans, particularly in southern states.

On October 14, 1774, the Congress adopted the Declaration & Resolves, expressing opposition to the Coercive Acts, affirming colonial rights, and detailing grievances concerning British governance beyond the Intolerable Acts. The document asserted that colonists were “entitled to life, liberty, and property,” and emphasized that “the foundation of English liberty, and of all free government, is a right in the people to participate in their legislative council.”

At the conclusion of the First Continental Congress, delegates submitted a Petition to “The King’s Most Excellent Majesty” on October 26, 1774.

The first use of this alarm system occurred in September 1774 when General Gage dispatched 250 troops from Boston to Cambridge to remove 250 barrels of gunpowder stored for both British and Militia use. This event, known as The Powder Alarm, was notable because the Parliamentary decree had prohibited the import and sale of gunpowder to colonists.

During the American Revolution, the formal separation of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress approved a resolution of independence proposed in June. Following the vote for independence, Congress focused on drafting the Declaration of Independence, a document explaining the decision, which was prepared by the Committee of Five with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author.

Tensions between the American Colonies and Great Britain escalated in 1774 after Parliament enacted the Intolerable Acts, designed to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Par-

Many delegates expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of altering the king’s stance towards the colonies but also agreed that all avenues should be explored to deescalate the conflict before considering more drastic measures. When Congress reconvened, hostilities had commenced; consequently, the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as its commander.

There is a misconception among some today that oversimplifies the American Revolution, reducing it either to tax disputes or dismissing it as an

In December 1774, Paul Revere was sent by the Massachusetts Provincial Government on a 66-mile journey to Portsmouth to warn of similar actions planned at Fort William and Mary, located at the mouth of the Piscataqua River (now New Castle Island). These actions led local militia to seize the fort and confiscate cannons and gunpowder, later employed at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

June 17, 1775: Battle of Bunker Hill

British forces under Generals Howe and Pigot engaged American troops at Breed’s Hill. Though Americans repelled two assaults, they exhausted their ammunition and lost the position on the third attack. Despite their victory, the British incurred substantial casualties, underscoring the determination present on both sides.

A major test of the alarm system came in April when General Gage ordered Colonel Fran-

Israel Bissell, another rider, carried urgent messages from General Joseph Palmer, reporting British reinforcements. Bissell traveled a considerable distance, stopping at Worcester, Hartford, and according to legend, as far as Philadelphia, where messengers relayed updates southward. News was published in newspapers in Baltimore, Annapolis, Williamsburg, New Bern, and, by May, Charlestown, South Carolina. The rapid dissemination facilitated by The Lexington Alarm enabled militia forces to respond swiftly, surprising British troops. According to the American Battlefield Trust, colonial militia outnumbered the Redcoats nearly 4,000 to 1,500, with 300 British casualties compared to 93 Colonial wounded or killed. By 1775, approximately 7,000 British soldiers were stationed in America, with 4,000 in Massachusetts alone. Governor Thomas Gage had received expanded powers, and unrest prevailed. Based on intelligence regarding militia armaments, Gage instructed Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Smith to march to Concord for seizure operations. Intelligence networks suggested an additional objective: the capture of Samuel Adams and John Hancock. However, the size of the British force implied broader intentions. Both forces converged on Lexington Green at sunrise on April 19, where Captain John Parker led 80 militiamen—primarily farmers and tradesmen—armed with diverse firearms.

After order was restored, British troops advanced to Concord. Casualties totaled 95 Americans and 273 British. The Battles of Lexington and Concord galvanized New Englanders to initiate the Siege of Boston, culminating in the British withdrawal the following March. These confrontations strengthened American resolve, demonstrated the viability of citizen soldiers against professional troops, and marked a pivotal moment in the formation of the United States of America.

Originally titled Yankee Doodle, this is one of several versions painted by A. M. Willard. The first appeared in 1876, the centennial of 1776.

3 Ways You Can Help Tackle Hunger and Strengthen Communities This Holiday Season

AREA - The holiday season is often a time of joy, connection and celebration. For millions of families across the country, however, it is also a season of uncertainty, wondering how to put food on the table or meet other essential needs. According to the USDA, more than 47.4 million people in the United States experience food insecurity each year.

That’s why, each holiday season, thousands of Charles Schwab employees come together to fight hunger and strengthen the communities where they live and work. Through employee meal-packing events and nonprofit grants, volunteers and partners help families access nutritious meals and vital support during the holidays and beyond.

“As we gather with loved ones this season, it’s important to remember that not all of our neighbors have that security,”

said Kristine Dixon, managing director of Charles Schwab Community Affairs. “By working side-by-side with local hunger relief organizations, we’re helping ensure more families can share in the joy of a holiday meal and the peace of knowing they are supported.”

As you prepare for the holidays, here are a few ways you can help address hunger relief and support your neighbors.

Donate to a Local Food Bank Food banks and pantries are at the heart of efforts to make nutritious food accessible for all. Inflation and rising costs of living have stretched budgets thin, making it harder for families to afford groceries.

Nonperishable donations such as canned goods, pasta and rice are always in high demand.

Monetary donations often go even further, giving food banks the ability to purchase exactly what is needed most.

Volunteer Your Time

The gift of time is just as valuable as food donations. Food banks and hunger relief nonprofits rely on volunteers to sort, pack and distribute meals. Even a few hours can make a meaningful difference, adding up to thousands of volunteer hours to help nonprofits meet urgent needs during the holiday season and year-round.

Support Community Partnerships

No single organization can solve hunger alone. Collective action from neighbors, companies, nonprofits and others is what creates lasting impact. This year, Schwab employees will join forces with partners like Harvest Pack to pack more than 1 million nutritious meals for families across the country. Supporting these types of efforts, whether through donations, volunteering or spreading awareness, can expand the

Tips for Parents to Minimize Stress and Maximize Joy During the Holidays

AREA - Stress and parenting go hand in hand, but during the holiday season, many parents find their stress levels rising to new heights. Between coordinating schedules, shopping, traveling and managing children’s expectations – plus the disruption to the school routine that everyone had finally settled into – the season can feel more like mayhem than merry. However, by thoughtfully planning and implementing a few practical strategies, parents can protect their well-being and support their families.

Early childhood experts from The Goddard School share guidance to help parents stay grounded and make the most of their meaningful family moments this holiday season.

Clarify Priorities

One of the most empowering steps is to decide in advance what truly matters to your family. Consider: Which traditions or gatherings are nonnegotiable?

Are there holiday events you can skip this year without regret?

What obligations are you taking on out of habit rather than genuine desire?

By reducing the number of “must-do” activities, you can avoid overextending your family. It’s OK to decline invitations when your calendar is already full.

Establish a Budget

Holiday spending can weigh heavily on your mind. Create a family holiday bud-

get that includes gifts and activities, then stick to it. Use the opportunity to teach your children about responsible spending and gratitude. Remember, the most meaningful gifts are often those made with time, attention or creativity, not the highest price tag.

Set Boundaries

Stress often arises when family dynamics, expectations or traditions clash. You can reduce this by setting boundaries and communicating them early. Speak openly with the relatives and friends you’ll see about what’s comfortable for your family and what isn’t (e.g., physical space, travel, topics to avoid). Let your children know what to expect, as the lack of routine during this time can be particularly challenging. Modeling clear boundaries helps your children learn to express their own needs, too.

Prioritize Your Physical and Emotional Health

Amid the hustle, your own basic care often slips, but your well-being is key to being present for others. Consider establishing routines, such as: Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours per night whenever possible.

Nutrition: Keep healthy staples in the mix, even if treats abound.

Movement: A short walk, stretch breaks or gentle exercise may help reset your nervous system. Stepping outside can be especially helpful. Also, if illness strikes, listen to your body and give yourself permission to pause. Pushing

through tends to backfire.

Design a Stress Rescue Plan

Even the best-laid plans don’t prevent tension or unexpected emotional triggers. Anticipate stress by creating fallback strategies. For example, plan to use a playlist, a quick breathing exercise or a sensory object to help you regroup when your stress escalates. These strategies work for children as well.

If you’re worried about unwanted questions – such as a family member asking about politics or your plans to have

another child – rehearse your response in advance with a friend. When these stressful moments arise, having a toolkit gives you a sense of control. Unplug and Be Present Screens are omnipresent. While they serve a purpose, they can be an unwelcome distraction, especially when you’re spending time with loved ones you don’t get to see often. Try to designate screenfree times, such as during meals, after dinner or when gifts are being exchanged. Use

screens intentionally, such as video calling out-of-town family members, rather than passively scrolling. Focus on in-person connection by playing games, telling stories, making crafts or taking walks. Remember to lead by example, as your children are watching. Being fully present at key moments is the one gift your family will remember above all else.

As the holidays approach, the pressure to do it all can loom large. By clarifying priorities, setting boundaries and

safeguarding your health, you can minimize stress and maximize joy. That said, even with careful planning, things can go off course, and that’s OK. Practice self-compassion and allow for imperfections. Enjoy every laugh, surprise and even the occasional moment of calm.

For more parenting guidance and insights, including a blog and webinar series, visit the Parent Resource Center at GoddardSchool.com. (Family Features)

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