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Mt Olive Life March 2024

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

MOUNT OLIVE LIFE Vo l . 1 9 • I s s u e 3

March 2024

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

Mt. Olive Women Celebrated During Women’s History Month

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE - “I have big ideas; I’m going to be a doctor; I am fearless; I want to heal the sick; I am going to make a difference; I want to tell stories; I have compassion; I love adventure; I can do anything I want to do; I am a trail blazer; I want to discover new things; I want to create change: I believe in justice; I want to explore the universe; I want to fly; I want to do something no one else has ever done; I believe girls can do anything; I want to change the world; I am going to make history”- History.com Observed annually every March in the United States since 1987, Women’s History Month celebrates women’s contributions to history, culture and society. While women have been doing amazing things since the beginning of time, their contributions over the years are oftentimes overlooked. International Women’s Day traces back to March 1911 when many countries around the world began celebrating the holiday with initiatives, demonstrations and customs. Since 1975, the United Nations has sponsored International Women’s Day. Every year, the National Women’s History Alliance focuses on a different theme to recognize Women’s History Month. The theme for 2024 celebrates “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” “Mt. Olive Life” is celebrating the women who live

in its borders. Like the women throughout the world, Mt. Olive women come in all shapes and sizes when it comes to their accomplishments and contributions both locally and afar. There really are so many local women to spotlight, much too many to fit on these pages. Some turned down the opportunity as they chose to stay in the shadows and not brag, but this clearly is far from the case. This is a platform to share all that the women have accomplished, both big and small, and that really is what March Women’s History is all about. Dr. Jennifer Argenziano, 43, of Flanders since 2008, also works in town as a dentist. She purchased her own office in 2021 when she was seven months pregnant with her eldest son, Gavin, who is now 11. A mother of two, she and her husband have a second son, Ethan, 9. “Aside from being a wife and a mother, my greatest accomplishment has been providing comprehensive dental care to the families and residents of Mt. Olive,” says Argenziano. “And maybe also purchasing and building out an office space five years ago as my own general contractor.” Looking toward her future goals, Argenziano plans “to continue to grow my patient centered practice along with raising civic minded children.” When she is not working, Argenziano takes time out as a room mom for her boys’ class-

MOUNT OLIVE - An initiative is underway to promote awareness of the diverse cultures and holidays celebrated within the Mt. Olive community. Established by Mt. Olive Twp. Mayor Joe Nicastro, the cultural awareness initiative aims to provide a mutual understanding and appreciation of all the cultures in town. A committee was being formed in February by local volunteers to collaborate and share ideas

on how to cultivate the mayor’s program. Some of the key highlights will be diverse programming, interactive workshops and celebrating holidays in Mt. Olive. “I’ve always been fascinated by various cultures and their customs, relishing the opportunity to delve into the significance behind diverse traditions,” explains Nicastro. “In Mt. Olive, our community has evolved into a rich tapestry of

Dr. Jennifer Argenziano and family

rooms and hospitality chair for their Cub Scout troop; and some “me time” with pilates and reading. “I believe the busier you are the more you can accomplish,” says Argenziano. “I rarely turn down an opportunity to volunteer or be a sponsor in the community. I want my boys to learn service to their community by example.” A life-long resident of Flanders, Aimee Ashley Myers, 47, is co-owner and retail and social media manager for Ashley Farms in Flanders. She didn’t have to search far and wide when she was contemplating what she wanted to be when she grew up. “I grew up on the farm, started working when I was 13 and became manager right out of college,” shares Myers. “I have been partners with my dad and brother for many years now.” A mother of two teenage boys, Myers is involved with

the Flanders PTA, serving as president for two years and volunteering at her boys’ schools. She is also “very involved” in some local agriculture boards. She says her greatest accomplishments so far, “other than raising my family in the town that I love dearly,” has been “continuing the legacy my grandparents started on our family farm 75 years ago. There is nothing I am more proud of than my family and our business. The fact that we are now a fourth-generation business and that my kids also help out here and are able to grow up on a farm is all I could ask for.” She plans “to continue to advocate for our children, help out where I can, and remind people of the importance of agriculture to our town, state, country and world.” Outside of her work, Myers shares “I love to read, I love my dogs, we are a big Disney fam-

backgrounds, cultures, traditions, and beliefs. My aim is to introduce these facets to all residents, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation. “I firmly believe that embracing diversity isn’t just morally imperative but also pivotal for our community’s strength,” he adds. “By acknowledging and celebrating our differences, we pave the way for a more inclusive and cohesive society, one that values the unique con-

tributions of each individual.” Nicastro was seeking volunteers from diverse backgrounds to collaborate in documenting the holidays they celebrate and their underlying meanings. “We’re eager to explore the traditions and special foods associated with these celebrations,” he says. “I believe it could foster community cohesion and appreciation for the

Aimee Ashley Myers

Michele Hildebrant

ily and otherwise, I just like to spend time with my family.” She offers some advice to her peers: “Just take the leap, be willing to help and learn. Make connections with other women, we have so much to learn from each other.” As a mother of six, Michele Hildebrant, 57 of Hackettstown had a full plate, but when her husband died, she had to step up to the plate and do that much more! A local resident for the past 31 years, Hildebrant is the owner of RH Farms in Hackettstown. “Up until 2012, I was busy raising my six children; unfor-

tunately, my husband passed away and I became a business owner!” she says. “I had to learn everything there was about owning a business and running a vegetable farm. Boy, there was a lot to learn. “My children were still relatively young, but they assured me they wanted to keep working the farm,” she continues. “We faced lots of obstacles from money woes to not knowing how to farm. But through our faith in God and hard work, we are still here today!” She has four daughters and two sons, and three of them PLEASE SEE WOMEN’S HISTORY, PAGE 8

Budd Lake Restoration Approval

Mayor Embraces Diversity with New Initiative

PLEASE SEE MAYOR EMBRACES, PAGE 2

Employee Recognition

On February 6, a presentation to recognize some of our town employees for their years of service. In the photo, from left to right: Andrew Tatarenko (Business Administrator), Brian Braikovich (25 years), Ron Criscuolo (5 years), Dillon Nagy (5 years), and Colin Berg (10 years) along with Mayor Nicastro. Unfortunately, Michele Doucette (10 years) and Scott Price (25 years) were unable to attend the event.

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MOUNT OLIVE - Budd Lake may be still frozen but monies to improve the watershed and protecting the local lake are in full defrost after recent state approval. The Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Watershed Protection and Restoration, Bureau of Watershed Management Division completed its review of the Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan for Budd Lake on Dec. 6, 2023. Mt. Olive Twp. Business Administrator Andrew Tatarenko shared the news of the DEP’s approval at the last Mt. Olive Twp. Council meeting held Feb. 6. “I want to thank Raritan Headwaters and Rutgers for their lead on this project along with all the professionals and volunteers who participated in the numerous meetings, calls and site visits,” says Tatarenko. “The township is committed to protecting the watershed and protecting Budd Lake.” The plan prepared by the Raritan Headwaters Association “compiles a comprehen-

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sive watershed characterization and watershed restoration and protection plan with emphasis on stormwater management to address water quality for Budd Lake. Tatarenko says “there are no immediate timelines for the projects to be completed as significant funding is required.” During the meeting, Tatarenko shares there are $10 million worth of projects in the future horizon to improve Budd Lakr. “The township has already applied for over $500k through the Federal Community Funding Project to start to improve the storm drain inlets along municipal roadways and stormwater Manufactured Treatment Devices (MTD) along Route 46 which is considered green infrastructure,” he says. “In addition, as part of our Budd Lake Redevelopment project, green infrastructure will be installed within the parking lot areas to help reduce the amount of pollutants entering the lake,” he adds. I hope to hear back about the grant this year.”


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