Mt Olive Life September 2023

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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 8 • I s s u e 9

September 2023

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

Blessed By Decade of Support, Mt. Olive Pantry Seeks Donations

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE - There are no ifs, buts, candy nor nuts about it…hunger continues all year

round and so does the need for food and monetary donations. The concern is that dona-

tions are substantially down to the Mt. Olive Food Pantry and it needs to restock its shelves to

9yr. Old Sells Lemonade & Raises $500 for Mt. Olive Food Pantry

MOUNT OLIVE - Renley Ghoshal, a 9 year old student from Sandshore Elementary, was dedicated to making the most out of her summer. She wanted to have her very own lemonade stand, but there was not a lot of traffic on her street. So, her dad reached out the Mayor’s office and to Flanders

Fire Company #1 and landed Renley a spot at their 100th Anniversary Celebration at Turkey Brook Park. Along with help from her two little brothers, her friend Abby, and her mom, Renley set up her stand with the goal to raise $200. With the kindness and support from the local community, Mayor Greenbaum,

and many others, she raised and donated a check for $500 to the Mt. Olive Food Pantry. Renley was grateful and excited to have everyone, including Joe Nicastro (Candidate for Mayor) and Alex Roman (Council Vice President), enjoy her delicious lemonade while making a positive impact on our community.

MOUNT OLIVE - I am thrilled to be a candidate for the position of Mayor in our great town. With great honor and enthusiasm, I am stepping forward to continue serving the community that I have proudly been a part of for almost 20 years. As we stand on the threshold of a new era, I am eager to build upon the foundations we have laid together and usher in a future filled with promise, growth, and unwavering dedication to your needs. For the past 11+ years, I have had the privilege of serving on the Mount Olive Council. This journey, marked by countless shared triumphs and challenges, has been an education in understanding the pulse of our

community and the aspirations that drive us. My commitment has been unwavering, and over the course of these years, I have tirelessly worked towards making our town a place we can all be proud to call home. During my tenure as Council President for 8 years, I have witnessed firsthand the resilience and unity of our citizens. Together, we have steered Mount Olive towards an era of stability and progress, all while keeping our core values intact. I have strived to ensure that the voices of our residents are not only heard but also reflected in the policies and decisions that shape our town’s trajectory. One of my proudest accomplishments during this time has

been our remarkable record of 11 consecutive years without municipal tax increases. In an era when economic uncertainties often challenge the financial fabric of communities, our dedication to responsible fiscal management has borne fruit. It is a testament to our collective diligence, careful planning, and a shared commitment to ensuring that Mount Olive remains an affordable place to live for all our residents. Equally significant is the fact that we have not only maintained but also enhanced our essential services. From efficient waste management to well-maintained parks, from responsive emergency services to forward-looking township

continuously provide individuals and their families with food and necessities. Located at the Episcopal Church on Sandshore Rd. in Budd Lake, the Mt. Olive Food Pantry has been feeding families for more than a decade. This past year attracted the largest number of clients who needed food and personal care items. “Today’s economy is forcing new families to register at the pantry, approximately, one to three new families a week,” says Susan Morse, administrator of Mt. Olive Pantry. “We have had to decrease the amount of food we give out per family request. Each year we get an increase.” This past year, between 125 to 145 families per month relied on the Mt. Olive Food Pantry. “The highest we’ve ever been,” says Morse. The average range per month it serves is 130 families, she adds. Most people donate food such as their free turkeys and hams to the pantry around the holidays but after January, donations drop. “At this time of year, donations of both food and money decline substantially,” says Morse. “Once you get past January, donations start to go

down.” In November, the Mt. Olive Area Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis of Mt. Olive hold the food drive at the International Trade Center with donations to the pantry, which Morse applauds, however that food does not last as long as one would hope. “We are through it in two

months,” says Morse. “People don’t realize how much and how fast it goes. Unfortunately, hunger continues.” And Morse does not turn anyone away. “We service anyone who comes to our door,” she says. Service grew when PLEASE SEE MO FOOD PANTRY, PAGE 2

All Veterans Memorial Hosts 9th Annual POW/MIA Vigil

Focusing on the Future: Nicastro For Mayor

planning, we have managed to preserve the quality of life that makes Mount Olive so special. This feat would not have been possible without the collaboration between the community and our dedicated public servants. PLEASE SEE NICASTRO, PAGE 5

Lalama for Mount Olive Council: A Decade of Community Service as Foundation

MOUNT OLIVE - Mary Lalama, and her husband, Joe

Nicastro have been residents of Mt. Olive for the past 19 years. Lalama, a dedicated advocate for community welfare, is thrilled to be a candidate for the Mount Olive Council. With nearly a decade of tireless service to the town’s residents, Mary is ready to take her commitment to the next level by seeking a position on the council. For years, Mary Lalama has been an integral part of the Mount Olive community,

fostering a spirit of togetherness and support. Her efforts have been particularly evident during the annual Free Thanksgiving dinner she hosts for seniors who find themselves alone during the holiday season and families who are facing financial hardships. This heartwarming tradition has not only provided nourishment but also offered a sense of belonging to those who need it most. Lalama’s dedication extends beyond Thanksgiving. Every

Christmas, she has spearheaded the organization of gifts for families in town, spreading joy and making the holiday season brighter for all. These initiatives reflect her genuine concern for the well-being of her neighbors and her drive to create a tightly-knit community. Now, with her sights set on the Mount Olive Council, Mary Lalama aims to amplify her impact. Her primary goal is to ex-

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PLEASE SEE LALAMA, PAGE 4

Winners From August’s “Find Moe Life Mascot” Contest

MOUNT OLIVE - The winners from August’s “Find Moe Life Mascot” are Barbara Petrie; Flanders, Doreen Pre-

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BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER MOUNT OLIVE - Soldiers who are prisoners of war and missing in action will be remembered on Friday, September 15 and Saturday, September 16 at the All Veterans Memorial in Budd Lake. In observance of this federally recognized day, the AVM will be hosting its 9th annual POW/MIA 24-hour Vigil with a 4 p.m. opening ceremony and 4 p.m. closing ceremony at the entranceway of Turkey Brook Park. “Since 1979, our nation has called upon its citizens to remember those brave men and women who were imprisoned or perished on foreign soil by designating the third Friday of September as the National POW/MIA Recognition Day,” explains AVM Founder Charlie Wood Uhrmann. “In support, the AVM has adopted a meaningful interactive POW/ MIA 24-hour vigil as one of

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our annual signature events.” Explains Uhrmann, “The AVM’s POW/MIA/PTSD/ Remembrance Wall and Ascension Bell Tower will play an essential role in honoring these warriors. During the opening ceremony, the global vigil flame is lit and the Missing Man Table is set, and trudging sounds of freedom echo in the background, the names, ranks and serial numbers of each missing warrior with ties to New Jersey will be somberly recited.” Throughout the vigil participants will maintain the Memorial Fire, read the names of N.J. veterans unaccounted for from all wars and ring the Ascension Bell 21 times on the hour every hour to honor their memory. Last year volunteers read more than 2,500 names and rang the Ascension PLEASE SEE POW/MIA VIGIL, PAGE 4


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