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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 . 2 1 • I s s u e 7
September 2025
Member of Mid-Atlantic Community Papers • Association of Community Publishers • Mt. Olive Chamber of Commerce AUDITED BY CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL (CVC), ST. LOUIS, MO.
Mt. Olive Celebrates Community with New Parade Tradition
BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER
MOUNT OLIVE - Well, it’s been a long time coming but the wait is no more! Mt. Olive’s first annual parade is coming to town! Celebrating Mt. Olive Parade & Event is set to march through some of the local streets in Budd Lake on Saturday, Sept. 27. Festivities on the event field at Turkey Brook Park will be held from 9 a.m. to noon; the parade will begin at 10 a.m. Parades generally have a purpose to recognize a holiday or cultural celebration such as Independence Day or Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick’s Day and even Halloween parades at elementary schools—but civic parades can
be common too like the one to be held in Mt. Olive. “When I became mayor, one of my goals was to create opportunities to truly celebrate Mt. Olive,” says Mt. Olive Twp. Mayor Joe Nicastro. “And what better way than with a big community parade? Growing up, I remember parades filled with bands, sports teams, cheerleaders, dance groups—it was always such a great time. While I know we can’t recreate those exact days for many reasons, I wanted to bring back that same spirit of community and fun.” The Mt. Olive parade will start at Chester M. Stephen’s Elementary School in Budd Lake, continue down Sunset
MO Welcomes New Chief Financial Officer
BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER
MOUNT OLIVE - There is a new chief in town—armed with spreadsheets, statutes and a sharp eye on every penny that passes through Mt. Olive’s books. Joseph Kolodziej of Clifton is Mt. Olive’s new chief financial officer, and he is ready for action, on duty to keep the ledgers balanced and the taxpayers’ money protected. Appointed in May, Kolodziej began his new position in June replacing longtime CFO Sherry Kolody. With 12 years working in the field in other towns, Kolodziej is no rookie or new officer on the block. He picked up where Kolody left off and began with a smooth transition —ironic that their last names start with the same four letters. “My predecessor who held this position for 25 years built a very fiscally sound municipality,” says Kolodziej. “My goals are to obviously maintain the level of excellence that was established by the previous CFO and build on that foundation to
Joseph Kolodziej
achieve even greater success.” From his education to his prior work experience, Kolodziej has the smarts and credibility to keep Mt. Olive in line financially. He earned his bachelor’s in business management from Montclair State University and a master’s in public administration from Penn State University. He also attended Rutgers University for municipal finance certification, passed the state exam as a licensed municipal finance officer and is also licensed by the State of New Jersey as a tax collector and a qualified purchasing agent. PLEASE SEE NEW CHIEF, PAGE 4
Winner from August’s “Find Mr. MO Mascot” Contest
AREA - The winners from June’s “Find Mr. MO the Mascot” are Diana Gensthaler; Netcong; Eve Buzzelli; Flanders, Anvi Luthra; Flanders, David Rosamilia; Budd Lake. The ads that “Mr. Moe” were in: Sha-
ron Caruso Remax, Budd Lake Bagels, Family Kitchen Ravioli, Beaumont Landscaping, Al’s Painting and Remodeling and Minuteman Limo. Thanks to everyone who enter and congratulations to our winners!
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Drive to Flanders Road, then into Turkey Brook Park around the loop road. The route is little less than a mile, says Liz Meininger, Mt. Olive Recreation supervisor. While there are many routes the parade could have marched, Meininger explains why this route. “Discussing this with MOPD we feel it is the safest route, with the general public being able to park at Turkey Brook and see the whole parade safely,” she says. Turkey Brook Park will be open for parking until 9:45 a.m. for those wanting to park inside. With parades that occur in all seasons, Meininger explains why they chose Sept. 27: “We
chose a month with cooler weather; and with all the other events it is the best timing.” Marching in the parade will be several organizations and companies such as: the Mt Olive High School Marching Band;, AFJROTC with Color Guard; Formation of Cadets; Eurogerm-KB; Amish Mike won a float; Re/Max Heritage properties; Quest Karate group; Trucks and vehicles from Budd Lake Fire & Rescue and Flanders Fire & Rescue. Some dignitaries expected to march include Mt. Olive Mayor Joe Nicastro; Business Administrator Andrew Tatarenko; some councilmembers; Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling; possibly the
Morris County Commissioners and a few others. The fun will continue after the parade ends. “This year’s parade will end at Turkey Brook Park with a celebration, featuring free activities for residents to enjoy and food to explore while enjoying the park,” adds Nicastro. “It’s a chance for our town to come together, celebrate the great community we share and spend time with neighbors on what promises to be a beautiful and memorable day.” On the event field starting at 9 a.m. until noon will be about 20 vendors, free facepainting for the kids, free inflatables and under the pavilion will be about 40 vendors for the Chil-
dren’s Entrepreneur Market, shares Meininger! The BBQ Pit will be serving breakfast foods for a fee. “We have a few more things to add to make the day fun, but are waiting on confirmations,” says Meininger. Proud to host the parade, Mt. Olive Recreation Department provides a statement: “This day is all about bringing our community together— neighbors, families, organizations, and friends—united in hometown pride. From the parade down Sunset to the festivities at the event field, we invite everyone to come celebrate the spirit of Mt. Olive. It’s a chance
minutes but for the bigger items it can take up to three hours,” she says. It really became a labor of love rather than any profit. “I love to crochet, and it helps me be able to make my own money and keep creating,” she says. “It is relaxing, and I am proud of the creations I make.” She is so grateful for the help from her parents and support from the community. “My parents help me buy the materials but when I sell anything that money I use to buy more yarn and materials,” she says. With school back in session, Gonzalez plans to finish up any remaining orders and return next summer. “Since school is starting and I am getting ready for that it is closed for now, but I am still working on some for people who have messaged my dad to ask,” she says. “I want to do one every summer if I can. I would like to also try to do one in the fall or before Christmas.” Her ultimate goal: “I would like to have my own Etsy store
one day,” she says. “I am so happy that so many people
came to see and support me and buy what I made.”
PLEASE SEE NEW PARADE, PAGE 2
Teen Stitches Her Summer with Crochet
BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER
MOUNT OLIVE - Summer reading, skipping stones at the lake, curling toes in the sand, lemonade and iced tea stands—past-times to keep youth busy this summer were endless, some more creative than others, like the hours spent on crocheting the dozens of items this one teen sold at her stand in Budd Lake these past few months. Tenth grader Maya Gonzalez, 15, reflects on her summer and knows it was time well spent. Just one year after learning from her mom how to crochet, Gonzalez got busy. “My mom likes to crotchet, and she taught me last year,” says Gonzalez. “I am also an artist, so I always liked being creative and I caught on to crochet really fast. “My dad and stepmom helped me have the table out for the first time this summer,” she continues. “She was creating all summer, and she asked us if she could try to sell some before she went home with her mom and we know how wonderful this community is, so we gave it a shot, and it turned out to be a success for her!” shares her step-mom Angela Gonzalez, 10-year Budd Lake resident. Her items varied and included mostly stuffed animals and hair accessories. “I make mostly stuffed animals and scrunchies, but I also now make some of my own clothes like shorts and shirts and I am starting to make scarves and hats for winter,” she says. Her work must have been for the taking as she gained enough confidence to sell to customers! “I handmake everything by myself,” she explains. “The day I was outside was the first time I sold my stuff this summer. I have large and small bunnies and bears, dragons, snakes, purses and scrunchies. The prices range from $4 for scrunchies up to $60 for larger stuffed animals.” Some items were much more time-consuming than others. “For small items like scrunchies it can take five
New Sign at Entrance of Turkeybrook
Mayor Joe Nicastro and Former May Paul Lacitra
MOUNT OLIVE - Some people have the unique ability to see opportunities where others may not. Former Mayor Paul Licitra is one of those individuals. Without his vision for a
park that would unite our community and serve as the centerpiece of Mount Olive, Turkey Brook Park would not exist today. Because of his foresight,
Your Chance to Win a $25 Gift Card with the “Find Mr. Moe Mascot” Contest AREA - Check out our mascot...Mr. Moe. Look for him in the ads in this issue and enter (no purchase necessary) to win a $25.00 gift card to different establishments (4 winners).
It is easy to enter. Look through the paper and read the ads and look for “Mr. Moe” in the ads. He will be located throughout the paper in 6 random ads. Then go to https://www.my-
paperonline.com/find-contest. html scroll down and fill out the form to be entered. Winners will be notified and printed in the next issue.
thousands of residents and visitors enjoy the park. Thank you, Paul, for your vision and dedication that continues to bring people together and enrich our township.