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A Mother’s Selfless Act Saves Her Son— and Spreads Awareness

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By Cheryl Conway wo years ago, Daisy Vasquez, 61, of Elizabeth, did one of the noblest things a mother can do and that was to donate an organ to save her child.

In March 2023, the mother of three, donated one of her kidneys to her 40-year-old son Carlos Vasquez. The surgery was conducted at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.

Without her generous donation, her son would have been put on a list with thousands of other New Jersey residents waiting about five years for a lifesaving organ transplant.

With mother and son both doing well after their successful transplant, Mother’s Day is truly a huge celebration in the Vasquez family.

Mother’s Day is that time of year “to reflect on the love and care mothers provide and to express gratitude for their unwavering support; to acknowledge the incredible sacrifices and efforts mothers make in raising children. It’s a day to express love, gratitude and appreciation for all mothers.”

Daisey Vasquez surely deserves a huge bouquet this Mother’s Day for the unconditional gift she gave to her son so he could thrive and live a healthy life.

“It is the greatest gift you can give anyEXPIRES: 6.15.25

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one,” says Vasquez. “I was able to give birth to my son twice. I kept my son from the five to seven years wait. I’d encourage anyone to get on the donor list.”

Vasquez shares her story.

“In 2017, Carlos began experiencing persistent headaches, allergy-like symptoms, leg swelling, and a spike in blood pressure,” explains Vasquez who works as an insurance broker. “This led to him being diagnosed with vasculitis, which attacked continued on page 6 EXPIRES: 6.15.25

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Two to four imdiscomfort. tain some of your own nat- pain or Regularly $362.00 Lack of taste, or a de- plants, and occasionally six, bite and secure teeth as op- ing implant procedures for ural teeth, while complete Regularly $125.00 withtoother 30 years. He is a Diplomate posed to the overdenture. are utilized. creasebeincombined the ability tastediscounts / full dentures require you Cannot Cannot be combined with discounts details Overdentures are Satisfaction levels are ex- other of the American Board of Implant food.Patient Specials on our website for to have none of your Refer own to New Ira Goldberg, Limited to 50 minutes Coupon must be presented, & mentioned at time of scheduling Covering of the roof of not always a perfect solution tremely high. One drawback Oral Implantology / Implant teeth, simply by definition.

DDS, FAGD, DICOI Expires 2/28/22 2/28/22 3/5/6 of is Dentistry, a Diplomate (upper dentures for the issues3/5/6mentioned is the financial investment This denture focuses on the mouthExpires Ira Goldberg, DDS, FAGD, DICOI the International Congress above. Patient satisfaction higher. not only). n a p - O n - D e n t u r e s , complete / full dentures: Dr. Goldberg is a general dentist with credentials in multiple organizations. Please visit his website for a complete listing. Dental implants are not a recognized dental specialty.

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Stardust Pool: A Hidden Gem with a Storied Past and a Bright Future

ucked into the heart of the Butterworth Estates neighborhood, Stardust Pool first opened its gates in 1963 and quickly became a beloved summer sanctuary for families in the Randolph and Morristown communities. For over six decades, it has served as a place where memories are made—whether its kids splashing into the diving well, parents chatting poolside under the pavilion, or generations of families coming back year after year.

At its peak, Stardust was the summer home for 225 bonded member families, with over 100 more on a waiting list—a testament to the close-knit community vibe and unbeatable amenities. Like many local institutions, the pool faced challenges in recent years due to COVID-19 and other economic pressures. But against the odds, Stardust has remained open, thanks to a combination of generous donations, creative fundraisers, and a deeply committed volunteer base who help open, operate, and maintain the pool each summer.

As a 501(c)(7) non-profit, member-owned recreation club, Stardust is continuing to evolve while staying true to its roots. In an effort to grow membership and strengthen community ties, board members are expanding their presence both online and locally. Upcoming sign-up events will be held at the Food Truck Festival at CCM (April 26) and Arts in the Park at Veterans Park (May 17). Bonded memberships, annual memberships, and half-season passes are available. While the pool doesn’t offer daily passes due to operating costs, families are invited to visit during the Open House Weekend on June 28–29.

Amenities That Make a Splash Stardust Pool features: A heated (to 80 degrees) Olympic-size short course pool

A 1.5’ kiddie pool with a fountain A diving well with both high and low springboards Clean and spacious changing rooms with showers Swim lessons offered through NJAC for both members and non-members The pool is also home to the Stardust Dolphins swim team, competing each summer in the Morris County Summer Swim League and welcoming swimmers of all levels.

More Than a Pool—It’s a Summer Lifestyle At Stardust, you’re not just swimming, you’re making summer yours. Members are encouraged to bring their own food and drinks, with several propane grills available on site.

A covered pavilion with picnic tables, plenty of open seating, and shady spots throughout the grounds make it perfect for a full-day outing. The snack stand keeps everyone happy with treats like ice cream, candy, popcorn, soft drinks, and mac-and-cheese cups.

Beyond the water, the club also offers: A small playground A gaga pit A game room An open field for games like cornhole, wiffle ball, and more And yes, personal floaties are welcome What truly sets Stardust apart from public pools is its laidback, welcoming atmosphere. Friendly families, returning lifeguards, and traditions like Sunday potluck dinners and grill-sharing make Stardust feel like an extension of home.

Looking Ahead In addition to its beloved 4th of July celebration and cornhole tournaments, Stardust is exploring even more events

based on member interest—like swim-up movie nights, Sunday Funday food trucks, and college game nights. With each passing summer, the pool continues to build on its legacy while welcoming new families to the fold.

Come find your summer escape. Stardust Pool is more than a place to swim—it’s a place to belong.

Stardust Pool, 48 Raynor Road, Morristownship, NJ Website: http://stardustpool.com/ Stardust Swim Team Website: https://stardustswim.swimtopia.com/ Contact Us: stardustrecreation@gmail.com Social Media: Facebook Stardust Pool 2024 and Beyond Instagram: stardust_recreation

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Mother’s Selfless Act... continued from front page his kidneys, leading to kidney failure.”

Rather than putting him at risk by having him wait years for a transplant, Vasquez jumped to the front of the line.

“He never went on the list,” she says. “I decided to get tested and once we found out we were a match, Carlos did not list.”

Surgery can be scary, but Vasquez set any fears aside as she knew it could save her son’s life.

“I felt very safe,” she says. “They do a tremendous amount of testing, and I felt very safe every step of the process. Especially since I was doing it for my son, I was more encouraged to do it.”

Maintaining her own health played a vital role.

“The fact that I am in excellent health,” made her an excellent match as a donor,” she says. “I had all my annu-

al checkups up to date and everything was able to move quickly. I started the process in August and in November we found out we matched. I was eager to donate for my son. I never had any fear and felt very secure and safe with the hospital.”

Dr. Stuart Geffner, chairman and surgeon-in-chief of the Department of Surgery and the director of Renal and Pancreas Transplant Surgery at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, performed the transplant.

An expert in the procedure, Geffner has worked with the Division of Renal and Pancreas Transplant since 1995.

The Renal and Pancreas Division at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center is the sixth-largest kidney transplant program in the United States and the largest in the tristate area, he says.

“CBMC is one of the country’s top centers for living do-

nations,” says Geffner. “Family members can become living donors by undergoing compatibility testing and evaluations through programs like The Living Donor Institute at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.”

In 2024, the center performed 391 transplants, he adds.

But with the number of individuals needing transplants, the waitlist for donors continues.

According to the NJ Sharing Network, nearly 4,000 N.J. residents are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, says Geffner. Nationally, approximately 87% of people awaiting transplant are waiting for a kidney transplant, he adds.

“There are far more people in need than available donor organs,” says Geffner. “The average wait time in N.J. is about five years.” continued on page 7

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Mother’s Selfless Act... continued from page 6 Many people do not have that many years to wait before their lives are cut short.

“According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, an average of 17 people die

each day in the U.S. waiting for an organ transplant,” says Geffner.

More donors are always needed to help save a life.

“It is very safe to be a Living Kidney Donor,” says Geffner. “It is a sacred surgery.

It is the only surgery where a person volunteers for a surgery that provides them no benefit. Because of that, donor surgery has to be as close to 100 percent safe for donor and 100 percent effective for the recipient.”

In the case of Vasquez and her son, the procedure was a success.

“I just went for two-year checkup and my numbers are excellent,” says Vasquez.

“I feel great. I don’t even feel like I have one kidney. I don’t feel any different.”

She can also breathe now that her son has got a new kidney so he can live.

“Carlos is living his life to the fullest,” she says. “He is doing amazing.

“He always said ‘Mom you are going to be fine; I am ok with you donating to me,’” she shares. “We felt so comfortable with all the testing. We felt very secure that we would be in a good place. I did not hesitate, and he is so grateful that I did it. He thanks me all the time.”

She offers her advice to others who are considering being an organ donor?

“My advice would be to trust the process, trust the physicians,” she says. “I don’t think they would put you in a com-

promising position. Every team member is looking out for the best interest of the pair.

I always felt I was going to be fine.

“Maybe that is your purpose in life,” she continues. “I would encourage others to become living donors. It is an experience that can transform your life. This has made me love myself more. I tell them Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center is the place to go.

“I just want to say thank you to all the great doctors and the staff,” she concludes.

“I can never thank them enough! I will never forget the sparkle in my son’s eyes after he received his kidney. That alone was worth everything. They did a great job.

They were fantastic!

Individuals interested in becoming donors can contact The Living Donor Institute at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center for more information. Its donor evaluation process includes conducting medical history reviews, tissue and blood compatibility testing between donor and recipient, and various health assessments. The donor will undergo tests to ensure they can live a healthy life with the remaining functioning kidney. Rwjbh.org/cbmckidneytransplant

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Memorial Motor Madness in Hackettstown

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

“Forty-four local charities benefit

from Memorial Motor Madness, such as Abilities, ARC of Warren County, seven local food pantries, Centenary Stage Company and Entrepreneurship, Family Promise, Hackettstown sports teams and scholarships, Operation Chill-Out, HMC Foundation, Alina Lodge, DASACC,” shared DeMonti. Worth added “Every penny raised goes back to the community. There are no administrative costs. “ Worth noted that the show appeals to a wide variety of people. “Motor heads, car enthusiasts, young people and families, and those who like to look at a flash from the past. So many young people and families come…kids love it,” said Worth. He added, “Just a great family day and affordable.”

Twenty-one classes of cars will be on display and judged. Among them are antique cars, mustangs, corvettes, muscle cars, street rods, VW Beetles, Camaros, Firebirds and antique trucks. Trophies are given in every class. The show’s “founding fathers’ are Ed Hagaman and continued on page 9

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Memorial Motor Madness...

continued from page 8 Larry Middleton, who ran it for the first few years; then, about 25 years ago, the Hackettstown Rotary took on the show. The Best In Show award is named for Hagaman: the Ed Hagaman Memorial Trophy for Best in Show. Advance Vehicle Registration (ends 5/18/25) is $20 and the day of the show, it is $25. There are dash plates for the first 400 entries.

Besides the cars, there are food vendors, vendors selling such items as car care products, jewelry, crafts, etc., a 50-50, and music. Music is provided by S.C.3. entertainment run by Chris Schmidt who will be there throughout the day. Worth also noted, “Every year there are a few surprises.”

Also, the significance of the holiday weekend is not forgotten. “It is just a really fabulous patriotic day,” shared DeMonti.

She noted that people come wearing red, white, and blue.

The star-spangled banner is played at noon and there’s a moment of silence.

Then, that is followed by a “rev-up”, the cars’ loud tribute to our fallen soldiers.

Worth noted the contribution of Mars Wrigley to the event and Jennifer Bongiovanni of Mars Wrigley has been coordinating that. “Mars Wrigley provides us with tremendous support including space, maintenance, and tremendous product (candy is given out at the show).

But for them, we wouldn’t be able to do this,” said Worth.

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

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New Branding Could Bring Tourists to this Gem of an Area

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By Jaime Julia Winters esults of a survey conducted by North Star Place Branding and Marketing concluded that the Highlands region of New Jersey is often overlooked as a tourism destination but offers a “delightful surprise” for the nature and history lover away from the crowds, contrasting with New Jersey’s typical reputation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“A regional approach to tourism enriches rural and urban communities by pooling resources and expertise. It allows for cohesive strategies to develop a compelling tourism offer, sustainable growth and local economies,” according to a presentation given in January to the Highlands Council by North Star. “Regional collaboration maximizes potential, making rural areas more attractive and viable for residents and visitors.”

Photo courtesy of Highlands Coalition of New Jersey

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

Branding and a designated tourism

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

Highlands Council Executive Director Ben Spinelli said the council wants people, both inside and outside of the region, to know “this vital part of New Jersey.”

He points to the Highlands Act, passed 20 years ago, as acknowledging the imcontinued on page 11

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New Branding... continued from page 10 portance of the region. In 2021, the New Jersey Highlands Economic Sustainability Plan was created citing the need to develop a Highlands brand that could be used to support region-wide growth across a variety of industries.

Last summer, members of the North Star team held focus groups and conducted oneon-one interviews gathering information and opinions from key populations including residents, farmers, business owners,

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

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

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familiar with the region and its boundaries.

Fewer people were familiar with the Highlands Act. Critics of the act primarily cited stunted economic opportunities and a perceived lack of state support / compensation for Highlands communities.

Most of the respondents were from the Philadelphia area and Gloucester and Camden counties in New Jersey. The others were from New York City and Hudson County in New Jersey.

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

North Star recommended the creation of the NJ Highlands Tourism Alliance (NJHTA) with representatives from tourism

agencies across the seven Highlands counties to promote lodging, attractions, restaurants, historic sites, and outdoor recreation.

It also recommends a paid tourism coordinator funded by either the council’s general budget or from contributions by NJHTA members.

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

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

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

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?

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

Morris Catholic Girls Basketball Ranked #1 Nationally After Undefeated Season

I

By Megan Roche t’s been a dream season for the Morris Catholic Lady Crusaders. From Mia Pauldo’s selection to compete in the McDonald’s All American Games, going undefeated through the regular season and postseason, head coach Rahim Huland El has had it made.

But, it didn’t come without hard work, dedication, and literal blood, sweat, and tears.

Huland El, who played basketball at Randolph High School in the late 1980s, has always loved coaching. With stints as coach in Randolph rec ball and the AAU circuit, the head coach at Morris Catholic reached out to inquire if Rahim would be an assistant coach at the school.

“I had been offered high school jobs, head coaching jobs in the area for a number of years. I turned them down because I really wanted to focus on watching my kids play and raising my family. Billy Lovett, a good friend of mine, was offered the job at Morris Catholic just before the 2018 sea-

son. He likes to say that he accepted the job and 10 minutes later he called me and told me that he needed me to be his lead assistant,” Huland El said.

Huland El served as the assistant until Lovett’s resignation ahead of the 20242025 season, when he was hired as the head coach.

“Our goal from day one was to make it a national program,” Huland El said.

During the 2024-2025 season, Huland El helped the team amass a perfect 28-0 record.

“We always seek to play the most competitive schedule that we can. We want to challenge the girls with strong opponents, but also making sure that we’re helping them along the path of earning a spot to play college basketball. My coaching philosophy is that I take it one game at a time.

We knew where we wanted to end up, we had a goal of winning a national championship, and while we didn’t dwell on it, we knew that if we took care of every game, one game at a time, it would ultimately

The Morris Catholic Girls Basketball Team earned the national championship during the 2024-2025 basketball season, topping the MaxPreps national rankings at the conclusion of the season. (Photo courtesy of MaxPreps)

build where we would be able to put ourselves in the position to be a county champion, a state champion, and eventually a national champion,” Huland El said.

After winning the county championship against a stacked Chatham team, the

girls began the hunt for another NJSIAA Non-Public A State title. With wins against Paramus Catholic, DePaul Catholic, and Pope John, the team’s final road block would come against Paul VI Catholic High continued on page 13

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

Undefeated Season...

continued from page 12 School.

Huland El spoke to the girls prior to the state title game about success.

“I always stressed to the girls that we only define our success or failures by the people who are in the gym with us during practice. We really make sure we don’t get too caught up in reading the positive things about us and we don’t get too negatively impacted by something that is less than positive. I always tell them that it’s about controlling our controllables. You cannot control what other people write about you and their impressions of you, but you can control how hard you work in this next game. I told them that if they focused on those things consistently, the outside stuff will take care of itself,” Huland El said.

The state championship trophy found its way back to the Morris Catholic trophy case after their victory against Paul VI Catholic High School. When the final tally was counted, including games against East New York Family Academy (NY), St. Frances (MD), Archbishop Mitty (CA), DME Academy (FL) and Albertus Magnus (NY), those wins ultimately led to enough points in the rankings to earn the girls the Nation-

al Championship.

“We’ve been ranked in the top ten on most of the polls for most of the season.

We knew that it was a possibility, but we had some really big games where there was no assumption that we were going to win,” Huland El said.

After all was said and done, Coach Huland El couldn’t contain his pride in his team.

“As a proud coach and someone who can recognize the amount of hard work that these ladies have put in, our seniors have been at it for four years, I was just thinking about how amazing this was going to be for them. This is something that nobody will ever be able to take away from them, the idea that they are number one in the country. I was so proud and happy for these young ladies for the achievements that they’ve accomplished,” Huland El said.

After taking a few weeks off, Coach Huland El and the Morris Catholic girls basketball team is already busy gearing up for the 2025-2026 basketball season. For more information on the Morris Catholic basketball team, visit www.morriscatholic. org.

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

S

By Cheryl Conway tudent interns are learning lab skills and are conducting research on various projects including how to use sea water to make concrete and more effective nail polish remover.

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

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

“This year, we had two pairs,” he explains.

“One pair worked on cement and how we can use sea water to make concrete out of cement. This will help our environment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“The goal of the internships at Tara is to teach students how products are developed, so we typically select the projects for them,”

says Joshi. “However, we do try to tailor projects to students’ interests when possible.

For example, last year one student was passionate about environmental science, which led us to develop a project focused on cement. A student interning next year has expressed interest in food science, so I’m planning to design a project in that area for him.”

Besides the projects, interns are learning basic lab skills.

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

“Once they’ve developed foundational skills, we guide them through creating formulations like soaps, solutions, suspensions, creams, ointments, pastes and more,” he adds. “Some interns have made gummies and gels; others have worked on charcoal toothpaste, or explored how different oils affect chocolate. We also introduce them to complex processes like perfume-making to show the nuances of formulation science.

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

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

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

“I originally got involved in this internship due to the 100-hour internship requirement that my school mandates,” explains Malik.

“I had heard about Tara Innovations from a senior last year who had interned there last year and had a great experience. Dr. Joshi has a close connection with the internship program at my school and has taken countless interns in the past years from my school.”

He and his lab partner, Raj Shah, have been working on two projects since the summer of 2024. The first one involves developing a novel solution for colonoscopy preparation and athlete electrolyte supplementation.

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

“During a colonoscopy, patients must drink four liters of liquid to prepare the patient for colonoscopy,” explains Malik.

“Similarly, after games, athletes can lose up to 1,500-2,000 mg of sodium through sweat and must drink sugar-filled electrolyte drinks to regain it back.

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

both scenarios,” he says.

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

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

“To address this issue, we developed continued on page 16

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Interns Explore Science... continued from page 14 a new process of making concrete from cement,” explains Malik. “We also modified the cement formulation by adding various surfactants and salts. We tried different mixtures of sea water and distilled water and checked the hardness of concrete formed. This not only decreases the curing time of cement by several days, but also decreases the overall water usage. Addition of magnesium chloride seemed to have helped too. To present our findings to the research community, we have documented their results in a comprehensive research paper.”

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

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

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

They both have been enjoying their experience.

“Personally, the most rewarding part of this internship was the invaluable experience I gained,” says Malik, who plans to major in environmental engineering at Cornell University.

“Before last summer, I had never worked in a real laboratory or conducted hands-on research,” he adds. “This internship not only provided me with that opportunity, but

also transformed my curiosity of research into a passion— one that has the potential to impact millions of lives. That, to me, is the most rewarding part.”

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

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

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

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

Shah explains his role a bit deeper.

“In the gummy experiment, Vrishank and I developed 40 formulations of gummies to improve colonoscopy preparation,” describes Shah.

“For the cement project, Vrishank and I studied the

process of converting cement to concrete, using water as the solvent,” he continues.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The first project she and her partner, Medapati, worked on was centered around formulating electrolyte gummies. continued on page 18

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Interns Explore Science... continued from page 16 “We experimented with various formulations of gelatin, water, salt (electrolytes), sweeteners, and flavors to create a gummy with the perfect consistency that also provided the necessary electrolyte amounts needed for athletes who tend to lose a lot of electrolytes through vigorous exercise,” explains Pansare. “After many trials, we were finally able to determine the formula that provided a good amount of electrolytes without a compromise on taste and texture.”

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

“Though there are many nail polish removers currently, we noticed that many of them have negative aspects to them, whether it be them taking too long to remove the polish, subtly harming the nails, or not being able to remove all aspects of nail polish (such as gel polishes, glitters, many layers),” she explains.

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

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

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

“These two experiments have allowed for us to experiment with finding solutions to real life problems; in the case of the electrolyte gummies, our research could help to find a suitable method that allows for runners and other athletes to get the electrolytes needed in a simple and easy to use manner,” realizes Pansare. “For our nail polish removers, we were able to try to experiment with different Celebrating 50 Years

compounds to create an efficient, yet safe and non-harmful end product that could assist nail polish wearers with having a much better experience removing their nail polish.”

They, too, are enjoying their time as interns.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“This research provides a comprehensive overview of ear drug delivery systems that can inform pharmaceutical development,” she shares. “It highlights the potential of the otic route of administration, particularly the recent patent showing how oil-based formulations containing eucalyptus oil can permeate the tympanic membrane to reach the throat

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via the eustachian tube. This approach could be used to treat upper respiratory infections such as SARS-COV2 and may generate further interest in the otic route of administration for various conditions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“We’re committed to ensuring that every intern gains valuable knowledge and experience during their time with us,” says Joshi.

Interns are unpaid but their lessons learned are priceless.

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

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

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Randolph Life • May 2025 • Page 19

NJStarz NJ Starz: Anton Testino Hometown: Butler

C

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

However, his big break where he reached national acclaim came in 2010 when the television show “Chopped “was aired featuring Testino. The chef initially didn’t know much about the program, and it was never his intention to be on the show. ”It was an accident. It wasn’t something that was supposed to happen. I worked at this one restaurant, my cousin’s place for about 15 years, and I did all the menu creation and helped them boost that business up. And a lot of the customers would come up to me at the time and they would be like, oh, you should really try out for this TV show “Chopped.”

And you know, back then, I was like, I don’t even know what “Chopped” is. The internet wasn’t like it was today, and I was just kind of like, you know what, I’ve had about 20 people say this, so maybe I should just watch the show and see what it’s all about right? So I did, and I said I can do this. I create something all the time, so I decided, why not? I made a video and sent it in and got myself an interview, which is crazy, from what I understood at the time. A lot of people tried out for the show 10, or 15 times before they get something. but I got on the first shot,” Testino said.

Testino, still a small restaurant worker, loved competing against chefs from multimillion-dollar restaurants while on the show and was praised by the judges for his wonderful octopus creation. Unfortunately, he was eliminated from the show, but it helped him grow his following. “ It was actually the best thing that ever happened to me ,because it made people see me completely differently, and that was exciting, and that’s that was actually the reason I got on “Hell’s Kitchen,” Testino said.

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

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

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

“That was probably the greatest culinary moment of my entire life.” My family gained their living making pizza in this country. That’s how they survived. That’s how they became who they are today. And the fact that I took my family’s name and impressed the best pizza man in the world, Wolfgang Puck, was great,” Testino said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Testino’s voluntary endeavors don’t stop just at raising money. One of his most endearing accomplishments is his mentoring of a young man named Nick. Testino has been guiding Nick in the culinary arts since he was 15 years old. He is now 24 and an executive chef at a top restaurant in New York City.

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

For Testino, who has owned and operated “Axton’s” in Pompton Lakes since 2016, finding time to help the community and run a successful restaurant is a delicate balancing act. But he wouldn’t have it any other way. He gives fully of himself to both areas. He is now in his early 50’s but doesn’t foresee slowing down anytime soon.

“It’s kind of crazy that at 52 years old, I still have the love and passion after doing this for 37 years and doing what I do and competing with the young generation, which I actually enjoy, because when I see a new young chef coming into the picture, and I do research and read about them, that motivates me. I love the challenge” This passion inspires Testino to keep creating new dishes at Axton’s so people not just in the Pompton Lakes area, but from New York come to his restaurant to savor his wonderful Italian dishes.

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

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

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

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

Page 20 • May 2025 • Randolph Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

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

I

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

West Morris Central, 1990.

A young man is with his graduating class, walking the halls for one of the last times as a student. But before he leaves the halls of West Morris, he must pass all his classes, including a law class taught by history teacher Dennis O’Connell.

“Jamie was a spirited

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

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

“It became obvious that he just wasn’t getting it that way and I knew he was taking the Computer Aided Design (CAD) program. I came up with the idea of him designing a police station for Washington Township,” O’Connell said.

Smith bought into the project and ultimately created a design for a police station. O’Connell even took the project a step further

and had Smith present the concepts to the township.

As a senior, Smith was also considering his posthigh school options. College?

Not for Jamie Smith. Smith, whose father served in the military and lost his leg in Vietnam, had his eyes set on becoming an Army Ranger.

“There was this expectation in the Smith family that you would serve your country. He was a very good athlete, he played football, wrestled, and played lacrosse, but I think his mindset was always ‘I’m going into the Army,’” O’Connell says.

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

After war lords began

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

On October 3, 1993, one of the bloodiest battles in U.S. military history began.

It was a battle that would

ultimately make Jamie Smith a household name on the world stage.

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

Jamie Smith

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Randolph Life • May 2025 • Page 21

Spacecraft Crashes in Grovers Mill, NJ

T

By Henry M. Holden he central figure in this story is Orson Wells, a celebrated playwright and director. The 28-year-old Wells had participated in programs on CBS Network Radio, titled Mercury Theater on the Air. The broadcast is scheduled on Halloween Eve. However, Wells thought it out and everyone thought it would be fun to do an adaptation of the British H.G. Welles War of the Worlds (no relation).

The last few decades of space exploration have shown that the universe is violent and dangerous, at least with respect to human life. For example: in 1908 an object of unknown nature – probably a comet – hit Siberia with a force equivalent to a hydrogen bomb. Had this impact happened a few hours later, allowing for the Earth’s rotation, this object would have destroyed St. Petersburg, Russia and probably much more.

The station’s regular program was Saturday, October 30, 1938 – Halloween Eve. Preparations are under way for a musical beginning, a guest speaker and a close with some dance music.

“We are fortunate to get Susan Oliver, Ph.D. who specializes in the Moon to come on the show,” says Patrick Stewart program director. “Can you share with us some of the activities in your specialty?”

“Of course, thank you for inviting me. Please let me share some stats to put it in perspective. The distance between the Moon and Earth on average is about 239,800 miles and about two and one half days to get there. But we have no vehicles capable of any kind of space travel.

Now in comparison the big difference between the Earth and Mars is an average 140 million miles away. I could provide a detailed explanation using Orbital Mechanics, but few people understand it . Instead, let’s talk about some of the explanations in the speed of the satellite. If we had such a vehicle it would have an orbital speed of about 17,000 miles per hour. But, even if we had a rocket capable of such speed we don’t have the materials and the will of the people to build one. This will take several decades to create.

“Meanwhile, a foreign vehicle that could land here would have to be a very large spacecraft, however, in general they are large, cylindrical projectiles fired from the Martian surface by some sort of cannon.

There is wide spread talk that the Martians instead would emerge from their craft in the same way, by unscrewing a large, round hatch.

They appear to have no use for humans, however, there is widespread circulation that the invaders would sustain themselves by “feeding” on humans, by fatally transfusing their captives’ blood supply directly into Martian bodies through pipettes.

There is later speculation about the Martians’ eventually using trained human slaves to hunt down all remaining survivors after they conquer. Then a newscaster from another location interrupts the program’ “We just received a report that tonight an unidentified vehicle from outer space crashed in a pasture in Grovers Mill, in Mercer County, NJ. “We have just been told by someone on the scene, a reporter who happened to be just a few miles away and raced to the scene and he described what he saw.

“This is reporter, Kyle R0te and I’m looking at what may be a crashed space vehicle that is in flames. I’m going to try and get a closer look.

“Good heavens, something is wiggling out of the shadows like a gray snake. There is another one and another. They

look like tentacles. I can see what I think are the scales around what maybe a head. The body is large, larger than a bear and it glistens like wet leather. But that face …ladies and gentlemen, this creature is indescribable. …I have force myself to keep looking at it. I just don’t have the words for it…”

According to the astronomers observations suggest Mars is becoming unable to support life, leading to the Martians’ decision to try to make Earth their new home. A hatch on the object unscrews and falls away. As three men standing guard attempt to make contact waving a white flag, a heatray obliterates them. U.S. Marines later surround the site, as reports pour in of more cylinders, presumably from Mars, landing all over Earth, destroying cities. Three war machines now emerge from the cylinder. A local Pastor attempts contact them but is disintegrated. Marines open fire but are unable to penetrate the invaders’ force field.

The aliens counterattack with death ray weaponry, killing most of the Marines and sending the remaining Marines into retreat. The Air Force attacks follow- up, but they are annihilated.

“A Martian bear has no physical resemblance to humans, said professor Oliver. They are described as bear-sized, roundish creatures with grayish-brown bodies, “merely heads”, with quivering beak-like, V-shaped mouths dripping saliva. They have sixteen whip-like tentacles in two groupings of eight arranged on each side of their mouths and two large “luminous, disk-like eyes. They are reddish-brown creatures with two long, thin arms with three long, thin fingers with suction-cup tips. The Martian head is a broad “face” at the top-front of its broad-shouldered upper torso, the only apparent feature of which is a single, large eye with three distinctly colored lenses of red, blue, and green.”

Another announcer comes on to say that “due to circumstances beyond our control the radio station is having problems with the broadcast. Soothing music comes from a dance band in New York City.

Brigadier General Montgomery Smith, of the New Jersey State Militia, arrives with the announcement that Mercer County and Middlesex Counties are being placed under martial law and homes are being evacuated. The soldiers are being rushed to the scenes. Listeners quickly learn that the solders have been wiped out and the Martians are in control of Central Jersey.

More details of this attack are quickly followed by an artillery movement in Plainsboro to stop the enemy. Another report says another alien ship has landed in Basking Ridge.

Apparently more Martians have crossed the Passaic River in the giant in giant machines. They are at the Pulaski Skyway destroying power stations. The general is warning that the black smoke pouring in from Jersey Meadows is probably poisonous and is close and is drifting close to the Morristown Green. And it is reaching South Street.

A reporter is saying that the local population is trying to get out of town, but road courtesy and manners have disappeared. The law enforcement is trying to move the vehicles to open spaces and use routes 7 and 24 to avoid congestion areas. The heavy black thick smoke is reported over Raymond Boulevard.

Maps are useless as dense smoke fills the air. The radio broadcast is supp0sed to be calming but does not ease the anxiety or fear that infects everyone. Those who have maps find them useless.

The broadcaster warns that all of New Jersey is now under Marshal Law and looters, or anyone mentioned

In spite of human evidence indicating that there was never a Martian invasion the locals in Grovers Mill erected a marker commemorating the event that never happened.

including Morristown the Watchung Mountains, Plainview and Bayonne should expect extreme responses from those who have rifles or handguns. Law Enforcement has issued a warning, that anyone using a weapon will be delt with in the most aggressive way possible. In other words, sh00t on sigh.

The police in New Yok contacted the Peoples Drug Store chain in New Jersey to lock up immediately. Gun dealers have already shut down, but there is serious looting and destruction of property in reports the Newark, Chatham and Dover.

While the broadcast was in progress and 42 minutes into the show, the network interrupted to announce the program had been dramatized.

One of America’s worldwide known announcers began his regular broadcast which came on the air at 9pm right after the dramatic end of the War of the Worlds.

“Good evening Mr. and Mrs. America, and all the ships at sea. This is Walter Winchell. The Mercury Theater on the Air presentation of the War of the Worlds was dramatization which we mentioned, but it seems a lot of people missed the opening.” It seems that the Mercury Theater on the Air had a minor share of the national radio listeners averaging less than 4-percent.

The Martians killed most of the humans they meet, but we also learn they need blood and tissue from humans to fertilize the extraterrestrial plants they are growing on Earth. The supply of humans seems to be abundant, and the Martians are on a ticking clock. If they don’t get the transfusions they need within 72 hours of contact they wither and die quickly. The world stepped aside and with time on the side of the humans the invasion went quietly into the history books.

In the days after the adaptation, there was widespread outrage expressed in the media. The program’s news-bulletin format was described as deceptive by some newspapers and public figures, leading to an outcry against the broadcasters and calls for regulation by the FCC. Wells apologized at a hastily called news conference the next morning, and no punitive action was taken.

Page 22 • May 2025 • Randolph Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

New Jersey, First in Flight

T

By Henry M. Holden oday, in the jet age, people barely give balloon flight a passing nod. But back in the eighteenth century lighter-than-air flight was a giant step for humans. Humans could leave the surface of the planet and fly over church steeples raging rivers and tall hills.

French balloonist, Monsieur Jean Pierre Blanchard arrived in Philadelphia on December 9, 1792. He was excited to bring his pioneering balloon flights to America.

Blanchard made all the arrangements for the flight and staged his first one on January 9, 1793. This attracted the attention of President George Washington. Washington would be among the crowd to witness the first flight in America.

Aerial ballons were invented by the Montgolfier brothers 0f France in the early 1780s. The first flights were met with excitement, and astonishment. When one balloon came down a French villager thought the moon had fallen from the sky.

Montgolfier brothers were prosperous paper manufacturers (a high-tech industry at the time), experimenting with lighter-thanair devices after observing that heated air

directed into a paper or fabric bag made the bag rise. After several successful tests, the brothers decided to publicly demonstrate their invention. It took some time before people did send a human into the air since it was doubtful that anyone could breathe at that height.

Doctors wanted to be sure ballooning was safe so they asked Blanchard if he would help with the experiment’s He agreed. In Europe, it was considered a bold experiment. when a balloon was launched in Paris with a duck, sheep, and a rooster on board. Speculators were delighted when they found that when the balloon came down all the animals had survived.

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

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

On January 9, 1793, Jean Pierre Blanchard traveled from Philadelphia over the swiftly running Delaware River to New

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Jersey, accompanied by a small dog. What made this trip worth remembering was Blanchard flew a balloon to an altitude of 5,852 feet (more than a mile) and landed safely in Gloucester County initially scaring a farmer upon landing. He made this flight 110 years before the Wright brothers first powered flight in 1903.

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

To cover the cost of his trip Blanchard began charging five dollars apiece, an astronomical sum of money in those days.

However, on the day of his trip, speculators crowded into the nearby space to watch the event unfold.

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

Blanchard was no stranger to balloons.

His best-known accomplishment to date was

to be the first ever to fly across the English Channel in 1785. The quest to conquer the channel continued through the early days of flight. When powered flight became popular several men attempted to cross the English Channel and lost their lives. French man Louis Bleriot was the first human to survive such a flight in 1909. He was followed by Harriet Quimby, the first woman to fly the continued on page 27

Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Randolph Life • May 2025 • Page 23

First in Flight...

continued from page 26 Channel, in 1912.

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

Blanchard began preparation for his hot air balloon ascension. Throughout the morning cannons were fired. As they approach the takeoff hour a band began to play.

A large crowd had gathered in the yard of the Walnut Street prison, in Philadelphia. Since Philadelphia was at the time the capital of the newly formed states, and President George Washington was present.

One of the reasons to hold the ascension inside the prison walls was to give the paying customers a front row seat and keep the unpaid people away from this event. The French ambassador was also present for the historic event.

Washington wrote a note and handed it to Blanchard in the prison yard. The crowd was excited to see not only Blanchard but the President as well to watch a great event. The letter the American said was a note to whom ever Blanchard first came across upon landing.

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

Washington’s letter of guarantee of safe passage seems to have vanished. Too bad. The first air mail in American history would have been worth a fortune to collectors.

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

It was a moment that even this uneducated farmer could recognize as history-making. As he watched the huge covering atop the basket began settling to the ground. While Blanchard tugged on the guy wires, his little black dog ran around barking in excitement.

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

It was a delicate moment. The balloonist shouted a welcome in a foreign language. The farmer did not understand, and Blanchard showed him a letter which he might just as well not have seen in any language because the farmer could not understand.

No such event could have gone unnoticed in this tiny community of Deptford, where he landed. Within minutes the two were joined by neighbors. The people were curious, and more neighbors rushed to the scene. Suddenly a man showed up waving a pistol.

But there was no violence. Fortunately. the armed man had the ability to read and write and he triumphantly announce that the letter was from none other than President George Washington.

In Blanchard’s handwriting in his journal, he wrote a description of the moment. “‘In the midst of profound silence, it was read with a loud and audible voice. How dear the name of Washington is to these people. With such eagerness they gave me all possible assistance in consequence of his recommendation”.

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

After his record-setting flight the diminutive Frenchman was able to support himself and his family using his fleet of balloons for the next eight years. Blanchard had triumphed in America with his first ever flight to New Jersey, but frustration followed. He was never able to raise enough money to support another flight in America and he decided to go back the France.

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

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

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

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Page 24 • May 2025 • Randolph Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

My Greatest Failure, Led To My Greatest Success

I

By Richard Mabey Jr. graduated from the first class of Sherman College of Chiropractic in September of 1976. By June of 1977, I had passed the West Virginia Chiropractic Board of Examiners written and practical exams. I had secured a license to practice the art and science of chiropractic. I opened up a store front office in Squirrel Valley (I changed the name of the town). Squirrel Valley was a very small town located in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.

Back in 1977, in small town West Virginia, putting out a shingle that read “Chiropractor” may just as had the words “Witch Doctor” written on it. Please do take my word on it, the public image of chiropractic has changed dramatically from 1977 till now. Even more so, in rural West Virginia.

I was living in the back room of my office. It was a tough time for me. I confess that I only had five or six patients. I had sold my stamp collection and my comic book collection to get some of the money to open up my office. Dad gave me some money. But, it wasn’t like I had this big bank account to fall back on.

I met this young woman, Cindy, at church. She lived alone with her dad. Her mother had passed away when Cindy was very young. Cindy was the youngest of a rather large family.

All of Cindy’s siblings had moved away. Her dad was ailing and he was not well at all. Most of our dates were spent watching television with Cindy’s dad. Which was really fine with me.

After six months of being in practice in Squirrel Valley, I came down with the most dreadful sore throat that led to strep throat. I returned home to Lincoln Park to heal.

But, sadly, my strep led to my second time developing full-

blown Rheumatic Fever. I successfully fought my first case of RF, when I was 12 years old. Now at 24, I ended up with a month-long stay in the hospital, being intravenously fed with penicillin.

After I came home and healed from my battle with RF, I began writing for the old Lincoln Park Herald. Mostly scout news, church events, engagement and wedding announcements and that kind of thing. Well meaning relatives, fellow church members, neighbors and friends told me that I needed to go back to West Virginia and continue being a chiropractor. They did not mean to do this, but they made me feel very guilty.

The bottom line is that God had a plan for me. God had chosen me for a ministry, separate from being a chiropractor.

Simply put, my pulpit was my pen and paper. I remember, as a young man, praying for God to show me my true purpose in life, my ministry, my calling. Time and time again, God brought me back to the humble work of putting words down on paper.

I did not know it, but God was honing my skills to become a writer. I returned to college and took a number of courses that focused on writing, from creative writing to the elements of poetry to business writing. I began ferociously reading the books of Thomas Wolfe, Earl Hamner Jr., Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner and John Steinbeck. I was finding my way.

Despite all my efforts to make a living as a chiropractor in West Virginia, God had a different plan for me.

Perhaps you may be finding yourself completely unhappy in your present job. Something deep inside your heart and soul is calling you to an entirely different career route. At first, you might ignore this calling. But in time, it will become

Dad and I, back in 1979, after I fully recovered from my second bout with Rheumatic Fever.

more and more clear to you, what your true purpose in life really is.

You’ll come to realize the path God is calling you to take.

It’s not an easy decision to make. To leave one career path to begin the walk in an entirely different endeavor. It will take courage, perseverance and a deep faith in God. But in the end, God will guide you to find your true purpose in life. And when you do find your true calling, with God’s helping hand, you’ll shine like a diamond.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has had two books published. He hosts a YouTube Channel titled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@ gmail.com.

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Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com • Randolph Life • May 2025 • Page 27

DENVILLE SEAFOOD Celebrating Our 74th Year!

Family Operated Since 1951

Fresh Seafood Market • Fresh Fish Daily From The Fulton Fish Market In NY

Denville Seafood Better Than A Shore Thing!

OUTDOOR DINING COMING SOON! Indoor Dining Available Reservations highly recommended!

Come See Why We Were Voted The BEST!

Free Parking in Bloomfield lot, located behind the store The Back door is open for your convenience

FISH MARKET OPEN! Fresh Fish Daily! Take Out Available!

Daily Record

MORRIS COUNTY

Follow Us On Facebook For Specials, Recipes, Events & More!

WWW.DENVILLESEAFOOD.COM

973-627-2987

61 Broadway • Denville Store Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:00-8:00 Dining Room Lunch 11:30-3:00 • Dinner 4:00 Until Closing Closed Sun. & Mon. • Kitchen closed daily 3:00-4:00

Page 28 • May 2025 • Randolph Life • Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/mypaperonline.com

Morristown Office 1776 On The Green Morristown, NJ 07960 973.769.1563

SCAN THE QR CODE TO SEE HOW COMPASS CONCIERGE WORKS & REQUEST YOUR FREE CONSULTATION.

LET THE TUCKER TEAM ANSWER ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE QUESTIONS

Douglas Tucker Team Leader

Nic Zarro Sales Associate Kimberly Thomas Broker - Associate

Richard Murgittroyd Sales Associate Anthony DeSena Sales Assoiate

The Tucker Team is a team of real estate salespersons affiliated with Compass RE. Compass RE is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is complied from sources deemed reliable but subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawl without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.

Apply with Jon Lamkin: www.rate.com/jonlamkin Jon Lamkin | SVP of Mortgage Lending Mobile: 973.219.9282 | JonL@rate.com | NMLS: 143207 4 Century Drive, Suite 150, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054 | nmlsconsumeraccess.org NMLS ID# 2611 Licensed by the N.J. Department of Banking and Insurance. Applicant subject to credit and underwriting approval. Restrictions apply.