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Wayne Family Doing Their Part During Coronavirus Pandemic
By Megan Roche or the Asad family, sitting idle and watching the coronavirus pandemic pass by is just simply not their nature. Nart and Layali, mom and dad to four boys, have put their children to creative work. The boys, alongside dad, are working on patient ventilator prototypes. “I always had passion for science and technology, and I have constantly shared this passion with my kids for years and my wife always supported this passion in every possible way. The COVID-19 crisis however was very special. We were seeing the communities we lived in, worked in, and loved, suffering with people facing all kind of issues, and we just wanted to help. It was very clear that the lack of ventilators can be a very high risk, so we wanted to help by mitigating this risk, here, and around the world.” Asad said. The Asad boys began the process excitedly. Dad first had them make the original prototype with Legos, a process of building and programming that the four boys were able to complete all in one day. The process of building the ventilator has not been without its issues though. “I talked about the issue with my kids and we decided to build a prototype with Lego parts that we have. They built the prototype and programmed it, all in less than one day. Then we started building a functional prototype, something that provides basic functions of emergency ventilators. We faced huge issues with logistics, such as not being able to find the required parts in shops or get them online in a relatively fast time. As a result, we had to improvise a lot, make most of the parts at home, including valves, pump, casing, electronics, and some mechanical parts. We also used other parts that we took from house appliances or tools.” Asad shared. Asad saw what was going on and jumped in immediately. Thanks to the help of borrowing parts from Wayne Hills High School and the support of the Wayne Township School district, he and his family are hoping to help not just in America, but around the world. “We want to make an emergency ventilator that is very easy to manufacture, assemble, and not costly. There should be enough to be stacked in tens of thousands for emergencies. It can be also used in poor countries to save lives that used to be wasted for the lack of these devices. Doctors should never have to make the decision of who
gets to live or die because of the lack of ventilators.” Asad said. The Asad family is continuing to work on the process. They are currently working on oxygen mixing. Nart and Layali have no plans to end the process until their prototype is done, but they are also hoping this project teaches their sons some very important life lessons along the way. “I hope this project will continue until all goals are met, so no one will die because of the lack of ventilators. I want
to teach my children about the value of helping others, standing for the right thing, understanding teamwork and community work, and to appreciate knowledge and education, as it is the path for safe and flourishing humanity. Everyone should try to help in his/her own way. Many people already do this, which is so touching, eye opening, and heart moving. People are making masks for free, shopping for elderly, and donating to hospitals. Today we are more united than ever, and we will win this together.”
Page 2 • April 20, 2020
The Albrook School Students Attend Nursing Professor on Good 2020 Mmun Conference Hygiene When Grocery Shopping During Pandemic
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aldwell University Nursing Professor Kathleen Ann Kelley, DNP, MSN, RN is providing vital information on how to practice good hygiene when going to the grocery store during the coronavirus pandemic. Kelley originally recorded a video for social media and because it was so popular she was asked to share it with the wider community. “I put together this video after seeing so many people contaminating themselves due to improper use of the mask and gloves while at the food store,” said Kelley, director of undergraduate nursing education. Kelley, who has a trauma and critical care nursing background, provides information on how to put masks and gloves on and off properly, packing the car, what to do when taking your groceries into your home and cleaning your reusable bags. Among her tips, she emphasizes putting on hand sanitizer before taking the mask on and off, making sure the sanitizer gets in between your fingers, how to take the gloves off without touching your skin and much more.
Dr. Kathleen Ann Kelley, Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Nursing Education, provides advice on how to practice good hygiene when going to the grocery store during the coronavirus pandemic.
odel Montessori United Nations was an excellent opportunity for Albrook’s upper elementary students to go to New York and present solutions to solve world problems. Before they attended, they had to write position papers and speeches on their topics and raise money for their trip. This year, some students from Albrook attended along with Ms. Hicks, Director of Human Resources, as their lead. The presentation topics were Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 and Food Security SDG 2, serious topics for elementary students to address. While spending time in New York the delegates took part in a flag bearing ceremony representing the countries they were assigned, listened to speeches, made motions and were asked to create real-life solutions to real-life problems. Two of our students were even chosen to be on a special project committee. In two days, they produced two extensively edited documents detailing comprehensive solutions to complex problems. The maturity, dedication, and efforts put forth by all of the delegates were beyond commendable.
Navigating the negotiations towards a resolution was not always smooth, but it gave the students exposure to many skills that will serve them well in the future. In addition to learning about real-world issues and how the United Nations works, they were exposed to how to work in large groups, use their powers of persuasion, compromise, and deal with different personalities. One of Albrook’s delegates stated, “MMUN was an excellent experience. After the conference, I understood how solutions are created at the UN.” The Albrook School was founded in 1979 as a non-profit Montessori school. We serve up to 200 children ages two through twelve. Our School is accredited by the American Montessori Society and by the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools and follows the Montessori philosophy of assisting each child in developing each of his or her potentialities to the fullest. The Albrook School is located at 361 Somerville Road, Basking Ridge, NJ. If you would like more information about this topic, please call Lisa Perez at 908-580-0661 or email to: lperez@albrookschool.org.
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April 20, 2020 • Page 3
Denville Sunrise Rotary Club Honors Students
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ervice Above Self” is the motto of Rotary International. Cities all over the world look for ways to raise money, which benefits their towns. Twelve years ago, the Denville Sunrise Rotary initiated a program to award township students whose extra-curricular, volunteer efforts could be recognized. These young people committed themselves to all kinds of assistance to groups beyond school activities. These included, but were not limited to tutors, nurses’ assistants, Senior Center volunteers, Library readers, Homeless meal preparation and distribution, children’s activities, religious organizations, and any number of Denville Civic activities. With cooperation from the Advisors of Valleyview Middle School and Morris Knolls
High School, candidates are nominated for our student awards honor. This semester’s nominees are Kerri Shaw and Anna Staltari. Kerri is a member of the National Honor Society, runs winter and spring track, and is a member of the Interact Club, including volunteering at Santa Land. She has worked in the Hudson Valley Food Bank, collected school supplies for lower income families, organized a Charity Benefit for the American Cancer Society and participated in Student Government at Morris Knolls High School. Kerri is deciding which college to attend from the five colleges she was accepted at. Anna is an eighth-grade student at Valleyview Middle School. She is co-captain of the Valleyview Mock Trial Club and was to star in the Spring Musical Production of “Legally Blonde”. She is a
coach for Hub Soccer, an aide at St. Mary’s Church CCD, sold Christmas Trees at Knuth Farms, an assistant at Denville Library programs and a volunteer at the Lakeview Fun Fest for the past five years. She has sung the National Anthem at the Mayor’s Inauguration, Dedication at the Courtyard of Mayor Dwyer, the Denville Triathlon and Opening Day for Denville Little League PAL. The students and their parents are invited to a Rotary meeting, where their Advisors introduce the students, highlighting their individual achievements. Each student is awarded a Certificate of Merit and a $100.00 cash gift. Denville Sunrise Rotarians are proud to honor these students and acknowledge their service to the community.
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Page 4 • April 20, 2020
A VIEW FROM THE LEFT
Words for the Class of 2020 Phyllis Schlafly:
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EDITORIAL &
Opinions
here will be no graduation festivities this spring at dozens of American colleges and universities, including Ohio State, Brigham Young, Howard, Swarthmore, Notre Dame, Duke, UCLA and Yale. That means this year’s graduates and their closest relatives and friends will not have the benefit of sitting on hard chairs and listening to the commencement speaker. As someone who has, on 15 different occasions, tested the patience as well as the attention span of graduation audiences, I semimodestly offer the proud but uncelebrated grads of 2020 the generic commencement speech they will not have to sit through. The speaker should always remember the wise counsel of President Franklin Roosevelt, a man who knew how to give a successful speech: “Be sincere; be brief; be seated.” My own favorite opener, to assure those present that they would not be subject to a filibuster was this: “As King Henry VIII said to each of his six wives, ‘Don’t worry; I won’t keep you long.’” Believe me, in the long history of oratory, no listener has ever said to any speaker, “Boy, that was a really good speech, but it was too short.” The graduation speech includes some practical advice for the young graduates from the sage veteran on the stage. My personal favorite was the late Art Buchwald’s timeless charge to a graduating class at his alma mater, the University of Southern California: “We, the older generation, have given you a perfect world. So don’t screw it up.” Graduates have a civic responsibility to engage in public life, and, yes, that includes politics. They deserve to know the inescapable political truth: “In every political campaign you’re ever in, you will invariably encounter somebody on your side you wish devoutly was on the Other Side.” Graduating seniors deserve the unvarnished truth: “Yes, life is unfair. For example, no one really cares at all if a banker writes a bad poem. But pity the poor poet who writes a bad check.” Every graduate must be told the following: “Call your mother.” We’re not
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Mark Shields talking email or text messaging. Because she knows you better than you know yourself and because she loves you, your mother wants to hear your voice to know how you really are doing. Not all presidents have railed about and against “fake news.” Franklin Roosevelt, the only American president ever elected four times, used to read and devour five newspapers every day. One evening, with a first edition of The Washington Post, President Roosevelt, who was under the weather read the front-page headline: “FDR in Bed With Co-Ed.” Immediately, the president, laughing, called the Post and requested 100 copies of the paper. He wanted to distribute them to his friends. The embarrassed Post immediately corrected the headline to “FDR in Bed With Cold.” Finally, we should all be reminded of our responsibilities to one another and our debt to those who went before us: “Always remember that each of us has been warmed by fires we did not build; each of us has drunk from wells we did not dig. We owe no less to those who come after us, and, together, we can do even better.” Happy graduation. To find out more about Mark Shields and read his past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www. creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2020 MARK SHIELDS. DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM 100% MailedNewspaper Flanders, NJ 07836
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A VIEW FROM THE RIGHT
Godmother of America First
nti-patriot hatred never rests. Hollywood has launched a new character assassination vehicle targeting the late great Phyllis Schlafly. “Mrs. America” debuts on FX on Hulu this week with liberal actress Cate Blanchett starring as the traditionalist Catholic conservative activist who defeated the so-called Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s and went on to helm the influential Eagle Forum until her death at 92 in 2016. Blanchett, who also served as executive producer on the project, denies any bias against Schlafly and points to the entire movie staff’s refusal to speak with any of her family members as proof of its neutrality. But blocking input from those who knew the phenomenal matriarch, lawyer and author of more than 20 books conveniently allowed the Tinseltown fable-tellers to fabricate calumnious scenes out of thin air -- including a fantastical depiction of Schlafly’s devoted husband, Fred, forcing the female conservative icon to have sex against her will. With the couple both deceased and family members unable to defend their marriage of 44 years, nobody and nothing stood in the way of Blanchett and Co. disseminating a cunning lie crafted to cast conservative women as abused captives with no independent agency behind closed doors. Anne Schlafly Cori, one of Schlafly’s six children and chair of the Eagle Forum, vigorously refuted Blanchett’s depiction of her mother in trailers released ahead of this Wednesday’s premiere. “Her acting is cold, cruel, and calculating,” she told Vanity Fair. “Phyllis Schlafly was warm and gracious and her beliefs were sincere. Women idolized Phyllis Schlafly.” I can testify to this firsthand. As a young conservative writer in the early 1990s, the Phyllis Schalfly Report greatly influenced my views on education, feminism, multiculturalism and immigration. (For my first newspaper column photo at the Los Angeles Daily News, I even emulated her trademark bun.) I admired Schlafly’s intellect, vigilance, style, grace,
Michelle Malkin prolific output and commitment to family. In my travels as a journalist, I met legions of women inspired by Schlafly to run for school board and local and statewide offices on behalf of their families, faith and nation. Schlafly was as down-to-earth in person as her column voice and TV debates -- and contrary to a Wall Street Journal movie reviewer’s attack on her “resentment” and “rage,” she was the quintessential happy warrior with a twinkle in her eyes. Far from the “lone wolf” portrayal of Schlafly in “Mrs. America,” Schlafly was constantly surrounded by old and new proteges and mentees. After publication of my first book, “Invasion,” in 2002, I was honored to receive an “Eagle Award” from Schlafly and the Eagle Forum for “articulate leadership in bringing the truth to the American people.” A plaque signed by Schlafly hangs in my home office. I am just one of thousands of conservative activists, volunteers, elected officials and media personalities who have received the honor since 1972. The “Mrs. America” that nationalist conservatives honor was ahead of the curve on the issues that defined the presidential campaign of Donald Trump, whom she endorsed in March 2016. Long before “drain the swamp” became a MAGA meme, Schlafly had called out continued on page 6
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Page 6 • April 20, 2020
Phyllis Schlafly... Robertet USA Donates over 500 Gallons continued from page 4 the “secret kingmakers” of the Republican of Hand Sanitizer to Local Hospitals establishment in her seminal book, “A Choice
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donation of over 500 gallons of hand sanitizer was given by Bob Weinstein, CEO of Robertet USA. In addition to Mt Olive, Robertet USA also donated to the Hamilton PD, getting material to the
East Rutherford PD and Ridgewood as well. In photo: James Manzo, Sladjana Ljusic, Frank Invernon, Alex Berrios and Gus Honoret
Not an Echo,” way back in 1964. Those East Coast power brokers and financiers propped up liberal GOP ciphers, she wrote, to “preserve their America Last foreign policy” and “foreign giveaways.” Today, the new generation of donor-class elites work in backrooms to serve the same “Open Borders Inc.” agenda -- and many are embedded in the Trump White House undermining it from within while stabbing American students, workers and taxpayers in the back. If Pat Buchanan is the godfather of “America First,” Phyllis Schlafly is its godmother. For decades, she relentlessly lambasted globalism, unfair trade deals and border anarchy -- earning derision from both the establishment left and right in Washington (along with the smear merchants at the Southern Poverty Law Center) as being “racist,” anti-Semitic” and “bigoted.” Highlighting one of the Eagle Forum’s most important reports in 2014 on “How Mass (Legal) Immigration Dooms a Conservative Republican Party,” Schlafly called out the cheap foreign labor lobby suppressing American workers’ wages. Importing 1 million new foreigners every
year whose socialist and left-leaning voting patterns are stubbornly unmalleable, on top of the 20 million illegal immigrants constantly clamoring for amnesty, is a recipe for GOP suicide and American collapse. “Outreach” is futile, Schlafly warned, without “reducing the number of immigrants allowed into the country each year. If legal immigration is not reduced, it will be nearly impossible for conservatives to be successful on the issues we care about.” As ever, Mrs. America’s fierce clarity is more relevant than ever as big business, big tech, big ag and big academia oppose the will of the people for an immigration moratorium in the age of the ChiCom virus. Hollywood has done the “American First” movement an invaluable favor by bringing renewed attention to the wisdom and patriotism of Phyllis Schlafly. It’s up to the rest of us to reclaim her true legacy -- and fulfill it. Michelle Malkin’s email address is MichelleMalkinInvestigates@protonmail.com. To find out more about Michelle Malkin and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM
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Sussex and Warren County Residents Welcome at Project Self-Sufficiency Food Pantry
hanks to generous donations from the NORWESCAP Food Bank, the Sussex County Board of Social Services, and numerous kind-hearted individuals, the food pantry at Project Self-Sufficiency is open and available to Sussex and Warren County residents, Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The agency has launched a new initiative, “The Food Project: Nourishing Our Neighbors”, which is open to the public; those interested in obtaining free food and personal care products need not be agency participants. The agency is welcoming monetary donations to purchase food, as well as the donation of non-perishable items such as canned soups and stews; canned fruits and vegetables; fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables; frozen meals; coffee; tuna; pastas and sauces; peanut butter and jelly; toothpaste; shampoos and conditioners; hair care products; skin care products; laundry detergents; diapers and baby wipes; toilet tissue; facial tissue; and feminine hygiene products. “During this public health crisis, the staff and Board at Project Self-Sufficiency
feel strongly that the most vulnerable families in our community must have access to essential basic needs, like food, personal care products and diapers,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director at Project Self-Sufficiency. “The Food Project: Nourishing Our Neighbors at Project Self-Sufficiency is open and ready to serve anyone in need.” Those who are interested in accessing The Food Project: Nourishing Our Neighbors at Project Self-Sufficiency are invited to visit the campus, 127 Mill Street, Newton or call the agency, 973-940-3500 or 844-8073500. Monetary and food donations will be gratefully accepted at the agency Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Monetary donations can also be made at www.projectselfsufficiency.org. Project Self-Sufficiency is a community-based non-profit organization which specializes in services for low-income families in northwestern New Jersey. Programs offered at Project Self-Sufficiency include family literacy education, computer training and job placement services, assistance with parenting skills, childcare, counseling and
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Page 8 • April 20, 2020
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Long-term Care – It’s Not Just Nursing Homes
he Arc/Morris opened its first group home for people with developmental disabilities in 1983. From the very beginning, our work was predicated on providing normal homelike environments. In the years since, assisted by local officials and caring people in neighborhoods throughout Morris County, development continued. Today, The Arc/Morris provides housing and services for more than 120 adults. We are your neighbors. We are also a crucial part of the non-institutional long-term care system in New Jersey. And then there was a pandemic. One morning, a group home resident was discovered by staff to have fallen out of bed. An ambulance was called, and he was taken to the hospital. The next day, he was diagnosed positive for corona virus. The news hit like a ton of bricks. And so began a whirlwind of activity to try to meet the incredible challenge of supporting adults with developmental disabilities in group homes and apartments across Morris County. The day programs we also operate were closed in early March. But you can’t close someone’s home. And you can’t leave adults with developmental disabilities alone for 14 days to shelter in place. Our residents require 24/7 supervision and support. And that means daily, round-the-clock
staffing. Just like in a nursing home. Only we’re not a nursing home. Our facilities provide long-term care, but are not classified as health-care facilities. We recognized immediately that we needed to provide resources to staff who were being called upon to risk their own safety to continue to provide for the needs of our residents. We needed personal protective equipment (PPE). So, we reached out to officials in the state agency that oversees operations such as ours. Response at the state level has been modest, at best; they issued guidelines, and urged us to be creative. Fortunately, our local, county and legislative officials went beyond that. They listened, and appreciated the immediacy of our need. They helped us to begin to acquire PPE for staff. That has enabled us to start to make a stand against this virus. But our staff are the true heroes of this crisis. Lacking the full preparation and resources that we would have preferred, our direct care workers have become front-line essential health care workers. Despite the fear of direct impact from the virus, they continue to come to work every day, because they remain committed to their residents. They are battling to sustain this very fragile system of care. It is a battle that continues to this day. William Testa is the Executive Director of The Arc/Mor-
ris, Morris County’s oldest non-profit organization committed to the care, support and advancement of people with developmental disabilities and their families.
What’s happening in your school or organization? Celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, graduation? Have a human interest story or something you would like to share? Email us at editor@mylifepublications.com
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April 20, 2020 • Page 9
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April 20, 2020 • Page 11
I Remember Dad: Dad’s Old Ford Ranger Trucks
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By Richard Mabey Jr. y father had a great fondness and appreciation for Ford Ranger Trucks. Dad had two different Ford Rangers, in the course of about two decades, from around 1985 till 2005, Dad always owned a Ford Ranger. He simply loved them. His first Ford Ranger was red in color with gray trim. Dad’s second Ford Ranger was white in color. There was an era, between 1985 and 2005, where Dad was the only one in our neighborhood in Lincoln Park who owned a pick-up truck. My father had a very kind heart, so it wasn’t uncommon on a Saturday afternoon for Dad to drive one of the neighbors, in his Ford Ranger, to one of the big home improvement stores to buy lumber, or an outdoor children’s swing set, or a barbecue grill, or a whole list of oversized products that simply would not fit into the trunk of a car. It was just one reflection of the goodness that abided in the chambers of my dad’s heart. I remember one morning, in the Summer of 1995, Dad still had his first Ford Ranger, the red one. Dad and I both got up early one Saturday morning, to bring the recycling to the recycling center at the end of Main
Street in Lincoln Park. We filled the back of Dad’s Ranger with bags of aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles and bundles of newspapers. It was one of those things that I cherished doing with my dad. After we dropped off the recycling, Dad and I stopped off to Moe’s Sweet Shop for breakfast. We had parked on Zeliff Place. Well, we were sipping our coffee, waiting for our breakfast, when one of Dad’s former scouts came in with his young son. Dad was surprised to the gentleman, who had been a scout in Boy Scout Troop 170, back in the mid 1970’s. John introduced his son, who appeared to be about eight years old, to Dad and I. And then little Johnny was coached, by his father, to tell my dad something that he dreaded to tell Dad. The boy began to tell my dad that he dinged the driver’s side door of Dad’s truck when he opened the car door too strongly and too widely. John told my dad that he figured the truck belonged to my father, because of all the scouting decals on the truck. My dad did cringe just a little. But, he assured the nervous little boy that it was okay. My dad told the boy that he was sure that he didn’t mean to hit his truck on purpose. Then Dad invited John and his son to sit down with
A great photo of my dad in his old red Ford Ranger pick-up truck. Dad simply loved his old Ford Rangers.
us, which they did. It was a grand and wonderful little reunion. We reminisced memories of the glory days of Troop 170. And, Dad encouraged little Johnny to join Cub Scouts. We all walked out of Moe’s Sweet Shop together. Dad nonchalantly noticed the big ding in the door of his Ford Ranger. As Dad drove homeward bound, up Main Street, he simply said to me, “it was worth a ding in my truck to see John again and to meet his son.” And, I know in my heart of hearts, that Dad really meant those words.
Sometimes, when I’m in a grocery store parking lot or the parking lot of one of those big box stores, I might come across an older Ford Ranger. It’s so funny. In a matter of a second or two, just walking by an old Ford Ranger, it can bring back a thousand and one memories. The old cherished memories of a bygone era. Oh, to simply ride with Dad, one more time, in his old Ford Ranger. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@hotmail. com.
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Rabbi Mark Biller To Explore A Talmudic Story With A Timely Theme
abbi Mark Biller, spiritual leader of Temple Gates of Prayer in Queens, New York, will lead a short, yet fascinating class on a thought-provoking Talmud story--full of miracles, strong personalities, rabbinic tensions, and even a visit with the prophet Elijah! Rabbi Biller’s intriguing session will be held via Zoom on Thursday, April 23, at 1 p.m., and is open to all. The class is part of National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), West Morris Section’s Our Jewish World Clergy Learning Series, coordinated by Ilene Dorf Manahan and Melanie Levitan, both of Morristown. Says Rabbi Biller, “This ancient story has an oh-so-relevant message for today.” Called “The Oven of Akhnai,” it focuses on the nature of law and authority, concerns over a fractured and divisive community, and the issue of the influence we have on other individuals through our words and actions. Rabbi Biller specializes in the art of storytelling, and counseling Jews of all ritual lev-
els looking to find meaning in both modern life and rich Jewish traditions. The spiritual leader of synagogues in his native Canada, as well as in Alabama, New York and New Jersey, the rabbi received rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary. He also studied BiblioDrama with Peter Pitzele at the Union Theological Seminary, and completed a two-year Spiritual Direction course at Elat Chayyim, designed to help participants teach others how to identify and follow their own spiritual paths. NCJW confronts today’s most urgent social and economic challenges facing women, children, and families. Powered by the Jewish imperative to ensure dignity for all, we impact policy, advocate for justice, and support the community. Your voice has never been more essential and our voices together make a meaningful difference in the world. For further information about this online class, including the Zoom link and password (available the day before the class), email iadpr@aol.com.
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Page 16 • April 20, 2020
I
Diary of a Scout Leader: My Start as a Patrol Leader
By Richard Mabey Jr. n December of 1967, at the age of 14 and in my freshman year of high school, a most wonderful opportunity to grow as a leader came unto me. My cardiologist did not want me to play high school sports, having had a full-year bout with rheumatic fever, just two years ago. So, sports were not in my destiny. But, in December of 1967, I became the Patrol Leader of the infamous Badger Patrol. In many ways, it was a leadership role that deeply changed my life. My Assistant Patrol Leader was George Y. George lived across the street from me. He was two years younger than me and in the seventh grade. George and I had been good friends for years. There were three other scouts in the Badger Patrol. My cousin Eddie, who lived in the house right next to me. Joey M. who lived diagonally across the street from me. And, Kevin B. who lived right across from my backyard, on Mabey Lane. We were the invincible, we were the one and only, amazing Badger Patrol! Right away, I gave each scout a job. My cousin Eddie was our Patrol Scribe. Joey was our Patrol Librarian. And, Kevin was our Patrol Quartermaster. George, of course, was our Assistant Patrol Leader, to whom I leaned on to help me with patrol cooking and teaching the other scouts, the basic scouting skills. It was a grand and glorious time. It was a magical era. The Badger Patrol met every Saturday morning at nine o’clock in the old work shed, on the left-hand side, toward the end of Mabey Lane. The interior of the work shed was about the size of a large living room, maybe a touch bigger. In the middle of the work shed, was a pot belly stove. We would fill it with sticks and thick branches and small pieces of two by fours, to keep warm during our meetings in the winter. We
had it made! The work shed had been the workplace of Mr. Bligh, who had lived at the old Francisco Canal Home, years ago. It was a great place for the Badger Patrol to meet. There were windows on every wall of the work shed. There was a big work bench along the northern wall. There was a big table and eight or nine old chairs. We would all sit in a circle, on the old chairs, Eddie would sit at the table and take notes about our patrol meetings. We thought for sure that we had the tiger by the tail! We would have a formal meeting for about 10 minutes or so, then we would review scout skills for about a half an hour. Then, we would put our knapsacks on along with our canteens and take a hike down to the old Morris Canal. We would all bring a peanut butter and jelly sandwich along with an apple or an orange and sometimes a couple of cookies. We would have our lunch packed in a brown papar bag in our knapsack, along with our ponchos, in case it rained. It was quiet a big deal to hike down to the old Morris Canal and then walk along the tow path all the way to Beaver Brook Road and then back again. On the way back from Beaver Brook Road we would all sit on the fallen tree, in the woods near the old tow path of the canal and eat our lunches. It was just a grand and wonderful thing, to eat our lunch in the midst of scurrying squirrels, birds flying above us, rabbits jumping around, frogs croaking on the banks of the canal and from time to time we would see a deer running through the forest. You just cannot acquire that kind of appreciation for nature, from reading a book. I look back at that magical time, when I was the Patrol Leader of the infamous Badger Patrol, with great fondness. I
This is a photo of the actual Patrol Leader’s Certificate that was granted to me in December of 1967 to become the newest Patrol Leader of the infamous Badger Patrol of Boy Scout Troop 170.
learned a lot about leadership by serving as a Patrol Leader. With all due respect to the public school system, I learned more about leadership by being a Patrol Leader that year than I learned in my entire freshman year of high school. I think that scouting still is a golden opportunity for a boy to learn leadership skills. I know that recently scouting has gotten a bad reputation. And, that deeply saddens me. I think that there are a lot of aspects of scouting that need to be revamped. But, still, all in all, it remains to be a good medium for a boy to learn leadership skills. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@hotmail.com.
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ominations are now open for Alte Roofing’s 6th free roof giveaway to a local family! Nominees must reside in Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset, Morris or Sussex County, NJ. and own their home. You may nominate yourself or anyone who is in need of a new roof. The best nominations tell us why the nominee is deserving of a new roof, with some information about their back story. Photos of the nominee and/or the roof are helpful. This year’s timeline: Nominations accepted through May 31. 4 finalists announced on July 15. This is followed by a month long public vote to select the eventual winner. Winner will be announced on August 20, with install shortly after. Nominations
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Three from Roxbury Named State Youth Arts Month Winners
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uring March, prior to the COVID-19 school closures, the Art Educators of New Jersey celebrated the state’s most talented students in the national observance of Youth Art Month. Youth Art Month is proclaimed to emphasize the value of art education for all children and encourage support for quality school art programs. Three students from Roxbury High School were selected for the 2020 New Jersey State Youth Arts Month Exhibit in Trenton. Those students included Freshman Angelina Stigliano for her Charcoal and Colored Pencil artwork from Scott Schilling’s class, Sophomore Helena Geraci for her Black and White Photography from Renee Zengel’s class, and Junior Alexa Hernandez for her Pen and Ink work from Nancy Valenta’s class. The State YAM Exhibit was on display at the State House Annex from February 28th through March 6th. These students were recognized at the Artist Receptions and Awards Ceremonies in the State House on March 6th. That evening’s guest speaker was Evan Michelson, co-owner of the famous Obscura Antiques & Oddities store in New York City. This year’s YAM State winners artwork can be viewed at yamnj.blogspot.com and artsonia.com/museum/gallery. Member NJ Arborists Association Commercial • Residential Owner Operated
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Page 20 • April 20, 2020
A Go-To Gourmet Breakfast
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kip the cereal and frozen foods for a spread like these Orange Eggs Benedict with a homemade hollandaise sauce. With six servings, it’s perfect for a family breakfast at home. Find more breakfast recipes at Culinary. net. Orange Eggs Benedict Serves: 6 Orange Hollandaise: 2 egg yolks 1 orange, juice only 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted water 1 tablespoon white vinegar 6 eggs 1/2 cup butter, softened 6 French baguette slices, 3/4-inch thick each 6 thick slices ham 1/2 cup orange marmalade
orange zest, for garnish To make Orange Hollandaise: In small bowl, add egg yolks, orange juice and salt. Blend until combined. Gradually add melted butter into egg mixture while blending. Set aside. In skillet, add water halfway up sides. Add vinegar. Bring to simmer. Break eggs into water to poach. Cook 3-4 minutes until whites are cooked through and yolks are still runny. Using slotted spoon, remove eggs and drain on paper towels. Spread butter on one side of bread slices. Place bread in skillet and cook until golden brown. Add ham to same skillet and cook until browned on both sides.. To assemble, spread bread slices with orange marmalade. Top each with one slice cooked ham and one poached egg. Pour hollandaise over eggs and garnish with orange zest. (Culinary.net)
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April 20, 2020 • Page 21
This Spring Welcomes A Robust California Avocado Season
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hen it’s springtime in California, vibrant colors and dynamic flavors start to emerge thanks to the abundance of fresh and local produce, including fresh California avocados, that become ready for harvest. This year, the California Avocado Commission (CAC) expects a robust season and encourages consumers everywhere to take advantage of the heart-healthy superfood that can help elevate any meal on any occasion. James Beard Award winner, Chef Charleen Badman of FnB Restaurant, joins CAC in celebrating the season kickoff by developing a one-of-a-kind dish and sharing the recipe with at-home chefs. When spending childhood summers with her family in San Diego, Chef Badman enjoyed several homemade meals featuring fresh California avocados, grown in her grandparents’ backyard. “At an early age, I learned the importance of eating what you grow,” said Chef Badman. “This has always reinforced my commitment to ingredients such as fresh California avocados that are
grown close to home and harvested at their peak for consistent taste and texture.” Here’s her suggestion: Savory Tart of California Avocado Recipe created by Chef Charleen Badman of FnB Restaurant for the California Avocado Commission Serves: 4 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 14 minutes Total time: 24 minutes Ingredients: 1frozen puff pastry sheet 4Tbsp. honey 1tsp. green Yuzu Kosho or tamarind paste 2tsp. white wine vinegar 1Ruby Red grapefruit, peeled 2ripe, fresh California avocados, seeded and peeled 1/4tsp. salt, or to taste 1/4tsp. pepper, or to taste 1½tsp. bee pollen for garnish (optional) Sprigs of mint, lavender or marjoram for garnish (optional) Instructions:
Thaw the puff pastry in the refrigerator or on the counter overnight until pliable. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Once the puff pastry is thawed, unfold or unroll it, removing any packaging papers or liners. Cut and shape puff pastry into four 2x4inch rectangles. Place the rectangles between two layers of parchment paper and two half-sheet trays, with one on top as a weight. Place the pastries in the pre-heated oven, and bake until brown and crisp, about 12 minutes. An additional 2 minutes with the top sheet tray and parchment paper removed may be needed to finish even browning and crisping. Set aside and let the pastries cool. While pastries are cooling, create Yuzu Kosho-honey sauce by heating honey, Yuzu Kosho (or tamarind paste) and white wine vinegar until warm. Set aside and cool before using. Using a sharp knife, cut between the grapefruit’s membranes to release the segments. Be sure to remove all of the white pith. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, use a fork to mash
the avocado with salt and pepper to taste. Evenly spread mashed avocado onto cooled pastry sheets. Top with grapefruit segments, then Yuzu Kosho-honey sauce. Sprinkle with bee pollen and garnish with herb of choice. **Large avocados are recommended for this recipe. A large avocado averages about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados adjust the quantity. For more California avocado recipes, visit the California Avocado Commission at www.CaliforniaAvocado.com. (NAPSI)
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Page 22 • April 20, 2020
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West Orange School District Receives “Best Communities for Music Education” Recognition
he West Orange School District has been named a “Best Community in the Nation for Music Education” by the NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation. The award program recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded curriculum. Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education. This year, 754 school districts across the nation were recognized by The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation as Best Communities for Music Education (BCME). According to the NAMM Foundation website, “along with researchers at The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas, and based on survey results, NAMM each year selects school districts that receive recognition as being among the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) and individual schools who receive the Support Music Merit Award (SMMA). “What an honor it is to know that our district can continue to provide quality music instruction to the students of this community. It would not be possible without the constant dedication of our teachers, support from the administration/board of education and of course, our wonderful parents and children. We are fortunate to be able to thrive in a community that values the arts and understands the benefits that music instills in our children,” said West Orange
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Supervisor for Fine Arts Lou Quagliato. According to the NAMM website, “along with contributing to improved graduation rates and academic success, students in quality music programs are consistently more proficient in other subjects and develop many ancillary life-long skills. We have all noticed how the most involved music students are also exceptional critical thinkers and good listeners, able to persist through all kinds of adversities. The benefits of a strong music program extend far beyond the program itself, though the primary benefit will always be the unparalleled joys that good music brings to peoples’ lives.” West Orange schools provide countless opportunities in music opportunities with K-8 curriculum. Music appreciation, recorders, orchestra and band beginning in fourth grade, choir, Jazz Band, and theater arts are only the beginning of what is offered. High school programs include theater, dance, choir, jazz band, Step, Glee Choir, Marching Band, Symphonic Winds, and Wind Ensemble. The award recognizes that West Orange is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation guides implementation in the states and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) which was often criticized for an overemphasis on testing-while leaving behind subjects such as music. ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.
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Celebrate Earth Day
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oday, as the world struggles with a new health crisis, it is more important than ever to protect the air, land and water that sustain humanity. One way is to celebrate Earth Day, now 50 years old. In 1970, millions of Americans joined together and created a movement to address pollution that posed a threat to human health and the environment. April 22nd—Earth Day—was a springboard for decades of global action that has made a positive change for the planet, communities and lives. Looking to the future, companies, families and individuals are making their energy choices count—reducing their impact on the climate through energy efficiency and support for green power. Now, in honor of Earth Day’s 50th anniversary, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program highlights actions Americans can take to make a difference for years to come. 1) Choose ENERGY STAR certified products for your home. They’re independently certified to save energy, save money and reduce your carbon footprint. 2) Support renewable energy sources. Wind and solar power are widely available, with an increasing number of options for electricity customers across America. 3) Charge your electric vehicle with an ENERGY STAR certified charger. As electric vehicles become more prevalent, smart purchasers can enhance their environmental impact by charging more efficiently. Learn More - For further facts and tips, visit www.energystar.gov/EarthDay. (NAPSI)
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How to Get Wages to Your Workers Immediately
mid the economic fallout stemming from the COVID-19 crisis, many lower-income and hourly workers need access to their earned wages immediately, versus waiting the traditional twoweek pay cycle. PayActiv, the leading provider of employee earned wage and tip access, has been committed to solving this problem since 2013, and today has waived its access fees until further notice to help employers compensate their workers on-demand. More than 1,000 employers across healthcare, retail, food services, and business processing services have signed up for the PayActiv financial wellness platform to manage their cashflow challenges and cut costs, while lifting employee morale for the more than two million workers already enrolled. The PayActiv platform helps essential workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis in America’s hospital systems, senior living centers, and recovery clinics. The workers get timely access to their wages and tips, the ability to purchase supplies, and a means to avoid overdraft fees, late fees or payday loans. Payout is immediate on the PayActiv prepaid card and other debit cards. Additional options include direct deposit, cash pick up, and more. Employees can also pay bills within the app or order an Uber® from the app using earned-but-unpaid wages. In a sign of how dire the COVID-19 crisis is for many workers, a recent PayActiv survey found that 82% of workers said their greatest concern is their finances, 60% have no sick leave, and 58% have seen their expenses rise since the outbreak. Even before the crisis, studies found that 78% of U.S. workers live paycheck-to-paycheck. This prob-
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lem is compounded by many workers now facing new medical costs. PayActiv has seen workers enroll in its services at a 200% increase week-over-week since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, with much of that increase stemming from the healthcare and delivery industries. “The ongoing situation isn’t sustainable. People need access to their earned wages without having to wait two weeks,” said Safwan Shah, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of PayActiv. “Our fundamental mission is to get earned wages into the hands of workers when, and how, they need them most.” PayActiv is a certified B Corp and Public Benefit Corporation, committed to the public good. The company offers a range of other benefits, including prescription discounts, financial counseling, and budgeting advice. PayActiv has recently partnered with Paychex, a leading provider of HR, payroll, benefits, and insurance solutions, to offer $250 to every Paychex business customer that signs up for the PayActiv platform, and with OnShift, a leader in human capital management software for postacute care and senior living, to provide more than 175,000 healthcare workers with earned wage access. Additional PayActiv clients include Walmart, American Senior Communities, Pizza Hut, and Subway, as well as many small businesses forming the backbone of the U.S. economy. Companies or employees wishing to learn more can visit www.PayActiv.com. (NAPSI)
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Page 28 • April 20, 2020
Your Backyard Isn’t Cancelled: Six Tips To Celebrate Earth Day Right At Home
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he 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22 can be a good time for everyone to take some time to get outside, even if current conditions mean a community event to celebrate isn’t available. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to honor the Earth in your own backyard. “You don’t need to leave home to celebrate Earth Day. Remember, nature starts at your back door,” explains Kris Kiser, President of the TurfMutt Foundation, an organization that encourages outdoor learning experiences, stewardship of green spaces, and care for living landscapes for the benefit of all. “Get outside, mow your lawn, trim bushes, plant a butterfly bush. By becoming a steward of your yard, you are helping the planet. At the same time, you’re supporting your health and well-being, which is increasingly important as families spend more time at home.” What You Can Do Here are six tips to celebrate Earth Day without ever leaving home: 1.Get outside. Your backyard is an outdoor living room and safe place for pets and kids to play. Science proves spending time in your family’s yard is good for your health and well-being, and so important today as everyone looks for creative ways to stay well while being confined to the home. Researchers have found that people living in neighborhoods with more birds, shrubs and trees are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and stress. 2.Make the outdoors a family project. Take your loved ones outside to assess your space. What’s working well? What could be improved? What can you plan to do together in your backyard? Anything needing to be cleaned up? Make a plan to expand or spruce up your yard.
3.Connect kids to nature. Free, online, do-at-home lesson plans are available from the TurfMutt.com. The environmental education program resources and activities, based on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) principles, give kids the prompts they need to have fun learning about and exploring the nature and science in their own backyards. 4.Know your climate zone. Learn about climate-zone-appropriate plants, the importance of pollinators, and how backyards can support local wildlife. Conduct a plant inventory to determine what’s currently thriving in your backyard. Match that up against the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to determine the best types of turf, trees, shrubs, and plants for the climate zone. 5.Keep pollinators in mind. Your yard is an important part of the connected ecosystem providing much- needed food and shelter for pollinators, such as birds, bees, butterflies, bats, and other creatures. Select a variety of plants that will bloom all year long. The Audubon Society’s database can help determine which birds will be attracted to which plants for unique regions so you can make good choices about what to plant. 6.Plant, prune or mow. Staying confined to home base doesn’t mean gardening and yard work have to stop. Order garden supplies online or have them delivered from a nearby nursery. Mow the lawn and trim bushes. Research shows people who gardened for at least 30 minutes a week had lower body mass indexes (BMIs)—a measure of body fat—as well as higher levels of self-esteem and better moods overall. They also reported lower levels of tension and stress. Learn More - For further facts and tips on saving the planet one yard at a time, go to www.turfmutt.com. (NAPSI)
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Get Stronger Every Day With At-Home Workouts
hese days, people are navigating unprecedented times that have them rethinking how they live and work. While big shifts to normal, daily habits can be unsettling, this also provides an opportunity to start new routines and make positive changes. Many are spending more time at home, so adding structure is more important than ever—especially when it comes to staying active. Studies have shown that exercise can help boost your mood, productivity and immunity. According to Tom Holland, exercise physiologist, Bowflex fitness adviser and host of iHeartRadio’s Fitness Disrupted podcast, it takes most people a minimum of two months to form a new habit. He recommends making the most of your time at home to establish healthy routines. To help you get started, Holland offers these simple tips to add at-home fitness into your daily routine: Connect with a Coach: When motivation wanes, there are plenty of subscription services and online resources. For example, there’s the Bowflex JRNY app (https://www.bowflex. com/jrny-app.html), which features a personal fitness coach who gives spoken instruction
and encouragement as you push through your custom workouts— available on the Bowflex Max Total (https://www.bowflex.com/ max-trainer/) and Bowflex BXT216 treadmill (https://www.bowflex. com/treadmills/). Start small: You don’t have to commit to an hour or more; aim for several micro workouts of 5, 10 and 15 minutes throughout the day; those add up and count as much as one long workout. Put it on the Calendar: Keep exercise at the top of your to-do list by scheduling a daily walk or run or streaming a yoga class. Multi-task: Connect to streaming content and sweat through your favorite daytime show, or catch up on the news. Home Gym Essentials: Holland recommends including one piece of cardio and one piece of strength equipment in your home gym. If space is limited, two good cardio-strength options are the Bowflex Max Total (https:// www.bowflex.com/max-trainer/) and Bowflex 840 kettlebell (https://www.bowflex.com/ selecttech/). Creating healthy habits now can carry you through the current times, and help set you on a path to finish up the year feeling healthy and stronger than ever. (NAPSI)
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Page 30 • April 20, 2020
NJStarz Jessica Vosk Hometown: Clinton, NJ
Photos by Joan Marcus
J
By Stefanie Sears essica Vosk of Clinton is the most recent woman inducted into the “Green Girl Sisterhood,” a collective term referred to all of the women who have shared one such green-skinned role, as she performs as the iconic Elphaba in the Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz Broadway musical Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre. Her interest in the arts began when she was about three or four years old when she was exposed to her father’s musical nature. He had a band when he was in his 30s, so he taught her about harmonies and how to sing. “I’ve been a huge fan of records, rock music and pop music. I grew up singing in the living room with my dad,” Vosk explains, “Those memories, they click. Music was such a huge part of my life. I will always say and still feel to this day that music completely changes people and can be emotionally helpful with people going through any moment of their life.” She then got into community theater at 7 or 8 years old. When she was in fourth grade, she performed in the Carole King show Really Rosie. This was the experience that really ignited the fire within her. “It was probably the first time that I got a laugh from the audience onstage. I was like, ‘This is addictive. This is something that I can do that can help people.’ From then on, the rest was history. It was all I wanted to do.” However, she did not start off her professional career this way. Though she did want to look into musical theater programs for college, she eventually obtained a degree in Communications and Public and Investor Relations at Montclair State University. Vosk’s decision here was pretty typical for those in her position. The common thought process is that a career in the arts industry is not very financially stable so one must find a more grounded path. “My parents said to choose something different, so that’s when I decided to go to Montclair State and do a complete 180 from the musical theater world and dive right into a communications major and a specialty in investor relations,” Vosk says. Before she even graduated, she got a job at an investor relations firm in midtown Man-
hattan. “It was the idea of this is how I’m going to take care of myself and my parents won’t have to support me and they’ll be proud of the fact that I’m doing a real people job and it won’t be so much of a struggle figuring out how to break into the Broadway career.” In the end, however, she realized that this did not make her happy, but she does not regret it. “I barreled along for almost three years at that job and didn’t sing or do musical theater or see any theater that whole time,” says Vosk, “At the end of the day, I think that if I didn’t do that financial path, I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am right now or reached the level of success that I’m working with right now. In essence, it’s all a business and to have learned the business world first was kind of a blessing. Without that experience, I would never be here right now. I wouldn’t be as knowledgeable about business decisions that I make. I wouldn’t be as confident.” Vosk was performing in Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway when she found out that she had booked Elphaba for the national tour and ended up touring for about 13 months in 2016 and 2017. “It was a whirlwind. I toured the country and it was a huge learning experience of how to take care of yourself. The role itself is the hardest role a female could play these days. She’s a beast in every way, shape, and form physically, vocally, mentally. She never leaves the stage. You can really learn a lot about yourself and what you’re capable of. I had crossed my fingers when I left the tour. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to play her on Broadway.” However, Vosk was welcomed on board just in time for the Wicked 15th Anniversary and she made her Elphaba Broadway debut on July 16, 2018. The newest addition in a long line of Elphaba’s, she has huge shoes to fill, and some of her befriended predecessors in the “Green Girl Sisterhood” have guided her along the way. “There’s something really special about being able to say to somebody, ‘I understand, and I get it. I know exactly what the role is and exactly what you’re going through.’ Because unless you’ve played it, you have no idea.”
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April 20, 2020 • Page 31
Vosk credits Julia Murney, who is one of the first women to have played Elphaba both on tour (2006) and Broadway (2007), as one such previous actress and friend of Vosk to have given her advice. Another is Idina Menzel’s initial successor Shoshana Bean, whom also played the role both on tour (2006) and on Broadway (2005). Vosk refers to Bean as a “fierce vocalist.” “It’s just the kind of thing when you run into each other and you say, ‘You know what? If you need anything, I got you.’ She’s wonderful that way. Mandy Gonzalez, the same thing. They all have different advice because everybody’s experience is different, but at the end of the day, the difficulties are the same, so it’s nice to be able to bond with people over that. Even the ones who I have not had a chance to meet, I just think that all the women are just fierce lady bosses. There is a strength that comes with playing this role that sometimes you don’t realize until you’re in it or when you’re done with it.” Therefore, Vosk’s “beast” description of Elphaba is seemingly accurate and appropriate. From the moment of Elphaba’s conception in the show, it is her against her world because of prejudgments due to her skin color. As a result, Elphaba’s powerful vocals, especially in such numbers as Defying Gravity and No Good Deed that emphasize the character’s sense of relying on herself and no one else, are especially poignant. Because of this, Vosk acknowledges that the role can be vocally challenging, so she keeps her vocals trained for this by equating preparing for a role of Elphaba’s stature to preparing for the Olympics. “I’m a very big vocal health advocate,” she explains, “Before I had done Elphaba on tour, I trained physically because the voice muscles are very athletic. You have to really train physically first and that strengthens the voice. That is in my opinion what Elphaba and taking on that role is about. If you’re going to be in the Olympics as a sprinter, then you’re going to be training for a long time to be able to sprint as fast as you possibly can and long as you possibly can. For me, I was classically trained, which lends itself really well when you have to belt these kinds of things. I approach it from a classically healthy way versus just yelling. That’ll hurt you. You won’t be able to do 8 shows a week.” The fact that Wicked has remained a relevant part of theater culture after all these years is certainly telling of the impact that it has had. Vosk believes that the role of Elphaba and her portrayal of her have evolved with the times. “It was written at a time when it was a very different political climate. Fifteen years later, now that we’re in this climate, it takes on a completely new meaning. I often get the question of do we change some of the lines in the show to represent our current society, and the answer is no. Wherever we are sociologically and societally, it makes sense still. It’s completely something that people come to and they’re very surprised. I think that’s why it’s lasted so long. If you think it’s just because young girls are going to come and see these two women portraying roles that they want to be one day, yes, that is one of the reasons why the show has lasted so long. But also, I get parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents who have come to see the show and say ‘Wow. I had no idea that this would touch
me in such a way.’ You don’t see a show that’s run 15 years and that’s still able to captivate thousands of people every single night.” In the musical, Elphaba is constantly ostracized and bullied because of her appearance. Vosk, who was bullied herself growing up, now witnesses how behind the screen bullying has become more rampant, so she uses Elphaba as a symbol for overcoming these hardships. “It’s very hard to be the only green person onstage. Since I took the role on, that’s something that I take very seriously. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be the only different one. It’s very important for me to play a role where I am clearly the only one with a different color skin and treated badly because of it. It’s very important for me to advocate as much as I can for anybody who feels that they are the only different one or that they keep making mistakes or they can’t seem to get it right or they feel like they are being bullied all the time. If I could take on a platform, that would be what it is, to say ‘It is okay to be yourself. If you can be okay with who you are, then everybody else has to be okay with who you are. No apologies necessary.’” Now, after 15 years onstage, Wicked is getting a movie adaptation in 2021. “I think it’s kind of cool. It would be neat to see it on the big screen and be cool to see the aspect of the show that we’ve done come to life. It’s really cool when it comes down to making a film to see more of the behind the scenes stuff.” Could Vosk possibly be in the running of playing the leading lady onscreen? “In my wildest dreams, that would be great, but I’m sure that at the end of the day, big names sell tickets to the movies,” she says, “As much as I would love to do it, and if you put me in the role of one of the Munchkins in the movie I would do it, but the likelihood of that happening is probably no.” That is okay though, because Vosk is keeping herself busy with other personal projects. In August 2018, she released her own debut solo album called Wild and Free. In it she offers a variety of songs in the Broadway, pop, and rock genres. Fans funded it on Kickstarter in 72 hours and it hit 4 Billboard charts and rose to #16 on iTunes. “I’m a recording artist at heart,” says Vosk, “I love taking emotion and relaying it through song. Not everyone can get to a Broadway show, but everyone can listen to an album, which I consider my best and most personal project yet. There will be another when I am done with my time at ‘Wicked.’ I’m planning to tour the album as well.” In addition to her music, another endeavor Vosk would love to partake in if given the chance is the role of Fanny Brice, originated by Barbra Streisand, in the musical Funny Girl. She would also love to originate a role herself. “Playing Elphaba is one of the coolest things I will have ever done,” says Vosk, “You always hope that there is a show that hasn’t been written yet where you can create and make it your own and become known for a role that you’ve created. There’s something fun in that. That’s the cool thing about this business. You never know what is going to come your way.”
Page 32 • April 20, 2020
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